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Why We Need To Talk About Eminem Getting "Canceled" on TikTok
Celebrities

Why We Need To Talk About Eminem Getting "Canceled" on TikTok

Throughout 2021 Eminem has been trending online, on and off. The 48-year-old rapper has had a career that’s spun over three decades but his latest social media attention hasn’t been for new music. TikTok users are calling him out for lyrics from some of his biggest hits. When it comes to controversy, Eminem is no stranger and his latest criticism has opened up another conversation about the prominence of cancel culture online--and the difficulty of looking back at older artists with a contemporary lens. Eminem has highlighted how his career has changed. Before being picked up by Dr. Dre, Far Out outlines that Eminem was the “rap-battle king of Detroit.” At that point, he had a young daughter and was tackling a substance abuse problem. His first EP in 1997 introduced the world to Slim Shady, Eminem’s alter ego. So began a career that’s been celebrated by many but hasn’t come without a lot of criticism. He’s had high-profile confrontations with Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, and Ja Rule and also been accused of being homophobic and bigoted. The latest Eminem controversy highlights how difficult it is to judge an artist's work when they’ve had a career that’s lasted for 33 years and counting. Furthermore, when he’s surrounded by fame and music awards it’s so easy to forget that like everyone else, Eminem is a product of his upbringing. And it’s something he’s spoken about extensively.Why are people canceling Eminem?(Credit:Lester Cohen / Getty)Cancel culture is described as “withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive.” It’s become a buzzword online and is often linked to public shaming. Over the years Eminem has been as famous for his chart-topping songs, as his sometimes antagonistic lyrics. And looking back on a star who has been writing music since the late ‘90s, especially in the context of social media and outrage, can be very difficult. According to Esquire, TikTok users started to analyze some of Eminem's older lyrics in Feb. 2021. In a clip that’s since been deleted, one user played “Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem and Rihanna. They picked out the line “if she ever tries to f*cking leave again, I'm a tie her to the bed and set this house on fire” and wrote, “Yesssss let’s cancel him.” This triggered many other users to look into his past music and use the hashtag #canceleminem.In response, Eminem shared a lyric video to his song “Tone Deaf” on March 5. Radio X reported that during the video he rapped, “won't stop even when my hair turns grey (I'm tone-deaf) cause they won't stop until they cancel me." The song is from his 2020 album, Music To Be Murdered By.While his response may seem dismissive, the rapper has already apologized to Rihanna for shocking lyrics concerning her experience with abuse. Back in December 2020, he shocked fans when he apologized to his “Love The Way You Lie” collaborator. On Sirius XM's Shade 45 he spoke about his latest album and the lyrics on the track “Zeus.” He rapped:And wholeheartedly, apologies, Rihanna for that song that leaked, I'm sorry, Ri it wasn't meant to cause you grief.Eminem in "Zeus"Billboard explained that the apology is in reference to a leaked lyric recorded during his 2009 Relapse album. The lyric in question is “I'm not playing, Rihanna, where'd you get the VD at? Let me add my two cents. Of course I side with Chris Brown. I'd beat a bi--- down too. If she gave my di-- an itch now” and refers back to Chris Brown’s assault on Rihanna in 2009. Speaking on Shade45 he said, “It's 10 plus years old, but I'm not making excuses for it. I think I just said it cause it rhymed. And I think I'm sure looking back now, I should have thought better of it."Eminem opened up about his controversial lyricsEsquire notes that Eminem’s music has always been controversial and this is far from the first time that people have looked back on his previous work and criticized him heavily for it. Over the last few years, as more stars have been called out online for their work or things they’ve posted or said, the spotlight has largely left Eminem alone. However, Eminem has spoken about how his lyrics have changed, to an extent, over time and that’s due to his life changing but also society moving on and changing him. “Sometimes I’m trying to appease people who think, Man, I miss when Eminem was raw. But I’m not killing Kim on songs anymore — we’re good now, and she’s the mother of my daughter,” he told Vulture before the release of Revival in 2015.Kim Scott is Eminem’s ex-wife. In his 2012 song “Kim” he wrote, “Here, I'll scream with you, ‘Ah! Somebody help!’ Don't you get it, bi*ch? No one can hear you.” Reflecting on his work five years later he said to Vulture, “I’ve grown and sometimes I want to reflect that — but when I’m writing, a line will pop in my head that’s so f*cking ridiculous that it’s funny, and depending on the punch lines I need and the rhyme schemes in the song maybe I’ll use it.”And the rapper's life has changed considerably since getting sober and embracing fatherhood. The Sun explains that Eminem is the father to Hailie, Whitney, Alaina and has custody of his brother Nate. Speaking to Mike Tyson on the Hotboxin' podcast he said, “[Hailie] She's doing good, and she's made me proud for sure. She's graduated from college [with a] 3.9 [score. I have a niece that I have helped raise [Alaina] too that's pretty much like a daughter to me, and she's 26. And I have a younger one [Whitney] that's 17 now. It's important to keep your kids grounded."His demons haunted his songsEminem has reflected that many of the lyrics that he’s written throughout his career have been tied to the context of his life. Esquire has highlighted that many of them have “glorified misogyny, domestic abuse, homophobia, and murder.” By all accounts, these are problematic but they also reflect the symptoms of a bigger issue. Growing up, Eminem barely had any contact with his absent father. Bullied in school, his unstable mother and home was a catalyst to his decision to drop out at the age of 17.“Whenever something good happens, the bad always follows,” Eminem said about his upbringing. “That’s the story of my life since the day I was born,” Eminem explained that he’s carried a lot of baggage from his childhood into adulthood. "I went through a lot of that [self-loathing phase], too, growing up as a kid. People always think ... that money can buy happiness, and it absolutely is not the truth," he told Mike Tyson. To look at them under the lens of 2021 can be stark--and with good reason. Fortunately, we have evolved collectively as a society and we are more conscious of unacceptable behaviours. That is something we should absolutely not disregard. Being able to look back and be critical of the past is essential. However, reducing such a long career down to a few social media posts or a hashtag is very simplistic and ignores the bigger picture of his evolution as a person. Eminem is a different man todayAfter working for over 30 years Eminem has outlined that when he got sober, there was a shift in his work. It’s been reported that at the peak of his addiction, Eminem was taking up to 20 pills a day. “I used to get pills wherever I could. I was just taking anything that anybody was giving to me,” he told the New York Times in 2011. It’s been reported that he was addicted to Vicodin, Ambien, Valium, and Methadone. Getting sober changed Eminem as a person and an artist but also his experience as one of the most famous rappers on the planet. “A lot of the problems I had with fame early on were because I was in very heavy addiction and didn’t realize it. By the time I did realize it, it was too late — I was so far gone,” he told Vulture.I had a hair-trigger temper, too, and the littlest things could trigger it. That’s definitely better now. I used to get in fights over road rage and stuff. What I’m trying to say is that I’ve settled in with myself and with fame. I’m growing, man. I’m getting more mature and I’m okay with that.What someone puts out at the age of 20 or 30 may differ when they’re 40 or 50. It doesn't excuse their behavior but giving them the space to grow and apologize is key. Eminem has enjoyed international success and become one of the most famous faces in the rap game. However, his career is a testament that we are products of our upbringing. Money, fame, and new relationships can’t erase where you’ve come from, and in some cases, they may exacerbate underlying problems that were already there. We all carry baggage, but it’s how you recognize it, process it, and apologize for any hurt you’ve caused that counts.

