upworthy
Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button
Most Shared

Ariana Grande just revealed she likes ‘women and men’ and refuses to ‘label’ her sexuality.

Ariana Grande just revealed she likes ‘women and men’ and refuses to ‘label’ her sexuality.

Pop sensation Ariana Grande just released a new single called “Monopoly” this week, featuring her best friend Victoria Monét. The single’s release was unexpected, but the biggest surprise in the song comes from this revelation from Grande: “I like women and men.”

Monét previously came out as bisexual last year with a tweet that read: “After coming out, this thanksgiving coulda went waaaay left!! But she love meeeee how I am and I’m so happy.”

The lyrics sparked speculation online about Grande’s sexuality and she responded by saying she won’t label herself. “i haven’t before and still don’t feel to now which is ok,” she wrote on Twitter.

Fans noted she also liked two tweets that said "sexuality is fluid."

There are several reasons why human sexuality can be fluid. Like most human psychological traits, sexuality is a mix of nature versus nurture and is influenced by both genetic and social factors.

When it comes to same-sex behaviors, psychiatrist Fritz Klein created the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid, which divides orientation into seven distinct categories — Attraction, Behavior, Fantasies, Emotional Preference, Social Preference, Lifestyle, and Self-Identification.

“A man may have a sexual attraction to a man, but only feel an emotional preference for women,” Michael Aaron, Ph.D. wrote in Psychology Today. “Or that man may find a deep emotional connection with other men, but not find any desire for sexual interaction. Or alternatively, enjoy sexual contact with men, but only fantasize about women. These are all possible scenarios, and I've encountered all of them in my practice.”

There is also the Kinsey scale which explains how human sexuality lies on a continuum from exclusively heterosexual to exclusively homosexual.

Some people praised Grande for not labeling her sexuality.

Others have criticized Grande for "queerbaiting" or baiting a queer audience with the ultimately unrealized suggestion of relationships that appeal to them.

She was previously accused of it earlier this year after releasing the video to “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored,” in which she suggestively approaches Ariel Yasmine, but the two do not kiss.

From Your Site Articles
Most Shared
Pop Culture

15 years ago, a Russian gymnast was interrupted by her 2-year-old daughter. It became a historic performance.

"This is beyond beautiful. 🥲"

dance, motherhood, mommy daughter dance, mother daughter relationship, parenting, wholesome
Umi4ika/Youtube

Svetlana Putintseva with her daughter Masha.

In 2005 at only 18 years old, Russian rhythmic gymnast Svetlana Putintseva became a world champion, after which she retired and eventually became a mom. Then, in 2011, Putintseva came out of retirement for one special Gala performance.

Little did anyone know that her then two-year-old daughter named Masha would be the key to making that performance so special.

As the story goes, the young child refused to leave her side that night. But rather than stopping the performance, Putintseva did what so many incredible moms do: she masterfully held space for two different identities.

As we see in the video below, Putintseva simply brought Masha onto the dance floor and incorporated her into the routine—holding and comforting her at times, performing impressive moves while she ran around at others…letting it all become a lively, endearing interaction rather than a rote routine. It became something really touching:

Watch:

Now, a bit of fact-checking as this video has once again started going viral. Despite what many captions say, Putintseva‘s daughter was likely always a planned part of the performance (the tiny leotard is a bit of a giveaway). But that doesn’t really take away from the message behind it: motherhood weaves another soul into one's identity, forever. And one of the biggest lessons it teaches is how to hold someone else steady, all while becoming ourselves.

Every day, moms are engaging in a similar type of “dance”: navigating through the world while guiding and nurturing their little ones. It probably doesn't always feel quite as graceful as what Putintseva put out, and, yet, it is just as beautiful.

dance, motherhood, mommy daughter dance, mother daughter relationship, parenting, wholesome A mother hugging her daughter.Photo credit: Canva

Maybe so many thought it was an improvised moment because improvising is a very real parent superpower. That’s certainly the takeaway we get from some of these lovely comments:

“You cannot control life but you can learn to dance with it. 🤍”

"This is beyond beautiful. 🥲"

“If this isn't a metaphor for motherhood. We improvise so much.”

