Drake and Serena Williams Were Caught Making Out in a Restaurant

August 24, 2015, 1:40 pm

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It looks like Drake and Serena Williams are way more than just friends (sorry, Common).

After the "Take Care" rapper watched the tennis pro win the WTA tournament in Cincinnati Sunday (the below pic of Drake looking at a blurry Serena exhibits thirst), the two headed to upscale Italian restaurant, Sotto, and indulged in more than just the food.

According to TMZ, they "couldn't keep their hands and lips off of each other," and the site has the pictures to prove it. They were also reportedly joined by six other people and ordered a round of tequila shots.

This isn't the first time Drake and Serena have been linked together, though. Back in 2012, Drake and her ex-boyfriend, Common, got into a bit of a feud over just that, with the "Glory" rapper later telling VLAD TV in 2014 that his beef with Drake was over her.

"For me, I think it was an emotional thing," he added. "Meaning, I was feeling like, at that time, I think it was the Drake-Serena situation. I didn't know what was going on with that.'" In addition to that former beef, Drake also rapped about Serena on "Worst Behavior," saying, "I'm with my whole set, tennis matches at the crib/ I swear I could beat Serena when she playing with her left."

For now, Drake and Serena are keeping mum about all of this, but it would be tough to deny what's in those pictures (or this gif).

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Rob Kardashian Bumps Into Kylie Jenner and Tyga During His Morning Workout

August 24, 2015, 1:56 pm

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Rob Kardashian has been much more active on social media lately and we have to say, we like what we see.

While the recluse 28-year-old has had his fair share of drama with various members of his family and airing some of it out on social media, his most recent posts seem to suggest that he's getting along well with everyone again.

In addition to posting some cute pics of Kanye West and his niece North, Rob also shared one of Kim Kardashian's recent tweets about a hike they went on together, which was a nice change from the last thing he 'grammed about her.

Today, he shared an even more awesome post, with a paparazzi-style pic of Kylie Jenner and Tyga that he took while he was on his morning hike. "Spotted these fools on the morning workout," he wrote, along with the photo below.

We love everything about this pic. First, we think it's so cool that they live so close that they actually bump into each other in their neighborhood. Second, we think it's actually really cute that Tyga and Kylie were doing their morning workout together and finally, we love that Rob was doing a morning workout because we know that getting back on his workout grind is something he's struggled with.

In a recent interview, Khloe Kardashian (who Rob is currently living with) told E! News that Rob has "been working out a little and trying to get his groove back. And he acknowledges it! He's aware that he's very introverted and of course not the way he used to be. I think being aware is probably the best thing."

Looks like he's moving in the right direction!

via GIPHY

Kelly Osbourne Blasts Giuliana Rancic: "She's a Liar"

August 24, 2015, 3:17 pm

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After Kelly Osbourne got blasted for her comment about Latinos on the View, it seemed like that would be a good time to let her beef with Giuliana Rancic go (if there still was one)...and yet, here we are again.

This go-round, the former Fashion Police host kept it all the way real about her feelings for Giuliana, telling TheWrap at the 4th Annual NYX Face Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday, "I will never admit to liking Giuliana because I don't. I don't think she's a good person and I think she's a liar."

Kelly's latest snap comes six months after she threw Giuliana under the bus for a seemingly racist comment the former E! News host made on Fashion Police about Zendaya's dreadlocks at the Oscars.

What makes this situation a little crazy though is Kelly created her own racial scandal (and was called a hypocrite on social media) after she tried to make a point about presidential hopeful Donald Trump's controversial comments about Latinos.

"If you kick every Latino out of this country, then who is going to be cleaning your toilet, Donald Trump?," she said. Clearly, that wasn't the best thing to say. She later apologized on Facebook, writing, "I whole-hearted f**ked up today. I don't want to bullsh*t anyone with lame excuses."

I want to start by saying I ALWAYS take responsibility for my actions. In this particular case I will take...

Posted by Kelly Osbourne on Tuesday, August 4, 2015

When Giuliana was asked to comment about Kelly's scandal on E! News, she refused to bash her (but slightly shaded her anyway), saying, "I've decided to take the high road on this one. Frankly, I don't feel the need to comment because I think Kelly's comments on live television speak for themselves."

Giuliana's comments were made during a taped segment that she claimed was a part of a script.

'Pretty Little Liars' Fans Are Losing It Over This Tweet About Charlotte

August 24, 2015, 4:34 pm

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The drama on Pretty Little Liars may have died down for now, but a tweet from the show's official handle is already stirring up controversy ahead of the season 6B.

