Entertainment
Francois Nars Reveals Celebrity Inspo in New Documentary on September 18, 2023 at 10:31 pm Us Weekly

Courtesy of François Nars
Before there was a universally-beloved blush called Orgasm, well before that inky black cult-favorite mascara known as Climax landed on the lashes of It girls, a young Francois Nars frolicked on a beach in Biarritz among breathtaking beauty.
This is just one of many telling, captivating scenes in the new documentary Unknown Beauty: Francois Nars that takes viewers directly inside the mind of the legendary makeup artist, photographer and cinephile.
The film, lovingly directed by Lisa Immordino Vreeland, is a non-linear compilation of scenes that dreamily bring to life — and clarity — Nars’ very singular vision as inspired by moments, images, film, art and, above all, strong women including his mother, Claudette, grandmother, iconic models Lauren Hutton, Isabella Rossellini and starlets Catherine Denueve, Josephine Baker, Lauren Bacall and more.
Clips of over 50 of the movies that sparked Nars’ curiosity can be seen in the film as well as a peek behind-the-scenes of the high fashion photo shoots he creatively directed. There is a certain vibe to Nars Cosmetics makeup products and this vibe can be felt throughout the film, which is narrated by another muse, Charlotte Rampling.
The film just dropped and is available for purchase to download on Apple TV, Amazon and Google Play. But before its release, Us Weekly sat down with Nars to chat about his love for film, his favorite decade and exactly how Orgasm got its name.
Francois Nars. Courtesy of Fischio Films
Us Weekly: Who was your first major beauty icon?
Francois Nars: My mother, for sure. I had all these beauty icons on the celluloid screen, but she was the first one I could touch, and express myself with makeup. She was the first one, for sure.
UW: The ‘70s part of the film is just magical. I could really feel the brand come through.
FN: That was really a fun chapter to create because it was really the time I grew up, I was a teenager at the time. I started watching movies when I was eight years old, but the seventies for me was a wake-up call, an eye-opener to the dream life that I wanted to have and I wanted to get into. That was really a dream world that I wanted so bad. That was my obsession. It became an obsession. So the fashion world, the seventies, really. And in a way, I’m thanking the people in the movie by featuring them. It’s an homage. I honored them and said, “Thank you for being so fabulous.” I don’t know if they really knew how fabulous they were. Did Jerry Hall know she was really that fabulous? Probably she did, especially Jerry.
UW: When I think of your products, and the lens through which you see things, it’s that Studio 54 vibe, with bronzer and pops of color — it’s bigger than life, super glamorous, but effortless. What did beauty say in the ‘70s?
FN: The sophistication level was very high in the ‘70s, but there was a lot of freedom. It’s linked, of course, to the Sexual Revolution. In France, we had Brigitte Bardot who did all those scandalous movies at the time. That was the liberation of women.
UW: Then there was the ‘90s, the models were bigger than life, too. Cindy, Christy, Naomi…
FN: I’m glad because I arrived at the right moment. I had just started at the end of the seventies, but then I came into the ‘90s and the supermodels were born. The word supermodel, I guess they always say it was created because of Cindy, Christy and Linda. It’s not really true, because in the seventies, Jerry Hall was a supermodel already. Lauren Hutton was a supermodel. I think the money came along with the term ‘supermodel.’ Before, they were not willing to pay that much but in the ‘90s, they started making millions and millions of dollars.
UW: Who do you think are the big models of right now? Are there any young actresses you want to work with?
FN: There’s nobody that will compare to the stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood. No, nobody. It’s a different thing today. They’re great actors, they’re very good-looking people, but it’s a whole different bargain, so we can’t compare. Today the models I love, usually are all the models that I work with in the campaign for Nars, you know? I think they’re amazing. We, I’m very selective, so I usually always pick people that, first of all, I fall in love visually. That I love their face. And hopefully the personality goes with it. That’s important.
UW: So, what does it mean to be a star today? How has stardom changed?
FN: It’s a totally different thing. It’s a different world, a different planet. I think, what it means to be a star today, I guess we should ask people like Tom Cruise or Nicole Kidman. I think, to me, a great star is the one that takes risk. No matter what. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, if you don’t take any risk, I don’t consider you a great actor or an actor at all.
UW: One last question. We have to talk about Orgasm.
FN: Nothing inspired me specifically. It’s funny because everybody wants the magic secret. How did you create that name? What happened was, the blushes had names of emotions and one was called Passion. I always think in America, and in a lot of places in the world, sex sells. I think people love sexy images. Everybody wants to be sexy in their own way. It can be in an androgynous way, it can be a very feminine way. There are many ways, but everybody wants to feel sexy. So I feel like giving names, sexy names. And definitely Orgasm was a very good, sexy name, word. But I never limited it to the sex part. I felt like, “Oh, Orgasm is a great name for an ‘orgasm for life’.” And you can have an orgasm by having a great dinner, meeting friends, looking at the sunset, you know, you elevate it to a different level. But again, to create the product, I felt it was very spontaneous. You can’t explain how you create some stuff. It just happens. I picked this peach color, I picked this pink. Threw some shimmer on it and I don’t know, it felt like, “Okay, feels like Orgasm.” I don’t know why. And then it got picked up by the rest of the world and everybody fell in love with the name.
Courtesy of François Nars Before there was a universally-beloved blush called Orgasm, well before that inky black cult-favorite mascara known as Climax landed on the lashes of It girls, a young Francois Nars frolicked on a beach in Biarritz among breathtaking beauty. This is just one of many telling, captivating scenes in the new documentary
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Entertainment
Faith, Nostalgia & Belle Guillory: TV’s New Powerhouse

