This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
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“This is called physical abuse,” Dakota Mortensen says in <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2026/03/19/video-of-taylor-frankie-paul-beating-dakota-mortensen/">leaked cellphone footage</a> as his then-girlfriend, “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul, can be seen swinging her fists at his head, pulling his hair, and squeezing her arms around his neck. Appearing to be <a href="https://pagesix.com/2025/09/10/entertainment/where-taylor-frankie-paul-ex-dakota-mortensen-stand-ahead-of-bachelorette-filming/">half</a> Mortensen’s size and barely able to land a punch, Paul almost reads like a harmless hot girl throwing a tantrum. 
That is, until she manages to lob a metal bar stool across the room at Mortensen and it reportedly strikes her 5-year-old daughter, Indy. Screaming “Mommy!” Indy breaks into tears as the camera goes black and the sound keeps rolling.
“Your daughter just got hit in the head with a metal chair … Help your daughter, Taylor,” Mortensen says, asking Indy if she’s okay.
“Get away from my daughter,” Paul screams at the top of her lungs. When Mortensen tries to calm her down, she yells, “Shut the f*ck up!” The doorbell rings, and law enforcement enters the home. 
It&#8217;s horrifying to watch. But it also illustrates why domestic abuse perpetrated by <a href="https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/identifying-abuse/women-as-the-abusers">women toward men</a> goes largely underreported: If little Indy hadn’t been caught in the crossfire, would Mortensen have called the cops on behalf of his own safety? And would anyone have believed he, a man, was a victim of assault? 
Considering his abuser, barely <a href="https://share.google/jRZ7cC54DSO5HKwJj">five-foot-six</a> mom of <a href="https://people.com/all-about-taylor-frankie-paul-kids-11734066">three,</a> Taylor Frankie Paul, who rose to fame by launching the girl power <a href="https://people.com/the-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-sex-swinging-scandal-8701211">MomTok trend</a>, drumming up ratings as one of Hulu’s fan-favorite “<a href="https://secretlivesofmormonwives.fandom.com/wiki/Taylor_Frankie_Paul">Mormon Wives</a>,” and raking in profitable collabs with high-profile <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUD9zkEDJ2j/">family</a>-friendly <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQDYELZD35N/">brands</a>, the answer is probably not. 
Somehow, with all the baggage, Paul passed ABC’s <a href="https://deadline.com/2026/03/taylor-frankie-paul-video-bachelorette-allegations-abc-1236760617/#:~:text=ABC%20and%20Warner%20Horizon%20do,the%20end%20of%20last%20year.">background check</a> to become “The Bachelorette” for <a href="https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/bachelorette-canceled-taylor-frankie-paul-rcna264134">season 22</a> before it was canned. Guys, are we really that short on eligible ladies who haven’t previously pled guilty to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp9vryml4d1o">aggravated assault?</a> Imagine if ABC threw 30 eligible ladies into a home with a known domestic abuser, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-alcohol-do-people-drink-on-bachelor-2017-1#:~:text=%22A%20lot%20of%20people%20drink,and%20forget%20about%20the%20cameras.">unlimited booze</a>, and a <a href="https://fashionmagazine.com/flare/tv-movies/the-bachelor-fantasy-suites/">Fantasy Suite</a> for the next season of “The Bachelor.”  
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Justice Department in 2010 funded a <a href="https://www.proquest.com/docview/1022749184/BB18D2BD89FB4CE6PQ/4?sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals">survey</a> suggesting that men, not women, were most often the victims of “intimate partner physical violence” over the course of a year. It disrupted earlier stats from <a href="https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/21948">the National Violence Against Women Survey</a>, which showed roughly 22% women reporting themselves as victims of domestic abuse and 7% of men claiming the same.
Current statistics regularly point to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499891/">women</a> being the majority of reported victims of domestic violence. So was that one study just a fluke? Are men really the violent monsters they’re made out to be? It turns out, men are much <a href="https://www.safealliance.org/blog/silent-struggle-why-men-are-less-likely-report/">less likely to speak up</a>. 
The lines between <a href="https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/identifying-abuse/women-as-the-abusers">self-defense and abuse</a> often become blurry when it comes to obviously larger and stronger men fending off female abusers. And many times, <a href="https://austinpublishinggroup.com/psychiatry-behavioral-sciences/fulltext/ajpbs-v1-id1018.php">religion</a> can serve as a barrier to men ultimately walking away from an emotionally abusive scenario at home. As in reports from victimized women, a commitment to a family&#8217;s <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359178923000630">children</a> can take priority over self-preservation. 
For all the talk about advocating for victims, men are more likely to assume they <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-dont-have-a-cultural-place-for-men-as-victims-why-men-often-dont-tell-anyone-about-sexual-abuse-252630#:~:text=Stigma%20if%20they%20do%20tell&amp;text=Some%20were%20blamed%2C%20told%20they,on%20themselves%20and%20their%20families.">won’t be believed</a>. Even medical and mental health professionals have been known to treat men with more skepticism than women when handling instances of abuse. “Seeking formal help frequently led to secondary victimization in the form of statements or behavior that could cause them further distress,” trial attorney <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/wendy-l-patrick-jd-mdiv-phd">Wendy L. Patrick</a> noted of a study on men who self-reported. “In fact, seeking formal help itself had a negative impact on well-being, aggravating their victimization.” On top of that, these men may carry residual <a href="https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/news/101592-%E2%80%98we-don%E2%80%99t-have-a-cultural-place-for-men-as-victims%E2%80%99--why-men-often-don%E2%80%99t-tell-anyone-about-sexual-abuse#:~:text=Understanding%20why%20men%20don't,cope%20with%20their%20problems%20independently.">shame</a> from asking for help for the rest of their lives.
With instances of domestic violence on the <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-releases-domestic-violence-special-report#:~:text=Over%20the%20five%2Dyear%20period,million%20victims%20of%20domestic%20violence.">rise in the U.S.</a>, it’s hard to ignore a systemic breakdown <a href="https://atlantalegalaid.org/we-can-help-stop-domestic-violence/">we all play some part</a> in trying to heal. 
Taylor Frankie Paul’s kitchen stool attack led to her arrest back in 2023. Not previously available to the public, the footage leaked this week amid allegations of yet another <a href="https://people.com/mormon-wives-stops-filming-for-season-5-as-taylor-franke-paul-is-involved-in-domestic-violence-incident-exclusive-sources-11926978">domestic violence incident</a> between the reality star and her ex, Dakota Mortensen, with whom she now <a href="https://www.today.com/parents/moms/taylor-frankie-paul-kids-rcna230299">shares a son</a>.
“As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” <a href="https://people.com/dakota-mortensen-statement-after-taylor-frankie-paul-abuse-claims-attack-video-bachelorette-11930337">Mortensen</a> said. He responded to claims from Paul that she was the victim in their relationship: “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.&#8221;
Filming for “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” season five <a href="https://people.com/mikayla-matthews-breaks-silence-on-mormon-wives-production-pause-11929710">came to a halt</a>, and Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” was canceled along with her <a href="https://ew.com/cinnabon-cuts-ties-bachelorette-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-amid-taylor-frankie-paul-drama-11928437">Cinnabon collab</a>. But you can still catch Paul bopping around <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorfrankiepaul/video/7617661128708984094?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7612721609313699341">TikTok</a> to Lady Gaga lyrics, acting like she&#8217;s &#8220;<a href="https://genius.com/Lady-gaga-telephone-lyrics">kinda busy</a>” as her off-camera life remains an <a href="https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/taylor-frankie-paul-investigation-bachelorette-rcna264057">open investigation</a>. The <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/bachelorette-reveals-22-contestants-taylor-074548637.html">22 men</a> who will no longer appear on &#8220;The Bachelorette&#8221; dodged a bullet — and possibly a chair.
***
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Taylor Frankie Paul Caught On Camera Attacking Boyfriend. What It Says About Who We Believe

