Angelina Jolie is back to work in Paris, fresh off her latest Golden Globe nomination. Is her award-season narrative “Angie is back?” [LaineyGossip]
Wait, Chris Pine has a girlfriend?!! [Just Jared]
Michele Morrone did not have an affair with Megan Fox. [Socialite Life]
Lioness and Taylor Sheridan’s foreign policy. [Pajiba]
Wait, Kiernan Shipka has bangs now? [Go Fug Yourself]
Lana del Rey talks about marrying that alligator guy. [OMG Blog]
Olivia Wilde’s Carolina Herrera dress is too “low.” [RCFA]
OMG, I’ve never seen a photo of Lenny Kravitz’s dad. [Seriously OMG]
Sister Wives and real estate. [Starcasm]
Getting to know Don Trump Jr.’s new girlfriend. [Hollywood Life]
Re: the Trump tariffs – should I buy a new car before the inauguration? I’ve been thinking about it a lot, I’d love some input. My current car is running well but it’s 2013 model and I’ve been weighing getting a new car for the past year. [Buzzfeed]

In September 2023, the California Legislature passed the California Food Safety Act. The CFSA banned the sale of food and drinks containing red dye No. 3, as well as three other harmful chemicals that are frequently found in processed foods: potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil and propylparaben. They also banned red No. 40, yellow No. 5, yellow No. 6, blue No. 1, blue No. 2 and green No. 3 from public school foods and drinks by 2027. New York and Illinois are also in the process of doing the same.

If you aren’t familiar with red dye No. 3, it’s a synthetic food coloring that’s made from petroleum and used in nearly 3,000 different food products, including fruit cups, gummies, frostings, and candies like Skittles and Peeps. It’s controversial because studies have found that the dye can cause cancer and trigger behavioral issues like irritability and hyperactivity. The US banned it from cosmetics in 1990. Use in food is already banned in Europe, but my fellow American know how it goes whenever we try to enact any positive change here. Money makes the rules, and there’s always resistance for resistance’s sake. Well, it looks like progress may finally be coming. The FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods said in a Senate hearing last week that the administration is open to finally banning red dye No. 3.

There’s a petition to get rid of it: At the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee meeting Thursday, Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, said, “With Red 3, we have a petition in front of us to revoke the authorization board, and we’re hopeful that in the next few weeks we’ll be acting on that petition.”

Bad for rats, fine for humans? Some of the same dyes that are used in food are also used in pharmaceutical drugs, but the dyes are approved separately for each use. In 1990, the FDA banned Red No. 3, also known as erythrosine, from cosmetics and topical drugs under the Delaney Clause, because the chemical was shown to be carcinogenic at high doses in tests on lab rats. “We don’t believe there is a risk to humans,” FDA’s Jones said.

Europe’s all over it: Some of the dyes allowed in food in the U.S. are either banned or require a warning label in other countries. The European Union requires a warning label on products that contain three artificial food dyes approved in the U.S.:

Yellow No. 5, also known as tartrazine.
Red No. 40, also called E129 or Allura Red AC.
Yellow No. 6, called sunset yellow or E110.

The required label warns that the additive “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”

It’s apparently a ‘badge of honor’ to ignore warnings in the US: “There is something called the precautionary principle, which is basically the thought that it’s better to be safe than sorry,” said Jerold Mande, an adjunct professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who is also a former FDA senior adviser and former deputy undersecretary for food safety at the Agriculture Department. “The U.S. wears it as a badge of honor that we don’t adhere to it.” Other countries do not want to take a risk, even if data on potential harms is not conclusive, he said.

They only exist to make food look pretty: “These food dyes only serve one function in food, to make them look pretty so you and I want to buy it, it’s a marketing tool,” said Thomas Galligan, principal scientist for food additives and supplements at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

The FDA says: An FDA advisory committee conducted a review of the possible link between artificial food dyes and hyperactivity in 2011 and determined that “a causal relationship between exposure to color additives and hyperactivity in children in the general population has not been established.” The agency revisited the issue in 2019 and maintained its stance. Regulatory agencies and scientists alike have reached conflicting conclusions about what research has found.

