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Serena Page, Leah Kateb, and More ‘Love Island USA' Alums Weigh In on JaNa and Kenny's Split

Serena Page, Leah Kateb, and More ‘Love Island USA' Alums Weigh In on JaNa and Kenny's Split

Yahoo3 days ago
They say you shouldn't take sides when your friends break up...but if your friends are JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez, this rule definitely does not apply. In the wake of JaNa and Kenny's breakup, several Love Island USA alums—including JaNa's besties and fellow season 6 stars Serena Page and Leah Kateb—have reacted to the news of the split on Instagram.
JaNa and Kenny were one of the strongest couples to come out of Love Island USA season 6, and the two even star on Peacock's Beyond the Villa. Earlier this week, the two abruptly split and fellow Love Island USA alums began unfollowing Kenny, raising eyebrows and grabbing the attention of fans everywhere.
To recap: JaNa confirmed the split in an Instagram story shared Tuesday, July 29, and while she didn't give a reason for the breakup, she did tell fans that it was 'terrible, disgusting, and disappointing.'
Meanwhile, Kenny put out a statement of his own on Instagram, writing in part, 'Sometimes, despite how deeply you care for someone, you come to the hard truth that the relationship was not something that could last long-term.'
You'll be shocked to learn that these vague platitudes did not help his case. In fact, Kenny's response prompted Charmane Smith (a close friend of JaNa's) to post on her page, seemingly implying that JaNa had found incriminating information on Kenny's phone with messages like, 'I don't like black women, I thought I would get more money from this, I'm faking this relationship, going on the show would be for clout, I can't wait to be done w this so I can fuck hella b*tches.'
Charmane's Instagram has since been made private, but JaNa's other close friends—including Love Island USA season 6 alums Leah, Serena, Liv Walker, and Kaylor Martin—followed, calling Kenny out and publicly declaring themselves #TeamJaNa.
Serena Page Comments on JaNa and Kenny's Split
Serena (aka one of JaNa's best friends and member of the PPGs) kept things civil, asking fans to remember that 'it may just be tea for y'all but that's not the case for us.' That being said, she made it clear on which side she stands, writing, 'Y'all already know how I'm coming behind JaNa, and TRUST so does he.'
Leah Kateb Calls Kenny 'Racist' on Instagram
Leah Kateb—the third Power Puff Girl in season 6's Love Island USA trio—also weighed in on Instagram. Leah reposted JaNa's response to Kenny, in which she called her ex a 'manipulative liar,' and added her own two cents.
'@kennyrodriguez Put a sock in it ChatGPT headass,' she wrote. 'Tell the truth for once! Racist, clout/money hungry and a scammer since Day 1!!!!!' She also sent a message of support to JaNa, telling fans not to worry, 'Our Nay is blessed and highly favored.'
Leah followed up a bit later, sharing what appears to be a text from her to an unnamed recipient, saying, 'This is the month of clout chasers I guess??' On her Story, she annotated the text, crossing out 'chasers' and writing 'demons shall I say.' She also declared the events of the week, 'Mercury retrograde taking out the trash.'
Liv Walker Exposes Kenny's 'Chat GPT' Statement
Liv also criticized Kenny's statement, sharing it on her Instagram Stories. 'Your pathetic excuse for a story is laughable. I can't even put into words how good of a person Naynay is and how hard it is [to] watch her go through something like this,' she wrote. '@kennyrodriguez I hope this gives you the clout you always wanted you fucking loser.'
Liv was so unimpressed by Kenny's statement that she decided to go straight to the source, asking Chat GPT if it thought AI had written Kenny's response. The answer, per her Instagram: 'Yes.'
Kaylor Martin Calls Kenny 'A Poor Excuse of a Man'
And of course, Kaylor also weighed in, sharing a screenshot of JaNa's response to Kenny and adding, '@kennyrodriguez is a poor excuse of a man. You lost the most beautiful genuine soul. Shame on you.'
Kendall Washington Supports JaNa on Instagram
Most of the Love Island USA season 6 men have yet to comment publicly, though almost all of them have unfollowed Kenny on Instagram. Kendall, however, showed his support for JaNa on Instagram, sharing a video of the two dancing together with the message, 'Love you forever Nay Nay.'
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States With Top 10 Best Roller Coasters Ranked by Man Who Tried Nearly 500
States With Top 10 Best Roller Coasters Ranked by Man Who Tried Nearly 500

