Editor’s Note: Whether on screen or off, Hollywood can always be counted on to keep us entertained. This is especially true when it comes to politics. Join us each week as we shine the spotlight on Tinseltown’s A-listers and their whacky and sometimes inspiring takes on today’s current events.
Hanks Host Inauguration
Actor Tom Hanks will be hosting a television event to celebrate Joe Biden’s and Kamala Harris’ inauguration at 8 p.m. on Jan. 20. Titled “Celebrating America,” the 90-minute special will have a bevy of celebrities performing, including Justin Timberlake, Ant Clemons, Demi Lovato, and Jon Bon Jovi.
“To say that this is a dream come true, would be an understatement,” Lovato tweeted. He and Timberlake will be performing a song they wrote together. Lovato continued:
“2020 was accompanied with so much weight from so many angles that when @justintimberlake and I came to write our song, BETTER DAYS, we were inspired to create something that could serve as a bit of hope through such trying times.”
Tony Allen, CEO of the Presidential Inaugural Committee as well as president of Delaware State University said in a statement that “This inauguration presents a unique opportunity to spotlight the resilience and spirit of an America United.” He continued:
“We have witnessed countless heroes this past year step up to the frontlines and serve their fellow Americans, so we are telling their stories, spreading their collective light, and celebrating the best of our country and its people with this primetime program.”
Biden’s Dog’s “Indoguration”
While Biden and Harris get officially welcomed to the White House, the president-elect’s German Shepherds will have their own “indoguration” celebration as well. The event happens on Jan. 17 in a virtual ceremony sponsored by the Delaware Humane Association.
Although the Bidens have two German Shepherds, Champ and Major, the story is about the latter who was officially adopted in November 2019. It was Major who Biden was playing with when he fractured his foot last November.
Major has the distinction of being the only first dog to go from a shelter to the White House.
Kamala Harris: Vogue Photo Shoot Doesn’t do Women of Color Justice
By now, you’ve probably heard all about the cover of Vogue Magazine. The outrage wasn’t that the vice-president-elect was snubbed from being showcased; it was because the photograph didn’t make her look good enough. Lilly Singh, host of NBC’s late-night A Little Late with Lilly Singh, especially took exception to the picture and ranted her reasoning during the show:
“When this photo was released, the internet immediately freaked out, and with good reason. Because we’re just like, ‘Is this the best that you can make the VP look’?'”
“I just don’t get it. Y’all figured out how to put Harry Styles in a gown, but you can’t figure out how to put Kamala Harris in a jacket.”
Harris, who is standing in front of a green backdrop with a pink satin ribbon of color, was wearing Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers. True, the image left much to be desired: it was a bit sloppy, especially the way Mrs. Harris is standing on wrinkled material gathered around her feet. After the internet went ballistic because the soon-to-be VP didn’t look dignified enough, Vogue sent out a digital version with Harris in a powder blue power suit.
“Way better,” Singh praised the new picture. “The lighting, the blue power suit, the confident smile. That smile right there says ‘Hey, don’t worry. You can enjoy sleeping again’.” The talk show host wasn’t done with her arguments though, insisting the industry just doesn’t know how to take pictures of women of color. Being of Indian descent herself, Singh said she’s experienced the issue firsthand. Then she added, “But Vogue needs to step up and learn how to make women of color look just as good as everybody else.”
Cheers and Jeers
Sometimes, HollyWeird players make headlines for silly or bizarre happenings, so here is a collection of newsworthy doings — honorable and dishonorable — by the tenants of Tinseltown.
Pelosi’s “Little Black Impeachment Dress”
Social media was all aflutter over Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) attire during President Donald Trump’s impeachment hearing. Apparently, the Speaker of the House wore the same black sheath dress with a beaded neckless to both events. The difference this time is she swapped the Mace of the United States House of Representative pin for a pandemic-approved floral mask.
“You know your presidency is in trouble when the Speaker has an ‘impeachment outfit’ just for the occasion’,” tweeted one person. Another commented that Pelosi had worn the same dress to half of all the U.S. elections.
Home Alone Without Trump
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York might be in for a quick redo of the iconic scene where young Kevin McAllister, played by Macaulay Culkin, meets business mogul Donald Trump. Apparently, when it was suggested to have that scene deleted after the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, the actor was all for it, saying only one word: “Sold!” A petition to delete Trump’s cameo has been circulating, which also calls for the president to be replaced with a 40-year-old Culkin. Are we talking time travel here?
Pamela Anderson Wants a Meeting with Trump
Baywatch sexpot Pamela Anderson wants a meeting with the president to personally appeal for him to pardon WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. “I want him to be free,” she told the Daily Mail. Apparently, the star thinks Trump will honor her request since “I have met Mr Trump a few times on the Playboy circuit – I was invited to his birthday. He has always got a kick out of me.”
Tune in next week to see what else Tinseltown has planned.
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Read more from Kelli Ballard.
