We’re Going To Fight About American Fiction. That’s The Point.
On a street corner of downtown Toronto in the wee hours of the morning is where the best conversations are bound to happen. I’ve spent my whole adult life in this city walking these streets and yelling my opinions — the good, the bad, and the shut-up-your-frontal-lobe-isn’t-even-formed-yet takes. I remember fighting with a friend just steps from Scotiabank Theatre after watching The Help about how Blackness should show up onscreen (spoiler: that was not it). They argued that, sure, maybe the movie was offensive, but parts of it were true. Why shouldn’t that story be told? (Their frontal lobe wasn’t fully formed either.) Over a decade later, during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), I found myself on those same streets debating the very same topic, except this time, the film in question wasn’t a trope-ridden, objectionable, white savior narrative; it was a ripe satire consumed with tackling the very conversations that Black media professionals have been having for decades. In American Fiction, it’s not about whether representation matters but rather what kind matters, and to whom?
2023-09-15 07:16
AP PHOTOS: MTV Video Music Awards celebrate music's global power with hip-hop, K-pop and Latin jams
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Taylor Swift took home the top prize at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards for her “Anti-Hero” music video on a night full of surprises.
2023-09-15 06:28
Third Republican primary debate to be in Miami in early November
By Nathan Layne and Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON The third Republican primary debate in the race to be the
2023-09-15 06:20
First on CNN: Third Republican debate will be in Miami, sources say
The third Republican presidential primary debate will be held in Miami in early November, sources familiar with the event tell CNN.
2023-09-15 05:57
Fact check: Debunking eight Trump false claims about the Biden-era economy
In a campaign speech at a rally in South Dakota on Friday, former President Donald Trump delivered lengthy and detailed criticism of the US economy under President Joe Biden -- accusing Biden of deceiving the public on the subject of "Bidenomics."
2023-09-15 05:51
As Soccer Moses, Jars of Clay guitarist Stephen Mason finds unexpected joy
Former Christian rocker Stephen Mason’s life has been shaped by guitars, barber shears and the Bible
2023-09-15 05:25
Sienna Miller bares baby bump at celebrity and royal-studded Vogue event
Sienna Miller joined stars from music, fashion, theatre and royalty in a daring outfit at the Vogue World event. She was the latest celebrity to bare her baby bump on the red carpet – following in the maternity style footsteps of Rihanna – and wore a romantic two-piece from Schiaparelli. Miller later changed into a red tartan set to perform onstage at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, matching with some of the UK’s leading acting talent: Damian Lewis, Cush Jumbo, James Corden and James McAvoy. The blockbuster show opened with model Kate Moss walking across the stage, and closed with the appearance of four of the “original supers”: Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington, who debut an Apple TV+ docuseries tracking their rise to fame on September 20. The second annual event followed a New York edition held in 2022, and celebrated music, theatre and fashion at the beginning of London Fashion Week (September 15-19). It saw musical performances from FKA Twigs, Stormzy and Annie Lennox, along with a Shakespearean monologue from actress Sophie Okonedo. Fashion was front and centre, with models including Jourdan Dunn, Ashley Graham, Emily Ratajkowski and Cara Delevingne wearing creations from designer labels: Richard Quinn, Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen and more. Daring style was also a common theme on the star-studded red carpet. Queen & Slim actor Jodie Turner-Smith chose a couture outfit for the night: a revealing Viktor & Rolf creation made up of a statement satin bow, opera gloves and matching underwear. Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan wore a timeless black off-the-shoulder gown by Harris Reed – who showed his latest collection on Wednesday night – and added some drama with a statement black and gold headpiece. Presenter and model Alexa Chung went all-in on feathers for her look: a flirty, Sixties-inspired two-piece from Nicklas Skovgaard, made up of shorts, a crop top and a matching feather headpiece, topped off with Boucheron jewellery. I May Destroy You writer and actress Michaela Coel opted for a structured leather-look blazer, seemingly tapping into the trend for wearing knickers as outerwear, first seen on the Miu Miu catwalk in March. October Vogue cover star Kate Winslet was more demure in her fashion choices, wearing a slouchy cream suit with a beige underwear-style top underneath. Royalty was also in attendance, with Princess Eugenie in a jewel-toned blue-green Fendi gown. Princess Beatrice wore a classic floral dress from London-based designer Richard Quinn, complete with built-in gloves and a cape. Posing on the red carpet together, model Poppy Delevingne, designer Stella McCartney and actress Carey Mulligan were all smiles – Delevingne wearing a pop of colour, while McCartney and Mulligan opted for black gowns. Simone Ashley was another Bridgerton star on the red carpet, wearing a bejewelled net couture dress by Tamara Ralph with a white bodysuit underneath. Crazy Rich Asians star Gemma Chan sparkled in a dark silver Louis Vuitton strapless dress, with her hair in a sleek updo and a red lip. Flying the flag for sustainable fashion were singer Rita Ora, model Twiggy and TikTok star Wisdom Kaye. All were wearing pre-loved fashion and accessories from eBay: Ora in a timeless black strapless dress, Twiggy in a red velvet suit and Kaye in wide-legged white trousers and a navy coat. Game Of Thrones star Maisie Williams wore experimental brand Maison Margiela, donning a black mini dress with a Peter Pan collar, cut-off sheer tights and an interesting headpiece. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live See plus-size model Ashley Graham stun in Old Hollywood-inspired Harris Reed LFW show Football legend Michael Owen: My four kids all have opinions about my fashion choices How homeowners are creating pet-specific stylish spaces
2023-09-15 05:23
Ryan Reynolds jokes about selling one of his four children to fund Wrexham Football Club's stadium renovations
When it comes to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Welsh football club, Wrexham AFC, anything is on the table -- including, apparently, the potential sale of one of Reynold's own children.
