Forbes has a ranking of the richest “self-made” women, “self-made” is in quotes because the list includes Kylie Jenner, who inherited wealth. Taylor Swift also comes from an affluent background, and she’s ranked #34 on the list.

 

I don’t care who the richest self-made woman is, I want a transparent audit of these celebrity beauty and skincare brands. Like, I believe Fenty is worth $1.4 billion, their products are quality, and they appeal to a vast market because they offer products for a wide range of skin tones. But I don’t believe Kylie Cosmetics is worth over a billion dollars (she sold a 51% stake to Coty earlier this year for $600 million). I want to know where that $1.2 billion valuation came from. (DListed)

Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi had an engagement party. Ah, young love. No judgment, they seem super into each other and really happy. (Popsugar)

Greta Lee stars in Celine Song’s Past Lives—we are going to be TALKING about this film this year—and she turned up to an event for the film in a gold dress that shouldn’t work but totally does. Margot Robbie’s outfit, however, is less successful. (Go Fug Yourself)

 

Brad Pitt is still bitching about Angelina Jolie selling her half of their winery in France. He’s still trying to paint it like she did something nefarious by selling to “a Russian”. I think the real problem is she sold to liquor business professionals who know what the f-ck they’re doing and, at best, are suspicious of Pitt’s management of Miraval. (Celebitchy)

Happy Pride month! It feels more vital than ever to celebrate queerness loud and proud in 2023, a time when I think we all expected there to be more acceptance in the air. Instead, we’re backsliding, with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community under attack in many states in the US, and many places around the world. This week, writer/podcaster Don Martin went viral after posting a video explaining the harm of laws like “Don’t Say Gay”, and the organized attack on queer acceptance. 

 

It doesn’t “protect kids”, it endangers them, specifically, it endangers queer kids who have been and will be ostracized and bullied for being different by a peer group who is un-learning acceptance in real time. 

 

The rec this week is Don’s podcast, Head On Fire, in which he interviews experts in niche areas, such as mortician Temple Ruff on funeral preparations and body disposal (of course, I started with this episode. My brand is strong). Don is a great conversationalist and interviewer, the topics and guests are interesting, it’s a compelling listen and an instant add to my “must hear” list. You can get Head On Fire wherever you prefer your podcasts, or you can listen directly from his website.