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Michael Schur says 2008 sketch ‘didn’t feel right to me in some way’
Princess Kate Middleton shared a rare comment on her cancer journey while speaking to fans after the royal family’s Christmas Day service.
“The amount of people who have written this year is extraordinary and I think cancer just really does resonate with so many families,” Kate, 42, said on Wednesday, December 25, per footage obtained by the Daily Mail.
While addressing a fan who worked in a cancer unit, Kate continued, “People like you are doing all the hard work out there. I’m hugely grateful.”
After one woman told Kate, “We’re all behind you, never forget that,” the Princess of Wales replied with a smile, “Thank you very much, [that’s] so kind.”
Kate Middleton Reflects on ‘Difficult Times’ in Heartfelt Christmas Letter
Kate also spoke with Karen Maclean, a 73-year-old who said she had “20 years of cancer.” Maclean told the outlet, “We just had a little talk about cancer, really. I’ve met [King Charles III] before. He said to me, ‘I can remember you,’ I’m thinking, ‘What!’ like, many years ago?”
Maclean noted that Charles, 76, and Kate seemed “very well actually, considering what they’re going through.” (Charles announced his cancer diagnosis in February after undergoing a routine prostate procedure.)
In March, Kate revealed her diagnosis with an undisclosed form of cancer. “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous,” she said at the time. “The surgery was successful, however, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I’m now in the early stages of that treatment.”
Kate completed her chemotherapy treatment in September and has since begun returning to work. Her husband, Prince William, confirmed in November that Kate would “be doing a bit more” in 2025.
King Charles References Health Struggles in Christmas Day Speech
William, 42, referred to 2024 as the most “dreadful” year of his life following two of his loved ones’ cancer diagnoses. “It’s probably been the hardest year in my life,” William said at an Earthshot Prize event. “So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”
The following month, Kate hosted her annual “Together at Christmas” carol concert and addressed her health battle. William as well as the couple’s kids Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, attended the service.
“I didn’t know this year was going to be the year that I’ve just had,” she told singer Paloma Faith. “The unplanned. But, I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times.”
Simone Biles learned the hard way that WAG life isn’t always glamorous — even during the holiday season.
Biles, 27, and her husband, Jonathan Owens, were forced to spend Christmas evening in a hotel ahead of Owens and the Chicago Bears facing off against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, December 26.
“Christmas looks a lil different when ya man gotta report to the hotel,” Biles posted via her Instagram Story on Wednesday, December 25.
Despite the Bears playing at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Thursday evening, many NFL teams will stay in hotels — with curfews — the night before home games.
Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens Share Sweet Cheek Kiss Before Bears Game
Despite Owens’ strict schedule, Biles did manage to make it out for a little festive fun with Torrie Brown, the partner of Bears tight end Marcedes Lewis.
“Merry christmas @torriesbrown,” Biles posted via her Instagram Story with the pair holding up a couple of orange cocktails.
Brown reposted the image to her own Instagram Story, calling Biles her “Christmas boo.”
Biles has been a regular fixture at Owens’ games, both home and away, since wrapping the Gold Across America tour in early November.
The celebrated gymnast has been forced to adapt to a new kind of normal when it comes to the holidays, as she exclusively told Us Weekly ahead of the Bears game in Detroit against the Lions on Thanksgiving last month.
“I’ll fly up in the morning and fly right back, just so we can still spend Thanksgiving together,” Biles told Us. “Holidays are revolving around sports right now, especially in the football world with them sometimes playing.”
While she was at the game cheering on her husband, Biles employed a crew back at the house to make sure everything ran smoothly.
“We’ll just have a chef come and cook,” Biles explained. “I think some of his teammates will come through and grab a plate, especially if they don’t have family in the area. It is a little bit more difficult, but it is kind of nice that we can just relax.”
See Simone Biles' Chicest Game Day Outfits Throughout the NFL Season
After the Bears Thursday Night Football game against the Seahawks, Chicago will conclude its season on Sunday, January 5 in Green Bay against the Packers.
With no playoff bid in sight for the Bears, Biles and Owens will finally have time to enjoy the dream home the couple — who got married in April 2023 — have been building together.
