Latest news with #PrinceCharming
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Is It Time To Reconsider a Fairytale Marriage?
When I graduated high school in 1997, I had a quote hanging on my wall that said, "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle." Marriage was not of interest to me back then, even though in my faith marriage and family were highly valued. It turns out, I was way ahead of the curve of Americans' changing views on marriage. Marriage rates have plummeted, and as of 2024, Americans were less likely to be married than at any point since 1940. Cinderella and Prince Charming attend The Disney Wish float at the 2022 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2022, in New York City. Cinderella and Prince Charming attend The Disney Wish float at the 2022 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2022, in New York even though recent studies show married women with children are the happiest female demographic, we can't seem to get young people to want to date or marry. In part, young women today are more educated than men their age and have greater focus on professional ambition and individual growth. Women are delaying marriage or avoiding dating and almost half of young women (age 18 to 34) say they don't want kids, believing marriage and family benefits them less than men. You may have heard all of this but what you likely haven't heard is that the societal shift in U.S. marriage rates happens to match the plummeting marriage rates of Disney princesses. Starting in 1937, the Classic Disney Princesses spread love and kindness and were always rescued by a prince: Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty all end up married to a prince, saved by true love's kiss. Then beginning in 1989, the Renaissance Princesses had additional goals like exploring a new world on land, away from their town, castle, or tower—even starting a restaurant, but all ended up happily in a royal marriage: Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Tiana, and Rapunzel. Even Pocahontas and Mulan who have more complicated stories, both end up married in sequels. Then we have the Modern Era of Princesses—which I would argue starts in 2012, where we see a significant shift as criticisms mount that traditional princesses are portrayed as helpless without a man. In response, more modern princesses began to appear without princes or marriage as part of their storylines. We have Merida in 2012's Brave, the first Disney princess to completely reject marriage against her parent's wishes and focus on self-discovery. Elsa, in Frozen, has no love interest, same with Moana, and Raya. The 2025 live action princess movie, Snow White, falls in love but doesn't get married. Disney is not the only company reflecting this cultural shift. In 2023, Barbie rejects the doting man she has been paired with for over 60 years. These subtle shifts accompany more explicit messages like the 2024 book, This American Ex-Wife, claiming that marriage should be rejected as a "commonplace horror" and "violent prison." For the last two years, one of Hulu's top performing unscripted shows features infidelity in marriage and other risqué behavior of MomTok wives, arguably empowered from traditional patriarchy to take back their lives. We've experienced a marked cultural shift rejecting marriage and family as a desirable life pursuit. Despite the trend against marriage both in princess movies and in our culture, who did America vote for as their favorite princess in 2023? Universally in almost every age group, it was Cinderella! Could it be that we still gravitate to a classic princess romance that ends in marriage? While teaching girls independence, education, and leadership is vital, idealizing a solo life is not ideal for individuals or society. Yearly Gallup polls confirm that married adults are thriving 20 percent more than those never married and substantially more than domestic partners. Studies show that married adults are healthier, their children thrive, and communities prosper with lower crime where more married couples live. As a professor, I've had three single Gen Z students this year tell me that their greatest fear is divorce. They didn't realize that despite my disinterest in marriage, I got married young and ended up divorced and a single mom. You would think I would be warning them to wait to get married or have kids, but I'm grateful my failed "happily ever after" didn't deter me from giving marriage another chance. I've been married nearly 10 years, and while I was told I couldn't be taken seriously as a lawyer with more than two kids, I have five and I'm profoundly grateful. Marriage and family life are undeniably messy and imperfect—but they are also deeply meaningful. Just as Cinderella went from an abusive home to find her Prince Charming, we must offer today's young people a vision of lasting love that is worth pursuing. It's time to rewrite the cultural narrative to reflect the enduring benefits of marriage and parenthood—both of which lead to greater fulfillment than the solitary path subtly normalized for our youth. Shima Baughman is the Woodruff J. Deem professor of law and a distinguished fellow at the Wheatley Institute for Religion, Family and Constitutional Studies. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘Gutted' Amy Childs ‘cancels wedding to Billy Delbosq' after fan backlash over extreme weight loss
