The Billboard Music Awards are one of the biggest nights in music, and plenty of artists have their fingers and toes crossed hoping to go home with an award.
See the full list of 2014 Billboard Music Awards winners here (artist will be bolded once they win).
The BBMAs are a big deal for the "TiK ToK" singer because not only does she want to prove to her fans that she's happy and healthy, but she's also part of a big ABC announcement. The 27-year-old singer was added to the judges' panel of the network's new summer show, Rising Star. She will be joined by Brad Paisley and Ludacris.
For her big appearance this weekend, Kesha wore a stunning black mermaid gown with lacy accents. Her hair was swept up in a messy do with subtle pink highlights. Her complexion looked dewy and fresh as she happily posed for the cameras.
Kesha even tweeted her enthusiasm about the night ahead.
getting ready for #BBMAs and feeling very much like a toddler in a tiara
It's quite a contrast to the singer who last year wore a revealing short black dress by Givenchy with slits so high, there was no possible way to wear undergarments. She had slicked back her hair in a sleek ponytail, but her appearance was tired and wan.
After her exit from rehab in early March, Kesha promptly dropped the $ symbol from her name to mirror her new life. Now, she's just Kesha, back and better than ever!
Photo credit: Dominique Charriau/Le Film Francais/WireImage/Getty Images
Strutting your stuff around the French Riviera doesn't sound like a bad way to spend your time, and this year, we spy some really fun summery nautical looks and bright colors.
We're going to call it seaside chic. And what we're actually loving from the red carpet are the non-gown looks.
A perfect example is the ever-stunning Cate Blanchett and her Delpozo Fall 2014 look. Showing just the faintest hint of midriff, Blanchett isn't slacking when it comes to showing off some punchy colors and well-tailored silhouette. And we can’t forget to mention the citrusy peep-toe heels she’s wearing. Those shoes alone make us want a glass of champagne.
Photo credit: Dominique Charriau/Le Film Francais/WireImage/Getty Images
Photo credit: Anthony Harvey/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Also in on the two-piece preppy trend is America Ferrera in a bright yellow Louis Vuitton cropped collared top and an orange M Missoni textured pencil skirt.
Photo credit: Dominique Charriau/Le Film Francais/WireImage/Getty Images
Photo credit: Dominique Charriau/Le Film Francais/WireImage/Getty Images
In our minds, these two got together and were like, "Hey, let's do something a little more fun than a long gown." And America was like, "Crop tops!" And Cate was like, "OK, but let's be tasteful." Then they did a secret best-friend handshake and hit the red carpet.
We're sure that's how it went down.
One more standout number comes straight from oh-yes-she-did newly buzzed hairdo star Rosario Dawson. She stands out in a poppy, colorful pencil dress from Sportmax Fall 2014.
Photo credit: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images
Photo credit: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Photo credit: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Certainly, everyone in gowns looked gorgeous as well (here's lookin' at you, Blake Lively, Zoe Saldana and Jane Fonda), but there’s something refreshing about these fresh nautical outfits. And, oh, we're sure the films were great too.
Chrissy Teigen may very well be one of the hottest women in Hollywood right now, and she knows how to make even the most bizarre outfit look beautiful. She showed up to the 2014 Billboard Music Awards looking hot, but her dress was a bit of a question mark.
Teigen showed up on the arm of her husband John Legend wearing a black and white dress with a unique design on it. The question, though, is what was that design? It looks like it could be a tribal figure with a pyramid at its base. But the image isn't obvious, and it sort of resembles a psychiatrist's inkblot test.
Legend showed up in a navy blue suit, and the couple looks as gorgeous as they always do on the red carpet. In March, they arrived to the Academy Awards and were by far one of the cutest couples on the red carpet.
But despite all that gorgeousness, Teigen has shown she doesn't care what people think of the way she looks. Just last month, she called out some fat-shamers on Instagram. After posting a photo of herself, she received some mean comments about her weight.
"Honestly f*** you all. Why do I even open anything up to you," she wrote. "In what other real life situation would you walk up to someone and tell them they're fat or gained weight? Seriously you are POS."
Teigen is pretty busy with her career right now, most recently making a (hilarious) appearance on Inside Amy Schumer this season.
What do you think of Chrissy Teigen's dress? Gorgeous or just too weird?
We had a bit of déjà vu when we spotted Jennifer Lopez walking down the red carpet at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.
The American Idol judge — set to receive the Icon Award during the show — walked the red carpet in a gauzy red Donna Karan dress that immediately reminded us of her most famous dress.
You know the one… the green Versace creation that made the world collectively lose it when she walked on the stage at the 2000 Grammy Awards.
Photo credit: Wire Image
Let's see how the two dresses match up: Plunging neckline down to there? Check. Barely-there bottoms that show off her trim and taut legs? Check. Sheer sleeves and beautiful, shiny hair? Check and check. The only real difference is the color. The mom of twins Max and Emme still has the same enviable body she had nearly 15 years ago, too.
