And It's Done and Still A Bit Dull
Mood:  caffeinated
Now Playing: Oscar Red Carpet and Show Reviews
Topic: Celebrity News/Thoughts

Growing up in the 1970s and early 1980s, my family had one black and white television. We had basic television—the three major networks, a couple of public broadcast channels, and two local channels. In other words, when there wasn’t shit to watch, their really wasn’t shit to watch. We also participated in every (U.S.) culturally televised events—The Super Bowl, the World Series, The Oscars, The Tonys, and the Grammys. We watched because there wasn’t anything else to hold our attention.

As a child, watching the Oscars were deadly boring. (Even more so than the Tonys because at least they had singing and dancing!) There were long and pretentious speeches; actors I didn’t know; movies I was too young to see; and they ended long after I had to be asleep. (They used to come on a “school night.”) As an adult, I love all the pre- and post- Oscar hoopla. I love the dresses, the tuxes, the gossip, the gowns, and red carpet interviews/sniping. (I miss Joan Rivers!) However, I don’t watch the actual show. The last time I watched the beginning of the Oscars, I believe Billy Crystal hosted and Tim Robbins won Best supporting actor for Mystic River (I turned it off from there). The last time I watched the end of the Oscars (not to the end, I just turned it on at 11 p.m.), Adrien Brody (whom I had been rooting for) had won the best actor Oscar for The Pianist.

This year’s Oscar was the most entertaining and engaging Academy Awards Ceremony I’ve seen in a long time. I’m not a fan of doing things just for tradition’s sake, so I’m pleased with tonight’s risks. Hugh Jackman’s recession-themed opening song-n-dance was funny, and the audience seemed pleased with it. (He really is an affable & charming chap, isn’t he?) Tiny Fey and Steve Martin presenting all of the writing awards by reading parts of the script, brilliant! Teen heartthrob Robert Pattison introducing an overview of the years’ cinema romance movies, inspired! So far, you’ve brought in young gays, young geeks, and young girls to an otherwise normally “old folks” only celebration. It is also moving at quite a quick but not quite rushed clip. (Yes, I love the images in movies as much as the next person but I don’t care who the art director is and who he is thanking. They’re presenting for cinematography now, which is allowing me to type this.)

By 10:30 p.m. EST, I found that the ceremony slowed down a bit and was laden with commercial interruption that created faux anticipation. (Were you surprised by any of the winners? I was not.) The show still went over time and seemed rushed by a quarter to midnight. This wasn't Hugh's fault. I did appreciate that producers of the show tried to shake things up. I give the show A for effort and B- for execution. 

Fashion-wise, I’m finding the dresses a little blah and safe. Perhaps it is in honor of the recession, but all of the cream, ivory, light mint, light grey dresses are boring and putting me to sleep. Thus far, the young lady for Slumdug Millionaire, Frieda Pinto, is my vote for best dressed in a vibrant blue number. The 1st runner-up is Kate Winslet in a flattering dark sliver gown with a black (velvet?) shoulder and cummerbund. For best dressed male, eff it, I’ll give it to Mickey Rouke because it the least sweaty and unkempt I’ve seen him all awards season. Alicia Keys raspberry sorbet dress was a great breath of fresh air among the sea of drab colors. Last year's best actress winner,Marion Cotillard, was a midnight blue vision in a sparkly dress cinched in at the waist with a wide black belt.It was simple and elegant.

 

The accessories were beautiful and eye-catching. Amy Adams and Taraji P. Henson's chokers were stunning. Angelina Jolie's emerald drop earrings and matching ring were unique and flattering. Have you noticed that Meryl Streep has been rocking ethnic jewelry to most of her fancy

 

 

events. That's her thing and she's sticking with it, I like it. Sophia Loren's cleavage is descriptionless. I hope to be able to stick mine up and out as far as she does when I hit that age.

And finally, on an “I-can’t-believe-I’m-this-old” note: Sean Penn has crow’s feet and grey temples? Mickey Rouke is slightly-bloated and cranky with a receding hairline? I remember when I was a tween and a teen, these guys (along with Richard Gere) made up my bad boys to f**k list.

I Want to Wrap Rihanna in a Blanket of Security
Mood:  irritated
Topic: Celebrity News/Thoughts

Yours truly, Ms. Kiki, has never been in an emotionally or physically abusive relationship. I have never had a man hit me or threaten to hit me even when I was a high school rough neck taunting one of my mortal boy enemies. I don’t know what it is to be a victim like that, but I do know a handful of girls/women who have been. My hearts go out to them. As I’ve become a mother to two daughters, my stomach boils with anger whenever I hear about child abuse, domestic violence, or relationship abuse on the news. I would like to believe that my husband and I will raise our girls with enough self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-defense skills to not get caught up in one of these relationships, but I can’t predict the future.

