Latest news with #LoveOnTheSpectrum
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legendary Country Star, 66, Leaves Fans 'Crying' with Surprise Opry Appearance
Legendary Country Star, 66, Leaves Fans 'Crying' with Surprise Opry Appearance originally appeared on Parade. just helped to make one country music fan's dreams come true. The legendary country music singer, 66, gave one fan the "surprise of a lifetime" on Saturday night, after he joined Love on the Spectrum star Tyler White on stage at the Grand Ole Opry for an unforgettable moment. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 White took the iconic stage in Nashville, Tenn., on June 21, where he performed Travis' famous song "Deeper Than The Holler"—only to be surprised by the actual country icon himself. As seen in the wholesome clip posted on social media, White had just finished his performance when Travis unexpectedly came out on stage, walking out alongside his wife Mary Davis. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Grand Ole Opry (@opry) "Tyler, we just wanted to thank you so much for loving country music, especially Randy Travis," Davis told White during the sweet interaction. "Keep doing what you're doing, Tyler." Travis, who has been battling various health issues following a near-fatal stroke in 2013, made fans emotional over the unexpected appearance, with several users on Instagram commending him for pulling off the "amazing" surprise. "Seein Randy walk after what he's been though even if it's assisted makes me cry," one user wrote in response to the heartfelt clip, while another user called the video "so wholesome." "What an amazing moment- God Bless Randy Travis a true country music icon! So happy for Tyler for that once in a lifetime experience!" another commented added. Someone else wrote, "This is so special!" while adding, "Randy Travis is such a legend!""Can't stop crying," another person said. "Thank you, @opry for this on so many levels. Music belongs to us all." Legendary Country Star, 66, Leaves Fans 'Crying' with Surprise Opry Appearance first appeared on Parade on Jun 22, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Guardian
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Documentary or reality TV? Love on the Spectrum stars say show's shift means cast should be paid
They were the young, deeply in love autistic couple who inspired the TV series that has become an international phenomenon. But six years on, Ruth and Thomas Wyndham, now happily married, fear Netflix is exploiting the participants of Love on the Spectrum, which they say has morphed from groundbreaking documentary series to reality TV show. Netflix last month launched its third season of the US version of Love on the Spectrum, a spin-off from the two highly acclaimed Australian seasons, the first of which debuted on Australia's ABC in 2019. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning By then, some ABC viewers had already been introduced to Ruth and Thomas. The couple had been dating for a year when the ABC's now defunct Lateline program put out a call in 2016 for people with autism and people on the spectrum who were open to talking about romance, love and relationships. Ruth Garlick and Thomas Wyndham responded. Their affectionate banter, interspersed with humour and frankness about the hurdles autistic people face on the dating scene, delighted audiences. They were clearly besotted with each other. This article includes content provided by Facebook. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'. Three years later, the couple, who were now engaged, starred in the first episode of the show inspired by that Lateline segment. By then, creators Northern Pictures already had runs on the board with Employable Me, another successful series that followed a group of young Australians with disabilities looking for work. By July 2020, Netflix had snapped up the rights and was distributing Love on the Spectrum globally. Northern Pictures was commissioned to make a second Australian series. Three US versions of the show followed. Ruth and Thomas were approached by Northern Pictures to participate in the second Australian series. If they could get a wriggle on with their wedding plans so that they coincided with the filming schedule, Netflix would pay all the wedding costs. The offer made the Wyndhams uneasy. They had believed they were participants in a documentary, and were happy to receive no remuneration for their participation. Staging their wedding for the benefit of Netflix felt too 'Kardashian', says Ruth, who communicates primarily via Instagram due to a hearing impairment. 'Filming it would have felt too structured, poised, out of my control, and in the hands of a corporation whom I didn't want to share a big event with,' she says. 'There are some things in life that I don't need to share with the whole world.' When the third season of the US series premiered on 2 April, it ranked in the global Top 10 for two weeks. The previous season won Emmy awards for directing and casting – both in the reality TV, not documentary, category. As promotions for the third US series had ramped up, posts on social media began questioning why Netflix was advertising the series as reality TV. And asking, if it was no longer of the documentary genre, why were the participants of Love on the Spectrum still receiving no payment for their appearances? In the realm of reality TV, remuneration can vary significantly. In another Netflix series following the lives of singles looking for love who are not neurodiverse, participants were paid appearance fees of $US1,000 per week, according to a lawsuit brought against the streamer by a former Love Is Blind cast member, Jeremy Hartwell, over conditions on the show. (He eventually settled with Netflix for a reputed $US 1.4m.) Nathan Favro, a former contestant on another Netflix reality show, Byron Baes , told the Daily Telegraph: 'We were paid handsomely, Netflix look after you.' Some cast members of Netflix's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reputedly earn six-figure salaries. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion Netflix declined to respond to the Guardian's questions about nonpayment to Love on the Spectrum cast members, or why the show was now being categorised by the streamer as reality TV. Netflix's Australian collaborator for the series, Northern Pictures, was more forthcoming. 'The focus has always been on respectful, authentic storytelling to help people on the autism spectrum find love – not on performance, competition, or spectacle – and we're committed to maintaining that integrity in every stage of production, even as its popularity grows,' a Northern Pictures spokesperson said in a statement. When asked why cast members are not paid a fee, the spokesperson responded, 'Love on the Spectrum is built on consent, collaboration, and respect'. 'We have always covered participants' expenses to ensure that no-one is financially disadvantaged for being involved.' Northern Pictures also rejected the reality TV label. 'We've intentionally kept the same director, crew size, and editors across the series to preserve the tone since it first launched. 'Love on the Spectrum' remains authentic, unscripted, and participant-led – always – with the primary goal to help participants find love.' The spokesperson said the company respected Ruth and Thomas's decision to keep their wedding private. Thomas says the original series was pitched to them as a documentary series about people with autism and relationships. 'And I think they've done a decent job of showing Ruth and my relationship. But I think the rest of the first season was sitting on the fence between a documentary series and a reality TV program and I think come season two, it definitely leaned heavily that way. We lost interest after that.' While the couple attempted to return to normal life after their brief time in the spotlight, it took much longer to psychologically heal, they say, from online bullying. 'Autistic people can be naive and overly trusting … so I think we all were rather unprepared for the storm that followed – both the good and bad,' says Ruth. Northern Pictures said duty of care was 'a cornerstone' of Love on the Spectrum. 'Participants are offered access to a qualified psychologist, during filming and after broadcast, and are provided with social media training with guidance on privacy settings and how to manage or limit online engagement.' 'While no production can eliminate all risks that come with public life, Love on the Spectrum has been designed with care, consultation, and respect at its core,' the spokesperson said. The Wyndhams say they received no advice or support on how to navigate negative feedback on social media after the first season went to air, nor were they offered psychological assistance. 'Celebrity culture is extremely toxic, and when you put people in the public eye who may be easier to manipulate without giving them some help or guidance to navigate all of this, it can be downright dangerous,' says Ruth. 'If [participants] choose to do the show, that's their choice. The online abusers can frankly fucking shove it. But in Australia, Love on the Spectrum was shown as a doco on free-to-air TV before Netflix bought it. Now that Netflix owns it, I think they could stand to pay us.'
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Love on the Spectrum star Abbey Romeo reveals how her mom keeps her grounded amid her newfound fame
Love on the Spectrum star Abbey Romeo has opened up about how her mom has kept her grounded amid her newfound fame. Abbey, 26, was skyrocketed into the spotlight after she starred on the Netflix series Love on the Spectrum, which follows seven adults with autism as they attempt to navigate dating. Viewers watched on as she fell in love with David Isaacman throughout the first season of the show, and their adorable love story seemed to capture the entire world. But battling the sudden attention as someone on the spectrum isn't easy - thankfully, Abbey has her mom, Christine, by her side. In honor of Mother's Day, Abbey - who teamed up with Uber Eats - spoke exclusively with about how her mom has helped her adjust to her sudden thrust into the public eye. 'My mom doesn't see it as fame. She says I'm an autism advocate and that I am sharing my story so we can help people,' she explained. 'We have a saying - the more you practice the easier it gets. Also she's very proud of me and reminds me of how far I've come when I get stuck in the past.' Abbey also dished on her 'favorite memory' with her mom. 'My favorite memory of just my mom and I is when we went to Hawaii,' shared the TV star. 'My mom won a trip to Maui and we stayed in a condo by the water and I swam very far out in the ocean. 'There were also sea turtles that came up to us on the beach! We named one of them Steve and he thought I was a mermaid.' As for her favorite meal that she and her mom have shared, Abbey dished, 'Lobster and corn on the cob because our family is from New England where people do clambakes, but I don't like clams so much. But I do eat octopus.' The star also revealed the one gift she would get her mom for Mother's Day if she could buy her anything. 