Somehow we doubt that the similarity between the dresses is a mistake. Lopez's career took off after the infamous green dress incident.
"When I came onstage with David Duchovny, who was the biggest star in the world then, he said to the audience, 'Nobody is looking at me,'" Lopez told W in 2013. "This loud sound started from the back of the room — it was kind of like a roar, over me in the dress. When I went to my seat, I said, 'What's the big deal?!' [Then-boyfriend] Puffy and Benny [Medina, her manager] were waiting, and they said, 'You have to take pictures in that dress.'"
It's only natural that she marks this award — a definite turning point in her career — with another striking look. To be honest, we like this red dress better!
Tell us: What do you think of Jennifer Lopez's red dress at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards?
At Sunday's 2014 Billboard Music Awards, it looked like Jennifer Lopez took a cue from Rihanna's 2014 MTV Movie Awards red carpet outfit. The latest trend at award shows is to wear your bathrobe.
The American Idol judge wore a Donna Karan ensemble that mirrored RiRi's look just last month. Of course, JLo took it one step further with a big splash of color that turned everyone's head. Her gown was done in red.
The 44-year-old mom of two walked the carpet with her beau, Casper Smart. She kept her makeup simple and clean with a '60s-inspired hairstyle — swept bangs with a little volume in the back, falling in soft waves.
Photo credit: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com
Even though JLo had a bit of Rihanna-inspired wardrobe, she has the edge over the "Umbrella" singer. Lopez made sure her look showed off her gorgeous curves, while RiRi opted for a softer, more flowing look at the MTV Movie Awards.
The "On the Floor" singer also had a bit of fun with her gown by whipping it around in front of her fans. The official BBMAs' Twitter account even posted a screencap from their live feed.
— BillboardMusicAwards (@OfficialBBMAs) May 18, 2014
Besides performing with Pitbull at the BBMAs and receiving the Icon Award, JLo has a big week with the finale of Season 13 of American Idol. The winner will be decided on Wednesday, May 21.
If you hadn't heard of 5 Seconds of Summer before today's Billboard Music Awards festivities, you probably have now. Suddenly the internet is buzzing about the newest boy band to storm pop culture. Here are five things to know about the newest guys on the scene.
The band is comprised of Ashton Irwin, 19, Michael Clifford, 18, Calum Hood, 18, and Luke Hemmings, 17. The boys all hail from the suburbs of Sydney, making the list of Australia's hottest exports that much longer.
2. Cute, but not clean-cut
The boys are certainly easy on the eyes, but they lean a little bit more towards the punk rock side of music than easy listening. Think piercings and spiked hair. In fact, Clifford, who is the band's guitarist, has a personal style that is a bit reminiscent of Sid Vicious. While 5 Seconds of Summer's songs sound nothing like the Sex Pistols, you get an idea of the kind of image the boys are gunning for.
3. They're on One Direction's radar
5 Seconds of Summer will be joining One Direction on their European tour this Summer as an opening act. One Direction are arguably the be-all, end-all in boy bands right now, but even they are taking notice of the talent that is coming out of Australia. According to the Daily Mail, One Direction's Liam Payne is even a bit envious of the musicianship of 5sos. "I am a bit jealous of them," Payne admitted. "I'm working on learning to play now, but I wish I put the time in like they did when they were kids."
4. They are seriously blowing up
The boys from Down Under have nearly 3 million Twitter followers at present time. While that pales in comparison to One Direction's 18.9 mil, the number is nothing to laugh at and after tonight's awards, we're willing to bet they will have more!
5. Their new video drops tomorrow
"Don't Stop" debuts tomorrow afternoon in the U.S., and it looks to have a superhero theme.
The performance started with a Mission: Impossible-type theme, with the King of Pop on screen with live dancers surrounding him. The screen was well done, and it looked like it could really be Jackson up there.
The hologram walked around the stage (or looked like he was) and sang MJ's song "Slave to the Rhythm" from his newly released album Xscape.
The cameras showed audience members crying, and the Billboard Music Awards even saved a seat for Jackson. Dick Clark Productions, who were producing, called it a "history-making performance."
However, the performance itself probably wouldn't have been up to Jackson's standards. It was basically him singing and a few dancers, but nothing else. Jackson was about showmanship, and the performance itself didn't offer much.
But the performance almost didn't happen. A federal judge ruled on Friday that the BBMAs were allowed to use the hologram, according to the Associated Press. The court case was filed by Hologram USA Inc. and Musion Das Hologram Ltd., who said it would violate their patents on the digital technology.
Back in 2012, the companies won a case against Coachella, who had tried to do the same thing with images of Tupac Shakur.
"The court's decision is not surprising," Howard Weitzman, an attorney for Jackson's estate, told the AP. "The request to stop this extraordinary Michael Jackson event was ludicrous."
Tell us: Was Michael Jackson's hologram's performance as epic as you hoped?
