Photo Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for MTV
It’s that time of year again! MTV just announced The Challenge Season 40, and they’re pulling out all of the stops for the landmark season. Of course, there are the usual suspects like like Johnny Bananas and CT Tamburello. Obviously, they never turn down the call. But, there are also contestants from the entire 39-season run of the show.
The contestants will be divided into different “eras.” That word isn’t just for Taylor Swift. This is a Battle of the Eras! The teams will compete for a grand prize of $1 million. So, if you haven’t watched The Challenge in a while, we think this might be the one to watch. There’s literally a little bit of everything.
This is the old-school team from the early days of the show, and (almost) all of them have wins under their belt. They have CT, who is fresh off of his win on The Traitors. Plus, there are all of the classic faces from this show, like Mark Long and Aneesa Ferreira. If you’re solidly in your 30s, you’re probably rooting for this team.
Bananas is representing Era 2 of The Challenge, back when the show was still called Real World/Road Rules Challenge. He’ll be joined by other champs like Cara Maria Sorbello and Laurel Stucky. You heard it here first, this team is going to be a force to be reckoned with.
Compared to the rest of the teams, Era 3 doesn’t have quite as many champs, but the competitors they have are heavy hitters. You have folks like Leroy Garrett, who has competed a whopping 13 times, and Jonna Mannion, who recently won back-to-back seasons of The Challenge: All Stars. They might put up a fight.
Last, and possibly least is Era 4 of The Challenge. This group has all of the modern-era Challengers, with their minimal experience and least amount of wins. The only champs on this team are Kaycee Clark and Jenny West, but there also folks from non-MTV shows in this group. Compared to the rest of the teams, this one seems like Fresh Meat, but maybe they’ll prove us wrong.
Welcome back, my desert-loving dears! It’s time for the Real Housewives of Dubai Season 2, Episode 4 recap. On this week’s episode, titled “Drama Queens,” we meet Sara’s hot new man. Yet, the real fire here takes place at a celebratory party for the queens in Chanel’s life, because several of these cast members have lost all of their f*cks left to give. Here’s everything that just went down in the always-hot locale of RHODubai Season 2, Episode 4.
Bootcamp and a blow-up
Taleen is bringing her love of a woman-centric workout sesh to Dubai. As a Muslim country, the female population in Dubai is not always comfortable working out alongside their male counterparts, but Taleen is hoping to change this. Her boot camp on the beach ensues, with many local ladies joining in. They flip tires, run with parachutes, and do so many things that make me tired by proxy because I’m an inside cat.
Too bad for Taleen though, because her husband wants her literal eggs in another basket. He wants a son. Godspeed, Taleen.
Speaking of sons, Sergio is cuddling Stanbury as she packs up their rental space. I mean, I got a flick in the forehead from my loving mate this morning, so Stanbury’s got it great if you ask me. Instead of cuddling him back though, they fight, because this move has been stressful af.
Dead people and dying friendships
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No, this section called Dead People is not about myself. Instead, it’s about Chanel, Lesa, and Stanbury, who are hoping to find out how old Chanel is via a forensic dental scan, which is apparently not just for the dead. As Chanel doesn’t exactly know her age, she’s hoping that this scan answers a few questions for her. Such as who is older, herself or Stanbury.
They have to wait though. This doctor’s report will take a while.
Across town, Brooks is also waiting, but her wait is on her preteen son, who won’t return her cuddles. I feel this. Don’t try flossing Brooks. It won’t make you more relatable, just, trust.
Luckily, Brooks’ mom is heading back into town to help with her grandson. While on the phone with her mother, Brooks reveals that she and Stanbury are at odds. Her mom is shocked, and Brooks asks her for her help in figuring this whole mess out, once she’s in town.
Coffees, changes, and sad conversations
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Sara and Saba meet up for a girly coffee chat, and also, I want to be their friend. But, I’m not, yet. During their Amy-less banters over their ethnicities, Sara receives a phone call from a hottie named Akin, who is about to head down to Dubai for a little visit. Akin lives in Germany, and in the gym, and Sara’s feeling everything that he’s selling, as am I.
Stanbury and Sergio are also feeling something, and it’s their new home. They are finally moving in, but right away, one of their dogs pees, and it goes all over their expensive new floors. He’s just a good boy though. Christening his new mansion for his humans.
