Netflix viewers have been scratching their heads over who could have possibly killed Nick in 'Clickbait'.

The plot revolves around Nick Brewer — a seemingly ordinary man — who is kidnapped and forced to film a ransom video. On cue cards, he confesses to sexual assault.

However, more disturbingly, his kidnappers vow to murder him once the video reaches five million views. Of course, the video goes viral, and his family have to deal with the fallout...

So, how does Nick actually die in Clickbait? We have the answers.

[caption id="attachment_12632298" align="aligncenter" width="958"]<img class="wp-image-12632298 " src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/Screen-Shot-2021-09-20-at-16.10.32.png" alt="Who killed Nick in 'Clickbait' on Netflix" width="958" height="638" /> Netflix viewers have been scratching their heads over who could have possibly killed Nick in 'Clickbait' (Credit: Netflix)[/caption]
<h2>Who killed Nick in 'Clickbait'?</h2>
Dawn's husband, Ed, killed Nick in 'Clickbait'. The TV series' shock plot twist came as a surprise to many viewers who initially thought that he was killed by his kidnappers.

It all revolves around Nick's catfish, who is revealed to be his co-worker, Dawn. In flashbacks, we see the 63-year-old receptionist help get him set up at his new job before going home to her husband, Ed.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/friends-cast-dated-real-life">Here are the 'Friends' cast that dated in real life</a></strong></p>
But it turn out,Dawn has a secret. After gaining access to Nick's phone and discovering that he's been receiving messages from a dating app, she sets up more dating profiles using his pictures.

Dawn proceeds to catfish several women, including Sarah Burton and Emma Beasley. We gather that she is a lonely, bored woman, who is not getting the attention she craves from Ed, whose passions appear to revolve around model trains.

He does eventually discover his wife's secret, and this is what leads to an unsuspecting Nick's demise.

One day, Ed and Dawn get into a huge argument after he discovers she's been catfishing online. Unfortunately, this coincides with Sarah messaging "Nick", which leads to Dawn sending her some pretty harsh breakup messages.

Sarah kills herself, and this kicks off a chain reaction that leads to Simon finding the dating profile, and kidnapping Nick.

Eventually, a desperate Nick is able to persuade Simon that he never knew Sarah, and he is let go. But instead of returning home, he goes to confront Dawn after figuring out that she is the catfish all along.

While Nick threatens to reveal everything, Ed comes up from behind and bludgeons him with a hammer. So Ed, a character we meet in the finale, has been the killer all along.

[caption id="attachment_12632296" align="alignnone" width="881"]<img class="wp-image-12632296" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/Screen-Shot-2021-09-20-at-15.58.13.png" alt="Who killed Nick in Clickbait" width="881" height="491" /> Dawn's husband, Ed, killed Nick in 'Clickbait' (Credit: Netflix)[/caption]
<h2>Is 'Clickbait' based on a true story?</h2>
While Clickbait is fictional, the story is based on a few real-life incidents of catfishing.

Speaking to <a href="https://variety.com/2021/tv/features/clickbait-tony-ayres-viral-murder-catfishing-1235031522/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Variety</a>, the show's co-creator, Tony Ayres, said: "One of [those stories] was obviously catfishing. We were particularly baffled and intrigued by the instances of women impersonating men.

"People can fall down these quite innocent rabbit holes, particularly with the Internet, particularly now, and unleash surprising and sometimes tragic real-world consequences. In the age of the internet, in particular, everyone has secret lives.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/britney-spears-get-married-conservatorship">Britney Spears' rights to get married under conservatorship explained</a></strong></p>
Britney's Rights To Get Married Under Conservatorship Explained As She Plans To Wed Sam Asghari

"Sometimes those secrets are untoward, sometimes they’re quite benign, but there are bits of ourselves we show and bits of ourselves that we don’t show… There’s a real blurring of those two things."

Despite not revealing what specific Internet crimes he was inspired by, he corroborated to <a href="https://ew.com/tv/clickbait-creator-tony-ayres-interview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Entertainment Weekly</a> that he was inspired by recent examples.

"We became fascinated with the idea of the new categories of crime that have sprung up since the Internet has taken over our lives," he said.

"[We] went away and did this phenomenal research document where we scoured the world for these kinds of crimes when the virtual leaks into the actual and has a deep impact on human beings. [So we] decided to make our show based on a number of real crimes that had actually happened.

"I remember the second day of the [writers'] room, we were talking about these crimes that we were really fascinated by. And then I just had this moment where I thought, 'If we do this, this, this, this, and this, that's how it's going to play out. That's pretty much what it was. My brain is quite mathematical."

[caption id="attachment_12632301" align="aligncenter" width="940"]<img class="wp-image-12632301 " src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/Screen-Shot-2021-09-20-at-16.37.41.png" alt="clickbait" width="940" height="523" /> The hit Netflix series is based on a few real-life incidents of catfishing (Credit: Netflix)[/caption]
<h2>Will there be a series 2 of 'Clickbait'?</h2>
Although Clickbait is a limited series, it won't be unsurprising if there's a season two.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.fournine.net/samantha-dead-sex-and-the-city-kim-cattrall">Is Samantha dead in the Sex and the City reboot? </a></strong></p>
Given its popularity, it would be in Netflix's best interests to renew the show for season two.

As to a potential release date, we'd probably be looking at late 2022.

[caption id="attachment_12632302" align="alignnone" width="1280"]<img class="wp-image-12632302 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/aaaabtk4dwea1eak0npqiuvbjxuqnf4qm3wgfjy1qmaythk2uou7h1ns7biqf7c7wgdejrtgxcplzuskswuorxcp8ptrm4a7-1629750425.jpeg" alt="clickbait" width="1280" height="720" /> Fans are hoping there will be a season two of 'Clickbait' (Credit: Netflix)[/caption]
<h2>Who is the cast of 'Clickbait'?</h2>
Adrian Grenier plays Nick Brewer

Zoe Kazan plays Pia Brewer

Betty Gabriel plays Sophie Brewer
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-cheat-kim-kardashian">Did Kanye West cheat on Kim Kardashian?</a></strong></p>
Cameron Engles plays Ethan Brewer

Jaylin Fletcher plays Kai Brewer

Ian Meadows plays Matt Aldin

Elizabeth Alexander plays Andrea Brewer

Abraham Lim plays Ben Park

Becca Lish plays Dawn Gleed

Wally Dunn plays Ed
<h5>Feature image credit: Netflix</h5>

<p>Netflix viewers have been scratching their heads over who could have possibly killed Nick in 'Clickbait'.</p>
<p>The plot revolves around Nick Brewer — a seemingly ordinary man — who is kidnapped and forced to film a ransom video. On cue cards, he confesses to sexual assault.</p>
<p>However, more disturbingly, his kidnappers vow to murder him once the video reaches five million views. Of course, the video goes viral, and his family have to deal with the fallout...</p>
<p>So, how does Nick actually die in Clickbait? We have the answers.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632298 " src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/Screen-Shot-2021-09-20-at-16.10.32.png" alt="Who killed Nick in 'Clickbait' on Netflix" width="958" height="638" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Netflix viewers have been scratching their heads over who could have possibly killed Nick in 'Clickbait' (Credit: Netflix)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Who killed Nick in 'Clickbait'?</h2>
<p>Dawn's husband, Ed, killed Nick in 'Clickbait'. The TV series' shock plot twist came as a surprise to many viewers who initially thought that he was killed by his kidnappers.</p>
<p>It all revolves around Nick's catfish, who is revealed to be his co-worker, Dawn. In flashbacks, we see the 63-year-old receptionist help get him set up at his new job before going home to her husband, Ed.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/friends-cast-dated-real-life">Here are the 'Friends' cast that dated in real life</a></strong></p>
<p>But it turn out,Dawn has a secret. After gaining access to Nick's phone and discovering that he's been receiving messages from a dating app, she sets up more dating profiles using his pictures.</p>
<p>Dawn proceeds to catfish several women, including Sarah Burton and Emma Beasley. We gather that she is a lonely, bored woman, who is not getting the attention she craves from Ed, whose passions appear to revolve around model trains.</p>
<p>He does eventually discover his wife's secret, and this is what leads to an unsuspecting Nick's demise.</p>
<p>One day, Ed and Dawn get into a huge argument after he discovers she's been catfishing online. Unfortunately, this coincides with Sarah messaging "Nick", which leads to Dawn sending her some pretty harsh breakup messages.</p>
<p>Sarah kills herself, and this kicks off a chain reaction that leads to Simon finding the dating profile, and kidnapping Nick.</p>
<p>Eventually, a desperate Nick is able to persuade Simon that he never knew Sarah, and he is let go. But instead of returning home, he goes to confront Dawn after figuring out that she is the catfish all along.</p>
<p>While Nick threatens to reveal everything, Ed comes up from behind and bludgeons him with a hammer. So Ed, a character we meet in the finale, has been the killer all along.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632296" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/Screen-Shot-2021-09-20-at-15.58.13.png" alt="Who killed Nick in Clickbait" width="881" height="491" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Dawn's husband, Ed, killed Nick in 'Clickbait' (Credit: Netflix)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Is 'Clickbait' based on a true story?</h2>
<p>While Clickbait is fictional, the story is based on a few real-life incidents of catfishing.</p>
<p>Speaking to <a href="https://variety.com/2021/tv/features/clickbait-tony-ayres-viral-murder-catfishing-1235031522/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Variety</a>, the show's co-creator, Tony Ayres, said: "One of [those stories] was obviously catfishing. We were particularly baffled and intrigued by the instances of women impersonating men.</p>
<p>"People can fall down these quite innocent rabbit holes, particularly with the Internet, particularly now, and unleash surprising and sometimes tragic real-world consequences. In the age of the internet, in particular, everyone has secret lives.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/britney-spears-get-married-conservatorship">Britney Spears' rights to get married under conservatorship explained</a></strong></p>
<p>Britney's Rights To Get Married Under Conservatorship Explained As She Plans To Wed Sam Asghari</p>
<p>"Sometimes those secrets are untoward, sometimes they’re quite benign, but there are bits of ourselves we show and bits of ourselves that we don’t show… There’s a real blurring of those two things."</p>
<p>Despite not revealing what specific Internet crimes he was inspired by, he corroborated to <a href="https://ew.com/tv/clickbait-creator-tony-ayres-interview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Entertainment Weekly</a> that he was inspired by recent examples.</p>
<p>"We became fascinated with the idea of the new categories of crime that have sprung up since the Internet has taken over our lives," he said.</p>
<p>"[We] went away and did this phenomenal research document where we scoured the world for these kinds of crimes when the virtual leaks into the actual and has a deep impact on human beings. [So we] decided to make our show based on a number of real crimes that had actually happened.</p>
<p>"I remember the second day of the [writers'] room, we were talking about these crimes that we were really fascinated by. And then I just had this moment where I thought, 'If we do this, this, this, this, and this, that's how it's going to play out. That's pretty much what it was. My brain is quite mathematical."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632301 " src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/Screen-Shot-2021-09-20-at-16.37.41.png" alt="clickbait" width="940" height="523" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 The hit Netflix series is based on a few real-life incidents of catfishing (Credit: Netflix)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Will there be a series 2 of 'Clickbait'?</h2>
<p>Although Clickbait is a limited series, it won't be unsurprising if there's a season two.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.fournine.net/samantha-dead-sex-and-the-city-kim-cattrall">Is Samantha dead in the Sex and the City reboot? </a></strong></p>
<p>Given its popularity, it would be in Netflix's best interests to renew the show for season two.</p>
<p>As to a potential release date, we'd probably be looking at late 2022.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632302 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/aaaabtk4dwea1eak0npqiuvbjxuqnf4qm3wgfjy1qmaythk2uou7h1ns7biqf7c7wgdejrtgxcplzuskswuorxcp8ptrm4a7-1629750425.jpeg" alt="clickbait" width="1280" height="720" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Fans are hoping there will be a season two of 'Clickbait' (Credit: Netflix)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Who is the cast of 'Clickbait'?</h2>
<p>Adrian Grenier plays Nick Brewer</p>
<p>Zoe Kazan plays Pia Brewer</p>
<p>Betty Gabriel plays Sophie Brewer</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-cheat-kim-kardashian">Did Kanye West cheat on Kim Kardashian?</a></strong></p>
<p>Cameron Engles plays Ethan Brewer</p>
<p>Jaylin Fletcher plays Kai Brewer</p>
<p>Ian Meadows plays Matt Aldin</p>
<p>Elizabeth Alexander plays Andrea Brewer</p>
<p>Abraham Lim plays Ben Park</p>
<p>Becca Lish plays Dawn Gleed</p>
<p>Wally Dunn plays Ed</p>
<h2>Feature image credit: Netflix</h2>


Who killed Nick in 'Clickbait' on Netflix? Plot summary explained

Since Britney Spears announced her engagement to Sam Asghari, fans have been questioning whether the star can get married under her conservatorship.

The singer announced her engagement to Asghari on social media, where she displayed a diamond ring, which was engraved with the word, "lioness". An Instagram video where she winks and kisses her fiancé on the cheek was captioned, "I can't f*cking believe it."

Here, we answer all your questions about Asghari, and the matter of the pop star tying the knot under a conservatorship.

[caption id="attachment_1263114722" align="aligncenter" width="701"]<img class="wp-image-1263114722" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/Britney-Speaks-1.jpg" alt="Britney Spears and Sam Asghari" width="701" height="599" /> Britney Spears is engaged to boyfriend Sam Asghari (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Can Britney Spears get married under the conservatorship?</h2>
Britney can get married under her conservatorship, however, she will need permission to obtain a marriage licence.

As a conservatee, the star does not have the right to enter into any sort of agreement herself. So, while accepting a proposal is one thing, marriage is another. As such, getting a marriage license would need to be approved by her conservators — and Britney will need to get permission before officially tying the knot.

There has been some confusion among fans as to whether Britney would be allowed to get married under her conservatorship following a testimony she gave in court back in June. During the hearing, she told Judge Brenda Penny that her conservators had prevented her from getting married.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/britney-spears-relationshio-father-jamie">Inside Britney's troubled relationship with her father Jamie</a></strong></p>
She alleged: "I was told right now in the conservatorship, I'm not able to get married or have a baby, I have an [IUD] inside of myself right now so I don't get pregnant.

"I wanted to take the [IUD] out so I could start trying to have another baby. But this so-called team won't let me go to the doctor to take it out because they don't want me to have children — any more children."

Jodi Montgomery — who has been in control of the star's person — addressed this in a statement made by her attorney, Lauriann Wright. While she did not delve into the details, and whether the pop star needs permission to wed, her attorney explained: "Britney’s choice to marry and to start a family has never been impacted by the conservatorship while Ms Montgomery has been conservator of the person."

Because Britney's father, Jamie Spears, is stepping down from his role as chief conservator, whatever individual or entity that replaces him will need to approve her marriage to Asghari.

[caption id="attachment_12632199" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-12632199 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/M5XC04-scaled.jpeg" alt="Britney Spears " width="2560" height="1707" /> The Toxic singer is allowed to get married under the conservatorship but will need to be granted permission (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Can Britney Spears and Sam Asghari have children under the conservatorship?</h2>
According to Jodi Montgomery's statement, Britney can have children under the conservatorship.

The statement from Lauriann Wright continued: "As to family planning, that is also unaffected by the conservatorship. Britney’s choice to marry and to start a family has never been impacted by the conservatorship while Ms Montgomery has been conservator of the person.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-cheat-kim-kardashian">Did Kanye West cheat on Kim Kardashian? Insiders speak out</a></strong></p>
"If Britney needs any assistance with either, Ms Montgomery has and will be there to provide any assistance needed to Britney."

During her 24-minute testimony on June 23 of this year, Britney said: "I was told right now in the conservatorship, I'm not able to get married or have a baby, I have an [IUD] inside of myself right now so I don't get pregnant.

"I wanted to take the [IUD] out so I could start trying to have another baby. But this so-called team won't let me go to the doctor to take it out because they don't want me to have children — any more children."

[caption id="attachment_12632266" align="alignnone" width="2200"]<img class="wp-image-12632266 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/2D298XH.jpeg" alt="Britney Spears" width="2200" height="1660" /> Britney has been married twice before and shares two children with her ex-husband Kevin Federline (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>How many times has Britney Spears been married?</h2>
Britney has been married twice. The Stronger hitmaker wed her childhood friend in 2004 in a whirlwind marriage that lasted just 55 hours.

The couple, who grew up together in Kentwood, Louisiana, had spent New Year's Eve in Las Vegas, when they decided to marry at 4 AM. The wedding was annulled shortly afterwards.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/prince-harry-name-racist-royal-book">Here's what will happen if Prince Harry names 'racist' royal in new book</a></strong></p>
Later the same year, Britney married her backing dancer Kevin Federline, with whom she shares two children — Sean, 15, and Jayden, 14. They announced their engagement in July 2004, after just three months together.

In November 2006, the pop star filed for divorce from Federline, with the paperwork finalised in July of 2007.

Britney has 30 per cent custody of her sons, while Federline has primary custody. Upon their split in 2007, they agreed upon a 50-50 custody split. However, Federline was granted sole custody later that year after Britney suffered a public breakdown.

[caption id="attachment_12636054" align="aligncenter" width="1535"]<img class="wp-image-12636054 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/02/3a1f36e8-britney-fi-website.jpg" alt="Britney spears conservatorship " width="1535" height="800" /> Britney started dating Sam back in 2016 Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>How long have Britney Spears been with her boyfriend Sam Asghari?</h2>
Britney has been dating 27-year-old Asghari for over four years. The pair met back in 2016 on the set of her music video, Slumber Party.

In an interview with <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a22130361/britney-spears-boyfriend-sam-asghari-fitness/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Men's Health</a>, the fitness trainer says that he tried to break the ice with the pop star with a joke. "She said, ‘Hi, I’m Britney,' and I said, ‘I’m sorry. What’s your name again?’ I tried to be funny. I don’t think anybody got it."

The pair ended up speaking during breaks, and exchanged phone numbers before the end of the shoot. This turned into an invite to go out for sushi.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/matt-damon-critics-attack-homophobic-slur">Have Matt Damon's critics been too quick to attack over homophobic slur?</a></strong></p>
Despite attempting to keep their relationship out of the press, they were spotted in December of 2016 by paparazzi. Britney then made things Instagram official on New Year's Day in 2017.

"After the video came out, nobody knew we were dating," Asghari commented. "I don’t think [she or I] had the intention to just be friends."

Speaking about their relationship, Asghari added that Britney motivates him to do his best: "She motivates me more than anyone. It's crazy how I can be humbled by a person like her.

"If I could be that humble when I'm that high in life, that would be the best thing. I grew up with three sisters, and my personality is just to be a supportive person for my family and she's family. I'm always going to support her. She is another blessing that happened to me."

[caption id="attachment_12632265" align="alignnone" width="1795"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12632265" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/2A5N6PC-scaled.jpeg" alt="Sam Asghari " width="1795" height="2560" /> Sam met Britney on the set of her music video 'Slumber Party' (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Who is Sam Asghari and what does he do?</h2>
Asghari is a fitness trainer, who was born in Tehran, Iran. He migrated to the US when he was 12-years-old, and attended high school in Los Angeles.

Currently, he runs Asghari Fitness, which offers personalised training programmes and meal plans to its customers.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/news/women-mental-health-sexist-childcare-system">Women are 'ending up with serious mental health issues' because of sexist childcare</a></strong></p>
With Britney's support, he is also looking to break into the world of acting. In the 2018 interview with Men's Health, he said he is trying to transition from commercials and music videos to the big screen.

"When I was a kid, I would look at action stars, superheroes and even comedians with amazing performances, and they changed my life," Asghari told the publication.
<h5>Feature image credit: Alamy</h5>

<p>Since Britney Spears announced her engagement to Sam Asghari, fans have been questioning whether the star can get married under her conservatorship.</p>
<p>The singer announced her engagement to Asghari on social media, where she displayed a diamond ring, which was engraved with the word, "lioness". An Instagram video where she winks and kisses her fiancé on the cheek was captioned, "I can't f*cking believe it."</p>
<p>Here, we answer all your questions about Asghari, and the matter of the pop star tying the knot under a conservatorship.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263114722" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/Britney-Speaks-1.jpg" alt="Britney Spears and Sam Asghari" width="701" height="599" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Britney Spears is engaged to boyfriend Sam Asghari (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Can Britney Spears get married under the conservatorship?</h2>
<p>Britney can get married under her conservatorship, however, she will need permission to obtain a marriage licence.</p>
<p>As a conservatee, the star does not have the right to enter into any sort of agreement herself. So, while accepting a proposal is one thing, marriage is another. As such, getting a marriage license would need to be approved by her conservators — and Britney will need to get permission before officially tying the knot.</p>
<p>There has been some confusion among fans as to whether Britney would be allowed to get married under her conservatorship following a testimony she gave in court back in June. During the hearing, she told Judge Brenda Penny that her conservators had prevented her from getting married.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/britney-spears-relationshio-father-jamie">Inside Britney's troubled relationship with her father Jamie</a></strong></p>
<p>She alleged: "I was told right now in the conservatorship, I'm not able to get married or have a baby, I have an [IUD] inside of myself right now so I don't get pregnant.</p>
<p>"I wanted to take the [IUD] out so I could start trying to have another baby. But this so-called team won't let me go to the doctor to take it out because they don't want me to have children — any more children."</p>
<p>Jodi Montgomery — who has been in control of the star's person — addressed this in a statement made by her attorney, Lauriann Wright. While she did not delve into the details, and whether the pop star needs permission to wed, her attorney explained: "Britney’s choice to marry and to start a family has never been impacted by the conservatorship while Ms Montgomery has been conservator of the person."</p>
<p>Because Britney's father, Jamie Spears, is stepping down from his role as chief conservator, whatever individual or entity that replaces him will need to approve her marriage to Asghari.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632199 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/M5XC04-scaled.jpeg" alt="Britney Spears " width="2560" height="1707" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 The Toxic singer is allowed to get married under the conservatorship but will need to be granted permission (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Can Britney Spears and Sam Asghari have children under the conservatorship?</h2>
<p>According to Jodi Montgomery's statement, Britney can have children under the conservatorship.</p>
<p>The statement from Lauriann Wright continued: "As to family planning, that is also unaffected by the conservatorship. Britney’s choice to marry and to start a family has never been impacted by the conservatorship while Ms Montgomery has been conservator of the person.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-cheat-kim-kardashian">Did Kanye West cheat on Kim Kardashian? Insiders speak out</a></strong></p>
<p>"If Britney needs any assistance with either, Ms Montgomery has and will be there to provide any assistance needed to Britney."</p>
<p>During her 24-minute testimony on June 23 of this year, Britney said: "I was told right now in the conservatorship, I'm not able to get married or have a baby, I have an [IUD] inside of myself right now so I don't get pregnant.</p>
<p>"I wanted to take the [IUD] out so I could start trying to have another baby. But this so-called team won't let me go to the doctor to take it out because they don't want me to have children — any more children."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632266 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/2D298XH.jpeg" alt="Britney Spears" width="2200" height="1660" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Britney has been married twice before and shares two children with her ex-husband Kevin Federline (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>How many times has Britney Spears been married?</h2>
<p>Britney has been married twice. The Stronger hitmaker wed her childhood friend in 2004 in a whirlwind marriage that lasted just 55 hours.</p>
<p>The couple, who grew up together in Kentwood, Louisiana, had spent New Year's Eve in Las Vegas, when they decided to marry at 4 AM. The wedding was annulled shortly afterwards.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/prince-harry-name-racist-royal-book">Here's what will happen if Prince Harry names 'racist' royal in new book</a></strong></p>
<p>Later the same year, Britney married her backing dancer Kevin Federline, with whom she shares two children — Sean, 15, and Jayden, 14. They announced their engagement in July 2004, after just three months together.</p>
<p>In November 2006, the pop star filed for divorce from Federline, with the paperwork finalised in July of 2007.</p>
<p>Britney has 30 per cent custody of her sons, while Federline has primary custody. Upon their split in 2007, they agreed upon a 50-50 custody split. However, Federline was granted sole custody later that year after Britney suffered a public breakdown.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12636054 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/02/3a1f36e8-britney-fi-website.jpg" alt="Britney spears conservatorship " width="1535" height="800" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Britney started dating Sam back in 2016 Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>How long have Britney Spears been with her boyfriend Sam Asghari?</h2>
<p>Britney has been dating 27-year-old Asghari for over four years. The pair met back in 2016 on the set of her music video, Slumber Party.</p>
<p>In an interview with <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a22130361/britney-spears-boyfriend-sam-asghari-fitness/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Men's Health</a>, the fitness trainer says that he tried to break the ice with the pop star with a joke. "She said, ‘Hi, I’m Britney,' and I said, ‘I’m sorry. What’s your name again?’ I tried to be funny. I don’t think anybody got it."</p>
<p>The pair ended up speaking during breaks, and exchanged phone numbers before the end of the shoot. This turned into an invite to go out for sushi.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/matt-damon-critics-attack-homophobic-slur">Have Matt Damon's critics been too quick to attack over homophobic slur?</a></strong></p>
<p>Despite attempting to keep their relationship out of the press, they were spotted in December of 2016 by paparazzi. Britney then made things Instagram official on New Year's Day in 2017.</p>
<p>"After the video came out, nobody knew we were dating," Asghari commented. "I don’t think [she or I] had the intention to just be friends."</p>
<p>Speaking about their relationship, Asghari added that Britney motivates him to do his best: "She motivates me more than anyone. It's crazy how I can be humbled by a person like her.</p>
<p>"If I could be that humble when I'm that high in life, that would be the best thing. I grew up with three sisters, and my personality is just to be a supportive person for my family and she's family. I'm always going to support her. She is another blessing that happened to me."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12632265" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/2A5N6PC-scaled.jpeg" alt="Sam Asghari " width="1795" height="2560" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Sam met Britney on the set of her music video 'Slumber Party' (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Who is Sam Asghari and what does he do?</h2>
<p>Asghari is a fitness trainer, who was born in Tehran, Iran. He migrated to the US when he was 12-years-old, and attended high school in Los Angeles.</p>
<p>Currently, he runs Asghari Fitness, which offers personalised training programmes and meal plans to its customers.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/news/women-mental-health-sexist-childcare-system">Women are 'ending up with serious mental health issues' because of sexist childcare</a></strong></p>
<p>With Britney's support, he is also looking to break into the world of acting. In the 2018 interview with Men's Health, he said he is trying to transition from commercials and music videos to the big screen.</p>
<p>"When I was a kid, I would look at action stars, superheroes and even comedians with amazing performances, and they changed my life," Asghari told the publication.</p>
<h2>Feature image credit: Alamy</h2>


Can Britney Spears get married under conservatorship? Star is engaged to Sam Asghari

Rumours that Kanye West did cheat on Kim Kardashian have been spreading like wildfire following the release of his album Donda.

