“To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable,” William, 42, wrote alongside a new photo of Kate shared via social media on Thursday, January 9. “George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W.”
William’s sweet message about his wife comes after Kate was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer last year. In March 2024, Kate shared, “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.”
“The surgery was successful, however, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I’m now in the early stages of that treatment,” she continued.
“It’s probably been the hardest year in my life,” William said at an Earthshot Prize event in November. “So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”
In December, Kate hosted her annual “Together at Christmas” carol concert and addressed her health battle. “I didn’t know this year was going to be the year that I’ve just had,” she told singer Paloma Faith. “The unplanned. But, I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times.”
On December 25, the Princess of Wales addressed her cancer battle while speaking with royal enthusiasts following a Christmas Day service at Sandringham.
“The amount of people who have written this year is extraordinary and I think cancer just really does resonate with so many families,” Kate said, per footage obtained by the Daily Mail.
“Attention! With ALL due respect, during Hollywood’s season of celebration, I hope any of the networks televising the upcoming awards will seriously consider NOT televising them and donating the revenue they would have garnered to victims of the fires and the firefighters,” the Hacks star wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, December 8.
Smart’s plea comes as various Hollywood events were impacted by at least four fires across Los Angeles. The Critics Choice Awards — slated to take place on Sunday, January 12, and air on E! — have been postponed, as has the Oscars nominations announcement. The big reveal was due to take place on Friday, January 17, and is now penciled in for Sunday, January 19, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (The Oscars are scheduled to air March 2 on ABC.)
“This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected,” Critics Choice Awards CEO Joey Berlin said in a statement. The Critics Choice Awards will now air live on January 26.
Before fires broke out on Tuesday, January 7, Smart, 73, was feted at the Golden Globes on Sunday, January 5, where she won Best Actress in a Television Series, Comedy, for Hacks. She took home the prize over Only Murders in the Building’s Selena Gomez and Abbott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson.
Numerous Hollywood stars have been affected by the L.A. fires, fueled by strong winds Santa Ana winds. By Wednesday night, another fire had broken out in the Hollywood Hills, a popular neighborhood among celebrities.
“OK, so, there is a fire right by my house,” Hough said via Instagram Stories, in a clip recorded at her home. “We’re with friends, but anybody that’s in the Hollywood Hills, I’ve just been having this intuitive feeling that we’re in a bowl of how everything is surrounding Hollywood, and now this is at the center of Hollywood. Everybody needs to just evacuate. Go, go, go, go, go. Right now.”
After sharing that message, Hough updated her followers with a second video taken in a car. She was with her dog, Sunny.
“Sunny and I are safe and we’re driving, but the reason why I say ‘evacuate now’ even if it’s not close to you, if you have somewhere to go, because: There’s traffic,” she said. “And you’re gonna be stuck in traffic. And that is not good. So everybody, just please be safe and send prayers to all of the first responders and firefighters and just come together — you know, like, all you can do is be there for each other.”
“It’s been a heavy day for me,” Brody, 51, admitted at the New York City Film Critics Circle Awards in New York City before crying, per People.
The actor regained his composure and said, “It’s hard to accept something like this when there’s so much suffering in the world. And um, you know, my heart goes out to all of the families and the animals and our colleagues.”
Brody was accepting the best actor prize for his role as László Tóth in The Brutalist. However, the tragic events in L.A. were not far from his mind.
“Most of the homes on the west side, the beach side of the [Pacific Coast Highway] are gone,” he said, per Variety. “From the Palisades on, this is our community.”
Brody went on to thank the “bravery” of first responders fighting the fires that broke out across Los Angeles on Tuesday, January 7. By late Wednesday, another fire had broken out in the Hollywood Hills, and over 100,000 people are under evacuation orders, according to the Associated Press.
“I just want to thank and commend the bravery of the first responders, and their sacrifices and their meaningful work that deserves our recognition tonight,” Brody said during his speech Wednesday night.
Hilton shared via Instagram Wednesday that she was “heartbroken beyond words” over her losing her home. “Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience,” she wrote. “This home was where we built so many precious memories. It’s where [her son] Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with [daughter] London.”
Crystal and his wife Janice lost their home of over four decades. “Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing,”they said in a statement to Us Weekly. “We ache for our friends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy.”
The statement continued, “Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends, we will get through this. We pray for the safety of the firefighters and first responders. The Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people and we know in time it will rise again. It is our home.”
Heidi Montag and Spencer PrattPaul Archuleta/Getty Images
Heidi Montag is doing her best to “focus on the gratitude” after a fire destroyed her family’s Los Angeles home.
Montag and husband Spencer Prattlost their property as a blaze spread throughout the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, January 7. The couple and their sons, Gunner, 6, and Ryker, 13 months, safely evacuated earlier that day.
“The craziest thing when you’re packing for a fire is that your brain just freaks out,” Montag, 38, shared via Instagram Stories on Wednesday, January 8. “You’re like, ‘What do I need? What do I not need?’ It’s so overwhelming packing up a house. I mean, I only have, like, two pairs of jeans, two shirts. I got so much more clothes for the kids.”
Still, she asked herself, “‘Why didn’t I grab more?”
As her eyes filled with tears, Montag said “the main thing is that we’re safe. Got out.” But in the moment, “you really just panic and then a part of you [thinks], ‘I’m coming back.’ You know, ‘Of course I’m coming back for all [our things].’ So I’m praying for everybody else who’s going through this and all my friends and loved ones. Thank God we have our health and our children — and I know that. Just trying to focus on the gratitude. It just kind of comes in waves.”
Heidi Montag’s Instagram Story on January 8, 2024.Heidi Montag/Instagram
Earlier Wednesday, Pratt, 41, delivered a poignant message on the Instagram grid.
“The one positive sign I saw as our house burned down was our son’s bed burned in the shape of a heart,” he wrote, posting Ring camera footage of the nursery.
He continued, “A sign of how much love was in this house so thankful for all the years and memories there with our family.”
Spencer’s sister, Stephanie Pratt, was the first to confirm the news.
“I don’t know if it’s a good thing I’m in London or I need to get back to L.A. I can’t think straight. What do I do? Honestly looking for advice. I’m frozen in shock,” Stephanie, 38, wrote via Instagram late on Tuesday. “How horrible for my sweet little nephews to watch their house disappear like this. They must be so scared and confused.”
Over on her Instagram Story, Stephanie noted that she was “beyond heartbroken” for her brother and their family.
“Just spoke to my dad — he tried to save my brother’s house but the wind was so strong. There was nothing he could do,” Stephanie added. “Even the fire station in the Palisades has burned down. The Pacific Palisades is completely on fire. No one is there.”
Julianne Hough has evacuated her home in the Hollywood Hills after a fire broke out in the area.
The Dancing with the Stars host took to Instagram Stories on Wednesday, January 8, to share videos of her experience.
“OK, so, there is a fire right by my house,” Hough said in a clip recorded at her home. “We’re with friends, but anybody that’s in the Hollywood Hills, I’ve just been having this intuitive feeling that we’re in a bowl of how everything is surrounding Hollywood, and now this is at the center of Hollywood. Everybody needs to just evacuate. Go, go, go, go, go. Right now.”
After sharing that message, Hough updated her followers with a second video taken in a car. She was with her dog, Sunny.
“Sunny and I are safe and we’re driving, but the reason why I say ‘evacuate now’ even if it’s not close to you, if you have somewhere to go, because: There’s traffic. And you’re gonna be stuck in traffic. And that is not good. So everybody, just please be safe and send prayers to all of the first responders and firefighters and just come together — you know, like, all you can do is be there for each other.”
An extreme wind storm, caused by Santa Ana gusts, sparked fast-burning brush fires at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, with drivers along Sunset Boulevard and Palisades Drive abandoning their cars to seek safety.
On Wednesday night, a new wildfire, called the Sunset Fire, flared up in the Hollywood Hills, the famed neighborhood in central L.A. where the Hollywood Sign is located, according to The New York Times. The city issued an evacuation order for the area’s residents, many of whom work in the entertainment industry.
Since the catastrophe began, celebrities including Paris Hilton, Anna Faris and Billy Crystal have lost their homes to the fires.
Hilton, 43, shared that she was “heartbroken beyond words” over her losing her home.
“Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience,” she wrote via Instagram on Wednesday. “This home was where we built so many precious memories.”
Months before her reported split from husband Cash Warren, Jessica Alba said she and Warren had “become roommates.”
Alba, 43, opened up about her marriage in a candid conversation with podcaster Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt in April 2024.
“It’s all rosy for 2 ½ years, but then after that, you become roommates,” Alba revealed on Schwarzenegger’s “BDA Baby” podcast. “And it’s just, like, you’re roommates. You’re just going through the motion. It’s the responsibility. It’s a lot of, like, checking the boxes.”
