Tuesday 7 January 2014

Nigella Lawson Definitely has Good Taste

Nigella was on the telly tonight in the U.K.!
Looking fabulous Via
She is starring on a new show called Taste on Channel 4.
Via 
It got off to a debatable start but I will be watching this season not only because of her but also because I find Anthony Bourdain incredibly charming.

Golly gosh, didn't she end the year with a bang?
Via

Via
I don't know her but can safely say 2013 was her annus horribilus.

Nigella ( click on link for an old but in-depth article )
is one of the few people in the media that is...
I can't seem to find the proper word.
Likeable is too pedestrian.
Endearing is almost patronizing.
Via
She is a modern emblem of a beauty born with 
brains and privilege that seems to have come straight out of 
Greek tragedy casting.


And because of this perhaps she is one of the few characters that is liked by all classes of society which is no mean feat.

The working class empathize with the fateful unfortunate events that equalize all humans; 
death of mother, sister, and husband at a young age.
The middle classes want to be just like her; looks, brains, seeming lack of effort in everything Nigella does.
And the snobs have no choice but to like her 
because she was born to privilege and power and 
doesn't want to necessarily better herself.

I was a fan of hers before her cooking show and became "Nigella".
I will never forget when I first came across her 
on British telly in the 90's.
She used to be a contributor on a show called Newsnight Review 
on the BBC where several people give their critique 
on everything from the ballet to a movie.

I couldn't quite get over the combination of her looks 
and the superb, articulate expression of her views on a matter.

I have seen her about town but the one encounter
I remember most vividly was more than a decade ago.  
I was next to her at a makeup counter in Harvey Nics. She was with her two children who were then little and acting like one would expect young children to act in a department store. 
She looked lovely but so tired and worried.
Her then husband was still alive.  I also followed her 
then husband Jon Diamond's (2 different links about him
weekly column in the Sunday Times 
when he was going through his illness.

Via
She may not have been "Nigella" as we now know her but the savvy workforce at Harvey Nics knew who she was.
 She pleaded with her children to stay still so she could choose a lipstick.  In the end, the ladies behind the makeup counters helped babysit while Nigella was able to momentarily forget her worries 
by choosing a lipstick color.  
It was a powerful moment that stays with me to this day.

But there was something that disturbed me about the tone of the journalists covering the dissolution of her marriage to Charles Saatchi.  I think most of us did which is why there wasn't the backlash that Saatchi expected and hoped for.

It was the reverse finger pointing that one reserves for the underclass on shows like Jerry Springer and Jeremy Kyle.

A picture of an article in the Sunday Times I took with my iPad
It was as if the journos thought everyone still naively thought that gilded lives automatically meant a get out of jail pass for life.
I don't know who they were pandering to.

As if we all still believed in fairy tales.
Via

But Princess Diana was the hangover cure for any 
Disney princess syndrome.
Via

I don't wish to make Nigella a poster child for martyrdom and
 the poor little rich girl either.


 Charles Saatchi may have engineered the masses to vote for someone whom he apparently didn't even like and elected 
Margaret Thatcher the first female prime minister of the U.K. but 
he couldn't quite sway the hoi polloi to his camp.
A great majority stayed as we postmodernly put it...

#teamnigella

48 comments:

  1. You are such a great writer, Naomi, and have hit the nail on the head.
    She is also criminally sexy, and made butter, sugar and cream sexy too.
    What is not to like?

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    1. I love how even men who normally go for waifs come under spell!

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  2. I liked some of her earlier cooking shows which I thought were beautifully filmed.

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    1. Nigellissima wasnt her best for sure! My fave was Nigella express - had useful tips.

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  3. I have loved Nigella for years as well! I am hoping that 2014 is her year as well!

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  4. Gosh she is stunning isn't she. I can't think of anyone else who has that combination of beauty and writing wit and a fabulous figure. I have yet to see her cooking show! (That photo of her and John Diamond looks so different of her doesn't it?) I remember following her in the Evening Standard and just been wowed by her writing and her picture byline.

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  5. Nigella is my BFF, well imaginary at least! Very well written and thanks for sharing your moment next to her at the lipstick counter.
    I didn't follow every bit of the story but to me Saatchi came off as a big weirdo and an undesirable husband, pretty sure that wasn't the effect he was after. Yes teamNigella!

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  6. Totally Team Nigella. She didn't deserve the treatment she got in court.

