Hold onto your, uh, dragons! Two until-now unseen Game of Thrones photos just made their way to the interwebz, and they'll make you wish you could time-hop to the Season 7 premiere on July 16.
At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, it seems like we've been waiting a million years for GoT's return, no? So it's no big wonder fans are officially freaking out over these previously unreleased pics, few though they may be.
The first features Sansa Stark throwing side-eye at Littlefinger —as Insider's resident GoT analyst, Kim Renfro, aptly summed it up.
GoT Sneak Peek 1
GoT Sneak Peek 1
As you may remember from last season, Littlefinger revealed to Sansa his ultimate ambition to rule the North with Sansa at his side. He even made a pass at her, which she denied. With her half-brother, Jon Snow, now proclaimed King of the North, Sansa has more reason than ever to distrust Littlefinger.
So, why is she with Littlefinger now? And is this really side-eye, or is it something else?
The second image is that of Daenerys once again staring at her Dragonstone throne. Given that we last saw Daenerys decked out in Targaryen black and determined to finally reclaim her rightful home, this little glimpse could be especially prophetic of Season 7.
GoT Sneak Peek 2
GoT Sneak Peek 2
After all, trailers for the upcoming season focus heavily on the battles between the Lannisters and Daenerys. There is even buzz that this season Daenerys and Jon Snow will finally cross paths and, more pointedly, possibly even align themselves with each other strategically.
With the days leading up to the premier dwindling, it's impossible not to get excited about what's to come. You know, like winter. And war. Basically, just a ton of badassery, which fans have come to expect from the highly anticipated epic fantasy.
If you were a die-hard fan of American Idol before it went off the air last year, what I'm about to tell you should be music to your ears (see what I did there?): Fox — aka the very network responsible for American Idol — has a new reality singing competition in the works.
According to Variety, Israeli producer and distributor Armoza Format has been tapped to help develop the show. Although the series apparently hasn't been officially ordered yet, production has amped up enough to assume it's a sure thing.
And why not? Prior to having its plug pulled, American Idol was the No. 1 broadcast show on television for eight years, boasting more than 30 million viewers per episode at the height of its popularity. With that kind of massive appeal and longevity to their credit, Fox knows the recipe for success in regards to this genre of reality TV.
I know what you may be thinking, though... another singing show?
Not only will Fox's new series have to compete with NBC's long-running hit, The Voice (who, ICYMI, has tapped Idol-alums Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson as coaches), but it will also join the ranks of other reality singing-slash-talent competitions such as America's Got Talent and none other than American Idol itself.
Yep, you read that right. While American Idol's days on Fox are done, producer FremantleMedia is reviving the once monolithic series on ABC. With Ryan Seacrest in talks to return as host and with pop superstar Katy Perry already pinned down as a judge, Idol's return is no idle rumor.
However, if word on the street is right, what sets Fox's latest musical endeavor apart is a super-unique format we haven't yet seen from a reality singing competition.
In an unexpected twist, the show's four finalists are chosen in the first episode. Only, these finalists can't get too comfy — each week, new contestants are thrown into the mix to challenge the finalists. If a challenger succeeds, they get to steal one of the four finalist slots. And so on and so forth until the finale, when presumably the finalists that remain square off against each other.
This format has already worked for Armoza, in fact. In April, French production company Satisfaction snagged it from the producer, set to air internationally as The Final Four.
Of course, the big question is: will it be a hit here, too? Considering no new singing competition has successfully launched since the inception of The Voice, suffice it to say Fox better bring its A game.
Be forewarned: the following information may stir within you a totally irrational desire to start researching last-minute airfare deals to Germany and Poland. Why? Because there, you might just get a smile and nod from Prince George or a sweet little dimple-fingered wave from Princess Charlotte.
Much was made last year of the duo traveling to Canada with their Duke and Duchess of Cambridge parents, William and Kate — sporting impeccable outfits and flashing irresistible grins, they instantly charmed the entire country.
Even when little George rejected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's high-five attempt, it was pure preciousness. (Although we gladly volunteer as tribute if George needs a stand-in for Trudeau encounters in the near future.)
So now that Kensington Palace has confirmed George, 3, and Charlotte, 2, will be accompanying Mum and Dad for their royal duties this summer in Germany and Poland, everyone will undoubtedly be keeping their fingers crossed for a sighting.
Of the visit, which will take place July 17 - 21, the Palace says the Cambridges are "very much looking forward" to the trip and that the public can expect to see sweet Will and Charlotte "on at least a couple of occasions over the course of the week."
According to Elle, the itinerary begins in Warsaw and Gdansk in Poland before weaving through Berlin, Heidelberg and Hamburg in Germany. Will and Kate will be rubbing elbows with local business leaders and government officials, as royal ambassadors are wont to do, but they also aim to spend a portion of their time during the trip meeting young people and entrepreneurs.
