The 20 Funniest Tweets From Women This Week

The ladies of Twitter never fail to brighten our days with their brilliant ― but succinct ― wisdom. Each week, HuffPost Women rounds up hilarious 140-character musings. For this week’s great tweets from women, scroll through the list below. Then visit our Funniest Tweets From Women page for our past collections.

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The Alluring Power Of Leopard Print, In Photos From Across The World

Leopards are carnivorous cats distinguished by their strength, adaptability and rosette-speckled fur, which acts as easy camouflage in their natural environments. If you’ve ever adorned yourself with some sort of leopard print clothing or accessory, you may have felt a certain power in its furry grip ― a connection to nature, a feline poise, the fearlessness of a predator. 

Haitian-Canadian photographer Émilie Régnier has long been fascinated by the eternally fashionable pattern, for both its history and the almost supernatural powers it endows those who don it.

For her series “Leopard,” the artist traveled to Dakar, Senegal; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Johannesburg, South Africa; Paris, France; and a small town in Texas, documenting the diverse individuals who overlapped in their soft spot for the soft spots. 

The project began when Régnier was searching for new models in Paris. She encountered a woman there who showed up for a shoot wearing a leopard print boubou ― a long, African dress. “The image of this woman inhabited me for days onwards,” Régnier wrote in a statement to HuffPost. She then realized how frequently leopard print appeared in the world around her. “It was worn everywhere and by everyone,” she said. 

Leopard print has different connotations depending on the time and place in which it appears. In Africa, dating back to the kings under British colonialism, leopard fur equals power, derived from the image of the leopard as “king of the jungle.” A former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, was known for donning a leopard print toque ― a tight fitting hat ― that henceforth associated the animal template with authority. 

One of Régnier’s subjects is a man named Samuel Weidi, who works as a professional Mobutu impersonator. It is undoubtedly the signature hat that makes Weidi’s identity legible, and it almost feels as if the print’s power makes the wearer stand up a bit straighter. 

The photo series introduced Régnier to a variety of individuals who gravitated toward leopard for very different reasons. For the wealthy fashionistas in Paris, leopard had been a sign of luxury since Christian Dior introduced animal print into his 1947 collection, officially dubbing it “haute couture.”

For a tattoo artist named Larry based in Texas, however, leopard print is literally a second skin. The man posed nude for Régnier, his entire body covered in spots thanks to over 1,000 tattoos.

Ultimately, Régnier’s project follows it single motif around the world, documenting the various individuals who, regardless of age, gender, profession or personal style, are drawn to leopard print’s alluring presence. 

Émilie Régnier’sFrom Mobutu to Beyoncé is on view until June 4 at the Bronx Documentary Center. See our previous coverage of her work here.

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Walt Disney’s Last Words Were ‘Kurt Russell,’ According To Kurt Russell

When it comes to the legend of Walt Disney’s final statement, Kurt Russell has the last word.

Disney Studios has always been a huge part of the actor’s career. He signed a 10-year contract with the studio early on and now Russell is starring as Star-Lord’s dad, Ego, in Disney and Marvel’s upcoming “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” Still, his connection to the company goes well beyond business. 

As a kid, Russell had a close, personal relationship with Walt Disney. The industry pioneer thought so highly of the young actor that a legend surfaced claiming Disney’s last words were actually “Kurt Russell.”

In fact, it’s more than legend, according to Russell. It’s true. 

Disney died in 1966 when Russell was still a teen. The actor says he learned about Disney’s last words a couple of years later.

In a recent interview, Russell told HuffPost, “They pulled me into the office a couple years after he died, and this woman — who I don’t believe it was his secretary, but it might’ve been, I don’t know ― pointed to [something he wrote] and she said, ‘Do you know what that’s about?’ And I said, ‘No, I don’t.’[She said], ‘Because he wrote something after it. But then he went back up and he wrote your name. That was the last thing he wrote.’ And I said, ‘Oh gee. I don’t know what it’s connected to.’”

Was it because Disney considered Russell a friend? Was it for a movie role? Who knows?

Russell said he’s been asked about it for years, but he doesn’t know any more than that. “She was pointing out that that’s the last thing he wrote. That’s the only thing I know.”

The actor said Disney was very important in his life and he learned a “tremendous amount” from him. Russell’s stories are even more unbelievable than learning Disney’s last words.

“We did have a personal relationship. We played Ping-Pong at lunch sometimes. He’d come down to set. We’d go watch movies that the studio was making, and he’d come down and ask if I wanted to go see them. He’d took me around and introduced me to all the different departments at Disney, and at one point gave me a bunch of original photo cells that they make the backdrop drawings of the characters and stuff like that,” said Russell.

“There were many, many things that I connected with him [on],” he continued. “He reminded me a lot of my own grandfather. My grandfather was a creative and sort of inventive man, and they were not dissimilar in their demeanor, too.”