AMY Childs has "cancelled" her wedding to fiance Billy Delbosq after her recent weight loss sparked huge fan concern. The TOWIE alum is said to have been left "gutted" at the recent turn of events, just weeks after we reported how her "perfect" wedding plans were under threat. 7 7 7 ITVBe personality Amy, 34, who first postponed her nuptials following her engagement in 2023, has again shifted back plans due to "last minute changes" claim sources. They told Closer Magazine of the shift for mum-of-four Amy, who became engaged to the businessman in April 2023: "Amy has had to cancel her wedding and she's absolutely gutted. "There was going to be a show around it, following the run-up to their big day, but they've had to make some last-minute changes based on what's going on in their lives." Amy, 34, shares two of her children with Billy, 42, who she first met in 2000. She first referred to him as her "Prince Charming" after they set eyes on each other during lockdown. In 2023, the pair welcomed twins, Amelia and Billy into the world after a 'long and exhausting' labour - yet their marriage plans have taken a back seat. Despite going wedding dress shopping, Amy has repeatedly delayed the plans. And fresh issues were sparked after fans noted her drastic weight loss. Amy recently came under fire after showing off her significant body overhaul and admitting she had lost two stone. The busy working mum then admitted she "can't stop being sick" just days after the weight loss backlash. Towie star Amy Childs sparks backlash as she shows off her massive weight loss The Sun has gone to Amy's reps for comment. LONG ENGAGEMENT In April, Amy admitted they didn't have an exact date in the diary for their nuptials. The mum of four said: "In my head we will have an end of summer wedding, but I have nothing planned yet! "This is the worrying thing - I still don't know if it will be this year. Who is Amy Childs? Amy Childs was born June 7, 1990, and is a reality star, model, businesswoman and fashion designer. She shot to fame in 2010 by appearing in ITV2's reality TV show The Only Way Is Essex. She became known for her ditsy, likeable personality and briefly dated fellow cast member Kirk Norcoss. A particularly memorable scene involved her "vajazzling" Sam Faiers in a barbie pink-coloured salon. She left the show in 2011 and took part in Celebrity Big Brother, finishing fourth. She also took part in a fly-on-the-wall documentary, It's All About Amy on Channel 5. Two years later she competed in Channel 4's daredevil show The Jump and was the second person to be eliminated. She is now said to be worth around £5million through her fashion and beauty products. "But there's still time to make it work." She teased there was trouble in store and added to Closer Magazine how the pair might run out of time to plan a 2025 ceremony. Amy added to the publication: "It's so much pressure. "I don't want to be stressed. It's my big day. "I want everything to be perfect, and at the minute we don't know what is going on." The glam Essex girl told of her desire for an "extravagant" ceremony, yet admitted the pair had picked out their perfect venue. Previously, she told The Sun she was uncertain if a wedding was on the cards full stop. Amy told us in 2023: "I actually asked Bill if he still wanted to marry me the other day because since he proposed he hasn't mentioned it since." 7 7 7
The Irish Sun
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Inside JoJo Siwa's ‘six month itch' as her rollercoaster relationship history is revealed after Chris Hughes ‘romance'
SINCE appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, JoJo Siwa has kept fans guessing over the nature of her VERY close relationship with her fellow housemate Chris Hughes. Over the years, the influencer - who has also history which sees her have a "six month itch". 12 JoJo Siwa has had a rollercoaster relationship history Credit: Rex 12 JoJo revealed Chris Hughes was her 'soulmate' after they grew close in the Celebrity Big Brother house Credit: ITV 12 As soon as she left the CBB house JoJo dumped her partner, Kath Ebbs Credit: Getty 12 JoJo found fame as a teenager on Dance Moms as a child star Credit: Getty Images - Getty 12 The influencer's first public relationship was with Mark Bontempo Credit: Instagram However, she first found fame when she was just a kid on Dance Moms, and enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame. The star was ten-years-old when she hit the big time, and his seen her life play out in the spotlight. As JoJo has got older, her love life has come into focus and she went public with her first relationship in 2020 when she was 18. READ MORE CBB However, since then the world famous YouTuber started dating, she appears to have a "six month itch" pattern, which sees her relationships lasting no more than half a year. Explaining this, a source told The Sun: "As JoJo has been busy working non-stop her whole adult life, it has been hard for her to hold down a long term romance. "Being globally famous also makes it hard to maintain a relationship as her career prevents her from being in one place for very long." The source added: "People also need to remember she is also only 21 and young adults are known for dating a lot and meeting new people." Most read in Reality MARK BONTEMPO JoJo's first public romance was with musician Mark Bontempo. The pair revealed they had started dating in August 2020. JoJo Siwa's ex Kath reveals what they really thought when they were dumped However, by December, JoJo revealed they had split 'I am single as a Pringle right now. But Mark and I did break up. We were together for three months and it was great,' she told Entertainment Tonight at the time. 