Alex Dutton has quite the journey ahead of her in 1923. Not only does she have to cross an ocean in the hopes of reuniting with husband Spencer Dutton in Montana, but the season 2 premiere revealed she’ll be embarking on the journey while pregnant.

In an exclusive interview, Julia Schlaepfer, 29, dished on what kind of challenges the mother-to-be will face en route to Bozeman, where she and Brandon Sklenar’s Spencer were headed before he was taken away for throwing her ex-fiancé Arthur (Rafe Soule) overboard in the season 1 finale. “It’s certainly going to make her journey a lot more difficult,” the actress told Us. “There’s so much more at stake for her being pregnant and knowing that there is a child on the way.”

“If you’re just taking care of yourself [while] moving through the world, you can make choices for yourself that feel right, but now she has a child to take care of,” she explained. “It’s going to be tricky, especially being a pregnant woman in the 1920s alone. That adds a level of intensity to the situation.”

Though the fan-favorite character is known for being brave and fearless, Alex “has to be a lot more careful with how she’s treated and how she takes care of herself along the way,” Schlaepfer continued. “It becomes her ultimate priority to make sure that this child stays alive and that they can all be reunited as a family.”

Brandon Sklenar Teases What Will Happen to Spencer in Final Season of ‘1923’

It remains to be seen what kind of roadblocks Alex will encounter in the rest of the season, but Schlaepfer believes the former Countess of Sussex will face a reality check during her travels. “She’s lived a very privileged life,” the Politician alum said. “I don’t think that she quite [understands] the dangers that exist in different parts of the world, so there’s a lot of learning.”

Playing the “feisty woman” has been “a dream role” for Schlaepfer. “Alex pounces on everything that she wants and she’s very strong,” she told Us. “She’s been very sheltered, but she is determined, and we see a lot more of that in season 2 as well.”

In real life, Alex has motivated Schlaepfer — who jokes she would also “would run away to Africa with a man that I fell in love with after a day” — to follow her own dreams: The actress moved to Montana after falling in love with the state following Taylor Sheridan’s legendary cowboy camp.

The Duttons Vow to ‘Defend or Die’ in Action-Packed ‘1923’ Season 2 Trailer

“I was feeling so inspired by Alex and how she just follows her happiness wherever it leads her,” she explained, noting she was “so happy” working in Big Sky Country. “I [thought], ‘Why wouldn’t I follow that happiness and take a leap?’”

Now, “I live on a ranch in Montana,” she added. “I’m so happy and I never want to leave.”

Season 2 of 1923 airs Sundays on Paramount+.

Sebastian Roché is no stranger to playing villains, but one brutal moment in 1923 made him change his approach.

In an interview with Us Weekly, the actor, 60, reflected on preparing to film his character, Father Renaud, killing Leenah Robinson’s Baapuxti — a student at the North Dakota Boarding School for Native Americans — in season 1. “There was a whole room full of Indigenous [and] Native American young women,” Roché recalled. “Before the scene, I wanted to clear the air and talk about what we were about to do because we’re recreating [the] history that truly happened.”

“I wanted to clear the air by kind of asking forgiveness before we did the scene,” the Vampire Diaries alum continued. “That really helped not only everyone [else] to ease the tension, but myself, because I suddenly felt unbelievably emotional in those scenes.”

“[It’s] so realistic that really, I got incredibly emotional and nervous,” Roche explained, noting that afterward, “I was truly physically exhausted.”

Sebastian Roche Teases Possible Jerry Jacks Return on ‘General Hospital’

In 1923, Roché’s Father Renaud is the abusive headmaster at the North Dakota Boarding School for Native Americans where Baapuxti and her cousin Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves) are students. In season 1, Teonna kills two abusive nuns before fleeing into the night. After the priest discovers the deceased women, he interrogates Baapuxti for answers. When she refuses to reveal where Teonna has run off to, Father Renaud kills her. Season 2 picks up where the finale left off, with Father Renaud and U.S. Marshals looking for Teonna.

