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Tag: Good Morning America

  • Robin Roberts: ‘GMA’ Cohost to Christen New Blimp

    Robin Roberts–cohost of Good Morning America–will join a line of notable women in August when she christens the new Goodyear blimp. Several accomplished women before her have also been bestowed with the honor–Sally Ride and Amelia Earhart among them. Roberts has a family legacy with the Goodyear company as well as with the city of Akron, Ohio, where the Goodyear headquarters is located.

    “We are honored and delighted to have Robin continue our proud tradition of christening the Goodyear blimp,” said Richard J. Kramer, chairman and chief executive officer. “In addition to being a supremely talented broadcaster, Robin has a family legacy with Goodyear and Akron. The combination of her personal connection to our city and company, her distinguished professional achievements and charitable works makes Robin an ideal choice to christen our newest icon.”

    “This is incredibly meaningful to my family,” Robin said. “My great grandfather moved his family from down south to Akron in 1918 to work for Goodyear. Never could he have imagined that one day one of his descendants would be asked to christen the blimp. I’m very honored.”

    Robin Roberts’ history in Akron and Goodyear doesn’t stop there either. In addition to her great grandfather, Roberts’ grandfather, William Tolliver, worked at Goodyear, too. Her late mother, Lucimarian Roberts, was born in Akron and she graduated from East High School–which is located just a few blocks from the Goodyear headquarters. Roberts also has a family connection to aviation through her late father, Lawrence E. Roberts. He served in the United States military for more than 30 years. Col. Roberts was a pilot with the U.S. Army Air Corps’ prestigious Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. He later became a flight instructor at the Tuskegee Institute.

    That said it’s abundantly clear why Robin Roberts was selected for the honor of christening the new Goodyear blimp. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s (GT) newest blimp–Wingfoot One–will be christened on Saturday, August 23rd, in Suffield, Ohio.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Ariana Grande Says Emotional Good-Bye to Grandfather on Twitter

    Ariana Grande has used her Instagram and Twitter feeds to craft what constitutes an emotional good-bye to her grandfather, who passed away on Tuesday.

    This morning Grande announced that her grandfather had lost his battle with cancer and thanked her fans for their support throughout his illness: “thank you for your continuous love & light over the past few weeks… we did lose my favorite person to ever exist yesterday, my grandpa.”

    The singer and Sam & Cat star pulled herself together long enough to appear on Good Morning America this morning alongside Ryan Seacrest. The two were promoting the upcoming iHeart Radio Festival at which Grande will perform among a line-up that includes Cold Play, One Direction, Paramore, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and Usher.

    Grande looked like she was having a hard time keeping a smile on her face during the interview.

    Via Twitter, she told her fans that the “only reason I made this twelve hour trip is grandps told me he wanted me to always be professional & fulfill my business commitments.”

    Grande, a frequent tweeter who interacts heavily with her fans on the social network, has been keeping the world updated on the status of her grandfather’s health for a while now.

    Just before the July 4 holiday Grande flew from New York to her hometown of Boca Raton, Florida to be at her grandfather’s side.

    Grande’s brother Frankie is currently a contestant on Big Brother. She said her grandfather didn’t want Frankie to leave the show in order to spend time with him in his final weeks:

    Image via Instagram, Ariana Grande

  • Robin Williams in Rehab, Didn’t Relapse

    Robin Williams in Rehab, Didn’t Relapse

    Robin Williams checked himself into a rehab facility last week, however the actor didn’t suffer a relapse. He entered what is called a ‘renewal’ facility in order to work on many of the common issues addicts face.

    The 62-year-old is reportedly at Hazelden’s Dan Anderson Renewal Center in Minnesota–a facility said to focus “on common issues faced in recovery—spiritual fitness, emotional balance, healthy relationships, grief, meditation, and more…and [provides] a safe environment to map out personal paths to a more joyful, deeply satisfying recovery.”

    A source claims Robin Williams planned this time at the facility and that it wasn’t a last-minute decision to check in. The same source says a visit to this renewal center isn’t much different from attending a yoga retreat. He will stay for one to two weeks as a means of ‘recharging.’

    Apparently this center provides outings or daily time off for its patients, because word all over the small town where this facility is located is that Robin Williams showed up at their Dairy Queen. Some believe that’s how the media learned he was a patient there.

    “After working back-to-back projects, Robin is simply taking the opportunity to fine-tune and focus on his continued commitment, of which he remains extremely proud,” Williams’s rep said in a statement to the press.