“At this point, we’ve waited so long for it to be built, we’ll just wait until after the [NFL] season to move in,” Biles told Us in November. “Right now, they’re doing all of the backyard stuff. Jonathan wanted a half-basketball court, a barbeque pit, all of the good stuff. We did put an in-ground trampoline and a pool.”
Biles continued, “We’re literally almost there.”
If you’re anything like Us, chances are you’re obsessed with athleisure. It’s hard not to be — life is too short to be wearing stiff jeans every. single. day. The one downside, however, is activewear can be expensive. If you need to add some new active sweatshirts to your wardrobe rotation, you don’t have to pay over $100 for those popular options you see on social media. In fact, you can get a coveted scuba sweatshirt for only $19 at Walmart!
12 Designer-Looking Styles for Under $40 at Walmart
Featuring a pullover style, the Scoop ScubaKnit Sweatshirt is perfect for everyday wear. The comfortable crewneck boasts a slightly cropped fit and banded cuffs and hems. Better yet, shoppers confirm that the scuba sweatshirt design looks expensive even though it’s under $20.
Get the Scoop ScubaKnit Cropped Sweatshirt for $19 at Walmart!
Here’s what Walmart shoppers are saying about the affordable sweatshirt.
“I love this clothing line. It’s buttery soft,” one five-star reviewer writes. “So comfortable. I love the length of the sleeves. The only problem with this top is it’s a little short. It does not cover the hips. It comes a little over the waist. But still love the room in the arms.”
“Absolutely love the scuba fabric,” another shopper writes. “So smooth and soft. I usually wear a large, but because other reviews said they sized down, I bought a medium. I have small shoulders, a 38D chest, and a 33-inch waist, and I have plenty of room at the waist and high hips.”
“This scuba knit is super soft and comfortable,” another reviewer says. “The 2X cream color ran a bit large, and I’m usually a size 22.”
Colors and sizes are selling fast, so hurry and grab one for yourself!
Get the Scoop ScubaKnit Cropped Sweatshirt for $19 at Walmart!
10 Comfy and Cute Summer Pieces You Can Snag on Sale at Walmart
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Deadpool was a box office smash, but director Tim Miller didn’t personally reap the benefits of its success.
Miller, 60, who made his directorial debut with the 2016 superhero film, revealed his surprising salary during an interview with Collider published on Tuesday, December 24.
“You guys might not know, but it’s not really a profitable thing to be a first-time director in Hollywood, and I’ll tell you exactly,” the filmmaker shared. “I got $225,000 to direct Deadpool. I know it sounds like a lot of money, but for two years of work, that’s not a ton of money.”
Ryan Reynolds Shares How Parenthood Could Affect a Potential 'Deadpool 4'
Miller continued, “Not that I’m not grateful, I’m f—ing grateful, that’s the way it is because you’re supposed to when you’re a first-time director. My agent said, ‘Dude, you make more on an episode of The Walking Dead!’”
Miller’s payment paled in comparison to the more than $782 million the film made at the box office. However, he feels “uniquely fortunate” to be part of the Deadpool franchise, which went on to include 2018’s Deadpool 2 and 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, directed by David Leitch and Shawn Levy, respectively.
“Then my second thought is, I wish my director deals had a piece of the merchandising so that I could get some money from all of that,” Miller said.
Deadpool star and coproducer Ryan Reynolds didn’t get rich off the 2016 film either.
Ryan Reynolds Jokes He ‘Can’t Afford’ to Work With Wife Blake Lively
“No part of me was thinking when Deadpool was finally greenlit that this would be a success,” Reynolds, 48, told The New York Times in July. “I even let go of getting paid to do the movie just to put it back on the screen. They wouldn’t allow my cowriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick on set, so I took the little salary I had left and paid them to be on set with me so we could form a de facto writers room.”
Reynolds stands by his decision not to get paid, and he thinks Deadpool turned out better for it.
“I think one of the great enemies of creativity is too much time and money, and that movie had neither time nor money,” he said of the film, which had a $58 million budget compared to the $200 million budget of Deadpool & Wolverine. “It really fostered focusing on character over spectacle, which is a little harder to execute in a comic-book movie. I was just so invested in every micro-detail of it and I hadn’t felt like that in a long, long time. I remembered wanting to feel that more — not just on Deadpool, but on anything.”
After directing Deadpool, Miller went on to create the animated anthology series Love, Death & Robots. He also directed 2019’s Terminator: Dark Fate.
