Steven Martin didn't host "SNL 40," but he did start the monologue. Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks, Chris Rock, Miley Cyrus, Melissa McCarthy, Peyton Manning, Billy Crystal, Paul Simon and Paul McCartney also joined Martin on the "SNL" stage. It was pretty great. Watch below, via Vulture.
Watch Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Miley Cyrus, Chris Rock And Many Others On The 'SNL 40' Monologue
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Bradley Cooper & Betty White Made Out During 'SNL 40'
Taylor Swift, Kerry Washington, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Laraine Newman, Kenan Thompson and Vanessa Bayer all appeared during the all-star "Californians" sketch on "SNL 40," but it was this moment where Bradley Cooper made out with Betty White that stole the entire thing. Watch forever below.
Told ya this was going to be a historic night. #SNL40
https://t.co/mgTPOMKtnV
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) February 16, 2015↧
'SNL' Takes Swipe At Bill Cosby During 'Celebrity Jeopardy!' Throwback Sketch
During a star-studded throwback to its classic "Celebrity Jeopardy!" sketches, "Saturday Night Live" worked in a dig at Bill Cosby.
In addition to Will Ferrell reprising his role as Alex Trebek, Norm MacDonald did his Burt Reynolds, Darrell Hammond brought back Sean Connery, Jim Carrey channeled Matthew McConaughey in his Lincoln ads, Taran Killam appeared as Christoph Waltz and Kate McKinnon did her crowd-pleasing Justin Bieber impression.
But the most surprising moment of the sketch came at the end, when Kenan Thompson appeared as Bill Cosby mixing drinks and Trebek (Ferrell) quickly ushered him away:
In addition to Will Ferrell reprising his role as Alex Trebek, Norm MacDonald did his Burt Reynolds, Darrell Hammond brought back Sean Connery, Jim Carrey channeled Matthew McConaughey in his Lincoln ads, Taran Killam appeared as Christoph Waltz and Kate McKinnon did her crowd-pleasing Justin Bieber impression.
But the most surprising moment of the sketch came at the end, when Kenan Thompson appeared as Bill Cosby mixing drinks and Trebek (Ferrell) quickly ushered him away:
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Taylor Swift Ate Her Hair On 'SNL 40'
Taylor Swift played an actress in the "Californians" sketch during "SNL 40." She chewed her hair. There's a GIF.
Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) was born to be a Californian. #SNL40 pic.twitter.com/usAYbAKQnA
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) February 16, 2015↧
Tina Fey, Amy Poehler And Jane Curtin Return To 'Weekend Update' Desk For 'SNL' 40 Show
The ladies of "Weekend Update" reunited on the 40th anniversary of "Saturday Night Live" when Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Jane Curtin took back the desk and hosted a slew of celebrity tributes to beloved characters.
After cracking jokes about the special itself and reminding viewers that Curtin was the first female "Update" anchor back in the 70s, Emma Stone paid tribute to Gilda Radner's classic character Roseanne Roseannadanna, Melissa McCarthy did her best impression of Chris Farley as inspirational speaker Matt Foley and Ed Norton did "Stefon" side-by-side with Bill Hader (until they were interrupted by Stefon's husband Seth Meyers).
Watch until the end for a "smashing" surprise and a run-in between Fey and a certain shark.
After cracking jokes about the special itself and reminding viewers that Curtin was the first female "Update" anchor back in the 70s, Emma Stone paid tribute to Gilda Radner's classic character Roseanne Roseannadanna, Melissa McCarthy did her best impression of Chris Farley as inspirational speaker Matt Foley and Ed Norton did "Stefon" side-by-side with Bill Hader (until they were interrupted by Stefon's husband Seth Meyers).
Watch until the end for a "smashing" surprise and a run-in between Fey and a certain shark.
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Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake Rap A History Of 'SNL' Catchphrases
Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon started the "Saturday Night Live" 40th anniversary special with a rap song about the show's dozens and dozens of catchphrases. They don't come from France, but "Coneheads" and plenty of other famous sketches are referenced. Watch below, via Vulture.
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Kanye Performs New Song 'Wolves,' With Sia & Vic Mensa, During Awesome 'SNL 40' Appearance
Kanye West performed a medley of songs on the "Saturday Night Live" 40th anniversary special. West started with "Jesus Walks," transitioned to "Only One" and closed out his appearance with "Wolves," a new song featuring Sia and Vic Mensa. West had previously played "Wolves" during his New York fashion show last week. Watch the whole thing below.
Later, West took part in a "Wayne's World" sketch with Mike Myers and Dana Carvey. West's wife, Kim Kardashian West, was there to commemorate the appearance:
Later, West took part in a "Wayne's World" sketch with Mike Myers and Dana Carvey. West's wife, Kim Kardashian West, was there to commemorate the appearance:
Party time excellent!!!!! pic.twitter.com/HiXin9RTGR
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) February 16, 2015↧
'Bachelorette' Star Andi Dorfman Tearfully Talks About Josh Murray Split
Andi Dorfman is finally opening up about her out-of-nowhere split from Josh Murray.
The "Bachelorette" star sat down with Chris Harrison during the "The Bachelor: Chris Tells All" special on Sunday night, revealing that calling off her engagement to Murray was the "biggest failure" of her life.
“I have to be realistic and say I’m heartbroken,” she admitted, choking back tears. “I know this is honestly the biggest failure of my life so far, I understand that, I know that.”
Dorfman and Murray called it quits five months after getting engaged on the Season 10 finale of "The Bachelorette" in July. The breakup shocked fans and Harrison alike after the couple seemed happy during an appearance at the live premiere for Season 19 of "The Bachelor" on Jan. 5, but Dorman says that event was "eye-opening" for her.
“[There was] nothing official before that, obviously to make the decision to end the engagement doesn’t just happen overnight. We had struggled for a while -- we definitely did," Dorfman told Harrison. “We went to the premiere and I think it was hearing people ask about wedding date. We actually had to ask ourselves, ‘Why haven’t we been planning our wedding? Let's just be honest -- why is it that we don't have a date?'"
The pair announced their split via a joint statement on Jan. 8, saying, "We are very sad that it has come to this point, but this is what's best for both of us individually. We will continue to be good friends and have nothing but great things to say about each other and wish each other the best."
Dorfman insisted that although she loved Murray, they weren't necessarily good for each other.
“We were both very aware of the fact that we just didn’t better each other. I didn’t feel supported and empowered, and I don’t think I gave him the support and empowerment that he needed," she said. "I’ll always love him like I’ve never loved anybody like that in my life. That was my first true love, without a doubt.”
The "Bachelorette" star sat down with Chris Harrison during the "The Bachelor: Chris Tells All" special on Sunday night, revealing that calling off her engagement to Murray was the "biggest failure" of her life.
