McDonald’s spent the better part of the 21st century curating its successful McCafé menu, but what kind of beans are behind the chain’s coffee drinks?
Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
Category: Entertainment
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As you’ve probably heard by now, Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette has been canceled by ABC.
The decision was made just days before Taylor’s first episode was set to premiere, meaning that the whole season had already been filmed.
And we now know that Taylor got engaged to a man named Doug Mason in what was supposed to be her season finale.
Of course, the episode was filmed over a month ago, and now members of Bachelor Nation are wondering if these two are still engaged.
Who is Doug Mason?
As we’ll never get to see Doug’s dates with Taylor, we’ll have the whole story of their relationship.
But we do know about Doug himself.
Based on promotional materials released by ABC, he’s a 28-year-old ocean lifeguard from San Diego.
And according to his bio:
“Doug can ride a unicycle. Doug wants to learn guitar so he can serenade someone. Doug’s love language is great banter.”
Sounds like a nice guy! Of course, Taylor’s kids and her commitment to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives would likely prevent her from ever moving out of Utah.
And an ocean lifeguard would likely have a hard time adjusting to life as a member of Taylor’s insular Mormon community.
That leads to our second big question:
Are Doug Mason and Taylor Frankie Paul planning a wedding?
Sadly, just a few weeks after Doug popped the question, multiple sources have confirmed that the engagement is off.
That claim seems to be corroborated by Doug’s Instagram comments on the issue:
“In light of everything that has happened, I am just sending prayers to Taylor because that was her moment and her moment was blocked,” Mason said on Friday via Instagram Stories.
“All we can do right now is just be hopeful, and I am headed off to run to watch the sunrise,” he continued, adding:
“I hope you guys have a great day, and let’s stay positive and show nothing but support for people in need.”
ABC’s decision to cancel the season was based on video that showed Taylor assaulting then-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
Even though Taylor was the aggressor in the video, Doug is not the first one to express sympathy toward her.
That’s likely because Paul has also accused Mortensen of abuse, and she’s promised that the truth will come out eventually.
“It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child,” Paul’s rep said in a statement issued Thursday.
“Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior,” the statement continued.
Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is, and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show and from their own experiences.”
We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
Taylor Frankie Paul & Doug Mason Got Engaged on ‘The Bachelorette’: Are … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
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This week, police arrested Joseph Duggar on charges of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl.
Among the first of his siblings to speak out was disgraced sex offender Josh, who showered his younger brother with support — wanted or not.
Jill and her husband, Derick Dillard, have put out their own statement.
This is a painful, complex topic for them. What are they saying?
The Dillards are responding to Joseph’s arrest
On Thursday, March 19, Jill and Derick Dillard took to their family website to release this statement (below).
‘We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother (Joseph Duggar’s) arrest,” the Dillards wrote.
“We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday,” they shared.
The Dillards revealed that they only learned about this “via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports.”
So, a friend saw reports “of Joseph’s arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020” and then texted Jill and Derick. There was no forewarning.
“We are shocked and heartbroken,” the Dillards wrote. “We strongly condemn abuse.”
As longtime observers of the Duggars are aware, Jill herself is a CSA survivor — one of the victims of her other brother, Josh.
Jill and Derick affirmed: “We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved.”
That’s pretty vague (albeit understandably so), hoping for justice without suggesting what the most just outcome might be.
However, the Dillards soon became much more specific when they spoke about the victim — the 14-year-old girl who was 9 at the time of the alleged crime.
Their thoughts are, first and foremost, with the victim
“Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime,” Jill and Derick expressed, “and her family.”
Notably, it seems that the girl’s father was involved in uncovering the crime. He reportedly confronted Joseph.
“We pray God gives her strength, comfort, and hope,” the Dillards expressed.
“And,” the statement continued, “that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.”
The criminal charges stem from a fateful Florida vacation in 2020. However, coming forward about abuse sometimes forces victims to confront the reality of what has been done to them.
“We love our sister-in-law, Kendra, and our four nieces and nephews,” Jill and Derick emphasized.
Joseph was already a father of two in 2020.
“And,” the Dillards wrote, they “pray that they feel loved and supported during this time.”
They added: “As we cannot imagine the indescribable pain they feel as they process and grieve everything.”
Jill and Derick concluded by citing biblical verses: one about justice from Isaiah, and another about victims from Psalms.
Unfortunately, misdirected rage has targeted Jill and her sisters
Even under a post memorializing their stillborn daughter, trolls mocked Jill and Derick — asking if she is “proud” of her family.
There is a time and a place. And Jill has simply never been the right target for this kind of vitriol.
Some of her siblings do need to think long and hard about who they support.
Unquestionably, the extreme beliefs that the Duggars espouse make their community a perfect hunting ground for men who want to prey upon women and girls. Josh and now Joseph seem to be evidence of this.
But Jill has spoken against Josh repeatedly. She has challenged her family, and faced backlash for it. She’s not rallying to Joseph’s defense now — and as a CSA survivor herself, she should not be a target for harassment.
