Cameron Diaz hooked fans in with her debut role in 1994’s The Mask — and for 20 years she was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

The actress surprised moviegoers in 2018 when she announced her retirement from the industry, having last starred in 2014’s Annie. During her break, Diaz wed Benji Madden in 2015 and the couple have gone on to welcome daughter Raddix and son Cardinal via surrogate.

“When you do something at a really high level for a long period of time, when you’re the person that’s sort of delivering on this one thing, everything around, all parts of you that isn’t that, has to sort of be handed off to other people,” Diaz said during an August 2021 appearance on Hart to Heart.

In May 2022, Diaz announced that she was ready to make her movie comeback in Netflix’s Back In Action alongside friend Jamie Foxx. The January 2025 release is not the only iconic movie in Diaz’s catalog.

Scroll down to see which of Diaz’s films are her absolute best:

The government’s proposed TikTok ban has been upheld by the Supreme Court, essentially banning the app in the United States.

SCOTUS confirmed its unanimous ruling on Friday, January 17, voting to uphold the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act that was introduced last year.

“I join all but Part II.A of the Court’s per curiam opinion. I see no reason to assume without deciding that the Act implicates the First Amendment because our precedent leaves no doubt that it does,” Justice Sonia Sotomayer wrote in her concurring judgment. “TikTok engages in expressive activity by ‘compiling and curating’ material on its platform.”

She added, “Laws that ‘impose a disproportionate burden’ upon those engaged in expressive activity are subject to heightened scrutiny under the First Amendment. The challenged Act plainly imposes such a burden: It bars any entity from distributing TikTok’s speech in the United States unless TikTok undergoes a qualified divestiture. The Act, moreover, effectively prohibits TikTok from collaborating with certain entities regarding its ‘content recommendation algorithm’ even following a qualified divestiture.”

Kylie Kelce Isn't Ready to Lose TikTok — Just Like Us

The bill was initially proposed after Congress shared concerns about the possibility of espionage since TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese parent company.

Despite ByteDance challenging the act’s First Amendment protections, the ruling means that the app will likely shut down by Sunday, January 19, unless the president intervenes or ByteDance sells off the social media platform. (Despite Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary’s own bid to purchase TikTok, ByteDance has asserted there are no divesting plans.)

Without further intervention, TikTok will be removed from smartphone app stores on Sunday. It is also a possibility that ByteDance will cease operating abilities for U.S. users who’ve already downloaded the app.

The now-confirmed ban has caused confusion for many influencers — who make a living sharing videos on the platform — and celebrities.

Heidi and Marc D'Amelio React to Possible Death of TikTok: ‘Everyone Loses’

“Can someone tell me where all the cool people are going now that TikTok is getting banned?” singer Bebe Rexha said in a TikTok video earlier this week. “I’m just asking for a friend.”

In the comments section, Rexha’s followers suggested fledgling apps BlueSky and RedNote.

Other social media stars had specific thoughts about losing a potential revenue stream.

“I think everyone loses,” Marc D’Amelio said in ABC News Studios’ “IMPACT x Nightline” special that aired in May 2024. “I think small business loses. I think the politicians lose also.”

Influencers often earned revenue through the TikTok Creator Fund if a video receives at least 100,000 authentic views in a 30-day period. Funds are calculated by the amount and authenticity of said views, as well as the level of follower engagement. Monetary stipends vary daily and there isn’t a fixed maxim of how much can be earned.

TikTokers have also been able to earn stipends from brand sponsorships, selling merch on the TikTok Shop, collecting tips from followers, going live and other affiliate partnerships.

In a handful of TikTok videos from other creators, they reminded followers to keep up with them on other platforms.

“I just want to let you guys know that there will be a place for us to go and talk about all things Clique, all things original series [and] all things new book very, very soon,” The Clique star Ellen Marlow, who is cowriting a sequel with OG author Lisi Harrison, said in a video on her page. “We’re working so hard on it without revealing too much because it’s not quite ready yet. There’s going to be a larger place for us all to connect.”

Craig Melvin was so shocked by news of Hoda Kotb’s Today show exit that he thought the decision to leave wasn’t hers.

“My dressing room is two over from hers, and she knocks on my door one morning, which was unusual. And she’s like, ‘You have a moment?’” Melvin, 45, recalled in an interview with Parade magazine published on Friday, January 17. “She came in, and she said, ‘I just wanted to tell you something. I’m leaving.’”

Melvin noted that his “initial reaction was, ‘Are you sick? Is everything OK?’ I was like, ‘Well, no one leaves these jobs on their own.’” While Kotb, 60, informed him she wanted to leave the show while she was “on top,” he continued to question her.

“I was like, ‘Are they forcing you out?’ She’s like, ‘No Craig, I’m OK. I’m leaving,’” he added. “I was legit stunned, so much so that after she left, I went back to her dressing room, and I was like, ‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ It takes a certain kind of courage to leave anything when you’re at the height of your game.” (Many previous Today hosts did not leave the series willingly, such as Jane Pauley, Ann Curry, Matt Lauer and Billy Bush.)

Hoda Kotb Sends Shout-Out to 'Today' Show Replacement Craig Melvin

Kotb announced she would be leaving the Today show after nearly 30 years of working at NBC in September 2024, citing turning 60 and wanting to spend more time with her kids — daughters Haley, 8, and Hope, 5 — as the main reasons behind her decision. Two months later, it was revealed that Melvin would be taking over her role as Savannah Guthrie’s coanchor.

“Craig, you were made for this job. You were literally made for this job. You are that kind of good,” Kotb gushed on air in November 2024. “You have all the things that this job needs. You’re the right person for it.”

Melvin returned her kind words at the time, stating, “It means a lot to inherit this from you. You’ve been the heart of this place for a long time. You helped save this show.”

In his Parade interview, Melvin said he “never dreamed that any of this would happen, which I think makes it even sweeter,” adding, “Outside of getting married and having my kids, I don’t know if I’ve ever been more excited about something.” (The TV personality shares his son Delano, 10, and daughter Sybil, 8, with his wife, Lindsay Czarniak.)

Melvin officially assumed his coanchor role on Monday, January 13. In addition to wishing Melvin and Guthrie, 53, good luck via Instagram, Kotb surprised Melvin by writing him a heartfelt poem, which he read on air.

