Six-time Grammy award winning recording artist and Golden Globe owner Lady Gaga is perpetually a hot topic, as is her ever-evolving sense of style (as you're probably well aware). As the naysayers shake their heads, the Little Monsters blissfully look the other way. Such behavior and strong opinions have divided pop stars' fan bases for years, of course, but when it comes to Lady Gaga, things tend to get really heated, really fast. But why? The unsolvable puzzle leads us to the latest bout of unethical treatment of Mother Monster: being overlooked by the Met Gala. Let's break it down.

The Met Gala, also known as fashion's biggest night of the year, is approaching fast. It's on Monday, in fact, which means that Lady Gaga's rightful invitation to co-chair the event is very late. This year's spectacle honors Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo and her work for Comme des Garçons in an exhibition called "Art of the In-Between". In addition to Katy Perry and Pharrell — who sort of get passes on this one — it's co-chaired by Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady, a supermodel and a football player.

Now, don't get me wrong, j'adore that couple (as does Vogue), but name the last time you saw either of Bündchen or Brady on the street in a Kawakubo design? I'll wait — and editorials don't count, so don't even think about it. By contrast, you might spot Lady Gaga donning one of the elusive designer's creations on any given day, be it on the streets of New York, Paris, or London. Lady Gaga and fashion — especially high-end couture designs — are synonymous with each other. Hell, call her Reidy Gagakubo — the gal knows her stuff. And we've got plenty of proof for you, ahead.

Since the very start of her career, Gaga's fashion accolades have been nothing short of epic; take, for example, that time she was awarded the CFDA's coveted Fashion Icon award in 2011. "All of you made me feel like a star before I was," she told the audience of designers, editors, photographers, and stylists who'd come to celebrate each other, and her. Gaga's talents on the stage have led her to the runway, too: in 2016, she walked the Marc Jacobs catwalk at New York's gargantuan Park Avenue Armory. And with a line of covetable, high-fashion merch, the list continues to grow.

So, where is her Met Gala co-chair title, then? Where is this magical, rhinestoned chair that, by virtue of supporting Kawakubo for years, Lady Gaga has rightfully earned? Since it won't be a title she nabs for this exhibition (nor did she get to do the honors at the retrospective on the late Alexander McQueen) then when will it be? And for which designer — living or dead? Of course, we're delighted to see what looks this year's hosts have in store for Monday's red carpet bonanza, but something about the whole thing just doesn't feel...complete without her at the helm.

Gaga's lack of a proper title at this year's event better be due to scheduling conflicts or something. Otherwise, someone by the name of Anna Wintour is about to get a handwritten letter from yours truly (just kidding). But hey, at least we know that Mother Monster's turn on the red carpet will be really, really good. Could we expect anything less? It's Lady Gaga, after all.

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It's sort of hard not to be jealous of the beauty that is Khoudia Diop (aka @melaniin.goddess). She's got this rich, deep skin tone that only further enhances her Colgate commercial-worthy smile. And her flawless skin serves as the perfect canvas for any makeup look imaginable — like, gold lipstick and silver eyeshadow.

Even better, she's making strides for her fellow melanin goddesses all over the world with her passionate Instagram posts and interviews. Just this week, Diop, who's repped by The Colored Girl creative agency, appears in a stunning new ad campaign for Make Up For Ever called #BlendInStandOut, which features Diop alongside other influencers who answer the question, “What do you stand for?”

Diop's is bullying — and it hits especially close to home. "People have made comments, calling me names like 'midnight' or 'mother of stars,'" she told R29. "At first I confronted the bullies, but eventually I learned to tune out the negativity and just love myself more." But she still wants to see major change in the modeling industry. "[It's] made some progress, but there's definitely room for improvement," she says. "I want it to openly accept more women of color into its rank, and give them as much shine as other women."

That's why The Colored Girl partnered with Make Up For Ever, a brand that promotes inclusivity and carries a wide range of foundations that truly match every skin tone. Diop told Essence that she uses the brand's Ultra HD Invisible Cover Liquid Foundation in R540.

Even though finding a shade match is a gratifying feeling, Diop has grown to feel beautiful in her skin, even without foundation. If she had to advise her younger self, she'd "tell her to be more patient, and spend less energy on bullies," she told Essence. "Although it is very hard, keep in mind that they just want to glow like you!"

