Natalie Portman Threw Some Shade At The Oscars' Snubbing Of Female Directors With Her Embroidered Cape
On Sunday, February 9, Natalie Portman attended the 92nd Academy Awards in style.
The actress has been nominated for an Oscar three times and won once.
At the 2020 awards, she not only looked great in a Dior cape, but she also dressed to make a statement.
The cloth was embroidered with the names of many female directors snubbed by the Academy in this year's nominations.
While the films they worked on received nominations, the women did not. This is not the first time such a discrepancy has been noted.
Natalie Portman embroidered her Dior cape with all of the female directors who weren't nominated for #Oscars. Check… https://t.co/jHq8rUG5Jf— Amy Kaufman (@Amy Kaufman) 1581293944
Twitter fell in love with the cape, showering Portman with praise for wearing it.
and the #oscar for "making a much needed statement" goes to... #NataliePortman! #womeninfilm #actorslife #Oscars… https://t.co/tDKDiX3Uy2— christina (@christina) 1581354613
miss natalie portman ....... she showed up to show OUT! #oscars https://t.co/zdXmsRgYgm— Vulture (@Vulture) 1581294116
natalie portman embroidering the names of all the female filmmakers who were snubbed. brb let me bow at her feet fo… https://t.co/7y1IdPeJTB— lucy ford 🍊 (@lucy ford 🍊) 1581294068
Portman has been a Hollywood icon for years.
That won't be changing any time soon.
Natalie Portman absolutely serving on the #Oscars red carpet https://t.co/PSciV2ia8R— Variety (@Variety) 1581294228
Portman has used many of her opportunities on a large stage to stand up for equal representation for women.
natalie portman fighting for the recognition of female directors at award shows, she’s so powerful https://t.co/M1ykBTcfdr— ellie (@ellie) 1581324828
PADMÉ AMIDALA VIBES RIGHT HERE. Natalie Portman is everything. https://t.co/JsTgehw5Pn— 26 Y-O Trekkie (Aly) (@26 Y-O Trekkie (Aly)) 1581332430
I wanna be Natalie Portman when I grow up https://t.co/vqydJVNlnv— Starlightguh-azed 🥺🔪 (@Starlightguh-azed 🥺🔪) 1581317105
Even if her cape wasn't sending a powerful message...it still looked great.
My best dressed pick from last night! #NataliePortman #Oscars https://t.co/eh2cYheMi6— Jeff Conway (@Jeff Conway) 1581350551
natalie portman embroidered the names of all the female filmmakers who were snubbed on her cape for the 2020… https://t.co/IlDA0Ok8XB— star wars archive (@star wars archive) 1581307436
Portman's gesture inspired many women to continue pursuing their dreams and achieve success.
Someday I hope to be a name embroidered on Natalie Portman’s cape!— Nikki Glaser (@Nikki Glaser) 1581300610
And in case you were wondering who all the names on that cape were...
Snubbed female directors embroidered on Natalie Portman's cape: Scarfaria (Hustlers) Wang (The Farewell) Gerwig… https://t.co/mrn0cWc3r1— Gwynne Watkins (@Gwynne Watkins) 1581295069
Well done, Natalie Portman, you're making a positive impact on the movie making industry.
Taron Egerton Singing 'Tiny Dancer' With Elton John Is A Total Swoonfest
Taron Egerton by himself is already a swoonfest.
The star of both Kingsman films is a career dreamboat and he knows it, 100%.
For example, take a look at him in this Giorgio Armani CUSTOM MADE tuxedo:
And look at him just casually hanging out at the piano like a little lounge lizard:
And being adorable with his little sister:
There aren't enough heart eyes emojis in the world.
Thankfully, Egerton in all his tuxedoed glory swept in with Sir Elton John at the keys to close out the viewing party at the Elton John AIDS Foundation of the 91st Academy Awards after the weirdest acceptance speech ever from the team of worst Best Picture winner Green Book.
Elton John & Taron Egerton - 'Tiny Dancer' (Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party) www.youtube.com
UGH. HOLD ME CLOSER TARON EGERTON.
-Ahem- Excuse us, we mean, "Hold me closer Tiny Dancer."
Egerton's voice soars with each carefully crafted note, and the addition of Sir Elton John on the keys made this moment magical.