Inside Craig Melvin's 'Today' Show Gig: Salary, Staff Reaction

“Craig! I’m moving forward, so reach back your hand. Grab the baton, your world will expand. The adventures are endless … the people so dear. Great memories await, year after year,” she wrote. “Day One! You are ready surrounded by love. Your team is the kind you can only dream of. Savannah, Al [Roker] and Carson [Daly] are here! With partners like these, your runway is clear. From out on the plaza, to inside 30 Rock, Your fans are so eager, they’re watching the clock. The time has arrived to rise like the sun. I am cheering for you, and a fabulous run! XOXO Hoda.”

Since Kotb’s Today exit, her former partner-in-crime Jenna Bush Hager has continued to cohost the show’s fourth hour, retitled Today With Jenna & Friends, alongside a rotating lineup of celebrity guest hosts. Stars such as Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria, Keke Palmer and Michelle Buteau joined Bush Hager, 43, for her first week on the job, while Scarlett Johansson will sit alongside the host for next week’s shows.

CBS has pushed back the season 2 premiere of NCIS: Sydney.

The network confirmed on Thursday, January 16, that NCIS: Sydney‘s return has been postponed by a week. NCIS: Sydney was scheduled to return on Friday, January 31, but will now air on Friday, February, 7.

The decision took place because CBS has a not-yet-announced special taking over the January 31 slot. Meanwhile, Fire Country and S.W.A.T. are still set to air original episodes on January 31, as originally planned.

The synopsis for the postponed episode teased a rogue assassin who is on the run, and the NCIS/AFP team will do whatever it takes to crack the case. The season 1 finale hinted that Mackey and JD’s team will be investigating what is potentially threatening the stability of the region.

How Many ‘NCIS’ Shows Are There? It’s a Long List

NCIS as a franchise started with JAG, which debuted on NBC in 1995. The show followed military lawyers in the Department of the Navy’s Office of the Judge Advocate General who could prosecute and defend criminal cases under the code of military justice. After NBC canceled the show after one season, CBS rescued the show.

Fan-favorite Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) was introduced alongside his team in the eighth season finale of JAG in 2003. The backdoor pilot subsequently led to the network ordering a full first season of NCIS, which then grew into Hawaii Five-0, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawaiʻi and NCIS: Sydney.

More recently, NCIS: Origins premiered in October 2024 with Austin Stowell playing the younger version of Harmon’s character. The prequel picked up less than a year after Gibbs’ wife and daughter were killed. During season 1, Gibbs started a new job as a special agent at the NIS Camp Pendleton office while still dealing with the aftermath of losing his family.

“It’s a daunting task to recreate Gibbs and to go back and try to tell this story while being respectful to the fans and to the story line of the original show,” Stowell, 40, exclusively told Us Weekly in November 2024. “We want to do our best job as actors, as artists, as writers and storytellers. While there could be a lot of pressure, Mark Harmon makes us feel so comfortable and he makes us feel justified in our decisions.”

A Guide to All These New TV Prequel Shows: 'NCIS,' 'Outer Banks' and More

The actor revealed that it didn’t take long for Harmon to share his opinion about Stowell’s performance.

“He gave it to me right away in the room,” Stowell quipped. “He was vocal about — maybe not what to do — but certainly [he was] guiding me more in terms of posture and mindset, things that I’ve learned to inhabit all the more over time.”

Harmon, however, has “never given” Stowell any notes on his acting. “He leads by example. He’s a guy who I’ve learned a lot more about being a human being than being Gibbs,” Stowell continued. “He’s been so welcoming — not just to me and not just to the rest of the cast, but the whole crew. He’s really such a wonderful leader for us because he makes everybody feel so comfortable.”

The NCIS franchise is currently streaming on Paramount+.

LSU freshman quarterback Colin Hurley was found unresponsive after crashing his car into a tree on the university’s campus. 

Hurley, 17, crashed his Dodge Charger at 2:45 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, according to a report obtained by ESPN. He was taken out of the vehicle by EMS and transported to a local hospital. 

According to Baton Rouge’s WBRZ, Hurley was “unresponsive but breathing” and had a large cut on his face. 

The cause of the crash has not been released, but officials told WBRZ that impairment is not suspected. 

Notre Dame's Riley Leonard Thinks Jesus Is Responsible for Title Game Run

Per WBRZ, pieces of Hurley’s car were still scattered on the sidewalk while students walked to class on Thursday morning. 

“A large piece of bark was missing from the live oak tree that Hurley’s car hit,” the outlet also reported. “Parts of it had been turned to sawdust.”

An update on Hurley’s condition was issued by his family on Thursday evening. 

“Colin would like to thank the first responders, the incredible doctors and nurses at Our Lady of the Lake Health and the many Tiger Fans for their care and compassion,” the statement read. “Colin is resting and is stable while more tests and care are being administered. We are confident that Colin will make a full recovery from this terrible accident. Geaux Tigers!”

LSU officials said they cannot comment on the incident involving Hurley because he is a minor.

After news of Hurley’s crash broke, well wishes began streaming in from all corners of the football community. 

“Prayers up for @ColinHurley his family and @LSUfootball ,” Devin Rispress, Florida State University’s director of recruiting, posted via X. On3 reporter Pete Nakos issued a similar message, writing via X, “Prayers to Colin Hurley and his family.”

Hurley did not see any game action during his first season at LSU, competing behind starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. 

Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman Converted to Catholicism After Taking the Job

Nussmeier, 22, will return for his senior season in 2025. LSU also earned the commitment of Mississippi State transfer quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., who will be on the roster next season. 

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Hurley finished as the No. 25 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, according to 247Sports. He reclassified after committing to LSU in 2022 and left high school a year early, arriving on LSU’s campus when he was just 16 years old. 

In August 2024, LSU head coach Brian Kelly expressed his early impressions of the young quarterback.

“I think Colin kind of came in thinking, ‘Well, I’m the number three [quarterback],” Kelly, 63, told reporters. “Now he’s like, ‘You know what, why can’t I throw my hat in the ring here, too?’”

Justin Baldoni is leaning on his loved ones amid his ongoing legal battle against Blake Lively.

