Caitlyn Jenner is preparing for her red carpet debut tomorrow, Wednesday July 15, when she accepts the Arthur Ashe award at the ESPYs. The show will air on ABC at 8pm. An insider tells Hollywood Life that Caitlyn will go all out with “a full on beauty assault that will go on from now until the minute she steps onto that red carpet.” Given how well put together and glamorous she looked during her recent trip to NY City, I have no doubt this is true.
The woman responsible for choosing Caitlyn to receive the Ashe Award spoke to Sports Illustrated about her choice. Maura Mandt told SI that Caitlyn demonstrated enormous courage by coming out. She added that she hopes that by giving Caitlyn a little more of a platform that they’re able to increase understanding of transgender issues:
I think Caitlyn’s decision to publicly come out as a transgender woman and live as Caitlyn Jenner displayed enormous courage and self-acceptance. Bruce Jenner could have easily gone off into the sunset as this American hero and never have dealt with this publicly. Doing so took enormous courage. He was one of the greatest athletes of our time. That is what the Arthur Ashe Courage Award is about, somebody from the athletic community who has done something that transcends sport. One of the biggest platforms the Arthur Ashe Foundation has is educational, and I think in this choice we have the opportunity to educate people about this issue and hopefully change and possibly save some lives. I think that is why it was the right choice.
There’s much more in that article, including Brandt’s assertion that there was never a runner-up or other finalist for the award, as was widely reported. She said “There are no finalists or people that vote on it. That has never been the case.”
I’m kind of excited to see Caitlyn tomorrow night at the ESPYs. In the meantime she has a new essay on her website in which she answers questions about coming out as transgender and what she’s learned. She shared small victories, like being able to pack for the first time as herself, and said that her experience coming out has been “incredibly positive” and that she’s “met so many accepting people.”
Caitlyn stepped out for sushi with her daughter, Kendall, over the weekend. She wore a wraparound black top and a striped shirt. In a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Laverne Cox and designer Andre Leon Talley were asked what they thought about Caitlyn’s style. Cox said that Caitlyn “looks great” and “recently wore Leger—I wear Leger a lot.” Talley summed up Caitlyn style “she looks like the perfect wealthy, affluent white woman who’s privileged.”
You’ve probably already seen these photos from Caitlyn’s visit to NY a couple of weeks ago.
Photo credit: FameFlynet
I’m happy for her, at the same time I can’t help but wondering if maybe her transitioning has been so well-received because she’s a public figure, a National sport hero with several powerful connections.
Maybe I am wrong, but I am not sure the general audience would have been that sympathetic with a John Doe from a middle-class environment with a “regular” job and family.
I don’t know, I would like to know what’ s your opinion about this..
Also, let’s not forget that she managed to escape the hellish nightmare that is the K-Klan.. and for that alone I guess people are super-supportive of her 🙂
I think it goes both ways. On one side she probably gets so much support because she’s a public figure etc. bot on the other side the amount of hate she receives is also much bigger.
A national sport hero is supposed to manly and a good example for the children so how dare s/he want to be a woman.
Yes, I think also her coming out was much easier than the John/Jane Doe from the middle class. How many times have we read about a transgender (male to female or female to male) has committed suicide or has been beaten up? What I don’t get, why wasn’t Chaz Bono praised as being courageous when he came out. Also, read that she will not walk the red carpet, but don’t believe that one.
I think Andre Leon Talley was agreeing with all of you guys when he said “she looks like the perfect, wealthy, affluent white woman who’s privileged.”
every time these accolades are laid at Caitlynn’s feet, i wonder about Chaz Bono.
YES! Very good point guys! I remembered there was a relatively recent case of a celebrity transitioning but I couldn’t quite put my finger on who it was..
Obviously Chaz Bono isn’t as glamorous and high-profile as Caytlin, so it doesn’t count as a brave move. (side-eye).
Wow, yeah, I completely forgot about that.
Caitlyn is pretty, rich, thin, and dresses nicely, everything older white rich ladies do.
Chaz has been endlessly mocked.
Said the same thing above. Not a lot of hoopla when Chaz did it.
I don’t think the reaction to Chaz has anything to do with him not being glamorous, thin high profile or anything like that. It’s more to do with him being the first Celebrity/child of a celebrity to come out as transgender.
Look how Ellen was treated when she came out the media and public chewed her up and spit her out. She was fired from her show and the amount of hate she received was crazy. Then when the next celebrity came out as being gay both the media and public was more accepting of it and was praised them for coming out.
His mother, Cher, did not endorse her daughter’s transition. Chaz was left to forge on without parental support. Cher, eventually and begrudgingly (IMO) endorsed his lifestyle change. Totally different from the Bruce Jenner/Caitlyn PR controlled transition.
There is a significant difference in how people view Caitlyn, based on that person’s age. Interestingly, those who remember Bruce Jenner –long before he had any association with the Kardashian clan– as a kind, incredibly hard working and publicly gracious world class athlete, are embracing of his transition. Younger folks who know him only as Kris Kardashian’s p-whipped husband, are far more critical. Kris may have helped revamped his career and helped him pad his bank accounts, but the Kardashian brand really hurt the Jenner brand.
One thing I’m enjoying is seeing Caitlyn return to the persona –albeit now in a different gender– that she was for many, many years before getting caught up in Kris’ superficial obsession with getting rich and staying relevant, no matter how disgusting some of her strategies to accomplish this for herself and her children were. I hope that Caitlyn can also pull her kids out from under the warped value system that is Kardashian.