Equally enjoying her own home is Taleen, but she’s not yet fully comfortable in her kitchen. She usually has a chef, so when she’s left in charge, struggles happen. As she’s mixing a few things though, Taleen’s focus shifts onto Yasmine, Stanbury’s daughter, who verbally put down her stepdad Sergio at a party just a few days prior. On this, Taleen is sad for Sergio.
Chanel’s throwing a queens-themed party for the ladies. Naturally, her event is being held where the VIP/VIIP/VVIIIPPPPPP Beyoncé debacle went down. Her girlies all arrive late though, leaving Chanel waiting alone in her crown for quite a while. Once they arrive, their seating selections at Beyoncé come up once again, causing a few more debates in turn.
Things settle down, and Chanel thanks everyone for being her queens. She also asks Brooks and Stanbury what is going on between them. They both brush things off though. It’s a cold war now.
But then, Chanel decides to play a little game. She asks each of the ladies to pick someone at the table, saying why their chosen woman is a queen. This goes incredibly well until Taleen chooses Stanbury. As she’s lifting up her costar, Brooks heavily rolls her eyes.
Afterward, Taleen asks for some alone time with Stanbury. In their removed spot, she asks Stanbury if she and Sergio are okay. Stanbury says that they are, but in her confessional, she admits that she’s frustrated with Sergio because he should not be talking about their issues with their peers.
They return to the table, but a few of their costars are now annoyed about their private chat. Lesa asks what it was about, and Taleen explains that she “was just looking out for a friend.” This answer settles nothing though, so Taleen asks for Lesa to just “move on.”
In response, Lesa tells Taleen that she’s “being b*tchy,” as Brooks jumps in to help calm things down. Her efforts mostly work. For now.
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Earlier this year, some of the Real Housewives of New Jersey cast came under fire for allegedly having a strategy session ahead of the Season 13 reunion. They wanted to have a meeting of the minds with how to approach the sitdown. Now, Rachel Fuda has accused Jennifer Aydin of doing the something much worse.
During a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Rachel chatted with Andy Cohen about the drama that went down between Jen and Danielle Cabral. According to Rachel, Jen had this entire storyline scoped out before the cameras started rolling on Season 14.
Jennifer Aydin had a plan, according to Rachel…
On WWHL, Andy and Rachel reacted to Danielle and Jen’s physical altercation. It’s ridiculous, and what makes it even more obnoxious is that the entire thing started because of a charity event.
According to Jen, Danielle took money that should have gone toward the cause. Danielle denied this, saying she used some of the money to cover expenses for the event, and donated the entire amount that was left over. Which is, by the way, exactly how these things usually work.
It seemed like they smoothed things over during Melissa Gorga’s limoncello-themed housewarming party. However, their feud got reignited at Teresa’s “tipsy in Tulum” gathering. After watching the drama play out, Rachel felt like the whole situation was premeditated.
“Can we think of anything that’s more pre-contrived than all that? These girls come into this season with a plan and they execute,” Rachel explained. “That was the execution of a plan that happened before cameras even picked up.”
Andy seemed surprised by the answer, even though this isn’t the first Jen and Teresa have been accused of plotting on their castmates. Much of the discord in the group right now goes back to accusations that Teresa and Luis Ruelas hired a private investigator to dig into the lives of their castmates. In comparison, planning a storyline around a botched charity event seems pretty mild.
Regardless, Rachel has made it crystal clear that she’s on Danielle’s side of this feud. They may have had their differences in Season 13, but at this point, they’re both solidly aligned against Teresa and Jen.
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We’ve reached the halfway point of Race to Survive: New Zealand and a third of the contestants have been injured. You don’t have to be a math expert to recognize that these odds aren’t looking good for our teams. Race to Survive continues to prove that it isn’t a show for the faint of heart.
Last week, the racers squeezed their way through a spooky cave, and the Ultramarathoners were forced to exit the race after a fall on the course caused Coree to end up with a concussion. Meanwhile, the Cool Moms struggled to make their way through the course thanks to an ankle injury Ashley sustained.
This week, the racers wrapped up Race 3. The contestants lucky enough to secure a medallion into Survival Camp immediately went into struggle mode to try to refuel their tired bodies. Here’s what went down during Race to Survive: New Zealand Episode 6, “Death Snails.”