Sure, you have your workplace in common, but you also have food as a common denominator. Hang a list in someone's cube to assign out designated dishes, and this time include the alcohol because this potluck isn't meant to celebrate casual Friday, it's meant to celebrate after-work hours.
After a long hard day at work, all you want to do is relax with a cold one. Don't do it by yourself. Hit up a cube mate for happy hour, and you're sure to have a drinking buddy that can last the whole happy hour.
You know what it's like to work at your friend's place of work because you work there, too. You understand that she is absolutely brain dead after a 40-hour workweek and don't mind being her much-needed source of release.
You've been to enough happy hours and weddings to know what your co-workers look like when they get down. And whether it's fancy post-high school technical moves or an awkward effort to look like they know what they're doing, you know that all of your work family is down with having a good time.
5. You've already seen each other at your best... and worse
You've seen them on the day of their big promotions, on the day they impressed the big wigs and even post-hangovers and post-breakups... basically, you've seen it all. So, really, you know what you're in for whenever you hang out with your work family.
You don't even need to spy on your work family to know everyone's pay schedule. And while yes, everyone has their own bills to pay, no one can complain that they're low on funds on payday.
7. You can hang out with your best friend all day long
Once your co-workers become like family, you'll actually look forward to going to work. You'll wake up with the sun shining brighter, the grass a brighter shade of green and, of course, the fact that you are soon going to see your very best friends. Surprise them with donuts or coffee to show them your love.
Dads that love puns will adore this frank Father's Day card. Include a barbecue tool or pack of hot dogs for a fun combination. (Hallmark, $3)
2. Superdad
All dads think they're the most-amazing fathers on the planet. Show your dad that you agree with this superdad card and his favorite comic book. (Cardstore, $3)
3. The coolest
Even though your dad is a nerd, he's still super cool. Show him he passed on his great genes to you with a cool dad card, and include a sweet picture of the two of you. (Cardstore, $3)
4. Walking dad
Have an AMC fanatic for a father? He'll love to get down and play zombies with you if you gift him this card and the latest season of Walking Dead on Blu-ray. (Zazzle, $3)
5. Father of the force
He may know he's your father, but your dad will love to see this Darth Vader Father's Day card. Perfect for the Star Wars fanatic, Dad will adore receiving this card with one of his favorite action figures. (Etsy, $4)
6. Your dad's an Einstein
Science-loving dads will love to see themselves compared to Einstein. Show him what you think of his smarts with this greeting card paired with an apple just for fun. (Etsy, $5)
7. Computer smart
The working dad will enjoy a card with his technological companion, his laptop. Send him a computer-filled card with a snazzy flash drive to speak straight to his nerdy heart. (Zazzle, $3)
8. The smart one of the family
Show your dad how much you value the fact that you got to dip in his gene pool with this funny card. Pair with a gift card to dinner that the two of you can enjoy together. (Cardstore, $3)
9. Four eyes
Dads with glasses will giggle over this eye-chart greeting card. Gift him this card with a prescription to relax for Father's Day. (Cardstore, $3)
10. Dad with the 'stache
Ask your dad an important question this Father's Day with a 'stache-laden greeting card. Give him this greeting card with a hair trimmer to make Dad smile. (Zazzle, $4)
11. Dad action figure
A nerdy dad will think it's awesome to receive his very own action-figure greeting card. Find a similar-looking doll for the ultimate Father's Day gift. (Cardstore, $4)
12. The meanest
Your smart-in-math dad will adore this pun-filled greeting card. Gift with graph paper, so your dad can work on solving his favorite equations. (Etsy, $4)
Waking up on the weekend and having a nice, relaxing breakfast with my family is my happy place. During the week, my breakfast items are cereal, pancakes or toast slathered with mashed avocado. It's on the weekend when I pull out all the big items, like bacon, hash browns, waffles and, of course, omelets. There is just something comforting about building your own omelet to include all your favorite flavors. Mine, of course, would be loaded with Mexican flavors, like this chicken fajita omelet. You can have this dish for breakfast or even make it for lunch or dinner. Breakfast for dinner is never a bad idea.
Chicken fajita omelet and cilantro cream sauce recipe
Serves 2-3
Ingredients:
For the cream sauce
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup cilantro
1/8 teaspoon paprika
Pinch salt
For the filling
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
1/2 red onion, sliced into rings and then cut in half
8 ounces store-bought cooked fajita chicken
4 large eggs
Coconut oil spray
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Directions:
For the cream sauce
Place all the ingredients into a food processor, and blend until smooth. Pour the sauce into a bowl, cover it with saran wrap, and place it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
For the filling
Into a sauté pan over medium heat, add the olive oil.
Add the red onions to the pan, and let them cook for 5 minutes. Then add the chicken and bell peppers. Let them cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Coat a large sauté pan on low heat with coconut oil spray.
In a small bowl, add the eggs, and beat them with a fork for about a minute. Add them to the pan, and twirl the pan to coat the bottom.
Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, and then add 1/4 cup of cheese to 1 side of the egg. Top with the chicken-and-vegetable mixture. Cook for an additional minute, and then flip 1 side over so the omelet is complete. Slide the omelet onto a plate.
What could be better as a dessert combo than bananas and caramel? If I've touched onto a tasty topic, then you should give this recipe for easy banoffee pie a go.
Traditional banoffee pie has its origins in England, and for that, we thank our friends from across the pond. However, the process to make banoffee pie can take some time. Typically, sweetened condensed milk is used, cooked into a toffee-flavored mixture.
You can get the great flavors of this pie in less time and with no cooking or baking with this easy banoffee pie recipe. Instead of cooking up the toffee mixture, I used caramel sauce. And if you really want to simplify this recipe, then you can use a prepared graham cracker crust instead of mixing up your own.
This is a decadent dessert you'll go back to again and again.
4 ounces digestive biscuits, finely ground in a food processor (you could also use graham crackers)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup caramel sauce
2 large bananas, sliced into rounds
2/3 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Chocolate shavings to garnish the top of the pie
Directions:
Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Set it aside.
Pulse the biscuits or crackers in a food processor until finely ground. Add the melted butter, and pulse for a few minutes until incorporated.
Press the biscuit mixture into the bottom of the pan and up the sides slightly. Refrigerate the crust for about 30 minutes or until it is solid.
Spread the caramel sauce evenly over the crust. Cover and refrigerate it for another 30 minutes or so.
Remove the pie from the pan, and transfer it to a serving dish.
Add the banana slices all around the top of the pie, in the caramel sauce.
To a medium-size bowl, add the granulated sugar and whipping cream, and use a hand mixer (or a stand mixer) to beat the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes or until it forms stiff peaks.
Spoon the whipped topping over the bananas, mostly toward the center of the pie, leaving a few inches of the pie exposed around the edges.
Garnish with chocolate shavings over the top, slice, and serve.
This Sunday dinner recipe for grilled chipotle-orange chicken salad offers a burst of vibrant flavors. Fire up the grill for this main dish that gets tossed with fresh greens and a citrus dressing and then sprinkled with a bit of Cotija cheese.
Pepper this salad with your favorite "bits and pieces," like corn kernels, chunks of avocado or toasted pepitas. The orange segments I used in this recipe are a nice way to tie together the marinade and salad dressing.
This colorful salad adds sweet and spicy to grilled chicken.
Grilled chipotle-orange chicken salad recipe
Serves 4
Ingredients:
For the marinade, basting sauce and salad dressing
1/2 cup orange juice plus 2 tablespoons, divided
Zest from 1 orange, divided
5 tablespoons honey
1-1/2 tablespoons sauce from a 7-ounce can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, plus 1 pepper, minced (reserve remaining peppers and sauce for another recipe)
1/2 teaspoon dried cumin
1 teaspoon chile powder
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt plus extra for seasoning
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper plus extra for seasoning
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
For the salad
2 (6 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 heads romaine lettuce, ends trimmed, chopped into bite-size pieces
1 red bell pepper, seeds and membrane removed, cut into strips
2 oranges, sectioned, membrane removed
2 ounces Mexican Cotija cheese, crumbled
Directions:
For the marinade and basting sauce
In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of orange juice, 1/2 the orange zest, the honey, chipotle sauce and pepper, cumin, chile powder, garlic, salt and black pepper.
Place 1/3 of the mixture in a large sealable plastic baggie. Add the chicken breasts to the baggie. Seal the baggie, and massage the mixture into the chicken. Refrigerate for about 1 hour.
Reserve the remaining mixture for basting the chicken.
For the salad dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 tablespoons of orange juice, the olive oil, white wine vinegar and the remaining orange zest. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste, and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
For the chicken
Remove the chicken from the marinade (discard the marinade), and grill it over medium heat for about 15 minutes. Use the reserved marinade to baste the chicken as it cooks.
Flip the chicken once or twice during cooking, basting it on both sides. The USDA notes that a safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees F, as measured by a meat thermometer.
When finished cooking, remove the chicken from the heat, and let sit for a few minutes. Cut the chicken into cubes.
Assemble the salad
In a large bowl, toss the romaine lettuce and red bell pepper with the salad dressing. Divide the mixture among 4 bowls.
Add the grilled chicken pieces and orange segments over the lettuce and red pepper pieces.
Divide the cheese, and sprinkle it over each serving.
Serve immediately.
Upgrade your chicken salad with these vibrant flavors.
I absolutely love cake, especially wedding cake. This wedding cake-inspired milkshake tastes just like a slice of cake in drinkable form. If you find you have trouble blending the shake, then add a little more creamer or even some vanilla almond milk. And if you want to kick these milkshakes up a notch, then add a splash of vanilla liqueur to make them an adults-only treat.
Ask nearly any parent and they'll tell you the same — before they started their own family, mothers and fathers (and sometimes grandparents) often issued a simple declaration: Children change everything. And while it's easy to brush those words off as a cliché before welcoming your little ones, it's a lot harder to discount it once they arrive.
