It was reported last week that Oscar producers only intended to have two of the five Oscar-nominated songs performed on the broadcast: “All The Stars” and “Shallow”. Evidently there was some pushback to the news. Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted his disappointment …

The 1st time I stayed up to watc…

Not to be too pessimistic (I HATE EVERYTHING), but I still feel like this year’s Oscar telecast will be a flat-out disaster. No hosts, shady maneuvering for A-list presenters, several Oscar races that seem crazy. Hopefully, it will be a kind of watchable trainwreck, but I don’t have high hopes. In one of the most bone-headed decisions ever, the Academy decided a week ago that they were not going to allow all of the Best Song nominees to perform during the telecast. Which is stupid on so many levels – Best Song is usually one of the most popular categories, and this year’s Best Song nominees would have likely provided some much needed star power to the show. And initially, the Academy was like “nah, we don’t want that.” The Academy decided to backtrack, but of course it’s still idiotic.

The Motion Picture Academy, responding to a widespread backlash to its initial plan to only spotlight two of the best original song nominees on the Oscarcast, is now planning to have all five nominated songs performed on the Feb. 24 show, Variety has learned. Earlier today, the Academy tweeted that Jennifer Hudson would perform “I’ll Fight,” the Diane Warren-penned song from the documentary “RBG.” A subsequent tweet announced a “spoiler” that “The Place Where Lost Things Go” from “Mary Poppins Returns” would be “performed by a surprise special guest” — leaving open the question of whether Emily Blunt, who performed it in the film, would count as a surprise.

Previously, the plan had been to include only the top 10 hits “Shallow,” from “A Star Is Born,” and “All the Stars,” from “Black Panther.” Producers last week told representatives for the remaining three nominees that there wasn’t time to perform all five songs in a streamlined show. But now, sources tell Variety that offers have gone out to reps from all five to perform the songs, although in truncated, 90-second form.

It is not yet clear whether any of the performers associated with the nominated songs besides Hudson have accepted Academy offers to perform — among them Blunt, Lady Gaga (“Shallow”), Kendrick Lamar and SZA (“All the Stars”) and Willie Watson and Tim Blake Nelson (“When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings” from “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”).

Sources say that the nominees were talking among themselves last week and that some agreed that solidarity was important, and that a united front of “perform them all” or “perform none of them” might work as a tactic. Whether that happened is not clear. At one point, the possibility of having still more music on the telecast was in play: Sources tell Variety a feeler went out to the members of Queen to open the show with one of the hits revived in the “Bohemian Rhapsody” film, but that’s not happening.

[From Variety]

This is so dumb – “sources tell Variety that offers have gone out to reps from all five to perform the songs, although in truncated, 90-second form.”

Academy Dude #1: “Hey let’s take the most popular part of the show and do less of it this year.”
Academy Dude #2: “That’s a great idea!”

What kills me is that we already know this is going to be four hours of bullsh-t and endless f–king montages celebrating vague sh-t like “hey, remember when Jack Nicholson won some Oscars? Let’s do a 10-minute montage of THAT!” They absolutely have the time for every Best Song nominee to perform their FULL songs. They just don’t want to have to cut all of their dumb bulls–t montages and uncomfortable patter.

Last weekend, Bradley Cooper stopped by Gaga’s Las Vegas show and they performed together. The fan videos are racking up millions of views, because DUH, the songs are everyone’s favorite part of the movie. I guess the Academy doesn’t want this.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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Had the privilege of speaking at the #WomensMarch yesterday. So inspired by everyone who came out in support. Photo: @gettyimages

A post shared by Evan Rachel Wood (@evanrachelwood) on Jan 20, 2019 at 2:37pm PST

Evan Rachel Wood, 31, has penned a powerful essay for Nylon about the time she checked herself into a mental hospital at the age of 22. She’s opened up in the past about the fact that she’s been raped, that she has struggled with her identity and has attempted suicide. I believe this is the first time she’s discussed her hospital stay. She opens by saying that depression and mental illness are not your fault but that there’s something you can do about it. Then she recalls the day she phoned her mom, admitted that she had tried to kill herself the night before and asked for help. I can’t do her story justice in an excerpt so please read it at the source if you have time. She’s a strong writer and the story of her despair and recovery is so well told. She fondly describes the other patients in the ward with her and has a vivid recollection of events. Her personal story would make a compelling film.