“I have to be realistic and say I’m heartbroken,” she admitted, choking back tears. “I know this is honestly the biggest failure of my life so far, I understand that, I know that.”
Dorfman and Murray called it quits five months after getting engaged on the Season 10 finale of "The Bachelorette" in July. The breakup shocked fans and Harrison alike after the couple seemed happy during an appearance at the live premiere for Season 19 of "The Bachelor" on Jan. 5, but Dorman says that event was "eye-opening" for her.
“[There was] nothing official before that, obviously to make the decision to end the engagement doesn’t just happen overnight. We had struggled for a while -- we definitely did," Dorfman told Harrison. “We went to the premiere and I think it was hearing people ask about wedding date. We actually had to ask ourselves, ‘Why haven’t we been planning our wedding? Let's just be honest -- why is it that we don't have a date?'"
The pair announced their split via a joint statement on Jan. 8, saying, "We are very sad that it has come to this point, but this is what's best for both of us individually. We will continue to be good friends and have nothing but great things to say about each other and wish each other the best."
Dorfman insisted that although she loved Murray, they weren't necessarily good for each other.
“We were both very aware of the fact that we just didn’t better each other. I didn’t feel supported and empowered, and I don’t think I gave him the support and empowerment that he needed," she said. "I’ll always love him like I’ve never loved anybody like that in my life. That was my first true love, without a doubt.”
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‘SNL 40′ Honors Tracy Morgan In His Absence
Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin (announced as Mr. and Mrs. Alec Baldwin) present a touching tribute to their friend and former cast mate Tracy Morgan during the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Celebration held at Rockefeller Plaza on Sunday (February 15) in New York City.
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Neil Patrick Harris Takes You Inside The Oscars
With the 2015 Academy Awards less than a week away, Neil Patrick Harris is putting the final touches on the ceremony as he prepares to make his debut as the awards’ host.
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Paul McCartney And Taylor Swift Sing 'Shake It Off' At 'SNL 40' After-Party
After Sunday's three-and-a-half-hour television special, 40 years' worth of "Saturday Night Live" dignitaries left 30 Rock and piled into New York City's Plaza Hotel for an after-party that reportedly stretched until 4 a.m. The bacchanalia found Paul McCartney fulfilling bandleader duties as Taylor Swift, Jimmy Fallon and Dan Aykroyd joined him for a rendition of The Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There" and Swift stuck around for a "Shake It Off" (!!!) collaboration.
DJ Cassidy captured the latter moment on Instagram, also uploading clips of Prince singing "Let's Go Crazy" alongside HAIM (with Chris Rock, Martin Short, Bill Murray and Fallon -- who served as MC -- onstage as well).
Later during the party, Miley Cyrus -- whose cover of Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" was an "SNL 40" highlight -- and Ariana Grande sang backup for Debbie Harry, Us Weekly reports. Michael Bolton also performed, Maya Rudolph sang backup for Prince (after being introduced as Beyoncé), and Grande covered Aretha Franklin's "Respect" while the likes of Beyoncé, Jay Z, Justin Timberlake and Leonardo DiCaprio made sure the party was not wanting for A-listers.
"SNL" choreographer Danielle Flora caught the "I Saw Her Standing There" performance:
Questlove posted a video of Prince and HAIM's performance, too. Watch Cuba Gooding Jr. jump into the action:
DJ Cassidy captured the latter moment on Instagram, also uploading clips of Prince singing "Let's Go Crazy" alongside HAIM (with Chris Rock, Martin Short, Bill Murray and Fallon -- who served as MC -- onstage as well).
Later during the party, Miley Cyrus -- whose cover of Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" was an "SNL 40" highlight -- and Ariana Grande sang backup for Debbie Harry, Us Weekly reports. Michael Bolton also performed, Maya Rudolph sang backup for Prince (after being introduced as Beyoncé), and Grande covered Aretha Franklin's "Respect" while the likes of Beyoncé, Jay Z, Justin Timberlake and Leonardo DiCaprio made sure the party was not wanting for A-listers.
"SNL" choreographer Danielle Flora caught the "I Saw Her Standing There" performance:
Questlove posted a video of Prince and HAIM's performance, too. Watch Cuba Gooding Jr. jump into the action:
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The 10 Best Moments From The 'SNL' 40th Anniversary Special
Between the slew of nostalgic sketches, heartwarming tributes, homages to beloved characters and surprise celebrity guests, it's safe to say "Saturday Night Live" outdid itself with it's 40th anniversary special.
The three-and-a-half-hour broadcast delivered tribute after tribute to the legendary sketch comedy show, and while we're still reeling from the sheer volume of memorable moments, we've done our best to round up our ten favorite segments from the production.
1. Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake opened the show with a catchphrase rap.
![justin timberlake jimmy fallon]()
The musical medley referenced everything from "Coneheads" to "D*ck In A Box."
![justin timberlake jimmy fallon gif]()
Via Tumblr
2. Steve Martin (and every other star imaginable) performed the opening monologue.
![snl 40th steve martin]()
3. We got a "Celebrity Jeopardy!" throwback sketch (complete with a swipe at Bill Cosby).
![snl 40th jeopardy]()
4. Betty White and Bradley Cooper had a steamy makeout session during "The Californians."
Via Giphy
5. Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Jane Curtin came home to the "Weekend Update" desk.
![snl 40th weekend update]()
They were joined by Emma Stone as Roseanne Roseannadanna, Melissa McCarthy as Matt Foley and both Edward Norton and Bill Hader as our beloved Stefon.
![snl 40th hader norton]()
6. Eddie Murphy returned to the "SNL" stage after more than a thirty year hiatus. Unfortunately, his comeback was a bit of a letdown.
![snl 40th eddie murphy]()
7. Bill Murray sang the "love theme" from "Jaws" during an epic musical tribute.
![snl 40th bill murray]()
Beyoncé (aka Maya Rudolph) and her wind machine also made an appearance.
![maya rudolph beyonce]()
Via Tumblr
8. Andy Samberg and Adam Sandler gifted us with a new digital short, "That's When You Break."
![snl 40th break digital short]()
Via Tumblr
9. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey revived "Wayne's World" and took friendly jabs at Kanye West.
![snl 40th waynes world]()
10. The show ended with a standing ovation for the man behind it all, Lorne Michaels.
![lorne clapping]()
Via Tumblr
All images courtesy of Getty unless otherwise noted.
The three-and-a-half-hour broadcast delivered tribute after tribute to the legendary sketch comedy show, and while we're still reeling from the sheer volume of memorable moments, we've done our best to round up our ten favorite segments from the production.
1. Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake opened the show with a catchphrase rap.
