10

Naturally Colored Tresses

2018 might’ve been the year of technicolor tresses, but 2019 is about stripping away the unicorn-inspired looks and embracing your natural color — the one you were born with. In the last 12 months, Consumers are seeing reviews for hair bleach and lighteners decrease by 48 percent, permanent hair color decrease by 34 percent and even semi-permanent hair color decrease by 25 percent. If this doesn’t prove the rainbow hair colors of yesteryear are fading out, I don’t know what does.

And as if that wasn’t convincing enough, the data-driven platform also reported that reviews of hair color removers and faders increased by a staggering 538 percent. Just think of how much cash you’ll save when you don’t have to sit in a salon every couple of weeks to touch up your blue (or green, or purple, or orange) roots!

9
This Includes 50 Shades of Gray!

If you’ve been on the fence on growing out your gray hair, this just might be the year to commit, since natural, silver locks are trending for 2019. Already rocking your grays? Keep your tresses healthy and shiny by using a sulfate-free shampoo,

Gray hair is a natural side effect of being human. Yet the drugstore aisles are loaded with DIY hair dye. If you’re someone that fears going gray, your first instinct may not be to flaunt it.

However, gray and white hair can serve as style accessories that slay. Older stars have paved the way for natural gray with stunning results, and some younger women are embracing gray with dye jobs in silver, white and every tone in between.

8
Clothes Can “Pop” with Neon

Bold and bright neon is back and better than ever! But this isn’t about ’80s overload. Follow these simple style tips from Lilliana Vazquez and you’ll look right on trend for 2019.

Don’t pair it with black; it’ll look too harsh! Do pair it with neutrals, like camel or gray, to make it feel sophisticated. Don’t wear head-to-toe neon. No one wants to look like a highlighter.
Do wear one neon item at a time to add a fun pop. Do look for a variety of colors like pink, yellow, green and yellow.

7
Big Color for Standout Pouts

Kiss your boring, clear glosses buh-bye! Vivacious, statement lips are gaining momentum for 2019, and why not? A colorful pout is a quick, stylish way to amp up a bare-faced look with a pop of color for the office or happy hour. Editors, Milk Makeup Lip Color ($22; sephora.com) promises a bold, punchy demi-matte kisser. If you’re color indecisive, then you’re still good because loads of companies are putting out lip color palettes in trios or more.

There’s also a plethora liquid matte lipsticks on the market, which can amazingly deliver high pigment color without drying out your lips. Brown lip color is also back. The ’90s had a lot of dark liner, and sometimes solely liner, looks but the 2019 version is all about natural and neutral. “Instead of flat browns that were so popular, it will be a hint of brown, earthy, but with a warmer undertone,” says Murphy. “Somewhere between a brown lip and your actual lip color.”

6
Expressive Eyes

What’s next in beauty? The focus shifts to dramatic, bold eyes. Lashes and innovative mascaras are set to have a moment, too, thanks to trend-setting icon Pat McGrath, who majorly played up lashes at the Prada and Versace fashion shows. And perhaps more innovatively, highlights of white eyeshadows are cropping up. The secret of white eyeshadows consists of the amazing ability to radically change even the shape of the eyes. For these purposes, the eyeshadows were applied under the eyebrow, and now we move to the inner corners of our eyes.

We do this with confidence, without the fear of overcoming the contour, to the bridge of the nose – the brighter the eyes, the better. On the movable eyelids, you can apply golden makeup, and the lashes can be twisted with a special pinch and applied black mascara. The eyebrows remain as natural: it only needs a brush and a transparent gel fixer, but more about it later. Pinterest searches for foiled eyeshadow have increased by 169%. And into the new year, that percentage is expected to continue rising.

5
Almond, Ombre Nails

There are at least three trends going strong. Between expensive salon services and DIY tricks, there are hundreds of ways to paint, shape, and style nails. But in 2019, ombre-colored nails are expected to be the most popular.

To achieve this particular trend, try a press-on manicure or ombre nail stickers. Not only will this give you a better gradient effect, but it could also save you time and money. For shape, there’s a new king in town, which is neither square nor super pointy. Almond nails are named as such due to their rounded off edges that resemble an almond nut. The nails come to a rounded point at the tip, and are smooth all the rest of the way around. The next time your manicurist asks if you want “square or rounded” nails, the answer is “almond, please.” Believe it or not, the new nail shape for 2019 is named for the soft, rounded shape of the nut. If you want to showcase the latest almond trend, hold off on hitting the nail salon until you’ve built a strong base.

4
Twiggy Eyelashes

The legendary doll look of Twiggy is back to the beauty scene for this fall thanks to Gucci, Prada, Rochas and many other world-famous fashion houses, the shows of which were marked by the playful makeup looks of the models featuring super-long and thick eyelashes that could be spotted from afar. The dramatic and mysterious ‘1960s Twiggy makeup style comes to ideally match the romantic and melancholic mood of fall, spicing up your mainly minimalistic looks with a touch of extravagance. Perhaps no makeup ever looks as special and innocent, as the Twiggy doll-like look, which is yet another reason for you to embrace this chic beauty trend this fall (Check out our Sixties Inspired Twiggy Makeup Tutorial to be able to rock this look as skillfully as possible).

3
DIY Facials With Cupping and Gua Sha Stones

“The trend of glowing bare skin will take-on more speed and be “the look” for the Spring and Summer. Don’t get me wrong, makeup is great fun from time to time, but waking up looking this good is heaven. All day, every day! Supplements targeted to support skin health will also take more traction as spring approaches. Nothing can replace a healthy, clean, diet as far as your skin is concerned, however, there is compelling research to support the benefits of ingested supplements such as collagen, Omegas, Biotin, and Melatonin (yes! Melatonin for skin, not just for sleep!) to name a few.

At home tools such as facial cupping, gua sha stones, light therapy will be more common in your favorite beauty retailers. Whether it is at home tools or ingested supplements, it’s extremely important to follow instructions, dosing directions and contraindications with other medications you may be taking. Here’s a tip: for at home tools, always practice on the inside of your thigh before using it on your face.” — Joanne DeLeon, Skin Therapist Heyday LA.

2
Natural Eyelash “Lifts” with Castor Oil and Facials with Witch Hazel

People are giving their eyelashes a lift with natural solutions like castor oil, grapeseed oil, and aloe vera to draw attention to their peepers. A quick search on Amazon yields loads of options. While it may sound straight out of Hocus Pocus, using old-school products like witch hazel for skincare is going to be very popular for 2019. Calming components and antioxidants in witch hazel can help soothe bug bites and stings, and rashes from poison ivy or oak. It’s also thought to aid acne, oily skin, puffy eyes, and sunburn.

1
More, More, Did We Say More? Mesonutrients!

Macro- and micronutrients have been part of our health vernacular for a while now, especially for those who record everything they eat (using apps such as MyFitnessPal). Macros are your fats, carbohydrates and proteins, and micronutrients are minerals and vitamins.

Mesonutrients are next level. These nutrients focus on what’s inside, ie. the active ingredients and compounds within the food that have direct health benefits. For example, the super-compound in turmeric is curcumin, celebrated for its anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. In order to extract the optimum dose of this active ingredient from the root (400mg), 10kgs of dried turmeric powder would have to be added to food. So beyond macro and micro-counting, a good knowledge of mesos allow us to carefully tailor our supplements too (if in doubt about what to take, ask a doctor to assess any deficiencies).

The post 10 Unique Beauty Trends You Won’t Want to Miss in 2019 appeared first on Thats Whats Up.

Is He Worth the Work?

Ask any man, and they will say that women are confusing and hard to understand. However, guys can be just as perplexing. If you want to know how he really feels about you, then you should observe his behavior in public. He should treat you with the same loving tenderness in front of the world that he does in the bedroom. If you’re not getting his full attention when you are out with his friends, then it’s probably because he isn’t that into you. You deserve to be treated well no matter where you are.

By making a few observations, you can see if he is good boyfriend material or if he is someone that you should send packing. If you want to take things to the next level, then you need to learn a few signs that signal loud and clear that he is not that into you. Here are 15 things to watch out for.

15
He Is Reluctant to Let You Meet His Family

One of the most significant red flags to consider is that he won’t meet your family and he doesn’t want you meeting his either. You shouldn’t expect to meet the in-laws until you have been dating for a few months.

If it’s been over six months and you still haven’t met his parents, then it could signal that something is awry. Either he doesn’t want to bring you home because he is afraid that your relationship isn’t going anywhere, or he has many girls that he is entertaining at once. If he is unfaithful, he is not going to want to get too personal by meeting the family.

14
He Openly Tells You That He Likes Other Women

It’s not uncommon for a man to admire the beauty of another woman, especially someone like a celebrity. Consequently, a man that is devoted to you is not going to check out others when you are with them. If his daily conversations talk about the cute girls at work or the beautiful women he saw at the bank, then it’s clear he’s not dedicated to you.

Many times, people see more into a relationship than what’s there, and men and women can be “just friends.” He may be confiding in you because he feels a strong friendship with you. If he is freely talking about his options, then he’s not that into you.

13
He Won’t Call You by Your Name

Many couples use terms of endearment to show their love one for another. However, you can only be called “sweetie” so many times. After the first few dates, you should graduate into calling each other by name. A guy that has numerous fish on the line will avoid using names for fear of calling you by the wrong one.

Pet names are cute, but there are times that you want to be addressed directly. It could be that he doesn’t remember your real name because his “little black book” is bursting with names. Whatever the reason, it’s not normal to never use your real name.

12
He Only Calls When He is Intoxicated

Does your man only call you when he has had too many drinks? You should only want to have a conversation when his full attention is on you and it’s meaningful, not when he’s drunk and bored. It’s nice that he is thinking of you when he has had a dose of “truth serum,” but you should be able to talk to each other when you are drunk and when you are sober.

Guys make stupid choices when they are inebriated, and they lose touch of reality. For some reason, alcohol tends to raise libido, which could be one of the reasons why he is calling. If these phone calls bother you, then don’t answer correspondence after midnight.

11
He Won’t Make His Home Feel Like Yours

When your relationship moves to the place where you are staying at his house constantly, then he needs to clear out an area so that you can keep some stuff there. Whether it’s a drawer or a section of the closet makes no difference, the point is he needs to make room for you in his world. If he is reluctant to do this, then it could be that he doesn’t want you invading his space.

Leaving things at his home is a step towards committing, and it might scare him. When a guy is really into you, he will welcome you staying as much as possible and leaving some items behind. Who wouldn’t want to be reminded of their love in their absence?

10
He’s A Horrible Conversationalist

Having open lines of communication in a relationship is essential. You must connect about the things you like, dislike, and the things that you are passionate about. Whether you go out to dinner or are sitting at home on the couch, the conversation should flow effortlessly. This doesn’t mean you have to be constantly talking, but a good relationship should have good communication.

