Kate Middleton and Jessica SimpsonGetty Images; WireImage
Princess Kate Middleton announced that she is officially in remission while sharing an update on her cancer journey. In a statement shared via Instagram on Tuesday, January 14, the 43-year-old thanked the staff of The Royal Marsden in the U.K. for their help throughout her treatment. “My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything. We couldn’t have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional,” she wrote. Kate initially revealed in March 2024 that she was diagnosed with a form of cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery. By September 2024, she had completed her chemotherapy treatments. Kate noted on Tuesday that it’s “a relief” to be in remission, adding, “As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.” Keep reading for more of Us Weekly’s top stories:
After Jessica Simpson confirmed her split from husband Eric Johnson, Us is revisiting all the signs indicating that the pair were no longer together.
In her new book, Brooke Shields opened up about why she decided to part ways with the Hallmark Channel after signing a 16-film deal with the network in 2014.
Taylor Swift subtly sent love to pal Brittany Mahomes, who recently welcomed her third baby with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Jinger Duggar recalled filming 19 Kids and Counting with her now-husband, Jeremy Vuolo, revealing that they reshot an important relationship milestone.
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Jinger Duggar (R) and Jeremy VuoloCourtesy of Jeremy Vuolo/Instagram
Jinger Duggar grew up in front of the camera on 19 Kids and Counting, but the process began to change with her now-husband, Jeremy Vuolo, in the mix.
“Early days, first meals together, making small talk, the process of getting to know someone can feel a little awkward. But I would say that there’s probably not an adequate word for describing the unique kind of awkward it is to go through that whole process with cameras shoved in your faces and someone interrupting you when the conversation is just starting to flow,” Jinger, 31, wrote in her latest book, People Pleaser: Breaking Free From the Burden of Imaginary Expectations, out Tuesday, January 14.
Jinger referred to filming with her husband as “date-night-on-demand,” remembering being “instructed to repeat some of the same conversation and gestures” they’d made in a previous take.
“Fast-forward a few months, and I found myself walking down the staircase in my house toward Jeremy, anticipating that we might be about to make our relationship official. I took each stair carefully, smiling at Jer, butterflies in my stomach, excited to hear what he would say to me when I got to the bottom of the stairs,” she continued. “‘Cut! Jinger, go back up the stairs please! We need to start over to get the shot.’ OK.”
Reflecting on her people-pleasing tendencies, Jinger recalled dutifully walking back up the stairs and meeting Jeremy again. “He asked me to be his girlfriend, the sweetest moment,” she wrote. “And then we got to do it all over again because there was a mic issue. And then we had to do some more takes. And then we had to do cutaways.”
Jinger first appeared on TV with her family in a 2004 documentary about their daily lives. 19 Kids and Counting debuted on TLC in 2008 and aired until its 2015 cancellation. A spinoff titled Counting On, which focused on Jinger and her sisters Jill and Jessa Duggar, premiered later that year and was canceled in 2021.
Jeremy entered the picture in 2015 when he met Jinger during a mission trip. The couple tied the knot one year later and share daughters Felicity, 6, and Evangeline, 4. Jinger announced in October 2024 that she and Jeremy are expecting their third baby.
In her book, Jinger confessed that managing the “performance expectations” of producers and the camera crew felt “totally normal” for her. “It was all I had known since the age of 10,” she explained. “For Jeremy, for some of my other brothers-in-law who had joined the family by this point, it was anything but.”
Earlier in People Pleaser, Jinger credited her husband for helping change her mindset when it comes to her faith. Jinger’s parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, raised their children under the conservative beliefs of the Institute in Basic Life Principles, but Jeremy gave his now-wife a new perspective.
According to Jinger, meeting Jeremy was like a breath of fresh air — “but it was also kind of terrifying,” she wrote.
“He was so handsome and so fun and so … alive,” Jinger continued. “Because I was so steeped in the IBLP way of looking at things, I thought it was a potential step into sin to even acknowledge that I was attracted to Jeremy, that I felt my heart tugged in his direction. … And once we fell in love, the vibrancy of Jeremy’s outlook, faith, and devotion began to crack open a wider world of mercy and grace to me.”
19 Kids and Counting alum Jinger Duggar‘s latest book reveals some unexpected details about the effects of her ultra-conservative upbringing.
In People Pleaser: Breaking Free From the Burden of Imaginary Expectations, which debuted Tuesday, January 14, the 31-year-old revealed that she didn’t learn to swim as a kid due to the constraints of her family’s modest wardrobe. (Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar raised their 19 children as followers of the Institute in Basic Life Principles, with women expected to wear dresses or skirts falling at least to knee-length.)
“Since I was a little girl, I wanted to know what it felt like to push myself through the water, to swing my arms and kick my legs to keep me at the surface. But I didn’t know how,” Jinger wrote. “Here’s what I did know for sure: Long skirts were not designed for learning how to swim.”
Jinger went on to joke that “the laws of physics, gravity and buoyancy don’t play well with long skirts,” explaining that she gave swimming a try when she was younger — and it didn’t go well. “Another way of saying ‘long-skirt swimmer’ is ‘one who sinks,'” she added. “And because long skirts were the only swimming fashion available to me as a kid, and because I had a thing about not wanting to sink, the skill of swimming was not something I picked up during that time.”
The former reality star admitted that being around “water of all kinds” felt “scary” without knowing how to swim. As an adult, however, Jinger has begun to dip a toe in since welcoming daughters Felicity, 6, and Evangeline, 4, with husband Jeremy Vuolo. (Jinger announced in October 2024 that she’s pregnant with the pair’s third baby.)
TCL/YouTube
“I want [my kids] to know how to swim. I want them to know that I can too,” Jinger wrote. “But I was still so scared, thinking back to the few times I’d tried as a kid, the long skirt encasing my flailing legs.”
Jinger was initially “hesitant” to try again — her people-pleasing tendencies made her “scared to fail” — but she found comfort in a friend named Rebekah, who helped her learn.
“We’re still at it, my swimming lessons, taking it baby step by baby step (or maybe I should say baby lap by baby lap),” Jinger wrote.
People Pleaser isn’t the first time Jinger has discussed her experience with dressing modestly. In May 2021, Jinger opened up about making the choice to break free from the rules of her upbringing.
“My mom had always dressed us girls in skirts and dresses, a standard that was taken from Deuteronomy 22:5, which says, ‘A woman shall not wear a man’s garment,'” she wrote in her second book, The Hope We Hold. “Modesty was a huge topic in our house, and we believed that wearing skirts instead of pants was a central part of being modest. But I wanted to discover for myself what the Bible had to say.”
Jinger explained that she started “digging into” the deeper meaning behind familiar passages of scripture after she married Vuolo, 37, in 2016. She realized that modesty isn’t “only about what you wear” but is also “about the position of your heart.” Jinger also “never found a passage specifically forbidding women from wearing pants.”
Last year, Jinger recalled the first time she wore pants around her parents. “The first few times I went back [home], I was not wearing pants. I wore a skirt just to honor [them],” she said on the “Unplanned” podcast. “That’s a big deal for my family, and my heart is not to rub anything in anyone’s face and be like, ‘I’m doing this. I’m doing my own thing.’ … It’s not to make them mad.”
People Pleaser: Breaking Free From the Burden of Imaginary Expectations is available now.
Girls Next Door alum Kendra Wilkinson defended her appearance after facing criticism online about her weight. The 39-year-old took to Instagram on Sunday, January 12, to share a full-length photo showing off her physique. “Yes, I’ve gained weight. Yes, I’m aging. Yes, I’m not that girl I was before (Playboy girl) but for once in a long time I feel good and mentally healthy,” Wilkinson — a former live-in girlfriend of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner — captioned the post, adding that she feels “pretty balanced” in her life. “For those of you hating on my new weight, 40 yr old face please know that I’m happy, healthy and at peace in life finally. Leave me alone and respect that I’m where I actually want to be finally all together.” Wilkinson also addressed comments about her “alcohol intake,” acknowledging that her drinking could “be monitored better” but hinting that she’ll still be taking “shots” to celebrate her 40th birthday this summer. Keep reading for more of Us Weekly’s top stories:
How did season 1 of Taylor Sheridan’s Landman end — and who has “more story to tell” in a potential season 2? Co-creator Christian Wallace spills all after the finale.
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Brittany Mahomes has given birth to her third baby with husband and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Find out their daughter’s name.
