Demi Lovato Is Reminding Us All Why It’s Good to Be Single Sometimes

Don’t get us wrong: We LOVE being in a relationship. But as Demi Lovato just reminded us all, being single doesn’t have to be a curse (in fact, science says it’s better for your health). As she told Sirius XM on Thursday, it can actually be a really important time for your own personal development. She would know: For the first time in her life, girl is experiencing what it’s like to be truly and completely on her own.

Having broken up with now ex-boyfriend, Guilherme “Bomba’ Vasconcelos, the “Sorry Not Sorry” singer says for her, this summer has been all about independence. “I have been enjoying being independent and living on my own, and just trying to navigate through adult life,” she shared.

As you’ll recall, prior to dating Vasconcelos, the 24-year-old was in a long-term relationship with Wilmer Valderrama, which lasted for nearly six years. “I’ve always gone from relationship to relationship or fling to fling or whatever, like I’ve always had somebody in my life,” she explained.

Now, she’s flying solo, and while she says it’s been an adjustment (“and I’m like oh my God, what do I do? How do I sit alone at night?”), it’s also been an incredibly powerful experience. “For the first time I’m not dating anybody… I’m learning how to be comfortable with being alone, and I think that’s the most important thing that you can do for yourself, especially as a woman — to find your independence.” Hear, hear!

Since she’s human, she does have her weak moments, telling the radio hosts that she’s particularly vulnerable at night. “I like to have somebody there especially at night time.” Her pals help her through those times, though, with the singer saying,“I hang out with my friends and they fill that void for me.”

Those pals include Valderrama, whom she’s still close with — the pair actually reunited for a pal’s BBQ back in June. And if all else fails? “I’ve got the pups and I also have 24-hour security.”

Check out her interview in full below!

What do you think about Demi’s dating outlook? Tell us over @BritandCo.

(Photos via Cindy Ord/Getty)

Let’s be honest, while happily ever afters are great in fairytales, we all love a little drama (or a lot of drama) when it comes to what we watch on TV. Reality dating shows have gotten more and more popular for that very reason — and that means there’s plenty for audiences to choose from when it comes to their next guilty pleasure. Here are our picks for the best dating shows to stream right now for that perfect mix of love and pure chaos!

Love Island USA — 6 seasons

Jocelyn Prescod/Peacock

Not only does Love Island USA have everything you want from a dating show, it’s also a reality competition series! Viewers can even vote for their favorite couples to determine which of the island’s singles continue to stay in the villa and who will leave heartbroken.

Where to watch: Peacock, Netflix, and Hulu.

​Love Is Blind — 7 seasons

Netflix

If you’re looking for love, do looks play a factor in who you decide to connect with? Well, for these single men and women, love is completely blind, and an engagement comes before their first face-to-face meeting.

Where to watch: Netflix.

The Bachelorette — 21 seasons

Disney/Richard Middlesworth

This series serves as a spin-off to The Bachelor, which is one of the most iconic and well known dating shows in TV history. It follows the journey of a woman looking for love. Eliminations and roses are (hopefully) the key to each season's bachelorette finding one perfect match and a lifetime of happiness.

Where to watch: Tubi and Hulu.

​Married at First Sight — 17 seasons

Lifetime

Love at first sight might sound like the ultimate dream but what about marriage at first sight? That’s right, six singles agree to get married the moment they meet with the goal of finding their partner for life. Watch season 18 on Lifetime now!

Where to watch: Sling TV, Prime Video, Lifetime, Freevee, Netflix, Hulu, Discovery Plus, and Philo.

​The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On — 2 seasons

Netflix

Ultimatum can make or break any relationship, so if you’re faced with the decision to marry or move on, what will you do? With love on the line and other potential matches entering the picture to make things even more complicated, it’s time to make your choice once and for all.

What to watch: Netflix.

