Pop Culture Trends To Be Unthankful For In 2011
1. Man Leggings
Thanks to LMFAO and one ”sexy” music video, a disturbing fashion statement has suddenly become mainstream: Dudes stuffing their junk into a pair of leggings. Newsflash. Leggings are not a substitute for pants. And, gentlemen, if the “pants” you’re wearing are so tight that the outline of your you-know-what is clearly visible, it’s time to invest in a pair of jeans. Nobody wants to see your lower half squeezed into leggings of any kind, and just because they’re zebra print doesn’t make it acceptable. You look like an idiot. Somebody please stop the male leggings epidemic from spreading before LMFAO turns my peers into a generation of sex offenders! The only place leggings belong are in a dance class so unless you’re practicing plies and pirouettes, do society a favor and put some real clothes on.
2. Over-Hyped Weddings
The hyped up weddings of Will & Kate, Kim & Kris, and even the fictional union of Twilight characters Bella & Edward proved that celebrity obsession is not just a problem in America. When it comes to celebrities walking down the aisle, it’s official…The whole world is out of control. Over-zealous media coverage on every inane detail from the toilet paper used in the venue, to the price of custom-made napkin holders were suddenly deemed “important news.” But don’t blame the celebs, they’re just living out their dreams of a white wedding while the rest of us waste our time watching it happen. A concept we’re finally starting to grasp after eagerly tuning into E!’s 2-day Kardashian wedding special, only to hear news of the pending divorce just a few weeks after. The lesson learned? Even an extravagant wedding isn’t always what it seems.
3. TV Talent Competitions Overkill
As if American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With The Stars, and America’s Got Talent weren’t enough, two new reality talent competitions, The Voice and the X-Factor, were added to the roster in 2011. It’s enough to make one wonder, are there even that many talented people in this country? Furthermore, do we really need more TV talent competitions when runners-up and winners alike fade into obscurity soon after the season finale? The answer is no.
4. Celebrity Sex/Cheating Scandals
Ashton Kutcher. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Even Justin Bieber? Sex scandals have become a growing trend in the celebrity world, much to every famous man-whore’s dismay. In an age where TMZ pushes out stories like Nadya Suleman pushes newborns through her birth canal, it’s virtually impossible for celebs to have clandestine affairs. Ironically, while the gossip blogs get more savvy, celebs don’t seem to be getting any wiser. Calling all celebrities: When in doubt, refrain from participating in sex tapes, impromptu nude photoshoots, and sexting pictures of your wang to a stranger. Better safe than sorry.
I had the chance to talk to Keaton Simons about upcoming projects, collaborations and his views on the changing face of the music industry. For more on Keaton Simons check him out on Facebook, and be sure to download your copy of “If I Hadn’t Forgotten” on iTunes.
Q. You’re involved in so many different things and projects. What are you working on now?
A. I’m working on a number of different things. I’ve started doing a bit more production, working on fun projects on my own. My main thing is I am running this PledgeMusic campaign to promote my new album.
Q. Sounds great. What’s PledgeMusic?
A. It’s like Kickstarter. A lot of great artists are doing it. It’s basically an artist/audience partnership. You create a goal for yourself whether it’s to make an album or EP. I had already made an album with (producer) Mikal Blue and wanted to take the next step, independently, so I decided to do it through PledgeMusic. In my case it’s a unique situation because the album is already recorded, so we are focusing on marketing, and other aspects that the public doesn’t usually get to see or become involved in. Most pledge campaigns are to fund the recording process. So, now is the next step which is deciding the final sequence of the album, determining the album artwork, media campaigns and touring. It’s great having my fans be a part of the process, whether they want to be involved or just be observers of the process.
For a pledge of 10 bucks you get the album and exclusive videos and stuff like that. Also, there’s a charity tie-in for every PledgeMusic campaign so some of my profits will go to Falling Whistles, and NaturalChild.org .
Q. What made you decide to put your project on PledgeMusic in the first place?
A. They actually came to me, it was very cool. We set up a meeting and made it happen. A lot of people that I know have done them and run some really successful campaigns. I made this album and I’ve been shopping it around to labels but in that process I realized that I’d gone way too long without making new music. I thought…this is ridiculous, I just need to get some damn music out there. Gotta get back to the core of it. I love making music and sharing it with people, so this is the most effective way I can do that.
Q. Speaking of sharing music and content, I see you’re really active on YouTube. How often do you post to YouTube or use social media?