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Famous In Love isn’t like a regular show. It’s a cool show. Unlike all those series for Olds, the entire premiere season of the Freeform series is available to binge on its website. That means we’ve seen all of Paige Townsen’s Hollywood transformation from college student unknown to the kind of superstar who casually enjoys private jets.

Over the course of Famous In Love ’s 10 episodes, I couldn’t stop noticing the similarities between Paige and her real-life portrayer, Bella Thorne. In the series, Paige goes to a sprawling casting call for upcoming blockbuster Locked and actually gets the part. Season 1 follows the young woman’s journey towards accepting her new billboard-ready persona.

Although Bella is a Hollywood veteran who started acting at the age of six and co-led a Disney Channel show by 13, she still has tons in common with her silver screen newbie character. Don’t believe us? Take a look at the gallery to see all the moments Paige and Bella are essentially the same person. You’ll never look at Famous In Love the same way again.

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After Heath Ledger's tragic death in 2008, fans were quick to speculate about his accidental drug overdose. Ledger died just months after filming The Dark Knight — and there have been rumors that his role as The Joker had a part in Ledger's passing.

But during the Tribeca Film Festival, where the documentary I Am Heath Ledger is being screened, the late actor's sister put the gossip to rest.

"Everything that came to light about the Joker, we were all so confused," Kate Ledger told Jess Cagle, editorial director of People and Entertainment Weekly, at the festival. She and her sister Ashleigh Bell also said the idea that her brother was depressed by the role was "so not true."

"Honestly, it was the absolute opposite," Kate Ledger told Cagle. "He had an amazing sense of humor, and I guess maybe only his close family and friends really knew that, but he was having fun. He wasn't depressed about the Joker."

Matt Amato, an executive producer on the documentary and a friend of Ledger's, supported Kate Ledger's statements. "I hope it's an antidote to a lot of the gossip that exists in the world. And there's some really terrible things about Heath out there," Amato told Cagle of the documentary. "I think everyone's life should be celebrated. Your life, your life, my life, everybody's life, should be celebrated. Heath is a celebrity and in the public eye, and I felt like some corrections needed to be made. But in terms of a film as a tribute, I think everybody deserves that. And I know Heath definitely felt that way about people."

The documentary will air in theaters through Fathom Events on May 3, and on Spike TV on May 17. Check out the I Am Heath Ledger trailer below.

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It’s 2017, and yet women are still fighting for equality. Data suggests it will take until 2152 to close the gender wage gap, but it shouldn’t take a century to get what we want. We want more , and Refinery29 is here to help — because 135 years is too long to wait for what we deserve today.

Growing up, I attended a boarding school that wasn’t particularly diverse. One day after class, a fellow student — a white male — approached me and said, “You’re Black, you’re a woman, and you come from the South Bronx. Isn’t that like having three strikes against you?”

My response: “If those are three strikes, technically, I would be out. If that is the case, why am I top of my class, captain of the cross-country team, and out-performing most people here? I wouldn’t consider those strikes.” It stunned me that my fellow classmate assumed that the very nature of who I was — a Black woman from the South Bronx — meant that I was already out of the game, even before I had a chance to come up to bat.

This experience shaped my belief in the power of words. If unchecked, negative and hurtful words can reinforce stereotypes and influence our identity — and our success — in the classroom, in the workforce, and in life.

Gender bias continues to confront girls and women — and even more so women of color — in all facets of society, as this Harvard study and many others have confirmed. Society echoes very specific ideas and stereotypes about what it means to be Black, low-income, and a woman. My peer viewed these attributes as liabilities. But growing up, it never crossed my mind to view my gender, the color of my skin, or my zip code as a weakness or roadblock to achievement.

You’re Black, you’re a woman, and you come from the South Bronx. Isn’t that like having three strikes against you?

In fact, it was quite the opposite. I grew up in a home where my mother and grandmother gave me clear affirmation of who I was and the level of excellence that was required of me, not only as a woman but as a Black woman. I always saw these characteristics as some of my greatest strengths, but many people do not see the world as I do. And all too often, the traditionally disenfranchised members of society are the targets of hurtful, highly charged words and characterizations that erode confidence and undermine opportunity.

At United Way of New York City, we know the impact words have on a person’s life — for better or worse — which is why we are committed to ensuring low-income children receive access to the tools and supports they need to reach their full potential through our ReadNYC program. We know that by age 3, children living in economically challenged neighborhoods are exposed to 30 million fewer words than their affluent peers, which sets them back academically and makes the road ahead that much more challenging. It is up to us to help close that gap and ensure the millions of words these children hear are positive, inspirational, and aspirational.

