Sarah Hyland Won the 2018 Critics’ Choice Awards Carpet With a Tutu

…And just like that, Sarah Hyland wins the blue (yes, blue!) carpet! Of all the bright and colorful ensembles to vying for our attention tonight at the 2018 Critics’ Choice Awards, it wound up being the Modern Familystar’s simple, yet-utterly gorgeous black-and-white stunner that had heads turning.

The Naeem Khan creation featured a black sequined bodice and a tiered tulle tutu that took its cue from Lara Flynn Boyle famous David Cardona getup at the 2003 Golden Globes.

A chic, swept-back deeply side-parted chignon, Lorraine Schwartz earrings, and thin Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, polished off the ensemble as styled by Brad Goreski. Throw in a bold fuschia swipe of color to her lips, and the Candie’s creative director’s transformation into a prima ballerina was complete.

Given its major Black Swan vibes, we half-expected to see Hyland bust out in interpretive dance at any given moment, but alas, she didn’t do any pirouettes (not that we saw, anyway). The 27-year-old did continue to steal the show, however, as she gracefully posed in the jaw-dropping style.

C’est magnifique, Sarah!

What do you think of Sarah’s gorgeous tutu? Share with us over @BritandCo.

(Photos via Joe Scarnici + Frazer Harrison/Getty)

When any red carpet rolls around, there are certain couples we can pretty much always count on to show up looking cuter than ever. John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, Eddie Redmayne and his wife Hannah Bagshawe, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend… But anyone who’s ever seen a tabloid knows that celebrity couples often have a relatively short lifespan. And so when we decided to look back at the red carpet couples of the past, we rediscovered a whole bunch of duos we totally forgot ever existed. These stars are incredible on their own, but even more powerful together. Scroll on down to take a look at all the now-Hollywood exes who made us do a double take.

Juliette Lewis + Brad Pitt

Vinnie Zuffante/Archive Photos/Getty Images

We tend to think of Angelina and Jennifer as Brad’s two big loves, but before them (and Gwyneth) came Juliette Lewis. The two dated for four years when they were both on the cusp of total stardom. These two just might be tied with Johnny Depp and Kate Moss as the most ’90s couple that’s ever existed.

Michael Jackson + Brooke Shields

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A budding supermodel and a global pop sensation? It’s kind of a Hollywood match made in heaven, just like Brooke's curls. That dress on the other hand? We’re not so sure.

Matthew Broderick + Jennifer Grey

Vinnie Zuffante/TriStar/Getty Images

As much as we’d like to believe Sarah Jessica Parker was Matthew Broderick’s one and only, this couple makes a lot of sense. The two were both the main characters in epic teen ’80s movies – we’ll just forget about the fact that they played brother and sister in one of them…

Jake Gylenhaal + Reese Witherspoon

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Dang, why didn’t this couple work out again? Oh right, probably because that much wonderfulness packed into one couple would make the world explode. But they sure did look good together!

Drew Barrymore + Corey Feldman

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Feldman once said that his first date with Drew was arranged by her mother when she was 10 and he was 14, because apparently Barrymore had a huge crush on him. They later dated briefly (this time for real) in 1989, when Drew was a teenager. Unfortunately, he was heavily into drugs during that time and she was trying to stay sober after multiple stints in rehab, so it didn’t last long.

Winona Ryder + Christian Slater

New World Pictures/Getty Images

Here’s to hoping this relationship ended a little more amicably than it did for their Heathers characters.

Julia Roberts + Kiefer Sutherland

Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

It was supposed to be one of the biggest Hollywood weddings ever, and then all of a sudden, Julia called it off. Tragic. At least we have this red carpet moment to remember the couple by.

Stacy Keibler + George Clooney

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Now that Amal is in the picture, it’s hard to imagine George with anyone else. But before that British vision of elegance came Stacy Keibler, the stunning professional wrestler and George’s beau for two years.

Who’s your favorite throwback red carpet couple? Share with us on Twitter @BritandCo.

This post has been updated.