TMZ reported on Wednesday, January 8, that Alba and Warren, 45, recently separated and are preparing to file for divorce. Us Weekly has reached out to their reps for comment.
The pair met on the set ofThe Fantastic Four in 2004, where Alba was the leading lady and Warren a production assistant. They tied the knot four years later.
During their 2008 vows, Alba was nine months pregnant with their daughter Honor, now 16. The couple went on to welcome daughter Haven, 13, and son, Hayes, 6.
Jessica Alba and Cash Warren(Photo by Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images)
When Schwarzenegger Pratt, 35, asked how Alba was able to find balance amid her heavy responsibilities — and ensure “your husband feels tended to” — Alba made a face.
“If you’ve figured it out in your relationship, let me know,” she quipped, adding, “You know, I think that [Warren] probably gets the short end of the stick. … It’s hard. It’s impossible.”
Alba said that she and Warren had previously tried to schedule regular date nights where “we won’t have our phone and we’ll just talk. But then that stopped because of whatever – and so we’re just not consistent.”
She advised Schwarzenegger Pratt’s listeners that it was important “to communicate when you’re unhappy and nipping it right away instead of letting it sort of, like, fester — and then you have animosity and then it explodes.”
Alba also noted that she and Warren had “gone through that,” since they’d been together so long, and joked that “he basically stole my 20s and my 30s.”
“We have, obviously, the friendship, the comfort of, like, ‘You’re not going anywhere,’” she added. “And so sometimes you don’t treat those people the best, right? You don’t consider their feelings in the way that you would consider other people’s feelings. So that is something that I think is a constant — it’s a constant one to work on.”
She said that married couples should avoid discussing topics such as kids’ schedules during alone time together.
“That date night, or that time, is when you really shouldn’t talk about the annoying stuff that you talk about during the week anyway. It is the time to sort of, like, get past that and check in in a different way. But it’s hard. It’s really hard.”
Hollywood productions and industry events have been halted amid the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.
“The past two days have brought unprecedented risk to life and property from multiple area wildfires, while also placing extreme demands on public safety personnel,” nonprofit Film LA wrote in a Wednesday, January 8, production alert. “With deepest appreciation for the efforts of local firefighters, police and paramedics at this difficult time, we advise the production community that personnel resources ordinarily available to support film production may not be available during the local State of Emergency.”
The statement added, “The L.A. County Fire Department has specifically instructed that all permits issued for filming in the communities of Altadena, La Crescenta, La Canada/Flintridge and Unincorporated Pasadena are withdrawn. Other permit revocations are possible.”
Many stars have had to evacuate their homes, including Mandy Moore, Spencer Pratt, Cameron Mathison and more. Several of their respective properties had even been destroyed by the blaze.
“I love you, Altadena. Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late (and endless gratitude to friends for taking us in and bringing us clothes and blankets),” Moore, 40, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday. “Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family. My children’s school is gone. Our favorite restaurants, leveled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together.”
Keep scrolling to see how Hollywood has been affected by the wildfires:
Scripted Series
Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr.Disney/Anne Marie Fox
Many TV shows that film on soundstages in Los Angeles have temporarily shut down production, including Grey’s Anatomy, Hacks, Happy’s Place, Suits LA, Loot, NCIS, The Neighborhood, Abbott Elementary, Doctor Odyssey, All American and The Pitt.
Game Shows and Talk Shows
Josh Brolin and Jimmy KimmelDisney/Randy Holmes
The Price Is Right, as well as late-night series After Midnight and Jimmy Kimmel Live! have also been put on pause.
Morris Chestnut, Monica Calhoun, Harold Perrineau and Taye DiggsLeon Bennett/Getty Images
The Critics Choice Awards — slated to take place on Sunday, January 12 — have been postponed.
“This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected,” CCA CEO Joey Berlin said in a statement. The Critics Choice Awards will now air live on January 26.
The BAFTA Tea Party was also slated to take place on Sunday, but will similarly be pushed back to an unknown date.
On Wednesday, the WGA West a WGA East announced in a statement that the Writers Guild Awards nominations announcement was also postponed due to the ongoing wildfires.
“With Los Angeles under a state of emergency due to multiple wildfires, we will be delaying the announcement of nominees until Monday, January 13, 2025,” a statement to Us read.
Late on Wednesday, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the Oscar nominations announcement has been pushed back from Friday, January 17, to Sunday, January 19.
Film Premieres and Screenings
Jennifer Lopez, Jharrel JeromeArtists Equity,
Special West Coast premieres and screenings for movies like Unstoppable (starring Jennifer Lopez), Wolf Man, The Pitt, The Last Showgirl and A Complete Unknown have been canceled.
At the start of episode two, which aired as part of the two-part premiere on Wednesday, January 7, Nicole, 33, informed surfer Alana Blanchard and Disney alum Kyla Pratt that her ex is Kelce, 35.
“He’s dating Taylor Swift,” she said. “I just get a lot of s— online because he’s dating such a mega superstar.”
Nicole and Kelce dated on and off for five years and before calling it quits for good in 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end started dating Swift in summer 2023.
Later in the two-part premiere, the Special Forces soldiers pull up an article with the headline: “Travis Kelce’s ex Kayla Nicole asks trolls to ‘leave her alone’ as Taylor Swift releases new album.”
The article was originally published by The Independent in April 2024. At the time, Nicole had tweeted, “There’s just no way I can fully digest all these new albums. I’m still on Cowboy Carter.”
The post was taken as a dig at the release of Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department a.k.a the first album that features tracks inspired by Kelce.
“I’m unproblematic. Mind my business. Never respond to the constant vitriol,” she fired back at the time?. “Solid as they come & don’t expect a pat on the back for it either. Just know everyone has a breaking point & would love for ‘yall’ (because you know exactly who you are) to leave me alone.”
On the show, one of the spiders told Nicole that they wanted to explore what happens “when social media becomes a battlefield.”
Elsewhere in episode two, the rest of the cast chatted about Kelce.
“I didn’t know that that was her ex,” Pratt said before Blanchard asked, “Is he a football player?”
Wide receiver Golden Tate subsequently informed them that Kelce is “arguably the greatest of all time to play tight end.”
“OK we ain’t here to pump that f— up right now,” Pratt declared. “We’re just gonna say he good.”
Keep reading for more quotes from Nicole about Kelce and Swift:
The Public Breakup
“Going through a public breakup, just to be frank, is overwhelming,” she said in a confessional on episode two. “I’ve never experienced anything like it. Being reduced to a headline —to something so small as someone’s ex-girlfriend — I feel like if I complete this it will be a massive impact for myself.”
A Fan
“I really like, like, her,” Nicole told Blanchard and Pratt on episode two, referring to Swift. “I think she’s very talented.”
An Interrogation
Before calling Nicole into the interrogation room on episode two, the Special Forces soldiers learn how Nicole was dragged into Kelce and Swift’s relationship online.
“Yeah it’s pretty consistent [and] exhausting,” she told staff about the discourse. “It doesn’t matter — I could post about the sky being blue and people will have a response about an ex and their new situation. It’s inadvertently affected me to the point where it makes me question my overall value as a person.”
Nicole then began to cry. “It’s just the comparison. It’s just, like, on loop. I think I’m still trying to figure out how to deal with that.”
When she got back to her costars, Nicole explained what happened. “They pulled up an article about my ex. I didn’t think they were going to do that,” she said. “They’re just really good at, like, putting the pieces together to the feeling of me needing to prove myself to people.”
Carey Hart — a motocross champion who is married to Pink — replied, “Well, good. Well, move forward from that s—.”
Denise Richards’ husband, Aaron Phypers, is being sued for alleged fraud and breach of oral contract.
Rupert Perry filed a lawsuit on November 13 that accused Phypers, 52, of violating a verbal agreement concerning treatment at his wellness center, Quantum 360, in Malibu. Perry’s wife, Elina Katsioula-Beall, died of cancer in May 2024 and was allegedly treated by Phypers the year prior, per documents obtained by Us Weekly on Wednesday, January 8.
According to the filing, Katsioula-Beall was diagnosed with Sarcoma — a rare cancer that develops in the bones and soft tissues — in 2019 and sought “a stem cell treatment for her cancer” that Phypers’ Q360 Club had provided. Perry claims that Phypers promised the treatment “would cure or at least ameliorate [Katsioula-Beall’s] condition.”
Perry’s suit alleges that Phypers had “claimed that the treatment had a 98 percent success rate and he was so confident in it that, if it did not work, he would refund” half of the money — $126,000 — that Perry and Katsioula-Beall paid him for the procedures.