According to Seventeen, a tweet popped up on the show's feed Monday that had a meme of Alison DiLaurentis​, in which she asks her father "He's alive and he's coming for us, isn't he?" While the tweet appeared to be just a clue for what's to come next season, fans didn't take it that way when they read the caption, which said, "He. She. It. Charlotte. #PrettyLittleLiars."
The problem with that is it was revealed in the season-six summer finale that 'A' is Charlotte Dilaurentis - a transgender woman going by the name of Charlotte who changed her name to CeCe Drake when she met the Liars.

She is also Alison's older sister, so the meme made it looks like Alison was referring to Charlotte with that quote. And fans were beyond heated about it.

@ABCFpll if you're referring to Charlotte as an "it" you're about to get some death threats from me

- ️pastry terrorist (@eddiexcx) August 24, 2015

.@ABCFpll did you ever think about your trans viewers, who've spent years consuming your show? and this is how you repay them? good riddance

- big gay hate machine (@dykebutt) August 24, 2015

.@abcfpll An apology is owed NOW. A promise to educate your social media staff and a big FAT donation to a trans group should follow.

- Liz (@gatecrewgirl) August 24, 2015

So far, ABC Family hasn't commented on the meme or the controversy it sparked, but they did delete the tweet.

Justin Bieber Had Hilarious Reaction When Fan Tried to Kiss Him

August 24, 2015, 5:05 pm

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Who wouldn't want to plant a big ol' wet one on Justin Bieber? That's exactly what one Belieber was thinking when she recently met the Biebs outside the Z100 radio station studio in New York City.

Justin got more than he bargained for when the female fan got so excited, she actually stole a kiss while posing for photos. Get it girl!

The kiss, which was first featured on the Instagram page @officialbiebernews, came as a surprise to Justin, who spent the morning hanging out with a number of his biggest fans. The Belieber buttered him up by snuggling a bit, before prepping her lips in an attempt to score a kissy kiss from the singer.

Justin didn't act like it didn't happen or anything. In the video, he can be heard saying, "Are you trying to kiss me right now?" before allowing the adoring fan smooch him on the cheek. #CutestThingEver

This radio show visit is just the latest of promotional events Justin has been doing in the lead up to the release of his new, yet-untitled album, which is said to drop on Friday, November 13. He's been hyping us all up for his new single "What Do You Mean?" which he's had like every famous friend of his help promote. He's releasing that bad boy in four days. Holler!

Watch the Biebs and his cute fan interaction, below. #Luckiestgirlever?

24th Aug: Video of Justin with a Fan at Z100 Radio Station

A video posted by Justin Bieber News (@officialbiebernews) on Aug 24, 2015 at 9:04am PDT

24th Aug: Video of Justin with a Fan at Z100 Radio Station

A video posted by Justin Bieber News (@officialbiebernews) on Aug 24, 2015 at 9:05am PDT

Students at Old Dominion University are Outraged by Sexist Signs and Here's Why

August 24, 2015, 5:40 pm

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College is supposed to be a time where young people can expand their horizons, discover new interests, and learn more about themselves in the process. In many instances, that's the case: but we can't deny that college campuses also have some big problems on their hands, especially when it comes to the treatment of women and the culture surrounding sex. Now, signs displayed at Old Dominion University are coming under fire for promoting "rape culture," and it's about time that people stop tolerating this kind of sexist BS.

A house on ODU's campus in Norfolk, Virginia, displayed a few signs "welcoming" the women of the freshman class. The crude, sexually charged messages, which appeared on a student private residence, included things like "Rowdy and fun, hope your baby girl is ready for a good time!" Clearly the "educated" students in this house thought they were being hilarious, which is just proof that they need a lot more schooling.

ODU says signs hung at a home on 43rd Street will not be tolerated. http://t.co/sNeYaKYVHY pic.twitter.com/p6oB2fsrmb

- WAVY_News (@WAVY_News) August 23, 2015

Many students and other people passing by the signs found them to be offensive, but these signs go so beyond being crude: they're just another example of how colleges are not always a safe place for women. These signs promote the idea that women are objects and that it's perfectly acceptable to treat them as such, and the fact that these students felt comfortable sharing their signs with the entire student body just proves how "normal" this kind of messaging is on college campuses.