 

I dislike teenage boys who grab on girls’ arms, butts, or hair like it is public property or some weird form of caveman flirting. I loathe men who hit women. I hate men who rape or beat little children or women. They are beneath the dog shit on the ground. I wouldn’t spit on an abuser if he was burning in my living room, and I believe myself to be a generous and kind-hearted Christian.

Nearly two years ago at work, I got between a young man who was accosting a young woman. When I asked her if she wanted to go with that man, she said “no.” I wrapped by big plus-size body around her frail little body and proceeded to drag her away from him. He, also a skinny little punk, grabbed her bag and wouldn’t let go. I witness before God that I used all my strength to pull that girl into my building with that asshole hanging on. This whole time, no more then ten minutes, nobody tried to intervene or help. I yelled at a passerby to call the cops on his cell phone because the girl didn’t want to with this boy. Once he confirmed that, he started to dial. It was then that the boy let her go. (Punk ass.) Eventually, we got inside of my job and waited for the police. I saw that she had a busted lip and a hospital bracelet on her wrist—she was released that morning from a beating he had given her the night before.

 

As we waited for the police, I called a domestic violence shelter that agreed to take the women in. (She was homeless, had not family in this city, and was living with her boyfriend because she had no where else to go. The welfare agency was working with her to get her section 8 housing and vocational classes—her going to school was the cause of this most recent fight.) Long story short, a few weeks later she came back to the library looking for me. She thanked the safety officers who had helped her, and wanted to thank me. She knew she was in a bad situation, but she didn’t know how bad until someone intervened to help her.

 

That’s what we need people. We need more people to risk reputation or a few cuts and bruises to protect those who are getting their asses beat by weak men. If someone would ever put their hands on my daughters and I wasn’t there, I hope to God someone would try to help them.

 

This whole post is a reaction to the alleged beating of Rihanna by R&B singer Chris Brown. It’s been a stone laying heavily in my stomach for the past two weeks. I’ve been hearing all sorts of rumors justifying this beat down, like she gave him an STD or that she slapped him first for cheating with another girl or that they were drunk/high. PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE, there is no justification ever for abusing someone you love. If you’re in an abusive relationship, get out even if that means sneaking out the window in your underwear. If you’re abusing someone, go get help.

 

 

Assistance:

http://www.ndvh.org/

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

Help is available to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Assistance is available in English and Spanish with access to more than 170 languages through interpreter services. If you or someone you know is frightened about something in your relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

 

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_help_treatment_prevention.htm

Help, Treatment, Intervention, and Prevention

If you live with someone who abuses you or if someone is stalking you, you need to take immediate measures to protect yourself. You’re in extra danger if your abuser or stalker talks about murder or suicide. You’re also in particular danger if you are thinking about leaving an abusive relationship.

 

• Know your abuser’s red flags. Be on alert for signs and clues that your abuser is getting upset and may explode in anger or violence. Come up with several believable reasons you can use to leave the house (both during the day and at night) if you sense trouble brewing.
• Identify safe areas of the house. Know where to go if your abuser attacks or an argument starts. Avoid small, enclosed spaces without exits (such as closets or bathrooms) or rooms with weapons (such as the kitchen). If possible, head for a room with a phone and an outside door or window.
• Be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Keep the car fueled up and facing the driveway exit, with the driver’s door unlocked. Hide a spare car key where you can get it quickly. Have emergency cash, clothing, and important phone numbers and documents stashed in a safe place (at a friend’s house, for example).
• Practice escaping quickly and safely. Rehearse your escape plan so you know exactly what to do if under attack from your abuser. If you have children, have them practice the escape plan also.
• Come up with a code word. Establish a word, phrase, or signal you can use to let your children, friends, neighbors, or co-workers know that you’re in danger and the police should be called.
• Make and memorize a list of emergency contacts. Ask several trusted individuals if you can contact them if you need a ride, a place to stay, or help contacting the police. Memorize the numbers of your emergency contacts, local shelter, and domestic violence hotline.
• Keep change and cash on you at all times. Know where the nearest public phone is located, and have change available so you can use it in an emergency situation to call for help. Also try to keep cash on hand for cab fare.

Additionally, to keep yourself safe from domestic abuse and violence you should document all abuse. If you’ve been injured, take photographs. If you have been abused in front of others, ask witnesses to write down what they saw. Finally, don’t hesitate to call the police if your abuser has hurt you or broken the law. Contact the police even if you just think your abuser might have broken a law. Assaulting you, stealing from you, and destroying your property are all crimes.

