Are Best Dressed lists impacted by likeability, how we plan coverage, on crediting and idea theft, award declines past and present, and go-to strategists for Oscars
Although the question around crediting people's work might have been more in the spirit of avoiding plagiarism, I, like Mel, absolutely notice and LOVE the fact that this site embeds love letters to new and legendary celebrity profilers, stylists, authors, and gives a special emphasis where people of color are doing incredible behind the scenes work. I absolutely end up going down rabbit holes based on these spotlights and as a result this site remains an important reference to me for who is driving cultural impact!
I'd also like to say that it is amazing that Lainey and Sarah can share the burden co-leading, which I think takes a tremendous amount of maturity (in my world, the C-suite in-fighting poisons any attempt at this type of collaboration), and that we get to have Duana's voice back on the site!
Another wonderful mailbag as always! I have two thoughts:
Re: The Taylor/Olivia thing, to me this seems like something that really really bothered Taylor. To the point that she had Sabrina Carpenter open for her on tour. I'm sure we all remember the Driver's License gossip frenzy around Olivia, Sabrina and Joshua. I think it's fairly obvious that whatever went down mad Taylor very unhappy. And I'm not saying she shouldn't be! I too am just curious about the timeline of things. Like was the gentle approach tried first and then when nothing came of it the hammer had to come down?
My second point is about Lily. I am still so sad she didn't win (and still salty about how hard Emma ran until basically the last second when she probably realized how it was going to look when she won) BUT I am even more annoyed at people literally counting the minutes she had in the movie and comparing it to the men in the movie and saying she shouldn't have been lead. This isn't a math equation! It's a film. And she was indeed the female lead. I know she spends a chunk of the end of it sick in bed but for me I never thought of her as supporting even the first time I saw it. I'm so glad she bet on herself as lead actor.
I listened to a podcast this week that of course I can't remember the name of but the host said basically that Lily pulled a Viola Davis who ran in as Best Actress the year of The Help and lots of people were saying that's why she lost. The host said Viola was warned not to do it but she said she wanted to be seen as a leading lady and guess what? After that awards cyle she was! She is now regarded as a top billed actress and part of that comes from her pushing herself into the spaces people told her she didn't belong. So again I say; GO LILY!
Taylor makes it very difficult to root for her when she's wronged because she is so stereotypical in her petty behavior. At her big age, she was trotting out Sabrina like the lawyers weren't sufficient. Had *insert big artist that isn't Kanye* held her to account using the same method, we'd be hearing about how incredibly hurt she was for the going under the belt antics toward her. She has a right to be miffed about her work, but she also believes in dishing what EVERYONE knows she can't take. If Olivia lights up her pen on her then it will be whatever it will be. Taylor gives strong Regina George in the mirror, but I wonder if she's ever had to take that face to face? I feel like Olivia could write a song and give you the same energy in person. I don't want it to happen. It just stayed with me that she went so low and didn't keep the issue one to one.
I've been sitting with the criticism about Lily and wondering why it bothered me aside from minutes. I could be incorrect, but I recall Viola switching to supporting during her Fences campaign because it would make it easier to get the trophy (post The Help). She's absolutely the female lead in that traumatizing movie. I've never wanted to punch Denzel until then. Nevertheless, she switched and got the trophy. No one is upset that she's discounted her work. I feel a way about who's deserving without question in the Best Actress category and about the statistics. Mostly, I noticed that Lily received pushback because she dared to feel like she deserved and never faltered publicly. Someone made the point about actresses not being as connected so they don't have the same bro support. What I've observed from very far away is that it's ethnically divided support. The Sandra's, Cate's, Emma's, and other white women that vote etc are all in with one another. Andrea Riseborough benefited from that network and so did Emma. Andrea knocked Viola out because of the sorority network. The networks also exist for other ethnic groups, but it's not the same power and I believe that's why it irked me that these people are talking about minutes when they game the system to suit them WHENEVER it suits them. There's a phrase to describe that. Rhymes with *nothing, bc we know what it is* This was why I was hoping Lily would somehow break that obnoxious sorority in two and win. In the back of my head, I knew they wouldn't allow two nonwhite women to win in a row. My only reference for that feeling is how easily a very small thing like minutes suddenly becomes a loud noise. It's the reverse for Aniston if I switch to fashion. Her very little effort is boasted as amazing. Would it be amazing If we kept seeing Zendaya wearing the same dress to everything? The line is always moving.