​Perfect Match — 2 seasons

Netflix

Comparability is everything in a relationship, and it’s also everything in this series. Those couples who can prove that they work well together are able to get the ultimate power of controlling the fate of other pairs. Juicy!!

Where to watch: Netflix

​Are You the One? — 9 seasons

Gerardo Valido/MTV Entertainment

10 single men and 10 single women are assessed by a team of professional matchmakers and psychologists in order to discover their perfect match. The matchmakers choose their pairings based on those results at the beginning of the season and then the contestants must figure out who their match is based on dates and competitions.

Where to watch: Pluto TV, Hulu, and Paramount+.

Check out the The Best Reality TV Shows To Watch Next for more weekend binge inspiration!

If you're a loyal fan of Yellowstone and its gripping mix of drama, family dynamics, and Western grit, then you're probably familiar with the genius behind the show: Taylor Sheridan.

As both a writer and director with a ranching background, he's perfected a unique style that blends heart-pounding action with complex characters.

But while Yellowstone has undoubtedly made its mark on television, Taylor's talents extend beyond the small screen. If you can't get enough of his storytelling, here are six Taylor Sheridan films you need to check out.

Scroll to see which Taylor Sheridan movies you should watch if you love YellowstoneASAP!

Lionsgate

1. Sicario (2015)

Sicario is one of Taylor Sheridand's standout works. This crime thriller features FBI agent Kate Macer, played by Emily Blunt, as she's selected for a top-secret task force to win the war on drugs. She goes to the United States-Mexico border to tackle the cartel, working alongside a team of shadowy operatives.

Much like Yellowstone, Sicario, directed by Denis Villeneuve, thrives on suspense, intense violence, and morally complex characters.

CBS Films

2. Hell or High Water (2016)

If you're looking for a Sheridan film that most closely mirrors the world of Yellowstone, this movie might be the answer.

Hell or High Water is a neo-Western that follows Toby, a father struggling to save his family's ranch from foreclosure, who teams up with his ex-convict brother to rob banks in a desperate attempt to keep their land.

It blends classic Western themes with modern drama and explores deep family bonds amidst the harsh realities of financial hardship.

Acacia Filmed Entertainment

3. Wind River (2017)

Taylor Sheridan both wrote and directed Wind River, which features Cory Lamber (Jeremy Renner), a wildlife officer, and FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) as they investigate the murder of a young woman on a Native American reservation.

This film marked his directorial debut and showed off his skill in blending suspense with themes of prejudice, Native American struggles, and the violence of the American West.

Lionsgate

4. Sicario: Day Of The Soldado (2018)

In this follow-up to the original Sicario, agents Matt Graver and Alejandro Gillick return to the United States-Mexico border when the cartel starts smuggling terrorists into the U.S. The situation escalates when the agents kidnap the kingpin's daughter as leverage.

This sequel definitely didn't receive the same love as its predecessor, but Sicario: Day Of The Soldado is still a strong Saturday night movie pick for people who love storylines and character types like those in Yellowstone.

New Line Cinema

5. Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

Those Who Wish Me Dead follows Connor, a boy who's on the run from two hitmen during a wildfire. He teams up with a female smokejumper, trying to contain the flames as the killers pursue them.

This action-packed thriller has some of the same rural charm that fans love about Yellowstone, but presents a totally different narrative. It's tense, rated R, and stars Finn Little, Angelina Jolie, and Jake Weber, just to name a few.

Paramount+

6. Finestkind (2023)

Last but not least, Finestkind is based on two brothers from opposite sides of the tracks who reunite during adulthood in Boston. As they grapple with personal struggles, they turn to an organized crime syndicate for help and end up in a risky situation.

Given its urban setting and different character types, this movie might not seem anything like Yellowstone. Nonetheless, it shares key themes of family and moral conflict. Oh, and did we mention Jenna Ortega's (Wednesday, You) in it?!

