Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
vendredi 9 juin 2017
The Doctor-Approved Secret to Clearing Your Hormonal Acne That Actually Works
Image Source: Adriano Russo
When I tell you how I finally cleared up my hormonal acne, it is going to sound so painstakingly obvious that it might even seem . . . annoying. To make a long story short: I met with a doctor who helped me balance my hormones and improve my gut health, and my skin has never looked better.
At the start of Spring, I booked an appointment with Dr. Keith Berkowitz, an MD (internist) located in NYC who worked with Dr. Robert C. Atkins (as in the Atkins diet) for six years and now specializes in how eating affects health. He gave me a glucose test, took my blood, analyzed the lab results, and diagnosed me with reactive hypoglycemia. The latter means I process sugar unusually quickly, so I can't eat much of it (even fruit!). I learned I had high testosterone levels and was iodine deficient.
According to the American Thyroid Association, iodine is an element (not made by the body) needed for the production of the thyroid hormone. You get iodine from your diet and various foods, and if you do not have enough of it, you can't make the thyroid hormone, which regulates your metabolism as well as heart and digestive function, muscle control, brain development, and bone maintenance.
I have not changed my skin care routine or received any new spa treatments.
"Women today are struggling with increased hormonal imbalance causing estrogen dominance, low levels of progesterone, and high levels of testosterone and DHEA [an endogenous steroid hormone]," Dr. Berkowitz told me via email. "This is complicated by the overall decrease in hormone levels as we age. It leads to women having dull, dry skin; a rush of wrinkles; increased pigmentation; and increased acne."
So I began on a journey to balance out what was going on internally by changing my diet and taking supplements. When it came to eating, I had previously spent a year living off of morning smoothies and eliminating gluten and dairy. Though it was technically "healthy," I was eating way too much fruit and spiking my blood sugar.
Dr. Berkowitz tweaked my diet so that I was eating more balanced, portion-controlled meals and snacks that include carbohydrates (including vegetables and fruits) with high-fiber foods and lean protein or healthy fats (like avocado). "It is important that you eat three meals and one snack every day," he explained of his general diet philosophy. "Eating balanced meals will minimize fluctuations in blood sugar and increases in insulin levels."
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Jae Payne
He immediately added bread back into my regime, but only low-carb (Alvarado Street Bakery Sprouted Flax Seed Bread), and I can have just one piece at a time to ensure I am not carb-loading. I was permitted low-lactose dairy, such as goat cheese, since it is a great source of protein. In addition, I eat a lot of organic chicken and salmon, eggs, salads dressed with olive oil and lemon (rather than sugary dressing), and low-carb Wasa crackers topped with hummus and avocado. My smoothies were tweaked: instead of blending in four fruits, I can have one (usually low-sugar, antioxidant-rich berries). Any time I do eat fruit, I can have half the amount (such as half a pear) and mix it with protein, such as a spoon of almond butter. Eating this way has stabilized my blood sugar (I no longer get 3 p.m. sugar cravings), and I feel less restless overall.
I expected to debloat (I did!) and lose a few pounds (check!), but what I did not see coming was how these tweaks would significantly affect my skin. Pre-Dr. Berkowitz, I had combination skin, meaning I would occasionally get pimples in places I am greasier (usually my cheeks and chin). And every month a few days before my period, I got a few "lurkers" (below-the-skin pimples) around my chin. These are typically caused by hormones and can't be cured by creams - they have to go away on their own.
After a Summer spent traveling as far as Greece and Prague, wearing tons of gooey sunscreen, and straight-up sweating, I expected to see my usual cluster of whiteheads on my cheeks. I have also waited each month for the arrival of those chin lurkers. But for the past three months, my skin has been completely and totally clear. I have no dryness and no oiliness. The lines on my forehead are naturally smoothing out and the redness around my nose fading. I have not changed my skin care routine or received any new spa treatments.
What had changed was my gut health. "Tiny bacteria in the gut are one of the major control systems in the body," Dr. Berkowitz explained. "These bacteria have a direct role in helping maintain the health of the skin. They help your absorb nutrients needed to protect and repair itself. They protect the integrity of the gut lining. The gut lining helps protect against inflammation (which ages skin), and it protects the skin environmental toxin damage."
He also told me that gut in the bacteria can cause acne, because that area produces something called substance P. This affects sebum production (the cause of oily skin).
My gut bacteria wasn't all that had been regulated after three months of sticking to Dr. Berkowitz's plan: my hormones tested more balanced, my iodine levels were better, and my glucose more stable.
"The gut lining helps protect against inflammation (which ages skin), and it protects the skin environmental toxin damage."
"Your eating plan led to your hormones being better balanced - lowering DHEA and testosterone - and having better balance with progesterone and estrogen," Dr. Berkowitz told me when I asked how this could have affected my skin. "The lifestyle also leads to lower levels of cortisol [a hormone that regulates stress, metabolism, and inflammation] and insulin [the hormone that regulates metabolism and gives your cells energy]." He noted that when these hormones are high, it can cause drier skin and premature aging. This is because there is a connection between stress and the deterioration of cells, and skin is made up of cells.
A hormone imbalance can also cause discoloration of the skin. "Estrogen and progesterone can trigger the melasma, which are brown or light gray patches of pigmentation that most commonly appear on the face," he said. "It usually appears between the ages of 20-50 and is most common in pregnant women or those on an oral contraceptive pill."
In addition, he shared that low estrogen can lead to decreased collagen production and more wrinkling of the skin. Low levels of progesterone are associated with decreased skin elasticity. And a deficiency in DHEA is problematic, because it helps control oil production. DHEA also increases collagen production, which you want for youthful-looking skin.
When it comes to testosterone, having too much can lead to acne through an increased sebum production. So that explains why decreasing my testosterone levels eliminated my breakouts.
Though my situation was very specific, others can benefit from getting their blood tested and tweaking in specific ways that make sense for them (as instructed by a professional MD). While we are in no way telling you to run out and try a bunch of supplements to balance all of this out (please talk to your doctor first!), regulating your hormones and improving your gut health can directly give you clearer skin with better tone and texture. It happened to me!
If you get the OK from your doctor, here is a list of supplements (from Dr. Berkowitz) and what they do:
- Alpha lipoic acid: helps stop the stiffening of collagen fibers.
- Antioxidants: stop free radical production. For example, vitamins A, C, and E help to better hydrate the skin.
- Hydrolyzed collagen: reduces wrinkles.
- Hyaluronic acid: hydrates skin. (Yes, you can take the popular skin care ingredient as a supplement, as well!)
- Astaxanthin: fights free radicals and prevents damage from the sun and other environmental toxins.
Here are specific supplements for acne:
- Zinc: helps accelerate the development of new clear skin cells and reduce the inflammatory response to bacteria.
- Probiotic: promotes healthy or good bacteria and thus decreases the inflammatory response that damages skin.
- Coconut oil: helps replace the protective acid layer that keeps skin healthy and reduces inflammation.
He also shared an anti-inflammatory eating plan:
- Avoid refined carbohydrates, which increase insulin and inflammation.
- Avoid gluten, cow's milk dairy, processed foods, and excessive amounts of omega-6, which are all pro-inflammatory.
- Increase use of spices: turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, and parsley all have anti-inflammatory effects to help keep the skin healthy and slow down the aging process.
16 Times Will and Kate Showed PDA - and Why They Don't Do It That Often
When Kate Middleton married Prince William in 2011, she entered into a totally new territory, one full of palaces, public outings, and closely guarded protocol. Some of the royal rules include curtsying to the queen, accepting flowers from adoring fans, and fulfilling philanthropic responsibilities. With everything she gained as Duchess of Cambridge, it seemed like one of the things Kate lost was the freedom to show PDA with her adoring husband. While we've seen the couple out and about a ton together since they tied the knot, it's rare to see them touching each other, especially hugging or kissing.
It may seem like there's royal protocol at play, but contrary to popular belief, there actually isn't any formal rule that discourages the couple from showing PDA. Rather, since Kate and Will are "working representatives of British Monarchy," they likely just prefer to remain professional during their public outings and obligations and are mindful of how it may come off if they're just all over each other at, say, a children's hospital or church visit. It's also a nice way of keeping their private lives separate from their public personas and an attempt to avoid any weird speculation about even the slightest smooch or cuddle.
William can usually be seen reaching for his wife or resting a helping hand on her back while walking together. He and Kate haven't shied away from sharing a hug at sporting events, holding hands during a joint appearance, or generally showing off their sweet chemistry, but we've only seen them kiss three times - and two of those times were during their wedding. Here are the 16 times we've gotten a peek at the royal couple's sweet public displays of affection - here's hoping for many more!