Mark Anderson and Barbara Alyn Woods rang in the holidays with their blended family.
In a sweet snap uploaded via Instagram on Thursday, December 26, Anderson, 57, and Woods, 62, stood on a stairwell with their children surrounding them. The men rocked matching monochromatic navy blue loungewear while the women in the family wore long-sleeve striped pajamas.
Mark’s daughter Kelsey Anderson and her fiancé, former Bachelor Joey Graziadei, posed underneath the Golden Bachelorette alum and Woods. His other children, Matthew, Taylor, Pascal and Jordan, and her kids, Natalie, Emily and Alyvia, were also photographed. (Mark shared his kids with late wife Denise, while Woods coparents with estranged husband John Lind. The exes filed for divorce in May.)
“It’s giving hallmark Christmas movie,” Natalie captioned her Instagram Story pic, which Kelsey reposted.
Joey and Kelsey to Spend Christmas With Her Dad and GF Barbara Alyn Woods
While Mark and Woods have been tight-lipped about the status of their relationship, Graziadei confirmed their romance during the Friday, December 20, episode of the “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast.
“We are going to actually spend it with Kelsey’s family and Mark’s new girlfriend as well … which is gonna be great,” Graziadei said. “Barbara’s awesome.”
The former Bachelor noted that it would not be the first time he and Kelsey met the One Tree Hill alum.
“We’ve gotten a chance to go out to dinner with her and her family, when Mark came to L.A.,” he said. “We spent Thanksgiving with my family. We’re spending Christmas with hers, and we’re excited for it.”
Mark Anderson and One Tree Hill’s Barbara Alyn Woods’ Relationship Timeline
After Mark was sent home by Joan Vassos on The Golden Bachelorette season 1 earlier this year, Kelsey commended her dad for trying to find love on the reality TV series. (Kelsey’s mom, Denise, died in 2018 following a battle with breast cancer.)
“I think that he grew a lot from it and I’m just really proud of him,” Kelsey told Us in October. “I’m also really thankful for Joan in helping my dad through all of this.”
Days later, Mark sparked romance rumors with Woods in October when they were photographed in matching Halloween costumes.
“When Cinderella and Prince Charming have a baby,” Woods captioned her Instagram post of the twosome as the Disney characters, referring to daughter Natalie, who was dressed as Grogu from The Mandalorian.
The pair has since offered glimpses of their time together and shown subtle support for one another. After Graziadei won season 33 of Dancing With the Stars in November, Woods took to her Instagram Story to celebrate him.
In her post, shrieks could be heard in the background after Graziadei and his partner, Jenna Johnson, were crowned the newest champions.
“CONGRATS @joeygraziadei,” Woods wrote via her Instagram Story at the time, alongside a clip of Graziadei and Johnson. In the video, Woods tagged her three children, who were seen watching with their jaws open.
We’re at that point in the year when it’s hard to tell what day it is, so if you have some time off to relax, why not fill it with a bit of shopping? Now that you’ve opened gifts, you can figure out what your wardrobe still needs for the winter months ahead. That’s where Amazon’s latest, low-key winter sale comes into play. There are pages of deals to browse right now, making it easy (and affordable) to add new goodies to your closet.
11 Hidden Fashion Discounts During Amazon's Secret Winter Sale
The winter sale features hundreds of markdowns on wardrobe essentials and pieces that will get you prepped for any seasonal occasion. So far, we’ve discovered deals on trendy clogs made from genuine leather, a sweater dress that’s flattering on all figures, matching lounge sets and Chelsea boots under $100. And those items are only a few of our favorites.
Check out 10 of the best fashion deals you can score during Amazon’s Winter Sale, ahead.
1. A Comfortable Two-Piece Set: If you’re looking for a coordinating outfit that’s equal parts cute and comfortable, add the Darong set to your cart while it’s 20% off. The loose-fitting sleeve top paired with wide-leg black pants looks designer, and you’ll be excited to pull it on whenever you work from home — $32 (originally $40) at Amazon!
2. Everyday Pants: Shoppers say they love these roomy pants just as much as a similar Lululemon pair. The main difference between the two? These are under $40! The relaxed bottoms feature a four-way stretch, ultra-soft fabric and pockets — $31 (originally $36) at Amazon!
