People Are Saying LeBron James Is a Bad Father - Here's Why They're Wrong
LeBron James's son, 18-year-old Bronny, suffered a cardiac arrest yesterday while on court during a USC Basketball workout. The eldest son of the basketball legend is now out of the ICU and in "stable condition."After previously being called out as a bad father for certain behaviour, LeBron sets the record straight. LeBron has always been a central figure in his family and it's time to take a look at the amazing father he really is.*This article was originally published on July 15, 2021.Shame if you do, shame if you don’t. That’s a lesson LeBron James learned the hard way following a momentous occasion involving his young son Bronny. The demanding, judgmental nature of social media has become so intimidating over the last couple of years that public figures can’t make a single move without explaining their decision-making. They’re staring down the barrel of targeted vilification and censure at every waking moment, and if they’re not able to justify their actions well ahead of time, they’re in trouble. It only takes one ill-timed rumor to topple your entire career and tarnish your reputation. LeBron had to reckon with similarly misguided assumptions over two years ago when he attended his son’s basketball tournament. What was supposed to be a celebratory affair among the James family quickly turned into a contentious ruckus casting doubt on LeBron’s integrity and capabilities as a father. Here’s how the situation unfolded and why LeBron became labeled as a ‘bad father.'LeBron received flak for making a “spectacle” out of himself at his son’s basketball gameIn July 2019, LeBron accompanied his 14-year-old son, LeBron Raymone "Bronny" James Jr., to an AAU basketball tournament in Las Vegas. It’s nothing short of a miraculous stroke of luck to have LeBron James himself spectating a basketball game. As anticipated, people were curious to see how LeBron would conduct himself on the sidelines and comport himself at a basketball meetup that didn’t feature him as the MVP. Well, the Ohio native didn’t disappoint. He donned his kicks and jumped into the pre-game layup lines to shoot some hoops. His incredible throwdowns — captured vividly on camera — galvanized the crowd and gave them something to be fired up over. It’s not every day that you have LeBron James participate in a warmup routine at a youth basketball matchup, so if you’re fortunate enough to see the man in action, savor the moment. Unfortunately, savor, they did not. The video went viral and caused quite a stir across traditional news and social media, eliciting accusations of ‘showboating’ on LeBron’s part. Many critics lambasted his activities on the court, condemning the basketball star for engaging in what they deem as undignified and inappropriate behavior. They also took issue with his loud cheering, especially his ballistic demeanor in the wake of his son’s game-winning slam dunk. According to The Washington Post, Jason Whitlock, the host of Fox Sports 1′s “Speak for Yourself” segmented, voiced his opinion on LeBron’s layups, saying that the Lakers’ champion should be staying in his own lane and not make a “spectacle” of himself. He alleges that LeBron leveraged his son’s moment in the sun to build his “social media brand.” The commentator told his followers that parents shouldn’t “allow their thirst for fame to distract from or exaggerate their child’s performance.”Barring an extraordinary leap of rationale on Whitlock’s part, it’s futile to expect a personality as animated and expressive as LeBron to suppress his natural energy. Besides, live sports can instigate a wide range of emotions in the most stoic of individuals, so there’s nothing wrong with LeBron boldly enlivening the mood and egging his son on. He reveals the tragic reason he’s so involved in his children’s livesWhat LeBron’s detractors don’t realize is that there’s a particular reason why the athlete prefers to take such a hands-on approach to parenthood. His dad had a number of criminal charges to his name and wasn’t in the picture, causing LeBron to grow up feeling helplessly incomplete and resentful. The absence of a solid paternal figure hurt him deeply, so he promised himself that he wouldn’t dare put his own children through the same ordeal. I wanted to have kids early, to prove to my father that the way you did it was the absolute wrong way to do it, and I wanted to break the mold to where I want to be there and give them all the life skills. LeBron James on UNINTERRUPTED The 36-year-old essentially took an oath to do right by his children and support them however he could. That’s partly why he wanted his eldest to bear his own name; it was about