I'm going to be 67 at the end of this month. I was bred and born a hillbilly. I'd had 3 miscarriages and 2 live children before I was 20, and I had my tubes tied after the second child because I knew if I didn't, I'd just keep having miscarriages or pumping out kids i could not afford to feed. I was a widow at 23, and the struggle to feed two boys was real, I worked my ass off to keep them fed and clothed and raise them to be decent young men. I have 2 children, 8 grandchildren, 7 of which are young women, and 5 great grandchildren, one of which is my very special girl. Man, woman or child, they should all be able to be exactly who they are and want to be, full stop.
I hate the sewer this country has been dragged down into by a political party. represented by two of the most degenerate sleazebags I've seen in my lifetime, that treats women, people of color, LBGTQ, and anyone who isn't stinking rich like expendable garbage. JD Vance, or whatever he's calling himself today, is a small little man with huge mommy and daddy issues that he's let fester into a toxic stew that he now spews over anyone within earshot. He can go fuck himself. I said what I said.
Wait! I think I may have figured out how to do it on my phone! (You CAN teach an old do new tricks!) Let me play with it tonight and see what I can do. Then I'll have to figure out how to get it to you. Learning is fun!
I would love to do that but I wouldn't know where to begin. Recording anything is not in my wheelhouse. But I would do it for you if I knew how. And thank you for giving me a place to speak my mind.
Lainey, I think I figured it all out, although the struggle to figure out how to send it took me a while. But email has been sent with audio attached. Let me know if you got it and what you think.
Could the delay of ARO be as simple as: she wanted to launch in the spring but then her father-in-law and sister-in-law were both diagnosed with cancer so she decided to put a pin in her jams for a while? Obviously there will never be a good time for the Sussexes to do ANYTHING, but medical crises can have a way of reordering priorities
I think that’s a lot of the reason. The outrage when that IG account was set up likely brought more negative energy than she expected especially when the British media is “Meghan is making jam while her sister in law has cancer!” It’s pretty obvious she wasn’t in the loop about what was really going on and she might have not even set it up had she known there was more than just abdominal surgery.
With the current initiatives about online bullying that’s not commercial and Charles and Kate have been seen in public so the Kate Waldo stuff is over. There was a networking thing she recently did too so I expect a push in the fall. Meghan has a high heat score but she faces negative coverage in the Uk in the most insane way. Kamala will be thrown some of the same stuff too, as we have already seen.
"Put a pin in her jams" - I'm chuckling to myself about this on the holiday Monday (in BC). (I saved the Mailbag until today, as I do on long weekends. Can't go without my LG/Squawk fix!) Thank you Miss Mellie!
Regarding the Bellesa sponcon, I can't speak for Canadian instagrammers - but puritanical American attitudes certainly do die hard!! I can just imagine someone clutching their pearls at the frightful notion that people (female-identifying in particular) not only pleasure themselves, but have the *audacity* to be open about it and free from shame. 🙄 So frustrating, Lainey!
Childfree cat lady checking in, and yes - that Insta post was removed because America is an insanely misogynistic country packed with pearl-clutching deplorables who regard female sexual pleasure as filthy and depraved, particularly when a man isn't involved in said pleasure. These are often the same people who think child rape victims should be denied abortions, and who want to allow child marriage, so they clearly don't have a good handle on morality. The sane people know it fucking sucks here. But I have hope lately that things will change, and that's a new feeling. The optimism feels strange, but it's a nice ride to be on.
Anyway. It seems as if Ryan Phillipe is the kind of guy who grew up very beautiful and telegenic, naturally found his way into acting because the camera loves him so much, had a couple of big breaks, and...that was it. Pretty boys abound in Hollywood, and he never really stood out (to me, at least) from the rest of his pack. He has no edge.
Reese, on the other hand, always projected a spunky intelligence even when she was a child actor. And she was always prolific and aimed for bigger and bigger projects. I think she was justifiably unwilling to dumb herself down or tamp down any ambition, and good for her. They were SO young when they married, and I don't think she recognized at the time how lopsided they were in terms of talent and drive.
I actually liked her with Jim Toth. She makes perfect sense next to an executive or CEO - a Type-A dude with his own money and his own interests who won't feel the need to compete with any aspect of her profession. But even they can get insecure.
Did either of you see Freeway? I had to look up the name it’s the movie where she plays a version of Little Red Riding Hood. That was my introduction to Reese and I’ve taken her seriously ever since.
Me too! I’m pretty sure of it. God, I haven’t watched it in at least 30 years. 😳 But I remember loving it and having a gigantic crush on Jason London. There was an enviable screened-in porch involved, somehow. And Sam Waterston is in it. Man, memories unlocked. Now I think I’m gonna go rewatch it.
