Memorial Day Celeb Highlights: Hogan’s Tribute & Earle’s Yacht Party
Don’t roll your eyes—this one actually has something resembling sincerity. Over Memorial Day weekend, Hulk Hogan channeled his inner patriot, posting a surprisingly heartfelt Instagram video from the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., complete with a slow-motion salute and his trademark “whatcha gonna do” grin (TMZ Social, May 26). He spent a few solemn minutes reflecting on the fallen, even quoting General Patton to prove he can do more than flex. Meanwhile, TikTok star turned social butterfly Alix Earle spent the holiday somewhere far more glamorous—aboard a rented yacht off the Miami coast, sipping rosé in a neon bikini alongside beau Nathan Gelurcharge. Yes, she sprinkled memorial prayers in her Stories between selfies, but let’s be real: the focus was on her latest swimwear drop, which she tagged like a digital salesperson (Page Six, May 26).
In other “sobering” observances, Viola Davis opted for low-key reverence, marching in a Veterans of Foreign Wars parade in New Jersey and making sure her platform boots didn’t steal the show (E! News, May 27). Over in L.A., Chrissy Teigen turned her cookout into a Twitter rant about her flight delay—because nothing says “thanks for your service” like complaining about airline peanuts (People Magazine, May 27). Post Malone, fresh off headlining Lollapalooza, posted a heartfelt throwback to serving hot dogs at a local VFW in 2012, reminding us all that barbecue grills and record deals have surprisingly similar heat levels.
Not to be outdone, Kim Kardashian hosted her annual family picnic on the same Malibu estate where she plots her next billionaire pivot—complete with a Fourth of July-themed potato salad shaped like the flag. Even the usually stoic Ryan Seacrest surprised fans by leading a sunrise prayer at Arlington National Cemetery, though he made sure the camera crew didn’t miss a single lens flare (Instagram, May 26).
Yes, it’s Memorial Day and, yes, you’ve seen it all before: heartfelt tributes on one channel, shameless product plugs on another. But if you squint past the bikini snaps and quotation marks around “authentic,” there was a sliver of genuine respect floating somewhere between Hogan’s salutes and Davis’s parade march. And that’s today’s dose of reality. You’re welcome.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, People Magazine, Page Six, E! News, Instagram
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
