"In a show of support, Taylor Swift has donated $250,000 to Kesha to help with any of her financial needs during this trying time," Swift's spokesperson told E! News.
Kesha's mom confirmed the news on Twitter Sunday evening, thanking the singer for her generous gift, as well as the other powerful women who have spoken out in support of Kesha.
Kesha Mom tweet 1
Kesha Mom tweet 1
"A person's wealth is not measured by what they have but by WHO they help with it. And Taylor Swift is a truly RICH PERSON. Thank you," Kesha's mom continued on Twitter. "Most important for Kesha, is that these beautiful, powerful women are standing behind her, letting the world see how powerful the truth is!"
Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Lorde, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson and Demi Lovato are a few of the other pop stars who have shown their support for Kesha by speaking out on Twitter or Instagram.
"There are people all over the world who love you @KeshaRose. And I can say truly I am in awe of your bravery," Lady Gaga shared on Twitter.
"Standing with @KeshaRose through this traumatic, deeply unfair time. Send good vibes her way everyone," Lorde tweeted.
Kesha broke down in tears on Friday, Feb. 19 when a Manhattan Supreme Court judge refused to let her out of a six-album deal with Sony and Dr. Luke, the music producer she claims raped her.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich said Sony would suffer irreparable harm if the "Tik Tok" singer was not ordered to abide by the contract that requires her to make six more albums with them.
Kris Jenner is constantly criticized by her children and by Keeping up with the Kardashians viewers, but is she as terrible a mom as the haters seem to think? Yes, she can be super controlling at times, but in her defense, her controlling behavior often comes from a place of love. Tonight, she once again showed her kids just how much she cares, although her actions did not receive as much appreciation as was warranted.
Kim Kardashian's takeover of her mom's house has been an ongoing theme on Keeping up with the Kardashians for over a year. Jenner has been kind enough to allow Kardashian and her family to crash, but unfortunately, Kardashian hasn't been a great house guest. Instead of showing her mom how grateful she is for all the support, Kardashian has taken over the entire house. What's more, she tends to be very rude when interacting with her mother. Instead of getting frustrated, Jenner has decided to take her doting a step further. During tonight's episode, she found a new place for herself and admitted that her plan was to allow Kardashian to have the house to herself.
It could be argued that Jenner made a bad decision, as she is essentially condoning her daughter's bad behavior — and sending the signal that it's okay for Kardashian to walk all over her mom in the future. What's more, Jenner's behavior could be interpreted as favoritism, since Kim is moving into the house and her siblings aren't. Either way, it's very obvious that Jenner loves her daughter and will do just about anything to make her happy. Although she has a special place in her heart for Kim, she would also be glad to make huge sacrifices for her other children.
Image: E!
Jenner has demonstrated extreme generosity on numerous occasions, but viewers were especially impressed by her conduct during tonight's episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians. Jenner could easily have complained about essentially being kicked out of her own house, but instead, she kept the focus on Kardashian. Viewers will not be quick to forget this, although a few will likely continue to criticize Jenner's parenting.
The "Confident" singer went on a tweet spree, sharing her thoughts on female empowerment, calling on all women to consider what it really means to empower and support each other.
Demi Lovato tweet spree 1
Demi Lovato tweet spree 1
Demi Lovato tweet spree 2
Demi Lovato tweet spree 2
Demi Lovato tweet spree 3
Demi Lovato tweet spree 3
Lovato continued on Twitter, "I'm also ready for self-proclaimed feminists to start speaking out or taking action for women's rights. Women empowerment is speaking up for other women even when it's something uncomfortable to speak up about. Women empowerment is using your voice to help the voiceless women be heard. Women empowerment is taking action now, not when's convenient. Women empowerment is leading other women to make actual changes in our society."
While Lovato made a lot of great points about female empowerment, some fans wondered if the "self-proclaimed feminist" who Lovato's tweets were directed toward was Taylor Swift. As of early Sunday morning, Swift hadn't made a statement about Kesha's legal battle, yet.
On Sunday evening, Swift's rep and Kesha's mother confirmed that Swift is standing behind Kesha in a major way. The "Shake it Off" singer donated $250,000 to the "Die Young" singer.
"In a show of support, Taylor Swift has donated $250,000 to Kesha to help with any of her financial needs during this trying time," Taylor's spokesperson told E! News.
So, Lovato is obviously happy Swift is standing with Kesha, right? Nope, wrong. Lovato took to Twitter to throw major shade at Swift.
Demi tweet shade
Demi tweet shade
Lovato also liked this tweet that one of her followers posted in response.
demi fan tweet
demi fan tweet
Unfortunately, the drama didn't stop there. Swift fans then took aim at Lovato on Twitter and Instagram, criticizing her for shading Tay. She posted the comment below on an Instagram post by @proudofswift that read, "@ddlovato REAL feminists DON'T need to tweet about it, REAL feminists ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT TO HELP KESHA."
"How the f**k am I making this about myself?" Lovato commented on the photo. "At least I'm talking about it. Not everyone has 250k to just give to people. Would love to but I didn't grow up with money and def haven't made as much as her. At least I speak up about s**t that's uncomfortable to talk about rather than trying to be politically correct 24/7. There's no 'rivalry' I just give more f**ks than other people and would rather start a dialogue ABOUT WOMEN COMING FORWARD ABOUT BEING RAPED than throw money at one person."