Filming season 2 was “physically taxing as well as emotionally taxing,” Roché told Us, noting his character goes through “a change” in the Yellowstone prequel’s return. “He’s accompanied by this marshal who may be even more ruthless than he is, so he sees an alter ego, a sort of carbon copy of himself, which makes him start to question certain things about himself.”

For Roché — whose previous roles include The Vampire Diaries’ Mikael Mikaelson and General Hospital’s Jerry Jacks — it’s crucial that he not view his characters as “evil” or “bad” when bringing them to life onscreen. Instead, he opts to go through a “psychological evaluation” of the character.

The Duttons Vow to ‘Defend or Die’ in Action-Packed ‘1923’ Season 2 Trailer

“Anthony Hopkins always told me [to] read the script — he reads the script 80 times — and eventually, the script will tell you its secrets,” he told Us. “I could find [Father Renaud] is a terrifying character, but where does that ruthlessness come from?”

“He necessitates so much energy and focus, and it’s quite an exhausting character to play in the best possible way, because he’s so rich,” Roché added. “He may be one-sided to you, but to me, he’s extremely rich.”

Roché is looking forward to viewers witnessing his character’s journey play out in season 2. “You’re going to see many different aspects of Father Renaud,” he added, “which I found really, really exciting and interesting.”

Season 2 of 1923 premieres Sunday, February 23, on Paramount+.

© Emerson Miller/Paramount+

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Julia Schlaepfer knows the love story she and Brandon Sklenar have brought to life in 1923 is special — and according to her, the connection they share in real life is completely organic.

In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, the actress, 29, revealed she and Sklenar, 34, immediately hit it off when production began on the Yellowstone prequel, in which they star as Alex and Spencer Dutton, respectively. “It’s a testament to Taylor [Sheridan’s] casting and our casting director because we never had a chemistry read,” Schlaepfer shared. “We just immediately connected when we met. There was an instant bond that we had.”

In season 1, sparks flew when Alex and Spencer crossed paths in Africa. Though Alex was engaged to Arthur (Rafe Soule) — a member of the British royal family — at the time, she left him behind to pursue a romance with Spencer.

Schlaepfer credited traveling together for helping the actors foster a strong working relationship. “We only had each other to rely on, and so we got really close really quickly,” she explained. “We’d spend hours, especially season 1, discussing the scenes, the connection, the characters and the nuances of it. It was our favorite thing to talk about.”

Brandon Sklenar Teases What Will Happen to Spencer in Final Season of ‘1923’

“Our natural chemistry is something that you can’t really work on — it just happened,” the Politician alum continued. “We were very, very fortunate in that way, that that’s just how we get along.”

Throughout season 1, Alex and Spencer navigated various roadblocks, including being charged at by wild animals during a hunting trip in Africa and being on a tugboat that capsizes in shark-infested waters. Ultimately, they were separated in the finale when a duel between Spencer and Arthur resulted in Arthur being thrown overboard. In the final moments, Alex vowed to meet Spencer in Bozeman, where they were en route to be with the Dutton family.

Viewers have been anxiously awaiting to see whether Alex and Spencer will reunite in Montana — and Schlaepfer admits that what awaits the characters feels personal. She’s not surprised their “epic, raw and real” love story has resonated with fans during a time when people are distracted by social media and dating apps, either. “It’s really hard in our day and age for people to truly connect,” she told Us. “These are two people who locked eyes for the first time and saw something in one another that they recognized and they didn’t look back.”

The Duttons Vow to ‘Defend or Die’ in Action-Packed ‘1923’ Season 2 Trailer

“It’s a rare thing to see two people just immediately choose each other, stick by each other, and trust in the love that they feel for one another, even if it doesn’t make sense [and] even if they’re polar opposites,” she said. “That’s the type of love that our world is starving for right now.”

Though she’s staying mum on what’s in store for her character, season 2 “gave me more than I ever could have dreamed of in terms of Alex’s story,” Schlaepfer added. “I feel so grateful to have been able to tell their love story in this way, and to continue on the Dutton legacy with people like Helen [Mirren] and Harrison [Ford]. It’s been an honor.”

