Salma Hayek Will Receive Franca Sozzani Award In Venice On Aug. 31 | Hayek Brings 'Monarca' To Netflix

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Actor Salma Hayek will be the second recipient of the Franca Sozzani Award, created to recognize women who have exceptional artistic careers and a commitment to social activism.

The Mexican actress and movie producer will receive the award, established by late Vogue Italia editor in chief Franca Sozzani’s family, on Aug. 31 during the 75th edition of the Venice International Film Festival. The ceremony will take place at Sozzani’s favorite Belmond Hotel Cipriani, a five-star hotel on Venice’s Giudecca island.

“Her example and her teaching live on in a countless number of little everyday actions, which still punctuate life in the firm today,” said Fedele Usai, chief executive officer of Condé Nast Italia, which supports the Franca Sozzani Award. “This tribute to Franca is an opportunity to celebrate a person who was unique and unrepeatable, and who is a constant and challenging benchmark for all of us at Condé Nast.”

Julianne Moore received the first Franca Sozzani Award in September 2017. 

Jennifer Garner Co-Founds Once Upon A Farm, Supporting Gangsta Gardener Ron Finley

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Jennifer Garner Co-Founds Once Upon A Farm, Supporting Gangsta Gardener Ron Finley

On Saturday, July 14, actor Jennifer Garner celebrated Once Upon a Farm, the new “farm-to-family” food company with a strong focus on babies and children that she co-founded with Cassandra Curtis. The event at Amber Waves Farm in Amagansett invited guests from the Hamptons crowd such as Rachel Zoe, Molly Sims, Jessica Capshaw, Estee Stanley, and their little ones to pick fresh produce, listen to live music and plant fruits and vegetables with Ron Finley, the Gangsta Gardener of the Ron Finley Project. Once Upon a Farm later donated the gardening plot from the event, along with $10,000 to NYC’s Edible Schoolyard.

Paper Magazine profiled Finley in Aug. 2017. The food justice revolutionary decided to get his hands dirty back in 2010 over the lack of healthy, organic food options in his LA South Central food desert neighborhood. 

"Being in South Central, the food is food-ish stuff," he explains. "We can walk five minutes in any direction and get liquor, but we can walk ten miles in any direction, and we aren't gonna get an organic banana." Finley came to the realization that cities were designed for the interests of commerce, not people: "If cities were designed for people, they would look more like forests, and be lush and beautiful, and the air would be clean." He looked at the green grass parkway he'd been dutifully maintaining outside of his home, and decided, "If they're not putting beauty in my neighborhood, I'll do it myself." The answer was radical in its simplicity: he would grow his own food. He dug up the grass, and planted flowers, herbs, and all the fruits and vegetables he'd previously had to drive miles to buy.

How Will Progressive Karlie Kloss Manage Ivanka Trump's Clutching Embrace Of Her New 'Sister'

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Rhonda Garelick has written a superb, consise analysis of Ivanka Trump and her brand and its historical fashionable roots in the rise of fascism. Garelick writes compararatively of Ivanka and Coco Chanel.

Now that the successful, progressive superwoman Karlie Kloss will be Ivanka's sister-in-law, it will be interesting to watch how Kloss handles this new sisterly love affair. Ivanka has been quick to celebrate her new 'sister' on Instagram. The Cut's headline of the engagement announcement summarizes what Karlie and Josh Kushner already know:Ivanka Trump Called Karlie Kloss Her 'Sister' in a Haunting Instagram Comment.

Karlie not so much, although reports are quick to note that Jared Kushner's brother Josh, the much more progressive Kushner son and Karlie's future husband, is very close to Ivanka -- a Manhattan liberal in her former life.

Ladurée Launches Hemp Macaron In LA; Now That Industrial Hemp Is Finally A Legal US Crop, Can We Make Fabrics?

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Ladurée Launches Hemp Macaron In LA; Now That Industrial Hemp Is Finally A Legal US Crop, Can We Make Fabrics?