The Doctor-Approved Secret to Clearing Your Hormonal Acne That Actually Works
Image Source: Adriano Russo
When I tell you how I finally cleared up my hormonal acne, it is going to sound so painstakingly obvious that it might even seem . . . annoying. To make a long story short: I met with a doctor who helped me balance my hormones and improve my gut health, and my skin has never looked better.
At the start of Spring, I booked an appointment with Dr. Keith Berkowitz, an MD (internist) located in NYC who worked with Dr. Robert C. Atkins (as in the Atkins diet) for six years and now specializes in how eating affects health. He gave me a glucose test, took my blood, analyzed the lab results, and diagnosed me with reactive hypoglycemia. The latter means I process sugar unusually quickly, so I can't eat much of it (even fruit!). I learned I had high testosterone levels and was iodine deficient.
According to the American Thyroid Association, iodine is an element (not made by the body) needed for the production of the thyroid hormone. You get iodine from your diet and various foods, and if you do not have enough of it, you can't make the thyroid hormone, which regulates your metabolism as well as heart and digestive function, muscle control, brain development, and bone maintenance.
I have not changed my skin care routine or received any new spa treatments.
"Women today are struggling with increased hormonal imbalance causing estrogen dominance, low levels of progesterone, and high levels of testosterone and DHEA [an endogenous steroid hormone]," Dr. Berkowitz told me via email. "This is complicated by the overall decrease in hormone levels as we age. It leads to women having dull, dry skin; a rush of wrinkles; increased pigmentation; and increased acne."
So I began on a journey to balance out what was going on internally by changing my diet and taking supplements. When it came to eating, I had previously spent a year living off of morning smoothies and eliminating gluten and dairy. Though it was technically "healthy," I was eating way too much fruit and spiking my blood sugar.
Dr. Berkowitz tweaked my diet so that I was eating more balanced, portion-controlled meals and snacks that include carbohydrates (including vegetables and fruits) with high-fiber foods and lean protein or healthy fats (like avocado). "It is important that you eat three meals and one snack every day," he explained of his general diet philosophy. "Eating balanced meals will minimize fluctuations in blood sugar and increases in insulin levels."
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Jae Payne
He immediately added bread back into my regime, but only low-carb (Alvarado Street Bakery Sprouted Flax Seed Bread), and I can have just one piece at a time to ensure I am not carb-loading. I was permitted low-lactose dairy, such as goat cheese, since it is a great source of protein. In addition, I eat a lot of organic chicken and salmon, eggs, salads dressed with olive oil and lemon (rather than sugary dressing), and low-carb Wasa crackers topped with hummus and avocado. My smoothies were tweaked: instead of blending in four fruits, I can have one (usually low-sugar, antioxidant-rich berries). Any time I do eat fruit, I can have half the amount (such as half a pear) and mix it with protein, such as a spoon of almond butter. Eating this way has stabilized my blood sugar (I no longer get 3 p.m. sugar cravings), and I feel less restless overall.
I expected to debloat (I did!) and lose a few pounds (check!), but what I did not see coming was how these tweaks would significantly affect my skin. Pre-Dr. Berkowitz, I had combination skin, meaning I would occasionally get pimples in places I am greasier (usually my cheeks and chin). And every month a few days before my period, I got a few "lurkers" (below-the-skin pimples) around my chin. These are typically caused by hormones and can't be cured by creams - they have to go away on their own.
After a Summer spent traveling as far as Greece and Prague, wearing tons of gooey sunscreen, and straight-up sweating, I expected to see my usual cluster of whiteheads on my cheeks. I have also waited each month for the arrival of those chin lurkers. But for the past three months, my skin has been completely and totally clear. I have no dryness and no oiliness. The lines on my forehead are naturally smoothing out and the redness around my nose fading. I have not changed my skin care routine or received any new spa treatments.
What had changed was my gut health. "Tiny bacteria in the gut are one of the major control systems in the body," Dr. Berkowitz explained. "These bacteria have a direct role in helping maintain the health of the skin. They help your absorb nutrients needed to protect and repair itself. They protect the integrity of the gut lining. The gut lining helps protect against inflammation (which ages skin), and it protects the skin environmental toxin damage."
He also told me that gut in the bacteria can cause acne, because that area produces something called substance P. This affects sebum production (the cause of oily skin).
My gut bacteria wasn't all that had been regulated after three months of sticking to Dr. Berkowitz's plan: my hormones tested more balanced, my iodine levels were better, and my glucose more stable.
"The gut lining helps protect against inflammation (which ages skin), and it protects the skin environmental toxin damage."
"Your eating plan led to your hormones being better balanced - lowering DHEA and testosterone - and having better balance with progesterone and estrogen," Dr. Berkowitz told me when I asked how this could have affected my skin. "The lifestyle also leads to lower levels of cortisol [a hormone that regulates stress, metabolism, and inflammation] and insulin [the hormone that regulates metabolism and gives your cells energy]." He noted that when these hormones are high, it can cause drier skin and premature aging. This is because there is a connection between stress and the deterioration of cells, and skin is made up of cells.
A hormone imbalance can also cause discoloration of the skin. "Estrogen and progesterone can trigger the melasma, which are brown or light gray patches of pigmentation that most commonly appear on the face," he said. "It usually appears between the ages of 20-50 and is most common in pregnant women or those on an oral contraceptive pill."
In addition, he shared that low estrogen can lead to decreased collagen production and more wrinkling of the skin. Low levels of progesterone are associated with decreased skin elasticity. And a deficiency in DHEA is problematic, because it helps control oil production. DHEA also increases collagen production, which you want for youthful-looking skin.
When it comes to testosterone, having too much can lead to acne through an increased sebum production. So that explains why decreasing my testosterone levels eliminated my breakouts.
Though my situation was very specific, others can benefit from getting their blood tested and tweaking in specific ways that make sense for them (as instructed by a professional MD). While we are in no way telling you to run out and try a bunch of supplements to balance all of this out (please talk to your doctor first!), regulating your hormones and improving your gut health can directly give you clearer skin with better tone and texture. It happened to me!
If you get the OK from your doctor, here is a list of supplements (from Dr. Berkowitz) and what they do:
- Alpha lipoic acid: helps stop the stiffening of collagen fibers.
- Antioxidants: stop free radical production. For example, vitamins A, C, and E help to better hydrate the skin.
- Hydrolyzed collagen: reduces wrinkles.
- Hyaluronic acid: hydrates skin. (Yes, you can take the popular skin care ingredient as a supplement, as well!)
- Astaxanthin: fights free radicals and prevents damage from the sun and other environmental toxins.
Here are specific supplements for acne:
- Zinc: helps accelerate the development of new clear skin cells and reduce the inflammatory response to bacteria.
- Probiotic: promotes healthy or good bacteria and thus decreases the inflammatory response that damages skin.
- Coconut oil: helps replace the protective acid layer that keeps skin healthy and reduces inflammation.
He also shared an anti-inflammatory eating plan:
- Avoid refined carbohydrates, which increase insulin and inflammation.
- Avoid gluten, cow's milk dairy, processed foods, and excessive amounts of omega-6, which are all pro-inflammatory.
- Increase use of spices: turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, and parsley all have anti-inflammatory effects to help keep the skin healthy and slow down the aging process.
16 Times Will and Kate Showed PDA - and Why They Don't Do It That Often
When Kate Middleton married Prince William in 2011, she entered into a totally new territory, one full of palaces, public outings, and closely guarded protocol. Some of the royal rules include curtsying to the queen, accepting flowers from adoring fans, and fulfilling philanthropic responsibilities. With everything she gained as Duchess of Cambridge, it seemed like one of the things Kate lost was the freedom to show PDA with her adoring husband. While we've seen the couple out and about a ton together since they tied the knot, it's rare to see them touching each other, especially hugging or kissing.
It may seem like there's royal protocol at play, but contrary to popular belief, there actually isn't any formal rule that discourages the couple from showing PDA. Rather, since Kate and Will are "working representatives of British Monarchy," they likely just prefer to remain professional during their public outings and obligations and are mindful of how it may come off if they're just all over each other at, say, a children's hospital or church visit. It's also a nice way of keeping their private lives separate from their public personas and an attempt to avoid any weird speculation about even the slightest smooch or cuddle.
William can usually be seen reaching for his wife or resting a helping hand on her back while walking together. He and Kate haven't shied away from sharing a hug at sporting events, holding hands during a joint appearance, or generally showing off their sweet chemistry, but we've only seen them kiss three times - and two of those times were during their wedding. Here are the 16 times we've gotten a peek at the royal couple's sweet public displays of affection - here's hoping for many more!
Orange Is the New Black Reveals Alison Abdullah's Preprison Story
Spoilers for season five of Orange Is the New Black!
Alison Abdullah (Amanda Stephen) joined Orange Is the New Black season four as one of the new inmates who was transferred in by MCC as a way to eke every last cent out of Litchfield by stuffing it to the gills.
