Since American Idol premiered in June 2002, the show, its judges and contestants have become the subject of numerous scandals and controversies.
Prior to the days of voting by app for your favorite contestant, fans reported an unfair voting system during season 1 of American Idol when about 100 people used auto-dialing technology to reportedly place almost 10,000 votes every night for their favorite contestant.
Because not everyone had access to the technology, some said the system gave certain Idol hopefuls (whose fans were lucky enough to be on top of their tech) an unfair advantage. Nevertheless, production company Fremantle Media told USA Today in August 2002 that the number of votes coming from the software were “statistically insignificant.”
The next season, the drama became more personal when Ruben Studdard won the competition, beating Clay Aiken by 140,000 votes out of a total 24 million. While fans complained that the crown belonged to the “Invisible” singer, both season 2 stars went on to have successful careers.
Scroll down to see more of the biggest American Idol controversies through the years:
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Meghan Markle offers glimpses into her Montecito, California life on Netflix’s With Love, Meghan — and she can’t resist praising her family dynamics.
Meghan, 43, relocated to California in 2020 with her husband, Prince Harry, after they stepped down from their duties as senior working royals. Now, they maintain a somewhat private life with son Prince Archie, 5, and daughter Princess Lilibet, 3.
In addition to parenthood, Meghan has rediscovered her passions for lifestyle trends, cooking and gardening, all of which she explores in With Love while rubbing shoulders with an array of famous friends.
“I’ve always loved taking something pretty ordinary and elevating it,” Meghan said in a trailer for the docuseries. “Surprising people with moments that lets them know I was thinking of them.”
Meghan Markle's Life Now: A New Brand, Netflix Show and 'Peace' at Home
Keep scrolling for a complete guide of every reference Meghan made on With Love to Harry, Archie and Lili:
In the debut episode, Meghan made homemade bath salts out of arnica, lavender and pink Himalayan sea salt.
“We have a lot of Arnica in my house,” she said. “Toddler life! Lots of bumps and bruises.”
During Meghan’s DIY process, she revealed that her former Suits makeup artist Daniel Martin was due for a visit and gushed that Archie and Lili call him “Uncle Daniel.”
“He was in my life for the before, during and after, shall we say,” she said, subtly referring to her life as the Duchess of Sussex.
As Meghan harvested berries to make her As Ever jam, she gushed in episode 2 that the fruit would impress Archie and Lili.
“My kids will come home smelling sweetness,” the duchess said, also detailing how her brood likes her bacon-filled frittata for breakfast. “When I’m cooking bacon, my kitchen very immediately becomes full of [my] husband and three dogs. My bacon brings all the boys to the yard.” (Meghan and Harry are proud pet parents to canines Pula and Mia, while beagle Guy died ahead of the With Love premiere.)
“I take a lot of pride in making breakfast for my family,” Meghan added. “The morning’s fast, gotta get the kids to school.”
While chatting with guest Mindy Kaling in episode 2, Meghan revealed how Harry seasons his food.
“I have a family, a husband who no matter what meal is put in front of him, before he tastes it, always puts salt on,” she said. “So, I try to undersalt.”
Kaling chimed in, joking, “I love knowing that your husband likes it salty!”
Meghan also revealed that Harry refers to ladybugs as “ladybirds.”
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Are Present With 'Well-Mannered' Archie, Lili
As Meghan makes a balloon arch in episode 2, Harry pops in — albeit off-camera — to ask, “What’s going on, my love?”
Meghan had previously made a similar archway for Archie’s first birthday in 2020.
“Making a balloon arch looks like a lot of work,” she explained. “You can say you did it for your kids.”
Harry returned in episode 8 to attend a brunch alongside Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. The duke arrived, bestowing a flurry of kisses on his wife.
“Are the greens from the garden?” Well done! You did a great job,” he gushed. “I love it.”
Meghan jokingly responded to Kaling calling her “Meghan Markle” throughout the visit.
“It’s so funny you keep saying ‘Markle.’ You know, it’s Sussex now,” she said. “You have kids and you go, ‘I share my name with my children.’ I didn’t know how meaningful it would be to me but it just means too much to go, ‘This is our family name. Our little family now.’”
Meghan and Harry were given the titles of Duchess and Duke of Sussex, respectively, by Queen Elizabeth II when they got married in 2018. (The long-reigning queen, Harry’s paternal grandmother, died in 2022.)
“When you’ve had kids you’re used to balancing things on your hip,” Meghan said in the third episode, getting ready to welcome chef Roy Choi into her kitchen.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Quotes About Daughter Lilibet
Meghan later told Choi that she often makes a crudité platter for Archie and Lili.
“We have them every day because that’s how our kids love eating vegetables,” she said.
In episode 5, she offered more insight into how she gets the kids to sample veggies.
“There are ways to make store-bought things look and taste even better,” she said. “Even for our kids — why they love eating vegetables is because it looks colorful and fun.”
As Meghan and Choi sampled the fruits of their labor, the former Suits actress did a brief jig.
“My daughter does the same thing when she likes something she’s eating,” Meghan quipped. “She looked [like she] sways a little bit.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Son Archie’s Photo Album Through the Years
While making hibiscus sun tea for lunch with friend Delfina Blaquier in episode 4, Meghan revealed how Archie has started to follow her culinary lead.
“[Growing up,] I was taking a bag of tea … and putting it in a mason jar or a jar that once held spaghetti sauce and putting it in the sun and sitting there and waiting for it to change color,” Meghan said. “Funny enough, [it] is what Archie does now.”
Blaquier is married to polo player Nacho Figueras, who is one of Harry’s close friends.
“Our husbands will be so jealous that we had this meal without them,” Meghan joked to Blaquier about their episode 4 picnic spread.
While visiting a flower market in episode 5, Meghan revealed her daughter’s colorway preferences.
“[There’s] a lot of pink — Lili would love that,” she gushed.
Meghan started taking an interest in the art of floral arranging during her 2019 baby shower for Archie. While she gets to work, she noted that Lili likes to remind her to clean up as she goes.
“Lili made a song,” Meghan teased in episode 5. “‘Clean as you go! Clean, clean clean!’”
In episode 5, Meghan detailed a recent “family vacation” and praised Archie for catching two trout while fishing. She and Harry then used the fish for dinner.
“[They] loved it,” Meghan recalled. “It was very sweet.”
For Meghan, she’s found her relationship with cooking has “changed” since having kids.
“It’s so much a part of what I want them to learn and to have these great formative memories of being with me, like, ‘Oh, mama used to make this!’” she recalled. “H is a great cook [and makes a] really great breakfast.”
When Meghan makes family meals, meanwhile, she opts to “sprinkle” chia seeds into pancakes and salads.
Prince Harry Says Becoming a Dad Gave Him a ‘Fresh Perspective’ on Life
In episode 5, Meghan opened up about one of her daughter’s most cherished toys.
“Lili got a doll that was, I don’t remember who gave it to her,” she recalled. “She has a little baguette, she has a little cheese and she’s called Stella Al Fresco!”
Meghan also enjoys working in the kitchen with her little girl.