3. Shearling Slip-Ons: This pair of faux fur slip-on shoes are eerily similar to Birkenstocks. Aside from being fuzzy and plush, they have a comfortable, breathable footbed and include two stylish buckle details that elevate these shoes — $23 (originally $46) at Amazon!
4. A Cropped Puffer Vest: Layer this vest over your favorite sweatshirts and sweaters to give your look a stylish twist. It’s not bulky and provides ample room to style and move around in. Choose between 15 colors in sizes S to XXL — $34 (originally $40) at Amazon!
5. A Black V-Neck Sweater: The Sampeel v-neck sweater is what your winter rotation is missing. The longer-length pullover design makes it ideal for wearing over leggings or tucking into jeans — $17 (originally $24) at Amazon!
6. Designer-Like Chelsea Boots: Shoppers have labeled this pair of shoes a “seriously great winter travel boot” since they’re comfortable and easy to wear. They feature a chunky heel and a stretchy sock lining that’s breathable while keeping feet dry — $38 (originally $69) at Amazon!
7. The Best Gym T-Shirt: The oversized Athmile t-shirt is made of soft, lightweight fabric and is versatile enough for every season. It’s also moisture-wicking, so you can easily wear it to the gym — $10 (originally $15) at Amazon!
8. A Go-To Winter Dress: If you’ve tried to embrace the sweater dress trend but have yet to find one that’s flattering, give this knit pick a chance. The oversized fit never clings to the midsection or hips and it comes in 33 colors, ranging from neutrals and vibrant hues — $33 (originally $45) at Amazon!
9. A Three-Pack of Leggings: Complete with tummy control and outer pockets, this stretchy trio of leggings comes in a variety of color combinations. We can’t stop eyeing the pack that includes black, white and espresso options, all of which are made to last through endless laundry cycles — $20 (originally $28) at Amazon!
10. “Potato” Shoes: This 2000s footwear trend is back and if you’re itching to snag a pair of the beloved clogs, now is your chance. The Fitory Clogs are made from 100% genuine leather and include a premium suede cork insole for arch support — $34 (originally $42) at Amazon!
10 Fashion Deals From Nordstrom’s Half Yearly Sale That You Don’t Want to Miss
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It wouldn’t be a Hallmark Channel movie without chemistry between the two leads … and sometimes the love isn’t just onscreen!
Three years after Carlos and Alexa PenaVega wed in 2014, they starred in the made-for-TV film Enchanted Christmas. The pair have gone on to costar in their own Hallmark Movies & Mysteries franchise, Picture Perfect Mysteries.
Eric Winter and Roselyn Sanchez, who tied the knot in 2008, collaborated on Hallmark’s A Taste of Summer in 2019.
“We had a blast but our process is very different. This was a lighthearted romantic comedy, so there was no point in us being all crazy serious. I goof around on set and have fun with everybody,” Winter exclusively told Us Weekly at the time. “Roselyn was so serious. I was looking at her like, ‘Why do you look like you want to kill me? We’re working together, we’re supposed to be falling in love!’”
Colin O’Donnell revealed via Instagram in December 2019 that he felt “pretty darn lucky” to work with his wife, Patti Murin, in Love on Iceland.
Scroll through for other couples who have appeared in Hallmark movies together:
Former Central Michigan University quarterback Tommy Lazzaro died on Sunday, December 22, after an apparent hunting accident in Florida. He was 27 years old.
Lazzaro’s death was confirmed by the school on Thursday, December 26.
“Several reports indicated that he passed away from a hunting accident,” the university said, indicating the incident happened in Destin, Florida.
According to WILX-10, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed the accident happened at the Eglin Air Force Base in Walton County, Florida. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said all involved parties remained on the scene and were cooperating with the investigation.
Celebrity Deaths of 2024: Stars We Lost This Year
The former athlete was serving as a member of the United States Army at the time of his death, a career path he chose after playing football at Central Michigan from 2016 to 2019.
“When we took over the program, Tommy was truly our leader in so many ways,” former Central Michigan head coach Jim McElwain said in a statement. “CMU Football was blessed to have him and will always remember him for all he did for many of us. He will be missed by all of the Chippewas.”
Lazzaro played in 20 games during his career at Central Michigan, flourishing in the second half of the 2019 season when he earned the nickname “Touchdown Tommy.”
