Good role for Tinsel Korey

Actors for Short Film RetributionFull service film and video production company is currently accepting headshots and resumes for our upcoming short film "Retribution."

SEEKING:

July 16th Shoot

3.) FEMALE (21-30; Hindu/Indian or Native American)--WOMAN 4. Petite to Average buildComment:  Whatever ethnicity you are, Tinsel, you're perfect for this role. Call your agent!

For more on the subject, see Mackenzie Confirms Korey's Identity and Tinsel Korey = Harsha Patel?

P.S. The idea that the two ethnicities are interchangeable is an insult to them both, of course.

Mackenzie confirms Korey's identity

To double-check the Mackenzie school website listing Tinsel Korey as Harsha Patel, I e-mailed the school:Comments/Questions: Re your 50 for 50: Tinsel Korey is claiming to be an aboriginal actress. I.e., a Native American of perhaps Ojibwe descent. And not someone of Asian Indian descent named Harsha Patel. Can you confirm that Tinsel Korey and Harsha Patel are the same person?

RobI received this response from webmaster@mackenziereunion.com:Hi Rob,

Yes, Tinsel Korey is Harsha Patel's stage name.

Regards,
RonnieComment:  This seems pretty conclusive to me. But as usual, I wait for the definitive proof.

For more on the subject, see Tinseltown Korey on MySpace and Let Ojibwe Decide About Korey?

Tinseltown Korey on MySpace

A group of Natives challenges Tinsel Korey's identity on MySpace:

Tinseltown KoreyTinsel Korey. Proud Native Canadian.

Harsha Patel. Embarrassed East Indian.

What do these two have to do with each other?

They are the same person.

She was born Harsha Patel to a wealthy doctor and his wife in Ontario, but an estrangement from her family, a move across the country after graduating from William Lyon Mackenzie CI she gave herself a new name, and background (claims she is Ojibway), all fueled by ambition. The movie industry is not easy to break into, there are more doors closed than opened, but Harsha saw what she felt was a loophole. She decided to do what many other people have done to aboriginals in Canada and North America, and that was to exploit them for her own chance at fame. Rather than using her own Indian heritage and drawing on Hinduism for support, she instead rewrote her background to Native America, believing that she could garner more roles.

The casting session for New Moon was long and arduous. Line ups were huge. Casting agents were turning people away from the door. A big poster at the door stating "MUST BE NATIVE/FIRST NATIONS."

How did she get through the cracks?

How did a strict casting statement get ignored?And:There has been a lot of talk of 'rumors', 'gossip', 'bullying', 'slander' and 'libel', which just paints Tinsel Korey as some hapless victim (when she has full agency and made the decision to pursue a career which puts her in the public eye WHILE creating a new identity/background for herself) threatens to silence ACTUAL Native voices. When people make loose threats or attempt to insult the character of those who speak up--as well as accuse anyone who expresses any sort of disbelief in this actress' claims of "hating"/"jealousy"--it further marginalizes Anishinaabe women, and paints ALL Native women who desire fair representation in the media as 'bitter' or just not good enough.

We, as well as others who've spoken out, don't wish anyone (even those who seem to romanticize oppression, falsify adoptee-status or co-opt marginalized peoples' identities) ill-will, and are only in favor of an admission and an apology from the actress herself. If this individual cares about Native people or "breaking casting stereotypes" at all, she will CEASE derailing all discussions of this with flippant 'statements', detracting from the issue with her resume of feel-good 'activist work', et cetera, and just tell the truth.