“Lili and I made [a preserves] batch together,” Meghan recalled. “[She said,] ‘No, mama I’ll do it. I’ll stir it, I’ll mash it.’ She’s proud. That part felt good!”
During episode 7, Meghan and her “dear friend” Vicky Tsai, the founder of Tatcha skincare, addressed how she dealt with mom guilt.
“Just because you can’t do everything doesn’t mean you don’t want to do some things. Some things is where a lot of that love can come in,” Meghan said. “You’re not losing extra credit — you’re not losing the gold star by not making the dumpling wrapper.”
Meghan gave Tsai a harvest basket, which featured eggs that bore the label “Archie’s Chick Inn.” (As seen in Harry and Meghan’s bombshell CBS interview in 2021, they have a backyard chicken coop named in their son’s honor.)
In episode 8, Meghan explains that most of the chickens had been rescued from factory farms save for a few, which were gifted. Two of the present ones, according to Meghan, were “named Phil and Jill” by Archie and Lili.
“It’s fun for kids and adults,” Meghan added. “If a morning starts like this, you think about your day differently.”
With Love, Meghan is now streaming on Netflix.
Not every kitchen challenge makes it on screen — which is why Below Deck Down Under‘s Tzarina Mace-Ralph answered some burning questions about what takes place behind the scenes.
During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Tzarina, 30, pulled back the curtain on issues in the galley, asking, “How long do you have?”
“A difficult thing [this season] — especially when it comes to the paperwork and provisions — is that our food was being flown in from France and, obviously, I get the preference sheets that day,” she explained.“So it’s kind of like guessing what people might want and having to change my menu, maybe, three times and having to really focus on paperwork.”
Tzarina recalled having to adjust to the Katina, the yacht on season 3 of Down Under.
Below Deck Down Under's Biggest Drama Through the Years
“That was a stainless steel metal box without a window. We also didn’t have any proper air conditioning in there,” she noted. “Then if you think about it with the temperatures [in Seychelles, Africa] as well and the way that the boat rocks. Even that big walk-in fridge door, you have to wait for the boat to rock to be even able to open the door because there are times you won’t be able to pull that door open. So you have to wait to open a fridge. Also with the way that the boat rocks and your brain just naturally slows down as well.”
She continued: “There’s many things about that galley that were really tough. I don’t need to explain myself because people who’ve never worked on a yacht just don’t actually know how difficult it is. It’s not fun, but we do it.”
This is Tzarina’s second season on Below Deck Down Under, but certain details are not getting any easier. The chef told Us that one of biggest issues was having guests and crew alike not understand her predicament.
“The fact that I was getting the provisions and having these preference sheets meetings and having to work with what I had. Then everyone knows what guest preferences are like and all we want to do is please the guests,” she explained. “It’s a lot of challenges because also when you’re relying on something being put on a plane and brought to you, if something’s missing then you can’t really get it. And the produce there isn’t great. I had some breakfast where I didn’t have bread and didn’t have eggs.”
Former 'Below Deck Down Under' Stars: Where Are They Now?
But the challenge that became a career first for Tzarina? Maggots and weevils developing an infestation in the pantry.
“I’ve had small cases on yachts before where it is just like, ‘OK, just chuck away everything in that cupboard and bleach it down and spray it and everything.’ I have never experienced anything like that in my life,” she explained of what viewers saw in the premiere. “I had a lot of firsts and I felt like it started with that. I was just in so much shock. Also it pulled me back a day or two and I never felt like for the rest of the season I could actually catch up with myself.”
Tzarina teased that the bugs were nothing compared to a meal she has coming later this season.
“I had to cook a bat,” she revealed to Us. “That’s my one little spoiler that I’m going to give to you and you’re going to have to wait for this one. You’re going to see tears.”
Below Deck Down Under airs on Bravo Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Peacock.
Books by renowned authors including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie are among the works selected by a panel of expert judges, along with nine debut writers
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Jay-Z is reportedly suing his former rape accuser and her lawyer, Tony Buzbee.
According to court docs obtained by Us Weekly on Monday, March 3, that Jay-Z, 55, is suing his accuser — referred to in court documents as Jane Doe — and Buzbee for abuse of process, malicious prosecution, civil conspiracy and defamation.
The lawsuit was reportedly filed in an Alabama court and alleged that Jay-Z’s accuser and Buzbee conspired to falsely accuse him of sexual assault, allegedly causing him to lose $20 million. Lawyer David Fortney is also named as a defendant in the suit.
In his complaint, the rapper (real name Shawn Carter) claims that the defendants “were soullessly motivated by greed, in abject disregard of the truth and the most fundamental precepts of human decency,” per court documents.
Jay-Z Accuser’s Lawyer Details Rapper's Alleged 'Intimidation and Harassment'
Court documents also reportedly claim that Doe “voluntarily admitted” that Buzbee, her lawyer, “pushed her towards going forward with the false story against Mr. Carter” after an “extortionate demand letter failed to yield the financial windfall.”
Doe allegedly admitted that “Buzbee brought Jay-Z into it,” according to his filing, which also claimed that Buzbee had met Doe “for the first time at a coffee shop in Houston on the day of her maliciously false NBC News interview.”
“This new case alleges the same claims as the other one they pieced together and filed in Los Angeles,” Buzbee said in a statement to Us Weekly. “Like the one in LA, this new case in Alabama also has no legal merit. Shawn Carter’s investigators have repeatedly harassed, threatened and harangued this poor woman for weeks trying to intimidate her and make her recant her story. She hasn’t, and won’t. Instead she has stated repeatedly she stands by her claims. These same group of investigators have been caught on tape offering to pay people to sue me and my firm. After speaking with Jane Doe today, it appears that the quotes attributed to her in the lawsuit are completely made up, or they spoke to someone who isn’t Jane Doe. This is just another attempt to intimidate and bully this poor woman that we will deal with in due course. We won’t be bullied or intimidated by frivolous cases.”
In a December 2024 on-camera interview with NBC News where her identity was concealed, Doe alleged that Jay-Z had raped her in 2000 at an afterparty for the MTV Video Music Awards. She claimed to be 13 at the time of the alleged assault. Doe also alleged Sean “Diddy” Combs sexually assaulted her as well, though the disgraced mogul has denied those claims.
Jay-Z Rape Accuser ‘Never Demanded a Penny’ From Rapper, Says Attorney
Jay-Z has repeatedly denied the allegations against him since they were made public. Jay-Z’s lawsuit comes after Jane Doe’s lawsuit accusing him of rape was officially dismissed “with prejudice,” per docs obtained by Us on February 14.
“The false case against Jay-Z, that never should have been brought, has been dismissed with prejudice,” Jay-Z’s attorney Alex Spiro said in a statement to Us at the time. “By standing up in the face of heinous and false allegations, Jay has done what few can – he pushed back, he never settled, he never paid 1 red penny, he triumphed and cleared his name.”
Jay-Z, for his part, released a statement celebrating his “victory” via his company, Roc Nation.
“Today is a victory. The frivolous, fictitious and appalling allegations have been dismissed. This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere,” he wrote via X. “The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims. I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, loved ones and I have endured can never be dismissed.”
