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New York Times
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
The Bumpiness of the Celebrity-Politician Romance
He has one eye on the voters and the other on world events. She's going from red carpet to red carpet between concert tours or months spent on a film set. When they find each other, what could go wrong? Katy Perry's recent two-hour dinner at a Montreal restaurant with Justin Trudeau, the former prime minister of Canada, prompted dozens of media reports, from TMZ, which posted video of the date, to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which noted that the evening's tête-à-tête was 'good for their embattled brands.' Ms. Perry and Mr. Trudeau have not commented on their encounter. But the optics of the public pairing opened the door to discussions of a well-charted path: the politician-celebrity relationship. There's a long history of such couplings. The film star Jane Fonda and the activist-turned-lawmaker Tom Hayden were married for 17 years. The two-time Oscar winner Elizabeth Taylor walked down the aisle for the sixth time with Senator John W. Warner of Virginia. Mr. Trudeau's father, Pierre Trudeau, had well-documented relationships with celebrities, including Barbra Streisand and Margot Kidder. 'I think it definitely has a lot at stake for both the politician and the celebrity,' said Rebecca Tukachinsky Forster, an associate professor at Chapman University who studies media psychology, speaking of such relationships in general. In her recent memoir, Ms. Streisand devoted a chapter to her relationship with the elder Trudeau. 'It was nice to be with a man who had his own light shining on him, so I could stay in the shadows a bit,' she wrote. She described attending a gala in Canada, saying she 'felt a little like Jackie Kennedy as I walked into the auditorium on the arm of this distinguished man, the leader of his country.' In the end, though, she found herself 'a bit scared of the intensity' of the relationship, and wrote that she was not interested in stepping away from her own career to devote herself to it. Christian Grose, a professor of political science and public policy at the University of Southern California, said a politician who was romantically involved with a star might seem more intriguing to voters. He cited Jerry Brown, the former longtime governor of California, who had relationships with the singer Linda Ronstadt and other celebrities in the 1970s. 'I think it actually kind of enhanced his image as a quirky and interesting person to pay attention to on the national scene,' Mr. Grose said. But the relationships can have downsides for politicians, he added, if they make them look like they're 'interested more in fame and less in policy.' And the relationships can backfire, Mr. Grose said, depending on how they're received by the public. The dynamic between Ms. Ronstadt and Mr. Brown was briefly explored in the 2019 documentary 'Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice,' which showcased the difficulties faced by two people with careers in very different spotlights. 'Jerry needed somebody that could be full-time there for him,' Patricia Casado, a friend of the singer's, said in the film. 'You couldn't have two careers in that family.' In 1979, Ms. Ronstadt played a benefit in San Diego to raise money for Mr. Brown's 1980 presidential campaign, along with the Eagles and Chicago. More than 10,000 people enjoyed the show, but Ms. Ronstadt's fans treated the candidate like an interloper. 'Those attending the concert clearly came for the music, not the politics,' The New York Times reported. 'When Mr. Brown strode to the microphone, a mutter of boos rippled through the hall.' Such relationships often have one factor in common, experts said: The politicians are men and the celebrities are women. While this imbalance may result from the number of men in office compared with the number of women, there may be other elements at play. For some male politicians, a liaison with an entertainment star can be akin to a status symbol or a 'flex,' according to Juliet Williams, a professor of gender studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. She added that certain male politicians might try to take advantage of the celebrity's ability of 'grabbing and holding the limelight.' Ms. Taylor noted that she had made a number of sacrifices during the years she spent with Mr. Warner, the Republican senator. As she mentioned in a 2006 interview with Harper's Bazaar, she had to dress more conservatively than she wanted to when she was on the campaign trail. There were more serious challenges, too. 'I don't think I've ever been so alone in my life as when I was Mrs. Senator, and I don't blame my ex-husband,' she wrote in her 1987 memoir, 'Elizabeth Takes Off.' 'He never pretended to be anything but a man devoted to public service, and once that service began in earnest, I had to take a back seat to his constituency.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Where is George Santos now? A South Jersey prison.
