TresSugar

Pay Attention Y'all! How to Talk Like an American

LibertySugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:45:28 -0700

Whether it's volume, content, or exaggerated vowels, you just have to overhear an American tourist while overseas to notice that Americans have a distinct way of speaking. But many Brits (mistakenly) think watching American film and television makes them trained in an American accent.

One English reporter, determined to be better than a Hollywood wannabe, decided to get top professional training from accent-coach-to-the-stars Barbara Berkeley. Berkeley, who has trained the likes of Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow, offered these simple technical steps for learning to speak like an American: Widen your mouth like you would making the "ee" sound in "weed." Smile, to place the voice towards your nasal resonator. Position your tongue further up in the mouth, rather than against the ridge behind the top teeth. And finally, let yourself go!

If you learn better by example, I've rounded up some clips of foreign actors speaking "American." Tell me, out of Hugh Laurie, Nichole Kidman, Ralph Fiennes, and Cate Blanchett, who does the best American accent? And what characteristic makes a speaker sound quintessentially American, anyway? You know?

The Amazing Cate Blanchett Plays Two Cousins

GiggleSugar — Sat, 10 May 2008 01:00:00 -0700

Some actresses can't play one character. Here's Cate Blanchett makin' everyone look bad by playing two people - a famous, rich actress and her bitter, not famous cousin who comes to visit her at her hotel during a press junket she's on. (Identical cousins again?!) Although Jim Jarmusch's Coffee and Cigarettes has a lot of great performances, this squirm-inducing scene is one of the best. Viva la Blanchett!

Girl Crush of the Day: Cate Blanchett

GiggleSugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:34:43 -0800

Is there any role this woman cannot take on? Queen Elizabeth I, an upper-crust bohemian in Notes on a Scandal, opposite personality cousins in Coffee and Cigarettes and now Bob freaking Dylan in I'm Not There?! This is a hazy clip, and only gives a glimpse of how Cate channels the Bob Dylan of Don't Look Back. I bow to your majesty, Cate!

Celebs Say The Darndest Things: Cate Blanchett

GiggleSugar — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 09:00:00 -0800

"I just don't understand women who go out with men who are younger than them -- even if they're just five years younger. It's not something I can relate to. I would understand sleeping with a 60-year-old man more."

What do you think? Giggle Girls, discuss.

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Do Tell: Who Is Your Biggest Celebrity Girl Crush?

DearSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

There's nothing wrong with having a celebrity girl crush (or two, or three). GiggleSugar has professed her love for women like Dolly Parton and Cate Blanchett, while Buzz loves Zooey Deschanel. Other frequent girl-crush targets include the adorable Reese Witherspoon and super-stylish Rachel Bilson. The commonality? Girl crushes tend to be women whose style and looks you both think are cute and covet. I have a different one every day, so tell me: Who is your current celebrity girl crush?

Dear Poll: Have You Dated Down?

DearSugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:00:00 -0800

Have you ever walked down the street and wondered why she was with him? That's the first thing I thought when I saw Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton. Sometimes couples seem to be mismatched, even celebrity couples. Of course, when you don't know their personalities, it's hard to decipher what it is that makes the individuals attracted to one another, but let me ask you this: Have you ever dated a guy that people thought wasn't attractive enough for you?

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