John Cena Opens Up About His Split from Nikki Bella: ‘I Love Her and I Miss Her’

Apr 26, 2018

WWE superstars John Cena and Nikki Bella recently shocked fans with the news that they had called off their engagement, ending their six-year relationship. Now, Cena is speaking out about the split, saying in no uncertain terms that it has been a difficult breakup.

“It sucks,” the Blockers star told Entertainment Tonight. “There’s no other way to say [it]. I love Nicole with all my heart, and that’s that.”

He shared a similar sentiment with E! News, saying, “Nicole knows I love her and I miss her, but that is what it is. And I’m still here, still going — and I choose to go. … When you love somebody, it stings. That’s why musicians write about it. That’s why poets write about it. If anything, just try to take away what went wrong, and enjoy the good times you had with the person that you love.”

The couple announced their split in a statement on Instagram, just a little over a year after Cena proposed to Bella live on TV at Wrestlemania. “While this decision was a difficult one, we continue to have a great deal of love and respect for one another,” the statement, posted to Bella’s account, said.

In the days that followed, Cena took to his own social media accounts to share his heartbreak, calling it the “worst day ever” and tweeting about the power of resilience. “Hardship, loss, and humility are extremely difficult waters to navigate,” he wrote, “but perseverance thru them builds a strength to withstand anything life throws your way.”

Nikki hasn’t further commented on the breakup, but her sister Bella publicly supported both parties in the aftermath, even saying Cena would “always be family.” Recently, she told People that both her sister and Cena are at incredibly busy points in the careers, and while the breakup came as a surprise to her, she also understands the difficulties of their situation.

“I just think how busy everyone’s schedule is, and unfortunately with John and Nicole, they are two people in their careers who are really dominating what they’re doing, and in doing that, it means you’re always on the road,” she said. “I didn’t see it coming, but it’s also understandable that it’s hard when you never see someone.”

What do you think of John Cena’s candid comments on his breakup with Nikki Bella? Let us know @BritandCo.

(photo via Ethan Miller/Getty Images for CinemaCon)

26 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers Guests Will Love

Since cooking a Thanksgiving dinner takes a hot minute, it's not a bad idea to have some appetizerson-hand to serve your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving guests. Of course, you don’t want to have to spend a ton of time making snacks when you’re also preparing a feast – but that’s where these last-minute bites come in! These Thanksgiving appetizers will keep your guests satisfied until dinner, and they’re so easy to make, you won’t have to deal with any extra kitchen drama.

Without further ado, let's dive into these quick and easy Thanksgiving appetizers!

Fresh Eggs Daily

Baked Eggs in Butternut Squash Rings

Yummy Thanksgiving Appetizers can be as cute as they are scrumptious — like these Baked Eggs in Butternut Squash Rings recipe form Lisa Steele, author of The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook. Here's how you make it:

Ingredients:

1 large butternut squash
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 eggs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh sage for garnish

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Wash the squash and cut crosswise into six 3/4- to 1-inch slices. Scoop out the seeds and hollow out the middle of each slice to allow room for an egg.
Arrange the squash on the baking sheet and brush each ring with olive oil inside and out, then season with salt and pepper. Bake on the center rack of the oven for 20 minutes, until the squash has softened. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and gently crack and slide 1 egg into the center of each squash ring. Season with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil, and return to the oven. Bake about 8 minutes, until the egg whites are set and the yolks are firm but not fully set.
Use a spatula to slide the squash rings onto plates. Top with Parmesan, garnish with fresh sage, and drizzle with olive oil.

Sarah Anderson

Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are such a reliable crowd-pleaser when it comes to Thanksgiving appetizer, or starters for any occasion, really! These 'shrooms in particular take inspiration from Greek cuisine and include tomatoes, olives, pepperoncini, feta cheese, and salami.

Plant Provisions

Italian Savory Hand Pies

These hand pies are 100% vegan, so you can confidently serve them to a party of all diets. They're meaty, cheesy, herby, and definitely filling if you need to prep a decent snack ahead of your fancy Thanksgiving feast.

