Profile for Jessica Wakeman

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Topshop Goes Goth: Do We Like?

Jessica WakemanJuly 30, 2009 //

It’s Halloween in July, apparently. “Horror Girl” is a new, mostly black, mostly lacy collection at Topshop, the U.K. (and now U.S.) clothing store. They’ve got a white vest with “Be Afraid” across the front, a blazer with the words “Vampire Kiss” written in blood-red on the inside lining, and burgundy, five-inch studded platform heels fit for a hooker’s rise from the dead. If only their quasi-goth looks were apropos of the “Twilight: New Moon” release, like at Nordstrom, but the flick’s not out until November. Maybe Topshop’s simply trying to steal customers from Hot Topic? [Topshop Horror Girl Collection] Keep reading »

Today’s Lady News: Schwarzenegger Cuts All Of CA’s Funding For Domestic Violence Programs

Jessica WakemanJuly 30, 2009 //
  • California’s governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, cut all of the funding—$16.3 million in total—for domestic violence programs from the 2009-10 state budget. State Assembly members say many shelters rely on that funding for a substantial part of their support. [The San Bernadino Sun] — We understand CA’s in a budget crisis, but why are the neediest people shouldering the burden?
  • The IUD is the best form of birth control, according to one health writer. It’s 99 percent effective, has a one-time cost for implantation, and requires no upkeep. [Slate] — Too bad they sound so retro.
  • The horrifying gang rape of an eight-year-old Liberian girl in Phoenix by four adolescent boys has shed light on how sexual assault has been used in that African nation’s culture during the country’s civil war. It has also shown how Liberian culture still stigmatizes rape, because the girl’s family disowned her once they heard about the crime. A human rights researcher from Amnesty International, who spoke to CNN, speculated that the boys who raped her, who were all also Liberian, may have been exposed to sexual assault at some point in their young lives and had “normalized” it. [CNN] — It’s an awful story, but it’s not something we can ignore in a melting-pot country.

Keep reading »

Diane Keaton To Star On HBO Comedy As A Feminist Icon Running A Porn Mag

Jessica WakemanJuly 30, 2009 //

Diane Keaton will star in her own half-hour HBO series where she’ll play “a feminist icon who attempts to reignite the movement by starting a sexually explicit magazine for women,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. Annie Hall working for a porn mag? Yes! Yes! Yes! The show’s writer, Marti Noxon, says Keaton is the first actress she considered for the role because there are so many similarities between her and Gloria Steinem. We don’t see the Keaton-Steinem similarities, though, other than the fact that we want them both to adopt us and share joint-custody. [The Hollywood Reporter] Keep reading »

Quote Of The Day: Diablo Cody On Walking The Red Carpet

Jessica WakemanJuly 29, 2009 //

“Any time I do a red carpet, I feel vaguely confrontational. I feel like, ‘All right, now somebody’s going to come on the red carpet who doesn’t have a stylist, who did her own hair and makeup, who’s wearing a $25 dress from H&M. I have cellulite. I have big hips and big thighs. And you have to look at me.’ I feel like people have to pay attention to somebody who would typically be invisible.”

—Diablo Cody, who wrote “Juno” and the upcoming horror flick “Jennifer’s Body,” in Bust. Keep reading »

Heidi Klum Has A Case Of “Pregnancy Brain”

Jessica WakemanJuly 29, 2009 //

Heidi Klum rocked leopard print yesterday on “Late Night,” where she talked about how she’s got “pregnancy brain” (her third baby with husband Seal is due in October) and kinda forgets what’s going on sometimes. Hopefully, she’ll soon forget the part of the show when Conan O’Brien tried to sing a German lullaby for her. Keep reading »

Why I Love Horror Movies

Jessica WakemanJuly 29, 2009 //

“Jennifer’s Body,” a horror flick starring Megan Fox and written by Diablo Cody, is out September 19, which means it’s time for another article postulating: “Why Do Women Like Horror Movies?”

Nice try, Entertainment Weekly, but, no, us girls don’t like horror flicks for the “strong female leads,” whomever those might be. Or because we can cuddle with a man during the cover-your-eyes parts.

No, I love horror movies because they make me feel bad-ass, like I’m “one of the boys,” so to speak. It takes a strong stomach to sit through two hours of shocks, jolts, and adrenal surges, and not every cream puff can hack it. I might paint my nails baby girl pink and sleep with a teddy bear sometimes. But I saw the zombie flick “Quarantine” in theaters twice, and my boyfriend, who says scary movies keep him up at night, wouldn’t dare watch it once. Keep reading »

10 Reasons Chick Flicks Are Awesome

Jessica WakemanJuly 29, 2009 //

It’s easy to trash chick flicks, like Marisa Meltzer did this week at The Daily Beast. They set false expectations for women. The actresses are capable of more serious work. Blah blah blah blah blah….

But formulaic as the genre is known to be, you’ll still find us front row at the latest “He’s Just Not That Into Your Confessions Of 27 Dresses Bride Wars In The City” release. Chick flicks—gasp!—have redeeming value and we’re not afraid to say it.

After the jump, 10 things we lurve about the lady flicks. Keep reading »

Today’s Lady News: Sarah Palin Killed The Radio Star?

Jessica WakemanJuly 29, 2009 //
  • Sarah Palin‘s henchmen are rumored to be asking radio syndicators if they’re interested in giving the perky ex-gov an on-air gig. [Inside Radio] — Coming soon, “The Rush Limbaugh & Sarah Palin” show? Oh my.
  • Scott Roeder, the anti-choice extremist accused of murdering Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller, has plead not guilty. If convicted, Roeder faces life in prison. [NPR]— Don’t miss last weekend’s incredibly detailed New York Times cover story about Dr. Tiller’s life and death.

    • Keep reading »

“More To Love” Actually Sweet, Not Horribly Exploitative

Jessica WakemanJuly 29, 2009 //

I assumed the worst about “More To Love,” the new reality dating show where Luke, a handsome 300-lb. bachelor, is looking for love from plus-sized beauties. How could a pop culture-weary feminist not expect the worst, really? First, it’s of a “reality” dating show, which pretty much guarantees it’s b.s. on Fox, a Keep reading »

The Financial Acumen Of Trophy Wives

Jessica WakemanJuly 29, 2009 //

Trophy wives: there are few things to say about their morals, but their financial acumen is unimpeachable, says Daily Beast blogger (and former NY Daily News gossip columnist) Johanna Piazza.

Piazza figures that women like Katie Lee Joel, Anna Nicole Smith, Marla Maples and Heather Mills are only wives to men decades their senior for a few years. They’re stinkin’ rich divorceés, however, for the rest of their lives. A younger woman who shacks up with an old fart will suffer “bimbo” or “whore” name-calling left and right, but she’s actually quite savvy for parlaying a short-term investment as a Mrs. into long-term benefits as an Ex. (Courtesy of a generous pre-nup, that is.)

That’s quite a theory. But her point still doesn’t make me think Katie Lee and Billy are any less obnoxious. What do you guys think? [Daily Beast] Keep reading »

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