Jill Duggar Responds to Joseph Duggar Molestation Arrest, Learned About It When a Friend … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
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While recipes may vary by region and family, these are some traditional Easter foods enjoyed around the world, including breads, cakes, and bread puddings.
Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
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It’s been a rough week for MomTok.
(And for The Secret Wives of Mormon Wives. And for The Bachelorette.)
SWOMW star Mikayla Matthews is delivering a pretty serious health update.
Her chronic illness has been absolutely devastating.
How does she cope with being a working mom?
Mikayla took to her Instagram Story to answer questions, sharing a serious health update in the process.
One follower asked how she deals with everyday stress from being a working mom and raising her kids.
She began her reply simply: “I don’t.”
Mikayla explained: “I’m genuinely just barely surviving.”
She admitted: “There’s no one piece of advice that will apply to anyone, EXCEPT take time for yourself.”
Mikayla elaborated upon her advise, writing: “Don’t forget your hobbies or what you like to do for YOU.”
She confessed: “The mom guilt has eaten me alive.” Oh no!
“Chronic illness is all-consuming,” Mikayla lamented. “And I haven’t been able to show up as the mom I want to be for the last couple [of] years.”
She has made references to chronic illness in the past, but avoided getting specific.
“I just want to feel like myself again,” Mikayla expressed. She then praised mothers in general as her “hero.” So sweet!
What is CIRS?
In another post, Mikayla explained that her chronic illness is Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).
“I’ll be sharing more soon about my journey with mold illness, moving out of my house,” she listed.
“And,” Mikayla continued, “the postpartum guilt I struggled with while going through such a massive health flare filming that wasn’t included in the show.”
She also wrote about how CIRS “has ruined just everything in my body. Nerves, skin, hair, brain, gut, liver, hormones, etc.”
Mikayla cited how she has turned down numerous opportunities because of this health battle — especially her skin.
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome is a wide-ranging immune response.
Essentially, prolonged exposure — usually to mold or to another fungus, such as one would get in a building with extensive water damage — causes your immune system to flare up.
This sounds somewhat similar to what Tori Spelling and her family endured in early 2023.
You may remember that the Spellings fled their rental home due to a serious mold problem, and subsequently underwent health scans to assess the long-term damage.
One of the most dangerous effects can be inflammation of the brain. But, ultimately, CIRS can impact many organs, and the effects can linger long after the exposure ends.
‘Life doesn’t have to stop’
“I want you guys that are in similar situations to feel seen,” Mikayla told her fans and followers.
“And,” she continued, she wants them to “know that life doesn’t have to stop when s–tty things are happening to you.”
She’s right!
We wish her, and anyone battling similar symptoms (whether they are aware of the illness or not), the very best.
And Mikayla sharing her story is a great reminder that there’s much more to SLOMW than the explosive, upsetting drama.
Mikayla Matthews Reveals Health Battle, Chronic Illness was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
Curious what this former president likes to sip on during his downtime? Hint: It’s a refreshing drink that got its start in the U.K. and goes down super easy.
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Less than 24 hours after ABC pulled the plug on Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette, the embattled reality star is facing yet another allegation.
Taylor’s season was pulled after video of her assaulting then-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen went viral.
Now, Mortensen has filed a restraining order against Taylor, alleging that she was physically abusive toward him on two separate incidents last month.
According to court documents, Dakota filed the protective order petition in Utah on March 19.
TMZ reports that the two incidents Mortensen refers to in his petition took place on February 23 and 24.
The first fight allegedly broke out while Dakota was visiting Taylor and their 2-year-old son at her home.
Dakota claims that Taylor choked him, shoved him into a window, and struck him at least once.
He adds that Taylor’s “emotionally volatile” actions woke up their son and that she was threatening to harm herself.
Mortensen says he called 911 for help, but that Taylor “pressured and manipulated” him into falsely telling the dispatcher that their son was sick and ending the call.
He claims that Taylor’s “aggressive behavior” continued from there, so he took the child home for his safety.
Elsewhere in his filing, he claims that the aggression continued the following night when Taylor threw his phone at a wall and tried to physically prevent him from leaving her house.
Mortensen says he’s seeking legal protection for both himself and the former couple’s young son.
The filing comes as authorities continue to investigate allegations made by both parties about previous domestic violence incidents.
Police have confirmed that the case remains open and that claims have been made “in both directions.”
Mortensen’s decision to pursue a restraining order signals escalating concern about safety — particularly when it comes to their child.
Both sides have pushed back against the narrative surrounding the situation. Mortensen’s representatives say his priority is protecting his child and maintaining stability.
Meanwhile, Paul has alleged that she experienced abuse within the relationship and has emphasized that she is focused on her children and moving forward.
At this point, the restraining order request is just one part of an ongoing legal process.
A hearing is expected in the coming weeks, where a judge will determine whether the order will be granted and what conditions may be imposed.
For now, the situation remains unresolved — and deeply serious.
We’ll have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
Dakota Mortensen Claims Taylor Frankie Paul Attacked Him Again Last Month, Files For … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
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Earlier this week, we revealed that legendary actor Chuck Norris was hospitalized.
