No matter which reality TV show is on, tensions are unbelievably high. It’s only a matter of time before one of the celebs blows up in fantastic fashion. Tonight, on Marriage Boot Camp, that celebrity was Memphitz Wright. He lost such total control of his temper that he even ended up throwing his dinner across the table toward his wife, Toya.
While it’s completely unacceptable for him to get as aggressive as he did, I don’t think the anger Wright displayed was entirely his fault.
Just before the fight broke out, the couples were asked to participate in an exercise that was supposed to shed light on their fighting styles and help them communicate better, but it was maybe the worst strategy I’ve ever seen. The couples were asked to imitate each other in a fight, which they did without holding back. It was disrespectful, uncomfortable and just unnatural.
I could see how the strategy could be helpful if it was done with a therapy session or some kind of follow-up. But the counselors just let the celebrities go about their day with minimal feedback after the exercise.
I don’t know about you, but if I had to sit through a fake fight where my partner mimicked me in my worst moments and then I didn’t get to have a constructive conversation about it, I would be running on high emotions, too.
Again, it doesn’t excuse Wright’s aggression, but I think it explains it.
Right after the fight, Wright was in tears and said he never yells at his wife like that. And I believe him. I think he felt so bad because his behavior was so out of character. Because no matter how unhealthy your relationship is, it’s not a normal situation to be told to create a fight and imitate your partner and then not be given any kind of support for the emotions that the exercise brought up in you.
It will be interesting to see if the counselors adjust their strategy for the rest of the season after seeing the effects of not offering immediate support to each couple after their exercises. Considering the track record of the fights at Marriage Boot Camp, I’m thinking they’re just going to keep doing their thing and hope for more big blowouts.
It's not Kanye West's style to play nice after feuding with Taylor Swift over whether she agreed to let him call her a bitch on his new album The Life of Pablo. On the contrary: The way West has handled that icky situation is by releasing a music video for "Famous" that features a naked Swift sleeping in an enormous bed alongside an equally naked Donald Trump, Caitlyn Jenner, Amber Rose, Bill Cosby, Ray J, Chris Brown, Rihanna, Anna Wintour, George Bush and — the only person I'm guessing who was actually real and nude — his wife, Kim Kardashian.
Sounds like the strangest acid trip anyone has ever taken, doesn't it?
"Famous" is the first single from West's new album — the same single where he raps, "I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex/Why? I made that bitch famous." West debuted the video at The Forum in Inglewood, California, and it will be available exclusively to Tidal subscribers for one week. If you don't have a Tidal subscription, you can preview a clip for 30 seconds, but be forewarned that most of it consists of cloud formations with the occasional glimpse of flesh thrown in for good measure.
Let's clear this up right away: Showing naked people in a bed doesn't mean West has created the ultimate porno that nobody wants to watch. It's deeper than that. West told Vanity Fair, "It's not in support or anti [any of the people in the video]. It's a comment on fame. We were very careful with shots that had [something] sexual to take them out."
He didn't go into detail about what, specifically, he is trying to get across about fame, but judging by the variety of nude characters nuzzling up to one another, I'm guessing it's that we're all vulnerable; we're all the same (apologies in advance to West for simplifying and possibly bastardizing a statement that I'm sure is more significant than that).
What makes this video super interesting — and it's the same quality that incites in people love or hate for West — is that he doesn't shy away from including representations of people he loves (Kardashian and Jenner) and people he has called out in the past (Swift, ex-girlfriend Rose and Bush among them. Remember when he accused Bush of not caring about black people?).
Now, about all of these naked celebrities: We don't yet know which are real and which have been brought to us courtesy of prosthetics and visual effects. Bush's reps have already confirmed that he did not shed his clothes to participate in this video (no kidding). Trump, Swift, Wintour, Rose, Cosby and Ray J? Nope, never, no way, hell no, god no and just no.
As for Rihanna and Brown, who West put beside one another in bed... well, anything is possible. But I wouldn't hold my breath.
Yay! Congrats are in order for Audrina Patridge, who gave birth to a healthy baby girl on Friday.
The Hills star and her fiancé, Corey Bohan, revealed their happy baby news in December, one month after they announced their engagement. Patridge admitted that she was really bad at keeping the news secret and proved her point in a sweet blog post in March, when she revealed that she and Bohan were expecting a girl. At the time, Patridge said she was expecting to give birth in July, but not to worry: her rep confirmed to People magazine that their little early bird is "perfectly healthy and Mom is doing great."
Ready for some baby name news? Patridge and Bohan have named their baby girl Kirra Max Bohan. As the mom of a girl we named Kiera, I'm biased for sure, but I just love the simplicity of her name coupled with a more masculine-sounding middle name. Kirra is the feminine form of the Greek word Kyros, which is said to be derived from the Persian word for the sun. What could be more perfect than giving birth at the start of summer and naming your daughter after the sun?
Another cool thing about the name Kirra is that it also means "leaf" in an Australian Aboriginal dialect and is said to have Aboriginal, Celtic and Gaelic origins. It enjoyed a spike in popularity in 2008 but has since declined — which is great news for Patridge because she won't have to worry about her daughter sharing the same name as 10 other Kirras in her class.
Patridge has said that she and Bohan are planning to get married at the end of the year and that they want to have a small affair — so intimate that she will not be inviting anyone from The Hills.
The couple dated for five years, split in 2014 and got back together before announcing they were starting a little family. We wish them the best of luck as new parents to beautiful little Kirra Max.
She may not be able to control the inaction of politicians on gun control, but comedian Amy Schumer is using her platform to let everyone know she is horrified by recent mass shootings and disappointed in the Senate's refusal to hold a vote after Democrats staged an unsuccessful sit-in to demand reasonable gun control measures this week.
After initially cutting "Welcome to the Gun Show," a controversial gun control sketch she created for Comedy Central's Inside Amy Schumer, the actress decided to bring it back after the mass shooting in Orlando on June 12, in which a gunman killed 49 people and injured 53 others at Pulse nightclub.
