Newsletter Tuesday, April 24, 2018

[LaineyGossip.com - Calling all smuthounds!] Tuesday, April 24, 2018 [Intro for April 24, 2018]( [Toronto ](Dear Gossips, The Warner Bros presentation at CinemaCon is scheduled for today. And I’m hoping that that’s why the Crazy Rich Asians trailer was released yesterday – because the studio is, presumably, beginning to build the hype around the movie in front of theatre owners ahead of its August release. That would explain why we’ve waited this long (so worth it) to see the preview. Not because the film isn’t ready. Oh it’s ready. And if you believe Roxane Gay (I always believe Roxane Gay), it’s not only ready, it’s GOOD and ready. Just went to the premiere of [#crazyrichasians](. It was absolutely incredible. And hilarious. It’s going to make a fortune. — roxane gay (@rgay) [April 24, 2018]( Crazy Rich Asians was created by Kevin Kwan. In 2016, when The Hollywood Reporter released its list of Hollywood’s 25 Most Powerful Authors, Kevin wasn’t part of it. The list included no authors of colour. And, at the time, I predicted – or, rather, [hoped]( - that when the next Power Author list came out, Kevin’s name would be on it. While that hasn’t happened yet, Kevin did make another list. Last week he was on the [TIME 100](, under the “icon” category. I’ve been thinking a lot about Kevin lately because I’m so excited about the movie but especially yesterday because three years ago, Kevin and I hung out at the Toronto Public Library’s North York Central branch when he was here promoting China Rich Girlfriend, the second book in the CRA series. Two hundred people had come to see Kevin, to support his work, and to celebrate his stories. It was the best way to spend a Monday night – with readers sharing experiences, all of us relating to each other through literature, surrounded by books and people who love them. This is what that neighbourhood should be known for. Unfortunately it’s now known for something else. North York Central Library is located on Yonge Street, pretty much where the van attack happened yesterday. My dad still takes out books from that library. We lived at 7 Bishop Avenue, apartment 1114, just a few blocks away, through my time in high school. That was my subway stop. That was where I learned to drive. That is still where I go for karaoke. So if you are reading this from other parts of the country or around the world who only became aware of North York yesterday, the way you met North York is not how you should know North York. Know it for the people who were lost, for the people who helped and comforted, and know it for the people who remain, those who returned this morning to put North York back together. Know it for the library that is the heart of the community, where people are brought together by the power of the story. Yours in gossip, Lainey [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 1:21 PM [Leo cleans up for CinemaCon]( [Leonardo DiCaprio and Quentin Tarantino attend the CinemaCon 2018 Gala Opening Night Event: Sony Pictures Highlights its 2018 Summer and Beyond Films at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, on April 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada](Leonardo DiCaprio was in Vegas yesterday with Quentin Tarantino at CinemaCon. When’s the last time you’ve seen him so put together? A while, right? Leo hasn’t worked in a while. Leo hasn’t been on a film set since summer 2015 and reshoots on The Revenant. But he’s about to start working again this summer in Quentin’s Once Upon A Time In LA which might explain why he’s leaned out and presentable. But there may be more to the story. Once Upon A Time In LA will star [Leo]( and Brad Pitt in a story supposedly about an actor living next door to Sharon Tate at the time of the Manson murders. The last time I posted about the project was [a month ago]( when Vulture noted that even though [Margot Robbie]( was reported to be in negotiations to star as Sharon Tate, she’d yet to be confirmed. And so far, there is still no confirmation that she’s committed. Margot was not in Vegas with Leo and QT yesterday. Nor was she mentioned at all in Deadline’s [very flattering]( coverage of [Quentin]( and Leo’s appearance as part of the Sony presentation. The Manson murders weren’t mentioned at all either. So…has the story changed? Has it changed because so many people, including [Sharon Tate’s sister, objected]( to the project and, in particular, to a director like QT, with that signature QT violent aesthetic, telling the story? To say nothing of Quentin’s personal controversies in association with Harvey Weinstein. None of that bothers Sony, obviously, since they made Once Upon A Time In LA part of their showcase… even though they haven’t actually started shooting. Please process that. Once Upon A Time In LA isn’t due until August 2019, over a year from now. They’re not even rolling on it yet. And already they’re in front of the theatre owners, WITH NOTHING TO SHOW THEM. I mean, it’s not the first time it’s happened but with this film specifically, given