Bethenny Frankel Reveals Alarming Stage 2 Kidney Disease Diagnosis and Urges Fans to Not Ignore the Warning Signs

Bethenny Frankel is getting real — and a little raw — about a health scare she says she didn’t see coming.

The Real Housewives of New York alum revealed on TikTok that she’s been diagnosed with stage 2 chronic kidney disease, and she says she’s speaking out not for sympathy, but as a warning. “I have a medical announcement. Not because I want you to worry, but because I want you to take precautions in your own life, be mindful,” Bethenny, 55, said in her Jan. 22 video.

According to the SkinnyGirl founder, this wasn’t some random discovery. She said she’s been staying on top of her health with routine testing. “I’d been proactive about blood tests, bone density, all the things,” she explained — but repeated labs showed something was off.

“My kidney function was coming up low. That led to a referral to a kidney specialist — a visit she admittedly tried to dodge. “I didn’t want to go … I didn’t feel like going today,” she confessed. Still, she went — and the news hit hard.

“He said to me, ‘You have stage 2 chronic kidney disease,’ ” Bethenny shared, adding that doctors believe it could be autoimmune-related or tied to a near-fatal allergic reaction she suffered years ago. “It could have been caused by ‘this traumatic experience I had years ago when I almost died from an allergy attack. It could have done damage to the kidney.’ ” Stage 2 kidney disease involves a mild loss of kidney function, and doctors say it can often be managed with close monitoring and blood pressure control.

But Bethenny Frankel revealed the condition may already be affecting her daily life.

She said it’s likely behind recurring infections. “I do get UTIs, not as much anymore,” she noted. And when it comes to treatment, the advice was simple — but not easy for her. “I don’t drink a lot of water … I’m holding a bottle, but I’m not usually drinking it.” When she told her doctor she drinks kombucha instead, she said his response was blunt: “Water is your medicine. You have to drink a giant — I think he said 1.5 [gallons] — and you can put your hydration packets in it.” The doctor also gave her a long don’t list — including ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil, turmeric, and even ice cream, which she was eating during the video. “I remembered after,” she joked.

This diagnosis is just the latest in a string of health issues for Bethenny. In 2023, she was diagnosed with long COVID and the autoimmune condition POTS. Earlier this month, she also battled a bacterial infection while vacationing in St. Barth’s.

Bethenny Frankel said she decided to be transparent because this may not be temporary. “Maybe this is something I’ll have to deal with forever, but I just wanted to tell you because I think it’s important to go get all your bloodwork done.” She urged followers to stay vigilant. “Be thorough,” she said, encouraging regular testing and follow-ups.

“Then do the follow-ups for anything that seems like an outlier. And frankly, get your bloodwork done maybe six months and then six months later, because different stuff could come up and sometimes it’s an aberration and sometimes it means something.”

In her case, she said, “In this case, it was a pattern.” And in true Bethenny fashion, she ended with a mix of honesty and humor — saying she’s still trying to understand what it all means, and joking that she hopes to get clarity from “part-time doctors” on TikTok. “I don’t know exactly what it means. Many of you will, which is also why I’m sharing with you.”

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Nancy Zhāng is an Entertainment Blogger for All About The Tea. Nancy covers hot topics, recaps and celeb news. She loves to multi-task as a writer and a private chef. She received a B.S. in Mass Communications from LSU. Nancy’s married and the proud mom of 2 German Shepherds.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 28 seconds ago

Ever since John Wick started John Wicking, “John Wick” has basically become its own action subgenre. If you hear anybody say something is “like John Wick,” you can expect a lone assassin who can effortlessly level rooms full of henchmen with reckless abandon, never run out of bullets, and be fueled by some sort of revenge arc that lets them tap into near-superhuman abilities.

Netflix’s Kate (2021) is one of those movies. There’s not much plot to it, but the action is highly stylized and expertly choreographed, and your brain turns smooth as you watch countless bodies drop by gun, sword, or hand.

One Last Job? Yeah, Right!

Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is a highly skilled assassin who was raised and trained to be a ruthless killing machine by her handler, Varrick (Woody Harrelson). Despite the nature of her work, Kate has a strict moral code, meaning she refuses to carry out hits when children are present. After one job forces her to violate her own ethics, Kate tells Varrick she’s ready to hang it up after one last assignment.