Walk into any pet specialty store in search of food for your beloved canine, and you can quickly become overwhelmed at the choices. Put “dog food” into the search box of any online pet food retailer’s site, and you’ll be presented with a plethora of choices — a quick search such as this on Petco returned over 1,200 choices.
So what’s a concerned pet parent who just wants to feed a food that will keep their dog healthy and happy to do when presented with so many choices? Read on to learn the best way to choose the best food for your dog.
Read the label
Duh, right? Lots of consumer information these days admonishes us to review nutrition information when it comes to our own health, and the same goes for our dog’s.
All dog foods that are sold in U.S. stores must meet nutritional guidelines that dictate the percentages of macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates and proteins) in a serving of the food. Every dog food label must contain the “guaranteed analysis,” which depicts this breakdown.
Keep in mind that these are minimum standards as dictated by the American Association of Feed Control Officials. Some companies go the extra mile to conduct feeding trials on actual dogs to determine whether their foods provide complete and balanced nutrition, so you’ll likely gain a degree or two of confidence if you purchase a food that’s tested in this manner.
Ask your dog
Your dog’s opinion is important in choosing a dog food, but it’s not the only consideration. Dogs evolved as scavengers, and thus many of our pet dogs today will consume pretty much anything they can find (I’m looking at you, beagle). So choose a dog food that your dog enjoys and eats readily without coaxing, but remember that low-quality grocery store brands tend to have lower-quality ingredients and may not provide the best nutrition for your dog, even though he appears to enjoy them.
Know the ingredients
The restrictions I mentioned above (those formulated by AAFCO) only apply to macronutrients — fat, carbs and proteins. But what about all of the other things your dog needs, like vitamins and minerals? The theory is that if the diet meets those general guidelines, it will provide adequate quantities of those as well, but there’s no guarantee.
In general, foods that are less expensive have lower-quality ingredients. It makes sense when you think about it — a serving of fresh salmon costs more than a meal at Taco Bell, after all. So choose a food for your dog that has as many “whole” ingredients on the label as possible.
One very important nutrient that’s typically left to the discretion of the food manufacturer is omega-3 fatty acids. Most foods don’t add this nutrient because even though we recognize the huge importance of it, we also know that keeping it stable in a bag of dry dog food is problematic. That’s why omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil capsules or liquid are a great thing to supplement in any dog’s diet.
Do your own research
Pet food recalls have done much to open our eyes regarding how and where pet foods are manufactured. Less-than-perfect manufacturing practices, including sourcing ingredients from other countries and contracting out manufacturing to companies that have less-than-scrupulous oversight of how the dog food is made, have resulted in some disasters of epic proportions.
At this point, pretty much every major dog food manufacturer has experienced a recall at one time or another. (You can see a list of all pet food recalls in the last year provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association here.) Don’t panic if the company you’re considering has had a recall, but do read about how they handled the recall. Did they communicate in an open and honest way with consumers and the veterinary profession? Did they cover veterinary bills for pets that were sickened by eating their contaminated foods? Did they make changes to their ingredient-sourcing and/or manufacturing processes to ensure that a problem didn’t occur again?
In this case, the internet is your friend, so take advantage of the information that is available to you in order to choose the best food for your dog.
Treats are not food
There’s a dizzying array of dog treats available to pet food consumers these days, and it’s worth reminding everyone reading this that treats are not food. Treats do not have to be “complete and balanced,” so on their own they do not provide adequate nutrition for adult dogs. Remember this when you find yourself giving more and more treats and less and less actual food. If your dog prefers treats to the point of not eating his food, he’s either got you well-trained or it’s time to consider a switch to a new diet that he considers more palatable.
What about grain-free?
Grain-free diets are easily the hottest trend in dog food manufacturing right now. Because ideas about what is good for us to eat often spawn discussion as to whether the same types of foods are good for our pets, dog food companies pay attention and respond in kind.
While it’s likely that the whole “gluten sensitivity” concept has been exaggerated among humans, many people do report that they feel better when they avoid wheat gluten (and thus, wheat) and other grains — less bloating, more energy, etc. While wild dogs do consume grasses and they very enthusiastically consume the stomach contents of their herbivorous prey, their relatively short digestive tracts aren’t designed to process a lot of grains. It’s likely that domesticated dogs have adapted to today’s commercial diets in some manner, however; if your dog has excessive flatulence, he (and you) may benefit from a switch to a more digestible diet that contains fewer or no grains.
What about raw?
The movement to feed diets composed mostly of raw meat to dogs has gained significant momentum in recent years. Many people swear that their dogs do better on these diets, and while I don’t recommend feeding raw due to concerns for bacterial contamination (both for the dog and the person preparing the meal), I have seen many patients over the years who do well on raw diets. I always ask pet parents to grind their own meat at home since store-bought ground meat is potentially high in bacteria and lightly sear the outside of a large cut of meat first — to sterilize the outer surfaces — before grinding or chopping the rest for consumption.
