Connect with us

Entertainment

John Wayne almost missed out on big role after ​’white supremacy’ ​comments – My Blog

John Wayne was hired for the 1972 film The Cowboys by director Mark Rydell. While the star did go on to be praised for his performance in the movie, Rydell was originally extremely reluctant to take on the Western star. In fact, he originally wanted another actor to play the film’s protagonist, Wil Andersen.

Rydell originally tried to get Dr Strangelove actor star George C Scott to play the film’s hero.​ ​He was the preferred choice as Rydell reportedly was not happy with Wayne’s opinions on Vietnam War and the ongoing civil rights movement in Hollywood.​ ​Wayne not only thought the USA had a “right” to be in Vietnam, but also told Playboy in 1971 how the films coming out of Hollywood were “perverse”.
When challenged on what he meant by “perverse” films, he said: “Easy Rider, Midnight Cowboy – that kind of thing. Wouldn’t you say that the wonderful love of those two men in Midnight Cowboy, a story about two f*gs, qualifies?”
Even more heinous were his views about Black people.

John Wayne
John Wayne expressed some extreme views (Image: GETTY)
John WayneJohn Wayne explained his point of view (Image: GETTY)
Wayne said of giving “leadership” to Black people: “I believe in white supremacy until the Blacks are educated to a point of responsibility … I don’t believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people.”​ ​He later added: “I don’t feel guilty about the fact that five or ten generations ago these people were slaves.”
The iconic Western movie star also said of Native Americans: “I don’t feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from them … our so-called stealing of this country from them was just a matter of survival … There were great numbers of people who needed new land, and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves.”
These comments did dissuade Rydell from hiring Wayne at first – but he eventually ended up casting the star regardless.​ ​This didn’t mean he didn’t cause some trouble with the rest of the crew, however.
John WayneJohn Wayne has been criticised for his comments (Image: GETTY)
Roscoe Lee Browne, who worked opposite Wayne in The Cowboys, was reportedly urged by his friends not to work with the right-wing star.​ ​He ignored their comments and simply didn’t discuss politics with the American actor.
Bruce Dern was also on the cast ​in the film as the character Long Hair. His daughter, Laura Dern (of Jurassic Park and Star Wars fame), later revealed that her parents’ friends “cancelled play dates with her” because of Bruce’s role in the movie.
When these comments from Wayne resurfaced in 2019, his son, Ethan Wayne, argued in defence of his father.
Ethan said at the time: “Let me make one thing clear – John Wayne was not a racist. I know that term is casually tossed around these days, but I take it very seriously. I also understand how we got to this point. The truth is, as we have seen in papers from his archives, he did not support ‘white supremacy’ in any way and believed that responsible people should gain power without the use of violence.”
He added: “He called out bigotry when he saw it. He hired and worked with people of all races, creeds, and sexual orientations. John Wayne stood for the very best for all of us – a society that doesn’t discriminate against anyone seeking the American dream.”

Entertainment

Sydney Sweeney hits back at horrific body shaming comments on viral pictures with incredible response

Sydney Sweeney has posted an Instagram video which included body shaming comments

Sydney Sweeney has hit back at horrific body shaming comments she’s received online with an incredible response.

For famous faces, social media can be an extremely toxic place, and it’s why we’ve seen some celebrities reduce their online presence as a result.

Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney has become the subject of body shaming comments in recent times, and she responded to these on Instagram in the best possible way.

The actor posted a shot clip that began with screenshots of a bunch of body shaming comments she’s received online, including some calling her ‘quite frumpy’, ‘very chunky’ and ‘tubby’.

Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell discuss chemistry
After many screenshots of horrible comments were shown on screen, the video cut to Sweeney in her training gear at the gym.

The video cut to a sign that said ‘hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’ as Sweeney worked hard with a trainer, struck a punching bag and even flipped a large tire in what looked like an extremely intense workout.

Many have flocked to the comments section of the Instagram video to praise Sweeney for her response to the trolls.

“I will never understand the hate in people‘s hearts when it comes to leaving comments like this,” one person commented.

A second added: “Ngl why do people feel entitled to talk about someone’s body specially someone you don’t personally know,” while a third remarked: “No one has the right or reason to make comments on anyones body, ever.”

Meanwhile, Lili Reinhart penned: “It’s always wild to see people publicly out themselves as pieces of shit with comments like that. You look incredible and your dedication to your project is very inspiring.”

The video actually concluded with the name ‘Christy Martin’ being shown on the screen, which is a nod to Sweeney’s upcoming biopic where she plays a famed female boxer.

Boxing fans will likely know Martin is a is a former professional boxer who earned herself the WBC female super welterweight title in 2009.

Sweeney has spoken previously about her process of getting into her movie character, telling The Los Angeles Times in March that she’s a ‘very hands-on collaborator’.

“I like being able to give ideas, be a part of it, help come up with solutions. It just changes the whole process,” she said.

Sweeney continued: “It’s so hard for me now to be on a set and not be able to help in any type of way and be able to take action. And being able to actually have a voice and have a valued opinion—it means so much.”

Continue Reading

Entertainment

‘Australia’s most sexually active woman’ reveals outrageous bedroom goal for 2025

A woman who has been dubbed the “most sexually active woman” in Australia has set her sights on a big goal for 2025.

You’ve probably heard of Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips attempting to break outrageous records in the bedroom – and Annie Knight has now thrown her hat into the ring too.

“When I watched that clip of Lily crying and everyone was saying, ‘Oh my god, this poor girl,’ I just thought, well, she’s been getting railed all day by 100 different guys… imagine putting your body through that,” Knight told Metro.

“Yes, it’s emotionally taxing, but isn’t that like any job?” she added. “Everyone has moments where they’re like, ‘I don’t know if I can do this anymore.’ You do get really stressed. She’d be exhausted; her body would be exhausted. When you’re tired, your emotions are high.”

Knight also noted that some of the men involved in Phillips’ session were reportedly rude to her, emphasizing that dealing with negativity can be challenging in any profession.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Sophia Loren timeless beauty

Enjoy in timeless beauty of Sophia Loren:

Processed with VSCO with b3 preset

3738621 Sophia Loren (b/w photo); (add.info.: Sophia Loren (b.1934) Italian actress); © SZ Photo; .

Continue Reading

Trending