Opinion – why Halle Bailey’s portrayal of Ariel is so important
The new trailer for Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid features a Black actress in the title role. Conflicting responses from young children and racist adults prove why Ariel’s new casting is so important. Scheduled for a 2023 release, a live-action The Little Mermaid has created buzz since it...
Current in Media
Why is queerbaiting often a misunderstood term?
From Noah Schnapp to Madonna, accusations of ‘queerbaiting’ have been the source of controversy and debate across social media, but the term has often been misunderstood and misused. Just last week, Heartstopper star Kit Connor deleted Twitter after accusations that he had been ‘queerbaiting’ by playing a bisexual character in...
Opinion – Hadid Palestine backlash shows importance of identity
Bella Hadid has admitted to losing ‘so many jobs’ and experiencing harassment from both strangers and friends after vocalising her support for Palestine. Today Bella Hadid would be considered as an ‘it girl’. Her fashion sense drives global trends, her hairstyles have triggered viral tutorials, and her facial features have boosted...
The Academy finally apologises to Sacheen Littlefeather
Apache activist and actress, Sacheen Littlefeather, was booed off stage after accepting an Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando. Now, 50 years later, the Academy has finally apologised. When Marlon Brando won an Academy Award for ‘The Godfather’ in 1973, he wasn’t there to receive his accolade. Instead, indigenous actress...
Can child acting ever be ethical?
In a world driven by fame, money, and internet notoriety, is pushing your child into acting inherently abusive? Nickelodeon star Jennette McCurdy certainly wants you to think about it. If you grew up in the late 2000s – and were lucky enough to have a Sky TV dish on the...
The Jaguar Foundation reports poor gender equality in dance music
A new report titled ‘Progressing Gender Representation in UK Dance Music’ by The Jaguar Foundation finds that the industry is heavily skewed toward male artists. I’m sure you’ve no doubt read or heard about the gender equality problem within the music industry. Whether it’s song writing, performing, festival organising, headline...
Beyoncé removes ableist slur from new album after backlash
The singer’s decision to withdraw the lyric from her new song ‘HEATED’ has drawn a mixed response. Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’, a prodigious, 62 minute cacophony of dance and ballroom culture, has revived us – fawning and jubilant – from the slog of an endless heatwave. As we throw our limbs about to these 16 new tracks, it seems queen Bey can do no wrong. Her devoted ‘Beyhive’ – a legion of notoriously...
‘Friends’ Marta Kauffman apologises for trans misrepresentation
Kauffman has vocalised her regret over misgendering Chandler Bing’s trans parent – played by Kathleen Turner – for the first time. Well, it’s finally happened. After decades of wince-worthy jokes and a cast as white as Wonderbread, ‘Friends’ co-creator Marta Kauffman is addressing the show’s past mistakes. It may be long overdue, but the many controversies of ‘Friends’ – not least the blatant misogyny, lack of diversity, and questionable takes on...
99% of Glastonbury tents were taken home by public
Emily Eavis has announced on Twitter that 99% of tents were taken home from Glastonbury, after the festival appealed for ticket goers to ‘leave no trace’ once they left. For music lovers, this summer has been particularly special. Festivals are finally back in full swing after two years of stalled, cancelled, postponed, or heavily reduced gigs and music events. Perhaps the biggest of them all – at least in the UK...
Production workers for The Simpsons and Family Guy unionise
The Animation Guild is now unionising with production workers from The Simpsons, American Dad!, and Family Guy, having previously been left out compared to animators, writers, and actors. Production workers at The Simpsons, American Dad!, and Family Guy have gained voluntary recognition from 20th Television Animation, their parent company, to join The Animation Guild. It’s part of a wider push by The Animation Guild to expand the type of memberships...
