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Joy-Anna Duggar and Fiancé Go to Woods To Celebrate Quick Engagement

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Couples who have joint bachelor and bachelorette parties are the same kinds of couples who have joint Facebook accounts, and their answering machine is their dog barking. The same kinds of couples who have gender reveal parties, and change out their décor based on the nearest holiday, from Valentine’s Day on. In other words, they’re Joy-Anna Duggar (19) and her fiancé Austin Forsyth (23).

More: 5 reasons I can't forgive the Duggars and move on

Not only did they throw a joint bachelor/bachelorette bash, they also did it in the woods, camping. So they also will be that couple I’m guessing who have mounted plastic fish on their walls that sing and something called a mud room.

The couple was only courting for three months before their passionate engagement. So they might also be the couple that gets divorced in two weeks. (I said it. Judge me. Drag me. You can send the hate mail to Disney World. I live in the back left turret of the castle. But seriously, you were all thinking it.) In their defense, the couple have been friends for 15 years, but shifting gears from friendship, no matter how long, into marriage is a big leap. Of the engagement, Forsyth revealed the following poetry, “I feel like the engagement is more special because we are committed to each other now.” And I have no idea what in the world that is supposed to mean.

More: Jinger Duggar confesses she isn't following courting rules on Counting On

Maybe the answer lies somewhere out in those woods, where there still lies one empty glass bottle of Snapple, the grill cover, one cocktail napkin that says, “Future Wifey,” and the hurriedly put out butt of a menthol cigarette, smoked by Forsyth’s aunt who is right with the lord, but just gets a little anxious from time to time.

More: 30 Times the Duggars Enraged Everyone on Instagram

Of the raucous time, Duggar excitedly said, “This is my first time actually camping outdoors, I guess, but it’s been a blast.” And in a few months she’ll also be able to make that same statement about marriage. Cheers, you two.

Would you have a joint bachelor/bachelorette party with your fiancé? Tell us in the comments!


An Outline of the Vitriolic Rage Spiral I Experienced While Reading Ivanka Trump's Book

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Last week I went to a bookstore and purchased Ivanka Trump's Women Who Work.

As I handed over my credit card, I met the gaze of the female cashier and stammered, "It's for work. This isn't...I mean, I don't....I'm not a Trump supporter."

This reaction — the desperate need to distance myself from this book, this woman, her words, and her father— continued the entire time I read this book. I took it to the park while my daughter ran around the playground and hid the cover in my lap when a neighbor passed by. At the hipster coffee shop where I often go to write, I removed the book jacket bearing Ivanka's smiling face, leaving only the innocuous cream hardcover below. I'm on a first-name basis with the cute barista boys that leave little foam hearts in my lattes and mochas, I didn't want to be associated in any way with this book or family name.

More: Donald Trump Talking About Ivanka in a Sexual Way Is Stomach-Turning

I'm not alone in my views. Ivanka Trump's book has been widely panned by reviewers, with the New York Times saying,"...the book is not really offensive so much as witlessly derivative, endlessly recapitulating the wisdom of other, canonical self-help and business books... (Profiting handsomely off the hard work of others appears to be a signature Trumpian trait.)" and a reviewer from NPR comparing the experience of reading the book to "eating scented cotton balls."

They're right. It's not that it's a bad book — how could it be? It's based on dozens of other similar books aimed at women trying to juggle work and family life, conference calls and family dinners. Its advice is predictable, its approach unoriginal, and its ideas inoffensive. It is clearly written and well laid out — but perhaps only because its format has been beaten to death a million times before.

The issue for me, and for many other reviewers I suspect, was not the topic, the advice or the writing (and let's be clear on that last point, it's almost certain that Ivanka used a ghostwriter as most celebs do). The issue was the vitriolic rage spiral I experienced while reading it.

Going into this review I tried to approach this book with an unbiased mindset, but I very quickly realized that would be impossible.

I didn't even get through the introduction before beginning to feel my blood boil. I found myself muttering bullshit! during the fourth paragraph ("I am deeply passionate about...the education and economic empowerment of women and girls") and angrily exclaiming Oh, just fuck right off, Ivanka during the closing paragraph ("I am committed to working harder than ever to unleash the full power of women and girls to accelerate the pace of progress, both in our country and around the world").

The problem is that it's impossible to separate Ivanka Trump from the hateful, racist, xenophobic, and misogynistic politics of her father, primarily because she herself refuses to do so.

More: Taking Over Ivanka Trump's #WomenWhoWork hashtag

In her quest to empower 'women who work' she references the battle that early feminists fought to gain respect at the workplace, while conspicuously omitting any mention of the F-word itself or any of the other battles they were fighting simultaneously; The fight to obtain safe, legal, accessible birth control and abortion, for example – the very same access her father is working tirelessly to destroy. Or the fight against rampant sexual harassment of women in the workplace, harassment her father perfectly embodied during his leaked Billy Bush tape.

I'm uncomfortable attributing the sins of a father to his fully-autonomous daughter, and it would be understandable if Ivanka's beliefs directly contradicted those of the man who raised her. I mean, I've built my career writing about environmental causes while my own father believes in global cooling, I get it.

But my father is not her father. My father is not the President. And while Ivanka (and her book) profess to believe in empowering and motivating women, the Trump administration seems to be doing everything in its power to undercut that goal. And she's standing right alongside them as they do it.

In a chapter entitled "Dream Big" Ivanka reminds women that they are in control of their lives, "the choices, after all, are yours" she says. In Chapter Five, she declares that women who work must make deliberate decisions about their lives, including, "deciding when to have a baby (or more than one), if starting a family is among your personal aspirations."

More: Former Ivanka Trump Employee Calls BS on Company's Lack of Maternity Leave

Put plainly, this is 100%, patronizing bullshit. The Trump government is defunding organizations that support women's right to choose and enacting legislation that rolls back their reproductive rights, making it ever-more difficult for women to make exactly the type of empowered decisions she's speaking about.

Ivanka complicit

Ivanka complicit

I don't know how the hell a woman (or a girl, for that matter) is supposed to make considered choices about if and when to have a child without adequate sexual education, without organizations like Planned Parenthood to explain and supply birth control, and without the option to have a safe, legal, shame-free abortion if necessary. These choices are becoming increasingly rare in the Trump-governed America.

Ivanka Complicit
Image: Giphy

And while I hesitate to automatically ascribe blame to Ivanka for her father's views - SNL was right to tag her as complicit in a scathing sketch a few months ago.