This two-minute clip features Jon Benjamin playing attorney Toby Shrak of the law firm Shrak & Murphy. Everything you need to know about Schumer's feelings on the issue are evident in his opening line:
“Hi, I’m Toby Shrak of the law firm of Shrak & Murphy, but don’t call me, because there’s nothing I can do. For over 20 years, my brother and I fought for our clients: victims of car accidents, medical malpractice, workplace harassment, lead poisoning, asbestos harassment. Since my brother caught a stray bullet at a mall shooting, I found out it’s not even worth it to try to sue gun or ammo manufacturers because the law gives them almost complete immunity from liability."
Check out the clip below:
amy schumer guns
amy schumer guns
Schumer has been a vocal gun control advocate since last summer, when a gunman opened fire inside of a Louisiana movie theater that was screening her film Trainwreck. He shot and killed two people before taking his own life.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly at the time, Schumer criticized easy access to firearms: “Unless something is done and done soon, dangerous people will continue to get their hands on guns,” she said. “The critics scoff and say, ‘Well, there’s no way to stop crazy people from doing crazy things,’ but they’re wrong. There is a way to stop them. Preventing dangerous people from getting guns is very possible. We have common-sense solutions.”
Comedy may seem an unusual route to take here, but this clip is witty, smart and pulls no punches — and if it makes you think about gun control for even a minute today, Schumer has done her job.
I am not exactly what you might call fashion-forward. There was a brief, shining moment when flannel and hiking boots came into style and I passed undetected under the noses of the hipster fashion police — until they realized that there was legitimate dirt on my boots, hay on my shirt and a faint odor, not of natural essential oils and perfume, but of the barn. When it comes to dogs, however, I know what I'm talking about.
From the dog park to the street, from cafés to hardware stores, on TV and at the end of celebrity leashes, dogs are always in style. Some dogs, of course, are trendier than others. These are the dog breeds that consistently make their owners look stylish no matter where they go or what they're wearing.
Just kidding, mutts aren't a dog breed. They are, however, the No. 1 most-owned dog in the hippest parts of NYC, which means that if you really want to keep up with celebrities like John Hamm, you should probably adopt a mixed breed dog. Not only will this keep you in style, you will also be helping out a dog in need, which is definitely more important than your ego.
If you like feisty pups, then the schipperke could be the trendy dog breed for you. This little fox is adorable — however, he has earned his nickname as a "little black devil." Schipperkes love their families, but they can be a handful and require an owner who won't let this tiny pup walk all over them.
Designer dog breeds like Labradoodles are increasing in popularity, and if you have the money, it is easy to see why. Most Labradoodles don't shed, which makes these dogs an excellent choice for owners who want the energy and enthusiasm of a Lab without the shedding. A word of caution for potential Labradoodle owners, however, is that not all Labradoodles have the non-shedding coat of a poodle, so research your breeder carefully before making a commitment.
Pugs know how to work a crowd. Whether they are dressed for an evening out or romping at the end of a leash, pugs are natural entertainers. Their huge eyes and absurdly cute faces defy logical explanation, and their compact size makes them perfect for any home.
Who can resist those ears? Like the pug, the slightly smushed face of a French bulldog combined with their playful personalities make these small dogs irresistible to most passersby. Just be sure toname your Frenchie something super trendy to help boost the breed's rising standing on that AKC popularity list.
Beagles are the fifth most popular dog in America, which is probably why pug enthusiasts, stuck at 33, decided to capitalize on their appeal to create one of the hottest designer dog breeds out there: the puggle.
Lapdogs are always in, whether it's in fashion or in a purse. Yorkies are definitely one of the trendiest lapdog (pugs aside), with their silky fur and big personalities. Yorkies sport ribbons, bows and sweaters with style, although it is important to remember that these little dogs are animals, not accessories — not that a Yorkie is likely to let you forget.
Regardless of your feelings toward pit bulls, this breed is certainly trending. The large numbers of pit bulls and pit mixes in shelters (see No. 1 on this list) have led to changing opinions about the breed, and their popularity is rising despite breed restrictions.
What is better than a cocker spaniel? As a proud cocker spaniel owner, I would have to say nothing, but the cockapoo comes pretty close. This designer breed is very popular among apartment dwellers, and their soft, non-shedding coats and rambunctious personalities make them lovable handfuls that won't ruin your expensive, trendy furniture.
If you, unlike me, are already trendy, then you probably have possessions you are proud of, like that new iPhone. The best way to protect your trendy assets while also owning a trendy dog breed is to either sew a secret iPhone pocket into your Yorkie's sweater or adopt a German shepherd. These dogs are the second most popular breed in America, and while they will probably ruin your designer furniture and fancy clothes with their constantly shedding fur, you will be safe and loved no matter where you go. No one will dare try to steal your purse or break into your home with a GSD on duty.
Just because a dog breed is trendy does not mean it is the breed for you, and just because your dog's breed isn't on this list doesn't mean that they aren't actually the coolest dog on the planet. Trends come and go, but a dog's love never goes out of style.
The sexiest thing you'll see on Instagram today isn't, believe it or not, another nude photo of Kim Kardashian or screenshots from Kanye's West's "Famous" video featuring what I sincerely hope is a fake Donald Trump in the buff. Nope, instead we can sit back, relax and watch as artist Stephanie Sarley lovingly finger-fucks fruit (you read that right). What started off as an artistic way for her to express herself and deliver a sensual representation of the vagina and vulva has turned into an act of protest and defiance. And it's working: People are losing their ever-loving minds over what she is doing to luscious lemons and sensual strawberries.
Is this blood orange not trying to seduce me?
blood orange
blood orange
And can she please begin hosting how-to-make-your-girlfriend-orgasm meet-ups in bookstores across America, with melons like these in tow?
melon
melon
So, yeah, these fruits look a lot like vulvas, in case you hadn't noticed.
In addition to teaching us a thing or two about how some women like being ravaged, Sarley told Dazed that her "fruit art videos," most of which consist of 12-second clips like the one above where she is (because there's no other way to put it) fucking a piece of fruit with her fingers, were inspired by a "spontaneous primal urge" brought on by a trip to the grocery store with her boyfriend. The first fruit whose cherry she popped was, sadly for actual cherries, a blood orange. More fruit, of both the citrus and non-citrus varieties, followed. And then Sarley began fielding the craziest Instagram responses from people who just couldn't handle their favorite fruits being handled.
