Newsletter Thursday, August 03, 2017

[LaineyGossip.com - Calling all smuthounds!] Thursday, August 03, 2017 [Intro for August 3, 2017]( Dear Gossips, Taylor Swift has maintained a very low profile all year. She’ll be in court on Monday in Denver though as court proceedings begin in the civil case she brought against a former DJ who sued her first, alleging that she interfered with his career after she complained to his management that he touched her inappropriately during a meet and greet. The judge presiding over the case recently sanctioned the DJ, David Mueller, for destroying key evidence. The Daily Beast [posted a summary of the case]( last night and noted that the court has already warned Taylor’s fans who are planning to attend the trial that they will not be allowed to wear Taylor t-shirts or make signs. [TMZ reported]( yesterday that there is such high demand to attend the trial that they’ll be starting lineups at 6am and there are only 32 seats available inside the courtroom although another 75 seats will be made available in a viewing area. A few months ago, TMZ posted the photo that was taken at the time of the incident showing Taylor, David Mueller, and his then-girlfriend standing in front of the meet and greet wall. Taylor is clearly leaning away from the DJ, edging closer to the other woman. And you can see the DJ’s hand right around her ass area for no apparent reason. His defence is that that was just where his hand ended up and that since you can’t see her skirt lifted up, it means he didn’t touch her, even though her bodyguard says he saw it happen. As the Daily Beast notes, this will likely be a she said-he said situation. And now I’m dreading the questions that might come up in court specifically related to what she will say. If you were so uncomfortable in that moment, Taylor, if you felt so violated, why are you smiling in the picture? I can’t see any distress on your face. Are you sure you were in distress? Distressed women should only look a certain way. There is only one prescribed way for a woman to react when she has been disrespected. David Mueller claims that there is no way he would have done something so brazen while surrounded by a village of Taylor’s people, including security and other handlers. "The contention that Mr. Mueller lifted up Ms. Swift's skirt and grabbed her bottom, while standing with his girlfriend, in front of Ms. Swift's photographer and Ms. Swift's highly trained security personnel, during a company sponsored, VIP, backstage meet-and-greet, is nonsense, particularly given that Ms. Swift's skirt is in place and is not being lifted by Mr. Mueller's hand in the photograph," [said the lawsuit](. He does, however, acknowledge that he was told that someone did grope her. It just wasn’t him. So… you wouldn’t have done it, not because it’s a gross thing to do, but because there were people around and… someone DID actually do it, but you weren’t there? I know that Taylor Swift isn’t popular in some parts. In many ways, she can’t be defended. But in this situation, given the information that’s been made available, I can’t find a reason to sh-t on her. “She’s just making it up for attention” is never a position I’m willing to take. Yours in gossip, Lainey [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 1:54 PM [Zazie Beetz on a bike]( [Zazie Beetz on the set of Deadpool 2 with Ryan Reynolds in Burnaby, BC, August 3, 2017]( I love saying [Zazie Beetz](’s name. What a great name. I only know Zazie Beetz from Atlanta and I should say I’m obsessed with her on Atlanta. She plays Van, Donald Glover’s on-off girlfriend and mother of their child. I mean, the entire cast is terrific. But there was an episode devoted to just Van’s night out with her girlfriend that really, really showcased her talent. The way she played and balanced her frustration – at her job, her friend, her relationship – without seeming like that frustration defines her is an underrated skill. Since Donald is too busy being awesome being Lando Calrissian and wanted by everyone in Hollywood, it’s unclear when we’ll see Zazie as Van again. That said, here she is as Domino on the set of Deadpool 2 looking badass on a bike. Did you like Deadpool? I did. That said, I also agree with Sarah when she says that