In the last 5 games of his senior season, Lazzaro scored seven rushing touchdowns, including two in the 2019 MAC Championship Game.
He finished his career at Central Michigan with 16 touchdowns — 11 rushing and 5 passing.
“He was a great soul,” former CMU athletic director Michael Alford told The Detroit News. “Couldn’t have met a better person who cared about others.”
In 2019, Lazzaro gushed about his experience at the university, both on and off the field.
“This place has given me a home, an education, a place to meet some of my best friends ― guys I’ll know for the rest of my life,” he told student newspaper CM Life.
After graduating with a degree in Entrepreneurship, Lazzaro followed the lead of his father and grandfather and enlisted in the United States Army, ultimately rising to the rank of sergeant.
NFL Tragedies of 2024: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths
A celebration of life for Lazzaro will be held on Saturday, December 28, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Lazzaro will then be buried with full military honors.
According to his obituary, Lazzaro’s “dedication to his military career was evident in the professionalism and pride he brought to his role.”
“His service was marked by bravery and a commitment to protecting others, earning him the respect and admiration of his peers,” the obituary continued. “Beyond his military accomplishments, Thomas was known for his compassionate and jovial spirit, a personality that brought light and joy to everyone around him.”
Lazzaro is survived by his parents, Tom and Lisa, and sister, Lexie.
Several stars are soaking up the sun rays while celebrating the holidays in style.
Eva Longoria showed off her figure in a Melissa Odabash navy bikini with a drink in hand and sunglasses sitting atop her head. In another image, Longoria sat on a chair in the same beach outfit and laughed while looking off in the distance.
“Out of office ,” she captioned the Thursday, December 26, Instagram snaps, which included pics of her and husband José Bastón and son Santiago, 6. (Longoria is also a stepmom to Bastón’s three kids from his first marriage, Natalia and twins Mariana and Jose Antonio.)
Natalie Portman, meanwhile, was all smiles as she frolicked in the ocean in St. Barts on Wednesday, December 25. Portman was spotted wearing a black bikini and goggles as she stepped into the water on her vacation.
Scroll down to see more stars who hit the beach for the holidays:
Let’s be honest for a second . . . we all have our insecurities but we all handle them differently. For some people it’s their nose, others their skin texture and for some of Us it’s our arms. The best way to handle it in the winter is not to over-layer sweaters like Joey Tribbiani did in that Friends episode. It’s to simply try one arm-slimming sweater that looks extra expensive — but is actually affordable.
Our roundup of 13 arm-slimming sweaters for winter will help to make your arms look more slender and have you look extra chic while doing it. From this batwing sleeve style to this crochet-knit sweater, our below list has a sweater for all different kinds of styles. The best part? They all come in at an affordable price — all under $45!
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1. Our Top Favorite: With over 2,000 bought within the last month, Amazon shoppers have been flocking to this batwing sleeve sweater that has an arm-elongating look!
2. Crochet Cutie: On top of getting a cute crochet-knitted sweater, this style will also provide relaxed-fitting sleeves that have an arm-flattering look!
3. Cable Knit Coziness: Combine your love for a classic cable knit sweater with your desire for leaner-looking arms with this style loose-fitting sleeves!
4. Toasty Turtleneck: On the coldest days of winter, you’ll want to grab for this oversized turtleneck sweater that has arm-streamlining batwing sleeves!
5. Easily Elevating: Looking like it came from a fancy boutique is this closet-elevating sweater that’s made with oversized, drop sleeves!
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6. A Shopper Favorite: If you want a guaranteed good buy, this dolman sleeve sweater is your go-to since it’s been bought over 4,000 times this month by happy shoppers!
7. Puff Sleeve Perfection: A great buy for the money this puff sleeve sweater will easily transition into warmer months as well!
8. Batwing Beauty: This oversized, batwing sweater will not only make you look slimmer, it’ll keep you feeling cozy too, with its ribbed knit fabric!
9. Vintage-Chic: If vintage coziness is more your vibe, you’re definitely going to want to take a look at this oversized cable knit sweater that has a retro-chic knit fabric!
10. Off-The-Shoulder-Chic: In a style that looks like a rich mom find is this asymmetrical off-the-shoulder sweater that literally hides the arms with its draped design!
