Category: News

Former adult film performer Mia Khalifa has once again spoken openly about how little she earned during her short time in the industry—despite gaining billions of online views and global name recognition.

Khalifa appeared in adult films for only three months, completing around a dozen shoots. Even years after leaving the industry, she remained one of the most-viewed names on major adult websites. Many assumed this level of attention came with high pay. Khalifa says the truth is very different.

According to her own statements, she earned just $12,000 in total, or roughly $1,000 per shoot. She also confirmed she receives no residual payments from the websites that continue to host her videos. The content generates huge traffic and revenue for platforms, she says, while performers often see very little in return.

Industry figures have echoed her experience. Derek Hay, founder of LA Direct Models, told reporters that even the most recognizable adult stars rarely earn as much as the public believes. Some top performers may make several hundred thousand dollars a year, he said, but almost none reach the levels people imagine.

Khalifa has been vocal about the emotional toll of her experience. In past interviews and social posts, she has described those months as the “most toxic and uncharacteristic” period of her life. She has urged young women to stay away from the industry or, if they do participate, to maintain full control of their work and ownership.

Today, Khalifa continues to use her platform to warn others and to highlight the reality behind an industry that appears profitable from the outside but often leaves performers with long-lasting regrets and very little financial return.

American singer-songwriter Todd Snider, known for his warm storytelling and sharp wit, has died at age 59. Fans and fellow musicians shared tributes after news broke that he passed away shortly after suffering serious injuries in what was described as a violent assault outside a hotel.

Snider had recently postponed tour dates while recovering at home. His team later confirmed he had been hospitalized with an undiagnosed case of pneumonia, and sadly “departed this world” despite treatment.

The acclaimed musician blended folk, rock, blues, alt-country, and funk, recording 14 studio albums across his long career. His songs, including Alright Guy and Talking Reality Television Blues, earned praise from artists such as Sir Tom Jones, who covered his work. In 2021, Snider was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, a proud moment for his Portland hometown.

A heartfelt message posted to his social media praised his gift for turning life’s chaos into memorable lyrics. It described him as someone who “always found the humor in this crazy world” and created music that felt “like an old friend.”

The statement encouraged fans to honor him the way he would have wanted: by playing his songs loud and carrying forward the messages of love, compassion, and peace he wrote into every performance.

Snider’s final tour, High, Lonesome and Then Some 2025, had been cancelled earlier this month as he recovered from his injuries. His fans now say goodbye to a storyteller whose voice shaped a generation of American songwriting.

A social media influencer has lost her job after using a racial slur in a TikTok video and refusing to apologize for it.

Lilly Gaddis, who is white, posted a clip on her now-deactivated account in which she discussed stereotypes about “gold diggers.” During her rant, she used the n-word and several other offensive comments about women and immigrants. Viewers immediately condemned the language, calling it harmful and unacceptable.

Instead of apologizing, Gaddis responded to the criticism with another video. She acknowledged people were angry but said she “couldn’t find a care,” making it clear she stood by her remarks.

Her employer, Rophe of the Carolinas, released a public statement announcing she had been terminated from her marketing and sales manager role. The company noted that it is both African American–owned and immigrant-owned, and said it moved quickly to address the situation. It reaffirmed its commitment to a workplace built on respect, inclusion, and diversity.

Following her firing, Gaddis claimed her free-speech rights were violated. She then stirred further controversy with another TikTok in which she insulted “nerds” and former classmates she described as “yuck.” TikTok later removed the audio for violating platform rules.

The company behind the firing says it hopes to rebuild trust with its community after the incident.

A courageous mother, Brie Morgan Bauer, 35, from Kansas City, faced a harrowing ordeal during childbirth, resulting in the loss of her arms and legs. Her baby, Beau, miraculously survived, born at just 2lb 8oz. Brie was rushed to the hospital on February 17 with flu-like symptoms, leading to an emergency C-section at 27 weeks. Post-delivery, Brie suffered severe complications, including Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome, which led to organ failure and a medically induced coma.