@proudofswift commented back, "I appreciate that you spoke up about the issue, but the fact that it seems you shaded Taylor because she donated money instead of tweeting out about it just isn't right. And I guess donating is now just 'throwing money at one person.' Taylor donated and Kesha's mom was very appreciative so I don't get why you can't be? Not trying to be rude, but seriously."
Lovato commented back, "I didn't shade Taylor. If you take it that way then fine. I'm just tired of seeing women use "women empowerment" and "feminism" to further brands without actually being the ones that have the uncomfortable conversations. I get shade and I don't give a f**k because someone has to be the one to take it. At least I'm getting my hands dirty."
The girl told police that two Caucasian men with distinctive tattoos emerged from a white van and struck up a conversation before grabbing her.
She then bit and kicked her attackers and managed to escape, running away and making her way home.
According to reports by the Sydney Morning Herald, the van followed the girl and waited in front of her house for some time before eventually driving off.
Police are encouraging parents to discuss safety around strangers with their children.
"If someone tries to grab you, yell out, ‘Go away, I don’t know you'," police told the ABC. "This lets other people know you have been approached by someone you don’t know."
"Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths where there are lots of other people."
Kids' Krav Maga instructor Leann Webb says that self-defence can help alert children about danger and ultimately keep them safe.
"This is the most important aspect of self-defence for kids," Webb says. "If they are aware of themselves and aware of things that could mean danger, they have the best chance of staying safe."
"Kids benefit from improved coordination, strength, agility, balance, flexibility, cardio, speed, and reactive and bursting power. And this physical development makes a life-long difference: children who are physically capable and confident grow into adults who are physically capable and confident.”
Child Safety Australia, a Brisbane-based not-for-profit which runs safety programs for children throughout Australian schools, says these self-defence and safety classes can also help reduce the risk of abuse.
"All children are at risk of sexual abuse regardless of their age, gender, social class, race, religion or ethnicity," the Child Safety Australia website says.
"It is estimated as many as one in three boys and girls will experience some form of sexual abuse before they leave school. Most children are abused by people they know and trust, and about one-third of abuse is perpetrated by other children or young people."
Child Safety Australia uses strategies that can be applied to a variety of situations, but their focus is on ensuring young people and children remain safe around other people.
According to recent Morgan Roy research, it was found that only 8.8 per cent of children in Australia take part in martial arts or self-defence.
Sally Warren from Brisbane has two boys and says it was important to have them both enrolled into defence classes before they began school.
"Our eldest son has been doing self-defence jujitsu at Martial Arts Qld for nearly five years, and he is learning new skills all the time," she says.
"It started as a way to help build their confidence, but as they've grown older, we also see it helping them learn about how to be safe, whether in relation to strangers or someone they know," Warren says.
Jacqueline, a mother of three, says karate has played a big part in inspiring confidence, self awareness, and personal safety with her children.
"Karate not only teaches self-defence, but the principles of karate also encourage discipline, respect, focus, confidence, and never giving up — getting a black belt takes a lot of hard work.
"These are all important life skills and particularly when kids have to deal with bullies or 'baddies'."
For a list of place to find self-defence classes for kids, visit the Martial Arts Australia website.
Do your children do martial arts and self-defence? Let us know.
Angela "Big Ang" Raiola died of cancer last Thursday, and her viewings and funeral were quickly planned for the weekend. But two of her co-stars were warned to stay away, and it's all over old beefs.
Brittany Fogarty and Karen Gravano were told "it's not a good idea" to attend any of Big Ang's services, a source told E! News.
"It's just years of history between the fathers," the source said, adding, "It's a shame, but they understand to a point. No one wants to have conflict at a funeral."
What is that history? It's no secret that Mob Wives is about women whose families were active in the Mafia and how that has affected their families. Gravano's father, Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, turned federal witness — i.e., snitched — against Mafia kingpin John Gotti in exchange for immunity against 19 murder charges. He was placed in the Witness Protection Program and relocated under an alias to Arizona.
Fogarty's family was relocated to Pennsylvania when her father, John Fogarty, cooperated with the feds in exchange for keeping her mom out of prison when they were busted on RICO charges.
What this boils down to is that their fathers are considered rats — and there is nothing worse in the Mafia world than a rat. Fogarty and Gravano's presence at Big Ang's funeral could cause unnecessary drama within the old ranks of the families, and no one wanted to shift the focus away from the woman it should really be about.
But this doesn't mean the two women aren't honoring their friend in their own ways. Gravano visited Big Ang at the hospital before she passed, telling E! she looked "beautiful."
The 1990s and even early 2000s were a time when dating meant calling a potential date by phone, leaving a message on their answering machine and waiting hours — maybe an entire day — before receiving a return phone call on your land line or rotary dial phone. There was no quick text or instant validation that your message was received or responded to. There was a waiting period where most people just went about their business until speaking to the person on the telephone if and when the other returned the phone call.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, an instant text, message or dating app will send a message at the speed of light, and you could have instant gratification that the person is responding and the uncanny ability within all hours of the day or night to respond. For some purposes, this is great, but for other reasons, the technology of communication has changed the way we date — not always for the better.
