Month: February 2026

It’s not in your head: Bloody Marys do taste different on planes, according to research. It has to do with how flights affect your taste buds.

​Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews

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This is not a positive health update.

In January, Bethenny Frankel revealed her diagnosis to fans.

She explained that she had undergone a screening, and caught her illness at Stage 2.

Unfortunately, her doctors have now informed her that it had progressed further than she had realized.

Her chronic kidney disease is in Stage 3A

In January, Bethenny shared that her newly diagnosed chronic kidney disease was at Stage 2.

That announcement came mere hours after doctors told her the news.

It was only natural that there would be an update.

Unfortunately, it was not good news.

“Just left the kidney doctor,” Bethenny shared on Instagram. “He said that I actually have stage 3A chronic kidney disease,  which is right in the middle.”

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A post shared by Bethenny Frankel (@bethennyfrankel)

According to Bethenny, she learned from her doctors that she is still “not quite at the medication point” for her disease.

However, she did receive a good piece of advice: “Water is your best medicine.”

Fans have raised concerns about her supplement use. Apparently, so have her doctors.

“It’s not really a one-size-fits-all model,” Bethenny said of what her doctors counseled in terms of supplements.

While Bethenny may need to dial down certain supplements (like turmeric, which is great for some things but not if you have vulnerable kidneys), she says that people should speak to their own doctors regarding supplements.

‘I’m always dehydrated’

Bethenny told her fans that she will remain under the care of a kidney doctor to avoid other unfortunate updates like this one.

“It’s important to get these tests and stay with this stuff because you could find other things,” she reasoned.

“I’m not going to be quite alarmed yet,” Bethenny expressed.

She affirmed that she is committed to drinking more water. (Everybody has their own hangups and hacks for drinking water — you just need to find the one that works for you.)

“[My doctor] said water is the most important thing,” Bethenny added. “So that gives me anxiety because I’m always dehydrated.”

“So right now, this is a step in the wrong direction,” Bethenny characterized of her updated diagnosis.

“I have a little bit of a little bit anxiety,” she expressed.

“And I’m sick to my stomach,” Bethenny acknowledged. “But I’m just remaining calm.”

Not panicking is a good strategy.

Panic can be almost as harmful as brushing it off.

How can she stay hydrated?

Hydration strategies begin with knowing how you like your water and having access to it.

Bottled water can be the key, especially for someone who wants their drink to be in that shape and who may want it tepid rather than chilled. Otherwise, having a hefty bottle of filtered water is a great option.

The thing is that you don’t have to pretend to enjoy water. It’s not fun to drink.

You do, however, have to drink it.

Setting a timer for yourself to periodically chug a 16 oz bottle of water might not be fun, but it’s a lot more fun than kidney disease. Especially in the later stages.

Bethenny Frankel Health Update Reveals Illness Is in Stage 3: I’m Sick to My … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

​The Hollywood Gossip

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We have tragic news to report from the world of reality television.

Maxi Shield, one of the most beloved contestants to appear on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, has passed away.

She was just 51 years old.

News of Maxi’s death comes courtesy of an Instagram post from her longtime friend Vanity.

“It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our dearest sister, Maxine, has passed away,” Vanity captioned a photo of herself and her late friend.

“We are all mourning the loss of an incredible icon, friend, and our beloved sister. Thank you for the laughs, the cackles, and the magic you brought into our lives,” she continued, adding:

“I will cherish every second of our 30 year friendship and I’m so grateful that I was apart of your chosen family.
You will be forever loved and deeply missed. I love you old girl.”

“Our girl. It’s gonna not be the same without her giggles in it. I’m so heartbroken,” Hannah Conda.

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A post shared by wigsbyvanity.com (@wigsbyvanity)

“This is so heartbreaking! Sending so much love, the performer who goes by Boa the Drag Queen echoed.

“Oh my gosh…this is devastating. Stayed next door to her at DragCon one year and she was such a kind soul… i’m so sorry for your loss,” Abigail Beverly Hillz commented.

Though no official cause of death has been revealed, Entertainment Weekly reports that Maxi had been battling cancer.

In addition to her work on reality TV, Maxi was an actor, activist, and beloved nightclub performer.

Universal Sydney was one of the venues where she performed most frequently, and its owner, Dillon Shaw, paid tribute to Maxi in a social media post:

“Maxi was a big personality with a heart of gold. I’m heartbroken that the world won’t get to see this legend light up a stage again, and that I won’t get to share another giggle over lunch with my friend,” Shaw wrote.

“Her love, her humour, and her impact live on through the incredible Sydney talent she directly influenced, and through the scene she helped shape with such passion,” he contued, adding:

“She was a force. She was brilliant. And I will miss my friend dearly.”

Our thoughts are with Maxi Shield’s friends and family during this incredibly difficult time.

We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.

Maxi Shield Cause of Death: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Star Was 51 was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

​The Hollywood Gossip