Exclusive
Celebrity Chef Ming Tsai Apologizes for His Comments about the MeToo Movement
“I will strive to do better in the future,” Ming Tsai wrote.
Ming Tsai recently said some things about the MeToo movement, which was disliked by the netizens, with the celebrity chef even facing backlash over the internet.
However, he has now come forward to apologize for what he said. On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, Tsai took to his Instagram handle to share two slides of statements expressing his regret over what he said.
In the first slide, he penned, “I was recently interviewed locally here in Boston about my career as a chef. I made some comments I regret, including those about the MeToo movement.”
He mentioned that it wasn’t his intention to be insensitive or dismissive of the experiences of those affected by sexual misconduct. He also said that he has always built his teams with women and that the best chefs in the country today are women.
Tsai continued, “My Executive Chef and Chief Marketing Officer at MingsBings are women. In every restaurant or business I’ve run, I’ve always had a zero-tolerance policy on any type of harassment.”
“I recognize that we all have a responsibility to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and respected,” he concluded the first slide.
In the second slide, he stated that he would be more mindful and respectful of the topics that are important to other people and would approach all conversations more empathetically. “Once again, I am truly sorry for my words, and I will strive to do better in the future.”
Tsai’s apology was approached positively by his Instagram followers, with one commenting, “Don’t apologize for being honest and what you feel my man. The problem is no one can deal with others’ opinions if it’s not their own. It’s growing old.”
“Why are people always having to backtrack and correct themselves in today’s cancel culture? I’m sure you didn’t mean anything in a negative way. I have and always will have the utmost respect for you, chef,” another wrote.
Furthermore, one Instagram user mentioned how Tsai has always been one of their best inspirations since childhood. “You are a huge part of why I fell in love with food unfamiliar to me and that love I’m sharing with others. You’ll always have my support,” the user added.
Ming Tsai’s interview and statement that led to the backlash
As Tsai mentioned in his apology statement, he had done an on-stage interview in Boston for WBUR CitySpace, as a part of the radio company’s monthly event, Curated Cuisine. Irene Shiang Li served as the interviewer — she is a James Beard Award-winning co-founder of Mei Mei Dumplings.
Irene Shiang Li at the red carpet event of the 2022 James Beard Awards (Photo: Instagram)
The interview was streamed live on YouTube on February 6, 2023. And during the interview, the fellow James Beard Award winners talked about many things related to culinary, with Tsai also giving an insight into his career and food philosophy.
The live stream on YouTube didn’t garner many viewers and thus was overlooked by many people. It wasn’t until March 12, 2023, that the netizens noticed the interview; that too after Shiang Li posted a highlight reel on her Instagram handle.
The highlight reel showcased some of Tsai’s statements that raised the eyebrows of her followers. The first part of the Instagram reel showed Tsai joking about roofing Shiang Li, and the other part showed him saying controversial statements about the MeToo movement.
Around the 23rd minute of the one hour and five-minute-long video, Tsai takes a sip from his drink and asks Shiang Li if he roofied him. He said, “Did you roofie me? You should have. I roofied you.”
Ming Tsai greeting fans outside of SOBEWFF (Photo: Instagram)
As for what a roofie is, it’s the name for a tasteless, odorless, colorless, and easily dissolvable drug – Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) – that can be mixed into drinks and is generally referred to as a date-rape drug.
“Nothing like watching a grown man who is old enough to be my dad make a joke about slipping my wife a roofy during a public interview,” Shiang Li’s husband, Chris Ward, commented under Shiang Li’s Instagram reel.
Speaking more about the interview, Tsai continues to answer questions after making the “roofied” comment. Later, Shiang Li brought up the topic of abuse and the #MeToo movement, which she had previously discussed with chef Tiffani Faison.
She asked Tsai, “Do you think that Boston will have a MeToo moment in the restaurant industry?” Tsai took a momentary pause and answered, “Have we not? Have we not been talking about it enough?”
“Are you saying, like, is there going to be another gigantic fiasco?” Tsai added later, with Shiang Li saying, “Yeah or anybody held accountable for, like, anything.” “Yeah, I mean, I hope every day,” Tsai answered.
“I could probably say all my chef buddies around the country — I was just on the phone with Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller, we were just in Lyon — none of us are like that. It’s like social media, the bad boys get the press. It’s not [that] the whole industry is a bunch of SOB’s. It’s not.”
