Kate Taylor
VerifiedArticles by Kate Taylor
Pvolve says Rachel Katzman is the "visionary" behind the fitness juggernaut. Others say she's cashing in on her ex's creation.
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? . Stephen Pasterino wanted his Bosu Balls back. On August 13, 2022, Pasterino arrived at the SoHo flagship of Pvolve, the trendy fitness business he'd founded five years earlier. Pasterino, a chiseled trainer with puppydog eyes, hadn't visited the studio since he and his cofounder, Rachel Katzman, had divorced in 2020.
'All That' star Lori Beth Denberg says Nickelodeon's Dan Schneider showed her porn, initiated phone sex, and lashed out on set
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? . Lori Beth Denberg remembers Dan Schneider calling her into his office and telling her to shut the door. It was 1995, around Denberg's 19th birthday, and Nickelodeon's hit comedy show "All That" had recently wrapped its first season. Denberg was one of the show's stars.
Read the letters that celebrities including James Marsden, Alan Thicke, and Rider Strong wrote supporting the acting coach charged with sexually abusing Drake Bell Original
Entertainment Drake Bell during episode two of the Investigation Discovery docuseries "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV." Investigation Discovery Forty-one family members and friends wrote letters in support of dialogue coach Brian Peck. Peck was charged in 2003 with sexually abusing an unnamed child, who was recently revealed to be Drake Bell. Some letters were written by celebrities including James Marsden, Alan Thicke, and Rider Strong.
Drake Bell speaks out on sexual abuse, Nickelodeon child stardom, and 'Quiet on Set' docuseries Original
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? . In 2004, Drake Bell was officially a teen idol. After getting his big break on "The Amanda Show," the 17-year-old landed his own Nickelodeon series, "Drake & Josh." The show premiered in January 2004 and exploded among tweens who fawned over Bell's character: a guitar-playing, charismatic troublemaker.
Quince vs. Quince: A Michelin-starred restaurant says a startup stole its name and is ruining its reputation Original
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? . When Lindsay Tusk checked her inbox in January, she felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. She'd gotten an email from "Quince" — the name of the three-Michelin-starred restaurant she and her husband, Michael, had founded in San Francisco in 2003.
Documentary reveals stars including James Marsden and Alan Thicke wrote letters of support for the acting coach charged with sexually abusing a 15-year-old Drake Bell Original
Entertainment J. Vespa/WireImage for UPP Entertainment Marketing; BI Multiple Hollywood stars wrote letters of support for Brian Peck in his 2004 child sex abuse case. Celebrities such as Rider Strong and Joanna Kerns wrote to the judge to advocate for Peck, a dialogue coach. Drake Bell is stepping forward in a new docuseries as the previously anonymous victim of Peck's.
Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell speaks out about being sexually abused as a 15-year-old child actor Original
Entertainment Courtesy of Investigation Discovery The "Drake & Josh" star Drake Bell says a Nickelodeon dialogue coach sexually abused him when he was 15. The coach, Brian Peck, was sentenced to 16 months in prison in 2004 over child-sexual-abuse charges. Bell is sharing his story publicly for the first time in "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV." Advertisement Drake Bell is speaking out for the first time about sexual abuse he says he experienced as a 15-year-old child star.
Duke's 3-year fraud investigation into Dan Ariely has ended, and the star professor still has a job. Does he want it?
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? . For years, the Duke professor Dan Ariely was at the top of his game. He published seven best-selling books about cheating and irrationality, landed speaking gigs with Google, and sold his own set of cards: Dan Ariely's Irrational Game. He even inspired a TV show, "The Irrational," on NBC, with Jesse L.
Lunden and Olivia Stallings are TikTok's lesbian power couple. Straight people love them; queer people aren't so sure. Original
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Last September, the historic city of Roswell, Georgia, hosted a royal wedding. The 183-year-old Naylor Hall looked majestic. The brides, Lunden Stallings and Olivia Bennett, descended the columned portico in gowns from Safiyaa and Monique Lhuillier, pearl earrings glinting through their veils.
Residential cruise ship startups selling condos at sea for over $100,000 are struggling for the same reason Original
Companies like Storylines and Life at Sea Cruises are selling cabins on residential cruise ships that they say will circumnavigate the world indefinitely. There's just one problem: They both don't have ships yet. Storylines Throughout 2023, residential cruise ship startups have delayed their launches. Companies like Storylines and Life at Sea Cruises don't have their respective ships yet. There's a list of difficulties that come with acquiring an old ship or building a new one.
