Michelle Randolph knows Landman viewers are confused by her character Ainsley’s behavior — but she has no regrets about how she chose to play her.
“It’s hard to not be aware of it,” Randolph, 27, told The Hollywood Reporter on Sunday, December 22. “But I disassociate and the thing is, I got the script. I read it. I had my moments, my thoughts.”
Randolph, however, doesn’t disagree that Ainsley’s actions can be confusing. “Some of the things that Ainsley has to say are shocking and there were moments where I thought, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to pull this off,'” she admitted. “I want to find the most human version of this character that I can, and I work really hard at doing that.”
Despite the online backlash, Randolph notes that she sticks to what’s on the page.
“My job ended when I finished my last day on set, and then I released it. The show went out,” she continued. “I can’t tell people how to interpret my character, but at least it’s sparking conversation. And I’m really proud of the show that we made.”
Michelle Randolph as Ainsley Norris and Ali Larter as Angela Norris
In Landman, which premiered on Paramount+ in November, Billy Bob Thornton plays a corporate fixer for an oil titan (Jon Hamm). The West Texas-set drama has life-and-death stakes but its Thornton’s scenes with Randolph, who plays his 17-year-old daughter, have gone viral for moments such as her talking to her father about her sex rules while walking around his house — which he shares with two men of similar age — in bikinis and her underwear.
“I worked with a dialect coach, a movement coach and an acting coach and I just studied like crazy. I had about a year almost to prep for her,” Randolph told The Hollywood Reporter on Sunday about her approach to Ainsley. “It was incredibly helpful to kind of sit with that character. I worked really hard to find ways to justify her behavior and make a full human out of something that doesn’t always seem like what a 17-year-old would say, but people like that exist.”
“I wanted to be very careful about the way that Ainsley comes across. There’s only so much that I can control, but you also can control a lot as an actor,” she shared. “And just being around Ali [Larter] and Billy [Bob Thornton] and Jacob [Lofland] and being in Texas really helped create this full person that Ainsley is. She has this free essence about her and she’s wild, and I loved every second of it.”
Randolph urged viewers to give Ainsley the space to evolve, saying, “She’s 17 and she’s growing. I think she gets it more than the audience gets to see. There are moments where your realize that she can be, not manipulative, but she knows how to play her dad, and also her mom. She knows how to get what she wants. She loves her family.”
She concluded: “She is figuring out who she is and meeting different peers and going to school. She’s not just the bratty young daughter; she is a person. We get to see 5 percent of who Ainsley is. Hopefully as the show goes on, we get to see all of who she is.”
New episodes of Landman premiere Sundays on Paramount+
Sara Baldoni, Sharon Baldoni, Justin Baldoni, Sam Baldoni and Emily Baldoni.
Justin Baldoni’s rise to fame wouldn’t be complete without a supportive family by his side.
The actor gained popularity after playing Rafael Solano on Jane the Virgin from 2014 to 2019. Baldoni has since nabbed various directing roles, allowing him to expand his horizons behind the camera as well. Throughout his ups and downs in Hollywood, Justin has had wife Emily Baldoni by his side.
“I’m so grateful that I get to choose to wake up every day and love this woman,” Justin captioned a July 2024 Instagram post. “But after 11 years of marriage, what has made things so sweet, and what has allowed our relationship to get better and better over time is the fact that I don’t just love her … I also like her. Like, a lot.”
The pair share two kids, Maiya and Maxwell, but the actor’s support system goes way beyond his immediate family. (Justin’s loved ones did not immediately respond when his It Ends With Us costar Blake Livelysued him for sexual harassment in December 2024. Justin denied the “outrageous” claims through his lawyer at the time.)
Keep scrolling to meet Justin’s wife, kids and more:
Sharon and Sam Baldoni
Justin’s parents welcomed their firstborn son in January 1984. The couple raised their family in Los Angeles as part of the Baháʼí Faith, which encourages universal peace and harmony, and Justin has been open about continuing to follow that religion.
“If I could have selected two people to be my parents, I would go back in time and choose them,” Justin gushed during a 2021 interview. “I don’t think a lot of people can say that. My parents are amazing.”
Sara Baldoni
Fans have gotten to know Justin’s younger sister, Sara, through his Instagram posts.
“Sara, I’m not just proud of you, I’m proud of who you are and everything you stand for,” he captioned a social media post in 2016. “Maiya is so lucky to have such a powerful force of positivity as an auntie. I love you so much and I’m so excited to see what you’re going to do next.”
The It Ends With Us star also called his sister “one of the most kind, thoughtful, authentic, loving, generous, happy, and overall incredible women I know.”
Emily Baldoni
Justin and Emily took their relationship public in April 2013, when his 25-minute proposal video went viral. The couple got married that summer.
“We chose someone who is on a lifelong search for growth, who never stops being curious, who stays accountable, and who never, ever gives up,” Justin captioned his July 2024 anniversary post. “We both have these same qualities, and while so many things about us are opposite, no matter how far the world tries to pull us apart, each of those things brings us back together like glue.”
Justin’s wedding vows to his wife have also made headlines, with the actor apologizing for “anything I’ve ever said or done that has hurt you” and his “faults, shortcomings, insecurities and my ego” during the July 2013 ceremony. He got emotional in his speech, promising to “cherish, listen to you, honor you and respect” Emily throughout their marriage.
Justin and Emily welcomed their first child, a daughter, in June 2015.
Maxwell Baldoni
In October 2017, the couple expanded their family with son Maxwell.
“At the end of the day my goal is to raise good humans,” Justin said about parenting in 2021. “The only way I think we can do that is if we actively teach them the things the world is going to tell them they can’t be. And then they get to decide what qualities they want to have.”
Accola rose to fame playing Caroline Forbes on TVD from 2009 to 2017. Krueger, meanwhile, played the role of Josh Rosza in The Vampire Diaries spinoff, The Originals. During her time on The CW series, Accola started dating Joe King. The couple, who got married in 2014, expanded their family with daughters Florence in 2016 and Josephine in 2020.
Us Weekly broke the news in May 2022 that Accola filed for divorce from King. She later started spending time with Krueger at TVD fan conventions and cast reunions.
In December 2023, Accola subtly launched her romance with Krueger on social media when she uploaded a video that included a clip of them kissing. Accola and Krueger have since offered glimpses into their romance.
“We’ve all moved on to new projects, but we still jump at the opportunity to catch up any chance we get,” he told Us alongside a snap of him sitting next to Accola at dinner alongside their other former costars, including The Originals’ Charles Michael Davis.
That same month, Krueger hinted at his plans for parenthood, telling 26 Magazine, “A family is definitely in my future, as well.”
“I’ve been dating. I am going to say that out loud. That feels very personal and new and interesting and super cool and casual to say out loud. But I have,” Accola said on an episode of her “Superbloom” podcast. “Not multiple people — only one. And I don’t even want to get into it.”
Accola hinted she had a “really nice person” in her life, adding, “This is not brand new. This is the most you are going to hear me talk about it. It is good. There’s a smile on my face and joy in my heart.”
December 2023
Steven Krueger and Candice Accola
“I laughed. I cried. I laughed til I cried. I loved. Thanks for the dance 2023 ,” Accola wrote alongside the various videos from the year, including a brief clip of her and Krueger sharing a kiss.
January 2024
Accola took to Instagram Story to document her attempt to spot Krueger in the background of red carpet footage at the Emmys. The actress posted multiple clips of other celebrities being interviewed before she finally found — and zoomed in on — Krueger outside of the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.
The pair enjoyed a romantic trip to Paris, France.
