Every year, Mardi Gras falls the day before Ash Wednesday. And this timing is no coincidence. Ash Wednesday marks official beginning of Lent, a period of prayer, fasting, and repentance that Catholics and some other Christians observe before Easter. While today, Catholics commonly abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, in the past, Lenten fasting was far more strict.
“Mardi Gras ” is French for Fat Tuesday. The holiday is also known as Shrove Tuesday (from an Old English word meaning to confess) or Pancake Day. Historically, people would spend Fat Tuesday (and sometimes the weeks leading up to it) indulging in the foods (and behaviors) they would abstain from during Lent. Some would also use the day as an opportunity to confess their sins to a priest before the start of Lent. Beyond the fun of it, there was a practical reasoning behind Fat Tuesday feasts — meat and dairy products would go bad before Lent was over. The occasion became one big celebration, sometimes known as Carnival (a word derived from a Latin phrase meaning “to remove meat”).
Fat Tuesday is celebrated in various ways around the world. In New Orleans, Carnival season begins on January 6 — the holiday of Epiphany and the last day of the liturgical season of Christmas — and consists of numerous parades and celebrations. In the UK, Pancake Day celebrations include eating traditional pancakes, as well as perhaps participating in a pancake race. In Rio de Janeiro, Carnival is five days long and consists of music, dancing, parades, and street parties.
The History Channel notes that some historians theorize that the origins of Fat Tuesday are tied to the pagan holidays of Saturnalia and Lupercalia, which celebrate spring and fertility. However, others suggest that Church reformers may have invented this link in order to dissuade Fat Tuesday debauchery. Some historians believe that the earliest celebrations of Fat Tuesday took place in Rome during the early Christian era, and by the medieval period, the holiday was commonly celebrated throughout Europe — the BBC reports that the practice of confessing sins during the week before Ash Wednesday goes back over 1,000 years. The first known celebration of Mardi Gras in the area which is now the United States took place in 1703 in Fort Louis de la Louisiane (now Mobile, Alabama), and the holiday soon spread to other French settlements, including New Orleans.
Following reports of his death, Perry’s friends, former co-workers, and Riverdale co-stars reached out to express their sorrow.
Riverdale executive producers Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Jon Goldwater, as well as Warner Bros. Television and The CW released a statement to Refinery29.
"We are deeply saddened to learn today about the passing of Luke Perry. A beloved member of the Riverdale, Warner Bros. and CW family, Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all. A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness. Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time.”
Aguirre-Sacasa also tweeted his own message.
"So heartbroken about Luke. He was a father, brother, friend, and mentor. Each night before he had to shoot a scene, he’d call me and we’d talk about...everything. I will miss those calls. And my heart goes out to all his family and friends."
So heartbroken about Luke. He was a father, brother, friend, and mentor. Each night before he had to shoot a scene, he’d call me and we’d talk about...everything. I will miss those calls. And my heart goes out to all his family and friends. 💔 pic.twitter.com/2GaFkV2mI7
The Riverdale writers room also shared a statement on Twitter.
“Luke Perry... you were a joyful and vibrant soul. You will be missed but most certainly your legacy will be remembered forever. Rest in love and peace, friend.”
Luke Perry... you were a joyful and vibrant soul. You will be missed but most certainly your legacy will be remembered forever. Rest in love and peace, friend. #Riverdale
— Riverdale Writers Room (@RiverdaleWriter) March 4, 2019
“My heart is broken,” tweeted Molly Ringwald, who plays his character Fred Andrews’ ex-wife on Riverdale. “I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family.”
She added in a statement to Refinery29:
"I can't even begin to express the shock and sorrow I feel by the untimely death of my friend Luke Perry. He was one of the kindest, caring souls I've ever worked with. An incredible committed and proud father to his kids and a constant loyal friend to those he loved. I consider myself so lucky to have counted myself among them. With the many other people who adored him, his loss will be felt for a long long time. I miss him terribly."
My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family. ❤️ #LukePerry
"When I was lucky enough to work with Luke Perry I told him about the pillow of his face I used to sleep with and he yelled 'You are such a weirdo!' at me and it was the best," wrote Leslie Grossman, who appeared alongside Perry when he guested on her series What I Like About You. "Sending love to his friends and family."
When I was lucky enough to work with Luke Perry I told him about the pillow of his face I used to sleep with and he yelled "You are such a weirdo!" at me and it was the best. Sending love to his friends and family.
Ashley Tisdale shared her own memory of Perry on Instagram.
"My heart hurts. One of my first jobs was a guest appearance on 90210. My scenes were with Luke. I had a crush on him for so long and getting to work with him was a dream come true. I just remember him being a super humble and really nice guy."
Charlie Sheen wrote an emotional message to the actor on Twitter.
"L.P. you made every situation better, my man. your elegance your wit your charm and your giant heart, inspired and enchanted so many of us, on countless occasions, with brilliant aplomb. R.I.P good sir. i am truly honored to have known you all of these years."
L.P.
you made every situation better, my man.
your elegance your wit your charm and your giant heart, inspired and enchanted so many of us, on countless occasions, with brilliant aplomb.
R.I.P good sir.
i am truly honored to have known you all of these years.
"Luke Perry was my 1st crush. Eh, more like obsession (I wore pins w his face on them to school) I used to dream of making it to LA just to meet him. I never got to, but I've always heard he was a really great person. Praying for his family & kids.... Rest in love."