Katsioula-Beall was treated there between July and September 2023. That December, she learned that her tumors had grown, prompting her and Perry to reach out to Phypers with a written request for a $63,000 refund.
“[Phypers] ignored her request and instead proposed that she undergo another round of treatment,” Perry claims in the filing.
Aaron Phyphers and Denise Richards.(Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for A+E Networks)
He alleges that Phypers had also ignored further requests for a refund.
“On May 21, 2024, Ms. Katsioula-Beall succumbed to her illness and died,” the suit stated. “On June 28, 2024, Mr. Perry spoke with [Phypers] by telephone, who acknowledged the debt but proffered a series of excuses for his failure to pay the $63,000.”
Perry, who requests a jury trial, claims that Phypers must pay Katsioula-Beall’s estate, as her illness became worse after treatment at his facility.
“[Phypers’] aforementioned misconduct was intentional, willful, and done for the purpose of depriving Plaintiff of property and/or legal rights or otherwise causing injury,” Perry states in the documents. “This despicable conduct subjected Plaintiff to cruel and unjust hardship in conscious disregard of his rights.”
Us has reached out to Richards’ team for comment. Phypers, for his part, has not yet filed papers with an attorney in response to the lawsuit. His Q360 Club appears to have closed.
“I love being married. I love my husband. I know not everyone does,” Richards, 53, exclusively told Us at The Hollywood Christmas Parade on December 1. “I don’t understand them. But we like each other, and love being with each other.”
Richards noted that she and Phypers, with whom she previously appeared on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, are “best friends” and always make time for themselves.
“I say this to other couples with children, I always say you have to have time for yourself. Don’t feel guilty,” she added. “If this ain’t working, it starts at the top and s— rolls down. If [your marriage] stays strong, your family is intact.”
Stephen Baldwin’s stint on Special Forces was short but memorable — and we’re not just talking about his skinny black headband.
Hailey Bieber’s 58-year-old dad was the first star to leave during the Wednesday, January 8, premiere of the Fox show, which brings together celebrities from all genres attempting to pass training exercises led by a team of ex-Special Forces operatives. Season 3 takes place in North Wales and features Stephen, Bachelor Nation’s Trista Sutter and Ali Fedotowsky, Brody Jenner, Denise Richards and more.
“I’m the youngest Baldwin brother. I’m a thespian,” Stephen told the cameras. “I’ve trained twice with military technical advisers. Am I a Special Forces guy? No, but I’ve played one on TV.”
For the first task, the 16 celebrities had to jump from a speeding boat to a speeding helicopter and climb into the helicopter — and Stephen was actually one of the eight cast members who was able to complete the challenge. Before the end of the episode, however, the actor worried that he was injured and requested a medical consultation with the on-duty doctor.
“I smashed my meniscus on the helicopter today and my back is in knots and I can’t turn my head past there,” Stephen said before the doctor asked if he wanted him to look at his knee.
Things subsequently take a bit of a weird turn as Stephen becomes hostile. “It really, at this point, doesn’t matter,” Stephen said before asking the doctor, “Are you being paid to do this?”
Pete Dadds/FOX
“I’m curious — if right after this gig you had another one that paid you 10 times what they are paying you know, would you do it?” he continued. When the doctor replied that he wasn’t sure “where this conversation is going” as he thought Stephen wanted a medical consultation, Stephen declared that he had a “decision to make.”
“I have a gig right after this.The one condition for that gig is that I not get injured. It’s not worth it to me. It’s not worth it to have to go into a hospital for a couple of weeks,” Stephen said.
When the doctor asked if Stephen was aware of the type of tasks on the show, he responded, “Yes, but I didn’t know I would definitely get injured.” Stephen then appeared to get heated and spoke louder, repeating twice: “I cannot get injured.”
When the doc filled in the “staff” — a.k.a. the ex-Special Forces operatives who lead the show — they said they believed Stephen was looking for “an excuse” and subsequently dismissed him from the show, saying: “No. 5, you failed this course and you failed yourself. Go.”
Christina Haack is recalling the alleged treatment she received from estranged husband Josh Hallon the set of The Flip Off before he parted ways with the show.
“Josh was very hard to film with,” Haack, 41, exclusively shared with Us Weekly in the latest cover story with her ex-husband Tarek El Moussaand his wife, Heather Rae El Moussa. “He didn’t get it. He’d always get upset with me, like, ‘Oh, my gosh, you did this,’ or ‘You did that.’ And I’m like, ‘I’m making a TV show.’”
After Haack and Hall filed for divorce in July 2024, his role with The Flip Off changed. Us confirmed at the time that since the series was already “in production,” Haack, Tarek and Heather would be “moving forward with the show without” Josh.
“Ultimately, it was better that he left after episode 1 because the show would’ve sucked,” Haack told Us.
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images; Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
When asked whether Hall voiced any concerns about her working with her ex Tarek, Haack replied, “If I would laugh at Tarek, I would get the silent treatment for a week.” Haack claimed that his reaction stemmed from “insecurity.”
Haack explained that filming The Flip Off “probably just sped [their split] up.” Haack noted that she and Tarek had “filmed together forever,” referencing Flip or Flop, which premiered in 2013. (Haack and Tarek, who share two kids, finalized their divorce in 2018 but continued to work together until the show’s final season in 2022.)
“Somebody with more confidence would be able to say, ‘This is my wife, but yes, she does this for TV. She was filming with Tarek when I met her,’” Haack told Us. “There was a rationale there that didn’t make sense. You know what you signed up for. I’m your wife, and I’m choosing you, but you’re choosing to make my life harder over insecurities.”
Despite her separation from Hall, Haack shared that she didn’t think about calling it quits on The Flip Off.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
“This isn’t Josh’s show,” she said. “No one’s going to miss that he’s not in it. Josh is not a TV host, he’s not a house flipper, he’s not a designer. He was just my husband in it. With Tarek, we built everything together, and I still have respect for him. I have no respect for Josh.”
While the breakup between Haack and Hall will play out on camera, Haack told Us she’s “not nervous” to watch any part of it. “There are definitely some very emotional scenes,” she said. “It’s different than anything I’ve ever shot for television — it’s very real and raw.”
Now, as she navigates her life after parting ways with Hall, Haack said she’s “been very busy, which is probably a blessing.” She added, “It’s really been a big growth period.”
Tarek and Heather, for their part, always tried to be “very friendly” with Hall. “He was our kids’ stepdad, so we wanted a positive environment,” Heather, who welcomed son Tristan with Tarek in January 2023, explained.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
However, since Hall left the show, Heather called the dynamics “better.” She added, “Not to be mean, but he definitely didn’t have the best personality. So it’s like a breath of fresh air. And [Christina is] in a really good place.”
The Flip Off premieres Wednesday, January 29, at 8 p.m. on HGTV.
For more on The Flip Off, watch the exclusive video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now.
“I think I can very safely say as naive as it sounds now, having gone through this learning curve in the past year and a half I did not have any understanding of just what it would be like,” Meghan said at the time.
Harry replied, “I had tried to warn you as much as possible. … I think you can have as many conversations as you want, trying to prepare as much as possible but we were totally unprepared for what happened after that.”
In October 2019, Harry and Meghan spoke to ITV’s Tom Bradbyand hinted that they were unhappy. Harry also confirmed reports that there was a rift between him and William.
“I have said for a long time to H, that’s what I call [Harry], ‘It’s not enough to just survive something. That’s not the point of life. You have to thrive. You have got to feel happy,’” Meghan said during the special, admitting she was “not OK.”
She continued: “I really tried to adopt this British sensibility of a ‘stiff upper lip.’ I really tried, but I think that what that does internally is probably really damaging.”
Meghan’s official introduction as Harry’s girlfriend was when the first sign of trouble began as the palace released a statement condemning the “wave of abuse and harassment” the actress received in the press.
“Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her. It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm,” the November 2016 statement read. “He knows commentators will say this is ‘the price she has to pay’ and that ‘this is all part of the game’. He strongly disagrees. This is not a game — it is her life and his.”
The following month, reports surfaced that the palace wasn’t happy Meghan sported an “H” initial necklace during a December 2016 outing as it perpetuated additional headlines about their romance.
While sources told Us that things went well when Harry introduced Meghan to William and Kate in January 2017, things took a turn when the eldest brother felt they were moving too fast. Royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand claimed in their book, Finding Freedom, that Harry was “pissed off” when William suggested he was “blindsided by lust.” William reportedly told his brother to “take as much time as you need to get to know this girl,” which upset Harry.
“Some felt it was an overreaction,” the book read. “But then, this sums them up as people — William, the calm and rational one, and Harry, who can’t help but take things far too personally.”
