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Fox News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Former Disney star Bella Thorne faces social media backlash after proposing to fiancé
What should have been a happy moment for Bella Thorne has turned into a wave of criticism. On Saturday, the former Disney star, 27, took to social media to share with her nearly 24 million followers that she got down on one knee and proposed to her fiancé, Mark Emms, two years after he originally popped the question. "3 years ago we met, 1 year later he proposed," she captioned the post, which features at-home footage of Thorne getting on one knee. "Now 1 year later so did I." While the news was met with congratulatory comments, some fans slammed the actress for her non-traditional approach. "Ok ladies let's not normalise this, okay?" one user wrote in a comment which has nearly 100,000 likes. "Girl, get up," another wrote. "It's a joke right? Why women do this to themselves is solely the man's role (sic)," another asked. Others were quick to come to the star's defense. "THESE COMMENTS R ARE NOT IT. i think what Bella did here is showing her s/o (& herself) that she believes in equality for their relationship, that she's committed to him as much as he is & that it doesn't have to be a one-sided cute proposal," one user wrote. "I can't believe there's such hatred in this comments. Let love be love," another wrote. Thorne responded to the comments one day after sharing the news. On Sunday, the actress took to her Instagram stories and wrote, "The comments on my post are hilarious!!" She continued, "Totally split down the middle. Half of u are like let's not normalize proposing to your partner -- other half is like f--- yeah girl power this is the sweetest!!" Thorne has previously been engaged to rapper Mod Sun and Italian singer Benjamin Mascolo. She also had an open relationship with Tana Mongeau. In 2019, Thorne got candid about her bisexuality during an interview with Gay Times for their February 2019 issue. "It seems like no one understands bisexuality at all," the former Disney child star told the publication, as reported by People magazine at the time. "In this world, it's like you're either gay or you're straight; there's no in between. If you f----- a guy once, you must be gay. Like, what? No. That's just being fluid." "It's not a gay or straight box," added the magazine's cover star. "It's this middle in-between world that nobody can put in a box, which makes them so mad. People are so mad that they can't put it in a box, can't explain it and can't see how it works that they hate on it."
Metro
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Strictly star recalls being confronted about full frontal nudity on OnlyFans
A Strictly Come Dancing star has unveiled the backlash he faced for creating an OnlyFans account. John Whaite, 36, won the Great British Bake Off in 2012 before making history in Strictly's first same-sex pairing with Johannes Radebe in 2021, reaching the final. However, following the axe of Steph's Packed Lunch in 2023, the baker vowed to quit TV and later joined OnlyFans in 2022. Despite admitting that he 'regretted' signing up at first, John returned to the platform earlier this year and was recognised in the top 0.41% of all creators. The chef has previously been open about his decision to share content on the adult-only website, but now, in an interview with Gay Times, John has shed light on a particularly difficult moment. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Describing his decision to join OnlyFans, where celebs including Cardi B, Iggy Azalea, and Lily Allen also post content, John told the publication: 'For me, it's a sense of complete freedom in my sexuality. 'For so long, I hated my body. I've had bulimia and body dysmorphia, and I've got to the stage where I'm happy that my body is shape-shifting. It grows, it shrinks, it can do beautiful things, and I just don't care anymore—not in a nihilistic way where I've given up on life, actually the opposite! 'I'm so happy that my life has gone in the direction it's gone in, and I want to celebrate everything—right down to my nether regions!' However, when asked about some of the 'monitoring' he experienced when he first joined the platform, he went on to say: 'I remember one day on the studio floor in front of all the cameras, a researcher I was working with really closely, said to me, 'Oh, have you? Have you done it? Is it true? You've done a full frontal on OnlyFans,' and I felt like I was being set up. 'I was being asked this in front of the six cameras in a rehearsal. I was really, really p****d off. My agent confirmed that someone at the production company was watching.' That moment was the 'tipping point' for John, as he realised that he was 'valued enough to let [him] say things on screen that would get them headlines, but they didn't value [him] enough to say, 'Look, we're worried for you. We think you should not be doing this right now'.' 'They should respect you and look after you. I think the deeper conversation here is about welfare generally within the TV industry. I think that is still very much an elusive beast,' he stated. Previously, the Strictly star defended his decision to join the adult content site, saying: 'I for one don't want to live my life stuck in a steadfast template that restricts my next move. 