Many Native people will not agree with us on issues of cultural (mis)appropriation, or are willfully ignorant to the exploitation of Native "identity", and that is fine. However, you'd do a disservice to your ancestors who survived displacement and genocide to not care. When you defend those who practice dishonesty, it is akin to the dismissive attitudes of white people who've told us to "lighten up" about Hollywood's preference for white actors in Native roles. If your culture is merely a tool to use for your own advancement or personal gains, a fashion statement, et cetera...that is your prerogative. But some of us care about maintaining strong familial ties, respecting our elders, acknowledging our clans, knowing our history and striving to keep our languages alive. You can wear your "pride" on any number of t-shirts or use your tribal affiliation to get ahead/distinguish yourself amongst the crowd, but the way in which you carry yourself and treat others is the ultimate decider of what makes you a good person and a culturally-competent member of your nation or person of your background. We would be appreciative of Tinsel Korey's work in Native communities, but we do not believe she can "give back" any more than she has taken...unless she starts practicing honesty.And:It is one thing to identify WITH Native people, and an entirely different thing to identify AS one. We were willing to 'let it slide' when other non-Native actors were cast in Native roles, and understood that it was the casting directors' faults. However, the difference between you and, for example, Taylor Lautner playing a Native character, is that his acting stops when the camera isn't rolling. Yours hasn't, and you've used it to misrepresent yourself; thereby upholding the same (lack of) values and ethics of Hollywood executives.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Tinsel Korey's High-School Anniversary and Tinsel Korey = Harsha Patel?

Below:  An image from the 'Harsha Patel" Tumblr page.

Tinsel Korey's high-school anniversary

Someone sent me a link to this website for William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute in Toronto:

Mackenzie's 50 for 50In honour of Mackenzie’s 50th Anniversary, we've created a Wall of Fame to feature 50 Mackenzie alumni who have contributed to society in a significant way.Tinsel Korey
Actress and MusicianTinsel Korey, born Harsha Patel, is an up and coming actress and musician now living in Vancouver, British Columbia.

In 2009 Tinsel finally made it to Los Angeles where she would audition for the role of a lifetime. Casting director Rene Haynes would bring Korey in to audition for the part of Emily in the movie 'New Moon'. After weeks of auditioning approx. 800 girls, Summit Entertainment announced that Miss Korey would be the one to bring the beautifully scarred character to life on screen.

Off-screen Tinsel also enjoys painting, and working with youth. She travels all throughout North America teaching acting and music to Native American Youth who want to get into the entertainment industry. The course focuses on the art aspect, helping them bring out their own unique talents.Comment:  Whoops. "Born as Harsha Patel"...it doesn't get much clearer than that.

This is the first piece of evidence that comes from an institution rather than individuals. As such, it instantly adds credibility to the anti-Korey arguments. Why would Mackenzie lie about someone it presumably has official records on? Korey's "friends" may be jealous of her success, but the school has no reason to lie about her ancestry.

Indeed, the school has every reason to tell the truth. If it was caught falsifying Korey's background, it undoubtedly would face repercussions. So it's likely Mackenzie's info is accurate.

For more on the subject, see Tinsel Korey Answers Critics, Tinsel Korey Comes Clean?, and The Truth About Tinsel Korey.

6th Annual Red Nation Film Festival

6th Annual Red Nation Film Festival + Experience American Indian Cinema + Celebrates Its Winners & HonoreesLos Angeles, CA--Red Nation Film Festival (RNFF) announces festival winners & honorees for the 6th Annual Red Nation Film Festival of November 2009.

RNFF honorees were presented at the Red is Green Carpet Gala A Night of Tribute Awards Ceremony on November 12, 2009 at Raleigh Studios. RNFF filmmakers’ awards were presented online January 28, 2010, at www.rednationfilmfestival.com. RNFF had five L.A. premieres, three Red is Green Carpet galas, 20th anniversary of George Harrison critically acclaimed Sundance Award-winning feature film “Pow Wow Highway” and a exclusive premiere of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.”

Red Nation Film Festival is the largest and most prestigious celebration of the American Indian motion picture art form in Los Angeles and has positioned itself worldwide as the best venue for marketing American Indian & Indigenous Independent Films, including Native Women in Film & Television.

