In the tightest, most stressful and divisive of races, America elected reality-TV star-turned-populist politician Donald Trump as its 45th president tonight. Secretary Hillary Clinton called the man a few minutes ago and conceded the race.
For real.
Time to get to work, people. Mike Pence is our new VP.
While I congratulate the Republicans on their win, and the Trumps and the Pences, I hereby pledge to stand up to any – any – shenanigans, you hear, President-Elect Trump. I will fight for liberty and equality for all. I will not take any notion of abuse lightly, and I will work against it and I will let you know it.
You have big shoes to fill, Donald Trump. Bigly.
Don’t ruin us.
Photo: CNN.com.
Update 1: What did you think of the first speech delivered by President-Elect Trump, an acceptance of the presidency of the United States given late on Nov. 8? I thought it was conciliatory, and I am happy to move away from division as encouraged. I trust he, too, is serious about that piece of business.
Update 2: And now, for the concession speech from Hillary Clinton, delivered before noon on Nov. 9....
With her remarks, the trailblazing Clinton asked that we keep an open mind to President-Elect Trump, and that we fight for what we believe is right and for that which we hold dear.
Are you ready? Are you going to fight for what you believe in?
Good. Because I am.
Update 3: To the Clinton supporters I say quit licking your wounds and wallowing in guilt (that you did not do more) and shock. Completely unnecessary.
What we must do is acknowledge the writing was on the wall all along – it was there in red (it was unmissable). Half this country supported Donald Trump for a reason. I personally failed that side, which I saw and recognized and on whose behalf I barely spoke up. Guilty as charged: I got caught up in the rhetoric, in a desire to make herstory and reassure myself and others that we go high when others go low. I was swept up in my own disdain. And I placed way to much trust in the status quo, which now will go unchallenged in the manner I planned to (time to revise that course of action).
President-Elect Trump ran with scissors – but he did ask us for guidance on Nov. 9. I plan on giving it to him, on reaching out to his supporters. On being the change I want to see in the world. Because I have gotten over his win. You should as well. Fast.
Perhaps, he means it. Maybe, he does want to make us great again.
I know...that is so kinda so Pollyanna. But, to be fair, our priorities, my priorities have been whack as of late. We can and should be doing better – all of us.
We have not. Racism and sexism and xenophobia are real. Black people, black men are incarcerated en masse and shot down with impunity. Women make less money and their health is under siege. Immigrants like myself are vilified. Guns will go unchecked. We know it now. Also real are economic struggle and the feeling that the walls are closing in on ya.
Barack Obama ran on hope, and for many, hope delivered. For countless others yet, it did not.
Hillary Clinton posited that we are stronger together. For sure, we are.
So let us all come together now. Less iLife, more weLife.
That is how we will keep America great.
Marion Cotillard is pregnant with her second child with French filmmaker Guillaume Canet – a bit of happy news that has been made to be extremely consequential to the zeitgeist this week (much more than it ever would have been) in the wake of the announcement that Brangelina are over.
Why?
Because the Oscar winner recently worked with Brad Pitt on Robert Zemeckis’s upcoming Allied, a World War II love story that’s set to open on Nov. 23, and now the Internet believes that she is the reason why Angelina Jolie filed for divorce earlier this week. Never mind that the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services reportedly is investigating Pitt for an alleged child abuse that occurred on Sept. 14 (the day before, court docs show, La Jolie listed as the date of their separation) on the family’s private plane. Cotillard has to be party to the drama because.
I guess because she’s a woman, and, in this particular déjà vu-ish scenario, another accomplished and beautiful actress in the mix will sell more tabloids. It’s a fresher take on the Brangelina narrative, one that does not require that Jennifer Aniston be completely involved again.
Cotillard, for one, wants to make one thing absolutely 100 percent clear: She had nothing to do with this break-up. She stated so herself – in what will be her first and only comment on the subject – in a lengthy, bilingual Instagram post that also has made me wise to the fact that she is, y’ know, on Instagram.
“This situation [the speculation, I presume] is spiraling and affecting people I love. [Canet] is my love, my best friend, the only one that I need. This crafted conversation isn’t distressing. To all the media and the haters who are quick to pass judgment, I sincerely wish you a swift recovery.
“I do very much wish that Angelina and Brad, both whom I deeply respect, will find peace in this very tumultuous moment.”
And there you go. Nail on coffin, as far as Cotillard is concerned.
Now. Let’s all leave the Jolie-Pitts be. For real.