It's incredibly disappointing (though not surprising) that these signs exist, considering that college campuses have a huge problem with sexual assault. According to recent statistics, one in five women will experience it during their years at school. Nine out of 10 of those women will know their attacker. That's why these signs are so dangerous: they are not-so-subtly suggesting that women can be used by men for sex.

There is some good news about these signs, and that's the fact that the school is not tolerating them. The President of ODU, John R. Broderick, gave a statement to the press about how he was "outraged" and "offended" by the signs, and that while the school is making efforts to educate students about sexual assault and harassment, he is disappointed that not everyone is getting the message. He stated that the school will continue their efforts to combat assault with full force and added that he will review the incident at the house and punish any student found to violate the code of conduct.

Society shouldn't tolerate anything that makes any person feel unwelcome or unsafe, especially in a place of education. We should all be outraged by these signs: they're not jokes, they're threats.

UPDATE: The house in question was one associated with the Sigma Nu fraternity of ODU. According to the ODU Facebook page, the fraternity's national board has since suspended ODU's Eta Chi chapter for their actions.

This Group Proved They Don't Get Body-Shaming by Photoshopping Celebs Skinnier

August 24, 2015, 6:19 pm

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Real talk here: have you ever heard a celebrity get slammed for looking fit or slim? Nope, neither have I - though I have seen plenty of tabloids blasting celebs for "packing on the pounds," "eating their post-breakup feelings," or having the "worst bikini body of the year." The fact is, the world praises skinny, toned bodies and barely tolerates ones that don't fit the traditional look. The people behind this new web project must live in an alternate reality because Project Harpoon is photoshopping bigger women thinner to "combat skinny-shaming." Remind me when that became a societal problem?

Project Harpoon is "fighting back" against our culture of "fat acceptance," which founder Nick Baskins believes does ridiculous things like give women realistic bodies video games. According to dear, delusional Nick, seeing images of overweight women who don't conform to a slim ideal encourages people to abandon healthy living and exercising, because simply seeing an overweight person makes you no longer care about your own well-being.

Nick's insists that the point of this project is that being obese is not healthy, and therefore images of obese people should not be considered "beautiful." That's wrong on so many levels: being obese may be a health risk, but so are a whole lot of other things, many of which have nothing to do with ones size. In fact, many people can "slim down" in ways that are far more dangerous than staying at a higher weight. Health and weight don't always go hand-in-hand, so why are we shaming obese people for their alleged poor health?

Hip to be... umm... smaller hips? I'unno. #ProjectHarpoon #ThInnerBeauty pic.twitter.com/VZ1YpzBVyW

- Project Harpoon (@ProjectHarpoon) August 23, 2015

Project Harpoon suggests that women shouldn't feel or look beautiful when they are bigger because of their alleged "unhealthy weight," but that's total crap: everyone has the right to embrace their beauty, no matter what the scale says. It's pathetic that Project Harpoon is attempting to take away the very small sphere that bigger women get to show off their beauty - way to body-shame, you guys.

There is good news here: Project Harpoon's Facebook and Instagram account were shut down by both sites, because apparently not everyone sees the value in this photoshopping venture. The only thing that needs to be harpooned in this case is the site's bizarre body-shaming ideology.

Did Lily-Rose Depp Come Out on Instagram?

August 24, 2015, 6:39 pm

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It looks like Lily-Rose Depp just made a big statement about her sexuality.

Not long after becoming the new face of the Chanel, Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis' daughter appeared to come out in a subtle way via Instagram Monday, posting a shot of herself posing with two other people for the Self Evident Truths Project. "#weareyou @iolovesyou @selfevidentproject," she captioned the shot.

A photo posted by Lily-Rose Depp (@lilyrose_depp) on Aug 24, 2015 at 12:53pm PDT

The project, created by artist iO Tillett Wright, is a "photographic document of 10,000 people in the USA that identify as ANYTHING OTHER than 100% straight," according to its website. It continues, "If you are anywhere on the LGBTQ spectrum in ANY way, even 1% gay, we want to take your picture!"

The purpose of the project is to "humanize" the LGBTQ community, make it harder for people to discriminate against them and spread "awareness and understanding about a broader spectrum of human sexuality."

A photo posted by iO Tillett Wright (@iolovesyou) on Aug 22, 2015 at 2:46pm PDT

After Lily participated in the project, Tillett couldn't help but gush about her involvement, posting a pic of them together, writing, "I'm so proud of my baby girl @lilyrose_depp. She decided she wanted to be in @selfevidentproject because she falls somewhere on the vast spectrum, and I couldn't be happier to welcome her to the family. She's a tiny gem of a good human. #prouduncle #weareyou."