conferring respect and passing on the values that matter to him a great deal. He obviously can’t guarantee that his children would follow the exact path he’s envisioned for them, but he can hope that they’ll be able to appreciate the “life skills” he’s trying to instill in them. LeBron will do his best to ensure his kids are able to “experience things that [he] didn’t experience” and that they’re able to seize the opportunities by the horns and succeed in whichever field they decide to pursue. LeBron admits that he can only give them the “blueprint” and lay the groundwork; “it’s up to them to take their own course, whenever that time comes.”Setting a positive example for his children isn’t just about breaking the mold that’d been put in place by his dad. LeBron legitimately believes that the responsibilities associated with fatherhood allow him to flourish as a ballplayer. For example, he described each of his children as having distinct, divergent personalities that he must cater to in his unique ways; similarly, he must adjust his mode of communication when interacting with his teammates to get the best out of them. When I talk about patience, it comes back to being a father [...] It comes back to that patience of learning their mindsets, learning how you can get the most out of them, what triggers them to be their best, and what triggers them to not be their best. You learn that over time.LeBron James on The Tim Ferriss ShowThe expression of love is as unique as the love itselfA parent’s love and pride is a rare thing to capture, so no parent should be ashamed for how they choose to convey their depth of love and admiration for their children’s accomplishments. As long as you’re respectful of others in your space and that the recipient of your love is in agreement, you should feel free to express your love however you please. More importantly, your way will be unique to you; it doesn’t matter how it stacks up against someone else’s behavior. Embrace your peculiarities and instincts, and the rest will work itself out. More inspiring stories:LeBron James and Savannah Brinson Grew From High School Sweethearts to Lifelong Partners5 Life-Changing Books That Inspired LeBron James to Keep WinningOctavia Spencer Reveals LeBron James Helped Her Negotiate What ‘She Deserves’ for Her Upcoming Netflix SeriesThe Empowering Truth Behind John Cena and Dwayne Johnson’s Feud
What Happened to Kim Basinger? Where the Sex Symbol Who Disappeared From the Spotlight Is Now
Yes, Kim Basinger is living life on her own terms now! A wildly popular actress in the '80s and '90s, Basinger all but vanished from the Hollywood limelight. But while fans have missed seeing her face on the big screen, the 69-year-old has quietly savored a wildly fulfilling life away from the camera's lens that includes family, volunteering, and a new relationship. With her comeback on the horizon, the question everyone wants to know is what prompted her mysterious retirement from the spotlight?What Is Kim Basinger Famous For?@kimbasinger / InstagramThe actress emerged in the late '70s and became one of the most familiar faces in Hollywood. Starring in a series of notable projects, she captivated the public, establishing herself as the undeniable sex symbol. In the late '90s, Basinger transitioned towards more independent and contemplative roles and grabbed the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1998 for her performance as an escort in Curtis Hanson's neo-noir L.A. Confidential. Given her captivating career, one would expect her to have a lasting presence on the silver screen. However, as the new millennium rolled in, her visibility considerably diminished. Where Is Kim Basinger Now?@kimbasinger / InstagramThe actress, set to turn 70 in 2023, was in her early 20s when she caught the attention of a prestigious modeling agency, launching her into the world of national magazine covers and commercials. Despite earning a substantial $1,000 daily, the industry never truly connected with Basinger on a personal level. She condemned the vanity involved with modeling and despised checking herself out in the mirror before every shoot, “It was very hard to go from one booking to another and always have to deal with the way I looked.” In 1981, Basinger posed nude for Playboy, using the exposure as a springboard to her first love of acting.Basinger’s acting breakout was as a Bond girl, when she starred across Sean Connery in the 1983 film Never Say Never Again. It was an opportunity of a lifetime, a pathway to a new universe of possibilities. Next, she was cast in The Man Who Loved Women and Blind Date. Her work in cult erotic romantic drama 9½ Weeks marked a turning point in her career, solidifying her