Uncategorized

Source: Paras Griffin / Getty

There are plenty of people who would love to have a body like Teyana Taylor’s. The 28-year-old singer, dancer and actress is slim, but also strong and busty (and bootylicious, too) at the same time. But before you run off thinking that her body is perfection, she says that’s not true. There are things about being very lean that she struggles with just like we all have issues with our own figures. In fact, she says there have been opportunities she’s wanted that she’s needed to put weight on for and hasn’t necessarily been able to.

“People may say I have a perfect body, but I have certain insecurities too,” she told Us Weekly recently. “You know what’s crazy? A lot of people think, ‘Yeah your body is cool,’ but, like, there’s been plenty of roles where it’s like, ‘Oh yeah, you have to gain weight’ and it’s very hard for me to gain weight, you know what I’m saying?”

In fact, Teyana says she sometimes loses weight unexpectedly and at her already small size, it’s not something she’s comfortable with.

“It’s not easy, or I lose weight for any little thing and I’m already small,” she said, “I can’t afford to lose any more weight, but that’s just my personal thing.”

The star likely finds herself smaller than expected on the scale sometimes because of her intense performances and even more strenuous practice schedule, which she told the publication can last for quite a few hours.

“I love to dance, I love to rehearse, I love to practice period,” she said. “I can rehearse for 12 hours.”

She also loves her Fade2Fit dance workout, which she says is for people who want to get moving but don’t want to go to the gym. She can relate to such an aversion due to what people might assume she’s capable of because of her body type.

“Especially me, if I walk into a gym, people think I’m gonna do backflips, lift 100-pound weights,” she said. “Like, that’s still a pre-judgement of, ‘Oh she’s got a 20-pack, so I know she’s about do some work,’. And I’m really just shy, so you never know. Never judge a book by its cover.”

Hit the flip to check out more photos of Teyana’s slim frame in action, and her embracing it — insecurities be damned.

Source: Dave Kotinsky / Getty

This post will contain spoilers for The Walking Dead Season 10, Episode 2.

“We Are the End of the World” focused on the Whisperers from several perspectives – the past, the present, and their potential future. The nomadic group came into play last season but this is the first time that The Walking Dead has taken a more extensive look at the group’s origins as well as the lingering bits of their humanity despite a pack mentality. It turns out that walker skins and a lawless way of life doesn’t stop a group of people from having the same issues that established communities have – particularly, inner conflict and lies.

The fandom finally got some answers about this group, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t missing pieces of the puzzle. Season ten may continue to do flashbacks and explain more things in detail, but this is what we learned (and still want to know) about the Whisperers.

They were formed seven years ago

This episode reveals that Alpha and Beta’s first encounter was seven years ago. This would have been around the time that Rick and the others were rebuilding post All-Out War, which means the apocalypse had already been going on for a few years. This is interesting considering Morgan’s claim back in season three about people wearing dead people’s faces. Perhaps there’s another group out there somewhere who lived among the walkers first? But it’s clear that whatever Morgan saw had nothing to do with Alpha’s group.

Beta’s face and shirt came from a loved one

Before Alpha, Beta (whom she originally called B) was living alone in an abandoned building for addiction treatment. He quickly built a strange connection to Alpha (then A), even though he refused to let her see his face. Alpha eventually discovered a picture of two people standing in front of the same building with the faces scratched out. The taller person was Beta but there was a guy with long hair and a smiley face shirt.

Beta went ballistic after Alpha killed the person’s zombified remains but she convinced him that this person could always be with him. So, Beta cut off his face, took his shirt, and moved on with Alpha. Yes, he’s been wearing this stuff for seven years. Gross.

Beta never outright says who this person is but the scene was juxtaposed with Alpha losing her grip over Lydia, so it was probably Beta’s son. This would also explain why he gives Alpha grace when she shows emotions over Lydia.

Jace Downs/AMC

Alpha shows mercy…or does she?

Last season, one of the Whisperers coldly left her baby to die among walkers. Connie saved the baby, but the woman never truly moved past sacrificing her daughter. Her sister warned her that showing emotion and daydreaming would lead to her death but it was to no avail. Surprisingly, Alpha showed mercy after the woman’s emotional breakdown.

But, her rare grace backfired when the woman later attacked her in the middle of a walker herding session. The walkers killed her and Alpha dubbed her loyal sister Gamma for putting the needs of the pack over flesh and blood. Alpha may have shown the woman mercy because of her own complicated feelings about Lydia.

Or perhaps she allowed the sister to stay alive knowing that she might try something ominous. Alpha was likely eyeing Gamma for something greater so this might have been the ultimate test to deem her worthy of promotion.