She initially didn't get along with bunkmate Black Cindy (Adrienne C. Moore) but gradually came to be part of the group that includes Cindy, Taystee (Danielle Brooks), Janae (Vicky Jeudy), Suzanne (Uzo Aduba), and Poussey (Samira Wiley), until Poussey's untimely death in the final episodes of season four.
When the show picks back up, Alison is still firmly part of the group, and in fact, she's instrumental in crafting the inmates' demands as part of the riot, due in large part to being more emotionally removed and practical since she wasn't as close with Poussey.
In episode four, viewers are treated to Alison's backstory, which may explain why she's determined to make Litchfield better, riot consequences be damned - she may not actually be ready to go home.
In her preprison life, Alison was part of a traditional family, with a husband, Hassan (W. Tre Davis), and a young daughter, Farah (Layla Bunch). But she and her husband are talking about bringing another woman into the marriage. Alison isn't thrilled about the idea, but she's overwhelmed with work, parenting, housework, and making their marriage work.
"We're not getting the best parts of each other," she says, extolling the virtues of having another wife to help out. Her husband says they could just hire a nanny, but Alison says they should keep an open mind if the right person comes along.
When the right person does come along, a nice woman named Sahara (Malika Samuel), things seem great at first, but Alison quickly starts to feel out of place in her own home. She's jealous of Sahara's relationship with Farah, especially with Hassan saying that Farah is Sahara's daughter too, which does not sit well Alison.
The episode doesn't reveal what Alison did to get sent to prison, but her backstory runs a nice parallel with what's going on with Kasey Sankey (Kelly Karbacz), the white nationalist whose husband is in a relationship with Sankey's permission while she's in prison. But Kasey is dismayed to see Facebook posts of this new woman taking an active role in her young daughter's life.
What's a shame is that the two inmates don't come together over their common problem, but Kasey's racism toward Alison isn't something either one of them can overlook.
For a refresher on how each Orange Is the New Black woman ended up in Litchfield, check out this handy guide.
Orange Is the New Black: Linda Ferguson's Backstory Is Ice Cold
Spoilers for season five of Orange Is the New Black!
After spending Orange Is the New Black season four as a cog in the MCC machine, hopping in bed with Caputo (Nick Sandow) because it seemed like he was on his way up the corporate ladder, Linda (Beth Dover) is moving more to the forefront in season five, having been caught up in the prison riot because she's in the bathroom when all hell breaks loose.
Linda is lucky the people who find her are Piper (Taylor Schilling) and Alex (Laura Prepon), because they aren't active enough in the riot to throw her to the wolves. Instead, they get her some prison garb and start coaching her on a backstory, the idea being that Linda can just try to blend in until this all blows over.
But until then, viewers are treated to her real backstory - which is pretty awful, but also unsurprising considering what we've seen of Linda so far.
The year is sometime in the mid- to late-'90s - you can tell because the fashion is still veering toward Cher in Clueless - and Linda is an Alpha Zeta Delta, which is one of those sororities that makes the news when the president or Greek Week chair or whoever sends out a terrifying email blast that makes her (and the entire organization) sound insane.
Not all sororities are like that, of course, but some of them are, and Linda is a proud member of one of those sororities.
Her big sister in AZD is Megs (Stephanie Leone), who gives an in-person version of one of those crazy emails and then goes to a party and gets completely blitzed. Linda goes outside with Megs for a bathroom break, but the drunk Megs is taking too long, so Linda leaves her there because she'll probably be fine, right?
Nope. Megs is super drunk, she is wearing practically nothing, and it's a freakin' blizzard outside. Linda should never have left Megs alone, and she certainly should have checked on her at some point, but Linda is pretty much the worst and Megs freezes to death in the snow.
The next morning, Linda lies to the cops about being the last person to talk to Megs and suggests that her big sister had a drinking problem. That might very well be true, but Linda definitely does not take responsibility for the part she played in Megs's death, though she's more than happy to take over Megs's responsibility within the sorority. That's ice cold.
For a refresher on how each Orange Is the New Black woman ended up in Litchfield, check out this handy guide.
We Finally Have an Answer to Orange Is the New Black's Shocking Daya Cliffhanger
Spoilers for season five of Orange Is the New Black!
It's the question every Orange Is the New Black fan had on their minds after watching the season four finale: would Daya shoot CO Thomas Humphrey? Now that season five has premiered, we finally have our answer.
The episode picks up exactly where it left off in season four, with Humphrey (Michael Torpey) on his knees in front of Daya (Dascha Polanco), who's holding the vindictive corrections officer at gunpoint with his own weapon. As the other prisoners circle them and try to convince Daya to pull the trigger - especially Maria Ruiz (Jessica Pimentel), who sees the moment as an opportunity for the prisoners to take over Litchfield - Humphrey begins to plead for his life. He starts telling Daya a story in Spanish about how he used to catch frogs as a kid and that he has two sisters ("He doing that thing, trying to make her see he a person and sh*t. You know, I seen that sh*t on Oprah back in the day," Taystee hilariously observes from the sidelines).
Daya is visibly frustrated and stressed out by everyone yelling and telling her what to do, so she asks them and Humphrey to shut up. No one does, so she shoots Humphrey . . . in the penis. OK, OK, not in the penis, but really close on his upper thigh, after telling him "I don't f*cking speak Spanish." The rest of the inmates scream at her to finish the job and kill him, and then Maritza (Diane Guerrero), who Humphrey terrorized last season, starts literally kicking him while he's down. Someone impersonates the female guard over the radio, telling the other COs that the gunshot was from Humphrey "going full Sandy Hook" and shooting people. Alarms start blaring and all hell breaks loose.
Fortunately for Humphrey (not that he deserves any kind of fortune), Gloria (Selenis Leyva) and Sophia (Laverne Cox) take pity on him and try to stitch him up with needles from Litchfield's hair salon, before eventually realizing the bullet hit an artery and they need to take him to the medical ward. So, does Daya shoot him? Yes, but he lives to see another day.
Orange Is the New Black's Beth Dover Has Been Stealing Scenes in Your Favorite Comedies
There are a ton of characters on Orange Is the New Black, so it's a little tough to keep track of them all. If there's one person you should definitely have on your radar in season five, however, it's Linda Ferguson. As you might recall, "Linda from purchasing" makes a subtly terrifying appearance in season four as the high-strung and ruthless Management & Correction Corporation employee (and briefly Joe Caputo's girlfriend) who has no qualms about depriving inmates of basic human necessities as long as it cuts costs for her company. In season five, after getting trapped in the prison during the three-day-long riot, we learn a whole lot more about Linda, including her own chilly backstory. So, who plays Linda Ferguson? Meet comedy extraordinaire Beth Dover.
Dover's acting résumé before joining OITNB is full of roles on your favorite TV comedies. From guest starring on Brooklyn Nine-Nine alongside husband Joe Lo Truglio to stints on Fresh Off the Boat, Childrens Hospital (pictured below), and Another Period, she's no stranger to making people laugh.
If you want to see more of Dover after binging season five of the Netflix hit, she has a comedy, Little Bitches, coming to the big screen in 2017. It's safe to assume she'll crack you up.
Breaking Down What Happens to LeAnn Harvey on House of Cards
Spoilers for the fifth season of House of Cards are below.
Shocking or unexpected deaths are just one of the unsettling things that makes House of Cards such a roller coaster ride. If someone becomes too unpredictable or too much of a liability to Frank and Claire Underwood's master plan, they probably won't stick around for long. House of Cards also isn't shy about showing those deaths - at least, most of the time.
At the end of season five, we're left questioning the fate of LeAnn Harvey (Neve Campbell), the Underwoods' former campaign manager. LeAnn is initially pushed out of her role in the administration because of her connection to Aidan Macallan, the data scientist who helps the Underwoods illegally influence the election. However, Macallan (before his own untimely death) sends LeAnn password-protected files of evidence, giving her a degree of leverage.
In the season's final episode, LeAnn decides to give access to the files to Jane Davis but wants to be made Claire's new chief of staff in exchange. Davis agrees, but then when Mark Usher forces LeAnn out of the new position only a day or so later, Davis doesn't come to her defense. When Davis tells Frank that the files from Macallan are now in Claire's possession, Frank says ominously that "LeAnn's job is done."
LeAnn soon realizes that her surrender of the files combined with losing the job she was promised points to the possibility that she's being set up to be taken out. As she drives to Doug's home at night, obviously shaken, another car drives up close behind her and flashes its lights. Before we see anything more happen, the camera cuts away to Frank watching LeAnn through her phone. He looks right at the audience and says, "Sometimes you don't have to watch the whole movie to know how it ends."