The family’s GoFundMe page detailed the struggle: “The medical team struggled to get oxygen to her fluid-filled lungs and to stop her bleeding. Brie began to suffer from organ failure. They advised the family that she was unlikely to make it through the night.” Despite the grim prognosis, Brie fought on. After multiple surgeries and amputations of all four limbs, Brie transitioned to rehab in mid-May.

Brie’s resilience shines as she navigates life in a motorized wheelchair, supported by her husband, Reid, and their family. She shared, “I haven’t adapted to my circumstances yet, but I will in my own time.” Beau, thriving under his father’s and grandparents’ care, visits Brie often. The GoFundMe campaign has raised over $360,000 to cover medical expenses, prosthetics, and home modifications.

A family vacation turned tragic when six-year-old Lucy Morgan from New Jersey died in a freak badminton accident on June 1. Lucy was playing with her siblings in Maine when a broken badminton racket shaft struck her head, causing a fatal injury.

Lucy’s father, Jesse Morgan, described the incident as a “freak accident” in a blog post. He recounted how they were enjoying their last vacation day when they heard screaming. “We were eating a quick lunch by the lake and the kids decided to try badminton in the front yard,” he wrote.

Lucy was rushed to Maine Medical Center, where she underwent surgery to relieve pressure on her skull. “She coded, they got her back, and they completed the surgery,” Jesse wrote. Despite the efforts, Lucy showed no brain function and eventually passed away. Jesse expressed their profound grief, saying, “We are praying for a miracle but our hearts hurt with incomprehensible pain.”

Green Pond Bible Chapel will hold Lucy’s funeral on June 15. A GoFundMe page has raised over $120,000 for the family, acknowledging the toll on their emotional, physical, mental, and financial well-being. “Tragedies like this take a toll on all aspects of life,” the page reads. Lucy’s faith was a comfort to the deeply religious family, with Jesse noting her prayer journal as a source of solace.

A father is urging parents to take vaping dangers seriously after his 17-year-old daughter suffered a life-threatening lung collapse linked to extreme nicotine use.

Mark Blight rushed his daughter Kyla to the hospital after learning she had collapsed during a sleepover and had turned blue. Doctors later revealed she was close to cardiac arrest. She needed an emergency operation lasting more than five hours, during which surgeons removed part of her lung.

Medical staff found a ruptured pulmonary bleb — a small air blister at the top of the lung. They believe her intense vaping habit caused it to burst. Kyla started vaping at 15 and regularly used 4,000-puff disposable vapes each week, roughly equal to smoking 400 cigarettes.

She spent two additional weeks in the hospital recovering and now says she will never touch vapes again.

Her father, who lives in Cumbria, shared her story to warn other families. He said the damage was “terrifying” to witness and believes disposable vapes played a direct role. He also noted that doctors are seeing more young people with similar lung injuries.

Kyla says she began vaping because “everyone at school was doing it” and believed it was harmless. The ordeal changed her mind. “I won’t go near them now,” she said. “It scared me to death.”

Health experts continue to warn that, while vaping is often viewed as safer than smoking, the long-term effects remain unclear — especially for children and teens.

Country music artist Chris Housman is opening up about the painful circumstances that pushed him to come out as a gay teenager. The 34-year-old singer, known for his proud LGBTQ+ message and rising success on social media, recently shared his story on the Rooted Recovery Stories podcast.

Housman grew up in a small conservative Kansas town, where conversations about sexuality were rare. He explained that he began exchanging emails with someone from a nearby community and trusted those digital conversations to remain private. But when his family sold their home computer, several of those messages were still saved — and quickly spread through town.

Realizing rumors would soon reach his parents, Housman decided to tell them himself. He was only 18 and had never met another openly gay person in real life. He remembers his parents reacting with confusion, telling him not to share it with others. Their relationship, he says, is still evolving.

Housman also revealed he had suffered sexual abuse from an older family friend when he was a child. He stressed that trauma has nothing to do with his sexuality, a misunderstanding he says some relatives still hold. He later confronted his abuser, though he chose not to report the incident.

Despite these challenges, Housman has built a powerful music career. His breakout song Blueneck celebrates acceptance, while his recent single Guilty as Sin reflects on the loss of his former partner, songwriter Abe Stoklasa.

Today, Housman says years of therapy have helped him heal — and he hopes others remember they are never as alone as they feel.

A spiritual teacher says a near-death experience in her twenties revealed a powerful message about humanity’s direction.

Julie Poole, now a well-known spiritual and personal empowerment coach, has spent years sharing her teachings. She often speaks openly about the trauma she faced growing up, including physical and emotional abuse, and how those early struggles pushed her toward a deeper spiritual path.

In a recent interview, Poole revisited the moment she attempted suicide as a young woman. She says she overdosed, lost consciousness, and was taken to what she describes as a heavenly “spirit realm.” There, she claims she saw angels and guides who told her it was not her time to die.

According to Poole, she remained in this state for three days before returning to her body. Before she came back, she says she was given a message about the future. Her guides allegedly told her that the years between 2012 and 2032 would mark the start of a “Golden Age.”

Poole describes this new era as a time when long-standing corruption, abuse of power, and control by a select few would begin to collapse. She believes societies will slowly shift toward greater fairness and transparency.

She insists this change is not about destruction or fear. Instead, she says it represents a period when dishonest leaders are exposed, and people with integrity rise to replace them.

For Poole, the world is already moving in that direction — a slow but steady transformation she calls a coming “day of reckoning.”

John Edward Jones, 26, tragically died in November 2009 during a spelunking expedition in Nutty Putty Cave near Salt Lake City. Jones, a medical student with a wife and young daughter, became trapped while attempting to navigate a narrow passage. His death was slow and excruciating, with his last words reflecting his desire to see his family again: “Save me for my wife and kids.”

As rescue attempts ensued, Jones expressed gratitude to his rescuers. He heartbreakingly told one rescuer, “Hi Susie, thanks for coming. But I really, really want to get out.” Despite the efforts of over 100 rescue personnel, including his brother Josh, who prayed, “Guide us as we work through this,” the rescue attempts failed.

The rescuers tried a rope and pulley system, but it collapsed. One rescuer, Shaun Roundy, reflected, “We did our best.” Facing the grim reality, Jones lamented, “I’m going to die right here. I’m not going to come out of here, am I?”

Jones’ body was never recovered, and the cave has since been closed to prevent further tragedies. His wife, Emily Jones Sanchez, continues to honor his memory, integrating John’s legacy into her new family. She believes the story underscores the importance of cherishing loved ones: “People can learn to treasure their relationships and be reminded about how fragile life is.”

Paris Jackson, daughter of the late Michael Jackson, is opening up about her identity, mental health, and the influence her father had on how she sees herself.

The model and musician grew up under intense public attention. She has spoken openly about the impact the paparazzi had on her childhood, sharing that the constant camera flashes triggered PTSD. She revealed on Red Table Talk that she experienced audio hallucinations and paranoia, and said therapy — including EMDR — has been a helpful tool in her recovery.

Paris has also been candid about her personal life, including her sexuality. She chooses not to use labels and says her brothers have supported her, even though her wider family holds more traditional, religious views. She respects their beliefs but no longer bases her self-worth on their approval.

Like her father, Paris built a music career of her own. Her 2020 album Wilted reflects how deeply she connects to songwriting and self-expression.

Michael Jackson’s heritage often comes up when discussing his children. Though his appearance changed due to vitiligo, he spoke proudly of being African-American. Paris says he passed that pride on to her. She recalled him telling her, “You’re Black. Be proud of your roots,” a message she took to heart.

Despite her lighter complexion, Paris says her identity is shaped by her father’s teachings and her own understanding of mixed-race families. While some critics have questioned her words, Paris remains grounded in what she believes: her roots matter, and her father’s voice still guides her.