“We’re grateful to be with the family, man,” Baldoni, 40, told photographers on Friday, January 17, at Los Angeles International Airport in a video obtained by TMZ. “We have amazing friends and family and faith.”

Baldoni shares daughter Maiya, 9, and son Maxwell, 7, with his wife, Emily. According to photos published by TMZ, Baldoni was joined by his brood on Friday.

One day prior, news broke that Baldoni named Lively, 37, in a $400 million lawsuit. In the filing, obtained by Us, Baldoni’s legal team claimed that Lively was “determined to make Baldoni the real-life villain in her story” to mask her alleged “tone-deaf” promotion of the film.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's Reported 'It Ends With Us' Drama Explained

Baldoni directed and starred in 2024’s It Ends With Us, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel about an abusive relationship. Lively also starred in the film, portraying protagonist Lily Bloom, and served as an executive producer. (Baldoni played Lily’s husband, Ryle Kincaid.)

Months after the movie’s August 2024 premiere, Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and fostering a “hostile work environment.” She also claimed in her December 2024 lawsuit that Baldoni attempted to coordinate a concentrated campaign to ruin her reputation.

“This lawsuit is a legal action based on an overwhelming amount of untampered evidence detailing Blake Lively and her team’s duplicitous attempt to destroy Justin Baldoni, his team and their respective companies by disseminating grossly edited, unsubstantiated, new and doctored information to the media,” Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman said in a statement to Us on Thursday, January 16. “It is clear based on our own all out willingness to provide all complete text messages, emails, video footage and other documentary evidence that was shared between the parties in real time, that this is a battle she will not win and will certainly regret. Blake Lively was either severely misled by her team or intentionally and knowingly misrepresented the truth.”

Freedman continued, “Ms. Lively will never again be allowed to continue to exploit actual victims of real harassment solely for her personal reputation gain at the expense of those without power. Let’s not forget, Ms. Lively and her team attempted to bulldoze reputations and livelihoods for heinously selfish reasons through their own dangerous manipulation of the media before even taking any actual legal action.  We know the truth, and now the public does too. Justin and his team have nothing to hide, documents do not lie.”

Justin Baldoni Claims Blake Lively 'Kicked' Him Out of 'It Ends With Us'

Lively, through a spokesperson, denied the accusations in a statement.

“This latest lawsuit from Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its associates is another chapter in the abuser playbook. This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim,” Lively’s lawyers told Us in a statement. “This is what experts call DARVO. Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim Offender. Wayfarer has opted to use the resources of its billionaire co-founder to issue media statements, launch meritless lawsuits, and threaten litigation to overwhelm the public’s ability to understand that what they are doing is retaliation against sexual harassment allegations.”

Lively’s attorneys further claimed that Baldwin’s camp was “trying to shift the narrative” by falsely claiming she took over production and alienated the It Ends With Us cast from Baldoni.

“The evidence will show that the cast and others had their own negative experiences with Mr. Baldoni and Wayfarer,” Lively’s statement continued. “The evidence will also show that Sony asked Ms. Lively to oversee Sony’s cut of the film, which they then selected for distribution and was a resounding success. Their response to sexual harassment allegations: she wanted it, it’s her fault. Their justification for why this happened to her: look what she was wearing.  In short, while the victim focuses on the abuse, the abuser focuses on the victim. The strategy of attacking the woman is desperate, it does not refute the evidence in Ms. Lively’s complaint, and it will fail.”

Baldoni’s team has not responded to Lively’s response. Us has reached out for comment.

Nothing pairs better with a long weekend than some hot shopping deals. Several of our favorite brands are running deep discounts on everything from celeb-approved denim to winter wardrobe essentials and even fresh bedding. Khloé Kardashian’s Good American is this week’s destination for deeply discounted denim. Shoppers can take an extra 50% off markdowns spanning wide-leg denim, skinny jeans and straight-leg jeans. Everlane is still slashing prices on winter wardrobe must-haves (we’re talking up to 75% off trousers, coats and sweaters). Keep reading for more hot deals happening through January 20.

• Abercrombie is offering 20-50% off men’s and women’s clothing. We spy our favorite cozy loungewear on serious sale!
• Head on over to Brooklinen and score 20% off bestsellers and up to 40% off bedding bundles — aka the perfect excuse to finally finish that bedroom refresh.
• Everlane is overflowing with deeply discounted trousers, coats and sweaters — all up to 70% off. Our pick: This stylish bomber-meets-puffer-coat that’s $160 off.
• Good American is offering 25% off sitewide and an additional 50% off markdowns. Our pick: These relaxed wide-leg jeans that are over $100 off.
• Score up to 50% off Skims‘ new sale styles spanning waist-snatching dresses, cozy loungewear and intimates. Talk about the perfect early Valentine’s Day gift!

Don’t forget to checkout Amazon’s Daily Deals and Nordstrom’s New Markdowns!

11 Bestselling, Celebrity-Loved Uggs Are on Sale Right Now

Want a pair of pants that would earn a “baby gorgeous” compliment from Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Lisa Barlow? Copy her luxe leather pants look with this chic copycat version — just $38!

The iconic reality television star was just spotted in New York City on January 15, 2025. In an outfit that screamed Salt-Lake-City-meets-the-big-apple, she wore a gray turtleneck sweater, a luxurious gray fur jacket, a black quilted Chanel bag, black boots and an NYC classic: some luxe leather trousers.

While the source of her exact trousers remains a mystery, this affordable version captures their essence perfectly.

Get the Navneet Faux Leather High Waist Straight Leg Pants for just $38 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, January 17, 2025, but are subject to change.

Channel Brooke Burke’s Leopard Legging Look for Just $20!

Channel your inner SLC housewife with the Navneet Faux Leather Pants that are also a closet classic too. Similar to Barlow’s choice, the pants have a straight leg design, leather look and high waistline. They’re constructed with a PU leather, polyester and spandex blend, which makes them eco-friendly, stretchy and durable. It also makes them a great pick for winter months, since faux leather is masterful at keeping cool air out. Plus, they’re machine washable too!

Made with a classic straight leg, these pants can seamlessly pair with all kinds of shoes from sneakers to heels. They have pockets on both sides to hold your hands and phone and a simple zip-up and button up closure. They also have belt loops, which is majorly beneficial for the obvious, holding them up on your waist, and for the aesthetics as well, with your favorite statement belt.

