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Ed Sheeran Opens Up On His Year From Hell
Ed Sheeran seemed like he was on top of the world, but when tragedy after tragedy struck, the singer barely made it out alive.
Apr 08, 2024
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Ed Sheeran seemed like he was on top of the world, but when tragedy after tragedy struck, the singer barely made it out alive.
The bizarre story of the feud between Taylor Swift and Kanye West, a feud that for many years also involved West’s now ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, began in a moment seen by millions on live TV and replayed countless tens of millions of times in the years since. Surely you know the exact moment well, but just in case it’s not on your mind, or to get it there freshly, let’s do a quick revisit.The date was Sunday, September 13th, 2009, the place was New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, and the event was the MTV Music Video Awards. As Taylor Swift, then just 19 years old, took the stage to accept an award for the Best Female Video of the year, Kanye West, then a 32-year-old man, rushed onto the stage and ripped the microphone from the teenager’s hand. West shouted: “Yo, Taylor, I'm really happy for you, I'mma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time! One of the best videos of all time!" RELATED: Taylor Swift Makes Surprise Appearance at Nashville Club that Launched Her Career, Inspires Fans With Her HumblenessWest then raised a middle finger to the audience and stormed off the stage, soon to be ejected from the awards ceremony, and leaving a befuddled Swift — and a befuddled audience and world at large — to wonder what had just happened.And though few could have known it at that wild moment, one thing that had happened was the commencement of a bitter feud that would simmer, and at times flare, between West and Swift for years to come.A Look at the Long and Storied Feud Between Kanye West and Taylor SwiftKanye West and Taylor Swift at the VMAs (2009)As noted, it all started on that fateful Sunday night in September of 2009, a night which Beyoncé apparently cried behind the stage, shaken by what West had done, while Pink is said to have told West off right to his face.The day after the incident on stage, West said on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that he had been wrong for what he did, and on Ellen he would later blame the outburst on emotions and alcohol — in other words, he was drunk and out of control, and it wasn't his fault. Swift later revealed that in the first few days after the VMAs, West called her and offered a seemingly sincere apology, which she accepted.RELATED: Kanye West’s Difficult Battle with Bipolar DisorderIf he apologized and meant it, and she accepted it, would not that be the end of the story? Yes, but the story doesn't end there.The next year, in 2010, Swift released a song called “Innocent” which was an ostensible sleight aimed at West. Among other lyrics, it contained the barbed and very specific line “32 and still growing up.” Remember West’s age at the time he ran onto that stage?Then, in mid 2013, West went ahead and fully withdrew his apology, saying: “I don't have one regret. If anyone's reading this waiting for some type of full-on, flat apology for anything, they should just stop reading right now. I have, as a human being, fallen to peer pressure." To be clear, he meant he had “fallen to peer pressure” to apologize for interrupting someone else’s moment and making it fully apparent he felt he was in the right.Are Taylor Swift and Kanye West Friends Now? Surprisingly, in 2015 there was a thaw and even a warming between the two. They were seen in close proximity at an awards show and West even teased at an upcoming collaboration, saying: “he wants to get in the studio, and we're definitely going to go in. Any artist with an amazing point of view, perspective, fanbase, I'm down to get in the studio and work. I don't discriminate."Swift quickly denied these plans, saying they had no collaboration planned, but expressed personal fondness for the man. And later that year, in a moment that would have been hard to believe six years earlier, Swift introduced West at the MTV Video Music Awards and even poked fun at his wild intrusion in 2009. Swift has gone on record with Billboard, saying she believed West was two-faced.RELATED: Amber Rose Exposed Kanye’s Cruel Bullying And Used It To Create Something IncredibleBut in early 2016, things took a turn for the worse again. In his song “Famous” on the album The Life of Pablo, West included the lyrics: "I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex. Why? I made that bitch famous.” The entente was over.A bit later in 2016, as she accepted a Grammy award, Swift spoke out, clearly referencing West when she said, in part: “…to all the young women out there, there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame. If you just focus on the work, and you don't let those people sidetrack you.”Taylor Swift and Her Feud with The KardashiansKim Kardashian, then still married to West, would later claim Swift knew of the lyrics all along and was faking being hurt by them, but Swift denied this while, admirably, supporting Kardashian, saying she knew the woman was under pressure, and not swiping at her or West.RELATED: Why Kim Kardashian’s Redemption Arc Is Surprising, But PowerfulThere was much back-and-forth between the West and Swift camps for the rest of 2016, and in 2017 Swift released a song that seemed to again swipe at West, “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things.”Despite that, from 2018 through 2019, things calmed down again, but then, even as West’s life began to fall apart, the confusion over whether or not Swift knew of the lines in “Famous” resurfaced and set But now, a couple more years on, it seems the feud is over, and not because the two are chummy again, but because West is heading down and out and Swift is riding high.A look at Swift’s Song “Karma”Is Taylor Swift’s song “Karma” really about Kanye West? The singer hasn’t said so and is playing her cards close to her chest. She has yet to