Actress Jessica Alba came to realize the truth in that old cliché in 2007. "I really never paid attention to products or labels or ingredients or anything until I was pregnant with my first daughter, Honor," our June Girl Crush told us. It was then, she explained, that she first became cognizant of the environment and how it could affect her baby's health.
"It really didn't matter to me at all prior to that," she laughed. "You just don't even think about it. It's the first time you have to be responsible for someone other than yourself, and this little person's health and well-being is completely and totally in your hands."
Naturally, Alba wanted to bring her baby into the healthiest, safest environment possible. However, when she began researching products in line with that notion, she found it frustrating.
"It was quite challenging, because when you do research — even just a little bit of research — you find out that there are a lot of untested and potentially harmful chemicals that have been linked from everything to childhood cancers to learning disabilities."
Not content to settle with products that would be potentially unsafe for her family, Alba hatched the idea to develop a company that parents could really trust — "one honest source."
So the resourceful star went to work and, in 2012, she and business partner Chris Gavigan launched The Honest Company, a collection of nontoxic household goods, body care and baby products.
"We launched with a concept that was really about a lifestyle, and I intentionally came up with that idea because at the end of the day it's more than just one product that touches your child and can affect their health," she explained. "It's what you put on their skin, it's what you're washing them with, it's what you're washing their clothes with, it's what you're cleaning their dishes with and it's what you're diapering them with, so we touched on all of those basic needs with our initial suite of 17 products."
The company, which now has more than 80 products, wasn't without a little resistance in the beginning, though. When Alba first began talking to friends and family about the idea, she routinely got the same response. "They're like, 'But it's too expensive. Like, it's great that you're giving me all that information, but I can't afford that,'" she revealed.
And never one to be dishonest, Alba admits there's truth in that argument. "At the end of the day, it isn't the cheapest… it isn't," she said. "But if you can figure out how to budget your life, it can also not be the most expensive."
It's also one of the reasons Alba was so passionate about creating The Honest Company. "We provide affordable products, just to fulfill exactly that need. It shouldn't be expensive. It shouldn't be a privilege to have the safest and healthiest cleaning products and skin care products and nutritional products in your home," she asserted.
The struggle is one that Alba understands as a mother, yes, but also as a daughter — she was in and out of hospitals as a child due to ailments ranging from pneumonia to kidney issues.
"My parents, you know, they did the best they could, but they had no idea that certain products they were using could potentially be harmful," she revealed. "They trusted that if you get it down the street at the grocery store that it's safe, and they figure that if it can be sold to me, then it's safe. And unfortunately that's just not the case."
As such, Alba also uses The Honest Company to help those who may otherwise not have access to her products. "To date, we've donated 534,000 products," she told us. "We've served 49,000 families, which means that they've gotten a minimum of five products each. We have donated over 1,000 employee hours, and we do programs... everything from running a triathlon for children's hospitals to a one-for-one — for every Honest crib that's purchased, we give away a crib to a child in need."
The Honest Company partners with more than 100 nonprofits to help children and families in need.
Alba is equally committed to making sure the needs of her customers are met, and she believes the key lies in listening. "A lot of our innovation and our expansion in our product suite comes from our customers," she said. "We answer up to 6,000 calls a day sometimes, and we have our ear to the ground with what moms want and what they need — and dads and grandmas and grandpas and everyone in between."
She also believes in being completely honest with her customers, to which effect she penned the book The Honest Life. She then took the principles outlined in her "how-to guide" and applied it to their website in a simply, easy to follow format. Furthermore, every product is labeled with what they're "honestly free" of. "We're so transparent," Alba said. "We really disclose every ingredient."
The big picture, she says, is to become the trusted brand that families rely on. "At the end of the day, really the sky is the limit, and we're here for the customer. Whatever your needs are, we're listening and learning and we're trying to do the best we can. We're not perfect, but we do try to do the best we can."
The brand will become one step closer to that goal come this summer. Beginning June 15, an assortment of The Honest Company's non-toxic goods — bubble bath, diapers and more — will be available at Target.
For Alba personally, she has two very special reasons to want to see the big picture realized.
"When you have a little person, you're like, 'Oh my God, I want to be around and watch you grow and see you grow into an adult, and your kids," she smiled. "You just want to be around for everything."
As the driving forces behind the No Kids Policy, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard likely have plenty of stories of the paparazzi overstepping their boundaries in regards to the famous couple's 14-month-old daughter Lincoln. Shepard shared one in particular in a guest blog on The Huffington Post, describing the time a paparazzo followed the family to a friend's house in a "tiny, nondescript neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley." Without Shepard and Bell's knowledge, the creepy cameraman hunkered down outside of the friend's house, watching the family and taking pictures of baby Lincoln as they left. "This broke my heart in a way that's not entirely reasonable," Shepard wrote. "I had charged myself, as her dad, with protecting her. I personally believe, and I understand a lot of people differ on this point, that protecting her includes keeping her life private until the moment she decides otherwise. I think she is entitled to that. I think every minor is entitled to that."