“A mother’s unconditional love 🥹❤️ She just made my whole month.”

“I do this sometimes while deejaying. My daughter comes up so I hit the slicer and let her chop it up. A few chops and she is happy and goes about her business. 🥰”

“I can see my daughter doing this to me soon whenever I get up on stage on perform. She already stares long and hard at me whenever I am onnstage singing. She doesn't take her eyes off me. Sure she would be running up to stand with me when she starts walking 😂😂 i look forward to it tho”

“Sobbing 😭😭😭😭 As a dancer who hasn’t performed since having a kid, this inspires me in so many ways 🥹🥹 So beautiful and it’s clear that she admires her mom so much 🥰”

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Though not much is written on Putintseva following this performance, one blog post says that Masha has followed in her footsteps by getting into rhythmic gymnastics. Maybe it all started with this one performance. ❤️

From Your Site Articles
wholesome
Pop CultureInternet
Friendship

Inspirational speaker Simon Sinek's simple rule for how to be honest without being cruel

This golden advice can be applied to any relationship.

psychology, friendship, relationships, parenting, lying, honesty, dr. becky, motivational speaker, simon sinek
Photo credit: Canva

Two women chat at a cafe.

Most people value honesty and try to practice it in their daily lives. In fact, research shows that a majority of people do a pretty good job and are honest most of the time.

But there are certain situations where it's hard to be as truthful as you'd like. For example, when the truth has the potential to hurt someone's feelings, does being honest become cruel?

There may be a way to dole out necessary, genuine feedback even when it's tough for the receiver to hear, according to inspirational speaker Simon Sinek.


psychology, friendship, relationships, parenting, lying, honesty, dr. becky, motivational speaker, simon sinek Being honest with our friends is difficult, but crucial. Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

Sinek, an author and expert in leadership training, recently appeared on a podcast with Dr. Becky, a clinical psychologist and one of the most prominent voices in the parenting advice space. She's often called the "millennial parent whisperer" for her uncanny ability to tap into the struggles of modern parents and offer solutions.

Dr. Becky spoke with Sinek about a conundrum most parents have faced, and one that anyone who has ever had a meaningful friendship or romantic relationship can relate to: what should you do if someone asks for your opinion, but that opinion is likely to sound cruel?

You might struggle to find the right words when your kid plays poorly in sports or asks for your opinion on a drawing that, let's face it, isn't great. You can always lie, but our brains don't like that solution. Lying doesn't feel good, especially when it's someone you care about. Besides, honest feedback is how you help your kids learn and how you help your friends grow.

Sinek provided another relatable example:

"I went to see a friend's performance. It was easily the worst thing I've ever seen in my life. At the end of the show, my friend comes out, she comes running up to me with a big smile on her face, and she says 'What did you think?'"

Here's where Sinek applies his golden rule: meet facts with facts, and meet emotions with emotions. In other words, "never bring facts to an emotional gunfight."

"I can't bring facts to an emotional state," Sinek said of the scenario. Instead, he brings his emotions to match those of his friend. He's excited, he's encouraging, and he says things that are true without making himself feel icky:

"It was so amazing to see you on the stage. True. I've never seen you do your thing before. True. I'm so glad I came to see you. True."

He decided to save his more critical feedback of the show for another time, when he and his friend can have a level-headed conversation, if she wants to hear it. In his case, a few days later, she did.

"I had a rational conversation in a rational setting," he said. "But you cannot have a rational conversation in an emotional setting."

The clip featuring Dr. Becky and Sinek struck a nerve with commenters, many of whom were eager to apply the idea to their own relationships, whether with their kids or other adults. Commenters wrote:

"Relationships 101 that is so easy to miss. I'll bet I'm successful at this 10% of the time. But getting better!"