This split does not concern us – they do not owe us an explanation. Not even Pitt, against whom grave accusations are being lobbied. Does he sometimes drink one too many or enjoy smoking weed, as just about everyone has said the last couple of days? Show me someone who doesn’t?
Does he parent to sternly? Who knows! Perhaps.
Who knows.
Brangelina know.
Let them sort themselves out, and let’s all of us demand answers with this sort of passion from the people who actually matter these days: Our politicians...our police...ourselves.
Photo: TomAndLorenzo.com.
Update 1: Whoa.
Although the allegations of child abuse against Brad Pitt are not/were not (?) being investigated the police in L.A., his case reportedly has been referred to the FBI (since the alleged abuse happened en route back to California from France).
This has gotten real real fast, huh.
I wonder if Pitt will be raked over the coals in the same manner as Nate Parker has been as of late (not to bring Parker into this as well, but, you know...fair is fair – and this divorce is obviously going to carry the discussion for a while).
Update 2: On Sept. 23, Guillaume Canet echoed on Instagram many of the thoughts and sentiments put forth by Marion Cotillard on the same social-media platform in the wake of the Brangelina split.
His move, combined with hers, thus presents a united front that appears to be effectively working against the rumors surrounding them in this ordeal.
Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.
Those are just the latest two names the United States of America can shamefully add to the disturbingly growing list of black men and women and children carelessly and needlessly gunned down by police officers – the very people who should be protecting them.
And that’s the f---in’ truth.
Regardless of what Sterling or Castile were doing at the time officers stopped them in Baton Rouge, La., and Falcon Heights, Minn., (more than likely without cause), those men did not deserve to be treated subhumanly, much less get shot dead.
In part because of this disgraceful trend, entertainers have begun loudly speaking up in kind and against the grave injustice of essentially getting a bullet because black. Last month, actor Jesse Williams (TV’s Grey’s Anatomy) eloquently spoke out against the practice of men in blue across America not deescalating potentially violent situations where black folk are concerned, and today, in the wake of the back-to-back slayings of Sterling and Castile, Beyoncé added her powerful voice to the conversation.
“We don’t need sympathy,” the LEMONADE-maker said in a statement titled “Freedom” posted on her website today. “We need everyone to respect our lives. We’re going to stand up as a community and fight against anyone who believes that murder or any violent action by those who are sworn to protect us should consistently go unpunished.”
Hear, hear.
I am not black, but I agree. And I agree.
As a minority (for now) in America, I find it ridiculous, upsetting, and unacceptable that time and time again, black men get gunned down by bad cops. Two mornings in a row we have woken up to such news because of bad cops.
Bad cops. Not the so-called bad-apple cops who felt like their lives were in danger or whatever they’ve been arguing but bad cops who more than likely haven’t been adequately and sensitively trained. Look, I get it: police work is hard work, that is for sure. Some of these bad cops – and for sure all the cops involved in these deaths – have made doing the wrong thing look like the only recourse when it was not, when it is not. Their ability, and that of their superiors, to deescalate the post-shooting messes created by these action is incredibly insulting, btw, especially in light of the fact that so many times these...quote-unquote mistakes have gone unanswered, well...that’s the issue here, is it not?
Anyway. Bad cops. Bad cops who carry on their shoulders and in their heads and heads a history of racism. Who unbeknownst to them practice sexism. Homophobia. And now, thanks to a certain presidential candidate, more and more xenophobia. A culture of it’s OK to abuse others because, hey, we have a badge and y’all better get and listen.
It is absurd that the first nation in the world doesn’t have gun control, as well as leaders who politicize a hate crime like the one perpetrated in Orlando last month to deflect its shortcomings in the areas that clearly should matter most because they affect their people. All of their people.
Foreign extremists are, indeed, a threat, but charity begins at home. American terrorism is an all-too-real fact based in a lack of understanding and respect that needs to be acknowledged and addressed.
Tonight, Dallas is bullet-ridden. I cannot know a whole lot about that situation yet because that situation is fluidly unfolding, but protestors had heavily gathered to voice their long-simmering frustration, and a sniper got to snipin’, targeting police officers.
That’s just as bad.
Dallas wasn’t where Sterling or Castile was shot. It is beyond-unfortunate that this has happened slash is happening. But, like with so many other horrible, commonplace events in our lives these days, no one can be surprised the cookie has crumbled this way.
You can only push people so far before they break. And some Americans have been pushing other Americans to the breaking point for a long, long time.