image as a figure of sensuality and beauty in the eyes of many. Other notable movies in her 90s filmography included The Marrying Man, Final Analysis, The Real McCoy, Wayne World 2, and The Getaway. Following her Oscar-winning turn in L.A. Confidential, Basinger has the honor of being the only actress to date to have posed nude for Playboy and been honored with an Academy Award. However, as the early 2000s unfolded, Basinger's professional journey took a different direction, and the excitement surrounding her fame gradually declined. Was her decision to decrease her workload a personal choice, or had Hollywood producers already lost interest in her and begun exploring other talents? Why Did Kim Basinger Stop Making Movies?@kimbasinger / InstagramDuring her interview with Vanity Fair in 2013, Basinger candidly discusses her Hollywood trajectory, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the industry and appreciation for her enduring success and "longevity" within it. “I’ve been so blessed because I’ve had such longevity.” Yet, though always a champion of the artistry, she has deep-rooted reservations about the artifice of celebrity. “I’m not a big red-carpet girl. But I love the work.”Basinger told the magazine she’d been suffering from agoraphobia and anxiety for a while, which played a role in how she dealt with her burgeoning renown. She needed to step away from the spotlight and cope with her mood disorders without relying on drugs on substances. “Now I wake up and enjoy life. I didn’t want to live on drugs. I wanted to face everything I was afraid of.” she says. How Kim Basinger Put Her Daughter Ireland Baldwin First@kimbasinger / InstagramKim Basinger may have left a slew of broken hearts in her wake (including musician Prince) but her marriage to Alec Baldwin was one of the more tumultuous relationships. Married for over a decade, the couple welcomed daughter Ireland to their family. But ultimately the '90s power couple broke up in and Basinger made her only child her absolute priority.The Georgia native disclosed part of the reason why she disappeared from the scene was to protect Ireland and give her structure and calm through the turbulence of a broken family. “She grew up in the limelight but I tried to provide stability and a quieter world.” Yet, it is crucial to note that despite Basinger's deliberate decision to limit her commitments, she never entirely retreated from the public eye. Over the course of the last 20 years, she maintained a steady presence in both television and film, appearing in a diverse range of productions, spanning from independent films to blockbuster hits such as Fifty Shades Darker, 8 Mile, and Charlie St. Cloud. What Does Kim Basinger Plan To Do Now?What is truly commendable about Basinger is her willingness to embrace and experience love in all its splendor. She has been dating her boyfriend, hairstylist Mitch Stone for nearly a decade, and together they lead a serene existence by the seaside, relishing each other’s company and shared passions. Over the years Basinger has cultivated a fondness for writing children's stories, discovering that it provides both a creative outlet and a means of personal therapy. “My boyfriend and I spend a lot of time in Hawaii, our favorite place on Earth. I have always loved writing and I'm getting more into it these days, especially children's books. The most important thing I do is work with four wonderful animal protection groups to help stop the cruelty that goes on in every country on this planet.”While Basinger does appreciate occasional retreats to the serenity of nature, she still looks forward to undertaking roles that intrigue her. “It's a very privileged position to be in. You get offers your whole life. They've never stopped, and I'm happy to say that I'm going back on the screen pretty soon myself,” she told Vulture magazine in 2021.Kim Basinger's DeterminationUltimately, as we eagerly await Basinger's future endeavors, we also need to applaud her courage and patience. Not everyone has the determination to walk away from a life of consistent work, success and fame, but Basinger made the decision to do so to suit her own needs. Basinger’s pathway demonstrates that not everyone wants to chase the same dreams, and that people have different definitions of peace and fulfillment. As long as you’re content in your own corner, and if you’re continuing to grow and learn and make new memories, you’re living the dream. Everyone has unique markers for success, and the sooner you recognize your own, the quicker you can start on your journey. MORE FROM GOALCAST:What Happened To Adrien Brody? The Promising Leading Man Who Mysteriously Left the SceneWhat Happened to Jenna Marbles, One of YouTube’s First Big Stars?What Happened to Josh Hartnett – The ’90s Bad Boy Who Vanished – And Why It’s Important