By age 3, children living in economically challenged neighborhoods are exposed to 30 million fewer words than their affluent peers.

To this end, our leaders, parents, and educators have critical roles to play in lifting up our girls, young women, and minorities with the words they speak, the actions they take, and the behavior they model.

Our leaders — civic, business, academic, community, and faith — have a moral and civic responsibility to create a discourse that promotes equality, respect, and compassion toward women and individuals of all walks of life. Their tone sets the standard of what we as society deem acceptable, thus strongly influencing the next generation.

In the classroom, educators and instructional leaders must build an equity mindset, which is a fundamental belief and understanding that every child can be successful. Many low-income children walk into classrooms where there is an inherent bias against them, suggesting they can’t learn. A study released by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that girls are also negatively impacted by biases, and that gender stereotypes negatively affect girls’ math grades and positively affect boys’ grades.

At home, we must ensure our sons understand and respect the strength, power, and abilities of women. I have three boys. They have a strong mother and are surrounded by strong women in their family. Despite this, I found my sons believed they were stronger — because of what society is telling them about men versus women. As fathers and mothers, we have a responsibility to convey an unwavering message that women and girls are equal in ability, skill, and strength. To do what is right by our daughters and future generations of women, we need to raise our sons to see the infinite potential in everyone, women no different than men.

We can never underestimate the power of words. While they can break down barriers, uplift, and inspire, they also have the ability to demean and marginalize. The values we instill and the words we choose have a lasting impact on the next generation. Imagine if, as a society, we took an approach that empowered, respected, and celebrated women — including women of color and women from low-income neighborhoods.

In that vision, everyone would have a turn at bat. Everyone would experience a more level playing field, and would hear words of encouragement coming from the crowd.

Sheena Wright is president and CEO of United Way of New York City.

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In Hollywood, there are some iconic friendships. There's the group of models and tastemakers former known as Taylor Swift 's Girl Squad, and then there are longtime besties like Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps. And then there are newer friendships, which are just as beautiful and pure as even the oldest of duos.

As they say: Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold. In this case, the "gold" would be referring to the color of the Oscars that each of these three young actresses possess (for Best Actress, no less!). Yes — we're about to get into just how cute Brie Larson, Emma Stone, and Jennifer Lawrence are, in Larson's own words.

In her cover story interview for Vanity Fair, The Room actress opens up about the challenges of working and living in Hollywood, and what keeps her sane. Specifically, how Lawrence and Stone have been there for her during her most difficult times.

"I felt lonely and bad sometimes. I was embarrassed to keep talking about myself," the 27-year-old told the magazine. And then, as if reading her mind, her two besties-to-be were there for her, lending support and compassion. "Emma wrote this beautiful e-mail out of nowhere, and then one day Jen sent me a text message after she saw Room, and we started talking." From there, Larson said she also began to bond with a few other powerful and outgoing women, like Lena Dunham and Amy Schumer.

“That [group of friends] saved my life,” Larson said. “I was able to talk with them about everything that was going on in my life, and it was with people who had been through it before and are also hilarious. That support and acceptance was everything. I was home-schooled, so I didn’t have friends that had the same interests as me, and I found it to be absolutely incredible."

Great actress, but even better friends.

Brie Larson congratulates best actress winner Emma Stone backstage at the #oscars

A post shared by The Academy (@theacademy) on Feb 26, 2017 at 9:06pm PST

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The sure-fire way to make one of your products go viral in 2017? Figure out a way incorporate design elements that could best be described as "unicorn" or "mermaid"-esque. It worked for Frappuccinos, prom, home décor — and, now, it appears to be working in the luxury space, according to Allure.

Stylist Samantha McMillen shared a Boomerang of what appeared to be a Christian Louboutin sample from the fall '17 collection, which featured what she dubbed "unicorn skin" — a sparkly, color-changing outer layer. At first, the high-heeled boot appears coated in golden sequins — save for the brand's signature red sole, of course. But when you run your hand over it, as McMillen demonstrated, a festive, multicolored pattern is revealed.

I'm calling this "Unicorn skin." Fancy new sequined boots @louboutinworld of course. #unicornskin #ChristianLouboutin #fw17 #sequinedboots

A post shared by Samantha McMillen (@samanthamcmillen_stylist) on Apr 24, 2017 at 2:06pm PDT

To watch the clip on loop is equal parts soothing and magical. So, unsurprisingly, McMillen's Instagram is making its way across various fashion-centric circles of the Internet, to the tune of collective ooh 's, aaah 's, and rainbow emojis.

