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The Voice's youngest contestant brings talent way beyond her years (VIDEO)

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Every season, there is at least one wunderkind who shocks viewers with their impressive voice and onstage maturity. Last season, Braiden Sunshine became the show's miniature version of Michael Bublé, and now, Caroline Burns is making her mark on The Voice. This is by no means the first time she's been on the show, but her return was every bit as impressive as her Season 9 debut.

More: Erin Willett moves fans to tears after spontaneous performance

Last season, when Burns auditioned for The Voice, she failed to snag a spot on one of the coaches' teams. This was not so much due to a lack of talent, but rather, because she auditioned way too late in the game. By the time she arrived, the coaches had few spaces left for her. This was less of a problem this season, as her audition took place early enough for her to secure a spot.

Caroline Burns
Image: NBC

Burns' success tonight was mostly a matter of timing, but she's definitely worked hard during her time away from the show. After her initial audition, she got back together with her classic rock band and got a job helping out with children's birthday parties. The latter involves more dressing up than singing, but Burns admitted that she'd had the opportunity to play around a bit with music while putting a smile on kids' faces.

More: Gwen Stefani is gone from The Voice but definitely not forgotten

The hard work clearly paid off, for Burns impressed all four coaches and the audience with her mature voice. Even though three of the four coaches had been present for her last audition, they were once again surprised by her young age. Sadly, only Blake Shelton and Adam Levine had the good sense to turn around. Burns only had eyes for Levine, whom she rewarded for turning around first.

Caroline Burns
Image: NBC

More: The Voice needs to mix up its formulaic approach

When Burns initially auditioned, she garnered a ton of praise on Twitter. The same was true tonight, with viewers speaking highly of her lovely voice and great song choice.

Caroline Burns song choice

Caroline Burns song choice

Caroline Burns cute

Caroline Burns cute

Caroline sunny sound

Caroline sunny sound

Now that Burns finally has the spot she deserves on The Voice, it's time for her to prove she has what it takes to win the competition. No doubt, she'll go far — it's hard not to love such a talented teenage singer.

What did you think of Caroline Burns' second audition? Comment and share your opinion below.

Caroline Burns video

Caroline Burns video


Mob Wives star Brittany Fogarty starts a Twitter feud with Renee Graziano

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Fans of the show will remember that Fogarty has had issues with Marissa Jade, Graziano, Karen Gravano and Carla Facciolo. There are very few Wives she doesn’t have a problem with, actually.

More: 5 ways Mob Wives proved the ladies are crazier than ever

On Sunday, while interacting with fans on her Twitter, Fogarty called out Graziano for being an instigator of drama. One fan tweeted the reality star saying that Graziano had been talking badly about Fogarty to Jade, perhaps in an effort to stir up controversy between the two newcomers. When Fogarty saw this tweet, she retweeted and agreed “100%.” Put simply, the star wrote, “Renee = instigator.”

Brittany Fogarty tweets drama

Brittany Fogarty tweets drama

It’s been a busy week for Fogarty on Twitter. Earlier this week, she slammed Gravano for attending Big Ang’s funeral, even after getting specific instructions from the family not to come. Both Fogarty and Gravano were told not to come, but Gravano disregarded the warnings and attended anyway, which sent Fogarty into another Twitter rant.

More: Brittany Fogarty writes beautiful tribute to Mob Wives' Big Ang (PHOTO)

You have to give the girl props for being so passionate about her friends. That's some loyalty!

One Mob Wife who Fogarty hasn’t had an issue with is Drita D'Avanzo. The two have been close on and offscreen. She told Fashion & Style, "I love Drita. She's great. The one thing about Drita that I noticed after going back and watching past seasons is that she is exactly the same on camera as she is off. If I am sitting on the phone with her at 12 a.m. shooting the breeze, she is exactly the same as when we are filming. There is no fakeness, no phoniness."

More: Mob Wives sit-down only leads to new feud between the ladies

Let’s hope that continues, otherwise Fogarty might find herself completely out of friends to talk to.

Abby Lee Miller breaks her silence about her current legal struggles

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The reality star was indicted on bankruptcy fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets and false bankruptcy declarations in October. She said, “It’s rough. It’s hard. My dad used to run my business and he did all the books and everything was great. It’s your family you trusted... they had your back.”

More: Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller asks for extension to delay fraud trial and punishment

But after her dad stopped handling her money, the trouble really started. Miller explained, “Every person I hired after that was just one thing after another and you hire attorneys, you hire accountants, you hire your people, who are professional… maybe they don’t do their jobs as well as they’re supposed to."

More: Abby Lee Miller hints Season 5 of Dance Moms could be her last

The charges come with a maximum five-year sentence, which would be devastating for Miller and (less importantly) the Dance Moms show, which has been renewed for another season. When she was asked about her return to the show, she just responded, “I guess… I’ll have to see, but I’m not sure yet!”

Miller is not the first reality star to come under fraud indictments. Teresa Giudice from The Real Housewives of New Jersey famously served time for the same kind of charges last year. It seems like a trend for regular people who find quick fame and fortune — they aren’t quite sure how to handle it and end up in these messy situations. While it is quite possible it has nothing to do with her fame, it’s easy to draw the parallels between all these reality stars and wonder if there’s something the networks could be doing about it.

