As of Thursday afternoon, 16 women have accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault, the latest a nurse named Therese Serignese who says the comedian drugged and raped her in the mid-1970s. Earlier this week, model Janice Dickinson told a similar story, alleging that Cosby drugged her during a 1982 encounter, and that she woke up in a daze the next morning with her clothes off and “semen in between my legs.” As Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote in the Atlantic on Wednesday, the sheer number of allegations against Cosby makes it hard to believe that he’s anything but a serial predator. “[B]elieving Bill Cosby does not require you to take one person's word over another,” Coates writes, “it requires you take one person's word over 15 others.” (The number of accusers has gone up since Wednesday.)
Why Does Alleged Sexual Predator R. Kelly Still Have a Career?
↧
↧
6 Best Parts Of 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1'
"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" is already a blockbuster. The first part of the franchise's two-movie finale grossed an estimated $17 million from Thursday night screenings, putting the film on course to have the year's biggest debut weekend. That's good news, because despite some naysaying about the decision to split "Mockingjay" into two films, "Part 1" is the year's best blockbuster not named "Guardians of the Galaxy." Ahead six things to look out for at the theater this weekend.
1. Philip Seymour Hoffman is just excellent
They don't give out Oscar nominations to "Hunger Games" movies, but a very easy argument could be made about Philip Seymour Hoffman receiving a posthumous nod for "Mockingjay - Part 1." Like Dick Cheney mixed with his villain from "Mission: Impossible III," but if they were both "good" guys, Hoffman's Plutarch Heavensbee is a wonderful Machiavellian schemer. He commands scenes with a sly humor and uneasy menace. The film is dedicated to his memory and stands as a shining example of the work that was lost when Hoffman died.
![philip seymour hoffman]()
2. Gale has stuff to do!
In the previous two "Hunger Games" films, Gale has been relegated to casting longing looks in Katniss' direction. Here, with Peeta a prisoner of President Snow, Gale shines! He's heroic, charming and committed to the cause, while also being supportive of Katniss. Book fans know that won't necessarily last into part two, but it's fun to see now. For once, the "Hunger Games" movies have given Team Gale an actual reason to exist.
3. Everything Effie does
True thing Effie Trinket, Captiol refugee turned District 13 freedom fighter, says in "Mockingjay - Part 1": "I miss my wigs."
4. A "Mockingjay" trailer is key to the movie
A funny thing about "Mockingjay": It has more in common with "Wag the Dog," "Zero Dark Thirty" and "The Manchurian Candidate" than "Twilight" or "Harry Potter." There are more conversations about political maneuvering and subterfuge than action and adventure. A large part of the plot hinges on Katniss' ability to act as a symbol for the revolution, the Mockingjay, in propaganda videos. Eventually, after a comical sequence that intentionally involves some of the worst acting Jennifer Lawrence has done since "The Bill Engvall Show," Katniss succeeds. That results in a propaganda video which looks like it was ripped straight off the Lionsgate YouTube page. Let's applaud Team "Hunger Games" for putting so much meta commentary about marketing into a mass-market blockbuster.
5. Jennifer Lawrence's cry face deserves its own Oscar
Look at this emotion:
6. Hi, Lorde's song is great
That is all.
1. Philip Seymour Hoffman is just excellent
They don't give out Oscar nominations to "Hunger Games" movies, but a very easy argument could be made about Philip Seymour Hoffman receiving a posthumous nod for "Mockingjay - Part 1." Like Dick Cheney mixed with his villain from "Mission: Impossible III," but if they were both "good" guys, Hoffman's Plutarch Heavensbee is a wonderful Machiavellian schemer. He commands scenes with a sly humor and uneasy menace. The film is dedicated to his memory and stands as a shining example of the work that was lost when Hoffman died.
2. Gale has stuff to do!
In the previous two "Hunger Games" films, Gale has been relegated to casting longing looks in Katniss' direction. Here, with Peeta a prisoner of President Snow, Gale shines! He's heroic, charming and committed to the cause, while also being supportive of Katniss. Book fans know that won't necessarily last into part two, but it's fun to see now. For once, the "Hunger Games" movies have given Team Gale an actual reason to exist.
3. Everything Effie does
True thing Effie Trinket, Captiol refugee turned District 13 freedom fighter, says in "Mockingjay - Part 1": "I miss my wigs."
4. A "Mockingjay" trailer is key to the movie
A funny thing about "Mockingjay": It has more in common with "Wag the Dog," "Zero Dark Thirty" and "The Manchurian Candidate" than "Twilight" or "Harry Potter." There are more conversations about political maneuvering and subterfuge than action and adventure. A large part of the plot hinges on Katniss' ability to act as a symbol for the revolution, the Mockingjay, in propaganda videos. Eventually, after a comical sequence that intentionally involves some of the worst acting Jennifer Lawrence has done since "The Bill Engvall Show," Katniss succeeds. That results in a propaganda video which looks like it was ripped straight off the Lionsgate YouTube page. Let's applaud Team "Hunger Games" for putting so much meta commentary about marketing into a mass-market blockbuster.
5. Jennifer Lawrence's cry face deserves its own Oscar
Look at this emotion:
6. Hi, Lorde's song is great
That is all.
↧
Why I Hope One Direction's Harry Styles Is Really Straight
Lately I've been thinking about One Direction a lot more than usual, which used to be almost never. Don't ring the alarm. No impure thoughts have been creeping into my head, nor has the boy band's music been stuck there. I still couldn't sing an entire line from any of their songs if my middle-aged life depended on it.
What I've been dwelling on mentally has been what the boy band's main heartthrob said -- or, technically, didn't say -- a couple of weeks ago. Pop's rumor mill has been churning out speculation that Harry Styles might be bisexual, or perhaps even gay, for a while now. So far, the 20-year-old has resisted firmly confirming or denying those rumors ("I'm pretty sure I'm not [bisexual]" kind of swings both ways), but lately he's been putting a bolder spin on his ambiguity. I wouldn't be surprised if some night soon he turns up onstage draped in a rainbow flag.
During a recent interview, Styles and bandmate Liam Payne were asked what they look for in a potential partner. "Female; that's an important trait," Payne replied.
"Not that important," Styles interjected.
What does Styles look for, then? "Someone who's nice," he said. "You're not gonna go out with a dickhead, are you?" Dickhead? Um, was he referring to a girl or a guy?
Several months earlier, Styles had already underscored his sexual ambiguity (or fluidity?) and sealed it with a kiss -- right on British game-show host James Corden's mouth.
So is he or isn't he? He's still very young, so it's quite possible that he doesn't know for sure. My last boyfriend was still dating girls at that age, one year before we met. No matter which direction Styles ends up swinging in, though, he would be in a position of great potential influence if he were to publicly embrace it.
In the gay community we often talk about how we need to have more high-profile celebrities come out of the closet -- not just B- and C-listers or stars everyone already knows are gay. How great would it be for an A-lister with everything to lose, a bona fide heartthrob or sex symbol, to come out as gay or bisexual? Better yet, one of Taylor Swift's exes! Think of all the future hit singles she could milk it for. Maybe she'd even come up with something as brilliant as "Un garçon pas comme les autres (Ziggy)," a Céline Dion classic about a woman hooked on a gay man.
More importantly, think of all the young gays, lesbians and bisexuals who are struggling with their sexuality. The more out gay, lesbian and bisexual role models those youth have, the better.
But let's not underestimate the power of straight role models. There are plenty who have vocally shown their support for gays, lesbians and bisexuals, and I applaud them all. Straight (as far as I know) Irish musician Hozier has recently gone Top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 with "Take Me to Church," a hit with a video based around a gay love story that ends in a brutal bashing. (Just a year or so after listening to Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert's "Same Love" in heavy rotation pretty much everywhere, I'm ready for a straight artist to explore the side of being gay that doesn't involve politics or hate crimes. There is one, you know.)
As admirable as such outpourings of support might be, it's not such a stretch or a courageous move anymore for a confirmed straight celebrity to be up with gays (like, say, Adam Levine, Chris Evans or Colin Farrell, all of whom have publicly supported their gay brothers). I mean, if Eminem can go from waxing homophobic in his raps to coming out in support of gay marriage, if the president of the U.S. can publicly support it, can anyone else surprise us by doing the same at this point?
Styles, though, is in a unique position. Not only is he saying that it's OK to be gay or bisexual by not insisting emphatically that he isn't, but by playing with pronouns and refusing to definitively address the matter, he's also saying that it's OK if people think he's gay or bisexual. A firm denial would be the standard straight approach, but Styles seems to be saying, "Maybe I am, and if so, who cares?"
That would be pretty fly for a straight guy. Yes, the history of pop is filled with stars who have played with their sexuality, from David Bowie and Mick Jagger to Robbie Williams, who sent up Brokeback Mountain with his Take That bandmate Gary Barlow several years ago in the video for their duet "Shame." But camp edginess was/is part of their public personas. In a sense, one could say they embraced a certain pansexuality for the sake of their act.
But a boy bander is a completely different musical beast. Although they've come out before, it's usually been a background member (Lance Bass of 'N Sync, or the late Stephen Gately of Boyzone) or someone who came out when their act's heyday was safely in the rearview mirror (see Savage Garden's Darren Hayes, an engaging romantic who once spent an entire dinner with me raving about how his then-wife was his soul mate). Imagine if Justin Timberlake had come out of the closet or even toyed with the idea that he might be gay at the peak of 'N Sync mania.