Pull off one of fall’s hottest trends by pairing these pants with a chic fur jacket and boots like Barlow did. You can also keep your look classic with the pants for a GNO by paring it with a corset top and heels. With a major range, these pants can also be worn into the office, when paired with a blazer and turtleneck and for simple coffee dates to, with sneakers and a sweatshirt.

Two silhouette options to choose from, you can get the pants in their straight leg design or switch it up by selecting their flared bottom as well. Made for a variety of body types, they come in sizes XS to XXL too.

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Need some leather pants but looking for a different fit? Or maybe you’re looking at a different texture? Check out our other leather pants options below so you can find a leather you’ll love!

Shop more leather pants that we love:

• VILIGO Faux Leather Straight Leg Pants — was $44, now $40!
• OZICERD Black Faux Leather High Waisted Flare Pants — $38!
• HDE Faux Leather High Waisted Straight Leg Trousers with Pockets — $40!
• Zebaexf High Waist Faux Leather Pants — $41!
• Joe’s Women’s The Margot High Rise Straight Leg Jean — $198!

Not your style? Explore more leather pants here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Katie Holmes’s Luxe Tote? This $17 Style Looks Just Like It

Drew Barrymore has a sense of humor about her past addiction struggles.

During Us Weekly’s exclusive sneak peek of the Sunday, January 19, episode of Hollywood Squares, Barrymore, 49, was asked who Tom Conti played in 2023’s Oppenheimer.

“Punky Brewster,” she quipped. “By the way, I was on the set of that show, of course. Oh, yeah, me and Soleil Moon Frye used to kick it!”

Barrymore’s fellow panelist Whitney Cummings then asked if the Punky Brewster set visit was during her “cocaine days.” (The four-season sitcom aired between 1984 and 1988.)

Drew Barrymore Through the Years: Photos

“Actually, it was just before,” Barrymore explained. “I was with Punky and then I got spunky.”

Barrymore, the iconic Center Square on the rebooted game show, has been a Hollywood mainstay since childhood following a scene-stealing turn in Steven Spielberg’s E.T. By age 13, Barrymore entered rehab for the first time after experimenting with drugs and alcohol. She has been sober since 2019.

“I’ve had a ‘bad girl’ narrative on my back my whole life. I thought I deserved bad things. Now I’m raising two daughters. I can’t do that to myself anymore,” Barrymore exclusively told Us Weekly in February 2024. “Kind of like the drinking — I’m picking off things one at a time, going, ‘I can’t carry you anymore. You aren’t good for me.’”

Barrymore shares daughters Olive, 12, and Frankie, 10, with ex-husband Will Kopelman and has since been candid about how motherhood shifted her overall perspective.

Drew Barrymore Jokes She'll 'Pull Out a Hair Extension' on 'Hollywood Squares'

“The personal part of me has been the ultimate work in progress. The professional in me feels really brave and never entitled. Always so privileged and grateful,” she revealed to Us last year. “I’ve lost everything. I’ve got it back. I’ve lost it again. Got it back. So I don’t assume anything stays. I know not to take anything for granted. Whatever difficult times I’ve gone through professionally, I believed I could rewrite things. Then in my personal life, I was a failure and a broken person. I can’t f—ing believe I’m alive sometimes. And it’s the first time in my life, going on 49, that [the personal and professional] are complementing each other. Time is the greatest asset we have — it allows things to get better, to shift, to have light come into a dark space.”

Presently, Barrymore appears on Hollywood Squares and her eponymous The Drew Barrymore Show, respectively.

A special episode of Hollywood Squares airs on CBS Sunday, January 19, after the AFC primetime football game. Later episodes will be broadcast Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

When it comes to meaningful splurges . . . no holiday deserves a bigger moment than Valentine’s Day. It’s the one day of the year to spoil your loved one a little extra with something truly extravagant. If you’re needing help with gift ideas on how to do so, keep scrolling to shop our lineup of 10 luxurious Valentine’s Gifts that will make their heart (and yours) skip a beat.

Below, we’ve gathered up our very top splurge-worthy gift recommendations for the holiday of love. It includes the can’t-go-wrong gifts like the truly thoughtful classics like a digital picture frame and an indulgent box of Godiva chocolates. On the more playful side, you’ll also find gifts like an on-theme Kate Spade bag and a Le Creuset heart-shaped cocotte. Like a love note but fancier, going big this Valentine’s Day will scream “you’re worth it.”

Influencer Meredith Duxbury is finally coming clean about her not-so clean-girl makeup routine.

Duxbury, 25, took to TikTok on Thursday, January 16, to reveal that she didn’t actually use the obscene amount of foundation that she went viral for. “Since TikTok might be getting banned there’s one secret I need to share with you,” the beauty guru captioned the video. “I did wipe some of those 10 pumps off.”

Fans shared their thoughts in the comments section, happy to finally learn the truth. 

“Reveal of the century,” one follower wrote. A second added, “I needed this kind of closure, thank you.” A third, who believed Duxbury’s hack, commented, “NOOOOO YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME RN I BELIEVED YOU.”

Duxbury went viral back in 2023 by taking her makeup to the extreme with a whopping 10 pumps of foundation on her skin before layering on concealer, bronzer, blush and more. At the time, other makeup creators were opting for a “clean girl” aesthetic, which consisted of minimal foundation, dewy skin and soft features. Duxbury, however, stood out for her heavy glam.

Meredith Duxbury Gets Real About Stardom, Haters and Her Viral Foundation Hack

In April 2023, she shared a TikTok explaining why she used so much foundation, and even ensured fans that she was indeed using all 10 pumps despite being accused of wiping some off.

“I do not remove all the foundation and redo my makeup. I use my hands to blend it in to reduce the amount of waste of foundation,” she continued, noting that brushes and sponges absorb some of the product. “A lot of people think I do my foundation like this for views, which is untrue.”

Earlier this month, Duxbury maintained her claims that she used that much foundation, writing via TikTok, “When everyone says my 10 pumps of foundation were just for views … it was real, believe it or not.”