Before Harry and Meghan got engaged, there was reported tension between the couple and the Middleton family over her potential attendance at Pippa Middleton and James Matthews’ May 2017 nuptials. In the end, she only went to the reception.
Elizabeth, Prince Philip,Charles, Queen Consort Camilla, William and Kate all celebrated Harry and Meghan’s engagement in November 2017. Harry and Meghan also confirmed in their engagement interview that she met the queen — and the two women hit it off.
“It’s incredible, I think, you know, a) to be able to meet her through his lens, not just with his honor and respect for her as the monarch, but the love that he has for her as his grandmother, all of those layers have been so important for me,” she said at the time. “So that when I met her, I had such a deep understanding and of course incredible respect for being able to have that time with her. … She’s an incredible woman.”
Meghan subsequently became the first “fiancée” to have Christmas with the royal family in December 2017.
When Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, opted not to attend her May 2018 nuptials after he was caught staging photos with the paparazzi, Prince Charles stepped in to walk her down the aisle.
There were conflicting reports, however, about Meghan and Kate’s relationship at this time, with some outlets claiming the women fought about Princess Charlotte’s outfit for the wedding.
According to Meghan, Kate was the one who made her cry during a disagreement about dresses. “That was a turning point. … The narrative with Kate, it didn’t happen,” Meghan said during an interview on CBS in March 2021. “A few days before the wedding she was upset about flower girl dresses and it made me cry. It really hurt my feelings. … She was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologized. And she brought me flowers and a note, apologizing. And she did what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone, right, to just take accountability for it.”
There were also reports that the queen didn’t approve of Meghan’s tiara choice. The Finding Freedom authors suggested that Queen Elizabeth’s official dressmaker, Angela Kelly, was the one who had issues with Meghan’s pick — the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara.
Meghan attended her first solo engagement with the queen in June 2018. A source told Us at the time that “enthusiasm toward living a life of service and humanitarianism excites the queen and it’s just the type of vim and vigor she likes to see in someone.”
While the duchesses appeared to be on good terms in July 2018 when they attended Wimbledon together, Meghan hinted in March 2021 that things were tense between the two women.
“I know you say, 'Was it what it looked like?’ — my understanding and my experience for the past four years is that it’s nothing like what it looks like,” she said during her CBS tell-all when asked about the Wimbledon outing.
Harry and Meghan announced they were expecting their first child together in October 2018. Three days before they confirmed the news, the duo attended Princess Eugenie’s wedding to Jack Brooksbank. The princess was reportedly unhappy with the twosome for discussing the pregnancy at her nuptials. “It didn’t go down particularly well with Eugenie, who a source said told friends she felt the couple should have waited to share the news,” Scobie and Durand wrote.
In November 2018, Harry and Meghan made headlines for moving to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. Sources told Us in December 2018 that Meghan struggled with royal rules regarding the press after she made headlines when her personal assistant, Melissa Toubati, and secretary, Samantha Cohen, quit six months after the pair’s nuptials.
“It’s just been frustrating and stressful to have no voice,” a royal insider told Us. “She’s always relied on her own voice to stand up for others, and for herself. So not being able to say anything is a debilitating feeling. She’s always been so independent, her entire life, and that’s all been taken away from her. She’s always been able to clap back on social media and now she can’t.”
There were also reports at the time that palace staff didn’t “trust” Meghan. While one staffer reportedly said she “comes with a lot of baggage,” another employee was allegedly overheard referring to the Suits alum as “Harry’s showgirl.”
While 2018 was plagued with on and off rumors about Meghan and Kate’s relationship, a source told Us that the queen influenced the two women to bury the hatchet over the holidays.
Meghan revealed in March 2021 that she hit her lowest point when she was five months pregnant with Archie.
"One of the things that still haunts me is this photograph that someone had sent me, we had to go to an official event at the Royal Albert Hall," Meghan recalled of the January 2019 event. "A friend said, 'I know that you don't look at pictures, but oh my God, you guys look so great' and sent it to me. I zoomed in and what I saw was the truth of what that moment was. Because right before we had to leave for that, I had just [told Harry that I didn’t want to be alive anymore] that morning.”
Meghan went on to claim that she told the family that she wanted to seek treatment but was told that "it wouldn't be good for the institution."
As for the event, Meghan noted that she went because she warned Harry that she couldn’t be “left alone.” She explained: “And that picture, if you zoom in, what I see is how tightly his knuckles are gripped around me. You can see the whites of our knuckles because we are smiling and doing our job, but we are both just trying to hold on."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex split their royal household from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in March 2019. Several months later, the two couples officially split their charity too.
According to Harry and Meghan, the pair weren’t asked to take the iconic photo outside of the Lindo Wing when Archie was born in 2019. During their CBS sit-down in March 2021, the couple also shut down reports that they opted not to give Archie a royal title, claiming that they were given “no explanation” as to why their son wouldn’t receive a title or the subsequent security that comes with it.
Meghan also revealed that there were “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born … and what that would mean or look like.”
While sources told Us that Meghan and Kate were “civil,” noting that they would “never be best friends” because they don’t have a lot in common, Harry confirmed he and William had a falling out. During the same interview, Meghan got candid about royal life.
“If things were fair … If I’d done something wrong, I’d be the first one to go ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I would never do that,’” she said on ITV in October 2019. "But when people are saying things that are just untrue and they are being told they’re untrue but they’re allowed to still say them — I don't know anybody in the world who would feel like that’s OK.”
Us confirmed in November 2019 that Harry and Meghan were opting not to have Christmas with his family. While Buckingham Palace’s official statement said that the twosome had “the support of Her Majesty the Queen,” a source told Us that Queen Elizabeth II was actually “disappointed” by their choice.
Harry and Meghan announced their plans to stop working for the queen in January 2020. Reports suggested that the queen wasn’t happy with the pair going public with their announcement so quickly.
“The website took everyone, even their communications team, by surprise. Aides and family members knew the couple wanted to step back, but the public website, which laid out the details of their new half in-half-out model as if it were a done deal, put the Queen in a difficult position,” Finding Freedom claimed.
The couple subsequently went back and forth with the queen over the use of the “Sussex Royal” name as the pair initially tried to trademark their then-charity, Sussex Royal The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
“While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word ‘Royal’ overseas, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ or any iteration of the word ‘Royal’ in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise) when the transition occurs Spring 2020,” the couple said in a statement in February 2020.
A source told Us at the time that the queen was “so disappointed that her own grandchild would heap so much embarrassment on the monarchy and bring all this unwanted attention on his family at the worst possible time.”
Sources told Us in March 2020 that William and Kate were blindsided by Harry and Meghan’s announcement, noting that the brothers had only spoken “a couple times” about “business matters” in recent months. During Harry and Meghan’s final engagement as working senior royals in March 2020, William and Kate appeared to snub the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they arrived.
While Harry and Meghan didn’t travel to the U.K. after March 2020, due in part to the coronavirus pandemic, sources told Us that the couple FaceTimed with the queen, Philip and Charles so they could see Archie. When the couple announced they were expecting baby No. 2 in February 2021, the family — with the exception of William and Kate — sent a public congratulations.
Later that month, things took a turn again when the twosome announced their royal exit was permanent.
“Following conversations with the duke, the queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of the royal family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service,” the palace said in a statement in February 2021. “The honorary military appointments and royal patronages held by the duke and duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty before being redistributed among working members of the royal family. While we are all saddened by their decision, the duke and duchess remain much-loved members of the family.”
The couple subsequently fired back in a statement of their own: “As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the U.K. and around the world and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented regardless of official role. We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
Leading up to the interview, The Times reported accusations that Meghan mistreated her palace aides and staff prior to the 2020 exit. While Meghan denied the allegations, noting in a statement to Us in March 2021 that she was “saddened” by the “latest attack on her character,” the palace revealed they were investigating the claims.
“We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” the statement read. “Accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned The Royal Household has had a Dignity at Work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.”
According to an insider, the twosome’s inner circle believes that Buckingham Palace’s statement was a direct response to the upcoming interview.
“The assumption from friends close to Meghan and Harry is that the palace has released this statement to strike back at Harry and Meghan for doing the [tell-all] interview,” the source said. “The palace knows that they will not be cast in the best light by Harry and Meghan on Sunday and doesn’t want Harry and Meghan coming off as victims.”
Harry and Meghan filmed a sit-down interview with CBS for March 2021.
“I don’t know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us,” Meghan said during a sneak peek of the special. “And if that comes with risk of losing things, there is a lot that has been lost already.”
Sources told Us that William and Kate were “appalled” by their decision to do the interview, especially as Philip remained in the hospital amid his ongoing heart condition.