    Robin Williams has been sober for eight years and takes his sobriety very seriously. The Crazy Ones star suffered from cocaine and alcohol abuse after 20 years of sobriety and checked himself into a rehab facility for addiction care back in 2006.

    “After 20 years of sobriety, Robin Williams found himself drinking again and has decided to take proactive measures to deal with this for his own well-being and the well-being of his family,” his publicist at that time said in a statement.

    When Williams came out of rehab following his 2006 stay he spoke with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America. The actor told her that at first he thought he could handle his addiction, however found that not to be the case.

    “That’s the bottom line,” he said during that interview. “You really think you can, then you realize, I need help, and that’s the word…It’s hard admitting it, then once you’ve done that, it’s real easy.”

    Kudos to Robin Williams for checking himself in for this time of renewal. Perhaps this will make the difference between relapsing and continuing steadily on a road to recovery. As anyone familiar with addiction knows–there is no cure. However people can live long successful lives abstaining from the demons–whether they be drugs, alcohol, or even sex–that prohibit them from living happy, productive, and fulfilling lives.

    Image via Twitter

  • Kate Middleton Visits Children With Addicted Parents

    Blessed Sacrament School in Islington, North London, welcomed a special visitor this past Tuesday as Kate Middleton, 32, the Duchess of Cambridge, met with children, head teachers, and charity workers to see how things were progressing within a program that helps children whose parents have addictions.

    She was greeted by scores of cheering and enthusiastic children waving English flags. When she asked them what their favorite part of school was, a young boy named Ezekiel quickly said, “Lunchtime!”

    The pilot program, called M-Pact Plus, is eight weeks long and seeks to educate teachers and administrators to identify young people whose parents misuse drugs and alcohol and give the young people the support they need.

    It is funded by The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge along with Prince Harry, in conjunction with Comic Relief and two charities which she is a patron of—Action on Addiction and Place2Be.

    In a meeting with head teachers and charity workers involved with enacting the M-Pact Plus program, Kate asked numerous questions to gauge the progress of the program, including, “Have you found it difficult to attract parents given the stigma that can be associated with these issues?”

    She also asked if parents were “quite surprised” by the things the children were saying.

    A Kensington Palace spokesman said, “The project had been driven by a personal interest by the Duchess. Through her patronage of Action on Addiction, the Duchess has become aware of the shattering impact of addiction, not only on those addicted but also their families.”

    Children of an addicted parent are seven times more likely to develop an addiction themselves, a cycle Kate is hoping the program will break as children receive help to cope with the challenges they face.

    The Duchess launched the program last year when she was pregnant with Prince George. She was overheard telling comedian John Bishop that George, who is just shy of his first birthday, was “racing around and he’s so fast she couldn’t believe he was opening doors already.”

    The students presented her a drawing of Kate cradling Prince George upon her departure.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Joan Lunden Is Fighting Breast Cancer, Says She’s In ‘Warrior Mode’

    On Tuesday, former Good Morning America host Joan Lunden revealed that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Lunden wrote a letter to her fans, which she posted on her website.

    She appeared on Good Morning America on Tuesday to share her experience. “In the beginning, it’s such a shock, it’s a stunner, and you think, ‘I do everything right!’” she said. At first, Lunden was questioning what she did wrong, but she said that she is now in “warrior mode.”

    She said that she has been getting mammograms and ultrasounds regularly, and according to her, nothing showed up in this year’s mammogram results. Her ultrasound, however, was a different story.

    After a post-biopsy appointment with her doctor, she learned about her breast cancer. “The words are almost surreal, when you hear, ‘You have breast cancer,’” she said.

    When she first heard of the news, Lunden, 63, initially considered keeping her condition a secret from the public. However, after thinking it through, she decided to share the news to the public.

    “I have decided to talk about my breast cancer because since the moment I took the job at Good Morning America I have lived my life sharing my joys and my disappointments with all of you: my pregnancies, my relationships, my career,” she said. Lunden was one of the hosts of Good Morning America from 1980 up to 1997.

    She continued to say that her cancer is part of her journey and she was not planning to keep it from everyone.

    Reports state that Lunden has already started her chemotherapy sessions. Although she said that she does not know how she will feel in the future, she is “assuming the best because that is how I live my life.” Her rep also said that she is sceduled to undergo radiation and lumpectomy and is expected to make a full recovery.

