Gwyneth Paltrow has spoken candidly about her experience as a stepmother to her husband Brad Falchuk’s two children, Isabella, 19, and Brody, 17. On 30 August, the wellness mogul took to her Instagram Story, inviting all of her 8.3m followers to ask her anything. From hair colour inquiries to questions about her late father, Paltrow’s audience didn’t hold back. In fact, one fan forced Paltrow to open up about what it’s been like marrying a spouse who already had two children. “I did find it really hard at first,” the Goop founder admitted. “You know? There’s no book on this. Nobody tells us what to do. And in fact, all of the existing media around what a stepmother is casts us in this evil, villainous light.” “It’s kind of like trying to avoid landmines,” she added. Paltrow married the TV writer in 2018 after four years of dating. She was previously married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin for 10 years, before announcing their divorce in March 2014. Meanwhile, Falchuk shares his two children with his previous wife of 19 years, Suzanne Bukinik. When the health enthusiast tied the knot with Falchuk, she welcomed Isabella and Brody into her family - with her mini-me daughter Apple, 19, and her 17-year-old son Moses, whom she shares with Martin. The Academy Award-winner acknowledged the difficulties of being thrown into a new family. She pointed out how existing dynamics between each member are tricky to navigate all at once. For her, there was a fear of how becoming a new figure in her stepchildren’s lives would affect everyone. “You’re going into a family with dynamics, and there’s all kinds of fear around loss and what does this new person mean,” Paltrow noted. “But you know for myself, the minute I decided and fully embodied the idea that my step-kids were my kids and I loved them just as much, and I gave them the same rules and boundaries and just kind of wholeheartedly went for it, the easier the whole thing got.” Paltrow’s Instagram confessions come after the A-lister decided to take a social media hiatus earlier this month. In her 2 August post, she was seen sitting below the branches of a tree with the light of the moon peaking in. “Taking this full moon energy with me as I go into a social media break. Going to work on being present,” her caption read. On 14 August, the healthy living advocate broke her social media silence to share a poignant tribute for the renowned artist Clarence Avant. She posted a photograph of them embracing one another, expressing her sorrow over the loss. “You were beloved by so many, including our family who looked forward to every dinner, every drop of wisdom, just the warmth of your presence,” she wrote. Read More Gwyneth Paltrow was asked to film an ad for a probiotic - and the results were chaotic Holly Willoughby channels Gwyneth Paltrow with ‘orgasm anxiety’ blog post Gwyneth Paltrow announces social media hiatus Gwyneth Paltrow was asked to film an ad for a probiotic. The results were chaotic. Marijuana users have higher levels of toxic metals in blood and urine, study finds Rugby star Ugo Monye: Boarding school shaped my career and my personality

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 3, 2023--

Susan Hall has been chosen as the Conservative candidate for the London mayoral election. The Tory Hall, beat Mozammel Hossain, a barrister with virtually no frontline political experience, in a ballot of Tory members, winning 57 per cent of the vote. Hall has been a London Assembly member for five years. Her policies include reversing the ULEZ expansion, dealing with the housing crisis and cracking down on crime. Indeed, she said she will "hunt down and lock up" muggers and burglars by creating a special team within the Met tasked with tackling them. She is also known for trolling Gemma Collins, when she appeared on I'm A Celebrity in 2014. “OMG this fat woman Gemma is ghastly, really ghastly,” Hall tweeted, “however watching her squeal may be funny”. She also called Collins a “stupid fat blonde woman”. She supported all the best people, not, like Donald Trump and Liz Truss and once claimed the Black community had a crime problem. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter So there is a lot that makes her memorable to voters but perhaps the most memorable thing about her was how she started her mayoral campaign last month, with a very odd social media graphic indeed. The graphic showed a photo of her against a blue background. Dramatic text alongside it merely read: "Susan." It added: "The one Sadiq Khan fears," as well as "you are safer with Susan". Rather than run to cast their votes for "Susan", people found it hilarious: Upon winning today, she updated her graphic hastily and it was still utterly ridiculous: Responding to her selection, a spokesperson for Sadiq Khan, seeking a third term in office next May, responded: The Conservative candidate for Mayor is a hard-right politician who couldn’t be more out of touch with our city and its values." Being ridiculed while trying to reach high office - it is just part and parcel of British politics. Nevertheless, indy100 has contacted Hall to see how she felt about it when her campaign was originally ridiculed on Twitter. A spokesperson said: “Conservative members across London are supporting Susan because she is the experienced candidate who can beat Sadiq Khan. We are hugely grateful to everyone on Twitter sharing our message that London is safer with Susan.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

'I have a very good life and I don't want to be the reason that gets me complicated,' said John Mulaney

Manchester City take on arch-rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday. Here, the PA news agency looks at some key battles ahead of the Wembley encounter. Pep Guardiola v Erik ten Hag City manager Guardiola has again underlined his status as the best coach of his generation by guiding his side to a fifth Premier League title in six years and bringing them within two wins of a glorious treble. Ten Hag, who worked alongside the Catalan at Bayern Munich for a spell, cannot match Guardiola’s success but his record at Ajax was impressive and his first season with United has been encouraging, with one trophy and Champions League qualification secured. They have both beaten each other once this season. Ruben Dias v Marcus Rashford Portugal defender Dias has been back to his best for City during the run-in. After a spell out around the turn of the year, he has recovered form and fitness to provide a rock-solid barrier at the heart of the defence. He will come up against United’s player of the year Rashford, who has bagged 30 goals in all competitions. The forward’s scoring rate may have slowed after a prolific spell in the winter, but after overcoming a recent illness, he will be United’s main threat. Rodri v Bruno Fernandes Rodri has enjoyed his best season for City and is now widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. The Spaniard not only provides a defensive shield, but is a driving force who regularly initiates and supports attacks. Fernandes is an important cog in the United midfield. He finds space well, makes dangerous runs and passes incisively. He is both a creator and goalscorer, and has shown of late he can be as effective on the right as centrally. Kevin De Bruyne v Casemiro It is remarkable that De Bruyne was criticised by Guardiola just a few months ago. The Belgian playmaker had been performing well enough but the City boss clearly felt he had another level. So it has proved, with the 31-year-old outstanding in City’s charge to the title and two finals. His partnership with Haaland has been especially potent and Casemiro will aim to keep a close watch. The experienced Brazilian has made a big impact at Old Trafford this season, providing a steeliness and maturity they previously lacked. Erling Haaland v Raphael Varane Haaland’s first season at City has been absolutely sensational with 52 goals scored in all competitions and nine assists for good measure. His size, pace and strength make him difficult to contain and, after scoring so many goals this term, he will now want to add some signature trophy-winning ones. Varane will provide a good challenge. The Frenchman reads the game well, is strong on the ball and is quick himself. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

IRVING, Texas & ABERDEEN, Scotland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 2023--

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Interesting take.