Nick Lachey just got back from 98 Degrees' My2K Tour and his wife, Vanessa, greeted him with a surprise. A video posted to her Instagram Thursday shows him arriving at their new L.A. mansion with a suitcase as "All Because of You" plays in the background. Then, their two kids greet him while carrying blue balloons. Finally, he reaches a big one that says, "It’s a boy!"
The Lacheys announced two months ago that they were expecting a third kid, so now we know what sex their baby will be. And Vanessa couldn't have told her husband in a cuter way. The only thing that makes it sweeter is the caption she wrote for the Instagram video.
"I have so much to be thankful for this year...especially our littlest Lachey. When Daddy came home from tour this Summer and we were moving into our new house I shared the news!" she wrote. "I am so very thankful and grateful for this family of mine! And thankful for YOU! All your love and support makes what we do FUN and worth it! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!"
Of all the things that keep you up at night, it's the things you didn't say that can cause the most anxiety. It's that wished-for comeback to a rude comment on the train, or that closing remark you made at your brother's wedding last week. It's that last thing you could have said to cap off the best first date of your life, or the insight you should have given during last week's check-in meeting. Final statements are important ones, and in a time and climate where I personally need a little help in gaining the chutzpah to say the right things, it helps to wear those intentions on my sleeve. Or, more specifically, on my back.
One of the resounding street style trends during these past Fashion Weeks was jacket-back art. Fashion Week mostly consists of people running away from things because they're late for the next thing, or sitting in front of (or behind) various people — which means that most people spend a lot of time staring at other people's backs. From the pointed and political to the whimsical and nonsensical, back art helps you get the last word in on your own terms, even if you didn't think you had the wherewithal to say it.
Click through to see all the forms of jacket-back art at this year's shows, ranging from jacket-text's punk roots to more avant-garde statements.
Blinded by love (and also by that Gucci goodness).
Photographed by Christian Vierig.
Claim your space.
Photographed by Christian Vierig.
The punkness of this is debateable, but still, interesting point!
Photographed by Christian Vierig.
On a more personal note, my rage began a couple weeks ago.
Photographed by Christian Vierig.
Everything's coming up daisies.
Photographed by Melodie Jeng.
Joker, meet the German ego!
Photographed by Christian Vierig.
8/8 stars.
Photographed by Christian Vierig.
Hope IS necessary in every condition.
Photographed by Christian Vierig.
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On Friday's Chelsea, Chelsea Handler asks Milo Ventimiglia — she introduces him as "TV's hottest dad" — about his role on This Is Us.
"You're basically a piece of meat and you'll need to deal with that," she jokes, pointing out that the trailer featuring his butt got 100 million views before the show came out.
He thinks there was a more serious reason it was so popular, though. "It was inclusive of age and race and gender and other walks of life," he says. "I think there was something that was very familiar and was needed. It was a heart inside a big steel case of television that just wants to be destructive or powerful or life-changing. It's got a heart." Plus, he added, "people like mustaches."
The mustache, he explains, is a way to mark what time period each scene takes place within. He talks about jumping from 1980 to 1988 — but then stops himself as he starts to say "ninety." We already know he dies in the show, but thanks to that little mistake, can we rest assured that he makes it to the '90s?
As another way to look less "like a modern guy," creator Dan Fogelman told Ventimiglia to stop working out, which he found more bothersome than Mustache Gate.
"There was an article written saying they can't get behind the show because my physique was taken out," he said — but he didn't take it seriously. "They're just looking for a reason not to smile when everyone else was smiling."
To further help himself get into character, he's taped a photo of him and his father in his set trailer, above which he wrote, "Be a good husband, be a good father."
"That's the approach that I have for Jack," he said. "A man who can convey strength without being overpowering."
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Take your bodyweight workout to a whole new (and actually exciting) level with this five-minute Tabata routine.
As much as we love avocados, they're just one source of the healthy fats our bodies need; here are 11 more (just as delicious) foods that contain those all-important monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Whatever's causing you stress, these super-chill yoga poses will help you relax and even boost your mood.
We get it; your morning commute is probably just as dull as ours. Luckily, these five tips will help you get through it mindfully and peacefully, so you arrive at work as a more grounded version of yourself.
If you need a little help just getting out the door in the morning, give one of these energy-packed smoothies a try.
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The countdown to the holidays is on, and we are so ready. But we're done opening the doors on those childhood advent calendars filled with cheap milk chocolates. Instead, we want ones filled with useful surprises. And we must have been good this year, because brands heard our plea and delivered some seriously cool options.
Is there a better way to get yourself out of bed in the morning than to remember you have a gift waiting for you, and that gift could be perfume, lipstick, or a sheet mask? We haven't found one. Ahead, our top 20 — yes, 20! — picks to gift yourself and your friends. Just make sure to get them before the 1st. Or don't — playing catch-up and getting multiple presents at once is pretty great, too.
Nothing beats a Diptyque gift — except 25 Diptyque gifts. From candles to fragrances, this countdown is as luxe as it gets.
Diptyque Advent Calendar, $390, available at Diptyque.
You get 10 polishes in festive shades and metallic finishes in this set, and we challenge you to wear them all within the month.
Formula X X in the City Nail Polish Set, $36.50, available at Sephora.
This magical countdown calendar features 24 travel-sized skin-care products for face, bath, and body.
Dr. Hauschka Advent Calendar, $74, available at Dr. Hauschka.
Pass the days by treating yourself to a French essential every single morning.
L’Occitane Advent Calendar, $55, available at L’Occitane.
This 10-piece sheet-mask set will have you glowing in time for all the parties.
Glow Recipe 10 Days to Glow, $69, available at Glow Recipe.
Introduce your best friend to some skin-care classics with this 14-product countdown set.
Clinique Ultimate Indulgence Box, $49.50, available at Neiman Marcus.
Paul & Joe packaging makes us squeal every time — and this limited-edition set is cuter than ever, if that's possible.
Paul & Joe Beauté Marché de Noël Makeup Collection, $75, available at Paul & Joe Beauté.
Save your friends some extra dough this season by gifting them the ultimate at-home mani set. It's filled with treatments, polishes, and a nail file, so there’s no need for that biweekly appointment now.
Ciaté London Mini Mani Month Nail Polish Set, $59, available at Sephora.
This drugstore advent calendar is packed with 12 eyeshadows and 12 soft, matte lip creams to mix and match unlimited looks.
Nyx Wanderlust Advent Calendar, $50, available at Nyx Cosmetics.
Advent calendars present the perfect opportunity for your friends and family to play with different products and try out new brands. And if they already love The Body Shop, they’ll be hooked on these delicious body butters.
The Body Shop Deluxe Cheeky Surprises Advent Calendar, $125, available at The Body Shop.
This four-day pop-out gift set is perfect for the skin-care minimalist.
Dr. Jart+ Snow Time Like the Present, $46, available at Birchbox.
Home for the holidays? Now is the time to take advantage of your parents' bathtub and indulge in this 12 Days of Christmas calendar countdown. You know what they say: A bath a day keeps the New Year's blues away.
Lush 12 Days of Christmas, $99.95, available at Lush.
Consider yourself #blessed if you find this wrapped up and tagged for you — Jo Malone makes some of the best fragrances around.
Jo Malone Christmas Advent Calendar, $425, available at Jo Malone London freestanding boutiques.
The retro band is cute, but the makeup staples hiding "backstage" make us even happier.
Benefit Girl O’Clock Rock Mini Bestsellers Set, $45, available at Benefit.
An inexpensive countdown to the most wonderful time of the year? We’ll take two!
Ulta Beauty Collection 12 Days of Beauty, $18, available at Ulta Beauty.
Every best-selling product you’ve been dying to share with your friends is packed into 12 compact drawers from Charlotte Tilbury. There are old favorites like the Magic Cream, and a full-sized Eyes to Mesmerise: Marie Antoinette eyeshadow. Plus, how rad is the packaging?
Charlotte Tilbury World of Legendary Parties Advent Calendar, $200, available at Charlotte Tilbury.