Alpha lied to the group about Lydia’s whereabouts

Alpha demands unquestioning dedication and zero emotion from her pack, but she’s not following her own rules. She told Beta and the others that she killed Lydia, which we all know is a big lie.

She likely said this to assert that she’s still in control and will kill anyone for disobedience, but it’s only a matter of time before Lydia is spotted by someone. And, who knows what will go down when that happens? Beta knows the truth but he’s far too intertwined with Alpha to ever spill the beans.

Jace Downs/AMC

The Whisperers have issues getting along

There are a few people in the Whisperer camp who are envious of what the Hilltop has to offer. Their way of life is supposed to reject anything that looks like civilization, but who can honestly blame them for being jealous?

There are lots of whispers and side conversations happening behind Alpha’s back, which may lead to some people breaking away from the pack.

Beta and Alpha may eventually have a showdown

The pair is super tight but this new leader might change things. Beta was clearly not happy about Gamma’s induction into leadership. He also high-key thinks Alpha is losing her grip. Gamma doesn’t exist in The Walking Dead comics so no one knows what the show is setting up here.

Will Beta fight Alpha to gain control of the group? It doesn’t seem possible considering his deep brainwashing but anything could happen this season. A Beta/Alpha fight for leadership could be an interesting twist to kick off another war.

Jace Downs/AMC

Where did “Alpha” and “Beta” come from? 

The flashback showed the pair calling each other A and B. So, when did they settle on using Greek letters replace their names? Did they give each other new names or did the pack start calling them Alpha and Beta? We will probably never know the answer.

How did they get others to follow them?

There are a ton of terrible people in the world. But, even the worst ones probably wouldn’t want to dress up in walker skins and roam the woods. This episode only showed Alpha, Beta, and Lydia together but it didn’t explain how they recruited others into the fold.

Maybe they were able to find extremely desperate solo survivors who were willing to latch onto anything that seemed like a community. Daryl did this back in season four when he joined the ridiculous Claimers. There are Whisperers who look at Alpha like a savior or god, so this might be true.

But, Alpha and Beta probably strong armed anyone who crossed their paths into either joining them or facing immediate death. The Whisperers way of life isn’t appealing to the average person so becoming one by force is possible.

The curtains are finally opened on the Whisperers and their potential inner war. Let’s see how it all plays out as they restart their reign of terror on Michonne, Daryl, Carol, and the other community survivors.

Feature Image: Jace Downs/AMC

The post THE WALKING DEAD Explored The Whisperers’ Bizarre Backstory appeared first on Nerdist.

Source: Rich Polk / Getty

If I had it my way, my life would always be pretty much the same. Some say that’s because I’m a control freak. Others chalk it up to the fact that I’m a Taurus and crave stability and consistency. I wouldn’t argue with either, though I think the fact that I experienced a great deal of instability in my childhood leads me to do whatever I can within my power to minimize chaos and change in my life.

Unfortunately, that’s not life. The world around us is constantly changing and, try as we might to avoid being impacted by those outside forces, it’s simply not possible. Many belief systems suggest outward change is a necessary part of inner growth, and Sarah Jakes Roberts says the only appropriate response to transition is restructuring.

“If we are not intentional about restructuring our lives there is a version of us that will not live. And there is another version of us that will continue to live that should die,” she says in her sermon “Restructuring.”

The process of restructuring, however, isn’t easy. There is a great deal of doubt, the path you’re taking may not seem secure, and your faith in the outcome may be shaky. Add to that the fact that your own behavior and mentality has to change to reach the end goal and the reality that everyone in your current circle might not make it there with you and it’s clear restructuring isn’t for the faint of heart — or faith. In other words there will be many deaths — not necessarily physical ones — but losses. And, as Jakes Roberts explains, “These aren’t the types of deaths that you end up thanking God for the separation, not in the moment anyway. There are some things you lose along the way that doesn’t feel good.”

Having personally experienced the loss of physical life, professional opportunities, money, and more in the past couple of months, I can certainly attest to what doesn’t feel good. As a result, trusting God feels a bit harder these days.

“Sometimes trusting God is trusting that when you say goodbye to the good thing that it doesn’t mean you’re no longer going to grow, Jakes Roberts says. “There are moments when the good thing goes and we think that was my one shot and that was my only opportunity…just because that good thing is gone that didn’t have anything to do with your growth…you saying goodbye doesn’t mean that was the end of your purpose or your destiny.”

Because she can say it better than I can (and I’m still learning myself), I thought I’d share her message with you this Sunday in the hope that Jakes Roberts’ words will ease the discomfort, disappointment, and even confusion you feel in the midst of your transition and transformation. Check out the sermon below.