I’m back with another week of recs, with appearances from Balto, Lily Gladstone, Kate Middleton, and parenting influencers who will not see heaven. Enjoy!
Reading: What’s the Price of a Childhood Turned into Content?
This article from Cosmopolitan chilled me to my bone. The writer talks to a former child influencer who generated tons of content for her family and then never saw a cent of it. One of the many horrifying quotes:
“There was this idea that you have to look perfect and pretty and like nothing is wrong all the time in front of the camera. And if it seemed like I wasn’t trying hard enough to maintain that image, like my smile wasn’t as bright as it should be or I didn’t say a line with enough enthusiasm…that would usually devolve into accusing me of not caring about our family. I was told by my mom, ‘Do you want us to starve? Do you want us to not be able to make our payment next month on the mortgage?’”
Reading: Everyone’s Writing Sounds the Same Now
I really appreciated this article from Eliza McLamb’s newsletter that interrogates the value of personal “girlhood” essays and how new art maybe has to be derivative and referential before it can ever be anything else.
“We can all pull from the well of beauty and feeling and meaning and it will never run out. We may all be telling the same stories over and over again, but they will mean different things to every person who encounters them. We can see the shape of our own stories in a feeling shared by millions, and millions may see their feelings in the shape of one particular story.”
Reading: What Do We Lose When Influencers Replace Journalists on The Red Carpet?
Sorry, but if I see one more TikTok influencer ask a dumbass question to a celebrity on a red carpet the same day I watch dozens of actually talented journalists get laid off, I’m going to burst a blood vessel. This Mashable article is essential reading on that topic!
“Studios paying social media personalities like Daniels to do TikTok bits on the red carpet legitimizes behavior that would be deemed unprofessional for journalists and puts traditional media in competition with attention-grabbing theatrics for short-form, viral videos.”
Reading: The Royals Are So Bad at This
I am as enraptured by the Kate Middleton drama as anyone, and though the gossip is fun, I think the most boring answer is likely the right one — she’s been unwell and/or had a procedure and doesn’t want to be seen publicly until she feels better. Or maybe they’re getting ready to announce a divorce!
But what’s really interesting to me is how terrible the royal family publicists apparently are at their jobs. I’m sure this Vulture article will be outdated when I publish this if it isn’t already, but the point stands! How are they so dreadfully bad at spinning a story?
Reading: All Eyes on Lily Gladstone
I was pulling for Lily Gladstone to win Best Actress last weekend at the Oscars, even though I think Emma Stone was deserving as well. The hubbub had me revisiting this great Vulture profile of her from last summer. It gives so much context to her role and her overall career and her personality. I also highly recommend Certain Women, the film by Kelly Reichardt, which she’s amazing in. I really hope I see so much more of her.
“There are so many stories that haven’t been told onscreen, and Gladstone now has a sense of how to figure out whom she wants to work with. It comes down to one thing, she says: ‘How well they listen.’”
Listening: Hurray For The Riff Raff
My husband showed me this artist a couple of weeks ago and I have been playing this song on repeat ever since. Exactly my shit!
Listening: You’re Wrong About’s Balto Episode!
I love when the You’re Wrong About podcast has Blair Braverman on as a guest (I’m also reading her memoir currently — more on that later) and the Balto episode was no exception. As someone who had a big Balto obsession growing up thanks to the animated movie, it was so interesting to dive into the true story.
That’s all from me — no watching recommendations because I have watched truly nothing but Jeopardy and the Love is Blind reunion (which I am still reeling from and cannot thoughtfully process). Until next week! 🫶
*extremely "discovered hurray for the riff raff one (1) month ago" voice* bout time more people got on board the hurray for the riff raff train!!