Natalie Portman: Engaged and Pregnant

Image courtesy of the Huffington Post

So...get this. Natalie Portman is actually ENGAGED to the guy that played (and actually was) her ballet instructor in the AMAZING new film, Black Swan. If THAT isn't enough, how about she also confirmed her pregnancy! Crazy. I'm excited to see how her life and her career unfolds from here. I'm so proud of her performance in that movie, and she deserves to be really proud of herself right now.

Politically Relevant Pop Culture on 90210

Courtesy of Hollywoodlife.com

This episode the CWs 90210 was juicy for all sorts of reasons, but mainly because we got a feel of Teddy's deep-rooted  insecurities about his own sexuality. His outburst of calling his future love interest (that's my prediction) a "faggot" aligns itself with the recent media coverage of homophobic bullying. Hip, hip, hooray to 90210 producers for trying to make the show socially relevant for their teen viewers.

As if that wasn't enough, they also did white America (and, most likely, other minority groups) a favor by very subtly explaining the idea of the "light-skinned" African-American. Tristan Wilds and Evan Ross are not the same kind of "black," and I think the way they introduced Ross' characters race exes out the idea the infamous saying that "all black people look the same." Great episode!

Tristan Wilds

Evan Ross and, mom, Diana Ross

Black White and Sequins ALL OVER!

Don't Fall Over...

but

HURRY! 

There's a party going down...

and the dress code is 

BLACK,WHITE,AND SEQUINS--ALL OVER!! 

The Curiousness of the Apple [I-Phone]

Now, I think the new I-phone is cool...but Goddamn! Much like other highly mystical, subconsciously spiritual obsessions of pop-culture (i.e. Harry Potter, Twilight, Jay-Z concerts, Political Caucuses, haha...) the lines that formed across the country for the new toy border on the insane.

 The features are super dope, but one thing I know about Apple products is that you never trust the first prototype of any version of any product they're selling. The iPad will inevitably be perfected in a few months, as will the new Iphone G4. Why are people so hysterical to get they're hands on the new toy?! I won't even lie...I kind of want to see one, too.

Black, White, and Sequins All Over

Don't Fall Over...

but

HURRY! 

There's a party going down...

and the dress code is 

BLACK,WHITE,AND SEQUINS--ALL OVER!! 

Question: What 's This Freemasonry/ Illuminati Stuff?

It seems awareness of the existence of secret societies in the world is more widespread, now, than ever. Talk of Masonry and Illuminati are circulating celebrity gossip blogs everywhere. But what are these societies anyway? What relevancy do they hold in popular culture and why should we even be concerned?

To begin:

"Freemasonry is the oldest and largest world wide fraternity dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of a Supreme Being. Although of a religious nature, Freemasonry is not a religion. It urges its members, however, to be faithful and devoted to their own religious beliefs.

 The organization of Freemasonry is based on a system of Grand Lodges, each sovereign within its own territory. There is no central authority governing all Grand Lodges. However, to be acknowledged by others, acceptable traditions, standards and practices must be maintained." (Grandlodge).

So, basically, Freemasonry is just the oldest fraternity. Freemasonry, in and of itself, is not a bad thing at all and is a collection of powerful men above the age of 21 with various religious backgrounds coming together in the good name of brotherhood, charity and progression. But much like any group, whether it be religious or political, it's the extremist sects that branch from the ideas of a group that warrant any concern.

This is where the Illuminati come in. The Illuminati are completely independent of Freemasonry, although many powerful Masons are believed to be Illuminati:

"As far as history can suggest, Illuminati groups from Europe were some of the more advanced thinkers of the time period, reflecting humanism philosophy emerging at the time. They were opposed to power exerted by churches and by the nobility. The organization, as a secret society, was illegal. During its early years, this secret society may have had as many as 10 branches in Europe and 2000 members drawn from the intellectuals in Europe. According to historical sources, the Illuminati fell apart by 1795.