He continued, “I do think, I mean like I do at my restaurant. I think we just have to lead by example because it’s the next generation that’s going to actually make the change, right? The damage has been done by my generation, so to speak.”
Since Shiang Li posted the Instagram reel, Tsai began to face backlash. One user even wrote, “I just watched the whole thing, and it is pure unhinged-cringe. I’m wildly impressed by your composure.”
“I’m most annoyed that he seems to not take this interview/ conversation seriously. These responses are so void. I kinda expected more but I’m going to watch the whole thing so I can make a more informed statement,” another user commented.
With all the backlash around, Tsai also got a sniff of it and came forward with an apology statement. And for now, his apology has had mixed reactions from the fans, but most of them are positive.
Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen made a captivating appearance at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, capturing the spotlight as they walked the red carpet at the Chanel Tribeca Festival’s Artist Dinner. Held at The Odeon in New York City on Monday, June 10, the event saw the couple in high spirits, holding hands and smiling for the cameras.
The Chanel Tribeca Festival’s Artist Dinner attracted a host of other A-list guests, including Blake Lively, Jessica Capshaw, Chloe Fineman, Mark Ronson, Grace Gummer, David Harbour, and Lily Allen.
As co-founder of the Tribeca Festival, De Niro’s presence was a highlight, especially as the festival gears up for a special convention celebrating his illustrious career.
De Niro Con: Celebrating an Icon’s Career
The 2024 Tribeca Film Festival is not only about showcasing new cinematic talents but also honoring its co-founder, Robert De Niro. The festival, which runs through June 16, will host a special convention titled De Niro Con during its final three days.
This unique event will feature screenings of some of De Niro’s most acclaimed films, including A Bronx Tale, Jackie Brown, The Godfather: Part II, Silver Linings Playbook, Mean Streets, and Analyze This. Additionally, fans can look forward to De Niro-themed activations, celebrating the actor’s extensive and varied career.
Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen’s Relationship Timeline
Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen’s love story began in 2015 when they first met. However, it wasn’t until August 2021 that they were publicly recognized as a couple, following a romantic getaway in the south of France. The pair’s relationship has since blossomed, and they welcomed their daughter, Gia Virginia Chen De Niro, on April 6, 2023. Gia, now 14 months old, is De Niro’s seventh child.
Their relationship has seen them through both private moments and public appearances, with De Niro often expressing his joy about being a father again at his age.
In a recent interview on the Today show, De Niro shared his feelings about parenting a young child once more. “I always say it’s pure joy. That’s it,” he stated, reflecting on the experience of raising Gia. Despite acknowledging that his older children might be more critical, De Niro emphasized the unfiltered joy that comes with parenting a baby.
De Niro’s Expanding Family
Robert De Niro’s family has always been a significant part of his life. Alongside Gia, he has six older children from previous relationships. With his first wife, Diahnne Abbott, he has daughter Drena, 52, and son Raphael, 47.
In 1995, he welcomed twin sons Julian and Aaron, 28, with former girlfriend Toukie Smith. De Niro also shares son Elliot, 26, and daughter Helen Grace, 12, with ex-wife Grace Hightower.
The 80-year-old actor has candidly spoken about the differences in parenting across generations. While he treasures the pure joy of raising his youngest daughter, he acknowledges that his older children may offer more critical perspectives on his parenting style. Nonetheless, De Niro continues to embrace fatherhood with enthusiasm and love.
As the Tribeca Film Festival continues, Robert De Niro’s legacy both as a film industry titan and a dedicated father remains firmly in the spotlight, celebrated by fans and peers alike.
Exclusive
Emmy-Nominated Hair Department Head Rukey Styles’ Work Is Often Influenced By Her Own Experiences
“I started doing my own hair and realized I may have a desire to make people beautiful,” Rukey Styles says.
In the realm of television and film, where visual storytelling is paramount, the art of hairstyling plays a crucial role in bringing characters to life. Among the celebrated artists in this field is Rukey Styles, an Emmy-nominated Hair Department Head renowned for her innovative and culturally rich contributions.
Rukey’s illustrious career spans an impressive array of projects, from the high-stakes world of Divergent to the gritty realism of Chicago Med, each showcasing her exceptional talent and unique perspective on beauty.
