In a clip from his April 23 Viall Files podcast, the Season 21 Bachelor declared, “The math isn’t mathing.”
Nick is “floored” by the number of times he’s heard Pump Rules cast members say they’re broke. “How can you be on TV for the better part of a decade [and] amass a large social media following that, if you do anything with [it], is a good payday?” he asked.
“There’s a lot of people not saving, unfortunately,” he admitted. “I think that’s the new norm these days … The [VPR] cast is a good example of how you can make a lot of money and still be poor.”
Some of the cast have invested their cash into real estate, restaurants, and business ventures rather than banking it. In March 2023, after Scandoval broke, Ariana Madix claimed she had only $2,000 in the bank. She couldn’t afford to move out and had to cohabitate with her cheating ex in the house they’d bought together.
“The internet thinks I’ve made millions of dollars,” she said at the time. “That is not true, and it’s, like, on March 1 [2023], was I financially prepared to move? No.” Much of her cash went into her and co-star Katie Maloney’s sandwich shop, Something About Her, which still has yet to open.
Fortunately for Ariana, she soon got commercial opportunities with Lays, Duracell, SoFi, and others, as well as movie roles and a slot on Dancing with the Stars. Since then, financial minds estimate that Ariana’s raked in a profit of somewhere around $2 million. These windfalls, along with her casting in the Broadway production Chicago, enabled her to buy a $1.6 million house in LA just one year out from Scandoval.
Don’t ask Taylor Armstrong what’s going on in the latest season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She doesn’t watch it. Despite being an OG cast member, she’s not afraid to admit that the show is no longer her cup of tea. There’s no shade, it’s just not for her anymore.
The former diamond holder recently spoke to Us Weekly about RHOBH. She actually had a really sweet reason for not watching the show. She just doesn’t want to see her friends fight. We assume she’s using the word “friends” loosely here.
The outlet asked Taylor about Kyle Richards and all of the casting drama surrounding Season 14 of RHOBH. Taylor said it’s hard to imagine a world without Kyle on the show, but then she claimed she doesn’t watch the show anyway. She doesn’t have any skin in the game.
“I stopped watching mostly the Beverly Hills girls because I love them all so much and watching them fight,” Taylor shared.
She continued, “I know what that anxiety feels like when you’re in that situation when you’re fighting with your friends on camera and it’s just so much pressure. And I was like, ‘I can’t watch this.’ It’s upsetting me watching them yell at each other.”
In Taylor’s opinion, the Housewives and all of the bickering don’t align with her mission of women’s empowerment. She’s currently working on a project called Empowered Experts. It’s going to require a lot of hours of developing courses and hosting retreats. She didn’t feel like it was possible to indulge in the Real Housewives while also existing in that space.
She explained, “Sometimes it’s a little difficult when watching my friends fight on TV and then turning around and being empowered. It doesn’t really fit sometimes.”
TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT TAYLOR DOESN’T WATCH RHOBH? DO YOU BELIEVE IT’S POSSIBLE TO FOCUS ON EMPOWERMENT WHILE ALSO WATCHING REAL HOUSEWIVES?
In case you missed it, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner just happened, and for some reason, Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright were in attendance. Clearly, whoever had the bright idea of inviting The Valley’s separated couple was being messy. However, when they arrived at the dinner, they ended up walking the red carpet separately. It’s just the latest example of the dynamic duo putting on friendly faces for the cameras while struggling to get along behind closed doors.
Together, but separate
Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images
Although Jax and Brittany walked the red carpet separately, they still sat together at the dinner. Apparently, they were both guests of Daily Mail. That explains the messiness.
Last year, the outlet invited Lisa Vanderpump and Ariana Madix, as well as Lala Kent, so they’re just making their way down the cast list at this point.
On Instagram, the estranged couple shared pictures of the night and were all smiles. They’re used to being around each other throughout their split, so. it didn’t seem awkward. They’ve remained so close throughout this mess that some even suspected they were faking the breakup for the sake of their new show. Both of them have adamantly denied that and have assured fans that the split is real.
Of course, Jax and Brittany are used to being around each other. They still host their podcast together, after all. So, how can Jax and Brittany stay so friendly with each other amid their breakup? In a recent interview, Brittany attributed it to their son, Cruz. They do it all for him, and a little space from each other has made things easier for everyone.