During their CBS tell-all in March 2021, Harry and Meghan gave an update on their status with his family, noting that she checked in during Philip’s health scare.
"This morning, I woke up earlier than H., and saw a note from someone on our team in the U.K. saying that the Duke of Edinburgh had gone to the hospital," Meghan said during the special. "I just picked up the phone and I called the Queen just to check in. I just called, that’s what we do."
Meghan added: ”So, there's the family, and then there's the people that are running the institution. Those are two separate things. It's important to be able to compartmentalize that because the queen, for example, has always been wonderful to me."
One year after their royal exit, Meghan and Harry welcomed their second child, naming their daughter Lilibet in honor of the queen. “Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet,” they said in a statement on their website.
A source told Us at the time that Lilibet was the couple’s “favorite” name option, but it “was important for them that the queen signed off” on the moniker. “They both agreed it would only be right if Her Majesty gave her approval, especially with something so personal,” the insider added.
Meghan returned to the U.K. for the first time in two years when she and Harry stopped in England to visit the queen on their way to the Invictus Games in the Netherlands. One month earlier, the twosome skipped a memorial for Philip, who died in April 2021.
Meghan traveled with Harry and their two little ones, Archie and Lilibet, to England to attend their first royal event since stepping down from their senior duties in March 2020 — the queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
A source told Us at the time that the couple “wouldn’t miss it for the world” and kicked off the weekend activities by attending Trooping the Colour in honor of the monarch’s historic 70 years on the throne. While the couple did not stand alongside Elizabeth on the Buckingham Palace balcony, they weren’t far away, instead taking in the parade from the Major General’s Office.
The royal family sent their standard social media messages to Meghan on her 41st birthday.
“Wishing a happy birthday to The Duchess of Sussex,” William and Kate’s official account tweeted alongside a photo of Meghan at the queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Charles and Camilla’s account opted for a picture from the Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral, writing, “Happy birthday to The Duchess of Sussex!”
In an interview with The Cut, Meghan further detailed the reasons she and Harry left royal life behind. The duchess pointed to the strict rules about releasing family photos as one example of what made life in "The Firm" so difficult.
“There’s literally a structure by which if you want to release photos of your child, as a member of the family, you first have to give them to the Royal Rota,” she explained. “Why would I give the very people that are calling my children the N-word a photo of my child before I can share it with the people that love my child?” the podcast host asked. “You tell me how that makes sense and then I’ll play that game.”
A spokesperson for Harry revealed the prince was traveling to Balmoral, Scotland to see the monarch before her death at age 96.
Though Meghan remained in London (the couple was in town for an engagement), she paid tribute to the queen after her passing was announced. “In loving memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022, the duke and duchess of Sussex's Archewell website reads.
Meghan joined Harry for a rare public reunion with William and Kate as they greeted mourners outside Windsor Castle. An insider told Us at the time that the appearance was the new Prince of Wales' idea. “William invited Harry and Meghan to join them,” the source explained. “They were delayed in arriving while they arranged the plans.”
Meghan remained in London for the queen’s funeral events and was one of the members of the family waiting to greet Queen Elizabeth II's coffin at Buckingham Palace on September 13. One day later, she rode with Sophie Wessex to Westminster Hall and was seen curtsying at the monarch’s casket inside the service led by Archbishop of Canterbury and Reverend Dr. David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster.
Meghan was spotted getting visibly emotional at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022. She also looked somber leaving the Committal Service at St George’s Chapel with Harry.
While reflecting on her wedding to Harry, the duchess revealed in Netflix's Harry & Meghan that she was "guided" by others not to invite her half-sister's biological daughter, Ashleigh, to the nuptials.
"I don't think anyone understands what that very small comms team was dealing with. They just couldn't wrap their heads around it. And I have compassion for it. How do we explain that this half-sister isn't invited to the wedding, but that the half-sister's daughter is? And so with Ashleigh, the guidance at the time was to not have her come to our wedding," she recalled. "I was in the car with H. I had her on speaker phone and we talked her through what guidance we were being given and why this assessment was made and that's painful."
The couple also looked back on what went down with Thomas before the big day — and the father-daughter duo's subsequent estrangement. "Of course, it's incredibly sad what happened," Harry said. "She had a father before this. And now she doesn't have a father. And I shouldered that. Because if Meg wasn't with me, then her dad would still be her dad."
Meghan remembered the first holiday season she spent with her royal in-laws. "I remember so vividly the first Christmas at Sandringham. Calling my mom, and she’s like, ‘How’s it going?’ and I said, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s amazing. It’s just like a big family like I always wanted,'" she said of the 2017 Christmas during an episode of Harry & Meghan. "There was just this constant movement and energy and fun."
Her mood only got better when she was seated next to the late Philip for the celebrations that year — but things didn't go as planned. "At dinner, I was sat next to H’s grandfather and I just thought it was so wonderful," she added. "I was like, ‘Oh, we chatted and it was so great and I talked about this and talked about this.’ [Harry] was like, ‘You had [his] bad ear. He couldn’t hear anything you were saying.’ I was like, ‘Oh, well I thought it went really well.'"
Buckingham Palace confirmed that Meghan would not be joining Harry at the king’s coronation the following month. “The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet,” the statement read.
A source exclusively told Us that “Meghan is a mom first,” so while she “appreciates the invite,” she “wouldn’t miss her son’s birthday for the world.” The Archewell cofounder’s son Archie’s fourth birthday is the same day that Charles is being honored in the U.K.
“She feels very grateful to be included in such a special occasion by the royal family and is glad that Harry can go and show support on behalf of their family,” the insider added.
A second source told Us that the monarch is “thrilled” his youngest son will watch him get crowned, but Meghan will be missed. “Charles is sad that Meghan will not be in attendance,” the insider explained. “Charles was hoping the coronation would be a chance to better connect and maintain healing between them.”
When Charles was officially crowned king, Meghan stayed at home in California with the kids while Harry attended the coronation. “As much as Meghan appreciates the invite to the coronation, she wouldn’t miss her son’s birthday for the world,” an insider exclusively told Us, referring to the fact that Archie's 4th birthday was the same day as the ceremony. “Despite being the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan is a mom first.”
Another source told Us that Charles was "sad" his daughter-in-law wouldn't be present at the event. "Charles was hoping the coronation would be a chance to better connect and maintain healing between them,” the insider explained.
Harry, Meghan and her mother, Doria Ragland, were involved in a “near catastrophic” car chase in New York City following the 2023 Women of Vision Awards, a spokesperson for the Sussexes said in a statement at the time. The trio were chased by a "ring of highly aggressive" paparazzi, the rep said.
"This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD officers,” the spokesperson stated. “While being a public figure comes with a level of interest from the public, it should never come at the cost of anyone’s safety."
One day later, Buckingham Palace told Us they wouldn’t be making a statement about the incident. “This is not something we’re commenting on,” the palace told Us at the time.
The NYPD later reported that no injuries or collisions occurred.
After news broke of Kate’s cancer diagnosis, both Harry and Meghan sent the princess their well-wishes.
“We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace,” Harry and Meghan said in a statement to Us Weekly at the time.
Nicole Kidman went full method actress while accepting an award for Babygirl — and fans couldn’t look away.
“I just want to say anyone who wants to join me, please, I’m going to raise a glass of milk to all of the baby girls in the room,” Kidman, 57, told the audience on Tuesday, January 7, while accepting the award for Best Actress at the National Board of Review Gala in New York City.
The actress proceeded to chug the glass of milk while standing at the podium. When she finished, she said, “Good girl,” paying homage to one of Babygirl’s most iconic scenes.
Kidman flashed a coy smirk after downing the beverage, which took the actress no more than a few seconds. She then blew a kiss to her fans as the crowd cheered and before she walked off stage.
The memorable milk moment is a nod to Kidman’s character in the film, Romy, who is the seemingly perfect mom and wife at home and a total boss at work, serving as the CEO of her company. After getting tired of her idyllic life, Romy has a torrid affair with her much younger intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson).
Nicole KidmanDimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
In one memorable scene, Romy sits at a bar with friends and coworkers when Samuel sends her a glass of milk from across the room. The gesture takes her aback, but eventually Romy picks up the cup and drinks every drop while keeping her gaze fixed on Samuel.
The pair, who are at the start of their affair, exchange intense and steamy looks as Romy finishes the milk and wipes away the residue from her lip.
Samuel later walks past Romy and whispers, “Good girl.”
The sexy and surprising scene was inspired by writer, director and coproducer Halina Reijn’s real-life experience.
“I went to a bar, and I ordered something boring like a Diet Coke because I didn’t drink at that time because I was a control freak. There was this young Belgian actor — I can’t say who it is — but he was famous,” Reijn told IndieWire in December 2024. “I knew of him. I’d never spoken to him. He was at least 15 years younger than I, and he ordered me a glass of milk.”