It takes a lot of courage to be open and honest about who you are, and we're giving Lily-Rose major props for doing that, and also for shedding light on such an inspiring initiative.

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These Women Are Going Topless in Times Square For an Important Reason

August 24, 2015, 8:10 pm

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Inequality between the sexes isn't always as obvious as it once was (we're now allowed to own property and vote, like the human beings we are) but that doesn't mean that the fight for equal rights is over. There are plenty of subtle ways that women experience sexism, and one of them has to do with having to cover up things that guys rarely get asked to - like our chests. Now women in New York are fighting against such an archaic, accepted societal rule by - what else? - going topless.

For the past two weeks, women in Times Square have been shedding their bras in favor of body paint, armed with signs like "Women's breasts are family friendly!" in order to protest this double standard, which is exactly what this whole "let's hide our boobs" thing really is. Despite the fact that toplessness has been legal in New York for 23 years, it's still considered "indecent" by the general public. Not so with guys, of course. Would you freak out if you saw a dude running through the park sans-shirt? You probably wouldn't even bat an eye - in fact, a movie could have 200 shirtless guys and still garner a G-rating. Meanwhile, society has sexualized women's breasts so much that seeing a woman's uncovered chest is considered obscene.

You don't have to want to strip off your clothes in public in order to agree that those facts are pretty messed up. Think about how stars like Miley Cyrus and Rihanna have been censored on apps like Instagram for sharing photos of themselves sans-nipple coverage, while pretty much every male celebrity ever gets cheered for sharing their own shirtless selfies. (Looking at you, Biebs.) There's nothing wrong with displaying your body in whatever way you choose, but why is it just women who are hypersexualized to the point where their nipples cause global panic?

The topless protesters in Times Square are standing up for women everywhere with their shirtless campaign, and there's absolutely nothing obscene about that. Sometimes a nipple really is just a nipple, you know?

Watch Chris Brown Get a Huge Tattoo on His Head

August 25, 2015, 5:28 am

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Chris Brown just took his tattoo game up a notch with his latest piece of body art.

The "Liquor" singer inked a huge tat on the back of his head of what looks like the face of Venus De Milo, and it's so large that it takes up almost half the back of his head. Chris had to shave a huge chunk of hair off his head to do it, and showed off a few pics of the tat Tuesday morning after it was complete (and later deleted them).

#NewTattooAlert : Are we feeling #ChrisBrown 's new head tattoo?

A photo posted by The Shade Room (@theshaderoominc) on Aug 25, 2015 at 6:32am PDT

Even though Chris deleted those photos, pics and videos of him getting it done are still floating around the Internet. In one video posted by The Shade Room, Chris can be seen getting the tattoo done and then dancing with a friend in the parlor afterwards. The comments soon rolled in. "The worst idea ever Chris. Why did he do that?," one person wrote. "I feel like this is a cry for help," someone else wrote, while another simply said "why."

We wish we had the answer. Venus de Milo is an ancient Greek statue that is believed to depict Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, but it's not clear why Chris needed to ink that on his head to prove his love for the statue and/or what it stands for. It's sort of a surprise that he didn't ink his adorable daughter Royalty's face on his head, if it's not already somewhere on his body.

A video posted by The Shade Room (@theshaderoominc) on Aug 25, 2015 at 7:20am PDT

Nevertheless, it's no secret Chris loves body art. He has tats all over his body, including on his neck, back, chest arms and hands. Back in 2012, he stirred up controversy when he got a neck tattoo of what appeared to be a beaten woman that looked like his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

His rep later told ABC News that it was not her and was a "sugar skull (associated with the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead) and a MAC cosmetics design he saw."

We can't even imagine what kind of tattoo he's going to get next.

There Is a Caitlyn Jenner Halloween Costume and People Are Pissed

August 25, 2015, 5:29 am

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Well, this is disappointing.

Some Halloween costume companies are trying to capitalize on Caitlyn Jenner's transition and are selling a Caitlyn Jenner Halloween costume.

:::BRB, Rage break::::

Not surprisingly, the costume caused such backlash that some companies appear to have pulled them from their lineup. One company even went so far as to create an Olympian costume with a sash that said "Call Me Caitlyn," referencing the former Olympian's Vanity Fair debut. That "costume" appears to no longer be available, but BuzzFeed got a screengrab while it still was and you can see it here if you feel so inclined.