Sex workers in the US were speaking up en masse against SESTA-FOSTA which was ostensibly an act meant to protect the victims of sex trafficking but was really about pushing sex workers and all sexual health content to the far margins of the Internet. Of course, no one listened and it passed and has maybe helped a dozen sex trafficked victims but has hurt thousands of sex workers by making their jobs more dangerous and has deplatformed sexual health professionals and the people who sell sexual products. Banks don’t want to associate with platforms that can be seen as selling anything vaguely sexual so the online stores drop those people and products. It’s why Etsy is no longer selling sex toys and that’s a loss because I’ve gotten some amazing artisanal sex toys there and the artists who make them now have to find some other platform. There was a big fight in NYC when sexual wellness company Unbound tried to advertise in the subways,the same place where erection meds have been in our faces for years and you can read about that here: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/06/236318/unbound-mta-sex-tech-advertising-dame
I have that same toy from Bellesa! Super stupid and puritanical that anyone was upset about that post. There was absolutely nothing offensive about it in any way.
So much to comment on today! This quote resonates with me strongly: “And the fact that someone is so offended by it almost proves its necessity.” YES. Anytime someone on the far right in the US, where I am, comments negatively on DEI, I think something similar. If you’re this upset at the prospect of having to share space with someone who’s different from you, be it on a board or an actor taking a film role, that shows just how important having space and acknowledgement really is.
Re: Meghan and Harry, maybe that’s her wanting something out there to counteract the still prevalent narrative that she’s some controlling mastermind. I do wonder why ARO hasn’t launched yet and really, really hope she’s able to do that successfully.
I remember that Reese and Ryan Oscars moment but had never seen those photos before. What an absolute tool. Be happy for your talented, successful partner. This person chose to be with you and you should be proud of them! I was an intern at Newsweek when they split and said to one of the entertainment researchers that I was sad to see the news, and she was like “oh no, I’ve heard a lot of stories about how rocky things have been.”
If the site ever went dark for a week or two, that would be when Ben and Jen announce their divorce. I don’t think you guys want that responsibility!!!
I was also thinking that the comments about Meghan’s feeling on the lawsuits could be a way to say that she’s not the one behind them. Not that it will make a difference to people that already hate her.
Unfortunately yes, I do. Men are often conditioned to equate professional success with their masculinity and a less evolved guy can feel insecure when his partner shines brighter. I’m sure there are also women out there who struggle with it as well, though. I’d be interested to hear what you think, too!
I've noticed that women play the supportive spouse more than not. I think men are raised to feel like they should be centered. Even aggressions are supposed to be cute (pulling hair, etc). It's difficult to change that thinking without it being nurtured. Many women are raised on centering whatever the man wants so I can understand their temporary loss of equilibrium. Narcissistic jobs like acting could make it worse.
I remember that really well... Fragile egos. Didn't ScarJo (sorry Scarlett Johansson) mention something along the lines (and I paraphrase) "dating another actor can turn into a competition"
I believe it. I didn’t remember this scene specifically but I do the general vibe of his anger at her success leading to their break-up and his career never really going anywhere after. Gosford Park is the last thing I remember him in.
Lainey, I am enraged with you about this Bellesa brand deal censorship bullshit with IG and pearl-clutching assholes!
First, I love Bellesa. I have several of their products — have won one through a social media giveaway! — and very regularly watch their porn, made for and by women.
Separately, I am a (very, very tiny) investor in another sexual wellness company founded by a badass Latina sexologist, and hearing her stories about the fundraising environment for sexual wellness founders, as well as others in SexTech (follow Cindy Gallop, another bad ass ad exec turned founder of Make Love Not Porn!), it’s so infuriating to know how many barriers there are to women getting off on their own fucking terms!
Did y’all see the comments on that imbedded IG video about “the Rose?” I saw them on TikTok and there are thousands of comments from women saying how often they masturbate and consume porn. There is nothing shameful about that!
But, oh yes, Donald Trump and his deranged Project 25 team want to BAN PORN. Yes, that’s right. ALL PORN.
There are a million reasons he cannot be re-elected, but a world without birth control, abortion, childcare access/leave or porn? GFTO.
One of the scariest aspects is what they plan to *designate* as porn. Librarians and teachers are particularly fucked, since a YA novel that features any characters other than the hetero norm will get flagged and there might be actual prison time involved.
It sounds conspiratorial to even type all that, but Project 2025 is some FUBAR shit.
I work in an industry that’s rendered me paranoid as hell about sharing my data, and my dumbassed state requires residents to flash an ID proving their age before they access any porn. So…lately, it’s just my imagination when it comes to bean flicking for me.
Or just…BOREDOM. I don’t think dudes realize that masturbation appeals to women in the same way a lot of dudes profess to habitually do it: it’s just a way to pass idle time and feel good. It sometimes helps me sleep, and at least I’m not inching away from a wet spot afterwards.
And I know I’ll never get knocked up, which is the biggest plus of all.
