Celebrities have been less stupid these last few months, or maybe it's just that there's relative quiet from Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and Mel Gibson. That's why it's nice that Sharon Stone has decided to step into the breach and shoot off her mouth. Following the recent earthquake in China that killed more than sixty thousand people, Stone spoke to a reporter at Cannes about the karmic dimension of natural disaster, speculating that China may have been hit because of its policies in Tibet. Stone apologized ("In the course of the interview I made inappropriate remarks and for any harm created towards the Chinese people I am extremely sad and apologize") but Chinese officials said that they will not show her films any longer and retailers, including Christian Dior China, have started to pull advertisements featuring the actress. Is this fair? Granted that Stone was stupid, but she's been stupid before, as have plenty of other actors: what are the companies punishing, exactly?
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Well, as long as the press gives them air time,
what do you expect. Actors should stick with
acting...they have no particular insight on
matters but their ego insists they do.
cctv at 9:05AM on May 29th 2008
2. One would think that "Karma" would have better aim! To believe that Fate (or God) would punish the innocent is ridiculous!
Robert e. Quillen at 10:15AM on May 29th 2008
3. Cannes has become a bloated, overrated charade of art. Highball actors, directors and producers are using it as a platform, they debut freaking COMMERCIAL films there, now. It's now utterly worthless as a film festival in my eyes. More's the pity, it used to be one of the most respected.
As far as Stone's comment, she exhibits a characteristic that many celebrities suffer from, the symptom of which involves that they feel everyone on Earth actually care about their own personal opinions about things. She had no tact, and should have kept that karma tidbit to herself. Like any POLITE person would do.
Strados at 11:37AM on May 29th 2008
4. Evidently there is a difference between the United States and China, which I think we ought to continue to try to preserve.
When one of our egotistical celebrities shoots their mouth off and says things that are not supported by the facts or outrightly defy reliance on facts (you know concepts like religion and karma as a basis for governments to make decisions) our government can't ban their movies and appearances on MSNBC or FOX. I like it our way, even though the Chinese method of silencing the stupid keeps the rest of their people from wasting time like we do.
Jim K198 at 11:52AM on May 29th 2008
5. Generally, it is called "Manners." Seems Ms. Stone doesn't know how to act like a lady. Not only does she make stupid comments about karma and innocent people, but her filthy mouth (vocabulary) shows that she not only looks, but also sounds stupid.
Donna at 11:54AM on May 29th 2008
6. Does this sound eerily familiar to anyone else? To me it sounds a lot like Pat Robertson blaming Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans' supposed lack of moral compass or some such nonsense. Apparently only bad people die in natural disasters and God, or Karma, punishes innocent citizens for the actions of its government.
Angie Nobile at 3:53PM on May 29th 2008
7. Once again a ditzy celebrity opines on weighty matters and not surprisingly, reveals that her head might as well be filled with cotton puffs.
Dave at 4:09PM on May 29th 2008
8. It only prooves that she has more Space between her EARS than between her LEGS
Raffaele Zuccaro at 5:39PM on May 29th 2008
9. Let's face it, China's policies toward Tibet have been brutal. They're attempting to erase an entire culture. The reaction to Stone's comments seems entirely out of whack with what she said, but the Chinese are very sensitive to comments about how they are mistreating the Tibetans and they're not averse to spending covert amounts of money to shut down criticism, no matter how silly. The Chinese government does not tolerate any criticism, even from those who are not Chinese.
Chris Schultz at 7:31PM on May 29th 2008
10. You still don't get it, do you?
How would you have reacted, if a Chinese "celebrity" had stated that 9/11 was karma?
How about the recent tornados? Hurricane Katrina? Torture-murders of toddlers?
This has nothing to do with "sensitivity" over Tibet, and everything to do with the fact that thousands of children were crushed to death, and thousands of families lost their only child. Yeah, I guess that even yellow people whose eyes look funny might be deeply shaken by such an event and be rather sensitive to the suggestion that the victims did something to "deserve it."
In China, the government bans movies. In America, private corporations make the same decisions, and are less visible when they do. Are you aware of how many media outlets News Corp. owns, for example? Probably not. So when your media is doctored, you don't even know whom to blame. You have to hope that someone with a platform points it out for you, and presents the banned material. Say, but even in this "pluralistic" society Fox News is pretty successful at advancing its viewpoint, isn't it? And by the way, aren't those who object to Fox usually labeled as losers, if not terrorist lovers? My point isn't to defend China on this score, because I vehemently oppose censorship. My point is exactly the same as it was with respect to 9/11 -- we have more in common with one another than we seem to grasp.
Gigi from Chicago at 3:26AM on May 30th 2008
11. Being an Actor or other performer is a popularity contest.
If you feel comfortable enough to express yourself, be prepared to find yourself unpopular.
I get really amused at people who pretend to know how to do something on camera, running around as if they do. LOL
Scott Schenck at 10:05AM on May 30th 2008
12. I am not very fond of CHINA nor the CHINESE people! They all practice horrible human rights and animal abuses. Their country is a an POLLUTION GENERATOR! The support a government which is the worst abuser in the world!
I avoid purchasing anything which says MADE IN CHINA and don't patronize businesses who carry their crap!
We have the First Amendment in this country which gives us the right to say anything we wish. Sharon Stone expressed her opinion as any American nas every right to. The First Amendment protects unpopular speech!
Karen at 1:32PM on May 30th 2008
13. Actors think because we pay to see them on the big screen - we actually want to hear their opinions in real life - not so.
When they start to believe all the hype about themselves they become activists, vegans, political swashbucklers, and adoptive parents of 3rd world country babies.
Just becuase they might "act" the part of an intelligent, sexy, charismatic person on the big screen, doesn't mean they are one in real life.
Remember watching those dorks in the high school play and then seeing them the next week in the halls. They were great in the play - wonderful and you thought for just those few hours you watched - hey they aren't so dorky. But alas you see them come Monday - and, yea they are still just as dorky.
Stone should have asked for a script, before she thought to grow a brain.
TJ at 3:06PM on May 30th 2008
14. What an airhead. I watched this interview several times over the weekend and it never improved. Dumber than a box of rocks.
IRONBLUEEYES at 7:39PM on May 30th 2008
15. Speaking of Tibet....
Years ago Brad Pitt made the totally forgettable flick "Seven Years in Tibet" and was asked his opinion on the Tibetan/Chinese situation.
Mr. Pitt said (paraphrasing): I'm an actor and my opinion on this issue is totally irrelevent.
I only wish more celebrities would follow suit.
robin reizner at 8:42PM on May 30th 2008