"This is golden information thank you."

"I like this. It's a good mantra. Is this the place to be real or should reality wait for rationality"

"This is straight nervous system science. When someone's emotionally activated, their body is prioritizing safety over accuracy. The prefrontal cortex goes offline, threat-detection goes online, and even 'truth' can feel like an attack. So the skill isn't just honesty. It's timing."

However, others were more skeptical of the advice. In the scenario involving his friend's performance, some questioned whether Sinek needed to offer negative feedback about the show at all.

"Guaranteed that second conversation didn't actually go down well. Look at the skepticism on Dr Becky's face too"

The key element of the story is that Sinek's friend made it clear she was ready to hear his full opinion of the show. And if she knows him well, she likely had a good sense of what she was signing up for. On the other side of the equation, all of us have the right to choose whether we want to receive that kind of tough honesty from our friends. (At work, we may not have a choice.)

"This is the reason I have declined the conversation that starts with 'can I give you feedback?' And I am like NO WAY!" one user suggested.

"No" is almost always an option. And it goes the other way, too: you don't need to offer "constructive criticism" or harsh honesty when it isn't solicited. Keeping it to yourself isn't lying.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

That second conversation was probably still uncomfortable. But other experts agree that the ability for friends, family members, and trusted colleagues to give tough feedback ultimately fuels growth and makes relationships stronger.

Ilene Strauss Cohen, PhD, wrote in Psychology Today:

"Speaking beneficially and delivering tactful feedback eliminates the chance of causing unnecessary hurt. It also creates a happier environment filled with opportunities to grow. When we communicate authentically, kindly, constructively, and consistently about what we believe in, we can create richer and more meaningful relationships. It isn't easy to apply this strategy when we're angry or hurt, but our relationships will give us plenty of opportunities to practice."

From Your Site Articles
psychology
FriendshipJoy
Science

Her groundbreaking theory on the origin of life was rejected 15 times. Then biology proved her right.

Lynn Margulis had the audacity to challenge Darwin. And we're lucky she did.

lynn margulis, lynn margulis symbiosis, biology, scientific breakthroughs, darwin, darwinism, women in science
Facts That Will Blow Your Mind/Facebook

A photo of Lynn Margulis.

Throughout her prolific and distinguished career, biologist Lynn Margulis made several groundbreaking contributions to science that we take for granted as common knowledge today. For example, she championed James E. Lovelock’s “Gaia concept,” which posited that the Earth self-regulates to maintain conditions for life.

But by far, her most notable theory was symbiogenesis. While it was first written off as “strange” and “aesthetically pleasing” but “not compelling,” it would ultimately prevail, and completely rewrite how we viewed the origin of life itself.

In the late 1960s, Margulis wrote a paper titled "On the Origin of Mitosing Cells," that was quite avant-garde. In it, she proposed a theory: that life evolved through organisms merging together to become inseparable.

In essence, cooperation is the driver of life, not competition and domination. This directly went against Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” principle that was considered gospel in scientific circles. Margulis’ paper was rejected by fifteen journals before getting accepted into the Journal of Theoretical Biology.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Time would be on Margulis’ side, however. By the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, research proved that the two major building blocks of plants and animals, chloroplasts and mitochondria were at one time independent bacteria. This solidified the fact that on a biological level, connection trumps autonomy for longevity. And now that fact is written in textbooks, with no real story of the adversity it overcame to get there.

While it is customary for most new scientific theories to be met with criticism, especially those that completely shift the current narrative, many have noted that sexism played a key part in Margulis’ initial lack of acceptance. On more than one occasion, she herself had hinted that women were seen as mothers and wives first, and scientists second. She recalled that while married to fellow scientist Carl Sagan that “Carl would finish his sentence, unperturbed” while she was expected to “handle all the duties of a 1950s housewife, from washing dishes to paying the household bills.”

