Latest news with #Vanity
New York Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Kendrick Perkins' wife in cheeky NBA Finals scene with Richard Jefferson: ‘She waved at me first'
Monday's Game 5 recap of the NBA Finals took an interesting pivot on 'SportsCenter.' When discussing the Thunder's 120-109 home win over the Pacers, ESPN's Kendrick Perkins playfully chided fellow analyst Richard Jefferson over an exchange he was having with Perkins' wife, Vanity. 'Were you just waving at my wife?' Perkins asked Jefferson, who was seated beside 'SportsCenter' host Scott Van Pelt. Advertisement 7 Richard Jefferson waved to Kendrick Perkins' wife while covering Game 5 of the NBA Finals in June 2025. Awful Announcing via ESPN/X Jefferson, 44, waved to Vanity, who was off camera, and said, 'She waved at me first.' Advertisement As Jefferson repeated, 'She waved at me first,' Perkins, 40, started laughing and lightly swiped the former NBA forward's cheek. Even as moderator Van Pelt tried to keep the program moving, he quipped to his fellow panelists, 'Stop blowing kisses out here.' 7 Scott Van Pelt was part of the cheeky moment that unfolded on 'SportsCenter.' Awful Announcing via ESPN/X 7 Kendrick Perkins softly swiped Richard Jefferson's cheek in the moment. Awful Announcing via ESPN/X Advertisement Perkins, who played for the Thunder from 2011-15, has been married to Vanity for 15 years. The couple will celebrate their 16th wedding anniversary in July. He penned a heartfelt Mother's Day tribute to Vanity in May, calling her the 'heart and soul' of their family. 7 Kendrick Perkins with his wife, Vanity. Kendrick Perkins/Instagram Advertisement 7 The couple has been married for 15 years. Kendrick Perkins/Instagram 'Thank you for not just being the best Wife that a man can ask for but being the Best Mother to our 4 beautiful Children. Haven't a glorious and outstanding Day today and enjoy it beautiful. I love you sooo much,' Perkins posted on Instagram. The cheeky scene between Perkins and Jefferson unfolded at the Paycom Center, where Oklahoma City took a 3-2 series lead and is now one win away from an NBA title. 7 Kendrick Perkins during ESPN's NBA Finals coverage in June 2025. NBAE via Getty Images 7 Richard Jefferson is part of ESPN's top NBA booth. NBAE via Getty Images League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points while Jalen Williams added a career playoff-high of 40 points. 'It wasn't a perfect game at all and there's a lot of room for growth,' Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. 'But our improvement from Game 4 to Game 5 was critical.' Advertisement The Thunder defeated the Pacers in Game 4, 111-104, to even the series at two apiece. Game 6 is set for Thursday in Indianapolis. If necessary, Game 7 shifts back to Oklahoma City on Sunday.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
My unexpected Pride icon: Jurassic Park's strutting, swaggering T rex is pure camp
'That's camp,' proclaimed my drag queen friend Vanity as we watched the T rex rip a tyre off a Jeep in the first Jurassic Park movie. It's 2012, 2am and we're in her bedroom playing our favourite Jurassic Park drinking game, where you swig every time you see a dinosaur. 'Is it, though?' I said, doubtfully, dipping a Walkers Sensation in some coleslaw. 'Course it is. All the gays love Jurassic Park. Don't be an idiot, Jones.' She pointedly slapped down the lid on the coleslaw as if that were the end of the matter. I thought about it a bit and ultimately agreed with her. I absolutely loved Jurassic Park. And so did just about every queer person I knew. Jurassic Park, in fact, made me feel proud. Prouder than seeing a load of 00s popstrels perform at Pride parades, prouder than drinking in the street in Soho, prouder even than M&S's Pride sandwich. Granted, my judgment was a little clouded from the drinking game. But still. I've since wondered if this was specific to my strange little bubble of pop-culture-obsessed London reprobates. But its surprisingly innuendo-ready quotes ('clever girl', 'hold on to your butts', 'dinosaur eats man, woman inherits the Earth') and unforgettable performances (human and raptor) are an enduring staple everywhere from drag brunches to bleary afterparties. London's historic queer venue the Royal Vauxhall Tavern held a Jurassic Park cabaret night in 2023 called 'Life Finds a Slay'. In San Francisco last year, the Brava theatre hosted 'Jurassic Drag', two Jurassic Park nights celebrating various drag legends ('they've survived a hostile world and trekked the Earth collectively for more than 170 years … which we all know in drag time is roughly 250 million'). Also last year, the Canadian podcaster and academic Hannah McGregor published a feminist-focused queer memoir, Clever Girl, billed as 'a smart and incisive exploration of everyone's favourite dinosaur movie and the