Wait—“my dumbassed state requires residents to flash an ID proving their age before they access any porn.”
WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK?!
That’s a real thing happening in the U.S., right now? That is WILD!!
I am probably way too liberal with my data sharing, and watch porn on an incognito browser (as if that really does anything to protect me from being imprisoned under project 2025). I mean, that would be a hell of a way to go to jail… I think the Catholic upbringing has me in a chokehold in case I die young and my MAGA conservative parents find out who their oldest daughter really is (a healthy childless dog lady—oh my!).
Anywho, like you, I have been feeling hope over the past two weeks for the first time in about a decade, and truly hope that we will have a progressive female president to make this country less of a dumpster fire, where women have rights and it’s a more safe and equitable place for ALL those who live here. 🙏
Oh, man. Kathleen. My deepest sympathies go out to you in having MAGA parents. That must be extremely rough and disconcerting. Makes conversations difficult, I’m sure. I have those relatives, but they’re distant. Whenever I’m around them, I’m always bracing myself for an offensive comment or two, and they’re always pretty reliable in that aspect.
Yep. The ID thing is an actuality. I live in a solidly purple state. We range from the urban far, far left to people who are situated in super rural areas and are willfully isolated. I’ve thought a lot about moving somewhere super liberal, but the area where I live is so gorgeous. It’s complicated when you have roots and attachments.
BUT! I’m fully in love with Kamala, and so are an LOT of people, and I think she can take it! The religious puritans have had a wide platform and stage for far too long, and people here are restless, enraged, and over it. She’s smart as hell, charming AF, and already isn’t taking any shit. I’m so stoked at the idea of her being President that it’s almost overwhelming. But I think she’ll get there!
Oh my gosh, I really hope that your state turns blue and that she is elected, and some of those conservative laws will change! I feel like Trump is realizing he has no chance in November and is majorly spiraling (aka likely selling secrets to our enemies to help him illegally win). It’s going to be a WILD next 97 days. 🤢
Having MAGA parents has been more awful than you can imagine. It led to shutting down my startup and moving out of state to get some space from them. We had gone months without speaking, but are on fine terms now—if politics come up, I hang up/leave—but I take a two week vacation with my mom this month (dad backed out of Italy for my sister’s friends wedding and who am I to say no to a paid trip!) and I have so much pre-trip anxiety. Pray for me!
Quoted in PEOPLE is what stuck, and then I was confused at the point? I read a quote of the quote so I'll have to go back and check the context for myself. However, I can understand her wanting him to let them be horrible without him. I also see why he's digging in. They're awful and when it's your family and you know their methods...war feels necessary. Is it necessary? It's impossible to be clear when it's family. His dad really keeps testing the limits, while his consort turns his head however she pleases. This is why we watch messy TV shows. Humanity is messy and entertaining. To bring it back around the maypole....MAYBE she's getting distance so they can't blame her for his actions (she's supporting him, but this is his idea and his fight...but she'll still be blamed. These rude people really think her mom's DNA is making him protective of his family.) Is Harry about to go scorched earth, and she's standing back as the Windsors have a slap fight about their specialness??? The irony of their cyber bullying project will be that their cyber bully (UK Press & Windsors) will be the most bigoted about Columbia as possible. Keep going girl (UK), do your show. Siggghhh.
The quote is from a former Archwell employee though so just how sanctioned is this? Employment relationships are hit and miss in terms of ending well. If this was coming from a friend then it might be more likely to be from Meghan. This sounds like something the person assumed. It’s doubtful Meghan is confiding her thoughts about Harry to her employees.
It’s PEOPLE though. Not the Daily Mail. PEOPLE does not have a hater agenda where H&M are concerned. And remember this is the same publication that had five or so of M’s friends talking about the wedding and her dad and sticking up for her against all the hate. If PEOPLE is doing a cover story in H&M there’s no way they don’t give the Sussexes the heads up. Which makes it more likely that M knew about that quote.
I don't know that I read it as her thoughts, as much as possibly an agreement they have that she could get it out there that this is not her idea. These people (UK et al) have been trying to paint her as the divisive puppet for all legitimate factual details brought up about their very dangerous moves towards them. Some have talked about their older relatives on here and discussing how they blame her for, you know, not absorbing the abuse and talking so much about her suicidal ideation from said abuse. Basically, being so American and Black and making them see how the stiff upper lip line is always moving depending on your ethnic mix. So here we are about four or more years later and she's tapping out...off the record/on the record. She's got his back, but her name is Less and she's not in that mess.
