Maybe senility it setting in early, but there are some days when the celebrity news that seemed like a big deal at the time has faded into nonexistence in our memories (man, remember Will and Jayden Smith’s crazy interviews? Or George Clooney and Stacy Keibler’s breakup?). But when we look back upon the summer of 2013, there are some big stories that will be burned in our minds — some quite fondly, some with a slight SMH, and others with tears in our eyes. Here they are, in reverse order of lasting impact on our lives:
[Photo: Today]
We weren’t as shocked to learn that the Southern-fried chef had used the N word and was fired from the Food Network for her racist comments as we were by her strangely unapologetic appearance on the Today show. “I is what I is,” she told Matt Lauer. And now she is not.
9. Beyonce Cuts Her Hair
OK, well, the impact of Beyonce’s haircut on herself is pretty minimal — she had a weave back on within a week. But how about all those girls who chopped off their own locks upon seeing her? They’re going to be growing that out for years!
8. Lindsay Lohan Stages Her Latest Comeback
Whether this latest stint in rehab will finally stick remains to be seen. But we think she may be on a roll when it comes to rebuilding her public image — if you take The Canyons, her Oprah interview and her upcoming reality show as signs that she’s giving in to being a parody of herself and no longer attempting to be an “actress.”
[Photo: Splash News Online]
Some would argue that celebrities have no place speaking about issues of health and medicine, but when Angelina Jolie wrote an op-ed in the New York Times about her decision to make a pre-emptive strike against cancer, she launched a worldwide discussion. Maybe even some of those conversations went on between women and their doctors, which was what Angie was encouraging all along.
[Photo: Splash News Online]
Oh, man. This was so much more fun when she was a just a silly, hot mess, dancing in the streets, but now that the actress is hospitalized, with some saying she has schizophrenia, we can’t laugh anymore. Get well soon, Amanda! We miss your wigs.
[Photo: Sesame Street]
The actor died suddenly of cardiac arrest in Italy this June, and we were all reminded of what a talented, nice guy that Tony Soprano was.
[Photo: ’Kris’ via @MissJournalism]
We still have our reservations about Kanye West and Kim Kardashian as a couple, and about their ability to name another human being, but after seeing the photo of baby “Nori” on Kris Jenner’s show, we can’t fault anything that resulted in such a face. This is one celebrity whose every move we definitely won’t mind following.
[Photo: Splash News Online]
So, we don’t live in the U.K., and as Philippa Gregory pointed out, even the British don’t live under royal rule, but still, the birth of a royal baby is the kind of uplifting story we’ll remember for a long time coming. And we already think Georgie and North would make an amazing couple.
[Photo: Getty Images]
The death of any young person is sad, yes. But there was something about the death of an actor whose on- and off-screen persona made us feel like we knew him, and were a little better for it, that broke our hearts.
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Chris Colfer and Will Sherrod
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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
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Cynthia Nixon and Christine Marinoni
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Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi
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George Takei and Brad Altman
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Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita
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Zachary Quinto and Jonathan Groff
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Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard
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Lance Bass and Michael Turchin
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Matt Bomer and Simon Halls
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Melissa Etheridge and Linda Wallem
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Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent
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Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka
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Sara Gilbert and Linda Perry
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Wanda Sykes and Alex Sykes
1. DOMA Is Struck Down
We steered clear of most real news items on this list (though, yes, this summer will be remembered for Trayvon Martin, Egypt and the NSA wiretapping), but the ruling that killed the Defense of Marriage Act has repercussions for our celebrity-worshipping lives as well. Not only are our real friends legally married now, our fantasy ones can be too!
What stories from this summer will you remember in your old age? Tell us!
[Photos: Getty Images, NBC, Splash News Online, Instagram, PBS, IFC Films]