Category: 5. Entertainment

Whitney Cummings has made a career out of being unapologetically honest. Whether on stage, on a podcast, or on screen, she cracks open the uncomfortable and turns it into comedy gold. Behind her sharp wit, though, Cummings has spent much of her life quietly managing something far less laughable: debilitating migraine. Still, the 42-year old comedian, actor, writer, producer, showrunner, and podcast host has come to see her migraine disorder as not just a chronic health condition but as an unlikely guidepost.

“Honestly, if I didn’t have migraines, I might still be in some toxic loop, pushing myself way too hard,” Cummings says. “They’ve forced me to stop, reset, and take care of myself.”

A Washington, D.C., native, Cummings got her start in entertainment as a stand-up comedian before becoming one of the most recognized voices in modern comedy. She is best known for creating and starring in the NBC sitcom Whitney and co-creating the Emmy-nominated TV comedy 2 Broke Girls (she also served as head writer and executive producer of the 2018 revival of Roseanne).

Fans appreciate Cummings’ resonant perspectives on relationships and mental health, and she often weaves personal experiences into her routines. Her comedy specials on Netflix and Comedy Central—including Money Shot, which launched her stand-up career in 2010, and 2022’s Jokes, which delved into personal anecdotes about dating, social media, and intimacy—helped solidify her reputation for candid, introspective, and fearless comedy. In 2023, she released two specials on OnlyFans: Mouthy, filmed at the Comedy Store while she was pregnant with her first child, and The Roast of Whitney Cummings, where friends and fellow comedians took turns delivering sharp, humorous jabs in celebration of her career.

But long before authoring the book I’m Fine … And Other Lies (G.P. Putnam’s Sons); releasing her debut stand-up comedy album, Emotional Ninja; or hosting the podcast Good for You, Cummings was a kid grappling with a mysterious pain that would come to define much of her life.

“I just thought I had a weak stomach or that I was just being dramatic,” recalls Cummings, who first experienced migraine symptoms around age 6. It wasn’t until years later, as her symptoms worsened—including nausea; light sensitivity; and throbbing, one-sided head pain—that she realized these weren’t just headaches.

Known as “the headache kid,” Cummings often missed out on school field trips and other activities. “I hated being the one who always had to sit something out,” she says. “I felt like a burden.”

Cummings stayed quiet about the pain to avoid drawing attention to herself, and she’s not alone. A neurologic disease characterized by intense head pain, migraine can last for days and significantly impact quality of life. Patients often experience nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and in some cases, visual disturbances, but they “often downplay their symptoms,” says Jessica Ailani, MD, director of MedStar Georgetown Headache Center in the Washington, D.C., region. “Women in particular are socialized not to complain or be seen as weak. So they suffer in silence, even when the condition is disabling.”

Stephen D. Silberstein, MD, director of the Jefferson Headache Center in Philadelphia, says that scenario is common. “For every man who has migraine, there are three women,” he says. “And many people with migraine are misdiagnosed or dismissed entirely—sometimes even by themselves.”

Understanding Her Condition

As Cummings built a name in comedy, she often hid how much she was suffering behind the scenes. Comedy tours, TV appearances, and production deadlines rarely left space for sick days. “It’s not glamorous to say you have to lie in a dark room for six hours,” she jokes. “But that was my reality more often than I admitted.”

At one point, she says, the fear of getting a migraine became a trigger itself: “I’d be so anxious about whether one was coming that I’d almost manifest it. It was a vicious cycle.”

She spent years pushing through her migraine attacks, relying on caffeine and over-the-counter medications and often brushing off the pain to keep up with her demanding schedule. “There were times I’d have to cancel shows or call out of meetings last-minute. It always felt like I was letting someone down,” she says. “But I couldn’t function.”

She relied on trial and error to find relief, including using aids such as menthol rubs and cooling eye masks. The breakthrough came not through one specific treatment but rather a series of revelations that began with her finally seeing a neurologist, who helped her understand the patterns behind her attacks, which often were tied to hormonal fluctuations, dehydration, and high stress.