You are so right. Taylor is queen of petty in a really unflattering way especially since her brand of feminism seems to basically be “women supporting women” shallow. Unless of course you’re a woman who “wrongs” her. I’ve been dealing with my complicated feelings about how quiet she’s being on things politically. We are exactly the same age so I get it when people say oh the media environment she came up in was so different but like…miss ma’am? You are one of the most powerful women in entertainment in the world! And Miss Olivia is in St. Louis (where I live) partnering with our local abortion fund to hand out Plan B and talk about how we can bring reproductive health back to Missouri women so we are on the states where a trigger law ban when into effect the moment Roe fell. Meanwhile Tay just says “go vote for the people that represent you” give me a break! Girls are dying in MO. maybe Olivia is a gen z girlie who doesn’t realize how to credit her work but hopefully she’ll grow out of there. I’m very impressed with her political action.
Janelle! I live about 50-60 miles north of you! And I agree with everything you wrote here about what's happening in Missouri. It's a fight I've personally participated in for decades now, I was warning about where we were headed and much younger women would argue with me, tell me it was settled law and it couldn't possibly happen. And here we are. So we must dig in and fight like hell. I'm personally getting too old for this, but it's not a fight I can back away from. I have 7 granddaughters to protect.
Taylor is not alone in being quiet and I think you have to consider that a big portion of her fanbase also possibly burns things when upset by thoughts they don't agree with. We won't even broach facts. Do they hear ringing instead of words? Caring about hitting your goals and then going against the machine that gives out the accolades is not for everyone. I can't hold her to account anymore than another person because she is in a ME business. Those two worlds come together for some. Hardly ever without repercussions. Rihanna did a Superbowl show after claiming solidarity with Kaepernick. You can enjoy when the handful are about solidarity, but in the end they're on their own side.
I take your point which is why I said I have complicated feelings about it. And by it I mean artists speaking out on issues of the day. I do think that half of Taylor's current fan base could burn every single of her albums and she would still be one of the richest artists in the world and still make a shit ton of money off of the half that are left. Same goes for Rihanna too. I definitely don't think the answer is stop enjoying art put out by people that you're disappointed in because then I would never be able to listen to any music, read any books etc lol
I do think that when you watch Miss Americana (the doc Taylor put out) you see an artist who seems to say she is ready to use her voice...speaking out directly about specific politicians she thinks the people in Tennesee should vote for over others; talking about Change.org petitions she wants her fans to sign when she wins a VMA. Now? She's silent beyond half ass "go vote" stuff. And again that is totally her right. I just wonder if she would have benefited from taking a page out of Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes' book (stay with me here lol). Lainey has talked over and over again how they clearly know the moment they appear on a red carpet together the never get to go back to this moment where they don't appear together and nobody writes an article about "how weird it they aren't seen together" Taylor could have decided not to do anything she did in that doc and maybe I wouldn't expect more of her now...but she did so I kind of do.
I think it's fine to decide not to hold celebrities to account...I'm just working through my complicated feelings on that. Somedays I feel that way, and other days I don't. When I see the power that someone like Olivia has in getting my 16 year old niece interested in how she can help bring back abortion right in Missouri, that does mean a lot to me.
What bothered me about Emma’s campaign was the pulling up of her sorority as you call it. I feel like so many people are defending Emma for campaigning for the Oscar on the basis that it’s her job to promote the movie etc, but it was sudden appearance of her celeb friends (like Taylor, the biggest heatscore on the planet in December) at movie viewings that made it seem to me like it went beyond just a job requirement. I also feel a little weird telling Emma or any woman to be less ambitious, or suggest in any way that non-white women can’t win without someone not competing at their full level, or “blame” one woman for the outcome of a group vote, but something about all of the campaign and win just left such a bad taste in my mouth with respect to Emma and I’m still trying to figure out and articulate exactly why.
