Forget The Weight - Who Dressed Her?!!

I hope that one day media outlets are held accountable for a young girls’ motive and action to become bulimic or anorexic because based on the harsh comments and coverage of Jessic Simpson - only one message is sent to females in this world - Thin is in.

As a wildfire of media have caught photos and video of Jessica Simpson’s latest country singing shindig the coverage focused on her distorted-images-shot-from-a-bad-angle-enhanced-by-an-unflattering-outfit weight gain. Legit news outlets like Fox News ran lines that read Jessica Simpson “Shocks fans with noticeably fuller figure” and The New York Post attacked the star with the hurtful and mortifying cartoon shown above (PS- In the background of the cartoon, referring to who she met is Ronald McDonald).

A barrage of media is attacking Simpson speculating anything from - she must be really happy, did she switch birth control, is she pregnant, simply fat again!

I feel that as a celebrity Jessica Simpson does have an obligation to maintain her appearance whether by long, shiny hair extensions, teeth whitener, or stylish clothes. But Simpson has never falsely advertised her figure selling herself as a size zero, health conscious, workout obsessed babe. Rather Simpson (and even her former husband, Nick Lachey) has vocalized her relatable feelings of being self-conscious of her weight and busty boobs since before she was ever a celebrity.

I am critical of myself as it is – I could not imagine having strangers attack the very things that heighten my insecurities when it comes to my figure appearance!

I suppose I feel more sympathetic towards Jessica’s recent and unwanted paparazzi attention because she unlike most stars, has most recently and purposefully stayed out of the medias line of fire. A non-attention seeker (other then from her boo), it seems unfair to bash her so harshly for outfit that accented all the wrong things.

I am actually more concerned about who her stylist is and why they picked that outfit!

If You Seek Britney

I am a twenty-something whose immaturity comes out in my watchful ears and eyes of celebrity twittering – you know what I mean, I keep up with the stars! And so, before the new year ended I was able to check off an item from my “Must Do Before I Die” list. Drum roll please…I purchased Britney Spears tickets to her latest, and hopefully most fabulous tour – Circus!

Yes, chances are I will be huddled in with her new generation of tween followers screaming her name, wearing overpriced venue tee-shirts, knowing her dance moves and lyrics better than myself – but they can keep their youth and I will keep my seats!

Several years back during Britney’s last tour (The Onyx Hotel) I had purchased tickets. A poor college student at the time, the nose bleed section in the upper 400’s is all that my friends and I could bare to afford. Even then our excitement raged high from the glowing reviews friends in neighboring cities gave Britney and her entertainment act (we are not in denial, we know she does not sing live). However, weeks after her knee injury the tour was canceled and we were out of luck and out $26 dollars (thank you ticket master for not refunding your processing fees).

Years later with a slightly better job I vowed that ONE DAY when Britney would tour again (with no hair or a pink wig) I would be there rows closer with a seat that would cost three digits rather than two!

Section 102 – not too shabby!

Living...and Reliving A Dream

This past week me and a couple of girlfriends trekked into Washington, DC on a chilly Thursday evening to see the New Kids On The Block concert. It was a spontaneous purchase in which flashbacks of my childhood flooded my mind – dancing in front of my rabbit eared TV watching the NKOTB pay-per-view concert wearing hot pink spandex, a side pony tail with an oversized sweatshirt my Dad constantly reminded me not to put my knees in and stretch! My brother had his girlfriend over who was too old to enjoy the childhood lusting of Joey and Donnie, but oh boy, while he stole my stuffed animals to give to her as presents, my heart went thump, thump, boom – puberty was in full effect! At eleven years old I would have given anything to have attended a NKOTB concert (extra chores, no allowance, no sleepovers – you name it). But my parents like most in the late eighties, early nineties, didn’t have spare change that allowed for a $80 concert ticket multiplied by 2 for parental monitoring. So when I received the news months back that the NKOTB were reuniting my answer was a quick “Yes, of course I’ll attend”. My childhood dream was about to come true.