The next time we see LeAnn's car, it's gone off the road and overturned. Clearly LeAnn was right to be suspicious, and Frank arranged for her to be eliminated. However, her body is never shown even though the crash looks very severe, which raises a red flag. Maybe we're simply supposed to assume she didn't make it - but strongly suggesting a character dies in a season finale and then revealing they survived in the following season isn't exactly unheard of in television dramas. This trick is even used in the second season of House of Cards: the finale shows Doug's apparently dead body, and then the third season premiere reveals he's alive.
It hasn't been confirmed by showrunners or actress Neve Campbell whether LeAnn is actually dead either, adding to the mystery. We'll have to wait and see if (a potential) season six answers the question once and for all . . .
This 1 Overlooked Harry Potter Detail Reveals So Much About Mad-Eye Moody
Just when we thought we knew it all about Harry Potter, another subtle detail about the series comes and blows our minds. This time, it's about Alastor Moody, the retired auror who boasts an enchanted glass eye and a propensity for paranoid conspiracy theories. It turns out that Moody may have been the only person who laid eyes - errr, eye - on the true form of one of the series' most memorable magical creatures.
A Redditor called UnavailableUsername_ made the connection using a specific moment from the Harry Potter books, notably in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Check it out below.
Alastor Moody may have been one of the few wizards to see the real appearance of a boggart. from harrypotter
You see, because of the magical qualities of Moody's glass eye, he was able to see through solid objects, and therefore, when presented with a boggart, Moody was likely able to observe its true form. Since boggarts only take the form of a person's worst fear when they know they're being watched, that means that Moody - when peering through the wood of a chest at an unsuspecting boggart - likely saw whatever a boggart appears as in its true form.
We'd love to know exactly what the former auror saw in the chest at 12 Grimmauld Place. It's easy to picture a gray blob or a cloud of mist, but we're sure that J.K. Rowling has something even more creative in mind for the creature's form! Maybe we'll get a glimpse in the next installation of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, eh?
Orange Is the New Black Reveals Alison Abdullah's Preprison Story
Spoilers for season five of Orange Is the New Black!
Alison Abdullah (Amanda Stephen) joined Orange Is the New Black season four as one of the new inmates who was transferred in by MCC as a way to eke every last cent out of Litchfield by stuffing it to the gills.
She initially didn't get along with bunkmate Black Cindy (Adrienne C. Moore) but gradually came to be part of the group that includes Cindy, Taystee (Danielle Brooks), Janae (Vicky Jeudy), Suzanne (Uzo Aduba), and Poussey (Samira Wiley), until Poussey's untimely death in the final episodes of season four.
When the show picks back up, Alison is still firmly part of the group, and in fact, she's instrumental in crafting the inmates' demands as part of the riot, due in large part to being more emotionally removed and practical since she wasn't as close with Poussey.
In episode four, viewers are treated to Alison's backstory, which may explain why she's determined to make Litchfield better, riot consequences be damned - she may not actually be ready to go home.
In her preprison life, Alison was part of a traditional family, with a husband, Hassan (W. Tre Davis), and a young daughter, Farah (Layla Bunch). But she and her husband are talking about bringing another woman into the marriage. Alison isn't thrilled about the idea, but she's overwhelmed with work, parenting, housework, and making their marriage work.
"We're not getting the best parts of each other," she says, extolling the virtues of having another wife to help out. Her husband says they could just hire a nanny, but Alison says they should keep an open mind if the right person comes along.
When the right person does come along, a nice woman named Sahara (Malika Samuel), things seem great at first, but Alison quickly starts to feel out of place in her own home. She's jealous of Sahara's relationship with Farah, especially with Hassan saying that Farah is Sahara's daughter too, which does not sit well Alison.
The episode doesn't reveal what Alison did to get sent to prison, but her backstory runs a nice parallel with what's going on with Kasey Sankey (Kelly Karbacz), the white nationalist whose husband is in a relationship with Sankey's permission while she's in prison. But Kasey is dismayed to see Facebook posts of this new woman taking an active role in her young daughter's life.
What's a shame is that the two inmates don't come together over their common problem, but Kasey's racism toward Alison isn't something either one of them can overlook.
For a refresher on how each Orange Is the New Black woman ended up in Litchfield, check out this handy guide.
Orange Is the New Black: Linda Ferguson's Backstory Is Ice Cold
Spoilers for season five of Orange Is the New Black!
After spending Orange Is the New Black season four as a cog in the MCC machine, hopping in bed with Caputo (Nick Sandow) because it seemed like he was on his way up the corporate ladder, Linda (Beth Dover) is moving more to the forefront in season five, having been caught up in the prison riot because she's in the bathroom when all hell breaks loose.
Linda is lucky the people who find her are Piper (Taylor Schilling) and Alex (Laura Prepon), because they aren't active enough in the riot to throw her to the wolves. Instead, they get her some prison garb and start coaching her on a backstory, the idea being that Linda can just try to blend in until this all blows over.
But until then, viewers are treated to her real backstory - which is pretty awful, but also unsurprising considering what we've seen of Linda so far.
The year is sometime in the mid- to late-'90s - you can tell because the fashion is still veering toward Cher in Clueless - and Linda is an Alpha Zeta Delta, which is one of those sororities that makes the news when the president or Greek Week chair or whoever sends out a terrifying email blast that makes her (and the entire organization) sound insane.
Not all sororities are like that, of course, but some of them are, and Linda is a proud member of one of those sororities.
Her big sister in AZD is Megs (Stephanie Leone), who gives an in-person version of one of those crazy emails and then goes to a party and gets completely blitzed. Linda goes outside with Megs for a bathroom break, but the drunk Megs is taking too long, so Linda leaves her there because she'll probably be fine, right?
Nope. Megs is super drunk, she is wearing practically nothing, and it's a freakin' blizzard outside. Linda should never have left Megs alone, and she certainly should have checked on her at some point, but Linda is pretty much the worst and Megs freezes to death in the snow.
The next morning, Linda lies to the cops about being the last person to talk to Megs and suggests that her big sister had a drinking problem. That might very well be true, but Linda definitely does not take responsibility for the part she played in Megs's death, though she's more than happy to take over Megs's responsibility within the sorority. That's ice cold.
For a refresher on how each Orange Is the New Black woman ended up in Litchfield, check out this handy guide.
See How Much the Cast of Dawson's Creek Has Changed Over the Years
I know this is probably going to be hard to believe, but Dawson's Creek has been off the air for 14 years. Fourteen years! If that seems ridiculous to you, you're definitely not alone, especially because most of the cast members look like barely any time has passed since the seminal teen drama went off the air in 2003. Sure, Katie Holmes has ditched Joey Potter's tomboy look for something a little more chic and Joshua Jackson has grown some scruff, but overall they're aging like fine wine. From Oscar nominations to having teenagers of their own, see where the show's main cast is today.
You'll Want to Walk Down the Aisle to This Version of Carrie and Keith's "The Fighter"
Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban did not come to play at the CMT Awards in Nashville on Wednesday. After hitting the red carpet with wife Nicole Kidman, Keith took the stage with Carrie for a beautiful performance of their duet, "The Fighter." While we love the original version of the song, this raw, stripped-down version is definitely something we can see ourselves walking down the aisle to at our weddings.
We Finally Have an Answer to Orange Is the New Black's Shocking Daya Cliffhanger
Spoilers for season five of Orange Is the New Black!
It's the question every Orange Is the New Black fan had on their minds after watching the season four finale: would Daya shoot CO Thomas Humphrey? Now that season five has premiered, we finally have our answer.
The episode picks up exactly where it left off in season four, with Humphrey (Michael Torpey) on his knees in front of Daya (Dascha Polanco), who's holding the vindictive corrections officer at gunpoint with his own weapon. As the other prisoners circle them and try to convince Daya to pull the trigger - especially Maria Ruiz (Jessica Pimentel), who sees the moment as an opportunity for the prisoners to take over Litchfield - Humphrey begins to plead for his life. He starts telling Daya a story in Spanish about how he used to catch frogs as a kid and that he has two sisters ("He doing that thing, trying to make her see he a person and sh*t. You know, I seen that sh*t on Oprah back in the day," Taystee hilariously observes from the sidelines).
Daya is visibly frustrated and stressed out by everyone yelling and telling her what to do, so she asks them and Humphrey to shut up. No one does, so she shoots Humphrey . . . in the penis. OK, OK, not in the penis, but really close on his upper thigh, after telling him "I don't f*cking speak Spanish." The rest of the inmates scream at her to finish the job and kill him, and then Maritza (Diane Guerrero), who Humphrey terrorized last season, starts literally kicking him while he's down. Someone impersonates the female guard over the radio, telling the other COs that the gunshot was from Humphrey "going full Sandy Hook" and shooting people. Alarms start blaring and all hell breaks loose.