April 2024
“Had the dreamiest time at @blackberry.mountain last week swipe through for adventures and to see if what was rustling in the bushes was a Turkey or a Bear …. And it legit was ,” Accola captioned an Instagram photo of her and Krueger posing for the camera.
June 2024
Accola uploaded several Instagram photos of Krueger spending time with her and her daughters while the actress was on location filming season 1 of We Were Liars.
October 2024
For Halloween, Accola and Krueger dressed up as Taylor Swift and Post Malone in the “Fortnight” music video. “Who uses typewriters anyway? #thetorturedboyfriendsdepartment ,” King captioned a clip via Instagram set to Swift’s Tortured Poets Department song.
December 2024
“December, you sure kept me on my toes From Mystic Falls to Paris to Florida… It’s been a beautiful adventure but I’m officially ready for that sleepy week between Christmas and New Years anyone else? ,” Accola wrote via Instagram alongside photos of her and Krueger kissing.
That same month, Krueger joined Accola and her two daughters — whom she shares with her ex-husband — on a trip to Florida.
Blake Lively followed in her family’s footsteps by joining the entertainment industry.
Born in Los Angeles in 1987, Blake is the youngest of Ernie and Elaine Lively’s five children. Elaine previously welcomed her eldest three children — Lori, Jason and Robyn — with her ex-husband, Ronnie Lively, before marrying Ernie in 1979. The couple later welcomed a son, Eric, and Blake.
Ernie — who adopted his wife’s last name — and Elaine both worked as actors throughout Blake’s childhood, with Elaine also taking on the role of a talent manager. Just like her siblings, Blake also caught the acting bug and became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars with her roles in Gossip Girl, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, A Simple Favor and more projects.
She found her own happy ending with fellow actor Ryan Reynolds, whom she married in 2012. The couple share three daughters — James, Inez and Betty — and son Olin.
Several of Blake’s family members had her back after she filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against her It Ends With Us costar and director, Justin Baldoni, in December 2024. (Lively also accused Baldoni of creating a “hostile work environment” on set and attempting to ruin her reputation with a smear campaign. (His lawyer denied the “outrageous” accusations in a statement to Us Weekly, claiming the actress filed the lawsuit to “fix her negative reputation” and threatened not to show up on set or do press for the film “if her demands were not met.”)
Scroll down to get to know Blake’s family:
Ernie Lively
Ernie got his acting start in the ‘70s with roles on TV shows such as The Waltons, McCloud, Fantasy Island, Fame and Falcon Crest. Over the years, he’s appeared in notable projects such as Turner & Hooch, Quantum Leap, Passenger 57, Murder, She Wrote and The West Wing, among others. He even shared the screen with Blake, playing her onscreen father in 2005’s The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and its 2008 sequel.
Ernie died at age 74 of cardiac complications in June 2021 with his family by his side. Blake’s drink company, Betty Buzz, is a nod to her late father, whose mother and sister were named Betty.
In her December 2024 lawsuit against Baldoni, Blake accused her castmate of exhibiting “shocking and emotionally distressing” behavior, including “[claiming] he could speak to the dead.” Baldoni allegedly told Blake “on several occasions” that “he had spoken to her dead father,” which Blake believed was “off putting and violative.”
Elaine Lively
Blake has joked about inheriting traits from her mother, an actress and talent manager.
“I would like to replace the term ‘hoarder’ in favor of ‘maximalist’. It makes me feel better. Wonder where I get it from,” Blake jokingly captioned a December 2023 Instagram selfie with her mom sporting Tiffany & Co. jewelry. “Me: mom come take a pic for Tiffany with me. Which necklace do you want to wear? Mom: All of them. Me: no. pick your favorite. Mom: ALL of them. Turn on The Makeup Light. … the woman wins. Every time.”
Lori Lively
Born in 1966, Lori is the eldest of Elaine and Ronnie’s three children. Lori has appeared in a number of TV shows and movies over the years, including Working Girl, The Bold and the Beautiful, Melrose Place, ER, Two and a Half Men and The Mentalist.
Lori, Elaine and Robyn joined Blake on the red carpet at the New York City premiere of It Ends With Us in August 2024. “The only thing I loved more than celebrating this magical night with my sister and family was seeing her in this film,” Lori captioned Instagram pics from the event. “If you thought you loved her before, it won’t compare to how you’ll feel after experiencing the pain and joy that she brings to this role. It embodies all that she is in the most beautiful way.”
Jason Lively
Elaine and Ronnie welcomed their second child in 1968. Jason appeared in a number of shows and films throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, including The Dukes of Hazzard, 21 Jump Street and Class of Fear. He took a brief break from acting after appearing in the 1993 video game Return to Zork. His most recent credits are the 2017 films Hickok and The Possessed, per IMDb.
Jason has been married to his wife, Lani Lively, since 2005, and the pair reportedly share three children.
Robyn Lively
Born in 1972, Robyn is the youngest of Elaine and Ronnie’s kids. After a number of small TV gigs, Robyn scored her breakout role as Louise Miller in the 1989 film Teen Witch. She has built a lengthy Hollywood career over the years with roles in The Karate Kid Part III, Twin Peaks, Doogie Howser, M.D., Chicago Hope, Savannah, JAG, Letters to God, 9-1-1: Lone Star and Landman.
She tied the knot with fellow actor Bart Johnson in 1999. The two share sons Baylen and Wyatt, as well as daughter Kate.
The couple each shared messages of support for Blake after she sued Baldoni in December 2024. “FINALLY justice for my sister @blakelively,” Robyn wrote via her Instagram Story at the time, sharing screenshots of The New York Times’ article about the lawsuit.
Johnson, meanwhile, defended Blake in the comments section of The New York Times’ Instagram post about the drama. “Her complaints were filed during the filming. On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him for a reason. Read this article before spiting [sic] ignorance. His PR team was stellar,” he wrote. “Gross and disgusting but highly effective. Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is with out [sic] faults. But the public got played.”
Eric Lively
Elaine and Ernie welcomed their first child together in 1981. Much like his parents and siblings before him, Eric began his acting career in the early ‘90s with roles in Full House, American Pie and So Weird. In recent years, Eric has starred in shows and movies such as A Minute With Stan Hooper, The L Word, Modern Men, A Madea Christmas and BFFs.
Eric has been married to his wife, Angelina Davydova, since 2005.
Ryan Reynolds
Blake and Reynolds met playing love interests in the 2011 superhero film Green Lantern and began dating shortly after Reynolds finalized his divorce from Scarlett Johansson in 2011. The two tied the knot one year later.
Blake hilariously shut down breakup rumors in July 2024, responding to an Instagram comment which read: “You and Ryan need to post more of each other, there were rumors going around that you two got divorced and I didn’t believe it because you two are literally the perfect couple.” Blake replied: “Haha they wish .”
Blake and Reynolds became first-time parents with the birth of their daughter James in 2014. They welcomed Inez and Betty in 2016 and 2019, respectively, and Olin in 2023.
Blake and Reynolds’ close pal Taylor Swift is the godmother of their three girls, and she famously incorporated their names in her 2020 track “Betty.” Director Shawn Levy, meanwhile, is Olin’s godfather.
Blake Lively has received public support from her famous friends and other Hollywood stars following the news of her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni.
Lively sued It Ends With Usdirector and costar Baldoni for sexual harassment in a lawsuit filed on Friday, December 20. According to court documents, which have since been obtained by Us Weekly, the Gossip Girl alum detailed a barrage of accusations, claiming that Baldoni was inappropriate on the film’s set. (TMZ and The New York Times were first to report the contents of the lawsuit.)
