Ever since seeing the 25th Anniversary Concert version of Les Miz, and hearing her sing this song so well, I’ve been in love with it. When it was announced that Lea Michelle and Taylor Swift both wanted the part, I was a little saddened. While I don’t have a problem with Lea, except for her overly breathy phrase attacks, and knowing how many times phrases she would be singing begin with a vowel, I would be irritated with her. For Taylor, I am not really a fan. She’s cute and all, but I don’t think she’s got the chops to sing this role. Yup, I said it.
I always thought that there wouldn’t be a person that would play the role as well as Lea Salonga. And while Samantha plays her a little less innocent, her version is fabulous, so I am insanely happy about her getting the role in the movie!!
She will be joining a cast that also includes Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, and Amanda Seyfried. I have to dig out my soundtrack and have a marathon!
Just because she’s my fave, here’s Lea Salonga singing a couple of Les Miz numbers.
New York has been using this poster as a PSA for diabetes. I don’t find the information on it offensive. I don’t find the 3 large soda cups offensive. I do find it offensive however that it always seems to only be the fat person who is shown on a flyer like this. Why don’t they ever show a person who is thin? Do you think they are immune? Check out this link and open your minds.
But here’s the kicker. The model in this image is an actor. Not only is he an actor, he is one that actually has both legs! His image was altered into the typical scare tactic sort of marketing that the diet and pharmaceutical companies rely on to get us to buy their products to make them richer. Here’s the full story for the PSA.
The actor in the image was a model for a photographer that then sold the pictures to a stock photo company. The waiver he signed was written so that alterations and such could be made without the model’s consent. The actor is concerned how it could affect his career. Some would think it is could hurt your career. I think if you own it, slap that puppy on your resume, it will look more like work you’ve done rather than you being “taken advantage of.”
Personally, I think it sucks that this is the only way that diabetes is shown to people. But if I were to be paid to be posing for pictures regardless of whether or not I was an active participant in the marketing campaign, is it such a bad thing to add it to my professional value?
I feel bad for you buddy, but like I say, use it for your resume. Who cares if it’s on a PSA that you dislike? You got some money for that image (even if it is altered) so let it boost your career. There are plenty of actors who have done projects that they didn’t like or believe in.
What do you think, dear reader? Is it right for the marketing company to not notify you if they alter your image? What would you do about it?
Yesterday I had the wonderful privilege of being the Master of Ceremonies for NotblueAtall.com‘s A Fatty Affair. I was nervous at first because we didn’t know how the night was going to progress with the program line-up we made, whether or not people were excited about it, if people would take some of the things I’d written into my mini-speeches to heart, and if they would get some of the jokes.
Yikes, so much to worry about! But first let me give you a little backstory…
According to all statistics, I am considered obese. For my height, I am supposed to weight something like 136-142. Neither of those, am I. However, I go to the gym and workout a couple of times a week. I don’t need to be there for hours on end. I have a home that I live in for that. I go so that I keep up my endurance. So that when I am on stage singing and dancing, I can do it. I go so that I can destress a little bit. I go so I can enjoy that endorphin kick that you get. And I go because I kind of enjoy people staring at the fat guy on an elliptical that is running at a pace of over 200 steps a minute for 45 minutes – 1 hour, as he’s mouthing the words to whatever is playing on his ipod, outpacing some of those other skinny bitches by 20 paces or so.
People are so conditioned, thanks to the diet industry, that you have to look a certain way or else you are not able to be happy. Hollywood and fashion only promote this theory. I am happy with myself. I have a strong heart, great blood pressure, and great eyesight. My hearing is so-so, but that’s because of my MUSIC!! I am not diabetic, have no breathing problems, and aside from joints that I’ve broken or injured doing stuff, those are fine too. But according to some ignorant chart, I am not “healthy” because of my weight.
A Fatty Affair was a body positive event for anyone and everyone who wanted to celebrate loving themselves exactly as they are. People of all shapes and sizes attended and it was SO good to see that. It’s bad enough that everywhere you turn people are saying that this is bad for you and that is bad, too. It’s a hard life to live if you accept all those rules and try and practice them all. What’s even harder is when most of them are wrong!
My girl, Sarah, and I coordinated our outfit color palate as any good duo would, black, white, and red. She accented the red and I the white. I don’t have any pictures of myself, but I know they will be popping up shortly. What pics I don’t put here, you will find HERE
I had to figure out the best way to approach talking to a whole crowd of people that I didn’t know. I know that some people are turned off by my flamboyant nature, and I really wanted everyone to have fun. So at first I reigned it in a bit. Kind of testing the waters. It was more important to me that I express that no one is alone. That no matter how many people think your not good enough or what have you, that this wonderful group of people that are sitting in the same room have been there and understand and are happy to be there for you. My fears were proved to be completely ludicrous when people got the joke when Sarah introduced me as Lisa Lisa to her Cult Jam. Anyone who knows the Lisa Lisa is my kind of peeps!