Parmigiano Reggiano

Chocolate-Covered Cheese Bites

Chocolate and cheese work surprisingly well together, and these creative dipped bites will certainly have all the foodies at the function buzzing.

Snixy Kitchen

Butternut Squash and Bacon Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are such a classic snack, but they can easily become yummy Thanksgiving appetizers when you add butternut squash and bacon to the centers!

The Pioneer Woman

Perfect Fall Cheese Board

Transform your famous charcuterie board with fall accents to make a Thanksgivingappetizer that'll hit all the right taste buds.

Nutmeg Nanny

Sausage, Spinach and Mushroom Phyllo Cups

Don't you just love a bite-sized snack that's super quick to make?

The Home Cook's Kitchen

Mushroom Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Should your guests craves something that's creamy and crunchy, serve them these bready Thanksgiving appetizers.

Half Baked Harvest

Baked French Onion Meatballs

What do you get when you combine the savory flavors of French onion soup and meatballs? We'll give you a hint — it has something to do with being irresistible.

Half Baked Harvest

Cheesy Bacon Holiday Crack

Warning: biting into these sweet, spicy, crispy, and cheesy chips is the point of no return, but it's so worth it.

Savory Tooth

Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

Two-ingredient appetizers are always a winner in our book, and this one is extra hearty.

Pizzazzerie

Candied Walnut Bruschetta

Candied walnuts are excellent on their own, so imagine how they taste with pears and goat cheese on toast.

The Blond Cook

Crock-Pot Honey Garlic Little Smokies

Soy sauce and brown sugar coat these mini hot dogs, and a touch of Sriracha makes them even more spice-tastic.

Sunkissed Kitchen

Roasted Carrot Hummus

Carrots and cinnamon are blended with classic hummus ingredients for a healthy dip to pair with pita chips. The pomegranate and pumpkin seed garnish really ups the presentation of this Thanksgiving appetizer.

Recipe Tin Eats

Caesar Salad Wonton Cups

Keep a package of wonton wrappers in the fridge, and you’ll never have to worry about what snacks to prep next for your party guests! This recipe stuffs the wraps with Caesar salad fixings, but the options are endless.

The Real Food Dietitians

Chili and Rosemary Roasted Nuts

Even if you don’t have a ton of time, you can easily roast up a batch of these smoky mixed nuts before your guests arrive.

Tara's Multicultural Table

French Onion Soup Toasts

Turn French onion soup into a convenient appetizer with crusty bread, sautéed onions, and smoky cheese! Yummm.

The Recipe Critic

Raspberry Baked Brie

Smooth goat cheese and tart raspberry preserves are a match made in snack heaven. The crispy puff pastry layer makes it all worth it.

Lavender and Lovage

Smoked Cheese and Onion Straws

If you have cheese lingering in your deli drawer, it’s the beginning of a tasty appetizer. Sprinkle it into some puff pastry for a twisty "straw" you'll reach for again and again.

The Seasoned Mom

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites

The combo of chicken, bacon, and barbecue sauce results in a Thanksgiving appetizer that's almost impossible to stop eating.

Savory Tooth

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Bacon and Cheddar

Smokey bacon and salty, nutty cheddar top some earthy mushrooms for a new version of this classic stuffed app.

The Baking Fairy

Garlic-Stuffed Olives-in-a-Blanket

If you have vegetarian guests coming to your party, you’ll want to have a tasty option for them. These olives in a "blanket" do the trick nicely! As a bonus, most store-bought crescent roll dough is vegan.

The Cookie Rookie

Best Cheese Ball

There's a reason why sharp cheddar cheese balls are a classic Thanksgiving appetizer. Serve them with buttery Ritz crackers to reach total snack nirvana.

Half Baked Harvest

Whipped Goat Cheese with Warm Candied Bacon and Dates

Sweet and savory, this goat cheese dip is perfect for dipping crostini and vegetables in.

Live Eat Learn

Savory Roasted Cranberry Salsa

Top a cracker with sour cream (or brie or goat cheese) and spread on this cranberry salsa for a light, yet spicy-sweet bite.