Because NO ONE was talking about her absolutely undeserved win for her FIRST Oscar, but they were discussing minutes for Lily. Not her performance, but the time. They couldn't touch her performance, but Emma's first win performance can be dissected. Emma's SECOND Oscar nominated performance is not an issue. Therefore, we're supposed to have amnesia that she got her first trophy with mediocre work. Now it's about asking her to not be proud, but they all know what is obvious so they're pretending we just need to be hushed and stop being unfair. This game is talked about regarding people and their TIME. It's not Angela's time, and she shouldn't have had feelings (they give anonymous interviews as if we don't know the demographic by syllable). Greta Lee couldn't get her foot wedged in the door. Celine barely slid in. Chloe Zhao made work centering not her own experience (I don't think). Anything the sorority doesn't want to hear is complaining. And that bad taste you have is hypocrisy. The word salad is unsavory. If you had switched this to Michelle Yeoh going for her second, and Emma going for her first, what do you imagine the discourse to encompass? Would Michelle be seen as going for what she deserves? If Wendy Deng (I don't know if they know each other, but she's powerful) was doing everything in her power to get her this SECOND trophy what would be the topic? Go for yours you deserve it? Or would we hear about letting someone else win? That line and expectations are only pliable for the sorority (the fraternity is a given). Those that don't have to see the glaring red flags are not really understanding of the parallel of the Oscars to everyday life game, or they don't have to think about this in daily life. They're already near the top of the pyramid standing on others.
Yeah the difference in how Jennifer Aniston pulled up for Andrea last year versus Greta this year was worlds apart. Thanks for your time helping me think through all of these aspects, I appreciate the thoughtfulness.
I straight up loved reading Duana’s articles. I would be two paragraphs in and then scroll back up to see who had written it. Thanks for being on the Oscar team Duana!
I’m just here to drop a shallow note to Lainey and Kathleen: you each looked amazing at the Oscars. A+ hair on each of you. My lord. I’m sure everyone else in the Laineyverse was also fly that night, but I only caught glimpses of those two outfits.
My own sartorial tastes are pedestrian AF compared to Lainey’s, but I gasped when I saw her incredible beaded Jordan Stewart gown on IG. It really was a masterpiece. Those colors together are magical. And, most crucially, it looked comfortable! I doubt Jacek had to carry her down any hallways.
It was NOT comfortable, LOL. I had to ice my shoulder afterwards. Something that made me realise what couture is when it comes down the runway...which, thank you, I might write for another post, about how the runway lies!
Please do write about it, and please include photos for folks like me who aren't Canadian or on Instagram and therefore only got the briefest of glimpses at what y'all wore. I'd really like to hear what you have to say about couture fashion and see how stunning you were.
Well, you certainly *looked* majestic! And I’m guessing no shapewear was required, which would be a selling point for me. But now I’m wondering about how comfortable it was to sit (if you even *got* to sit down, that is). Beaded gowns do make me ponder about those practicalities, though I have a weakness for them.
And yes, my god, ANY further inside info you can drop about couture, runways, stylists, etc. would be more than welcome! Thank you!
I don't wear shapewear, ever. I consider it torture - but also my personal style is such that i don't like anything touching my body, so this robe dress, which felt like a coronation gown, was perfect...though not necessarily comfortable. I could sit easily and had to sit often because it was so fucking heavy. WORTH ALL THE PAIN THOUGH. But I seriously need deep tissue massage (appointment is tomorrow) to relieve stress in my shoulders and back from wearing for EIGHT GODDAMN HOURS.
Is there any plan at LG/Squawk to turn all these mailbag Q&A into like a searchable database of knowledge? Because it would be a shame if they just disappear into the archive! (Or is it already searchable thanks to Substack's existing features?) What I mean is that LG's posts are all tagged with subject matters and if I want to go down a deep dive on a certain celebrity/subject I totally can. If in the future someone wants to see all the Oscar coverage Q&A's over the years would they be able to?
