Let’s start with the good news, shall we?

On Saturday, August 20th, 2011, (Sorry uber late) media darling Kim Kardashian wed hubby Kris Humphries, at an (You guessed it!) over the top, opulent Montecito estate. The wedding was attended by the likes of Ciara, Lindsay Lohan (who looked lovely in the pictures I saw of her, on the right path LiLo, now just go get a movie!) & her mama Dina, Eva Longoria, ... Read More »]]>

As I watch the current episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, I can’t help but recap the recent turn of events that have occurred over the last few months.

Let’s start with the good news, shall we?

On Saturday, August 20th, 2011, (Sorry uber late) media darling Kim Kardashian wed hubby Kris Humphries, at an (You guessed it!) over the top, opulent Montecito estate. The wedding was attended by the likes of Ciara, Lindsay Lohan (who looked lovely in the pictures I saw of her, on the right path LiLo, now just go get a movie!) & her mama Dina, Eva Longoria, Mario Lopez, George Lopez, and many others famous celebs who I don’t feel like listing at the moment. A little 411 on the groom, Kris Humpries (ironically enough, Kim’s mama is also named Kris…a bit AWKWARD!):
-Basketball Player, previously played for the New Jersey Nets
-6 foot 9 inches (compared to Kimmy who is only 5 foot 2.5 inches)
-26 years old (4 years younger than the bride)
-Ironically enough, dated the Kardashian for the shortest amount of time in comparison to her previous relationships (6 months, compared to prev ex Reggie Bush whom Kim dated for 3 years 07-10)

Everyone knows about the Kardashians and this “brand” that they’ve managed  to build; I’m not going to lie, Keeping Up With The Kardashians is my guilty pleasure and I watch it without fail. The family is, despite their peculiar characteristics, quite a beautiful one.

However,  it may a a bit repulsive to some that this woman is famous for absolutely nothing besides a sex tape, it begs the question about reality television. When such little is put into becoming such a major star, what values can you expect for these ‘characters’ to convey to the audience?

Another reality show that has sprung MANY imitations (Jerseylicious, Basketball Wives…often over the top, drama queens who thrive on petty drama & their so called ‘secure’ reputation) is the Bravo invented ‘Real Housewives’ brand; It started off with Orange County, led to New York City,  then spread to Atlanta (Which is BY FAR the most entertaining, love you Kandi!), later installed in New Jersey (infamously known for cast mate Teresa Giudice’s table flip & bankruptcy), finally in Beverly Hills and lastly in Miami (which was later cancelled).

So what exactly is the news? Well on August 15, 2011, Taylor Armstrong, cast mate of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills found her husband, Russell Armstrong, at his LA Home dead via suicide. The couple had recently split in July of 2011 with Armstrong stating she dealt with domestic violence throughout the marriage. Rumor has it that Armstrong was recently under great financial burden along with his marital woes; The business man reportedly was under a great deal of debt — 1.5$ mill according to the Daily Mail (though some say it was due to the fact that the couple had to display exorbitant wealth on the show in order to ‘keep up’). Rumors state that Armstrong was especially concerned about the way his sexuality was to be portrayed on the show during it’s upcoming season….that’s right, Bravo executive reportedly wanted to ‘reveal’ that he was bisexual. To add to the chaos, Armstrong’s family has allegedly stated that ‘he was murdered’  because that ‘money problem’s caused him to get involved with the wrong people’ (Daily Mail’s words, not mine!)

As I stated in the first line of this post, I do in fact watch reality tv & find it entertaining as heck. However, this story, along with the branding climax of the Kardashian’s (Recently extended with the Kardashian collection at Sears) is an important point: Reality TV is more powerful than you think. It affects millions of viewers every day, most of a younger demographic, and while some shows have managed to have a positive impact (Such as Teen Mom which has managed to lower teen pregnancy after showing how difficult it is the live with a kid), others aren’t so beneficial. More importantly, however, tv exec’s are out to make money. We all have to take care of ourselves & if something isn’t right, seek help & make it right.

As for viewers, it must be emphasized to EVERYONE, that this is reality TV, NOT REALITY. Spending thousands of dollars on birthday parties, driving Range Rover’s when you can barely pay the bills, & above all FLAUNTING YOUR WEALTH WHEN YOUR IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE? NO BOO BOO, THAT IS NOT HOW THE WORLD WORKS! Furthermore, while I could get into a completely different post about the image of beauty that these show’s flaunt, i’ll keep it short & simple: Botox, exorbitant quantities of makeup, or crash diets will NOT MAKE YOU BEAUTIFUL, especially on grown women. Beauty comes within, it comes from how you treat others & how you treat yourself.

Money & consumption, which The Real Housewives  has unfortunately come to signify, will fade, it will all come & go. True family & friends will stay, which is often not a pursuit too many undertake. Please, as we remember Russell Armstrong & send our condolences to Taylor & her young daughter, I urge you..don’t make the same mistake.