Beyoncé has a point. We gotta, “take a stand,” but not against one another but for one another.
My hope is we can do this without violence.
My wish is that those who should know better get to learn and do better.
This homegrown violence – born from ignorance (hello, bring back education!) – has to stop.
It has to stop before it stops us.
Photo: VerySmartBrothas.com.
OK. Since we’re all watching the Oscars and whatnot right now, can we talk about a movie that is going to feature some actual movie stars?
I’m talking about Jodie Foster’s Money Monster, starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts and opening on May 13.
Look. I can’t recall what the flick is about, ergo the hyperlinking – fine...it deals with something like, a talk-show host becomes involved in a kidnapping that plays live on the air because the economy. Look: That’s Clooney and Roberts on screen together. (And La Foster helmed. Look...here...at right!)
Worship accordingly.
Except why aren’t we?
No one cared about Secret In Their Eyes, for whatever crazy reason, but I sure hope we will care about this one, because if we don’t, Hollywood will throw in the towel for good, and we will have to watch The People v. Angry Birds: Captain America Episode Vs Godzilla: 3-D, OKRRR.
Photo: ComingSoon.net.
Well that was a genius Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show.
Brought on to help celebrate the 50th edition of the big game, Coldplay may have initially seemed like a wildly odd choice for such a piece of Americana entertainment, but the British band proved once and for all that they are, indeed, so universally well-liked (and ragged on because haters are gon’ hate) because they are quite simply that good. There isn’t an arena, nay, a stadium on the planet that those Chris Martin-fronted Brits cannot rock, and Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on the day it would have the most eyes on it ever, was not going to be the exception. Just like it won’t be in September when Coldplay rolls back into town on its “A Head Full of Dreams Tour.”
What Coldplay & Co. – including the National Football League and the band’s special guests, Bruno Mars (with Mark Ronson) and Beyoncé, not to mention Lady GaGa early on – delivered yesterday was a master lesson in brand rebranding. Marketing at its very bestest.
Coldplay are (now) fun! The world’s harbinger-of-a-very-special-message band (more on that later, but lemme just say, the lads only want to see the world rise).
Bruno Mars is your next King of Pop – unless President of Pop Justin Timberlake decides he still wants the title, in which case I give JT six months to make a new move. I would live happy seeing those two challenge each other for life, btw.
Beyoncé’s the new and improved Madonna, near-flawless art as matter of fact (because when you Yoncé, you don’t need to peacock like Kanye), while the NFL is an American institution dead-set on showing that it cares by allowing its acts du year to move many conversations forward (again, more on that later).
Oh, and Lady GaGa is now Céline Dion.
Headliners Martin, lead guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer Will Champion acknowledged the bull before ’em and took it by the horns, alright, sticking to their Coldplay guns by staying true to themselves and singing the songs that made them Coldplay in the first place. They reminded everyone, albeit momentarily, of the reasons why their music is so effective, and they did so by simultaneously displaying a lot of generosity toward their peers and their audience.
See, Coldplay is often mocked by the tug-at-your-heartstrings-ness and Gwyneth-ness of “Fix You,” a song believed to have been written for Martin’s now ex-wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, in the wake of her father’s death early into his relationship with the actress-turned-GOOPer, and by the, I dunno, earnestness of their true-introduction-to-world-domination single “Yellow,” a ditty that’s almost 16 years old. On paper, the Coldplays have no right being as big as they are, but, much like Adele, they connect with folks in ways folks sometimes don’t even want to accept, much less own for themselves, and their shows are pretty f---in’ magical. They make fans outta non-fans.
It’s really hard to resist Coldplay, and it’s comical to see people try.
“Viva La Vida,” a massive-hit anthem performed during the Halftime Show, is the encapsulation of Coldplay, a band that has expertly combined Olympics-quality pageantry with beautiful, effective songwriting forever. “Viva La Vida” is an honest offering, and much derided. And yet, it was a spectacular way in which to kick off things yesterday, especially because, as Martin put it, “We’re in this together. Let’s go!”
That included the game’s eventual winners, the Broncos, as well as the Carolina Panthers, the thousands gathered at Levi’s Stadium, those millions of us watching at home...and, indeed, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars.
Both previous halftime headliners came back to the Super Bowl turf as special guests and helped the NFL and Coldplay celebrate the annual tradition’s past, the moment...the present, and especially its future. Mars went first, capping a winning year by serving an electric performance of his and Mark Ronson’s huge, Grammy-nominated “Uptown Funk.” His charismatic, unreal dance moves were the thing dreams are made of, and prove that he has a claim to the throne the late Michael Jackson once occupied.