Deadpool doesn’t hold up. As much as I enjoyed watching it, I don’t want to watch it again. And the few parts I have seen again, because I’m changing channels or someone else is watching it, don’t make me want to stop and stay. So my enthusiasm for Deadpool 2 was… medium? Was. It’s climbing to medium-high now though with these shots of Zazie. Zazie is going to be my draw. [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 7:35 PM [Smutty Social Media, August 3, 2017]( [Selena Gomez covers InStyle ]( [Justin Bieber]( is talking about his reasons for cutting his Purpose World Tour short. As Lainey has said before, Justin [may not necessarily be built for touring](. That’s not saying he can’t perform live, but touring is a different beast. I recently rewatched Britney and Kevin: Chaotic for a story I’m writing, and Britney had trouble during the Onyx Hotel Tour. She was lonely and isolated, which created a neediness vacuum that KFed filled simply by being available to her. Justin has a lot of blank spaces in his life too – especially as it pertains to his parents. And now he’s attached to “rock star” pastor Carl Lentz. But Carl isn’t the only one Justin hangs with – he is also tight with Judah Smith (Russell Wilson’s pastor), Zoe Church’s Chad Veach and Rich Wilkerson Jr. (who married Kanye and Kim). Can I nickname this entourage The Apostles or is that blasphemy? I went to catechism for 7 years but didn’t retain much. [A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber)]( on Aug 2, 2017 at 4:52pm PDT [Selena]( covers InStyle’s September issue, while [The Weeknd]( is doing Harper’s BAZAAR. Fashion face off! [Introducing our 2017 #BAZAARicons @TheWeeknd, @AdrianaLima, @IrinaShayk grace our September cover, styled by @CarineRoitfeld. Tap the link in our bio to see all the fashion + music talent that collide for #iconsunplugged. Photography by @brigittelacombe Creative direction by @thestylecouncilparis @verawanggang @cartier @ysl]( A post shared by Harper's BAZAAR (@harpersbazaarus) on Aug 3, 2017 at 5:25am PDT [@SelenaGomez wears @Coach on the cover of our September issue! In her 25 years, she’s experienced more than most. Now she’s grown up, in love, and at the top of her game. Read her interview with @LauraBrown99 at the link in our bio. | Photograph by @PhilPoynter]( A post shared by instylemagazine (@instylemagazine) on Aug 3, 2017 at 4:29am PDT Have you watched Ozark yet? I’m really enjoying it. Yes, it’s similar to Breaking Bad, but different because Ozark isn’t centered on secrets. [Laura Linney]( is not relegated to the “clueless wife” role. How could she be? She’s Laura Linney! Julia Garner, who plays Ruth, is getting stronger with each episode. She could be the Jesse Pinkman of this series. [Amazing director, star of the show and friend/mentor Jason Bateman. Thank you for letting me be Ruth. @ozark streaming in 190 countries. He is brilliant. 🌹#jasonbateman#ozark]( A post shared by Julia Garner 🐰 (@juliagarner94) on Jul 21, 2017 at 1:24pm PDT [Thank you @flauntmagazine shot by @eddie_chacon_ 🐆stylist @sissysaintemarie hair @kyleeheathhair MUA @nathanhejl manicurist @_camilleblack_]( A post shared by Julia Garner 🐰 (@juliagarner94) on Aug 2, 2017 at 5:18pm PDT First off, it’s August so a Dirty Dancing viewing is a must. Second, the Jennifer clothing line is kind of cool, right? I think I want a hoodie. [Nobody puts bobby in the corner @bobbyhundreds @jenniferusa #jenniferusa #merch4me]( A post shared by Jennifer Grey (@jennifer_grey) on Aug 2, 2017 at 5:40pm PDT Kaley Cuoco is a skilled equestrian and devoted horse owner – in the spring, she rescued a dwarf mini horse called Shmooshy, which is exactly the right name for her. I’ll be off for a week because I’m going to a ranch with my family, where there will be horseback riding and pony rides. When I told our site manager Emily that I have never ridden a horse she was surprised – is this surprising? I’ve fed a horse a carrot, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten. Have I been missing out – is everyone running off to stables every weekend to saddle up? I’m so pedestrian. [As you can tell from this photo, I truly can't decide who I am more in love with. @mrtankcook or this precious 🐫 ! #Oz ❤️]( A post shared by @normancook on Aug 1, 2017 