So, Caitlyn Jenner broke the Internet, to coin a phrase, with the release of her Vanity Fair cover and she’s one of the most famous transgender people in the world now. But in the VF video Jenner thanked those who came before her;

“There are a lot of very intelligent women. You look at some of the people, the pioneers trying to get the message out: Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, Geena Rocero, Carmen Carrera. Back in the eighties I was alone. I’m kind of following in their footsteps. They made it easier for me. I hope with my honesty, I can make it easier for somebody else down the line.”

Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox applauded Jenner in an open letter that also offered a nuanced reaction to the Vanity Fair cover, about the conflict of traditional beauty standards and transgender identity. Cox says she and Jenner are both celebrated very publicly for their feminine looks, which align neatly with Americans’ predisposed ideas of what the definition of beauty is:

On May 29, 2014, the issue of Time magazine which proclaimed the “Transgender Tipping Point” was revealed with me on the cover. June 1, 2015 a year and 3 days later, Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover was revealed proclaiming #CallMeCaitlyn I am so moved by all the love and support Caitlyn is receiving. It feels like a new day, indeed, when a trans person can present her authentic self to the world for the first time and be celebrated for it so universally. Many have commented on how gorgeous Caitlyn looks in her photos, how she is “slaying for the Gods.” I must echo these comments in the vernacular,

“Yasss Gawd! Werk Caitlyn! Get it!”

But this has made me reflect critically on my own desires to ‘work a photo shoot’, to serve up various forms of glamour, power, sexiness, body affirming, racially empowering images of the various sides of my black, trans womanhood. I love working a photo shoot and creating inspiring images for my fans, for the world and above all for myself. But I also hope that it is my talent, my intelligence, my heart and spirit that most captivate, inspire, move and encourage folks to think more critically about the world around them. Yes, Caitlyn looks amazing and is beautiful but what I think is most beautiful about her is her heart and soul, the ways she has allowed the world into her vulnerabilities. The love and devotion she has for her family and that they have for her. Her courage to move past denial into her truth so publicly. These things are beyond beautiful to me.

Jenner in Vanity Fair. Photo, Annie Liebovitz

A year ago when my Time magazine cover came out I saw posts from many trans folks saying that I am “drop dead gorgeous” and that that doesn’t represent most trans people. (It was news to be that I am drop dead gorgeous but I’ll certainly take it). But what I think they meant is that in certain lighting, at certain angles I am able to embody certain cisnormative beauty standards. Now, there are many trans folks because of genetics and/or lack of material access who will never be able to embody these standards. More importantly many trans folks don’t want to embody them and we shouldn’t have to to be seen as ourselves and respected as ourselves. It is important to note that these standards are also infomed by race, class and ability among other intersections. I have always been aware that I can never represent all trans people. No one or two or three trans people can. This is why we need diverse media representstions of trans folks to multiply trans narratives in the media and depict our beautiful diversities.

I started #TransIsBeautiful as a way to celebrate all those things that make trans folks uniquely trans, those things that don’t necessarily align with cisnormative beauty standards. For me it is necessary everyday to celebrate every aspect of myself especially those things about myself that don’t align with other people’s ideas about what is beautiful. #TransIsBeautiful is about, whether you’re trans or not, celebrating all those things that make us uniquely ourselves. Most trans folks don’t have the privileges Caitlyn and I have now have. It is those trans folks we must continue to lift up, get them access to healthcare, jobs, housing, safe streets, safe schools and homes for our young people. We must lift up the stories of those most at risk, statistically trans people of color who are poor and working class.

Cox in Allure. Photo, Norman Jean Roy

I have hoped over the past few years that the incredible love I have received from the public can translate to the lives of all trans folks. Trans folks of all races, gender expressions, ability, sexual orientations, classes, immigration status, employment status, transition status, genital status etc.. I hope, as I know Caitlyn does, that the love she is receiving can translate into changing hearts and minds about who all trans people are as well as shifting public policies to fully support the lives and well being of all of us. The struggle continues…

The post #QuoteUnquote: Laverne Cox on Caitlyn Jenner, “Yasss Gawd! Werk Caitlyn! Get it!” appeared first on World of Wonder.

Jon Stewart began a segment Tuesday with a bit of misdirection. At first he seemed to make viewers to think he was going to blast the media’s transphobia –and some of the usual suspects were predictably horrible, Stewart showed a montage of major media figures praising Caitlyn Jenner‘s decision and commending her bravery. Then came the point;

“It’s really heartening to see that everyone is willing to not only accept Caitlyn Jenner as a woman, but to waste no time in treating her like a woman.”