Famed Parisian patisserie Ladurée is known worldwide for its divinely delicious. sweet French sensual treats made in vibrant, intoxicating colors. Simply stated, these macarons are a feast for the eyes, tongue and amygdalae. 

On Thursday, Ladurée in will lauch a new exclusive-to-Los-Angeles macaron flavor containing hemp.

Elisabeth Holder Raberin, co-president of Ladurée USA, describes the flavor of the new L.A. macaron, a blend of white chocolate and hemp, as “a bit like hazelnut.” She says: “I love challenging my taste and I’m very curious about what people eat everywhere. L.A. is a huge market that’s very important and I see many trends here. You can find hemp ice cream and I buy hemp seeds to put on my yogurt or to use in tea. It’s healthy! When I said in Paris that I wanted to have a hemp macaron, they looked at me like, ‘What?’ They thought it was super-funny, but in the end they came up with a flavor and color that are really amazing.”

Let no one crack any hemp jokes. In fact, I have hemp protein powder in the cupboard and once had a love affair with hemp waffles. 

To clarify, writes THR, since marijuana bias has caused a lot of confusion, hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant with trace levels of THC, the main psychoactive element in marijuana, that’s been touted in some circles as a superfood rich in protein, magnesium and omega-3 and -6. And no, it won’t make you high. But at this week’s private launch party for influencers, Ladurée will serve tastings of the new L.A. hemp macaron at a “high tea” in its Beverly Hills salon, where tea will be infused with CBD oil from design-wise L.A. cannabis dispensary The Pottery.

The American government has been obsessed with controlling hemp as a crop, as Canadian farmers get wealthy. George Washington grew it at Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson at Monticello for industrial purposes. Yet, as a 2005 report from the Congressional Research Service noted, the U.S. “is the only developed nation in which industrial hemp is not an established crop.”

Canada has been growing hemp for 20 years. Great Britain legalized industrial hemp in 1993, Germany in 1996. And now -- let the trumpets blare -- the US government finally legalized industrial hemp in June 2018. 

Many believe that hemp has a a key role in the topic of sustainability in the fashion industry. Take a read of this 2017 article: A Guide To Hemp: The Miracle Crop that Could Be the Future of Fashion

Katherine Lo Set To Open Eaton Workshop, A DC Hotel For Progressives

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Katherine Lo is coming to Washington as the founder of Eaton Workshop, a 209 room hotel that will also include a social club, co-working space, a movie theater for independent films, a wellness center and a progressive news station. Surely, I've forgotten something.

Oh yes. The radio station will air a radical indigenous-rights show called Red Power Hour, and the rooftop will house an urban farm that will provide ingredients for the restaurant below, American Son.

The Piscataway tribe of Native Americans indigenous to the area will be recognized in decor and more directly. “We were going to put up a plaque to signify that we’re on stolen land,” Sheldon Scott, the hotel's culture director said. “But now we’re talking about contemporary programming possibilities and the prospect of them blessing the space.”

Eaton is a hospitality company that leans firmly, and unapologetically, to the left; Ms. Lo, 36, is focused on making the D.C. location as a gathering place for liberals feeling displaced by President Trump. 

Katherine Lo Set To Open Eaton Workshop, A DC Hotel For Progressives

Anok Yai Becomes Estée Lauder Spokesmodel, Anchoring Her Meteoric Model Rise

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Anok Yai Becomes Estée Lauder Spokesmodel, Anchoring Her Meteoric Model Rise

Estée Lauder has announced that it has signed Anok Yai, fashion’s newest star, as its latest Global Spokesmodel. Anok will feature in makeup and skincare campaigns across digital, TV, in-store and print. Anok’s first campaign will be for the brand’s number one foundation, Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup, debuting August. She joins the current roster of Estée Lauder spokesmodels, Misty Copeland, Grace Elizabeth, Kendall Jenner, Karlie Kloss, Yang Mi, Carolyn Murphy, Hilary Rhoda, Joan Smalls and Fei Fei Sun.