Thank you #EltonJohn for bringing my favorite song you created home. Elton John & Taron Egerton - ‘Tiny Dancer’ (E… https://t.co/DcDyHgvxEq— Maggie Morris-Calderon (@Maggie Morris-Calderon) 1551226071
Elton and Taron teamed up for this surprise performance of 'Tiny Dancer' at the 27th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundat… https://t.co/dWDi08GW2y— JUSTIN ANDERSON (@JUSTIN ANDERSON) 1551218388
taron egerton singing with elton john is something I didn’t realise I needed to see but oh my god I’m emotional and… https://t.co/H6XbKUU1Qn— megan-hâf (@megan-hâf) 1551213755
Egerton is actually slated to play Elton John in the upcoming Elton John not-quite-biopic-but-not-quite-not-biopic Rocketman, which the actor says will be an interesting take on John's "formative years."
"It's a fantasy musical so it's actually his songs used to express important beats in his life at emotional moments. He's not the only character that sings. It's going to be fun."
Taron Egerton sings one line from "Your Song" in #Rocketman trailer. Me: https://t.co/O94T76KTjF— Paige Catton (@Paige Catton) 1550758906
The two also took the cutest Instagram photo ever to bring the night home:
So this happened 😍 #ProudOfMyBoys #Rocketman @rocketmanmovie @TaronEgerton @eltonofficial https://t.co/5KYuhRURLn— Bryce Dallas Howard (@Bryce Dallas Howard) 1551121694
“Oh, how it feels so real.” 🎶 If you missed it, check out Elton and @TaronEgerton performing 'Tiny Dancer' togethe… https://t.co/Fpxk7dQPWH— Elton John (@Elton John) 1551219300
As if Taron Egerton was already sexy enough, boy can SING😍😍 https://t.co/ASkVGJk40S— emma (@emma) 1551111120
Rocketman is slated for release on May 31st, 2019.
Is it May yet? If this video is even a small bit of what we can expect, Rocketman will blow us away.
This Viral Photo Of Madonna And Lady Gaga After The Oscars Is Peak Women Supporting Women
Trailblazing pop music icon Madonna and Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Lady Gaga are unbeatable forces in the entertainment industry. When they unite for a photo, their luminescence cannot be contained within a single frame.
Fans lost their minds over the duo posing for a picture at an Oscars after -party that exuded female empowerment and unity.
Entertainment mogul Guy Oseary and Madonna hosted "The Party," an exclusive high-brow affair boasting a guest list of only the biggest names in Hollywood and enforces a strict policy banning social media posts.
Photographer JR was once almost thrown out for taking a stealth shot of Michael Jordan and Pharrell and has since learned his lesson, securing his position as the sole photographer for the event.
Since 2007, the 2008 TIME 100 honoree has been capturing stunning portraits from the post-ceremonial festivities where stars can let their hair down. This year, his on-location photo studio was a lime-green backdrop with an oversized sheet of detached white paper for partygoers to pose with as they please.
"Cinema has always had a huge influence on me," JR told TIME, who teamed up with the photographer and Madonna for the event.
"Last year I was nominated for an Academy Award, and I still spent most of that night creating new images at the very party I was almost kicked out of."
Reality imitated art.
This is a temporary panacea for our current social and political maladies.
Like any art, this masterpiece offered many interpretations.
Anything resembling strength in sisterhood gets a YASS.
There 's been much speculation of animosity between the two pop queens concerning plagiarism and jealousy, especially after Madonna said in a 2012 interview with ABC News that Gaga's song "Born This Way" felt "reductive."
She added:
"I certainly think she references me a lot in her work. And sometimes I think it's amusing and flattering and well done."
"There's a lot of ways to look at it. I can't really be annoyed by it...because, obviously, I've influenced her."
Gaga had her own interpretation over the hyped competitiveness and told Attitude magazine:
"I truthfully believe that there was nothing about those records sounding alike, and everything about this gay icon versus gay icon nonsense."
"I don't need to take anybody's torch. I have no interest in taking anybody's torch. I am over here and they are over there and if you feel connected to it, the door is open for you to come in and enjoy this with us."
"But this need for competition was everything that 'Born This Way' isn't about!"
But the spirited rivalry is all water under the bridge now. Guys, this is an official truce. It's time to bury the hatchet and move on.
Need more proof of their sisterly camaraderie? Here's a video from a fan site that managed to catch them cozying up together for the same photo op.
Other celebrities who posed for the night included Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Ibeyi and Swae Lee, and another photo of Gaga with her "Shallow" co-writer Mark Ronson.
But it's the photo of Gaga and Madge that will have people gushing for years to come.
At the Cinema Audio Society's Awards, director Steven Spielberg made pointed comments against streaming services like Hulu and Netflix. This isn't the first time the director has vented his feelings about the services.