Amanda Wilens

Pear and Gouda Puff Pastry

Pear really finds its life's purpose when it's tucked into a square of puff pastry and topped with salty gouda cheese.

Get more ideas and inspiration for your Thanksgiving appetizers and other festive holiday entertaining tips by following us on Pinterest or joining our newsletter.

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Sara Cagle,Jasmine Williams, and Meredith Holser.

Maisy Stella & Megan Park On Working With Aubrey Plaza And The Justin Bieber Of It All

If there's one movie that will make you consider the advice you'd give your younger self, it's My Old Ass. The movie, streaming on Prime Video November 7, follows Elliot (Maisy Stella), who comes face-to-face with an older version of herself (Aubrey Plaza) during a mushroom trip. Throughout their time together, they share heartfelt advice, and, apparently, a lot of laughter.

"I feel like we absolutely [laughed while filming], but honestly the breaks worked for the scene," Maisy Stella tells Brit + Co's Chloe Williams. "So I feel like even when we're laughing, it's like not technically like, 'Oh cut, we have to go again.' You just keep going. But I think there was some real genuine laughter shared between between us two."

Maisy Stella And Megan Park Loved Working With Aubrey Plaza

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"I just remember there was a YouTube video of her that you showed me," says director Megan Park. "I don't know which one it was, but...this is, I think, where the kiss idea of the touching the ass [the scene that mentions the movie's title] came in because you were like 'God, she's so hot.'"

"Working with Aubrey was truly the coolest thing I'll ever get to do," Maisy adds. "I'm such a huge fan of her and have been forever. And so when I found out it was her doing it, I think I did a standing backflip."

Even though Aubrey Plaza was only on set for a week or two, she was able to form a real connection with Maisy, which is the mark of "the most genius actors" for Megan. "They didn't have a lot of time together, but they were so good at the time they did have together, just really being open and vulnerable and building that chemistry really quickly," she says. "Maisy has an older sister, Aubrey has younger sisters. So there was a kind of a natural dynamic that they fell into and you have really similar energies and similar senses of humor that just were such a great match."

During their conversation, Aubrey Plaza's Elliot gives Maisy Stella some serious life advice, and the movie really got Maisy and Megan to consider what advice they would give their younger selves. (They both adamantly express they don't want to know the future).

"Just to be a little more like alert and more present," Maisy says. "I think as a kid, I was like super unaware and in a way that was like beautiful but also like, I wasn't really seeing, I was kind of just looking around. Honestly I would tell my younger self what Aubrey told [my] Elliott in the movie."

"The message of the movie and that time goes by so quickly — it's not forever, everything changes all the time," Megan says. "Just a gentle reminder. But also I think it would be beautiful to go back and meet your younger self. That's such a therapeutic thing and just be reminded of the pace of your life back then."

"Not to be a monster, but I would definitely be like 'invest in Apple!'" she jokingly adds. Megan's sense of humor totally shines through the movie, and it can be summed up in the scene that shows us Elliot's youngest brother has a wall completely covered in photos of Saoirse Ronan.

Maisy Stella And Megan Park Spill On That Justin Bieber Dance Sequence

Marni Grossman/Amazon MGM Studios

"You know, it's funny, now I'm like, 'I want to put pictures of my kids,'" Megan says. "I have a new baby so I'm in very mom mode. Just obsessed with my children. I've been away from them a lot for work, so I could gladly live in a bedroom just smothered of photos of my children all over every square."

"Maddie Ziegler," Maisy says when I ask who she'd dedicate a wall to. "Maddie Ziegler is literally my answer...Yeah, I could go into who I would have on my wall, but I'm going to keep it at that." (ICYMI, Maisy seemingly went Instagram official with The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey in September).

Another hilarious moment comes when Elliot starts imagining a Justin Bieber concert...with herself as Justin. But has the global sensation seen the video?! "I've been waiting for my phone to ring and it hasn't yet," Maisy jokes. "I actually, like, never want him to see it. Ever. I know his team had to approve of it, but I don't know if he approved of it. It could have been them on his behalf, he's a busy man."

