Hot Topic Tuesday: Coming Out in Hollywood

Yesterday, The Wrap wrote a really insightful article about the celebrities coming out publicly with ease yet there are certain industries where it is still taboo to be out of the closet, namely big movie stars.  It seems so easy to be Neil Patrick Harris, Matt Bomer, and Anderson Cooper, all big television personalities, who came out in their own way whether it was a press release, a significant other acknowledgment in a speech, or a letter to the editor of an online publication.  The news made the headlines for a day and then we all moved on.  Living in Hollywood, I hear the rumors all of the time from the stars hiding behind the religion of Scientology to the actor in two huge summer action films to the Academy Award nominated actor who almost came out, but chickened out at the last minute. (Google Toothy Tile for a hint.) Are the rumors true?  I certainly don't hang out in celebrities' bedrooms, but with certain stars, where there is smoke, there is fire.

If telling the public has been so easy for television stars, why is it so difficult for big box office stars?  Here are some of the reasons:

1.  Box Office Dollars:  There is a lot more at stake for an actor who carries the weight of a $200 million budgeted film on their shoulders.  If audiences cannot separate a celeb's public life from their personal life, the celeb runs the risk of a slimmer bank account and a dwindling career.  In narcissistic Hollywood, people fear a dead career as much as aging in this town.  Rupert Everett has talked on record about how his open sexuality affected his career.  You can argue that he has made some bad movie choices, but only he and his agent know the type of offers that came in before and after he came out.

2. Politics:  As open-minded as cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco are, there are plenty of cities and states that do their best to say anyone who is homosexual is "less than".  This is often your core movie-going audience and the heart of your fans, so this factor is taken into consideration for many stars and movie studios. Politics like California's Prop 8 (Or the antidote I support, NOH8) or the current power of the Christian right, play more into decision-making than you would think.  

3.  Image:  When you reach the stratosphere of superstardom like Brad and Angie, George Clooney, or Tom Cruise, so much of your image is controlled--from what you wear to whom you hang out with. If you buy into the system, part of your life will be ruled by this Hollywood image. (I will get into this more with in an upcoming Behind the Red Carpet post on certain behaviors of the A-Listers. )  So, if you remember back in the day when Rock Hudson married his secretary to keep his sexuality a secret, you better believe that there are a few marriages in this town that are arranged still to this day.  If I hear the excuse that "But they are married and have kids!" one more time, I might scream.  Hollywood is smoke and mirrors, things are arranged, people have a family, it's life and believe it or not, even in real life this happens too.

Will we see a major movie star come out soon?  I don't think so.  Like the country music, sports, and the hip hop industry, it's still tough for people to live their own truths.  Is it any of our business? Yes and no.  Yes, in that it is important to set a precedent for the next generation letting people know that it is okay to be who you are.  No, in that it is their private life and they should have the right to live as publicly or as privately as they want.  It's not a simple issue and it is one that won't be answered overnight.

What are your thoughts on this Hot Topic?  Do you think we will see a major movie star come out any time soon?  Chime in the comments below or join me on Facebook or Twitter.


Don't forget to join me tomorrow night on AfterBuzz TV for the So You Think You Can Dance after show with our special guest, Alexie Agdeppa from Season 7.  Check us out at 10PM PT on AfterBuzz TV. 

Hot Topic Tuesday: Baby Bump Watch Or Engagement Watch?: Jennifer Aniston

I can't believe we are doing this again, Jennifer Aniston is sure keeping me on my entertainment journalist toes this summer.  I want to thank all of the amazing Aniston fans that have emailed, tweeted, commented, and Facebooked me over the past few days.  Jen's trip to Europe with Justin Theroux has been filled with paparazzi photos with the final set of pics coming from Capri.  Jen is rocking her bikini, but some of you speculated that while she looks great, her body is a little less in shape than usual.  (I am treading  carefully on this because I hate to criticize someone's weight if they just gained a few pounds versus pregnancy pounds. Hey, my body has never looked like Jen's body, so I'm always envious!)  Here's a photo from her fantastic outing in Capri on a boat with her man.  What do you think?

Full photo set on Superior Pics.

Oh, but let's not stop here with the speculation because Justin and Jen arrived back in LA and guess who is wearing a ring--a diamond ring?  Yes, she's got a rock on her right finger which really can mean everything or nothing.  It could be a ring she has had forever.  Have you ever seen this ring before in her wardrobe?  I know some of the Aniston sleuths out there are on the case.  The interesting thing I noted is that she reaches up for sunglasses in the photo.  Many celebs will do something like this to make an "unofficial" official announcement. Jen isn't one to make statements through the press like "I'm pregnant!", "I'm engaged!" unlike some celebrities. So, is this just a ploy to throw us off or is our gal, Jen, officially engaged to Justin Theroux?  Expect some heavy press on this one because there are going to be a lot of "sources" coming out of the woodwork on this story.  The press has been trying to marry and impregnate Jen for a decade.