The rapper appeared to hint on the track Hurricane that he was unfaithful to his wife after they welcomed their second child Saint in 2015.

Since then, sources have come forward claiming that Kanye cheated on Kim several times over the course of their seven-year marriage, before she filed for divorce in February earlier this year.

Here, we investigate the allegations of infidelity...

[caption id="attachment_1263113143" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-1263113143 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/2EHNA2P-scaled.jpeg" alt="Did Kanye West cheat on Kim Kardashian" width="2560" height="1704" /> Insiders have claims that Kanye West did cheat on Kim Kardashian (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Did Kanye West cheat on Kim Kardashian?</h2>
While neither party has explicitly confirmed that there was any infidelity, insiders have told <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/celebrities/16142928/kanye-west-cheated-kim-kardashian-a-list-singer-struggling/">The Sun</a> that Kanye West did cheat on Kim Kardashian several times.

One source claimed that Kanye cheated on Kim with an A-list singer around the time that Kim gave birth to their second child, Saint — who is now five-years-old.

"At the time it happened, Kanye was mainly living in his bachelor pad in Hollywood because it was closer to his studio and he wasn't going to go home to Kim and newborn baby when he'd been partying late in the studio," the insider alleged.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-album-donda">What does Kanye West say about Kim Kardashian on his new album 'Donda'?</a></strong></p>
They also said that the purported cheating came at a difficult time. Kim was reportedly suffering from body image issues and doing early morning exercise classes after gaining weight during her pregnancy.

"It's really sad. She blamed herself and vowed to 'bounce back' hotter than ever," the source added.

Another insider told the publication that the Yeezy designer confessed to cheating on the reality television star to his inner circle during his Saint Pablo tour in 2016 where he "boasted about having sex with groupies".

"On his Saint Pablo Tour, he was flipping out in front of his team, confessing to sleeping with girls behind Kim's back," they said.

"He even said he'd been f***ing groupies and went into insane detail about his sex sessions.  It was very graphic, his language was unreal.

"Those who know him well, they were sitting head in hands and laughing nervously, while crew members who had just joined the tour were left stunned. Nobody could believe what he was saying in front of everybody."

The source claimed that it was "heartbreaking" as they suspected that Kanye was suffering from mental health issues.

However, neither Kim nor Kanye have commented publicly on the rumours.

[caption id="attachment_1263113133" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-1263113133 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/EF1BW5-scaled.jpeg" alt="Did Kanye West cheat on Kim Kardashian" width="2560" height="1703" /> Neither party has explicitly confirmed that there was any infidelity(Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Did Kanye West confess to cheating on Kim Kardashian?</h2>
Although he is yet to make a statement, fans think Kanye may have confessed to cheating on Kim on the song Hurricane on his new album Donda.

The controversial lyrics read: "Here I go actin' too rich / Here I go with a new chick / And I know what the truth is / Still playin' after two kids / It's a lot to digest when your life always movin'."
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-reveals-exactly-when-his-feud-with-jay-z-started" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What happened to Kanye West and Jay Z? The rappers' feud explained</a></strong></p>
Speaking about the lyrics to <a href="https://pagesix.com/2021/09/01/kanye-west-cheated-on-kim-kardashian-after-she-welcomed-their-first-two-kids/?utm_medium=browser_notifications&amp;utm_source=pushly&amp;utm_campaign=1335860" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Page Six</a>, an insider said: "The song is in a way his testimony of everything he did wrong and taking accountability for their marriage breakdown."

The source also claimed that the "new chick" mentioned in the lyrics was not a reference to Kanye's short-lived relationship with supermodel, Irina Shayk.

"If you look closer to the lyrics he is referring to his infidelity during his marriage with Kim, even after two kids," they said.

Kanye and Irina called it quits after two months of dating in August.

[caption id="attachment_1263113136" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-1263113136 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/2C7XJN1-scaled.jpeg" alt="Did Kanye West cheat on Kim Kardashian" width="2560" height="1707" /> Kanye may have confessed to cheating on Kim on the song Hurricane (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Why did Kanye West and Kim Kardashian split up?</h2>
Kim and Kanye, who share four children — North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm — appeared to have split due to a number of reasons.

Speaking about the split on the Keeping Up with the Kardashians reunion, Kim said: "It was not like, one specific thing that happened on either part.

"I think it was just a general difference of opinions on a few things that led to this decision. And like, in no way would I want someone to think that I didn’t give it my all, or not really try. You know, we have four kids."
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/9-of-taylor-swift-most-infamous-feuds-in-all-their-glory" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taylor Swift's biggest feuds of all time explained – from Kanye West to Katy Perry</a></strong></p>
According to sources, Kim and Kanye's marriage hit a "turning point" after the rapper made a comment about slavery during a 2018 TMZ interview, when he suggested that 400 years of slavery "sounds like a choice".

Kim revealed that she was seriously upset with her husband following the comments. Kim <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44380715" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>: "Did I scream about it? Did I cry about it? Did I fight about it? Yeah."

Additionally, Kanye's desire to relocate to Wyoming in 2019 created tension. Speaking about the issue in a June 2019 episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, the mother-of-four said: "I just honestly can’t do this anymore. Why am I still in this place where I’m stuck for years? Like, he goes and moves to a different state every year.

"But I can’t do that. He should have a wife that supports his every move and travels with him and does everything, and I can’t. I feel like a f*king failure. It’s my third f*king marriage."

[caption id="attachment_1263095549" align="aligncenter" width="760"]<img class="wp-image-1263095549 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/02/21b400e0-kim-and-kanye-2.jpg" alt="Kanye West" width="760" height="613" /> Kim and Kanye share four children — North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Why did Kanye West unfollow Kim Kardashian on Instagram?</h2>
Earlier this week, Kanye unfollowed Kim on Instagram.

The move came as a shock to fan as the pair have appeared to be on good terms following the split, with Kim joining Kanye on stage at his Donda listening party.

Currently, the rapper has not elaborated on his reasoning. However, when the gesture made headlines, he reflowed his estranged wife before unfollowing her again.

Kanye now only follows 45 people. All of them, including Solange Knowles, have matched their profile picture to his — a black circle — in an apparent reference to his latest album, Donda.
<div class="embed embed-image embed-image-center embed-image-medium" data-align="center" data-size="medium">
<div class="embed-inner crop-original">
<div class="embed-image-wrap aspect-ratio-original"><picture class=""><source srcset="https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/screenshot-2021-09-14-at-11-17-44-1631615559.png?resize=768:*" media="(min-width: 61.25rem)" data-srcset="https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/screenshot-2021-09-14-at-11-17-44-1631615559.png?resize=768:*" /><source srcset="https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/screenshot-2021-09-14-at-11-17-44-1631615559.png?resize=980:*" media="(min-width: 48rem)" data-srcset="https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/screenshot-2021-09-14-at-11-17-44-1631615559.png?resize=980:*" /><source srcset="https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/screenshot-2021-09-14-at-11-17-44-1631615559.png?resize=640:*" media="(min-width: 30rem)" data-srcset="https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/screenshot-2021-09-14-at-11-17-44-1631615559.png?resize=640:*" /></picture></div>
</div>
</div>

[caption id="attachment_1263095548" align="aligncenter" width="600"]<img class="wp-image-1263095548 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/02/81cd8378-kim-and-kanye-1.jpg" alt="Kim Kardashian and Kanye West." width="600" height="858" /> Kanye now only follows 14 people (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Are Kanye West and Kim Kardashian still getting divorced?</h2>
At the time of publishing, neither party have said that the divorce is off the table.

However, recent moves by the pair have confused fans who are now questioning whether the pair is actually getting divorced.

During a Donda listening party in August, Kim made an appearance wearing a head-to-toe wedding dress and a thick veil. Then, sources started to claim that Kanye wants the beauty mogul back, per <a href="https://www.etonline.com/kanye-west-wants-to-get-back-with-kim-kardashian-source-says-how-she-feels-about-it-171208" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Entertainment Tonight</a>.

For her part, Kim has promoted Kanye's music, and she spoke glowingly about him during a recent <a href="https://armchairexpertpod.com/pods/malala-yousafzai-cy3tp-56989" target="_blank" rel="noopener">podcast</a> appearance.

Make of that what you will...

[caption id="attachment_1263113137" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1263113137" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/TD7YPH-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1901" /> Fans are confused as to whether the pair are actually getting divorced (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Who are Kanye West and Kim Kardashian dating now?</h2>
While Kanye was linked to Irina Shayk in June, the pair split just two months later.

As for the Skims star, Kim has been linked to a number of celebrities including, CNN’s Van Jones and singer Maluma.

However, she set the record straight during the Keeping Up with the Kardashians reunion. "No, I’m not dating either one – not Van Jones, not Maluma. I’ve known him, I’ve seen him a few times, always in Miami, such a nice guy. So nice."
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/britney-spears-relationshio-father-jamie">Inside Britney Spears' troubled relationship with her father Jamie</a></strong></p>
She did say that was open to the possibility of romance, however. "Just someone that I think would understand what this life is about, though," she said.

"But I think what I was looking for and who I was, you know years ago is completely different than who I am today and I value privacy. And I just want something that’s like, really real."
<h5>Feature image credit: Alamy</h5>

<p>Rumours that Kanye West did cheat on Kim Kardashian have been spreading like wildfire following the release of his album Donda.</p>
<p>The rapper appeared to hint on the track Hurricane that he was unfaithful to his wife after they welcomed their second child Saint in 2015.</p>
<p>Since then, sources have come forward claiming that Kanye cheated on Kim several times over the course of their seven-year marriage, before she filed for divorce in February earlier this year.</p>
<p>Here, we investigate the allegations of infidelity...</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263113143 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/2EHNA2P-scaled.jpeg" alt="Did Kanye West cheat on Kim Kardashian" width="2560" height="1704" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Insiders have claims that Kanye West did cheat on Kim Kardashian (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Did Kanye West cheat on Kim Kardashian?</h2>
<p>While neither party has explicitly confirmed that there was any infidelity, insiders have told <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/celebrities/16142928/kanye-west-cheated-kim-kardashian-a-list-singer-struggling/">The Sun</a> that Kanye West did cheat on Kim Kardashian several times.</p>
<p>One source claimed that Kanye cheated on Kim with an A-list singer around the time that Kim gave birth to their second child, Saint — who is now five-years-old.</p>
<p>"At the time it happened, Kanye was mainly living in his bachelor pad in Hollywood because it was closer to his studio and he wasn't going to go home to Kim and newborn baby when he'd been partying late in the studio," the insider alleged.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-album-donda">What does Kanye West say about Kim Kardashian on his new album 'Donda'?</a></strong></p>
<p>They also said that the purported cheating came at a difficult time. Kim was reportedly suffering from body image issues and doing early morning exercise classes after gaining weight during her pregnancy.</p>
<p>"It's really sad. She blamed herself and vowed to 'bounce back' hotter than ever," the source added.</p>
<p>Another insider told the publication that the Yeezy designer confessed to cheating on the reality television star to his inner circle during his Saint Pablo tour in 2016 where he "boasted about having sex with groupies".</p>
<p>"On his Saint Pablo Tour, he was flipping out in front of his team, confessing to sleeping with girls behind Kim's back," they said.</p>
<p>"He even said he'd been f***ing groupies and went into insane detail about his sex sessions.  It was very graphic, his language was unreal.</p>
<p>"Those who know him well, they were sitting head in hands and laughing nervously, while crew members who had just joined the tour were left stunned. Nobody could believe what he was saying in front of everybody."</p>
<p>The source claimed that it was "heartbreaking" as they suspected that Kanye was suffering from mental health issues.</p>
<p>However, neither Kim nor Kanye have commented publicly on the rumours.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263113133 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/EF1BW5-scaled.jpeg" alt="Did Kanye West cheat on Kim Kardashian" width="2560" height="1703" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Neither party has explicitly confirmed that there was any infidelity(Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Did Kanye West confess to cheating on Kim Kardashian?</h2>
<p>Although he is yet to make a statement, fans think Kanye may have confessed to cheating on Kim on the song Hurricane on his new album Donda.</p>
<p>The controversial lyrics read: "Here I go actin' too rich / Here I go with a new chick / And I know what the truth is / Still playin' after two kids / It's a lot to digest when your life always movin'."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-reveals-exactly-when-his-feud-with-jay-z-started" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What happened to Kanye West and Jay Z? The rappers' feud explained</a></strong></p>
<p>Speaking about the lyrics to <a href="https://pagesix.com/2021/09/01/kanye-west-cheated-on-kim-kardashian-after-she-welcomed-their-first-two-kids/?utm_medium=browser_notifications&amp;utm_source=pushly&amp;utm_campaign=1335860" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Page Six</a>, an insider said: "The song is in a way his testimony of everything he did wrong and taking accountability for their marriage breakdown."</p>
<p>The source also claimed that the "new chick" mentioned in the lyrics was not a reference to Kanye's short-lived relationship with supermodel, Irina Shayk.</p>
<p>"If you look closer to the lyrics he is referring to his infidelity during his marriage with Kim, even after two kids," they said.</p>
<p>Kanye and Irina called it quits after two months of dating in August.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263113136 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/2C7XJN1-scaled.jpeg" alt="Did Kanye West cheat on Kim Kardashian" width="2560" height="1707" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Kanye may have confessed to cheating on Kim on the song Hurricane (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Why did Kanye West and Kim Kardashian split up?</h2>
<p>Kim and Kanye, who share four children — North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm — appeared to have split due to a number of reasons.</p>
<p>Speaking about the split on the Keeping Up with the Kardashians reunion, Kim said: "It was not like, one specific thing that happened on either part.</p>
<p>"I think it was just a general difference of opinions on a few things that led to this decision. And like, in no way would I want someone to think that I didn’t give it my all, or not really try. You know, we have four kids."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/9-of-taylor-swift-most-infamous-feuds-in-all-their-glory" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taylor Swift's biggest feuds of all time explained – from Kanye West to Katy Perry</a></strong></p>
<p>According to sources, Kim and Kanye's marriage hit a "turning point" after the rapper made a comment about slavery during a 2018 TMZ interview, when he suggested that 400 years of slavery "sounds like a choice".</p>
<p>Kim revealed that she was seriously upset with her husband following the comments. Kim <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44380715" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>: "Did I scream about it? Did I cry about it? Did I fight about it? Yeah."</p>
<p>Additionally, Kanye's desire to relocate to Wyoming in 2019 created tension. Speaking about the issue in a June 2019 episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, the mother-of-four said: "I just honestly can’t do this anymore. Why am I still in this place where I’m stuck for years? Like, he goes and moves to a different state every year.</p>
<p>"But I can’t do that. He should have a wife that supports his every move and travels with him and does everything, and I can’t. I feel like a f*king failure. It’s my third f*king marriage."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263095549 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/02/21b400e0-kim-and-kanye-2.jpg" alt="Kanye West" width="760" height="613" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Kim and Kanye share four children — North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Why did Kanye West unfollow Kim Kardashian on Instagram?</h2>
<p>Earlier this week, Kanye unfollowed Kim on Instagram.</p>
<p>The move came as a shock to fan as the pair have appeared to be on good terms following the split, with Kim joining Kanye on stage at his Donda listening party.</p>
<p>Currently, the rapper has not elaborated on his reasoning. However, when the gesture made headlines, he reflowed his estranged wife before unfollowing her again.</p>
<p>Kanye now only follows 45 people. All of them, including Solange Knowles, have matched their profile picture to his — a black circle — in an apparent reference to his latest album, Donda.</p>
<picture class=""><source srcset="https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/screenshot-2021-09-14-at-11-17-44-1631615559.png?resize=768:*" media="(min-width: 61.25rem)" data-srcset="https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/screenshot-2021-09-14-at-11-17-44-1631615559.png?resize=768:*" /><source srcset="https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/screenshot-2021-09-14-at-11-17-44-1631615559.png?resize=980:*" media="(min-width: 48rem)" data-srcset="https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/screenshot-2021-09-14-at-11-17-44-1631615559.png?resize=980:*" /><source srcset="https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/screenshot-2021-09-14-at-11-17-44-1631615559.png?resize=640:*" media="(min-width: 30rem)" data-srcset="https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/screenshot-2021-09-14-at-11-17-44-1631615559.png?resize=640:*" /></picture>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263095548 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/02/81cd8378-kim-and-kanye-1.jpg" alt="Kim Kardashian and Kanye West." width="600" height="858" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Kanye now only follows 14 people (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Are Kanye West and Kim Kardashian still getting divorced?</h2>
<p>At the time of publishing, neither party have said that the divorce is off the table.</p>
<p>However, recent moves by the pair have confused fans who are now questioning whether the pair is actually getting divorced.</p>
<p>During a Donda listening party in August, Kim made an appearance wearing a head-to-toe wedding dress and a thick veil. Then, sources started to claim that Kanye wants the beauty mogul back, per <a href="https://www.etonline.com/kanye-west-wants-to-get-back-with-kim-kardashian-source-says-how-she-feels-about-it-171208" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Entertainment Tonight</a>.</p>
<p>For her part, Kim has promoted Kanye's music, and she spoke glowingly about him during a recent <a href="https://armchairexpertpod.com/pods/malala-yousafzai-cy3tp-56989" target="_blank" rel="noopener">podcast</a> appearance.</p>
<p>Make of that what you will...</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-1263113137" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/TD7YPH-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1901" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Fans are confused as to whether the pair are actually getting divorced (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Who are Kanye West and Kim Kardashian dating now?</h2>
<p>While Kanye was linked to Irina Shayk in June, the pair split just two months later.</p>
<p>As for the Skims star, Kim has been linked to a number of celebrities including, CNN’s Van Jones and singer Maluma.</p>
<p>However, she set the record straight during the Keeping Up with the Kardashians reunion. "No, I’m not dating either one – not Van Jones, not Maluma. I’ve known him, I’ve seen him a few times, always in Miami, such a nice guy. So nice."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/britney-spears-relationshio-father-jamie">Inside Britney Spears' troubled relationship with her father Jamie</a></strong></p>
<p>She did say that was open to the possibility of romance, however. "Just someone that I think would understand what this life is about, though," she said.</p>
<p>"But I think what I was looking for and who I was, you know years ago is completely different than who I am today and I value privacy. And I just want something that’s like, really real."</p>
<h2>Feature image credit: Alamy</h2>


Did Kanye West cheat on Kim Kardashian? Insiders speak out after rapper hints at infidelity on new album

After more than 13 years of being held under a conservatorship, freedom seems to be on the horizon for Britney Spears.

On Tuesday, her father, Jamie, filed an unexpected request to terminate the controversial legal agreement, which Britney has previously denounced as "abusive".

This comes after the 39-year-old pop star twice petitioned the courts to remove her father as the overseer of her $60 million estate.

In light of this new turn, we take a look back at Britney's relationship with her father — from its troubled beginnings to her conservatorship battle.

[caption id="attachment_12636054" align="aligncenter" width="1535"]<img class="wp-image-12636054 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/02/3a1f36e8-britney-fi-website.jpg" alt="Britney spears conservatorship " width="1535" height="800" /> Britney Spears' father, Jamie Spears, has filed a request to terminate the pop star's controversial conservatorship (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Britney's childhood</h2>
According to Jamie's 2019 court testimony, his relationship with Britney has "always been strained".

This is a perspective shared by the pop star's mother Lynne Spears, who detailed Britney's childhood in her 2008 memoir, Through the Storm.

As Britney's mum took the aspiring pop star out of state for auditions and performances, Jamie reportedly went from job to job, and struggled with alcoholism.
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In Through the Storm, Lynne claims that her former husband "always enjoyed a beer here and there, but he didn’t start drinking heavily until after Bryan was born" — that is the Spears' oldest child, whom they welcomed in April of 1977.

"With every alcohol-soaked episode, our perfect little life began to unstitch, and the knot we had tied with our vows and our love started to work loose, thread by painful thread," she wrote.

Jamie eventually went to rehab in 2004, after Britney urged him to seek treatment, per <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/britney-spears-ups-and-downs-with-dad-jamie-over-the-years/jamies-absence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Magazine</a>.

[caption id="attachment_1263114762" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-1263114762 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/2D3253X-scaled.jpg" alt="jamie spears " width="2560" height="1707" /> Jamie's struggle with alcoholism is well documented (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>The Spears' troubled marriage</h2>
Lynne considered leaving Jamie a number of times following their 1975 nuptials, but ultimately decided to stay for the children — as she details in her memoir.

The schoolteacher writes: "When I look back, I guess I could have ended it a lot sooner and maybe saved myself and my son [Bryan] some heartache. But I wouldn’t have my girls, Britney and Jamie Lynn.

"Plus, it’s almost impossible to say I should have done this or that. At the time, divorcing Jamie did not seem like the right thing to do."

The Spears eventually did divorce, following the struggles that came with their eldest daughter's sudden fame.

In May 2002, the couple split with Britney declaring it to be "the best thing that’s ever happened to my family", according to <a href="https://people.com/archive/cover-story-britneys-next-act-vol-58-no-10/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">People</a>.

"My mom and dad, bottom line, do not get along," she said. "When I was a baby, they argued. I wanted this to happen 10 years ago."

[caption id="attachment_1263114959" align="aligncenter" width="1668"]<img class="wp-image-1263114959 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/T4JYP0-scaled.jpeg" alt="britney spears " width="1668" height="2560" /> Jamie and Lynne faced marital issues for a number of years (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2 class="mceTemp">Jamie's absence</h2>
After a teenage Britney signed a deal with Jive Records, Lynne and her friend, Felicia Culotta, took turns travelling with the pop star in the late '90s.