While accepting a Filmmaker Award, Spielberg said:
"I love television. I love the opportunity. Some of the greatest writing being done today is for television, some of the best directing for television, some of the best performances [are] on television today.
"The sound is better in homes more than it ever has been in history but there's nothing like going to a big dark theater with people you've never met before and having the experience wash over you. That's something we all truly believe in."
It's hard to not write him off as someone out of touch with modern life.
Breaking News: Senior Citizen complains about new technology he doesn't understand https://t.co/3tandqL85Q— theVoiceofReason (@theVoiceofReason) 1550526493.0
@Variety https://t.co/5XjEP4BXWB— August (@August) 1550502922.0
@Variety @DanielRPK Awful stance by Spielberg. The best take on streaming vs. theaters came from Alfonso Cuarón las… https://t.co/G0I4tiIaPy— Jeff D Lowe (@Jeff D Lowe) 1550441594.0
Not the fact that they're making shitty movies. Make a decent movie and ill go to the theater. I go like once a yea… https://t.co/wAgns6Is8V— UpLateNerd (@UpLateNerd) 1550530183.0
Spielberg's views have never been a secret. He's often railed against streaming content being put in the same category as theatrical films.
In an interview with ITV News almost a year ago, the director said,
"Once you commit to a television format, you're a TV movie. You certainly, if it's a good show, deserve an Emmy, but not an Oscar.
"I don't believe films that are just given token qualifications in a couple of theaters for less than a week should qualify for the Academy Award nomination."
There is a point to be made about a movie theater experience vs an at home experience.
I’m with Sir Stevie 🎥 🍿 https://t.co/o1CYfc6kgi— Marc Vibbert (@Marc Vibbert) 1550494316.0
@verge People please continue to see movies in the theater!🎬— Libby's Movie (@Libby's Movie) 1550539790.0
Spielberg is right that the theater is the best viewing experience for movies. When it comes to streaming, I advoca… https://t.co/3rhllHOBpz— Aaron Sarnecky (@Aaron Sarnecky) 1550543216.0
However, this discussion has resurfaced after the 'Netflix Original' film Roma was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including for "Best Picture" and "Best Director". The film is the top pick in both categories.
This brings up what Spielberg is talking about. Roma was a personal, passion project, that happened to get funding and distribution by Netflix. It met the minimum requirements to be considered for an Academy Award.
So does it belong on that list?
To many, the at-home experience is preferable in many ways to a theater.
I smile when I see @netflix promoting, “In Theaters and streaming on Netflix now!” ... I was once told by a Studio… https://t.co/7Drr8C894d— Frank Buckner (@Frank Buckner) 1550273620.0
@BroCamDad72 It’s why I only go to theaters with reserved seating. Tix are $16 so it weeds out cheap rude ppl— Wes Allred (@Wes Allred) 1550500562.0
@nickeesota @Variety My wife and I used to go to the movies every weekend for "date night." The last two years, in… https://t.co/T43wXQMYA2— Eddie ⅯcClintock (@Eddie ⅯcClintock) 1550442529.0
@TheThing444 @Variety Actually, the movie studios are at fault. Theaters don't make any money off of ticket sales f… https://t.co/muzcQSp2zc— eLLe Cee (@eLLe Cee) 1550431194.0
While his opinion on streaming vs theater makes sense considering it's how he made his career, and spends his days, it becomes strange when you compare it to how he talks about the movie industry as a whole.
In a 2013 panel, Spielberg said,
"You're at the point right now where a studio would rather invest $250 million in one film for a real shot at the brass ring than make a whole bunch of really interesting, deeply personal — and even maybe historical — projects that may get lost in the shuffle…"
Spielberg was on that panel with George Lucas, who potentially prophesized the very situation that is now upsetting his friend.
"It's a mess. It's total chaos. But out of that chaos will come some really amazing things.
"And right now there are amazing opportunities for young people coming into the industry to say, 'Hey, I think I'm going to do this and there's nobody to stop me.'"
The Mexican film Roma deservedly nabbed an impressive 10 nominations for this year's Academy Awards, including one for Best Picture.
Unfortunately, not everyone involved in the film will be able to celebrate the film's accolades at the Oscars.
Mexican actor Jorge Antonio Guerrero Martínez, who stars in the Alfonso Cuarón film as Fermin in the highly acclaimed movie about a working-class housekeeper's relationship with her surrogate family, will not be able to attend the awards ceremony due to U.S. officials denying him a visa.