Domestic Violence

taylor frankie paul

the bachelorette

Upstream

This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
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After spending 99% of her post-royal life “<a href="https://youtu.be/h6wskFMwnVA?t=77">nesting and healing</a>” in Montecito, and also trying to make us eat <a href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a64032811/meghan-markle-flower-sprinkles-ingredient-netflix-show/">flowers</a>, Meghan Markle’s future looks a lot less Netflix-and-chill. Previously fronting <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/meghan-markle-harry-netflix-partnership-struggling-1236690802/">$60 million</a> to support Markle’s alleged “<a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/meghan-markle-netflix-as-ever-netflix-divests-1236681185/">passion for elevating everyday moments in beautiful yet simple ways</a>,” the streaming giant officially dumped the duchess of Sussex and her <a href="https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/royal-family/prince-harry-hostage-meghan-markle-b2317619.html">hostage prince</a>, leaving hopes of future projects and a whole bunch of <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/royals/article-15656781/meghan-daughter-lilibet-new-photo-promote-brand-netflix.html">jars of jam</a> in a &#8220;<a href="https://genius.com/Beyonce-irreplaceable-lyrics">box to the left</a>&#8221; (lyrics by <a href="https://okmagazine.com/p/why-beyonce-backing-off-from-meghan-markle-sneaky-attempts-land-her-pal/">Beyoncé</a>, one of <a href="https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1338778-meghan-markle-snubbed-by-fake-celebrity-friends-ahead-of-major-milestone">Meg’s fake BFFs)</a>.
Within hours of Netflix breakup headlines hitting mainstream media, Markle employed her personal PR Iron Dome: posting about her kids on Instagram. Well, she posts everything but their faces. As <a href="https://people.com/princess-lilibet-makes-cameo-meghan-markle-new-as-ever-launch-11928261">People</a> breathlessly reported the moment it went live, Markle’s <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DV_dLhXjbqh/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=73718fa1-c472-4a1a-8e79-54aa696f0cda">As Ever Instagram</a> account dropped a close-up shot of Markle’s hands cupping her daughter Lilibet’s hands, which held a white bloom to tease an upcoming collab with “<a href="https://highcampsupply.com/?utm_source=ig&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=link_in_bio&amp;fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn1g5l-f2J_FlPhaw0PqM5IYLHTrXZVw5LrZfxVYa1c6Qzww1FPIICQgbokwY_aem_t6YJfhhq52x6VpquZyFhIQ">ephemeral luxury</a>” flower brand <a href="https://www.instagram.com/highcampgardenias/">High Camp Gardenias</a>. For when nothing but a <a href="https://asever.com/collections/shop-all/products/the-garden-tea-bloom-box">$255 limited-edition box of flowers</a>, herbs, and tea stuff will do.
Earlier that day, as if she could sense the future bad press, Markle shared an <a href="https://youtu.be/hY7_zZ2_O_0?t=32">Instagram video</a> featuring a glitch-like snippet of Lilibet’s voice, along with her shoe, and her tiny hand patting a chicken. If she can keep fans flapping in the breeze when it comes to her kids, the clickbait always works. But it feels less like she’s protecting her kids from the spotlight and more like she’s holding onto the only card she has left to play. When all else fails for Markle, I bet we’ll finally see <a href="https://www.instyle.com/prince-harry-meghan-markle-kids-archie-lilibet-11913353">Lilibet and Archie’s</a> faces. 
Probably too innocently nicknamed “sharenting,” posting about kids on social media remains a hotly debated topic, with <a href="https://mottpoll.org/reports-surveys/parents-social-media-likes-and-dislikes-sharenting">75% of parents</a> snitching on other parents for posting too much information about their kids online. Whether it’s about their location, embarrassing experiences, or inappropriate photos, an online presence can sabotage a <a href="https://www.ashburnpsych.com/what-is-sharenting-and-is-it-bad/">child’s self-confidence</a>, make them <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/know2protect/know-the-threats?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22114696222&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAq3BANVr0-koUUiZHyLfT0rntMNMx&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwmunNBhDbARIsAOndKpl8J7UQUZb1Om68QLrVovVq9iqBPeqeESdKrIMc39UlvMPgU845ougaApAgEALw_wcB">vulnerable</a> to child predators, or worse. 
Plenty of celebrity parents succeed in keeping their kids’ lives offline. If you think about it long enough, you might remember that actors Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes actually have two daughters you never see. Responding to a fan on Instagram, <a href="https://people.com/parents/eva-mendes-wont-post-photos-daughters-until-can-give-consent/">Mendes said</a> of their kids, “I’ll talk about them of course, with limits, but I won’t post pictures of our daily life.” Halle Berry has also kept her children’s lives on lock, telling <a href="https://x.com/TODAYshow/status/1126103048282091521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1126103048282091521%7Ctwgr%5Ea8fee1dbb0517939ddd6767aaa1e875169e151e1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fembed%3Furl%3Dhttps3A2F2Ftwitter.com2Ftwitter2Fstatus2F1126103048282091521id%3Dmntl-sc-block_1-0-iframeoptions%3De303DdocId%3D6027110">TODAY</a>, “It’s a safety issue. I just don’t want to plaster them all over the internet. That just doesn’t feel right for me.” 
The reason you probably can’t picture what <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/jeremyhayes/photo-strict-celeb-parents">George Clooney’s kids</a> look like — or Drew Barrymore’s, Adele’s, or Chris Hemsworth’s, for that matter — is that their faces are rarely, if ever, featured on social media. But the opposite is true for kids who aren’t just getting “sharented” on social media; they’re built into their family’s <a href="https://share.google/ItysxZElbjdFYmSx0">billion-dollar</a> brand. 
<a href="https://share.google/GGwtIv1U6lL8ctNzv">Fifteen years</a> into posting on Instagram, we’ve all been around the block enough to know how brutal the social media microscope can be. Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s oldest daughter, North West, made her <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/fDOILEOSzD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=733a9db2-7ba2-4c6c-8425-fe90400ea051">social media debut</a> as an infant in 2013. By the ripe old age of 10 months old, she was posing with her parents for Vogue and making headlines like “<a href="https://pagesix.com/2014/03/26/north-wests-vogue-photo-shoot-faux-pas-peeing-on-kanye/">North West’s Vogue photo shoot faux pas: Peeing on Kanye</a>,” clearly aimed at humanizing the Kardashians.
Over a decade later, 12-year-old North launched her own <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSgA9RugaXA/">Instagram </a>and a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kimandnorth?lang=en">TikTok account</a>, which she reportedly shares with her mom; it has 21 million followers. Recent posts show her in decidedly anti-Kardashian <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kimandnorth/video/7605177569343786271?lang=en">blue hair</a>, finger <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/north-west-debuts-faux-septum-220134647.html">piercings</a>, fake face tattoos, and a black grill that creates the illusion of having no teeth. Is she just rebelling against her famous-for-being-famous mom? Creating an identity unrelated to her notorious rapper dad? Or just existing as a ridiculously privileged kid? Nothing’s weird when shock value is the family business.
When fans voiced concern for North’s well-being, Kim responded, “<a href="https://people.com/north-west-responds-to-criticism-of-her-dermal-piercing-11852360">It’s okay [heart hands emoji]</a>.” But as followers continue to zero in on North’s “<a href="https://thetab.com/2025/08/29/why-is-everyone-teasing-north-west-for-her-walk-the-comments-about-her-knees-need-to-stop">knock-kneed</a>” walk, the alleged <a href="https://rickeysmileymorningshow.com/3713777/kanye-west-reveals-daughter-north-west-has-dyslexia-and-bowel-issues/">&#8220;bowel&#8221; problems Kanye brought up</a>, and the <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1388324/north-west-shares-dyslexia-diagnosis-during-live-chat-with-mom-kim-kardashian#:~:text=North%20West%20Shares%20Dyslexia%20Diagnosis,Should%20I%20drop%20an%20album?%22">dyslexia diagnosis</a> North discussed on TikTok, &#8220;okay&#8221; doesn’t seem to paint the right picture.
It’s a similar story for kids who become regulars on other social media platforms, as the Hulu documentary &#8220;<a href="https://www.hulu.com/series/devil-in-the-family-the-fall-of-ruby-franke-302e037b-92b9-4c45-8acd-a0db60d5a159">Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke</a>” exposed. The <a href="https://kutv.com/news/local/police-records-show-multiple-responses-to-utah-youtuber-ruby-frankes-home-in-years-before-arrest-8-passengers-vlogger-springville-grama-request-child-abuse-charges-jodi-hildebrandt-dcfs">Utah-based</a> influencer family known as <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7435120/">8 Passengers</a> (two parents and six kids), headed by mom Ruby Franke, once raked in an estimated <a href="https://murdercasebook.wordpress.com/2024/12/29/ruby-franke-net-worth/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">$100,000 per month</a> on YouTube, sharing the adventures of a fun-loving <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DAheAPNORiC/">Mormon family</a>. Eight years after the channel was launched in 2015, Franke’s 12-year-old son was recorded on a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8AipFpRabo">stranger’s home security camera</a> with ligature wounds on his ankles and wrists, looking malnourished and asking for help. After a widely reported trial detailed the brutality with which Franke leveraged her children’s fame, Franke and her family therapist accomplice, Jodi Hildebrandt, were each convicted of <a href="https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/evil-influencer-the-jodi-hildebrandt-story-explained">four counts of aggravated child abuse</a> and sentenced to four consecutive <a href="https://abc7.com/post/ruby-franke-court-today-sentencing-guilty-plea-child-abuse-case/14449198/">15-year prison</a> sentences. 
Okay, I have to give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe Meghan Markle is intentionally making a solid move by not sharing much about her kids’ lives on social media until they’re old enough to decide for themselves. Still, I can&#8217;t help but wonder if she&#8217;s just waiting to cash in on the big reveal. 
In 2008, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie reportedly sold exclusive photos of their newborn twins, Vivienne and Knox, to Hello! and People magazine for <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-15059015">$14 million</a>. As ethics columnist <a href="https://abcnews.com/Entertainment/story?id=4318533&amp;page=1#:~:text=J.,of%20money%2C%20parenthood%20and%20fame.">Dr. Bruce Weinstein</a> noted, “If your own parents are literally selling you out, where can one feel safe?” 
Maybe celebrity kid pics don’t go for quite as much these days, especially if you’re driving the Sussex struggle bus. But when it comes to Meghan Markle’s kids, we’ll see how bad the press needs to be for us to get the full picture. 
***
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Is Meghan Markle Quietly Testing A New Strategy After Netflix Flop?