'We had fun, we drove through Taco Bell , I think, 450 times. We had some really fun nights. "We never actually had any hard times, we never fought, we never were mad at each other. It was honestly a great time.' 12 JoJo came out as gay when she announced her romance with Kylie Prew Credit: GC Images KYLIE PREW Not long after her split from Mark, JoJo came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and started dating Kylie Prew. Speaking to Jimmy Fallon in February 2021, she revealed that she had met 'the most amazing, wonderful, perfect, most beautiful girlfriend in the whole world'. However, by the October they had split. JoJo said at the time: 'We officially broke up the morning that I did the Prince Charming number on Dancing With the Stars. 'It's been a few weeks and it's been tough, but we're getting through it. … We're going to go back to being friends.' 12 The Dance Moms star's ex Katie Mills vented about her Credit: TikTok/ KATIE MILLS In late 2021, JoJo was briefly linked to influencer Katie Mills, but the romance didn't last long, or end well. In fact, Katie had some choice words for her ex as she addressed a video posted by JoJo which called out "love bombing" and "clout chasing" behaviour from unnamed exes. Katie responded to the 2023 video, by stating: "I'm done being quiet." "You hold a lot of power , you and your platform," she continued. "How can you tell someone you love them and ghost them the next day, and then post all over the internet that we're clout chasers and love bombers? I don't get it." Katie went on to claim that JoJo was the one who wanted to take their relationship public, adding that she had always asked her before posting anything about her on social media: "I have the text receipts to prove it, so don't come at me." 12 JoJo dated fellow YouTube star Avery Cyrus in 2022 Credit: Alamy AVERY CYRUS After striking up a friendship with fellow YouTube star Avery Cyrus, the pair realised they had feelings for each other and became a couple. They went public with their romance in September 2022. The next month, Avery officially asked JoJo to be her girlfriend while on holiday in Orlando. However, by December that year, Avery confirmed they had split, and shared in a TikTok video that said they were 'better as friends.' 12 The CBB star had a brief romance with Dakayla Wilson last summer Credit: Instagram DAKAYLA WILSON Last summer, JoJo went public with her romance with fellow influencer Dakayla Wilson. The pair started dating in August, and the following month JoJo told 'Obviously, we're both very young and she's even younger than I am — she's just about to turn 19,' the star told the outlet. 'I always bring up the Freddie, Eddie and Teddie conversation right away in a relationship.' However, just two months later, a source confirmed that JoJo and Dakayla had split. 12 Kath is JoJo's last official romance Credit: Getty KATH EBBS Kath Ebbs is JoJo's most recent partner who she started dating in January. However, everything changed in April when the Just hours after leaving the CBB house, Kath revealed they had been during the wrap party for the ITV reality series. Taking to Instagram, the Australian influencer, who is non-binary, said they were in "complete shock" and felt "numbed out and humiliated" after being dumped by JoJo. They added that Celebrity Big Brother . 12 JoJo struck up a VERY close bond with Chris in the CBB house Credit: ITV FINDING HER 'SOULMATE' During their time in the house, and in the days that have followed, Fans saw in the Celebrity Big Brother house, which over their seemingly "flirty" behaviour . The Speaking about where they go from here, regarding their "close" friendship, the Love Island star said they have a "really strong bond" - calling it a "soulmate friendship". "Our friendship, it's hard to explain... it's just a really strong bond between two people, it's just a strong friendship," Chris explained. "I think you can have a soulmate friendship, that's the thing. 12 ITV fans were left confused by their connection during CBB Credit: ITV "To me, it's that energy when it's not the standard friendship you have with your friends, but it's still a friendship, we are friends. "It's nice , I found it strange because it was such a strong friendship. "Having someone in there to go through an experience like that and have someone there everyday when you're emotional, when you're happy... that was beautiful, that was genuinely an amazing thing." Host Ben Shephard grilled the pair and asked if it was just "platonic" or if it could develop into something "romantic". JoJo laughed and said: "He's a gorgeous boy, look, he's a great guy, it is platonic, we have a lot of fun together. "Life is life and I don't know any future of anything but I'm really grateful for the dynamic that we have and the bond that we have. "Whatever life does, life will do." JoJo Siwa and Kath Ebbs' relationship We look back at JoJo Siwa's romance with Kath Ebbs: JoJo Siwa went public with hers and Kath Ebbs' relationship in January 2025. The Dance Moms star had been introduced to 27-year-old Australian content creator Kath by a mutual friend called G-Flip six months earlier. JoJo had split with her girlfriend Dakayla Wilson in November 2024 and it is believed she hooked up romantically with Kath soon after. Speaking in March at the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, JoJo said of her relationship: 'I am so happy. I am in a very mature relationship, and it's beautiful. It's taught me so much about life. 'It's taught me so much about love and respect, and it's a beautiful thing. 'It's different in more ways than I can count. I wouldn't even know what to say the biggest is 'cause just everything is so different and special.' Kath even claimed they had talked about marriage together. However, JoJo's romance with Kath abruptly hit the skids on April 25, 2025, at the Celebrity Big Brother wrap party. JoJo dumped Kath at the bash after spending 19 days in the CBB house - where she had grown close to Love Island star Chris Hughes.