Nicole Pierce of AWellRoundedVenture.com
The first speakers were Nicole Pierce and Raven Eagan. Nicole Pierce (AWellRoundedVenture.com) and Raven Eagan (AlternativeFats.blogspot.com) are both bloggers and have a lot to say when it comes to fashion. They gave advise on tailoring, finding great things at flea markets, accessorizing, and other ideas. What it all boiled down to is don’t be afraid to rock something because you think it doesn’t fit or look good on you. Buy it bigger or smaller and tailor it. Accessorize to enhance whatever you want to enhance and strut like it ain’t no thang!
Raven Eagan of AlternativeFats.blogspot.com
Sarah had two fabulous dance troupes lined up and the first one was the Phat Fly Girls (BigMoves.com)! They are such a fun group of ladies!! They performed a parody number from the musical “Chicago.”
Their number was titled “All That Flab.” Such a sassy number!! But then again, I wouldn’t expect anything else. ☺
They closed out “Act 1” and this opened up the clothing swap and mingle portion of the show. People got to get to know one another and make new friendships and cultivate ones that were formed online.
In addition to the swap and mingling, there was a wonderful Art company there called VoluptuArt as well as a local sculptor who’s name escapes me. I apologize immensely for that.
People mingling.
After 20 minutes or so, we begin “Act 2” with a magnificent performance by the lovely Raks Africa (YourBodyRaks.com)! I apologize, but I was so enthralled with cheering on these ladies that I didn’t even think to take pictures or video of their performance. But let me tell you, their finale of James Brown and getting people up and dancing, was a highlight fer sher!!
Tammy and Etang of Raks Africa (YouBodyRaks.com)
Closing up the night, Dr. Linda Bacon and Marilyn Wann were two authors that are advocates of Health At Every Size. Dr. Linda Bacon (LindaBacon.org) literally wrote the book: Health At Every Size. The wonderful, uplifting, and fabulous Marilyn Wann (FatSo.com) led us all in a song of “You Are My Sunshine” with some words substituted for others. Her words of encouragement did what they should do, uplift and inspire those of us in the audience.
Before we had the final words of the evening by Linda and Marilyn, a runway show was planned. I had no intention of participating on the catwalk, but when I saw that there were only two people who were signed up, I threw caution to the wind and tried to work the crowd up more by saying that “I bettah not be the only one that’s gonna werk it! So get on up!” I hear there is a picture somewhere. You’ll probably find it on Facebook sometime soon.
The reason that it was so important to me that everyone participate because I “hope you feel strong and mighty. When you leave here, know that you have a whole slew of people who will always cheer for you, just like that. Remember that feeling and hold it with you, always.”
Where that saying is actually originated from, I am not sure. An internet search yielded only “Act your age, not your shoe size” or “Act your age, not your IQ” and I am sure that the title is merely a derivative of one or the other. In any case, I wanted to talk a little bit about playing a role that you feel you are the proper age for.
Since the industry is driven often by youth, then of course it only makes sense to want to look younger than you actually are.
But what happens to those chances that come by where you don’t look physically age appropriate? Sadly, more often than not, the role will go to someone else.
I’ve been wanting to play a role that’s more mature and down to earth for a while now. So far, the closest that I have gotten is Mr. Bratt in H2$. In mannerisms and attitude, I got to play the role more maturely, but when I look at pictures, I still feel like I look too young. After the show ended, I wanted to know what it would be like to look older. SOOOO…..
I grew out a beard to see if that helped. And it did. A little. Now, I looked like I just was too lazy to shave and not necessarily older. But I kept growing out the beard from Dec 5 all the way through to today. It was so itchy, and I don’t know how many times I cursed myself for not cutting it off, but I stood my ground. Until finally it became too much and I just couldn’t do it any longer. I didn’t really learn anything new about myself with this little test, but now I know what I look like “Rugged.” Hahaha. But I must shave…
I began looking and feeling like myself, but I didn’t want the same thing as before, so I couldn’t figure out how to change it up. I finally settled on…
How does this tie in with acting your age? Well, when I finally am able to play a character that is more than a juvenile minded comedic relief man-child, then I will be “acting my age.” I am truly happy, that I can pull that type of role off, but I long to have a chance to really forage deep in my psyche and actually be able to create something with so much more depth than I have ever done before. While I try to have a nice multilayered character in every show, having a complex role would allow me to play even more inside the mind and history of a character without having to completely imagine an entire life and hope that it’s right.
However in real life, I happily embrace my Peter Pan Syndrome and shall fight till the death to keep looking for my shadow.
Are you older or younger than you really are? Do you like it or loath it? Let me know by simply stating : “younger, like it” in the comment section below.
The Actorvist 