Not sure if this is where to post this....

I joined this forum not because I am a fangurl. God, I have a life.

I never even knew who he was until last month when I watched P.S. I Love You. He is adorable in that flick. The movie moved me immensely because I lost a family member, an old boyfriend and a friend last year. I cried all night after seeing that movie.

I looked him up on IMDB and was surprised to find out his movies. I have seen the Phantom of the Opera in Chicago and Atlanta and I love the show but skipped the movie because I was told it sucked and I didn't want to have that image in my brain. Still haven't seen it, btw. 300--heard the hype, didn't see the movie. I watched it and thought that he was awesome in that movie. Not a fan of Tomb Raiders. And I had not heard of Dear Frankie but I may watch that one. I did see Mrs. Brown but did not recognize him. Honestly, I had not seen any of his other movies because I don't have time for movies that many believe suck. I love great film and belong to an independent film club and those movies are usually all I have time to see. However, I may watch LAC on a date this weekend (per his request--not mine).

I googled GB as well after seeing his list of flicks. That's where my interest began to peak. First, I don't want to violate any rules of this board. And I love ALL people. And I am a fan, believe it or not. But this guy is just a PR nightmare, IMO. He can't keep his mouth shut or his hands off his co-stars asses. Based on what is online about him, he could be gay, straight or in between even though I know a lot of what online is hogwash. But as Gerard said himself (I have part Scottish blood in my lineage and I like using his full name because I can pronounce it the way he does) "where's there's smoke, there's fire." I think so much of his "image" is being crafted by his PR team--a bad team-- to cover SOMETHING up, but I don't know what--it could simply be that he is a "Peter Pan" and is really that immature. Nothing wrong with that. I am called "Petra Pan" because I refuse to grow up. BTW, I own a public relations firm and the quickest way to quash bad press is to call the interview a "fake." I am not saying the Movieline interview is real but based on what I read (again, probably hogwash), I tend to believe there is some truth about it. But really, if he wasn't an actor, would anyone care? Hell no!

I am a fan because I do think he is uber talented. But that talent is going to waste in crap like TBH, which I won't see. And he is hurting his chances of being considered a "serious" actor with mature, educated fans like me with his silly interviews and antics.

I don't think Gerard is living his life authentically, maybe because he is not sure who he is or he is afraid his fans won't accept him. Sandy Bullock is authentic as you can be in the fake world of Hollywood and we all still love her. Same with Neil Patrick Harris. I didn't know he was gay but I don't care. He's funny as hell in his show.

To be honest, real fans like me don't care about his personal life except for the fact that reading all the "fandom" is better than anything on TV most nights. And the PR team needs to do a better job of crafting his image for the gossip-hungry fans. If this is the real "Gerry" then great. Part of it is charming--even when he is being a bit crass. I hope if he is hiding his true self he will stop soon and be who he is. The real fans don't sit around fantasizing about being his 'one and only.' We like him because of his talent. Well, okay, he is hot, too. But we will keep watching him as long as he keeps turning out awesome performances. The random kissing of women and stories of his "entourage" are a big turn off.

I hope Coriolanus will be great. I love the story (love all Shakespeare) and played Virgilia in college. Maybe this will "redeem" him to the REAL fans of his talent.

P.S. I Love You will always be one of my favorites because I have experienced so much loss in my life. And Gerard was great in that and he made me cry. That movie has stayed with me even a month later.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. I have never been on a fan board and I hope I didn't break any rules.

kayanne, it was great reading your post. You really covered everything.

I see you like independent films. If you get a chance, try to see Dear Frankie. It is a wonderful film, IMO, and one of my favorites of Gerry's. The whole cast is great in this film, as well.

hi kayanne! great post! i think alot of us here feel the same way you do...which is why this is such a wonderful forum! so glad you popped in!

you also should check out "the jury!" it's a bit long, but gerry does an OUTSTANDING job in that one!!!!

Welcome kayanne! I'm glad to know another non fangurl around.

You have pointed out a lot of great things and with that kind of attitude, you rightfully belong here.

