Samantha Cohen was always going to be the temporary – and transition – chief of staff/private secretary for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, so it was quite obvious that the British tabloids were trying to smear Meghan yet again by making Cohen’s exit into some kind of evidence that Meghan is “difficult.” Cohen was arguably just supposed to stay on Team Sussex for about six months, but when all is said and done, Cohen will leave the employ of Team Sussex after almost a year. She’s giving Harry and Meg ample time to find her replacement too. Which brings me to Katie Nicholl’s Vanity Fair story on Cohen’s exit, and how Meghan wants her own private secretary, separate from Harry.

She has acquired a reputation for being hard to work for, but that’s not stopping Meghan Markle from looking for a team of new staff. Sources say that Prince Harry and Meghan are looking for a new private secretary and a personal assistant to join their growing household in the new year. Meghan, who is around six months pregnant, has told aides she wants to continue working as close to her due date as possible, and the couple are looking for replacements for two of their most trusted aides, Edward Lane Fox and Samantha Cohen.

While it was reported that the couple are losing another key member of staff, Palace aides have pointed out that Cohen was only ever an interim private secretary. “The couple really like Samantha and had hoped to convince her to stay, but it was always Sam’s intention to leave the household in 2019,” according to a royal source. “She was persuaded to stay on by the Queen to help after the royal wedding but she wants to do something different having been at the Palace for so many years.”

While she is rumored to have fallen out with French P.A. Melissa Touabti, Meghan has a good rapport with Cohen. Together with assistant private secretary Amy Pickerill, Cohen, who has been at the Palace for 17 years, has been instrumental in assisting Meghan’s transformation in to a royal, from helping advise her on how to dress for royal occasions to assisting her on official engagements.

“I think Meghan will miss Samantha a lot, but they always knew she was going,” the source adds. “They are very involved in the process and will be short-listing and interviewing potential applicants from the new year. The idea is that they will each have a private secretary, and Meghan is keen to hire a woman.”

The successful applicant will require plenty of energy. Meghan is an early-riser, waking at 4:30 A.M. for yoga before reportedly firing off 5 A.M. e-mails to staff. With a house renovation to oversee—the couple is moving to Frogmore House at Windsor in the spring—it will be a busy time for the couple as they prepare for the birth of their baby. It is also expected that Meghan will announce at least one new charity in the new year.

[From Vanity Fair]

I wonder if the British papers will pick up on the whole “Meghan wants her own private secretary” thing. It’s actually not newsworthy, in that William and Kate have had separate private secretaries for years. Kate’s first private secretary was Rebecca Deacon, who fulfilled more of a “catch-all” role of chief of staff, assistant, stylist and confidante. Now Kate has Catherine Quinn, who is used to a more of a traditional private secretary. I see Meghan hiring someone young-ish (or her age) for her private secretary. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Meghan went outside the British-royal-flunkie circles to find someone. Basically, I’m excited that Meghan is taking this seriously and that she seems to be taking the lead in building her own office separate from Kensington Palace.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

A month ago, I thought Julia Roberts was going to be everywhere during the awards season, because of her miniseries Homecoming, and because of her performance in Ben Is Back. I mean, if Julia Roberts obviously does an Oscar-bait or Globes-bait film or TV project, awards shows will line up to nominate her, right? Wrong. Julia’s projects were completely snubbed at the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards. But there are no worries, people. Julia is fine. I know Julia is fine because the Jamestown New York Post-Journal ran this glorious headline: “Julia Roberts Finds Life And Her Holes Get Better With Age”

I feel this title about Julia Roberts and Holes perhaps needs a little finessing pic.twitter.com/z2o7EmJKbk

— Jennifer Gunter (@DrJenGunter) December 10, 2018

Epic. Only true movie stars will find that their holes get better with age. Goose honk for Julia’s brilliant holes! Obviously, the Post-Journal ran a low-key correction:

At least they run a correction… #JuliaRoberts #holes #juliarobertsholes pic.twitter.com/tD840bkFsz

— Josep Parera Jorba (@josepopinion) December 10, 2018

But that didn’t stop a lot people from recognizing the importance of one’s holes getting better with age. It’s the new aspiration, to humble-brag about the quality and Oscar-worthiness of one’s holes. I feel sorry for the Post-Journal peeps, because it happens to all of us who write/edit for a living. I make dumb mistakes like this every day, although thank God I’ve never written “holes” for “roles.”