If the conversation is one-sided, then it may be because he isn’t into you, or he is terrible at expressing himself. On the other hand, if he won’t shut up and you can’t get a word into the conversation, then he may be self-absorbed and doesn’t care what you have to say.

9
He Tells Everyone You’re Just Friends

Are you stuck in the friend zone and hoping that he will commit? Is he is cosy in private, but avoids public displays of affection? If you are intimate, yet he still refers to you as his friend, then it may be time to move on.

You can tell a lot of what a guy thinks of you by how he introduces you to his friends, family, and coworkers. Men with commitment issues will often not complicate things by keeping things extra casual. If you experience this, there is a risk that things could be the same way years from now, if he chooses to hang around that long.

8
He Doesn’t Return Your Texts Right Away

Very few people leave their phone for hours at a time. In fact, most people have them glued to their side. When a person you are fond of texts, most people are anxious to text them right back. However, if your text to him takes hours or even days to be returned, then it’s clear he is not that into you.

The only exception would be if he is at work and is not allowed to use his cell or is too busy. Keep in mind; most people do check their phone on lunch or other breaks. The truth is that if he wants to talk to you and communicate in some way, he will respond sooner rather than later.

7
He Is Really Unreliable

There is nothing worse than a flaky and unreliable man. Are you always needing to change your plans because he backs out on you at the last minute? Do you feel that you are a backup for when his other ideas don’t work out? It could be that he has a long list of women he is stringing along, and he comes to you when there is nothing better to do.

Another red flag is that he seems to disappear for days on end. He may not give you an explanation, or he may make up a story that pulls at the heartstrings. If he really does care about you, then he wouldn’t just avoid you for several days. Instead, you would be the first thing on his mind and heart when he wakes up in the morning, and you would be the last thought before he went to bed. Don’t settle for a man that sees you for nothing more than the convenience factor.

6
He Treats You Like He Treats His Friends

Guys are often hard to read, and they don’t come with manuals on how to figure them out. An excellent way to tell if the way he treats you is superior to the way he treats his friends is to go out with them. Does he hug, give a kiss on the cheek, or become touchy-feely when in the presence of his other lady friends? You may be mistaking flirting for his outgoing personality.

While it may seem that he is giving you extra attention, it could just be the way he is around women. Some guys give off signals that they don’t intend too. Try to notice the way he looks at other women and his body language when in their presence. If you cannot tell the difference in the way he treats them from the way he handles you, then you are not as special to him as you thought.

5
He’s Closed Off Emotionally

When most people find that special someone, they learn to break down the walls that have surrounded their heart. They will open up about their past, bad things that have happened to them, as well as their hopes and dreams. Some men can be emotionally stunted. They are afraid to talk about things that get too much into their personal stuff. When you are in a serious relationship, you need to communicate about the good, bad, and ugly things that have happened in life.

If you get one-word answers after three or four months of dating, then it’s a sign that he is not that interested in you. Guys like to skate around the issues rather than tackle them head-on. He may be afraid to tell you the truth because he is fearful that it might send you packing.

The other option is that he is afraid that if he tells you his secrets that it’s exposing part of himself that he wants to keep hidden. If he feels strongly about you and your future together, then he will want to share the innermost parts of his soul with you.

4
He Would Rather Stay in Than Go Out In Public With You

First dates should always be in public for safety. However, after a few dates, it’s acceptable to take him back to your house. If your man would rather sit on the couch or only alternate between the bedroom and your kitchen, then you have a problem. What does he say when you ask him to take you to the movies or bowling? When guys don’t take a girl in public, it’s usually because something is going on.

You might also consider that he may be uneasy in crowds. Social anxiety and agoraphobia are quite common these days. Counselling and mediation can help fix this problem. He may also be low on funds. You can test him by offering to pay for a night on the town.

More likely than not, his problem is coming from a more sinister issue. He could be embarrassed to be seen with you, or he could fear who you may run into when you are together. You don’t want to be the dirty, little secret. If he is hiding you, then there is a reason behind it.

3
He Avoids Sexual Contact

There are few men alive that don’t like sex. Guys have no problem having casual sex. Most just want to get pleasured and be on their way. If he doesn’t want to take your relationship to the next level, then there is something very wrong in this association. These days, people are eager to hop in the sack on the first date. If you hold out for a month, you are doing miraculous things.

One reason that a guy doesn’t want to sleep with a girl is that he feels it might ruin the friendship, which means he may see you as a friend. Another thing to consider is that he may have a serious relationship that he never told you about. Flirting is one thing but having sex is another. You must also keep in the back of your mind that he could be gay. Guys from the LGBTQ community are the best friends and companions ever. They just don’t want to be intimate with a woman. This is probably the biggest red flag of all. If you are not knocking boots occasionally, then there is an issue.

2
You Have A Bad Feeling About the Situation

Women have an intuitive nature that helps them to raise children and get through life. Some people say that when the situation is right, they have a good feeling about it. Do you always fight back feelings that something is not right in your relationship? Always listen to your heart. The uneasiness that you feel is coming from somewhere.

Make a list of all the things that could bring this unsettling feeling. Do you feel it’s worthy of saying your goodbyes? Why not sit down and have a chat with him about the things that are bothering you? He may be able to put your mind at ease, or he may give you the answers you need to know this relationship is going nowhere fast.

1
His Body Language with You Is Distant

You can always spot a couple in love. It’s the way they look into each other’s eyes, the way they hold hands, and giggling like a schoolgirl when he puts his arm around her. Body language is a huge predictor of how a couple feels about each other. How does your body language measure up?

Does he hold your hand in public and want to sit as close to you as possible? Does he keep his eyes on you or avoid eye contact? What about his pupils? If he is really into you, then his pupils will enlarge to focus. If the pupils are small and constricted, then he is bored or isn’t enjoying what he sees. Another factor is the position of his torso. If it is facing you, then he is into you. However, if it’s turned the other way, then it’s focusing on something or someone, else in the room.

Finding Your Prince Charming

Dating is difficult, you can end up with a great guy or waste time with a dud. Using your intuitive nature, and some clues you gather, you can easily see if he is into you. Remember, the only thing worse than being single is being with the wrong one. When the right one comes along, you’ll just know. You won’t have to worry about fighting for the time or attention of your man. However, you may have to endure a few failed relationships to find your perfect match.

The post 15 Signs That He’s Just Not that Into You and It’s Time To Move On appeared first on Thats Whats Up.

12
Seth Rogen – For Alzheimer’s Treatment

We all know how much Seth Rogen loves marijuana and we have seen him smoke up in movies such as “Pineapple Express” and “This is The End”. There are some actors who fake being stoners, but Rogen is proud to admit that he is indeed a pothead.

Seth also believes strongly in the benefits of cannabis for Alzheimer’s prevention. In particular, Rogen’s passion circulates around the legalization of CBD for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Rogen’s mother-in-law, Adele Miller, had an early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. He saw first-hand the way how the illness changed her and left her unable to care for herself.

Appearing in front of Congress in 2014, Rogen documented these changes and the impact the disease had on his family’s life. He argued in support of legislation to increase federal funding for care and research of Alzheimer’s.

11
Alessandra Ambrosio – For a Good Night’s Sleep

Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio swears by CBD to help her with sleep and anxiety. In an interview, she mentioned that it’s important to get eight full hours of sleep to be ready for a runway show. However, with the stress of an upcoming fashion show, it can be difficult to calm the mind enough sleep easily. When Ambrosio gets anxious, she uses CBD oil to feel more relaxed and peaceful. She also drinks CBD water for an extra cannabis-powered boost.

10
Whoopi Goldberg – For Good Living and More

Whoopi Goldberg is a talk show host of The View, actress, performer, comedienne, and cannabis advocate. In fact, many would agree that she is an outspoken cannabis advocate. Goldberg proudly supports CBD as a health supplement.

Whoopi speaks highly of cannabis and its counterparts for various health issues not just feminine. She’s used a vape pen for years for pain, stress and glaucoma. Whoopi has also admitted to consuming CBD when she cannot get THC. She supports people consuming CBD at work as the compound is non-psychoactive.

Last year, she and Maya Elisabeth started Maya & Whoopi – which sells edibles, tinctures, salves, and more.

9
Woody Harrelson – For Art and Commerce

Woody Harrelson, a marijuana advocate and actor, has tried and failed to gain a permit that would allow him to open his own marijuana dispensary in Hawaii. A hugely versatile actor, Harrelson has appeared in countless popular tv series and films such as Cheers, Natural Born Killers, White Men Can’t Jump, Zombieland, The Hunger Games, and Seven Psychopaths, to name a few.

Marijuana has even cropped up in his film career. He narrated a weed documentary named Grass and appeared in another documentary by the same director called Go Further. He co-starred with fellow marijuana enthusiasts Matthew McConaughey and Willie Nelson in the stoner comedy Surfer, Dude before popping up in another documentary called Hempsters: Plant the Seed.

Here’s betting Harrelson will get his dispensary in the future!

8
Mike Tyson – It’s a Good Investment

Former boxer Mike Tyson is also constructing Tyson Ranch, a project to build a pot farm in California City, approximately 50 miles from Los Angeles. Rob Hickman, an investor backing Tyson Ranch, told CNNMoney that Tyson “doesn’t drink anymore, he’s a heavy CBD and a heavy marijuana user.” “The news of Mike Tyson setting up a cannabis farm caught many by surprise because he’s not necessarily a figure that you would associate with cannabis use,” said John Kagia, a cannabis industry analyst for New Frontier Data.

7
Gene Simmons – Purely for Business

Aside from advocating the amazing benefits that CBD has to offer, many celebrities also invest in the cannabis industry. Gene Simmons invested $10 million in Invictus, a Canadian cannabis grower. Although he’s never smoked pot, he’s quoted as saying that he believes in cannabis. For Simmons, it’s purely a business move. “I’ve got $10 million wrapped up in the stock because I believe in it,” Simmons told CNNMoney. Invictus went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange last month with a ticker bearing his name: GENE.

6
Montel Williams – A Veteran’s Recovery

Montel has been famous for years for his acting career, but in 2016 the cannabis community won a huge victory while he was travelling through the Frankfurt airport. Police found cannabinoids in his luggage, but after he proved that it was CBD prescribed as a medical use product by a licensed doctor, he was released. Williams suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and has been a proponent of legalization ever since he tried it and found relief. He has been an outspoken advocate since 1999.

Eighteen years ago, television celebrity Montel Williams couldn’t have imagined he’d one day be standing in a sleek Santa Ana dispensary chatting with fans about his new line of cannabis products. Long before California’s modern “green rush,” back when medical marijuana patients still risked having their homes seized for giving cannabis to needy friends, Williams was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He was also in constant pain, downing a dozen opioids a day and battling depression that left him suicidal.

In 2001, a doctor quietly recommended that Williams try medical marijuana to ease the chronic nerve pain and muscle spasms that accompany his incurable autoimmune disease. Williams says he found immediate relief, and he’s taken cannabis products almost daily since.