As Allison Holker’s new book continues to spark controversy, her eldest daughter, Weslie, is opening up about her relationship with Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ family following his death.
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Not gonna lie, Kylie and Jason Kelce‘s engagement story has Us laughing out loud.
“His proposal fit us perfectly,” Kylie, 32, said on the Sunday, January 12, episode of Allison Kuch‘s “Sunday Sports Club” podcast. “We dated, I believe it was three years before he proposed. It was a weekend at training camp, so I was fully convinced that we were not getting engaged for another year. … Once football starts, it’s football. There is nothing else.”
According to Kylie, the couple went to see her parents for dinner on one of Jason’s rare days off before the NFL season began, bringing their dog along for the ride. When the pair were getting ready to leave, Jason, now 37, was stalling.
“We go outside, we get in the car, we’re ready to leave and Jason turns and is like, ‘I gotta run back in,'” Kylie recalled. “And I said, ‘Really? This is the time you have to take a s—? … Hurry up.'”
Kylie waited in the car while Jason went back inside. “Unbeknownst to me, [he] was asking my parents’ permission to ask me to marry him,” she said. “So he comes out less than five minutes later. I know my husband. That wasn’t enough time to take a s—. So he gets back in the car and I straight up said, ‘Go back in there and finish your business.'”
Kylie told Jason that she refused to stop on their drive home, but he kept insisting he was fine. “The whole time, he’s just silent and fidgeting. He’s like, ‘I don’t need to take a s—,'” she said.
The pair were still in the driveway when Jason finally popped the question. “He turns and he says, ‘This isn’t the most romantic way to do this, but I need you to get out of the truck,'” Kylie continued. “And as soon as he said ‘romantic,’ I knew immediately what was happening. Romance is not something this man is well-versed in.”
Kylie “immediately started crying” — and she doesn’t remember much else. “I blacked out. I have no idea what this man said to me. I’m pretty sure he asked me to marry him. I’m not 100 percent sure, but there was a ring involved and I put it on,” she teased.
The proposal took place “right on the front lawn of my parents’ house” with no photo or video evidence of the milestone. “Honestly, he nailed that part,” Kylie added. “It was perfect.”
She went on to joke, “I did feel a little guilty about the fact that it was a whole conversation about taking a s— leading up to [it].”
Jason and Kylie matched on Tinder when she was in college. “I sent him a pick-up line. I said, ‘I need LifeAlert. I’ve fallen for you and I can’t get up,'” Kylie recalled on the podcast, revealing how Jason reacted. “He messaged back and was like, ‘No, you gotta try harder.'”
Kylie’s second attempt — “If I told you I work for UPS, would you let me handle your package?” — left him more impressed. At the time, none of Jason’s photos indicated that he played for the Philadelphia Eagles, but after a little digging online, Kylie found out the truth.
“My friends and I, of course, were like, ‘It’s a catfish,'” she recalled. “So, when he said, ‘You should meet us at this bar,’ my one friend who’s my ride-or-die friend … she was like, ‘We have to go because if it’s him, it’s hilarious [and] if it’s not him, it’s even funnier.'”
The pair’s first date didn’t go so smoothly — as some fans know, Jason was so drunk that he fell asleep at the bar — but the couple hit it off in the end. They tied the knot in 2018, welcoming their daughter Wyatt one year later. Their family expanded with daughters Ellie and Bennett in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
Kylie and Jason announced in November 2024 that baby No. 4 — another girl — is on the way. “People put this strange pressure on the idea that my husband is supposed to have a boy because he’s gonna follow in his footsteps and he’s going to be a football player and he needs to play catch in the yard,” Kylie said on Sunday. “I hate to break it to you, but our kids play catch with him in the house all the time. He’s fine.”
Craig Melvin and Hoda KotbJohn Lamparski/Getty Images
Hoda Kotb is celebrating her new chapter after her final Today show appearance.
The 60-year-old broadcaster took to social media on Monday, January 13, with a positive message about starting over. “And suddenly, you know… it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings,” read a quote she shared via her Instagram feed.
In the caption, Kotb added, “Here’s to everyone starting fresh— @craigmelvinnbc and @savannahguthrie ….. @jennabushhager and friends.. and to me! Lets do this!”
The shout-out came as Craig Melvin prepared to step in as Kotb’s replacement on the NBC morning show. Kotb announced in September 2024 that she would be leaving the series after nearly 30 years working at the network. Melvin’s new role was confirmed two months later.
“I want to, obviously, thank NBC and the folks here who deemed me worthy,” Melvin, 45, said at the time, noting that he felt “beyond excited and grateful” for the new opportunity. “I’ve enjoyed just a lifetime of blessings, and this is the latest in a long line of blessings.”
Kotb assured her colleague that he was “made for this job,” adding, “You are that kind of good. You have all the things that this job needs. You’re the right person for it.”
Following months of buildup, Kotb officially said goodbye to the Today show on Friday, January 10, concluding a week-long “Hoda-bration” in her honor. She got emotional while praising her cohosts, including Savannah Guthrie, and wished Melvin good luck on his new journey.
“Savannah, oh, my God. You’re my person, you’re my person. You know who shows up for everybody? This girl. … She’s in the room, she’s always in the room, and I love you,” she gushed. “Craig, I’m so happy for you. You’ve earned this, you own this, and come Monday at 7 o’clock a.m., I am gonna be dead asleep. But you’re gonna be fantastic. You’re gonna bring it home. Craig, you’re gonna be so good. You and Savannah are gonna be magic.”
During Monday’s episode, Kotb sent a video message to Melvin to celebrate his new role. She wrote him a letter, which was read on the air after Guthrie found it in hidden in the studio. Melvin was overcome with emotion as his family supported him at the broadcast.
Kotb previously explained that her departure from the Today show was inspired by her daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5. She further detailed her decision in a letter shared via Today.com last fall.
Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb.Nathan Congleton/NBC
“I’ve been weighing this decision for quite a while — am I truly ready?” she wrote. “But, my sixtieth birthday celebration on the Plaza felt like a shift. Like a massive, joyful YES, you are! I saw it all so clearly: my broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie. I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited.”
Kotb added at the time that she planned on staying “a part of the NBC family,” calling her time at the network “the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart.”
With Melvin filling her shoes on the morning show and a rotating list of guest hosts joining Jenna Bush Hager on Today With Jenna & Friends, Kotb is ready to sit back and relax — even turning off her early morning alarms.
“No alarm…whaaaaaaaattttt???” she teased via Instagram on Sunday, January 12, before her first day off the air.
Sister Wives fans watched Christine and David tie the knot on the Sunday, January 12, episode of the reality series, which also documented their loved ones’ reactions to the nuptials. While getting ready for the big day, Ysabel, 21, told Christine when she realized David would be The One.
“We were out of town and he looked at you and he was like, ‘Oh, I love you so much,'” Ysabel said. “Like, just honest and pure. And I’ve never heard somebody say ‘I love you’ that much to you.”
Christine smiled while listening to her daughter, who went on to share a somewhat different story to the TLC cameras in a confessional.
“When David first proposed to my mom, I thought it was very soon. I thought it was too soon,” Ysabel revealed. “But I think I’ve had time to, like, adjust to it.”
Christine was previously in a spiritual marriage with Kody Brown for more than 25 years, announcing their split in November 2021. Kody’s relationships with wives Janelle Brown and Meri Brown ended soon after. He remains legally married to Robyn Brown.
Courtesy of Ysabel Brown/Instagram
Following her split from Kody — with whom she shares six children, including Ysabel — Christine debuted her romance with David in February 2023. He proposed two months later, and the pair exchanged vows in October 2023.
“It’s given me a lot more clarity to see, like, how much they love each other,” Ysabel said on Sunday’s episode. “I’m just excited and happy for them.”
When it came time for Christine to walk down the aisle, she was accompanied by her son, Paedon. “I told [him], ‘Am I supposed to be nervous?'” Christine recalled in a confessional. “I’m not even nervous. And then we started walking and I just looked over at David, and it’s like, ‘There’s my heart.'”
Paedon struggled to hold back tears as he walked beside his mom, telling her that David is “a really good man.” He handed off Christine to her father, Rex, just before they reached the altar.
While reflecting on Christine’s wedding day, Ysabel gushed over the “perfect” ceremony in Utah. She went on to describe how she’s adjusted to Christine and David “getting married so fast,” sharing that she couldn’t be happier for the couple.