talk about the theories on her song but on close inspection of the lyrics, a guess, yes, seems a safe one. Consider the opening lines:“You're talking s--t for the hell of itAddicted to betrayal, but you're relevantYou're terrified to look down'Cause if you dare, you'll see the glareOf everyone you burned just to get thereIt's coming back aroundAnd I keep my side of the street cleanYou wouldn’t know what I mean”Does that unnamed “you” sound like anyone we know? Maybe someone who was recently excoriated for antisemitic remarks? Or someone who couldn’t well keep quiet while his family was being dragged through a horrid divorce? Someone who has now lost major partnerships with brands like Adidas and who is being routinely lambasted in the media and mocked on social media? Someone, in other words, like Kanye West?RELATED: Taylor Swift Discovers Pregnant Fan Is Homeless And Shocks Her By Buying Her A HomeAnd then let’s take a look at Taylor Swift’s reputation right now — and yes, that should call to mind her 2017 album named Reputation that topped charts and sold more than a million copies in its first week of release. Swift is generally considered to be smart and savvy, polite and caring, strong but kind, and very much in control of her career and her image. In other words, she is almost the polar opposite of Kanye West, who is wild, unbalanced, and controversial and who very likely does, as Swift sings in “Karma,” feel frightened to have that proverbial look in the mirror given how many people he has wronged — or “burned” as she puts it — along the way.Taylor Swift Proves the Best Way to Fight Back Is to Simply Live on Your Own TermsOver the years, even as Kanye West has grown ever more publicly unhinged and erratic and has fallen farther and farther from favor with fans and his own family, Taylor Swift’s proverbial star has only risen. Granted, at last check West’s colossal wealth of around $2 billion far outstrips Swift’s estimated $450 million, but this only proves that money is a poor measure of character — and besides, Swift is wildly wealthy anyway, and is more than 12 years his junior at that.The most impressive thing is that, despite the fact that she could take jabs at West whenever she wants and in ways that would be seen around the world — Swift has nearly a quarter of a billion followers on her @taylorswift Instagram alone, for example — she has rarely taken a swipe at him. It’s as if she cannot be bothered by the pettiness of it all. RELATED: Taylor Swift Pays $6k to Cover a Fan’s College Tuition – And Changes Her Life ForeverSwift was deeply rattled by that moment at the MTV Music Video Awards as she has admitted in interviews many times. Surely she as dealt with much anger and anxiety and frustration caused by West over the years, and admirably she has, for the most part, done just that: she has dealt with it.The Taylor Swift LessonThere is a certain graciousness in allowing the hate and turmoil to run off your back that many find difficult. It's never easy to turn away from the drama but instead lean into what you know you can control, love, and ultimately succeed at.If “Karma” and other Swift songs are about West, perhaps she’s been doing a bit more than keeping her chin up and living her best life. Perhaps this lyrical wordsmith has taken a note from the finest wordsmith of them all, William Shakespeare, who wrote: “If you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” Indeed West wronged Swift, but she has won the day.KEEP READING: What You Need To Know About Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez’s Alleged Feud
For Isabella McCune, every day is agony. The 8-year-old Arizona resident suffered burns to 65% of her body when a bonfire her father, J.D. made on St. Patrick's day got out of control. When she's not bedridden, her days consisted of surgeries (She has had 10 so far), the painstaking cleaning of her wounds, and physiotherapy to help her walk again. Through it all, her mom Lilly told AZ Central that her girl's kept a brave face through it all. "She was always a tough girl, always strong, but this is a new level of strength," she said. How an Injured Little Girl Found Strength in the HospitalNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 20: NSAI Songwriter-Artist of the Decade honoree, Taylor Swift performs onstage during NSAI 2022 Nashville Songwriter Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 20, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)A big source of her strength are the pictures and songs filling her room of her favorite artist, Taylor Swift. The singer's pictures are on the ceiling since Isabella can only lie flat. She leans on those and her favorite song, 'Ready for It' to stay positive when the going gets tough.However, the only thing that stung as much as her wounds was being unable to see Swift perform. She was in town as part of her 'Reputation' tour. Yet, a hospital bed can't stop the heart of a super fan. And so with motivation and a little faith, McCune recorded her own demo tape for the pop star. "Your music helped me through tough times," she started, her voice weak. Then, she offered a sweet invite to the pop princess herself. "I heard you were here, and I wanted to visit you but maybe you can come and visit me. So maybe that can happen," she said. It turns out that someone special saw this Isabella's video, and was about to rock her world. How Taylor Swift’s Gift Helped an 8-Year-Old Girl HealNEWARK, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 28: Taylor Swift accepts the Video of the Year award (presented by Burger King) for 'All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)' at Prudential Center on August 28, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTV/Paramount Global)Isabella was in her wheelchair in her room one day when her little eyes did a double-take. This time, it wasn't a picture on the ceiling but Taylor Swift in the flesh who popped in for a visit. After pinching herself, Isabella told Swift in person how much her music meant to her. Swift said she was honored, and gave her and 14-year-old brother Zachary some tour swag and autographed pictures.RELATED: Taylor Swift Pays $6k to Cover a Fan's College Tuition - And Changes Her Life ForeverTo top it off, Swift wrote a very special entry in Isabella's journal. "Isabella! I hope you feel better soon and I’m honored you've been listening to my music. You're so awesome and I can’t wait to have you at a show," the note said.There's a moment that can heal any wound. How Taylor Swift Reminds Us That Hope Makes Our Dreams a RealityIt's still a long road ahead, but Isabella is having more success with each day. She said that her motivation to stay smiling isn't just her family. "It's always good to keep a smile on your face in the hospital in case another patient comes by and they see you," she says. "They might be sad or scared and need a smile," she said. RELATED: Twilight Star Taylor Lautner’s Fiancée Reveals Her Childhood Crush in Viral TikTok - And It Is Someone UnexpectedSpoken like a true star.It is said that time heals all wounds. Let's hope that also goes for J.D., who will have to find a way to forgive himself for an accident that could have happened to anyone. A magical visit from Taylor Swift is sure to be the perfect remedy that even the doctor couldn't have prescribed. You can be sure that Taylor Swift's new 'Midnights' album will be Isabella's comeback soundtrack, so watch out.KEEP READING:Taylor Swift Discovers Pregnant Fan Is Homeless And Shocks Her By Buying Her A Home
Leonardo DiCaprio has developed a reputation for dating significantly younger women, and as concerning as that already is, it’s his pattern of calling those relationships off that needs some more scrutiny. DiCaprio has never dated a woman over 25 years of age – ever. His most recent break-up with Camile Morrone further solidified this theory as they called it quits only a few short months after her 25th birthday.RELATED: Leonardo DiCaprio Shows Humble Backgrounds Don’t Have To Be A Barrier To SuccessThis triggered a slew of memes about DiCaprio and his relationship history. Let’s talk about the DiCaprio-Morrone breakup and why the situation just simply isn’t funny despite the running jokes online. Finally, let’s take a look at how Hollywood dismisses large age gap relationships and why we’re only realizing now just how bizarre they truly are.Leonardo DiCaprio and Camila Marrone Break Up Spark Viral MemesDiCaprio, 47, and Morrone, 25 finally called off their relationship after more than four years together. This confirmed the decades-long gag of DiCaprio’s relationships having an expiration date. If you weren’t already aware, DiCaprio is famous for his large age-gap relationships as well as for never dating a woman over the age of 25. Is this pattern a fact?Yes, it is. Gisele Bundchen was 23 at the time of their split and Bar Refaeli was 25. At the time that he was dating these women, DiCaprio was in his late 20s to mid-30s. But, he was the only one aging in his relationships. He then was linked with Blake Lively who was then 23, followed by Toni Garrn, 21. Both Kelly Rohrbach and Nina Agdal were his previous two relationships before Morrone and both ended when the women were 25. Now, the latest, is Morrone who (to no surprise) was also 25 when she and DiCaprio decided to part ways.RELATED: How Leonardo DiCaprio’s Comment on Kate Winslet’s Body Changed Her LifeWe can confirm that this is in fact a motif that most have picked up on. The question now becomes, why? How and why DiCaprio seems to steer clear of anyone over the age of 25 is what needs to be analyzed. Hollywood has dismissed large age gaps in the past which normalized them in the context of the industry. But with many celebrities now coming out with their stories of being in a similar situation, it’s come to light that these large age gaps need to be reconsidered and criticized rather than made into a punchline. Let’s look at Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift and how their experiences have shaped our new perspective on age gaps in Hollywood.Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato Speak Out Against Age Gap Relationships in HollywoodIf you haven’t streamed Taylor Swift’s 10-minute rendition of her 2012 hit “All Too Well”, then you should do so. Not solely for the fact that it’s a lyrical masterpiece, but because it divulges some details about her relationship with actor Jake Gyllenhaal. Swift was 21 during their relationship while Gyllenhaal was 30.The song as a whole is heart-wrenching and really demonstrates the fragility of her innocence and inexperience at 21 versus the somewhat manipulative nature of Gyllenhaal at 30. Now 41, Gyllenhaal- like DiCaprio- has a history of dating younger women including his current girlfriend and French model Jeanne Cadieu who is 26. The lyrics that made the most impact are as follows: “And I was never good at telling jokes but the punch line goes / I’ll get older but your lovers stay my age,” along with, “You said if we had been closer in age maybe it would have been fine / And that made me want to die.” These words are extremely telling, and paint a picture of an unhealthy relationship between the two.RELATED: Why Taylor Swift’s Secret Relationship With Joe Alwyn Proves She Finally Learned Her LessonSwift isn’t the only one giving a voice to young women who have felt victimized in large age gap relationships. Demi Lovato has also recently released her song “29” which is about her ex-boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama. The two dated from 2010 to 2016. They met when she was 17 years old and he was 29 but supposedly didn’t start an actual relationship until she turned 18. That being said, the age gap wasn’t the only questionable aspect of their relationship but also that she was a freshly turned adult.Some of the lyrics that stood out from Lovato’s “29” include: “Finally 29 / Funny, just like you were at the time / Thought it was a teenage dream / Just a fantasy / But was it yours or was it mine / 17, 29,” as well as, “I see you’re quite the collector / Yea, you’re 12 years her elder / Maybe now it doesn’t matter / But I know, I know better.” The last set of lyrics seems to refer to his fiancé Amanda Pacheco who is 12 years younger than Valderrama.Both of these songs