Being a fan for quite a while, I personally think that the behaviour change has been going on for a couple of years, almost right after the success of 300-going on 3 years now. There was a definite change in his personality, his attitude, his reactions, etc. Either that, or he wasn't allowed to be who he really was, until then.

For years, we've been banging our heads against the wall about his PR people. Either they don't do a good job, or he can't be controlled. Probably a little of both.

It will be interested hearing your views as a professional PR.

Thank you for the warm welcome! I honestly have never been on a forum like this one so you can guide me. This is a great diversion because I live in a town where my only friends are ex-boyfriends and the guys I am dating. I am looking forward to girl talk!

I tried to post some things earlier but I think I screwed it up. I hope I don't repeat myself here. I am a bit saucy and I hope my bluntness and wee bit of cursing doesn't get me kicked off.

I have never been one to follow "gossip" or be a fan of anything. Two years ago a friend mentioned Perez Hilton and I thought he was talking about Paris' older brother. I saw that Jared site for the first time the other day. But GB is an interesting look at how people think from so many angles--the fangurls, the PR and Gerard himself so I am in for now!

Greyeye, thanks for asking my thoughts on the PR because I would LOVE to share because this is so interesting to me. I don't know the man or his team so all of these are wild guesses. Please tell me what you guys think. Here are my thoughts:

1. They don't care about what is going on now as long as people don't question whether or not he is bi or gay. A lot of those photos I have seen with women seemed staged to me. I do applaud them for not openly giving him a beard but just the "rumors." Maybe they did that on purpose so that it's not awkward for anyone if he comes out. Personally, I would hate to have a client hiding a big secret like that. I don't think I would sleep a wink!

2. It could be "image" but Gerard does seem to battle internally. Some of that comes out in interviews and I wonder why that is not played up more than the Lothario image by his PR team? Often they know the questions before they are asked.

I dated a guy who was battled a lot of things internally--his sexuality was not one of them but they were big issues. I had to learn to let him have his space. Then I had to hold him and be there when he needed me and was "battling." It was hard! I let him go after three years when I realized that I was getting lost in fighting those battles--one of the hardest things I have ever done. Still love him and I am his best friend. Maybe Gerard truly does realize that he has not found that "warrior woman" he could be true to so he battles alone. The alleged sexcapades--if they are real-- could be his way of dealing. Yeah, this totally sounds like a Fangurl fantasy but one I could see as being true. I went through a phase where I sought comfort in shallow relationships so I can see that. However, he could be more discrete. The constant stories and pics are a huge turn-off.

3. His management may not care as long as they are getting their cut! This could be a sad but true reality and I think it is a huge possibility.

4. My advice--Be as authentic as you can in a fake world. While Hollywood is the fakest place of all, let's be honest, the entire world puts on a show at one time or another. I would respect him so much if he would settle some issues once and for all, stop ass grabbing (Jen was not the first) and stop having diarrhea of the mouth! Then get back to making GOOD movies not garbage like TBH! He has the talent. Use it!

BTW, I loved the CHARACTER that Gerard played in P.S. I Love You but I no more think he is really Jerry Kennedy than I believe in Santa Clause. That movie was an art form that moved me because it hit close to home. One of the losses I experienced was a suicide and I would have loved to have had just one note but a note was not left for me. It's his performance---not the man--that got me here. But damn if he is not an interesting case study and certainly worth discussing!

Kayanne, thanks for delurking so quickly and sharing your thoughts! I think you're going to fit in here just fine.

[quote="kayanne"]e It's his performance---not the man--that got me here. But damn if he is not an interesting case study and certainly worth discussing!



i love it and feel the EXACT same way kayanne. i'm not talking about the ladies here when i say this, but on my yahoo group i've found that those actually attracted by the acting are in the VAST minority!!!

what town/city are you in, btw?

Sami,

I am actually not that far from you--right outside of Chattanooga, TN.

Damn--there's yet another group--Yahoo? How many are there?

What is the appeal? I mean, he's a decent actor and all but geez! Is it Fangurls thinking they may have a chance because he has never been married? Is his PR team better than we think?