at 4:56am PDT [Hi! my name is Shmooshy! I'm a dwarf mini who's been rescued and living @mylittlepeepers foundation 🎀 a few days ago this crazy girl @normancook walked in with my same hairstyle, and we became instant soul mates . She adopted me and now Iam heading to LA to start my new life! Wahooo!!!!! Oh they call me Shmoosh cause my nose is all shmooshed 🦄]( A post shared by Life With Shmooshy (@lifewithshmooshy) on May 22, 2017 at 11:07am PDT [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 7:08 PM [Halle Berry with a topknot]( [Halle Berry arrives to ABC's 'Good Morning America' in Times Square on August 3, 2017 in New York City]( Have you ever seen [Halle Berry]( wearing her hair in a topknot? Like a true topknot, all hair scraped back, no fringe, no nothing. Have you? I can’t remember ever seeing her in a topknot. It’s so rare that, in thumbnail form, at first I thought these shots were of JLO. This is Halle Berry though, not JLO, doing press for Kidnap in New York this morning, looking So.F-cking.Good ….in a topknot! Right? It’s slightly not high enough on the head for my taste – I’d push it an inch forward – but still. Still. Her face. That face. Last night Halle was not in a topknot on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. They played the Box of Lies game. She’s good at it. But what I like most is her laugh. Halle has a very, very cute laugh. As for Kidnap, it’s currently rated [44% on Rotten Tomatoes]( which is 38% better than The Emoji Movie which has actually improved from its initial rating of 1% last week. So… not horrid? But also, not great. That said, it’s a classic August movie, before August became a hope for Hollywood. A B movie that never pretended to be more. So, most likely, it won’t go anywhere, [but as I said last week]( it might just be a starter for what Halle’s got coming up in the fall with Kingsman 2 and Kings. Oh hey. I just realised how similar the names of those movies are. [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 5:23 PM [Ben Affleck tries to produce]( [Ben Affleck out in Santa Monica with daughter Violet, August 2, 2017]( [Ben Affleck]( and Lindsay Shookus were seen at his office yesterday morning. The night before they’d been to a comedy club and out for dinner and, as I wrote yesterday, the outing [was badly produced](. After spending some time at his office, Ben was then photographed taking daughter Violet to a movie. This time he did a much better job producing because at least he was wearing a clean sweater and gave up some nice smiling shots while holding Violet’s hand. Most of the shots we’ve seen of Ben lately have been with Lindsay, either in Hollywood on date nights, or in New York, outside their hotel after weekend sleepovers, or in a liquor store in Maine. Like I’ve been saying, it’s not a good look. Especially not when your ex-wife can reliably be counted on to be at church on Sundays and at the farmer’s market with your kids and strolling down the street on a sunny day [WITH YOUR MOTHER]( as they share private laughs and put their arms around each other. Maybe the best way Ben can produce himself is to ask [Jennifer Garner]( to produce him? Oh wait. She did for 10 years. And in that time he became a father, a director, a repeat Oscar winner, and Batman. [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 4:21 PM [A-Rod owns his sh-t?]( [Alex Rodriguez covers The Hollywood Reporter]( [Alex Rodriguez]( is on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter. Let me say that again. Alex Rodriguez, [Jennifer Lopez](’s boyfriend, is on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter. He’s on TV a lot now, not only as a sports broadcaster and a guest shark on Shark Tank but he’s also doing a pilot for CNBC. There are a lot of people who do a lot of TV, like A-Rod’s doing now that his baseball playing days are over. Not all of them, not even close, get their own cover on The Hollywood Reporter. This is why I’m qualifying his title, as Jennifer Lopez’s boyfriend, because that’s exactly why he’s enjoyed such a high profile the last six months. The title of THR’s piece, however, is [The Redemption of A-Rod Will Be Televised](. We are watching him making himself over. And he says the key to doing that is “you have to own your