11. Statement Sleeves: Make a statement in this honeycomb sleeve sweater that has a drop shoulder design and chunky knit fabric!
12. Closet Classic: If you’re looking to stick to the staples, you’ll want to invest in this classic crewneck sweater that channels quiet luxury vibes!
13. Sleek in Stripes: Helping to camouflage the arms further is this striped knit sweater that comes in several modern and eye-catching colorways!
10 Best Puffer Bags on Amazon, From Rich Mom Totes to Work Bags, Starting at $10
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John Reardon and Meghan Ory didn’t meet on a Hallmark Channel movie — but their love story plays out like one.
The twosome were introduced while filming their short-lived series Merlin’s Apprentice in 2006. After tying the knot in 2008, they began popping up in Hallmark rom-coms, becoming staples on the network for their respective projects.
Reardon made his debut on Hallmark with two episodes of When Calls the Heart in 2014. That same year, he appeared in his first movie for the network with The Christmas Secret.
One year later, Ory starred in her first feature for Hallmark with 2015’s Debbie Macomber’s Dashing Through the Snow. She went on to be a lead character on Chesapeake Shores.
‘Chesapeake Shores’ Cast’s Dating History: The Hallmark Stars’ Love Lives
It wasn’t until fall 2024 that Ory and Reardon costarred in a Hallmark movie, Believe in Christmas. Shortly after its release, Reardon revealed he had been battling tonsil cancer but was in recovery just in time for the holidays.
Scroll down to see Reardon and Ory’s love story from the start:
Reardon and Ory met on Merlin’s Apprentice, which aired in 2006. Ory played Brianna and Reardon played Jack.
The couple tied the knot.
The twosome were all smiles during a Christmas in July celebration.
The pair enjoyed a day at Disneyland.
Reardon was on hand to celebrate Ory wrapping season 2 of Hallmark Channel’s Chesapeake Shores.
Ory announced via Instagram that she had welcomed the couple’s first baby earlier that year. “#Happymothersday to all you fierce mommas out there!” she captioned a photo of baby sandals. “To answer the question, yes, I have joined the ranks of love, cuteness, poops and exhaustion and loving it! #motherhood #babies .”
“So happy to be ringing in another year with this guy!” Ory captioned an Instagram snap. “Happy 2019 everyone-may you be safe and with those you love @johnny_reardon_ #newyearseve.”
“Feeling very grateful to say goodbye to my built in coffee table and hello to Baby who is here and healthy!” the actress wrote via Instagram, confirming her second child’s arrival. “So much gratitude this #canadianthanksgiving @johnny_reardon_ #newbornhibernationtime.”
Reardon shared a sweet selfie with his wife while bundled up for winter.
“Happy International Women’s Day to all our heroes @officialmeghanory #internationalwomensday,” Reardon wrote via Instagram while honoring his spouse.
Ory paid tribute to Reardon on his birthday calling him, “The most incredible, amazing, awesome, super sexy” man. “I don’t know how I got so lucky but I count my lucky stars everyday,” she added. “You are the MOST incredible husband and dad and we love you so much!”
Ory joined Reardon for two episodes of his Citytv series Hudson and Rex.
“Happy Father’s Day to this super stud dad and hubby. @johnny_reardon_ We are so grateful for all you do and love you so much,” Ory wrote via Instagram in a tribute to Reardon. “PS. Yes I know I’m in trouble for posting this photo.”
Ory joked in November 2022 that she was “87 weeks pregnant and ready to party” while showing off her growing baby bump.
She revealed in January 2023 that she and Reardon had welcomed their third baby. “Brushed my hair today! #winning!!! #postpartum ,” Ory captioned a snap of her voluminous hair.
The pair reunited on screen for their first Hallmark movie together, Believe in Christmas, which aired as of the network’s “Countdown to Christmas.” Ory shared behind the scenes photos from set, including a flour fight between the spouses.
Reardon opened up about his tonsil cancer journey after stepping out for his “first night out after my recovery.” He revealed via Instagram that it had been a “long road” that he was able to endure because of the “love and support I received from my people in my life.”
He gave a shout-out to Ory, whom he called his “amazing partner” for “taking on our whole world to help me get better.” The actor said their kids “inspired” him to get well and his mom and dad were there every step of the way.
Reardon also honored his siblings who “helped with the kids and the challenges of life when I couldn’t” and his in-laws, neighbors and medical staff who championed him.