They have race riots going on as we speak in the UK, so maybe Meghan distancing herself from lawsuits that only involve Harry isn’t the worst idea. Clearly a lot of the hatred fomented against her by the British media was racist and xenophobic and it carries on to this day against her. The spam bots that hit articles about her are unreal. The new initiative they launched has tweets of the CBS Sunday Morning interview and then total garbage underneath. It’s crazy. And her comments when Jane Pauley asks about the through line from her suicidal ideation to the initiative confirms that she hasn’t unpacked everything she had to deal with. (Which also includes what Harry’s family did to her but that is another story)
I still don’t think she got that archwell employee to speak to people but if she was contacted maybe she felt it wasn’t the worst thing to say that she supports Harry but hopes the lawsuit don’t drain him. Harry is fighting the British establishment in both cases and that’s a hard hill to climb.
We're not disagreeing. I'm not saying she sent that person out. Honestly, I don't think she sent her friends out. They decided to get something on record and she didn't have fingerprints on it. I don't believe she sent the ex employee out. Just that she would have known it was coming. I don't think she's been actively sending much out because she's still bruised. Any normal human being would be shell shocked from that level of public abuse sanctioned from YOUR NEW FAMILY. (There's a Gwyneth Paltrow movie where her MIL is torturing her right under the husband's nose, but I don't recall the title and this reminds me of this. Except, there is no resolution because his hometown media and family are relentless.) I think the point was that she'd be aware and Lainey is pointing that out because PEOPLE is so onside (to a point, but especially since Harry is on the cover) that they'd get a go ahead before burning that bridge. This is not Pagesix. All your points are valid about how aggressive the UK media and his family has been from the first word. Let's not forget that in Europe they're abusive towards their football teams if they're unhappy with the performance. Your birth comes into question and slurs get flung around with ease along with fruit (yes, it can even be used for racism). People forget that it originated there because the colonies were so loudly following in Mother's (Europe)footsteps after she pretended those days were gone and too barbaric to mention. White English speaking colonies (Americans, South Africans, Canadians, Australians) get the heat, but they learned it from their parents in Europe. It's similar in South America, but then we'd have to discuss destabilizing methods and we'd be right back at the main point. The parents.
And I appreciate that Bellesa is the kind of sponcon you do - it is so infuriating that that kind of content is considered inappropriate! And also a bit scary and depressing, that someone would complain about that, and that the post would be pulled down because of it.
I was happy to see that the Meghan and Harry articles on People pinged your gossip radar, Lainey! I was kind of wondering yesterday why there wasn’t any chatter on the Squawk about it. It seems very notable that there were several People articles about them - also articles about Charles and Harry, Harry and William, the upcoming CBS interview, and this Colombia trip. All within the space of a couple of days and all People so, as you say, likely somehow sanctioned by them. It seems like they are making some kind of move and I have no idea what the strategy is but it definitely seems like there is one? And that’s maybe Harry is making some moves re: his dad and brother?? I wonder what we’ll see in the coming month or two.
The Bellesa takedown is ridiculous! Of all the crap on Instagram to object to. I personally prefer this post to all of the ass in a thong photos and shots of Kanye's new gf walking around barely covered. But I don't ask Insta to block those. I won't get started on the larger societal themes as they have been well covered by my fellow Squawkers.
Lainey, I don’t disagree with any of your assessment about the larger puritanical state of our society - but I do want to let you know there’s a good chance IG itself flagged your post. The beauty brand I work for has been seeing ads as innocuous as before & after photos get flagged. It’s because they don’t have real humans checking sponsored content, just an algorithm…which IMO speaks to overlapping concerns about the tech industry’s priorities, the “enshittification of the internet” and the need to hold them accountable. How is it possible they continue to have such a problem with the proliferation of CSAM, exploitative material, and half of the ads are identity theft scams, but THIS gets flagged immediately??
Anyway, I love that LG has stayed independent and that the Squawk has given me a way to pay for the content I enjoy via a subscription model.
It's definitely possible it was them and not an end user report/flag. Those algos are written by people though and as we've seen in docs and countless reports, someone has to program those algos and it's not often a very diverse group of programmers. We also find brands are so cautious with their messaging, especially in Canada, that they feed the ecosystem with these ultra conservative, ultra safe content filters.
I'm going to be 67 at the end of this month. I was bred and born a hillbilly. I'd had 3 miscarriages and 2 live children before I was 20, and I had my tubes tied after the second child because I knew if I didn't, I'd just keep having miscarriages or pumping out kids i could not afford to feed. I was a widow at 23, and the struggle to feed two boys was real, I worked my ass off to keep them fed and clothed and raise them to be decent young men. I have 2 children, 8 grandchildren, 7 of which are young women, and 5 great grandchildren, one of which is my very special girl. Man, woman or child, they should all be able to be exactly who they are and want to be, full stop.
I hate the sewer this country has been dragged down into by a political party. represented by two of the most degenerate sleazebags I've seen in my lifetime, that treats women, people of color, LBGTQ, and anyone who isn't stinking rich like expendable garbage. JD Vance, or whatever he's calling himself today, is a small little man with huge mommy and daddy issues that he's let fester into a toxic stew that he now spews over anyone within earshot. He can go fuck himself. I said what I said.