While filming It Ends With Us, which was released this past August, Baldoni allegedly body-shamed Lively and attempted to add sex scenes to the film. Lively claims in the suit that she raised concerns about Baldoni prior to the completion of the film. She further alleged that Baldoni has since attempted to “destroy” her reputation in the public eye by launching a “social manipulation” campaign against her.
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, claimed in a statement to Us that Lively filed the suit to “fix her negative reputation” and “rehash a narrative” about what went down on the film’s set. He further denied the “outrageous” claims, calling them “completely false” and “intentionally salacious.”
Lively addressed the suit in a statement to The New York Times.
“I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted,” she wrote.
Keep scrolling to see which stars have spoken out in support of Lively:
Gwyneth Paltrow
Paltrow showed subtle support for Lively by sharing the actress’ haircare Blake Brown brand via Instagram Stories shortly after the complaint made headlines. “Just added to my Christmas wish list,” she wrote on December 20.
“Blake Lively you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” she shared in a December 21 Instagram Story post. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
One day later, Hoover spoke out again, reposting a statement shared by Lively’s former Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars alongside a lengthy caption. Lively thanked Hoover by “liking” the Instagram post.
Robyn Lively
The fellow actress called out “justice” for her sister in a December 21 Instagram post, pointing followers to The New York Times piece detailing each accusation against Baldoni.
“Her complaints were filed during the filming. On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him for a reason,” Johnson wrote in a comment on The New York Times December 21 Instagram post. “Read this article before spiting [sic] ignorance.”
Johnson admitted that “mistakes were made” along the way before praising how Lively worked diligently on movies and launching various businesses while raising her four kids with husband Ryan Reynolds. (He also credited Baldoni’s “gross and disgusting but highly effective” PR strategy.)
“But yeah let’s post from our couch how much we hate her for making mistakes,” Johnson continued. “That makes sense. I mean, she’s been rude in these interviews that magically played on repeat. I saw it. None of us have ever been wrong or mean. Never. We should discount decades of good for those few bad moments. Glad the microscope isn’t on me every day of my life.”
“As Blake’s friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” the trio shared. “Throughout the filming of It Ends with Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.”
The actresses continued: “Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors’ stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding. We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment.”
Ferrera, Tamblyn and Bledel noted that they are “inspired” by Lively’s courage. They concluded the statement by encouraging fans to read Lively’s full complaint, which was published via The New York Times.
Amy Schumer
The comedian showed support for Lively via Instagram Stories.
After Baldoni hired the same crisis PR team as Johnny Depp amid his legal battle with Heard, the Aquaman actress spoke out about Lively’s lawsuit in a statement to NBC News on December 23.
“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on.’ I saw this firsthand and up close,” she wrote. “It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”
Heard was referring to her past relationship and subsequent legal trial against ex-husband Depp. (Depp won a defamation suit against Heard in 2022 and was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.)
Lively, 37, filed a lawsuit against her former It Ends With Us costarJustin Baldoni on Friday, December 20, accusing him of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign to damage her reputation. One of Baldoni’s publicists Melissa Nathan — who represented Johnny Depp during his and Heard’s 2022 defamation trial — is also named in the suit.
Heard, 38, reacted to the legal filing in a statement shared with NBC News on Monday, December 23.
“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying, ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,’” Heard said. “I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”
Depp, 61, took legal action against Heard after she identified herself as a victim of domestic violence in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed. Although Heard did not mention Depp by name in the article, he claimed that her allegations of violence damaged his reputation and career. The former couple were married from 2015 to 2017.
A jury sided with Depp in June 2022, awarding him $15 million in damages. Heard has previously spoken out about how social media coverage of the highly-publicized trial impacted public opinion of her.
Johnny Depp attends his defamation trial against Amber Heard
“Even somebody who is sure I’m deserving of all this hate and vitriol, even if you think that I’m lying, you still couldn’t tell me — look me in the eye and tell me — that you think on social media there’s been a fair representation,” she said during a June 2022 interview with Today’s Savannah Guthrie. “You cannot tell me that you think that this has been fair.”
Lively claimed in her legal filing that Baldoni, 40, hired a crisis communications team that included Nathan to orchestrate a “social manipulation” campaign to damage her reputation amid reports of drama between the pair on the set of It Ends With Us, which hit theaters in August.
Per The New York Times, the lawsuit included “thousands of pages of text messages and emails” which Lively obtained through a subpoena. In one message allegedly sent on August 2, a publicist working with Baldoni wrote to a crisis management expert, “He wants to feel like she can be buried.”
The text messages allegedly show that the crisis PR team worked to prevent stories about Baldoni’s behavior and boost negative stories about Lively. Per the NYT, Jed Wallace’s digital strategy amplified social media posts that supported their narrative.
“We are crushing it on Reddit,” Wallace allegedly texted.
Lively also alleged in the legal filing that a meeting was held to address her claims that there was a “hostile work environment” on the set of It Ends With Us. Some of her demands for the meeting included “no more showing nude videos or images of women to Blake, no more mention of Baldoni’s alleged previous ‘pornography addiction,’ no more discussions about sexual conquests in front of Blake and others, no further mentions of cast and crew’s genitalia, no more inquiries about Blake’s weight, and no further mention of Blake’s dead father.”
Justin Baldoni attends the ‘It Ends With Us’ New York Premiere
In a statement to the NYT Lively said of the lawsuit, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman slammed Lively’s “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious” accusations in a statement shared with Us Weekly, claiming that the actress filed the lawsuit to “fix her negative reputation” and “rehash a narrative” about the film’s production.
Freedman further claimed that Lively made “multiple demands and threats” while filming It Ends With Us, including “threatening to not show up to set, threatening to not promote the film, ultimately leading to its demise during release, if her demands were not met.”
In the wake of the bombshell lawsuit, several of Lively’s collaborators have voiced their support for her. A Simple Favor director Paul Feig shared a statement via X on Sunday, December 22.
“I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with,” he wrote. “She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this.”
Colleen Hoover, who penned the novel of the same name that inspired It Ends With Us, has also stood by Lively.
“Blake Lively you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” Hoover, 45, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, December 21. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
The formerLizzie McGuire star and the musician, who met while collaborating on her 2015 album Breathe In. Breathe Out, got married in December 2019. They continue to prove they are just like Us.
“I will always choose sandwiches and 8 p.m. bedtimes over fancy date nights …. over and over again,” Duff wrote via Instagram on thefirst anniversary of their engagement. “My best friend, lover, and papa bear that can not be rivaled… it’s always been you.”
Duff and Koma share three daughters Banks, born in 2018, Mae, born in 2021, and Townes, born in 2024. (Duff also shares son Luca with ex-husband Mike Comrie.)
The couple’s romance has continued to get stronger through the years.
“Neither of them had as many work commitments and could reconnect,” a source exclusively told Us Weeklyin December 2023 of their hiatus amid the SAG-AFTRA strikes. “They really got to know each other all over again and spend a ton of time together as a family.”
Keep scrolling for Duff and Koma’s major relationship milestones:
The pair hit it off in 2015 — one year after Duff split from ex-husband Mike Comrie, with whom she shares son Luca — while collaborating on the Lizzie McGuire alum’s album Breathe In. Breathe Out. "They had great chemistry in the studio," a source close to Duff told Us at the time. "Hilary thinks Matt is very talented and cute."
The two rekindled their romance and the Raise Your Voice star started sharing photos of them together on Instagram again. She later opened up about their relationship, telling Us Weekly in December that “it’s going so great.”
