Dear Gossips,
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Governors Awards happened last night as the recipients of this year’s honorary Oscars were celebrated. This is one of the biggest events on the Oscar circuit – you’re literally in the Oscar ballroom, among Academy voters, with select press in attendance. Every film that’s in contention wants to be represented, wants to have a presence, wants the opportunity to get their campaign message out there … safely. Because, right now, as they’re still jockeying for position, it’s an easy opportunity to do the hustle on a night when it’s not supposed to be about them but about the legends of the industry.
One of those legends, Cicely Tyson, became the first black woman to receive an honorary Oscar. She is 93 years old and still as boss as ever. Quincy Jones and Ava DuVernay presented to her. Shonda Rhimes was there to support her. And Oprah Winfrey sat with her.
This is THE table at the Governors Awards pic.twitter.com/1fV2hNUlGW
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) November 19, 2018
I think Kathleen just started crying seeing this photo, overwhelmed by all the Black Girl Magic. Understandable. I had a similar moment seeing Team Crazy Rich Asians – that’s coming up later.
The Governors Awards are meant to recognize the Academy’s history and legacy in the presence of its present and future. Perhaps the youngest, if not the youngest, VIP guest last night was 15-year-old Elsie Fisher, the star of Eighth Grade, my pick so far for the Best Film of 2018. She was there with writer and director Bo Burnham. Eighth Grade is a contender. It might not be the most high-profile contender, but it’s one of the best reviewed films of the year. The movie is currently available on demand and if you haven’t seen it already, it’s really, really worth your time.
More coverage from the Governors Awards will be posted throughout the day on the main page and on the LifeStyle page.
Yours in gossip,
Lainey
The Crimes of Grindelwald are many, and great
Bauer-Griffin
In my review of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, I wrote, “A movie where Newt does a silly mating dance with a glowy rhinoceros does not also need to contain a bleak storyline about an abusive orphanage matron who whips the closeted wizard in her care. Full Story
Dear Gossips,
Many eastern cities in Canada and the US are dealing with the first snowstorm of the season. I was watching local New York City news last night and this was the big story – the collisions, the transit delays, it was a terrible afternoon commute. Read Full Intro
What Else?
Rae! Much of today’s column was packaged last night because of my schedule so I wasn’t able to put this in shout-outs but here you are, topping the last post of the week - your birthday week! Happy Birthday! Lynsey sends her love from the UK! Science is now confirming for us that Ed Sheehan’s music is boring as f-ck which Full Story
Celebrity Social Media, November 16, 2018
Backgrid
Yesterday I mentioned that Drew Barrymore is crowdsourcing restaurant suggestions for her newspaper. Now she’s doing it with hotels. Would you pick up Flower Newspaper and read about a hotel that Drew chose from a comment on social media and feel confident about booking there? And has no one on the team considered… hiring a travel writer? A food writer? Partnering with a blogger for content? The Flower newspaper model is like Yelp filtered through Drew’s social media. Full Story
Jason Mantzoukas gets his due
Splash News
Almost two years ago I wrote, “[Jason Mantzoukas] is WAY overdue for his own starring vehicle.” The everywhere That Guy of comedy, Mantzoukas has popped up on sitcoms like The League, Parks & Rec, Brooklyn 99, The Good Place,Transparent, and Big Mouth, and in movies like The Night Before and How to Be Single. Full Story
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade’s Baby Kaavia
I mean, I’m not made of stone. I love this. How could I not? The reveal of Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade’s baby born via surrogate on November 7th was more than just a typical baby announcement for several reasons. First because she’s been very open about her struggles with infertility, meaning the sweetness of the two of them finally having a baby daughter (in addition to his sons Zaire, Zion, and Xavier) is all the joy of sleeplessness and new-baby-smell… plus the knowledge of how long it took to get to this point. Full Story
Taron and Sofia out for dinner
Backgrid
Taron Egerton is currently promoting Robin Hood. This movie was shot a while ago. The release date was pushed back at least once. There were all kinds of rumours about production being a mess. I’m not sure how it’s going to do a week after Fantastic Beasts and up against Ralph Breaks the Internet but I’m going to see it even if it will probably be sh-t because Taron looks super hot in it and I’m quite attracted to him. Full Story
Nick and Priyanka’s wedding venue
Rob Kim/ Getty Images
Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are getting married in a palace. That’s not an exaggeration. It’s a literal palace. Their venue is the Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, India, home of the former royal family of Jodhpur and according to Harper’s Bazaar, it’s “the sixth largest private residence in the world Full Story
Sad Clown Dumbo
Disney’s quest to remake all their classic animated films into live action money grabs continues with Dumbo, Tim Burton’s reimagining of the timeless tale of animal cruelty in the circus. Want to see a baby elephant ripped from its mother? Go see Dumbo! Want to see large animals confined in small cages and enclosures for the thrill of some dumb humans? Go see Dumbo! Want to see an animal tortured into obedience and forced to perform for the relentless mob? Go see Dumbo! Seriously, though, Dumbo is going to make a billion dollars. Full Story
Ariana cut her hair
It takes commitment to create a signature look. Ariana Grande has a signature look: oversized sweatshirt, over-the-knee boots, and a high very long ponytail. Last week she told Camila Cabello the cost of that ponytail – a lot of pain. It’s true. I have long hair too. And every time I have it styled in a topknot or a high ponytail, I pop a few Advil early in the day, because you cannot avoid the low-grade headache that happens from all the pulling and from the weight of all of it on top of your head. Full Story