RNFF Award Winners:

Best Film
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Director: Chris Weitz

Best Director
The Ghost Riders
Director: V. Blackhawk Aamodt

Best Actor
Chaske Spencer
The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Best Actress
Tinsel Korey
The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Best Documentary Feature
Crude
Director: Joe Berlinger

Best Woman Documentary Feature
For The Next 7 Generations/The 13 Grandmothers
Director: Carole Hart

Best Documentary Short
In The Footsteps of Yellow Woman
Director: Camille Manybeads Tso

Best Editor
Red Nation Film Festival Short
Montano Rain

Best Music Video
Michael Jackson
Black or White

A NIGHT OF TRIBUTE AWARDS CEREMONY recipients were:

“Red Nation Vision Award”--In Loving Memory to Michael Jackson “Black or White”

“Edward Albert Jr Indigenous Film Award”--Edward James Olmos, Actor

“Brando Award”--Joe Berlinger, director of Crude

“Lifetime Achievement Award”--Graham Greene, Actor

“Best Network Award”--CBS Corporation

“Television Heritage Media Award”--James Ramos, San Manuel Tribe

“Red Nation Theatre Playwright Award”--Richard Montoya, Culture Clash

“Red Nation Humanartian Award”--Leonard Peltier, Activist

“Red Nation Activists Award”--Atossa Soltani, Director of Amazon Watch

“Red Nation Community Award”--Christine Padilla, Community Volunteer Lakota Nation

In attendance were: Edward James Olmos (actor); Josie Thomas, Head of Diversity, Senior VP (CBS Corporation); Jo Berlinger; director of Crude; Mitchell Anderson accepting on behalf of Atossa Soltani (Amazon Watch); RJ Joseph accepting on behalf of Leonard Peltier (activist); Christine Padilla (community volunteer); Disney ABC Television Group Frank B. Gonzalez; Chaske Spencer (actor/New Moon); Tinsel Korey (actor/New Moon); Alex Meraz (actor/New Moon); Rene Haynes (casting director); Zahn McClarnon (actor/Into The West); Gil Birmingham (actor/New Moon); Jackie Jacobs (Talent Group); Kimberly Norris Guerrero (Dreamkeeper); Elijah De Jesus (actor/Pearl); V. Blackhawk Aamodt (director/The Ghost Riders); Camille Manybeads Tso (director/In The Footsteps of Yellow Woman) to name a few.Joanelle Romero's Photos--On the Red is Green Carpet + Red Nation Film Festival

'New Moon' Honored for Embracing Native Americans  [video]

DailyDips Episode 56:  Famous Quotes, A “Precious” Exclusive, Live Long and Prosper, Bullock Gets “Blind Sided,” “New Moon” Madness



[New Moon segment begins at the 4:30 mark]

Comment:  See Tinsel Korey talk about her Native community and Native actresses like her!

I couldn't attend the Red Nation Film Festival this year because of my trips to Washington DC and Las Vegas.

For more on the subject, see Quileute Werewolves in Twilight and The Best Indian Movies.

Below:  "Red Nation FILM LAB Q & A with Alex Meraz (actor/New Moon), Gil Birmingham (actor/New Moon), Tinsel Korey (actor/New Moon), Chaske Spencer (actor/New Moon) and Joanelle Romero (actor/Pow Wow Highway)."

Tinsel Korey = Harsha Patel?

Another person claims Tinsel Korey isn't Native--this time with photo evidence to back up the claim:

Welcome to Harsha PatelTwilight is one of the biggest films right now, most of the stars from this movie were beginning actors and now they are A-list stars. Among the most famous in the World. Robert Pattison and Kirsten Stewart are household names.

New Moon, the second film of the 4 book series is coming out on November 20th. One of those stars is none other than Tinsel Korey, a Canadian actress who has been in such films as Steven Spielburg's Into the West, Tin Man and The Lookout. She has been slowly climbing the ladder of fame, and now she is is portraying Emily Young in New Moon.

Tinsel Korey. Proud Native Canadian.

Harsha Patel. Embarrassed East Indian.

What do these two have to do with each other?

They are the same person.

