Is TomKat Healthy?

Ever since early in Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ relationship, the public has questioned the relationship’s health. At first, Katie was extremely happy to be with Tom, saying she had always dreamed of marrying him and she had his posters all over her walls growing up. But soon after this heavenly stage, Tom reportedly became the dominant figure in the relationship. It seems as though the majority of the general public agrees they should not be together.

It all started when Katie got pregnant. Tom is not Christian, he is Scientologist and wanted Katie to convert for him. Scientologists have a special way of giving birth with several rules, including ones against making any noise while giving birth and not seeing the baby immediately after it’s born. This was troubling for her and her entire family, although she finally agreed to do so. Next Katie and Tom decided to get married. Tom, however, had strong feelings on how Katie should look at the wedding and got very involved in her workout regime. He made sure there were babysitters for the kids and attended many of Katie’s workouts. Really?

Since the wedding there have been several reports of Katie feeling the stress of Tom’s pressure. She’s been seen out shopping an insane amount of times. She has slimmed down quite a bit, and as of late, not been seen publicly with either Tom or baby Suri. Recent photographs show her not looking happy, and like a “grandma.”  Katie appeared on “Live with Regis and Kelly” and watchers say she looked much older and unlike the cute girl who married Tom.

Katie has even given up jobs for Tom. He is uncomfortable with her doing romance or sex scenes with another man, so she gave up her role in Batman, and some other films. Katie may even have declined receiving an Oscar because Tom wanted her to. Katie chose a part in a film which was to be filmed in Shreveport, LA so she could “break free” from her controlling husband. Instead, Tom decided to go with her and baby Suri to Louisiana to watch over the filming and “interfere with the nude scene that Katie has with a younger co-star.”

It’s hard to believe that this relationship is healthy. Perhaps Katie should stand up for the way she feels, although Tom probably wouldn’t let her do that. Changing your religion for someone is one thing, but slowing one’s career and determining what they can and cannot do is another story completely. Obviously Katie did not plan on being a stay at home mom for the rest of her life, and she didn’t plan on downgrading movie roles either. And shouldn’t one’s husband love you no matter what your body looks like? Maybe Katie is truly happy right now, no magazines or other people serve to say that, however it’s quite apparent that she has changed drastically from her former self.

Should you change yourself so much for a relationship? For someone else?

 

Richie Rehab

Nicole Richie went to rehab, again. This time, for a painkiller addiction and an eating disorder.  Richie’s rep denies that she went to rehab, however. At 83 pounds, Richie reportedly checked into Beau Monde clinic in Corona Del Mar, California in tears saying she had “lost control of her life.” Staff members at Beau Monde were so worried about Richie that they would not let her go “cold turkey” in fear of her body going into shock because of its extreme dependency on drugs. Instead, they gave her medication to help her wean off of the drugs.  After less than 72 hours in rehab, Richie checked out switching to an outpatient program because she wanted to go shopping, even though Beau Monde staff begged her to stay. They claim “Nicole is in complete denial and oblivious to how sick she really is.”

The media seems more concerned with her weight than her substance abuse issues, but the two problems seem to go hand in hand in Richie’s case. The drugs are causing her weight loss, according to Richie who is offended when people say she has an eating disorder, “That really bothers me because there are people who truly have eating disorders and it is a serious disease. To put that title on someone when it is not true is disrespectful. I’ve repeatedly said, ‘No, I don’t have an eating disorder,’ and it has fallen on deaf ears.” Also, a spokesperson for Richie stated, “It is important to Nicole that she achieves this goal in a healthy way as this is not a treatment for an eating disorder.”

On the Oprah Winfrey Show, Richie admits, “I was like a trash can—I took everything.“  Although Richie has not said much about the reported rehab visit, she is not afraid to talk about her problems. She also admitted, talking about heroin, “I can remember the first time I tried it as a teenager – there was a lot of vomiting. But your body becomes physically dependent on it right away.” “SHOPPING TRUMPS REHAB FOR NICOLE RICHIE,” “NICOLE RICHIE NOT IN REHAB,” “NICOLE RICHIE’S REHAB REVELATION,” and  “NICOLE RICHIE REPORTEDLY IN REHAB” are just a few of the headlines popping up about Richie. For the most part, the public believes she did go to rehab and check out to go shopping even though her rep was quoted as saying to E! News, “Yes, she did go see her therapist, but she is sober. Sobriety is an ongoing process. She is not in rehab, and is home in Glendale.”

