There were so many moments during yesterday’s inauguration which gave me goosebumps and made me tear up a lot. The moment when Kamala Harris took the oath of office, the first woman (and woman of color) to hold national office in America. The moment when President Biden took his oath of office, about 12 minutes before noon, and knowing that we were finally done with the Trump era. The moment when Vice President Harris saluted the men and women in uniform and walked into her offices in the Old Executive Office Building. And the moment when a young woman, only 22 years old, stood at the dais in a bright yellow coat and recited the poem she had written following the January 6th insurrection just two weeks before.

The young woman was Amanda Gorman, the Youth Poet Laureate, and a resident of Los Angeles. Gorman’s yellow ensemble was Prada. She wore Nikos Koulis’ Energy jewelry gifted to her by Oprah Winfrey, with a Of Rare Origin birdcage ring in honor of Maya Angelou. Gorman recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb” to an enraptured audience in person and watching at home.

I’ve watched her recitation/performance a few times and it keeps getting better and better. What do you love the most? I love the acknowledgement that we are not okay but we will be okay, that we have to keep working because none of this is over. “And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it/Somehow we do it/Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed/a nation that isn’t broken/but simply unfinished.” “A country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free.” You can read the full poem here.

Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:
That even as we grieved, we grew
That even as we hurt, we hoped
That even as we tired, we tried
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious
Not because we will never again know defeat
but because we will never again sow division

Thank you! I would be nowhere without the women whose footsteps I dance in. While reciting my poem, I wore a ring with a caged bird—a gift from @Oprah for the occasion , to symbolize Maya Angelou, a previous inaugural poet. Here’s to the women who have climbed my hills before. https://t.co/5Tegd20sko

— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) January 20, 2021

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

On Inauguration Day 2017, Michelle Obama telegraphed to the world how she felt. She telegraphed her sadness and anger with the expressions she made throughout the day, and she also telegraphed it with her thrown-together, little-effort styling. She didn’t think the Trumps were worth the effort, and she was right. But MO telegraphed something different for Inauguration Day 2021. Suddenly it was big, bouncy hair, monochromatic plum style and a giant statement belt. Michelle arrived at the Capitol looking like a damn Avenger.

Michelle’s ensemble was by Sergio Hudson, a Black designer from South Carolina. Vice President Harris also wore Sergio Hudson. People were joking about “the girls coordinating their looks on WhatsApp,” but seriously, did VP Harris and MO talk to each other about fashion?? It was pretty funny when the Obamas arrived too – every anchor and journalist doing commentary on the inauguration proceedings were like “MICHELLE OBAMA!!! And her husband, Barry Something.” Michelle’s stalker George W. Bush noticed how great she looked too, he spent most of the pre-inaugural trying to get attention from both Obamas.

As always, there were funny tweets!

Hair, LAID. Waist, CINCHED. Fit, BIG DRIP – my forever First Lady did not come to play. pic.twitter.com/idLpj44g2h

— IAMNJERA (@IAMNJERA) January 20, 2021

One thing about Bush, he gon find Michelle pic.twitter.com/SOfQEFUTK2

— vaccine shaw, bad bih at law (@lajefa_logan) January 20, 2021

**raises hand** ? https://t.co/mwRl9gwPVI

— Yene Damtew (@yenedamtew) January 20, 2021

Michelle: handle yo shit
Kamala: no doubt pic.twitter.com/tc3shmyjE3

— ? (@dopevibetweets) January 20, 2021

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

Although most of the stories from the violent attacks on the Capitol were awful, there were a few commendable acts. Like the women aides who had the wherewithal to collect and secure the ballots so the electoral vote could be certified that night as scheduled. Or the young aides who protected their congressional bosses by sheltering in place because they’d been taught to during active shooter drills in school. But one story stood out and that was the actions of Officer Eugene Goodman of the Capitol Police Force. Officer Goodman used himself as bait to lure Capitol insurrectionists away the unsecured doors of the Senate floor and directly into a group of fellow officers:

Absolutely everyone hailed Goodman as a hero, which is exactly what he was. While we watched other officers moving barricades and taking selfies with the terrorists, this man put his life on the line.

There has been much discussion about how, exactly, Goodman will be honored. Many in Congress want to award him the Congressional Gold Medal. I’m sure the Capitol Police force will give him a commendation, perhaps the Mayor of DC will as well. We may eventually see Officer Goodman at one of our new president’s Medal of Freedom ceremonies, who knows. Right now, the dust is still settling from that day and so much needs to be sorted out, both good and bad. With the inauguration and fear of subsequent disruption, accolades and awards must take a backseat to more pressing matters. That’s why it was so impressive that the Biden Inauguration team found a wonderful way to honor Officer Goodman. He was asked to escort Vice President Kamala Harris to the Inauguration as she was sworn in as the first Black/Asian Female Vice President of the United States of America

The now-famous Capitol Police officer who rerouted rioters away from the Senate chamber during the insurrection, potentially saving the lives of Vice President Mike Pence and others, has been promoted to acting deputy House Sergeant at Arms. As part of his new job, Eugene Goodman, a Black officer, escorted Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the first Black woman to hold the office, at the inauguration on Wednesday. Goodman escorted Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff through the Capitol shortly after 11 a.m. Harris and President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in today in a slimmed-down ceremony with precautions for the coronavirus pandemic.

