Miley Cyrus may have left Disney Channel (and her Hannah Montana image) behind a long time ago, but apparently she still cares about developments there. The recent announcement of the inclusion of a family headed by lesbian parents in the show Good Luck Charlie has prompted Miley to take to Twitter to express her views. "I commend Disney for making this step into the light of this generation. ... This is INSPIRING," she tweeted.
Yes, I agree this is inspiring indeed. TV shows should reflect reality, and be inclusive to all its potential audience. Taking extra care to make sure nobody misses out is an important element in the development of great shows. It's good to see Disney taking this duty seriously.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
TaraElla Website
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Rihanna, Marijuana and Instagram
Rihanna has taken to Instagram to make her stance on marijuana known. Now there is a photo of her wearing a T-shirt with a marijuana leaf logo.
I am personally supportive of decriminalising marijuana. I guess I just don't agree with sending people to jail over a lifestyle choice that does not appear to harm others, and potentially break up families as a result.
However, I personally think what Rihanna is doing is glorification of marijuana use, something which I really don't agree with. I mean, people should have the right to do whatever they want, but think about this: marijuana is harmful to human brains. Therefore, to me, glorification of marijuana use is like glorification of smoking regular cigarettes, which has been almost universally condemned as effectively promoting lung cancer. It is utterly irresponsible behaviour.
Another reason to continue my Rihanna boycott, I guess.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
I am personally supportive of decriminalising marijuana. I guess I just don't agree with sending people to jail over a lifestyle choice that does not appear to harm others, and potentially break up families as a result.
However, I personally think what Rihanna is doing is glorification of marijuana use, something which I really don't agree with. I mean, people should have the right to do whatever they want, but think about this: marijuana is harmful to human brains. Therefore, to me, glorification of marijuana use is like glorification of smoking regular cigarettes, which has been almost universally condemned as effectively promoting lung cancer. It is utterly irresponsible behaviour.
Another reason to continue my Rihanna boycott, I guess.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
A Baby Named North West
It has been reported that Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have named their baby North West.
Is that even a name? I have been asking this question, and so have many people. I have to say it's a decision I really don't agree with. Some have even called for names like these to be banned.
However, I recognise that everyone has the right to do what they think is right. Therefore, we'll just have to accept the parents' choice. Or else, we will turn out like Sweden, where all baby names have to be government approved. I'd prefer our present system any day.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Is that even a name? I have been asking this question, and so have many people. I have to say it's a decision I really don't agree with. Some have even called for names like these to be banned.
However, I recognise that everyone has the right to do what they think is right. Therefore, we'll just have to accept the parents' choice. Or else, we will turn out like Sweden, where all baby names have to be government approved. I'd prefer our present system any day.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Torn on the New Miley Song
Miley Cyrus's new song We Can't Stop has hit the airwaves, and it's proving to be quite controversial. In fact, I am about to confess that I am officially torn over this track.
On one hand, I do like the music. Miley also does an excellent job on the vocals as usual. However, the other day I saw the video, and I have to say that, well, it is not acceptable to my standards. Here's my summary: it's weird and cheap at the same time, and does not appear to mean anything at all. I also thought some of it was very gross - hence I am not embedding it here.
I guess Miley wanted controversy, and she got controversy. People have a right to do what they want, I guess.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
On one hand, I do like the music. Miley also does an excellent job on the vocals as usual. However, the other day I saw the video, and I have to say that, well, it is not acceptable to my standards. Here's my summary: it's weird and cheap at the same time, and does not appear to mean anything at all. I also thought some of it was very gross - hence I am not embedding it here.
I guess Miley wanted controversy, and she got controversy. People have a right to do what they want, I guess.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Friday, June 21, 2013
TaraElla's Top 3 Taylor Swift Hits Ever
I'm going to start a series of mini entries about the top 3 songs I like from different artists.
Taylor Swift has had 19 #1s on the Jenienland Chart, and she has been one of my favourite artists. So let's start with her.