“I think that I’ve gotten time to get to know David and to get to know him, like, as a father and as someone who’s just a really awesome guy,” she told the cameras. “I couldn’t imagine life without him now.”
Christine’s children celebrated seeing her so happy — and they weren’t the only supportive voices. Janelle’s kids were also on hand to help usher Christine into her next chapter.
“For the first time in a long time, it felt like the real Brown family was back,” said son Gabe, whose relationship with Kody has been rocky over the years.
Kody even voiced his support for his ex’s new marriage. “Really where I’m at is Christine’s happy and that’s great,” he admitted, despite feeling “FOMO” about missing the actual wedding day.
Before they became household names, Julia Stiles, Kerry Washington and more stars danced for their lives in 2001’s Save the Last Dance.
The teen drama follows Sara Johnson (Stiles), a promising young ballerina who has her heart set on attending the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. After her big audition goes wrong and her mother dies unexpectedly, Sara gives up ballet and moves to the Southside of Chicago to live with her father (Terry Kinney). While there, she’s introduced to hip-hop and begins to broaden her dance horizons with the help of Georgetown University-bound Derek Reynolds (Sean Patrick Thomas).
Save the Last Dance quickly became a hit, grossing more than $130 million worldwide and spawning a straight-to-DVD sequel, which debuted in 2006. Though Stiles didn’t return for the second film, she wasn’t completely out of her comfort zone when pulling off the intricate choreography. Looking back on Save the Last Dance in 2014, Stiles told Us Weeklythat her moves at Bogey Lowenstein’s party in 10 Things I Hate About You helped her stay on beat in the dance flick.
“That’s how I got the job in Save the Last Dance, by the way, I think it was from that scene,” she joked at the time. “That’s what I was told.”
Despite having some prior dance experience, Stiles still worked hard to earn her spot and didn’t want to use a stunt double for her more complex scenes. Just 19 when the film was released, the actress felt like she “had to constantly prove [herself] as a dancer” on set.
Scroll down to learn where the cast of Save the Last Dance is now:
The New Yorker made a big splash as Kat Stratford in 1999’s 10 Things I Hate About You two years before Save the Last Dance. She later starred alongside Matt Damon in the Bourne series from 2002 to 2016 and appeared in critically acclaimed flicks such as 2003’s Mona Lisa Smile and 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook. In January 2016, she announced her engagement to Preston J. Cook, who worked behind-the-scenes on her 2015 film Blackway. They exchanged vows in September 2017 and welcomed son Strummer two months later.
In November 2021, Stiles debuted her second pregnancy at the premiere of The Humans. Stiles and Cook welcomed their second child, Arlo, in January 2022.
Apart from Save the Last Dance, Thomas is best known for playing Detective Temple Page on CBS’ The District from 2000 to 2004. The Delaware native also starred in Barbershop and Halloween: Resurrection, both of which were released in 2002. He met his wife, Aonika Laurent, at a party thrown by Barbershop director Tim Story before they tied the knot in April 2006. The couple share two children: Lola and Luc.
The Bronx native garnered widespread praise for her starring role as Olivia Pope in ABC’s Scandal, which aired from 2012 to 2018. The performance earned her two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and one Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Television Drama. Other acclaimed credits include Django Unchained (2012), American Son (2019) and Little Fires Everywhere (2020). She shares two children — Isabelle and Caleb — with husband Nnamdi Asomugha and is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and women’s empowerment.
Washington published a memoir, titled Thicker Than Water, in 2023.
Kinney is best recognized for his role as Emerald City creator Tim McManus on HBO’s Oz, which aired from 1997 to 2003. Other notable TV credits include The Good Wife, Elementary and Fargo. In 2019, he appeared in Netflix’s Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile alongside Zac Efron, who played serial killer Ted Bundy. Kinney was married to Elizabeth Perkins from 1984 to 1988 and to Kathryn Erbe from 1993 to 2005. He shares daughter Maeve (born 1995) and son Carson (born 2003) with Erbe.
Best known for performing with ‘80s rap group Onyx, Starr (born Fred Lee Scruggs, Jr.) has appeared in episodes of Law & Order, Moesha, The Wire and CSI: NY. He also performed the theme song for Save the Last Dance with Jill Scott. The New York City native shares two kids with wife Korina Longin, who he married in 2007.
The Los Angeles native — who happens to be Tina Knowles’ former stepdaughter — has a lengthy list of guest spots under her belt. Lawson is known for performances in Saved by the Bell: The New Class, Goode Behavior, Pretty Little Liars and The Vampire Diaries.
Following Save the Last Dance, the Michigan-born actress appeared in a string of thrillers, including 2005’s Under the City and 2007’s Witches’ Night. Her last known credit is 2009’s Into Temptation.
After starring in the 2001 dance film, Green nabbed supporting roles in 2002’s Barbershop and 2008’s Of Boys and Men. He has also made appearances on popular series such as Criminal Minds, Everybody Hates Chris and The Soul Man.
Whitt had small roles in Training Day (2001), The Hurricane (1999) and has also made brief appearances on Law & Order, Cold Case and NCIS: Los Angeles. More recently, he’s done voice work on Netflix’s animated series The Last Kids on Earth, which debuted in 2019.
Jinger Duggar has been honest about the challenges of growing up in the TLC spotlight — and of breaking free from the conservative teachings of her childhood.
Jinger is one of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19 children who were raised as followers of the Institute in Basic Life Principles, a fundamentalist organization founded by the controversial leader Bill Gothard. Fans watched along as Jinger and her siblings navigated their daily lives on 19 Kids and Counting, which ran from 2008 to 2015, and the spinoff Counting On, which aired from 2015 to 2021.
After stepping away from the world of reality TV, Jinger began to form her own ideas about faith with the help of her husband, Jeremy Vuolo, whom she married in 2016. “I’m grateful for my childhood. It was not perfect … but at the end of the day, I’m grateful for my parents,” Jinger said on the “Unplanned” podcast in June 2024. “I love them, we have differences, everything’s not perfect between us, but I think that at the end of the day, I love them and I know that they know that.”
Jinger previously opened up about her upbringing in her books The Hope We Hold and Becoming Free Indeed, detailing the quirks of her religious background and the different perspectives she has now. Her latest memoir, People Pleaser, which debuts in January 2025, will delve deeper into the “not-so-healthy path” she was on.
“I realized I was a people-pleaser from the time I was a teen. … There [is] people-pleasing that shows up in everybody’s life, every single day and I think that’s why now is the time to write this book,” she said on the “Jinger & Jeremy” podcast in September 2024. “It’s such a problem and it will always be a problem.”
Scroll down for Jinger’s candid commentary on her unconventional upbringing:
Love Notes From Prison
Being part of a recognizable family came with a few surprises. “Guys would write from prison for my sisters. It was crazy,” Jinger said on the “Dinner Party With Jeremy Fall” podcast in July 2021. “We constantly had letters coming in the mail and it was like, ‘Oh, who is it for this time? Oh, it’s for Jana, oh, it’s for Jessa.‘ … It was mind blowing just to think that somebody thought they would walk right into your life and marry you, like, they were already basically proposing in their letters.”
Jinger added that some of the inmates might have believed the proposals were “legit,” saying, “I can understand how somebody would think, ‘Oh, I know you so well because I watched you from a child grow up,’ so they think that there’s a relationship there when there’s not. It’s like, a one-sided thing.”
The Duggar familyD Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra
‘Cult-Like’ Faith
Jinger exclusively told Us in January 2023 that she “definitely” recognized that her religious upbringing “was cult-like in many ways,” adding, “It was built on fear, manipulation, control and superstition, so all those things combined in how hard it is for kids to leave or adults to leave — anyone, really. … Once you hear the teachings, you’re not supposed to depart from those.”
In an interview with People that same month, Jinger said that she was often “crippled with anxiety” growing up due to the “fear and superstition” encouraged by Gothard’s “harmful” teachings. “I was terrified of the outside world,” she admitted. “The teaching I grew up under was harmful, it was damaging, and there are lasting effects.”
Jinger further reflected on the IBLP environment in her 2025 book, People Pleaser, claiming she was taught “a form of faux Christianity that was all built on the appearance of holiness.” She continued, “It was so important to uphold this appearance that many underlying issues, struggles, and sins were pushed far back, never discussed, never dealt with, unless it was in a twisted form of ‘confession’ that still never really dealt with the issues. If you messed up in that setting, you were at risk for losing your community by not living up to the Gothard standards.”