This is why she’s a movie star. My holes have only gotten worse with age.???? pic.twitter.com/h3jiuEqF6P

— Busy Philipps (@BusyPhilipps) December 10, 2018

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

Dear Gossips,

In 2005, filmmaker Ameesha Joshi was at a World Press Photo Exhibit when she came across pictures of Indian girls boxing on the beach. Ameesha is a first-generation Canadian born to Indian parents and she understood immediately the social pressures the boxers would face, on top of …

Dear Gossips,

In 2005, filmmaker Ameesha Joshi was at a World Press Photo Exhibit when she came across pictures of Indian girls boxing on the beach. Ameesha is a first-generation Canadian born to Indian parents and she understood immediately the social pressures the boxers would face, on top of …

I had a feeling that Jamal Khashoggi would be Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. I also thought they would tie Khashoggi to the larger conversations about journalism and journalism’s role in the current era. My reasoning was that journalists love to recognize other journalists, and the whole “fourth estate protecting itself” thing is even more important right now, with Donald Trump’s fascism and the Trumpian war on truth in general. Trump has literally radicalized American terrorists and provided them a roadmap to target media outlets which criticize him. And Trump’s reaction – or non-reaction – to the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi has been part and parcel of how little his thinks of journalists’ lives, or the media’s role in society.

So there you go – Time Magazine’s People of the Year are “The Guardians.” Jamal Khashoggi, Maria Ressa (a journalist in the Philippines being targeted by the Duterte government), the staff of the Capital in Maryland (who were targeted by a gunman just months ago), and Reuters reporters Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone (who are in prison in Myanmar right now). You can see Time Magazine’s cover package here.

Based on the shortlist, we also knew who the “runners-up” would be – Donald Trump and Robert Mueller:

See why U.S. President Donald Trump was named as a runner up for TIME’s Person of the Year 2018 #TIMEPOY https://t.co/VSLCRjE4X9

— TIME (@TIME) December 11, 2018

See why Special Counsel Robert Mueller was named as a runner up for TIME’s Person of the Year 2018 #TIMEPOY https://t.co/oWEw7ij2Mo

— TIME (@TIME) December 11, 2018

Covers courtesy of Time Magazine.

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Did you ever make it out of that town where nothing ever happens?… it’s no secret… that the both of us… are running out of time…?????

A post shared by Barbie® (@nickiminaj) on Dec 9, 2018 at 4:46pm PST

Back in September, the long-simmering beef between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B came to a head during New York Fashion Week. There was a physical altercation between the entourages, and Minaj was too much of a coward to actually say anything face-to-face to Cardi. Days later, Minaj attempted to take the high road, and act like she was the only classy one in the situation. That’s stuck with me, this idea that Minaj sees herself as the “classy” Mean Girl, the one who is “above it all” in the dramas she often instigates. The reality is that Minaj is arguably one of the most problematic people in the music industry. She repeatedly stood up for her brother when he was arrested, tried and convicted of repeatedly raping his 14-year-old stepdaughter. And now Minaj’s new boyfriend is also a registered sex offender and killer. Ugh.

Fans are not impressed with Nicki Minaj’s new beau. The “Barbie Dreams” rapper appeared to make her reported romance with Kenneth “Zoo” Petty — who is a registered sex offender in New York — Instagram official over the weekend after posting photos of him from her 36th birthday celebration in Turks and Caicos. On Sunday, Minaj shared two photos — one that features her posing with her leg wrapped around Petty while he looks at her lovingly another shot of him looking off into the distance — along with a caption quoting lyrics from Adele’s 2015 hit, “Hello.”