Belle Guillory has swiftly become one of Hollywood’s most dynamic new talents, invigorating television with the breakout success of her series God Be With Us. By blending faith, modern comedy, and the beloved warmth of classic family sitcoms, Guillory isn’t just making television—she’s resetting the industry’s expectations for what authentic, inclusive storytelling looks like.

Bringing Faith and Family Back to the Forefront
God Be With Us, streaming exclusively on Fox Soul, follows the journey of a megachurch pastor’s daughter trying to survive public high school—with God as her best friend. Guillory’s show powerfully explores identity, belonging, and belief, echoing the uplifting spirit of ‘90s classics while offering a fresh, culturally resonant voice for today’s audiences.

Guillory herself is open about her mission to revive the blend of humor, heart, and moral clarity once found in iconic shows like The Cosby Show. “I just felt like there was an empty gap in the industry for a long time when it comes to those family comedies—we haven’t had that feeling in a long time so I was like, I want to bring that back,” she recently explained. Her series uniquely taps into a nostalgia for fuller, more authentic representation and positive messages, resonating across generations.
Shaking Up Hollywood
- Critical Acclaim & Awards: God Be With Us has already won awards at film festivals across the country. Its proof-of-concept episode received tens of thousands of views rapidly after its debut, demonstrating both grassroots support and critical recognition.
- Hollywood Buzz: Guillory’s bold perspective—centering stories of faith and underrepresented families—has caught the eye of major networks and industry insiders seeking the next big creator with a voice that matters. Insiders note rising interest in new episodes and broader distribution.

- Network Attention: Fox Soul’s exclusive launch, paired with significant promotional pushes and strong early audience metrics, signals the show’s growing leverage. Guillory is encouraging fans to stream and engage, making a clear case for an expanded run and, potentially, future mainstream pickups.
Nostalgia With a New Purpose
Drawing direct comparisons to The Cosby Show for its depiction of Black family life, God Be With Us delivers familiar comfort with a contemporary twist. It invites viewers to laugh, reflect, and find hope—anchored by Guillory’s personal experience and genuine voice. The series brings nostalgia not just as a style, but as a call for a return to television that unites and uplifts.

The Industry Listens
The impact is unmistakable: critics highlight Guillory’s authentic approach, viewers celebrate seeing their lives and values onscreen, and networks are taking note. Her success proves that there is a powerful audience for stories that emphasize faith, family, and real community—the very elements that once defined TV’s golden eras. As awards and buzz continue building, Belle Guillory stands not just as a promising newcomer but as TV’s new powerhouse—one who is already prompting a reassessment of what “mainstream” can be.

Belle Guillory’s rise with God Be With Us represents a pivotal moment for Hollywood: nostalgia isn’t just for yesterday’s shows—it’s a powerful foundation for today, led by creators whose faith and vision are genuinely unstoppable.
Business
Jeff Bezos’ Investment in Sweeney’s Lingerie Line Causes Strain with Lauren Sanchez

Reports of tension between Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos have emerged following revelations about Bezos’ significant investment in a new luxury lingerie line founded by actress Sydney Sweeney. The issue has ignited widespread speculation in Hollywood and the media, with insiders pointing to discomfort within the Bezos-Sanchez relationship rooted in business dealings, not personal scandal.

The Genesis of the Tension
The controversy began when Sydney Sweeney, known primarily for her acting roles rather than her connection to the Bezos-Sanchez circle, attended the couple’s extravagant wedding celebration in Venice. Sweeney’s inclusion on the exclusive guest list raised eyebrows, given that she reportedly has no personal friendship with either Bezos or Sanchez. Behind the scenes, however, Sweeney is said to be collaborating with Bezos and other high-powered investors on her upcoming lingerie venture.
Lauren Sanchez Was Reportedly Unaware
Insiders claim that Lauren Sanchez was “blindsided” by the depth of Bezos’ involvement with Sweeney’s brand. According to multiple entertainment journalists and sources referenced by columnist Rob Shuter, Sanchez was not fully informed of how active Bezos had become as a backer and advisor to the lingerie line. The investment, which includes other financial heavyweights like Ben Schwerin and Coatue Management in addition to Bezos, has made Sweeney’s brand one of the most talked-about new ventures in the fashion sector. Still, it is Bezos’ role that has drawn scrutiny within his own inner circle.

