There's nothing new under the sun, and that goes double for some of this year's biggest dating trends, which have caused romantic tropes of the days before to have a 2024 resurgence. One of them is the May-December relationships of the past, receiving the modern-day rebrand of age-gap dating. Age-gap relationships have been a common occurrence in Hollywood since the very beginning, and some of our favorite celebrity couples even have some of the biggest age differences.
From 9 years to 40 years, the following celeb couples are proving a prominent age difference doesn't always have to be a deterrent in thriving long-time love:
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Robyn Dixon Confirms She Will Not Be Returning To 'The Real Housewives Of Potomac' After 8 Seasons
Robyn Dixon has officially confirmed the rumors of her exit from The Real Housewives of Potomac after eight seasons.
In the most recent episode of her podcast Reasonably Shady with co-host and her now former RHOP castmate and best friend Gizelle Bryant, Robyn revealed to listeners that Bravo did not ask her back. "It's reality. I was fired, for lack of better words," she said.
"And I will not sugarcoat the situation and say, 'Oh I am walking away' and this is a break or anything like this. This was a network decision. And, you know, I'm okay with it because nothing lasts forever."
News of Robyn's exit first made headlines in late March, as reported by The Jasmine Brand. On the Monday, April 15 episode of the Reasonably Shady podcast, Robyn explained the reason behind her decision to wait to confirm her departure now versus then. "I wanted to speak my own business, my own life, my own news, my own life, my own news, and I wanted to share it out of my own mouth when the time was appropriate.
"And I felt like the appropriate time would be once season 8 of The Real Housewives of Potomac was finished airing, which it is. now finished airing; the last reunion episode just went off last night. And I wanted to respect the network and respect the show and wait until the season ended, which I think makes sense," she continued.
Robyn's announcement comes shortly after news of Candiace Dillard Bassett's decision to 'take a break' from the franchise which came during the airing of the eighth season's three-part reunion special. Robyn has been a part of the Maryland version of The Real Housewives franchise since the beginning with viewers being privy to a lot of the series' vet's highs and lows, including her tax issues in season five where the reality star owed close to $90,000 in back taxes, and her engagement and subsequent remarriage with on-again-off-again partner turned husband Juan Dixon.
Some of the pair's trials as a couple became the center of controversy when cheating rumors swirled and the Dixons maintained a united front with both of them vehemently denying any outside affairs. In a slightly controversial move in 2023 following a season of denials of Juan's alleged infidelities, Robyn placed her transparency behind a podcast paywall instead of airing it out on the show, a decision that might have been seen as the beginning of the end for the 45-year-old.
The Real Housewives of Potomac has sparked much criticism over the years, largely stemming from viewers feeling as though the reality show suffers from colorism and perceived favoritism shown to particular cast members depending on skin tone and the emphasis on "fake" storylines instead of focusing on what is real amongst the group of women.
Some of those pain points were explored during the latest season's reunions with the cast members not getting very far in understanding their colorism experiences. "There's no better group of Black women on the Bravo network to talk about that than us," fellow housewife Karen Huger said in the explosive conversation in the second part of the reunion special.
"No, actually, that's very incorrect," Wendy Osefo interjected at the time, "because if you want to talk about colorism, then you need to have the range to talk about it. And a lot of people on this couch, whether you want to admit it or not, do not have the range."
Candiace has been very vocal about her perspective on colorism as it relates to the cast and it is speculated that that as well as favoritism played a part in the reason she announced her own departure from the Bravo series on March 25 after six seasons. Though she emphasized it was "not a farewell," but a "'see you later.'"
The 37-year-old singer told PEOPLE exclusively, "As I embark on a new chapter after six remarkable years with The Real Housewives of Potomac, I am filled with gratitude for the enriching friendships, personal growth, and moments of introspection that have defined this journey."
She continued, "With a whirlwind of new opportunities and responsibilities on my plate, I have decided to take a break from RHOP."
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Damson Idris Says Being Raised By His Mom Influenced His Love For Black Women
It's raining men, hallelujah. Lucky for us, ESSENCE just rolled out their May/June issue, otherwise known as "The Men's Issue" with four new covers and their inaugural "Sexiest Men of the Moment" list featuring 18 Black men across various industries. Leading the pack and adorning the mag's coveted issue on different covers embodying different definitions of "sexy" are British actor Damson Idris, pro-athlete Russell Wilson, and the Usher Raymond.