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The writer's room — and queen Shonda Rhimes herself — didn't hold back when it came to giving us every memorable Bridgerton quote after quote. But before Netflix, author Julia Quinn crafted the regency era books to tell these beautiful, romantic stories we know and love. Without them, we wouldn't even have the Ton in all their well-spoken (and sometimes petty) glory!

And while I've been a fan of the show since day one, it wasn't until I watched Bridgerton season 2 that I realized just how special the characters are. Their individual, unique styles not only translate to their own whimsical, cottagecorelooks — they trickle down into the words they use, too. I mean, admit it: you definitely say, "Daphne, you must make haste," in Eloise Bridgerton's voice on a regular basis, too.

As much as that quote sticks out to me, there are oh-so many more that deserve the spotlight. Don't believe me? Keep scrolling to see which romantic musings and quippy moments made to our Bridgerton quotes list!

"I have loved. I have lost. I have earned the right to do whatever I please, whenever I please, and however I please to do it." —Lady Danbury

"To meet a beautiful woman is one thing, but to meet your best friend in the most beautiful of women is something entirely apart." —Simon Basset

"The lady is quite the treasure. Do try not to bungle it up." —Lady Danbury

"I happen to believe a lady's business is her own." —Madame Delacroix

"There are perhaps darker turns in these woods than we've been taught to expect. There is light to be found at their end." —Daphne Bridgerton

"You are the bane of my existence and the object of all my desires." —Lady Anthony Bridgerton

"True love is something else entirely. It is when the rest of the world goes quiet. It is not eyes that meet, but souls that dance." —Kate Sharma

"However difficult forgiving someone may be, it is necessary to move forward." —Lady Violet Bridgerton

"Pen, living for the estimation of others is a trap. Once you break free, the world opens up." —Colin Bridgerton

"I am certain you will find your purpose one day. Everyone must eventually." —Penelope Featherington

"You are wise or perhaps unusually lucky to understand friendship to be the best possible foundation a marriage can have." —Queen Charlotte

"All Is Fair In Love And War But Some Battles Leave No Victor, Only A Trail Of Broken Hearts That Makes Us Wonder If The Price We Pay Is Ever Worth The Fight." —Lady Whistledown

"If you desire the sun and the moon all you have to do is go out and shoot at the sky. Some of us cannot." —Eloise Bridgerton

"Why must our only options be to squawk and settle or to never leave the nest? What if I want to fly?" —Eloise Bridgerton

"And when one chooses the heart over the head, often all reason goes out of the window. But the body has a way, indeed, of knowing most what it needs." —Lady Whistledown

Looking to stay in-the-know on all things Bridgerton? Follow the conversation on Facebook!

Lead image via Liam Daniel/Netflix

Bridgerton season 4 might not be coming until 2026, but thanks to a special first look, we have just enough to tide us over (although, is there really ever enough to tide us over? I need full episodes STAT!!). In honor of her new movie Picture This (on Prime Video now), Simone Ashley talked about returning for Bridgerton season 4 — and teased a special reunion I can't wait for.

Here's what Simone Ashley said about Picture This and Bridgerton season 4 in Brit + Co's exclusive interview.

Simone Ashley says 'Bridgerton' season 4 "feels like home."

We already had confirmation that Simone Ashley would return to Bridgerton season 4 as Kate Sharma, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask if she could tease what's in store for viewers. "I can't tease anything, but I can say I was filming a couple of weeks ago, with the girls," she tells Brit + Co. "I'm super excited to be back on the show. I'm so grateful for everything that that show has given me, and whenever I go back it, it just feels like home."

Okay, Simone might have said she couldn't tease anything but if you ask me "filming with the girls" is a tease in and of itself! I'm hoping we see Kate, Eloise, and Penelope get some serious girl time after all the drama during season 3. Kate was able to give Eloise some beautiful advice, and since season 4 focuses on Benedict's love story, I have my fingers crossed it'll be more or less smooth sailing for our favorite ladies.