And then there was Queen B.
As she showed us once before, Beyoncé is the real deal. An artist and a badass bitch through and through. An amazing example of womanhood, blackhood, and feminism, all wrapped up into a vessel-like artiste that has learned from the best (M) and will progressively continue to set the bar higher and move the conversations we need to be having forward through the sheer power of art. Through her own sheer power. She gives what we need while giving what we want, all the while letting her message speak for itself and for herself (because we may crave Beyoncé, but we don’t need or get to have all of Beyoncé, ergo the rare public appearances and via-email-only interviews).
That she performed her then-surprise new single “Formation (Dirty),” a song barely 24 hours old, should come as zero a surprise. Gf didn’t just come to play. She came to slay, OK (pardon the clichéd use of her latest chanson de guerre). Beyoncé is a disciplined student of the School of Queen of Pop Madonna; her savvy is incredible, so, of course, she would trot out “Formation (Dirty).” The world already knew it; it was beyond-familiar with its commentaries on identity and current sociopolitical matters. Also not a surprise? That she would announce a new tour immediately following the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show.
Do not insult or, worse, discount Beyoncé’s intelligence ever again, world. And remember, she doesn’t want to be Queen of Pop. Bitch she’s Beyoncé!
Which brings me back to Coldplay.
Everything came back full circle for the band after it gracefully relinquished the spotlight to two other acts because those guys knew people would love it. And those guys, they’re not going to withhold from their fans. Their move to share was smart, and it proved that you can be a person who enjoys many things. You can love many things. You can believe in love. Which means you can believe...in peace.
Yes, even peace got a rebrand (thanks, #BelieveInLove!).
Coldplay was brought on, by the NFL, to help celebrate the 50th edition of its big football game. The band shared the spotlight with two true individuals, who each had something important to say (they, too, are the face of America...they like to have unapologetic fun and form and share meaningful opinions on the state of the nation – deal with it because it’s a good thing, and it’s a very good and American thing that it’s happening; and you could say that Coldplay, Brits that they are, making their way stateside, represented the face of immigration).
Everybody won (alright, maybe, not the Panthers). “Up&Up” we go.
Photo: Facebook.com/coldplay.
Update: Since the show celebrated past performers with two big returns and some clips, what gives? Why was Madonna not shown on TV?
I am pretty sure it has nothing to do with anything other than she probably was shown at the stadium, just not on the televised show. Some cutaway more than likely cut away from her and others.
Oh. What. Do you think it has something to do with the beef M supposedly has with...Gwyneth Paltrow? That G.P. put the kibosh on showing M, telling her consciously uncoupled ex and her BFF Beyoncé to diss the Queen?
Doubtful.
That would not be on brand.
As expected (and rumored all day yesterday), Charlie Sheen revealed that he is, indeed, HIV-positive, this morning on the Today show.
The cynics in Hollywood (and beyond) had been saying that the actor was rushing to the show to scoop the National Enquirer, which reportedly is publishing an exposé on the subject tomorrow – a seedy cover story that is anticipated to tell a tale of million-dollar cover-ups and the sort of Sheenful drama we have come to expect from TV’s once-golden man.
Any further attempts at humor to tackle the topic of Sheen’s diagnosis will say more about our/my own judgment – of Sheen, and also of HIV and of quote-unquote lifestyles – than about anything else, so I will say nothing more than yes, I rolled my eyes when the news broke that this news was coming. Because this is Charlie fackin’ Sheen we’re talking here, and because, while we deserve better advocates of out positive-ness (hello, Danny Pintauro), Sheen is going to dominate the conversation for a while.
Unfortunately, the conversation will have that salacious sheen to it now, at least for a bit. Those million-dollar cover-ups were not so – they were attempts to extort him, Sheen told Matt Lauer (quite possibly the least qualified so-called journalist to handle the exclusive revelation).
What those transactions were, only Sheen knows. What I do know, however, is that a conversation about a public figure being HIV-positive in 2015 should not be marred the sort of bulls--- that he brings to the table because the facts will suffer. The HIV/AIDS conversation still has its own baggage.
We do not need Sheen going on national TV to play the indignant victim of blackmails or whatever.
The actor and his story are going to be picked apart by the media, which will want to reach out to every ex and share every sordid detail of his sex life/alleged druggy activities they can find on the front pages of the mags or as Breaking News that is not. Non-public figures will see this and become discouraged to have this conversation themselves, to seek support.