“Kindness is an under appreciated quality in people. We should never under value it,” he added. “Celebrate it and distribute it as much as possible. It is free and life changing. Happy Holidays .”
Not only did Mila Kunis find love through her marriage with Ashton Kutcher, but she also found a new perspective on her Jewish identity.
While chatting with activist Noa Tishby about Hanukkah in a Thursday, December 26, YouTube video, the actress, 41, revealed that she credits Kutcher, 46, with making her feel “Jewish and proud.”
“[He’s Jewish] by choice. By choice? I was like, ‘Why would you choose this?’” she quipped before adding: “I fell in love with my religion because he explained it to me. The thing about being Jewish is it’s like a choose your adventure, where you can pick and choose things about it that resonate with you. And there’s no right or wrong way to be Jewish.”
While Kunis was born and raised Jewish in present-day Ukraine, Kutcher grew up Catholic but has been practicing Kabbalah (a form of Judaism focusing on Jewish mysticism) for several years. He even called Kabbalah “one of the essential ingredients” in his marriage to Demi Moore in a March 2008 interview with Harper’s Bazaar. (Kutcher and Moore, 62, were married from 2005 to 2013.)
Interfaith Celebrity Couples Who Celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah
“Every time we come up against a challenge, we turn to the tools we have learned and a solution follows,” Kutcher told the outlet. “Imagine waking up every day knowing with certainty that whatever obstacle you come up against, you will be able to navigate through it to the best possible outcome. That’s what our spiritual foundation provides.”
During Thursday’s interview, Kunis revealed that she was told “never” to talk about being Jewish during her childhood. “I think because I was in a country that didn’t allow for religion,” she explained. “I was raised culturally Jewish, so for me, it’s a culture.”
Kunis also quipped that she was “raised with a lot of guilt,” and that carried over into her adult life. “I think I have a fear of not having enough food. My fear of someone being hungry. Like, the worst thing my kids can say to me is, ‘I’m hungry,’” she stated. “Food fixes everything. You’re tired? Eat some food. You’re cranky? Eat some food. … It is just something that’s embedded in me.”
Kunis and Kutcher wed in 2015 and went on to welcome two kids — daughter Wyatt, 10, and son Dimitri, 8. While chatting with Tishby, 49, about the holiday season, Kunis said she “never lit Hanukkah candles until I had kids.”
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Now, Kunis is getting to experience new aspects of her culture through her and Kutcher’s children. “My kids very much identify with the religion aspect of it,” she said. “I was like, ‘OK, I guess we’ll do [Shabbat] and we’ll do the candles.’ There’s so much beautiful tradition in it.”
Kunis helped Tisby light candles for the second night of Hanukkah during Thursday’s video, and the pair even called Kutcher to clarify which way they should do so. “It’s right to left, babe,” he told Kunis over the phone. “You load them right to left, but you light them — you start with the center candle, so it’s like the anchor candle, and then you light them left to right.”
After successfully lighting the menorah, Tishby joked: “When in doubt about Judaism, call Ashton Kutcher, I guess.”
American Idol finalist Emmy Russell, who is the granddaughter of late country legend Loretta Lynn, is going to be a mom!
“Y’all, me and Tyler [Ward] are expecting a baby girl,” Russell, 25, said during a recent taping of the “Got it From My Momma” podcast. “I’m so excited.”
Ward, 40, immediately ran up on stage to rub Russell’s belly before taking his seat in the crowd.
“Right out of American Idol, I didn’t know,” Russell, who was a finalist on season 22, said. “So, that’s kind of been the journey. I’m so excited and looking forward to it.”
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Russell was joined by her mother, Patsy, on the episode, who also teased her reaction to her daughter’s pregnancy news.
“I always said it’s ‘Emmy and Tyler that’s having a baby’ because they’re both having to go through [it],” Patsy said. “It’s so true. I keep sending Tyler the memes of these girls going, ‘I can’t wear anything, I’m fat.’”
While Russell and Ward have not publicized most of their relationship, he was instrumental in her Idol journey.
“I do feel that distinct voice of, ‘You do have a job to do,’ and I think it was also just so out there. I was so tired of listening to that inner voice critiquing ourselves all the time,” Russell, who tried out for the singing competition without informing her mother, explained. “I was just like, ‘I want to prove everyone wrong.’ … Everyone was like, ‘She’s probably not going to do it.”