During this time, Jamie was notably absent.

In the February 2021 documentary, Framing Britney Spears, the singer's former agent, Nancy Carson, remembers seeing the patriarch around much less: "Jamie visited from time to time and was anxious to see this time be worthwhile so that he could justify the money that it was costing to do this."

Ex-Jive executive, Kim Kaiman added: "Her mother would do whatever it took, personally and for the family’s sake, for Britney to be a star. I never talked to her father.

"The only thing Jamie ever said to me was, 'My daughter is going to be so rich she’s going to buy me a boat.'"

[caption id="attachment_12632194" align="alignnone" width="1712"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12632194" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/H80JHC-scaled.jpeg" alt="Britney conservatorship" width="1712" height="2560" /> Jamie was notably absent when Britney first began to achieve stardom (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>'How he can be such an a**hole, and then be so nice?'</h2>
Jamie and Britney's relationship appeared volatile one minute, and loving another, in the 2008 MTV documentary, <a href="https://vimeo.com/441937549" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Britney: For the Record</a>.

In one scene, Jamie sweetly prepared his daughter's favourite comfort food: "Grits is an old Southern tradition. She’s been eating them since she was born. Everybody else has Wheaties, but Southern girls’ breakfast of champions is cheese grits."

But later, the Toxic singer quipped, "I don’t understand how he can be such an a**hole, and then be so nice," after her father left the room.
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Britney also alluded to feeling controlled by the conservatorship for the first time later in the documentary; stating that her routine was monotonous, and that she felt "too in control".

"If I wasn’t under the restraints I’m under right now, with all the lawyers and doctors and people analyzing me every day — if that wasn’t there, I’d feel so liberated," she asserted.

"When I tell them the way I feel, it’s like they hear but they’re really not listening. It’s like, it’s bad. I’m sad."

[caption id="attachment_12632195" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12632195" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/C0KM5T-scaled.jpeg" alt="Britney Spears " width="2560" height="1695" /> Jamie and Britney's relationship appeared volatile one minute, and loving another in Britney: For the Record (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Jamie steps up for Britney</h2>
In 2014, Jamie purchased a video of Britney's then-boyfriend, David Lucado, who was seen kissing and dancing with another woman.

It was believed he did so because he did not want the footage to leak online and humiliate the star.

Britney and Lucado split shortly afterwards, per <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/britney-spears-makes-sh-ty-day-video-after-david-lucado-split-2014298/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Magazine</a>.

During this time, the pair also seemed to grow closer with Jamie attending a number of Britney's concerts during her Las Vegas residency, Britney: Piece of Me, which ran from December 2013 to December 2017.

[caption id="attachment_12632196" align="alignnone" width="1254"]<img class="wp-image-12632196 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/2GJ05BA-scaled-e1631194178776.jpeg" alt="Britney Spears " width="1254" height="1292" /> Jamie purchased a video of Britney's then-boyfriend, David Lucado, who was seen kissing another woman (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Jamie's alleged altercation with Britney's son</h2>
Fast-forward five years however and the father and daughter's relationship took a turn for the worse. In August of 2019, Jamie was accused of being in a physical altercation with her then-14-year-old son, Sean.

Following the incident, Jamie stepped down as her primary conservator, with her longtime "care manager", Jodi Montgomery, temporarily taking over.

At the time, he cited health reasons for his departure.

While criminal charges were not filed against Britney's father, Britney's ex-husband, Kevin Federline, was granted a restraining order to keep their children away from Jamie following the incident.
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The following year, Britney's youngest son, Jayden, blasted his grandfather Jamie during an Instagram Live session.

During the 20-minute video, one follower wrote "kill your grandfather" to which the teen responded, "Bro, I was thinking the same thing."

When another follower asked "is your grandfather a jerk?," Jayden hit back: "Yeah, he’s a pretty big d**k...He can go die."

[caption id="attachment_12632197" align="alignnone" width="1698"]<img class="wp-image-12632197 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/E6KCY8-scaled.jpeg" alt="jamie spears is Britney Spears' dad" width="1698" height="2560" /> Jamie was accused of being in a physical altercation with one of Britney's sons (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>'We're not on good terms'</h2>
In November of 2020, Britney's lawyer said that the singer was "afraid" of her dad, per the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/arts/music/britney-spears-jamie-conservatorship.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NY Times</a>: "My client has informed me that she is afraid of her father. She also stated that she will not perform as long as her father is in charge of her career. We are really at a crossroads."

At the time, lawyer Samuel D. Ingham III also claimed that Britney had not spoken with her dad for some time.

The following month, Jamie corroborated to  <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/britney-spears-dad-jamie-says-he-hasnt-talked-to-her-since-august/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a> that he had not been on "good terms" with his daughter since the previous August.

"I love my daughter and I miss her very much," he told the news station. "When a family member needs special care and protection, families need to step up, as I have done for the last 12-plus years, to safeguard, protect and continue to love Britney unconditionally.

"I have and will continue to provide unwavering love and fierce protection against those with self-serving interests and those who seek to harm her or my family."

[caption id="attachment_12632198" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-12632198 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/2G7JXY4-scaled.jpeg" alt="The Free Britney movement has taken the world by storm" width="2560" height="1706" /> Britney and Jamie's relationship continued to breakdown as the #FreeBritney movement gained traction (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Sam Asghari speaks out</h2>
Britney's boyfriend of three years, Sam Asghari, took to Instagram Stories in February of this year to condemn her family — especially her father.

"Now it's important for people to understand that I have zero respect for someone trying to control our relationship and constantly throwing obstacles our way," he wrote, according to <a href="https://www.eonline.com/uk/news/1236384/britney-spears-boyfriend-sam-asghari-calls-jamie-spears-a-total-dick-after-documentary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E! Entertainment</a>.

"In my opinion, Jamie is a total d**k. I won't be going into details because I've always respected our privacy but at the same time, I didn't come to this country to not be able to express my opinion and freedom."
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"I’m not upset at anybody, but you know what? What I said is what I said. I think he’s a d**k," he added to TMZ later that day.

"That’s just my opinion, but I’m not going to go into details. That’s it, man. I hope [we can be on good terms one day]. Once he starts treating his daughter right, then we can be on good terms."

[caption id="attachment_1263114722" align="aligncenter" width="701"]<img class="wp-image-1263114722" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/Britney-Speaks-1.jpg" alt="Britney Spears and Sam Asghari" width="701" height="599" /> Britney's boyfriend, Sam Asghari, took to Instagram Stories to condemn Jamie (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Britney explosively breaks her silence</h2>
In her 24-minute testimony on June 23 of this year, the Circus singer said that Jamie was "all for" how she's been treated under the "abusive" conservatorship agreement.

She claimed that she was put on lithium, and made to live with six nurses in her home, who wouldn't let her leave for a month — something she claims her father supported.

"Lithium is a very, very strong and completely different medication compared to what I was used to," she said, as reported by <a href="https://variety.com/2021/music/news/britney-spears-full-statement-conservatorship-1235003940/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Variety</a>.

"You can go mentally impaired if you take too much, if you stay on it longer than five months. But he put me on that and I felt drunk. I really couldn't even take up for myself. I couldn't even have a conversation with my mom or dad really about anything.

"Not only did my family not do a goddamn thing, my dad was all for it. Anything that happened to me had to be approved by my dad... He was the one who approved all of it. My whole family did nothing."

The mother-of-two also expressed her desire to get married and have a child with Asghari, which she reportedly cannot do under the conservatorship.

She said: "I was told right now in the conservatorship, I'm not able to get married or have a baby, I have an [IUD] inside of myself right now so I don't get pregnant. I wanted to take the [IUD] out so I could start trying to have another baby. But this so-called team won't let me go to the doctor to take it out because they don't want me to have children — any more children."

The star also claimed that her father "loved" the control that he had over her. "How come I was always threatened by my dad and anybody that participated in this conservatorship?" she asked. "I cried on the phone for an hour and he loved every minute of it. The control he had over someone as powerful as me — he loved the control to hurt his own daughter 100,000%. He loved it.

"But my precious body, who has worked for my dad for the past f**king 13 years, trying to be so good and pretty. So perfect. When he works me so hard. When I do everything I'm told… and the state of California allowed my father — ignorant father — to take his own daughter, who only has a role with me if I work with him, they've set back the whole course and allowed him to do that to me."

[caption id="attachment_1263115877" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-1263115877 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/07/2F3WDP8-scaled.jpeg" alt="britney fans campaign to end conservatorship" width="2560" height="2079" /> Britney explosively broke her silence on the conservatorship in July of this year (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>'I'm here to get rid of my dad'</h2>
After Judge Brenda Penny denied Britney's request to have her father removed from the legal agreement, she addressed the court once more on July 14.

"I’m here to get rid of my dad and charge him for conservatorship abuse," she told Penny via remote video, per <a href="https://variety.com/2021/music/news/britney-spears-new-lawyer-conservatorship-hearing-court-1235019271/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Variety</a>. "I want to press charges for abuse on this conservatorship today. All of it."

The Overprotected singer continued to claim that during her Circus tour, she was forced to take psychological tests against her will, and had her blood drawn multiple times a week. This was after she said she was promised that she could have her life back if she complied.
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"I did it all and they lied…they did nothing. They didn’t end it, and I kept working," she said.

She also claimed that her driver's license and hair vitamins were taken away from her, and that she was not allowed to drink coffee or choose what she wanted to eat.

"Instead of trying to investigate my behaviour or my capacity, I want my dad investigated," Britney continued. "This conservatorship is literally allowing my dad to rule my life… that is abuse, and we all know it. I’m angry, and I will go there."

[caption id="attachment_12632199" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-12632199 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/M5XC04-scaled.jpeg" alt="Britney Spears " width="2560" height="1707" /> During Britney's second petition to the courts she doubled down on her father (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Jamie files to end Britney's conservatorship</h2>
On September 7, 2021, Jamie finally filed a request to terminate his conservatorship over his daughter.

He said that "recent events" called into question whether the star still needed a court to oversee her finances and personal affairs.

The filing at a court in Los Angeles read: "Ms Spears has told this court that she wants control of her life back without the safety rails of a conservatorship.

"She wants to be able to make decisions regarding her own medical care, deciding when, where and how often to get therapy. She wants to control the money she has made from her career and spend it without supervision or oversight.

"She wants to be able to get married and have a baby, if she so chooses. In short, she wants to live her life as she chooses without the constraints of a conservator or court proceeding."

Lawyers for Jamie added: "As Mr Spears has said again and again, all he wants is what is best for his daughter. If Ms Spears wants to terminate the conservatorship and believes that she can handle her own life, Mr Spears believes that she should get that chance."

He also said that Jodi Montgomery, a caregiver who oversees Britney's personal affairs, should also be discharged.
<h5>Feature image credit: Alamy</h5>

<p>After more than 13 years of being held under a conservatorship, freedom seems to be on the horizon for Britney Spears.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, her father, Jamie, filed an unexpected request to terminate the controversial legal agreement, which Britney has previously denounced as "abusive".</p>
<p>This comes after the 39-year-old pop star twice petitioned the courts to remove her father as the overseer of her $60 million estate.</p>
<p>In light of this new turn, we take a look back at Britney's relationship with her father — from its troubled beginnings to her conservatorship battle.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12636054 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/02/3a1f36e8-britney-fi-website.jpg" alt="Britney spears conservatorship " width="1535" height="800" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Britney Spears' father, Jamie Spears, has filed a request to terminate the pop star's controversial conservatorship (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Britney's childhood</h2>
<p>According to Jamie's 2019 court testimony, his relationship with Britney has "always been strained".</p>
<p>This is a perspective shared by the pop star's mother Lynne Spears, who detailed Britney's childhood in her 2008 memoir, Through the Storm.</p>
<p>As Britney's mum took the aspiring pop star out of state for auditions and performances, Jamie reportedly went from job to job, and struggled with alcoholism.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/news/whats-happening-afghanistan-women-taliban">Here's what's happening in Afghanistan and why 'women are scared out of their minds' </a></strong></p>
<p>In Through the Storm, Lynne claims that her former husband "always enjoyed a beer here and there, but he didn’t start drinking heavily until after Bryan was born" — that is the Spears' oldest child, whom they welcomed in April of 1977.</p>
<p>"With every alcohol-soaked episode, our perfect little life began to unstitch, and the knot we had tied with our vows and our love started to work loose, thread by painful thread," she wrote.</p>
<p>Jamie eventually went to rehab in 2004, after Britney urged him to seek treatment, per <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/britney-spears-ups-and-downs-with-dad-jamie-over-the-years/jamies-absence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Magazine</a>.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263114762 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/2D3253X-scaled.jpg" alt="jamie spears " width="2560" height="1707" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Jamie's struggle with alcoholism is well documented (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>The Spears' troubled marriage</h2>
<p>Lynne considered leaving Jamie a number of times following their 1975 nuptials, but ultimately decided to stay for the children — as she details in her memoir.</p>
<p>The schoolteacher writes: "When I look back, I guess I could have ended it a lot sooner and maybe saved myself and my son [Bryan] some heartache. But I wouldn’t have my girls, Britney and Jamie Lynn.</p>
<p>"Plus, it’s almost impossible to say I should have done this or that. At the time, divorcing Jamie did not seem like the right thing to do."</p>
<p>The Spears eventually did divorce, following the struggles that came with their eldest daughter's sudden fame.</p>
<p>In May 2002, the couple split with Britney declaring it to be "the best thing that’s ever happened to my family", according to <a href="https://people.com/archive/cover-story-britneys-next-act-vol-58-no-10/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">People</a>.</p>
<p>"My mom and dad, bottom line, do not get along," she said. "When I was a baby, they argued. I wanted this to happen 10 years ago."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263114959 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/T4JYP0-scaled.jpeg" alt="britney spears " width="1668" height="2560" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Jamie and Lynne faced marital issues for a number of years (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="mceTemp">Jamie's absence</h2>
<p>After a teenage Britney signed a deal with Jive Records, Lynne and her friend, Felicia Culotta, took turns travelling with the pop star in the late '90s.</p>
<p>During this time, Jamie was notably absent.</p>
<p>In the February 2021 documentary, Framing Britney Spears, the singer's former agent, Nancy Carson, remembers seeing the patriarch around much less: "Jamie visited from time to time and was anxious to see this time be worthwhile so that he could justify the money that it was costing to do this."</p>
<p>Ex-Jive executive, Kim Kaiman added: "Her mother would do whatever it took, personally and for the family’s sake, for Britney to be a star. I never talked to her father.</p>
<p>"The only thing Jamie ever said to me was, 'My daughter is going to be so rich she’s going to buy me a boat.'"</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12632194" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/H80JHC-scaled.jpeg" alt="Britney conservatorship" width="1712" height="2560" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Jamie was notably absent when Britney first began to achieve stardom (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>'How he can be such an a**hole, and then be so nice?'</h2>
<p>Jamie and Britney's relationship appeared volatile one minute, and loving another, in the 2008 MTV documentary, <a href="https://vimeo.com/441937549" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Britney: For the Record</a>.</p>
<p>In one scene, Jamie sweetly prepared his daughter's favourite comfort food: "Grits is an old Southern tradition. She’s been eating them since she was born. Everybody else has Wheaties, but Southern girls’ breakfast of champions is cheese grits."</p>
<p>But later, the Toxic singer quipped, "I don’t understand how he can be such an a**hole, and then be so nice," after her father left the room.</p>
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<p>Britney also alluded to feeling controlled by the conservatorship for the first time later in the documentary; stating that her routine was monotonous, and that she felt "too in control".</p>
<p>"If I wasn’t under the restraints I’m under right now, with all the lawyers and doctors and people analyzing me every day — if that wasn’t there, I’d feel so liberated," she asserted.</p>
<p>"When I tell them the way I feel, it’s like they hear but they’re really not listening. It’s like, it’s bad. I’m sad."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12632195" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/C0KM5T-scaled.jpeg" alt="Britney Spears " width="2560" height="1695" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Jamie and Britney's relationship appeared volatile one minute, and loving another in Britney: For the Record (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Jamie steps up for Britney</h2>
<p>In 2014, Jamie purchased a video of Britney's then-boyfriend, David Lucado, who was seen kissing and dancing with another woman.</p>
<p>It was believed he did so because he did not want the footage to leak online and humiliate the star.</p>
<p>Britney and Lucado split shortly afterwards, per <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/britney-spears-makes-sh-ty-day-video-after-david-lucado-split-2014298/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Magazine</a>.</p>
<p>During this time, the pair also seemed to grow closer with Jamie attending a number of Britney's concerts during her Las Vegas residency, Britney: Piece of Me, which ran from December 2013 to December 2017.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632196 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/2GJ05BA-scaled-e1631194178776.jpeg" alt="Britney Spears " width="1254" height="1292" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Jamie purchased a video of Britney's then-boyfriend, David Lucado, who was seen kissing another woman (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Jamie's alleged altercation with Britney's son</h2>
<p>Fast-forward five years however and the father and daughter's relationship took a turn for the worse. In August of 2019, Jamie was accused of being in a physical altercation with her then-14-year-old son, Sean.</p>
<p>Following the incident, Jamie stepped down as her primary conservator, with her longtime "care manager", Jodi Montgomery, temporarily taking over.</p>
<p>At the time, he cited health reasons for his departure.</p>
<p>While criminal charges were not filed against Britney's father, Britney's ex-husband, Kevin Federline, was granted a restraining order to keep their children away from Jamie following the incident.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/cast-shes-all-that-now">Here's what the cast of 'She's All That' are up to now as Netflix releases remake of the 90s classic</a></strong></p>
<p>The following year, Britney's youngest son, Jayden, blasted his grandfather Jamie during an Instagram Live session.</p>
<p>During the 20-minute video, one follower wrote "kill your grandfather" to which the teen responded, "Bro, I was thinking the same thing."</p>
<p>When another follower asked "is your grandfather a jerk?," Jayden hit back: "Yeah, he’s a pretty big d**k...He can go die."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632197 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/E6KCY8-scaled.jpeg" alt="jamie spears is Britney Spears' dad" width="1698" height="2560" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Jamie was accused of being in a physical altercation with one of Britney's sons (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>'We're not on good terms'</h2>
<p>In November of 2020, Britney's lawyer said that the singer was "afraid" of her dad, per the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/arts/music/britney-spears-jamie-conservatorship.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NY Times</a>: "My client has informed me that she is afraid of her father. She also stated that she will not perform as long as her father is in charge of her career. We are really at a crossroads."</p>
<p>At the time, lawyer Samuel D. Ingham III also claimed that Britney had not spoken with her dad for some time.</p>
<p>The following month, Jamie corroborated to  <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/britney-spears-dad-jamie-says-he-hasnt-talked-to-her-since-august/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a> that he had not been on "good terms" with his daughter since the previous August.</p>
<p>"I love my daughter and I miss her very much," he told the news station. "When a family member needs special care and protection, families need to step up, as I have done for the last 12-plus years, to safeguard, protect and continue to love Britney unconditionally.</p>
<p>"I have and will continue to provide unwavering love and fierce protection against those with self-serving interests and those who seek to harm her or my family."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632198 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/2G7JXY4-scaled.jpeg" alt="The Free Britney movement has taken the world by storm" width="2560" height="1706" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Britney and Jamie's relationship continued to breakdown as the #FreeBritney movement gained traction (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Sam Asghari speaks out</h2>
<p>Britney's boyfriend of three years, Sam Asghari, took to Instagram Stories in February of this year to condemn her family — especially her father.</p>
<p>"Now it's important for people to understand that I have zero respect for someone trying to control our relationship and constantly throwing obstacles our way," he wrote, according to <a href="https://www.eonline.com/uk/news/1236384/britney-spears-boyfriend-sam-asghari-calls-jamie-spears-a-total-dick-after-documentary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E! Entertainment</a>.</p>
<p>"In my opinion, Jamie is a total d**k. I won't be going into details because I've always respected our privacy but at the same time, I didn't come to this country to not be able to express my opinion and freedom."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/amy-winehouse-lesbian-relationships">Amy Winehouse's ex-girlfriend speaks out for the first time</a></strong></p>
<p>"I’m not upset at anybody, but you know what? What I said is what I said. I think he’s a d**k," he added to TMZ later that day.</p>
<p>"That’s just my opinion, but I’m not going to go into details. That’s it, man. I hope [we can be on good terms one day]. Once he starts treating his daughter right, then we can be on good terms."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263114722" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/Britney-Speaks-1.jpg" alt="Britney Spears and Sam Asghari" width="701" height="599" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Britney's boyfriend, Sam Asghari, took to Instagram Stories to condemn Jamie (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Britney explosively breaks her silence</h2>
<p>In her 24-minute testimony on June 23 of this year, the Circus singer said that Jamie was "all for" how she's been treated under the "abusive" conservatorship agreement.</p>
<p>She claimed that she was put on lithium, and made to live with six nurses in her home, who wouldn't let her leave for a month — something she claims her father supported.</p>
<p>"Lithium is a very, very strong and completely different medication compared to what I was used to," she said, as reported by <a href="https://variety.com/2021/music/news/britney-spears-full-statement-conservatorship-1235003940/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Variety</a>.</p>
<p>"You can go mentally impaired if you take too much, if you stay on it longer than five months. But he put me on that and I felt drunk. I really couldn't even take up for myself. I couldn't even have a conversation with my mom or dad really about anything.</p>
<p>"Not only did my family not do a goddamn thing, my dad was all for it. Anything that happened to me had to be approved by my dad... He was the one who approved all of it. My whole family did nothing."</p>
<p>The mother-of-two also expressed her desire to get married and have a child with Asghari, which she reportedly cannot do under the conservatorship.</p>
<p>She said: "I was told right now in the conservatorship, I'm not able to get married or have a baby, I have an [IUD] inside of myself right now so I don't get pregnant. I wanted to take the [IUD] out so I could start trying to have another baby. But this so-called team won't let me go to the doctor to take it out because they don't want me to have children — any more children."</p>
<p>The star also claimed that her father "loved" the control that he had over her. "How come I was always threatened by my dad and anybody that participated in this conservatorship?" she asked. "I cried on the phone for an hour and he loved every minute of it. The control he had over someone as powerful as me — he loved the control to hurt his own daughter 100,000%. He loved it.</p>
<p>"But my precious body, who has worked for my dad for the past f**king 13 years, trying to be so good and pretty. So perfect. When he works me so hard. When I do everything I'm told… and the state of California allowed my father — ignorant father — to take his own daughter, who only has a role with me if I work with him, they've set back the whole course and allowed him to do that to me."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263115877 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/07/2F3WDP8-scaled.jpeg" alt="britney fans campaign to end conservatorship" width="2560" height="2079" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Britney explosively broke her silence on the conservatorship in July of this year (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>'I'm here to get rid of my dad'</h2>
<p>After Judge Brenda Penny denied Britney's request to have her father removed from the legal agreement, she addressed the court once more on July 14.</p>
<p>"I’m here to get rid of my dad and charge him for conservatorship abuse," she told Penny via remote video, per <a href="https://variety.com/2021/music/news/britney-spears-new-lawyer-conservatorship-hearing-court-1235019271/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Variety</a>. "I want to press charges for abuse on this conservatorship today. All of it."</p>
<p>The Overprotected singer continued to claim that during her Circus tour, she was forced to take psychological tests against her will, and had her blood drawn multiple times a week. This was after she said she was promised that she could have her life back if she complied.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/news/nirvana-nevermind-child-pornography-spencer-elden">Lawyers reveal likely outcome of Nirvana lawsuit as baby on 'Nevermind' album sues for child pornography</a></strong></p>
<p>"I did it all and they lied…they did nothing. They didn’t end it, and I kept working," she said.</p>
<p>She also claimed that her driver's license and hair vitamins were taken away from her, and that she was not allowed to drink coffee or choose what she wanted to eat.</p>
<p>"Instead of trying to investigate my behaviour or my capacity, I want my dad investigated," Britney continued. "This conservatorship is literally allowing my dad to rule my life… that is abuse, and we all know it. I’m angry, and I will go there."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632199 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/09/M5XC04-scaled.jpeg" alt="Britney Spears " width="2560" height="1707" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 During Britney's second petition to the courts she doubled down on her father (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Jamie files to end Britney's conservatorship</h2>
<p>On September 7, 2021, Jamie finally filed a request to terminate his conservatorship over his daughter.</p>
<p>He said that "recent events" called into question whether the star still needed a court to oversee her finances and personal affairs.</p>
<p>The filing at a court in Los Angeles read: "Ms Spears has told this court that she wants control of her life back without the safety rails of a conservatorship.</p>
<p>"She wants to be able to make decisions regarding her own medical care, deciding when, where and how often to get therapy. She wants to control the money she has made from her career and spend it without supervision or oversight.</p>
<p>"She wants to be able to get married and have a baby, if she so chooses. In short, she wants to live her life as she chooses without the constraints of a conservator or court proceeding."</p>
<p>Lawyers for Jamie added: "As Mr Spears has said again and again, all he wants is what is best for his daughter. If Ms Spears wants to terminate the conservatorship and believes that she can handle her own life, Mr Spears believes that she should get that chance."</p>
<p>He also said that Jodi Montgomery, a caregiver who oversees Britney's personal affairs, should also be discharged.</p>
<h2>Feature image credit: Alamy</h2>


Inside Britney Spears' troubled relationship with her father Jamie as he finally files to end conservatorship

He's All That — a reimagined take on the 90's classic rom-com, She's All That — is finally available to stream on Netflix.

