Pause. These People DIED — Brittany Murphy, Michael Jackson and more

Dear Pennies & Pens,

So last night I was watching Clueless for what seemed to be the millionth time when it hit me that Brittany Murphy is dead. I know that Brittany died almost five years ago in 2009 but it’s one of those things that you never really believe. I mean I saw it on the news and I saw it on social media but it wasn’t until last night that I accepted it. Brittany has an awesome movie called Love and Other Disasters and it is one of my favorite movies.

Love and Other Disasters is a romantic comedy about Brittany’s life as a fashion assistant at a fashion magazine. She falls in love with a photographer’s assistant but refuses to acknowledge her feelings because she thinks he’s gay. Through a hilarious set of situations, she eventually learns the truth but it’s awesome to watch it unfold. On the other hand, there’s her gay best friend who only has relationships in his head. The film is classic British humor at it’s best. My favorite lines?! “Trust me, Tallulah, I’ve got the best gaydar in London and that boy? Gay as a goose.” To which Tallulah responds: “Lucky fuckin geese.” Watch the film and you’ll understand this scene.

Brittany also made another film that I love called Ramen Girl. In this movie, Brittany gets dumped by her boyfriend after following him to China. She then befriends a Ramen chef and sets off on a journey to learn how to make ramen and heal from her breakup. It’s a cool movie that’s best for a rainy Saturday or a quiet night at home with a glass of wine. I’m saying all this to say, Rest in Peace, Brittany.

The next person is Michael Jackson. Michael also past away in 2009. I didn’t accept Michael’s death at first either. I was at a networking event when they announced the news but I waved it off. I swore Michael was just being dramatic and he’d be back in concert soon. But then when I got home and threw on my HIS-story DVD, I realized the truth. Michael really was gone and the only way he’d ever come back was through my speakers. Twas a sad day for music and entertainment indeed. Michael made such amazing music and shot some of the most iconic music videos ever made. Between Remember The Time, Bad, and Black and White Michael was just everything to the world of music. He was truly a gift from God and every time one of his songs or the Jackson Five plays, it still forces me to accept that he is gone.

Michael will always hold a special place in my heart for his fashion and style sense as well. I previously published a post about Michael’s style that you can check out here: Pen.Point…The King of Style by Michael Bush. The Thriller jacket, the single white glove, the hair, the purple hat from the Jackson Five photo, all of these style moments are things we can remember without actually seeing a photo. Michael’s image is just ingrained in our mind. And it’s not because of marketing and PR. Michael’s there because we want him to be. So let’s always remember and never forget. Rest in Peace, Michael.

Third on the list is another music icon, Whitney Houston. Whitney left us before turning 50 but with a bunch of iconic tunes. Then there’s The Bodyguard which is everything when it comes to romantic drama films. Whitney has so many hits, there are the obvious ones like I Will Always Love You, Run to You, I Have Nothing. But you also have Heartbreak Hotel, It’s Not Right But It’s Okay which proved that Whitney still had “it” even after years of being in the game. And lest I forget the Rogers & Hammerstein “Cinderella” film with Brandy or her last project “Sparkle” with Jordin Sparks.

I’m going to leave the negativity and drama surrounding Whitney’s career to the gossip blogs and the other sites who are that thirsty for traffic. I’ll just say that Whitney was one of the most fabulous icons ever. And we are so lucky to have had her. We all want to sing like her, look like her, and dress like her and one day someone may come close but they’ll never be her. She was one of kind, a truly unique person. I also featured Whitney in a previous book review, check that post here: Pen.Point…Whitney Houston The Voice, the Music, the Inspiration by Narada Michael Walden.

Last but not least is one of my favorite TV dads, James Avery aka Uncle Phil. Uncle Phil was the Black/African-American father that ruled 90s TV/sitcoms. With class, intelligence, and comedy James Avery was an attorney, a father, uncle, and son all while portraying the character of Uncle Phil on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He showed both America and the rest of the world that Black men care not only about their own children but children in their family. Remember Will Smith’s character was the nephew of Vivian, Uncle Phil’s wife. Instead of mistreating someone he wasn’t biologically related to, he took the child under his wing and acted as a father figure.

I can’t say much about James Avery as a person as I didn’t know him personally and never saw much news about him in the media. However, he’ll always be cherished for the work that he did. I’d like to extend my condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

And there it is. de la Pen…All Pen Everything. 

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