And yet, Margulis would have other ideas that were controversial that had nothing to do with her gender. Most famously, she did not believe that AIDS was caused by HIV, and instead believed it was cause by a syphilis-causing type of bacteria, despite there already being decades of research proving otherwise. That view was seen as an endorsement of AIDS denialism, which undermined prevention and treatment effort. Then later in life, Margulis became a vocal proponent of 9/11 conspiracy theories suggesting government involvement the in Twin Towers attacks.

And yet, perhaps this is one of those “you gotta take the good with the bad” situations. Margulis’ inherent contrarian nature gave us both these unfounded, even harmful stances, in addition to entirely new paradigms that altered our understanding of life itself.

And if nothing else, it illuminated the need for science to include multiple points of view in order to unlock the truth. It seems life is, after all, about coming together.

From Your Site Articles
history
ScienceNature
Motherhood

Mom shows 9-year-old how to leave uncomfortable conversations and it's advice everyone should hear

You don't have to let someone make you uncomfortable.

uncomfortable conversation, awkward conversations, hand over mouth, silence, stop, young girl
via Canva/Photos

A young girl with her hand over her mouth.

Few things are more uncomfortable than sitting like a deer in the headlights while someone pushes you into an incredibly awkward conversation. Whether it’s a TMI (too much information) conversation or they want to talk about politics or religion, it’s hard to tell someone that a subject is off-limits.

However, in a viral Instagram post, Charisse Sims makes an essential point about these awkward situations: it will be uncomfortable whether you tell them to change the subject or if you have to sit through the conversation. So, it’s better to take the option that’s less harmful to you. Sims is a mother of six and the host of the Parenting for the Culture podcast. She is also an awarded Educator by PBS and PBS Kids and founder of The Sims Library of Poetry.

How do you leave uncomfortable conversations?

In an Instagram reel from last spring, Sims shares advice with her then nine-year-old daughter, who she could tell felt very awkward about a recent conversation. “Immediately, when she started having that conversation, I could see on your face that you felt uncomfortable,” Sims told her daughter in the video. “When you have that feeling, your response to them should be, ‘I feel uncomfortable in this conversation. Let's talk about something else.”

Sims then asked her daughter to repeat the phrase a few times to burn it into her brain for when she needed it. Her daughter then admitted that telling someone to change the conversation would be difficult. Most people probably agree that telling people you’d like to change the subject is uncomfortable.

However, Sims makes a great point: you will be uncomfortable both ways, so choose the one that best suits you.

“Which one is a longer discomfort, taking 10 seconds to say, ‘I feel uncomfortable in this conversation. Can we talk about something else?” Sims asked. “Or, sitting in a 20- to 30-minute conversation that you feel uncomfortable in?”

stop, child, girl says stop, talk to hand, hand out, stop hand, conversation, awkward A young girl holding her hand out saying "stop."via Canva/Photos

“It is uncomfortable telling people stop. It is uncomfortable being like, ‘I don't really like what you're doing,’ because you're worried you're going to hurt their feelings, and you want them to like you,” Sims continued. “But it's also uncomfortable to sit there and be uncomfortable for a long time. So choose your discomfort, and choose the one that's going to help you, not hurt you.”

Candace Smith, an etiquette expert, says it’s also helpful if you have another topic on deck that the person may be interested in to make the transition smoother for both parties. “When you think it’s time to let the other person know you will change the subject, be positive, and smile. Keep your eye contact warm and direct,” she advises. She then gives an example: “I’m going to change our subject here. Let’s talk about something cool like the Marvel movie!”

mom, daughter, advice, lessons, parenting, how to Mom and daughter.via Canva/Photos

Sims' advice is important because it’s something that all of us, adults included, can use next time we are forced into an uncomfortable situation. Her advice is a great tool for making sound decisions when we feel awkward and unable to think on our feet. “I wish when I was growing up, I was taught more how to navigate tricky situations rather than just being told to stay out of them,” Sims wrote in her post. “As simple as that is, It’s not always that easy. Our children need more support and actual practice navigating these awkward situations.”