Los Angeles Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Love Required, Cowboy Boots Optional: 5 Romantic Western Ranch Wedding Venues
While some brides dream of the fairy tale castle wedding, complete with footmen, coach and Prince Charming in uniform, others find themselves drawn toward a more down to earth wedding ceremony, surrounded by mountain views, lush greenery, and wide-open skies. For this destination wedding vision, the classic all-American western ranch is the perfect setting. From horseback entrances to farm-fresh catering, ranches offer amenities that are authentic and unique. 'Wedding guests are immersed in activities from the rehearsal to the reception,' says Brady Johnson, director of sales and marketing at C Lazy U Ranch in Colorado. Not only can a bride have the a beautiful outdoor wedding under big sky, but the whole weekend can be filled with classic ranch experiences such as horseback riding, fly fishing, and trap shooting. Ranches provide the ideal setting for couples wanting an intimate celebration that retains a sense of the epic. Scott McFarlane, owner of The Home Ranch in Colorado, explains, 'There's just something natural and historic about gathering around a firepit beneath the stars, and ranch experiences tap into that sensibility.' McFarlane emphasizes the ease of hosting a ranch wedding: 'The setting requires such little effort for such grand results. Most ranches are located in stunning natural places, with big sky above and beauty all around.' Nature does the heavy lifting as far as the venue and aesthetic goes, so you can focus on the many other details of executing your perfect wedding day. With cozy accommodations for your guests, year-round availability, and versatile spaces such as stunning courtyards, lawns, and restored barns, ranch venues make every couple's vision possible. Whether you're looking for a sunset ceremony by the pasture, a cozy rehearsal dinner around fire pits, or an evening celebration beneath endless stars, ranches across the Southwest offer unmatched opportunites to commune in nature with the ones you love. 'A ranch wedding provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience for each and every guest,' says McFarlane, 'making it an unforgettable destination wedding choice.' Turpin Meadow Ranch offers visitors the chance to experience the legendary American West with unrivaled access to the surrounding Teton Wilderness. The upscale cabins come with gas-lit fireplaces and custom handmade furniture. Sitting right on the banks of Buffalo Fork River, Turpin Meadow Ranch has an impressive 80-year legacy. Recent renovations that restored the grand lodge, cabins, and added new chalets. While keeping the classic architecture that guests love, the lodge now includes modern touches, like a roaring fireplace, upgraded bar, and patio that perfectly frames breathtaking sunrise and sunset views of the iconic Grand Teton and Mount Moran. Buyout packages are also available, giving guests full access to all the ranch's amenities, including horseback riding, hiking adventures, fly-fishing, fat biking, and farm-to-table dining. Brush Creek Ranch sprawls across 30,000 acres of untouched western landscape, offering a luxurious escape filled with outdoor activities and amazing farm-to-table dining. The ranch features unique venues like a historic Cowboy Chapel from 1934 and even a 94-yard wine tunnel at The Farm at Brush Creek. Brush Creek Ranch provides all-inclusive packages for weddings. Couples can host up to 180 guests at the Lodge & Spa or opt for something smaller at Magee Homestead, an intimate spot perfect for groups of up to 27. There's also a special elopement package that includes everything from photography and florals to a romantic private dinner for two. The Home Ranch sits in the charming mountain ranching town of Clark, Colorado, and has a newly renovated luxury western facility that's perfect for special events. The 3,000-acre ranch includes a central Great Lodge, complete with a commercial kitchen, pool, and spa, and there's lodging for about 35 guests. Visitors can enjoy tons of year-round activities, from horseback riding and cattle drives to snowmobiling and exploring the greenhouses at The Farm. Weddings at The Home Ranch are available only as a full buyout, which guarantees a completely private experience customized exactly to what the bride and groom wants. With spaces for both