The phone call
Such a simple thing — the ability to connect to someone voice to voice. That's pretty much an ancient concept in today’s rapid-fire dating world, where Tinder and online apps have taken over with quick swipes and fast messages, which cause a lot of extra anxiety. The negative side to all of this technology is the loss of human connection that a phone call brings to new potential daters or even people in established relationships. The idea of the old-school phone call is becoming passé, but bring back the voice connection, and all relationships would benefit — new and old.
Old-school dating tip: Use the phone — and be patient
It's not always easy waiting for someone to return your call. Patience is a virtue and reduces anxious moments in the waiting-and-wondering stage of dating.
The traditional date
Back in the old days, dating didn't offer numerous options, especially quick dates — including massive numbers of them where you are running from meeting this person to the next online app match — that take place sometimes in the same day! The past appeared to be a more thoughtful time, since you might only have one date in the month if you did not get out to the bar, be set up or meet someone in real life.
Today a date is fairly easy to achieve; just log into an online dating site or an app, and — bam! — a date materializes as quickly as you can sign in. Back when online dating did not exist, how did dates occur? You had to really value the date you had, as replacing them when you got home and logged into an online dating service was not an option. You had to value the time and the person. It made you really think about what you had in common and put effort into that experience.
Old-school dating tip: Value the date in front of you
Appreciate the thought of the date, and do not quickly jump back to on online dating to replace it. Slow down, and be mindful at all times.
These two tips will most likely help you to brush up on your dating habits. Remember, there is no replacement for voice-to-voice contact. It builds relationships, and misunderstandings are less likely to occur. Value the date you are on. Don’t think about running home and logging into those dating sites to find more options. The more thoughtful you are, the better your chances at love.
Lowell and Baltierra hit the Teen Mom Facebook page to post videos answering their fans' questions, and a lot of what they said in their answers was surprisingly candid.
For example, we now know that these two plan on making their family significantly larger. Answering a fan's question about whether more kids are in their future, Baltierra revealed that four is his magic number.
"We want a big family, but we're scared," Lowell explained before Baltierra interrupted, "I want a big family. I'm scared, but I want it," as Lowell agreed.
Catelynn and Tyler Q&A 1
Catelynn and Tyler Q&A 1
In one of their most-viewed responses, the couple answers a fan's question about whether their first daughter, whose adoption was chronicled on 16 and Pregnant, knows who her real parents are.
"Well, actually, Brandon and Theresa [the adoptive parents] are her 'real' parents," Lowell replies. "None of us are cardboard or a piece of paper."
Catelynn and Tyler Q&A 2
Catelynn and Tyler Q&A 2
Baltierra adds, "I know it's not your fault, because people don't really know the terminology when it comes to adoption. But when you say stuff like 'real parents,' that's pretty much a jab at Brandon and Theresa."
Lowell and Baltierra have been dating since they were in high school, but only decided to tie the knot in August, after they'd been dating for a full decade. In another video, they explain why they're glad they took their time getting down the aisle.
"Us waiting, going to therapy really helped us out," Baltierra admits. "It helped us figure out what our long-term goals were in life and if we could achieve those goals being together."
Catelynn and Tyler Q&A 3
Catelynn and Tyler Q&A 3
Adds Lowell, "We did a lot of things for ourselves in that time. When you want to be in a committed, serious relationship, you need to work on yourself, too."
Taylor Mckay's boyfriend, Chris Hammer, asked her to marry him during a trip to Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto, and it was the perfect moment except for one thing: every single photo they have was photobombed by a stingray.
Mckay took to Reddit under the username McYay to share the images of their romantic moment and laugh about the inclusion of the stingray.
"Will you..." yep, that stingray is not letting anyone steal her limelight.
But then again, how many people can say a stingray photobombed their engagement photos? We're guessing not too many, which only makes this proposal even more epic.
"Chris had had the proposal planned for a few months — CN Tower for dinner, swanky hotel and a trip to Ripley's Aquarium," Mckay said, according to the Daily Mail. "We thought the aquarium would be a great way to top off the romantic weekend."
The couple were then selected from the crowd to play a game, and her boyfriend had organised for there to be a sign in the background which read "Will you marry me?"
"As I spun round I saw a diver in the tank holding a sign that said 'Will you marry me?' — I gasped and turned towards Chris, who was down on one knee with a big grin and holding out a ring," Mckay said of the big moment, adding, "It was completely unexpected — I feel very blessed to have the proposal captured in such a candid way.
"It wasn't until we got home and saw the pictures that I realised the stingray had made his way into them — I thought it was really funny."
With a little planning ahead and some insight into the shelf life of fresh foods, you can make sure you use your food when it's still fresh so you can eliminate waste and save some money.
Take a look at our top five tips for storing fresh foods below, then take a peek at our handy food shelf life chart so you know exactly how long you can expect to keep your groceries around.
1. Always cut the tops of root vegetables.
Always cut off the tops of root vegetables like carrots, beets and radishes before storing in the refrigerator. Leaving the tops on will draw moisture from the veggies. You can store the leafy tops wrapped in paper towel in a plastic bag if you plan on eating them.
2. Never thaw meat on the counter.
You should always try to plan ahead and thaw meat in the refrigerator overnight. If you find yourself in a bind and need to use frozen meat for dinner tonight, try using this method and thawing in water.
