Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando was filled with love Saturday morning. It’s been almost eight years since the massacre that forever changed Orlando.The CommUNITY Rainbow Run helped residents come together to honor the 49 lives taken and all those impacted by the Pulse tragedy. This year’s race has a new location and route. It moved from Wadeview Park to Orlando City Hall Plaza, located at 400 South Orange Ave., in downtown Orlando. Runners started at City Hall Plaza, went down Orange Avenue to Esther Avenue and back to the plaza.Forty-nine lives were taken in the Pulse Nightclub shooting, and dozens were injured on Jun. 12, 2016.Orlando Mayor Buddy Dryer says this race is showing the city’s kindness, compassion and commitment to inclusion. A week of remembrance for the victims, their families, first responders, and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community kicked off Saturday.Thousands filled the streets of Orlando with pride, running, walking, showing support for the LGBTQ+ community and honoring those affected by the Pulse Nightclub shooting. John Larese is a relative of Eddie Justice and Jason Josaphat, two of the 49 victims who were killed at the Pulse nightclub.“It still affects our family every day, and Eddie’s mother is grieving every single day. We all go on with our lives, but they are left to grieve every single day,” said Larese. This is the first year the city is hosting the CommUNITY Rainbow Run after the One Pulse Foundation dissolved. On Friday, the city of Orlando announced it had hired a company to help put together a committee with survivors, family members and people from the community.The plan is to pick the committee this month, start meeting in July, and have a design concept for a permanent memorial by the end of the year. “It feels great that we finally have a concrete plan and that we are going in the right direction,” said Brian Zieth, who attended the run. The city said the meetings will be public and can be seen in person or online. And in contrast to previous efforts by other organizations, the city said feedback is welcome from everybody. Dyer said all the proceeds from the run will go toward the memorial.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando was filled with love Saturday morning. It’s been almost eight years since the massacre that forever changed Orlando.
The CommUNITY Rainbow Run helped residents come together to honor the 49 lives taken and all those impacted by the Pulse tragedy.
This year’s race has a new location and route. It moved from Wadeview Park to Orlando City Hall Plaza, located at 400 South Orange Ave., in downtown Orlando.
Runners started at City Hall Plaza, went down Orange Avenue to Esther Avenue and back to the plaza.
Forty-nine lives were taken in the Pulse Nightclub shooting, and dozens were injured on Jun. 12, 2016.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dryer says this race is showing the city’s kindness, compassion and commitment to inclusion.
A week of remembrance for the victims, their families, first responders, and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community kicked off Saturday.
Thousands filled the streets of Orlando with pride, running, walking, showing support for the LGBTQ+ community and honoring those affected by the Pulse Nightclub shooting.
John Larese is a relative of Eddie Justice and Jason Josaphat, two of the 49 victims who were killed at the Pulse nightclub.
“It still affects our family every day, and Eddie’s mother is grieving every single day. We all go on with our lives, but they are left to grieve every single day,” said Larese.
This is the first year the city is hosting the CommUNITY Rainbow Run after the One Pulse Foundation dissolved.
On Friday, the city of Orlando announced it had hired a company to help put together a committee with survivors, family members and people from the community.
The plan is to pick the committee this month, start meeting in July, and have a design concept for a permanent memorial by the end of the year.
“It feels great that we finally have a concrete plan and that we are going in the right direction,” said Brian Zieth, who attended the run.
The city said the meetings will be public and can be seen in person or online. And in contrast to previous efforts by other organizations, the city said feedback is welcome from everybody.
Dyer said all the proceeds from the run will go toward the memorial.
There are some of us who crave a love connection. But the second it gets a little too real for our comfort, we run for the hills. Then, we do it all again with the next person.
The cycle is real—and it’s called fearful-avoidant attachment.
The thing is, it’s a lot more common than many of us realize. And if you’ve found yourself defaulting to this attachment style, understanding the what, why, and how can be the key to healthier, happier relationships.
What Is a Fearful-Avoidant Attachment Style?
A fearful-avoidant attachment style is one of the four attachment styles that describes those who show inconsistent behaviors and have trust issues. Relationship-wise, it’s when you yearn for intimacy but are also wary of getting hurt. This push-pull tendency can lead to unpredictable and often tumultuous partnerships.
It’s a lot like Will Hunting from Good Will Hunting. Or Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. Both crave connection and affection, but they sabotage their relationships by pushing Skylar and Mr. Big, respectively, away.
This internal conflict between desire and fear can be a real head-scratcher. But it highlights a core struggle for many of us: balancing intimacy with self-preservation.
What causes it?
According to psychologist John Bowlby’s attachment theory, a fearful-avoidant attachment style (also referred to as disorganized) is one of the four adult attachment styles—the other three being anxious, avoidant, and secure.
This particular commitment-phobic one stems from childhood with inconsistent caregiving. It’s likely that emotional needs were sometimes met and other times ignored or met with fear-inducing responses.
The fact of the matter is, research shows that children who experience abuse, neglect, or unpredictable caregiving are more likely to develop a fearful-avoidant attachment style. And what it teaches is that relationships are inherently unsafe.
As you transition into adulthood, you may distrust relationships, believing that your partner will inevitably hurt or abandon you. So what are you likely to do? Keep people at a distance.
What’s more, if you have relationships that mirror your childhood experiences of unpredictability and fear, it can just reinforce these insecure attachment patterns. And despite hoping and wishing for that “happily ever after” kind of love, you may subconsciously sabotage your chances of forming any sort of stable and healthy bond.
So whether you see yourself in Will’s struggle to accept love or Carrie’s fear of commitment, there are always ways to transform how you relate to others. And this can pave the way for more fulfilling and secure relationships.
10 Signs of Fearful-Avoidant Attachment
Recognizing the signs of any patterns is always a healthy step toward breaking the cycle. The thing is, most of us feel victimized by the patterns that continuously show up, according to Katherine Woodward Thomas, the author of the best-seller Calling in The One and trainer of the Mindvalley Quest of the same name.
“When you begin to see your own part clearly and how you, yourself, are almost setting other people up to play out these painful stories again and again,” she explains, “you finally access the choice to do it differently.”
So to do so, here are fearful-avoidant attachment signs you’ll want to look out for:
Send mixed signals to your partner.
Fear of getting too close to others.
Emotional intimacy is a struggle, and you often keep your feelings hidden.
Actions can be unpredictable—sometimes warm and loving, other times distant and cold.
Feel anxious about your relationships.
Difficulty trusting others.
Self-sabotage, such as picking fights or avoiding commitment.
Struggle with feelings of unworthiness and doubt your ability to be loved.
Have intense emotional reactions to perceived slights or threats in your relationships.
Ending relationships can be particularly painful and confusing, often leaving you feeling lost and devastated.
Remember that these signs are adaptive responses to your early environment. While it may not be your responsibility how you were raised, you are responsible now, as an adult, to take this awareness, step away from self-abandonment, and develop more secure attachment patterns.
How to Heal the Fearful-Avoidant Attachment Style
“If you’ve been struggling in love, I assure you it’s not because there’s anything wrong with you,” says Katherine. Rather, what we want out of love in this day and age are things we “simply did not learn in the homes that we were raised in.”
That includes, as the best-selling author points out, evolving our level of consciousness as well as our maturity to the point where we can manifest our soul ties and maintain the love we long to create.
So when it comes to how to fix fearful-avoidant attachment, there are steps you can take to rewrite your relationship story. Here’s where you can start:
1. Identify your patterns
Let’s say you meet someone exciting. Dates are fun, and there’s a spark. But as things seem to get more and more serious, you start picking fights, canceling plans, or—Heaven forbid—ghosting.
You, then, might find a way to squeeze yourself back in after a while or move on to another person. And as you feel yourself getting emotionally invested, you repeat the same cycle of pushing them away.
This is a pattern.
More often than not, many of us look at habitual behaviors like this as something that happens to us. However, Katherine suggests “to not only see them clearly but also to begin to see yourself as the person who is actually perpetuating them.”
For example, if you always end up with narcissistic partners, ask yourself if you tend to deflect attention away from yourself or prioritize others’ needs over your own.
When you’re able to see these patterns clearly, you can interrupt the unconscious ways you show up and start making different choices.
Remember, it’s not about blame or shame, but about becoming a curious observer of your own behavior.
2. Evolve toxic relationships
A relationship where you show up with your fearful-avoidant attachment style is one where it’s toxic, not only for the person you’re dating but also for you. It’s a relationship where, as Katherine would put it,“you have shown up as a dimmed-down version of yourself.”
“As much as we think that we can just get rid of ‘toxic people,’ the truth is, is that it’s not really their toxicity that’s hurting us the most,” she adds. “It’s how toxic we become in relationship to them that’s actually the most destructive to us.”