A. A few times a week. I’m always trying to come up with new stuff. My girlfriend is on top of it, man. It’s so much easier when you have partnership! But I post as consistently as I can. I recently did an online concert at stageit.com . A lot of my friends have done them, like Lisa Loeb. It’s an online streaming concert where you can set up a ticket price and play/
Q. That’s amazing. It’s incredible how technology has really changed the face of the music industry…
A. It’s revolutionized it completely. I’ve been in the industry for so long, through so many revolutionary changes. When I first started performing music there was no YouTube or Twitter. It was on the tail end of people making bootleg cassette tapes. Then illegal downloading went out of control. I’ve worked with major labels and watched them totally freak out…It’s fascinating. There are so many challenges and obstacles that rapid change can create, but it also creates opportunities. There are so many opportunities for young artists you just have to work your ass off.
It’s such a different world. Years ago, in order to make a recording, you had to get a studio and find a producer. But now it’s a totally different game. Why would I wait for the whole process and prevent releasing new music? It’s the opposite of what I’m trying to accomplish.
Q. What are you trying to accomplish?
A. I’ve got pretty massive goals and aspirations but I love music and I love sharing it with people. My universe has always been very music centric. When I get caught up in record labels and the industry, I get back to my center. The more music I can create and the more people I can share it with, the better. That’s where all of my goals for success in the music business come from.
Q. Do you have any advice for aspiring songwriters/performers trying to do the same thing?
A. People ask me that a lot and my best advice is really indulge in your authenticity. Don’t try to emulate someone else because the world in general is abundant as long as everyone maintains their authentic, unique self. Whatever’s really you, just be that, and there will be room for you. Work hard and remember why you do it. Do it because you love music. All the ups and downs will be easier to handle if you love the process. That gets you through. if your focus is right, it will point you in the direction you need to go.
Q. You’ve worked with a lot of interesting artists in the past and currently, what are some of your favorite collaborations?
A. One of my favorites was the song I wrote with Jason Mraz, he’s been a great friend and a really supportive person. I appreciate him tremendously and I love that song. One of my best friends is an upcoming performing, Jay Ollero, he’s fantastic and we’ve written some really cool stuff together. I appreciate all of the collaborations.
I recently had a song, “If I Hadn’t Forgotten” featured on “Private Practice.” I wrote it with Jason Reeves, he’s best known for writing with Colbie Caillat. He’s wonderful…The episode opens with Kate Walsh in a therapy session, and she has a song stuck in her head and she starts signing the lyrics to my song…It was insane placement! I wanted to maximize the exposure so I recorded a duet with a friend of mine, Didi Benami, in order to release it in addition to the original version of the song. That was a fun collaboration too, but so much of music is about sharing and I love sharing with people and playing with people.
It’s a fun journey and I love the collaboration between myself, other artists and the audience. so get involved and you won’t be sorry.
Did They, Or Didn’t They?
Blake Lively
Blake Lively is one of the hottest stars in Hollywood these days, and she’s enjoying a boost in popularity due to roles in The Town and The Green Lantern. Most agree that the young actress is extremely beautiful, and she actually looks a lot more natural than many of her peers. However, before and after photos online indicate that there is a strong possibility that Miss Lively had a nose job at one point, as her nose appears to be thinner than it once was. It’s impossible to tell for sure, but it seems as if she has indeed had some work done.
Christina Aguilera
Another popular plastic surgery rumor in the celebrity world these days revolves around Christina Aguilera, who certainly appears to have gotten breast implants. Aguilera was pregnant not long ago, and seems to have decided to make the enlargement she experienced permanent via surgery. Again, there is no proof of this surgery, but Aguilera definitely seems to have larger breasts than before.
Kim Kardashian
There are also rumors swirling around Kim Kardashian, though in this case the celebrity has denied having had any work done. There is no specific feature that seems altered, but many before and after photos seem to show Miss Kardashian’s face becoming a bit narrower and sharper, indicating a potential facelift surgery. This could also simply be due to makeup, but few would be surprised if Kardashian admitted to some surgery.
Again, it is important to note that none of the surgeries speculated about above have been confirmed by the celebrities concerned. However, these are the sorts of things to keep an eye on if you are interested in celebrity beauty trends, or even if you are interested in the effects of plastic surgeries. It is certainly true that many famous people look into cosmetic surgery, and in some cases the effects can actually be both subtle and effective.