That's precisely what Harry Styles is doing, and I'd say it's far bolder than anything One Direction has ever done musically. Yes, it could easily be a PR stunt. (The group released its fourth album, Four, on Tuesday.) Yes, it's gotten him tons of coverage, but doesn't that happen anyway? He doesn't need to be coy about his sexuality to get attention, so it's hard to buy that as an ulterior motive.
If it turns out that Styles is bisexual or gay, I'll actually be a little disappointed. Though I wouldn't lump him in the same category as celebrities who outright lie about their sexuality, I don't see how the gay, lesbian and bisexual community benefits from a gay or bisexual celebrity teasing fans when a confirmation would do so much more. Not that it's the obligation of any celebrity to base their actions on whether it benefits our community, but it's always nice when they embrace even a little responsibility.
If Styles ends up being straight, though, the implications would be practically revolutionary. At his age, following the "bro" code typically means acting as straight and narrow as possible. Justin Bieber, who is exactly one month younger than Styles, might be the perfect counterpoint. Every move he makes seems to be a conscious or subconscious bid to appear as heterosexual as possible, an aspiration many gay men can relate to. For years we've extolled the virtues of "straight acting." Even those of us who would correct someone who thought we were straight would likely be secretly pleased with being able to pass.
On the flip side, how many straight guys are comfortable with being mistaken for gay or bisexual? Rules of Engagement once ran an entire episode in which a straight character was ridiculed for acting "gay." Other TV sitcoms have been using the same punchline for years (see the Crane brothers on Frasier, Joey and Chandler on Friends, etc.). I believe it's a reflection of how many straight men, even those who fully support gay people, think. Just because they'd stand up for us doesn't mean they want to be counted among us, which is fair enough.
So kudos to Styles for coloring outside the box, even while clinging to it musically -- especially if he was genuinely turned on by Swift while they were dating. She can write as many anti-Harry songs as she wants to, but I won't be singing along.
I probably won't ever sing along to a One Direction hit either, but Styles has my genuine respect. He may still look like a boy, but he might actually be a bigger man than any of us imagined.
What I've been dwelling on mentally has been what the boy band's main heartthrob said -- or, technically, didn't say -- a couple of weeks ago. Pop's rumor mill has been churning out speculation that Harry Styles might be bisexual, or perhaps even gay, for a while now. So far, the 20-year-old has resisted firmly confirming or denying those rumors ("I'm pretty sure I'm not [bisexual]" kind of swings both ways), but lately he's been putting a bolder spin on his ambiguity. I wouldn't be surprised if some night soon he turns up onstage draped in a rainbow flag.
During a recent interview, Styles and bandmate Liam Payne were asked what they look for in a potential partner. "Female; that's an important trait," Payne replied.
"Not that important," Styles interjected.
What does Styles look for, then? "Someone who's nice," he said. "You're not gonna go out with a dickhead, are you?" Dickhead? Um, was he referring to a girl or a guy?
Several months earlier, Styles had already underscored his sexual ambiguity (or fluidity?) and sealed it with a kiss -- right on British game-show host James Corden's mouth.
So is he or isn't he? He's still very young, so it's quite possible that he doesn't know for sure. My last boyfriend was still dating girls at that age, one year before we met. No matter which direction Styles ends up swinging in, though, he would be in a position of great potential influence if he were to publicly embrace it.
In the gay community we often talk about how we need to have more high-profile celebrities come out of the closet -- not just B- and C-listers or stars everyone already knows are gay. How great would it be for an A-lister with everything to lose, a bona fide heartthrob or sex symbol, to come out as gay or bisexual? Better yet, one of Taylor Swift's exes! Think of all the future hit singles she could milk it for. Maybe she'd even come up with something as brilliant as "Un garçon pas comme les autres (Ziggy)," a Céline Dion classic about a woman hooked on a gay man.
More importantly, think of all the young gays, lesbians and bisexuals who are struggling with their sexuality. The more out gay, lesbian and bisexual role models those youth have, the better.
But let's not underestimate the power of straight role models. There are plenty who have vocally shown their support for gays, lesbians and bisexuals, and I applaud them all. Straight (as far as I know) Irish musician Hozier has recently gone Top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 with "Take Me to Church," a hit with a video based around a gay love story that ends in a brutal bashing. (Just a year or so after listening to Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert's "Same Love" in heavy rotation pretty much everywhere, I'm ready for a straight artist to explore the side of being gay that doesn't involve politics or hate crimes. There is one, you know.)
As admirable as such outpourings of support might be, it's not such a stretch or a courageous move anymore for a confirmed straight celebrity to be up with gays (like, say, Adam Levine, Chris Evans or Colin Farrell, all of whom have publicly supported their gay brothers). I mean, if Eminem can go from waxing homophobic in his raps to coming out in support of gay marriage, if the president of the U.S. can publicly support it, can anyone else surprise us by doing the same at this point?
Styles, though, is in a unique position. Not only is he saying that it's OK to be gay or bisexual by not insisting emphatically that he isn't, but by playing with pronouns and refusing to definitively address the matter, he's also saying that it's OK if people think he's gay or bisexual. A firm denial would be the standard straight approach, but Styles seems to be saying, "Maybe I am, and if so, who cares?"
That would be pretty fly for a straight guy. Yes, the history of pop is filled with stars who have played with their sexuality, from David Bowie and Mick Jagger to Robbie Williams, who sent up Brokeback Mountain with his Take That bandmate Gary Barlow several years ago in the video for their duet "Shame." But camp edginess was/is part of their public personas. In a sense, one could say they embraced a certain pansexuality for the sake of their act.
But a boy bander is a completely different musical beast. Although they've come out before, it's usually been a background member (Lance Bass of 'N Sync, or the late Stephen Gately of Boyzone) or someone who came out when their act's heyday was safely in the rearview mirror (see Savage Garden's Darren Hayes, an engaging romantic who once spent an entire dinner with me raving about how his then-wife was his soul mate). Imagine if Justin Timberlake had come out of the closet or even toyed with the idea that he might be gay at the peak of 'N Sync mania.
That's precisely what Harry Styles is doing, and I'd say it's far bolder than anything One Direction has ever done musically. Yes, it could easily be a PR stunt. (The group released its fourth album, Four, on Tuesday.) Yes, it's gotten him tons of coverage, but doesn't that happen anyway? He doesn't need to be coy about his sexuality to get attention, so it's hard to buy that as an ulterior motive.
If it turns out that Styles is bisexual or gay, I'll actually be a little disappointed. Though I wouldn't lump him in the same category as celebrities who outright lie about their sexuality, I don't see how the gay, lesbian and bisexual community benefits from a gay or bisexual celebrity teasing fans when a confirmation would do so much more. Not that it's the obligation of any celebrity to base their actions on whether it benefits our community, but it's always nice when they embrace even a little responsibility.
If Styles ends up being straight, though, the implications would be practically revolutionary. At his age, following the "bro" code typically means acting as straight and narrow as possible. Justin Bieber, who is exactly one month younger than Styles, might be the perfect counterpoint. Every move he makes seems to be a conscious or subconscious bid to appear as heterosexual as possible, an aspiration many gay men can relate to. For years we've extolled the virtues of "straight acting." Even those of us who would correct someone who thought we were straight would likely be secretly pleased with being able to pass.
On the flip side, how many straight guys are comfortable with being mistaken for gay or bisexual? Rules of Engagement once ran an entire episode in which a straight character was ridiculed for acting "gay." Other TV sitcoms have been using the same punchline for years (see the Crane brothers on Frasier, Joey and Chandler on Friends, etc.). I believe it's a reflection of how many straight men, even those who fully support gay people, think. Just because they'd stand up for us doesn't mean they want to be counted among us, which is fair enough.
So kudos to Styles for coloring outside the box, even while clinging to it musically -- especially if he was genuinely turned on by Swift while they were dating. She can write as many anti-Harry songs as she wants to, but I won't be singing along.
I probably won't ever sing along to a One Direction hit either, but Styles has my genuine respect. He may still look like a boy, but he might actually be a bigger man than any of us imagined.
↧
The Elvis Presley Coverup: What America Didn't Hear About The Death Of The King
The call came to Memphis Fire Station No. 29 at 2:33 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 1977. The dispatcher indicated that someone at 3754 Elvis Presley Boulevard was having difficulty breathing. “Go to the front gate and go to the front of the mansion,” the voice directed. Ambulance Unit No. 6 swung out of the station onto Elvis Presley Boulevard and headed south, siren wailing, advertising a speed that the ponderous machine had not yet achieved.
↧
Roselyn Sanchez Stuns In Sheer Dress At The Latin Grammys
Roselyn Sanchez dared to go bare in a sheer dress at the Latin Grammy Awards Thursday night in Las Vegas.
The "Devious Maids" actress turned heads when she hit the red carpet in the see-through gown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The dress was made by sisters Norein and Michelle Otero of the fashion label Ecliptica. It featured nude fabric with a plunging neckline and dazzling multi-colored embroidery.
The 41-year-old beauty, who presented at the event, gave a shout-out to the designers on Twitter, thanking them for their "beautiful" creation.
![roselyn sanchez latin grammy]()
![roselyn sanchez latin grammy]()
![roselyn sanchez latin grammy]()
The "Devious Maids" actress turned heads when she hit the red carpet in the see-through gown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The dress was made by sisters Norein and Michelle Otero of the fashion label Ecliptica. It featured nude fabric with a plunging neckline and dazzling multi-colored embroidery.
The 41-year-old beauty, who presented at the event, gave a shout-out to the designers on Twitter, thanking them for their "beautiful" creation.