3. Don't keep bread in the fridge.
It dries out the bread and makes it go stale faster. Bread will usually last around four days at room temperature, so separate loaves into how much you think you'll eat within that time frame, and freeze the rest.
4. Store produce separately.
Certain fruits and vegetables should be stored separately. Most fruits produce ethylene as they ripen, a gas that can cause vegetables to spoil prematurely. Apples, cantaloupe, nectarines and plums, to name a few, can cause veggies like broccoli, peas, cabbage and beans to go bad fast. Get the full list.
5. Refrigerate produce after cutting.
Even when dealing with produce you normally store on the counter, if you're saving leftovers, they should be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator so they don't spoil.
Yes, the Australian cattle dog from Down Under. A working dog that is traditionally occupied with controlling and herding cattle, its qualities are exceptional intelligence, alertness, resourcefulness and a fiercely protective loyalty over its property and people. They are agile, strong, active dogs, both physically and mentally, which revel in new experiences. The flip side is that they bore easily and will unintentionally find trouble while looking for activities to occupy themselves with. The cattle dog is very organized; many are known for putting their own toys away after playing.
At 19-inches tall and 30 to 60 pounds, they aren't huge dogs, but they're not the best choice unless you have plenty of wide-open spaces.
Another herding dog, the rottweiler began in Germany as a true work companion. They are still primarily used for work as guard dogs and as police dogs. They are well-known for their stoicism, keen perception, courage and unflagging loyalty. They make excellent additions to the family.
Ready for a surprise? Even at an average of 100 pounds and as much as 27-inches high, these pooches aren't awful at apartment dwelling so long as you keep them well-exercised.
This deceptively cute, butterfly-eared dog is smarter, tougher and stronger than it appears (it's like the bionic dog). Often described as a big dog in a little body, it has the athletic stamina to keep up on long walks and the bravura of a canine 10 times its size. The Papillon is a true companion and watchdog. Although they can be ferociously protective over what belongs to them, their keen intelligence makes it possible to take them anywhere. Let's not forget they can be litter-box trained, a big plus.
These sweet pooches are a teensy 10-inches high and weigh only 9 pounds, perfect for those with smaller homes or apartments.
The Lab, as it is affectionately called, is the most popular breed chosen by families. Another member of the working class of dogs, Labs are best known for their intelligence, affection, patience and gentility, making them perfect companions for households with kids. They are easily trained and, in fact, are one of the top dogs chosen for search and rescue, assisting the disabled and police work. They are also known to self-train, observing behaviors in humans and repeating them — a great asset in emergency situations.
Despite their size (about 22-inches tall and 65 pounds, though some males can get as big as 100 pounds), they do pretty well in spacious apartments with plenty of exercise or in moderate homes with an average-size backyard.
Another herding dog, the Shetland takes this ability into the home, showing the same commitment and protectiveness over its human "herd" as the farm-raised version does. Highly intelligent, the Sheltie handles life with great efficiency and diligence, learning new commands with little repetition and making sure that all the family is safe, sound and in place. Shelties show great devotion to their families and are happy to live just about anywhere — while they're pretty active indoors, they're OK without a yard if sufficiently exercised, and despite their collie-like looks, they're pretty petite at a max of 16-inches tall and 27 pounds.
Due to an inborn fearlessness and deep stamina, the Doberman is one of the most popular breeds of guard dogs. Smart and assertive, they can easily be trained for dominance or docility. Because of their past as war and police dogs, they may appear fearsome, but they are actually quite gentle. Their loyalty and acuity make Dobermans great additions to the family.
The average Doberman is about 26-inches high and 66 to 88 pounds, but the kennel clubs have dubbed some much larger Dobes "Warlock Dobermans."
A very affectionate and popular breed, the golden retriever is highly regarded for its intelligence. They can learn well over 200 commands, making them indispensable companions both in the home and in the workplace. Loyal, loving and patient, with a willingness to please and a love of learning, this is a fabulous companion pet to bring into your family.
These are sturdy dogs that top the scales at 80 pounds, so they need a bit of room but can easily be apartment dogs if they're sufficiently exercised. But they would probably prefer a medium-size backyard.
The shepherd was originally bred specifically for intelligence. Smart, courageous and protective, the German shepherd is one of the most dependable of companions. They learn tasks after only a few repetitions and obey commands nearly always the first time they are given. They are eager to learn new tasks as this gives them direction and purpose — very important for a shepherd. Besides being used for herding animals, they are often used as guard dogs, police dogs and search-and-rescue dogs and have even been trained by the military for parachute jumps.
They're fairly big dogs at 24 inches and 80 pounds, but surprisingly, if they're well-exercised, they're not too shabby at living in a roomy enough apartment, though they much prefer a big yard to romp in.
Easily trainable, steadfast and sharp-minded, poodles flourish in human company. Even with the froufrou hairdos, poodles are made to endure and can be quite effective as guard dogs, especially the standard-size poodles. In fact, the "poodle clip" was created specifically for the working poodle, so it could swim more effectively while still having fur to protect its organs as it went about the business of hunting and retrieving.
The poodle excels at training and obedience and also loves creative playtime. This is what made them so popular as circus performers. But this can be a drawback as well. If left alone to boredom, poodles can be creative about finding ways to amuse themselves, sometimes finding trouble along the way.