The musical medley referenced everything from "Coneheads" to "D*ck In A Box."
Via Tumblr
2. Steve Martin (and every other star imaginable) performed the opening monologue.
3. We got a "Celebrity Jeopardy!" throwback sketch (complete with a swipe at Bill Cosby).
4. Betty White and Bradley Cooper had a steamy makeout session during "The Californians."
Via Giphy
5. Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Jane Curtin came home to the "Weekend Update" desk.
They were joined by Emma Stone as Roseanne Roseannadanna, Melissa McCarthy as Matt Foley and both Edward Norton and Bill Hader as our beloved Stefon.
6. Eddie Murphy returned to the "SNL" stage after more than a thirty year hiatus. Unfortunately, his comeback was a bit of a letdown.
7. Bill Murray sang the "love theme" from "Jaws" during an epic musical tribute.
Beyoncé (aka Maya Rudolph) and her wind machine also made an appearance.
Via Tumblr
8. Andy Samberg and Adam Sandler gifted us with a new digital short, "That's When You Break."
Via Tumblr
9. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey revived "Wayne's World" and took friendly jabs at Kanye West.
10. The show ended with a standing ovation for the man behind it all, Lorne Michaels.
Via Tumblr
All images courtesy of Getty unless otherwise noted.
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'SNL 40' Special Draws NBC's Strongest Ratings Since 2006
Live from New York, it was a night of record-breaking ratings for NBC. The 40th anniversary "Saturday Night Live" event, which clocked in at three-and-a-half hours, became the network's most-watched primetime entertainment special (excluding post-Super Bowl programming) since the "Friends" clip show on the night of the sitcom's finale in May 2004. In the coveted 18-to-49 demographic, "SNL 40" attracted NBC's best primetime viewership since 2006's "Will & Grace" finale.
The episode averaged an impressive 23.1 million viewers from 8 to 11 p.m. The final half hour has not been factored in yet because it technically falls outside the fixed primetime window.
It wasn't hard for the star-studded "SNL 40" to become Sunday's juggernaut, going up against "The Bachelor," "CSI," "Undercover Boss" and Fox's comedy block. Sunday's regular CBS dramas, "The Good Wife" and "Madame Secretary," are on hiatus until March 1.
"Saturday Night Live" now also holds the record for the largest Twitter attention given to any single episode of a TV series, Entertainment Weekly reports. The event saw 9.1 million people interacting with 1.3 million tweets, according to Nielsen Social. Well, isn't that special?
The episode averaged an impressive 23.1 million viewers from 8 to 11 p.m. The final half hour has not been factored in yet because it technically falls outside the fixed primetime window.
It wasn't hard for the star-studded "SNL 40" to become Sunday's juggernaut, going up against "The Bachelor," "CSI," "Undercover Boss" and Fox's comedy block. Sunday's regular CBS dramas, "The Good Wife" and "Madame Secretary," are on hiatus until March 1.
"Saturday Night Live" now also holds the record for the largest Twitter attention given to any single episode of a TV series, Entertainment Weekly reports. The event saw 9.1 million people interacting with 1.3 million tweets, according to Nielsen Social. Well, isn't that special?
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'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Isn't A Movie About BDSM, And That's A Problem
Like its source material, the "Fifty Shades of Grey" movie is a phenomenon. Sam Taylor-Johnson's much-derided adaptation of E.L. James' more-derided novel broke all kinds of box-office records over the holiday weekend, with more than $94 million in ticket sales. In the wake of its release, some critics praised the film for its feminism and sex-positive depiction of an S&M relationship. Others, not so much: "'50 Shades' is domestic abuse" read one sign held by protestors during the film's London premiere.
Maybe the problem was all in the marketing of this material: As it turns out, "Fifty Shades of Grey" is less of a movie about BDSM and more like an average stalker-thriller. It's easy to get hung up on Christian Grey’s Red Room of Pain with all his floggers, crops, rope and cable ties. But the movie, which only features about 20 minute of sex scenes in total, is really about the obsessive lengths Christian (Jamie Dornan) goes to convince Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), a 21-year-old virgin, to sign a contract that enters her into a dominant-submissive relationship, not the relationship itself.
It's only Christian’s extreme wealth and the romanticized notion of his overarching dominant persona that barely mask what’s really just completely creepy behavior. In any other movie, a man or woman who tracks down another person at their job, local bar, home and, oh, their mother's home in Georgia, a plane ride away, would probably end up in back of a police car.
"Everyone wants to focus on the spanking, because that’s the sensational part -- that’s the part that everyone is going home and masturbating to anyways," Mistress Couple, the head mistress at La Domaine Esemar, the oldest BDSM training chateau in the world, told HuffPost Entertainment. "People aren’t masturbating to the part where they’re fighting and he’s stalking her at work."
Christian's self-admitted inability to leave Ana alone shouldn't be romanticized, nor should his controlling, domineering behavior be conflated with sexual dominance.
"He suffers from what I call 'Domitis,'" said Mistress Mona Rogers, a professional dominatrix in New York City. "He walks around acting dominant all the time and that's not realistic."
Christian says he always gets what he wants, which he does by lavishing Ana with extravagant gifts (first-edition set of "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," a new Macbook Pro, selling her busted powder blue Volkswagen Beetle in exchange for a shiny red Audi A3) and manipulating and controlling her into being with him on his terms.
"There is a very big difference between being true to yourself and ruling with an iron fist, and letting your desire for control, control you," Mistress Couple explained when asked the difference between being dominant and being controlling or abusive. "At La Domaine, we say that if your fetish is controlling you, then it’s a paraphilia. This is something that’s potentially harmful to you as a person and I feel that is what Christian Grey embodies."
For those who are blissfully unaware, Christian reveals he's "50 shades of fucked up" because he "had a rough start in life." [SPOILER ALERT] That's code for he was born to a woman who was "crack addict and a prostitute." In James' books, his birth mother died by suicide when he was 4 years old. In the second book, "Fifty Shades Darker," he tells Ana, "I'm a sadist, Ana. I like to whip little brown-haired girls like you because you all look like the crack whore -- my birth mother."
"BDSM is about creating vulnerability, opening yourself up to your partner in a way you can trust them to take you to some of these dark places that are considered taboo overall, but in a loving way," Mistress Couple explained. "That’s what’s missing from the 'Fifty Shades of Grey.' Christian continuously violates [Ana's] trust and her ability to feel safe, and that any person in their right mind would get out of a relationship that’s like that."
Beyond simply being a movie cliche, how Christian's own encounters with abuse formed his sexual desires is an inaccurate and problematic representation of what might motivate someone's interest in BDSM.