Alleged Jay-Z Victim's Lawyer Claims Rapper Is ‘Harassing’ His Family
He continued, “The court must protect victims, OF COURSE, while with the same ethical responsibility, the courts must protect the innocent from being accused without a shred of evidence. May the truth prevail for all victims and those falsely accused equally.”
In January, Buzbee insisted in a statement to Rolling Stone that he would not be “bullied or intimidated” by the “desperation” of Jay-Z’s legal team.
“He and his team think the laws and rules don’t apply to them. They are flat wrong,” Buzbee’s statement read. “They also think they can bully or intimidate counsel for victims by filing meritless and frivolous pleadings full of lies and half-truths. Again, they are dead wrong. … We will address the utter lack of merit with his filing with the Court, rather than with the press.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Christina Fulton says she is “heartbroken” to be in court with her ex Nicolas Cage and their son, Weston.
Fulton sued the pair after she was allegedly physically attacked by Weston. She claims Cage played a role in the alleged assault. (Cage and Weston have denied the allegations.)
While speaking to TMZ outside the courthouse on March 3, Fulton said, “I wanna tell you, ladies and gentlemen, that I have been heartbroken as a mother for a very long time. I’ve done this alone. I’ve been left alone, if not blocked.”
Fulton added that she holds the Los Angeles Police Department, who she claimed “left me on the ground bleeding,” responsible for the harm she has allegedly endured, too.
Weston Cage Says Mom Christina Fulton ‘Needs Help' Amid Assault Case
“I’m here again as a mother,” she continued. “I love my son. Tough love. We’re dealing with a mental health crisis epidemic. And I’m here again. So I want all those parents and mothers to know that I’m here. And I will be here for you all, and I will be here for my son.”
Fulton claimed that Cage is also “responsible” for their son’s alleged attack because “he’s his father.”
On February 20, Fulton, 57, recently filed court documents claiming Cage, 61, ignored Weston’s alleged mental health concerns and enabled his reportedly troubling behavior, according to the petition obtained by Us Weekly.
Weston was arrested for felony assault in July 2024. He was released on bond and pleaded not guilty. At the time, Fulton appeared to suffer physical injuries from an apparent incident that she claims occurred when she tried to help her son during a “mental health crisis.”
“Weston has a long history of mental and psychological disorder and a history of committing violent assault and battery and harming numerous individuals,” her court filing reads. “Nicolas has been aware of Weston’s history and nevertheless failed to take action to prevent Weston from committing acts of violence and harming others.”
Nicolas Cage's Son Weston Arrested on Felony Warrant
She also claimed that Cage has previously bailed Weston out of jail and paid the rent on his Los Angeles condo.
“Nicolas knew or should have known that Weston posed a serious and imminent danger to others, including Plaintiff, based on his documented history of violent assaults, substance abuse, and mental instability,” she also claimed.
Cage has denied the allegations. “The allegations by Christina Fulton against Nicolas Cage are absurd and frivolous,” Cage said in a statement to Us. “Weston Coppola is a 34-year-old man. Mr. Cage does not control Weston’s behavior in any manner and is not responsible for Weston’s alleged assault of his mother.”
Dolly Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, has died at the age of 82.
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” Parton, 79, wrote via an Instagram statement on Monday, March 3. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
Dean died on Monday in Nashville, Tennessee and will be “laid to rest in a private ceremony,” per the statement. A cause of death has not been revealed.
He is survived by Parton and his two siblings, Sandra and Donnie. The family has asked for respect and privacy during this “difficult time.”
Dolly Parton Explains Why 'Homebody' Husband Refuses to Join Her at Events
Many fans and members of the music industry took to the comments section to pay their respects.
“That’s beautiful you to have such a long time with your husband. I hope he rests easy,” Diplo replied, while Lainey Wilson penned, “I love you .”
Morgan Stapleton, who is the wife of country singer Chris Stapleton, wrote, “We love you .”
The Associated Press was first to report the news. Us Weekly has reached out to Parton for comment.
Parton and Dean tied the knot in May 1966, two years after the couple first met in Nashville. Parton and Dean first connected at the Wishy Washy Laundromat the same day she moved to town to begin her music career.
“I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me)” Parton once said of Dean, per her website. “He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about.”
While Dean stayed out of the limelight for the majority of his life, Parton would constantly gush about her longtime love.
“We’re the perfect partners,” Parton exclusively told Us Weekly in January 2022. “We both have a great sense of humor. … We’re able to solve any problem and any situation, making a joke about it and not letting it get too heavy, but we respect each other and we like each other. We lucked up, let’s put it that way.”
She continued: “You know, most people can keep a marriage [going strong] if you make a little effort. Some people just get slouching and lazy and about stuff that ain’t important, like leaving the toilet seat up. And if that’s the worst thing you’ve to worry about, you’re already in trouble.”
A Look Back at Dolly Parton and Husband Carl Dean’s Nearly 60-Year Romance
In December 2024, Parton opened up about why Dean opted to live a more quiet life.
“Well, he was a homebody, and that worked well for us. He was in asphalt paving, but his sign is Cancer and I’m Capricorn, and those are compatible signs,” Parton said on an episode of Bunnie Xo’s “Dumb Blonde” podcast. “The Capricorn is the mountain goat because it’s always climbing and the Cancer is more of a homebody. He really was. He wanted to be around home. I loved to go and see what else is out there, but I think that’s worked well for us.”
Parton added that while her husband loved music he was upfront with her about not being involved in the industry.
Litia Garr has not forgotten her roots while dating Grant Ellis on season 29 of The Bachelor.
“My mom and dad met in college in Hawaii. My mom is from Idaho, she’s white, and my dad is from Fiji. They fell in love and they got married and they had me,” Litia said during a February episode. “When I was 3 years old, my dad passed away in a car accident. My mom is my greatest example of strength and resilience because I can’t imagine losing my husband and having a little baby at that time. And she was, like, 23.”
Litia became emotional as she reflected on her loved ones’ support through the years. “My grandparents and my mom’s siblings, like my aunts and uncles, made me feel so loved and so special,” Litia said. “I just feel, like, really lucky to have my support system.”
Ahead of introducing Grant to her family, Litia told the lead that her home is “very, very conservative” and shared that she was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
“It completely shaped the kind of family that I want to raise my kids in,” she told Grant during a one-on-one date. “I want God to be a part of my marriage and I want my kids to grow up in a house where they know that God loves them and they’re important and their parents love them, and there’s nothing they can do that would ever make them not loved. That’s very, very important to me.”
Scroll down to meet Litia’s family:
After sharing her past with Grant, Litia and the season 29 lead FaceTimed her mom, Maurie Garr. “She was saying how much she missed you, and I figured we’d give you a call just to say hi,” Grant explained to Litia’s mom, who said she was “so glad” the pair called.
“I’m really grateful that I got to talk to my mom tonight. I’m so glad that she got to meet Grant and that Grant got to see a little bit of what I was talking about in our conversation,” Litia said in a confessional. “It meant a lot to me.
