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HollyWeird: Sesame Place Catches Heat for Gaslighting

Disney’s $5,000 Drink, and Lady Gaga’s dog walker’s shooter accidentally released from custody.

Editor’s Note: Whether on screen or off, Hollywood can always be counted on to keep us entertained. This is especially true when it comes to politics. Join us each week as we shine the spotlight on Tinseltown’s A-listers and their wacky and sometimes inspiring takes on today’s current events.

Sesame Place Reportedly Gaslighted Black Youngsters

A heated online battle is going on as Sesame Place Philadelphia has been accused of racism against two black children. A video that has gone viral shows a parade with a performer dressed as Sesame Street character Rosita waving and giving high-fives, until she gets to two young girls, where she appears to dismiss them.

The mother of one of the girls, digital strategist Leslie Mac, posted the video on Twitter, saying they were there to celebrate her daughter’s fourth birthday. “This is how #SesamePlace treated these beautiful Black children,” Mac captioned her tweet.

Hollywood’s finest took to the internet to voice their angry responses. Actress Yvette Nicole Brown tweeted, “Every Black woman was once a little Black girl who made this face when the way things are for us in America first broke her heart,” while actor Wendell Pierce spoke of what he claims was a similar incident he experienced: “Watching [this moment] reminds me of my own. 4 years old on Mardi Gras Day being denied the joy I see other kids having and the realization the horrible reality.”

The theme park, in an initial statement, said that the slight was not intentional, and it’s not always easy to see clearly through the costumes:

“The performer portraying the Rosita character has confirmed that the ‘no’ hand gesture seen several times in the video was not directed to any specific person … rather it was a response to multiple requests from someone in the crowd who asked Rosita to hold their child for a photo which is not permitted.

“The costumes the performers wear sometimes make it difficult to see at lower levels and sometimes our performers miss hug requests from guests.”

However, after defending its employee, Sesame Place said it would work harder to make sure staff would be properly trained to “better understand, recognize and deliver an inclusive, equitable and entertaining experience to our guests.”

You can see the video here.

Cheers and Jeers

New banner Hollyweird 1Sometimes, HollyWeird players make headlines for silly or bizarre happenings, so here is a collection of newsworthy doings — honorable and dishonorable — by the tenants of Tinseltown.

Disney’s $5,000 Drink

If you’re ready to go on a Disney cruise, you might want to think about how badly you want that new Star Wars drink. The Kaiburr Crystal is a new beverage addition and reportedly costs fans $5,000 per drink.  What’s so special about this libation? It is described as “the galaxy’s rarest and most valuable cocktail.” For those not in the know, the Kaiburr Crystal refers to the stones that power the lightsabers.

Lady Gaga’s Dog Walker’s Shooter Accidentally Released from Custody

On July 18, US Marshals released a statement offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of James Howard Jackson, 19, who was released from custody on April 6 due to a clerical error. According to the press release, Jackson allegedly shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, and was part of a group of people who stole two of the singer’s pets. Jackson was charged with “one count of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit robbery and second-degree robbery.”

Tune in next week to see what else Tinseltown has planned.

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