Pushing through Race 3
Photo Credit: Brian Finestone/USA Network
The contestants on Race to Survive: New Zealand have had to do some insane things, but Race 3 has been the wildest one yet. The fact that they had to descend 600 feet into a cave and then immediately continue racing through the jungle seems almost inhumane. Alas, that’s what these people signed up for.
At the beginning of this episode, most of the racers were in Zone 4 of the race: Boulder Canyon. That proved to be extra treacherous for Ashley, whose ankle seemed like it could give out at any moment. The rest of the teams managed to skip across the rocks and hit the water for a kayak race to Survival Camp.
For the usual suspects at the front of the pack, they were all fighting to get to Survival Camp first. Yes, it was about bragging rights, but more importantly, they wanted to get those Survival Crate perks. You never know when the producers are going to slide a pack of bacon in there, and these fellas were hungry.
Ultimately, the River Guides ended up finishing in first place — again. At this point, it doesn’t seem like they can be stopped. Inside the Survival Crate, they had the options of a charcuterie board, a spice kit, a camping shovel, or a fishing spear. Obviously, they chose the charcuterie board.
The Smokejumpers came in second place just a few moments later and wound up taking the spice kit. It came with a bottle of hot sauce, so you really can’t blame them. In third place, in-laws Ryan and Bronsen showed up and were so bummed to realize there was no food in the crate for them. After all, they skipped the only food cache in Race 3 in hopes of beating the rest of the teams. Too bad, too sad.
Are Nik and Kennedy the team to watch?
Photo Credit: Tim Williams/USA Network
This episode was called “Death Snails,” not in reference to something that they tried eating at survival camp, but about an analogy that Oliver from the River Guides made at Survival Camp. He seemed genuinely surprised to see the Oil Riggers, Nik, and Kennedy cross the finish line in fifth place. Suddenly, he realized that they might be a bigger threat than anyone realized.
To explain the phenomenon, Oliver went into an analogy that sounded like something a frat bro would try to tell you after having too many Jägerbombs. It sounds insane, but then all of a sudden, it starts to make a little sense.
“Nik and Kennedy are that snail,” Oliver explained. “Have you ever heard of that?”
“You get $10 million, but there’s a snail that’s always following you, and when it touches you, you die. But that snail will get to you,” Oliver continued. “Nik and Kennedy are that snail. They’re always coming. Nothing’s going to stop them.”
If you couldn’t make sense of Oliver’s analogy, we’ll translate: The Oil Riggers are a team worth watching. They might not always come in first, but they always cross that finish line. While the River Guides are fast, the Oil Riggers have survival skills and badassery on their side. Don’t count them out.
The little ankle that could
Photo Credit: Tim Williams/USA Network
Two other people not to count out are the Cool Moms. The way they took on this race was truly something. Ashley’s ankle was already hurting, and then she had to try to walk across a bunch of wet boulders. How in the world does that work?
In an interview, the duo said they were feeling well mentally. It was just the physical aspect holding them back. On the boulders, Ashley cried and winced with every step she took, and it was hard to watch. You kept waiting for a producer to step in and make her stop, but that doesn’t happen on this show.
“I know we’re almost there, and I want to get to that crate,” Ashley said through tears.
According to Ashley, she would keep pushing even if she had to crawl to the finish line. She meant it because, somehow, they defied the odds and made it to the finish line. How they didn’t tap out before making it to the end is nothing short of incredible, and there’s no doubt that Ashley’s ankle is the hardest-working bone on reality TV.
Although it felt like a triumph to watch Rhandi and Ashley cross the finish line, the reality of the competition came crashing down on them when they realized there wasn’t a medallion in the Survival Crate. Everybody’s favorite ultramarathoning moms were eliminated at the end of Race 3 after coming in last place. They fought a good fight!
A treasure trove of seafood
Photo Credit: Brian Finestone/USA Network
Of course, this is a Race to Survive, so food is always scarce. At Survival Camp, the five remaining teams quickly realized that things were extra scarce this time around. Throughout the camp, there were crabs in the sand, fish in the water, and teeny-tiny little creatures crawling around that didn’t look edible but we know they tried to eat them anyway. Fishing came with various successes.
After spending a lot of time on the water, Kennedy managed to hone the skills she learned from her family and caught a giant barracuda. Within seconds, she killed that bad boy and they were ready to chow down. The Smokejumpers also managed to catch a few questionable-looking fish out of the water. Seafood for (almost) everyone!
