Baby Got Bump

By Emily Vogel

(Giphy)

Dear Diary, 

In case you missed it, gender reveal parties are out and elaborate pregnancy announcements are in. From Keke Palmer’s stylish pregnancy reveal during her “Saturday Night Live” monologue in December to Rihanna announcing her second pregnancy during her explosive Super Bowl Halftime performance earlier this month. Click here to see all the celebs who are expecting babies in 2023. 

On the other hand, earlier this week during an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, Grammy award-winning singer Pink said she was told having kids would ruin her career. The now mother of two argues that it wasn’t until having children that her career really began.  “I think it’s when I started to really understand myself and understand the world and my place in it,” said the “Trustfall” singer. 

But being pregnant and having children isn’t for everyone. Other celebrities, like Chelsea Handler, have been using their platform to celebrate being a part of the no kids club. Recently, while guest hosting "The Daily Show," the comedian shared a parody "mom vlog" video entitled “A Day in the Life of a Childless Woman.” From waking up, eating an edible and masturbating to tackling “a busy day of doing whatever the f— I feel like” – it sounds like Handler has this no kids thing figured out. 

Meanwhile, I’m just trying to get a text back.

Thuso Mbedu on Overcoming Challenges to Get to ‘The Woman King’: ‘There’s Value in Hard Work’

(TheWrap.com)

While the historical action film “The Woman King” is Thuso Mbedu’s first feature film, it’s been a long time coming. The “Underground Railroad” actress has overcome a number of challenges in her life so far, and said she’s been “living on survival mode” for most of the time.

“The first challenge that I had to overcome was growing up in South Africa. I was raised by my grandmother, I lost my mother to a brain tumor at the age of four,” Mbedu said in an emotional installment of TheWrap’s How She Did It, presented by Johnnie Walker. “In high school, I had my best friend bring me lunch because sometimes we didn’t have food.”

While making “The Woman King,” Mbedu found a mentor in star/producer Viola Davis.

“I think Viola officially mentored everybody. From the very first moment I met her during the audition process where I had a creative conversation with her about the script. I felt like ‘Oh, my opinion actually matters. My thoughts mattered. And Viola would share her experiences as an actress with me as a dark-skinned actress. And I remember thinking there’s value in this because the reality is I am also a dark-skinned actress, and knowing that she is actively trying to kick doors down for the benefit of those coming behind her.”

Watch the full "How She Did It" video here

With ‘Woman King’ Assist, Top-Grossing Films Starring Women of Color Jumped 5% in 2022

Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch and Sheila Atim in "The Woman King" (2022) / Sony

Onscreen representation for women of color and female-identifying leads increased marginally from 2021 to 2022, according to a new study from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. 

The report found that girls and women of color led or co-led 16% of the top-grossing theatrical releases of 2022, a 5% increase from the year before. Women at large headlined 44% of these films, reflecting a minor 3% jump from 41% in 2021. The study pointed out that this year’s top films did not match the U.S. Census threshold, which counts about half of the population as female-identifying.

“It’s past time for the film industry to recognize that stories about women of color have a place in theaters,” said Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. . “Girls and women of color are 20% of the U.S. population, but the film industry has not ensured that this is what audiences see on screen. With effort and accountability, this threshold is one that not only can be achieved but easily surpassed.”

Read full article on TheWrap.com

Spain Becomes the First European Country to Approve Paid Menstrual Leave

Spanish Minister for Equality Irene Montera (Thomas Coex/ Getty)

Last Thursday, the Spanish parliament approved the creation of a sick leave for women suffering from incapacitating periods, becoming the first country in Europe to do so.

The new bill creates the possibility for women to call in sick "in case of incapacitating menstruation," the Spanish Congress said in a statement. 

 The bill is part of a broader law, which notably aims to facilitate access to abortion in public hospitals, but also includes the free provision of menstrual products in schools and prisons.

The same day, the Spanish Congress approved another law strengthening protection for LGBTQ+ rights — prompting the Spanish Equality Minister, Irene Montero, to celebrate on Twitter a "historic day for advancing feminist rights."

Read full Politico article here

23 Black Podcasts You Should Absolutely Know About

(Koereyelle / Via youtube.com)

Podcasting has become one of the most influential, lucrative and powerful forms of media. In light of Black History Month, Buzzfeed put together a list of 23 Black podcasts you should be checking out.

Read full Buzzfeed article here

Selena Gomez Gets Candid About Gaining Weight Due to Lupus Medication

(Amy Sussman/ Getty)

Selena Gomez is happy with her body and anyone who doesn't like it can just “go away.”

During a TikTok Live last Thursday, the pop star addressed recent criticism of her physique, revealing that her fluctuating weight is the result of her lupus medication. “When I’m taking it, I tend to hold a lot of water weight, and that happens very normally. When I’m off of it, I tend to kind of lose weight,” she explained in a clip of the livestream posted to Twitter. “I just wanted to say and encourage anyone out there who feels any sort of shame for exactly what they’re going through and no one knows the real story,” she continued.

Gomez went on to share that commentary about her appearance has taken a serious toll on her mental health, but she tries to focus on what really matters rather than what people are saying, which is her health.

“I just want people to know that you’re beautiful, and you’re wonderful,” she said. “Yeah, we have days where maybe we feel like shit, but I would much rather be healthy and take care of myself."

Read full Vanity Fair article here

Poetic Witness: Developing Documentary Films presented by Film Fatales | March 3

(Film Fatales)

Join Film Fatales on Friday, March 3 @ 2pm PT / 5pm ET for Poetic Witness, an online workshop about Developing Documentary Films with accomplished filmmakers Dawn Porter ("The Lady Bird Diaries"), Iliana Sosa ("What We Leave Behind") and Lagueria Davis ("Black Barbie: A Documentary"). Moderated by Jude Hope Harris ("Funny Face").

Documentary Films are vital to our understanding of the world. Their insight and perspective can open eyes and change hearts. Come hear from successful creators of impactful award-winning films as they discuss how they went from idea to conception. What does it take to make a compelling and truthful slice-of-life documentary and how do you get it seen? Walk with them through their journey and learn what it takes to break the mold.

RSVP here!

Did We Just Become Best Friends?

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In the meantime, stay safe and stay fabulous.

Xoxo,
Emily Vogel on behalf of WrapWomen
Director of Programming, TheWrap