female dinosaurs who embody what it means to be angry, monstrous and free'. (An honourable mention goes to the British gay couple and their dog who went viral in 2020 for recreating scenes from the films during lockdown.) It makes sense when you look at the first two movies. Their director, Steven Spielberg, has always had a propensity for the camper, more fun side of mild to moderate peril, flinging damsels into snake pits and children into shark-infested waters at the first chance he gets. He and the screenwriter David Koepp wield this impish inclination with gusto in Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park: The Lost World, whether it's a dilophosaurus wobbling her wattles or Julianne Moore gasping on glass over a gulch. Laura Dern is constantly in peril in the first movie – and for a lot of gay men, women in peril is a favourite genre – there is a stampede of psychosexual and misogynistic issues to dive into with that one. (Other notable women-in-peril franchises beloved of gay men include Scream, Buffy, Tomb Raider and, depending on Tyra Banks's mood, America's Next Top Model.) Also, if you are a millennial gay man, Jeff Goldblum's tanned, heaving bosom inside a liberally unbuttoned shirt was definitely at least part of your sexual awakening. A special mention should go to Bob Peck as park warden Robert Muldoon, who sported short-shorts that would make even Lara Croft raise one of her perfectly plucked eyebrows. (The later Jurassic World films are notably sanitised, safe and sexless in comparison – like smooth, scaly iPhones.) Really, though, if I stand up in the Jeep, take off my sunglasses and really look at it, the main reason I find pride in Jurassic Park is right there, rumbling and stomping in front of me: the dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are deeply camp – their fierce, confident assuredness followed by their fiery, dramatic downfall. Their strutting, swaggering gaits. It's very drag, with their relentless energy and fierce joie de vivre, not to mention their various ruffs and feathers and talons and shiny teeth. They just served. Some may say it's ridiculous to have an emotional affinity with 65m-year-old extinct reptiles, to which I say: why is it any more ridiculous than having an affinity with Strictly Come Dancing or Taylor Swift or raccoons? It's not. It's completely normal. Now, pass those night-vision goggles: we're going to Hampstead Heath.
Geek Vibes Nation
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Action Jackson' Blu-Ray Review - Carl Weathers Proves Once Again He Is An Action Star
Like a blast from a .44 magnum, Carl Weathers (Predator, Rocky) makes Action Jackson a hero who delivers the goods with charisma and excitement. He plays Detroit police Sergeant Jericho Jackson, pitted against the brutal thugs of ruthless auto tycoon Peter Dellaplane (Craig T. Nelson), who's out to murder his way to political power. Jackson's also involved with Dellaplane's beautiful wife, Patrice (Sharon Stone) — and his mistress, Sydney (singer Vanity). Framed and hunted by his fellow officers, Jackson sets up a desperate showdown that hurls Action Jackson toward a heart-stopping climax. For thoughts on Action Jackson, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required: Video Quality Warner Archive re-released Action Jackson on Blu-Ray in 2019 after originally being released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment in 2013 with a 1080p master transfer from a 2K scan of the Interpositive. The release was fine for the time, but it feels a bit dated these days in a way that is crying out for a 4K UHD upgrade. This original Blu-Ray release at least allowed the film to be presented in its original aspect ratio, and it gets the job done. The restoration efforts of the time were executed favorably with little in the way of dirt, nicks, or scratches. We did not spot any unwanted digital anomalies such as compression artifacts, banding, or any other such issues. The degree of detail and clarity is not quite where we want it, but the natural film grain is intact. The film visits an array of memorable locales, and each one has textural elements that perk up the screen. Black levels are decently deep with fine stability throughout, and highlights are in good shape. In the absence of a proper 4K restoration, this release holds up as a solid option. Audio Quality Warner Archive has delivered a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio stereo presentation that taps into the soundscape effectively. The track balances vocals with an onslaught of environmental noises with wonderful clarity. Even in action-packed moments, there are no instances when the track falters in its stability. The dynamic soundtrack and score fill the room with memorable compositions. The music flows without signs of strain in the upper registers for