Mailbag for January 19, 2024
Lessons from Emily and John, Buckingham Palace's considerate deflection, impact of speeches on Oscar voting, economics of fashion week attendance, 2024 isn't #OscarsSoWhite, and style makeover recos
Dear Squawkers,
After multiple film festival awards and awards shows over the last two weeks, it’s the most Ryan Gosling has been back outside in a while. And now he, and we, get a little break. Oscar nominations are coming on Tuesday and that’ll generate a whole new round of awards conversation but we’re not watching multiple hours of shows every few days for a couple of weeks until the Grammys. Grammys? Yes, Grammys. That’s how culturally dominant Barbie has been – the soundtrack is up for multiple Grammy Awards so, in theory, Ryan and the Barbie crew could show up at the Grammys (and I’m sure the Recording Academy would love them to) and rep their film, especially before the Oscars voting period begins. Will be curious to see which members of the Barbie team, if any, in addition to Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa, will rep the movie on Grammy night. Ryan is the one with the lowest probability. Just as low of a probability of Eva Mendes joining him on Oscar night (if he’s nominated and he should be!).
I wrote about this after the Critics Choice Awards – that Ryan and Eva do not put their relationship out there on display. And they have made no exceptions, not even last weekend when he received a career achievement award from the Santa Barbara Film Festival, where he did mention her during his speech, calling her “the girl of my dreams”. Because when you make an exception, you open the door to another exception, and exceptions can lead to expectations. And that opens the door to speculation.
For many years Ryan and Eva have been able to keep their shit tight. So tight that media outlets have clowned themselves trying to report on them. Remember, just before the birth of their first child, one of the American tabloids (In Touch, Life & Style, Star, take your pick) reported that they’d broken up. It was because they hadn’t been seen together in a while. Five minutes later they became parents. My point is, there are no leaks when it comes to these two. And it’s easier to lock it down when you’re not allowing the public into your marriage.
You know what you also avoid when you’re not stepping out together at premieres and award shows? Fucking lipreading!
Look what happened to Emily Blunt and John Krasinski. They are fine. But he said something to her on the red carpet at the Golden Globes and some amateur lipreader on TikTok surmised that he was telling her that he couldn’t wait to get a divorce and that went viral, and all the tabloids picked it up and suddenly it was being reported that their marriage was in trouble. Then, two days later, when she attended the Governors Awards without him, it only fueled all the speculation that a split was imminent, so he almost HAD to attend the Critics Choice Awards with her the following week because, well, the lipreading is contaminating gossip!
At this point, if Ryan and Eva break with their own policy and do attend an event together, it would have to be a performance – because it would be a unicorn event to see them and they’d be laser visioned the entire time and one facial muscle out of place would result in a million TikToks analysing their body language and doing forensics on their lips and, beyond their control, people would be making assumptions about their relationship. In other words, a fucking shit show. Like, as much as I would want to see them because… gossip, obvs… the right move is to continue as is. Which is to avoid official public appearances and keeping it to the rare occasion when Eva will post something on Instagram. Like she did this week in response to Ryan going viral for his reaction to “I’m Just Ken” winning at the Critics Choice Awards.
To go back to Emily and John though, interestingly enough, we will soon see Emily on the red carpet with Ryan when they start promoting The Fall Guy, one of the most highly anticipated movies of the upcoming summer blockbuster season. Here’s my prediction about what’s going to happen: Ryan and Emily will look great together at the premieres. TikTok will obsess about their interactions. Someone will leave a comment under a video about whether or not they’re having an affair and declare that that’s why John told Emily at the Globes that he couldn’t wait to get a divorce because he just found out about it that night. Then, to combat those rumours, John Krasinski will have to attend and pose with Emily and Ryan all happy happy happy. But as soon as those rumours get shut down, someone else on TikTok will comment that Ryan looks awkward and lonely standing next to Emily and John, which will kick up a new round of breakup speculation about him and Eva. Let’s check back in a couple of months and see whether or not I nailed it.
In the meantime, your questions…
Question from AL: What is the deal with Buckingham Palace announcing the King’s medical procedure for his prostate next week only an hour after announcing the Princess had surgery?? Aside from usual jealousy over headlines...
Lainey’s Answer:
I don’t want to get into speculation about King Charles and Princess Kate’s health issues so let’s keep this focused on the media strategy with the back-to-back announcements which is indeed highly unusual for the British royal family.
Contrary to your comment about the “usual jealousy over headlines”, which is more often than not true where the British royals are concerned, and the king has indeed in the past been irritated that other members of his family overshadow him, in this case, it would seem that it was a strategic move by Buckingham Palace to claim the main character position, not for his ego but to distract from Kate, helpfully.
The statement about Kate’s surgery came first, followed by the statement about the king. By doing them on the same day, and so close together, this encourages a shorter news cycle. It’s two health updates lumped into together as one, on one day, instead of two over multiple days and occupying a longer stretch of time.
The king’s announcement was more detailed, a departure from how secretive they used to be about the queen’s health. Buckingham Palace was criticised for this back in 2021 when the queen was briefly hospitalised. The fact that Buckingham Palace has been so forthcoming about the king’s condition signals that they’ve obviously changed their PR position on how to handle these matters – and it’s a refreshingly smart improvement by an institution that has been so reluctant to evolve. They even managed to turn it into a PSA by encouraging others to be more mindful of prostate health.
But to go back to my earlier point, I don’t think this was about ego. Rather I think it was an intentional and considerate deflection. Kensington Palace has not been as revealing about Kate’s issues in comparison. As media outlets have pointed out, given the length of stay in hospital and the fact that Will and Kate have cancelled all public engagements until April, whatever it is that she’s experiencing isn’t minor. And the king releasing information about his own health, to me, is an attempt to mute speculation and intrusion into her situation. The royal houses are all in alignment on this one, for a change.
Question from Margaret: There was a great piece in the guardian on the impact of speeches on Oscar voting that references a 14 minute speech by Lady Gaga at the National Review board that kiboshed her chances in 2018. Fact check on this?
Sarah’s answer:
Lady Gaga’s NBR speech is 13 minutes and 18 seconds and it is “Tom Hiddleston at the Golden Globes” levels of self-indulgent. She can say whatever she wants in such a forum, but yes, you can absolutely tank your awards campaign with a bad speech. A good speech can make a campaign. Lily Gladstone’s speech at the Globes a couple weeks ago was great because she reminded everyone of the historicity of her win without coming across as scolding or preachy. The intent and tone were perfect. I don’t think Gaga was a lock back in 2018/19, but for sure, that speech didn’t help. A good speech—usually interpreted as some combination of humble, funny, generous, and sincere—goes a long way.
Question from Now2023: I’m curious how the economics of fashion week attendance works for celebs. Are they paid to show up at events? For the ones with official contracts, I imagine it’s part of the gig and there’s budget for travel, hair, makeup, stylist? But what about the ones who don’t seem to have deals yet? How does one just end up at a fashion week show?
Lainey’s Answer:
For official ambassadors, it’s part of the overall deal. Like if they sign, I dunno, a $5 million contract with a fashion house over x amount of years, that partnership involves attendance at the events, schedule permitting. And yes, that would include styling and travel etc.
As for those who don’t have deals – they’re not paid, like in cash, but they are very likely paid in kind, if they’re invited. Flight, accommodation, the outfit, and other gifts. They might also ask, since they’re invited, if the house will also fly out and put up their glam squad. Depends on the level of fame and how high maintenance they are. That said, the big fashion houses already have the best artists booked during fashion week and can work on the VIPs.
Non-VIPs get invitations, too. Media outlets for example. And social media influencers. They’ll get the gifts, like Pharrell and Louis Vuitton were sending out Stetsons and harmonicas this week with the invitations to the press, but they don’t send entire outfits. And of course, the next step is the seat hierarchy and where and in which row people are placed. So media members might get an invitation and a harmonica but they’re not getting a Speedy and they’re probably seated a few rows back from Bradley Cooper.
Can we talk about Bradley Cooper at LV this week though? BCoop (he’s an ambassador) was in Paris for Pharrell’s latest presentation for Louis Vuitton at Paris Men’s Fashion Week. He was dressed in head-to-toe LV. And at one point seen carrying a clutch! It’s the best he’s looked all award season, actually. And he should consider dressing like this more often.
Question from Alix: A cursory glance at the Emmys results gives me the impression that TV and/or the Emmys is doing a better job of achieving/highlighting diversity within their field vs the film industry (based on film winners thus far & the names being predicted for Oscars). Is this a fair impression? And if so, what is it about television & the Emmys that is making this possible? And lastly, what will it take to actually pull the Oscar’s into a recognising diversity within their industry?
Sarah’s answer:
This is a pretty inclusive year for the Oscars. There are multiple films with predominately non-white casts in the running for Best Picture; there is a prominent queer film in the mix; we might see the first Indigenous woman win Best Actress; there’s a real chance both actress winners this year could be women of color. Is it perfectly equitable? No, but this year, at least, isn’t #OscarsSoWhite. The Emmys, similarly, had more inclusion on display on their winning stage, thanks largely to Beef and the comediennes of TV.
The answer is, you can only reward work that exists. Whether it’s film or television, studio executives, financiers, and producers have to greenlight, finance, and make projects that tell a more diverse range of stories, made by and starring a more diverse range of people. Again, things are not perfect and there is a long way yet to go, but the needle is moving in the right direction, and both the film and TV awards for 2023 have reflected more inclusion in storytelling.
Question from Myra: Speaking of Kate Middleton’s hair, if you could make over and style any three celebs, who would you choose and what would you do to them? Heidi Klum Jennifer Aniston Olivia Rodrigo Dua Lipa
Lainey’s Answer:
Heidi Klum: I don’t get it. Her street style is fine. Her red carpet style is fucked up. And she’s a model! It’s not like she’s an actor who isn’t necessarily paid to be good at wearing clothes. It’s literally her job. Which is why it’s so confusing to me. Like… look at what she wore to one of the post-Emmys parties just this week.
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And this is actually, um, one of her better looks.
What would I do for Heidi? I’m not sure there is anything to be done, LOL. This is just her taste.
Dua Lipa: I’m super into Dua’s street style. It’s funky and sexy and weird. I’m not all that big on her red carpet style, and we’ve been seeing a lot of it this award season because she’s with Team Barbie. On the red carpet, Dua is always bodycon and it’s a lot of strapless. Not a lot of variation on silhouette. Which is why, in retrospect, her Met Gala look was so refreshing. I’m not saying she has to go Disney princess all the time but switching it up once in a while might be more fun because as of right now, she doesn’t stand out to me on a red carpet. All of her looks blur together.
Olivia Rodrigo: On the one hand I’m into the fact that Olivia isn’t out here trying to be a fashion girl. On the other hand, I’d be so excited if Olivia decided to be a fashion girl. On the red carpet, her choices are very, very, VERY safe. They’re never bad – but they’re never remarkable. Almost as though she actively chooses to NOT stand out at these events. I’d actually get off on her making the worst dressed list, as in choosing something deliberately awful, because at least that would be a conversation, you know? Let me give you an example. One of my favourite designers, maybe my favourite designer right now, is Thom Browne. Olivia wore Thom Browne at the Met Gala. And it’s one of the most forgettable Thom Browne looks I’ve ever seen.
So to go back to my first point, this, to me, isn’t about taste. It’s about intention. She’s not that interested. She might never be interested, and that’s rad in its own way, probably way more rad than my desire to see her in Chanel, but twisted and punky Chanel… like Kristen Stewart.
And finally, if I had to only choose one, it would be…
Jennifer Aniston.
I’m so over it when people say her style is “classic”. There’s a way to do classic that isn’t boring. There’s a way to stick to mostly black clothing that isn’t boring. You know who’s a good example of this? Carey Mulligan. Very, very rarely wears colour, almost everything Carey has worn this entire award season for Maestro, and it’s been MONTHS, has been black, but somehow, she keeps it fresh and fun and so chic, even though her hair is pretty much the same for every look, just like Jen.
Carey works with Andrew Mukamal who we also know for his work with Margot Robbie. So that’s my recommendation for Jennifer Aniston. Call Andrew Mukamal.
And that is a wrap on busy ass week. Did the Critics Choice and Emmy Awards really go back-to-back? It’s all a blur – but also so much fun. Hope you’ve enjoyed our week at LaineyGossip and here at The Squawk too. Thanks so much for getting in on the live chats and commenting on all the threads. New episode of TNT on Sunday…and… do you think it’ll be the last of the season or will Travis Kelce and Kansas City extend the season yet another week? Let us know in the comments!
Keep squawking, keep gossiping,
Lainey and Sarah
And BCoop moves even closer to being Barry Manilow here. I can't be mad! He should have done that film instead of Maestro. lol
Thank you, Lainey, for your discreet and astute assessment of the British royals’ medical announcements. They’re not my favorite people...but they are _people_. I wish more of the discourse I’ve seen on the matter would stick to discussing the work while respecting their privacy.