Iconic women who married into royalty
The love story of Queen Camilla and King Charles is a long and complicated one. Their youthful romance was interrupted when Charles went overseas with the Royal Navy in 1973, but their connection never dwindled, even as they married other people and decades passed. Despite the scandal surrounding their infidelity, Charles insisted that his relationship with Camilla was "non-negotiable" once they were both divorced and free to be together. In 2005, they finally got married after so many years of waiting. Camilla slipped rather seamlessly into her role as a senior member of the royal family, carrying out her duties by her husband's side like an old pro. On May 6, 2023, the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla took place—something that no one could have imagined a few decades earlier. Camilla undoubtedly claimed the top spot when it comes to marrying into royalty! However, many other iconic women have fallen in love with princes, kings, emperors, and sultans. These women built and enjoyed successful careers and lifestyles before meeting their royal soul mates. Although in some cases, the soul connection didn't last... Click on to take a look at the successful women who married royals.
2024-07-01T14:06:35Z
The famous figures who passed away (so far) in 2024
With each year that passes, we are surprised and dismayed to hear of the deaths of some of the greatest icons of music, cinema, sports, fashion, and more. In 2023, we said sorrowful goodbyes to legends like Tina Turner, Tony Bennett, and Harry Belafonte, and we were shocked by the untimely deaths of stars like Matthew Perry, Sinéad O'Connor, and Angus Cloud. This year, we will doubtless be faced with the natural cycle of life and its unnatural tragedies once again. Nonetheless, these stars are immortalized by their cultural impact and the bodies of work they leave behind. In 2024 we have already bid farewell to many beloved stars of stage and screen, as well as some divisive public figures. Click through this gallery to remember those who have left us so far.
2024-02-15T17:10:06Z
Stars who continued their careers after being 'canceled'
Will Smith was at the center of one of the most highly-publicized scandals of 2022 after he slapped Chris Rock live on stage at the Academy Awards. The incident became headline news around the world and Smith smartly stepped back from the spotlight after making his apologies. He reappeared towards the end of 2022 to promote his film 'Emancipation,' and made his first major speech since the incident in March 2023 when he was honored with The Beacon Award at the African American Film Critics Association Awards for his role in the movie. However, it was his performance at Sunday night's BET Awards that signaled his bold, unapologetic comeback. Smith performed his new song 'You Can Make It' at the show—an impassioned rap about overcoming adversity backed up by powerful vocals from Kirk Franklin, Chandler Moore, and the Sunday Service Choir. Smith appeared on the stage surrounded by a ring of fire and said, "I don't know who needs to hear this right now, but whatever's going on in your life, I'm here to tell you, you can make it," before launching into the song. “The darker the hell you gotta endure / The brighter the heaven you get to enjoy / The harder the fall, the higher you soar,” he rapped. The song delivered a strong message from Smith, who has openly been going through a dark period in his life in recent years. From the dark revelations in his 2021 memoir to the fallout of the 2022 Oscars incident to the exposure of his separation from wife Jada Pinkett Smith, the actor has faced many challenges. 'You Can Make It' seems to mark a turning point for Smith's inner journey, if not his public image. The term "canceled" has become so ubiquitous in today's age that it can be difficult to understand what it really means for a person, including how to criticize it or, more importantly, how to find redemption in it. Its roots lie in the traditional boycott, as a means for the public to practice its own version of justice and to teach figures with more power than them what is acceptable and what is not. At its worst, it's highly reactionary and can destroy someone's reputation. At best, it's an important learning lesson for its targets and for everyone witnessing it. One of the biggest criticisms of cancel culture is that it's too swift and severe, but it's interesting to see the various ways celebrities have dealt with being "canceled," some of which actually resulted in a smooth return to their careers. Some stars make enormous apology tours and equally enormous donations to the communities they offended. Other stars try to dispute the claims. Some others disappear for a little while and try to return quietly. Others go after cancel culture itself, and a few actually do attempt genuine redemption. Though many "canceled" celebs lose projects and tours at first, and experience immense mental duress from the public shaming, there are several stars who have come out of it all with their career intact, at least somewhat. Click through to learn more and see other examples of stars who prove that cancel culture might not be as permanent as people say it is.
2024-07-01T12:20:45Z