If you studied abroad in Paris, you'll cherish this Nuxe countdown illustrated with the city's streets. Pop open the Rêve de Miel, close your eyes, and go back to the banks of the Seine.
Nuxe 10 Beauty Treasures, $49, available at Ulta Beauty.
Make every shower a more interesting experience by swapping out your body wash on the daily.
Molton Brown 12 Days of Christmas Collection, $50, available at Nordstrom.
This chic box comes packed with 24 best sellers.
Estée Lauder Holiday Collection, $275, available at Nordstrom.
One large box filled with everything a mineral-makeup lover needs — 24 gifts, to be exact.
BareMinerals Countdown to Gorgeous, $79, available at BareMinerals.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
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"Every girl in the world who is a makeup hoarder has this Sephora basket filled with things they don't necessarily need," 15-year-old Alex Dello explains in a viral video posted to Twitter. "Just, like, palettes and stuff that they want. So yeah, I have a Sephora basket of things that I want. $733 worth of things that I want."
Girl, we hear you. But there's one problem.
She entered a gift card code for the purchase, but there was nothing on it. Since she has her mom's credit card on file, her whole basket got charged to it. Dello called Sephora customer support and asked it to cancel the order, but hasn't heard back. Now, she awaits her mom's wrath.
"I texted my mother and now we wait for either my death or a really good makeup haul," she says. "If my girl Theresa doesn't pull through and cancel this order, there's not only gonna be a credit card fraud case, there's gonna be a homicide case. Marsha's gonna get me."
Fortunately, Dello is already brainstorming how to avoid this situation in the future, and she's got an idea to finance her makeup obsession.
I just want a modeling contract, and to have makeup brand sponsors.
Once she gets this situation settled, maybe she can share with us what on Earth she put into her basket. We can only imagine how many eyeshadows she's about to own.
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You never want something until you can't have it. So each week in The Sell-Out, we're getting the scoop from your favorite retailers on what's selling like crazy. Watch this space to find out what everyone's buying, sign up for wait lists, and keep tabs on restocks.
Around this time last year, a certain little black dress came close to breaking the Internet. Known as the Tory, MM.LaFleur 's wrap silhouette, earned itself a near 1000-person wait list, becoming a cult classic for the brand. Now, the label is back with a new variation that's sure to sell just as fast.
The new LBD sensation, the Casey, is a bit more bodycon than last year's popular style, but it's still has nearly 1,400 people (and counting) eagerly awaiting their turn to nab one for themselves. It's 92% viscose and 8% elastane, which means while it may not be the most all-organic, sustainable fabric, it's sure to be flattering and soft to the touch. And according to the brand's page, it's highly suitable for travel and day-to-night occasions: It's hand-washable (but dry-clean preferred) and comes in at a reasonable $240. Though it may not be the most trend-forward item you'll own, it's still one that'll look polished and put-together with minimal effort — and it's especially useful if your office has a more formal dress code.
Clearly, the whole LBD thing is working for MM.LaFleur, and it can work for you, too. Click on to shop the green or houndstooth versions right now (the black option is scheduled to restock in the next few weeks), as well as some similar, equally timeless options.
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The second (third?) time just might be the charm for Emma Roberts and Evan Peters. The one-time couple have not only gotten back together, but are also re-engaged, according to Us Weekly.
The pair, who originally met on the set of American Horror Story,first got engaged over New Year's 2014 after dating for about a year and a half, but broke things off the following June. They reunited a couple of months later, eventually splitting up again just this past May. But it seems the couple just couldn't stay away from each other. The two were, in fact, spotted kissing while out and about in Provincetown, MA, over Thanksgiving weekend. They took a break from the PDA to pose for pictures with fans, as well.
“Emma and Evan are engaged again. She’s been wearing her ring on set,” an unnamed source from Robert's current show, Scream Queens, reportedly told Us. "Everyone on set knows.”
While there have been no pictures of said ring's reemergence, the newly reunited couple has been making subtle appearances on each other's social media accounts. On Friday, Roberts posted a Thanksgiving picture of herself carrying what looks like a burlap wine bottle bag with the words, “gobble gobble idiot hooker,” written on the it and tagged Peters in the caption. Earlier this week, Peters shared a pic of the actress perusing a restaurant menu.
No matter who you are, if you photoshop an image on Instagram, the commenters will call you out. Mariah Carey knows — and likely doesn't care.
Carey shared a holiday image of herself holding a pie in a very, very low-cut top, skinny jeans, heels, and sunglasses inside, with the perfectly Mimi caption, "#festivating !! #happythanksgiving." As always, the Elusive Chanteuse looks glam and perfectly posed. Maybe too perfect.
Commenters were quick to point out some strange issues with the image, with one writing, "Omlllll her body is sooooo perfect its [sic] bending cabinets and mirrors." The mirror by her shoulder does look a bit distorted, as does the cabinet by her left knee.
Most commenters didn't seem to mind, either pointing out that everyone does it or denying the photoshopping altogether.
One wrote, "Who cares? Newsflash [sic] people: all you filters and stuff...photoshop!!!"
"This IS 'Festivating'... doesn't look photoshopped at all. It's fun for Thanksgiving — just like all of us have. Smh," wrote another.
Regardless, Carey's looking pretty healthy and happy for someone just coming out of a broken engagemen t. Maybe it's that new MAC line (which is all we want for Christmas, bay-bee).
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The Bachelorette 's JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers are celebrating their first Christmas together, and their dog, Jackson, is celebrating right along with them.
Photos posted to Fletcher's Snapchat show them picking out a tree, tying it to their car, and setting it up at home with unique floral ornaments.
Jackson is obviously an important member of the couple's household. Rodgers called him his "first child" in an interview with People. "Jackson didn’t recognize his father at first…now he does," he said in a snap upon their first meeting.
Now, "Jackie" is fully integrated into the family. He greets his "parents" as they carry their tree home, dressed for the occasion in a reindeer sweater, and stands beside it for a picture.
Fletcher and Rodgers also celebrated by posing inside wooden snowman cut-outs. "I like yo curves," Jordan captioned the photo of them on his Snapchat.
Click through for a peek into their tree-shopping outing.
"We're getting our first tree!" JoJo narrates their adventure.
Photo: Courtesy of Jfletchaa.
Jordan looks equally excited to select the perfect tree.
Photo: Courtesy of Jfletchaa.
After much consideration, they drove their soon-to-be Christmas tree home.
Photo: Courtesy of Jfletchaa.
And now, it's lighting up their living room. Jackson seems to approve of their choice, sitting proudly in a pose that mimics the tree itself.
Photo: Courtesy of Jfletchaa.
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But did you know that she's also ever-so-slightly obsessed with Broadway musicals? So much so, in fact, that she can — and will — even belt out an a cappella show tune on demand.
When W Magazine asked the It Girl du jour to sing her favorite karaoke song, Hadid wasted no time before launching into an adorable rendition of "Popular" from the musical Wicked. Gleefully batting her eyes coquettishly and dramatically turning her head from side to side, Hadid enthusiastically belts out the tune's all-too-appropriate first line with a teasing wink. "Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I — and let's face it, who isn't less fortunate than I?"
Sure, the high notes prove tricky ("I'm not gonna hit it!" Hadid jokes mid-song), but the model is all charismatic enthusiasm as she sings about makeover takeovers. "I love it! I could sing all day," she jokes at the end. And from the looks of her ear-to-ear smile, she's not exaggerating.
Watch and prepare to be charmed.
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Creepers, consider yourself warned: You can't creep in secret on Instagram anymore.
Instagram's new update lets you send self-destructing messages to your friends (kind of — maybe — like Snapchat) and Mashable reports that your friends will be notified if you take a screenshot of those messages.
The notifications will seem very familiar to anyone who uses Snapchat. Send a "disappearing message" to a friend who decides to screenshot it and you'll get a message on your phone letting you know.