Full photo set on X17 Online. 

Okay, your turn.  Tell me what you think!  Let's start the debate.  This is also NOT the time to tell me she just got engaged because Angie and Brad got engaged.  Sorry, that ship has sailed and Jen and Brad have moved on.  No love triangle arguments, please.  Thank you!  You know what to do:  comment below, on Twitter, or on Facebook.  

June 28th, 2012:  So this rumor is a bust since even E! hopped on the Jen engagement rumor mill and featured it in their segment, "So True, So False".  Thanks for all of your comments and helpful links.  We are all in this together.  Have a great weekend, kids!

July 20, 2012:  The Spreecast is officially happening!  If you have questions, make sure to RSVP and get your questions in here.  The live chat will happen Monday, July 23rd at 6:30PM PT/9:30PM ET for 30 minutes.  I will be covering the entertainment news of the day and answering your Aniston questions that I haven't been able to get to lately because I have 
been working.  See you on Monday, this should be fun! 

July 24, 2012:  If you missed the live chat, the archive is here.  We will be doing another one 
on Monday, July 30th, same time, same place.  I hope to see you there!

July 25th, 2012:  I used one of Emmy's questions in this week's Behind The Red Carpet (taped) episode.  See it here.

July 29th, 2012:  Remember, Monday is another LIVE broadcast at 6:30PM PT/9:30PM ET.  All of the information is here.  I also have several of your email questions that I will answer 
and address.  I will see you tomorrow!

July 30, 2012:  I made an official call on the Baby Bump Watch on the show last night.  Here is what I said:  Spreecast archive.

August 12th, 2012:  Darn it!  I should have kept the Engagement Watch going, forget the Baby Bump Watch.  Congrats to Jen and Justin who are OFFICIALLY ENGAGED!  See the Gossip Cop item confirming the news.  

Baby Bump Watch 2012: Gisele Bundchen

*Update:  This has been confirmed by US Weekly. See the post here.*


We still haven't resolved the mystery surrounding our last Baby Bump Watch.  In fact, Jennifer Aniston has a hard core faction of fans in her corner, but there are also the Team Pitt fans who are stuck in 2005 with Angie and Jen fighting over Brad (Read the comments).  Come on, kids, everyone is happy and has moved on.  So, while I don't have an answer yet about Jen, let's talk about Gisele.  Gisele and Tom Brady are royalty in New England and they already have one little prince together. (Tom also has child with Bridget Moynahan.) Rumor has it that Gisele is expecting again.  When this photo surfaced, I had to go with my instincts and make her my next official Baby Bump Watch.  With her incredible body that bounced back so quickly after her first, I think this photo is leading all of us to believe she is indeed pregnant. She is never out of shape. So, let the official Baby Bump Watch begin........(and let's hope she doesn't keep offering motherly advice to everyone like last time.)

Behind the Scenes of the Oscar Nominees Luncheon

Last week was the Oscar Nominees luncheon which is an intimate look at the current crop of Hollywood's finest.  I offered my coverage with Mingle Media TV in video form, but I thought it would be fun to give you a look into my notes written in a stream of consciousness form.  I cleaned up any spelling or grammar errors since I was typing on my iPad, but it's a true insider's look on how it all went down.  Enjoy!

Notes:

Learned my lesson last year. Eat before you go. Starbucks run.  Front row this year. Reporter to my left is trying to get the scoop on my marital/dating status, reporter to my right is fantastically wacky.  I like her.  

11:33AM George Clooney:  Go big or go home.  Came early for "free booze". Repeated question that each reporter asked--total media pro. It's good to be a friend of George--Viola/ Brad stay at Lake Como. Sam from KTLA wants to know how he can stay here. Ah, the media is so funny.  Sooo handsome. Oooo, he dropped an F-bomb. Awesome. Rooting for Alexander Payne. Delicious...reporter next to me giggles because I uttered that comment out loud.

Hear my question at the 5:15 mark.....

11:42PM Rooney Mara:  Slight and quite bashful. Ah, my first dress question gets answered. No dress yet. "people send you things and you find something you like.  I dont like a lot of color". " Pierced one nipple, not both. She's keeping it for now, doesn't want to pierce it again. "Everything happened so fast., trying to take it all in." Mugler jacket/ASOS jumpsuit which she pronounces as "A-S-O-S".