Celebrities

Instagram

Meghan Markle

Social Media

This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
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You don&#8217;t have to be a victim of the <a href="https://www.theminimalists.com/mental/">toxic workplace in your head</a>. Take a vacation from your phone whenever the mood strikes, with the “granny hobby” trend that brings peace and joy to the offline space where your <a href="https://www.today.com/shop/best-analog-activities-rcna251927">doomscroll</a> used to be. Early adopters, aka your grandma, knew exactly how to calm the <a href="https://www.parents.com/parents-struggle-to-identify-teen-digital-distress-11747938#:~:text=Digital%20distress%20is%20the%20stress,amplify%20their%20levels%20of%20stress.%E2%80%9D">digital distress</a> of your heart using a world-class innovation: <a href="https://spindleandspoon.com/2024/12/19/17-grandma-hobbies/">yarn</a>.  
If you missed out on <a href="https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-cottagecore/">cottagecore aesthetic</a> back in <a href="https://wearinghistoryblog.com/2021/02/cottage-core-why-the-2020s-are-the-new-1920s-or-earlier/">the early 2020s</a>, when everyone got so into homesteading they were practically churning butter in their bathtubs, please immediately book a ticket to Grannyville. Now, instead of serving as a temporary cope, studies show that ditching Instagram and TikTok for analog experiences such as sewing, crafting, and reading lead to <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/am-i-dying/202601/analog-hobbies-a-new-self-care-trend">improved mental health</a>. Your 1,000-piece puzzle is so self-care right now.
So which grandma-worthy hobbies are guaranteed to take the edge off? While <a href="https://www.parents.com/parenting/dynamics/grandparents/25-grandmother-name-ideas-we-love/">glammas</a>, gigis, and <a href="https://www.thebump.com/a/grandmother-names">gams</a> of all ages get their cardio on with <a href="https://foxrehab.org/pickleball-seniors/#:~:text=Let's%20Play%20Pickleball!&amp;text=Pickleball%20is%20the%20fastest%2Dgrowing,be%20just%20what%20you%20need.">pickleball</a>, <a href="https://www.welcometomonarchlanding.com/blog/best-sports-for-seniors/">swimming</a>, and <a href="https://www.bowlsusa.us/learn-lawn-bowling.html">lawn bowling</a>, the most stress-reducing activities rely on slowing down. Grab an ice cold Diet Coke “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jun/24/the-fridge-cigarette-how-gen-z-reframed-the-smoking-break">fridge cigarette</a>,” pull up a rocking chair, and chillax.
With nearly <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/needlepoint?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc">150,000 tags</a> on TikTok, needlepoint takes the gold at the unofficial granny Olympics. <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/03/09/lifestyle/young-people-are-turning-to-old-school-grandama-hobbies-to-get-off-their-phones-completely-obsessed/">Emma MacTaggert</a>, Gen Z founder of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/whatsthestitchndlpt/reels/">What’s The Stitch</a>, described her passion for a contemporary spin on needlepoint, saying, “It was a really therapeutic way to kind of distract yourself from either work or stress, but also just do something with your hands instead of doomscrolling.”
Crafters can also enjoy the soul-soothing benefits of <a href="https://goldencaretherapy.com/7-calming-techniques-for-sensory-overload/#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20controlled%20breathing,both%20the%20body%20and%20mind.">repetitive movements</a> through a needle-based flex such as cross stitch or crochet. And if you like chunkier materials, it’s always quilting or knitting season, too. “American Idol” contestant and mom of three <a href="https://countrynow.com/hannah-harpers-heartfelt-american-idol-audition-draws-dolly-parton-comparisons-moves-carrie-underwood-to-tears/#:~:text=Dressed%20in%20a%20homemade%2C%20patchwork%20dress%20filled,made%20a%20memorable%20debut%20on%20American%20Idol.">Hannah Harper</a> auditioned for the show&#8217;s 24th season in a patchwork dress she stitched herself. “You’re like my favorite person. You’re wearing homemade clothes,” judge Carrie Underwood told Harper. “You’re singing songs called ‘String Cheese.’”
When it comes to grannycore, it takes one to know one. Underwood revealed that she makes her own kombucha and grows peppers for homemade hot sauce, which is straight granny. “This entertainment world that we live in is not reality,” <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ontheredcarpet/video/7605733215734746382?embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121749182%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C122122240%2C121351166%2C121811500%2C121960941%2C122122244%2C122122243%2C122122242%2C121487028%2C121679410%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121885509%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&amp;refer=embed&amp;referer_url=countrynow.com%2Fcarrie-underwood-opens-up-about-her-love-for-granny-hobbies%2F&amp;referer_video_id=7605733215734746382">Underwood</a> confessed. “Reality is vacuuming, and cleaning toilets, and doing laundry, and gardening, and cooking, and that’s a world I love.”
Okay, just for the record, you don’t need to pack your day with all of granny’s activities. But letter writing, sketching, gardening, and reading all offer the mind, body, and soul a welcome digital detox. “Dude, you know what actually just rips in your thirties, dude, is like, birds, dude,” says TikToker <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@chickenjawsh/video/7578169943070461198">Chickenjawsh</a>, enjoying a chill stroll past some trees to, like, bird-watch, dude. 
<a href="https://yrstudio.co.uk/blogs/adriana-tudorache-blog/slow-living-grandmother-hobbies?srsltid=AfmBOoomX-ZVhj9l_JNtS0xzP-sIR6CvlLWTY5AahTjXHgEWhTadVUKc">Baking</a>, canning, and preserving serve <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DQkKYFYAPVB/">star baker</a>-granny energy, with even singer-songwriter and known <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2254218764714763/posts/3407697152700246/">Pop-Tart maker</a> Taylor Swift admitting on the “<a href="https://youtu.be/QkDabZgkwmo?t=7">New Heights</a>” podcast, “I&#8217;d say all my hobbies could be categorized as hobbies you could have had in the 1700s.”
Snag a little inspiration from grandmas around the globe by trying your hand at a Puerto Rican abuelita&#8217;s game of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OTSppe19No&amp;t=122s">dominoes</a>, a Chinese <a href="https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-chinese/grandma">nǎinai’s</a> <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/03/09/lifestyle/young-people-are-turning-to-old-school-grandama-hobbies-to-get-off-their-phones-completely-obsessed/">mahjong</a> hang, or the cozy “<a href="https://blog.cattiecoylephotography.com/sweden/mysa-next-hygge/">fika</a>” coffee habit of the nearest Swedish <a href="https://www.littlescandinavia.com/blog/mormor">mormor</a>. Serving &#8220;trad granny hobby&#8221; with a twist, jewelry making, ceramics, and <a href="https://news4sanantonio.com/news/entertainment/millennials-gen-z-embrace-grandma-hobbies-to-unplug-and-find-community-san-antonio-granny-needlepoint-mahjong-gardening-pottery-origami">pottery</a> offer the unplugged relief you didn’t know you needed. Plus, you’ll have a cool thing to hold, which lets you cash in on the <a href="https://ahead-app.com/blog/Mindfulness/tactile-grounding-how-texture-play-can-instantly-calm-your-mind">tactile grounding</a> experience of connecting with physical objects. Just another way to <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11329456/">touch grass</a> — which, by the way, also boosts your mood.
My grandmothers were brilliant at gardening, needlepoint, piano, painting, cooking, baking, card games, creating unbreakable bonds with friends and family, and always having a little piece of wrapped candy ready 24/7. This is anecdotal evidence of the trend, of course, but good <a href="https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-care/special-role-grandparents#:~:text=Grandparents%20are%20generally%20the%20main,to%20know%20all%20of%20it.">storytelling</a> is a granny hobby, too. 
But hold your retro horses for a minute. For a granny hobby to offer the most possible peace, it must remain joyful and calm, without triggering even a shred of anxiety. If spending half your paycheck on an authentic <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/4395754606/antique-great-wheel-spinning-wheel-19th?gpla=1&amp;gao=1&amp;dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F">19th-century spinning wheel</a> sparks joy, do it. If it stresses you out, there’s a chance you’re not doing granny hobbies right. 
After dabbling in bread-making and accidentally killing several sourdough starters, I got into the curative art of puzzling. Okay, so my love affair with jigsaws probably lasted a week. But it was enough time to dive into the dark web of professional puzzle-doing, and download the I Love Hue app to get better at noticing slight differences in color. I followed <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@KarenPuzzles">Karen Puzzles</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@worldjigsawpuzzlefederation">The World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation</a> on YouTube, hypnotizing myself with footage of <a href="https://youtu.be/ssI-amC5AkU?t=27">puzzle-solving championships</a> that look like it&#8217;s stuck on fast-forward. 
After watching the winners go from plastic-wrapped box to finished puzzle in less than 30 minutes, I quickly came to the realization that I didn&#8217;t have a future in puzzles. Stressing out over flipping all the pieces to the picture side would have destroyed the healing journey of finally finding that last edge piece on the floor after two glasses of wine. 
Putting the icing on the homemade cake, grannycore is a flex. You can partake in granny hobbies solo, take &#8217;em on the road, or make it a group thing with a <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/01/16/nx-s1-5596131/gen-z-is-taking-up-granny-core-hobbies-to-unwind">meetup</a> that’s all about that adult <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-us/categories/adults-welcome/find-your-flow">LEGO flow</a>. Yes, the idea is to ditch screens for your health. But unlike half-watching “Love Is Blind” while stressing yourself out on TikTok, granny hobbies gently <a href="https://theeverymom.com/grandma-hobbies/">occupy your fidgety fingers</a> without distracting from the storyline of your favorite show.
As licensed clinical psychologist, <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/a70107362/grandma-hobbies-mental-health/">Patricia S. Dixon</a>, described it, &#8220;When people immerse themselves in a hobby, they often find an escape from daily pressures, creating a calming space where they can unwind and recharge.” Take it from generations of grandmas, banana bread is about the journey, not the destination.
***
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