Charlie Sheen
Crazy is always in season when it comes to Halloween. If you dare, embody the greatest Warlock of them all – Charlie Sheen.
Complete the look: Grab a “Duh, winning!” shirt (or nearly any collared button-up will do), add sunglasses, a fedora if you’re feeling fancy and don’t forget the crazy eyes.
Be sure to study up on Sheen-isims. “WINNING!” and “I’m on a drug…it’s called Charlie Sheen” go over great at parties. Be sure to talk about all your “goddesses” back at home, but you might want to leave out that whole Ashton Kutcher taking your job thing.
Tiger blood, optional.
Ensemble costume: Bridesmaids
Need a brilliant group costume for your gal-pals? Go as the comedy troupe from this summer’s hit flick, Bridesmaids.
Complete the look: First things first, decide who will be the bride and head out to a thrift store in search of the most outrageous bridal gown. Next, rally the bridesmaids! Hit up a local thrift store for bridesmaid fashion disasters or pull out an old prom dress from the back of your closet. You’re bound to have some real gems back there.
Feel free to cap off the night with some impromptu Wilson-Philips karaoke.
YouTube sensation: The Man with the Golden Voice
It wouldn’t be Halloween without a YouTube inspired costume, now would it? YouTube ghosts of Halloween past have delivered memorable characters like Double Rainbow Guy, ‘Bed Intruder’ Anthony Dodson and Chris Crocker. This year, look no further than the inspirational tale of Ted Williams.
Complete the look: Old clothes, disheveled hair and a cardboard sign. Don’t forget you’re golden voice!
Use this costume carefully, Kraft Mac & Cheese endorsements might ensue.
Rebecca Black
Rebecca turned the world upside down – with one YouTube music video, she managed to turn everyone’s favorite day of the week into their least favorite word. FRIDAY.
Complete the look: Find a spare t-shirt and scribble a memorable RB line on it, “It’s Friday!” or “We so excited” will suffice. Top it all off with a black wig and yellow JanSport backpack. Remember to brig along your calendar – circle all the Fridays for an added touch.
Have no fear, actual singing voice not required.
Couples costume: The Royal Couple
The holy matrimony of Prince William and Princess Kate was only the most talked about event of the year, in fact – you may have even set your alarm for 4 a.m. to watch the televised nuptials. Dressing up as Will and Kate is sure to make you the talk of any costume party in town.
For Will: Red jacket, black slacks, blue sash (receding hairline optional).
For Kate: Bridal dress and veil – go all out and rock the long sleeves and train for days, just like Kate. Seal the deal with a blue faux-engagement ring.
Channel your inner blue blood and practice your best British accent! Just be sure it doesn’t turn to Eliza Doolittle half way through the evening.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eunice
If we’re being honest, these two arrived to the Royal Wedding completely decked out for Halloween. Beatrice and Eunice nearly stole the show from the Royal Couple by rocking this awesome ensemble.
For Eunice: Bright blue dress, DIY fascinator.
For Beatrice: Peach colored jacket,dress or suit, DIY fascinator.
Follow this great tutorial to learn how to make replica fascinators sure to make you the envy of all the common folk.
Oldie but a goodie: Lindsay Lohan
On a budget? Thanks to LiLo’s perpetual courtroom visits in 2011, you can bust out last year’s Lohan costume and still be 100% on trend. Thanks, Linds!
Complete the look: You can literally take this costume any direction you want – “Jailbird Lindsay,” “Mugshot Lindsay” or the more 2011 appropriate option, “Brown Blush Lindsay.”
Or you can get extremely fancy, grab four friends and become “The 5 Mugshots of Lohan.”
Whatever wacky costume suits your fancy, have a very happy and safe Halloween!
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He was a screen legend, a natural born entertainer and master of all things suave. He was Cary Grant. And although he’s gone, his memory lives on through his body of work spanning over 30 years, his legacy and his daughter.
Jennifer Grant was born in 1966, making Cary Grant a first time father at age 62. It was quality over quantity that mattered in the 20 years she spent with her father, and now Jennifer is giving readers a peak into that life in the memoir, ‘Good Stuff.’
When you hear of children of celebrities writing books about their parents – it’s usually the same ‘ol song and dance. My childhood was horrible. I never saw my mother/father. The nanny raised me. I hated my parents. I hold them responsible for why I did a. b. and c. The memoir usually sells because the kid promises to reveal some haunting secrets about their celebrity parents. Yada. Yada. Yada.