The older you get, the more it's understood that sexiness isn't about appearance as much as it is an energy you embody. Sexy is as sexy does. It's something that recent NAACP Image Award winner Damson Idris understands to a T. "I think if you care about what you do, that’s sexy—and that’s inspiring," the 32-year-old actor reveals to ESSENCE in his cover story.
Here's what else the "man of mystery" shared with the publication:
Photographed by: Adrienne Raquel
Courtesy of ESSENCE
Damson on his love for Black women:
Damson was raised by his mother, Silifat "Philippa" Abike Idris, whom he affectionately called "my hero, my best friend, my guru" to the mag. He went on to detail to ESSENCE how being raised by a single mom informed his love for Black women:
"I just have a love for women. My mother is a Black woman, and that love stays with me. I feel protected by Black women. I feel loved by Black women. I feel at home."
Damson on keeping some things about his life private:
As the Snowfall actor's stock has steadily risen, so has his desire for privacy.
"I think privacy is key. I’ll speak to my industry, just as an actor and an artist. Someone once said, 'If they pay to see you for free during the week, they won’t pay to see you on the weekend.' So I stick to that philosophy—keep some of that mystique."
(L-R) Damson Idris and his mother Philippa Idris at the 55th NAACP Image Awards
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for BET
Damson on the importance of staying humble:
Damson shared with the mag that the most important life lesson he has learned in the industry is "to remain humble," something he also said was instilled in him from his mother.
"I love the saying, 'The giant looks in the mirror and sees nothing.' Humility is such an important thing that can take humans far."
Read the full cover story here. ESSENCE's May/June issue is available on newsstands April 23.
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How Much Money Do You Need To Make To Live Comfortably? A Recent Study Says $97K.
The way the cost of living is steadily on the rise, with no sign of salaries coinciding with those increases, there's no wonder many Americans are asking themselves, what does it truly mean to live comfortably? The truth is, a comfortable life can be different things depending on your priorities or where you are in life. For some, living comfortably could mean having lots of disposable income. For others, living comfortably could mean being debt-free, having a fully funded emergency fund, and owning a home.
Generally speaking, to live comfortably typically alludes to financial security. When you are financially secure, you can cover the obligations of essential expenses (50% of your income), tap into the pleasure of nonessential spending (30% of your income), and do those things while not sacrificing putting away at least 20% of your income for savings and investments (in other words, the 50/30/20 budgeting method). You can do this without the strain of living paycheck to paycheck, hence the "comfort" in "living comfortably."
Suffice it to say, income plays a significant role in anyone's ability to obtain financial security. And what is the magic number to live comfortably in 2024? According to a recent SmartAsset study, $96,500 is that number. Yes, you read that right. In order to sustain a comfortable living in a major U.S. city, a person's average salary has to be close to six figures. And that's just for single folks. For families with dependents (two parents and two kids), the study suggests a need for a combined income of $235,000.
In their study, SmartAsset compiled the pre-tax salaries needed to live a comfortable and sustainable life for 99 cities across the U.S. based on the 50/30/20 rule and the MIT Living Wage Calculator. Keep reading to learn what income is needed to live comfortably in 20 of those major cities featured on the list, ranked highest to lowest.