are poignant as they highlight a larger issue within Hollywood. When did we start to become aware of these large age gaps in Hollywood and what does it say about these men?The Curse of Large Age Gaps in Hollywood RelationshipsBoth Swift’s “All Too Well” and Lovato’s “29” allude to the fact that it’s not their first time or last dating a younger woman. Gyllenhaal and Valderrama have indeed followed that pattern of being involved with women who are much younger. This is the same pattern that we see with DiCaprio. It’s strange that while many stand behind Swift and Lovato and their shared experiences in unhealthy relationships with older men, Morrone is the subject of viral memes. The sensitivity that we had with Swift and Lovato needs to extend to all women getting out of relationships, especially with older men.RELATED: Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown Has Powerful Words Against Sexualizing Her – And Hollywood Needs to ListenMorrone may not have been a minor, but she was only 20 years old when she was first linked with DiCaprio. Consensual relationships between adults are not always problematic, but we also have to wonder why men who are nearly 30 or above are attracted to 20-something-year-olds. Hollywood has never advocated for the safety of young women in relationships and we’ve seen this time and time again, including R. Kelly and his myriad of crimes against underage girls. Rather than denouncing these relationships or even being critical of them, they have been romanticized in the public eye. The long history of sexism and predatory behaviors in Hollywood has roots that extend for miles. Significant age gaps come with a gap in maturity, emotional intelligence, experience, and more which can make manipulation much easier than you may think. So, while age gaps aren’t inherently dangerous, they can turn out to host more harm than good.KEEP READING: Florence Pugh and Zach Braff Secretly Broke Up – The Reason Why Is Deeply Concerning
Relationships in Hollywood can turn from a romantic dream to a tabloid mess quicker than you can check your phone for gossip. But there’s always the odd couple that seems to stay friends despite a messy breakup that’s been amplified by digital fan mobs. Well, Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas' relationship seems to be on the mend after their breakup 15 years prior.RELATED: Taylor Swift Pays $6k to Cover a Fan’s College Tuition – And Changes Her Life ForeverJonas, now married to Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner has turned a page in his life and maybe rewrote the last few pages of his chapter with Swift. As it turns out, Turner is a major Swiftie – and we’re thinking Jonas isn’t so far off from the title himself.Let’s look at a brief timeline of Jonas and Swift’s brief romance and what went wrong, including how they became friends again! Joe Jonas and Taylor Swift's Relationship TimelineJonas and Swift dated briefly in 2008 when the two were still teens. Jonas was in his Disney prime and Swift was a country-pop icon already. Naturally, with both constantly in the media, their relationship blew up. Like all Hollywood relationships, some were rooting for them and others… not so much.The two only dated from July to October 2008 before Jonas broke up with Swift over the phone. She went on to call him out on the Ellen DeGeneres show soon after which she later admitted she regretted. “That was too much. I was 18.” She said, “Just some teenage stuff there.”RELATED: How Nick Jonas Convinced Priyanka Chopra To Take A Chance On HimThe two did manage to stay friends even after the rocky breakup and have been spotted hanging out over the years. In 2021, Jonas and Turner attended Swift’s November 2021 Saturday Night Live performance of “All Too Well”. The two are in such a good place that Jonas’ wife even went on to comment on Swift’s song “Mr. Perfectly Fine”, an unreleased song that Taylor recorded for her re-recorded album Fearless (Taylor’s Version), rumored to be about Jonas himself. She posted the song cover to her @taylorswift Instagram story, writing “it’s not NOT. A bop.” To which Taylor replied, sharing Turner’s story, “forever bending the knee for the [queen] of the north.”The hilarious and wholesome encounter had fans envisioning dinner parties between the trio where they laughed about old times. They might not be so far off! The couple has gone on to share their love for Swift and her music on social media, including giving us insight into their favorite albums.Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Reveal Their Favorite Taylor Swift AlbumDuring a TikTok live, Jonas and Turner revealed their favorite Swift album. “My Favorite Taylor Swift album [is] 1989, hands down,” said the Game of Thrones star, “Although, Reputation was partly inspired by Sansa and Arya Stark.” Taylor did say post-release that Reputation was influenced by the series as she was watching it intently at the same time that she was writing and producing the album. She went as far as to say that her song “Look What You Made Me Do” is Arya Stark’s “kill list” essentially. As a self-proclaimed Swiftie, this definitely excited Turner. This also confirmed that Turner and Swift’s admiration for each other was mutual.RELATED: Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Prove That Succeeding Separately Means Thriving TogetherTurner and Swift fawning over each other’s artistic careers is exactly the kind of healthy and supportive friendship we love to see from previous Hollywood relationships gone wrong. Meanwhile, Jonas, on that same TikTok live responded to his wife. “1989 is a great album,” Jonas said, “Bangers.”Jonas has mentioned Swift in a previous interview as well, praising her music and career. Buzzfeed asked the Sucker singer about re-recording old Jonas Brothers music, Jonas said, “I think I would probably re-record our entire first album. Just do something like what Taylor did recently, which I thought was really clever.”How to Be Friends With Your Ex in HollywoodSwift and Jonas have a past, but unlike many other celebrity exes, these two have managed to get past their teenage drama and find friendship. In