Ask PetCoach widget
Ask PetCoach widget
If you like the idea of feeding raw but don’t want to mess with large quantities of raw meat, consider some of the newer commercially prepared raw diets. These take the guesswork out of figuring out the ideal recipe and provide good nutrition for your dog.
We're in the height of summer right now, and you know what that means? It's time to take a vacation, y'all. Have you been sadly clicking through various Pinterest boards, hoping for vacation inspiration? Do you have some sock money burning a hole in your pocket and no idea where to spend it? Are you looking to treat yourself so well by staying at a luxury pad, but you can't choose which?
Well, look no further. I'm here to provide you with inspiration courtesy of Airbnb. With their help, we're presenting these celebrity Airbnb pads to tempt you into booking the trip of a lifetime. Seriously, what are you waiting for?
Emma Roberts rang in the New Year in 2016 in this beautiful Malibu Airbnb, chilling out right here after she spent the latter half of 2015 filming on location in New Orleans for Scream Queens. Currently, this rental will set you back $4,500 per night, but it's actually worth it. I mean, look at the views here.
Image: Courtesy of Airbnb
Roberts reportedly brought her on-again/off-again boyfriend, Evan Peters, to this luxury house, which boasts the beautiful view, close proximity to town and five bedrooms to sleep in. If ever there was a place to get away from it all, this would be it.
Fantastic Four star Miles Teller and his girlfriend, Keleigh Sperry, rang in the New Year last year at this amazing Airbnb in La Jolla, California. The house, which has multiple levels with huge floor-to-ceiling glass windows so you can soak up the oceanfront views, was the perfect spot for these young lovebirds to hang out.
Image: Courtesy of Airbnb
The couple and friends enjoyed a relaxing trip in their gorgeous Airbnb rental, lounging by a modern fireplace that overlooks the ocean. The beachside property made for the perfect place for Teller and friends to welcome a new year.
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen are Airbnb pros. One of the sweetest places the coolest family in Hollywood stayed at was in Nashville, while Legend was on tour there. With enough room for baby Luna to run around and a deluxe kitchen with country accents for Teigen to use, this Nashville Airbnb, which costs $1,199 a night, was perfect for them all.
Image: Courtesy of Airbnb
After Legend performed in Seattle and Luna threw the first pitch at a Mariners baseball game, the Legend-Teigens crashed at this beautiful Airbnb, which costs $850 a night and overlooks the city. There was a sauna for Legend to use to relax his muscles, and that bedroom with its panoramic views, would have been the perfect way for Teigen to fall asleep.
In late 2016, after returning from a Tokyo trip and seeking some respite while she filmed a new talk show series, Karlie Kloss chilled at this luxurious Airbnb. The $10 million Beverly Hills estate comes complete with five bedrooms and six bathrooms.
Image: Courtesy of Airbnb
It's located right off the iconic Sunset Strip and includes two living rooms with black-and-white marble tiling that move seamlessly into the yard, pool and grill area, plus a wet bar. A wet bar and two living rooms? I die. This is perfection. The modern home also has a separate pool house with a full kitchen, perfect for entertaining Kloss' A-list friends.
When Lady Gaga opened Coachella, this queen had to stay in one of the best Airbnb's in the area. So, when she landed in Rancho Mirage, California, she chose to stay at this estate at $10,000 a night.
Image: Courtesy of Airbnb
The house is a 9,500-square-foot estate that features 360-degree mountain views, seven bedroom suites, five large bathrooms and a state-of-the-art fitness center. And if that weren't enough, it has an al fresco kitchen that overlooks a spa, a resort-inspired pool and three fire pits. I mean, it's the definition of luxury, and that al fresco kitchen? Amazing.
Kendrick Lamar
Image: Handout/Getty Images; Courtesy of Airbnb
Kendrick Lamar took a break to unwind in a luxurious $10 million Big Sioux Estate courtesy of Airbnb, which currently runs guests $1,630 per night. It's located in the most desirable section of Rancho Mirage, California, and Lamar undoubtedly found a sweet spot here to put his feet up.
Image: Courtesy of Airbnb
With over 7,000 square feet of living space and six spacious bedrooms, this lush villa was the perfect place for Lamar to unwind following his set at Coachella. The modern palace features a sunken tennis court, a large resort-style saltwater pool and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook amazing views.
Drake called this beautiful Beverly Hills estate home for a little while courtesy of Airbnb. The Grande Bellezza currently runs $10,000 per night.