Luke Perry was my 1st crush. Eh, more like obsession (I wore pins w his face on them to school 🙊) I used to dream of making it to LA just to meet him. I never got to, but I've always heard he was a really great person. 😔 Praying for his family & kids.... Rest in love ❤️❤️❤️❤️🌥
Ian Ziering, who starred with Perry on Beverly Hills, 90210, said:
"Dearest Luke, I will forever bask in the loving memories we've shared over the last thirty years. May your journey forward be enriched by the magnificent souls who have passed before you, just like you have done here, for those you leave behind."
Dearest Luke, I will forever bask in the loving memories we've shared over the last thirty years. May your journey forward be enriched by the magnificent souls who have passed before you, just like you have done here, for those you leave behind.
In a statement to Refinery29, Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Gabrielle Carteris and SAG-AFTRA President said:
"I am absolutely heartbroken. Luke was a tremendous force in the lives of so many. He was a very sensitive soul who was kind, generous and he fought for the underdog. He was a strong voice and an advocate who will be so missed by all who knew him. He has left his mark – never to be forgotten. My heart goes out to his family, friends and fans around the globe."
Riverdale actress Robin Givens said in a statement to Refinery29:
"I am crushed and so sad to hear about his passing. He was the kindest and gentlest soul the world will ever know. I will remember fondly all our late night conversations and dinners. He cared so much about so many people and was beloved by all who knew him. He was a true friend. Such a big loss."
Perry's former agent Chris Nassif expressed his condolences in a statement to Refinery29.
"Luke will be missed, a friend gone way too soon. It seems like yesterday that I was Luke’s agent negotiating his role on Beverly Hills, 90210. I would like to express my condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time."
Toni Topaz portrayer Vanessa Morgan shared a photo with her Riverdale co-star:
"I’m finding it hard to grasp that he will no longer be around to give long hugs and share his wisdom and kindness with all of us. I’m thinking of his family. His children. I pray for them to heal and find peace in this devastating loss."
I’m finding it hard to grasp that he will no longer be around to give long hugs and share his wisdom and kindness with all of us.
I’m thinking of his family. His children.
I pray for them to heal and find peace in this devastating loss.
"I'm so thankful for the time that we had together. He was an incredibly loving and generous man. My thoughts and prayers are with his family right now. I will love you forever Luke."
Ross Butler, who played Reggie on season 1 of Riverdale, wrote on Instagram:
"We lost an original today. A legend. He paved the way for us. Although we didn't work much together, he always greeted me with a smile, had a joke ready, and a story to tell. Rest in peace, Luke. Rest easy."
Altered Carbon and Riverdale actress Hayley Law wrote:
"my heart is heavy. One of the kindest men I’ve met since I began this journey has passed. Someone who always encouraged me and everyone on set. Luke genuinely cared about everyone he worked with, and if you work in entertainment, you know how special that is. You offered to co-sign for my car when the dealership wouldn’t let me finance it. I’m so lucky I was able to call you a friend in this life, Luke. It’s hard to believe. Condolences to your family and friends. I hope you are at peace. I hope you are happy and safe. You deserve the most beautiful afterlife."
Riverdale actress Nathalie Boltt, who plays Penelope Blossom on the series, shared a Maya Angelou quote along with this message:
"Luke made people feel safe and valued and welcome. Luke made us laugh. He certainly made me laugh. He was gracious, kind; a gentleman. But most of all he was a fine, fine father and my friend. Thank you, Luke. We miss you. Stay close."
Beverly Hills, 901210 actress Shannen Doherty gave People an exclusive, moving statement reflecting on her friendship with Perry and his support during her breast cancer diagnosis:
“I am in shock. Heartbroken. Devastated by the loss of my friend. I have so many memories with Luke that make me smile and that are forever imprinted on my heart and mind. Luke was a smart, quiet, humble and complex man with a heart of gold and never-ending well of integrity and love. Luke reached out to me during my cancer journey and we picked right back up, albeit older and wiser, but that connection remained in tact. There is a special kind of love one has for each other when you are experiencing the journey we did on 90210 and of course life in general. Luke and I were working on show ideas for us. We wanted to work with each other again and create something special and meaningful for our fans at this stage in our lives. I will miss him everyday. Every minute. Every second."
Colin Hanks took to Instagram to share a story of when Perry saved the day on a plane ride, giving balloons to two fighting children and restoring peace to the flight.
"Shocking and heart breaking news about Luke Perry. Unfathomable. So sad for his kids and family, a terrible loss! I always thought that I would see him again."
Update: Forbes just released it’s annual list of the world’s richest people and not only did Kylie Jenner make the list for the first time, but she’s also the youngest self-made billionaire—ever. This can be credited mostly to her wildly successful makeup brand, Kylie Cosmetics. At 21, she is now worth $1 billion.
This story was originally published on July 11, 2018.
With a net worth of $4.9 billion, ABC Supply (the largest roofing distributor in the U.S.) cofounder and chairman Diane Hendricks tops the list for another year, followed by Little Caesars cofounder Marian Ilitch, worth $4.3 billion. Computer programmer and Epic Systems CEO Judy Faulkner comes in third (with a net worth of $3.5 billion), followed by Meg Whitman ($3.3 billion).
Oprah Winfrey, who is sixth on the list (with a net worth of $3.1 billion), has benefited from her investment in Weight Watchers: She netted a cool $110 million in May after selling two million company shares.
But some of the names we know best on the list are the newcomers, more than half of whom earned their wealth from cosmetics, "thanks to soaring beauty sales among Gen Z." Among those entrepreneurs is Anastasia of Beverly Hills founder Anastasia Soare (worth $1 billion), Kylie Jenner (worth $900 million), Huda Kattan of Huda Beauty (worth $550 million), and KKW Beauty founder Kim Kardashian West (worth $350 million).