Brooke Shields Reveals The Horrors Of Her Child Modeling Days— And How She Thrived and Overcame
Brooke Shields is holding nothing back in her new documentary Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields.Although most people now recognize Shields as a charismatic and successful television actress with an air of old-school dignity, her early years in front of the camera were marked by shocking experiences. As a child model, she was subjected to intense scrutiny and sexualization that had a lasting impact on her life. Shields's breakthrough role was in the 1978 film Pretty Baby, where she portrayed Violet, a 12-year-old sex worker who is forced into a world of exploitation, drugs, and dysfunctional family dynamics.In a cruel case of life imitating art, Shields found herself thrust into the spotlight as a teenage superstar in the eighties, where she was once again subjected to widespread media objectification and harassment. Shields' latest Hulu documentary marks a significant step forward in her willingness to discuss her experiences, shedding light on her struggles and the steps she's taken to overcome them.Brooke Sheilds First Film Roles Catapulted Her to It Girl Status & ObjectificationIn her documentary Pretty Baby, Shields reveals she made her first appearance on camera at the startlingly young age of 11 months. From there, she was plunged into a turbulent vortex of the unpredictable Hollywood culture, where she found herself gracing the covers of numerous magazines and receiving offers purely based on her looks. RELATED: Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen: Why the Child Stars Who Became Business Icons DisappearedAt just 16, she posed on the cover of Time magazine, with the tagline “The ’80s look.” Shields notes in her documentary how she can’t believe how anyone thought it was appropriate to have just one teenager represent an entire decade. “I was on the cover of Time magazine as the face of that whole era. Who decides that?” she says. She also told New Yorker that Barbara Walters was discussing her “measurements” at one point. “There was nothing intellectual about it. You saw these adults, who were supposed to be the smart people in the world, be so lowest common denominator.”Reflecting on the Pretty Baby performance that catapulted her to fame, Shields recalls being oblivious to the controversy. But the memory of agonizing working conditions still lingers, like when she was forced to “wear antique shoes that lacerated her feet.”Co-star Susan Sarandon decided that they couldn’t “fake” a slap scene and Shields was “whacked” across the face for “nine consecutive takes.” At the tender age of 11, Shields recounts her first kiss which took place on film, with 29-year-old actor Keith Carradine.Following Pretty Baby, Shields was cast in 1980’s Blue Lagoon, where the film’s director allegedly “tried to engineer a real relationship between Shields and her 18-year-old co-star, Christopher Atkins.”She Was Sexually Assault by a Hollywood Producer in Her 20s@brookeshields/InstagramAside from her filmography, Shields rose to global fame through Calvin Klein commercials, uttering the now-famous line, "Nothing comes between me and my Calvins." Both ABC and CBS banned the shoot after deeming it too provocative. Shields acknowledges her cinematic roles were unconventional but it was the media's fixation on her that caused the most distress. “They’re shocking,” she told Vogue. “I felt more objectified and abused by [that],” says Shields. Despite the challenges that came with her celebrity status, the now 57-year-old Shields cherishes her time in the spotlight. She may have made some “non-thespian choices” just to afford certain practical necessities, like a car or an apartment. RELATED: How Hilary Duff Escaped The Child Star Curse–And The Other Battles She Had To FightThe most startling disclosure in the documentary was Shields' account of sexual assault after graduating from university. She met with a Hollywood “power player,” a studio executive who wanted to discuss film opportunities with her. Following their dinner, he requested she call a taxi from his hotel room.