Bond With Her Sisters
In her 2023 book, Becoming Free Indeed, Jinger revealed that out of all nine of her sisters, she feels most connected to Jessa. “She is my closest sibling in age, only 13 months older than me. She is fifth and I am sixth of 19 Duggar kids,” Jinger wrote. “Growing up, Jessa and I were together all the time. Though all the Duggar girls shared the same room, I often felt like I was roommates with only Jessa. Our beds were next to each other for my entire childhood.”
Jinger and her siblings were first featured on TV in 2004 before 19 Kids and Counting premiered in 2008. “I look at those years and I’m really grateful for the opportunities that I was able to have,” she exclusively told Us in January 2023 while reflecting on growing up in the spotlight. “Like, we traveled the world, things that we wouldn’t have been able to do as a large family. At the same time, I can say I saw, also, those challenges [that came with it].”
At the time, Jinger explained that she and Vuolo “talked about” whether they wanted to raise their own children in the public eye. (The couple welcomed daughters Felicity and Evangeline in 2018 and 2020, revealing in 2024 that baby No. 3 is on the way.)
The Duggar familyD Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra
“I spent most of my life on TV. … That was my childhood,” she told Us. “Like, that was all I knew. I played with the boom mics and all of that, but [my kids are] just so not used to it. So it’s kind of interesting to see.”
The Family Rules
Fans have long been fascinated with the Duggar family’s strict expectations for their children under the IBLP teachings. “I thought I had to wear only skirts and dresses to please God. Music with drums, places I went or the wrong friendships could all bring harm,” Jinger told People in January 2023.
During an appearance on the “Unplanned” podcast the following year, Jinger admitted that many of the “man-made” rules “don’t make sense,” like not being allowed to wear T-shirts. “If you have a normal shirt, you’re allowed to roll up your sleeves,” she explained. “But you can’t buy a T-shirt that has the sleeves already off.”
There were also guidelines put in place for courtship, with dates requiring a chaperone. “You know, you can’t kiss before you’re married, you can’t hold hands … [but] I don’t see that in the word of God,” Jinger told Us in January 2023, revealing how she plans to approach the topic with her own children. “I don’t think that courtship is a word that we’re gonna use with them at all because I don’t think that that’s the only way to find a spouse — or the best way — at all.”
Jinger DuggarCourtesy of Jinger Duggar/Instagram
Living With 18 Siblings
Jinger admitted on “Unplanned” in June 2024 that she was “afraid” of the pressures to have “as many [kids] as possible” before she became a parent. She recalled having to take care of two of her own siblings when she was younger.
“I think that parents should take care of their kids. If you have them, you should take care of them. Kids can help out, learn responsibility in other ways, but maybe not in the motherly aspects of what moms or dads should be doing,” she said. “You have all these imbalances of kids raising kids. I think that I saw that a lot in the system and I think that that is unhealthy.”
Jinger also remembered the IBLP teachings impacting her family’s life in unexpected ways. “We would never do organized sports because we were afraid of influences around us,” she said. “And so we would do a family sport in the community … and we would all play that together. … Looking back, I’m like, ‘Oh, I wish I would’ve had maybe more opportunities to explore what I was really interested in in that way.’”
Not Enough Food
During an August 2024 episode of the “Jinger & Jeremy” podcast, Jinger spoke candidly about growing up with 18 siblings. “I remember a few times when we were very young some of my siblings would take their food, take their plate of food — get ready for this, it’s disgusting — in the bathroom,” she recalled. “They would carry it and put it on the bathroom counter, my mom would be like, ‘Don’t do that.’ They’re like, ‘They’re going to eat it.’”
Jinger added, “That’s literally what they thought, ‘I’m not going to be able to eat my food because somebody’s going to take it and we might not have enough food for seconds today.’”
A Lack of Arguments
In People Pleaser, Jinger wrote that she feels “naturally wired to find arguments especially stressful, but I also come by it through years of my upbringing.” According to Jinger, life in the Duggar household “was in some ways a lot like what you would have seen on the television screen; we just didn’t argue, debate, or engage in conflict,” adding that Jim Bob and Michelle “consistently and gently modeled a completely conflict-free environment to us.”
Looking back, the practice came with pros and cons. “Arguments were to be avoided at all costs, which meant that, more often than not, you’d have to push down any squabble or disagreement in order to maintain the peace. For some of my siblings, based on their personalities, that was probably pretty tough for them. … For me? It was kinda great being in a home where non-conflict was the expectation. Not necessarily healthy, but very much my jam,” she wrote.
Learning to Understand Pop Culture
Jinger revealed in People Pleaser that her “extremely sheltered background” often made her feel like she wasn’t “speaking the same language” as others when it comes to pop culture.
“I saw very few movies and listened to very little music other than hymns and classical compositions when I was a kid. So there are times when I’m chatting and laughing with a group when someone brings up a line from a movie or busts out with a lyric from a popular song, and I’m left thinking, ‘Huh?'” she wrote. “It’s always a weird moment for me, feeling like I’m the only one who doesn’t get it.”
Despite feeling behind the curve, Jinger noted that she was happily diving into a range of “Oscar winners, comedies [and] epic fantasies” with the help of her husband. “There are so many great movies out there that I’m now getting to experience,” she wrote.
Swimming in Skirts
Jinger got candid about one unexpected drawback of dressing modestly in her 2025 memoir, revealing, “Long skirts were not designed for learning how to swim.”
She confessed: “Another way of saying ‘long-skirt swimmer’ is ‘one who sinks.’ And because long skirts were the only swimming fashion available to me as a kid, and because I had a thing about not wanting to sink, the skill of swimming was not something I picked up during that time.”
Hoda Kotb officially closed her Today show chapter on Friday, January 10. The longtime anchor wrapped up her nearly 30 years on NBC with an emotional farewell to the iconic morning show, and there were a few special guests on hand to send her off. Kotb, 60, got emotional throughout the broadcast as she was honored by fellow Today hosts past and present — from Savannah Guthrie to Kathie Lee Gifford. “She’s sunshine in a bottle,” Gifford, 71, gushed over her former cohost before sharing a toast to Kotb. “May you walk into the most joyful, prosperous, purposeful time in your life with those precious daughters that I watched come into your life. What a blessing that was. I’ll never forget it.” Kotb previously announced in September 2024 that she would be leaving the Today show, and Friday’s episode marked the end of a week-long “Hoda-bration” in her honor. Scroll below for more of Us Weekly’s top stories:
Tom Holland’s father confirmed the actor’s engagement to Zendaya in a recent blog post, revealing that Holland was “very well-prepared” to propose.
Mandy Moore explained why she shared a GoFundMe launched to help her brother-in-law and his pregnant wife, who “lost their home and everything they own” in the Los Angeles wildfires.
HGTV star Christina Haack exclusively opened up to Us about whether she wants to get married again following her divorce from third husband Joshua Hall.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are lending a helping hand amid the devastation in L.A. by opening their California home to friends and donating essential items.
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Stephen tWitch Boss and Connie Boss Alexander.Courtesy of Stephen tWitch Boss/Instagram
Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ mom, Connie Boss Alexander, is speaking out as his widow, Allison Holker, continues to spark controversy. In a lengthy statement shared via social media on Thursday, January 9, Boss Alexander addressed the “hurtful and misleading claims” made about her son more than two years after he died by suicide in December 2022. “As his mother, I will not let these accusations go unanswered. We will not stand by while his name and legacy are tarnished. He doesn’t deserve this, and the kids don’t deserve this,” her message continued, adding that she and her family are “committed to defending [tWitch’s] honor.” Holker recently drew backlash for airing personal details about her late husband — including his alleged drug problem and childhood sexual abuse — in a recent interview before the release of her forthcoming memoir. She defended her book via social media, explaining, “I hope that by sharing our full story maybe I can help someone else who might see themselves or a loved one in Stephen.” Find more exclusive updates and top stories below:
HGTV star Christina Haack exclusively opened up to Us about getting “back on track” with ex-husband Ant Anstead following their divorce and custody drama.
Actor Jake Johnson shared a heartfelt tribute to his late friend Jeff Baena following the director’s sudden death earlier this month.