Hollywood, many of our favorite A-listers run in the same circle, so it’s always a shame to see couples who are no longer together lose touch completely.There are plenty of other past Hollywood couples that we can look to for an example of the post-break-up ideal, but it’s Swift and Jonas that have surprised us. It’s heartwarming to see Turner and Swift interact with each other and show the world what it means to forgive and move forward. It’s one thing to be friends with your ex, but to be friends with your ex’s wife as well is on a whole other level of unbothered.RELATED: Adele Had To Pay Her Ex-Husband Millions, But Here’s Why They Still Live On The Same StreetWhat makes Swift and Jonas' newfound friendship a unique situation is that they are truly happy for each other and their successes. Swift respects that Jonas is married with a daughter and another child on the way, and supports him and his wife's relationship. Jonas and Turner reciprocate that support for Swift and her music, publicly acknowledging their favorite hits and career moves they admire from the country-pop singer.We all have teen flings we wish we could erase, but rather than eradicating Jonas from her life and her memory, she accepted him as a friend. Some teen dramas are too petty to even take seriously, and it seems as though the Swift-Jonas break up including the Ellen DeGeneres debacle is one of them!KEEP READING: Relationship Goals: How Ellen and Portia Prove that Love Does Conquer All
Since 1955, the people at Guinness World Records keep track of the most extraordinary, bizarre, and even ridiculous accomplishments (we're looking at you 'Most Number of Spoons on a Human Body'). From the world’s most toothpicks in a beard to the world’s richest living person, the company’s annual book has it covered.RELATED: Real Life Heroes, Love, and Kindness Take Center Stage at this Year’s MTV Movie AwardsAmong the everyday people who happen to hold extraordinary records, some celebrity names managed to pull off one-of-a-kind feats. With no further ado, from singers, actors, and athletes, here are ten of the most popular celebrities that have set Guinness World Records.Beyonce Is the Most-Nominated Woman in Grammy HistoryBetween 2001 and 2021, Beyonce garnered no less than 28 Grammy Awards. This makes her the only female vocalist to possess such an incredible number of trophies at the prestigious award ceremony. The singer won her first three Grammys with her former band, Destiny’s Child, and another with her husband, Jay-Z. RELATED: 5 Daily Habits to Steal from Beyonce, Including Her Powerful Trick for Loving Her FlawsThe cultural icon’s Guinness World Record has to do a lot with her history at the MTV Music Awards. In 2016, Beyonce surpassed Madonna’s record of VMA awards. At the present moment, Queen B owns 26 of the famous “moon person” statues. Betty White Holds the Longest Female TV Career AwardThe beloved actor and comedian Betty White passed away on December 31, 2021, at the age of 99. Betty began her acting career in 1939 and performed in shows such as The Golden Girls, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Carol Burnett Show. The actress entered the Guinness World Records by being the only female entertainer with such a long TV career -- 80 decades, to be precise.RELATED: 40 Betty White Quotes To Remind You To Stay Young At HeartWhite didn’t have to live to be nearly 100 years old to set that world record, she already obtained the title for longest TV career for a female entertainer back in 2013.Eminem Won for Most Words in a Hit SingleIf you think you know everything about Eminem’s career, you might have missed the fact that the rapper owns not one, but two Guinness World Records. In 2020, Eminem received the title of the most-liked male musician on Facebook, with more than 86 million fans giving him a thumbs-up. But considering how social media works, such a record reflects popularity rather than talent.RELATED: Eminem’s Life Story: From Bullied Dropout to Hip Hop KnockoutSince Eminem is a master lyricist, not just a popular social media person, he received recognition for his talent as well. In 2013, his impressive song "Rap God" set the mark for Most Words In a Hit Single. The fast and furious track packs about 1,560 words, making the rapper drop about 4.28 words/second. Tongue-twisting, right?Ed Sheeran Holds Three World RecordsThe Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and U2 are a few of the names that come to mind when it comes to iconic live music acts. While these performers have done a great job impressing their fans, they still haven’t reached some of the milestones Ed Sheeran has.RELATED: Ed Sheeran: Being Weird Is a Wonderful ThingWith his album Divide, Sheeran smashed three Guinness World Records. One for the Fastest-Selling Pop Album by a Male Artist in U.K. history, another for Most Simultaneous UK Top 20 Singles, and the third for Most Streamed Track on Spotify in 24 Hours ("Shape of You"). After getting three world records, it’s probably futile to mention that the Divide Tour had a huge attendance and the most earnings for a single music tour. Jackie Chan Has the Most Stunts by a Living ActorWhile other actors are afraid of getting hurt during action films and opt for stuntmen to film certain scenes, Jackie Chan was never one to chicken out. Although he has sustained several injuries in the process, including a broken skull, Jackie has remained his own stuntman. RELATED: Jackie Chan’s Life Story: From “Useless” Stuntman to Pioneering Movie StarSince 2012, the actor has held the record for Most Stunts By a Living Actor. When no insurance company would agree on underwriting Chan’s productions when he performs his own stunts, the actor formed the Jackie Chan Stuntmen Association. He trains his students and personally pays their medical bills whenever necessary. Martin Scorsese Has the Award for Most Oscar NominationsIn 2020, after being nominated for the ninth time for directing The Irishman, the legendary Martin Scorsese set the record for Most Oscar Nominations For a Living Director.RELATED: 12 The Wolf of Wall Street Quotes on Excess and SuccessThe other masterpieces