Fortunately for Humphrey (not that he deserves any kind of fortune), Gloria (Selenis Leyva) and Sophia (Laverne Cox) take pity on him and try to stitch him up with needles from Litchfield's hair salon, before eventually realizing the bullet hit an artery and they need to take him to the medical ward. So, does Daya shoot him? Yes, but he lives to see another day.
The UK Election Ends With a Hung Parliament
The UK general election is set to end with a hung parliament. Though a handful of final results are still coming through, it is now clear that Theresa May's Conservatives have not won enough seats to form a majority government, with main rival the Labour Party gaining a number of seats. The BBC predicts that the Conservatives will end up with 318 seats, a few short of the 326 seats needed to win the election outright. Labour is not far behind, with a predicted 262 seats.
This means the UK wakes up today to uncertainty. With no majority win, the first option is a coalition government, where two or more parties form an alliance to make up the number of seats needed to form a majority. The incumbent Prime Minister (in this case, Theresa May) usually has the first opportunity to negotiate this. If her negotiations fail, other parties may discuss possible options, though with such a tight vote, this could prove complicated.
A successful coalition was formed in the UK in 2010, when David Cameron's Conservatives and Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats joined forces. Technically, a similar coalition could be an option for Theresa May this time around, but it seems unlikely that current Lib Dem leader Tim Farron would be quite so open to such a partnership; the previous one decimated his party, and the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats disagree deeply on Brexit. If no parties can negotiate a coalition, one may attempt to form a minority government, relying on the support of smaller parties to pass laws in the future.
Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the Labour Party, won his seat in North London and took to the stage saying, "Whatever the final result, we have already changed the face of British politics." He is calling for Theresa May to resign.
With Brexit negotiations set to begin in a matter of days, there is immense pressure for someone to take the lead and form a viable UK government. This could take days, so for now, the UK waits.
3 Teens Invented a Smart Straw That Detects Date Rape Drugs
Date rape drugs are about to become a thing of the past if these three Florida teens have things their way. "Being young women, I feel like this is a problem that we hear about a lot," Carolina Baigorri told Inside Edition. Baigorri is one of the three students who helped invent a smart straw that detects two commonly used date rape drugs. "Statistics say it's one in every five women [who experience rape], which is so many people," she added.
Baigorri, along with her classmates Susana Cappello and Victoria Roca, came up with a straw that turns blue when dipped inside of a drink that contains GHB or ketamine, two date rape drugs that are difficult to notice because of their undetectable smell and taste. Their potentially lifesaving invention, which would be the first of its kind to go into production, earned them a first place prize in a business plan competition held by the Miami Herald.
"My friends and I knew we needed to come up with a simple solution to test for drugs. I remember my dad always says 'the best ideas are the ideas that help people,' so we just thought of a simple, easy, inexpensive solution: Smart Straws," Cappello reportedly told A Plus news site.
As for their future plans, the teens have already requested a patent for their design, with the hopes of producing an even smarter straw that could detect more commonly used date rape drugs. Crowdfunding for the launch of their product is expected to begin in the near future and will be targeted at "bars, college organizations, and students." Kudos to these three badass teens!
Meryl Streep Dressed as Diane Keaton to Honor Diane Keaton, and It Was Perfect
Diane Keaton was (finally) honored with a Life Achievement Award by the American Film Institute in LA on Thursday night. The big event brought out lots of her famous friends and costars, including Father of the Bride's Steve Martin and Martin Short, Emma Stone, Reese Witherspoon, and Meryl Streep, who took the stage to give a toast to her fellow legend. Meryl went the extra mile to celebrate her longtime friend by wearing a look inspired by one of Diane's most iconic characters, Annie Hall; from the blazer and tie to the oversize hat, Meryl really nailed her homage to the 1977 film, as well as Diane's own unique personal style. The 71-year-old star looked overjoyed to see Meryl's ensemble, and the two stuck together throughout the gala. Keep reading to see Meryl's tribute to Diane Keaton, then look back on the speech Diane made at Meryl's AFI ceremony in 2009.
16 Swatching Instagram Accounts You Need to Follow Right Now
Whenever a brand drops anything new, the first thing we want to see are the swatches. Swatching has changed the makeup game, and a lot of people (me included) refuse to buy a new product without seeing a swatch or review first. These strips of color on a forearm or a lip tell beauty bloggers and subbies (re: subscribers) alike whether a new palette, collection, or launch is worth the money and attention.
Wow, Sam Hunt Really Racked Up the Air Miles Trying to Win His Now-Wife Back
Sam Hunt married his longtime love, Hannah Lee Fowler, in April, but like many other celebrity couples, they actually suffered a split before making it official. During an interview with ET at the CMT Awards on Wednesday night, the hunky "Body Like a Back Road" singer opened up about how hard he worked to get Hannah back - and revealed that he flew repeatedly to visit his ex in Hawaii to convince her to give him another chance (which is funny, because I've actually considered flying to Hawaii to get away from mine). "I think last Summer I went out [to Hawaii] about seven times in about three months . . . trying to talk to her about coming back," Sam said, adding, "And the seventh trip I convinced her."
Sam's successful attempts resulted in him and Hannah getting engaged in January and married just three months later. They made their red carpet debut as a married couple at the Billboard Music Awards a few weeks later and likely took a really sweet honeymoon with all those air miles he racked up. So, have you gotten that text back yet?
Meryl Streep Dressed as Diane Keaton to Honor Diane Keaton, and It Was Perfect
Diane Keaton was (finally) honored with a Life Achievement Award by the American Film Institute in LA on Thursday night. The big event brought out lots of her famous friends and costars, including Father of the Bride's Steve Martin and Martin Short, Emma Stone, Reese Witherspoon, and Meryl Streep, who took the stage to give a toast to her fellow legend. Meryl went the extra mile to celebrate her longtime friend by wearing a look inspired by one of Diane's most iconic characters, Annie Hall; from the blazer and tie to the oversize hat, Meryl really nailed her homage to the 1977 film, as well as Diane's own unique personal style. The 71-year-old star looked overjoyed to see Meryl's ensemble, and the two stuck together throughout the gala. Keep reading to see Meryl's tribute to Diane Keaton, then look back on the speech Diane made at Meryl's AFI ceremony in 2009.
This 1 Overlooked Harry Potter Detail Reveals So Much About Mad-Eye Moody
Just when we thought we knew it all about Harry Potter, another subtle detail about the series comes and blows our minds. This time, it's about Alastor Moody, the retired auror who boasts an enchanted glass eye and a propensity for paranoid conspiracy theories. It turns out that Moody may have been the only person who laid eyes - errr, eye - on the true form of one of the series' most memorable magical creatures.
A Redditor called UnavailableUsername_ made the connection using a specific moment from the Harry Potter books, notably in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Check it out below.
Alastor Moody may have been one of the few wizards to see the real appearance of a boggart. from harrypotter
You see, because of the magical qualities of Moody's glass eye, he was able to see through solid objects, and therefore, when presented with a boggart, Moody was likely able to observe its true form. Since boggarts only take the form of a person's worst fear when they know they're being watched, that means that Moody - when peering through the wood of a chest at an unsuspecting boggart - likely saw whatever a boggart appears as in its true form.
We'd love to know exactly what the former auror saw in the chest at 12 Grimmauld Place. It's easy to picture a gray blob or a cloud of mist, but we're sure that J.K. Rowling has something even more creative in mind for the creature's form! Maybe we'll get a glimpse in the next installation of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, eh?
3 Teens Invented a Smart Straw That Detects Date Rape Drugs
Date rape drugs are about to become a thing of the past if these three Florida teens have things their way. "Being young women, I feel like this is a problem that we hear about a lot," Carolina Baigorri told Inside Edition. Baigorri is one of the three students who helped invent a smart straw that detects two commonly used date rape drugs. "Statistics say it's one in every five women [who experience rape], which is so many people," she added.
Baigorri, along with her classmates Susana Cappello and Victoria Roca, came up with a straw that turns blue when dipped inside of a drink that contains GHB or ketamine, two date rape drugs that are difficult to notice because of their undetectable smell and taste. Their potentially lifesaving invention, which would be the first of its kind to go into production, earned them a first place prize in a business plan competition held by the Miami Herald.
"My friends and I knew we needed to come up with a simple solution to test for drugs. I remember my dad always says 'the best ideas are the ideas that help people,' so we just thought of a simple, easy, inexpensive solution: Smart Straws," Cappello reportedly told A Plus news site.
As for their future plans, the teens have already requested a patent for their design, with the hopes of producing an even smarter straw that could detect more commonly used date rape drugs. Crowdfunding for the launch of their product is expected to begin in the near future and will be targeted at "bars, college organizations, and students." Kudos to these three badass teens!