GettyImages-2150987968

Ditch The Doomscroll And Try The ‘Granny Hobbies’ Bringing Real Peace Back

granny hobbies

grannycore

This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
***
If you’re like me and your body is composed of mostly <a href="https://smartlabel.hersheys.com/034000005024-0052-en-US/index.html?cname=00034000005024-0052#ingredients">Twizzlers Red No. 40</a>, <a href="https://schnucks.com/products/518380/tang-orange-powdered-drink-mix-20-oz">Yellow No. 6</a> from gallons of Tang, and the <a href="https://www.skittles.com/products/skittles-original-fruity-candy-single-pack-217-oz-skittles-chewy">toxic Skittles kaleidoscope</a> of your youth, you might be wondering if there’s life after the feds come for the toxic green syrup in your McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. Well, this St. Patrick’s Day, you are seen and heard, and there’s a pot of <a href="https://www.naturallight.com/">Natty</a>-colored gold at the end of this rainbow.
The Food and Drug Administration aims to phase out <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/color-additives-information-consumers/tracking-food-industry-pledges-remove-petroleum-based-food-dyes">Yellow No. 5 and Blue No. 1 by 2027</a>. It’s the same synthetic coloring that gives <a href="https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/product/shamrock-shake-small.html#accordion-c921f9207b-item-283bee7dbd">McDonald’s Shamrock Shake</a> its signature hue. But you can skip the petroleum-based junk without sacrificing festive flavor, using natural colorings you can feel good about chugging.
Featuring roughly <a href="https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/product/shamrock-shake-small.html#accordion-c921f9207b-item-283bee7dbd">20 fewer ingredients</a> than the OG, I’m testing out these healthy Shamrock Shake recipe dupes using highly scientific criteria: They must be naturally green, cold, shake-y, and minty, so we can focus on the real meaning of St. Patty’s Day: chugging green drinks while draped in plastic beads and pinching everyone who forgot the official rules of the holiday. <a href="https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/irish-drinking-toasts/">Sláinte!</a>
<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@i_like_tiny_hands/video/7617937793355877662" data-video-id="7617937793355877662">
<section><a title="@i_like_tiny_hands" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@i_like_tiny_hands?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@i_like_tiny_hands</a> Best Healthy Shamrock Shake Dupe On The Internet <a title="mcdonalds" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mcdonalds?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#mcdonalds</a> <a title="shamrockshake" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/shamrockshake?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#shamrockshake</a> <a title="dupe" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dupe?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#dupe</a> <a title="♬ original sound - Tiny Hands" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7617937715488656159?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound &#8211; Tiny Hands</a></section>
</blockquote>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
SHAKE #1: Naturally Green Shamrock Shake With Ice Cream
The Naturally Green Shamrock Shake by Chellie at <a href="https://www.artfrommytable.com/all-natural-shamrock-shake-2/#wprm-recipe-container-7245">Art From My Table</a> came in strong with just four ingredients. I loved the fresh-picked flavor of the mint leaves. But while vanilla ice cream served total Mickey D’s vibes, I was hoping for a nutritional boost for my copycat shake.
Ingredients:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">3 cups natural vanilla ice cream</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">1 cup milk</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">1 cup fresh mint leaves, stems removed, loosely packed</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">½ teaspoon pure peppermint extract</li>
</ul>
Make it:
<ul>
<li>Blend everything for one minute, or until smooth.</li>
</ul>
SHAKE #2: Healthy Shamrock Shake With Protein
I’ve been following healthy dessert queen Katie from “<a href="https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/healthy-shamrock-shake-milkshake-recipe/#wprm-recipe-container-48424">Chocolate Covered Katie</a>” forever. And her take on a nutritious Shamrock Shake doesn’t disappoint. While I would totally recommend this one for the St. Patty’s gym girlies, the flavor felt more like a deliciously smooth protein shake than a minty treat. 
Ingredients:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">1 cup milk</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">1 frozen banana</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">¼ teaspoon pure peppermint extract</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">1 scoop protein powder</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">¼ cup frozen spinach</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Scant 1/8 tsp salt, for flavor</li>
</ul>
Make it:
<ul>
<li>Blend everything for one minute, or until smooth.</li>
</ul>
SHAKE #3: Shamrock Shake Dupe With Greek Yogurt
I would put Greek yogurt in anything, so the Healthy Shamrock Shake by Gina Matsoukas of <a href="https://www.runningtothekitchen.com/shamrock-smoothie/#wprm-recipe-container-24731">Running To The Kitchen</a> immediately called to me. While it’s a totally tasty green smoothie, for me, it wasn’t minty, cold, or Shamrock-y enough for the holiday.
Ingredients:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">1 cup ice</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Half of a frozen banana</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">2 cups baby spinach</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">4 fresh mint leaves</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">½ teaspoon vanilla extract</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">¾ cup milk </li>
</ul>
Make it:
<ul>
<li>Blend everything for one minute, or until smooth.</li>
</ul>
SHAKE #4: Healthy Shamrock Shake With Avocado
Avocado tags in on the Healthy Shamrock Shake from <a href="https://joyfoodsunshine.com/healthy-shamrock-shake/#wprm-recipe-container-8797">Joy Food Sunshine</a> to create a luxuriously thick and creamy texture. While the vibrant grassy green was deeper than the McD’s OG, the shake tasted a little too much like a garden for me.
Ingredients:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">¾ cup whole milk</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">1 avocado</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">1 cup frozen spinach </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">15 fresh mint leaves</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">2 tablespoons honey</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">1 cup ice</li>
</ul>
Make it:
<ul>
<li>Blend everything for one minute, or until smooth.</li>
</ul>
SHAKE #5: Shamrock Shake Dupe With Dates
A clear favorite of minty shake dupe fans, the Healthy Shamrock Shake from Megan Gilmore of <a href="https://detoxinista.com/healthy-shamrock-shake-vegan-paleo/#wprm-recipe-container-22782">Detoxinista</a> gets all kinds of five-star reviews, with some saying it’s as good as “mint ice cream.” Of the recipes I tried, it tasted the closest to the McDonald’s original, but it needed a little extra mint flavor and sweetener to take it over the top.
Ingredients:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">¾ cup almond milk </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">¼ avocado </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">1 cup fresh baby spinach</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">¼ teaspoon peppermint extract</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">5 Medjool dates, pitted</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">1 to 2 large handfuls of ice</li>
</ul>
Make it:
<ul>
<li>Blend everything for one minute, or until smooth.</li>
</ul>
SHAKE #6: The Winner, Aka The Shamrock Shake ShamWow Dupe
Inspired by the great dupes that came before me, I chose my favorite ingredients and sweeteners and put my blending skills to the test. This healthy Shamrock Shake might not be enough to convert hardcore fans, but it makes an excellent swap, packed with way more vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats than McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. While it’s not as cheek-pinchingly sweet as the original, I wouldn’t be mad about sipping this on St. Patty’s Day, or any other day, either.
Ingredients: 
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">1 cup milk </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">¼ cup fresh avocado</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">¼ cup frozen spinach</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">4 fresh mint leaves</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">½ teaspoon peppermint extract</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">½ teaspoon vanilla</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">5 Medjool dates</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Pinch of salt</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Handful of ice</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Liquid stevia, to taste </li>
</ul>
Make it:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Blend everything for one minute, or until smooth.</li>
</ul>
For a little extra luck of the Irish, top any of these healthy Shamrock Shake dupes with a generous serving of <a href="https://sugarspunrun.com/homemade-whipped-cream-recipe/#wprm-recipe-container-11571">homemade whipped cream</a>, or make it adults-only with a shot of Baileys Irish Cream.
***
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Cold Refreshing Mint Chocolate Chip MilkShake with a Straw

Shamrock Shake Fans Brace For Dye Crackdown — The Healthy Dupe That Tastes Shockingly Close

McDonald’s

recipe

shamrock shake

This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
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“No to war, and free Palestine,” declared actor <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/us/news/oscar-winning-actor-javier-bardem-voices-the-no-to-war-free-palestine-message-while-presenting-the-best-international-feature-award-at-the-2026-academy-awards/articleshow/129601339.cms?from=mdr">Javier Bardem</a>, teeing up the award for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards while wearing two <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PJFnQYur2Q">political pins</a> you could see from outer space. He didn’t need to read the room. The audience exploded into cheers and applause, kind of like the equivalent to a parent responding when a toddler proudly declares he has just used the potty. Way to go, buddy.
The ceremony will always be <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/13/oscars-tightrope-poll-hollywood-influence-00827186">political</a>, yet, after watching all six million hours of the Oscars broadcast (red carpet pre-show to Vanity Fair afterparty), I feel a little dirty. 
At first, I was all in on host Conan O’Brien’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjvnclCos_0">cold open</a> where he dressed as <a href="https://ew.com/weapons-aunt-gladys-amy-madigan-wins-first-oscar-40-years-after-first-nomination-oscars-2026-11925259">Amy Madigan</a>’s Best Supporting Actress-winning character from “Weapons” in a bit set to the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage.” I love the Beastie Boys and crazy wigs. And I think Conan is genuinely funny. Less than two minutes into his monologue, he announced, “I should warn you, tonight could get political.” As if future trophy winners needed anyone waving them in for a soft landing.
Referencing the Super Bowl halftime show sponsored by <a href="https://www.americanhalftimeshow.com/">Turning Point USA</a>, Conan added, “If that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock. It’s at the Dave &amp; Buster’s down the street.” 
I want to say this ceremony went light on politics, overall, but maybe that’s like going “light” on pancake syrup and not stopping until the plate, table, and floor are fully submerged in Aunt Jemima. (Sorry, I mean <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/02/10/966166648/aunt-jemima-no-more-pancake-brand-renamed-pearl-milling-company#:~:text=The%20rebranding%20is%20due%20to%20the%20following,*%20Cream%20of%20Wheat%20*%20Mrs.%20Butterworth's">Pearl Milling Company</a>, whoever she is.) On top of myriad <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-oscars-stars-pin-their-hopes-on-free-palestine-and-ice-out/">”ICE OUT,” ceasefire</a>, and “BE GOOD” pins adorning lapels and décolletage, author and &#8220;queer&#8221; activist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/glennondoyle/">Glennon Doyle</a> leveled up with a glittery “<a href="https://wwd.com/pop-culture/celebrity-news/oscars-2026-political-statements-1238677088/">F*ck Ice</a>” clutch. If I hadn’t just moved from my apartment on Hollywood Boulevard, I could have danced in the glow of the skyscraper-sized “<a href="https://www.dw.com/en/oscars-2026-all-the-political-moments/a-76374704">ICE OUT of L.A.</a>” projection on the Loews hotel during the event.
Most stars fell in line, even if they accidentally gave up the fact that they were beholden to optics. Sporting an Artists for Ceasefire pin for Gaza, “<a href="https://www.ndtv.com/lifestyle/bridgerton-star-charithra-chandran-debuts-at-oscars-2026-in-a-green-strapless-gown-11220718">Bridgerton</a>” star <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@hollywoodreporter/video/7617591414305705230">Charithra Chandran</a> seemingly nailed the text from her manager, word for word. “I think that I am so blessed to have a platform and this is the least I can do to use it,” Chandran said on the red carpet. 
Inside the Dolby Theatre, insulated from real life by the thick velvet curtains covering Sephora ads normally seen along the staircase into the theater, titans of the entertainment industry freely relaxed in the collective hot tub of A-list groupthink. This is the exact thing crushing the very art they allegedly gather to celebrate. 
Best Adapted Screenplay winner for “One Battle After Another” writer <a href="https://youtu.be/ymG9WHPpt5o?t=75">Paul Thomas Anderson</a> said, “I wrote this movie for my kids, to say sorry for the housekeeping mess that we left in this world,” encouraging the youngest generation to usher in “common sense and decency.” 
<a href="https://youtu.be/Re3C5H7Py-A?t=128">Joachim Trier</a>, winning director of Best International Feature “Sentimental Value,” took the stage to thank the people who worked on his film as well as his family. It was all going great until he took on the weight of representing everyone else in his category, and the world, paraphrasing American writer James Baldwin by adding, “Remember that all adults are responsible for all children, and let’s not vote for [politicians] who don’t take this seriously into account.”
Remembering his friend, the late legendary director Rob Reiner, actor Billy Crystal gave space to Reiner’s <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rob-reiner-spinal-tap-60-minutes/#:~:text=It's%20been%20more%20than%2040,t%20scared%2C%22%20Reiner%20said.">decades-long career</a>, capping it off with his crowning achievement: fighting social injustice with his late wife. “Rob and Michelle Reiner became the driving force in the landmark decision for marriage equality across the United States,” Crystal said, turning the rainbow flag <a href="https://youtu.be/uMSV4OteqBE?t=83">up to 11</a>. Sure, the Reiners <a href="https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/12/rob-reiner-political-legacy/">donated their wealth</a> to influence California and national politics. But I refuse to remember that more than Reiner’s devastatingly brilliant directorial turns in “<a href="https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/rob-reiner-movies-ranked/">This Is Spinal Tap</a>,” “The Princess Bride,” and “Stand By Me.” Especially as his final Academy bow.
He wasn’t hosting this year, but Jimmy Kimmel still took a few swipes while introducing the awards for best documentaries. He made a crack at free speech in the U.S. and slammed first lady Melania Trump’s self-titled documentary, which wasn’t nominated, saying, “There are also documentaries where you walk around the White House trying on shoes.”
Statistics on gun violence made the cut during speeches for Best Documentary Short winner “<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/oscars-2026-grieving-mother-shares-021638624.html">All the Empty Rooms</a>.” I wondered if they were even true. By that point in the show, I was too tired to ask ChatGPT or laugh at anyone’s belabored jokes. For one night, could we not obsess over the major issues of the day and just have a little fun? I don’t want to know — in fact, I would pay the price of an actual movie ticket not to know — what celebrities think about politics.
***
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Watch How Hollywood Turned The Oscars Into A Political Therapy Session