Why a retiree planning to pay $1 million to live on a luxury cruise ship changed his mind: "Is this going to happen in my lifetime?' Original
Mike Kasperzak, a 70-year-old retiree, asked Storylines to refund him his deposit for a $1 million condo on the MV Narrative following the startup's ongoing delays. Storylines A 70-year-old buyer has asked Storylines to refund his deposit for a $1 million condo on the MV Narrative. The startup has delayed the launch of its residential ship from 2019 to December 2026.
Die-hard cruisers are paying up to $8 million for a never-ending trip. Investors and employees say they're never going to get it.
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? . The MV Narrative is more of a utopian community than a cruise ship, if you believe Alister Punton, the man behind the $900 million, 18-deck ship. Residents can dine at 20 restaurants, browse the farmers market sourced from the ship's hydroponic gardens, or spend the day curled up in the 10,000-book library.
Disgraced Harvard professor Francesca Gino's $25 million lawsuit will scare researchers away from calling out fraud, scholars fear
Francesca Gino, a star professor at Harvard Business School, is now suing the university over claims it worked with a group of bloggers to "destroy my career and reputation." Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Francesca Gino is suing Harvard and bloggers who accused her of data fraud for $25 million.
Harvard professor Francesca Gino was accused of faking data. Now her million-dollar empire is crumbling — and scholars are eyeing who's next.
This story is available exclusively to Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. To be a true superstar in behavioral science, you need to achieve a few things. A TED Talk, obviously. Best-selling books with bright covers filled with pop-science buzzwords like "predictable irrationality" or "expecting better." Thousands upon thousands of followers on Twitter and LinkedIn. Tenure, ideally at a top business school such as Harvard or Wharton. It's not enough to just teach anymore.
'4chan for economists' is melting down as racist, sexist anonymous posts are linked to Harvard, Yale, and other top institutions
People at schools like Yale and Harvard wrote racist and sexist anonymous posts on the forum Economics Job Market Rumors. A new study cracked the code to uncovering some posters' IP addresses. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters This story is available exclusively to Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. A new study links anonymous posts on "4chan for economists" to IP addresses at Harvard, Yale, and other top schools.
How the Scammer Selling NYC Socialites Fake Birkins Got Caught
George Mickum, pictured here with his former best friend Gillian Hearst, sold at least six fake Hermès bags to wealthy New Yorkers. Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for YoungArts George Mickum, Gillian Hearst's former BFF, sold the heiress and his other rich friends fake Birkins. Things began to unravel when he sold someone a "obvious, slouching, laughably low-quality fake." But the first red flag should have been a forged Hermès receipt that featured the wrong font.
The Socialite and the Scammer: How a bunch of rich New Yorkers got conned by a man with beautiful hair and armfuls of fake Birkins
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? . In April, George Mickum strode through the gold revolving doors of the Carlyle, demanding to be let into the apartment belonging to the newspaper heiress Patty Hearst. He'd been sent there, Mickum claimed, to check on an "art object." Mickum had long been a familiar face at the luxury Upper East Side hotel.
Former child star Alexa Nikolas says Jonah Hill 'shoved his tongue' down her throat against her will when she was 16
Entertainment Jonah Hill. Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic/Getty "Zoey 101" star Alexa Nikolas accused Jonah Hill of forcing a kiss on her when she was 16. She said he "shoved his tongue" down her throat at a party when she was 16 and he was 24. The allegations follow those of Hill's ex-girlfriend, who accused the actor of emotional abuse.
How socialite Julie Macklowe convinced people to spend $450 on a single shot of booze
This story is available exclusively to Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. On a recent Thursday on the Upper East Side, Julie Macklowe sat down to lunch at Le Bilboquet and ordered her usual, the $23 lentil salad — egg well done. The 45-year-old socialite turned whiskey entrepreneur called for the bartender.
Dr. Harvey Karp planned to tell the press the $1,700 Snoo was 'proven to reduce SIDS' last summer. But the FDA stamp of approval never came.
Dr. Harvey Karp was inspired to sketch the first prototype for the cult-favorite Snoo bassinet after giving a 2008 talk on sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, according to company lore. Every year, SIDS and other sleep-related deaths kill roughly 3,500 infants in the US, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Nina Montée Karp and Dr. Harvey Karp turned the $1,700 Snoo into the holy grail of parenting. But some say they overhyped the crib's abilities and created a nightmarish corporate culture.