Tom Holland and Zendaya are the "it" couple right now, and they're both at the top of their game. Tom Holland took a recent break from acting and has been doing phenomenal charity work with his Brothers Trust foundation, while Zendaya's had hit after hit with Euphoria, Dune 2, and Challengers. And it looks like the couple, who met doing Spider-Man: Homecoming, could be doing another new Marvel movie. Here's everything we know about Spider-Man 4.

Is Tom Holland's Spider-Man 4 coming?

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Yes, we're getting a Spider-Man 4! Tom Holland finally confirmed the news during an October 22 appearance on The Tonight Show, and in true Tom fashion, already revealed a huge piece of news: the movie will start shooting next summer. "Everything’s good to go — we’re nearly there,” he said. “Super exciting. I can’t wait!”

Before the movie was confirmed, producer Amy Pascal told Variety (when asked if they're making a fourth film), “Of course, we are."

It might feel like a new movie conflicts with the fact Spider-Man: No Way Home set up an MCU without Tom Holland's Peter Parker, especially since Tom said he needed to take a break from acting after The Crowded Room "broke" him. ("I’m now taking a year off, and that is a result of how difficult this show was," he tells Extra.)

However, Tom's also been very vocal about how much Spider-Man means to him, and how much he loves the movies. He also told Variety at The Crowded Room premiere in 2023 that he was already “having meetings” about the next installment.

“The simple answer is that I’ll always want to do Spider-Man films,” Tom tells Deadline at the Sands Film Festival. “We have the best in the business working toward whatever the story might be. But until we’ve cracked it, we have a legacy to protect...The third movie was so special in so many ways that we need to make sure we do the right thing.”

What has Tom Holland said about returning as Peter Parker?

Jay Maidment/Sony Pictures/Marvel

Tom Holland recently revealed that he's actually already read a script for Spider-Man 4 — and that he loved it! “We have a creative and we have a pitch and a draft, which is excellent,” he tells the Rich Roll Podcast (via Variety). “It needs work, but the writers are doing a great job. I read it three weeks ago and it really lit a fire in me. Zendaya and I sat down and read it together and we, at times, were bouncing around the living room like this is a real movie worthy of the fans’ respect.”

“One of the things is that, with Marvel, your film is a small cog in a large machine,” he continues. “That machine has got to keep running. You have to make sure you can fit into that timeline at the right time to benefit the bigger picture. That’s one of the challenges we’re facing. The time in which we need to get that done is a tall order but definitely achievable with the people we have working on it now.”

Peter Parker is one character fans take very seriously, and I know that with Tom and Zendaya at the front, this movie is going to be just as special as Spider-Man: No Way Home!

Will Zendaya be in Spider-Man 4?

JoJo Whilden/Sony Pictures/Marvel

With the recent news that Euphoria season 3 was delayed — and the cast has been given the greenlight to take other projects — it's totally safe to assume Zendaya will return for Spider-Man 4. And fans are hoping for even more characters they love! "Hopefully Kingpin, Scorpion, Daredevil and Black Cat," says one Reddit user.

Forbes has also recently reported Sydney Sweeney could be joining the cast of Spider-Man 4. Sydney was in Madame Web earlier this year, and after rumors she booked the role thinking she was joining the MCU, this newest Tom Holland film would give her the opportunity to do just that. We could see her as Gwen Stacy, or as Felicia Hardy/Black Cat. Considering we've already gotten an extensive plotline surrounding Peter and Gwen in Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone's universe, I'm hoping we'd see her as Felicia!

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsdirector Destin Daniel Cretton is in talks to take over from Jon Watts, who directed the first three movies.

Has Spider-Man 4 started filming?

Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures/Marvel

Spider-Man 4 will start filming in "next summer" according to Tom Holland, which we're taking to mean the summer of 2025. Based on the schedule for Spider-Man: Far From Home, we could see Spider-Man 4 in the summer of 2026.

What will be the title of Spider-Man 4?

Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures/Marvel

We don't have an official name for Spider-Man 4 yet, but fans are already coming up with new ideas. Some fan titles include The Spectacular Spider-Man,Spider-Man: Homeless, and Spider-Man: Home Again. I'd love for Spider-Man 4 to continue with the "home" theme, but switching things up with a brand new title would provide a fresh feel we haven't gotten before. I'm excited to see what Marvel goes with!