And as the months went by I easily forget about the NKOTB except for the occasional play of their new, not-so-popular, kind-of-hit Summertime. Oh gosh, remind me again, why did I purchase a ticket to their concert? I am grown now! I work long days and wondered if I’d gather the energy to act excited and remind myself if the allure of this spontaneous purchase would be worthwhile. Here goes nothing…

I should have had more faith in my first love boy band. Once we took our seats and the stage lit up with smoke, florescent lights, and familiar beats started to drum – a smile came across my face and I was a child again…a child who could afford the ticket on her own (upper level of course)!
The NKOTB delivered an entertaining, non-lip synching show that covered many of their earlier successful singles while mixing in a few new hopeful hits here and there. I recognized countless dance moves and adored the swinging side-to-side MC Hammer like steps that no other modern boy band would dare to add to their choreography. The slide shows that played to the side memorialized their past and the passing of celebrities and loved ones – small touches that reminded you why the NKOTB left such an impact. Tardiness, disrespect, drunken nights, and drug use were never associated with this group as is common with current pop tarts. Wholesome entertainment with lyrics about first and second loves left young girls everywhere wanting more…even fifteen years later.

Memory trunks were unpacked with denim and oversized buttons displayed throughout the crowded arena filled with mostly twenty and thirty-year-old something females still screaming, “Joey, I love you”! A karaoke scroll with sing-a-long words was not needed as we easily remembered the Hanging Tough, Step-By-Step, and I’ll Be Loving You lyrics better than we could recall the first boy we ever French kissed.

And the most poignant scene, a moment still resonating with me days later, occurred when Donnie Wahlberg took center stage. One arm extended towards the fans and the other bended inwards towards his face to wipe the swelling tears in his eyes. Arms swayed above heads side-to-side with countless screams of “New Kids, New Kids” echoing off the stadium walls. Seconds passed before he could speak in shock of the loyalty displayed and in awe of his groups revival. It was probably at this moment that he was ever so grateful for what he once had and for what he would have just a little bit longer.

Maybe The Unreal World of The Hills Is Becoming Real?

HELLO, do you see Audrina's body in the picture below? Can we say amazing! Oh, and that is her little sister Casey who apparently just had a baby. I need their family genes ASAP!

So the drama on The Hills is becoming too quick for even the cameras to catch. Audrina moving out was captured by the paps and reported by the gossip mags probably weeks before we will ever see the footage on MTV. And today's leaking gossip is the worst of the worst for the even tempered, appears-to-be-normal Audrina! Rumors have it that LC hooked up with Justin Bobby - Audrina's on-again, off-again boyfriend who makes regular appearances on The Hills. Don't I recall LC speaking poorly about Justin and always persuading Audrina to want more for herself? Hmmmm. Manipulation?
I hope the rumor is TRUE forcing LC to repent for her own sins, her own forgiveness, and realize people do make mistakes. Forgiveness is part of reality.

Oh, and if you are wondering what Audrina thinks about all the most recent rumor mill - she post on her official myspace page the following: "I woke up this morning and it seems like just about every gossip magazine or blog has a story about Lauren hooking up with Justin. I'm not sure what to believe. Though Justin and I have not been exclusive for quite some time, these rumors are very confusing and hurtful. I can't comment on whether they are true or false."

Lauren Conrad - Get The Skinny!

Mary Kate Olsen, Nicole Richie, Rachael Zoe and now...Lauren Conrad. It appears that the reality star is following suit with the shoulder and ribs diet!

Oh LC, you have it all wrong. Always petite with her girl next door appeal, she was a different kind of pretty that might have inspired girls to NOT be so thin, but I suppose her desire to remain in the spotlight drove her to cave to the demand to look like the rest of young Hollywood.

Where are these girls parents? Isn't there anyone in their lives that can put the brakes on their poor behavior? Partying ways? Drug abuse? Eating disorders?

I miss the more "grounded" LC who lived in Laguna, went to college, and hoped Stephen would want to date her -- that was relateable. Now...she is like all the rest.

PS - I do LOVE the dress though!!!

Ms. Sometimes Mom Spears

Last Friday should have been a sad day for Britney Spears.

Her and her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, have reached a custody agreement in which Kevin will retain sole custody of their two boys.

People.com reports that, “All Britney was seeking was a formalization of her increased visitation that she's obtained over recent weeks, and the additional overnight. She won both of those requests."

Crazy or not, I do not understand how a woman can give up custody of her own children. I am sure it was the best decision for her sons; however I am not convinced it was the best decision for Ms. Spears. In fact, I believe that it was an agreement made to allow Spears to maintain her freedom and ability to be “mommy” at her own discretion.

The no-drama-Hollywood-parties-pink- wig-wearing rarely seen Spears, has led me to believe that Britney was on her way to recovery, that she would continue to prove that she could be a mother, a good mother, once she had a support system reinstated accompanied with professional help. This means she would fight until the death to at a minimum, retain fifty-fifty custody of her two boys. Instead she threw in the towel leaving me to question her selfishness (once again) rather than her insanity.

