It’s been two weeks since we learned that Jessa Duggar is pregnant and, as usual, the most social media-friendly member of the 19 Kids and Counting clan is sharing just about everything with her many fans. Jessa has already gushed about hearing her baby’s heartbeat for the first time, and now she’s opening up about an aspect of her pregnancy that every expectant mom gets asked about – her cravings. Jessa posted the above photo over the weekend and revealed that she enjoys being able to blame “the baby” for her cravings for roast beef smothered in cheese sauce. “Lunch date with my man,” Jessa captioned the pic. “Yeah, because ‘the baby’ was craving Arby’s. I love being able to use that excuse!” Frankly, we don’t think anyone should need an excuse to inhale a beef and cheddar, but we get what Jessa is saying. Pregnancy takes a toll, so you might as well indulge in the perks (guilt-free junk food) as often as possible. Come to think of it, we’re beginning to suspect that Michelle Duggar has stayed pregnant for 80% of her adult life just so she can nosh on whatever she wants. It all makes sense now. We kid, of course. Anyone who watches 19 Kids and Counting online knows that Michelle and Jim Bob thoroughly enjoy being the heads of a full, bustling household. And we know they’re loving having little Duggar grandkids running around. So eat up, Jessa. You’re gonna need your strength for raising the many, many kids you’re sure to have. View Slideshow: Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald Photos
Miley Cyrus has a very simple, very enjoyable way to deal with the criticism that often comes her way: She touches herself. Down there . On a frequent basis. The not-shy singer took to Instagram yesterday and posted yet another racy image, this time sharing a picture of someone (herself, we presume) taking a ride to self-pleasure town. ” a masturbate a day keeps the haters away ,” Miley wrote as a caption to the provocative photo (above, right). Cyrus has been on quite the racy (read: naked) role of late. Earlier this week, she stripped down completely for V Magazine, only covering her private parts with some soapy bubbles. She also sat down naked while surrounded by books and chewing on her fingernail in another NC-17-rated snapshot. These instances came on the birthday suit-based heels of a nip slip the artist managed to get past Instagram censors, as Cyrus has long been a part of the Free the Nipple campaign, which urges society to pretty much chill the eff out over female nudity. Based on the picture above, along with her affiliated message, it also seems as if Miley is starting her own Free the Orgasm campaign via social media. God help us all. 11 Miley Cyrus Crotch Shots 1. Miley Cyrus Crotch Close-Up Yes, Miley Cyrus, we know: you shave your crotch. Please put it away now.
For fans, the Duggar family of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting fame has long been a symbol for old-school Christian values and the virtues of family life. However, critics claim that there’s something much more nefarious going on behind the family’s wholesome facade, and now they may have found the proof. Testimony from several former cult members does not paint a pretty picture … In the past, the proud parents of those 19 kids, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, have publicly stated that they were followers of disgraced minister Bill Gothard . Before becoming involved in a sex scandal that brought down his career, Gothard was the leader of an organization known as the Institute of Basic Life Principles. Following allegations of harassment and claims that he helped cover up cases of child abuse, Gothard stepped down and several of his former followers have since spoken out about the leader who’s shaped much of the Duggar’s belief system: “I have no problem calling it a cult,” ex-IBLP member Micah Murray tells Radar . “What the Duggars are doing is putting Gothard’s philosophies on display as a positive thing, and they are not positive.” “From my experience, it has all the hallmarks of what makes cults so damaging – abusive authority structures, the way that people’s thinking and behavior is controlled, the way that people aren’t taught to trust themselves and trust their leader unquestioningly.” “I have seen a number of episodes [of 19 Kids and Counting] and it makes me very uncomfortable.” 