↧
↧
Carla Ferrigno, Angela Leslie And Louisa Moritz Come Forward With Allegations Against Bill Cosby (UPDATE)
Three more women have come forward with allegations against Bill Cosby. Carla Ferrigno, Angela Leslie and Louisa Moritz are three of the 11 women who have now publicly identified themselves and accused Cosby of assaulting them in some form.
Ferrigno, Leslie and Moritz's claims join a growing list of allegations made against the 77-year-old actor. In 2005, Andrea Constand filed a lawsuit against Cosby claiming that he drugged and molested her in 2004. Not long after, Tamara Green went on the “Today Show” alleging she had a similar experience with Cosby. Twelve other women were anonymous witnesses in the Constand case, claiming they also had similar encounters with the comedian. One by one these women have come forward to publicly identify themselves, including Barbara Bowman, Beth Ferrier and, just days ago, Therese Serignese who spoke at length with The Huffington Post. Other women to recently make their allegations against Cosby public include publicist Joan Tarshis and supermodel Janice Dickinson.
Carla Ferrigno, actress and wife of actor Lou Ferrigno, alleges that Cosby attacked her in his home in 1967 and attempted to force himself on her before she escaped. “He walked over to me and grabbed me, pulls me really tight to him, kisses me on the mouth, like really really rough. And I just took my hands and I pushed him away,” Ferrigno told KFI radio station.
Model and actress Angela Leslie says Cosby sexually assaulted her in a Las Vegas hotel room in 1992, telling the New York Daily News, “With his hand on top of mine, [Cosby] had me massage his penis.”
Louisa Moritz, a former actress best known for her role in the 1970s show “Love American Style," claims that Cosby sexually assaulted her, forcing her to perform oral sex on him in a green room in 1971 before going on the Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show," TMZ reported.
Cosby’s attorney, Marty Singer, responded to Ferrigno’s allegations in a statement to The Huffington Post. “This continuing pattern of attacks on Mr. Cosby has entered the realm of the ridiculous, with a purported ‘forceful kiss’ at a party in 1967, nearly 50 years ago, being treated as a current ‘news story’ and grossly mischaracterized as a ‘sexual assault.’ This is utter nonsense.”
“People coming out of nowhere with this sort of inane yarn is what happens in a media-driven feeding frenzy,” Singer added.
The Huffington Post subsequently reached out for further comment on Moritz and Leslie's claims, but had not received a response at the time of publication.
![alleged cosby victims]()
From left to right: Carla Ferrigno, Louisa Moritz and Angela Leslie
CARLA FERRIGNO
Carla Ferrigno told KFI radio station on Nov. 20 that she went on a date with a friend of Cosby's in 1967. She claims that he invited her to the comedian’s house after their dinner to meet up with Cosby and his wife Camille. After about 10 minutes, the two couples went to the movies, and then returned to the Cosbys’ home to play pool.
Once back at the house, Ferrigno says that both her date and Camille left the room as Cosby and Ferrigno played pool. Immediately after the pool game ended, Ferrigno claims that Cosby grabbed her.
“He was much bigger than me. Much bigger and he pulled me so hard and so rough. I had never been treated so roughly and he pulled me hard to him so hard,” she said on KFI radio station. “And then kissed me so hard, right in the mouth. No one has ever been that physically violent with me. I was stunned. I was frozen. I took all my body strength and used both of my arms to stop him and push him away from me. He was so forceful.”
ANGELA LESLIE
Angela Leslie told the New York Daily News that she was an aspiring actress when the 30-year-old met Cosby in 1992, when a driver “delivered” her to the comedian in his Las Vegas hotel suite. Once in the room, Leslie claims that Cosby told her: “If you want to act, show me what you’ve got. Pretend you’re intoxicated.” She says that he then offered her a drink, which she tasted and declined, because it was filled with alcohol. “Then he asked me to go into the bathroom and wet my hair. I walked back out, and he had removed his clothing and gotten into bed,” Leslie said.
She said the comedian pulled her into bed and put lotion in her hand. “With his hand on top of mine, he had me massage his penis,” Leslie said. “He masturbated with my hand. I wasn’t pulling back. I was in shock.” After a while she said Cosby became bored and told her to leave, telling the New York Daily News, “I didn’t drink the alcohol, and maybe since I didn’t pass out, he decided to get rid of me.”
LOUISA MORITZ
Louisa Moritz claims Cosby sexually assaulted her in 1971 in New York’s NBC Studios. Now 68, Moritz tells TMZ that she was waiting in the green room for an appearance on the Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” when Cosby came into the room. She said he told her he was impressed with her work and "implied that he was going to see to it that I will become a major star through his direction,” Moritz told TMZ.
“Suddenly [Cosby] approached me and took out his penis, which was now in the line of my face and pressed up against it,” she said. "He took his hands and put them on the back of my head and forced his penis in my mouth, saying, ‘Have a taste of this. It will do you good in so many ways.’” Before walking out of the green room, Moritz recalls Cosby saying to her: "Now you don't want to upset me and the plans for your future, do you?"
Although the statute of limitations for any sexual assault committed in 1971 would have expired, Moritz told TMZ she still plans to file a civil lawsuit against Cosby.
Cosby was set to star in his own Netflix comedy special and a new NBC show, both of which have been since been postponed or canceled.
UPDATE: 2:42 PM -- Gawker is now reporting that two more women have stepped forward today with allegations against Bill Cosby: Renita Chaney Hill and Kristina Ruehli.
KRISTINA RUEHLI
Kristina Ruehli, who says she was one of the anonymous Jane Does set to testify in Andrea Constand's 2005 lawsuit against Cosby, spoke to Philadelphia Magazine. The 71-year-old claims that in 1965, at age 22, she met Cosby while working as a secretary at a talent agency. She says Cosby invited her to a party, and when she showed up, it was just the two of them. "He proceeded to pour some bourbon," she told Philadelphia Magazine. "I drank a bourbon-and-7 at the time. I could really hold my liquor. I'm Irish. And I had a couple of those -- just two -- and then I just don't remember much." She now believes that he drugged her.
According to Ruehli, her next memory was being in Cosby's bed:
RENITA CHANEY HILL
Renita Chaney Hill, now 47, told CBS Pittsburgh that she met Cosby in Pittsburgh when she was a 15-year-old model in the 1980s. She was cast in Cosby's “Picture Pages,” a series of educational TV segments, and was in contact with the comedian over the next four years. Hill also now believes that Cosby drugged her on more than one occasion, insisting that she drink when she was underage.
“One time, I remember just before I passed out, I remember him kissing and touching me and I remember the taste of his cigar on his breath, and I didn’t like it,” Hill told CBS Pittsburgh. “I remember another time when I woke up in my bed the next day and he was leaving, he mentioned you should probably lose a little weight. I thought that odd, how would he know that? I always thought it was odd that after I had this drink I would end up in my bed the next morning and I wouldn’t remember anything.” CBS Pittsburgh reported that Hill told them she does not remember whether Cosby forced sex on her, because she was drugged. She claims she cut off contact with Cosby when she was 19.
The Huffington Post reached out to Cosby's lawyers regarding the claims made by Hill and Ruehli, but at time of publication had not heard back.
Ferrigno, Leslie and Moritz's claims join a growing list of allegations made against the 77-year-old actor. In 2005, Andrea Constand filed a lawsuit against Cosby claiming that he drugged and molested her in 2004. Not long after, Tamara Green went on the “Today Show” alleging she had a similar experience with Cosby. Twelve other women were anonymous witnesses in the Constand case, claiming they also had similar encounters with the comedian. One by one these women have come forward to publicly identify themselves, including Barbara Bowman, Beth Ferrier and, just days ago, Therese Serignese who spoke at length with The Huffington Post. Other women to recently make their allegations against Cosby public include publicist Joan Tarshis and supermodel Janice Dickinson.
Carla Ferrigno, actress and wife of actor Lou Ferrigno, alleges that Cosby attacked her in his home in 1967 and attempted to force himself on her before she escaped. “He walked over to me and grabbed me, pulls me really tight to him, kisses me on the mouth, like really really rough. And I just took my hands and I pushed him away,” Ferrigno told KFI radio station.
Model and actress Angela Leslie says Cosby sexually assaulted her in a Las Vegas hotel room in 1992, telling the New York Daily News, “With his hand on top of mine, [Cosby] had me massage his penis.”
Louisa Moritz, a former actress best known for her role in the 1970s show “Love American Style," claims that Cosby sexually assaulted her, forcing her to perform oral sex on him in a green room in 1971 before going on the Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show," TMZ reported.
Cosby’s attorney, Marty Singer, responded to Ferrigno’s allegations in a statement to The Huffington Post. “This continuing pattern of attacks on Mr. Cosby has entered the realm of the ridiculous, with a purported ‘forceful kiss’ at a party in 1967, nearly 50 years ago, being treated as a current ‘news story’ and grossly mischaracterized as a ‘sexual assault.’ This is utter nonsense.”
“People coming out of nowhere with this sort of inane yarn is what happens in a media-driven feeding frenzy,” Singer added.
The Huffington Post subsequently reached out for further comment on Moritz and Leslie's claims, but had not received a response at the time of publication.
CARLA FERRIGNO
Carla Ferrigno told KFI radio station on Nov. 20 that she went on a date with a friend of Cosby's in 1967. She claims that he invited her to the comedian’s house after their dinner to meet up with Cosby and his wife Camille. After about 10 minutes, the two couples went to the movies, and then returned to the Cosbys’ home to play pool.