Even if Spears did not want custody of her children I expected her to fake it. She has a responsibility to make her boys believe that she wanted them, that she fought hard and long, while sane and insane. Even on her worst day, she knew in her heart and crooked mind that she owed her children the love and childhood she never had. Instead, Preston and Jayden will age and learn that their mother abandoned them earlier on.

With Spears’ next album and tour, the desire will return to be in the limelight, to be on top again. She will use the media and it will use her – a most desirable interview, that Barbara Walters will surely snag. Perhaps then, when I hear her side, I will feel empathy. But until then I laugh at the fact that Ms. Spears relinquished custody of her children while her 16 year old sister, Jayme Lynn, raises a child of her own.

Am I being too harsh?

Poor Jessica Simpson?!

Is a picture really worth a thousand words? I hope for Jessica Simpson’s sake it is not, as this candid photo shows Tony a bit too close to a pretty blonde (at least we know what type of hair color he likes best). Of course we can think of all the possible scenarios in which this photo was shot but like most celeb magazines I quickly jump to the conclusion that:
--Tony is out in Chicago at the hot lounge Manor where he and his buddies throw a couple back – no ladies allowed weekend. A bunch of twenty-something girls quickly recognize him and start playfully flirting across the room with less than shy smirks. A couple of shots and shared drinks later Tony forgets he is in a serious, world-known relationship. The blondest of the group compliments Tony on his body, on his game, and on landing Jessica Simpson, but promises a young girl from Chicago knows a lot more tricks than a use-to-be Southern Bell. He doesn’t cross the line per say, as he only verbally flirts with his teasingly nature and frequent love taps – never kissing, holding hands, or dancing in close proximity. But as last call is announced and the two depart in separate cabs, those left behind know this night will end with a heavy secret Tony will carry.

That was good right??!! I mean come on, we know what the media will do with these images – the comments, captions and outright fibs they will add in order to suggest more than what we can literally see. So how should we probably view this photo?

--Tony is out in Chicago at the hot lounge Manor, leaving Jessica behind in Nashville as she works long days to finish up what he believes, will be a hit country album. Tony and his buddy throw back a few drinks, and as usual, many girls at the bar take notice to his good looks and well-known face. Several cute college chicks approach Tony – sharing with him how much they love Jessica and are a fan of their relationship. They of course interact with some innocent flirty behavior (which is healthy) and Tony kindly poses for some photos. Tony and the guys buy the girls a couple of rounds and at the end of the night “I love Tony Romo” can be heard shouted across the bar with Tony’s checks turning bashfully red. Tony catches a cab, calls Jessica and reminds her how much he loves and misses her.

Which scenario do you think is more likely?

*Photo obvioulsy from Perezhilton.com

Now This Is Beautiful.

She is regularly teased by the media as being a bit porky with pictures and comment boxes suggesting the wanna-be pop singer far from fits the mold of the size 0, six pack, bare belly image that young girls try to obsessively emulate.

Does America really believe that Brooke Hogan is fat?!

Most tweens viewing this image will first point out Miss Hogan’s flaw – thick thighs, and oh my, do they touch?! Impressionable girls ages 8,9, and 10 are learning early on by the media and the images used to portray beauty that thin equates to more than a pant size. Thin is beauty. Thin is popularity. Thin is models. Thin is money. Thin is boyfriends. Thin is power.

Runway models, actresses, singers – all thin. Reality TV hasn’t helped any either. It appears that even “real” people are all thin too – The Hills, Real World, The Bachelor – these shows make their audience believe that waiflike figures are the norm, and to be average, maybe a size 9, isn’t.

Even at my age I am impacted (and regularly reminded) that women must look a certain way in order to be labeled “pretty”. And pretty only has so much to do with your face and a lot more to do with your image. Victoria Beckam – not necessarily pretty, yet she is classified as a cultural icon due to her thin stature, stylish outfits, and mischievous mannerisms (oh and her hottie of a husband). Fortunately, I am able to filter the distorted images and implied definitions of beauty and how they relate to myself in order to remain sane, average sized, and not on a hunger strike to shrink a few sizes.

Unfortunately, young girls are easily influenced by the powerful images splashed atop magazine covers and fashion runways leading them to believe if not thin enough they are not good enough. We need to change that.

*Picture courtesy of Perez Hilton.com

Move Over Mommy!

Click here to watch Victoria Beckham's son, Cruz, break dance at the Spice Girls Reunion last concert. This is too cute! He is only 3. Is there a So You Think You Can Dance for toddlers in the making??!!

