The Queen Barbra Streisand for Variety March 2018!
Barbra sat down with Variety for an interview and spoke on a few things!
Streisand on How She Battled Hollywood’s Boys’ Club
The Oscars have an embarrassing history of snubbing female directors. Barbra Streisand was naturally verklempt but ultimately fine when the Motion Picture Academy failed to nominate her for 1983’s “Yentl,” a musical fable about a spinster who passes as a man to gain an education.
“It was strange,” recalls Streisand over a cup of tea at her stunning Malibu estate. “I didn’t mind it for one reason: It really showed the sexism. I thought by not being nominated, I put a spotlight on the issue. I thought, ‘Wow. This is so transparent.’”
Some 34 years later, the barriers that Streisand broke through — as the first woman to juggle duties as the star, director, producer and co-writer of a single studio movie — are at the forefront of everyone’s mind in Hollywood. “I didn’t know it was a glass ceiling,” she says about her decision to step behind the camera. “I just thought, they don’t believe in a woman’s capacity to handle finances or to be the businessman. Years ago, I was told, ‘You want control? A woman wants control? That’s crazy!’”
As the 90th Academy Awards ceremony gets ready to unfold on March 4, there’s no doubt that women are finally regaining control of their own narrative. There’s been an unprecedented reckoning with the #MeToo movement and the firings of powerful, high-profile men accused of sexual abuse and harassment, such as Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose. And in recent months, the Time’s Up campaign has raised $20 million to help eradicate sexual harassment in the workplace.
“It’s just awe-inspiring,” says Streisand, 75, who was motivated to speak out in a rare two-hour interview with Variety. “I’m totally proud.” Although she hasn’t appeared in a film since 2012’s “The Guilt Trip,” her legacy looms large over awards season. Streisand — who won a best actress Oscar nearly 50 years ago for “Funny Girl” and another statuette for song for 1976’s “A Star Is Born” — was the biggest female movie star in the post-studio system. She used her power to leverage stories that she wanted to tell.
“I had an impression of her before we got together,” says Robert Redford, her co-star in 1973’s “The Way We Were,” which earned Streisand a best actress Oscar nomination. “My impression was that she was beautiful, even with her agonizing insecurities and so forth. And so during the film, it was very easy. She was playing someone who was insecure. And I come into her life and assure her that she’s better than that.”
Barbra Streisand reveals she cloned her dog twice
Singer and actor tells Variety she made clones of 14-year-old Samantha before it died last year
Barbra Streisand has revealed she successfully made two clones of her pet dog after it died last year.
The singer and actor told the Hollywood trade publication Variety that cells were taken from the mouth and stomach of her 14-year-old Coton de Tulear dog, Samantha.
“They have different personalities,” Streisand said of the puppies, called Miss Scarlett and Miss Violet. “I’m waiting for them to get older so I can see if they have her brown eyes and her seriousness.”
In the interview, Streisand said when the cloned dogs arrived, she dressed them in red and lavender to tell them apart, which is how they got their names.
While waiting for their arrival, Streisand said she became smitten with another dog, which was a distant relation of Samantha.
The Coton de Tulear dog was called Funny Girl, but Streisand adopted her and gave her the name Miss Fanny, which is how Fanny Brice’s dresser refers to Streisand’s character in the 1968 musical that launched her acting career.
Streisand followed Funny Girl, for which she won an Oscar, with Hello Dolly!, but said she never liked the film.
“I thought I was totally miscast. I tried to get out of it,” she told Variety. “I think it’s so silly. It’s so old-time musical.”
#RHoA: Here’s The Tea About Kenya Moore's Husband's Restaurant
Kenya Moore's husband's NYC restaurant has quickly become the go-to spot for The Real Housewives of Atlanta to grab some grub when they are hanging out in the Big Apple. Kandi Burruss and Cynthia Bailey have both made it out to Marc Daly's Soco in Brooklyn. And while NeNe Leakes was recently in New York City, she totally forgot to make a reservation but she has heard some chatter about the food.
