Former First Lady Michelle Obama is in the news again with another grievance. In an interview to promote her new book, The Look, Mrs. Obama is complaining again. When asked about running for President, Obama claimed that Americans “aren’t ready for a woman President” and have “a lot of growing up to do.” Last year, Michelle Obama campaigned for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. During a speech in Michigan, Obama called Harris “extraordinary,” and wondered “why on earth is this race even close?” She also asked whether “as a country, are we ready for this moment?” These are absurd comments since two of the last three Democratic Party presidential nominees have been women. The stage is certainly set for the right female candidate to become President. This victorious female candidate who will make history will never be Michelle Obama. There are several reasons for this prediction, but, primarily, she has refused to display any appreciation for this great country or all the many benefits she received for being married to Barack Obama. Incredibly, Michelle Obama offers a steady stream of complaints about the American people and how she has been treated in her life. As First Lady, Obama said she was under a “particularly white-hot glare,” and grumbled that her family “didn’t get the grace that I think some other families have gotten.” Of course, that complaint is ludicrous because Barack and Michelle Obama were treated as royalty in America. They received fawning media coverage from the very beginning. Those who pushed too hard and asked tough questions were labeled “racists.” Yet, Michelle Obama claimed that the “we were all too aware that as a first Black couple, we couldn’t afford any missteps.” The Barack Obama presidency was nothing but a series of “missteps,” but he not only won reelection, but he also completed his two terms without any impeachment hearings. Barack Obama could have been impeached over any number of scandals in his presidency, such as the disastrous Benghazi attack on our consulate, or the “Fast and Furious” gun running operation or the Internal Revenue Service improperly targeting Tea Party organizations. Instead of impeachment, Barack Obama received a pass from Republicans in Congress, who were too timid to push for thorough investigations and feared being called “racists.” In contrast, President Donald Trump was impeached for a “perfect” phone call to Ukrainian President Zelensky and for a speech on January 6, 2021, in which he called for his supporters to “peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard” at the U. S. Capitol. Trump was not responsible for the violence on that day. Instead, he wanted more National Guard troops for protection, and his requests were denied. The President’s wonderful wife, First Lady Melania Trump, has also been mistreated. Despite her history as a world-renowned fashion model and being internationally recognized for her beauty and accomplishments, Mrs. Trump was never invited to be photographed for the cover of Vogue magazine. However, the perpetual complainer, Michelle Obama, graced the cover of Vogue three times. Not bad for someone who whined that she did not “get the grace” that other First Ladies received. Michelle Obama has been criticizing her country for years. In February 2008, as her husband was on the path to the presidency, she said that “for the first time in my adult lifetime I am really proud of my country.” Thus, she was only proud of America because her husband was succeeding politically. In 2019, at a leadership conference for the Obama Foundation in Malaysia, she said that the United States was “still not where we need to be. when it comes to race.” Even though her husband had been elected twice as President, Michelle Obama said, “People thought electing Barack Obama would end racism. That’s four hundred years of stuff that was going to be eliminated because of eight years of this kid from Hawaii. Are you kidding me?” The “kid from Hawaii” is a particular source of Michelle Obama’s complaints on her podcast that she hosts with her brother. She is often denigrating or ridiculing her husband on the show. This seems disrespectful for no one in America would know anything about Michelle Obama if not for the “kid from Hawaii.” Even though she is ungrateful, Barack Obama has been taking care of his wife for many years. After his political stock soared in his home state, then Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich said he was asked to make phone calls to the University of Chicago Medical Center on behalf of Michelle Obama. She eventually was hired in 2002 and served in several roles, including Vice President for Community and External Affairs. In that position, she was paid $317,000 before taking a leave of absence to campaign for her husband. Among her responsibilities was “neighborhood outreach,” remarkably similar to her husband’s famous position as “community organizer.” Michelle Obama was paid very well for “neighborhood outreach,” and, despite her many complaints, has been treated very well by the country she seems to despise. Jeff Crouere is a native New Orleanian and is a political columnist, the author of America’s Last Chance, and provides regular commentaries on the Jeff Crouere YouTube channel and at Crouere. net. For more information, email him at jcrouere@gmail. com.
https://www.evangelinetoday.com/editorial-columns/michelle-obama-first-lady-complaints
Tag: internationally
Las Culturistas Culture Awards Set Bravo Return In 2026 With Bowen Yang & Matt Rogers As Hosts
Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang are set to return to Bravo in 2026 with another edition of the Las Culturistas Culture Awards. The announcement came amid the excitement at BravoCon in Las Vegas.