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    1. Yes @PD Meg - TeamNigella. I think Saatchi should have just stayed quiet and at least the doubt would have curried him some support.

      @DaniBP - Saatchi is and was very powerful in many areans - art, politics so it is amazing he didn't completely annihilate her. Who knows what his aim was but it certainly didn't work.

      @ALW - she is stunning - I don't care if she has had work. Yes I remember her column there too. I do wish she would do other types of jounrnalism again because she has lots to offer.

      @Wendy - I wish her well.

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  7. Naomi-Happy New Year!! I'm just catching up on all the fun posts (loved your last one with the country getaway!). I've been a big fan of Nigella's for years. She made food so sexy somehow. Always ending her show with a little bite at night with a gorgeous silky thing on. We understand her losses and root for her in the difficulties. Loved this post and your story of her impression on you at the lipstick counter.
    #teamNigella #teamNaomi
    xx, Heather

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    1. Hi Heather! Yes I adore her but also because it seems like she has been a constant. I think she eats like that in normal life as well! Though she does so pilates now. She doesn't ever pretend to be perfect. #TeamHeather xx

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  8. I have loved watching her cooking show. She is a lovely looking woman and I have been saddened to read all the negative comments that have surrounded her lately in the news.
    Shopping with toddlers is always a juggling act, aren't the sales clerks who help entertain them while you shop brilliant?

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    1. Harvey Nics back then was at the top of their game. I think everyone knew that her then husband was ill as well so it was her way of just catching a moment. It really was quite powerful.

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  9. I am just learning about Nigella through one of her cookbooks. I did see the photo of her "husband" with his hands on her throat. No way he gets excused from that regardless. Nice to read a bit about her life separate from the cooking.

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    1. Yes he did say they were joking around?? I do feel sorry for the new woman he is dating. But interesting thing is Mary that it seems her life and its events has become part of her persona!

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  10. Fantastic post, Naomi, bravo! I am also in #teamNigella. I have been a fan for ages and won't stop now. I got hooked when I started watching her "Forever Summer" TV series. Charles Saatchi came off as a mean-spirited bully during the whole court proceedings.

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  11. Hi Naomi, Great post and so well written. I can just imagine the scene at the cosmetic counter with the kids. She was having a Mom-Moment like all the rest of us. Also a fan, I am saddened to hear about her struggles. Hopefully she is resilient and be able to move on and find happiness.

    leslie

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  12. I have always adored her cooking shows and her way about herself. So endearing. She inspired me to learn to cook well. I am totally in her camp and hopefully she will come through this and be better for it.
    Love her! xKim

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    1. @kim she has a way of making things look so easy without treating us like numbbskulls. I hope she has a restorative year and of course will have no problem finding the next lucky man! xx

      @Leslie - I felt so sad that she couldn't entertain properly - the natural host herself! I think that is why she always had that scene of people coming around. It's good for her to know that she hasn't been completely mauled but has a lot of support from her fans.

      @Louise - I won't stop either. Those tidbits didn't surprise me nor put me off. Saatchi will be regretting this badly and probably will never get over her!

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  13. I have discovered Nigella only recently (I would say about 5 years ago). I love so many things about her, but one thing I really do love is that she represents for me the image of a woman. I have read many controversial articles about her weight and appearance, but I find her beautiful. I only have one of her book (XMas) and I love the simplicity of her cooking. I hope she will get over the end of 2013 and rise over all this.

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    1. Yes - she is just so special and yet so normal all at the same time. She is stunning which doesn't hurt. Who says women get jealous of other women's looks? Most people seem to appreciate her beauty!

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  14. I love Nigella, and have a even more love for her since vile Saatchi and the cocaine issues. Who hasn't indulged a bit, heh? The levels of hypocrisy and nastiness are horrifying.
    I love your brief meeting with Nigella in Harvey Nics. I remember reading john diamond's blog.... So sad.

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    1. It was ridiculous when the London journos were trying to cause sensational headlines about "middle class" drug taking and were considering prosecuting but if they did that - there would be a huge backlog!! Jon Diamond's column was heartbreaking...

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  15. I am glad Nigella has survived the Saatchi onslaught. Slightly troubling is why she was ever with him.

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  16. I love Nigella, she's so clever, I used to love reading her beauty column years ago, it was one of the few worth reading, I wasn't that surprised at her lack of housewifery as whenever I used to see her she was always a mess, she's natural slattern but doesn't hide it.