More: Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller's reported bankruptcy fraud could land her in jail

Either way, it’s good to see Miller making the best of a bad situation.

One-Pot Wonder: Potato and sausage skillet is the best breakfast for dinner

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No one shies away from a dish of potatoes and sausages. Together they make delicious comfort food that adults and kids alike love. There are so many ways to cook them together, and with this recipe, things are done even more simply — all in one pot in half an hour.

What you do is sauté the potatoes first, and then halfway through, add the sausages and rosemary to add a touch of herb flavor. Wait for everything to get golden brown, and then breakfast for dinner is ready. It is that easy. And guess what! There is only one pot to clean.

One-pot-potatoes-sausages-and-rosemary-vertical
Image: Rowena Dumlao-Giardina/SheKnows

One-pot potatoes and sausage with rosemary recipe

Serves 4

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
  • Olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound sausages, sliced if large
  • 3 twigs fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

Directions:

  1. In a large saucepan with olive oil over medium heat, sauté the potatoes, and cook for about 15 minutes, tossing frequently to cook all sides. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Push the potatoes to 1 side of the saucepan, and place the sausages and rosemary on the other side, making sure they are positioned directly on top of the heat. Cook until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
  3. Mix the potatoes and sausages together, and cook for another 5 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
one-pot wonder
Image: SheKnows

More one-pot meals

Cheesy spinach, onion and potato torte
One-pot spaghetti al pomodoro
One-pot chorizo-shrimp rice

Top Chef's Kwame Onwuachi reacts to his #wafflegate elimination

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SheKnows: Who is your favorite Top Chef contestant of all time and why?

Kwame Onwuachi: Marcus Samuelsson, hands down. He showed such class and refinement that I tried to emulate while I was on the show.

More: Wesley True discusses his crucial Top Chef mistake

SK: Were you surprised by your elimination?

KO: No, not at all. It was truly a delicious bite, but it still didn't meet the judges' expectations. They wanted something bigger and they couldn't get over the fact that I used a frozen product, even though it was a fast casual concept.

SK: What was it like working with all of the judges on the show?

KO: I really enjoyed the feedback. Tom has a wealth of knowledge that mirrors some of the great chefs that I have worked for in my career. Padma also has a great palate and is very respectful when reviewing your food. Gail was one of my favorite judges; she has a certain je ne sais quoi when she is at that panel. She is stern but also very warm at the same time, which lightens the blow.

SK: Which contestant do you think deserves to win? Or who are you rooting for?

KO: Either Jeremy or Amar. Both of them are my boys and they are amazing cooks. I really respect them.

SK: Who did you consider your biggest competition?

KO: I consider Jeremy one of my biggest [competitors]. We have similar styles and backgrounds in cooking.

SK: Was there anyone on the show you really clashed with? Who was it and why?

KO: I loved everyone and was just really happy to be there

More: Top Chef fans love Kwame Onwuachi for not being a reality-show jerk

SK: Who is your favorite out of the judges and why?

KO: Gail for president. She kept it real.

SK: Who do you think deserved to go home on last night’s episode?

KO: Kwame Onwuachi. Frozen waffles, what was he thinking! Kicks self.

SK: What was the best experience you had on the show?

KO: The challenge in which we picked a time period and a certain place in the world. We cooked that day for a table of about 11 Michelin stars. I really enjoyed the feedback and the challenge itself. We were pushed not only to execute, but to learn about different time periods.

More: Is Top Chef's Phillip just on the show for drama?

SK: What was the biggest challenge for you on the show?

KO: Getting out of my head at times. I don't think the cooking was difficult at all. It was mostly a mind game that you had to overcome each challenge, being your own shoulder to cry on or biggest cheerleader and picking yourself up no matter how good or bad you did each time.

Were you sad to see Onwuachi leave the show?

Amber Portwood's fiancé says Gary Shirley is hungry for fame (VIDEO)

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Shirley went on camera on Teen Mom earlier this season with documents purporting to prove that Portwood's husband-to-be, Matt Baier, has at least seven children scattered around the country, none of whom he is supporting financially.

During an appearance on Dr. Drew, Baier immediately addressed the issue — and not surprisingly, he minced no words in calling out Shirley's motivations.

Amber Portwood Matt Baier on Dr Drew

Amber Portwood Matt Baier on Dr Drew

"What do I think about what he said? I think he's full of shit, to be honest with you," Baier said in a preview clip for the show. "Anytime he opened his mouth."

More: Teen Mom's Matt Baier's tweets about Kailyn Lowry are downright cruel

Shirley claimed he only went public with the information he gathered was because he feared for the safety of his daughter, but Baier said that's total BS.

"His motivation for doing what he did was not what he said. His motivation was different," Baier argues in the preview. "If he had that motivation, he would have called her and said, ‘Hey, what's going on with this?' Instead, he purposely waited for the cameras."

More: Teen Mom's Amber Portwood thinks her ex is brainwashing their daughter (VIDEO)

Baier went on to justify his past behavior in a vague way.

"It was more shame on myself because those are really painful memories for me, so I kind of pushed them aside," the contrite Boston native explains. "I think it gets made to be more seedy than it really was. Like, ‘He had children when he was younger, and he abandoned them and disappeared.' That's not what happened."