Apparently, Disney even liked to give Russell career advice. The actor’s family has a deep connection to professional baseball; his dad, Bing Russell, ended up owning a minor league baseball team — a “unique” minor league baseball team (which is the subject of the documentary “The Battered Bastards of Baseball”). Kurt played pro baseball himself for a while, too. Disney told him early on that he didn’t think it was for him.

“I was very comfortable around him, and I had a great time with him, great relationship, and it was very important. He said to me, ‘Baseball might not be something that you end up doing as a career.’ He said, ‘I think you might want to look at things in this business because I think your going to have a long career.’ So he did have a strong effect on me,” recalled Russell.

After an injury reportedly slowed his baseball dreams, Russell became an actor again, and Disney’s prediction of a long career came true. 

“Guardians of the Galaxy 2” is now set to be one of the biggest box-office successes of the actor’s career, and it’s coming on the heels of another one of the his movies, “Fate of the Furious,” which is soon passing $1 billion worldwide

Russell said, “It’s just serendipitous the fact that they’re coming out literally back-to-back, so that’s kind of [an] amazing event.”

Or perhaps it’s just a bit of Disney magic.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” hits theaters in May. 

 

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Salma Hayek’s Dogs Crashed A Wedding Over Cake And The Story Is Hilarious

Salma Hayek’s dogs won’t let anything get between them and their cake, not even a bride and groom.

The star stopped by “The Ellen Show” on Wednesday to discuss her new movie “How to Be a Latin Lover” and ended up revealing how her dogs’ love of cake has gotten her into trouble. 

Hayek told host Ellen DeGeneres that one of the “worst” incidents took place at a very luxurious hotel in the Bahamas that didn’t want her to bring her dogs. The actress eventually convinced them to let her and two of her rescued dogs stay, but one night 17-year-old Lupe and her sister weren’t where she expected them to be.

“One day, I arrive and they’re not there,” Hayek said, referencing her dogs. “And then I hear this screaming and big commotion. And I have to tell you that Lupe loves cake more than anything in the world. You don’t know how many birthday parties were ruined … and I was like, ‘Oh, my god, this sounds like a cake.’” 

After following the screams, Hayek found her dogs crashing a “beautiful wedding” and feasting on the cake. 

“I see the beautiful wedding cake in a little table with two chairs for the bride and the groom,” she said. “Instead of the bride and the groom, there is Lupe and Angie sitting perfectly.”

Watch Hayek describe the scene and how she got her cake-loving dogs to behave in the clip above. 

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Short Film Empowers Bystanders To Prevent Sexual Assault

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, actress and filmmaker Rachel Leyco has released her new short film, “Say Something”. The short tackles the tough subject of sexual assault among romantic partners, which if often overlooked by traditional media despite the fact that most child and teen victims are assaulted by someone they know. The boundaries that exist between partners can make situations, like the one highlighted in Leyco’s film, complicated, but the same rules still apply. You don’t “get some” just because you’re in a relationship. Consent is still required. No means no. The film also highlights the power bystanders have to prevent sexual assault with the simplest of actions.

On her YouTube channel, Leyco actively speaks out about issues that plague the American entertainment industry. She’s one of many young actors fed up with an antiquated system, and “Say Something” is her latest effort to bring real world issues into her work.

Leyco recently sat down with Outspeak to discuss her new short, rape culture in America, and her upcoming projects.

Outspeak: Can you tell us a bit about why you wanted to make “Say Something” and its importance to you?

Rachel Leyco: This year, I made it a mission of mine to actively speak out on injustices in our society and break the stigma on issues that are usually swept under the rug. When I realized April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I knew I needed to create a story that would move others to take action in their everyday lives. Often, the depiction of sexual assault in film and TV is from the victim’s perspective, but the majority of society are the ones on the other side of this – the bystanders. It dawned on me that in order to powerfully move others to take action on rape prevention, the story needed to be told from the outsiders point of view.

O: Did you find it difficult to tackle the subject of sexual assault?

RL: Sexual assault has always been taboo in our society, mostly in part due to the fact that it’s a tough case to crack when it happens behind closed doors. But I’ve never been afraid to tackle controversial issues that matter, because I have such deep passion for love and justice. It’s important that we use our voice, our actions, and our talents to create a safe and loving climate here on earth.

O: How did you keep spirits high on set when dealing with a tough subject matter?

RL: Fortunately, I worked with some of my closest friends and really open, passionate talented creatives on this set. From the start, I wanted to create a fun and comfortable environment so we shot the party scenes first. When it came down to the actual assault scene, my actors were already acquainted with each other and just so willing to really dive into it. It was hard to watch the scene unfold, but knowing the message makes it worthwhile.

O: Sexual assault and rape culture are big issues in America right now, and we’re seeing more and more court cases, often going the way of the accused. What do you think of the current state of things?