Kylie, who started Kylie Cosmetics less than three years ago and owns 100% of the company, is the youngest entrepreneur on the list at only 20 years old. While she isn't part of the billionaire club just yet, Forbes says "another year of growth will make her the youngest self-made billionaire ever, male or female, trumping Mark Zuckerberg, who became a billionaire at age 23." That's a hell of a lot of Lip Kits, endorsements (Puma, PacSun), and E! reruns.
In an interview with the magazine, which made her its August cover star, Kylie attributes a lot of her success to social media, "an amazing platform" that has given her "such easy access to my fans and my customers."
"Maybe one day [I'll] pass this on to Stormi, if she's into it," she said.
This story was originally published on July 12, 2018.
Kylie Jenner's net worth, as of July 16, was a jaw-dropping $900 million according to Forbes. This figure put the 20-year-old at number three on Forbes ' Celebrity 100 list and number 27 on the (more questionable) Self-Made Women list.
In her interview with Forbes, Jenner attributed much of her success to social media. Indeed, there's another, lesser known, though increasingly important, list where Jenner reigns supreme: The Instagram Rich List. This annual ranking, released this week, is compiled by Hopper, a UK-based company that produces a scheduling and analytics tool for Instagram users. The company estimates that Jenner, who boasts 111 million followers, can bring in $1,000,000 per sponsored post. Yes, that's for a single sponsored post. It's more than you, me, and probably all of our best friends combined make in a single year. (It isn't called the rich list for nothing.)
Selena Gomez, number two on the list, can bring in an estimated $800,000 per post according to Hopper's research. The rest of the top 10 is rounded out by a trio of buff soccer stars (Lionel Messi, Neymar da Silva Santos Jr., Cristiano Ronaldo), Queen Bey, Dwayne Johnson, the newly betrothed Bieber, and other members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan (Kim and Kendall). Khloé, who is just outside of the top 10 in the eleventh spot, makes an estimated $480,000 per post.
If these figures surprise you, they shouldn't. They are just further proof of what the increasing number of brands who are putting substantial budgets behind SponCon and dark ads (when a brand simply uses an influencer's name to promote a product, without requiring a post) already know: There is big money to be made on a (sponsored) 'gram. In March, social media influencer agency MediaKix predicted that influencer marketing will be a $5 to $10 billion industry within the next five years, as brands devote larger portions of their marketing budgets to the individuals who command audiences they want to reach.
This is the way sponsorships have always worked, and Instagram is just their newest, most quickly growing medium. It isn't hard to believe that Instagram, or rather someone's presence on Instagram, could someday become one of the largest determinants of where a celebrity ranks on annual money lists. The bigger someone's Instagram following and engagement (measured through factors such as number of likes and comments), the higher their status in the Insta SponCon world. The higher their status, the more brands want to work with them. The more brands want to work with them, the pickier they can get when choosing deals and negotiating rates. And when you get to this point, that's when you can charge six figure rates à la a Kardashian.
This begs a larger question, though: Will influencer marketing on Instagram reach a point where the bubble bursts, SponCon becomes less effective, and individual profits drop?
As a platform, Instagram currently shows no sign of slowing down. Facebook's crown jewel celebrated one billion monthly active users in June, up from 800 million in September 2017. If not Instagram itself, then what about the brands advertising there?
Mediakix predicts that in 2018, brands will spend $1.6 billion on influencer marketing on Instagram. But this spend may not always have the desired result. When speaking about the changing meaning of public figures on Instagram earlier this week, Kate Wolff, the SVP of Client Services at relationship marketing agency RQ, said she's started seeing a backlash against the way influencer marketing currently operates:
"People now know that a lot of content that comes from influencers is BS, for lack of a better term. They’re doing it to get a paycheck and brands will pay whatever amount of money to be associated with someone’s audience and have them extend their reach into a new space."
If celebrity influencers aren't careful they could start to build mistrust among their fanbases. This would prove problematic, since "their value is based on is their loyal fanbase," Wolff said. "When you dilute that, the less impactful the programming and entire subset of influencer marketing will be." Let's not forget Kim Kardashian West's "appetite suppressant lollipop" snafu this past May. (Note, however, that Kardashian West is still ranked fourth on Hopper's Rich List.)
For now, Kylie Jenner's Instagram rates may continue to climb and her ranking on Forbes' money lists go up as a result. But if the current climate of mistrust continues, all it may take is a few misguided posts for the SponCon success to come tumbling down.
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For those of us who crave a sun-kissed, bronzy glow — and refuse to step foot in the sun or (gasp!) a tanning bed — the obvious answer would be to opt for a self-tanner. However, it's worth noting that not all self-tanners are created equally. This one by European Wax Center can only be described as a total game-changer. It's one-of-a-kind because it builds color over time while also providing an immediate glow.
The multi-use gradual-glow body lotion lends itself well to easy, transfer-resistant, streak-free, foolproof — pretty much all the positive adjectives — application. But the real pièce de résistance is its "hair growth minimizer" technology that actually helps visibly reduce the appearance (and thickness) of hair regrowth. So, basically, it's pure magic. Try it, and *poof* you'll be an instant convert.
European Wax Center Glow It Gradual Glow Body Lotion, $18.00 $20.00, available at your nearest European Wax Center location. Intro price valid through March.