indoor and outdoor events, the ranch can comfortably host up to 250 guests. Tucked northwest of Denver in front range of the Rocky Mountains, C Lazy U Ranch offers an all-inclusive luxury experience across 8,500 acres of breathtaking land. With over 200 horses and endless outdoor activities, it's a destination that offers both adventure and quiet peace. Guests can spend their days riding trails, soaking in copper tubs under the stars, or just kicking back and taking in the wide-open Colorado skies. For weddings, couples can choose from several indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces, all surrounded by incredible natural beauty. After the big day, newlyweds often retreat to a cozy honeymoon cabin and celebrate with a moonlit 'Cowboy Soak,' champagne and strawberries included. Rancho de Los Caballeros in Wickenburg, Arizona, stretches across 18,000 acres of Sonoran Desert beauty. The ranch mixes rustic charm with a touch of sophistication, offering both indoor spaces like the Sonoran Room and open-air spots like the South Lawn. Guests usually find themselves taking full advantage of the desert setting, whether it's horseback riding at sunrise or unwinding at the spa after a day spent out in the sun. When it comes to weddings, couples have many options to lean into the ranch theme. You can have a laid-back Desert Cookout Under the Stars or go for a lively Mexican Fiesta, all crafted by the ranch's in-house catering team. For those wanting something even more private, the ranch can be reserved in full for an unforgettable weekend with just your closest family and friends.
Telegraph
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
‘Woke' Snow White star tells children they can be ‘powerful princesses'
The star of Disney's 'woke' Snow White remake is to appear on a BBC programme where she will tell children they can be 'powerful princesses'. Rachel Zegler, who plays the titular character in a new version of the 1937 film, will take part in an episode of CBeebies Bedtime Story this Friday to read from Holly Ryan's Never Mess With A Pirate Princess. The book tells the story of a princess who goes on an adventure to rescue her teddy bear after it is stolen by pirates. At the end of her reading, the 23-year-old actress will tell viewers: 'You don't need a king or a queen as parents, or a beautiful white horse, or even a fancy castle to live in. 'To be a powerful princess you just need to be wonderful, brilliant you.' It comes after the Snow White remake made a disappointing $43 million (£33 million) in ticket sales after opening in cinemas, according to studio estimates on Sunday. The run-up to the film's release was plagued by controversies, including a backlash over comments made by Zegler and the film's representation of the story's dwarves. The release was also affected by production delays, which drove up costs. The PR headaches ultimately prompted Disney to scale back the film's premiere in Los Angeles, with no external media invited to the event. Zegler previously angered fans by calling Prince Charming a 'stalker' and for saying the remake 'needed' to be politically correct. Her outspoken support for Palestine is also said to have caused a severe rift with Gal Gadot, her Israeli co-star, who served with the Israel Defence Forces for two years. At one point, Disney bosses attempted to rein in Zegler's most incendiary comments, according to The New York Times. Zegler's criticisms of the 1937 animated film prompted the son of the maker of the original to accuse her of trying to justify the beloved fairy tale becoming a 'woke' story. Following its release, the film, directed by Marc Webb, has been largely panned by critics. Rotten Tomatoes, a website which collates reviews by professional critics, estimates that only 44 per cent of reviews had been positive. Zegler's appearance on CBeebies Bedtime Story comes ahead of an episode due to be broadcast on Sunday featuring Charithra Chandran, the Bridgerton actress, to celebrate Mother's Day. She will read a story about parental support titled You're Strong With Me, by Chitra Soundar, which tells the story of a mother giraffe and her young calf who explore the African savanna. Other famous faces to have read stories on the popular programme include the Princess of Wales, Olivia Colman, Tom Hardy, Kate Winslet and Jack Black, as well as singers Billie Eilish, Harry Styles and Abba's Bjorn Ulvaeus.