Image: Courtesy of Airbnb
Drake enjoyed the Grande Bellezza before he went back to Toronto in April. The incredible villa is perched in the hills of the ever-popular Benedict Canyon community, home to some of the world’s great music legends. The house features amenities like a gorgeously marbled bathroom with gold inlay designs, a world-class wine cellar and a swimming pool with breathtaking sunset views. When can I check in?
Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon
Image: FilmMagic
Back in October 2016, when Carey was still dating James Packer, she hosted a Halloween party with ex-husband Nick Cannon and Packer (yes, that really happened). The house was a $15 million Mulholland Estate in Beverly Hills. It looked big enough and regal enough to house some lovely guests, like performer Jeff Beacher and BET's President of Programming Stephen Hill.
If you haven’t yet heard the term “scrunchy mom,” it’s basically the word coined to describe moms who are a mixture of both silky and crunchy moms. Silky mamas embrace all things modern like medicine (hello, medicated births), formula feed their babies and use disposable diapers. The crunchy moms turn to alternative medicine, focus solely on breastfeeding and are known for their love of cloth diapering. Scrunchy moms practice a little bit of both, and I think this is a great thing to be stuck in the middle on.
For me, I identify as a scrunchy mom because I had a planned unmedicated birth, formula feed (though I tried desperately to breastfeed and it just didn’t happen for me) and am all about those disposable diapers. I fall in between, and it’s a great place to me. Here’s why it’s so fantastic to be a scrunchy mom.
1. The best of both worlds
Being a scrunchy mom means that you have the ultimate understanding with yourself not to just do something because you have this all-encompassing belief to sway in one direction. It means that you get to take the best from both sides and always figure out what works best for you and your family based on your current needs.
2. No mom guilt when you can’t afford organic foods
Organic foods are super-expensive, and if you’re anything like me, you buy them when they’re on sale or fall into the family monthly food budget. Being a scrunchy mom means not having to put that extra stress and mom guilt on yourself if all organic isn’t an option. You do what you can.
3. Fed is best, & no one can tell you any different
As long as your baby is nourished and full, then you can sleep soundly at night without the added pressure to make sure your breastfeeding game is top notch. If breastfeeding works for you and your family, great. If not, it’s a totally stress-free if you reach for formula instead.
4. You're a rock star when it comes to compromise
Being scrunchy means that you’re always weighing the pros and cons of every single situation until you figure out what works best. Your decisions are based upon your families' needs and if an immediate answer isn’t apparent, you’re able to find the best common ground possible.
5. You have all the options when it comes to transporting your baby
While a crunchy mom would be all for baby-wearing and a silky mom would opt for a stroller, you can choose both if you like. If your concerns are more focused on attachment parenting and being close to your baby, then hold her close in a sling. But if that’s not your thing, strapping them in a safe stroller is an awesome alternative.
With most schools requiring vaccination for entry and your understanding of modern-day medicine, your kids will most likely have all their shots up to date. Not having to deal with all the drama that comes along with a pro/con vaccination debate is a sweet deal.
7. Your sleeping arrangements boil down to what works best
Co-sleeping and crib sleeping are both great options and work for so many people for different reasons. But we also know that bringing a new baby home from the hospital means that it takes time to find your best sleep groove, and being a scrunchy mom means that you can put your effort into figuring out if having baby in bed works better or if being in the crib is her favorite instead of forcing one or the other.
8. No scrubbing poop out of cloth diapers... unless you want to get your hands dirty
I’m all for protecting the environment, and I completely get that using disposable diapers is bad for landfills, but the thought of dirty diapers semi-washed in our tiny NYC apartment hamper until laundry day makes me gag. Therefore, I choose not to cloth diaper, and it’s a decision that I can live with.
9. Opting for an epidural is totally OK
I planned for an unmedicated birth because I had an epidural the first time around and I wanted to experience labor in a different way. I went in knowing what I wanted with everyone around me ready to follow my birth plan, but also made an agreement with myself if I wasn’t able to handle that pain that having an epidural was OK — and it is! There’s nothing wrong with making this decision if it’s the best one for you. After all, you know your body better than anyone else.
10. You’ll encourage your kids to take on life the same way
The ability to look at the pros and cons of every situation to find how it’s best for you to move forward is a great quality and something that your kids will watch you do their entire lives. Growing up with that influence will allow them to go through this decision-making process when making choices in life instead of flying by the seat of their pants.
The champion golfer was booked on DUI charges, but told fans he had not consumed any alcohol — rather, he blamed the arrest on a combination of prescription medications. Now, he's updating fans via his Twitter account, where he posted a note to let them know he's undergone treatment and is doing much better.
"I recently completed an out of state private intensive program. I will continue to tackle this going forward with my doctors, family and friends," Woods wrote. "I am so very thankful for all the support I've received."
Tiger Woods statement after out of state rehab program
Tiger Woods statement after out of state rehab program
According to police reports, Woods was arrested at 7:18 a.m. on May 29. Even though he denied having had any alcohol, his booking sheet accuses him of "having an unlawful blood alcohol level."