The new film stars TikTok star Addison Rae, and Tanner Buchanan, in the lead roles. While the original She's All That centred around a boy trying to turn the school nerd into a prom queen, He's All That flips the script.

Rae will play Padgett, an influencer whose boyfriend embarrasses her in front of the entire school. To get her revenge, and climb up the social ladder, she decides to turn one of the unpopular guys in her class into prom king.

In honour of the new film, we take a look back at the original She's All That to find out what the cast are up to now 22 years later...

[caption id="attachment_12632110" align="aligncenter" width="759"]<img class="wp-image-12632110 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/shesall-that759.jpeg" alt="she's all that " width="759" height="422" /> Rom-com classic She's All That was released in 1999 (Credit: Miramax)[/caption]
<h2>Rachael Leigh Cook — Laney Boggs</h2>
After starring as clumsy teen, Laney Boggs, Rachael Leigh Cook went onto guest star in the television show Dawson's Creek in 1999.

She's also had roles in Psych, Perception and Robot Chicken.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/friends-cast-dated-real-life">Here are the 'Friends' cast that dated in real life</a></strong></p>
In 2020, she produced and starred in the romantic comedy, Love Guaranteed.

[caption id="attachment_12632099" align="alignnone" width="1535"]<img class="wp-image-12632099 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-18.jpeg" alt="She's all that " width="1535" height="800" /> Rachael Leigh Cook starred as Laney Boggs in the hit rom-com (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Freddie Prinze Jr. — Zack Siler</h2>
Freddie Prinze Jr. played the popular jock, Zack Siler, and he carried on his rom-com streak afterwards.

He later starred in Head Over Heels, Summer Catch and even bagged a stint in Friends. The actor starred in the live-action Scooby-Doo movies alongside his future wife, Buffy star, Sarah Michelle Gellar, who he married in 2002. They share two children.

Then, in 2016, Prinze Jr. released a cookbook, titled  Back to the Kitchen: 75 Delicious, Real Recipes (&amp; True Stories) from a Food-Obsessed Actor. It included a foreword from Gellar.

[caption id="attachment_12632100" align="alignnone" width="1535"]<img class="wp-image-12632100 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-19.jpeg" alt="freddie prinze jr " width="1535" height="800" /> Freddie Prince Jr. kept up his rom-com streak after She's All That (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Paul Walker — Dean Sampson</h2>
Paul Walker went on to star as Brian O'Conner in the Fast and Furious franchise until his death in November of 2013.

The actor tragically passed away in a car crash at the age of 40 while he was on his way to a charity event. As he was still in the midst of filming the seventh Fast and Furious film, his brothers had to step in to help the cast and crew finish the remaining scenes.

He is survived by his daughter, Meadow Rain.

[caption id="attachment_12632102" align="alignnone" width="1535"]<img class="wp-image-12632102 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-21.jpeg" alt="Paul Walker" width="1535" height="800" /> Paul Walker tragically passed away in 2013 following a car accident (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)[/caption]

<div class="slide-title clearfix" data-e2e-name="slide-title">
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Jodi Lyn O'Keefe — Taylor Vaughan</h2>
Taylor Vaughan went onto star in a slew of television shows, including Prison Break and Two and a Half Men. She then guest-starred on the original Charmed series in 2004.

She also had the role of Jo Laughlin on the CW hit series, The Vampire Diaries.

Most recently, however, she played Lionel Davenport on Hit the Floor.

</div>
<div class="slide-title clearfix" data-e2e-name="slide-title">

[caption id="attachment_12632103" align="alignnone" width="1535"]<img class="wp-image-12632103 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-22.jpeg" alt="Jodi Lyn O'Keefe" width="1535" height="800" /> Jodi Lyn O'Keefe played Jo Laughlin on the CW hit series, The Vampire Diaries (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)[/caption]
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Matthew Lillard — Brock Hudson</h2>
Matthew Lillard reunited with his She's All That co-star, Freddie Prinze Jr. for two live-action Scooby-Doo movies in 2002 and 2004, respectively.

</div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.fournine.net/samantha-dead-sex-and-the-city-kim-cattrall">Is Samantha dead in the Sex and the City reboot? </a></strong></p>

<div class="slide-title clearfix" data-e2e-name="slide-title">

Then he starred in several television shows, including Good Girls and Twin Peaks.: The Return.

[caption id="attachment_12632104" align="alignnone" width="1535"]<img class="wp-image-12632104 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-23.jpeg" alt="Matthew Lillard " width="1535" height="800" /> Matthew Lillard went onto star in the live-action Scooby-Doo remakes (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)[/caption]
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Anna Paquin — Mackenzie Siler</h2>
</div>
After starring as Zack's younger sister in She's All That, Anna Paquin went onto have an illustrious career.

She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role as Sookie Stackhouse in the hit vampire HBO series, True Blood. And she also played Rogue in the X-Men movies.

In real life, she's actually married to her True Blood co-star, Stephen Moyer, and the pair share fraternal twins.
<div class="slide-title clearfix" data-e2e-name="slide-title">

[caption id="attachment_12632105" align="alignnone" width="1535"]<img class="wp-image-12632105 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-24.jpeg" alt="Anna Paquin " width="1535" height="800" /> Anna Paquin won the role of Sookie Stackhouse in True Blood (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)[/caption]
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Simon Boggs — Kieran Culkin</h2>
Kieran Culkin has enjoyed a successful career on the screen and stage.

He is currently starring in the HBO drama, Succession, where he portrays Roman Roy.

He earned himself two Golden Globe nominations in 2019, and 2020, for best performance by an actor in a supporting role.

[caption id="attachment_12632106" align="alignnone" width="1535"]<img class="wp-image-12632106 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-25.jpeg" alt="Keiran Culkin " width="1535" height="800" /> Kieran Culkin is currently starring in Succession (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)[/caption]
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Jesse Jackson — Elden Henson</h2>
Elden Henson played Laney's childhood friend, Jesse Jackson.

He has gone onto have roles in several television shows, including Grey's Anatomy, Workaholics, Private Practice, and Psych.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.fournine.net/marilyn-manson-fans-responsibility-enable-abuse">Marilyn Manson fans have a responsibility to not enable him – stop buying his music</a></strong></p>
More recently, however, he appeared as Foggy Nelson, the best friend of Matt Murdock on Daredevil.

[caption id="attachment_12632107" align="alignnone" width="1535"]<img class="wp-image-12632107 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-26.jpeg" alt="Elden Henson" width="1535" height="800" /> Elden Henson played Laney's childhood friend, Jesse Jackson (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)[/caption]
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Usher Raymond — the school's DJ</h2>
Popstar, Usher, played the school's resident DJ. He was responsible for giving the morning announcements and he was the DJ at the senior prom.

Since his role in She's All That, Usher largely left behind acting and went on to release over five studio albums, which have sold millions of copies across the globe.

He did, however, return to the screen for Hustlers in 2019.

[caption id="attachment_12632108" align="alignnone" width="1535"]<img class="wp-image-12632108 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-27.jpeg" alt="Usher" width="1535" height="800" /> Usher is now a Grammy-award-winning artist (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)[/caption]
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Gabrielle Union — Katie</h2>
Gabrielle Union starred as one of Taylor's closest friends. And since the film, she's gone on to star in a slew of rom-coms, including Bring it On, Breakin' All the Rules, Deliver Us from Eva and Think Like a Man.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/black-history-films-need-watchblackwave">12 Black history films we all need to watch</a></strong></p>
She also played the main character on the television show, Being Mary Jane.

</div>
<div class="slide-title clearfix" data-e2e-name="slide-title">

[caption id="attachment_12632109" align="alignnone" width="1535"]<img class="wp-image-12632109 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-28.jpeg" alt="Gabrielle Union" width="1535" height="800" /> Gabrielle Union played the main character on the television show, Being Mary Jane (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)[/caption]
<h3><em>He's All That is now available to stream on Netflix </em></h3>
<h5>Feature image credit: Alamy</h5>
</div>

<p>He's All That — a reimagined take on the 90's classic rom-com, She's All That — is finally available to stream on Netflix.</p>
<p>The new film stars TikTok star Addison Rae, and Tanner Buchanan, in the lead roles. While the original She's All That centred around a boy trying to turn the school nerd into a prom queen, He's All That flips the script.</p>
<p>Rae will play Padgett, an influencer whose boyfriend embarrasses her in front of the entire school. To get her revenge, and climb up the social ladder, she decides to turn one of the unpopular guys in her class into prom king.</p>
<p>In honour of the new film, we take a look back at the original She's All That to find out what the cast are up to now 22 years later...</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632110 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/shesall-that759.jpeg" alt="she's all that " width="759" height="422" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Rom-com classic She's All That was released in 1999 (Credit: Miramax)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Rachael Leigh Cook — Laney Boggs</h2>
<p>After starring as clumsy teen, Laney Boggs, Rachael Leigh Cook went onto guest star in the television show Dawson's Creek in 1999.</p>
<p>She's also had roles in Psych, Perception and Robot Chicken.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/friends-cast-dated-real-life">Here are the 'Friends' cast that dated in real life</a></strong></p>
<p>In 2020, she produced and starred in the romantic comedy, Love Guaranteed.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632099 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-18.jpeg" alt="She's all that " width="1535" height="800" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Rachael Leigh Cook starred as Laney Boggs in the hit rom-com (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Freddie Prinze Jr. — Zack Siler</h2>
<p>Freddie Prinze Jr. played the popular jock, Zack Siler, and he carried on his rom-com streak afterwards.</p>
<p>He later starred in Head Over Heels, Summer Catch and even bagged a stint in Friends. The actor starred in the live-action Scooby-Doo movies alongside his future wife, Buffy star, Sarah Michelle Gellar, who he married in 2002. They share two children.</p>
<p>Then, in 2016, Prinze Jr. released a cookbook, titled  Back to the Kitchen: 75 Delicious, Real Recipes (&amp; True Stories) from a Food-Obsessed Actor. It included a foreword from Gellar.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632100 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-19.jpeg" alt="freddie prinze jr " width="1535" height="800" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Freddie Prince Jr. kept up his rom-com streak after She's All That (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Paul Walker — Dean Sampson</h2>
<p>Paul Walker went on to star as Brian O'Conner in the Fast and Furious franchise until his death in November of 2013.</p>
<p>The actor tragically passed away in a car crash at the age of 40 while he was on his way to a charity event. As he was still in the midst of filming the seventh Fast and Furious film, his brothers had to step in to help the cast and crew finish the remaining scenes.</p>
<p>He is survived by his daughter, Meadow Rain.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632102 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-21.jpeg" alt="Paul Walker" width="1535" height="800" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Paul Walker tragically passed away in 2013 following a car accident (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Jodi Lyn O'Keefe — Taylor Vaughan</h2>
<p>Taylor Vaughan went onto star in a slew of television shows, including Prison Break and Two and a Half Men. She then guest-starred on the original Charmed series in 2004.</p>
<p>She also had the role of Jo Laughlin on the CW hit series, The Vampire Diaries.</p>
<p>Most recently, however, she played Lionel Davenport on Hit the Floor.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632103 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-22.jpeg" alt="Jodi Lyn O'Keefe" width="1535" height="800" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Jodi Lyn O'Keefe played Jo Laughlin on the CW hit series, The Vampire Diaries (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Matthew Lillard — Brock Hudson</h2>
<p>Matthew Lillard reunited with his She's All That co-star, Freddie Prinze Jr. for two live-action Scooby-Doo movies in 2002 and 2004, respectively.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.fournine.net/samantha-dead-sex-and-the-city-kim-cattrall">Is Samantha dead in the Sex and the City reboot? </a></strong></p>
<p>Then he starred in several television shows, including Good Girls and Twin Peaks.: The Return.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632104 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-23.jpeg" alt="Matthew Lillard " width="1535" height="800" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Matthew Lillard went onto star in the live-action Scooby-Doo remakes (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Anna Paquin — Mackenzie Siler</h2>
<p>After starring as Zack's younger sister in She's All That, Anna Paquin went onto have an illustrious career.</p>
<p>She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role as Sookie Stackhouse in the hit vampire HBO series, True Blood. And she also played Rogue in the X-Men movies.</p>
<p>In real life, she's actually married to her True Blood co-star, Stephen Moyer, and the pair share fraternal twins.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632105 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-24.jpeg" alt="Anna Paquin " width="1535" height="800" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Anna Paquin won the role of Sookie Stackhouse in True Blood (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Simon Boggs — Kieran Culkin</h2>
<p>Kieran Culkin has enjoyed a successful career on the screen and stage.</p>
<p>He is currently starring in the HBO drama, Succession, where he portrays Roman Roy.</p>
<p>He earned himself two Golden Globe nominations in 2019, and 2020, for best performance by an actor in a supporting role.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632106 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-25.jpeg" alt="Keiran Culkin " width="1535" height="800" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Kieran Culkin is currently starring in Succession (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Jesse Jackson — Elden Henson</h2>
<p>Elden Henson played Laney's childhood friend, Jesse Jackson.</p>
<p>He has gone onto have roles in several television shows, including Grey's Anatomy, Workaholics, Private Practice, and Psych.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.fournine.net/marilyn-manson-fans-responsibility-enable-abuse">Marilyn Manson fans have a responsibility to not enable him – stop buying his music</a></strong></p>
<p>More recently, however, he appeared as Foggy Nelson, the best friend of Matt Murdock on Daredevil.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632107 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-26.jpeg" alt="Elden Henson" width="1535" height="800" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Elden Henson played Laney's childhood friend, Jesse Jackson (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Usher Raymond — the school's DJ</h2>
<p>Popstar, Usher, played the school's resident DJ. He was responsible for giving the morning announcements and he was the DJ at the senior prom.</p>
<p>Since his role in She's All That, Usher largely left behind acting and went on to release over five studio albums, which have sold millions of copies across the globe.</p>
<p>He did, however, return to the screen for Hustlers in 2019.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632108 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-27.jpeg" alt="Usher" width="1535" height="800" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Usher is now a Grammy-award-winning artist (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="slide-title-text">Gabrielle Union — Katie</h2>
<p>Gabrielle Union starred as one of Taylor's closest friends. And since the film, she's gone on to star in a slew of rom-coms, including Bring it On, Breakin' All the Rules, Deliver Us from Eva and Think Like a Man.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/black-history-films-need-watchblackwave">12 Black history films we all need to watch</a></strong></p>
<p>She also played the main character on the television show, Being Mary Jane.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632109 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Untitled-design-28.jpeg" alt="Gabrielle Union" width="1535" height="800" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Gabrielle Union played the main character on the television show, Being Mary Jane (Credit: Miramax / Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2><em>He's All That is now available to stream on Netflix </em></h2>
<h2>Feature image credit: Alamy</h2>


Here's what the cast of 'She's All That' are up to now as Netflix releases remake of the 90s classic

Barbie is championing our pandemic sheroes!

Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert has had a Barbie made in her likeness to celebrate her part in creating the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine, which is now in use around the globe.

The "Barbie Role Model" told <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/barbie-creates-doll-of-vaccine-scientist-professor-sarah-gilbert-in-hope-of-inspiring-girls-to-get-into-stem-careers-12371960" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sky News</a> of the honour: "I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of girls into STEM careers and hope that children who see my Barbie will realise how vital careers in science are, to help the world around us. My wish is that my doll will show children careers they may not be aware of, like a vaccinologist."

Alongside Professor Gilbert, Barbie uplifted five other women who aided the pandemic effort. They are: emergency room nurse, Amy O'Sullivan, frontline worker, Dr Audrey Cruz, psychiatry resident, Dr Chika Stacy Oriuwa, biomedical researcher, Dr Jacqueline Goes de Jesus, and co-founder of "Gowns for Doctors", Dr Kirby Whitby.

Dr Audrey Cruz and Dr Chika Stacy Oriuwa also advocate against racial bias, and systemic racism in healthcare, respectively.

However, toy giant Mattel has been under a rebranding mission for some time — having founded the Barbie Sheroes line in 2015. Inspirational figures that have been turned into Barbies include tennis stars and anti-racism activists.

Here are 12 of them...

[caption id="attachment_12631979" align="alignnone" width="1200"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12631979" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/2021-08-04T074759Z_1121029790_RC2HUO9F6B96_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-MATTEL-BARBIE.jpeg" alt="" width="1200" height="630" /> The new lineup of Barbies honours Covid heroes, including Prof Dame Sarah Gilbert (Credit: Mattel)[/caption]
<h2>1. Naomi Osaka</h2>
A Barbie doll modelled on tennis player, Naomi Osaka, sold out just hours after it was released in July, 2021.

The doll, which is part of the Barbie Role Model series, wore an outfit that the 23-year-old Japanese player wore at the 2020 Australian Open.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/friends-cast-dated-real-life">The 'Friends' cast that dated in real life revealed</a></strong></p>
"I hope every child is reminded that they can be and do anything," Osaka <a href="https://twitter.com/naomiosaka/status/1414604949657325569?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a> following the doll's release.

[caption id="attachment_12631970" align="aligncenter" width="577"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12631970" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Screen-Shot-2021-08-04-at-10.19.30.png" alt="" width="577" height="394" /> Naomi Osaka's Barbie quickly sold out (Credit: Mattel)[/caption]
<h2>2. Clara Amfo</h2>
Earlier this year, BBC Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo was honoured with a Barbie in her likeness to recognise her work in speaking out against racial inequality.

Amfo was named a Barbie Role Model after she gave a powerful speech calling for anti-racism work following the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-investigation.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">death of George Floyd</a> in May of 2020. Floyd's death, at the hands of former police officer, Derek Chauvin, incited protests around the globe.

<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/56271421" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaking</a> about her Barbie, Clara said that it is important that there is a diverse range of dolls to show children that they "matter in the world".

"There is so much power in being able to see yourself reflected positively in the world as an adult and it's even more potent as a child," she continued. "That power and the confidence that comes with it should only be protected and amplified.

"For me, having this doll represents the infinite possibility that I believe we all have a right to and my only wish is that it will do the same for anyone who sees her."

[caption id="attachment_12631971" align="aligncenter" width="510"]<img class=" wp-image-12631971" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/clara-amfo-with-Barbie.png" alt="" width="510" height="680" /> BBC Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo was honoured with a Barbie (Credit: Mattel)[/caption]
<h2 class="dcr-s23rjr">3. Dina Asher-Smith</h2>
Last year, World Champion sprinter, Dina Asher-Smith, was made into a Barbie doll to celebrate International Women's Day.

"When I was growing up there wasn’t many dolls that looked like me full stop, let alone one that represented what I wanted to be without compromising musculature and small features of self-expression," the gold medalist and four-time European champion wrote on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9RUrlrBuLG/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a> at the time.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.fournine.net/kim-cattrall-sarah-jessica-parker-feud">Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker's feud explained in their own words</a></strong></p>
"This may seem quite small but positively showcasing accurate images of sportswomen is so important. It has the potential to shape young people’s perception of us, sport and as a result themselves and their own futures."

[caption id="attachment_12631972" align="alignnone" width="1080"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12631972" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/88321178_2622745544604265_7706397319520792274_n.jpeg" alt="" width="1080" height="1350" /> World Champion sprinter, Dina Asher-Smith, was made into a Barbie doll (Credit: Mattel)[/caption]
<h2>4. Sky Brown</h2>
Barbie unveiled its youngest ever "Shero" doll back in 2020: 13-year-old skateboarder, Sky Brown.

The professional skateboarder and surfer <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/58082535" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won bronze in the Tokyo Olympics</a> on August 3rd, 2021, making her Britain's youngest Olympic medal winner of all time. She is also the youngest Olympic athlete to compete since 1936.

<a href="https://toyworldmag.co.uk/2020-12-02-barbie-unveils-youngest-ever-uk-shero-doll/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaking</a> last year about her Barbie, Brown said: "I’m going to push boundaries for girls with my skating and surfing. I’m going for gold in 2021 and nothing will stop me. Having a Barbie created in my likeness is one of the most incredible things that’s ever happened to me. I hope other girls my age can see what is possible when you follow your dreams."
<p class="p1">[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/CIT8odKraKD/]]</p>

<h2>5. Adwoa Aboah</h2>
Model, Adwoa Aboah, was also made into a Barbie Doll in celebration of International Woman's Day 2020, to credit her passionate support of girls.

Aboah was praised for empowering women through her online community and podcast, <a href="https://www.gurlstalk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gurls Talk</a>, which provides a safe space for young women to discuss issues like mental health, and sexuality.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-album-donda">What does Kanye say about Kim Kardashian on his new album 'Donda'?</a></strong></p>
"I love that Barbie offers so much choice now, but to see my own doll that has my freckled skin, skin colour, shaved head and tattoos is so meaningful to me," she <a href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/fashion-news/a26698277/adwoa-aboah-barbie-doll/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
<p class="p1">[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Khumotheko/status/1109049946949517315/]]</p>

<h2>6. Nicola Adams</h2>
In 2018, boxer Nicola Adams was the first woman to be turned into a Barbie Doll for International Women's Day.
<div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block">
<div class="ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1">
<p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">"I am so excited and honoured to be Barbie's first ever UK Shero and the first-ever boxer Barbie," the Olympic gold medal winner <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-43302561" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. "My hope is that everything I do helps more people realise they can do anything they put their mind to.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.fournine.net/love-island-amber-gill-mental-health-interview">Love Island's Amber Gill gets honest about her mental health during lockdown</a></strong></p>

</div>
</div>
"Without my own role models, I wouldn't be where I am today. Growing up, my biggest role models were my mum and Muhammad Ali - there were no female boxers in media when I was a kid, and I might have discovered my passion sooner if I'd seen other women boxing. That's why empowering the next generation of kids is something I'm passionate about and it's great to work with Barbie to share my story now."

[caption id="attachment_12631975" align="alignnone" width="976"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12631975" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/100300514_ab81f903-93f2-4ea3-9a8e-38f7bca2731e.jpeg" alt="" width="976" height="549" /> Nicola Adams was the first woman to be turned into a Barbie Doll for International Women's Day (Credit: Mattel)[/caption]
<h2>7. Yara Shahidi</h2>
Actor, model and activist, Yara Shahidi's Barbie doll was re-released last year to encourage young people to vote in the 2020 US presidential election.

The doll was first launched back in 2019 to celebrate Barbie's 60th anniversary and International Women's Day.

"Everything from my outfit to my curls to my eyebrows were all things that we discussed," Shahidi told <a href="https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a26767635/yara-shahidi-barbie-shero-interview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marie Claire</a> in 2019. "I think the one thing that has been crucial for me to know is that there have been support networks in place, not only for us personally, but people who are dedicated to help in our success…people who have been dedicated to knocking down barriers.

"The freedom that we do experience is from other women who have invested their time, their money, their energy, their being into making sure that we have that space."