competent fidelity. Dialogue comes through clearly throughout without being clipped. Warner Archive has provided a sturdy audio presentation. Optional English (SDH), French, German, and Spanish subtitles are provided. Special Features There are no special features provided on this disc.. Final Thoughts Action Jackson fits comfortably into the subgenre of action crime films featuring cops who play by their own rules. The plot itself is nothing to write home about, but Carl Weathers proves himself once again to be a captivating leading man. Notable names such as Craig T. Nelson and Sharon Stone guide the proceedings along to a crowd-pleasing finish. This film does not appear to be the best known, but it will provide a good time if you are looking to play around in the genre. Warner Archive has released a Blu-Ray featuring a good A/V presentation but no special features. Recommended Action Jackson can be purchased directly through MovieZyng or various other online retailers. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Warner Archive has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Daily Mirror
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Emmerdale Aaron and Robert reunion 'sealed' but stars tease 'long road' ahead
Emmerdale cast members have told The Mirror there's 'every chance' Robron will reunite after Robert Sugden's return to the ITV soap, but it 'won't be easy' for him and Aaron Dingle More than one Emmerdale cast member has teased a possible reunion for Aaron Dingle and Robert Sugden, but it won't be smooth sailing. Fans were thrilled as Ryan Hawley returned to the show after six years last week, reprising his role as Robert. Robert tried to stop his ex Aaron marrying new flame, and Robert's half-brother, John Sugden. His return which is permanent has sparked hopes Robron, as they are known by fans, will reconcile. Speaking exclusively to The Mirror at the British Soap Awards 2025, more than one cast member teased there could be a reunion on the cards. Stars including Lisa Riley, Bradley Johnson, James Hooton, Karen Blick and Amelia Flanagan all revealed their thoughts on the huge twist. Manpreet Sharma actress Rebecca Sarker also told us how "incredible" it was to have Robert back on the show. Some of the cast made it clear where their stood in terms of being Team John or Team Robert. April Windsor star Amelia confessed she was "hashtag Robron", while Lydia Dingle actress Karen shared her belief that the pair would find their way back to each other. READ MORE: Emmerdale's Michelle Hardwick teases new Vanity scenes as she address reunion rumours Mandy Dingle actress Lisa and Vinny Dingle star Bradley also had their say, with both stars predicting a long road back to reconciliation. Lisa said of the comeback: "It's incredible, it was amazing. We had seven days and we knew the reaction would be massive. "But to then see the reaction which was enormous has just been so good, and it's great for the show. It's the right time, it's what the audience wanted. We just kept teasing and teasing them and now they have got Robron. We love it." Bradley revealed: "Robron was so big as well it's that thing of are they or are they not [getting back together], keeping fans on tenterhooks." With possibly being what keeps them apart, Lisa teased of future drama between the brothers: "That's the drama, you want that, you gotta keep it all going, mixing the pot." When we asked if they were Robron all the way, Lisa said "yes" as Bradley teased: "It's a long path to that," with Lisa adding: "As it should be." Similarly, Karen believed it would be a long road until a potential reunion. She told us: "It's brilliant. They are an iconic soap couple. I think there's every chance [they'll get back together] but who knows. I don't think it's a straight road is it, it's not gonna be easy." Meanwhile James spilled: "It's an amazing twist. Robert Sugden is an iconic character and Robron, Aaron and Robert, are in the hearts of people. Everyone loves that soap couple so the question is, is there any chance for them to get back together? Aaron's got married so is there any way they can get back together? It's soap land." April actress Amelia also had her say on the shocking yet exciting twist. She revealed: "He has been under such a private name, Marco, I kept getting scripts through. I was like who is Marco? We didn't cross paths for a while and then I saw him the week before it aired. "It's a very good thing for the fans, they love Robron, hashtag Robron." Finally, Rebecca told us: "Wasn't that wonderful? I kept saying who is this guy, who is Marco. I knew Ryan was coming back. I think it's wonderful. It's clearly something everyone has been itching for. It is incredible and it shows you the power of the fans and supporters of the show. They are invested, that's all we need and want, invested, loyal fans."