In a statement released the next day, Woods took full responsibility for his arrest and said he understood how badly he had messed up and disappointed his fans.
"I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions," he wrote. "I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications. I didn't realize the mix of medications had affected me so strongly."
Woods' life has been riddled with scandal for more than a decade since he was discovered to be a serial cheater and his wife divorced him. He lost a number of high-level golf sponsorships after his family-friendly image was broken. He's also been away from the golf game this season due to a lingering back injury — he had surgery just a few weeks before his DUI arrest.
Every Friday this summer, Domino will share a must—listen playlist as part of our 100 Days of Summer series, giving you all the tunes you need for the beach, a picnic in the park, a road trip and everything in between.
This week, music supervisor Randall Poster, the man behind the soundtracks of all your favorite movies (think: The Hangover, Wolf of Wall Street, anything by Wes Anderson), has put together the ultimate Fourth of July playlist for us. Put on your red, white and blue and celebrate the U.S. of A.
It's 2017, y'all, and it's time to stop treating homosexuality (or any other sexual identity, for that matter) like a piece of clothing that can be slipped on and off at our leisure.
A prime example is Andrew Garfield, the straight, cisgender man who was for some reason, tapped to play gay icon Prior Walter, a gay man who lived with AIDS in New York at the height of the disease's epidemic, in the London revival of Angels in America. Garfield spoke during a Q&A this week about whether he was the right person to play the role, and his views on the subject are so problematic.
When asked about the resources he tapped into to play the part, Garfield responded, "As far as I know, I am not a gay man. Maybe I’ll have an awakening later in my life, which I’m sure will be wonderful and I’ll get to explore that part of the garden, but right now I’m secluded to my area, which is wonderful as well. I adore it."
Sorry, but sexuality isn't something you get to choose and change your mind about at your own convenience. That's the kind of arrogant, problematic viewpoint that only a straight, cis, white man would take, because I'm willing to bet the amount of discrimination Garfield has experienced in his life is right about zero.
Then he added this gem: "[Watching Drag Race] is my life outside of this play. I am a gay man right now just without the physical act — that’s all."
Yeah, K, because watching a fucking TV show about drag queens definitely prepares you to convey the lived experiences of the LGBTQ community. BRB, rolled my eyes so hard I pulled something.
The fact of the matter is that Garfield shouldn't have been playing that part. The part of a gay man belongs to a gay man. There is absolutely no way that Garfield can have an understanding of the discrimination and other lived experiences that are exclusively felt by the LGBTQ community, and to play that role is to trivialize those experiences. It's also just really fucking arrogant on his part.
That certainly was true for her star-studded baby shower, but luckily for us, Bey's close girlfriend La La Anthony was willing to spill just a few of the deets. Hopefully they were Bey-approved or she might be in trouble right about now.
During her appearance on Watch What Happens Live this week, Anthony was asked to play a little game called Spill the Push ParTEA, all about pregnant celebs and how they're preparing for the arrivals of all the new famous babies we're about to be oohing and ahhing over on social media. Of course, host Andy Cohen focused a large part of the game on one specific push party that's on all of our minds: Beyoncé's.
Anthony answered a few of his quick-fire questions, confirming that Jay-Z and Blue Ivy were in attendance at the baby shower, which clearly wasn't ladies only like they traditionally are. Then again, who is Beyoncé to stick with tradition?
Anthony also let spill that Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams were both at the party and that guests were treated to "the most amazing food I remember. It was like a backyard BBQ." Super-appropriate for a summer party — we love the theme.
Anthony refused to say what she got for the twins as a shower gift, but she did tell us the one thing we really needed to know about this star-studded event: how turnt Tina Knowles got on a scale from 1 to 10.
Anthony's answer? "Fifty." Who doesn't love a mom/grandma who can throw down?
A woman is estimated to spend close to $2,500 on sanitary products during her lifetime, and while the total count for sanitary products used during that time may vary person by person, it’s easy to assume that it’s not helping our environment.
A team of students at the University of Utah saw the same problem and decided to address it by creating a 100 percent biodegradable sanitary pad alternative. While the pad isn’t the first of its kind, it is the most comfortable and there’s algae to thank for that.
“This is novel in comparison to other biodegradable options out there for pads,” said Amber Barron, a University of Utah junior who is on the team of four students, to Science Daily. “Most are really bulky because they don’t have a superabsorbent layer.”
The Shero Pad, as the creation is being named, consists of a layer of algae that is covered by a layer of cotton and the same material that makes tea bags, explains Science Daily.
With this biodegradable option, pads will be able to disintegrate between 45 days to six months after use.