Shutterbugs infest the schoolyard
Photo credit: Ryan/WENN
In 2010, mother-of-two Nicole Richie took to her blog in an outrage when the paparazzi group X17 posted pictures of her with her young children at the kids' school. "THANK YOU so much for posting the video of your employees sitting outside of my daughter's school, because now the entire world can see how creepy and disgusting you are," the star began in defense of her and Joel Madden's kids. "You do not get to spend 200 dollars on a camera, and think that gives you a free pass to shadow my child. These are strangers, grown men, stalking young children. You think that's ok?" Clearly, Richie was shaken by the situation, and understandably so. Her final words for the paparazzi painted a disturbing picture. "Here's a better visual: Pulling up to school and seeing grown men slouched in black windowed cars outside of a preschool, all day," she said. "I'm not even there, so you cannot say you are following me as you always do. You are stalking the children. Now how do you feel?"
Wait, they said what to a 7-year-old?
Photo credit: Dennis Van Tine/Future Image/WENN
Poor little Suri Cruise is one of the paparazzi's most favorite celebrity kids to follow. Since Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise introduced the dark-haired beauty to the world, shutterbugs have been ambushing her at every turn. And an alarming instance caught on camera proves just how aggressive the paparazzi can be with celebrity offspring. Last July, Holmes and Suri were in New York City, New York, simply trying to make their way to their car when the paparazzi swarmed them. Holmes kept her composure, but little Suri was obviously upset. She tells the paparazzi they are just trying to get to their car and even asks them nicely to move before growing visibly agitated. When she finally makes it to the car and gets in, one particular paparazzo taunts, "Goodbye, Suri, you little brat." When another paparazzo chides him, he calls Suri a brat again — along with an expletive.
"That close" is too close
Photo credit: WENN
As half of one of Hollywood's most adorable parenting duos, Ben Affleck can often be seen out and about with his three kids — and generally, he and wife Jennifer Garner are known for being pretty chill when it comes to the paparazzi. However, the award-winning director and actor drew the line last March when a crop of "menacing" paparazzi surrounded him and his 5-year-old daughter, Seraphina, outside of her school. A source in Affleck's camp told Us Weekly that these particularly aggressive paparazzi were "all over" the little girl, who became upset and asked them to leave her alone. Affleck asked them several times to back off and even used his leg to show them how much space he needed. The cameramen creepily responded that they needed to be "that close," and continued to crowd Seraphina, even yelling at the young girl.
Photo credits: Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage/Getty Images
James Franco vs. Dave Franco
How you know him
James: Although James has been making far more headlines lately for nude selfies and other odd behavior, he's still an in-demand actor, thanks to his fantastic turns in films like Milk and 127 Hours. If you've been craving more of this brainy entertainer, don't fret — he's got more than 10 movies in post-production.
Dave: Dave didn't land his first television appearance until 2006, when he got the part of Benjamin Bainsworth on 7th Heaven. He really broke out, however, when he landed the recurring role of rich doctor Cole Aaronson in Scrubs. That led to super-memorable turns in big films like 21 Jump Street, Warm Bodies and Neighbors.
Why we love him
James: In a nutshell, he's kind of brilliant. First of all, his comedic chops are hard to beat. Did you watch Pineapple Express? He was seriously hilarious as weed-slinger Saul. But he's got more than wit — say, for example, a bachelor's degree, three master's degrees and a Ph.D.-in-progress from Yale University.
Dave: Aside from the obvious fact that he is cute, cute, cute, we suspect Dave is just a super fun guy. He has created (and starred in) several skits for Funny or Die, and his "weirdly sexual" videos always crack us up. Plus, unlike his brother, he doesn't seem totally fixated on social media — he doesn't even have a Twitter account.
Trivia
James:
1. When he was in high school, James was arrested for shoplifting cologne from a department store.
2. He got a private pilot's license while preparing for his role in 2006's Flyboys.
3. His first book of poetry, Directing Herbert White, was published this April by Graywolf Press.
Dave:
1. He admits that sometimes he wishes he looked his "damn age" so he wouldn't have to play high school characters anymore.
2. Like James, Dave is a budding poet — his work has been published in Teen People Magazine.
3. He clearly respects his big brothers. "My apartment is littered with both of my brothers' artwork," he said. "Those are the most meaningful objects that I own." Aww!
Up next: Ben Affleck vs. Casey Affleck >>
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Photo credits: Michael Buckner/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Ben Affleck vs. Casey Affleck
How you know him
Ben: Ben Affleck's acting résumé stretches all the way back to 1981, but you likely first took notice of him as the arrogant mall employee Shannon in the cult classic Mallrats. His star-turning role came a few years later, in 1997, when he and Matt Damon won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for co-writing Good Will Hunting, which they also starred in. He took his career to the next level in 2012 when he won a slew of awards for directing and starring in Argo.