“I have learned more about the power of the imagination and how imagery of fruit and my fingers have brought out comments from people you would never believe," Sarley told Dazed. "That's what makes this so interesting to me is how my videos almost serve as a reflective mirror for people to view what they will and project what they will at this imaginary representation of the vagina. I'm blown away with what it means to people and how much they have to say.”
So, what are people saying, exactly? The majority of comments are of the "OMFG look at this" stock, with a few rude "When you're a thirsty ho but you don't want to post nudes" thrown in for good measure (I guess that second commenter isn't a patron of American modern art).
Whether you consider this art or not, my challenge to you today is to spend a few minutes watching Sarley finger fruit and try not to be intrigued. Or all hot and bothered — no judgment here.
My hospital room has a west-facing view. Peer closely enough and you may be able to fool yourself into thinking you can see the cottage where I live with my husband, our two dogs and, once we are discharged, our son.
Baz was born less than 24 hours ago. An unplanned pregnancy, a shockingly healthy gestation, an early onset of labor and emergency C-section brought Adam and me a porcelain-skinned, chameleon-eyed bundle who already seemed mellower than his fellow newborns. I spent the first night of his life holding him, playing songs off YouTube: Bob Marley, The Beatles, James Blunt. You’re beautiful, I sang into his unblinking gaze. You’re beautiful, it’s true.
Now it’s a quarter after two in the afternoon, the heat outside in full effect. “It’s Indian summer,” I tell my son. My what? He yawns in response.
My cell phone rings: MOM.
Aw, fuck.
I used to give my mother at least an hour of my time each day, listening to her spew out all manner of drama ranging from work difficulties to the looming threat of Muslim immigrants. A victim of this unfair and unjust world, my mother coped by crafting extraordinary and wide-ranging monologues to which everyone was invited. Somehow I became the most frequent attendee at those parties. For some reason I thought I could save her.
That belief led to hours-long conversations whose negativity left me feeling ill. There was always some chaos, some drama. Her house was in foreclosure. Her thumb was broken. Her dog — a rescue I’d saved and brought to her upon her request — was a barker and it was riling up the neighbors.
Then I got pregnant. No longer was I willing to wind up in the fetal position with my phone balanced atop my ear, teeth gritted, stomach sour. There was a life developing inside of me, a being directly affected by everything I experienced.
So I cut her the way I cut every other toxic addiction: alcohol, cigarettes, pot. Pregnancy accomplished what neither my therapist nor my husband could: I minimized my contact with my mother. I ignored her multiple calls and left her lengthy emails unread. At 41 years old, I was finally cutting the painful and frayed tie that connected us.
Then this, today, right now: my phone playing the Marimba, its default sound. I watch it spin for a minute, determined. I will not let her intrude into this scene. Adam protected me from her call when I was still in recovery. How the hell she managed to get patched into there was beyond me, but it doesn’t matter. I’m not going to —
“Hey,” I say, instinct having apparently taken over my body, muscle memory of the most heinous kind. For a moment I feel my heart notch up in that old rhythm; my fingers begin to curl inward, nails itching to dig into palms.
Then I look down: new life, fresh optimism. He has emerged and it is my responsibility to show him happiness, a heartfelt and hopeful way to live.
It is a quick calculus.
“Actually,” I say, “I’ve got to go.”
Blink and we find ourselves nine months later. Enough time to have incubated a new life, and in a way I have done just that. I no longer allow my mother to make me sick because I need to stay strong for the work ahead.
I’m not simply raising my son. I’m giving myself the upbringing I’ve sorely needed.
That means turning away from my mother’s dark toward Baz’s light.
The King in the North and the Mother of Dragons sound like a match made in Game of Thrones heaven, and I'm pretty convinced it's gonna happen.
WARNING: Explosive (see what I did there?) spoilers from the Game of Thrones, Season 6 finale, below. Do not continue reading unless you want all the fiery (I couldn't help myself) details below.
In the series finale tonight, we saw Jon (Kit Harington) legitimized as a Stark. If you'll remember, Rob legitimized him, but no one knew about it, so it didn't count until tonight. when the lords of the North officially recognized him as their ruler. Score another one for the Starks!
Across the pond, Daenerys (Emilia Clark) broke up with Daario because she didn't want to have a "mistress" going into Westeros. Politics are messy, as we've learned, and no one knows that better than Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) who gave her the solid advice. (Side note: Don't even try to tell me you didn't tear up just a little when Daenerys made Tyrion her Hand.)
Now we've got a single Jon and a single Daenerys, both on their way to crossing paths.
I know now that R + L = J has been confirmed — that makes Dany, Jon's aunt — but the entire series of Game of Thrones thus far has been setting us up to not be afraid of a little incest. With Cersei and Jaime and nearly all of the Martell's we've met, the show is clearly trying to make a statement about incest. And I think it could be setting us up for the fact that Jon and Dany are going to form an alliance of marriage to unite the kingdoms. Weird since they're related and all, but definitely not out of the question. In my opinion, it's going to happen and then they're going to ride off on their dragons to happily ever after in peace and paradise.
OK... maybe it won't be that ideal, but it's gonna be good.
Also, I'm interested to see if Bran will make his way to Winterfell now that he knows the truth about Jon. And once he gets to Winterfell, will he reveal Jon's true parentage to Jon? And then, if Jon knows that he's technically a Targaryen and not a Stark, will he take the Targaryen name? Or if and when he and Daenerys get married will they both become Starks?
We're only in the third week of Reedus' new AMC motorcycle travel series, so it's still cool to gush about it, right? I swoon over everything this show has to offer: the commentary, the cinematography, the sense of adventure. And, tonight, my ever-expanding enamor with the show includes Jason Paul Michaels.
If you've been tuning in (which, c'mon, you should be), you know that each week The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus grabs a bike, a fellow gearhead — or three — and hits the road to explore iconic biker routes and local businesses along the way.
Last week, it was Death Valley with Balthazar Getty and the badass chicks from Babes Ride Out. This week, though, Reedus picked up Michaels in Atlanta, and the two took on the Great Smoky Mountains' beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, the "Dragon" and Fontana Dam.