What science? “The most concerning is that we do so little science to understand the harms,” Mande said, referring to research funded by the U.S. government. In a 2012 review of studies on artificial food dyes and ADHD symptoms, which included the research presented to the FDA in 2011, researchers concluded that artificial food colorings “are not a main cause of ADHD, but they may contribute significantly to some cases, and in some cases may additively push a youngster over the diagnostic threshold.”

Science says: More than a decade later, officials completed the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, a 2021 review of all the available research that studied whether artificial food dyes may have an effect on human health. The conclusion: “Consumption of synthetic food dyes can result in hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some children, and that children vary in their sensitivity to synthetic food dyes.”

“The evidence now shows pretty conclusively that when some kids eat these, they will experience nervous system effects that look like ADHD,” Galligan said. “There are 27 human clinical trials that show these dyes do in fact harm children’s behavior.”

No further research: The government spends very little money researching synthetic food additives once they are approved, Mande said. Less than 5% of the National Institutes of Health’s research budget goes to studying issues related to nutrition. Acute harms, such as poisoning, are well understood among FDA-approved products, Mande said, “but the effort to understand the effects in the long term or subtle things like behavior, we don’t study that.”

How the US differs from Europe: “The biggest distinction between the U.S. and Europe is that they have been doing post-market review of chemicals for over 20 years,” he said. “The FDA, although we have authorization to do post-market review, there’s no statutory mandate.”

Why’d you have to go and make things so complicated: Mande said. “These food dyes are things that a lot of countries already don’t allow. It’s one thing to produce different foods for different countries, but to do it for different states is a nonstarter,” he said.

[From NBC News]

As for that last part about it being “tricky” to make food with dyes in some states and not others, I’m pretty sure that’s short-hand for “it’s too expensive to do that.” If that’s the case, it does not surprise me that banning a harmful food additive could come down to it being more cost-effective to do so, but so be it. The lobbying industry is killing us all. It’s insane how unhealthy American food is in comparison to what our European counterparts are serving and it’s criminal that they don’t bother to really research things that we put into our body once they’ve been approved, even if there is evidence that it’s harmful. FFS, we decided that it’s harmful to put red dye No. 3 on our faces but just fine to put into our bodies even when it’s been linked to carcinogens. It’s about time that we seriously re-evaluated these dyes and banned them. They have no business being in our foods.

Photos credit: Alejandro Peralta on Pexels, April Walker on Unsplash

The Princess of Wales’s “new reality” covers this week’s issue of People Magazine. What new reality is that? You see, Kate and William are quietly preparing to be king and queen. It’s been months of this, months of Kensington Palace and unnamed “friends of Prince William” reinforcing a narrative that King Charles is not long for this world. Not just that, but sources seem to indicate that William and Kate are not actually all that prepared, so they’ve been consumed with angst and anxiety about all of it. Tina Brown also used a similar argument when she tried to explain WTF was happening with Will and Kate earlier this year – that Will & Kate were “frozen with intense anxiety” as they “flailed” around with incompetence. Obviously, People Mag isn’t that harsh, but this whole cover story is rather curious. Some highlights:

Kate’s future role as queen: As Kate continues her recovery, she’s confronting the looming responsibilities of her future role as Queen. Following Queen Elizabeth’s death in September 2022, William and Kate found themselves on the brink of the roles of King and Queen. When William’s father, King Charles, 76, revealed his own cancer diagnosis in February — treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer remains ongoing — that position came into sharper focus. Additionally, Queen Camilla, 77, was recently forced to step back from several royal engagements as she battled pneumonia, a further reminder of the family’s vulnerability.

Charles’s limitations: Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith adds, “Although the King is carrying out his duties with typical determination, he has had to accept limitations during his cancer treatment. As a result William has been taking on more responsibilities, and he and Kate have been preparing for their future roles sooner than they would have expected.”

The calm before the storm: Adds an insider: “There’s a sense of calm before the storm. They are next in line for the biggest job of their lives, and of course, Kate’s health has taken priority, but it’s also allowed everyone to take a step back and figure out what’s important right now.”