She recalled thinking it was an “incredible, hot thing to do and so courageous,” so she decided to “reward him by drinking the whole thing.”
Reijn confessed that she did get “a little nauseated” after she finished the glass, but that didn’t stop it from being “one of the most arousing moments of my life.”
Babygirl’s raunchy story line has been a topic of conversation since its release last month. During the 2025 Golden Globes on Sunday, January 5, host Nikki Glaser couldn’t help but joke about the sexual nature of the movie.
“Nicole Kidman is here, oh my gosh. Nominated for Babygirl,” Glaser, 40, said during her opening monologue. “Oh my gosh, I loved that movie. I gave it two fingers up.”
Kidman was bent over with laughter at her table when the cameras panned to her and husband Keith Urban. Sarah Paulson, who was sitting behind her, was visibly shocked by the joke, as were many fans.
Glaser then gave Urban, 57, a shout-out, saying, “Thank you to Keith Urban for playing the guitar so much that she wants to leave and make 18 movies a year. Keep strumming you, kooky koala.”
If there’s anyone who loves their morning coffee more than Us, it’s Katie Holmes. The star is constantly being spotted on her morning trips to Starbucks and she’s showing us how she dresses for them too. When it comes to heading to the coffee shop, Holmes is putting on comfy sneakers — and we found a similar version of her look for just $23.
The Rare Objects actress was mostly recently spotted with her Starbs in hand on December 29, 2024. Channeling a hipster coffee shop vibe in her outfit as well, she paired together some baggy blue jeans, a blue and white striped shirt, a vintage-looking brown jacket, a gray beanie and some oversized burgundy-rim sunglasses. She completed the look with a classic pair of white sneakers that look undoubtedly comfy — perfect for walking the Manhattan streets!
It’s unclear as to where the movie star picked up her style, but thankfully we can still get the look for our coffee runs too. Amazon has a $23 lookalike that’ll bring the same feel as hers — and they’re even a best-seller!
Get the Serenial White PU Leather Tennis Shoes (Originally $50) on sale for just $23 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, January 8, 2024, but are subject to change.
Holmes proved with her look that a good pair of white sneakers will never really go out of style. Like the actress’s, this pair has the classic rounded toe design, tie-up closure and low platform. An additional benefit to this style is that the outer is made with faux leather, which gives them an water-resistant and easy-to-clean design. You can find them in sizes 5 to 11.
This shoe style is not only a hit with Holmes, they’re a grand slam for Amazon shoppers too. On top of being bought over 1,000 times just within the last month, they’ve now got over 1,300 five-star ratings as well.
Many shoppers like this one were “surprised how good these are,” saying that they are “very comfortable” with “no breaking in required.”
“I’ve worn them for hours walking all around and no blisters or pressure points,” they said. “[They’re] easy to put on, great fit [and are] true to size. I love that they’re simple without a bunch of logos or features. Just a nice, normal, minimal shoe that looks great and feels good on the feet!”
If you’re planning to wear these more casually, like Holmes did for her coffee runs, these shoes are great for that. They can go with leggings and a shearling jacket for running errands or with some jeans and a blouse for a late lunch. However, they’re a style that can be dressed up too! They can go with dresses when you’re going to a picnic or doing lots of walking on vacation and even skirts too!
Most tennis shoes are upwards of $50 to $100, so it’s a major score that you can get this sleek and simple pair sent straight to your doorstep for just $23. In fact, if you calculate the girl math, that saves at least 3 to 5 good lattes. However, if these seem like a good fit for you, you’ll want to act quick! They’re on sale for 53% off right now and we don’t know how long it will last.
See it: Serenial White PU Leather Tennis Shoes (Originally $50) on sale for just $23 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, January 8, 2024, but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more from Serenial here and more white sneakers here! Don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
“To fans of Stephen and our family and friends, I want to be clear that my only intention in writing the book is to share my own story as well as part of my life with Stephen to help other people,” Holker, 36, wrote via her Instagram Story on Wednesday, January 8. “Just like you, I never really knew what happened, and even as I am trying to put the pieces together I will never really know.”
Holker shared that for the people who decide to pick up the book, titled This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light, she hopes they’ll be able to she intended to “celebrate the love and life” she and Boss had with their three children: daughters Wesley Renae and Zaia and son Maddox. (Boss died in December 2020 by suicide. He was 40 years old.)
“I hope that by sharing our full story maybe I can help someone else who might see themselves or a loved one in Stephen,” Holker continued. “In sharing I hope that maybe they can catch some of the red flags that I missed before it’s too late.”
While writing the book, Holker shared that she’s spoken to multiple mental health nonprofits for the past “two years” to make sure she was able to write truthfully and accurately depict the tough subject matter. She also plans on giving the profits from the novel to the foundation she set up in Boss’ memory.
“My hope is that that we won’t need to lose another husband, brother, father, or friend to suicide,” she said “I believe that if Stephen were able to choose, he would choose to have his story told if it meant saving even one life. Much love to all those who have supported our family these many years.”
Earlier this week, Holker received backlash online after she revealed details from Boss’ life he never discussed publicly prior to his passing. Holker also confessed that she read Boss’ journals in an attempt to find closure after his death.
“Reading Stephen’s journals, and even going back into the books he had read and the things that he was highlighting and lining, really gave me a better perspective of where he was in life and the type of things he was struggling with,” she said in an interview with People on Tuesday, January 7. ”It did have me feel a lot of empathy towards him and sadness for all the pain that he was holding.”
Many of Boss’ family members and friends publicly slammed Holker after the article went live.
“Anyone who knows me, knows I go straight to the source during a conflict and handle my business,” Courtney Ann Platt, who appeared on So You Think You Can Dance alongside Holker, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday. “But since there’s clearly no shame in being so public, I haven’t said a word in two years but here I go. This is by far the most tacky, classless, opportunistic act I have ever seen in my entire life.”
Jason Beghe and Benjamin Levy AguilarParrish Lewis/NBC (2)
After a season of changes, Chicago P.D. is gearing up for even more drama, romance and crime solving action during the back half of season 12.
“We have quite a lot coming with our new deputy chief character, Shawn Hatosy’s Reid,” Chicago P.D. showrunner Gwen Sigan exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, January 7. “We saw in the midseason finale, he kind of makes this statement to Voight like, ‘We’re gonna be friends,’ but it’s clearly a friendship of ownership and, like, leverage.”
Sigan said it’s been “really fun to write” the face-off between Deputy Chief Charlie Reid (Hatosy), who joined the cast this season, and Intelligence Unit leader Hank Voight (Jason Beghe).
She teased that the pair’s leadership styles “changes the dynamics quite a lot in the unit” moving forward.
Sigan noted that the second half of the season will also finally show Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) and Adam Ruzek (Patrick Flueger) getting married after their third engagement during season 11.
The showrunner told Us that Dante Torres (Benjamin Levy Aguilar) will continue to have an “existential crisis and a crisis of faith” in the upcoming episode, adding that Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) will get “some romance” once again.
“We’ve got a little bit of everything,” Sigan said. “Things will keep changing and evolving for the unit for sure.”
Scroll down for everything Us learned from Chicago P.D.’s showrunner about the remainder of season 12:
Cook’s Story Will Come to Light
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC
After joining the Intelligence Unit earlier this season, fans will finally get a better picture of who Kiana Cook (Toya Turner) is and where she comes from.
“Episode 9 is a Cook episode,” Sigan told Us, referring to the midseason premiere, which airs on Wednesday, January 8. “You’re getting to meet a lot of her family members actually in this episode, which is fun. And you’re getting to learn about her past and her backgrounds and the different worlds that she belongs to and how vastly different those are from each other.”
Sigan said that Cook’s past will reveal why she is so focused on being present and doing “the job well.” She teased that the show’s return is an “action ride” for Cook and the remainder of the season will give more “background on her and who she is and why she’s really unique for the unit.”
Chief Reid Goes Toe to Toe With Voight
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC
Throughout season 12, Reid has been aware of everything Voight’s team is doing — the good and the bad — and has looked the other way. However, Sigan told Us that his choice not to reprimand the team will come at a price.
“He’s a character that plays so many of his cards so close to the vest. And it’s difficult for Voight to really read him,” the showrunner said of Reid, noting, “We’ve always seen Voight kind of be a bit of the all-knowing. So to have it be somebody else is really fun.”
She called Reid a “fun house mirror to Voight,” meaning that the chief “operates in a way that Voight used to” but is “enhanced and exaggerated.”