She added, “I remember just even looking at Tyler and I was just, like, ‘I’m going to do this and I’m not going to hide anymore.’ I remember when MeeMaw passed away and we got to just be alone with her, I remember holding her hand, just like, ‘I don’t know how I’m gonna do it, but I’m gonna do something with my gift.’ It was almost like a scary praise that I was making.”
See Celebrity Kids Auditioning for 'American Idol' Over the Years
Russell then remembered that Lynn used to tell her, “God, doesn’t give a plumber tools to not use them.” (Lynn died in 2022 at the age of 90.)
“She always used to say, ‘He gave you a gift. You gotta use it.’ And so, I’m navigating that and I’m still navigating it today, but I knew that might be the place to do it.”
Russell auditioned for Idol with a piano rendition of an original song titled “Skinny,” which was a collaboration with Ward.
“I released that song with Song House, and Tyler actually runs Song House,” she said. He was like, ‘You gotta do it. We just got to release the song.’ Then, seeing all the feedback of it, I was like, ‘This is bigger than me. I need to get out of the way.’ … Releasing it [was] special.”
Bradley Cooper will be celebrating a milestone birthday in the next couple of weeks, but to him, age is just a number. “He doesn’t think too much about turning 50 other than how proud he is of his career trajectory and his most important job as a dad,” a source reveals in Us Weekly’s latest cover story, noting Cooper will likely celebrate his big day in NYC. “It won’t be a Leonardo DiCaprio–style party, as that’s not Bradley’s [vibe], but there is a celebration in the works.” The actor is also enjoying his romance with model Gigi Hadid, with the insider noting that the duo are “the real deal.” Read on for more exclusive updates and top stories:
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Jason Kelce has a reputation for being charitable around the holidays — but this year he wanted to level up.
In accordance with the release of his holiday charity album, A Philly Special Christmas Party — which benefited local Philadelphia charities for the third year in a row — Kelce, 37, and musical collaborators Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson got in touch with their former Eagles teammate, Connor Barwin, with an unprecedented idea.
“This last year, Jason, Jordan and Lane came to me and said they wanted to do something really big,” Barwin, 38, said in a video posted to Kelce’s YouTube channel on Thursday, December 26. “They wanted to use the proceeds from the record to get a gift for every single kid in the Philadelphia public school district.”
Barwin added, “I initially thought it wasn’t possible. Jason pushed me.”
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With the holiday season quickly approaching, the group got to work on what became known as Operation Snowball.
Two weeks before Christmas, Kelce showed off the impressive fruits of their labor. “We’ve got an entire warehouse being filled with toys,” Kelce said in the video. “I’ve never really seen anything quite like this, to be honest with you.”
Kelce added, “To pull something off like this? Between the toys, the logistics, the schools, the teachers, the faculty. This is a truly monumental lift for a lot of people. I don’t know that this would be achievable in many places other than Philadelphia.”
One week before Christmas, Kelce and the crew enlisted the help of another famous friend: comedian and Saturday Night Live alum Pete Davidson.
“Dude, thanks for coming,” Kelce told Davidson, 31. “Holy cow.”
Davidson helped hand out gifts at Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin High School, where he jokingly referred to himself as an “Eagles WAG.”
Meanwhile, across town at Kirkbride Elementary, Kelce was gifted multiple friendship bracelets by excited students, an obvious nod to Taylor Swift, the girlfriend of Jason’s younger brother, Travis.
Jason made another stop at Alliance for Progress Charter School, where he took the mic and addressed the students.
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“To see the joy on all of your faces makes the whole thing worth it,” he told them. “I hope you enjoy the gifts. More importantly, I hope you have a happy holiday.”
When Jason was told by a local news reporter that some of the students had already said they planned on giving their gifts to their siblings, he joked, “If regifting isn’t in the spirit of Christmas, I don’t know what is.”
Ultimately, Operation Snowball handed out over 1 million gifts to more than 200,000 students across 338 different buildings.
“To let 200,000 kids know, even in the smallest way, that they’re important and people are thinking about them during the holidays. It’s hard to understate how powerful that is,” Barwin said, “I think Jason and the guys understood that. That’s what this was all about.”