Duff and Koma welcomed an elderly dog into their home. “Hey guys! We adopted an old dog,” the actress wrote alongside a sweet Instagram pic at the time. “Thank you so much @loveleorescue #welovelucy.” Koma also shared his excitement on Instagram. “I Love Lucy and she…looks fairly indifferent towards me,” he captioned a pic of the pup. “I will Ricky Ricardo her heart.”
Duff announced that the couple were expecting their first child together in a sweet Instagram post. “Guess what guys! @matthewkoma and I made a little princess of our own and we couldn’t be more excited!!!!!!” she captioned a pic that showed her beau giving her a kiss on the cheek, with her baby bump on full display.
The doting mom revealed she gave birth. “Banks Violet Bair,” she captioned an Instagram pic that showed her and Koma snuggling their newborn daughter. “This little bit has fully stolen our hearts! She joined our world at home on Thursday afternoon and is absolute magic.”
Koma proposed to Duff after dating on and off for two and a half years. “He asked me to be his wife,” she gushed on Instagram alongside a photo with her new diamond ring. The singer later added, “Thanks for the promotion babe.”
The couple married in a low-key wedding in the backyard of their Los Angeles home on December 21, 2019, in front of a small group of family and friends.
The “Sparks” singer paid tribute to her husband on the anniversary of their engagement in May 2020. “Bubba, thanks for forcing me to go on that walk with you today (last year) I love you so much♥️” Duff captioned her Instagram post. “I will always choose sandwiches and 8 pm bedtimes over fancy date nights …. over and over again. My best friend, lover, and papa bear that cannot be rivaled…it’s always been you.”
The former Disney Channel star announced in October 2020 that the pair are expanding their family. “We are growing!!! Mostly me …” Duff captioned a photo of her baby bump, revealing she is pregnant with baby No. 3, her second child with Koma.
“I love this moment so much,” Duff wrote alongside a photo of her and Koma eating on their wedding day, in honor of their one-year anniversary in December 2020. “Matt and I were both too nervous to eat the day of our wedding .. this is directly after .... we slammed a plate of apps someone brought us before taking pictures and this pretty much sums us up ... Snacking through life, dreaming about dinner at 7 am and wrangling kids. Oh, and dodging covid the first year of marriage😕. Always with you babe. For you. Over and over I choose you and this ♥️ thank you for being a damn good man.”
The New York native celebrated the special day with his own Instagram tribute, writing, “Happy Anniversary Ba ... One year ago today looked a whole lot different. I can’t imagine this last year without you to Clorox groceries and avoid the world with.” He continued: “When I asked you to be my wife, we had no idea our first year would look like this ... They always say, ‘The first year is the hardest,’ but in our case it was for completely different reasons and I’m so in awe of your badassery. How you’re able to be the mom, individual, wife, spirit, and tie dye influencer you are, while making it look so easy is mind boggling and I don’t know what I did right to deserve being on the receiving end of it. Thank you for being the most steady, supportive, empathetic, loving, and passionate. You make me so much better. You make our family what it is. You’re the only thing that makes me cry through the Prozac. I love you.”
The Lizzie McGuire alum looked back on her pregnancy sex life with Koma the following month, telling Dr. Berlin: “Sex really was not interesting for me at all. So toward the end, where with Banks, that felt like a really helpful-slash-fun tool [to speed labor along], this time I was like, ‘Nope, not for me.’ And it, like, annoyed me majorly when people would say, ‘You know what really gets things started?’ I'm like, ‘Nope.’ Poor Matt. But maybe not. Maybe he was like, ‘This is for the better right now.’”
"Matthew, My dedications can’t touch yours," the Younger actress began a sweet tribute to her husband on his 34th birthday. "Mostly I just want to say thank you.... For being my best friend. Giving 1000 percent to our kids. Whenever there's a tiny hint of something going on with me you drop everything to make me feel like it's valid and important And that feels really nice(I'm a poet, I know🙄). But it's the humor for me. ..sometimes I don't even feel worthy of your sophisticated trolls, how lucky I am to be the chosen one. 😊."
Duff felt lucky to be "forever surprised/ impressed/ and learning" from Koma. "Thank you for being the coziest safest blanket for us to all rest our head. Nobody else I'd rather go through the trenches with bubba. HBD love you papa 🐻 who's 34!" she gushed. "Oh! And when you sit down and get really serious trying to do Banks’ hair.... I really like that too. Slays right through me 💔."
A day before Duff's 33rd birthday, her husband wrote a sweet tribute that ended with a NSFW message. "I’m really the luckiest to get to do this life thing with you. The easy days and the absolute s--t storms we’re constantly navigating…You’re never phased and you give so much of yourself to us," he wrote in his lengthy message. Just in case it was too heartfelt, Koma ended it with a bang: “Love you. Also my full body hive is better so we can bone down tonight." Duff enjoyed her husband's sense of humor. "Swoon. Thank god the FBH are gone because who would ever measure up to these love dedications?" she commented.
Duff commemorated the duo's second wedding anniversary with an Instagram post that included a carousel of photos and videos from their 2019 nuptials. "12.21.19 with the guy of my dreams," she wrote. "Papa bear. Best friend. Good human. That’s all."
“Everyday with you is better than the last …. Happy Birthday to the one who makes us laugh the most and the one who has made me utterly and irreversibly complete,” Duff wrote via Instagram in celebration of her husband’s special day. “I love you beyond the moon @matthewkoma this has to be a simulation.”
"I was told it’s National spouse day. You tease and give me hell Matthew and I love you so much. My own personal troll. Keep me please," Duff captioned a sweet selfie with her husband, to which he replied, "Ugh my prozac can’t fight the tears from you being so sweet. I love you."
Koma commemorated his and Duff’s 4-year engagement anniversary by sharing a photo from when he popped the question via his Instagram Story. Duff reposted the proposal pic, which she captioned, “I would say yes again and again.”
The couple revealed they are expecting a new addition to their family. “Surprise, surprise,” Duff captioned their group’s holiday photo which featured the actress showcasing her baby bump.
Duff revealed that she had given brith to the couple’s third child together.
“Townes Meadow Bair 🧸 , now we know why she made us wait so long … She was perfecting those Cheeks!” Duff wrote via Instagram on on May 7 alongside photos from the at-home water birth. “I Have been dreaming of holding you in my arms for months and the past 5 days of getting to know you, stare at you and smell you has been pure moments of magic. We all love you like you’ve been here all along beauty.”
Duff and Koma celebrated their five-year wedding anniversary.
The actress shared a sweet message regarding the relationship milestone via Instagram Stories. "Five years down," Duff wrote, alongside a photo of her husband. "Forever to go.”
Koma shared his own post with photos from their wedding and a lengthy caption.
“5 years married today to my dream girl & my best friend. As I lay next to you in bed, purely exhausted after our third consecutive 14 hour day of taking our 4 kids skiing - I feel like the luckiest. You chose me to do the impossible with,” he wrote, in part. “And as we navigate through the truly IN IT years, I think the most exciting thing is knowing on the other side of this, we get each other. You’re my favorite person to do absolutely anything and everything with. And I know that may sound underwhelming considering my inability to tolerate the majority of humans, but you light this grinch up in a way that forces me to fully submit and coast closer to the #LiveLaughLove sun than I ever thought possible.”
In her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively claimed a lack of protocols led to her and her infant son contracting COVID on set of It Ends With Us.
In court documents obtained by Us Weekly, and filed by Lively, 37, on Friday, December 20, she alleges Baldoni, 40, and his business partner Jamey Heath “failed to implement” proper protocol when there was a COVID outbreak.