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We thought we'd seen it all last year in terms of celebrity tattoos. After all, what could possibly top Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott's matching butterflies, the Game of Thrones cast tributes, or Justin Bieber's... entire chest? Nothing — or so we thought. Then 2019 hit, and all our favorite stars flocked to their favorite artists asking for even more.
From dainty designs to awkward cover-ups, celebrities can't seem to stay out of the tattoo chair for long. In fact, stars like Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, and Miley Cyrus are getting inked so frequently, we've started keeping a running tally of the most standout designs. Curious? Ahead, the most unforgettable celebrity tattoos to happen this year — so far, at least.
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Anna Wintour described the loss, saying: “Today the world lost a giant among men. Karl was so much more than our greatest and most prolific designer — his creative genius was breathtaking and to be his friend was an exceptional gift. Karl was brilliant, he was wicked, he was funny, he was generous beyond measure, and he was deeply kind. I will miss him so very much.”
On Tuesday, the French fashion house showed Lagerfeld's final collection for Chanel in Paris. It was a spectacle unlike any other, but it was a shock to the system, too — a somber reminder that one of the most prolific designers is gone. It was always going to be emotional, but with tears and tributes aplenty, the fall 2019 show marked an era ended.
For weeks, an outpouring of adoration and tributes for the iconic (and often controversial) German designer has dominated social media. Vogue Italia 's next issue sees Lagerfeld on its cover. And several exhibitions are set to open in his honor over the next few months, from Zurich to Atlanta, and bien sûr, Paris. Because what other way to celebrate a larger-than-life figure than ceremonious, souped-up displays of his greatest works ad infinitum? As the industry will never be the same, it will mourn Lagerfeld for some time.
As displayed at the Grand Palais, the iconic home of Chanel shows for the past few decades, Lagerfeld turned runway shows into million-dollar, Insta-bait spectacles; his productions as creative director of Chanel were breathtaking, and worth of endless rolls of film. From a space rocket to a sandy beach, an enchanted forest to a Havana street party, no expense was spared when creating the immersive Chanel world. They were the antithesis of the intimacy its founder Coco Chanel created with her salons, back in the '30s and '40s, but integral to Lagerfeld's promise to propel the house forward — no matter how showy or flamboyant.
As editors, celebrities, and models watched Lagerfeld's final collection trot down the runway covered in snow, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. No doubt Chanel devotees look to Virginie Viard, his longtime design partner who the Wertheimer family named as his successor, to carry on his legacy. Ahead, we've compiled some of the most moving — and significant — moments of Karl Lagerfeld's last show for Chanel.
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Since 2007, the Kardashian family has been reeling in millions of viewers, eager and sometimes desperate, to get a closer look at the too-crazy-to-be-true lives of one Calabasas-based family. These women — along with their partners, children, and inner circle of friends— have arguably spawned more businesses, cultural moments, and franchises than any other group of people in the 21st century. As a unit, they’re an inescapable, flawlessly contoured juggernaut.
As an avid consumer of all things Kardashian, I’ve come to notice that these huge “scandals” tend to go down before the season premiere of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, the family’s long-running E! reality show. (March 31 marks the series’ 16th season debut. Let that sink in.) The go-to joke is that the devil works hard, but Kris Jenner works harder — but is it true? Is there a pattern for a Kardashian scandal? And does it work? There’s only one way to find out.
Much like the roll out of a new album, it’s becoming clear that every recent Kardashian "drop" follows a distinct, but loose, timeline: The first inkling of a rumor is leaked on a tabloid site, where it then enters the public sphere. Other outlets begin to pick up on it, and mass speculation turns the tiny spark of rumor into a full-blown fire. The sisters then take to social media to weigh in on said scandal, confirming and denying aspects of it that build a narrative. (For instance, with the Tristan-Khloé scandal, Khloé pivoted the narrative from Jordyn being a “homewrecker” to the 21-year-old model being a victim of Tristan’s infidelity.) Building on the original chatter, supplementary stories about the family come out, keeping the fire ablaze. This only lasts a few weeks, until the fire is extinguished when Keeping Up With the Kardashians premieres and the family introduces new plot lines for fans to pick up. They’re spoon-feeding us our daily intake of mindless gossip, and like Pavlov’s dog, we are left salivating for more — even if we don't actually watch the show. Four weeks of non-stop Kardashian news, and we’re sucked back into their lives. It’s insidious as it is brilliant.
Ground zero of most Kardashian scandals is TMZ. This tabloid site is notoriously the first to “break” any Kardashian news, based on inside sources and direct contact with someone who knows a lot more about the family than you or I. “Trustworthy” and “TMZ” may not be two words commonly associated with one another, but regardless of their sleazy headlines, the site’s almost always right. When it comes to news about this family, Harvey Levin’s Hollywood gossip site is the spigot from which the tap flows. As the New Yorker wrote in a 2016 exposé on TMZ, many celebrities come directly to the site with tips and, more importantly, an angle.
During this period of great speculation by the media (and fans at large), no one from the family confirmed or denied any of the rumors. According to a Forbes article from January 2018, season 14 ratings have been improving in tandem with the scandals. (The most watched KUWTK episode to date was Kim’s 2011 wedding to husband-of-72-days Kris Humphries, which brought in 10.5 million viewers.)
Let’s compare the timeline for Kylie’s pregnancy to the cheating scenario that just unfolded.
February 19, 2019: TMZ reports that Jordyn Woods made out with Tristan Thompson at a party. Khloé Kardashian immediately reacts on social media, cryptically commenting on a post about the rumor.
February 26, 2019: Khloé Kardashian directly addresses the drama with a tweet.