What are the Tom Holland Spider-Man movies in order?

Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures/Marvel

Tom Holland has three Spider-Man movies, but he also shows up in some other MCU titles. If you want to watch all the movies Tom Holland plays Peter Parker, here's how you should watch them:

  • Captain America: Civil War
  • Spider-Man: Homecoming
  • Avengers: Infinity War
  • Avengers: Endgame
  • Spider-Man: Far From Home
  • Spider-Man: No Way Home

What do you want to see in Tom Holland and Zendaya's Spider-Man 4? Let us know in the comments!

This post has been updated.

Sarah Jessica Parker captured our hearts as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, but she captured Matthew Broderick's heart much before that. What sets SJP apart from her character on Sex and the City is that while Carrie is indecisive, frantic, lost, and even problematic in her relationships over the years, Sarah is the exact opposite. She's remained steady in her relationship over the course of many years and is still as in love with Matthew as ever.

Their secret to staying in love? SJP told the Hollywood Reporter, "I’ve always said one of the reasons we’ve had success is because we don’t talk about our marriage. I’m not flattering myself that anyone’s discussing my marriage, but we’re certainly not going to add to it by saying, 'Well, this is why it works.' Next thing you know, there’ll be a very public divorce. So we just try to respect each other." Sounds like respect and privacy have gone a long way to nurture their personal love story despite being in the public eye!

We just adore this duo and how dedicated and supportive they've been to each other so we just had to give you the scoop on how the love birds met along with a deep dive into their whole relationship history!

Did You Know This Fun Fact About the SJP & Matthew Broderick?

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick have known each other since 1991 — that's over 30 years! They've known each other and been married since 1997. SJP and Matthew Broderick also share three kids together whose names are James, Tabitha, and Marion. We just love their love and can't wait to tell you all about it below so keep reading!

A Full Relationship Timeline of Sarah Jessica Parker And Matthew Broderick's Love Story

Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

November 1991/January 1993 — Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick Meet

The two actually met through Parker's brothers who ran a local theatre in New York City. SJP was visiting the theatre to see her brothers' play and Broderick had recently directed a play at the very same theatre. The two met and a couple months later, Broderick sweetly left her a voicemail which led to the romance! We love a direct man!

After almost two years of dating, the new couple attend their first Golden Globes red carpet together on January, 23 1993 in Beverly Hills.

Photo by Diane Freed/Getty Images

March 1996 — Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick Work Together For the First Time

The two take their chemistry to the stage! After dating for five years, they decided to work together on Broadway for a play, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. This was their debut of working together and it was so sweet!

Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images

May 1997 — Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick Tie the Knot

The two finally get married after years of dating! They ended up doing a surprise ceremony for all of their closest friends and family to enjoy while SJP's sister officiated the ceremony. Sarah Jessica Parker didn't even wear white on her wedding day — what would Carrie think?

She later told Marie Claire in an interview, "I wore black on my wedding day, and I really regret that," Sarah Jessica Parker says. "I was too embarrassed to get married in white, and both Matthew and I were reluctant to have people pay so much attention to us. Which is ridiculous, because that's when you can relish the attention, when it's natural. We treated it like it was a big party on a Monday night, and I regret it."

But it definitely wasn't bad luck to not wear white because the couple is now revered for having one of the longest lasting marriages in Hollywood!

Photo by Keith Bedford/Getty Images

August 2002 — Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick Are Expecting Their First Child

Sarah Jessica Parker was pregnant with her first son during filming for the fifth season of Sex and The City (although the wardrobe department did a great job at concealing the pregnancy for Parker's on-screen character). The couple remained very private throughout their whole pregnancy and birth.

Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images

September 2004 — Sarah Jessica Parker Wins Her First Emmy Awards

Sarah Jessica Parker won an Emmy Award for her role in our favorite show, Sex and the City. She thanked her three cast members in her speech and then went on to thank her family, including Matthew, who was of course sitting in the audience proudly watching her experience this incredible moment.

Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images

November 2006 — Sarah Jessica Parker And Matthew Broderick Are All Family

As it turns out, talent runs in the family as Matthew's mother, Patricia Broderick, was a well-known artist and playwright. Here they are pictured at an art show in New York that was honoring the late artist who had passed away a few years before this. Keeping family close is clearly important to the couple, as they remain a tight-knit family unit even now.

Photo by Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images

June 2009 — Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick Have Twins

In 2009, the couple welcomed twins! Holy moly! The former group of three became five with the birth of their sweet twin babies. The twins are now in high school, believe it or not! Broderick said of the twins being super close on Live with Kelly and Mark, "When it was time to decide for real," Matthew explained, "they were like, 'No, we're going to the same high school.'"

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

March 2010 — Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick Attend The Oscars

The pair showed up to stun at the 82nd Oscars together. They looked fabulous, in no surprise to anyone. In this photo, the pair had been together for around 17 years.

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

September 2011 — Sarah Jessica Parker Talks Parenthood

Fast forward to 2011 where their oldest is a toddler and the twins are still very young. We can't imagine the busy-ness for SJP and Broderick, balancing life and work while having three young kids under the age of five! SJP told E! that "Everyone should be scared of motherhood." She goes on to elaborate that, "It's good to be scared. You should be! Love is scary and friendship is scary and children, even more so." Well that we can definitely agree with!

Photo by Paul Hawthorne

June 2016 — Sarah Jessica Parker And Matthew Broderick On "Conscious Coupling"

The couple ditched their shared home and instead opted for two adjoining yet separate townhouses to create a better space for "conscious coupling" which allows them to work harder on their marriage and commitment to each other. They made the move as an effort to allow some individuality but still be a united front when it comes to their commitment to their marriage and staying together.

Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

February 2020 — Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick Star on Broadway Together

The showbiz stars paired up once more to do a show on Broadway in 2020! They reunited on stage together in Neil Simon's Plaza Suite play. SJP said of the experience in an article to the Hollywood Reporter, "I think we were more so thinking about the play, like, “How are we going to do this?” And I only thought about being concerned when people ask us, “Are you concerned that this is going to be harmful to your marriage?” And then I was worried. “Well, should we be?” We’ve never spent this much time together ever, even before we had kids." She later went on to say that despite it being strange to navigate that it was still a great experience to spend time together working!

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

December 2021 — Sarah Jessica Parker Premiers And Just Like That

And Just Like That, the show is back! SJP showed up in a stunning outfit with her sweet son and husband to support the return of her iconic show. She walked the carpet to celebrate her work with the two men in her life. It was a family affair!

Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Current Day — Still As In Love As Ever

While on Howard Stern's show recently, Sarah Jessica mentioned that her and Matthew Broderick haven't been apart since they met over 30 years ago. She said they have, "never spent a night apart since then, with the exception of work on location, or his mother was ill for a bit so he went to take care of her, but from that first night, we’ve never been apart.”

What else does she have to say about him after all these years? "It seems so silly, but I think you're very lucky if you like the person," she told People. "I still just really like him. I'm sure I annoy him and he annoys me, but I literally learn about him every day. I'm like, 'You're doing what? You're reading what?'

"I think marriage has a lot of vitality," she added. "If you're fortunate, it's like this dazzling organism."

We couldn't have said it better ourselves, SJP! This is a marriage that we are definitely still rooting for after all these years!

Check back here for the latest news on SJP and Matthew Broderick's relationship!

Lead image by Jason Kirk/Getty Images.

Every year since I was old enough to choose my Halloween costume, I've gone with my current fictional character hyperfixation. We're talking Amy March from Little Women, Lucy from Narnia (twice), Belle from Beauty in the Beast (three times), and even Eurydice from Hadestown. So I know a good pop culture Halloween costume when I see it.

New York Comic Con 2024 was filled with people who love movies, TV, and comics — and who know how to put together a good costume. This past weekend I saw everything from Disneybounds (a catchall term for easier, streetwear version of iconic costumes) to cosplays involving lights and smoke. And I catalogued them all away because they make incredible Halloween costume inspo. The best news is these are all pretty easy and they're definitely recognizable. So no more having to explain who you are! Here are 17 of the coolest pop culture costumes I saw at NYCC to use for your own 'fits this year.

