113 Comments
User's avatar
Kurt's avatar

Oh the photos! I reached my limit of free NYT articles long ago and won’t give that commie rag one red cent. Are they on the Wayback or elsewhere?

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Jim Mueller's avatar

+1 on not ever spending one thin dime on the NYT!

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David Cooper's avatar

As a Newby here I hadn't known Sasha Stone is a Movie Critic until today. Then I googled her and lo and behold she's the GOAT for cleavages photos, fr no exaggerating.

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Laura J's avatar

That tends to happen when you take selfies and also have boobs. Grow up. How is her cleavage relevant exactly?

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Chana's avatar

I’m sorry, Sasha. Your daughter is correct. They do it all the time. It’s “journalism”. It sucks. She knew what she did. She may even have been told to do it. Or maybe she does it so often she doesn’t know how to do it any other way. Take 100 pictures and pick the worst ones to publish.

I was able to read the article even though I don’t subscribe to the New York Times because it is a fucking rag, which is why was shocked that they did such a nice piece on you. I did say to myself Sasha is much prettier than this when I saw the photos. I didn’t think about it much though. I should have.

I can understand how you feel. It’s a low blow.

I liked listening to you read this with the commentary.

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michael holt's avatar

I would listen to Sasha read the dictionary or the phone book. It's an addiction.

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Gloria Fredericks's avatar

Me too. She has a great voice.

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Chana's avatar

Me too!

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Andrew Collins's avatar

Ya know Sasha, you have a very nice narrative voice. Have you considered doing audio books?

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David Cooper's avatar

That's why I started listening was Trish Wood or somebody referenced her. Now Sasha Stone is my go-to "Falling Asleep Substack".

On top of that, I've come to find out she has excellent photos to rub one out first. Multiple. Tomorrow I'll get more ink at Staples to print out the remainder 8 x 10.

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Laura J's avatar

You are gross. I'm sorry Sasha has to deal with nasty creeps like you.

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Christopher Kruger's avatar

That was too easy; "feminist-baiting" was a great hobby of the 1960's & 70s, it's what created the National Lampoon. But you perhaps wouldn't know that.

But I bet Sasha does.

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Laura J's avatar

You're probably right. She's wiser than I am! However, I don't consider myself to be a feminist. Sadly, on the internet there are a ton of gross creeps. How to tell the difference between feminist baiting and gross creeps (if there is, in fact, a difference)? I guess I find it revolting when Sasha talks about her body/dysmorphia/photo issues and some guy thinks he's the magical cure!

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Simon Simple's avatar

Don’t worry Laura, the “I’m the cure, I’m sensitive but really just playing the part to get down your pants” type man has a post underneath yours on the main thread.

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Wendi's avatar

Seriously? How rude? Have some class- no one needs to know

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George Tisdale's avatar

Dearest Sasha, as someone who's always hated photographs of himself, I completely understand how sensitive you are to a shot you or your friends think is unflattering of you. Please know that all of us who read your pieces feel we know your sincere and open and emotive heart, all of which can be summed up as your inner beauty. What I saw on your Megan Kelly interview was a good-looking woman. (And Megan looks nice, too.) Your smiles and expressive face complemented the inner you I know as well as anyone can through your writing. So, I don't care what those NYT photos of you look like. And no one else here does either.

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Simon Simple's avatar

😂😂 At least David Cooper was honest (disrespectful to begin with, obviously winding people up so they bite in his comments about bedtime) but honest non the less. George, blokes like you have no idea how creepy you sound, aside from the “I’m one of the good ones, look how sensitive I am” bollocks.

Admit it. You’ve already fantasised about her replying haven’t you? Then your ‘unlikely but it does happen’ relationship. I bet you even think it’s “those other men” that women worry about. Sorry, it’s psychos like you. Weirdo.

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RSgva's avatar

I really loved this video, both your introductory and subsequent comments and the story itself. Bravo to the reporter, but I suspect the thoughtful astute quotations he got from others in the industry helped him realize the importance of your work and viewpoint — and showed that you are being “true to thine own self”. You are admired by those who count.

On a completely different note, I’m also a daughter of one of those movie star beautiful women, and I share the same anti-selfie complex. A peripheral observation: many of the celebrity transgender daughters trying to be boys are also offspring of stunningly feminine mothers.

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Sasha Stone's avatar

Right??

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Kidbuck's avatar

We all have our reasons for our vanity. Most of us are self conscious of photos taken of us.

Here's the truth. Certainly a good photographer knows how to take the best looking pictures of a person and highlight their best attributes. It would've been considerate of she would've even tried. BUT, your beautiful, Sasha, and that's what most people will see. And that just a fact.

You look good, classy, and professional! Seriously.

Especially with that candid camera photo shoot.

Much ❤️ love, Sasha!

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John C. Lamb's avatar

Sasha, what a cool solution!! I do not wish to support NYT, WAPO and WSJ through buying their content. Thank you for providing a free service for those are visually handicapped!! A true public service!!

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Bill's avatar

Hello Sasha, like others have eluded to, I’m someone who’s eluded to the thoughts and personal experiences you’ve volunteered recently. I discovered you after your amazing interview with MK, and - as a fellow liberal-turned-conservative can relate to some of what you’re experiencing (maybe 1%?)