“We’ll get to learn more and more about him and his motivations throughout the season,” Sigan teased. “But it’s definitely a cat and mouse game and … it’s certainly a friendship that has a lot of strings attached.”
Burgess Is Doing It Her Way
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC
In season 12, episode 6, Burgess made detective, and viewers will see her in action in the second half of the season.
“There’s this really easy transition of her just taking that leadership role of kind of being the one that sort of leads the charge,” Sigan explained. “You’ll see her giving commands more often and certainly being a bit, perhaps, overwhelmed or taken aback by just how much [paperwork and] more responsibility [she has].”
While Burgess will have a lot to juggle, she finds her “groove” and a style of leadership that Sigan said is “so different” than that of past detectives Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) and Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer).
“It feels like her own thing, which is much more, ‘I’m still your peer, but I am gonna give you orders now. I’m gonna now direct a bit more,’” Sigan continued. “Everybody, I think, is so supportive and just falling into those roles, too.”
Torres Is ‘Not Great’
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC
During the midseason finale, which aired in November 2024, Torres’ past affair with informant Gloria Perez (Yara Martinez) came to light when she was found running a drug business in Chicago. Gloria died after helping the Intelligence Unit, and much to his surprise, Torres wasn’t reprimanded by the chief for his misconduct.
Torres, however, is not doing “great” when the show returns. “It triggered a lot for him,” Sigan said of the affair and Gloria’s death, noting that Torres’ background will continue to be explored.
“[We reveal] why he was ever attracted to this woman and why he got in this affair and sort of the trauma that leads all the way back to his childhood,” she told Us. “And then also how present events sort of trigger a bit of a crisis of faith.”
Atwater’s Love Story Isn’t Over
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC
Atwater agreed to a no-strings-attached relationship with Valeria “Val” Soto (Natalee Linez) during season 12, episode 3, and according to Sigan, that arrangement might change when Val returns in upcoming episodes.
“The nice thing about that relationship was the way it starts is almost this, like, ‘We’re gonna do something for the pair of us that’s just for us,’” she said. “But then, obviously, as time has gone on, how has that morphed and grown?”
The showrunner explained that Atwater will have to “decide is this just a casual thing that we clearly both need in our lives or is it something more?”
Sigan added: “We get to explore the whys behind it for the pair of them and maybe why they’re not wanting something very serious. Is that a defense mechanism or is that because of the way they built up their lives?” She hinted the dynamic will become “more emotional and deeper.”
Burzek Will Get Hitched
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC
Squerciati previously told Us that she wants “the white dress moment” for Burgess when she finally marries Ruzek. Flueger, however, told Us that he thinks their style is more “courthouse” wedding.
Sigan revealed that the onscreen nuptials are a “middle ground” between the two. “It’s been such a long time coming and they have this family — they have [daughter] Mikayla [and] she wants to have her say, and I think she wants a party,” Sigan told Us on Tuesday. “So it, to me, is going to be sort of a middle ground of finding what works for the both of them that isn’t a courthouse wedding, that they can have everyone they love there.”
She noted it should also be a “simple” and “grounded affair,” but the scenes have not been filmed yet. “I don’t know all the details,” Sigan confessed, adding that she “could see” Trudy Platt (Amy Morton) officiating.
Chicago P.D. airs on NBC Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET.
Jennifer CoffeyCourtesy of Jennifer Coffey/Instagram
Former QVC program host Jennifer Coffey is ready to share some of her big plans after leaving the shopping network.
“I am here to announce something that I’ve been keeping low-key for quite awhile as I prepare but I can’t take it anymore and I really want to share the news,” Coffey said via Instagram on Tuesday, January 7. “Also, I have to share the news because I’m hiring and in order for me to hire, I’m going to have to let the world know what is going down.”
Coffey announced she will be opening up her first yoga studio called The Phoenix Yoga in February 2025.
Located in Wayne, Pennsylvania, the space will offer yoga classes for people of all levels, from beginner to advanced.
“If you know me, you know this has been something that I’ve wanted to do for quite some time, and now that I have the time to work on this passion project, I get to put everything that I have inside of it,” Coffey explained. “My mission and goal is to always help people achieve their dreams. In this case, I hope to help people achieve something very deep, something very beautiful. Exploring their bodies and what their bodies can do.”
The former QVC star also expressed her hope that via her new yoga studio, people can explore their minds and spirits and realize “just how beautiful they are.”
Soon after sharing the news, Coffey received several well wishes from her extended QVC family, including hosts Sandra Bennett and Kerstin Lindquist.
“It’s OUT! Congratulations!!!!!!!” Julia Cearley wrote in the comments section. “And I can’t wait! Sign me up, sister!!! (Er, for the beginners classes obviously, please) .”
After 13 years with QVC, Coffey announced in November 2024 that she was leaving the shopping network to pursue new adventures.
On December 31, 2024, she hosted her final shopping party and expressed her hopes that viewers will follow their own dreams in a new year.
“My entire purpose over these last 13 years has been to inspire,” Coffey said on her final show. “Everyone watching has a dream in your heart right now. … Whatever your dream is, you are meant to have that dream come true. Even if it seems insurmountable — someone’s telling you you can’t. The circumstances seem too challenging — here’s what I know to be true. If you believe and know that that dream is meant to be yours, it will be yours because whatever you want, it wants you too.”
After sitcom success with Home Improvement and Last Man Standing, Tim Allen wasn’t exactly planning to return to network TV, that is until Shifting Gears pulled up.
“It was a complicated decision. I was doing Disney+’s Santa Claus series at the time and I said, ‘I really can’t think about this now,'” Allen, 71, whose Zoom name coincidentally is Santa, exclusively revealed in the newest issue of Us Weekly. “Do I want to do linear TV? I was so depressed at how streaming has hurt television. So if I did it, I want to elevate it.”
The actor specifically pointed to his past experience on the small screen, adding, “I’ve done Mike Baxter [on Last Man Standing] and Tim Taylor [on Home Improvement]. So if I do this again, I pitched three things: I want a guy that lost his wife recently, so he’s dealing with grief; I want a guy with the family that doesn’t get along; And then he has a custom car shop.”
Allen enjoyed playing a character that was “not like the other guys” he brought to life.
“He’s more like me. I’m more of an artist. I was a design student and a philosopher and my standup comedy is really about messing with people in a good way,” he noted to Us. “I came from a huge family run by women. So my perspective is very different about men. I don’t think we run things. So I want this to be that guy. He’s not a man’s man in that term, and he wasn’t trying to be anything but what he does.”
Tim Allen on ‘Shifting Gears.’Disney/Mike Taing
Shifting Gears, which premieres on Wednesday, January 8, follows widowed father Matt (Allen) and his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), as they find themselves living together and working to repair their relationship. The ABC series comes three years after Allen’s previous sitcom, Last Man Standing, wrapped its nine-season run. Before Last Man Standing, Allen was known for playing Tim “The Toolman” Taylor on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement, which ran from 1991 to 1999.
“This is a new character and it’s much closer to [who I am]. I’ve been through grief in my life with losing my father,” he shared. “I’ve been blessed to be a comedian and so that’s who this [character] is. If I did it again, I wanted to get as much closer to the [man] that I am.”
“It was immediate when we [met]. The director wanted to see how we got along. It never stopped. The kismet was crazy. We’re both born on the same day — many years apart,” he said. “We’re different in so many ways. But our attitude about comedy is very similar. She cracks me up and I’m not easy that way. Kat can [deliver these lines] with a straight face. Her anger — that she played on 2 Broke Girls — is very similar to the sharpness that Mike Baxter could get into now.”
He continued: “When we argue on screen, it’s funny that we interrupt each other and it comes quite naturally. I don’t know where it’s coming from. I adore this person already. She and her husband [Andrew W.K.] are great people. It is like I’ve known her for freaking years, same as most of this cast.”
Richard Karn and Tim Allen on ‘Home Improvement.’Cover Images
In addition to Allen and Dennings, Shifting Gears also stars Seann William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins and Barrett Margolis. Jenna Elfman, meanwhile, has been cast in a recurring role as spirited choreographer Eve Drake, who owns a dance studio across from the classic car restoration shop run by Allen’s character.
“From the very beginning, [the creative team has said] that we’ve never seen Tim Allen in a sitcom with a romantic interest. And I said, ‘Well, I’ve just lost my wife so I don’t see it.’ So I love where we are,” Allen told Us about Elfman, 53, potentially playing his love interest. “I said, ‘If it happens over time and happens organically with two people that do not get along then it is OK. I just am really cautious about this. I just want it to happen where it’s organic and proper.”
Shifting Gears premieres on ABC Wednesday, January 8, at 8 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Hulu.