The River Guides were the only ones with a proper fishing pole because they won it as a perk for finishing first in Race 2. Ironically, they were the only people who couldn’t catch anything. They had all of the tools, but they couldn’t make it happen. For the first time in the whole race, you could feel just a little bit of tension between these two. Feeling hangry will do that.
Creighton makes another deal
Photo Credit: Patrik Giardino/USA Network
In other fishy adventures, Creighton felt hungrier than anyone on this planet has ever felt before. He said he would pay $1000 for a burger because he was so hungry. He threatened to “club a dolphin to death” if it meant being able to eat. Don’t hold that against him, this show does crazy things to people.
Eventually, Creighton’s hunger led him to revisit his previous strategy of wheeling and dealing with the other teams. You have to appreciate his willingness to do whatever it takes to “survive.” That’s the point of the show!
He approached the Hunters and told them that if he could use their fishing spear, he would give them half of anything he caught. Ryan and Bronsen were starving, so they had nothing to lose. Why not?
Lo and behold, Creighton ventured off into the abyss and somehow caught a giant eel-looking creature with nothing but the fishing spear. Was it enough to win Paulina back? Probably not. But it was enough to put a smile on everyone’s faces. The Hunters rejoiced the Divorcees feasted, and the episode ended on a positive note. That won’t last long though because Race 4 is right around the corner.
As a reminder, here’s a look at how everyone finished Race 3:
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF RACE TO SURVIVE: NEW ZEALAND EPISODE 6? WERE YOU SAD TO SEE RHANDI AND ASHLEY GET ELIMINATED? DO YOU THINK THE RIVER GUIDES CAN BE TAKEN DOWN?
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Pour yourselves a tall glass of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, because this innocent whiskey is currently catching all kinds of hate in the Garden State. Speaking of Ghatorades, Jennifer and Danielle must have imbibed, because on Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14, Episode 8, “Trouble in Tulum,” these two are now fighting … again. Things really came to a head during a party at Teresa’s, furthering fracturing this already heavily divided cast. Here are all of the dirty deets behind this major kerfuffle, via our RHONJ Season 14, Episode 8 recap.
Nipples are in, tensions are still not out
In the lobby of a healing center, Teresa falls in love with a Buddha head that isn’t for sale. Channeling Veruca Salt, Teresa tells the owner, that it’d be perfect for her party. “It’s called tipsy and Tulum … it’s in the backyard, so I wanted to put it by the Jacuzzi,” she explains, with wide, hopeful eyes.
Thankfully, Dolores and Jennifer arrive, and Teresa’s eye-contact waivers. Teresa hugs them, and asks them to arrive in “as little clothes as possible” to her party. Dolores laughs.
Melissa is also laughing, en route to the bank. Envy is located near “unreal” foot traffic now, and it’s thriving. So, Melissa is having a fashion show. She’s also going with the less is more vibes, telling her manager that “nipples are in,” and that her show needs to be “super sexy.”
Back in the healing space, an instructor asks Teresa, Jennifer, and Dolores to focus on their tensions. Montages emerge, showcasing each of their internal conflicts in turn. Their session ends, not helping Dolores at all, but she does want to purchase a piece of this center’s art. It’s a tree that’s “connected to abundance,” which is perfect for her new Eco Electric business with Paulie.
After shading Dolores’s lack of a ring in her confessional, Jennifer tells Teresa that she missed a messy housewarming party. Dolores agrees, explaining that Joe threw her card into the fire. Teresa calls Joe petty.
Then, Dolores reveals that John was also acting up. He noted to the partygoers that he had been arrested when he was young, like Gia Giudice’s age, so, Tre needs to let his past go. Good luck John, because mentioning Tre’s kids helps nothing.
EVER.
Also, Jennifer doesn’t like Danielle, and Dolores isn’t feeling Jackie, who called her a slob.
A diagnosis of drama
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Margaret stops by Rachel’s house with a gift in hand for Rachel’s daughter Giuliana. This sweet babe just had a lip and tongue-tie procedures done, and already, she’s seeing a marked improvement. On this same medically fragile note, Margaret’s Joe has some health issues going on as well. With his, the dreaded cancer word is lurking, making me hate this vile disease even more.