While lying low at a hotel, Kate has a one-night stand with a man named Stephen (Michiel Huisman), which proves to be a fatal mistake. As luck would have it, the wine Kate shared with Stephen was dosed with Polonium-204, giving her a rare form of radiation poisoning that leaves her with 24 hours to live. Borrowing from the Crank (2006) playbook, Kate gets hopped up on an alarming amount of injectable stimulants, vowing to track down whoever put Stephen up to poisoning her.

From this point forward, Kate doesn’t mess around. She has reason to believe the yakuza syndicate she’s previously targeted is behind her incurable countdown, but she has yet to figure out how deep it all goes. Along the way, she befriends Ani (Miku Martineau), who just so happens to be the niece of Kijima (Jun Kunimura), the yakuza boss who has a personal vendetta against Kate.

As you’d expect in this kind of John Wick-style movie, calculating the body count is nearly impossible. There’s so much collateral damage you’d need to watch at half speed to properly clock the carnage. The blood splatter leans into Kill Bill territory, but it’s more grounded than full-on comic book excess. Wounds don’t spray like geysers, but any fight scene set in an all-white room delivers more than enough splatter to satisfy your craving for cinematic violence. The neon-drenched city backdrop makes any chase sequence stand out and jump off the screen during those moments where there’s no combat, but the night is still dangerous. 

By Now Standard Fare, But Executed To Perfection

If you’ve seen any John Wick movie, Atomic Blonde, Kill Bill, Monkey Man, or the Nobody films, you already know what you’re getting with Kate. That’s not a knock. These movies don’t offer much nuance on the plot front, but they’re a blast to watch. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is an absolute beast here, and even though she wasn’t previously on my radar, she is now. She knows exactly how to handle a revenge arc with the right amount of attitude.

Kate starts with a moral code, but all of that goes out the window once her countdown begins. From that point on, it’s game over, and Winstead sells it every step of the way.

Kate doesn’t reinvent the ultra-violent action thriller wheel, but it’s a damn good wheel. It’s one you can take for a spin on Netflix the next time you want to watch a dangerous babe throw down, kick ass, and take names.

Prince Carter Brings Fans Front Row and Backstage at Boys 4 Life Tour With Bow Wow, B5 & More

Prince Carter is stepping into a different kind of spotlight — one that goes beyond simply attending events and into capturing the moments fans don’t usually get to see.

The media personality recently gave an inside look at the Boys 4 Life Tour, offering both front row and backstage access to a lineup packed with early 2000s hitmakers, including Bow Wow, B5, Pretty Ricky, Crime Mob, and Dem Franchize Boyz.

A Front Row Seat to Nostalgia

From the crowd’s perspective, the tour delivers exactly what fans have been craving — nostalgia, energy, and a reminder of an era that helped shape today’s music landscape. Prince Carter’s footage places viewers directly in that moment, capturing performances that still resonate years later.

Each artist brought their signature sound to the stage, proving that their impact hasn’t faded — it’s evolved.

Backstage Access Fans Rarely See

But what really sets this apart is what happens behind the scenes.

Carter’s backstage moments reveal a more relaxed, unfiltered side of the tour. Artists are seen connecting, laughing, and moving through the night with a sense of familiarity that only comes from shared history in the industry.

It’s the kind of access fans don’t typically get — and it adds a layer of authenticity to the overall experience.

More Than Just a Moment

While this may seem like standard concert coverage, it’s clear there’s a bigger picture unfolding.

Prince Carter continues to position himself at the intersection of media and culture, documenting experiences from the inside while building anticipation for his upcoming docu-series, A Day In The Life Of A Prince.

If this latest release is any indication, audiences can expect a deeper look into the moments, relationships, and access that define his journey.

Bold and the Beautiful indicates that Ivy Forrester (Ashleigh Brewer) is exposed at last and Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) and Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) learn the truth they deserve to hear.

So, Ivy is going to have to face the music and answer to Electra and Will and some other people because those two might just be the beginning. We’re going to talk about the epic fallout that Ivy is going to have to face and what might come next after her manipulations are all exposed.

