'The Real Vs. The Reading': Watch Justin & Ami McClure Put Their Relationship To The Test
Have you ever wondered if you and your partner’s astrological signs made a difference in your relationship? Then you’re in for a treat. xoNecole created a YouTube series called The Real vs. The Reading that premieres today. And the focus is love, astrology, and the real behind relationship readings.
Astrologist and spiritual coach Dani Simone collects the birth charts and the relationship duration of the seven couples to curate her readings in the categories of romance, challenges, and intimacy. From there, the episode explores the couples giving their real versus Dani’s reading and how they compare.
The couples featured on the series are in various stages in their relationships with some being married, engaged, or just dating, and they were all filmed separately.
The first episode hones in on the McClures. Justin McClure and Ami McClure are full-time content creators who have a YouTube channel with their kids, identical twin daughters Ava and Alexis (also known as the ever-popular McClure Twins), and son Jersey.
The McClures are both air signs with Ami being an Aquarius and Justin a Libra, which makes it a harmonious relationship, at least on the surface. Prior to the readings, neither one of them really followed astrology but did find some of the information interesting.
There were funny moments between the couple mainly due to Justin’s denial of certain habits that Ami had to kindly remind him of. One instance was during the intimacy stage where Dani’s reading revealed that Justin normally has some kind of a routine or ritual he does before, during, or after intimate moments with Ami. While he didn’t believe that was true, Ami shared a story that suggested otherwise.
“When we were first together and I feel like you jumped up immediately and ran to the bathroom,” she said laughing. “I was like, ‘what the hell just happened?’ But I realized, that is just what you do.”
Overall, the couple believed there was something to Dani’s readings with Justin admitting that it was insightful and a form of therapy while Ami believed that it captured her ideals more so than her happenings.
Check out the episode featuring the McClures' relationship reading in full down below. And be sure to subscribe to the xoNecole YouTube channel for future episodes.
Aquarius and Libra Compatibility | The Real vs The Reading
Featured image illustration by Kyra Jay
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Ariel B's "This Too Shall Pass" Podcast Is Healing For Single Moms Everywhere
32-year-old social media influencer and mother of five, Ariel B, did not set out to tell her story; but it was her truth that set her free. Her truth is also the inspiration for her new podcast "This Too Shall Pass," produced by Idea To Launch Productions. The podcast delves into Ariel's life and journey as a single parent and a domestic violence survivor. But it also serves as a window into her past traumas that have fostered her resilience.
In an exclusive interview with xoNecole, Ariel B. reveals that her online following grew after she decided to share the realistic, non-curated parts of her life on social media at the advice of her therapist. "Growing up, I was taught to hide things that made you seem less than," she says. "I didn't mind speaking at the shelter for women and children. I didn't mind speaking in my domestic violence group with other women, but I was ashamed to talk about it with people that I felt had a perfect life. So [my therapist] said 'No, you need to get used to telling your story. If you don't like it or you feel some kind of way, just delete it.' I started first on Instagram, and that was probably the first time I dipped my toe in the social media world of telling the truth."
Ariel's followers became inspired by her honest and raw day-in-the-life perspective: the days when she would be over her budget, her kids' rooms wouldn't be the tidiest, or when she'd be running late for pick-ups and drop-offs. Her relatability made single mothers everywhere feel seen, but there's much more to life Ariel's story that she's found the bravery to open up about.
The Florida native had her first child when she was 16 years old. Growing up in a middle-class suburban family, she says she felt judged by family and peers for having children out of wedlock. "I already had two kids before I got married," she says. "And when I got married, I think that was my parents' sigh of relief. Like, oh my gosh, she's finally married. She's not a single mother of two. She should be safe. It was a disaster."
Ariel says marriage was great in the beginning. Her ex-husband presented himself as loving and was a proud stepfather to her two children. After welcoming two more children with her ex-husband, she says that's when the problems started. "We were arguing all the time. The finances were bad. And then it got to the point where he was consuming a lot of alcohol all the time," she says. "And when the alcohol got bad, it got physical. I was embarrassed. I just invited all of my family to this wedding and everyone's so happy that I'm married, but I'm miserable."
Ariel eventually filed for divorce, and was then forced to get a restraining order after her ex proceeded to stalk her. Though these frightening moments are behind her, she's working every day to address the residual trauma. "It was a lot of trauma to get where we are, and a lot to finally feel safe," she says. "But I just wanted to do whatever I had to do so my children wouldn't have to heal from a choice that I made."
It's clear that Ariel's adorable children, ranging from ages three to fifteen, are her biggest inspiration. She often posts videos of herself teaching them important life lessons like how to create a budget and maintain good credit. It's these important life skills that many of her followers said they wished they learned growing up. For Ariel, her greatest goal is to fill up their self-love tank. "The world is going to knock you down enough when you get older," she says. "So if I can push them out there at a hundred percent if the world can only knock them down to 80, I'd be happy with that. But if they only go out there at 80 and the world can get them down to 60 or less than half of who they are, that's a problem for me."
When it comes to her new podcast, Ariel isn't afraid of the judgments that may come, both from loved ones and strangers. "When you tell the truth, there's nothing to hide from," she says. "I am a single mother of five. I do have more than one child's father. We are on a budget. And when I was able to just be honest, I think I wasn't shameful anymore. I didn't have to pretend and I was able to tell my truth out loud."
"This Too Shall Pass" is out now!