He’s also become one of the most high-profile proponents of medical marijuana, supporting legalization initiatives throughout the country even as threats of a crackdown by the Trump administration are looming.

“I feel no one has a right to get into the middle of a conversation between a doctor and a patient,” he said. “If a doctor recommends cannabis, then everyone else needs to shut up and get out of that conversation.”

Williams is passionate about ensuring that serious medical patients such as himself – who need super clean, easy-to-consume products with precise ratios of particular compounds – don’t get forgotten as the more-profitable recreational marijuana movement spreads.

That mission led him Wednesday to Bud and Bloom dispensary in Santa Ana, where the trim 61-year-old in a bright paisley shirt was introducing the first two products available from his new California-based company, LenitivLabs.

5
Melissa Etheridge – “Marijuana is Medicine”

Singer Melissa Etheridge realized that marijuana is medicine when she had breast cancer 13 years ago. She has been a recreational marijuana smoker since early adulthood.

After Melissa received her first round of chemotherapy 13 years ago, her whole viewpoint on cannabis changed. Whereas she has previously seen marijuana as something to use for fun, she discovered that it helped to alleviate the terrible suffering caused by chemotherapy. It helped with the pain, and it helped her with depression. Now she is fully recovered and even smokes pot with her adult children!

4
Rihanna – For the People

Truly music royalty, Rihanna has won nine Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, and 12 American Music Awards. She has sold over 250 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling musicians of all time, and there seems to be no end in sight to her output. Rihanna is open about her use of marijuana and continues to advocate for its wider legalization and usage.

If there’s one thing that Rihanna doesn’t care about, it’s what people have to say about her. Her public display of affection towards marijuana has been publicized and criticized — even more so since the singer hopped on Instagram in 2011 — still instead of paying mind to the comments section, she rolls up a blunt for the haters. We can’t be mad at that. You love who and what you love, right?

Rihanna’s relationship with weed sparked rumors in 2010 of the singer being banned from a Barbados hotel for heavy pot smoking. Before we knew it, the singer was an advocate for greenery through countless Instagram selfies, showing her with a blunt either between her red-hued lips or between her fingertips.

3
Michael J. Fox – Parkinson’s Relief

Best known for starring in the Back to the Future trilogy and the original Teen Wolf, Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 at the age of 29. He has since begun using CBD as a means of alleviating his Parkinson’s symptoms. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has found that a high amount of cannabinoid receptors are found in the human basal ganglia, a group of brain cells responsible for movement and affected by Parkinson’s disease. Several studies funded by MJFF have found that cannabinoids, like CBD, may help to protect brain cells via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

2
Jim Belushi – Back to the Earth

Jim Belushi is an American actor, comedian, farmer, singer and musician. He is the younger brother of the deceased comic actor John Belushi.

Jim’s happy place is growing pot in Oregon. He describes a spiritual connection to the marijuana he’s growing on his 93-acre spread near Eagle Point. Belushi started his cannabis enterprise three years ago with a 48-plant medical marijuana grow that has expanded into the greenhouses, equipment and manpower to compete in an ever-changing cannabis industry.

1
Morgan Freeman – For Chronic Pain

Morgan Freeman is an American actor, producer, and narrator. What many fans of his legendary acting don’t realize is that Freeman is using his voice to fight for cannabis legalization. That’s correct, Freeman has pushed for medical marijuana legislation, and arguably way before it was a popular social movement. His advocacy for cannabis use has helped normalize the conversation.

Based on his more recent interviews on the subject, we can safely assume that Freeman has been using cannabis, at least recreationally, since Woodstock. It seems as if the plant’s potential medicinal applications were suggested to him only in 2008, though, after a severe motor vehicle accident left him with chronic pain.

The post 12 Celebrities Who Swear by CBD Oil appeared first on Thats Whats Up.

One area of particular interest is their etiquette on public displays of affection. The British people are generally known to be more discreet with their romantic gestures. Kissing, holding hands, or lingering touches are not overtly encouraged across the pond and definitely frowned upon when you might have to wear a crown or tiara to work.

If anyone has to live regimented lives with strict rules, it’s definitely the royal family. But, what’s the deal with public displays of affection? Do they have to adhere to certain guidelines on how they show love in public? Let’s take a look at the do’s and don’ts for royal affection.

No Touchy-touchy When the Queen is Present

It’s a hard-fast rule that when Queen Elizabeth is present, you do not show affection towards your significant other. Because she is much more reserved in her demeanour, it is out of respect that the members of the royal family keep their hands to themselves when they are with Her Majesty. That means no holding hands, no gentle pats on the back, and definitely no kissing. Although Prince Harry and Megan are known to be very open with their public displays of affection, I’m sure they play it safe when they are with the Queen. Although, as of late, the Queen has been seen holding her husband’s hand at various events.

The queen does occasionally hold her husband’s hand at events, but often it’s only the tips of the fingers and not a full embrace. She sets the standard for all royals to adhere to when it comes to etiquette and Royal rules of public display.

They Can Pucker Up at Polo

Kissing is definitely a grander gesture of affection than say, a slight touch on the arm – and it’s not something that the many of the royals do in public. However, there seems to be a tradition started by Princess Diana for the royal wives to give their husbands a kiss when they are presented with their trophy at charity polo matches. Apparently, horses and a cute polo outfit is the magic potion for love to freely occur in public because kissing at the end of the match is encouraged! Here, you can see Kate and Megan continuing the legacy with their respective husbands, William and Harry…

Formal Events Means ALL the Formalities

When the royals attend a formal event, they often “adjust PDA to mirror the formality of the event they are attending,” states royal etiquette expert Myka Meier in an interview with People magazine. It is not considered appropriate or good taste for a royal to be too relaxed in their intimacy or romantic gestures while attending a fancy or somber affair. It wouldn’t be too hard for a senior member of the royal family to stick to these guidelines, as they have been steeped and groomed in the tradition of being stoic while in public. However, the younger royals may have to keep reminding themselves to save the love pats for when the night is over.

Informal Events = Let the Good Times Roll

Formal events aside, the Royals aren’t expected to follow formal protocol’s when they’re out and about in casual settings. Essentially, they can be more relaxed with their loved ones when the event or situation doesn’t call for serious etiquette and stiffness. It’s no wonder Harry and Megan have been photographed numerous times being extremely close and lovey-dovey with each other at various events. They are clearly more comfortable in an informal setting that allows them to simply be a newly married couple. Even though William and Kate have been married for quite some time now, they’ve always been more reserved about displaying their affection towards each other in public.

So, Where do I Put My Hands?

It’s pretty much up to the couple on how “daring” they want to be with their love gestures; some are more conservative and prefer to keep things behind closed doors. Others are more relaxed and are totally comfortable with the quick peck, cheek nuzzle, or hand hold. Believe it or not, there’s no true protocol or guideline on holding hands for the Royals. While it’s been said that holding hands in public is breaking the rules, there aren’t any specific boundaries to grabbing your royal spouse’s hand. Even at official events, hand-holding is totally allowed. Even the Queen herself will take King Phillip’s hand while out in public!

There’s obviously something glamorous and dreamy about being a royal, but it does come with its rules and structured lifestyle. Sure, it would be simply amazing to live in a breathtaking home surrounded by beautiful scenery. How wonderful it would be to send your kids to the best schools, grow up with nice things, and live a very comfortable life. It would be incredible to travel and represent your country diplomatically to support positive change. And yes, your shoe and hat game would be INCREDIBLE! But, if I had to think twice about showering my baby’s cheeks with kisses or blowing raspberries on her belly to hear her laugh while we’re out in public with nanna…I think I’d be just fine being an everyday citizen.

The post The Royal Rules on Public Displays of Affection – What’s Cool and What’s Not appeared first on Thats Whats Up.

10
Snooki’s Weight Loss

Motherhood looks good on Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi. She was a weight-loss machine after giving birth to her first child in late 2012. The pint-sized reality star shed 42 pounds. This past October, less than a year after her first baby, she and husband Jionni LaValle welcomed their second child. Her speedy slimming proved just as ferociously effective the second time around. She looks thinner than ever!

This is more about setting an example of health for her two young ones than it is about looking great in skinny jeans, though she undeniably does. But the reality star suffered from an eating disorder in high school and is all about health as an adult and mother.

“Even though I want to be healthy for myself and it feels great to be healthy, I mainly want to do it for my kids,” Polizzi, 30, has said. “I just really want to be a fit mom. I want to be able to keep up with them, run after them.”

9
Snooki’s Kids Names

LaValle is the youngest. Both were graced with proud, Italian names. The Jersey Shore alum recently shared a video of her 5-year-old son Lorenzo and 2-year-old daughter Giovanna repeating their mother’s famous nickname along with the caption, “THE DAY HAS COME.”

In the clip, the former MTV star, who starred on all six seasons of Jersey Shore, asked her oldest child what exactly a “Snooki” is, and he adorably answered: “I don’t know.”

8
Snooki’s Real Name

Snooki’s real name is Nicole Elizabeth Polizzi. She was adopted from Chile as an infant, and grew up an only child, with Italian American adoptive parents. Now a mother of two children, Snooki added:

“Eventually, when I was 21, 22, I got my dad drunk and was like, ‘Dad, can you just tell me what went on? Why was I up for adoption?’”

The reality TV star learned that her adoptive parents flew to Chile to pick her up after her birth parents gave her up because they couldn’t afford to raise her.

“I can’t even imagine because I have two kids, putting up a child for adoption, to give them a better life,” she said. “That’s so amazing for them, that shows how much they loved me. But also I could never do that. I can’t even imagine how they felt giving me up but thank you for that.”

Although she says her adoptive parents are her real parents, Snooki said she’d be interested to meet her birth parents.

“In the back of my head I’m always curious to meet my birth family,” she said.

Snooki’s father is a volunteer firefighter and auto-salvage supervisor, and her mother is an office manager. She received her nickname, Snooki, in middle school, when her friends named her after “Snookie”, a male character in “Save the Last Dance” because she was the first of her friends to kiss a boy.

7
What Nationality is Snooki?

While she was adopted from Chile, Snooki is not actually Chilean. She took a DNA test to determine her genetic background: she is part Romani, Iberian American, South Asian, East Asian, Middle Eastern, and Jewish with roots in North Western Croatia, Macedonia, Slovakia, Russia, and Spain. She was surprised to learn that while born in Chile, she is not genetically Chilean.

6
Snooki’s Age & Workout Routine

The 30-year-old star is determined to keep making health and fitness gains into her 30s. In her workout regimen, she focuses on plyometrics (like burpees or squat jumps) and isolating specific muscle groups to chisel out various sections of her petite body.

“I love that stuff because it burns and I know that I’m making a difference in my body – plus I can’t breathe,” she says. “I like my arms when they get nice and muscley. I’m in the process of trying to get that back.”

Peanut butter is Polizzi’s culinary vice, but she indulges carefully, by the spoonful!

“A scoop of peanut butter is actually good because it’s high in protein,” she explains. “I usually skip every other day, but I’ll do a scoop of peanut butter at night. But I’m addicted to peanut butter right now, I don’t know why.”

Judging by her fitness results, I’d say her discipline is doing just fine.

5
Is Snooki Pregnant?

The newest Jersey Shore spinoff details more of the personal lives of the cast than it once did. Polizzi once addressed her want for a third baby, too. During one of the episodes, she felt nauseous and eventually got sick in the bathroom. Since that was unlike her, she revealed to Jenni Farley that she and LaValle were trying for a baby, and she might be pregnant. Farley took her to the pharmacy to get a pregnancy test, but the test was negative that time. Polizzi announced her third pregnancy on Thanksgiving Day.

The next photo Polizzi posted of her two tiny meatballs (OK, technically, there’s three tiny meatballs in the photos, if we’re counting the bun in the oven) is a lot less posed and a lot more real. Not that the first photo wasn’t real, of course. The second photo — which is in color — kind of demonstrates how tough it probably was to get that perfectly posed first pic.

4
Snooki’s Net Worth

As of 2018, Snooki’s net worth is $4 million. Snooki debuted in the TV industry from MTV’s ‘Is She Really Going Out with Him?’ After that show, she became a cast member of the MTV reality show, Jersey Shore in 2009. This series helped her gain popularity and extend her career. She was identified as ‘the breakout member of the cast’ and was one of the popular celebrity Halloween costumes of 2010. She also has appeared in many other TV shows including MTV Music Video Awards, New York Stock Exchange, TLC’s Cake Boss, The View CMT Music Awards, and others.

Along with JS cast JWoww, she starred a show titled Snooki & JWoww. She won WWE Slammy Awards for ‘A-Lister of the Year’ in 2011. After getting success on TV Screen, Snooki launched her business of fashion accessories and beauty product. She also wrote a book A Shore Thing but couldn’t gain enough success. Polizzi’s net worth is estimated at $4 million and now earns $150 thousand per episode as of 2018.

3
How Tall is Snooki?

Proof that good things come in small packages, Snooki is a diminutive 4 feet 9 inches tall and has a curvy body. She weighs about 98 pounds. Snooki’s eyes are dark brown, and hair is black. She is active on social media with 11.9 million followers on Instagram, about 7 million followers on Twitter and 10 million followers on Facebook to date.

2
Who is Snooki’s Husband?

30-year-old Snooki is married to Jionni LaValle. They have been married for three years. She first met her husband in 2001 during a night out in Seaside Height’s fist-pumping headquarters. The pair fell for each other and tied a knot on 29th November 2014 after living being engaged for 2 years.

Born in East Hanover, New Jersey on March 20, 1987, Lavalle is an American reality Television star and a successful entrepreneur who owns several ATM businesses across the country. Jionni is one of four children born to Joe LaValle and Janis LaValle. He grew up in New Jersey and completed his higher education at Centenary College where he studied to become a teacher. His net worth today is nothing to sneeze at. It is estimated at about $200,000.

1
Snook’s Future Plans

Snooki made her writing debut in 2011 with ‘A Shore Thing’ and has since pretty much penned a new book to welcome each new stage in life.

According to Elle, she’s also the author of Confessions of a Guidette, Baby Bumps: From Party Girl to Proud Mama and all the Messy Milestones Along the Way, Gorilla Beach, and Strong is the New Sexy. We have a feeling you definitely haven’t seen the last of Snooki and her literary pursuits yet — she probably has a few more novel ideas under her belt. We’ll say one thing — the woman definitely knows how to monetize her fame, from getting fans to buy her books, to slanging all sorts of Shore merchandise. She seems to know that reality television fame doesn’t last forever, so you may as well make the most of it while you’re in the spotlight.

We’re betting on more Jersey Shore, more books and maybe a fourth baby. We’ll be watching for announcements about New Year’s resolutions for 2019 on Instagram or elsewhere! And we’re sure she and JWoww will continue to organize playdates for their children. She and her Jersey Shore co-star have been close friends for over a decade. And the ladies seem to be passing on the good vibes to their daughters.

The post 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Snooki from Jersey Shore appeared first on Thats Whats Up.

Conversely, her sister-in-law, 36-year-old Kate Middleton, had an upper-class British upbringing with ties to the aristocracy and brings many of those values and traditions to her role as the future queen. She is elegant, posh, and polished. Basically, she is everything the monarchy can hope for in a picturesque princess. The mother of three is quite a classy lady.

Another difference between Kate and Meghan that is often discussed is their height. However, it can be difficult to ascertain what that difference actually is. Since Meghan has been tossed into the spotlight, her wardrobe, style, and habits have been scrutinized and applauded, often in equal measure. However, it has been hard for royal pundits to discern her actual height because of her choice in footwear. Why is it important? Well, how tall is Kate Middleton? The royal brothers are quite tall themselves, and Kate Middleton’s height is a statuesque 5’9”, which is enviable by even towering supermodel standards!

Meghan Markle’s Height is a very popular Google search query

It may sound crazy, but “Meghan Markle height” has become one of the most researched facts on the internet since her May wedding to the younger prince. She is certainly not short at what has been estimated at about 5’6” or 5’7”, but in comparison to her new family members, she does appear tiny. While the heels that she wears with pretty much every outfit do help the situation, the fact that Kate, who towers over her, also appreciates a good stiletto, doesn’t really do her any favors. That said, in this picture, where Markle and the Duchess of Cambridge are seen sporting similarly sized heels, you can clearly see that they have a height difference of approximately two inches. Kate’s height has been officially recorded as 5’9” in many fashion rags, such as popsugar.com.

The Royal’s height difference is quite complimentary

It is kind of strange, and maybe it was meant to be, but Meghan and Harry have an approximate height difference of six inches, as do William and Kate. The sisters-in-law are spaced about two inches apart as are the brothers! How cute is that? It also makes for very attractive photos since the couples are complimentary.

In matters where the height discrepancies between the spouses appear a bit too jarring in photos, professional photographers like Glen Gratton of Glamour magazine know how to minimize the difference. Placing both princesses in sky-high footwear can help, but wardrobe choices are also important. Stylists for both women have stated on record that they dress their clients in pieces that create the illusion that they are actually taller than they really are. For example, the shapes of some dresses and skirts work well to trick the brain optically so the women seem to gain height.

Who weighs more between Meghan and Kate?

Another difference between Meghan and Kate that has been dissected by the media is their weight discrepancy. That same CV lists Meghan’s weight as a petite 113 pounds. She is slender and fit. On the other hand, Kate, who does not really disclose her weight to the media, has been estimated to be a healthier 121 pounds, which is still very trim and fit, but a tad curvier and fuller.

Kate’s weight loss secret isn’t much of a secret at all

It is actually amazing how Kate has maintained her shape after a staggering three pregnancies in just over five years. Kate has been lauded and praised for her amazing ability to return to her pre-baby weight in record time. Many women around the world wanted to know her secrets, but really the trick to Kate’s weight loss was quite simple. On a 2016 trip to New Delhi, India for the Queen’s 90th birthday party, fellow guest and friend Professor Bulbul Dhar-James asked the then two-time mother what her weight loss secret was. She replied simply, “I am [always] running after my kids!”

The monarch did not participate in any juice cleanses, rigorous fitness routines, or fad diets. Simply running after her then toddler and attending to her new baby resulted in her amazing weight loss. Louise Parker, a British fitness guru that is reported to have worked with Kate following Prince George’s birth in 2013, says that dedication to a specific lifestyle is the key to rapid, yet permanent, weight loss. While exercise is key, long, high-impact workouts are not necessary. Consistency is the most important element when you want long-term results.

In conclusion, each woman may have their own shape and size, but both are certainly gorgeous!

The post Can You Guess The Height and Weight Difference Between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton? appeared first on Thats Whats Up.

Realizing the connection between some of these celebrities is bound to be a eureka moment. You may not have noticed some of these famous stars shared last names until now, but don’t worry, we’ll help you connect the dots. Check out our list of surprising celebrity relatives and prepare to be surprised. 

20
Pete Wentz and Colin Powell

During an episode of the podcast Armchair Expert, Pete shared with actor Dax Shepard a lot of fascinating tidbits about his family history. Pete happens to come from a very accomplished family, but their success is not from the entertainment world, as you might expect. Pete’s IMDB page mentions that his mother is Jamaican, and yet it’s not a widely known fact, Pete’s grandfather was actually a US Ambassador to Sierra Lione, and his parents met while working on former Vice President Joe Biden’s senatorial campaign in the 1970s. We think knowing this makes it slightly less shocking that he is related to former Secretary of State, Colin Powell. It turns out Pete’s grandfather was Colin Powell’s cousin!

19
Al Roker and Lenny Kravitz

In an episode of the Today show, Al Rocker revealed the strange and amazing fact that he and Lenny Kravitz are actually related! As it turns out, their grandfathers were cousins! Lenny confirmed the fact, and mentioned that his mother’s name was actually Roxie Roker! The host and the rockstar are able to trace their lineage to the Bahamas, and we just can’t believe the odds of them ending up in the same industry and in the United States.  We do however feel a little bad for Al; he’s been robbed of the chance to be the coolest relative at family reunions by none other than Lenny Kravitz.

18
Kate Spade and David Spade

Designer Kate Spade passed away earlier this year, and many people were not aware of her relation to the comedian David Spade until he spoke out after her death (see what we meant about last names?!).  David and Kate aren’t directly related, but we’d say it still counts. Kate was married to David’s brother Andy, with whom she shared a daughter. The couple had been married since 1994, CNN reported, so it’s apparent that Kate and David would have known each other for a long time. Of course, they also remained connected by David’s niece.

17
Melissa McCarthy and Jenny McCarthy

Comedy and acting clearly runs in the family for Melissa and Jenny Mccarthy. The cousins are the same age, and after growing up in Illinois, it turns out Jenny helped Melissa get her first Hollywood job after she landed her sitcom, Jenny. Despite growing up together, Us Weekly reports that Melissa did not even attend Jenny’s wedding to her husband Donnie. We hope that it’s just a matter of busy schedules rather than any feud between the actresses. We’re still holding out hope that they’ll grace us with a big screen collab someday.

16
Yara Shahidi and Nas

Star of the television shows Blackish and Grownish Yara Shahidi seems to have sprung up out of nowhere, but she actually has a surprising connection to the entertainment world. Yara’s mom is cousins with rapper Nas (making them second cousins). Yara was even at Nas and singer Kelis’ wedding (I.E. the woman who blessed us with the iconic song “Milkshake”). Essence reported that a recent throwback photo revealed that Yara was the flower girl at the wedding. Nas also makes occasional appearances on Yara’s Instagram during family reunions, so it seems they’re a tight-knit bunch.

15
Brandy and Snoop Dogg

Nineties music would certainly have been lacking without the contributions of these two cousins. Rapper Snoop Dogg and R&B singer Brandy are first cousins, and overall they seem to be pretty close. So close, in fact, that the two collaborated on a song called “Special” with Pharrell a few years ago. A lot of people were uncomfortable because the song is not really the sort of thing you want to sing with your cousin. Ahem. In other news, Snoop and Brady’s families are clearly musically gifted because they’re also related to the legendary rock and roll musician Bo Didley.

14
Steven Spielberg and Jessica Capshaw

Jessica Capshaw is mostly known for her role as Arizona on Grey’s Anatomy. Most people don’t know that she is director Steven Spielberg’s stepdaughter. Spielberg married her mom, actress Kate Capshaw in 1991. Spielberg originally met Kate while she was starring in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and they’ve been together ever since. In addition to that film, Spielberg has directed popular films like Jaws, E.T., and Jurassic Park. The director is reportedly worth almost $4 billion dollars. Jessica may no longer be working on Grey’s, but if she ever falls on hard times, she can certainly call up her stepdad for a bit of help.

13
Elle King and Rob Schneider

Blues singer Elle King has definitely made a name for herself despite her father’s legacy. Elle was born to comedian Rob Schneider and model London King but mostly grew up in Ohio with her mom and stepdad according to People. Elle has been candid about the fact that she didn’t see her father much during her childhood because he was such a workaholic. She explains that they’ve since improved their relationship, partially because of her younger half-sisters.  Elle’s career took off after she released the hit, “Ex’s and Oh’s,” and Rob has joked that people now refer to him as “Elle’s dad.”

12
Beyonce and Bianca Lawson

Beyonce and actress Bianca Lawson became stepsisters when Beyonce’s mom, Tina Knowles, married Bianca’s dad, actor Richard Lawson in 2015. Bianca, who currently stars on Queen Sugar, has been featured on many shows from Buffy The Vampire Slayer, to Pretty Little Liars and The Vampire Diaries. She’s been acting since before she hit the double digits, and at thirty-nine-years old, she’s known for not aging (she still plays teenagers). They may only be related by marriage, but Beyonce and Bianca seem to share their amazing genes, and to be honest, they kind of look alike. Let the conspiracy theories begin…

11
Alexander and Stellan Skarsgard

It turns out that the Skarsgards are a hidden dynasty in Hollywood. Stellan Skarsgard has been in many popular films including Mamma Mia and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. His son is none other than actor Alexander Skarsgard, who is best known for his roles on True Blood and Big Little Lies. It turns out there are even more Skarsgards in Hollywood; Alexander’s brother Gustaf is also an actor, and currently stars on Westworld according to Refinery29. Their brother Bill was Pennywise in IT, which would probably be a big deal in any other family. All this time people have been raving about the Kardashians, we really should have been keeping up with the Skarsgards. Just imagine that reality show.

10
Melanie Griffith and Dakota Johnson

Star of the Fifty Shades of Grey films Dakota Johnson comes from a family that has a long legacy in Hollywood.  Her mother Melanie Griffith has been acting since she was a child, and is best known for films like Working Girl. The family’s legacy began long before her career started.  Melanie’s mother was Tippi Hendren, who is best known for collaborating with director Alfred Hitchcock on Birds and Marnie, IMDB reports. While Dakota and Melanie have had some awkward moments in front of the camera (the two once bickered on camera after Melanie candidly admitted she hadn’t seen Fifty Shades), they’ve been each other’s dates to Hollywood events for decades now.

9
Quincy and Rashida Jones

Actress Rashida Jones has impressively managed to build her own fanbase outside of her legendary father’s legacy. Record producer and musician Quincy Jones has a whopping twenty-seven Grammys to his name and was nominated for an even more astonishing seventy-nine. He produced three of Michael Jackson’s albums as well as the famous charity single, “We Are The World,” Popsugar reports. Meanwhile, Rashida is best known for her role in Parks & Rec and her appearance in The Office. These two maintain a close relationship, and Rashida even directed a documentary about his life for Netflix called Quincy.

8
Zoey Deutch and Lea Thompson

Best known for her role in the adorable Netflix romcom, Set It Up, Zoey Deutch is the daughter of the actress Lea Thompson. Lea is best known for playing the mom in the Back To The Future films and starring as Tom Cruise’s love interest in All The Right Moves, Popsugar reports. Lea had a long and successful run in the 80’s and 90’s, and she still acts. Recently she played Kathryn in Switched At Birth. The Thompson / Deutch family is clearly full of talent. In 2017 Thompson directed and starred in the film The Year Of Spectacular Men, which Zoey produced and starred in along with her sister Madelyn, who wrote the script and composed the score. Patriarch Howard Deutch was also a co-producer.

7
Sarah Palin and Halle Berry

We have a really hard time wrapping our heads around this one, but it turns out that actress Halle Berry is related to the former Alaskan governor and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Halle is best known for roles like Catwoman and Monster’s Ball (she made history by being the only black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress ). Suffice to say, Halle is an A-list actress. It’s understandable that she was also shocked to find out she was related to Palin. Berry told Extra, “In some twisted way…somebody sent me this information that she was somehow my distant…No! Aahh!” Sadly it seems her shock kept her from elaborating on just how she’s related to Palin, so we’re left hanging until another reporter decides to ask her about the connection.

6
Monica and Ludacris

Another cousin duo that’s important to music: singer Monica and rapper Ludacris.  Known for hit songs like “Get Back” and “Money Maker,” Ludacris has also ventured into the big screen in the Fast And Furious films.  It turns out that Ludacris’ second cousins R&B singer Monica, who is best known for songs like “Angel of Mine” and “The Boy Is Mine” (the famous duet she did with Brandy). When asked about her relationship with her cousin, Monica had this to say;  “Before there were Ludacris and Monica, there was Christoper Bridges and Mo, and we were just always close.”

5
Viola Davis And Mike Colter

What are the odds that two famous Hollywood actors from the same small town are second cousins? Apparently, the odds are higher than you think! Mike Colter, who is best known for his role as Luke Cage in Luke Cage and Jessica Jones, is related to Emmy, Tony, and Academy Award winner Viola Davis. Both the actors are from St. Matthews, South Carolina, but Viola’s family moved to Rhode Island when she was young. This probably explains why, as of 2016, the pair had yet to meet, but Mike told Essence that he knew Viola’s family and said, “I’m sure our paths will cross at some point.”

4
Lily And Alfie Allen

British singer Lily Allen’s brother, Alfie Allen, stars as Theon Greyjoy on Game of Thrones. Lily is best known for songs like “Smile” and “Hard Out Here,” but she’s even written one about her brother called “Alfie.” The song is mostly about him being a lazy little brother, so we can imagine it’s not his favorite. It’s not the only  time there’s been some tension between the siblings either, after Lily mentioned that she was asked to appear on GOT  in a cameo that would have required her to get romantic with her real-life brother (?!) Alfie publicly denied the claims and forbid her from talking about the show in public, Bustle reports. We’re hoping it was all a big misunderstanding…

3
Blake And Robyn Lively

Unbeknownst to many, actress Blake Lively has a big sister in the biz! Robyn Lively is best known for the cult-classic Teen Witch, but she’s also guest-starred in pretty much every TV show imaginable. If you’re wondering why there isn’t more of a resemblance between the two, it’s because they’re half-siblings. Confusingly enough, the two have the same mom, but they share a last name. Robyn and Blake’s mom took on the name of Robyn’s father while they were married, she kept the name when they got divorced, and then Blake’s father also took on the name when he married her. Blake’s last name is Brown like her father, but she uses Lively as her stage name. We love a family that ignores convention.

2
Allison Williams And Brian Williams

Allison Williams of Girls and Get Out fame spent most of her life being known as the “daughter of NBC journalist Brian Williams,” and apparently she hated it. She told the L.A. Times, “Now people almost never bring it up…I formed my own thing and now I get people who are surprised he’s my dad. I dreamed that would happen.” Allison has successfully achieved the dream most children of public figures have of creating their own legacy. The timing worked out well for Allison since her father lost a lot of credibility when he was suspended from NBC for exaggerating accounts of his fieldwork in Iraq, Us Weekly reports.

1
Marlon, Shawn, and Damon Jr. Wayans

You may be familiar with some of the Wayans, but you probably don’t know how extensive their work is in Hollywood, and just how many of them there are. It turns out Elvira Green and Howell Wayans had ten children, which explains why it’s so difficult to keep track! The majority of the Wayans siblings are in the entertainment industry, but the most famous are arguably frequent collaborators Marlon and Shawn (White Chicks). These two also created the Scary Movie series with their brother Keenan Ivory Wayans. Their brother Damon Wayans is best known for his sitcom My Wife and Kids, and his son Damon Wayans Jr. has risen above his success with his roles in New Girl, Happy Endings, and Happy Together. 

References: 

InStyle, IMDB, Today, CNN, US Weekly , Essence, People, Refinery29, Popsugar,  Popsugar, Daily Mail, Essence, Bustle, Us Weekly

The post 20 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were Related appeared first on Thats Whats Up.

20
Rihanna’s Net Worth Skyrocketed With The Creation Of Fenty

She’s already conquered the world of music, and this year Rihanna took two major forays into the worlds of film and beauty. Sure, she played the the brilliant hacker Nine Ball in Ocean’s Eight, but that wasn’t even her biggest accomplishment of the year. After initially launching her Fenty Beauty line in 2017, Rihanna was its success skyrocket in 2018. The brand successfully addressed a major gap in the beauty market, which is notorious for offering less options for darker skin tones. The aptly dubbed “Fenty Effect” has led many other beauty brands to scrabble as they seek to claim a piece of the market Fenty has claimed. Time reports that the brand made $100 million in its first 40 days, and is now available in 29 countries. Basically, Rihanna never has to sing again.

19
Kayne West Had His Most Controversial Year Yet

Kayne was at it again this year with the controversial tweets and odd behavior. It’s as much a part of his brand as clothes with holes and narcissism, but this year he took it to a whole nother level. In addition to aligning himself with the highly controversial American president, Kayne forced many of his friends to publicly toe the line between being loyal to their friend and agreeing that he had, in fact, given them plenty of reason to worry. Many find it ironic that Kayne’s ever so loyal wife Kim Kardashian has done more for the people than he has in ages, and rumors are that she too has struggled with his endless twitter ramblings. Because he has one of the most loyal fan bases in music, Kayne remains a Hollywood staple. Still, he’s never come closer to ending his own career. We imagine his team will recommend he pull back in the new year.

18
Camila Cabello’s First Solo Album Went Platinum

Former Fifth Harmony member Camila Cabello’s solo career did not launch uneventfully. A plethora of rumors surrounded her departure, which her band mates seemed unhappy about despite pursuing solo endeavors soon after. It seems that the dust still hasn’t settled between the women, but it’s unlikely Camila has any regrets considering how well she’s fared on her own. Her admirably honest debut Camila features a balance between catchy pop hits (we still can’t get “Havana” out of our heads) and vulnerable ballads. After debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200, the album went platinum, as did the single “Havana.” Only one thing allowed Camila to trump this massive career success: former President Barack Obama declaring Havana one of his favorite songs. We’d say this former harmonizer made the right choice.