Months before Jessica Alba’s reported split from husband Cash Warren, the actress revealed that the pair were like “roommates” more than 15 years into their marriage.
According to a source, Beyoncé’s showstopping NFL halftime performance on Christmas Day brought up an unexpected concern for players’ safety. Get the exclusive details.
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The family’s first reality series, 19 Kids and Counting, quickly became one of the most popular shows on TLC from 2008 to 2015. They later returned for a spinoff, Counting On, which ran for 11 seasons before the network canceled it in June 2021.
Due to their conservative Christian background, the family enforces a number of strict rules when it comes to courting. Kissing, hand-holding and other physical markers of affection aren’t allowed until a couple’s wedding day. Early in the courtship process, partners must have a chaperone present on their dates. For many of the Duggar daughters, their brothers have been by their sides when getting to know their suitors.
“Having that accountability really keeps things from going in the wrong direction,” Jim Bob told Today in 2014.
Scroll down to learn more about the Duggar family’s courtship beginnings:
The longtime couple met in the '80s when a mutual friend invited Michelle to her future husband's church. Some time later, Michelle found a job at the yogurt shop that was managed by Jim Bob's mother. The two hit it off and bonded over their love for the Bible. "I remember when he left ... I looked up and said, 'Father, I can't imagine anyone better than this that you have planned for me," she told the website Love to Know. "From there, we believe our hearts were knit together." They wed in 1984 and share 19 children.
Josh, the eldest Duggar, met his now-wife in 2006 at a Christian homeschooling event and began courting soon after. They exchanged their vows in September 2008 near Anna's hometown in Florida, and their nuptials were featured on the second season of 19 Kids and Counting. Josh and Anna welcomed six children between 2009 and 2019: Mackynzie, Michael, Marcus, Meredith, Mason and Maryella.
Anna announced in April 2021 that the couple were expecting their seventh child, just days before Josh was arrested in Arkansas. Josh pleaded not guilty after being charged with receiving and possessing child pornography, which could result in up to 20 years in prison per count. His trial began in July 2021 and he was sentenced to 151 months behind bars the following May.
The duo welcomed baby No. 7, daughter Madyson Lily, in November 2021.
In June 2018, the Duggars announced that their second son, John-David, was courting Abbie Burnett. While they'd "known of each other for several years" before making their relationship official, they didn't meet until John flew to Oklahoma for a church event in early 2018. "We fell in love very quickly," he said in a video on the TLC website. "And it's been a wonderful journey thus far and taking the next step to move onto a courtship."
They tied the knot in November 2018 and welcomed a daughter, Grace, in early 2020. Baby No. 2, son Charlie, arrived in September 2022.
While on a mission trip to Nepal in 2012, Derick's future father-in-law was one of his "prayer partners." They would discuss their faith and "Jill's dad would also mention periodically the work Jill was doing in her studies as a student midwife," according to a post on the Dillard family blog. "Being that we had similar life goals, she caught my attention," Derick wrote. The pair first spoke on the phone in March 2013 and began courting that November. By June 2014, they were married.
They share three sons: Israel, Samuel and Freddy. In 2021, Jill suffered a miscarriage, revealing that the couple had chosen the name River for the baby they lost. Jill suffered another stillbirth in April 2024, naming her late daughter Isla.
The pair, who tied the knot in November 2014, began their formal courtship one year earlier. "Jessa and I met at her church while on a mini vacation in Northwest Arkansas," Ben wrote on their family's blog in March 2015. "Jessa and I only exchanged a few words our first meeting. ... I didn't want to say too much and make a fool of myself or look like I was wild about her (though I was on the inside)."
The couple courted for 11 months before their engagement and now share five children: sons Spurgeon, Henry and George, as well as daughters Ivy and Fern.
Jinger met the former professional athlete while on a mission trip to Central America in 2015 and the two were married in November 2016. Two years later, they welcomed their first child together, daughter Felicity. The pair announced in May 2020 that they were expecting another daughter after suffering a miscarriage the year before. The duo welcomed daughter Evangeline Jo six months later. In October 2024, Jinger announced that she was pregnant with the pair’s third child.
Joseph met his future wife while attending Lighthouse Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where Kendra's father is a pastor. They announced their courtship in March 2017 and got engaged two months later at Joy-Anna's wedding reception. In September 2017, the pair exchanged their vows in Arkansas and jetted off to Greece for their honeymoon. They share kids Garrett, Addison, Brooklyn and Justus.
The eighth Duggar child confirmed his courtship in January 2018. "I came up behind her at a meal while she was hanging out with some of my siblings and surprised her," Josiah said of the moment he decided to take his friendship with Lauren to the next level. Lauren, for her part, was "shocked" to see him. "He wasn't supposed to be there," she said. "It was a girls' night out."
They wed in June 2018 and welcomed their first child together, daughter Bella, in November 2019.
In November 2016, the then-19-year-old announced that she was being courted by her close friend of 15 years, Austin Forsyth. At the time, Austin chose a sentimental place to propose his courtship. "I picked this spot because last time we were here together was August 1, 2015," he said in a video announcement at the time. "It's a place that I've come many times to just get away and spend time with the Lord. I just knew that this was the place that I wanted to ask her."
They tied the knot in May 2017 and share son Gideon and daughter Evelyn. In October 2022, the couple announced they were expecting baby No. 3. Son Gunner arrived in May 2023.
Us exclusively confirmed in September 2020 that Justin had begun a courtship with Claire Spivey. "God brought Claire in my life and I wasn't really expecting it, but he brought her along right when I needed her. Ever since then, I just knew that she was the one," Justin gushed in the pair's video announcement. The Duggars and the Spiveys "have known each other for over 20 years" and connected their children in 2019. "I'm really looking forward to the memories to come spent with him. I'm excited to see what the Lord holds for us in the near future," Claire said.
The couple tied the knot in February 2021 after getting engaged three months prior.
Jed broke from tradition by not announcing his engagement to Katey Nakatsu. The couple surprised many when they tied the knot in April 2021, after an under-the-radar romance. “For a long time, I have prayed for my future spouse, not knowing who that person would be. God answered my prayers far beyond what I could have ever imagined in Katey,” Jed wrote via Instagram, revealing that he was a married man. “We have enjoyed quietly developing our relationship over the past year and every moment together has been amazing!”
He continued: “I’m so grateful God brought Katey into my life and excited to share with you all that today she became my wife! Katey, the thought of sharing the rest of my life with you makes me the happiest man in the world! I love you so much!!”
The pair announced in September 2021 that they were expecting baby No. 1. Their firstborn child, son Truett Oliver, arrived in May 2022. Daughter Nora Kate arrived in May 2023. They announced in July 2024 that Katey was pregnant with twins and daughters Elsie and Emma arrived in January 2025.
Jana and Stephen — whose sister Hannah Wissmann is married to Jeremiah Duggar — tied the knot the same day news broke that the pair were engaged and had applied for a marriage license in August 2024. The couple initially met through their families in 2011 and briefly dated between 2020 to 2022 before romantically reconnecting in early 2024.
Jason debuted his relationship with Maddie in May 2024, sharing a photo carousel via Instagram of the pair holding hands on the beach. The couple got engaged days after Maddie joined Jason at his sister Jana’s wedding in August 2024. Two months after getting engaged, Jason and Maddie wed in October 2024.
“Jeanne is very mature for her age. She’s quirky, smart and loves history, reading; she’s a really great and well-rounded person,” a source explained. “She and Jake really took things slow, but are now pretty serious.”
The private couple have only made a handful of public appearances together — and have kept their romance largely off of social media. Before falling for the French model, Gyllenhaal gave some insight into his approach toward dating in the spotlight.
“I think when you’re in a relationship, you are constantly scrutinized, your friends are scrutinized, but … I would love to not talk about my personal life,” he said in a 2017 interview with The Guardian.
Over the years, the Brokeback Mountain star has sparked his fair share of high-profile relationships. He was linked to Reese Witherspoon and Kirsten Dunst, before dating Taylor Swift for three months in 2010. The whirlwind romance was allegedly the inspiration for the Grammy winner’s fourth record, Red, and its devastating breakup track “All Too Well.”
Though the Southpaw star tends to keep his love life under wraps, he’s frequently spoken out about his desire to start a family someday.
“I’m not someone who has ever existed in a space where I’ve really known what’s coming next. But you do have to be open to it,” he told British Vogue in May 2020.
