Role Models for Girls

If I’m honest, I really wanted to lengthen the title of this post to ‘Role Models for Girls Who Actually Deserve to Be Role Models’, because many of the famous women who are looked up to by girls nowadays don’t set the best examples.

It genuinely scares me when I hear teenagers and young women say “I just love her” or “she’s perfect” while watching the Kardashians or Beyonce’s new music video, when Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus are flouncing around stages in next to nothing singing heavily suggestive lyrics, or Rihanna posts a new photo on Instagram from last night’s drink/drug-filled parties. I hate to think that girls are growing up influenced by women who get botox and ridiculous plastic surgery, go on crazy diets, or have hardly any talent.

Why aren’t our female youth inspired by intelligent women who are natural and down-to-earth?

So without further ado, here are my top ten role models for girls who actually deserve to be role models:

10. Carrie Hope Fletcher

For those who don’t know, Carrie is a West End star currently appearing in ‘Les Miserables’ as Eponine for the second year running. She is also a YouTube vlogger, and it is her videos that thousands of young ‘Hopefuls’ are inspired by. She sings (incredibly well), makes us laugh, and gives advice for girls that actually means something.

9. Meryl Streep

There’s one word that sums her up completely: talent. Meryl Streep is, in my opinion, the best actress in Hollywood. She can do anything. And what’s more, she is the spokesperson for the National Women’s History Museum.

8. Emma Thompson

She is hilarious. Seriously, YouTube any interview with her, and you’ll be laughing your socks off within seconds. The reason for this is that she genuinely does not care what anyone thinks… I think all of us could benefit from even a slither of her spunkiness.

7. Mayim Bialik

As well as being known for her role as Amy Farrah Fowler in ‘The Big Bang Theory’, Bialik is incredibly clever. She has a B.S. degree, doctorate and PhD in Neuroscience, and has written books on parenting. Goes to show how multi-talented and successful a person can be.

6. JK Rowling

Famous, of course, for creating the world of Harry Potter, one of the most popular book series of all time. She wrote some brilliant female characters within it which have influenced fans of the story. Also, she lost her billionaire status purely due to donating so much of her earnings to charity.

5. Kate Winslet

One of my favourite actresses. Despite her huge success in Hollywood, she is still completely down-to-earth and has a very healthy attitude towards body image. She has hit out at several magazines over the years for photoshopping images of her and twisting her words on diets and exercise.

4. Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen is quite possibly one of the most generous celebrities around. On her show, she regularly donates to needy families in desperate need of financial help as well as promoting kindness as her sign-off. Also she wants us all to dance a lot J

3. Malala Yousafzai

Not a celebrity as such, but Yousafzai should without a doubt be more well known amongst young girls. She is an activist from Pakistan who spoke about living under Taliban occupation, promotes rights for education and women, and survived an assassination attempt. This was at the age of 15.

2. Emma Watson

It’s not really fair how she is so intelligent, talented and beautiful all at the same time. She has also managed to stay grounded despite being very much in the public eye from the age of 11. And then there’s her recent HeforShe speech at the UN… Just wow.

1. Jennifer Lawrence

In fairness, J-Law is often mentioned as someone who young women look up to, and for good reason. She is pretty much everything we want to be and more: talented, funny, stunning, and real.

Honourable mentions: Oprah Winfrey, Anne Frank, Kate Middleton, Michelle Obama, Karen Gillan, Audrey Hepburn, Rebel Wilson, Jessica Ennis, Lisa Kudrow, and Dawn French.

Oscars 2014: My Reaction

The Academy Awards 2014 was a good show. Not the best they’ve ever had, but still, there were poignant, powerful and absolutely fricking hilarious moments, none of which happened with Alex Zane in his UK studio. Seriously, we could have done without so much cutting back and forth. It was distracting from the dresses!