17
Kevin Hart Had To Step Down From Hosting The Oscars

Kevin Hart may still be a wildly successful comedian, but he certainly had a fall from grace this year. After coming back from the scandal of cheating on his pregnant wife, he manged to stay off the radar for most of the year. We said most. Soon after Thanksgiving, Kevin and his wife found themselves in hot water after throwing their son a Cowboys vs. Indians party. Kevin chose not to apologize for the incident, and instead went into a long-winded defense on his radio show Straight From The Hart. Most of the public quickly forgot, and weeks later Kevin was announced as next year’s Oscar host. Upon the announcement, a series of homophobic tweets Kevin had made in the past came to light. Again, Kevin opted not to apologize, thus leading to him being forced to step down as the Oscars host. Clearly, his career is considerably resilient, but we can only imagine that he doesn’t have too many strikes left.

16
Awkwafina Starred In Two Of The Summer’s Biggest Blockbusters

Among Rihanna’s famed costars in Ocean’s 8 was comedian, rapper, and actress Awkwafina. After initially making her debut into the entertainment world with the comedy rap track “My Vag,” she began a career as an Internet creator.  She begin venturing intro traditional media afterwards, and had arguably the most successful year of her career in 2018. In addition to Ocean’s 8, the star also played Goh Peik Lin in Crazy Rich Asians. Starring in two of the year’s most successful films certainly boads well for the star, and she’s already planning to follow up her success with her sophomore album, in addition to starring in the Angry Birds 2 movie, Rolling Stone reports.

15
Matt Damon’s  Insensitive Comments Angered A Lot Of Female Celebrities

Considered a Hollywood staple and classic heartthrob by many, Matt Damon’s recent controversies have served as a reflection of changing times. While older generations swear by the actor, 2018 has not been so fond of him. After his bromance partner Ben Affleck and his brother Casey Affleck ended up on the wrong side of the MeToo movement, Matt added fuel to the fire by angering a great deal of female celebrities. Matt made some comments questioning how far the movement would go and why it wasn’t choosing to applaud men that hadn’t done anything wrong (presumably himself) and female celebrities in turn  questioned his eagerness for a reward. Actresses Alyssa Milano, Evan Rachel Wood, and Minnie Driver (an ex) all went to Twitter to speak their minds. Matt eventually apologized on the Today show, but we still haven’t forgiven him for The Great Wall. Tsk, tsk.

14
Ariana Grande Had Her First Number One Single

We know, it seems like a typo. “Thank u, next” was in fact Ariana Grande’s first number one single. Between “The Way,” “God Is A Woman,” “Problem,” “Dangerous Woman,” and so many more hits, it just doesn’t seem to make sense. Ariana has had considerable success in the music industry since “The Way;” this year’s Sweetener was her third number one album, but it’s still significant that she’s finally received her first number one single. Not only is “Thank u, next” iconic because of the film references and cameos in the music video, it also allowed the singer to turn her personal struggles into career success. This year, Ariana broke up with Mac Miller, began dating and quickly became engaged to Pete Davidson, mourned the loss of Mac after his overdose, and broke off her engagement with Pete. Most people would take a break after all she’s experienced, instead, she’s buried herself deeper into her work, and it’s paid off.

13
Pete Davidson Struggled Under The Spotlight

Pete Davidson’s relationship with the public this year has been almost as tumultuous as his romantic life. His whirlwind romance with Ariana Grande certainly required some getting used to.  First people were confused by the pair, then Pete’s disregard for political correctness quickly angered the masses, and somehow this has all culminated in sympathy as the public have refocused on his transparency about his mental health struggles. Nothing changed about the man, but in dating one of the world’s biggest pop stars, his spotlight grew. Living under a larger microscope has clearly exacerbated Pete’s mental health struggles (he’s taking a break from social media) and resulted in greater criticism of everything he does. The world can’t seem to decide how it feels about him, and there’s no telling what that may do to his career.

12
Idris Elba Was People’s Sexiest Man Alive

He was many people’s sexiest man alive even without the title, but the formality was still significant. Forty-six year old Idris is many people’s pick for the next Bond. He’s starred in both TV and big screen hits like The Wire and Thor and so far, he’s kept himself scandal free. Considering what a year 2018 was in Hollywood, this in itself was an accomplishment. Early this year, Idris proposed to his girlfriend Sabrina Dhowre at a film premiere, People reported. No word yet on whether the actor will be playing the iconic Bond role, but with such a successful year under his belt, anything could happen.

11
Roseanne Barr Had Her Show Renewed And Canceled

For many, Roseanne was a nostalgia-inducing cult classic. Many were onboard with the reboot, as dreaded as reboots often are, this one seemed to be fairing well. That is, until people realized it was best to leave an actress like Roseanne Barr in the past. Quickly, people protested against a “humorous”past photoshoot she’d done in the likeness of Adolf Hitler.  It wasn’t enough to end her career, but Roseanne decided to remind the world that her views hadn’t altered much, after openly identifying as a member of the alt-right, her fatal tweet was predictably racist and Islamophobic. This time, ABC was quick to pull the plug, Forbes reported. Instead, the show was re-rebooted to exclude Roseanne. Both the character and the actor’s fate were sealed.

10
Cardi B Broke A Ton Of Music Records

Like Ariana, Cardi had a great of deal of career success counteracted by a complicated personal year. The rapper became engaged and married to Migos rapper Offset. They had a daughter together, and months later Cardi announced she was filing for divorce (it seems Offset had cheated on her multiple times throughout the course of their relationship). While Cardi seems to be making as many headlines for the drama that surrounds her as for her music, she has broken quite a few records. Her number one  debut album, Invasion of Privacy, made her only the fifth female rapper to top the Billboard albums chart and gave her the largest streaming week for a female artist’s album ever. 

9
Scarlett Johansson Had To Back Out Of A Controversial Role

It’s not the first time Scarlett has faced controversy over taking a role that many found her unfit for. In 2017 Scarlett took on the role of a lead character in a live-action remake of a Japanese manga series. There were rumors that Paramount and Dreamworks contemplated using technology to make the actress look more Asian, which apparently seemed easier that casting an Asian actress. The movie did not do as well as expected and Scarlett just barely addressed the controversy. This year, Scarlett found herself in a familiar pickle when she was cast to play a transgender character in the upcoming film “Rub & Tug.” Initially, Scarlett addressed the controversy unapologetically and instead chose to highlight other cisgender actors that had previously played transgender characters, like Jared Leto. She eventually changed her tune when she realized she wouldn’t be able to get away with keeping the role this time around. Scarlett remains a successful Hollywood actress, but if she pulls a stunt like this again, we’d expect it to be her last chance.

8
Geoffrey Owens Had A Career Revival After Being Filmed At Trader Joe’s

Geoffrey Owens starred in The Cosby Show as Sondra Huxtable’s husband Elvin in the 80s and 90s. He fell off most people’s radar after that famed role and was spotted again this year while working at Trader Joe’s when a  customer decided to record him. Celebrities are often shamed for taking on “regular people” jobs after being on the big screen, but Geoffrey was lucky enough to have a lot of big names rally around him. Soon after the incident, he was interviewed on a number of talk shows. He explained that he was still acting and teaching, but had to fill in the gaps (presumably, the loss of residuals from The Cosby Show also affected his income). Nicki Minaj generously donated $25,000 to the actor (who then donated it to the Actor’s Fund) and Tyler Perry gave him a job. He’s set to star in “The Haves and The Have Nots,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” and a new film starring Hillary Swank, USA Today reported.

7
“Jersey Shore” Star Mike Sorrentino Was Sentenced For Tax Fraud

Maybe he wasn’t the biggest star, but Jersey Shore’s “The Situation” could have had things go another way for him this year. He celebrated three years of sobriety this year and tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend. However, things kind of derailed when he was sentenced to eight months in prison for tax evasion. In reality, the sentence was a long time coming for Mike, who was indicted on tax offences in 2014, along with his brother. In 2017, more charges were added to the list. His brother was sentenced to two years in jail. The Situation is expected to begin his sentence in January 2019, People reports.

6
K-Pop Group BTS Was Tweeted About More Than Kayne West And Trump

If you’re not an “internet person,” you may have never heard of the K-pop band BTS, but rest assured they’re a pretty big deal. Gone are the days when BTS stood for behind the scenes, now it refers to the record-breaking boyband. On top of being this year’s most tweeted about celebrity for the second year in a row, the band also broke the record for most Youtube views in 24 hours with their “Idol” music video, after beating out Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do.” This year BTS also became the first Korean artists to top the Billboard 200, showing that 2018 was a big year for the group internationally.

5
Kathy Griffin Sparked Outrage Over Her Political Commentary

Comedian Kathy Griffin is known for sparking controversy, and despite being among the long list of celebrities that have spoken out against Donald Trump, it seems many thought she took it too far. After posing with a mask depicting his severed head, Kathy was scolded by the man on Twitter. Kathy was fired from her New Year’s Eve co-hosting job at CNN and even became the focus of a Secret Service investigation, E News reports. The comedian has spent most of 2018 trying to come back from the scandal while dealing with death threats and the president’s scorn.

4
Sandra Oh Made History As An Emmy Nominee

After spending years playing the beloved character Christina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy and being arguably underappreciated, Sandra Oh left the show. She went on to star on the majorly successful BBC show Killing Eve, where she plays the title character Eve. For this role, she was nominated for an Emmy and became the first woman of Asian descent to be nominated for best lead actress in a drama series. Even though she didn’t win, the nomination has incredible historical significance, and will surely elevate her status as an actress. Additionally, it was only the show’s first season, so there is much time for her to be nominated again.

3
Keegan Michael Key And The Stars Of The Predator Film Came Under Fire

Olivia Munn followed up on her pledge to the MeToo movement this year by speaking up when she discovered that one of the film’s actors was a registered sex offender that plead guilty in a case involving an underage female relative. After alerting her male costars, Boyd Holbrook, Keegan Michael-Key, Augusto Aguilero, Jake Busey, and Trevante Rhodes, the actress found herself ostracized from the group. Only after the news came to light about the sex offender, and the fact that Olivia was being ignored by the rest of her costars, did they publicly speak up on the matter. The film fell short of its predecessor in earnings its first week, and while Olivia’s costars will certainly get second chances, this scandal will likely reemerge when more is tacked on to their lists.

2
Noah Centineo Became Everyone’s New Fave Heartthrob

After starring in “To All The Boys I’ve Loved and Sierra Burgess Is A Loser” for Netflix, Noah Centineo became many people’s internet boyfriend. Netflix seems to be single-handedly bringing back the rom-com genre, and it’s been a long time since US audiences have had a go-to male for this type of role. Noah previously starred on the Freeform drama The Fosters but this year marked his big debut. As admirers continue to muddle the line between the actor and his nice-guy roles, Noah’s star promises to rise, as long as he doesn’t disappoint.