“Ms. Lively was told by another producer that because [Justin and Jamey’s production company] Wayfarer did not have insurance coverage for COVID, Mr. Baldoni and Mr. Heath deliberately withheld from Ms. Lively that she had been exposed to COVID,” her lawyers claimed in the paperwork. “Both Ms. Lively and her infant child contracted COVID from the outbreak.”
Lively — who shares daughters James, 9, Inez, 8, and Betty, 5, as well as a son, Olin, whom they welcomed in early 2023 with husband Ryan Reynolds — “attempted to raise concerns” during a conversation with Baldoni and Heath.
“When Ms. Lively expressed her upset that Mr. Heath and Mr. Baldoni had hidden the fact that she had been exposed to a COVID outbreak on set from which she and her infant contracted COVID,” the docs continued. “Instead of acknowledging responsibility and committing to safety moving forward, they expressed upset over production days missed and resulting costs.”
Lively included a copy of guidelines that needed to be “met without fail” for her to come back to film It Ends With Us after the writer’’s strike halted production.
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively are seen on the set of ‘It Ends with Us’ on January 12, 2024 in Jersey City, New Jersey.
“If BL is exposed to COVID-19, she must be provided notice as soon as possible after Wayfarer or any producer or production executive becomes aware of such exposure,” the request read.
Lively’s legal filing comes months after reports of their tension on set made waves all summer. The actress accused him of sexual harassment, creating a “hostile work environment” and causing her “severe emotional distress” while working on a movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover‘s hit book.
“Ms. Lively often had to work while breastfeeding, which she felt comfortable doing so long as she was given the time and space to cover herself. She did this frequently, because she was not given breaks to feed her baby,” the lawsuit continued. “But Ms. Lively did not expect or consent to anyone entering her private spaces while topless, exposed, and vulnerable with her newborn, or during body makeup application or removal. Mr. Baldoni and Mr. Heath both showed a shocking lack of boundaries by invading her personal space when she was undressed and vulnerable.”
“[This] sometimes stretched into six hours without a break. When filming finally broke, Ms. Lively would have to run to her trailer to breastfeed,” the documents noted. “The lack of accommodation for her need to express milk caused her to develop painful mastitis.”
“There are days when she has struggled to get out of bed, and she frequently chooses not to venture outside in public,” the lawsuit revealed. “While she has fought to maintain her personal life and business interests, behind closed doors she has suffered from grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety. She also has been experiencing repeated and painful physical symptoms as a result of this experience.”
The lawsuit concluded: “Mr. Reynolds, too, has been affected mentally, physically, and professionally by his wife and children’s pain. Worst of all, however, has been the impact on their young children, who have been traumatized and emotionally uprooted in ways that have substantially impacted their well-being.”
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, addressed Lively’s “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious” allegations in a statement to Us, claiming she filed the lawsuit to “fix her negative reputation” and “rehash a narrative” regarding the production of the film.
Freedman alleged that Lively made “multiple demands and threats” during the film’s production, which included “threatening to not show up to set, threatening to not promote the film, ultimately leading to its demise during release, if her demands were not met.”
In a statement to The New York Times on Saturday, December 21, Lively stated, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
Siwa, 21, has had no shortage of colorful, edgy and, well, interesting outfits as part of her “dramatic” personal transformation in 2024. Shifting from high ponytails, bows and frilly skirts, Siwa has opted for punk-inspired eye makeup, sheer costumes and grunge getups this past year, often making her the topic of conversation.
One of her most out-there looks came at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in April, when she wore her “Karma” music video costume and glam. Her catsuit featured sheer legs embellished with black patches, rhinestones and wings on her back. The Dance Moms alum’s glam was just as wild, with her platinum locks braided and styled into a faux-hawk and spikes drawn around her eyes, inspired by Kiss.
Siwa — who told Us Weekly that the girl with the bow “will never come back” — continued to honor her “Karma” music video in April, wearing her own face on a muscle tee at the Dance Moms: The Reunion premiere.
Keep scrolling to see the wildest, sparkliest and most colorful ensembles Siwa wore in 2024:
One of Siwa’s more tame ensembles of the year featured a neon yellow “Karma” sweatshirt and sparkly patchwork jeans at the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills.
Inspired by Kiss in her “Karma” music video, Siwa wore an intricate catsuit featuring one mesh leg, a sheer bodice, bat-esque wings and lots of glitter at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles. She completed her look with bold eye makeup and a voluminous updo.
Siwa wore her own face on a muscle tee at the Dance Moms: The Reunion premiere in New York City. The singer added a pop of color to her look with pink fingerless gloves.
As she performed at Mighty Hoopla in London, Siwa opted for a rainbow bralette adorned with crystals and matching high-waisted underwear. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail with her roots braided.
Hoover’s lengthy message was accompanied by screenshots of a statement from Lively’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars. “This statement from these women and Blake’s ability to refuse to sit down and ‘be buried’ has been nothing short of inspiring,” Hoover, 45, captioned an Instagram post on Monday, December 23. “Seeing these three women stand up for their friend when they know good and well they’re going to be ripped apart by the people who choose to not accept or read receipts is inspiring.”
Hoover explained that she initially planned to share the “beautiful” statement written by America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel via her Instagram Stories in fear of negative comments.
“I wanted to show support, but I had anxiety thinking of putting my post about Blake in my feed and sending myself into a mental spiral from the inevitable comments,” the author wrote. “They can be vile, and over the last year or two, there’s been a huge shift in my attitude toward social media. I used to share so much of my life, every single day, but that all changed when I noticed people weren’t necessarily following me out of interest, but rather to tear me down.”
Hoover admitted that things “got dark” for her, so she pulled back on what she posted.
“Rather than stand up for myself and for truth, I allowed and still allow people to blindly judge me without a rebuttal, because that’s what we’re told to do,” she added. “I am done being afraid to post in fear of the comment section hurting my reputation. I do not care about my future legacy. I never have. I care about the people who are currently in my life, who I love and know and trust. And I care about the readers who have supported me along the way, and who reach out daily to ask where I’ve been and why I haven’t released a book in years.”
Concluding her post, Hoover appeared to promise more of a presence online.
“I will see you tomorrow. And the day after that,” she wrote. “Because I like it here and I miss you.”
Us Weekly can confirm that Lively “liked” Hoover’s Instagram statement on Monday. Hoover previously showed Lively support after news broke of her lawsuit against It Ends With Us costar Baldoni, who she accused of sexual harassment. Lively further claimed that Baldoni launched a “social manipulation” campaign to “destroy” her reputation following rumors of tension between the two leads. Baldoni’s lawyer denied the “outrageous” accusations in a statement to Us, calling the lawsuit “completely false” and “intentionally salacious.”
Hoover first spoke out on Saturday, December 21, urging Lively to “never change” and “never wilt.” A similar message was shared by Ferrera, Tamblyn and Bledel, who starred alongside Lively in two Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movies.
“As Blake’s friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” they wrote in a joint statement on Sunday, December 22.
“Throughout the filming of It Ends with Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice,” their statement continued. “Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors’ stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding.”
The actresses added: “We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment. We are inspired by our sister’s courage to stand up for herself and others.”
Below Deck costars Ben Willoughby and Sunny Marquis are officially over.
“I need to kindly ask that people respect my space at this time and stop the negative commenting and messages,” Willoughby wrote via Instagram Story on Saturday, December 21. “It’s been a very difficult couple of weeks and some things are private between two people.”
Willoughby noted that he was focused “on moving forward,” adding, “I understand that a relationship was publicly and followed by many. Thank you for understanding.”