Once back at the house, Ferrigno says that both her date and Camille left the room as Cosby and Ferrigno played pool. Immediately after the pool game ended, Ferrigno claims that Cosby grabbed her.
“He was much bigger than me. Much bigger and he pulled me so hard and so rough. I had never been treated so roughly and he pulled me hard to him so hard,” she said on KFI radio station. “And then kissed me so hard, right in the mouth. No one has ever been that physically violent with me. I was stunned. I was frozen. I took all my body strength and used both of my arms to stop him and push him away from me. He was so forceful.”
ANGELA LESLIE
Angela Leslie told the New York Daily News that she was an aspiring actress when the 30-year-old met Cosby in 1992, when a driver “delivered” her to the comedian in his Las Vegas hotel suite. Once in the room, Leslie claims that Cosby told her: “If you want to act, show me what you’ve got. Pretend you’re intoxicated.” She says that he then offered her a drink, which she tasted and declined, because it was filled with alcohol. “Then he asked me to go into the bathroom and wet my hair. I walked back out, and he had removed his clothing and gotten into bed,” Leslie said.
She said the comedian pulled her into bed and put lotion in her hand. “With his hand on top of mine, he had me massage his penis,” Leslie said. “He masturbated with my hand. I wasn’t pulling back. I was in shock.” After a while she said Cosby became bored and told her to leave, telling the New York Daily News, “I didn’t drink the alcohol, and maybe since I didn’t pass out, he decided to get rid of me.”
LOUISA MORITZ
Louisa Moritz claims Cosby sexually assaulted her in 1971 in New York’s NBC Studios. Now 68, Moritz tells TMZ that she was waiting in the green room for an appearance on the Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” when Cosby came into the room. She said he told her he was impressed with her work and "implied that he was going to see to it that I will become a major star through his direction,” Moritz told TMZ.
“Suddenly [Cosby] approached me and took out his penis, which was now in the line of my face and pressed up against it,” she said. "He took his hands and put them on the back of my head and forced his penis in my mouth, saying, ‘Have a taste of this. It will do you good in so many ways.’” Before walking out of the green room, Moritz recalls Cosby saying to her: "Now you don't want to upset me and the plans for your future, do you?"
Although the statute of limitations for any sexual assault committed in 1971 would have expired, Moritz told TMZ she still plans to file a civil lawsuit against Cosby.
Cosby was set to star in his own Netflix comedy special and a new NBC show, both of which have been since been postponed or canceled.
UPDATE: 2:42 PM -- Gawker is now reporting that two more women have stepped forward today with allegations against Bill Cosby: Renita Chaney Hill and Kristina Ruehli.
KRISTINA RUEHLI
Kristina Ruehli, who says she was one of the anonymous Jane Does set to testify in Andrea Constand's 2005 lawsuit against Cosby, spoke to Philadelphia Magazine. The 71-year-old claims that in 1965, at age 22, she met Cosby while working as a secretary at a talent agency. She says Cosby invited her to a party, and when she showed up, it was just the two of them. "He proceeded to pour some bourbon," she told Philadelphia Magazine. "I drank a bourbon-and-7 at the time. I could really hold my liquor. I'm Irish. And I had a couple of those -- just two -- and then I just don't remember much." She now believes that he drugged her.
According to Ruehli, her next memory was being in Cosby's bed:
It was all foggy, and I woke up in the bed. I found myself on the bed, and he had his shirt off. He had unzipped his pants. I was just coming to.
He was attempting to force me into oral sex. He had his hand on my head. He had his cock out, and he had my head pushed close enough to it -- I just remember looking at his stomach hair. And the hair on his chest. I had never seen a black man naked before.
And it never went past that. I immediately came to and was immediately very sick. I pushed myself away and ran to the bathroom and threw up.
RENITA CHANEY HILL
Renita Chaney Hill, now 47, told CBS Pittsburgh that she met Cosby in Pittsburgh when she was a 15-year-old model in the 1980s. She was cast in Cosby's “Picture Pages,” a series of educational TV segments, and was in contact with the comedian over the next four years. Hill also now believes that Cosby drugged her on more than one occasion, insisting that she drink when she was underage.
“One time, I remember just before I passed out, I remember him kissing and touching me and I remember the taste of his cigar on his breath, and I didn’t like it,” Hill told CBS Pittsburgh. “I remember another time when I woke up in my bed the next day and he was leaving, he mentioned you should probably lose a little weight. I thought that odd, how would he know that? I always thought it was odd that after I had this drink I would end up in my bed the next morning and I wouldn’t remember anything.” CBS Pittsburgh reported that Hill told them she does not remember whether Cosby forced sex on her, because she was drugged. She claims she cut off contact with Cosby when she was 19.
The Huffington Post reached out to Cosby's lawyers regarding the claims made by Hill and Ruehli, but at time of publication had not heard back.
↧
'Pitch Perfect' Keeps Making Rape Jokes. It's Not A Laughing Matter.
"Pitch Perfect" returned this week with a new trailer for its sequel. Fans of the popular a cappella series rejoiced.
The first film was a big hit, considered a sleeper that did relatively well at the box office, and scored a popular soundtrack. So much so, that they released Anna Kendrick's "Cups" as a music video months after the film's debut.
Personally, I'm a fan of the movie's stars Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Adam DeVine. But there's a problem.
The new trailer ends on a bad note. Adam DeVine's character approaches Rebel Wilson's character at a party, asks her if she'd like to have sex later, to which she replies "No," but with a wink.
"Okay, you said 'no,' but you winked," DeVine's character replies, "so that's a 'no' then?"
"A hundred percent no!" Wilson exclaims, again with a wink.
Suggesting "No" sometimes means "Yes" is not funny.
Currently, 88 higher education institutions are under federal investigation for concerns they mishandle sexual assault on campus. ("Pitch Perfect" is about college students, set on a campus, in case you weren't aware.) Lawmakers are proposing legislation to address the issue. The White House has clearly articulated if someone says "No," there isn't consent, and it's assault. Fraternities are frequently getting in trouble for putting up "No Means Yes" banners, or chanting it on campus.
Jokes like this one in the "Pitch Perfect 2" trailer go against all of that effort to address a serious issue. Research shows many rape survivors often doubt what happened to them was that bad, or don't think anyone will believe them if they report. As a result, few rapists ever spend a day in jail.
I wasn't the only one who felt a little disturbed by "Pitch Perfect 2's" rape joke:
Maybe we could blow this off as one dumb line, if there wasn't another joke mocking campus rape in the first "Pitch Perfect" trailer, at the very beginning no less.
"Here's your official BU rape whistle," a chirpy student employee says as she hands it to Kendrick's character, adding, "Don't blow it unless it's actually happening."
These are the little things writer Jessica Valenti was referring to in a lecture this week at Brown University, that stopping people from making rape jokes can help establish a culture that takes sexual violence more seriously. A culture where people can say one of the most popular radio personalities in the country, Rush Limbaugh, is wrong when he declares, "No means yes if you know how to spot it."
The person making a rape joke usually doesn't condone rape, and I would be on thin ice trying to suggest the writers, producers or actors of "Pitch Perfect" thought sexual violence was fine, or that consent was only an option. So I'm not going to suggest that. What I will suggest is they failed to realize those jokes add to a culture that makes victims feel isolated or like they are to blame.
The first film was a big hit, considered a sleeper that did relatively well at the box office, and scored a popular soundtrack. So much so, that they released Anna Kendrick's "Cups" as a music video months after the film's debut.
Personally, I'm a fan of the movie's stars Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Adam DeVine. But there's a problem.
The new trailer ends on a bad note. Adam DeVine's character approaches Rebel Wilson's character at a party, asks her if she'd like to have sex later, to which she replies "No," but with a wink.
"Okay, you said 'no,' but you winked," DeVine's character replies, "so that's a 'no' then?"
"A hundred percent no!" Wilson exclaims, again with a wink.
Suggesting "No" sometimes means "Yes" is not funny.
Currently, 88 higher education institutions are under federal investigation for concerns they mishandle sexual assault on campus. ("Pitch Perfect" is about college students, set on a campus, in case you weren't aware.) Lawmakers are proposing legislation to address the issue. The White House has clearly articulated if someone says "No," there isn't consent, and it's assault. Fraternities are frequently getting in trouble for putting up "No Means Yes" banners, or chanting it on campus.
Jokes like this one in the "Pitch Perfect 2" trailer go against all of that effort to address a serious issue. Research shows many rape survivors often doubt what happened to them was that bad, or don't think anyone will believe them if they report. As a result, few rapists ever spend a day in jail.
I wasn't the only one who felt a little disturbed by "Pitch Perfect 2's" rape joke:
I am frustrated with the she says no but really means yes wink wink in the new Pitch Perfect 2 trailer. It doesn't help the dialogue.
— TeenLibrarianToolbox (@TLT16) November 21, 2014Not feeling the new Pitch Perfect trailer. It just looks like a paint-by-numbers sequel. And the "no means yes" joke at the end? Really?
— David Masad (@badnetworker) November 20, 2014Maybe we could blow this off as one dumb line, if there wasn't another joke mocking campus rape in the first "Pitch Perfect" trailer, at the very beginning no less.
"Here's your official BU rape whistle," a chirpy student employee says as she hands it to Kendrick's character, adding, "Don't blow it unless it's actually happening."
These are the little things writer Jessica Valenti was referring to in a lecture this week at Brown University, that stopping people from making rape jokes can help establish a culture that takes sexual violence more seriously. A culture where people can say one of the most popular radio personalities in the country, Rush Limbaugh, is wrong when he declares, "No means yes if you know how to spot it."