Next you get a montage of commentators remarking on her appearance, and while the praise was gushing and widespread, it became increasingly objectifying as the segment went on…. I won’t spoil it. Watch – it’s funny (and sad) because it’s true.

(via Mic)

The post #DailyShow: Jon Stewart Makes a Good Point About Caitlyn Jenner That No One Is Talking About appeared first on World of Wonder.

Al B. Sure!
Angelina Jolie
Bar Rafaeli
Brandon Jenner
Bruce Dern
Dr. Ruth
El DeBarge
Evan Lysacek
Horatio Sanz
Izabella Scorupco
Julie White
Keith David
Michele Hicks
Michelle Phillips
Mollie King
Nikki Costa
Noah Wyle
Parker Stevenson
Rob Huebel
Russell Brand
Sam Harris
Scott Wolf

The post It’s Birthday, Bitch appeared first on World of Wonder.

Russell in Auntie Mame, 1958

June 4, 1907– Along with most gays my age, I simply must adore her, at the least, for bringing all of us: Sylvia Fowler, Ruth Sherwood, Mame Dennis, Momma Rose & my favorite Mother Superior in film history.

Rosalind Russell was stylish, expressive, versatile, witty & smart. She was one of the best & busiest actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Her career stretched from the 1930s to the 1970s & encompassed all genres, but I most appreciated her special talent for comedy, sophisticated or slapstick.

My favorite of her film roles was as Cary Grant’s foil, the fast-talking newspaper reporter Hildy Johnson in Howard Hawks’ classic rat-a-tat screwball comedy His Girl Friday (1940). The very best of the 6 film adaptations of Ben Hecht & Charles MacArthur Broadway hit Front Page (1928), this one with Russell playing a role written to be played by a man. What other female actor could pull-off this character with such authority & abandon, playing an ace reporter who can trade wisecracks with the best of the boys in the newsroom?

But, most gay people hold Russell on the highest of Gay Icon pedestals for her definitive portrayal of Mame Dennis in what may be the gayest film of all time, Auntie Mame (1958), which I caught for the umpteenth time just last month. I always think I don’t need to watch the classic film one more time & then I come upon it while channel surfing & I get sucked right back into the madcap mayhem.

Russell won 5 Golden Globes, a record at the time, & she won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Ruth in the scrumptious Bernstein/Comden/Green musical Wonderful Town (1953) on Broadway. Unbelievable, Russell never won an Oscar, but was nominated for My Sister Eileen (1942), Sister Kenny (1946), Mourning Becomes Electra (1947) & Auntie Mame (1958). She was given the prestigious Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy for her work raising funds & awareness for research & treatment of Rheuamatoid Arthritis from which she suffered terribly.

Russell was born into a big Catholic Connecticut family. She studied Marymount College in NYC, & American Academy Of Dramatic Arts.

After doing work as a fashion model she started her stage career in the 1920s, & appeared in stock productions & minor roles in Broadway plays before Hollywood wooed her first with a contract with Universal Pictures & then moving right away to the #1 studio, MGM.

She made her first film in 1934 with a prestige role in Evelyn Prentice opposite William Powell & Myrna Loy. During the 1930s she worked hard, appearing in films of all stripes & sometimes dubious quality, until the studio brass finally realized that she was clearly made for comedy, with her expressive eyes & limber body. She often seemed to give performances that threatened to go too over the top, but she would skillfully rein it in, coming off as original, charming & very, very funny. Still, for most of her first decade Russell was mostly given the projects that Myrna Loy tossed off.

Her first truly great role was as Sylvia Fowler, the bitchiest of the bitches in The Women (1939), directed by gay George Cukor, a role she had to fight vigorously to win from a reticent director. In her memoir Life Is a Banquet (1977), Russell claims that Cukor kept asking for a bigger & more caustic performance, but she was afraid of making her co-stars unhappy. She did manage to take the focus from professional scene stealers Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, & Paulette Goddard, sometimes simultaneously. The film was a critical & box-office success & it boosted Russell’s career & brought her a reputation as one of the best comic actors in the biz.