She campaigned for her father in the election. She defended him after his abhorrent "grab 'em by the pussy" comments. She works alongside him in the White House and uses the power of his position to further her own career. If she disagrees with his views and his policy objectives, she does a damn good job of hiding it.

Ivanka's book isn't bad. It's just incredibly tone-deaf and hypocritical.

You can't write an entire book about empowering women while working alongside an administration that's done more damage to the women's rights in 100 days than any other has in decades. You can't encourage working women to take control of their lives and make their self-care a priority while supporting a health-care bill stripping millions of health-care coverage.

And you can't quote motherfucking Toni Morrison in your book while actively supporting your father, a man whose chief advisor is a literal white supremacist.

In conclusion, Women Who Work can fuck right off. I'm appalled by Ivanka's privilege and her complicity, but most of all I'm shocked by her audacity in writing a book urging women to stay true to their values while using quotes from the very same women being harmed under Trump's government: Immigrant women at risk of being deported. Single mothers with government support being curtailed. Women of color who are being actively discriminated against. Women employed at non-profit organizations being steadily defunded. Women with health issues who are now unable to pay for medical care.

Women do need messages of strength and empowerment, Ivanka, and they need them now more than ever. But not from you. Not from someone so #complicit.

Ivanka complicit3

Ivanka complicit3

Aliyah Moulden Gave The Voice's Most Emotional Performance of Season 12

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Tearjerkers tend to be a dime a dozen on The Voice, but some performances truly stand out among the myriad of emotional ordeals. Such was the case with Aliyah Moulden's latest showing, which was inspired by heartbreaking, yet oddly touching circumstances.

More: There's No Way The Voice's Brennley Brown and Aaliyah Rose Are Under 16

Moulden was raised by her mother and grandmother after losing her father when she was just a month old. Through the years, she's shared her true feelings through music, thanks, in part, to her mother's decision to enroll her in vocal lessons.

Aliyah Moulden video 1

Aliyah Moulden video 1

Today, Moulden enjoys an exceptional support system. That being said, she acknowledges that some things just aren't the same without her dad in her life. She touched on this issue in tonight's rendition of "Jealous," which detailed the difficulty of never having had a relationship with her father — something her siblings were able to enjoy, if only for a brief period of time.

More: Stephanie Rice's Performance on The Voice Was Magical

After her performance, Moulden broke into tears. It was a truly emotional outpouring on a show chock full of heartrending moments.

Aliyah Moulden video 2

Aliyah Moulden video 2

Moulden's beautiful performance was applauded by fans and judges alike. She received excellent feedback from the judging panel, with Blake Shelton acknowledging that the song showed "a lot of different sides...an emotional side, but it also shows what she is capable of as a vocalist." Slowing down was all Moulden's idea, but we think she made the right call. It was time to show the world a new side.

More: Shania Twain Should Be a Permanent Judge on The Voice

Shelton was by no means the only judge to rave over Moulden's mix of artistry and strategy. Gwen Stefani was impressed by her ability to pull out the stops at this point in the competition; she explained, "You have this whole vibe going and suddenly you pull this song out that we weren't expecting." Stefani was totally cool with the tears, because "You're living in that moment, you know. It happens sometimes."

In case you forgot, Moulden is just 15 years old. You'd never believe it based on today's mature, yet vulnerable performance. It's inspiring to see Moulden opening up and drawing on her unique experience.

What did you think of Aliyah Moulden's latest performance on The Voice? Does she have what it takes to win Season 12? Comment and share your opinion below.

Channing Tatum Went Into "Dad" Mode For a Feminist Letter to His Daughter

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Well, in case you thought he was already a perfect human lovingly shaped by the hands of Zeus himself, I'm here to tell you that Channing Tatum just went to the next level of human perfection. I know that's a high bar to set for anyone, so I'll try and keep it as real and level-headed as possible. Trust me when I say: Tatum is showing us a new side to himself that is really worthy of our attention and praise.

More: Channing Tatum Is Smokin' Hot, but That's Not the Only Reason We Love Him

For Cosmopolitan, Tatum wrote a letter to his daughter about female sexuality. The letter began as simply highlighting the launch of his Magic Mike Las Vegas show and evolved into a discussion about what he hopes his daughter, Everly, can learn from certain projects in his career. This includes Magic Mike, which incorporates that very feminist issue around sexuality into its story. Tatum went into full-blown "dad" mode in this genuinely heartfelt, meaningful, and thoroughly feminist letter to his daughter.

Tatum began his letter by simply writing that all of this forward momentum towards the opening of the Vegas show left him curious about what his daughter would think. "The more I thought about this, the more I thought about my daughter reading this article someday," Tatum wrote. "I pictured her in her late teens or early 20s, hoping to explore and discover her sexuality and dreaming about finding true love."

Channing Tatum Birthday Cake Insta

Channing Tatum Birthday Cake Insta

Tatum described to reader why he felt it was important to connect his work to the message he was trying to send to his daughter, especially because sexually-charged work from men has the potential to be read as objectifying to women. "I tried to imagine the things I’d want her to read that would help her understand men and sex and partnership better, and at that moment, I realized a strange thing. I don’t want her looking to the outside world for answers. My highest hope for her is just that she has the fearlessness to always be her authentic self, no matter what she thinks men want her to be."

More: Channing Tatum Heats Up Instagram With a Naked Pic of Jenna Dewan Tatum

Beautifully, Tatum opened up about the first time his wife, Jenna Dewan Tatum, told him what she wanted from their relationship. He discussed why it was powerful and attractive to see a woman so confident in herself, so in tune with her own wants and needs, that it left him in awe. It also let him connect to Dewan Tatum on a deeper level as a result. Most importantly, though, he wrote about how each of these components can come together to form an important lesson for his daughter and perhaps for women everywhere.

Everly Tatum Jenna Dewan Instagram

Everly Tatum Jenna Dewan Instagram

"So I guess if there’s one thing that I think men wish women knew, it’s just that they alone are enough. When more women start to truly feel this power in themselves, the world will become so magical, it makes my head hurt. We live in a society that has trained men and women to play certain kinds of roles for a long time, and the beauty of this amazing moment we’re living in is that we’re finally starting to break free from those roles. Women, especially, are realizing that they no longer have to conform to certain standards of social and sexual behavior, and this changes what they need from men and the role of men in general."

More: Channing Tatum Is Going to Fulfill Every Woman's Fantasy

Don't mind me: I'm just sitting here in awe at Tatum's articulation of a very empowering and feminist thought. I certainly wouldn't have expected any less from the creator of Magic Mike, but I am also grateful that he actually wrote it down for women everywhere. Not that we ever need men to tell us how to feel about ourselves; rather, it's important that men say the feelings if only to confirm that it's what they believe and can in turn become better allies for women.