She reached out to her mom for help
When I was 22, I willingly checked myself into a psychiatric hospital, and I have absolutely no shame about it. Looking back, it was the worst, best thing that ever happened to me…

Then with an almost hysterical acceptance, without thinking, I picked up the phone.

“Mom?… It’s me… I just tried to kill myself… I need to go to a hospital.” When I said I needed to go to a hospital, I did not mean I needed to go for any physical injuries I may or may not have had. I meant a hospital for my state of mind.

Two burgers, two tacos, and a quesadilla later, at a truck stop, she finally asked, “Why? Why did you feel like you needed to do that?” After a moment I said, “I just wanted some peace.” And that was true. My mind was not a peaceful place. My mind at the time was filled with scars and shadows and, most importantly, so much shame. I was struggling with PTSD and didn’t know it.

Her mother had to call five places to find her a bed
If I didn’t shell out a significant amount of money to snag a private room at a decent place, I don’t know what I would have done. It certainly wasn’t fancy by any means, but it was decent and it was safe.

Mental health shouldn’t be a luxury for the rich. It felt like I barely made it in by the skin of my teeth—and I am privileged. Imagine how hard it is with no health insurance or money or resources?

When I was recovering, even the smallest act of kindness was like antiseptic on an open wound, I needed it, but it burned. It burned with shame and guilt. When you forget how to accept love it hurts when you finally do. Sometimes you don’t know just how bad you felt until you start to feel better, and that can be a tough pill to swallow. You start to realize just how much you have been lying to yourself.

She bonded with the other patients
I went into the mess hall to grab some food. I immediately started talking to the girl next to me. We made some silly comment about the dessert and decided to sit together. One of the other patients quickly joined us. I was taken aback by how welcoming everyone was. I was a new recruit, and I could tell that was a big deal and people were curious about me. We went around the table getting to know each other a bit. I remember feeling immediately at ease…

After that, I spent most of my time on the patio smoking. That’s where the patients really get to know each other. We shot the shit, we were brutally honest, but, most of all, we were incredibly loving and empathetic to each other, even when we disagreed or someone lost their shit. We forgave, very easily.

A psychiatrist thanked her for Thirteen
On my last day there, while I was having a cigarette outside on a bench, the psychiatrist who gave me my daily evaluations came over and sat beside me. She asked me how I was feeling and if I was ready to leave. I told her I was scared but that I felt like I was in a better place and ready to do the work I needed to do. At the end of our conversation, she leaned over and said, “Can I tell you something now that you’re leaving? I didn’t want to mention it before.” I said, “Sure.” “When I was in school, I saw the movie Thirteen, and it made me want to get into this line of work to help people. You’re why I’m here.”

Sometimes I feel like a version of me did die that night, but a new me was born. Now my life is in a place I could have only dreamed of because I committed to do the work and I continue that work every day of my life in every step I take.

There is no economic class, race, sexuality, or gender that is safe from their own mind. We know success doesn’t cure depression, we know that people telling you they love you doesn’t cure depression, we know that just thinking positively doesn’t cure depression. Depression isn’t weakness, it’s a sickness. Sometimes a deadly one. And sometimes all people need is to know that they are loved and that others are there for them. They may not take your hand right away, but knowing it’s there could save their life one day.

[From Nylon]

I’m reminded of the early 2000s, when Angelina Jolie opened up about her mental health struggles, and how she was ostracized for it and painted as unstable. We have a better understanding now but there’s still a long way to go. Stories like Evan’s help people understand that they’re not alone and don’t need to be ashamed. I also appreciate that Evan acknowledges her privilege and understands how much more difficult it can be for people without her means.

This week, the Australian tabloid WHO published some exclusive photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in some kind of meeting in Beverly Hills. The photos were super-grainy, and I don’t even want to know what kind of high-powered telephoto infrared lens was used to capture what was in all likelihood a therapy session – you can see a few of the photos here.

I can’t even make out enough details in their expressions to say whether they were both miserable, but hey, I’m guessing it was not a happy moment. They’re both seated, and speaking to a third party – probably a therapist, like I said, or some kind of neutral moderator or arbitrator. The Blast claimed that the photos showed a “very animated conversation as a man sat across and listened… and both were able to avoid a huge scene as they made their way to the meeting.” Throughout the meeting, “Pitt could be seen pacing back and forth in the office as Jolie appeared to be visibly upset with the discussions.” The Blast’s sources claim that Angelina and Brad were doing one of their scheduled negotiations for the kids’ custody… but I’m not sure I believe that this was a conversation about custody.