Glinda & Elphaba from 'Wicked'

Universal Pictures

My jaw literally dropped when I saw two cosplayers in full head-to-toe costumes from the new Wicked movie. And when I say full costume, I mean it — people were having to step around Glinda because her ballgown was so big! If you're not so sure about a full gown, opt for a pink corset and mini skirt for G, or a little black dress for Elphaba, instead.

'The Handmaid’s Tale'

Brit + Co

A white cap and a red cape? Babe, it literally doesn't get easier than this.

'Agatha All Along' Costumes

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Agatha All Along is Marvel's newest hit show, and as a costume girlie I was so excited to see outfits from the series IRL! I was also shocked at how easy they are to recreate. Billy just wears a sweater and jeans (which you probably already have in your closet), while Agatha opts for a teal trench.

Scarlet Witch's Suit From 'WandaVision'

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

And of course it wouldn't be a comic con without dozens of Scarlet Witches! Wanda Maximoff is such a beloved character, it only makes sense that fans would wear full cosplays, or turn her iconic costume into a sweater & jeans look like I did! If you're feeling crafty like me, I was inspired by @MagicWithMeg's jeans and painted the design on a pair of black jeans. The only thing you'll want to note here is that I made sure to paint white on the base before the red — it made it stand out perfectly.

Obviously, I wore my Scarlet Witch shirt to meet Wanda herself, Elizabeth Olsen.

'Game of Thrones'

Brit + Co

Winterfell will never go out of style! Reuse that red cape from The Handmaid's Tale costume, or go for a leather look. Either way, you'll look very stylish.

Megan

Geoffrey Short/Universal Pictures

One pop culture costume that made me laugh out loud was M3gan from the 2022 flick of the same name. Buying the costume dress will save you a ton of hassle (meaning you can focus on scaring your neighbors), but all you need to recreate it is a khaki mini dress.

Anne and Marilla from 'Anne of Green Gables'

Ken Woroner/Netflix

Anne of Green Gables is one of the stories I hold closest to my heart, and I was so excited to see a duo dressed up as Anne Shirley and Marilla Cuthbert! Especially since it's just an excuse to wear cottagecore dresses all Halloweekend long.

'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Costumes

Allyson Riggs/A24

Everything Everywhere All At Once costumes are so easy to recreate — and this Elvis costume x pink wig combo is simply too iconic to pass up. I'll take any excuse to have a bagel in-hand.

Princess Irulan and a Sandworm from 'Dune 2'

Warner Bros. Pictures

Dune 2 has a lot of iconic duos. Paul and Chani, Feyd Rautha and Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. But the combo I didn't expect to see at Comic Con was Princess Irulan and a sandworm. But now I need this tan dress and chainmail ASAP.

Harry Potter and Hermione

Brit + Co

I also saw plenty of Hogwarts students during my time at NYCC, and Harry and Hermione are always a great choice for a Halloween costume. Grab some Wizarding robes — after you figure out your house of course.

Troy and Gabriela from 'High School Musical'

Disney Channel

Troy and Gabriela might be the easiest couples's costume of all time. An East High jersey and a red mini dress are all you need! (Microphones not needed, but encouraged).

Glen Powell in 'Twisters'

Universal Pictures

White tee? Check. Cowboy hat? Check. Tiny, adorable dog? Check. My friend, you've got yourself a Twisters Halloween costume!

Cinderella

Jonathan Olley/Disney

The 2015 Cinderella rewired my brain, and seeing someone show up to Comic Con in Lily James' gorgeous blue ballgown rewired it all over again!! If the full gown is too much, try our easy DIY Cinderella outfit instead!

'Star Wars'

Brit + Co

Dressing up as a Jedi really just means wearing the most comfy Halloween costume ever. Just grab some leggings and wrap some fabric around your body and you've got an easy Rey costume for the holiday.