9 Things BANNED in the Duggar Family 1. Dates Without Chaperones The Duggar parents often accompany their kids on dates in order to maintain “accountability” and “keep things from going in the wrong direction,” per Jim Bob. The girls are fine with this, as being alone with men puts them in grave “moral danger.” When the parents aren’t available, their older siblings will often tag along, making every date a group date and a family affair. “I think the Duggars are probably very nice people. I think they are very sincere people. But I think that the teachings of Bill Gothard are destructive.” Murray grew up in the IBLP and broke away from the organization at age 21. He says that seeing the Duggars’ method of raising their children brings to mind his own severely strict upbringing, during which he was forced to abide by a dress code and a bizarre set of rules regarding inter-sex interaction, in accordance with IBLP teachings. Kari Underwood is another former IBLP member who founded the organization Recovering Grace in order to expose the Gothard and his more destructive teachings. She says the Duggars are quite clearly victims of Gothard and company’s sophisticated brainwashing tactics. “They seem like a lovely family,” Underwood says. “I see the Duggars as sincere people as my parents were…I believe they have made some decisions for their family that are not healthy.” Underwood points to the Duggars’ strict courtship rules , as famously depicted at length on the popular reality TV program, being particularly problematic: 5 Duggar Family Dating Rules 1. It’s Called COURTING! Dating means you’re shopping around, says Jim Bob Duggar, while courtship is the path toward marriage. Courting is getting to know each other in a group setting, both families spending time together and the couple setting goals together to determine if they are meant to marry or not. “Bringing up your children in such a way that the father makes all the decisions, sons have no choices until they’ve moved on, women have no choices, it’s a hierarchy of protection. But it’s no protection.” She adds that the family’s decision to star in a reality show is the only manner in which they’ve broken from Gothard’s teachings, but that the leader is likely accepting of this choice, as it helps bring in donations. However, such a decision may prove confusing to Michelle and Jim Bob’s children: “The children probably don’t watch much television, yet they’re on a TV show,” Underwood says, adding that right now, “Their life is confusing and inconsistent… It’s important to be consistent when you have that many rules.” Hit the comments below and tell us what you think, and watch 19 Kids and Counting online to decide for yourself if the Duggars are what critics say they are. Are they victims of an insidious cult or simply a devoutly religious family living in an increasingly secular world? We turn the discussion over to you … 13 Biggest Duggar Family Scandals 1. Jessa Gets Strapped Jessa Duggar and her then-boyfriend Ben Seewald began courting controversy almost from the moment they started dating, posing for photos like this one – a picture that now seems tame considering what they’ve been stirring up more recently.
The pregnant Jill Duggar has posted a baby bump photo for the first time in awhile, and that bump sure is coming along at 28 weeks and counting. #BabyDilly is coming so soon, she’s literally counting down the days! Jill Duggar Baby Bump Photos 1. Jill Duggar Baby Bump: 28 Weeks! Jill Duggar has reached the 28-week mark! That is one cute bump! The 19 Kids and Counting star, 23, shared an update on her family’s official Facebook page Sunday, revealing that she is 28 weeks and 4 days pregnant. The caption reads: “Sweet picture of our Jill and her little one!” “At this point in gestation, there is now a 90 percent chance that he could survive outside the womb. Life is beautiful. We can’t wait to meet this boy!” Jill is due in mid-March, exactly nine months after she married husband Derick Dillard. Fitting. Typically, 37 weeks is considered full term for a pregnancy. Mothers usually hope to give birth around 39 weeks or later. Children born before that time are more likely to have developmental issues or health problems, though as the family notes, most if not all survive. True to form, Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard are planning and preparing up a storm, stocking up and saving in anticipation of #BabyDilly’s arrival. They’ll pick a real name for their son when he’s born, we assume, but they have sort of made that hashtag and moniker his “name” while in the womb. “@jillmdillard got a really good deal on some bananas!” Derick wrote on Instagram. “($0.10/ lb) Gonna be great for the little monkey growing inside of her.” “#frozenbananas #savemoneylivebetter,” Derick, who works as a tax accountant at his local Walmart, appropriately captioned the picture below. Oh, these two. So freaking cute. Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard Photos! 1. Jill and Derick Go Bananas Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard go bananas about the deal they just got on these. 10 cents a pound. What a sick price, even if they’re already brown. In other Duggar news … Evelyn Ruark , a.k.a. Michelle Duggar’s lesbian sister , is reportedly broke, yet receives zero help from her estranged, famous sibling. More controversy erupted over this Jedediah Duggar gun photo , in which the 16-year-old packed serious heat over Christmas. Jana Duggar continues to be maligned, put upon and the subject of Internet campaigns to “free” her from the grip of her famous family. Jessa and Ben are likely having sex in public right now. Just kidding. But by all accounts, those newlyweds are hot for each other!