that there’s already been some stink around it, having Leo and QT there was purely for razzle dazzle and reassurance. Imagine those theatre owners, predominantly men, of course, right? And they’re seeing Leo and fast-talking Quentin up on stage and they’re popping boners from imagining all the testosterone and the bullets that will go flying on screen and now the studio can be all like, look, the theatre owners are excited about this movie, don’t worry everybody! We are totally OK to move ahead with the movie! Right. But is Margot still in? [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 7:40 PM [Smutty Social Media, April 24, 2018]( [Tiffany Haddish and Tina Lawson](Melanie Griffith’s children have maximum photo approval. [A post shared by MELANIE (@melanie_griffith57)]( on Apr 23, 2018 at 8:04pm PDT Have you read the [story of the fake heiress](, written by Vanity Fair staffer Rachel Deloache Williams? It’s unusual because it’s written in first person, telling Rachel’s account of her experience with “Anna,” a generous socialite. It’s WILD. And I’m already casting the movie – Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence come to mind. [A post shared by Vanity Fair (@vanityfair)]( on Apr 13, 2018 at 5:01pm PDT Tiffany Haddish is obviously still Beygency approved. [A post shared by Tina Knowles (@mstinalawson)]( on Apr 24, 2018 at 7:13am PDT OK guys, you know I’m obsessed with celebrity birthday wishes, but what about baby wishes? David Beckham posted a photo of himself and Prince William to congratulate Kate and William on their new baby. People are [calling it narcissistic](. If you are congratulating a family, maybe post a picture with the family? Or at least both parents. Honestly I’ve been side-eyeing him since Victoria’s birthday. Is David Beckham an Instagram asshole? [A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham)]( on Apr 23, 2018 at 11:18pm PDT [Cole Sprouse for Vogue]( - a coup for a CW star, [right](? I don’t watch Riverdale, but he’s dating his co-star, although from my understanding, they don’t ever quite confirm it (kind of like Rob and Kristen did for years). It’s a dicey game to play with a fandom but if it works, it can definitely lead to breakout status. [A post shared by Cole Sprouse (@colesprouse)]( on Apr 18, 2018 at 6:49pm PDT Production on the Stranger Things third season is underway, and I went back to read [Sarah’s review on season two](. I hope they solve the Eleven Problem this year, in that they need to do something with her. (Steve was also my favourite part of season two – maybe he can start an after-school care program so the kids aren’t constantly getting sucked into paranormal vortexes while telling their parents they are bike riding and having sleepovers.) [A post shared by Millie Bobby Brown (@milliebobbybrown)]( on Apr 24, 2018 at 6:24am PDT Justin Theroux and Jennifer Aniston both attended Billy Kimmel’s first birthday party – although [not at the same time](. Apparently, they purposely avoided one another. So let’s go back to when they split and their statement: “We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship.” Who avoids their cherished friend at a children’s birthday party? They need to find a new way to finesse these celebrity breakup statements. [A post shared by @justintheroux]( on Apr 22, 2018 at 1:10am PDT [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 5:32 PM [Chris Hemsworth: Demoted Chris]( [Chris Hemsworth arrives for the Premiere Of Disney And Marvel's 'Avengers: Infinity War' held on April 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California](For many of us, Chris Hemsworth hovers near the top of the Chris Rankings, but he has been (temporarily) demoted after his appearance at the Infinity War premiere. He wore what is a pretty standard look for him: Bland suit with an open-collar shirt unbuttoned one button too low, and a waistcoat. Both of these looks are well within the Greater Hemsworth’s style wheelhouse. He loves an open collar and a waistcoat, it’s just that he wore both of them. AT THE SAME TIME. An open collar unbuttoned one button too low, and a waistcoat buttoned all the way up. It’s not the greatest look, made worse by the boring suit. So Hemsworth is officially demoted to Third Best Chris. That means the current standings are: #1 Chris Pine (although I should demote him, on principle, [to spite Kathleen](), #2 Chris Evans (who did not show up at the premiere which means we were cheated out of Premiere Stache and I am INCONSOLABLE), #3 [Chris Hemsworth](, and #4 Chris Pratt (forever fourth best Chris). This concludes the Chris Rankings public service announcement. Lainey PS. Bonus Hemsworth commentary – Hemsworth is the tallest Chris, and usually the tallest period in most rooms. Except…when Winston Duke is around. I don’t think he’s used to it. [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 5:08 PM [ScarJost is red carpet official](� johansson-walks-avengers-infinity-war-red-carpet-with-colin-jost) first draft of this post was about Scarlett Johansson’s