The TaraElla Post and Jenien Culture Forum

Hollie Cavanagh Eliminated, Jessica Sanchez now my Choice for American Idol

Sun, 13 May 2012 08:12:23 GMT

Hollie Cavanagh has sadly left American Idol, even after two great weeks. The show was never fair to her anyway.

I now endorse Jessica Sanchez to win the prize. American Idol has never had an Asian winner in its past 10 seasons (can you believe it? especially when Australian Idol had an Asian for the FIRST winner), and has not seen a female winner for far too long.

Kim Kardashian as Mayor? Save Us!

Sun, 06 May 2012 06:34:35 GMT

Kim Kardashian is reported to be considering running for mayor of a L.A. suburb in five years' time.

Judging by the way her 'marriage' went last year, if she became mayor, residents would probably be wise to start packing up and moving as soon as possible.

Unlike your 'marriage', being a mayor is more than a stunt. Wake up!

We Support the California Ex-Gay Bill

Sun, 06 May 2012 06:33:55 GMT

There is currently a bill before the Californian congress that will require ex-gay therapy providers inform potential clients of potential harms. It will also prohibit the therapy from being used on those under 18, something which sometimes happens with parental request in some states.

We totally support and applaud this. Ex-gay therapy is known to be ineffective and very harmful potentially. Just like cigarettes, they should carry warnings on them. And allowing parents to force the therapy on their children is simply indefensible. We sincerely hope that one day this kind of legislation will be standard everywhere.

I was Weak, but Now I am Stronger

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:47:16 GMT

Crossposted from Tara de Jenien Official Website

Next year marks ten years of my involvement in supporting LGBT rights. However, I was relatively weak for the beginning of this period. I would support marriage equality and adoption equality if I was asked these questions in the survey, but I never actively championed for these rights. Ten years ago, I was obsessed with maintaining the harmony in our communities, with not rocking the boat so the ‘way of life’ we enjoyed in the late 20th century would be maintained. For me, as long as the Islamofascists and the Christian fundamentalists both didn’t get their way, and everything stayed the same, everything was fine.

Now I understand that if we don’t fight, people will suffer. LGBT families are suffering, and if we decide to ‘not rock the boat’ or that ‘there are other priorities to address first’ they will continue to suffer. If we decide that Christian fundamentalists are worthy allies of ours because they are ‘pro-family’ and overlook what they are doing to LGBT families, they will suffer. Therefore we must fight.

Here are the four most important things which we must still continue to fight for, which I believe will define our movement in the next few decades, as good allies:
-Full marriage equality
-Comprehensive anti-discrimination laws everywhere (including trans-inclusive ENDA for the US)
-Full adoption equality
-The right for all trans people to have all their documentation match their gender identification (birth certificate, passport, drivers licence etc.)

All these battles will ‘rock the boat’. But so what? It’s what social justice demands.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's Engagement 'Meaningless'?

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:48:28 GMT

News of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's engagement have spread like wildfire over the internet. However, quite a few people have said that it is now 'meaningless' and that they should just get it over with if they want to get married, since they are already 'technically married'.

That's quite true, I think. Nothing wrong to celebrate your relationship, but this is more a renewal of vows than an engagement. Many gay couples who have been together for years only went to the registration office to register their marriage when it was opened up for them, I think this couple should do the same, and then do a renewal of vows thing if they want to. It's too late for a wedding, in the usual sense.

Another thing, no matter if you want a legal marriage or not, I believe it's always best to have a ceremony and make it official for everyone when you decide to commit. You will miss it if you don't.

I'm Ending the Skylar Laine Boycott

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:47:23 GMT

A few weeks ago, I suggested a boycott on American Idol contestant Skylar Laine, due to her deer hunting habits.

I guess something else made me change my mind today - that she sang Born This Way on the show. She also did a studio recording of the tune, with all the lyrics intact! It is indeed an act of bravery for her, I guess, since her fanbase is mostly deep South.

In testimony to how homophobic America is, there were predictions that she was going to be eliminated afterwards, despite no fault in performance on her part. Luckily she was safe. It would be a shame if she went home now.

The Other Website

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 08:57:40 GMT

Today I started yet another website for myself. It will co-exist with the existing one, but have more of a professional feel and focus, and no social networking features to it. It is aimed at people who want to read about my ideas and my work but have less time for the entertainment features.

Visit the website here.

Tell me what you think.

Boycott Skylar Laine!

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 07:36:53 GMT

This year's American Idol has been a mixed bunch. Not as good as last season, in my opinion.

One contestant, Skylar Laine, has had quite a good run so far. However, I just want you to know that she is a deer hunter, something that the show did mention, but some of you may have missed. In my book, hunting as a hobby counts as animal cruelty.

I suggest that anybody who feels the same boycott Skylar Laine by not voting for her.

Kelly Clarkson the Country Singer?

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 07:20:41 GMT

Kelly Clarkson recently did a great performance of the great country hit You're Still The One by Shania Twain in a concert in Windsor, Canada. This isn't the first time she's done country music live. A few months ago she also did a country version of her own hit Mr Know It All.