The Utah-based research team’s main goal was to develop a menstrual product alternative that could be used in developing countries and could make these products more accessible to the communities that need them. The team plans to start with distribution in Guatemala.
The anonymity of the internet brings out trolls in full force, and for some people, taking a long break from that negativity is necessary sometimes. Ed Sheeran is one of those people — he just announced that he's no longer using or looking at his Twitter account because he was getting so much hate there.
"I’ve actually come off Twitter completely. I can’t read it," he told The Sun. "I go on it and there’s nothing but people saying mean things. Twitter’s a platform for that. One comment ruins your day. But that’s why I’ve come off it."
Sheeran's Twitter account has more than 19 million followers, and with that many people seeing every word he puts on the site, it's no wonder he got fed up with the constant attention and bullying he said he faced. He also said he can't figure out "why people dislike me so much." Neither can we, TBH.
For just one example, Sheeran pointed to a time when he made a comment that many people falsely assumed was a dig at Lady Gaga. Gaga is known for having one of the most rabid fan bases on the internet, and her Little Monsters went in on Sheeran.
"Lady Gaga’s fanbase read an interview in which they assumed I was talking about her and they all fucking hate," Sheeran explained. "And it wasn’t anything to do with that at all. So, I think Twitter gets on a massive steam roll of assuming things and then you get in the shit."
Sheeran isn't the first celeb to leave Twitter because of the trolls who inhabit the platform, and he won't be the last. But does it really have to be this way? Can't you just be nice, internet? This is why we can't have nice things.
Natalie Maines, one-third of the legendary country music group the Dixie Chicks, has filed for divorce from her husband of 17 years, actor Adrian Pasdar. According to TMZ, Maines cited irreconcilable differences in her divorce filing.
A rep for the Dixie Chicks declined to comment, saying Maines' divorce is "a private family matter." A rep for Pasdar just didn't respond to requests for comment.
But a source told TMZ that the pair are ending their marriage amicably and that Maines asked for joint custody of their two children in her filing. Maines and Pasdar are parents to two sons, 16-year-old Jackson Slade and nearly 13-year-old Beckett Finn.
Maines and Pasdar met all the way back in 1999 when fellow Dixie Chick Emily Strayer married her first husband, Charlie Robinson. Maines was a bridesmaid and Pasdar was a groomsman at the event, and they clearly hit it off, because just over a year later, they were married themselves. Maines and Pasdar tied the knot in Las Vegas at A Little White Wedding Chapel on June 24, 2000. Their split comes just after their 17th wedding anniversary.
While the two were married, the Dixie Chicks took a long hiatus and Maines released some solo work. Meanwhile, Pasdar starred in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The Dixie Chicks recently reunited and headed out on a reunion tour of North America capped off with a performance at the 2016 CMAs where they brought down the house with a surprise appearance by Beyoncé, who joined them for their collaborative song from Lemonade, "Daddy Lessons."
Chrissy Teigen forever slays at the Twitter game, and it looks like our favorite celebrity sass-mouth doesn't even let a holiday weekend get in the way of throwing cyber-shade. After receiving what we can only imagine seemed like countless comments about babies that could have been fathered by her husband, John Legend, Teigen tweeted out an all-caps response making it clear she'd heard enough.
"For the LAST TIME, JOHN looks like a baby so A LOT OF BABIES LOOK LIKE HIM STOP SENDING ME JOHN BABIES," Teigen said.
Chrissy Teigen John Babies
Chrissy Teigen John Babies
Although we're fairly certain Teigen wasn't seriously upset over the situation, we get where she's coming from with her frustration. For starters, there's the implication of impropriety — some people may only hint that these tiny John Legend look-a-likes could be his, while others outright suggest the singer has been making babies on the sly.
Second, even if only a tiny fraction of Teigen's more than 6 million Twitter followers got the inkling that they should send Teigen a John baby pic, that would ultimately be a shit-ton of pics. That definitely falls under the "it was funny for a minute, but now it's annoying" category.
Of course, leave it to the other half of Twitter to try to find a silver lining for Teigen.
"Turn the photos into a coffee table book! The Babes of John Legend!," one person remarked. One even offered to bear the burden for Teigen, saying, "Y'all can redirect all John babies to me." And, from yet another, words to truly put things into perspective: "Some of us get sent nothing (or dick pics)."
So there you have it — you could definitely do worse than being inundated with pictures of adorable babies who bear an uncanny resemblance to your adorable husband.
Having said that, though, how about we all pump the brake on the John baby pics for a bit so Teigen can go back to giving us life by trolling trolls on Twitter?
Backyard barbecues, boating, fireworks... there are certain time-honored traditions associated with the 4th of July. And it looks like it's time to add another to the festive list — celebrating Barack Obama's eldest daughter, Malia.
Granted, Independence Day always doubles as a celebration for Malia to those closest to her, given she was born on the holiday 19 years ago.