#1: The Best Day (Jenienland end of year chart #3, 2009)
Being a fan of her music generally, it might surprise you that this is the only Taylor song that I can personally identify with. It's a shame that it was never formally released as a single or was more popular.
I have even done a cover of this, dedicated to my own mother.
#2: Love Story (Jenienland end of year chart #9, 2008)
The first Taylor song I really loved. I mean, Teardrops on my Guitar was pretty good, but this was the one which made me really look out for Taylor's releases going forward. It was also her first #1 from me.
#3: Fifteen
A great song with a great message. Enough said.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Taylor Swift has had 19 #1s on the Jenienland Chart, and she has been one of my favourite artists. So let's start with her.
#1: The Best Day (Jenienland end of year chart #3, 2009)
Being a fan of her music generally, it might surprise you that this is the only Taylor song that I can personally identify with. It's a shame that it was never formally released as a single or was more popular.
I have even done a cover of this, dedicated to my own mother.
#2: Love Story (Jenienland end of year chart #9, 2008)
The first Taylor song I really loved. I mean, Teardrops on my Guitar was pretty good, but this was the one which made me really look out for Taylor's releases going forward. It was also her first #1 from me.
#3: Fifteen
A great song with a great message. Enough said.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Tish Cyrus Files for Divorce
Tish Cyrus has reportedly filed for divorce from husband Billy Ray Cyrus, and is seeking custody of daughter Noah, 13.
The breakup rate of Hollywood couples never ceases to astonish me, and frankly, make me feel more than a little sad. I guess I was lucky that my parents stayed together no matter what for the sake of the family. Yet it is something that is becoming rarer and rarer in Hollywood circles.
Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus continues to promote her new song We Can't Stop everywhere, giving media interviews over a wide range of topics. I honestly don't think I could do that if my parents were breaking up. I would probably be sitting at home crying. I wonder how she does it.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
p.s. Since this is a divorce-related post, I thought I should promote my 'permanent commitment' alternative. Read this for more information.
The breakup rate of Hollywood couples never ceases to astonish me, and frankly, make me feel more than a little sad. I guess I was lucky that my parents stayed together no matter what for the sake of the family. Yet it is something that is becoming rarer and rarer in Hollywood circles.
Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus continues to promote her new song We Can't Stop everywhere, giving media interviews over a wide range of topics. I honestly don't think I could do that if my parents were breaking up. I would probably be sitting at home crying. I wonder how she does it.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
p.s. Since this is a divorce-related post, I thought I should promote my 'permanent commitment' alternative. Read this for more information.
Monday, June 17, 2013
I Still Miss the Old Miley, to be Honest. She was an Inspiration to People Like Me.
When Miley Cyrus first came to the media's attention, she was only a teenager acting in a Disney show. Over the years, I came to think that she was a great addition to the entertainment industry. One thing I particularly liked about her was how close to her family she was. The entertainment industry was full of people who don't like their parents and are all too ready to show it - I still remember cringing every time a certain song containing the line 'daddy I hate you' came on the radio. I remember, for somebody like me who is close to her family, back then American Idol was probably a better source than the commercial entertainment industry to find someone you could identify with. I took a liking to contestants like Diana DeGarmo and Carrie Underwood partly because they were close to family, like I was.
From what I could see, Miley was closest to her dad. I was (and still am) closest to my mom, perhaps in a similar way. Miley was proud to display this fact, and it was refreshing to see. It would serve as an inspiration against the 'advice' some of my 'friends' would give me about being 'too close' to my mom, 'advice' telling me to go party out in the city behind her back, 'advice' that I wouldn't ever consider taking anyway. Miley was telling the world that people like us were cool.
But then, everything changed. In 2010, Miley's father Billy Ray did not attend her 18th birthday. "You know why I didn't go? Because they were having it in a bar. It was wrong. It was for 21-years-old and up," Billy Ray explained in an interview with GQ in 2011. If it were me, I would do ANYTHING so that my mom could attend my birthday. Yet Miley chose the bar anyway. How she had changed!
