Patrick Nash is a writer and editor from St. Louis, MO. After studying Television, Radio and Film at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Patrick is pursuing a career as a writer at Hollywood Insider. Through his various projects, and previous experience as an Americorps Member, where he helped deliver meals to food deserts in impoverished communities, Patrick exemplifies positive change in the entertainment industry. He aligns with Hollywood Insider because of the positive philosophy of the network and its commitment to actively avoid gossip and divisive narrative by focusing on the art itself, which is ultimately what is most important. He cares deeply about substance, meaning and philosophical values in entertainment, and is excited to express these sentiments further in his work.
Jan 28, 2021
Photo: Aquarius
I may be biased as an Aquarius myself, but Aquarius is the best sign, at least in terms of Hollywood star power. The list of notable bearers of the Air Sign is obnoxiously long, to the point where it would be virtually impossible to name every single famous Aquarius in Hollywood (although shout-outs to rapper/actor Kid Cudi, television and Rom-Com star Jennifer Aniston, singer/actor/model Harry Styles, actress Kerry Washington, and the late legend Paul Newman, a man I am fortunate enough to share a birthday with, are certainly in order), but it includes some of the greatest talents in the entertainment industry, old and new. In this article, I am going to be outlining a few notable Aquarii, and why they represent the Aquarius Gang™ so well.
The Weeknd really doesn’t need an introduction at this point. Abel Tesfay is perhaps the most acclaimed singer of the past year, with his hit record After Hours topping the Billboard albums chart, and the chorus of single “Blinding Lights” being permanently situated in everyone’s collective memory. He will be headlining the upcoming Super Bowl LV Halftime Show between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs, and will likely be reminding us of his knack for cinematic, genre-bending music and presentation in that performance, as he did in the rollout and music videos for After Hours.
He is a perfect encapsulation of the Aquarius sign’s visionary and progressive sides, with his constant dedication to pushing R&B to its experimental edge with dark undertones of sex, drugs, and the regret that stems from engaging in those acts, as well as for creating beautiful melodies that shine brilliantly through the hazy, mysterious instrumentals. He may not be recognized at this year’s GRAMMYs for his work, due to his now-infamous snub, but The Weeknd has firmly situated himself among Hollywood’s A-List for years to come, both as a musician, and recently as an actor, following his role in the hit drama “Uncut Gems”. Plus that red suit is just… so cool.
Oprah Winfrey, TV’s first billionaire, best-selling author, and beloved star of films like “The Color Purple” and “The Butler,” is unimpeachable in her impact on both Hollywood and the greater world at large. While first known for her daytime talk show, Oprah has become synonymous with not just her hosting abilities and demanding screen presence in prestigious films, but also her philanthropy (a key tenet of Aquarii), having been one of the most avid donors, using her massive accrued wealth to assist charitable causes, mostly through The Angel Network, The Oprah Winfrey Foundation, and The Oprah Winfrey Operating Foundation. She is an inspiration to women, Black Americans, and Aquarii everywhere.
One of my personal favorite Aquarii and directors of all-time, David Lynch has been one of the most unique outsider artists in Hollywood for almost 6 decades. Beginning with his cult-classic debut “Eraserhead”, Lynch has become one of the most acclaimed independent filmmakers in history, receiving 3 Best Director nominations at the Academy Awards (though criminally never winning). Lynch has been responsible for some of the most enduring and strangest pieces of art to grace the big and small screen, with “Mulholland Drive” and the “Twin Peaks”phenomenon marking some of the greatest achievements in the art of motion picture.
Lynch is also a respected musician, having released strong solo work over the course of his tenure in Hollywood, including an appearance on the most recent Flying Lotus album. Like other Aquarii, he has always been one to march to the beat of his own drum, retaining complete creative control over his work throughout his storied career. Never one to compromise, Lynch has remained one of the greatest living directors, as well as being an exceptional representative of the Aquarius Gang™.