Meanwhile, Us Weekly says that Brad and Angelina actually met up twice in the past week and “They’ve had other meetings in person; this is not the first. This is part of their ongoing process to work through things regarding the kids and the divorce.” A second source claimed: “They have established a foundation … that is enabling the process to move forward in a much more thoughtful and peaceful manner.”

My opinion? They’re not negotiating with each other or trying to work out the nitty-gritty of custody or child support or alimony. I think they were meeting with a therapist or a family counselor and the subject was about how they can work towards being in the same room together with killing each other, for the sake of their kids. I think Angelina has figured out on the actual legal stuff, she needs to just let Samantha Bley Dejean handle everything.

Last thing – People Magazine had a weird story about how the Jolie-Pitt’s French chateau, Miraval, is releasing another wine. Sure.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.

Dear Gossips,

By the time most of you read this, I’ll have gotten a haircut. Taking an inch off this morning ahead of the Lunar New Year, per tradition – you cut away the old year and get ready for the growth of the new year. Haircuts are hard for me because I’ve been traumatised so many times i…

I’ve been watching the news a lot this week, or should I say, I’ve been watching most members of the news media try to act like Starbucks founder Howard Schultz is America’s new white savior. I can’t with the Schultz conversation – wacky billionaires just deciding to launch a third-party candidacy for no f–king reason? They don’t deserve all of this airspace and brainspace. Unfortunately, it just shows that the media really didn’t learn anything from 2016, nor have they learned anything from two years of Trumplandia fascism. I honestly sat there yesterday and watched a segment on MSNBC about whether Trump has a better understanding (than Democrats) of the working class. FOR REAL. IN 2019.

Anyway, today is the first day of Black History Month. On this day in 2017, Beyonce announced her pregnancy with twins. So of course Senator Cory Booker chose to properly mark that (Beyonce-related) occasion by announcing his presidential candidacy. He did so with an incredibly well-made and effective campaign launch ad.

I already said that I was for Kamala Harris – after which the already-active anti-Kamala peeps found me – but I’d just like to say… I wouldn’t be mad if I got to vote for Cory Booker in the primary or in the general. I like Cory Booker a lot, and he seems like a smart, pragmatic, progressive dude. Obviously I don’t know every single about him – that’s why candidates campaign, that’s why the media vets people. But mostly I want to skip all of that and just vote for Not A Nutjob/Not A Fascist 2020. I’ll also vote for Not A Russian Asset/Not A Creepy Homophobe 2020. I really don’t care – any of these candidates would make a better president than what we have now.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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It’s Mueller Friday! TGIMF!! Remember where you were one week ago, when the FBI executed a pre-dawn raid at Roger Stone’s house in Florida? Remember the SWAT tactical gear and the feeling of elation? Good times. As I’m writing this in the wee hours of Friday, I’m hoping that this Mueller Friday brings us more indictments, but all we have right now are rumors of upcoming moves, possibly against Jerome Corsi (a Stone associate), possibly against Don Trump Jr. While there’s been a lot of talk about the pre-dawn full-SWAT tactical raid of Roger Stone’s home and whether it was necessary (it was necessary!), it’s worth noting that there was a purpose to the whole thing: the FBI and Robert Mueller were executing a search warrant, and it paid off. BIGLY. Voluminously!!

Federal investigators probing Roger Stone, the former Trump campaign official indicted last week in the Russia probe, have seized multiple hard drives containing years of communication records from cellphones and email accounts, the special counsel’s office said Thursday. Robert Mueller’s prosecutors, in a new court filing, described the evidence as “voluminous and complex” in asking a judge to delay his trial to give them more time to sift through the seized devices.

The court papers said investigators grabbed hard drives containing several terabytes of information, including “FBI case reports, search warrant applications and results (e.g., Apple iCloud accounts and email accounts), bank and financial records, and the contents of numerous physical devices (e.g., cellular phones, computers, and hard drives).”

The FBI is doing what it calls a “filter review” of the devices, setting aside any evidence that cannot be admissible in court because it is considered privileged. During a press conference Thursday, Stone agreed that evidence is voluminous and complex, and said both parties had agreed to the language in the government’s filing.

[From NBC News]

Again, it feels like a matter of WHEN not IF Roger Stone will turn to save his own skin. That was the thing about so many of the Watergate douchebags – they were sniveling little frat boys who would sell out their own mother for a lighter sentence.