Spirit Halloween claims that the costume will celebrate the 65-year-old, not make fun of her. "Caitlyn Jenner has proven to be the most important real-life superhero of the year," Spirit Halloween's rep told The Daily News. "Spirit Halloween is proud to carry the costume that celebrates her."

For what it's worth, Anytime Costumes, one of the companies making a Cait costume, categorizes it as "humorous," so there's that.

This "Call Me Caitlyn" costume that promises "a few laughs" for $75 has sparked outrage. http://t.co/PspudEi60c pic.twitter.com/3VrWU9NwiH

- New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) August 25, 2015

There has already been a Change.org petition started, which is a petition to Spirit Halloween, asking them to "Stop Exploiting Caitlyn Jenner With a Transphobic Costume," and it had been signed by 2,759 people at the time this article was published.

People are also making their feelings known on Twitter:

Am I the only one who thinks that a Caitlyn Jenner inspired Halloween costume is extremely insensitive?! Wtf is wrong w/ ppl #CaitlynJenner

- Courtney S (@CeSimm16) August 21, 2015

the caitlyn jenner halloween costumes are disgusting. being trans isn't a "costume" and treating it as such is ignorant & transphobic

- becki ♡ (@STUDlOGHOUL) August 25, 2015

If any of my friends plan on being Caitlyn Jenner for Halloween please don't ever talk to me again

- Brad Gober (@Bradgober1) August 25, 2015

If I see anyone in a Caitlyn Jenner costume this Halloween I'm smacking them

- Zero Wills - Leader (@Zero_Wills) August 21, 2015

The struggle that Caitlyn Jenner has to face isn't a Halloween costume. Whoever made this is a shitty person. pic.twitter.com/dlwP4LJraw

- RXB SPXXRS (@Sonickid1234) August 13, 2015

As of right now, Spirit Halloween doesn't plan on removing the costume from their stores.

7 Signs You Own Today

August 25, 2015, 5:30 am

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1. You got out of bed today. You did it! Some days just getting up can be the toughest part of any day, and you've already done it. You're killing it!2. You listened to your favorite song today, had a little dance party of one, and it was awesome. You might have to go to school/work later, but a little TSwizzle in the morning really started your day off right.3. You're wearing your favorite outfit, and it's giving you so much confidence, you feel like you can handle anything.4. You've got a great conversation going on with your best friend, the kind that's so good that you can't help but smile at your phone.
5. You ate three normal meals at normal times, and it's making you feel put-together and energized (even though you're pretty sure you live off coffee and peanut butter sandwiches if you had to but you probably wouldn't feel as good).
6. You went to school/work, and you did that thing you were really not looking forward to doing. But you got through the day! Congrats! Now it's time to reward yourself by sitting on the couch and watching Netflix until it's time to go to bed again.7. You've been through a lot, but that's not stopping you from going after what you want today. You've got goals and even though you might have hit a bump in the road, you're still trying your best and going after what you want.

Taylor Swift Proves She's a Badass by Performing With Alanis Morissette

August 25, 2015, 5:40 am

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Breakup queens unite! That's exactly what went down at Taylor Swift's 1989 show in Los Angeles on August 24, 2015. The singer surprised all her fans and inner bad-bitches when she invited Alanis Morissette on stage to perform with her the baddest breakup song of all time, "You Oughta Know."

As Alanis took the stage, Tay Tay credited her as a major source of inspiration. "She defined the music of her decade. She inspired a generation of confessional female singer-songwriters who all of a sudden felt like you could actually say these raw feelings that you had; you could actually sing about your real life, you could put detail to it," she said.

Taylor added, "And I think it's fair to say that so many of the female singer-songwriters of my generation, including myself, would not write
the way that we do without her and her music. And she has written some of the most brilliant music-in particular probably inarguably the greatest breakup song of all-time."

Taylor was of course referring to the scathing song Alanis wrote years ago. It's allegedly about her crappy relationship with Full House's Dave Coulier...you know, Joey Gladstone!

Watch the two ladies get their inner-crazy-ex-girlfriend on in the clip below. #EPIC

Ian Somerhalder Wants You To Be A #FierceFemale

August 25, 2015, 5:42 am

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Does amazing cosplay, your favorite celebrities, back-to-back panels of kickass content, and a weekend with your best friends sound fun? Welcome to my weekend at Wizard World Comic Con Chicago!

