Media Storms !

The next couple of weeks produced unexpected difficulties and conflicts for Debbi and her fledgling movie career, something which made her extremely grateful for the devoted services of her PR man Harry. It had all begun well enough in the hotel room in Cannes, when Lesley translated the early reviews for Ape Girl. "This one says that you brought a commanding presence to the screen and an animal sensuality"she read. "Ooh" said Debbi. "Though it does say that until you get a proper speaking role it is hard to judge your potential" Lesley continued. "That's fair comment" Debbi agreed. "They didn't think much of the chemistry between Magnus and Hazel though. They say Magnus's performance was wooden !" Lesley concluded. "Oh dear, Magnus won't like that" laughed Debbi.

Indeed, Magnus did not like that and tried to ban Debbi from the US premiere in LA. The studio would not accede to that but Magnus got some **** when the trio had to go onto the Late Night Talk Show. Debbi had become accustomed to her appearances with the ladies on This Morning in London but she was a fish out of water here, stuck on the third seat farthest from the host. When Hazel was asked how it had been acting with a novice, she had replied that Debbi was very sweet and receptive to advice. But Magnus said it was easy because of his experience at working with CGI monsters !

'Magnus Flood compares Bimbo WAG to a CGI monster' trumpeted The Sun back in London. But that was the least of Debbi's worries when her part became embroiled in two separate twitter storms. Feminists began claiming that her part was demeaning to women and inappropriate to the post #metoo times. And then activists jumped on the bandwagon to suggest the part should have gone to a BAME actor since ape girl was found in the jungle. Others argued that in itself would have been racial stereotyping and that it was refreshing to see a white girl in an exploitation context. "Stay out of it, leave it to the producers" was Harry's sage advice.

But that did not stop Debbi having to field awkward questions. She fell back on the line that it was all essential to the plot and that the movie raised important ethical questions that it was good to see debated ( and was not at all an excuse to show her tits and ass for prolonged spells on screen ! )

But just when all that was dying down, Roddy decided that the time was finally right to come out as the first openly gay footballer. 'Bimbo WAG dumped' crowed the Sun triumphantly, following up the next day with 'How much did she know ?' Of course this made no difference to Debbi in real terms and she remained supportive of her friend. It was a relief to be rid of that complication really. But she could have done without having to sit beside Roddy for a clutch of TV interviews where they were interrogated about their relationship. Once again, the calm and wise presence of Harry was invaluable.

And she still had to negotiate the final premiere of Ape Girl in London !