She was born Harsha Patel to a wealthy doctor and his wife in Ontario, but an estrangement from her family, a move across the country after graduating from William Lyon Mackenzie CI she gave herself a new name, and background (claims she is Ojibway), all fueled by ambition. The movie industry is not easy to break into, there are more doors closed than opened, but Harsha saw what she felt was a loophole. She decided to do what many other people have done to aboriginals in Canada and North America, and that was to exploit them for her own chance at fame. Rather than using her own Indian heritage and drawing on Hinduism for support, she instead rewrote her background to Native America, believing that she could garner more roles.Why this matters, again:Her part is small, but it’s a role that was stolen from a true blooded aboriginal woman….A commenter in another posting makes the same claim about Korey's being Patel:Anonymous said...

great stuff! what tribes is Tinsel tied to? From what I've read she's done a lot of work in the Native side of the industry.

Anonymous said...

She started implying Cherokee in about 2005, then Ojibwe, Mohawk, and now claims Anishinaabe. She also claimed she was adopted at 2, then as an infant, and implies that her step family are Jewish-Russian--claiming that her real parents were hippies in explanation of the name she gave herself as a teenager. She was in fact born and raised Harsha Patel to East Indian parents on 25 March 1980 so there aren't too many groups of people left for her to trivialize, appropriate from or insult.Comment:  As a reminder, I don't know the truth of this claim. That's why there's a question mark in the title.

The picture apparently is from Patel's high-school yearbook. It's labeled "Grade Twelve/O - A - C" at the top.




Unfortunately, the picture only resembles Korey. I wouldn't say it's a conclusive match.

Also, let's note that Ojibwe is a variation of Anishinaabe. Switching from one word to another is the same or a similar claim, not a brand new claim.

Therefore, I'd say the question is still up in the air. We're still waiting for definitive proof one way or another.

But Korey's refusal to address the issue remains suspicious. Most Natives are proud to discuss their particular Native ancestors. E.g., "My mother's grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee who was born and raised in Tahlequah." The people who refer to mysterious Indian ancestors (often Cherokee princesses) and can't or won't say more usually end up being frauds or wannabes. (That means you, Ward Churchill.)

Incidentally, we've had enough debate on Tinsel Korey in this blog. Supporters will say, "How dare you attack this proud Native actress? She doesn't have to prove herself to you. Stop being so jealous/negative/racist." Critics will say, "Thank you for posting this. How dare she pretend to be Native? She's making a mockery of all the hard-working Natives who have struggled to overcome obstacles."

In other words, we've heard it all before. If you have anything new to say on the subject--especially corroborating evidence--e-mail it to me. I'll decide whether to post it.

For more on the subject, see Tinsel Korey Answers Critics and The Truth About Tinsel Korey.

Let Ojibwe decide about Korey?

Someone recently suggested that we should let the Ojibwe decided if Twilight actress Tinsel Korey is one of them. Here's my response to this person:

From what I've seen, most Indians have an expansive definition of who qualifies as Native. Most would count Sam Bradford the football player because he's an enrolled Cherokee, even though he's only 1/16 Cherokee. Some might count Johnny Depp, who's unenrolled but 1/8 Cherokee. A few might count Taylor Lautner, who has an unspecified but small amount of Native blood he just discovered.

Paradoxically, though, Indians are tough on New Agers and wannabes who claim to be Native with no justification whatsoever. Many would say Ward Churchill falls into this category. People were willing to believe him initially, but when he kept changing his story about how he was Native, they began doubting him.

As far as I'm concerned, Tinsel Korey falls into this category also. I've criticized the idea of Depp's being Native, but at least he can point to a particular Cherokee ancestor: his great-grandmother. No one's accusing him of lying because he's explained the source of his claim.

Korey hasn't done this. She hasn't identified a particular ancestor, clan, or tribe. All she's done is call herself Ojibwe or Anishinaabe.

Many Ojibwe tribes

FYI, these terms refer to a large cultural group, not an individual tribe. I believe there are more than 100 tribes belonging to this cultural group.