“Did you ever make it out of that town where nothing ever happens?…it’s no secret…that the both of us…are running out of time,” Minaj wrote. Minaj disabled the comments on the post debuting her new relationship after fans started slamming her for being with Petty given his questionable past.

Petty, 40, is a level two registered sex offender in New York, which means he’s considered a “moderate risk of repeat offense” and will be required to register as a sex offender for life. According to online records from the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services, Petty was convicted in April 1995 of attempted rape in the first degree for an incident that occurred in September 1994 involving a 16-year-old girl. He was sentenced to 18 to 54 months in prison, but it is unclear how much time he actually served.

Minaj responded to a fan in the comments, writing, “He was 15, she was 16 … in a relationship. But go awf Internet. Y’all can’t run my life. Y’all can’t even run y’all own life. Thank you boo.”

Petty also pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of a man named Lamont Robinson in 2002, according to a criminal complaint obtained by The Blast. According to The Blast, Petty plead guilty to the manslaughter charge in March 2006 and served seven years in prison after being sentenced to 10. Petty was released in May 2013, and had been on supervised release for five years until May of this year.

[From People]

I’m open to the idea that Minaj is just doing this for attention, and this is her own version of “creating a controversy so that she can act aggrieved.” I’m also open to the idea that Minaj has a terrible picker because she’s an awful person. How many of her ex-boyfriends have come out to discuss how she abused them and gaslighted them? Maybe this isn’t a case of “Poor Nicki fell for a bad dude.” Maybe it’s “Birds of a feather flock together.”

Photos courtesy of Instagram, WENN.

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A cashmere turtleneck that is soft and stylish

I love turtlenecks! I know they’re not everyone’s style, but a good turtleneck sweater can stand alone or be layered under a jacket. This 100% cashmere turtleneck would make a great gift. The only one star review is from someone complaining when the price went up over 100, but it’s currently hovering around $60. Some reviews say it’s a little thin and you need to wear something under it when it’s cold, which makes it sound like this is a more versatile piece which can be worn in fall and winter. This comes in so many colors! Other options include a v-neck and a crew neck.

A v-neck sweater in every color for under $20

If you would like an inexpensive gift for someone that looks like it cost a lot more, this sweater will fit the bill. It has so many glowing reviews, with people saying it’s the “perfect weight,” not too heavy or light, a “fantastic buy” and a great length that “covers a little over half [my] bum.” Reviewers say it stands up to washing and doesn’t pill either. The crew neck and the turtleneck are also very highly rated, with the turtleneck currently under $15!

A flattering fit and flare dress for the office or parties

You can’t go wrong with a fit and flare dress and this under $40 option has over a thousand four and five star reviews. It’s available in so many colors and patterns you may want more than one. Reviewers say it’s true to size and is slimming. They also rave about how it can be worn during the day or dressed up at night. The length is also just right for women of all heights. It’s supposed to be very comfortable, although the fabric may make this a better dress for cold weather rather than then summer.

A crushed velvet dress for the holidays

There are some beautiful velvet dresses available through Prime for the holidays. (I had such a great time researching for this post!) Velvet is a classic in fashion this season and I’m here for it. I’ve gone over the reviews and have selected some of the best options, including a plus sized high waisted faux wrap cocktail midi (shown above, it also comes in green, burgundy and an alternate drape style), a retro faux wrap empire length formal with long sleeves which comes in burgundy, peacock blue and pink, and this long sleeve ankle length stretchy velvet gown which comes in even more colors including purple and black. Check out the over 900 user reviews including photos of women wearing the dress to formal events.

A party dress under $30 with over 2,000 positive reviews

This lovely dress is a number one bestseller in women’s separates and when you see the photos of women wearing it you can see why. It looks gorgeous on just about everyone and comes in options for all tastes and occasions. Women say it’s great to wear for the holidays, to weddings and even to work. Some reviews say to order a size up if you’re in between sizes but others say to just make sure you measure first as it’s true to size. This comes in graphic prints, stripes, plaids, and other options with a solid color top and printed skirt.