“We are thrilled to welcome Anok to the brand,” said Stephane de La Faverie, Global Brand President, Estée Lauder. “Estée Lauder has always chosen women who represent our vision of global beauty. With the addition of Anok to our current lineup of diverse spokesmodels, we continue the brand’s legacy of celebrating women from different backgrounds, ethnicities and ages.”

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Anok Yai

Painter Pierce Brosnan Plans 2019 Paris Exhibit, Inspired By $1.4 million amfAR Dylan Sale

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Painter Pierce Brosnan Plans 2019 Paris Exhibit, Inspired By $1.4 million amfAR Dylan Sale

Actor Pierce Brosnan says that he was 'gobsmacked' watching his original painting of Bob Dylan generate $1.4 million at the amfAR’s 25th annual Cinema Against AIDS event in Cannes. The painting purchased by Ukranian billionaire Marina Acton who is married to WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton. 

Now Brosnan and wife Keely Shaye Smith are planning an exhibition of 20-30 of his paintings in Paris. “We love the city,” Brosnan tells 'THR'. “It’s the epicenter of the art world and has been for many years.” Smith agrees that “Paris is always a good idea,” with her devoted and adoring husband finishing her sentence. “It’s a bold one. It definitely takes some courage to do it, but I reckon if I can go out and sing in Mamma Mia!, I can go show a few paintings, have a few cocktails and give it a shot.” 

Acton dreams of a singing career and sources report that: "In what seems like a genius business move on Kim’s part, sources close to the real estate deal tell us Acton has dreams of becoming a singer and is a big fan of Kim. When they bought Kimye’s home, we’re told they paid WAY over what the property was worth because of the Kardashian connection."

Apparently, the Actons never moved into the mansion and are now trying to flip it for the buy price. Kim Kardashian may have committed, as part of the real estate deal, to promote her new friend Marina now and in the future. 

Iris Apfel Makes a Vivid Impression In Luis Monteiro Images For Vogue Portugal August 2018

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Iris Apfel Makes a Vivid Impression In Luis Monteiro Images For Vogue Portugal August 2018

New York native Iris Apfel found the blazing limelight late in life -- not her 50s or 60s or even 70s. Apfel was in her 80s before she began popping up everywhere, and her distinctive, male bird of paradise style (females are notably less colorful in the animal world) caught the attention of New York's inner fashion circle.

Iris Apfel became the first living person not a fashion designer to have an exhibition dedicated to her at the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 2015, Iris Apfel and her beloved, now-departed from earth husband of almost 70 years Carl, got the documentary treatment in the Albert Maysles film 'Iris'. Many believe that iris and Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele got together in another life. 

Trump Fixer Michael Cohen Made Tape With Trump About Payments To Karen McDougal, Alleged Year-Long Trump Mistress

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A New York Times article revealed on Friday that president Trump's longtime fixer and friend who maintained an office in Trump Tower located close to the now president, lawyer Michael D. Cohen, recorded a conversation with the presidential candidate two months before the presidential election. The conversation is communication about a second payment to insure McDougal's silence after an initial arrangement with The National Inquirer.

The recording, seized during a raid on Mr. Cohen's office by the FBI several months ago,  is potential evidence in a Justice Department investigation about Cohen's involvement in paying women to kill or tamp down breaking news stories that could embarrass the presidential candidate in the days before the election.

To recap, the former model Karen McDougal claims that she was involved in a nearly year-long affair with Trump in 2006

LOEWE Works With Kenya's Samburu Women On Elephant Bag For The Elephant Crisis Fund

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LOEWE Works With Kenya's Samburu Women On Elephant Bag For The Elephant Crisis Fund

LOEWE and Knot On My Planet joins forces today to launch a limited edition collection of their iconic Elephant Mini Bag in tan, in support of the Elephant Crisis Fund (ECF)—a joint initiative between Save The Elephants (STE) and WCN, in partnership with the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.

Knot On My Planet is closely associated with supermodel Doutzen Kroes, who hasbecome one of the loudest voices in elephant conservation, whose mission is to put an end to the ivory crisis and elephant extinction. When Kroes first visited Samburu, Kenya, and interacted with the elephant population there, she said she knew she needed to take action in the form of a long-term commitment to protecting severely-threatened elephants in Africa.  