This article originally appeared last year. it has been updated.

From Your Site Articles
parenting
MotherhoodFamily
Pop Culture

Hugh Grant finally tells 'Bridget Jones' co-star Renée Zellweger what he always thought of her

Grant and Zellweger have been friends for over 25 years.

hugh grant, hugh grant movies, renee zellweger, renee zellweger movies, bridget jones, bridget jones's diary
Images of Hugh Grant and Renee Zellweger via Wikicommons

Hugh Grant and Renee Zellweger were co-stars in the hit movie "Bridget Jones's Diary".

Hugh Grant and Renée Zellweger have made movie magic with their roles in the Bridget Jones film series. The two first co-starred in the original Bridget Jones's Diary back in 2001. Since then, there have been three additional Bridget Jones movies: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), Bridget Jones's Baby (2016), and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025)—although Grant did not appear in 2016's Bridget Jones's Baby.

The result has been a long-standing friendship between the actors off-screen, with Grant developing a soft spot for Zellweger. During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show in 2016, Hugh agreed with his original assessment that she's "delightful. Also far from sane. Very good kisser."

When pressed, Hugh jokingly said, "She is genuinely lovely, but her emails are 48 pages long. Can't understand a word of them."

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Now, ten years later, Renée is returning to her Bridget Jones character, and the two reunite for a piece called "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" for British Vogue. Apparently in their OG Bridget Jones days, had tons of questions between on-set shots for Renée. Examples include: "If you had to marry one of today's extras, who would it be?" and "Who is a better kisser, me or Colin Firth?"

This time, there was a new slew of questions for each actor. Here are a few key things we find out:

What did Hugh always think of Renée?

He says candidly (of course), "With a lot of other actors, you think they're really great, and then suddenly you see a little glint of steely, scary ambition, and you realize this person would trample their grandmother to get what they want in this business. But I've never seen that glint coming off you. So either it's very well disguised, or you are quite nice."

What does Renée really think of Hugh?

"You're hilariously brilliant at everything you hate. And, though you hate humans, you're a very good and loyal friend. I like you very much. And I love working with you."

And during a February 2025 interview on TODAY while promoting Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Jones shared about Grant, "He's mastered cute-grouchy for sure...I mean, 25 years of coming together and catching up through this experience, I've come to know him in a really lovely way... I just adore him."

- YouTube www.youtube.com

What did Hugh really think of her English accent?

After discussing Renée's dialect coach, Hugh tells her that her attempt at an English accent is…"perfect."

Why does the Bridget Jones franchise remain so appealing?

Hugh says, "In a nutshell, I say it's an antidote to Instagram. Instagram is telling people, especially women, 'Your life's not good enough.' It's not as good as this woman's or that woman's, making you insecure. Whereas what Helen (the writer) did with Bridget is celebrate failures, while making it funny and joyful."

Renée makes some jokes and then says, "I think maybe folks recognize themselves in her and relate to her feelings of self-doubt. Bridget is authentically herself and doesn't always get it right, but whatever her imperfections, she remains joyful and optimistic, carries on, and triumphs in her own way."

@thisisheart

Renee Zellweger on what goes down in her email thread with Hugh Grant! #bridgetjones #reneezellweger #hughgrant #Fyp #foryou #celeb #movies

What does Hugh think of Renée's fashion?

After asking if people in general should be a "bit more stylish," Hugh tells Renée she's "very chic." Renée pushes back with, "I'm wearing a tracksuit." To which Hugh retorts, "Yeah, but a sort of PRICEY one."

And finally, those emails:

"You have sent me the longest emails I've ever received. I can't understand a single word of them. They're written in some curious language that I can't really understand."

"No!" Renée exclaims. "If you reference something in your emails that makes me laugh…I will circle back to that. And if you've forgotten that you wrote it, I don't think I should be held accountable for that!"

This article originally appeared last year. It has been updated.

From Your Site Articles
hugh grant
Pop CultureMovies
Trending Stories