1.New York City
If you're single: $138,570
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $318,406
2.Boston, Massachusetts
If you're single: $124,966
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $319,738
3.San Francisco, California
If you're single: $119,558
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $339,123
4.Seattle, Washington
If you're single:$119,392
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $283,712
5.Oakland, California
If you're single: $118,768
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $316,243
6.Atlanta, Georgia
If you're single:$107,453
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $230,880
7.Charlotte, North Carolina
If you're single: $101,338
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $235,123
8.Virginia Beach, Virginia
If you're single: $100,131
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $226,886
9.Miami, Florida
If you're single: $100,922
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $215,904
10.Orlando, Florida
If you're single:$100,298
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $212,160
11.Washington, DC
If you're single: $99,424
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $275,642
12.Chicago, Illinois
If you're single: $98,550
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $241,280
13.Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
If you're single:$92,726
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $231,379
14.St. Louis, Missouri
If you're single:$89,357
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $231,379
15.Memphis, Tennessee
If you're single: $85,696
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $194,106
16.Baltimore, Maryland
If you're single: $84,989
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $218,733
17.Detroit, Michigan
If you're single: $84,947
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $219,898
18.New Orleans, Louisiana
If you're single:$81,869
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $191,942
19.Dallas, Texas
If you're single:$91,770
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $208,000
20.Houston, Texas
If you're single: $75,088
If you're a two-parent, two-child household: $175,219
Learn how the above U.S. cities ranked among 99 and read the SmartAssets study in full here.
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Often imitated, never duplicated, The Midwest ItGirls hold a refreshingly raw essence, style, and cultural identity. These ItGirls are the living, breathing definition of rolling up your sleeves and chasing dreams. Trust us when we say, these Midwest ItGirls don’t just talk the talk, they walk it, holding fast to their values in everything they get their hands on.
Read about five of our ItGirls here, but be sure to check out the full ItGirl 100 List.
BREE SPECIFIC
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Bree Specific is a media personality and entrepreneur. She gained recognition for her work in hosting events, moderating panels, and covering festivals. Off-air, Bree coordinates Music Relations for Whats The Word Media and serves as a Tech Producer at WVON 1690 AM.
Chelsey Carter Sanders
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Chelsey Carter-Sanders is the founder and CEO of the Alex Carter brand, which focuses on creating everyday attire for extraordinary individuals. The brand is known for combining simplicity with an edge, appealing to those who are willing to take risks.
Jean Deaux
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Jean Deaux's music spans R&B, rap, pop, house, and indie as she creates from the unique lens of a Black queer artist. Often described as a multi-hyphenate and 'modern renaissance woman,' she is a creative director, filmmaker, and songwriter.
Mari Copeny
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Mari Copeny, also known as Little Miss Flint, is a youth activist who gained recognition for raising awareness about the Flint water crisis and her fundraising initiatives to support underprivileged children in her community and across the country.
Sky Jetta
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Sky Jetta has worked with the likes of Rico Nasty, Charli XCX, Baby Tate, and Saweetie. Known for her unique fashion sense, she has been featured in global campaigns Nike x Serena Williams, Burberry x SSENSE, and Jordan Jumpman23. Jetta was also the featured opener for singer Neyo, DJ’d for luxury brands Balmain and Gucci, and just completed a tour as direct support for Zack Fox.
Our Sisters in the South have something to say! Down here is where grit meets grace and good ol' tradition cozies up with groundbreaking exploits. These "ItGirls" shine bright like a diamond, contributing to the culture in their unique, creative ways and pioneering a generation that's all about influence and intention.
Read about five of our ItGirls here, but be sure to check out the full ItGirl 100 List.
Amber Grimes
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Amber Grimes is the EVP and GM of Love Renaissance Records and oversees the company’s daily operations, marketing, and revenue strategies. She is the host of Amazon Music's "Hello, My Name Is" and the creator of a community-centered Nonfiction Book Club.
DJ OHSO
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DJ OHSO is a leading DJ and cultured entertainer, headlining shows and festivals nationwide. Her sonic style has earned her respect from Radar Radio in London and Sway In The Morning while independently garnering over 2 million streams of her mixes worldwide.
Janerika Owens
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Janerika Owens is a skilled sports journalist who believes in putting athletes' stories first. She excels at creating engaging narratives that captivate her audience. Janerika was the youngest journalist in the room during the 2024 Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Weekend.
Jaycina
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Jaycina is a signed model and the founding Executive Director of Tender, a nonprofit building a safety net for single mothers living in Atlanta. Jaycina has appeared in campaigns for brands like Fenty and GAP and has been featured in magazines and billboards across the US.
Kaci Merriwether-Hawkins
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Kaci Merriwether-Hawkins is a visual storyteller and founder of Black Girls In Art Spaces. Through her art, she’s created a stage for Black folks to feel illuminated in their existence. Her mission is to create spaces for Black women to connect through the arts.