Baier did clarify in an earlier interview that he has five children and three grandchildren.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

teen mom scandals slideshow

Oscars breast pumping story highlights the plight of all mothers

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More: Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley’s red carpet appearance reveals big surprise

Spotting Hardy pacing back and forth, the Los Angeles Times asked him whether he was nervous about his nomination — he was up for an award in the Best Supporting Actor category for his role in The Revenant, which he lost to Bridge of Spies actor Mark Rylance — and he responded "no."

"I'm just waiting for my wife to finish breast-pumping in the bathroom," Hardy explained. "She has to do it every hour."

Waiting for his wife is obviously not the issue here; in fact, it's commendable. The issue is that Riley was forced to use the bathroom at the Oscars to pump breast milk, because skipping a feeding from the breast while you are out can cause engorgement or mastitis. While we applaud Riley for making it work, would she not have been much more comfortable in a nursing room? Not to mention the sanitary issues that arise from pumping in a bathroom.

More: Tom Hardy may be suiting up for a future role in the James Bond franchise

The fact that there were no facilities available for Riley — and other new mums — is further proof of how Hollywood is once again failing women and mothers in particular. Breastfeeding provides logistical challenges for mums, and if Hollywood was in tune with the needs of women, it may have thought to set up a room where new mums like Riley could enjoy a quiet and comfortable space to attend to the necessary.

Miriam Posner's blog has a thoughtful article on how to accommodate a breast-pumping mum at an event and shows that catering for breast-pumping is really not particularly hard to do (especially at an event as grand as the Academy Awards), as most women use electric pumps and would therefore simply need a private room with an electrical outlet and a place to wash up afterwards. Of course, a fridge or freezer to store the milk afterward would be a bonus.

This is not the first time that the Oscars have failed new mums. Adele previously spoke out about women breastfeeding in the Oscars bathroom (again highlighting the organisers' lack of empathy) in 2013, during an interview with The Guardian.

"All these Hollywood superstars, lined up and breast-feeding in the ladies'," she said.

Three years later, there seems to have been little progress.

More: Tom Hardy reveals how he really felt about that sexuality question

Hopefully this latest report will create a discussion and awareness for women's needs. In fact, it's not just the Oscars. Public breastfeeding and pumping is already a controversial topic, so the very least that public spaces and events could do is ensure an adequate space for women whose bodies require them to perform the most natural act of all.

Is Hollywood failing new mums? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

What GOP congresswomen want American women to know

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More: Watch the SheKnows Media Town Hall event with GOP congresswomen

We hosted a Town Hall with three Republican congressional representatives: Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) and Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA). Moderator Julie Ross Godar, executive editorial director for SheKnows and BlogHer, spoke to the congresswomen about the leading issues women care about today.

These are also important issues for the GOP. As McMorris Rodgers wrote on SheKnows yesterday, “Republican women are committed to a culture of yes, a culture that tells young women that they can — and should — pursue their version of the American Dream.”

Republican congressional representatives: Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) and Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA).
Image: House Republican Conference

This sentiment was echoed throughout the Town Hall as the representatives answered questions from the SheKnows community on bipartisanship, equal pay, health care, national security, poverty, the economy and feminism. Despite the diversity of topics, there was one thing that the representatives kept coming back to: the importance of mentoring women to take on positions of leadership.

Here’s what these three Republican legislators want American women to know.

Donald Trump’s sexist remarks about women and sexual assault in the military are unacceptable

When asked about Trump’s history of sexist remarks, including a tweet implying sexual assault in the military is inevitable, McMorris Rodgers shook her head and asserted, “Across the board, absolutely, this is wrong. It’s inappropriate.” She went on to say, “I believe the Republican party, and what I want as a Republican elected official, is to be presenting a very positive, a very opportunist message to everyone in this country. Not putting people down and not having all these negative comments on people, but focusing on what every person has to offer.” McMorris Rodgers added, “I want my children – and I want everyone in this country – to have those same opportunities to be seen for not where they come from but empowered by what they can become.”

More: How Republican women have been trailblazers for America's future

Super Tuesday’s primary election results showed that voters are angry

Noem believes that part of the reason voters are angry is because of divisive politics and candidates often overpromise during elections without following through once elected. And that might be why Donald Trump had such an overwhelming success during the Super Tuesday primaries. “I think [Trump] has tapped into emotions and the frustration, and he’s obviously from outside of the political system. People are thinking they need someone new and fresh to try and tackle the challenges,” Noem said.

Mentoring the next generation of women leaders is critical

All the congresswomen expressed the importance of encouraging, inspiring and mentoring the next generation of women to follow in their political path. Walters said, “As a member of Congress, part of my duty and role is to try and mentor young women to get them involved in the process. I think sometimes women think that they can’t do it all, and I’m here to say you can do it all. You may not be able to do it all at once, but you can do it all.”

We need more working moms with good support systems in politics

Each of the congresswomen shared stories about their own struggles to balance being a mother and an elected official. They had men and women telling them they shouldn’t run because they were mothers, to which Walters replied, to much applause, “I didn’t listen to them. I just ran anyway.” Her secret weapon was the support of her husband and children. He took care of the kids while she had to travel, and the kids learned to step up and be more independent, she said.

Noem also argued the importance of having the perspective of working mothers in Congress in order to have different viewpoints around the policy-making tables. “Women a lot of times aren’t quite sure they have all the necessary skills to do a job, and that’s why we need to be more aggressive about asking them to do those jobs. We need to go find people and say, 'We need you in Congress. We need you to do this because your perspective is what helps us get better policies and better laws,'” Noem said.

Yes, they are feminists

Godar told the congresswomen about the SheKnows F-word initiative that explores what feminism means to our community, and asked for their own opinions on the word. She discovered that the representatives have strong feelings about feminism, too. When asked, Noem laughed and remarked, “I love that the new F-word is feminism!” Her fellow congresswomen agreed.

“I love the idea of feminism representing an opportunity for every woman to pursue her dreams, reach her full potential, and be a risk taker. That is what it represents to me," McMorris Rodgers added.

“I consider myself a feminist because I don’t believe that anyone is better than anyone else. I believe that I am just equal to everyone else,” Walters said.

If you missed the livestream, you can still watch the event in full below and join the conversation on Twitter with #HERStory.

Women Making History House republican congresswomen

Women Making History House republican congresswomen

More: President Obama hosts SheKnows Town Hall with women like you


Katie Price's confession about aborting her disabled son taken out of context

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More: Katie Price fans react to her latest controversial parenting decision

During the show, Price admitted that as a young mum, had she known about Harvey's health problems — now age 13, he has Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare genetic condition, and autism, ADHD and blindness, The Mirror reports — she would have seriously considered an abortion.

"As harsh as it sounds, if I had known he was going to be born blind, I probably would have aborted him," she confessed. "Because I was like, 'Oh my god, it's blind — how will I cope?'"

However, she went on to explain that now, as an experienced mum, she would definitely keep the child.

"But now it's like, 'Oh my god, no way.' If I got pregnant again, and they said, 'Your child is going to have disabilities,' I'd definitely keep it," she said. Adding, "I'd even adopt a child with disabilities. Until you're in that situation, you don't know."

Katie Price Loose Women

Katie Price Loose Women

More: Katie Price made quite an impression on her first day as a Loose Woman

Price's comments, if anything, are inspiring and help to raise awareness for the joy that children with disabilities can bring their parents. Also notable is Price's willingness to consider abortion and publicly admit as much. It's a sensitive topic which is all too often avoided, but Price's admission — whether you agree with it or not — reminds us that it's a woman's right to choose what she does with her body.

Sadly, critics of Price focused on the former part of her confession instead of taking the bigger picture into account.

Reaction to Katie Price abortion comments

Reaction to Katie Price abortion comments

Reaction to Katie Price's abortion comments 2

Reaction to Katie Price's abortion comments 2

Katie Price Twitter 3

Katie Price Twitter 3

More: UK needs to revise its "cruel, archaic" abortion laws, says new campaign

Price expressed her disappointment to the reactions on Twitter, adding how much Harvey means to her.

Katie Price Twitter

Katie Price Twitter

Frankly, it's honesty like this that we need more of on TV instead of all the scripted nonsense. And thankfully, some people agree.

Reaction to Katie Price abortion comment 3

Reaction to Katie Price abortion comment 3

Do you think Katie Price's honest comments are commendable? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Senators are considering taxing Canadians' sugary drinks

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More: Scary amounts of sugar are hidden in your favorite takeaway drinks

"We can't sugarcoat it any longer," said Senator Kelvin Ogilvie in a press announcement. "There is an obesity crisis in Canada, and sugar is a big part of that problem."

Ogilvie worked with the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs to make over 20 recommendations for a healthier Canada. Many of the Committee's suggestions are much needed, like revamping Canada's extremely dated Food Guide (some items, like sugary juices, really don't belong on the Food Guide) and encouraging doctors to prescribe exercise to patients as a treatment for weight-related illnesses. But the committee also recommended that the federal government "assess the options for taxation levers with a view to implementing a new tax on sugar-sweetened as well as artificially sweetened beverages."

A sugar tax is a bad idea for several reasons.

More: Kids are eating their weight in sugar and a new app could help

1. It hits low-income people hardest

More than 4 million Canadians, 1.15 million of whom are children, experience some form of food insecurity, which means they often don't know where their next meal will come from. Often, sugary juices are one of the cheapest food sources available. This is unfortunate, given that sugary drinks are linked to 180,000 deaths a year in Canada from diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Here's the thing, though: Pricing lower-income people out of yet another food source option isn't the answer to Canada's diet-related public health crises as our population ages. Rather than punishing lower-income people for consuming one of the few food sources they can afford, government should focus on making healthy food more accessible and launching public education campaigns about diet and exercise. Otherwise, a sugar tax would effectively reduce real incomes in neighbourhoods where you can't find affordable healthy foods.

2. Sugar is an addiction

People don't necessarily buy sugary junk food and drinks because they want to. They consume it because they're addicted to sugar. The hidden sugar found in junk food is actually eight times as addictive as cocaine, according to research from Dr. Nicole Avena of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. MRI studies of the brains of food addicts show that they respond to junk foods “the way a cocaine addict would respond to being exposed to cocaine,” Dr. Valerie Taylor, chief psychiatrist at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, told The National Post.

And food addictions are more common that you might think in Canada. A study from Newfoundland's Memorial University found that one in 20 people are food addicts. We shouldn't punish people financially for hardwired sugar addictions that they may not be able to control on their own. Let's focus instead on addressing the advertising industry that preys on people's cravings for junk food and on expanding access to food addiction treatment centers. The senators' committee report also recommends banning targeting children in ads for food and beverages, which is a much stronger idea than taxing Canadian consumers.

3. It removes personal choice from the equation

The Senate committee noted that critics of taxing junk foods like sugar point out that agreeing on a clear definition of the term “unhealthy” will be difficult. After all, do you simply tax soft drinks, or do you tax juices too? Do you tax sugary sports drinks that are mismarketed as health beverages? At the end of the day, we all need to take individual responsibility for our own health and have access to tools and community resources that help us do so. Mandating what is and isn't healthy takes a top-down, paternalistic approach to public health while punishing Canadians financially for buying foods the government deems unhealthy. Government should instead work to empower us to find our own paths to health.

What do you think of the idea of a sugar tax? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

More: 5 steps of sugar rehab

Dancing vagina aims to teach important lesson about consent (WATCH)

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More: Outrage as student claims sex consent workshop doesn't apply to him

Founded in 2014, volunteer-based nonprofit campaign Project Consent aims to raise awareness of the ways in which rape culture is harmful in our society and promote positive conversation around the issue of consent.

The new video campaign consists of three short animated clips that get a very simple point across: consent isn’t complicated.

The videos are fun and even funny to watch, featuring animated body parts engaged in safe-for-work activities from laughing to dancing. However, they come from a serious place: a culture where rape victims are stigmatized and sexual assault is swept under the rug.

Project Consent 1

Project Consent 1

On the relevance of consent, the campaign says, "By promoting consent, we are reminding society that violations of someone's agency should never be taken lightly. Rather than continuing to teach that the blame is on victims, we want it known that consent is always an established right, not a removable luxury. Creating a consent-based culture is the groundwork to battling sexual assault as a whole, and while we don't expect it to eradicate sexual assault altogether, we believe that it's a message worth putting out there."

Project Consent 2

Project Consent 2

The videos were produced by Toronto-based advertising company Juniper Park/TBWA.

"The goal of the campaign is to get people to see consent differently," Chief Creative Officer of Juniper Park/TBWA Terry Drummond said in a statement to Fast Company. "It isn’t a messy and complicated issue. Again, it’s simple. If it’s not yes, it’s no."

Project Consent 3

Project Consent 3

More: "Cup of Tea" is the sexual consent video all men need to see (WATCH)

Watch the Project Consent "Laughing" video below, and check out the other videos on the Project Consent YouTube channel.

Dancing body parts video

Dancing body parts video

More: Woman live-blogs her rape ordeal

6 things you probably didn't know about The Voice contestant Alisan Porter

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The Voice

The Voice

But I bet this isn't the first time you've seen her.

You probably recognize Porter as Curly Sue in the popular '90s movie of the same name. And since then, she's kept herself pretty busy. For instance, did you know she's been singing in a band? Or that she is happily married to the love of her life?

Get to know Porter a little better.

1. She was on Star Search

Alisan Porter Star Search

Alisan Porter Star Search

She was the youngest singer to appear on the show in 1983 and was later recognized for becoming the five-time junior vocalist champion. Judging by her performance, she is obviously no stranger to the world of performing.

2. She starred in Parenthood

AlisanPrterParenthood
Image: Showbizgeek.com

In 1989, you may remember her puking all over Steve Martin onscreen.

3. She landed a role in Footloose

At the age of 18, she moved to New York to join the cast of the popular Broadway show after nailing her audition.

4. She created her own band called The Raz

AlisanPorterCoverSong

AlisanPorterCoverSong

Porter's voice is to die for. Here she is doing a Janis Joplin cover.

5. She has been sober for eight years

Porter became sober in October 2007 after deciding to admit herself into rehab. She attended several meetings and picked up a sponsor to help her recover.

More: "Curly Sue" opens up about her dark past

6. She married the love of her life, Ben Autenrieth

AlisanPorterandhusband
Image: iam_alisanporter/ Instagram

After becoming sober, she fell in love, got married and started a family. Now she turns to music to keep her sane while raising two beautiful children.

More: Christina Aguilera is passionate with Adam Levine

With everything that Porter has faced in the past, her future has never looked so bright. Follow her success by watching Season 10 of The Voice on NBC.

Taco Bell Crunchwrap Cheeto Sliders are here

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More: The most expensive Taco Bell meal you'll ever eat

Recently, Taco Bell added their Crunchwrap Cheeto-stuffed Sliders to several stores across the country. What a blessing! It'll be available for a limited time nationwide, so keep your eyes peeled.

Taco Bell Canda Cheeto

Taco Bell Canda Cheeto

These miniature sliders not only include the original Crunchwrap signature ingredients — they will be stuffed with jalapeño Cheetos for a delicious and appealing twist. Veronica Castillo, the head of marketing for Taco Bell Canada, explained that the Crunchwraps "have been a best-selling menu item." So what do you do with a best-selling menu item? You make it even better by adding Cheetos.

More: Taco Bell app gets free Doritos Locos Tacos

Let's be honest. Anything with Cheetos is good. Just picture it now: the warmth of Taco Bell's delicious signature ground beef and melted cheese, with a satisfying kick of jalapeño Cheetos — it's paradise in one bite!

7 times The Real O'Neals put a new spin on old sins

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1. Kenny and Mimi think about having sex

The Real O'Neals is told from the perspective of teenager Kenny, the middle child in a Catholic family. Shortly after he's introduced in the premiere, we see Kenny's first struggle: deciding whether or not to have sex with his girlfriend, Mimi. She's the one pushing it, because she's been turned on by his lack of aggression. The moment is one that's likely familiar to many teenagers, because while Kenny wants to make Mimi happy, he's just not sure if he can go through with intercourse. Part of his hesitation is because he fears his mother's reaction — and the priest is right downstairs! But he's also hesitating because...

2. Kenny comes out as gay

Kenny doesn't like girls. He thinks that he can teach himself how to be straight by going through with Mimi's plan, but it doesn't work. He's gay and, later in the pilot, he takes the biggest leap and tells his relatives. His siblings, Jimmy and Shannon, and his father, Pat, seem to be relatively supportive. His mother, Eileen, on the other hand? She's taking the news hard. But Eileen has other things on her mind, too.

More: Happy Endings movie: Where the show left off and what needs to happen next

3. Eileen and Pat announce their divorce

Kenny's parents got together because Eileen was pregnant with Jimmy. They've remained together to raise their three children, but whatever bond they once had is gone. Eileen, in particular, has been working hard to keep up appearances, but neither she nor Pat can deal with their unhappy marriage any longer. Their announcement sets off a chain of confessions throughout the rest of the family.

4. Jimmy confesses that he has an eating disorder

Oldest son Jimmy is a wrestling champion, and Eileen and Pat are hoping that he'll earn a scholarship to Notre Dame. He's battling his own issues, though. Keeping weight has made him lose weight, to the point where he's become anorexic. Jesus-shaped pancakes appear to be helping to restore his appetite, but if Jimmy's battle is anything like the ones of many eating disorder survivors, he's got a long road ahead.

More: Mom takes out newspaper ad to celebrate her son's coming out

5. Shannon admits to stealing charity money

Shannon, the youngest in the O'Neal family, may have the weakest moral compass — her secret is that she's a criminal. She's been raising money to send to a charity in Africa, but she kept it all for herself and used it to buy a car. Not a car that she can drive, mind you — she's too young to have a license. Didn't stop the Craig's List seller from letting her have it, though!

6. Eileen seeks revenge on the town gossips

After the O'Neal family secrets are revealed to everyone in attendance at church bingo night, Eileen faces the ridicule of her gossipy so-called friends. She doesn't appreciate the pitying ham dishes left on her front stoop and she certainly doesn't appreciate the rumors. So she plots to restore the family name by pressuring Shannon into winning her Catholic school science fair and pushing Kenny back into the closet.

More: The Fosters airs its most controversial episode yet — all about religion

7. Shannon reveals that she doesn't believe in God

In perhaps The Real O'Neals' greatest moment of sacrilege yet, Shannon shocks the teachers at the science fair by discussing how her project proves that God doesn't exist. Eileen may be more horrified by her daughter's atheism than her son's sexuality at this point! But after Shannon is shamed by the faculty, Eileen steps up to defend her, her project... and her gay brother, Kenny. Looks like things might be turning around for the O'Neals sooner than they think.

Mob Wives' Brittany Fogarty can't stop stirring up drama

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More: 5 ways Mob Wives proved the ladies are crazier than ever

The series finale of Mob Wives is one week away, and at this point, the following things are true:

1. The show is terribly sad to watch knowing that Big Ang is gone, especially when she gets news, like she did this week, that she's cancer-free.

2. It's hard to actually decipher what anyone is fighting about anymore.

3. Drita has two small dogs, both named after famous mobsters.

4. Renee is taking ballroom dancing lessons and, therefore, possibly angling for a stint on Dancing with the Stars.

5. Whatever drama currently exists, and there is much drama, Brittany Fogarty is at the center of it, and she seems determined to remain there.

More: Mob Wives: 5 reasons I'm Team Drita

To refresh, Karen brought Brittany into the group, to the chagrin of Renee, who had some icky feelings about her. Brittany and the other new cast member this season, Marissa Jade, had a falling out at a weekend in the Hamptons and then got into a physical altercation, but their issues seem to be a thing of the past now and Brittany's moved on to bigger and better things — like inciting arguments between the original cast. At this point, that sit-down that Ang initiated earlier in the season is basically trash, especially the part where they promised to go directly to one another if they had personal issues, instead of just talking behind each other's backs. That is so over, as is the part where Drita hangs out with anyone except for Ang and Brittany, who's doing the important work of pushing us toward the series finale, which looks like it's going to be a fight between Karen and Drita.

On Wednesday's episode, Brittany walked out on a dinner with the original cast, after hurling accusations at Renee and Carla, because apparently, it was their fault that she and Marissa initially fought. Brittany escaped the restaurant without actually getting hit by anyone present, but in the end, Ang, Carla, Renee and Karen agreed that they were all better off before Brittany came into the group. Unfortunately, things didn't end there. Brittany then went on to meet with Drita in a park crowded with aggressive ducks and made sure to fill her in on a conversation she had with Karen two weeks ago (it's getting so hard to keep track of who talks trash when). She relayed all the stuff Karen had to say about Lee, including the part where she called him a rat. You don't need to have watched more than one episode of Mob Wives to know that using that word to refer to someone equals doom, and in this case, Drita hurled what was likely a delicious cup of coffee across the park while declaring that she would, in fact, fight Karen. And so, that's what we have to look forward to on the series finale of the show, coming next week. Thanks, Brittany.

More: Mob Wives canceled after Season 6

Have you had it with Brittany? Are you excited for the series finale? Tell us in the comments!


Survivor viewers turn against castaway after rough immunity idol hunt

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It all started when Jason and Scot realized Alecia had stumbled on a clue to the Brawn tribe's hidden immunity idol. After her pseudo ally, Cydney, dished the dirt to the two men, the idol hunt took an intense turn. Jason went dashing into the woods with Alecia following him like a wandering zombie. Within moments, Jason had found a map that directed him to a key that would unlock a box containing the idol. He went rushing off again, making sure to stay ahead of Alecia when he found the key secured inside a tube atop a nearby tree. Alecia stood there patiently, hoping the key would tumble into her hands as Scot worked to nudge it out. As it came falling down, a brief scuffle ensued as Jason snatched the key before "blondie" could. Moments later, the hidden idol was in his possession.

It was a series of circumstances that stirred up a Twitter firestorm against Jason.

Survivor viewer bashes Jason

Survivor viewer bashes Jason

Viewer cannot stand Jason on Survivor

Viewer cannot stand Jason on Survivor

Jason criticized by Survivor viewer

Jason criticized by Survivor viewer

Survivor viewer calls Kyle Jason a douche

Survivor viewer calls Kyle Jason a douche

Survivor viewer gushes dislike for Kyle Jason

Survivor viewer gushes dislike for Kyle Jason

Viewer tweets GIF after Kyle Jason finds Survivor Idol

Viewer tweets GIF after Kyle Jason finds Survivor Idol

Those tweets are a small sampling of the Twitter temperature heating up against Jason. Here's the thing: While Jason has not been my favorite castaway this season, he's playing a game. Sure, his "blondie" chatter is disrespectful, but fighting for the idol was his strategic decision. Yes, it did make him look like an aggressive turd, but he also didn't punch anybody. Nor did he shove anybody to the ground or rub his idol in Alecia's face. He made a move to ensure he would get the idol in his hands.

More: Meet the 18 contestants of Survivor: Kaôh Rōng

Super idol twist

For the first time ever, each hidden immunity idol is half of a so-called "super idol." This means that any player can combine two halves together to give themselves extra power. Once a "super idol" is formed, a castaway can then use it to save themselves after the votes have been read at tribal council.

While I despise the idea of contestants having that much power, it does add an interesting twist to the game. If somebody doesn't find two pieces, this means a pair of players will have to trust each other enough to connect their idols. That would leave one castaway sacrificing their idol for the greater good of their alliance. Trust clearly becomes a big issue here.

Survivor viewer tweets about Super Idol

Survivor viewer tweets about Super Idol

A beautiful idol

Jason wasn't the only person to find a hidden idol in this episode. After initially struggling to find a moment where he could grab the idol unnoticed at the Beauty camp, Tai was finally successful in putting the prize in his palm. It was a much different situation than we saw at the Brawn tribe. When Tai had the idol, he took a moment to thank the tree and stick that helped him in the process.

The Twitter love gushed for Tai immediately following the moment.

Viewer tweets love for Tai on Survivor

Viewer tweets love for Tai on Survivor

Survivor viewer tweets about Tai

Survivor viewer tweets about Tai

More: Survivor has its best bromance ever

Tribal council surprise

As the Brains faced their first tribal council, the votes revealed a shocking three-way tie between Elisabeth, Peter and Aubry. Peter and Elisabeth were visibly stunned by the outcome. Then, just moments after saying the person getting voted off "will not be completely shocked," Liz ate her own words as the tribe sent her packing during the unanimous re-vote.

Whoops. Never ever, ever, ever express confidence at tribal council because you know it always spells disaster. Hey, at least she didn't stand on her tribal stool to plead her case like Jennifer's embarrassing moment.

Elisabeth Markham cast photo for Survivor: Kaoh Rong
Image: CBS

More: Survivor's Jennifer Lanzetti blames Jeff Probst's advice for her early elimination

survivor season 21 cast slideshow
Image: CBS

What are your thoughts from this episode? What is your take on Jason? Do you think Liz deserved to be voted off? Join the conversation now by leaving a comment.

Model makes history by being the first 'bearded woman' on the runway

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Harnaam Kaur was the first woman to walk a major runway with a full beard. The British woman — who suffers from polycystic ovarian syndrome — started growing facial hair at age 11, thanks to a hormonal imbalance common with the illness. She kept up with hair removal until deciding to embrace her natural state at age 16.

More: Caitlyn Jenner is getting into the makeup game with new lipstick

She's faced plenty of criticism in the years since.