RL: It’s such a nuanced issue. It’s really a case-by-case basis. But I’m so glad we’re talking about this more and more. I’m proud that victims are stepping up and speaking out. We should never stay silent on the truth. It’s so frustrating and unfortunate that college campuses try to silence victims when their reputation is on the line; they need and must do more to protect victims that come forward by a proper course of action in trial and investigation.

O: You’ve been vocal about the issues that exist within the film industry on your YouTube channel. Sexual assault cases are cropping up with many beloved actors and actresses. It’s obviously a good thing that it’s not staying silent, but there’s a lot of work to be done here. What are your thoughts on this?

RL: I’m extremely proud and excited about shows like “13 Reasons Why” and artists, like Brie Larson, coming forward in support of spreading awareness. It’s a brave step toward progress. I know the media has concerns about film and TV explicitly portraying sexual assault, as in “13 Reasons Why,” but there was nothing glamorous about any of those depictions. They were real, raw, and true. Sugarcoating these issues will only prevent us from the truth that we need to know. The more we, as artists, can convey the reality of these tragedies, the more we can shed light on ways to improve and heal our world.

O: What are your next projects in the works we can look out for?

RL: I am currently developing two web series: an anthology drama on mental health and a dramedy about an undocumented immigrant. I believe these are some pressing issues that need to be explored on a more deep substantial level that can, hopefully, open up some dialogue and enlighten our society in the realities of these issues.

For more details on sexual assault prevention and for helpful resources, visit nsvrc.org.

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New Sci-Fi Novel Is Set In A World Where Hillary Clinton Actually Won

In the aftermath of last year’s presidential election ― which turned out differently than most media outlets predicted ― the questions on a lot of minds seemed to be “How?” and “Why?”

Today, William Gibson ― the American-Canadian science fiction novelist behind the 1984 cyberpunk classic Neuromancer, in which he coined the term “cyberspace”  ― is exploring another question in his forthcoming novel: What if?

What if instead of electing President Donald Trump, whose first 100 days in office have in many ways chipped away at the constitutional value of free expression, Hillary Clinton had won instead?

Gibson applied this question to a book he was already working on before last year’s results came in. In an interview with The New York Times, he explained why he didn’t alter his plot after Trump’s victory. “It was immediately obvious to me that there had been some fundamental shift and I would have to rebuild the whole thing,” he said.

The result is a book ― titled Agency and due out in January 2018 ― set on two different timelines: in present-day San Fransisco, but with Clinton as president, and in London 200 years from now, after 80 percent of the human population has been killed off. Those still alive are trying to communicate with 2017, in an attempt to change the past.

Gibson is celebrated for his ability to synthesize what’s happening around him ― especially technological developments ― and take a good guess at what may happen in the near future.

In a 2014 interview with HuffPost about his last novel, The Peripheral, he said, “A shaming crowd, on Twitter, for instance, can feel like something out of Orwell,” predicting, perhaps knowingly, that the platform lends itself to manipulative speech and “very pure crowd dynamics.”

Sound familiar?

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This Kindergarten Teacher’s Students Can Dance Bachata Better Than Us

One Washington, D.C., teacher is passing on his love for salsa, bachata and more to his kindergarteners ― one dance step at a time. 

KIPP DC Promise Academy teacher Edwin Sorto, who is an experienced salsa dancer, and his classroom of “dancing minis” are viral sensations thanks to the videos he uploads to the Mr. Sorto’s Class Facebook page.

“They work incredibly hard at both academics and dance and they absolutely deserve the recognition,” Sorto told USA Today in an article published Wednesday. “They’re proud of what they do and love to see people’s reactions, comments, and likes on their videos. Their parents are also incredibly supportive. My kids are great, and this is just one more thing that keeps them engaged in school.”

There’s almost no musical genre too difficult for these kiddos, thanks to Sorto. They’ve mastered bachata …

salsa …. 

and merengue.

“It’s amazing the way they learn,” Sorto told Telemundo’s “¡Qué Noche! con Angélica y Raúl” last year. “The way they enjoy the music, just like we Latinos do.” 

As if that weren’t enough, Sorto is also teaching his students how to read in Spanish. “They’re only 5 but reading with confidence,” he wrote in the caption of a video of two students reading out loud. 

But these students’ claim to internet fame is certainly their sweet moves ― which go far beyond Latin genres.

“[I’m] now focused on building the next generation of dancers through my own students,” Sorto told USA Today.

Can we join in on these lessons? 

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Famous Artists Share Their Childhood Art In Support Of Arts Education

Arts education is currently in crisis, with over 4 million students around the country receiving no creative schooling whatsoever. Given President Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts, including slashing the National Endowment for the Arts, the future forecast for art in schools looks grim.