The person making a rape joke usually doesn't condone rape, and I would be on thin ice trying to suggest the writers, producers or actors of "Pitch Perfect" thought sexual violence was fine, or that consent was only an option. So I'm not going to suggest that. What I will suggest is they failed to realize those jokes add to a culture that makes victims feel isolated or like they are to blame.
↧
Viral Infection Forces Cher To Cancel Remainder Of Dressed To Kill Tour
Cher has canceled the remaining 29 dates on her Dressed To Kill tour after developing a viral infection that's "affected her kidney function," according to a press release.
The singer postponed several dates in September when the infection was first spotted, but a month later they were rescheduled. Now the final leg of the tour, which first launched in March, has been nixed altogether.
Cher took to Twitter to express her disappointment, saying this and the death of director Mike Nichols, with whom she worked on the movie "Silkwood," have left her "devastated":
"While her progress has been consistent, Cher's doctors have advised her to take more time to ensure a complete and total recovery," the release said.
The canceled dates are as follows:
Nov. 9, 2014: Lubbock, Texas - United Supermarkets Arena
Nov. 11, 2014: Austin, Texas - Frank Erwin Center
Nov. 13, 2014: Corpus Christi, Texas - American Bank Center
Nov. 15, 2014: Bossier City, Los Angeles - CenturyLink Center
Nov. 17, 2014: Pensacola, Florida - Pensacola Bay Center
Nov. 19, 2014: Charleston, South Carolina - North Charleston Coliseum
Nov. 23, 2014: Auburn Hills, Michigan - Palace of Auburn Hills
Dec. 2, 2014: Allentown, Pennsylvania - PPL Center
Dec. 4, 2014: Albany, New York - Times Union Center
Dec. 6, 2014: Washington D.C. - Verizon Center
Dec. 8, 2014: Uniondale, New York - Nassau Coliseum
Dec. 10, 2014: New York, New York - Madison Square Garden
Dec. 12, 2014: Newark, New Jersey - Prudential Center
Dec. 13, 2014: Hartford, Connecticut - XL Center
Dec. 15, 2014: New York, New York - Madison Square Garden
Jan. 5, 2015: Manchester, New Hampshire - Verizon Wireless Arena
Jan. 7, 2015: Boston, Massachusetts - TD Garden
Jan. 9, 2015: State College, Pennsylvania - Bryce Jordan Center
Jan. 11, 2015: Grand Rapids, Michigan - Van Andel Arena
Jan. 13, 2015: Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Centre
Jan. 15, 2015: Ft Wayne, Indiana - Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Jan. 17, 2015: Green Bay, Wisconsin - Resch Center
Jan. 19, 2015: Moline, Illinois - iWireless Center
Jan. 21, 2015: Chicago, Illinois - United Center
Jan. 23, 2015: Cincinnati, Ohio - US Bank Arena
Jan. 25, 2015: Sioux Falls, South Dakota - Denny Sanford Premier Center
Jan. 27, 2015: Omaha, Nebraska - CenturyLink Center
Jan. 29, 2015: Wichita, Kansas - INTRUST Bank Arena
Feb. 4, 2015: Fargo, North Dakota - Fargodome
The singer postponed several dates in September when the infection was first spotted, but a month later they were rescheduled. Now the final leg of the tour, which first launched in March, has been nixed altogether.
Cher took to Twitter to express her disappointment, saying this and the death of director Mike Nichols, with whom she worked on the movie "Silkwood," have left her "devastated":
I’m SORRY I Couldn’t B the 1 to tell you about postponing my tour.
I Tried SO HARD 2b Strong enough,but my Will couldn’t force my Body time
— Cher (@cher) November 21, 2014let’s talk about it tomm. Between gut wrenching Sadness of not being Able 2go on stage,
sing,b Silly,& wear new Mackie’s & Mike
Dying,I’m
— Cher (@cher) November 21, 2014Im devastated (& NO fun 2b around)that I’m not packing all Blk & 1 P.Treacy 4 Bus WILL NEVER SAY AGAIN“Is It Show Nite?I’m
A-Wee-Bit Tired”
— Cher (@cher) November 21, 2014Am Trying 2“Let go & Let God,“but I suck at Letting Go & Letting Anybody! This is a CRUSHING BLOW 4 ME & IM BEYOND SORRY 4 DISSAPOINTING U
— Cher (@cher) November 21, 2014"While her progress has been consistent, Cher's doctors have advised her to take more time to ensure a complete and total recovery," the release said.
The canceled dates are as follows:
Nov. 9, 2014: Lubbock, Texas - United Supermarkets Arena
Nov. 11, 2014: Austin, Texas - Frank Erwin Center
Nov. 13, 2014: Corpus Christi, Texas - American Bank Center
Nov. 15, 2014: Bossier City, Los Angeles - CenturyLink Center
Nov. 17, 2014: Pensacola, Florida - Pensacola Bay Center
Nov. 19, 2014: Charleston, South Carolina - North Charleston Coliseum
Nov. 23, 2014: Auburn Hills, Michigan - Palace of Auburn Hills
Dec. 2, 2014: Allentown, Pennsylvania - PPL Center
Dec. 4, 2014: Albany, New York - Times Union Center
Dec. 6, 2014: Washington D.C. - Verizon Center
Dec. 8, 2014: Uniondale, New York - Nassau Coliseum
Dec. 10, 2014: New York, New York - Madison Square Garden
Dec. 12, 2014: Newark, New Jersey - Prudential Center
Dec. 13, 2014: Hartford, Connecticut - XL Center
Dec. 15, 2014: New York, New York - Madison Square Garden
Jan. 5, 2015: Manchester, New Hampshire - Verizon Wireless Arena
Jan. 7, 2015: Boston, Massachusetts - TD Garden
Jan. 9, 2015: State College, Pennsylvania - Bryce Jordan Center
Jan. 11, 2015: Grand Rapids, Michigan - Van Andel Arena
Jan. 13, 2015: Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Centre
Jan. 15, 2015: Ft Wayne, Indiana - Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Jan. 17, 2015: Green Bay, Wisconsin - Resch Center
Jan. 19, 2015: Moline, Illinois - iWireless Center
Jan. 21, 2015: Chicago, Illinois - United Center
Jan. 23, 2015: Cincinnati, Ohio - US Bank Arena
Jan. 25, 2015: Sioux Falls, South Dakota - Denny Sanford Premier Center
Jan. 27, 2015: Omaha, Nebraska - CenturyLink Center
Jan. 29, 2015: Wichita, Kansas - INTRUST Bank Arena
Feb. 4, 2015: Fargo, North Dakota - Fargodome
↧
Bill Cosby: Are We Getting It All Wrong on Sexual Assault
It seems like every day there are new accusations coming out against Bill Cosby, once America's favorite dad and comedian, suggesting that he has sexually assaulted more than a dozen women over the years.
As an attorney and a survivor of sexual abuse, two things strike me. First, it's amazing to think that it's taken roughly 40 years for these alleged crimes to come to light. And second, that it must have taken extreme courage for these women to come forward -- yet again for some of them -- to speak out against someone who has so much more power than they do.
I know just how hard it is. It took me decades to face up to the sexual assault I'd suffered in my own life, to even admit to myself that it happened, and I didn't have to worry about being described as a rape victim on the nightly news or being sued by a powerful man with a dozen lawyers.
Even now, Cosby allies are publicly questioning the alleged victims' motivations, even though the statute of limitations has long gone and no one seems to be asking for money. All too quickly, we are falling into the pattern of blaming the victim rather than asking how we can help.
And in my mind, that's why we tend to get it all wrong on sexual assault. By making it about the victim, and immediately calling their claims into question, we play directly into the hands of abusers.
Most people think rape is about sex, but the reality is that it's all about power. Sex may be the act, or the weapon, but it's the complete loss of self, security, and boundaries that lingers on long afterwards. Many women and children are assaulted by men who have more power and leverage than they do, either in society or in their interpersonal dynamics. The abuser preys on the fact that the victim will be afraid to speak out and won't be believed.
If we are to believe Mr. Cosby's accusers, then that certainly seems to be the case here. Many of those who have come out publicly have stated they waited decades to speak about what happened because they were afraid of the consequences. Imagine that for a moment: they may have been raped and were fearful that they would be the ones to suffer if the truth became public knowledge.
If they are being honest, their only crime was trusting in someone who claimed to want to serve as a mentor or father figure to them. What kind of message does it send when we treat them as if they've done something wrong when they come forward to report a particularly violent incident?
That kind of situation is all too common. On every college campus and military base, and in every American city, there are women who are afraid to tell the truth about what's happened to them. And if we are ever going to make serious inroads into lowering instances of sexual abuse, taking away the stigma and shame of assault is going to be an important first step. We don't treat someone who has been robbed or mugged as if they've done something wrong, so why do we treat the victims of sexual assault like criminals?
I also believe we should reconsider the statute of limitations on these kinds of offenses. History has taught us that it can take a long time for victims to come to grips with what has happened to them, much less find the strength to stand up to an authority figure. It appears that Bill Cosby is not in any danger of criminal charges, and that's too bad.