"There is such confusion about the whole abuse issue. That if you are into [BDSM] you were abused as a child, which is absurd," said Master R, the head master at La Domaine, who previously was a professional submissive in New York City for almost a decade, before exploring his own dominance and later opening the training chateau in 1993.
"The concept that if you are into it you are going to be abusive, is also absurd. Most psychological studies coming out now say that people in BDSM relationships are very healthy, and often far more balanced because we communicate so much, and we are trying so hard not to be abusive. That’s why this film is so objectionable and this character is so objectionable," he said. "I don’t think [author] E.L. James understands what domination and submission and mastery really is. She’s used caricatures that she’s encountered previously and prejudices that she’s encountered previously, so the whole character is going to be carrying not only a lot of falsehoods but false understandings."
In fact, while Christian Grey is all "fucked up" a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2013, found those involved in BDSM scored better on certain indicators of mental health than their counterparts. Other studies suggest bondage can induce altered mental states and reduce anxiety.
Mistress Mona also dismisses the notion of trauma inspiring someone's interest in sexual dominance, and is quick to point out something everyone who practices "safe, sane, consensual" BDSM knows: The submissive is really the one who has all the power and sets the limits. And while "Fifty Shades of Grey" spends a lot of time talking about consent, with tedious discussion and even negotiation of Christian and Ana's relationship contract, Ana never signs the consent form. Not that it would even matter, since Christian never adheres to his own rules anyway. At one point he even says, "Fuck the paper work."
Another reason "Fifty Shades" isn't really a BDSM movie is that, at its core, the film rejects [D]iscipline, [S]adism and [M]asochist. Anastasia is down for some light bondage, and even a little over-the-knee spanking, but she just can't understand why Christian wants to "punish" and inflict pain on her.
For those who haven't experienced it, the motivations behind these desires can also be difficult to understand. But as Mistress Couple emphasized, rarely do motivations stem from abuse. In her case, she sees herself as a "sexual or spiritual guide," or even as somewhat of a coach to an athlete.
"Athletes are revered in our society for their endurance and strength. Nobody ever stops to consider that the pain and endorphin rush a runner feels from getting a side cramp is comparable to the sting of a mistress' whip," she wrote in an email after our interview. "Engaging in intentional BDSM is like training for a long distance marathon. Some who engage in it are looking to be trained (the submissive and or masochist), others are drawn to coaching (the dominant and or sadist)."
Because those who practice BDSM are frequently portrayed in popular culture as broken people, we know why these misconceptions exist. But Mistress Couple breaks it down very simply for those, like Ana, struggling to understand why anyone would want to inflict pain on anyone else:
"It's about being able to control a person and guide them to a place that is exciting for them -- and also creating that intimacy by being the leader," she said. "It’s not necessarily about getting turned on by hitting someone as hard as you can. For someone people it is, and they just want to see just how hard they can push that person, but I think operating like that all the time can be really dangerous."
As for Christian's need to whip brunette women who remind him of his birth mother, Master R explained that in "real, loving, partnered BDSM, it is possible to use it to deal with emotional damage, if you are open and honest." But as anyone who has seen the film or read the book will agree, Christian is not truthful. "He’s as closed off to himself as he is to Ana. No matter what it’s going be, it’s going to remain an emotional crutch. It’s not going to do you any good to hit a woman who looks like your 'crack whore mother.' It will do you emotional good to get inside your own heart and see what happened and learn to be loving," he said.
For more on BDSM and the reality behind "Fifty Shades of Grey," check out HuffPost's Love and Sex Podcast:
Maybe the problem was all in the marketing of this material: As it turns out, "Fifty Shades of Grey" is less of a movie about BDSM and more like an average stalker-thriller. It's easy to get hung up on Christian Grey’s Red Room of Pain with all his floggers, crops, rope and cable ties. But the movie, which only features about 20 minute of sex scenes in total, is really about the obsessive lengths Christian (Jamie Dornan) goes to convince Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), a 21-year-old virgin, to sign a contract that enters her into a dominant-submissive relationship, not the relationship itself.
It's only Christian’s extreme wealth and the romanticized notion of his overarching dominant persona that barely mask what’s really just completely creepy behavior. In any other movie, a man or woman who tracks down another person at their job, local bar, home and, oh, their mother's home in Georgia, a plane ride away, would probably end up in back of a police car.
"Everyone wants to focus on the spanking, because that’s the sensational part -- that’s the part that everyone is going home and masturbating to anyways," Mistress Couple, the head mistress at La Domaine Esemar, the oldest BDSM training chateau in the world, told HuffPost Entertainment. "People aren’t masturbating to the part where they’re fighting and he’s stalking her at work."
Christian's self-admitted inability to leave Ana alone shouldn't be romanticized, nor should his controlling, domineering behavior be conflated with sexual dominance.
"He suffers from what I call 'Domitis,'" said Mistress Mona Rogers, a professional dominatrix in New York City. "He walks around acting dominant all the time and that's not realistic."
Christian says he always gets what he wants, which he does by lavishing Ana with extravagant gifts (first-edition set of "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," a new Macbook Pro, selling her busted powder blue Volkswagen Beetle in exchange for a shiny red Audi A3) and manipulating and controlling her into being with him on his terms.
"There is a very big difference between being true to yourself and ruling with an iron fist, and letting your desire for control, control you," Mistress Couple explained when asked the difference between being dominant and being controlling or abusive. "At La Domaine, we say that if your fetish is controlling you, then it’s a paraphilia. This is something that’s potentially harmful to you as a person and I feel that is what Christian Grey embodies."
For those who are blissfully unaware, Christian reveals he's "50 shades of fucked up" because he "had a rough start in life." [SPOILER ALERT] That's code for he was born to a woman who was "crack addict and a prostitute." In James' books, his birth mother died by suicide when he was 4 years old. In the second book, "Fifty Shades Darker," he tells Ana, "I'm a sadist, Ana. I like to whip little brown-haired girls like you because you all look like the crack whore -- my birth mother."
"BDSM is about creating vulnerability, opening yourself up to your partner in a way you can trust them to take you to some of these dark places that are considered taboo overall, but in a loving way," Mistress Couple explained. "That’s what’s missing from the 'Fifty Shades of Grey.' Christian continuously violates [Ana's] trust and her ability to feel safe, and that any person in their right mind would get out of a relationship that’s like that."
Beyond simply being a movie cliche, how Christian's own encounters with abuse formed his sexual desires is an inaccurate and problematic representation of what might motivate someone's interest in BDSM.
"There is such confusion about the whole abuse issue. That if you are into [BDSM] you were abused as a child, which is absurd," said Master R, the head master at La Domaine, who previously was a professional submissive in New York City for almost a decade, before exploring his own dominance and later opening the training chateau in 1993.