5 Parents Reveal The Biggest Mistakes They Made With Their Children
Everyday Heroes

5 Parents Reveal The Biggest Mistakes They Made With Their Children

It’s hard to know what to expect when you’re expecting. Psychology Today highlighted that while many people are willing to offer parenting advice, regrets surrounding how you raise your children are still considered taboo. According to a study conducted by professors Julia Moore and Jenna Abetz from the University of Utah and the College of Charleston respectively, looked at Reddit threads, timing, the number of kids, and the partner people chose to have kids with made up some of the main parenting regrets. It’s impossible to fully prepare for what parenthood has to throw at you. However, Dr. Richelle Whittaker, LSSP, LPC-S, an educational psychologist, mental health therapist, and parent educator told Best Life, “All too often parents tell their kids what to do instead of modeling the behavior. Unfortunately, kids tend to mirror their parents' behavior more than they listen to what they tell them. If parents want their children to engage in healthy behaviors, such as treating others with kindness, model the behavior for them.”Whittaker outlines that there’s a lot of stress attached to modern-day parenting and the need to get things right. Sometimes cutting yourself some slack and remembering you’re doing your best can go a long way. However, five people open up about their biggest parenting mistakes or the things they regret the most and they are seriously relatable.1. Not holding their kids more accountablePerri Klass, M.D. and Lisa Damour outlined in the New York Times that in the 21st Century, parents have a whole host of issues to contend with. You have to keep an eye on schooling, social media, extracurricular activities, and your child's health. However, one Reddit user admitted “I regret not holding her [my child] more accountable for things she didn't want to do. It's a fine line between ‘pushy’ and ‘allowing your child to give up too easily.’” The parents linked this mistake with perseverance to find a job and sticking with projects when they get tough. They may test the limits you establish for them, but they need those limits to grow into responsible adults.Kids Health This seems to be a regret that most parents share. Another wrote, “I wish I'd been a little more willing to let these kids experience the negative consequences of their own bad choices. Of course, you're always walking that tightrope of giving them the right amount of freedom to make choices appropriate to their age and maturity, but trying to save them from dumb things they do to themselves can be a big mistake.” Kids Health states that kids thrive in an environment with boundaries and it’s good to teach them self-control. “They may test the limits you establish for them, but they need those limits to grow into responsible adults,” the website advises. By setting boundaries, Kids Health explains that it helps them understand your expectations and develop self-control so they can make the decision to stick with things when it doesn't always go their way. 2. Losing their identity as a person after becoming a parentA Mother Far From Home outlines how all-consuming parenthood can be. “I became a mum at 24 years old and I now have three children. They’re all a little bit older and I dedicated my twenties to them. But now I’ve helped them hone their own personalities, I’m not sure who I am,” says Autumn. Now her oldest child has left home, Autumn is exploring who she was before she started having children, over a decade ago. “Before becoming a parent I was so much. I was a friend, I painted, I went to bars, I had passions that didn’t include my kids,” she says. Before becoming a parent I was so much. I was a friend, I painted, I went to bars, I had passions that didn’t include my kids...Now I'm not sure who I am.Autumn for A Mother Far From HomeParent Co. writes that teaching your child independence isn’t just beneficial for them, it’ll give you more time to work out your new identity as a parent. “You don't just need me time. You need time that's concentrated on the things that fuel and feed you. It's easier said than done, but it's essential to your well-being,” it says. 3. Spending too much time worryingMultiple Reddit users opened up and said they wished they’d worried about their kids less and lived in the moment more. One wrote, “Mine are 15 and 17, and at the moment my only regret is that I spent so much time worrying about them when they were little. It's so hard to remember that just because your child can't stay seated in class now, that doesn't mean she'll still be falling out of her chair by the time she gets to high school. Things change, and problems that seem huge in the present often seem really inconsequential in retrospect.” Another said, “I regret not keeping track of daily life. Now we have the option of a private blog or hell, even a Google document to write little sh*t down, the stuff that matters, the moments that you laugh at and later forget. My oldest is 19, almost 20. What I would give to be able to read about our life in 1996 when she was 2. I wish I had more than photos, I wish I had a day I could go to and read what we had done, the silly things she said.” Psychology Today outlines that it’s healthy to worry to a certain extent about your children and it’s unrealistic to say you’ll never worry again. However, in order to harness your worry and control it Alice Boyes, Ph.D., author of The Anxiety Toolkit: Strategies for Fine-Tuning Your Mind and Moving Past Your Stuck Points recommends accepting that you’re fearful and teaching your child healthy, effective ways to cope with anxiety, without avoiding it. It could help both of you.4. Being more open with their kidsKids Health says that communication between parents and kids is key and using the explanation “because I say so” doesn’t often cut it. “When I was raising my two oldest children, all four of their grandparents got ill and passed away,” explained Leigh. “Rather than explain their illnesses and what death means I swept it under the carpet. It made my grieving process very tough but I felt like I was protecting them. Now I wish I would have had open and honest conversations with them so they weren’t scared.” Opening up about hard times in a way that’s suitable for kids could make life much less confusing and scary explains Kids Health.If we don't take time to explain, kids will begin to wonder about our values and motives and whether they have any basis. Parents who reason with their kids allow them to understand and learn in a nonjudgmental way.Kids Health5. Avoid losing their temper as muchReddit users came together expressing regrets about how much they lost their temper with their kids. One wrote, “Losing my patience more than I'd like to” while another said, “I feel so guilty about this.” However, others shared the root of their frustration. One user wrote, “I regret listening to all the unsolicited advice everyone around me gave when I had my first. It was all contradictory: let him cry it out, don't let him cry it out, don't hold him too much, hold him all the time, etc. I was always second-guessing myself, always inconsistent, and frustrated until I stopped listening to others.” Kids Health says that setting limits and rules for kids is a great way to avoid being angry. However, installing these can be tough. The website recommends praising good behavior in all its forms and ensure that they know your love is unconditional. praise rather than punishment...Search for positive behaviors to praise and reward, and young children will want to repeat the experience.Perri Klass, M.D. and Lisa Damour, New York TimesPerri Klass, M.D. and Lisa Damour write in the New York Times, “think praise rather than punishment. Physical discipline, like hitting and spanking, tends to produce aggressive behavior in children. Keep in mind that it’s always a parental win if you can structure a situation so that a child is earning privileges (screentime, for example) by good behavior, rather than losing them as a penalty. Search for positive behaviors to praise and reward, and young children will want to repeat the experience.” However, they highlight that you may have to discipline your child from time to time. This can take practice. Metro explains that the pressures to be a good parent can come from many directions. However, these are some of the five biggest parenting mistakes and regrets. While it’s easy to look back with rose-tinted glasses, many aspects of parenting are hard. Parent Co. says that sometimes you need to forgive yourself and remember that you’re doing your best. Looking to inspire your kids? Look no further.More helpful articles:Happy Children Have Parents Who Do These 5 ThingsUnderstanding The Four Parenting Styles To Become A Better Parent5 Harsh Truths About Parenting Everyone Should UnderstandGordon Ramsay’s Daughter Is Just Like Him – And He’s A Surprisingly Good Sport...