11:58AM Max von Sydow: What an honor. Media asking who he was excited to meet. Christopher Plummer. He's so distinguished. How about the ladies? asks a reporter.  He responds, "Yes, some of the directors too." Ah, a sense of humor. Moves in to hear a question. Standing in front of me. Should I hug him?  Nominated 29 years ago for Pelle the Conquerer here. Yes, someone finally asks him a good question.

12:05PM Viola Davis:  Hot, hot in hot pink. "if you guys could see me at home with my cornrows...."  Great story about getting George's villa for her honeymoon. "Greatest gift anyone could have given us". Lost her hair at 28 after reading bad review about her Broadway show due to stress. "At 46, let so much of that go.  Define joy and happiness for yourself. and I've got my hair." She has the room memorized. It's quiet in here. Sign of a star. Wearing JC Abando that day.

12:11PM Jonah Hill/Brad Pitt:  Matching gray suits. Brad has shiny hair. Everyone talking to Brad. Jonah is hanging back, kind of quiet. Lots of Latin outlets asking about Demian's performance. "a story of value and getting second chances." (Pitt). Pranks:  Brad is the "bobby Fischer is pranks...a masterful art form with this guy", says Hill.

12:18PM Janet McTeer:  Wearing a formal suit. Says it was hard "trying to play an Irishman in front of an Irish crew. That was really scary." Their reaction was "what the f--k was that?!".  HA!   Second f-bomb of the day. Rooting for Glenn. Her cell phone rings. She quickly says "have a little bit of respect for the talent.  It's a text". Hilarious. Hid her hands a lot in the film because the are"quite girly".  Didn't wear men's underwear in the film.  (Just in case you were wondering.)

12:23PM Glenn Close:  Hawaiian jacket. "You are one of five...how could you possibly think of yourself as a loser. " Inspiring to hear how she got Albert Nobbs done. 1998 is the year she took out the first option on this movie.  You are awesome, Glenn. 

12:27PM Octavia Spencer: "It will hit me two weeks later and I will enjoy it......and I am a symbol of hope for all of the other actors that have been doing it as long as I have". "I've mauled everyone" since she's near Brad, Meryl, George. What was it like to maul George? That's what I wanted to ask. Behave. Didn't like people misinterpreting her words during the press junket process for The Help. It's tough, but a part of the process. Waiting for food. No alcohol until then. Smart lady. Sings "Oscar nominee" into the mic over and over.  

12:32 Kenneth Branagh:  First time at luncheon even though it's not his first nomination. Enjoys working with Dame Judi Dench. Emma Watson in her first grown-up role resonated with him. 

12:36. Berenice Bejo: speaks Spanish, talks about life in Argentina. Preparation the same as a film. Experience is different for audience. (I asked her whether it was different for an actor to prepare for a silent movie.)  Dress is done. "No, it's like Christmas. You don't say a thing". Guess we won't find out her Oscar designer today. Wants husband to like her dress. Today's dress:  Elie Saab 

12:39PM Jean DuJardin: Movie poster controversy question. Skip it says the moderator.  Yep, keep the questions conservative.  Oooooooo...French. Translator is here. The Artist is an LA film. Likes "energy, playing with extras, the food.". (Wait, playing with the extras??)  Back to French. Back to food likes cinnamon rolls. Not preparing a speech. He "wants element of surprise".

12:43PM Gary Oldman: Finally an Oscar nominee after all of these years. "it's a fairy tale". "I'm having a ball". He likes hanging out with Brad and George. Me too. Talks about Academy recognizing people in their 20's thru 80's. Interviewed Ben Gazzara about 5 months ago who just passed away.  "Oscar is better than the money. The villains are the one you do for money they"re expensive. They will be now." Yes, sir, they will....your agent will be happy too.

12:50PM Lady next to me is wielding an unwieldy pen. I'm wearing a DVF dress, watch out!

12:50PM Melissa McCarthy:  Everyone gets excited. Gorgeous in green. Gets teary-eyed looking at Oscar behind her.  Ah, I'm afraid she's going to burst into tears. No competition with her friend Octavia. Melissa is smaller in real life. No idea who her designer is, but she's wearing Neil Lane jewelry.

12:54PM Michelle Williams: Very Mia Farrow-looking today. So luminous. Oscar dress question. No dress yet. "should I have?". Her advice for other nominees?  "Bring a snack".  Word.  That is so true.  Oscar Day is a hungry day. Dress is awesome. Doesn't know designer of her dress today. So charming 

12:57PM Nick Nolte: He is sweaty and very red. Starts out with a joke. Looks like Santa Claus. I am just stunned. Tells a story about leaving a party at 5am and how he needs stricter rules. Story about Jimmy from Pittsburgh. Who is Jimmy?  I'm confused.  Still going at 1:02. PR Guy makes him shorten story. WTF???