'Secondly, I enjoy performance. I enjoy being a show-off. I enjoy building my body and celebrating the results. That's not for everyone, and that's ok—if you don't like meat, just walk on by the butcher's shop.' He also claimed: 'I quit the TV industry 18 months ago and haven't looked back. 'I had an incredible 12-year-long career and achieved some extraordinary milestones that I'll proudly take with me to the grave. 'I loved it (mostly) while it lasted and made some wonderful friendships, which I'll cherish, but that river, for me, had run dry. It didn't set me alight anymore.' More Trending In April, John blasted the 'insulting' Waitrose for 'dropping him' with no prior warning following his journey to go on OnlyFans. Also in March, he endured a similar experience with the car company Peugeot, which ended its contract with him following his return to OnlyFans, MailOnline reported. View More » John admitted that he was 'bitter' after the company refused to work with him for posting racy online images. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Strictly star Anton Du Beke opens up on wife's 'cruel' diagnosis MORE: Gregg Wallace addresses shocking 'flasher' claims in first interview since MasterChef sacking MORE: John Torode looks glum in first public outing since Gregg Wallace 'unfollowed' him and wife
Channel 4
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Channel 4
LGBT+ veterans left in limbo after government payment pledge
Warning: this article contains references to homophobic abuse and distressing content. Until the year 2000, being LGBT+ in the British military was a crime. Thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender personnel were dismissed, interrogated, and in some cases, criminalised simply for being themselves. In 2023, then-prime minister Rishi Sunak formally apologised in parliament, calling the ban 'appalling treatment'. Following years of campaigning by charity Fighting with Pride and others, the government announced in 2024 that affected veterans could apply for fast-tracked payments of up to £70,000 to correct a historical wrong. But seven months later, over a thousand claimants are still waiting for payments. Pam was discharged at 22 after her girlfriend was found in her room. She told me: 'I signed up to do 22 years. I loved it. But I was just cut off. Couldn't even call myself a veteran.' She described a terrifying dawn raid: 'It was 6am. Military police banging on the door. They interrogated me with disgusting questions, trashed my room, tore down posters, and searched everything.' The trauma is clear: 'I wanted to take my own life. I had nowhere to go. They just booted me out. No train ticket, no nothing.' Campaigners hoped the government's 2024 payment scheme would bring closure. But instead, many feel abandoned. 'It's very slow,' Pam said. 'We've had the apology. We've had the veterans' badge. What more do they need to prove we were dishonourably discharged? They said 18 weeks. We're well past that now. Press the button and get us paid.' David Bonney, a former RAF medic, was the last person jailed in the UK for being gay in the armed forces. In 1994, he was imprisoned after military police found a copy of Gay Times in his room. David was spied on, harassed, and isolated. 'They watched outside gay bars, interviewed my friends, even listened in on calls to my mum. One time I came back and found an envelope of dog shit in my room.' 'About 20 people started beating me. I ended up in the medical centre.' – David Bonney He also endured violent assaults during solitary confinement and later in prison. 'About 20 people started beating me. I ended up in the medical centre.' The Ministry of Defence declined an interview but said in a statement: 'We understand veterans' frustrations with application processing times. The UK Government has increased dedicated staff by adding a further five workers…. to accelerate application reviews and process payments more quickly.….' While the veterans we spoke to appreciate the apology and recognition, many now feel words alone are no longer enough. UK has moved 'million miles' on LGBT rights but must be fought for says Chris Bryant MP Apology proves 'we were right and they were wrong' over LGBT military ban, says former airman Sunak apologises over 'horrific' LGBT military ban
Times
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Gay Times loses 80% of advertisers amid US anti-diversity push
Gay Times has lost 80 per cent of its advertisers in the past year due to a 'well-funded anti-diversity effort' in the United States, according to its chief executive. Tag Warner said that the LGBTQ+ magazine had faced an advertising shortfall as brands that had previously paid for advertising campaigns to run on its website had aborted their plans amid a wider decline of support for inclusive events. 'It seems like LGBT+ inclusion was something that everybody wants to do but now hardly anybody wants to do,' said Warner. The magazine has had to make redundancies and is appealing to readers for help 'We've seen entire Prides [events] being cancelled because they don't have funding any more. I know of hundreds of freelancers in the industry that rely on advertising and marketing campaigns to pay their bills. And now those bills aren't being paid.'