A cashmere poncho she will love

This is a reasonably priced cashmere poncho at under $60 which would make an amazing present and comes in over 10 colors. I love ponchos and blanket shawls, it’s like you’re bringing the coziness with you. For that reason there’s something sweet about gifting a poncho to a loved one. This one has buttons but there’s also a pricier version without buttons if you’d prefer. Either way, this would be an appreciated gift.

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Photos via Amazon and Pexels

Yesterday, the Washington Post debuted their new “Bottomless Pinocchio” feature, which they’ve made just for Donald Trump and his lies. WaPo used to fact-check politicians by giving them one, two, three, four or five Pinocchios, depending on the lie and how big it was, or whether it was just a mistake or misstatement. I was looking at Trump’s tweets last night – about James Comey – and I was reminded yet again about how Republicans, Democrats and the fourth estate have all sort of collectively agreed to the fact that Trump lies about everything, all the time. All of which to say… there definitely seems to be a weird vibe this week, right? The Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort filings last Friday seemed have lingering effects. Republicans are scrambling and distancing themselves more than ever. And according to CNN, even Trump thinks impeachment might happen?

President Donald Trump has expressed concern that he could be impeached when Democrats take over the House, a source close to the President told CNN Monday. The source said Trump sees impeachment as a “real possibility.” But Trump isn’t certain it will happen, the source added. A separate source close to the White House told CNN that aides inside the West Wing believe “the only issue that may stick” in the impeachment process is the campaign finance violations tied to former Trump attorney Michael Cohen’s payouts to Trump’s alleged mistresses.

Impeachment talk has ratcheted up in recent days following a blockbuster filing from prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. In that filing, prosecutors directly alleged for the first time that Cohen was being directed by Trump when he broke the law during the 2016 presidential campaign. Democrats are suggesting Trump committed an impeachable offense and could be sent to prison when his term in the White House is over. The incoming chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler, said Sunday the allegations, if proven, would constitute “impeachable offenses.” Democratic Sen. Chris Coons said Monday Trump could be indicted after he leaves office.

[From CNN]

As I said, it’s not just Democrats talking about the endgame and how all of this play out (handcuffs or impeachment, or both) – Republicans are reportedly having a lot of “private conversations” about just how bad this is going to get in the months to come, and when they should jump off the SS Bigly.

Vanity Fair also had a story about what was happening behind-the-scenes in the White House leading up to John Kelly’s firing. Big surprise, Trump decided on a whim to fire Kelly last Friday because Kelly was trying to dictate the terms of his own resignation. Oh, and Trump was mad because Kelly was bad-mouthing him behind his back.

Last thing: it feels like Maria Butina’s plea deal with federal prosecutors should be a bigger headline, right??

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

It doesn’t surprise me that the Duchess of Cambridge has scheduled a lot of events this month. We’ve been watching her “duchess” for years, and she always picks up the pace at the end of the year. What surprises me is that William and Kate aren’t announcing all of their events days or weeks in advance, because that has been their M.O. for years too, almost like “announcing an event” should count as an event. All of which to say, I was slightly surprised (but not shocked) to see that Kate had an event this morning, and it was only announced a few hours beforehand. I’m not suggesting that this is part of any tit-for-tat with the Sussexes – it’s clear that this was planned for a while. It just happened to fall about 14 hours after the Duchess of Sussex surprised everyone at the British Fashion Awards last night. Update: Ah, I missed it in the flurry of W&K posts on the Kensington Royal social media, but they did announce this event on December 3rd. My bad.

So what’s the event? Kensington Palace announced this morning that Kate would be taking on a new patronage, Evelina London children’s hospital, a “routine care and life-saving treatment” center for kids in South London. Even though this patronage just seems to be Kate’s – as opposed to Kate and William’s – William did come out to this event with Kate. They’ve been doing so many events together this year.

