Pop Culture

Grammy Night Impresses All with Big Winners, Amazing Performances and Emotional Words from Ukrainian president

By Juliana DeAngelo

The 2022 Grammys Award took place on April 3rd and was hosted by award winning author, actor and television host, Trevor Noah, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Following 2021’s crowdless, COVID-cautious Grammy event, this year’s Grammys returned to more normalcy. The event definitely faced its fair share of COVID setbacks, such as having to be rescheduled from February to March due to the rise in Omicron and changing venues from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Some of the top artists in the industry, such as Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Lil Nas X, had outstanding performances in this year's Grammys.

The premiere of the Grammys, which is what they refer to as the pre-show, is known to typically be pretty boring. It usually consists of a run through of dozens of awards that aren’t presented on television, as well as some random performances. However, this year was surprisingly energetic and lively. This year's host, LeVar Burton, livened up the show by cracking some good jokes and being enthusiastic for the performers. It also consisted of some uplifting and dynamic speeches, one from TJ Obsorne about winning a Grammy Award after coming out as gay. Reporters say that the performances during the pre show would have fit right in with those of the main show because of how dynamic they were. One standout performance in the premiere was Jimmir Allen’s sentimental tribute to his late father in “Down Home”.

Although all Grammys are equal in value, each year the spotlight is on who will win the four biggest awards. These awards include Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist. This year artist Silk Sonic took home the Grammy for Song of the Year and Record of the Year for their hit single, “Leave the Door Open”. The young female pop star sensation, Olivia Rodrigo, took home the award for Best New Artist. The final award of the night was Album of the Year, which was won by Lenny Krabitz for his album “We Are.”

While most of the night consisted of awards being given out, the telecast was filled with outstanding performances from some of the best singers in the industry. Silk Sonic opened the show with their hit song, “777”. Olivia Rodrigo took over the stage with her sensational “Driver’s License” single that left the audience roaring with applause. Billie Eillish performed an extravagant version of her viral song “Happier Than Ever” alongside her brother which got the audience out of their seats. Some country stars took the stage over, such as Brandi Carlile with his performance singing “Right on Time”. Carrie Underwood got the audience loud with her hit “Ghost Story.”

A shocking moment during the night came when Ukranian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, took the stage to address the audience. He delivered an emotional speech emphasizing his hope for the future. As Ukraine continues to battle against Russian forces, this speech left the audience inspired. One line that really spoke volumes was when President Zelenskyy said “The war. What is the opposite of music?” He continued on to say “Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in the hospitals. Even to those who can’t hear them. But the music will break through anyway. We defend our freedom. To live. To live. To Sound. To tell our story.” This was a very, if not the most, pivotal and unforgettable moment of the night.

This year the Grammys had a memoriam delivered to remember all of the talented performers who were lost in the past year. This segment started with a moment of silence for Taylor Hawkin, who died on March 25th as the band’s song “My Hero” played. Shortly after the names of others who had recently passed away were presented on the mega screens.

The Grammy’s were memorable as always, with appearances from many well-known names. Once again, the Grammy’s never failed to deliver excitement, surprise, and thrill in the form of innovative fashion, music, and awards.

Simone Ashley of Bridgerton Deemed a Heroine for Women

By Abigail Oduro

Simone Ashley experienced a pleasant moment of disbelief when she first realized that the second season of “Bridgerton” had broken Netflix records clocking in 627.11 million hours viewed since its release. Fans had been raving about the outstanding lead performances by Ashley and Charithra Chandran as Kate and Edwina Sharma and the South Asian cultural elements peppered throughout the season’s eight episodes.

The new season is loosely based on Julia Quinn’s historical romance novels. It follows Kate Sharma, a bright, ambitious woman who only wants the best life for her half-sister Edwina. When the sisters encounter Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, performed by Johnathan Bailey, Kate’s cleverly crafted plan for her sister’s marriage begins to crumble as she begins to fall in love with the Viscount without her sister’s knowledge.

Simone Ashwini Pillai (27), commonly known as Simone Ashley, was born in Camberley, Surrey, England. According to Variety, her musical abilities included singing Italian opera and playing the piano. Simone loves musical theater as well. Simone was clearly someone Netflix was interested in, and she had a long relationship with the company. She is best recognized for her role as Olivia Hann in the British comedy-drama Sex Education on the Netflix streaming service.