“People under constant stress may actually get migraine [attacks] when they finally relax,” Dr. Silberstein says. “The brain is in a push-push-push mode, and when those chemicals drop, that’s when the migraine hits.”

Cummings realized that her lifestyle fueled the fire. She didn’t eat enough, and she drank alcohol, skipped sleep, and ran on anxiety. Slowly, she began removing the habits—and anything else—that no longer served her. The decision to take her condition seriously, and advocate for herself medically, changed everything. “Getting to a neurologist was a game-changer,” Cummings says. “They helped me get proactive instead of reactive.”

Dr. Ailani says many people don’t realize how significantly a headache specialist can shift the trajectory of migraine care. “A neurologist trained in headache medicine can help patients build a comprehensive management plan,” she explains. “This might include acute treatments to stop an attack, preventive strategies to reduce frequency, lifestyle modifications, and non-pharmacologic tools like neuromodulation devices,” including wearable tools that send electrical pulses to nerves involved in migraine to reduce or prevent symptoms.

Dr. Ailani emphasizes the importance of identifying triggers, getting consistent sleep, managing stress, staying hydrated, and learning when to rest. “Migraine isn’t just about pain—it’s about protecting the brain,” she says. “Getting ahead of the disease is always better than chasing it.”

Motherhood and Migraine

That mindset helped Cummings prepare for a new phase of life that challenged her body in completely different ways. In 2023, she announced her pregnancy at age 40 and gave birth to her first child, Henry, later that year. While she had gained control over her migraine attacks in the years prior, pregnancy introduced a new set of variables.

“The hormone shifts were brutal,” she says. “I had to be really intentional about prevention because I didn’t want to take anything unless I absolutely had to.”

Dr. Silberstein notes that pregnancy-related migraine changes are common. “Estrogen withdrawal is a major trigger,” he says. “During the first trimester, hormone levels rise and can cause migraine to worsen. Postpartum, that sudden drop in estrogen can lead to more attacks, especially when sleep is disrupted.”

To manage her symptoms, Cummings focused on hydration, nutrition, and consistency. She used menthol gels, caffeine, and non-medicated tools like cold therapy and acupressure. “I built a toolkit that I could rely on,” she says.

These non-drug strategies are especially important for pregnant or postpartum patients. Dr. Ailani recommends options like behavioral therapy, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and neuromodulation tools. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared six neuromodulation devices to treat and/or prevent migraine attacks. Some stimulate branches of the trigeminal nerves or in combination with stimulating the occipital nerves, the vagus nerve (placed on the neck), the upper arm, or the back of the head.

Even now, balancing migraine with a busy career means staying vigilant. Cummings, who is taking her comedy tour across the United States and Canada this summer and fall and developing new TV projects, says preparation is key: “I travel with an entire suitcase of migraine supplies: ice packs, peppermint oil, snacks, a blackout eye mask.”

As a mom to a toddler, Cummings knows eight hours of sleep and perfect routines aren’t always realistic, so instead of striving for perfection, she focuses on doing what she can with what she has. Her migraines taught her that staying vigilant matters, but so does letting go; gripping too tightly only fuels anxiety, and sometimes the healthiest choice is to go with the flow. She also builds breaks into her schedule and has learned to say no. “I used to be afraid I’d let people down,” she says. “Now I know that if I push too hard, I’ll be out of commission for days.”

Cummings credits her neurologist with helping her stay ahead of the attacks and avoid medication overuse, which can actually worsen symptoms. “It’s about finding the right rhythm and support,” she says.

Cummings has been open about many aspects of her life on social media—she has 1.8 million followers on Instagram—but she’s only recently started talking publicly about migraine. The condition, she says, taught her boundaries: “It’s my body saying, ‘Hey, something’s not right.’ And instead of ignoring that, I’ve started listening.”