1
Lena Dunham Continued To Tarnish Her Brand

Actress and Girls creator Lena Dunham was praised when she first rose to the scene, but since then she’s continued to be involved in a number of small, yet concerning scandals. This year she was forced to apologize for defending a former Girls writer against sexual assault allegations, shortly after declaring that women should be believed. In the past, she’s had to issue an apology to Odell Beckham Jr. after making a number of assumptions because he didn’t speak to her at an event (the two do not know each other). She was also involved in an odd situation where she claimed she had to give up her rescue dog because it was aggressive, but the shelter she adopted the dog from disputed her claims. This is just a glimpse into the number of situations Lena has had to explain/apologize for during her career, and every year people seem to be a little less willing to listen to her side of things.

References:

Time, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, Slate, People, Forbes, Billboard, Teen Vogue, E News, CNN, NY Times, CNBC

The post 10 Celebrities Who Almost Ruined Their Careers In 2018 & 10 Who Thrived appeared first on Thats Whats Up.

20
Rihanna’s Net Worth Skyrocketed With The Creation Of Fenty

She’s already conquered the world of music, and this year Rihanna took two major forays into the worlds of film and beauty. Sure, she played the the brilliant hacker Nine Ball in Ocean’s Eight, but that wasn’t even her biggest accomplishment of the year. After initially launching her Fenty Beauty line in 2017, Rihanna was its success skyrocket in 2018. The brand successfully addressed a major gap in the beauty market, which is notorious for offering less options for darker skin tones. The aptly dubbed “Fenty Effect” has led many other beauty brands to scrabble as they seek to claim a piece of the market Fenty has claimed. Time reports that the brand made $100 million in its first 40 days, and is now available in 29 countries. Basically, Rihanna never has to sing again.

19
Kayne West Had His Most Controversial Year Yet

Kayne was at it again this year with the controversial tweets and odd behavior. It’s as much a part of his brand as clothes with holes and narcissism, but this year he took it to a whole nother level. In addition to aligning himself with the highly controversial American president, Kayne forced many of his friends to publicly toe the line between being loyal to their friend and agreeing that he had, in fact, given them plenty of reason to worry. Many find it ironic that Kayne’s ever so loyal wife Kim Kardashian has done more for the people than he has in ages, and rumors are that she too has struggled with his endless twitter ramblings. Because he has one of the most loyal fan bases in music, Kayne remains a Hollywood staple. Still, he’s never come closer to ending his own career. We imagine his team will recommend he pull back in the new year.

18
Camila Cabello’s First Solo Album Went Platinum

Former Fifth Harmony member Camila Cabello’s solo career did not launch uneventfully. A plethora of rumors surrounded her departure, which her band mates seemed unhappy about despite pursuing solo endeavors soon after. It seems that the dust still hasn’t settled between the women, but it’s unlikely Camila has any regrets considering how well she’s fared on her own. Her admirably honest debut Camila features a balance between catchy pop hits (we still can’t get “Havana” out of our heads) and vulnerable ballads. After debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200, the album went platinum, as did the single “Havana.” Only one thing allowed Camila to trump this massive career success: former President Barack Obama declaring Havana one of his favorite songs. We’d say this former harmonizer made the right choice.

17
Kevin Hart Had To Step Down From Hosting The Oscars

Kevin Hart may still be a wildly successful comedian, but he certainly had a fall from grace this year. After coming back from the scandal of cheating on his pregnant wife, he manged to stay off the radar for most of the year. We said most. Soon after Thanksgiving, Kevin and his wife found themselves in hot water after throwing their son a Cowboys vs. Indians party. Kevin chose not to apologize for the incident, and instead went into a long-winded defense on his radio show Straight From The Hart. Most of the public quickly forgot, and weeks later Kevin was announced as next year’s Oscar host. Upon the announcement, a series of homophobic tweets Kevin had made in the past came to light. Again, Kevin opted not to apologize, thus leading to him being forced to step down as the Oscars host. Clearly, his career is considerably resilient, but we can only imagine that he doesn’t have too many strikes left.

16
Awkwafina Starred In Two Of The Summer’s Biggest Blockbusters

Among Rihanna’s famed costars in Ocean’s 8 was comedian, rapper, and actress Awkwafina. After initially making her debut into the entertainment world with the comedy rap track “My Vag,” she began a career as an Internet creator.  She begin venturing intro traditional media afterwards, and had arguably the most successful year of her career in 2018. In addition to Ocean’s 8, the star also played Goh Peik Lin in Crazy Rich Asians. Starring in two of the year’s most successful films certainly boads well for the star, and she’s already planning to follow up her success with her sophomore album, in addition to starring in the Angry Birds 2 movie, Rolling Stone reports.

15
Matt Damon’s  Insensitive Comments Angered A Lot Of Female Celebrities

Considered a Hollywood staple and classic heartthrob by many, Matt Damon’s recent controversies have served as a reflection of changing times. While older generations swear by the actor, 2018 has not been so fond of him. After his bromance partner Ben Affleck and his brother Casey Affleck ended up on the wrong side of the MeToo movement, Matt added fuel to the fire by angering a great deal of female celebrities. Matt made some comments questioning how far the movement would go and why it wasn’t choosing to applaud men that hadn’t done anything wrong (presumably himself) and female celebrities in turn  questioned his eagerness for a reward. Actresses Alyssa Milano, Evan Rachel Wood, and Minnie Driver (an ex) all went to Twitter to speak their minds. Matt eventually apologized on the Today show, but we still haven’t forgiven him for The Great Wall. Tsk, tsk.

14
Ariana Grande Had Her First Number One Single

We know, it seems like a typo. “Thank u, next” was in fact Ariana Grande’s first number one single. Between “The Way,” “God Is A Woman,” “Problem,” “Dangerous Woman,” and so many more hits, it just doesn’t seem to make sense. Ariana has had considerable success in the music industry since “The Way;” this year’s Sweetener was her third number one album, but it’s still significant that she’s finally received her first number one single. Not only is “Thank u, next” iconic because of the film references and cameos in the music video, it also allowed the singer to turn her personal struggles into career success. This year, Ariana broke up with Mac Miller, began dating and quickly became engaged to Pete Davidson, mourned the loss of Mac after his overdose, and broke off her engagement with Pete. Most people would take a break after all she’s experienced, instead, she’s buried herself deeper into her work, and it’s paid off.

13
Pete Davidson Struggled Under The Spotlight

Pete Davidson’s relationship with the public this year has been almost as tumultuous as his romantic life. His whirlwind romance with Ariana Grande certainly required some getting used to.  First people were confused by the pair, then Pete’s disregard for political correctness quickly angered the masses, and somehow this has all culminated in sympathy as the public have refocused on his transparency about his mental health struggles. Nothing changed about the man, but in dating one of the world’s biggest pop stars, his spotlight grew. Living under a larger microscope has clearly exacerbated Pete’s mental health struggles (he’s taking a break from social media) and resulted in greater criticism of everything he does. The world can’t seem to decide how it feels about him, and there’s no telling what that may do to his career.

12
Idris Elba Was People’s Sexiest Man Alive

He was many people’s sexiest man alive even without the title, but the formality was still significant. Forty-six year old Idris is many people’s pick for the next Bond. He’s starred in both TV and big screen hits like The Wire and Thor and so far, he’s kept himself scandal free. Considering what a year 2018 was in Hollywood, this in itself was an accomplishment. Early this year, Idris proposed to his girlfriend Sabrina Dhowre at a film premiere, People reported. No word yet on whether the actor will be playing the iconic Bond role, but with such a successful year under his belt, anything could happen.

11
Roseanne Barr Had Her Show Renewed And Canceled

For many, Roseanne was a nostalgia-inducing cult classic. Many were onboard with the reboot, as dreaded as reboots often are, this one seemed to be fairing well. That is, until people realized it was best to leave an actress like Roseanne Barr in the past. Quickly, people protested against a “humorous”past photoshoot she’d done in the likeness of Adolf Hitler.  It wasn’t enough to end her career, but Roseanne decided to remind the world that her views hadn’t altered much, after openly identifying as a member of the alt-right, her fatal tweet was predictably racist and Islamophobic. This time, ABC was quick to pull the plug, Forbes reported. Instead, the show was re-rebooted to exclude Roseanne. Both the character and the actor’s fate were sealed.

10
Cardi B Broke A Ton Of Music Records

Like Ariana, Cardi had a great of deal of career success counteracted by a complicated personal year. The rapper became engaged and married to Migos rapper Offset. They had a daughter together, and months later Cardi announced she was filing for divorce (it seems Offset had cheated on her multiple times throughout the course of their relationship). While Cardi seems to be making as many headlines for the drama that surrounds her as for her music, she has broken quite a few records. Her number one  debut album, Invasion of Privacy, made her only the fifth female rapper to top the Billboard albums chart and gave her the largest streaming week for a female artist’s album ever. 

9
Scarlett Johansson Had To Back Out Of A Controversial Role

It’s not the first time Scarlett has faced controversy over taking a role that many found her unfit for. In 2017 Scarlett took on the role of a lead character in a live-action remake of a Japanese manga series. There were rumors that Paramount and Dreamworks contemplated using technology to make the actress look more Asian, which apparently seemed easier that casting an Asian actress. The movie did not do as well as expected and Scarlett just barely addressed the controversy. This year, Scarlett found herself in a familiar pickle when she was cast to play a transgender character in the upcoming film “Rub & Tug.” Initially, Scarlett addressed the controversy unapologetically and instead chose to highlight other cisgender actors that had previously played transgender characters, like Jared Leto. She eventually changed her tune when she realized she wouldn’t be able to get away with keeping the role this time around. Scarlett remains a successful Hollywood actress, but if she pulls a stunt like this again, we’d expect it to be her last chance.

8
Geoffrey Owens Had A Career Revival After Being Filmed At Trader Joe’s

Geoffrey Owens starred in The Cosby Show as Sondra Huxtable’s husband Elvin in the 80s and 90s. He fell off most people’s radar after that famed role and was spotted again this year while working at Trader Joe’s when a  customer decided to record him. Celebrities are often shamed for taking on “regular people” jobs after being on the big screen, but Geoffrey was lucky enough to have a lot of big names rally around him. Soon after the incident, he was interviewed on a number of talk shows. He explained that he was still acting and teaching, but had to fill in the gaps (presumably, the loss of residuals from The Cosby Show also affected his income). Nicki Minaj generously donated $25,000 to the actor (who then donated it to the Actor’s Fund) and Tyler Perry gave him a job. He’s set to star in “The Haves and The Have Nots,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” and a new film starring Hillary Swank, USA Today reported.