Jason Mendez/Getty Images

But with moments of levity comes serious and relatable issues that mark this movie as a coming of age film: family pressure, financial stress, and devastating relationships. The story is impactful as a viewer, but even more so for the team involved in making it.

"The months after [filming] my whole life had just kind of shifted and everything kind of rose to the top," Maisy says. "It changed so much of how I think and how I actively live, and I feel like it kind of did that for a lot of the people that were on the set honestly, just because it was such a like specific experience with such a loud message and so much nostalgia that I really took it all and kept it inside."

"It set the bar pretty high, both personally and creatively, in terms of what I want that next set experience to be like," Megan adds. "Working with people that you really care about that [become] like family. It really was a beautiful, hopefully not rare, but it was a really therapeutic, wonderful, just like ego-less environment that was so creative and so fun and healing."

Check out the other New November Movies We've Been Waiting All Year For!

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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Brittany Mahomes Celebrates Patrick's Still Undefeated Season Alongside BFF Taylor Swift

I didn't think it was possible, but Patrick and Brittany Mahomes may have restored my faith in high school sweethearts. It's been 12 years since they first started dating and they're still going strong as a married couple! They've also recently announced they're expecting baby no. 3 — which is no small feat when their lives are already so full.

Here's everything we know about this stunning football couple that's setting the tone for everyone else.

Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Verizon

March 2012: Patrick & Brittany Mahomes Become High School Sweethearts

Patrick and Brittany Mahomes started dating while they attended Whitehouse High School in Whitehouse, TX which makes them high school sweethearts! During an appearance on the TODAY show, Patrick talked about the beginning of their relationship. "I think at that point we had been dating for a couple months," he said before admitting he was "just a normal teenage kid showing up at the family dinner."

May 2013: Patrick & Brittany Go To Prom

The cute teens were still going strong a year later because they went to prom together! Patrick posted a pic on Instagram the day they were set to go and it perfectly captured the early 2010s (i.e. collage instead of carousel pictures). He wrote, "
Best prom date a guy could ask for," in his caption and I think we can agree they both felt that way.

Rob Carr/Getty Images

2013-2014: Patrick & Brittany Enter A Long Distance Relationship

Interestingly enough, Brittany went to college at the University of Texas at Tyler (via University of Texas at Tyler) while Patrick played football at Texas Tech University (via NCAA). It seems they were committed to stay together no matter what!

February 2, 2020: Brittany Supports Patrick After His Super Bowl Win

After Patrick was drafted to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 (via Chiefs), the team won the Super Bowl in 2020 (via PEOPLE). They played against the San Francisco 49ers where the final scores were 31-20.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TIME

September 2, 2020: Patrick Proposes To Brittany

Later that year, Patrick and Brittany got engaged! PEOPLE managed to grab the cute BTS screenshots of the special moments shared on the couple's individual Instagram stories and I think I've found the perfect ring replacement to send to my fiancé. JK!

September 29, 2020: Patrick & Brittany Announce Their First Pregnancy

The couple surprised everyone with their pregnancy announcement towards the end of September 2020 with Brittany writing, "Mom & Dad, taking a small detour to the wedding❤️," on Instagram. The couple looked cute as Brittany held her sonogram picture and Patrick held her tiny baby bump.

Patrick's pale pink shirt may have been a nod to their baby's gender because their daughter was born a few months later!

February 20, 2021: Patrick & Brittany Welcome Their Baby

Patrick & Brittany's daughter, Sterling Skye Mahomes, was born February 20, 2021. Not only did Brittany share the news of her birth on Instagram, but Patrick also shared the same picture on his page. Though they didn't show baby Sterling's face, they shared she weighed 6 lbs, 11 oz.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

March 20, 2021: Patrick & Brittany Share The First Photo Of Sterling

The closest baby reveal fans of Patrick & Brittany received is one where the NFL star held her in an adorable pic the month after Sterling was born. He posted it on Instagram to seemingly celebrate her being alive for a full month and it was a sweet gesture.