Meanwhile, there’s been so much chatter about Don Trump Jr. in the past week. I believe that when all is said and done, Don will be indicted on many charges. It probably won’t happen today, on this holy TGIMF. But remember those mysterious calls Don Jr. made ahead of the Trump Tower meeting with Russian operatives in 2016? People assumed Don was calling his father to let him now what was happening, but now Senate investigators believe Don was actually calling “business associates” outside of the family.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid and Avalon Red.

By all accounts, the Duchess of Sussex’s visit to City, University of London was a smashing success. Teenagers and 20-somethings were lining up to get a glimpse of her. The office buildings around the event had workers straining out of their windows to see her. So I feel a little bit sorry for those well-wishers that Meghan’s outfit was kind of boring and goth-lite. Meghan repeated a Givenchy coat, as we said yesterday. But it looks like she did a bespoke Givenchy dress which was new-to-us. Again, I don’t understand bespoke stuff for pregnant women. Unless you’re going to the Oscars or some huge red-carpet thing, I just feel like “stretchy and off-the-rack” would be fine. Meghan also repeated a pair of Manolo Blahniks which we’ve seen before.

In a month – or longer – Meghan and Harry will be moving into Frogmore Cottage. Reportedly, they’ve been enjoying the renovation process and the decorating choices they’ve had to make. They’ve committed to a grey-and-white palate for the nursery. But now Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl says that the Sussexes are getting yet another gift from the Queen: their choice of priceless artwork from the Royal Collection, arguably the greatest collection of artwork in the world.

Vanity Fair has learned that the Sussexes were gifted a very special housewarming present from the Queen, to be placed in their Windsor dream house ahead of the arrival of their baby in April. Harry’s grandmother has invited them to choose several pieces from her priceless art collection to hang in their new home.

“Meghan and Harry have been told they can choose some art work for Frogmore Cottage,” says a Palace insider. “They have been presented with a list of paintings that would be available to them and they are making up their minds as to what they would like to hang in their new home.”

When it comes to choosing a piece, Harry and Meghan will have an array of options. The Royal Art Collection is the largest collection of privately owned art in the world. Comprising more than 1 million pieces. It is housed in royal residences around the country and includes six Rembrandts, more than 50 paintings by Canaletto, at least 600 drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci, and over 13 Rubens paintings, plus, at least 20 drawings by Michelangelo. The collection also includes contemporary works by the likes of Andy Warhol and Anish Kapoor. The Queen also allowed Prince William and Kate Middleton to choose from the collection after their marriage, and several of her favorite paintings are on display in Anmer Hall and the Cambridges’ apartments in Kensington Palace.

Both Meghan and Harry are avid art collectors. Harry reportedly spent several thousand pounds on a painting for Meghan, Everybody Needs Somebody to Love by British artist Van Donna, during their courtship. Meghan’s interest in art is something she has apparently bonded over with her father-in-law, Prince Charles.

[From Vanity Fair]

I seem to remember that Prince Harry is quite artistic – he paints too, like his dad, although I think Charles is much more prolific. But I like that the Queen gave them a pre-approved list of what they could choose from, so there would be no issues of “but I want THAT painting, granny!” Can you even imagine having access to that kind of heavy-duty art work? Having original di Vincis on your walls? Getting to look at a Rembrandt every single day? Lordy. And I would be willing to bet that unlike the Cambridges, they won’t have unfortunately-named artwork in their sitting room.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid, WENN.

I wondered when we would get an update on Jennifer Garner and John Miller. It has been so long! I picture Jennifer Garner marking the date on a wall calendar with a medium-sized heart in pink gel ink, her little symbol for the next time she’s allowed to talk to a journalist. I imagine she times it out like that because that’s totally what I would do. ET notes that they went out to sushi earlier this week, they have photos of them photographed separately. A source told ET all about her relationship, and while they’re not talking engagement yet, they do talk about the future.

A source tells ET the two have “gotten serious” and spend time together with their children from previous marriages. Garner shares three kids with ex-husband Ben Affleck, while Miller has two kids with his ex-wife, concert violinist Caroline Campbell.

“Jen feels so lucky to have met John and their relationship only continues to grow,” the source says. “They both wanted to take it slow, but it has gotten serious and they couldn’t be happier.”

“John’s been at their Palisades house so much lately,” the source adds. “They all [John, Jen and their kids] stay up late playing board games.”

Still, according to the source, Garner isn’t ready to take the next step in their relationship. The 46-year-old actress finalized her divorce from Affleck last October.

