Brad Pitt: Former Drug User. What Can We Learn?

Brad Pitt is in a great place right now. "I just haven't known life to be any happier," he told Esquire magazine.

In the same interview, he also opened up about his drug use in the past. "For a long time I thought I did too much damage – drug damage," he said.

What can we learn from this? Well first, that drugs damage lives, and should never be touched. I guess we know this already, though. The other side of this story is that it shows how otherwise decent people may still fall into the drug trap. Indeed, I used to be judgmental about drug addiction - but I am not now. It's just another medical condition.

By TaraElla (News, Website)

Paris Hilton's 2nd Album? No, Thanks.

Paris Hilton has been talking about making a 2nd album for some time now, and now there are reports that she has signed a deal with Cash Money Records.

I, for one, will not be looking forward to this album. Especially after how her first album was, well, meaningless to the extreme. Sort of like almost every other thing she does.

By TaraElla (News, Website)

Selena Gomez, Spring Breakers and my 90s Standards

Some people have responded to my post about Selena Gomez and her recent appearance on Spring Breakers with a question: why am I being so negative on her, given that I have said that I don't abide by 1950s standards, and rather exalt a 90s-esque balance. There have been plenty of people who dress sexily in the 1990s, they said, and I haven't judged them this way.

But it is about the content and market too. Does Selena Gomez still want to be part of the family friendly market or not? This is the central question. In the good old days, where my standards were formed, people had a right to be 'sexy', but those who want to sell to family friendly markets will always be somewhat, well, family friendly at least, and will not appear in movies like Spring Breakers, in my opinion.

The ultimate question remains, does Selena Gomez still want to be part of the family friendly market or not? I really hope she does.

By TaraElla (News, Website)

Kesha in Controversial Urine Drinking Stunt

In her reality show on MTV, Ke$ha: My Crazy Beautiful Life, Kesha recently had a urine drinking stunt. Now the Parent Television Council has come out slamming the stunt. "If given the opportunity, I can't imagine that parents would want to pay for a cable network that airs an episode of a pop star drinking her own urine," they said.

I think that's a bit unfair to MTV - that's not what MTV is all about, you know. But what's the need for outrage in the first place? If I were a parent I wouldn't let my kids watch anything Kesha related. I guess other parents would generally do the same. I fully support family friendly TV, but not censorship by outrage. If some show isn't family friendly, it should be avoided by families. That's about it.

By TaraElla (News, Website)

Don't Reward Robin Thicke This Time

Robin Thicke (along with Pharrell Williams and T.I.) recently released his most commercially successful single in quite a long time, Blurred Lines. It really isn't like anything he has done before, and a lot of people seem to like it.

But there is one problem. The music video. Besides being absolutely hideous, it objectifies women, in my opinion. It's really unacceptable to do that. I haven't featured it here because it is too offensive to belong here, in my opinion, but if you want to watch it it's on Youtube.

Therefore, I am not buying that stuff. I am not rewarding someone for doing that. Maybe all of you out there should think twice about buying the single too.

What a shame. It was quite a good song too.

By TaraElla (News, Website)

I Still Prefer the Old Selena Gomez

So the video for the new Selena Gomez song Come And Get It is out. It's okay, but not really great, in my opinion. I'm also concerned that she may not be taking her career in a good direction. Anyway, here's the video:



I have to say, I'd rather listen to her old stuff:



Now this was a great song.

By TaraElla (News, Website)

Great Stuff From Owl City

I LOVE this!



By TaraElla (News, Website)

Kree Harrison for American Idol!

The American Idol final is upon us. This year, I will be supporting Kree Harrison. Her singing is superb, even better than Carrie Underwood when she was on the show. She simply deserves it, in my opinion.

By TaraElla (News, Website)

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Make a Record

Congratulations to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, whose second US Billboard Hot 100 single 'Can't Hold Us' just went up to #1! It follows from their success with Thrift Shop. This also means that they have set a record - they are the first duo to top the chart with their first two singles on the chart.

My favourite song of theirs is Same Love, however. It also went #1 in Australia and New Zealand. I wonder why it hasn't been big in the US?



By TaraElla (News, Website)

What a Great Song Does

There are many styles of music out there, but my favourite is a traditional ballad. It's even better when it's coupled with a great message.