I gather your position is that we should leave Korey's identity to the Ojibwe "people." But which people, exactly? There's no central Ojibwe authority who determines who is or isn't Ojibwe. People in one Ojibwe tribe have no knowledge or opinion about members of other Ojibwe tribes.

So which of the 100-plus tribes does Korey claim to belong to? If she searched back through her parents, grandparents, and so forth, she should be able to identify which tribe or tribes her ancestors belonged to. If she can't trace her ancestry to at least one particular tribe, how does she (or we) know she's Ojibwe at all?

When Korey tells us which particular Ojibwe tribe her ancestors come from, I'll be glad to leave the determination of her identity to that tribe. Let me know when that happens, because I don't think it's happened yet. Until then, I'll continue to question her vague and unsubstantiated claims of being "Ojibwe."

For more on the subject, see Tinsel Korey Answers Critics and Tinsel Korey Comes Clean?

Twilight Weekly's Korey video

Recently we learned the Quileute Nation was going to appear on Twilight Weekly: Spotlight, a cable TV show dedicated to Twilight. Here's a video from the Quileute episode.



Korey says she had a "weird brainstorm" that people might want to know more about the real Quileute Indians. Yeah, I had that same thought when I first heard about Twilight two years ago. Better late than never, Tinsel.

Korey said that "our Native teachings" impelled her to give back to the Quileute people. So she's officially on record claiming that she's a Native. Now the only question is whether she's telling the truth.

For more on the subject, see Tinsel Korey Answers Critics and Tinsel Korey Comes Clean?

Korey teaches Quileute acting classes

'New Moon' Star Gives Acting Lessons at Tribal School

By Jackie JacobsTinsel Korey, who portrays Emily in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," spent a week on the Quileute Nation here, teaching acting classes for the K-12 Tribal School.

Korey also helped to raise funds for the school with an appearance on First Beach with Quileute elder Chris Morganroth.

"In true Native tradition, she is doing what our ancestors and elders have taught us to do for centuries," Quileute Chairwoman Carol Hatch said. "Tinsel is giving back and sharing her gifts and talents with our Native youth."

Quileute Tribal School principal Al Zantua was quoted by the Peninsula Daily News as saying in a prepared statement: "I think it is fantastic for her to reach out to the kids. After reaching that level of notoriety, it is inspiring and remarkable. Our kids are pretty excited."Comment:  Jacobs added this note on Facebook:I will always remember the sheer joy in the eyes of the kids. Nothing compares....For more on the subject, see Korey Holds Concert for Quileute School and Tinsel Korey Visits Quileutes.

Below:  "Actress Tinsel Korey leads kindergarteners into the Quileute Tribal School." (Courtesy photo by Yazzie)



"Jackie Jacobs and Tinsel Korey sharing with the youth at Neah Bay."

Korey holds concert for Quileute school

"New Moon" Actress Tinsel Korey to perform benefit concert for Quileute Tribal SchoolTinsel Korey, who portrays the character Emily, in the Twilight Saga: New Moon film to be released Nov. 20 will perform a concert on Sunday, September 13, 2009, at the Vera Project in Seattle, WA. The concert is a benefit for the Quileute Tribal School grades K-12 located in LA Push, WA. This is an all-ages concert.

September 13 coincidentally happens to be Bella’s birthday in the books.

Tinsel is very interested in paving the way for other Native American artists and to that end has invited Noah Hunt and his band mate Jay Daffe, who make up the duo “The Definition Of,” to be the opening act. Noah is from the Lumbee Nation and currently resides in Kennewick, WA. The concert will begin with an honor song by Arlie Neskahi of the Navajo Nation.Comment:  The phrase "other Native American artists" implies Korey is a Native American artist. It ain't necessarily so. But whether she is or isn't, at least she's doing something for the tribe.

Actually, there are a couple of ways to look at this. Your outlook may depend on whether you're a glass-half-full or a glass-half-empty type:

1) She's doing something positive for the tribe: because she believe in Native people. Because she believes she's Native herself. Because she feels guilty over her claims of being Native.