This story is available exclusively to Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. The babies in the Snoo's 2019 ads weren't nearly happy enough. The tots had been photographed fast asleep, strapped into the $1,700 high-tech bassinets, soothed by the devices' automatic rocking and white-noise machine. But Nina Montée Karp, a cofounder of Happiest Baby, the company behind the Snoo, wanted them to smile, two former employees said.
Brandy Melville owners to pay $1.5 million settlement to thousands of employees over claims they worked 'off the clock' and without breaks
Brandy Melville's owners will pay $1.5 million to settle ex-workers' claims of labor law violations. Nearly 4,000 former California employees will receive payouts of roughly $200 each. In 2021, Brandy Melville employees described racism, Hitler memes, and exploitation to Insider. In November, the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles issued its final judgement in a class-action lawsuit filed by former Brandy Melville employees in 2016.
Ex-'socialite heiressblogger' Emily Brill is back — and she's terrorizing the pet industry
Emily Brill might be the most hated woman in the pet industry. Brill started the digital publication in late 2019, touting herself as a lone voice exposing corruption and deceit in the pet industry. "Who was doing reliable, credible, in-depth reporting on pet insurance?" Brill asked. "Answer: Nobody." She's gone after everything from dog-food startups to animal shelters. And she's made enemies along the way.
Top Hollywood lawyer Bryan Freedman paid a $40,000 settlement after being accused of gang-raping a 17-year-old while in college
This story is available exclusively to Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Bryan Freedman is one of Hollywood's most celebrated attorneys. He's a founding partner of the law firm Freedman & Taitelman, and his celebrity clients have included Seth Rogen, Julia Roberts, and FKA Twigs, whom he is representing in her sexual-assault-and-battery lawsuit against Shia LaBeouf. He's also a top attorney for A-listers facing sexual-misconduct scandals.
How Equifax used employment records it collects from 2.5 million companies to fire dozens of its own employees for working second jobs Original
Equifax investigated and fired at least 24 workers for secretly holding second jobs. The company used The Work Number, one of its own products, to track the peoples' employment records. Executives, especially in the tech industry, have said they're worried that some remote employees are distracted.
Dan Schneider 'didn't like having female writers' on his Nickelodeon shows and created a hostile work environment for women, ex-colleagues say Original
Former Nickelodeon executive Dan Schneider asked Nickelodeon staffers for massages on set. One female writer filed a gender discrimination and hostile workplace claim in 2000, two people said. Schneider once "stated he didn't like having female writers" on shows, a Nickelodeon writer said. Loading Something is loading. Former Nickelodeon hitmaker Dan Schneider's treatment of female colleagues is under scrutiny following an Insider investigation.
Black residents say in new lawsuit that the utopian town funded by Chick-fil-A's chairman is rife with racism
Black residents are suing the companies behind the town of Trilith, Georgia, alleging discrimination. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, residents said they faced racism, including being called slurs. Trilith was founded in 2016 and financially backed by Chick-fil-A's chairman, Dan Cathy. Black residents of Trilith, Georgia, say they repeatedly faced racism after moving to the "utopia" funded by Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A's chairman and former CEO.
'Revealing' teen costumes, on-set massages, and a gender-discrimination complaint: Inside Dan Schneider's 'disgusting' Nickelodeon empire
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? . The goo, roughly the consistency of an egg white, was being squirted repeatedly on the teen actor Jamie Lynn Spears' face.
Eleven Madison Park Owner Responds to Investigation Original
Celebrity chef Daniel Humm responded to Insider's investigation into acclaimed restaurant Eleven Madison Park at the 2022 Aspen Ideas Festival on Monday, addressing a leaked op-ed draft that revealed management was fully aware it was underpaying its staff.
Leaked document reveals Eleven Madison Park knew it paid its workers 'too little'
In September 2021, the famed restaurant Eleven Madison Park drafted an op-ed article declaring that it paid workers "too little" and announcing plans to raise salaries by as much as 33%. But after a scathing review by the New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells, the restaurant scrapped the article — and the proposed raises.
Eleven Madison Park employees said the vegan staff meals left some starving during shifts. One said he was so malnourished he had to go to the doctor — but was still refused chicken
New York restaurant Eleven Madison Park went vegan last year, but that choice has led to chaos, Insider's Kate Taylor reported Tuesday. Former employees said the vegetable-based staff meals left workers starving during 14-hour shifts. One former kitchen worker told Insider he was so malnourished he had to see a doctor — but was still denied chicken. Loading Something is loading.