Season 2 of 1923 premieres Sunday, February 23 on Paramount+

Pursuing a showbiz career was nothing more than a “pipe dream” for a young Connie Britton.

“I used to say to my best friend on the phone late at night, ‘If I could do anything, I’d be an actress,’” Britton, 57, exclusively shared in the latest issue of Us Weekly. With her upbringing in Virginia being “quintessential Americana,” fate intervened in the form of an ad for The Brothers McMullen in Backstage magazine.

“It was a Sunday audition, and I was going to visit my sister in Washington, D.C., so I thought to myself, ‘Well, if I decide to come back early, maybe I’ll go by that audition,’” she explained, noting she eventually decided to head back to New York. “Eddie Burns was doing auditions at his dad’s office, which is why he had to do it on a Sunday. He couldn’t do it during the week.”

After Burns cast her on the spot, she recalled thinking, “Oh, this is going to be really bad if they’re just offering me the job.” Wrong: Her feature film debut won the Grand Jury Prize at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival and launched her career.

Connie Britton Compares Her New Role to Friday Night Lights’ Tami Taylor

Friday Night Lights, The White Lotus and other four-star projects have kept Britton in demand. The one that got away? 1996’s Jerry Maguire. Losing the role that went to Renée Zellweger was a “major heartbreak,” she told Us. “In retrospect, I love my career and [it] just took a different path — after getting over the initial sting and heartbreak of that, I have no regrets.”

Next, she crosses off a “bucket list item” by joining Robert De Niro for the conspiracy thriller Zero Day, streaming now on Netflix. Looks like her younger self’s wildest fantasy came true: “I’m one of those fortunate people [who] had a dream,” she said, “and, against all odds and logic, found myself going for it.”

Scroll through to find out what’s happened since.

College Days (1980s)

Spending freshman year at Beijing Normal University with now-U.S. senator Kirsten Gillibrand was “eye-opening,” Britton, who was majoring in Asian studies at Dartmouth College, shared. “It was still very much communist China. Everybody was wearing Mao suits.” Despite being taken aback upon arrival (“I remember landing and my initial thought was, ‘Nobody prepared me.’”), the actress credits that academic year for changing her perspective, calling it a “transformative experience.”

‘Spin City’ (1996–2000)

Snagging her first series regular role as Nikki Faber, a staffer in the NYC mayor’s office, on Michael J. Fox’s Spin City was a “big deal,” she admitted. “I grew up on sitcoms, and that was my biggest inspiration in terms of TV watching.” The ABC gig doubled as a masterclass: “Literally, I was learning on the job,” she told Us. “It was such a steep learning curve, but Michael was the best.”

Connie Britton Still Sees 'Zero Day' Costar Jesse Plemons as FNL's Landry

‘Friday Night Lights’ (2006-2011)

Tami and Coach Taylor forever, y’all! As half of one of TV’s most loving, relatable couples, Britton received two Emmy nods. Of Kyle Chandler, her husband on the beloved sports drama, “The baseline of our working relationship was that we knew that we could take a risk and fall down, and the other one would be there to pick us up,” she shared. “There was absolutely unconditional trust between us, and we’re still amazing friends.”

One of her favorite scenes was in season 1, when a frustrated Tami whisper-shouted at Eric while cleaning up the house during a party. “We had so much fun doing that,” Britton shared, noting their rift was semi-improvised. “That felt like one of the early moments where I was like, ‘This is what I want for these [characters].’” If the duo have their way, they’ll reunite: “We keep talking about what we could do together.”

‘American Horror Story’ (2011)

The script for Ryan Murphy’s first AHS installment, Murder House, was, well, a shocker. “I was like, ‘This is never going to stay in the show,’ especially the Rubber Man,” Britton said, adding she considered the content “too crazy for TV” and “said as much” to Murphy. Playing Vivien Harmon, who gives birth to the antichrist, would push Britton out of her comfort zone, but she believed in the vision. “[Ryan] said, ‘This is going to be completely different from everything you’ve [done in] the last five years.’ That appealed to me.” As for the shocking plot twist, in which viewers found out Vivien and daughter Violet (Taissa Farmiga) were dead? “I thought it was awesome.”