'I choose to buy her a new car like a BMW or something because her car is 11 years old and I think she should drive me around in a nicer car,' she said. With Mother's Day quickly approaching, you might be looking for the perfect gift to get your mom. And what better way to show them just how much you love and care by sending them some stunning flowers? But that comes with a whole new set of difficulties... as there are thousands of different flowers to choose from. Thankfully, Uber Eats broke down the most popular flower in each state so you can figure out the best type to get your mom this Mother's Day. According to the data taken from plant orders with the company during last year's Mother's Day, roses were the go-to flowers for people who live in California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Virginia, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Colorado, Washington, Tennessee, Oregon, Hawaii, Minnesota, Kentucky, Maryland, South Carolina, Connecticut, Missouri, Alabama, Louisiana, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, Montana, Arkansas, Utah, Rhode Island, Mississippi, Kansas, South Dakota, Maine, Delaware, Wyoming, and North Dakota. A combination of roses and lilies took the lead in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, while tulips were the most-bought flower for Mother's Day last year in New York. In addition, mixed bouquets with an array of different flowers were most popular in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Alaska, and West Virginia. If you're not interested in gifting your mom flowers, sweet treats are also popular Mother's Day gifts, according to Uber Eats past Mother's Day orders. According to the company's data, the top gift basket food items ordered ahead of the holiday last year across the US were chocolate dipped strawberries, Tru Fru's White & Dark Chocolate Raspberries, chocolate brownies, mousse cake, and strawberry cake. For those who want to get their mom something related to beauty or personal care, you might want to buy her some perfume because Uber Eats reported that fragrances were the top beauty product bought for Mother's Day last year. Unsure of what kind to get? Uber Eats has broken down the most popular flower in each state so you can figure out the best type to get your mom this Mother's Day The Versace Bright Crystal Eau De Toilette Spray, Santal 33's Eau de Parfum, the Another 13 Eau de Parfum, Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue Eau De Toilette Spray, and the Noir 29 Eau de Parfum were among the most popular ones. Uber Eats also broke down the most generous states when it came to Mother's day by analyzing 'the average order value or number of gifts' from last year. According to the data, California residents spent the most on their moms, with the average gift basket coming in at just under $95. New York came in second at $75, and Massachusetts came in third at around $73. Next up was Texas, which averaged about $69 per Mother's Day gift basket, followed by Nevada at $67. If you're looking for something for your mom this Mother's Day, Uber Eats is offering unlimited 50 percent off on select flowers. Order here.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Americans with autism push back after RFK Jr questions their contributions
Stars from the reality television show Love On The Spectrum went on the defensive after Robert F Kennedy Jr commented that people with autism make limited contributions to society. People with autism "will never pay taxes, they'll never hold a job, they'll never play baseball, they'll never write a poem, they'll never go on a date", the US Health and Human Services chief said earlier this month. The remarks from Kennedy drew widespread anger from people with autism who reject the notion of needing to be repaired, but also responses from those pushing for a greater understanding of autism. "Autistic people have the same hopes, dreams and yes, the same awkward dating moments as anyone else," Dani Bowman, one of the television show's star's said to US media. The reality TV star on the show, which is about a group of autistic adults' experiences dating, said Kennedy's comments were "completely false". Since joining the Trump administration, Kennedy has made autism a main focus. Autism diagnoses have increased sharply since 2000, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That rise is, at least in part, attributable to increased autism awareness and an expanding definition of the disorder, scientists say. First recognized as a developmental disorder in 1978, autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that symptoms vary by person. Some need little to no support in their daily lives, while others need a great amount of support. The genetic mystery of why some people develop autism RFK Jr pledges to find the cause of autism by September Earlier this month, Kennedy pledged "a massive testing and research effort" to determine the cause of autism in five months. He did not give details on the project or funding it. He also said his department would investigate potential causes. "Everything is on the table, our food system, our water, our air, different ways of parenting, all the kind of changes that may have triggered this epidemic," Kennedy later told Fox News. But the idea of curing autism is concerning for some. "Wanting to cure autism implies that our way of being is wrong and it isn't," Ms Bowman told NewsNation. "We don't need to be fixed. We need to be supported. But the answer isn't erasing autism, it's building a more inclusive world for all of us." Another star of Love on the Spectrum, James B Jones, attacked Kennedy's autism remarks on social media, calling them "extremely ignorant, and to be perfectly frank, downright offensive". But not everyone agrees. While advocacy groups focus on acceptance and inclusion they avoid "uncomfortable truths about children like mine", Emily May, a mother of a child with autism, wrote in a New York Times opinion piece on Friday. "I have no interest in defending Mr. Kennedy, whose shaky science and conspiracy theories will do nothing to benefit those with autism and their families," Ms May said. "And yet, I think his remarks echo the reality and pain of a subset of parents of children with autism who feel left out of much of the conversation around the condition." Despite her frustration, Ms May expressed admiration for Kennedy's "willingness to speak frankly about the painful parts of [her] child's life". Autism Speaks, an advocacy organisation, agreed in part with Ms May's sentiments. The organisation said they heard from parents who felt Kennedy's comments resonated "with their lived experience". "The language we use matters," Autism Speaks said in a statement to the BBC. "It should reflect current science and honor the