16 CMT Awards Moments That Need Your Undivided Attention
The CMT Awards went down in Nashville on Wednesday, drawing out some of the biggest names in country music. In addition to all the gorgeous red carpet arrivals and incredible performances, some of the best moments happened backstage or during the commercial breaks. But don't worry, we've got you covered. Keep reading to see them all now.
5 Things to Know About Dwayne Johnson's Longtime Girlfriend, Lauren Hashian
Lauren Hashian is a singer-songwriter and Boston drummer Sib Hashian's daughter, but she also happens to be Dwayne Johnson's longtime girlfriend. While the two have a habit of keeping their love life private, People's Sexiest Man Alive briefly opened up about their relationship back in November, telling the publication, "She teases me about everything. Everything. Nothing is off limits in our house. And it's the beauty of it. And I tease her with everything." Here's everything we could find out about Dwayne's other half.
- She comes from a famous family. Lauren was born and raised in Lynwood, MA. Her mother is named Suzanne and her father, Sib, was the drummer for the famous rock band Boston. He replaced original drummer Jim Masdea in 1975 and played with the band until the early '80s. Sadly, Sib passed away at age 67 after suffering a heart attack while performing on board a cruise ship in March.
- She's been with Dwayne for a long time. While Lauren and Dwayne didn't make their red carpet debut until 2013 at the LA premiere of G.I. Joe, the couple have actually been together for almost a decade. They met on the set of Dwayne's 2007 film, The Game Plan, but they didn't start dating until a year later.
- She is a mom. In December 2015, Lauren welcomed her first child with Dwayne, a beautiful baby girl named Jasmine. She's the second child for the actor, who shares teenage daughter Simone with ex-wife Dany Garcia.
- She's on good terms with Dwayne's ex-wife. Unlike most divorced couples, Lauren actually seems to get along with Dany, who's also Dwayne's manager. The two often accompany Dwayne to his movie premieres and award shows, and based on their Instagrams, they even celebrate holidays together.
- She's a singer. Just like her father, Lauren is also a musician. She recently dropped her new single, "Go Hard," and in 2005, she appeared on the competition show R U That Girl, which was hosted by Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas. Unfortunately, she didn't win.
Marble Hair Is the Hot New Hair Dye Trend - and It's So Damn Cool!
We thought we'd seen it all from marble beauty trends after marble lip art, marble nail art, and even Valentine's Day marble nail art, but the latest marble style proves this melting trend isn't going anywhere. Hair marbling is the new hair dyeing technique that creates beautiful tie-dye shades, but it's the way the formula is created that's so mesmerizing.
First spotted by Allure, hairstylist Ash Fortis has made hair marbling her signature style after wanting to bring the popular nail art trend to hair. What makes marbled hair so special is that the results are unique every single time.
To create the dye formula, Fortis explained that she starts with putting a layer of shaving cream onto foam mesh strips. Using Pulp Riot dye, she spreads different bright colored dyes on top of the cream and uses the back of her color brush to create marbled, swirled designs on the strip. When the design is ready, she separates the hair and presses a small section of the hair onto the strip with the dye and places a clear strip on top. She does this for multiple sections of hair. The result is a beautiful, multicolored design.
Keep reading to see more of Fortis's mesmerizing technique and the stunning results of her clients.
Openly, Honestly, Publicly: How We Live Our Lives With Pride
Matt Dallas: When it comes to my upbringing, I have a very large family. We're kind of a very motley crew as it is, and I was very fortunate that I was just . . . comfortable. I was raised to be very much who I was. I always found myself off with my female cousins, whether that meant dressing up, having dance parties, or whatever. That was the world that I immersed myself into, and I think I was lucky that I didn't have a father who was trying to pull me out of it.
The Summer before my freshman year of high school, I made two guy friends. They were gay, and I basically just spent that Summer hanging out with them, and that was when I realized like, "Oh, gay is a thing. That's what's happening here." That's when I knew I was different, and as I entered into high school, it all started really clicking and making a lot more sense.
Blue Hamilton: As for me, I grew up in a very small town called Florissant in Colorado. I think, even today, the town has like 100 people in it. It's a very small community up in the Rockies, and so there was no LGBTQ community to speak of. I literally only remember one woman there that we suspected was a lesbian. I didn't have the resources. The internet wasn't there.
Yeah, but you know what's really interesting? I've been a huge Madonna fan my whole life, because my sisters were into her and, you know, it was the '80s. She was a huge influence on my life, because I was a big fan. And I mean, look at who her audience is.
It's just funny to me that I had the power of an artist with a voice - and the impact that she made in my life - when I didn't have anybody else. To bring it back to what Matt and I do as far as being out there and being visible, that's another reason I feel like it's really important. Even though the internet's out there and the world is a great big open oyster now, there are kids in towns who don't have those people around them. So at least they have these resources to go out and look at.
MD: In terms of Pride, I've been to two, and they were both in San Diego. I have to be really honest, I was really turned off by LGBTQ Pride, even in my early 20s. It just didn't feel like it necessarily represented me. Don't get me wrong, it was cool to see everybody coming together. I remember I saw Cyndi Lauper, and to have someone who's that famous that's there and supporting us was very meaningful to me. But as I got older, I just started to feel conflicted.
I celebrate my pride in a different way. Pride is something that we live every day.BH: I've been to a couple, and I have to echo you. I think that the Pride festivities that I've been to do represent a specific portion of the community, but they didn't necessarily represent me. I went in LA, and it was years ago. It was fun, and I didn't really see anything that I was appalled by, but I didn't feel like I fit in. What I took out of it was that pride, for me, was not going to a parade. I celebrate my pride in a different way. Pride is something that we live every day and I don't need to go to a parade. That's how I felt at the time. To me it means to just being true to who you are and living by example.
MD: Of course, I want to say that I don't mean to pass any sort of judgment on somebody who enjoys Pride. You should be who you are and do what makes you happy, but that just wasn't me. I obviously feel the same way as Blue: my pride is about living openly and honestly and publicly and living by example.
That being said, I do think there's something very powerful in like a giant mass of people coming together, like the Women's March. That sent a huge message, and I think that that's very impactful. So, I think a Pride parade sends a very loud, important message, and it's a very powerful tool. But I also think it's time that we reconsider what that looks like in the context of Pride.
I think a Pride Parade sends a very loud, important message.I will say I regret that I wasn't able to be at a Pride after the Pulse nightclub shooting. I wanted to be able to be a part of that. To come out and show the support and say, like, "We, as a community, are coming together to say that we will not stand for this."
Like I said, though, my pride is in my life. I felt the best when I came out publicly. I had spent so many years so afraid of coming out. It had been about 10 years that I spent really conflicted about who I was and being open and honest publicly. When I did come out, I remember sending the tweet and then just like refreshing. Like, "Oh, there's no taking it back now." Even though there was like fear and nervousness in the moment, there was a huge release, and I felt very proud of myself that I was able to fight back and take a stance for who I was. It really was a moment of "Wow, I did something really cool and I'm really proud of myself." It felt special to get to be a part of something, to stand up for something that I had been so afraid of, that I had been hiding for so many years.
BH: I mean, there's nothing that necessarily comes to mind for me, nothing that big. But there's one huge memory that sticks out for me. We were at Disneyland last year waiting in line. A 13-year-old kid came up to us with his mom, and they basically told us that this kid came out and feels comfortable because of watching us on YouTube.
MD: And it was the mother's reaction!
BH: I mean, yeah, but I guess it was more the kid for me. But the mom was very emotional and, like, teary-eyed and was just super appreciative and nice. It was her story, I guess, but it was about the kid.
MD: For me what I thought was cool was that the mom was saying that, as supportive as she was of her son, she was just always so fearful for what his life might look like, and she just was afraid that he wouldn't be able to find happiness, but when he made her sit down and watch our videos, she was like, "Oh, my son will be able to have this life and will be able to have the life I always dreamed he would have." And she felt like she didn't have to be afraid anymore.
As much as I've shared to the contrary, I am excited for Pride this year. I feel more open and honest with who I am than I ever have been in my life, and I feel like we are at such a crossroads in our society. I mean, we've had so many breakthroughs. You see this real shift in society, so it is exciting to see where the next Pride Months over the next few years are going to take us. I think it's an exhilarating time because it can go any direction, and I think there are now so many voices that it can be something really interesting and special.
BH: I'm actually excited for it. I feel I'm more aware of it than I've been in the past, and I feel we're able to make an influence and be a part of it on a different level than before. It's time to get started.
As told to Ryan Roschke
Witness the Exact Moment a Mom's Dying Wish Was Fulfilled at Her Daughter's Wedding
St. Mary's Hospital recently granted one woman's dying wish by organizing a special garden wedding ceremony so that she could witness her daughter getting married. Debbie Nelson from Madison, WI, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and told the local news station that she arrived at the hospital feeling "very sick, but knowing that I had one goal. And that is to see my daughter get married."
