The Morning Dump: VF’s Thriller Diaries, Chris Brown sucks, MiDiana, Tavi and Tran
Posted on 03. Jul, 2010 by theashcan in Morning Dump
- Is there anything more recognizable in pop culture than zombies dancing to Thriller? Following up on the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death, this month’s Vanity Fair features probably the best feature on Jackson and his iconic achievements I have ever read. Mixing interesting facts (did you know the U.S. Library of Congress made Thriller the first music video to be inducted into the National Film Registry?) with candid insight into Jackson’s life at the very apex of his success and cultural relevance, this long form feature flows and informs in the manner of VF’s very best arts and culture pieces. -sy
- And in more Michael news, Toronto writer Rea McNamara wrote and conceptualized a great compendium (which also serves as beautiful reminder of his better days) for This Recording titled, “In which Michael Jackson and Diana Ross become MiDiana.” SIGH. -am
- Let this be clear: I hate Chris Brown. I firmly believe in holding celebrities accountable for their actions (halloooo, like ALL of young Hollywood? and for the rec, Michael didn’t do it), mostly because we don’t and then people blame them for stupid things anyway. Anyway, I’m so not into Chris Brown because it makes me uncomfortable that a) he’s marketed toward very young girls and b) he broke Rihanna’s face. I mean, it’s not like these kids are standing by Brown because of his “remarkable talent” (Kellz comes to mind when I think of another redeemed celeb), but more because he’s hot and always takes his shirt off. Anyway: read this piece by Ann Powers at the L.A. Times if you thought his “LOVE ME, PLEASE” BET Awards cryfest was both horseshit, and troubling.-am
- Moses Znaimer’s ideaCity10 conference recently brought some cool women (and, notably, girls) to Toronto, and they uploaded everyone’s presentations to YouTube a couple of days ago. I recommend checking out Viet-Aussie vlogger Natalie Tran, who brings her lame-on-purpose shtick to a conversation about immigration and awkwardness, and fashion writer prodigy Tavi Gevinson, whom I previously knew only basic stuff about, but who is awesomely uncomfortable as she makes her case for a Sassy magazine revival. “Uhm, yeah, I’m totes a wunderkind, or whatever.” You are! -jc
