Welcome back to our weekly recap of some of the biggest and most talked-about moments in pop culture and current events that you need to know about right now.
Ben McKenzie, who has a degree in foreign affairs and economics, is one of the few celebrities who saw the crypto bubble coming and called it out rather than become a paid shill for ugly ape cartoon NFTs. Since then, McKenzie has continued to call out the abject fraud of the crypto world. [Pajiba]
When Christina Applegate was 17, she dated 26-year-old Brad Pitt before he was really a thing (this was before Thelma & Louise). Well, apparently, Christina dumped Brad very suddenly one night when she decided to run off with a very big rock star of the moment. [Celebitchy]
Kerry Washington and a rare red carpet miss. [Go Fug Yourself]
“My body, my choice” was taken to extremes many might find uncomfortable or downright shocking by Fakir Musafar, the man who is acknowledged as the spiritual father of the modern primitive cultural movement, which prefigured widespread acceptance of body modification and BDSM. Read the review of the documentary. [Boy Culture]
The What We Do in the Shadows star Matt Berry is to be the Oscars announcer, as delighted fans hope the British comic will bring his peculiar pronunciations to the role. [The Daily Mail]
Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams will be attending the Oscars. Enjoy the ride, Hudson. [Variety]
Olympian Kaillie Humphries thanked Donald Trump for his anti-transgender policies in sports while awarding him with her Order of Ikkos on Thursday. Well, isn’t that special? [them]
According to legal documents, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner are slamming Ray J‘s claims about his and Kardashian’s 2007 sex tape. The Skims founder called Ray J’s claims “false” and alleges that she “incurred expenses to combat” his “lies and manage [her] wellbeing and reputation,” which included therapy and work with “communications, legal, and strategic advisors.” [People]
Donald Trump said Jake Paul had his “complete and total endorsement” and predicted that the influencer would run for office “in the not-too-distant future.” Pointing at Mr. Paul, he added, “That’s what we want.” Hard pass. [The New York Times – Gifted]
Legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli has weighed in on Timothée Chalamet’s dismissal of opera and ballet. [Deadline]
Conan O’Brien, who is hosting the Oscars again this year, said that the planned tribute to his good friend, the late Rob Reiner, will be a “very powerful” part of the show. [Extra]
Nicole Kidman is opening up a little bit about her split from Keith Urban. [Variety]
Mickey Rourke has officially been evicted from his L.A. home due to a California court order. The Wrestler and Iron Man 2 actor has been in a legal battle to remain in the Drexel Ave. property after his landlord filed an unlawful detainer case claiming Rourke owed $59,100 in back rent. [THR]
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was mocked this week for wearing oversized shoes after it was reported that President Donald Trump had gifted his officials dress shoes, which they were then too “afraid not to wear.” [Mediaite]