"The concept that if you are into it you are going to be abusive, is also absurd. Most psychological studies coming out now say that people in BDSM relationships are very healthy, and often far more balanced because we communicate so much, and we are trying so hard not to be abusive. That’s why this film is so objectionable and this character is so objectionable," he said. "I don’t think [author] E.L. James understands what domination and submission and mastery really is. She’s used caricatures that she’s encountered previously and prejudices that she’s encountered previously, so the whole character is going to be carrying not only a lot of falsehoods but false understandings."
In fact, while Christian Grey is all "fucked up" a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2013, found those involved in BDSM scored better on certain indicators of mental health than their counterparts. Other studies suggest bondage can induce altered mental states and reduce anxiety.
Mistress Mona also dismisses the notion of trauma inspiring someone's interest in sexual dominance, and is quick to point out something everyone who practices "safe, sane, consensual" BDSM knows: The submissive is really the one who has all the power and sets the limits. And while "Fifty Shades of Grey" spends a lot of time talking about consent, with tedious discussion and even negotiation of Christian and Ana's relationship contract, Ana never signs the consent form. Not that it would even matter, since Christian never adheres to his own rules anyway. At one point he even says, "Fuck the paper work."
Another reason "Fifty Shades" isn't really a BDSM movie is that, at its core, the film rejects [D]iscipline, [S]adism and [M]asochist. Anastasia is down for some light bondage, and even a little over-the-knee spanking, but she just can't understand why Christian wants to "punish" and inflict pain on her.
For those who haven't experienced it, the motivations behind these desires can also be difficult to understand. But as Mistress Couple emphasized, rarely do motivations stem from abuse. In her case, she sees herself as a "sexual or spiritual guide," or even as somewhat of a coach to an athlete.
"Athletes are revered in our society for their endurance and strength. Nobody ever stops to consider that the pain and endorphin rush a runner feels from getting a side cramp is comparable to the sting of a mistress' whip," she wrote in an email after our interview. "Engaging in intentional BDSM is like training for a long distance marathon. Some who engage in it are looking to be trained (the submissive and or masochist), others are drawn to coaching (the dominant and or sadist)."
Because those who practice BDSM are frequently portrayed in popular culture as broken people, we know why these misconceptions exist. But Mistress Couple breaks it down very simply for those, like Ana, struggling to understand why anyone would want to inflict pain on anyone else:
"It's about being able to control a person and guide them to a place that is exciting for them -- and also creating that intimacy by being the leader," she said. "It’s not necessarily about getting turned on by hitting someone as hard as you can. For someone people it is, and they just want to see just how hard they can push that person, but I think operating like that all the time can be really dangerous."
As for Christian's need to whip brunette women who remind him of his birth mother, Master R explained that in "real, loving, partnered BDSM, it is possible to use it to deal with emotional damage, if you are open and honest." But as anyone who has seen the film or read the book will agree, Christian is not truthful. "He’s as closed off to himself as he is to Ana. No matter what it’s going be, it’s going to remain an emotional crutch. It’s not going to do you any good to hit a woman who looks like your 'crack whore mother.' It will do you emotional good to get inside your own heart and see what happened and learn to be loving," he said.
For more on BDSM and the reality behind "Fifty Shades of Grey," check out HuffPost's Love and Sex Podcast:
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Fashion Week With Tim Gunn And Marlo Thomas (VIDEO)
On this very special episode of Mondays with Marlo, fashion therapist and author Tim Gunn gave us a behind the scenes look at New York Fashion Week! We met with designers, took a peak behind stage, and even had Tim answer all your questions about New York Fashion Week -- from the trends he's been seeing at this year's show, to the biggest blunders he's ever witnessed on the catwalk, and more! Watch our full interview to get the inside scoop.
Get Tim's latest book, The Natty Professor: A Master Class on Mentoring, Motivating, and Making It Work!
For more of Tim's expert fashion advice, view the slideshow below:
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Paul Feig Has A Soft Spot For Leslie Jones & Other Stories From The 'SNL 40' Red Carpet
One could argue that "Saturday Night Live's" 40th anniversary special had almost too many memorable moments for one show, but there were even more if you count the red carpet beforehand.
Here are 10 things that we heard, saw or learned while watching comedy legends, newcomers, and Sarah Palin, talk to press outside of 30 Rock before the show.
Aidy Bryant and Kate McKinnon were starstruck by The Backstreet Boys.
When BSB's A.J. and Howie passed by Bryant and McKinnon on the red carpet, it was as if there weren't dozens of other celebrities within range.
"A Backstreet Boy just said hi to me!" Bryant squealed to McKinnon after meeting A.J. and ushered her over to do the same before making this face:
"It's not just them, it's the entire night," McKinnon told us after they returned to the press line, flustered. "It's everyone that we grew up loving, that will happen to be in this room. It's just such a bizarre thing to meet people who formed the core of who you are... This visceral love of Molly Shannon, Cheri Oteri and A.J. fucking McLean!"
Bryant backed her up: "It's a lot. Sorry, we're just screaming at you guys!" Bryant
Will Forte took us through his favorite 'SNL' sketches of all time.
"Favorite one I was in? Probably the halftime coach sketch where I got to dance with Peyton Manning."
"Favorite of all time? [Long pause] Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. Loved that so much. Then Mr. Bill was always one of my favorites as a kid. I would stay up way past my bedtime to try and watch Mr. Bill. I was just getting old enough to watch when Eddie Murphy was on, so all that Eddie Murphy stuff, and then of course the Hartman era. Then there was Sandler, and I was a huge Chris Farley fan, so Matt Foley and that Chippendales sketch. A lot of these are old classics that seem like easy choices, but they are remembered for how awesome they were. Cowbell."
Fred Armisen also said his favorite sketch was Phil Hartman's "Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer."
If you haven't seen this yet, you need to fix that:
Paul Feig opened up about one of his new "Ghostbusters," Leslie Jones, and how they could have connected a long time ago.
"Thank God for 'SNL,' because whenever I'm casting a movie, the first thing I do is go, 'Okay, who do I want from the show?' It's a very hard choice because everyone's so good. There are so many combinations of people you could cast. [Leslie Jones] has got such a funny energy and such a unique take on the world. I just look for people who have this thing that jumps out at you that's undeniable. And Leslie is just undeniable."
Feig cast Jones along with fellow "SNL" players Kate McKinnon and Kristen Wiig in his all-female reboot of the classic '80s comedy, but it wasn't just her work on "SNL" that got her the job, it was years of Feig knowing she was out there perfecting her stand-up act.