"You know what? No, I hadn't even thought about that actually and I know his restaurant's here," she told The Daily Dish. "But my schedule's been super busy. I did get a chance to go see Kandi on Broadway [in Chicago], but now that you say that, I may just tip toe on over there and see what's happening in that restaurant. I totally forgot about that ... I need to creep on over there and order something," she said before confirming that Soco is worth the trip based on word of mouth: "I actually have; I've heard that it's a good place."
Speaking of checking out Kandi on the Great White Way, well, this is what NeNe had to say about the singer's interpretation of Mama Morton, who was also played by NeNe in 2015. "I thought Kandi did a great job," she said. "A lot of Mama Mortons are big personality people, so I was surprised of Kandi being in that role because we've had people like Patti LaBelle to play it; Wendy Williams played it; Queen Latifah played it. I played it. There's big personality, big people, tall girls, so I think she did a good job. She's a little, small Mama Morton."
#EMPIRE: Dear Lee Daniels we have a few questions before March 28!
Empire and Star both left us dangling from serious cliffhangers after their respective midseason finales in December. Now, we know they return on March 28, with Empire kicking off the night at 8/7c and Star following at 9/8c.
Last we seen Empire finally revealed Diana's (Phylicia Rashad) scheming ways to the world, but it left Angelo (Taye Diggs) bleeding out from a gunshot to the stomach. On the bright side of things, it looks like Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) and Lucious (Terrence Howard) might actually be making positive progress with their relationship?
Star devastated lives and relationships in its midseason finale, leaving Jahil (Benjamin Bratt) and Cotton (Amiyah Scott) in mortal peril and Alex's (Ryan Destiny) relationship with Derek (Quincy Brown) in shambles. That's what happens when you kiss another dude, girl!
I guess we will have to wait for these midseason premieres and all the answers they hold!
#MUSICNEWS: Ledisi Taps Melanie Fiona and Tweet For ‘Let Love Rule Tour’
Ledisi is heading back on the road, and this time she is making it a Black Girl Magic affair.
The Twelve-time Grammy nominee and R&B veteran have announced the ‘Let Love Rule Tour’ with songstresses Melanie Fiona and Tweet. The 17-city trek kicks off on May 24 in Raleigh, NC and will make stops in major cities like Atlanta, Washington, DC, Boston, and Nashville before culminating on June 17 in Dallas, TX, at the Majestic Theatre.
The tour supports Ledisi’s Grammy-nominated album ‘Let Love Rule,’ which received nominations in the “Best R&B Album,” “Best R&B Performance,” and “Best Traditional R&B Performance” categories at this year’s ceremony. She will also perform classics from her extensive catalog.
“Finally get to sing these songs live!!!” a joyful Ledisi wrote on Instagram.
VIP presale tickets are available on Wednesday, Feb 28 (premium seating, meet & greet, exclusive merchandise) with general public ticketing starting on Friday, March 2. All tickets can be purchased via www.ledisi.com.
Melanie Fiona recently wrapped a 4-date East Coast run dubbed Issa ‘Winter Run;’ she is setting the stage for her upcoming album Next Train, headed by the single ‘Remember U.‘ Tweet, who has been doing one-off dates, released her last album, Charlene, in 2016.
Before setting out on her new tour, Ledisi will appear at the Apollo Theater for a special one night only concert celebrating artist, activist and Apollo legend Nina Simone with Nina and Me: Ledisi Celebrates Nina Simone Live at the Apollo on March 9. The evening will feature Ledisi performing the timeless music of Nina Simone alongside some of her own, chart-topping hits. Tickets for Nina and Me are available at the Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com.