“I think it’s honestly been better because we aren’t fighting in front of [Cruz],” Brittany explained. “That’s what is most important right now … That’s why I had to get him out of that situation in the first place.”
You can watch Brittany and Jax on The Valley. It airs Tuesday nights at 9/8c on Bravo.
TELL US – WERE YOU SURPRISED TO SEE JAX AND BRITTANY AT THE WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THEM WALKING THE RED CARPET SEPARATELY?
Welcome back! Let’s dive right into the Deal or No Deal Island Episode 10 recap. Last time, Stephanie and Rob argued before Nick played against the Banker. Nick made a bad deal and was eliminated. This week’s episode, “Are You Powerful?” shows Aron playing his own game and making moves. Here’s everything you need to know about Deal or No Deal Island Episode 10!
The Night Owls have advice for Aron
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Back at camp, Rob told Amy that he never put her name, or Nick’s name, out there. Amy felt upset with Stephanie because Nick was family. So, who was riding for who in the Night Owls?
Amy and Jordan confronted Stephanie about whether Rob was targeting Nick. She doubled down with her lie and lied again. This time she told Aron that Rob came to her and said that both Aron and Nick should be eliminated. And then Stephanie would replace Aron. What insanity is this? Rob can’t stand Stephanie. Plus Jordan felt like Stephanie and Amy were being “aggressive” with a visibly upset Aron.
Jordan spots a liar
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Jordan, even though she joined the Night Owls, believed that Stephanie was lying. She told Rob her suspicions. After their chat, Rob called Stephanie “a sociopath.” The Survivor legend’s degree in psychology was paying off big time in this game.
The person that Rob thought would be with him at the end was Aron. Unfortunately, Aron believed that Rob put his name out there. Now Aron thinks he needs to forge his own path. So, Amy swooped in and asked him to be in a final two alliance. Aron felt like he had a better chance of beating Amy than Rob. This is making my head spin.
Whose fortunes will plummet?
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
During this excursion, the Banker wanted to test how the players use their power. Guests must race their jet ski across the bay to a clearing. Once there, they must make a decision that will cement their alliances or destroy them.
And while all of this is happening, a timer will be counting down. But it’s not time. It is money. There is $10 million on the timer, but for every minute that elapses, more money will be subtracted. The remaining amount will be a bonus case on the board at The Temple.
And retrieving the highest value case doesn’t mean immunity. Rob immediately knew that he needed to face the Banker. Since Stephanie was in the bottom two last time, the Banker has given her the honor of determining the order in the game.
A bromance gets heated
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Rob went first. In the clearing, there was a sign with the rules. A higher case value equals less power. Each contestant must select a case and vote for another player to face the Banker.
The highest value case is $6 million with a personal offer of $75,000. Wow! But that case comes with the least number of marbles to vote with. Rob was taking his sweet time, which made Aron angry. He felt like Rob didn’t care about the group.
Rob grabbed the $3 million case and put all the marbles in for Aron. He believed that Aron would take the case with the next lowest value and vote for him.
Next up was Amy. She took the $6 million case with the personal offer, and she used her single marble to vote for Stephanie. Back at the starting point, Amy made a fake agreement with Rob that they wouldn’t go after each other. But she was lying.
Then Aron took the $4 million case to show Rob that he was playing his own game. He put the five marbles in Rob’s canister. When Rob chastised Aron for not getting the $3.5 million case, Aron said that he was trying for the middle ground. Rob realized that Aron was in it to win it for himself. “After everything we’ve been through,” he said. “Rotten.”
Aron knew that he might have lost a friend when he saw how angry Rob was. Then Stephanie took the $3.5 million case and used all her marbles to vote for Amy. Finally, Jordan took the $5.5 million case. She voted for Rob because he wanted to play the Banker. There was $1 million left on the clock timer for the bonus case.
Amy wields some power
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Joe tallied the votes. Jordan had no votes, and Stephanie had one vote. Amy seemed surprised that she had six votes. Meanwhile, Aron had seven votes and Rob had seven votes.
Since it was a tie, the guest with the highest value case had to decide who would play the Banker. Amy was flustered and wanted more time to decide. Finally, she selected Aron. She hoped that if he won, he would send Rob home.
Joe asked Aron what he thought of Amy’s decision. “I burned a bridge today with Rob, so I think that if Rob had gone up, he might have gotten me anyway,” Aron said. Rob was confused by Aron’s remark. So, Stephanie explained to Jordan that Aron was afraid of Rob and that people made Aron feel like he wasn’t playing his own game.
Buckle up, dear friends, because Rob came in hot. He alleged that Stephanie told Aron to play his own game, but by doing so, she had control over him. Stephanie fired back that the other guests saw how Aron was “manipulated and controlled” by Rob. Eventually, Aron spoke up. “I play my own game, and I play my game well,” he said.
Friends until the end?
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Rob and Aron had a private conversation. Rob advised Aron to just find out the best way for them both to reach the end. Meanwhile, Aron felt that Amy and Stephanie were right about his blind loyalty to Rob. “Sometimes you have to eliminate a friend to win it all,” Aron said.
Then Rob asked Aron to win and send Stephanie home. When he asked for a promise, Aron replied, “Maybe. I’ll think about it.” Ouch! Rob begged Aron not to listen to Stephanie and turn against him.
Meanwhile, Aron was struggling. He doesn’t want to backstab Rob. In his confessional, Aron said, “If I do end up eliminating Rob right now, I hope that he can forgive me because I really do feel truly sorry.” Rob wanted to trust Aron, but he could tell that “something fishy” was afoot.
Who will face the Banker in The Temple?
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Aron Barbell faces off against The Banker in Deal or No Deal Island Episode 10.
This is the final chance in The Temple for players to add some cash to the final case. And this was Aron’s second time facing the Banker. Will the second time be the charm? He selected case number 10 as his case, which was his girlfriend’s birthday. Aron had to open six cases in the first round. He lost $3 million, $4 million, and $6 million off the board. The Banker’s opening offer to Aron was a paltry $589,000.
Aron declined the Banker’s offer. In the next round, Aron had to open three cases. Afterward, there was $750, $1 million, and $3.5 million left on the board. The Banker offered $1,199,000, and Aron accepted the deal. The final case value soared to $10,107,000.
Who was eliminated in Deal or No Deal Island, Episode 10?
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Aron Barbell was the ninth player eliminated in Deal or No Deal Island.
When Aron opened his case, it contained $3.5 million. He made a bad deal and was eliminated.
Joe asked Rob how he was feeling. “I hate it. I’m going to miss you, and you’re a good guy,” Rob said. He continued, “I’m proud to know you. I’m proud to call you a friend.” Even Joe didn’t want to send Aron out of The Temple.
In his final confessional, Aron said, “I’m not the Banker’s ultimate opponent. Clearly, you know, the Banker defeated me today. I’m going to take away so much from this.” He added, “It’s so obvious to see the changes in me from day one.” Aron stated that he was “proud of who I am and I feel more confident and I think I truly have become a really much better person.”
Rob and Aron embraced for a long time before Aron left. Everyone was emotional and sad to see Aron leave. The remaining four players will face off in the Banker’s final challenge, which will determine who plays for the final case.
TELL US – DID YOU ENJOY EPISODE 10 OF DEAL OR NO DEAL ISLAND? ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT ARON WAS CONSIDERING TURNING ON ROB? WHO DO YOU THINK WILL COMPETE IN THE FINALE?
Abby Lee Miller did a number on the cast of Dance Moms, including the likes of JoJo Siwa. Nevertheless, JoJo seemed to turn out just great. She’s a huge success, and one of the biggest names to come from the series.
JoJo has recently tried entering a new era – her bad girl phase. Of course, the internet’s sort of been clowning on the nature of this transition. Moreover, JoJo seems like a wholesome person, so, most people aren’t buying it. Didn’t a lot of folk have the same to say about the likes of Miley Cyrus?
Still, despite being the subject of recent video essays, at least JoJo is doing okay for herself. One might argue that she’s doing so well in spite of Dance Moms, not because of it. However, JoJo doesn’t see it that way. She seems to be all too grateful for the show and her connections.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, JoJo spoke about her current relationship with Abby. “Abby, honestly, my relationship is great,” she said. “I talk to her on a weekly basis. Great human in my life.” For all their ups and downs, it’s kind of reassuring to see they have a decent relationship now.
But even though JoJo keeps up with some of her old Dance Moms costars, others aren’t so close anymore. For example, Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler. JoJo said she doesn’t “really have” a relationship with them “anymore.” As she put it, “Not a bad thing, not a great thing, we just don’t really communicate.”
She added, “Sure, if we saw each other we would be great friends, but we just don’t see each other.” JoJo further assured fans that there was no bad blood between her and any other Dance Moms alum. She mentioned Nia Sioux in particular. “We’ve always been very friendly with each other. We saw each other at the Super Bowl. Yeah, no bad blood anywhere.”
The reality TV star talked a bit about it on her Orange County podcast with songwriter and producer Shane McNally and reiterated that she hasn’t taken a drink. However, she does sometimes indulge in a “natural” way to de-stress when the situation calls for it.
“Still sober? Yes, I am. I am California sober,” she shared. “Which means that I do not drink alcohol, but I do enjoy a little bit of the…”
“Cannabis,” Shane finished for her.
“Yes, cannabis,” she confirmed. Gina also added that she doesn’t have it every day. “But I like that I have that when I do something to have fun and relax or whatever,” she explained. “But it’s not a social thing like I never do that when I’m out. It’s like when I don’t have kids, and it’s late at night, and I just want to laugh at a movie and go to bed.”
She further added that she hasn’t had a drink in over two years and is going strong, and Shane added that he was already going on three years of sobriety.
“Good for you, Shane,” Gina said. “Good for us.”
Shane added that their ongoing sobriety and stories prove that it can be done, and you just have to commit to getting out of a lifestyle situation that is no longer beneficial to you.
Gina chose to stop drinking two years ago because, according to her, she felt like she was becoming reliant on alcohol and drinking way more than she used to, especially during the pandemic.
So she made a choice to quit cold turkey, which may not have been the easiest path but turned out to be the most suitable for her. She distracted herself by keeping busy and engaging in other happy distractions; before she knew it, time had passed.
Now, she continues to stay away from alcohol, though sometimes a little weed helps take the edge off when things get crazy.
The legal battle is ongoing. While Bravo and Brandi expectedly denied any wrongdoing, commentators have their own opinions. Then there was Brandi’s own allegations and threatening of a lawsuit, where she accused Andy of sexual harassment. Andy later apologized for a particular incident, but insisted Brandi was “in on the joke.”
In a recent interview with Page Six, Phaedra spoke on her ability to maintain a friendship with Andy and Brandi. “It’s never going to be awkward,” she said, “because I’m always going to be honest and truthful.” To that point, she added, “I wish people would’ve stuck up for me like I’m sticking up for Brandi.”
“A lot of times people are so afraid to say what they know is true.” Referring to Atlanta, she continued, “Like the women on my show, and that happened to me, and they knew the truth.” Brandi also spoke with Page Six and expressed her gratitude toward Phaedra for being someone to lean on.
“She is truly such a goddess, beautiful woman, and she saved me,” Brandi expressed. “Honestly, she saved me.” Brandi made it clear to Phaedra that they didn’t have to associate publicly if she didn’t want to. Nevertheless, Phaedra wanted to be with her friend. “I’m ride or die, for real. Because at the end of the day, man cannot promote me,” she explained. “Only God can promote me.”
Real Housewives of Atlanta and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills are streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF PHAEDRA’S LOYALTY? DO YOU THINK SHE SHOULD REMAIN FRIENDS WITH BRANDI?
Photo by: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Slowly but surely, Southern Charm stars Craig Conover and Austen Kroll are working to get their bar up and running. The bar, which will be called, By The Way, is still early in the construction phase, and Craig just shared an exciting update on the progress on Instagram. They have a long way to go, but it’s safe to say, Craig and Austen are well on their way to being bar owners.
Coming soon to Charleston
@caconover via Instagram Stories
When Austen and Craig first announced that they were entering the bar business, they said they wanted to open a “neighborhood tavern” in Charleston that could unite both tourists and locals. Craig described it as an “intimate space.”