This is when speculation and conspiracy theory steps in to lend a hand. Conspiracy theorists assert that the Illuminati still exists today and has extraordinary influence over governments. One thing considered “evidence” of existence is the presence of the eye on the pyramid of a one US dollar (USD) bill. And most conspiracy beliefs held about the Illuminati consider the order as largely influential on the Freemasons.

Some believe that key members in the early formation of the US government, like Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin were members of the Illuminati, and that the group continues to influence world government. It is suggested that the Illuminati have taken an active role in most major events in history. Some theorists allege that certain Presidents and members of the British monarchy are Illuminati members.

The Illuminati has recently gained some popularity with the Dan Brown novel Angels and Demons. Brown is most recognizable as the author of The Da Vinci Code. He takes the Illuminati on as a subject of interest, suggesting that all major scientific thinkers from the Age of Reason onward have been secret Illuminati members.

Brown depicts a constant war between the Illuminati and the Roman Catholic Church, outlining the conflict between not only Atheism and Christianity but also specifically science and religion. His work, which many acknowledge advances conspiracy theories about the group, suggest the Illuminati is still in existence and in continued warfare with the Vatican. Brown also intimates that the Illuminati have infiltrated every powerful political organization, and is largely composed of the world’s scientific community.

Nonfiction works have made the same contention as Brown’s, that the Illuminati still exists today and is in constant battle with the Catholic Church. Some theorists believe that the Illuminati work toward establishing a New World Order and have influenced most world events in the 20th century. What can be verified is that there are several groups calling themselves Illuminati in the 20th century, based on the principles of the Bavarian and European groups. These include the German Ordo Illuminatorum, the Grand Lodge Rockefeller in the USA, and the Spanish Orden Illuminati" (Wise Geek).

Understand that the Illuminati is a group concerned with power and knowledge. Though it's believed that the Illuminati are no longer in existence, many think the opposite. Stars, like Jay-Z and Madonna, subtly and not-so-subtly allude to the group all the time. We being the second wave of the MTV generation are generally highly influenced by media and popular culture. The entertainment industry is the biggest reflection of a slowly corrupting culture. What do you think?

"Illuminati wants my mind soul and body? Secret society, tryna keep their eye on me"-Jay-Z

Heidi Montag: A Monument to Plastic Surgery by AnnMargaret

Heidi Montag, 23,  has had ten plastic surgery procedures done (breast implants increased to DDDs, a brow lift, a nose job revision, lipo on her stomach and thighs and a butt augmentation, and other things, too) in one day. The reality star began her career on MTV, and told People Magazine that she never liked the way she looked on the show.

 "I do love it and I appreciate it and I appreciate the science behind it," she told NY Daily News. "We [are] blessed to even have this surgery that we have. We're so advanced. If Cleopatra were alive now, I'm sure she'd have triple D's ... there's always been a struggle between pain and beauty. I feel like since the beginning of time."  (NY Daily News). Montag touches upon some truth in this statement, highlighting the power of the allure of the feminine facade. Now, with shows like Niptuck, the idea of creating perfection has become a fantastical but obtainable ideal. 

Plastic Surgery has officially infiltrated popular culture and Montag has made herself a monument to the cause. In 2009, Juan Enriquez, CEO of Biotechnomy, announced the arrival of Homo Evolutis: the next stage of evolution. Homo Evolutis refers to the machine body (the perfect simulation of the human body, machine and technology) and plastic surgery is aiding in the progression to this new race. If we stop to think about the implications of celebrating such procedures, it won't take long for the realization to occur to us that we are becoming active participants in promoting the departure from nature. The machine body is an unnatural human ideal and embracing constructed homogeneity neglects the differences in the human race that make us all part of the sentient nation.

Amber Rose: American Rebel?

American RebeL- Persona Magazine Vol 1. from PERSONA MAGAZINE on Vimeo.

How on God's GREEN EARTH do people feel about this? Is she really a R E B E L or just the new iconic bad girl of the time?