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    1. @Tabs - yes she sure is and I loved hearing her opinions on newsnight - I wish she would be on the panel still... Yes she really doesn't care when she walks about town for sure but it's lovely people are always so respectful of her.

      @silkannthreades - me too! I was a bit fearful of his power but men like that can also be so charming and irresistible when they feel like...

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  17. Nigella is great.Years and years ago, she had a cookery column in Vogue and it too was very entertaining.It coincided with the time when I had to start cooking and I enjoyed reading it so much.She hasn't been harmed at all by the revelations, it seems, and hurrah for that.The hypocrisy of journalists is truly breathtaking at times...

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  18. Great written post, I love Nigella! xo Caroline

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  19. Great, thoughtful, well-articulated post. Perfectly fitting!

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  20. @Sue - Yes I remember that as well re Vogue. She even writes well...The journos were very much "reaching" weren't they??

    @Caroline - ta xx

    @Philippa - thank you! :)

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  21. I just really know nothing about her except she's a very gorgeous woman who had an asshole for a husband.

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  22. They have been having a field day with Nigella in the U.S. press over this business of her being quite fond of cocaine. My jury is still out on her, to tell you the truth but this post may sway me to her side. Also: I take exception to the journalist who wrote "Happiness is not a bag called Hermes." This was clearly written by someone who doesn't own one. Ha. XO, Jill

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    1. Touche Jill re Hermes! If they got everyone who did cocaine in London - there would be a huge backlog!! xx

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  23. aaaah I had a little inkling you would do a post on this bombshell. I haven't really followed her life, nor her recipes, in fact I took very little notice of her until she was forever on my TV screen when watching the news recently, not because I don't like her, she just never grabbed my attention. I think she's come out of it all okay though, hasn't she? From what little I've been spoon fed by the journalists about her I wish her continued success.

    Have to agree with Jill's comment above about the Hermes - I've been a happier bunny just with my Hulme and Hindmarch pieces!! xx

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  24. Mhh I don't know her so maby I should watch more British TV :-)
    xoxo

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  25. @Colleen - I thought I would wait because when one does things in the heat of the moment it can come off all wrong. You and Jill are too funny! But I even know people who don't like her...xx

    @Gloria - I think she is definitely an Anglo-speaking star and isn't really a "world" star yet so I understand you don't know her bc neither does my mother. xx

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  26. I love her. You'll never hear me say a word against her. So what if she's indulged in a little cocaine. Makes her human.

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    1. If they tried to prosecute everyone who did drugs in London then the city would be empty...The accusaotry drug headlines was almost hilarious!

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  27. Love her. Can't wait to witness her next triumph now that she's no longer saddled with an abusive git.

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  28. I've never heard about her ! Interesting !

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    1. I suppose she just hasn't made it big in Europe - she has a casual cooking style which probably wouldn't translate in mainland Europe.

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  29. I don't think people who do drugs that are celebs really has as much shock value these days. Saatchi probably missed that. Nigella never appeared to be a squeaky clean personality - she's had a few knocks around the edges, and all her innuendo with the cooking show doesn't exactly portray her as being some sort of pillar. At any rate, her shows are entertaining, and her recipes work. Saatchi has put himself into an ugly position by airing the dirty laundry, not supporting her against the accusations made by the women he accused of theft, and essentially trying to use the whole thing to point score and ruin her. I'm glad the public have largely been behind her. xx

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    1. I know! If sex tapes don't even get a second look ( literally) then who gives a crap about drugs? I think Saatchi was just reaching. He probably still pines for her. Yes Nigella hardly had that "perfect" persona - she walks around pretty casually about town. Not one for airs and graces. I am glad the witchhunt wasn't successful though!! xx

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  30. I hadn't heard of her actually until moving to Europe and seeing the tabloid pics last year, the story of you seeing her at the makeup counter is so interesting and she definitely seems like she's had a privileged - but tough life. This was really interesting. :)
    xoDale
    www.savvyspice.com

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    1. I think because we all knew what she was going through it was just one of those moments where she was looking for a moment of respite. Despite her privilege she has had many ups and downs for sure. Hope you enjoy living in Europe! x

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  31. I have been watching her show for years and cook out of her books from time to time. She embodies 'food porn'. Nigella is a dark-haired beauty who has seen real tragedy in her life so it's easy to be sympathetic. I really hate that she's going through this nasty court business.

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