‘Nashville’ (2012-2018)

The drama marked Britton’s first project as a single mom. (The Dirty John alum adopted son Yoby, now 14, in 2011.) “I started working 18 hours a day, and I [was] a brand new mother to an infant,” she recalled. “That was pretty eye-opening for me in terms of like, ‘Oh, this is different.’ It was challenging for sure.” Her character, country queen Rayna Jaymes, died in season 5, an event that “felt like a real death, and that was what it needed to be.” As viewers mourned the loss of the musician, Britton mourned the loss of the character, too. “I wish it could have happened differently,” she said. “It was very heartbreaking.”

‘The White Lotus’ (2021)

Shooting the fantastic anthology series’ first season during the COVID-19 pandemic required masks, daily testing and food delivery. “It was very scary and very different from any other experience I’ve ever had,” Britton admitted. The silver lining, besides the Hawaiian location? The cast and crew “bonded together because we had to be isolated.” Despite filming during a “terrifying time,” Britton looks back on that “wonderful” project with great fondness. “We were working with one of the great writer directors of our time, Mike White, and the material and cast [were] incredible.”

Here’s Every Nostalgic Cast Reunion From the Emmy Awards

Missing the Emmy Awards (2024)

An impending snowstorm on the East Coast, where she was shooting Zero Day, forced Britton to skip the Emmys and a planned AHS reunion with Dylan McDermott. Her Toni Maticevski gown still had a moment… on Instagram. “We loved that dress so much that I was like, ‘We’re taking a picture!’”

 

It’s hard to believe there was a time when the rowdy antics of Lindsay Lohan, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber all but overshadowed their success in the industry. But these days, those headline-making controversial moments seem to have become nothing more than afterthoughts in their impressive lives and careers. But it begs the question: What caused these former child stars to rebel in the first place?

According to psychotherapist Dr. Jenn Mann — who guided Lohans’ parents, Dina and Michael Lohan, and more families on VH1’s Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn — becoming famous at a young age can cause developmental issues. “The dynamic of having more money and power than your parents can make it very difficult for young stars to go through typical developmental milestones,” the Relationship Fix: Dr. Jenn’s 6-Step Guide to Improving Communication, Connection & Intimacy author told Us.

An impressionable adolescent who embarks on a career more suitable for adults is likely to be exposed to too much, too soon, including alcohol and drugs. And when they’re surrounded by ‘yes people’ without a proper support system in place, Mann said this “creates a whole new set of problems and dangers.”

Lindsay Lohan Through the Years

There’s no need to rehash the past: Lohan, Lovato and Bieber’s troubled times are all well-documented, with arrests, drug use and public meltdowns. With Cyrus, the scrutiny came after her scandalous performances, a nude photo leak and a very risqué birthday cake. But growth is personal, and each star follows their own timeline.

For some — like Lohan, 38, who relocated to a paparazzi-free Dubai in 2014 — that includes figuring themselves out away from the spotlight. “When you get famous before you can discover who you are, it isn’t easy to know who you are and what you want,” Sara Fruman, founder of PR agency Soul Evolution Media, told Us. “These stars took a step back from public life, prioritized their mental health and found grounding.”

Others seek help, available in a myriad of ways. Two years after canceling the remainder of 2017’s Purpose World Tour while struggling with depression, Bieber, 30 — who’s said his first year of marriage was “tough” on account of “trauma stuff” — shared a photo of himself at a therapy session captioned, “It’s cool to have a healthy mind and emotions.”

Speaking with a mental health professional allows the opportunity to reflect and develop coping skills, which comes in handy when those who joined the entertainment industry early come to terms with their unconventional upbringing. “In order to overcome the impact of child stardom and trauma, people need to get to the root of these issues,” Shari Botwin, trauma therapist and author of Stolen Childhoods: Thriving After Abuse, told Us. “As they mature, they have a much better understanding of the impact of earlier life traumas.”

