This week, there's so much to talk about! Today's letter includes a Met Gala blind item recap from Daysia and a raving review of Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings from Hannah.

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Daysia and Hannah

This Week's Fixations

What's taking up our brain space this week?

Daysia: Has everyone lost their goddamn mind this week? So much happened! First, Nicki Minaj revealed she isn’t vaccinated and pointed to her cousin’s friend’s alleged impotence as a reason. Of course, experts say that’s not true, and the government of Trinidad and Tobago even “wasted so much time” trying to verify the false claim. And now she’s going to talk to the White House? While facing a witness intimidation lawsuit? Wild!

Next, I learned that Scarlett Johansson is now the creative director of an organic pizza roll company. One that sells two-packs of pizza rolls for $31. My first question: how does one creative direct pizza rolls? Second: how did this partnership come to be? Third: what the fuck does she know about pizza rolls?

Finally, this week was jam-packed with celebrity events in NYC. The VMAs, the Met Gala, the Met Gala after party… there’s bound to be some fun blind items on Crazy Days and Nights. Let’s take a look and guess who these are about!

Alliterate actress: Tessa Thompson.

Throuple: Thompson, Rita Ora, and Taika Waititi (‘memba them?)

For the record, if this is true, I don’t think this would ruin anyone’s career. I’m actually kind of obsessed they’re all still having fun together. There are plenty of non-monogamous celebs in Hollywood, doesn’t really seem like a big deal.

Foreign born one named A+ list singer: Rihanna

The recipient's wife, who is a celebrity offspring more famous than her parental unit, but less so than another family member: Hailey Baldwin Bieber

Which leaves the recipient: Justin Bieber

☠️☠️☠️ Didn’t Rihanna tell you she was a savage? Do y’all think Hailey was there when it happened? 😬

Editor: Anna Wintour

A+ list Tik Tok star who wants more than anything to be an actress: Addison Rae

Just ‘cause you’re in, doesn’t mean you’re in!

Hannah: Speaking of the Met Gala, it was so wonderful to see Simu Liu there who looked extremely dashing (that thumb ring, the smirk, that little curl).

There are so many wonderful things about Simu like his sense of humor but I think one of my favorite things about him is that he isn’t afraid to be a fan and take us along for the ride (some Timothée Chalamet energy there). Note: After writing this, it was brought to my attention that there was controversy surrounding posts from Simu’s old Reddit account. This is sucky and disappointing to hear about but it seems like he is willing to acknowledge that he said some ignorant things and has grown as a person.

I am so happy that Shang Chi was such a success and is getting all the attention it deserves. (And yes, Kim’s Convenience is on my to-watch list, I know I’m late to the party.) If you haven’t watched Shang Chi yet and you’re a Marvel fan or even just a fan of action movies, I cannot recommend Shang Chi enough. I can understand Marvel fatigue but this is so fresh and introduces us to a completely new cast of characters (but does incorporate some past favorites as is the Marvel way). A standout for me was Awkwafina who did a wonderful job providing some comic relief and being a great best friend/sidekick. At its core, Shang Chi is really about the relationships we have with our family and friends and how those evolve over time. Also, Meng'er Zhang who plays Xialing (Shang Chi’s sister) was such a badass (think Azula from Avatar: The Last Airbender) and I look forward to seeing more of her in the MCU.

Also, the fight scenes were incredible! Like easily the best fight choreography I have ever seen in any Marvel movie. All of these factors are what made Shang Chi a success in my opinion and I’m already looking forward to rewatching it.

If you’re interested in reading more about Shang Chi and what makes it different, Shirley Li (one of my favorite culture writers) wrote about it for The Atlantic: The Movie That’s Reminding Studios What Audiences Want.

Oh, and if you need another incentive to watch Shang Chi, I think Simu Liu put it best:

Has Lorde Dropped a New Album?

Lorde didn’t perform at the VMAs, but she went to the Met Gala on Monday and served us an… interesting! look.

This week’s mini-reviews will conclude all the main tracks on Solar Power, including “California,” “Dominoes,” and “Big Star”—not to worry we'll also be reviewing the bonus tracks next week!

“California”: The instrumental reminded me of something Clairo would put out. It has a lo-fi, bedroom pop feel and, like much of the album, evokes nostalgia. It’s a song about rejecting the celebrity life, the Hollywood life, that she was thrust into at such a young age. It’s a farewell to the titular state and an arrival at a more peaceful place, her home country. The song overall is a bit forgettable—the type of song to put on in the background of a dinner party.

“Dominoes”: The other explicit relationship tune on Solar Power (along with “The Man with the Axe”), “Dominoes” is probably one of the more bops on the album. It has a plucky melody and some scathing lyrics: “Fifty gleaming chances in a row / Then I watch you flick them down like dominoes / Must feel good being Mr. Start-Again.” It also makes references to New Age foreshadowing some of the themes we see later in Solar Power in songs such as “Mood Ring.” The song gets stuck in your head, especially the last chorus, and you’ll find yourself humming it all day.

“Big Star”: We have referenced in the past how Lorde’s dog, Pearl, passing away played a big part in the making of Solar Power and this song is all about him. It’s a little bit darker and shows the evolution of Lorde’s grief. Honestly, knowing the backstory of this song makes it all that more emotional and it can really be applicable to a variety of situations or people that have a big impact on our lives and are no longer a part of them.

ICYMI: MONTERO has arrived. Listen to "DOLLA SIGN SLIME" with Megan thee Stallion.

Too Many Tabs

Writer Joseph Longo declared it the summer of the power balds in Men’s Health.

Climate activist Clover Hogan recounted her disturbing casting experience for the widely criticized competition show The Activist to Vulture’s Justin Curto.

The Atlantic’s Hannah Giorgis constructed an in-depth history of the writers’ rooms behind Black television shows and Black screenwriters’ task to create “negotiated authenticity”—or Blackness “that is acceptable to white showrunners, studio executives, and viewers.”

Plus… Kim Petras thee pony, Hailee Steinfield cosplaying as Bebe Rexha, Jessica Chastain and Liv Ullman’s Scenes from a Marriage, rest in peace Norm MacDonald, Andrew Garfield and death, Bella! Where the hell have you been, loca?, and The Montero Show.