At the time, the only explanation was a “medical incident.” He was said to be in good spirits.
Now, his family has delivered a grim update.
Norris has passed away at the age of 86.
Chuck Norris has died
On Friday, March 20, Norris’ Instagram account delivered a lengthy update about this loss.
“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” the caption began.
This means that he passed away early on Thursday, March 19 — at a time when all reports believed him to be alive in the hospital.
“While we would like to keep the circumstances private,” the family asked.
The statement assured: “Please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”
The statement went on “To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength.”
Norris’ family clarified: “To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family.”
In the caption, the statement praised: “He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved.”
The Norris family added: “Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.”
Continuing, the statement expressed: “While our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him.”
His family is including fans in their grief
“The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him,” the statement gushed.
“And,” the Norris caption affirmed, “our family is truly thankful for it.”
They assured followers: “To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends.”
Celebrity deaths are sometimes instances where family closes ranks, highlighting the differences between the parasocial bond that fans imagine and their own raw grief.
Clearly, the Norris family has gone in the other direction — including fans in mourning the actor.
The statement continued: “We know many of you had heard about his recent hospitalization.”
We here at THG reported on that earlier in the week. At the time, it did not sound dire.
“And,” the Norris family expressed, “we are truly grateful for the prayers and support you sent his way.”
They made a request: “As we grieve this loss, we kindly ask for privacy for our family during this time.”
In conclusion, they wrote: “Thank you for loving him with us. With love, The Norris Family.”
This is a tremendous loss
At present, we do not know Norris’ cause of death — except that it presumably stemmed from the undisclosed “medical event” that hospitalized him.
He is survived by Gena O’Kelley, his second wife. The two married in 1998.
Norris had two sons, Eric and Mike, three daughters, Dakota, Danilee, and Dina. He also boasted numerous grandchildren.
On top of that, he had millions of fans over his decades-spanning career, whether of his films or of Walker, Texas Ranger or simply of the early-2000s memes.
The world is a different place without him.
Chuck Norris Cause of Death: Legendary Actor Dies at 86 was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
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This pizza chain used to be an industry titan, but these days, many customers have moved on. Can ’80s nostalgia save this once-beloved brand?
Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
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A few years ago, Justin Bieber didn’t perform with Usher for the latter’s Super Bowl Halftime show.
At the time, there was no apparent beef. Clearly, that has changed.
At a recent A-list gathering, the two singers reportedly exploded at each other.
Who started it? Did it really turn into a brawl?
What the heck happened?
TMZ and other tabloids report that Usher and Justin got into a nasty confrontation.
After the Oscars on Sunday, March 15, the two were among many other high-profile figures attending an after-party that Beyonce and Jay-Z hosted.
Sources close to Justin claimed that Usher confronted the younger singer with both “energy and anger” at the party.
As a result, these same Bieber-aligned insiders dished, the two had a “heated exchange.”
Team Justin says that there was no physical contact, despite the emotionally and verbally charged intensity.
We should acknowledge that not everyone is in agreement.
At least some of those who spoke to TMZ reported that Justin and Usher ended up in some sort of “fist fight.”
Fortunately, it’s possible that this was simply the rumor that spread at the party.
Yes, A-list celebrities can spread misinformation as easily as the rest of us. (Even more easily — as some studies have found a link between fame and becoming more gullible, which could honestly explain a lot.)
Meanwhile, TMZ did not hear back from Usher, despite their best attempts to get his camp’s side of the story.
What’s the beef?
TMZ was told, in apparently the vaguest of terms, that Justin’s been trying to “erase everyone in his past.”
One of the sources dished that the Biebs has “always been rude to Usher.”
None of that explains what this particular confrontation was about.
Usher could probably explain it best … if he were in the mood to offer up an explanation. He doesn’t seem to be.
Meanwhile, the last time that the public saw these two together was in 2022, when they hung out at Coeur d’Alene Lake in Idaho.
What many people may remember is that Usher was Justin’s mentor, initially, when the latter jettisoned to mega-fame as a teenage singer.
Clearly, things have changed dramatically in the nearly two decades since.
In 2022, Usher performed at the Super Bowl.
Reports at the time shared that Justin was invited to perform with him, but declined.
Justin allegedly “wasn’t feeling it.” It’s unclear whether this is related in any way to their current disagreements.
Is this Justin’s fault?
For the past couple of years, fans have grown alarmingly concerned about Justin Bieber’s behavior.
The Biebhavioral outbursts (is this anything?) have taken place in public — so it’s not purely fueled upon unproven reports about his private life.
He was fully posting what appeared to be meltdowns, if not cries for help.
However, thus far, we haven’t heard any accounts that describe Justin as the instigator. It sounds like he was minding his own business when Usher approached and confronted him.
Maybe Usher had a good reason for making a scene. But, if he did, why isn’t he sharing it?
Justin Bieber & Usher CLASHED at A-List Oscars Party: Was It A Physical Fight? was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
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