I think all the hand-clapping emojis go to Tatum today for this amazing letter.

How to Curl Your Hair Like a Pro in 3 Easy Steps

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If the last time you attempted to curl your hair was for your high school prom, in which you ended up with crunchy sausage curls and lifetime’s worth of bad pictures still framed on your mom’s mantel, then yeah, we’ve been there. Because for some reason, curling your hair is not as easy as it looks despite the billion YouTube tutorials and dozens of times we’ve watched friends do it.

More: The 2-Ingredient DIY That Gave Me the Shiniest Hair of My Life

But if you’ve sworn off curling irons and wands in favor of, uh, whatever the hell your hair naturally does on its own, please come back into the fold, because we got hairstylist and semi-wizard Jasmine Santiago to show us exactly how to curl our hair in the easiest of beginner tutorials. And when we say easy, we really do mean easy — just three GIF-filled steps and a tiny bit of patience. So click through to see the how-to, and then maybe politely ask your mom to update her photos.

Photographer: Tory Rust

Model:  Olga with MSA Models

Makeup: Ashleigh Ciucci

Hair: Jasmine Santiago

More: 13 Best Korean Beauty Products That’ll Truly Transform Your Skin

STEP 1: Curl it back
Image: Tory Rust

Step 1: Curl it back

Pretty self-explanatory step, but hey. Starting with the face-framing layers near your hairline, wind a 2-inch section of hair around a 1-inch curling iron (without clamping down), like the Hot Tools Multi-Heat Control, or a curling wand, like the Remington Ceramic Pearl, twisting the hair in the direction away from your face. Hold for five seconds, then slip the iron out of the curl, before quickly wrapping the curl around your fingers to softly define it.

STEP 2: Curl it forward
Image: Tory Rust

Step 2: Curl it forward

The key to natural-looking curls is making sure you alternate the direction in which you twist each section. So after curling the front piece away from your face, pick up the 2-inch section next to it and twist it around the wand toward your face. Hold for five seconds, then release and rewrap around your fingers. Continue alternating directions around your head until all pieces are curled.

STEP 3: Add some texture
Image: Tory Rust

Step 3: Add some texture

To keep curls from falling limp or poofing out after a few hours, lift and spritz sections with a texturizing spray (if you want a soft, matte, volumized finish) or a lightweight finishing spray (if you want a shinier, more defined finish). Rake through the curls with your fingers — don't worry about being gentle; softer curls look more natural — as you spray, and remember: Less is more.

Products to try:

  1. Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast (Living Proof, $29)
  2. Garnier Fructis Dry Touch Texture Tease Spray (Garnier Fructis, $4.29)
  3. Bumble and Bumble Dryspun Finish (Bumble and Bumble, $31)

STEP 4: Vogue
Image: Tory Rust

Step 4: Vogue

Find a camera, find your best angle and then find a social media platform to upload all of your new awesome selfies.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Body-Shaming: It's Not Just for Girls

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I first noticed it around the holidays. I said something to my husband about the season tipping the scale in the wrong direction; I probably examined my profile in the mirror and made a face. He sighed and said something about getting back to good habits in January (famous last words). He probably patted his stomach as a promise of better behavior to come. Our son frowned at his belly. “Mom,” he asked, “am I fat?”

What? I had been so smugly sure that I didn’t have to worry about body image — I had boys. Girls were the ones you had to watch yourself around: no fat talk, no rolling of the eyes when a waistband refused to close, no pinching of inches. No deleting photos because they were unflattering. No wistful comments about the abs that once were mine. I didn’t have girls though, so I was safe. Right? Apparently not. My boys, it seemed, were watching just as closely.

Around the same time, my other son had joined an after-school running program. The coach talked a lot about good eating habits. I thought this was great — maybe he’d eat more vegetables. But what he internalized was her anti-sugar crusade. “How much sugar is in this?” he asked constantly. “How many calories? Coach says we shouldn’t eat sugar or too many calories.” He was seven.

I see now how naive it was of me to assume that boys were somehow immune from body-image anxiety — and how clueless I was to think that they didn’t register their father’s and my habits. I exercise and eat reasonably healthily, but I’m also aware of how weight clings now in ways it didn’t used to, and I probably dwell on it more than I should. My husband has an ongoing cycle of gain and loss, followed by a dive into Atkins when he’s focused on a goal (like an upcoming beach vacation).

I began to notice one son pinching his own waist and the other commenting that his pants didn’t fit because he’d gained weight. “Yes,” I told him, “but you’re growing. You’ve gotten taller and heavier. Gaining weight isn’t bad.”

He eyed me skeptically. “You and dad think it is.”

“Dad and I aren’t growing anymore," I explained. "At least, not vertically. When we gain weight, it’s not fuel. It’s just sitting there.”

I think he got that. At least, he stopped slouching around to see how far his stomach would stick out.

I always knew that if I had girls, it would be important to talk about the unrealistic representations of women on TV or in the pages of magazines. But what I realize now is that just as Barbie represents an unattainable physical ideal, so too does Captain America. How is the super-buff body of a superhero any less harmful to a child's developing sense of himself than the curvy-yet-attenuated body of the glamazon? Why wouldn’t boys be as sensitive to that message? My heart ached. I love my sons' bodies — my eldest's shoulders that are starting to broaden out, the younger one’s belly that still has the sweet childish roundness; it never occurred to me that they would not love their bodies as I do. My own mother probably thought the exact same thing.

So, what now? Well, I can set as positive an example as possible and teach them that it’s OK to indulge in moderation and with enjoyment. I can continue to run, knowing that it makes me strong in my body and my mind and show them that health is about more than the size of one's waist. I can provide counter-programming to the images that bombard us so they lose some of their power to intimidate. And I can keep telling my boys, every day — even when they pull away, roll their eyes, beg me to stop — just how beautiful they truly are.

Toddler Gets Locked in Mom's Car, Can't Stop Smiling About It

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Who doesn't like firefighters? Especially most toddlers, who seem to love their bright outfits, heroic tales and majorly cool wheels.

So when a little guy in Cornwall, England, locked himself in his mom's car, he wasn't fazed one bit. If anything, he was pretty chuffed (Brit-speak for "super-stoked") to find himself surrounded by local firefighters. Check out that grin:

toddler firefighters

toddler firefighters

Mom Kirsty Green was a little less chuffed about the situation.