for which the director has received an impressive number of Academy Award nominations are Raging Bull (1981), The Last Temptation of Christ (1989), Goodfellas (1991), Gangs of New York (2003), The Aviator (2005), The Departed (2007), Hugo (2012), and The Wolf of Wall Street (2014). If you haven’t seen any of these movies, buckle up, because you have some homework to do.RuPaul Reigns Supreme with the Most Emmy Wins for Reality HostIn 2021, RuPaul added another accolade to his list of incredible achievements. After receiving a total of 39 Emmy nominations and winning 19 of them, RuPaul has become the Guinness title holder for the Most Emmy Wins for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program.RELATED: 20 RuPaul Quotes on Self-Confidence and SuccessProduced by the iconic drag superstar, VH1 and World of Wonder, RuPaul’s Drag Race has captured the attention and hearts of millions around the globe through no less than 14 seasons. In the reality show, talented drag queens compete to be crowned as the next drag superstar.Taylor Swift Beats Her Own Record For Earnings by a Female MusicianMusic icon Taylor Swift simply had to be on this list. Among other incredible achievements during her music career, Swift managed to set the world record for earnings by a woman musician in a single year. Haters gonna hate, but it’s quite easy to shake it off when you make $185 million in one year (2019). The singer beat her record in 2016 by earning $170 million that year.RELATED: Taylor Swift Makes Surprise Appearance at Nashville Club that Launched Her Career, Inspires Fans With Her HumblenessIn case you wanted to know, the all-time record by any musician is still held by Dr. Dre. Between 2013 and 2014, Dre earned no less than $620 million. Wow!Serena Wiliams Holds Ten World RecordsWith arguably unmatched skills, Serena Williams is one of the most accomplished athletes in tennis history. That being said, it's no surprise she holds 10 World Guinness Records. RELATED: Serena Williams Proves You Don’t Have To Change Anything About Yourself To Find LoveThe athlete is regarded as the greatest tennis player of all time, and there’s no question why. Her most recent records were set in 2017. One for the Longest Time Span of Grand Slam Singles Tournaments Won By Any Player, and the other for being the Oldest Player in Women’s Tennis History to win such a tournament. At the time, Serena was 35 years old AND also three months pregnant.Angus T. Jones was the Highest Paid Child ActorIt is no secret that after it aired, CBS’s Two and a Half Men dominated TV ratings. The TV show’s three stars - Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, and Angus T. Jones - were making huge money. The youngest and most adorable member of the main cast set a Guinness World Record for his earnings that still stands today. RELATED: What Happened to Jake Harper from Two and a Half Men?Back in 2010, Angus was making a whopping $250,000 per episode, which made him the highest-paid child actor in TV history. Sadly, some behind-the-scene drama and a sudden change in Jones’s beliefs led to the hit series' demise.KEEP READING: George Lucas’ Biggest Star Wars Risk Will Destroy Your Fear of Failure
In the words of Taylor Swift, everything has changed, and for Ayesha Khurram, that’s because of her favorite singer. Why a Taylor Swift Fan Couldn't Afford Her TuitionPhoto Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.comWhen Ontario cut back its student assistant programs, one second-year accounting student at the University of Waterloo realized she wouldn’t be able to afford tuition for the upcoming semester. Ayesha Khurram was trying to scrape enough money together, but as her mother suffers from a chronic kidney disease and both her immigrant parents work low-income jobs, she couldn’t ask them for help. She would have to raise the money herself, and she set out to do so.RELATED: Taylor Swift Discovers Pregnant Fan Is Homeless And Shocks Her By Buying Her A HomeAfter a friend suggested Khurram create a PayPal account, she asked people to donate to her college fund. Mere hours after making the account, she received a donation of $6,386.47. The contribution came with a note that said “Ayesha, get your learn on girl! I love you! Taylor.”The Taylor above, of course, was none other than Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Taylor Swift.Khurram met Swift for the first time at Swift’s Ontario concert in 2018. At that performance, Swift invited Khurram backstage for a meet-and-greet. By that time, Khurram had been listening to the singer’s music for nine years, ever since she discovered the superstar while living in Pakistan. Since then, the two have had many interactions online, like when Khurram posted about Swift’s chai cookie recipe and the musician liked Khurram’s photos on social media.How Taylor Swift Helped Her Fan Continue Her EducationTaylor Swift performs on stage during day two of Capital's Jingle Bell Ball with Seat at London's O2 Arena. (Photo by Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty Images)Ten years after Khurram stared listening to her favorite artist, the star donated thousands of dollars so Khurram could continue to attend college.“My parents actually cried when I told them the Taylor news because they couldn’t believe it,” Khurram told The Star. It’s like a guardian angel is watching or something.Ayesha KhurramRELATED: Why Taylor Swift Sued A Man For $1–And What We Can Learn From ItSwift is known for her generosity: In 2020, Swift donated $13,000 to two mothers’ GoFundMe to help them pay their rent and in 2019, she sent $10,000 to a fan to help cover her medical bills. She often donates money to natural disaster relief efforts and individual fans who have reached out for help.Though we don’t all have the means to send thousands of dollars to those in need, we all can donate our time or a smile. Swift shows us the importance of compassion and support. As she says, “everything will be alright if you keep me next to you.”More Uplifting News from Goalcast:Taylor Swift Discovers Pregnant Fan Is Homeless And Shocks Her By Buying Her A HomeWhy Taylor Swift Sued A Man For $1–And What We Can Learn From ItTaylor Swift and Katy Perry Finally Buried The Hatchet After A Longstanding FeudWhy Taylor Swift’s Secret Relationship With Joe Alwyn Proves She Finally Learned Her Lessonbe supportive"Each of us has the power to inspire or depress, to lift others or to push them down." - Wilferd Peterson