Daphne Finally Tells The Truth on Bold and the Beautiful

All right, so this week Daphne Rose (Murielle Hilaire) already got into it with Ivy and told her it’s gone on too long. The truth needs to come out. But again, Ivy brushed her off, but Daphne said they are not done. And then after Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) broke up the fight between Will and RJ Forrester (Joshua Hoffman), we had Daphne telling him it’s not fair.

She hates what’s happened between Will and Electra. And then Daphne circled back around to Ivy again when she saw her pressing RJ to pursue Electra. Now that Daphne’s seen that Ivy won’t come clean and won’t stop manipulating Electra until she gets what she wants, she’s tired of it. And with Ivy digging in her heels, Daphne’s going to feel like she has no choice.

She’s given her every chance to do the right thing. Ivy’s not doing it. So, Daphne is going to tell Electra later this week that she deserves to know the truth about what happened to her relationship with Will. And it sounds like Daphne spills the whole manipulation scheme, all of it, everything that Ivy has done.

And by Friday, a tearful Electra is asking her aunt Ivy, where is the letter that she wrote to Will? Now, I do expect Ivy to try and lie and deny, but then she’s going to have to give Electra the truth. And the letter, that letter Electra wrote, is likely still in Ivy’s purse.

Electra and Will Confront Ivy on B&B

And once the truth comes out, both Electra and Will are going to confront Ivy, and they are big mad. We also have Dylan making a heartbreaking decision this week. Could be about moving out of Will’s, but honestly, I think Electra is being extra on that. One paycheck as a receptionist does not mean you have enough to afford an LA rental. And she thinks Dylan can find a place to live in a day.

That lets you know how out of touch and spoiled that Electra is. You need first and last month’s rent. You need a security deposit and renter’s insurance. Also, you need some furniture. You know, and I don’t think Dylan is making bank answering phones at Forrester. I kind of think Will is actually way too nice for Electra, if I’m being honest.

Dylan Fesses Up on Bold and the Beautiful?

Anyway, Dylan may also come clean about Ivy telling her to make a move on Will after Ivy split them up. But the bottom line is that Electra is going to know exactly what her aunt Ivy did by the end of the week. Of course, Daphne knows and Will’s going to know soon. And I’m sure from there word is going to spread around Forrester Creations like wildfire about Ivy’s horrible and manipulative behavior.

And it was actually in RJ’s favor. But I don’t think he’s going to defend her if I’m being honest. And from there, I expect that we are going to get massive fallout headed in Ivy’s direction. And not just from Will and Electra. There’s a lot of other people who may be putting Ivy in the hot seat and it could be people in important positions, people she’s going to regret upsetting.

Electra May Cut Ivy Out of Her Life

So, first after the truth bomb drops, I think Electra may cut Ivy out of her life because Electra trusted Ivy over anybody else. She refused to believe or even listen to Will and Dylan because she thought her aunt Ivy would never mislead her or betray her trust.

So, Electra is going to be heartbroken. I think she may feel foolish for believing Ivy. And from there, I expect Electra to say she can’t work with Ivy. She can’t be around her. She doesn’t want to see her. And Electra thinks that Will is the love of her life.

And she has been bullying Dylan non-stop for a while. So, I’m actually hoping that Electra turns all that bully energy onto Ivy where it belongs. And I hope Electra also tells her dad, who of course is Ivy’s brother, exactly what she did so that she also faces consequences from that whole side of the family, not just Electra herself.

Will Steffy Fire Ivy?

Now, the next thing I expect is for Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) to fire Ivy. Cousin or not, Steffy hates Ivy, and she has for years. They’ve had many issues and a long-standing rivalry over Liam. And don’t forget, Wyatt was also in Ivy’s crosshairs at one point.

So, I think she is just being hateful to Will because basically Ivy got dumped by two Spencers. She’s just salty. And if you remember, Steffy accidentally electroshocked Ivy once at Forrester Creations in the middle of a fight down in the basement. That was wild. So, Steffy doesn’t like Ivy. She doesn’t trust her on Bold and the Beautiful.

And if you remember, she tricked Liam into basically green card marrying her when he was with Steffy. So, I’m sure she’s going to feel bad for Electra, but also Steffy might love a reason to kick Ivy out the door. She didn’t want her there to start with and Electra can just design on her own.