Haven't used the disappearing message feature on Insta yet? When you log on, swipe from left to right on your screen and a camera window appears, allowing you to take a photo, video, or Boomerang, and send it to a friend or group. It might remind you of Snapchat.
It's important to know that the notifications are only for the new disappearing message feature, not the new stories feature or images in your feed, so you can still creep those in anonymity. For now.
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If you plan on getting something accomplished during the remainder of your weekend, you should probably refrain from putting on This Is Us. Just ask John Mayer.
"Just saw the first episode of This is Us and I'm hooked," he tweeted Friday. "Cryin' and hooked."
Just saw the first episode of ‘This is Us’ and I’m hooked. Cryin’ and hooked.
That hasn't stopped Mayer from watching in public, though. Now that he's addicted, the passengers surrounding him on his plane ride won't even stop him — especially when Mandy Moore herself acknowledges his fandom.
Beyond dig, @TheMandyMoore. I’m about to attempt one of the most emotionally reckless stunts ever: watching an episode ON AN AIRPLANE. https://t.co/mCI3QIqH6l
Josh Duggar celebrated Thanksgiving with the 19 Kids & Counting family, and it seems that they are ready to put his reputation-tarnishing scandal behind them.
According to the photos found on the Duggar family's official Facebook page, Josh was in attendance during the reality stars' Thanksgiving celebration in the Ozark mountains. Though the family looks happy in the photos, it's hard to forget that a little over a year ago Josh was involved in some disturbing sex scandals.
In May of 2015, shortly after police reports surfaced, Josh publicly revealed that he had molested five underage girls while he was a teenager, some of whom were his own sisters. In August of 2015, a hack on the adultery-focused dating website Ashley Madison revealed that Josh, who is married to Anna Duggar, was a member. Shortly after, Josh entered a faith-based rehab facility, where Anna reportedly visited her husband.
Yet the Duggar family, who reportedly knew about the molestation prior to Josh's public confession, has seemingly chosen to move on from the scandals that led to TLC canceling 19 Kids & Counting. In September of 2016, roughly one year after Duggar entered rehab, the Duggar family Facebook page posted an anniversary photo of Anna and Josh for their eighth year as a married couple:
It wasn't Josh's only recent social media appearance before Thanksgiving. In November, Anna's sister Priscilla and brother-in-law David Waller went out with Josh and Anna on a double date:
A photo posted by DavidnCil Waller (@davidncil) on
The statement issued by matriarch Michelle Duggar can perhaps clue fans into how the family feels about Josh's Thanksgiving appearance. She wrote:
"As I look around the room, I am so deeply touched by God's love, His forgiveness, His kindness, His provision, His mercies and His tenderness toward each of us. God's willingness to redeem us through Christ, in spite of all our failures and imperfections, is so humbling and fills my heart with tremendous gratitude."
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I never expected to not be a mother. My body is made for childbearing — generous hips, plenty of soft flesh for an infant to hang on to. I also love babies, their tiny fingernails, their first gummy smiles, the way they fit in the crook of my arms, a bundle of warmth. And while I’ve always been ambitious in my career, I’m also an alpha nurturer, the one friends and colleagues call when they need to vent or just hear a soothing word or two.
So how did I get to be 53 and childless?
I can’t say it was a choice, exactly, though you’d think I’d have made a conscious decision about something so important. It wasn’t due to malfunctioning equipment, either. At 27 and in the hospital for a gynecological procedure, my surgeon gushed: “Your ovaries and fallopian tubes look beautiful. You’re good to go!”
I never went.
For one thing, I was a late bloomer in love; I didn’t truly give over my heart for the first time until I was close to 30. Instead, I spent my 20s in New York City with other single friends, most of us more focused on work than on marriage. And even when a few of those friends began to walk down the aisle, I was content to savor the relatively new joy of being part of a couple, married or no. A baby felt like something that would definitely happen — of course it would — but in good time. I wanted to get the love thing right first, to learn how to be in a healthy relationship.
The healthy relationship took a long time coming. After that first major love affair ended, leaving me heartbroken for months, I cautiously took up with others, a series of mini-marriages, each lasting four or five years and taking me straight through to 40. With each boyfriend, there was talk of weddings, of future children, even shared real estate, but always, something held me back, a sense that I hadn’t yet found my home, the man who would feel like family.
Of course, for many people, the word family is synonymous with children. During the years of my ultimately failed relationships, my younger sister gave birth to two beautiful boys, nephews I held in my arms only minutes after they’d emerged from her body, the first child full-lipped and wriggly, the second saucer-eyed and long-lashed like my sister, a little round hunk of sweetness. I loved those boys so hard it hurt. As soon as I was able, I’d steal them away to my nearby apartment for sleepovers, my sister always generous when it came to sharing. When they were old enough to talk, the boys took to calling me Aunt Yes, because I never said no, and why would I? Whatever gifts I gave them were given back to me in spades, each boy teaching me what it was like to wake with a little body curled next to mine, the sweet sound of a toddler’s prattling before coffee. Later, I took each nephew to Rome, my favorite city, navigating the narrow cobblestoned streets and steering them into the best places for pizza and gelato. When Italians fussed over the boys, assuming I was their mother, I felt a little thrill.
Yet despite the delight I took in my sister’s sons, the way my stomach lurched whenever yet another pal with that telltale glow would say, breathlessly, I have news! I did nothing about my childless state. Instead, I continued to wait for a man who would make me feel cared for before I started caring for anyone else. At times, I wondered if I was simply selfish, unwilling to give up my freedom, my travels, or even the ability to stay late at the office to nail a tough deadline. Maybe, as nurturing as I seemed, I lacked some essential motherhood gene, or the right level of estrogen. Because certainly, most of my friends seemed clear enough about wanting kids. Many, having waited to marry, like I was waiting, were starting to take drastic measures on the reproductive front. One adopted a daughter with her husband at 47; a few friends resorted to donor eggs. Some just ended up getting lucky, becoming pregnant relatively easily long past their peak fertility. Those burgeoning 40-something bellies were the most painful for me to see, evidence that it was possible to get pregnant just under the wire. I gamely threw these friends baby showers but inside, I anticipated the loss of another friend no longer available to grab a glass of wine at a moment’s notice. I also mourned the bigger loss, of the experience of pregnancy, of being a mother, choices I hadn’t definitively made but that I seemed to be choosing all the same.
Not that I gave up hope entirely. Sometimes, I told myself I’d be willing to adopt — a little girl from China! — or from whatever country would give babies to single women older than 40. Or I’d consider the turkey-baster method, find a sperm donor or a willing ex, and become a mother on my own, no husband required. Many nights, I’d lie awake in my one-bedroom apartment, arranging furniture in my head: If I moved the desk into the living room, I could fit a little crib right there.
By morning, I could see things more clearly and would think, really think about what it would take to raise a child in a small city apartment that faced an air shaft, without a washing machine or dishwasher. I’d think about my job in print journalism, an industry that was seeming increasingly wobbly. Ultimately, the idea of creating a family consisting of just two — me and a baby — seemed frightening, financially and emotionally. More than that, I somehow knew I didn’t want my entire life to center around a child. That didn’t seem fair to the child, or to me.
When I met the man who was to become my husband, an adventurous traveler with a tender heart, the man who felt like family, I was a ripe 44, our relationship unfolding so effortlessly that it stoked my remaining sliver of hope: Maybe it’s not too late! So when he brought up the subject of children a few months in — Do you want any? — I decided to be honest, to risk scaring him away with the truth.
“Well, biologically, I think it’s too late for me,” I started shakily. “But if I found the right person I’d be willing to adopt.”
“Uh oh,” was his reply.
“Why uh oh? ” I asked, my heart sinking a little.
“I’m done in the kid department,” he said, gently but firmly. “My two kids are just about launched; one’s out of the house, another almost. I’m ready for the next phase.”
A moment passed. And again, I chose the man over the theoretical child. “That seems fair,” I said. “After all, if I’d wanted a baby badly enough, I’d have made it happen.”
I made a vow to myself that I would take full advantage of my childless life.