1:03PM Demian Bechir: Like Javier Bardem last year, he gets big cheers. Handsome. He likes hanging with Brad and George too. They're like the cool kids in the club. First Mexican actor nominated since Tony Quinn. Spanish, blah, blah.....I catch every other word. Immigration debate continues due to subject matter on film. "it's a human issue, not a political issue". He's doing a play in Mexico. Flew in this morning. Everyone fighting to be the last question. He's popular.

Photo: Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

3 Takeaways From The SAG Awards

It's hard to believe that we are rounding the corner to the final award show of the season.  With Golden Globes, DGA Awards, and now SAG Awards officially done, where do we stand?  Well, here are three takeaways to ponder until the 84th Annual Academy Awards on February 26th:

Photo:  Hollywood Life

1.  Here are your official Oscar winners in the Supporting Actor/Actress categories:  Christopher Plummer and Octavia Spencer.  No one can beat them.  It's done and the final Oscar ballots aren't even in.

Photo:  Hollywood Life

2.  Viola Davis:  She proved herself to be a contender tonight, but remember Meryl Streep is a formidable opponent who walked away with the Golden Globe in the same category this year.  Many voters feel that Streep is way overdue for another Oscar given the fact that she last won in 1983 for Sophie's Choice and she has a record 17 nominations under her belt.  This is a two-woman race for Best Actress at this point.

Photo:  LA Times

3.  Jean Dujardin:  Interesting and unexpected win for him tonight.  A two-man race that was being lead by George Clooney and Brad Pitt suddenly became a three-man race for that golden statuette.  A good thing to remember is that the Acting Branch at the Academy has the largest membership of any branch.  This could sway a race that some thought Clooney had locked up earlier in the awards season.

If you are wondering if The Help now stands a chance to win Best Picture after their ensemble award win at the SAG Awards, think again.  The Academy doesn't offer an ensemble category, so the Best Picture race is still The Artist's to lose.

What are your thoughts on last night's show?  Comment below and let me know what you think of my awards season assessment.

My Top 10 Thoughts About The 2012 Golden Globes

Photo Credit: Esquire

The show is over and my Top 10 is up!  I thought this year was rather snoozy versus boozy.  Do you agree?

1.  Spray Tan:  When you are asked if you want a second coat, just say "no".  Oompa Loompa orange is not pretty and we witnessed it on too many last night.  Bradley Cooper, Matt LeBlanc, and Rob Lowe, I'm talking to you.

2.  Accessories:  Every lady will be sporting a sparkly headband on the red carpet this season and men will be sashaying down the press line with a Brad Pitt-inspired cane.  Even an injury can be hot when you're shacking up with Angelina and your best friend is Clooney.

3.  Please EAT, Julie Bowen:
This is Julie Bowen in 2012:

  This is a healthier Julie Bowen in 2011:

I ran into her about two weeks ago.  It (her scrawny body) doesn't look pretty in person.  Bones aren't beauty.  Sorry, Hollywood.

4.  Reese Witherspoon: I've called off the Baby Bump Watch.  She's not pregnant.

5. Year of the Actress:  I've seen just about everything this awards show season and I cannot think of a finer year with standout performances by women:  Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Michelle Williams, Octavia Spencer, and Tilda Swinton are proving you don't have to be 25 years old to get the juicy meaty roles in this town.

6.  Ricky Gervais:  He was funnier last year.  Less snark makes Ricky a dull boy.

7.  Sofia Vergara: I don't find her that funny on Modern Family with her non-stop yelling and yapping.  She keeps on receiving nominations.  I said her acting was one note.  A pal reminded me her acting is "two note".  Yes, kids, she's getting honored for her own Golden Globes.  So, while I might find her acting over the top and not award worthy, her dress certainly merited a mention here.

8.  Sarah Michelle Gellar:  Um.......color is always good on the red carpet, just not like this:

Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

9.  Lea Michele:  This is also a NO.  Look, Lea works a mean red carpet and everyone knows it, including Sarah Hyland.  Lea takes fashion risks, but they don't always pay off.  This was one of those times.

10.  The Truth:  If any of these red carpets during award show season make you feel bad about yourself, here is the truth.  Fantasy:  The first photo is of me on Thursday night with a spray tan plus an outfit assembled by a stylist, hair professionally done, and makeup courtesy of a makeup artist.

Reality: This is the REAL me and my pal Julie at our Golden Globes party in Detroit.  Feel good about yourself, don't let the smoke and mirrors fool you.

What were your thoughts on last night's Golden Globes?  Give me the scoop in the comments below.