CNET
17-06-2025
- CNET
Looking for Meaningful Connection This Pride Season? This AI App May Help
Enter: me, a queer person who's never quite fit neatly into any one box. The whole idea of online dating always felt a little intimidating, particularly when I don't easily fit into predefined categories. Yet, I was willing to try out an app to connect with the community. I found and liked the LGBTQ+ dating app, Taimi, specifically for its use of artificial intelligence in support of community, depth and user safety. The idea of scrolling through profiles and picking from rigid options felt limiting, but this felt like only a small step outside my comfort zone. Generative AI supporting technology -- in support of humans. I could work with that. Okay, let's begin. What is Taimi, and how does it use AI? Taimi initially launched under the name "TameMe," founded by Alex Pasykov, who also founded Hily, a dating app for straight singles. While straight, Alex is known for outspoken allyship and received the Gay Times Honours Community Entrepreneurship Award in 2020 for his efforts to support LGBTQ+ folks (specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic). At the time of writing, Taimi has over 25 million users across 138 countries. Taimi uses AI in three key areas: its matching algorithm, safety and moderation, and its feedback loop. This is to provide its users with maximized compatibility outcomes and deliver tailored suggestions over time. I appreciate Taimi's use of AI to help shift matching away from pairing based on age, gender and location and instead focus on relationship building from your profile's personality. It's pretty community-focused, steering away from casual swiping and toward purposeful connections. How to use Taimi to connect with others The Taimi home page. Taimi/Screenshot by CNET Setting up an account on Taimi is pretty easy, and its AI features work in the background to provide you with a tailored algorithm -- powered by AI and data signals from app activity -- for matches. Download Taimi from the App Store or Google Play store. To set up your profile, add photos, a short bio and your preferences. This helps the algorithm learn your specific needs when searching for friends, dates or other members to digitally (and hopefully literally) connect with. The more you use Taimi, the smarter the algorithm gets at understanding your tastes and compatibility. So, as you swipe and message folks, your preferences are being assessed. Taimi's AI will highlight profiles and groups it thinks you'd align with to help ease the overwhelm and connect with folks more likely to appreciate you and form actual connections. It will also feature smart recommendations that contain nearby events or meetups, and community spaces for creating and fostering healthy relationships. You'll get the most out of Taimi by providing feedback about your experience -- that includes liking, passing and blocking profiles -- which allows the algorithm to evolve alongside your preferences and become more accurate over time. As with any dating app, safety and privacy are key here, especially since the LGBTQ+ community is more vulnerable to discrimination. Taimi also uses AI-assisted content filtering to identify, report and remove key indicators of harm like harassment, suspicious profiles, hate speech and inappropriate messages. For example, I could not screenshot or utilize a workaround photo-taking software within Taimi -- even for tabs that didn't contain sensitive information -- to showcase how the app works. While annoying at the moment, I'm proud of Taimi for diligently keeping information private throughout its user experience. Should you use Taimi? Taimi is built for LGBTQ+ folks who want AI-powered matching and strong moderation to help keep things real and respectful, which matters when you want meaningful interactions online. It's also built for a lot more than dating, which can be an easy entry for folks who are wary of dating apps or the pressure to find solely romantic connections through them. What comes in each Taimi subscription. Taimi/Screenshot by CNET I see Taimi as great for people who want to experiment and figure out how to use the platform for their unique goals. Relationships from dating apps don't always happen overnight, so being flexible about outcomes can make the whole experience way more rewarding. You can access most of its features on its free plan, so there's also not much commitment on the app's side. (Maybe Taimi's keeping that for the actual connections happening within the app.) Now, if you're only into quick hookups or want a super niche dating pool, Taimi's broader social and advocacy vibe might not be your best option, as it's designed for diversity and connection within the LGBTQ+ community. It's also fair to mention that you shouldn't expect to open the app and immediately walk away with a partnership; meaningful relationships take time, both online and off. But like anything else, I am a strong advocate for trying it out before you buy it, and see how you find yourself engaging with others on the platform. Having millions of users is impressive, but what matters is if it works for you. Enjoy your time and happy pride.