"I always wanted to be like the pretty models… I grew up being told that I was fat, ugly, and disgusting to even model. I was told I’d never walk the runway," she wrote on Instagram last week.

harnaam kaur 1

harnaam kaur 1

But jokes on them: Last week, she became the first bearded woman to walk in jewelry designer Marianna Harutunian's fashion show. "Walking the runway was incredibly liberating. I finally had my chance to show people my confidence and my ‘stick it to the norms of beauty’ attitude. I knew that people in the audience would either look at me in shock and surprise," Kaur told BuzzFeed.

More: Makeup guru creates the most beautiful Disney-inspired looks with her hijab

And she killed it. Her self-assured strut is one we can all learn from — but she admitted it took practice to get there.

harnaam kaur 3

harnaam kaur 3

"During my lowest points of walking in public, I used to mentally prepare myself to be and look confident. ‘Harnaam, walk every path as if it were your life’s runway,’ and that is exactly what I did," she told BuzzFeed of the criticism she's faced.

It might have been her first show, but it definitely won't be her last.

"It is just amazing that I actually had the opportunity to walk the runway as the first bearded lady," she said. "I will walk many more runways for designers."

More: Artist's adult coloring book celebrates body positivity

British soap star Kelly-Marie Stewart reportedly has terrible Zika virus side effects

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The actress traveled to the Dominican Republic nine years ago to enjoy a sunny vacation. Stewart was 16 weeks pregnant at the time of the trip and got the all clear from her doctors before she boarded the plane. Like many people, she spent her vacation in the tropical location covered in mosquito bites, but it wasn’t until she returned home to London that she really began to worry.

More: The Zika virus may be spread through sex as well as mosquitos

Stewart recalled that she felt aches all over her body, but when she noticed losing feeling in her legs, she rushed to the hospital to find out what was wrong. That’s when she got her diagnosis. A specialist in Scotland finally figured out she had Guillain-Barré syndrome. Stewart told The Mirror, "I was in hospital for 10 months. I dropped down from [126 pounds] to [70 pounds] because I wasn't able to get out of the bed. I was completely paralyzed from the waist down.”

More: First European case of mosquito-borne Zika virus reported

If the possibility of birth defects wasn’t enough, the fear of instant paralysis makes this entire Zika virus truly terrifying.

Stewart is using her star power to warn other women who are pregnant or are thinking of traveling to countries that may put them at risk of contracting Zika to think twice. The trauma of her diagnosis continues to affect her, even nine years later.

More: Everything we know about the Zika virus and preventing it

We can certainly appreciate her sending her warning about this very real concern and wish nothing but the best for her and her family.

The Bachelor's Sean Lowe opens up about the apparent reality TV suicide epidemic

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Lowe wrote, “There are moments when the glittery, perfumed, hairsprayed, romantic facade of The Bachelor is penetrated by hard truths. Three people from the Bachelor family committing suicide should cause us all to pause.” He continued, “I don’t know whether reality TV contestants have a higher rate of suicide than the rest of America. But I do know that ‘there has been a 31% increase in the number of suicides in the U.S.’”

More: Sean Lowe shamed for failing to protect Catherine Giudici during a fight

Clearly, Lowe is taking this entire epidemic and the welfare of his fellow Bachelor stars very seriously. So much so that he asked his audience to remember a couple of things about suicide. He first reminds everyone that suicide is not the answer. His views are rooted in his own spiritual beliefs, but also says, “That doesn’t mean we condemn people who have made that choice.”

More: Catherine Giudici reveals problems in her marriage to Sean Lowe (VIDEO)

He then concluded by saying there is always hope for those who are sad. Some commenters on his blog, however, cautioned him against speaking in broad strokes. Lowe quickly updated his blog to include his disclaimer that mental illness is a very real thing that he is no expert on, and his intentions were only to take some time to shed some light on what is happening in his community and around the country.

More: Celebrity Wife Swap viewers condemn Sean Lowe for his actions on the show

It certainly is great to see someone with a platform speaking out against the stigma of suicide and trying to do something to stop it. Every person’s reasons are different and suicide is complicated. But concern, empathy and open dialogue about the topic are definitely the best place to start.

If you suspect someone might be considering suicide, or you have struggled with those thoughts yourself, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Copycat Shamrock Shake recipe lets you make the seasonal treat at home

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Try this Shamrock Shake recipe from McCormick, which, according to a McDonald's spokeswoman, is strikingly similar to what you'll get at the golden arches.

More: Try a boozy Shamrock Shake for a St. Paddy's Day buzz

Copycat Shamrock Shake recipe

Yields 3

Ingredients:

  • 1 pint (2 cups) vanilla ice cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon McCormick pure peppermint extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon McCormick green food coloring
  • Whipped cream and green sprinkles (optional)

Directions:

  1. To a blender, add the ice cream, milk, peppermint extract and green food coloring. Cover, and blend on high speed until smooth.
  2. Pour into glasses. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles, if desired. Serve immediately.

More St. Patrick's Day recipes

St. Patrick's Day desserts
7 lucky St. Patrick's Day cocktails
Chocolate Guinness cupcakes

Updated by Bethany Ramos on 2/29/16

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