The Duggar family took date night to a new level Sunday, as Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar joined kids Josh, Jill, and Jessa, and their spouses for an evening of fun. The rest of their 19 Kids and Counting? At home with Jana Duggar , obviously. Josh, Jill and Jessa Duggar, and their spouses Anna Duggar, Derick Dillard and Ben Seewald, joined Jim Bob and Michelle for a photo Josh put up on Twitter. “Quadruple-date with these people!” the 26-year-old father of three children himself (soon to be four) captioned the photo of the family posing in a minivan. That family really needs a customized, stretch minivan of some kind. The quadruple Duggar date follows Jessa and Jill’s double date earlier this month with husbands Ben and Derick, which put to rest whispers of a feud. There had been talk of Jill Duggar and Jessa Duggar feud , but a dinner party put that to rest. Jill wrote: “@jessaseewald and @ben_seewald are here for dinner!” “So fun hanging out with our siblings! #familydinnner #19kids.” You know who hangs out with her siblings a lot? Jana Duggar, the family’s oldest daughter, and the one left in charge of the little ones in many situations. Or when anyone in the family does anything, basically. Jana Duggar Photos: So Beautiful, So Maligned 1. Jana Marie Duggar Jana Marie Duggar is so beautiful … and put upon, supposedly, by a family that relies on her to help take care of the others but never have a life of her own. If that’s true, it’s sad. Is it time for her to break free? The saintly, ever-patient Jana has become so put upon that she’s even being edited out of episodes of the family’s reality show in order to quell fan outcry. Don’t expect that to work in the Social Media Age, though. 19 Kids and Counting fans are passionate and know that the show isn’t the whole story. Scrubbing her from TLC doesn’t make this shining star invisible. Not as a human being. Not as a human being. Speaking of the family reality show, it returns Tuesday, February 17, 2015 with updates on Jill and Derick’s life as newlyweds, and footage from Jessa’s wedding. Should be a lot of great stuff for fans of the Duggar clan. Things you should NOT expect to see when you watch 19 Kids and Counting online this spring: Jim Bob’s shock when he was told Jessa and Ben would be sharing their first kiss in private, as he reportedly told producers to edit that out. Jinger Duggar walking in on Jessa and Ben consummating their marriage at the church, which supposedly happened to the horror of guests. Jana Duggar, in general. 9 Things BANNED in the Duggar Family 1. Dates Without Chaperones The Duggar parents often accompany their kids on dates in order to maintain “accountability” and “keep things from going in the wrong direction,” per Jim Bob. The girls are fine with this, as being alone with men puts them in grave “moral danger.” When the parents aren’t available, their older siblings will often tag along, making every date a group date and a family affair.
19 Kids and Counting cast member Jinger Duggar celebrated her 21st birthday this past Sunday, and the tributes are pouring in from her many family members. Instead, she was honored with many tributes from her expansive family. Like Jana Duggar , Jinger Duggar is often overlooked these days. Jessa and Jill Duggar have both gotten married, and the latter is pregnant, in the past year, while Jinger and Jana still live almost entirely under the radar. All four are so close in age, too, making this truly stand out. Jana is older then the two married siblings, in fact, while Jinger is just a year behind Jessa. In any case, the family couldn’t wait to share the love Sunday. Jessa Duggar shared a cute smiling photo of her sister via Instagram, and wrote, “Happy golden birthday to my sweet sister Jinger! I love you so much!” On the Duggar family’s official Facebook, they shared a photo of her and mother Michelle, holding a sign saying “Happy 21st Birthday Jinger. We love you!” “Today is Jinger’s 21st birthday,” they also wrote. “We are so thankful for her love for Jesus and her sweet personality. She is precious to us in every way!” Jinger Duggar Photos: Break Free, Girl! 1. Jinger Duggar Interview Pic Jinger makes bug-eyes at the camera. She may be the quirkiest Duggar. Jim Bob Duggar then posted a baby photo of her, writing: “Cute little Jinger! Can’t believe she’s all grown up now … Today we’re celebrating her 21st birthday! Such a beautiful young lady … inside and out!” Having lived 21 years, Jessa and Jill Duggar ‘s little sis is now legally of age to drink alcohol, but don’t expect them to partake in that anytime soon. Or at all. Their religion forbids it, cradle to grave. “We’ve never like intentionally been to a party where we know there’s going to be a lot of drinking,” Jill Duggar, 23, told Cosmopolitan earlier this year. “I’ve been on the fire department for a few years now, and there’s people, young people, 18-year-old girls who have died of an OD. You see the effects.” Whatever works for them. Wish Jinger a happy birthday in the comments below, then take a look at other surprising things not allowed by the Duggar family … 9 Things BANNED in the Duggar Family 1. Dates Without Chaperones The Duggar parents often accompany their children on dates in order to maintain their “accountability” and “keep things from going in the wrong direction,” per Jim Bob. The girls are fine with this, as being alone with men puts them in grave “moral danger.” When the parents aren’t available, their older siblings will often tag along, making every date a group date and a family affair.
Viewers learned the identity of the final eight on The Voice results show last night. But that likely wasn’t the highlight of the program for many viewers. A couple days after performing “ Blank Space ” live for the first time (at the 2014 American Music Awards), Taylor Swift once again treated an audience to this psycho girlfriend anthem. Watch her do so now: Taylor Swift – “Blank Space” (The Voice) Swift served as an advisor on The Voice during last month’s Knockout Round, assisting Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell and Blake Shelton with their team member. This time around, however, Taylor was free from offering any critiques, instead leaving herself open to be judged by the mentors sitting directly in front of her. After her latest performance, Swift talked with host Carson Daly about her record-setting new album “1989,” along with her experience helping on contestants on The Voice. That interview is also included in the video above. Relive Swift’s American Music Awards rendition via this collection of 13 awesome GIFs from the ceremony and then relive her memorable “Blank Space” music video via the following gallery… 19 CRAZY Taylor Swift “Blank Space” GIFs 1. Taylor Goes Elin Nordegren This is what happens when Taylor Swift catches a man cheating, at least in her music video for “Blank Space.” She goes all Elin Nordegren on his car! … how scary is Taylor Swift?!?
While Josh and Anna Duggar dominated the last two installments, 19 Kids and Counting Season 14 Episode 18 put the focus squarely on Amy Duggar. The Duggar cousin, a musician, performed on a cruise ship this week, and also celebrated her birthday on 19 Kids and Counting Season 14 Episode 18 . Yes, when you watch 19 Kids and Counting online this week, you will see part reality show, part behind the scenes family dramedy, part Amy infomercial. At least that’s how it came across at times. In the episode, entitled “Amy’s Nashville Dreams,” Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s niece continued to pursue her love of music in hopes of making it big. It’s been slow going in that regard. Having previously moved to Nashville in hopes of achieving fame and fortune in the entertainment world, she’s now back home in her native Arkansas. She hasn’t given up, but it’s been humbling. Her next gig in pursuit of the dream? Singing aboard the Branson Belle show boat in Branson, Missouri. Her mom Deanna Jordan and Grandma Duggar were on hand as she performed in front of 700 people and did well, despite an opening technical glitch. “I think I’m clearly growing as an artist,” Amy said. “If I can handle a song not coming on with that many people staring at me, whatever could happen, bring it on!” “I’m proud of myself. I never thought I was so strong.” After that, it was time to spend her 28th birthday with Michelle, Jim Bob, and their 19 kids (and counting). They all bonded over a campfire and cake. Soon enough, it was back to work, and we saw Amy Duggar perform for several executives in Nashville, where she acquitted herself very professionally. “I gave my heart and soul into that performance. I wanted to sell myself as an artist and not just some random cousin from a big family,” Amy said. “I am so humbled right now. I could kiss the floor!” No floors were kissed at her music video shoot, though, when she showed up not remembering lyrics to her own song, “Beautiful Weather.” Producers? Not happy. Luckily, she rebounded and finished it on time. SO Many Duggars 1. A Duggar Family Pic Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are still working on that 20th kid. The video was a hit with the family, and only reinforced her decision to make music her life’s goal. Amy says marriage and babies will have to wait for now. “I do want to get married. I do want to have kids. I want to adopt someday. Those things are just not available at the moment. God’s timing is perfect.” “It’s just not always up to me.” He apparently wanted Jill Duggar pregnant and possibly Jessa Duggar pregnant immediately, but for now, music looks like it will be Amy’s path in life.