What Jennifer Aniston Learned From Her Toxic Relationship With Her Dad
Family

What Jennifer Aniston Learned From Her Toxic Relationship With Her Dad

Jennifer Aniston is Hollywood royalty. Her career has spun three decades and she shot to fame playing the beloved Rachel Green in Friends. Over the 10 years that it was on the air it felt like Ross, Rachel, Monica, Joey, Phoebe, and Chandler were one big happy family. However, off-screen Aniston's relationship with her actual family was a little bit more difficult. In The Hollywood Reporter Jennifer opened up about the difficulty of living through her parents' separation as a child. However, as she's famously known for, she found a way to move past the toxicity of a disastrous divorce. Repairing relationships with those who are closest to you can be incredibly difficult, especially your parents. Jennifer has already spoken quite honestly about her difficult relationship with both her mother, Nancy Dow. But it turns out that her bond with her father, John Aniston, was also challenged several times.However, Jennifer told the Hollywood Reporter, “Human beings make mistakes. Human beings are not perfect. And by not forgiving someone, it's not allowing human beings to evolve and become better people."It may be tough to forgive but Jennifer's journey highlights that by working through hardships in her relationship with her dad, she’s been able to set herself free too. Jennifer's dad walked out when she was only 9 Jennifer's parents were married for 11 years before her father left her mother. The Daily Mail reported that Aniston sought years of therapy to deal with her family history. John Aniston went on to marry famous actor Sherry Rooney and they had a son together. Aniston told Rolling Stone that her father leaving the family was a surprise to her. “I went to a birthday party, and when I came back, she [her mum] said, 'Your father’s not going to be around here for a little while.'"She didn’t say he was gone forever. I don’t know if I blocked it, but I just remember sitting there, crying, not understanding that he was gone. Jennifer Aniston in Rolling Stone“I don’t know what I did later that night or the next day," she continued. "I don’t remember anything other than it being odd that all of a sudden my father wasn’t there. And he was gone for a while.”Aniston said that she didn’t see her dad again for a year and then “he just called one day and said, 'Let’s go see The Fantastickes.' So we had a little dinner and saw the show. After that, I started seeing him on weekends, and this new way of life just unfolded.” Even after his comeback, Jennifer still deems her dad's absence the most painful time of her life. Jennifer's dad was not present at her wedding The Daily Mail reported that she didn’t speak to him for over a decade and he didn’t attend her wedding to Brad Pitt in 2000. She only reconciled her relationship with him after her mum died in 2016. A source told the publication, “They have gone through long periods where Jen didn't talk to him. John's a proud man but not emotional. He's never understood how volatile Jen's emotions have been.”Dealing with toxic relationships can be incredibly difficult, especially when they involve your own family. However, it would seem that Jennifer moved past her difficulties with her dad for both him and herself. “Jen forgave her father for walking out a long time ago. But their relationship has had its ups and downs,” a source told the Daily Mail, “It's like she has realized life is very short and she wants her relationship with John to be the best it can be. He's thrilled that they have reconciled.” While her relationship with her father was difficult as she grew up, Jennifer maintained contact with his side of the family. She spoke to the Hollywood Reporter about her paternal grandmother and visiting Athens and Crete for a year while she was growing up. “She was a Greek grandmother who just loved me more than anything and was so fun to be around,” she said, “She had the best stories, she made me laugh. Beautiful, funny, gorgeous, hysterical — all the Greeks, all of my Greek family, were."It’d seem Aniston got past her toxic relationship with her dad so as not to carry forward the negative energy that comes with holding a grudge and to build a relationship for the future. Over the festive period in 2019, she shared a throwback picture with her dad on Instagram and wrote, “Christmas with one of my creators. Then and now #TBT Love you, papa.”Her relationship with her dad has shaped her relationshipsShe may have forgiven her father today, but Jennifer revealed that her parent’s separation has had lasting effects on her mindset. She told Rolling Stone:“I always found ways of entertaining myself. Men shouldn’t be your whole life. That’s what I took from my childhood — that I will never depend on a man as much as my mom depended on my father."I have a full life, he has a life of his own, and if we can merge, terrific. But a relationship isn’t going to make me survive. It’s the cherry on top. It wasn’t until I moved to California that I had my first real, mature relationship.Your childhood scars don't have to define youIn another interview with Sandra Bullock for Interview Magazine she explained that she's always tried to exude "joy and positivity." She said, "I think that it comes from growing up in a household that was destabilized and felt unsafe, watching adults being unkind to each other...that made me think: 'I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to be that. I don’t want to experience this feeling I’m having in my body right now. I don’t want anyone else that I ever come in contact with ever to feel that.' So I guess I have my parents to thank. You can either be angry or be a martyr, or you can say, 'You’ve got lemons? Let’s make lemonade.'Jennifer AnistonWhile young Jennifer may have been dealt a tough hand, her attitude towards her past trauma is a powerful lesson about healing. You are not your parents' mistake or the scars they inflicted, either consciously or inadvertently. Jennifer's willingness to forgive and lead a life on her own terms is proof of that.More inspiring celebrities: How Mariah Carey Got Past A Toxic Relationship With Her Jealous MotherHow Jennifer Aniston Got Past Her Toxic Relationship With Her MomAfter Surviving Abuse Twice, Rihanna Is Ready To Have Kids With Or Without A ManCharlize Theron Fought Through Trauma To Build Her Fulfilling Life