Dr. Ailani believes that reframing migraine as a protective force can be empowering. “It’s your brain’s way of saying it needs something—rest, food, hydration, calm,” she says. “Once patients recognize those signals, they can live more proactively.”

Cummings agrees. “I used to feel like I was being punished by migraine,” she says. “Now, I see them as a built-in warning system. If I’m not treating myself right, my brain lets me know.”

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Headache on the Hill: Advocating for Migraine Patients Nationwide

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Irish chef Anna Haugh is to replace MasterChef host Gregg Wallace in the final episodes of the popular cooking show after allegations of misconduct saw him fired.

Originally from Tallaght, Co Dublin, Ms Haugh trained as a chef at Technological University Dublin’s culinary arts school before going on to work with the likes of Philip Howard, Shane Osborne and Gordon Ramsay.

She has been cooking professionally for almost 20 years, having spent more than a decade in London.

Ms Haugh, who owns Myrtle Restaurant in Chelsea, London, and the nearby Wee Sister Wine Bar, has appeared on several BBC cooking shows to date, including as a guest judge on MasterChef and as a judge on its professionals spin-off.

Earlier this year, she fronted her own BBC food series, Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour, in which she took a culinary tour of Ireland.

A MasterChef spokesperson confirmed that Ms Haugh steps in for the final week of this year’s competition.

Her replacement of Mr Wallace comes as the 60-year-old stepped away from hosting after several historical complaints came to light during filming of the competition now airing.

BBC News reported last month that Mr Wallace had been dismissed as MasterChef presenter following an inquiry into his alleged misconduct by production company Banijay.

A report revealed that 83 complaints had been made against him, with more than 40 upheld, including one of unwelcome physical contact and another three of being in a state of undress.

Mr Wallace insisted he was cleared of “the most serious and sensational allegations”.

Despite the controversy, the BBC said airing the show was “the right thing to do” for contestants taking part.

Australian author Helen Garner offered a compliment to the unbelievably talented and beautiful Dua Lipa in a recent interview that has caused a somewhat personal crisis on my part.

She described Lipa as “quietly intelligent”.

How can I be this? I worry now upon reflection that my intellect is too loud. I value intelligence and am, by a long shot, not the smartest in my family or friendship circle (which I love and think is very important), but there are oft times when I meet new people or have interactions with clients that I’ve thought, “Ah, cripes, I didn’t need to say it like that, it sounds like I’m showing off.”

Eleanor says: I had a similar chat once with a friend who moved to the United States for her PhD around the same time I did. When we went back home and met new people, they’d say: “What do you do?” We’d say: “PhD in America.” They’d say: “Cool, where?” And we’d wince about truthfully answering “Princeton”. As though saying so came with a big studio placard: applause. Sometimes we’d pretend the question was about geography and say “New Jersey” instead. But we both quickly realised that was weirder – like what, the news that we’re moderately clever is so trying for strangers back home that it’s only polite to conceal it? For heaven’s sake, with ego like that, what use is politeness?

Point of the story: letting other people see your intelligence isn’t necessarily patronising. Carefully concealing it as a favour to them sure is.

I think the heart of your question is how to reveal intelligence in a way that doesn’t feel like asserting hierarchy. And I think the heart of the answer is unsticking it from anything much about you.

There’s a way of thinking about traits such as intelligence – or musicality, athleticism or anything we possess in different measures – as gifts that run through us, that don’t really redound to our credit.

This is not how we’re taught to think about them. From when we’re knee high we get on stage and clutch certificates rewarding us, such that “aren’t you clever” can feel synonymous with “aren’t you marvellous”. But these traits are largely heritable and the product of socioeconomic fortune. Hard work is involved, of course, but everyone with any kind of talent got it partly by being lucky.

If you think of your traits as happy hits from the lottery stick, then it doesn’t feel so wincey or rude to let them show. They’re just gifts you happened to receive, and you can make life nicer and more beautiful by figuring out how to share them. Yo-Yo Ma doesn’t refuse to play so as to avoid making other people feel bad.