During the convention I moderated a panel for Ian Somerhalder, who plays Damon Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries. Yes, I'm talking about this Ian:

Playing it cool in a fedora and ISF t-shirt, Ian wasn't intimidated by the audience of three thousand screaming fans - not to mention those streaming the panel live on CONtv. Not only is Ian genuinely one of the most kind people I've ever met, he is a philanthropist, immensely appreciative of his fans, and - most importantly - an advocate of #fiercewomen.

During the panel, Ian touched on his character Damon and what we can expect in the upcoming seventh season. He discussed how the creators and writers of the show have had his character's journey mapped out from the beginning of the series, saying that Damon can't just be the, "one-trick pony and villain" for seven years.

Elaborating on how grateful he was that he's been able to play this staple character on television, he gave most of his thanks to one of the show creators, Julie Plec. He raved about her success as a female show runner in a male-dominated industry, calling out her achievements of launching not one, not two, but three shows on The CW Network (The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and formerly The Tomorrow People.) Rumor has it she has another new pilot coming to the network as well, a series titled Condon.

For those that aren't aware of the lack of women leadership in the entertainment industry, Julie's feats are impressive and something all of us aspiring #fiercefemales should look up to. Ian encouraged the audience to take Julie's accomplishments and apply them to their own dreams:

"Empowered, educated women will change the f**cking world. Period. Let's focus on them."

When one of Ian's fans from the audience asked him a question and stated she was a teacher for middle school students, Ian made a point to praise her focus on education and empowering young students to achieve their dreams and change the world, "You're a teacher? Thank you. You give so much and you get so little. Really, thank you."

Could this guy be any more encouraging? He was humble when talking about his efforts to empower the world's youth through the ISF, his foundation that aims to "empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures", but it's worth acknowledging that he uses his platform as a super-celeb to empower the world's young generation to make a difference. Take note, Damon lovers: The real-life Damon wants you to set goals and be the most badass version of yourself.

Let me know, #fiercefemales: What inspires you to change the world? Tweet me @ekpochop!

*If you want to donate $10 to the ISF, text THURSDAY to 80077!

Why the Alabama Alpha Phis Shouldn't Apologize

August 25, 2015, 7:00 am

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The media wasted no time dropping the latest Greek scandal into my lap. A sorority recruitment video was sparking outrage of all kinds, prompting the Alabama chapter of Alpha Phi to quickly remove it. That, however, did not stop it from circulating the Internet at lightning speed, causing The University of Alabama's communications office to leap into a PR frenzy.

"This video is not reflective of UA's expectations for student organizations to be responsible digital citizens." - University of Alabama spokesperson

In a time when, on the other side of Greek Row, fraternities are garnering national outrage for racist chants and misogynistic banners, I am, quite frankly, shocked that a university spokesperson felt obliged to make a statement about this video. "Responsible digital citizens?" These women spend a majority of the video smiling, laughing and enjoying each other's company. The last time I turned on any cable TV channel, opened any magazine or walked down a billboard-filled city street, bikinis were not illegal.
Why are many people so furious about this video? A.L. Bailey offers some insight, calling the video "worse for women than Donald Trump," describing it as "so hyper-feminine, so reductive and objectifying, so Stepford Wives: College Edition. It's all so ... unempowering."

Hyper-feminine? Is that even a phrase we can properly use, in a time when we debate the meaning of gender norms altogether and urge young women to be who they want to be, ultimately making that decision for themselves? Do we really feel comfortable encouraging young women and then lashing out when they make what someone might personally think is the wrong choice? Are we really here to police this?

Brilliant writer and actress Amy Poehler said it best: "It takes years as a woman to unlearn what you have been taught to be sorry for." The women of Alpha Phi's Alabama chapter are being asked to do just that; apologize. And for what, at the very core? Being confident? Having fun? Some may call my opinion, as a sorority woman myself, biased. Maybe I am since the lasting friendships and leadership experiences that my sorority gave me have made me who I am today.

But when I see this video's controversy, I see a debate over female objectification and personal agency. Did my sorority recruit new members by making videos of ourselves blowing glitter while having dance parties in white dresses and bikinis? Well, no. But I like to think that, in the 21st century, we could have if we wanted to. We could make that choice without fear of being treated differently, just as we, as a society, are now deciding that a female student should not be penalized if her collar bone is deemed a threat to the attention spans of pubescent boys, or that the way a woman dresses is never an invitation for sexual assault. Isn't that what modern feminism is about at its core?