February Aquarius Michael B. Jordan, while bearing the name of another famous Aquarius in the eponymous basketball legend, has carved a strong name out for himself over the course of his (surprisingly long) career. Beginning with his star-making performance on HBO’s The Wire, Jordan has been a constant in Black Hollywood for over a decade, reaching the status of an indie darling in films such as “Fruitvale Station” and “Chronicle,” and then superstar with “Creed”and “Black Panther.” Jordan is a respected collaborator, with his aforementioned work with Ryan Coogler being praised globally for its nuance and rawness.
Jordan is also a humanitarian himself, using his platform to bring awareness to Black issues this past summer, as well as the genocidal conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The most recent “Sexiest Man Alive” also was recently engaged to fellow icon Lori Harvey (wishing you both the best!) and has been a spokesman for numerous campaigns and brands, becoming one of the most easily recognizable faces in Hollywood. Jordan certainly deserves his place in Hollywood, and among the all-time great Aquarii, and he’s only going up from here.
Last, but certainly not least, is Colombian superstar and proclaimed Queen of Latin Music Shakira. She has been a staple in pop for almost three decades, and during this time has become one of the most respected people not just in the music industry, but globally as well. The 3-time GRAMMY Winner is of course known for huge hit singles like “Hips Don’t Lie” and “She Wolf,” for selling the most records out of any Latinx person in history, and for her dynamic Super Bowl LIV Halftime Performance with Jennifer Lopez, but these accomplishments pale in comparison to her humanitarian and philanthropic work.
Shakira has been one of the most adamant voices among the Latinx and South American communities for years, with her work through her Barefoot Foundation earning accolades from The Latin Recording Academy, Harvard University, The White House, and the French government. She has also crossed her humanitarian values over in her song “Waka Waka,” a rallying cry for South Africans, released in promotion for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. This (very Aquarian) care for the impoverished and under-represented has made her one of the most iconic figures in the world, and it is an honor to share a sign with someone like her.
An excerpt from the love letter: Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “Hollywood Insider fully supports the much-needed Black Lives Matter movement. We are actively, physically and digitally a part of this global movement. We will continue reporting on this major issue of police brutality and legal murders of Black people to hold the system accountable. We will continue reporting on this major issue with kindness and respect to all Black people, as each and every one of them are seen and heard. Just a reminder, that the Black Lives Matter movement is about more than just police brutality and extends into banking, housing, education, medical, infrastructure, etc. We have the space and time for all your stories. We believe in peaceful/non-violent protests and I would like to request the rest of media to focus on 95% of the protests that are peaceful and working effectively with positive changes happening daily. Media has a responsibility to better the world and Hollywood Insider will continue to do so.”
Patrick Nash is a writer and editor from St. Louis, MO. After studying Television, Radio and Film at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Patrick is pursuing a career as a writer at Hollywood Insider. Through his various projects, and previous experience as an Americorps Member, where he helped deliver meals to food deserts in impoverished communities, Patrick exemplifies positive change in the entertainment industry. He aligns with Hollywood Insider because of the positive philosophy of the network and its commitment to actively avoid gossip and divisive narrative by focusing on the art itself, which is ultimately what is most important. He cares deeply about substance, meaning and philosophical values in entertainment, and is excited to express these sentiments further in his work.
Patrick Nash is a writer and editor from St. Louis, MO. After studying Television, Radio and Film at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Patrick is pursuing a career as a writer at Hollywood Insider. Through his various projects, and previous experience as an Americorps Member, where he helped deliver meals to food deserts in impoverished communities, Patrick exemplifies positive change in the entertainment industry. He aligns with Hollywood Insider because of the positive philosophy of the network and its commitment to actively avoid gossip and divisive narrative by focusing on the art itself, which is ultimately what is most important. He cares deeply about substance, meaning and philosophical values in entertainment, and is excited to express these sentiments further in his work.