When one fan's heartbreaking story struck a chord with music megastar Taylor Swift, what followed was her biggest hit to date. A struggling fan's storySocial media gives celebrities a connection with their fans never seen before.No one epitomizes fan engagement more than pop superstar Taylor Swift. Beyond her Instagram account with 179 million followers, she created the Swift Life app, which gives her "Swifties" access to exclusive photos, videos, news and more.Among Swift's fans is Stephanie. She took to Swift's app to share both her difficult life story and the star's unbelievable act.I’ve finally decided to tell you all what Taylor did for me this night - Stephanie“What many of you don’t know is that for eight months of my pregnancy I was homeless.”“Long story short our first flat was condemned for health and safety reasons and we lost everything. To add to the stress, during this time [my partner] Matthew lost his job.”Her mom's fateful meeting with a starAttending one of Swift's concerts in Manchester, Stephanie's mother had a chance meeting with the star, and told her about her daughter's plight. Swift took them both backstage and shared some heartfelt words with Stephanie.Stephanie, You’ve been in my life for a long time and you’ve never asked me for anything. You could have reached out and I would have helped you. But you didn’t. [Your] mum told me- Taylor SwiftAlong with backstage access and paying for her concert tickets, Swift went an unreal step further. To set Stephanie on the right path, Swift bought her a home along with everything her baby needed. '‘I want you to be able to enjoy your little girl, not have to worry about all this stuff."In Stephanie's post is a picture montage containing one with Swift touching her pregnant belly along with photos of her baby and their new house. Sing a positive songStephanie says that Swift's impact on her life is undeniable and everlasting. That night she gave me her hand and lifted me off the ground. The same way she’s done for 12 years. I love her forever.- StephanieTruth be told, Taylor Swift already does so much for her fans. Her music is medicine to millions of people when they need a pick-me-up. I can't imagine where I'd be without my Spotify playlists to lift my spirits and change my mindset.While you might not end up with a new home, only good things can come through listening to the right messages. More inspiring celebs:Why Zach Galifianakis Has Paid The Rent Of A Homeless Woman For YearsHere’s How Idris Elba’s Marriage Survived, Despite His Massive Anger IssuesHow Jude Law Took Accountability After Cheating On His Wife With The NannyJessica Simpson’s Relationship With John Mayer Taught Her To Be Unapologetic
A red-hot summer fling, or a highly elaborate publicity maneuver?This is the million-dollar question that puzzled the public in the summer of 2016. Tom Hiddleston and Taylor Swift’s romance was brief but powerful. It didn’t just generate run-of-the-mill gossip; it triggered widespread discourse about the nature and perception of celebrity relationships. To what extent are they real? How much are these famous people hiding? How do they balance the ferocious scrutiny with their blossoming feelings for one another? Though it’s impossible to confirm what truly occurred between the pair, Tom Hiddleston is unambiguously clear on where he stands. His campy, devilish turn as Loki in the Marvel movies transformed his career and turned him into one of the most beloved, high-profile actors in the scene. He’s charming, he’s sexy, he’s British — it’s not rocket science to figure out why his personal life draws outsized curiosity. He continues to ascend through the ranks with his thoughtful, intriguing performances on-screen, so why did his short-term relationship with Taylor put a blemish on his otherwise remarkable career?Tom says their relationship was “real” and that they “will always know what it was”The summer of 2016 was a seismic one for Taylor Swift. She’d first been the subject of a controversial song, ‘Famous,’ from her longtime nemesis Kanye West, after which she was “exposed” by Kanye’s wife Kim Kardashian for seemingly consenting to be featured in his crude track. The Taylor-Kanye-Kim fracas is a difficult one to break down and cannot be captured in a few words. All that to say — when the mainstream media leaped on the story and directed their full attention to Taylor, it was none other than Tom Hiddleston caught in the crosshairs. Taylor and Tom had met at the Met Gala a few months prior to the controversy, where they reportedly danced to Beyoncé's ‘Crazy in Love.’ By early June, Taylor and Calvin Harris were reported to have hit Splitsville. In just two weeks, photos of Taylor and Tom kissing surfaced in the UK tabloids, marking the beginning of a wild but fascinating romantic adventure. The public display of affection right out of the gates was a cause for concern among many commentators. Many assumed that Taylor needed to rehabilitate her reputation in the wake of the Kanye West blunder, especially because she was targetted as the aggressor of the whole situation. Similarly, Tom Hiddleston was accused of leveraging Taylor’s fame to break through to American audiences. The speculation was fervent and boundless, peaking at Tom Hiddleston’s wearing of the infamous I <3 T.S. tank top during the Fourth of July weekend. This confirmed to doubters that the relationship was wholly staged and that Tom and Taylor had set up this farce to drum up excitement. Tom Hiddleston denied the PR relationship claims at the time, saying, “The truth is that Taylor Swift and I are together, and we're very happy. Thanks for asking. That's the truth. It's not a publicity stunt.”By September 2016, their relationship had fizzled, and they decided to go their separate ways. Their steamy adventure ultimately did cause tons of publicity. Whether