Transition plans: The transition to the throne will inevitably come, though it remains a complex and carefully considered path. “It is something the institution is always mindful of,” says a close source of how plans are frequently updated. “It is an institutional preparedness.” The source adds, “Their circumstances will eventually change. Given what the future holds, it would be very sensible to build back slowly and prioritize family time.”

Kate’s journey back to public life: As she navigates her way back to public life, Kate’s path won’t be straightforward. The sense is that when she does make public appearances, she will be alongside William, likely joining engagements he was already set to attend as well as landmark royal occasions. “They can’t raise people’s expectations with lots of engagements only for her to face a setback, not feel well, and things are canceled,” Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary Ailsa Anderson tells PEOPLE. “The strategy of an unexpected visit gives her flexibility. She doesn’t have the pressure of feeling she has to turn up.”

Unpredictable disease: Adds Robert Hardman, author of The Making of a King: Charles III and the Modern Monarchy: “We are being encouraged not to look at this as a chapter that’s over and then it’s back to normal, because cancer doesn’t work like that. The details remain private, but there’s no sense of trying to gloss over the reality that it’s an unpredictable disease.”

Kate’s reshaped focus: Friends and sources say Kate’s experience has reshaped her focus, both at home and in her approach to royal duties. “Life-threatening illnesses bring a reconsideration of priorities. She and William have always made it clear that family is the most important thing,” a source close to the royal household says. She will return to more public-facing duties when she’s ready and her doctors give the go-ahead. A second source close to the household adds, “She has to get back on top of it. And she will if she is left alone to work it out for herself.”

[From People]

This reads, to me, like yet another “promise to be keen,” which have been regular features coming out of Kensington Palace for more than a decade. Kate spent years doing the bare minimum as Duchess of Cambridge because she was “preparing to be queen.” Now that she’s Princess of Wales, it turns out that there are still so many preparations, all of which need to be done privately, and she cannot do more than a handful of public appearances while she prepares. The truth is, Kate has never thought of her DoC or PoW titles as preparatory for queendom. She always told herself – and the courtiers always told us – that she would not do a damn thing until she was queen. And now that it’s closer than ever, she’s still like “meh, nevermind.” She really will be the least visible consort in history.

Cover courtesy of People Magazine, additional photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

Several days ago, Jay-Z was sued for raping a minor alongside Sean Combs. The assault reportedly happened in 2000. Before the lawsuit was amended to include Jay-Z’s name, Jay-Z had already sued the lawyer, Tony Buzbee, claiming that Buzbee was trying to blackmail him or extort him. Jay-Z’s perspective/argument is that this is all a shakedown from an overzealous lawyer. The whole thing has turned into a huge mess with the gossip blogs, social media, the fans and everything else. I wish more people were in a “let’s see how this plays out in court” mode. But if Jay-Z has his way, this case will never make it to court. His lawyers have already filed a peculiar motion.

Jay-Z is pushing for the woman who is accusing him of rape to be required to reveal her identity or for her lawsuit against him to be dismissed. An attorney for Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, made the request Monday, one day after an anonymous accuser alleged Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs drugged and raped her in 2000 when she was 13 years old.

“Mr. Carter should not have to defend himself in the brightest of spotlights against an accuser who hides in complete darkness while leveling allegations that describe the purported acts occurring in the plain sight of witnesses who could refute the plaintiff’s claims if only her identity was revealed,” the filing said. It went on to say, “Mr. Carter deserves to know the identity of the person who is effectively accusing him — in sensationalized, publicity-hunting fashion — of criminal conduct, demanding massive financial compensation, and tarnishing a reputation earned over decades.”

The music mogul’s motion alleged the rape allegation is part of a “campaign of extortion” carried out by Tony Buzbee, the attorney who filed Jane Doe’s complaint. This “extortionate campaign” attempted to force the rapper to pay an “exorbitant” amount of money, he alleged.

“Make no mistake, this case is about retaliating against the rare target who would not pay,” the filing said.

Buzbee told USA TODAY in an email Monday that he “can’t and won’t respond to every court filing” but added, “Sending a basic demand is not extortion or blackmail. Throwing those types of allegations around is irresponsible and silly.”

