In this week’s handle with care, “Renaissance,” “Dune: Part 2” news, and my June favs!!!
I really wanted to gab about some lighthearted things today!!! Obviously, this includes photos that were taken on the “Barbie” set over the past couple of weeks. I really feel like my initial prediction of this film being like “Life Size,” starring Tyra Banks and Lindsay Lohan, is on the nose. But if you wanna be “Life Size,” you need LOOKS. I was super curious about the outfits after I heard that Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran is working on “Barbie.” Durran most recently won the Academy Award for her work on Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women.” I have thoughts on the handful we’ve seen so far, and thought it’d be fun to rate them!
Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling’s promotional looks were both blue; unexpectedly so, because when you think of Barbie you think pink! I wish we could see more of Robbie’s outfit, but from what I could tell, it’s a blue and white striped smocked halter top. She’s wearing a blue headband with white polka dots, and a Harry Styles-esque blue beaded bracelet. Kind of like the éliou Wes necklaces Styles has been wearing recently. Blue is my favorite color, so I’m giving her look a 6/10.
Gosling’s look was controversial, but I loved it and I will defend it!! It’s a denim on denim outfit; jeans and a vest with a popped collar. Listen, while Barbie dolls are not made in America, Mattel is an American toy brand. Denim is a textile that is closely associated with American culture (Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” album cover, Britney and Justin’s matching outfits, “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”). I don’t even care if I’m reaching, I think it’s good!! And then you add the Ken undies and the hair and it’s gorgeous. 9/10.
This is my favorite outfit that we’ve seen on Margot Robbie so far!! I love the pink, western-inspired outfit, and especially the flares on the pants. The laser cut stars are everything to me. The hat and the bandanna make it perfect, as you will see below. 10/10.
The most interesting thing about Ryan Gosling’s western outfit is the shirt. The embroidery and fringe are really cute. This also reminds me of the outfit Harry Styles wore in Mexico during his first solo arena tour. I can’t really say much about the rest of Gosling’s outfit. 5/10.
I need everyone to know that I was most excited about America Ferrera being cast in this movie. That’s my sister!! But she is giving Corporate America in this outfit. The only thing that is interesting about the look are the pink patent Alexander McQueen sneakers, and I’m on the fence about them. Sorryyyyyyy 6/10.
Finally, we have the fluorescent roller blading outfits. I’m obsessed. These are very 80s, and I love the coordination between Barbie and Ken. Margot Robbie is wearing a leotard and visor with a spray paint print, neon pink bike shorts, and neon yellow pads and roller blades. Ryan Gosling is wearing a neon pink muscle tank, the spray paint printed shorts, puffy vest, and visor, and the same neon yellow accessories, including a fanny pack. It’s kinda flawless… 10/10.
Mother Lake
Beyoncé has unveiled the album art for “Renaissance,” which will be out in less than a month!!
She also said the following about the album:
“Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world. It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration. I hope you find joy in this music. I hope it inspires you to release the wiggle. Ha! And to feel as unique, strong, and sexy as you are.”
The little “Ha!” I’m giggling. “Break My Soul” has been on repeat during my spinning sessions. Matt Rogers of the “Las Culturistas” podcast called the song “the club, house, spiritual successor to [Dolly Parton’s] “9 to 5.”” And I couldn’t agree more!
Amy and Laurie reunite
Florence Pugh has officially joined the cast of “Dune: Part 2” as Princess Irulan. We need a photo of her, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Oscar Isaac eating Wendy’s french fries in their stillsuits.
Other new cast members include Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot, Austin Butler as villain Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, and Christopher Walken as the Emperor. The sequel has also been delayed until Nov. 17, 2023, moving from its initial Oct. 20, 2023 date. Which means I have lots of time to read the book! But no one ask me if I did when the movie comes out <3
My June favorites
I have been consuming more media than usual over the past month, mostly TV. I have been enjoying the new season of “Love Island,” which is being released on a two-week delay on Hulu. I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this already, but I’ve also been watching “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars,” mostly for Shea Coulée and Jaida Essence Hall, but I actually adore Jinkx Monsoon now. The Total Ru-quest Live episode where Jaida Essence Hall was singing about poop and making fart noises into the microphone was so stupid, I was crying laughing.
I just finished watching “The Summer I Turned Pretty” on Prime Video, a series adapted from Jenny Han’s book series of the same name. My most honest thoughts are that the story is really charming, but the writing in the show is a little bland. I also appreciated that Han had Belly be mixed-race instead of white like she is in the books. Throughout it, I was thinking a lot about the concept of feeling “pretty” as a person of color in a society that always validates whiteness. Maybe I can expand on that more another time. The series features a love triangle, which is such a good way to get people talking about it on social media. I didn’t watch it right when it came out, so I was getting Team Conrad and Team Jeremiah TikToks on my FYP. Also, I think the music supervisor was looking at my Spotify because how else are they gonna play “False God” by Taylor Swift, “Be Sweet” by Japanese Breakfast, and “Lisztomania” by Phoenix in one show?
I’m mad at myself for just starting “Only Murders in the Building” starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez on Hulu. It was one of those shows that wasn’t urgent enough for me to watch when it premiered, and I thought I could get to it eventually. There’s Emmy-buzz for it right now, and I’m not gonna lie… it deserves! It’s so witty and smart. I haven’t started the newly-released second season yet, but I’m excited to watch during the next few weeks this summer.
I understand the Minions are kind of a meme right now, but Jack Antonoff was not lying when he said he “went very hard” on the “Minions: The Rise of Gru” soundtrack. “Turn Up The Sunshine” by Diana Ross and Tame Impala is going to be on my Spotify Wrapped, I already know. The song that makes me want to watch the movie is Phoebe Bridgers’ cover of “Goodbye To Love.”
I watched “Stranger Things” on Friday night, and boy, do I have Thoughts on that. We’ll talk about volume two next week! The next show on my watchlist is “Loot” starring Maya Rudolph!! I was already intrigued, and then I saw this clip of it going around on Twitter that sold me. And with “The Bachelorette” starting up in a couple weeks, my summer TV plans are set.
Thank you to everyone that shared last week’s newsletter of post-Roe resources, and thank you for reading this week! 💚