The 1940’s were her most prolific period for film work, but as roles for older females grew fewer (she was only in her 40s) Russell returned to Broadway in the 1950s & found unexpected success in musicals, reprising her earlier film role from My Sister Eileen in a new musical version of the story Wonderful Town in 1953. She continued doing stage work, the occasional TV appearance, or sometimes a film role such as the school teacher in Picnic (1955).

Then along came that role to end all roles in the long running stage hit Auntie Mame & in a rare move by Hollywood, allowing her to repeat the role in the film version in 1958, directed by gay Morton DaCosta. Her Auntie Mame is the definitive Auntie Mame.

Russell returned to films during the 1960’s, giving spry, smart performances as a lady of a certain age in A Majority Of One (1961) & especially Gypsy (1962), royally pissing off Ethel Merman who originated the role on stage. There has been a great deal of discussion among hard core musical theatre types (like me) about the casting of Russell in the film version of Gypsy, long considered Merman’s greatest triumph. But for me, Merman’s special gifts never came across on screen & Russell’s Mama Rose has the wit, bite & emotional range that works well on screen, although she is no Streisand.

Russell wrapped up her long career in one of my favorite nun flicks (& I am a sucker for stories about holy sisters) The Trouble With Angels (1966) & its sequel Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows (1968). Catholic educated Russell gave good nun.

Unusual for show biz, Russell married just once, to Danish-American producer Frederick Brisson, whom she met through Cary Grant. They had one son. Their marriage lasted 35 years ending with her final bow in 1976, taken by that damn cancer. She was 69 years old. She is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, with of view of the former MGM lot.

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Caitlyn Jenner. Photo, Annie Leibovitz

Semi-professional douche-bag/ blogger, Matt Walsh

Both liberals and conservatives are often accused of living inside a bubble and not listening to the “other side.” Not that these are rational arguments that make any sense to ME, but in the interest of “listening”, I went to the conservative (i.e.; crazy) website The Blaze and found Rush Limbaugh spouting off his option on the liberal agenda;

“Conservative and Republicans are the new weirdos, the new kooks — and that is part of the political objective here in normalizing all of this really marginal behavior. I mean, if less than 1 percent of the population’s engaging in it, it’s marginalized behavior. It isn’t normal, no matter how you define it.”

Okaaaay. So, I read on and clicked on The Blaze‘s Matt Walsh opinion piece on Caitlyn Jenner, who he refuses to refer to as such, still calling her Bruce. He lays out his argument in detail, but here are some low-lights;

Parents, be aware: soon the magazine rack in the checkout line at the supermarket will feature this profoundly disturbing image of Bruce Jenner. The picture is plastered right on the cover of the next Vanity Fair issue, and it shows Bruce dolled up in makeup and hair extensions, posing in a corset, with parts of his face, forehead, and throat shaved off for cosmetic reasons, and his chest enhanced by hormone pills, Photoshop, and silicone. The idea is to make the 65-year-old grandfather look like a college girl, but the effect is that he looks like a distorted version of neither.

What he most closely resembles is a mentally disordered man who is being manipulated by disingenuous liberals and self-obsessed gay activists. Far from having the appearance of a genuine woman, he reminds me of someone who is being abandoned to his delusions by a culture of narcissistic imbeciles. I feel a great deal of compassion when I gaze upon this tragic sight — especially because post-op “transgenders” very often regret their decision, and in many cases attempt suicide — but few share my love or concern for him.

Can you stand any more of this? If so, read on a bit more, otherwise skip below because I want you to do something;

Feminism and transgenderism say two opposing things about what it means to be a woman. In fact, feminists have come up with the term “neurosexism” to condemn the misogynistic and “pseudo-scientific” idea that male and females brains are different. But Bruce Jenner claims he has “the brain of a female,” so how does this work? Do you mean to tell me that the only people who can have female brains are males?

Meanwhile, feminists regularly insist that the absence of a uterus and a vagina excludes men from having an opinion about things like abortion. So a man can’t have ideas about women’s issues because he lacks the correct anatomy, but he can actually be a woman despite lacking the correct anatomy?

How does that make any kind of sense?

Transgenderism and feminism cannot coexist. Progressives can’t have both.

They’ll just have to choose.

There’s more and you can read the whole twisted, dumb rant here. Do click on the link even if you can’t stand another sentence because there’s a poll and when I took it, he was “winning”. You can see that now, this IS an insult to women? Vote NO and let’s see if we can get his own stupid poll to contradict his thesis. I’ll leave you with his parting thoughts;

Last question for the people — particularly straight men — who claim there is no real distinction between a “transgender” woman and a real woman: Would you marry a woman who used to be a man? Would you look at this “former” man and think, “I want to make him my wife?”