This also isn't the first time I thought Kelly could make a great country singer. She's got it in her. I can't help but wonder if she chose pop-rock because of its better commercial potential in the first place. I mean, country is massively popular in North America and Australia, and nowhere else. Pop-rock is also popular in Europe and Asia. Whilst Kelly has had chart success all over the world, fellow American Idol graduate and accomplished country singer Carrie Underwood has virtually not been seen in music charts outside North America and Australia, despite probably receiving more awards that Kelly.

As a singer-songwriter myself, I never make music thinking about where the market is. However, I don't blame those who do either. It's entirely their choice. That said, if Kelly Clarkson starts to do country, I'm sure I'll welcome that decision, as will a lot of her fans.

Two Week Break

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:53:44 GMT

I have to take a break from LJ for one month because I will be very busy.

Meanwhile, my two blogs (Official Entertainment Blog and Politics Blog) will feature ongoing reposts of my old stuff, if you want to read it.

I will look forward to hanging out with my friends here again soon. Take care.

Edit: The hiatus has been shortened to 2 weeks. I am back as of 20 March 2012.

Mel Gibson Completes Anger Management Course

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:41:29 GMT

Mel Gibson has completed an anger management course the court ordered him to take, after pleading no contest to a battery charge against his ex-girlfriend in 2010.

I have always felt he had anger issues. I think that came through in Passion of the Christ. I believe this was the reason why the movie was so violent. And honestly, I don't think he will be able to be changed by a short course.

How Much Hatemail due to Misunderstanding

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:16:37 GMT

Since I did an article and a video on Britney Spears looking 'like a man', i.e. having some facial features that are masculine, you won't believe how much hatemail I have received. Let's put it this way: if I could have a dollar for every time I was called 'bitch' in the last few weeks, I would be very happy.

The thing is that, the article wasn't even disparaging towards Britney. I have even made it clear that she is still pretty despite what I have said. So would Britney fans really take in what I have to say, before they attack me?

Thanks for 5000 likes

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:03:37 GMT

Today my official facebook page reached 5000 likes. Therefore I wish to thank everybody who has liked my page. Although way more than 5000 people probably have liked one of my pages, as many have liked one of my unofficial pages instead, like this one, maintained by a close friend. I thank these people as well.

Thank you!

RIP Whitney Houston

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:56:11 GMT

I know this is a bit late but I have to say it.

RIP Whitney Houston. I was too young to catch the beginning of your career, but you certainly made very good music throughout your career. Unlike others, you never sold out despite how music changed for the worse during the later years of your career. You paid a price for it, no longer topping the charts like you used to, but you stuck to your standards, as seen in your 2009 album. Thank you.

The Power of Justin Bieber, or How the Culture is Controlled by the Elite

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:55:37 GMT

In the last days of 2011, Justin Bieber twitted about a song that he really liked, from a singer who was not widely known. The song was Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen. This was followed by a follow up tweet by Selena Gomez, and another one that featured a video of Bieber's friends dancing to the music. Just over a month later now, Jepsen has reached number one in her native Canada.

I've often argued with my friends about how the culture we supposedly have is controlled by the elite, and we need to take it back. They don't see the urgency of the problem, but I do. The trouble is that they don't see the scale of the problem. Here's a recent story that illustrates my point.

I have personally been a fan of Carly Rae Jepsen for a long time now. Her music is indeed great. And people like it - people know great music when they hear it. Trouble is that, it took Justin Bieber's tweets for many people to even get to know her. If not for Bieber taking the initiative to introduce Jepsen's music to the world, they would have been continually listening to crap like Katy Perry and Kesha, or perhaps the 'new Rihanna' instead, because that's what the industry wants people to think is cool. What a shame.

New Requirements for 'Family Friendly'

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:14:56 GMT

Throughout history, increased understanding of the human condition has led to culture changing adaptively, accordingly. Family orientated culture is no exception. In light of recent advances in the understanding of the human condition in the past two decades, I believe we should add requirements that qualify or disqualify a TV show, movie or song to be family friendly or not.

New things that should qualify a show as being family friendly:
1) Featuring ethnic diversity
2) Featuring gay and lesbian characters or themes (unless sexual)
3) Promoting messages of peace and optimism in its achievement
4) Promoting multicultural harmony in society
This list is based on what I would want my (hypothetical) children exposed more to.

New things that should disqualify a show as being family friendly:
1) Featuring negative stereotypes about ethnic groups or the LGBT community
2) Implicit or explicit racist or homophobic opinion
This list is based on what I would NOT want my (hypothetical) children exposed to at all before they reach adulthood.

Movies Destroy Daniel Radcliffe, Vanessa Hudgens

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:14:01 GMT

Daniel Radcliffe has admitted to turning up to the set of Harry Potter and filming scenes when he was drunk.

The way movies are made now, tight schedules and demanding roles etc. are proving too unhealthy for actors. I wonder if this will ever change.

