Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Judy Garland
The beautiful Judy Garland was a legend that we all remember as Dorothy from the famous movie The Wizard of Oz. But before she became Dorothy and got lost in the land of Oz, she was born Francis Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Judy Garland's parents were vaudeville professionals, so she started show business at a very young age. Judy was 2 years old. Her first public performance was singing "Jingle Bells." Then Judy Garland started singing with her two older sisters Susie and Jimmie. They formed a group together called "Gumm Sisters." Then in 1926, Judy Garland and her family moved to California where the Gumm Sisters studied singing and dancing. Their mother as being both the sister's manager and agent made them gigs after gigs. The Gumm Sisters had appeared in some films here and there. The sisters later changed their name to "The Garland Sisters." They changed their name after performing with comedian George Jessel in 1934. Also that is when little Francis changed her name to Judy Garland. The following year was when she would be a solo act and sign a movie contract with MGM when she was 13. Judy Garland debuted one special song called "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart." Shortly after debuting the song, her father passed away. But despite what happened, young Judy Garland started getting movie roles after movie roles. She starred along side her best friend Mickey Rooney in a few movies together. Love Finds Andy Hardy really helped the pair with stardom. The stress of working non-stop really got to Judy Garland. The studio gave her some medications to help with her weight and image. Then the time came in Judy Garland's life. In 1939, she starred in the movie that really made her a BIG star. The Wizard of Oz won Judy Garland an Academy Award. She went to star in more musicals like Strike Up the Band and Babes of Broadway with Mickey Rooney. And For Me and My Gal with Gene Kelly. Even though she was a big star, she did have a family. Judy Garland did get married more than twice. And she had three wonderful children named Liza Minnelli (American actress) and Lorna and Joey Luft. Then Judy Garland had a breakdown from all the working days and nights. In 1950 Judy Garland was dropped from MGM, because of all the problems she was having in her life. Then Judy Garland decided to get back to work and do more movies. A Star Is Born got her nominated for an Academy Award. As the 1960s approached, Judy Garland worked more on her singing than her acting. She won a Grammy and did her very own TV show with her and her two daughters. When her TV show ended, she did one last attempt to fame for acting. She did a Broadway show called At Home at a Palace. When she fell into some financial and personal trouble, she went to a London nightclub and perform. But she was in such bad shape. On June 22, 1969, the beautiful and talented Judy Garland passed away of an accidental overdose while she was in London. Judy Garland was a phenomenal singer and actress. Her daughters Liza and Lorna live their mother's legacy on and on. There have been books and movies made about Judy Garland and her life. The biopic Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir really told the story about her life to fame and everything. One of the best biopics I seen. Judy Garland will always be Dorothy. She is finally able to fly and be over the rainbow.
By Shante Hernandez8 years ago in Viva
Unexpected Friendship Part 3
I left off going on about the first of many times my trust was destroyed completely. Thinking back on it now, maybe this was just another one of his games. My intuition was never wrong. Something in my gut would just tell me something was off and I was always right. Yet, I still stuck around, believing all his lies. Two months after married-with-three-kids-and-a-fourth-on-the-way was inappropriately talking to _____, on his birthday, I found more text messages between him and another married woman, him asking her to sneak out, and her saying she said a special "gift" just for him. Once again my heart dropped, my blood boiled, and I again confronted him. This began a vicious cycle that soon turned violent.
By RaeAnna Mercado8 years ago in Viva
Interview with Fred Sweet, founder of La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival. Top Story - January 2018.
Fred Sweet is passionate about all things fashion and film. That's precisely why he created the La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival, and why his passion led to it becoming one of the greatest fashion film festivals in the world.
By Natasha Sydor8 years ago in Viva
The PMDD Self-Care Kit
The Self-Care Kit is a bag of tools to draw from when PMDD strikes (or whenever you need a little extra attention). You design it yourself, so it's filled with all the things that bring you comfort. It helps you remember what to do for yourself when everything stops working and the PMDD shit hits the fan. The great thing is, it's ready and waiting for you. All you have to do is remember to use it!
By Cheeky Minx8 years ago in Viva
Worst Gifts for Your Vagina
As most gynecologists will tell you, your vagina is both extremely tough and extremely delicate. It can bear childbirth, but it can't bear having too many outside pollutants in there. Vaginal health is a crucial part of women's health, and sadly, a lot of people out there are more concerned about profit than they are about safety.
By Mackenzie Z. Kennedy8 years ago in Viva
Why Did She Stay?
I want to tackle and answer the one question many people ask when they find out a friend, a relative, or a loved one was in an abusive relationship: Why did she/he stay? Now, I'm no expert, I'm no psychologist, but I am one woman out of many with a story to tell.
By Sophia Rosado8 years ago in Viva
Me Too
I'm encouraged and deeply saddened by the trending, "me too" on social media. I'm encouraged because victims spoke out in an unusual setting but the point is, they spoke out. I cannot stress enough the importance of breaking the silence but it doesn't end with breaking the silence. I'm going to share a little part of my story that I hope helps you see why breaking the silence is so important but going beyond that as well is vital to ending the problem.
By Taylor Carnes8 years ago in Viva
When I Was Pinched in the Mission
Back in school, I had gone to get my dinner, and I was walking down the street at night sticking close to a group of people. Out of nowhere, some idiot pinched me in between the legs. I mean pinched. Right there. Pulled on me, and pinched. This is sexual harassment at its finest. I yelled at him, swinging my grocery bag at his chest three times. I then cornered somebody, a male somebody, yelling at the person to look out for somebody smaller than he was because some idiot had pinched me. I was surrounded but I escaped that situation rather quickly, and I was yelling at them really loud. I had beef, green beans, and cheese in my bag as my only weapon.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Viva
He's Mean To You?
I've heard it so many times in my life, and I'm sure that you've heard it too. Maybe not in these words, but you've definitely heard it. If he's mean to you, then he likes you... If he treats you like shit, then he MUST be into you. But where the fuck did this come from? When did we develop this notion that if a boy is mean to you, then he likes you. In my opinion, it starts really early on, when we're so small that we are indoctrinated into this bullshit way of thinking.
By Shana Nizeul8 years ago in Viva