Though what I actually said to myself was harsher: Tough luck — you made your bed, now lie in it. I hear that critical voice sometimes, whenever I have the pleasure of cuddling someone’s little one in my arms, or when I visit my nephews, young adults who now want to spend time with their own friends, however cool their Aunt Yes may be.
I did go on to marry the adventurous man, and together, we’ve made a modern family, each of us keeping our respective homes in different states but seeing each other every week, sharing the highs and lows of our days, cooking together, building a house with lots of light and room for guests — our friends and their children, too. I love what we have, but that doesn’t mean the sadness has gone, at least not completely. I live with the choice I didn’t quite make, as we all have to live with our choices. I occasionally worry what will happen when I get old and sick; will my nephews visit me when I can no longer whisk them away to exotic destinations?
But I try not to wallow, to get mired in regret. Instead, I made a vow to myself that I would take full advantage of my childless life and the freedom it brings, that though I didn’t consciously choose to be childless, going forward, I could at least choose the kind of life I did want to have. And so, I have satisfied my urge to travel, taking as many trips as I can, including spending a month every year in Rome. When I eventually got laid off from my magazine job, I took a risk and started my own business, something I might not have done if I’d been worrying about college tuition down the line. I’ve written a book, and am working on another. And I try to be spontaneous, whether that means staying up late drinking whiskey and dancing in the living room with my husband, the volume cranked way up, or jumping on a motorcycle, my arms tight around his waist, to see the fall foliage. (If I had a child, you can bet I wouldn’t be riding a motorcycle!)
It has also helped, as my friends’ kids get older, to watch them coping with a daughter’s adolescent bitchiness or a son who speaks in monosyllables. I’m not gloating; I know parenting can be deeply satisfying. But I’ve observed firsthand how difficult it can be — also frustrating, exhausting, bewildering, not to mention tough on a person’s sex life. It’s easy enough to love a wide-eyed, chubby-cheeked infant; less so a hyperactive 8-year-old or surly teen. Plus, as my friends’ kids begin to move out and go to college, I’m suddenly getting my pals back.
I won’t lie. It may always sting when I pass a pregnant woman with a proprietary hand on her stomach, or find myself cradling someone else’s delicious-smelling infant. But I try to assuage that pain by doing my mothering where I can — grabbing time with my nephews; dispensing advice to my grown step-kids when asked (and sometimes when I’m not); having heart-to-hearts with my friends’ kids when they come to stay.
In the last four years, I’ve also developed a bond with a young South African woman named Zethu, through a nonprofit known as Infinite Family that pairs mentors with at-risk kids. For a half hour a week, Zethu and I talk via videoconference or, more recently, WhatsApp, about boys, school, and her plans for the future (she hopes to be a preschool teacher). When we first met, Zethu was a little lost, struggling with depression and thinking of dropping out of high school. A few weeks ago, proud in her royal-blue cap and gown, she gave a speech at her graduation, which, she excitedly told me, “was perfect in every way.” Later, when I texted her to say how proud she’d made me, she texted back: Thanks Mama Paula, and my heart did a little somersault. It was a reminder that these days, there are quite a few kids in my life who call me Aunt Paula, and even one who calls me mama. Right now, at least, that feels like enough family for me.
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Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life was, for the most part, a flawed but ultimately enjoyable way to wrap up the series. And then came the last four words, a brief conversation between mother and daughter.
"Mom?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm pregnant."
In four words, Amy Sherman-Palladino finally wrapped up the story of Stars Hollow as she always wanted to, and managed to encapsulate everything that went wrong with Rory's role in the new Netflix special.
Rory Gilmore had her failings as a character over Gilmore Girls' original seven-season run, showing herself to be immature and selfish. Sleeping with her married ex is often pointed to as the first indication that Rory isn't perfect, but it's a season 2 episode when she misses her mother's college graduation that first illuminates the fact that, for all her charm and bookishness, Rory thinks primarily of herself.
She goes on to steal a boat and drop out of Yale, but at no time during the seven seasons does she lose the one thing that seems utterly absent from her character in the reboot — her ambition. Even in her academic exile, she strives to be the best DAR party planner. She camps out in the office of a small Connecticut newspaper with a stack of reasons why they should hire her. She wrote an epic article about asphalt! Nothing was beneath her, and nothing was impossible.
On the surface, the unexpected pregnancy of a 32-year-old woman who has an extensive support system, emotionally and financially, is no big deal.
Cut to A Year in the Life's Rory Gilmore, 32, entitled jerk. This version of Rory doesn't just lack ambition; she lacks the basic drive to find gainful employment. She's grown accustomed to an incredibly large collection of safety nets — she's always welcome at her mom's house, or her grandmother's mansion, or her friend's apartment if she wants to spend some time in NYC, or her not-quite boyfriend's place if she needs to crash in London. All these free ersatz Airbnbs come with food, companionship, and storage space. But even an unemployed Rory of the past would have used the time to challenge herself; she could have reread the complete works of Shakespeare! Or written an article for every section and subsection of the New York Times! Instead, she whines. She whines about her lack of direction. She whines about her failure. And even more frustrating, her whines are met by only comfort from her friends and family, until she eventually takes up a book project that she didn't even come up with on her own. Which leads us to the pregnancy confession and all it implies.
On the surface, the unexpected pregnancy of a 32-year-old woman who has an extensive support system, emotionally and financially, is no big deal. And I believe the confession would have actually been better had it come when Sherman-Palladino expected it to, on the heels of Rory's graduation from Yale at the end of the seventh season. Sure, a pregnancy at 22 would have been a shock to Rory, but who the character was in that moment could have taken it in stride; she probably would have gone into labor on the campaign trail press bus and gone on to start a popular mommy blog, becoming a family features writer for the Times by 30. Motherhood, something for which Rory's character never expresses a desire, would have just been one part of her.
However, introduced in the final words of this four-part series, when Rory seems not just lost but also completely unwilling to do the work necessary to get where she wants to be, motherhood seems like the worst possible "solution." While Rory's pregnancy could be seen as bringing the show about mothers and daughters full circle, it's worth noting that Lorelai's pregnancy got her unstuck — pushed her forward. It seems unlikely Rory's will do anything but tie her to a role she never seemed interested in — a disappointing ending for one of the most ambitious young female characters of the past 15 years. And she's definitely going to drop that kid off at her mother's, without asking first, constantly. New Rory is the worst.
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The 1995 murder trial surrounding the death of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman is still one of the most controversial legal proceedings in modern U.S. history. This is mostly due to its polarizing racial and social impact. And thanks to the hit FX series The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, it's been back on our radars.
The series went on to win nine Emmys in September, cementing the program as one of the most memorable of the year. The day before the big night, GQ sat down with the cast and asked them the burning question that was, and is, on everyone's mind: Did they think that O.J. Simpson was guilty of murder? (He was, of course, found not guilty, but is currently incarcerated for a separate crime.)
Surprisingly, the magazine got most of the cast to answer. Let's see what each actor had to say.
Sarah Paulson
Character: Marcia Clark
"Does it matter what I think? I do think he did it."
Verdict: Guilty.
Bruce Greenwood
Character: Gil Garcetti
"The evidence is beyond clear. Yes."
Verdict: Guilty.
Kenneth Choi
Character: Judge Lance Ito
"I think that the hard evidence points to the fact that he did it. And there’s so much damning evidence that he had to have done it."
Verdict: Guilty.
Courtney B. Vance
Character: Johnnie Cochran
"Only he [Simpson] knows."
Verdict: Undecided.
John Travolta
Character: Robert Shapiro
"It’s hard, when you put all the pieces together, to not see that [Simpson’s guilt] is a strong possibility. But could I absolutely say? I can’t. I think the implication is there. "
Verdict: Undecided.
Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Character: O.J. Simpson
Quote Excerpt: "It’s not my job to claim [Simpson’s] guilt or innocence, because I don’t want people to see my performance and think that it was based on one concept or the other. There’s still questions either way."
Verdict: Undecided.