ever-growing back tattoo, and my defense, as someone who has tattoos, of what looks like a theme piece growing on her back. BUT THEN SHE PULLED OUT THE JOST. And the tattoos went in the electrical garbage can. Yes, that’s right, at the Infinity War premiere, ScarJo bonafided Colin Jost on the carpet. Look at him. Look at the look on his face. He knows. He knows he now must be recognized as Scarlett Johansson’s bonafide boyfriend. We can’t write him off as a hook-up or even refer to him by [the word]( his name inspired. [Colin Jost]( and Scarlett Johansson are dating. It’s real. I think her picker might be broken. He’s not even the most interesting guy on SNL! Like, if she wants to date a comedian, why not a good one? We should have known it was coming, after she [posed for photos]( with him inside an event last December. She’s been steadily upgrading Jost for months, and now they’re red carpet official (technically purple, I’m not blind, but there is only so much I can handle right now). This is like if Angelina Jolie started dating like…who’s a really bland, mediocre dude who thrives because he went to Harvard? I dunno, oatmeal? It would be like if Angelina Jolie announced she was dating a bowl of oatmeal. That’s what this is to me. [Scarlett Johansson]( is dating human oatmeal. [Click here for the rest of the photos.](� johansson-walks-avengers-infinity-war-red-carpet-with-colin-jost) Posted at 4:35 PM [Tom Hardy in Vegas for Venom]( [Michelle Williams, Tom Hardy, and Riz Ahmed attend the CinemaCon 2018 Gala Opening Night Event: Sony Pictures Highlights its 2018 Summer and Beyond Films at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners,on April 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada](While almost everyone (except Chris Evans) from the MCU was in LA last night for the Avengers: Infinity War premiere, Tom Hardy who is Marvel-ish but not MCU proper was in Vegas at CinemaCon for the Sony presentation and the release of the new Venom trailer, with Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed. I have no comic book background on what Venom is and why, beyond the fact that he’s a villain and may or may not be associated with Spider-Man. Seriously, I think I need an online crash course on all of these characters. Oh no, wait. That would be Sarah. It’s just that I was too afraid to text Sarah last night because she was [mad at me and Kathleen about Sebastian Stan](. But that’s not really a problem. Because at least some of the Venom audience should be coming into this cold, no homework. These are the people who need the trailers. That’s me. And now that I’ve seen this trailer, I understand why [Tom Hardy]( is in this movie. It’s not because of the superhero connection. It’s because this dude who eventually gets infected with some kind of evil slime develops a split personality. And that is 100% Tom Hardy’s lane. His mind is fighting itself. It’s light vs dark. It’s Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader. It’s Tom Hardy walking down the street, talking to himself… in whatever he thinks is a street American accent. This is Tom Hardy doing Tom Hardy. OK, I get it now. But I’m not sure I’m into it. Not because it doesn’t look good. It actually looks great. The effects are solid. And they’re selling it to us as a classic anti-hero story – “complex” and “badass” is how Sony is describing Venom – so, once again, Tom is perfectly cast. Also I love [Michelle Williams]( and I’m so down for Michelle Williams in a big budget big studio special effects story. My problem with Venom isn’t with the quality; my problem with Venom is that… It’s SCARY AS F-CK. That black slime sh-t is too real. At the end? When the slime slides all the way over his body and closes out over his face, like death manifested as latex, and hell becomes jagged teeth and the most sinister mouth I’ve ever seen…? I don’t think I can. I’m too weak for it. I can barely make it through Stranger Things, how the f-ck am I going to get through two hours of having to look at this monster? That said, I can happily spend two hours looking at [Riz Ahmed]( but I’m pretty sure that’s not the point of this movie. [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 3:53 PM [It’s Taika Time! with bonus Paul Rudd]( [Taika Waititi attends the Los Angeles Global Premiere for Marvel Studios Avengers: Infinity War on April 23, 2018 in Hollywood, California]([Taika Waititi](, as far as we know, is not directing another Marvel movie. He directed the third installment in Chris Hemsworth’s reign as Thor, and unless Hemsworth renegotiates, he’ll be done after Avengers 4 next year, so it’s not like there’s already another Thor movie in development for Waititi to jump into. For the time being, Waititi’s next project is one of his own development, Jojo Rabbit, which [sounds fittingly odd]( and like a thematic successor to his debut feature, Boy. Have you not investigated Waititi’s pre-Thor work? Disappointing. BUT NOT AS DISAPPOINTING AS KATHLEEN, WHO KEEPS [SNAKING MY SEBASTIAN STAN POSTS](. But Waititi is in the Marvel