We have a significant number of coming-out and coming-of-age dramas on this list, but none that deal with it from the point of view of an African-American, where homosexuality is perhaps frowned upon more than it is elsewhere in Western society. 'Moonlight' is a film that fills that space. The film is a labor of love from author Tarell Alvin McCraney; his autobiographical book was rejected by publishers, so he turned it into a play, and it was finally taken to the movies by director Barry Jenkins.
'Moonlight' follows its central character across his youthful formative experiences, starting out as a child and then progressing into adolescence and young adulthood, coping with the realization that he's gay and trying to work out how to handle that in the context of the rough Miami district he lives in. It resonated strongly with audiences, and finally brought McCraney vindication; he and Jenkins jointly won the 'Best Adapted Screenplay' Oscar for their work, with 'Moonlight' winning 'Best Picture' overall.
Chefs made their way into celebrity land a while ago. But how many celebrities that weren’t trained as professional cooks are actually whizzes in the kitchen? Here are several that come to mind.
Actress Julia Roberts is confident about her cooking skills. “I’m quite a good cook,” she told E! News. “I’m like a closet home ec teacher…I can really cook anything.” Roberts has said she often cooks fish for herself and her kids. And speaking of her three children, “They think that I’m a good cook,” Roberts told People. “They actually told me that I should open a restaurant.” She also relishes cooking for the holidays, particularly shredded Brussel sprouts. Roberts hasn’t published a cookbook, but we did find recipes attributed to her for peach crisp and banana hemp muffins. Or you can make the same summer salad the actress supposedly eats.
Chrissy Teigen started off as a supermodel. Then her love of cooking filtered into her professional life too. At this point, she’s created recipes for a limited Blue Apron release and also just launched her own home and cooking line at Target named “Cravings,” after the two cookbooks she’s released. Teigen describes cooking as “a time of peace” for herself. So maybe peace out to her tuna melt sandwich or the fried chicken wings that are a favorite of her husband, John Legend.
Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, comes from a cooking Italian family. Her father started his own restaurant in New York and also published a cookbook. And apparently, Lady Gaga has inherited the family’s cooking genes. Her Instagram account occasionally features photos of her culinary activities. Sure, sometimes it’s topless cooking. But other times it’s more poignant like in the post she shared about her bringing food to the family of her dear friend who passed away. Want to try a Gaga/Germanotta family favorite? Check out her recipe for whole wheat pasta with a sweet fennel sauce.