Cosby's lawyers' uneven responses to the various accusations are very revealing. Where they have no apparent defense, they use words like "utterly preposterous" (Andrea Constand), "realm of the ridiculous" (Carla Ferrigno), and "...doesn't intend to dignify these allegations with any comment" (Barbara Bowman). Thus far, they have only responded to an accuser when they think they can attack them from a credibility standpoint: they attacked Linda Joy Traitz because of a criminal record in connection with drugs. Has occurred to anyone that this young girl may have turned to drugs as a direct result of Cosby's alleged assault? All of her offenses followed the event; they did not proceed it. Then there's Louisa Moritz, who claims Cosby attacked her in the green room of the Tonight Show. Now she's a 68-year-old attorney who, for Christ's sake, made the Dean's List in Law School - let me tell you how hard that is to accomplish. The attorney's response to her allegation of sexual assault is to point to a State Bar disciplinary charge some 40 years later. Talk about the realm of the ridiculous. Cosby needs to fire his lawyers and hire a PR firm for damage control!
Bill Cosby isn't the first celebrity to be accused of rape and he won't be the last. I hope we'll have learned enough from this story to do better. Specifically, I hope we'll stop blaming rape victims for what has happened to them, and stop letting well-known men laugh off serious allegations.
Most of all, though, I hope we'll start getting it right on sexual assault by encouraging victims to come forward when the attack occurs and share their stories so their attackers can be brought to justice and they can start to find peace again.
As an attorney and a survivor of sexual abuse, two things strike me. First, it's amazing to think that it's taken roughly 40 years for these alleged crimes to come to light. And second, that it must have taken extreme courage for these women to come forward -- yet again for some of them -- to speak out against someone who has so much more power than they do.
I know just how hard it is. It took me decades to face up to the sexual assault I'd suffered in my own life, to even admit to myself that it happened, and I didn't have to worry about being described as a rape victim on the nightly news or being sued by a powerful man with a dozen lawyers.
Even now, Cosby allies are publicly questioning the alleged victims' motivations, even though the statute of limitations has long gone and no one seems to be asking for money. All too quickly, we are falling into the pattern of blaming the victim rather than asking how we can help.
And in my mind, that's why we tend to get it all wrong on sexual assault. By making it about the victim, and immediately calling their claims into question, we play directly into the hands of abusers.
Most people think rape is about sex, but the reality is that it's all about power. Sex may be the act, or the weapon, but it's the complete loss of self, security, and boundaries that lingers on long afterwards. Many women and children are assaulted by men who have more power and leverage than they do, either in society or in their interpersonal dynamics. The abuser preys on the fact that the victim will be afraid to speak out and won't be believed.
If we are to believe Mr. Cosby's accusers, then that certainly seems to be the case here. Many of those who have come out publicly have stated they waited decades to speak about what happened because they were afraid of the consequences. Imagine that for a moment: they may have been raped and were fearful that they would be the ones to suffer if the truth became public knowledge.
If they are being honest, their only crime was trusting in someone who claimed to want to serve as a mentor or father figure to them. What kind of message does it send when we treat them as if they've done something wrong when they come forward to report a particularly violent incident?
That kind of situation is all too common. On every college campus and military base, and in every American city, there are women who are afraid to tell the truth about what's happened to them. And if we are ever going to make serious inroads into lowering instances of sexual abuse, taking away the stigma and shame of assault is going to be an important first step. We don't treat someone who has been robbed or mugged as if they've done something wrong, so why do we treat the victims of sexual assault like criminals?
I also believe we should reconsider the statute of limitations on these kinds of offenses. History has taught us that it can take a long time for victims to come to grips with what has happened to them, much less find the strength to stand up to an authority figure. It appears that Bill Cosby is not in any danger of criminal charges, and that's too bad.
Cosby's lawyers' uneven responses to the various accusations are very revealing. Where they have no apparent defense, they use words like "utterly preposterous" (Andrea Constand), "realm of the ridiculous" (Carla Ferrigno), and "...doesn't intend to dignify these allegations with any comment" (Barbara Bowman). Thus far, they have only responded to an accuser when they think they can attack them from a credibility standpoint: they attacked Linda Joy Traitz because of a criminal record in connection with drugs. Has occurred to anyone that this young girl may have turned to drugs as a direct result of Cosby's alleged assault? All of her offenses followed the event; they did not proceed it. Then there's Louisa Moritz, who claims Cosby attacked her in the green room of the Tonight Show. Now she's a 68-year-old attorney who, for Christ's sake, made the Dean's List in Law School - let me tell you how hard that is to accomplish. The attorney's response to her allegation of sexual assault is to point to a State Bar disciplinary charge some 40 years later. Talk about the realm of the ridiculous. Cosby needs to fire his lawyers and hire a PR firm for damage control!
Bill Cosby isn't the first celebrity to be accused of rape and he won't be the last. I hope we'll have learned enough from this story to do better. Specifically, I hope we'll stop blaming rape victims for what has happened to them, and stop letting well-known men laugh off serious allegations.
Most of all, though, I hope we'll start getting it right on sexual assault by encouraging victims to come forward when the attack occurs and share their stories so their attackers can be brought to justice and they can start to find peace again.
↧
↧
Listen To Jennifer Lawrence Sing 'The Hanging Tree' From 'Mockingjay'
One of the most emotional scenes in "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" is when Katniss Everdeen sings "The Hanging Tree," a song she learned from her father. The ballad becomes a rallying cry for the rebels in their fight against The Capitol and spurs the revolution forward.
For Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss, the performance was equally harrowing. "Jen was not happy she had to sing it all day long. She cried a little bit in the morning," director Francis Lawrence said of the sequence during an interview with AOL BUILD.
"When I sing, I sound like a deer that has been caught in a fence," Jennifer Lawrence joked during last weekend's "Saturday Night Live." In a separate interview with MTV, Lawrence said she had never sung in front of anyone before. "So that was a terrible day," she said.
Fans can decide for themselves by listening below. Featuring music by composer James Newton Howard and an arrangment put together by The Lumineers, "The Hanging Tree" is available on the "Mockingjay - Part 1" score, out Nov. 24.
For Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss, the performance was equally harrowing. "Jen was not happy she had to sing it all day long. She cried a little bit in the morning," director Francis Lawrence said of the sequence during an interview with AOL BUILD.
"When I sing, I sound like a deer that has been caught in a fence," Jennifer Lawrence joked during last weekend's "Saturday Night Live." In a separate interview with MTV, Lawrence said she had never sung in front of anyone before. "So that was a terrible day," she said.
Fans can decide for themselves by listening below. Featuring music by composer James Newton Howard and an arrangment put together by The Lumineers, "The Hanging Tree" is available on the "Mockingjay - Part 1" score, out Nov. 24.
↧
Robin Williams' Son Zak Opens Up About His Father's Death
Robin Williams' son, Zak Williams, has opened up for the first time about his father's death. At the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation fundraising gala Thursday night, the 31-year-old said his family is slowly trying to adjust.
"We're doing okay," he said. "We're acclimating to the new normal. Everything is step by step. Personally, my wife and I are focusing on doing a lot of good. She runs the San Francisco office of Human Rights Watch, and we're working with them to do good in the world."
Williams also commented on his father's close relationship with Reeve.
"They had a tremendous love for one another," he said. "The amazing thing about their relationship was their incredible drive to take the time to love, to help, and to appreciate others, even while they found themselves in great pain."
Previously, Zak's sister, Zelda Williams, publicly paid tribute to her late father with tattoo of a hummingbird on her right hand.
"For poppo," she wrote with a photo. "Thank you to the incomparable @dr_woo_ssc for so beautifully bringing my reminders to life. I'll always put my hand out to shake with a smile."
"We're doing okay," he said. "We're acclimating to the new normal. Everything is step by step. Personally, my wife and I are focusing on doing a lot of good. She runs the San Francisco office of Human Rights Watch, and we're working with them to do good in the world."
Williams also commented on his father's close relationship with Reeve.
"They had a tremendous love for one another," he said. "The amazing thing about their relationship was their incredible drive to take the time to love, to help, and to appreciate others, even while they found themselves in great pain."
Previously, Zak's sister, Zelda Williams, publicly paid tribute to her late father with tattoo of a hummingbird on her right hand.
"For poppo," she wrote with a photo. "Thank you to the incomparable @dr_woo_ssc for so beautifully bringing my reminders to life. I'll always put my hand out to shake with a smile."
↧
Tina Knowles Dishes New Details On Solange's Wedding (VIDEO)
Last weekend Solange Knowles managed to “break the internet,” sans appearing nude on the cover of a magazine, by marrying 51-year-old video director Alan Ferguson at the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans Sunday.
The singer’s blissful day quickly became a trending topic online followed by the release of wedding day photos from Beyonce's Instagram account. However, another topic that caught the attention of fans came after a photo appeared on various websites displaying the 28-year-old’s face covered in hives.
And while Knowles has since revealed the allergic reaction was caused from her dance moves during a celebratory second line dance, Tina Knowles dished additional details this week during an exclusive interview on Entertainment Tonight.
"She went through the wedding and the sit-down dinner and she was just fine, and then they had a second line in the streets of New Orleans and she was dancing so hard, and I think she just go overheated," Tina admitted. "And the seafood, I think she had a reaction to it. And so her face broke out into these welts.”
"Beyonce took her back to the hotel and gave her Benadryl and in two hours, she showed up at the actual party reception and did the dance with her son and just had a ball."
Perhaps we can all thank Bey for saving the day and assisting with Solange and her 10-year-old son’s cute choreographed dance to Rae Sremmurd's "No Flex Zone."
Check out more of Tina Knowles’ Entertainment Tonight interview in the clip above.
The singer’s blissful day quickly became a trending topic online followed by the release of wedding day photos from Beyonce's Instagram account. However, another topic that caught the attention of fans came after a photo appeared on various websites displaying the 28-year-old’s face covered in hives.