Willoughby sparked breakup speculation earlier this month when he removed photos of Marquis from his social media. The former coworkers often documented their romance online after reuniting when filming on season 11 wrapped earlier this year.
“Yes you guessed it we are still together! Finally we can let go of the secrecy that has been held for the past 15 months,” Willoughby captioned an Instagram post in May of him and Marquis. “We want to thank you all for the support throughout season 11 @belowdeckbravo it’s been a rollercoaster to relive the season and the beginning of a relationship.”
Willoughby explained how his relationship with Marquis progressed outside of the show, noting, “We ended up traveling the globe together last year and Sunny made her way to Australia for Christmas. Anyways, hoping you all enjoyed the season. Sunny and Ben xx.”
He continued in a separate post: “We did a lot of traveling last year! From Mexico, Italy, Greece, Morocco, canary islands, Australia, we had a great time navigating life together. This one is a keeper, she’s a special person .”
Below Deck viewers witnessed Willoughby and Marquis’ ups and downs during season 11. While working on deck, Willoughby and Marquis formed a casual relationship, which got more complicated when he was promoted. They continued to hook up when he became her boss — and before he attempted to rekindle his romance with former costar Camille Lamb.
“Being back on board St. David, it is like taking a stroll down memory lane. With Camille, it was this instant spark. We were very much like kids in love. I’ve just been really thinking about her recently,” Willoughby told cameras during an April episode of the show. “Maybe there’s a part of me believing there could be something because we were great together. See what girls have done to me?”
“It’s a bit of a roller coaster between Sunny and I. Sunny said she didn’t want a relationship. She was very much just there just to enjoy the experience and what was happening,” he exclusively told Us Weekly in March about their current status. “And then as things turned out, we both sort of got a bit more involved and it was quite hard for me to just tell her that I need to focus on my job because I’m stepping up into this leadership role.”
Willoughby saw his issues with Marquis as a lesson, adding, “I think she did take a lot of things personally when it should have just been for work and I very much want to see her after the show. So that’s where my head is at just at the moment. We just want to get work done first and then we can see what can blossom after that.”
Blake Lively is receiving more support amid her sexual harassment lawsuit against It Ends With Us director and costar Justin Baldoni.
“I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with,” A Simple Favor director, Paul Feig, shared via X on Sunday, December 22.
Feig added, “She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this.”
Lively, 37, filed a complaint against Baldoni, 40, with the California Civil Complaints Department on Friday, December 20, accusing the actor/director of sexual harassment on the set of their recent Colleen Hoover adaptation. She also claimed Baldoni was behind a smear campaign to tarnish her reputation.
In a statement to Us Weekly, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, said Lively’s accusations were “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious.” Freedman claimed that Lively sued to “fix her negative reputation” and “rehash a narrative” regarding the film’s production. Freedman further alleged that Lively made “multiple demands and threats” while filming It Ends With Us, including “threatening to not show up to set, threatening to not promote the film, ultimately leading to its demise during release, if her demands were not met.”
Since news of the lawsuit broke on Saturday, December 21, various people have come out in support of Lively, including her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costarsAmerica Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel.
“As Blake’s friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” the trio wrote in a joint statement shared via Instagram on Sunday, December 22.
The actresses continued, “Throughout the filming of It Ends with Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice. Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors’ stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding.”
“Blake Lively you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” shared Hoover, the author of It Ends With Us, via social media Sunday. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
Sklenar, 34, was spotted getting festive with Miles Teller and his wife, Keleigh Teller, along with Chace Crawford and more friends. “Annual white elephant x @drinkolipop ,” Keleigh, 32, captioned an Instagram photo dump on Sunday, December 22.
She shared a glimpse of holiday decor — including stockings and a dazzling Christmas tree — and included a group shot of the guests. Sklenar could be seen in the back corner as partygoers showed off their gifts.
Sklenar starred alongside Lively, 37, and Baldoni, 40, in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover‘s popular novel, which hit theaters this summer. As the cast promoted the movie’s release, fans began to wonder whether there was tension between Lively — who also served as a producer — and Baldoni. Despite playing love interests on screen, the pair weren’t seen doing press together or posing with each other on red carpets.
“There were two camps on the film — team Blake and team Justin,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in August. “This creative struggle set the tone for the negative experience behind the scenes and grew into them not speaking anymore.”
While rumors swirled of drama between the two leads, Lively also faced backlash for seemingly downplaying the movie’s domestic violence plot line as she did press. (Her character, Lily, escapes an abusive relationship with Ryle, played by Baldoni, with help from her old flame Atlas, played by Sklenar. She eventually shared domestic violence resources online.)
Sklenar addressed the controversy in a lengthy Instagram statement shared in August, appearing to come to Lively’s defense. “Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves. Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about,” he wrote at the time. “It is, in fact, the opposite of the point.”
He continued, “What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film. It’s been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.”
Sklenar insisted that “there isn’t a single person involved in the making of this film” that wasn’t “aware of the responsibility we had in making this,” adding, “This movie is a harsh reality check for the men who need to get their s— together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions.”
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively seen on set of ‘It Ends with Us.’
Months after It Ends With Us hit theaters, the drama resurfaced. News broke on Saturday, December 21, that Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment and “severe emotional distress.”
According to Lively’s complaint, a meeting was held during the film’s production to address some of her concerns regarding a “hostile work environment” on set. She requested that there be “no more showing nude videos or images of women to Blake, no more mention of Baldoni’s alleged previous ‘pornography addiction,’ no more discussions about sexual conquests in front of Blake and others, no further mentions of cast and crew’s genitalia, no more inquiries about Blake’s weight, and no further mention of Blake’s dead father,” as well as “no more adding of sex scenes, oral sex or on camera climaxing by BL outside the scope of the script BL approved when signing onto the project.”
Lively further claimed that Baldoni orchestrated a “social manipulation” campaign to “destroy” her reputation. Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, denied the “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious” accusations in a statement to Us, claiming Lively filed her complaint in order to “fix her negative reputation.”
In a statement to The New York Times, Lively said neither she nor anyone on her team spread negative information about Baldoni. “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted,” she continued.
Baldoni was reportedly dropped by WME after Lively’s lawsuit made headlines. Sklenar has not addressed the legal drama, but Hoover supported Lively via social media on Saturday.
“Blake Lively you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” she wrote. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
Taylor Swift is making a young fan’s day just before Christmas!
Earlier this month, the pop star, 35, visited sick pediatric patients at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City ahead of the holidays, and one young girl, named Naya, took a liking to Swift’s outfit. “Thank you for saying my outfit was tea,” Swift told Naya while signing a copy of her Eras Tour Book during the December 12 visit, as documented by Naya via TikTok.
Well, fast forward to just a week later, and now Naya can dress exactly like Swift. In a video shared via TikTok on Sunday, December 22, Naya unboxed a special Christmas gift from Swift revealed to be the exact same coordinated Miu Miu ensemble Swift wore for the occasion. The set retails at $2,250 for the plaid shirt worn by the star, and an additional $2,250 to complete the look with a matching pleated tartan skirt.
Naya also shared a handwritten note from Swift, which read, “When you asked where I got it, I purposely didn’t tell you because I had a plan Picked you up a few things I hope you’ll think are tea. Ha. Merry Christmas, Love Taylor.”
Naya captioned her TikTok video, “She is soo amazing im soo blessed, i love you Tay Swizzle you’re literally the Best.”
During her visit to Children’s Mercy Hospital, the “Fortnight” singer bonded with sick kids over the local NFL team, the Kansas City Chiefs, and of course, her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, the team’s tight end.
“I like Travis now,” a child told Swift, according to a fan video shared via X.