Eric May Be Disappointed In Ivy on Bold and the Beautiful

I’m sure another thing is Eric Forrester (John McCook) may lay into Ivy for what she did to Electra and that would crush Ivy because she adores her uncle Eric and she wouldn’t want to disappoint him or upset him. If you remember, Ivy was the only one who attended Eric and Quinn’s wedding and Ivy treasures Eric.

But Ivy’s recent antics have been way, way out of line. And I can’t see Eric condoning that. He might give Ivy a piece of his mind and tell her how appalled that he is. And this might be one more family member who reads her for filth after the Electra plot comes out.

Now, even though Ivy swears she did all this for Electra and everything was in her best interest, that is no defense. I mean, heck, Eric himself may fire Ivy and tell her she’s no longer welcome at Forrester Creations. She’s not welcome at Eric’s home, at least until everything calms down. Now, I’m sure Ivy would be crushed if that happened.

Will Ivy Be Sent Back To Australia?

And another consequence Ivy might face is she might be sent back to Australia rather than offered other options. So, we could see Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) and Steffy agreeing not only does Ivy need fired from Forrester Creations main office in LA, but they won’t let her go hide out at Forrester International in Paris like they let black sheep do sometimes.

So, the Forresters may decide that Ivy needs cut off from everybody. And we know that she is going somewhere because Ashley Brewer, I think, is probably already out on maternity leave. So, I suspect she may have wrapped filming as Ivy. We’ll know for sure soon.

Bold and the Beautiful: Ridge May Lose it on Ivy

And last, but not least, Ridge may chew Ivy out for ripping the Forrester Creations office apart. She’s the one to blame for RJ and Will brawling in the CEO office. Even though RJ’s attitude was a big part of it. You know, Ivy ratcheted things up. She was actively pitting RJ and Will against each other by tricking Electra. So, if Steffy says Ivy’s fired, she may turn to Ridge and ask him to override Steffy and let her stay.

But, I suspect Ridge would agree with Steffy and say that Ivy’s got to go because her antics have set up RJ for heartache. That’s one thing. And we know that Electra is going back to Will. So, RJ is going to end up hurt by what Ivy did and Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) and Ridge aren’t going to tolerate that. So, watch and see how Ivy has to pay for her awful behavior.

Days of Our Lives has Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) trying to keep his new wife Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) happy and safe, but she thinks Alex is meddling and treating her like a kid. So, will Stephanie walk away for good because he’s too controlling? And we’re going to talk about this because it’s not the first time.

And of course, we know Alex is worried sick about Stephanie after her kidnapping ordeal with Owen Kent (Wes Ramsey). But Alex is failing miserably at making Stephanie happy and their marriage may wind up over and done soon because of a pattern of his behavior. Let’s get into it!

Stephanie’s PTSD After Kidnapping on Days of Our Lives

So, Alex and Stephanie are having a really rough time. She has serious PTSD after being kidnapped by creepy Owen and held captive in that hospital storage room. And the only person who gets it is Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark). Everybody else sympathizes, but Stephanie and Jeremy have a trauma bond.

They went through this together. And you know, Stephanie did suspect him of stalking. And of course, Alex and Steve Johnson falsely accused Jeremy. Yet, even in the face of all that, he still risked his life for her. He followed Owen to find Stephanie and then Jeremy wound up attacked and captured as well.

And right now, even though it’s not fair, Stephanie feels like Alex didn’t protect her from Owen. I mean, that’s cruel to think, much less say, because Alex did everything he could to keep Stephanie safe.

He even let her dad Steve move into their tiny apartment to help protect her. And even though Steve, Alex, and Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) were on the lookout for the stalker, Stephanie was still taken by Owen, basically because they had their eyes on Jeremy. They were looking the wrong way. Credit where it’s due though. Owen did an impressive job of framing Jeremy Horton as an obsessive stalker.

Stephanie Trying to Heal on DOOL

So now Stephanie is reeling from the aftermath of Owen holding her captive. The same creep who kept her in a morgue drawer all those years ago. As Stephanie’s been having nightmares, she can’t stand to be touched. She wants a gun. She’s keeping the front door deadbolted all the time.