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sex Workers Already Predicted There's A Recession Coming — Here's How They Know
While some people anxiously watch the stock market for signs of a recession, others look for more subtle cues that the economy is in trouble. One of them is Catherine De Noire, a manager of a legal brothel, a Ph.D. candidate in organizational psychology and an influencer. When business at her brothel unexpectedly dips, De Noire takes it as a sign that the economy is in trouble. Although De Noire is based in Europe, she believes that economic upheaval in the United States 'triggers huge uncertainty' across the pond because of America's global influence. De Noire first noticed a decline in business right after Donald Trump was elected in November 2024, as Americans and the rest of the world anticipated upheaval. Strippers in the U.S. are also feeling the pinch. Dancer and influencer Vulgar Vanity said that when she first started dancing in 2022, she could earn six figures just by dancing during a handful of big events in Austin, such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix and South by Southwest music festival. This year is different. 'I didn't even bother working South by Southwest because the first Friday night I attempted to work, I walked into a completely empty club and didn't make any money at all,' she said. Vanity also says that many of her regular customers aren't tipping at all or tipping less than half of what they used to. She is quick to point out that she is just one dancer and 'obviously not an economist,' but she notes that other dancers and tipped workers are also hurting. Her theory is that her customers are no longer tipping as generously because of rising costs and economic uncertainty. Vanity is worried that this means we are on the verge of a recession or full-blown depression. Are these astute women onto something? Indicators like a decline in business at brothels, lower tips for strippers and other nontraditional measures of economic health 'have a measure of validity but may be more coincident indicators than leading ones,' said Marta Norton, a chief investment strategist at Empower. While Norton finds this type of anecdotal evidence interesting, she says she looks at more traditional sources of data, especially corporate earnings and the stock market, to predict if a recession is in our future. By those traditional measures, 'We may be slowing, but we aren't facing a looming recession. Yet,' she said. De Noire believes that the tariffs Trump announced on what he called 'Liberation Day' will 'definitely contribute to a further decline and recession.' Nevertheless, the past has shown that nontraditional measures can tell us a lot about the economy's health. Here are some of the anecdotal indicators of the economy about whether a recession is likely. According to De Noire, business at her brothel usually picks up in the spring once people give up on their New Year's resolutions and recover from holiday spending. But this year, business is down. She attributes the 'huge dip' in earnings at her brothel to customers feeling insecure about the economy. 'There are significantly fewer clients coming in, and the sex workers are reporting noticeably lower earnings,' she said. Although De Noire emphasizes that the top sex workers at her brothel are still earning more compared to the general population, she said some of the highest earners at her brothel are earning about half of what they did during the same time last year. 'We're seeing clients come in less often, try to negotiate lower prices or stop visiting altogether. We're also hearing from our workers that more clients are going for the cheapest possible service,' she said. According to De Noire, this suggests that people are saving money or reallocating their spending toward things they see as more essential, likely because they're preparing for challenging times ahead. Legal brothels in the U.S. are seeing a similar trend, according to Andrew Lokenauth, a data analyst and founder of He explains that revenue at legal brothels in Nevada is down roughly 20% since last quarter. 'My research shows this correlates strongly with discretionary spending trends,' indicating a recession is likely. Strippers are often the first ones to notice a downturn in the are 'obviously not a priority or household necessity' and 'are the first to feel it because we're the first ones tossed aside,' Vanity said. 