Swift didn’t skip a beat as she signed a copy of her Eras Tour book for the patient, replying, “Yes, me too. That’s an absolute yes on that one.”
The Grammy winner asked if the Chiefs tight end was the child’s “favorite player,” to which the young girl replied, “Yeah. Either [him] or Patrick,” referring to the team’s quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
“Good. These are good answers,” Swift said with a smile. “You are acing this!”
According to social media posts from Children’s Mercy Hospital workers and patients’ families, Swift visited the location to talk with pediatric patients and brighten their spirits.
“This morning, day #6 of Baylee in the hospital we had the coolest, most unexpected surprise ever.. (with like 2 minutes warning),” Melissa Nuzum, a mom of one of the children, wrote via Facebook. “TAYLOR SWIFT came to visit impatient children today and Baylee was chosen since she requests Taylor songs during her uncomfortable procedures!”
The woman shared photos of Swift making silly faces with her daughter and spending time in her room. “Ya’ll she is amazing! On top of her sheer beauty, she was just as kind and personable and down to earth,” she gushed. “She gave Baylee a signed copy of her Eras Tour book and accepted a gift from Baylee (a diamond art picture) as well. We have fangirled all morning!”
Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy appears to be honoring her late boyfriend with a subtle tribute.
Cassidy, 25, shared a photo of herself curling up to her and Payne’s dog, Nala, via her Instagram Stories on Sunday, December 22. In the pic, Cassidy is seen with angel wings tattooed on her index and middle fingers.
The influencer simply posted a red heart emoji over the image, in which Nala can be seen gazing at the camera.
Cassidy and Payne fostered Nala just one month before the One Direction singer died at age 31 after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16.
“We have a little special guest with us today,” Cassidy said in a September 16 TikTok video introducing her and Payne’s new pet.
Cassidy said in the video that she was “so nervous” to ask Payne to get a dog with her. She said she found a dog shelter near their Miami home and shared that “Liam was totally on board.”
Cassidy and Payne settled on Nala after meeting three different dogs at the shelter, she said. “This dog … we figured was the best fit for us. She’s so sweet. She’s only four months old. She was abandoned by her previous owners and just dumped at the shelter,” Cassidy explained. “We wanted to give her a second chance at a better life.”
Cassidy recently returned to social media with a sweet tribute to Payne following his death.
On December 8, Cassidy shared a compilation video via TikTok of time spent with the late One Direction star. Captioning the post, “I love you,” the influencer began with footage of herself and Payne blowing kisses to the camera before sharing moments from various outings. The couple were also seen dancing together, arms wrapped around one another, in another touching moment.
Quiet moments were also spliced with a series of lighthearted memories, including footage of Payne, who traveled with Cassidy just two weeks before his death, dragging his amused girlfriend’s legs around a kitchen floor and bowling with her.
Editing together one and a half minutes’ worth of footage in total, Cassidy also included clips of Payne goofing around in front of the camera, lounging with her on the couch and sleeping beside her in bed.
The video was set to a 1993 track by Mazzy Star titled “Fade Into You.”
Cassidy, who was first linked to Payne in October 2022, attended Payne’s November 20 funeral in Amersham, England, along with Payne’s former One Direction bandmates, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. Cheryl Cole, Payne’s ex and the mother of his son Bear, 7, was also there, as were James Corden and Simon Cowell.
The Kardashians star and Skims cofounder, 44, surprised fans by releasing a cover of Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby” late Sunday, December 22, just in time for Christmas.
Kim’s cover is produced by none other than her brother-in-law, Travis Barker, who is married to Kim’s older sister, Kourtney Kardashian. The song was released via streaming services Sunday through DTA Records, Barker’s record label, and Kim’s Kimsaprincess, Inc.
Kim also dropped an accompanying video for her return to music on Sunday. The dystopian clip features Kim crawling on all fours in a blond wig with money strewn all over the floor, while an eclectic cast of characters appear to celebrate a not-so-cheery Christmas. The video concludes with a closeup shot of a creepy Santa holding a video camera who is revealed to be Macaulay Culkin, star of the iconic holiday movie, Home Alone.
“SANTA BABY, FILM DIRECTED BY NADIA LEE COHEN & CHARLIE DENIS, SONG PRODUCED BY TRAVIS BARKER,” Kim shared via X on Sunday along with the unsettling music video.
Kim’s Christmas cover comes 13 years after she made her music debut with the song, “Jam (Turn It Up),” produced by Grammy-winning music producer The-Dream, in 2011. At the time, Kim said she was releasing the track in aid of charity and that she would not be releasing a full-length album.
“It’s definitely a memory and it was a fun experience. We gave the proceeds to a cancer organization,” she said. “But if there’s one thing in life that I wish I didn’t do … I don’t like it when people kind of dabble into things they shouldn’t be. And that I don’t think I should have. Like, what gave me the right to think I could be a singer? Like, I don’t have a good voice.”
As well as returning to the recording studio, Kim has been making big strides in Hollywood this year. She is currently filming a new legal drama created by Ryan Murphy for Hulu. All’s Fair, which boasts an all-star cast including Sarah Paulson, Niecy Nash, Glenn Close and more, will premiere in 2025. Kim will also star in and produce a comedy for Netflix titled The Fifth Wheel.
“It’s wonderful,” Paulson praised Kim’s work ethic in an interview with Variety in November. “She’s incredibly present. She’s fun, she’s game, she’s alive to the moment. She’s great.”
“As Blake’s friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” the trio wrote in a joint statement shared via Instagram after Lively accused Baldoni, 40, of sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us, as well as orchestrating a smear campaign against her.
The actresses continued, “Throughout the filming of It Ends with Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice. Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors’ stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding.”
“We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment,” the trio said. “We are inspired by our sister’s courage to stand up for herself and others.”
The statement concluded, “For anyone seeking more information or engaging in this important conversation online, please read the full legal complaint in the investigative reporting by Megan Twohey, Mike McIntire, and Julie Tate for the New York Times.”
Lively, 37, starred alongside Ferrera, 40, Tamblyn, 41, and Bledel, 43, in 2005’s The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and its 2008 sequel amid her rise to stardom on Gossip Girl.
Tamblyn shared a personal note via her Instagram Stories on Sunday, saying she was a “confidant” to Lively amid the alleged on-set struggles she experienced while making It Ends With Us.
“I remember how incredibly painful it was for her,” Tamblyn wrote. “I’m glad all of this has come to light with solid reporting and receipts,” she continued, directing her followers to The New York Times’ coverage of the lawsuit.
In a lawsuit filed with the California Civil Complaints Department on Friday, December 20, Lively accused Baldoni, her It Ends With Us costar and director, of sexual harassment on the set of the film and conducting a “social manipulation” campaign to damage her reputation.
In a statement to Us Weekly, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, said Lively’s accusations were “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious.” Freedman claimed that Lively sued to “fix her negative reputation” and “rehash a narrative” regarding the film’s production. Freedman further alleged that Lively made “multiple demands and threats” while filming It Ends With Us, including “threatening to not show up to set, threatening to not promote the film, ultimately leading to its demise during release, if her demands were not met.”
In a statement to The New York Times published Saturday, December 21, Lively denied any involvement in spreading negative information about Baldoni. “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted,” she said.
Singer Michelle Williams is used to sharing her name — even poking fun at it sometimes.
The Broadway star, 45, posted via Instagram Story on Sunday, December 22, showing a case where someone confused her for the actress Michelle Williams.
The former Destiny’s Child member, currently starring in the musical adaptation of the 1992 film Death Becomes Her on Broadway, posted a photo of letters she got, alongside some photos — of the wrong Michelle Williams.