Reminder: As Quick As You Rise You Could Fall

I hope my skepticism proves untrue, but the recent coverage of Miley Cyrus makes me wonder if she is just a few short years behind becoming the next pop idol disaster.

The suggestive pictures of her at a friends sleepover, the black-dyed-hair and heavy make-up, and outfits like the one shown here forecast a bad-girl-rocker tone a bit too grown up for this current Disney star.

In an industry where warning signs and the outcome of poor behavior are splashed onto you tube and gossip mags within seconds – you’d think that Miley’s recent tabloid rumblings would cause her parents to replace the mini-dress with tie-dye denim and ked sneakers!

Black Out

Britney just found out that her Father has been named the conservator of her estate and http://www.tmz.com/ reports that she went ballistic inside the UCLA Medical Centre.

Even being celeb-obsessed, it sickens me that an insider is feeding this information to a for-profit, spread-your-dirty-laundry, paparazzi friendly company. That healthcare professional or associate (be it the nurse, receptionist, or janitor) broke the law to respect and keep sensitive the privacy and rights of patients seeking treatment. They should be fired.

And TMZ is just as dirty as that insider mole. Do they not carry any sense of responsibility or understanding of a fragile girl who needs to gain control of her life? Gaining this control equates to eliminating the open door policy she so easily and regularly endorsed. The media needs to strike on Britney. Stop the coverage! Ignore her. Dim your lights and turn away. Britney is just as obsessed with the attention she receives from these hungry-for-a-dollar men, as they are for their next best money making shot. Each get off by the others actions and the sick relationship between the two have stripped away any sense of fascination and intrigue.

What is left to know about Britney Spears? I think we have seen and heard just about all of what could and could not be true. We simply can create her own reality in our minds by piecing together the puzzle as we see it best fit, just as the paparazzi do.

Perhaps her future would look brighter if all the lights went dark.

Brit-Aster

Adnan Ghalib, the nasty, scheming, former paparazzi who is currently the lead user in Britney’s life is supposedly married. My question is, why haven’t any of the gossip mags or paps tracked down his to get some clarification as to whether this is true or not?

A few photographer stalkers coupled with badgering questioning might just make his wife want to be in the spotlight herself – offering up her side of the story for a ton of potential cash.

US Magainze suggested that the wife is in support of Ghalib’s infidelity so long as Spears is the only other woman – Britney is their winning lotto ticket.

Ghalib unfortunately, is just like the other media hungry, dying-to-be-their-own-star, Starbucks and Target companion of Spears. Spears picks associates who love the publicity as much as she does. Having another fame whore standing to her stand somehow makes her deep desire to remain famous okay.

Let me be Miss Cleo for a moment and predict the following:

• Once Ghalib has award winning, never better, wait until the world see’s this footage – surprising, shocking, how did TMZ get that video material of Spears will surface probably showing some sort of disturbing behavior.
• Within the next five weeks, in the interim of Spears not having any sort of visitation rights with her children, Spears will have another, potentially deadly meltdown.

Hopefully my crystal ball is wrong.

Flat again

Ms. Spears has yet another flat tire. Hmmm...has anyone stopped to think that maybe the paparazzi are creating her flat tires so they can get close to the star and have an upfront photo shoot? Just a thought....

Pap's to the rescure - see the footage on TMZ.COM, file "Britney Has Another Breakdown"

http://www.tmz.com/tmz_main_video?titleid=1369819657

The Hills is Fake? Get Out!

The truth is slowly unraveling and could prove damaging to other reality shows.

Page Six reiterated today previous reports that "The Hills" is nothing more than a staged production that includes reenactments, scheduled run-ins, and orchestrated love interests. The most recent report of fraud suggests that Lauren’s boy toy in Paris (episodes yet to be aired) was hand selected by the shows producers. This allegation is nothing more than a bullet point added to the laundry list of previously noted editing mishaps caught by celebrity obsessed watchdogs.

The intense coverage and scrutiny of the show has even forced The Hills' main character to come clean. In a recent Q&A session with Entertainment Weekly, Conrad admitted to doing re-shoots of incidences that occurred while the cameras weren’t rolling. She said:

“I went home and called someone [Brody], and the next day talked about it. [MTV] was like, Okay, well, we need to get that on tape, and since they're trying to tell a story the right way, I basically had to go and call [Brody] again, have the exact same conversation on camera”.

Most watching reality shows know that they are fake – audiences simply don’t want to be reminded of it. Pointing out the fraud behind the show takes away the glamour of the characters and the excitement of the storylines.