Debbie said she "never expected" the surprise wedding to happen as quickly as it did. All it took was 24 hours for the staff and volunteers to transform the hospital's healing garden into a gorgeous wedding venue for her daughter, Melissa.
"Unbelievably happy and thankful for everything that everybody did in one day. I'm just kind of blown away," Melissa said after tying the knot with her husband. "People came from everywhere and offered to help and made this, like, one of the best days of my entire life," Debbie added. Watch the emotional video above to witness the beautiful moment Debbie got to see her wish come true.
42 of Kate Middleton's Least Princess-y Facial Expressions
The Duchess of Cambridge usually looks elegant and composed when she's performing her royal duties, but, like every human, she does occasionally drop her picture-perfect grin to reveal deeper emotions. Indeed, Kate Middleton tends to show off her least "princess-y" expressions when she's doing one of her favorite things - watching sports. Since the duchess isn't too princess-y to play sports, it's only natural that some of her funniest moments would come while she is watching athletes do their thing! Keep reading to see Kate's funniest faces from over the years.
Jerry Seinfeld Explains That Cringeworthy Kesha Moment: "I Don't Hug a Total Stranger"
Jerry Seinfeld has a decent reason for rejecting Kesha's hug. Three days after a cringeworthy video of the comedian brushing off an embrace from the pop star went viral this week, Jerry explained the awkward encounter at an event in NYC. "I'm 63. I don't know every pop star. . . I don't know everyone," he told Extra, confirming, "I'm not [a hugger]." He went on: "I was right in the middle of an interview, it was a little off. When you get to be my age and you've done a couple things, you have your own reality. In my reality, I don't hug a total stranger. I have to meet someone, say 'hello.'" "I gotta start somewhere. . . hug isn't first moment of a human, two humans. I never did that," he added.
On Monday night, the comedian attended The David Lynch Foundation's National Night of Laughter and Song event in Washington DC, and was in the middle of an interview with 94.7 Fresh FM when Kesha ran up to him and asked him for a hug. "I'm Kesha! I love you so much. Can I give you a hug?" she asked. Jerry looked a bit taken aback and responded, "No thanks," to which Kesha begged, "Please?" Still, Jerry didn't budge, but it was pretty clear from the clip that Jerry meant no ill intent; he simply just didn't know who Kesha was.
LAST NIGHT @KeshaRose found out @JerrySeinfeld is not a #Hugger -- Is it hard to be a non-hugger in 2017? http://pic.twitter.com/92OoMFCNkd
- Tommy McFLY (@TommyMcFLY) June 6, 2017
42 of Kate Middleton's Least Princess-y Facial Expressions
The Duchess of Cambridge usually looks elegant and composed when she's performing her royal duties, but, like every human, she does occasionally drop her picture-perfect grin to reveal deeper emotions. Indeed, Kate Middleton tends to show off her least "princess-y" expressions when she's doing one of her favorite things - watching sports. Since the duchess isn't too princess-y to play sports, it's only natural that some of her funniest moments would come while she is watching athletes do their thing! Keep reading to see Kate's funniest faces from over the years.
Get Ready to Work Up a Sweat With Free Fitness Classes at Disney Resorts!
If you needed another good excuse to book a trip to your favorite Disney resorts, we have good news for you. Walt Disney World is now offering free yoga classes at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The complimentary event, aptly titled Rise and Shine Yoga, will reportedly be offered at the resort on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:15 a.m. sharp. No need to worry about lugging a yoga mat with you, either. Free yoga mats will be provided for all guests who wish to attend. All you have to do is show up at Boca Chica, also known as building eight at the resort, and enjoy your free yoga session - no advance reservations required.
Disneyland's California Adventure Park is also getting in on the free fitness action, offering complimentary classes every Tuesday led by certified instructors, and the classes take place inside the park near Paradise Pier Bay. If you're looking for a workout that's "a blend of stretching and classic Pilates," then this one has your name written all over it. You'll have to act fast, though, since the program ends Nov. 21, 2017. Your magical workout awaits you.
Jerry Seinfeld Explains That Cringeworthy Kesha Moment: "I Don't Hug a Total Stranger"
Jerry Seinfeld has a decent reason for rejecting Kesha's hug. Three days after a cringeworthy video of the comedian brushing off an embrace from the pop star went viral this week, Jerry explained the awkward encounter at an event in NYC. "I'm 63. I don't know every pop star. . . I don't know everyone," he told Extra, confirming, "I'm not [a hugger]." He went on: "I was right in the middle of an interview, it was a little off. When you get to be my age and you've done a couple things, you have your own reality. In my reality, I don't hug a total stranger. I have to meet someone, say 'hello.'" "I gotta start somewhere. . . hug isn't first moment of a human, two humans. I never did that," he added.
On Monday night, the comedian attended The David Lynch Foundation's National Night of Laughter and Song event in Washington DC, and was in the middle of an interview with 94.7 Fresh FM when Kesha ran up to him and asked him for a hug. "I'm Kesha! I love you so much. Can I give you a hug?" she asked. Jerry looked a bit taken aback and responded, "No thanks," to which Kesha begged, "Please?" Still, Jerry didn't budge, but it was pretty clear from the clip that Jerry meant no ill intent; he simply just didn't know who Kesha was.
LAST NIGHT @KeshaRose found out @JerrySeinfeld is not a #Hugger -- Is it hard to be a non-hugger in 2017? http://pic.twitter.com/92OoMFCNkd
- Tommy McFLY (@TommyMcFLY) June 6, 2017
The Juiciest New Summer Beauty Trend Is Watermelon Makeup
Watermelon has always been one of our favorite warm-weather snacks, and now it's making its way into our Summer beauty routines. While some companies are seeking out the cooling properties of the ingredient, others are drawing it on their faces.
Allure first reported on this trend, and we were instantly obsessed by how creative beauty junkies are getting with this juicy theme. Some makeup mavens are simply painting their eyelids with a wash of pink and green, and others are using small brushes to paint seeds on their eyes and pout. While this might not be an everyday look, we can totally see this being an awesome festival beauty choice.
Read on to see the delicious looks.
From Friends to Straight-Up Enemies: A Taylor Swift and Katy Perry Timeline
Of all of Taylor Swift's friendships, feuds, and flames, perhaps the most infamous is her seemingly ongoing rift with Katy Perry. And the juiciest part is that neither of them has ever mentioned each other by name. While Taylor and Katy's friendship dates back to 2008 and all the drama started around 2012-2013, the feud actually wasn't on our radar until Taylor Swift mentioned it in her Rolling Stone interview, back in August 2014. Since then, we've been following the drama, which resurfaced when Katy dropped "Swish Swish" in May. Ready to take it all back to the beginning? We're inspecting every aspect of their relationship, from square one.
From Friends to Straight-Up Enemies: A Taylor Swift and Katy Perry Timeline
Of all of Taylor Swift's friendships, feuds, and flames, perhaps the most infamous is her seemingly ongoing rift with Katy Perry. And the juiciest part is that neither of them has ever mentioned each other by name. While Taylor and Katy's friendship dates back to 2008 and all the drama started around 2012-2013, the feud actually wasn't on our radar until Taylor Swift mentioned it in her Rolling Stone interview, back in August 2014. Since then, we've been following the drama, which resurfaced when Katy dropped "Swish Swish" in May. Ready to take it all back to the beginning? We're inspecting every aspect of their relationship, from square one.
The Evolution of Queen Letizia and King Felipe's Love
For the past 13 years - since they announced their engagement in 2003 - Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI of Spain have shared with us more than a few sweet moments. Their glamorous wedding in 2004 was a true fairy-tale event; the birth of their two daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, a cause for major celebration; and their everyday official appearances and trips, always total treats where they look smiley and just absolutely happy.
From the way Felipe helps Letizia down the steps every time she's in heels to the mischievous looks and whispers they share at public hearings, it's pretty obvious that the affection between these two lovebirds only gets stronger as time goes by. They truly are one supercute couple - see what we mean by scrolling through their most adorable moments here.
Drew Barrymore's New Zine Will Have a Special Place in Your Heart - and on Your Coffee Table
Drew Barrymore does it all: she's a Golden Globe-winning actress, beauty entrepreneur, winemaker, and mom of two adorable daughters - but she is far from done adding to her list of accomplishments. The Santa Clarita Diet star recently launched her own magazine, Flower Press, which harks back to the days of '90s zines and good old-fashioned reading off of actual paper. Remember? In a letter from the editor posted to the magazine's website, Drew wrote, "It's so fun to unveil a big enormous piece of content and then fold it to my choices of size and handheld origami," adding, "It's a ritual that I am proud to display in front of my kids [Olive and Frankie] as we lay in bed together at the start of every day."
