Episode 48: Elizabeth Taylor
*Announcements! The first STARGIRL in-person event is happening! Details will be announced on my Instagram first @emmaglennbaker — can’t wait to share more and see you there!* In this week’s episode, I introduce a brand new segment to the public: STARGIRL Rants and Raves! I welcome all listeners to send in a Rant or Rave on a Stargirl, person/persona you fixate on, or cultural event/moment that you love or hate. This first round was open to Patrons only, and we listen to my favorite three submissions here today! Here’s how it works: Record a 0:30 - 2:00 minute-long voice note Email the audio file to me at stargirldirect@gmail.com Subject line should read “Rant / Rave” on [your subject]” In the email, please not e how you’d like to be attributed (full name, first name only, IG handle, etc.) Show notes: This week we tackle a classic Stargirl: Dame Elizabeth Taylor. I talk about the many elements of her myth that I somehow inherited—her violet eyes, “married eight times to seven men,” her health issues, etc. I decide that although Liz Taylor is indeed beautiful, prolific, and messy, her real singularity lies in her Sturdiness: She is womanly, down-to-earth, and robust. We also discuss Camille Paglia’s incredible fixation on Liz, and leaf through Liz’s memoir/self-help/recipe book about her own weight gain and loss, Elizabeth Takes Off. Plus, I finally acknowledge the Chappell Roan phenomenon, praise Addison for her underwater Dhanurasana, and challenge myself to discuss the election head-on, rather than roll my eyes and look away. We got this y’all! Discussed: “Sabrina, Chappell, and Charli are suddenly stars. Why now?” Mikael Wood in the LA times Azaelia Banks on Chappell Roan Addison’s underwater amazingness “Love of Country and Aloha Spirit with Tulsi Gabbard,” Jocko Podcast Excerpt from “Elizabeth Taylor: Hollywood’s Pagan Queen,” Camille Paglia, originally published in Penthouse magazine (1992) Interview with Paglia on Liz Taylor, Salon (2011) Elizabeth Takes Off: On Weight Gain, Weight Loss, Self-Image, and Self-Esteem, Elizabeth Taylor (1987)