Who Is Queen Elizabeth's Husband? The Man Her Parents Did Not Approve Of
Heartbreak

Who Is Queen Elizabeth's Husband? The Man Her Parents Did Not Approve Of

In recent days Queen Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Philip has been in the headlines. He was admitted to hospital on Feb 16th, 2021, "as a precautionary measure”, reported the BBC. The Queen and Prince Philip are two of the most recognizable royals on the globe. History records that they got married in Nov. 1947, nearly 74 years ago, but their families were interlinked their whole lives. This may sound like a match made in fairy tale heaven but there’s more to their love story than meets the eye. So who is Queen Elizabeth’s husband? Her parents didn’t approve of Prince Philip initially but the bond between them proved love can beat the odds. Prince Philip led an eventful life before beginning his royal duties and highlighted that in-laws are tough, especially if they’re royalty. He has been by her side since she was crowned in 1953. She may be the face of the British monarchy but he’s undertaken many trips and duties himself over the years. Their service to the country has been so well documented but the Queen’s mother viewed Prince Philip as “the enemy” even after they got married, according to the documentary The Private Lives of the Windsors. It’s clear that after over seven decades of marriage, their love defied all odds against them.Who is the Queen’s husband & how did they meet? (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)Prince Philip may not have been born in the UK but he came from a pretty high place. Sky News reported that he was born in Corfu, Greece in 1921 as Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. The broadcaster outlined that he lived in France and Germany before joining the Royal Navy at age 18. According to Tatler, Prince Philip first met Queen Elizabeth II when she was just 13. She was visiting Dartmouth's Britannia Royal Naval College with King George VI, the Queen’s mother, and Princess Margaret. Sky News reported that Prince Philip, or Philip Mountbatten as he was then known, was asked to show the royal family around. It would be another seven years before the Queen announced her engagement to Prince Philip. Royal historian Christopher Warwick told Vanity Fair, “like most romances, it was one that grew very gradually. Sometimes people forget or don’t know that, way back then in the ’30s, the ’40s, the ’50s, 13 year olds were essentially children. Princess Elizabeth at 13 was still in low white socks and a matching coat, the same as her sister, Margaret. Philip was 18. He’d got girlfriends of his own.”However, Sky News reported that after a fleeting engagement of five months Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II were married. Before she was crowned Queen in 1953, Royal.uk explains that he continued with his naval career. He worked his way up from cadet to Commander. However, he had to leave it behind in 1952 to assume his royal duties. In the past, Prince Philip has been open about how difficult he found the transition. Marie-Claire reported that in Long Live the Queen! 23 Rules for Living from Britain's Longest Reigning Monarch by Bryan Kozlowski, it details that within the first year that the Queen was on the throne Prince Philip suffered from a severe case of jaundice “often linked with stress and depression.” During their 50th anniversary celebration, the Express reported that he said when you become a monarch you “have to learn to accept certain constraints and to accommodate to that grey area of existence between official and what’s left of a private life.” However, no matter how hard he found the job, it’d seem that the Queen and Prince Philip’s love defied all odds. The Queen’s parents didn’t like Prince Philip History explains that Philip Mountbatten was a distant cousin to the Queen and known to her parents. The fact that they’ve been together for over seven decades would suggest that they’re a great match. However, their love had to overcome the hurdle of gaining parental approval. According to the documentary The Private Lives of the Windsors, which aired on the Smithsonian Channel, the Queen’s mother didn’t approve of Prince Philip as a prospective partner for her daughter. The documentary says she believed him to be “dangerously progressive.” Historian and biographer Professor Jane Ridley explains in the film:The Queen Mother viewed him as rather an enemy and in fact, one would see those early years as being a tug-of-war and a tussle for the ear of the Queen.The disapproval didn’t stop there. The documentary outlines that even before Queen Elizabeth II took the throne, her mother and father didn’t see Prince Philip as good husband material. According to historian Professor Kate Williams in the documentary, “Philip may have served in the British army, but his four sisters had married Germans, who fought for the Nazis. The Royal family were quite keen to keep Elizabeth away from Prince Philip, as she was clearly devoted to him and was determined to marry him, but she had a lot of concerns about his suitability.”The documentary outlines that while Queen Elizabeth II became the figurehead of the country, Prince Philip was the head of their family. The disagreements between the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen’s mother continued long after Prince Charles was born. (Photo by: Photo 12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)By token that the Queen went ahead and married Prince Philip and they’re still together to this day would suggest that their love won out. Defying your parent’s wishes is never easy. The Queen had the weighty responsibility of the monarchy on her shoulders. However, Christopher Warwick told Vanity Fair, “The very fact that they’ve been married now for 73 years speaks volumes,” and their partnership “has withstood the test of time primarily because they love one another very much. In a private capacity, he has always been deferred to by the Queen as head of the family. It’s a very symbiotic relationship and a very firm partnership.” However, The Private Lives of the Windsors would suggest that their courtship wasn’t easy. What is Prince Philip's role? After leaving the Navy when the Queen took to the throne, Sky News explained that Prince Philip committed to being a support for the monarch. This meant giving up his own titles and becoming a working royal. Royal.uk says that the Duke of Edinburgh has a keen interest in engineering, science, and industry. He dedicated a lot of his time while he worked to visiting research centers and industrial plants, “with the aim of understanding, and contributing to the improvement of, British industrial life.”He was the patron of a wide range of organizations, outlines Royal.uk. These included 1001: A Nature Trust, the Castaways Club, Friends of the Sea Otter, and the Royal Air Force Ex-Prisoners of War Association Memorial Appeal. Sky News reported that by 2009 he was the longest-serving consort in the British monarchy's history. He went on to work for another eight years. He was 96 years old when he retired. The Duke of Edinburgh is quite famously private. His professional and private partnership with the Queen highlights that even when you’ve got a tough job to do and you don’t have the approval from parents, love can beat the odds. History Extra reported that when speaking about his grandparents, Prince William said Prince Philip is “always on her [the Queen’s] side, and he’s an unwavering companion.”Why Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip don’t live togetherThe Guardian reported that Prince Philip retired in 2017 after 65 years of royal duties. When he left his royal responsibilities behind the BBC said that he’d completed 22,219 royal engagements on his own and many more by the side of the Queen. In June 2021 Prince Philip will turn 100 years old. Women and Home reported that rather than living in Buckingham Palace with the Queen, he moved to Wood Farm on Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. While the Queen can’t leave her post, they would usually see each other over the holidays. She travels there at Easter and they spend summer in ScotlandA source told the Daily Mail, "The Queen feels the Duke has earned a proper retirement. She knows him too well — if he were still at the center of royal life, he'd feel he had to be involved. Being at Wood Farm means he's not too far away, but far enough to be able to relax." The Queen and Prince Philip have occupied two of the most difficult jobs with the weightiest expectations. Their relationship has been under the scrutiny of the world since it began. And The Private Lives of the Windsors would suggest that King George VI didn’t feel the Queen’s husband was a good fit. However, their marriage is an example that love can beat out all the odds. More inspiring royals: Duchess Meghan And Prince Harry’s Baby News Show There Is Hope After LossThe Untold Story of Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II’s Only DaughterHow Kate Middleton and Prince William’s College Romance Became a Real-Life FairytalePrincess Diana’s Iconic Taj Mahal Picture Contains A Powerful Truth

Victoria Beckham Reveals The Moment She Knew She Had To Leave The Spice Girls
Celebrities

