Actors
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In a move we’re sure no one asked for, veteran actor Richard Dreyfuss defended the use of blackface and revealed his true feelings on diversity and the Oscars.
While appearing as a guest on PBS’ The Firing Line, the new criteria by the Academy Awards for eligibility for Best Picture come 2024 came up for discussion by the host, Margaret Hoover. Nominated films are required to meet four benchmarks: 30% of the cast and 30% of the crew must be from an under-represented group are two of the criteria needed. Dreyfuss stated, “They make me vomit.”
When asked why, the Jaws actor replied: “This is an art form. It’s also a form of commerce, and it makes money, but it’s an art. No one should be telling me as an artist that I have to give in to the latest, most current idea of what morality is.” He then went on to add: “And what are we risking? Are we really risking hurting people’s feelings? You can’t legislate that. And you have to let life be life.”
Dreyfuss then praised Sir Laurence Olivier’s portrayal of the tragic Shakespearean hero Othello – while in blackface – in the 1965 film adaptation of the play. “He played a Black man brilliantly,” the 75-year-old told Hoover. “Am I being told that I will never have a chance to play a Black man? Is someone else being told that if they’re not Jewish, they shouldn’t play the Merchant of Venice?”
Hoover responded with a query: “Do you think there’s a difference between the question of…who is allowed to represent other groups…and the case of blackface explicitly in this country given the history of slavery and the sensitivities around Black racism?” To that, Dreyfuss replied, “There shouldn’t be…. Because it’s patronizing. Because it says we’re so fragile that we can’t have our feelings hurt. We have to anticipate having our feelings hurt, our children’s feelings hurt. We don’t know how to stand up and bop the bully in the face.”
Dreyfuss’ defense of blackface seems on-brand given his previous role in the 1986 film Moon over Parador. The interview follows another moment of questionable thinking for the Close Encounters of the Third Kind actor where he slipped off a chair while being interviewed in April by late-night host Bill Maher for his Club Random podcast. Watch the full interview below.
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The sixth and final season of Snowfall will return to FX on February 22 at 10 p.m. But, before Franklin Saint returns to the small screen–actor Damson Idris has broken the internet with pictures that seem to confirm that he is dating socialite and beauty entrepreneur–Lori Harvey.
The photos were featured in the actor’s Instagram story and show one of the two cuddling with Idris kissing Harvey who is smiling. A second photo is of Harvey on what appears to be the set of Snowfall–according to Bossip.
The photos coincide with Harvey’s 26th birthday, January 13th. She also shared the same photos in her IG story.
Harvey, who was recently featured on the cover of Essence Magazine, is the Founder and CEO of SKN by LH–a skincare line that features a five-step beauty regimen. Harvey had previously been linked to actor Michael B. Jordan. The hot couple dated for over a year before calling it quits.
In her Essence feature, she shared, “I know my worth, and I know my value. I’m not going to compromise that, or settle, or accept anything less than what I know I deserve,” she shared of her self-worth and not settling in a relationship. “That’s where I’m at in my life right now. I’m not compromising my peace and happiness for anything or anybody.”
The release of the new photos of Harvey and Idris have elicited mixed responses on social media.
The comments weren’t all great. There was definitely some shade, even by some celebs who were quickly reminded of their past comments.