If reality shows were anything close to our own reality, wouldn’t we all be disinterested?

*First published on http://www.mindsay.com/ December 14, 2007

Part-Time Mom Spears, Misses Court Date

Her album (currently 51st place) and commitment to family are looking rather low on the ranking charts of both Billboard and the L.A. family court system. Britney Spears did not attend her court-ordered deposition Wednesday morning due to an "illness".

Spears's friend Sam Lufti told PEOPLE in an e-mail: "She's sick, both physically and high anxiety. Millions of press outside. It's too much."

Spears anticipated deposition is to be used as another piece of evidence determining the resolution of the custody battle that rages on between her and K-Fed.

Why is it that Britney had a panic attack when seeing the flurry of reporters outside her home when preparing to go to court, but she regularly gallivants around L.A. welcoming the paparazzi and overt attention when going to Starbucks?

Oh, and Ms. Spears, just some wise advice – if you’re too sick to go to court , maybe you should continue to play sick and not be caught out by TMZ (those same paps who gave you anxiety during the day) driving around town at 2 o’clock on the morning. Just a thought.

What Went Wrong With The VMAs?

Well maybe we should start by pointing out what didn't go wrong.

Alicia Keys was fabulous. Let's say that again- Alicia keys was FABULOUS. She is what singing, entertaining, and carrying yourself as a cool, hip, in-style not trashy slutty woman is all about.

Chris Brown- fun, fun, fun! Again, another entertainer who you are not stuck watching lip syncing swaying back and fourth on stage- boring, I could get that at the local karaoke bar. Mr. Brown put on a performance which the VMA's at that time very desperately needed- he made you realize you were watching an awards show with at least 1 talented person in attendance and on display.

JT and Company- a good, not great, closing. I guess in comparison to the rest of the evening, if we are grading on a college bell curve, he'd get an A. But on most typical standards- C+ at best. Don't get me wrong, JT is hot, Timbaland is Jacked, and Nelly, well she has weird blonde hair (and whose that other girl??)- but.....JT's acts all seem the same after a while. The "WOW!" factor is more like a "wow" turn the page, because he produces the same type of performances with just new songs and lyrics. (Let's not lie if I went to one of your concerts I would probably fall in love with you, put posters of you up in my bedroom, and pretend I never wrote one negative word about you)!

Jennifer Garner looked HOT. You are a MILF- I aspire to be you!

And there you have it folks- the few successes that sum up the 2007 VMA's- because the rest of the show will be remembered as MTVs worst in the history of awards show. Who cares that some 23 plus million tuned in to watch- the news articles haven't reported how many of those millions were left after the first commercial break...and even more so, what was the viewership number by the close of the night? The high ratings simply had to do with the world wanting to see the train wreck of a former teen idol crash and burn- and boy did she ever. But Britney simply set the stage for the rest of the evening- a half asses, most anticipated, hyped up performance that left viewers checking out and turning on the local news- even that is more exciting than this years VMAs!

Everything was wrong. From the several stages and VIP rooms- this is too confusing MTV, especially when you can't even have the names of the Artist performing on the screen. Yes we know the songs lyrics, but that doesn't mean know we know the band!

And no host? Come on! The best and worst of shows need a host- someone to simply facilitate the evening.

And Sarah Silverman just plain sucked! I mean she was not even funny nor crude she was dumb- like Britney, she needed more practice!!!

And the rapper that performed his little rap- ummm were his back up dancers all Dove Girls? I mean, couldn't we find a bit more in shape females to be wearing tiny clothing shaking their butts around stage? If we are going to sell these dirty, raunchy images to the tweens, well lets at least have the girls that are their role models be in shape!

Even more importantly, one of the things I look most forward to during the awards show is seeing who is in the audience- especially those candid shots of the camera panning the audience during the winners walk to the podium (oh wait another thing we were missing this year- a podium for lord sake! Everyone looked so awkward holding a mic in one hand and a moon man in another come on now!). Who the heck was in the audience? Too much common folk! I don't care nor am interested in seeing everyday people like myself! I want to see Paris, Mari ah, Kelly, etc. Where were they sitting? I was so sick of the same shots of Rhianna, Jay-z---- there was no one else to even put the camera on. How lame!

And there you go- the summary of all the disappointments big and small at the VMAs. Poor Britney took the heat for all that didn't work, when she simply was the forecaster of the nights events. Maybe no one else recognized all the other flubs because they simply couldn't get past hers (flub and flab I mean).