They DO allow export and we “own” all this content so this is a good question that we haven’t considered yet. There is a way in that sense, if not already, to search it. But we’ll have to keep this in mind. Thanks for raising it.
I know we’re using Olivia and Taylor as proxies for this debate and we don’t know what really happened, we’re just taking a bunch of clues and deciphering what happened from them. But the fact that she had to credit Taylor and Antonoff and Paramore as songwriters is telling. With the TikTok generation while I think there is a ton of value with the collective nature of how modern content is created. I would say the only thing to burst their bubble is to have an even younger creator “borrow” their work. Then they’d feel the sting.
Your answer just made me realize why I myself, like certain red carpet looks. It’s the person (or what I know of the person through their career) not just the dress. Like Rooney Mara!!
I think it’s wrong when actors in lead roles campaign in supporting because they’ve got a huge advantage against the others in the category- that’s my definition of category fraud. But when roles that could be supporting go for lead, they’re the one being disadvantaged. It doesn’t bother me as category fraud. I do wish they’d just put a percentage of time on screen rule in place so we wouldn’t have these same conversations. If Martin Scorsese wants Lily Gladstone to be the lead of his movie, then he knows she needs to be in at least X% of the film to qualify.
Martin said he changed the focus of his movie to be more inclusive of the Osage. Ultimately, he still made a white man movie. Bad white men. Same central theme of his cohort. Perspective is important.
Although the question around crediting people's work might have been more in the spirit of avoiding plagiarism, I, like Mel, absolutely notice and LOVE the fact that this site embeds love letters to new and legendary celebrity profilers, stylists, authors, and gives a special emphasis where people of color are doing incredible behind the scenes work. I absolutely end up going down rabbit holes based on these spotlights and as a result this site remains an important reference to me for who is driving cultural impact!
I'd also like to say that it is amazing that Lainey and Sarah can share the burden co-leading, which I think takes a tremendous amount of maturity (in my world, the C-suite in-fighting poisons any attempt at this type of collaboration), and that we get to have Duana's voice back on the site!
"I’m not saying that we’re all that special and you’re out there waiting for us."
YES WE ARE
"Sarah is purple, Duana is yellow, and I’m pink (note from Jacek: that’s orange - no one will think that’s pink)."
Salmon obv. Or Coral :-p
"We hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as we have."
100%
Another wonderful mailbag as always! I have two thoughts:
Re: The Taylor/Olivia thing, to me this seems like something that really really bothered Taylor. To the point that she had Sabrina Carpenter open for her on tour. I'm sure we all remember the Driver's License gossip frenzy around Olivia, Sabrina and Joshua. I think it's fairly obvious that whatever went down mad Taylor very unhappy. And I'm not saying she shouldn't be! I too am just curious about the timeline of things. Like was the gentle approach tried first and then when nothing came of it the hammer had to come down?
My second point is about Lily. I am still so sad she didn't win (and still salty about how hard Emma ran until basically the last second when she probably realized how it was going to look when she won) BUT I am even more annoyed at people literally counting the minutes she had in the movie and comparing it to the men in the movie and saying she shouldn't have been lead. This isn't a math equation! It's a film. And she was indeed the female lead. I know she spends a chunk of the end of it sick in bed but for me I never thought of her as supporting even the first time I saw it. I'm so glad she bet on herself as lead actor.
I listened to a podcast this week that of course I can't remember the name of but the host said basically that Lily pulled a Viola Davis who ran in as Best Actress the year of The Help and lots of people were saying that's why she lost. The host said Viola was warned not to do it but she said she wanted to be seen as a leading lady and guess what? After that awards cyle she was! She is now regarded as a top billed actress and part of that comes from her pushing herself into the spaces people told her she didn't belong. So again I say; GO LILY!
Taylor makes it very difficult to root for her when she's wronged because she is so stereotypical in her petty behavior. At her big age, she was trotting out Sabrina like the lawyers weren't sufficient. Had *insert big artist that isn't Kanye* held her to account using the same method, we'd be hearing about how incredibly hurt she was for the going under the belt antics toward her. She has a right to be miffed about her work, but she also believes in dishing what EVERYONE knows she can't take. If Olivia lights up her pen on her then it will be whatever it will be. Taylor gives strong Regina George in the mirror, but I wonder if she's ever had to take that face to face? I feel like Olivia could write a song and give you the same energy in person. I don't want it to happen. It just stayed with me that she went so low and didn't keep the issue one to one.