Sterling K. Brown
Character: Christopher Darden
"The evidence led to one person. A lot of people have questions as to whether somebody else could’ve possibly been involved, which is possible. Anything’s possible. But I definitely think he was present at the deaths of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson.
Verdict: Sorta, probably, most likely guilty.
David Schwimmer
Character: Robert Kardashian
"I’m not going to answer that. I’m not going to answer it. I mean, I definitely have an opinion."
Verdict: Ugh. Just tell us!!!
So that's three for guilty, three for undecided, and two for WTF please don't keep your opinion a secret from us! Check out the cast's full quotes and portraits over on GQ.
Court is adjourned.
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It may feel premature to be talking about New Year's resolutions, but when it comes to your career, there's a lot you could be doing now to help lock down your dream job in 2017. Here's why: In general, the holiday season is a slow time in terms of promotions and new opportunities. Most teams are eager to close out 2016 this month. By knowing this intel, you can lay the groundwork for a serious professional leap in 2017.
Whether it's scoring a promotion, transitioning to new responsibilities, or moving to a new company or new field, here's exactly what you need to do to get there. Best of all, we've broken down the sometimes overwhelming task of getting a new gig into totally manageable, bite-size chunks. Try one each day through the month of December or pick a few of your favorites and get ready to have a new job in the New Year.
Schedule A Coffee Date With Yourself
Take an hour, sit down with a pad of paper and a pen (or your laptop and an open Google doc) and write out what you want — and even more importantly, why you want it. Some questions to ask yourself: What do you like about your current job? What do you hate? What has your employer praised you about in the past? Where do you need work? Where do you see yourself in one year? What about five years? Ten years? The more detailed you answer these questions, the clearer you'll be on what type of job you want to go for.
ConsiderBecomingA Holiday Temp
If you're currently full-time job hunting or have a flexible schedule doing shift work, offering your availability for the holidays, either informally or through a temp agency can be an easy way to get your foot in the door somewhere.
"I had just ended a contract in November and didn't have a job," says Jenna, 30, a copywriter. "I just reached out to friends and told them I was available for the next month and landed what was supposed to be two days a week filling in at a small company to help out for the holidays. The job turned into full-time in February."
Often, companies don't have a budget to hire until the new year, but may have a position they wish to fill — and a lot of work to get done. Becoming a temp can help them suss out your skills on the job and let you get to know the company while you net a paycheck.
Get Rid Of Gossiping
Here's the thing: Everyone indulges in office gossip at some point. And research has found it can actually be a good thing in terms of building rapport with coworkers.
When you're looking for a new job, it can be really tempting to talk about what you're doing — or commiserate with coworkers on why you all want to quit. That's why it's key to make a point to keep your lips zipped for the next month. If you have to spill, commit to actually talking in real life — not on Slack — and away from the office.
Book An Appointment With HR
We've talked up Human Resources a lot at R29 — and if you work in a large corporation, they're absolutely a great place to go in terms of getting a holistic view of how the corporation works.
Schedule an appointment with your HR rep with the idea that you want to talk about potential opportunities within your organization. Happy at your current position? Definitely stress that — HR wants to hear what's going well.
But also let them know if there are growth opportunities you're interested in, whether the corporation will cover educational reimbursement if you want to take a class relevant to your field, and whether they have any thoughts about your career trajectory. There could be a new position opening within a different department that needs your skill set — and you won't know unless you ask.
Update Your Resume & LinkedIn
You see a dream job posted — and your resume is two years old. Instead of rushing to update your resume when you need it (and are more likely to make mistakes), update it now and add relevant skills to your LinkedIn while you're at it.
Need some inspiration? Microsoft recently released cover letter templates with design input from digital print and designs company MOO that look polished and professional, but have a little bit more visual interest than 12-point font black on white paper if your industry is a little more creative and less formal.
Print Hard Copies Of Your Resume
Again, better to do it now than rush on your way to an interview. Ask a friend for use of their printer, use a copy shop, do it at your family's house during a visit, just don't print out your resume at your current job. Make 20–30 copies and have them in a folder so you can pass them out as needed when you score an interview.
Hit Up Your Holiday Party
Here's why: The holiday party is one of the few times where it's not weird, but expected, to chat to the big boss. No, you're not looking to pass out that freshly printed resume right now, but you are looking to talk shop with the very people who have the power to hire you down the road. Keep the conversations with everyone positive, focusing on how much you love the company (even if you don't) and any work wins (even if the past few months have been bleak)
Even if the relationship between the two of you has been rocky, the holidays are a good time to get back on the same page. Don't mention any negativity, just explain how much you've learned from them in the past year, citing a few specific, positive examples.
"I challenge you to find something nice or good or helpful about your boss. Describe how articulate they were in that meeting, how they won the client over so persuasively, how quickly they turned around that problem, and how you learned from it," suggests Ora Shtull, a career coach, author of The Glass Elevator, and co-founder of career resource site CareerBlast.
Practice "Shine Theory"
Remember the news about how Obama's female staffers adopted a meeting strategy called "amplification," where they reiterated what their colleagues said in meetings to make sure it was heard? The awesome thing about this is it doesn't just make that person look good — it also causes higher-ups to see you as a major player, too, according to Shtull.
"Self-promotion is critical to your professional ascent. But if this notion is challenging to you, start by 'tooting your own orchestra.' Your orchestra is the people you work with, and for, on projects. Tooting your own orchestra means directing the spotlight on their accomplishments. The catch is that you must include yourself as one of the players in the orchestra. The word 'I' must show up somewhere in your toot. It might sound like this: Madison was the perfect partner on this project. Her warmth and attention to every person on the client team definitely sold the project. I’m thrilled with her success and also gratified that I spent time drafting the strategy with her. There’s an added bonus to tooting your orchestra. When you point out a colleague’s success, your collaborative ability and positivity also shine through," says Shtull.
Ask Around
Here's a startling statistic: According to Glassdoor, nearly 50% of jobs are found through personal networking. Obviously, looking for a job while you have a job can be tricky, which is why it's key to be subtle when you're searching. Obviously, don't post on your social media networks that you're searching, but reaching out to a few trusted former coworkers or friends of friends to ask about potential opportunities is totally fine. Again, keep the communication positive and vague — you can talk about specifics in person later, the point of the e-mail is just to open the door to a conversation.
Spend Some Quality Time With LinkedIn
You know how you're always curious to see who has viewed you on LinkedIn — same goes for everyone, even people in relatively high up positions of power.
Doing LinkedIn searching as you stream Gilmore Girls will help you become familiar with who does what at your dream company — and is also a super low-touch way to let them know you're looking, too. Nervous to look publicly? You can always log out and search privately. The key is getting to know how your dream company is structured and who you should reach out to about potential positions come January.
Get Stuff Done
Now's the time to buckle down and get some serious wins done at the job you have. Not only will this sound awesome in future interviews, but it'll also continue to help you feel inspired at work.
One thing to try: Tamp down on so-called "junk productivity." This is the stuff — responding to every single e-mail, making sure your to-do list is organized — that makes you feel like you're doing stuff, but it's not necessarily helping your longterm career goals. Save mindless tasks for when you're less focused and use your time at work to slay.
Connect With A Mentor
Finding a new job is tough, and it can be incredibly helpful to have someone in your corner. While some people will hire a career coach for exactly this reason, you can also find similar unofficial support from a mentor you trust. If you don't already have a mentor — a former boss, someone who is five to ten years ahead of you in the same career field, or even someone in an entirely different career field whose drive and vision you admire is great — it's time to find one.
Ideally, you want someone who can do some regular check-ins with you, if the one you seek out doesn't have time to answer your e-mails or sends back short responses, it may be time to find someone else.
Dress In Interview Mode
Because right now, even if you're just going to your regular job every day, you are in interview mode. Shifting your wardrobe to what you'd wear if you got a promotion or started working at a new company can help get you in the productive mindset you need. Not only that, but if you're already dressing a bit more formally during your regular days at the office, it'll be that much easier to sneak out for an interview without being detected when it counts.