The sequined "unicorn skin" boots are actually called the "Moulamax," and are expected to hit retail this summer, priced at $945 a pair. Maybe we'll see them on the red carpet before then, though: McMillen works with Dakota and Elle Fanning, Evan Rachel Wood, Amber Heard, among many others — so we wouldn't be surprised if we got a glimpse at the embellished, color-changing toe from underneath one of her client's gowns. And given the commercial success of other unicorn-themed items across categories, we wouldn't be so shocked if this boot is a sell-out hit.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misreported the expected launch date of this shoe. It has since been amended.

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As a society, we love calling out celebs for their seemingly outrageous behavior. And if that performer happens to be a woman? Well, then she often gets labeled a “diva,” too. But here’s the thing: After combing through celebrity riders allegedly leaked online over the past few years, we found the list of demands for beauty products to be pretty darn reasonable. Purell and fresh towels to use after a sweat-inducing performance? Who wouldn’t want that?

For those that don't know, riders are pre-arranged requests necessary for the artist to perform, often featuring food, beauty products, and the like. In the documents uncovered, there are a few celebs who get pretty specific about their beauty needs when on the road. Of the bunch, one of the most specific was — surprise! — Kanye West. But that's not all: The army of players that count hairspray among their must haves? No it’s not Katy Perry and crew — it’s the next wave of highly hair conscious boy banders. Meanwhile, the KatyCat is just looking for a humble box of baby wipes. Seriously. Of course, these are all alleged, but they don't seem too far off.

Ahead, see which stars can’t leave home without certain beauty swag — unless it’s included in their riders.

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Update: The Illinois House of Representatives passed HB40 Tuesday, despite the governor's promised to veto the bill.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner may identify himself as a pro-choice Republican, but his decision to veto a a new abortion bill is creating anger among reproductive rights supporters.

This story was originally published on April 18, 2017.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports the governor plans to veto a House bill that would remove the state's "trigger provision." Illinois is one of only four states with a law saying that if Roe v. Wade is ever overturned, abortion would automatically become illegal in the state. The Abortion Law of 1975 reads, "if those decisions of the United States Supreme Court are ever reversed or modified or the United States Constitution is amended to allow protection of the unborn then the former policy of this State to prohibit abortions unless necessary for the preservation of the mother’s life shall be reinstated."

The HB40 bill, sponsored by State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, would take out that provision. Eliminating the trigger would protect women's right to an abortion in the state, even in the case that Roe v. Wade is reversed.

The bill would also allow abortion coverage for people with Medicaid and health insurance provided to state employees. (Illinois already pays for abortions in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother's life.) Feigenholtz argued that not paying for the abortions of poor women is "discriminatory."

According to the Sun-Times, she planned on calling the bill for a vote on April 25, the same day the “Illinois Women March on Springfield” is planned in the capital. But a spokesperson for Rauner, who is up for re-election in 2018, said on Friday the governor won't support the bill if it reaches his desk. Politico reports that around 20 Republicans told Rauner to veto the bill if he wants their support in his re-election bid.

"Gov. Rauner is committed to protecting women’s reproductive rights under current Illinois law. However, recognizing the sharp divisions of opinion of taxpayer funding of abortion, he does not support HB40," spokeswoman Eleni Demertzis said in a statement to the Sun-Times.

Lorie Chaiten, the Reproductive Rights Project Director for the ACLU of Illinois, said the organization was dissatisfied with Rauner's decision.

"We are disappointed and dismayed that Governor Rauner has turned his back on the healthcare needs of women in Illinois by announcing his opposition to House Bill 40. This measure – which had strong support in the House of Representatives – is a critical opportunity to support the women of Illinois and fight back against reckless threats emanating from Washington, DC," she said in a statement provided to Refinery29. "Illinois women need a governor who will be bold and brave and stand up to the politicians in DC who think they should be able to make healthcare decisions for a woman — without knowing anything about her life.

She added, "The governor can expect to hear from Illinois women who wanted Illinois officials to take action and to speak out forcefully for equality and justice. Now is not the time for the governor to stand in the background. He should stand with women and to secure essential rights that will protect lives and health."