On Friday, Drew donned a rainbow-colored dress and wide-brimmed hat to pass out copies of Flower Press to unsuspecting subway commuters at The New Stand in Manhattan's Columbus Circle. It took a few minutes for people to realize that the star of such cinematic classics like The Wedding Singer and Never Been Kissed was handing them a literal gift, but eventually, locals caught on to the magical presence within their midst. The Spring 2017 preview issue of Flower Press features beauty secrets from Drew's makeup line, Flower Beauty, as well as expert interviews, recipes, an NYC city guide, and more.
Image Source: Flower Press
All online orders from Flower Beauty will include a copy of Flower Press's preview issue. The premiere issue will debut later this year, and you can sign up for more info on the site. As Drew writes: "I promise we will do our best to make it something worth holding onto. In this fast-paced world, we certainly have our work cut out for us but if we do it right, I hope you find us worthy of a place on your bedroom wall." We already have a spot ready.
Lush's New Limited-Edition Shark Soap Is Just Fin-Tastic!
Once again, Lush is using it's power to do good. This time the brand is supporting World Oceans Day on June 8 by re-releasing the limited-edition Shark Fin Soap ($6). What's so cool is that 100 percent of sales will go to support the completion of the late Rob Stewart's documentary called Sharkwater: Extinction (the Canadian filmmaker passed away during a scuba-diving incident while filming this piece). Every year, up to 100 million sharks are killed to make shark fin soup, and this raises awareness about that.
The Shark Fin Soap is also beneficial to you - and your skin. It contains hydrating seaweed, exfoliating fine sea salt, and cooling lime oil. Plus, it has aromatic qualities, as the herbal fragrance will remind you of being at the beach. As Lush says on its site, you can now "swim" with the sharks and help protect them, too!
The Evolution of Queen Letizia and King Felipe's Love
For the past 13 years - since they announced their engagement in 2003 - Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI of Spain have shared with us more than a few sweet moments. Their glamorous wedding in 2004 was a true fairy-tale event; the birth of their two daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, a cause for major celebration; and their everyday official appearances and trips, always total treats where they look smiley and just absolutely happy.
From the way Felipe helps Letizia down the steps every time she's in heels to the mischievous looks and whispers they share at public hearings, it's pretty obvious that the affection between these two lovebirds only gets stronger as time goes by. They truly are one supercute couple - see what we mean by scrolling through their most adorable moments here.
Here's What a Full Week of Fruits and Veggies Looks Like
You know that it's important to eat your fruits and vegetables every day, but do you really know how much is enough? It seems simple enough: the USDA recommends two cups of fruit and two-and-a-half cups of vegetables every day, but putting it all together day by day, week by week is a different story. We've taken all the hassle and guesswork out of the picture with this seven-day plan that includes recipe ideas and serving suggestions. Click through to see all the gorgeous produce on your healthy menu for the week!
Here's What a Full Week of Fruits and Veggies Looks Like
You know that it's important to eat your fruits and vegetables every day, but do you really know how much is enough? It seems simple enough: the USDA recommends two cups of fruit and two-and-a-half cups of vegetables every day, but putting it all together day by day, week by week is a different story. We've taken all the hassle and guesswork out of the picture with this seven-day plan that includes recipe ideas and serving suggestions. Click through to see all the gorgeous produce on your healthy menu for the week!
18 Reactions That Sum Up the Emotional Roller Coaster That Was Comey's Hearing
On June 8, plenty of Americans played hooky from work to focus on James Comey's hours-long hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Users across social media platforms appeared to be riveted by the highly anticipated testimony.
People were mostly talking about Comey's interesting word choices - like "lordy" and "fuzz" - as well as Donald Trump's noticeable absence on Twitter. People felt overwhelmed by trying to keep tabs on the hearing and the general election taking place in the UK today. And some expressed how weird it felt to be live tweeting an intelligence hearing, of all things. Ahead, read a sampling of the funniest, strangest, and smartest tweets to come out of the major political event.
10 Pieces of Avocado Toast Almost Too Pretty to Eat
Avocado toast is no longer a smash-and-go sort of meal. Much like the latte, it's been elevated to an art form. While most people step up their toast game through the addition of unique and tasty ingredients, others are elevating this healthy breakfast staple in a much more sculptural fashion.
Creative food bloggers, stylists, and photographers have been sculpting avocados into things like hearts, stars, and roses. Not content to stop there, they've also been playing with color through the use of edible flowers, superfood-charged cream cheeses, and produce. The results are stunning, and if we're being totally honest, we might feel a little bad digging into something this pretty.
Pretty Little Liars: We Have Every Reason to Believe Someone's Gonna Die on the Series Finale
When Pretty Little Liars wraps up forever on June 27, it will be with multiple weddings and probably multiple deaths. I mean, there's a psychopath out there (as usual), and it's called "Till Death Do Us Part," which can't just be about weddings, considering it's this show.
I had the chance to chat with series creator I. Marlene King and a group of reporters at ATX this week, and obviously, I asked her if there will be any deaths on the series finale. She gave it some thought, admitting, "My God, I have to think back because my PLL brain has died," which makes sense, since the series actually wrapped several months ago, and since then, she's been hard at work on her new series, Famous in Love.
After reiterating that "It's the deadliest season ever," she paused, and said, "I'm keepin' it real mum about that, because I don't want to mess anything up in this final moment. It's exciting and it's very big, I'll say." So yeah, she essentially revealed nothing . . . or did she? If the answer was no, it's very easy to say no, especially considering the finale promises plenty of other reasons to watch. And of course, there was that time she tweeted the line of dialogue where someone says, "Are you here to kill me?" from the final season's script. It's safe to say that no one is safe.
10 Pieces of Avocado Toast Almost Too Pretty to Eat
Avocado toast is no longer a smash-and-go sort of meal. Much like the latte, it's been elevated to an art form. While most people step up their toast game through the addition of unique and tasty ingredients, others are elevating this healthy breakfast staple in a much more sculptural fashion.
Creative food bloggers, stylists, and photographers have been sculpting avocados into things like hearts, stars, and roses. Not content to stop there, they've also been playing with color through the use of edible flowers, superfood-charged cream cheeses, and produce. The results are stunning, and if we're being totally honest, we might feel a little bad digging into something this pretty.
The Moment That Inspired Prince Harry to Create the Invictus Games
While preparing for the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney on Wednesday, Prince Harry opened up about the guilt he felt when he was forced to leave his first tour of Afghanistan, where he was serving as an officer in the British Army, when his location was revealed by the press in 2008. "I could no longer stay with my soldiers, as it would have put them at greater risk," he said during his speech. "It was a decision over which I had no control, but the guilt of having to leave my guys behind was something I found hard to swallow, as anyone who has served will understand." He added that the event set him on the path to create the Invictus Games to help wounded veterans and their families.
"In these challenging times, we can all benefit from positive and inspiring stories from which to draw strength," he said. "The Invictus Games shows us that it is possible to overcome adversity and that the impossible is possible, if you have the will." His recent trip to Australia is just one of the many ways he has been giving back these past few months. Aside from meeting with the team who will represent the UK at the Invictus Games, he also paid tribute during a recent polo match in Singapore to the victims of Saturday's London Bridge attack, which left seven people dead and 30 injured.
5 Latinas Who Got Their Start on the Disney Channel
We have the Disney Channel to thank for starting the careers of some of our favorite stars. Who doesn't remember Selena Gomez as the witch we all wanted to be, Alex Russo, on Wizards of Waverly Place? And never forget that Christina Aguilera became Xtina after breaking into Hollywood on the hit show The All New Mickey Mouse Club. The number of hours we've spend watching these Latinx actors on Disney might be shameful to some, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Keep reading to see the other celebrities who got their start on Disney.
Pretty Little Liars: We Have Every Reason to Believe Someone's Gonna Die on the Series Finale
When Pretty Little Liars wraps up forever on June 27, it will be with multiple weddings and probably multiple deaths. I mean, there's a psychopath out there (as usual), and it's called "Till Death Do Us Part," which can't just be about weddings, considering it's this show.
I had the chance to chat with series creator I. Marlene King and a group of reporters at ATX this week, and obviously, I asked her if there will be any deaths on the series finale. She gave it some thought, admitting, "My God, I have to think back because my PLL brain has died," which makes sense, since the series actually wrapped several months ago, and since then, she's been hard at work on her new series, Famous in Love.
After reiterating that "It's the deadliest season ever," she paused, and said, "I'm keepin' it real mum about that, because I don't want to mess anything up in this final moment. It's exciting and it's very big, I'll say." So yeah, she essentially revealed nothing . . . or did she? If the answer was no, it's very easy to say no, especially considering the finale promises plenty of other reasons to watch. And of course, there was that time she tweeted the line of dialogue where someone says, "Are you here to kill me?" from the final season's script. It's safe to say that no one is safe.
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