Anne Hathaway

Sally Hawkins

The worst dressed this year, in my opinion, was Anne Hathaway. Her gown was pretty much the same s last year, just in a different darker colour with jewels added. Anne was closely followed by Sally Hawkins, nominated in the best supporting actress category for Blue Jasmine. The high neck and long sleeves would have been lovely if the sparkling pattern (also fine had it been on a short-sleeved dress) wasn’t so… sparkly. And for me, that’s a big thing to say (I like sparkly things). The three best dressed gals were Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock and Kristen Bell. I don’t usually like Cate’s choices, but this year she had just the right amount of glitter on a beautiful coloured dress. Sandra always looks amazing, and 2014 was no different with her dark blue gown. And finally, Kristen Bell as an unusual choice. I’m not sure exactly why I like her light grey dress, but I know that I really really do.

Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock, Kristen Bell

The boys often get overlooked in terms of their tux choices, but I’m going to choose the best and worst for them, too. Pharrell Williams’ red carpet suit shorts are the obvious for worst (I know you’re in LA, but come on). The other one is Matthew McConaughey for his cream jacket on top of black – it just looked weird. The best dressed guys is a tougher choice, and I couldn’t narrow it down to less than these five: Jared Leto, working the light suit a lot better than his Dallas Buyers Club co-star, and rocking the red bow tie; Leonardo DiCaprio, just ‘cos he always looks good; Benedict Cumberbatch, for the same reason; Jim Carrey, who looked rather chiselled in his shiny blue tux; and finally, Jason Sudeikis, also looking handsome in a deep blue suit.

Pharrell Williams, Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Leonardo DiCaprio, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jim Carrey, Jason Sudeikis

It wasn’t only the outfits we were looking at on the red carpet, though. There were a couple of, shall we say, mishaps, number one being J-Law falling over (again). Apparently, she tripped over a cone whilst waving to fans. Gotta love her <3

The Cumberbomb

The second was Benedict’s U2 photobomb that can’t be described as anything other than spectacular. And it’s got to be said, it’s impressive that a British guy who didn’t really have too much to do with the Oscars has Cumbersnatched (get it?) the limelight by doing something that wasn’t even on TV… you did good, Cumberbum *massive well-deserved round of applause*.

Ellen's tweet

Another brilliantly famous photo taken last night was Ellen’s Hollywood star selfie, which has broken records by achieving 2.5 million retweets as it currently stands (1.50pm GMT 03/03/14). The picture was taken during the ceremony as Ellen invited the likes of Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Lupita Nyong’o, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Channing Tatum, Jared Leto and Kevin Spacey to join in. And it is one cool selfie.

Speaking of our 2014 Oscar host, how brilliant was Ellen DeGeneres? She was just as I expected: natural, funny, down-to-earth, and miles ahead of Seth MacFarlane’s awkward performance last year. In fact, the ceremony might have been pretty boring if it weren’t for her selfie ^^ or ordering pizza. A well-selected host, and one I hope the Academy chooses again. Congratulations, Ellen!

The song performances were pretty good this year, too. Pharrell Williams (once changed out of his shorts) gave a fun and uplifting opening to the ceremony with ‘Happy’ from Despicable Me 2. U2 were just as you’d expect U2 to perform their track ‘Ordinary Love’ from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Idina Menzel was wonderful, despite the one bum note, in the song ‘Let It Go’ from Frozen (I wish I could sing like her). Finally, the surprise performance of the night had to be from Pink during a tribute to 1939’s classic The Wizard of Oz. She was simply stunning.

Cate Blanchett's Oscar win

Matthew McConaughey's speech

Finally, at 4.30am GMT the big awards began: Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Film. It wasn’t a surprise that Cate Blanchett won after her triumph at both the Globes and the BAFTAs, and honestly, the Best Actress category this year wasn’t overly impressive (it was missing Emma Thompson). Best Actor, however, I was much more interested in. In my opinion, it was a three-horse race between Leo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey and Chiwetel Ejifor after each of their individual wins at the Globes and the BAFTAs, and I so so so so so wanted it to be Leo’s night. So much. So so so much. However, deep down in my heart I kind of knew it was going to be Matthew’s. And he did deserve it, but come on, Academy. LEO!!! (More on this in a later blog, mark my words…)

Steve McQueen's celebration with Lupita Nyong'o and good old Ben

Best Film was not quite as obvious as it has been in recent years. Nine of 2013’s movies were nominated, and the frontrunners were 12 Years a Slave and Gravity. As much as I wanted the Academy to throw us a massive curveball and get Will Smith to read: “And the Oscar for best film goes to… The Wolf of Wall Street!” I knew that was never going to happen. So, I’m quite content that 12 Years a Slave pipped the overly-glorified Gravity to the post.