Baby Yoda

Disney

And in the Star Wars of it all, I also saw a baby dressed up as Grogu and I couldn't handle the cuteness! This onesie is a must.

The Powerpuff Girls

Amazon

While I saw someone rock a Powerpuff Girls tee, you can also grab a matching set in blue, green, or pink to make this costume more screen-accurate.

A Camp Half-Blood Student From 'Percy Jackson & The Olympians'

Matthias Clamer/Disney

I'd definitely consider Percy Jackson'sCamp Half-Blood my home away from home, and if you snag this camp shirt, you can wear it all the time — not just on Halloween. Grab some cosplay armor and your favorite pair of denim shorts and you can be a camper ready to fight evil!

Check out 65+ Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas Perfect For Procrastinators for more!

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The perks of having an older sister means I've been able to ask her all my more embarrassing questionsgrowing up. My whole life, we've chatted about everything from periods to sex to giving birth. Then one day, right before I graduated high school, she gifted me a book that changed everything: Nancy Redd's Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers. It not only helped me understand my body more, but it also helped soothe some of the insecurity I had before my postpartum body developed into what it is today.

I eventually gifted Body Drama to someone else, but I never forgot about how beneficial it was, and I always thought there should be more work like it out in the world. As it turns out, Nancy Redd wasn't done normalizing bodies and questions bout sexual health — the author and Wirecutter journalist just released The Real Body Manual: Your Visual Guide to Health & Wellness! Not only is it a great resource for those who are looking for answers to more specific health questions, but it's something I continue to revisit on the days my insecurity dampens my mood!

I chatted with Redd to understand more about her work — and I came out understanding even more about myself and how I want to help raise the future generation.

The Difference Between 'Body Drama' And 'The Real Body Manual'

Amazon

If you've had the pleasure of sticking your nose in Nancy Redd's Body Drama, you're familiar with how well-researched and thorough it is. In that regard, The Real Body Manual is no different — but Redd highlights it's still a "totally different book." She says, "The world has changed dramatically, and we're talking so much more about bodies, and we see a lot more bodies."

Despite seeing all those "real" bodies on TV and otherwise, women — and people in general — still don't feel great about themselves. According to a 2022 study, 32% of teens had a negative opinion about their acne, while 31% weren't comfortable with their weight. Meanwhile, another study shows that 80% of women have referred to themselves as "fat."

To combat troubling statistics like those, Redd hopesThe Real Body Manual can help. "I think we're all operating with not enough information about the world we live in, and I think the more information we can receive in a safe, educated, medically-accurate space, the better," she explains.

Centre for Ageing Better

Redd also really wanted to write a book that taught both her son and her daughter about their changing bodies — and she feels this is the perfect time for everyone to come together and learn about the way bodies not only look, but function. She likens these lessons to learning about world geography. "We don't just need to know about the small town we live in. We need to know about the state, country, the world-at-large," she stresses. And she thinks The Real Body Manual can help you "learn about your own body, your friends, and the people in society you live with."

If you look at the group of friends I have today, everyone doesn't have the same body shame. One of my friends is a little taller and curvier than I am while another is shorter and rounder. I dealt with acne-prone skin and dark spots while my best friend Cookie didn't really struggle with that. It's honestly rare that everyone will look the same — and that's okay! But learning about what's going on with all of us helps bridge our experiential gaps and creates better shared understanding.

And with that in mind, here are the 4 things I learned about my body — and all bodies — when chatting with Nancy and reading The Real Body Manual.

1. Understanding Your Body Doesn't Have To Look Like Everyone Else's

MART PRODUCTION

I grew up during a time where certain body types were celebrated more than others in media, and it had a negative effect on how I perceived my own body. I believed I wasn't supposed to have stretch marks because video vixens didn't, and became horrified when I discovered them in middle school as a slender girl. Not only that, but I didn't really develop curves until after I gave birth which made me feel like an outlier in my community.

Recent studies found there's a link between teens aged 16-18 years old developing body dysmorphia and social media...which doesn't sound surprising. And while there are countless body positive accounts that also exist — and I really do promise I'm not saying to completely ditch your socials — sometimes you have to take a step away from it (and other influencers) if it's having a negative impact on your self-esteem.