Bridgerton, a Regency-era romance-themed Netflix television drama, attempts to break through racial barriers. In this semi-fictionalized world built under Shonda Rhimes, race does not exclude a person from belonging to a specific class—a source of contention for some who say the series is historically inaccurate. However, this type of representation brings more variety and insight to a genre that has long been dominated by white people. Race cannot be removed from critical narratives, screenplays, and storylines. “Bridgerton,” on the other hand, is not aiming for that. Instead, it offers people of various racial and cultural origins a society that is not fixated on whiteness. It allows performers to be a part of a film genre that has captivated the attention of millions of people.

Simone Ashley spoke about colorism and racism in Hollywood and how that affects her career. “I try to be as positive as I can day to day, and I’ve tried to channel that into how I approached the industry,” Simone said of colorism in the entertainment industry. “Yes, colorism is an ongoing issue. As is being typecast, being looked over because of the color of your skin, losing roles to girls that are more ‘relatable’ to target audiences and markets,” she continued to Veylex.

Celebrities such as Priyanka Chopra and Gabrielle Union have praised Simone Ashley for her “feminine power” and “proactiveness” surrounding social issues. Viewers adore Simone Ashley’s performance and character because of independence and ambition. Kate’s dark skin tone and outstanding beautiful features have been praised by several Indian women on Twitter. Some claim that prominent heroines in Indian films are frequently fair-skinned because Indian society views skin tones that are closer to white as a sign of beauty the more ethnically ambiguous you appear. Most people of Indian descent have a deeper complexion, similar to Kate’s.

Simone Ashley is an outspoken supporter of representation who isn't hesitant to share her own experiences in order to benefit others. Simone is unapologetically herself and isn’t afraid to show it.

Fans Bid Farewell to Gilbert Gottfried and Look Back on a Good Man's Purposeful Life

By Chandler Morris

On Tuesday, April 12, Gilbert Gottfried's death was announced by his family through Twitter. Gilbert Gottfried was a stand-up comedian, best known for performing unfiltered comedy. He unfortunately died in New York City from type 2 Myotonic Dystrophy, a specific heart condition that provokes improper heartbeats.

Gottfried was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 28, 1955, and began performing unfiltered stand-up comedy at the age of 15. His career progressed quickly, as opportunities to perform on late night shows became a reality.

Gottfried appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, The Cosby Show, and Saturday Night Live. Later, he was also invited to appear in reality television programs such as Celebrity Wife Swap and Celebrity Apprentice. Gottfried’s work in television increased his exposure, attracting the attention of film producers. Gottfried went on to star in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), Problem Child (1990), Problem Child 2 (1991), Look Who's Talking Too (1990), and The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990). He then extended his career by becoming a world-renowned voice actor. Gottfried even voiced in the infamous Disney classic, Aladdin, as the wise parrot.

Gottfried’s humor was often very “brash, shocking and frequently offensive.” Although among his family, he was described as a surprisingly sensitive and shy individual. Gottfried was not only an iconic comedian and voice-actor, but an amazing father, husband, and brother to his family members.

Gottfried’s humor almost always won over his audience, however, there were multiple occasions when his jokes were said to be “taken too far.” For example, directly following 9/11, Gottfried made jokes regarding the incident that caused him to make headlines.

In 2017, director Neil Berkeley acknowledged Gilbert Gottfried’s accomplishments by creating a documentary titled, Gilbert. In the documentary, they considered his performances parallel to “putting on a costume.” While Gottfried’s humor was honest, his jokes were never intended to be taken seriously. Oftentimes, his most offensive jokes were not only targeted at other individuals, but also at his own insecurities. Despite his fears and self-doubt, Gilbert Gottfried always managed to put on an unforgettable show.

Gilbert Gottfried was a loved man whose one goal in life was to make others laugh. His jokes, while at times insulting, managed to make a public presence. Overall, Gottfried was an impactful comedian who will always be remembered through his additions to television programs, films, and comedy.

Oscar Night was Memorable for Reasons Good and Bad

By Vianca Pham

The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are honors for superior film work determined by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). They are deemed to be the most commendable awards in the film world and are desired by virtually all in the film community. The Oscars first took place in May of 1929 and quickly became an annual tradition. 2022 held the 94th award ceremony which included many historic moments.