Gravity was the clear winner for most Oscars this year, and as much as many of the technical awards were well-deserved, I don’t think it was worthy of quite as many as it received. Share them out a bit, Academy! Where were The Wolf of Wall Street and American Hustle’s awards? Surely they both justify more than nominations? And one that definitely required more than the nods it received was Saving Mr Banks. However, I am very happy that The Great Gatsby won both the Oscars it was nominated for. Well and truly deserved. Those sets and costumes were incredible.

Overall, the Academy Awards 2014 were entertaining and full of surprises. Ellen DeGeneres was a wonderful host, (most of) the awards were deserved and the performances were brilliant. Just let Leo have his turn next time, OK?

Oscars 2014

Oscar fever has hit Flat 19.

A couple of my super awesome flatmates and me are doing the whole night, from 11.30pm on Sunday to 4 in the morning on Monday. Red carpet to ceremony finale, complete with Oscar Bingo cards that our lovely Charlotte found. J

I’ve watched the glamorous ceremony every year since 2010, but it’s always been the day after once I’d recorded it (what would we do without Sky+?) This year, though, I’m living on my own, and that means I can stay up watching live until the sun comes up. And, by wonderfully amazing coincidence, I’m living with a couple of brilliant-minded gals who watch it, too. Let the crazy dazzling Gatsby-style Oscars party begin!

OK. Perhaps not.

But we will be getting in some yummy take away and sitting in suspenseful anticipation as J-Law opens that envelope and says: “And the Academy Award for Best Actor goes to… Leonardo DiCaprio!” (At least that’s what I’ve desperately got my fingers crossed for…)

What I’m really looking forward to this year (other than Leo getting that damn gold statuette that he’s deserved for many many years) is Ellen DeGeneres hosting again! She’ll be just as good as Billy Crystal and definitely better than Seth MacFarlane last year (we won’t mention 2011’s disastrous attempt… *cough* Anne Hathaway *cough* James Franco *cough*)

The awards, though, are the most exciting part of the whole night. This year looks to be one of the most ambiguous due to there being no clear frontrunners like there have been recently (i.e. The King’s Speech/Colin Firth in 2011, The Artist in 2012 and J-Law just a year ago). However, I do think there have been several snubs… Tom Hanks being the most obvious. Captain Phillips, although I haven’t seen it, has been well-received, and he was incredible in Saving Mr Banks. Walt Disney is a man who would be difficult to play correctly given his inexplicable range of reputations, and Mr Hanks has given him a sympathetic and warm portrayal that hasn’t been recognised by any award panels that I know of. Emma Thompson, also in Saving Mr Banks, was brilliant as P.L. Travers, too. Finally, in my opinion The Great Gatsby should have been at least nominated for more. But then again, the award season always seems to forget those movies released earlier in the year (others include Monsters University for best animated film and Benedict Cumberbatch for… well, just ‘cos. It’s Benedict.)

Without further ado, if I were the only judge on the panel, the Academy Awards go to:

Best Picture – The Wolf of Wall Street (*12 Years a Slave)

Actor in a Leading Role – Leonardo DiCaprio (*Matthew McConaughey)

Actress in a Leading Role – Sandra Bullock (*Cate Blanchett)

Actor in a Supporting Role – Jonah Hill/Michael Fassbender (*Jared Leto)

Actress in a Supporting Role – Jennifer Lawrence (*Jennifer Lawrence)

Animated Feature Film – Frozen (*Frozen)

Costume Design – The Great Gatsby (*American Hustle)

Directing – Martin Scorsese/Alfonso Cuarón (*Steve McQueen)

Music (Original Score) – Thomas Newman, Saving Mr Banks (*Steven Price, Gravity)

Music (Original Song) – Happy, Despicable Me 2 (*Let It Go, Frozen)

Writing (Adapted Screenplay) – The Wolf of Wall Street (*12 Years a Slave)

Writing (Original Screenplay) – American Hustle (*Dallas Buyers Club)

 

(*) depicts my actual prediction on what will actually happen on the actual night J