There’s a song in the Australian musical The Deb called “Pretty Strong,” and that’s a good way to describe Rebel Wilson’s first time directing a movie.
This bright and lively musical is about finding beauty in a dusty small town. At times, it’s as catchy as its songs, at times as bold as its wildest characters, and sometimes as boring as the scenery around the town of Dunburn, Australia.
Maeve is always quick to criticize people she disagrees with or take credit for any activism she decides to support. But after one too many risky moves, she exposes herself (literally) online and gets expelled from her fancy world, earning the nickname “cancel pig.”
What Is The Deb About?
Maeve’s mother sends her away to a small town about six hours from Sydney (or eight hours by bus) to stay with her cousin Taylah (Natalie Abbott). Maeve is a fashion-loving city girl, and she sees herself as the “feminist voice of [her] generation.” Taylah, on the other hand, lives in the country where her daily tasks include herding sheep and dealing with pigs.
This sets up the typical “city girl meets country girl” dynamic, where Maeve is fashionable and popular while Taylah is seen as frumpy and awkward. However, the movie doesn’t just rely on these stereotypes—it plays with them in a fun way, both celebrating and poking fun at them throughout the story.
When the local mean girl, Annabelle (Stevie Jean), arrives with her friends Daniele (Brianna Bishop) and Chantelle (Karis Oaka), Maeve quickly shows her sarcasm and rolls her eyes at the typical small-town drama.
Maeve arrives just in time for the preparations for the debutante ball. This is a traditional event where local girls are formally introduced to society, wearing big, marshmallow-like gowns made by a local seamstress (Tara Morice).
Still from The Deb (Credit: TIFF)
While Taylah’s father (Shane Jackson) struggles to keep the farm running during a drought, he also has his duties as the mayor to try and get funding from the city. The story is a comforting, if predictable, tale of rebellious teenagers and the ups and downs of being popular.
Many dramatic moments bring the characters closer or push them apart as things go wrong. Given Rebel Wilson’s background with movies like Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect, it’s easy to see the connection here. Australia has a strong tradition of over-the-top musicals, and The Deb fits right in with that style.
Australian Musical Traditions
Australia has embraced both the seriousness and silliness of musicals for a long time. When Hollywood stopped making as many big musicals, Australian movies like Moulin Rouge by Baz Luhrmann, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert by Stephen Elliott, and Muriel’s Wedding by P.J. Hogan showed that there was still a place for these types of films.
These movies mixed music and drama in new ways, and The Deb follows in their footsteps. Rebel Wilson has made a career out of combining raunchy humor with broad comedy, and in this movie, she swaps Cats’ famous Jellicle Ball for a debutante ball.
It might seem like her character, Janette, a local hairdresser and stage mom, would steal the show, but Wilson blends in well with the other characters, even when her jokes are a bit silly. Her shop, “Curl Up ‘n Dye,” is a perfect example of this kind of humor—cheap, but funny.
The Deb Has Catchy Songs
The songs, which are the heart of any musical, are fun and clever. They’re a mix of pop music, hip-hop beats, and grand, dramatic moments that are sure to be popular in high school music groups as soon as the film comes out.
While the movie doesn’t reach the same heights as Hairspray—another musical with a curvy lead character and a mix of sincerity and camp—it’s still impressive. The camera work is sweeping, the performances are heartfelt but never too sappy, and the dancing makes good use of the different settings.
There’s also the issue of the lawsuits surrounding the film, which cast a shadow over its release. But if we ignore that and focus just on what’s on the screen, The Deb is a fun, rowdy film with enough humor and sass to entertain even the most skeptical viewer.
Still from The Deb (Credit: TIFF)
Whatever drama may have happened during filming, it doesn’t show in the final product. The characters go through a range of emotions, from over-the-top to heartfelt, and it’s hard not to be drawn in by the quirky townspeople deep in the Australian countryside.
A Fun, Heartfelt Musical
The Deb is both obnoxious and sincere, often at the same time. Its moments of musical fun perfectly express the feelings of the characters, who are all from different backgrounds but share the same small town.
The film could have used even more songs from the original stage production, but the ones that made it in are smart, energetic, and memorable.
With its clever lyrics, catchy tunes, and dedicated cast, The Deb is a shining example of Australian musical films. It’s a must-watch, even for people who are usually not fans of this kind of musical adventure.
Paris Jackson, known for her work as an actress, model, and musician, has amassed a net worth of $150 million. She is the second child of the late pop icon Michael Jackson, with an older brother, Prince Michael Jackson, and a younger half-brother, Blanket Jackson.
Both are widely believed to be the children of Michael’s former dermatology nurse, Debbie Rowe, while the identity of Blanket’s mother remains undisclosed. Together, the three siblings are the primary heirs to Michael Jackson’s highly valuable estate.
Paris Jackson’s early life was marked by intense privacy and scrutiny. She was often seen wearing a mask in public and faced relentless attention from paparazzi, which led to her being shielded from the public eye for much of her childhood.
After her father’s death in 2009, Paris began to emerge more publicly and has since shared her experiences, including her challenging childhood and experiences with bullying, on various talk shows.
Paris Jackson (Credit: Pinterest)
In 2012, she was featured on “People” magazine’s Most Beautiful People list, and in 2017, she appeared on the cover of “Rolling Stone.” Paris has also been actively involved in philanthropy as an ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation since 2017.
Inheritance
According to Michael Jackson’s will, his estate was divided as follows: 40% was allocated to his mother, Katherine Jackson; 40% was distributed equally among his three children (Paris, Prince Michael, and Blanket), giving each child an initial share of about 13.33% of the estate; and the remaining 20% was designated for various children’s charities.
Upon Katherine Jackson’s death, her 40% share will be divided among Paris, Prince Michael, and Blanket. This will increase each of their shares to approximately 26.67% of the estate.
At the time of Michael Jackson’s death in 2009, his estate was burdened with approximately $500 million in debt.
However, estate lawyers John Branca and John McClain orchestrated a remarkable financial recovery. Their efforts have generated over $2 billion in value for the estate.
A significant move was the 2016 sale of Michael’s 50% stake in the Sony/ATV music catalog for $750 million. This catalog includes a substantial collection of hits, including many by The Beatles.
In February 2024, Michael Jackson’s estate sold a 50% stake in the Mijac Music catalog for $600 million.
This catalog includes Michael’s own songs and tracks from artists like Sly and the Family Stone and Ray Charles. Primary Wave Music retained a 10% stake in the catalog both before and after the sale.
Approximately 15% of the sale proceeds are allocated to the estate’s executors, leaving the estate with an estimated $500 million after all costs and fees.
Paris Jackson (Credit: YouTube)
Before taxes, the $500 million from the sale would be divided as follows:
- $200 million to Michael Jackson’s three children, amounting to $67 million per child.
- $200 million to his mother, Katherine Jackson.
- $100 million to various children’s charities.
If the 50% stake in the Mijac Music catalog, valued at $1.2 billion, is divided according to the remaining $500 million:
- $192 million would be allocated to the children, with each child receiving $64 million.
- $192 million would go to Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson.
- $96 million would be designated for charity.
This distribution reflects each heir’s proportional share of the catalog’s value after the sale and costs.
Real Estate Properties
In 2017, Paris Jackson purchased a 7-bedroom house in Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles, for about $2 million. She shared this home with friends, including Prudence Brando, Marlon Brando’s granddaughter, and model Ashley Danielle Craig.
In 2022, Paris sold the Topanga Canyon house for $2.3 million and subsequently bought a new house in Hollywood Hills for $4 million.
