Dev Patel Hates Watching Himself Onscreen. The Slumdog’s got a self-conscious side. Actor Dev Patel, who plays brown blogger Neal Sampat on HBO’s The Newsroom (Season 2, which promises lots of Occupy Wall Street coverage, began on July 14th), would skip viewing himself on the acclaimed drama if it wasn’t for his devoted girlfriend and die-hard fan, Freida Pinto, who “force-feeds” him episodes instead. Gag. [Us Weekly]
Huma Abedin Gets ‘Othered.’ When the slimiest thing about an Anthony Weiner profile isn’t the sexting ex-congressman himself, there’s a problem. New York Magazine reporter, Mark Jacobson, sings sugary praises for Weiner’s exceedingly photogenic and politically savvy wife, Huma Abedin, even comparing her to the Taj Mahal in one clumsy paragraph. Kudos to The Atlantic’s Heather Horn for heading the Internet Outrage Machine and admonishing Jacobson’s eds for this gross oversight. [The Atlantic]
Forever 21 In India — Again. In an attempt to attract the Subcontinent’s young consumers, American retailer Forever 21 (who tried to woo the Indian market unsuccessfully in 2011) is poised for a comeback, promises the company’s CEO, Do Won Chang. Which begs the question — how does the burgeoning Hindu right feel about skinny jeans? [Live Mint]
Their Big Fat Desi Lesbian Wedding. Days before the Supreme Court overturned DOMA, Los Angeles-based couple, Shannon and Seema, celebrated their nuptials with multicultural flair in a stunning outdoor ceremony — mandap and all! Photog Steph Grant captured the groundbreaking affair; thanks to Queerty for sharing the wealth. [Steph Grant Photography]
A (FREE!) Red Baraat Concert in San Francisco. The grand-masters of dhol and brass, who’ve brought their pulsating drum beats everywhere from Google’s headquarters to the White House (rumor has it that even former veep, Al Stiff-As-Cardboard Gore, cut a rug), will perform at the Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco on July 21. [KQED]
Aarti Virani is an arts and culture writer based in Hoboken, New Jersey. She has written for publications including Vogue India, The Wall Street Journal and Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter at @aartivirani.