If you'd like to record a version of this comment on audio, I would download it and listen whenever i need a pump up. THANK YOU!
Wait! I think I may have figured out how to do it on my phone! (You CAN teach an old do new tricks!) Let me play with it tonight and see what I can do. Then I'll have to figure out how to get it to you. Learning is fun!
I would love to do that but I wouldn't know where to begin. Recording anything is not in my wheelhouse. But I would do it for you if I knew how. And thank you for giving me a place to speak my mind.
Lainey, I think I figured it all out, although the struggle to figure out how to send it took me a while. But email has been sent with audio attached. Let me know if you got it and what you think.
Andrea, first. You are incredible. Truly. Damn. Thank you for sharing this.
And I concur with you—in the words of the late, great Nipsey Hussle: “FUCK DONALD TRUMP!”(And JD Vance!)
Thank you, Kathleen. I think you're incredible, too.
👏👏👏
Could the delay of ARO be as simple as: she wanted to launch in the spring but then her father-in-law and sister-in-law were both diagnosed with cancer so she decided to put a pin in her jams for a while? Obviously there will never be a good time for the Sussexes to do ANYTHING, but medical crises can have a way of reordering priorities
I think that’s a lot of the reason. The outrage when that IG account was set up likely brought more negative energy than she expected especially when the British media is “Meghan is making jam while her sister in law has cancer!” It’s pretty obvious she wasn’t in the loop about what was really going on and she might have not even set it up had she known there was more than just abdominal surgery.
With the current initiatives about online bullying that’s not commercial and Charles and Kate have been seen in public so the Kate Waldo stuff is over. There was a networking thing she recently did too so I expect a push in the fall. Meghan has a high heat score but she faces negative coverage in the Uk in the most insane way. Kamala will be thrown some of the same stuff too, as we have already seen.
"Put a pin in her jams" - I'm chuckling to myself about this on the holiday Monday (in BC). (I saved the Mailbag until today, as I do on long weekends. Can't go without my LG/Squawk fix!) Thank you Miss Mellie!
Regarding the Bellesa sponcon, I can't speak for Canadian instagrammers - but puritanical American attitudes certainly do die hard!! I can just imagine someone clutching their pearls at the frightful notion that people (female-identifying in particular) not only pleasure themselves, but have the *audacity* to be open about it and free from shame. 🙄 So frustrating, Lainey!
Childfree cat lady checking in, and yes - that Insta post was removed because America is an insanely misogynistic country packed with pearl-clutching deplorables who regard female sexual pleasure as filthy and depraved, particularly when a man isn't involved in said pleasure. These are often the same people who think child rape victims should be denied abortions, and who want to allow child marriage, so they clearly don't have a good handle on morality. The sane people know it fucking sucks here. But I have hope lately that things will change, and that's a new feeling. The optimism feels strange, but it's a nice ride to be on.
Anyway. It seems as if Ryan Phillipe is the kind of guy who grew up very beautiful and telegenic, naturally found his way into acting because the camera loves him so much, had a couple of big breaks, and...that was it. Pretty boys abound in Hollywood, and he never really stood out (to me, at least) from the rest of his pack. He has no edge.
Reese, on the other hand, always projected a spunky intelligence even when she was a child actor. And she was always prolific and aimed for bigger and bigger projects. I think she was justifiably unwilling to dumb herself down or tamp down any ambition, and good for her. They were SO young when they married, and I don't think she recognized at the time how lopsided they were in terms of talent and drive.
I actually liked her with Jim Toth. She makes perfect sense next to an executive or CEO - a Type-A dude with his own money and his own interests who won't feel the need to compete with any aspect of her profession. But even they can get insecure.
I think the first movie I saw her was "The Man in the Moon"
Same! What a coming of age story. 😳 Then Fear! Nicole 4eva. Holy shit that movie fucked me up for awhile. Marky Mark was so unhinged.
It’s so wrong and unfair that I automatically think of Marky fucking Mark whenever I see a Ferris wheel. I’m serious!!
Hahhaha I just hear “Wiiiiiiild Horses” and see Nicole 4eva etched into his chest.
But then it’s quickly replaced with visuals of Catholic freak Mark Walberg and I need to immediately think of Oscar Isaac and puppies.
Did either of you see Freeway? I had to look up the name it’s the movie where she plays a version of Little Red Riding Hood. That was my introduction to Reese and I’ve taken her seriously ever since.
omg freeway!!! haven't seen in YEARS
I don't remember if I watched it
Me too! I’m pretty sure of it. God, I haven’t watched it in at least 30 years. 😳 But I remember loving it and having a gigantic crush on Jason London. There was an enviable screened-in porch involved, somehow. And Sam Waterston is in it. Man, memories unlocked. Now I think I’m gonna go rewatch it.