"I didn't know her from the stand-up comedy scene although, ironically, we both started out as stand-ups around the same time. She was just the one out there doing it and doing it, and staying with it. So, when we finally sat down for a drink and compared our comedy notes, I thought she was so cool because I love comedy veterans, people who have just been working at it and working at it. Because those are the people who deserve it. They get it, they appreciate it and they're going to do their hardest to give you their best."
Speaking of Leslie Jones, she and Whoopi Goldberg clearly had a moment on the red carpet.
There was a lot of laughing, smiling and talking in a way that requires you to grab somebody by the shoulders.
Tim Meadows remembered that time he made Will Ferrell crack up.
"My favorite sketch is probably Cowbell, that's one of my favorites to watch. I laugh every time I see it. But for me personally that I was in, that would probably be what they call the "Dr. Poop" sketch. It was another Will Ferrell sketch where he's playing a crazy doctor. I walked in, and he didn't know that I was going to be in the scene, so when I left he started laughing. And my name was Dr. Poop. They started calling it the 'Dr. Poop sketch.'"
Chris Parnell named his favorite "SNL" sketch, one that goes all the way back to Season 2.
Although a big fan of the show's commercial parodies, including those starring Dan Aykroyd, Parnell said Aykroyd's shady toymaker character Irwin Mainway made the "Consumer Probe" talk show sketches his favorites.
Life imitated art when "30 Rock" star Jane Krakowski soaked up the red carpet audience's attention.
She posed for both cell phone selfies and press photos in a way that would have made Jenna Maroney proud.
Seth Herzog shared one of Jimmy Fallon's favorite stories from his time at "SNL"
Herzog is a stand-up comedian who also happens to be Fallon's warm-up act on "The Tonight Show," so we suspected that he's heard a lot of Fallon's "SNL" anecdotes. When asked if he had a favorite, he painted this hilarious picture of a freshman Will Ferrell pissing off P. Diddy:
And, finally, Sarah Palin reminisced about sneaking in some "SNL" time as a kid.
"Well, I can't be self-centered so I won't say the Tina Fey stuff. You know, it was the stuff way before you girls, way before your time. The ones with Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy, way back in the day when we used to sneak up to our TV room and watch it. And then, years later, we found out our parents liked it as much as we did."
Here are 10 things that we heard, saw or learned while watching comedy legends, newcomers, and Sarah Palin, talk to press outside of 30 Rock before the show.
Aidy Bryant and Kate McKinnon were starstruck by The Backstreet Boys.
When BSB's A.J. and Howie passed by Bryant and McKinnon on the red carpet, it was as if there weren't dozens of other celebrities within range.
"A Backstreet Boy just said hi to me!" Bryant squealed to McKinnon after meeting A.J. and ushered her over to do the same before making this face:
"It's not just them, it's the entire night," McKinnon told us after they returned to the press line, flustered. "It's everyone that we grew up loving, that will happen to be in this room. It's just such a bizarre thing to meet people who formed the core of who you are... This visceral love of Molly Shannon, Cheri Oteri and A.J. fucking McLean!"
Bryant backed her up: "It's a lot. Sorry, we're just screaming at you guys!" Bryant
Will Forte took us through his favorite 'SNL' sketches of all time.
"Favorite one I was in? Probably the halftime coach sketch where I got to dance with Peyton Manning."
"Favorite of all time? [Long pause] Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. Loved that so much. Then Mr. Bill was always one of my favorites as a kid. I would stay up way past my bedtime to try and watch Mr. Bill. I was just getting old enough to watch when Eddie Murphy was on, so all that Eddie Murphy stuff, and then of course the Hartman era. Then there was Sandler, and I was a huge Chris Farley fan, so Matt Foley and that Chippendales sketch. A lot of these are old classics that seem like easy choices, but they are remembered for how awesome they were. Cowbell."
Fred Armisen also said his favorite sketch was Phil Hartman's "Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer."
If you haven't seen this yet, you need to fix that:
Paul Feig opened up about one of his new "Ghostbusters," Leslie Jones, and how they could have connected a long time ago.
"Thank God for 'SNL,' because whenever I'm casting a movie, the first thing I do is go, 'Okay, who do I want from the show?' It's a very hard choice because everyone's so good. There are so many combinations of people you could cast. [Leslie Jones] has got such a funny energy and such a unique take on the world. I just look for people who have this thing that jumps out at you that's undeniable. And Leslie is just undeniable."
Feig cast Jones along with fellow "SNL" players Kate McKinnon and Kristen Wiig in his all-female reboot of the classic '80s comedy, but it wasn't just her work on "SNL" that got her the job, it was years of Feig knowing she was out there perfecting her stand-up act.
"I didn't know her from the stand-up comedy scene although, ironically, we both started out as stand-ups around the same time. She was just the one out there doing it and doing it, and staying with it. So, when we finally sat down for a drink and compared our comedy notes, I thought she was so cool because I love comedy veterans, people who have just been working at it and working at it. Because those are the people who deserve it. They get it, they appreciate it and they're going to do their hardest to give you their best."
Speaking of Leslie Jones, she and Whoopi Goldberg clearly had a moment on the red carpet.
There was a lot of laughing, smiling and talking in a way that requires you to grab somebody by the shoulders.
Tim Meadows remembered that time he made Will Ferrell crack up.
"My favorite sketch is probably Cowbell, that's one of my favorites to watch. I laugh every time I see it. But for me personally that I was in, that would probably be what they call the "Dr. Poop" sketch. It was another Will Ferrell sketch where he's playing a crazy doctor. I walked in, and he didn't know that I was going to be in the scene, so when I left he started laughing. And my name was Dr. Poop. They started calling it the 'Dr. Poop sketch.'"
Chris Parnell named his favorite "SNL" sketch, one that goes all the way back to Season 2.
Although a big fan of the show's commercial parodies, including those starring Dan Aykroyd, Parnell said Aykroyd's shady toymaker character Irwin Mainway made the "Consumer Probe" talk show sketches his favorites.
Life imitated art when "30 Rock" star Jane Krakowski soaked up the red carpet audience's attention.
She posed for both cell phone selfies and press photos in a way that would have made Jenna Maroney proud.
Seth Herzog shared one of Jimmy Fallon's favorite stories from his time at "SNL"
Herzog is a stand-up comedian who also happens to be Fallon's warm-up act on "The Tonight Show," so we suspected that he's heard a lot of Fallon's "SNL" anecdotes. When asked if he had a favorite, he painted this hilarious picture of a freshman Will Ferrell pissing off P. Diddy:
"Will Ferrell was new on the show and P. Diddy was going to perform that song, the theme from "Godzilla," with a full band. During rehearsal, Diddy was doing this thing and Ferrell walked out on stage, in character, holding a grocery bag as this sort of innocent suburban father character. He just wanders out on stage starts going, 'What's going on? What's song is this?' Diddy didn't know who he was or that he was in character, so he's just furious that this guy just wandered out on stage. Diddy's like 'Who is this guy? What's he doing in my rehearsal?' And everyone was laughing and crying too hard to even explain what was happening. I wish I had been there to see that. Just to see Will in character, not caring."
