Can "coming out" affect your career?

Courtesy of Biography.com

My family and I were talking about Ricky Martin the other day and why he hasn't come out with any hit singles lately. Did coming out as gay kill his music career?

My dad blames it on Barbara Walters. I already knew he was gay from the get-go, but the speculation didn't really start until after this awkward interview:

How not to ace an audition

Courtesy of Fox

Last year there was a casting call for a film fest at my university. So I was like, #YOLO and went to the audition.

All the women were given the same monologue to read out. The waiting room was packed full of girls mumbling lines under their breath and getting into character while I snacked on some bread rolls. I had confidence and a butter stain on my paper. I was ready.

Blondes vs. brunettes

It's the million dollar question: Do men consider blondes or brunettes more attractive? Not only is it a question of desirability but success. 

A study by the University of Westminster and the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology suggests men find brunettes more attractive... On paper.

LA might ban circus elephants

Courtesy of Kristian Schuller

I have fuzzy memories of seeing the circus as a kid. The kind where I'll have to fill in the gaps as an old, senile grandmother someday.

When my sister and I were a little older my mom wouldn't let us visit the circus anymore. "They're not nice to the animals," she told us. Of course we agreed. We'd seen Dumbo, hadn't we? (If you haven't, it's heartbreaking.)

How to say no with class

Courtesy of Columbia Tristar

I have some friends who are incapable of saying no. This is partly because they don't want to come off as "mean" or they want to avoid confrontation. I learned to get over these fears in the first grade when I stood up to a girl who used to boss me around. I have my grandma to thank for teaching me to be assertive, the greatest gift she could give me. As someone who's not afraid of playing bad cop, here's a few tips for turning someone down without coming off as a jerk. 

Ladies: Would you prefer to get hit on in daytime?

Courtesy of Sony Pictures

As shocking as that sounds, this doesn't just happen to Cameron Diaz in her crappy romantic comedies. This could actually become a regular occurrence in real life, thanks to dating expert, Adam LoDolce who has launched a campaign/instructional film called Go Talk to Her.

Awkward: Watching a sex scene with your parents

Courtesy of Sony Pictures

Remember how I was talking about quality family time? I kind of want to die when a sex scene comes on while I'm sitting next to my parents, especially my dad. Something tells me they feel the same way.

I have a bad taste in women

I remember being starstruck in London. Twice, actually. The first time was when my dad and I went to see The Misanthrope in the West End, starring my favorite actress, Keira Knightley. I think we were in the third row. I was so in awe. Someone whose face I had seen on big screens and TVs, not to mention buses was now standing a few feet in front of me. I wondered if anyone else was fangirling as hard as I was that night.