Meanwhile, Alex is trying his level best to make her feel better, but Stephanie won’t let him in. And Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) encouraged Stephanie to talk to Alex, and Stephanie also opened up to Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens) about her anxiety. But Stephanie didn’t tell Alex and sort of blames him for Owen grabbing her.

Alex Meddling In Stephanie’s Business on Days

And Stephanie’s also upset when she found out that Alex was prying things out of Chanel that she told her in confidence. So, it’s more than just the kidnapping that has Stephanie so riled up with her husband. It’s the meddling. Alex told his cousin Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) that Stephanie wanted to give back the advance. She doesn’t want to be an author anymore, at least for now.

Which is it’s all accurate info that Alex gave Philip, but he was talking out of school. The problem is Stephanie wanted to talk to Philip and Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) herself. She didn’t need Alex taking care of her professional obligations for her. That is Stephanie’s responsibility and her right. And it’s her agency. And this isn’t the first time Alex has tried to limit Stephanie’s autonomy, saying that he was protecting her.

If you recall, a few years ago, before Stephanie and Alex were dating, he stepped in as interim CEO of Titan after Sonny Kiriakis (Zach Tinker) was stabbed. And back then, Alex used his position to get closer to Stephanie, who was doing PR for Titan, and she basically was forced to collaborate with Alex. And that was back when he had been a playboy doing threesomes, and then decided Stephanie was who he was meant to be with.

Alex’s Pattern of Controlling Behavior on Days of Our Lives

Also, if you remember, Alex acted out because he was jealous that she was dating Chad DiMera (previously Billy Flynn). And then when he got a chance with her, Alex did a bad thing. That was when Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans) was sick and Alex turned off Stephanie’s phone when they were about to make love.

And that’s because Alex saw Chad’s name on the caller ID. And he was calling Stephanie to tell her that her mom, Kayla, was about to die. So, Stephanie missed being at her deathbed because of Alex being controlling. Now, fortunately, Kayla came back from the dead, as one does in Salem.

But that was a devastating betrayal for Stephanie and a huge mistake on Alex’s part. And a lot of fans saw him being really controlling back then because he basically prioritized getting Stephanie into bed over respecting a family emergency.

Days of our Lives: Alex’s Pushy Behavior Causes Problems

And let’s not forget how Alex pushed Stephanie when she was writing One Stormy Night. She was reluctant to have her book published at all, but Alex pushed it forward and then he promised to make sure the mile high sexy scene was cut from the book, but it stayed in and that’s how Jeremy ended up in the book and he realized Stephanie was Anastasia Sans.

So, Alex basically pushed Stephanie to publish and then he dropped the ball on the important edit that she wanted because Alex was fast-tracking the project. He was prioritizing its success over Stephanie’s need to remain anonymous.

And of course, we know EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) was the one who told Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) she was Anastasia and it wasn’t Jeremy. But if Alex had listened to Stephanie and cut that scene, she and Jeremy wouldn’t have even been on Owen’s radar in the first place.

The Canceled Book Tour on DOOL

And then, of course, we have the canceled book tour. Alex interfered with Stephanie’s book tour. And basically, Alex canceled the dates without checking with Stephanie first. Again, Alex insisted he was protecting her and it was in her best interest because of the stalker.

And maybe it was, but again, he took her agency. He took Stephanie’s decisions away from her. The bottom line is Alex oversteps a lot. And he makes decisions for Stephanie instead of with Stephanie. And that was even before they were married on Days of our Lives.

All of this, plus then Alex went all alpha macho psycho when Stephanie told him about the trauma that she experienced while she and Jeremy were dating because Alex threatened Jeremy. He was looming. He was, you know, being pretty much psycho. But that’s not what Stephanie wanted.

She told Alex to share something from her past, not so he could go out being toxic on her behalf. And after Jeremy literally saved Stephanie, then Alex told Jeremy, “Stay away from Stephanie and leave Salem again” without a conversation with her to find out where Stephanie’s head was about that.

Will Alex Freak Out This Week on Days of Our Lives?

