IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Women uplifting women in the entertainment scene

In this day and age where women dominate fields that are traditionally considered men’s world, it is a welcome sight to see women bonding together and lifting each other up. As we continue to celebrate Women’s Month, it is just right to highlight females who powered through circumstances that, in some ways, pitted them against another. 

Here’s a run-through of some of the recent occasions where women in the entertainment industry proved that empowerment for one another overpowers competition. 

Jane de Leon and Janella Salvador

Contrary to the rivalry of their “Darna” characters, De Leon and Salvador became the closest of friends off-screen. The actresses, who described their bond as something that goes beyond show business, have been making it a point to “give each other the chance to shine.” 

Even though they admitted to being “awkward” at first, their friendship developed over the time they were filming the TV series. According to Salvador, both of them are “introverted” which was a huge factor why they did not instantly “click.” De Leon revealed that it was quite a “challenge” for them, and that they had to put in efforts to become comfortable with each other.

The actresses were eventually seen together not only in the scenes of the TV series but in several frequent trips and hangouts as well. De Leon and Salvador’s team up, dubbed as “DarLentina and JaneNella,” was well-received by fans who have been rooting for the actresses to take on roles in a “girls’ love” or GL series. 

Both De Leon and Salvador welcomed the idea and expressed willingness to star in such projects, with the latter saying it would be another step forward for LGBTQ representation in local media.

Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis

The “Everything Everywhere All At Once” actresses are each other’s biggest fans and it was evident in the several awarding ceremonies they dominated. Yeoh and Curtis went all out in cheering one other but one specific instance stood out among the rest—their shining moment at 2023 Golden Globe Awards. 

When Yeoh was announced as this year’s best actress in musical or comedy at the event held last Jan. 10, Curtis was unable to contain her joy as she put her hands in the air and cheered a loud hurrah for her “Bae.” That particular scene immediately became a trending topic among netizens, with some regarding it as one of the representations of women supporting women.

“I’m still stunned that a moment of natural exuberance and joy became some sort of a symbol for women supporting other women,” Curtis said in an Instagram post. “[Friends supporting friends] is a perfect squad goal for 2023.”

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Another notable winning moment for the duo was at the 29th Screen Actors Guild Awards held last Feb. 26, where they bagged the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, and Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, respectively. 

When Curtis was called on the stage to accept the award, the actress immediately went to Yeoh, gave her a hug and a kiss on the lips. In her acceptance speech, Curtis disclosed that Yeoh’s casting was the reason she accepted the role in the sci-fi action adventure film. 

“Michelle Yeoh, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you,” Curtis told an emotional Yeoh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDnzXO719UA

Yeoh, who became the first Asian to have won in the female actor in a leading role category, shared the tightest hug with Curtis when it was her turn to accept the award on stage. 

Celeste Cortesi and R’Bonney Gabriel

Despite falling short in bringing home the Miss Universe 2022 crown, Cortesi has nothing but praises towards the pageant winners, most especially to titleholder R’Bonney Gabriel, who the Philippine candidate believes was destined for the title. 

Even prior to the coronation night, Cortesi and Gabriel, who are both of Filipino descent, had already shown admiration for one another as they were photographed together during the evening gown competition. 

“Honored to share the stage [with] the lovely Celeste Cortesi,” Gabriel spoke of their moment in the pageant. 

In a February interview with Boy Abunda, Cortesi expressed support to Gabriel amid the controversies that had been hounding her win. Cortesi maintained that the titleholder worked hard to attain the crown and that the public should respect that. 

“I think it’s really unfair. At the end of the day, people will always try to blame someone, but we need to be respectful enough to recognize her hard work and the fact that she’s now Miss Universe and she deserves it,” Cortesi noted. 

Taylor Swift and SZA 

The award-winning American singers did not let the internet pit them against each other as they exchanged words of support amid their albums’ music charts battle in January. 

Speculations of personal feud between the musicians apparently arose on social media after SZA’s “SOS” and Swift’s “Midnight” albums had a back-to-back domination at Billboard 200 chart. 

The R&B soul singer thanked fans for streaming her songs during her album’s third week at the top spot, with SZA counting down the minutes left in the tracking period at the time. Fans then appeared to have interpreted her remark as a hint of her bad blood with Swift, whose album had been ranking at second spot for three consecutive weeks.

SZA shut down these speculations as she assured fans that all is well between her and Swift. Far apart from what fans were alleging, SZA professed her admiration for Swift’s “Midnight” album as well as her songwriting skills. 

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Uhh I feel silly that I even have to say this but i see supporters arguing and I hate that . I don’t have beef w ANYONE especially not Taylor lmao I genuinely loved her album and the writing!Everyone’s jus tryna do their BEST as we all should . LOVE TO EVERYONE. Gn 🤍

— SZA (@sza) January 6, 2023

A week later, Swift addressed the feud rumors and confessed that she, too, had been “listening non-stop” to SZA’s album. Swift further said that she “absolutely adores” the R&B soul singer’s music, and that she has “so much love and respect for her.” EDV

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