2) She's doing something positive for herself: building her credibility with Native people. Inoculating herself against claims that she isn't Native. "If the Quileute tribe believes I'm Native, who are you to question me?"

Of course, it could be a combination of both. Who knows?

For more on the subject, see Tinsel Korey Visits Quileutes and Tinsel Korey Answers Critics.

Tinsel Korey visits Quileutes

New Moon' actress visiting Quileute tribe

By Paige DickersonTinsel Korey, who plays a supporting role in the forthcoming Twilight saga movie, "New Moon," is visiting the Quileute tribe this week.

Today she visited the Quileute Tribal School.

She will also be on the beach Friday at twilight for a bonfire, pictures and time with fans who are visiting for Stephenie Meyer Weekend in the Forks area.And:"In true Native tradition, she is doing what our ancestors and elders have taught us to do for centuries," tribal Chairwoman Carol Hatch said.

"Tinsel is giving back and sharing her gifts and talents with our Native youth."
Comment:  I gather the tribe didn't know about the controversy surrounding Korey. But at least one person there has now read my posting on the subject.

Forks has declared this Saturday Stephenie Meyer Day and this weekend Stephenie Meyer Day Weekend. Let's all celebrate this great American!

For more on Korey, see Tinsel Korey Answers Critics and Tinsel Korey Comes Clean? For a previous visit to the Quileute rez, see Trimble Talks About Twilight and Twilight Fans at Quileute Days.

Tinsel Korey answers critics

On her MySpace page, Tinsel Korey has posted some "answers" to the critics who say she isn't Native:

FYICurrent mood: stalked

Just to let people know. I do not post on any other sites other then myspace and my website page tinselkorey.com. As well I have a Bebo and Reverbnation page just for info. I never leave personal messages on there.

I don't write on any other blog pages, nor do I read them. I have been told that people are writing as me. Uhhhhh creepy. May I perhaps make a suggestion of going outside and seeing the light, there's a whole REAL world outside with heart beats. lolF.A.QCurrent mood: amused

Q: Are you Native?
A: Yes

Q: A friend of a friend of a friend said they read on the internet that you weren't
A: That's nice

Q: So can you prove you are?
A: Yes

Q: Will you show me proof?
A: No

Q: Then I'm not going to believe you
A: That's nice

Q: I'm mad at you
A: Why?

Q: You won't show me government issued documents that could be used to steal your identity
A: Well I'm mad at you

Q: Why?
A: Because you won't give me your credit card information

Q: I can't, that's dangerous
A: Do you get it now?

Q: Oh, ok, I like you again!
A: That's nice

Q: I shouldn't be reading internet gossip should I?
A: You can read it, you just shouldn't spread it.

Q: So what reserve did you grow up on?
A: I didn't

Q: See! I knew you weren't Native
A: Not all Native people grow up on reserves

Q: What tribe are you then?
A: Anishinaabe

Q: How come you don't post it anywhere?
A: Cause I don't have to

Q: But everyone else does
A: That's nice

Q: Do you speak your language?
A: No, but I'm going to learn.

Q: Do you have a status card?
A: No

Q: But all Natives have status cards?
A: Sitting Bull didn't

Q: Are you going to get one?
A: NoComment:  Current mood: Sick of liars and cheaters and frauds. Ready and willing to expose Indian wannabes.

These MySpace postings conflict with Tinsel Korey Comes Clean?--in which Korey supposedly admitted she wasn't Native. How to explain the discrepancy? Korey could've lied about never posting comments on people's blogs. Or the person who runs the MySpace page could be a surrogate rather than Korey herself. Or Korey could've changed her mind between July 30, when she claimed she was Native, and early August, when she admitted she wasn't.

Setting aside the speculation, it seems she's sticking to her story of being Native. And I'm sticking to my position that no producer or casting agent should hire an alleged "Native" unless she can prove her heritage. Stop giving Native roles to non-Natives!

What Native person isn't willing to discuss her Native ancestors by name, clan, or tribe? I mean her parents, grandparents, even the unnamed "princess" in her background? Only frauds such as Ward Churchill and David Yeagley...and Korey.