Photo via People.com

Nonetheless, when I had heard of Winehouse’s passing, I was shocked. As I stated, I had never really listened ... Read More »]]>

I’ll admit it; I was never a huge fan of Amy Winehouse, nor had ever heard of her music. In fact, the closest I got to hearing about the singer (prior to this tragic event) was through Gaga, who once remarked that she dyed her hair blonde after people often mistook her for Winehouse. (Gaga, for those who do not know, is a natural brunette and has proceeded to bleach her hair blonde — a la Christina Aguilera — ever since her debut.)

Nonetheless, when I had heard of Winehouse’s passing, I was shocked. As I stated, I had never really listened to any of her songs, but ironically enough, had seen her on gossip websites numerous times.  She had a unique style, much different from the overly-sexualized, skin bearing pop starlets we have these days — Gaga, Ke$ha, Spears, Rihanna, Beyonce….. the list goes on. Winehouse, it struck me, was one starlet who was real; Both with her image, and her lyrics.

But as we mourn the loss of yet another shining light…the question is, when will it stop?

It’s sad. When anyone passes, it is sad, yet when a performer passes, you feel cheated. You feel cheated, because as a fan, you were unable to see your favorite star evolve. Yet how often should we mourn for stars who incidentally have done this to themselves? The drugs, the alcohol, the abuse. One of her last performances, in February of 2011, showed Winehouse being incoherent, tipsy, and eventually booed off stage. Her last public appearance was one to support her goddaughter, singer Dionne Bromfield. Yet Winehouse’s problems with substance abuse were nothing new.

In fact, Winehouse’s most famous song off of her sophomore album “Back To Black” was the item “Rehab,” chronicling the refusal (yes refusal) of the pop star to go get professional help after her management suggested it (She later changed her management).

In the words of Winehouse herself: ”I asked my dad if he thought I needed to go. He said no, but I should give it a try. So I did, for just 15 minutes. I went in said ‘hello’ and explained that I drink because I am in love and have screwed up the relationship. Then I walked out.” How can you be shocked at such an outcome then?

Winehouse’s marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil in 2007 was just another factor. The pairs’ tumultuous and media-sought relationship was often portrayed as unhealthy, as both struggled with dangerous drug addictions to heroin and crack cocaine.  In fact, after an alleged violent row between the two, Winehouse and Civil were spotted roaming London, with blood spattered over their faces and cuts covering Civil’s hands.

Winehouse’s father even made it a point to say that Civil had become a dangerous influence on the emerging star, stating “[While] He’s not entirely responsible, she’s got to take a portion of the responsibility, it’s clear, it really kicked off when they got together.’

But Winehouse did try to make a change, and for that we must give her credit. It was reported that she had cut off drugs from her system months before she died, and was instead replacing alcohol with white wine. Some, including the singer’s father have attributed the artists abrupt withdrawal from the substance, as a factor in her bodies eventual response: it’s shutdown.

But while we mourn the loss of another light,  I ask again how many more before celebrities get the message?

They have all the money in the world, all the adoration from fans, all the access needed to bring themselves in decent shape. The media glare is inevitable, one that they must accept when they immerse themselves in the world of entertainment. But in truths, these public figures have fans WHO LOOK UP TO THEM. Young Fans. Fans in their teens. Please, if not for yourself, do it for the fans. Get yourself some help.

Another fairly recent scenario: the one and only King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Before we go any further…I am admit my obsession with the man. I have read Moonwalk, his autobio, [OxyClean Man Voice] complete with an introduction from Motown founder, Berry Gordy (Go get it!), watched every possible interview, and like every one else, was mesmerized by his every dance move.

As a fan, I don’t mean to bash; Michael was the greatest entertainer of our time (and no, that is not up for discussion). But while Michael was brilliant on the stage and off, the circumstances involving his death are…well, sketchy. For one, Michael died of an accidental drug overdose of the drug Propofol. He was using it to treat his insomnia, as his comeback tour “This Is It” was in full swing in rehearsals and the man needed his rest.

But keep in mind that Propofol is NEVER used for insomnia, in fact it is never even allowed outside of hosptials; Propofol is used as an anasthetic…aka a temporary-put-you-to-sleep-drug used in surgery. IN NO WAY, is Propofol used to treat inability to sleep, but Michael was using it and eventually died from it. Why?

Well, a) because Michaels doctor, Mr. IDon’tKnowHowToDoMyJobDoctor Conrad Murray, allowed him to by making the prescription available for the King of Pop. Sad because when your Michael Jackson, even doctors, are in it for the fame. God save us all.

And b) Because Michael, whether he was influenced by a shady group of people (which is what sister Latoya says, and is personally what I agree with) OR not , chose to take the drug and  asked for the drug himself, to nurse Cherilyn Lee….and we all know the ending to that story. (Did I mention I went into a minor depression after his passing?)

There are countless other stories…both recent and far gone.

But in short, public figures, whether it be celebrities or politicians (That is another discussion in itself), MUST BE RESPONSIBLE. You are PUBLIC because the PEOPLE have put their trust in you. You can bring a horse to water, but can’t make it drink;

So please, to all the Lindsay’s, Britney’s (who has been looking much better, good for you Brit!), and Tara’s out there, please take it from the fans:

GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!