While she was loading her groceries into the trunk, she dropped her car keys inside. Oops. Before she could pop the trunk from inside the car, Brandon, 14 months — who was chilling inside the car waiting for his mom — activated the central locking system quite handily. *Click*

More: Your most embarrassing toddler stories — we can't get enough

Green phoned for help from a grocery store and the Bude Community Fire Station crew was on the scene in no time.

At first, the crew tried to free Brandon using hand tools. That plan went out the window when one sharp-eyed firefighter spotted a 2 pence coin in the toddler's mouth. Yikes!

The firefighters ever so gently smashed the rear window and crawled through to rescue Brandon, who was unharmed and pleased as punch.

No harm, no foul — just lots of cool firefighters and a very happy toddler.

“Thank you to the amazing guys who rescued my cheeky monkey after locking himself in the car today at Bude Lidl!!” Green posted in gratitude on Facebook. “He was clearly traumatised by the whole ordeal.”

Clearly.

Mother-Daughter Gossip ‘Salon Session’ Will Slay You

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If you haven't yet watched this video of a military mom and her diaper-rockin' 1-year-old daughter chatting away during a living room "salon" session, you don't know what you're missing.

Kerry Robinson and her off-the-hook adorable daughter, Jayde, clearly love to hang together and talk about life. Robinson posted a video of the two of them doing their thing on Instagram and Facebook, and it's so cute, we're just watching it on repeat all day.

trippin

trippin

Robinson titled the video "Salon Talk," as Jayde brushes her mom's hair the entire time they're chatting about Daddy and Sea World tickets and the fact that everybody is "trippin'."

Daddy especially was apparently trippin' when he tried to shirk his breakfast duties and asked Robinson to get up to make Jayde's breakfast instead. Both ladies were having none of that request.

"Daddy's trippin'," Jayde agrees with her mom. "He's trippin', girl."

Every woman should have a trusted hairstylist pal like this to gab with about all the things. A hairstylist — or a daughter so cute, we just want to put her in our purse.
The video has garnered over 38,000 views on Instagram and — get this! — has more than 10 million views on Facebook. Now Robinson's really trippin'.

"Oh...my...GOD," she posted when she discovered "Salon Talk" had gone totally, insanely viral. "I just woke up and I think my phone is broke."

Please, more "Salon Talk," Kerry and Jayde. We are never, ever going to get tired of this.


Why Talking to Your Doctor About Menopause Should Be Empowering

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In an effort to close the gap of information that women experience regarding menopause, the journal JAMA published what it’s calling the JAMA Patient Page.

The page clearly outlines not only how a woman’s body changes during menopause, but also makes it a point to explain that there are treatment options for women who experience severe symptoms.

More: 14 emotional phases of menopause

“Women should not suffer in silence,” said Sardar Khan of Stony Brook University School of Medicine in New York, a co-author of the 2016 review, to Reuters Health. “The days are gone when we accept these symptoms as merely signs of aging.”

The page acts as a resource that women can reference when they’re speaking through symptoms with their doctors.

The onset of menopause usually happens between the age of 44 and 55 for women. Symptoms can include hot flashes, vaginal dryness and symptoms as severe as vaginal burning or persistent pain when urinating.

More: The Truth About What Happens to Your Vagina During & After Menopause

JAMA’S patient page lists the most common treatments for a woman’s more extreme menopause symptoms, as well as advice on when to see a doctor.

By Vivian Nunez

Originally published on HelloFlo.

Joanna Gaines Has the Best Summer Plans, and You Can Get In on Them

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Summer is all about relaxing, enjoying the balmy days and nights as much as possible. That's why we're totally in love with Fixer Upper star Joanna Gaines' plans for this summer, which make the most of summer's happy vibes.

Gaines is hosting a series of outdoor movie screenings at her and Chip's business, Magnolia Market at the Silos in Waco, Texas. On the first Thursday of every month, they'll be showing a free movie for anyone who wants to come on down and set up a blanket. There will be food trucks, and Magnolia Market will be open late so you can check it out when the movie's over.

More: 8 reasons HGTV's Fixer Upper is the best home renovation show

The movies sound like just the sort of thing you'd want to watch on a blanket under the stars in the warm summer breeze. First up was Toy Story, they're playing Elf for Christmas in July and they'll be screening the classic musicals Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and The Wizard of Oz later in the season.

More: Fixer Upper's Chip and Joanna Gaines Get Ready for Ugly Fraud Lawsuit

It makes me want to host my own summer screening series in the spirit of the Gaines' hospitality. I don't have a pair of giant silos to hang a big screen on, but I think my TV could do the job. And wouldn't it be fun to open the sliding glass door all the way to let in the summer night air, put a bunch of blankets and pillows on the floor and invite my friends over for a good popcorn flick like Grease or The Goonies?

If you can make it to Waco, you should definitely hit up the Gaines' monthly movie night. And if you're too far away, there's nothing stopping you from hosting a movie night yourself!

More: Host a backyard movie premiere party!

I ‘Joined the Illuminati’ and Here’s What Happened Next

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Last month I was writing an article about the conspiracy theory that 1) the Illuminati still exists and 2) that Beyoncé is often dropping not-so-subtle hints that she is in the Illuminati. During the process of the writing the piece, I stumbled upon a website that claimed to be the official home of the Illuminati. Even the web address — www.officialilluminati.org — admittedly sounded pretty, well, official.

That's strange, I thought. Isn't the Illuminati just a conspiracy theory? And even if it's not a conspiracy, aren't they an extremely secretive and elite group?

More: 43 Celebrities Supposedly in the Illuminati

I looked around a bit more. The official page of the Illuminati seemed to have a logo, a resources page, an about section, a lot of social media accounts and even a television commercial. It also seemed to have an official tone: mysterious and a bit like the sound of an Eastern religious text.

Illuminati Commercial Youtube

Illuminati Commercial Youtube

Then I saw it. I could join the Illuminati! Little old me could become a member of a powerful secret organization alongside the likes of Jay Z, Kanye West and Rihanna. Sure, I might have to start on the bottom rung of the ladder alongside Blue Ivy, but I could be a member.

How easy was it to join? Would I have to swim across the English Channel, murder someone in the night, pledge my life savings or concoct a magic potion? Nope. I would have to press the "Join the Illuminati" button and give a stranger my name and email address.

Join The Illuminati
Image: The Illuminati Official Site

So, I joined. What would happen next? I guessed I would probably be contacted by a masked man who would take me to headquarters. There, I would immediately start influencing the events of our world, from presidential elections to international sports to the Top 40.