In the many photographs of Richie that have surfaced she looks extremely thin and seems to hide behind her huge sunglasses. She has been portrayed negatively in most of the mainstream media as of late- no one seems to have much faith her in her rehab attempts, which makes sense in that she’s gone before but since gotten multiple DUIs and been found with heroin.  The rumors about Richie going to rehab have of course created a field day for bloggers. Blog headlines went along these lines: “Nicole Richie Not in Rehab, but Might Have Been?” “Nicole Richie Rehab Rumors!” “Want proof Nicole’s NOT in rehab? Here it is!” and “Nicole Richie Apparently Not in Rehab, Just Hiding in Glendale.” Those are just some of the more popular blogs. Our country is obsessed with gossip! Anyway, the general attitude of bloggers is more negative than positive. Of course there are the few blogs that are actually blogs ABOUT Nicole Richie, such as Richiefan.com, in which the blogger tries hard to portray Richie in a positive light finding all the information possible saying she is not in rehab. The photographs posted in blogs are of a very thin, unhealthy-looking Richie as well, focusing on her weight.The coverage of Richie’s visit to rehab in mainstream media and in blogs are very similar. Pictures, quotes, and the general belief that Richie DID attend rehab all match up, with the exception of opinions. Bloggers are not afraid to put how they feel about the incident on their sites, which is the point of blogging. And most of the blogs are quite negative. For example, Allison at Celebrific.com says at the end of her post, “That’s pretty funny.  I mean we haven’t seen Nicole out & about recently & we automatically assume the girl’s in rehab.  Now, that’s what I call a bad reputation.” What a rough time for Nicole Richie! Although I support drug abuse in no manner, shape, or form, Richie did claim to have started doing drugs because of her parents divorce “trying to mask hurt, abandonment. I had no idea I was feeling this way,” so I do feel somewhat bad for her. She was wise about the matter though, and kept her mouth shut about going to rehab. Her rep definitely should have said “No comment” when asked about Richie’s rehab visit, or just admitted to it because we can all see rehab would be beneficial for Richie. As her rep I would have made it look much more positive, saying that Richie put herself in rehab (which she admitted to also), and that it is not because of an eating disorder.

LiLo- What’s next?

As we all know, Lindsay Lohan a.k.a. LiLo, has been in the public eye since she was a little girl. Perhaps this has gone to her head? I remember the day very well when I went to see Lindsay in The Parent Trap on my 11th birthday! Lindsay is only a year older than I am, along with thousands of other girls my age who have grown up with her and feel like they should identify with her. But how can they do that, or do that positively at least, if Lindsay is always crowning the tabloids with stories of drugs, car wrecks, missing underwear, and hospital visits?

This month Lindsay has been on two magazine covers- New York Magazine and Paper Magazine. The New York Magazine photoshoot was very controversial because it was meant to mimic a shoot Bert Stern did with Marylin Monroe, and Lindsay was completely nude. Lindsay said it wasn’t a chance to miss though- “I didn’t have to put much thought into it. I mean, Bert Stern? Doing a Marilyn shoot? When is that ever going to come up? It’s really an honor.” During the shoot Lindsay had a sit-down talk with Stern, she says it was sad how Marylin Monroe and Heath Ledger died of overdoses, and admits to how easily it can happen in her industry. Lindsay attributes her substance abuse problems to her non-stop work schedule and bad relationship with her father.

Lindsay opens up during her shoot with Paper Magazine. Now, after a third stint in re-hab, Lindsay has given alot of thought to her future. She wants to find a “good script, a great role”and is open to reconciliation with her father. Lindsay Lohan is an extremely talented young actress, and it’s about time she let us appreciate her for that, not for being in the hospital from drug abuse or a car wreck.