Follow Luminaries In Your Field On Social Media
Whatever your field, find 10–15 people who you aspire to be one day. These should be a step removed from mentors — people who may not have the time or the bandwidth to help you in a one-on-one capacity, but whose lives and words inspire you. Following them can help you get a sense of where you'd like to be one day plus give you an overarching view of how your industry is shifting.
Celebrate What You've Accomplished
Take a day and give yourself a huge cheers for taking a proactive approach to your career.
"My friends and I created a monthly media ladies wine night," says Melissa, 38, a PR executive. "We invited our friends and would book tables at cool wine bars around the city. Yes, it was networking, but we didn't necessarily talk shop. In fact, we had a rule where positivity was embraced. Some people did land gigs from it, but the focus was just on celebrating all we've accomplished."
Get It Done Or Let It Go
Chances are, there's some to-do on your list that's been following you for months, if not years. It could be cleaning out a junk drawer. It could be reach out to a key contact. It could be finally updating that not-urgent deck. Whatever it is, get it done or give it up. Obviously, with some things, you'll need your boss' okay to just not do it. In that case, figure out what's holding you back: Is it that you don't understand a key step or that it takes a lot of hours for little reward? Whatever it is, knowing what's held you back can give you the tools you need to get it done.
For example, say your boss gave you a huge deck to update. You know it will take at least eight hours and you've put it off since August. Schedule a sit down with your boss and say, "I know this has been on my to-do list for awhile and I'm excited to get everything squared away by the end of the year. I'd love to discuss how to prioritize this with my other projects." She may find it's not worth it and then you can cross it off your list, guilt-free.
Clean Out Your Workspace
Not only can KonMari-ing in your workspace make it easier to get work done (less time looking for things, more time getting stuff done) it also makes it that much easier to pack up and go when you finally get the new gig.
Add Value To Your Resume
If there's something lacking on your resume — say you've never managed people, but the positions you're applying for require some management experience — you can augment your resume by adding in volunteer experience, says Lynne Sarikas, Executive Director of the MBA Career Center at the D'Amore-McKim School of Business At Northeastern University in Boston.
While organizations are always looking for volunteers, the holidays are a great time to get your foot in the door. And it goes without saying that you shouldn't volunteer just to enhance your resume, but it is a great bonus.
Plan A Reward
When you do get the dream job, what are you going to do? Having a dream purchase, trip, or way to treat yourself can be a powerful incentive to remind you that a new job will enhance your whole life.
Edit Your Social Media Presence
Especially in what has been an incredibly contentious election season, it's smart to make sure your social media presence is one that won't raise any red flags to future employers. Delete any inflammatory or emotion-driven Tweets, put your Instagram on lockdown if it's primarily photos for friends and family, and see what comes up when your Facebook profile is searched.
"Many potential employers check applicants online before making an offer. Be careful what you post knowing that it may be seen by a potential employer. Put your best foot forward," says Sarikas.
Walk To Work A Different Way
Sounds so weird, but career experts say that switching up small stuff in your routine can snowball into big changes. Another thing: Download some motivating podcasts while you're en route to work: Ones we love with a career bent: Being Boss,Beyond The To-Do List, and How Did You Get Into That?
Start Searching
Have some downtime? Now's a good time to start searching online job postings. Apply if you feel motivated, but also consider this more a fact-finding mission: You're seeing what's out there, and also seeing how positions are framed — skills you can use in your upcoming interviews.
"I had always worked in magazine editorial, but wanted to make a shift," says Carolyn, 30, a copywriter. "So I began looking at copywriter job openings and saw the language they used was slightly different to describe the same skills I had. I felt like it was almost a foreign-language course — I had to become fluent in their terms in order to show I was ready for a job in that field."
Make A List
All right! Now's the time to pop open the bubbly and make a list of all the ways you've killed it this year. Don't be shy, you won't share this list — but you will draw from it for future interviews. This is also a chance for you to realize that even if the job you have held has been less than ideal, you got a lot of transferable skills and experience that will help you slay at your next gig.
Take A Deep Breath
Go to yoga, take a hike, stretch out on the couch and watch a documentary on Netflix — anything that honors the part of you that's not work.
Want some inspiration? Read how majorly impressive luminaries like to start their day. Even if they're being pinged with hundreds of emails a day, they still take plenty of time to do stuff they love — and even consider that a secret to their career success.
Have An Out Of Work Project
We've heard it a million times: Finding a job is a full-time job. But so much laser focus isn't exactly fun. In fact, people who've found their dream job say it happened when they extended their focus to another one of their passions.
"I feel like my career took off when I started training for marathons," says Kim, 30, an attorney. "Training gave me motivation and discipline and a place to just turn my brain off." We're not saying sign up for long distance events if they're not your thing — but do consider branching out your interests for maximum success.
Be Responsive
If you have put out feelers, make sure you're responding to potential hiring mangers — even if you're on vacation, says Sarikas.
"Make a positive impression with every interaction, including e-mail," says Sarikas. In fact, if you are on vacation and have emails out asking for informational interviews or have already started reaching out to recruiters, it can be smart to post an out of office on your personal e-mail, letting people know when you'll be back online.
Do A Mock Interview
If your interview skills are rusty — or you've never had to do a formal interview for a job — now's a great time to start. Either have an informational interview with someone in the industry (a holiday week can be a great time to do this, since a lot of people in the office may have more downtime than usual) or sit down with a friend and talk through your skills. At the very least, brush up on your answers to the most common interview questions.
Get Your Thank-You Notes Ready
Take advantage of post-holiday sales and stock up on card stock for future thank-you notes, suggests Sarikas. "Interviewers remember when candidates send a hand-written thank-you note. Stand out from the crowd. Time is a precious commodity, so say thank you when someone is willing to share time with you."
At this point, most employers expect an e-mailed thank you immediately (like, by end of day) but placing one in the mail a few days later can also be crucial in helping you stand out. While you're at it, make sure to stock up on stamps.
Put Your Action Plan In Motion
You've set the groundwork and are ready to go. For the next month, devote at least 30 minutes every morning to making your career search happen — and set a Google reminder and time on your calendar to make sure it does. Sure, some days you may spend that time just reading an industry blog — which totally counts — but having that built-in time every day will allow you to keep your momentum going and not get trapped in a "there's no time" excuse.
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Let's take a moment to go back. All the way back to the early 2000s. It was a simpler time, when flared jeans still ruled supreme and glitter was everywhere — on your clothes, in your hair, in your makeup.
It was the age of One Tree Hill and The O.C. It was the time when we all cried after watching A Walk to Remember. But here's a question for you: Whatever happened to all your favorite 2000s celebrities? Like, what are they even doing right now? And do they still look as adorable in flared jeans and glitter?
Well, consider this your answer. Kind of. We don't know about the flared-jeans thing, but we do know what your beloved celebrities from the early 2000s are up to.
Click ahead for 15 of your faves from 15 years ago. And prepare for the nostalgia feels to kick in so damn hard.
She was single, sexy, and sweet. Making her own money. Looking for the right party. Yes, I literally just wrote out some lyrics from Mya's hit song "Free" from 2000. But they're still accurate AF.
Mya was equal parts adorable and sexy. She had hit songs like "Case of the Ex," "Lady Marmalade," and "My Love Is Like...Wo." She even sang the hook on "Ghetto Superstar."
Mya also had some killer dance moves, and as the 2000s wore on, she started popping up in movies. Remember her role in Chicago? Well, you do now.
Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage.
Where's Mya Now?
She's been very busy. In 2008, Mya created her own independent record label called Planet 9. In 2009, she was actually on Dancing with the Stars, where she came in second place (behind Donny freaking Osmond). Since then, she's been releasing music. Earlier this year, she released an album called Smoove Jones.
The craziest thing that's happened in the last few years? When video leaked of Mya performing at a strip club. It was immediately followed by speculation about her career and her finances.
According to BET, Mya said the story was blown out of proportion and that she was just performing a song in the club. When asked about her finances, Mya said, "I do quite well for myself, but I live a simple life."
Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.
2000s Star You Loved: Shaggy
It's been 16 years since "It Wasn't Me" came out, but you know you still reference it. Hell, if it came on the radio right now, you would start singing it, too. Don't be ashamed. Once upon a time, Shaggy was the man.
With hit songs like "Boombastic" and "Angel," Shaggy was a major star. He was one of the few reggae-fusion singers out there. But then he suddenly disappeared from the scene.
Photo: Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic.
Where's Shaggy Now?
Shaggy is still making music. According to Billboard, Shaggy took a step back for a few years to give himself a major revamp. That included new management, a new record label, and making new music.
Earlier this year, he released a new song called "I Got You," which he performed on the Today show.
And when Shaggy isn't being Mr. Lover, he's raising money for charity through his Shaggy Make A Difference Foundation. In January, his annual "Shaggy & Friends" benefit concert raised tons of money for Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston, Jamaica.
Photo: Matthew Eisman/Getty Images.
2000s Star You Loved: Sisqó
There are few people in this world who can pull off silver hair and red-leather vests and gloves that look Thriller -inspired. But Sisqó tried to be that person for us in the early 2000s.
He will forever be responsible for a spike in thong sales (I can actually prove this). He, Dru Hill, and Will Smith are to blame for making us think we should go straight to the Wild Wild West(we shouldn't have, but it was a damn catchy song). And it was Sisqó who inspired some of our friends to get sun-tattoos around their belly buttons, which was not a good idea.
Ah, Sisqó. Such a simpler time.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage
Where Is Sisqó Now?
Sisqó has been very open about his hiatus from music. He's said that he was blacklisted from mainstream music for pushing back against industry politics. This created rumors that he was hard to work with — and kind of killed his career.
In 2015, more than a decade after his second solo album, Return of the Dragon, was released, Sisqó came back with new music — a 13-track album called Last Dragon. Sisqó also created his own music label called Dragon Music Group.
The good news? He's hinted at a Dru Hill reunion — and it's happening at the Soul Train Awards on November 27. The sad news? We still don't quite know what it means to have "dumps like a truck."
Photo: Kevin Winter/BET/Getty Images.
2000s Star You Loved: Ashanti
A very brave writer for The New York Times once compared Ashanti to Beyoncé...and decided that Beyoncé was inferior. (LOL whoever you are.)
But let's be honest: Ashanti was great. Thank you for songs like "Foolish" and "Rain on Me." Thank you for your ongoing collaboration with sing-rapper extraordinaire Ja Rule. Thank you for putting Terrence Howard in your music videos. Thank you for making John Tucker Must Die happen.
But most of all, we thank you for making the 2000s just that much better.
Photo: Jeffrey Weiss/WireImage.
Where's Ashanti Now?
Ashanti has been super busy. She was in a low-key 10-year relationship with (another sing-rapper) Nelly. Sadly the couple split, and it left Ashanti really upset. She told Meredith Vieira, "I've been betrayed," but didn't elaborate further.
She's also been the unfortunate victim of stalking. Ashanti took her stalker to court, and he was sentenced to four years in prison in March of this year.
In August, Ashanti made headlines when she posted video of an altercation with Ja Rule on Snapchat. In the video, according to Billboard, Ashanti is heard asking, “Why are you asking us to step out of the car? I don’t understand, what is the problem?”
But the good news is that it couldn't have been too serious, since the duo is currently touring together.
Photo: Andrew Toth/FilmMagic.
2000s Star You Loved: Chad Michael Murray
Full disclosure: I loved Chad Michael Murray. But didn't we all? Didn't we all know that behind those smizing eyes was a young man who was probably a scoundrel? But we didn't care, did we?
Murray was the star of the hit CW show One Tree Hill. With the series' success came teen crushes like no other. He went on to star as the hot guy in movies like Freaky Friday and A Cinderella Story.
These days Murray is married to another former co-star, Sarah Roemer, whom he met while filming Chosen. They even have children! Sorry if that crushes your early-2000s fantasies.
When it comes to his career, Chad Michael Murray has been quite busy. The actor had a small role in the critically acclaimed film Fruitvale Station. He had a small role on Scream Queens and a recurring role on the show Agent Carter.
There's been at least one One Tree Hill reunion. Though it was small and did not include the entire cast (namely Sophia Bush). But at least there's hope for more, right?
Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images.
2000s Star You Loved: Vitamin C
Tell the truth: Your graduating class had a photo montage play out to Vitamin C's "Graduation (Friends Forever)." And admit it: You would probably still tear up if you listened to the song in its entirety today.
Vitamin C was a ray of light in the late '90s and early 2000s. She had incredible bright-yellow-orange hair. She wore platforms. And she sang songs like "Smile," "The Itch," and "As Long As You're Loving Me."
She even had a small role in that 2001 movie Get Over It (starring Kirsten Dunst) and the movie Rock Star. She also popped up on tons of your favorite shows, like Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and The Amanda Show.
Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd/WireImage.
Where's Vitamin C Now?
You guys! I'm going to give this to you slowly. Vitamin C's real name is Colleen Fitzpatrick. And Colleen Fitzpatrick no longer sings pop songs and rocks orange hair.
No, read that correctly. Vitamin C is the vice president of music at Nickelodeon — and has been since 2012. She oversees all music recording for Nickelodeon and its sister networks. She's also in charge of production and performance for Nick Jr., Nicktoons, and TeenNick. On top of that, she manages recording sessions, video shoots, and works with marketing and press to coordinate music initiatives.
How freaking cool is that?! Get it girl!
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.
2000s Star You Loved: Shane West
It seemed like Shane West popped up out of nowhere — taking over the cover of your Teen People and J-14 without warning. But in fact, Shane West had been working for quite a while.
He spent the '90s on shows like Boy Meets World and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. By the early 2000s, he was in movies like Get Over It and — most notably — 2002's A Walk to Remember. Yes, he is Landon Carter, the popular boy who is sweet and kind deep down inside.
After that, he starred in a string of early-2000s movies, like The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. But what's happened to Shane West since then?
Photo: Warner Brothers/Getty Images.
Where's Shane West Now?
Well, he's been working nonstop. He's made movies consistently throughout the last decade, but his biggest successes have been on the small screen.
West starred on ER in the mid-2000s — remember, he was Ray Barnett. He also played Michael on the CW show Nikita from 2010 to 2013. These days, he's starring as John Alden on the WGN show Salem, along with Ashley Madekwe.
Photo: Tara Ziemba/Getty Images.
2000s Star You Loved: Seann William Scott
Seann William Scott played some version of a "bro" in every movie in the 2000s. Sure, some of the bros were smart and some of them were incredibly idiotic, but they were all bros at the end of the day.
You might remember him best from movies like Dude, Where's My Car?, Final Destination, Old School, The Dukes of Hazzard, and the American Pie series.
But after the mid-aughts, Seann William Scott seemed to disappear.
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
Where's Seann William Scott Now?
According to MTV, Scott entered a treatment facility in 2011 to address personal and health issues. By 2012, Scott was openly talking about the fact that he had been typecast throughout his career, thanks in large part to his role as Stifler in American Pie.
Since then, he's been an integral part of the Ice Age series, in which he voices Crash. He's also diving into darker roles for films like Just Before I Go.
Photo: Charles Sykes/Bravo/Getty Images.
2000s Star You Loved: Jesse Metcalfe
For those who've ever given daytime TV a chance, you probably remember Jesse Metcalfe from the NBC soap opera Passions, where he played Miguel.
But by 2004, Metcalfe was on to bigger projects. He landed a recurring role on the hit show Desperate Housewives. And then he scored a major movie playing the title character in John Tucker Must Die.
But what's happened to John Tucker since then?
Photo: Century Fox/REX/Shutterstock.
Where's Jesse Metcalfe Now?
He's still working. Metcalfe starred on the show Chase, where he played Luke Watson. He then joined the cast of Dallas from 2012 to 2014, playing Christopher Ewing. He's also been on shows like 2 Broke Girls.