[From The Daily Beast]

I’m giving credit to the Inaugural team, but I don’t know who made the call. VP Harris might have requested Goodman specifically. I, for one, got very emotional when I saw him walking VP Harris (I just like writing it out) and her husband into the building. Not only emotional, but a little safer, did you see how seriously he took his role?

NEW—Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police officer who risked his life to draw the Jan. 6 rioters away from the Senate chamber, has been named the Acting Deputy House Sergeant at Arms…

…now escorts the Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris at #Inauguration
pic.twitter.com/aG6Z9GsJTH

— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) January 20, 2021

Goodman’s presence was lost on nobody. Listen to the ovation he received when he was announced:

The man who saved the Senate.

Standing ovation and cheers for a true hero, Officer Eugene Goodman. pic.twitter.com/MtmQIr6gZk

— Rep. Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) January 20, 2021

Goodman stayed with VP Harris up until she left for Arlington cemetery (I appreciate he wore the camelhair coat, so I was able to find him on TV). Following that, I assume he will return to his job on the force, where everyone will move about the Capitol with more confidence knowing he’s there. Hopefully the honors, citations and commendations will come flooding in. But this is why I love this particular recognition so much: as much as plaques and medals look good hanging on a wall, this honor was the job itself. They said he was so good at what he does, they wanted him to do it for the most important people in the country on the most important day of their career. That is the highest honor they could pay him, and they did it in front of the entire nation. It was a beautiful message for an remarkable person. Perfect.

Started. Going. Strong. pic.twitter.com/5RHqqd1qvA

— YS (@NYinLA2121) January 20, 2021

But even the most perfect moment can stand to have a little fun poked at it, as our friend Karen sent us:

When you wish a motherfucker would: pic.twitter.com/xFVoefz6oo

— Eric Haywood (@EricHaywood) January 20, 2021

These are from Inauguration rehearsals

For the past seven or eight months, I’ve said repeatedly that people have really not paid enough attention to Kamala Harris’s unique family story. Just her marriage to Doug Emhoff alone needs more attention and more press coverage, because they adore each other and they’re so cute! But I’d also like to know more about Kamala’s sister Maya, her niece Meena and all of the grandnieces, and don’t forget Kamala-as-Momala to Doug’s two children, Ella and Cole. Ella Emhoff is 22-years-old and she lives in Brooklyn. She went to Parsons and she’s a Gen Z hipster and artist. And now because of her appearance at the inauguration, people are obsessed with Ella Emhoff. And really the whole Harris-Emhoff clan.

Ella’s inauguration coat is getting so much attention! Many of the prominent women in attendance wore monochromatic looks, bold shades of plum, turquoise, royal purple or ocean blue. But not Ella. She chose a sparkly coat by MiuMiu which stood out really well. I really love the fact that Ella and Cole came out for their stepmom too.

VP Harris’s niece Meena also tweeted out some stuff about her daughters and what they wore:

Special coats to look just like Auntie’s. pic.twitter.com/3WHaysbj4A

— Meena Harris (@meenaharris) January 20, 2021

She asked every 5 mins throughout the entire ceremony if she could meet @HillaryClinton pic.twitter.com/pQIRAM7mvP

— Meena Harris (@meenaharris) January 20, 2021

The mystery man wearing the Air Jordan Dior 1s is Nikolas Ajagu, husband of Meena Harris, Kamala’s niece. #Inauguration pic.twitter.com/kuyn20Mr2z

— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) January 20, 2021

Ella Emhoff, that’s the tweet. pic.twitter.com/CYQ7q2zLNs

— Yener Perez (@Iamyener) January 20, 2021

A unique reaction to Mike Pence’s presence by Ella Emhoff @CNN @CNNPolitics pic.twitter.com/VE2WRc6x8W

— amanda the good witch (@sloppymenace) January 20, 2021

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Getty.

Hollywood is yet again beating a dead horse by remaking hit movies from the seventies and eighties. This time Hollywood is trying to reboot a beloved character for a third time through a prequel. The Willy Wonka prequel was announced several years ago and at the time Ryan Gosling, Danny Glover and Ezra Miller’s names were being floated as potential stars. But that was 2018 and in 2021 the Willy Wonka prequel is still happening. Warner Brothers plans to release Wonka in March 2023 and now Timothee Chalamet and Tom Holland are being considered to star. The prequel will explore the early life of a young Willy Wonka. Nothing has yet been confirmed and both actors are thought to have a clear calendar for filming this summer. Below are a few more details from Collider:

Holland is currently 24 years old, while Chalamet just turned 25, and not only will they be competing for roles for years to come, but they are two of Hollywood’s most recognizable and talented leading men under 30. While it’s unclear whether Holland or Chalamet are actively pursuing this part, it’s easy to see Chalamet as a younger version of Johnny Depp’s take on Wonka, whereas Holland is more of a song-and-dance man in the vein of a young Gene Wilder. To be clear, neither has been offered the role of Wonka — but let’s be honest, there are only so many young actors Warner Bros. would agree to finance this film with, as I’d imagine they want it to spark a franchise.