I think intelligence feels “quiet” in the Dua Lipa, dignified way when it has this quality of generous sharing. It’s about appreciating others’ minds, and creating more beauty and interest for others. It looks straight through to an idea, to the world, not through a lens of: “What does this say about me?”

In contrast, intelligence feels noisy and show-offy when its bearer clearly thinks it’s an exciting feature of them that they have it. That’s when it feels like the gifted child deliberately saying a long word for the grown-ups. And that’s why it can be every bit as condescending to conceal it as to reveal it: the show-off and the mealy mouthed downplayer are both making the same egotistical mistake.

Maybe the conversation between Dua Lipa and Helen Garner that got you thinking about this is also a nice place to find an answer. Impressive women, sharing their intelligence with grace and generosity. Talent turned outwards for others, not angled in to shine mainly on its owner.

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Ask Eleanor a question

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‘Classist and snobby’

A record-setting season for Love Island USA peaked in the week of the show’s season finale, reaching the top spot on Nielsen’s streaming charts.

The dating show recorded 1.93 billion viewing minutes for the week of July 7-13, its highest weekly total ever (ahead of 1.78 billion minutes two weeks earlier) and its first time in the No. 1 overall spot on Nielsen’s charts. Peacock has separately said season seven of Love Island USA is the streamer’s most watched original show to date.

Peacock had two shows in the top 10 originals for the week, as Poker Face (312 million minutes) re-entered the rankings for the week of its second season finale.

Ballard, a spinoff of Bosch starring Maggie Q as the title character, had a strong opening week for Prime Video with 1.03 billion minutes of watch time (the full season premiered July 9). That was good for seventh place among all titles and third among original series, behind Love Island and Squid Game (1.25 billion minutes on Netflix).

The CW/CTV drama Sullivan’s Crossing (1.35 billion minutes) led the acquired series rankings after its second season was added to Netflix. Tyler Perry’s Netflix movie Madea’s Destination Wedding led the film chart with just under 1.2 billion viewing minutes, and Kpop Demon Hunters showed staying power with 817 million minutes (its highest total so far) in its fourth week on the charts.

Nielsen’s streaming ratings cover viewing on TV sets only and don’t include minutes watched on computers or mobile devices. The ratings only measure U.S. audiences, not those in other countries. The top streaming titles for July 7-13, 2025, are below.

Justin Baldoni’s lawyers have broken their silence on Blake Lively’s fresh round of allegations.

In a court filing submitted on August 6, Baldoni’s attorneys rubbished Lively’s assertion that the Wayfarer defendants may have leaked confidential deposition details to the media.

His team added that the actress “alleges that ‘it also appears that the Wayfarer Defendants immediately leaked details from the deposition to the tabloid media.’ She does not cite any evidence. This is not surprising as there is none,” the It Ends With Us director said in his filing.

The attorneys further questioned why Lively, 37, would presume the leak came from Baldoni’s side, pointing out the number of other potential sources who were present during the deposition.

“Ms. Lively also fails to explain why any such ‘leak’ could not have originated from Ms. Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, her multiple attorneys, the law firm’s administrative staff, or even the catering staff employed to serve lunch,” the filing stated.

Baldoni, 41, also challenged Lively’s attempts to limit who could attend the deposition. “Putting aside the identity of the culprit, all parties are entitled to attend all depositions,” the filing emphasised.

Livelty’s spokesperson also released a statement on August 7. “We are very pleased with the outcome of her deposition and now look forward to deposing Justin Baldoni and each of the co-defendants in short order.”

“Deposition testimony is confidential for good reason — it’s evidence in a legal proceeding and is subject to objections and evidentiary rules,” People Magazine quoted Lively’s rep.

“Juries aren’t just handed deposition transcripts to read at home, and instead they listen to testimony that is presented at trial under a judge’s supervision,” added the spokesperson.

Lively and Baldoni are scheduled to lock horns in March 2026, where both parties are expected to testify.

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