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We don't follow trends because we have to — we follow trends because we like to. There's always something exciting about seeing what new colors, patterns, and silhouettes start to pop up season to season, from the runway to our favorite brand-name stores.

But at the end of the day, it's the basic pieces in our wardrobes that get the most attention — that perfect white T-shirt, comfortable black booties, and go-to blazer. These are the buys that don't change so much with each season. They're reliable, versatile, and timeless — and yet, they're not always the easiest to shop for. You've probably bought six white T-shirts before you found the one you buy every few months.

One of the simplest ways to cut back on some of those, let's be honest, less stellar buys is to get a recc from a friend. So we asked R29ers for the best basics that have never let them down, and won't let you down either. The search ends now.

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Liquid courage isn't just good for moments you want to dance on tables or run around without any pants on (and if that's your style, please consider this your personal invitation to all of our future parties... Chrissy Teigen). In fact, a shot of Whiskey might just be the push you need to finally try that hairstyle, lipstick, or dye job you'd never usually consider. And celebrities and their glam squads can relate.

For beauty pros with plenty of experience under their belts, they could do the job with their eyes closed. Thats why, "every once in a while, it's okay to take your hair down and have a glass of rosé with a client — that's the nature of the business," says Sir John, the genius makeup artist behind Beyoncé and Joan Smalls' looks. "It’s also helpful to surround yourself with people who have that same carefree attitude."

Ahead, we've rounded up our favorite celebrity beauty looks that were influenced... by someone maybe a little under the influence.

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Raise your hand if you love Snapchat.

If you're raising your hand, then you are actually not that special (sorry). There are at least 100 million daily Snapchatters — and that number is growing. As of February 2015, more than 60% of 13-to-34-year-olds had the app downloaded on their phone, according to a U.S. Census study on Snapchat's site. Whoa.

Why do we like it so much?

It's quick to use and has fun filters. It is a lot more real than Instagram, a lot less argumentative than Twitter, and a lot more hip than Facebook. Now that Snapchat has even infiltrated the White House, it's safe to say the app is in it for the long haul.

In addition to the political powers in D.C., dozens of celebrities are jumping on the Snapchat bandwagon, eager to share glimpses of their behind-the-scenes life with their fans.

Everyone from models to actresses (to model/actresses, to model/DJs, you get the idea) are daily users (DJ Khaled and Kylie Jenner just might be addicted) and now, some are even using the platform to premiere and share original content.

So open up the app and start adding these celebs. They'll make it worth your while.

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At first glance, the script for War Dogs probably read like an outlandish action comedy.

How could a couple of stoner dudes from Miami secure a $300 million contract to supply arms to the U.S. government? How could the Pentagon supply tens of millions of shoddy weapons to Afghani troops fighting Al Qaeda and the Taliban? How could the U.S. government be tricked into purchasing decomposing, 40-year-old munitions that were culled from a Communist surplus stockpile or manufactured cheaply in China — from a supplier run by the likes of a 22-year-old masseur?

To get the too-crazy-to-be-true story in full detail, you'll have to read Rolling Stone 's throughly reported account, or the resulting book , Arms and the Dudes. But if a funny, fictionalized version of the events suits you, then War Dog s will do just fine. Jonah Hill and Miles Teller star as the unexpected arms dealers in the movie, which is helmed by Todd Phillips, director of The Hangover. Bradley Cooper also co-stars as a ridiculously shady character who helps them pull it off. (Today, the three principal players in the scheme are embroiled in a lawsuit — not with the government, ironically, but with each other, over who pocketed that $300 million payday.)

War Dogs is a perfect example of truth being stranger than fiction, but it's not the first film of its kind. Here are seven more movies you won't believe are based on true stories.

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If you thought we'd stop the ultimate list of fictional boyfriends with just the good fellas, you thought wrong. We've got a serious case of the hypotheticals, and this week, we're in a bad boy phase. So, because nothing feels more right than a little wrong, we've rounded up the baddest and roughest guys in film that we wish were real.

From tight white t-shirts to sinister smiles, to those boys who aren't ashamed to shed a few tears in a leather jacket and rock a perfect coif, they're the ones you'd never, ever bring home to Mom — if only because you're too busy sneaking out the window once she's gone to bed.

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Former Olympian Carly Patterson is expecting her first child with husband Mark Caldwell — but it hasn't been an easy journey for the gymnast. Patterson, who announced her pregnancy last week, revealed to People that for over two years, she and her husband struggled to conceive.