At the time, Gyllenhaal didn’t mention his girlfriend by name, but he explained that he’d “lightened up” over the course of his Hollywood career.
“I’m interested in my life, even more so than my work. I’ve reached a point in my career where I feel hungry in a different way. I’ve seen how much of my life I’ve neglected as a result of being committed to that work and that idea,” the October Sky actor added. “[I’m] seeing life as something that is, you know, fleeting, and the world being as it is now.”
Three years prior, the Broadway performer gushed over his nieces, Ramona and Gloria, who his sister, Maggie Gyllenhaal, shares with husband Peter Sarsgaard.
“My sister has raised two extraordinary daughters,” Jake told Us exclusively in September 2017. “They are so well-behaved and they are so thoughtful and so observant of the world around them. I’m so proud of not only them but my sister as a mother. When they come to me, I get two great girls, [but] at the end of the day there are times where it’s not bad to hand them back.”
At the time, the Nocturnal Animals actor said he loved his role as the girls’ “fun uncle,” adding, “When I’m with them, all I can think about is what incredible work my sister has put in and what a good mother she is with all the things she has on her plate already. With her extraordinary talent and everything she does there, it says a lot about her and it says a lot about her husband. Fully devoted to their family.”
Scroll down to see Jake and the Columbia student’s relationship timeline:
Us confirmed the pair's romance several months after they were spotted together in Europe in July 2018. "She and Jake really took things slow, but are now pretty serious," an insider noted at the time, when Cadieu was just 22.
When the Spider-Man: Far From Home star marked the opening night of the Tony-nominated play Sea Wall/A Life, Cadieu was spotted walking the red carpet. The couple later attended an afterparty together following the performance.
The Oscar nominee made a rare comment about his love life while speaking with British Vogue, admitting he'd "lightened up" in the past few years. "I've turned to my family, I've turned to my friends and I've turned to love. I'm a little less interested in the work, I would say, and more interested in that," he said at the time, adding that he'd "definitely" want to be a dad someday.
Cadieu and her beau posed separately on the red carpet at the 74th annual Tony Awards in New York City. The California native was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Sea Wall/A Life, but lost to The Inheritance's Andrew Burnap.
Two days later, the couple made their red carpet debut at the New York Film Festival. The two attended the NYFF premiere of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut, The Lost Daughter, on September 28. The pair posed for photos, their arms wrapped around one another, and later joined The Guilty actor’s older sister and her husband, Peter Sarsgaard, for a few group shots.
Gyllenhaal was there to support his sister and “was happy to have his girlfriend by his side,” an eyewitness exclusively told Us. "They looked cozy together. He wrapped his arm around her for photo opps. She seems to get along with Maggie and Peter well like she's already part of the family."
A week after making their red carpet debut, Gyllenhaal opened up to Howard Stern about marriage. “All I want is to be a good husband and a father. ... That really is what I want," he told the radio talk show host on October 4. "And now that I have fulfilled a lot of things in my career that I feel comfortable with, I can safely say that. I don't know if I could have said that before."
The Donnie Darko star, who has kept his relationship with Cadieu out of the public eye for years, told Stern he wouldn’t give any details regarding the possibility of an engagement in his future. "There's only so far I'll go as, you know, in talking about it," he said. "I love her so much. She's such a good person.”
His girlfriend of three years doesn’t care much for the spotlight, “and so that's part of the reason why I just adore her,” the Zodiac actor said. “And not at all the main reason but, you know, one of them.”
While Gyllenhaal trended for days after ex Swift dropped the 10-minute version of “All Too Well” on her rereleased Red album, Cadieu didn’t publicly react to fans resurfacing her beau’s 2010 whirlwind romance with the singer. A source told Us that Gyllenhaal, meanwhile, was in a “good mood” when he stepped out for the first time amid the headlines at the 11th Hamilton Behind the Camera Awards.
The Ambulance actor opened up about how the coronavirus pandemic strengthened his relationship with Cadieu, telling Esquire, "In a lot of ways, we're family. I'm in a relationship that is full of love and support. I feel so at ease."He continued: "I'm not unaware that there's interest in my life. My life is wonderful. I have a relationship that is truly wonderful, and I have a family I love so much. And this whole period of time has made me realize that."
The couple made a rare red carpet appearance at the Paris premiere of Gyllenhaal's film Ambulance, where they posed arm-in-arm and smiled sweetly at one another in front of the cameras.
The notoriously private pair attended the 2025 Golden Globes together on January 5. The pair walked the red carpet together at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Gyllenhaal was nominated for his role in the Apple TV+ series Presumed Innocent.
Jay-Z filed a new motion to dismiss the lawsuit accusing him of raping a 13-year-old girl more than 20 years ago, requesting to impose sanctions on the accuser’s lawyer.
The 55-year-old rapper filed the new motion on Wednesday, January 8, after being granted permission to do so by United States District Judge Analisa Torres. In court docs obtained by Variety and Rolling Stone, Jay-Z’s attorney Alex Spiro points to a December 2024 interview with NBC News wherein the Jane Doe accuser admitted to making “some mistakes” within her claims.
Spiro argued that the woman’s attorney Tony Buzbee — who Jay-Z previously accused of defamation and extortion — is claiming Jay-Z committed “a horrific crime without adequately vetting the allegation.”
Referring to alleged inconsistencies in her recounting of the incident, the filing continues, “By any objective measure, the fact that nearly every step in Plaintiff’s narrative — from her arrival at the VMAs to her interactions with the limousine driver and celebrities to the ride with her father — turns out to be false or highly unlikely casts considerable doubt on Plaintiff’s allegation that Mr. Carter raped her, which he did not.”
The motion also requests monetary sanctions against Buzbee and the Buzbee Law Firm for “alleging facts without a sufficient investigation.”
According to Spiro, “If lawyers do not face consequences for such a cavalier effort to destroy another person’s reputation and inflict emotional harm on his loved ones, that tactic will proliferate.”
Buzbee insisted in a statement to Rolling Stone that he would not be “bullied or intimidated” by the “desperation” of Jay-Z’s attorneys.
Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-ZJohnny Nunez/WireImage
“He and his team think the laws and rules don’t apply to them. They are flat wrong,” the statement continued. “They also think they can bully or intimidate counsel for victims by filing meritless and frivolous pleadings full of lies and half-truths. Again, they are dead wrong. … We will address the utter lack of merit with his filing with the Court, rather than with the press.”
News broke in December 2024 that Jay-Z was accused of rape in a civil lawsuit alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs. When the suit was initially filed in October 2024, Diddy, 55, was the only defendant listed. The accusations were refiled to include Jay-Z.
According to the accuser, the incident took place at an afterparty for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. Jay-Z has repeatedly denied the allegations against him, previously calling out the “blackmail attempt” in a lengthy statement. (Diddy, meanwhile, remains incarcerated after pleading not guilty to federal sex trafficking charges last year.)
Judge Torres previously granted Jay-Z permission to file a motion to dismiss the case against him by February 6. The accuser’s attorneys are able to file opposition papers by February 28, giving Jay-Z the chance to respond by March 14. (The judge has also condemned Spiro’s “relentless filing of combative motions containing inflammatory language and ad hominem attacks” on Buzbee throughout the legal drama.)
Despite the efforts of Jay-Z’s lawyers to throw out the case, Jane Doe has stood by her claims. “Honestly, what is the clearest is what happened to me and [the] route that I took to what happened to me,” she told NBC News in December.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Meghan Markle has faced plenty of challenges since marrying into the British royal family — but she hasn’t let them dim her light.
The former Suits star fell into a whirlwind romance with Prince Harry in 2016, and by November 2017, the pair were engaged. During a candid interview with the BBC shortly after their engagement made headlines, Meghan and her then-fiancé opened up about the extreme negativity they’d been subject to while living in the public eye.
“Of course, it’s disheartening,” Meghan said at the time. “You know, it’s a shame that that is the climate in this world … but I think at the end of the day, I’m really just proud of who I am and where I come from, and we have never put any focus on that. We’ve just focused on who we are as a couple. And so, when you take all those extra layers away and all of that noise, I think it makes it really easy to just enjoy being together and tune all the rest of that out.”
Eventually, the stresses of royal life became too much. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from their senior roles within the palace in January 2020, and three months later, settled down in Los Angeles with their son. In July 2020, the family of three relocated to the quieter Montecito neighborhood of Santa Barbara, California. Meghan and Harry continued to put down roots in California as they expanded their family with daughter Lilibet whom they welcomed in June 2021.