Shinola Hangs A Sign On Fall 2018 Opening Of New Boutique Hotel In Detroit

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If the Harvard Business School isn't studying the development of Detroit's Shinolabrand as a modern-America civic marriage between business and citizens, they should be. This fall, downtown Detroit welcomes the first Shinola brand hotel, created in a refurbished department store on the formerly prosperous Woodward Avenue. 

The 129-room boutique hotel is Shinola's boldest idea yet, with its sign now installed for the world to see. The artisan-inspired, deep community roots brand has been the vision behind a major, block-wide development  that includes residences, restaurants, a fitness center and a mix of national and local retail.

Margot Robbie Embraces Collective Consciousness, Lensed By Max Papendieck For ES Magazine July 2018

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Margot Robbie Embraces Collective Consciousness, Lensed By Max Papendieck For ES Magazine July 2018

Actor Margot Robbie is styled by Jenny Kennedy in images by Max Papendieck for Evening Standard Magazine July 2018./ Hair by Bryce Scarlett; makeup by Patti Dubroff

Not many people say they are addicted to fear: to the surge of adrenaline that surges through mind and body when a person is sure she can't do something but steps off the cliff anyway.  "I love feeling terrified, I love it when I think I can’t pull it off this time," Robbie tells Gavanndra Hodge, who writes. "It is this compulsion that made her — then a 23-year-old unknown — unexpectedly slap Leonardo DiCaprio in the face during her screen test for Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street (the slap got her the job)."

Robbie doesn't regret regret any of her movie roles, but she is increasingly aware of the social impact of her characters. ‘It is a weird thing, having a profile,’ she says, becoming quiet for the first (and only) time during our conversation. ‘It is hard because I would never have got to this position if I was trying to censor everything I did. I would never have an impact on anyone if I played perfect characters.’ 

Lupita Nyong'o & Saoirse Ronan Launch CALVIN KLEIN WOMEN Fragrance | Key Analysts Say It's Game Over For Victoria's Secret

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Lupita Nyong'o & Saoirse Ronan Launch CALVIN KLEIN WOMEN Fragrance | Key Analysts Say It's Game Over For Victoria's Secret

On the face of it, one might not readily connect Calvin Klein choosing top-drawer actors Lupita Nyong'o and Saoirse Ronan to front its new scent Calvin Klein Womenscent and Fast Company running a headline Tuesday titled 'The end of Victoria's Secret: Why analysts and readers say the brand is on its last lace.' 

“It’s game over,” Jeffries analyst Randal Konik told Bloomberg about the world's biggest lingerie brand, pointing to declines in traffic, pricing power, and market share. Konik also said that he thought investors were ignoring these obvious warning signs and choosing to believe Victoria’s Secret is still a great brand.

That's a harsh statement about a great brand, one that I worked for over 10 great years. You know it's time to go, though, when your own vision for what women want are out of sync with the owners'. If there's anything wrong with Victoria's Secret, it's symbolized by the tawdry spectacle that is the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show. Just imagine if VS piled all those beautiful models on an airplane and took them on a supporting women and girls activism tour. Consider that the VS models who have made high-profile departures from the brand -- women like Karlie Kloss and Doutzen Kroes -- are women who embrace activism and justice as part of their DNAs. 

NJ People's Motorcade Raise Funds For East Coast Trump Baby Headed To Trump's Bedminster Golf Course

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After being the aerial center of attention for more than 100,000 protesters who took to London streets near Parliament Square last week, a 19-foot-tall diaper-pinned Trump Baby balloon is hopping a plane across the Atlantic. New Jersey activist Didier Jiminezreached out to Trump Baby's creator Leo Murray, with the intention of flying the little guy with the big mouth in New Jersey during Trump's August visit to his Bedminster gold course.