Demi Lovato Doc: Biggest Revelations From Child Stars About Fame Pitfalls

Last June, Lovato, 32 — whose 2024 Child Star doc featured celebs talking about their experiences growing up in showbiz — got candid about seeking mental health treatment five times and noted that being prescribed the “right medication” helped “tremendously.” By doing so, she may have had a larger impact than she knows, Botwin explained: “Lovato has been a role model for others as she has shared about times when she has gone to residential facilities to focus on her mental health.”

Then there’s Cyrus, who makes no qualms about coming of age — and making mistakes — in front of the world. Last August, while being named a Disney Legend at the D23 Expo, the Hannah Montana alum, 32, joked there was a “bug in the system which caused me to malfunction somewhere between … 2013 and ’16” that made her rebel against her former squeaky-clean image.

(Cyrus, to her credit, seemingly used the backlash from that time as inspo for 2023’s “Used to Be Young,” in which she sings, “You say I used to be wild/I say I used to be young.” Touché!)

So, what role has society — known to be largely unforgiving — played in giving them the space to grow? As it turns out, a significant one. Though Mann admitted there was a time when society loved to put celebrities on a pedestal, there has been a shift in recent years.

Lindsay! Selena! Disney Stars Through the Years

“As the culture has become more therapy-oriented and developed more insight about human behavior, there is more forgiveness,” the therapist said. “When celebrities are able to be authentic, share their struggle and how they have overcome difficulties, they are more well received.”

For Fruman, it’s no surprise these former child stars have rebounded from tragic situations to triumph: “It is always possible to gain society’s favor again,” she told Us, “if you make the right moves and have a forward-thinking publicity team that understands that honesty and authenticity drive public opinion moving into 2025.”

Public figures who’ve had missteps while maturing shouldn’t be tethered to them — and we have a responsibility to allow second chances. Think about it: Would you want your worst moments from adolescence to define you for the rest of your life? After all, everyone loves a good comeback story.

Craig T. Nelson made sure to bring a piece of Hayden Fox with him when Coach wrapped in 1997.

For nine seasons, the actor, 80, starred as the passionate football coach for Minnesota State University’s fictional Screaming Eagles. The beloved character was largely revered for his, at-times, extreme approach to guiding his team to victory and his relatable approach to fatherhood.

When Coach ended, Nelson stayed true to the ABC sitcom’s sports theme when it involved snagging keepsakes from the set. “I took home a bunch of Screaming Eagles football jerseys and footballs,” he said while sharing 25 fun facts exclusively with Us Weekly.

Nelson’s latest role features the Parenthood alum stepping back into the world of sports. In Green and Gold — in theaters now — he stars as Buck, a Wisconsin dairy farmer on the brink of foreclosure when he takes a risk by betting on the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl.

‘Parenthood’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

“My favorite scene to film was driving the tractor down the main street,” he told Us of the drama, inspired by true events, and also starring Madison Lawlor and Brandon Sklenar. “How often do you get a chance to drive a tractor down the main street of a town?”

For more fun stories from Nelson, including which role inspired his dream alternate profession, keep scrolling:

1. My celebrity crush growing up was Jean Simmons.

2. My biggest takeaway from filming Troop Beverly Hills is that I was never a Girl Scout like the rest of the cast.

3. My favorite scene to film in Green and Gold was driving the tractor down the main street. How often do you get a chance to drive a tractor down the main street of a town?

