Hey Everyone,
I was thrilled to chat today with new substacker, Kate Brower, the author of many books, including the New York Times bestseller: The Residence (now a major Netflix TV series) and First Women.
We discuss the peculiarity of Melania Trump’s letter to Vladimir Putin; and the possibility that the First Lady is much more influential in this administration than polls suggest. Is she an “accidental feminist?” asks Kate, citing the significance of the fact that Melania broke with tradition and refused Jill Biden’s invitation to tea.
We also get into this President’s micromanaging of the re-design of the Rose Garden and the White House, which is so extensive parts of it won’t be finished by the time his term ends. (Or, perhaps I should say, this term ends, because, as you know, that’s a question).
And, we debate the controversy supposedly raging at Vanity Fair: should the new editor, Mark Guiducci put Melania on the cover? (Some of the staff have reportedly threatened to walk out if he does).
My view is that the magazine is in dire need of “buzz” and that, actually, it’s a good idea, if done the right way (i.e .the accompanying profile should not be a “puff piece”). To paraphrase Oscar Wilde: The one thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about, which is where Vanity Fair is right now.
We get to the topic du jour: Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce. (And yes, it’s true: One of my adult sons was so excited that he phoned me up to alert me to the news and said: “Mom, Taylor Swift just got engaged at 35. So, there’s hope for you, too.” I am not sure I follow his logic, but I appreciate his enthusiasm!)
Kate has published a book about Elizabeth Taylor, which is relevant because the second song on Swift’s next album, which she has just announced, is called Elizabeth Taylor. We haven’t yet heard it.
There are, of course, parallels between the two groundbreaking icons whose love lives were/are lived in the public eye and we get into all that.
“If you are Taylor Swift, what do you want in a man?” I ask Kate.
She thinks Swift wants someone who is, literally, a big, strong protector, given all the threats and security concerns she has to deal with. And, of course, Kelce fits that bill perfectly.
What do you think?
Write in and let me know!
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