    Image via YouTube

  • Matt Lauer Signs New ‘TODAY’ Show Contract, Shares Heart

    Matt Lauer has reportedly signed a continuing contract with The TODAY Show. The morning news show has taken second place to Good Morning America for two years since the network’s demotion of Ann Curry from her spot as Lauer’s co-anchor. Although no terms of Lauer’s new contract have been released, his previous one made him one of the highest paid people in the broadcast industry, bringing in an average of $25 million per year.

    “I consider this the best job in broadcasting,” Matt Lauer said in a statement. “I love people I work with every day, and I have such respect and gratitude for the people I work for. I couldn’t be happier to be staying.”

    Lauer has been with NBC for twenty years and is considered by some–especially those within the NBC family–to be among the very best.

    NBC News President Deborah Turness said Lauer is “the best in the business.”

    On a more personal note, Matt Lauer recently made news for the very powerful letter he wrote to his daughter Romy as part of a TIME magazine and women’s empowerment project that a few of the NBC dads took part in.

    “How did we get from those hysterical ballet lessons at the age of four, to the princess phase, when everything in your world had to be pink? How did we get from the little girl who loved animals to your fearlessness on horseback, despite the occasional trip to the emergency room? And how did you come to decide that you wanted to be one of just a few young ladies in our town to play Little League baseball? Did you have any idea how my heart was bursting with pride?” he wrote to his little girl.

    The letter shares a side of Matt Lauer that some have always believed lurked just beneath of the surface of the astute journalist’s on air facade. Others likely didn’t think he had it in him.

    Something Matt Lauer doesn’t have in him is an ability to maintain a social media image. His Instagram account holds only ten pictures. Here’s one from last fall.

    Even his Twitter posts shine light on his career but not on his personal life.

    Regardless of his lack on social media personality, congratulations are definitely in order to Matt Lauer for continuing on at NBC but congratulations even more for having the wisdom and the strength to share raw emotions with his daughter. That’s a gift not all children get to receive.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Ginger Zee of ABC’s ‘GMA’ Marries NBC’s Ben Aaron

    Ginger Zee, meteorologist on ABC’s Good Morning America, married NBC correspondent Ben Aaron this weekend in what is being called a “charming” wedding ceremony in Michigan–near the bride’s hometown. The two exchanged beachside nuptials and recited traditional vows in front of an intimate gathering of 55 people.

    Zee worked with her best friend and renown wedding planner Francesco Bilotto to plan her big day.

    “I am so proud to be from Michigan and I have countless memories of growing up along this gorgeous lake. I wanted to have one of the most important moments of my life here and make another one of those memories,” Zee said.

    Zee shared a photo of herself with her mom as she prepared to dress for her wedding.

    Wedding guests were offered pashminas so they didn’t get too chilly as they watched Ginger Zee and Ben Aaron say “I do.” They then headed inside at The Inn at Bay Harbor where they enjoyed dinner family style–served at one long dining table. The menu featured some local and some rather eclectic offerings including artisan cheese plates and a Michigan salad with local cherries. The main course choices included veggie quinoa, parmesan-crusted chicken, grilled salmon, and filet mignon.

    Ginger Zee was gorgeous in a Pnina Tornai dress. She and her new husband danced at their reception to music provided by The Outer Vibe–her brother’s band.

    “Think Hamptons on the lake,” Francesca Bilotto said of the party décor. “Lots of navy blue and off-white, very formal coastal is the look.”

    Cake was served outside on the deck at the inn. It was displayed atop a wine barrel and was described as “light and fluffy.”

    A short time prior to the nuptials Ginger Zee had the following to say about her upcoming wedding day.

    “Bringing our crazy families from all over the States to enjoy some peace and quiet in northern Michigan will be the greatest day of our lives,” she said.

    It sounds like Ginger Zee and Ben Aaron’s dreams of a perfect wedding day have now come true.

    Image via Twitter

  • Robin Roberts To Be Honored With Award

    Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts will be the recipient of the 2014 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism from Arizona State University’s Cronkite School.

    The school revealed that Roberts would be receiving the award on October 6 during a luncheon in Phoenix.

    Cronkite School Dean Christopher Callahan said that Roberts has made an outstanding contribution to journalism and has shown an immense amount of courage.

    Robin is a native from Mississippi and a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University. Before taking her job as a news anchor for Good Morning America in 2005, Roberts worked for several years for other television and radio stations, including ESPN.