4. My dream collaborator is [director] Barry Levinson.

5. My most valuable possession is my bible.

6. My favorite comfort meal is a Rib Eye Steak, grilled and medium rare, with cream spinach.

7. My first car was a 1949 Chevy Coupe.

8. The most starstruck moment I’ve had was meeting John Wayne.

9. If I could only watch one movie for the rest of my life, it would be To Kill A Mockingbird.

10. My favorite book is Les Miserables.

11. My first job was bagging groceries.

12.  My alternate profession would be an Air Force Pilot, due to my experience playing one in Call to Glory.

13.  The song that brings back the best memories is The Everly Brothers’ “Dream.”

14.  My go-to takeout or fast-food order is Carne Asada from Howdy’s.

15.  English and accounting were my best subjects in school.

16.  The entertainer I looked up to the most when I was growing up was Marlon Brando.

17.  The proudest moment of my career is still being able to work at my craft.

18.  I took home a bunch of Screaming Eagles football jerseys and footballs from the set of Coach.

19.  My favorite place to vacation is Kauai, Hawaii because it’s calm, beautiful, peaceful, and [full of] lovely people. We’ve gone there almost every year for the last 30 years.

20.  Three items I can’t leave the house without are my shoes, keys and underwear.

21.  The TV series I’m binge-watching right now is Extraordinary Attorney Woo on Netflix.

22.  My favorite childhood memory that makes me smile is playing baseball in the park in the state of Washington with kids from the neighborhood.

23.  The one thing left on my bucket list is to revisit Italy.

24.  My favorite way to spend the weekend is writing my book, and visiting with my children and grandchildren.

25.  To decompress or unwind after a hectic day, I spend time quietly alone with God.

For Brianne Howey, filming Kinda Pregnant was truly a gas.

In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, the Ginny & Georgia star, 35, dished on the rom-com, which stars Amy Schumer as Lainy, a newly single teacher who, while pretending to be pregnant, meets her dream guy (Will Forte).

“I read the script when I was three months postpartum [and] I had never read anything that related so closely to where I was currently at in my life,” Howey told Us. “It was the fastest page-turner. I laughed at every joke.”

One hilarious scene, in which Lainy meets Howey’s character Megan at a prenatal yoga class, features a group of women relaxing so much that they can’t help but break wind. “Nobody kept it together — we couldn’t, it was impossible,” Howey shared of filming the moment. “The director [Tyler Spindel] finally just said, ‘Okay, one take with no farts,’ because we couldn’t get through it.”

'Ginny & Georgia' Cast: Who the Stars Have Dated in Real Life

“We had to do one take with no sound effects [and] no farting in order to get the acting that we needed,” she continued, laughing. “It’s distracting! It took a few takes. That wasn’t a one-off.”

Howey’s Megan is a no-nonsense mother of one who’s expecting her second child — and according to the actress, the role “resonated so deeply” with her after she welcomed her daughter, whose name has not been shared publicly, with husband Matt Ziering in June 2023.

“Of all the characters I’ve ever played, Meg has hit the closest to home,” Howey shared. “My daughter has only become more wild as time has gone on, and my house has only gotten messier, so I feel like Meg is who I was, in real life, going to become.”

The Happy Madison-produced film was a “collaborative” experience for Howey, who used her real-life childbirth experience in a scene where Lainy and Meg have an emotional conversation about the reality of pregnancy, labor and motherhood.

“That wasn’t the original scene,” Howey explained. “Amy called me the night before and goes, ‘I love this scene. Do you think we can make it even more our own?’ and I was like, ‘Okay, talk to me — what does that mean?’”

Schumer, who shares son Gene, 5, with husband Chris Fischer, suggested the co-stars share their own birth stories to shed an authentic light on the experience. “We did it and I’m super grateful to her,” Howey told Us. “I’ve never gotten to do anything like that and it felt really special.”

Amy Schumer and Chris Fischer’s Sweetest Family Moments

Though she was a fan of Schumer’s before joining forces on the Netflix film, Howey enjoyed watching the “comedic genius” in action. “I admire the way she operates and she’s super savvy,” Howey shared. “She gives you so much to play off of, so it was really fun — and scary — to bounce ideas off of her and to improvise with her.”

Working on Kinda Pregnant alongside other parents — including Bell, Forte and Alex Moffat — proved to be a positive experience for the then-new mom. “Amy offered to turn one of the rooms in the stages into a nursery because that’s what she had done with her son when she was shooting Life & Beth,” Howey explained. “My daughter was there a lot.”