May 9, 2021: Brittany Gets Excited For Her First Mother's Day

On Mother's Day in 2021, Brittany expressed her excitement about celebrating the holiday as a new mom. PEOPLE reports she wrote on Instagram, "Dear Sterling, thank you for making me a mommy and being the biggest blessing EVER, Mommy & Daddy love you more than you will ever understand."

June 20, 2021: Brittany Celebrates Patrick's First Father's Day

Brittany also made sure Patrick was celebrated on Father's Day by sharing the cutest carousel of pictures featuring their family on Instagram. "Happy 1st Fathers Day!!! We love you❤️," she wrote. Fans were able to see Sterling's full face in most of the pictures and it's clear that she felt content in her dad's arms.

JC Olivera/Getty Images

March 12, 2022: Patrick & Brittany Make It Down The Aisle

Despite their baby detour, Patrick & Brittany got married in March 2022. They got married in Maui, HI and made sure little Sterling had a role as flower girl in their wedding (via PEOPLE). Brittany wasn't shy about posting candid moments from the couple's big day and seemed thrill to have their daughter there! "Having your daughter apart of your wedding, just hits different🥺💕 I love you sister girl💖," she wrote.

March 2022: Patrick & Brittany Enjoyed A Romantic Honeymoon

The couple celebrated a romantic honeymoon in St. Barts (via PEOPLE) and enjoyed time in nature. Brittany concluded they had "a perfect honeymoon" on her Instagram stories which seems like it was true!

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit

May 29, 2022: Patrick & Brittany Announce They're Expecting Again

The couple enjoyed being parents so much they made another surprise pregnancy announcement with baby Sterling's help on May 29, 2022. Patrick wrote, "Round 2! 🤍" on Instagram and was met with congratulatory messages from fans! Sterling even held a sign that read, "Big sister duties coming soon."

June 26, 2022: Patrick & Brittany Reveal Baby No. 2's Gender

The couple were riding the high of preparing for their second baby because they couldn't wait to reveal the gender to PEOPLE. They both wore the cutest blue hoodies that said, "Baby Mahomes, boy or girl" with 'boy' circled in blue. Even Baby Sterling was all smiles in the first photo.

Jason Hanna/Getty Images

August 31, 2022: Brittany Celebrates Her Birthday With Patrick & Sterling

The couple then celebrated Brittany's 27th birthday which she documented on Instagram. She wore a cute navy blue set that complemented her baby bump while Patrick kept it cool and casual in a Fendi t-shirt, dark blue jeans, and sneakers. "Cheers to 27✨," Brittany wrote.

November 28, 2022: Patrick & Brittany Welcome Their Second Child

Shortly after Thanksgiving, Patrick & Brittany gave birth to their son, "Patrick 'Bronze' Lavon Mahomes III" who weighed "7lbs 8oz," according to the athlete's Instagram caption. Similar to Sterling's birth announcement, the couple didn't show little Patrick's face, just his feet in the cutest onesie I've ever seen. A diamond bracelet or necklace with their son's nickname was also placed right under his little body.

Fernando Leon/Getty Images

January 11, 2023: Patrick Becomes Co-Owner Of Women's Soccer Team With Brittany

This is one couple who isn't afraid of doing business together because Patrick joined Brittany as the co-owner of Kansas City Currents! He shared the following message on Instagram, "I am thankful for the chance to join @brittanylynne as part of the Kansas City Current's ownership team. She and the Longs have done an incredible job building a world-class organization and I am excited to join another championship-caliber club as it continues to make history."

January 29, 2023: Brittany Supports Patrick's Return To The Super Bowl

Brittany didn't waste time supporting Patrick heading back to the Super Bowl with the Chiefs again and brought along Sterling. She shared the cutest BTS video of Patrick running over to give them both a kiss before heading back on the field. She wrote, "So. Dang. Proud. OF YOUUUU❤️" as her caption.

February 9, 2023: Patrick Praises Brittany In His NFL MVP Speech

PEOPLE got the inside scoop on Patrick's MVP speech and he had nothing but kind words for his wife. "To my wife Brittany, my baby girl Sterling and my son Bronze, this crazy life that we are living means nothing without y'all, keeping me balanced, and making me appreciate every single day. No matter how I feel coming home, y'all bring me joy and make me appreciate the time that I get to spend with y'all. Thank you for always being there for me, through my good times and my bad. Love y'all," he said.