Newsweek

timean hour ago

  • Newsweek

States With Top 10 Best Roller Coasters Ranked by Man Who Tried Nearly 500

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A roller coaster enthusiast who has ridden nearly 500 different coasters shared his top picks in a viral TikTok post, which has garnered 4.6 million views since July 25. Jacob, a 22-year-old theme park marketing professional who posts under the username @jacob_backall, curated a slideshow of his 30 favorite roller coasters drawn from a personal experience of trying 492 different roller coasters so far across multiple continents. The top 10 ranking features all roller coasters in the U.S., including in Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio and Tennessee. "I grew up outside of Philadelphia and I recently graduated from the University of Tampa in Florida with a Bachelor's degree in advertising and public relations," Jacob, who did not share his last name, told Newsweek. "Using these acquired skills, I share my passion by working on the marketing team for one of the largest theme park chains in North America, home to dozens of world class coasters. I also take pride in updating my coaster travels through my personal socials @jacobbackall on Instagram and TikTok." Jacob is pictured here on two different roller coasters. Jacob is pictured here on two different roller coasters. @jacob_backall on TikTok and Instagram His passion for roller coasters began in 2012 with a visit to Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania. "That day I rode the Wild Mouse. Not a big coaster, but it had me hooked. It changed my life. I was so curious about the way it made its way around the track and how the systems worked to control it," he said. Jacob said his fascination grew quickly. "Ever since that one day, I've become a human encyclopedia for roller coasters, learning and memorizing the heights, speeds and stats of every roller coaster I could find on the internet, and trying to conquer as many of them as I could," he said. The first roller coaster he ever rode that went upside down was Hydra the Revenge, also at Dorney Park. "I choose to start with that one because it went upside down the most time in the park, seven times, and currently at that time held the inversion record in North America," he said. Despite his comfort with extreme rides today, Jacob recalled one that once gave him pause: "I remember Intimidator 305 (now known as Pantherian), a 305-foot roller coaster at Kings Dominion in Virginia, had me a bit frightened at first, and to be honest I think that's the only time I've ever felt nervous before trying a new ride. I must have been 9 or 10 years old around then, so I've basically become immune to all those feelings of anxiety around big drops and loops." Among the coasters in his top 30, Jacob's favorite is Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point. "My favorite roller coaster of all time, Steel Vengeance, is a 205-foot RMC hyper hybrid roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Opening originally in the 1990s as Mean Streak, the old rough wooden coaster was given new life in 2018 with its transformation into arguably the greatest roller coaster of all time." The TikToker has a particular preference for RMC Hybrid roller coasters. "A hybrid roller coaster in a traditional sense is a coaster with wooden supports and twisted steel track," he explained. "When an old wooden roller coaster gets rough and no longer draws the crowds it used to, RMC, Rocky Mountain Construction, a legendary roller coaster manufacturer based out of Idaho rips off the wooden tracks, adds steel tracks to enhance the height, speed and whip factor of the coaster, thus transforming old rides into a modern beasts of an attraction." For Jacob, the best roller coasters are not necessarily the tallest or fastest. "For most true roller coaster enthusiasts, the factors that make up a truly good roller coaster aren't the height and speed; it's a creative layout with consistent pacing, having unique elements that flow into one another without rough transitions. The most important quality of a coaster for me personally is airtime, that's the feeling where you're being lifted up out of your seat and feel multiple times lighter as the forces of gravity weaken on you." Now at 492 different roller coasters and counting—with over 5,000 total rides including re-rides—Jacob is just eight coasters away from a major milestone. "With eight more coasters I haven't ridden yet left to go before I hit 500, I'm sure by the end of the year I'll finally meet that goal. Then it's on to 1,000." Along the way, Jacob said the community of fellow enthusiasts has been a rewarding part of the experience. "I have made many great friends over the years through my travels and you'd be surprised how many others there are with my same unique hobby," he said. Top 30 Best Roller Coasters, According to Man Who's Tried 492 Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point in Ohio Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal Islands of Adventure in Florida Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa in Florida Fury 325 at Carowinds at the border between North and South Carolina Stardust Racers at Epic Universe in Florida Pantherian (formerly Intimidator 305) at Kings Dominion in Virginia Skyrush at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania Lightning Rod at Dollywood in Tennessee Maverick at Cedar Point Pantheon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia Guardians of the Galaxy at EPCOT in Florida Batman Gotham City Escape at Parque Warner in Madrid, Spain Twisted Timbers at Kings Dominion Wildcats Revenge at Hersheypark El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey Iron Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in Texas ArieForce One at Fun Spot America Atlanta in Georgia Time Traveler at Silver Dollar City in Missouri The Beast at Kings Island in Ohio GhostRider at Knott's Berry Farm in California Volcano: The Blast Coaster at Kings Dominion Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal Islands of Adventure Twisted Colossus at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California Wicked Cyclone at Six Flags New England in Massachusetts Wind Chase (formerly Storm Chaser) at Kentucky Kingdom in Kentucky Storm Runner at Hersheypark Top Thrill Dragster (reopened as an updated version called Top Thrill 2) at Cedar Point Steel Curtain at Kennywood in Pennsylvania Taron at Phantasialand in Germany X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? 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Kim Cattrall seemingly reacts to ‘And Just Like That' ending — as ‘Sex and the City' franchise closes after 27 years
Kim Cattrall seemingly reacts to ‘And Just Like That' ending — as ‘Sex and the City' franchise closes after 27 years