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Matthew McConaughey’s ‘Unhinged’ Recipe Tops List Of Celebrity Salads Fans Swear By

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Hollywood’s ‘Heroin Chic’ Comeback Has One Not-So-Secret Ingredient

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Oprah Winfrey

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“I just want people to know that I’m a real person,” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CtBsylelBo&amp;t=2636s">says</a> Meghan Markle, the same person who tried to <a href="https://celebratingthesoaps.com/royal-news/meghan-markle-insists-on-destroying-the-royal-family/">wipe out the British monarchy</a> and then moved to a <a href="https://www.instyle.com/prince-harry-meghan-markle-montecito-home-details-11887228">$15 million</a> mansion in Montecito, California, where she pretended to make <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/meghan-sussex-with-love-netflix-fruit-platter-for-kids_uk_67c6ef10e4b03c5688a7af9a">rainbow fruit platters</a> for her kids and demanded she be announced as “<a href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a69289143/meghan-markle-cover-story-interview-2025/">the duchess of Sussex</a>” before entering a room. Yes. So real. Maybe she just needs to “<a href="https://youtu.be/7CtBsylelBo?t=313">anchor into her own knowing</a>” a little harder, as she says … whatever that means.
Stars—they’re (obsessed with being) just like us! Except they&#8217;re hardly ever real enough to be relatable. Apparently, something about falling into a daily routine with <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/oprah-winfrey/">Oprah’s $3.2 billion</a> fortune, <a href="http://prestigeonline.com/sg/lifestyle/wealth-management/the-most-expensive-things-owned-by-beyonce-birkins-private-jets/#:~:text=Los%20Angeles%20mansion&amp;text=The%20massive%20compound%20includes%20a,music%20icon%20and%20her%20husband.">Beyoncé’s $40 million</a> private jet, or Jeff Bezos’ <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/11/21/jeff-bezos-most-expensive-investment-500-million-superyacht-largest-in-world-koru/">$500 million superyacht</a> triggers amnesia about before-times spent comparing prices on grocery store toilet paper. 
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski recently highlighted the elite’s struggle to connect. Dubbing himself “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0HJqOEBK8Ro">Chris K</a>” in a now-viral video launching the chain’s new <a href="https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/full-menu/big-arch.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23623636248&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADepKq1T4Wix6yysOT1dD3BNGUOwF&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw37nNBhDkARIsAEBGI8Po_EIyTjXpEFH0H3WU74Btjztix_mJlngOuxL2tFmcenYRGqfV4bYaAq9eEALw_wcB">Big Arch</a> burger, the <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/mcdonalds-ceo-salary-and-net-worth-chris-kempczinski-brutally-mocked-over-viral-product-video-101772445040436.html">multi-millionaire</a> unknowingly channeled <a href="https://simpsons.fandom.com/wiki/Charles_Montgomery_Burns">Mr. Burns</a> as he awkwardly handled what he referred to as the “product,” claiming it was his lunch as if he eats McDonald’s in real life. His dainty, Barbie-sized bite was the final nail in his counterfeit coffin. “We all know he probably chucked it after the camera stopped rolling,” posted a <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/1rjy79g/comment/o8h8m8s/?context=3&amp;utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button">Redditor</a>.
I’m riddled with second-hand embarrassment at these failed attempts to be human, but let’s be real: They’re also entertaining. It reminds me of the Steve Buscemi <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/MemeRestoration/comments/1j3l9c1/how_do_you_do_fellow_kids_old_man_with_skateboard/">meme</a> from “30 Rock,” where his old man undercover cop character—rocking a skateboard, hoodie, and “music band” tee—asks a group of high school students, “<a href="https://youtu.be/fiOMbqPHFwo?t=28">How do you do, fellow kids</a>?” It’s almost a fetish for the ultra-wealthy to cosplay regular people. Like, hello, stop trying to co-op our normie lives, you guys.
Just check out the never-ending supply of GoFundMes <a href="https://www.thecut.com/article/people-are-pissed-at-celebrity-gofundmes.html">posted</a> by celebrities, desperate for us to understand that millionaire life is harder than we think and to donate our entire paychecks accordingly. And we enjoy no shortage of <a href="https://people.com/style/kourtney-kardashian-and-travis-barker-in-matching-outfits-at-truck-stop/">photoshoots</a> from stars turning shopping for Cheetos at 7-Eleven into high fashion. Of course, who could forget the time Ellen DeGeneres compared quarantining in her multi-million dollar California home to “<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ellen-degeneres-quarantine-jail-comparison-backlash/">being in jail</a>,” or the bit where <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad_higXixRA">Bill Gates</a> guessed grocery prices on her show.
“When’s the last time that you have been at a supermarket?” <a href="https://youtu.be/ad_higXixRA?t=4">DeGeneres</a> asked.
“A long time ago,” Gates said.
Everyone laughed. Not pictured: the staff who keep both of their home fridges stocked.
Did anyone believe that Senator <a href="https://youtu.be/sWehvtOL_VI?t=8">Elizabeth Warren</a> drank beer when she popped one open on Instagram after announcing her 2020 run for president? (It got worse when her husband told her, “<a href="https://youtu.be/sWehvtOL_VI?t=35">Enjoy your beer</a>.”) Elsewhere in politics, during his recent <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-04/iran-israel-pet-otters-hair-gel-gavin-newsoms-book-tour-stops-in-la">book tour</a>, California Governor Gavin Newsom assured Katie Couric, “<a href="https://youtu.be/1E-mlna_XVk?t=17">I am who I am. You don’t have to like me</a>.” Mkay, says the guy trying to convince regular Americans to like him by claiming he used to eat <a href="https://www.facebook.com/officialdanaloesch/videos/gavin-newsom-pretended-he-grew-up-poor-on-this-podcastsubscribe-to-the-podcast-o/1353364129658878/">Wonder Bread</a> and mac and cheese and got a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ajc/posts/newsom-the-governor-of-california-said-im-like-you-when-mentioning-his-960-sat-s/1419245123576126/">960 on his SATs</a>. (Look away from the photo where he casually wears a <a href="https://x.com/GavinNewsom/status/1957289966771609737?lang=en">Burberry</a> scarf in <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/02/24/us-news/gavin-newsom-omits-key-college-baseball-facts-in-new-book/">college</a>.)
Politicians get a pass for just trying to win votes, but tone-deaf celebrities selling merch feels personal. Hey, if I’m gonna shell out $350 for your <a href="https://asever.com/collections/shop-all/products/the-complete-as-ever-pantry">complete line of jams</a>, candles, and edible flower sprinkles, I want to believe we could hang out in real life.
Sorry not sorry for dunking on Meghan Markle, duchess of Southern California, but she commits this crime like it’s her brand. Her Netflix series, “<a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81770808">With Love, Meghan</a>,” portrayed the daily goings-on of a domestic goddess happily tending to her loving family, when in her personal life, Meghan <a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/royals/meghan-markle-first-husband-trevor-engelson-69769/">ditched her first husband</a> and most of her relatives at the first whiff of fame and money. She said she had <a href="https://youtu.be/2VDycxkZeRw?t=89">no idea who Prince Harry was</a>, even though she was already <a href="https://www.tatler.com/article/meghan-markle-princess-eugenie-friendship">buds with Princess Eugenie</a> before dating him; she alleged she was <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/07/world/europe/oprah-interview-harry-meghan.html">suffocated by royal fashion protocol in England</a>, and yet she <a href="https://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/slideshow/2574444/meghan-markle-princess-diana-fashion-photos/10/">copied Princess Diana</a>’s look any <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SaintMeghanMarkle/comments/10ljd24/was_harry_a_mark_meghan_cosplaying_diana_down_to/">chance she got</a>.
I admit that I hate-subscribe to her newsletter. But that’s where she encourages us normal folk to create a centering moment for ourselves with her overpriced As Ever tea and bespoke honey, marveling at the pitter-patter of our children’s precious little feet—as if she does this herself, without the benefit of <a href="https://graziamagazine.com/articles/meghan-markle-fired-nanny-incident/">nannies</a> to put those little feet to bed while she practices her twee <a href="https://people.com/meghan-markle-handwriting-featured-american-riviera-orchard-logo-see-calligraphy-8634446">calligraphy</a>. 
This bounty on human connection comes from the magic in <a href="https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2024/01/29/relatability-the-x-factor-for-brand-success/">recognizing yourself in someone else</a>. Psychological studies prove that we’re more <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37888143/">attracted to the perceived warmth</a> and openness of truth tellers we believe, versus scam artists we don&#8217;t. Of course, most celebrities are probably caught somewhere in between posting aspirational lifestyle content and blowing their own mysterious allure via <a href="https://www.laurenbeechingpr.com/blog/why-oversharing-destroys-fame-the-mistake-celebrities-keep-making#:~:text=You%20can't%20be%20both,you've%20boxed%20yourself%20in.">oversharing</a>—all for the sake of genuinely <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0148296322009894#:~:text=While%20celebrities%20are%20primarily%20shown,share%20them%20with%20their%20followers.">connecting with fans</a>.
Maybe it’s the denser atmosphere down here on planet Earth, but we can spot A-list bull honky from a mile away. But the real key to connecting with us normies isn’t relatability; it’s authenticity. Need proof? Instead of pretending not to be a flashy <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/article/the-definitive-networth-of-donaldtrump/">billionaire</a>, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump offered kids rides in his <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/30/politics/donald-trump-helicopter-iowa-state-fair">$7 million helicopter</a> at the 2015 Iowa State Fair.
“You don’t think this is a little much?” ABC News reporter <a href="https://youtu.be/8UO0gNEq8fE?t=93">Martha Raddatz</a> asked, over the squeals of delighted children.
“It’s me. I am who I am,” Trump replied.
Real and relatable.
***
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Meghan Markle And The Celebrity Relatability Scam — Why Americans Aren’t Falling For It