Meredith Duxbury Doesn’t Want to be ‘Put in a Box’ 

Since going viral, Duxbury has toned down her foundation use and now dons a more natural base.

Fire Country, 9-1-1 and more shows have publicly thanked firefighters and first responders who are still fighting the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires.

CBS released a PSA on Thursday, January 16, that featured cast members from shows such as Fire Country, The Neighborhood, Ghosts, Poppa’s House, NCIS and Elsbeth rallying for donations to support residents affected by the tragedy.

Fire Country’s Max Thieriot, Stephanie Arcila, Jules Latimer, Kevin Alejandro, Billy Burke and Diane Farr thanked responders and encouraged donations to the Red Cross.

“We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all of the firefighters and first responders who are risking their lives and tirelessly battling the wildfires in southern California,” Thieriot, 36, said in the video.  “You are true heroes.”

Sandra Lee Says Her House ‘Still Stands’ Amid L.A. Wildfires

Amid the rapidly changing natural disaster, CBS pulled a Fire Country rerun that was to air January 10. The hit series follows inmate Bode (Thieriot) as he gets a chance to shorten his prison sentence by volunteering for the California Conservation Camp Program. Bode gets assigned to his hometown, where he reconnects with his family and former friends and continues to make attempts to redeem himself.

Wildfires broke out in the Pacific Palisades on January 7 and quickly spread throughout other parts of Los Angeles. Many celebrities who live in the area have offered updates about losing their homes and personal belongings.

Thieriot, 36, who is the lead and executive producer on the project, previously spoke to Us Weekly about his experience growing up in real fire country.

“That’s probably the biggest thing that I’m always trying to do better. I have a lot of friends that do this job and so it’s always important to me to portray it in the best way possible. Obviously this is still a fictional story but that doesn’t fall short on me,” he explained in May 2024. “Obviously the bigger the world gets, the more my focus is sort of spread out across a lot of things. But it’s all about having trust in the whole team. And trusting that when everybody pitches their ideas and we all come together that we’re gonna find the best one for the series.”

The Weeknd and More Stars Who’ve Donated to L.A. Wildfires Relief

Thieriot also highlighted some important causes such as the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, which provides immediate and long term assistance to fallen and injured firefighters and their families.

“Obviously, we have a big platform where we can reach a lot of people. I took a little bit of a poll from a bunch of wildland firefighters that I know. I got back the same feedback from a lot of these people who are boots on the ground firefighters and they said this was an organization that really represented the community well and were really trying to make a difference for them,” he told Us in October 2024. “Wildland firefighters — especially on the government side — really have been underpaid at a time where we really need the resources to fight these fires and need to have firefighters out there willing to make these sacrifices.”

He concluded: “There’s been a lot of people recently who have been reflecting on the job and the toll that it takes. They are asking, ‘Is this worth it for me to be doing this when I could basically make more money doing almost anything and my life is at risk?’ Those people just need to feel supported and their families need to feel supported. The money goes to help firefighters who are injured. It goes to help their families when they lose family members in the line of duty. To me, it just felt like a really important cause.”

Best Firefighter TV Shows: ‘Chicago Fire,’ ‘Fire Country,’ More

In addition to Fire Country‘s attempts to raise awareness, ABC’s 9-1-1 issued a statement on social media about how the show “is honored to tell stories about the courage of real-life first responders. We thank them for their bravery fighting the L.A. wildfires and are proud to support their efforts through Disney’s $15 million donation for immediate response and rebuilding efforts, which includes support of the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, among other organizations.”

Check the LAFD website for local wildfire alerts and click here for resources on how to help those affected.

Meredith Gaudreau found a poignant way to keep her late husband’s legacy alive permanently.

Following the death of Meredith’s husband, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, in August 2024, she recently received tattoos to commemorate Johnny using his ashes in the ink. 

“A month ago, a client reached out to me for a cremation tattoo,” tattoo artist Tay Nicole Clinch shared via Instagram on Wednesday, January 15. “I’d never done one and was transparent about that but she chose to stick with me anyway. Shortly after, she let me in on her story and It’s safe to say I got pretty emotional when I’d come to realize this was a story I had already knew of and was brought to tears over in the past.”

Johnny and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on August 29, 2024. Johnny was 31 years old, Matthew was 29. 

Why the Gaudreau Brothers’ Heartbreaking Tragedy Captured Everyone's Attention

Clinch continued, “With some factors involved, this isn’t something I’d do but given the circumstances, I made an exception. Safety was prioritized. A medical professional was consulted and gave clearance, ensuring this decision was made with care and informed guidance.”

Meredith had the ford “Forever” tattooed on the inside of one of her fingers and the names of her two children — daughter Noa, 2, and son Johnny, 22 months — on her forearm. 

“So, with his ashes in the ink, this tattoo became an additional way to carry his presence with her alongside their babies— thank you for trusting me with something so special and letting me play a small role in your healing journey,” Clinch wrote. 

Clinch explained she waited a month to post about the tattoos because she “wanted Meredith to have some private time with these while they healed and they’ve healed well without any unusual side effects.”

Meredith expressed her gratitude in the comments section of Clinch’s post, writing, “Obsessed with them. Perfectly done by the best and coolest girl.”

Meredith Gaudreau Honors Late Husband Johnny: 'I Love You More Every Day’

The tattoo artist hinted that there might be more ink in Meredith’s future, commenting, “So excited for the other ideas.”

At a memorial service for Johnny and Matthew in September 2024, Meredith revealed she was nine weeks pregnant with the couple’s third baby. 

“We’re actually a family of five,” Meredith said during her eulogy. “I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby. A total surprise, but again, John was beaming and so excited.”

Meredith added, “I was so nervous because this was, again, a total surprise. But his reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me even though I was driving the car. After the initial excitement sank in, every time he looked at me, he would say, ‘You’re nuts, you know that? Three kids?’”

If you’re struggling to lose weight and keep it off, it’s time to stop relying on old diets that have no proven results. Instead, opt for a solution that has an impeccable track record like Reverse Health, which creates customized plans for those in menopause. To get started, all you need is to take a simple quiz that helps to map out your 12-week journey. Now is the perfect time to get going, too, since Reverse Health is still offering a whopping 50% off its programs.