Domestic Violence Escape Kit

• Money for cab fare
• A change of clothes
• Extra house and car keys
• Birth certificates
• Driver’s license or passport
• Medications and copies of prescriptions
• Insurance information
• Checkbook
• Credit cards
• Legal documents such as separation agreements and protection orders
• Address books
• Valuable jewelry
• Papers that show jointly owned assets

Conceal it in the home or leave it with a trusted neighbor, friend, or relative. Important papers can also be left in a bank deposit box.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Domestic Violence Awareness Handbook

Do not feel falsely secure with a restraining order!

You are not necessarily safe if you have a restraining order or protection order. The stalker or abuser may ignore it, and the police may do nothing to enforce it. To learn about restraining orders in your area, call 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or contact your state's Domestic Violence Coalition.

 

Icon of the Month
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: Rihanna
Topic: Celebrity News/Thoughts

I have decided to start a new monthly feature called Icon of the Month. Originally, it was going to be titled Fashion or Style Icon of the Month but I didn’t want to limit myself to just beauty and fashion stories although a majority of the stories will probably fall into one or two of those categories. My first icon of the year is a pop singer, who I just can’t seem to escape and her name is Rihanna. And, you know what? I’m not sick of her yet. She’s ubiquitous yet just in the background enough where I have not overdosed on her, kind of like air. Air is just there all the time doing its thing.

Some Rihanna Facts:

Birth name: Robyn Rihanna Fenty

Born: February 20, 1988 (1988-02-20) (same date of birth as my youngest baby)

Origin: Saint Michael, Barbados

Music Genre(s): Pop, R&B, dance, reggae

Occupation(s): Singer, songwriter, model, fashion designer

Years active: 2005–present

Label(s): Def Jam Recordings

Website:  www.rihannanow.com

Besides being featured inside the pages of People, InStyle, Life & Style, and other fashion and beauty magazines for her cutting edge styles, Rihanna has appeared on at least 10 U.S. magazine covers in 2008. They have included such big-name glossies as InStyle, Elle, and Allure.

Rihanna has been setting trends with her neon-colored nails; razor cut bob, and her sexy neo-punk outfits. She’s also a spokesperson for Cover Girl cosmetics and Gucci. In short, the girl is building her brand! Oh yeah, she also makes some catchy tunes too. (Don’t front, you were singing “Umbrella… ella… ella, ella…” too.)

First the Bad News
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: 2008 Year in Review
Topic: Celebrity News/Thoughts

This past year has really been an extraordinary for entertainment, history, and beauty. The new leader of free world will be an African-American, and he was voted into office by people of all colors including white people. The recession is currently nearing Great Depression like numbers. The beauty industry unleashed oscillating mascara wands and black lip gloss. A movie based on a “funny book” broke records and has Oscar buzz surrounding it. Below, I’m going to give you a little bit of what impressed, disgusted, and thrilled me in 2008.

 

First the Bad News:

 

I was felled by the deaths of Heath Ledger (accidental overdose), Bernie Mac (illness), Paul Newman (cancer), and Isaac Hayes (stroke). Bernie and Isaac’s deaths hit me the hardest because they both happened in the same weekend, they were fairly young, and appeared healthy.

 

 

Three New York City cops are acquitted for the shooting death of Sean Bell. His death was so clearly caused by excessive force that I was shocked that the cops didn’t get any charges filed against them. My stomach burned for hours when I heard the news. I wanted to riot. I tremble with anger to even remember the verdict.

 

What’s up with cheating politicians? John Edwards hooks up with a woman who is not even as pretty as him, and while his wife is dying of cancer. Imagine if he had gotten the Democratic presidential nod and that infidelity was revealed?

New York governor Eliot Spitzer is a whoremonger. Jeez. He resigned from office opening the door for NYS’ first African-American governor. The funny thing, they didn’t even bring charges against him.

California, which I imagined to be the most liberal state in the Union before New York, passed Proposition 8 which bans same-sex marriages. For shame, California, for shame.

 

 

Leave the Girls Alone
Mood:  irritated
Now Playing: Miley Cyrus demi-scandal
Topic: Celebrity News/Thoughts

The problem with making world-wide super celebrities out of children is that there never is any room for them to make mistakes, and their parental guidance doesn’t come from a place of love place but from a place promoting the brand. It is the companies’, like Disney, fault when child-teen celebrities fall from grace in the eyes of their fans, because they were acting out like all children & teens who transitioning into adulthood do.

If media giants weren’t so busy trying to capture the dollar of every living being within their grasp, there wouldn’t be a market of children and tweens to cater to. There wouldn’t be an audience or consumer-market group to have their innocence or naiveté torn from them when their larger-than-life and age-equivalent hero/heroine makes a huge and public blunder. I’m thinking specifically of High School Musical’s Vanessa Hudgens’ nude photos; Jamie Lynn Spears pregnancy; and most recently Miley Cyrus’ racy photos in Vanity Fair (shame on Vanity Fair for even proposing what-could-be-perceived as nude photos of a minor) and on her Myspace page.