“He was right on me. It was just like wrestling,” she recalls in her documentary. She eventually froze and decided not to fight back in case he threatened her life. “God knows I knew how to be disassociated from my body. I’d practiced that.”Why Shields Chose to Come Forward and Share Her Story@brookeshields/InstagramAs with countless other survivors of sexual assault, Shields struggled to come to terms with her trauma and internalized feelings of guilt and responsibility for years after the incident. Her attacker manipulated her with a facade of trust and companionship, causing Shields to question her own role in the events that transpired. "It's such a tired cliché, it's almost pitiful," she reflects.The Lipstick Jungle actress says that it took a long time before she felt any semblance of “ownership” over her own existence. Despite the difficulty of revisiting her painful past, Shields felt compelled to speak her truth in the documentary, not only for her own healing but also to offer solace and solidarity to other women who have suffered similar experiences. “This story is not uncommon, with regard to abuse or objectification.” What Her Teen Daughters Think About Her Harrowing StoryThe mother-of-two once wrote a letter to her assailant, expressing how his actions had shattered her sense of trust. Fed up with feeling like a victim, she sought a way to break free from the cycle of sadness and pain. “I wanted to erase the whole thing from my mind and body and just keep on the path I was on,” she notes. Shields' experience of sexual assault left her with a deep sense of distrust towards the entertainment industry and a feeling of disappointment with the lack of resources available to survivors of such trauma. “So I just had to get stronger on my own,” she says. RELATED: Mariah Carey’s Parents: How the Pop Star’s Neglected Childhood Shaped Her LifeToday, as a mother of two teenage daughters, Shields recognizes the significance of building self-assurance, mental resilience, and personal boundaries. “It was interesting to see [my daughters] say what they felt about it. Their big issue was that I was my age. I was proud of them for being able to talk about all of [the documentary].” What Brooke Shields Teaches Us About Gaining Strength With Our Past@brookeshields/InstagramShields reflects on the attention she garnered during her teenage and young adult years and has come to accept that it was not her her fault. She was propelled into the scene, and although she found some aspects of it amusing, she was not a willing participant in the media circus. “At every step of the way, every time someone criticized, it so clearly became about them,” she said. As a result, Shields has learned to champion her abilities, assert her worth in public settings, and set clear limits.Brooke Shields' choice to share her story serves as a reminder that taking the time to reflect on your past can lead to healing and acceptance. Although life may be influenced by external forces, your strength can withstand any circumstance. It's never too late to delve into your past and come to terms with painful experiences. By doing so, you can gain new insights and understandings that can propel you forward on your path towards self-discovery and self-love.
Bruce Willis & Demi Moore's Unbreakable Bond Proves Love Doesn't End After Divorce – Even With a Dementia Diagnosis
A couple like no other in the world. Demi Moore and Bruce Willis have been divorced for over two decades, but they have done the impossible and remain as close as ever. Hollywood has seen its share of fairly ugly divorces where the private affairs of celebrities are scattered over the pages of tabloids. It’s an occupational hazard; it is not just their professional endeavors that attract media attention, it's the gossip of their private lives. However, every so often, you come across a divorce handled so thoughtfully and empathetically that you can’t help but look up to the couple. Just look at Moore and Willis: the pair tied the knot in 1987 and separated in 1998, having spent almost eleven years together as a couple. Yet, the love between them never ceased and has manifested in a multitude of ways in the years since. A Dementia Diagnosis That Could Have Shattered the FamilyThis little snippet reminds everyone how close Demi Moore has been with Bruce Willis in recent years. The two families got together to celebrate the actor's 68th birthday. The Die Hard actor retired on March 30, 2022, due to a condition recently diagnosed as frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This form of dementia is characterized by behavioral and language difficulties, gaps in expressive and receptive communication, and emotional apathy. There is no cure for the disease as of now. RELATED: These Celebrity Divorces Could Have Been Ugly — Here’s What We Can Learn From ThemThe statement announcing Willis’ diagnosis on February 16, 2023, also mentioned that Willis’ condition had “progressed,” but the family was relieved at having a “clear diagnosis.” The statement, published on The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration’s website, was intended to raise awareness about