We do not need to go back to being silent because someone like Sheen was elephant-in-a-china-shop loud about his diagnosis.
Thousands, if not millions of other less privileged folks cannot afford that, OK.
Photo: People.com.
Update 1: Here are some useful facts about HIV and AIDS.
Update 2: Olympic diver Greg Louganis, for one, is happy that a conversation about HIV is being had.
Update 3: Magic Johnson, for one, is confident Sheen may live a long life, if he adheres to a healthier approach.
Update 4: Speaking of Danny Pintauro, he has commended Sheen for making the right call and coming out with his diagnosis and sharing it with the public.
Renée Zellweger, as we all noticed, pretty much stayed away from the spotlight for a good chunk o’ time there after the mid-aughts hit. She just did.
Then a couple of days ago, girlfriend reappeared on the scene and had herself her most high-profile red-carpet moment in years, at the Elle Women in Hollywood Awards in Beverly Hills. And then, yesterday (all day yesterday), the world lost its collective s--- online on account of her “looking different.”
Meaning she probably, more than likely allegedly has had a little...some work done. On her face. And she looks not like Renée Zelleweger.
I will admit that the Oscar winner looks quite fresh, but, c’mon – she still looks like herself. I’m no make-up artist, but it looks to me like she’s not wearing all that much...like her eyebrows aren’t done. Regardless, who knows. She probably spent that last however many years she’s not been making films living the GOOP lifestyle, getting daily facials and, yeah, maybe, even one treatment or another.
I would if I had her money.
There’s just no need to talk about it with the same level of real news-cancelling intensity as we do, I dunno, a certain virus or ISIS. Right? I mean, isn’t there a midterm election going on? (New rule: You vote, you get to keep talking about this.)
Zellweger herself probably thinks we should shut it down and mind our own f---ing business. In fact, she has said as much now, albeit in a much a nice way.
She has said we are being “silly.” Which we are.
“I’m glad folks think I look different! I’m living a different, happy, more fulfilling life, and I’m thrilled that perhaps it shows,” she’s told People magazine.
And there you go.
You will be seeing way more of Zellweger’s alleged new face soon, btw: The actress will be back on the big screen opposite Daniel Craig Keanu Reeves in The Whole Truth.
Photo: People.com.
Next year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi have been the subject of much discussion and debate lately, and not because folks are wondering what will be the style to sport to stay warm while in Russia.
No, people – mostly the decent, evolved ones – are up in arms over Vladimir Putin’s anti-“homosexual propaganda” legislation, which already has tinted Sochi an inhospitable hue not found on the rainbow. Fear is setting in around the upcoming winter games, which promise to be, well...kinda contentious.
I understand that the gay issue, for whatever reason, hasn’t been as pressing as the black issue once was. It just hasn’t. Talking to people about how the plight of the gays is on equal footing with that of the blacks once upon a time, I have come to learn that a lot of ’em just don’t see it quite that way all the way (even though both issues live in the neighborhood of basic human rights).
Which is why Sochi is becoming more and more significant a topic with each passing day.
Stances are being taken. As well they should.
Out figure skater Johnny Weir already has gone on record to say he is going to Sochi and he is prepared to get arrested if it comes to it. “If [that’s what it takes] for people to pay attention and for people to lobby against this law then [so be it],” he told CBS News this week.
And now, self-described gay ally Nick Symmonds has dedicated the silver medal he won distance-running the men’s 800 meters, in Moscow, to his LGBT friends back in America.
“I respect Russians’ ability to govern their people,” Symmonds told Russian media after the race.“[But] I disagree with their laws. I do have respect for this nation. I disagree with their rules.
“All humans deserve equality as however God made them.”
We may not be able to change the new Russian law in time for Sochi to be the inclusive celebration it ought to be. But we certainly can let Putin know, any chance we get, that he’s just whack.
Photo: Outsports.com.
Update: On a related note, word is spreading that Russian news anchor Anton Kraskovsky was promptly fired from his job at KontrTV last January, after bravely coming out on the air.
Kraskovsky knew it would happen, but he went ahead with his announcement anyway, for he had been covering gay discrimination in Russian for just too long now.
“I have made a lot of money in television and I understood that I’d lose everything,” he recently told CNN of his life-altering decision. “But I also understood that I couldn’t do anything else. I did it because I wanted them to hear it in the Kremlin.”
Right on, Anton!