They come in a variety of sizes, from toy to standard, so there's sure to be a version of these fluffy-haired Poindexters for any size house.
And the No. 1 smartest dog breed in the world is...
Because of their extraordinary intelligence and high energy, it is essential to give border collies an occupation or purpose, or you may well find your home wrecked upon your return from a long day at work. They have an intense connection with humans, making border collies ideal work and home companions.
However, keep this in mind: Border collies invariably will not do well unless they are with people who are as high-energy as they are. They do best with humans who can participate in dog sports with them. Also, because of their background as herding dogs, they may be frustrated by small children as their inability to herd the children as they deem fit is confounding for them. For the right human, the border collie is well-behaved, exceptionally good at learning and a true-blue companion.
For more pet health information, visit PetMD. Don't forget to visit PetMD's new Topic Centers.
Zoë Morrison is the author of the Eco Thrifty Living blog, which she began in 2011 with the aim of saving enough money to give up her job as an auditor while living a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
"I thought it would be difficult to make savings that were significant enough to quit my job, but actually I was surprised about how much money I could save by being eco-friendly!" Zoë told SheKnows.
Thanks to the year-long frugal living challenge Zoë set herself, which included growing her own food, buying in bulk, altering clothes instead of replacing them and using cloths and water instead of toilet paper, she was able to quit her "draining" job and fulfil her dream of becoming a full-time stay-at-home mum to her two sons (now aged 5 and 7).
"I don't feel like I have given anything up in the name of thrifty living," she added. "I have made swaps for the better. Instead of buying into greenwashing [buying manufactured 'green' products], I am now buying products (or getting them for free) that are genuinely eco-friendly and far less expensive. Things like using lemon juice for cleaning, doing clothes swaps with friends and getting given preloved scooters for my kids from Freecycle, which saves them from being sent to landfill."
It may seem daunting to make such major lifestyle changes, but Zoë's advice is to take it slowly.
"My advice for someone wanting to live a more thrifty life is to just make one small change at a time," she said. "Make the change that seems the easiest first and then build from there. An example of an easy change is to take a reusable mug of tea or coffee on your daily commute or when you take your kids to the park on a cold day. If you bought a hot drink five days a week at £2 a time, you would be spending £520 a year — plug in your figures to see how much you could save. Also imagine how big a pile of disposable cups you won't be responsible for chucking in the bin!"
Another of Zoë's top tips is to "look for the multiple uses in your stuff before rushing out and buying something new". For example, she makes her own yoghurt, but instead of buying a yoghurt maker, she uses a saucepan and a freezer bag, as she already had those items in her home.
For Zoë, there's no going back to her old way of life. She continues to offer advice on her blog for other eco thrifty sorts and is also writing a book of practical tips to save both money and the environment.
Kailyn and Javi already have two children but, as every mother in Kailyn's shoes can tell you, having healthy kids at home doesn't lessen the pain of a miscarriage. No matter how early the loss or how many children a mother already has, her heart invariably aches for the child she never got to meet.
Teen Mom trailer
Teen Mom trailer
It's not rare for women to be encouraged to remain quiet about their pregnancies for the first trimester, just in case the pregnancy ends in a miscarriage. While this can be comforting for some couples who don't want to have to explain their losses to friends and family, it leave others feeling isolated and alone. How can you mourn the loss of a baby no one ever knew existed?
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla went public with their losses last year. The duo have since welcomed a little girl named Max to their family, but as Mark made clear in his Facebook post, the pain of those previous losses is never forgotten. He said he and Priscilla chose to share their experience to pave the way for others to do the same. "In today's open and connected world, discussing these issues doesn't distance us; it brings us together. It creates understanding and tolerance, and it gives us hope," Zuckerberg wrote.
Zuckerberg isn't the only one preaching openness. The American Pregnancy Association says not talking about miscarriage prolongs the pain and makes it harder to move on. The APA recommends talking to trusted friends or family members or even a therapist about the grief and loss that come with miscarriage.
Teen Mom 2 (and its predecessor, Teen Mom) may not be winning Emmys, but the shows have introduced a generation of young adults to the realities of becoming a teenage parent. Teen pregnancy rates have fallen in direct response to the show, and it's not hard to imagine that watching Kailyn and Javi speak openly about their loss will help pave the way for more open and honest discussions about miscarriage and pregnancy loss.
For Kailyn, weathering a military deployment on her own with two young children will be hard enough. When you add in the grief and loss of a miscarriage, our hearts are breaking for the strain this young woman must be feeling right now.
Love & Hip Hop: New York's Cardi B. got very candid about her castmates in a new interview with Us Weekly. In the video, she didn't hold back her thoughts about any of the drama that's happened between the stars on the show.
Cardi B dishes on Love and Hip Hop drama
Cardi B dishes on Love and Hip Hop drama
One of the first stars Cardi B. opened up about was Peter Gunz. She admits she doesn't understand his appeal, even though rapper Gunz juggles his ex-girlfriend, Tara Wallace, and his current wife, Amina Buddafly, both of whom were pregnant with his children at the same time.
"One of my friends has to have sex with Peter Gunz," she jokes. "We need to know about that dick game! I cannot believe that this guy has women fighting over him."
But one person on the cast that Cardi B. is impressed with is Yandy Smith, whose husband, Mendeecees Harris, just began an eight-year sentence behind bars for drug trafficking earlier this year. Smith and Mendeecees have three children together.
"I feel like she actually is really inspirational," Cardi B. admits, adding that she can relate to her co-star's story. "Her story about her husband is really heartbreaking. I date a guy that's in jail, and we don't even have kids."
That guy in jail that Cardi B. is dating is Tommy, who she says she's ready to marry, even before he finishes his sentence. And according to Cardi, that means her ex, DJ Self, is firmly in the past.
"Self is on top of the world right now. He's a typical man... get as much ass as you want. Remember you're getting older, though," she says. She goes on to say that "no bitch" is going to get Self to change his ways, adding, "I'm over it."
The beginning of the show starts off with Mitch and Emily discussing the aftermath of a party with friends. Mitch was upset at the questions he was asked by some of Emily’s friends about his sexuality. She tells the camera she is questioning what happened in the conversation between Mitch and her friend, as he leaves the party by himself. The couple face a conflict in this early time in their relationship.
If this couple can figure out a healthy conflict-management style, then an obstacle should not get in the way of the relationship developing. I've written before about my thoughts on marriage, relationships and working through obstacles; however, in this case the couple cannot resolve the issue and chose to part ways. Mitch feels the stress of the process, he tells the camera, including his disappointment.
John Coultrip’s hesitation of going forward and marrying Chandler continues in the finale where we see another couple not make it to the altar. We see him go visit Chandler at her house in the opening scene to talk to her about “not rushing into anything.”
Apparently, John is not sure how he is feeling and tells her that he "wants to call everything off." She is obviously upset by this, as she had wanted to get married. He tells her he wants to remain friends at this point in the process.
He didn't feel it was right for him to continue this process with her, and he had to follow his heart. The really great thing about this parting is that John was true to his heart, and his parents showed a ton of support and love for both of them. In the end, the show tells us John moves to live closer to his folks, so there is a positive light to this situation.
Christine Rollyson and her new husband, Tom Haas, give us a glimpse into their honeymoon. Tom does a great job of supporting and comforting her during this awkward time of getting to know each other so soon after the wedding. She adds him to her phone in a tongue-and-cheek moment, as he continues to learn about her and she him. "You keep your coffee black," she tells him.
This is a great example of what a relationship looks like, as the couple build on little things and eventually big things. April Eldemire, LMFT, asks, “So how do you 'show up' every day for your marriage and make it thrive, not just survive?" Couples guru Dr. John Gottman says that the secret to achieving relationship satisfaction is by doing small things every day to show you care. Adopt the motto, “Small things often.”
Christine and Tom end up moving in together at her home. The show ends with them on a romantic boat ride, a bigger gesture of love. The relationship between these two has a chance without a doubt, and they both commented at the end of the show that they are falling in love.
So, what do we learn from this season finale? Well, love can happen. As Christine's dad says at the end of the show, “magic” happened, and these things fell into place in order for his daughter to find the right man. Love can happen fast or slow; its how you develop the relationship that counts. This show was really interesting to watch the process of matchmaking between the parents (amazing support) and how the relationships developed or fell apart after the setup. Lots of learning occurred for each cast member, and the families appeared to grow closer.
Michele and live-in lover Matthew Paetz just broke up, but to call it mutual would be a misnomer. It turns out he skipped out on her "all of a sudden and without warning" a couple of weeks ago, an insider told E! News, and now he refuses to speak with her or anyone she knows.
"She got no reason or explanation for the split," the source said.
But considering the rumors of Paetz's unsavory past, his vanishing act might be a blessing in disguise.
According to an exposé by TMZ, Paetz used to work for Cowboys4Angels — a service offering male "companionship" for women. Basically, he was an escort who charged $350 an hour or $17,500 for a week. And when Michele's friends found out about it, they were not happy.
"He ended up being an opportunist who took advantage and broke up with her in a very heartless way," the source told E! News. "Her friends were always concerned with the relationship because of his past. All of those fears were validated."
Michele's rep confirmed the split to People and another insider said she's getting through it by leaning on those who truly love her.
"Lea is surrounded by her friends, who have rallied around her and support her," a source close to the couple told the mag. "She's doing fine, focusing on her work, her music and her album."
What's unfortunate is that Paetz was Michele's first serious boyfriend after the death of her love and costar Cory Monteith of a drug overdose. The couple met on the set of her video "On My Way" in April 2014 and he had moved into her house by that June.
"They've been hot and cold for some time now — one day fighting and the next madly in love," a friend of Paetz told E! News. "Friends believe that Lea's success came between the two and Matthew began to resent Lea."
Michele has not commented on the split on social media.
So far, details surrounding his reappearance are being kept on the down low, but it seems that Neal won't be featured heavily. Per TV Line, he snuck back to Vancouver in January "to shoot a scene." That said, Neal's role could definitely be much larger than it appears.
For those who need a refresher, Neal first appeared in Season 2 and then met his unfortunate demise in Season 3. Despite dying, he was shown in a flashback during Season 4's finale. So, how exactly will Neal reemerge in Season 5B?
It makes most sense for Neal to pop up in the Underworld, especially since that's where Emma and the others were headed during the midseason finale. As OUAT cocreator Eddy Kitsis told TV Line, the dead hang about the Underworld only if "[they] haven’t found closure yet." Kitsis also said, "I think that it would be very disappointing for her to go down there and not have somebody talk about Neal."
However, if you asked Jennifer Morrison (Emma), she once didn't think Neal would end up in the Underworld. "As far as I understand, Hades only has people that have unresolved issues," she told Entertainment Weekly while shooting the 100th episode. "Neal died pretty resolved. He died a hero, he died knowing why he was dying and making that choice, and that didn’t involve taking on the Darkness. Hook [Colin O’Donoghue] took on all of the darkness of the Dark Ones in order to sacrifice himself, so that was clearly a choice that involved Darkness. As far as I understand, Neal’s death wouldn’t be considered wrapped up in Darkness in any way, so I guess that would mean he would go somewhere else. I don’t totally know."
If Neal isn't in the Underworld, then maybe he'll reappear via flashback, again. Or, maybe, just maybe, he'll be resurrected somehow. Hey, it could easily happen, especially since this is Once Upon a Time. It's a magical world where anything occurs, including Hook being turned into another Dark One.
If Neal is brought back permanently (though that seems very unlikely), that means possible rough waters for Emma and Hook. Before Captain Swan, Emma and Neal were a couple (they even had Henry). Now, Emma is head over heels in love with Hook. Heck, she is even going to the Underworld to try to save him.
Basically, Neal's return could mean a lot of things for OUAT and its beloved characters. Whatever happens, all I know is it will be lovely to see Neal's face once again.
Once Upon a Time returns with its 100th episode Sunday, March 6 at 8/7c on ABC.
Surrounding roads were closed off and buses diverted to help the filming of Warner Bros' first female-led superhero film go smoothly. The square was covered in bunting, and hundreds of extras waving Union Jack flags were clad in World War One-era clothing.
Image: WENN.com
We don’t know a great deal about the film so far, but clearly part of it is set in war-time London, circa 1919.
Image: WENN.comImage: WENN.com
As well as being the first mainstream superhero film to have a female lead, Wonder Woman is the first to be directed by a woman. It’s the second feature for American director Patty Jenkins, following Monster in 2003.
According to Cinema Blend, Diana Prince/Wonder Woman will be in the outside world (including England) on a journey, and because she’s a demi-god, she’ll look exactly the same then as she will in the present day. Reports suggest the movie will take in at least two different time periods: during World War One and then the present day, with rumours of a third pre-20th century period too.
"Wonder Woman is one of the greatest superheroes out there," DC's Chief Officer Geoff John told Kevin Smith on The CW. "But people don't know her origin like they know Superman's origin and Batman's origin; and so what we want to do in the film is really tell people who she is, where she comes from, and why she does what she does. We've never seen her on film before."
"She comes from Greek a mythology," John added. "She was born on this island of Amazons called Themyscira. These Amazons were once created to protect man's world, but they've since abandoned it. And Diana's asking constantly, 'why don't we go do what we were created to do and protect man', and they say, 'because they're not worth it'. And this takes her on a journey into our world."
There's no U.K. release date for Wonder Woman yet, but it's likely to be June 2017. However, you can see Wonder Woman her DC film debut in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, which is in cinemas from March 25, 2016.
On February 18 Scaachi tweeted that Buzzfeed Canada was looking for long-form, Canada-centric pitches, and that Buzzfeed "would particularly like to hear from you if you are not white and not male."
After a surge of accusations of discrimination against white males, she tweeted: "Giving ignored voices preferential treatment is not racism against white people ...it is an attempt to fix all of history." She also noted that while she would read pitches from white men, pitches from “women, minorities, non-binary, queer, trans*, aboriginal people" were her "first priority."
However, the trolls continued to tweet abuse at her. Some tried the slimy "nice guy" approach: "White men are generally nice so they're seen as easy targets for the predators. Her whole world was built by white men."
Others took the "not all men" road: "1 white man is misogynistic and privileged = all white men are bad." And some women joined in, tweeting ignorant statements such as: "Go back to India!"
Scaachi had some comebacks ready for her attackers — she wrote: "IF YOU'RE A WHITE MAN UPSET THAT WE ARE LOOKING MOSTLY FOR NON-WHITE NON-MEN I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU" She added some salt to the insult by saying "GO WRITE FOR MACLEANS."
Macleans' columnist Scott Gillmore then dove into the fight on Twitter, claiming that Scaachi was violating human rights and labor laws by discriminating against white men. Her employer Craig Silverman defended Scaachi's right to voice her opinion on Twitter though, adding that her posts were clearly not official job ads:
not a job ad
not a job ad
The situation escalated to violent threats. On February 19th, Scaachi tweeted: "Starting to get threats from white internet men saying that my (white, male) boss should rape and/or murder me as professional discipline."
She has since deactivated her Twitter account.
It seems absurd to even have to argue for the need for diversity in media in 2016, but Scaachi's experiences with internet harassment unfortunately prove that it's clearly still a fight we need to have. As a white writer myself, I completely stand by Scaachi, and so should any reasonable person. The comments made by her Twitter trolls reveal the sense of entitlement these white men all seem to share. Her critics are fighting to occupy a position of privilege and failing to grasp that not every opportunity out there exists solely for them.
