SHAKESPEARE KNOWS BEST
I t often shocks me how naïve people can be about celebrities and their relationship with the media. We are under the impression that celebrities are either hounded by the media (paparazzi culture) or that it elevates them (Vogue covers) – the general public never think that like politicians, celebrities (even A list actors) utilize the media to their advantage. Is this really a surprise? To quote the literary father of us all; “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players, they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts. His acts being seven ages.” Well I can guarantee that an actor’s part is much more than seven.
Actress Kim Cattrall (also known as the fabulously empowering Samantha Jones from Sex and the City) recently, sadly, lost her brother. Among the outpouring of support, her ex co-star and/or ex-friend reached out publicly on social media to extended her support and condolences. Kim wasn’t having any of it. She posted on Instagram, “I don’t need your love or support at this tragic time Sarah Jessica Parker.” The caption below read: “My Mom asked me today “When will that Sarah Jessica Parker, that hypocrite, leave you alone?” Your continuous reaching out is a painful reminder of how cruel you really were then and now. Let me make this VERY clear. (If I haven’t already) You are not my family. You are not my friend. So, I’m writing to tell you one last time to stop exploiting our tragedy in order to restore your ‘nice girl’ persona.” Kim then pasted a link to a New York Post article which detailed the “mean girl” culture that was happening on the set of Sex and the City, a culture that completely ostracised Kim from the crew and her co-stars.
Seems a bit extreme from Kim? I don’t think so. Not only did SJP post her condolences on social media but she also spoke to different media outlets on why it was important for her to reach out to someone despite the fact that they aren’t on best terms. Now why would someone like SJP feel the need to not only post her support to Kim online but then also choose to speak to different media outlets about how or why she decided to reach out to her ex-colleague. Say what you will, but this journalist smells something called media manipulation. Sorry, not buying it.
The truth is simple. If you truly care about an excolleague or ex-friend (or whatever they were/are) and wanted to show genuine support, you would send flowers or a private message or note of support. You don’t need to make it public and you shouldn’t care what the public thinks. It shouldn’t even be a factor. We will probably never know what happened between these two and the truth is we shouldn’t. I think this feud between two successful and talented women is being blown way out of proportion (when was the last time you saw a feud between two grown men get this type of media attention?) but what I will say is this. As the public, it’s best for us not to take sides. It’s interesting to read and observe but it’s always important to bear in mind that at the end of the day, Shakespeare is always right.
MAAN JALAL
Pop culture enthusiast, Willy Wonka Golden Ticket hunter and Hogwarts Graduate Class of 2001
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