After a year of trying without getting pregnant, she told People, she and Caldwell were able to conceive after a round of infertility treatments.

“We were pregnant. I was like, ‘Well, that was easy,’ ” she shares. “But then we went in for our sonogram and realized we’d had a miscarriage. That was really difficult, and I ended up having to have a couple [dilation and curretage surgeries] after that.”

You will forever be my always♥️ pic.twitter.com/od86cripYO

— Carly Patterson (@CarlyPatterson) April 13, 2017

Months later, she was healthy enough to try again, this time with intrauterine insemination (IUI), in which sperm is placed in the uterus. But in between treatments, Patterson was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an endocrine system disorder that comes with symptoms such as irregular periods and even infertility. The condition caused cysts to grow on Patterson's ovaries, causing the first two IUI attempts to be unsuccessful.

The emotionally taxing process, Patterson told People, was made all the more difficult by watching the couple's friends become pregnant.

"We started trying right around when our friends starting trying," she told People. "So we watched all of them get pregnant, no problem. Then we watched their kids be born. Now we’ve watched their kids turn 1, and we’re over here like, ‘We’re still trying.’"

However, Patterson and Caldwell agreed to undergo one last round of IUI in January — and received good news.

"We were gonna do this last IUI a third time, and if not, we were gonna go to in vitro fertilization," she told People. "But this last IUI in January worked."

Our sweet little babe❤️👶🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/A09WnXWv1L

— Carly Patterson (@CarlyPatterson) April 19, 2017

Patterson told People that the baby is due in October, and while the couple is still waiting to find out the sex, they already have names in mind.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, about a quarter of all pregnancies end in miscarriage — however, it's an issue that largely remains undiscussed, in part due to stigma.

Patterson, however, wanted to share her story in hopes that anyone else who may be struggling with conceiving can take heart in the fact that they aren't alone.

"I’m sharing my story so that anyone going through something similar can know there’s hope, and they’re not alone," she told People.

Welcome toMothership : Parenting stories you actually want to read, whether you're thinking about or passing on kids, from egg-freezing to taking home baby and beyond. Because motherhood is a big if — not when — and it's time we talked about it that way.

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Take a walk down a billboard-filled street, pick up a magazine, turn on the TV, or watch a movie, and witness one of the most elaborate vanishing acts of all time: In the United States, 67% of women wear a size 14 and above, but these women make up less than 2% of the images we see in media. And when they are seen, it’s rarely a fair portrait — they're almost never portrayed as sexy.

But this doesn't reflect my reality. I am confident; I am sexy; and I am plus size. I wear what I want, regardless of my size, and I don't hesitate to post sexy pictures on my Instagram. As much as it's a cliché, I believe that my confidence is truly the thing that drives my sexiness. I happen to love the way my stomach looks in a two-piece bathing suit and how strong my legs are, but that doesn't mean it doesn't take constant work to mentally accept my body (as I'm sure is the case with women of any size, unfortunately). And that's okay. When I recount my dating history, I realize that all kinds of people are attracted to my confidence, as well as my refusal to be negative about body size.

However, combatting societal body negativity takes more than just individual self-love. Studies suggest that seeing body diversity more often can actually make people more likely to consider larger bodies more aspirational and attractive. So I created a photo project to show New Yorkers how sexy plus-size women can be — by presenting them with steamy, intimate scenarios featuring one sexy plus-size woman: me. The project was dedicated to tackling misconceptions around fat bodies and sex, like fat people only have sex with other fat people, plus-size women don't look good in lingerie, and the idea that fat is a derogatory word.

In the video above, I project the aforementioned photos on New York City buildings in major intersections and talk to the people on the street about what they think. It's not a stretch to say that I've endured my fair share of fat-shaming throughout my life, so I was prepared for laughter, pointing, and gasps. And yes, there were a few. But the support and admiration observers expressed (even before they realized the woman in the pictures was me) was overwhelming.

As much as I'd like to think it's 100% about my own brand of sexy, I know that this says something much larger: Clearly, people want to see more images of plus-size women in the mainstream media. They want to see more realistic representations, which includes sexy ones. Here's hoping the media takes note.

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I probably don’t need to tell you this, but there’s a lot of shitty dating advice out there. Plenty of women’s magazines and websites (like, admittedly, the one you’re on right now) make their nut doling out anecdotes and tips that single women in desperate need of a clue will cling to. Most of the time, the advice is written by people who’ve found partners and can now condescend to tell you exactly what to do to be as blissfully paired as they are (or, at least, that’s what it feels like). I think you’ll agree with me when I say: Fuck that noise.