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This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
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“We’re sending him to a recovery center in Bali this summer to kick his phone habit,” an exasperated mother informed me of her teenage son. I was an easy target, waiting in an empty booth for my to-go burger and fries, trying to be “in the moment” without faceplanting into Instagram. She showed me her lock screen: “Here’s a photo of him in ‘The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker’ with <a href="https://people.com/blue-ivy-carters-greatest-accomplishments-beyonce-jay-z-daughter-11880522">Blue Ivy.</a>” Intrigued by her oversharing and financial resources, I took a long sip from my wine-in-a-can and braced myself for the long haul; she clearly had more than a half-eaten order of onion rings on her plate. “He’s been kicking his dad,” she said.
I casually ordered another overpriced pinot grigio and sympathetically touched her elbow. “Like, while he’s looking at his phone?” 
As real-life proof of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563223003394#:~:text=The%20findings%20reveal%20that%20depression,which%20subsequently%20influences%20internalized%20aggression.">studies</a> linking smartphone addiction to aggression, this kid had completely stopped talking to his parents and had seemingly resorted to kung fu. No nearby Los Angeles-based rehab centers could snap him out of the funk, so after throwing roughly $150,000 at the problem, this mother’s only hope was to send her kid to a place 8,600 miles away from his iPhone. She hoped Indonesian fruit and flora, and perhaps a restorative bungalow over crystal blue water, could sever the electromagnetic lifeline between her sweet son’s brain and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@aibaddie23/video/7590506286890962196?lang=en">AI baddies jet-skiing with gorillas</a> on TikTok. Or whatever he was watching.
He’s not the only one. Teens self-report using social media “<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/12/09/teens-social-media-and-ai-chatbots-2025/">almost constantly</a>.” Gen Z hits up <a href="https://targetinternet.com/resources/how-different-age-groups-are-using-social-media-2024/#:~:text=Instagram%2C%20TikTok%2C%20Snapchat-,Behavioural%20trends,platforms%20like%20TikTok%20and%20Instagram.">TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat</a> as trusted sources of information, while Gen Alpha is into <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/kids-dont-need-more-online-monitoring-they-need-involved-dads">Roblox</a>, YouTube, WhatsApp, TikTok, and Snapchat. <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/six-seven#:~:text=interjection,that%20it%20makes%20no%20sense.%E2%80%9D">Six-seven</a>, <a href="https://we-are-family.com/uk/blog-insights/rizz-suss-and-bussin-a-guide-to-gen-alphas-freshest-slang/">no cap</a>. Even though TikTok theoretically limits users to <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/safety/en/guardians-guide">no younger than</a> 13 years old, <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-and-attitudes/online-habits/living-our-lives-online">five-year-old</a> “<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60854885">TikTots</a>” open so many accounts that they have a cute nickname.
Cautionary messaging about the negative blah blah of social media feels like a broken record, a constant drone about <a href="https://www.kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org/mental-health-resources/technology-and-social-media/social-media-and-kids">stunted brain development</a>, depression, cyberbullying, catfishing, and anxiety. But, whatever, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo9EbArcQ1c">Mr. Beast</a> vaccinated a herd of wild giraffes with a life-saving sniper rifle from a helicopter! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GNyw4uaAqU">Subscribe to win an iPhone</a>, smash that freakin’ bell, and shoot it into our veins! Sure, <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/12/12/teens-social-media-and-technology-2024/#:~:text=and%20household%20income.-,By%20gender,87%25).">girls jump on Instagram and TikTok</a> more than boys, and the reverse is true over on YouTube, which attracts <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/teens-and-social-media-fact-sheet/">90% of teens</a>, but no one’s getting out of this scot-free. Overall, kids spend an average of <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/youth-mental-health/social-media/index.html#:~:text=The%20types%20of%20use%20and,Bickham%20et%20al.%2C%202022.">3.5 hours a day</a> on their platforms of choice (and almost half of them claim they feel worse after doing it, despite the spin on healthy “<a href="https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/kids-social-media-mental-health#:~:text=How%20can%20social%20media%20be,or%20other%20forms%20of%20media.">connection</a>”). 
So what exactly are kids watching? On the top platform <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/teens-and-social-media-fact-sheet/">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mr+beast">Mr. Beast</a> serves over 460 million subscribers with flashy, cashy stunts; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRijo3ddMTht_IHyNSNXpNQ">Dude Perfect</a> brings the buddy sports; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@alishamarievlogs">AishaMarieVlogs</a> dishes lifestyle behind the scenes; and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7_YxT-KID8kRbqZo7MyscQ">Markiplier</a> built 38.4 million subs by getting really into gaming. Over on the <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/teens-and-social-media-fact-sheet/">second most-favorited TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@charlidamelio?lang=en">Charli D’Amelio</a> rocks the choreography for 156 million followers, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@khaby.lame">Khaby Lame</a> posts 2.6 billion likes worth of comedy gold, and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bellapoarch?lang=en">Bella Poarch</a> dazzles 93 million followers with lip syncs. And as the bronze medalist in the popularity contest, Instagram hangs on with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nianaguerrero/?hl=en">Niana Guerro</a>’s dance moves for 16 million fans and the curated lifestyles of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenorlando88/">Lauren Orlando</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/julesleblanc/">Jules Leblanc</a>. 
While the digital apple of any teen’s eye can change in an instant, the gentle art of <a href="https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/youth-social-media-2024">mind control</a> lands the knockout punch. Going beyond the <a href="https://www.apa.org/news/apa/2022/social-media-children-teens">dope show</a> of the infinite scroll, mind-meltingly effective marketing does the real dirty work. A silly <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne_cdGwUns8">M&amp;M’s bit on Ryan’s World</a> does more than teach colors using “yummy candy.” Kids are shown <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11010392/#:~:text=Frequency%20of%20promoted%20food%20products,SMI%20in%20Supplementary%20Table%204).">at least one ad</a> by fast food, soda, or other processed food for every post, drummed up by marketers set on funneling colorful, cartoony, music-backed <a href="https://www.ifpri.org/blog/what-are-kids-watching-online-how-digital-food-marketing-shapes-childrens-and-adolescents-diets/">content</a> directly to children.
Some kids consume more than <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12487379/#:~:text=Food%20advertising%20has%20played%20a,14%2C%2017%2C%2018%5D.">4,000 food ads</a> per year on social media. Even if you stock a MAHA kitchen full of <a href="https://realfood.gov/">real food</a>, little Leo’s still getting a daily dose of digital junk. Maybe the rise in <a href="https://abcnews.com/Health/us-child-teen-obesity-rates-reach-record-high/story?id=130441952">childhood obesity</a> has nothing to do with a surge in <a href="https://cdn.nutrition.org/article/S2475-2991(25)00004-6/fulltext">food marketing on YouTube</a> leading to children&#8217;s <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12182458/">poor eating habits </a>off-screen, but it sure isn&#8217;t helping.
Happy to cash in on comparison culture, retailers turn social media into an infinite shopping mall. Considered by some to be “<a href="https://www.mikmak.com/blog/gen-alpha-marketing-trends-toy-game#:~:text=Retailer%20Insights:%20Where%20to%20Win%20*%20TikTok,Commerce%2C%20are%20turning%20engagement%20into%20measurable%20ROI.">43 million young consumers</a>,” Gen Alpha became a cash cow for national brands, with 84% begging their parents to buy something they saw online. For anyone keeping score, in 2025, teens were shelling out for <a href="https://www.pipersandler.com/teens">Nike, On Running, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Ulta, and Sephora</a>. They had to be at least <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/108398">13 years old to use Apple Pay</a>, even though no one younger than <a href="https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/how-old-to-apply-for-credit-card/">18 can get a credit card</a>, but what’s math when it’s your parents’ money?
Considering kids can also navigate age restrictions using the age-old technique of plugging in a <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4v52ezx17o">fake birthday</a>, there’s a clear danger in underage users exploring the <a href="https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/media-and-children/center-of-excellence-on-social-media-and-youth-mental-health/qa-portal/qa-portal-library/qa-portal-library-questions/talking-to-your-child-about-online-pornography-exposure/#:~:text=Answer%3A%20Unintentional%20exposure%20to%20pornographic,online%20in%20the%20last%20year.">darkest corners of social media</a>. With nearly <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12515835/#:~:text=Nationally%20representative%20surveys%20of%20adolescents,for%20sexual%20activities%20(17).">70% of teens</a> reporting they’ve seen explicit sexual content online, and 75% of parents claiming their kids have not, <a href="https://www.humanium.org/en/the-intrusion-of-media-sexualization-in-childhood/#:~:text=Children%20today%20are%20inundated%20with,to%20social%20media%20and%20advertisements.">sexualized marketing</a> sneaks under the radar, vaulting children into <a href="https://www.childrenandscreens.org/learn-explore/research/sexual-media-and-childhood-well-being-and-health/#:~:text=Exposure%20to%20such%20content%20is,sexually%20transmitted%20infection%20among%20adolescents.">decidedly adult behavior</a> in real life. Consumption of violent social media content only <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10177625/">compounds aggressive actions in teens</a>. And you can thank Instagram&#8217;s algorithm for working around its own <a href="https://help.instagram.com/1695974997209192">ban on illicit drugs</a> to autofill searches by teens for <a href="https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/xanax-ecstasy-and-opioids-instagram-offers-drug-pipeline-kids">ecstasy, Xanax, and opioids</a>. Can’t use “<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/teens-instagram-drug-dealers-in-2-clicks-researchers-say-2021-12#:~:text=%22When%20the%20minor%20clicked%20on,services%2C%22%20the%20researchers%20said.">#MDMA</a>” or “#buyfentanyl”? Don’t let us stop you, kids. Love, Instagram. 
So do we just have to let <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@msrachelforlittles">Ms. Rachel</a> and her overalls wash us all out to A-B-sea? While there may be no turning back to non-addictive <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-old-school-gadget-making-a-quiet-comeback-in-american-homes">landlines</a> with coiled cords and rotary dials, there’s a tiny glimmer of hope. Depending on <a href="https://childmind.org/article/when-are-kids-ready-for-social-media/">maturity</a>, holding off on letting kids use social media <a href="https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/media-and-children/center-of-excellence-on-social-media-and-youth-mental-health/qa-portal/qa-portal-library/qa-portal-library-questions/age-to-introduce-social-media/#:~:text=Strong%20parental%20relationships%20matter,about%20starting%20social%20media%20accounts!">until they’re at least 13</a> can help. Of course, while teens are <a href="https://www.research-archive.org/index.php/rars/preprint/view/1507#:~:text=Abstract,groups%20perceived%20certain%20marketing%20techniques.">more vulnerable to the social media marketing </a>complex, adults are susceptible, too. (Just scroll through my purchase history on TikTok Shop as evidence.)
Better yet, you can model the responsible behavior you want to see in your kids by <a href="https://childmind.org/article/how-using-social-media-affects-teenagers/">limiting your own phone</a> usage as you monitor theirs. Plus, as <a href="https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ai-is-taking-over-our-social-media-feeds-but-maybe-not-how-you-expect/">AI continues to devour social media</a>, maybe we could all use a little phone-free <a href="https://www.thefp.com/p/being-human-is-cool-again">human interaction</a> … in Bali or by your nearest backyard sprinkler.
***
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