So what can you do to evolve from avoidant style to love style?
Katherine suggests acknowledging the ways you react out of fear and self-protection. This takes some practice—be honest about your feelings and needs, even if it feels uncomfortable.
Reflect on how your behaviors mirror your relationship with yourself. This may require you to set some healthy boundaries so you can work on yourself without feeling anxiety, obligation, or guilt.
3. Name your false identity beliefs
False identity beliefs are deep-seated narratives that limit what’s possible for you in love. They can make you feel unworthy, unwanted, or doomed to repeat disappointing patterns.
For example, you might believe “I am not wanted,” “Everyone always leaves me,” or “I am cursed in love.” By doing so, you create a self-fulfilling prophecy, where you unconsciously behave in ways that generate evidence for these stories.
“No matter how many vision boards we might create or how many affirmations we might say, no matter how many years one might spend on their therapist’s couch,” Katherine points out, “until you actually see your story clearly and wake up to the truth of who you are and start living from that center, you’re pretty much going to be doomed to continually, unconsciously repeat old disappointing patterns.”
Once you identify these beliefs, shift to the strongest part of yourself. Reflect on your current strengths and resources that you didn’t have when you were younger. This shift helps you see that you are no longer that vulnerable child but a capable and worthy adult.
Dating Someone With a Fearful-Avoidant Attachment Style
It’s one thing to be that person with this style of attachment. It’s another when you’re dating a fearful-avoidant attachment person.
Their actions can be downright confusing and frustrating. However, short of throwing in the towel, you can learn how to navigate complexities with some… let’s call them “relationship hacks.”
Here are a few that can strengthen your relationship and create a deeper connection:
Your partner’s behaviors aren’t about you. It’ll take patience and understanding on your end to put up with their push-pull dynamic. But by doing so, you can help them feel safe and secure.
Encourage open and honest conversations about your feelings and needs. Creating a safe space for your partner to express their fears and anxieties without judgment can help build trust and reduce their fear of vulnerability.
Set healthy boundaries so you can prevent feeling overwhelmed or neglected. This’ll also help your partner understand what behaviors are acceptable and which are not.
Support your partner if they’re seeking professional help. Therapy can be a valuable tool for them to understand and heal their attachment wounds.
Practice self-care because, let’s be real, dating someone with this style can be emotionally demanding. So put on the oxygen mask on yourself first before you help others.
The reality is, you may not be the reason your partner behaves the way they do. But what you can do to help them through this childhood trauma is to be a prime example of how to show up in the world.
As Katherine says, “Change can not just happen to you. It can only happen through you, and through the different choices that you begin making, and the different actions that you begin taking.”
Let Your Change Do the Talking
It’s true that love belongs to all of us. However, not all of us know how to love.
That’s the great thing about Mindvalley’s Calling in The One Quest with Katherine Woodward Thomas: It helps you reshape your beliefs about love, heal from past relationships, and attract a fulfilling, lasting romance.
Just like Will. Just like Carrie. And just like Clara Stickney, a musician and music teacher from Portland, Maine, U.S.A., who testified:
“Following the guidance of [Katherine’s] course helped me to heal from a significant heartbreak and led me to the most incredibly loving romantic relationship. I have so much gratitude for it every day.”
The great thing is, when you sign up for a free Mindvalley account, you can get a sneak peek at the first few lessons of Katherine’s Quest, among others.
Love doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be intentional, and that starts with a click in the Mindvalley direction.
Having someone to turn to, laugh and having adventures is good for your soul and your mental health. And you don’t have to be perfect to have great friends – here are some tips.
Finding someone to share your life with can be challenging, even finding someone to share a meal or activities is tough. But if you take a breath, here are tips to building better relationships. Sometimes we don’t fully understand art of relationships, it seems complicated. But one doesn’t need to love oneself perfectly to love others. Women and men need others in their life. In fact, a recent study showed bromances were more satisfying in their emotional intimacy, compared to their heterosexual romances. But sometimes, we get in our own way of finding and enjoying relationships.
Everyone has flaws, but it shouldn’t interfere with having true friends and meaningful love. Dr. Carla Manly has written a new book about how to build better relationships – both friends and lovers, including gay and straight. It explains you can be imperfect and still have great relationships. And explains the need for multiple people are in to fulfill our needs. Her new book is The Joy of Imperfect Loveand explains the need and process of building relationships.
Here are some tips and insight from Dr. Manly
Sometimes the wisest step is to invest primarily in the relationship you have with yourself. Taking a time out from dating and relationships can give your soul a chance to reset and breathe.
You do not need to love ourselves perfectly to love others well. The journey of imperfect love never asks for perfection; it only asks you strive to evolve toward the best self.
Regardless of the pasts, you have the power to leave intergenerational wounds and patterns behind us so you can enjoy life more fully.
Relationships with others tend to mirror the relationship with yourself and the greater world. Making the choice to lovingly invest in relationships can be life-changing.
When we dive into relationships with honesty, courage, and respect, you cannot help but change and evolve.
Love—or its absence—is where our lives begin and end. It is never too late to foster love in one’s inner and external life. In today’s fragmented world where material success and excess are often prioritized, millions suffer from empty, false, or broken promises of love. Yet, no matter how much you have in the external world, the lack of love from a partner or friend is hurtful. Everyone has the power to reset—to shift priorities—and focus on fostering genuine love in all our relationships, from romantic partnerships and family connections to our vital friendships.
Finding the right relationships takes patience and investigation. The first step is to consider what you have to offer – what you have to give in a relationship. The second step is to determine what you want. The third step is to put yourself out there, keep your heart open, and dare to find the person who fits well into the puzzle of your life.
Having friends and others in your life is key to your mental health. But finding others to share your life is a process, and it is important to give yourself permission to be happy on in the journey.
Iman Vellani is the kind of movie star whose enthusiasm, humor, and openness radiates off the screen and feels positively incandescent in person. The 21-year-old actress, best known for her role as Kamala Khan in 2022’s Ms. Marvel and 2023’s The Marvels,is unabashedly open in sharing her love of all things MCU-related, from playfully debating the finer points of canonical continuity with Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige to co-writing a Ms. Marvellimited series with Sabir Pirzada.
But Vellani has other passions beyond Marvel — her most recent being anime. Earlier this year at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, Vellani shared with Polygon what convinced her to finally take the plunge into exploring Japanese animation.
“I was very intimidated by anime until very recently,” Vellani said. “I started watching anime about a year ago, so this is a new obsession for me, but I’m totally into it now. There’s just so much content, I didn’t know where to start. I mean, I can barely keep up with all the Marvel content that’s out there.”
Image: Wit Studio/Crunchyroll
Vellani attributes her nascent love of anime to Attack on Titan, which she was introduced to via family and friends and proudly names as her current favorite anime. “They just talk about it all the time,” Vellani said, “and Attack on Titan kept coming back up whenever they would talk about anime. I started watching it and was like, This is a story that seems like it’s about humanity. I think I can get into it.”
Of the entire ensemble of characters that appear in Attack on Titan, Vellani pointed out one in particular whose story resonated the most with her. “I love Mikasa Ackerman,” Vellani said. “The way that she kept Eren’s scarf at the end of the show, even though Eren told her to give it up and forget about him. Her being the only one who was able to kill Eren at the end to stop the Rumbling. That is a woman who — I don’t think I’ve seen many other female characters like her who have that authority, willpower, and determination to actually act on it. I recently cut my hair, and when I looked in the mirror, I was like, I know what my next cosplay is.”
Image: Wit Studio/Crunchyroll
Aside from Mikasa, Vellani also named one of the series’ other leading characters as one she especially enjoyed, going so far as to praise the voice actor responsible for their performance in Attack on Titan’s finale. “I like Armin because I always like to root for the nerdy characters,” Vellani said. “I watched the final half of the show with the English dub and, I don’t know who the actor who plays Armin is, but they deserve a raise because their performance in the final episode blew me away. He made me cry, his wailing and that flashback scene between him and Eren, it just hit me in all the right ways.”
After resisting anime for a while, Attack on Titan quickly became a show that stuck with her. “The ending was such a gut punch. It left me feeling so awful at the end, but it’s like one of those Succession-type endings where it’s not the ending you want, but it made sense. The ending made sense for the story, it made sense for the characters.
“I think they tied the knot so perfectly, and I can’t think of anything else I’ve watched recently that’s impacted me as much as that. I was crying in my bed watching it. My mom walked in on me and she was like, ‘It’s just an animation show!’ and I was like, ‘No, this is real!’”