    In 2007, Roberts fought a very public battle with breast cancer, and then a bone marrow disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome in 2012. After many lengthy treatments, Robin was able to win the fight, and recently wrote a book titled Everybody’s Got Something about her incredible journey.

    Robin credits the thousands of friends, fans, and family members that took the time to pray for her as the reason that she overcame death twice in less than a decade. She also credits her long-time girlfriend Amber Laign for helping her through the hardest time of her life.

    “Knowing that people from all walks of life and all faiths have taken the time to lift you up in prayer, and I know that’s a major reason why I’m here today,” Roberts said.

    Roberts said she is currently happier and healthier than ever.

    Image via Facebook

  • Robin Roberts to Receive Journalism Award

    The Arizona State University Cronkite School announced it will give the 2014 Walter Cronkrite Award for Excellence in Journalism to Robin Roberts.

    The Good Morning America co-host will receive the prestigious award during an October 6 luncheon to be held in Phoenix.

    Roberts was nominated for the award because she has made outstanding contributions to journalism, and demonstrated great personal courage, says Conkrite School Dean Christopher Callahan.

    Roberts battled and defeated a bout with breast cancer in 2007, and went on to fight myelodysplastic syndrome, a bone marrow disorder caused by the cancer treatment, in 2012. The journalist also recently announced she is in a long-term relationship with a woman.

    She and her girlfriend of nine years, Amber Laign, typically stay out of the spotlight, but Roberts thanked her for helping her get through a bone marrow transplant, in a Facebook post. It was in this message that she revealed the relationship to the world.

    Roberts found a perfect bone marrow match in her sister, Sally Ann. Her diagnosis and treatment inspired her to work to raise awareness for people, particularly African Americans, to volunteer as potential bone marrow donors. She is currently an Ambassador of Hope for Be the Match, a national marrow donor program.

    Roberts says she is now happier and healthier than ever.

    Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news:

    Before joining the GMA team in 2005, Roberts worked for several radio and television stations, including ESPN. She is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University.

    Congrats!

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Robin Roberts: The Things That Make Her ‘Happy’

    Robin Roberts is just one of the Good Morning America personalities to dance on TV to Pharell Williams’s hit song Happy. In a recent interview with a Memphis, Tennessee publication, she talked about the things that truly make her happy.

    One of those things is her long time girlfriend Amber Laign. The two have been together in a ‘closeted’ relationship for about 9 years. The two recently walked the red carpet together at the GLSEN Respect Awards. Despite their PDA, however, the couple has no plans to marry.

    “Amber and i are extremely happy and we’ve been together almost 9 years now. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Roberts said during an earlier interview.

    Being one of the co-anchors on Good Morning America makes Robin happy, too.

    “You know what a thrill that is to look in the camera and say “Good Morning America?” To wake people up and to say we want to do whatever we can to inform you first and foremost but then help you have a good day?” she asks.

    The question is indeed a rhetorical one, especially for those who have experienced Robin Roberts sharing her happiness on live TV. The breast cancer survivor and woman who recently defeated a rare blood disorder after receiving a bone marrow transplant from her sister exudes happy. She decided to live her life in the moment and sets a fine example for others in doing so, too. After all, how do any of us know that we have any more than this very moment in time?

    She recently shared some of the fun she and her GMA cohorts have during commercial breaks via a photo and message on Twitter.

    Can you feel Robin Roberts and her happy when you watch her on GMA? It’s practically contagious these days, isn’t it? Hopefully she will inspire others to live as she does.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Robin Roberts Steps Out With Girlfriend Amber Laign

    On Monday, May 19, Good Morning America news anchor Robin Roberts and her longtime girlfriend Amber Laign made a rare public appearance together at the 11th annual GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) Respect Awards in New York City.

    The awards are held to celebrate and honor those students who work hard to make schools safer for students that are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Roberts attended the event to present the Gay-Straight Alliance of the Year award.

    “I’m delighted to support GLSEN, an incredible organization that is working to end bullying and make schools safer for LGBT students,” Roberts said in a statement.

    “I’m particularly happy to lift up the leadership of students who fight for respect and dignity for all,” she added.

    Later that night, Roberts posted a picture of herself and Laign, along with the students, and wrote: “Honored to be with courageous students.”

    Roberts first went public with her relationship with Laign in December when she wrote a Facebook post thanking her friends, family, and Laign for their support while she battled breast cancer and her myelodysplastic syndrome, which is a rare blood and bone marrow disease.

