Asian actress blasts ‘racist’ Yimou movie
Taiwanese-American actress Constance Wu has blasted US actor Matt Damon's upcoming English-language film The Great Wall, calling for greater diversity in Hollywood.
Directed by Chinese film-maker Zhang Yimou and set in the Northern Song Dynasty, it revolves around a warrior (Damon) traversing the historic Chinese fortification.
In a lengthy tweet posted last Friday, the 34-year-old star of US sitcom Fresh Off the Boat wrote: "We have to stop perpetuating the racist myth that only a white man can save the world. It's not based (on) actual fact. Our heroes don't look like Matt Damon. They look like Malala. Ghandi. Mandela. Your big sister when she stood up for you to those bullies that one time."
Wu said: "Money is the lamest excuse in the history of being human. So is blaming the Chinese investors. Remember it's not about blaming individuals... it's about pointing out the repeatedly implied racist notion that white people are superior to POC (people of colour) and that POC need salvation from our own colour via white strength."
Kanye's latest target? Apple
Kanye West has a new target.
This time, the 39-year-old US rapper is ranting about Apple Music. He took to Twitter last Saturday to comment on the "beef" between the tech giant and US rap mogul Jay Z's streaming service Tidal and how it's ruining "the music game".
In June, rumours swirled that Apple Music was looking to acquire Tidal. While there hasn't been any official confirmation of negotiations on either end, according to West, Apple needs to just go ahead and "give Jay his check for Tidal now".
West is one of many musicians, including Rihanna and Beyonce, who are part of the "artist owned" Tidal, which Jay Z launched last year.
Mary J. Blige splits with hubby
Mary J. Blige is parting ways with husband Kendu Isaacs after 12 years of marriage.
The 45-year-old US singer filed for divorce last week over irreconcilable differences and requested that the court not award spousal support to Isaacs, a music executive.
Her representative told People magazine that Blige is "saddened", adding that "sometimes things don't work how we hoped they would... but, there is a divine plan and a reason for everything."
Blige has been a stepmother to Isaacs' three children from a previous marriage. The couple have no kids together.
Michael Keaton gets his star
Michael Keaton has finally received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, almost four decades after his first movie.
The 64-year-old US actor said at the ceremony held in Los Angeles last week: "How I grew up, speaking about yourself... to any degree was kind of frowned upon. It's so embarrassing to me in a way."
Instead, Keaton took the opportunity to praise his friend, US basketball legend Michael Jordan, for the latter's US$2 million (S$2.7 million) donation to improve relations between black people and the police.
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