During my single heydey, I’d Google myself into a tizzy, trying to piece together the right set of tips to make myself appear carefree, cool, and sexy — the type of woman any man would want to wife up (ugh). When my relationships eventually faltered, I’d spend hours online trying to figure out exactly what went wrong.

It’s something that so many people do — whether they’re in a relationship or not — and my guess is that it might have something to do with a need to feel in control. When things go badly in our relationships, it’s easy to feel out of whack and want to make sense of it all. So, we turn to advice on why things skewed, and how we can keep them from going haywire in the future. But what I eventually realized is that the majority of heterosexual-geared dating advice places the blame squarely on the shoulders of women. We were too interested in him, or we weren’t interested enough. Men like women who they can chase, but are also tired of having to be the ones to make plans. They don’t care about text messages, but make sure not to text him more than twice in an hour.

I can see why the advice is framed like this: By telling women it’s their fault, the advice promises that we’re able to change the situation — we’re the masters of our own destinies! But, in reality, we can’t always manipulate and change a relationship scenario, because there are other autonomous humans involved. The whole thing eventually becomes exhausting and, frankly, total bullshit.

So, through the comedy of follies that is my dating life, I’ve pieced together my own tips, tricks, and “dating rules,” adapted from the horrific advice I’ve culled from the internet. I’m not an expert in any of this, of course. And because of that, I’m telling you from the jump that these tips are not meant to be prescriptive to anyone but myself. I’m not here to tell you what to do. These are the rules I’m living by from now on, whether they work for other people or not. My hope is that, in reading these, you’ll get a little introspective, and maybe come up with your own tips and tricks. Because everyone’s life is different, guys. Let’s all write our own non-shitty dating advice.

After being raised on a steady diet of Disney movies, I expected to meet someone and fall passionately in love — but wound up collapsing under the pressures of modern dating. Luckily, I eventually realized that there's no "right" way to date, and that I need to find happiness within myself, no partner needed. It’s Not You is where I write to calm the voices in my head — and hear from all of you. Follow me onTwitter , onInstagram , or email me at maria.delrusso@refinery29.

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Great news, reality show devotees: Bravo just renewed all your favorite guilty pleasure shows. Not only that, but the network also announced that it's creating six new shows, a few of them featuring familiar faces of Bravolebrities that we've all come to love and loathe.

So, what can we expect to see on the channel's roster? Lots of family drama, and lots of beautiful homes — honestly, what more could you want? Bravo shared the news at Upfronts, which is a gathering for television execs and reporters to see what new projects networks have in the works for the next year.

Let's go through the list, shall we?

The Hollywood Reporter reports that we are getting more Real Housewives (including Orange County, Atlanta, New Jersey, Beverly Hills and Dallas). We're also getting new seasons of Vanderpump Rules, Shahs of Sunset, Flipping Out, Don't Be Tardy ( with RHOA alum Kim Zolciak) , Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, and Top Chef. In the non-reality show series sector, it's confirmed that there will be more seasons of new series Imposters, and Odd Mom Out.

Now that we know all these gems are coming back, what new ones are on the roster?

First, there's Bethenny Frankel's new endeavor with Fredrik Eklund of Million Dollar Listing New York, tentatively titled Bethenny and Fredrik Property Project. In it, the two will become business partners as they scope out new multimillion-dollar properties. This feels fitting as both are well acquainted with Manhattan and money. The network hopes to play off the two established reality stars' funny dynamic and humorous friendship.

Next up are two new shows stemming from the successful franchise taking over the South: Southern Charm. The series started in Charleston, and recently announced a spinoff in Savannah. Now, Bravo shares a third iteration: Southern Charm New Orleans. As the Southern Charm brand grows, one of its shining stars has now been catapulted into his own series. Yes, everyone's favorite golden retriever come to life, Shep Rose, is getting his very own show in the hopes of finally nabbing a wife. In the series, he will travel around the country to meet "the one." He's well on his way to becoming the next Nick Viall. The series title? Relationshep. Epic.

Then, there's a very problematic sounding dating series: A Night With My Ex, which sounds way more TLC than Bravo, but you can bet we're going to tune in for the first episode. The series will bring together an ex-couple for the first time since they split and record their night together (presumably hoping that drama will ensue).