    “At this moment I am at peace and filled with joy and gratitude,” Roberts wrote at the time. “I am grateful to God, my doctors and nurses for my restored good health. I am grateful for my sister, Sally-Ann, for being my donor and giving me the gift of life. I am grateful for my entire family, my long time girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together.”

    During a recent interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Roberts explained that Laign doesn’t like being in the spotlight and tends to shy away from the cameras. “Not everyone wants to be in the spotlight,” Roberts said. “She’s very, very supportive and she’s been right there beside me every step of the way.”

    Image via Twitter

  • Jenny McCarthy Clarifies Her Stance on Vaccinations

    After publicly stating her opposition to vaccinating children, Jenny McCarthy is changing her tune a bit.

    “Everyone should ask questions, but I’m certainly not against them,” McCarthy said during an appearance on Good Morning America Wednesday.

    McCarthy began her crusade against vaccinations after her son Evan was diagnosed with autism in 2005. She came to believe there is a link between vaccinations and the behavioral disorder.

    The View star recently wrote an op-ed piece for the Chicago Sun Times in which she insisted she was “wrongly branded as ‘anti-vaccine.’”

    McCarthy told GMA host Lara Spencer that people need to read the op-ed piece in its entirety to fully understand her stance on the controversial issue.

    “I think people should read exactly what I have said instead of reading headlines, and that’s why I wanted to write that piece,” McCarthy said. “Everything that I have said and everything that I believe in is in that piece, so I hope people will go and refer to that so they know exactly what I’ve been saying.

    “This is not a change in my stance nor is it a new position I have recently adopted,” she wrote. “I’ve never told anyone to not vaccinate.”

    “My beautiful son, Evan, inspired this mother to question the ‘one size fits all’ philosophy of the recommended vaccine schedule,” she continued. “I embarked on this quest not only for myself and my family, but for countless parents who shared my desire for knowledge that could lead to options and alternate schedules, but never to eliminate the vaccines.”

    McCarthy questioned vaccinations during a 2008 interview with Larry King.

    “Isn’t it ironic, in 1983 there were 10 shots and now there’s 36 and the rise of autism happened at the same time?” she asked. “We need to get rid of the toxins, the mercury—which I am so tired of everyone saying it’s been removed. It has not been removed from the shots.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Amber Laign: Robin Roberts Talks About Life Together

    Four months ago Robin Roberts made the decision to come out of the closet after a health scare led her to be more frank about her life.

    Now the Good Morning America host has shared more about her relationship with girlfriend Amber Laign and their life together at an appearance on Tuesday’s The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

    “We met on a blind date, it will be nine years in July,” Roberts said of her massage therapist girlfriend, who she says was her rock after she was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome.

    After telling DeGeneres that Laine was backstage and didn’t want to appear on the show, she shared a photo taken of the couple on her 53rd birthday last November.

    “This is where I’m taking one for the team,” said Roberts. “She photographed much better in this picture than I did. But I said, ‘You know what? I’m going use this picture because you look so doggone good.’”

    The 54-year-old Roberts told Degeneres they don’t live together, and said Laign tries to stay out of the limelight.

    “Not everyone wants to be in the spotlight,” said Roberts. “She’s very, very supportive and she’s been right there beside me every step of the way.”

    The cancer survivor said that it was Laign’s support during her health scare that ultimately led her to decide to come out last December in a Facebook post.

    “I had been thanking my doctors and nurses, my sister, who was a perfect match — and rightfully so. I asked [Laign], I said, ‘I really want to say thank you.’”

    Her post thanking “my long time girlfriend, Amber” led to headlines, and a month later, Roberts shared a photo of them with her GMA family.

    Roberts talked about her memoir, Everybody’s Got Something, which includes details about their relationship and the struggles the two faced during Robert’s health crisis.

    “In the book, she takes the caregiver’s point of view and it’s really funny that sometimes we didn’t see the same thing eye to eye,” Roberts said. “I thought it was very powerful for people because there’s so many that care for their loved ones. So to see her side of it and to see my side of it was pretty interesting.”

    Roberts also thanked DeGeneres for being a “trailblazer,” giving others the courage to come out without fear.

    “You have helped a lot of people like myself to have that discussion with their families because you are so well respected and loved and it’s really helped a lot of us and I thank you for that.”

    Roberts says her health is good these days, and she’s “strong like a bull.”