"Are they recruiting a diverse and talented group of young women embarking on a college education? Upon first or even fifth glance, probably not. [...] did they realize they are a group of young women blessed with potential who are selling themselves, and each other, short?"

I find A.L.'s words very interesting, considering no information about this sorority chapter's academic or philanthropic records is mentioned in the video. She's making assumptions about these women based purely on their appearances. Selling themselves short - how? By having blonde hair? By wearing a bikini? By being silly with their friends? Do women need to wear scholarly robes and nun habits to be taken seriously? A.L. seems to think so.

"Were they satisfied with being the commodity?" she demanded, alluding to the creepy, entitled men she imagines watching the video, deciding that this is the basis for how they will ultimately objectify and disrespect women. I wonder what A.L. suggests as the alternative: No bikini dancing or hair flipping to provoke these "hormonal college-aged guys?" Or what if, instead, we taught our young men that even the girls who dance around in swimsuits deserve to be treated with respect? Shouldn't that be the actual focus?

A.L.'s response is part of the problem.

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Nick Jonas Teases Demi Lovato Collaboration and It's Not What You'd Expect

August 25, 2015, 7:24 am

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Will that Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato collaboration be coming soon? In a new interview, Nick said it's in the works and even revealed the very different sound they'll deliver when it finally lands at our ears - folk.

Surprised? Yeah, we were too, but honestly, Nick and Demi could sing just about anything and we'd just about lose our ish over it.

When Nick recently chatted to On Air with Ryan Seacrest, he revealed, "She and I have written a bunch of songs that we've always said that at some point in time we're going to release. Kind of a broken down side-project. Something a bit more, in the sort of folk zone, really about the vocals, just showcasing. The depth and the friendship and what that relates to...and the artistry."

OMG, that sounds beyond...

As for Demi joining Nick on stage while he's on tour, don't count it out, as he explained, "I'd love to have her come out."

He gushed over the experience of singing with Taylor Swift recently, calling it "awesome," but whether she'll repay the favor and sing at his concert, we're not so sure.

Nick explained, "I would love to have her," joking, "I think she's doing just fine on her own."

How to Rock Socks With Sandals (Yeah, We Went There!)

August 25, 2015, 8:00 am

≫ Next: Jodie Sweetin Talks 'Fuller House' And Female Cast

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When it comes to fashion rules, our mantra is that they're way better when they're broken. One fashion rule we're totally ready to toss? Saving our socks for closed-toed shoes. It turns out that pairing socks with sandals can actually be totally chic, and it's a great way to transition your fave sandals from summer into fall. Oh, and the fashion crowd's favorite street style stars totally seem to be on board too.

For this look, we're not talking about your old habit of throwing on those Adidas flip flops over your socks to run out and grab your morning coffee - fashion's updated version is way more polished.

For an elevated look, heels are a great way to keep your ensemble polished, but flats can look just as chic too! Flats, platforms or somewhere in between, the key is to pick a shoe that has lots of strappy details. We're OBSESSED with this lace-up pair ($70, Missguided)! Here, an elegant ankle strap or delicate T-strap goes a long way - it adds a feminine touch to the otherwise normcore-esque look. (Not to mention the straps keep you from sliding around when you walk!)

Picking the perfect pair of socks is a little simpler. Ideally, you'll want them to hit mid-calf so you can wear them slouchy and scrunched down to keep things on the effortless side. We love a statement-making chunky knit ($14, Urban Outfitters), or if you're feeling brave (you trendsetter, you!) try a bold pattern!

As for the rest of your outfit, the socks-with-sandals trend is best worn with pieces that show off your legs - think mini dresses, skirts and shorts. Keeping the rest of your look on the simpler side will allow your footwear to be the star of the show!

Jodie Sweetin Talks 'Fuller House' And Female Cast

August 25, 2015, 8:54 am

≫ Next: Kim Kardashian Just Beat Beyonce for Most Instagram Followers

≪ Previous: How to Rock Socks With Sandals (Yeah, We Went There!)

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You didn't have to grow up in the '90s to love Full House - my nephews are still watching reruns of the classic show every Saturday morning. For hardcore fans - like Jennifer Lawrence - the news of the reboot Fuller House on Netflix comes as a huge excitement. Get it, JLaw.