George Santos may be calling the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland County home for the next seven years as he serves out his prison sentence. The infamous politician who lied his way into becoming a U.S. representative officially began his sentence at the medium-security, all-male South Jersey prison last week. Before leaving, Santos posted his farewell on social media, stating: 'I may be leaving the stage (for now), but trust me legends never truly exit.' Recent headlines: South Jersey man, once an aide to former Gov. Christie, faces prison after child porn find Who is George Santos? Originally known for being the first openly gay Republican to win a House seat as a non-incumbent, Santos is now most associated with his lies. After winning his seat in 2022, Santos served for less than a year before being expelled from the House. Santos is the sixth lawmaker to be ousted from the lower chamber. His election win was notable because it flipped a historically blue district in New York that served parts of Queens and Long Island. Much of his campaign revolved around him being 'the full embodiment of the American dream' because of his claimed status of being an openly gay child of Brazilian immigrants who worked on Wall Street before turning to politics. Quickly after his election, news broke that much of his history was fabricated, including his work experience and identity. He'd been found to have fabricated college degrees, his Wall Street credentials and his Jewish heritage. After his exit from Congress, Santos kept his relevancy with a podcast called 'Pants On Fire With George Santos.' Topics in South Jersey: Trump admin plan for Joint Base MDL faces more questions from NJ's Dem members of Congress What crimes did George Santos commit? His history of lies quickly tied into criminal activity. Those crimes included fraudulent FEC reports, embezzled funds from campaign donors, unauthorized credit card charges, stolen identities, falsely obtained unemployment benefits and lies in House of Representative reports. They largely took place in his relation to his political campaign. Santos took part in a fraudulent scheme to obtain money for the campaign by submitting materially false reports. He also deceived real campaign contributors by using their donations for personal expenses. He was found guilty of wire fraud and aggravated identify theft. In addition to an 87-month prison sentence, Santos is to pay restitution to his victims in the amount of $373,749.97 and $205,002.97 in forfeiture. Risha Inaganti writes about trending topics across South Jersey for the Courier-Post. If you have a story she should tell, email her at rinaganti@ Subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: George Santos to serve his sentence at this South Jersey prison
News24
2 days ago
- Politics
- News24
Familiar Falsehoods: Owner of viral SA satire site has a history of fake news operations
An online article and Facebook post by News Vine this month claimed that politician Kenny Kunene had been "gunned down" while fleeing the country, a fake story published under the guise of "satire". Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now Show Comments ()
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm a brothel manager and I've seen the craziest things – a mother and daughter working together is just the start
IF you've ever wondered what really goes on inside a brothel, we've got just the thing. Here, Catherine De Noir, 31, who is manager of one of Europe 's biggest legal brothels, has given an insight into what actually happens in the world of legalised sex work. 4 4 4 As a result of her job, Catherine, who has an academic background in organisational psychology, has 'seen it all.' But in a recent clip posted on social media, the blonde got candid on the 'craziest things' she has witnessed as a legal brothel manager. Catherine has worked in the industry for nine years and has handled everything from diverse fantasies to famous celebrities. She even once spotted a very well-known politician walk through the brothel's door. Not only this, but she's also seen family members working together and has even witnessed some very bizarre role play too. In a short video shared online, Catherine revealed the four situations that left her totally stunned. She revealed: 'The husband of one of the women found out she worked there and started coming in as her client.' Not only this, but Catherine, who has seen numerous married men cheat on their wives, then got candid on a bizarre role play experience that left her lost for words. 