Rachel McAdams - Rachel News/Appearances #4

**Periwinkles** · 04-16-2006, 12:52 PM

This is the place to catch up on all the latest news of Rachel's.

**Periwinkles** · 04-17-2006, 06:24 AM

From FOX News, a small mention of Rachel:

Quote:

Who Will Be America's Next Sweetheart?
Sunday, April 09, 2006
By Sara Bonisteel
PHOTOS
STORIES ARCHIVE BACKGROUND

Now that Julia Roberts is on Broadway and Reese Witherspoon has won her Oscar, there's a new guard champing at the bit to become America's next sweetheart.

Rachel McAdams and Amanda Bynes are among Hollywood's contenders for a title redefined through the decades by starlets like Shirley Temple, Doris Day, Sally Field and Meg Ryan.

"The whole definition of what constitutes America's Sweetheart is a really complex one and different from what constitutes a Tiger Beat teeny-bopper sex symbol for males," said Robert Thompson, a professor of popular culture at Syracuse University.

James Robert Parish, a Hollywood historian and author of "Fiascos: A History of Hollywood's Iconic Flops," says that the actresses who have historically been labeled sweethearts "project not only sweetness but vulnerability, which is very important because then people can relate and don't feel threatened.

"Not only do you need to be a beautiful, wholesome American, but you need one or two defining roles that put you into that category where people say 'Oh, whenever I go to see a Julia Stiles picture I know it's going to be this romantic comedy and it's not going to be threatening that my husband or boyfriend is going to want to run off with her and forget about me,'" Parish said.

The current queen of sweetness is Witherspoon, 29, whose Southern charm and comedic timing won her praise in movies such as "Election," "Legally Blonde" and "Sweet Home Alabama."

Witherspoon took such fare to the next level with her Oscar-winning performance as June Carter Cash in "Walk the Line," and in March, she reportedly surpassed Roberts to become the highest-paid actress in Hollywood, earning $29 million for the 2007 horror film "Our Family Trouble."

Delaina Dixon, a staff writer at OK! Magazine, says Witherspoon is "stepping into Julia's role with the Oscar."

But behind Witherspoon is a pack of beautiful actresses clamoring for the attention. Dixon thinks 29-year-old McAdams (who was actually raised in Ontario) and Bynes, the WB's 20-year-old "What I Like About You" star, are definitely women to watch.

"McAdams is interesting in the sense that she doesn't follow the Hollywood rule of being in the spotlight all the time," Dixon said. "It's really all about the work."

McAdams starred in the highly successful comedies "Wedding Crashers" and "Mean Girls" and the sleeper hit "The Notebook."
As for Bynes, "she's fun and down to earth," Dixon said. "I think a lot of people enjoy watching her." Bynes' current flick, "She's the Man," garnered mixed reviews.

Smokey Fontaine, the editor in chief of Giant magazine, points to women like Bryce Dallas Howard, who will star in "Spider-Man 3," Michelle Monaghan, who will star in "Mission: Impossible 3," Kate Bosworth, who will star in "Superman Returns" as the American actresses to watch this year.

"It's interesting for a lot of these young actresses to be in these big Hollywood blockbuster summer movies," Fontaine said. "If you do well and you kind of steal a couple scenes, your name recognition will go through the roof and it can really set you up in a good way."

And like Bynes, who got her start on Nickelodeon, the new guard doesn't necessarily have to begin their careers on the big screen. They do need, however, need to have a sense of comedic timing.

"When they can do a comedy, you think of them being nice if they can make fun of themselves," Dixon said.

There comes a time, though, when America's Sweetheart outgrows the label.

Roberts seemed to give away her fears of the future when she played a movie star in the 1999 film "Notting Hill" and delivered the line: "One day, not long from now, my looks will go. They will discover I can't act, and I will become some sad middle-aged woman who looks a bit like someone who was famous for a while."

For Roberts, who won her Academy Award for "Erin Brokovich," starring in a Broadway production is another attempt to broaden her artistic resume. "Even Julia did fluffy movies at the beginning," Dixon said. "Now she can afford to do Broadway."

Some, however, say Roberts is starring on Broadway to step into the next phase of her career, as the dearth of gritty Hollywood roles for women in their 40s ultimately removes them from the Sweetheart spotlight.

"By that point both their physical look and newer people coming up demand that they sort of mature into other roles," Parish said, adding that Hollywood doesn't "write roles for mature actresses."

Parish said being America's Sweetheart might hurt a "serious" actress' artistic integrity, even if it's only for a few years.

But when you're paid $29 million a picture, even the most devoted thespian is usually willing to suffer for her art.

NZOCFan · 04-18-2006, 04:14 AM

Thanks for posting that. I kinda think of the Hollywood sweetheart tag..is just, something I don't care too much of.

**Periwinkles** · 04-18-2006, 07:04 PM

To some extent I find the title cute and we get a sense that they're so approachable, but I can see how labels can hinder a career too. Still, Rachel has chosen a variety of roles, that I don't see her getting stuck with a label.

-CrazyBeautiful- · 04-18-2006, 10:47 PM

I like Rachel and Amanda, but I think Rachel is more of a sweetheart

NZOCFan · 04-23-2006, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Hollywood meets St. Thomas
Homegrown movie star among those to be honoured by city award

Saturday April 22, 2006

By Times-Journal Staff
While their interests range from athletics to music and from fundraising to volunteering their time, this year’s recipients of St. Thomas’s civic awards have one thing in common -- their impact on the community.
At the 33rd Honours and Awards Banquet for civic recognition, to be held April 27 at the St. Thomas-Elgin Memorial Centre auditorium, 23 community-minded individuals will be recognized for their various contributions to St. Thomas.
“It’s a very special evening,” said Dianne Morgan, manager of Culture and Recreation for the City of St. Thomas. “Every year it’s very special because it’s the individuals that are recognized that make it so special.”
Among those to be honoured at the ceremony include movie star Rachel McAdams, for her contribution to culture, Bill Horne, for his long-time commitment to baseball, and Carol Beechey and John Millard, for volunteering their musical talents to the community.
“Pretty much any time they’re (Beechey and Millard) called upon, they volunteer their time out of the goodness of their hearts,” said Morgan. “They’re pretty amazing.”
Beechey and Millard have given their time to Terry Fox, the Iron Horse Festival and M&M Meats charity barbecue, among many other events.
And while Horne deserves recognition for bringing home the Canadian Senior Men’s fastball championship in August, Morgan said his involvement in athletics extends far beyond the recent win. “He’s been involved in baseball from the minors right up to that spectacular senior men’s win last year,” said Morgan. “He’s committed to the community and bring sports events to St. Thomas. He’s a hard worker and a great guy.”
This year’s recipients were nominated by members of the community, with approval by a city committee.
The awards ceremony, which will be MC’ed by BX93’s Chris Harding, includes a full buffet dinner, starting at 6 p.m., with entertainment by Sarah Westbrook.
Tickets are available through the city’s Recreation Services weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Credit

**Periwinkles** · 04-23-2006, 06:35 AM

Congratulations to Rachel! That's an incredible honour.

**Periwinkles** · 04-24-2006, 01:26 PM

Some great news, Rachel was nominated for MTV Movie Award again this year!

Best Performance:

Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line
Jake Gyllenhaal, Brokeback Mountain
Rachel McAdams, Red Eye
Steve Carell, The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Terrence Howard, Hustle & Flow
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line

Wedding Crashers is up for Best Movie, and Cillian Murhpy and Isla Fisher are also nomianted.

So vote for Rachel and your other favorites to win.