Litia revealed that her father, who is from Fiji and went to college in Hawaii, died in a car accident when she was an infant. “Even though he’s gone, I still feel his love,” Litia said in her intro package. “I still feel his love and his presence in my life.”
Litia’s siblings include Ethan and Jackson Garr.
© Disney/Matt Sayles
Meghan Markle is opening her arms to — and sharing her cooking and crafting secrets with — several famous faces in Netflix’s With Love, Meghan.
“I love feeding people… it’s my love language,” Meghan said in the series, which debuted on the streaming platform on Tuesday, March 4. “The only thing better than eating food is making food for someone and watching them eat it with delight.”
In the first episode, the Duchess of Sussex prepped for an overnight visit from Daniel Martin — her Suits makeup artist turned lifelong friend. (Meghan exited the series at the end of season 7 in 2018, the same year she tied the knot with husband Prince Harry. The pair share son Archie, 5, and daughter Lilibet, 3.)
While addressing the camera, Meghan gushes that she loves all things hosting — including preparing a guest room, from what’s at the side of the bed to “what’s in the bathroom for them to have a beautiful soak.”
“The joy of hosting for me is surprising people with moments that lets them know I was really thinking of their whole experience from morning to evening,” she said, before sharing the best compliment from a guest: “I had the best sleep.”
Scroll down to see all of the guests featured on Meghan’s Netflix show:
Meghan gushes that her and Harry’s kids call her pal “Uncle Daniel,” reflecting that the makeup artist was “in my life for the before, during and after, shall we say” — a reference to Meghan’s time as a working senior royal. After Martin arrived, the pair begin reminiscing on their past — before Martin cut himself with a knife while slicing a tomato. “I can beat your face but I can’t cut a tomato!” Martin quipped.
In the early days of Meghan’s stint on Suits, Martin recalled being told by his agent that she “reached out to them directly that [Markle] didn’t have representation,” and that she spent her time away from set working on The Tig.
Meghan shared that she “used to text” Martin for style advice, asking what color was “on trend” and “what is cool.” Back to the food, Martin gushed that Meghan’s skillet spaghetti is “so f—-ing good,” adding, “You’ve always shown your love through food.”
While Meghan preps a honey lemon cake, she noted that baking is not her “favorite thing,” but she “will do it for one of my favorite people.” While icing the cake, Martin reminisced on Meghan and Harry’s 2018 wedding cake — he was there for the cake testing.
“You’ve always sent me home with incredible things,” he said, while Meghan replied that it’s about “doing things with intention with someone you love, for someone you love”
After meeting on Meghan’s podcast, Kaling and Meghan have become “email pen pals” who have bonded over their children. (Kaling is mom to daughters Katherine, 7, and Anne, 12 months, as well as son Spencer, 4.) “I love having mom friends,” Meghan said. “We need them.”
While eating a frittata and champagne featuring dollops of Meghan’s homemade preserves, Kaling gushed that receiving Meghan’s jam was “probably one of the most glamorous moments of my life” — but she was also fixated on the numbers affixed to each jar.
“As a very hierarchical person, I was like, ’Who are these people? Does having a lower number make me more special?’” Kaling said, to which Meghan replied, “It was not a ranking! … It was just ‘let me share them’ and then people started to take it very personally.”
As the pair began making tea sandwiches for their “mockup kids tea party,” Meghan called herself “a latchkey kid, so I grew up with a lot of fast food and TV tray meals” watching Jeopardy. Meghan noted that her favorite fast food included “Pollo Loco, Taco Bell’s mexican pizza, Jack in the Box tacos,” which Kaling began marveling that “Meghan Markle loves Jack-in-the-Box.”
“It’s so funny you keep saying Markle,” Meghan interjected. “You know it’s Sussex now. You have kids and you go, ‘I share my name with my children.’ I didn’t know how meaningful it would be to me, but it just means too much to go, this is our family name. Our little family now.”
The twosome bonded over working on shows for a long time — The Office for Kaling, Suits for Meghan — while they sipped white tea featuring fresh mint from the garden. “I love making friends,” Meghan said.
Meghan hosted L.A. celebrity chef Choi and the pair began making Korean fried chicken and pickles, including pickled watermelon, pickled strawberries and kimchi. After Choi gushed that he’s a “huge fan” of Meghan, the twosome embraced. The pair, who had never met before, bonded over growing up in the City of Angels.
Blaquier, the wife of Harry’s pal Nachos Figueras, joined Meghan for a hike and a meal. Meghan gushed that Blaquier is “more beautiful on the inside than she is on the outside,” adding, “And she is a stunner — that’s just how gorgeous her spirit is.”
While eating a post-hike meal, Meghan noted, “Our husbands will be so jealous that we had this meal without them.” Blaquier, for her part, squeezed Meghan’s hand and added, “I enjoyed this morning’s hike, because I saw you being you and I love that. I love when you are doing your thing … I absolutely, I’m obsessed with that face of M. So happy.”
Meghan hosted Spencer and Kelly Zajfen for a ladies’ lunch. Spencer, who met Meghan at an audition in 2007, said her pal was “head of morale” on Suits. Meghan agreed, noting that she “liked to plan fun for everyone,” while the group acknowledged they had “been through a lot.”
Zajfen joined the lunch with Spencer and Meghan.
Local chef Velazquez and Meghan made chicken tinga and halibut ceviche.
Robbins, Victoria Jackson and Jennifer Rudolph joined Meghan for a game of Mahjong. Robbins and Meghan pre-assembled cocktails in mason jars, each affixed with a name tag.
Jackson played a game of Mahjong with Meghan, Robbins and Rudolph.
Rudolph was featured during the Mahjong game with Meghan, Robbins and Jackson.
In episode seven, Meghan hosted “deal friend” Tsai, who she said lives locally and is “one of the most grounded people I’ve ever met” and “the person I turn to when I have questions about most things.”
While making potstickers with Meghan, Tsai gushed, “You are always the hostess with the mostest. I love coming here to eat because you always make it feel like home and like a community.”
The pair began discussing mom guilt and imperfection, to which Tsai noted, “Perfect isn’t beautiful. Things that lived and been dropped and put back together again are more beautiful.” Meghan smiled and became visibly emotional at the remark.
Ending their day with fresh-brewed blooming tea, Tsai said that the pair’s past selves “would be proud.” Meghan, for her part, added, “The question is, 10 years from now, where on earth are we gonna be? I don’t even know but it’s gonna be fantastic!”
“I would have never made it here without you! So grateful,” Tsai said, to which Meghan replied, “Likewise, we’ve been through a lot!
When the duo crossed paths, Meghan began to fangirl over the award-winning and legendary chef. “I feel like you’re watching me fall in love. It’s very, very awkward,” she said.
After preparing quiches and a salad, Meghan became emotional while thanking Waters for stopping by. “I just respect you and appreciate you so much,” she added. “This has been a complete treat.”
Meghan’s mom made an appearance at a brunch party with several of her daughter’s friends.
Harry hugged the group at the brunch party, embracing Meghan with several kisses. “Well done! You did a great job,” he said. “I love it.”