Speaking of diseases, Margaret tells Rachel that Jackie is being a “f*cking asshole” right now. Naturally, this cast is fighting, as Tre’s Hedonism-like party lays in wait. As for Teresa, she can feel the drama coming, but she also doesn’t think that any of these squabbles are big enough for her to even care about. In her mind, the only evil thing at play here is Margaret.
Teresa asks Dolores, “Who cares about Jackie?” before saying she simply needs her to take Marge down. In confessional, Teresa says “karma’s a bitch,” and somewhere, JoJo Siwa is body-popping.
Tensions flare in Tulum, NJ
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Teresa’s party kicks off, and only small glimpses of tits are seen. MTV this is not. Jackie arrives, causing Danielle and Dolores to walk away for a drink. In Jackie’s circle, the Margaret hating continues, which annoys Jenn Fessler, who also walks away from this trio.
Speaking of mess, Luis isn’t wearing any undies.
In better news, Jackie and Dolores speak. Jackie wants to fight for their friendship, but Dolores doesn’t.
Across the lawn, Danielle checks in with Teresa, to see if they’re good. They are. Danielle reassures Teresa that when she hangs out with the others, it’s not filled with Teresa-bashing comments. After clearing this bit of air, Danielle heads over to Jennifer next.
Jennifer doesn’t fold though. Instead, she accuses Danielle of paying herself out of her charity event’s donations. Danielle reminds Jennifer that she has a ton of money, unlike herself, so she has to take a cut to help her pay for the costs.
Then, Jennifer accuses Danielle of “sabotaging” her own hairdresser’s photo shoot. Danielle gives context, and reveals that Jennifer’s twisting things around. Jennifer continues to stand firm, claiming that Danielle treats “her people” poorly.
The girls call each other sweet things, like “dirt bag” and “piece of sh*t.” Then, Jennifer shoves Danielle, so Danielle instantly responds by smacking her drink into the side of Jennifer’s head. Fortunately, it was a plastic cup; not the glass that was widely reported soon after filming.
“Your wife’s a b*tch,” Danielle yells at Bill as she exits the party. Slowly, Bill gets up to comfort Jennifer, who can’t even recall WTF just happened.
Mark my words. The death of this current cast has just begun.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey has always been a popular franchise among Bravo viewers. Between the mob-like mentality, old Italian tradition, and table flipping, it was pretty hard to find a Real Housewives franchise that compared. But with the dawn of Season 14, long-time followers are starting to feel like they have entered an alternate RHONJ dimension.
Shifting alliances
One thing has always been perfectly clear when it comes to the Real Housewives of New Jersey: There was always going to be Team Teresa and Team Melissa. The OGs of the Garden State, Teresa Giudice, and Melissa Gorga, have never seen eye to eye. Since Season 3, fans have had to watch the same storyline regarding the dramatic family feud. Over the years, their co-stars have taken sides.
On Team Teresa, there has always been Dolores Catania, Jennifer Aydin, and now Danielle Cabral. On Team Melissa there was Maragret Josephs, Rachel Fuda, and Jackie Goldschneider. But something in the wind changed, leading to a shake-up of the alliances. The RHONJ fan base has been left unsettled. Left wondering where in the world Rod Serling is when you need him the most.
Perhaps the most unsettling issue is the fact that Margaret and Jackie are now mortal enemies. I didn’t see this coming. The two women were extremely close. But after last week’s episode where Marge sent diabolical texts written by Jack, it’s all over. It was at this moment I had the into from the famed 1959 series enter my head- “A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That’s a signpost up ahead: your next stop: the Twilight Zone!” The newest season opened up with Jackie making a pit stop at Teresa’s new home. The two hung out like friends. They even trash-talked the other women together.
Then add Jennifer Fessler and Jennifer Aydin breaking some bread over lunch. First, I was shocked they allowed carbs to be sitting on the table. But then, to see them share a gigantic margarita almost sent me spiraling. The two didn’t discuss anything as deep as the upcoming presidential election but rather how they were willing to be friends with their rivals no matter the cost.
We are in unchartered waters
I am about one episode away from putting myself on a voluntary psych hold because, let me tell you, these women are messing with everything I know to be true. With the premiere of RHONJ Season 14, the series has crossed over into uncharted territories. Somehow, in a period of one winter, the women have forgotten all the wrongs they have done to one another. The years of literal hair-pulling, rancid rumors, and discredit just flushed down the toilet. I can’t help but question if the yearning for the spotlight has not so secretly taken over their bodies like a parasite.
These new friendships seem to be missing some pretty important details. We have yet to be given a solid explanation for Jackie and Teresa’s budding friendship. The two told the cameras that they always liked one another, which seems to be discredited by the video footage of all the name-calling. Jackie went as far as to state, “It felt good to have people concerned about how I feel and wanting to really be friends.” With Teresa smiling and replying “We really are a lot of fun.” But it was Jackie’s last statement that threw me for a loop as she added, “[The] energy coming from you and Jen is just so much more lighter.”
The math isn’t mathing
It’s hard to keep a clear head regarding the newfound friendship because, lest we forget, Jackie was a Teresa fan before she was on the show. She made the pilgrimage to Bookends in Ridgewood to get a signed cookbook. But my main concern is, what does a former buyer for Macy’s and a lawyer even talk about? Analogies?
Honestly, about 70% of the conversation could just be Jackie teaching Tre how to pronounce words correctly. In Jackie’s book, The Weight of Beautiful, she even says Teresa was the cause of her relapse when she first joined the series. So, how could these two find common ground? Clearly, there is only one logical answer: I’m living in the Twilight Zone.
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As a society, we might not like everyone we encounter. But most of the time, we are told we have to get along with said person. This is currently what is happening on Real Housewives of New Jersey. Dolores Catania is usually pretty good about making do with whoever is in the same room as her. While Jackie Goldschneider has a way with words that lets you know you are not her favorite. So, let’s take a dive into this complicated relationship and find out where it all went wrong.
Let’s start at the very beginning
Jackie joined the Real Housewives of New Jersey during Season 9. She was a massive fan of the franchise as fans came to learn. The rookie had often waited in line whenever Teresa Giudice had a book signing. So viewers didn’t feel like Jackie was always the most genuine. But she came in with a bang as she quickly ruggled the OG’s feathers. Jackie instantly fought back against Tre’s tyranny and quickly made an enemy.
On the flip side, Dolores joined in Season 7. She was a perfect match and was introduced as the OG’s friend. For the most part, Dolores has been a loyal sidekick who rarely finds herself inserted into the drama. If anyone, she has tried her best to be the peacekeeper of the group. But every so often, Dolo and Jackie would exchange a few heated words.
The keg party debacle
The argument seemed to start simple enough: Jennifer Aydin talking smack about Margaret Josephs’ past. Jennifer then threw her ‘friend’ Jackie under the bus, telling Dolo that she witnessed firsthand the Jersey muscle not being a good friend. Instantly, Dolores notes, “She’s questioning our friendship? That’s not a nice person.” Almost on cue, Jackie waltzes over to the group, with Dolores seeing red.
What then occurs is a back-and-forth, with both of them arguing whose place it was to reveal the information. Dolores tried to one-up by saying Jackie had been “nasty” to Jennifer since she walked onto the show. But Jackie stood her ground. Dolores then states she doesn’t “want to hear it from this.” The term was rude, and Jackie made her stance clear. Dolores then proceeded to get in Jackie’s face to intimidate her. Personally, I have no idea why Dolores felt the need to get in Jackie’s face. I know Dolores would destroy Jackie in a fight, but I appreciate Jackie standing up for herself. I would be livid if someone, especially a friend, referred to me as “this.”
Their most recent interaction was quite odd and revolved around a text message. The two met up while at Melissa Gorga’s housewarming party, but the atmosphere was less than festive. Currently, Jackie is upset that she hasn’t been tagged in a social media post for Dolores’ charity baseball game. Even though the mother of two maintained that it was “a total accident,” Jackie was peeved.
For a second, I thought Dolores and Jackie were going to be able to work through their seasons-long issues. But Margaret stood on business and sent Dolo some incriminating messages Jackie wrote. One text read, “I definitely think intentional. She’s a f*cking slob, and I hate her.” Without missing a beat, Dolo asked Jackie, “Am I a slob?” The ‘friend of’ tried her best to play down the moment but eventually answered, “‘Slob,’ to me, it’s not a great thing to call somebody, but it’s not that bad. It just means, like, your behavior is mean and stupid and juvenile and petty. That’s what I mean by ‘sloppy.’” I’m pretty sure that is not what slob means, Jackie.