Victoria Beckham Reveals The Moment She Knew She Had To Leave The Spice Girls

The Spice Girls were a pop phenomenon. They pretty much coined the phrase Girl Power and shaped the lives of many people growing up in the ’90s and early ‘’00s. To be part of Spice World was to be unapologetically you. It also involved a lot of dancing around your living room. What wasn’t there to love? This made it all the harder for fans when they announced they’d be going their separate ways. The decision was a blow, but as it turns out, one Spice Girl knew it in her heart that it had to happen.Victoria Beckham opened about the moment she knew she needed to leave the group. The former-superstar has gone on to become one of the most renowned fashion designers and beauty brand owners proving by staying true to your dreams you can succeed. Even if it’s a bit scary to branch out at first. It may have been sad for fans and a scary move for her but Victoria highlights that you can never go wrong when you follow your heart and your dreams.A monumental rise to girl power fameThe early ‘90s music scene was dominated by boy bands like Take That. It’s been reported that Bob and Chris Herbert from Heart Management wanted to create a girl group to rival their monopoly. In 1994 numerous rounds of auditions took place before the final five bandmates were selected. The girls, who were currently working under the name Spice, ended up leaving Heart Management in 1995 and joining 19 Entertainment. From that point onwards they became the Spice Girls. Together got in the studio and created magic together. Their debut, “Wannabe” shot to number one in 37 countries in 1996. It remains iconic song to this day. During their time together the Spice Girls released three studio albums, 11 singles, and 18 music videos. They influenced fashion trends and were the faces of the pop girl power movement. In 1998, they released "Goodbye," a tribute to Gerri Horner who left the group to explore a solo career. It became a Christmas number one. A year after, Victoria was pregnant with her first child with famous footballer David Beckham. As a result, the group took a recording break and cut down on their live performances. And in 2001, the fateful day came: the Spice Girls unofficially announced that they would be focusing on their individual projects but weren’t splitting up. They’ve reunited for short bursts since but never got back together for good. Victoria’s last performance with the Spice Girls was at the London Olympics in 2012. Talk about going out with a bang. In 2019, her absence was markedly felt during the Spice Girls' reunion tour.Victoria Beckham, just another misfitBy 2019, Victoria had already started to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer. Opening up to Ellen DeGeneres, Victoria said joining the tour didn’t feel right. This may sound slightly off putting, considering that she owes much to the girl band but as she reassured Ellen, she'll never forget her Spice past. I'll always be Posh Spice, always.Victoria Beckham to Ellen DegeneresSpeaking about her time in the Spice Girls to Sinéad Burke’s podcast, As Me With Sinéad, Victoria revealed her time with the Spice Girls taught her a lot of things. If it had not been for my time in the Spice Girls, maybe I would still be the person that I was then, and I’m much more fun now. Victoria BeckhamIt is hard to believe that the fashion queen, married to David Beckham, ever thought of herself as a misfit but the Spice Girls started as such.“We were all misfits in our own little way. But we worked together. And I think that every girl in some way could relate to one of us...At the time, there was something for everyone and none of us were perfect. Like I said, we were underdogs. But together we worked. It was a very powerful message.” So what went wrong? Why would Victoria leave one of the biggest bands in pop history?The moment Victoria knew she had to leaveHer love for music had brought her so much success but it was actually another music legend that made her realize it was time to leave the Spice Girls behind. In a candid letter to her future self in British Vogue, she described watching Elton John perform in Las Vegas. He performed 'Tiny Dancer,' as if it were the first time, and you realized this was like oxygen for him.Victoria BeckhamThen, it all clicked for her. Addressing her future self, she continued: "It was a life-changing moment—while singing and dancing was fun for you, it wasn't your passion. That day, you started your quest to uncover your own dreams. It was time to step away from being a Spice Girl. For the first time, you were venturing out on your own, and it was terrifying." Staying true to yourself is a lifelong journeyDespite the risk behind it, Victoria doesn't regret her decision.It was scary to close a chapter that defined you. I know you are still reinventing yourself, taking on new challenges, and ignoring the naysayers. You always look beyond the conventional wisdom to pave your own path.Victoria didn’t shy away from the fact that turning your back on something that has made you so successful is far from easy. As you keep evolving, what once made you happy can become a source of dissatisfaction. As we go through life, it's important that we stay true to this feeling. Victoria's decision paid off big time, and yours will too.More inspiring celebrities:Behind Victoria Beckham’s Posh Facade: Humiliation And Celebrating Her Own ResilienceAfter Surviving Abuse Twice, Rihanna Is Ready To Have Kids With Or Without A ManCharlize Theron Fought Through Trauma To Build Her Fulfilling LifeCiara and Russell Wilson Prove The Power Of Moving On From A Toxic Ex

The Truth Behind Meghan Markle's Relationship With Her Parents
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The Truth Behind Meghan Markle's Relationship With Her Parents