An Eleven Madison Park worker earning $15 an hour at the $335-a-person restaurant says he was yelled at for scooping ice 'too loudly' in the silent kitchen — and threw away loads of food despite the swanky restaurant's green reputation
New York restaurant Eleven Madison Park went vegan last year, but that choice has led to chaos, Insider's Kate Taylor reported Tuesday. A junior prep cook who quit the restaurant in November says he was paid $15 an hour. The vegan tasting menu costs $335 a person. The cook recounted a massive food waste problem and being yelled at for scooping ice "too loudly." Loading Something is loading.
Eleven Madison Park went vegan. It's been an understaffed, chaotic mess of a year.
This story is available exclusively to Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Chandler Yerves had wanted to work at Eleven Madison Park since he was 14 years old. After all, it had been named the best restaurant in the world, counted Leonardo DiCaprio and Martha Stewart as fans, and had pioneered decadent culinary techniques like its celery root braised in pig's bladder and honey lavender roast duck.
Tyra Banks wanted 'America's Next Top Model' to fix fashion. Now, some contestants say the show was 'psychological warfare.'
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? . When Eugena Washington looked down the runway, she was terrified. It was one of the first few weeks of filming "America's Next Top Model" season seven, and before her was a path of wooden planks seesawing in a pool.
He's got 20 kids, a $4.4 billion real-estate fortune, and a trail of terrified nannies: Meet Stefan Soloviev
Facing a locked laundry-room door, the nanny panicked. Her boss, Stefan Soloviev, the son of the real-estate billionaire Sheldon Solow, could be erratic and hot-tempered. He would scream at his kids and household staff on a daily basis, she said, and she didn't want to risk another explosion. So the nanny decided to go down the laundry chute. But as she lowered herself down the chute, her ring got caught, and she was sent tumbling. She fractured her foot in the fall.
Brandy Melville's CEO loves libertarianism so much he named one of his brands John Galt and used copies of 'Atlas Shrugged' as store props
Brandy Melville incorporates libertarian easter eggs throughout its brand. Founder Stephan Marsan put copies of "Atlas Shrugged" in stores and named a brand John Galt. Insider recently investigated the teen fashion empire and uncovered allegations of racial discrimination and exploitation. Loading Something is loading. Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Brandy Melville's CEO doesn't want Black people to wear the brand's clothing, according to an ex-store owner
Stephan Marsan, the mastermind behind Brandy Melville, has a very specific vision for his ideal customer, per those who know him. According to a new Insider investigation, when Franco Sorgi opened the first Brandy Melville store in Canada in 2012, he said Marsan made it clear that he did not want Black people to shop at the brand. Marsan told him that overweight or Black customers would ruin the brand's reputation, Sorgi told Insider.
Brandy Melville's partnership with Pacsun is in jeopardy amid allegations of racism and sexual exploitation at the 'one-size-fits-most' brand
An Insider investigation has uncovered allegations of racism, antisemitism, and sexual assault at Brandy Melville. Pacsun, the cult teen brand's only US wholesaler, said it was "deeply troubled" by the allegations. A Pacsun spokesperson said it is "looking into the situation to make a determination on next steps." Loading Something is loading.
Brandy Melville employees describe racism, Hitler memes, and sexual exploitation at the 'evil' cult teen brand
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? . According to Brandy Melville employees, CEO Stephan Marsan wants his staffers to be young, thin, pretty, and white. Every day, girls who work at the fast-fashion stores are required to send a full-body photo to executives. Some are as young as 14.
Brandy Melville executives exchanged pornography, memes featuring the N-word, and photos of Hitler in a private group chat
A Brandy Melville executive group chat featured pornography and memes mocking Black and Jewish people. 24 screenshots referenced Hitler, and one selfie showed a supplier performing a Nazi salute. Brandy Melville CEO Stephan Marsan participated, once reportedly editing his face on Hitler's body. Brandy Melville executives were members of a group chat in which they swapped pornography, photos of Adolf Hitler, and memes mocking Black and Jewish people.
McDonald's offers franchisees an olive branch, hoping to 'reset' after a years-long civil war
McDonald's is compromising with franchisees on a controversial tech fee. Franchisees banded together in recent years. Booming sales helped ease tensions, insiders say, though some franchisees remain distrustful. See more stories on Insider's business page. A civil war between McDonald's and its franchisees has come to a close as franchisees turn their attention toward booming sales and away from corporate conflict.