They cruised through Asheville as well, where they spent a rowdy night partying with the good people at A Broken Spoke motorcycle shop.
Throughout the episode, I couldn't help but wonder about Michaels. At the risk of sounding superficial, this guy is pretty darn good-looking. But above and beyond that, he was incredibly charming, funny and well-informed about biker culture.
So what's the 4-1-1 on Reedus' Smoky Mountains biker buddy? Here are a few interesting tidbits I unearthed in my sleuthing.
1. He's been a gearhead since the age of seven
Jason Paul Michaels 7
Jason Paul Michaels 7
On this week's episode, Michaels alludes to the fact that he started pulling the filter off his lawn-mower-powered mini-bike at the age of seven to find a way to increase air intake. What we didn't hear is that he wound up doing precisely that by cutting up and using some pantyhose he, ahem, borrowed from a local department store. He soon moved onto popping wheelies on a Kawasaki KX80 to impress girls riding the bus he passed by on his way to school.
2. He's head over heels for his wife — who's also a biker
Jason Paul Michaels 3
Jason Paul Michaels 3
A quote on Michaels' site bio reads, "My teeth chatter, my bones ache, my soul shakes and my heart only stops for two things: my lovely and amazing wife and the other love of my life, motorcycles." Fortunately, his wife doesn't mind sharing his affection with a few motorcycles since she happens to be a biker babe herself. Named Leticia Cline (known as Letti), she describes herself as a "writer and rider" who "grew up with my dad building bikes in the living room of our house."
3. He's viral
Jason Paul Michaels 6
Jason Paul Michaels 6
Well, to clarify, he has gone viral... along with Letti. Last year, David Tinsley, founder of TinMen Productions, pitched an idea to Michaels — why not shoot a video showing what it's like when he and Letti get ready, specifically that Michaels takes a comically longer time to primp than his wife? Soon after the vid was posted, it garnered in excess of 35 million views, 200k likes and 40k comments. Understandably, too, 'cause it's on point.
4. He moonlights as a model
Jason Paul Michaels 4
Jason Paul Michaels 4
As a brand ambassador and modern icon of biker culture, Michaels maintains a steady stream of gigs repping well-known biker brands. His campaigns include Roland Sands Design, Triumph Motorcycles, Harley-Davidson, Ural Motorcyles and more. In the biker world, he's kind of a big deal.
5. He may work with chrome daily, but this guy's heart is gold
Jason Paul Michaels 1
Jason Paul Michaels 1
In partnership with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Ride for Kids, Michaels' company Standard Motorcycle Co. will be taking a brand new CB1100 motorcycle and rebuilding it to pay homage to Dick Mann's iconic Honda that helped him secure a victory at the Daytona 200 in 1970. Then, they're going to give it away. Why? To raise awareness about pediatric brain cancer, which Michaels is sharing information about on his blog and social media throughout the giveaway process.
6. He has a wolf dog
Jason Paul Michaels 2
Jason Paul Michaels 2
Yes, as in a dog-slash-wolf hybrid. To be precise, "he's a timber Alaskan malamute," Michaels told a fan on Instagram. He (the dog, not Michaels) is apparently the shop wolf, so keep that in mind should you ever make your way to see Michaels in action. Sidebar: Damn, could these people be any cooler?
7. He offers a moto-centric AirBnB
Jason Paul Michaels 5
Jason Paul Michaels 5
I know what you might be thinking: What exactly is a motocentric Airbnb? Well, according to Michaels, it's "a place to host all our friends, family and wayward moto travelers that make their way down south. It'll be complete with an outdoor shower, access to a full-service moto shop, the latest moto mags, and a set of keys to a bike from our fleet." So, if you're looking for a pretty fucking rad place to bed down for a night or two in the near future, look no further, my friends.
Despite my excessive use of the eye-roll emoji, I don’t think I’ve actually rolled my eyes since I was 17 years old. Well, that was until tonight when I watched Big Brother. Even though the show can tend to be dramatic or maybe a little cheesy, it’s always interesting and addictive enough to be a great reality TV show. But tonight, they crossed the line into just being cheap.
The first challenge that the contestants in the house competed in was who could undress down to their bathing suit the fastest. Then, the team who had received Mystery Land in last week’s episode were challenged to wear nothing but pixels for an entire week. So, for no other reason than views, I’m assuming, this team of four has to be naked.
I don’t consider myself a prude and I think if you want to be naked, then you should definitely be naked (at least while you’re in the comfort of your own home), but there was no point to this nakedness. It was television’s version of clickbait, basically.
And there’s something about women being forced to not wear clothes that just doesn’t sit well with me. I would include the men in this statement, but these men walk around shirtless all the time, the cardboard pixelated cut-outs glued to a pair of underwear wasn’t that big of a jump for them. But for the women, it just felt a little bit... disgusting.
I know for the most part Big Brother was just trying to cause a little controversy, and probably force some romances in the house, but they just didn’t need to do it this way. The show is better than that. At least, I thought it was. Hopefully they’ll learn from this mistake and allow the contestants to put their clothes back on.
The Real Housewives of Orange County ladies aren't shy about spilling the details on Season 11. We got the scoop from them about the new season and how everything will unfold. In case you hadn't guessed, it absolutely won't be drama free. In fact, it will probably be even crazier than last season, and that's saying something.
Image: Bravo
1. Kelly Dodd is the new bad girl
"I like being the bad girl," Dodd told us. "I can take it the punches."
2. Dodd thinks by the end of the season, her reputation will be restored
"I come out probably looking really bad, but at the end I come out looking like a rose," Dodd explained.
"That brought me down," Dodd admitted. She is apologetic and maintains that there is "no way in hell I'm a racist." She added, "It was misconstrued."
4. Dodd wants more RHOC
"I would do another season," Dodd confirmed. "It was worth it. It was fun."
Image: Bravo
5. Vicki Gunvalson is ready for acceptance
"When I entered into the season, I went in with just pure sadness, and I just wanted the girls to accept me, love me and know what I was going through," Gunvalson explained.
6. Gunvalson is apologetic
She said she went into this season saying she was sorry, but also maintaining, "I know the truth."
7. When Gunvalson falls, she falls hard and true
"I am fortunate that I loved and that I loved so hard that I would defend him against my friends. I don't know many women that are in a committed relationship that wouldn't have done the same thing."
8. Gunvalson is still in touch with Brooks Ayers...
"We talk every now and then," Gunvalson admitted. "We're in the same industry so we've got the same common friends."
9. ... But she and Ayers aren't rekindling their romance
"It's over. It's done," Gunvalson told us.
10. Gunvalson has moved on with a new man
"I'm dating again. I have a great guy that's with me tonight." (His name is Steve Lodge, in case you missed the news.)
11. Gunvalson's new man, Lodge, has never watched the show
"Thank God,' Gunvalson joked.
12. Ayers has also moved on
"He's happy," Gunvalson explained. "He's in a new relationship."
13. Ayers has yet to apologize to Gunvalson personally
"No," Gunvalson said when asked if Ayers ever apologized. "He made a statement to People. That was my closure. That's all I asked of him, 'Make me out of your chaos.' And he finally did."
14. Gunvalson's daughter has a near-death experience
"There was a big scare," Gunvalson confirmed, but she said that now her daughter is doing great. "She's healthy."
Image: NBC
15. Heather Dubrow teased changing relationships
"There's a lot of relationship shifts," Dubrow spilled.
16. Dubrow is not a Dodd fan
"There's a lot of vulgarity," Dubrow said of Season 11, later alluding that Kelly Dodd was the cause.
She added, "She definitely brings drama wherever she goes."
17. It's not a fresh start, necessarily
"I think that it's going to be interesting for the audience to see who moves on quickly, who moves on slowly and who doesn't move on at all," Dubrow said of Gunvalson's drama from the end of last season.
18. Dubrow and her husband, Terry, have a book coming soon
"We wrote this book together and it's already the No. 1 new release in our category, pre-release, on Amazon." The book comes out September 6, 2016, and fans will get to follow Dubrow's journey to publication in Season 11.
19. Dubrow doesn't fault producers for the way she's portrayed on the show
Dubrow told us that for every 30 hours they film, only 20 minutes goes into an episode. "I don't fault anyone for how you're portrayed because it's everything you do and say. But, yeah, you could film someone for a year and cut together two very different movies. You could show everything great they did and put together a hero film. You could cut together every hideous thing and make a terrible film about you. I think they do the best they can to make it as balanced as possible."
Image: Bravo
20. Shannon Beador thinks Season 11 is her most dramatic yet
"Last season the cast members and I said, 'It couldn't be more dramatic,' but this season is more dramatic than last year," Beador promised.
She said that last year the big thing was Ayer's fake cancer claims, but this season there are multiple scandals happening.
21. Beador still hasn't forgiven Gunvalson
"I made some convictions at the reunion last year, and I've stuck with them," Beador said when asked about Gunvalson. "So I'm not really spending a lot of time with Vicki Gunvalson."
22. There doesn't seem to be hope for a Beador/Gunvalson reunion
"We are right where we were last season," Beador continued. "I'm done. I'm done."
23. Shannon is also not a Dodd fan
When I asked how Dodd would fit in during Season 11, Beador responded with a simple, "Not really well."
24. Lines will be drawn
"There will definitely be sides this season," Beador confirmed. "And if you don't pick my side, you're not thinking straight."
Image: Bravo
25. Meghan Edmonds' pregnancy journey will be documented
Though Edmonds kept mum about her bump at the RHOC premiere party, she just confirmed a few days ago that she is, in fact, expecting thanks to IVF.
26. Edmonds' IVF journey will be documented
"I kind of felt really involved with myself this season because of my IVF journey, but there was a lot happening with everyone," Edmonds shared.
27. The friendship dynamics are crazy
"It's all there," Edmonds said of Season 11. "The terrible, the good — it's a wild season. My jaw has dropped just watching it."
28. Gunvalson is only friends with Dodd because, well, she needs a friend
"Kelly opens her mouth and she gets herself in trouble. She has a lot of hard times spinning it with everyone except for Vicki because Vicki is so desperate to have a friend that she'll have anybody. That works well for the two of them."
29. Edmonds is also in a good place with Kelly
"I love Kelly for who she is because I can laugh about her," Edmonds explained, "and not take her seriously because she can be a tough one."
Abraham's latest supposed parenting gaffe took place on Instagram, when she posted a few modeling shots over the weekend of Sophia in full makeup and a bikini.
We're not talking casual snapshots here — these are definitely professional modeling pics that are meant for a professional portfolio, and judging by Abraham's hashtags — "#supermodel" and "#momager" — it sounds like she's looking to the field to build Sophia a career, even if she may be a little on the young side. Hey, the argument can be made that it's never too young to start following a passion, and for all we know, little Sophia may dream of being a supermodel some day.
But don't try telling that to Abraham's followers. They were quick to criticize the reality star, some even going so far to say that the glam shots of Sophia were comparable to child porn.
"This is deeply disturbing. She is so young yet looks as though she is in her twenties," one follower wrote. "I can’t believe that she has Sophia modeling. Children’s modeling includes clothing brands stores or toys. Not photos on the beach up against trees and a pose in the water. This is sick and I truly do feel horribly bad for Sophia that she will be raised this way."
"This is so horrible, how many perverts out there must be happy," another added.
It's far from the first time Abraham has faced criticism for how she's raising Sophia, and it sure won't be the last. But at the end of the day, what Abraham is doing isn't abusive or neglectful, and so even if not everyone will agree with it, she's not in the wrong.
The hottest new Hollywood couple is taking things as fast as humanly possible — Swift already met Hiddleston's mom! He introduced Swift to his mom, Diana, while the two were on a trip to her hometown of Suffolk, England, and in paparazzi photos, all three are all smiles while Swift and Hiddleston walk hand-in-hand near Diana along a rocky coast — much like the one where Swift and Hiddleston were photographed making out in the photos that famously announced their relationship to the world. Is there a theme here?
And in case this news makes you wonder if this is just a situation where he's really into her, but she's not feeling it, there's more: Hiddleston met Swift's parents, too — she introduced them at her apartment in Nashville, Tennessee.
Swift and Hiddleston were spotted all over Nashville last week, including dancing close together at Selena Gomez's concert. They were also seen on a few dinner dates — they had a just-the-two-of-them night out at Ruth's Chris Steak House, and then met up with singer-songwriter Holly Williams and her husband Chris Coleman for a double date at Nashville farm-to-fork hotspot Adele's.
The whirlwind that is Swift's romance with Hiddleston has sparked a lot of weird rumors and theories, mostly because it's gotten so serious so soon after Swift's breakup with her boyfriend of 15 months, Calvin Harris — they only split earlier this month. But if you ask us, Swift looks about as happy as she's ever been, so we should probably let this one play out before jumping to any conclusions.
Kelly Osbourne was just calling country singer Dustin Lynch her boyfriend back at the beginning of May, but it looks like she now has a new man. She's reportedly been dating fellow Brit Kes Glozier for the last couple months.
"They want to do things the right way and are taking it slow, getting to know each other. They are going on dates and talking a lot," a source told Us Weekly. "They really like each other a lot and are enjoying spending time together. Kes was really there for Kelly through some dark times, and he's been so supportive and encouraging."
Another source told Us Weekly, "Kes has been Kelly’s rock during all of this drama with her father."
kelly osbourne instagram with new boyfriend kes glozier
kelly osbourne instagram with new boyfriend kes glozier
Following Sunday's BET Awards, Timberlake tweeted his support for actor Jesse Williams, who gave a moving speech about racism during his acceptance of this year's humanitarian award.
"This invention called whiteness uses and abuses us," Williams said during his speech. "Burying black people out of sight and out of mind while extracting our culture, our dollars, our entertainment like oil — black gold, ghettoizing and demeaning our creations then stealing them, gentrifying our genius and then trying us on like costumes before discarding our bodies like rinds of strange fruit."
Timberlake commended Williams in a short tweet, saying simply, "@iJesseWilliams tho...#Inspired #BET2016."
Almost immediately, angry Twitter users started firing back at Timberlake for his response, saying Williams' speech was actually targeting artists like Timberlake, who they say benefits from black culture without actually supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
"Did you like the part when Jesse talked about white people stealing from us? That should resonate with you," one particularly heated tweet read.
Timberlake responded, saying, "Oh, you sweet soul. The more you realize that we are the same, the more we can have a conversation."
Later, he headed back to Twitter to defend his words in a series of tweets.
Justin Timberlake BET Awards tweet 1
Justin Timberlake BET Awards tweet 1
"I feel misunderstood. I responded to a specific tweet that wasn't meant to be a general response. I shouldn't have responded anyway," he wrote. "I forget this forum sometimes... I was truly inspired by @iJesseWilliams speech because I really do feel that we are all one... A human race. I apologize to anyone that felt I was out of turn. I have nothing but LOVE FOR YOU AND ALL OF US."
It's almost July. Do you know where your Mexican street corn is?
Depending on where you live, we're about to hit fresh corn season. And you know what goes great with those sweet kernels? Mayo, salty cotija, tart lime and a hint of smoky chili. You're craving it already, aren't you? My friends, I give you the taste of summer: elote.
UPDATE: In a 5-3 ruling that represents its first on abortion in close to a decade, the US Supreme Court has struck down a Texas law that would have shuttered some three quarters of state facilities that provide abortion services. Here a Texas mom watching the case before the announcement came out of Washington reflects on why this case was so scary for parents ... especially those with daughters.
Politically, 2016 is shaping up to be everything your angry functioning drunk uncle looks for in an election cycle. There's the absurdity, the ragey think pieces and the sheer Trumpiness of it all to keep even the most politically disinclined tuned in to what's going on. But while the rest of the country shares dank Chris Christie memes and feels the Bern, Texas-based women like me have been watching another ring in the political circus. A sans-Scalia SCOTUS will be deciding on what some people are calling "the most important abortion case in decades." And it's far from entertaining. It's f***ing terrifying.
I never dreamed I would one day live in Texas. Like most people not raised in the Lone Star State, Texas was little more to me than the place with the Alamo, cowboy hats, dowdy propane and propane accessories salesmen and David Koresh. My mother spent some time in Houston when she was in the military, and my brother was born in that city, but she often described the entire state as hellacious and best avoided at all costs.
Still, when I learned we'd be moving here for my husband's job, I tried to be open-minded. I've lived in five states and boatloads of cities, so I framed it as just one more nomadic adventure. Maybe we would stay forever, maybe we wouldn't. It wasn't an easy transition at first. We moved to Austin in 2009, and that summer was so confoundingly hot that it shattered a 155-year record. The traffic sucked. The job market sucked.
As a new stay-at-home mom, I spent tons of time Googling "I hate texas why does it suck so bad all the time forever but especially austin please kill me" while my toddler took sweaty naps.
We talked about the subject of moving back out as soon as possible to death, and sometimes, though we're much more at home here, we still do. If we left right now, our seven years in Texas would be a mere blip on the timeline of my husband's and my life spans.
Our daughter is a different story. She has no memory of living anywhere but here and is on her way to flying her Texas-pride flag high. She even lets a "ma'am" or an "I'm fixin' to..." slip every once in a while, something I jokingly pretend to be bothered by but is actually terribly cute.
It's by following her example that I stopped being so negative about my new home. Once it cooled down and I became a much more bearable person to be around both in attitude and odor, I met people. Texas people. Friendly, lovely, welcoming people who are still my good friends. I learned to appreciate the Hill Country's beauty, the utter perfection of a well-made breakfast taco and the singular, blissful experience of H-E-B shopping.
We bought a home. Our daughter enrolled in school. We moved to Dallas. We bought a different house. We found an even nicer school for our now 9-year-old. Texas — for better or worse — is our home. It took in our family of unwilling transplants with a reasonable amount of graciousness, and on the whole, Texas has been very, very good to the Edwardses.
The youngest Edwards loves Texas.
It's heartbreaking to know that Texas does not love her back.
Today a nasty little piece of Texas legislation goes before the remaining eight justices of the Supreme Court. HB 2 was signed into law back when my child was just learning how to navigate the lunch line in kindergarten and memorizing the Texas Pledge. It is so riddled with flaming hoops for abortion providers to jump through that it's caused half of Texas' clinics to close down, leaving women in a state that's larger than the entire country of France just 10 clinics for abortion services. A SCOTUS ruling upholding it would cut that already dismal number in half. Even if the SCOTUS is split on the decision, the law stands.
That's bad news for me and for my daughter and millions of other women who will have extremely limited access to safe abortions, as is our constitutionally protected right. Even before this goes to decision, the effects of the already stringent law have been devastating. If the state hopes to reduce the abortion rate in its grossly paternalistic and laughably transparent quest to "improve women's health care," it's in for a nasty surprise.
DIY abortions and black market abortifacients like shoddily made to outright counterfeit misoprostole are already on the rise. The number of women who get abortions will likely stay about the same, while the number of women who maim or kill themselves in the process will skyrocket.
Every day, my daughter inches closer to "adult" and further from "child." She is maturing in body and mind whether or not my husband and I are ready for it.
Will she ever need an abortion? I hope not. Texas' insane race to the bottom notwithstanding, no one actively hopes that someone they love will ever find themselves needing to end a pregnancy. On the contrary, she will ideally — and in spite of the shoddy, abstinence-based information her school district peddles as a matter of course — practice smart, safe sex if and when she is ready to and one day approach motherhood in joy and not panic.
But if by some chance she does need one, I would want her to be able to obtain one safely and legally, as is her prerogative. It would be monstrous to force her to have a child before she is ready and monstrous to subject her to whatever DIY methods are left when all of Texas' remaining clinics have finally been bludgeoned to death by bureaucracy. My skin crawls to think that before she even hits puberty, men like Dan Flynn and Greg Abbott have more authority over her body than she does.
But putting abortion aside for a moment, if something so basic as controlling what goes in and comes out of one's body is considered to be outside of the grasp of half of Texas' population, how else will that color her experience of womanhood here? She lives in a state that imagines her to be so idiotic and potentially incapable of making her own medical decisions that they think nothing of doing it for her. If we stay in the place my child loves as much as any die-hard native, if she goes to UT Austin (as she already breathlessly tells everyone she plans to), if she marries and has chubby little babies that she photographs in patches of bluebonnets and takes to Hamilton Pool on hot summer days, then in what other ways will she be expected to cede control of her person — her life — to a bunch of strangers in the Capitol building?
I don't know. And I don't think I'm willing to find out.
Over the weekend, there was a tragedy involving a gun. Two tragedies, actually, further compounded by the fact that it seems we were just writing something to that effect just a few weekends ago. It's a phrase we're getting tired of and used to writing on Monday mornings.
This time, there were five victims total: Christie Sheats and her two daughters, and the 4-year-old son of Itiyanah Spruill, who was shot and killed by his brother, 5, who is himself a victim of this tragedy. Here's what everyone is talking about in the cases of both Sheats and Spruill — how both mothers were outspoken gun advocates. There is talk about their Facebook posts, their tattoos.
Here's what no one seems to be talking about — their children.
Sheats' case is getting the most publicity, as a blond Texas mom who raised two blond Texas daughters — Madison, 17, and Taylor, 22 — and then shot them at a family dinner when an argument turned into a shoot-out on the street outside of their suburban Houston home.
Spruill, a New Jersey woman, did not have custody of her sons, 4- and 5-year-old-boys, when the older shot the younger with his mother's handgun.
Sheats was fatally shot by a police officer on the scene, and Spruill has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child. A lot of internet ink has been devoted to talking about Sheats' pro-gun Facebook posts and memes. More has been devoted to Spruill's "Never Stand Down!" neck tattoo.
Very little has been spent on Madison, Taylor and the two little boys in this weekend's incidents.
Neither woman deserves to be the subject of less scrutiny, it's true, but there's something that's more than a little stomach churning to the way that people latch on to these details. The knee-jerk "responsible gun owner" diatribes that online gun rights advocates always want to trot out. The gleeful sort of hand-rubbing and whispers of "karma" from people who would like to see more gun control.
That karma you're loving so much? That's three innocent young lives gone and one forever altered. That's two young women and two boys barely out of training pants. That's every single person who has ever loved them. That's the cost.
There is a time and a place to talk about the toxic love affair people have with guns in this country. About how a constitutional right has morphed into an out-and-out fetish. About how easy it is to get guns and keep guns and shoot guns into children's bodies.
But right after a tragedy like this one happens? When a bereft father was so traumatized by witnessing the murder of his daughters that he had to be hospitalized, and a little boy will live with the burden of knowing he took his brother's life by accident? That's the time to honor the victims of this violence. To remember three lives that were taken way too soon and the wreckage that violence has left in its wake.
We don't know much about Taylor and Madison Sheats. We don't know much about Spruill's two boys. Three of them are minors, and all of them deserve privacy and dignity. But we don't need to know their life stories to mourn them. We don't need to know which aspirations they had that they'll never realize to understand just how utterly fucked up that fact is alone. We just need to acknowledge it. We need to take the spotlight off of two women who acted in malice or apathy and ended their children's lives directly or by proxy, give their children more than a passing thought and confront the hideousness of the weekend's events.
In the end, it doesn't matter that their mothers were gun advocates. We wish it did. We wish it was relevant enough to make a difference. But people aren't dissecting Sheats' Facebook posts or Spruill's tattoo in order to make a change. They're doing it because it's entertainment. It's an "I told you so" and a little sleight of hand. It's a made-for-TV movie in which the children who lost their lives are little more than a plot point, and the media game of "how could this happen?" fallout is the petty, self-soothing denouement.
Next Monday, or the one after that, we'll be writing up the next one.
Focusing on Sheats and Spruill right now only serves to pay a kind of homage to two selfish women. We should be building monuments to their children instead.
Calling all Game of Throne fans! If you thought having your own direwolf like Ghost or Nymeria was little more than a pipe dream, it's time you got to know the Czechoslovakian vlcak — aka the Czechoslovakian wolfdog. But is this breed really right for you, outside of your GoT obsession? Let's take a look.
As dog histories go, this breed's is pretty fascinating. It all started back in 1955, when biologists in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, or CSSR, decided to see what would happen if they mated a German shepherd with a Carpathian wolf.