Answer: No. You wouldn’t. You won’t. And you know it. Instinctively, when it comes down to it, where your life and love are concerned, you recognize the difference between a biological woman in all her glory, and a castrated man in all his derangement. I’m spending thousands of words convincing you of something you know. And I know you know it. And everyone knows that everyone knows it.

So why are we still having this conversation?

That I don’t know. But as long as it continues, I’ll keep reminding you of the things you already know, because someone has to.

Bruce Jenner is not a woman in any sense or to any extent.

And you already knew that.

(via The Blaze)

The post The Blaze’s Matt Walsh: “Calling Bruce Jenner a Woman Is an Insult to Women” appeared first on World of Wonder.

Pharrell Williams, Helen Lasichanh, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West get playful on the carpet.
Kanye presented the CFDA Icon award to Pharrell

The Council of Fashion Designers of America or CFDA held their annual Awards on Monday night at Lincoln Center. The Late Late Show‘s James Corden, hosted the event which recognizes America’s most talented designers. The star-studded presenters list included Amanda Seyfried, Joshua Jackson, Taraji P. Henson, Zachary Quinto and Gigi Hadid… it has been called the Oscars of fashion, although we all know that the Met Ball has a MUCH better Red Carpet but the event still had its fair share of celebrity attendees, including Emmy Rossum, January Jones, Bella Thorne, Katie Holmes, Jiuliana Margulies and more. Besides the awards the notable moments were Chrissy Teigen‘s dress that was already split up the front that split further, Kim Kardashian‘s feather dress caught fire and was extinguished by Pharrell and partner Helen Lasichanh and The Olsen’s, apparently storming off the carpet for being upstaged by Victoria Beckham. But Mary Kate and Ashley had their moment in the sun later when they beat out Joseph Altuzarra, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors and Proenza Schouler for Womenswear Designer of the Year. NOW you can understand why they declined to be a part of the Full House reunion… kinda like Tom Hanks declining a Bosom Buddies reboot, like it or not the twins are LEGIT in the fashion world. But the best moment of the night might have been Betsey Johnson‘s acceptance of the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award with her trademark cartwheel and then a split – at 72, no less. Below is a greatest hits gif of her past cartwheels that she ends every runway show with –a nice reminder to stay enthused or lose, kids.

Here are the winners and a few Red Carpet Moments;

International Award:
Valentino creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli

Media Award:
Instagram

Founders Award:
Mickey Drexler, CEO and chairman of the Board of J.Crew Group, Inc.

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award:
Betsey Johnson

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design:
Paul Andrew
Eva Zuckerman for Eva Fehren
Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel

Swarovski Award for Womenswear:
Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne for Public School
Rosie Assoulin
Ryan Roche

Swarovski Award for Menswear:
Alex Orley, Matthew Orley and Samantha Orley for Orley
Shayne Oliver for Hood by Air
Ariel and Shimon Ovadia for Ovadia & Sons

Accessory Designer of the Year:
Alexander Wang
Irene Neuwirth
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler
Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen for The Row
Tabitha Simmons

Menswear Designer of the Year:
Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne for Public School
David Neville and Marcus Wainwright for Rag & Bone
Thom Browne
Tim Coppens
Tom Ford

Womenswear Designer of the Year:
Joseph Altuzarra for Altuzarra
Marc Jacobs
Michael Kors
Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler
Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen for The Row

Zac Posen and Maya Thurman, daughter of Uma and Ethan Hawke

Juliette Lewis with designer Christian Siriano

Karlie Kloss

Diane Kruger doing her best Violet Chachki

Ashley Judd looking a bit overdressed but beautiful

Gigi Hadid killing it in Kors

Kelly Osborne

Chrissy Teigen before her gown split right up to her hoo-ha

Katie Holmes looking a little blah, but still pretty. She designs clothes, right?

Victoria Beckham and Vogue’s Hamish Bowles upstaged the Olsens, unintentionally, I’m sure.

Vanessa Hudgens, like the rest of Broadway, has Monday night off. She’s currently starring in Gigi

Alexander Wang & Anna Ewers

Amanda Seyfried

Janelle Monae looking on point!

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen with french model-of-the-moment, Aymeline Valade

Betsey Johnson slayed everyone with her unbridled enthusiasm, taking home the lifetime achievement award. Well-deserved!

(Photos, Pacific Coast News; via Hollywood Reporter)

The post #CFDAAwards: The Olsens & Pharrell Win, Chrissy & Betsey Split, Kim Catches Fire & Kanye Smiles! appeared first on World of Wonder.

Michael Kors with date, Julianna Marguilies, who is wearing his revealing design but no word on whether this was a paid work event or just friends.
Rachel Zoe has certainly made her name and plenty of the green stuff with the pay-to-play model.

At New York Magazine’s Vulture Festival, The Cut‘s senior editor Isabel Wilkinson had a discussion with four big-time Hollywood stylists about the effect of “style” on a celeb’s career. The talk included Jessica Paster, Erin Walsh, Brad Goreski, and Brandon Maxwell, who have been responsible for red-carpet looks for stars like Kerry Washington, Lady Gaga, Maggie Gyllenhaal and many more…

The question celebrities and stylists getting paid by brands to wear a certain dress on the red carpet came up and Jessica Paster said that in her experience, stylists receive anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 for these deals, and actresses often receive $100,000 to $250,000 (and more if they are paid spokespersons for the brand.)

“I’m not going to bullshit. If it looks gorgeous on you and this is the dress we were going to pick anyway, why not be paid?

If it looks awful on you, $100,000 or $250,000 is not worth it, but if it looks gorgeous and this is the dress you were going to pick anyway, why not get paid?”

Brandon Maxwell, who works mostly with Lady Gaga, said:

“The whole point of having a stylist is that you can make more money, or more people will want to hire you or the brand that you’re wearing is making more money because it’s driving sales. It’s all wrapped up in money. It’s Hollywood, we’re not at church!”

But both Maxwell and Goreski said they’ve never been offered money to ensure one of their clients wears a certain designer.

“It’s not like they’re trafficking drugs. They’re wearing a dress. So what? If somebody offered me $150,000 to show up in a beautiful dress by ‘x’ designer, I’d be like, where do I sign?”

Paster said none of these arrangements involve a contract. If the actress ultimately decides to not wear the dress for whatever reason, no one gets paid;

“Let’s not forget that when [designers] make these custom dresses, they’re spending about $100,000 dollars, so someone is getting paid.”

The panelists explained that these relationships between actress and luxury brands usually lead to campaigns, which are major coups for their clients. Walsh said;

“There is prestige to being an ambassador for a brand, 100%. That’s a goal for people.”

Goreski agreed:

“If you build out their looks in the right way, those campaigns will readily come to them.”

Which means even more $$. But all this makes you wonder WHY Reese Witherspoon started her #AskHerMore campaign? It seem disingenuous for an actress, like Nicole Kidman, for instance to brush off the question when she has profited so mightily. Oh, well, to each his or her own. Will red carpet “reporters” ask Caitlyn Jenner;

“Who are you wearing?”

You can bet they will and she’ll be paid the big bucks too. (Photo, Pacific Coast News; via Fashionista)

The post #NiceWork: How Much Stars (& Their Stylists) Get Paid To Wear Fashion Brands appeared first on World of Wonder.

Check out this very special WOWPresents presentation! Singer Cheyenne Elliot, family member to Dionne Warwick & Whitney Houston, sits down to chat with Jon Mallow about her music and what we can expect to come!

The post WOWPresents Interviews Singer Cheyenne Elliott! appeared first on World of Wonder.

Uh-oh. Has Tom seen this? Oscar-winning cutie (and wowlebrity!) Dustin Lance Black stars opposite Neon Trees frontman Tyler Glenn in the video for “Songs I Can’t Listen To,” about a couple at the end of their relationship. Watch it below.

Via OUT: This week also marks the beginning of Neon Trees’ national tour, which will take them from Seattle to Boston over the course of the next two months.

The post Dustin Lance Black Breaks Up with Tyler Glenn in the New Neon Trees Video “Songs I Can’t Listen To” appeared first on World of Wonder.

Something WICKED HOT this way comes! Michael Fassbender stars in this “visceral and visually breath-taking retelling of the classic tale about an ambitious Scottish lord who seizes the throne with the help of his wife.” Marion Cotillard is the ruthless and scheming Lady MacBeth who goads her husband into killing the king. Of course you know what happens next — their drive for power eats away at them and things go tragically wrong. What we see of the movie here is dark, sexy, and intense, like Game of Thrones with Shakespearean dialogue. And maybe JUST MAYBE we’ll see some of that Thane of Cawdor peen!

Says Time:

Justin Kurzel’s Macbeth, starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, is no modern Shakespearean interpretation a la the Ethan Hawke Hamlet, but the new trailer proves how it may be radical in its own right.

The trailer has Shakespeare’s language spoken in almost-whispers, yet the starkly brutal imagery takes center stage. Mist and fire abounds, though this movie is not being sold with “double, double toil and trouble” and witches.

Kurzel’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s ambitious murderer has already received praise following its premiere at Cannes. The Guardian noted that “this is not the traditional stage Macbeth, crammed into claustrophobic interior spaces. It is conceived in (and almost dwarfed by) a vast Scottish plain, like Peter Jackson’s Middle Earth.” The Telegraph wrote that Fassbender and Cotillard give “cosmically powerful performances,” while Variety called the movie “fearsomely visceral and impeccably performed.”

The movie is scheduled for an October release in the U.K.

The post #OscarBait: Michael Fassbender Dazzles in the MacBeth Trailer appeared first on World of Wonder.

A Family Guy clip from 2009 which appears to predict Caitlyn Jenner‘s gender transition has gone viral. In it, Stewie and Brian see Brody Jenner and comment on what a giant douchebag he is. “Ugh,” says Stewie. “I can’t believe he came out of Bruce Jenner‘s vagina,” When Brian points out that Bruce Jenner is a man, Stewie sighs and says  “No, Brian. That’s what the press would have you believe. Bruce Jenner is a woman. An elegant, beautiful, Dutch woman.”

Two years later, Jenner appeared on the show once again as an overtly feminine, dancing model for a group of horny sailors. “Just wanted to remind you fellas what you’re all fighting for,” Peter Griffin says in the clip.

Of course, rumors about Caitlyn have been floating around since the early ’90s. But, as Mediate wonders, “did Seth MacFarlane and the rest of the Family Guy writers actually know something the rest of the public didn’t? Or were they just inferring something about Jenner’s gender based on appearance and affect alone? While the joke may have seemed harsh at the time, in retrospect it is remarkably prescient.”

The post Family Guy Predicts Caitlyn Jenner’s Transition Back in 2009 appeared first on World of Wonder.

Brian McKnight
Chad Allen
Claus Norreen
Colm Wilkinson
Jeff Garlin
Kathleen Kennedy
Kenny G
Laurie Anderson
Lisa Cholodenko
Marky Mark
Mike Fisher
Nick Kroll
Pete Wentz
Rick Riordan
Ron Livingston
Stefania Sandrelli
Suze Orman

The post It’s Birthday, Bitch appeared first on World of Wonder.

June 5, 1928– Academy Award winning film director, screenwriter & producer Tony Richardson was brimming with talent & led a life both complex & tumultuous. Richardson had  romantic relationships with many famous women including Vanessa Redgrave & Jeanne Moreau, & with plenty of men like Alan Bates, Laurence Harvey & Rudolf Nureyev. His films were nearly as complicated as his personal life. But, his films are inspiring, plus his direction often brought Oscars & other awards to his actors.

In 1962, Richardson married Vanessa Redgrave, whose famous family makes up one of the greatest acting dynasties of all time. The Redgraves were plenty famous when Richardson became a family member: Vanessa, of course; Lynn who in the early 1960s was just starting out in the biz but would go on to earn Oscar & Tony nominations, Corin, an actor & activist; the matriarch Rachel Kempson, a stage & screen actor whose credits include Out Of Africa (1985); & Sir Michael, the Oscar nominated patriarch, one of the most important British stars of stage & screen in the 20^th century, &  who like his son-in-law, enjoyed having sex with men. That’s right, in the great show biz tradition of Judy Garland & her famous daughter Liza, Vanessa Redgrave & her mother both married guys who dug other guys.

Richardson’s was only married to Redgrave for 5 years, but they had 2 famous children: Natasha Richardson, who won a 1998 Tony Award for the Broadway revival of Cabaret & starred in films like The Handmaid’s Tale (1995) & Nell (1994), & Joely Richardson, whose TV credits include Nip/Tuck & The Tudors. Richardson seems to always be associated with the famous Redgrave acting clan.

Richardson directed Michael Redgrave in The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner (1962). His masterpiece is Tom Jones (1963), starring Albert Finney, & featuring sister-in-law Lynn & mother-in-law Rachel. The film still stands up today & Richardson won Academy Awards for Best Picture & Best Direction. For its time it is a really randy romp.

Richardson & Redgrave were divorced by the time he made The Charge Of The Light Brigade (1968), but he still used his ex in the film & he featured Natasha, just 4 years old, along with little Joely, a year younger. Joely also had a role in my favorite Richardson flick The Hotel New Hampshire (1984), alongside Jodie Foster & Rob Lowe written & directed by her father, & just as sexy a film as his earlier hit Tom Jones.

Richardson’s astounding filmography includes several movies with gay themes & associations: Look Back In Anger (1959), The Entertainer (1960), A Taste Of Honey (1961), The Loved One (1965), A Delicate Balance (1973), Joseph Andrews (1977).

He directed Vanessa Redgrave one more time, as a Jewish prisoner at Auschwitz who survives by playing in the camp orchestra in the harrowing & heartbreaking Playing For Time (1982).

Richardson’s final film was Blue Sky (1990). No Redgraves were in that one, but Jessica Lange won the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Richardson came out of the closet as bisexual when he was diagnosed with HIV in 1990. He was taken by the plague within a year.

After her father’s death Natasha Richardson worked tirelessly for AIDS research, serving on the board of amfAR & God’s Love We Deliver, & organizing the amfAR‘s hugely successful auction of Oscar dresses each year after the award ceremony. She died tragically & shockingly from a head injury sustained in a ski accident in spring 2009. She was survived by her husband Liam Neeson, who she met while appearing together on Broadway in Eugene O’Neill’s Anna Christie in 1994. The evening of her funeral the lights on Broadway were dimmed in her honor.

The post #BornThisDay: Filmmaker, Tony Richardson appeared first on World of Wonder.

AbFab, as it was known, ended 20 years ago last month. In the episode called “The End”, the shows seems to come to an end and then we fast forward twenty five years into the future. Edina and Patsy are living in the same house with Eddie’s daughter, Saffy and her two kids along with Eddie’s mother who hilariously has NOT aged a day. The most implausible aspect is that our two gals are old ladies and they’ve aged terribly. One would imagine a Death Becomes Her scenario more likely, with scary facelifts…

The show went on to have a few more seasons with another fast-foward for several specials, with the last one in 2012, where we are again 20 years into the future, this time slightly more realistically. There’s been lots of talk about an AbFab movie… earlier this year show creator, Jennifer Saunders says, Joanna Lumley, who played Patsy was the driving force. The entire original cast will be back on board with the film, titled Edina and Patsy;

“I think I have everyone back on board. It was Joanna’s idea, so she will have to buckle down. She’s the one who told me I had to write it, so it’s all her fault!”

Supermodel Cara Delevingne has told friends, apparently, that she is a big fan of show, and wants to follow in the footsteps of fellow ‘supers’ Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell by appearing in the big screen adaptation. Saunders has yet to finalise the script, according to The Daily Mail so anything is possible. She said:

“I’ve finished the first draft. I’m feeling euphoric. My proper New Year’s resolution is to do the film, otherwise it’ll be a pointless year of procrastination.

I am actually having treatment, hypnotherapy, for procrastination. It’s true, What my hypnotist said was to get rid of the backpack of negativity.”

The star has previously suggested she hopes to bring back ever guest star on the show ever which could include the likes of Emma Bunton, Minnie Driver, Lulu, Richard E Grant, Marianne Faithfull, Robert Lindsay and Ruby Wax. Saunders has admitted she is nervous about taking Pats and Eddie to the big screen, telling talk show host Jonathan Ross there’s a huge amount of pressure on her shoulders.

“It’s like the second album syndrome. Once you’ve had a bit of success, the last thing you want to do is go and make a flop. So the biggest fear in me is that it won’t be good enough. I’m really nervous about it.”

Get busy, Eddie. We’re waiting, sweetie darling! Tick-tock…

(via The Daily Mail)

The post #FlashbackFriday: “Ab Fab” Ended 20 Years Ago… & It’s Coming Back –Again. appeared first on World of Wonder.

OK, I have to sit down for a second. I just discovered that the Westboro Baptist Church Tweeted me, J.K. Rowling and The Wow Report after I wrote about their Twitter war with Rowling. My first direct encounter with pure evil via social media. On one hand I don’t want to give these *assholes any more attention, but on the other… oh, here goes. To recap:

Westboro Baptist Church was freaked out, to say the least, with J.K. Rowling after the she celebrated Ireland’s marriage equality victory vote last week by teasing on Twitter that Dumbledore and Gandalf could finally tie the knot now.