Las Culturistas Culture Awards made their debut earlier this year on Bravo and Peacock. The 2026 event will mark the second consecutive year the network will televise the awards and the fifth year overall for the show.
“We are beside ourselves with joy, excitement and more that The Culture Awards will be back on Bravo and Peacock in 2026!” said Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. “This is officially a front runner in the category of Best Decision Ever Made, though it faces stiff competition from ‘Meryl Streep decides to try acting’ and ‘dumping that loser!!!’ We’ll see you soon! No Addison Rae song is safe.”
The Las Culturistas Culture Awards celebrate culture’s most iconic and consequential moments of the year. Featuring more than 100 unique award categories, live musical performances, and unexpected celebrity guests, the show brings culture’s most crucial moments to life.
“Bravo and Peacock are honored to be the home of culture’s biggest moment again!” said Frances Berwick, Chairman of Bravo & Peacock Unscripted. “We are rooting for Matt and Bowen in the most triple-threat-entertainer-host-curator surprising category.”
The Las Culturistas Culture Awards is produced and distributed internationally by Lionsgate Alternative Television.
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**Related:**
– [Vicki Gunvalson Returning To ‘The Real Housewives Of Orange County’ Season 20 Cast](#)
– [Andy Cohen Says “We’re Close” On ‘RHONY’ Season 16 Cast & Calls ‘Real Housewives Of Rhode Island’ Cast “Outrageously Fun”](#)
– [‘RHOP’ Season 10 Midseason Trailer Teases Update On Wendy Osefo Following Arrest & Andy Cohen, Karen Huger Sit-down After Prison Release](#)
Stay tuned for more news from BravoCon.
https://deadline.com/2025/11/las-culturistas-culture-awards-2026-bravo-bowen-yang-matt-rogers-1236618656/
Estonia Attracts Major Post-Production Projects Like ‘The Penguin,’ Thanks to Healthy Rebate, Emmy-Winning Talent and Expanding Facilities
In recent years, Estonia has been solidifying itself as a key destination for international productions in the Baltics. Notable projects to hold post-production in the country include Christopher Nolan’s epic *Tenet* and HBO’s *The Penguin*, which earned an Emmy for Estonia’s leading company Frost FX.
Speaking with *Variety*, Frost FX founder Marko Post says that, although volumes have gotten smaller since COVID, the industry in Estonia “has definitely changed” since then.
“It has gotten more dynamic in the sense that U.S. clients are more open to outsourcing from Eastern Europe, and I feel the perception of our studios has gotten better internationally,” he says. “In terms of demands, there has been a huge change in the rise of social media and new formats.”
Uku Toomet owns Orbital Vox Studios, dedicated to audio, film, dubbing, VFX, and general post-production work. With a quarter of a century of experience, Orbital is the most established studio in the country and, earlier this year, inaugurated another location to attend to growing demand.
“The premises we just moved into can meet the expectations of any project from anywhere, be it from a logistical or technical point of view,” says Toomet, adding that he and his peers are hopeful post-production will continue to grow in Estonia.
“The new studios have amazed foreign producers,” he adds, noting an increased interest from international players to visit facilities in Estonia.
Earlier this year, *Variety* reported on how Estonia is paving the way in terms of studio facilities in the region. The $25 million Tallinnfilm, funded by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, will be Tallinn’s first world-class studio. With three studios covering 38,000 square feet, the space aims to be ready in early 2027.
In Eastern Estonia, the $18.2 million Ida Hub studio complex is due to open early 2026 and will include a 21,000-square-foot soundstage and a smaller multifunctional studio. It will also house production training facilities.
Sound designer Tanel Kadalipp, also the director of the Audio Engineering department at Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, notes Estonia has traditionally “had a lot of great sound editors working internationally, and their contacts have accelerated our industry.”
Working in direct contact with the new generation, Kadalipp says professionals are “getting better every year.”
“Technology has grown a lot and made things much easier to access and learn,” he adds. “Last week I did ADR with a team in the Netherlands, and the projects were synced digitally. The team was sitting in the studio in the Netherlands, seeing everything and directing, and we were here in Estonia working together. It is very easy to work internationally today.”
Marko Post echoes that thought, emphasizing that his U.S. clients have often praised the “efficiency” of Estonian teams, as well as the ease of access to team leaders.
“A long chain of communication is a very annoying and normalized thing in the U.S. when a shorter communication line is much more efficient,” he explains. “Of course, there is the problem of the time zones, different currencies, and some companies not being registered in the U.S., but we are working to make these things easier.”
Talking about making things easier, the Emmy-winning professional is at the forefront of AI—a technology he not only staunchly defends but actively promotes to possible clients.
“In today’s post-production timeline, I see a lot of points where AI can help, but I also feel there is this old mentality where people don’t want AI to tell them what to do,” he points out. “I see AI as a collection of our knowledge, not something to be afraid of. It’s a library, but you still need domain and knowledge to use it efficiently.”
“My goal has been to package AI with visual effects services because you can go to a lot of different countries for VFX now, but when it comes to AI, a lot of people are still so far behind Estonia,” Post continues. He recently welcomed the president of an international advertising agency who visited his facilities and said he “expected Estonia would merge traditional crafts with nuanced technology” and be one step ahead of fierce competitors.
When it comes to competition, a key element is cash rebates and incentives. With countries near and far upping their offers, Estonia is looking to keep itself competitive.
“The popularity of the rebate is huge,” mentions Toomet, adding that the government is thinking of raising the rebate from 30% to 40% in the near future.
“I’ve been involved personally as a post-production producer and service provider for great projects like *Tenet*, and we are actually part of the rebate,” he adds. “So it’s great that we can provide our services with that level of help. And it has also helped my studio, so I hope we will get better percentages soon because there is high competition with neighboring countries pushing those as well.”
On top of highly skilled professionals, a favorable currency, and a growing tax rebate, what else attracts major productions to Estonia?
Sound designer Matis Rei, who has worked on major projects such as Todd Field’s *Tár* and Rose Glass’s *Love Lies Bleeding*, says Estonians are “very hard-working and trustworthy people” who are “open to learn and adapting to new systems very easily.”
Kadalipp adds that his countrypeople are “very strict and work to an exact timeframe.”
“No matter what, the work should be there.”
https://variety.com/2025/film/global/estonia-post-production-tenet-the-penguin-1236580953/
Vivek Menon becomes first Asian to lead IUCN Species Survival Commission
An Indian wildlife conservationist, environmental commentator, author, and photographer with a passion for elephants, Vivek Menon is a conservation leader whose lifelong dedication has created positive, global change for wildlife and natural habitats.
“My goal is to strengthen the SSC into a more resilient, inclusive, and globally impactful network that drives action and shapes policy. I believe in the power of this global network of over 11,000 experts, united by a shared passion for life on Earth, and as Chair, I will lead it with integrity, transparency, and dedication,” Vivek Menon said.
Through expert guidance to premier organisations, participation in landmark initiatives, and training of enforcement personnel across more than 50 countries, Menon has advanced solutions to critical challenges like illegal wildlife trade and species protection. His impact stretches from establishing reserves in Myanmar to helping shape international conservation policies through active roles in CITES, UNESCO, and national advisory boards.
Menon is widely known for his work in protecting elephants and tackling wildlife crime. With more than 30 years of experience, he has worked in over 100 countries and trained officials in over 50 nations. His efforts have helped shape major wildlife policies, and he has played a key role in setting up protected areas and conservation organisations both in India and beyond.
In India, Menon is the Founder and Executive Director of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). Under his leadership, WTI has carried out important projects such as elephant corridor protection, anti-poaching efforts, and wildlife rescue and recovery programmes.
Internationally, Menon has held numerous significant roles with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), including Chair of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group and membership on committees shaping global biodiversity goals.
In addition to his conservation work, Menon is a prolific author, having written ten wildlife books, including the widely acclaimed *Indian Mammals: A Field Guide*.
His contributions have been recognised with several prestigious international awards, such as the Clark R. Bavin Award, the Whitley Continuation Award, and the Freedom of the City of London in 2024.
Menon’s recent election as Chair of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) marks a major step for diversity in conservation leadership, providing a stronger voice to Asia and the Global South in global species protection efforts.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/indian-wildlife-conservationist-vivek-menon-creates-history-becomes-first-asian-to-lead-iucn-species-survival-commission-23598873
Tessie Musalia leads drive to bridge digital divide in Rural Schools
The foundation, in collaboration with Ushiriki Wema—an economic empowerment programme—aims to advance technology in schools through the provision of computers and other digital learning materials.
Madam Tessie Musalia, the Co-Founder and Managing Trustee, said the programme targets enabling students to have instant access to vast amounts of information, e-books, online libraries, and real-world learning through various digital platforms.
“We believe that every child deserves access to quality education as envisaged in our Constitution 2010, regardless of their background or circumstances. By donating computers to schools, especially in rural areas, we are taking a step towards bridging the digital divide and ensuring that every student has the chance to explore, learn, and grow in this digitally driven era,” she said.
Tessie, the spouse of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, added that the initiative is supported by the United Nations through a partnership with the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
She made these remarks over the weekend during the donation of 30 desktops and 2 laptops to Mudavadi Girls High School in Madzuu, Vihiga County.
“These computers are part of 70 laptops and 30 desktops donated by the United Nations through the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary to promote IT in schools. I encourage students not only to use them for schoolwork but also to follow your curiosity, learn about the world, and dream big,” she said.
Madam Musalia emphasized that online platforms allow students to learn at their own pace and from various locations, accommodating different schedules and learning preferences.
She further encouraged teachers to equip students to connect with peers and experts globally through online tools, enabling collaborative projects and discussions across different locations.
“Technology has become an essential tool in education as it opens doors to knowledge beyond classrooms. When we invest in education, we invest in a stronger, smarter, and more hopeful tomorrow,” she added.
The programme will also complement the ongoing government initiative focused on building computer labs in schools across the country. The foundation is actively seeking to bring on board more partners and donors, both locally and internationally, to support this important cause.
https://www.citizen.digital/news/tessie-musalia-leads-drive-to-bridge-digital-divide-in-rural-schools-n371186
Taylor Swift’s ‘Showgirl’ sets 2nd-largest sales week in history
**Taylor Swift’s ‘Showgirl’ Achieves 2nd-Largest Sales Week in History**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | October 7, 2025*
Taylor Swift’s latest album, *The Life of a Showgirl*, has made an extraordinary impact, reportedly selling an astonishing 2.7 million copies on its first day in the United States. This marks Swift’s biggest single-day sales week ever and the second-highest sales week for any album since Luminate began tracking data in 1991.
The only album to surpass this feat is Adele’s *25*, which sold 3.378 million copies in its first week back in 2015, underscoring the magnitude of Swift’s achievement.
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### Vinyl Sales Record Broken
In addition to digital and physical sales, *The Life of a Showgirl* has shattered vinyl album sales records. The album sold 1.2 million vinyl copies in its first week, surpassing the previous record held by Swift herself. Her 2024 album, *The Tortured Poets Department*, had sold 859,000 vinyl copies during its debut week.
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### Box Office Success for Concert Film
Swift’s momentum extends beyond music sales. Her concert film, *The Official Release Party of a Showgirl*, topped the box office during its opening weekend, generating $33 million in North America, according to estimates from Comscore.
Internationally, the film earned an additional $13 million through AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., playing for over three days in all 540 AMC theaters across the US.
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### Historic Career Milestone
Adding to her list of accomplishments, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) recently announced that Taylor Swift has become the first and only female artist to surpass 100 million album sales in the United States.
To date, Swift has sold an impressive 105 million albums, ranking her sixth among the highest-selling artists worldwide. She follows iconic legends such as The Beatles, Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley, Eagles, and Led Zeppelin.
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Taylor Swift continues to break records and redefine success in the music industry with *The Life of a Showgirl* era, further cementing her status as one of the top artists of all time.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/swift-s-the-life-of-a-showgirl-shatters-sales-records/story
Taylor Swift’s ‘Showgirl’ sets 2nd-largest sales week in history
**Taylor Swift’s ‘Showgirl’ Achieves 2nd-Largest Sales Week in History**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | October 7, 2025*
Taylor Swift has done it again. Her latest album, *The Life of a Showgirl*, has reportedly sold an astounding 2.7 million copies on its first day in the United States alone. This marks Swift’s biggest single-day sales week ever and the second-highest sales week for any album since Luminate began tracking in 1991.
The only album with a larger sales week is Adele’s *25*, which sold 3.378 million copies in its first week back in 2015.
**Vinyl Sales Record Broken**
In addition to dominating digital and physical sales, *The Life of a Showgirl* has also shattered the record for the most vinyl album sales in a single week. The album sold 1.2 million vinyl copies, surpassing the previous record held by Swift’s own 2024 release, *The Tortured Poets Department*, which sold 859,000 vinyl copies in its first week.
**Box Office Success**
Swift’s success extends beyond music sales. Her concert film, *The Official Release Party of a Showgirl*, topped the box office during its opening weekend. The film earned an impressive $33 million in North America, according to Sunday estimates from Comscore.
Internationally, it added another $13 million through AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., playing in all 540 AMC theaters across the U.S. for over three days.
**A Historic Milestone**
In further recognition of her remarkable career, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced last week that Taylor Swift is the first and only female artist to surpass 100 million album sales.
To date, she has sold 105 million albums, placing her sixth among the highest-selling artists in history. She follows legendary acts such as The Beatles, Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley, Eagles, and Led Zeppelin.
With *The Life of a Showgirl*, Swift continues to solidify her place as one of the most influential and successful artists of her generation.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/swift-s-the-life-of-a-showgirl-shatters-sales-records/story