To start, “Venus and Serena Williams got the first words at this year’s Oscars. After a controversy earlier at the Critics Choice Awards, where the director Jane Campion celebrated, then diminished, then later apologized to the tennis titans, the Williams sisters were rightly positioned in the top spot in the ceremony. It gave them the early spotlight, unhindered by any jokes from the hosts or comments from any presenters. They simply got the chance to shine.”

While presenting the award for Best Documentary, Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s hairstyle (Will Smith’s wife). Rock said “Jada, I love you – I can’t wait for GI Jane 2.” This caused Pinkett-Smith to roll her eyes because she has publicly discussed her struggles with hair loss caused by alopecia. Smith noticed her irritation and decided to walk on stage and slap Rock in the face. When Smith sat down he shouted, “Keep my wife’s name out your f-cking mouth.”

A few minutes later, Smith won the Oscar for Best Actor for King Richard. He compared himself to his character in the film to address the bizarre event that just took place. “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” he said. “I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.”

Ariana DeBose, an Afro-Latina, was the first openly queer woman to win an Oscar. She received “best supporting actress.” Hans Zimmer, an amazing composer, won an award for “Dune,” for which he created a new instrument. Many others, such as Jessica Chastain and Jane Campion, received special awards recognizing their talent and effort as well.

Troy Kotsur made history by becoming the first deaf man to earn an Oscar for acting. Kotsur's path to success was a long journey. While growing up, he acted in deaf theaters that were very low-budget and did not provide many opportunities. His speech was very heartfelt and he shared a story about his experiences being deaf and how his father’s accident impacted him. “This is dedicated to the deaf community, the CODA community, and the disabled community,” he said in his speech. “This is our moment.”

Megan Thee Stallion also made history with a surprise appearance. Megan marked the first female rap performance at the Oscars and celebrated the milestone on Twitter, telling fans she’s “definitely in grind mode.”

Colorful Life of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee Highlighted in New Series

By Olivia Coish

Pamela Anderson, born on July 1, 1967, is a Canadian actress, model, activist, and author. Anderson’s career, like most stars, began with taking up any opportunity that presented itself. She starred in commercials, then modeled in the monthly men’s magazine, Playboy, for a total of five issues. In 1933, Anderson was offered a part in the television series, Baywatch, which became one of her most well known roles. Later on, Anderson appeared as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars and Dancing on Ice in 2013.

The rising star married drummer Tommy Lee, with whom she had two sons. She then married Robert James and Rick Salomon. In 2012, Pamela Anderson received devastating news when she was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, an infection that mainly affects the liver.

While Anderson’s many successes seemed nothing short than a life of bliss, she struggled with the public attention. Her toxic relationships and lavish lifestyle was publicized, creating a “party-girl” image. Anderson's personal life began monopolizing her professional life, including her finances. According to The Mirror, “first-class travel, sprawling properties decked with gold, lavish cars-have emptied out the bank balance as the flood of mega-money roles slowed to a trickle.” At one point, Anderson had an estimated tax debt of $493,000.

It wasn’t until 2021 did Pamela Anderson finally turn her life around. Through Instagram, she said goodbye to her millions of fans, then immediately shut down all of her social media platforms. Anderson essentially closed that chapter of her life, making her debut that much more significant. On March 7th, Anderson announced that she would be starring on Broadway, portraying the leading protagonist, Roxie Hart, in the show, Chicago. Anderson told the Associated Press, "From ‘Baywatch’ to Broadway. I am inspired by the unexpected.”

Anderson delivered a breathtaking performance on April 12th that was met with a standing ovation and an overwhelming, positive response from the press.

Opening night was a great way to kick off the eight-week run of the show, each performance bringing in a new wave of appraisal and conducive feedback.

It is clear that Anderson viewed this opportunity as a fresh start, after telling the press that, “‘This is the beginning of the rest of my career…”’ Anderson recognized her mistakes and the consequences of overlap between her personal and professional life, and therefore ensured she did everything possible for this role. She continued, “‘Performing Fosse, you don’t have time to get in your head. You can’t dance, sing, and think at the same time. There is a freedom, a unique joy in knowing it’s all about the work. Playing Roxie Hart is a sweet escape for me.”’

Pamela Anderson, at age 54, has and will always be an iconic figure in the entertainment world. This debut was proof to Anderson that pursuing that major change in her life was worth it, and that she has now developed a legacy for herself that will forever be appreciated and remembered.