In another sign that shows just how crazy movie making has become nowadays, Vanessa Hudgens admitted to the media recently that she took the role of Apple Bailey in new movie Gimme Shelter too seriously, and that resulted in her becoming like the character.

"Apple is a really insecure character, so I was basically telling myself I was a piece of s**t for three months and it really affected me. After filming was finished, it took me a long time to get out of that way of thinking. I completely lost myself for a while," she told You magazine.

The industry should be regulated better. Really.

Adele Hits Number 1 Again, Displacing Undeserving Rihanna

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:18:24 GMT

Breaking News: Billboard has reported that Adele's latest single, Set Fire to the Rain, has hit number one on its Hot 100 chart.

We congratulate Adele on her success. I am also particularly happy since Rihanna's stupid yucky song has been dethroned finally. Ever since her recent offerings, I have wished that Rihanna would just disappear from the music scene.

50Cent's Vulgar Bets

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:16:46 GMT

Rapper 50 Cent has made a vulgar bet over sport: he will tweet pictures of his private parts if his sporting team loses.

Readers of this blog will know that I generally hate people who do things like this for no reason. In fact, I have always believed that people like him shouldn't be in the public spotlight, where they end up cheapening our culture and making it meaningless.

I am not going to stereotype, but it seems to me that hip-hop artists have been too often responsible for acts like these. Friends have often asked me why I dislike hip-hop. Well, here's one reason.

Britney Spears Looks Like A Man - Now A Video

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:20:25 GMT

Feel free to share it around :)

Miranda Cosgrove Goes to University, but How Many Can Do That

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:18:14 GMT

Miranda Cosgrove is understood to be considering her options for university, and currently is believed to be leaning towards the University of Southern California.

Good on her for furthering her education!

Sadly, she is only able to do this without a hitch because she has earned lots of money. Most Americans have difficulty getting a college education. The rest of the developed world has already had funded college education for decades, when will America catch up?

Britney Spears Looks Like A Man

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:31:08 GMT

Lady Gaga may want to look like a man, but I don't think she looks like one. However, there's somebody else in Hollywood who may do the job better. Her name? Britney Spears.

The glamourous style of Britney may obscure this fact, but it remains quite observable that Britney Spears looks naturally like a man. In fact, when she shaved her hair a few years back, I saw her on a magazine cover and thought, whose that man?

The two best Britney impersonators I have ever seen are Derrick Barry and Bolee Spears - both gay drag queens. I have seen many people who swore they saw Britney when Derrick was performing. As for the female impersonators - none of them are quite up to that standard. You always clearly know it's not her. Women like Stacey Allemeier and Lorna Bliss have tried everything to look like Britney, but they simply look to feminine to look like her. In fact, I have never met a single woman who looks like Britney Spears. Remember that Lorna Bliss has had extensive surgery and Derrick Barry hasn't, and Derrick still wins hands down in the Britney look-alike race.

In fact, last year when Britney's video for Till the World Ends (a song I don't like at all, by the way) came out, fans accused her of using a MALE double to do the dance moves, which she denied. I remember someone saying 'that's obviously a guy'. The fact that they accused her of using a MALE double rather than a female one shows that, when made up a certain way or filmed from certain angles, Britney does look like a man.

Britney also sounds like a man in some of the ways she sings and talks. People have remarked that Derrick Barry really sounds like Britney, but again I have yet to hear a single woman sound like Britney when they talk or sing.

I have nothing against Britney personally and I think she was pretty when she was younger, but this is something I have wanted to point out for some time. Looking like a man naturally is about the facial features you have, and is not the same as looking like a man because you don't dress well or don't maintain your body well. Therefore, it is possible to 'look like a man' and be pretty at the same time, in my opinion.

Kelly Clarkson's Endorsement of Ron Paul Attracts Outrage

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:29:52 GMT

Kelly Clarkson recently took to twitter to announce her support for US Republican presidential nomination contender Ron Paul. This act attracted outrage in the blogosphere, as some people identified Ron Paul as racist and homophobic. Apparently Paul is not that popular, after all.

Actually, Ron Paul is a great candidate for social issues in my opinion. He respects state decisions on marriage equality. He's also great for foreign policy, more so than the current US government, I believe. It's just that his economic stances are quite scary, to be honest. What does Kelly actually think about that, I wonder?

People Should be Given Time Off to Lose Weight

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 08:28:17 GMT

Here's a suggestion I have for employers and governments around the world: people who have a BMI of over 30 should be given the option to take 4 weeks paid leave to go to a weight loss service to help lose some of that weight.

I guess the money spent on this will come back to us by improving our health budgets a lot over time.

LeAnn Rimes Healthy Looking Again

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 08:27:45 GMT

Country singer LeAnn Rimes has been photographed looking healthy again, a stark contrast to her overly skinny appearance last year.

Good on her for regaining a sensible weight. On the whole, I think LeAnn Rimes is doing quite well once again, and she is in my good book again.