March 1, 2019: Jordyn Woods goes on Jada Pinkett Smith’s Red Table Talk Facebook show.
March 3, 2019: Khloé Kardashian blames, then apologizes to, Jordyn Woods.
March 4, 2019: Travis Scott reportedly caught cheating on Kylie Jenner.
March 31, 2019: Season 16 of KUWTK premieres.
Sure, pregnancy and infidelity are different types of drama, but when comparing the 2017 and 2019 timelines, a clear strategy emerges: both situations unfold a month before the season premiere of the show. But, in 2019, instead of greeting the rumors with silence, the family enters the ring to directly confirm or deny rumors on social media. As we’ve seen the past month, Khloé and Kim are liking, tweeting, and answering fans’ questions about the Tristan-Jordyn brouhaha. If something is true, they’ll weigh in. If something’s not, they will let 👏 us👏 know. And the whole rigamarole is whetting fans’ appetites for the new season of KUWTK. Which seems to be the whole point.
Since three is a trend, let’s look at one more major Kardashian moment from 2018, right in between Kylie’s pregnancy and Khloé’s cheating heartbreak: the sister feud. Remember when Kourtney, Kim, and Khloé decided that they all hated each other? And Kourtney went to therapy, and Kim made fun of her for it? And Kourtney’s therapist convinced her that her mother Kris was the root of all her issues in her adult life? This feels like a Fake Feud. Unlike the 2017 and 2019 scandals, this one was teased purely in promo clips and trailers for season 15 of the series. It was August 2018 — the baby news was all out in the open, Kanye West wasn’t making regrettable comments about Donald Trump yet, and a simple sibling feud was an easy, attention-grabbing narrative to latch onto. It worked. Outlets noted that Kim and Kourtney hadn’t been in photos together recently, and speculated that the relationship was degrading before our eyes. Kim essentially called Kourtney basic (the ultimate insult), and even their momager chose sides (#TeamKim).
After a nine episode arc, where the fight lubricated an otherwise dry season (that is until episode 12, when the first Tristan Thompson story broke), the hyped-up conflict ended. Kim and Kourt went back to privately resenting one other’s narcissism instead of hamming it up for the camera.
These three different timelines all involved the Kardashians' inner-circle; they all broke a month before a new season of the show; and they each made the public pay closer attention to the family again.
What’s interesting, though, is that the stories breaking right before a season premiere won’t actually be discussed in the series because of the way filming works. For example, season 16 can’t address Thompson and Woods at all because it was already filmed earlier this year, prior to the news breaks. It will presumably only set the stage for the more drama by hinting that Khloé wants to end things with Thompson, or even (I’m really hoping for this) revealing that Khloé actually has her own secret man. But this is producer-talk (hello, Chris Harrison and Ryan Seacrest: I am very good at this) — all of these timely scandals are meant to build long lead plotlines for the show. We can bet that season 17 will take a closer look at Khloé’s reaction to Jordyn kissing her man, and if Kourtney is really dating the drummer of everyone’s favorite teen angst band.
In reality TV, it’s more difficult to create these season-spanning plotlines and keep them interesting — unless, like The Bachelor, you’re constantly changing out the cast to keep things fresh. So, the Kardashians have improvised.
The drama isn’t exactly fake — it’s just strategic, if you know what you're really looking at.
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Warning: This article contains spoilers from part one of Colton Underwood's Bachelor finale. Sometimes having your heart broken on national TV can come with a consolation prize. But from the looks of her final interview on The Bachelor, Tayshia seemingly isn't the new Bachelorette, so she's walking away from Colton's season single and still in search of her someone. She's certainly not walking away with nothing because she maintained her dignity, honesty, maturity, and poise throughout the process. She also said during the live finale that she learned a lot about herself and what she wants out of a relationship. But, still, she would have been an excellent Bachelorette. Fans on Twitter were saying much of the same, including former Bachelor star Ashley Spivey who tweeted, "Legit, Tayshia is one of the most beautiful girls ever on the franchise and would be a wonderful Bachelorette."
Legit, Tayshia is one of the most beautiful girls ever on the franchise and would be a wonderful bachelorette. #TheBachelor
There's no denying she's stunning, but Tayshia is more than just her looks, too. On a season full of drama, Tayshia became one of the only women to survive the tattle-tale curse. Usually women who talk about other women's drama get sent home. But Tayshia brought up her concerns about Cassie and Caelynn and didn't upset Colton in the process. She explained what she'd heard and let Colton make the decision from there, rather than telling him what to do. For the most part she simply rose above the house issues and focused on her own relationship with him, and that's probably why she stayed as long as she did.
It's not impossible that Tayshia could still be named the Bachelorette, but it's pretty unlikely. Her goodbye with Colton, though sad, was sort of quick. They had much of it off-camera at her request (kind of a no-no for a potential Bachelorette), and she spent a lot of time comforting Colton about the whole thing. While it showed her immense maturity, it wasn't quite the blind-side that producers usually want for their Bachelorette. Remember, JoJo Fletcher got the gig after Ben Higgins told her he loved her and then dumped her at the finale.
Tayshia was also brought onto the live finale super early in the show. Usually the Bachelorette is announced at the very end of The Bachelor, which will likely be during Tuesday's final episode. Host Chris Harrison didn't hint that we'd be seeing more of Tayshia or wish her luck on her own journey to find love. He simply thanked her for coming on, and that was that.