family now, so he was there, lighting up our lives and the Infinity War premiere, in a relatively low-key suit—not his night, so no need to dominate the carpet—hugging it out with [Paul Rudd](. Recently, Kathleen, who keeps stepping on my tail like I’m not going to notice, wrote about the [Paul Rudd Hotness Litmus Test](. For me, it’s not about whether or not Paul Rudd is hot, it’s that he has never and probably will never let us down. He’s reliably funny and dependably pleasant, and it’s always nice to see him. Kathleen, who is being the literal worst right now, writes about this like it’s a bad thing. But after we’ve seen several beloved celebrities fall down the sex pest well, it’s a relief to still have celebrities like Rudd, who are just fun and funny and doing nothing creepy. Does Paul Rudd have to be your fave? No. But he’s good to have around. Rudd, by the way, has actually de-aged approximately three years between the Civil War premiere two years ago and the Infinity War premiere last night. At this point, I don’t think he’s bathing in unicorn blood, I think he’s straight up sucking the marrow out of unicorn bones. Why isn’t he aging?! This is the research science should be doing. Paul Rudd + [@TaikaWaititi]( = true love [#InfinityWar]( [pic.twitter.com/72136qBbaa]( — Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) [April 24, 2018]( [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 3:28 PM [Sebastian + Letitia]( [Sebastian Stan attends the premiere of Disney and Marvel's 'Avengers: Infinity War' on April 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California](Sarah is mad at me. If you’ve been reading this site, you know that Sarah screams I SAW HIM FIRST at Lainey and me whenever we mention Sebastian Stan. She’s right. ([She should scream it at Gwyneth Paltrow too](.) When Sebastian was still just [Bucky with the bad hair]( who no one looked twice, Sarah was looking. She was an OG stan of Sebastian Stan. She is now the leader of the Sebastian Stans, if you will. She now gets very angry if anyone else writes about her man. So, when Lainey assigned this post to me last night, my literal response was, “I’m scared of Sarah.” Then, not 10 minutes after I sat down to start writing and I could hear Sarah’s voice in my head, she already started all caps yelling at me. [@KathleenNB]( PREEMPTIVE GET OFF MY TRAIN — Sarah (@Cinesnark) [April 24, 2018]( Out of respect to Sarah, I have devoted way too many words establishing that SHE SAW HIM FIRST. OK. It’s established. You happy, Sarah? Moving on, I am all aboard the [Sebastian Stan]( train and my ticket is non-refundable. I’ve been re-watching all the Avengers and the Captain Americas in preparation for Infinity War and that task has led me down a hole of watching all of Sebastian Stan’s press junket interviews. For the junket, he was paired with Anthony Mackie and Winston Duke. Mackie brought the comedy while Sebastian and Winston provided the snacks. Good lord, these men are handsome. One of [my favourite of their interviews]( included Anthony Mackie talking about Sebastian Stan’s popularity after his Black Panther cameo. “Sebastian’s urban numbers have gone through the roof.” I did a spit take with laughter at that line. I hadn’t considered that Black Panther may be the reason for my newfound devotion to the Sebastian Standom but of course it is. If Bucky is good enough for Wakanda, he is good enough to be the object of my thirst. Without question. Sebastian was also paired with [Letitia Wright]( for some of his Infinity War press which makes perfect sense because we know that Bucky and Shuri spend time together in Wakanda and form a bond. Turns out, that bond extended into real life. If you want to know what pure joy feels like, please watch Letitia and Sebastian re-enact that time she taught him how to Milly Rock. I’m not the only one squealing. Come on! There’s an 11-year age gap between them (she’s 24, he’s 35) but I don’t care. If you want further proof of their chemistry, here they are talking about how well they know each other/ how much Sebastian doesn’t want to ever get on Letitia’s bad side. Didn’t I tell you that Letitia was the [MVP of this press tour](? She’s making her co-stars look better in every interview, dancing to Kendrick [in between shoots]( and absolutely shutting down the red carpet. .