I did defend Miley, saying that she was still a role model for some things. Like how she supported marriage equality and was so passionate she got a tattoo for it (not that I think tattoos are a great idea but if one had to have a tattoo for anything it would be this, I believe). But I still miss the old Miley, and I still want her to be like she once was again.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
From what I could see, Miley was closest to her dad. I was (and still am) closest to my mom, perhaps in a similar way. Miley was proud to display this fact, and it was refreshing to see. It would serve as an inspiration against the 'advice' some of my 'friends' would give me about being 'too close' to my mom, 'advice' telling me to go party out in the city behind her back, 'advice' that I wouldn't ever consider taking anyway. Miley was telling the world that people like us were cool.
But then, everything changed. In 2010, Miley's father Billy Ray did not attend her 18th birthday. "You know why I didn't go? Because they were having it in a bar. It was wrong. It was for 21-years-old and up," Billy Ray explained in an interview with GQ in 2011. If it were me, I would do ANYTHING so that my mom could attend my birthday. Yet Miley chose the bar anyway. How she had changed!
I did defend Miley, saying that she was still a role model for some things. Like how she supported marriage equality and was so passionate she got a tattoo for it (not that I think tattoos are a great idea but if one had to have a tattoo for anything it would be this, I believe). But I still miss the old Miley, and I still want her to be like she once was again.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Let's Support Diana Vickers - Here's 3 Reasons
UK singer Diana Vickers has released a new single for the first time in a few years, named Cinderella. She has scored one #1 in her home country, but I believe that she is still too underrated. Here are a few reasons I believe she should be more popular:
#1. She's Very Unique
Her voice is one of a kind. It struck me as something special way back in 2008 when I heard a snippet of her singing on X Factor. The other day my mom walked past my room when I was listening to her stuff, and she remarked about how 'special' the voice coming out from the speakers was. Enough said.
#2. Her Songs Are Pure Genius
The lyrics to her hits like The Boy Who Murdered Love and Cinderella are pure genius. Lines like " There's a mark upon your skin / Where your heart once used to be" and " If Cinderella was here tonight / She wouldn’t walk out the door leaving you behind / Midnight calling but she don’t care / She’d be a fool not to follow you everywhere" are not easy to find in the mass produced chart music of the 2010s.
#3. She's Not Tried Drugs
In 2010, she wrote in the UK Sun that "just because a drug is legal, you cannot assume it is safe." She also told Now Magazine that, regarding her 'experience' with drugs, "I've never tried them and I'm very proud of that." I am not judgmental about people who use drugs, but I do believe that people who can proudly say that they have never touched drugs are good role models for society. I myself can say that I have never touched drugs, and I can also say that it's thanks to a family, especially my mother, who have always highlighted the dangers of drugs to me from a young age. Some people are not as fortunate to have a family who cares for them, and therefore messages from other people to the same effect are needed.
Anyway, here's Cinderella:
By TaraElla (News, Website)
#1. She's Very Unique
Her voice is one of a kind. It struck me as something special way back in 2008 when I heard a snippet of her singing on X Factor. The other day my mom walked past my room when I was listening to her stuff, and she remarked about how 'special' the voice coming out from the speakers was. Enough said.
#2. Her Songs Are Pure Genius
The lyrics to her hits like The Boy Who Murdered Love and Cinderella are pure genius. Lines like " There's a mark upon your skin / Where your heart once used to be" and " If Cinderella was here tonight / She wouldn’t walk out the door leaving you behind / Midnight calling but she don’t care / She’d be a fool not to follow you everywhere" are not easy to find in the mass produced chart music of the 2010s.