Leo Woodall and Meghann FahyDave Benett/Getty Images
Meghann Fahy and Leo Woodall sparked dating rumors after starring on The White Lotus together, but the couple didn’t confirm their romance until much later.
Fahy and Woodall met in 2022 while filming season 2 of Mike White’s hit anthology series After the show’s premiere later that year,eagle-eyed fans noticed that the duo were leaving flirty comments for one another on their respective social media pages.
Neither Fahy nor Woodall confirmed their romance at the time, the pair made their official debut as a couple in November 2023 when they were spotted smooching while out and about in New York City.
Keep scrolling to see Fahy and Woodall’s relationship timeline:
February 2022
Fahy and Woodall met as they began filming the HBO series at the Four Seasons San Domenico Hotel in Taormina, Sicily.
September 2022
One month before the show premiered, Woodall shared a series of polaroids of him and his costars taken behind the scenes. The first picture in the slideshow was one of him and Fahy.
“That’s amore,” he wrote via Instagram while the actress commented: “I love you! I love these! I love you! . ” Woodall replied, “Love you right back.”
October 2022
Season 2 of White Lotus dropped and fans were introduced to Fahy and Woodall’s characters, Daphne, and Jack, respectively Throughout the show, their characters never interact on screen.
Leo Woodall and Meghann Fahy.Emma McIntyre/FilmMagic
December 2022
The twosome’s online flirting continued but this time with a post shared by Fahy. The Bold Type alum shared a series of selfies from filming including a selfie of her and Woodal.
“Sizzley Sicily,” Fahy penned while Woodall commented, “”
January 2023
After months of speculation, Fahy subtly addressed their romance but remained coy about it all.
“I don’t kiss and tell,” she quipped on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. “For you, I’ll say, ‘Sure. ’No, no, no. I was kidding, just because [Andy] wanted me to say it. … We’re friends.”
July 2023
Later that year, Woodall and Fahy attended the South Bank Sky Arts Awards 2023 together in London. While at the event, Fahy was asked if there were any real-life love stories that came out of filming — which she jokingly played down.
“I don’t know anything. Never heard of it. Never seen it. What is that show?” she quipped to Entertainment Tonight.
November 2023
After more than a year of speculation, the couple subtly confirmed they were dating after they were photographed packing on the PDA while on a walk in New York City per photos obtained by E! News.
Getty Images (2)
January 2024
Despite confirming their relationship late last year, Fahy still played coy about where she stands with Woodall.
“I can’t confirm or deny,” Fahy joked about her relationship to Entertainment Tonight while on the red carpet at the Emmys. “Suffice it to say Italy was good for me in more than one way.”
Leo Woodall and Meghann Fahy.Courtesy of Meghann Fahy/instagram
February 2024
Fahy made her romance with Woodall Instagram official, sharing a sweet snap of the pair walking with their arms wrapped around each other. She captioned the post with a smiling face emoji, pizza emoji and blue heart emoji.
In response, Woodall commented, “Who is he?!”
May 2024
Fahy shared a glimpse at the early days of her and Woodall’s romance with throwback photos from The White Lotus set.
“Aww on this day two years ago,” she captioned an Instagram photo of Woodall lifting her over a balcony.
January 2025
Courtesy of Meghann Fahy/Instagram
“Just making the cut for the last day Larry David says you can say happy new year!!” Fahy captioned a series of Instagram photos from a tropical vacation with Woodall.
Among the photos were a snap of the couple’s shadows kissing on the beach and several sunset pics of Fahy on a boat drinking wine. She also included a video biking around the island and her sitting across from Woodall while at dinner.
Travis Kelce and Kayla Nicole went through several relationship ups and downs before splitting for good in 2022.
The exes dated on and off for five years after Nicole kicked things off by sending him an Instagram DM in 2017. “He had been following me and insta-flirting for a few months,” she previously revealed via her Instagram Story in June 2022.
Despite Kelce “liking” several of her posts, he never sent her a DM, prompting Nicole to make the first move. “Soooo after a little liquid courage and a pep talk from @iqueenb (something along the lines of ‘WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR’) I dm’d him on New Years,” she added.
The two began dating five months after the Kansas City Chiefs player and his Catching Kelce dating show winner, Maya Benberry, called it quits.
Scroll down to look back at Kelce and Nicole’s relationship ups and downs:
2017
The former couple went public with their relationship five months after Kelce’s split from Benberry.
May 2017
Kelce and Nicole attended the wedding of his then-teammate Jeremy Maclin. At the time, Kelce called the fitness guru the “peanut butter to my JELLYTIME” in a since-deleted Instagram post.
July 2018
The pair hit back-to-back awards show red carpets in 2018. Kelce and Nicole ditched the blue tux and silver dress they wore to the 2018 ESPYs for fun, complementary striped outfits at the Kids’ Choice Sports Awards one night later.
Nicole donned a hot pink mini dress while attending The Maxim Big Game Experience at The Fairmont with Kelce, who sported a light blue button-up over a graphic tee.
June 2019
The duo showed off their couple style at the Thom Browne Menswear Spring Summer 2020 show at Paris Fashion Week. Nicole paired a white bodice top with mint green plaid pants. Kelce, for his part, accessorized his white button-down and gray plaid pants with a large gold watch, sunglasses and brown loafers.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
February 2020
Kelce and Nicole took a break from football to sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
August 2020
The exes broke up after three years of dating amid rumors of infidelity. “This is fake news … a lie … and not why Kayla and I broke up … take all your hatred somewhere else please,” he wrote in a since-deleted tweet, according to a screenshot captured by TMZ. Both proceeded to wipe each other from their respective social media accounts.
Kelce confirmed he and Nicole were back together during a live video with WNBA star Chiney Ogwumike. “So obviously we’ve got the fam. Mom, dad, brother Jason — big grizzly guy. Then my girlfriend Kayla,” he said in a joint TMZ interview with the Los Angeles Sparks player. “Kayla is definitely on the list. Always got to do it big for Kayla.”
February 2022
The pair attended the 11th Annual NFL Honors together and stepped out for a hockey double date with Patrick and Brittany Mahomes.
Pierre Suu/Getty Images
May 2022
Kelce and Nicole split for good less than two years after their reconciliation. Barstool Sports reported at the time the relationship ended because Kelce forced Nicole to pay for half of everything they did together. Nicole denied the outlet’s claims, calling them garbage and incorrect via X (formerly Twitter). In a since-deleted TikTok video, Nicole said she felt stupid for thinking their longtime romance would end in marriage.
That September, Nicole poked fun at the media attention she received because of the breakup in a hilarious TikTok post. “When I do literally anything at all on this here internet,” she captioned a video of herself using a video filter to look like she was being chased by police.
Kelce addressed the “crazy” rumors that he and Nicole broke up because he was “too cheap” during an interview on “The Pivot Podcast.” He explained: “Don’t buy into that s—t. I would never say that I was supporting [her]. She had a very financially stable life and what she was doing in her career.”
Kelce noted that they each lent each other money once in a while to pay for things such as food. “I mean, we were in a relationship for five years,” he added. “A hundred dollars here and a hundred dollars there wasn’t even thought about.”
“Dear Black girl, they may call you a traitor for falling in love. You’ll hope the ones closest will protect you, but you will quickly find out that people don’t protect what they don’t value,” she said into the camera. “They’ll say you’re too much, too provocative, too boisterous, too outspoken. And in the same breath tell you you’re not enough. Not successful enough, not wholesome enough, maybe not even intelligent enough. They’ll say you deserve the backlash and embarrassment. Because of your blackness, you should have known better. They’ll even try to tie your value to your net worth.”
Nicole continued: “You don’t have to participate in this tumultuous, often one-sided journey. Preserve your heart even when they try to quantify your character and best your boundaries you do not have to engage. You do not have to respond. because there is power in your silence. and you can use that same power to silence the noise and the self-doubt.”
Nicole revealed to People that her mental and physical health suffered after going through a “major breakup and major life change” in 2022, the same year as her and Kelce’s split. Following the breakup, she decided to begin therapy to help improve her mental and physical wellbeing.
“Had I not [gone to therapy], I don’t know how I would be reacting in the moment right now,” she added, seemingly referring to Kelce and Swift’s romance. Nicole noted she wished she could tell her past self to “buckle the f—k up” for 2023, stating, “You thought the worst had already come, but buckle up and take all of the tools right now and put them in your bag because you’re going to need them.”
November 2024
Nicole joined the cast of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test season 3 and briefly mentioned Kelce in a teaser.
“Going through a public breakup, it’s been overwhelming,” she admitted.
The clip then cut to Nicole talking with her costars, who asked the name of her ex. “Travis Kelce,” she whispered.
Special Forces season 3 premiered on January 8, 2025.