[caption id="attachment_12631976" align="alignnone" width="1715"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12631976" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/RX6AY4-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="1715" height="2560" /> Actor, model and activist, Yara Shahidi's Barbie doll was re-released last year (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>8. Kelsea Ballerini</h2>
US singer and songwriter, Kelsea Ballerini, was also honoured with a Barbie in her likeness to celebrate the brand's 60th anniversary, and International Women's Day.

Speaking to <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1022214/kelsea-ballerini-opens-up-about-female-empowerment-married-life-and-the-bachelor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E! News</a> about it, she said: "I’ve tried to put female empowerment into every song I write and especially into every single I put out. I really wanted it to be a big part of my journey and to be able to partner with Barbie and use these few days to really empower these young girls."
<p class="p1">[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/KelseaBallerini/status/1105273326530904064/]]</p>

<h2>9. Kristina Vogel</h2>
German cycling champion, Kristina Vogel, was made into a Barbie doll to celebrate her achievements.

Speaking about the decision to award the double Olympic gold medallist — who was <a href="https://www.espn.co.uk/olympics/story/_/id/28982067/after-devastating-accident-olympic-cyclist-kristina-vogel-shares-strength" target="_blank" rel="noopener">paralysed</a> during a training accident in 2018 — Mattel said: "Kristina continues to persevere and share her story with the public. With her infectious vitality, she is a model for believing in yourself."

[caption id="attachment_12631977" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12631977" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Empfang-zum-2-ICONISTA-Barbie-Award-im-Cafe-Moskau-in-Berlin-5.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="1001" /> "Kristina continues to persevere and share her story with the public," said Mattel (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>10. Melodie Robinson</h2>
Former rugby player turned sports journalist, Melodie Robinson, was turned into a Barbie as part of Mattel's "Sheroes" campaign.

Speaking about the honour, Robinson said on Instagram: "Ok... seriously cool to be selected to inspire young girls with the first-ever NZ Barbie - she’s Maori ... and a commentator! All part of Mattel’s role model program to help girls believe they can be anything. In this case, you can be a sports journalist... a presenter... or a commentator [sic]."
<p class="p1">[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/Bup5v9wlPeN/?]]</p>

<h2>11. Julie Bishop</h2>
Mattel honoured the chancellor of the Australian National University by making her their 2021 role model Barbie.

The toy giant said that Bishop is a "true trailblazer" in politics.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/health-beauty/why-bleeding-after-sex-common-reasons">7 reasons women experience bleeding after sex – and when you should see a docto</a>r</strong></p>
Speaking about the Barbie, Bishop <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/it-sent-a-message-julie-bishop-just-got-her-own-barbie-doll-20210615-p5816v.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>: "Knowing how much Barbie had meant to me as a little girl, knowing how Barbie had evolved into this doll that inspired young girls to choose fascinating careers, I jumped at this opportunity.
<p class="p1">[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/10NewsFirstPER/status/1405032104040173569]]</p>

<h2>12. Ibtihaj Muhammad</h2>
In 2017, Mattel launched the brand's first-ever doll to come with a hijab — based on Olympic fencer, Ibtihaj Muhammad.

The American athlete won bronze in the women's team sabre event at the 2016 Olympics, making her the first Muslim American to wear the hijab while competing for the United States.

"Barbie is celebrating Ibtihaj, not only for her accolades as an Olympian, but for embracing what makes her stand out," Sejal Shah Miller, vice president of global marketing for Barbie, told <a href="https://www.dezeen.com/2017/11/16/first-hijab-wearing-barbie-doll-tribute-olympic-athlete-ibtihaj-muhammad-mattell/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dezeen</a>.

"Ibtihaj is an inspiration to countless girls who never saw themselves represented, and by honouring her story, we hope this doll reminds them that they can be and do anything."
<p class="p1">[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/B9hhKDiBQTm/]]</p>

<h5>Feature image credit: Alamy</h5>

<p>Barbie is championing our pandemic sheroes!</p>
<p>Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert has had a Barbie made in her likeness to celebrate her part in creating the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine, which is now in use around the globe.</p>
<p>The "Barbie Role Model" told <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/barbie-creates-doll-of-vaccine-scientist-professor-sarah-gilbert-in-hope-of-inspiring-girls-to-get-into-stem-careers-12371960" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sky News</a> of the honour: "I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of girls into STEM careers and hope that children who see my Barbie will realise how vital careers in science are, to help the world around us. My wish is that my doll will show children careers they may not be aware of, like a vaccinologist."</p>
<p>Alongside Professor Gilbert, Barbie uplifted five other women who aided the pandemic effort. They are: emergency room nurse, Amy O'Sullivan, frontline worker, Dr Audrey Cruz, psychiatry resident, Dr Chika Stacy Oriuwa, biomedical researcher, Dr Jacqueline Goes de Jesus, and co-founder of "Gowns for Doctors", Dr Kirby Whitby.</p>
<p>Dr Audrey Cruz and Dr Chika Stacy Oriuwa also advocate against racial bias, and systemic racism in healthcare, respectively.</p>
<p>However, toy giant Mattel has been under a rebranding mission for some time — having founded the Barbie Sheroes line in 2015. Inspirational figures that have been turned into Barbies include tennis stars and anti-racism activists.</p>
<p>Here are 12 of them...</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12631979" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/2021-08-04T074759Z_1121029790_RC2HUO9F6B96_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-MATTEL-BARBIE.jpeg" alt="" width="1200" height="630" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 The new lineup of Barbies honours Covid heroes, including Prof Dame Sarah Gilbert (Credit: Mattel)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>1. Naomi Osaka</h2>
<p>A Barbie doll modelled on tennis player, Naomi Osaka, sold out just hours after it was released in July, 2021.</p>
<p>The doll, which is part of the Barbie Role Model series, wore an outfit that the 23-year-old Japanese player wore at the 2020 Australian Open.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/friends-cast-dated-real-life">The 'Friends' cast that dated in real life revealed</a></strong></p>
<p>"I hope every child is reminded that they can be and do anything," Osaka <a href="https://twitter.com/naomiosaka/status/1414604949657325569?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a> following the doll's release.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12631970" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Screen-Shot-2021-08-04-at-10.19.30.png" alt="" width="577" height="394" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Naomi Osaka's Barbie quickly sold out (Credit: Mattel)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>2. Clara Amfo</h2>
<p>Earlier this year, BBC Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo was honoured with a Barbie in her likeness to recognise her work in speaking out against racial inequality.</p>
<p>Amfo was named a Barbie Role Model after she gave a powerful speech calling for anti-racism work following the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-investigation.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">death of George Floyd</a> in May of 2020. Floyd's death, at the hands of former police officer, Derek Chauvin, incited protests around the globe.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/56271421" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaking</a> about her Barbie, Clara said that it is important that there is a diverse range of dolls to show children that they "matter in the world".</p>
<p>"There is so much power in being able to see yourself reflected positively in the world as an adult and it's even more potent as a child," she continued. "That power and the confidence that comes with it should only be protected and amplified.</p>
<p>"For me, having this doll represents the infinite possibility that I believe we all have a right to and my only wish is that it will do the same for anyone who sees her."</p>
<figure>
            <img class=" wp-image-12631971" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/clara-amfo-with-Barbie.png" alt="" width="510" height="680" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 BBC Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo was honoured with a Barbie (Credit: Mattel)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="dcr-s23rjr">3. Dina Asher-Smith</h2>
<p>Last year, World Champion sprinter, Dina Asher-Smith, was made into a Barbie doll to celebrate International Women's Day.</p>
<p>"When I was growing up there wasn’t many dolls that looked like me full stop, let alone one that represented what I wanted to be without compromising musculature and small features of self-expression," the gold medalist and four-time European champion wrote on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9RUrlrBuLG/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a> at the time.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.fournine.net/kim-cattrall-sarah-jessica-parker-feud">Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker's feud explained in their own words</a></strong></p>
<p>"This may seem quite small but positively showcasing accurate images of sportswomen is so important. It has the potential to shape young people’s perception of us, sport and as a result themselves and their own futures."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12631972" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/88321178_2622745544604265_7706397319520792274_n.jpeg" alt="" width="1080" height="1350" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 World Champion sprinter, Dina Asher-Smith, was made into a Barbie doll (Credit: Mattel)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>4. Sky Brown</h2>
<p>Barbie unveiled its youngest ever "Shero" doll back in 2020: 13-year-old skateboarder, Sky Brown.</p>
<p>The professional skateboarder and surfer <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/58082535" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won bronze in the Tokyo Olympics</a> on August 3rd, 2021, making her Britain's youngest Olympic medal winner of all time. She is also the youngest Olympic athlete to compete since 1936.</p>
<p><a href="https://toyworldmag.co.uk/2020-12-02-barbie-unveils-youngest-ever-uk-shero-doll/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaking</a> last year about her Barbie, Brown said: "I’m going to push boundaries for girls with my skating and surfing. I’m going for gold in 2021 and nothing will stop me. Having a Barbie created in my likeness is one of the most incredible things that’s ever happened to me. I hope other girls my age can see what is possible when you follow your dreams."</p>
<figure class='op-interactive'>
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                <p>A post shared by Instagram (@instagram)</p>
              </blockquote>
              <script async src='//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js'></script>
            </figure>
<h2>5. Adwoa Aboah</h2>
<p>Model, Adwoa Aboah, was also made into a Barbie Doll in celebration of International Woman's Day 2020, to credit her passionate support of girls.</p>
<p>Aboah was praised for empowering women through her online community and podcast, <a href="https://www.gurlstalk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gurls Talk</a>, which provides a safe space for young women to discuss issues like mental health, and sexuality.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-album-donda">What does Kanye say about Kim Kardashian on his new album 'Donda'?</a></strong></p>
<p>"I love that Barbie offers so much choice now, but to see my own doll that has my freckled skin, skin colour, shaved head and tattoos is so meaningful to me," she <a href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/fashion-news/a26698277/adwoa-aboah-barbie-doll/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p>
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<h2>6. Nicola Adams</h2>
<p>In 2018, boxer Nicola Adams was the first woman to be turned into a Barbie Doll for International Women's Day.</p>
<p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">"I am so excited and honoured to be Barbie's first ever UK Shero and the first-ever boxer Barbie," the Olympic gold medal winner <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-43302561" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. "My hope is that everything I do helps more people realise they can do anything they put their mind to.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.fournine.net/love-island-amber-gill-mental-health-interview">Love Island's Amber Gill gets honest about her mental health during lockdown</a></strong></p>
<p>"Without my own role models, I wouldn't be where I am today. Growing up, my biggest role models were my mum and Muhammad Ali - there were no female boxers in media when I was a kid, and I might have discovered my passion sooner if I'd seen other women boxing. That's why empowering the next generation of kids is something I'm passionate about and it's great to work with Barbie to share my story now."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12631975" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/100300514_ab81f903-93f2-4ea3-9a8e-38f7bca2731e.jpeg" alt="" width="976" height="549" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Nicola Adams was the first woman to be turned into a Barbie Doll for International Women's Day (Credit: Mattel)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>7. Yara Shahidi</h2>
<p>Actor, model and activist, Yara Shahidi's Barbie doll was re-released last year to encourage young people to vote in the 2020 US presidential election.</p>
<p>The doll was first launched back in 2019 to celebrate Barbie's 60th anniversary and International Women's Day.</p>
<p>"Everything from my outfit to my curls to my eyebrows were all things that we discussed," Shahidi told <a href="https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a26767635/yara-shahidi-barbie-shero-interview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marie Claire</a> in 2019. "I think the one thing that has been crucial for me to know is that there have been support networks in place, not only for us personally, but people who are dedicated to help in our success…people who have been dedicated to knocking down barriers.</p>
<p>"The freedom that we do experience is from other women who have invested their time, their money, their energy, their being into making sure that we have that space."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12631976" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/RX6AY4-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="1715" height="2560" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Actor, model and activist, Yara Shahidi's Barbie doll was re-released last year (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>8. Kelsea Ballerini</h2>
<p>US singer and songwriter, Kelsea Ballerini, was also honoured with a Barbie in her likeness to celebrate the brand's 60th anniversary, and International Women's Day.</p>
<p>Speaking to <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1022214/kelsea-ballerini-opens-up-about-female-empowerment-married-life-and-the-bachelor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E! News</a> about it, she said: "I’ve tried to put female empowerment into every song I write and especially into every single I put out. I really wanted it to be a big part of my journey and to be able to partner with Barbie and use these few days to really empower these young girls."</p>
<figure class='op-interactive'>
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                <a href='https://twitter.com/KelseaBallerini/status/1105273326530904064/'></a>
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            </figure>
<h2>9. Kristina Vogel</h2>
<p>German cycling champion, Kristina Vogel, was made into a Barbie doll to celebrate her achievements.</p>
<p>Speaking about the decision to award the double Olympic gold medallist — who was <a href="https://www.espn.co.uk/olympics/story/_/id/28982067/after-devastating-accident-olympic-cyclist-kristina-vogel-shares-strength" target="_blank" rel="noopener">paralysed</a> during a training accident in 2018 — Mattel said: "Kristina continues to persevere and share her story with the public. With her infectious vitality, she is a model for believing in yourself."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12631977" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/Empfang-zum-2-ICONISTA-Barbie-Award-im-Cafe-Moskau-in-Berlin-5.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="1001" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 "Kristina continues to persevere and share her story with the public," said Mattel (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>10. Melodie Robinson</h2>
<p>Former rugby player turned sports journalist, Melodie Robinson, was turned into a Barbie as part of Mattel's "Sheroes" campaign.</p>
<p>Speaking about the honour, Robinson said on Instagram: "Ok... seriously cool to be selected to inspire young girls with the first-ever NZ Barbie - she’s Maori ... and a commentator! All part of Mattel’s role model program to help girls believe they can be anything. In this case, you can be a sports journalist... a presenter... or a commentator [sic]."</p>
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                <a href='https://www.instagram.com/p/Bup5v9wlPeN/?'></a>
                <p>A post shared by Instagram (@instagram)</p>
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<h2>11. Julie Bishop</h2>
<p>Mattel honoured the chancellor of the Australian National University by making her their 2021 role model Barbie.</p>
<p>The toy giant said that Bishop is a "true trailblazer" in politics.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/health-beauty/why-bleeding-after-sex-common-reasons">7 reasons women experience bleeding after sex – and when you should see a docto</a>r</strong></p>
<p>Speaking about the Barbie, Bishop <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/it-sent-a-message-julie-bishop-just-got-her-own-barbie-doll-20210615-p5816v.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>: "Knowing how much Barbie had meant to me as a little girl, knowing how Barbie had evolved into this doll that inspired young girls to choose fascinating careers, I jumped at this opportunity.</p>
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<h2>12. Ibtihaj Muhammad</h2>
<p>In 2017, Mattel launched the brand's first-ever doll to come with a hijab — based on Olympic fencer, Ibtihaj Muhammad.</p>
<p>The American athlete won bronze in the women's team sabre event at the 2016 Olympics, making her the first Muslim American to wear the hijab while competing for the United States.</p>
<p>"Barbie is celebrating Ibtihaj, not only for her accolades as an Olympian, but for embracing what makes her stand out," Sejal Shah Miller, vice president of global marketing for Barbie, told <a href="https://www.dezeen.com/2017/11/16/first-hijab-wearing-barbie-doll-tribute-olympic-athlete-ibtihaj-muhammad-mattell/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dezeen</a>.</p>
<p>"Ibtihaj is an inspiration to countless girls who never saw themselves represented, and by honouring her story, we hope this doll reminds them that they can be and do anything."</p>
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<h2>Feature image credit: Alamy</h2>


12 Barbie dolls based on real inspirational women as brand honours COVID-19 sheroes

Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer (aka Rachel and Ross) apparently have more than just on-screen chemistry.

Per recent reports, the actors have been spending time together at Aniston's LA home after the HBO Max Friends reunion "stirred up feelings". During the anniversary special, the pair admitted that they both had a "major crush" on each other while filming the first few seasons.

A source told <a href="https://closeronline.co.uk/celebrity/news/jennifer-aniston-david-schwimmer-chemistry/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Closer magazine</a>: "After the reunion, it became clear that reminiscing over the past had stirred up feelings for both of them and that chemistry they’d always had to bury was still there."

While Schwimmer's reps have said that there is no truth to rumours of a romance, the pair have spoken about each other in loving ways over the years.

Here we break down what they have said about their relationship, in their own words...

[caption id="attachment_12632031" align="alignnone" width="1000"]<img class="wp-image-12632031 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/2C8GNPY.jpg" alt="Are Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer dating (Credit: HBO)" width="1000" height="1246" /> Rumours suggest that Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer are dating in real life (Credit: HBO)[/caption]
<h2>'I had a major crush on Jen'</h2>
During the hotly anticipated HBO Max Friends reunion, Aniston and Schwimmer both admitted that they had crushes on each other early on in the show.

"The first season, I had a major crush on Jen," Schwimmer said. "It was reciprocated," Aniston responded.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/friends-cast-dated-real-life">Which 'Friends' cast dated in real life?</a></strong></p>
"At some point, we were both crushing hard on each other, but it was like two ships passing because one of us was always in a relationship," Schwimmer continued.

"And we never crossed that boundary. You know, we respected that."

[caption id="attachment_12632029" align="alignnone" width="1200"]<img class="wp-image-12632029 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/gettyimages-138417061.jpg" alt="Are Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer dating (Credit: HBO)" width="1200" height="800" /> Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer have 'a lot of history' (Credit: HBO)[/caption]
<h2>Their first kiss</h2>
Despite being incredibly tight-lipped when it comes to her personal life and relationships, Aniston admitted that she was disappointed by her first kiss with Schwimmer.

Not because it was bad – but because it was for the cameras rather than an intimate moment they got to share just the two of them.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-album-donda">Here's what Kanye says about Kim Kardashian on his new album 'Donda'</a></strong></p>
"Honestly, I remember saying one time to David, ‘It’s going to be such a bummer if the first time you and I actually kiss is gonna be on national television.'," she said.

"Sure enough, the first time we kissed was in that coffee shop."

[caption id="attachment_12632030" align="alignnone" width="1320"]<img class="wp-image-12632030 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/16221835093141.jpg" alt="Are Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer dating (Credit: HBO)" width="1320" height="743" /> The Friends co-stars admitted to having crushes on each other (Credit: HBO)[/caption]
<h2>Cuddling and spooning</h2>
While working on Friends, the pair's closeness grew off-screen as well as on on-screen.

Giving some insight into what their relationship was like in real life, Schwimmer confessed: "I thought back on the very first year or two, you know, when we had breaks from rehearsal, there were moments we would cuddle on the couch," Schwimmer added.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/matt-damon-critics-attack-homophobic-slur">Have Matt Damon's critics been too quick to attack over his homophobic slur?</a></strong></p>
Aniston added: "We would spoon and fall asleep."

Hinting that lines did blur when it came to their friendship, during the reunion episode, the duo both refused to comment when the cast were asked were the biggest flirts during filming.

"Anyway, next question," Schwimmer joked, and Aniston followed up: "Next, question."

[caption id="attachment_12632020" align="alignnone" width="2048"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12632020" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/118667880_ka_05_friendsreunion.jpeg" alt="" width="2048" height="1152" /> The pair opened up about their relationship on the HBO Max Friends reunion special (Credit: HBO Max)[/caption]
<h2>'It was never the right time'</h2>
In an interview prior to the reunion, Aniston dropped further hints of a romance.

On the <a href="https://soundcloud.com/howardstern/jennifer-aniston-talks-the-real-life-feelings-she-had-for-david-schwimmer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Howard Stern show</a>, where she was joined by her Friends co-stars, Lisa Kudrow and Courteney Cox, Aniston explained why she and Schwimmer never actually dated in the past.

She said: "We were in relationships and it was always never the right time and it wouldn't have worked.

"The beauty of that was that whatever feelings we had we just literally channelled everything into Ross and Rachel and I think that's maybe why it resonated the way it did.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/which-love-island-contestants-have-made-the-most-money-villas-richest-stars-have-made-millions">Which Love Island contestants have made the most money?</a></strong></p>
"But no, we never, on my life [got together]. And Courteney and Lisa would know if it did because they would've heard about it. They can vouch for me."

She added: "Howard's not going to believe me. No, I would proudly say I banged Schwimmer if that happened. But no."

It's worth noting that both Schwimmer and Aniston are both now currently single!

[caption id="attachment_12632019" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12632019" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/2G0MT7E-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1424" /> Schwimmer and Aniston channeled their chemistry into playing Ross and Rachel (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>'Did you sleep together?'</h2>
During a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSwnd9EbQ44&amp;ab_channel=AyushSrivastava" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2016 James Burrows tribute</a>, host Andy Cohen asked members of the cast whether they had signed contracts saying that they "wouldn't sleep with each other."

Kudrow implored Schwimmer: "David, say something!"

Schwimmer then hit back with a chuckle: "Well, that was broken!"

In light of recent events, it's safe to say we're all thinking of Aniston and Schwimmer here...

[caption id="attachment_12632021" align="alignnone" width="1640"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12632021" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/T32XY8.jpeg" alt="" width="1640" height="2500" /> Aniston previously said she and Schwimmer will also be bonded (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>'Bonded forever'</h2>
In an interview with Myself Magazine back in September of 2011, Aniston discussed her relationship with her Schwimmer.

Although at the time they were both in relationships with other people, she admitted that their closeness could ever be broken.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/prince-harry-name-racist-royal-book">Here's what will happen if Prince Harry names and shames 'racist' royal in new book</a></strong></p>
"I haven't seen David Schwimmer in a while, but we will be bonded forever," she told the publication, per <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/david-schwimmer-and-jennifer-anistons-cutest-quotes-about-each-other/always-connected-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Weekly</a>.

At the time, Aniston had begun a relationship with fellow actor Justin Theroux, while Schwimmer married the artist Zoe Buckman in 2007.

They welcomed a daughter in 2011 — before divorcing in 2017.

[caption id="attachment_12632018" align="alignnone" width="2487"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12632018" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/HDA1MN.jpeg" alt="" width="2487" height="1667" /> The pair have reportedly been spending time together at Aniston's LA home (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>'We have a lot of history'</h2>
During a <a href="https://ew.com/tv/reunited-friends-cast-share-never-before-told-finale-stories/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">finale special</a> for Friends back in 2003, both Aniston and Schwimmer got candid about their relationship.

"Jen, she amazes me. Also, [a] very generous, warm, warm person. Just always puts the other person first and I think it's a gift," the 54-year-old said.

And Aniston also spoke about her co-star.

"Schwimmy Schwimmster. We have a lot of history. He's alright," she added. "No, again, really smart and helps me figure out things that I don't understand.