7
“Jersey Shore” Star Mike Sorrentino Was Sentenced For Tax Fraud

Maybe he wasn’t the biggest star, but Jersey Shore’s “The Situation” could have had things go another way for him this year. He celebrated three years of sobriety this year and tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend. However, things kind of derailed when he was sentenced to eight months in prison for tax evasion. In reality, the sentence was a long time coming for Mike, who was indicted on tax offences in 2014, along with his brother. In 2017, more charges were added to the list. His brother was sentenced to two years in jail. The Situation is expected to begin his sentence in January 2019, People reports.

6
K-Pop Group BTS Was Tweeted About More Than Kayne West And Trump

If you’re not an “internet person,” you may have never heard of the K-pop band BTS, but rest assured they’re a pretty big deal. Gone are the days when BTS stood for behind the scenes, now it refers to the record-breaking boyband. On top of being this year’s most tweeted about celebrity for the second year in a row, the band also broke the record for most Youtube views in 24 hours with their “Idol” music video, after beating out Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do.” This year BTS also became the first Korean artists to top the Billboard 200, showing that 2018 was a big year for the group internationally.

5
Kathy Griffin Sparked Outrage Over Her Political Commentary

Comedian Kathy Griffin is known for sparking controversy, and despite being among the long list of celebrities that have spoken out against Donald Trump, it seems many thought she took it too far. After posing with a mask depicting his severed head, Kathy was scolded by the man on Twitter. Kathy was fired from her New Year’s Eve co-hosting job at CNN and even became the focus of a Secret Service investigation, E News reports. The comedian has spent most of 2018 trying to come back from the scandal while dealing with death threats and the president’s scorn.

4
Sandra Oh Made History As An Emmy Nominee

After spending years playing the beloved character Christina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy and being arguably underappreciated, Sandra Oh left the show. She went on to star on the majorly successful BBC show Killing Eve, where she plays the title character Eve. For this role, she was nominated for an Emmy and became the first woman of Asian descent to be nominated for best lead actress in a drama series. Even though she didn’t win, the nomination has incredible historical significance, and will surely elevate her status as an actress. Additionally, it was only the show’s first season, so there is much time for her to be nominated again.

3
Keegan Michael Key And The Stars Of The Predator Film Came Under Fire

Olivia Munn followed up on her pledge to the MeToo movement this year by speaking up when she discovered that one of the film’s actors was a registered sex offender that plead guilty in a case involving an underage female relative. After alerting her male costars, Boyd Holbrook, Keegan Michael-Key, Augusto Aguilero, Jake Busey, and Trevante Rhodes, the actress found herself ostracized from the group. Only after the news came to light about the sex offender, and the fact that Olivia was being ignored by the rest of her costars, did they publicly speak up on the matter. The film fell short of its predecessor in earnings its first week, and while Olivia’s costars will certainly get second chances, this scandal will likely reemerge when more is tacked on to their lists.

2
Noah Centineo Became Everyone’s New Fave Heartthrob

After starring in “To All The Boys I’ve Loved and Sierra Burgess Is A Loser” for Netflix, Noah Centineo became many people’s internet boyfriend. Netflix seems to be single-handedly bringing back the rom-com genre, and it’s been a long time since US audiences have had a go-to male for this type of role. Noah previously starred on the Freeform drama The Fosters but this year marked his big debut. As admirers continue to muddle the line between the actor and his nice-guy roles, Noah’s star promises to rise, as long as he doesn’t disappoint.

1
Lena Dunham Continued To Tarnish Her Brand

Actress and Girls creator Lena Dunham was praised when she first rose to the scene, but since then she’s continued to be involved in a number of small, yet concerning scandals. This year she was forced to apologize for defending a former Girls writer against sexual assault allegations, shortly after declaring that women should be believed. In the past, she’s had to issue an apology to Odell Beckham Jr. after making a number of assumptions because he didn’t speak to her at an event (the two do not know each other). She was also involved in an odd situation where she claimed she had to give up her rescue dog because it was aggressive, but the shelter she adopted the dog from disputed her claims. This is just a glimpse into the number of situations Lena has had to explain/apologize for during her career, and every year people seem to be a little less willing to listen to her side of things.

References:

Time, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, Slate, People, Forbes, Billboard, Teen Vogue, E News, CNN, NY Times, CNBC

The post 10 Celebrities Who Almost Ruined Their Careers In 2018 & 10 Who Thrived appeared first on Thats Whats Up.

The pivotal opening scene

It wasn’t filmed at Wembley Stadium! That’s because it no longer exists. The filmmakers had to recreate it on an airfield in London. Everything in this opening sequence was meticulously crafted to be as authentic as possible, from the band members’ looks and gestures right down to the little details. Anyone interested can find a plethora of YouTube videos like this, with side by side comparisons.

Even those Pepsi cups on Freddie’s piano weren’t a product placement!

It was part of this strict adherence to detail, which included the air kiss Freddie sent to his mother, during the performance. Speaking of trying to replicate this legendary performance Malek has said:

“That’s something we tried to get move for move, even just gesture for gesture perfectly. It felt like I had it in my bones and I didn’t want to keep going back to it. It felt like sometimes you would lose a little bit of the authenticity if you tried to nail it so perfectly.

Things won’t exactly always match up, there might be a hint of something that’s off, but I think that kept it feeling really alive and in the moment and it was better to sacrifice it that way, but yeah, I was watching it non-stop.”

Commitment to the character

Rami Malek was so devoted to understanding & portraying Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in the biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” that he flew to London to begin researching the rock star’s life and career before the movie even secured funding to go into production. He was obsessive in his study of interviews and performances of the rock legend, claiming he’s watched Queens 1985 Live Aid performance over 1,500 times. It was important for Malek to “understand the [different] sides of him,” from his brash entertainer persona to his more “reclusive” side behind closed doors.

“It was a challenge just to correlate who this person was,” Malek said, someone who had grown up in Zanzibar and got shipped off to school in Bombay, and upon his return to Zanzibar, fled a revolution with his family and went to London. That type of childhood is emblematic of someone who is starving for identity.”

Malek’s movement coach, the London-based coach and choreographer Polly Bennett, spoke to Billboard about the complex process that she and Malek went through for the film. “Freddie was a long-distance runner at school and a boxer,” Bennett explained, referring to Mercury’s kinetic stage presence. “This gives us a reason why Freddie ran across the stage and punched the air, and allows me to explain to Rami, This is why that character moves the way that he does. It’s interesting that Freddie only did solo sports, rather than football or rugby or any sort of team sport. In itself, that creates a physical attitude.”

Some of the details were changed to suit the storyline

For instance, in the movie, the members weren’t sure about performing in LiveAid, because they were estranged and hadn’t performed together in a long time. The time in between their work didn’t last for more than a year. They released The Works in February 1984 and then completed a major tour. They’d had some difficulties and disagreements in the past, but they weren’t unprepared. Playing such a short set, during daylight, without a regular warm-up and opening however was a whole, new challenge, to which they rose majestically.

Also, Queen didn’t actually break their contract with EMI / Elektra, though they did indeed have to push to get Bohemian Rhapsody played on the air, and Freddie did appear on the Kenny Everett show in order to get the ball rolling. Queen stayed with EMI and in fact recorded eleven more albums with the label.

Rami was initially as terrified of the costumes as he was of performing as Freddie!

“There was one thing I was concerned wearing, and that was the leotard. There’s a harlequin one, but the one I was worried about the most was the sequin one because it really leaves nothing to the imagination. Not only are you walking out there basically naked, but then you have to strut on stage with the utmost confidence.”

He was probably happy there were no scenes featuring that black lightning bolt costume!

Malek dove in, embracing the flamboyant expression the role required. “At one point, you just have to say, ‘Well, you gotta do it. If you’re going to emulate him, there is no fear on stage.” By the end of shooting Malek had formed such a connection to the stage fashions that he asked the costume department to make him a copy of the sequin leotard in red. (We know what Rami is wearing to next year’s Halloween parties!) He also had his Freddie teeth cast in gold, saying he thinks Mercury would’ve been amused.

Some of the singing was recorded by Marc Martel

While some of the concert scenes were recorded with a blend of Rami’s and Freddie’s voices for an authentic feel, Marc was heavily featured. He’d sent recordings of his covers to Brian Mary and Roger Taylor and they were impressed enough that he performed in a tribute, The Queen Extravaganza in 2012. They hired me to do some of the singing in the movie and give the audience an immersive experience and not be able to tell where the singing is coming from. It is the make the audience believe they are really watching Freddie Mercury sing.”

Marc laid down his vocals at the Abbey Road studio before Malek started working on the film. The music was prepared before shooting so that it could dictate the action.

Mike Myers makes a full-circle appearance

Unrecognizable with curly hair, sunglasses and a beard, Myers cameos as a EMI Executive Ray Foster. “No-one is going to be head-banging in the car to Bohemian Rhapsody,” he’s dead pans. Myers already listened to, and sang, Bohemian Rhapsody in character, in opening of the 1992 comedy Wayne’s World. Wayne and his friends head-banged to the tune in their flame decorated AMC Pacer. This pivotal and hilarious scene reintroduced the iconic track to a whole new generation. The song returned to the chart at number two in 1992 and Queen’s music experienced a resurgence in general.

Queen guitarist Brian May revealed that while filming Wayne’s World, Mike Myers contacted the band to see if they could get approval on the “Bohemian Rhapsody” sequence from Freddie himself. According to May: “I didn’t know Mike Myers, but he rang me up out of the blue and said, ‘We’ve done this amazing sequence in our new film—can we have your approval?’ I took it around to Freddie, who was not in a good state at that time. He was confined to his bed, but I took it around and played it to him and he loved it. Strangely enough, the humor in it was quite close to our own. Because we did that kind of thing in the car, bouncing up and down to our own tracks!” Mercury died three months before the movie was released, but he did see and approve of the scene.

The film had more than one director.

Bryan Singer (img) was initially hired and worked on it almost from the beginning to weeks before production was set to wrap. 20th Century Fox fired him over reported clashes with Rami Malek and others involved in the movie, as well as sudden press attention to some problematic legal issues with Singer in the US. Dexter Fletcher finished the biopic, though Singer received sole director credit.

Even if the critics were less than initially kind, the movie has done quite well at the box office & with some critics

Time Magazine critic Stephanie Zacharek is one of the first major critics to name her favorite films of 2018, and Bohemian Rhapsody is on the list. “It may be a bit of a mess,” Zacharek writes of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “but it’s a glorious one, a polychrome anthem about what it means to live for love and sex, rock ’n’ roll and beauty—the very opposite of sticking to an agenda.”

The immense popularity of this film has begun to carry over to awards season glory. It’s scored two Golden Globe nominations, one for best motion picture drama, and another for best performance by an actor in a motion picture drama. Malek has said he was aware in the beginning that playing an idol of so many could be a make or break proposition, and now he’s ready to celebrate. “It’s great to be recognized in this way. It’s been so many years in the process and to have it culminate in not only myself but the film being recognized is such a tremendous honor and speaks to the level of work that everyone who was a part of this film brought to it. It was a troop of people who were dedicated and committed on such a high level. I’m so proud of all of them.

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