 

 

I think back to some of my own high school follies and cringe. Imagine what it would be like if I were teen celebrity and it was revealed that I once drank beer at 8 a.m. or made out with my best friend’s boyfriend or that once I let my boyfriend fondle my breasts while another guy watched? I would be mortified and probably on my way to the unemployment line or surreptitiously freed from my multi-million contract. I’m embarrassed to reveal these things now and I’m 20-years removed from them. Just imagine how these teen stars must feel when everything they’ve been working hard for is put in jeopardy, because their youthful fallible deeds. I say leave these girls (and it’s always mostly celebrity teen girls who are publicly ridiculed, isn’t it?) alone, and stop forcing them to issue public apologies at every turn for making the irresponsible decisions that only teenagers can make. 

 

Taking A Moment to Ignore
Mood:  sad
Now Playing: Heath Ledger, RIP
Topic: Celebrity News/Thoughts

January is barely near its end and we already have one of the biggest celebrity stories of 2008. It's not the end of the Writer's Strike. It's not the cessation of the awards season due to the Writer's Strike, which, by the way, is very frustrating for the celebrity fashion watcher that is moi. It's not even another shocking moment in the quickly crumbling life of Britney Spears. It is the unfortunate passing of one fine and young actor named Heath Ledger.

Heath died on Tuesday, January 22nd. He was 28 years-old. He left a devastated family behind. He left caring (and now worried) friends behind. He left a blossoming career behind. But most importantly and most tragically, he left behind a 2-year-old daughter. A little girl is now without her father, and, by virtue of his celebrity, will be haunted by death-worshipping reporters and media. Think of the others that came before her: Freddie Prinze, Jr., Lisa-Marie Pressley, Frances Bean Cobain, John Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Kennedy. Not only left fatherless by untimely deaths, but now constantly being stalked by the media about their fathers' deaths. The wounds will never heal and the mourning will never be over for poor little Matilda or any other child of a late celebrity. (We should just set up a fund now for Matilda and Anna Nicole Smith's daughter Danni Lynn's future therapy.)

What's even disgusting is that Heath's body isn't even cold in the ground yet, and the feeding frenzy over his death has become relentless. Lurid pictures of his corpse being removed from his apartment. Hate groups planning to protest any memorials. Rumors swirling about his alleged drug use. It makes me nauseous. The United States used to be a country that respected its dead--statues, living memorials, scholarship funds, holidays, stamps, and endless burning flames. Conspiracy theories and negative comments were made only in private not broadcasted across the evening news or posted on the internet. Even Confederate soldiers, who were technically traitors to the country, have statues in their honor. What the fuck happened? 

Isn't one of the positives of death the fact that your skeletons and secrets die with you?  Yet we no longer afford people that privilege. No one is allowed to Rest in Peace anymore. Well, I'm no longer going to feed the media machine. As of this moment, I'm not going to read or watch any stories about Heath Ledger. I'm going to say a little prayer for his family who was left here to suffer. I don't care why he died or how he died. I'm not going to discuss it or be in places where it is discussed. I'm going to remember the joy and entertainment his talent brought me in such films as  "10 Things I Hate About You," "Ned Kelly," and especially in "Brokeback Mountain." I look forward to seeing him in the new Batman movie coming out this summer, which I was ALREADY excited and anticipating highly. 

So, I hope with this small symbolic gesture some peace and rest will be given to Mr. Ledger's family and soul. Thank you.

 

 

 

Rocked My World
Mood:  mischievious
Now Playing: My Top 5 Entertainment Stories of 2007
Topic: Celebrity News/Thoughts

The New Year will be upon us soon, and so will the deluge of end-of-the-year wrap-ups. I decided to beat the rush and inform you of my five favorite entertainment stories of 2007. Enjoy!

 

1. Michael Vick pleaded guilty for his role in a dog fighting operation on his property in Virginia. He admitted to financing the operation and to the brutal victimization and killing of pit bulls. He turned himself in early to prison in November, and could face up to five years in jail. Fortunately, 47 of the 53 dogs seized from Vick’s property were sent to rescue shelters. An animal expert believes that the dogs can be retrained and adopted as pets. Michael Vick is an ass. He’s making more money than he can spend as a football player, so why fund and operate an illegal dog fighting operation?  