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

February 12, 2023: Patrick and Brittany celebrate his Super Bowl win

When Patrick and the Chiefs won the Super Bowl in 2023, Brittany made it known she continues to be his biggest supporter. She wasn't shy about heading to Instagram to let the world know just how proud she was of him. PEOPLE reports she screamed, "He did it," without hesitation.

May 1, 2023: Patrick and Brittany attend the Met Gala

The coupled attend 2023's Met Gala together in classic looks that showed they know how to dress to impress. The only thing that wasn't traditional about Brittany's look were here sky high metallic heels and sequin bardot neckline.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

February 11, 2024: Brittany and Patrick celebrate his 2024 Super Bowl win

It shouldn't come as a surprise, but Brittany was front and center when Patrick, along with the Chiefs, won this year's Super Bowl. PEOPLEreports she made sure to carry their kids onto the field to see their dad before the game kicked off, making everyone swoon with admiration.

And when she posted the stylish photo of them holding Patrick's MVP trophy, it made me understand why being a WAG wife may not be such a bad thing.

Brittany brought Sterling and Bronze onto the field before Patrick's fourth Super Bowl game and the couple celebrated together after the quarterback led his team to victory. When Patrick accepted the MVP trophy, his third in total, he expressed his gratitude for Brittany and their kids.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

July 12, 2024: Baby No. 3 Is On The Way

Baby No. 3 is officially on the way as the couple have announced their family is getting bigger. Brittany and Patrick look closer than even in this carousel, making me thinking have three kids isn't so bad! "Family of 5 coming soon🥹 blessings on blessings🙏🏻🤍," says Brittany's caption.

September 8, 2024 Patrick & Brittany Mahomes Attend The US Open With Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce

Instagram/15andMahomies

October 28, 2024: Patrick & Brittany Step Out At Charity Gala

The couple stepped out on the red carpet for their 15 and Mahomes Foundation Gala in honor of their charity. They couldn't stop smiling in these pictures from the charity's Instagram story — and I can see why! Aside from the fact they're getting ready to welcome their third child, they genuinely looked excited to be celebrating their charity.

October 31, 2024: Patrick & Brittany Celebrate Halloween With Their Kids

Patrick & Brittany Mahomes had the best family Halloween costumes this year! They shared a super cute photo of them posed with their kids and let's just say the Mahomes zoo was open for business. Patrick took on the role as a zookeeper while Brittany donned a mommy kangaroo costume that featured a joey in her pouch. It was a cute nod to their growing family, but we can't forget about Sterling and Bronze! Sterling wore a pretty pink flamingo costume while Bronze looked precious as a little lion.

There's no way the Mahomes can get any cuter!

Instagram/BrittanyLynne

November 4, 2024 — Brittany Celebrates Patrick's 8th Chiefs Win Of The Season

Brittany reported for WAG duties at the Chiefs vs. Buccaneers game on Monday, November 4, 2024 — and cheered alongside her BFF Taylor Swift throughout the game! This TikTok shows the two celebrating one of Patrick's touchdown passes, but it appears Brittany quickly realizes and tells Taylor that "Patrick's hurt." Luckily, it seems Pat was fine after all, but it can be scary business being a WAG!

Meanwhile, Brittany posted a video later of their daughter, Sterling, sharing her own football commentary. PEOPLEreported that in an Instagram story, Brittany asks Sterling, "What's so rude?" Sterling then responds, "If they take the ball from daddy and score a touchdown by theirselves, that means they're so rude." Clearly the Chiefs love — and loyalty — runs deep in this family! 😂

Injuries aside and interesting football takes aside (I'm looking at you, Sterling!), Brittany posted to Instagram, celebrating Patrick's big win. As the only team left with an undefeated record in the NFL this year, her caption is incredibly appropriate: "8 & ZERO😎" We love to see these two winning together!

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This post has been updated.

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