"I can be really honest with David and speak my mind, and I really appreciate you letting me do that."
<h5>Feature image credit: Alamy</h5>
<div class="mceTemp"></div>

<p>Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer (aka Rachel and Ross) apparently have more than just on-screen chemistry.</p>
<p>Per recent reports, the actors have been spending time together at Aniston's LA home after the HBO Max Friends reunion "stirred up feelings". During the anniversary special, the pair admitted that they both had a "major crush" on each other while filming the first few seasons.</p>
<p>A source told <a href="https://closeronline.co.uk/celebrity/news/jennifer-aniston-david-schwimmer-chemistry/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Closer magazine</a>: "After the reunion, it became clear that reminiscing over the past had stirred up feelings for both of them and that chemistry they’d always had to bury was still there."</p>
<p>While Schwimmer's reps have said that there is no truth to rumours of a romance, the pair have spoken about each other in loving ways over the years.</p>
<p>Here we break down what they have said about their relationship, in their own words...</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632031 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/2C8GNPY.jpg" alt="Are Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer dating (Credit: HBO)" width="1000" height="1246" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Rumours suggest that Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer are dating in real life (Credit: HBO)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>'I had a major crush on Jen'</h2>
<p>During the hotly anticipated HBO Max Friends reunion, Aniston and Schwimmer both admitted that they had crushes on each other early on in the show.</p>
<p>"The first season, I had a major crush on Jen," Schwimmer said. "It was reciprocated," Aniston responded.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/friends-cast-dated-real-life">Which 'Friends' cast dated in real life?</a></strong></p>
<p>"At some point, we were both crushing hard on each other, but it was like two ships passing because one of us was always in a relationship," Schwimmer continued.</p>
<p>"And we never crossed that boundary. You know, we respected that."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632029 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/gettyimages-138417061.jpg" alt="Are Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer dating (Credit: HBO)" width="1200" height="800" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer have 'a lot of history' (Credit: HBO)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Their first kiss</h2>
<p>Despite being incredibly tight-lipped when it comes to her personal life and relationships, Aniston admitted that she was disappointed by her first kiss with Schwimmer.</p>
<p>Not because it was bad – but because it was for the cameras rather than an intimate moment they got to share just the two of them.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-album-donda">Here's what Kanye says about Kim Kardashian on his new album 'Donda'</a></strong></p>
<p>"Honestly, I remember saying one time to David, ‘It’s going to be such a bummer if the first time you and I actually kiss is gonna be on national television.'," she said.</p>
<p>"Sure enough, the first time we kissed was in that coffee shop."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12632030 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/16221835093141.jpg" alt="Are Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer dating (Credit: HBO)" width="1320" height="743" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 The Friends co-stars admitted to having crushes on each other (Credit: HBO)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Cuddling and spooning</h2>
<p>While working on Friends, the pair's closeness grew off-screen as well as on on-screen.</p>
<p>Giving some insight into what their relationship was like in real life, Schwimmer confessed: "I thought back on the very first year or two, you know, when we had breaks from rehearsal, there were moments we would cuddle on the couch," Schwimmer added.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/matt-damon-critics-attack-homophobic-slur">Have Matt Damon's critics been too quick to attack over his homophobic slur?</a></strong></p>
<p>Aniston added: "We would spoon and fall asleep."</p>
<p>Hinting that lines did blur when it came to their friendship, during the reunion episode, the duo both refused to comment when the cast were asked were the biggest flirts during filming.</p>
<p>"Anyway, next question," Schwimmer joked, and Aniston followed up: "Next, question."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12632020" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/118667880_ka_05_friendsreunion.jpeg" alt="" width="2048" height="1152" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 The pair opened up about their relationship on the HBO Max Friends reunion special (Credit: HBO Max)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>'It was never the right time'</h2>
<p>In an interview prior to the reunion, Aniston dropped further hints of a romance.</p>
<p>On the <a href="https://soundcloud.com/howardstern/jennifer-aniston-talks-the-real-life-feelings-she-had-for-david-schwimmer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Howard Stern show</a>, where she was joined by her Friends co-stars, Lisa Kudrow and Courteney Cox, Aniston explained why she and Schwimmer never actually dated in the past.</p>
<p>She said: "We were in relationships and it was always never the right time and it wouldn't have worked.</p>
<p>"The beauty of that was that whatever feelings we had we just literally channelled everything into Ross and Rachel and I think that's maybe why it resonated the way it did.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/which-love-island-contestants-have-made-the-most-money-villas-richest-stars-have-made-millions">Which Love Island contestants have made the most money?</a></strong></p>
<p>"But no, we never, on my life [got together]. And Courteney and Lisa would know if it did because they would've heard about it. They can vouch for me."</p>
<p>She added: "Howard's not going to believe me. No, I would proudly say I banged Schwimmer if that happened. But no."</p>
<p>It's worth noting that both Schwimmer and Aniston are both now currently single!</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12632019" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/2G0MT7E-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1424" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Schwimmer and Aniston channeled their chemistry into playing Ross and Rachel (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>'Did you sleep together?'</h2>
<p>During a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSwnd9EbQ44&amp;ab_channel=AyushSrivastava" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2016 James Burrows tribute</a>, host Andy Cohen asked members of the cast whether they had signed contracts saying that they "wouldn't sleep with each other."</p>
<p>Kudrow implored Schwimmer: "David, say something!"</p>
<p>Schwimmer then hit back with a chuckle: "Well, that was broken!"</p>
<p>In light of recent events, it's safe to say we're all thinking of Aniston and Schwimmer here...</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12632021" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/T32XY8.jpeg" alt="" width="1640" height="2500" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Aniston previously said she and Schwimmer will also be bonded (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>'Bonded forever'</h2>
<p>In an interview with Myself Magazine back in September of 2011, Aniston discussed her relationship with her Schwimmer.</p>
<p>Although at the time they were both in relationships with other people, she admitted that their closeness could ever be broken.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/prince-harry-name-racist-royal-book">Here's what will happen if Prince Harry names and shames 'racist' royal in new book</a></strong></p>
<p>"I haven't seen David Schwimmer in a while, but we will be bonded forever," she told the publication, per <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/david-schwimmer-and-jennifer-anistons-cutest-quotes-about-each-other/always-connected-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Weekly</a>.</p>
<p>At the time, Aniston had begun a relationship with fellow actor Justin Theroux, while Schwimmer married the artist Zoe Buckman in 2007.</p>
<p>They welcomed a daughter in 2011 — before divorcing in 2017.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12632018" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/HDA1MN.jpeg" alt="" width="2487" height="1667" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 The pair have reportedly been spending time together at Aniston's LA home (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>'We have a lot of history'</h2>
<p>During a <a href="https://ew.com/tv/reunited-friends-cast-share-never-before-told-finale-stories/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">finale special</a> for Friends back in 2003, both Aniston and Schwimmer got candid about their relationship.</p>
<p>"Jen, she amazes me. Also, [a] very generous, warm, warm person. Just always puts the other person first and I think it's a gift," the 54-year-old said.</p>
<p>And Aniston also spoke about her co-star.</p>
<p>"Schwimmy Schwimmster. We have a lot of history. He's alright," she added. "No, again, really smart and helps me figure out things that I don't understand.</p>
<p>"I can be really honest with David and speak my mind, and I really appreciate you letting me do that."</p>
<h2>Feature image credit: Alamy</h2>


Everything Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer have let slip about their relationship as romance rumours swirl

Matt Damon sparked outrage earlier this week after revealing he only recently retired a homophobic slur.

During an interview with the <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/is-matt-damon-the-last-of-hollywoods-leading-men-gdh9bcwqd">Sunday Times</a>, he confessed that "f-slur was commonly used when I was a kid" – and he only erased the term from his vocabulary "months ago" after an awkward exchange with one of his children

The Hollywood actor, who insists he stands with LGBTQ+ community, explained that while he has never used the slur personally, he did say it while telling a joke – and his daughter took huge offence to it. "She went to her room and wrote a very long, beautiful treatise on how that word is dangerous," the star admitted. "I said, 'I retire the f-slur!' I understood."

Commenting on the understandable backlash Damon has since received, LGBTQ+ commentator and host of the <a href="https://play.acast.com/s/studentpride" target="_blank" rel="noopener">QueerAF</a> podcast, <a href="https://twitter.com/jamie_wareham?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jamie Wareham</a>, tells <strong>Four Nine </strong>that while such language is of course unacceptable, perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to attack the actor.

[caption id="attachment_12631995" align="alignnone" width="2515"]<img class="wp-image-12631995 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/GD3T8N-scaled-e1628176688636.jpeg" alt="Matt Damon" width="2515" height="1670" /> Matt Damon sparked outrage after revealing he only recently stopped using a homophobic slur (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>We need to let people recompense for their mistakes</h2>
Explaining the initial reaction to Damon's story, Wareham says: "For us, the word f***** is akin to the N-word. Within our community, it is associated with bullying and hate speech. That's why the reaction was so intense and understandable."

However, despite agreeing that Damon's use of the term was highly offensive, Wareham points out that there's a "really important" story here that some people might be missing: "That's the fact that Damon listened and understood why he needed to update his language.

"I'm really glad that he went on that journey and changed his mind. He did something quite brave given how quickly we can jump on moments on social media. And I think he did something that a lot of people need to do. It strikes me as quite a compassionate thing — to share that story with the world."

In the midst of cancel culture — where celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and Ellen DeGeneres have had upcoming projects axed after being called them out for a slew of mishaps — Wareham urges caution.

"There's an important balance we need to strike between letting people know that they've got it wrong, and allowing them to recompense," he explains.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/news/fair-trans-athletes-non-trans-olympics">Is it fair for trans athletes to compete against non-trans women?</a></strong></p>
"A lot of people feel very scared about having conversations and saying the wrong thing. We need to find a way of having conversations that invite people in and allow people to recognise their mistakes. We then need to give them a chance to change. What happened in that private moment between Damon and his daughter was exactly that."

Wareham then points out that the reaction to Damon's revelation caused such an outcry because it took place on the public stage. If, for example, a similar conversation was had with any one of us on an individual level, in private, we'd probably feel good at the end of it — even though it may be difficult initially.

"There's something about social media that makes us forget that humans need to go through things to change," he adds.

[caption id="attachment_12631996" align="alignnone" width="1761"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12631996" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/HCYP7P.jpeg" alt="" width="1761" height="1191" /> Matt Damon starred as a gay character in 1999's The Talented Mr Ripley (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>An overwhelming amount of privilege</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;">For LGBTQ writer and commentator, <a href="https://twitter.com/mrnicklevine?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nick Levine</a>, however, Damon's revelation "speaks to an overwhelming amount of straight, white, male privilege".</p>
"It's shocking on two levels," he explains. "One that he had to be told in 2021 not to use that word, and secondly, that he was so oblivious to the fact that it was offensive. It almost felt like he was saying it because he wanted a pat on the back."

Levine's point is only made more prescient when we recall that Damon has previously played two gay characters in films (<span class="StyledComponents__CharacterNameWithAs-y9ygcu-4 gyGbpY" data-testid="cast-item-characters-with-as">Tom Ripley in</span> The Talented Mr Ripley and <span class="StyledComponents__CharacterNameWithAs-y9ygcu-4 gyGbpY" data-testid="cast-item-characters-with-as">Scott Thorson</span> in Behind the Candelabra). This, combined with the fact that he has previously angered the LGBTQ+ community with insensitive comments.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/prince-harry-name-racist-royal-book">Here's what will happen if Prince Harry names 'racist' royal in new book</a></strong></p>
In 2015, Damon told the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/sep/29/matt-damon-hypocritical-gay-actor-comments">Guardian</a> that actors should steer clear from disclosing their sexuality "because that's one of the mysteries [they] should be able to play." For members of the community, this amounted to arguing that gay actors should keep their sexuality secret.

Discussing Damon's past comments, Levine adds: "He went to Harvard, he's a very well educated guy. Given everything that's happened with him in the past as well, it's unfathomable that he's never been called up on it before."

Levine adds that while the debate about straight actors playing gay roles has only recently reached fever-pitch, it suggests that Damon didn't do much research for those two roles: "He clearly didn't engage with the gay community on a deeper level, which is what you'd expect from a straight actor playing a gay role — they should prove that they've earned the right to play us."

[caption id="attachment_12631997" align="alignnone" width="1363"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12631997" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/DT9MJX.jpeg" alt="" width="1363" height="2048" /> Damon also starred in a gay role in 2013's Behind the Candelabra (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Why Matt Damon won't be cancelled</h2>
Despite Damon's "incredible ignorance", Levine says that it's positive that his revelation got people talking about why the word is offensive: "It's getting people to discuss the word, and reconsider whether they think that it's ok to use it."

But as to whether Damon will be "cancelled" for his comments, or face any damage to his career, Levine does not believe so.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/health-beauty/never-ask-woman-pregnant">Why you should never, ever ask a woman if she's pregnant – even if she is</a></strong></p>
"Aside from taking on a few gay roles, he is very straight culture — that's the world he lives in, and that's his fanbase," he adds. "Those people won't care much about what happened.

"But it will be remembered by our community and probably mocked for years to come. He'd likely have to think twice before taking on another gay role."
<h5>Feature image credit: Alamy</h5>

<p>Matt Damon sparked outrage earlier this week after revealing he only recently retired a homophobic slur.</p>
<p>During an interview with the <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/is-matt-damon-the-last-of-hollywoods-leading-men-gdh9bcwqd">Sunday Times</a>, he confessed that "f-slur was commonly used when I was a kid" – and he only erased the term from his vocabulary "months ago" after an awkward exchange with one of his children</p>
<p>The Hollywood actor, who insists he stands with LGBTQ+ community, explained that while he has never used the slur personally, he did say it while telling a joke – and his daughter took huge offence to it. "She went to her room and wrote a very long, beautiful treatise on how that word is dangerous," the star admitted. "I said, 'I retire the f-slur!' I understood."</p>
<p>Commenting on the understandable backlash Damon has since received, LGBTQ+ commentator and host of the <a href="https://play.acast.com/s/studentpride" target="_blank" rel="noopener">QueerAF</a> podcast, <a href="https://twitter.com/jamie_wareham?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jamie Wareham</a>, tells <strong>Four Nine </strong>that while such language is of course unacceptable, perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to attack the actor.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12631995 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/GD3T8N-scaled-e1628176688636.jpeg" alt="Matt Damon" width="2515" height="1670" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Matt Damon sparked outrage after revealing he only recently stopped using a homophobic slur (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>We need to let people recompense for their mistakes</h2>
<p>Explaining the initial reaction to Damon's story, Wareham says: "For us, the word f***** is akin to the N-word. Within our community, it is associated with bullying and hate speech. That's why the reaction was so intense and understandable."</p>
<p>However, despite agreeing that Damon's use of the term was highly offensive, Wareham points out that there's a "really important" story here that some people might be missing: "That's the fact that Damon listened and understood why he needed to update his language.</p>
<p>"I'm really glad that he went on that journey and changed his mind. He did something quite brave given how quickly we can jump on moments on social media. And I think he did something that a lot of people need to do. It strikes me as quite a compassionate thing — to share that story with the world."</p>
<p>In the midst of cancel culture — where celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and Ellen DeGeneres have had upcoming projects axed after being called them out for a slew of mishaps — Wareham urges caution.</p>
<p>"There's an important balance we need to strike between letting people know that they've got it wrong, and allowing them to recompense," he explains.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/news/fair-trans-athletes-non-trans-olympics">Is it fair for trans athletes to compete against non-trans women?</a></strong></p>
<p>"A lot of people feel very scared about having conversations and saying the wrong thing. We need to find a way of having conversations that invite people in and allow people to recognise their mistakes. We then need to give them a chance to change. What happened in that private moment between Damon and his daughter was exactly that."</p>
<p>Wareham then points out that the reaction to Damon's revelation caused such an outcry because it took place on the public stage. If, for example, a similar conversation was had with any one of us on an individual level, in private, we'd probably feel good at the end of it — even though it may be difficult initially.</p>
<p>"There's something about social media that makes us forget that humans need to go through things to change," he adds.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12631996" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/HCYP7P.jpeg" alt="" width="1761" height="1191" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Matt Damon starred as a gay character in 1999's The Talented Mr Ripley (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>An overwhelming amount of privilege</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;">For LGBTQ writer and commentator, <a href="https://twitter.com/mrnicklevine?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nick Levine</a>, however, Damon's revelation "speaks to an overwhelming amount of straight, white, male privilege".</p>
<p>"It's shocking on two levels," he explains. "One that he had to be told in 2021 not to use that word, and secondly, that he was so oblivious to the fact that it was offensive. It almost felt like he was saying it because he wanted a pat on the back."</p>
<p>Levine's point is only made more prescient when we recall that Damon has previously played two gay characters in films (Tom Ripley in The Talented Mr Ripley and Scott Thorson in Behind the Candelabra). This, combined with the fact that he has previously angered the LGBTQ+ community with insensitive comments.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/prince-harry-name-racist-royal-book">Here's what will happen if Prince Harry names 'racist' royal in new book</a></strong></p>
<p>In 2015, Damon told the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/sep/29/matt-damon-hypocritical-gay-actor-comments">Guardian</a> that actors should steer clear from disclosing their sexuality "because that's one of the mysteries [they] should be able to play." For members of the community, this amounted to arguing that gay actors should keep their sexuality secret.</p>
<p>Discussing Damon's past comments, Levine adds: "He went to Harvard, he's a very well educated guy. Given everything that's happened with him in the past as well, it's unfathomable that he's never been called up on it before."</p>
<p>Levine adds that while the debate about straight actors playing gay roles has only recently reached fever-pitch, it suggests that Damon didn't do much research for those two roles: "He clearly didn't engage with the gay community on a deeper level, which is what you'd expect from a straight actor playing a gay role — they should prove that they've earned the right to play us."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-12631997" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/08/DT9MJX.jpeg" alt="" width="1363" height="2048" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Damon also starred in a gay role in 2013's Behind the Candelabra (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Why Matt Damon won't be cancelled</h2>
<p>Despite Damon's "incredible ignorance", Levine says that it's positive that his revelation got people talking about why the word is offensive: "It's getting people to discuss the word, and reconsider whether they think that it's ok to use it."</p>
<p>But as to whether Damon will be "cancelled" for his comments, or face any damage to his career, Levine does not believe so.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/health-beauty/never-ask-woman-pregnant">Why you should never, ever ask a woman if she's pregnant – even if she is</a></strong></p>
<p>"Aside from taking on a few gay roles, he is very straight culture — that's the world he lives in, and that's his fanbase," he adds. "Those people won't care much about what happened.</p>
<p>"But it will be remembered by our community and probably mocked for years to come. He'd likely have to think twice before taking on another gay role."</p>
<h2>Feature image credit: Alamy</h2>


Have Matt Damon's critics been too quick to attack over his homophobic slur confession?

Prince Harry's upcoming memoir is reportedly ruffling feathers within the royal household.

The book is set to provide insight into life behind palace doors like never before, charting every major chapter of the Duke of Sussex's life, from childhood to marriage to to his controversial decision to step down as a senior royal.

After signing a deal reportedly worth a staggering <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9819583/Harrys-deal-FOUR-books-one-wont-released-Queen-died.html">$40million</a>, many are expecting the prince to name and shame the member of his family who made a racist comment about his son Archie.

During a joint interview with his wife Meghan Markle, the couple told Oprah Winfrey that a senior royal raised concerns about "how dark [Archie's] skin might be when he's born". People were disgusted. But at the time, the couple refused to identify who made the comment, because it "would be very damaging to them".

However, anti-racism activist <a href="https://www.hr-rewired.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shereen Daniels</a> tells <strong>Four Nine</strong> that Harry's book would be the perfect opportunity to reveal all. She explains that doing so would "send a note to the establishments that all those questionable things that they say and do are no longer acceptable."

[caption id="attachment_1263097402" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-1263097402 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/03/PA-56784366-min-scaled.jpg" alt="Meghan and Harry " width="2560" height="1707" /> Prince Harry is releasing a book about his life next year (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>The royal family can't keep avoiding this</h2>
According to Daniels, the Queen's unofficial motto of "never complain, never explain" when it comes to rumours about the royals no longer has any place in today's society – especially post-Black Lives Matter.

"Up until this point, the royal family has been very lucky in that they've been able to skirt the issue of racism and discrimination, which they have perpetuated and dare I say benefited from," she says. "So I don't actually think that they can keep avoiding this.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/amy-winehouse-lesbian-relationships">Amy Winehouse's ex-girlfriend speaks out for the first time on the anniversary of her death</a></strong></p>
"Who and what are we protecting here? What about the people who are victims and have been affected by these happenings on a daily basis — are we saying that they don’t matter while an institution like the royal family does?

"What these people are actually saying is that any of us who have been victims of discrimination and marginalisation can't challenge power in institutions, which is wrong."

Daniels adds that if Harry names the royal who made the racist comment, it would force the royal family to start facing up to matters of race.

"They have a role and responsibility," she continues. "They can't just sit on the sidelines and play it safe by not really doing anything."

According to reports, the royal family is said to be furious about news of Harry's book, with <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1466890/Royal-Family-Prince-Harry-Duke-Sussex-William-Queen-Jubilee-latest-news-vn">The Express</a> reporting that some of his relatives are even plotting a retaliation. Commenting on the alleged reaction, Daniels admits she isn't shocked that "everyone's panicking". She explains: "It comes from a place of deep fear that Harry is going to reveal something really unpleasant about the royal family."

[caption id="attachment_1263114247" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1263114247" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/H3E16T-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1706" /> Many are wondering if the Duke of Sussex will name and shame the royal who made racist comments about his son (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>No one was surprised by the bombshell</h2>
Sadly, given the backlash Harry and Meghan received after their Oprah interview, Daniels suspects he may think twice before making more claims against the royal family.

"It's like how employees don't speak up in organisations where they've been victims of racism," she explains. "The second you talk about racism, the burden is on you to prove it. We saw it happen with Harry before — they end up attacking the victim, rather than paying attention to what actually happened."
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-album-donda">What does Kanye say about Kim Kardashian on his new album?</a></strong></p>
So while she agrees that Harry should be able to speak his truth, Daniels recognises that we cannot make judgements about how and when people disclose the very personal details of their life.

"They don't really owe anyone else any explanations. Harry doesn't have to report to anyone else other than his wife and children," she states.

[caption id="attachment_1263114253" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1263114253" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/2FM455G-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1737" /> Harry and wife Meghan Markle are expected to tell their side of the story in his new book (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>The details of the memoir still remain hazy</h2>
Leading PR expert, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenlunnfarrow/?hl=en">Lauren Lunn Farrow</a>, suspects that despite the risks, Harry will use his book to tell his side of the story.

"From what we’ve seen to date, it would indicate they feel that they have been badly treated by the media so one could assume they would be using this book to have their say in their own words," she tells <strong>Four Nine</strong>.

However, she has doubts as to whether the couple will ever name the royal who made a racist remark about their son's skin colour.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/lifestyle/what-do-sex-dreams-mean">What do sex dreams mean? Expert analyses what's really going on in your head</a></strong></p>
"During his interview with Oprah Harry was very firm that he would never name the individual in the family," she continues.

"It’s a tricky situation because the way ’The Firm’ runs, they tend to stick to the policy of 'never explain never complain'. So any accusations or stories that come via Harry’s book will put the family in a difficult position in terms of them having their right to reply and how they address this.

"But I don’t think anyone has the right to tell Harry and Meghan if they can or can’t tell their truth. There are two sides to every story."