sh-t”. Does he though? There’s a lot of A-Rod positioning in this article. And, to be fair, he does a good job of rebranding himself, hitting his key messages effectively so that the takeaway here is that he’s a hard worker, he’s always prepared, he’s recommitted himself to this next phase of his life, and that he’s earned another chance. After cheating the game that he claims to have loved so much, he's done his time (benched for a year) and he wants you to believe he’s not an asshole anymore. Like I said, it’s a good story. And he’s telling it well. But it’s more of a pivot than it is an ownership of one’s sh-t. The fact that he’s talking to The Hollywood Reporter and, say, not Sports Illustrated kind of ensures that. Of course his job is in front of the camera now, on set or in a studio, and not on the field. So putting THR on his press tour certainly makes sense. It’s also where you go when you’re a celebrity as opposed to an athlete. And A-Rod, even during his time as a professional athlete, has always behaved like a celebrity. I’m special. I’m entitled. I can get away with it. Even when I can’t. I’ll rely on my star power to help me across that bridge. Still, like I said, if the point was to sell himself in The Hollywood Reporter as an engaged businessman focused on his post-MLB projects with a solid work ethic reintroducing himself as a kinder, gentler, humbled version of persona, A-Rod hit a solid double here, maybe even a triple. Fame is clearly a game he can play. Part of the fame game though is an increased spotlight on your personal life. That’s JLO. And A-Rod pretends to not want to get into too much JLO in this interview, even though, come on now, his connection to her is the only reason this is happening. Right. But there’s JLO Facetiming him during one of his interviews with the reporter. I’ve said from the beginning that JLO’s relationship with A-Rod reminds me so much of her relationship with Ben Affleck. It’s not only the way she’s behaving, it’s in the similarities between A-Rod and Ben themselves. A-Rod is a consistent f-ckup. A very, very talented baseball player and a man who keeps getting in his own way. Ben, AS WE KNOW, is also a consistent f-ckup. Where does this come from? You could say, and Ben has [said it himself](, that for Ben, it’s “imposter syndrome”. I’ve talked to so many sources who’ve insisted that he’s a really nice guy but the “imposter syndrome” thing comes up too often to be a coincidence. As for A-Rod? Here’s a really interesting passage from The Hollywood Reporter piece: Earlier this year, Fox signed him to a multiyear deal as a full-time analyst. But he wasn't looking for a broadcast job when the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs in 2015, partly because he didn't think he'd be good at it. It's a running theme in Rodriguez's life: his inferiority complex. It's his Achilles' heel — and what drives him. "He needed reinforcement that he was the best," says (Pete) Rose. "Some players just want be told every day how good they are. I mean, Alex was so good, I don't even think he understood how good he was. He always needed that little pat on the back to substantiate that." Imposter syndrome and inferiority complexes, siblings in the same family. So what role does Jennifer Lopez play? The cheerleader. [Sitting in a side chair](. [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 3:28 PM [Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey in The Dark Tower]( [Idris Elba is seen on the set of 'Despierta America' to promote the film 'Dark Tower' at Univision Studios on August 2, 2017 in Miami, Florida]( Based on Stephen King’s sprawling Gunslinger series, The Dark Tower takes thousands of pages of mythology that spans centuries and dimensions and pares it down to a spare ninety-five minute movie that encompasses a thimble’s worth of all that original King storytelling. Fans of the books will have plenty of Easter eggs to pick out and keep them moderately engaged with the movie, but everyone else will be completely alienated by this conventional and surprisingly boring would-be franchise that looks like it was shot on a dollar store budget in a high school gymnasium. It’s not an outright mess, but that’s really too bad, as its sheer conventionality keeps