Paul King (Paddington) will direct from a script by Simon Rich (An American Pickle), who will draw inspiration from Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Wonka will be produced by David Heyman, who also produced the Harry Potter movies for Warners in addition to Paddington and its equally beloved sequel. Variety reports that the studio plans to start production within the next four months.

While I’m not privy to the inner-workings of Holland or Chalamet’s schedules, neither appear to have any projects that are due to begin shooting this summer. Chalamet is attached to play Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s Going Electric, but Mangold is currently focused on the fifth Indiana Jones movie slated for July 2022. Holland is currently filming a third Spider-Man movie, but he has no other imminent projects on his IMDb page.

[From Collider]

I’m gonna say it and you can fight me, but I am tired of seeing these two in everything. And that’s saying something because I actually like Tom. I do think Tom would be a better choice because he’d probably approach the character the way Gene Wilder did with singing and dancing. Whereas Chalamet would go the awkward vein of the 2005 Johnny Depp/Tim Burton production. Tim Burton destroyed Charlie and Chocolate Factory. I was so mad at that movie that I never made it through half of it.

I am also tired of the remakes, the prequels and the reboots. I need new stories, fresher ideas, and different faces. There need to be new diverse faces in Hollywood and not folks that all begin to look alike over time. Sadly, I don’t see this happening any time soon because Hollywood is stuck in a loop of fear. They are not willing to bring in new ideas out of fear of losing money in foreign markets. Hollywood is also afraid of putting money into diverse stories. What’s hilarious about this stubbornness of sticking to old material is that Hollywood inevitably loses money. As the last few years have proven to us with Black Panther, Crazy Rich Asians, Parasite and others is that the world enjoys storytelling with diverse voices. And let’s be real, no one really wants to see more reboots. They are almost always over produced, badly written and never as fun as the original. I can count on one hand how many reboots that I have actually liked.

No one can follow Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. He will always be the king of that story. Whomever takes on the role of Willy Wonka will inevitably be compared to Wilder so they will need to make the role their own. My money is on Tom Holland, and I hope that whomever stars will do one of my favorite childhood movies justice.

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Singer Robbie Williams has, unfortunately, contracted the coronavirus. He found out after taking his wife, Ayda, and four kids on holiday to St Bart’s in the Caribbean. There is some question, however, as to how he got the virus. Robbie and his family had been staying in Switzerland because, by Robbie’s own admission, he’s neurotic when it comes to things like illness. He was so worried about COVID that he forewent his Malibu, LA and London homes for the Swiss mountain tops to avoid it. He’d planned this Caribbean trip as an extension of his self-isolation, since St. Bart’s has only recorded 251 cases with one death as of last Tuesday. However, Robbie tested positive and is not only showing symptoms, but he is also quite sick, according to The Sun. So now he and the family have extended the stay so they can continue to quarantine at their villa.

Robbie Williams is reportedly quarantining at a £106,000-a-week villa in St. Barts with his family after contracting coronavirus.

The singer, 46, jetted out to the Caribbean at the end of last year with his wife Ayda Field, 41, and their children; Teddy, seven, Coco, 23 months, and sons Charlton, five, and Beau, six months.

The family are said to have had to extend their stay to self-isolate, after Robbie tested positive for the virus.

A source told The Sun: ‘Robbie’s been fairly sick.

‘He’s confined to the villa where he is staying with his family. It’s not exactly the worst place in the world to be quarantined, although he cannot go to the beach. He will have to remain in quarantine for up to 14 days.’

[From The Daily Mail]

Like I said, I question where Robbie actually contracted the virus. Because he’s only been seen practicing precautions while out and about in St. Bart’s, wearing masks and remaining socially distant. However, Robbie did appear on the Strictly Come Dancing December 18 final, which it is believed the whole family returned to London to do. Following that, he appeared, in person, on Jonathan Ross’s show. December 20th London went into Tier 4 lockdown, (which, by the way, does not permit leisure travel) due to the surge of COVID cases in the area. So I wonder if Robbie picked the virus up in London but just didn’t test positive until he got to St. Barts, in which case, I really hope he didn’t spread it to any of his Caribbean hosts.

I hope Robbie recovers fully and quickly. There is no mention of anyone else in the family testing positive. I remember when Dwayne Johnson discussed getting COVID, he talked about how sick he and his wife were. Robbie must be suffering if the media feels the need to point it out. At the risk of victim blaming, I hope the Strictly final was worth it.

This photo was taken on December 15th

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