'The 'stripper index' is one of those odd but oddly effective indicators' of economic health, said David Kindness, a certified public accountant and finance expert. It tracks how much strippers are earning and how often customers are going to strip clubs, he explained. 'When tips slow down and foot traffic thins out, it often means people are holding onto their extra cash,' Kindness explained. According to Lokenauth, Vanity isn't the only dancer feeling the squeeze, and that's not a good sign. 'Strip club revenue in Vegas is down about 12%,' which could indicate we are headed for a recession, Lokenauth said. What type of beer people drink is a 'pretty good indicator' of whether a recession is on the horizon, said Jack Buffington, an assistant professor of supply chain management at the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver. 'Beer is a discretionary spend and a social spend,' so people cut back on how much they spend on beer when they are worried about the economy, he explained. Since it's much less expensive to pick up a six-pack than to go out for draft beers, how much money people are spending on draft beer, and pricey craft beers in particular, is a harbinger of a recession. 'Craft beer sales are way down,' potentially indicating a recession is likely, Buffington said. In 2008, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan observed that declining sales of men's underwear likely meant we were headed for a recession. 'There's a concerning trend. Sales dropped roughly 6% over these past months,' Lokenauth says. 'Guys only skip replacing underwear when they're worried about money,' so we may be in trouble, he says. The 'lipstick index' 'illustrates a seemingly contradictory consumer pattern during economic recessions,' explains Kevin Shahnazari, a data analyst and co-founder of FinlyWealth. The Lipstick Index doesn't just apply to lipstick. The theory behind the Lipstick Index is that when money is tight, consumers substitute costly purchases with cheap luxuries like lipstick. 'In the 2008 recession, cosmetics sales increased, showing that even in tough times, individuals crave tiny comfort purchases that give psychological boosts without a hefty financial outlay,' Shahnazari explained. For example, someone might skip a costly facial but buy a $10 lipstick. Or they might skip an expensive dinner out but still buy a $6 latte or a box of expensive chocolates. Today, cosmetics sales are strong. 'MAC and Sephora sales are up about 15%, not a great sign for the broader economy,' Lokenauth there 'is a quiet trend towards lower-cost, no-frills beauty,' and cosmetic sales in drugstores have risen over the past few months, Shahnazari said. This could be a sign we are headed for a recession. How people date can also indicate whether or not we are headed for a recession. Paid subscriptions for online dating services have fallen, even though the total number of users has risen, Shahnazari said. 'Free and lower-tier use of dating apps has risen by about 12%, indicating social and financial stress,' he explained. Additionally,increased use of online dating apps can be a sign that people are looking for 'cheaper entertainment and companionship instead of expensive nights out,' Lokenauth said. 'I've tracked this metric for years, and it's scarily accurate,' he added. Hemlines 'rise with optimism, fall with doubt,' Shahnazari said. 'Although absurd, this psychological anomaly quantifies consumer confidence and social mood,' he explained. Historically, shorter hemlines meant economic optimism, and longer hemlines signaled economic trouble. For example, the happy-go-lucky flappers in the Roaring Twenties wore short dresses, but hemlines got longer during the Great Depression in the 1930s. Currently, the Hemline Index is sending mixed signals because recent designer collections are featuring both long and short hems, Lokenauth said. Thanks to fast fashion, hemlines aren't as clear an indicator as they once were, he explains. However, given the accuracy of the Hemline Index in the past, he thinks it's worth keeping an eye on the runways next season. If you notice fewer blond hairdos, it could be a sign a recession is looming. 'Stylists are often the first to notice economic shifts, and lately, many have mentioned clients asking for easier and cheaper options,' Kindness said. Clients may shift from high-maintenance hairstyles to lower-maintenance natural looks as a way to save money, Kindness explained. There are signs spending at salons is down. If you see formerly blond 'recession brunettes' out and about, it might be a sign a recession is coming, he said. 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