Everything That Upset the Internet This Week

What is the web-o-sphere angry about this week? The relationship between a comedian and pop princess, a Harry Potter casting choice and a Kardashian sister who could be working undercover for the dairy industry. Here’s everything you need to know.

Pete Davidson says some weird things about Ariana Grande

THE STORY: During a radio interview with Howard Stern, SNL cast-member Pete Davidson made a series of comments and jokes about his fiancé, Ariana Grande, that have people asking questions. For starters, he said he’s “never been prouder” than when he watched former U.S. President Bill Clinton seemingly “eyeing” Grande at Aretha Franklin’s funeral last month. And, later in the interview when asked about how he deals with his fiancé being objectified by men on the regular, he said: “I get it. I was jerking off to her before I met her! I’ve been in the other shoes. Who knew I was practicing this whole time [for our relationship.]?”

And wait! That’s not all. In another interview sound bit that the media quickly picked up on, Davidson appears to express sympathy Bishop Charles E. Ellis III, who was accused of inappropriately touching Grande during a live television broadcast. “Shitty situation…” he said, “I feel bad for that guy.”

THE REACTION:

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RAGE: Man, Ariana Grande has had a rough year. Shortly after Davidson’s interview went viral, Grande tweeted a string of emotional messages, including: “can i pls have one okay day. just one. pls.” and “ty for loving me sm i do not deserve it.”

Is she addressing her fan’s Davidson backlash? We don’t know—and it’s probably not our business. What we do know is that Davidson is a brutally honest dude whose made a career out making uncomfortable, often-inappropriate jokes. I think Grande probably knew that before accepting his proposal. We also know that a lot these quotes were taken pretty out of context. For example, here’s everything Davidson said about the whole bishop situation: “It’s not cool and I feel really bad. We both don’t think that was intentional. He’s a really tall guy, she’s very little. He was trying to be funny. He did a stupid joke, he’s a pastor. He did a shitty joke, broadcast it on TV. Shitty situation…I feel bad for that guy.”

An Asian actress Claudia Kim plays Nagini in Fantastic Beasts

THE STORY: The final trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald, the latest film from J.K Rowling’s extended Harry Potter universe, revealed that the character played by Claudia Kim is actually Nagini, a cursed woman who eventually transforms into Voldemort’s killer snake later in the Harry Potter series.

THE REACTION:

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RAGE: Since The Philosopher’s Stone, there problem with diversity and racial stereotyping in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. And in recent years, as the wizarding world continues to hold a powerful place in popular culture, it feels like the author has made attempts to rectify her lack of representation. (For example, a black actress was cast to play Hermione in the stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a decision that was both praised and criticized.)

It appears that this backtracked diversity is exactly what has been done with Nagini. The criticism that casting an Asian actress as a pet snake feeds into the fetishisation of East Asian women is valid. But on the flip side, writer Biba Kang points out that “had a Caucasian actor been cast in the role, you could imagine that journalists like me would be writing censorious pieces about white-washing and the cultural appropriation of Asian mythology.” She then points out the backlash against Tilda Swinton playing the Ancient One in Marvel’s Doctor Strange, despite the director’s argument that using an Asian actor would contribute to a racist stereotype. 

Here’s what Rowling has to say about all of it: “The Naga are snake-like mythical creatures of Indonesian mythology, hence the name Nagini” and “Indonesia comprises a few hundred ethnic groups, including Javanese, Chinese and Betawi.” Is that a mic drop? Hard to say. I’m most interested in hearing from Claudia Kim, the actress who plays Nakini in the film, and who seems very excited about her role in the franchise.

There’s a Kylie Jenner cereal conspiracy

THE STORY: Kylie Jenner, Realizer of Things™, has come to a revelation. On September 18, 2018, Kylie Jenner tweeted: “last night i had cereal with milk for the first time. life changing.” At this point, the Internet pretty much lost it, and Jenner clarified: “i always liked my cereal dry i never bothered to put milk.” (Kris Jenner later confirmed this key information about her daughter to E! News, saying she’s to blame for Kylie’s strange habit: “It’s all my fault. Guilty as charged. I let the kid eat dry cereal and I think it just kind of stuck with her.”)

THE REACTION:

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RAGE: She’s a liar AND she’s working undercover for the diary industry?! There’s a lot of garbage going on in the world right, and I really don’t think there’s anything wrong creating an unlikely celebrity conspiracy theory to distract from the madness. Oh, and Kylie, if you’re reading this, you owe us the truth!!!

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