The Dark Tower from being an entertaining and ambitious miss like Jupiter Ascending or Winter’s Tale. The movie opens by establishing that there is a Dark Tower keeping the universe together, and then we cut to kids in a suburban dystopian who get their brains sucked out by a machine in [Matthew McConaughey](’s evil lair to try and destroy said tower. Are their brains really being sucked out? Unclear. As will be the case throughout the movie, there is very little explanation of what is really happening, but the kids scream and light comes out of their heads so I assume there’s some kind of thought-and-or-brain sucking going on. Anyway, Matthew McConaughey is the bad guy, the Man In Black, who is kind of the devil and also called Walter. “His name is Walter?” a character asks, incredulous. A human wrote this, I marvel, equally incredulous. (Four people wrote it, including Akiva Goldsman, who also adapted the gloriously bad Winter’s Tale.) Unlike [Valerian](, which suffers for bad casting, the casting here is pretty great. McConaughey is smarmy and oily and enjoying himself as WALTER, and [Idris Elba]( is exactly the guy you want playing a taciturn and emotionally broken soldier, the last of his kind, mythical legend and maybe-magical warrior in a fantasy film. As Roland, a retro-future “Gunslinger” who is kind of a knight in his post-apocalyptic dimension, Elba is perfect. It’s just too bad he doesn’t have anything to f*cking do. The Dark Tower sets up an epic, unending struggle between WALTER and Roland, then changes its mind and decides to be about a dumb wiener kid. This particular DWK is named Jake (Tom Taylor), and he’s meant to be a Spielbergian Special Boy but the movie forgets to make him in any way special. Oh, he’s got a “shine”, aka psychic powers—and a reference to The Shining, GET IT?—and WALTER latches onto him as the super-kid whose brain juice will finally destroy the Dark Tower, but like every other DWK, Jake is only special because the script tells us so. But he’s psychic! So is that character over there—Claudia Kim as Arra—and she’s not the star of the movie. What about Jake as a person is interesting and special enough that would compel an audience to care about him? Nothing. Roland only hitches his wagon to Jake because he sees the kid as a means to get at WALTER, but the two inevitably bond because the scripts makes them. Despite the plot being extremely easy to track, it feels like there are huge chunks of story missing, particularly character development. It’s a minor miracle this movie isn’t an utter mess, but plot-wise, it really isn’t. It’s just that nothing makes sense. Part of me appreciates a fantasy film not choking its audience with exposition, but at the same time, it isn’t clear how anything in this world works, why anything is happening, or why we should care. The stakes are universe-ending—yes, there’s a sky portal—but the investment is nil. It’s just a rote superhero knock-off. And boy is it UGLY. Shot for approximately seven dollars, The Dark Tower is a muddy, unattractive picture with terribly choreographed and filmed action. Half the action scenes are at night so you can’t see sh*t, and the other half are edited in a blender and completely unintelligible. The obvious visual language of Westerns isn’t utilized at all, which renders Roland completely forgettable.. He could easily have been an iconic figure, but instead he looks like a Westworld cosplayer. And the score from Tom Holkenborg—aka Junkie XL—is EXTREMELY bad, so misjudged it actively ruins several scenes. I can’t imagine how The Dark Tower could be any more disappointing. King fans might derive some satisfaction from all the references, but this won’t work as a magnet for new fans, let alone a franchise starter. It wastes Idris Elba’s hero potential, disregards an enjoyably bad McConaughey performance, and the style director Nikolaj Arcel displayed with A Royal Affair is nowhere to be seen. (It’s also a CRIMINAL WASTE of [Katheryn Winnick](.) Forcing the movie into a cookie cutter franchise shape doesn’t make The Dark Tower appealing, it just makes it boring and conventionally bad. Here's Idris on Despierta America yesterday. [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 2:32 PM [Privacy Policy]( - [Unsubscribe](