Casey: Like Ben, Casey has been acting since the '80s, but he didn't become a household name until after his turn in Goodwill Hunting. Since then, Casey has established a name for himself in the industry with roles in movies like Ocean's Eleven (and Twelve and Thirteen) and Gone Baby Gone. He currently has two movies in production.
Why we love him
Ben: The pictures of Ben kissing his wife Jennifer Garner on the cheek or of him playing with his kids are enough to make us swoon. But when you couple those sweet images with the fact that he's incredibly smart and talented, too, loving Ben is a no-brainer. Plus, his recent bust for card-counting at a casino kind of gives him some sexy bad boy cred.
Casey: It can be hard to stand in the shadow of an older sibling, much less one who is a mega-celebrity. Casey has never let it bother him, though. He has worked hard to prove he's an individual, but he doesn't have any qualms with admitting he looks up to his big brother.
Trivia
Ben:
1. He's a bit of a vintage arcade game buff, and his collection includes Ms. Pac-Man and Millipede.
2. When he was a boy, he asked his mom if he could have a dog. She told him if he "walked" an imaginary dog for a week, he could have his own pup. He only lasted five days.
3. Along with buddy Matt Damon, he acted as an extra in the famous Kevin Costner flick Field of Dreams.
Casey:
1. He was introduced to his wife, Summer, by Joaquin Phoenix… who happens to be her brother.
2. He and Ben have both had on-screen romances with Liv Tyler.
Chris: Chris hit the acting scene only in the early 2000s, which makes it all the more impressive that he's become the go-to guy for superhero flicks. It started with his role as Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four, then he was soon after cast as Captain America in the title movies, The Avengers franchise and even Thor: The Dark World.
Scott: Chances are you've seen (and admired) Scott on the TV or big screen and simply had no idea he was related to Chris. He's best known for his role as Officer Fish on One Life to Live, but Scott has also enjoyed TV cameos on other shows such as Law & Order and White Collar. At this time, he has two movies set for release this year.
Why we love him
Chris: He just seems so down-to-earth. Seriously, can't you imagine sitting down and swigging some beer with this guy?
Scott: Although he was busted for trying to buy cocaine from an undercover cop in 2012, he didn't let it reduce him. Rather, he fessed up and moved on.
Trivia
Chris:
1. Prior to her becoming Mrs. Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel dated Chris for two years.
2. He considers Scarlett Johansson to be a close personal friend, and he has starred with her in four films to date: The Perfect Score, The Nanny Diaries, The Avengers and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
3. He has said he had a crush on Sandra Bullock growing up, a fact made more interesting by the rumors that he's now dating her.
Scott:
1. Scott is openly gay.
2. He is a major Boston Red Sox fan.
3. His mother, Lisa Evans, also played his mother, Barbara Fish, during his popular turn as Officer Fish on the daytime soap One Life to Live.
Whether your kids are too young to wish their daddy a happy Father's Day, or you simply want to tell your husband how much you care, these gift ideas will make any dad feel loved.
Splurge on a couples massage
Your kids will be happier if their mom and dad are relaxed and stress-free. Splurge on a couples massage for you and your husband. It's a perfect way to thank him for all his hard work. If it's out of your budget, give him a massage yourself, with these sexy tips.
Stay in a hotel
Grab a suitcase and your husband and find an overnight babysitter. The two of you deserve to reconnect and get a good night's rest, so plan a special local getaway.
Create a coupon book
From taking over his chores for a week, to a few intimate surprises and favorite dinners, create a homemade book of coupons that he can cash in whenever he wants.
Nothing says class like a decanter, especially when it's personalized with his initials. Fill it with his favorite liquor and he'll have even more to smile about. We love this classic decanter from Things Remembered ($35).
Buy tickets
Whether he's a sports fan, a music buff or loves to laugh, there has to be a local game, concert or comedy show coming up in your town. Do a little research, then buy two tickets and show him a good time.
Organize a picnic
For the man who has everything, plan a sweet picnic for the two of you. Sunshine, good food and better company... what husband wouldn't be happy with a little quiet time alone with his wife?
Prepare his favorite breakfast and morning beverage, and present it to him on a tray in bed. He'll love not having to get up to eat, and appreciate the thoughtfulness.
Reserve 18 holes for your man and his golfing buddies. Send him off with a small cooler of beer and these cool personalized golf balls.
Plan a fishing day
You don't have to do much planning here. Just tell your husband he has the day to himself to set out on the water and catch some fish. And, that after it's filleted, you'll cook him a delicious fish dinner. You could give him a fully-stocked tackle box, too.
Make a "dude basket"
This DIY gift basket will let him know just how well you know him. Fill it with all his favorite goodies, like candy, chips, nuts, beer, liquor, beef jerky, small tools, car air fresheners, golf balls, barbecue sauce, grilling essentials... you know what he likes.
Depending on your city, there are several different companies that rent out beer bikes (basically a pub on wheels). Get a group of friends together, contact your local beer bike company, and reserve a date. It's an experience to write home about.