Her most recent work on Disney‘s Saturdays – aired from March 24 to May 12, 2023 – has garnered significant attention, not just for its vibrant portrayal of Afro-American culture but also for its heartfelt depiction of a youth-driven, diverse narrative.
As Rukey continues to shape the landscape of hairstyling in film and television, we had the opportunity to delve into her journey and creative process in an exclusive interview. She shared insights into her early life, revealing how her upbringing influenced her perspective on beauty and hairstyling.
She recounted pivotal moments and influences that led her to the entertainment industry, and detailed her approach to incorporating Afro-American culture into the vibrant, youth-driven world of Disney’s Saturdays. Additionally, she discussed the significance of her Emmy nomination for Outstanding Makeup and Hairstyling and her aspirations for the future.
1. Can you share a bit about your early life and how your upbringing or experiences shaped your perspective on beauty and hairstyling?
Rukey: I grew up in a single-family middle-class home. Because my mother knew that her strength was in teaching children to read and not doing children’s hair, she sent me to the salon regularly. I didn’t appreciate beauty and the efforts that went into it until I saw myself and how I wanted to be seen. After somewhat growing up in my hairstylist’s chair, I started doing my own hair and realized I may have a desire to make people beautiful. Me being around my sister’s boyfriend, who was a hairstylist, created more interest in hair artistry for me.
2. Many individuals find unique paths into the entertainment industry. What were some pivotal moments or influences that led you to pursue a career in hairstyling for film and television?
Rukey: Before starting in the film and TV industry, I had a business where I performed non-surgical hair restoration services. Doing this allowed me to really focus on the little details that people who are not feeling like themself because of their hair loss would pay attention to. This detailing is what influenced them looking natural or like their pre hairloss self. It is because of my wig experience knowledge that led to the opportunity to work in theater, then TV, then FILM.
Work on Disney’s Saturdays:
3. “Saturdays” is garnering attention for its unique portrayal of a diverse cast and its celebration of Afro-American style. How did you approach incorporating Afro-American culture into the hair designs for the characters in the show?
Rukey: Well, this wasn’t hard to do. I was once these characters – young African American adolescent from the southside of Chicago. I saw my childhood in them, I used to go to the skating rink on Saturdays. My mother was a real skater. Like Paris, this was also my experience. It was just a matter of breaking down the characters to see who wears what style. I wanted each girl to have her own look that was unique to her character’s personality, including certain embellishments.
4. The series follows a trio of friends creating an all-girls skate crew. How did you collaborate with the creative team to ensure that the characters’ hairstyles reflected both their individuality and the vibrant, youth-driven theme of the show?
Rukey: Everything starts with the words on the script. After taking notes from the script, I consult with the creators to make sure I see the characters as they wrote them. Then I talk to the actors to collaborate based on the character’s core styling, what my bosses want and learn the actor’s comfort level with the direction, throwing suggestions back and forth sometimes making changes and also creating alongside makeup and wardrobe.
Inspirations Behind Hair Looks:
5. In “Saturdays,” the characters’ hairstyles seem to carry a sense of nostalgia. Can you share some specific inspirations or references that influenced the hair designs, and how you balanced nostalgia with a modern, youth-oriented approach?
Rukey: You learn that there isn’t much new under the sun. Innovation in hairstyling can be combining existing, familiar, elements in new ways to create a new look.
There may be slight iterations that can make it an ode to the former style. Being innovative may mean combing 2 or more familiar components to create a new look overall.
We took the opportunity to style the 3 besties, incorporating throwback elements, such as the 1990s music video style, into the performance scenes, like the cypher scene that was reminiscent of a 1990’s music video in style of filming cinematically, wardrobe, makeup and hair. There was also an opportunity to do “Paris,” played by Danielle Jalade, in a TBoz inspired natural short style with braided sideburns and, “Ari,” played by Peyton Z Basnight, having 2 large ponytails and these and others were opportunities to pay homage to iconic styles of the past.
Emmy Nomination and Award Submissions:
6. Congratulations on your Emmy nomination for Outstanding Makeup and Hairstyling! What does this recognition mean to you, especially considering the impact of your work on “Saturdays” and other projects?