I've been sitting with the criticism about Lily and wondering why it bothered me aside from minutes. I could be incorrect, but I recall Viola switching to supporting during her Fences campaign because it would make it easier to get the trophy (post The Help). She's absolutely the female lead in that traumatizing movie. I've never wanted to punch Denzel until then. Nevertheless, she switched and got the trophy. No one is upset that she's discounted her work. I feel a way about who's deserving without question in the Best Actress category and about the statistics. Mostly, I noticed that Lily received pushback because she dared to feel like she deserved and never faltered publicly. Someone made the point about actresses not being as connected so they don't have the same bro support. What I've observed from very far away is that it's ethnically divided support. The Sandra's, Cate's, Emma's, and other white women that vote etc are all in with one another. Andrea Riseborough benefited from that network and so did Emma. Andrea knocked Viola out because of the sorority network. The networks also exist for other ethnic groups, but it's not the same power and I believe that's why it irked me that these people are talking about minutes when they game the system to suit them WHENEVER it suits them. There's a phrase to describe that. Rhymes with *nothing, bc we know what it is* This was why I was hoping Lily would somehow break that obnoxious sorority in two and win. In the back of my head, I knew they wouldn't allow two nonwhite women to win in a row. My only reference for that feeling is how easily a very small thing like minutes suddenly becomes a loud noise. It's the reverse for Aniston if I switch to fashion. Her very little effort is boasted as amazing. Would it be amazing If we kept seeing Zendaya wearing the same dress to everything? The line is always moving.
You are so right. Taylor is queen of petty in a really unflattering way especially since her brand of feminism seems to basically be “women supporting women” shallow. Unless of course you’re a woman who “wrongs” her. I’ve been dealing with my complicated feelings about how quiet she’s being on things politically. We are exactly the same age so I get it when people say oh the media environment she came up in was so different but like…miss ma’am? You are one of the most powerful women in entertainment in the world! And Miss Olivia is in St. Louis (where I live) partnering with our local abortion fund to hand out Plan B and talk about how we can bring reproductive health back to Missouri women so we are on the states where a trigger law ban when into effect the moment Roe fell. Meanwhile Tay just says “go vote for the people that represent you” give me a break! Girls are dying in MO. maybe Olivia is a gen z girlie who doesn’t realize how to credit her work but hopefully she’ll grow out of there. I’m very impressed with her political action.
Also I loved your thoughts about viola!
Janelle! I live about 50-60 miles north of you! And I agree with everything you wrote here about what's happening in Missouri. It's a fight I've personally participated in for decades now, I was warning about where we were headed and much younger women would argue with me, tell me it was settled law and it couldn't possibly happen. And here we are. So we must dig in and fight like hell. I'm personally getting too old for this, but it's not a fight I can back away from. I have 7 granddaughters to protect.
Andrea so nice to get some confirmation there are more of us in the state doing our best to take back our rights!
Taylor is not alone in being quiet and I think you have to consider that a big portion of her fanbase also possibly burns things when upset by thoughts they don't agree with. We won't even broach facts. Do they hear ringing instead of words? Caring about hitting your goals and then going against the machine that gives out the accolades is not for everyone. I can't hold her to account anymore than another person because she is in a ME business. Those two worlds come together for some. Hardly ever without repercussions. Rihanna did a Superbowl show after claiming solidarity with Kaepernick. You can enjoy when the handful are about solidarity, but in the end they're on their own side.