What’s Quietly Shaping Kids While Parents Aren’t Watching

kids

This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
***
Welcome to the salad dressing circle of trust. Here, there’s no shame in sparing yourself the torture of dry pizza crust, flavorless cauliflower crudité, and plain nuggets when you’ve got a perfectly good bottle of ranch in the fridge just waiting for its time to shine. As ranch dressing’s tangy little star continues to rise (suck it, runner-up <a href="https://wror.com/2025/02/24/ranch-dressing-sales-hit-1-3-billion-beats-ketchup-as-americas-favorite-condiment/">ketchup</a>!), everything’s getting a ranch-over, from the new ranch-flavored <a href="https://takis.us/">Takis</a> dupe at <a href="https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/ranch-flavored-rolled-corn-torilla-chips-083292">Trader Joe’s</a> to <a href="https://www.southernliving.com/club-crackers-club-minis-hidden-valley-ranch-extra-buttery-11884319">Hidden Valley Ranch Club cracker minis</a> and <a href="https://sporked.com/article/new-goldfish-flavors-2026/">Goldfish zesty ranch</a>. 
But for the ranch fans willing to take their unbridled passion where no dip has gone before, feast your eyes upon the ranchzilla dessert of 2026: the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVbymszEWyF/?img_index=5">ranch milkshake</a>.
Riffing on a sweet base of <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2026/03/02/great-wolf-lodge-ranch-milkshake/88944413007/">vanilla ice cream</a>, topped with what appears to be a mind-bending combo of chicken nuggets, raw veggies, whipped cream, dried herbs, and a salted lime rim, this milkshake is like nothing you&#8217;ve seen before. Great Wolf Lodge plans to offer its “<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVbymszEWyF/?img_index=5">creamy, dreamy, and totally unexpected</a>” limited edition ranch milkshake at locations nationwide from March 5 to April 26. There’s no word on whether the resort chain is feeling a little extra in anticipation of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hiddenvalley/videos/march-10-is-national-ranch-day-but-we-think-that-it-should-last-a-whole-month-in/1388335008466605/">National Ranch Day</a> on March 10, but you can snag this shake for <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/03/great-wolf-lodges-new-drink-is-turning-heads-here-are-the-details.html#:~:text=A%20new%20milkshake%20that%20mixes,Day%2C%20which%20is%20March%2010.">just over $3</a> and celebrate the reason for the season.
Fans of the savory garlic, onion, and dill-boosted dressing were quick to praise the bold plunge into the dessert category, with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVbymszEWyF/?img_index=5">Instagram</a> commenters posting, “I literally drink ranch as it is now, so I’m 100% here for this,” and “just what ranch baby always wanted.” Others were disgusted. As one user noted on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/StupidFood/comments/1riva8l/comment/o8ahiji/?context=3&amp;utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button">Reddit</a>, “I live, laugh, love ranch. But I wouldn’t touch this.” Someone else threw back to the “Milkshake” earworm of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milkshake_(song)">2003</a>, <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/StupidFood/comments/1riva8l/comment/o8bnwvm/?context=3&amp;utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button">adding</a>, “This does not bring the boys to my yard.”
Ranch isn’t just <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/ranch-dressing-americas-condiment">associated with Americans</a>; it’s as <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/18/dining/ranch-dressing-history.html">red-blooded American</a> as a condiment could ever be, conjuring visions of a tasteless wilderness where one blue-collar worker answered the cries of a people in search of something to go with tots. Ever since it was invented by <a href="https://www.abc4.com/news/ranch-dressing-wouldnt-exist-without-plumbers-msg-and-the-alaska-territory/">Steve Henson</a> back in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/6219396328152097/posts/7541773915914325/">1949</a> as a way to zhuzh up chow for work crews hustling in the Alaskan bush, ranch dressing — and the <a href="https://www.hiddenvalley.com/products/ranch-seasonings/seasoning-shakers/original-ranch-seasoning-mix-shaker/">dried seasoning</a> and sauces it inspired — has seen an upward climb that’s expected to top <a href="https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/ranch-sauce-market/">$84 billion worldwide by 2032</a>. 
Henson’s then-brandless dressing was dubbed <a href="https://www.hiddenvalley.com/about-us/">Hidden Valley in 1954</a>, and the fledgling party dip company was acquired by <a href="https://www.thecloroxcompany.com/blog/this-day-in-clorox-history-we-buy-hidden-valley-ranch/">Clorox in 1972</a>. Shelf-stable <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGSz29QzDFF/">bottled Hidden Valley</a> became a nationwide sensation <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/04/01/297704835/its-official-americans-are-floating-in-a-pool-of-ranch-dressing#:~:text=As%20Slate%20reported%20back%20in%202005%2C%20the,Clorox)%20came%20out%20with%20a%20shelf%2Dstable%20version.">in the &#8217;80s</a>, and there was no turning back after the launch of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Americanfoodandvending/posts/cool-ranch-doritos-were-introduced-in-1986-and-quickly-became-a-fan-favorite-add/495631950125637/">Cool Ranch Doritos in &#8217;86</a>. Across the pond, the iconic seasoning was described as “American,” with <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/zp1nni/since_we_are_on_the_american_food_in_europe_thing/">cool American Doritos</a> hitting shelves in Europe. You can even continue the theme by picking up a six-pack of <a href="https://redstonefoods.com/products/R526--lesters-fixins-soda-ranch-dressing">Lester’s Fixins ranch soda</a> to go with a fresh bag of newly launched <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVAC9WSEcHN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=ef9943ae-5c59-4a84-9635-ede17674d73c">Dinamita spicy cool ranch Doritos</a>. And don’t miss the latest drop of <a href="https://www.hiddenvalley.com/ranch-shop/clothing/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=hvr-brand-campaign&amp;utm_content=brand&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=20593735172&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADqJ2rptq7hs6e8Q1664ZHSIgCrmR&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAzZ_NBhAEEiwAMtqKy65iJmXLL0BBAc1QixdwpabmfoN6pKoV6eAG8UmMsJwAE86_bkZkSBoCgOgQAvD_BwE">Hidden Valley merch</a>.
Proving its cultural significance, baby Maggie went through a “ranch dressing phase” on “<a href="https://youtu.be/ir9fM6u0Fag">The Simpsons</a>,” and a one-day Hidden Valley Ranch <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hidden-valley-ranch-turns-tiny-nyc-apartment-into-the-ultimate-pop-up-restaurant-experience-302605732.html">restaurant pop-up</a> in New York City last year served social media-worthy snacks. And if you haven’t seen Melissa McCarthy’s star turn as a Hidden Valley Ranch taste-tester on “<a href="https://youtu.be/GQ4jPqU5r7k?t=342">Saturday Night Live</a>,” you’re tragically missing out on a piece of cinematic history from ranch’s unofficial patron saint. “It’s good to the last drop,” McCarthy says, while scooping up spilled dressing from the front of her sweatshirt and draining the rest of the bottle into her mouth. “This is awesome, man.”
Despite its selfless service as a universal flavoring agent for everything from spaghetti to <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/best-ranch-dressing-food-combinations">Oreos</a> (dip it to believe it), high-profile ranch-bashers abound. While professional chefs praise the herby, buttermilk energy of store-bought <a href="https://www.realsimple.com/best-ranch-dressing-according-to-chefs-11916526">Hidden Valley</a>, celebrity food expert and TV host <a href="https://people.com/padma-lakshmi-roasts-the-ranch-dressing-meal-jd-vance-cooked-for-his-indian-wife-usha-11917190">Padma Lakshmi</a> took a swipe at Vice President JD Vance for admitting on Fox News that he once served ranch to his vegetarian wife, Usha, the first time he cooked for her.
About the oven-baked Pillsbury Crescent Roll desperation “pizza” JD topped with veggies and ranch dressing, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DVRzXEylGNY/">Lakshmi</a> sneered, “Who bakes ranch dressing … I mean, maybe he knows what she likes because she doesn’t really have good taste.”
For her part, Usha-<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-36968901">with-the-good</a>-taste had already agreed it wasn’t her husband’s best work. “It was disgusting,” JD <a href="https://youtu.be/os5OF7MIZKk?t=523">said</a>. “It was actually inedible.” (He was probably just too new to cooking to know you <a href="https://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/crunchy-baked-ranch-chicken/">bake the seasoning</a>, not the sauce.) 
Still, no amount of hate can slow down the ranch train. “It’s delicious and it goes with everything. No, I am not accepting feedback at this time,” posted one <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAnAmerican/comments/17hum3a/why_do_americans_apparently_love_ranch_dressing/">Redditor</a>, clearly speaking on our collective behalf. If ranch is your love language, consider this a delicious <a href="https://nationaltoday.com/national-promposal-day/#:~:text=Get%20out%20your%20hot%20glue%20gun%2C%20because,to%20prom%20in%20a%20super%20elaborate%20way%2C">promposal</a> to accept a slow dance with <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephaniegravalese/2026/03/03/one-nation-under-ranch-why-americas-favorite-condiment-keeps-climbing/">America’s favorite</a> dressing.
***
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