Instead, I just started getting a lot of emails.

More: All the Times Beyoncé Referenced the Illuminati in the Past Year

A short history of the Illuminati

Let's back up just a bit. What do we actually know about the Illuminati? For those who don't know the history, the Illuminati was originally a secret group of influencers in 18th-century Bavaria who fought against injustice, superstition and religious influence. They were one of a number of secret societies active at the time, experiencing about 10 years of expansion and infighting and then fading out around 1787. About a decade after that, rumors began circulating that the group still existed underground and that they were still responsible for influencing world events like the French Revolution.

Fast-forward to modern day. The Illuminati still captures the imaginations of people around the world, fueling truckloads of conspiracy theories and stories. These theories run the gamut from a very simple "Yes, there is still a secret group of Illuminati," to the more salacious and celebrity-centric "Madonna is a Satanic Illuminati witch who offers oral sex to leftist voters."

What version of the group had I joined? The Bavarians? The oral sex devils? Something else entirely?

Oh wait, they just want me to buy stuff

After I joined the Illuminati, I started getting form emails from them right away. Wow, I thought. Maybe they are real, and soon they will ask me whom I'd like to win the Super Bowl.

Instead, though, they pretty quickly wanted me to start buying stuff. First off, they were pretty insistent that I buy an Illuminati Talisman so that I could display my loyalty. These talismans, of course, cost money.

Illuminati Talisman
Image: The Illuminati Official Site

OK, so it's a bit weird that a secret society wants me to buy a necklace so that everyone knows I'm a member and also that these items are as little $12. There's also a hilarious disclaimer on the talisman marketing email: "Be careful when others offer the Talisman online." Ah, I see: When other people offer you a cheap fake Illuminati talisman, it's a scam, but not when the official Illuminati do it. Yes, that sounds perfectly legitimate.

Next, the Illuminati really wanted me to buy their book, Illuminatiam: The First Testament of the Illuminati. This book is available on Amazon and costs $9.90. The book's description claims that its wisdom is available to only elite members of the group, but in reality, anyone with a mailing address or a Kindle and almost 10 bucks can order it. Sadly, the book has almost 2,000 reviews, which means the scam is working on somebody. I hope that many people haven't bought the fake gold necklaces.

After much thought, I am leaving the Illuminati

It's been a crazy whirlwind of a month in which I have been in the Illuminati. Actually, it just really filled up my junk mail folder. In any case, I am ready to move on to another secret society. Something that gives me more power in international affairs and maybe a group who has a better graphic designer. Maybe something that sends fewer emails and that is slightly less culty.

I really, really hope that it's easy to unsubscribe from the Illuminati. But who knows? Hopefully, I will just have to click a button.

If something does happen to me, maybe look into the Illuminati thing

So, there you have it. The "official" site of the Illuminati is a site that likely has no connection to either the original Bavarian Enlightenment-era secret group or the alleged modern-day secret society of pop stars. In fact, it's probably just an attempt to make money (like 97 percent of the stuff on the internet).

More: 15 Times Celebs Wore the Illuminati Signs and Colors on the Red Carpet

But — and this is a big but — if I die or disappear shortly after writing this article, could you please take a close look into it? Remember that the police are probably in on it and that no one is to be trusted. Maybe look for clues regarding my murder in Bey's newest music video?

Would you join the Illuminati or buy any of the swag they keep offering to members?

Here's Why People Are Upset About Dove's New Campaign

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This week, Dove learned the hard lesson that just because you slap a “body positivity” angle on a product, it doesn’t guarantee that it’ll be a success. Or even that people won’t laugh at it.

Now more than 10 years into their iconic Real Beauty campaign, Dove is being criticized for their attempt to embed that message into their product packaging by designing bottles of body wash modeled after six “real” body shapes.

More: Researchers Pinpoint Cause of Gray & Thinning Hair

According to a statement from Dove, “Each bottle evokes the shapes, sizes, curves and edges that combine to make every woman their very own limited edition. They’re one of a kind — just like you.” As long as your body type fits into one of six categories.

“Women using their influence to advance the real beauty debate across social media, and helping women embrace their own individuality as a source of confidence,” Dove explains in the statement.

MoreShowering Before Bed Is the Right Thing to Do for Your Health

OK, maybe I can see their point.

But it continues, “To spread this diversity message even further, we created these exclusive body wash bottles.”

Wait, what? This is the point where we need Peggy Olson to become a real person, travel through time and to London and shut this whole thing down.

MoreHow Much Hair Loss Is Normal?

If I’m being completely honest, I 100 percent thought this campaign was satire — especially when I saw the full line of six bottles, including one that is so short and stout, it makes a little teapot seem lean and elegant. But I may be particularly sensitive because that is the bottle that best matches my own body type — the only thing it’s missing is a pair of cat-eye glasses.

Zooey Deschanel & Jacob Pechenik Welcome Baby Charlie Wolf

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Zooey Deschanel and her husband Jacob Pechenik welcomed a new guy last week in Los Angeles — their second child, son Charlie Wolf Pechenik.

Charlie Wolf has a big sister, Elsie Otter (born 2015, not an actual otter).

Deschanel's rep confirmed the news, and told People, “Zooey, Jacob and their daughter Elsie are overjoyed to welcome the newest member of their family."

More: Zooey Deschanel finally reveals her baby girl's name

In May 2016, Deschanel was definitely in a family frame of mind when she told Redbook, “I’ve slowed things down a bit. I think it’s good for your whole self — your creative self, your professional self, and just your soul — to take a little time for yourself and your family...I’ve never really felt like an adult."

She added: "But I think it’s a huge accomplishment to have a child, so maybe I feel like an adult for that reason!” 

More: Zooey Deschanel is engaged!

We think adulthood looks swell on Deschanel.

Is it wrong that we hope she and Pechenik have a really, really big family just so we can keep listing animal names? Because Charlie Wolf + Elsie Otter = priceless.

The Queen Looks Cooler Behind the Wheel of a Jaguar Than You Do

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Just days after Prince Philip announced he's slowing down on public appearances later this year, Queen Elizabeth II made a pretty clear statement that she's not ready to slow down. Donning a festive blue hat and matching suit, the 91-year-old queen of England slid behind the wheel of a royal Jaguar after attending church on Sunday and rolled home like it wasn't even a thing. These are #QueenGoals, #GrandmaGoals, #ChurchGoals and #LifeGoals all rolled up into one. After this, it should be everyone's new goal to rule a country, buy a Jaguar and then drive it home from church.