So, this week, spoilers say that Alex is going to freak out. And it may be because he sees Stephanie in Jeremy’s arms. So, Stephanie just stormed out on Alex after she found out he basically quit on her behalf at Titan. So, she felt foolish in hindsight because she was giving Philip info he already had.

And after Stephanie ran out on Alex, she runs into Jeremy and she’s crying on his shoulder and he’s holding her right there in town square. I expect Alex will go ballistic if he walks up on Jeremy comforting Stephanie after she raged and walked out on him. Basically, Alex refuses to accept that Stephanie has forgiven Jeremy for their messy past.

And she is grateful to Jeremy for being there during the kidnap ordeal when nobody else was. And Alex doesn’t think that’s okay. It’s not his choice. It’s Stephanie. And Alex does love Stephanie, but there is a thin line between being protective and being controlling. And he has crossed it as far as Stephanie is concerned.

So, the question is, are we about to see Alex and Stephanie’s marriage implode and it’s over before it really starts? Plus, of course, there’s still the issue that Stephanie doesn’t want kids, and Alex does, and he’s soon going to find out he already has one when Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins) comes back to town next week.

There’s a reason rich moms flock to Martha’s Vineyard every spring — and totally dress the part. Their outfits are preppy, billowy and luxe, channeling coastal chic and country club vibes at the same time. Fortunately, these elevated spring pieces mirror the aesthetic despite starting at just $5.

Whether you’re brunching with the girls, planting hydrangeas or simply running errands, these classy pieces make you look like an East Coast millionaire. With these 19 seasonal dresses, blouses, bags and sandals, you’re sure to find luxe-looking wardrobe staples worth buying below — including options from brands like Caslon, Tory Burch and Free People. See our favorites from Nordstrom, Amazon, Abercrombie & Fitch and more!

19 Martha’s Vineyard-Style Rich Mom Pieces — From $5

1. Transitional Season: Spring mornings are usually chilly. This puff-sleeve cardigan bridges the gap without adding bulk. Throw it over a tank or dress, and you’re instantly polished.

2. Sassy Slides: Slip into these raffia-style slides for a boardwalk stroll or a casual lunch. They look put together for both! Oh, and the soft lining means no blisters.

3. Could be Longchamp: This packable nylon tote has the same clean, preppy look of a Longchamp Le Pliage bag, but at a fraction of the price. At $30, you won’t stress about tossing it on the sand.

4. Picnic Party: Gingham print is a staple in Martha’s Vineyard, and this button-front blouse nails it. You’ll wear it for everything from in-office mornings to afternoon picnics.

5. Sporty Edge: Whether you’re meeting friends for coffee, exploring a new city or simply grabbing groceries, this two-piece outfit delivers comfort and style.

Related: I Travel Monthly — Cool Moms Wear These 19 Chic Travel Sets

Whether flying or driving, I’m always going somewhere. It gives me plenty of time to spot fashion trends in airports, hotel lobbies and new cities. Somehow, wherever I go, cool moms wear these two-piece outfit styles nonstop. Charleston, New York, Marseilles, you name it — the chicest gals wear matching sets, and these 19 travel […]

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6. Everyday Outfit: Frills, stripes and puff sleeves make this boutiquey blouse look straight off the island. You get a $200 look for $20.

7. Travel Staple: Tired of colors that don’t match? This two-piece set eliminates the problem entirely. One grab from the suitcase and you’re already dressed.

8. Bye, Jeans: With an elasticized waistband and a wide-leg design, these billowy stripe pants bring all-day comfort. Plus, they drape beautifully from every angle.

9. Linen Blend: You’ll obsess over this linen-blend jumpsuit that looks like denim, yet actually breathes. The sleeveless style shows off your shoulders.

10. Best Dressed: This solid-color maxi dress lets the silhouette do all the talking. No busy print — just a timeless, elegant look.

11. Martha Stewart: Martha Stewart wears butter yellow nonstop, which is why we’re snagging this breezy maxi skirt in the same hue. The lightweight find feels like you’re wearing nothing at all.

12. Boho Babe: An $8 top shouldn’t look this good, but we’re glad this lantern-sleeve wonder totally pulls it off. Pair it with white pants and no one will ever guess the price.

13. Luxe Alert: Once you try on these linen-blend capris, you’ll ditch your tight pants indefinitely. Rich moms wear them with flip-flops, sandals and sneakers.