"Some bodies naturally look like those in music videos. I think separating that from being able to find love or have purpose in your life — they're completely separate things," Redd insists. She breaks things down even further by explaining why you not looking a certain way doesn't discount you from enjoying life. "Some people are born with the ability to be tennis stars, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't pick up a tennis racket because you're not Serena Williams."

The main point she drives home is that "every person can have a great time with their bodies" which is why The Real Body Manual reads like an encouraging, evidence-based love letter to readers.

2. Loving Yourself Is A Choice

Anna Tarazevich

Just like I had to make the decision to fully accept the body I have, it's something Nancy says everyone has the ability to do. "It's literally a choice," she says before one of her kids quickly pops into our convo. In a tender moment, she asks her child, "Hello, do you love your body?"

This brief encounter circles back to the reason why The Real Body Manual matters — it opens up these conversations with our kids, offering a tangible resource for others. I know I try to have more conversations like this with my son, and I've even encouraged him to hug himself when he needs a little dose of self love.

"The things that matter — having purpose in life, feeling love, being a good community member — don't have much to do with whether you have hyperpigmentation, freckles, cellulite, etc.," she says. "The more you know from the beginning of your journey that bodies look different, the easier it is for you to accept [yourself]. But if the only bodies you're seeing are sexualized in pornography, videos, and magazines, you don't have a real basis."

It's one of the biggest reasons she intended for The Real Body Manual to be a visual guide.

3. Your Naked Body Is Beautiful

cottonbro studio

"I really like showing people what the body actually looks like for the most part," Redd says. Yeah, that's right — The Real Body Manual features real people's bodies, not just illustrations. In doing so, she says, "Everyone can see someone who resembles them." It doesn't matter if you're heavy-set, a person with different sized breasts, or anything in-between. The point is that you'll be able to find yourself somewhere in The Real Body Manual.

My mother told me how little information her own mom shared with her about bodies. Because of that, my mom always stressed that she wanted my sister and I to have access to whatever information we needed. She wanted us to be informed, and never inhibited by her own lack of comfort over a topic. But not all parents feel comfortable sharing with their kids.

Redd says, "I don't think it was done with malice. I think people are just working with whatever they have which is not a lot." She further notes people have chosen to refer to genitals as "down there" for both men and women instead of saying the proper term for them for their autonomy. I'll be honest — growing up in a religious background often means sexual shame was attached to very normal things like breasts and penises.

Not everyone was on board with me telling my toddler he has a penis instead of saying "pee pee" — or not talking about it at all, if we're being honest. But I wanted him to feel comfortable with what he was born with, and to know that his dad having the same anatomy is normal. "We just don't use the proper names for things which increases this shroud of secrecy about it. We aren't taught health literacy," Redd says.

4. 'The Real Body Manual' Is A Must-Have For Pre-Teens, Teens, And Adults

Yan Krukau

Funnily enough, Redd informs me that October is actually Health Literacy Month, making all this really round out. We should know what's going on with our bodies, whether it's the proper terminology, what changes we're going through, what we can look like. Ignorance only makes our experiences more confusing and harder — especially when we're young and probably have a million different questions.

She explains that if you ask people specifics like 'How does a period work,' then they may not know the answer. "The same goes for if you ask what's the difference between a freckle and a mole," Redd explains. "It may not seem like these things are a big deal, but when something goes wrong, you need to know 'I need to get this thing checked out.'"

Information is power, and when armed with information about our bodies we can lead safer, healthier lives. Instead of wondering why we don't talk about things enough, Redd decided to take the bull by the horns and talk about them — and she thinks you should talk about them, even (and sometimes especially) when they're uncomfortable. She says, "Any time you feel shame or discomfort discussing your body, that's a sign you don't have enough information."

If you find yourself unable to ask other people questions, but want to start feeling comfortable in your body, I highly recommend that you read both Body Drama and The Real Body Manual because they're equipped with detailed explanations — and helpful imagery — about how bodies actually look, work, and feel.

Buy 'The Real Body Manual' Here!

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The Real Body Manual

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