Craig explained, “We put a lot of thought into the design to try and make it as warm and inviting as possible. We’re leaning into the local, upscale, tavern vibes, so the menu is going to have elevated bar fare and approachable cocktails.”
In the sneak peek of the bar that Craig just shared, we’re clearly very far away from enjoying that elevated bar fare. The place is still a bare-bones construction site. Still, progress is progress. When Craig shared the picture on Instagram, he simply captioned it, “Heck ya.”
This isn’t the first time that Craig and Austen have shared updates on the progress of the bar. In February, they also posted pictures as they broke ground on the project. Unlike the Something About Her sandwich shop, Craig and Austen are being transparent every step of the way through this business launch.
The two business bros anticipate that By The Way will open by midsummer. Of course, there’s still a lot of work to do between now and then, but Craig and Austen seem to have this project on track. They already own a restaurant in New York City called Carriage House, so this isn’t their first time launching a brick-and-mortar business. We’ll be staying tuned for updates on when their watering hole opens up.
TELL US – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON CRAIG AND AUSTEN’S FORTHCOMING BAR? WOULD YOU STOP BY FOR A DRINK IF YOU WERE IN CHARLESTON?
It’s been almost a year since Janelle Browncalled it quits on her marriage to Sister Wives star Kody Brown. I dare say she isn’t regretting her choice in the least. As they say, people enter your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Thankfully, Janelle only had to deal with the polygamous patriarch for a season. Fans watched their relationship decline over time, thanks to Kody’s selfish ways and refusal to take accountability for his actions. While Janelle used to walk on eggshells, now she’s doing whatever she wishes without having to answer to Kody. Janelle was the most logical and brightest of the bunch. She was always too good for Kody, and she deserves this new chapter of complete independence and freedom.
Life is so much simpler for Janelle now that Kody is out of her life, with one noticeable difference being she sees her children a whole lot more. The 54-year-old has always been close to her children, but their feud with Kody often blocked her from having any major family events. For example, when her son Logan Brown got hitched, Janelle sat front row while Kody and Robyn Brown were seated on the bride’s side and in the middle of other guests.
Since her divorce, Janelle has been spotted traveling all over the country to visit her children. She racks up the miles between North Carolina, Las Vegas, and back to Arizona. Kody has yet to improve things with his children, but that means there is more quality time for Janelle to snatch up.
Janelle once told People, “Life is simpler because what would happen is Kody would come because he was very good about sticking to his schedule, but it was this whole upheaval of my routine in my life, and where there wasn’t a whole lot of connection emotionally, it just felt like a burden. Now, Janelle doesn’t have to worry about Kody’s wants and put her needs first, which must be a breath of fresh air after 25 years of being told what to do. Janelle joked, “And now I go to bed when I want; I eat what I want for dinner.”
For Janelle, her life as a single woman is now about the basic need of being able to choose whatever she feels like doing at the time. While she isn’t ready to jump back into a relationship, she has hinted it would be nice to have a life partner but to be honest, she has been single for so long due to Kody’s love for Robyn that I don’t think she should rush into anything as she is doing pretty well on her own. Janelle agreed “If Kody and I had been different and been really connected, and then I think that would’ve been a very different story. But as it was, I’m so much more free. I was pretty independent and free before, but I’m really free now.”
For Janelle, being free from Kody’s tyranny means she can do whatever her heart desires. Whether it is traveling, sleeping in on a Sunday, or visiting her best friend Christine Brown. After Christine left the plural family, it was clear that Kody was not pleased Janelle still wanted a friendship as he often pressured his second wife to choose him. Now, there is no more choosing, only winning for Janelle.
And go figure, Janelle is dreaming big now that she doesn’t have a 220lb man-child anchoring her down. Janelle shared, “I feel like I can choose now. My youngest is graduated from high school. I now have an exciting professional life, and I have all these kids, I have grandkids, and I just want to explore this part of my life.” People like Janelle trusting their partner to make good decisions for them when they’re not capable is a tale as old as time, though. But now, at least, Janelle can rewrite her fairytale.
TELL US – DO YOU BELIEVE JANELLE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION TO LEAVE KODY?