However, it isn't just her inner circle lauding Malia's birthday anymore. According to Twitter, in fact, the Harvard-bound teen deserves a holiday of her own.
Malia Obama Day 1
Malia Obama Day 1
Malia Obama Day 2
Malia Obama Day 2
Malia Obama Day 3
Malia Obama Day 3
Malia Obama Day 4
Malia Obama Day 4
Malia Obama Day 5
Malia Obama Day 5
Malia Obama Day 6
Malia Obama Day 6
Malia Obama Day 7
Malia Obama Day 7
Even Chance the Rapper, who is a close personal friend of the Obamas, got in on the fun.
Malia Obama Day 8
Malia Obama Day 8
Black Twitter in particular took part in toasting Malia, citing growing racial turmoil in the country and their disenfranchisement by the current administration as reasons for shifting the celebration from Independence Day to Malia Obama Day.
Naturally, this was a direct blow to the fragility of cisgender white men everywhere, who voiced their vile opposition on Twitter as well in the comment section of a Newsweek article on the subject by writer Julia Glum. We won't dignify those by repeating them, though.
If people find hope and patriotism in celebrating the former First Daughter, more power to them. Not only does it not hurt anyone, but it actually probably makes Malia feel pretty darn special — which she is.
So here's to you, Malia! We hope "your" day was one to remember.
Fans and paparazzi alike always look forward to Taylor Swift's annual 4th of July bash — but, alas, there will be no festive photos of T-Swift and her famous friends to scroll through this year. No star-spangled bathing suits or American-flag floaties will fill your Insta feed, because it appears Swift skipped the party altogether.
It's probably safe to say the paparazzi undoubtedly staking out the singer's multi-million dollar coastal Rhode Island estate are (red, white &) blue right about now.
Hey, it likely seemed like a solid bet to set up camp just outside Swift's home and wait for the 4th of July fun to begin. After all, the annual get-together is a tradition three years running and a favorite among Swift's squad. Who could forget last year's shindig, when then-bf Tom Hiddleston sported an "I Love Taylor Swift" t-shirt and pals like Cara Delevingne, Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss showed off their patriotic spirit?
This year, Delevingne and Kloss were in France for Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, so it's unlikely they would have made the trip back to Rhode Island even if Swift had moved forward with the party.
What's interesting, though, is that the giant inflatable slide spotted at Swift's past parties was present in her spacious yard. Perhaps she considered celebrating the 4th with her traditional party and then her plans pivoted.
Or maybe she and her new-ish Brit actor boyfriend Joe Alwyn just decided to keep it low-key this year instead. Either way, Twitter has officially noticed Swift's absence and is having none of it.
Taylor Swift 4th 1
Taylor Swift 4th 1
Taylor Swift 4th 2
Taylor Swift 4th 2
Taylor Swift 4th 3
Taylor Swift 4th 3
Taylor Swift 4th 4
Taylor Swift 4th 4
Taylor Swift 4th 5
Taylor Swift 4th 5
Wherever you are, Swift, we hope next year you'll sprinkle some of your 4th of July fairy dust on our socials once more.
It’s hard to get away from stereotypes connected to our periods. The trope of women being angry, emotional and even less able to perform on the job during “that time of the month” is old and tired, but it persists. Even the president of the United States can’t seem to stop bringing up “blood” in connection with prominent women he wants to disparage. Now, a first-of-its-kind study published July 4 in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience provides some scientific proof for what most people with periods already know: Our hormones don’t keep our brains from properly functioning.
Researchers at University Hospital Zürich, led by Dr. Brigitte Leeners, monitored the estrogen levels, working memory, attention and cognitive bias of 68 women of varying ages throughout two menstrual cycles. They found no meaningful connection between estrogen levels and cognitive function. The biggest takeaway came from comparing the two cycles: Even when a person experienced some cognitive discomfort during one cycle, that same person often did not experience the same thing during the next period.
Previous studies looked at only one menstrual cycle, introducing bias and ultimately fueling stereotypes, according to Leeners.
“They resulted in false positive associations and the false conclusion that women’s cognitive performance is hormone regulated,” she said. “Such an assumption is the background of the myth that women’s cognitive performance is strongly influenced by the menstrual cycle and any resulting prejudice toward women’s abilities in private and professional life.”
These findings are great for science because they answer a big question that many researchers have blamed for a lack of research into women’s health issues — the difficulty of controlling for menstruation when studying pretty much anything else about the body or mind. Much medical research, for example, is done on men in part because researchers are reluctant to have to control for periods and because — especially in the U.S. — digging into potential gender differences in the body and brain is often controversial.