The second two sound promising, but nearly as fun as the first four: Sell it Like Serhant, which is about sales reps (yawn) and then Love Italian Style (working title) where a relationship expert (watch out Patty!) takes five young women to Italy to meet an attractive Italian husband.

Leave it to Bravo to give us all the shows we never knew we needed in life.

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Ever since Good Friday (April 14), someone has been chaining a large, wooden cross to fence posts along Gay Street in Manhattan, Distractify reports, moving the cross to a different spot along the street every few days.

At first, people weren't sure what to make of the cross, but on Sunday the community fought back.

"As a Christian, the cross is a sign of love, peace, and hope and it was clear the mysterious owner of the cross was not sharing those same values," Micah Latter, who lives on Gay Street, told PopSugar. "It was unsettling that the owner's intentions were not sincere."

Someone chained a huge wooden cross to the fence on #gaystreet in the #westvillage. Then someone put a pump on it 🤘😁. #eastersunday #👠

A post shared by Talisman Brolin (@talisman_photo) on Apr 16, 2017 at 4:37pm PDT

So Latter texted others who live on the street with a plan: they were going to paint the cross into a rainbow.

"I'll bring paint and Champagne for anyone that can make it," Latter reportedly texted.

But it wasn't just her neighbors who showed up. “For two hours on a Sunday, it was just random strangers, tourists, straight couples, gay couples, kids and neighbors spreading love, painting rainbows on a cross, getting to know our neighbors, and drinking champagne on Gay St," Latter told Huffington Post.

you try to bring us down, we will only stand taller -- we will only be stronger. #fighthatewithlove #lovecross #GaySt #nyc

A post shared by curtis brown (@cbp22) on Apr 26, 2017 at 11:28am PDT

After the cross was painted and officially dubbed "the love cross," Latter and her neighbors added their own lock, and superglued the holes in the original lock so it couldn't be moved again.

"The Love Cross belongs to the street now, so thank you!" Latter told HuffPost in a message to whoever left the cross on the street.

Story goes like this: 9 days ago an enormous cross showed up chained and locked to my apt gate. The mysterious owner of the cross has the key and moves it around my street (which happens to be Gay St). Confused by the mute point this stranger was trying to make with a cross on Gay street, my neighbors & I decided to turn the cross into a Love Cross. Strangers, family, friends, dogs, neighbors & random tourist all stopped to paint, drink champagne in the street and celebrate the cross that symbolizes love in the neighborhood. Plot twist: we added our own lock to the chained cross and superglued both key holes. #GayStreet #westvillage #LoveCross 🗝❤️✌🏾

A post shared by Micah (@micahsuelatter) on Apr 23, 2017 at 8:05pm PDT

Since no one knows who the original owner of the cross is, we can't be exactly sure what the intention was — but we'll take a wild guess and say that it was probably hateful. A cross repeatedly chained to Gay Street, starting on Good Friday — the day on which Christians believe Jesus died for our sins — means that this cross was probably meant to say that gay people are sinners.

This viewpoint isn't unfamiliar to LGBTQ people. It comes in many forms, from the pastor who preaches that "homosexuality is a sin" at your local church to the well-meaning family members who claim to "love the sinner, hate the sin." But a giant cross chained to Gay Street is certainly one of the most convoluted ways we've seen anyone attempt to spread this message.

Thanks to the creativity of the residents of Gay Street, and those who stopped to help them last Sunday, that hateful message has become one of love and support.

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This stand-out lip look is only for those with a rock-hard appetite for beauty-based adventure. But if you've spotted the Instagram-favorite trend and just can't bear to head into spring-fling season without it, mastering our marble technique should be the first stop — your pout will look completely marble-ous. It's easier than you'd think, plus out-of-the-box and unexpectedly elegant. Watch the video above for the full technique, and try it yourself using the steps (and inspiration) below.

A post shared by Sabrina Jade Warnick (@sabrinawarnickmakeup) on Mar 24, 2017 at 7:46pm PDT

Step 1. Paint a white lip cream along your top and bottom lips with a fine brush.

Step 2. With a fine tip brush, sketch gray cream flecks along the outer corners of your lips, then soften with lines of white. These are the veins in the marble. Apply as few — or as many — as you see fit.

A post shared by G E N E V I E V E (@genevievejauquet) on Apr 1, 2017 at 7:55pm PDT

Step 3. Add a few darker gray lines and squiggle on top, then blend with white.

Step 4. Outline your lips in light gray.

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