Mmmm I’m sorry Tracy but I think you’re giving Caitlyn way too much credit. From what we’ve seen so far Caitlyn is not that different from the Kardashian women. In fact she seems to have taken many chapters out of their book. She seems to have the same goals: money and fame at all cost. You don’t think Caitlyn has the Kardashian style superficial obsession? Well last week I read a story on the Daily Fail where Caitlyn had no less than 3 costume changes in one day so she can do various pap walks. If that’s not superficial I don’t what is.
Disagree. I remember very well when Bruce Jenner won the decathlon. I also remember that he was a horrible husband and father to his first two wives and four children, and it doesn’t seem like he was any better when he married again. He wouldn’t have married Kris Kardashian if he didn’t go along with and support, at least in part, her “values” and lifestyle.
Caitlyn is the same person inside as Bruce was. I doubt she has suddenly become worthy of being a role model to anybody. Instead she’s embracing the stereotype of being a woman…plastic surgery, too much makeup, short tight skirts…and she gets an un-reality show on top of it. How about a show on transgender people who live regular lives and actually ARE good people?
“she looks like the perfect wealthy, affluent white woman who’s privileged.” did seem kind of sSammy…
On the bright side, seeing such public support could make it easier for your average Jane or John doe in the future?
I’m so excited to see her kill it on the red carpet at the ESPYs. Can we just take a second to soak up what a crazily amazing moment that will be? Former Olympic champion and beacon of brute masculinity turned transgender woman sashays onto the red carpet and slays everyone with her beauty at the freakin’ ESPYs. F*ck yeah!
Supposedly, Jenner is not walking the red carpet. Why does Caitlyn need to be considered beautiful? Everyone keeps commenting on how beautiful Caitlyn is as if this is the most important thing in the world. She looks fine (except for the mini skirts showing those knobby knees), but I don’t find her beautiful at all. I also don’t think Jenner deserves this award but that’s a whole other thing.
My comment was more about how cool I think it is that Caitlyn’s first official event as a glamorous lady will be the ESPYs– an award show hosted by a sports network that’s pretty heavily associated with men and masculinity. I think it’s pretty symbolic, and that’s what I was getting at. I didn’t mean to insinuate that the only value she has is her beauty. She actually looks pretty ‘toxed to me, but like you said that’s not the most important thing in the world.
Andre Leon Talley wears only the best from the local tent and awning store. He needs to stfu regarding fashion forever.
ALT, roll up those caftan sleeves and get to work! Book Caitlyn Jenner for a Vogue cover and show her the wonders of true couture.
Blind us with gorgeous, ALT. Show us Caitlyn at 110%.
Hey, now. He’s freaking awesome.
how anyone can slate ALT is beyond me.
I love that blue dress on Caitlyn, it really favors her.
I have read this a few places, no red carpet
“On Friday an event organizer confirmed: “Caitlyn will not walk the red carpet and is not doing any media at all. She will be there to accept her award.”
When asked to confirm whether she would be doing an interview with ESPN, the PR rep added: “No.”
Unless you have remarkably youthful fabulous legs (Christie Brinkley), at a certain age, mini skirts do not work. That’s just my opinion.
+1. The skirt length is a little Beverly Hills realtor.
Otherwise, Caitlyn Jenner dresses appropriately for who she is. It’s fabulous to see colors other than black/white on a Kardashian/Jenner.
I agree. Caitlyn is a 65 year old woman and looks it. Knees don’t lie.
I am glad that she is getting the positive reception to her transition she is. How far we have come as a country on this matter is amazing, and I willingly give her credit for helping to accelerate that. I am hopeful it will translate to others and be a force of positive change. Having affirmed that, Im still pissy about the E! network show and wish she had done something with more gravitas than I fear we will see. Totally believe the Jenner kids are right on this one….
+1. At the end of the day, Caitlyn is just another Kardashian fameball. I really wish their entire circus tent would fold up and they’d ALL go away.
You are so right. He needs to go away. There are many people who do not support this Bruce Jenner ridiculousness.
Caitlyn Jenner is so beautiful!!!
Hey Caitlin, you’ve got a minor child you might want to worry about for a second, here and there. Oh, no, too busy with yourself, as usual. Carry on.
Great, but there’s no doubt this would not be true were she not someone with her fame and wealth. There’s much of her “journey” that simply doesn’t ring true to the majority of folks on the same path.
Great for her and her journey. Wish I could say the same about her parenting skills.
Ok, it’s cool and all, but hasn’t she been given enough attention as it is? What is next?
Walking around in random Kardashian-discard-dresses is an accomplishment and a valid reason for admiration? She is like 70 years old. What else is there?
Jenner has transitioned into a female Kardashian. It’s all been publicity and image. Jenner looks okay. What else is there really to talk about except the endless appearances and the clothes and makeup. Shallow is as shallow does.
That everyone is laudatory? Jenner is a high profile celebrity and Hollywood can make a profit off it.
I think she looks great in stills, but I saw video of her for the first time last night in some promo…
…and EGAD she scared me. the entire upper portion of her face DOES NOT MOVE. only her mouth does…it was like she was wearing a mask on part of her face. when she spoke, the bf and I both went “aaahhhhgggggg!” at the same time.
She doesn’t deserve this award. It should have went to Lauren Hill. Bruce has not been considered an athlete for decades.