Korey's "reason" for not proving her case--that she has government documents but can't show them to anyone--sounds as phony as a "birther" conspiracy theory. She should be willing to prove her case in private to any studio exec who asks. If she can't or won't, employers should give the Native roles to someone who can and will.

For more on the subject, see The Truth About Tinsel Korey.

Tinsel Korey comes clean?

In The Truth About Tinsel Korey, an anonymous reader posted a comment that began as follows:I'm Tinsel Korey. It goes like this. I lied.

I won't say my first name. My last name is Patel. I am not First Nations.Comment:  There's no way to tell if this comment is really from Tinsel Korey. If it is from her, I commend her for standing up and telling the truth. If it isn't from her, I commend someone for doing a good job of faking a sincere confession.

For more on the subject, see Friday, Tonto, Jacob, et al. and The Best Indian Movies.

The truth about Tinsel Korey

Tinsel Korey has been cast as Emily Young, a Makah Indian (not a werewolf), in the Twilight sequel New Moon. Unfortunately, she doesn't seem to be a Native. Based on a previous comment, a correspondent reports:I can confirm that what Anonymous is saying is true. I have met Tinsel and my conversations led me to talk to others who knew her. People who knew her 'before' she was Native, or never believed her or went through the same questions I had. It was very disheartening to find out that it is all a ruse to get roles. Most people in BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan know this that have worked with her and I'm not surprised that Anonymous heard from people in Toronto where she's from.

Sad, but true. There's much to the story but I think it should be enough that people know she's not Native in the least. It's sad that people who say anything about her lies are labeled haters. No one wants to waste the energy on someone who has no respect for our culture, yet claims to be a role model for it when people don't care or argue back that don't know the truth. Someday, it will come back to haunt her.The fans in this thread agree:Dance Floor Exhaustion (woekitten) wrote,
@ 2009-04-24 18:37:00

Look who's fucking playing EMILY in TWILIGHT fucking 2: NEW fucking MOON:

OH SHIIIIIII--

Okay uh, hi everyone else. I was good friends with this chick from junior kindergarten through high school.

(She's also not aboriginal despite claims, and I'd love to know why she keeps denying her heritage. This is just surreal.)

woekitten
2009-04-24 11:06 pm

In spite of the fact we likely have nothing in common anymore ... I really and truly have to be glad for her. She took a big risk, worked her ass off, and made it.

Admittedly, I don't think it's cool that she's calling herself an aboriginal. There are a lot of Native-oriented magazines touting her as "an up and coming aboriginal star," and it really doesn't seem fair to them.

brokenmellcifer
2009-04-24 11:16 pm

I am so, so, so incredibly offended by her claim to be "aboriginal." SO OFFENDED. Does she have ANY actual claim to that whatsoever? An uncle or a stepfather or anything? What the christ?!?

Her myspace says "She was very honored to be a part of the 2008 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards."

WHAT. THE. FUCK. YOU AREN'T EVEN. WHAT. THE. FUCK.

woekitten
2009-04-24 11:33 pm

Wow, even her Wiki page cites her as "of Aboriginal heritage." That is just...No.

Both her parents are from India, as far as I know. She's a first-generation Canadian. She was even a pretty devout Hindi at one time. When we were in grade school, she didn't eat meat.

woekitten
2009-04-25 12:01 am

Yeah, you know what, this burns my fucking ass too. I knew she was playing aboriginal characters, which is perfectly fine. Lots of East Indians do that. But I thought that the Native magazines/awards/etc all knew she was a character actor, not a poser. Apparently not.

I have no idea what tribe she claims to be from or anything like that, but it's a pretty rotten thing to do. I'd still love to know why she's doing it. Does it make it easier for her to land roles as a "member" of an oppressed minority? If that's the reason for the farce, daaaaaa-yumn.

I know I'd be pissed off if some actor made up a story about being Jewish and forged some grandparents who survived the Holocaust. It's incredibly disrespectful.