This episode was kind of huge for me. It was huge because it was raw humanity exposed, it was personal and vulnerable and brave, but was HUMAN. And it seems like that’s a thing that’s in twilight today.

Just wanted to say that your personal “baggage” as you called it was not only welcomed by me, but recentered me in the idea of the human condition.

And by human condition I mean that which unites us as (you know…) humans. Regardless of who we voted for, regardless of the pronouns in our bios (or lack thereof), regardless of our skin pigmentation.

We are all human. Most (maybe not all?) of us hate our pictures posted by others. Most of us are misunderstood. Most of us are navigating dark, unknown waters with no North Star.

Just wanted to thank you. For all you share and all you have stood for and continue to stand for. Above all, your willingness to thine own self, be True.

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David Longo's avatar

I stopped getting the NY Times a couple/few decades ago, when I realized that Cottonelle was a much softer option.

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KRISTEN BERENS's avatar

😆Good one!

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michael holt's avatar

Many of us admire the Cottonelle quip, David! 👍

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Ruth H's avatar

NYT doesn’t deserve my time.

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Tom Kennedy's avatar

Your writing shows you have a beautiful soul that shines in your writing. The photos that were intended to hurt you are from a once great newspaper that has slowly lost any search for "truth".

Keep sharing your views - you are good at providing beautiful insight based in "truth".

I know you aren't a Christian but this story from the Gospel of John is my favorite - Jesus is brought before Pilate for questioning:

"Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. "

For the NYTs "truth" is whatever they want it to be. Everyone on the side of truth reads your articles and ignores the NYT.

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Nelson Head's avatar

I’m a photographer, among other things. It’s obvious what this woke, warrior did to your images. Her lighting, angles, and resolution would make even Melania look like a wicked witch. It’s not you but only a spiteful, manipulated distortion of reality. The next time some publication wants to take your picture, have them meet you at Meghan Kelly’s house.

You must be really getting under their skin – keep it up.

Take heart in the adage, “I don’t care what they print about me so long as they spell my name correctly: At least the NYT did that in your case.

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Jim Mueller's avatar

You have a great podcast voice Sasha. If you had a regular Spotify pod, I would definitely add you.

For this one here; it would've been hilarious if you had a snooty English character voice who is clearly better than all of us deplorables reading the quotes... Lol... It would be awesome if John Cleese did it! I'll bet Russel Brand would do a good job of it too!

In any case, you should definitely keep covering the Oscars... if for no other reason than to taunt them. or to spite them. or both :)

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Jim Mueller's avatar

oh and the pictures... it seems like they got under your skin a little bit with that... I didn't see them but everyone has pics of themself that they don't like.

Don't give them your energy. "Like water off a ducks back.." Posting pics like that only shows how slanted and narrative driven they are. They're only making themselves look bad. You're a rockstar! Fuck them...

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APriori's avatar

Of course NYT immediately had to cast you as an ideologue ("MAGA pundit") and, contradictorily, an opportunist ("recast"), as well as someone who is misguided ("perceives") about the most obviously true thing in the world ("the industry's liberal status quo"), which of course they've misstated (since Hollywood today isn't actually liberal at all; that's the crux of your cancellation, after all).

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Brandy's avatar

One, I'm a woman who is also a bit vain which completely SUCKS when aging just won't cooperate. I'm also a hermit by choice who has gotten really, really exhausted with fad diets and exercise spurts so I know EXACTLY what you are referencing in regards to your anger and insecurity about the photos. I'm not going to do that thing. You know the thing...you look beautiful, angelic, perfect! You do look beautiful and fierce in the main photo, the one where you are sitting at your desk. That is the one most people will be drawn to so chin up. The other one? That was on purpose! They could have softened it a bit, the lighting was harsh, and I don't believe for one second out of all those pictures, that was the best one. We ALL have crap pictures taken of us. My son keeps one on his phone to taunt me with every now and again. 😄 🤣 But, think about this. Every day you see pictures of people. How often do you stop and pick them apart? How long do you spend looking and after that how long do you spend thinking about them? Very little to none, I would bet. I wouldn't have even looked if you hadn't said anything because I just hit play on NYT articles and listen. Phew. With all that being said, I think you came across as absolutely terrific in the article. I could even feel a little agreement coming from the author. It was a good interview. I hope Hollywood was listening. Much love.

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Laura J's avatar

That second photo - why would a professional photographer use such an angle? I took beginner photography and even I know that is an unflattering angle on ANYONE. I agree that the first photo looks fierce which I like, but again a *professional* (?) photographer blew out the picture lighting with a harsh flash? Yes, I agree it was deliberate. I did think she was treated fairly in the written piece. Your son sounds like a funny guy :)

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Libertarian's avatar

Definitely deliberately unflattering.

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Brandy's avatar

He sure thinks he is! 😂

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Wendi's avatar

PS never have someone on the left photograph you when you can see they’re far left. It’s delusional to think they’ll be fair- a conservative photographer would never do that but they have made the left truly feel justified in their ‘ revenge’ or hate. As a pageant coach you can not underestimate the vile bias that comes from the left and I would advise my clients as such.

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