Sex workers in the US were speaking up en masse against SESTA-FOSTA which was ostensibly an act meant to protect the victims of sex trafficking but was really about pushing sex workers and all sexual health content to the far margins of the Internet. Of course, no one listened and it passed and has maybe helped a dozen sex trafficked victims but has hurt thousands of sex workers by making their jobs more dangerous and has deplatformed sexual health professionals and the people who sell sexual products. Banks don’t want to associate with platforms that can be seen as selling anything vaguely sexual so the online stores drop those people and products. It’s why Etsy is no longer selling sex toys and that’s a loss because I’ve gotten some amazing artisanal sex toys there and the artists who make them now have to find some other platform. There was a big fight in NYC when sexual wellness company Unbound tried to advertise in the subways,the same place where erection meds have been in our faces for years and you can read about that here: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/06/236318/unbound-mta-sex-tech-advertising-dame
I have that same toy from Bellesa! Super stupid and puritanical that anyone was upset about that post. There was absolutely nothing offensive about it in any way.
So much to comment on today! This quote resonates with me strongly: “And the fact that someone is so offended by it almost proves its necessity.” YES. Anytime someone on the far right in the US, where I am, comments negatively on DEI, I think something similar. If you’re this upset at the prospect of having to share space with someone who’s different from you, be it on a board or an actor taking a film role, that shows just how important having space and acknowledgement really is.
Re: Meghan and Harry, maybe that’s her wanting something out there to counteract the still prevalent narrative that she’s some controlling mastermind. I do wonder why ARO hasn’t launched yet and really, really hope she’s able to do that successfully.
I remember that Reese and Ryan Oscars moment but had never seen those photos before. What an absolute tool. Be happy for your talented, successful partner. This person chose to be with you and you should be proud of them! I was an intern at Newsweek when they split and said to one of the entertainment researchers that I was sad to see the news, and she was like “oh no, I’ve heard a lot of stories about how rocky things have been.”
If the site ever went dark for a week or two, that would be when Ben and Jen announce their divorce. I don’t think you guys want that responsibility!!!
I was also thinking that the comments about Meghan’s feeling on the lawsuits could be a way to say that she’s not the one behind them. Not that it will make a difference to people that already hate her.
I agree — sadly, it won’t make a difference to those people with this intense, unreasonable hatred of her.
Do you think it's a larger ratio of men than women who can't handle their partner shining brighter?
Unfortunately yes, I do. Men are often conditioned to equate professional success with their masculinity and a less evolved guy can feel insecure when his partner shines brighter. I’m sure there are also women out there who struggle with it as well, though. I’d be interested to hear what you think, too!
I've noticed that women play the supportive spouse more than not. I think men are raised to feel like they should be centered. Even aggressions are supposed to be cute (pulling hair, etc). It's difficult to change that thinking without it being nurtured. Many women are raised on centering whatever the man wants so I can understand their temporary loss of equilibrium. Narcissistic jobs like acting could make it worse.
I agree with all this
Wow, I had never seen that video of Ryan and Reese presenting at the Oscars before and I’m actually sitting here fuming. What an ass.
I remember that really well... Fragile egos. Didn't ScarJo (sorry Scarlett Johansson) mention something along the lines (and I paraphrase) "dating another actor can turn into a competition"
I believe it. I didn’t remember this scene specifically but I do the general vibe of his anger at her success leading to their break-up and his career never really going anywhere after. Gosford Park is the last thing I remember him in.
..." yes, when I travel, I often bring my sex toy with me." As one should!!! How upsetting that the post was flagged as inappropriate 😤
Lainey, I am enraged with you about this Bellesa brand deal censorship bullshit with IG and pearl-clutching assholes!
First, I love Bellesa. I have several of their products — have won one through a social media giveaway! — and very regularly watch their porn, made for and by women.
Separately, I am a (very, very tiny) investor in another sexual wellness company founded by a badass Latina sexologist, and hearing her stories about the fundraising environment for sexual wellness founders, as well as others in SexTech (follow Cindy Gallop, another bad ass ad exec turned founder of Make Love Not Porn!), it’s so infuriating to know how many barriers there are to women getting off on their own fucking terms!
Did y’all see the comments on that imbedded IG video about “the Rose?” I saw them on TikTok and there are thousands of comments from women saying how often they masturbate and consume porn. There is nothing shameful about that!
But, oh yes, Donald Trump and his deranged Project 25 team want to BAN PORN. Yes, that’s right. ALL PORN.
There are a million reasons he cannot be re-elected, but a world without birth control, abortion, childcare access/leave or porn? GFTO.
One of the scariest aspects is what they plan to *designate* as porn. Librarians and teachers are particularly fucked, since a YA novel that features any characters other than the hetero norm will get flagged and there might be actual prison time involved.