Over the last five years, Meghan Markle has become one of the most recognizable women on the planet. You may have first heard of her as Rachel Zane in Suits or followed her wellness blog, The Tig. However, since getting married to Prince Harry in May 2018, she’s hardly been out of the headlines. Some news stories have referred back to her difficult relationship with her dad. She may have become one of the most famous people in the world but she's highlighted how your parents and childhood can often shape who you are as an adult and parent. There are many ways that her relationship with her parent has influenced her future.Meghan and Harry have spent much of the pandemic in LA with baby Archie. The couple made the move back to Meghan’s home city in March 2020. This meant that the couple are now much closer to Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. Despite leaving the UK last year, Meghan and Prince Harry are still fighting a court case against Associated Newspapers for five articles which included one that published a private letter from Thomas Markle, Meghan’s father. The case has shone a light on Meghan’s home life before she was part of the royal family and it would seem that in many ways, her parenting techniques mirror the ones she grew up around. She has said her relationship with her father only became difficult when the media got involved. Who are Meghan Markle’s parents? Meghan Markle was born on Aug. 4 1981 to Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle. In an essay she wrote for Elle in 2015, she revealed that her parents met at work in the seventies. “My dad was a lighting director for a soap opera and my mom was a temp at the studio,” she wrote.I like to think he was drawn to her sweet eyes and her Afro, plus their shared love of antiques. Whatever it was, they married and had me.Meghan MarkleThe couple moved to The Valley in LA and Thomas Markle continued his work as an Emmy Award-winning lighting director. Doria Ragland is a yoga instructor and also works as a psychotherapist. Speaking about her mother's work, Meghan said:...For me to watch this level of life-long sensitivity to nurturing and caregiving, but at the same time, my mum has always been a free spirit. She's got dreadlocks and a nose ring. She just ran the LA Marathon. We can just have so much fun together, and yet, I'll still find so much solace in her support. That duality coexists the same way it would in a best friend.Why did Meghan Markle’s parents get divorced?Doria and Thomas divorced when Meghan was six. Despite this, the family remained close. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she said, “I never saw [my parents] fight. We would still take vacations together. My dad would come on Sundays to drop me off, and we’d watch Jeopardy, eating dinner on TV trays, the three of us...we were still so close-knit.” While her parents remained separated, Meghan seems to have a clear image of what family meant to her growing up. “On Christmas morning, swathed in glitter-flecked wrapping paper, there I found my Heart Family: a black mom doll, a white dad doll, and a child in each color,” she wrote for Elle, “My dad had taken the sets apart and customized my family.”Both Doria and Thomas have tried to remain out of the limelight and have never spoken about their divorce. It’s reported that while Doria remained in LA, Thomas lives in Mexico now. What being in a mixed race family meant for Meghan Meghan Markle and Doria Ragland (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)Both Meghan and Prince Harry have used their platform to speak about the racism and hate that has been directed at their family. Meghan has said that growing up she had to make a choice to draw her own identity box and introduce herself as who she is, not what color her parent’s skin is. Meghan has spoken about her experience being mixed race and defending her mother. In an essay for Elle, she recalled her mother being racially abused leaving a concert in LA. “My skin rushed with heat as I looked to my mom,” she wrote. Her eyes welling with hateful tears, I could only breathe out a whisper of words, so hushed they were barely audible: 'It's OK, Mommy.'Meghan MarkleWhat Meghan Markle’s parents have taught herOver the last few years, it’s become so clear to fans how close Meghan is to her mother. She was present at Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding as the only member of her immediate family and at the birth of baby Archie. It’s reported that she lives very close to their Santa Barbara home. And their close relationship has influenced Meghan in other ways. Prior to marrying Prince Harry, Meghan gave fans a little insight into her world through her health and wellness blog, The Tig. Up until April 2017, she shared recipes and revealed she’s completely sold on meditation and yoga. In an interview with Best Health Magazine, she said, “I started doing mommy-and-me yoga with her [Doria] when I was seven. I was very resistant as a kid, but she said, “‘Flower, you will find your practice – just give it time.’ In college, I started doing it more regularly.”While Doria has a bearing on how Meghan stays grounded, it’s been reported that Thomas has always been a champion of her career in show business. "Every day after school for 10 years, I was on the set of Married ... with Children, which is a really funny and perverse place for a little girl in a Catholic school uniform to grow up," she told Esquire. There were a lot of times my dad would say, 'Meg, why don't you go and help with the craft services room over there? This is just a little off-colour for your 11-year-old eyes.'Meghan MarkleDespite their now troubled relationship, it is clear that it wasn't always like that. What happened between Meghan and her father?Meghan has maintained that she was close to both of her parents while she was growing up. However, in recent years her relationship with her dad has been dissected in the media. On Jan. 16 2021 Thomas said he was working on a documentary about his life and Meghan which he hoped would come out later in 2021. This news comes amid a trial that centers around a private letter that Meghan wrote around the time of the royal wedding. Thomas didn’t attend Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding. Prince Charles gave Meghan away. Thomas was due to fly from Mexico to London but days before the wedding an image came out in the press which he later admitted was a fixed paparazzi picture to improve his image. It’s been reported that he later revealed that he had a heart attack and needed surgery which would mean he’d miss the big day. Yet, there would be further scandals with the press. In February 2019, it was alleged that Thomas shared parts of a private, five-page letter, that Meghan had sent to him which detailed how Meghan felt about her dad’s behaviour. In a statement heard in court, he said he felt compelled to release parts of the letter to the Mail on Sunday in order to correct “lies.” In January 2021, he stated again in court that “the letter was not an attempt at reconciliation. It was a criticism of me. The letter didn’t say she loved me. It did not even ask how I was. It showed no concern about the fact I had suffered a heart attack and asked no questions about my health. It actually signalled the end of our relationship, not a reconciliation.” As the court case is ongoing the details are only just being released in the press. This is how Thomas felt but Meghan's lawyers have said that publishing the letter was a breach of her privacy and that it can be characterised as “a message of peace.” They point to the last line which reportedly reads, "I ask for nothing other than peace. And I wish the same for you.” How Meghan complicated family has influenced her parenting (Photo credit should read DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP via Getty Images)Meghan and the royal family haven’t commented on the ongoing court case involving Thomas. However, it would seem that Meghan has learned from her experiences and is determined not to let them affect her first son, Archie. One of the main reasons that Prince Harry and Meghan gave up their royal duties and titles was to lead a more private life and enable their children to have more choice. The ongoing court case between Meghan and Associated Newspapers centralizes on her family's right to privacy. By moving off the royal estate and having been strict about the pictures released of Archie in the press the family have been able to stay away from the tabloids which she got in-between her and her father. After the repeated scandals involving her family, and the relentless attacks from tabloids, Meghan has been clear that it's taken its emotional toll on her. Having lived through her own parents divorce and Prince Harry being aware of the role the press played in his own parents' marriage, she may have wanted to give her relationship a chance to thrive in an environment that's less pressured. That isn’t to say that Archie has been totally kept out of the public eye. He made his podcasting debut on the 2020 Archewell Audio Holiday Special where Meghan and Prince Harry spoke some words to him and he repeated their words. It’s clear that they have a very close family bond, similar to the one Meghan described in her own childhood. More inspiring celebrities:The Untold Story of Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II’s Only DaughterMeghan Markle Reveals Her Pain in Fighting the Same Battle as Princess DianaWhat Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Groundbreaking Decision Really MeansHow Kate Middleton and Prince William’s College Romance Became a Real-Life Fairytale

The Untold Story of Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II's Only Daughter
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The Untold Story of Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II's Only Daughter