Dr. Louann Brizendine, a neuropsychiatrist and author of the books The Female Brain and The Male Brain, said the results seem to confirm decades of experience. She has found that about 80 percent of women report feeling more uncomfortable physical and mood symptoms during some cycles than during others, but only about 8 percent report noticeable discomfort during every period. That 8 percent is typically the group that makes its way to Brizendine’s clinic, the Women’s Mood and Hormone Clinic at the University of California San Francisco. Brizendine opened the clinic in 1988 and says she hoped that by now there would be copycats around the country. That’s not yet the case, but she is hopeful that increased interest and funding for women’s health will change that.
Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, an OB-GYN and professor at Yale University School of Medicine, cautions that this new research shouldn’t keep doctors from taking menstruation-related health complaints seriously. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which causes significant and life-affecting mood shifts before one’s period, affects about 5 percent of women and is often misdiagnosed. But the good news is that those symptoms and others such as cramping can usually be addressed with birth control, an SSRI or in some cases over-the-counter medication.
“I’ve been in practice since 1979, and I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever taken care of a patient in my life who was significantly impaired by one part of her cycle that she couldn’t put her finger on the atomic button,” Minkin told SheKnows. “There are hormones at play with memory and cognition, but I don’t think it’s anything that can’t be overcome. Do some women feel depressed? Yes. Debilitated? No.”
Next, Leeners’ team in Zürich plans to look into the science behind hormonal cravings. But for now, let's stop discounting the mental capacity of people who menstruate, OK?
At 49 years old, Céline Dion doesn't have time to let silly things like worries about her body or the criticism of others hold her back from showing her true self. This is especially true for her next Vogue shoot, for which she will go naked.
Fans learned of Dion's clothes-defying move through Vogue's Instagram account earlier this week when the high fashion magazine posted a photo of Dion perched in a chair and looking straight into camera. The photo appears to have been taken behind-the-scenes, so don't expect this sultry outtake to make it to the cover — even though Dion looks absolutely flawless. While the magazine nor Dion herself confirm she will go naked for the cover, there's a strong implication that she will be in some state of undress for the shoot.
Vogue posted a fun fact as their caption for Dion's birthday suit candid: "Here's a little naked fact to ponder while Celine Dion changes looks between shows: for the past five years she has worn haute couture near exclusively for her own performances (in Las Vegas and on her current 'mini-tour' of Europe). She performs a minimum two hours a night, five or six nights a week, dancing and curtseying and generally gesticulating sans abandon, in handmade, hand-beaded delicacies designed solely to walk a catwalk or a carpet (and often with handlers)." The implication here being that when Dion isn't dressed in the finest clothes from the haute couture houses of the world, she's just chilling out in nothing at all, which is probably not true but it's an amusing image to conjure up.
For what it's worth, Dion has never gone this naked before for a photo shoot of any kind. While E! News did confirm that she went topless in 2012 for a V magazine photo shoot, this is really the first time she has taken it all off in this setting. There's something incredibly empowering about seeing Dion go to these lengths at her age; maybe it's just the kind of body positive outlook we need to keep in mind for when we're her age, eh?
Simpson and her husband Eric Johnson transformed their backyard into the Isle of Te Fiti, a magical island from the Disney movie. Their son, his buddies and his sister enjoyed a bouncy house, games and personalized party favor bags, each as big as a toddler. The cake was a chocolate-covered Moana wonder. Plus, actors playing Moana and Maui were on hand to interact with the guests (naturally) in full costume.
(Um. We were lucky if our mom remembered to order an ice cream cake for our birthdays. Just saying. Also pretty sure that our friends each received a plastic kazoo on the way out the door. Good times!)
The Simpson-Johnson posse likes a good birthday party almost as much as the Kardashians. Recently, Simpson threw her daughter Maxwell a mermaid party for her 5th birthday. (Maxwell even had a mermaid tail.)
Is this the newest feud in Hollywood — birthday party battles? Will Jessica Simpson dare to keep going head to head with Kim Kardashian West and Kourtney Kardashian? Stay tuned, kids. We suspect there will be no shortage of top-shelf kids' parties in either household.
When are internet trolls going to learn that the people they body-shame also have access to social media? The latest showdown happened yesterday after Kelly Clarkson sent a message of gratitude to those in the armed forces.
Apparently, this was too much for a very skilled online wordsmith named Cliff Cherokee, who responded by telling Clarkson that she's fat. That'll show her.
But it didn't. The Grammy award-winning singer was miraculously able to overcome this attack on her appearance, tweeting back that she's "still fucking awesome."
As you can see, there is a very clear connection between Clarkson's Fourth of July message and her weight, and it took someone as astute as Cherokee to point this out.
Unfortunately, Clarkson is no stranger to being on the receiving end of body-shaming because we live in a world where everyone thinks they're entitled to comment on women's bodies. So how about we just keep our thoughts on other people's appearances to ourselves, because frankly, I'm getting really sick of writing these body-shaming articles.