Scroll down to relive some of Meghan’s most honest quotes about the struggles of royal life, motherhood and more.
During their first interview as an engaged couple, Meghan and Harry sat down with the BBC to discuss their past struggles and their hopes for the future. "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 of "tabloid culture" and her transition into the royal family. "I don't think either of us did. ... I think we were just hit so hard at the beginning with a lot of mistruths that I made the choice to not read anything, positive or negative. It just didn't make sense and instead we focused all of our energies just on nurturing our relationship."
At the September 2019 "Ladies Who Launch" event in Cape Town, South Africa, the activist noted that continuing her career after giving birth was a monumental task. "Being a working mom and traveling as well with a baby, my goodness, it's a lot," she said at the time, four months after welcoming son Archie. "But it's all so exciting. There are days when it's a lot to juggle but then you meet someone and you have an impact on them and you say 'ah-ha,' and it's so rewarding."
In ITV's Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, which debuted in October 2019, Meghan opened up about the struggle of being a new mom in the public eye. "Any woman, especially when they're pregnant, you're really vulnerable, and so that was made really challenging. And then when you have a newborn, you know. And especially as a woman, it's a lot ... on top of just trying to be a new mom or trying to be a newlywed," she said.
The October 2019 documentary gave royal fans new insight into Meghan and Harry's lives — both the good parts and the bad. As she spoke about the intense scrutiny she'd faced since joining the royal family, reporter Tom Bradby wondered how she was holding up. "Thank you for asking because not many people have asked if I'm OK," Meghan replied. "It's a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes."
Following her return to the U.S. in the wake of her royal exit, Meghan spoke openly about the importance of voting and fighting for positive change. "It's something that I look forward to being a part of," she said of participating in American politics in August 2020, reflecting on the restrictions of royal life. "And being a part of using my voice in a way that I haven't been able to of late. So, yeah, it's good to be home."
Living her life in the spotlight opens the floodgates to criticism — but Meghan always reminds herself to power through by thinking of this Georgia O'Keefe quote. "'I have already settled it for myself, so flattery and criticism go down the same drain, and I am quite free,'" the Northwestern grad shared during Fortune's Most Powerful Women conference in September 2020. Reflecting on her rocky experience with British tabloids, Meghan added, "If you look back at anything I've said, what ends up being inflammatory is people's interpretation of it. ... There will always be naysayers [but] it's easy to live with truth and authenticity, and that's how I choose to move through the world."
"[Motherhood] makes you more courageous," Meghan said during a candid interview with Fortune for its Most Powerful Next Gen Summit in October 2020. "It makes you so concerned for the world they are going to inherit, right? And so, the things that you're able to tolerate on your own are not the same that you are going to put your child in a position of vulnerability for. [I] go every single day, 'How can I make this better for him? How can I make this world better for Archie?' And that is a shared belief between my husband and I."
The former actress also noted that she feels a responsibility to be a role model, not only for her son, but for millions around the world. "As a parent, I can enjoy all the fun and silliness and games with my son, but I wouldn't be able to feel proud of myself as a mom if I [knew] that I wasn't doing my part to make it a better place for him," she said.
In honor of World Mental Health Day in October 2020, Meghan and Harry appeared on the "Teenager Therapy" podcast to discuss the sometimes-cruel world of social media. "I can speak personally too," the California native said of her "almost unsurvivable" experiences with cyberbullying. "I'm told that in 2019 I was the most trolled person in the entire world, male or female. ... Even though our experience is unique to us and obviously can seem very different to what people can experience on the day-to-day, it's still a human experience ― and that's universal. We all know what it feels like to have our feelings hurt, we all know what it feels like to be isolated or othered."
During a candid conversation with Alexis Ohanian in October 2020, Meghan got real about the challenges of being in an interracial relationship and raising a biracial child in the public eye. Ohanian, who shares daughter Olympia with wife Serena Williams, acknowledged that he feels a "responsibility" to help create a safer world for his child — and Meghan quickly agreed. "I know we have shared experiences in being in interracial marriages and raising small children who are of mixed race and how that plays into that," the duchess said of encouraging diversity in both online and offline spaces.
In November 2020, the philanthropist revealed in a heartbreaking New York Times op-ed that she had suffered a miscarriage four months prior. As she described how she and Harry were beginning to work through their loss, she wrote, "I realized that the only way to begin to heal is to first ask, 'Are you OK?'" In coming forward with her story, Meghan hoped that she could offer solidarity to others who have felt afraid to speak about their "unbearable" pain.
"We have learned that when people ask how any of us are doing, and when they really listen to the answer, with an open heart and mind, the load of grief often becomes lighter — for all of us," she wrote. "In being invited to share our pain, together we take the first steps toward healing."
During an August 2022 interview with New York magazine's The Cut, Meghan broke down the reasons why she was so bothered by the rules of the Royal Rota, which covers the royal family for the U.K. press. "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? You tell me how that makes sense and then I’ll play that game.”
She also clapped back at critics who accused her of having impossible standards for privacy while part of the most famous family in the world. “Sorry, I have a problem with that," she said, noting that it's normal to want to pick up your child from school without it turning into a press event. "That doesn’t make me obsessed with privacy. That makes me a strong and good parent protecting my child.”
Justin and Hailey Bieber are facing a new chapter in their relationship after becoming parents. In the latest issue of Us Weekly, a source exclusively reveals that “there has been a total shift” in the couple’s marriage since the pair renewed their vows in May 2024 and welcomed their son, Jack Blues, three months later. “[The baby] truly brought them so much happiness and a renewed bond,” the insider says, adding that Justin is “obsessed” with his little boy. The twosome hope to have “a big family” someday, according to the source, but they aren’t in a rush to give Jack a sibling. “[It’s] up to God’s plan,” the insider tells Us. Keep reading for more top stories:
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Sunny Hostin’s husband, Emmanuel “Manny” Hostin, was recently named as one of nearly 200 defendants in an insurance fraud lawsuit filed in New York City.
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The country singer and the Outer Banks star were first linked in January 2023 after they were spotted together at the College Football Playoff National Championship in Los Angeles.
Ballerini confirmed the romance one month later during an appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, revealing that she’d slid into Chase’s DMs. “His handle is ‘hichasestokes’ and I just said, ‘Hi Chase Stokes,’” she shared.
Scroll down for a complete breakdown of Ballerini and Stokes’ relationship:
The "Peter Pan" artist and the Netflix star were spotted together at the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship in L.A. Stokes included a cuddly photo from inside the arena in the Instagram dump that sparked rumors about his relationship with Ballerini.
As speculation continued to grow, Ballerini shared her reaction in a candid TikTok video. "I'm about to break up with the internet 5 sure," she captioned the post.
Stokes played coy about his status with the Grammy nominee, telling TMZ that the pair were "having a good time" together. "She's a sweet girl," he added.
The pair were spotted getting cozy at Robert's Western World bar in Nashville. In footage obtained by TMZ, Stokes leaned in close to whisper in Ballerini's ear before grabbing her hand.
A source exclusively told Us that the pair are not officially dating, days after the pair were spotted holding hands inside a Nashville bar.
“Chase and Kelsea have been flirting back and forth since meeting through friends at the College Football National Championship Game in L.A., but they’re not together,” the insider said at the time. “They both think the other is very attractive, so you never know [what could happen].”
After seemingly attending solo, the “Heartfirst” songstress shared a photo of Grammys look via Instagram — and Stokes approved, commenting a red heart emoji.
Stokes was quick to celebrate Ballerini's major milestone after her Saturday Night Live debut was announced. The "Blindsided" singer will appear as the musical guest for Super Bowl LVII champ Travis Kelce.
"I mean, she's the best," Stokes told Entertainment Tonight. "I'm so excited for her and everything happening in her career right now."
The "Blindsided" singer confirmed that she's not single during an interview on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, revealing that she slid into Stokes' DMs. "[My manager] was like, 'You know who's really cute, like, when you're ready? Chase.' I was like, 'You're so right,'" she recalled. "His handle is 'hichasestokes' and I just said, 'Hi Chase Stokes.'"
The Netflix star shared a sweet glimpse of his bond with Ballerini after she confirmed their relationship on "Call Her Daddy," uploading a PDA pic via his Instagram Story.