Simone Ashley's character in Picture This, a portrait photographer named Pia, reminds me a lot of Kate. She's passionate, driven, and an eldest daughter who's constantly being told time is running out. When I ask Simone what she's excited about for the future, she admits she feels a mixture of anticipation and nerves.

"Yeah, I'm excited. And I'm gonna phrase it this way because I think excited is such a positive word and it's an amazing thing, but I think excited-scared is also a positive word," she says. "I'm excited-scared because so much mystery and change and possibilities that could happen in the future, right, that we don't know about."

However, she says that growing up and accepting the curve balls life throws at you is "like taking that jump for change."

"It's excited-scared, and then it's like when you jump into water and then you realize the water temperature's fine."

I couldn't agree more, Simone.

See Simone Ashley in Picture This, streaming on Prime Video now, and stay tuned for the latest Kate Sharma & Bridgerton season 4 updates! While you're waiting, go ahead and Meet The Bridgerton Season 4 Cast.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

It’s pretty common for celebrities to go by a stage name or a different moniker entirely when they’re trying to break into showbiz. Take musicians for example. Before the world knew her as Rihanna, everyone in her life simply knew as Robyn Rihanna Fenty. And the same goes for actors as well. Did you know that The Office alum Mindy Kaling was born Vera Mindy Chokalingam?(Yeah, I was today years old when I learned that.) Even certain members of the British royal family have chosen not to go by their first name, given their high profile status. What if I told you Kate Middleton’s full name is Catherine Elizabeth Middleton? I know right, shocker!

Keep reading to learn more about the 22 celebrities who don’t actually go by their real name — and the reason why.

1. Emma Stone

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Real Name: Emily Jean Stone

Back when Easy A alum Emma Stone was trying to break into the industry as an actress, she chose to go by a different name because there was already a person with the same moniker in the SAG.

So, in a 2017 interview with W Magazine, the Poor Things star shared that she wanted to go by Emily J. Stone, but decided against it. “So to ask a 16-year-old to pick a new name is really an interesting process, because I was like, ‘I’m going to be Riley’... And so my name was Riley Stone for about six months,” she told the publication at the time. “I changed it to Emma because you know it’s closer to Emily, but most people call me ‘M,’ that know me well.” Honestly, I think you could've pulled off the J, Emma.

2. Lady Gaga

Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Real Name: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta

Turns out, the Bad Romance singer wasn’t gaga for her real name when she decided to break into Hollywood. Before entering the music industry, Germanotta chose her stage name “Lady Gaga” after she was apparently inspired by the 1984 Queen single “Radio Gaga.” Huh, who would’ve thought?

3. The Weeknd

Wagner Meier/Getty Images for Live Nation

Real Name: Abel Makkonen Tesfaye

Years before the world knew him as “The Weeknd,” Tesfaye chose his professional name when he left home at a young age. During a Reddit Ask Me Anything segment, the singer revealed, "I left home when I was about 17 dropped out of high school and convinced [my friend] Lamar to do the same.”

He continued, “We grabbed our mattresses from our parents threw it in our friends sh—ty van and left one weekend and never came back home. It was gonna be the title of HOB [House of Balloons]. I hated my name at the time though so I tried it as a stage name. It sounded cool. I took out the “e” because there was already a Canadian band named the weekend (copyright issues).”

4. Gigi Hadid

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Real Name: Jelena Hadid

In case you didn’t know, the proud mom went by “Gigi” early on in her childhood. (FYI: Gigi was also her mom’s childhood nickname too.) But in a 2015 interview with Vogue, Hadid shared that everyone started calling her “Gigi” once she started grad school.

“In first or second grade, there was a girl named Helena and it got confusing with the teacher who had to call out our names, and so the teacher asked my mom, ‘If I needed to call Jelena a nickname, what would it be?’ And my mom was like, ‘I call her Gigi sometimes,’ and the name stuck,” the supermodel explained at the time.

5. Millie Bobby Brown

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Real Name: Millie Bonnie Brown (Bongiovi ;))

Millie Bobby Brown revealed in a The Electric State interview that her name is actually Millie Bonnie Brown, and that she created the stage name for "sh—ts and giggles."

"It's not Bobby," she says. "It's Millie Bonnie Brown...I've never told anyone that."

6. Brad Pitt

Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images

Real Name: William Bradley Pitt

Apparently, Brad Pitt is another celebrity who likes going by his middle name. But, according to Page Six, the longtime actor actually prefers introducing himself by his first name when he’s flirting with women.

7. Marilyn Monroe

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Real Name: Norma Jeane Mortenson

We're throwing it back with this celebrity name! Fun fact: Mortenson took the name Dougherty after her first marriage. But how did she come up with the name we're all so familiar with? Per Time, the beloved actress chose to say goodbye to her last name after a 20th Century Fox studio executive thought that there would be too many mispronunciations with her last name. So, she decided to drop her last name in exchange for her mom’s maiden name: Monroe. In addition, the exec gave her the name “Marilyn” because she reminded him of a 1920s Broadway star named Marilyn Miller.

8. Natalie Portman

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Real Name: Neta-Lee Hershlag

Originally, Portman was given a traditional Hebrew name before immigrating to the United States in 1984, where her family changed their surname to Portman. Then, the actress’s first name, Neta-Lee (which was her maternal grandmother’s maiden name) later became Natalie.

9. ​Cardi B

Catherine Powell/Getty Images for MTV

Real Name: Belcalis Almanzar

Though everyone knows her as Cardi B, her diehard fans can attest to the fact she was given a different name at birth. Born Belcalis Almanzar, her stage name is actually short for Bacardi (you know, like the rum). While appearing on an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the rapper shared the origin of her pseudonym.

“My sister's name is Hennessy,” the rapper told Fallon. “So everyone used to call me Bacardi, and I started calling myself Bacardi, which eventually was shortened to Cardi B.”

10. Chloe Bennet

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Real Name: Chloe Wong

While promoting her new show Interior Chinatown, Chloe Bennet sat down with Brit + Co and shared why she felt the need to go by a different name than what she was given at birth, which is Chloe Wong. “Early on in my career, my mixed race seemed to be so much more of a thing than I ever understood it as growing up,” the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D alum explained. “I come from a very diverse household and my dad is Chinese. I think I felt more Chinese than what the world perceived me as and that was a weird concept for me.”

The 32-year-old actress went on to share how she changed her surname to Bennet (aka her father’s name) on her resume and she started booking more roles. “I am still not Chloe Bennet. I am Chloe Wong,” she says in the interview.

11. Kit Harington

Amy Sussman/Getty Images for AFI

Real Name: Christopher Catesby Harington

Many of us are taught how to pronounce our given name from a very young age. But for Kit Harington, the Game of Thrones star wasn’t told his first name until he was 11 years old. In a 2014 interview with Glamour, the British actor explained how his parents refrained from telling his real name because “they could see that I wanted to be Kit, but Christopher was a bit of a tradition.”

He continued, "My brother’s name is Jack, but his real name is John. Kit is traditionally an offshoot of Christopher, it’s just not used that often. My middle name is Catesby.”

12. ​Jamie Foxx

Joe Maher/Getty Images

Real Name: Eric Marlon Bishop

Did you know Eric Marlon Bishop chose his stage name “Jamie Foxx” when he first started doing stand up? Back in 2015, Foxx sat down with David Letterman and explained how he tried aiming for a “unisex name” when it came time for him to choose a professional alias.

“I noticed that like 1,000 guys showed up and only three girls, but the three girls would always get a spot,” the singer and actor revealed when recounting the time he signed up for a slot in the standup lineup. “So I went to the list and wrote down a unisex name…Jamie Foxx.” And it looks like the name just stuck.

13. ​Lana Del Ray

Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Real Name: Elizabeth Woolridge Grant

Until the age of 25, Lizzy (aka Elizabeth) Grant reinvented herself and took on a new name when she tried breaking into the music biz—and that’s how Lana Del Rey came to be. According to The Guardian, she not only changed her name, but her entire persona and image. #Iconic

​14. Bruno Mars

Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for Keep Memory Alive

Real Name: Peter Gene Hernandez

Before he caught a grenade for us, the Finesse singer was called Bruno by his family because, when he was a baby, he resembled the professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino. But when it came to his last name, the Hawaiian-born musician thought it would be best to drop it and adopt the Mars surname. “Your last name’s Hernandez, maybe you should do this Latin music, this Spanish music...Enrique's so hot right now,” he jokes in a 2013 interview with GQ.

​15. Demi Moore

Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Paramount+

Real Name: Demetria Guynes

Long before she starred in The Substance, the longtime actress (born Demetria Guynes) tied the knot with rock star Freddy Moore at the age of 17 and took his last name. Though the marriage ended after four-and-a-half years, she’s been known as Demi Moore ever since.

16. ​John Legend

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Real Name: John Roger Stephens

Tonight’s the night that…you’re going to learn how John Legend got his stage name! In a 2008 interview with MTV News (via People), the EGOT winner shared the story behind how he came up with his professional name. “John Legend is a nickname that some friends started calling me, and it kind of grew into my stage name,” he said at the time. “‘Legend’ is something that I never would have chosen for myself originally. It grew to the point where more people in my circle would know me by that name than by my real name.”

17. Miley Cyrus

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Real Name: Destiny Hope Cyrus

Don’t worry, Destiny Hope Cyrus can buy herself flowers! As it turns out, the Grammy-award winner’s stage name dates back to her childhood, when her family would call her “Smiley,” which ultimately turned into “Miley.” And the rest is history.

18. Halsey

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Real Name: Ashley Frangipane

Turns out, Halsey’s stage name is not anagram of her first name, Ashley. Back in 2015, the singer sat down with VEVO and revealed that she was inspired by Halsey Street in Brooklyn, where she would spend weekends making music with her friend.

19. Meg Ryan

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Real Name: Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra

Apparently "Meg Ryan Fall" isn't a totally accurate moniker because Meg's real name is Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra! Meg is a common nickname for Margaret, but she got Ryan from her maternal grandmother's maiden name.

20. Nina Dobrev

Francois Durand/Getty Images

Real Name: Nikolina Kamenova Dobreva

Originally born Nikolina in Bulgaria, our favorite Vampire Diaries star (and recent fiancée!) adopted "Nina" for her stage name because she reportedly figured it would be easier for fans to remember.

21. Reese Witherspoon

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Real Name: Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon

Speaking of Jeane's, did you know Reese Witherspoon's name is actually Laura Jeanne? Yup, according to Vogue, the Legally Blonde star took on her mom’s maiden name early on in her career and the moniker Reese Witherspoon was born. It's also why she only calls Big Little Lies costar Laura Dern "Dern."

22. ​Lucy Hale

Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival

Real Name: Karen Lucille Hale

Lucy Hale has a secret…her full name is Karen Lucille Hale. As it turns out, the Pretty Little Liarsalum decided to ditch her first name and go by the nickname of her middle name: Lucy.

23. Meghan Markle

Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

Real Name: Rachel Meghan Markle

Before she became the Duchess of Sussex, Markle simply went by her first name: Rachel. But now, she goes by her middle name professionally. Markle is rarely addressed by her first name in public. However, an exception was made in 2018 when The Sun reported that the late Queen Elizabeth II blessed Markle’s marriage with now husband Prince Harry and addressed the duchess by her full name.

Which celebrity surprised you the most on this list? Are there any celebrities that we might’ve missed? Let us know on Instagram and read up on the latest celebrity news on Brit + Co!

This post has been updated.