It sounds conspiratorial to even type all that, but Project 2025 is some FUBAR shit.
I work in an industry that’s rendered me paranoid as hell about sharing my data, and my dumbassed state requires residents to flash an ID proving their age before they access any porn. So…lately, it’s just my imagination when it comes to bean flicking for me.
Or just…BOREDOM. I don’t think dudes realize that masturbation appeals to women in the same way a lot of dudes profess to habitually do it: it’s just a way to pass idle time and feel good. It sometimes helps me sleep, and at least I’m not inching away from a wet spot afterwards.
And I know I’ll never get knocked up, which is the biggest plus of all.
Wait—“my dumbassed state requires residents to flash an ID proving their age before they access any porn.”
WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK?!
That’s a real thing happening in the U.S., right now? That is WILD!!
I am probably way too liberal with my data sharing, and watch porn on an incognito browser (as if that really does anything to protect me from being imprisoned under project 2025). I mean, that would be a hell of a way to go to jail… I think the Catholic upbringing has me in a chokehold in case I die young and my MAGA conservative parents find out who their oldest daughter really is (a healthy childless dog lady—oh my!).
Anywho, like you, I have been feeling hope over the past two weeks for the first time in about a decade, and truly hope that we will have a progressive female president to make this country less of a dumpster fire, where women have rights and it’s a more safe and equitable place for ALL those who live here. 🙏
Oh, man. Kathleen. My deepest sympathies go out to you in having MAGA parents. That must be extremely rough and disconcerting. Makes conversations difficult, I’m sure. I have those relatives, but they’re distant. Whenever I’m around them, I’m always bracing myself for an offensive comment or two, and they’re always pretty reliable in that aspect.
Yep. The ID thing is an actuality. I live in a solidly purple state. We range from the urban far, far left to people who are situated in super rural areas and are willfully isolated. I’ve thought a lot about moving somewhere super liberal, but the area where I live is so gorgeous. It’s complicated when you have roots and attachments.
BUT! I’m fully in love with Kamala, and so are an LOT of people, and I think she can take it! The religious puritans have had a wide platform and stage for far too long, and people here are restless, enraged, and over it. She’s smart as hell, charming AF, and already isn’t taking any shit. I’m so stoked at the idea of her being President that it’s almost overwhelming. But I think she’ll get there!
Oh my gosh, I really hope that your state turns blue and that she is elected, and some of those conservative laws will change! I feel like Trump is realizing he has no chance in November and is majorly spiraling (aka likely selling secrets to our enemies to help him illegally win). It’s going to be a WILD next 97 days. 🤢
Having MAGA parents has been more awful than you can imagine. It led to shutting down my startup and moving out of state to get some space from them. We had gone months without speaking, but are on fine terms now—if politics come up, I hang up/leave—but I take a two week vacation with my mom this month (dad backed out of Italy for my sister’s friends wedding and who am I to say no to a paid trip!) and I have so much pre-trip anxiety. Pray for me!
Quoted in PEOPLE is what stuck, and then I was confused at the point? I read a quote of the quote so I'll have to go back and check the context for myself. However, I can understand her wanting him to let them be horrible without him. I also see why he's digging in. They're awful and when it's your family and you know their methods...war feels necessary. Is it necessary? It's impossible to be clear when it's family. His dad really keeps testing the limits, while his consort turns his head however she pleases. This is why we watch messy TV shows. Humanity is messy and entertaining. To bring it back around the maypole....MAYBE she's getting distance so they can't blame her for his actions (she's supporting him, but this is his idea and his fight...but she'll still be blamed. These rude people really think her mom's DNA is making him protective of his family.) Is Harry about to go scorched earth, and she's standing back as the Windsors have a slap fight about their specialness??? The irony of their cyber bullying project will be that their cyber bully (UK Press & Windsors) will be the most bigoted about Columbia as possible. Keep going girl (UK), do your show. Siggghhh.
The quote is from a former Archwell employee though so just how sanctioned is this? Employment relationships are hit and miss in terms of ending well. If this was coming from a friend then it might be more likely to be from Meghan. This sounds like something the person assumed. It’s doubtful Meghan is confiding her thoughts about Harry to her employees.
It’s PEOPLE though. Not the Daily Mail. PEOPLE does not have a hater agenda where H&M are concerned. And remember this is the same publication that had five or so of M’s friends talking about the wedding and her dad and sticking up for her against all the hate. If PEOPLE is doing a cover story in H&M there’s no way they don’t give the Sussexes the heads up. Which makes it more likely that M knew about that quote.