Metcalfe just finished filming two movies: InStranger Company(co-starring Danny Trejo) and The Ninth Passenger.
Photo: Joe Scarnici/WireImage.
2000s Star You Loved: Frankie Muniz
It's hard to believe, but it's been 16 years since Malcolm in the Middle first aired — in January 2000 — and Frankie Muniz became America's favorite child star.
As Muniz grew up, he started to make movies. Anyone remember Agent Cody Banks with Hilary Duff or Big Fat Liar with Amanda Bynes?
But in 2006, Malcolm in the Middle was over. And Frankie Muniz disappeared from the spotlight.
Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage.
Where's Frankie Muniz Now?
He's living a pretty great life. In 2007, at 21 years old, Muniz told People that he was no longer focused on acting, but instead had become a professional race car driver.
In a tweet, Muniz said that he retired from acting with about $40 million in savings. Which is pretty baller. In 2012, he appeared in an episode of Don't Trust The B----- in Apartment 23 as himself. He also popped up in a few Syfy movies, including Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!
In 2012 and 2013, Muniz had a few medical scares. He even tweeted that he had suffered a "mini stoke."
When you look back at yourself 15 years ago, didn't you love Mischa Barton? Didn't you low-key want to be Mischa Barton? She was tall, cool, and starring on the hottest show on TV.
Barton had been working in Hollywood for a long time as a child star. She had small parts in Notting Hill and — as a ghost — in 1999's The Sixth Sense. But it was her role as Marissa Cooper on The O.C. that shot her to superstardom.
When Marissa Cooper was killed off The O.C., Barton seemed to fade away. Whatever happened to your favorite teen queen?
Photo: Snap Stills/REX/Shutterstock.
Where's Mischa Barton Now?
Barton's real life started to mirror the life of Marissa Cooper. By the mid-2000s, Barton became a favorite of paparazzi and tabloids, spotted out with celebrities like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Barton was arrested on suspicion of DUI and pot possession in 2007, and then put on involuntary psychiatric hold for two weeks in 2009.
That same year, she was on the short-lived Ashton Kutcher-produced CW series The Beautiful Life, which was canceled after two episodes.
Years later, in 2013, Barton told People that she had a "full-on breakdown" in 2009 thanks in part to media scrutiny about her weight. She also opened up about her struggles with anxiety.
Grammy-winning rapper Eve was probably the coolest woman around in the early 2000s. With that short hair — which switched between red and blonde — and two paw-print tattoos, Eve was a badass.
She had megahits like "Let Me Blow Your Mind," "Who's That Girl?" "Tambourine," and "Gangsta Lovin." She became so famous that she transitioned to acting roles in movies like Barbershop. She even had her own TV show, Eve, from 2003 to 2006.
But as time went on, Eve became quiet. Where did the Ruff Ryders' first lady run off to?
Photo: Carmen Valdes/WireImage.
Where's Eve Now?
In 2013, after a 10-year music hiatus, Eve came back with a new album called Lip Lock.
But that's not even the best news: Eve is now married to a billionaire. That's right, everyone's favorite Ruff Ryder went on to marry British designer Maximillion Cooper in 2014.
There are two types of people in the world: Those who loved Seth Cohen and those who loved Ryan Atwood. If you were in the Ryan Atwood fan club, you loved his bangs, his tank tops, and his chokers. You even loved the way he got into fights at bonfires because that's who he was.
Ben McKenzie brought everyone's favorite troubled teen heartthrob to life on The O.C.
But when the show ended, Ben McKenzie and his cute smile seemed to disappear, too.
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Where's Ben McKenzie Now?
Ben McKenzie has been enjoying a pretty successful acting career on TV, years after The O.C. ended.
McKenzie earned major acclaim for his role on the drama Southland, where he played a rookie cop. Since then, he's held the leading role on the hit Fox series Gotham, where he plays a young (and very handsome) Det. James Gordon.
He also happens to be in a relationship with Morena Baccarin, who you know best from shows like Homeland and the blockbuster movie Deadpool. The couple just welcomed their first child earlier this year.
Photo: FOX/Getty Images.
2000s Star You Loved: Jesse McCartney
Once upon a time, Jesse McCartney was everywhere — on your magazine covers, on your TV, on your iPod, and even in your dreams.
From 2003 to 2005, he was everyone's crush. He earned a hit single with his album Beautiful Soul, and starred in shows like Summerland and Greek.
But where did he go?
Photo: Tom Briglia/Getty Images.
Where's Jesse McCartney Now?
So, Jesse McCartney has a pretty cool life. In 2007, when everyone was singing along to Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love," McCartney was counting checks. Why? Because he wrote the song.
In 2008, he released another album, called Departure, which included the hit song "Leavin'" — it's okay, you can admit to singing it. Everyone did.
Since then, he's starred on shows like Young and Hungry and been the voice of Theodore in the Alvin and the Chipmunks series. He's also been the voice of Robin/Nightwing on the show Young Justice since 2010.
Most recently, McCartney played Red on AMC's Fear the Walking Dead. He also seems to be friends with Zendaya, which is pretty cool in its own right.
Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images.
2000s Star You Loved: Mandy Moore
Can we all agree that Mandy Moore is an American treasure? Remember when she made you cry in A Walk to Remember? Remember when she left you feeling personally victimized in The Princess Diaries? How about when she was the president's daughter in Chasing Liberty?
Let's not forget that Mandy Moore is also responsible for the happiest of songs, "Candy." Also, that music video featured several VW Bugs and maybe made them cool again?
In any case, she's the best. She's a hero. Iconic. Does she even need to do more?
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.
Where's Mandy Moore Now?
Guess what? National hero Mandy Moore hasn't stopped being a national hero. She starred on Grey's Anatomy in 2010 as Mary Portman. That same year, she was the voice of Rapunzel in one of the best movies ever, Tangled.
She's also been on shows like Red Band Society, and is currently starring on This Is Us.
Photo: Rich Polk/Getty Images.
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Lena Dunham is adding to the list of issues she'd like to advocate for. The avid campaigner for women's equality, who has raised awareness about endometriosis, sexual assault, and more, had a revelation over the weekend about the importance of family and medical leave. It all started when she canceled a book signing at Los Angeles bookstore Book Soup.
"So sorry to miss folks at @BookSoup today! I'm so thankful for the chance to be an indie bookseller but am alas under the weather," she tweeted. One disappointed fan was not okay with this excuse.
"No offense, but you're too sick to sit and sign books? I was back at work six days after a c-section," wrote a woman in a tweet that Dunham screenshotted and posted to Instagram. The message caused the actress-writer-director to do a little soul-searching, she said, even though her knee-jerk reaction was to fight back with sarcasm.
"At first it made me laugh a lot— like, oh, I'm sorry, I left your award in the car," Dunham wrote. "But then I really contemplated how dark it is that our culture prizes these speedy recovery narratives because guess what? They're actually ways to keep women from feeling fucking pissed that they don't have proper maternity leave or medical and family-care resources."
Though there are certain women who speak competitively about how quickly they returned to work following childbirth, a recent poll showed that 72% of Americans support a paid family-leave law. Paid family leave was part of Hillary Clinton's platform, while President-elect Donald Trump promised six weeks of paid leave for new mothers only. Dunham didn't directly mention Trump's victory in her Instagram post, but signaled how everyone can still do their part to change attitudes.
"We may not have an imminent policy change on the way, but we can change the way we talk about this stuff, and treat childbirth (Or fatherhood! Or illness!) as the serious and personal journeys that they are," she said.
Other women chimed in on Instagram to agree with her.
"You're absolutely right, Lena! As great as that is for her, it's really not right for her to shove that expectation on someone else. And it hurts my heart when women do it to other women. Sigh," wrote user nikirae_1k.
"This! We have a right to take the time we need and deserve without being looked down upon or feeling ashamed. Go you for putting your health first. Feel better soon, Lena!" said solbeing8.
On Twitter, however, the comments were less than friendly, reminding Dunham of her previously stated desire to move to Canada if Trump won.