'A customer paid to play the role of a plumber and spent the entire session fixing a bathtub and toilet," she continued. As well as this, she simply claimed: 'A mother and daughter working together.' World's First Cyber Brothel Finally, the brothel manager, who warned that the busiest times for married men to visit brothels are between 3pm and 5pm, gasped: 'One of the women set a room on fire during a session with a customer.' Social media users react Catherine's TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 141,600 views, 3,121 likes and 20 comments. Social media users were stunned by Catherine's claims and many flocked to the comments to share their thoughts. One person said: 'Lol the first one got me. The others I can understand.' Are brothels legal in the UK? There has been a growing debate in the UK about whether brothels should be legalised, following the emergence of pop-up brothels across the country. These temporary establishments, often set up in residential areas, have sparked concerns among local communities and law enforcement agencies. The current legal framework in the UK criminalises the operation of brothels, but individual sex work is permitted. This has led to a complex and often problematic situation for those involved in the industry. Advocates for legalising brothels argue that regulation could improve safety and working conditions for sex workers. By bringing the industry out of the shadows, they believe that sex workers would have better access to health services and legal protection, reducing the risks of exploitation and violence. Furthermore, regulated brothels could be subject to health and safety standards, ensuring a safer environment for both workers and clients. On the other hand, opponents of legalisation worry that it could lead to an increase in human trafficking and exploitation. They argue that normalising the sex industry might encourage more people to become involved in it, both as workers and clients. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact on local communities, with fears that legalised brothels could lead to an increase in crime and antisocial behaviour in residential areas. As the debate continues, it is clear that there are no easy answers. Balancing the rights and safety of sex workers with the concerns of local communities and broader societal impacts remains a complex challenge. Policymakers will need to carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of legalising brothels in the UK, taking into account the experiences of other countries that have taken similar steps. Another added: 'Omg so much goes on.' A third commented: 'Instant follow. I wanna work for you!'
ABC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
NSW MP Gareth Ward likely to be removed from parliament after conviction for sex crimes
A sitting member of the NSW parliament has been convicted of serious sexual offences — so what happens next? The independent member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, was found guilty of four offences relating to the sexual abuse of two young men after a nine-week trial in the NSW District Court. Following the verdict, the NSW government swiftly called for the 44-year-old to resign from parliament — claiming his position was "no longer tenable". Even the Liberal Party — the previous party of Ward — said the politician had breached public trust and his crimes were an "abuse of power". The conviction of a sitting politician for serious crimes is a rare event. Ward was previously barred from parliament when the allegations first surfaced, but his shock re-election saw him return. Now that he has been found guilty by a jury, will he be removed from office? The NSW Constitution contains provisions for expelling sitting members convicted of an "infamous crime" — that is an offence that carries a maximum sentence of more than five years. All four of Gareth Ward's offences meet that criterion, with the most serious offence — sexual intercourse without consent — carrying a maximum prison term of 14 years. However, the politician's seat will not be vacated just yet. Ward has 28 days to lodge an appeal in the NSW District Court, and his seat in parliament will not be declared vacant until the challenge is resolved. However, these provisions do not interfere with the powers of the House to expel members. Election analyst Ben Raue is a close observer of Australian politics. He said the NSW parliament has powers to remove politicians. "I can't imagine they would have issues passing a motion of suspension, I think that would be the bare minimum to be honest," he said. Mr Raue said NSW parliament is in unchartered waters with this case. "It is very unusual," he said. After the verdict, Ward was granted bail release to return home ahead of a hearing on Wednesday where the Crown will seek to have the politician taken into custody ahead of his sentence. The verdict was handed down more than three years after Ward was first charged. The then-Liberal politician was stood down from his portfolio as the NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services after it emerged that he was the subject of a police investigation. In 2022 he was suspended from parliament after he refused to resign over the allegations. "That is one of the things that is so odd about this case is normally when people are facing serious criminal charges like this, they resign from their public office," said Mr Raue. Despite the case hanging over his head and his inability to represent his community in the parliament — constituents in Kiama re-elected him in 2023, allowing him to return to parliament. "I think it is a sign of how popular he had been that he managed to get re-elected," said Mr Raue. "I think there was a recognition that the voters had their say and until he is convicted, he is a member of parliament." Mr Raue said the conviction means voters in Kiama are likely to be returning to the polls. "I think it is likely now we will see a by-election at some point — either he resigns, or he is expelled," he said.