I don't know that I read it as her thoughts, as much as possibly an agreement they have that she could get it out there that this is not her idea. These people (UK et al) have been trying to paint her as the divisive puppet for all legitimate factual details brought up about their very dangerous moves towards them. Some have talked about their older relatives on here and discussing how they blame her for, you know, not absorbing the abuse and talking so much about her suicidal ideation from said abuse. Basically, being so American and Black and making them see how the stiff upper lip line is always moving depending on your ethnic mix. So here we are about four or more years later and she's tapping out...off the record/on the record. She's got his back, but her name is Less and she's not in that mess.
They have race riots going on as we speak in the UK, so maybe Meghan distancing herself from lawsuits that only involve Harry isn’t the worst idea. Clearly a lot of the hatred fomented against her by the British media was racist and xenophobic and it carries on to this day against her. The spam bots that hit articles about her are unreal. The new initiative they launched has tweets of the CBS Sunday Morning interview and then total garbage underneath. It’s crazy. And her comments when Jane Pauley asks about the through line from her suicidal ideation to the initiative confirms that she hasn’t unpacked everything she had to deal with. (Which also includes what Harry’s family did to her but that is another story)
I still don’t think she got that archwell employee to speak to people but if she was contacted maybe she felt it wasn’t the worst thing to say that she supports Harry but hopes the lawsuit don’t drain him. Harry is fighting the British establishment in both cases and that’s a hard hill to climb.
We're not disagreeing. I'm not saying she sent that person out. Honestly, I don't think she sent her friends out. They decided to get something on record and she didn't have fingerprints on it. I don't believe she sent the ex employee out. Just that she would have known it was coming. I don't think she's been actively sending much out because she's still bruised. Any normal human being would be shell shocked from that level of public abuse sanctioned from YOUR NEW FAMILY. (There's a Gwyneth Paltrow movie where her MIL is torturing her right under the husband's nose, but I don't recall the title and this reminds me of this. Except, there is no resolution because his hometown media and family are relentless.) I think the point was that she'd be aware and Lainey is pointing that out because PEOPLE is so onside (to a point, but especially since Harry is on the cover) that they'd get a go ahead before burning that bridge. This is not Pagesix. All your points are valid about how aggressive the UK media and his family has been from the first word. Let's not forget that in Europe they're abusive towards their football teams if they're unhappy with the performance. Your birth comes into question and slurs get flung around with ease along with fruit (yes, it can even be used for racism). People forget that it originated there because the colonies were so loudly following in Mother's (Europe)footsteps after she pretended those days were gone and too barbaric to mention. White English speaking colonies (Americans, South Africans, Canadians, Australians) get the heat, but they learned it from their parents in Europe. It's similar in South America, but then we'd have to discuss destabilizing methods and we'd be right back at the main point. The parents.
And I appreciate that Bellesa is the kind of sponcon you do - it is so infuriating that that kind of content is considered inappropriate! And also a bit scary and depressing, that someone would complain about that, and that the post would be pulled down because of it.
I was happy to see that the Meghan and Harry articles on People pinged your gossip radar, Lainey! I was kind of wondering yesterday why there wasn’t any chatter on the Squawk about it. It seems very notable that there were several People articles about them - also articles about Charles and Harry, Harry and William, the upcoming CBS interview, and this Colombia trip. All within the space of a couple of days and all People so, as you say, likely somehow sanctioned by them. It seems like they are making some kind of move and I have no idea what the strategy is but it definitely seems like there is one? And that’s maybe Harry is making some moves re: his dad and brother?? I wonder what we’ll see in the coming month or two.
I always remember this old interview where Reese Witherspoon once said that Ryan would have the better career out of the two of them. Ha.
It also makes me want to order the Pebble out of spite.... but you would have to pry my Satisfyer out of my cold dead hands.
Mind you, what a way to go!
The Bellesa takedown is ridiculous! Of all the crap on Instagram to object to. I personally prefer this post to all of the ass in a thong photos and shots of Kanye's new gf walking around barely covered. But I don't ask Insta to block those. I won't get started on the larger societal themes as they have been well covered by my fellow Squawkers.
Lainey, I don’t disagree with any of your assessment about the larger puritanical state of our society - but I do want to let you know there’s a good chance IG itself flagged your post. The beauty brand I work for has been seeing ads as innocuous as before & after photos get flagged. It’s because they don’t have real humans checking sponsored content, just an algorithm…which IMO speaks to overlapping concerns about the tech industry’s priorities, the “enshittification of the internet” and the need to hold them accountable. How is it possible they continue to have such a problem with the proliferation of CSAM, exploitative material, and half of the ads are identity theft scams, but THIS gets flagged immediately??
Anyway, I love that LG has stayed independent and that the Squawk has given me a way to pay for the content I enjoy via a subscription model.
It's definitely possible it was them and not an end user report/flag. Those algos are written by people though and as we've seen in docs and countless reports, someone has to program those algos and it's not often a very diverse group of programmers. We also find brands are so cautious with their messaging, especially in Canada, that they feed the ecosystem with these ultra conservative, ultra safe content filters.