@SenToomey @SenBobCasey #Trump 1. AWFUL 'Roma' Actor Jorge Antonio Guerrero Martinez Denied U.S. Visa to Attend Osc… https://t.co/8xEK88S4AD— Ursula1781 (@Ursula1781) 1548550540.0
Guerrero said he was also unable to obtain a visa for screenings and other industry events taking place in the U.S., even after providing a letter submitted by one of Roma's producers proving he had official invitations, according to Mexican lifestyle magazine Quien,
He said:
"Specifically, I took a letter and they refused to read it."
"On my second attempt, they said I was going to go work, and I said that, no, I had been invited."
Guerrero told the Mexican entertainment program De Primera Mano that the letters written by Cuarón and Netflix – which produced the film – went unread.
"I tried giving it to the consul, they grabbed the paper and literally just returned my passport through the teller window. If they don't want to read it, then it's going to be very difficult."
Speculations about racism began to surface, given this wasn't the first time his request for a visa fell through. The actor, who also starred in Narcos: Mexico, was denied a visa last year when he applied to enter the U.S. as a tourist.
Despite rumors of racism barring him from entering the country, he told Mexican daily El Universal that he didn't feel "offended, angry or victimized," because he was aware of other Mexicans experiencing the same situation.
However, plenty of people expressed their frustrations.
This is wrong on so many levels. “They refused to read it.” https://t.co/DtRi1Wt5RT— Darryl Wharton-Rigby (@Darryl Wharton-Rigby) 1548661890.0
I feel safer don't you. Actors are scary dangerous people. "Alfonso Cuarón’s 1970s drama “Roma” is a critical dar… https://t.co/Zyexy42fHb— ImmgtnRightsActivist (@ImmgtnRightsActivist) 1548463216.0
Talk about racial profiling. If he had been a tall, white, blue-eyed Mexican - the type that proliferate in Mexican… https://t.co/x1rOQuckcf— KernCFC (@KernCFC) 1548635745.0
Totally...disgusting! ENOUGH of the FASCIST Russian run Mob in the White House. WE THE PEOPLE HAVE HAD IT.. the m… https://t.co/uLqfD2iugX— Carol Miles (@Carol Miles) 1548607581.0
Wishful thinking for a different kind of Hollywood ending.
I hope he wins and whomever accepts for him. clowns the hell out of Trump. https://t.co/iBELmh2V3i— David Scott Anderson (@David Scott Anderson) 1548559555.0
Jorge Antonio Guerrero Martinez, this is a reflection of our failure, not your value. You deserve to be honored for… https://t.co/xdmOrArQgC— Katie Anthony (@Katie Anthony) 1548568231.0
@KhaledBeydoun This pains me. America used to be an active player in the world community, but we are drawing back from participation.— marc isaac potter (@marc isaac potter) 1548527737.0
What do actors smuggle in?
This is ridiculous, c'mon? Are we concerned that he will be smuggling drugs in his bow tie?!!🤔🤪 https://t.co/2UkwsWyu9S— Bob M (@Bob M) 1548533345.0
This is pure bullshit unless he’s bringing “drugs and crime” to America. https://t.co/mBGy2fvqlM— Caipo (@Caipo) 1548546393.0
😡I am so sick and tired of all this damn prejudice and bigotry displayed by the current administration! #Roma… https://t.co/CUIdYvqESD— Kathy Horn (@Kathy Horn) 1548530449.0
What's the point of celebrating movies featuring various cultures if the ones who made it are not welcome to the country?
The threat of indigenous beauty, of telling real stories and not Eurocentric narratives. An actor who only wishes t… https://t.co/LHXlY7c21C— Forget Winnetou Film (@Forget Winnetou Film) 1548568002.0
Blind sweeping backhand to common civility by isolationist U.S. Government. https://t.co/vu3oHvy45Q— Nancy Hill (@Nancy Hill) 1548699197.0
Guerrero isn't giving up. He hopes to finally receive access into the country by the time the Oscars take place at the end of February.
"I hope that this can be resolved in the best way. And I insist that if I don't go, I'll still be thrilled. It's 10 nominations, darn it."
"This doesn't happen every year!"
He additionally told Quien:
"If we could find a way for a person from the consulate or embassy to read these letters, they could understand the artistic need I have and the cultural exchange that's happening between two nations."
It would be a huge disappointment for him to miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity due to a stricter immigration policy that had been Trump's sticking point that inevitably contributed to the partial government shutdown.