<p>Prince Harry's upcoming memoir is reportedly ruffling feathers within the royal household.</p>
<p>The book is set to provide insight into life behind palace doors like never before, charting every major chapter of the Duke of Sussex's life, from childhood to marriage to to his controversial decision to step down as a senior royal.</p>
<p>After signing a deal reportedly worth a staggering <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9819583/Harrys-deal-FOUR-books-one-wont-released-Queen-died.html">$40million</a>, many are expecting the prince to name and shame the member of his family who made a racist comment about his son Archie.</p>
<p>During a joint interview with his wife Meghan Markle, the couple told Oprah Winfrey that a senior royal raised concerns about "how dark [Archie's] skin might be when he's born". People were disgusted. But at the time, the couple refused to identify who made the comment, because it "would be very damaging to them".</p>
<p>However, anti-racism activist <a href="https://www.hr-rewired.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shereen Daniels</a> tells <strong>Four Nine</strong> that Harry's book would be the perfect opportunity to reveal all. She explains that doing so would "send a note to the establishments that all those questionable things that they say and do are no longer acceptable."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263097402 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/03/PA-56784366-min-scaled.jpg" alt="Meghan and Harry " width="2560" height="1707" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Prince Harry is releasing a book about his life next year (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>The royal family can't keep avoiding this</h2>
<p>According to Daniels, the Queen's unofficial motto of "never complain, never explain" when it comes to rumours about the royals no longer has any place in today's society – especially post-Black Lives Matter.</p>
<p>"Up until this point, the royal family has been very lucky in that they've been able to skirt the issue of racism and discrimination, which they have perpetuated and dare I say benefited from," she says. "So I don't actually think that they can keep avoiding this.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/amy-winehouse-lesbian-relationships">Amy Winehouse's ex-girlfriend speaks out for the first time on the anniversary of her death</a></strong></p>
<p>"Who and what are we protecting here? What about the people who are victims and have been affected by these happenings on a daily basis — are we saying that they don’t matter while an institution like the royal family does?</p>
<p>"What these people are actually saying is that any of us who have been victims of discrimination and marginalisation can't challenge power in institutions, which is wrong."</p>
<p>Daniels adds that if Harry names the royal who made the racist comment, it would force the royal family to start facing up to matters of race.</p>
<p>"They have a role and responsibility," she continues. "They can't just sit on the sidelines and play it safe by not really doing anything."</p>
<p>According to reports, the royal family is said to be furious about news of Harry's book, with <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1466890/Royal-Family-Prince-Harry-Duke-Sussex-William-Queen-Jubilee-latest-news-vn">The Express</a> reporting that some of his relatives are even plotting a retaliation. Commenting on the alleged reaction, Daniels admits she isn't shocked that "everyone's panicking". She explains: "It comes from a place of deep fear that Harry is going to reveal something really unpleasant about the royal family."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-1263114247" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/H3E16T-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1706" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Many are wondering if the Duke of Sussex will name and shame the royal who made racist comments about his son (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>No one was surprised by the bombshell</h2>
<p>Sadly, given the backlash Harry and Meghan received after their Oprah interview, Daniels suspects he may think twice before making more claims against the royal family.</p>
<p>"It's like how employees don't speak up in organisations where they've been victims of racism," she explains. "The second you talk about racism, the burden is on you to prove it. We saw it happen with Harry before — they end up attacking the victim, rather than paying attention to what actually happened."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-album-donda">What does Kanye say about Kim Kardashian on his new album?</a></strong></p>
<p>So while she agrees that Harry should be able to speak his truth, Daniels recognises that we cannot make judgements about how and when people disclose the very personal details of their life.</p>
<p>"They don't really owe anyone else any explanations. Harry doesn't have to report to anyone else other than his wife and children," she states.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="size-full wp-image-1263114253" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/2FM455G-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1737" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Harry and wife Meghan Markle are expected to tell their side of the story in his new book (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>The details of the memoir still remain hazy</h2>
<p>Leading PR expert, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenlunnfarrow/?hl=en">Lauren Lunn Farrow</a>, suspects that despite the risks, Harry will use his book to tell his side of the story.</p>
<p>"From what we’ve seen to date, it would indicate they feel that they have been badly treated by the media so one could assume they would be using this book to have their say in their own words," she tells <strong>Four Nine</strong>.</p>
<p>However, she has doubts as to whether the couple will ever name the royal who made a racist remark about their son's skin colour.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/lifestyle/what-do-sex-dreams-mean">What do sex dreams mean? Expert analyses what's really going on in your head</a></strong></p>
<p>"During his interview with Oprah Harry was very firm that he would never name the individual in the family," she continues.</p>
<p>"It’s a tricky situation because the way ’The Firm’ runs, they tend to stick to the policy of 'never explain never complain'. So any accusations or stories that come via Harry’s book will put the family in a difficult position in terms of them having their right to reply and how they address this.</p>
<p>"But I don’t think anyone has the right to tell Harry and Meghan if they can or can’t tell their truth. There are two sides to every story."</p>


Here's what will happen if Prince Harry names and shames 'racist' royal in new book

Today marks the ten year anniversary of Amy Winehouse's tragic death.

A decade on, the music icon's closest friends and family, including her beloved mother Janis and father Mitch, will be coming together in a new BBC documentary tonight, titled <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000y2xd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reclaiming Amy</a>, to reveal the truth about the star.

In the hour-long film, Catriona Gourlay joins the late singer's parents to talk openly for the first time about her six-year romantic relationship with Amy – a decision which she describes as "difficult".

[caption id="attachment_12631869" align="aligncenter" width="602"]<img class="wp-image-12631869" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-21-at-11.40.49.png" alt="Amy Winehouse's relationship" width="602" height="689" /> Catriona Gourlay has spoken about her romantic relationship with Amy Winehouse for the first time (Credit: Instagram / @mittenslap)[/caption]
<h2>Amy Winehouse 'was confused about her sexuality'</h2>
"There is no point in me waiting for ten years and never speaking about Amy if I'm not proving any new information, any more context around her life, that might be meaningful to somebody that is either navigating their way in terms of their mental health or sexuality," Catriona told <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09q05wd">BBC's Woman's Hour</a> in a joint interview with Amy's mother.

"Unfortunately, whilst lots of people know that Amy was incredibly talented, I think her life seems to be punctuated by certain things. People think about the drinking or the other stuff or the most obvious relationship in her life.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-album-donda">What does Kanye say about Kim Kardashian on his new album 'Donda'?</a></strong></p>
"Perhaps they don't know that she was really loved by her friends and she had a lot of other things going on that she would have perhaps felt more comfortable talking about if she were Amy in 2021. I think that would be something she would be a lot more open about."

According to Catriona, while Amy's relationship with husband Blake Fielder-Civil dominated headlines, behind closed doors, the star was "confused" about her sexuality. However, she did once allude to her attraction to women during one interview, telling a journalist: "I’m not a lesbian until I’ve had three sambucas."

Pouring her heart out about the late star for the first time, Catriona admits that Amy struggled when it came to understanding her sexuality: "Our relationship was so unique, undefined. We just loved each other very much. What I took from it, knowing her, was that she was confused about what it made her. When you have something that is so undefined for years, it’s hard."

[caption id="attachment_12631880" align="alignnone" width="1344"]<img class="wp-image-12631880 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/Screenshot-2021-07-22-at-10.16.35.png" alt="Catriona Gourlay" width="1344" height="787" /> Catriona claims she and Amy were an item for six years (Credit: BBC)[/caption]
<h2>'Six years is not a fling'</h2>
Giving some insight into what Amy was like as a girlfriend, Catriona says: "She used to write notes while I was sleeping, saying, ‘You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. And how can you look as beautiful asleep as you do awake?'"

Sadly, in the lead up to the release of the documentary, some have sadly tried to downplay Catriona and Amy's relationship as a "fling" – a claim she has furiously shut down.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/relationships/dead-parent-club-podcast-hope-death-mothers">Podcast stars give hope as they discuss healing after losing their mothers</a></strong></p>
Taking to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRWVdH-nqkS/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, Catriona wrote: "I’m really disappointed that certain media outlets have chosen to run stories that use incredibly salacious terminology - 'fling', 'affair', 'ex -lover' and so on", she wrote underneath a picture of her and the Rehab singer.

"Six years is by no means a ‘fling’ and, quite frankly, if that’s the only thing you glean from me talking about our very long close friendship in the documentary, you’ve totally missed the point.

"Our friendship was years longer than that, the physical side being a bi product of what was, first and foremost, two people being madly into each other as mates. Why make it sound sordid?! [sic]."

[caption id="attachment_12631871" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-12631871 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/RWDXJ6-scaled.jpeg" alt="Amy Winehouse's relationship" width="2560" height="1704" /> Amy Winehouse did little to quash rumours about her sexuality (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Neon Hitch and Amy Winehouse</h2>
However, Catriona isn't the only woman to have spoken out about a romantic relationship with Amy over the years. In 2016, pop star Neon Hitch claimed to <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/444124/i-love-amy-winehouse-and-she-loved-me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun on Sunday</a> that she and the later singer had once been in love.

According to the musician — who identifies as bisexual, the pair were so serious they even lived together in Amy's home in Camden, North London.

Discussing her alleged relationship with the star, she said: "I love Amy, Amy loved me. We were dearly close."

The musician also claimed that the duo recorded a number of songs together while she was alive, however, even ten years on, she doesn't want to cash in on them.

She explained: "It was jam stuff recorded on a camera. I don’t think it would be appropriate to release. It’s a very touchy subject for me. Some things are best left alone."

Although Hitch has been keen to keep the details of her reported relationship with Amy secret, she tellingly has the late singer's name tattooed to her finger, showing what an important role the singer played in her life. When asked to comment on the late star, she described Amy as "one of most amazing people to ever grace this planet".

Prior to her 2016 interview, Neon did previously allude to her romantic relationship with Amy to the <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/neon-hitch_b_1827828">Daily News</a>. "She introduced me to being kind of a lesbian," she admitted, refusing to name the famous woman in question. "She’s not with us now, but she’s looking down upon us.

"I really don’t want to say her name, but she’s not with us anymore," the singer said, calling the mystery celebrity "the most beautiful human being I’ve ever met".

[caption id="attachment_12631870" align="alignnone" width="2113"]<img class="wp-image-12631870 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/E64FM3-scaled.jpeg" alt="Amy Winehouse's relationship" width="2113" height="2560" /> UK-based pop star Neon Hitch claims she and Amy Winehouse loved each other (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Addressing the rumours</h2>
During Amy's life, several sources spoke out about her sexuality – and the singer did little to quash rumours.

For example, in 2009, a woman called Ellie Kemm alleged that she caught her girlfriend, Jemma Jerman, having sex with the singer after they met at a luxury hotel in St Lucia.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/why-love-island-serious-risk-black-women">Why 'Love Island' is a more serious risk for Black women than it is for white</a></strong></p>
Rather than apologising, Kemm claimed that Amy urged her to join them for a threesome.

"Amy looked at me and growled, ‘Shut the door and get over here. They were kissing and entwined — arms and legs everywhere," she said.

"I was so shocked."

[caption id="attachment_12631882" align="aligncenter" width="596"]<img class="wp-image-12631882 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/Screenshot-2021-07-22-at-10.53.55-1.png" alt="Amy Winehouse" width="596" height="283" /> Ellie Kemm claims her girlfriend cheated on her with Amy Winehouse (Credit: Twitter)[/caption]

A <a href="https://twitter.com/EllieKemm/status/1145958302?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweet</a> dated from 25 January 2009 from a Twitter account attributed to <a href="https://twitter.com/EllieKemm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ellie Kemm</a>, reads: "Ellie sings - 'Amy Winehouse tried to make me have a threesome... I said no...no...no...'"

Despite the claims making national headlines, Amy never confirmed or denied the reports.

Per <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/444124/i-love-amy-winehouse-and-she-loved-me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a>, a friend of Amy's also once claimed that Amy had had a "string of female lovers".
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/news/is-bill-cosby-innocent-conviction-overturned">Why Bill Cosby's sexual assault conviction was overturned after just two years</a></strong></p>
According to the source, while the star was married to husband Blake, she would often arrange threesomes with women.

"It was Blake’s idea but Amy said she’d been with women before so it wasn’t a problem," the insider alleged. "She said she’s had a string of female lovers. Whenever Blake said he wanted three in a bed Amy would fix it."

But again, Amy never commented on the stories.

[caption id="attachment_12631872" align="alignnone" width="1976"]<img class="wp-image-12631872 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/JM47ER.jpeg" alt="Amy Winehouse's relationship" width="1976" height="1050" /> Amy was married to Blake Fielder-Civil but was reportedly confused about her sexuality (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]

In tonight's documentary, Amy's dad Mitch addresses the rumours around his daughter's sexuality for the first time.

Proudly showing support for his daughter, he tells the cameras: "I have no objections – I just wanted Amy to be happy."

Commenting specifically on Amy's relationship with Catriona, he adds; "Catriona and Amy, they were sisters. They were more than best friends.

"And if they had that kind of relationship good luck to them. I know [Amy] was always happy with Cat in whatever way. So that’s great."

<em><strong>Reclaiming Amy is on BBC Two tonight at 9pm.</strong></em>
<h5>Feature image credit: Alamy</h5>

<p>Today marks the ten year anniversary of Amy Winehouse's tragic death.</p>
<p>A decade on, the music icon's closest friends and family, including her beloved mother Janis and father Mitch, will be coming together in a new BBC documentary tonight, titled <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000y2xd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reclaiming Amy</a>, to reveal the truth about the star.</p>
<p>In the hour-long film, Catriona Gourlay joins the late singer's parents to talk openly for the first time about her six-year romantic relationship with Amy – a decision which she describes as "difficult".</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12631869" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-21-at-11.40.49.png" alt="Amy Winehouse's relationship" width="602" height="689" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Catriona Gourlay has spoken about her romantic relationship with Amy Winehouse for the first time (Credit: Instagram / @mittenslap)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Amy Winehouse 'was confused about her sexuality'</h2>
<p>"There is no point in me waiting for ten years and never speaking about Amy if I'm not proving any new information, any more context around her life, that might be meaningful to somebody that is either navigating their way in terms of their mental health or sexuality," Catriona told <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09q05wd">BBC's Woman's Hour</a> in a joint interview with Amy's mother.</p>
<p>"Unfortunately, whilst lots of people know that Amy was incredibly talented, I think her life seems to be punctuated by certain things. People think about the drinking or the other stuff or the most obvious relationship in her life.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-album-donda">What does Kanye say about Kim Kardashian on his new album 'Donda'?</a></strong></p>
<p>"Perhaps they don't know that she was really loved by her friends and she had a lot of other things going on that she would have perhaps felt more comfortable talking about if she were Amy in 2021. I think that would be something she would be a lot more open about."</p>
<p>According to Catriona, while Amy's relationship with husband Blake Fielder-Civil dominated headlines, behind closed doors, the star was "confused" about her sexuality. However, she did once allude to her attraction to women during one interview, telling a journalist: "I’m not a lesbian until I’ve had three sambucas."</p>
<p>Pouring her heart out about the late star for the first time, Catriona admits that Amy struggled when it came to understanding her sexuality: "Our relationship was so unique, undefined. We just loved each other very much. What I took from it, knowing her, was that she was confused about what it made her. When you have something that is so undefined for years, it’s hard."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12631880 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/Screenshot-2021-07-22-at-10.16.35.png" alt="Catriona Gourlay" width="1344" height="787" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Catriona claims she and Amy were an item for six years (Credit: BBC)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>'Six years is not a fling'</h2>
<p>Giving some insight into what Amy was like as a girlfriend, Catriona says: "She used to write notes while I was sleeping, saying, ‘You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. And how can you look as beautiful asleep as you do awake?'"</p>
<p>Sadly, in the lead up to the release of the documentary, some have sadly tried to downplay Catriona and Amy's relationship as a "fling" – a claim she has furiously shut down.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/relationships/dead-parent-club-podcast-hope-death-mothers">Podcast stars give hope as they discuss healing after losing their mothers</a></strong></p>
<p>Taking to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRWVdH-nqkS/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, Catriona wrote: "I’m really disappointed that certain media outlets have chosen to run stories that use incredibly salacious terminology - 'fling', 'affair', 'ex -lover' and so on", she wrote underneath a picture of her and the Rehab singer.</p>
<p>"Six years is by no means a ‘fling’ and, quite frankly, if that’s the only thing you glean from me talking about our very long close friendship in the documentary, you’ve totally missed the point.</p>
<p>"Our friendship was years longer than that, the physical side being a bi product of what was, first and foremost, two people being madly into each other as mates. Why make it sound sordid?! [sic]."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12631871 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/RWDXJ6-scaled.jpeg" alt="Amy Winehouse's relationship" width="2560" height="1704" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Amy Winehouse did little to quash rumours about her sexuality (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Neon Hitch and Amy Winehouse</h2>
<p>However, Catriona isn't the only woman to have spoken out about a romantic relationship with Amy over the years. In 2016, pop star Neon Hitch claimed to <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/444124/i-love-amy-winehouse-and-she-loved-me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun on Sunday</a> that she and the later singer had once been in love.</p>
<p>According to the musician — who identifies as bisexual, the pair were so serious they even lived together in Amy's home in Camden, North London.</p>
<p>Discussing her alleged relationship with the star, she said: "I love Amy, Amy loved me. We were dearly close."</p>
<p>The musician also claimed that the duo recorded a number of songs together while she was alive, however, even ten years on, she doesn't want to cash in on them.</p>
<p>She explained: "It was jam stuff recorded on a camera. I don’t think it would be appropriate to release. It’s a very touchy subject for me. Some things are best left alone."</p>
<p>Although Hitch has been keen to keep the details of her reported relationship with Amy secret, she tellingly has the late singer's name tattooed to her finger, showing what an important role the singer played in her life. When asked to comment on the late star, she described Amy as "one of most amazing people to ever grace this planet".</p>
<p>Prior to her 2016 interview, Neon did previously allude to her romantic relationship with Amy to the <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/neon-hitch_b_1827828">Daily News</a>. "She introduced me to being kind of a lesbian," she admitted, refusing to name the famous woman in question. "She’s not with us now, but she’s looking down upon us.</p>
<p>"I really don’t want to say her name, but she’s not with us anymore," the singer said, calling the mystery celebrity "the most beautiful human being I’ve ever met".</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12631870 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/E64FM3-scaled.jpeg" alt="Amy Winehouse's relationship" width="2113" height="2560" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 UK-based pop star Neon Hitch claims she and Amy Winehouse loved each other (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Addressing the rumours</h2>
<p>During Amy's life, several sources spoke out about her sexuality – and the singer did little to quash rumours.</p>
<p>For example, in 2009, a woman called Ellie Kemm alleged that she caught her girlfriend, Jemma Jerman, having sex with the singer after they met at a luxury hotel in St Lucia.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/why-love-island-serious-risk-black-women">Why 'Love Island' is a more serious risk for Black women than it is for white</a></strong></p>
<p>Rather than apologising, Kemm claimed that Amy urged her to join them for a threesome.</p>
<p>"Amy looked at me and growled, ‘Shut the door and get over here. They were kissing and entwined — arms and legs everywhere," she said.</p>
<p>"I was so shocked."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12631882 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/Screenshot-2021-07-22-at-10.53.55-1.png" alt="Amy Winehouse" width="596" height="283" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Ellie Kemm claims her girlfriend cheated on her with Amy Winehouse (Credit: Twitter)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<p>A <a href="https://twitter.com/EllieKemm/status/1145958302?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweet</a> dated from 25 January 2009 from a Twitter account attributed to <a href="https://twitter.com/EllieKemm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ellie Kemm</a>, reads: "Ellie sings - 'Amy Winehouse tried to make me have a threesome... I said no...no...no...'"</p>
<p>Despite the claims making national headlines, Amy never confirmed or denied the reports.</p>
<p>Per <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/444124/i-love-amy-winehouse-and-she-loved-me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a>, a friend of Amy's also once claimed that Amy had had a "string of female lovers".</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/news/is-bill-cosby-innocent-conviction-overturned">Why Bill Cosby's sexual assault conviction was overturned after just two years</a></strong></p>
<p>According to the source, while the star was married to husband Blake, she would often arrange threesomes with women.</p>
<p>"It was Blake’s idea but Amy said she’d been with women before so it wasn’t a problem," the insider alleged. "She said she’s had a string of female lovers. Whenever Blake said he wanted three in a bed Amy would fix it."</p>
<p>But again, Amy never commented on the stories.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12631872 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/JM47ER.jpeg" alt="Amy Winehouse's relationship" width="1976" height="1050" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Amy was married to Blake Fielder-Civil but was reportedly confused about her sexuality (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<p>In tonight's documentary, Amy's dad Mitch addresses the rumours around his daughter's sexuality for the first time.</p>
<p>Proudly showing support for his daughter, he tells the cameras: "I have no objections – I just wanted Amy to be happy."</p>
<p>Commenting specifically on Amy's relationship with Catriona, he adds; "Catriona and Amy, they were sisters. They were more than best friends.</p>
<p>"And if they had that kind of relationship good luck to them. I know [Amy] was always happy with Cat in whatever way. So that’s great."</p>
<p><em><strong>Reclaiming Amy is on BBC Two tonight at 9pm.</strong></em></p>
<h2>Feature image credit: Alamy</h2>


Amy Winehouse's ex-girlfriend speaks out for the first time on the ten year anniversary of her death

Reports around what Kanye West says about Kim Kardashian on his new album Donda are divided.

The American rapper held a listening party for his upcoming tenth studio album in Las Vegas on Sunday night (July 18).

While the details are hazy, some reports are alleging that the rapper put his marriage to Kim Kardashian on blast, while others claimed that he said nothing negative about his ex-wife.

Either way, here's everything we know so far...

[caption id="attachment_1263113133" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-1263113133 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/EF1BW5-scaled.jpeg" alt="What does Kanye West say about Kim Kardashian on his new album Donda" width="2560" height="1703" /> Reports around what Kanye West says about Kim Kardashian on his new album Donda are divided (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>1. Kanye 'cried' after comparing home with Kim to 'prison'</h2>
According to <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/celebrities/15632411/kanye-west-donda-album-listening-party-videos-kim-kardashian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a>, the 44-year-old allegedly broke down in tears at the party, after performing his new song Welcome To My Life — which the publication claims delves into his personal life.

The track reportedly touches on his divorce from Kim, his Twitter meltdowns, and his unsuccessful bid for the US Presidency.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: </strong><a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-reveals-exactly-when-his-feud-with-jay-z-started" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What happened to Kanye West and Jay Z? The rappers' feud explained</a></p>
Per the tabloid, Kanye likened his marital home in Calabasas, LA, to a prison, rapping: "Tell the assassins I escaped from Calabasas".

A source at the Las Vegas listening party alleged: "It’s a very deep, sad song about Kanye, with him reflecting on his marriage with Kim. He talks about the kids and mentions her taking everything. After he played this song he paused for like, two minutes, and cried. It was really sombre."

[caption id="attachment_1263113144" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-1263113144 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/2EHAT3N-scaled.jpeg" alt="Kanye West Kim " width="2560" height="2006" /> Per The Sun, the 44-year-old allegedly broke down in tears at the party (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>2. Other reports say that the rapper said nothing 'negative' about his ex-wife</h2>
Meanwhile, other reports dispute that version of events. Multiple sources have told <a href="https://pagesix.com/2021/07/19/kanye-west-compares-la-home-with-kim-kardashian-to-prison-on-new-song/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Page Six</a> that West didn't rap anything "negative" about his ex-wife, or compare himself to being a prisoner.

A source close to the pair told the publication: "Kanye actually played the song for Kim personally before the listening party. It’s emotional and personal. Not negative at all."

[caption id="attachment_1263113137" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-1263113137 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/TD7YPH-scaled.jpeg" alt="What does Kanye West say about Kim Kardashian on his new album 'Donda" width="2560" height="1901" /> Kanye held a listening party for the upcoming album in Las Vegas on Sunday night (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>3. Kanye has previously been open about his personal life in his music</h2>
If Kanye did open up about his split from Kim in his new music, it would be in keeping with the rapper's lyrical style.

He has previously touched on his marriage to Kim, the Kardashian-Jenner family and his feud with Taylor Swift in previous songs.

For example, in 2018's Wouldn't Leave, from the album Ye, the father-of-four raps: "My wife callin', screamin', say we 'bout to lose it all / Had to calm her down 'cause she couldn't breathe / Told her she could leave me now, but she wouldn't leave."

Here, Kanye implies that Kim called him "screaming" over his "slavery was a choice" <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kanye-west-tweet-deleted-kim-kardashian-doctor-north-president-campaign-a9630501.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">comments</a> to TMZ at the time.

Likewise, in Famous, from The Life of Pablo, a lyric reads: "I feel like me and Taylor still might have sex."
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/9-of-taylor-swift-most-infamous-feuds-in-all-their-glory" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taylor Swift's biggest feuds of all time explained – from Kanye West to Katy Perry</a></p>
It was incredibly <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2016/10/taylor-swift-original-famous-lyrics-kanye-west" target="_blank" rel="noopener">controversial</a>, and the pop star was quick to call out the rapper for allegedly not consulting her.  This famously set off the biggest celebrity feud of 2016.

[caption id="attachment_1263113136" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-1263113136 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/2C7XJN1-scaled.jpeg" alt="kanye west " width="2560" height="1707" /> The rapper has previously addressed his personal life in his songs (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>4. Kim and Kanye reunited before Donda listening party</h2>
Just before the Las Vegas listening party, the former couple reunited to get in some family time with their four children. They share North, eight, Saint, five, Chicago, three, and Psalm, one, together.

They attended the Asian Art Museum on Saturday morning (July 17) to view the venue's new teamLab: Continuity exhibition, according to <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/celebrities/15632411/kanye-west-donda-album-listening-party-videos-kim-kardashian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a>.

Zac Rose, the associate communications director at the museum, said that Kanye was "a fan of teamLab", a Tokyo-based international art collective. He added: "We opened a little early for them, to avoid a spectacle, and give them some independence and privacy."

One insider told the publication: "It didn't look romantic between them. But it is clear that they are friends and getting along great." The source added their kids "were running around laughing and looked really happy".