An exhibition called “My Kid Could Do That” hopes to illuminate the importance of art instruction for all kids by showing the work that famed contemporary artists like Cecily Brown and Sanford Biggers made long before they were art world fixtures. 

The show, featuring the work of 24 established contemporary artists, is hosted by ProjectArt, an organization that provides after-school art classes to underfunded communities by turning public libraries into visual art classrooms and studios, offering year-round instruction to students who would not otherwise have access to artistic learning. 

ProjectArt was founded by Adarsh Alphons, who moved from India at 18 years old on a scholarship to study art. “In India, I used to draw a lot as a child and got in trouble because it wasn’t supported by the school system,” Alphons told HuffPost. “I was kicked out of school when I was 7 years old.”

Eventually, Alphons connected with a supportive teacher who nurtured his artistic talent and encouraged him to delve deeper into his creative practice. The effect this mentor had on Alphons, he expressed, was life-changing. Today ProjectArt holds art classes in 32 public libraries in three cities across the U.S., with plans to expand to eight cities over the next two years. 

Through this innovative exhibition, the team at ProjectArt hopes to show that no artist comes out of the womb with their talent and technique fully refined. And yet most artists featured, from a young age, did show incredible curiosity, observation, experimentation and style. 

Some of the featured artists created images as kids that, in some way, reflect the work they’re making as adults. Cecily Brown, for example, displayed an aptitude for capturing movement in paint from the age of 8 years old. Her student canvas, filled to the brim with abstract animals and trees, feels continually in flux, a mirage-effect her adult works contain as well. 

Of course, most of the featured artists have grown a great deal since their earliest creations, including Will Cotton, known for his hyperrealist paintings of sugar-coated wonderlands. Cotton’s 1972 work, created at the ripe age of 7, depicts his house. In a statement, Cotton expressed that the drawing constitutes an early example of his interest in “observed over symbolic representation.” It also features Cotton’s signature clouds. 

What helps an artist like Cotton go from boxy lime green crayon drawings to paintings that rake in over $100,000 at auction? You have one guess. ProjectArt’s show demonstrates in no uncertain terms how crucial art education is to current and future elementary school students. Not only is teaching art in schools proven to yield higher attendance and test scores, and increase likelihood of college attendance, it also ensures that the next generation will be enchanted and challenged by some stellar contemporary art. 

“My Kid Could Do That” takes place on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at Red Bull Arts New York. Visit ProjectArt’s website for more information on attending or volunteering. 

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Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Award-Winning Book Is Coming To The Apollo Stage

Ta-Nehisi Coates’ bold 2015 book exploring race in America is set to make its debut on the Apollo Theater stage. 

On Wednesday, the Harlem theater announced Coates’ award-winning Between the World and Me will be adapted into a multimedia performance for the Apollo’s 2017-2018 season. Directed by Apollo Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes with music commissioned by jazz musician Jason Moran, the performance event will present “excerpted selections, read monologue-style by notable guest artists, interspersed with music and visual projection design,” according to a press release.

In an effort to recreate her personal experience of reading the No. 1 New York Times’ best-seller, Forbes told NYT that she wants the special performance to expand on the book’s “solitary experience.”

“The second I put the book down, I wanted to call everyone who had read the book, and who would stay up with me at 3 a.m.,” she said. “The hope is that we’re taking that solitary experience of reading the book and expanding that to a collective experience.”

Forbes added that Coates will provide “creative guidance” and may possibly appear in the production, which is set to debut in April 2018.

Tickets for the Apollo’s 2017–18 season go on sale May 19. For more info, head to the Apollo Theater’s website.

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Michael Mantenuto, Star Of Disney’s ‘Miracle,’ Dead At 35

Actor and hockey player Michael Mantenuto, best known for his role in Disney’s 2004 sports drama “Miracle,” has died. He was 35. 

Mantenuto was found in his car by police after reportedly sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Monday afternoon in Des Moines, Washington, according to TMZ. Seattle’s King County medical examiner’s office told People that Mantenuto took his own life. 

Mantenuto, a former University of Maine hockey player, got his big break playing the real-life figure Jack O’Callahan in “Miracle,” which depicts the events surrounding 1980 Winter Olympics. O’Callahan was part of the winning American hockey team that unexpectedly bested the Soviet Union in a game that became known as the “Miracle on Ice.”

After the sports drama hit theaters, Mantenuto went on to appear in the 2006 TV movie “Dirtbags” and 2008’s “Surfer, Dude.” However, he later left Hollywood to enlist in the Army. 

Col. Guillaume “Will” Beaurpere of the U.S. Army’s 1st Special Forces Group announced Mantenuto’s death in a news release.

“Those of you that knew Mike will remember him for his passionate love for his family and his commitment to the health of the force,” he said. 

Mantenuto is survived by his wife and his two children, as well as his father and three sisters. 

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