And, finally, Sarah Palin reminisced about sneaking in some "SNL" time as a kid.
"Well, I can't be self-centered so I won't say the Tina Fey stuff. You know, it was the stuff way before you girls, way before your time. The ones with Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy, way back in the day when we used to sneak up to our TV room and watch it. And then, years later, we found out our parents liked it as much as we did."
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Khloe Kardashian Would Like Amber Rose To Stop Talking About Her Family
It seems that Amber Rose does not approve of Kylie Jenner's rumored relationship with 25-year-old rapper Tyga.
In an interview with Power 105 on Feb. 13, Rose claimed that the rapper left Blac Chyna to date Jenner.
"She's a baby, she needs to go to bed at 7 o'clock and relax," Rose said of Jenner. "That's ridiculous. [Tyga] should be ashamed of himself. For sure. He has a beautiful woman and a baby and left that for a 16-year-old who just turned 17."
As it turns out, Jenner's older sister, Khloe Kardashian, will have none of this. Kardashian took to Twitter on Monday to tell Rose to keep quiet on the subject of her family:
Rose, in turn, shot back:
If you were't previously versed in Kardashian family versus Rose drama, you should know that Rose once dated Kim Kardashian's current husband, Kanye West. Back in 2012, she blamed the dissolution of her relationship with West on the reality star, calling her a "home-wrecker." She later apologized for the comment.
UPDATE: Khloe responded to Amber Rose.
In an interview with Power 105 on Feb. 13, Rose claimed that the rapper left Blac Chyna to date Jenner.
"She's a baby, she needs to go to bed at 7 o'clock and relax," Rose said of Jenner. "That's ridiculous. [Tyga] should be ashamed of himself. For sure. He has a beautiful woman and a baby and left that for a 16-year-old who just turned 17."
As it turns out, Jenner's older sister, Khloe Kardashian, will have none of this. Kardashian took to Twitter on Monday to tell Rose to keep quiet on the subject of her family:
“I was a stripper since I was 15 years old,” Amber Rose told Foxx. Please don't worry about my sister who has a career & her shit (1)
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) February 16, 2015@khloekardashian: together at ONLY 17 ☕️ people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. (2)
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) February 16, 2015Please stop talking about us in interviews mama. None of us talk about you. (3)
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) February 16, 2015We get asked questions about people all the time and my sisters and I always take the high road and don't answer. Truth is we don't know (1)
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) February 16, 2015these people. I don't know Amber so why would I comment on her. I'm not going to comment on someone I don't know. (2)
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) February 16, 2015That's unfair. We all hear things via social media or blogs but I would only want to comment on someone (3)
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) February 16, 2015if I actually knew them and or had my own personal history with them. I would think others would want the same respect.
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) February 16, 20153 sides to EVERY story. His, hers and the truth. I'm not passing judgment but I wish others would do the same until they have FACTS.
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) February 16, 2015Rose, in turn, shot back:
@khloekardashian I'm happy u brought up the fact that I was a stripper at 15....
— Amber Rose (@DaRealAmberRose) February 16, 2015@khloekardashian I'll be that lil whore to support my family like ur older sister is a whore 2 support hers. We're even #MuvaGivesFacts
— Amber Rose (@DaRealAmberRose) February 16, 2015— Amber Rose (@DaRealAmberRose) February 16, 2015If you were't previously versed in Kardashian family versus Rose drama, you should know that Rose once dated Kim Kardashian's current husband, Kanye West. Back in 2012, she blamed the dissolution of her relationship with West on the reality star, calling her a "home-wrecker." She later apologized for the comment.
UPDATE: Khloe responded to Amber Rose.
@DaRealAmberRose lol #DontPanic well damn, I didn't realize I called you a whore… But at the end of the day
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) February 16, 2015@DaRealAmberRose I guess people love to call us all whores. Easiest jab to throw. It is what it is. We still livin though.
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) February 16, 2015My point was proven. She can't even wait 10 mins before mentioning one of our names SMH
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) February 16, 2015↧
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Lil Wayne's Daughter Is Getting Her Own 'My Super Sweet 16' Special
Remember that MTV show, "My Super Sweet 16?" You know, the one about those really appreciative, down-to-earth kids whose parents gave them the rager they deserved?
Here's a few GIFs from past episodes, to jog your memory:
Well, folks, MTV is bringing back the mid-2000s reality show for a very special guest of honor, Miss Reginae Carter, the only daughter of Lil Wayne and his ex-wife, Antonia "Toya" Wright. Since the lavish event went down in December, we already know that celebrities such as Nicki Minaj, Kandi Buruss, Fantasia Barrino, were in attendance. We also already know that the birthday girl casually got two cars, a Ferrari GTO and a BMW, as gifts. Oh, and she also rolled up in a Cinderella-esque horse and carriage, because that's standard:
![reginae carter]()
Still, we're sure there's plenty of ~*drama*~ to come in the episode that airs tonight. Watch a sneak peek here:
"My Super Sweet 16" with Reginae Carter and Lil Wayne premieres Monday, Feb. 16 at 7/6c.
Here's a few GIFs from past episodes, to jog your memory:
Well, folks, MTV is bringing back the mid-2000s reality show for a very special guest of honor, Miss Reginae Carter, the only daughter of Lil Wayne and his ex-wife, Antonia "Toya" Wright. Since the lavish event went down in December, we already know that celebrities such as Nicki Minaj, Kandi Buruss, Fantasia Barrino, were in attendance. We also already know that the birthday girl casually got two cars, a Ferrari GTO and a BMW, as gifts. Oh, and she also rolled up in a Cinderella-esque horse and carriage, because that's standard:
Still, we're sure there's plenty of ~*drama*~ to come in the episode that airs tonight. Watch a sneak peek here:
Get More:
My Super Sweet 16, Full Episodes
"My Super Sweet 16" with Reginae Carter and Lil Wayne premieres Monday, Feb. 16 at 7/6c.
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'It's My Party' Singer Lesley Gore Dead At 68
NEW YORK (AP) — Singer-songwriter Lesley Gore, who topped the charts in 1963 at age 16 with her epic song of teenage angst, "It's My Party," and followed it up with the hits "Judy's Turn to Cry," and the feminist anthem "You Don't Own Me," died Monday. She was 68.