More: Did You Land the Cover of Vanity Fair as Your Birthday Present? Queen Elizabeth Did

Yes, Princess Charlotte and Prince George may be adorable royal family members. We've seen them with their little outfits, blowing bubbles and petting dogs and whatever. But how is anything on Earth cuter than the slightly hunched queen peering over the steering wheel of her Jaguar in her glasses and pearls?

As one might guess, the internet approved of the queen driving herself home from church in a sports car.

queen jaguar

queen jaguar

On top of it all, let's note that the queen doesn't have a driver's license and she doesn't even have to drive a car with plates or registration. She's even allowed to drive down the 2.6-mile Long Walk in Windsor (and roll up on the grass, it appears from pictures). The only other people allowed to do that are park rangers.

queen in jaguar
Image: Ben Stansall/Getty Images

Also, don't think this is an anomaly or a life crisis. The queen has a long, long history of loving cars and relishes taking a spin around the block. She learned to drive during World War II when she was a mechanic for the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service. The queen can also often be seen taking the royal Range Rover for a spin.

More: Queen Elizabeth Gives Kate Middleton Her Most Public Endorsement Yet

She's even treated driving cars as an act of feminism. According to a memoir by British diplomat Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, Queen Elizabeth II flabbergasted Saudi Arabia's then-Crown Prince Abdullah when she took him for a ride in 1998.

Here's the full story: 

queen driving

queen driving

More: A Photographic Look at Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's Love Story Through the Years

Apparently, Abdullah was shocked that the queen drove, not only because of her royal standing, but also because women aren't even allowed to hold a license in Saudi Arabia. His shock soon turned into fear as the queen enthusiastically zipped about and showed him the sights of the estate. Before the ride ended, he asked her to slow down and pay attention.

It would appear that Queen Elizabeth II is still intent on living life in the (relatively) fast lane, and boy, does she look precious doing it.

Sunscreen Tips for All Year-Round

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Sunscreen is something that we should all be thinking about every day, regardless of the time of year. After all, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, affecting 1 in 5 adults. The No. 1 thing we can do to protect our skin from cancer is to use sunscreen every time we're in the sun — not just in the summer. And the bottles currently on our shelves? Olay Complete All Day Moisturizers With SPF for Sensitive Skin.

More: 6 Peeling Skin Remedies We All Need After a Bad Sunburn

"In the summer, we're closer to the sun," Dr. William Wooden, director of operative services at Indiana University Health says. "However, the sun never stops emitting UV radiation, which is what causes the damage. It is always there, all year-round." As such, sunscreen application should be a part of your beauty routine, regardless of the temperature or time of year. "Any time you're spending time in the sun, no matter the season, remember sunscreen," he says.

Here are Wooden's tips for keeping your skin safe from harmful UV rays all year-round.

More: Sorry Mom, But the Spray Sunscreen Really Is as Bad as They Say

During summer and in hot climates

"In the summer, we often spend time at the beach and have moist, warm air and reflection of UV rays from the water and sand," Wooden says. Wearing sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 to 30 will give good protection, but it needs to be reapplied regularly. "It’s important to remember to put on enough, and keep in mind that activity, water and sweat can remove the sunscreen," he says.

During fall and in cool climates

As fall arrives and the weather cools down, UV rays can be damaging your skin any time the sun comes out. If you're spending time outdoors, Wooden suggests reaching for SPF 15 to 30.

During winter and in cold climates

"In the winter, we have dry, cold air and a strong reflection of rays if there is snow," Wooden says, adding that for skiers, "elevation also plays a role in high elevation areas the UV exposure is higher." He recommends sticking with an SPF of 15 to 30, but adding in a moisturizer to help with the drying effects cold air can have on skin.

During spring and in warm climates

When warm weather first starts, "we have more skin exposed and are more at risk," Wooden says. Sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 to 30 should be applied at least once daily.

Forget the myth that sunscreen is only for summer, and protect your skin all year long.

More: Do you Really Need Different Sunscreens for Your Body and Face?

This post was sponsored by Olay.


Idris Elba Held a Casting Call & All Hell Broke Loose

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There was an upset in the capital city of London today, and it was started by one of Great Britain's national treasures. That treasure is Hackney-born Idris Elba, but I'd venture to say that he's become somewhat of an American pop culture treasure as well. We all lost our collective cool when he raffled off a Valentine's date to raise money to empower girls in Sierra Leone. Even Obama kind of swooned for him. He's everyone's hopeful for the next James Bond. He's basically on fire right now.

In addition to his sexy, successful image, he also has been a pioneer in shattering stereotypes and creating more opportunity for actors of color. #OscarsSoWhite has plagued the Academy since 2013, but actors like Elba, Viola Davis and Kerry Washington are making huge strides despite the systemic setbacks of an oppressively white industry. So it's no wonder that when Elba put out an open casting call for a new movie he's making, chaos ensued, because people would probably love to follow in his footsteps or maybe just get a peek at him.

More: The Real Reason Why Idris Elba Can't Be James Bond

Apparently, Elba was holding auditions in London for specifically Afro-Caribbean extras for a film set in the 1980s recently. Police had to be called when hundreds of actors showed up to attempt to soak up a little bit of Elba's magic, maybe even follow in his footsteps. The fans didn't help the acting hopefuls either by also crowding the audition.

More: Idris Elba Reportedly Dumped the Mother of His Son for a Supermodel

I don't blame them, though, because he's a multilayered daddy with his looks, charitable acts, potential Bond status and championing diversity in film. If I could waltz up to a line and catch a glimpse, I would. Honestly, it's more reasonable to me to think you might catch his eye and he'll marry you than being selected as an extra and that catapulting your career. But let the dreamers dream, I guess.

More: Man Crush Mondays: 12 Things to Love About Idris Elba

Elba has since asked those wanting to audition to send in headshots instead of show up because the London police are over it and will likely shut it down. People were beginning to push from the start, according to bystanders. There were also reports of "some disorder," which is such an adorably British way to describe chaos at an acting audition.

Would you jump on a chance like that? Tell us in the comments.

Pippa Middleton's Wedding Costs Are Estimated to Hit the Royal Mother Lode

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Updated May 9, 2017, 9:11 a.m. PT: As if there weren't enough excitement surrounding this impending wedding, we are now learning some juicy details about the cost of Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Matthews.

It would appear that this wedding is set to break even the most well-endowed coffers. Thanks to the sleuthing skills of Marie Claire and the wedding-planning app Bridebook, Middleton's wedding costs are going to soar. To be fair, these are all estimates and official figures have yet to be confirmed from anyone associated with Middleton's wedding-planning group, but if these numbers are anywhere near the actual price, Marie Claire believes her wedding could cost up to 15 times the average cost: £246,949 or $318,888 USD. Whoa.