2. Oh the shock! The movie Dreamgirls was supposed to be Beyonce’s big break-out role. It was supposed to be the movie that made Beyonce a true triple threat—singer, clothing designer and an award-winning actress. However, Jennifer Hudson’s strong acting and even stronger singing catapulted her to the top of the awards heap leaving Jay-Z's Bonnie in the dust. Jennifer was an American Idol reject slated for obscurity until her turn as Effie in Dreamgirls. In 2007, the plus-sized humble beauty became the fashion protégée of legendary Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley; became the face of Avon’s new fragrance Imari Seduction; and joined the cast of the highly-anticipated Sex and the City movie. Along with a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) award, Jennifer Hudson became just the third African-American actress to win a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Rumor has it that Jennifer dumped her childhood sweetheart, and is now dating New York Jets’ player Kerry Rhodes. Let’s hope the roles and money keeps rolling in, and Jennifer doesn’t cave in to Hollywood’s standard of super-thin beauty.

3. Will the kids keep reading anything now that J.K. Rowling has finished tje uber-popular Harry Potter series? Well, let’s hope so or yours truly is going to be out of a job. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows did a great job of tying up every lose end from each previous novel, and keeping the action and emotions building until the final battle. Rowling also won over critics with her much-improved writing style. The biggest surprise, however, wasn’t in the pages of the book but revealed at press conference with American fans. Albus Dumbledore is gay.

4. When Britney Spears filed for divorce in the fall of 2006 from K-Fed, who would have thought that Kevin Federeline would turn out to be the court-approved better parent? In early October, a superior court judge ruled that K-Fed would retain custody of their two children “until further order of the court.”  Losing custody of her two sons was just one in long list of sad (and no longer funny) things to happen to Britney Spears.  

 

The Britney Spears Timeline of Distress:

February 22, 2007:  Britney checks into rehab for the second time in a week. After leaving the first time, Brtiney shocks everyone by shaving her head bald.

 March 21: Britney is out rehab after completing a one month program. 

September 9: Britney gives a sad and pathetic performance at MTV’s Video Music Awards. Some criticize her for not being in peak physical shape.

 

September 18: The Superior Court judge overseeing her child custody case rules that Britney must undergo random drug tests, because she is engaged in “habitual, frequent and continuous use of controlled substances and alcohol.” She also has to spend 8-hours a week with a parenting coach.

 

September 21: Britney is charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run and driving without a license.

 

October 1: A judge orders Britney to give up custody of her kids.

 

October 11: Britney wins modified visitation rules that allow her children to spend one overnight a week with her. Yet, a week later, the rights are suspended until she complies with the court orders in the custody battle.

 

5. The real stars of Hollywood, in my opinion, the writers, went on strike the first week of November. More power to them. The Writer’s Guild of America unanimously agreed to its first walkout in 20 years. The writers want to negotiate a new deal for royalties from DVD sales and new media. Late night talk shows will feel the pinch first, while daytime soaps and prime time shows could make it to the end of 2007 before the feel the pain. My prediction: MORE CRAPPY REALITY SHOWS.  Give the writers the money. They earn it.

 

---

Postscript: This year was a bad time to be a Black athlete, wasn’t it? 

Marion Jones admits to using steroids after years of denial. She has to pay $700,000 in prize money, and is stripped of all her medals and honors dating to September 2000.

 

O.J. Simpson is crazy. He is also being held without bail for a Las Vegas robbery arrest. O.J. is accused of leading a group of men in an armed robbery to retrieve what O.J. claims to be stolen sports memorabilia. As Shirley Strawberry of the Steve Harvey Morning radio show has said, “Sit down O.J., everyone has seen you.”

Michael Vick, see above. 

Barry Bonds was indicted on perjury charges and obstruction of justice stemming from a federal probe that examined his alleged use of steroids. He pleads not guilty. Folks, that's his story and he is sticking with it.

Cultural Heresy
Mood:  accident prone
Now Playing: Defending (sort of) Tom Cruise and his ilk...
Topic: Celebrity News/Thoughts
I am taking a moment to post my opinions on celebrities and pop culture that might go against the grain of what everyone else is thinking. This might earn me some enemies or, at the very least, cause me to get a pair of discount designer shades at CrystalShades.com to protect my identity.

First off, I am a fan of Tom Cruise. I have been a fan of his since I was 12, and that was nearly 21 years ago. Back then, I carried his picture in my wallet and wept when he married Mimi Rogers. I was envious of Kelly McGillis in Top Gun. I also thought Tom Cruise was robbed of Oscar recognition for The Color of Money and Born on the Fourth of July. I thought Tom Cruise did an excellent job as the ambi-sexual vampire mentor Lestat in Interview with the Vampire. (Stuart Townsend didn't bring as much glee or depth to his Lestat in the horrid Queen of the Damned.)