“[Garner and Miller are] in a true honeymoon phase in their relationship and while they’ve spoken about a future together, neither of them are ready to plan a wedding or get engaged,” the source says. “Jen has no interest in jumping into marriage quickly. She only just solidified her divorce so right now she just loves all their time together.”

According to the source, Garner’s new man — the CEO and chairman of Cali Group — also shares her healthy interests and loves the outdoors.

“Jen has something very different with John than she had with Ben,” the source says. “She and John are both interested in living a healthy lifestyle, working out and eating well, except for the occasional trip to Chick-fil-A! When they aren’t with the kids, they take time on their own seeing movies and having romantic dinners.”

“They’ve already taken the kids to the mountains together, and Jen’s friends describe John as a mountain man,” the source continues. “He loves to do outdoorsy things.”

As for Garner’s relationship with Affleck, the source says that while the two are still dedicated to co-parenting and the 46-year-old actor still spends time with the family, the amount of time the exes spend together is getting less frequent.

“Jen is trying to move on and has built a healthy foundation with John,” the source notes. “They enjoy their time together and that’s helped Jen put things into perspective.”

“Jen is at a very healthy point in her life,” the source continues. “She adores her kids and her career and has fallen in love with a man who is supportive and loving to both her and the kids.”

On Sunday, Garner and Miller were spotted leaving Blue Ribbon Sushi in Los Angeles separately, both dressed casually in jeans.

[From ET Online]

For the handful of people who will question whether these details come straight from Jen, read the story. There’s subtle shade for Ben Affleck in there, which I’m sure he deserves I’m just saying. They both live “a healthy lifestyle,” things are “different with John” than with Ben and John “loves to do outdoorsy things.” It actually sounds great for them and I want her to be in a healthy, happy relationship. I just think that she also wants someone who is willing to play the Hollywood game with her and he’s not down with that.

Here’s the video that has some of these quotes and the photos, which don’t even show them together, are around 5 seconds in.

photos credit: Backgrid and WENN

As we discussed yesterday, there are already people out there, saying that Jussie Smollett was lying or not telling the whole truth about being the victim of a violent hate crime in the early morning hours in Chicago. Even though it’s being widely reported that Chicago police have mostly tracked Jussie’s movements via street cameras and private security surveillance, and even though they released a grainy photo of the assailants, people are still questioning Jussie’s story. Two of the most popular searches on Twitter? “Jussie Smollett lie” and “Jussie Smollett hoax.” Well,Thursday afternoon, Jussie’s family released a statement:

“In the early hours of Tuesday morning, our beloved son and brother, Jussie, was the victim of a violent and unprovoked attack. We want to be clear, this was a racial and homophobic hate crime. Jussie has told the police everything from the very beginning. His story has never changed, and we are hopeful they will find these men and bring them to justice.”

“Our family thanks everyone for their prayers and the huge amount of love he has received. We are thankful to our village for your immense support during this trying time. We are so grateful that God saw him through this cowardly attack alive.

“Jussie is a warrior whose light cannot be dimmed. We want people to understand these targeted hate crimes are happening to our sisters, brothers and our gender non-conforming siblings, many who reside within the intersection of multiple identities, on a monthly, weekly, and sometimes even daily basis all across our country,” the family says. “Oftentimes ending fatally, these are inhumane acts of domestic terrorism and they should be treated as such. They will continue to occur until we hold each other accountable.”

“Hateful words lead to hateful actions. Radical love is the only solution, but passivity will be our downfall. We, as a family, will continue to work for love, equity and justice until it reigns supreme in our nation and all over the world.”

[Statement from the Smollett family, via E! News]

I believe the family. I believe Jussie. That’s one thing that this job has given me, and as I’ve had to sit here and write about #MeToo stories – I believe victims. That has become my necessary default position, always. Believe victims. Victims get the benefit of the doubt. Jussie says he was assaulted. I believe him. Jussie’s family says he told the cops everything and his story never changed. I believe him.

Jussie’s manager was on the phone with Jussie when he was attacked, and the manager, Brandon Z. Moore, has already given his statement to police. Moore says that he overheard the assailants say “MAGA country” and a racist slur. But… Jussie still refuses to turn over his phone, and Moore and Jussie have both refused to turn over their phone records to police. Which is weird. I believe Jussie, but it’s weird.

Confirmed with two Chicago PD sources that Jussie Smollett and his manager refused a request to turn over phone records to show Smollett’s manager was on the phone with Jussie when the attack took place. Its not clear if Chicago PD will move to obtain records independently

— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) January 31, 2019

Photos courtesy of WENN.