Several people have come to Scaachi's defense on Twitter:
progressive, not racist
progressive, not racist
not for you
not for you
harassed off twitter
harassed off twitter
Scaachi's call out for diverse voices is refreshing, given that Canada's columnists are predominantly old, white men. A 2014 survey of Canadian columnists by journalism project J Source proves that men have more than their fair share of opportunities to have their voices heard. J Source found that of the National columnists surveyed, only 27% were female.
What's more, the majority of the columnists they surveyed were also over 50, with the median age being 58.5. “It makes me sad when only a quarter of columnists are female, given that more than half of Canadians are women,” says Romayne Smith Fullerton, the ethics editor of J-Source (in J Source's post about the study).
OttawaCitizen's former editorial pages editor Kate Heartfield recently spoke to the RyersonReviewofJournalism about the lack of racial diversity at the Citizen. Of the paper's 11 columnists, only one wasn't white: “If you’re only publishing a certain selection of people, you’re not getting all the perspectives on any issue,” she explained. “Canada is not that homogenous.”
This trend isn't limited to print journalism. At CBC/Radio-Canada, only 8.2% of their workforce consists of of visible minorities, while 1.6% of employees are Aboriginal and persons with disabilities make up only 1.8% of the workforce (according to their 2013-2014 Annual Report).
And take a look at Rogers Media, which owns Canada's largest publishing company, Rogers Publishing Ltd, and Postmedia, the company that owns the National Post and some of Canada's leading broadsheet dailies: Both of these huge Canadian media companies' boards of directors are made up of mostly white men.
Scaachi Koul brings a needed, and underrepresented, perspective to the Canadian media landscape with her own writing, whether she's giving Canadians a playful primer on Diwali or sharing her experiences on a CBC panel about affirmative action, where commenters tried to guess her race. We should be applauding her for her Twitter callout encouraging non-whites and non-males to share their perspectives — not harassing her so much that she shuts down her account.
What do you think? Is requesting non-white, non-male voices discriminatory or a positive step to ensure diversity? Share your views below in the comments.
If you look at her social media, you’d think everything is normal. She’s been tweeting about her birthday and the success of her new single with Drake, “Work.” There’s no mention of any health issues. Even her Instagram (where she’s famous for her candid interactions with fans) is full of promotional pictures and good news. So what’s really happening?
Some speculate that low album and ticket sales might be the “production” issues that Rihanna’s team is blaming for the cancellations, but that doesn’t sound right. Just last month, she wore a pair of $9,000 Dolce & Gabbana headphones on Instagram and they instantly sold out. The girl has a dedicated, eager fan base ready to spend money.
Not to mention, she was all smiles and looking great at the release of the Fenty x Puma collection during New York Fashion Week last week. None of these are signs of someone who is struggling with bronchitis.
Rihanna at NYFW
Rihanna at NYFW
I’m not an expert on what could be going on for Rihanna, but if I had to make a guess, I would say that it all goes back to the Tidal leak. The platform was supposed to be the best platform for artists, especially those who invested in it, to release their music to the world. And when they had their big moment to shine, they messed it all up. It seems like the added stress of trying to manage a leaked album, plus an accelerated timeline for all of her album launch plans really got to be too much for her.
There’s no way of knowing if this is the truth, but it just seems like Tidal is causing more problems than solutions for both the artists and the music fans. Either way, I really hope that Rihanna gets back on track to put on a great show — as a fan, and as someone who had tickets to see her postponed San Diego show.
While chatting with Peter Madrigal on the beach (everyone gathered for Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney's engagement pictures), Jax opened up to the SUR manager about his life, his mistakes and his future. That's right, Jax got super deep and actually had quite the "aha moment."
As he told Peter, "When you're a 36-year-old man taking something from a store, there's something wrong." Of course, he was referring to Hawaii, where Jax got arrested for stealing a pair of sunglasses. The event must have seriously scared him, because now he is getting all philosophical about life.
Actually, it's about time Jax starts looking at his actions and the fact that he just can't seem to get rid of his bad habits. Jax said he is "trying to build his credibility" and even admitted that it's not going well based on his most recent actions in Hawaii and how he's been treating his friends. At this point in time, Jax is lost and doesn't know where to turn next. It's sad when someone confesses that they don't even know if they're truly happy or if they can ever change, which is exactly what Jax told Peter.
If you think that's eye-opening, the SUR bartender uttered words that I never thought I'd ever hear. Have you ever noticed how Jax is always stirring the pot or involved in everyone's business? Well, per Jax, he said that he has to be the center of attention. Oh, it doesn't stop there. He said, "I feel like I'm not accepted if I'm not talked about." Did he really just admit that?
The conversation ended with Jax saying that his friends are always making excuses for him and bailing him out of ridiculous situations. Actually, his words were: "It's just embarrassing." I mean, he even said that Stassi is the one who should be in their circle of friends, whereas he should be kicked out. Whoa.
At least he realizes how important his friends are to him, right? In between what looked to be real tears (for once), Jax said, "For me to lose my friends would be huge to me. I don't have anything else."
Here's hoping Jax isn't just telling more lies and that he's finally starting to act like a mature adult. If not now, I don't think he'll ever change and this is who Jax will be for the rest of life. Unfortunately, if that is the case, sooner rather than later he may no longer have his friends standing by his side.
