By Wonderwall.com Editors
2:04pm PDT, May 19, 2020
Britney Spears opens up about her insecurities on Instagram
For Britney Spears, something as simple as wearing bangs can be a secret weapon to ward off insecurity. In a long Instagram post on Monday, May 18, the singer reflected on how, growing up, she felt like "an ugly duckling." Tying her decision to ditch the bangs she wore in grade school to a desire to fit in, Britney, 38, let a few wisps of blonde hair frame her brow in a selfie and mused that she feels more "protected" when her forehead's less exposed. "I know I need bangs," she wrote in the caption, adding copious exclamation points and "ick"-face Emojis before pointing out how bangs can "make you look waaaaay younger." Looking back, Britney recalled nixing her bangs in 3rd grade. "It was such a big deal to expose my forehead …. only pretty people in the south could do that and I never felt pretty enough to pull it off," the Louisiana native continued. "All the beauty pageant girls did it but I never felt beauty pageants were my thing … I had bad teeth and felt like an ugly duckling." She recalled having "met with a modeling agency" as a kid, but "wasn't pretty enough" to get signed. That's apparently when she decided to lose her bangs and "be like the older girls," a move she chalked up to wanting to fit in. "I think I knew it didn't look good but I did it because I thought it made me cool …. and I've pretty much had it like that ever since !!!!" she wrote. "People choose different ways to protect themselves …. when I pull my bangs in front of my head I feel like I'm protected … almost like I'm in 3rd grade again … !!!" The singer's used Instagram before to wrestle with other insecurities, telling followers in November that she slouches because she struggles with self-esteem issues. In January, she posted about adding more acro-yoga to her fitness routine. As a beginner, she shared, "it's kind of hard to let go …. learning to trust and letting someone else hold your body !!! I have a lot of things I keep bottled up so I have to keep my body moving !!!!"
Keep reading for the latest on Ben Affleck's new romance with Ana de Armas …
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Ana de Armas 'admires' Ben Affleck's approach to coparenting with Jennifer Garner
Ben Affleck's romance with actress Ana de Armas is still going strong. And while a schedule as busy as Ben's might be a turnoff to some, it seems to make the actor, producer and father of three even more appealing to Ana. "[She] thinks Ben is such a sweet and nice guy. [She] admires how he juggles so much between work, his kids and coparenting with Jen," an insider tells Us Weekly of Ana's take on Ben and Jennifer Garner's approach to raising their kids. Ben, 47, met Ana, 32, on the set of "Deep Water" this past November. By March, they'd gone public with their relationship. Now, the Us source says Ben "splits his time [between Ana and his family] and, as always, the kids are the most important thing in his life," adding that he also "always makes sure he has time for [Ana] and that she is No. 1."
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Reese Witherspoon confirms Mindy Kaling will write 'Legally Blonde' sequel
It took years, but "Legally Blonde 3" is officially in the works, complete with Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods — and one of Reese's close friends handling the script. Deadline reported this week that Mindy Kaling will pen the sequel alongside Emmy winning writer Dan Goor. On Tuesday, Reese posted about her excitement on Instagram. "Great news alert!! Some things are just meant to be!😜I'm SOOO excited to have @MindyKaling and #DanGoor writing Legally Blonde 3!" she captioned a side-by-side shot of herself with Mindy in robes, carrying pooches, Elle Woods-style. "This is #ElleWoodsApproved!" she added. Mindy liked the post — then asked in the comments if she should play Elle instead.
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Questlove to cook for Zooey Deschanel, Gabrielle Union, Olivia Wilde and more famous friends on Food Network special
For years, Questlove has been inviting friends from the many cultural worlds he inhabits over for his "food salons," where renowned chefs take over the menu as celebs from the music, TV, stage, screen and literary landscapes enjoy the opportunity to talk and, presumably, listen to the Roots bandleader and DJ's curated playlists. The salons inspired his 2019 cookbook, "Mixtape Potluck," for which the likes of Zooey Deschanel, Stanley Tucci, Natalie Portman, Padma Lakshmi and Gabrielle Union each contributed a favorite recipe, which the Roots drummer paired with a suggested song. Now, all of that celeb foodie goodness is making its way to the Food Network for a one-hour streaming special called "Questlove's Potluck." According to Page Six, the event will see Questo's famous pals — including Zooey and Gabrielle, plus Tiffany Haddish, Patti LaBelle, Eva Longoria, Kenan Thompson, Gabrielle Union and Olivia Wilde — welcoming him into their homes, virtually, to cook their favorite foods. The special is a benefit for Leonardo DiCaprio's America's Food Fund and airs May 28 at 10 p.m.