Who else loved watching the 2025 Oscars? While we definitely enjoyed seeing our favorite actors and actresses get recognized, win Academy Awards and give moving speeches, the looks were perhaps our favorite part of the evening. Everyone was dressed to the nines for the occasion, rocking over-the-top dresses, sparkly jewelry, glam hairstyles and flawless makeup.
The Brutalist star Stacy Martin stepped out in a particularly showstopping look, pairing a black lace Louis Vuitton dress with drop earrings, a tennis necklace and natural makeup. Excellent skin prep was key to her radiant complexion, and one brand in particular was responsible for her red carpet glow.
“For the Oscars, Stacy and I wanted an understated but chic look that didn’t have a strong lip or any eye, which meant the skin really had to be the star focus,” said Yasuko Shapiro, Martin’s makeup artist. To do this, Shapiro relied on Rationale’s three-step routine, which included The Serum, The Light Crème and The Tinted Serum Broad Spectrum SPF.
The Serum is a nourishing anti-aging formula that supports the skin barrier, locks in hydration and smoothes fine lines. It contains a B-group vitamin complex that works to strengthen the skin, while a unique mix of skin-soothing actives helps to soften it. The combination is ideal for achieving dewy, lifted skin that’s ready for makeup, and 82% of users noticed a boost in radiance.
The second step in Martin’s routine was The Light Crème, an energizing yet calming product that firms, evens tone, deeply moisturizes and rejuvenates the skin. Antioxidants are the key players here, targeting dullness and dehydration with potent vitamin C. A glowy complexion is nearly guaranteed with this superstar pick!
To finish off Martin’s pre-Oscars skincare routine, Shapiro used The Tinted Serum Broad Spectrum SPF. The 24% zinc oxide serum protects, conceals redness, and illuminates the skin, while also forming a physical shield to defend against environmental stressors. If you’re serious about anti-aging skincare, you’ll want to add this sunscreen to your cart, STAT.
To carry out Martin’s full routine at home, simply cleanse the skin as usual, then smooth a few drops of The Serum over the face and neck. Next, use a pearl-sized amount of The Light Crème on the same area before applying a generous amount of sunscreen to your face, neck and décolleté. While designed to be used under makeup, you can reapply it throughout the day, too — even over your glam!
Grab the entire set to achieve an Oscars-ready glow every day, or snag individual members of the power trio and work the products into your daily routine. Either way, you’ll be ready for your close-up!
Get the Red Carpet Radiance Routine at Rationale!
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Harvey Weinstein has reacted to Adrien Brody mentioning his children with ex-wife Georgina Chapman in the actor’s 2025 Oscars acceptance speech.
“Harvey is happy for Georgina and grateful that his kids are being loved and cared for as they deserve to be,” Weinstein’s rep Juda Engelmayer said in a statement to Us Weekly on Monday, March 3.
Weinstein, 72, and Chapman, 48, tied the knot in 2007 and share two children: daughter India, 14, and son Dashiell, 11. After Weinstein was accused of sexual assault in 2017, Chapman filed for divorce. While the exes reached a settlement the following year, their divorce was not finalized until 2021. In February 2020, Weinstein was found guilty of rape and sexual assault charges and sentenced to 23 years in prison. He has been behind bars at Rikers Island.
In 2019, Chapman began dating Brody, 51 — and the couple have been going strong ever since. The Brutalist actor brought the fashion designer as his date for the 2025 Oscars, where he was up for Best Actor. Brody won the award, ultimately beating out A Complete Unknown’s Timothée Chalamet, Sing Sing’s Colman Domingo, Conclave’s Ralph Fiennes and The Apprentice’s Sebastian Stan.
What Did Adrien Brody Throw at Georgina Chapman Before Oscars Speech?
Before Brody took the stage, he and Chapman shared a sweet kiss in the audience. The actor also quickly turned back to Chapman to toss her his gum, and the Marchesa cofounder ran closer to the stage to catch it. When it was time for his acceptance speech, Brody thanked everyone for being by his side, including Chapman and her little ones.
“If I may just humbly begin to give thanks to the tremendous love I have felt from this world and every individual who treated me with respect and appreciation,” he said. “I feel so fortunate. Acting is a very fragile profession. It looks very glorious — and in certain moments it is.”
Brody then elaborated on his appreciation for Chapman and her children and revealed their special moniker for him.
“I share this with my amazing partner, Georgina, who has not only reinvigorated my own self-worth, but my sense of value and my values,” Brody gushed. “And her beautiful children, Dash and India, I know it’s been a roller coaster but thank you for accepting me into your life. And Popsy’s coming home a winner.”
Adrien Brody Is a 'Light' for Harvey Weinstein's Ex Georgina Chapman: Source
Chapman has been by Brody’s side throughout awards season. Last month, a source exclusively told Us that Brody and Chapman are “very happy and secure in their relationship.”
“She loves supporting him at awards shows,” the insider said. “She’s so proud of his talent; his humor and talent were what drew her to him.”
Valerie Bertinelli has broken her silence on the end of her 10-month relationship with former boyfriend Mike Goodnough.
“I am irreversibly changed by him for the better,” Bertinelli said of her ex in a post shared via Instagram on Monday, March 3. “I know I am becoming a much stronger and more benevolent human for having met him and spent time with him.”
It was first reported that the pair split back in November 2024. This is the first time Bertinelli has publicly acknowledged the breakup.
“Before I had the pleasure of meeting Mike, I was initially and immediately attracted to his writing. It’s heartfelt, authentic, smart, funny, sensitive, caring, and from the soul. And the way he puts words together is just sooo ridiculously beautiful. I’m a big fan, can you tell?” she continued.
Valerie Bertinelli And Boyfriend Mike Goodnough Are Instagram Official
“And as luck would have it, the human being in person is exactly as heartfelt, authentic, sensitive and caring as his writing,” Bertinelli added. “And wickedly witty.”
The actress wrote that she feels “so lucky to have gotten to know him” and to “soak up his insights.”
Bertinelli first shared she was dating someone new in March 2024 and went Instagram official with Goodnough the following month. She used lyrics from Taylor Swift’s song “So High School” in the caption for the post, which included a photo of the pair wearing black-rimmed glasses.
Their relationship followed her 2022 divorce from Tom Vitale and the death of her first husband, Eddie Van Halen, who died in 2020 after a battle with throat cancer. The pair share a son Wolfgang, 33.
Bertinelli admitted to People in April 2024 that she’s “in love,” joking that she was “supposed to die with my six cats and my dog and very happily live the rest of my years alone — I’m good alone.”
“ I’ll drink what you think and I’m high from smokin’ your jokes all damn night @therealhoarse,” Bertinelli wrote alongside the cute snap.
Valerie Bertinelli and Mike Goodnough’s Relationship Timeline
On Monday, Bertinelli said that despite the split she will “value all of our long conversations” that have “lead me to interesting and fascinating places I rarely thought to go.”
“I look at life with a different perspective and caring because of my experiences and conversations with him,” she continued of her ex. “And he’s been a big part of helping me heal from some old childhood wounds I never knew what to do with or even where to start.”
Bertinelli also encouraged her followers to subscribe to Goodnough’s Substack.