When you hear about revolutionary royals your mind may automatically turn to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Prince William and Kate Middleton may also fall under that category. The young royals have done so much to create a new and more accessible image of the monarchy. However, there’s a case to be made that Princess Anne paved the way for staying true to yourself, even if it means going against the grain. It’s this strong-minded quality that links her to her nephew, Prince Harry. And after reaching the Olympics and experiencing a kidnapping attempt, it’s easy to see how she sticks so stridently to her beliefs. Anne, Princess Royal is the second child and only daughter of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. She’s fourteenth in line to the throne and her royal duties have seen her advocate for the Carers Trust, Save the Children, and a number of causes focusing on sport and sciences. Her work has also meant that she’s traveled to Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and South Africa working with children’s charities. However, in recent years she’s handed over the international duties to the younger royals.Princess Anne went against traditionQueen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)Anne, Princess Royal has taken on many of the same responsibilities as her older brother, Prince Charles but she’s always done things a little differently. She has two children from her first husband, Mark Phillips, who she married in 1973 and divorced in 1992. When Peter and Zara were born she decided to reject the His/Her Royal Highness titles they’d have received on account of being the Queen’s grandchildren. In interviews, she’s explained that she wanted to give her children a childhood that was as normal as possible and by dropping the titles this would be more likely. Other popular royals to have made the same decision are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their son, Archie. This caused a stir at the start of 2020 but Princess Anne was well ahead of the curve. And rode to the Olympics Princess Anne, The Princess Royal aboard Goodwill during the Mixed Three-Day Event Team Cross-Country at the XXI Olympic Summer Games on 24 July 1976 at the Olympic Equestrian Centre, Bromont, Québec, Canada. (Photo by Getty Images)The royal family is known for having a big love for animals, great and small. While the Queen has had a number of corgi’s during her reign Princess Anne has kept bull terriers. However, her first love is horses. A keen rider, Anne took her passion and talent for equestrianism to the next level when she won the individual title at the European Eventing Championship aged 21. She was also voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1971. She marked herself as one of the most talented riders in the country when she joined the British eventing team. This took her to the heady heights of the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Speaking about her experience to Vanity Fair she said, “I thought if I was going to do anything outside of the royal family, horses were likely to be the best way of doing it. But then you have to find the right horse at the right time.”Getting to the Olympics was tough but her time in Montreal proved a serious challenge. Halfway through the course she fell off her horse and suffered a concussion. She got back on and completed the event, coming in sixth. However, she’s since revealed that she doesn’t remember finishing at all. In an ITV documentary Anne: The Princess Royal at 70, her lady-in-waiting Jane Holderness-Roddam recalled the dramatic moment she finished. “I wasn’t at the Olympics, I couldn’t go, so it was all on the television what we saw. What I didn’t know at the time was she had this awful fall, but she got back on and competed,” she said, “She was that concussed that she couldn’t remember, and still to this day I believe can’t remember, the rest of the course.”She wasn’t put off by her fall. If anything it spurred her love for riding and the Olympics on. In 1988 she was appointed a Member of the International Olympic Committee and the Members Election Committee. She’s supported Team GB as President of the British Olympic Association and she even awarded her daughter Zara Tindall a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics. Her daughter followed in Anne’s tenacious footsteps and speaking about her riding ability to Vanity Fair she said, “Zara was always a natural and it was really a question of whether she felt that was something she really wanted to do, and she did and she was very thorough and applied herself to it. So she was quite rightly very successful.”The Princess Royal and daughter Zara Tindall Photo credit: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire. She thwarted a kidnapping attempt Princess Anne hasn’t just hit the headlines throughout her life for her generous charity work and time at the Olympics. A kidnapping attempt in March 1974 would not only shake the royal family to the core but also give Princess Anne the resilient, no-nonsense reputation she has today. It’s been reported that on March 20, 1974, Anne, who was only 23 at the time, was driving back to Buckingham Palace with her first husband Mark Phillips. They were stopped on the road by another driver, Ian Ball. Immediately, Ball left his car, shooting a pistol. Luckily, Princess Anne was protected by the police, and her personal officer, Inspector James Beaton shielded her. He was shot. Tabloid journalist Brian McConnell then intervened and was shot, Alex Callender, her driver attempted to disarm Ball and was shot too. Four years after the events, Anne revealed the gruesome details in an interview with journalist Sir Michael Parkinson. Ball informed the Princess Royal that he was going to kidnap her and hold the royal family to ransom.He opened the door, and we had a sort of ‘discussion’ about where or where not we were going to go.Princess Anne, as reported in PeopleShe then added that “It be much better if he just went away and we’d all forget about it.” Yet, she revealed her incredible strength of character in how she apprehended her attacker.I said I don’t think I wanted to go. I was scrupulously polite because I thought it was silly to be too rude at that stage.Princess Anne, as reported in PeopleAnne left the car and former boxer Ron Russell was walking past and saw what was going on. Police Constable Michael Hills drove by at the same time and called the police for backup before being shot by Ball. Russell punched Ball and helped Anne getaway. Ball was later arrested.Beaton, Callender, Hills, and McConnell all recovered in hospital and Anne visited them to share her thanks. On trial, Ball pleaded guilty to attempted murder and kidnapping. Why her connection with Prince Harry is specialPrince Harry (L) arrives with Princess Anne, Princess Royal (R)Photo credit: Chris Jackson/AFP via Getty ImagesWhile the kidnapping attempt shocked the world media and the royal family, it didn’t stop Princess Anne from pursuing her work and passions outside of her duties. People have since recognized this willingness to stay true to yourself in another, younger royal. When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they would be leaving their royal responsibilities and titles behind for a life in America it hit the headlines around the globe. Many of the royals kept their opinions on the matter close to their chest. However, in the documentary, Princess Royal: Anne at 70 Princess Anne appeared to share her sympathize for how hard it was for the couple. The pressure that is applied to the younger members of the family is always worse because that’s what the media is interested in, and that’s sometimes hard to deal with. But there was no social media in my day, so it probably has made it more difficult.Princess Anne in ITVA royal aide, Robert Hardman also shared his insights and said that he thinks she’d thought of this pressure when rejecting titles for her own children. “That was certainly part of the thinking in her decision not to give her own children titles,” he said, “And we had a long chat with them, they're absolutely delightful, and they're both very forthgoing on how grateful they are that they've been able to have as normal a life you can when your grandmother is the monarch.” Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the same decision for their son, Archie. The similarities between Princess Anne and Prince Harry don’t end there. In 1990, after working with Save the Children for decades on various projects around the world, Princess Anne was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. She’s continually used her platform to speak out for causes close to her heart. Prince Harry is another royal who appears to care deeply about using his voice to advocate for causes that are important to him. He helped establish the mental health charity, Heads Together with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. He’s worked with OnSide Youth Zones which gives young people somewhere to go and someone to talk to when they need it. And with Meghan Markle, he’s created a space to talk about hateful behavior and speech online and the impact it can have. Prince Harry may not be so different from his royal aunt at all. With an Olympic legacy, a rejection of tradition, and continued ambition to speak out for the things that matter most to her, Princess Anne might be one of the best royal examples of finding what you believe in and pushing ahead with your ambitions. More inspiring royals:Meghan Markle Reveals Her Pain in Fighting the Same Battle as Princess DianaWhat Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Groundbreaking Decision Really MeansHow Kate Middleton and Prince William’s College Romance Became a Real-Life FairytalePrincess Diana’s Iconic Taj Mahal Picture Contains A Powerful Truth