Hilaria Baldwin pretended to be Spanish wtf?!

[Ballstothis148]

This is the least important and most weird story of 2020.... this woman comes up on my Instagram a lot as a suggested page. Tbh I don’t find her interesting but know she’s Spanish and is into health, having babies with Alec Baldwin and that’s pretty much it. She speaks with a Spanish accent, on her IG page she calls her children “Baldwinitos” I do remember an article saying when she speaks Spanish to her kids people confuse her for a nanny so I thought an interesting take on a European mum in the States.

Except it’s all a lie. She’s not remotely Spanish. Her wealthy Boston parents (no Spanish ancestry) now have a holiday home there.

What is wrong with people?! I include me for being too interested :) why pretend to be Spanish? In one interview she even pretended she didn’t know the word for cucumber as her English isn’t that good

Oh and she’s not even called Hilaria, she’s called Hilary. This year I swear... what an odd story!! I did know a girl who went very French after a romance there one year... maybe it’s a thing!

That article is hilarious! She said her American parents couldn’t understand how to pronounce Baldwin. 😂😂😂

He did have a HUGE thing for Salma Hayek before (different culture)... maybe she was aiming for exotic and interesting... bit sad whatever the reason

No, I think he was a lawyer. He studied Spanish literature at undergrad level, that's all we know.
(Yes, a bit horrified at how much I have absorbed about this family's lives now)

Its quite interesting though. Maybe her parents fell in love with Spain when they were young, and wanted to bring their children up with the culture. Her relatives do live there and not just her parents and I expect she spent a lot of time there growing up

But I think it's also a product of the American fondness for forming a personal "identity". Rachel Dolezal being an extreme example. It's what happens when a country becomes isolationist and so in consequence becomes un-worldly and maybe a little bit naive about the culture of other countries

It's about stereotypes, but from a distance, both historical and geographical. Look at the St Patrick's day parades in any major US city, they bear no resemblance to any celebration in Ireland. It's all bagpipes, tartan and dumping green dye in rivers. Hollywood leprechauns, silly hats and green beers. They're "Irish" but only in their own minds, only as they know it, to be sure, and this kind of thing is encouraged in the US all the time, across all "communities"

After Hollywood released the movie Braveheart, the next US census saw an increase of Americans identifying as "Scottish". In the 1960s and 70s some Amercians decided they were more African than American. There is now a whole new "identity" of American culture and language forming for those with ancestry from the Indian sub continent. It isn't enough to just be an American, there has to be some kind of Hollywood style back story to it as well.

Genealogy is huge business in the USA but often Americans will only "identify" with one particular branch or even just one ancestor, at the expense of all the others. Elizabeth Warren or Obama for example. Because, in their minds, that branch is seen as more worthy somehow or carries more street cred points. A competition almost

Yes the whole Hilaria thing is crazy but it's a type of craziness that was born out of America and she is not the only one in the USA who fakes it. Millions do. Even the new "Irish" president does it.

It goes much deeper than this Hilaria drama, she is just the latest amusing side story of American identity politcs as a whole

@Flaxmeadow

She didn't grow up in Spain though. She grew up in Boston and went to Spain for holidays, like millions of Brits do every year. Doesn't make them Spanish

To be fair to her, though I do think it's all a bit bonkers, as I understand it. Her father was some kind of lecturer or professor in Spanish studies or language, so I think her time spent in Spain growing up might have been considerably more than a quick week holiday hop to Torremolinos via jet2

Her father was a lawyer. We don't know for sure, but her holidays seem to have been spent in Mallorca, which is basically a more upmarket version of Torremolinos. So really not that different.

Her husband must know it's not true as he would have met her family. The whole thing is bizarre.

@Flaxmeadow

No, I think he was a lawyer. He studied Spanish literature at undergrad level, that's all we know. (Yes, a bit horrified at how much I have absorbed about this family's lives now)

Its quite interesting though. Maybe her parents fell in love with Spain when they were young, and wanted to bring their children up with the culture. Her relatives do live there and not just her parents and I expect she spent a lot of time there growing up

But I think it's also a product of the American fondness for forming a personal "identity". Rachel Dolezal being an extreme example. It's what happens when a country becomes isolationist and so in consequence becomes un-worldly and maybe a little bit naive about the culture of other countries

It's about stereotypes, but from a distance, both historical and geographical. Look at the St Patrick's day parades in any major US city, they bear no resemblance to any celebration in Ireland. It's all bagpipes, tartan and dumping green dye in rivers. Hollywood leprechauns, silly hats and green beers. They're "Irish" but only in their own minds, only as they know it, to be sure, and this kind of thing is encouraged in the US all the time, across all "communities"

After Hollywood released the movie Braveheart, the next US census saw an increase of Americans identifying as "Scottish". In the 1960s and 70s some Amercians decided they were more African than American. There is now a whole new "identity" of American culture and language forming for those with ancestry from the Indian sub continent. It isn't enough to just be an American, there has to be some kind of Hollywood style back story to it as well.