Musician Bob Bryar’s cause of death has been ruled as “undetermined” three months after his death.
According to the autopsy obtained by TMZ, Bryar’s body was allegedly found next to three large canisters of nitrous oxide. The outlet reported that the My Chemical Romance drummer, 44, also had antidepressants in his home at the time of his death in November 2024.
The Bedford County medical examiner in Tennessee ruled Bryar’s manner of death “best classified as undetermined” after suspecting “intentional or accidental overdose,” per the reported autopsy.
The medical examiner reportedly noted in the document that Bryar’s body was badly decomposed making it hard to determine the exact cause of death.
My Chemical Romance Mourn Bob Bryar With ‘Heavy Heart’
News broke in November 2024 that Bryar was found dead inside his home in Tennessee. He was reportedly last seen on November 4, 2024, and wasn’t discovered until November 26. TMZ reported at the time that medical professionals were investigating Bryar’s cause of death but didn’t expect foul play.
My Chemical Romance mourned the loss of Bryar in a statement issued a few days later, writing via Instagram, “It is with heavy heart that we say goodbye to Bob Bryar, our former bandmate and an important part of the history of My Chemical Romance.”
The band noted in the December 2024 statement, “We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family at this time. May he rest in peace.”
My Chemical Romance’s Drummer Bob Bryar Found Dead at 44: Report
Bryar joined My Chemical Romance in 2004, replacing the original drummer, Matt Pelissier. The group was formed in 2001, releasing its debut album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love in 2002. Their second album, 2004’s Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, came out before Bryar was part of the band.
Bryar worked alongside Gerard Way, Ray Toro, Mikey Way and Frank Iero through 2010 during which time they released their biggest album 2006’s The Black Parade.
“As of 4 weeks ago, My Chemical Romance and Bob Bryar parted ways,” rhythm guitarist Iero, 43, said in a statement posted via the band’s website in March 2010. “This was a painful decision for all of us to make and was not taken lightly. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors and expect you all to do the same.”
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The group dropped its fourth album, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, in 2010 shortly after Bryar’s departure. However, the late drummer received credits for some of the songwriting on the record.
“I left a very good touring gig where I was tour managing and doing sound. I left that job to join a band that was filthy, had s—y gear, a smashed-up, smoking, death-trap van and was poor. They smelled bad too. I was so happy to receive the offer,” Bryar told Alternative Press in 2016, reflecting on his choice to join My Chemical Romance. “Long before we recorded Welcome to the Black Parade, I knew that [MCR] were special and I wanted in. I wanted to help evolve the band and be able to shred with them every night.”
Bryar went on to work on other musical projects after parting ways with My Chemical Romance before reportedly pivoting into real estate.
It doesn’t matter whether you have 100% Irish blood coursing through your veins or just really love an excuse to sip beer on a weekday: St. Patrick’s Day is nearly here, and you’ll need a festive outfit for the occasion. If “Kiss Me I’m Irish” tees and glitter shamrock headbands aren’t exactly the vibe you’re going for, there is a more sophisticated solution. Simply wearing the color green will get the point across, and there are plenty of elevated articles of clothing and accessories that will easily work into your everyday wardrobe.
Ahead, we found 18 non-cheesy styles that will add the perfect pop of green to your look. Even better? You’ll be able to wear them well after March 17!
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1. So Comfy: If you’re planning a cozy St. Patrick’s Day celebration, this shamrock green crewneck is packed with personality and extremely comfy.
2. A Bestseller: Add a subtle pop of green to your look with an emerald JW Pei shoulder bag. The trendy pick has over 2,600 five-star reviews and looks much more expensive than its $50 price tag.
3. Casual Cool: Prettygarden’s casual, off-the-shoulder top will instantly elevate your outfit no matter what you wear on the bottom. Pair it with jeans for a classic combo that has some festive flair.
4. A Nice Knit: Whether you’re planning to hit the pub for a green beer or are whipping up reuben sandwiches at home, spend your holiday outfitted in this sleeveless knit top. It’s lightweight yet versatile, and you can easily layer over a long-sleeved tee if temperatures take a dip.
5. Worthy Investment: St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect excuse to invest in a convenient crossbody bag that has plenty of room for your phone, wallet, keys and a good luck charm.
6. A Bold Move: Make a statement (in a low-key, non-commitment kind of way) with Prada’s green sunglasses. The playful pair is surprisingly on sale, so you’ll be able to score this designer accessory for 50% off.
7. Designer Lookalike: Here’s hoping spring has sprung by March 17! Warmer weather means you can wear these buttery soft, faux leather sandals, which look super similar to an $800 designer version. . . except they cost just $24.
8. Seasonal Staple: Trendy Queen’s top from Amazon comes in the perfect St. Patty’s green. It’s a staple you’ll be able to rock year-round, especially through spring and summer.
9. Sprinkle of Style: We found the gold at the end of the rainbow, and it’s this under-$100 glitter green Coach bangle.
10. Well-Reviewed: Amazon shoppers note that this festive green matching set is “comfy,” “excellent quality,” and “outstanding all around.”
11. Stylish Sneakers: Forget Sambas — these Adidas Spezial Sneakers are the next It-girl shoe and, thankfully, they come in the perfect St. Patrick’s Day shade.
12. Very Versatile: This flattering button-up sweater dress is ideal for March’s unpredictable temperatures. Pair it with knee-high boots and a jacket for a cooler celebration or toss it on with sneakers if the weather heats up.
13. Leprechaun-Approved: You will get so many compliments on this bright and cheery Kate Spade shoulder bag. It’s compact, easy to carry and includes a top-zip closure to keep your essentials secure.
14. On-Theme: These shamrock ankle socks embrace the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day without feeling cheesy or over-the-top.
15. Effortless Embroidery: Slip on this Lucky Brand embroidered sweatshirt for extra warmth, or toss it over your shoulders for a cool, casual layer.
16. Accessory Obsessed: Priced under $10, this 60%-off headband features flower beading that could easily pass as shamrocks.
17. Athleisure Angel: If you’re planning to trade a glass of Guinness for dumbbells at the gym, add these green Year of Ours Ribbed Leggings to your cart ASAP.
18. Necessary Basic: Build your outfit around this long-sleeve tee. It’s the simple yet bold option you’ll reach for long after March is over.
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Making the Band was once one of MTV’s most popular reality shows, but several former contestants have since leveled allegations against producer Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The reality series premiered on ABC in 2000 before moving to MTV and promised to put a band together at the end of each season. The show focused on the formation of a specific band or act, including O-Town and Danity Kane. Starting with Making the Band 2, Diddy served as an executive producer on the series.
Since the show ended in 2009, Danity Kane members including Aubrey O’Day and Dawn Richards have spoken out about the alleged treatment they faced while working for Diddy. The music mogul was arrested in September 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In February 2025, Sara Rivers, who appeared on Making the Band 2 as a member of Da Band, filed a lawsuit against Diddy accusing him of sexual harassment. Diddy’s attorneys called the claims “false” in a statement, adding, “Mr. Combs remains confident he will prevail in court.”