or not this was planned is the question on top of everyone’s mind. When asked about his conspicuous relationship with Taylor a year later, Tom said, “Of course, it was real.” He defended his choice to date her and said that he couldn’t expect most people to understand his predicament of finding love in the limelight. Additionally, most made up their minds upon seeing only paparazzi photos; they virtually had no context of what really transpired between the couple, and so they opted to go with the most superficial narrative. A relationship exists between two people. We will always know what it was. The narratives that are out there altogether have been extrapolated from pictures that were taken without consent or permission, with no context [...] [Taylor]’s generous and kind and lovely, and we had the best time.Tom Hiddleston on GQHe learned to be "protective of his inner world" and his relationship with Zawe AshtonTom Hiddleston also elaborated on the tank top debacle, sharing that he had slipped and hurt his back right before the notorious photo was clicked. Needing to “protect the graze from the sun,” he asked if anyone had a shirt. That’s when one of Taylor’s friends pulled out the tank top and tossed it in his direction. “And we all laughed about it. It was a joke.”Reflecting on the tank top hubbub, Tom said that he “was surprised that it got so much attention” and that he doesn’t like the fact that it became an “emblem” of his dalliance with Taylor. He said that he doesn’t try to take the theories to heart, adding that he only “know[s] the woman I met. She’s incredible.” Being hounded by paparazzi on a daily basis is a nightmare and understandably leaves you feeling jaded with the whole concept of love. At the end of the day, it’s Tom who has to live with the memories of his fleeting love affair with Taylor. If those memories continue to be tainted by disheartening conspiracy theories, it’s only going to make him more apprehensive about seeking a future partner. He said you have to go above and beyond to preserve a romantic connection amidst the spotlight. Like most other partnerships, they take work. A relationship in the limelight… A relationship always takes work. A relationship in the limelight takes work. And it’s not just the limelight. It’s everything else [...] I’m still trying to work out a way of having a personal life and protecting it, but also without hiding. Tom Hiddleston on GQTom is currently rumored to be dating actress Zawe Ashton. They acted together in 2019's London production of Betrayal and have been going strong since. They reportedly moved in together during the summer of 2020, and with Zawe stepping into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2022, they are set to be the latest Marvel sweethearts. What’s so special about this relationship is how private it’s been from the get-go. Tom Hiddleston hasn’t uttered so much as a word about this budding relationship, and we can probably guess why. (Bruce Glikas / Getty)He’s had to learn from the past to ensure that his next chance at love isn’t dampened by the press fervor. So he is ready to do whatever it takes to cherish the sweet moments with Zawe without letting the media dig their claws into his private world. Tom Hiddleston had to learn how to navigate a judgmental, cruel culture that’s consumed by belittling others and exploiting them for one’s own gain. Though he’s likely never going to recover from some aspects of his rollercoaster relationship with Taylor, at least he’s been able to lick his wounds and build a happier future with Zawe. I'm protective about my internal world now in probably a different way. That’s because I didn't realise it needed protecting before.Tom Hiddleston to The New York TimesEvery single relationship is an opportunity to learn about yourselfNot everyone you start seeing is going to end up as the person of your dreams. There’s just one slot, which means you’re likely going to encounter a number of false alarms. But you can’t perceive this trial-and-error process as a failure. Every relationship is an opportunity for you to learn something about yourself, something about your passion, your likes, your dislikes, and you take those learnings and embed them into your future interactions.
Many of us turn to specific songs and artists to help us cope after a traumatic event, like a breakup. Often, the best breakup songs to choose are those by Taylor Swift herself.So when Taylor Swift goes through a breakup, who does SHE listen to? It’s a rather meta question, we know, but we actually have the answer now, since Taylor Swift, recently shared the pop songs that get her through breakups in a new essay for Elle UK‘s music issue.RELATED: 24 Breakup Quotes that Will Help You Heal Your Wounds FasterIn the essay, Swiftshared her feelings about the power of pop music, and the songs that havespecial meaning to her, and those that have at times “have healed [her] heart.”So what does she use to soothe her post-breakup soul? "I’m convinced that 'You Learn' by Alanis Morissette, 'Put Your Records On' by Corinne Bailey Rae and 'Why' by Annie Lennox have actually healed my heart after bad breakups or let downs," Swift wrote.The singer also acknowledged the importance of including personal detailsin pop songs, even if they don’t describe something that everyone hasexperienced."I think these days, people are reaching out for connectionand comfort in the music they listen to," she wrote. "We like beingconfided in and hearing someone say, 'this is what I went through' as proof tous that we can get through our own struggles."And sometimes, music is just about what brings you back to what you see as a safe place, and a more innocent time. “I’m highly biased, but I think that the way music can transport you back to a long forgotten memory is the closest sensation we have to traveling in time. To this day, when I hear "Cowboy Take Me Away” by the Dixie Chicks, I instantly recall the feeling of being twelve years old, sitting in a little wood paneled room in my family home in Pennsylvania.Elle UK's full music issue will be available on March 7th, and you can read the rest of Swift’s essay here.