What makes a star? Is it the ability to impress drag queens with painted-on eyebrows and a rendition of “La Vie En Rose”? Is it one’s twerking ability or sex appeal? Is it that certain je ne sais quoi factor? Or is it a singer’s ability to traverse those emotionally raw places and return with something genuine to say?
As we approach the 91st Academy Awards ceremony, Entertainment Weekly partnered with The Take to bring you a series of videos diving into the awards contenders, starting with A Star Is Born, which has a hot take on that central question posed earlier.
The characters may change, but the story remains. This time, as Bradley Cooper directs himself and Lady Gaga in the latest remake of A Star Is Born, Gaga portrays Ally, an aspiring singer-songwriter getting by as a waitress. One night, as she performs “La Vie En Rose” at a local drag queen bar, she finds famous country star Jackson Maine (Cooper) sitting in her audience. The moment compels Jackson to learn more about Ally and eventually put her on stage.
Why did you do that, do that, do that, do that, do that Bradleeey? It goes to the deeper exploration of what it means to be a true artist, as outlined in the video above. A true star is hard to come by.
With a cast that also includes Sam Elliott, Dave Chappelle, Anthony Ramos, and even RuPaul’s Drag Race alums Shangela and Willam, A Star Is Born scooped up eight Oscar nominations, so this core discussion certainly resonates with audiences.
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