This week we feature a great sample of what I described above. You Have More Friends Than You Know is a song written by Mervyn Warren and Jeff Marx, for a touring show about It Gets Better, the famous project created to inspire hope for young LGBT people facing difficult times. The show is performed by the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA), and has been touring across the US since 2012.

In April this year, the song was covered by the cast of Glee in one of their episodes, bringing in lots of new interest in both the song and the show.

Anyway, here is the song (Glee version):


How good does it make you feel!

By TaraElla (News, Website)

Puffins Mate for Life, and Baby Puffins are called "Pufflings"

Doesn't that make you feel good?

Which brings me to something more serious. Recently, somebody asked me: marriage will be obsolete anyway, why fight for it?

The truth is that, marriage will NEVER be obsolete, and I really don't want to see it become obsolete either. I believe almost all those fighting for marriage equality will see it the same way. This is why it is a meaningful fight for us.

But nowadays couples are not choosing marriage in increasing numbers right? 25% of children are already not born in marriages, right?

Marriage is but one way of permanent commitment, truth to be told. It is especially appealing to those in some religious faiths, and maybe less appealing to others. But it is here to stay. Other forms of permanent commitment include civil unions and domestic partnerships, other religious covenants, and cohabitation backed up by declaration of permanent commitment to friends and family, for example. Even within marriage, some people choose a 'biblical' marriage, others opt for a civil ceremony. More choice that lead to the same objectives is always better. That objective is permanent commitment, and one that we would like to see encouraged. That means encouraging marriage, for now and forever.

In the future, marriage won't be the only choice for permanent commitment, but an equally valid choice amongst others to achieve the same objective. Therefore, it will always be encouraged, and will always be relevant. Therefore, we need to fight for marriage equality, and ignore those who want instead the 'abolition of marriage'.

By TaraElla (News, Website)

TLC Reunion Coming?

TLC was one of the most successful groups in the 1990s, but a tragedy in 2002, where member Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes died in a car accident, put an abrupt end to it. To this day, their songs remain anthems for many people, and have been covered multiple times. Just last year, British RnB group did a cover of their major hit Waterfalls.

It has now been reported that the two remaining members, Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas and Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins, are possibly preparing material for a new album, and may even do a reunion tour - with Left Eye as a hologram.

TLC ended too soon, and too suddenly. I guess a resurrection would be great for the fans, and for their legacy. IN MY WORLD, EVERYTHING SHOULD HAVE A HAPPY ENDING!





By TaraElla (News, Website)

I Wasn't Judging Jennifer Love Hewitt

After my recent rant on Jennifer Love Hewitt and her dress, let me clarify this: I wasn't judging her. I don't do that. The title 'How Low Can You Go' was in reference to the dress, nothing more.

But I was indeed concerned. The Ellen show is for families and promotes acceptance, and such attire would destroy this spirit. Many women do not feel comfortable in attire like that, and I would like to stand up for their rights. In a place like Ellen nobody should ever feel the pressure to dress like that, and I was concerned about this precedent. Maybe Miss Hewitt was comfortable in making this choice, but it could still have implications for future guests on the show, I think. Just like how some music videos began to show more skin than usual, and now much of the music industry is under the same pressure.

That was all I was concerned about. Frankly, Miss Hewitt has every right to dress how she wants. I JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO BE HAPPY!

By TaraElla (News, Website)

What a Mess Teen Mom Is!

I've never watched MTV's Teen Mom. I refuse to watch it out of principle - I believe that losing your virginity before you are 21 is a major mistake in life, and should not be the topic of a television show. If someone ends up in that situation, they should be able to deal with it in private, rather than under the gaze of the public eye.

Recently, multiple characters from the program have faced troubles of one type and another, and often due to their own poor choices. I guess the public spotlight didn't help there too. I even partially blame Teen Mom for their troubles - for many, teenage pregnancy and motherhood would be a chance to learn a lesson in private about poor choices, and get their lives in order, but making it into a public show just takes this away from them.

I sincerely ask MTV to never do another 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom, or similar show again.

By TaraElla (News, Website)

Amanda Bynes, Get Help!

I used to admire Amanda Bynes when I was younger. I mean, she was pretty, smart, and successful.

So the way she has turned out now is quite disappointing for me to see. Lately she has been posting odd videos about herself, and revealing pictures that were, in my opinion, inappropriate. I guess that means she would benefit from some help.

I guess it's now up to her fans to encourage her to seek help. Hopefully she will listen.

By TaraElla (News, Website)