“The baby Trump is not just a piece of humor, but it is also a symbol of the administration. It’s symbolic of the children that are in cages, it’s a symbol of racism, and we know that he hates to be ridiculed,” Jimenez told NJ.com.

Democrats Launch The Last Weekend As Largest Grassroots Army Ever Assembled For Midterm Elections

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Nearly two dozen top progressive groups which include Swing Left, Indivisible, MoveOn, Organizing for Action, Latino Victory, United We Dream and the Working Families Party will launch on Wednesday a massive get-out-the-vote effort aimed at helping Democratic candidates during the last days of the 2018 midterm elections. 

Organizers say the effort, dubbed “The Last Weekend,” is focused on recruiting the largest grassroots army ever assembled before a midterm election — one that will not just vote for Democratic candidates but volunteer for their campaigns.

“The stakes are so high that voting isn’t enough,” said Ethan Todras-Whitehill, executive director and co-founder of Swing Left, which is organizing the effort. “You’ve got to do more. The new bar is not just voting, but volunteering in key races that matter for determining control of the government.”

“I can’t think of another time where you had this diverse array of progressive organizations coming together the last weekend before an election,” said Cristobal Alex, presidential Latino Victory, which is part of the effort. “Not just to get out the vote, but to mobilize an army of super volunteers ahead of the vote.”

Trump Treason Talk Saturates American Media As Protesters Call Trump Putin's Puppet

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Writing for The Boston Globe, John Shattuck asks Is Donald Trump committing treason? In fact, of the top 10 trending articles on the Globe, two more use the world treason or a derivative: Trump the traitor and 'Treasonous,' 'disgraceful': Reaction to trump's press conference with Putin. 

Merriam-Webster reports that “treason,” “traitor” and “collusion” were top searches for word definitions, soaring after US President Donald Trump gave his jaw-dropping press conference with Russian president Vladimir Putin. 

Politico reviewed reactions to the Trump-Putin bromance, noting that "New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow was among the first to apply the “T” word to the president in a prescient Monday piece titled “Trump, Treasonous Traitor,” which appeared just hours before the presser. “It was nothing short of treasonous,” former CIA Director John Brennan tweetedof Trump’s press conference performance. “I’m so sorry the Commander-in-chief is a traitor,” tweeted Michael Moore, agreeing with Brennan for the first time ever. Tea Party stalwart Joe Walsh said the same. “Trump the Traitor,” read the headline on Boston Globe columnist Michael A. Cohen’s Monday afternoon piece. He concluded, “Trump is a clear and present danger to US national security.”'

Elle Macpherson Radiates Total Beauty In Simon Upton Images For InStyle Australia June 2018

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Elle Macpherson Radiates Total Beauty In Simon Upton Images For InStyle Australia June 2018

Supermodel-turned-businesswoman Elle Macpherson shines brightly, covering the June 2018 cover of InStyle Australia's June 2018 issue. Simon Upton eyes the Aussie co-owner of the WelleCo health business in sensational images styled by Lill Jennerusing Balenciaga, Calvin Klein, Loewe and more. 

Macpherson leads a movement that redefines beauty with an emphasis on how people feel and not only on how they look. This belief led to her teaming up with Andrea Horwood to create her ingestible beauty company.

Oprah Covers British Vogue August 2018, Telling Us To Embrace Activism & Happiness In Trumplandia

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Oprah Covers British Vogue August 2018, Telling Us To Embrace Activism & Happiness In Trumplandia

Oprah dazzles in a series of bespoke fashion created for her by Erdem, Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen in 'Oprah's Next Act', styled by British Vogue's Edward Enninful. Photographers Mert & Marcus capture Oprah as an empress sharing her thoughts on race, feminism, her Royal wedding appearance, the loves and losses in her life – and that rumored move into politics – in a rare one-on-one interview with writer Decca Aitkenhead./ Hair by Nicole Mangrum and Malcolm Edwards; make-up by Derrick Rutledge

Always America's spiritual healer, Oprah has choice words for Americans struggling under the onslaught of Donald Trump's dark, disruptive presidency. As for a presidential run, Oprah once again says 'no way'.