LET LOVE RULE TOUR DATES:
May 24 Raleigh, NC Ritz
May 25 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore
May 26 Atlanta, GA ATL Soul Life Music Festival*
May 27 Orlando, FL House of Blues**
May 29 Greensboro, NC Cone Denim Center
May 30 Greenville, SC Peace Center PAC
June 1 Washington, DC Capital Jazz Festival*
June 2 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Resort & Spa
June 3 Montclair, NJ Wellmont Theatre
June 4 Boston, MA Wilbur Theatre
June 6 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theatre
June 7 Detroit, MI MotorCity Casino
June 8 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
June 9 Hammond, IN Venue @ Horseshoe Casino
June 10 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theatre
June 13 Nashville, TN Schermerhorn Symphony Center
June 14 Memphis, TN Minglewood Hall
June 15 Houston, TX House of Blues
June 17 Dallas, TX Majestic Theatre
* Festival appearance
**Tweet will not be appearing
#NEWHIPHOP from Dave East – ‘Set It Off’
Dave East is ready to “Set It Off” on his latest buzz track, which was inspired by F. Gary Gray’s 1996 classic starring Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise.
LISTEN HERE
Produced by Buda & Grandz, the track kicks off with dialogue from the film, before Dave begins his stream of consciousness flow about women, sex, rumors, and more.
‘VH1’ Star Safaree Samuels Talks About His Recent Egg Plant Picture Leak That Broke The Internet
A few days ago, Safaree Samuels’ eggplant broke the internet….
Safaree says, “Ya’ll are the first spoken … I haven’t left my house… I’m not going nowhere I don’t want no one to see me. Like I don’t want no pictures in the gym. None of that… I have NO idea on how that video got out like for anyone who thinking I put that video out. If I put that out I would of have like some roll out and some things set up. It’s like now that it happen I was like alright. I’m going to take it and run with it.
I remember it. I would go to the gym and put my coconut oil on you know I’m making sure. I’m straight… When, I did it I did it in my Snapchat but I just did it and saved it… I don’t send stuff like that out. But, I don’t know if somebody broke into my Snap or I Cloud, or whatever…..
So then when I got home I finally looked in my phone I’ve seen a good 74 crazy text messages. My Instagram was in shambles. I got more than a 100,000 followers in one day……..
Dear Kim Kardashian, The Indians are not that into you!
Vogue India slammed for featuring Kim Kardashian on the cover
Last year, Kendall Jenner's Vogue India cover sparked backlash on social media from readers who felt an Indian or South Asian model would have been a more appropriate choice. This week, the magazine revealed Kim Kardashian West covers its March 2018 issue -- and social media is already blowing up with similarly negative responses. In a series social media posts republished by Fox News, one user pointed out that most of the people who worked on the shoot were not Indian, which seemed to that person like a missed opportunity to "showcase Indian talent to the world," while others asked questions like, "how hard is it to have Indian women represent Indian culture?" A third noted that given India's Bollywood industry, "plenty of talented Bollywood actresses" could have been selected if Vogue wanted to go with a pop culture cover star.
Another questioned why someone who called Indian food "disgusting" on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" a few years ago was now on the cover of an Indian magazine. (Kim apologized for the comment at the time, posting on her website, "In NO way was [my comment] intended as an insult to the Indian people or their culture. This is just my own personal taste.") It didn't seem to help matters that Kim was pictured in a traditional lahenga skirt inside the magazine. Last year, Vogue responded to Kendall's backlash with a statement citing that "statistically, 90% of our covers" have starred people of Indian descent. "India has given the world so many beautiful faces to admire," the magazine wrote in an online statement, adding, "... we are Vogue, an international brand, and we want to give the love back by featuring some of the best international celebrities on over covers. Occasionally!" According to Vogue, the cover was shot in Los Angeles. "The saris, the jewelery, the clothes -- everything was so beautiful!" Kim said of the shoot. "I told my show that we have to figure out how to get to India."
GREAT NEWS! Tisha Campbell-Martin Cast In ABC Drama Pilot From Regina King and Robin Roberts
Tisha Campbell-Martin rebounds!
The actress is set as a series regular in ABC’s Untitled Holmes drama pilot from CSI: NY showrunner Pam Veasey, Robin Roberts and Regina King and ABC Studios.