14. Nice and Nautical: This T-shirt maxi dress combines the relaxed fit of a tee with a length that reads refined. The nautical stripes are peak New England style.

15. Classic Crossbody: Thanks to the straw and leather accents, this stylish crossbody bag channels high-end coastal vibes — without the designer markup.

16. Tory Burch: Save up to 40% on these classic cork sandals that shoppers wear instead of sneakers. The contoured footbed adds arch support.

17. So Flattering: Show up to a dinner party in this waist-cinching maxi dress, and someone will ask if it’s Zimmermann. It smooths, flows and slims from every angle.

18. Total Steal: An $8 price is not a glitch! This year-round blouse layers perfectly under cardigans during the spring and works solo in the summer.

19. Seriously Splurge-Worthy: Look no further for the ultimate wear-everywhere dress. This smocked maxi shapes without squeezing, concealing the tummy without looking frumpy.

Roomies, Nia Long recently posed for Playboy and opened up about where she’s at with dating, and more.

RELATED: Nia Long Participated In The “Backup Dancer Challenge” & Social Media Is Goin’ Wild Over Her Moves (WATCH)

Nia Long Poses For Playboy & Opens Up Where She’s At With Dating

On Monday, April 13, Nia Long took to Instagram with a joint post with Playboy, teasing her recent sitdown and cover with the outlet.

Then, later that day, Long returned to the platform to share a shot from her feature.

Furthermore, in her interview with the platform, Long got candid and discussed her career, her upcoming role in the Michael Jackson biopic, ‘Michael,’ as Katherine Jackson, her life as a mom, and if she’s dating.

“I can’t even answer that question. I probably shouldn’t answer that question. Am I ‘dating?’ I don’t like that word,” she said.

When asked why she isn’t dating, Long explained:

“I feel like that requires me to go out and do something. I do think that if you’re looking for a partner, you have to be actively out there in order to meet. But I am not in that space right now. I’m really focused on my kids, my work, and my girlfriends, and going out and having a good time. … I like to get up and do what I want to do when I want to do it. It’s not that I don’t want to have a partner, but I was in a relationship for a very long time, and I’m enjoying getting to know myself without feeling the need to be of service to a relationship. I want to be of service to myself, to my children, and to my career. And when the right man comes along [whom] I choose to commit to, then perhaps he will be of service to me,” she said.

Here’s What Else She Said About Dating

In addition, Long explained that her biggest turn-off about dating is people talking “too much.”

“I need them to shut up. If we’re going to have a one-night stand, I almost feel like I need to have them sign NDAs,” she said, later adding. “The new way of dating is so—I don’t even understand what’s happening! First of all, if I text you and you take a day, I’m never talking to you again. Never talking again.”

Before concluding on the topic, she added that she’s a “big fan” of dating younger because they “also go home.”

Social Media Reacts After Nia Long Poses For Playboy

Social media users reacted to Nia Long’s shot for Playboy in her comment section.

RELATED: She Gets It From Her Mama! Nia Long Shares Rare Photo & Video Of Her Mom Talita

Sauron is the primary antagonist throughout The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, and for a significant portion of the universe that author J. R. R. Tolkien outlined. He is the eponymous Lord of the Rings, as he is responsible for distributing the rings of power to the elves, dwarves, and humans. Of course, everyone knows that Sauron lied to them all and secretly forged a ring of his own, one that was infinitely more powerful than the others. One Ring to rule them all.

It is this One Ring that Sauron uses to dominate Middle-Earth, and to wage war against its people, which is why the trilogy revolves around the ring being destroyed. Though Sauron is a powerful force that few could ever hope to stand against, he rarely works alone. Indeed, the Dark Lord of Mordor has had many servants and allies throughout his reign of terror. Many are clumsy and oafish, like the orcs and trolls, but others are much more dangerous. This list will discuss Sauron’s most powerful allies, but they won’t be ranked in any particular order.

The Witch-King of Angmar

The Witch-King of Angmar is the chief of the Nazgûl, also known as the Ringwraiths. The Ringwraiths were men once, who were given nine rings of power by Sauron himself, which warped them into phantom-like beings, neither living nor dead. The Witch-King, as his name implies, was once the ruler of the northern land of Angmar, a snowy, mountainous land full of antisocial people and misery.