I take your point which is why I said I have complicated feelings about it. And by it I mean artists speaking out on issues of the day. I do think that half of Taylor's current fan base could burn every single of her albums and she would still be one of the richest artists in the world and still make a shit ton of money off of the half that are left. Same goes for Rihanna too. I definitely don't think the answer is stop enjoying art put out by people that you're disappointed in because then I would never be able to listen to any music, read any books etc lol
I do think that when you watch Miss Americana (the doc Taylor put out) you see an artist who seems to say she is ready to use her voice...speaking out directly about specific politicians she thinks the people in Tennesee should vote for over others; talking about Change.org petitions she wants her fans to sign when she wins a VMA. Now? She's silent beyond half ass "go vote" stuff. And again that is totally her right. I just wonder if she would have benefited from taking a page out of Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes' book (stay with me here lol). Lainey has talked over and over again how they clearly know the moment they appear on a red carpet together the never get to go back to this moment where they don't appear together and nobody writes an article about "how weird it they aren't seen together" Taylor could have decided not to do anything she did in that doc and maybe I wouldn't expect more of her now...but she did so I kind of do.
I think it's fine to decide not to hold celebrities to account...I'm just working through my complicated feelings on that. Somedays I feel that way, and other days I don't. When I see the power that someone like Olivia has in getting my 16 year old niece interested in how she can help bring back abortion right in Missouri, that does mean a lot to me.
I wasn't trying to tell you not to be disappointed. People are definitely disappointing.
Oh no I didn’t think you were. I was just working through my own thoughts while typing (which isn’t always smart 😂😂)
What bothered me about Emma’s campaign was the pulling up of her sorority as you call it. I feel like so many people are defending Emma for campaigning for the Oscar on the basis that it’s her job to promote the movie etc, but it was sudden appearance of her celeb friends (like Taylor, the biggest heatscore on the planet in December) at movie viewings that made it seem to me like it went beyond just a job requirement. I also feel a little weird telling Emma or any woman to be less ambitious, or suggest in any way that non-white women can’t win without someone not competing at their full level, or “blame” one woman for the outcome of a group vote, but something about all of the campaign and win just left such a bad taste in my mouth with respect to Emma and I’m still trying to figure out and articulate exactly why.
Because NO ONE was talking about her absolutely undeserved win for her FIRST Oscar, but they were discussing minutes for Lily. Not her performance, but the time. They couldn't touch her performance, but Emma's first win performance can be dissected. Emma's SECOND Oscar nominated performance is not an issue. Therefore, we're supposed to have amnesia that she got her first trophy with mediocre work. Now it's about asking her to not be proud, but they all know what is obvious so they're pretending we just need to be hushed and stop being unfair. This game is talked about regarding people and their TIME. It's not Angela's time, and she shouldn't have had feelings (they give anonymous interviews as if we don't know the demographic by syllable). Greta Lee couldn't get her foot wedged in the door. Celine barely slid in. Chloe Zhao made work centering not her own experience (I don't think). Anything the sorority doesn't want to hear is complaining. And that bad taste you have is hypocrisy. The word salad is unsavory. If you had switched this to Michelle Yeoh going for her second, and Emma going for her first, what do you imagine the discourse to encompass? Would Michelle be seen as going for what she deserves? If Wendy Deng (I don't know if they know each other, but she's powerful) was doing everything in her power to get her this SECOND trophy what would be the topic? Go for yours you deserve it? Or would we hear about letting someone else win? That line and expectations are only pliable for the sorority (the fraternity is a given). Those that don't have to see the glaring red flags are not really understanding of the parallel of the Oscars to everyday life game, or they don't have to think about this in daily life. They're already near the top of the pyramid standing on others.
Yeah the difference in how Jennifer Aniston pulled up for Andrea last year versus Greta this year was worlds apart. Thanks for your time helping me think through all of these aspects, I appreciate the thoughtfulness.
“ Online editors trying to turn flaccid into an erection.” Who knew basic fashion would inspire such a quote🤣🤣🤣
I straight up loved reading Duana’s articles. I would be two paragraphs in and then scroll back up to see who had written it. Thanks for being on the Oscar team Duana!
Long time reader of Lainey gossip (since the Cruz/Cruise era) & so enjoy your next chapter with the Squawk. 🐔
‘’RDJ IS A DICK’’
LOL. God, I love post-its. Truer words…
I’m just here to drop a shallow note to Lainey and Kathleen: you each looked amazing at the Oscars. A+ hair on each of you. My lord. I’m sure everyone else in the Laineyverse was also fly that night, but I only caught glimpses of those two outfits.