the implications of FTD and empower other people to seek out support if their loved ones were facing the same disorder. “We know in our hearts that – if [Willis] could today -- he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease,” the statement read. It was signed by all of Willis’ daughters, Emma Heming Willis (Bruce Willis' current wife), and Moore. Despite an Uncomfortable Marriage, They Made It Work as Co-Parents & Friends@brucewillisbw/InstagramThe way Moore rallied behind the actor in his time of need is nothing short of remarkable. Most people are not obligated to maintain a relationship with their ex-spouses, especially when they already have enough people in their lives to get them through the trying times. However, Moore has consistently defied expectations to be a pillar of comfort, care, and compassion to Willis, even when there had been friction between the two at the time of divorce. In Moore’s 2019 memoir Inside Out, the Ghost actress shared the details of her split from Willis and the incompatibility challenges they faced as a married couple. Over 12 years of marriage is not an insignificant period of time in the wacky world of showbiz, but they were not able to make their partnership work in the long run. Moore said that Willis had been “ambivalent” about her work, which she said he felt took her away from raising their daughters. Willis had also told her repeatedly that he was “unsure” about staying married to her and going the distance. RELATED: Chris Pratt’s Tragic Divorce Taught Him One Crucial Thing before Marrying Katherine SchwarzeneggerUltimately, Moore was “proud” about going through the divorce and keeping the proceedings as civil as possible. “I think Bruce was fearful at the beginning that I was going to make our split difficult, and that I would express my anger and whatever baggage that I had from our marriage by obstructing his access to the kids,” she wrote in her memoir. Thankfully, both parties kept quiet about their grievances and let the divorce unfold as smoothly as possible. Though it wasn’t easy at first, they were able to forge something new with the changing circumstances, managing to “move the heart of [their] relationship,” the same heart that fostered such a kind, loving environment for their young daughters. They came to feel “more connected than [they] did before the divorce,” the mom-of-three wrote in her memoir. Moore & Willis' Daughters Sing Their Praises & Commend Their Co-Parenting The love flowed from both sides. In a 2000 interview with Rolling Stone, shortly after their divorce, Wilis said that he still “loves” Moore and that they strive to work closely to co-parent their children and fulfill their “lifelong commitment” of parenthood. “Our friendship continues. The institution has been set aside,” he added. This was confirmed by their eldest daughter, Rumer, in 2015, when she said that she had a wonderful childhood and that there wasn’t any deficiency in how she and her siblings were brought up by Willis and Moore. “They always made an effort to do all of the family events still together and made such an effort to still have our family be as one unit, as opposed to two separate things, which I think really made an impact,” she told Larry King. RELATED: What Happened to Anna Marie Tendler After Her Divorce from John Mulaney?Even when Willis remarried, Moore continued to be by his side, going so far as to attend his wedding to Heming Willis. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Willis and Moore decided to quarantine together with their three daughters at the family's home in Hailey, Idaho. Rumer even posted a clip of the two dancing with each other, bobbing to a rhythm and laughing alongside their daughters. Scout Willis said about the social distancing arrangement, “It’s been really funny to have both of my parents in the house where they raised us, which has been really cute.”What Their Bond Teaches Us About Different Forms of Love@brucewillisbw/InstagramDemi Moore and Bruce Willis have set a shining example of how we can sensitively handle divorces and other taxing challenges in our lives. Those experiences are not always going to be pleasant, and they’re likely to dredge up all kinds of resentment, drama, and animosity. But if you take a moment to see the bigger picture and truly make an effort, you will be able to weather the storm. Love, respect, admiration, and care don’t have to come to an end after divorce.Moore and Willis prove that it's not just possible but rewarding for divorced couples to maintain a loving and caring relationship post-divorce. You might even find your love deepening after divorce, as you gain a new perspective and appreciation for your former partner.