The Ranch Craze Just Took A Strange Turn — And People Can’t Look Away

ranch dressing

ranch milkshake

This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
***
Hi, my name is Lauren, and I’m a Los Angeles refugee living in Nashville. It’s been 31 days since I left my apartment on Hollywood Boulevard, where I carried my dog over hypodermic needles and human feces; reported a makeshift meth-lab Jeep on the corner; huddled on the floor of my kitchen during a lunchtime police standoff with an armed, barricaded neighbor; evacuated my apartment because of wildfires; paid $50 for two tacos and a skinny marg; gave another driver the finger while listening to a mindfulness meditation; was called a “pedo” for not honking in support of a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/we-asked-no-kings-protesters-what-made-trump-a-king-they-couldnt-say">No Kings</a> protest; and was unsuccessful at landing a “good morning” response from the guy who walked his black lab past me every day, for six years, completely ignoring my existence.
After downing enough juice cleanses and kale salads to scrub my body of all internal organs, I began to hear rumors of people in other cities living fully realized lives. When I finally summoned the courage to leave the safety of my five-mile-wide bubble to explore these alleged civilizations, I landed in Music City. Immediately, I realized something was off about the place: People were smiling. I made it my mission to find out exactly what they were on. 
Admittedly, the LA talent pool is straight outta Central Casting, but I’m pretty sure one out of every two people in Los Angeles is mentally deranged. (It’s not their fault — they’ve been shopping lame script ideas to anyone who will listen for 47 years.) I befriended a few brilliant diamonds in the rough, but much of the Hollywood crowd was indistinguishable from the life-size, animatronic zombies on seasonal display at Rock &amp; Roll Ralphs on Sunset Boulevard. Was the half-dead creature awkwardly twitching to “Monster Mash” on sale for $99.99 or shopping for corn flakes? It&#8217;s hard to say.
But who am I to judge? I was a shell of a human, too, struggle-bussing it through my slightest-shred-of-kindness-brings-me-to-tears era. When the garbage collector paused to let my dog sniff the grass before grabbing a nearby trash bin with the truck’s monster claw, I waved to him like one of us was going off to war. The time an elderly man held onto my arm to steady himself on the sidewalk, my heart turned to warm mush in my chest. And the parking enforcement officer who didn’t ticket me for accidentally parking at a broken meter? We almost eloped on the spot.
LA’s famous good weather belies the dark cloud coming from the locals. I&#8217;d like to offer California the award for outstanding performance by a state taking a royal dump on the <a href="https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/meteorologists/best-weather-in-the-us.htm#:~:text=1.,spend%20time%20outdoors%20year%2Dround.">best weather in America</a>. Its quality of life, like the 1980s mullet, is fine up front and 100% dumpster fire in the back. Perhaps this dichotomy was best illustrated by the time I saw a tourist take a photo of her Erewhon <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mymanabites1/videos/strawberry-glaze-skin-smoothie/1584423176196268/">“Hailey Bieber” smoothie</a> against the part of the sky that was blue while apocalyptic black clouds from the <a href="https://recovery.lacounty.gov/disasters/palisades-fire/">Palisades</a> fire billowed miles into the atmosphere out of frame. By that point, I had already uncovered the righteous irony of “we’re in this together” during the pandemic in a city where next-door neighbors remain lifelong strangers. But a $24 smoothie puts a gilded frame around the insanity.
On a bad day, I liked to think I lived in a mecca for the entitled jerks of other cities (you know, everyone who ever fell for “OMG, are you a model?”). When they were alone in their hometowns, their friends and family kept their egos in check, but assembled in the wild, with the practiced inexpressiveness of the Kardashian-Jenners, their powers aligned to form a narcissist nightmare. On a good day, I lived among those same people, but with, like, fun, puffy clouds.
Meanwhile, back in the normal-sphere, Nashville, Tennessee, ranked 96th on the worldwide <a href="https://happy-city-index.com/">Happy City Index</a> in 2025. Based on my scientific research (wondering why everyone makes eye contact and says “hello”), Nashvillians totally live up to the hype. Couples walk hand-in-hand. Kids can be heard laughing on playgrounds. Bartenders and baristas actually seem to enjoy interacting with customers. People enjoy long walks in the park and non-obsessive exercising. Even a teen death metal band playing a song called “Purgatory” at a dive bar breaks into easy smiles when the singer’s older sister makes them pose for a post-show pic.
Nashville was voted <a href="https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/52614-americans-favorite-city-is-nashville-tennessee-poll">America’s favorite city in 2025</a>, clearly getting the memo on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/happiness/comments/1ngdu92/joy_maxxing_at_work/">joy-maxxing</a> and spreading the good news. You could say it’s the no <a href="https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/filing/states/tennessee-taxes/?srsltid=AfmBOop9SfQ8fZBMscLt9NmNZIaSiVSyAmrwKL4uW4NVnYX4_40dL2pZ">state income tax</a>, booming <a href="https://news.utk.edu/2025/12/15/boyd-centers-2026-economic-outlook-for-tennessee-shows-positive-but-slow-growth/">job market</a>, A-plus <a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/education/2023/08/30/u-s-news-world-report-rankings-reveal-top-high-schools-in-tennessee/70708190007/?gnt-cfr=1&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=true&amp;gca-epti=z1188xxe1188xxv006373d--70--b--70--&amp;gca-ft=192&amp;gca-ds=sophi">schools</a>, or lively <a href="https://archive.is/20241125130929/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2024/11/25/nashville-ranked-as-one-of-the-best-cities-in-the-country-to-live-in/76495728007/">music-scene lifestyle</a>, but everyone’s clearly high on life. 
As Tennessee gains followers, California’s star gradually dims. Residents (the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2026/01/15/who-s-leaving-who-s-staying-sf-standard-s-billionaire-tax-tracker/">billionaires</a> and the dollar-aires, like me and my musician boyfriend), have been <a href="https://www.uhaul.com/Articles/About/U-Haul-Growth-Index-Texas-Back-ON-Top-As-No-1-Growth-State-Of-2025-36556/">fleeing the state</a> in record numbers. A hefty <a href="https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/demographics/estimates/E-2/#:~:text=Net%20domestic%20migration%20from%20California%20became%20more,consistent%20with%20levels%20in%202018%20and%202019.">216,000 people</a> left in 2025. I quickly discovered that U-Haul moving truck rentals cost at least $2,000 more to leave the Golden State versus moving in. I still left.
I’ve met lots of former Californians in Nashville, and I do run into the occasional expat who reminisces about LA weather. I struggle to drum up enthusiasm for the sunshine and succulents when it feels like standing over someone’s great aunt’s funeral casket, marveling at how her makeup gives her a healthy glow. Or like telling Andy Dufresne in “Shawshank Redemption” to crawl back through the escape hatch behind his Raquel Welch poster and once again tuck himself into bed in his prison cell. It’s too soon to reminisce about the weather — for me, anyway.
A grocery cashier in my East Nashville neighborhood noticed my boyfriend’s California ID and joked that she felt lucky to be hanging out with movie stars. (Does everyone here work on tips?) “Well, welcome!” she said. 
“Thank you. It&#8217;s better here,” we blurted out after just days in our new apartment.
“You know, sometimes you’ll see Brad Pitt around here,” she said with a wink.
I spent 15 years working as an actor in commercials, film, and TV in Los Angeles — with a food delivery side hustle for wealthy clients. I saw A-listers on set, on the street, and in their jammies on their million-dollar doorsteps. (Stephen Tyler will never not look like someone’s fun aunt to me. And I swear Bruce Willis promised me his vintage red muscle car.) This woman glowed with the kind of unjaded sweetness that LA almost hammered out of my soul. I felt the misty eyes coming on.
I’m sure I’ll miss glamorously swishy palm trees against pink moon skies, the smell of blooming jasmine on the warm breeze, and my good friends bravely holding down the fort. But as I bask in the glorious aura of people living their best lives, I’m grateful I got out before I was completely consumed. Let Tennessee weather be the crazy lottery that it is. It’s Nashville’s happy world, and I’m just living in it. 
* * *
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

What’s Wrong With Nashville? Everyone Is So Happy Here

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Taylor Frankie Paul Caught On Camera Attacking Boyfriend. What It Says About Who We Believe