2023-09-15 05:22
Kim Kardashian faces backlash for posing in Balenciaga after condemning brand over child scandal
Kim Kardashian has sparked backlash for posing in an outfit by Balenciaga one year after condemning the brand’s campaign scandal. The reality star, 42, took to Instagram on 13 September to showcase her look from the brand, which she wore to the Kering Foundation’s annual Caring for Women Dinner. Her outfit choice came nearly a year after she said that she was “re-evaluating” her relationship with the brand, due to its controversial campaign of child models holding teddy bears dressed in bondage gear. For Wednesday night’s dinner, she wore a semi-sheer, pink, sparkly dress with a halter neckline and train, along with a pair of nude heels. Along with the series of photos of herself in the outfit, she also shared a snap with Nicole Kidman, who was also wearing a dress by Balenciaga. In the caption, Kardashian quipped: “Caring for women at the Kering Foundation Gala.” On her Instagram Story, the Skims founder shared another snap of herself and Kidman posing together at the dinner, along with the caption: “@balenciaga babes.” Fans have taken to the comments of Kardashian’s Instagram post to question her for publicly working with Balenciaga again after the campaign, which featured an image of a Supreme Court opinion on a child pornography case, was removed due to backlash. “Why are you both wearing Demna again,” one critic wrote, while another added: “But the brand….” A third agreed: “I seriously don’t get it. This is a simple look that she could have commissioned from any brand. I’m here because I’m a fan but this really upsets me.” Social media users have also taken the criticism to a Reddit thread, where one person posted Kardashian’s story with Kidman, and claimed that the reality star’s “outrage” towards the scandal last year “really was performative”. The Reddit user also added that they’d “never view the brand the same” way that they did due to the controversy. “I mean even when people asked her to speak out Kim really made a super neutral and vague statement,” another claimed about Kardashian’s previous remarks. “Not surprised,” a third claimed about Kardashian wearing Balenciaga. “She still supported them like a week or two after the whole incident and then tried hiding that she was wearing them.” Back in November 2022, the KKW Beauty founder first broke her silence about the campaign, noting that as mother of four children – who she shares with ex Kanye West – she was “shaken by the disturbing images” of the advertisements. “The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalise child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society – period,” she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, at the time. “I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been disgusted and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns, but because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened.” After she explained that she was “re-evaluating [her] relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with”, she added that she “appreciated” Balenciaga’s decision to issue an apology and remove the campaign. “In speaking with them, I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again,” she concluded. One month after issuing the statement, Kardashian explained why she didn’t speak out against the Balenciaga teddy bear controversy at the very beginning. “With the Balenciaga thing, everyone was like: ‘Why aren’t you speaking out? Why aren’t you speaking out?’ And I’m like: ‘Wait. I’m not in this campaign. I don’t know what’s happening. Let me take a minute to research this,’” she said. “And then as soon as I saw what everyone was seeing on the internet and the reality of the situation, I completely spoke out and gave my thoughts on child porn and completely denounced it.” She also made claims about why she believed she faced criticism amid the Balenciaga scandal, continuing: “But because I didn’t say: ‘F*** you, Balenciaga. That’s it,’ people got mad at that. So they’re mad if I don’t speak out. They’re mad if I do speak out, and if I don’t cancel.” The Independent has contacted a representative for Kardashian for comment. Read More Kim Kardashian-West repeatedly tags wrong Mert Alas in Twitter photos with her famous friends Kim Kardashian explains why she doesn't 'label' herself a feminist at Commonwealth club talk Kourtney Kardashian claims she ‘hates’ sister Kim in dramatic Kardashians trailer Cindy Crawford says her father initially thought modelling ‘form of prostitution’ See plus-size model Ashley Graham stun in Old Hollywood-inspired Harris Reed LFW show Football legend Michael Owen: My four kids all have opinions about my fashion choices
2023-09-15 05:17
Megyn Kelly welcomes Donald Trump for an interview 8 years after he erupted over her debate question
Megyn Kelly has welcomed Donald Trump for an interview eight years after he erupted at her over her debate question
2023-09-15 04:50
Stars auction dog walks and dinner to help crews on SAG-AFTRA strike
Would you rather have Adam Scott walk your dog, or Lena Dunham paint a mural in your house?
2023-09-15 04:47
*NSYNC to release first new song in over 20 years for 'Trolls Band Together' movie
*NSYNC hasn't completely said "bye bye bye" to making more music together.
2023-09-15 04:28