Scroll through the pages of ‘Good Stuff,’ and you won’t find that.
In an interview with PopEater, Jennifer expressed why she decided to write the uncontroversial memoir.
“I was finally ready to share Dad with the world, it took me a while. I’ve always thought of a memoir as something nasty and terrible and I wouldn’t have known what to write so it never really crossed my mind but a couple of friends of mine in the same week asked me if I had ever considered writing a book on Dad and something about it struck me deeply because these are people very close to me, know how private I am and have been my entire life and I realized my memoir didn’t have to be like anybody else’s. So I put pen to paper and started.”
In the memoir out now, Jennifer focuses little on Cary Grant the movie star and rather draws attention to the doting father he was. I love how she rarely references him as “My father, Cary Grant,” instead she just refers to him as simply “Dad.”
It’s truly interesting to think of this book a the first real glimpse into the life of Cary Grant – the human being, instead of Cary Grant – the persona.
When describing his vision of ‘Cary Grant’, Grant himself said, “Everybody wants to be Cary Grant. Even I want to be Cary Grant. I pretended to be somebody I wanted to be, and, finally, I became that person. Or he became me.”
Grant was born Archibald Leach and adopted Cary Grant as his new name when his acting career took off, courtesy of Paramount Studios.
“I have spent the greater part of my life fluctuating between Archie Leach and Cary Grant, unsure of each, suspecting each,” Grant said.
For an in-depth look Cary Grant: the father, pick up Jennifer Grant’s ‘Good Stuff.’
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Pink + Carey Hart
Even though Pink just welcomed sweet little Willow Sage into the world last week, we couldn’t resist some future baby name suggestions for her. If we go with Violet or Greenly – that’s too obvious right? But what if it was a play on the shade of pink itself, like Salmon or Coral?
Boy: Zeppelin Blu Hart
Girl: Joplin Mauve Hart
Alyssa Milano + David Bugliari
It’s no secret that Alyssa is a big-time Dodgers fan, so she could totally be cliche and go with Dodger for her baby boy, or she can get creative and name him after former LA Dodger players. Lucky for her, she’s expecting a boy so naming him after some pro hall of famers seems like a good fit.
Boy: Koufax Robinson Bugliari (after hall of famers Sandy Koufax and Jackie Robinson)
January Jones + mystery man
How can she not offer up an ode to a calendar month with her baby name? Since January has the most common last name ever, how do we complement that?…
Boy: Smith October Jones
Girl: Scottley June Jones
Natalie Portman + Benjamin Millepied
Midnight Swaney would be optimum in this case, except for the fact that it doesn’t even sound real…or pleasant for the matter. Still, Nat did meet her baby daddy on the set of Black Swan and won an Oscar at the Academy Awards for it, so…
Boy: Oscar Coal Millepied
Girl: Academy Swanson Millepied
Kate Hudson + Matt Bellamy
She might as well name her bambino Rockstar, since that’s her favorite thing in the world right, right? Kate’s son, Ryder Russell, gets his middle name from his Grandpa Kurt so maybe this go round we’ll pay homage to Grandma Goldie?
Boy: Rocket Hawn Hudson Bellamy
Girl: Raquel Goldie Hudson Bellamy
Jessica Alba + Cash Warren
It’s clear Jessica has a thing for virtuous names, after all her 2-year-old daughter is named Honor. Whether she likes it or not, Jess has already developed a little theme for herself, should she choose to pursue it. Likewise, being that her hubby’s name is Cash, there’s an entirely new possibility of sticking with a money theme.
Boy: Valiant Gold Warren
Girl: Truth Currency Warren
#5 Harlow & Sparrow’s Unusual Names
People get up in arms in regarding celebrity baby names in general – as if it has a bearing on our lives, right? Yet, it seems these two babies of Joel Madden and Nicole Richie take the brunt of the ‘why did they name their kids that’ debate. Well…these two and Apple Martin.
Maybe it’s not so much their first names that raises a flag, but it’s their full birth names instead – Harlow Winter Kate and Sparrow James Midnight.
If you don’t like their names, the good news is you can have children of you own (or pets) and names them whatever you want to.
#4 Liam’s Pedicures
Maybe this shouldn’t be that out of the ordinary, after all dad Dean McDermott is infamous for having his toes painted red, so why not Liam McDermott too? And mom Tori Spelling has sent out numerous tweets time and time again defending the spa treatment as a family past-time.