    She added, “I have never been this happy nor healthy in such a long time.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Amber Laign: Robin Roberts Talks About Girlfriend

    Several months after coming out as gay, Robin Roberts is finally opening up about her long-time girlfriend Amber Laign, who is a licensed massage therapist.

    In December 2013, Roberts posted a thank you message on Facebook. The message read: “At this moment I am at peace and filled with joy and gratitude. I am grateful to God, my doctors and nurses for my restored good health. I am grateful for my sister, Sally-Ann, for being my donor and giving me the gift of life. I am grateful for my entire family, my long time girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together.”

    This was the first time that Roberts had publicly revealed that she was a lesbian. Now, four months later, Roberts is talking about her relationship with Laign and how she helped her through the toughest time of her life. Roberts explained to Ellen DeGeneres that Laign doesn’t like to be in the spotlight, and tends to shy away from the cameras. She revealed that they would be celebrating their ninth anniversary this July.

    “Not everyone wants to be in the spotlight,” Roberts said. “She’s very, very supportive and she’s been right there beside me every step of the way.”

    Roberts recently finished her chemotherapy treatments for her cancer diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome. She explained that, although she will be receiving maintenance treatments for the next two years, she feels better than she ever has. Roberts credits Laign for helping her through her battle and taking care of her when she needed it most. She even included Laign in her new book Everybody’s Got Something.

    “In the book, she takes the caregiver’s point of view and it’s really funny that sometimes we didn’t see the same thing eye to eye,” Roberts told DeGeneres. “I thought it was very powerful for people because there’s so many that care for their loved ones. So to see her side of it and to see my side of it was pretty interesting.”

    Image via Facebook

  • Amy Robach Finished With Chemo Treatments

    Amy Robach Finished With Chemo Treatments

    Amy Robach is finished with her chemo treatments. The Good Morning America anchor celebrated her ‘graduation’ from chemotherapy on Friday. Robach was diagnosed with breast cancer following an on-air mammogram.

    “I join the ranks of 2.8 million women who are breast-cancer survivors,” she said in a clip that was filmed while she had her very last chemo treatment.

    “And I plan on living each day to the very fullest, thankful and grateful, and encouraging so many women out there who are still in the thick of it, who have yet to fight this fight, that you can do it. You can get through this, one step at a time. And I am there for you, I am there with you.”

    “With my eighth and final chemo complete, I will start on a new journey, helping raise awareness about early detection, and letting women everywhere know, ‘You can kick cancer’s butt!’” she added.

    As she returned from the clip to the GMA live broadcast, Amy shared a small tidbit of information about her comment.

    “I actually wanted to say another word, but they wouldn’t let me. ‘You can kick cancer’s bleeeep!’” she said.

    Amy Robach debuted a new hairstyle during her chemotherapy treatments several weeks back, as seen in the video clip shared above. She not only rocks the new ‘do, but has also inspired women all over the country with her amazing attitude–from the shock of her cancer diagnosis to her graduation from chemotherapy.

    Robach shared this set of photos during her last chemotherapy session on Thursday.

    Congratulations to Amy Robach on this momentous milestone, and may the end of her chemo treatments represent the beginning of a long life of abundant good health.

    Image via Twitter

  • Kate Upton: ‘The Other Woman’ Bikini Scene was “Uncomfortable”

    Kate Upton says she felt “a little uncomfortable” during filming of her bikini scene in The Other Woman.

    It was a sentiment that surprised some, given the fact that Upton has made several appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, even gracing the cover in 2012 and 2013.

    Upton’s character Amber makes her first appearance almost halfway through the movie in the form of a slow-motion-running-on-the-beach-in-a-bikini scene that brings to mind Bo Derek’s iconic performance in the 1979 comedy 10.

    Upton discussed the scene when she appeared with co-stars Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann on Good Morning America on Wednesday.

    She said Diaz and Mann noticed she was feeling uncomfortable and acted to alleviate her discomfort:

    “These two saw that I was feeling a little uncomfortable — because anyone’s uncomfortable when that many people are staring at you — but these two came and ran beside me offscreen,” she said. “I’ve never had support like that before and it was just so amazing that I got that on my first film experience.”

    At the April 2 London premiere, Upton revealed that she, Diaz, and Mann became quite close while filming The Other Woman.

    “[Diaz and Mann] are such inspirations, amazing actresses and even better people, so I was really lucky,” she said. “We grew as friends and I also learned so much just watching them, they’re phenomenal, just hilarious.We had girls’ night all the time.”