Image: MAPPA/Crunchyroll
Shortly after finishing Attack on Titan, she dove into exploring other popular series suggested by her friends. “I finally started Jujutsu Kaisen and One Piece,” Vellani said. “One Piece was one that I did not want to get into initially because it’s like, what, a thousand episodes now, and that felt like too much. Grey’s Anatomy was more than enough for me, and I stopped at, like, season 10. But after the Netflix show came out I was so drawn to the characters, and after the heartbreak of Attack on Titan, I needed something lighter and funnier and that made me feel good. The characters are likable and I want to root for them all, so that’s a show I really like.”
And Vellani’s love for anime doesn’t stop at TV. “I watched Suzume just before coming to Japan and I loved it,” Vellani said. “That blew my mind. Truly a masterpiece. I also recently watched The Boy and the Heron and, as a 21-year-old, it really spoke to me and it reassured me that my inner child still exists.”
Image: Studio Ghibli via GKIDS/YouTube
When asked why she felt that her generation has embraced anime, and what it was about the medium that specifically spoke to her, Vellani cited the empowering roles and depictions of women and children, as well as the craftsmanship of studios like Studio Ghibli, as some of the reasons why anime is so popular among Gen Z audiences. “I just feel like anime feels so progressive with the way they depict women and children, especially in Studio Ghibli movies. All those movies are so good at showcasing youth and childhood and imagination in a way that’s encouraging children to keep that mindset.
“I feel like a lot of American cinema right now is just so depressing. It just wants to show the gritty real life of the world. I want to live in a world that makes me excited for the future, and I think anime does such a wonderful job in showcasing all the beauties of life. We went to the Ghibli Museum this morning and saw how they draw every single detail of the houses — the bricks, the walls, the windows — and you just realize how much people paid attention to these details when they drew it. Like, this is how they see the world, and that’s how I want to see the world, as something that’s full of life and joy.”
In a unique approach to finding companionship, Linda Howard, a California resident, is using billboards to advertise her availability.”I enjoy doing it, it’s my hobby. Expensive one, but it’s my hobby,” said Howard.Howard previously put up holiday-themed billboards in December. These billboards listed her requirements for a potential companion and resulted in a few dates.”They have to laugh and they have a sense of humor, and unfortunately, it wasn’t there,” Howard explained.Now, Howard is trying again with a new billboard. This one features a humorous theme and an updated list of requirements. It includes a picture of a chicken, reflecting her love for buying chickens, and an image of cans in a shopping cart, hinting at the comment at the bottom of the billboard. The billboard also features a fortune teller.”I thought it was a cute picture, but really, I think God is in control of our lives, and we just know he has a plan for all of us. And I’ve been single for 34 years, so you’d think he’d be a little faster on this one. I just want a good friend to go and laugh with and send him home when I’m bored with him, and I get bored easily,” Howard said.One of the key requirements listed is that potential dates cannot be boring. Howard has also played matchmaker for her friends. She has set them up with people who responded to her billboards but weren’t a match for her.”There’s a lot of single people at our age that it’s just hard to find somebody that’s compatible, so I’m just trying. Hopefully, I will hook up some people for the summer to go out and enjoy life. Life is too short, and we all ‘ought to have fun and meet new people in life,” Howard stated.Howard is open to responses from anyone. Her billboard includes a question for potential dates to answer.”Yeah, I would love to hear it, and we can share it with other people, and maybe we can someday have a group where we can all go to Bille Park and have a picnic and get to know each other,” Howard said.Howard has plans for the future of her billboard campaign. A new one is set to go up in April.
In a unique approach to finding companionship, Linda Howard, a California resident, is using billboards to advertise her availability.
“I enjoy doing it, it’s my hobby. Expensive one, but it’s my hobby,” said Howard.
Howard previously put up holiday-themed billboards in December. These billboards listed her requirements for a potential companion and resulted in a few dates.
“They have to laugh and they have a sense of humor, and unfortunately, it wasn’t there,” Howard explained.
Now, Howard is trying again with a new billboard. This one features a humorous theme and an updated list of requirements. It includes a picture of a chicken, reflecting her love for buying chickens, and an image of cans in a shopping cart, hinting at the comment at the bottom of the billboard. The billboard also features a fortune teller.
“I thought it was a cute picture, but really, I think God is in control of our lives, and we just know he has a plan for all of us. And I’ve been single for 34 years, so you’d think he’d be a little faster on this one. I just want a good friend to go and laugh with and send him home when I’m bored with him, and I get bored easily,” Howard said.
One of the key requirements listed is that potential dates cannot be boring.
Howard has also played matchmaker for her friends. She has set them up with people who responded to her billboards but weren’t a match for her.
“There’s a lot of single people at our age that it’s just hard to find somebody that’s compatible, so I’m just trying. Hopefully, I will hook up some people for the summer to go out and enjoy life. Life is too short, and we all ‘ought to have fun and meet new people in life,” Howard stated.
Howard is open to responses from anyone. Her billboard includes a question for potential dates to answer.
“Yeah, I would love to hear it, and we can share it with other people, and maybe we can someday have a group where we can all go to Bille Park and have a picnic and get to know each other,” Howard said.
Howard has plans for the future of her billboard campaign. A new one is set to go up in April.
He is the ideal rebel for a generation – but does Kevin Bacon use weed?
He is a symbol of rebel – his defining roll in the movie Footloose set a music and rebel tone for a generation. The classic movie is about one teen’s desire to dance changed the mindset of a small town. When it premiered, marijuana was not legal anywhere in North America. The movie was filmed at Payson High School in Utah, and now Bacon is returning for the school’s prom on the 40th anniversary of the premier. And boy, have things changed. In 2018, Utah approved and started legal medical marijuana, a first step toward recreational. So now patients in Payson can dance and consume.
Bacon’s career continued in such diverse vehicles as Frost/Nixon, X-Men: First Class, Crazy Stupid, Love, and I Love Dick Six Degrees. There is even a fun game/meme of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon where players try to connect actors or people to others within 6 connections – and the less connections the better. After all this, does Kevin Bacon use weed and chill?
Well, the answer is Bacon cuts loose and enjoys the plant. He is very open about it and in fact shared. “Different people react differently to it,” Bacon said. “I’m okay as long as I’m in a super, super safe kind of situation … I need to be like in bed, or something’s on. Like work, never, never, never … otherwise I can get a little paranoid.”
But sometimes, things happen. Kevin Bacon revealed to Seth Meyers he got high on marijuana with co-star Daniel Stern before filming a scene for the 80’s hit Diner. Thinking they had the day off, he and Stern head to a movie theatre to chill and watch a film. Partially through the movie, he got called to return to the set. Stern was not need and laughing is head off.
“I was fine. It turned out that the scene was just me walking in the background or something like that. Plus the adrenaline just straightened me right up,” Bacon said.
Krya Sedgwick, Bacon’s wife, shared to prep for a role, she got stoned with him. Marijuana is a great material aid, maybe it is one of the reasons the Hollywood couple has been together for 35 years. They starred in numerous movies together including Space Oddity which Sedgwick and Bacon starred.
It is great Bacon has kept up the fight to open people’s minds about new things.
He is the ideal rebel for a generation – but does Kevin Bacon use weed?
He is a symbol of rebel – his defining roll in the movie Footloose set a music and rebel tone for a generation. The classic movie is about one teen’s desire to dance changed the mindset of a small town. When it premiered, marijuana was not legal anywhere in North America. The movie was filmed at Payson High School in Utah, and now Bacon is returning for the school’s prom on the 40th anniversary of the premier. And boy, have things changed. In 2018, Utah approved and started legal medical marijuana, a first step toward recreational. So now patients in Payson can dance and consume.
Bacon’s career continued in such diverse vehicles as Frost/Nixon, X-Men: First Class, Crazy Stupid, Love, and I Love Dick Six Degrees. There is even a fun game/meme of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon where players try to connect actors or people to others within 6 connections – and the less connections the better. After all this, does Kevin Bacon use weed and chill?
Well, the answer is Bacon cuts loose and enjoys the plant. He is very open about it and in fact shared. “Different people react differently to it,” Bacon said. “I’m okay as long as I’m in a super, super safe kind of situation … I need to be like in bed, or something’s on. Like work, never, never, never … otherwise I can get a little paranoid.”
But sometimes, things happen. Kevin Bacon revealed to Seth Meyers he got high on marijuana with co-star Daniel Stern before filming a scene for the 80’s hit Diner. Thinking they had the day off, he and Stern head to a movie theatre to chill and watch a film. Partially through the movie, he got called to return to the set. Stern was not need and laughing is head off.
“I was fine. It turned out that the scene was just me walking in the background or something like that. Plus the adrenaline just straightened me right up,” Bacon said.
Krya Sedgwick, Bacon’s wife, shared to prep for a role, she got stoned with him. Marijuana is a great material aid, maybe it is one of the reasons the Hollywood couple has been together for 35 years. They starred in numerous movies together including Space Oddity which Sedgwick and Bacon starred.
It is great Bacon has kept up the fight to open people’s minds about new things.
Ask a Witch is StyleCaster’s advice column offering sage advice and practical magic for modern problems. Every Friday, our resident witch Roya Backlund will answer your most vulnerable conundrums through the lens of astrology, Tarot, and spirituality. Submit questions to askawitch@stylecaster.com, along with your birth information—date, time, and location—as well as birth information for other parties involved, if you have it. Hex what vexes you: Ask a Witch.
Dear Roya,
I’ve reached a breaking point in my life.
I’m in my 50s and have always carried a torch for my first love. We fell in love in our 20s, and it ended when he left me. I think our relationship ended because he wanted kids and I didn’t. I had just started my career, and he got a job in a neighboring state, so we went our separate ways.
We continued dating long-distance for a while, but he ended up meeting someone else. On paper, they seemed more compatible than we were, but in my opinion, he didn’t marry for love and regrets his decision. After him, I had another long-term relationship, but it never reached the same depth as my first love.
30 years later, I was still thinking of him, so I decided to reach out to him online. To my delight, he confessed that he never forgot me and still loves me! However, he’s married, so we haven’t met up in person.
The main obstacle to us being together isn’t his marriage, because he says he’s unhappy and would divorce his wife. He can’t move forward because his family has recently gone through a truly terrible tragedy, leaving him spiritually broken and consumed with anxiety and depression. It’s become impossible for him to make any changes in his life, even if he wants to.
We’ve been talking online for a year, and I can’t seem to let him go. I cannot seem to feel the love I feel for him with anyone else. No one else even interests me or comes close to making me feel what he does.
I feel so lost and hopeless, and everyone around me thinks I should just be able to move on, but I can’t. I’m certain—to the very core of my soul—that he’s is the person I was meant for. We’ve started referring to each other as “the love of my life” and naming each other as soulmates. In 30 years, we have never forgotten each other, but it also feels too complicated.
Why can’t I get over my first love?
Sincerely, Timeless Timing
Photo: Alexander Bemis. Design: Sasha Purdy / StyleCaster
Dear Timeless Timing,
Oh boy. You have a heart that blocks out all reason, which makes life feel technicolor when you’re in love. How do I know this? Because I can relate. You and I are both Cancer risings, which makes us deep feelers, hopeless romantics, and incredibly private individuals. Cancer risings are sensitive to even the most imperceptible energies, which means we often feel what others cannot feel and see what others do not see. The truth is that being so porous to energetic vibrations can be an incredibly isolating experience. Anyone who has an ascendant in a water sign—Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces—will always feel somewhat remote from the rest of the world. (Learn more about your rising sign or ascendant.)
When you explain your situation to others, they probably don’t understand it. You were together 30 years ago—why is it so difficult to move on? Cancer risings can’t just “move on” from something—or someone—they loved with every fiber of their being. Like me, your fifth house of love and pleasure is ruled by Scorpio, the zodiac sign of passion, intensity, and emotional investment. This part of you that yearns for deep, transformational love is emphasized by the fact that your natal Venus, Mars, and Jupiter are in Scorpio, living in your romantic fifth house. You crave magical, exalting, and out-of-this-world love or nothing at all, which makes it hard to let go when you’ve found someone who actually makes you feel something. The timing may be off, but it doesn’t change how you feel about your first love.
It’s not easy when your natal Venus is in Scorpio. In fact, Venus—planet of love—hates being in Scorpio. In Scorpio, Venus has to do a lot of work to feel loved, which means Venus in Scorpio people either have their hearts completely shut off or wide open, letting everything inside. There is no in-between. For you, love has been marked by effort, making it feel like it’s never been easy to satisfy the yearnings of your heart. Your birth chart also shows your Venus opposing your natal Saturn in Taurus. Because Saturn is the planet of karma and restriction, it has brought many delays to your love life. It’s no surprise that it’s taken 30 years for you to reconnect with your soulmate, and yet, the timing still feels off. (Learn more about your Venus sign.)
When I look at your relationship synastry with your first love, I see that he looks up to you and feels emotionally validated by you. However, I can also see that he loves you in secret. Your first love has his Venus in Gemini, and it’s situated in your 12th house of unseen energies and self-undoing. This means you share an incredibly deep connection in which you know each other completely, but the rest of the world has no idea. Love affairs live and breathe in the 12th house, but it can be arduous for that love to remain pure in public when on display for other people’s judgment. (Learn more about the 12 houses of astrology.)
Sometimes, people from our past get under our skin, and they’ll always remain with us. I can also see that you and your first love have a deep, unbreakable bond that will always be part of you. However, it will probably always hurt on some level. In your birth chart, Chiron—ruler of your deepest wounds and healing abilities—forms an exact conjunction with your first love’s natal Saturn. Because Saturn is the planet of boundaries and longevity, this binds you together forever. You feel a heavy responsibility to each other, as though you are supposed to be together. However, because Chiron is the planet of healing, it may always feel like you have a painful wound together that must be healed. Your first love is going through a major life tragedy, and your comfort and support is helping him through it. You will likely always be brought together by tragedies, showing up in each others’ lives during times of crisis.
You’ve been reconnecting with your first love for the past year, and during that time, these lifelong relationship dilemmas have been reactivated. Jupiter—planet of abundance and expansion—has been moving through Taurus, opposing your Venus in Scorpio and increasing your desire for love. And right now, it’s approaching an exact conjunction to your natal Saturn in Taurus. Not only do these restrictions in your love life feel more prominent, but so do your desires. Your heart is yearning for your first love in a way that makes these obstacles seem completely pointless. It’s making you want to overcome all odds and find a way to be together, even if the facts point otherwise.
The emotions you feel toward your first love are only getting stronger, and by late April, they are bound to reach a breaking point. Right now, Jupiter is careening toward a once-in-a-lifetime conjunction with Uranus—planet of revolution and sudden changes—which will be exact on April 20, 2024. This has the power to topple some of the structures that have held you back in your relationships, and while I don’t know how things will turn out for you and your first love, your perspective of the situation could change in some way within the next few months. And one thing is for sure—it’s teaching you a powerful lesson. (Read your 2024 horoscope for each zodiac sign.)
Even though it feels like everything is standing in the way of what you want, astrology shows us that we are also engineers of our own problems. You can’t control the circumstances surrounding your first love, and the impossibility of your situation is increasing the passion and intensity. In a way, what’s holding you back from finding love is also what’s inspiring you to find it. Love is just as much an action as it is a feeling.
As you continue to process this relationship, you may ask yourself a lot of questions. Should you be patient for the promise of love? Or do you need to be honest with yourself about what you’re willing to wait for and settle for? You have been given a link back to your first love, but you haven’t been given full access to him. It’s as if the door handle has been turned, but the door has not opened completely. And you’re still waiting to see if you’ll ever be able to fully enter his world. Is the passion leaking through that crack in the doorway enough to satiate you? Or are you simply choosing a form of love that feels familiar to you—a love that always feels held back?
You were born on a full moon, Timeless. People who were born on a full moon have lives marked by intensity and inner conflict, as the moon (ruler of your inner self) and the sun (ruler of your outer self) are in exact opposition with each other. To further complicate things, the ruler of your birth chart is your Gemini moon in the 12th house of subconscious energies and self-undoing. You’re someone who feels comfortable with secrets—someone who is good at keeping their cards as close to the chest as possible and putting on a front in order to protect your sensitive nature. Chances are, what makes you happy will not always align with what other people think “happiness” should look like. You’re not someone who easily fits into conventional ideas of love, existence, and partnership. You are someone who’s used to sacrificing themselves for the sake of someone else—someone who is willing to give up being “seen” for the sake of being “loved.” (Learn more about your moon sign).
Even though the people in your life are telling you to move on—that this isn’t good for you—only you understand what’s good for you. But the way your desires unfold may also keep you in a perpetual cycle of having to hide your true feelings. Maybe that works for you, and you need to make peace with the fact that not everyone will understand it. But if there’s a part of you that feels you need more than a love affair shrouded in secrets, the intensity of your relationship with your first love is simply bringing you to that realization.
Over the next year, you’ll peel back more layers of this conundrum, and as you continue your soul-searching, more answers will follow. Jupiter enters Gemini on May 25, 2024, and on October 9, 2024, Jupiter will station retrograde at 21 degrees (the same degree as your moon in Gemini). This will reveal major truths about who you are, what you want, and what you need to heal until early 2025. Only time will tell how you decide to proceed with this love story, but instead of focusing all your heart on your first love, his tragedy, and helping him heal, remember that your needs matter too. Even though it has always felt like your options are limited—especially when it comes to love—you need to know that you have agency. As Jupiter blesses you with continued personal growth, it will become harder and harder for you to suppress your true needs for the sake of your wants. The more you evolve, the harder it becomes to fall into familiar patterns.
This story’s ending is not necessarily about whether you and your first love will be together, but whether the paradoxical parts of yourself can find a way to align. All the obstacles standing in the way of you and your first love are also a reflection of your inner contradictions—the parts of you that can’t seem to agree with each other. In a way, this relationship is a manifestation of your own inner conflict and the way you’ve always kept parts of yourself a secret. As you continue to find common ground between your inner self and your outer self, you’ll be able to see your situation with your first love more clearly. And eventually, you’ll make a decision that’s right for you.
Dreamily, Roya
About Roya
Roya Backlund is StyleCaster’s Senior Lifestyle & Astrology Editor and a professional witch. Born in Los Angeles on May 26—the same day as Stevie Nicks—she’s been obsessed with the zodiac since she discovered she was a Gemini as a child. Her interest in mysteries and the occult began in the metaphysical section at her local Borders. If you’re a fan of astrology, spirituality, and witchcraft, you’ve probably read her horoscopes and lifestyle articles, which have appeared elsewhere in Elite Daily, PopSugar, Astrology.com, and more. Whether you want to delve deeper into your birth chart or interpret signs from your spirit guides, Roya’s got you covered.
Sean and Amanda discuss a recent run of positive 2025 movie news (1:00) before digging into Rose Glass’s second feature, Love Lies Bleeding (20:00). They take stock of Kristen Stewart’s unique movie star presence, discuss Glass’s genre command and audacious screenwriting, and praise Katy O’Brian’s wonderfully physical and emotional performance. Then, they run down a list of films they’re calling the 21st Century Noir Movie Canon (36:00). Finally, Sean is joined by Glass to discuss the production of Love Lies Bleeding, working with a star like Stewart, why she set the film in America, how Ed Harris became involved in the project, and more (53:00).
Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Rose Glass Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner
You may have heard that Jennifer Lopez made her own autobiographical version of Cloud Atlas where she journeys through time and space to heal her heart through the redemptive power of self-love and flower petals. You may have heard that her journey includes a steampunk Flashdance homage and a Ben Affleck jump scare and that Jane Fonda leads a sort of Greek-chorus-meets–Inside Out think tank of celestial beings. And those rumors (all true) may have stirred up some questions in your soul like: why, how, who, and huh? But perhaps most importantly: What on Jane Fonda’s green earth did we do to deserve such a thing?
Now, the tone with which you ask that last question might depend on how you typically respond to the artistic stylings of one Jennifer Lynn Lopez. Do you see her as a visionary? A Hollywood septuple threat? An artist constantly reinventing herself? A star who’s outkicked her talent coverage but continues to iterate on a public persona that’s never been particularly convincing as a contemporary auteur?
Nah, not that last one—this movie rules. It is singularly weird, and should be treated as such!
This Is Me … Now: A Love Story (huge win for punctuation) makes not a lick of narrative sense, and yet it is a masterpiece—as long as the barometer for what constitutes a masterpiece is “being extremely Jennifer Lopez.” One thing I’ve always respected about J.Lo is that she is going to sell you J.Lo, whether you meant to walk into the J.Lo shop or not. Was anyone expecting a sequel to her 2002 album This Is Me … Then 22 years later? Certainly not. (Except maybe J.Lo—why else would she name her album that in the first place?) Was anyone demanding that J.Lo make a visual album? I don’t think so. (Except, again, J.Lo, who is never not saying, “I guess I’ll just have to DO IT myself,” about an artistic endeavor that is entirely and wholly about … herself.) But then Jennifer Lopez reunited with Ben Affleck, the man she dedicated This Is Me … Then to in 2002, called things off with three days before their planned wedding, then got back together with and ultimately married 20 years later. Such a reunion deserved something more than just a sequel album.
Screenshots via Prime Video
So, from the heart/soul/dreams of Jennifer Lopez comes a 55-minute-long narrative musical that Amazon paid to distribute, once again dedicated to the epic love she and Ben Affleck share. In one sense, This Is Me … Now: A Love Story is a visual album for This Is Me … Now, which also dropped on February 16. In every other sense, however, J.Lo has made a 55-minute movie about a Leo learning to love herself while singing and dancing her way through two decades of romantic misadventures. It is the most Jennifer Lopez thing Jennifer Lopez has ever done in a career that has always been fully devoted to performing at max Jennifer Lopez. It is the ultimate continuation of J.Lo telling what she sees as her hero’s journey: a mission to be understood by a society that has been inaccurately consuming her artistry and personal life for nearly three decades …
Casting yourself as the underdog with a self-funded budget of $20 million? Iconic behavior. There is no other celebrity this insistent upon reminding us that she is an artist. To be fair, though, I’ve never seen art quite like This Is Me … Now: A Love Story. It is as if Michael Scott was given an eight-figure budget to make Threat Level Midnight, or if The Room was created by a legion of astrology-obsessed musical theater nerds instead of Tommy Wiseau. Like those films, This Is Me … Now is pure camp most especially because of its creator’s sincere belief in its artistic significance. J.Lo is the FUBU of pop stars—everything she makes is for Jennifer Lopez, by Jennifer Lopez—and this celestial steampunk odysseyis no different.
I believe that Jennifer Lopez loves these 55 minutes of musical cinema she’s created, and that’s enough for me. But for anyone who’s not Jennifer Lopez, you may have some questions about the facts and figures of This Is Me … Now: A Love Story. The movie will not tell you outright why Jennifer Lopez’s robot heart is powered by flower petals, or why her character exclusively resides in terrifying futuristic homes made entirely of glass—so I’m here today to answer some common questions that may arise regarding everyone’s favorite new movie featuring both ellipses and a colon in the title.
Is this a musical? A movie? A musical movie? A movie musical?
Stunningly, This Is Me … Now: A Love Story is yet another entry into this year’s canon of films that don’t fully spell out that they’re musicals in their trailers. Sure, the This Is Me … Now trailer was scored by Jennifer Lopez’s “This Is Me … Now” song. But I kind of just assumed the movie would be that: scored. But no, Jennifer Lopez is breaking into song and dance at all times in this movie. That makes it a musical.
From the trailer, I’d also assumed this would be a feature-length film. But, again, no! It is a 55-minute movie that according to J.Lo should not be classified as a music video, yet it also isn’t nearly long enough to be feature length. So what is it? The trailer tells us it’s a “new INTIMATE, CINEMATIC, MUSICAL experience,” and you know what? I agree: Jennifer Lopez’s first self-written, self-funded, and self-starring creation certainly is a “new … experience.”
Does J.Lo play herself in this musical movie?
Let’s be absolutely clear: This Is Me … Now is autofiction. In the opening scene, we see Jennifer Lopez on the back of a motorcycle with a man who looks a lot like Ben Affleck (played, in silhouette, by Ben Affleck), which then crashes while traversing a lake, signifying the greatest heartbreak of her life. In the narrative of the film, J.Lo is reunited with that man once more after 10 years, three divorces, and a journey through time and song to find love with the most important person in her life: herself. These are not the precise details of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s sprawling love story, but they’re close …
And yet, Jennifer Lopez’s character isn’t called Jennifer Lopez. She’s called “the Artist.” We only actually learn that from the movie’s closed captioning (“[The Artist laughs]”), as the movie works very hard to never call the character by a name—y’know, like Fleabag, if Fleabag was always doing intricate chest choreography instead of speaking directly to camera.
There are certainly indicators that the Artist is supposed to be world famous like J.Lo, but we learn absolutely nothing beyond the fact that she is permanently unlucky in love. “I know what they say about me, about hopeless romantics, that we’re weak,” the Artist says in one of her many monologues to her therapist. “But I’m not weak. It takes strength to keep believing in something after you keep falling flat on your face.” Some might also say it takes strength to produce nine studio albums and over 30 feature films and co-headline the Super Bowl … but that’s a story for a different for-J.Lo-by-J.Lo production. (It’s called Halftime, and she already made it, obviously.)
This movie is about love and love only. Ultimately, the Artist’s monologue ends with the line, “I believe in soulmates and signs and hummingbirds.” Because her name is the Artist, not the Writer.
OK then, so is Ben Affleck in this movie?
Ben Affleck … is in this movie. The entire point of the movie, after all, is that every mistake J.Lo has ever made in her life—every liquor-swilling boyfriend who’s ever broken any one of her metaphorical and also quite literal (in this movie) glass houses—has been leading back to Ben Affleck. So, obviously … in this movie … Affleck plays a TV commentator named Rex Stone, wearing a Donald Trump wig and a Mrs. Doubtfire prosthetic nose, and also occasionally proselytizing the news in the background of scenes. This character makes exactly no sense, but in one scene he does manage to deliver the film’s entire thesis statement when he says, “In 2012, the no. 1 question people asked was, ‘What is love?’”
Sorry, what people? Asked who? Why is 2012 the reference point here? The answer to all of those questions is: It doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters in the world is love. And if you’re wondering what the “top questions” people ask now are, according to Rex Stone, they’re: “Where my refund? Why women kill? Will I get laid? Is Europe a country? How I screenshot a Mac? Am I preg-erant? And why my poop green?”
It’s the funniest sequence of the movie, and I would bet my On the J.Lo newsletter subscription that Ben Affleck wrote that little diddy himself.
So how does this movie communicate a complicated timeline that spans 20 years, three divorces, and multiple time jump dream sequences?
In a word: bangs. Anytime we cut to J.Lo and she has bangs, we are in the present. Anytime she doesn’t have bangs, she is either in the past, in a dream, or in some version of the present (recent past) that she’s relaying to her therapist.
J.Lo’s bangs are ascritical to the plot of This Is Me … Now as the robot heart that’s powering the Artist’s metaphysical world (more on that in a minute). But because J.Lo is eternally ageless, at times we also have to rely on a basset hound puppy aging into an elder basset hound to understand that J.Lo has spent the last decade or so growing, healing, and preparing her heart to love Ben Affleck again.
What inspired Jennifer Lopez to make this movie?
Other than Ben Affleck, I have several theories: moments that occurred throughout the film that made me think, “This line/scene/image has clearly been rattling around in Jennifer Lopez’s head for a decade, so she decided to create an entire $20 million passion project around it.” They are as follows:
When she says to one of her future ex-husbands (played by the famously blond adult male Derek Hough), “You feel like home to me … but I left home for a reason.” J.Lo loves this line, you can just tell.
The movie opens with a million AI-rendered images of Jennifer Lopez depicted within the Puerto Rican folktale of Alida and Taroo … and I just know that Jennifer Lopez got one look at herself as a Greek goddess or a space explorer in December 2022 and thought, “I HAVE to get this imagery to the people.”
J.Lo learned a lot about astrology at some point, it made her realize a bunch of stuff about herself (classic Leo), and she decided to spend $20 million relaying that information to the public.
J.Lo did inner child work with a therapist. Quite literally, there is a dream sequence in this movie in which J.Lo apologizes to her younger self on the dark and dirty streets of the Bronx, and once she does, the sun comes out, and both J.Los break into song. Of course, we know it’s a dream sequence because the Artist is relaying it to her therapist, Fat Joe.
Is Fat Joe a licensed therapist?
From what I can tell, no. But he does wear a full beige outfit with all the confidence and gravitas of your richest aunt, so he’s at least believable as a therapist. Also believable? That J.Lo would try to pry personal details out of her therapist in order to bond. (“You’re such a Taurus. What sign is your wife?”)
You said we’d get back to this: Why is Jennifer Lopez’s heart powered by flower petals?
Right. After the Artist crashes on the motorcycle, signaling the greatest heartbreak of her life, we’re taken inside the Heart Factory, where an oiled-up and tank-topped Jennifer Lopez is yelling, “It’s gonna break!” I don’t know how to convince you that I’m not lying to you about the events of a J.Lo musical, but I promise I am not. There is a giant metal heart pulsing above the factory workers which has apparently reached “critical petal levels.”
That’s right. Jennifer Lopez’s heart is powered by flower petals, and the only way to save it is for Jennifer Lopez to get in a jumpsuit, walk a gangplank out to the heart, journey inside its destructing valves, and start feeding rose petals to the dwindling fire that powers it while simultaneously breaking into the song “Hearts and Flowers” (get it???) with the rest of the workers down on the factory/dance floor.
It’s not until a little later in the movie that we learn this was a dream sequence (no bangs—I should have caught it), and much later in the movie, we see the petal levels stabilize enough to repair the broken heart. So yeah, Jennifer Lopez is basically just Being John Malkovich–ing inside her own heart for like 20 years (well … earth years, robot-heart years may be measured differently), trying to save herself so she can marry Ben Affleck.
You’re telling me Jennifer Lopez’s Ben Affleck movie stages an elaborate reference to Armageddon?
That’s exactly what I’m telling you.
Are there any other dream sequences in this movie?
I’m pretty sure that any scene that doesn’t happen directly in the presence of Fat Joe himself is a dream sequence, or at the very least a recounting of a dream or memory by the Artist to her therapist, which, again, is Fat Joe. These include, but are not limited to: the aforementioned heart factory, a love addiction intervention, the shattering of a glass home via physical abuse, watching a healing round of The Way We Were on a custom monogrammed Gucci-esque couch, and, of course, a Singin’ in the Rain homage. So you might be wondering …
Is there a wedding montage in this movie?
Oh yeah, you betcha. And it’s amazing. The Artist married three men across 10 years, one song (“To Be Yours”), and several wedding dresses. The first wedding dress features two heart-shaped mesh cutouts that perfectly frame J.Lo’s crotch. Romance!
Perhaps more unexpected, however, is the couples therapy montage, wherein all three husbands sit in front of Fat Joe alongside the Artist (this feels like a psychiatric moral gray area, Fat Joe). Dialogue selections include: “I’m a piece of art in her collection,” and, “I feel like I’m just another thing in her house.”
What I wouldn’t give to be a Gucci-monogrammed sectional in J.Lo’s house! But ultimately, the Artist grows tired of all of these uninspiring men, leaves them behind in their own futuristic houses, and starts fucking around with a bunch of dummies. Her friends are forced to give her an intervention, and Fat Joe recommends joining Love Addicts Anonymous …
Is Love Addicts Anonymous a real thing?
Technically it’s called “Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous,” but yes,it is indeed a real 12-step program (though J.Lo makes sure to clarify that she is not a sex addict in her autofictional musical movie). At J.Lo’sLove Addicts Anonymous meetings, you’re led by veteran character actor Paul Raci, and you express yourself exclusively through modern dance.
A particularly rich piece of dialogue comes when Paul Raci tells the Artist, after her impromptu performance of “Broken Like Me,” that “I know you feel like no one gets you.” To which Jennifer Lopez—a woman who is in the middle of making an hour-long music video about herself—responds: “I don’t even get me.”
But that was J.Lo … then. And this is J.Lo … now. And this J.Lo … has read her birth chart.
Do you need to have a casual understanding of astrology to understand this movie?
It would certainly help! Even though the movie starts with a Puerto Rican folk tale that continues to proliferate through the movie in the form of a hummingbird (bet you didn’t see a J.Lo neck tattoo coming!), we’re really expected to come in with our own knowledge of the zodiac.
Bare minimum, knowing at least a little about all 12 astrological signs will really help color in the Zodiacal Council when it shows up …
What is a Zodiacal Council?
Oh, well it’s a collection of humanoid representations of the 12 star signs who watch over the Artist from the heavens as she fumbles her love life. They are exposition machines who say things like, “She’s smart, she’s beautiful, and she seems so strong—why does she always need to be with somebody?!” But most importantly, they are played by the likes of Keke Palmer (Scorpio), Trevor Noah (Libra), Post Malone (Leo), Sofia Vergara (Cancer), Jenifer Lewis (Gemini), and Neil deGrasse Tyson (Taurus), and, as aforementioned, they are led by Jane Fonda the Sagittarius. (Congratulations to all Sagittariuses for this iconic Monster in Law representation—and apologies to Aquariuses and Capricorns, who are straight up not represented on the Cameo Council.)
If you’re otherwise not a huge Jennifer Lopez fan, the Zodiacal Council scenes are pretty much the main reason to watch This Is Me … Now. It feels like a Super Bowl commercial in that none of these people ever filmed in the same room together, the narrative structure remains extremely thin throughout, a new person pops up with each new scene (hey look, it’s Jay Shetty!), and Post Malone is there, always seeming like he’s on the verge of performatively eating a bag of Doritos.
So did Jennifer Lopez make an hour-long, $20 million music video about being a Leo?
According to everything I learned about astrology from This Is Me … Now: A Love Story—yeah, she did. Leos are confident and assertive. Leos are enthusiastic, creative, and more self-conscious than you think. Leos are, above all else, hopeless romantics (at least according to my favorite Leo, Jennifer Lopez). And not only is Jennifer Lopez a Leo … she reunited with another Leo at the end of this movie whom she will eventually fall back in love with, marry, write an album about, and create an hour-long, absolutely bonkers, beautiful, gorgeous, perfect musical movie to accompany that album about …
And in a few weeks, This Is Me … Now: A Love Story will be followed up with The Greatest Love Story Never Told, a documentary about the making of this musical movie.