[@letitiawright]( always makes our (and the fans’!) day. [#InfinityWar]( [pic.twitter.com/jrwbtGrCO0]( — Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) [April 24, 2018]( Lainey and I basically just texted “SLAY” back and forth to each other about this outfit. I’m obsessed. If you find any photos from last night’s premiere of Sebastian and Letitia together, please send them to me because I would love to see Letitia’s glorious suit that looks like it’s straight outta Janelle Monae’s closet beside this tall drink of MY GOD. Sebastian Stan hits the carpet! [#InfinityWar]( [pic.twitter.com/r3pA1MuH5W]( — Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) [April 24, 2018]( I don’t think my Sebastian Stan problem is going away any time soon. Sarah’s yelling at me again. I can feel it. [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 2:48 PM [The Godfather & Pepperony]( [Robert Downey Jr. attends the Los Angeles Global Premiere for Marvel Studios Avengers: Infinity War on April 23, 2018 in Hollywood, California](Technically the Avengers Godfather, Robert Downey Jr, is part of Pepperony because he’s Tony Stark and Tony loves Pepper but I really wanted to get both those words in the title so…sorry. I’m a Pepperony person but I’m not sure anyone stans harder for Pepperony than RDJ himself. G and RDJ are close. They showed us how close on Instagram last night. Both Gwyneth and RDJ were on IG live last night. “guys this is my fake husband who I love more than anyone” - Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr at the [#infinitywar]( premiere [pic.twitter.com/Tr7DANfXn5]( — bee (@generalantiope) [April 24, 2018]( As you can see in the photos, as the Godfather of the Avengers, [RDJ]( was on the mic at the premiere. So when he says in that video (after they kiss and she calls him her “fake husband” that she loves “more than anyone”) that “I will have comments about you”, it could mean that, as he reflects back on the last decade of the MCU, which he kicked off, and as he nears the end of his run as Iron Man, G is a big part of those memories. So OF COURSE she’s getting a shout-out from the Godfather. Of course she is. Gwyneth exists to make you crazy, never forget that. And it’s been a good run for her lately, as she says here, also on IG live: OMG! Gwyneth Paltrow not realising she was still live and giving away that she is getting married THIS year 😂 [#InfinityWar]( [pic.twitter.com/a5SdC2twga]( — Mónica. (@Moni7_) [April 24, 2018]( This wedding though. Right? It [shows up everywhere](. As I mentioned [last week]( I can’t shake my smutty senses about G. It’s a gossip instinct. Like… there’s something ELSE going on with her. Something gossipy but not necessarily scandalous. Do you feel it too? By the way, existing under the protection of the Godfather means that [Gwyneth]( doesn’t have to be a student of the MCU the way everyone else does. At one point last night, before the cast members took the stage at the premiere, she asked Chris Pratt who RDJ [was talking to](. Pratt told her it was Sebastian Stan. G was like… who? At which point Pratt had to explain to her that Sebastian plays Bucky Barnes in the Winter Soldier. Which means G hasn’t seen it. Which means G has probably only seen the Iron Mans. I wouldn’t be surprised if she hasn’t seen Spider-Man: Homecoming… and she was in it. As for RDJ, he was the last to arrive last night because he’s the Godfather. And he did his RDJ thing, charming the fans and the media with all that charisma and swagger, and they screamed for him, they chanted his name, and while I was watching this go down on Twitter, I wondered what I would have thought if you’d told me this 11 years ago – that RDJ would be what RDJ is now and that we wouldn’t give a sh-t anymore about Johnny Depp. Who will it be 10 years from now? [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 2:10 PM [T’Challa power naps]( [Chadwick Boseman attends the Los Angeles Global Premiere for Marvel Studios Avengers: Infinity War on April 23, 2018 in Hollywood, California](Chadwick Boseman rolled up to the Infinity War premiere as the reigning Marvel champ. Not only is Black Panther one of the [biggest movies]( in history, but it’s also a landmark in so many ways, the most recent of which is being the film to [end the 35 year cinema ban]( in Saudi Arabia. RDJ is the godfather of the MCU, and Chadwick Boseman is its future. Not only because his character, T’Challa, is poised to inherit the Avengers after Tony Stark and Steve Rogers f*ck off into the sunset, but because Boseman has the poise and the charisma to captain the team whenever RDJ finally retires. He isn’t as boisterous as RDJ—who is?—but Boseman certainly has the magnetism to be the focal point of the universe. Just look at him in his color-block suit. RDJ’s tenure as leader of the Avengers has been marked by his, er, funky sense of style. Boseman’s tenure will be fashion-forward but, you know, in a good way. If, that is, he can stay awake. I’m pretty sure he fell asleep during the press conference over the weekend. Check out this video at the 7:43 mark: Hard to blame the guy. That’s an edited, partial cut of the presser and it’s almost twenty minutes long, during which time one question goes to [Boseman](, so you can hardly fault him for checking out. And you’re lying if you say you’ve never nodded off at work. It’s just that for most of us, “work” does not involve sitting in front of hundreds of cameras and recording devices, so no one sees our impromptu siestas (hopefully). This is, surely, the sign of a born leader, the ability to power nap anywhere, any time. All hail King T’Challa, but like, quietly, he’s catching some zzzs. [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 1:44 PM [Privacy Policy]( - [Unsubscribe](