According to reports, Written by Veasey with King set to direct, the drama explores the lives of five African-American sisters, all officers in the NYPD, as they face the challenges of their high-risk jobs while juggling the responsibilities of marriage, motherhood and family. Campbell-Martin will play Sgt. Anise Kendrick-Morrison, a witty, tough and outspoken patrol officer with a sharp sense of humor. She is immensely proud of her family, especially her four sisters in the NYPD. The first to join the force, she proudly patrols her own childhood neighborhood in Queens.
Last week it was reported, Tisha Campbell-Martin filed for divorce after more than 20 years of marriage. I’m glad there is a Silver lining in a Dark Cloud.
Oprah and The Stars Attend The Premiere Of "A Wrinkle In Time"
Oprah Winfrey, Storm Reid, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling attend the premiere of their film "A Wrinkle in Time" in Los Angeles on Feb. 26, 2018.
Movies open on March 9th!
Tamar Braxton And Vince Herbert Renting Out Calabasas Mansion For $150k A Month
Last year it was reported, The couple is reportedly put their extravagant Calabasas mansion for $15 million which was feature on both We TV’s show ‘Braxton Family Values’ , ‘Tamar and Vince’, and ‘The Real’.
The Herbert-Braxtons, married in late 2007 after about five years together, purchased the 13,716-square-foot mansion inside the double-gated Estates at The Oaks enclave in April 2013 for $10.5 million and public records show since then there have been several notices of default filed….
Now let’s Fast forward….According to The Jasmine Brand reports, Tamar filed for divorce last October, citing “irreconcilable differences” and they are now living in separate homes. The pair put their Calabasas mansion on the market, but pulled it off in hopes of renting it out. They’ve listed it to rent for $150k a month.
Last week Tay Tay and “Skinny Daddy” Vince made an appearance on ‘The View’!
Dick's Sporting Goods CEO: Company will no longer sell assault-style rifles, nor sell guns to people under 21
Dick's Sporting Goods Inc., one of the largest retailers of its kind in the United States, is taking new steps to curtail the sale of firearms in its 700-plus stores, including ending sales of assault-style rifles and banning the sale of guns to people younger than 21, the company announced this morning.
The move follows the revelation that Nikolas Cruz, the alleged gunman who killed 17 during a Feb. 14 shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, bought a gun at Dick's 2017. It was not the gun nor the kind of gun used in the massacre, however.
The new measures, which go into effect today , were announced on "Good Morning America" by Dick's chairman and CEO Ed Stack. Aside from Dick's, the Pittsburgh-based, publicly traded company also operates stores under the Gold Galaxy, Field & Stream, True Runner and Chelsea Collective banners.
"We looked at what happened and we were truly deeply moved and disturbed by those events," Stack said. "When we saw what the kids were going through and the grief of the parents and the kids who were killed in Parkland, we felt we needed to do something."
- Assault-style rifles, also referred to as modern sporting rifles, will no longer be sold. Stacks noted that the company had already removed them from all Dick's stores after the Sandy Hook massacre, but they will now be removed from all 35 Field & Stream stores.
- Firearms will no longer be sold to anyone under the age of 21.
- High capacity magazines will no longer be sold.
- And finally, "We never have and never will sell bump stocks that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire more rapidly.
Student says Nikolas Cruz threatened to 'kill' him, sent photo of guns months before school shooting
School shooting suspect could lose public defender after reports of $800K inheritance
Florida school shooting suspect was fascinated by talk of guns, preoccupied with wars: School records
In the letter, Stack explained, "We support and respect the Second Amendment, and we recognize and appreciate that the vast majority of gun owners in this country are responsible, law-abiding citizens. But we have to help solve the problem that's in front of us. Gun violence is an epidemic that's taking the lives of too many people, including the brightest hope for the future of America –- our kids."
