MTV’s Video Music Awards last night let me down in all kinds of ways. First, the show itself. Rihanna received the Video Vanguard award, but dragging her performances throughout the whole program undercut the excitement of her big moment … even though she improved during the evening, thankfully finding her voice by her fourth appearance….
What Wendy Wore: Surprising 2006 VMAs Throwback
The MTV Video Music Awards are tonight, so it’s a good time for this surprising (to me) throwback photo. Here I am in my 2006 VMAs outfit, holding my VMAs Moonman party favor. I came upon this photo earlier this year while I was browsing through 2006 pictures for a different throwback post. I was…
ICYMI: My MTV VMAs Posts From 2007 to 2015
The MTV Video Music Awards are tonight at 9 p.m. ET. You can always count on this event to produce memorable moments, even in worst years. And this shouldn’t be a bad year. As the New York Times reported, music videos matter again! That’s due to YouTube rather than television, of course, but who cares,…
About Believing Women
In Monday’s post, I semi-patiently explained that my viral tweet about Lyin’ Ryan Lochte … If Ryan Lochte lied about that robbery, how can we ever believe any man’s allegations of robbery? ? — WendyBrandes (@WendyBrandes) August 18, 2016 … was not a serious request to treat all men as liars because one man lied….
The Rio Olympics, the #LochMess and My Tweet
Well! I never dreamed I would have a viral moment on social media that didn’t involve a cat sitting in a bowl … … but Wednesday night’s tweet about Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte struck a chord with people. If Ryan Lochte lied about that robbery, how can we ever believe any man's allegations of robbery?…
Katie Ledecky Swims Her Own Race, Big Time
As I watch the closing ceremony of the Rio Olympics, I keep thinking of the expression, “Swim your own race.” For a competitive swimmer, it’s good advice that can be taken literally. Swimmers who put too much energy into worrying about the people they’re racing against are going to be distracted from their own performance….
The Impressive Women of the Olympics
There have been so many impressive women at the Olympics in Rio in addition to the U.S. gymnastics team and swimmer Simone Manuel. I’m dazzled by all the “firsts” in these games. Last week, Michelle Carter became the first U.S. woman to win a gold medal in shot put, and the first to win any…
Behind the Scenes: Platinum in the Park
I spent a pleasant afternoon in New York City’s Riverside Park being interviewed for a video that Platinum Guild International is putting together. We talked about the virtues of platinum, of course (rare, beautiful, true white, doesn’t tarnish, hypoallergenic, durable, makes diamonds look white and brighter). I was suitably decked out for the occasion in…
The Great Simones and Gabby Douglas
Last year, the name “Simone” was number 820 on the list of popular names for baby girls in the U.S. I expect that in 2016 and 2017, that name will be several hundred places higher, thanks to the awe-inspiring Olympian Simones. Gymnast Simone Biles won her fourth gold medal at the Rio Olympics today. Only…
Non-Buyer’s Remorse: Pucci Boots
As I’ve said before, I rarely get buyer’s remorse, but I occasionally get non-buyer’s remorse. I know these Pucci boots were marked 8.5 and I’m usually size 6, but I regret not going into Goodwill and trying them on, just in case. I spotted these in June and then they were gone … I can’t…