Rukey: Thank you, Arun. We learned about our nomination for the Children and Family Emmys, shortly after I wrapped “Saturdays”. It was great to feel seen as an artist. I remember explaining why I chose certain hair directions such as the father Trey, played by Bryan Clark. His hair changed over the years from a texturizer to natural locs because of the influence of his naturalista wife. I mean how many couples have we seen who were together for years start looking alike?
7. You’ve recently submitted your work on “Saturdays” for the MUAH awards. What aspects of the show’s makeup and hairstyling do you believe stand out and contribute to its potential success in this category?
Rukey: Our hair department did some crazy, fun stuff on “Saturdays”. I hope that our work and approach is noticed as being creative, informative, realistic and appropriately over the top when needed.
8. Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals in the realm of hairstyling for film and television? Are there specific projects or themes you hope to explore in the future?
Rukey: I have been blessed to work on projects that encompass a wide range of hairstyling needs, including period, glam, fantasy, character, contemporary, aging, special effects, and ethnic hairstyling. Any story can require a combination of these styles. I want to work on a project that will give space for styling that is authentic to the storyline and character growth, allowing my team. to bring out the essence of the narrative through hairstyling.
When all things are in alignment, including a great story and a dedicated team of cohesive collaborators, with me as the department head of hair, we can collectively bring out the best in my work and creativity. This effort will ultimately lead to the recognition of our hairstyling skills.
9. Finally, for emerging hairstylists inspired by your journey, do you have any advice or insights you’d like to share about breaking into the industry and thriving in a competitive field?
Rukey: Be well rounded because there’s no productions where all the actors wear the same hairstyle (If so, it’s a comedy) lol. Learn as much as you can about all hair types and textures.
Work in a salon, mess up some stuff so you can learn how to fix it. It’s about knowing what you do so well that you can do it promptly with ease but also can get the same result multiple ways if needed.
The interview was originally held in December 2023.
Exclusive
Ariana Grande and Social House’s ‘Boyfriend’ Reaches Streaming Milestone on Spotify
It is Grande’s 21st song to reach such a staggering number.
Pop sensation Ariana Grande and rising duo Social House have hit a major milestone with their hit single ‘Boyfriend,’ which has surpassed 800 million streams on Spotify. This achievement marks a significant moment in the careers of both artists.
For Grande, it’s her 21st song to reach such a staggering number, while for Social House, it’s their first time breaking into this exclusive club.
Released in 2019, ‘Boyfriend’ quickly became a fan favorite, blending Grande’s signature powerhouse vocals with Social House’s smooth, laid-back style. The track’s catchy chorus and relatable lyrics about the complexities of modern relationships resonated with listeners worldwide, securing its place on countless playlists.
Grande, known for her impressive vocal range and a string of chart-topping hits, continues to dominate the music scene. With ‘Boyfriend’ joining her list of songs with over 800 million streams, she reaffirms her status as one of the most streamed artists on the platform. Hits like ‘Thank U, Next,’ ‘7 Rings,’ and ‘Side to Side’ already boast massive streaming numbers, and ‘Boyfriend’ solidifies her consistent popularity.
For Social House, comprised of Michael “Mikey” Foster and Charles “Scootie” Anderson, this milestone is a significant breakthrough. The duo, who have collaborated with Grande on several occasions, are quickly becoming names to watch in the music industry.
Their chemistry with Grande has not only brought them into the spotlight but has also showcased their talent to a broader audience.
The success of ‘Boyfriend’ highlights the power of collaboration and the universal appeal of pop music. As it continues to rack up streams, fans can look forward to more exciting projects from both Ariana Grande and Social House.
With this achievement, ‘Boyfriend’ cements its place in pop history, marking another high note in Grande’s illustrious career and a promising milestone for Social House.
-
Popular2 months agoWhat Is a Bitcoin ATM and How Does It Work?
-
LifeStyle3 months agoShould I Break Up With My Partner Over Their Drinking?
-
Popular3 months agoHow to Bring Fresh Excitement into Your Relationship
-
Popular3 months agoDigital Dating Trends: What’s Hot in the World of Online Relationships?
-
LifeStyle2 months agoInvesting in Quality: The Benefits of Full-Grain Leather in Women’s Bags
-
Fashion1 month agoThe Rise of Initial Necklaces in British Fashion