“There’s definitely some tension. Lauren didn’t realize just how involved Jeff was in this. It’s… awkward,” one source told entertainment outlets.
The Business, Not the Person
Much of the reporting emphasizes that Sweeney’s presence at the wedding, and her connection to Bezos, are strictly business-related. Observers describe the situation as reminiscent of “old Hollywood”, where relationships are often transactional and built on new business alliances rather than authentic personal ties.

Despite the intrigue, there have been no official public comments from Sanchez, Bezos, or Sweeney regarding the reported tension. The degree of actual strain remains a subject of speculation, fueled in part by unnamed industry insiders and the absence of direct clarification from any of the parties involved.
Amplified by Media Attention
The convergence of Sweeney’s rising profile—her upcoming lingerie launch, recent casting buzz, and the high-visibility wedding—has only heightened media interest. As the story continues to gain traction, it serves as a case study of how business ventures within elite social circles can create ripple effects far beyond the boardroom.
In summary, while there is no public evidence of a personal rift, Bezos’ undisclosed investment in Sydney Sweeney’s new business appears to have created a sense of surprise and discomfort for Lauren Sanchez, underlining the complex interplay between business decisions and private relationships within the world of the ultra-wealthy and famous.
Entertainment
Film in 2025: Decline or Evolution?

The future of the film industry has never been more hotly debated than in 2025. With seismic technological, economic, and cultural shifts at play, industry insiders and aspiring creators alike are confronting a fundamental question: Are we witnessing the decline of a once-great industry, or is this merely another evolutionary leap?

The Script of Uncertainty
For working professionals, the last few years have been turbulent. The rise of artificial intelligence, lingering impacts from writer and actor strikes, shrinking budgets, and a surge of competition due to more accessible filmmaking tools have all contributed to an industry that feels, at times, unstable and unrecognizable.
Quotes from professionals echo this sentiment:
“It’s not been dead. It’s just been very inconsistent.”
Core Challenges Facing the Industry
- Economic Pressures and Budget Cuts
Studios and production companies have slashed budgets in response to a tougher economic climate. This leads to fewer high-budget projects and more reliance on freelancers absorbing unpaid workload.
- Technological Disruption
AI-powered tools are automating everything from scripting to post-production, intensifying job insecurity but also offering new forms of creative efficiency. - Labor Strife and Market Contraction
The aftershocks of major strikes mean dry spells in production and unpredictable work cycles. - Content Saturation and Changing Consumption
Streaming platforms and social media have transformed content delivery and viewer expectations. The “boom and bust” cycle post-pandemic saw rapid industry expansion, only to contract sharply as demands shifted.

Diversification Over Specialization
Industry veterans and newcomers agree that adaptability is key. Those thriving in 2025 are not necessarily the most specialized, but the most diverse in skills and roles. Multifaceted careers—combining directing, editing, producing, and design work, often across platforms—are now the norm, insulating professionals from volatility.
“The advice to niche down in just one area… just isn’t as applicable anymore.”
The Power of Social Media
Social media is no longer just a personal branding tool, but a crucial channel for discovering and securing work. Posting project reels, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, and networking digitally bring in clients and collaborators in ways traditional gatekeepers no longer control.
Evolving Roles
Survey data reflects a nuanced picture:
- 41% of UK directors worked less in the past year, while
- 42% reported working more—especially early-career professionals and those open to change.

Relevance in 2025: What Does Success Look Like?
Success in film today is less about stability, more about resilience, passion, and adaptability.
- Diversify Skills: Those who produce, direct, shoot, and edit are more in demand.
- Embrace the Uncertainty: Accept that there is no guaranteed progression or typical career path.
- Leverage New Tools: Harness AI, new editing software, and distribution platforms.
- Build Relationships: Network through both traditional and digital means; personal connections remain crucial.
- Tell Stories That Matter: Despite technological churn, the need for authentic, compelling stories remains constant.

Conclusion: Change Is the Constant
Is film in 2025 in decline, or is it evolving? The evidence points to evolution. Industry pathways, job descriptions, and distribution channels are all shifting. Those willing to learn, adapt, and embrace an undefined future are not just surviving—they’re finding new ways to thrive. While old models may be eroding, the appetite for stories and the creative energy to tell them remain undiminished. The challenge and opportunity: grow with the changes, and help define what film means in this new era.
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