Order a shave club membership
All men have to shave, right? Make it hassle free with a membership to the Dollar Shave Club. Simply choose a razor and they'll deliver it right to his door every month.
Go on a brewery tour or host a beer-tasting party
If you have breweries nearby, look up when they hold their brewery tours. Usually they last less than two hours and include samples. If he's more of a wine connoisseur, take him to a winery or vineyard instead. If you don't have breweries in your town, host a beer-tasting party for all the dads in your life.
Based on the best-selling book by John Green, The Fault in Our Stars is the story of two teens in love. Sound like every other teen romance? Think again because both Gus (Ansel Elgort, Divergent) and Hazel Grace (Shailene Woodley, Divergent) have cancer. But bring your tissues as we don't expect to get through the movie without crying into our popcorn.
Set in the future where an alien race has begun waging war on Earth, Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) is sent on a suicide mission as a last-ditch effort to defeat the invaders. When he's killed instantly, he finds he's also reincarnated instantly, somehow getting stuck in a time loop that may just teach him how to conquer his enemy. Emily Blunt also stars in this futuristic action thriller.
Edge of Tomorrow opens on June 6.
3) 22 Jump Street
Funny men Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are back as officers Schmidt and Jenko, and ready to fight crime undercover at a local college. Between the football team and the local art scene, the pair of besties face new challenges in their partnership while also facing the pressures of becoming true men.
Love dragons? Love Vikings? Then you and your family are in for a fire-breathing, sword-wielding treat! With an impressive voice cast, featuring Kit Harington (Game of Thrones), Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids), Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine) and Gerard Butler (Olympus Has Fallen), this may just be the sleeper family hit of the summer.
Mark Wahlberg takes the reins in this continuation of the Transformers franchise. So is it a straight-up sequel? Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura had this to say to The Hollywood News, "It's definitely not a reboot. It's an interesting question about what you should call it. On a certain level it's a continuation of the previous stories, in the fact that it acknowledges what has transpired before it." Whatever you want to call it, we can't wait!
We're excited to announce that for the month of June, Emmy Award winner Jaime Pressly joins our regular Mommaloguers to share her thoughts about being a mom, as well as on fashion, life and how she balances her celebrity life with quality, everyday family time.
Jaime on TV
Jaime might be best known for her role as Joy Turner, the feisty, popular character on the comedy hit My Name Is Earl. Pressly was nominated for her first Golden Globe and won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2007. Additionally, Jaime was nominated for a SAG Actor Award in both 2006 and 2007, and an Emmy in 2006.
Her newest television role is as Jennifer Doyle, who appears in TV Land's brand-new original sitcom Jennifer Falls. The first-ever single camera comedy for TV Land revolves around Jennifer, a former high-powered executive who has fallen from grace and hit every bump on the way down to rock bottom. With her teenage daughter (Dylan Gelula) in tow, Jennifer moves back in with her meddling therapist mother (Jessica Walter) and takes a job in the bar owned by her good-natured, but often submissive, brother (Ethan Suplee) and passive-aggressive sister-in-law (Nora Kirkpatrick). There, she reunites with her former best friend (Missi Pyle) who turns out to be holding a grudge against her. The show premieres on the network on Wednesday, June 4 at 10:30/9:30c.
All about Jaime
Born in Kinston, North Carolina, Jaime grew up as a tomboy who loved to water-ski and fish. Her mom, a highly accomplished classical dance instructor who trains current and future Joffrey Ballet students, put an early claim on her daughter's innate athleticism by teaching her ballet, tap, jazz and gymnastics. At age 13, Jaime registered with a local modeling agency and began working constantly. She submitted a photo to an international teen modeling agency and by the age of 14, her face began to appear on the covers of several prestigious teen magazines. She quickly became the spokesperson for her agency, International Cover Model Search, which took her to Tokyo and Milan.
More credits
She is currently featured in Open Road's A Haunted House 2 starring opposite Marlon Wayans. Jaime also starred in the DreamWorks film I Love You, Man directed by John Hamburg, opposite Paul Rudd, Jason Segel and Jon Favreau. Other film credits include Not Another Teen Movie, Ticker opposite Dennis Hopper, Columbia Pictures' The Adventures of Joe Dirt with David Spade, Revolution Studios' Tomcats for director Gregory Poirier and ABC Family's Beauty and the Briefcase with Hilary Duff.
Jaime has one son and lives in Los Angeles, California.
All about the Mommalogues
Mommalogues is a destination site where parents can raise their voices about the hot topics they care about. The online conversation includes celebrities and popular bloggers, as well as Mommalogues' engaged and growing community, all interacting on issues and experiences that come along with juggling the demands of parenthood with a busy life.
While the moms and celebs provide plenty of content, readers are encouraged to share their own experiences with the Mommalogues community through the reaction buttons, social media share features and comments sections.
Photo credit: Nikki Nelson/WENN
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Photo credit: WENN