I am sitting here with my ex-boyfriend and he is amazed at this as well. Oh, he has pointed out that he looks a bit like Gerard and he does some. But he has brown eyes though and no hair on his neck (which is gross!). I wonder if I could get some Fangurls for him if I started a forum?

Oh, he thinks you guys are cool.

if you do a google search you will find that there are gabillions of websites dedicated to gerry and yahoo groups out the wazoo. (altho i have to say....the yahoo group i maintain is one of the few that is still active, and we've been around since there WEREN'T a gazillion sites for gerry. lol!! there were only two at the time and one of them is history now!)

chattanooga isn't far at all. it's lovely up there. was there last november for a concert!!

kayanne, honesty and some cussing won't get you kicked off. Backstabbing will. I don't know how much cussing it would take, but I've cussed my fill and I'm still here.

You sound like you belong here.

Is cussing bad?

F/uck me.

LOL! WTF? Okay, I warned you I am saucy!

The Butler mouth is rubbing off on y'all.

kayanne wrote:

3. His management may not care as long as they are getting their cut! This could be a sad but true reality and I think it is a huge possibility.

Good point, kayanne. They're making a nice chunk'o change off of him.

I'm wondering if that's also why actresses in Hollywood are lining up to try and make a movie with him. I'm not a fan of JA, never have been. Ask the girls here. But she made a smart move asking GB to be in her movie, as alot of her movies are bombs, including TBH. The only way it's making money is because of his fans.

Oh and welcome, again. You've added so much to this "effin" awesome site already!

LOL! I am a one-woman biz right now so it's good to have some conversation even if it is only online!

You girls are great!

kayanne wrote:

What is the appeal? I mean, he's a decent actor and all but geez! Is it Fangurls thinking they may have a chance because he has never been married? Is his PR team better than we think?

I'm still trying to figure out that one.

My big interest was a great social network and a local social life, since I was working in a job in which I was the only employee in the office. But that kind of bombed, long story.

I will always cherish my viewings of Attila and 300. And drop some Dear Frankie in it, because he was great in that one, and The Jury. Other than that, it was all eye candy.

I do think that there's something about the single life, because you wouldn't have stalkers out in the world.

Phantom was the huge tsunami that brought in the waves of fans. There hasn't been anything like it since in the fandoms. Everyone wanted to know who was this lost soul. That's kind of where the big push for his work started coming out.

I still remember when I saw the video of Gman talking about the big project he was going to do, which was 300.

I forgot to also mention, I love indie films.

Here's something I've wondered, because it's such a cliche'...

Is it true that any publicity is good publicity?

To me personally, no.

I will never buy anything from Quiznos because their commercials with the spongmonkeys annoyed and offended me years ago.

I have not seen any Tom Cruise movies or shows, included old beloved ones, ever since he belittled women with postpartum depression. I have no intention of ever seeing any of his stuff unless there are others in them that I cannot do without.

I'm one of those people who hold grudges.

Bad publicity is bad publicity. I could tell you some stories!

Here's what is funny about GB though. The stuff that is out there is all over the place. Would we be so disillusioned about him if it were not for the innuendos and strange stories? I sense that in Hollywierd that sometimes things are not addressed because they are so outlandish and I understand that. But you don't see so much drama surrounding other actor's lives that goes unaddressed. Either those actors are who they say they are or they have great publicist. GB strikes out in both of those areas for me.

Those who are normal, educated movie lovers are getting greatly turned off by the gossip and wish he would just be real. But I think for him to be real some group of fans will be disappointed and I don't know for sure which group. I am more turned off by the silliness than anything. His performance moved me enough to do something I had never done before--join a fan group. If I didn't enjoy the conversation with you guys I probably would not be here anymore. I feel like I am more of a fan of the story surrounding the actor than the actor now.

I did read some of that Jared thing while eating lunch. I spit out my grilled cheese sandwich laughing at some of the comments. It was better than turning on the television.

The spongemonkeys offend you, Julie? Why?

Associating them with food, especially meat, as if their meats come from spongmonkeys, offended me.

I am glad I didn't see that commercial because I love Quiznos. I am going to find it though!

Here it is. Don't look, Julie!