New York Post

time8 hours ago

  • New York Post

Kim Cattrall seemingly reacts to ‘And Just Like That' ending — as ‘Sex and the City' franchise closes after 27 years

Samantha Jones has entered the chat. Kim Cattrall, who played Jones, the sex-positive public relations boss in 'Sex and the City' for decades, has seemingly responded to the news that its HBO spinoff 'And Just Like That' is ending after three seasons. The closure of the reboot marks the end of 'Sex and the City' after 27 years. Advertisement 12 Kim Cattrall appeared to hint at the end of 'And Just Like That' shortly after Michael Patrick King and Sarah Jessica Parker made the surprising announcement. Kim Cattrall/Instagram 12 Kim Cattrall shared this on Instagram after it was announced that 'And Just Like That' was ending after three seasons. Kim Cattrall/Instagram Cattrall hinted about the end after taking to her Instagram shortly after the spinoff's showrunner, Michael Patrick King, and the franchise's star, Sarah Jessica Parker, made the announcement. Advertisement Posting clear waters with a gorgeous sunset, Cattrall made her first post since the 'And Just Like That' news broke. 'It's the end of a very long week ❤️💋,' the actress wrote. Although she did not join her original co-stars Parker (Carrie Bradshaw), Cynthia Nixon (Miranda Hobbes) and Kristin Davis (Charlotte York) for the reboot following an alleged feud with Parker, Cattrall did make a brief solo appearance at the end of Season 2. Her absence was felt by fans everywhere and was a huge miss for the series. Advertisement 12 Kim Cattrall during Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2025, in Paris, France. WWD via Getty Images 12 Kim Cattrall at the Dorchester Hotel on December 1, 2024, in London, England. Hoda Davaine/for Perfect Cattrall starred as the sexpot Samantha in the original series from 1998 to 2004. She reprised the fan-favorite role alongside Parker, Nixon and Davis in the 2008 'Sex and the City' movie and its 2010 sequel. 12 Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall and Cynthia Nixon during Season 3 of 'Sex and the City.' 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'I am profoundly sad,' Davis, also 60, said in an Instagram post of her own. 'I love our whole beautiful cast and crew. 400 artisans working hard on our show with deep love.' Nixon, 59, wrote that she 'couldn't believe' the 'Sex and the City' spinoff was officially coming to an end. Advertisement 12 Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in 'And Just Like That.' HBO 12 Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristin Davis during Season 2 of 'And Just Like That.' MAX 'It has been such a delight from start to finish,' she said on Instagram alongside several behind-the-scenes photos and clips. 'I will miss working with these people everyday SO incredibly much but know we will always be a part of each other's lives.' The spinoff's showrunner, meanwhile, insisted that the show wasn't canceled. Advertisement While announcing the end of 'And Just Like That' on Friday, King explained why the show will not continue beyond a two-part series finale later this month. 12 Creator Michael Patrick King announced that 'And Just Like That' is ending after its current, third season. AndJustLikeThat/X 'And just like that… the ongoing storytelling of the' Sex And The City' universe is coming to an end,' he said. 'While I was writing the last episode of 'And Just Like That…' season 3, it became clear to me that this might be a wonderful place to stop.' But canceled or not, the reboot's ratings had been steadily dropping from season to season. Advertisement Plus, some critics claimed that the show had become 'insufferably woke' – particularly with Miranda's non-binary love interest, Che Diaz (Sara Ramirez). 'Che seems like they are a manifestation of… an irritating Twitter account come to life,' one viewer told The Post after the first season aired. 12 Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and Kim Cattrall during the beginning of 'Sex and the City.' Getty Images 12 Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker and Cynthia Nixon during Season 3 of 'And Just Like That.' HBO Advertisement 'Che Diaz single-handedly set back non-binary representation 70 years,' another critic complained. Comedian Bobby Lee, who played the role of Jackie Nee in the first two seasons, also claimed last month that the spinoff suffered from 'woke elements.' 'Some of the woke elements of the show, they got rid of, and I think I was a part of that,' he said. However, insiders speculated that the series was most likely cut because it was simply becoming too expensive.