    Diaz and Mann concurred:

    “I love these women. They … literally could not have been better … partners,” Diaz said. “We just had so much fun together … They’re such great women. They’re such good-hearted, nurturing generous lovely women who are so talented and are completely just the best partners you could have.”

    “We had so much fun together … we really became very close friends,” Mann added.

    The Other Woman marks Upton’s third and largest feature film role. In a red carpet interview in London, she said that when she started modeling she didn’t have anyone to help her find her path or give her advice but acting has turned out differently. She feels she can call Diaz and Mann whenever she needs help or advice, or even just a relaxing girls’ night out.

    Upton’s sentiments are the real life version of how Diaz envisages the underlying theme of The Other Woman:

    “It’s a story about female friendship. Three women become friends and don’t fight over a lying, cheating man. They realize it’s not worth it. Instead, they come to each other’s rescue and help one another through heartbreak.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Good Morning America Anchor Signs New Contract

    Good Morning America news anchor George Stephanopoulos has signed a new long-term deal with the network.

    While the terms of his new contract, including length and pay, have not been revealed, GMA spokeswoman Heather Riley says that ABC expects him to remain with the network for many years to come.

    “We expect him to remain with us for many, many years,” Riley said. “This represents what he wanted — he is committed to GMA and This Week, and understands the power of those platforms. We are thrilled that the team is locked in and that the deal was done so quickly and with such goodwill from all sides.”

    Stephanopoulos also serves as the host of the Sunday morning talk show This Week. Under his new deal, he will remain the host of this show as well.

    “George is vital to the success of the news division and will continue to be a leader here at ABC News. We are united as a team and over the past few months we have not missed a beat — in fact our audience has only grown,” she continued.

    The news of Stephanopoulos’ renewal comes not long after the network said goodbye to weatherman Sam Champion and co-host Josh Elliott.

    A big congratulations to @GStephanopoulos – here's to many manyyears working with the best @GMA #team

    — Amy Robach(@arobach) April 24, 2014

    TV news industry insiders speculate that Stephanopoulos’ contract is for five years, and a salary somewhere in the $9 million range. His current contract was up in six months and he was currently receiving a salary of approximately $6 million.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Robin Roberts Releases Her Memoir

    Robin Roberts Releases Her Memoir

    Robin Roberts has released her memoir. Titled Everybody’s Got Something, it recently went on sale at book stores and at online book sellers, too. In it she explains that the title comes from something her mother always used to say, and that her own “something” came in the form of a myelodysplastic syndrome diagnosis. The Good Morning America host stopped by The Late Show to visit with David Letterman earlier this week, and she dished about her health, her happiness, and her new book.

    “I can look at your right now and say I am healthier and happier than I’ve ever been,” Roberts gushed. “That’s all the matters.”

    “Nobody gets a free ride,” Letterman told her in response.

    “You think you’re the only one,” Roberts said of overcoming her health struggles. “And my momma would say, ‘Honey, everybody’s got something.’ Everybody’s got something, not just a challenge, but something to give to help you get through that challenge.”

    Robin underwent a successful bone marrow transplant about a year ago while on leave from GMA. In addition to having myelodysplastic syndrome, she is also a breast cancer survivor.

    “I am humbled that many have an interest, and draw strength from my on-going journey,”she said, adding that she’s “grateful for the prayers and well wishes of so many people.”

    Everybody’s Got Something isn’t Robin Roberts’ first book either. She is also the author of From the Heart: Seven Rules to Live By which made it to the New York Times Best-Seller’s List. During a recent book signing for her new book, however, she was surprised by a visit from former GMA anchor Charlie Gibson.

    Robin Roberts impressed fans with her strength of character and attitude as she battled her most recent illness. They–along with those at the ABC Network–were beyond thrilled when she survived the harrowing medical ordeal and made her return to Good Morning America.

    Will you be checking out Robin’s new book?

    Image via Twitter

  • Robin Roberts Releases Tell-All Memoir

    Robin Roberts Releases Tell-All Memoir

    Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts has publicly documented her battle with cancer since she was diagnosed in 2012.

    At the time, doctors told Roberts that she had a rare blood disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome or MDS. Later that year, Roberts underwent a bone marrow transplant, receiving donor cells from her sister Sally Ann. Since then, Roberts has been in remission and has headed back to her job on the morning news show.

    Roberts has not kept many things secret when it came to her fight with cancer and now she has released a tell-all memoir about her incredible story. The book, titled Everybody’s Got Something, details Roberts journey and her amazing support system that helped her through the hardest time of her life.