“Fan Mail,” she captioned the picture, which showed a letter addressed to Ms. Williams, with two photos of The Greatest Showman actress, 44.
She then posted again on her Instagram story, “I found out that when she was on Broadway in Cabaret, she had also gotten mail with my pictures too! That makes me happy!”
This isn’t the first time that the “Say Yes” singer commented on fans confusing her with the actress of the same name.
After the actress Williams got an Emmy in 2019 for her role as Gwen Verdon in Fosse/Verdon, singer Williams said she received multiple comments from confused fans.
“How come when y’all are tagging and congratulating a person, do y’all see that I’m black?” said the singer via an Instagram Live. “When you go to my profile, you search for the ‘Michelle Williams,’ I am black. OK? I ain’t mixed with nothing; I ain’t mixed with Persian, Russian, I am black.”
During her Emmy speech, the actress Williams spoke out about equal pay in the industry, which singer Williams said she received online criticism for.
“I am trying to figure out, ‘Why in the world am I getting cursed out in my comments for Michelle Williams’ speech?’ which I thought was her truth. I thought it was awesome,” she said. “I thought she was factual — I could be wrong. But yeah, I just told this woman a few minutes ago on my Instagram, I was like, ‘I’m so sorry that my namesake upset you, but can’t you see that I’m black?’”
Actress Michelle Williams.
The “Lose My Breath” singer made it clear that she did support The Fablemans actress’ speech.
“She was beautiful. She was brilliant. Honey, she played Gwen Verdon to a T. She was awesome,” she said. “Now get it right, and stop cussing me out.”
The Venom actress has also commented on their name mix ups before. In an interview with Huffpost published in 2018, the actress commented on the fact that Google’s search function would show her photo when someone searched “destiny’s child five members.”
“It gets me one step closer to Beyoncé, so I’m pretty good with it,” the actress said at the time. “Now I’ll have an ice breaker if I ever get to meet Beyoncé. I’ll talk to her about the old days of Destiny’s Child. So thank you because I’ll obviously be tongue-tied if and when that ever happens, and now I’ll know exactly what to say.”
“Her complaints were filed during the filming. On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him for a reason,” Johnson, 54, alleged in the comments section of The New York Times’ Instagram on Saturday, December 21. “Read this article before spiting [sic] ignorance.”
“His PR team was stellar. Gross and disgusting but highly effective,” Johnson continued. “Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is with out [sic] faults. But the public got played.”
Johnson claimed that “of course mistakes were made” and pointed to Lively’s many responsibilities, including being a mom of four to her and husband Ryan Reynolds’ children.
“But just IMAGINE being a stay at home mom raising 4 kids, married to the busiest man in Hollywood and at the same time being a girl boss running multiple companies while writing, producing, running non profits and working 16+ hour days from home so you can be with your kids,” he wrote. “Launching 2 new businesses you been working on / developing for many years (launch scheduled by distributors, not you, btw) all while getting attacked by a VERY expensive PR smear campaign because you filed a sexual harassment claim for the very film you have to go out and promote with just the right tone or you get cooked!?”
Johnson noted that it looks like Lively, 37, is “doing a hell of a job to me and trying to do good things for the right reasons.”
“But yeah let’s post from our couch how much we hate her for making mistakes,” he continued. “That makes sense. I mean, she’s been rude in these interviews that magically played on repeat. I saw it. None of us have ever been wrong or mean. Never. We should discount decades of good for those few bad moments. Glad the microscope isn’t on me every day of my life.”
In another comment, Johnson clarified what he meant by a “girl boss,” explaining the term “means a woman that is kicking a$$ as an entrepreneur and/or business owner in what has been previously dominated by men, and showing they are every bit as capable and qualified if not more so in that space. She’s my hero as is any woman charging it like this. You’re free to define it as you wish, but that’s on you.”
Johnson’s comments came one day after Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni. In the lawsuit, which was obtained by Us Weekly after it was reported by TMZ and The New York Times, Lively accused Baldoni of launching a “social manipulation” campaign against her to “destroy” her reputation. (Baldoni’s lawyer called the accusations “completely false” in a statement to Us.)
Johnson’s wife, Robyn Lively, supported her sister via social media on Saturday. “FINALLY justice for my sister @blakelively,” Robyn, 52, wrote via Instagram Story, sharing screenshots of a New York Times article about Blake’s lawsuit.
Johnson previously came to Blake’s defense after fans began speculating that there was tension between the It Ends With Us costars she was seen promoting the film with some of her costars — while Baldoni didn’t join for interviews or press opportunities.
In the comments section of Johnson’s August Instagram post, a user critiqued Blake for “promoting happiness in a domestic violence setting without any regard for any victims.”
“Ellen I’m really sorry you feel that way. I’m sure you have a huge heart and want the best. I can promise you the truth has not come out yet. Blake worked harder on this film than anything I’ve seen her do my entire life,” he wrote at the time. “Because it meant so much to her. The message is in the book. And in the movie. Not in short clips / interviews. She is the reason the message / this movie/ is getting out.”
Johnson also acknowledged that nobody is perfect. “Were mistakes made? Yes. I make mistakes in life,” he wrote. “But they aren’t under a microscope. Anyway, I respect your views. I got nothing but love for you. .”
After the response, the user thanked Johnson for his “lovely comment.” Johnson replied, “Thanks for that kind response Ellen to that Ellen. Means a lot. The truth hasn’t come out yet. It’s going to.”
After “Almost Famous” cohost Trista Sutter said she will “always ship” the pair, Rachel, 28, admitted that people “always do.”
“He is like one of my best friends,” Rachel said on the Saturday, December 21, episode of the podcast. “We are so different. We have such different types.”
Rachel explained that Blake, 34, has a “wider range” of a type, while she prefers a “more feminine guy era.”
“Blake says I have to stop doing that. He’s like, ‘That’s why you can’t find a boyfriend,’” Rachel said. “[He’s like], ‘You need, like, a manly guy.’ I’m like, ‘I have not been looking for that so I’m trying to keep an open mind.’”
Rachel noted that she’s been dipping her toe back in the dating pool, but had no updates to share about her love life at the moment. “When I can, I will let you know,” she said. “I have been dating a little. There will be something to report, but not currently.”
In August, Rachel shut down speculation that she and Blake were more than friends after she was spotted supporting him at the 17th annual Oceana Seachange Summer Party with Nautica in Laguna Beach, California.
“We went to an event together. Everyone wants us to be a couple so bad,” she said on an episode of the “Almost Famous” podcast at the time. “I feel like we always address the rumor over and over again. We’re still not a couple. We’re friends.”
Despite cohost Ashley Iaconetti noting that the duo “look really cute together,” Rachel said they hadn’t locked lips once. “He’s my most solid guy friend. I go to him for everything,” she explained. “Who would I go to then if we had that weird kiss, and then things got awkward?”
After not finding The One on previous seasons of the franchise, Rachel and Blake were both contestants on season 9 of Bachelor in Paradise in 2023. The twosome decided to exit the show in week 4 when they didn’t find a romantic connection on the beaches of Mexico.
“We went to Paradise together. We’ve been friends and have done trips for over a year,” Rachel explained of their friendship. “If it was meant to be, I think it would have happened.”
Prior to the romance rumors with Blake, Rachel ended her and Gabby Windey’s season 19 of The Bachelorette engaged to Tino Franco but the twosome split after it was revealed he kissed someone during a rough patch in their relationship. Blake, for his part, was engaged to Katie Thurston in 2021 but they broke up months later.