“Kelsea and Chase have a very flirty relationship, they like each other and are staying in contact, but she’s not looking to jump into something very serious,” a source exclusively told Us. “Kelsea does really like Chase though, he’s fun and carefree and she needs that, so there’s a very real possibility that they could date exclusively on the future.”
The “Dibs” songstress and the actor “have a very no strings [attached] situation” at the moment, the insider explained, adding, “They’re rarely in the same place, so they’re still getting to know each other.”
The pair were spotted packing on the PDA at a Rangers game in NYC before Ballerini made her SNL debut. Stokes later addressed their romance on the Today show, teasing that he's a "fan" of Ballerini.
One day the pair's first official outing together at the New York Rangers game, they continued to explore the Big Apple by strolling hand in hand around Manhattan.
Stokes was by Ballerini's side as she performed a song inspired by her split from Evans on Saturday Night Live. Before her debut, the country singer uploaded a TikTok of her goofing off with the Outer Banks star backstage.
Ballerini and Stokes made their official red carpet debut as a couple at the CMT Music Awards in Austin, Texas, which she cohosted with Kane Brown. Inside the venue, the actor was caught dancing and singing along during Ballerini's performance of "If You Go Down (I'm Goin' Down Too)."
The couple posed for photos together at Variety and the Golden Globes’ Venice Film Festival party wearing coordinated black outfits. Ballerini kissed a smiling Stokes on the cheek in one snap.
“We are both very much so golden-retriever energy most of the time, but we both have a little bite in us, and we’re both incredibly driven,” Ballerini told Nylon of Stokes. “He is the first person I’ve been in a relationship with that I feel like is not my complete opposite.”
The musician also reflected on the early days of her relationship with the actor, which began with a first date in Los Angeles. “I really did [know] as soon as I met him,” Ballerini said of their connection. “And maybe that sounds like I’ve learned zero things, but I’ve always been a heart-first girl and the truth is it’s never led me astray. I’ve always been where I needed to be while I needed to be there.”
Ballerini and Stokes penned sweet tributes to each other in celebration of their one year anniversary.
“A whole trip around the sun with my bestie,” Ballerini wrote via Instagram, alongside a carousel of videos and snaps of the pair. “@hichasestokes thanks for making me write love songs.”
Stokes shared his own collection of pictures and clips to Instagram, alongside the caption: “One year of lovin you. P.s. told ya I wouldn’t embarrass you.”
Ballerini celebrated a milestone in her relationship with Stokes with a sweet Instagram Story, writing, "year and a half lovin the heck outta you."
Stokes shared a romantic photo dump of his own, gushing over "my woman, dogs & family❤️." In one pic, the couple held hands as they walked on a beach.
Ballerini shared a sweet message for Stokes in honor of his 32nd birthday.
“It's my favorite humans birthday and there’s no one on the planet easier to celebrate,” she wrote via Instagram alongside a carousel of pics and videos of the pair. “I adore you with my whole ass heart @hichasestokes 🤍.”
Stokes and Ballerini transformed into one of pop culture’s most iconic couples, Danny and Sandy from Grease, for Heidi Klum’s annual Halloween party in New York City. The pair dressed in the characters’ black outfits from the memorable “You’re The One That I Want” musical number.
On January 7, the couple celebrated their two-year anniversary by sharing a collage of photos together online.
“Two years of catching each other in countless cities, perfecting a chimichurri steak and creating a world that revolves around dogs,” Ballerini wrote via Instagram. “Love you so, teammate. 🤍”
In a separate Instagram post, Stokes wrote, “2 laps around the sun with you, I love you kb 🤍(especially when you laugh so hard you wheeze, and 8 am dance routines to your toothbrush).”
So You Think Can Dance alum Allison Holker is opening up about the “triggering” discovery she made following late husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ death. In a new interview with People, Holker, 36, revealed she found a “cornucopia” of drugs in Boss’ closet, including mushrooms and “other substances I had to look up on my phone.” Holker admitted that “it was a really scary moment” to uncover things she “did not know existed” in her own home. “It also helped me process that he was going through so much and he was hiding so much,” she added, “and there must have been a lot of shame in that.” Boss died by suicide at age 40 in December 2022, shortly after he and Holker celebrated nine years of marriage. The couple shared daughter Zaia, 5, and son Maddox, 8, and Boss was the adoptive father of Holker’s eldest daughter, Weslie, 16. Holker will continue to share details regarding Boss’ death and her personal mourning process in her upcoming book, This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light, out February 4. Find more of Us Weekly’s top stories below:
Southern Charm’s Craig Conoverbroke his silence on his split from fellow Bravo star Paige DeSorbo, revealing that the breakup was “very, very unexpected.”
Sean M. Higgins, the man accused of killing brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in an alleged drunk driving accident, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Who are the lucky ladies vying for Grant Ellis’ roses on season 29 of The Bachelor? ABC officially revealed the cast before the premiere episode airing later this month.
Kate Beckinsale and ex Matt Rife were both in attendance at a Golden Globes afterparty, but according to a rep for the actress their reunion was strictly platonic.
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Zendaya and Tom Holland are engaged, a source confirms to Us Weekly. Rumors began to swirl about a possible proposal following Zendaya’s appearance at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, January 5. Though Holland, 28, did not accompany his now-fiancée on the red carpet, fans spotted a diamond ring adorning Zendaya’s left hand. According to a Los Angeles Times report from inside the venue, the actress, also 28, “smiled coyly and shrugged her shoulders mysteriously” when asked whether the rock was an engagement ring. Zendaya and Holland met while filming Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2016, with Us confirming their relationship the following year. Their romance briefly stalled, but PDA photos revealed their rekindled spark in summer 2021. Holland and Zendaya made their red carpet debut as a couple later that year at the premiere of their movie Spider-Man: No Way Home. Keep reading for more Golden Globes details and top stories:
One day after hosting the Golden Globes, comedian Nikki Glaser unveiled the jokes that didn’t make her monologue — and no celebrity was safe from her snark.
In an exclusive clip from an upcoming podcast appearance, Rachael Ray reveals she thought her husband, John Cusimano, was gay before they began dating.
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Tennis pro Naomi Osaka and boyfriend Cordae have split after welcoming their daughter, Shai, in 2023 — but the athlete assured fans the exes have “no bad blood.”
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While attending the 2025 Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 5, the 25-year-old exclusively opened up to Us Weekly about her post-breakup state of mind. “I’m doing well,” she told Us. “I feel like myself again.”
When it comes to moving on from her rocky relationship with the country singer, 28, LaPaglia isn’t in a rush. “Dating looks like a dark hole that I don’t want to jump into,” she joked, revealing that she made a wager with her “BFFs” podcast cohost Josh Richards about her love life. “We made a bet … I’m not allowed to have a boyfriend until summer. June 21st. [Josh] doesn’t think I can do it. I think I can do it. No boyfriends.”
LaPaglia insisted that she’s “not looking for anyone” right now, but she has an idea of the qualities she’d want in a future partner. “Height, hair, kindness,” she told Us.
Bryan announced in October 2024 that he and LaPaglia called it quits after more than a year of dating. At the time, the Barstool Sports personality claimed that she was “blindsided” by him going public with the split news. Following a brief social media break, LaPaglia shared insight into her relationship with Bryan on a bombshell episode of her “BFFs” podcast in November 2024, claiming she was “emotionally abused” by the musician. (Us reached out to Bryan’s team at the time and received no response.)
Brianna LaPaglia attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
While opening up about her experience, LaPaglia reflected on attending the 2024 Golden Globes in a dress that Bryan allegedly disapproved of. The gown hugged her figure and featured a dramatic leg slit, which she claimed didn’t sit well with Bryan.
“He said he didn’t want to date someone that presents themselves that way,” she said on the podcast. “He ruined my night. Everything good, anything good I did for me, he made sure to ruin it for me.”
LaPaglia attended last year’s awards show with her then-friend Grace O’Malley. On Sunday night, she rocked the red carpet solo in a low-cut gown with a sculptural neckline. (“I wanted to go a little Gladiator,” she told Us of the inspiration behind her look.)
Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia attend the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Returning to the Golden Globes felt like a milestone moment in LaPaglia’s healing journey. “Last year I was in a bad spot when I was here and now I’m in a good spot and I’m just excited to be here,” she gushed. “I’m like, ‘Where’s the champagne?’ Let me have some fun. … I’m just excited to be me again.”