Not for nothing, Tayshia did have some good Bachelorette audition quotes. She harbored no ill will for Colton and wished him all the best. “I know that I deserve a lot and an amazing person in my life, and if Colton knew what he wanted … he was on this journey for that," she said, explaining why she didn't hold it against him that he broke up with her for Cassie. Later, she told Colton,"I will not take anything that I’ve learned or that we shared for granted … thank you for everything." She added that she knew that an amazing man was in her future, and she couldn't wait for that to happen.
And hopefully it does happen! Tayshia is a strong, confident, mature, beautiful, smart, amazing person and she deserves love. Sadly, and despite calls from fans, she just probably won't get a chance to find that person as the Bachelorette.
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Bachelor Colton knows he capital-L loves Cassie, and he's pretty convinced that she feels the same way too — even though she left him and the show in part 1 of The Bachelor finale. Now, he's determined to go after her for a second chance in part 2. But should Cassie even take Colton back on The Bachelor? Things aren't as simple as Colton may want them to be.
As both Tayshia and Hannah G. found out during the finale, loving someone is actually not always enough to make things work. If it was, they'd be with Colton. So for Colton's big second chance plan to work, Cassie needs to feel the same way he does. And… she may not. It takes serious thought to leave The Bachelor, and even though Cassie was confused about how she felt and the timeline of the show, she was sure that she needed to leave. Afterwards, a clip of her packing up showed her saying that she knew she made the right decision and she was looking forward to going home and moving on. Perhaps she really just isn't that into Colton, as Chris Harrison suggested.
But Colton would not be deterred by Harrison's logical line of thinking. "I just want to be with Cassie and I didn’t want to say goodbye to her," he said. "I just want to be loved back the way I love somebody." Colton has been very vocal about how he's experienced rejection in his life (and on the show) and that one of his biggest fears throughout this process was choosing someone who wasn't on the same page as him. He is determined to prove to everyone that he and Cassie will end up together, regardless of the sign she's given him by leaving.
She was clear during her goodbye with Colton that she felt pressured by the timeline of the show, but also by what Colton wanted out of the experience. She said as she packed up that she knew he wanted a wife and a family, and she wasn't ready for that kind of commitment. Not wanting to take that away from him, she removed herself from the situation. "I don’t want him to base any decisions off me," she added, while unbeknownst to her, he had already ended the entire show by sending the two other women packing as a final grand gesture to prove his love for Cassie Cassie. "I am going to fight for somebody that I love," he promised, repeatedly.
But what if Cassie doesn't want to be fought for? Admittedly, she did seem to still have feelings for him during her exit and her packing session. She told Colton she loved him when she left, and later added she was going to miss him. .
Now Colton is going to put her in the very tough spot on Tuesday once he reveals that he sent the other girls home, leaving him girlfriend-less, and thus causing the show to come to a screeching holt. It's exactly what she didn't want. Even if he doesn't propose, he's still clearly going to be ask her for some type of commitment. Cassie's feelings shouldn't be ignored in Colton's overzealous attempt to be loved back. Lest he forget, it takes two to be a couple on The Bachelor.
This second chance could be rough to watch.
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There's been a lot of talk in the last year, kicked off by reports from the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, about the "boys club" that is the music industry. And now, a new study of nearly 2,000 women in the industry paints a more detailed picture of the specific challenges women in the music industry are facing.
Berklee College of Music and Women in Music collaborated on a comprehensive survey of the nearly 2,000 American women who work in music — from the executive suite to venue managers to songwriters and everything in between — and found that while the majority of women are passionate about their jobs, they all experienced gender bias. The bias has influenced every aspect of their careers, including their compensation, a lack of support based on color and gender, how they feel about having babies, and where they are in their jobs.
Still, some big takeaways are positive: women are satisfied with their jobs, on a sliding scale of happiness with those earning bigger paychecks feeling happiest; they feel comfortable and supported in their workplaces; and, those who have been mentored felt greater job satisfaction and received higher salaries.
Seventy-eight percent of women in the survey reported being treated differently because they are a woman, and among self-employed freelancers, 68% felt their gender had negatively affected their employment — with women working in production, performance, and music journalism fields experiencing it at the highest levels.
The survey offers a sharp picture of what women want. The survey found that most women simply want more diversity, of both gender and color, in the music industry. They suggested advocacy and more women in leadership positions, but by and large, what they want is intentional diversity in hiring — find qualified women and give them the job. That sounds like a simple request, but it's proved surprisingly challenging for the industry. That lack of diversity is what has been spurring things like the Grammy's Producer and Engineer Inclusion Initiative and the organization of resources like Soundgirls and She Is the Music, to help those with hiring power find women, as well as offering training and networking opportunities.
“There’s still a bias against female engineers, where I feel we need to prove ourselves more than our male counterparts," one person wrote. "While [my] mentors have been wonderful in their guidance, they still aren’t comfortable taking a risk on me like they do with my male peers. This limits my ability to prove myself and to demonstrate I can handle big opportunities.”
The response reflects the Annenberg's report, which this year asked women in music production about their experiences and came to the conclusion that working towards making sure there is more than one woman in the room in production studios would vastly improve working conditions and the mental health for women. It also reflects what Refinery29 found in an informal conversation with women about what they want to happen in music in 2019 — all the answers women offered circled back to the idea of wanting to have more women around to have their backs.
"Constant sexual harassment. Constant. And it hasn’t changed. People just 'apologize' afterwards now," another woman wrote.
Additionally, women reported that working in a nontraditional industry like music, where late nights and odd hours are commonplace, had influenced their decision to have children, with 22% saying it is why they opted to have fewer or no children.