[From USA Today]

There are a number of rape shield laws on the books at state and federal level, but those laws (granting anonymity to the accuser) are for criminal actions. While the accuser was a minor at the time, it’s been 24 years and she’s now a legal adult, and this is a civil case. While Jay-Z’s motion is horrible in the larger victims-rights sense, it also feels like he’s panicking and trying to defend himself in any way possible.

As for how Jay-Z’s wife feels about all of this… I mean, she’s stayed with him this long. She’s committed to the marriage and to Jay. A “source” told Page Six that Beyonce is “sticking by Jay” and has “no intention” of leaving him. Sources also say that Beyonce has no intention of canceling her Christmas Day halftime show.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.

It feels like Aaron Taylor Johnson has been promoting Kraven the Hunter for years. It’s true, he has been promoting it for years – Kraven was originally supposed to come out in January 2023, then it got pushed back to the fall of 2023, then the strikes happened, and so its release was pushed back to summer 2024, and then it was delayed yet again. Now here we are, the film no one wanted and everyone thought had already come out and bombed.

Aaron attended the Kraven premiere last night in New York. He posed with cast members including Ariana DeBose, and he posed with his wife Sam Taylor Johnson and two teenagers. These girls are not Sam and Aaron’s daughters, Wylda Rae and Romy Hero, who are 13 and 12 years old respectively. These two girls are Sam’s daughters from her first marriage to Jay Jopling. They are Angelica Jopling, 27, and Jessie Jopling, 18. Aaron always insisted that he loves being a stepdad, even though Aaron is only seven years older than Angelica.

Aaron’s fans absolutely loathe Sam, but after sixteen years together, I think Aaron and Sam are pretty happy. She’s put her career largely on the back-burner for him, but to be fair, he seemingly wanted to move to the English countryside so that they could raise Wylda and Romy away from London and LA. I always think about how Sam said that Aaron was the one who brought “family values” to the relationship. Anyway, Sam is now 57 years old and Aaron is 34. They said it wouldn’t last and it has.

Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Avalon Red.

In recent days, the Mail has returned to one of my favorite sub-genres of royal gossip: the British obsession with everything the Duchess of Sussex wears. They consult British fashion experts, their royal reporters write columns about how Meghan’s dresses make them feel, they spend hours analyzing the hidden messages behind Meghan’s clothing. The question is: why now, why this month? I think they’re just exceptionally bored, especially because the Princess of Wales is being benched/sidelined and Kate’s clothes are pretty boring and/or bad. So here we go, an analysis of Meghan’s love of strapless dresses and gowns. The Mail was even complimentary towards Meghan.

Meghan Markle’s penchant for strapless dresses was evident long before she married into the Royal Family. However, as a working royal, the Duchess adhered to strict protocol that prohibited such silhouettes, instead favouring modest clothing. This even saw her modify the glamorous black and white Safiyaa co-ord worn to the 2018 Royal Variety Performance by adding a halterneck strap for a more demure look.

Since relocating to California with Prince Harry, Meghan’s wardrobe has undergone a noticeable transformation. Adopting a more relaxed and contemporary aesthetic, she has shifted away from formal attire and returned to the bold, décolletage-baring dresses and jumpsuits she once loved. One standout moment last year was when she removed straps from an iconic gold gown by Johanna Ortiz.

Kelly Caira, stylist at House of Colour, believes that Meghan’s considered fashion choices convey confidence, while showcasing her best asset: her shoulders. She tells MailOnline: ‘Meghan is blessed with a slender shape and beautiful shoulders and arms, which are given absolute focus in a strapless outfit.’

Kelly continues: ‘She has hit upon a fabulous formula with the strapless style. There is cohesion with her latest choices that show inner confidence while revealing her soft femininity. There is something wonderful about seeing someone in the public eye who has been much criticised really honing her style and taking control of her public image. In a harsh world where everyone is quick to criticise, Meghan lets her confidence shine through with the simplicity of the silhouette and lack of adornment. She is enough!’

[From The Daily Mail]

I do believe Meghan was explicitly told that she couldn’t or shouldn’t wear strapless dresses when she was in the UK. They freaked out for YEARS when she wore some off-the-shoulder looks, or pieces which showcased her clavicle. You would have thought that it was the most skin any royal woman had ever revealed. But yeah, Meghan has great shoulders and arms. I totally understand why she favors strapless styles, she really has the figure for it.

Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Backgrid.

Since Luigi Mangioni was arrested on Monday in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania police have photographed this guy like a dozen times. They keep releasing new mugshots or in-custody photos of him. Mangioni has now been charged with multiple crimes in Pennsylvania, including possession of an unlicensed firearm (he had a ghost gun on him when he was arrested) and forgery. Pennsylvania isn’t charging him with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson – it’s a New York crime, and NY authorities are trying to get Luigi extradited to New York. Luigi appeared in a Pennsylvania court on Tuesday and he shouted something to the media as he was being shoved inside the courthouse.

The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted while being led into court Tuesday as new details emerged about his possible motivation behind the ambush. In his first public words since a five-day search ended with his arrest at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, Luigi Nicholas Mangione emerged from a patrol car shouting about an “insult to the intelligence of the American people” while deputies pushed him inside a courthouse.

The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family is fighting attempts to extradite him to New York so that he can face a murder charge in the Manhattan killing of Brian Thompson, who led the United States’ largest medical insurance company.

Mangione remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Manhattan prosecutors were beginning to take steps to bring Mangione to New York, but at a brief hearing Tuesday, defense lawyer Thomas Dickey said his client will not waive extradition and instead wants a hearing on the issue. Mangione was denied bail after prosecutors said he was too dangerous to be released.

He mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally looking at papers, rocking in his chair or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion but was quieted by his lawyer.

[From The AP]

There’s psychological analysis needed for why Luigi Mangione has captured the American public’s imagination in this way. Partly, it’s because he is a good-looking guy, but it’s more than that. I haven’t seen anything like this in many years. People are really obsessed though, to the point where even outlets like the NY Times are doing deeper dives on Luigi’s motivations and the mystery of his life. A guy who came from enormous privilege, who had severe back problems for a few years, then disappeared for several months in 2023 because of back surgery, and came out of the experience a different person.

Luigi Mangione, the suspected killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, yells to the press as he is taken into court for his extradition hearing:

“…completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people!” pic.twitter.com/wKymRxGvUW

— The Recount (@therecount) December 10, 2024

Photos courtesy of social media, Backgrid.

Prince William has been doing solo engagements almost exclusively this year, because of the Princess of Wales’s health problems and her commitment to only doing things which bring her joy. For the most part, I actually believe William prefers going solo to events, but on Tuesday, he did an event which sort of screamed out for Kate’s presence. He went to visit military families at the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment in Wiltshire. He’s the honorary Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment, and the event was just a friendly Christmas lunch where he just had to make small talk and get introduced to a lot of babies and kids. That’s what made me think of Kate – while Kate has never been good at speaking (in general), she’s usually able to get through these kinds of family-oriented engagements by talking about kids and asking to hold the babies. William never asks to hold the babies and he’s not great at talking to kids. He did get to greet a ram though. William was told that Private Derby (the ram who is the regiment’s mascot) would spend the holiday in a “field full of ewes,” to which William replied, “So he has quite a fun Christmas. Oh, good luck to him.” LOL.

What to buy the man who has everything at Christmas? If the Prince of Wales is anything to go by, the answer is simple: a Christmas jumper. Prince William, who said he would spend Dec 25 with 45 members of the extended Royal family, found himself among a sea of festive jumpers as he handed out Christmas presents to military families on Tuesday, as Colonel-in-Chief of 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment in Wiltshire. Asked why he was not wearing his own, he pointed to himself and said: “Some people don’t own one.”

Sharing details of his own Christmas plans, he said he would spend the day with 45 members of his family “all in one room” but “normally spread out”, and hoped for a long walk including the dogs. “Am I ready for Christmas?” he laughed. “No, no way am I ready.”

The Wales family will spend the festive season in Norfolk, staying at their home of Anmer Hall and joining the Royal family at Sandringham for their annual outing to church and lunch on Christmas Day. They traditionally open presents on Christmas Eve, in the German style.

The Prince of Wales, 42, today started the festivities early, as he met soldiers and their families at Picton Barracks, Bulford Camp, in Wiltshire, for lunch. Receiving Christmas cards for Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis in return, he was particularly charmed by a drawing of himself, putting it in his pocket to take home. He was handed it by Karson Heighway, ten, who had drawn it on a Post-it note and asked “Is that me?” before folding it up and tucking it in his breast pocket.

Dylan Potter, 14, made the Prince laugh after revealing he was wearing two Christmas jumpers.
He said afterward: “I asked what does a prince do for fun? He said he likes watching movies and hanging out with his children but because he is over 40 finds fun hard to come by.”

Prince William also disclosed that he has been watching Netflix at home with the Princess, including Black Dove which stars Keira Knightley.

He chose not to put on a Santa hat and, when asked why he was not wearing a jumper, pointed at his new equerry and joked: “I didn’t know, you see that guy in the jacket, it’s his fault and I will be having a word.”

[From The Telegraph]

“He chose not to put on a Santa hat.” He was handed a Santa hat and he refused to put it on, because he wants everyone to see his suspicious new baby-hairs on his bald-ass head. William isn’t just dull, he just has no whimsy or festive spirit. Put on the Santa hat! Hold the babies! Wear a fruity holiday sweater! For the love of God. William is trying so hard to seem both cool and serious, he comes across like the Windsor Grinch. (Charles would have put on the hat! Harry would have worn the ugliest Christmas sweater!)

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

Since the election, cable news viewership has cratered, and print media has seen their readership crash and burn. There’s been a lot of talk about “you can’t just ignore the Trump family for four years!” Watch me. Actually, I will pay some attention to what’s happening, but the whole shambolic Trump soap opera will be incredibly painful to watch the second time around. At least Ivanka Trump won’t be preening and sashaying in the White House this time around, but we can assume that the Trump sons are going to be more involved. Speaking of, Don Trump Jr. has been with Kimberly Guilfoyle since 2018. They got engaged in 2020, and they often appear to be united by their love of drugs and plastic surgery. But there’s trouble in crackhead paradise, because Don Jr. has seemingly dumped Kimberly and now he’s seeing a Florida socialite.

Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle have broken up, sources tell Page Six. Insiders add that Trump Jr. has moved on with Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson. There have been rumors for months that Don Jr. and Guilfoyle’s relationship has been on the rocks: Multiple sources have told us recently that the political power couple had split, or were on shaky ground.

“Don and Kimberly haven’t been getting along over the past year,” said one source. “They get argumentative at Mar-a-Lago in front of people. Nothing crazy, but you know when a couple is fighting. They bicker in public.”

Another source told us the relationship was “rocky,” while two other sources said they’d split. Adding to the rumors, Don Jr. has been photographed multiple times with Anderson. A source told Page Six on Tuesday: “Bettina and Don have been together for a few months, and are super cute and happy together. It’s just a natural fit — everyone is happy for them!”

On Tuesday, the Daily Mail published images of Don Jr. and Anderson holding hands in public after an allegedly romantic meal at Buccan to celebrate her 38th birthday. A source also told Page Six that they saw Don. Jr. and Anderson at Buccan in a corner booth together — looking cozy and holding hands.

[From Page Six]

This is typical Trump-family melodrama and I do not care one iota unless it leads to criminal charges. So what if Don is having some kind of midlife crisis and he traded in his nutjob ex-Fox News fiancee for a younger model? But here’s the kicker, here’s what makes it interesting. On the heels of Don Jr. being spotted out with his new girlfriend, Donald Trump Sr. appointed Kimberly Guilfoyle his new ambassador to Greece. Facelifts in Mykonos for everybody!

It was an announcement made amid a swirl of tabloid speculation: Kimberly Guilfoyle, a loyalist of President-elect Donald J. Trump and — more pointedly — the fiancée of his son Donald Jr. had been named ambassador to Greece. The timing of the move — early Tuesday evening — would have been unremarkable except for what preceded it: rumors that the president-elect’s eldest son was dating a socialite, Bettina Anderson.

The new relationship was seemingly documented in a series of photos published earlier on Tuesday by the British tabloid The Daily Mail, which described them as “incontrovertible proof the soon-to-be First Son has moved on” with a “stunning ‘it girl.’”