Gore, a nonsmoker, died of lung cancer at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, according to her partner of 33 years, Lois Sasson. "She was a wonderful human being — caring, giving, a great feminist, great woman, great human being, great humanitarian," Sasson, a jewelry designer, told The Associated Press.
Brooklyn-born and New Jersey-raised, Gore was discovered by Quincy Jones as a teenager and signed to Mercury Records. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a degree in English/American literature.
Gore's other hits include "She's A Fool," ''Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows," which Marvin Hamlisch co-wrote, "That's the Way Boys Are" and "Maybe I Know." She co-wrote with her brother, Michael, the Academy Award-nominated "Out Here On My Own" from the film "Fame."
She sang at the 1964 T.A.M.I. Show in Santa Monica, California, alongside future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers like the James Brown and the Rolling Stones. Gore also played Catwoman's sidekick in the cult TV comedy "Batman."
"She was a serious artist that was way ahead of her time," said Ronnie Spector in a statement. "She had a certain sound. But you want to be able to do new things too, and it can be hard on an artist that is so identified with a specific sound. Although she wasn't in a girl group, Lesley was definitely a huge part of that era. But she continued to be creative, and kept looking ahead, and that's how I will remember her."
In a Facebook post, songwriter Neil Sedaka, who attended Gore's Sweet 16 birthday party, shared his thoughts: "She was a great person and a phenomenal talent, who had opened for me on many occasions. She recorded a few of my songs ("Magic Colors" and "Summer Symphony") and was a great songwriter in her own right. I'm glad I had the chance of knowing her."
In the 1990s, Gore co-wrote "My Secret Love" for Allison Anders' film "Grace of My Heart," released in 1996. A couple of years later, she appeared in "Smokey Joe's Cafe" on Broadway. Gore had been working on a stage version of her life with playwright Mark Hampton when she died.
In 2005, she released "Ever Since," her first album in 30 years, but was sure to revisit older hits in front of fans. "If I've learned anything in this business," she told The New York Times that year, "how stupid would it be not to do 'It's My Party' when people come to hear it?"
She officially came out to the public when she hosted several episodes of the PBS series, "In The Life," which dealt with gay and lesbian issues.
During the 2012 presidential campaign, Gore turned "You Don't Own Me" into an online video public service announcement demanding reproductive rights which starred Lena Dunham and Tavi Gevinson, among others
In the last few years, she performed at Feinstein's at the Loews Regency in New York and, along with Spector and LaLa Brooks, headlined the "She's Got the Power" concert outdoors at Lincoln Center in 2012.
In addition to Sasson, Gore is survived by her brother and mother, Ronny. Services will be held on Thursday at the Frank E. Campbell funeral home on Madison Avenue.
Gore, a nonsmoker, died of lung cancer at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, according to her partner of 33 years, Lois Sasson. "She was a wonderful human being — caring, giving, a great feminist, great woman, great human being, great humanitarian," Sasson, a jewelry designer, told The Associated Press.
Brooklyn-born and New Jersey-raised, Gore was discovered by Quincy Jones as a teenager and signed to Mercury Records. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a degree in English/American literature.
Gore's other hits include "She's A Fool," ''Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows," which Marvin Hamlisch co-wrote, "That's the Way Boys Are" and "Maybe I Know." She co-wrote with her brother, Michael, the Academy Award-nominated "Out Here On My Own" from the film "Fame."
She sang at the 1964 T.A.M.I. Show in Santa Monica, California, alongside future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers like the James Brown and the Rolling Stones. Gore also played Catwoman's sidekick in the cult TV comedy "Batman."
"She was a serious artist that was way ahead of her time," said Ronnie Spector in a statement. "She had a certain sound. But you want to be able to do new things too, and it can be hard on an artist that is so identified with a specific sound. Although she wasn't in a girl group, Lesley was definitely a huge part of that era. But she continued to be creative, and kept looking ahead, and that's how I will remember her."
In a Facebook post, songwriter Neil Sedaka, who attended Gore's Sweet 16 birthday party, shared his thoughts: "She was a great person and a phenomenal talent, who had opened for me on many occasions. She recorded a few of my songs ("Magic Colors" and "Summer Symphony") and was a great songwriter in her own right. I'm glad I had the chance of knowing her."
In the 1990s, Gore co-wrote "My Secret Love" for Allison Anders' film "Grace of My Heart," released in 1996. A couple of years later, she appeared in "Smokey Joe's Cafe" on Broadway. Gore had been working on a stage version of her life with playwright Mark Hampton when she died.
In 2005, she released "Ever Since," her first album in 30 years, but was sure to revisit older hits in front of fans. "If I've learned anything in this business," she told The New York Times that year, "how stupid would it be not to do 'It's My Party' when people come to hear it?"
She officially came out to the public when she hosted several episodes of the PBS series, "In The Life," which dealt with gay and lesbian issues.
During the 2012 presidential campaign, Gore turned "You Don't Own Me" into an online video public service announcement demanding reproductive rights which starred Lena Dunham and Tavi Gevinson, among others
In the last few years, she performed at Feinstein's at the Loews Regency in New York and, along with Spector and LaLa Brooks, headlined the "She's Got the Power" concert outdoors at Lincoln Center in 2012.
In addition to Sasson, Gore is survived by her brother and mother, Ronny. Services will be held on Thursday at the Frank E. Campbell funeral home on Madison Avenue.
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Lady Gaga Is Engaged To Taylor Kinney, Shares Photo Of Massive Heart-Shaped Diamond Ring
Lady Gaga is officially engaged to long-time boyfriend Taylor Kinney.
The pop star revealed the exciting news on Monday when she shared a photo of her huge, heart-shaped diamond engagement ring with her followers on Instagram:
The 28-year-old singer revealed that the 33-year-old actor asked her to marry him on Valentine's day, and she of course, accepted his proposal. According to Us Weekly, the pop star and her new fiance later celebrated at Gaga’s family's restaurant, Joanne Trattoria, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Gaga and Kinney first met on the set of her 2011 video for "You & I," in which Gaga wore her mother's own wedding dress. While the couple have had their ups and downs, briefly breaking up for a month back in May 2012, it seems they are in it for the long haul.
Congrats!
The pop star revealed the exciting news on Monday when she shared a photo of her huge, heart-shaped diamond engagement ring with her followers on Instagram:
The 28-year-old singer revealed that the 33-year-old actor asked her to marry him on Valentine's day, and she of course, accepted his proposal. According to Us Weekly, the pop star and her new fiance later celebrated at Gaga’s family's restaurant, Joanne Trattoria, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Gaga and Kinney first met on the set of her 2011 video for "You & I," in which Gaga wore her mother's own wedding dress. While the couple have had their ups and downs, briefly breaking up for a month back in May 2012, it seems they are in it for the long haul.
Congrats!
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