"I delayed having children until 35 because of my music career while involved [in] touring and being signed to a record deal," one wrote. "I almost wasn’t able to have a second child because of waiting too late. On the plus side, the flexibility of my career being a songwriter and singer has been very compatible with motherhood."
Calls for conscious inclusion, intersectionality, and an increase in the awareness of inequity were among the suggestions women had for improvement, in steps both big (like blind auditions and diversifying positions of influence in the Recording Academy) and small (like blogging more about women musicians and being mindful of how we talk about other women).
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With the Trump Administration never not proposing rules that could signal the end of abortion access in America as we know it, it's more important now than ever to support the organizations that have made it their mission to stand in the Administration's way. Conveniently for those of us who believe in women's fundamental human rights and lipstick, two of the beauty world's most powerful brands have simultaneously announced new efforts to help Planned Parenthood, which has been specifically targeted by the president.
Today, MAC is announcing that it's made a two-year, $500,000 commitment to help fund Planned Parenthood's Chat/Text program and new sexual-health chatbot, Roo, as part of its longstanding VIVA GLAM charity initiative. "We don’t see this as a politically-charged or risky donation," Nancy Mahon, the global executive director of the MAC AIDS Fund, tells Refinery29. "Access to healthcare and access to sexual health information is part of women's self-esteem, beauty, and ability to succeed in the world. At the end of the day, what we want to do is support women living their most joyous lives in the way they want to, whether that be wearing a fabulous eyeshadow, or being healthy."
Also announcing its support of Planned Parenthood today is Benefit. The company's Bold is Beautiful Project ensures that, every May, 100% of proceeds from its brow waxes are donated to various female-empowerment organizations. This year, that list will include Planned Parenthood, making Benefit the first beauty company to donate customer sales to support the organization. "The beauty industry is not just about makeup and beauty," Maggie Ford Danielson, a chief beauty ambassador at Benefit, tells Refinery29. "It is our responsibility to reach beyond the beauty counter. Last year, our U.S. team did a lot of looking around and it became clear that Planned Parenthood, which is the number-one provider of sexual wellness and education for girls in the U.S., was the next step for this initiative."
On May 1, Benefit will also launch a special-edition magenta 3D BROWtones in custom rose-gold packaging, which will continue to live on shelves year-round with 100% of proceeds going toward Bold Is Beautiful. If you doubt for a second that a project like this really can really end up being beneficial, know that, according to the brand, the project has raised more than $16 million since it launched in 2015, with a goal to raise $6 million worldwide this year.
In partnering with Planned Parenthood, Benefit and MAC have joined the growing numbers of brands that have looked at makeup as a way to support endangered women's-health organizations, much like Lipslut and The Lipstick Lobby. But it's not just about raising money for Planned Parenthood: The initiatives are also about helping erase some of the uneasy feelings still surrounding the organization. "The fact that they help one in five women in the United States shows you it doesn’t need to be something that people of ashamed of," Annie Ford Danielson, also a chief beauty ambassador at Benefit, says. "Especially in the beauty industry, which is about having your back no matter what you’re going through. We want to use our influence and reach to help these women and erase that stigma."
As Mahon says: "We’re a big, really successful cosmetic company, so we hope that the fact that we care about the issue will attract corporate donors to Planned Parenthood, and make it known that it’s not scary to do this."
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From Barbie dolls to baby showers to modern-day millennials to Janelle Monáe videos, the color pink has long had a fan base that's diverse and ever-changing. Right now Hollywood is showing the color some love with stars like Julia Roberts, Kylie Jenner, Amber Rose, Behati Prinsloo, and Halsey all dyeing their hair shades like baby, flamingo, and even neon Post-it pink.
Although it seems like a great shade for someone just starting to tinker with hair dye, there are a few things to keep in mind if you're looking to channel your inner Jem. This isn't a shade that can go on just anyone, as hairstylist Lewis Pallett, who just dyed Suki Waterhouse 's hair pink, told us. "Brunettes and dark blondes will get a completely different shade of pink compared to people with light or bleached blonde, and dark brown may not get any difference at all," Pallett says.
And so if you do have darker hair, a brighter, bolder pink would be an easier color to achieve as opposed to a pastel. Also, since it can be hard to get exactly the shade you want, it is vital to pay attention to how long you're keeping that dye on. "When dealing with color, there’s really no set time for how long to leave it on," Chris Appleton, who dyed Kylie Jenner's hair pink in September, says. "You need to watch it, wipe some off the hair to see what’s going on underneath, and keep checking until you get the desired color... Less is more, especially with frosted colors."
To keep your preferred pink shade vibrant, Appleton recommends using a sulfate-free shampoo as well. If you're careful with all these steps, you'll undoubtedly be left with a hair color that makes you look equal parts chic and daring. See how your favorite celebs are rocking this hue, ahead.
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Whether you're a nascent collector or a Highly Advanced Plant Lady, the sheer variety of houseplants out there can be overwhelming. It's easy to fall back on tried-and-true favorites like succulents and fiddle leaf figs, and while we take comfort in the knowledge that they'll never let us down, sometimes, the plant wall is just calling out for some variety.
That's why we asked two bona-fide plant experts for their recommendations on the easiest, prettiest, all-around best houseplants that you may not have heard of. Read on to find out what to invest in if you're home doesn't get a lot of natural light, if you live in an unpredictable climate, or if you're just not that good at regular waterings.