Her dress is reportedly estimated to cost around £10,000 (that's roughly $13,000 USD); the bridesmaids dresses, of which there are typically three in a U.K. ceremony, are estimated to cost around £2,250 (that's around $2,900 USD); the wedding rings for Middleton and Matthews are reportedly from Cartier and could collectively set the couple back £19,900 (or close to $26,000 USD). Those are just the essentials, though.

Never mind the costs associated with the venue and the logistics of the ceremony. The actual wedding venue, which will be the Middleton family home complete with dry- and wet-weather conditions, could cost up to £65,000 ($84,100 USD) to prepare. Combined, catering and floristry are estimated at £86,000 ($111,240 USD). For music, entertainers and videography, combined costs could hit the £12,250 ($15,850 USD) mark. This is merely a fraction of the cost, but if you tally up the figures I've just listed out, we're already looking at around £195,400, or $252,750 USD.

The kicker, though, is the estimated cost for Matthews to get transported to this dream wedding: nothing. Marie Claire seems to think that since Matthews is a former racecar driver, he'll have access to a sweet luxury car that can act as his transportation. Nice to see they're going to cut costs in some fashion.

Updated May 8, 2017, 9:43 a.m. PT: With wedding bells less than two months away for Pippa Middleton and banker James Matthews, the world waits with bated breath to see how the nuptials of Duchess Kate's adored sister will unfold. The latest news about Middleton's wedding is sure to pique public interest even more — Prince Harry's girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has reportedly snagged herself an official invitation to the full ceremony.

This is a big deal for the couple for a few reasons. For starters, the big day has long been rumored to be governed by a "no ring, no bring" rule. This unofficial rule states one must be engaged to or married to a person on the guest list to bring a plus one. However, the soon-to-be-wed couple did extend an invite to Markle to attend the evening party after the ceremony on May 20, suggesting she is quickly becoming an important part of Middleton's social circle. Now that Middleton has made an exception for Markle and is giving her the green light to attend the actual ceremony with Prince Harry, does that mean another royal wedding is in the near future?

A source allegedly close to the cute couple told Us Weekly that Prince Harry has every intention of marrying his Suits star girlfriend and even plans to propose by their first anniversary. "They will be engaged by the end of summer," the source claimed, adding that the two have "spoken candidly about their future" and "see a life together."

When royal duties beckon, after all, one must be available to answer the call.

Updated April 24, 2017, 9:00 a.m. PT: Over in the U.K., the Daily Mail is reporting that Pippa Middleton's wedding could be crashed by locals looking for some royal-tinged excitement. Middleton's upcoming nuptials to banker James Matthews will certainly offer locals the opportunity to attend and spot a famous face or two. Thanks to a rule from the Church of England, locals can attend celebrity weddings if the church is their actual local church. I mean, how cool is that?

OK, as cool as that is, here's the thing: This funny little detail opens up the floodgates on who can actually attend the Middleton-Matthews wedding, potentially paving the way for the most prim English turf war ever. There are conflicting opinions on whether locals will actually be allowed in. According to a local official, "It's a rather nice thought that they might be able to attend. I'm sure there will be interest."

However, those involved with planning the Middleton-Matthews wedding appear ready to ban local peeping Tom's should they threaten to derail the carefully planned ceremony with their average people nonsense. As reported by the Daily Mail, a spokesman for the Englefield Estate where the reception is being held has commented that "the church would be 'restricted for security reasons'. The wedding is a private family event. I can confirm that all pedestrian and vehicle routes to Englefield House will be closed on May 20th, and access to the church will be restricted for reasons of safety and security."

It looks like we should grab some popcorn and get ready to watch as the most prim and polite wedding crasher-prevention plan gets put into action.

Original story:

Call it royal wedding-adjacent: Pippa Middleton's nuptials to James Matthews are the most anticipated since her sister Kate said her vows six years ago. We've got the deets on Pippa's dress, her venue, her guest list, her wedding party and even what kind of champagne will be flowing.

Princess Charlotte will be very involved

Multiple sites are reporting that Princess Charlotte, who turns two next month, will be one of Pippa's bridesmaids. Still no word on whether she took part in the booze-fueled hen party Kate and Pippa threw on the slopes of the French Alps.

Her gown will be very different from Kate's

Pippa has none of the restrictions Kate had to deal with when searching for her perfect gown: She doesn't have to look the part of demure virginal princess, for example, nor does the fate of the entire British fashion industry rest on her (possibly) lace-covered shoulders. Designer Giles Deacon was spotted at Pippa's house with armfuls of dresses last November, and his Instagram feed is full of clues about the shape her gown may be taking, based on his other designs. It remains to be seen whether Pippa's butt will be the focus of this dress, as it was at her sister's wedding.

More: Kate Middleton Is Planning Pippa a Pretty Stellar Hen Party

Her venue is a bit smaller than Westminster Abbey

Pippa's ceremony will be held on May 20 at St. Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire — a modest little country church close to her parents' house, where her reception will be held. It's a lovely venue, and the ceremony definitely will not be broadcast to nearly every country in the world. While Kate invited nearly 2,000 guests to her nuptials, Pippa is thought to be nipping her guest list to a "mere" 400.

Kate won't be her matron of honor

It's a bit surprising, since Pippa and Kate are like peas and carrots, but Kate probably won't stand up for her sister at the wedding like Pippa did at the royal wedding. Reason? Kate doesn't want to steal the show the way Pippa's butt did on her own special day. "Kate would upstage her sister," royal expert Judy Wade told People. "If your sister is a future queen, she is going to upstage the bride and draw attention. Kate would want to be in the background as much as possible."

Kate may join their brother James for a reading, though, and we're still holding our breath for George as a ring bearer or Charlotte as a flower girl!

More: Pippa Middleton Says Yes to Her Own Prince Charming

Bottles will be popped — lots of them

No red cups here, and you can forget the modern boho farm vibe while you're at it.

"It will be blingtastic," a source close to the couple told The Mirror. "The best champagne, Krug or Bollinger, and a specially devised champagne cocktail. Pippa and James have a penchant for Blanc de Noir Tillington 2009 from Nyetimber at £75 a bottle — and wonderful food. No expense will be spared. This isn't a bangers-and-mash, sitting-on-hay-bales affair. Pippa is hardly a floaty bohemian type."