#3. She's Not Tried Drugs
In 2010, she wrote in the UK Sun that "just because a drug is legal, you cannot assume it is safe." She also told Now Magazine that, regarding her 'experience' with drugs, "I've never tried them and I'm very proud of that." I am not judgmental about people who use drugs, but I do believe that people who can proudly say that they have never touched drugs are good role models for society. I myself can say that I have never touched drugs, and I can also say that it's thanks to a family, especially my mother, who have always highlighted the dangers of drugs to me from a young age. Some people are not as fortunate to have a family who cares for them, and therefore messages from other people to the same effect are needed.
Anyway, here's Cinderella:
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Kelly Osbourne to Lady Gaga: Do you really care about the gay community?
The feud between Kelly Osbourne and Lady Gaga has lasted quite a while already. But it seems it won't go away just yet, with Kelly revisiting her distaste for Gaga in a recent interview in Cosmopolitan magazine. And she also had something to say about Lady Gaga and her commitment to gay rights.
"You're feeding on the freaks and geeks to further your career? Do you really care about the gay community? Because if you did, you'd stand up for it more than you do," Kelly said.
I think Gaga does care about gay rights, at least to an extent. That's great. But I'm not sure if she ever thought of this: she's not exactly an example for family values. The gay rights movement is currently all about family values and family rights for gays. The way Gaga acts reduces her credibility on those issues. If she cared more, I guess she would act differently.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
"You're feeding on the freaks and geeks to further your career? Do you really care about the gay community? Because if you did, you'd stand up for it more than you do," Kelly said.
I think Gaga does care about gay rights, at least to an extent. That's great. But I'm not sure if she ever thought of this: she's not exactly an example for family values. The gay rights movement is currently all about family values and family rights for gays. The way Gaga acts reduces her credibility on those issues. If she cared more, I guess she would act differently.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Besides Kristen Stewart, Who Else Could Have Played Bella?
Kristen Stewart actually isn't the best choice for Bella in Twilight, I have often thought. Some people have agreed with me on that observation too. So who else could have played Bella?
According to Courtney Love, the role could have went to her daughter Frances Bean Cobain, if she hadn't turned it down.
Funny that it seems that the role would have gone to a person with extensive connections in the industry either way? Just shows how exclusive the industry has become nowadays.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
According to Courtney Love, the role could have went to her daughter Frances Bean Cobain, if she hadn't turned it down.
Funny that it seems that the role would have gone to a person with extensive connections in the industry either way? Just shows how exclusive the industry has become nowadays.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Monday, June 3, 2013
LeAnn Rimes: 'I Made Some Really Bad Choices'
"I made some really bad choices. I caused hurt," LeAnn Rimes recently told People in an interview.
I have to agree. In fact, some of what she did made me almost hate her at one point. How could one of my former favourite artists do something so evil?
But then, people make mistakes. The most important thing is to own up to those mistakes, and make appropriate apologies. And never do them again. I guess LeAnn has been quite willing to engage in this process so far. And that's great. I have forgiven her.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
I have to agree. In fact, some of what she did made me almost hate her at one point. How could one of my former favourite artists do something so evil?
But then, people make mistakes. The most important thing is to own up to those mistakes, and make appropriate apologies. And never do them again. I guess LeAnn has been quite willing to engage in this process so far. And that's great. I have forgiven her.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Apparently Taylor Swift is Like Grandma. Does This Mean I'm Like a Grandma too?
On popular news website Huffington Post there was recently a post titled '13 Things Taylor Swift And Your Grandma Have In Common'.
Apparently, Taylor Swift is like grandma because she talks about the good old days, enjoy a good sing-a-long sometimes, is easy to surprise, likes to do a thumbs up for approval, enjoy the simple things in life, and is always there for you.
Guess what? These things all apply to me too.
Does it mean I'm officially *old*? I hope not.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Apparently, Taylor Swift is like grandma because she talks about the good old days, enjoy a good sing-a-long sometimes, is easy to surprise, likes to do a thumbs up for approval, enjoy the simple things in life, and is always there for you.
Guess what? These things all apply to me too.
Does it mean I'm officially *old*? I hope not.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
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