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If your dream music-festival outfit looks like a flowy tunic dress with suede tassel booties and a faded denim jacket tied loosely around your waist, you probably take fashion inspiration from global influencer Julie Sariñana, also known as Sincerely Jules. That signature Cali cool-girl vibe gave Sariñana aspirational style clout, and now she's translating her laid-back aesthetic into the trendiest 2019 Coachella accouterments: hair accessories.
We're not talking a single silk ribbon headband or a fancy designer claw clip that'll set you back half a concert ticket price. Instead, the fashion-forward collaboration is actually crazy affordable — everything's under $10 — and will be stocked on the ever-accessible shelves of Target. From rainbow gemstone bobby pins to plush velvet scrunchies, check out the new 12-piece Sincerely Jules x Scunci festival-inspired collaboration, ahead. Shop your favorite to infuse a little Coachella flair into your spring wardrobe — even if a trip to Palm Desert only exists in your daydreams.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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We posed these question to two tiny home builders and designers, Brian Crabb of VIVA Collectiv and Paul Beckmann of Wind River Tiny Homes, who, thankfully, obliged in answering. Read on for everything you've ever wanted to know about living tiny, and prepare for the sudden onslaught of many more daydreams.
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We didn't think last year's Spotify-Hulu deal could get any better, but...it just did. Starting today, you can now get ad-supported Hulu for free with your Spotify Premium account, all for $9.99 per month. That means tons of podcasts, 40 million songs, and more than 85,000 episodes of TV, movies, and original content.
If you're new to both services, you can sign up for the new offer here and get the first 30 days for free, after which you'll be billed $9.99 per month. And if you already have Spotify Premium, all you have to do is visit the Your Services Page on your account to activate Hulu. Similarly, if you already have Hulu without Spotify, there are instructions onsite that direct you to sign up for a Spotify Premium account, log into your Hulu account, and switch your billing to Spotify to get the new deal. Also, if you're currently paying $12.99 per month as part of last year’s Spotify-Hulu bundle offer, you will now be automatically switched over to the $9.99 price.
But if you're debating whether or not to cash in on the deal, you should probably act fast — the offer stands until June 10, 2019, or while supplies last. And then once you're hooked up, you can alternate between bingeing these Hulu hidden gems and listening to your Spotify "Cosmic playlist."
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In the first of the two final episodes, which are essentially Watch What Happens Live but without Andy Cohen and alcohol, we get to see Underwood for the first time since ditching the show and running into Portugal's countryside. Turns out, he's been experimenting with a new look since then — and everyone had something to say about it.
The first comment came from host Chris Harrison. "We're going crazy right now, trending all over Twitter," he exclaimed on camera. "I think your new haircut has broken Twitter."
And Harrison was right, more people were tweeting about Underwood's hair than they were about his breakup with Cassie (by the way, where is Cassie?).
Former contestants also jumped in, with Ben Higgins joking that he had to duck backstage so Underwood's straight, pointy look wouldn't poke him in the eye. When Caila Quinn tweeted that it looked like "sex hair," Kaitlyn Bristowe corrected her to say it was more like "dry humping hair."
But Underwood knows how you and Twitter feel about his new 'do — and he doesn't care. He even took to Instagram and Twitter to remind the haters he's been through a lot worse than a haircut faux pas, writing, "Say what you want about the new hair. I like it." After the kind of heartbreak he's endured this season, Underwood is allowed one breakup cut, right?
We're always in the mood for a head full of big, sexy curls. But 'big hair don't care' vibes can sometimes mean loading up on products, and spending lots of time twisting, rod-setting, and styling — which, tbh, isn't always the move. The easiest way to score the look with half the work? Crochet braids.
The protective style is synonymous with lots of loose curls, and the hair typically used (Marley) is light as a feather. Plus, there are multiple ways to style them, as proven by the women ahead. From Bantu knots to faux locs, check out all the ways to break out of your protective-style rut — and get the most bang for your buck from crochet.
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A Georgia teen was sentenced Monday to 36 months of probation and other conditions after pleading guilty for killing two women and a baby in a traffic accident in Woodstock, GA nearly two years ago.
Zoe Reardon, who turned 19 on Tuesday, faced nine misdemeanor charges over the September 2017 deaths of 28-year-old Kaitlin Hunt, 3-month-old Riley Hunt, and 61-year-old Kathy Deming. The charges included second-degree vehicular homicide and distracted driving. Authorities said she was not speeding nor driving under the influence when the accident happened.
Cherokee County State Court Judge Alan Jordan granted Reardon first offender status and besides sentencing her to probation, also ordered for the 19-year-old to complete 240 hours of community service, undergo a safe driver training, pay about $4,000 in fines, and have her license suspended between one and three years. "You’re pretty young," he told Reardon. "You’ve got a lifetime ahead of you. I expect this is something you’re going to have a hard time dealing with the rest of your life."
Reardon is currently a freshman at Southern Methodist University in Texas. The court said it will allow her to remotely check-in during her probation period.
The accident took place on the evening of September 9, 2017. Hunt, who served with the Coast Guard in Florida, was in town with her after fleeing Hurricane Irma. Deming, a family friend, was with the family as they walked to a concert in downtown Woodstock when then 17-year-old Reardon ran over them. The teen says she didn't see Hunt and Deming, both of who were wearing dark clothes, as they crossed the street. The area didn't have marked pedestrian crossing or traffic lights to illuminate the road at the time.
The Deming family were not satisfied with the judge's decision to spare Reardon from facing jail time. "Where is the accountability?" her husband Mike Deming, an attorney, said after sentencing. "We have to live with this for the rest of our lives. You don’t."
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