Courteney Cox surprises young 'Friends' superfan on 'The Late, Late Show'
Monica Gellar to the rescue! On Monday's "The Late Late Show," James Corden welcomed a 13-year-old boy from England named Naftali. James explained that Naftali's online bar mitzvah recently went viral after social distancing rules forced him to cancel what had been planned as a totally "Friends"-themed affair. Naftali's rabbi deemed the small event the first-ever online bar mitzvah, and Naftali managed to work a "Friends" reference into his speech. But James wanted to do more for the birthday boy. "A friend of mine was also impressed by your whole bar mitzvah," he told Naftali, who had video called in to the show (via CBS). "And she wanted to pop in and say hi, too." Cue Courteney Cox, who then appeared on the screen. "Oh my gosh, hello!" said Naftali, almost breathless with surprise. "Do you recognize me?" Courteney asked. He said "yes" as the show host noted, "You should because tell Courteney how many times you've watched 'Friends.'" Naftali, who was born two years after the series' finale, replied that he'd watched the entire series "seven" times. That's when Courteney told him she got him a special gift. "I was really touched by your story," she said. "So since you couldn't have your Bar Mitzvah the way you wanted I decided to get you a foosball table just like the one in Joey and Chandler's apartment." Before signing off, she gave him a classic Monica "I know!"
Rainn Wilson instructs 'Office' superfan Billie Eilish to watch the whole series for the 16th time
In other binge-watching news, Rainn Wilson used Billie Eilish's Monday appearance on his "Hey There Human" show as a chance to encourage her to branch out from her obsession with a certain show about a paper company. "I just finished watching 'The Office' for a 15th time two days ago," Billie told Rainn, who played Dwight Schrute on the cult-favorite series. "Every time I hit that episode that says 'finale,' I'm always like … 'God—- it,'" Bille added (via EW). Determined to put a stop to such behavior, Rainn, speaking in his parental voice — with his parental nickname for Billie, "William Eyelash" — told his guest, "William, it's time to move on! It's time to move on to another show, really. Please!" Rainn later changed his tune, though, thanks to the "Office" trivia game they played. Billie's answers were …not those of someone who's been concentrating too much on those 15 watches. To remedy this, he conceded "William" should probably give the series a 16th try in preparation for the next trivia quiz.
'Idol' winner Just Sam shares the advice from Katy Perry that became her competition mantra
"American Idol" crowned its 18th winner on Sunday, putting 20-year-old New York City native Just Sam on the path towards a new world of opportunities. Speaking to Billboard after her win, Sam, who logged long hours busking in the Big Apple's subway system before winning the first socially distant version of "Idol," shared a bit of advice Katy Perry gave her early on that's helped her from Day 1. "When Katy told me to remember where I came from and sing to where I want to go, that stuck with me throughout this entire competition," she said. As Sam revealed over the course of the season, Sam lives in Harlem with her grandmother, who adopted her when she was 6. "It's something I had to say to myself before I walked on stage in Hawaii," Sam continued. "I had to tell that to myself before performing in front of an iPhone. That has really has stuck with me and I think about it every day: 'Sing to where you want to go, Sam.'"
Kristen Bell is launching a CBD skincare line
Kristen Bell's expanding her retail ventures into the CBD space. The actress announced this week she's collaborating with hemp-derived CBD product maker Lord Jones on a new skincare line called Happy Dance. "I first discovered Lord Jones CBD products two years ago and have been using them ever since," the actress said a press release (via Refinery29). "I was skeptical at first, but was quickly blown away by the quality, integrity, and consistency in all of the products." One key detail Kristen hopes will set Happy Dance products apart is their price point, which is set in a more affordable range than much of what's been available previously. She also stressed the importance of self-care, which she said will factor into everything she and Lord Jones release through their line. "Self-care shouldn't be an event," the actress said. "Self-care should consist of everyday pick-me-ups that can be integrated into one's daily routine." Kristen also recently debuted Hello Bello, an eco-friendly and affordable line of products for babies.
Wendy Williams announces Graves disease-related hiatus
Wendy Williams is taking another break from her eponymous show for health reasons. The daytime TV personality announced via social media this week that she's been "dealing with symptoms from her Graves' disease which is causing fatigue" and will be "taking some time off as she continues to receive treatment," according to CNN. A return date has not yet been announced. Wendy went off the air back in 2018 as well, when she took nearly a month off because of the disease, an autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid.
Prince William urges frontline workers to take care of themselvesi, too, while saving lives
Former air ambulance pilot Prince William continued his campaign to promote mental health awareness amid the pandemic on Tuesday by reminding frontline workers to take care of themselves, too, while fighting the COVID-19 crisis. "I wanted to say a huge thank you from myself and Catherine for all that you are doing to keep everyone safe," he said in the message, posted to social media (via the Evening Standard). Thanking workers and their families for the "huge sacrifices" they're all making, he told viewers that "even in normal circumstances, frontline work can take its toll, not just on your physical health, but also on your mental wellbeing." William went on to say his experience flying air ambulances taught him "how determined frontline workers … put a brave face on and keep going," but urged them to to speak up when they need help themselves. "When you spend all day taking care of others, it is easy to forget that you need to take care of yourself too, but it's OK to say when you're not feeling OK, and there is support available to you – if and when you need it," the Duke of Cambridge continued. He then introduced a new initiative called Our Frontline, which he said "provides around the clock mental health support to frontline staff and key workers, in these unprecedented times." The program is part of William and Duchess Kate's multi-million dollar efforts to support and destigmatize mental health issues as the pandemic threatens to exacerbate them.