Reverse Health makes it easy to achieve your goals. Unlike other diet plans and lifestyle changes, this weight loss program offers tailored meal plans and other tools that will actually help you shed unwanted weight. It’s also the first women-only weight loss program designed for those 40 and older, and for those 12 weeks, you’ll be addressing your health in a way that other programs fail to understand.

Developed by nutrition expert Matt and mindset coach Monika, Reverse Health was birthed after 10 years of research — so you know it’s not just a quick fix. Not only does this plan help you reach your goals, but it also helps with long-term weight management, providing priceless advice that will allow you to age in a healthier way.

“We tackle the unique challenges of weight gain and slow metabolism during menopause with personalized meal plans, exercise routines and expert support,” the company states.

Here’s what shoppers are saying about their results and the app itself.

“I’ve been on so many diets, but this plan is truly different,” one user wrote. “I’m losing my awful menopause belly, yet the guidelines are so simple. I’m hooked!”

“Day 30 of the program, and today I’ve hit some really important benchmarks,” another added. “I have lost 10 pounds and reached a healthy BMI as a result! I really believe in this program. I have tried many others and they didn’t work. It’s really liberating not to count calories and just to focus on putting healthy food on my plate.”

Many have noted that while other plans haven’t worked for them, Reverse Health is totally different.

“I’ve done every weight loss program known to women and this is the first one that delivered,” someone explained. “I am eating way more protein than I ever have (I blame my long fingers). Seriously, up your protein and quit worrying about how many calories you took in today.”

Give the app a try for yourself while it’s 50% off. Who knows? By summer you’ll probably be grateful you started when you did!

As Bachelor Nation waits for Rachael Kirkconnell to break her silence on her split from Matt James, a source is giving Us Weekly exclusive insight into their relationship.

“The split may seem abrupt, but this has been brewing for a while. It was a long time coming,” the source says. “Matt just couldn’t commit to her.”

James, 33, and Kirkconnell, 28, met on season 25 of The Bachelor, opting to date after the show instead of getting engaged. While they briefly separated as the show was airing, they were back together by spring 2021. James announced on Thursday, January 16, that they had called it quits.

According to the source, the duo struggled with trust issues. “It was hard for Rachael to trust him,” the source tells Us.

The Bachelor's Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell Break Up

Still, “Rachael really wanted to get married and settle down and they were not on the same page,” the source continues. “She felt like she was waiting around, and he would never give her what she wanted.”

While “they are both very upset” over the breakup, per the source, Kirkconnell is “ready to move on” and knows “it’s for the best.”

During their four-year relationship, James and Kirkconnell were often asked about plans to take the next step. Just a few weeks before the breakup, Kirkconnell was interacting with fans via Instagram who were asking about a proposal, joking she would pop the question to James “next Thursday.” Last June, James told Us that he did intend to marry Kirkconnell.

Matt James’ Content From London Is Raising Questions About Rachael Split

“We’re doing great. I feel like when you feel pressure, it’s when you don’t wanna do something,” he told Us at the time. “So I’ve never really felt pressure [to get engaged] because it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. It’s something that we’re gonna do at some point. That’s why we’re together and what we’re working toward. I’m excited about our future.”

Over the years, the twosome were also very active on social media, with James posting videos from their recent trip to London as recently as Wednesday, January 15. As a result, his breakup statement came as a shock to many fans. (Us pointed out that James often posts his travel content on a delay, so it’s likely the pair are no longer abroad together, but they haven’t confirmed when their trip took place.)

“Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts,” James wrote on Thursday. “Give us a peace about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding. Shower our friends and family with kindness and love to comfort us. And remind us that our Joy comes from you, Lord .”

Rachael Kirkconnell Joked About Matt James Proposal Weeks Before Their Split

While some fans were questioning the religious tone of the post, James has been open about his faith in the past, even kicking off his Bachelor journey with a prayer. Kirkconnell is tagged in the statement — which was written alongside a photo from their season of the ABC show — but hasn’t shared the post. She later “liked” a comment on her own page that implied James or his split announcement blindsided her. Us understands she was surprised by the post and not the actual breakup itself.

“The more I’m thinking about it, the more I think he completely blindsided her with this,” the comment read. “Give her some grace and let her respond in her own time.”

Us Weekly has reached out to James and Kirkconnell for comment.

T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach are still rooting for Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck post-divorce.

During the Thursday, January 16, episode of their “I Do Part 2” podcast, Holmes, 47, and Robach, 51, explained why Lopez, 55, and Affleck, 52, were their “big breakup.”

“I was holding on to them [getting back together] until they asked the judge to sign off on the divorce,” Holmes said before joking, “I sent a letter to the judge asking him to not sign off on the divorce.”

Robach recalled Holmes claiming that “someone was going to back out of it” before the divorce was official, adding, “We were rooting for them and we are always rooting for love. But sometimes rooting for a person means also saying, ‘Sometimes you’re better off not together.’ And that is the truth.”

Ben Affleck’s Dating History Through the Years

While Holmes agreed with Robach, he explained why he wasn’t giving up hope.

“Obviously, we talk about Jennifer and Ben here. That was a love story that’s been going 20-plus years,” he said. “We talk about the movies she made with him and them and you’re just like, ‘Wow, love is amazing.’ … I’m still hoping they’ll get back together a third time.”

Robach acknowledged that it was a possibility. “Who’s to say? If they could wait 20 years, maybe they just need for their stars to not be shining so brightly,” she noted. “The public pressure of a public romance is real and it’s tough.”

Affleck and Lopez were first linked after meeting on the set of Gigli in 2001. They were initially engaged from 2002 to 2004 but never walked down the aisle. Nearly two decades later, Lopez and Affleck reunited in 2021 after her split from ex-fiancé Alex Rodriguez. Affleck proposed for a second time in 2022, and the couple got married in Las Vegas that summer before celebrating their union with a second ceremony.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s Relationship Timeline

Us Weekly confirmed in August 2024 that Lopez filed for divorce, listing their date of separation as April. News of the pair’s split came after months of speculation about Affleck and Lopez’s relationship, and their divorce was finalized earlier this month.

Holmes previously expressed his disappointment after Lopez filed for divorce.

“3:22 a.m. is when I messaged you,” Holmes said during an August 2024 episode of his and Robach’s podcast. “I messaged you, ‘Good morning. I am so sad. First thing on my phone is about J. Lo filing for divorce.’”

He added: “It just sucks, man. This was it. This was one I could look at and go, ‘You know what, the timing wasn’t right … and then finally, the time is right, and this is it, and this is gonna work.’ Damn, I was rooting for them.”

Jennifer Lopez's Dating History: A Timeline of Her Famous Relationships

Holmes and Robach later showed their support when Affleck and Lopez were photographed spending time together for lunch with their children. (Affleck shares kids Violet, 19, Seraphina, 16, and Samuel, 12, with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, while Lopez shares 16-year-old twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony.)

“Look, they’ve blended their families for two years and apparently — in a very lovely way — the kids have all gotten along and apparently miss each other,” Robach noted in a September 2024 podcast episode. “I think it’s a nice thing at the very end of the day that they were all coming together for their kids.”

Holmes agreed with Robach while showing his support for a potential reconciliation. “If there’s hope for those two getting back together, I will forever be in support of Ben and Jen,” he noted at the time.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Teddi Mellencamp wasn’t always firm on her decision to divorce Edwin Arroyave.

“We went to this whole couple’s therapy thing and it announced me as an introvert, and it was shocking information for everybody, even though I’ve been saying this my entire life,” Mellencamp, 43, said during the Thursday, January 16, episode of her “Diamonds in the Rough” podcast. “I am naturally an introvert, so I enjoy my alone time [and] I need to recharge.”

Despite finding solace in the quiet moments, she wasn’t ready for the heightened solitude of getting divorced. (Mellencamp separated from Arroyave, 47, in fall 2024 and filed for divorce that November.)

“There’s moments that I’m feeling now, where I feel really lonely and I don’t know if those loneliness feelings mean that I’ve made a mistake or this is just something I have to get used to and this is the new change in my life,” Mellencamp questioned, trying to hold back tears. “Oh my gosh, I’m so embarrassed I’m getting emotional, but that it is such a confusing part of all of this.”

Teddi Mellencamp Defends Not Sharing Much About Edwin Arroyave Divorce

She continued, “Are you supposed to power through or are you supposed to give it [time]?”

Mellencamp’s podcast cohost, Erika Jayne — whose own personal life hit headlines in 2020 following her split from now-disbarred lawyer Thomas Girardi — chimed in to share her support.

“She’s in the thick of it right now, and it’s very fresh and very hard,” Jayne, 53, said on the Thursday episode. “I feel for her because none of this is easy and to pick yourself up and even be on a podcast today and talk about it. You know, Teddi, you need to cut yourself a break. If you didn’t say you felt lonely, I would be worried that you were.”

For Mellencamp, it feels like she has a “constant ache” that she’s “trying to fake [her] way through” each day.

“I have talked about this in therapy, but it’s almost, like, I’m attracted to another chaotic situation,” Mellencamp explained. “I don’t want to give too much away about my parents or anything like that, but clearly my dad [John Mellencamp] was a rock star. He met some girl at the Rainbow Room and it was my mom and they had babies [while] he was married already. Like, everything was a s— show.”

Teddi Mellencamp, Edwin Arroyave Were in Therapy 'For Years' Before Split

Teddi continued, “There’s been a lot of ups and downs in my life, and my only goal has ever been … to give my kids stability. I don’t know if it’s loneliness or I feel scared, [but] I also don’t feel like I’m enough, like, all those things.”

Teddi and Arroyave share daughters Slate, 12, and Dove, 4, as well as son Cruz, 10. (Arroyave is also father to daughter Isabella, 15, from a past relationship.)

It is the end of an era for TikTok users in the United States, as the app will officially be banned later this month.

The Supreme Court of the United States voted in a unanimous decision on Friday, January 17,  to uphold the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a law effectively banning the app in the country, per CBS News. TikTok will need to be removed from smartphone app stores when the law goes into effect on Sunday, January 19.

Congress passed the law last year, which makes it unlawful for providers (like Google or Apple) to “distribute, maintain or update” an app controlled by a foreign adversary (China, Russia, North Korea or Iran). Government officials were wary about ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, having access to U.S. citizens’ data out of fear of espionage. ByteDance, meanwhile, claimed the ban was a violation of First Amendment protections regarding free speech.

TikTok could remain available if it separates from ByteDance, and a 90-day extension can be granted by the president if a sale is underway.

Joe Biden Signed a Federal TikTok Ban: Here’s Everything You Need to Know

With the Supreme Court voting to uphold the law, a whole slate of social media stars, celebrities and other users will have to leave the platform for good.

“I think everyone loses,” Marc D’Amelio said in ABC News Studios’ “IMPACT x Nightline” special from May 2024. “I think small business loses. I think the politicians lose also.”

Marc and his wife, Heidi D’Amelio, are the parents to social media mavens Dixie and Charli, whose online dances went viral in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“We didn’t call ourselves the first family of TikTok,” Marc, 56, added in the ABC News special. “It’s hard to believe that many people sat and watched a video. I think the ability to turn someone who’s obscure into an overnight, famous person, I don’t think there’s any other platform like that.”

There is also the possibility that an American owner could buy the app from ByteDance — and Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary has already put in an unofficial offer.

How Marc and Heidi D’Amelio’s Marital Issues Affected Daughter Dixie

“We want to make it clear … that we are a buyer,” O’Leary, 70, told Yahoo! Finance on Friday, January 10. “We’ve got a valid syndicate. We’re prepared to put up as much as $20 billion, and we don’t need the algorithm. We don’t want the algorithm.”

O’Leary formed a consortium with other entrepreneurs, including billionaire Frank McCourt Jr., to purchase the app for $20 billion.

“You should make the assumption that in order for them to know there was an offer, we found a way to get it to them,” he told the outlet, referring to ByteDance’s hesitance to accept the offer. “I know all the shareholders. So does Frank. We know who they are. We’ve known that for two years. I know them personally.”

Anna Kendrick may be 39 years old, but she still looks like she could be in her late 20s. How does the actress do it? The answer, my friends, is by wearing sunscreen every day. Seriously! Sunscreen is the number one anti-aging product that can help prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles. And while any SPF is better than none at all, Kendrick does have an all-time favorite formula: The Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Melan 130 Pigment Control Sunscreen.