Clearly, Dolores had a copy of the dictionary, which she took to her confessional. The Paterson native noted, “’Slob,’ where I come from, it’s a nasty word. “Getting called a slob from the girl who’s a f*king hot mess almost every day — crying all the time over everything — and I’m the slob? I’m the f*king slob? OK, Jackie.”
I think it’s safe to say that their feud will be everlasting as the damage has been done.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF JACKIE AND DOLORES’ NASTY FEUD?
Get ready TLC fans, our favorite network has a crazy new reality show on the way! TLC’s newest project is called Forbidden Love, which will premiere on Sunday, July 21st. The show has a controversial concept, as it will follow four couples in interfaith relationships. While TLC has explored religion in many of its shows, it has never done so in such a precise manner as this.
The show will feature four couples, each with a different interfaith challenge. The first couple is Ashley and Mohammad, who are Catholic and Muslim respectively. The next couple, Kris and Lensa are in a similar situation. While Kris is Pentecostal and the son of a preacher, Lensa is devoted to her Muslim religion.
On the other hand, Laurie and Eli have a different religious difference. Laurie was previously Catholic but decided to convert to Orthodox Judaism for Eli. Finally, Lindsey and Elmer will try to compromise after Elmer leaves his Amish lifestyle for Lindsay.
Forbidden Love will feature a diverse range of religions
Photo Credit: TLC via YouTube
One of the most unique aspects of TLC’s new offering is its exposure to a wide variety of faiths. Two couples include one Muslim partner, which is a faith TLC often showcases on its hit show 90 Day Fiancé. Forbidden Love will continue to showcase the Islamic faith and its practices, such as praying five times a day.
The program will also expose viewers to different forms of the Christian faith. Ashley is Catholic, while Kris is Pentecostal. While both religions fall under the umbrella of Christianity, they have many differences.
Another faith that it will feature is Orthodox Judaism, which isn’t one that viewers get to see on their screens often. In the trailer, Eli explains that Orthodox Jews typically don’t marry women who aren’t Jewish. In particular, the trailer shows Laurie struggling to adjust after learning she will have to wear a wig.
Finally, it will showcase some of traditional Amish culture through Lindsay and Elmer’s story. This is another faith that we don’t get to see portrayed on TV too much.
Forbidden Love will bring the drama
Photo Credit: TLC via YouTube
Despite only having a two-minute trailer out at the moment, it’s already evident that Forbidden Love will bring us the drama we so love. Each of the couples will clash over faith-related issues.
Ashley and Mohammad are shown disagreeing over whether Ashley should convert to Islam. While Mohammad feels that is the best decision for their marriage, Ashley feels like she shouldn’t have to change herself for him. Ashley’s family are also strong advocates for her not needing to change, which may cause some tension with Mohammad.
Kris and Lensa are also at odds over their different religions, with Kris’ father feeling particularly passionate about the issue. When Lensa doesn’t acknowledge Jesus in a prayer before eating, Kris’ father is visibly offended. Kris’ parents later tell him that a marriage of two faiths won’t work, which leaves him with a lot to think about.
Laurie and Eli will also face some challenges, as Laurie questions being an Orthodox Jew. The religion’s strict rules seem to be too much for her, and at the end of the trailer, she questions if she can do it. Eli, on the other hand, states that their relationship won’t be able to work unless Laurie converts.
Lindsay and Elmer also have some obstacles in their journey, as Lindsay wonders if Elmer’s past Amish lifestyle is too much for her to handle. She claims that she can’t be Elmer’s “Amish housewife”, which causes an argument between the two. Will Lindsay or Elmer work through their cultural differences, or will it be too much for both of them?
TELL US – ARE YOU EXCITED FOR FORBIDDEN LOVE? WHICH COUPLE ARE YOU THE MOST EXCITED TO WATCH?
Season 32 of Dancing with the Stars was epic. Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix placed third in the competition. She turned in amazing performances week after week amid a cast packed with seasoned performers. Ariana was well-known for Scandoval, the cheating drama that played out on Pump Rules. This shocking affair fascinated the nation.
As you may recall, Tom Sandoval cheated on Ariana, his girlfriend of nearly a decade, with her friend, Rachel Leviss. One night when Tom was singing (and I use that term loosely) on stage in early March 2023, his phone fell. While Ariana was safeguarding the phone, she discovered sexual videos of Rachel. She ended her relationship with Sandoval, and the shock waves are still reverberating across VPR today.
Now there is chatter that Sandoval may be asked to join Season 33 of DWTS. So, should Sandoval compete on Dancing with the Stars? Let’s break down all the pros and cons.
Sandoval dreamed of being on DWTS
When Ariana first discussed being on DWTS, she knew how much her ex wanted to be part of it. And Ariana realized that joining the cast would be sweet revenge. I’m sure that made the offer more attractive.
As for Sandoval, he was getting his moves TV-ready for DWTS. Sandoval admitted, “I actually took ballroom lessons and everything.” But fear not, Sandoval! Former DWTS pro-Cheryl Burke predicted that Sandoval would be in the ballroom for Season 33. The longtime pro knows what she is talking about. So, we just might see a waltzing Sandoval this fall.
Sandoval has an outgoing personality
Photo Credit: Ralph Bavaro/Bravo via Getty Images
Sandoval fronts his cover band, Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras. This man adores the spotlight, and he enjoys performing onstage.
However, if given a choice, I would much prefer to watch Sandoval bust a move than hear his cringey trumpet playing. Or listen to his often-pitchy vocals. His performance ability would be a plus on the show.
Sandoval’s ex Ariana Madix just competed in Season 32 of DWTS
Ariana just slayed Season 32, even though she didn’t take home The Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. Many of her routines were based on female empowerment and moving forward. And yes – these were likely a dig at Sandoval.
After DWTS, Ariana hit Broadway, portraying Roxie Hart in Chicago. USA Today reported that when Ariana joined the cast, the musical had its “highest-grossing non-holiday performance week ever.” Her life is clearly on an upswing since splitting with Sandoval.
But would it make sense for Sandoval to compete now, right after Ariana? She would be a tough act to follow.
Everyone is tired of Scandoval
Photo Credit: Casey Durkin/Bravo
Plus, there are signs that the world has Scandoval fatigue. Pump Rules took a break from filming after the Season 11 reunion. Another raw season about the fallout from the betrayal was hard on the cast and on viewers. The hope is that when, and if, the cameras go up, the cast members will be in a different spot in their lives.
Whether DWTS viewers would see Sandoval’s presence on the show as a reminder of Scandoval is unclear. Some fans may see him as just another reality TV star trying to salsa to success. But if people are sick of the cheating saga, he could receive fewer votes.
Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix are being sued by Rachel Leviss
Photo Credit: Nicole Weingart/Bravo
In February 2024. Entertainment Weekly reported that Rachel filed a lawsuit against Sandoval and Ariana. She accused them of invasion of privacy, revenge porn, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and eavesdropping.
Rachel claimed in her lawsuit that she is allegedly a “victim of the predatory and dishonest behavior of an older man who recorded sexually explicit videos of her without her knowledge or consent, which were then distributed, disseminated, and discussed publicly by a scorned woman seeking vengeance, catalyzing the scandal.”
After filming the vicious Season 10 Pump Rules reunion, Rachel spent months in a mental health treatment facility. She broke off all contact with Sandoval.
Eventually, Sandoval tried to get the lawsuit tossed out, describing it as a “thinly veiled attempt to extend her fame.” He also alleged that Rachel was seeking to “rebrand herself as the victim instead of the other woman.”
Meanwhile, Ariana denied showing the video to others. A Los Angeles judge decided in Rachel’s favor, allowing her to pursue her allegations of invasion of privacy and eavesdropping.
Although DWTS likes to cast people who have some notoriety attached to their name, casting Sandoval may result in backlash from DWTS, and VPR, fans.
Other Pump Rules cast members may be a better fit
Sandoval wasn’t the only former SURver harboring dreams of twirling around the ballroom. Scheana Shay was crushed when she discovered that her good friend, Ariana, was cast on the show. She dreamed of competing in DWTS for years and had been taking dance classes.
Although Scheana was happy for Ariana, the news still felt like “a punch to the gut.” I think that Scheana could be a better choice than Sandoval. Even DJ James Kennedy, with his high energy level and enthusiasm, could be an interesting pick.
It looks like Tom Sandoval competing on Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars has more negatives than positives. We will have to wait until fall to find out if he will be quickstepping across the ballroom.
Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars will return this fall on ABC, Disney+, and Hulu.
TELL US – SHOULD TOM SANDOVAL COMPETE ON DANCING WITH THE STARS? WOULD YOU TUNE IN?