Diddy’s Legal Troubles Detailed in Multiple Docs: Biggest Revelations
Keep scrolling for a breakdown of all the allegations against Diddy from former Making the Band stars:
In September 2024, O’Day (a member of Danity Kane from 2006-2007) claimed that Diddy attempted to dictate her appearance while she was in the band. “With Diddy, I saw multiple sides of him but I don’t know who I was ever talking to that was sober. There was always an element of something going on,” she told Renee Graziano during an interview on the “Crysis Queen” podcast.
“He’s on camera telling me how much he hates it, but he’s off camera telling me all the ways I needed to be groomed properly, down to my toenails,” she continued. “I was sent out of a studio session one time because my toes weren’t polished properly.”
In a different podcast interview that same month, O’Day reflected on being fired from Danity Kane in 2008. “I was so young and so many things were put on me,” she said during an appearance on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s “Off the Vine” podcast. “I was fired on national television for being overly raunchy and promiscuous. That’s actually like wrongful termination. That’s a lawsuit against a lot of people.”
In a lawsuit filed in February 2025 and reviewed by Us Weekly, Rivers, who was on the show from 2002 to 2004, claimed that Diddy and Making the Band’s staff subjected her and others to “inhumane” treatment, including controlling when and how she slept and making fun of her for suffering from bulimia.
Rivers also claimed Diddy sexually assaulted her while she was walking down a hallway, alleging he was standing so close that “he could kiss her and ask her in a low, sensual voice how she is doing, if she’s ok and if she needed anything at all.”
She further claimed that Diddy then “used his left hand to adjust [the] collar of her jacket and then ran his left hand across her breasts while repeating the phrase if she needs anything to let him know.”
Diddy denied Rivers’ claims in a statement to Us, saying, telling the outlet: “This is yet another example of false claims being filed against Mr. Combs. No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone — man or woman, adult or minor. We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason. With the deadline for New York’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act expiring tomorrow, it’s clear that opportunists are rushing to file last-minute, meritless claims. Mr. Combs remains confident he will prevail in court.”
In January 2025, Diddy filed a lawsuit against Rivers’ lawyer Ariel Mitchell, accusing her of defamation in a NewsNation appearance. He accused Mitchell and other defendants of “fueling a media frenzy, fabricating outlandish claims and stirring up baseless speculation” about sex tapes that allegedly involved him and other unnamed celebrities.
Rivers spoke out about her former boss for the first time in the January 2025 Peacock documentary Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy. “When he got angry with one of my band members, he said, ‘You make me so mad I wanna eat your flesh,’” she alleged in the film. “And then he said to another one of my band members, ‘You’re rolling your eyes. I could go get a crackhead and pay them $20 to smack the s— out of you.’ Who says that? That’s crazy.”
In response to the documentary, Diddy’s representatives told Us in a statement: “This documentary recycles and perpetuates the same lies and conspiracy theories that have been slung against Mr. Combs for months. It is disappointing to see NBC and Peacock rolling in the same mud as unethical tabloid reporters. By providing a platform for proven liars and opportunists to make false criminal accusations, the documentary is irresponsible journalism of the worst kind.”
In January 2025, Woods, a member of Danity Kane from 2005 to 2008, alleged to ABC News’ Eva Pilgrim that Combs fostered an environment that was emotionally and verbally abusive.
“He did it in different ways with all of us, you know, picking and prodding and just a way to chip and knock away, but then praise you,” she explained on Good Morning America. “Somebody constantly treating you like a piece of meat.”
Woods also participated in the Investigation Discovery docuseries The Fall of Diddy, which premiered in January 2025. In one episode, she claimed that O’Day opened up to her about behavior by Diddy that made her uncomfortable.
“I remember her sharing with me that he had sent her a lot of very inappropriate pictures,” Woods alleged. “I saw a lot of things that he would email her, very sexual in nature … pornographic-like things that he wanted to do to her. She was just kind of like, ‘What do I do?’ I remember telling her, ‘Girl, put that in a folder, send it to your mama, save that.’”
Aubrey O'Day Said She Didn't 'Want to Die With Secrets' Before Diddy Arrest
Richard, also a member of Danity Kane, filed her own lawsuit against Diddy in September 2024. In court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Richard claimed she saw Diddy physically abusing his ex-girlfriend Cassie. She further alleged that he forced Richard to rehearse for up to 48 hours at a time, which resulted in dehydration and fatigue.
Richard also claimed Diddy once burst into her dressing room and touched her inappropriately, and, in a separate incident, locked her in a car for two hours.
In response to allegedly witnessing Diddy choke Cassie, Richard and her Diddy – Dirty Money bandmate Kaleena Harper tried to convince her to leave the relationship. After Diddy found out, he allegedly told them, “Y’all bitches don’t get in my relationship. Don’t tell my bitch [Cassie] what she need to be doing. Just make money and shut the f— up. I end artists, I shelve careers. You could be missing. You bitches want to die today.”
Diddy denied Richard’s allegations in a statement via his attorney Erica Wolff, who told Us, “Mr. Combs is shocked and disappointed by this lawsuit. In an attempt to rewrite history, Dawn Richard has now manufactured a series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a payday — conveniently timed to coincide with her album release and press tour.”
In October 2024, attorney Tony Buzbee filed a lawsuit against Diddy alleging the rapper assaulted a 17-year-old who auditioned for Making the Band in 2008. The victim said he went through three auditions for the show and claimed that each Diddy told him to perform sex acts on himself and on his bodyguard, referred to as “T.” The acts were allegedly meant to test how badly the boy wanted to become a singer. The victim was also eventually eliminated from the competition.
In response to the lawsuit, a rep for Diddy told Us, “The lawyer behind this lawsuit is interested in media attention rather than the truth, as is obvious from his constant press appearances and 1-800 number. As we’ve said before, Mr. Combs cannot respond to every new publicity stunt, even in response to claims that are facially ridiculous or demonstrably false.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
When the 2025 Oscars red carpet was rolled out on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, we saw key fashion trends define some of the best-dressed looks of the night.
Heavy metal embellishments stood out in what felt like a season of gold and silver gowns. Elsewhere, ensembles with intricate embroidery — many with hundreds of thousands of elements — made a time-tested wardrobe staple, like the little black dress, seem far from commonplace.
The same finer details took mille-feuille tulle dresses to a dazzling new place, while other sheer looks layered on visual interest with multiple shades of the same color, creating an ombre effect.
Another standout shade was bridal white, which offered plenty of inspiration for Spring 2025 brides. Several referenced iconic 1990s runway couture looks that are well worth revisiting.
2025 Oscars Red Carpet Fashion: From Ariana Grande to Halle Berry
But perhaps the most forward-thinking trend of all was a backward necklace, as many stars had fun with the look by twirling around for photographers to capture the surprise flash of diamonds.
Take a deep dive into the five best trends of the night, as seen on the 2025 Academy Awards red carpet.
More was more when it came to heavy metal embellishments. Halle Berry shone bright like a diamond in a custom Christian Siriano gown with disco-ready mirrored glass shards. She reworked a Pomellato necklace as a statement bracelet with over 1,900 white diamonds, then added two Pomellato rings with over 500 diamonds between them.