Kyle Richards and I Can’t Get Enough of This Tinted Sunscreen

The actress recently explained to The Strategist that she can’t live without this face sunscreen. “[This has] zinc oxide and titanium dioxide — ingredients that my dermatologist told me to look for. (Obviously, I did not know anything about these ingredients before he told me about them),” she says. “It’s tinted, and for someone as pale as me, it’s actually kind of nice. It makes me look like I have a little life in my face. It also blends out really nicely and evens out my skin tone. Weirdly, I get way more compliments on my skin when I’m wearing it!”

Get the Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Melan 130 Pigment Control Sunscreen for $60 at Amazon!

While this sunscreen is made for everyone — even those with sensitive skin — it is actually an excellent pick for those who are very fair. This is because it has a whopping SPF 130 sun protection (AKA the highest level possible). Of course, you’ll need to follow the directions and reapply every two hours (which is standard for all sunscreens), but when you adhere to the two-hour rule, sunburns will officially be a thing of the past.

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The best sunscreens don’t just protect you from the sun, they do so much more. This one can also double as a makeup base courtesy of the light tint, and while it feels weightless, it keeps skin hydrated throughout the day, too.

Amazon shoppers who have tried the sunscreen have been pleasantly surprised by its effectiveness, especially in tropical locations. “My skin is very sensitive to sunlight. I’ve traveled to many places in the Caribbean, used all different kinds of sunscreen and still come home with 3rd and sometimes 2nd degree sunburn,” one reviewer writes. “I used this for my trip to Jamaica and it was life-changing! Did not burn one time and I was there a week!!! Strongly recommend if you burn easily in the sun.”

Do yourself a favor and protect your skin from the sun with Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Melan 130 Pigment Control Sunscreen. Your future self will thank you.

Get the Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Melan 130 Pigment Control Sunscreen for $60 at Amazon!

This Multi-Action Eye Lift Cream Can Take 5 Years Off Your Face

Yola’s music has always been hard to pin down genre-wise, but that’s just the way she likes it — and her new EP, My Way, is no different.

“I have 100 percent been planning this for years,” the singer-songwriter, 41, exclusively told Us Weekly of her new project, which dropped Friday, January 17. “I’m not a minimalist, I’m a total maximalist. So this is me kind of getting the time back from that part of my life.”

“That part” refers to the years when she worked as a vocalist in London’s music scene, contributing her powerful pipes to artists like Massive Attack and Bugz in the Attic. When she established a solo career later on, however, many U.S. listeners (and critics) erroneously believed her main influence was Americana, thanks in part to the country-tinged vibes on her debut album, Walk Through Fire. The truth is that she’s always dabbled in everything — and My Way allowed her to tap into the broken beat and trip hop sounds that she was exploring a decade ago before anyone knew her name.

“I definitely got put into boxes, which I suppose helped me get booked, so I wouldn’t fight it too hard,” she explained. “You get into scenes even though you don’t necessarily fit into those scenes. … I had country associations and I definitely had people in the country scene who rode for me. So my associations kind of brought me into that space, but they weren’t my origins at all, musically.”

Yola’s second full-length album, Stand for Myself, felt truer to her, but the Americana label stuck even as her audience expanded.

“All of this has been this process of edging ever closer to being able to tell my story and my narrative of what my exposure to music was and is,” she told Us. “When I was a published writer and I would write for people that would be in the folksy kind of space, I definitely had projects that were in that kind of space. But the ones that were most successful were closer to the soul space. My role was always in some permutation of soul music, be it over dance music, be it in this broken beat scene, be it in jazz. My approach was always soul proximity, and so that’s been my mission. I feel like I started that on Stand for Myself, and I am maybe taking it to its furthest integer in this EP.”

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Fans who’ve seen Yola preview some of her new songs at live shows over the past year or so know that My Way doesn’t sound quite like anything she’s released before. “Future Enemies” begins with a pulsing electronic beat before building to a soaring, arena-ready chorus, while “Ready” is directly inspired by the broken beat scene Yola came up in during her years in the U.K.

If those fans were paying close attention, though, they might have guessed which direction she was heading in, as she’s been sprinkling soul covers throughout her sets. “I’ve told you exactly the plan!” she quipped.

Yola’s reclamation of her narrative extended to the My Way cover art, which shows her wearing a crown and reclining between two extremely muscled (and shirtless) men.

“I was talking to people about photo shoots I’d done that were so ashy. … I was like, ‘Why are we lighting me like this?’” she recalled. “And so I made this folder in Pinterest, which was how to light me and how not to light me. I put all of the bad, ashy-ass photos of me in one and then the handful of juicy-looking, delectable photos in the other — and there were too many in one and not enough in the other.”

How Do Grammys Nominate Best New Artists? Why Established Stars Qualify

The concept was inspired by her Ghanaian and Bajan heritage as well as her own skin tone, which she says brightened up once she moved from gloomy London to the comparatively sunny Tennessee and later New York City.

“I really was like, ‘I really need to be in my equatorial bag.’ I really need to be giving moisturized, giving melanated, giving African, giving Caribbean, giving in my bloodlines, giving where my body wants to be,” she said. “When you see that photo, you are like, ‘Black people had to be involved in this,’ because this feels different. It feels equatorial, it feels conceived in a way that is able to understand and see my beauty without trying to bleach it, without trying to freaking burn it out with freaking highlighter to make my skin tone look lighter, without wanting to retouch my nose straighter.”

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The result is an image that’s instantly iconic, fitting for a woman who made her Broadway debut last year as Persephone in Hadestown and embodied rock pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe on the big screen in 2022’s Elvis.

“I am the main character. I am being served,” Yola added. “The way that I am loved is through service. I am not serving that world, that expectation that is the lion’s share of people’s expectation of me. I’m putting a stake through the heart of that vampire and it is dying. Everything in the making of this record was flying in the face of all the things that the world expects of someone that looks like me.”

Yola’s My Way EP is out now. Her Sovereign Soul tour kicks off in Denver on May 10. Ticket sales will begin Friday, January 24, with fan presales ahead. Details will be available here.