In The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the Witch-King is played by Lawrence Makoare, who gives the character a deeply imposing presence that lets the viewer feel the evil coming from him. With powers of sorcery behind him, poisonous blades, immortality, and superhuman strength, the Witch-King was among the most feared of Sauron’s lieutenants, especially when he rode astride his flying fell beast. Eventually, the Witch King is famously killed by Éowyn (Miranda Otto), Shieldmaiden of Rohan, aided by the Hobbit Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck (Dominic Monaghan).

Shelob

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Shelob is one of the Great Spiders and a daughter of Ungoliant, one of the most powerful beings in Middle-earth. While Ungoliant initially worked with Morgoth, Sauron’s master, she eventually betrayed him, acting independently, driven by her insatiable hunger. Shelob is mostly in the same vein: she is primarily interested in herself rather than in serving the Dark Lord.

However, Shelob and Sauron have developed a minor alliance that is shaky at best. The agreement is that Shelob has to guard Cirith Ungol, the hidden mountain pass into Mordor for Sauron. In exchange, Sauron feeds her prisoners and lets her feast on his orcs should they stray into his territory. While not as powerful as her mother, who actually defeated Morgoth, Shelob is still an immensely powerful being, with very few able to stand against her. In fact, Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) was the first living being to ever harm Shelob in centuries, possibly even millennia, though he was not able to kill her.

Saruman the White

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Saruman (Sir Christopher Lee) is the leader of the Istari, the five wizards of Middle-earth. He is the most powerful among them, and, like the others, is a Maia. The Maiar are sort of demigods, with both spiritual and human forms. In fact, Sauron is of this very same species. While the Istari are supposed to be dedicated to combating Sauron, Saruman eventually gave up his mission in favor of joining Sauron instead. However, their alliance is thin, and the two are always spying on each other.

Saruman actually plans to overthrow Sauron and rule Middle-earth himself, and Sauron is well aware of it. Still, their interests align enough that they are able to put their rivalry aside and focus on dominating the free people of Middle-earth. They communicate through the Palantir in their two towers, which is a crystal ball that serves as a direct line between them. Due to the fact that he is immortal and has the magic of the Istari behind him, Saruman is unquestionably one of Sauron’s most powerful allies.

Ancalagon the Black

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Ancalagon the Black has never been featured on screen, but his name is enough to strike fear in the hearts of many throughout Middle-earth. Ancalagon was an enormous dragon, the largest ever reported to have lived in Middle-earth. He wreaked havoc throughout the First Age, bringing low the hidden city of Gondolin and slaying countless with his fiery breath. Though he did not possess any magic, his sheer size was enough to make him the ultimate killing machine.

Ancalagon was eventually slain by Eärendil, the father of Elrond (Hugo Weaving), in the First Age. To get a real grasp of how massive Ancalagon truly was, it is said that when he fell from the sky, his corpse crushed an entire mountain range, reducing it to pebbles, which obviously means he was nearly impossible to kill in the first place — not a lot of Medieval-esque weapons can really damage something that big. For his sheer destructive power, Ancalagon is amongst Sauron’s most feared and powerful allies, though the two never interacted much. They were simply allies due to the fact that they both served the same master at the same time.

Morgoth

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Melkor, later known as Morgoth, is one of the Valar, a group of god-like beings that came into existence with the birth of Middle-earth. He is the only one to turn against the light, choosing instead to lead a path of darkness and death. He waged war against the other Valar and has been doing so for ages. When it comes to the villains of Middle-earth, Morgoth is actually the ultimate force of evil, not Sauron.

Put simply, Morgoth is a god, and Sauron is a demigod; thus, Morgoth is actually more powerful than Sauron, with the latter actually acting as a servant of the former rather than his own autonomous being. Sauron is always doing Morgoth’s bidding, even when Morgoth temporarily vanishes from Middle-earth. Because most of Arda’s problems are caused by Morgoth, if not all, he is obviously the most powerful ally Sauron has. While Sauron is more of a servant, being a servant and being an ally aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive, provided they have the same purpose.