Genealogy is huge business in the USA but often Americans will only "identify" with one particular branch or even just one ancestor, at the expense of all the others. Elizabeth Warren or Obama for example. Because, in their minds, that branch is seen as more worthy somehow or carries more street cred points. A competition almost

Yes the whole Hilaria thing is crazy but it's a type of craziness that was born out of America and she is not the only one in the USA who fakes it. Millions do. Even the new "Irish" president does it.

It goes much deeper than this Hilaria drama, she is just the latest amusing side story of American identity politcs as a whole

You don't need to be Irish to celebrate at Patrick's day! Same as any other cultural holiday.

The wedding description and photos are hilarious, this is a story that just keeps giving

@Flaxmeadow

No, I think he was a lawyer. He studied Spanish literature at undergrad level, that's all we know. (Yes, a bit horrified at how much I have absorbed about this family's lives now)

Its quite interesting though. Maybe her parents fell in love with Spain when they were young, and wanted to bring their children up with the culture. Her relatives do live there and not just her parents and I expect she spent a lot of time there growing up

But I think it's also a product of the American fondness for forming a personal "identity". Rachel Dolezal being an extreme example. It's what happens when a country becomes isolationist and so in consequence becomes un-worldly and maybe a little bit naive about the culture of other countries

It's about stereotypes, but from a distance, both historical and geographical. Look at the St Patrick's day parades in any major US city, they bear no resemblance to any celebration in Ireland. It's all bagpipes, tartan and dumping green dye in rivers. Hollywood leprechauns, silly hats and green beers. They're "Irish" but only in their own minds, only as they know it, to be sure, and this kind of thing is encouraged in the US all the time, across all "communities"

After Hollywood released the movie Braveheart, the next US census saw an increase of Americans identifying as "Scottish". In the 1960s and 70s some Amercians decided they were more African than American. There is now a whole new "identity" of American culture and language forming for those with ancestry from the Indian sub continent. It isn't enough to just be an American, there has to be some kind of Hollywood style back story to it as well.

Genealogy is huge business in the USA but often Americans will only "identify" with one particular branch or even just one ancestor, at the expense of all the others. Elizabeth Warren or Obama for example. Because, in their minds, that branch is seen as more worthy somehow or carries more street cred points. A competition almost

Yes the whole Hilaria thing is crazy but it's a type of craziness that was born out of America and she is not the only one in the USA who fakes it. Millions do. Even the new "Irish" president does it.

It goes much deeper than this Hilaria drama, she is just the latest amusing side story of American identity politcs as a whole

I don't really have an issue with people appropriating parts of their distant heritage or whatever really but am glad someone has called out Obama, not that I have any issue with him either but in the past there seems to have been a double standard with this appropriation thing, which is daft because it seems that all ethnic group do it

I wonder why Amy Schumer kicked the whole thing off?

I saw Alec Baldwin (or Arec Baldwin as I call him. If youve seen Team America, you'll get it) on Celebrity Roast recently where he was insulted by other celebrities. At the end, money raised by the event was given to charity. So I think he's got a thick skin.

I do remember one bit where his wife's name came up though. One of the celebs asked 'how do you say your wife's name?' and he replied 'Ee-lah-ria', and the celeb was like 'well that's stupid'.

Her family had the money and time to dedicate to a very privileged "hobby" of loving a culture you're not part of and living in homage to it.

The parents clearly love the Spanish lifestyle and talk passionately about the different way the Spanish take time to eat etc. and why they retired there.

However, Hilaira has taken it to a different level and I think it would irritate people seeing their heritage turned into a Disney rose-tinted themed lifestyle choice.

What did Amy Schumer do? I read before she posted something body shaming about HB which I thought wouldn't have been very nice, but don't know the full story. Did she also post about this current issue?

You don't need to be Irish to celebrate at Patrick's day! Same as any other cultural holiday.

True but many Americans do tend to claim to acrually be of the culture and of country's they've never even visited or know the culture of. What Hilaria has done is just an extension of the "my Grt Grt Grt Grandmothers uncle was from Tipperary, Scots Highlands, Naples, Indian Territory etc and so I'm Irish, Scottish, Italian, Choctaw etc".

It's bonkers but Hilaria isn't the only one faking it

This story just keeps on giving!

Had a look at DM article, I didn't think it could get funnier with all the wedding photos etc.

The comments though...priceless

Wondering if this thread will be full by the time I wake up tomorrow morning?!

Finally RTFT.

Wow

What did Amy Schumer do?

She tweeted (or Instagrammed, whatevs) something about HB that made this whole thing snowball. She even included a little cucumber emoji in reference to the infamous HB cucumber clip.

I don't think Schumer comes out well from this.

I don't think Schumer comes out well from this.

No, she has previously body shamed HB, I've now educated myself, only a week ago or so, it just looks quite deliberate. Never been a fan of AS either, as an actress or a comedian, or a celebrity, not my cup of tea.

The first Amy Schumer post was a photo of Hilarious in her underwear holding her baby, with the caption that she (AS) and her family wished everyone a happy Christmas. The joke being that AS is fat, and HB is skinny (and thirsty af).
HB got on her high horse and said she was being body shamed for being so beautiful and skinny. But I’m sure it made more sense in Spanish.
Then some random person jumped in to congratulate HB on her decade long grift as a fake Spanish person.
And can I just thank all 3 of them for the fun.

If she really had Ave Maria at her wedding on the basis it was her favourite Spanish song then she’s trolling the world!

I see. I personally don't find AS's type jokes funny, not on this occasion and not in general.

However, what has been uncovered is truly surprising.

Amy Schumer posted some photos of Hilaria and the children on her personal Instagram page twice as if she was Hilaria.
It was weird and I'm not quite sure why she did it. It then morphed into a body shaming debate.

Amy then posted a sarcastic comment with a cucumber emoji. I can't remember the wording but it was along the lines of she gets it, she's been to Spain on holiday and the cucumber - whatever the rights and wrongs of Hilaria's situation, i think Amy Schumer is a bully who has come off badly in this situation.

I've followed Hilaria for a while on Instagram. She lives seemingly her entire life on there, but does come across as a kind person devoted to her family. This seems to be the common theme when people have spoken about her.

The Spanish/not Spanish thing is completely bizarre and I have no idea what to think. I do feel that the backlash is completely out of proportion though.

@Flaxmeadow

You don't need to be Irish to celebrate at Patrick's day! Same as any other cultural holiday.

True but many Americans do tend to claim to acrually be of the culture and of country's they've never even visited or know the culture of. What Hilaria has done is just an extension of the "my Grt Grt Grt Grandmothers uncle was from Tipperary, Scots Highlands, Naples, Indian Territory etc and so I'm Irish, Scottish, Italian, Choctaw etc".

It's bonkers but Hilaria isn't the only one faking it

But if you had, say, native ancestry from 5 generations ago, it isn't faking it to say you are part Native or mixed race. Having no ancestry from there would be faking. So it isn't remotely comparable

I don't really have an issue with people appropriating parts of their distant heritage or whatever really but am glad someone has called out Obama, not that I have any issue with him either but in the past there seems to have been a double standard with this appropriation thing, which is daft because it seems that all ethnic group do it

Yes. There was an interesting post on US social media about what ethnic groups do.

It was something like "Did your Italian.." (or whatever, I cant remember the exact nationality) "...Grandmother keep her sewing kit in a biscuit tin?"

There were loads of repiles saying "oh yes this is definitely an Italian (or whatever) thing". But as the thread grew it turned out it was also "definitely" an "African-American thing" or definitely an "Irish thing" or "Hungarian thing" and by the end of it, it seems everyone in the world's Grandmother had kept her sewing kit in a biscuit tin, even the English

But the thing is. The question should really have just been "Did your Grandmother keep her sewing kit in a biscuit tin". Without all the silly competitive splitting of uniform cultural practices into ethnicity

I know that's just a meaningless daft little thing on social media, and it all ended in amicable biscuit tin unity, but I think it's also a small example of cultural exceptionalism. Which can be divisive, damaging even, when taken to the extreme

I do feel that the backlash is completely out of proportion though

Has it? You said yourself, she lives her entire life on social media. That's her decision. The "backlash" seems quite proportionate to me, in that she's basically just getting the piss taken out of her all over social media. I had never heard of her before this and would never even know this whole thing had occurred were it not for this thread. I'm guessing the same is true of most people, who will just continue their lives blissfully unaware of her existence.

Do you do this yourself by any chance, carefree? because the rest of the world finds it utterly ridiculous and offensive when Americans claim to be Irish and churn out stuff like Wild Mountain Thyme and do performative brit hating. I notice because of Outlander they're all finding a great grandma who had a scottish terrier once and so are now 'scottish' and investing in awful tartan.