To drop a documentary about the musical you created about the album you wrote about your love story that the world has been consuming for over two decades, and to then call it “The Greatest Love Story Never Told,” well, I’m just gonna say it: classic Leo. Never change, Jennifer Lopez. And if you do, please make a musical about it.
But did you cry during This Is Me … Now: A Love Story?
So kind of you to ask, and yes, of course I did. The Artist healed her own heart through the power of time and Flashdance. She learned to love herself first in order to truly love another. She went back in time and space and told her 8-year-old self that she’s sorry and she loves her. She found Ben Affleck again on a beach in front of a giant, unexplained sand statue straight out of Game of Thrones.
This worksheet mentions several mental tools and relaxation techniques that are essential for making the most of your anxiety hierarchy. Here are links to learn more about each one.
My favorite song of all time is “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” by Jeff Buckley. It’s also my biggest red flag. The song is about a man who lets the love of his life get away for pretty much no reason. Some interpret it as a song about infidelity. I just say it’s the toxic person’s anthem. Our lonesome man knows he should treat his lover better, but he blames his youth for why he can’t.
“Maybe I’m too young to keep good love from going wrong” is one of the best lyrics ever put to melody â but a cop-out is a cop-out.
But this trope goes way further than the lifetime I’ve been waiting for White Lotus Season 3. The saying “All’s fair in love and far,” alludes to this sentiment: when it comes to love, we want to believe that the end justifies the means.
Whether or not this is true, on Valentine’s Day we replace these notions with cliches like hearts and candy. Love is suddenly a sappy, saccharine affair about devotion and dedication. Even if you’re toxic during the rest of the year, Valentine’s Day begs you to be wholesome and happy.
I say, no, thank you. Valentine’s Day makes me want to sink into the very bottom depths of my Jeff Buckley-inspired longing and dream of the kind of love Taylor Swift was talking about in “Cruel Summer” and “The Way I Love You.” The kind that Jeff Buckley was screaming, crying, throwing up for. The kind that’s codependent and problematic but hits so differently when you’re in it.
Just for one day, let me be toxic. And let me start with these toxic romantic titles:
10 Things I Hate About You
It’s in the title. Should hate be integral to love? I don’t know, but I do know that I’ve never loved the “enemies to lovers” trope more than Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You. Their whole relationship is based on lies and invasions of her privacy all because she’s a “shrew” â God forbid a girl read Sylvia Plath and back into your car on purpose. It’s also an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, so here’s the proof that toxic love goes back centuries. And we still can’t get enough!
500 Days of Summer
500 Days of Summer is mostly toxic because it’s so misunderstood. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel shaped a generation. Too bad most of us didn’t understand how problematic JGL’s character was when we first watched it. Let this be a warning: run from anyone who makes liking The Smiths their whole personality. Long live the manic pixie dream girl.
Closer
Speaking of manic pixie dream girls, nothing beats Natalie Portman in Garden State, and Closer. Closer edges out the former on the toxic-scale because no one is redeeming in this ensemble cast. Julia Roberts, Jude Law, and Clive Owen join Portman in the craziest, most compelling, love square filled with misunderstandings, missed connections, and a whole lot of lies.
The Family Stone
Speaking of love squares, The Family Stone takes keeping it in the family to a new level. Though this is technically a Christmas movie, it’s larger-than-life plot and twisted, toxic take on accidental romance transcends the holiday. The all-star cast doesn’t hurt either: Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson and Craig T. Nelson.
Forrest Gump
If you’re doubtful about this film’s place in the category, look beyond the warm and fuzzies the nostalgia gives you. It’s a great movie, and Forrest might be wholesome, but just like that box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. From his obsession with Jenny to her pretty much using him at the end when her life takes a turn, toxic romance really does span decades.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
âEver get wrecked by a relationship so bad you feel like you need a lobotomy to forget about it? Yet somehow, the good times in these relationships feel the sweetest. What you need: a therapy session. Then, a rewatch of Tumblr favorite, âEternal Sunshine.
Stuck In Love
This movie follows the members of one family, recently wracked by divorce, as they try to find and keep love. Their stumbling attempts reflect their own traumas and how their family determined their relationships to others. All this to say: it’s toxic on purpose, and that’s enough for me. Logan Lerman is one of the few redeemable characters in this.
After
Anything that started as a Wattpad book is going to be the most toxic thing you’ve ever watched. Especially if it began as a One Direction fan fiction about Harry Styles. But if you’re in the mood to actually rot your brain, start here.
Twilight
âYou knew this was coming. Beyond the Mormon propaganda of it all, this is just an insanely codependent relationship that rewired the brains of a whole generation at an early age. No wonder we all crave unreal, unhealthy relationships. Don’t even get me started on Jacob and Renesmee.
Gone Girl
The fact that I think Gone Girl is romantic says everything you need to know. But they end up together in the end and that’s what matters! Sorry to EmRata’s character. Toxic recognizes toxic.
Jennifer’s Body
Male manipulators, rise!
Hulu’s High Fidelity
Honorable mention: While High Fidelity was originally a novel adapted into a movie starring John Cusack, the Hulu revival starring Zoe Kravitz and Da’Vine Joy Randolph is a force to be reckoned with. Kravitz as Rob is inspiring in her insufferable personality. And, of course, in her outfits. She inspired everyone in Bushwick to dress well and blame everyone else for their problems. My hero.
Americans are expected to spend a record amount on Valentine’s Day this year despite a years-long decrease in the percentage of people celebrating the holiday, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
“The vast majority of Valentine’s Day dollars are still spent on significant others, but there’s a big increase this year in consumers spreading the love to children, parents, friends, and coworkers,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said.
“Those who are participating are spending more than ever and that could be the result of the strong economy. With employment and income growing, consumers appear to be expanding the scope of who qualifies for a card or a box of candy,” he added.
Another study from St. Louis University in Missouri found that cannabis could improve your love life. Researchers surveyed 133 women who consumed cannabis shortly before engaging in sexual activity. Of the women surveyed, 68% said that it made sex more pleasurable. From that same study, 62% of participants said that cannabis helps them achieve a more satisfying orgasm.
A different study from Stanford found that women who abstained from cannabis in the past year had sex on average 6.0 times during the previous four weeks, whereas that number was 7.1 for daily cannabis users. Among men, the corresponding figure was 5.6 for nonusers and 6.9 for daily users. That means regular cannabis users are having 20% more sex than abstainers.
Explore the world of love through a variety of lenses. Here’s a collection of powerful films that each portray love and romance in a unique way, spanning multiple genres including drama, comedy, fantasy, animation, and sci-fi.
“Cinema is a mirror by which we often see ourselves.”
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Movies give us the opportunity to explore major themes in life in a meaningful and profound way.
A powerful film can lead to a better understanding of your own experiences. It can communicate thoughts and emotions that may have been challenging to express; and, at times, completely reshape our perspective on life.
For better or worse, movies play a pivotal role in shaping our beliefs and map of reality. We pick up ideas through films, sometimes absorbed at a very young age, and those ideas find their way into our daily lives influencing our choices and perspectives.
Filmmakers understand the transformative power of cinema, purposely using it to shake up people’s consciousness. The goal of a solid film is to create an experience that leaves you a different person by the end of it.
As viewers, it’s essential to be aware of a film’s effects both emotionally and intellectually. Often, the movies that linger in our thoughts long after watching are the most impactful and life-changing.
Here’s a collection of classic films about love and romance. Each movie has had a lasting influence on audiences in one way or another. It’s an eclectic list that spans multiple genres, including drama, comedy, animation, fantasy, mystery, and sci-fi.
Titanic (1997)
James Cameron’s epic tale blends love and tragedy against the historical backdrop of the Titanic’s sinking in 1912. The film weaves a captivating narrative of a forbidden romance blossoming amidst a natural disaster.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
In this mind-bending story, a man attempts to erase the memories of a lost love using cutting-edge technology, only to find fate conspiring to bring the couple back together repeatedly. The film explores the complexities of memory, love, and destiny.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Disney’s classic adaptation of the French fairy tale is celebrated for its beautiful animation and memorable songs. The film goes beyond appearances, illustrating the transformative power of true love.
Her (2013)
Set in a near-future world, “Her” tells the unconventional love story of a lonely man who forms a deep connection with his computer’s operating system. The film delves into themes of technology, loneliness, and the nature of human connection.
Before Sunrise (1995)
Richard Linklater’s film follows two young tourists who meet on a train in Europe and share an unforgettable night in Vienna. The movie explores the transient nature of connections and the profound impact of brief encounters.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Sofia Coppola’s film features a washed-up American celebrity and a young woman forging an unexpected bond in Tokyo. “Lost in Translation” navigates themes of loneliness, connection, and self-discovery.
Cinema Paradiso (1988)
An Italian filmmaker reflects on his past and learns how to channel his love in a different and creative way through his art and craftsmanship.
Past Lives (2023)
Two childhood friends reconnect after years apart, seeking to unravel the meaning behind their enduring connection. The film explores the complexities of friendship, time, and shared history.
Set in a dystopian future, “The Lobster” challenges societal norms by presenting a world where individuals must choose a romantic partner within 45 days or face transformation into an animal. The film satirizes the pressure to conform in matters of love.
Annie Hall (1977)
Woody Allen’s classic romantic comedy is a hilarious and heartfelt movie that explores neurotic love and the psychological obstacles we commonly face in marriage and long-term relationships.
Your Name. (2016)
A masterful anime that combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and romance. It centers on a mysterious connection between a boy and girl who swap bodies, learn about each other’s lives, and search to find each other in real life.
A Woman Under the Influence (1974)
John Cassavetes’ uncomfortably raw and dramatic portrayal of the profound impact of mental illness on marriage and family, navigating the complexities with unflinching honesty.
The Fountain (2006)
Darren Aronofsky’s “The Fountain” explores love and mortality through three interconnected storylines spanning different time periods. The film delves into themes of eternal love and the quest for immortality, providing a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience.
Scenes From a Marriage (1974)
Legendary director Ingmar Bergman’s deeply incisive and detailed chronicle of a rocky marriage’s final days.
Choose one movie and analyze it
Each of these films offers a different perspective on love while also pushing the boundaries of cinema and story-telling.
It’s fun to compare each story: How did the couples meet? What defined “love” for them? What obstacles did they face? Did the relationship work out in the end or not? Why?
While films are often seen as just a source of entertainment or healthy escapism, they can also be an avenue for self-improvement and growth.
The “Movie Analysis Worksheet” is designed to make you think about the deeper themes behind a film and extract some lessons from it that you can apply to your life.
Watch with a friend and discuss
If you don’t want to do the worksheet, just watch one of the movies with a friend (or loved one) – then discuss it after.
Watching a film together is an opportunity to share a new experience. It can also spark up interesting conversations. This is one reason why bonding through movies is one of the most common ways we connect with people in today’s world.
Which film will you check out?
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“Love On The Spectrum” is a reality television show centered on how people with autism view, seek, and find love. It’s a fun, inspiring, and heartwarming series that we can all draw many lessons from.
Related Articles
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Have you ever felt swept off your feet by someone new, completely smitten and unable to stop thinking about them? It’s exhilarating, isn’t it? But amidst the butterflies and fireworks, a tiny voice whispers, “Is this happening too fast?” Many of us have wondered if our blossoming feelings might be edging towards “emophilia love,” characterized by rapid emotional attachment.
Before anxiety takes root, take a deep breath and dive into this insightful “Am I Falling In Love Too Fast?” quiz. Designed specifically for people like you, navigating the exciting yet sometimes confusing early stages of a new relationship, this quiz offers valuable self-reflection to help you understand your emotions and ensure a healthy relationship pace for your love story.
There is no easy answer to how fast is too fast to fall in love. However, if you usually find yourself falling in love with your partner days after meeting them, it might be a good thing. These premature feelings could lead you to make decisions you’ll regret once the whirlwind of emotions has calmed down.
So, are you ready to embark on this introspective journey? Take the quiz and step into a healthy relationship grounded in clarity and understanding. Happy discovering!
There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.
Falling in love reshapes your entire perspective. Love engulfs our whole essence and you likely feel as if you cannot get enough of your partner… and want to learn everything you can about them. If so, there are plenty of romantic ways to get to know your partner. And asking questions is one of them.
What Constitutes a Romantic Question?
Romantic questions aim to bring you and your partner emotionally, physically, and spiritually closer. An excellent romantic question makes you appreciate your relationship. They also make you question how the relationship can improve. Romantic questions enhance communication which builds for a stronger relationship.
Why Asking Questions Is Important In a Relationship
Communication is key to a great relationship because it encourages trust. People need to trust one another, and the only way for that to happen is to know them. Truly know them. That is why asking questions is a great way to strengthen communication and build trust while getting to know your partner better.
I’m come up with some romantic questions that are perfect for all types of couples… whether you’re in your honeymoon phase or have been together for a decade or more. These questions will reinforce your relationship. So, be sure to grab your partner and take turns answering these romantic questions for couples.
How many of these questions will you already know the answer to? Which ones will you be surprised to hear? Let’s start the fun!
Intimate questions are a great way to dive deep into a physical connection with your partner. It’s a way to understand their love language and see if you are in sync with each other.
What is your favorite part about my body?
Where is your favorite place to kiss me?
Do I measure up to your “type?”
How can I show you how much I appreciate you?
Do you prefer acts of kindness, gift-giving, or words of encouragement from me?
Is there something you’d like to do in the bedroom that we haven’t tried yet?
Would you still find me attractive if I gained weight or changed my hair?
Have you had serious relationships before? How long did it last?
Do you think we need to work on our physical intimacy?
Do you prefer to be touched somewhere specific?
How many times a week should we be intimate with each other?
How important is sex to you in a relationship?
Are there any fantasies you wish we could act out in the future?
Hypothetical Questions
Hypothetical questions are perfect for realizing the way your partner thinks. Each answer grants a greater understanding of what type of person they are.
If you won a million dollars, what would you do?
If you could pick anywhere to travel tomorrow, where would you go and why?
If you could bring someone back to life for one day, who would it be?
If you could live forever, would you?
A genie grants you three wishes. What do you wish for?
If you had a time machine, which period would you visit?
If you had to choose between the power of invisibility or the ability to fly, which would you choose?
If you had to get a tattoo, what would it be of, and where would you put it?
The CIA has granted you knowledge of anything you want to know. What is the first thing you ask them?
You have the chance to solve any problem that the world faces. What problem do you solve?
Somehow you have become famous overnight. What made you famous?
If you could visit any fictional world, where would you go?
If you were on death row, what would your last meal be?
If you were the president, what plans would you put into action?
What three things would you take with you if trapped on an island?
You are granted permission to travel to space and back. Do you go?
You have 24 hours to live. What do you do with your time?
You can only listen to five songs for the rest of your life, what songs do you choose?
If you are given the ability to learn one skill expertly in seconds, which would you pick?
Who would you want to star yourself in a top Hollywood movie about your life?
If the world were to end, how would you want it to end?
Spiritual Questions
Spirituality is a very important aspect of a relationship. Some people value spirituality, while others don’t give it a second thought. These questions help guide you both through what matters most regarding spirituality.
Do you believe in a higher being?
Who or what do you think created the earth and yourself?
Do you feel driven by a purpose in life? What is your purpose?
Do you think there are other living beings outside of our known universe?
Do you think humans are born evil or good?
Do you believe people have free will or not?
How do you think we should punish people for mistakes?
Do you think humans can make up their morals or need assistance from a higher power?
How do you choose to label yourself spiritually?
Do you think people should be more or less religious?
Where do you think we go after we pass?
Do you believe in spirits or ghosts? Have you ever interacted with one before?
Do you care if I practice a religion different from your own?
How do you feel if I don’t believe in a higher power?
Do you believe in unconditional love?
Outside of religion, do you feel a spiritual connection with nature?
Fun Questions
Besides all the seriousness, relationships should also be fun! Which means these questions are set to make you laugh along with your partner while knowing them better. Nothing is too serious in these sets of questions.
Who is your favorite superhero?
Who was your first crush, and what age were you?
If you could choose any artist to perform at your birthday, who would you choose?
What do you like to do during your favorite season?
What language would you choose to learn?
What is your favorite theme park?
What’s one thing you want to witness for the first time?
Your most excellent skill is now an Olympic sport. What is your skill?
You have to change your name. What name are you choosing?
What’s the best dream you’ve ever had?
Could you describe your perfect day?
What is your guilty pleasure?
This or That
Rapid-fire questions are some of the best questions to ask your partner. Don’t give them any time to think. Let their first reaction be their answer. Start the clock, and don’t second guess these questions!
A quiet night in or out on the town?
Book or movie?
Wine or beer?
Play or musical?
Locked in a room with snakes or spiders?
Chocolate or vanilla?
Coffee or tea?
Cats or dogs?
Cheese or bread?
Mountains or the beach?
Concert or art museum?
Breakfast or dinner?
Money or happiness?
City or country life?
Final Thoughts on Romantic Questions for Couples
The whole point of romantic questions is to get closer to your partner. It is not a time for arguments or debate, but a safe place to express yourself.
Save this list for the next date night, or make a plan to ask your partner one question every day for 101 days. Your relationship is sure to grow with each answer.
Learn from past love to improve future love. This worksheet will guide you step-by-step so that you can take away the most important lessons from your past relationships.
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