[caption id="attachment_1263113140" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]<img class="wp-image-1263113140 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/D64A2K-scaled.jpeg" alt="donda" width="2560" height="1707" /> Kim and Kanye reunited with their children last week (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>5. Kim spoke positively about Kanye just last month</h2>
During last month's Keeping Up with the Kardashians reunion special, the beauty mogul and SKIMS founder had only positive words for her ex-husband of seven years.

"That was my friend first and foremost for a long time – I can’t see that going away," she <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2021/07/20/kim-kardashian-fine-with-ex-kanye-west-dating-again-after-split-14957291/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> host, Andy Cohen. "I will forever be Kanye’s biggest fan. He’s the father of my kids. Kanye will always be family."

[caption id="attachment_1263095549" align="aligncenter" width="805"]<img class="wp-image-1263095549" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/02/21b400e0-kim-and-kanye-2.jpg" alt="Kanye West" width="805" height="649" /> Credit: (Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>6. 'Donda' was delayed amid divorce from Kim</h2>
Kanye's upcoming album was delayed amid his marital struggles with Kim, as well as his failed presidential campaign, according to <a href="https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/07/19/kanye-west-donda-10th-album-months-late-atlanta-listening-party/5428323002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USA Today</a>.

The initial date for Donda's release was due to be the same day that Taylor Swift — with whom Kanye has a long-running feud — was supposed to drop her surprise Album, Folklore, on <a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/1285433509142650881?s=20">July 24, 2020</a>.

However, just before the album was supposed to debut, the rapper posted a slew of strange tweets. In one, West implied that his then-wife had tried to have him hospitalised. He said, "<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kanye-west-tweet-deleted-kim-kardashian-doctor-north-president-campaign-a9630501.html">Kim tried to bring a doctor to lock me up</a>."

At a rally, he also claimed he nearly "killed" the couple's first daughter, North, by <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/12169032/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-stopped-aborting-daughter-north/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">considering an abortion</a>.

He said: "My dad wanted to abort me. My mom saved my life. There would have been no Kanye West, because my dad was too busy. I almost killed my daughter. So even if my wife were to divorce me after this speech, she brought North into the world, even when I didn't want to. She stood up. She protected that child."

Several days later, Kim broke her silence on her husband's mental health. She took to <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-instagram-bipolar-mental-health-statement-twitter-a9632601.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a> to post a slew of Instagram Stories that discussed Kanye's bipolar disorder, and implored the public to be compassionate.

"As many of you know, Kanye has bipolar disorder," the reality television star wrote. "Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand."

She went on to cite the struggles of being a Black male artist, the loss of his mother, and the coronavirus pandemic. Finally, she added that she and her family were "powerless" to get him help since he is an adult.
<h5>Feature image credit: Alamy</h5>

<p>Reports around what Kanye West says about Kim Kardashian on his new album Donda are divided.</p>
<p>The American rapper held a listening party for his upcoming tenth studio album in Las Vegas on Sunday night (July 18).</p>
<p>While the details are hazy, some reports are alleging that the rapper put his marriage to Kim Kardashian on blast, while others claimed that he said nothing negative about his ex-wife.</p>
<p>Either way, here's everything we know so far...</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263113133 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/EF1BW5-scaled.jpeg" alt="What does Kanye West say about Kim Kardashian on his new album Donda" width="2560" height="1703" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Reports around what Kanye West says about Kim Kardashian on his new album Donda are divided (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>1. Kanye 'cried' after comparing home with Kim to 'prison'</h2>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/celebrities/15632411/kanye-west-donda-album-listening-party-videos-kim-kardashian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a>, the 44-year-old allegedly broke down in tears at the party, after performing his new song Welcome To My Life — which the publication claims delves into his personal life.</p>
<p>The track reportedly touches on his divorce from Kim, his Twitter meltdowns, and his unsuccessful bid for the US Presidency.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: </strong><a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/kanye-west-reveals-exactly-when-his-feud-with-jay-z-started" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What happened to Kanye West and Jay Z? The rappers' feud explained</a></p>
<p>Per the tabloid, Kanye likened his marital home in Calabasas, LA, to a prison, rapping: "Tell the assassins I escaped from Calabasas".</p>
<p>A source at the Las Vegas listening party alleged: "It’s a very deep, sad song about Kanye, with him reflecting on his marriage with Kim. He talks about the kids and mentions her taking everything. After he played this song he paused for like, two minutes, and cried. It was really sombre."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263113144 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/2EHAT3N-scaled.jpeg" alt="Kanye West Kim " width="2560" height="2006" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Per The Sun, the 44-year-old allegedly broke down in tears at the party (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>2. Other reports say that the rapper said nothing 'negative' about his ex-wife</h2>
<p>Meanwhile, other reports dispute that version of events. Multiple sources have told <a href="https://pagesix.com/2021/07/19/kanye-west-compares-la-home-with-kim-kardashian-to-prison-on-new-song/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Page Six</a> that West didn't rap anything "negative" about his ex-wife, or compare himself to being a prisoner.</p>
<p>A source close to the pair told the publication: "Kanye actually played the song for Kim personally before the listening party. It’s emotional and personal. Not negative at all."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263113137 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/TD7YPH-scaled.jpeg" alt="What does Kanye West say about Kim Kardashian on his new album 'Donda" width="2560" height="1901" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Kanye held a listening party for the upcoming album in Las Vegas on Sunday night (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>3. Kanye has previously been open about his personal life in his music</h2>
<p>If Kanye did open up about his split from Kim in his new music, it would be in keeping with the rapper's lyrical style.</p>
<p>He has previously touched on his marriage to Kim, the Kardashian-Jenner family and his feud with Taylor Swift in previous songs.</p>
<p>For example, in 2018's Wouldn't Leave, from the album Ye, the father-of-four raps: "My wife callin', screamin', say we 'bout to lose it all / Had to calm her down 'cause she couldn't breathe / Told her she could leave me now, but she wouldn't leave."</p>
<p>Here, Kanye implies that Kim called him "screaming" over his "slavery was a choice" <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kanye-west-tweet-deleted-kim-kardashian-doctor-north-president-campaign-a9630501.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">comments</a> to TMZ at the time.</p>
<p>Likewise, in Famous, from The Life of Pablo, a lyric reads: "I feel like me and Taylor still might have sex."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE:</strong><a href="https://fournine.net/entertainment/9-of-taylor-swift-most-infamous-feuds-in-all-their-glory" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taylor Swift's biggest feuds of all time explained – from Kanye West to Katy Perry</a></p>
<p>It was incredibly <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2016/10/taylor-swift-original-famous-lyrics-kanye-west" target="_blank" rel="noopener">controversial</a>, and the pop star was quick to call out the rapper for allegedly not consulting her.  This famously set off the biggest celebrity feud of 2016.</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263113136 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/2C7XJN1-scaled.jpeg" alt="kanye west " width="2560" height="1707" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 The rapper has previously addressed his personal life in his songs (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>4. Kim and Kanye reunited before Donda listening party</h2>
<p>Just before the Las Vegas listening party, the former couple reunited to get in some family time with their four children. They share North, eight, Saint, five, Chicago, three, and Psalm, one, together.</p>
<p>They attended the Asian Art Museum on Saturday morning (July 17) to view the venue's new teamLab: Continuity exhibition, according to <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/celebrities/15632411/kanye-west-donda-album-listening-party-videos-kim-kardashian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a>.</p>
<p>Zac Rose, the associate communications director at the museum, said that Kanye was "a fan of teamLab", a Tokyo-based international art collective. He added: "We opened a little early for them, to avoid a spectacle, and give them some independence and privacy."</p>
<p>One insider told the publication: "It didn't look romantic between them. But it is clear that they are friends and getting along great." The source added their kids "were running around laughing and looked really happy".</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263113140 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/D64A2K-scaled.jpeg" alt="donda" width="2560" height="1707" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Kim and Kanye reunited with their children last week (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>5. Kim spoke positively about Kanye just last month</h2>
<p>During last month's Keeping Up with the Kardashians reunion special, the beauty mogul and SKIMS founder had only positive words for her ex-husband of seven years.</p>
<p>"That was my friend first and foremost for a long time – I can’t see that going away," she <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2021/07/20/kim-kardashian-fine-with-ex-kanye-west-dating-again-after-split-14957291/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> host, Andy Cohen. "I will forever be Kanye’s biggest fan. He’s the father of my kids. Kanye will always be family."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-1263095549" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/02/21b400e0-kim-and-kanye-2.jpg" alt="Kanye West" width="805" height="649" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 Credit: (Alamy)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>6. 'Donda' was delayed amid divorce from Kim</h2>
<p>Kanye's upcoming album was delayed amid his marital struggles with Kim, as well as his failed presidential campaign, according to <a href="https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/07/19/kanye-west-donda-10th-album-months-late-atlanta-listening-party/5428323002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USA Today</a>.</p>
<p>The initial date for Donda's release was due to be the same day that Taylor Swift — with whom Kanye has a long-running feud — was supposed to drop her surprise Album, Folklore, on <a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/1285433509142650881?s=20">July 24, 2020</a>.</p>
<p>However, just before the album was supposed to debut, the rapper posted a slew of strange tweets. In one, West implied that his then-wife had tried to have him hospitalised. He said, "<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kanye-west-tweet-deleted-kim-kardashian-doctor-north-president-campaign-a9630501.html">Kim tried to bring a doctor to lock me up</a>."</p>
<p>At a rally, he also claimed he nearly "killed" the couple's first daughter, North, by <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/12169032/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-stopped-aborting-daughter-north/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">considering an abortion</a>.</p>
<p>He said: "My dad wanted to abort me. My mom saved my life. There would have been no Kanye West, because my dad was too busy. I almost killed my daughter. So even if my wife were to divorce me after this speech, she brought North into the world, even when I didn't want to. She stood up. She protected that child."</p>
<p>Several days later, Kim broke her silence on her husband's mental health. She took to <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-instagram-bipolar-mental-health-statement-twitter-a9632601.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a> to post a slew of Instagram Stories that discussed Kanye's bipolar disorder, and implored the public to be compassionate.</p>
<p>"As many of you know, Kanye has bipolar disorder," the reality television star wrote. "Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand."</p>
<p>She went on to cite the struggles of being a Black male artist, the loss of his mother, and the coronavirus pandemic. Finally, she added that she and her family were "powerless" to get him help since he is an adult.</p>
<h2>Feature image credit: Alamy</h2>


What does Kanye West say about Kim Kardashian on his new album 'Donda'?

Last night on Love Island, history appeared to repeat itself. Kaz Kamwi, one of two Black female contestants, found herself headed for a dumping after Toby said he's "intrigued" about blonde-haired, blue-eyed contestant, Chloe. After failing to even cuddle Kaz, who he's been coupled up with since the start, Toby proceeded to stick his tongue in Chloe's mouth without any trouble.

It's a plight that will be familiar for many of the show's Black female contestants. As one <a href="https://twitter.com/wrld_of_eno/status/1413286842070413312?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter user</a> commented: "Love Island deffo picked a cast that are only attracted to [white] girls [...] and add in two black girls for diversity, knowing they will never be desired; Yewande, Samira, Rachel, and Kaz."

Anti-racism activist, <a href="https://www.hr-rewired.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shereen Daniels</a>, tells <strong>Four Nine</strong>: "If there are only one or two Black girls, the odds are going to be stacked against them if there are, say, eight white women —  and the consequences of this is devastating."

[caption id="attachment_12631825" align="alignnone" width="1668"]<img class="wp-image-12631825 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/meet-the-first-love-island-2021-couples-1-1624916053.jpg" alt="Toby Kaz Love Island (Credit: ITV)" width="1668" height="938" /> History appears to be repeating itself on Love Island as Kaz faces being dumped from the villa (Credit: ITV)[/caption]
<h2>The impact of colourism on Love Island</h2>
As Daniels — who is the Managing Director of anti-racism and racial equity advisory firm, <a href="https://www.hr-rewired.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HR Rewired</a> — continues, the knock-on effects on Black girls can be defining.

"If you are a darker-skinned girl, and you're looking at that, you're thinking 'Oh my goodness, is this how it is? Am I always destined to be passed over for white women?' The other dangerous thing is those individuals are so attractive. So if you're Black, and you're not as exceptionally good looking, you'd be going, 'If Kaz doesn't have a chance, then what do I have?'"
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/which-love-island-contestants-have-made-the-most-money-villas-richest-stars-have-made-millions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The 10 richest Love Island contestants revealed</a></strong></p>
Former Love Island contestant, Yewande Biala, opened up about her experience on the show, after Kaz — like herself, and <a href="https://stellar.ie/real-talk/love-islands-samira-mighty-has-criticised-the-show-for-failing-its-token-black-contestants/69810" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Samira Mighty</a> before her — was also picked last out of the lineup in the first episode.

"I think what a lot of people don’t realise about Love Island is that, I always say it’s a mirror image of the society we live in now, where Black women are never really seen or admired by Black men or any other kind of race," she <a href="https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/yewande-love-island-black-producers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated</a>. "We’re always pushed to the sideline and it’s obviously highlighted on a show like Love Island where there’s obviously only like 12, 10 contestants and one of them is Black."

[caption id="attachment_12631806" align="alignnone" width="1424"]<img class="wp-image-12631806 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/WKEAPY.jpeg" alt="" width="1424" height="2144" /> Yewande Biala spoke out about the prejudices she faced on Love Island (Credit: Alamy)[/caption]
<h2>Could ITV do more?</h2>
ITV has been heavily <a href="https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a36946262/love-island-diversity-promise-viewers-unhappy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criticised</a> for its lack of diversity since Love Island aired six years ago. Despite maintaining that it is "committed", cultural commentators have continued to call out the show for casting the token Black woman, who is often a lighter skin tone.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/friends-cast-dated-real-life">The Friends cast that dated in real life revealed afterDavid Schwimmer's confession</a></strong></p>
In season one, there were no Black contestants at all. In season two, there was Malin, who was lighter-skinned, Montana in season three, who was lighter-skinned, Samira in season 4, Yewande in season 5, Leanne in Winter Love Island, and now Kaz in season seven.

[caption id="attachment_12631823" align="alignnone" width="800"]<img class="wp-image-12631823 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/b0da3ff3-fb6f-4b7e-99a0-5d42eeb671d1-1.jpg" alt="Samira Love Island (Credit: ITV)" width="800" height="524" /> Samira Mighty was another Black female contestant picked last on Love Island (Credit: ITV)[/caption]

Out of all these Black female contestants, it is the darker-skinned women who had the most trouble securing a romantic match — with their male counterparts nearly always opting for the lighter-skinned, or white contestants.

"In some ways, I actually think colourism is a bigger issue than racism," comments Daniels. "Often in film, TV, music and entertainment, we only see the light-skinned Black person, because we there is a fetishism of white people liking the exoticness of 'a hint of colour'.

"They are not seen to be as threatening as a dark-skinned Black person, who is 'too Black'. So the lighter you are, the safer you are. And from a beauty standards point of view, we see them as more attractive. This idea of lightness and beauty is perpetuated all over the place, every time you open up a magazine, or switch on the television."

[caption id="attachment_12631831" align="alignnone" width="1497"]<img class="wp-image-12631831 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/Screen_Shot_2021-06-30_at_21.39.14.png" alt="Toby Kaz Love Island (Credit: ITV)" width="1497" height="996" /> The risks for Black women on Love Island are 'more serious' than they are for white (Credit: ITV)[/caption]
<h2>Love Island 'is an example of cultural racism'</h2>
Daniels hesitates to call Love Island inherently racism, instead, she says that it is an example of cultural racism.

"It's about how the media portrays Black people, but it's also about being ignorant in understanding the dynamics of society, and how Black contestants on the show will be perceived. So while they're thinking a rejection is a rejection, not all rejections are equal. It has different implications and connotations when you're Black.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.fournine.net/kim-cattrall-sarah-jessica-parker-feud">Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker feud explained in their own words</a></strong></p>
"If a white girl is rejected by a white man, that's fine, because there are plenty more fishermen looking for fish like her," she continues. "But if you're a Black girl, and you're rejected, you know that there are connotations because of your race, and because of colourism — that is, the shade of your Blackness. So when they are rejected, that perpetuates the stereotype that Black women, especially dark-skinned Black women, are not worthy. What they're dealing with is very different to what a white contestant would deal with."

[caption id="attachment_12631808" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-12631808" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/love-island-sr7-ep10-01-1625777782.jpeg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> Rejection 'has different implications and connotations when you're Black' (Credit: ITV)[/caption]
<h2>How to move forward</h2>
Daniels says ITV must be aware of how they portray, and support Black contestants going forward. "They have a duty of care in pre-production to think about what responsible broadcasting looks like. They need to be conscious of not perpetuating certain stereotypes, and not tokenising certain individuals."

This, she explains, can start with ensuring that Black contestants can talk to someone outside of the producers, even before they go on the show. "They need to cement their identity, their self-esteem and proper coping mechanisms before they go in," she cautions.

"Don't forget that we're all socialised into this racialised society, they may just go in skipping thinking it's an opportunity, and not realise that it's a lion's den.

"The risk for Black contestants is far more serious than there is for white contestants, because of racism and where we are as a society."
<h4><em>With almost 20 years in HR, Shereen Daniels is Managing Director of an anti-racism and racial equity advisory firm - <a href="https://www.hr-rewired.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HR rewired</a>, and Vice-Chair of the Black Business Association with the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.</em></h4>

<p>Last night on Love Island, history appeared to repeat itself. Kaz Kamwi, one of two Black female contestants, found herself headed for a dumping after Toby said he's "intrigued" about blonde-haired, blue-eyed contestant, Chloe. After failing to even cuddle Kaz, who he's been coupled up with since the start, Toby proceeded to stick his tongue in Chloe's mouth without any trouble.</p>
<p>It's a plight that will be familiar for many of the show's Black female contestants. As one <a href="https://twitter.com/wrld_of_eno/status/1413286842070413312?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter user</a> commented: "Love Island deffo picked a cast that are only attracted to [white] girls [...] and add in two black girls for diversity, knowing they will never be desired; Yewande, Samira, Rachel, and Kaz."</p>
<p>Anti-racism activist, <a href="https://www.hr-rewired.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shereen Daniels</a>, tells <strong>Four Nine</strong>: "If there are only one or two Black girls, the odds are going to be stacked against them if there are, say, eight white women —  and the consequences of this is devastating."</p>
<figure>
            <img class="wp-image-12631825 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/meet-the-first-love-island-2021-couples-1-1624916053.jpg" alt="Toby Kaz Love Island (Credit: ITV)" width="1668" height="938" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
<h1>

 History appears to be repeating itself on Love Island as Kaz faces being dumped from the villa (Credit: ITV)</h1>
</figcaption></figure>
<h2>The impact of colourism on Love Island</h2>
<p>As Daniels — who is the Managing Director of anti-racism and racial equity advisory firm, <a href="https://www.hr-rewired.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HR Rewired</a> — continues, the knock-on effects on Black girls can be defining.</p>
<p>"If you are a darker-skinned girl, and you're looking at that, you're thinking 'Oh my goodness, is this how it is? Am I always destined to be passed over for white women?' The other dangerous thing is those individuals are so attractive. So if you're Black, and you're not as exceptionally good looking, you'd be going, 'If Kaz doesn't have a chance, then what do I have?'"</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>READ MORE: <a href="https://fournine.net/which-love-island-contestants-have-made-the-most-money-villas-richest-stars-have-made-millions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The 10 richest Love Island contestants revealed</a></strong></p>
<p>Former Love Island contestant, Yewande Biala, opened up about her experience on the show, after Kaz — like herself, and <a href="https://stellar.ie/real-talk/love-islands-samira-mighty-has-criticised-the-show-for-failing-its-token-black-contestants/69810" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Samira Mighty</a> before her — was also picked last out of the lineup in the first episode.</p>
<p>"I think what a lot of people don’t realise about Love Island is that, I always say it’s a mirror image of the society we live in now, where Black women are never really seen or admired by Black men or any other kind of race," she <a href="https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/yewande-love-island-black-producers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated</a>. "We’re always pushed to the sideline and it’s obviously highlighted on a show like Love Island where there’s obviously only like 12, 10 contestants and one of them is Black."</p>
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 Yewande Biala spoke out about the prejudices she faced on Love Island (Credit: Alamy)</h1>
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<h2>Could ITV do more?</h2>
<p>ITV has been heavily <a href="https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a36946262/love-island-diversity-promise-viewers-unhappy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criticised</a> for its lack of diversity since Love Island aired six years ago. Despite maintaining that it is "committed", cultural commentators have continued to call out the show for casting the token Black woman, who is often a lighter skin tone.</p>
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<p>In season one, there were no Black contestants at all. In season two, there was Malin, who was lighter-skinned, Montana in season three, who was lighter-skinned, Samira in season 4, Yewande in season 5, Leanne in Winter Love Island, and now Kaz in season seven.</p>
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            <img class="wp-image-12631823 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/b0da3ff3-fb6f-4b7e-99a0-5d42eeb671d1-1.jpg" alt="Samira Love Island (Credit: ITV)" width="800" height="524" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
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 Samira Mighty was another Black female contestant picked last on Love Island (Credit: ITV)</h1>
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<p>Out of all these Black female contestants, it is the darker-skinned women who had the most trouble securing a romantic match — with their male counterparts nearly always opting for the lighter-skinned, or white contestants.</p>
<p>"In some ways, I actually think colourism is a bigger issue than racism," comments Daniels. "Often in film, TV, music and entertainment, we only see the light-skinned Black person, because we there is a fetishism of white people liking the exoticness of 'a hint of colour'.</p>
<p>"They are not seen to be as threatening as a dark-skinned Black person, who is 'too Black'. So the lighter you are, the safer you are. And from a beauty standards point of view, we see them as more attractive. This idea of lightness and beauty is perpetuated all over the place, every time you open up a magazine, or switch on the television."</p>
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            <img class="wp-image-12631831 size-full" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/Screen_Shot_2021-06-30_at_21.39.14.png" alt="Toby Kaz Love Island (Credit: ITV)" width="1497" height="996" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
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 The risks for Black women on Love Island are 'more serious' than they are for white (Credit: ITV)</h1>
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<h2>Love Island 'is an example of cultural racism'</h2>
<p>Daniels hesitates to call Love Island inherently racism, instead, she says that it is an example of cultural racism.</p>
<p>"It's about how the media portrays Black people, but it's also about being ignorant in understanding the dynamics of society, and how Black contestants on the show will be perceived. So while they're thinking a rejection is a rejection, not all rejections are equal. It has different implications and connotations when you're Black.</p>
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<p>"If a white girl is rejected by a white man, that's fine, because there are plenty more fishermen looking for fish like her," she continues. "But if you're a Black girl, and you're rejected, you know that there are connotations because of your race, and because of colourism — that is, the shade of your Blackness. So when they are rejected, that perpetuates the stereotype that Black women, especially dark-skinned Black women, are not worthy. What they're dealing with is very different to what a white contestant would deal with."</p>
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            <img class="size-full wp-image-12631808" src="https://img.fournine.net/2021/07/love-island-sr7-ep10-01-1625777782.jpeg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /><figcaption class='op-vertical-below'>
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 Rejection 'has different implications and connotations when you're Black' (Credit: ITV)</h1>
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<h2>How to move forward</h2>
<p>Daniels says ITV must be aware of how they portray, and support Black contestants going forward. "They have a duty of care in pre-production to think about what responsible broadcasting looks like. They need to be conscious of not perpetuating certain stereotypes, and not tokenising certain individuals."</p>
<p>This, she explains, can start with ensuring that Black contestants can talk to someone outside of the producers, even before they go on the show. "They need to cement their identity, their self-esteem and proper coping mechanisms before they go in," she cautions.</p>
<p>"Don't forget that we're all socialised into this racialised society, they may just go in skipping thinking it's an opportunity, and not realise that it's a lion's den.</p>
<p>"The risk for Black contestants is far more serious than there is for white contestants, because of racism and where we are as a society."</p>
<h2><em>With almost 20 years in HR, Shereen Daniels is Managing Director of an anti-racism and racial equity advisory firm - <a href="https://www.hr-rewired.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HR rewired</a>, and Vice-Chair of the Black Business Association with the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.</em></h2>


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