The reboot comes with the same nostalgic humor and characters, but this time leads with three females, unlike the original show that had three male leads: Danny, Uncle Jesse, and Uncle Joey. Jodie Sweetin, who plays middle child Stephanie Tanner, reprises her role along with Candice Cameron as big sister DJ Tanner and Andrea Barber who plays the iconic Kimmy Gibler. I had the pleasure of sitting in on Jodie's panel at Wizard World Comic Con Chicago this past weekend, where she talked about the reboot, the unauthorized Lifetime movie, and the importance of learning to love yourself.

While we didn't get any specifics on Fuller House other than what's been officially announced by Netflix (the dirty details are on lockdown), Jodie did share how lucky she is to be on set with her on-screen family again, even though they see each other on a regular basis. The premise of the show focuses on characters DJ, Stephanie, and Kimmy all coming together after the death of DJ's husband - similar to the original Full House, where DJ's mother passed and her dad had her two uncles move in with the family.

What is not so familiar, according to Jodie, is the unauthorized Lifetime movie, "The Unauthorized Full House Story." Jodie states, "don't believe everything you see," and pretty much alluded that the film is complete bullsh*t. Coming from the network that cancelled the fantastic Witches of East End, I'm not surprised. #TeamAuthorizedFullHouse

The shift to an all-female lead for the Fuller House reboot is on-trend with the entertainment industry's continued focus on #fiercefemales, with new shows releasing this year like Supergirl and Blindspot. The show will most likely tackle issues that women in particular deal with, which should be a refreshing spin on the original show.

While praising her time spent on Full House, Jodie talked about the struggles she had growing up in the spotlight and finding work after the series' end. Dealing with several slammed doors post-Full House, Jodie stated, "If you don't like yourself, this industry can tear you apart. I had to learn to love myself."

We can all take a note from Jodie's book and learn to be happy with who we are. #HatersGunnaHate

For more Wizard World Comic Con fun, check out Ian Somerhalder's panel recap, and learn how he plans to empower young girls to change the world.

Kim Kardashian Just Beat Beyonce for Most Instagram Followers

August 25, 2015, 9:01 am

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Queen Bey has been dethroned...well, on Instagram, anyway.

The singer, actress, mom and overall superwoman has 44 million followers on Instagram, which - until yesterday - made her the number one most followed person on the photo sharing site. Then, Kim Kardashian swooped in and stole the title scoring 44.1 million. No shade, Kimmie, we've got mad love for you, too, but Bey is bae.

Currently, Beyonce has posted 1084 times, while Kim has essentially tripled that, posting 3028 photos - with 3027 of them being selfies. Just kidding, but seriously...

At the end of the day, we love both these ladies and we're just gonna keep on following both of them. Plus, we can't help but celebrate the fact that it's two women competing for the top spot. Sorry, boys! Oh, and just in case you're wondering, Taylor Swift is right behind them, with 43.7 million followers.

Wait, what'd you say, Bey?

Could You Live in a 100-Square Foot Apartment in NYC? This Guy Makes it Work

August 25, 2015, 10:17 am

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Ahh, Manhattan: as wonderful as the city is, most New Yorkers would agree that trying to score an apartment at a decent price in the borough is a harder battle than the Hunger Games. But while cramming lots of roommates into one apartment isn't an ideal situation, I'm not so sure I'd want to live like this Manhattanite, either. Grayson Altenberg is currently occupying a 100-square foot studio apartment, and it shows just how far people will go to live the New York dream.

Grayson is a chef at a restaurant in Lincoln Center, and he chose this uber tiny space so he could be steps away from work. Sadly, Grayson can barely take more than five steps into his actual apartment: it's so small that his bed bumps right up against his shower, and he's swapped a tray out for an actual table. Basically, he has just enough space to move around - but just barely.

Now get ready for a major truth bomb about Manhattan real estate: Grayson pays a whopping $1,100 for his studio space, despite the ridiculously tiny nature of his apartment. In New York, it's all about location, location, location, and Grayson's got a pretty good one. But is it good enough to have to exist in such a cramped space? I'm going to say no.

While Grayson makes the point of saying that the city is his backyard (and therefore he doesn't need much space of his own) I think he's forgetting about little things called "rain" and "winter." Let's be real: are you really going to want to venture outside when it's 15 degrees and disgusting outside? Those are the perfect days for holing yourself up in your apartment, but they aren't quite so fun when your own apartment makes you claustrophobic.

This tiny apartment seems to be working for Grayson, but I'm not so sure I could handle his living situation - this girl needs a proper couch to cuddle up in.