Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Acting Appreciation 

If you share my love for Sci-Fi, horror, and comedy films, chances are you're familiar with the incredibly versatile and talented Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Born on November 28, 1984, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Winstead initially aspired to be a ballerina during her early years. Fortunately for us, her height led her to pivot towards acting.

Her journey began in 1997 with guest roles in the CBS TV drama series "Touched by an Angel" and "Promise Land." Winstead's breakout came when she landed the role of Jessica Bennett in the NBC soap opera "Passions" from 1999 to 2000. Subsequently, she graced the big screen in notable films like "The Ring Two" (2005), "Sky High" (2005), "Final Destination 3" (2006), "Black Christmas" (2006), and "Live Free or Die Hard" (2007).

In 2010, Winstead shared the screen with Michael Cera in "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World," portraying the character Ramona Flowers. Her diverse roles continued with the action horror film "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" (2012), where she played Mary Todd Lincoln. She reprised her role as Lucy Gennero-McClane in "A Good Day to Die Hard" (2013) and delivered a standout performance in "10 Cloverfield Lane" (2016).

Adding to her impressive resume, Winstead recently joined the cast of the Disney+ series "Ahsoka," taking on the role of Twi'lek Hera Syndulla.

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/mary-elizabeth-winstead/

https://cloverfield.fandom.com/wiki/Mary_Elizabeth_Winstead

https://www.maxim.com/women/mary-elizabeth-winstead-sexy-photo-shoot-2016-9/

https://www.wikifeet.com/mary_elizabeth_winstead

https://offcamera.com/issues/mary-elizabeth-winstead/watch/

OneRepublic - Stop and Stare

Music Appreciation

OneRepublic's "Stop and Stare" is the second single from their debut studio album, Dreaming Out Loud, which was released on November 27, 2007. This captivating and emotionally charged track embarks on an introspective journey delving into self-doubt, regrets, and the sensation of being stuck in a moment, unable to progress. In an interview with the Huffington Post, lead vocalist Ryan Tedder candidly revealed, "We, as a band, were on tour, and we had a conversation and said, if 'Stop and Stare' doesn't connect, we're done."

Ryan Tedder's powerful and emotive vocal delivery bears the emotional weight of the lyrics, rendering the song a profound and relatable experience for those who have grappled with pivotal crossroads in life. The song's melancholic melody, coupled with Tedder's raw vulnerability, weaves an atmosphere of introspection that deeply resonates with its audience. Accompanying the song is a striking music video directed by Anthony Mandler, shot at an old gas station and motel in the Palmdale desert of California. The video features Tedder in various scenes, ranging from a eulogy to a motel room, driving a pregnant woman, and even running over another version of himself, enhancing the song's visual storytelling.

via OneRepublic

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/caroline-frost/ryan-tedder-onerepublic-interview-oh-my-my-kids_b_13105222.html

Dance: Tate McRae - Greedy

Choreography: Kelly Sweeney

via Kelly Sweeney

Cosplay is an Art: DRAGONCON 2023 Atlanta

via mineralblu 

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Gucci Ancora Fashion Show

Creative Director: Sabato de Sarno

via Gucci

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Shangela

Acting Appreciation

Recently, Texas enacted a law placing restrictions on public drag performances, reflecting an ongoing struggle in the state. Certain right-wing conservatives express discomfort, attributing their sexual insecurities to performers in elaborate makeup. The further one ventures into rural areas, the more apprehensive conservatives become about the perceived influence of drag on themselves and their children.

A few years back, I came across Out North Texas magazine, featuring drag queen Shangela as the cover star. For those unfamiliar, Shangela is a drag queen, reality TV personality, and actor hailing from Texas.

Born on November 22, 1981, in Lamar County, Texas, Chataize Darius Jeremy (DJ) Pierce grew up in a conservative environment. Nevertheless, DJ embraced drag during high school.

After high school, DJ pursued a degree in corporate communications at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Landing a job at TGI Fridays headquarters in Dallas, a Halloween party changed the course of DJ's life. Impersonating Michael Jackson she caught the attention of the CEO, leading to encouragement to move to Los Angeles and work at Pick Up Stix.

In 2009, Shangela Laquifa Wadley emerged as DJ's drag persona, choreographing a three-person drag act in L.A. Soon after, Shangela joined the cast for season two of RuPaul's Drag Race. Despite being the first queen eliminated, her popularity led to a return in the following season and guest appearances in season 4.

Shangela's talent extended beyond drag race, with appearances in TV series like Community, The Soup, 2 Broke Girls, Glee, and Bones. She also featured in HBO's reality TV series "We're Here," documenting drag queens recruiting small-town residents for one-night-only drag shows—a world Shangela intimately knows, hailing from rural Texas.

When asked if Shangela carries Texas Pride wherever she goes, she told Out North Texas, "Texas is home to me, no matter where I go throughout the world. My family roots are here in Paris... I think people have their stereotypes of Texas -- especially small towns: Southern, white, conservative. And they nailed it! But there is so much more, and I try to represent the warmth and hospitality and diversity of what Texas has."

Sources:

Wikipedia

Lopez, Rich. "Shangela Is Here with All Her Texas Pride." Out North Texas, 2022, pp. 36-38.

https://inmagazine.ca/2018/03/halleloo-evolution-shangela/

https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-drag-queen-shangela-were-here-hbo/

https://www.fastcompany.com/90493549/inside-the-hustle-and-grit-of-drag-superstar-shangelas-rise-to-hollywood