The Duggar family is at the center of massive controversy this week, with more than 120,000 people signing a petition to cancel 19 Kids and Counting . It’s far from the first time they’ve faced heavy scrutiny, however. In many ways, the family’s most recent scandal is a culmination of many. The petition was actually started months ago, only to gain traction recently. Here’s a look back at 13 times the TLC stars faced backlash … 13 Biggest Duggar Family Scandals 1. Jessa Gets Strapped Jessa Duggar and her then-boyfriend Ben Seewald began courting controversy almost from the moment they started dating, posing for photos like this one – a picture that now seems tame considering what they’ve been stirring up more recently. The Duggars, as we all know, are conservative individuals. Staunch ones at that, standing out among today’s TV offerings, drawing many like-minded viewers. But their earnest, authentic way of life also has a broader appeal. As more people watch 19 Kids and Counting online and their fame has grown due to social and traditional media, so has the criticism they face quite often. The family’s views on dating, courting, marriage and child-rearing are noteworthy enough, but they’ve also proven polarizing on political and religions grounds. Outspoken opponents of abortion, birth control, gay marriage and even evolution, Duggar family members have made many eyebrow-raising headlines of late. From patriarch and matriarch Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar to Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald , her now-husband, it seems like everyone is getting in on the act. Scroll through the gallery above to look back on some of their most notorious scandals, and tell us: Do you think TLC will cave to the public pressure? As more and more people urge the network to pull the plug on the hit reality show, they will likely be forced to at least address the controversy in some form. Will they cancel arguably the most powerful family on TV ? That remains to be seen, and is probably a long shot for those pushing this petition so hard. Nevertheless, it’s left the family, their beliefs and their way of life under the microscope like never before, even as they enjoy such widespread popularity. 9 Things BANNED in the Duggar Family 1. Dates Without Chaperones The Duggar parents often accompany their children on dates in order to maintain their “accountability” and “keep things from going in the wrong direction,” per Jim Bob. The girls are fine with this, as being alone with men puts them in grave “moral danger.” When the parents aren’t available, their older siblings will often tag along, making every date a group date and a family affair.
With all the hullabaloo over Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald’s wedding (and what may have gone down after the wedding), her older sister has been out of the spotlight. It seems like a lifetime ago in Duggar Land, but Jill Duggar married Derick Dillard not even six months ago in Arkansas. Then the newlyweds quickly got pregnant. Mom Michelle Duggar, who sparked some controversy herself this week with her deletion of Facebook kissing photos , says Jill is doing very, very well these days. Her marriage to Derick Dillard has been a “very smooth transition,” she blogs of the cute couple who left the nest, noting that “they have their schedule already.” “They both get up and off to work or Jill works on her studies [to be a midwife]. Sometimes she’ll pop by our place since it’s awfully quiet at her house.” “She’s so used to studying with noise.” Michelle added that the couple’s home is all set and they are already entertaining: “It’s so sweet to see them starting their lives and their family together.” “It was truly the joy of [Jill’s] life to marry Derick and they both feel so blessed to have each other. They are just really, really happy to be married and enjoying married life.” Jill Duggar & Derick Dillard Photos: True Love Timeline 1. Their First Meeting (Sort Of)! The Arkansas natives grew up within 45 minutes of each other, but didn’t meet until late 2011. Jill recalled when Derick stopped by while caroling with a church group, and not long after, “Derick contacted my dad and asked if he would be a prayer partner during his two-year term in Nepal.” As for Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald , they’re enjoying marriage too … to the point where they even inspired her parents to showcase PDA of their own. Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar kissed in a photo reenacting one Jessa shared on Instagram, then texted it to her, which is either awkward, adorable or both. Michelle wrote, “It’s just so sweet to watch these guys and girls that are really in love. Love is in the air and it’s good for all of us to be around that.” “Even if,” she says, recounting a common occurrence if you have 19 children, “the little siblings have to go, ‘Oh no, they’re kissing again, oh my!’?” That can be so awkward, for sure. On the flip side, she should also be grateful that none of the little ones walked in on Ben and Jessa getting it in before they even left the church at their wedding. Jinger Duggar ? Scarred for life. Jinger Duggar Photos: Break Free, Girl! 1. Jinger Duggar Interview Pic Jinger makes bug-eyes at the camera. She may be the quirkiest Duggar.