I also believe that Tom Cruise is a good actor with a winning personality with a nose and a smile that only a mother could love. (Have you seen his mother? They look exactly alike!) I have loved Tom Cruise as a lover, a mother, a friend, and sort of like Rosie O'Donnell. Last year's appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show ruffled my feathers. His open disdain of antidepressants and post partum depression felt like a mighty stab in the back since I am an antidepressant user and was suffering from post-partum (post-adoption if you will) depression. Tom, if you're reading, you really hurt my feelings! The press has spent the better part of the last six months documenting his reportedly faux or apparently crumbling relationship with Katie Holmes. She was the victim, she was duped, Tom Cruise was brainwashing her.

Um? Okay.... Perhaps, but I couldn't feel sorry for the then-pregnant Katie Holmes since she took no precautions not to the get pregnant. (Right, they're all anti-Catholic. What about pre-marital sex? I believe that is also a big Catholic no-no.) Poor, innocent Catholic Katie Holmes and big bad Scientologist Tom Cruise. My goodness! Tom Cruise is the size of an ant. Kick him in the nuts, make a run for the border and get a restraining order if he is that crazy and evil. I don't feel bad for Katie Holmes. Dating Tom Cruise is the biggest thing she could have done for her career. (BTW, indie movie girl and former Dawson's Creek costar has gotten nominated for an Oscar. Go Michelle Williams. I suppose Dawson pined after the wrong girl.)

Scientology is a weird-sounding religion. From all I've read, it seems like a cult. It seems scary. However, Catholicism and Jehovah Witnesses seem like a cult and scary to me. The leftist liberal in me still celebrates the freedom to speech and the freedom of religion in the United States, and I believe that Tom Cruise has the right to say what he wants to say about antidepressants and to practice any religion he wants. Although I am classified as a Universalist Unitarian, I follow more of a Word of Faith movement spirituality which generally relies on positive prayer and thought (to achieve the greatness that God has for his children). WOF detractors believe that it is cult like and is trenched too much in the secular and not enough in the world. Kind of like Scientology, no? (Unitarian-Universalists aren't staunch Christians favorite religion either.)