“We have all these fun little memories around the house from the movie,” Howey told Us. “It was really a wonderful experience.”

Kinda Pregnant is streaming now on Netflix.

© Scott Yamano/Netflix

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From 2005 to 2010, Kendra Wilkinson was known as one of the Girls Next Door, three blonde bombshells sharing a glimpse into life at the famed Playboy Mansion. But for the reality star, it’s been difficult to shake 
comparisons to who she was 
— and what she looked like — nearly two decades ago.

“I was living my life and enjoying my 20s, being skinny and [a] party girl. I didn’t realize I was setting myself up for this unrealistic expectation in my 30s,” Wilkinson, 39, tells Us. “I feel like society needs me to stay the girl they once knew.”

However, as she approaches her 40th birthday this June, the mom of two (she and ex Hank Baskett share son Hank IV, 15, and daughter Alijah, 10) is proud to be embracing herself in every form. She’s also done with strangers sharing their unsolicited opinions: On January 12, the Kendra Sells Hollywood alum slammed critics attacking her looks, declaring on Instagram, “For those of you hating on my new weight [and] 40 yr old face, please know that I’m happy, healthy and at peace in life finally.”

Most importantly, “I’m becoming the woman I want to be,” she tells Us. “I feel free, to be honest.”

Kendra Wilkinson Thanks Fans For ‘Positive Comments’ About Weight Gain

Here, Wilkinson talks ushering in a new era.

What inspired you to address body-shamers on Instagram?

It’s important to highlight these things. I see a lot of ageism [and] a lot of body-shaming, and it’s not right. We’re human. People are getting mad at women for aging [or] gaining a pound. It’s unfortunate we have to feel [like] we have to be 25 [years old] and a size zero forever. I’m unapologetically me at all times, and I have the confidence to rise above it and to be comfortable in my own skin. This is about embracing life now.

Was there a moment you prioritized self-confidence?

This past year, I’ve been working really hard on myself. Before that, I [was] struggling with life through divorce, depression and mental health. I’ve been through absolute hell — my 30s were a mess — and [I] thank God I hit that rock bottom because the only way to go is up. I finally did the proper work to get to that point of confidence. Before, I was self-sabotaging and living in regret 
and shame, so even though 
I was skinny and fit, [that] doesn’t mean I was necessarily happy. Now that
I’ve gained a couple of pounds, I feel confident. I feel great about myself. This is the first time in a long time I want to prance around in a bathing suit with everybody watching.

What was behind your 
mental health struggles?

Divorce definitely knocked me down to the ground, and then things spiraled out of control. I had to embrace life as a single mom. [Hank] is a great dad, but on my side, I’m alone, so I’ve had to go through the regret of the past by myself. I lived in a deep depression for years and it was a battle. Finally, I went through a psychotic breakdown, and I had to be hospitalized. It was the darkest point of my life. I had to recover.

How are you maintaining a healthy lifestyle now?

I had [to] focus on a realistic mindset and how to improve my thoughts. Self-care is so important. [I also do] journaling, and I’m on medication, which probably has something to do with my weight gain. The doctor did try to prescribe me Ozempic and I said no to it. What I’m doing [instead] is cooking. I’m going to cook more using good oils, but I’m not going to go on any crazy diet.

Have you reconciled with your Playboy past?

I still have setbacks when it comes to why I did Playboy or why I moved in [to the Playboy Mansion] at 18. I do signings and most of the pictures are Playboy photos. A year ago, I was crying. I was like, “Oh my God, this is not me anymore.” I was so mad at myself and the world. I felt trapped in this Playboy image. It’s too much pressure and you don’t know how to fight it mentally. Honestly, it’s about thinking positively. I live authentically and I’ve finally stepped into that place for the first time since Girls Next Door.

Kendra Wilkinson Through the Years: From Playboy Playmate to Full-Time Mom

Are you looking for love?

I’ve been on the Raya dating app waiting list for almost five years. Am I happy as f— right now being alone? F— yeah. I actually like my freedom and I have boy toys here and there. Do I want to find love again? Sure, yeah. I’m open to it, but at the moment, I like my freedom.