Andrew Surabian, a spokesman for Mr. Trump, 46, did not return a request for comment on his relationship with Ms. Anderson, or on his engagement with Ms. Guilfoyle, to whom he has been betrothed since late 2020. Ms. Anderson, 38, also did not return requests for comment.

In his announcement of her posting to Greece, the president-elect called Ms. Guilfoyle “a close friend and ally,” but made no mention of her relationship with his son.

“Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States,” the elder Mr. Trump wrote, in a post on Truth Social.

[From The NY Times]

This is a special kind of “failing up” – six years banging Don Jr, and your reward is an ambassadorship to a European country. It’s breathtaking, honestly – usually, the Trumps don’t reward their wives/girlfriends/exes this way. This reminds me that Donald Trump actually really liked Guilfoyle and thought she was a good choice for Don Jr. This is her reward for sucking up to the Trumps.

Photos courtesy of Instagram, Avalon Red.

Last Friday, the Princess of Wales hosted her annual Together at Christmas event at Westminster Abbey. This has become her “thing,” and in years past, it’s usually a multi-day story as everyone analyzes the videos, fashion, messaging, etc. Not so much this year. There were some minor storylines – why did Gabriella Windsor walk in with Carole Middleton, where’s Pippa’s terribly moderately wealthy husband – but the event was immediately overshadowed by William’s meeting with Donald Trump the next day. Even the fashion was boring – Kate repeated a years-old McQueen coat, which she didn’t even remove in the Abbey. The only “new” thing was a gigantic black bow, which Kate attached to her chest, like she’s a Christmas present. Well, Becky English at the Mail got a big exclusive on that stupid bow.

Her stylish red coat with an oversized black velvet bow at the throat was described by the Mail’s fashion writer as a ‘triumph’. Once thought of as girlish, she said, bows are now a by-word for ‘grown-up dressing’ and a huge trend this winter, dominating both designer stores and the High Street alike. Paired with a favourite designer coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, the Princess of Wales was deemed to have ‘nailed’ the festive dressing theme at Friday’s Royal Foundation carol service at Westminster Abbey.

Now the secret to Kate’s look can be revealed – and fans will be delighted to know it doesn’t come with a designer price tag. In fact the bow isn’t an item of clothing at all, but is a none-other than a hair clip. And one that she picked up at High Street favourite Jigsaw for just £20.

The firm are advertising it, saying: ‘The bow is making its comeback as one of the most coveted accessories. This oversized velvet bow hair accessory instantly dresses up a ponytail or down style for adding a touch of charm to your look’ – little realising that royalty would do just that. Kate cleverly used the clip to attach it to her top to ‘style up’ her outfit, which was otherwise head to toe ‘rewears’.

It’s not the first time the princess has cleverly used a bow to ‘upcycle’ a look. Earlier on this year she added a large black and white striped one to the neckline of an old Jenny Packham dress, giving it a completely new lease of life. She has also reworked one of her favourite black Catherine Walker jackets on several occasions, removing its tassels and adding a black bow at the neckline and silver buttons. Other subtle but effective tweaks to favourite outfits include an Alexander McQueen gown first worn in 2017, which was initially a strapless number but two years later had been miraculously given sleeves, completing changing its look. It is believed the princess uses a private dressmaker and has the help of her equally long-standing senior private executive assistant, Natasha Archer, for style advice.

Lucy Smith, accessories buyer at Jigsaw, told the Mail of the Princess’ decision to buy and use one of their bows: ‘Proof the bow is not just for gift wrapping, our velvet bow adds a charming embellishment to any look, however you decide to wear it.’

[From The Daily Mail]

You guys… what are we doing here? Kate clipped a hair bow to her coat or sweater and we’re being told it’s the chicest thing ever. We’re being told that by the same British tabloid which has been hysterically crying and screaming about the Duchess of Sussex wearing a red dress in October (they just wrote a new piece about that red dress this weekend). I guess it’s the easiest “fashion inspo” ever – you too can look like an overgrown girl-woman princess by buying a bow at a hobby story and attaching it to your coat.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.