Know what though, if this is indeed her big break, I doubt her past will stay hidden for long. Seems like there's already been one big flame war on her IMDB page, and I'd love to find out why (it was deleted). Hm!

woekitten
2009-04-25 03:13 am

I know she used to fight a lot with her parents; she was much closer to her next door neighbour, who she calls her "godfather" on her webpage. In fact, "Korey" is her next door neighbour's last name; he gave me a stack of Nintendo Powers once, and that was on the address label.

We gave each other dumb nicknames in grade 11/12 and "Tinsel" ended up being hers because she wrapped herself in tinsel when we were in line to see Titanic. Why she stuck with that name, Christ knows. If she's going to fake being aboriginal, she may as well give herself a cool nature-based name.

brokenmellcifer
2009-04-25 12:43 am

You know, the more I think about this, the more confused I become. I can't find anything on her myspace which directly claims aboriginal heritage, but I also don't see anything clarifying it.

I could see her being a character actor who has been adopted and honoured by the aboriginal community for her talent and the sensitivity she brings to her roles. And I'm fine with that. But I really don't think this is it. We both knew her, and I know I can't say she strikes me as the kind of person who would do that. Maybe she's matured and changed a lot in the past 10 years, but I'm willing to bet she hasn't.

woekitten
2009-04-25 01:00 am

It's seriously weird, isn't it? I did read one article (maybe the same one) that mentions the entire werewolf tribe, Tinsel included, is being played by Native Americans. And the aboriginal media definitely has her labeled as one of their own...but you're absolutely right. She is not saying anything, one way or the other.

I'm not holding hope that she matured. My best guess is that her agent started casting her as a Native character actor (again, very common), and magazines, etc, assumed she was Native because of her looks and roles. Instead of saying "No, you have it wrong," she/her agent realised she could get more publicity/work by claiming Native blood. So they shut their mouths on the matter. Would she have landed this role if the studio knew about her heritage, since it looks as if they were trying to cast Natives?

Still pisses me off, though.

The media fucks up the facts to begin with. One article said she's a Vancouver native. Um, no.

woekitten
2009-04-25 01:01 am

PS, her last name is Patel. Yeah, like the, um, Patel tribe off the coast of the Bermuda Triangle or some shit.

brokenmellcifer
2009-04-25 01:32 am

I am dying to know her side of the story. I'm curious to see how this develops, and how she handles it once she starts doing promotional stuff with the bigger media for this movie. God help her if she starts actually believing her hype, because I will not fucking sit by.

concernednative
2009-07-24 09:22 pm

I am from the Native Community and have actively spoken out about Tinsel being not Native. I can tell.

Could you please give me her first name, and info about it so that I can tell other people, the ones who believe her.

I hate that she is appropriating our culture and has been stealing roles from deserving Native actresses.

Also she is claiming she is Native, she changes from Ojibway to Mohawk and now saying she is Anishnabe.

i_h8_liars
2009-07-26 12:41 am

I can't believe all the people who know about this. This is the first place I've found people who know the truth and not defending her actions. There is so much that people didn't know about her from Toronto but people know she's lying about being Native. She has practically admitted it to so many people but then gives the sob story about being adopted so people feel sorry for her. She's not adopted? WTF? My friends would make up Native stories and tell her and then laugh about it when people wouldn't correct her but talk about her behind her back. Couldn't figure out why until we realized she was trying to make herself more Native. I heard she started powwow dancing too last year at one of the powwows. I'm so disgusted with her and hope more people speak up.Comment:  This is the second Twilight casting controversy. The third if you count the rumors about Vanessa Hudgens. And something like the 10th or 15th casting controversy since I've begun tracking them.

How racist is today's Hollywood if it has cast non-Natives to play Natives in a dozen or more roles? Pretty darn racist.

If Korey is a good actress, I hope she continues to get roles. But as a non-Native, not as a Native. Unless she somehow proves her detractors wrong, that is.

For more on the subject, see Quileute Werewolves in Twilight and The Best Indian Movies.