And while Knowles has since revealed the allergic reaction was caused from her dance moves during a celebratory second line dance, Tina Knowles dished additional details this week during an exclusive interview on Entertainment Tonight.
"She went through the wedding and the sit-down dinner and she was just fine, and then they had a second line in the streets of New Orleans and she was dancing so hard, and I think she just go overheated," Tina admitted. "And the seafood, I think she had a reaction to it. And so her face broke out into these welts.”
"Beyonce took her back to the hotel and gave her Benadryl and in two hours, she showed up at the actual party reception and did the dance with her son and just had a ball."
Perhaps we can all thank Bey for saving the day and assisting with Solange and her 10-year-old son’s cute choreographed dance to Rae Sremmurd's "No Flex Zone."
Check out more of Tina Knowles’ Entertainment Tonight interview in the clip above.
↧
Test Prep Company Uses Pictures Of Kim Kardashian's Derriere To Teach Kids Math
This is one place we never expected to see pictures of Kim Kardashian's behind: in SAT test-prep questions.
Earlier this week, test preparation company Catalyst tweeted a photo of Kim Kardashian's famous photos from Paper magazine with math questions on it. According to Catalyst founder and CEO Jared Friedland, the math questions involve "three types of circle questions that the SAT asks over and over again," he told The Huffington Post over the phone.
The company tweeted:
Friedland told The Huffington Post that the company, which helps prepare students for the SATs and ACTs, tries to use "pop culture and humor to relay important strategies to students. Most other test prep companies take it as a given that if you’re preparing for the SATs or GRE it’s going to be a boring endeavor. We reject that notion."
While the tweets have since gained attention around the web, Friedland said, "This tweet was something we did on a lark. We, like many Americans, were checking out the photo shoot and the spread."
Follow HuffPost Teen on![]()
Twitter | ![]()
Instagram | ![]()
Tumblr | ![]()
Pheed |
Earlier this week, test preparation company Catalyst tweeted a photo of Kim Kardashian's famous photos from Paper magazine with math questions on it. According to Catalyst founder and CEO Jared Friedland, the math questions involve "three types of circle questions that the SAT asks over and over again," he told The Huffington Post over the phone.
The company tweeted:
As patriotic, pop-culturally-minded Americans, we couldn't help but see Kim Kardashian's recent photos as an opportunity to teach SAT math.
— Catalyst Prep (@CatalystPrep) November 20, 2014#KimKardashian #SAT #math pic.twitter.com/SHpOw3KEvh
— Catalyst Prep (@CatalystPrep) November 20, 2014#KimKardashian #SAT #math pic.twitter.com/E0u85CQPa9
— Catalyst Prep (@CatalystPrep) November 20, 2014#KimKardashian #SAT #math pic.twitter.com/9DAoa9gxPZ
— Catalyst Prep (@CatalystPrep) November 20, 2014Friedland told The Huffington Post that the company, which helps prepare students for the SATs and ACTs, tries to use "pop culture and humor to relay important strategies to students. Most other test prep companies take it as a given that if you’re preparing for the SATs or GRE it’s going to be a boring endeavor. We reject that notion."
While the tweets have since gained attention around the web, Friedland said, "This tweet was something we did on a lark. We, like many Americans, were checking out the photo shoot and the spread."
Follow HuffPost Teen on
Twitter | 
Instagram | 
Tumblr | 
Pheed |
↧
↧
What 'Girlfriends' Guide To Divorce' Taught Newlywed Lisa Edelstein About Marriage
Earlier this year, Lisa Edelstein found herself in a unique scenario: On May 25, she was marrying artist Robert Russell, and the next day she was driving to Vancouver to play a newly single woman in Bravo's "Girlfriends' Guide To Divorce."
Luckily for Edelstein, portraying a divorcee taught her a lot about being a newlywed, she told HuffPost Live's Josh Zepps on Thursday.
"It really planted a seed to remind myself on a daily basis not to take my husband for granted, not to take our relationship for granted, to really remember that anything can end," she said.
That reminder is important because divorce is becoming more and more common in American life, Edelstein added. And she has been touched by it too.
"My husband was in the middle of a divorce when I met him, so I have walked through divorce from that point of view. I have stepchildren, so learning how to have an alternative family is something you're really not trained for," she said.
Watch Lisa Edelstein discuss divorce in the video above, and click here for her full HuffPost Live conversation.
Sign up here for Live Today, HuffPost Live’s morning email that will let you know the newsmakers, celebrities and politicians joining us that day and give you the best clips from the day before!
Luckily for Edelstein, portraying a divorcee taught her a lot about being a newlywed, she told HuffPost Live's Josh Zepps on Thursday.
"It really planted a seed to remind myself on a daily basis not to take my husband for granted, not to take our relationship for granted, to really remember that anything can end," she said.
That reminder is important because divorce is becoming more and more common in American life, Edelstein added. And she has been touched by it too.
"My husband was in the middle of a divorce when I met him, so I have walked through divorce from that point of view. I have stepchildren, so learning how to have an alternative family is something you're really not trained for," she said.
Watch Lisa Edelstein discuss divorce in the video above, and click here for her full HuffPost Live conversation.
Sign up here for Live Today, HuffPost Live’s morning email that will let you know the newsmakers, celebrities and politicians joining us that day and give you the best clips from the day before!
↧
An Open Letter to Jay Leno
Dear Jay Leno:
I realize you may still be smarting a bit from our #JokesOnLeno campaign on Twitter, so I wanted to explain why it was so important for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America to ask you not to host an event for an extremist, radicalized gun lobby group -- especially one based in Newtown, Connecticut. I'm also writing to thank you -- loud and clear -- for doing the right thing and canceling your participation.
When Moms Demand Action found out you signed on to emcee a dinner for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), I'll admit, we flipped out. That's because this very same group -- just after the mass shooting of 26 innocent Americans in the sanctity of Sandy Hook Elementary School -- virulently opposed common-sense background check reform intended to keep guns out of dangerous hands.
The NSSF faced a once-in-a-generation decision: help pass background check reform supported by more than 90 percent of Americans and nearly 80 percent of gun owners, or serve as an obstacle to saving lives. From their headquarters just a few miles from the site of the Newtown massacre, the NSSF thumbed their noses at the families who lost children and loved ones that horrifying day, choosing instead to tout their extremist agenda.
The power and influence of the gun lobby needs to change. And that's why Moms Demand Action exists -- to drive that change.
Just like many Americans, you did not have a complete understanding of what you were wading into, or the radicalism of the group you were supporting, but Moms Demand Action knew that you had spoken out publicly in favor of background checks. That's why we took to social media to let you know what was really going on. We returned to social media again just 24 hours later -- this time to say #MomsThankJay when you did the right thing and cancelled your NSSF appearance.
Moms Demand Action and our nearly 2.5 million supporters are truly grateful to you, Jay, and to other influencers who have the honor and courage to stand up against gun violence and the lobbyists who perpetuate it -- even if it did take some prodding from moms and resulted in vitriolic backlash from gun extremists.
Just last week, singers Jenny Lewis and Mike Watt and comedians Sarah Silverman, Tim Heidecker, Kurt Braunohler performed at a sold-out Los Angeles show to benefit gun violence prevention efforts and to raise awareness about this life-saving issue. We need more public figures to show that same courage.
I know all too well how scary it can be to wade into a divisive issue that stirs up online trolls and gun bullies. And if someone like you and someone like me -- a stay-at-home mother of five in suburban Indianapolis -- can stand up to the threats, bullying and attacks, others can too. And their reputation among moms and women will be all the better for it.
Despite the attention that a vocal, extremist minority gets by opposing gun safety, the reality is that this is NOT a divisive issue. Just like you and me, a majority of Americans believe we can and should do more to keep our communities safe from gun violence, and support common-sense measures like background checks. At the end of the day, we just want to save American lives, like the lives of the 20 children and six educators who were murdered by a gunman in Connecticut two years ago next month.
Moms Demand Action is changing America's culture of gun violence one law, one election, one company, and now, one comedian at a time. In fact, by standing up to the NSSF and canceling your appearance, one of America's favorite comedians has actually done more for gun safety since the Newtown tragedy than the United States government. And that's why #MomsThankJay.
I realize you may still be smarting a bit from our #JokesOnLeno campaign on Twitter, so I wanted to explain why it was so important for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America to ask you not to host an event for an extremist, radicalized gun lobby group -- especially one based in Newtown, Connecticut. I'm also writing to thank you -- loud and clear -- for doing the right thing and canceling your participation.
When Moms Demand Action found out you signed on to emcee a dinner for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), I'll admit, we flipped out. That's because this very same group -- just after the mass shooting of 26 innocent Americans in the sanctity of Sandy Hook Elementary School -- virulently opposed common-sense background check reform intended to keep guns out of dangerous hands.
The NSSF faced a once-in-a-generation decision: help pass background check reform supported by more than 90 percent of Americans and nearly 80 percent of gun owners, or serve as an obstacle to saving lives. From their headquarters just a few miles from the site of the Newtown massacre, the NSSF thumbed their noses at the families who lost children and loved ones that horrifying day, choosing instead to tout their extremist agenda.
The power and influence of the gun lobby needs to change. And that's why Moms Demand Action exists -- to drive that change.
Just like many Americans, you did not have a complete understanding of what you were wading into, or the radicalism of the group you were supporting, but Moms Demand Action knew that you had spoken out publicly in favor of background checks. That's why we took to social media to let you know what was really going on. We returned to social media again just 24 hours later -- this time to say #MomsThankJay when you did the right thing and cancelled your NSSF appearance.
