I THINK WE can safely say that the seedier side of Hollywood is alive and well. The hustling, the drugs, the swingers’ parties, the casting couches and the thriving porn industry is ever-prevalent but rarely discussed unless it’s the subject of a Hollywood exposé. I think we were more intrigued than shocked by Charlie Sheen’s recent antics. And I believe the majority were disgusted and saddened by the Bill Cosby scandal and the Corey Feldman child abuse allegations, but not really surprised.
Living in Tinseltown does tend to make you more liberal. I am proud to call the X-rated actor Ron Jeremy a friend and regular Pub quiz participant! I also thought it was positive progress when marijuana became legal in California, although I don’t partake myself, I do think that regulation may help a lot of people AND cut down on drug related crimes. So I don’t really see myself as a prude, until now..
A couple of days ago I was at the traffic lights at Sunset and La Brea and looked up and to my horror saw the most offensive billboard I think I’ve ever seen – a giant advert for a mobile app called Sugar Models: “Sugar Dating – Arrangements – Social Club“.
I am fully aware that this kind of thing goes on and in my younger years was propositioned many a time. One particular situation comes to mind is when a very successful businessman suggested that I bear his children and in return he would set me up with a nice house in the Hollywood Hills and a generous income in return for taking care of his/our offspring; he promised me he would visit occasionally too!
And we’ve all heard of the parties where the pretty young things are invited and they scour the backs of their potential benefactors who are parading around with their bank balance pinned to their jackets! But the prominence of this billboard and the creation of an app really raises concerns for me; in that it will not only legitimize these “Sugar Daddy” scenarios to naive Hollywood hopefuls but also desensitize the seriousness of the situation that they are considering. Upon further exploration I discovered that the app has an even darker side – you can sign up as a recruiter and become a virtual pimp. Perhaps you are a bartender who comes across many a desperate and attractive patron – you can earn points for signing them up!
Is this really the way forward? Am I being old fashioned? I would love to hear your opinions on this and I’m really open to an opposing view(s).
Mahatma Ghandi famously said “be the change you wish to see in the world” and I currently feel that I need to unsee this or at least raise awareness on this matter and make a change. If this is something you are considering, please take a second to question your motives and if you are more than happy to have packed your bags and left your family to pursue this kind of dream then that is fantastic. As I mentioned earlier, I fleetingly considered being a kept woman, but knew I would resent being bought and owned. Even though I still sometimes struggle to pay my rent I don’t think we should be for sale to the highest bidder and I honestly have no regrets for not taking Mr B up on his generous offer.
On a happier note I am pleased to tell you that one of our beloved members Sandro Monetti is doing his bit to make the world a better place. Not only is he a rising writer and journalist and the host of our very own Pub Quiz at the Pikey on Sunset Boulevard, but he was alsoinvited to be a delegate at the United Nations General Assembly for the Novus summit which gathered thought leaders from around the world to discuss creative new ways to make the planet a more positive and happy place.
Happiness was clearly in the air because Sandro got photobombed on that famous stage by a playful delegate from the Philippines!
Sandro was representing his adopted country in his capacity as a member of the board of directors of the United Nations Association of America local chapter.
But he said: “This event wasn’t about where you came from, what your resumé says or where you went to school, it was just about passionate, caring and creative people coming together to try and be a force for good – what a lovely opportunity to be part of something like that.”
Sandro took a really big bite out of the Big Apple as he was in New York for the opening there of the acclaimed play he has written and directed, Marilyn and Sinatra, wwhich won raves from the sellout crowds.
The show next goes to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it is already sold out except for two matinees (try www.edfringe.com) and then onto the West End of London where it opens on August 15 for nine performances (book at www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk) if you’re going to be in London next month.
We’re always happy to hear from you, so if you have any questions or comments drop us a line at britsinla@gmail.com.
Cheers!
Eileen