Strike Consequences

Finally the writer’s strike is over, however we have yet to see the end of its wake. Out of support and respect for the writers who went on strike, several organizations have canceled their events. Vanity Fair canceled their Oscar party, the biggest Oscar party. According to Defamer.com, this was Vanity Fair’s press anouncement:
“After much consideration, and in support of the writers and everyone else affected by this strike, we have decided that this is not the appropriate year to hold our annual Oscar party. We want to congratulate all of this year’s nominees and we look forward to hosting our 15th Oscar party next year.”

Peoplemagazine also canceled their Oscar party, along with Rick Yorn’s partythat young hollywood loves, and Endeavour’s Patrick Whitesell’s party. 

It’s not completely clear how these events are in respect to the strikers, but perhaps it has something to do with not rewarding all the people who made the writers’ income so low. I actually think it’s a bold statement and quite a smart one! Not to worry, though, because other Oscar parties have been put into place. The main one, quite possibly, is hosted by Madonna, Guy Oseary, and Demi Moore. However only a few hundred people have been invited and there will be about 3,300 people attending the Oscars who are used to being able to party-hop between multiple gigantic parties!

Jamie Lynn Spears is 16.

Jamie Lynn Spears is about halfway through her pregnancy. And 16 years old. Seriously? This is thought is hard to process, even though there are thousands of 16-year -getting pregnant across the country. Jamie Lynn is famous though. On some Web sites there are fans saying, “What’s the big deal? This happens all the time, and just because she’s famous doesn’t make her any different.” Well wouldn’t we like to think that way? The truth of the matter, however, is that we just can’t. She is famous, has a TV show on Disney called Zoey 101, and is a role model to a huge number of children. Perhaps someone who knows she’s in the public eye should take extra care not to become pregnant.

Is her pregnancy even legal? According to MTV.com, it depends on where the baby was conceived, and of course how old Jamie Lynn’s boyfriend, Casey Aldridge, is. Aldridge could be convicted of rape, statutory rape, or unlawful sexual penetration- which ever it’s called in the state of conception. I have not found any certain birthdates for Aldridge, but have found that it’s somewhere between 17 and 19. If the baby was conceived in Louisiana, Jamie Lynn’s homestate, then there is no problem. However if it was conceived in LA, where Zoey101 is taped, and if Aldridge is 18, it could be classified as illegal. As is the case if it was conceived in Aldridge’s homestate of Mississippi. If the Spears family presses charges, Aldridge could be facing thousands of dollars in fines and 5 to 10 years in jail! Meaning he wouldn’t even see the birth of his baby.

Although it’s hard to keep our eyes off of and ignore Jamie Lynn’s pregnancy, perhaps it’s for the best. I feel so bad for her that I don’t even want to look at the headlines anymore- how embaressing.  Access Hollywood agrees with me here. Access says it’s “stalking a minor” and that the papparazzi is horrible for Jamie Lynn. She must be going through a tremendously hard time dealing with this, as must her family. MTV..com says they are trying to be supportive, which cannot be easy when the tabliods are ripping apart your 16 year old daughter or sister and spreading rumors which are aren’t sure are true.

Access Hollywood also says Jamie Lynn is in her hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana where she plans to raise her baby so that he or she has a normal life.

No more picketing?

Could today be the last day of picketing? Writers across the nation went on strike about three months ago because were not given enough compensation for “new media”- contect distributed through the internet, DVD residuals, and they wanted union jurisdiction over animation and reality programming. Writers have been picketing ever since, meaning many of the television shows we regularly watch have been cancelled or have only been airing reruns. And television reruns are getting old! Not only has television been messed up, but some movies have been cancelled mid-shooting. According to Hollywoodinsider.com, the writer’s strike has costed over $1 billion to the Los Angeles economy and thousands of jobs. The Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) believes that there will be a membership vote on the latest draft proposal and is very hopeful.

What has helped is “softening” on both the parts of the studios and writers. CBSnew.com states that writers have agreed to give up “demanding jusidiction over reality shows and animation.” The studios “gave in on new media, doubling the fee when movies and shows are bought online.” Also, the upcoming Academy Awards and Tv pilot season are two motivating reasons for writers and directors to come to a compromise so if this contract goes through writers may get to work within two weeks!