“In that political structure – all the non-truths, the bullshit, the crap, the nastiness, the backhanded backroom stuff that goes on – I feel like I could not exist,” Winfrey says. “I would not be able to do it. It's not a clean business. It would kill me.”

Winfrey goes on to explain how she squares her spirituality and self-help advocacy with the #Metoo and Time’s Up movements. "People talk about 'these are such dark times', but what if we shift the paradigm? Because I see it differently,” she asserts. “I see, 'Isn't this remarkable that we're waking up?' For years, women have endured craziness. This is what's happening to people. They're allowing themselves to not just become corroded, but to become hysterical. You've got to lean to the happiness."

In related news, Oprah will take that optimism to South Africa, joining Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, Femi Kuti, Gayle King and Bozoma St. John in Johannesburg on Dec. 2 for the 2018  Global Citizen Festival, aimed at ending poverty by 2030. 

MGM.Lot18 Pull Table Wines Inspired By Women Slaves In 'The Handmaid's Tale'

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Handmaids across America turned sour this week when Lot18.com announced a wine collaboration with MGM, producer of the Hulu series 'The Handmaid's Tale'.  As Trump Republicans move against American women, MGM got the novel idea that creating three wines based on characters in Hulu's critically acclaimed adaptation of Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel was an inspired business opportunity. 

Lot 18 announced the MGM collaboration as Trump announced his new candidate to the US Supreme Court U.S. Circuit Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh. While Judge Kavanaugh has stated that he regards abortion rights case Roe v. Wade as binding precedent, Kavanaugh ruled against a prominent case of a 17-year-old immigrant's request for an abortion. 

Within this reality for American women, Lot18.com thought it would be a brilliant marketing opportunity moment to offer two reds inspired by Elisabeth Moss and Alexis Bledel's characters, Offred and Ofglen and a Yvonne Strahovski character Serena Joy white.  The idea was born of an effort to sell "table wine based on one of the most tragic and disturbing shows on TV."

Darkness reigns on Lot18.com/thehandmaidstale.  The Washington Post headline by Avi Selk summed on the reaction of women to this bottom of the barrel marketing idea:'Similarly seductive:' Someone decided to brand wine after slaves from 'The Handmaid's Tale' says it all. 

Jamie Hawkesworth Captures Saoirse Ronan, Set To Play Mary Queen of Scotts, For Vogue US August 2018

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Jamie Hawkesworth Captures Saorise Ronan, Set To Play Mary Queen of Scotts, For Vogue US August 2018

Jamie Hawkesworth captures Bronx-born, Ireland-bred Saoirse Ronan for Vogue USAugust 2018 cover story. Camilla Nickerson styles Saorise, coosing looks by Prada, Miu Miu, Calvin Klein 205W39NYC, Michael Kors, Erdem and more. / Hair by Damien Boissinot; makeup Dick Page

Sally Rooney interviews Ronan, first nominated for an Academy Award at age 13 for her role in 'Atonement',  near her childhood home In Ireland, days before the national referendum that repealed its ban on abortion. The activist had actually made a video encouraging a vote to legalize abortion, a step she took with no regrets. 

“I just felt like that wasn’t important,” she says (about concerns for a backlash against her). “I know people who had to travel abroad in order to get an abortion, and that’s when I knew I would speak out.” But Ronan doesn’t engage only with policy concerns that touch her life directly. She also voiced her support in 2016 for the illegal takeover of an empty building in Dublin’s city center to accommodate the homeless; and she takes the time to recommend me Jeff Chang’s We Gon’ Be Alright, a book of essays on racial resegregation in the U.S. “I wouldn’t say I grew up politically minded,” she tells me, “but the older I get, the more in touch I am with what activists are doing—and the more I want to help them.”

Ronan will play Mary, Queen of Scots, in Josie Rourke’s biopic of the sixteenth-century monarch, out this December. Her foil is Margot Robbie, who plays Elizabeth I in 'Mary Queen of Scots', who describes Saoirse as "beyond her years".