Paula Deen abruptly closes restaurant that launched her to celebrity chef status
Paula Deen abruptly closes restaurant that launched her to celebrity chef status

Los Angeles Times

time9 hours ago

  • Los Angeles Times

Paula Deen abruptly closes restaurant that launched her to celebrity chef status

In the late 1990s, Paula Deen was an independent restaurateur whose family-operated restaurant had just received a glowing review from USA Today. Her life and career were permanently changed. Now, over 25 years later, the Georgia native has announced the closing of the Lady and Sons — the iconic restaurant that made her a star of Southern cuisine and a household name in the cooking world. Opened in downtown Savannah, Ga., in 1996, the Lady and Sons boasted a menu of local classics like fried green tomatoes, banana pudding and hoecakes. The signature dish, Southern fried chicken, was enough to draw lines wrapping around the block — and the restaurant came to be viewed as an embodiment of the indulgent and buttery flavors that characterize Southern cooking. 'There in Savannah, Paula Deen's homestyle Southern menu at the Lady and Sons turned me into a ravenous beast, unmindful of manners, cholesterol, North-South diplomacy and the dropped jaws of my companions,' USA Today, then the nation's most-read daily newspaper, wrote on Dec. 17, 1999. Earlier that year, the popularity of the Lady and Sons caught the attention of Food Network journalist Gordon Elliott. Deen appeared on Elliott's short-lived show 'Door Knock Dinners' that led to her own Daytime Emmy-winning Food Network program, 'Paula's Home Cooking.' On her website and social media accounts, Deen bid farewell to the Lady and Sons and its longtime fans. Also closing is her newer restaurant, the Chicken Box, which opened in 2023. 'Hey, y'all, my sons and I made the heartfelt decision that Thursday, July 31st, was the last day of service for The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box,' Deen said in the statement. 'We will now focus our attention on the four Paula Deen's Family Kitchen locations across the country.' The announcement came without warning, especially as the restaurant continued to draw tours and lines of customers. Three weeks prior to the announcement, the Lady and Sons posted on Instagram that it was hiring for all positions. Over the years, some of Deen's other restaurants have also closed suddenly. In 2014, employees at Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House — a Savannah eatery she co-owned with her brother, Earl W. 'Bubba' Hiers Jr. — reportedly arrived to work to find the doors locked and the appliances removed. A sign on the door said, 'Thank you for 10 great years. Uncle Bubba's is now closed.' The Panama City, Fla., location of Paula Deen's Family Kitchen also closed abruptly in 2019, laying off 30 employees without advance notice. Several former employees told local news channel WJHG that they were left without their main source of income following the closure. Uncle Bubba's closure came a year after controversy began to surround Deen after a former manager at the restaurant sued Hiers, alleging sexual and racial discrimination. Food Network canceled 'Paula's Home Cooking' after Deen admitted to using a racial slur during a deposition for the 2013 lawsuit. Lawyers asked Deen if she had ever used the N-word, to which Deen replied, 'Yes, of course,' later adding, 'It's been a very long time.' Since then, the 78-year-old has focused on her restaurants. The Lady and Sons, as her core establishment, was the result of a litany of personal struggles and ambition. Both of her parents passed away when she was in her early 20s and Deen, then a young mother, struggled with depression and agoraphobia, or fear of going outside. With only $200 left, Deen founded a catering company out of her kitchen called the Bag Lady. Her handmade bag lunches were delivered by her sons Jamie and Bobby and earned Deen a local reputation for her homestyle cooking. After one attempt at a restaurant, the Lady in 1991, the follow-up, the Lady and Sons, co-owned with Jamie and Bobby, would be her success.

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