lived experiences of autistic people, many of whom lead fulfilling lives and make invaluable contributions to their families, workplaces and communities." Dr Manish Arora, founder of LinusBio who has spent more than two decades studying autism, noted that Kennedy's statements can be "very hurtful for families and autistic individuals". But he also welcomed more research into the causes of autism and said increased attention is a "meaningful opportunity". Still, he wishes the debate was "less polarising". "Scientists should see the opportunity here, avoid the polarised discourse and see the opportunities here," Dr Arora told the BBC. Jake Tilk, and his brother, Max Tilk, who is on the autism spectrum, largely avoid that political discourse in their social media videos where they share what their day-to-day life looks. They share their lives online to create awareness and acceptance of autism, because the brothers want to celebrate neurodiversity, Jake Tilk told the BBC. "It's most important that discussions about autism are grounded in science, compassion and most importantly the living experiences of people with autism themselves," he said. RFK Jr pledges to find the cause of autism by September Fact-checking RFK Jr's views on health policy
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Love on the Spectrum stars criticize RFK Jr's approach on autism
Stars from the reality television show Love On The Spectrum went on the defensive after Robert F Kennedy Jr commented that people with autism make limited contributions to society. People with autism "will never pay taxes, they'll never hold a job, they'll never play baseball, they'll never write a poem, they'll never go on a date", the US Health and Human Services chief said earlier this remarks from Kennedy drew widespread anger from people with autism who reject the notion of needing to be repaired, but also responses from those pushing for a greater understanding of autism."Autistic people have the same hopes, dreams and yes, the same awkward dating moments as anyone else," Dani Bowman, one of the television show's star's said to US media. The reality TV star on the show, which is about a group of autistic adults' experiences dating, said Kennedy's comments were "completely false". Since joining the Trump administration, Kennedy has made autism a main focus. Autism diagnoses have increased sharply since 2000, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).That rise is, at least in part, attributable to increased autism awareness and an expanding definition of the disorder, scientists say. First recognized as a developmental disorder in 1978, autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that symptoms vary by person. Some need little to no support in their daily lives, while others need a great amount of support. The genetic mystery of why some people develop autismRFK Jr pledges to find the cause of autism by SeptemberEarlier this month, Kennedy pledged "a massive testing and research effort" to determine the cause of autism in five months. He did not give details on the project or funding it. He also said his department would investigate potential causes."Everything is on the table, our food system, our water, our air, different ways of parenting, all the kind of changes that may have triggered this epidemic," Kennedy later told Fox News. But the idea of curing autism is concerning for some."Wanting to cure autism implies that our way of being is wrong and it isn't," Ms Bowman told NewsNation. "We don't need to be fixed. We need to be supported. But the answer isn't erasing autism, it's building a more inclusive world for all of us."Another star of Love on the Spectrum, James B Jones, attacked Kennedy's autism remarks on social media, calling them "extremely ignorant, and to be perfectly frank, downright offensive".But not everyone agrees. While advocacy groups focus on acceptance and inclusion they avoid "uncomfortable truths about children like mine", Emily May, a mother of a child with autism, wrote in a New York Times opinion piece on Friday."I have no interest in defending Mr. Kennedy, whose shaky science and conspiracy theories will do nothing to benefit those with autism and their families," Ms May said. "And yet, I think his remarks echo the reality and pain of a subset of parents of children with autism who feel left out of much of the conversation around the condition."Despite her frustration, Ms May expressed admiration for Kennedy's "willingness to speak frankly about the painful parts of [her] child's life".Autism Speaks, an advocacy organisation, agreed in part with Ms May's sentiments. The organisation said they heard from parents who felt Kennedy's comments resonated "with their lived experience". "The language we use matters," Autism Speaks said in a statement to the BBC. "It should reflect current science and honor the lived experiences of autistic people, many of whom lead fulfilling lives and make invaluable contributions to their families, workplaces and communities."Dr Manish Arora, founder of LinusBio who has spent more than two decades studying autism, noted that Kennedy's statements can be "very hurtful for families and autistic individuals". But he also welcomed more research into the causes of autism and said increased attention is a "meaningful opportunity". Still, he wishes the debate was "less polarising". "Scientists should see the opportunity here, avoid the polarised discourse and see the opportunities here," Dr Arora told the BBC. Jake Tilk, and his brother, Max Tilk, who is on the autism spectrum, largely avoid that political discourse in their social media videos where they share what their day-to-day life looks. They share their lives online to create awareness and acceptance of autism, because the brothers want to celebrate neurodiversity, Jake Tilk told the BBC. "It's most important that discussions about autism are grounded in science, compassion and most importantly the living experiences of people with autism themselves," he said.