    Roberts was originally told by the doctors that she only had two years to live. Hearing that kind of news would be terrifying for anyone, but Roberts said, with the help of her family, friends, and girlfriend of nine years Amber Laign, she was able to take on the challenge of beating the disease that had taken control over her body. “A doctor told me I had one to two years to live without a transplant,” Roberts revealed to PEOPLE magazine. “I feel like I am a walking miracle.”

    Amber has always tried to remain out of the spotlight, but Roberts said she had to acknowledge her, and give her credit, in the book for taking such good care of her. “Even though Amber is someone who shies away from the spotlight, it was important for me to let people know I have this person in my life,” Roberts explained.

    Roberts also explained that she still receives low doses of chemotherapy every six to eight weeks. She will continue this treatment until the two-year anniversary of her bone marrow transplant. As of now, Roberts is in remission and is feeling better than ever. “I can go to the doctor now and not have to hold my breath as much when they’re drawing blood and I’m waiting for the results to come back,” she said. “I can be sick now like everybody else and it doesn’t mean I’m going to land back in the hospital.”

    Click here to read an excerpt from Roberts’ book.

    Image via Twitter

  • Lara Spencer to Co-Host Good Morning America

    Lara Spencer was promoted on Good Morning America and will join other co-hosts George Stephanopolous and Robin Roberts, ABC News announced Friday.

    Spencer, 44, recently renegotiated her deal with ABC, which coincides with Josh Elliott‘s announcement that he was leaving GMA for NBC Sports.

    “A key member of our on-air team, Lara Spencer, rejoined ABC three years ago – bringing her style, humor, sunny confidence, wonderful journalism and storytelling to GMA. Lara is clearly an essential ingredient in the success we have enjoyed and I am so pleased to announce that Lara has been elevated to co-host of the program along with Robin and George,” said ABC News President James Goldston in a note posted to the ABCNews website Friday.

    “Lara grew up at WABC and GMA and then returned to us in 2011 as GMA mounted its epic challenge,” said Goldston. “A New York Times best-selling author with another book on the way, the creator and executive producer of Flea Market Flip on HGTV and great mom to Duff and Kate, Lara is simply as talented as they come.”

    Stephanopolous tweeted about the big news on Friday.

    Spencer has been Good Morning America‘s lifestyle anchor since rejoining ABC in 2011 and was previously a national correspondent for the morning show from 1999 to 2003.

    Spencer tweeted her thanks Saturday to all her well-wishers.

    Spencer should be a great addition to the morning program. Here’s a view of some of her fun antics.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Lara Spencer Named New ‘GMA’ Co-Host

    Lara Spencer was named a Good Morning America co-host on Friday. This puts her in the same playing field as both Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos and means she will have far more exposure during the first hour of the show. This is just another of a string of changes at GMA. Sam Champion was replaced by Ginger Zee in December and Josh Elliott was replaced by Amy Robach just a few weeks ago. Sources expect Spencer’s promotion is the last of the big changes for the show. Her promotion was announced publicly just a month after she signed a new ABC News contract.

    Spencer’s big news was announced by James Goldston, president of ABC News. In an internal memorandum he told those who work on the show that “Lara is clearly an essential ingredient in the success we have enjoyed.”

    Lara Spencer hosted the entertainment news magazine The Insider before she became part of Good Morning America back in 2011, as “lifestyle anchor,” a job was was created just for her. Her signature segment has been the “Pop News Heat Index,” a one-hour summary of entertainment and pop culture news stories running from 8:00 to 9:00 A.M.

    It was two years ago this very week that Good Morning America overtook The TODAY Show in the morning news program ratings. That ended a 16-year streak TODAY had of being the winning news program. They have yet to regain that status. Just last week GMA led TODAY by 279,000 viewers between the ages of 25 and 54. This age group denotes a key demographic for news advertisers.

    It was announced just a few days ago that Live with Kelly and Michael star Michael Strahan will also be joining Good Morning America as a special correspondent. He won’t be leaving the show he co-hosts with Kelly Ripa, however. He and Lara Spencer are shown in her Instragram photo as she tells him he will need extra caffeine in order to be part of the morning news show.

    Congratulations to Lara Spencer on her promotion at Good Morning America. How do you suppose Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos feel about sharing the limelight with a third party? Do you suppose they are on board with Spencer’s promotion or are they feeling as though they’ve been thrown under that proverbial bus?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons