It’s About time for Paris Hilton to Take Ownership of Her Racist Past

Paris Hilton seems to be on a dirty-laundry cleanse, only she’s raiding the closets of others and failed to purge her own precarious overflow. Hilton drew attention to an old Sarah Silverman joke aimed at The Simple Life star, in which the comedian referenced Hilton’s then-upcoming jail sentence, saying that in order to make the heiress “feel more comfortable in prison, the guards are going to paint the bars to look like penises.” While I understand the desire to demand an apology (and she succeeded in getting one) given that the joke was based on Hilton’s stolen sex tape recorded sans her permission, I’d like the accountability train to also include Paris Hilton’s racism.

If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to take a trip down memory lane. Paris Hilton has a history of racist, anti-Semitic, bigoted language — none of which was even moderately acknowledged in her This Is Paris documentary, which purported to be a thorough examination of her life. Some might remember that Paris Hilton’s storage locker became public after she failed to pay the fee, and that storage locker included damning videotapes of her repeatedly using the N word in addition to other horrific racist language. Many of the videos have been scrubbed, but some live on and are easily findable.

Journalist Neil Strauss (The Dirt) also documented a troubling encounter with Hilton in his book, Everyone Loves You and Your Dead: Journeys into Fame and Madness. According to Strauss, during an interaction with Hilton, heiress pointed to an unnamed actor in Saving Private Ryan, and said, “We were making out, but then we went somewhere where it was bright and I saw that he was black and made an excuse and left. I can’t stand black guys. I would never touch one. It’s gross.” Hilton denied the alleged interaction and threatened to sue, but I believe Strauss. Her use of the N word in the aforementioned video was far more difficult to deny given we can see it with our own eyes so her then-publicist issued a pathetic statement on her behalf. Here’s what it said:

“I’m not going to make any attempt to spin this. It happened. I’m not going to deny it happened. Each of us has used words we have regretted later. This was six years ago. She was 20 at the time. It was New Year’s Eve. She had been obviously drinking. She sincerely regrets using those words. She is not a racist or an anti-Semite.”

Speaking of anti-Semitic, there are also numerous reports of Paris Hilton taking aim at Jews. I could go on, but I think I’ve made my point. If you’re going to come for Sarah Silverman make sure own house is clean. And if you’re going to make a “documentary” about your life, you sure as sh*t better take ownership of your deplorable behavior. Because I’ve seen that documentary and it should be called — This is NOT Paris.

Sharon Osbourne Apologizes – But Leaves Sheryl Underwood Out

If there is anything I have learned during my antiracist awakening, it’s that it is not up to Black people to educate white people on racism. When Sheryl Underwood kindly attempted to ask Shannon Osborne about her stanch defense of Piers Morgan, Osborne got predictably defensive and in fact demanded that Sheryl justify the question in the first place. In the video below, you’ll notice that Sheryl keeps her composure, whereas Sharon Osborne gets to throw a tantrum with no consequences. Furthermore, demanding that Underwood “not cry” is deplorable.

I don’t know Sharon Osborne, but I trust Sheryl Underwood’s opinion when she said that Osborne is not racist. That being said, she certainly ignorant in her defense of Morgan, missing the fact that Morgan’s continual diminishment of Meghan Markle’s experience with racism is in it of itself racist. He need not use the n-word to be considered racist — a point lost on Osbourne.

According to reports, the on-air spat is currently being investigated and Osborne has since apologized via Instagram. Though I’m happy to see an apology of any sort, it would’ve been better in person — and Underwood’s name is curiously nowhere to be found.

I’d hate to see Sharon fired over this. I’d love for the conversation to continue on-air until she gets it, but to reiterate my original point – that would be exhausting for her cohosts, and it’s not their job to offer Osborne an educational course on racism or unconscious bias.

Justin Timberlake Apologizes to Janet Jackson and Britney Spears — Too Little, Too Late?

Image result for justin timberlake britney spears

After years of outcry, rage, and public demands, Justin Timberlake has finally apologized for how he treated both Britney Spears and Janet Jackson in the media — and as far as I’m concerned — it’s too little, too late. Following the release of Framing Britney Spears, the New York Times Presents series for FX and Hulu, the public’s outrage over Timberlake’s treatment of Spears following their breakup has reignited, and this time he has no choice but to address it.

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Interview: Tara Reid Sits Down With The Dishmaster Does Things

Tara Reid has had an incredibly prolific career. She entered the business at the age of six after being spotted by a talent scout in the New Jersey mall, and she hasn’t stopped working since. Though I was first introduced to her because of American Pie, she has had a series unforgettable of roles/scenes, most notably an over-the-top, hilarious scene in Cruel Intentions the incomparable Bunny in The Big Lebowski, and of course — Sharknado.

Tara sat down for an interview for my podcast (The Dishmaster Does Things), where she walked me through her creative process and discussed her new stint behind-the-scenes as an executive producer. Listen below for a very interesting interview with an incredibly gracious guest.

President Biden’s Inauguration Concert Highlights

President Biden’s Inauguration Concert brought out huge stars and the highest production value of a virtual concert I’ve seen since the pandemic began. Because of the circumstances, many of the performances were played to empty streets in different cities or in Washington, DC against our most beautiful backdrops (if you forgot the beauty of the Lincoln Memorial — John Legend will remind you). Below are some of the evening highlights.

BLACK PUMAS

Austin soul band — Black Pumas — owned the night with their performance of the song, “Colors” from their 2019 self-titled album. Led by singer/songwriter Eric Burton and guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada, the Grammy nominated band performed ACL Live in Austin. Quesada won a Grammy for his work with Latin funk band Grupo Fantasma and according to Vulture, he connected with Burton through a mutual friend. Burton was busking in Austin at the time.

If you’re looking for more Black Pumas content after watching the video below, I’d encourage you to watch their stirring rendition of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.” After learning how fiercely protective Chapman’s of her music, I love it even more knowing that she likely had to approve it. You can also see them on NPR’s Tiny Desk series.

JOHN LEGEND

John Legend’s stirring performance of “Feeling Good” was joyously juxtaposed against his wife’s hilarious Instagram stories, which featured her sitting on a windowsill “reporting the news.” But when Chrissy Teigen captured Legend on camera seconds before he performed — she showed the world just how cool and calm this guy actually is. For a voice with that prowess and an event of that magnitude, I would think the guy would be sweating a little — but not a bead.

Legend took to his Instagram to reflect on the evening, saying, “It was so special for me to celebrate with the nation in front of the memorial to one of our greatest presidents. AND I loved honoring the late great Nina Simone, my constant source of musical inspiration.” Lincoln, Nina, and Legend? Say no more. Watch below.

DEMI LOVATO

Demi Lovato is my father’s favorite performance of the night, and since he has high standards, she is getting a special mention. The powerhouse singer managed to keep our interest in an empty room with a little help from a green-screen background featuring clips of healthcare workers and other Americans across the country. Her rendition of Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day” was meant to uplift America, and I’m pretty sure she did just that. For music-aficionados that enjoy fun facts — Withers 18-second long note at the end of the original tune is one of the longest recorded in pop history.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE + ANT CLEMENS

Justin Timberlake reminded me of his talent 10 times over, and his performance with Ant Clemens proved magical. The duo performed in Timberlake’s hometown of Memphis, Tennessee inside Stax Museum of American Soul Music. According to People the the singers were “joined by former Stax Music Academy students and musical director Adam Blackstone, who arranged the live music.” You might remember Clemons’ voice from his appearance on Kanye West’s 2018 single “All Mine.” He earned a Grammy nomination for best R&B album with his debut LP HAPPY 2 BE HERE.

Clemons and Timberlake wrote the song, “Better Days” only a few months ago and since I initially thought it was a classic that I didn’t recognize — I’d say it’s damn good.

KATY PERRY

Katy left me gobsmacked. And what an incredible arrangement. That’s all I have to say about that.

There’s a lesson to be learned here. Sometimes a disadvantage can be used in one’s favor. Had this been flooded with folks, these performances would have been far less magical.

Does Malik Beasley Have a Forked Tongue?

What happens when a man tells each of his women two different stories? The women attack one another, of course. Such seems to be the case with Larsa Pippen and Minnesota Timberwolves NBA player Malik Beasley. After receiving substantial blowback for flaunting her new relationship with her married squeeze, Larsa insists he was separated from his wife, Montana Yao, at the time the time they met.

Yao did not take kindly to Larsa’s representation, saying, “This is 100% false. Continue to speak on my name and my relationship and we’re going to have issues. Receipts don’t lie. Let’s not go there. I think you’ve embarrassed yourself enough already.”

If only women would share stories instead of launching an immediate attack. And though I’m not inside the four walls of her marriage, I’m still confused about how you trade a GOAT like Scottie Pippen for her current roster of suitors. Furthermore, whether the man is separated or not, it’s obviously still fresh and children are involved, which means it’s probably not the best idea to flaunt your new relationship on social or otherwise.

Will the Real Hilaria Baldwin Please Stand Up?

There is a lot of drama surrounding Hilaria Baldwin lately — and despite her best efforts to squash the controversy — it’s only growing. For those late to the story, Hilaria has long given the impression that she is a Spaniard (born in Mallorca). As it turns out, she’s a white girl from Boston.

The controversy began with a Twitter user who posted, “You have to admire Hilaria Baldwin’s commitment to her decade long grift where she impersonates a Spanish person.”

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Songland Interview — Greg Scott Takes You Behind the Scenes of the NBC Show

SONGLAND — “Bebe Rexha” Episode 208 — Pictured: (l-r) Greg Scott, Ryan Tedder — (Photo by: Evans Vestal Ward/NBC)

I’ve long been a fan of NBC’s Songland, as the hit songwriter series provides an opportunity to nurture up-and-coming songwriters, pairing them up with three industry titans for an in-studio upgrade to their existing song. Greg Scott is one such winner, and he graciously took me behind-the-scenes of the hit competition, which scored him a track with Bebe Rexha, which will be featured at the 2021 Olympics.

He shared his win with fellow contestant Anna Graceman (Rexha combined their tracks). Tune in to hear about his story and his experience on the show. We also talk pop-culture — covering Connie Chung’s game of whac-a-mole with Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer, Chuck Wicks dragging Julianne Hough, Tom Cruise’s on-set rant, George Clooney and Amal’s love story, and more.

Tom Cruise Loses His Top — and I’m Here for it

Tom Cruise lost his top — and it’s one of the best pieces of audio I’ve ever heard. First obtained by The Sun, Cruise can be heard for a solid three minutes tearing into two of his crew members who are accused of breaking the Covid-19 six-feet-apart rules. Since Mission Impossible VII has already been shut down due to the Coronavirus, Cruise clearly had enough.

Many have compared the Cruise rant to the “good-for-you” Christian Bale meltdown, which I’d argue is distinguishable. For starters, Cruise’s anger represents a nation of virus-fatigued rule followers who are forced to isolate at the hands of selfish dolts who refuse to put a piece of cloth over their face for the benefit of the human race. Bale —on the other hand — was bothered by a disruption to his acting process.

Does a true leader behave this way? Sure. Cruise can be both a leader and a Hollywood A-lister whose multi-million dollar film, and the jobs that come with it, are riding on his shoulders. Kudos to you, Cruise.

Maggie Rogers Visits Sesame Street

Because everyone could use a little joy in their lives right now, I’m posting a clip of the great Maggie Rogers singing “It’s Nighttime” during her guest appearance on Sesame Street.