Everything you need to know about Subway's rise and fall, including a franchisee revolt, menu overhaul, and more
Subway is the largest chain in the US, having long leapfrogged industry giants such as McDonald's. But after the death of its cofounder Fred DeLuca in 2015, Subway has taken a turn for the worse. Insider's on top of the developments, so here's what you need to know about the ongoing Subway saga. See more stories on Insider's business page. Loading Something is loading.
Inside the 2 secretive billionaire families that own Subway, as they face backlash from furious franchisees
Subway is owned by two individuals: Elisabeth DeLuca and Peter Buck. Insiders say both were not prepared to lead the chain after cofounder Fred DeLuca's death. Now, the owners are facing backlash from struggling franchisees and rumors they plan to sell Subway. See more stories on Insider's business page. Subway is the largest restaurant chain in the world.
Subway's cofounder pursued franchisees' wives, appeared in a shirtless calendar, and had a secret adopted child Original
Subway cofounder and long-time CEO Fred DeLuca posed shirtless for a faux boudoir calendar. The calendar exemplifies parts of Subway's culture some found unprofessional and inappropriate. Subway encouraged socializing, and DeLuca was known for trying to seduce franchisees' wives, sources said. Loading Something is loading. Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
McDonald's top PR exec is leaving after 'two of the most challenging years' of the fast-food giant's history
David Tovar, the head of McDonald's US communications team, is leaving the fast-food giant. McDonald's US president said Tovar was key in "two of the most challenging years of our business." Tovar told Insider he is "taking some time off to recharge the batteries" before starting a new job. See more stories on Insider's business page. David Tovar, the chief US corporate relations officer for McDonald's USA, is leaving the company.
Subway cofounder Fred DeLuca ruled the company like a demigod and pursued wives of franchisees. How one man sent the world's biggest fast-food chain into a tailspin.
Fred DeLuca was angry at the people he made rich. It was the early 2000s, at a Subway convention at the glamorous oceanside Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach. Development agents — master franchisees deeply involved with the sandwich chain's expansion — arrived in Bentleys and Benzes. Eager to show off the riches Subway provided, they wheeled their cars in front of the hotel and pulled out wads of cash to tip valets $50. DeLuca, the chief executive and cofounder of Subway, pulled up in an old Lincoln.
Subway franchisees are 'desperate, livid, angry, frantic' as the company forces some to choose between higher fees and 'draconian' rules
Subway is presenting franchisees with a tough choice: higher fees or a "draconian" new agreement. The agreement lets Subway control hours, requires participation in deals, and bans criticism. If franchisees don't want to sign, their royalties rise to 10%, up from an already high 8%. See more stories on Insider's business page. Subway is forcing franchisees to choose between higher fees and a "draconian" new agreement, creating yet another conflict at the struggling chain.
Walmart, McDonald's, and Amazon are among companies celebrating Pride after donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to politicians who voted against the Equality Act
Companies are celebrating Pride month, after donating to lawmakers voting against LGBTQ protections. Getty Companies like Amazon, Walmart, and McDonald's are vocally supporting LGBTQ people this Pride Month. The same three companies collectively donated $1 million-plus to lawmakers who voted against the Equality Act. Companies donate to both Republicans and Democrats, even lawmakers they say they disagree with. See more stories on Insider's business page.
Walmart, McDonald's, and Amazon are among companies celebrating Pride after donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to politicians who voted against the Equality Act
Companies like Amazon, Walmart, and McDonald's are vocally supporting LGBTQ people this Pride Month. The same three companies collectively donated $1 million-plus to lawmakers who voted against the Equality Act. Companies donate to both Republicans and Democrats, even lawmakers they say they disagree with. As brands take to Twitter to celebrate Pride, many of the same companies donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to politicians who voted against expanded LGBTQ protections.
Chick-fil-A is under attack over its CEO's ties to a Christian charity accused of trying to squash proposed LGBTQ protections. Here's what we know about the chain's donations.
Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy's donations to a Christian charity have sparked backlash. Cyrus McCrimmon/The Denver Post/Getty Images Chick-fil-A is facing backlash over the CEO's support of a charity linked to opposition to new LGBTQ protections. The chain itself does not donate to the Christian charity or political groups. Other chains including McDonald's and Wendy's donate to politicians who oppose the Equality Act. See more stories on Insider's business page.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Kate
Contact Kate, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack