Questions for the Zeitgeist- May 15, 2008: A new "Superhead", a new "Top Model", and...a new Tyra?
In a week where Latrell Sprewell lost his house to foreclosure and Michael Jackson narrowly averted having his Neverland Ranch go the same way, where Morehouse College (my alma mater) will have its first white valedictorian, and where John Edwards FINALLY endorsed Barack Obama, here is what is going through my mind as I contemplate what I'm going to do with the $196 million Mega Millions payout that I will win on Friday...
1- SuperWHO?...This week, former MTV producer Terrance Dean has released his memoir 'Hiding in Hip-Hop: Confessions of a Down Low Brother in the Entertainment Industry'. In his "tell-all", Dean recalls his illicit run-ins with various closeted film stars,rappers and music executives alike. Is he the NEW Karrine Steffans?
2- The night the KNIGHT went out in LA... Will the 5'10" barber who - weighing all of 173 lbs- delivered the punch that knocked 6'3", 315 lb Suge Knight the F^&CK OUT for a good three minutes outside of Club Shag in Hollywood, be hiding FROM hip hop?
2a- This just in...the barber (whose name is Greg, and who is actually 5'11", 185 lbs) says he ain't hiding...
3- Thanks to a new NYS tax credit (one that triples the amount of production costs eligible to receive the credit), ABC's 'Ugly Betty' will be moving to NYC!! Will we see Betty Suarez coming out of #4 Times Square? Will there be shots of Wilhemina Slater leaving the Hearst Tower?
4- Ultra Conservative billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch is supposedly supporting Barack Obama in his presidential bid- Clever move, or Republican Ruse?
4a- Given the new commercial by former Air Force Staff Sgt. John Weiler (the winner of MoveOn.org's 'Make Your Own Obama Ad' Contest), is Mr. Murdoch one of many staunch Republicans who have come across the aisle?
5- In the wake of the Sean Bell trial, two interesting developments...
NY legislators propose a bill that would put $695 mini-cams on police handguns. These cameras would keep a record of shootings that could be used in court hearings...AND
5a- Rhode Island School of Design student JR Neville Sangwe develops a "safer" police cruiser/interior "office"...
All of this will undoubtedly make a police officer's job easier, but...Will this make the lives of Black Men on the streets of New York City any safer?
6- Absolut LaChapelle?
Innovative Photographer/video music director David LaChapelle, perhaps best known for his clumping film "Rize" and his drag-muse Amanda Lepore, has gone "commercial" and designed a bottle for "fine champagne cognac" Remy Martin V.S.O.P. The limited- edition bottle (only 150,000 will be produced) will sell for $50 and will be available at wine and spirits stores around the U.S starting in June. What will Hennessey's next move be?
7-Latrell Sprewell loses his house to foreclosure, Charles Barkley racks up $400,000 in gambling debt to The Wynn casino in Las Vegas, and Michael Vick owes Wachovia Bank over a million dollars for a failed wine bar he opened with a friend before his "unfortunate incarceration". Do any of these multi-millionaire athletes keep an accountant on retainer?
8- Did ANYONE think, back in March, that plus-size aspiring model Whitney Thompson was going to win this season's 'America's Next Top Model'? Is Toccara proud, or mad about it? Will Whitney's "career" go the way of last year's winner, Saleisha?
8a- Moreover, with Jaslene booking so many covers (and getting so much work), is Ms. Gonzalez going to be the first contestant who actually has a viable career AFTER the
9- How the HELL did people survive before the Blackberry?
10-Apres Tyra, Le Deluge...“Tell Tyra that the Queen has returned, and while you’re at it have Heidi clear the runway. I’m going to pump some ‘realness’ into reality" says "supermodel of the world" Rupaul. After the proliferation of "America's Next Top Model" (and all of its spinoffs) worldwide, 'The Janice Dickinson Model Agency', 'Make Me a Supermodel', 'America's Most Smartest Model', 'The Agency' and various other incantations of the search for the next "face", The Logo Network just announced a new competition reality show titled "RuPaul’s Drag Race". Playing host, mentor and judge, Rupaul directs the madness, where contestants will compete for the title of Top Drag Queen. "To be a winner on this show the contestants need to be a fashion designer, an American Idol, and a top model all rolled up into one. And they definitely have to be smarter than a fifth grader.” says Miss Ru. Isn't that true of ALL drag queens?
The Fashionista Files
1- Kate Moss is being moved out of the way as the face of Rimmel cosmetics to make room for Sophie Ellis-Bextor. According to the British cosmetic company, Ellis-Bextor will "work alongside Kate Moss to reach new global markets in Asia, South America, and the Middle East."
Should Moss now take time to make sure that her clothing line, Top Shop, is no longer stealing most of their designs from other designers?
2- Speaking of being "the face of..." Uma Thurman is suing Lancome, claiming they used her images long after her contract with the French cosmetic giant expired. Should she consult with Tyson Beckford, who had to go after Sean John to get his coins for the same thing?
3- What the HELL did Sarah Jessica Parker have on her head at the London premiere of the 'Sex and The City' movie?
4- First Fendi's show on the Great Wall of China, then Dior at Versailles. Have you seen Chanel's Fall 2008 ready-to-wear show at the Grand Palais? (Check the iconic chanel "boucle jacket" reinterpreted for men!)
5- Coming out of what some deemed her retirement, we're glad to see her materialize in the fashion atmosphere, but...at 37, did Claudia Schiffer really have to appear semi-nude
The CULTURE CLUB
A member of The REAL RE-Edit's street team went to the preview for Christie's Post-War and Contemporary Art auction this week! Among those pieces up for auction are works by 
Kehinde Wiley...
Jean-Michel Basquiat (rumored to fetch between $4.5- 6.5 million)...
a Francis Bacon for $25 million (!!)...
a couple of Warhols (one tagged at $2.5- 3 million)...
and a David Park which will probably fetch $1.2 million.
Maybe after I win the Mega-Millions grand prize, I might pick this one up...
This just in...Takashi Murakami's sculpture of an ejaculating anime character (expected to sell for no more than $4 million), just sold at Sotheby's for $15 million! Apparently, there are some people who are still card-carrying members of 'The Recession-Proof Club'!!!
And the Tony noms are out...
Congrats go to Larry Laurence Fishburne, who was nominated for Best Leading Actor for his turn as Thurgood Marshall in 'Thurgood'...
S. Epatha Merkerson is considered in the Best Leading Actress in A Play category for her work in 'Come Back, Little Sheba'
The black alternative rock musical 'Passing Strange' received seven nods, and the Latino musical 'In the Heights' got THIRTEEN!!! Is Debbie Allen wondering what happened to the nominations for 'Cat On A Hot Tin Roof'?
FLASHBACK...
Maybe this is where Tyra got her "fierce" disposition and affinity for lace-front wigs from back in the day. Remember-Supermodel (You Better Work!) by Rupaul?
No comments:
Post a Comment