Tom Cruise, I am defending you! You go with your crazy antics and your oft-criticized religion, because I don't care that much. I love your movies, especially your action movies. Nobody runs like a bat out of hell in an action movie like Tom Cruise. I can't wait to see Mission:Impossible III.

~~~

I admire Nicole Richie. She transformed herself from the skanky-looking and drugged-out sidekick of Paris Hilton into a lean (a too-lean, she and I and everyone else admits), sober, and pretty glamour girl about town in her own right. She graces best dressed, best tressed, and best makeover lists of dozens of magazines. She's getting solo fashion magazine covers, and recognition of her own. Even her feud with Paris Hilton makes her look good, since she didn't publicly start the feud. (The issue, I believe, is that Paris became jealous that Nicole didn't need her anymore for press.)Like Paris, Nicole is generally famous for nothing but I like her anyway. I'd rather see the made-up doe eyes and razor-cut bob of Nicole Richie than the overexposed long legs and pointy elbows of Paris Hilton. (I'm even going to take a glance at Nicole's debut novel, The Truth About Diamonds.

Here are some other things that go against popular beliefs:
1. I like Jennifer Love Hewitt. I think she's cute and genuine, and I like her TV movies except for the Audrey-biopic.

2. I think Keanu Reeves is kind of a good actor.

3. I don't like Jennifer Aniston. I think she's plain and her acting ability can't support anything bigger than a sitcom.

4. On that note, Friends, not that funny.

5. Beyonce Knowles is not a triple threat anything. Neither is Usher, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, or any other of those singing-dancing-acting stars. Dance with the date who brung ya.

6. Madonna hasn't been relevant for ten years.

7. Gisele Bundchen has nothing on Cindy Crawford.

8. Best celebrity ass does not belong to Kylie Minogue, but Beyonce.

9. Matt Damon is an underrated actor. Ben Affleck is overrated and gets way too much press.

10. Wrestling is not fake. Those dudes can and do get hurt!

11. Playing gay in a movie, not that brave. Being openly gay in America, very brave.

Shopgirl
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Claire Danes Grows Up and Other Celeb Beauty News
Topic: Celebrity News/Thoughts
Shopgirl

I just wanted to take a moment to recognize the transformation of Ms. Claire Danes from girl to woman with a simple hairstyle. She looks beautiful and nearly sexy as opposed to her usual sullen, souless stare. Hurrah for the makeover.


Claire Danes ala Angela Chase.

Claire Danes sexy bitch.

***

Today I was fortune enough to get a free copy of Sophicate's Black Hair Styles and Care Guide February '06 issue. I love the black hair magazines because they're examples of expensive hairstyles that I'll never achieve but maybe one day may be able to weave. However, at $5 a pop, they've always been low on my magazine priority list. Anywho...they're always entertaining and informative when I do get one.

In this new issue, I've found out that Queen Latifah is not only a spokesperson for Cover Girl but she also has a line of make-up inspired by her from CG. Apparently, they're geared towards African-American women. It is called The Queen Collection. I'm very pleased. I love the Queen.

***

Singer-actress Brandy has her own line of synthetic hair for weaves and braiding.

Pop Culture Hits Or Are They Misses?
Mood:  caffeinated
Now Playing: Say What?
Topic: Celebrity News/Thoughts
Britney Spears became a mother of a baby boy on my birthday! How do you like them apples? Madonna is now a middle-aged, proper mum. What next? Christina Aguilera enters a nunnery? Does nobody want to be our slutty sex symbol anymore?

It's a boy! Spears confirms birth of baby

1 hour, 4 minutes ago


Pop singer Britney Spears announced the birth of her baby boy on Thursday, saying on her web site that everyone was happy and healthy.

"It's a boy!" said the greeting on www.britneyspears.com, over a picture of blue balloons and Spears kissing her husband Kevin Federline. It added: "Everyone is happy, healthy and doing wonderful. Thank you all for your love and well wishes."

The site gave no other details, but it confirmed published reports that Spears had given birth. Us Weekly magazine said the baby was born by Caesarean section on Wednesday at a hospital Santa Monica, west of Los Angeles.

Spears, 23, married dancer Federline in September last year. The Web site did not give the boy's name, but Us Weekly said the couple planned to call him Preston Michael Spears Federline.

The baby is the first for Spears but the third for Federline, 27, who has two children by his former girlfriend, actress Shar Jackson.


Yahoo News

***

I saw The Transporter 2this weekend. It was a visually engaging, simple-plotted, and fun Sunday afternoon flick. It wasn't better than it's over-the-top predecessor, The Transporter, but it will make its way to my DVD collection. Not to mention, I think Jason Statham is sexy with his lean body and bald head.

***

I really enjoy it when Keanu Reeves plays tortured good guy. He's really good at it. His seemingly blankness works. He's a white canvas that holds any color. Some would say his acting is bad, but his heroes aren't created for their great elocution. They're created for their mournful eyes, sinewy bodies, and the internal struggle. In the prozac, zoloft, anti-depressant world we live in, we've all become drugged up cut out cardboard versions of ourselves. Our eyes and our faces are devoid of emotion and depth as the drugs supress all, but our souls are in turmoil. Keanu Reeves does the perfect job of portraying the heroes of our ages. He does a fine turn in the surprisingly entertaining Constantine

If only all of us could take a dance with the devil and come out looking as great as Mr. Reeves. (Danced with the devil twice! Don't forget that Keanu was the devil's son in Devil's Advocate!)

My Bizarre Hatred of Random Celebrities, Part 1
Mood:  cheeky
Now Playing: Been Long Time Shouldn't Left You...
Topic: Celebrity News/Thoughts
Yesterday, I was watching MTV Hits channel (you know, the one MTV channel that actually plays music videos) and I saw the video for Justin Timberlake's "Senorita" all the way through for the first time. All of a sudden, I found myself in a quandry because I really liked Justin's album Justified. I like his little blue-eyed, Usher cum Michael Jackson style of R&B/Pop. I'm also looking forward to his new album if he can get up from under Cameron Diaz long enough to do it. However, I hate Justin Timberlake. Currently, he's number 1 on my Bizarre Hatred of Random Celebrities List (BHoRC).