My own sartorial tastes are pedestrian AF compared to Lainey’s, but I gasped when I saw her incredible beaded Jordan Stewart gown on IG. It really was a masterpiece. Those colors together are magical. And, most crucially, it looked comfortable! I doubt Jacek had to carry her down any hallways.
It was NOT comfortable, LOL. I had to ice my shoulder afterwards. Something that made me realise what couture is when it comes down the runway...which, thank you, I might write for another post, about how the runway lies!
Please do write about it, and please include photos for folks like me who aren't Canadian or on Instagram and therefore only got the briefest of glimpses at what y'all wore. I'd really like to hear what you have to say about couture fashion and see how stunning you were.
Well, you certainly *looked* majestic! And I’m guessing no shapewear was required, which would be a selling point for me. But now I’m wondering about how comfortable it was to sit (if you even *got* to sit down, that is). Beaded gowns do make me ponder about those practicalities, though I have a weakness for them.
And yes, my god, ANY further inside info you can drop about couture, runways, stylists, etc. would be more than welcome! Thank you!
I don't wear shapewear, ever. I consider it torture - but also my personal style is such that i don't like anything touching my body, so this robe dress, which felt like a coronation gown, was perfect...though not necessarily comfortable. I could sit easily and had to sit often because it was so fucking heavy. WORTH ALL THE PAIN THOUGH. But I seriously need deep tissue massage (appointment is tomorrow) to relieve stress in my shoulders and back from wearing for EIGHT GODDAMN HOURS.
And how it is WORK to make it look good and keep your signature stomp simultaneously.
Is there any plan at LG/Squawk to turn all these mailbag Q&A into like a searchable database of knowledge? Because it would be a shame if they just disappear into the archive! (Or is it already searchable thanks to Substack's existing features?) What I mean is that LG's posts are all tagged with subject matters and if I want to go down a deep dive on a certain celebrity/subject I totally can. If in the future someone wants to see all the Oscar coverage Q&A's over the years would they be able to?
They DO allow export and we “own” all this content so this is a good question that we haven’t considered yet. There is a way in that sense, if not already, to search it. But we’ll have to keep this in mind. Thanks for raising it.
You are special, I am out here waiting for you!
"that you’re out there refreshing the site"
:::innocent emoji:::
If, like me, you’ve ever wondered how celebrities walk around all night in those gorgeous but confining gowns- they all pull a Mariah Carey. 😁
Here’s Carey Mulligan getting carried through a back hallway by her husband in that gorgeous Oscars dress.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTLNbu1pK/
I know we’re using Olivia and Taylor as proxies for this debate and we don’t know what really happened, we’re just taking a bunch of clues and deciphering what happened from them. But the fact that she had to credit Taylor and Antonoff and Paramore as songwriters is telling. With the TikTok generation while I think there is a ton of value with the collective nature of how modern content is created. I would say the only thing to burst their bubble is to have an even younger creator “borrow” their work. Then they’d feel the sting.
Great question from Jacqueline about award campaigns! Some really interesting facts about specific noms/awards and the industry machinery in there.
Your answer just made me realize why I myself, like certain red carpet looks. It’s the person (or what I know of the person through their career) not just the dress. Like Rooney Mara!!
I think it’s wrong when actors in lead roles campaign in supporting because they’ve got a huge advantage against the others in the category- that’s my definition of category fraud. But when roles that could be supporting go for lead, they’re the one being disadvantaged. It doesn’t bother me as category fraud. I do wish they’d just put a percentage of time on screen rule in place so we wouldn’t have these same conversations. If Martin Scorsese wants Lily Gladstone to be the lead of his movie, then he knows she needs to be in at least X% of the film to qualify.
Martin said he changed the focus of his movie to be more inclusive of the Osage. Ultimately, he still made a white man movie. Bad white men. Same central theme of his cohort. Perspective is important.
Ma'am, we need the story!!!
I just sent her the screenshot of this if she hasn’t seen it.