Stack admitted to "GMA," though, "We know this is a complicated issue. We hope to spur a conversation."
He added, "We hope there will be others who are involved in this who come to the table and try to solve this problem. We know this will be very difficult to solve. Lawmakers will have to sit down with the intent to solve this problem."
Below is the letter from Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. CEO and chairman Ed Stack:
We at DICK’S Sporting Goods are deeply disturbed and saddened by the tragic events in Parkland. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims and their loved ones.
But thoughts and prayers are not enough. We have tremendous respect and admiration for the students organizing and making their voices heard regarding gun violence in schools and elsewhere in our country.
We have heard you. The nation has heard you. We support and respect the Second Amendment, and we recognize and appreciate that the vast majority of gun owners in this country are responsible, law-abiding citizens. But we have to help solve the problem that’s in front of us. Gun violence is an epidemic that’s taking the lives of too many people, including the brightest hope for the future of America – our kids. Following all of the rules and laws, we sold a shotgun to the Parkland shooter in November of 2017. It was not the gun, nor type of gun, he used in the shooting. But it could have been.
Clearly this indicates on so many levels that the systems in place are not effective to protect our kids and our citizens.
We believe it’s time to do something about it.
Beginning today, DICK’S Sporting Goods is committed to the following:
We will no longer sell assault-style rifles, also referred to as modern sporting rifles. We had already removed them from all DICK’S stores after the Sandy Hook massacre, but we will now remove them from sale at all 35 Field & Stream stores.
We will no longer sell firearms to anyone under 21 years of age. We will no longer sell high capacity magazines. We never have and never will sell bump stocks that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire more rapidly.
At the same time, we implore our elected officials to enact common sense gun reform and pass the following regulations:
Ban assault-style firearms
Raise the minimum age to purchase firearms to 21 Ban high capacity magazines and bump stocks Require universal background checks that include relevant mental health information and previous interactions with the law Ensure a complete universal database of those banned from buying firearms Close the private sale and gun show loophole that waives the necessity of background checks
We hope others join us in this effort to let our kids know that their pleas are being taken seriously. Some will say these steps can’t guarantee tragedies like Parkland will never happen again. They may be correct – but if common sense reform is enacted and even one life is saved, it will have been worth it.
We deeply believe that this country’s most precious gift is our children. They are our future. We must keep them safe. Sincerely,
Edward W. Stack Chairman & CEO DICK’S Sporting Goods
Kathy Griffin Thinks That CNN Will Offer Her New Year's Eve Gig Back
I like Kathy Griffin and it's time that she makes her comeback in USA but she is delusional if she really thinks that CNN would offer her New Year's Eve gig back.
Word on the street is that the disgraced comedian thinks that CNN are going to ask her to host their New Year's Eve show with Anderson Cooper again after Andy Cohen bombed as her new replacement. CNN claimed that the show had it's highest ratings ever but fans everywhere tweeted about their boredom of the show and Andy's annoying behaviour.
After Kathy's social media was flooded with cries for her to comeback she apparently took that to mean that she will get her job back, which will never happen in a million years. CNN is a political network so there is no way that they could rehire her after that Trump mask photo and Anderson isn't even her friend anymore. It just wouldn't work.
Kathy is a comedian and her career is more than just one night of the year. If Trump can still be President after all the mess he created in the last year then Kathy can definitely make her comeback, however she burnt a whole lot of bridges when she said that Andy Cohen offered her cocaine and called out a boatload of executives for not supporting her in that 17 minute rant video, so that could make anyone a little nervous to work with her.
Right now Kathy's tour is selling out across the world but if she really wants to come back and perform in USA then she can't be making Trump jokes because no one is here for that, she needs to move on and get back to her pop culture roots because I don't think anyone wants to hear her make jokes about the orange president.
What do you think?
AND FINALLY FROM THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘ON PATROL’
Well hold on now, maybe he is Canadian Border Patrol. You might be out of his jurisdiction Flash.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Hasaan Bear
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HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM
