Page 29 - ARUBA TODAY

A29
PEOPLE & ARTS Tuesday 30 July 2019
Kathy Griffin still working and hustling after Trump photo

By ALICIA RANCILIO ing." But it's also funny. Grif-
Associated Press fin taped stand-up that's
NEW YORK (AP) — Kathy edited into the film. (She
Griffin says two days into tried to sell it as a stand-
the fallout of her 2017 photo alone comedy special and
posing with a fake severed "nobody would even look
head of President Donald at it.")
Trump, she knew she should The film was well-received
film what was happening. at SXSW earlier this year.
She was losing jobs, making Fathom Events agreed to
headline news and the top- show it July 31 in 700 U.S.
ic of widespread scrutiny, theaters. What happens
not to mention the subject next is anyone's guess —
of a government investiga- Griffin just knows she will
tion into whether she was a keep hustling and she's not
credible threat. giving up.
"I kept saying, 'I think this is "I just want people to know
an important, historic sto- you don't have to go
ry,'" Griffin told The Associ- down. You can take a few
ated Press. "The President punches, but after I kick the
and the Department of bucket, I want somebody
Justice shouldn't make you to go, 'You know that crazy
unemployable and uninsur- red head? They got her but
able." she didn't go down.'"
The problem was no one If you miss one of the show-
wanted anything to do with This July 16, 2019 photo shows Kathy Griffin posing for a portrait in her Studio in New York. ings on July 31, Griffin is the
her. So, she picked up her Associated Press first to admit she doesn't
iPhone and began filming. know how fans can see it
There's no glam, no pro- to keep it real. carried a poster from inter- the Bravo reality series that next. She's hoping it gets
duction crew — not even The result is a feature film, view to interview on a re- earned her two Emmy picked up somewhere and
microphones. Griffin says "Kathy Griffin: A Hell of a cent press day. Awards. she'd like to see it avail-
she just knew she needed Story" that's part documen- "Look, I made it at Kinkos, The documentary portion able internationally as well,
to capture what was hap- tary, part comedy special. OK? I'm still on the D-list," gets raw, Griffin said. "Like teaching as much about
pening in the moment and She financed it herself and she quipped, referring to ugly Kathy, no makeup, cry- Griffin as Trump.q

'Stranger Things' breakout star is a spunky seventh grader

By MARK KENNEDY just respond to things be-
Associated Press yond her years, very con-
NEW YORK (AP) — One versational," she said. "From
of the breakout stars of there, people kept saying
"Stranger Things" is an ac- she had something spe-
tress who wants to do more cial."
action roles and maybe Priah hopes to continue
get behind the camera. But acting and maybe direct
first, there's seventh grade. one day as well. But staying
Priah Ferguson, a 12-year- a kid is also a goal. She's
old Atlanta middle school- not planning to return to
er, has given season 3 of her school's drama club this
the sci-fi, back-to-the-'80s fall.
Netflix show a jolt of sassy "I want to separate my act-
electricity. ing from school. It just got
Priah plays Erica, a My to be a little too much,"
Little Pony-obsessed, He- she said. "It's just too much
Man stealing, walkie-talkie This image released by Netflix shows Priah Ferguson, center, in a scene from "Stranger Things." drama."
intercepting little sister of Associated Press She's taking that message
Lucas, played by Caleb across the country, team-
McLaughlin. and catchphrases like "You is something I've always people have a little nerdi- ing up with applesauce
"She's a very confident per- can't spell America without wanted to do,'" she said. ness in them. and yogurt-pouch maker
son and I'm confident," Pri- Erica" and "Just the facts." "That was cool." I have a little nerdiness in GoGo squeeZ to encour-
ah said. "She's a leader. I'm She was handed a helmet Her Erica has spunk and me." age kids to put aside their
a leader. So we have a lot fitted with flashlights and verve, liable to scream Adjua Ferguson, her moth- devices and embrace un-
of similarities." sent though the ventila- into a walkie-talkie: "Code er, said she and her hus- structured play as part of
The actress, who previously tion shafts of Starcourt Mall red? I got a code for you band recognized artistic the "BE Time" initiative.
has had minor roles on "At- to discover what a secret instead. It's called code potential in their daughter "I love having free time to
lanta" and "Mercy Street," group of Russians was hid- shut your mouth." Erica will when she was just 2. stay off my phone, even
had quick-or-you'll-miss it ing. For this, she earned her not stand for nerdiness but "She was an expressive though I love my phone,"
moments in season 2 of reward: "Free. Ice. Cream. there's a little nerd in her, baby— she always had the she said. "At times it can just
"Stranger Things" but has For. Life." too. most unique expressions be draining. You just need
roared into the new one "I got to do like a little stunt. "She's an anti-nerd nerd," and reactions. She always a time to really see the real
with an action sequence So I was like, 'Wow this the actress says. "A lot of had an old soul. She would world."q