Czech Wolfdog 1
Czech Wolfdog 1
The resulting litter proved domestic dogs could be crossed with wolves, and so a formal plan was established in 1965 to combine the best qualities of the dog and wolf into one breed. Nearly two decades later, in 1982, the Czechoslovakian wolfdog was officially recognized as a national breed.
The appearance of the Czech wolfdog
To state the obvious, this dog looks a whole lot like a wolf. To be more specific, though, the Czech wolfdog is very similar in appearance to a wolf by way of its body shape, movement, coat texture and coloring. According to the breed standard, males should weigh at least 56 pounds and measure at least 25 1/2 inches at the withers, while females should weigh at least 44 pounds and measure at least 23 1/2 inches at the withers. Like German shepherds, the breed's body is longer than tall.
The Czech wolfdog presents in three coat colors: gray, silver-gray or yellow-gray. Its coat is straight and close, although it varies greatly between the summer and the winter — in the latter, the dog develops an immense undercoat with the topcoat, making for a thick ol' coat all over.
The temperament of the Czech wolfdog
Don't let the whole "wolf" part of wolfdog intimidate you. These dogs are actually quite docile. According to a poll by the American Kennel Club (AKC), 88 percent of owners agree the breed is good with children, 86 percent agree it's good with other pets and 86 percent agree it is easily trainable. In fact, being overly aggressive or overly shy is considered a disqualifying fault by the breed standards.
Czech Wolfdog 2
Czech Wolfdog 2
In general, the Czech wolfdog boasts a reputation for being fearless and courageous. A member of the working dog designation, it is lively, active and tough. It can also be reserved and suspicious around strangers, but is incredibly loyal to its master(s). These dogs possess great endurance, and it probably goes without saying they are highly intelligent.
Taking care of a Czech wolfdog
Grooming is an important part of tending to a Czech wolfdog. Their coat requires weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush or hound glove, and occasional baths are always a solid bet. Their nails are strong and grow pretty darn fast, so you'll want to trim them regularly with nail clippers or a grinder. While you're at it, don't forget to monitor their ears for buildup and brush their teeth regularly.
Based on the breed's medium to high energy level, exercise can consist of something as simple as playing with the family in the backyard or going for a walk around the block. Even indoor games — who wouldn't want to pay hide-and-seek with a direwolf, er, wolfdog? — can do the trick. However, they do benefit from a high-quality dog food to suit their caloric needs and unique digestive systems.
Health considerations of a Czech wolfdog
Although this is a rather hardy and healthy breed in general, they are genetically predisposed to certain conditions not uncommon among larger breeds — think hip and/or elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, seizure disorders and lens luxation. Still, their lifespan typically runs 12 to 15 years.
Is a Czech wolfdog right for you?
Czech Wolfdog 3
Czech Wolfdog 3
While it would be undeniably cool to have a dog that straight-up makes you feel like Arya Stark, these dogs aren't for everyone, no matter how much you love Game of Thrones. Without proper training, the breed can be prone to destructive behavior. And, like many big dogs, they simply may not realize their own strength. They can also exhibit a high prey drive toward smaller animals. As such, they aren't recommended for first-time dog owners. However, if you have large-breed experience and want a dog that is fiercely loyal to you (it is just like a direwolf!), then the Czech wolfdog might just be the dog for you.
I stopped wearing short shorts somewhere around my 30th birthday. I am not exactly sure why. I have always been a runner with tight leg muscles and even though I am average in height, I've always liked my strong and capable legs. Even so, somewhere along the line, I bought into the idea that women "over a certain age" (read: 30) shouldn't be wearing some articles of clothing. It's nonsense. But I bought it. And of course, something else happened just before I turned 30. I became a mom.
So much about motherhood changes us. Suddenly our own needs become a distant second to the needs of this tiny person who depends on us for everything. We love them so wholly that it is very easy to become swept up and consumed by it. Sometimes we forget we are women first. I've been at this game about a decade now and added two more babies to the mix. With a 9.5-year-old, an 8-year-old, and a 2-year-old, shopping and looking hot are not high on my priority list. So when True Religion offered to let me borrow a pair of shorts, I was OK with it. And then it turned out they were short shorts. To my late 30's mind, they were, dare I say it, booty shorts.
Immediately I decided they could never be worn. I am a 38-year-old mother of three children. I tend to wear long shorts and look a little burqua-like. I don't have the dreaded "mom hair," but I am hardly a fashion maven. But then a funny thing happened. I posted it to my Facebook feed as a joke, expecting everyone to weigh in on how terrible they looked. But they didn't. Most people told me they were great and I should keep them. See below:
Image: Sasha Brown-Worsham
I didn't post the photo to get compliments. The truth is, I am not a mom who hates my body. I am proud of it for carrying three children. I run six miles every day and am a yoga teacher. I don't think I am fat or bemoan any body parts. But even so, I don't dress like this. I don't wear a bikini any more. I don't wear short skirts. I don't wear tube tops or crop tops or bustiers or any of the things I wore when I was in my 20's. And I realized it's not because my body has changed all that much. I weigh about the same. I wear the same size clothing as I did at 28 when I first got pregnant. It's because I don't think "moms" should dress that way.
What the what?!
All this time I have hated on people who shame moms for wearing bikinis and fought for moms who want to do whatever, say whatever, and be whatever. But I was holding myself back. It's not that I want to wear skin revealing clothing. I am largely past that phase anyway in my life. But these shorts are comfortable and functional. They keep me cool and fit well. And yet, I was going to refuse to wear them because of some arbitrary "rules" I made up in my own mind? I don't dress for other people. I dress for myself. And myself was being a judgemental harpy.
So I wore them. Once. Then twice. I felt a little uncomfortable and kept tugging them down. But they really were cooler than my two longer pairs of jean shorts and quite frankly, they look better, too. I have some curves, but am not tall so shorter shorts are more flattering. There is no reason for me not to wear them.
I am going to keep on rocking this style and get my very own pair. If I feel good in them, who cares. Social media helped me recognize where I was holding myself back. And so I am grateful. Viva la booty shorts!