After I Tweeted the link, Westboro responded with this:

Gross. Next on their hideous agenda? Protesting Beau Biden‘s funeral.

The post #HatefulTweets: OMG! The Westboro Baptist Church Tweeted The Wow Report! appeared first on World of Wonder.

I’ve been feeling a 70s caftan moment, and LOOK at all the gorgeous pattern inspiration I’ve unearthed. Am I crazy or can just about ANYONE work a caftan? If you are relying on that young, hot bod, make it sheer with a bikini (or nothing) on underneath –and if you’ve got a Dad bod, what a perfect way to give it some room to breath. I’m forecasting “The Summer of The Caftan” for Fire Island. Hey, Daniel Nardicio, how about adding to your famed Cherry Grove underwear parties – Saturday Night Caftan Fever, maybe? (You might need an afternoon sewing party too though.) Here’s some Butterick, Simplicity and Vogue pattern inspiration. If you aren’t feeling caftan, there re a couple of tunics, a few jumpsuits and some hot swimsuit sets too.

The post #FlashbackFriday: We’re Feeling a Retro Caftan Moment Coming On… appeared first on World of Wonder.

There are tens of millions of selfies taken every day, so I’m sure to to say these are the weirdest must be saying something, right? Well, take a look, if there are stranger ones, I really don’t want to see them. I’m foisting them on you, know and I very often say, “You’re welcome” but today, I owe you an apology. I know you can’t unseen these. Sorry.

(via Sad and Useless)

The post #Sorry: The Weirdest Group of Selfies on The Internet – Promise. appeared first on World of Wonder.

Our Digital Director Jon Mallow is doing the AIDS LifeCycle 7-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles this week to raise money and awareness in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  He’s on day 5 right now, bless his heart, and I imagine both his ass and legs are about to fall off. After the jump, pics from his Instagram documenting the journey. RETURN TO US SAFE AND IN ONE PIECE, JON! We’re all rooting for you!

This is really happening. Whoa.

Opening ceremony at the Cow Palace. Yes. The Cow Palace! #ALC #RideForAIDS @lalgbtcenter

Lunch. Not bad. Only 500 miles left. #ALC #RideForAIDS

Coffee stop in Davenport. Population 375. Vegan and gluten free options everywhere. #ALC #RideForAIDS @djblacklow

Day 2. Fried artichokes after 35 miles. Only ten million more to go! #ALC

At the top of a 1.3 mile big climb called Quad Buster that has an 8 or 9 mile small climb leading up to it. Fun! #ALC

Take that giant hills! #ALC

Red Dress Day started out so cute, but turned freezing and rainy. Catch my braid tho! #ALC #Tramps

The post Check Out These Inspiring Images from the AIDS LifeCycle Bike Ride from San Francisco to LA appeared first on World of Wonder.

The season 7 crew of RuPaul’s Drag Race gathered on the last day of shooting for a final photo commemorating another fabulous year. We also have another reason to celebrate,  the Television Critics Association nominations are in and RuPaul’s Drag Race scores again with a nomination in the category of Outstanding Achievement In Reality Programming! We’re in great company. Other nominees are: The Amazing Race, The Chair, Dancing with the Stars, and Shark Tank! We won last year and hopefully we can do it again this year. Below is RuPaul’s acceptance speech on the set of Drag Race. See more here.

The post That’s a Wrap: The Season 7 Crew Yearbook Photo! appeared first on World of Wonder.

I hope you’re sitting down! If you’ve never heard of Officer Miguel Pimentel of the New York City Sheriff’s department, I’m about to make your day. His photos first went viral earlier this week thanks to wonderful social media—and then gave rise to an interview with the New York Daily News.

I love the internet.

Um, hi Officer.

Yes, you read right. Getting it in. Before school.

The arms game. The thigh game. The hair game. Everything about this photo is 100.

And he goes to night school? He must be really dedicated.

AND HE CLEANS?!?!?!

Oh man. I LOVE his gym time!

Who needs a BBQ?! I’d rather be at the gym too if that’s what I’d get to stare at!

All I have left to say…

The post Hunky NYPD Officer Miguel Pimentel Is Breaking The Internet! And My Heart appeared first on World of Wonder.