Why pampering for the kids?
Dean told Us Weekly,
“Whenever we can, they come get manicures and pedicures with us and they love it! Liam has blue and red on his toes like Spider-Man this week and green on his fingernails like The Hulk.”
P.S. Yes, even Liam tweets when getting his pedi on. Stars’ kids are just like us! Have no fear, Liam isn’t going to town on the BlackBerry, Tori posts the tweets for Liam. Still, rather odd concept, yes?
#3 Kingston’s Bleached Hair
Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale caught flack for letting their 4 year old son, Kingston Rossdale, bleached his hair back in 2009. Although, if any 4-year-old could rock the bleach blonde look, it is Kingston. Still, moms were on edge calling out Gwen for the using chemicals on her young son’s hair.
Kingston, like Liam, enjoys indulging in a pedi every once in a while too.
#2 Suri’s High Heels/Goes to Starbucks/Uses a Pacifier
Second to last, but not least – it’s everyone’s favorite walking Starbucks advertisement. When have Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes not been under fire for something – anything? It’s kind of what they do. The latest in the ‘let’s attack the Cruise’s saga,’ it seems the world has taken offense that little Suri Cruise still uses a pacifier.
Don’t hate on her because she’s a fashionista, or because she gets Starbucks at her every whim (don’t we all wish) or because her dad has no problem jumping on couches with her.
If we’re being honest here, we are all just jealous that Tom Cruise reads her bedtime stories and not us, right?
#1 Shiloh’s Tom Boy Style
How many times have we heard this one? “Shiloh Jolie-Pitt dresses like a boy!” The proper response to that might be, “and…?” Aside from gawkers simply wondering why, some speculated that Angelina Jolie was dressing her daughter that way on purpose. Funny thing is, Angie had Shiloh in dresses when she was a baby. Maybe, just maybe, Shi is picking out her own clothes these days?
If little Shiloh chooses to express herself through wearing hats, suspenders and ties – does it really matter?
Food for thought.
Just wait until these kids become teenagers – the world will have even more hot topics to point fingers about then. Oh boy, I fear for the year 2021.
]]>Oh sure, there’s the dead give-a-ways like Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Maureen O’Hara and Collin Farrell. But then there are the few, the proud, the Irish folk that fly under the radar simply because their name isn`t O`something.
Image via AnotherWineBlog.com
President Barack Obama
Granted it’s not O’Bama (but wouldn’t that be fun?), but our 44th President of the United States is indeed of Irish decent. Everyone loves to talk his Kenyan roots and his birth in Hawaii, but little is ever said about his Irish ancestry. The president’s wee bit o’Irish stems from his mother, Stanley Ann Dunham and her great-great-grandfather, Falmouth Kearney. Just goes to show that you need the Luck o’ the Irish to become leader of the free world. Right, JFK?
Although John Travolta has made his mark in the film industry by playing predominantly Italian characters (Vinnie Barbarino Welcome Back, Kotter, Danny Zucko Grease and Tony Manero Saturday Night Fever) he’s actually got a strong dose of Irish in him. John gets his Italian roots from his father, but it is his mother who carried on the Irish ancestry to her son.
He’s widely known for being a proud Jewish-American comic, just like Mel Brooks and Woody Allen. Ben’s dad Jerry Stiller is Jewish, but yet again continuing on with the pattern, Ben’s mother is of Irish decent. Thus, making Ben Stiller Jewish-American and half Irish. Makes perfect sense to me, Ben could totally pass as a leprechaun.
If you remember back to when she was nothing but a wee lass, Lindsay fit the bill as the typical Irish stereotype – bright red hair and freckles. And glory be – turns out she has a drinking problem, to boot. Before you push me off the Cliffs of Moher, I’m Irish too, so the jokes are all in good Irishy fun.
LiLo apparently gets the green blood from her mother’s side of the family. Before she was the infamous Dina Lohan, she was simply known as Donata Sullivan.
Although between he numerous bouts with the law, it doesn’t appear Linds has the Luck of the Irish with her.
Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez
Lindsay Lohan, Charlie Sheen… are we seeing a pattern here? Although brothers Charlie and Emilio are known for being of Spanish decent, their paternal grandmother Mary Ann Phelan called County Tippeary in Ireland her home. Forget the tigerblood, Charlie’s got Irish blood in him too!
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