For this appearance, Kate wore a £325 L.K.Bennett dress in a rich green, with tiny white polka dots. The polka dots are camouflage for the white buttons down the bodice of the dress!! I mean, it’s an okay dress – and it’s new to us, we’ve never seen her in this – with a high neck and a conservative below-the-knee hemline. I’m shocked that Kate didn’t get this tailored and raise the hemline a few inches. It also looks SO Kate, and by that I mean it looks like something Princess Diana would have worn in 1982.

PS… Has anyone else noticed that Kate has been making an effort to up her shoe game? Three years ago, she would have paired this dress with beige LK Bennett heels. But look – suede heels in green! It’s a Christmas miracle.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

Sarah Hyland has a new extensive cover profile in Self Magazine. She opens up for the first time about the fact that she had to have a second kidney transplant last year, this one donated by her brother, after her body rejected her father’s donated kidney. Sarah has had health problems her whole life and has had about sixteen surgeries total. She’s needed about six in less than a year and a half including one to repair a hernia and another to treat her endometriosis. She’s gone through so much, and she got so depressed after her body rejected the first kidney that she contemplated suicide. Sarah has previously revealed that she suffers from kidney dysplasia, a condition where the kidneys don’t form properly in utero. In this interview she goes in depth with what she went through over the past couple of years, and says that there’s no shame in asking for help. The good news is that she met her boyfriend, Wells Adams, right before she had her second transplant and he’s been a great support to her.

The potential of a second kidney transplant was promising for Hyland’s physical health. But the emotional trauma from the first rejection and fear that it would happen again was overwhelming, and detrimental to her mental health.

“I was very depressed,” she says. “When a family member gives you a second chance at life, and it fails, it almost feels like it’s your fault. It’s not. But it does.” As someone who self-identifies as a control freak and micromanager, she says she felt completely helpless. “For a long time, I was contemplating suicide, because I didn’t want to fail my little brother like I failed my dad,” she says. She was afraid of adding another painful chapter to her book of lifelong health struggles, and anxious about feeling like she would be a burden to her loved ones, even as they insisted that she was not. “I had gone through [my whole life] of always being a burden, of always having to be looked after, having to be cared for,” she says, explaining her thought process during this dark time.

Talking about her suicidal thoughts with someone close to her helped, Hyland says. She encourages others going through a hard time to be open about their feelings with their own support networks. “It’s not shameful,” she says. “For anybody that wants to reach out to somebody but doesn’t really know how because they’re too proud or they think that they’ll be looked upon as weak, it’s not a shameful thing to say. It’s not a shameful thing to share.”

If people do try to shame you about anything regarding your health, physical or mental, or if they drop you from their lives after you share your health struggles, well, Hyland’s been there, too. “If someone acts like that, feel sorry for them that they can’t be a compassionate, loving human being,” she says, quickly allowing for the possibility that the other person may be going through stuff of their own. Still. “You don’t need that type of person in your life. I’ve experienced that, and it’s heartbreaking,” she says. “But as soon as you realize their true colors and what type of person they really are, it’s … a very freeing sensation.”

[From Self]

It just shows that you never know what anyone is going through. The sad thing is that Sarah probably felt like she had to tell this to people, because fans were questioning her health. There were anorexia rumors about her last year, when she was on dialysis and her body was rejecting the kidney. She said at the time that she was having health problems. She recently lost one of her young cousins to a drunk driver, but that was so recent I’m assuming she gave this interview before that. She’s had such a rough time.

Here’s a video of her interview, she cries and it’s hard to take. She also shows her abdominal scars and the little pooch she has where her lower stomach sticks out. I think it’s barely noticeable but she’s very self conscious of it. She also thanks all her family and friends at the end and it’s really sweet. Sarah also credits her dogs and her career with helping her get through the rough times.

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A post shared by Sarah Hyland (@sarahhyland) on Dec 10, 2018 at 12:54pm PST

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A post shared by Sarah Hyland (@sarahhyland) on Nov 20, 2018 at 10:57am PST

Photos are screenshots from YouTube and via Instagram