According to her stylist Brad Goreski, Demi Moore had a “full wattage” fashion moment in a custom Giorgio Armani Privé gown completely covered with near-blinding crystals. Indeed, it gave stylish new meaning to Elizabeth Sparkle, her character’s name in The Substance.
The 60 Best Oscars Red Carpet Looks of All Time
Meanwhile, Mindy Kaling put a high-fashion spin on foliage in an Oscar de la Renta fern-embroidered gown with 3D silver leaf details, which she accessorized with Effy jewelry: a white gold and diamond necklace and earring suite.
The best LBDs on Oscars night were all about dramatic details. For actress Lily Rose-Depp’s Academy Awards debut, nearly 191,000 elements were used in the making of her custom Chanel floral lace halter dress embroidered with sequins, crystal, and pearls.
Miley Cyrus wore a custom Alexander McQueen high-neck, drop-waist gown with shredded tulle, sequins and glass beads, the latter of which also adorned her Alexander McQueen black lace gloves
As for Marchesa’s Georgina Chapman, she arrived in a dress of her own design: a strapless black velvet gown with a sculptural neckline and trumpet skirt that shimmered, thanks to the rose motif.
Oscars night was filled with wedding inspiration. Lupita Nyong’o and her stylist, Micaela Erlanger, worked with the house of Chanel to reimagine a 1991 Chanel Couture that Linda Evangelista wore on the runway. It was decorated with the same pearl straps and tassels but came with a spangly tweed corset for a contemporary new twist.
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Penelopé Cruz’s gown was also another reinterpreted look from the same Chanel collection. She donned a dress with a ruched bodice with sparkly jewel buttons and a sheer, sweeping cape attached at the strap. It took 254 hours to make, according to the luxury label, and to top it off, she paired it with a whopping 27 carats of Chanel diamonds.
Elle Fanning attended her first Oscars in a white lace gown with a sweetheart neckline by Sarah Burton for Givenchy — the designer who created Kate Middleton‘s wedding dress. Tied with a black grosgrain bow and a combination of a cape and train attached at the back, she set a new trend for fashion brides-to-be everywhere.
Diaphanous tulle and chiffon gowns commanded attention on the red carpet. Julianne Hough channeled Grace Kelly’s famous blue dress chiffon designed by Edith Head in the 1995 film, To Catch a Thief. The Dancing With the Stars co-host was a scene-stealer in a flowing Christian Dior dress plucked right off the Spring 2025 runway. Rendered in shades of mocha mousse (a.k.a. the Pantone 2025 color of the year), it’s proof the trend is here to stay.
Wicked actress Ariana Grande wore a Schiaparelli Couture gown that was on the Paris Fashion Week runway a mere month ago. The Basque waist dress was reimagined in Glinda-fied pink duchess satin and a nude tulle skirt with over 190,000 crystal sequins, rhinestones, and beads.
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Meanwhile, Rachel Zegler, the titular star of the Broadway musical Romeo & Juliet wore a Shakespearean-inspired corset dress with a sweetheart bodice and pleated tulle skirt with pearls — a gem Willaim Shakespeare wrote about often, as they were hugely popular in Elizabethan England.
Several stars made a shimmering statement coming and going in backward necklaces. Michelle Yeoh amplified the electric energy of her cobalt Balenciaga couture dress in a high-wattage Boucheron creation with round baguette and princess-cut diamonds.
The Substance actress Margaret Qualley went in a similar direction, as she paired a black velvet Chanel gown with what looked like a classic choker from the front, only to reveal a dazzling diamond tasseled centerpiece grazing her exposed back.
Even Coralie Fargeat, the creative force behind the film, embraced the look, in an Atelier Versace gown with a beaded necklace that trailed down the bodice and also below the nape of her neck.
The Real Housewives of New York City star Erin Lichy is weighing in on the future of the show — and sharing her predictions for new cast members.
Erin, 37, exclusively told Us Weekly that she “wasn’t surprised” when Bravo put out a casting call for RHONY in January before season 15 even finished airing. “I think we could use some new blood, I’m kind of excited to see. I mean, I have some friends that I hope maybe will join, and I don’t know,” she told Us.
Erin also weighed in on whether her friend Lindsay Hubbard should join RHONY for season 16 after the Summer House star discussed the possibility on an episode of the “Housewives Nightcap” podcast in February.
“I didn’t know that she wanted to join,” Erin told Us. “I’m actually having lunch with her and our daughters in a little while so I’m gonna talk to her about that.” She added that she thinks Lindsay, 38, would “be great, to be honest” as a cast member on RHONY.
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“I never really thought about it before I saw that online,” she continued. “I need to talk to her about it. I need to hear what she really thinks. But, I mean, why not?”
Other Real Housewives stars, however, have their own ideas about who should be in the new cast. Andy Cohen revealed in February that RHONY alum Kelly Bensimon had sent him a list of casting suggestions for the Bravo hit.
“I have no words for that whole thing,” Erin told Us of Kelly’s supposed list. (Kelly starred on RHONY from 2009 to 2011 and later made appearances in 2014 and 2015.)
“I mean, she’s funny,” Erin said of Kelly. “They should have their own thing, if that’s what she was referring to. I don’t even know what that meant. It could be really fun. I’m not a producer and I don’t know what the right thing is, or how things would work. On one hand, I feel like it wouldn’t make sense, but on the other hand, I’ve hung out with Luann [de Lesseps] and Dorinda [Medley] and I’ve had a f—ing blast. So, I could see it. I don’t know.”
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As far as RHONY cast members go, Erin admitted to Us that she had spoken to Brynn Whitfield after season 15’s explosive finale in January before the reunion episodes aired the following month.
“I am not blocked anymore,” Erin said of where she stands with Brynn. “She’s been reaching out and saying nice things. So, I appreciate it, but it’s gonna take time.”
Erin further stated she found the situation “funny” because Brynn “reaches out and says nice things, and then I actually wished her happy birthday and I just got no answer. So it’s like, are we talking to each other or not? I give up.”
Despite their ups and downs, Erin says she “could see” filming with Brynn again in the future, but she’s “a little more flexible than other people on the show.”
“I don’t know how everyone would deal with that,” she said of Brynn’s possible RHONY return. “I think we would all be on edge and I think we would all feel nervous as to what we would say and how that would be misconstrued. I think it would be challenging, but I could see a world in which it happens.”
RHONY's Brynn Teases 'Friendships and Relationships Change' This Season
Brynn’s relationship with her RHONY cast members was fractured during the season 15 finale when their Puerto Rican vacation ended with a massive fight between Brynn and costar Ubah Hassan. Ubah, 41, accused Brynn of sleeping with someone to get on the show.
Brynn said she had revealed privately to Ubah that she had been sexually assaulted, but an upset Ubah immediately denied knowing about the experience. The ensuing fight led to the rest of the cast needing to separate the pair for the remainder of their trip.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
With reporting by Christina Garibaldi
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Kieran won best supporting actor for his role in Jesse Eisenberg’s ‘A Real Pain’
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