Only a little less than two months to go until those wedding bells ring! We can’t wait to see the pics!

Amal Gave George Clooney a Crazy-Realistic Birthday Cake

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George Clooney is really leaning into the rich older daddy thing. I mean, he's literally a father now, he's married and he and one of his business partners, Cindy Crawford's husband Rande Berger, celebrated their birthdays with a novelty cake, courtesy of Amal Clooney. (Fun fact: George Clooney and Rande Berger own neighboring homes in Los Cabos, Mexico! #BFFgoals).

George Clooney turned 56 on Saturday, May 6 — Berger turned 55 a couple of weeks ago — and their tequila business reminds me of all my uncles who got into home brewing in their 50s, except on a grander scale. The super-realistic cake based on the tequila business just seals the deal — there's something so corny about the whole situation that it's kind of hard to remember that Clooney is an A-list heartthrob actor and not one of my friend's dads.

More: George Clooney explains "Why I fell in love"

George Clooney's Birthday Cake

George Clooney's Birthday Cake

Considering the fact that Casamigos is their own brand of tequila, the cake is basically just showing Clooney and Berger hanging out at work. Imagine getting a cake for your birthday designed to look like you and a co-worker hovering around the copy machine or ringing up customers at the store or sitting on your couch while watching Parks and Rec and writing? Kind of weird, right?

More: The guest of honor at George Clooney's wedding? Tequila

But celebrities are different from us, and even though Casamigos is a lucrative business, it's a passion project and not a career that was born out of any true need for money. I guess that's what keeps it fun — for most of us, a work-themed cake would take the joy right out of our party, but for wealthy hobbyists like these two buddies, it's just a reminder of the good life.

Here's hoping that Clooney and Berger enjoyed their birthday party — and that they had enough tequila on hand to erase the mental images of their loved ones snacking on those eerily-realistic cake bodies and faces.

More: George Clooney stands up for women around the world with inspiring message

It's Official — One of Trump's Only Celebrity Supporters Is Running for Office

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Just what we need... more reality stars in government. The Los Angeles Times broke the story on Monday that actor Antonio Sabàto Jr. would be running for Congress in California's 26th District against current seat-holder Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), who's held the office since 2013. There has yet to be an announcement, but documents have been filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Sabàto rose to fame on shows like General Hospital and Melrose Place. He did a turn on Dancing with the Stars, and went on to have his own VH1 reality show called My Antonio, where he asked women to embarrass themselves compete for a chance to date him.

Now he's on to his next chapter of politics after becoming enthused by the Trump campaign and after alleging he was "blacklisted by Hollywood producers because of his visible support for Trump," (to which my only responses are, "duh," and, "aw, wah") it would also seem he has no choice but to double down.

More: 51 Donald Trump quotes that are completely ridiculous

During the Trump campaign Sabàto spoke on his behalf at the Republican National Convention during which he echoed the often-espoused Trump lie that then-President Obama was a Muslim — which is patently false.

Barack Obama
Image: Giphy

GOP strategist Charles Moran gave a comment on Sabàto's run. "Being a Republican and with proximity to the White House and Republican leadership, he’s going to be able to get more done — being in the majority, with his notoriety, for the residents of the 26th [Congressional] District." Which would suggest that this wouldn't be a vanity seat for Sabàto, but he's actually got plans.

More: Antonio Sabàto Jr. upsets fans who don’t share the same love for Donald Trump

He apparently wants his main issues of focus to be veterans' needs and substance abuse, two areas that desperately need competent attention and where Republicans have notoriously dropped the ball in the past, including Vice President Pence's tremendous fuck up as governor of Indiana in which his moral conservativeness led him to allow for such a lack of programs to assist drug addicts that the worst HIV outbreak since the 1980s exploded in Scott County. Pence responded to the public health crisis, by "go[ing] home to pray on it."

MoreAntonio Sabàto Jr.'s remarks about President Obama make us face-palm

Despite enthusiastically backing Trump, Sabàto also told People magazine last year, "I have never been a Republican or Democrat... I am an American.” So maybe he'll be more of a Trump politician — which is to say he won't really believe in anything and harbor secret social liberalness on the inside because he is a Hollywood actor with no political experience.

It should be noted that his opponent, Brownley, before taking office in 2013, previously served on the state assembly for six years. We're rooting for her, but we all know what usually happens to women with more experience.

Hillary Clinton
Image: Giphy

Would you vote for Sabàto? Tell us in the comments.

Young and the Restless Finally Makes a Decision on Adam Newman

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Just when you think Adam Newman is gone for good — remember Sally Sussman told us that last fall — we learn that he is coming back to Genoa City. The Young and the Restless is now ready to recast the role of Adam Newman according to the Daytime Confidential podcast.

More: Greg Rikaart's Exit on The Young and the Restless Is Bittersweet

With Justin Hartley long gone and committed to This Is Us for the next two seasons, Michael Muhney threw his hat into the ring to return to the role he held from 2009 to 2014. He asked his social media followers to tweet Y&R producer Mal Young and head of CBS Daytime Angelica McDaniel to voice their desire to have him back in the role.

It looks like Y&R is going in a completely different direction though. Jamey Giddens, host of the Daytime Confidential podcast mentioned that Young isn’t looking at the usual stable of daytime actors.

“They aren’t looking at anyone from daytime for that part,” he said. It’s a “no daytime mantra over there.”

More: DOOL Drops the Best Casting Bomb Ever — Guess Who's Back!

This news sheds some light on Muhney’s unexpected tweet to fans last week. He must have caught wind that Y&R was going to recast the role because the timing is certainly curious.

For some fans, it will be a relief not to see Muhney back in the role. They side with Eric Braeden’s account that he was difficult to work with on set. Even though Muhney wants a second chance to prove himself, it doesn’t look like CBS Daytime is open to that possibility.

For Muhney fans, it is a huge disappointment because they have supported him through his darkest times and truly loved him in the role. They rallied to Young and McDaniel to get him back on the show.

More: 8 Things to Know About General Hospital's Matt Cohen

This casting news also changes the direction Sussman was looking to go in as a head writer. She said in that TV Insider interview last fall, “When and if an Adam comes up, then we’ll deal with it. I’m not looking to bring that character back nor do I want to do a paternity reveal involving a character who is off-camera.”

Well, it looks like Adam Newman will be back on-camera and Sussman is going to have write to Young’s wishes about dealing with the paternity of Christian Newman.

Who will win the role? The search for a new actor is reportedly going on right now, but Y&R has yet to confirm any news of the Adam Newman twist.

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