BHoRC:
1. Justin Timberlake because he turned out be such a poseur. He so lusted after and idolized Janet Jackson so much that he let her swing after the Tittygate fiasco. Also, he's supposed to be so diverse and so real that once he went Hollywood, he gets himself the 100% embodiment of your typical Hollywood beauty--tall, skinny, blonde, and airheaded--as a girlfriend. I'm speaking of Cameron Diaz folks.

2. Cameron Diaz because she's not that pretty or that hot or that great of talent yet she's the highest paid actress in Hollywood? I don't get it.

3. Toccara, of America's Next Top Model and Celebrity Fit Club 2, because she's a silly chickenhead. CFC2 has shown and proved it to me. So much for getting another plus-sized model for all us big girls to look up to. Here's a tip for Toccara, girlfriend, get a sport bra.



***

My celebrity ex-boyfriend, Ricky Martin wants to stop the stereotyping of Arab children. Bless his goodwill doing heart. I also like his new song, "I Don't Care," which sounds an awful like it should be on Usher's damn-near-if-not-already-Diamond-selling album, Confessions.

Ricky Martin Seeks End to Arab Stereotypes

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On his first visit to the Middle East, Ricky Martin declared he will try to change negative perceptions of Arab youth in the West.

"I promise I will become a spokesperson, if you allow me to, a spokesperson on your behalf. I will defend you and try to get rid of any stereotypes," the 33-year-old singer told youngsters from 16 mainly Arab countries at a youth conference on Monday.

The children, ages 14 to 16, expressed concern about being labeled as "terrorists" by the West.

"I have been a victim of stereotypes. I come from Latin America and to some countries, we are considered 'losers,' drug traffickers, and that is not fair because that is generalizing," said Martin, who was born in Puerto Rico.

"Those comments are made out of ignorance and we have to sometimes ignore the ignorant, but we also have to educate the ignorant. You have me here as a friend," he said.

Martin, who is a United Nations Children's Fund goodwill ambassador, said he wanted to get to know the youth and their cultures better.

He said he planned to do a concert tour of the Mideast and North Africa, including Jordan and the Palestinian territories, tentatively scheduled for May 2006.

Martin, whose hits include "She Bangs," "Shake Your Bon-Bon" and "Livin' La Vida Loca," posed for photos with fans, at one point draping over his shoulders a traditional Arab kaffiyeh headscarf with the slogan "Jerusalem Is Ours" written in Arabic on it.

"I had no idea that the kaffiyeh scarf presented to me contained language referring to Jerusalem, and I apologize to anyone who might think I was endorsing its message," Martin said in a statement released Monday by his New York–based publicist, Ken Sunshine.

"My role is entirely humanitarian, and I will continue to promote the elimination of stereotyping anyone—be they from Latin America, the Middle East, or anywhere across the globe," he said in the statement.

Martin attended the silver jubilee of the Arab Children's Congress set up 25 years ago by Jordan's Queen Nour, King Hussein's widow, to promote creativity, peace, cross-cultural understanding and tolerance. He said he would like to promote a similar youth congress for his native Latin America.

Martin said he would travel later Monday to Thailand where his organization, the Ricky Martin Foundation, had built 225 homes to protect children orphaned by the Dec. 26 tsunami that swept through South Asia.

"I couldn't stay at home with my arms crossed," he said.

Martin said his foundation also is working to combat child pornography and prostitution worldwide. (AP)

More On Ricky's New Single: I Don't Care

I Was An Ozalot Back Before It Was Cool and Maybe a Bit Creepy
Mood:  d'oh
Now Playing: A Return to Oz
Topic: Celebrity News/Thoughts
I used to be an Ozalot. I even have a tee-shirt declaring as much. I also have an I love Oz pin. I saw the musical The Boy From Oz 7 times. I sing songs from the soundtrack to my baby as a lullaby. Hugh Jackman still shows up in my dreams promising me all sorts of unspeakable fulfillment. However, sometimes, it's best to let things go. You hold on to things for too long and you get into a sort of stasis holding program. But Hugh Jackman is delicious enough to destroy all senses of logic. (I hope his new flick The Fountain proves how talented he really is. Aside from his X-men movies and his musical work, his film choices are kind of *blech*. I still watch them anyway because, hey, it's Wolverine. That sexy muthefucker.)

(Ricky Martin also has a new song out which sounds surprisingly a lot like an Usher song. I was also in a Ricky Martin fan club from 1999-2001, roughly. I still do Living La Vida Loca on karaoke machines but I have to admit that his self-titled English language debut was kind of sucky. However, his second, Sound Loaded, was really good aside from She Bangs.)

Anywhoo...Ozalots strikes again...

Fans: Another Sort of 'Ozfest'
Newsweek

June 6 issue - "The Boy From Oz," a Broadway show starring Hugh Jackman, closed last fall. But the play's fans are scheming to keep it alive. This spring the devotees formed Ozalot Productions to get the play made into a movie. "Hugh Jackman could end up the biggest star in the world," says Ozalot prez Barbara Whittaker. His turn as songwriter Peter Allen, she says, "has to be committed to film."

Of course, the Ozalots have a few casting ideas. In an online debate that stretched for months, they settled on Mike Nichols as director, Anne Hathaway as Liza Minnelli and Eric McCormack as Jackman's lover.

Earlier this month a group of fans tracked down Jackman at a Broadway event in New York, introduced themselves and handed him a cast list. They hope that he'll produce the movie and then hire them as extras. Jackman, who's hosting the Tony Awards June 5, isn't ruling it out. "My fans are terrific," he tells NEWSWEEK. "We'll see."

—Ramin Setoodeh

? 2005 Newsweek, Inc.
? 2005 MSNBC.com

URL: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8017669/site/newsweek/