Moms Demand Action and our nearly 2.5 million supporters are truly grateful to you, Jay, and to other influencers who have the honor and courage to stand up against gun violence and the lobbyists who perpetuate it -- even if it did take some prodding from moms and resulted in vitriolic backlash from gun extremists.
Just last week, singers Jenny Lewis and Mike Watt and comedians Sarah Silverman, Tim Heidecker, Kurt Braunohler performed at a sold-out Los Angeles show to benefit gun violence prevention efforts and to raise awareness about this life-saving issue. We need more public figures to show that same courage.
I know all too well how scary it can be to wade into a divisive issue that stirs up online trolls and gun bullies. And if someone like you and someone like me -- a stay-at-home mother of five in suburban Indianapolis -- can stand up to the threats, bullying and attacks, others can too. And their reputation among moms and women will be all the better for it.
Despite the attention that a vocal, extremist minority gets by opposing gun safety, the reality is that this is NOT a divisive issue. Just like you and me, a majority of Americans believe we can and should do more to keep our communities safe from gun violence, and support common-sense measures like background checks. At the end of the day, we just want to save American lives, like the lives of the 20 children and six educators who were murdered by a gunman in Connecticut two years ago next month.
Moms Demand Action is changing America's culture of gun violence one law, one election, one company, and now, one comedian at a time. In fact, by standing up to the NSSF and canceling your appearance, one of America's favorite comedians has actually done more for gun safety since the Newtown tragedy than the United States government. And that's why #MomsThankJay.
↧
David Chase Spoke To Steven Van Zandt About A Possible 'Sopranos' Prequel
In an interview earlier this month with the AP, "Sopranos" showrunner David Chase admitted that a prequel for the beloved HBO series was not out of the question, saying that he was "intrigued" by the idea and he "wouldn’t mind exploring the era before the show began."
But the conversation hasn't ended there, according to "Sopranos" actor Steven Van Zandt.
The longtime member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band told HuffPost Live in a Friday interview that he and Chase speak from time to time and have discussed a prequel.
"We do dinner like every week, [and] we've talked about things, yeah," he said, unsure of how much he was at liberty to disclose.
Van Zandt, who played strip club owner Silvio Dante, was surprised that word of a possible prequel had even escaped dinner time conversation.
"He actually said that out loud, huh? I can't believe he said that!" he said of Chase. "I don't know. We'll see what happens. It'd be cool."
Looking back at his near 10-year run on the show, Van Zandt reflected on his toughest scene to shoot: the one in which his character -- SPOILER ALERT! -- violently killed off Adrianna La Cerva, played by Drea De Matteo.
"That was really tough for me," he said. "[But] she was an amazing actor. ... She'd be like, 'Don't take it easy on me, really grab me, really drag me out. I'm going to be fighting you all the way, don't try to be nice.'"
"No matter how tough a girl looks on screen, you put your hands on her, and she’s a girl," he added, lauding De Matteo's commitment to the role.
The scene additionally signified the actress' departure from the show, making it even more difficult for Van Zandt.
"I just said remember me when Emmy time comes around," he recalled. "And she won."
Watch more from Steven Van Zandt's conversation with HuffPost Live here.
Sign up here for Live Today, HuffPost Live's new morning email that will let you know the newsmakers, celebrities and politicians joining us that day and give you the best clips from the day before!
But the conversation hasn't ended there, according to "Sopranos" actor Steven Van Zandt.
The longtime member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band told HuffPost Live in a Friday interview that he and Chase speak from time to time and have discussed a prequel.
"We do dinner like every week, [and] we've talked about things, yeah," he said, unsure of how much he was at liberty to disclose.
Van Zandt, who played strip club owner Silvio Dante, was surprised that word of a possible prequel had even escaped dinner time conversation.
"He actually said that out loud, huh? I can't believe he said that!" he said of Chase. "I don't know. We'll see what happens. It'd be cool."
Looking back at his near 10-year run on the show, Van Zandt reflected on his toughest scene to shoot: the one in which his character -- SPOILER ALERT! -- violently killed off Adrianna La Cerva, played by Drea De Matteo.
"That was really tough for me," he said. "[But] she was an amazing actor. ... She'd be like, 'Don't take it easy on me, really grab me, really drag me out. I'm going to be fighting you all the way, don't try to be nice.'"
"No matter how tough a girl looks on screen, you put your hands on her, and she’s a girl," he added, lauding De Matteo's commitment to the role.
The scene additionally signified the actress' departure from the show, making it even more difficult for Van Zandt.
"I just said remember me when Emmy time comes around," he recalled. "And she won."
Watch more from Steven Van Zandt's conversation with HuffPost Live here.
Sign up here for Live Today, HuffPost Live's new morning email that will let you know the newsmakers, celebrities and politicians joining us that day and give you the best clips from the day before!
↧
Your Favorite Part Of Fallon Is Getting Its Own TV Show
FalPals, rejoice! One of the most popular segments on "The Tonight Show" is about to become a series.
On Thursday, Stephen Merchant and Jimmy Fallon announced that "Lip Sync Battle" is coming to Spike TV, and, like the wildly successful segment on the show, this new half-hour program will feature different celebrities pretending to sing their favorite songs for bragging rights. Fallon will executive produce and perform along with Merchant and "The Office" star John Krasinski.
Fallon's celebrity lip sync battles have consistently blown up on the Internet, so the series has all the makings of being a huge success. For instance, one particular battle featuring Emma Stone has more than 36 million YouTube views:
Merchant and Krasinski are both lip sync battle alums. The former joked with Fallon that lip syncing is all he's known for now, but, after watching this clip of him taking on the "Tonight Show" host and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, that doesn't seem so bad:
Krasinski is also crazy good at pretending he can sing. His intense battle with Fallon culminated in one of the most legendary performances of Boyz II Men ever seen:
"Lip Sync Battle" will start filming in January and debuts April 2015, according to Deadline.com.
On Thursday, Stephen Merchant and Jimmy Fallon announced that "Lip Sync Battle" is coming to Spike TV, and, like the wildly successful segment on the show, this new half-hour program will feature different celebrities pretending to sing their favorite songs for bragging rights. Fallon will executive produce and perform along with Merchant and "The Office" star John Krasinski.
Fallon's celebrity lip sync battles have consistently blown up on the Internet, so the series has all the makings of being a huge success. For instance, one particular battle featuring Emma Stone has more than 36 million YouTube views:
Merchant and Krasinski are both lip sync battle alums. The former joked with Fallon that lip syncing is all he's known for now, but, after watching this clip of him taking on the "Tonight Show" host and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, that doesn't seem so bad:
Krasinski is also crazy good at pretending he can sing. His intense battle with Fallon culminated in one of the most legendary performances of Boyz II Men ever seen:
"Lip Sync Battle" will start filming in January and debuts April 2015, according to Deadline.com.
↧
↧
Beyonce's '7/11' Music Video Is Her Best Surprise Yet
Even though Beyonce was able to keep an entire album and its music videos under wraps last year, two new songs off her "Beyonce Platinum" box set surfaced online in just a few days. In what we hope was an attempt to stay ahead of the leak, Bey released a music video for one of the new tracks, "7/11."
Fun and playful, the video features Bey dancing in her underwear, making a human pyramid and straight up playing around with friends in what looks like a hotel. It's an impromptu party and we're glad we got the invite.
Fun and playful, the video features Bey dancing in her underwear, making a human pyramid and straight up playing around with friends in what looks like a hotel. It's an impromptu party and we're glad we got the invite.
↧
A Rare Look At JFK's Off-Air Personality
Fifty-one years ago, on Nov. 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while on a political visit to Dallas. Despite serving as president for hardly more than 1,000 days, JFK looms large in American memory.
To honor his life, we thought we’d share a rare glimpse of Kennedy’s off-air persona. In the clip above, dug up by MSNBC’s “Hardball,” Kennedy can be heard speaking candidly about that first televised presidential debate, in which Nixon could be seen sweating profusely. Kennedy is having his makeup applied before an NBC interview while he talks about how television was an advantage for him.
h/t MSNBC's Will Rabbe
To honor his life, we thought we’d share a rare glimpse of Kennedy’s off-air persona. In the clip above, dug up by MSNBC’s “Hardball,” Kennedy can be heard speaking candidly about that first televised presidential debate, in which Nixon could be seen sweating profusely. Kennedy is having his makeup applied before an NBC interview while he talks about how television was an advantage for him.
h/t MSNBC's Will Rabbe
↧
Watch A Young Jennifer Lawrence In A High School Shakespeare Play
Before Jennifer Lawrence was shooting arrows, she was playing a broken-hearted heroine in a Shakespeare play.
The 24-year-old Oscar winner played Desdemona in Shakespeare's "Othello" in high school, and CNN released the footage to prove it. The clip is short, but it shows a 14-year-old Lawrence on stage at the Walden Theatre in Louisville, KY, playing the Venetian woman who falls in love with Othello. Watch the clip below and try not to expect Lawrence to pull out a bow and arrow.
For more, head to CNN.
The 24-year-old Oscar winner played Desdemona in Shakespeare's "Othello" in high school, and CNN released the footage to prove it. The clip is short, but it shows a 14-year-old Lawrence on stage at the Walden Theatre in Louisville, KY, playing the Venetian woman who falls in love with Othello. Watch the clip below and try not to expect Lawrence to pull out a bow and arrow.
For more, head to CNN.
↧
More Pages to Explore .....