How’s your headspace as you enter your 40s? What’s next for you?

I’m still in real estate right now and doing a great job. Things are looking up. I feel blessed. I couldn’t be happier going into my 40s. I’m so proud of all the obstacles I’ve overcome, and my kids are happy. I feel confident I will find love again [and] let me tell you, my weight gain ain’t stopping the hottest guys [from] coming at me. The best version of Kendra is here right now.

For more on Wilkinson, pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.

Fans have waited on bated breath to see what awaits Georgia Miller in season 3 of Ginny & Georgia — and according to Brianne Howey, the writers, cast and crew are just as excited for fans to find out.

In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Howey, 35, dished on where viewers will find the single mom of two, who was last seen getting arrested for murder during her over-the-top wedding to Paul (Scott Porter) in season 2’s shocking cliffhanger.

“All of the characters are now, as we see, on their own mental health journey, and it’s a really important part of the show,” the actress told Us while discussing her new movie, Kinda Pregnant. “Georgia, for the first time in her life, is realizing the catastrophic consequences of her actions that they have on her children.”

Howey continued, “As season 2 starts, Georgia has been so exposed — all of their private family secrets are now out in the open — and you can only imagine the domino effect of what this does to everyone in Georgia’s life, including Georgia.”

Brianne Howey Teases the 'New Sides' to Ginny and Georgia in Season 3

Though the first two seasons of the drama showed Georgia and Ginny (Antonia Gentry) butting heads, the mother-daughter duo experienced a slight breakthrough in season 2. Watching the pair navigate their highs and lows as both a single mother doing her best — and a teenager perceiving it differently — resonates with fans, which comes as no surprise to Howey.

“I think what we love so much about Ginny and Georgia is their love for each other,” Howey shared. “What Georgia is out there showing is that there’s no wrong way to love your child — it might look different on everybody, but there’s no wrong way to love your child.”

“Georgia, even with her limited toolbox — and she, of course, doesn’t get it all right — but she is trying so hard,” she added. “I think that’s what really matters.”

Filming season 3 as a new mom (Howey and husband Matt Ziering welcomed their daughter, whose name has not been shared publicly, in 2023) proved to be a “completely different experience” than the first two: “Having my own daughter going through these scenes … meant so much more in a new way.”

Being raised by a single mother herself, Howey told Us “100 percent, so much of this role is for my mom”— and she believes the show continues to be a hit because of how authentic the stories are. “The more personal you make the work, the more universal it becomes, and the writing, the story, the nuance, it’s so personal to everybody involved and it seems to be making waves,” she said. “No matter what walk of life you come from, there seems to be a character that you feel like you can really relate to and that you want to go on this journey with them.”

'Ginny & Georgia' Cast: Who the Stars Have Dated in Real Life

With season 3 under her belt, Howey is excited for fans to see what’s in store for the Millers when Ginny & Georgia returns to Netflix on June 5. “It’s an incredible season,” she told Us. “It means so much to the cast and the crew, and I think everyone is so excited for the audience to finally get to see it — everyone really gave it their all.”

Georgia isn’t the mama Howey is bringing to life: In Netflix’s Kinda Pregnant, the Dear Santa actress co-stars alongside Amy Schumer as Megan, a fed-up mom of one with another on the way. “It was so fun,” Howey said of filming the rom-com. “Amy was really collaborative, and she really just wanted Meg to feel like the most grounded, real woman out there that everybody could relate to.”

Kinda Pregnant premieres on Wednesday, February 5, on Netflix.

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Even Nick Offerman is impressed by Ron Swanson’s amusing one-liners.

In an interview with Us Weekly, Offerman, 54, dished on his favorite moment featuring his beloved Parks and Recreation character. “One that always springs to mind [is] food-related,” the actor shared while discussing his new Pringles campaign. “We were at a bowling alley and there was a bulletin board with plastic letters [next to] a concession window, and it said something like, ‘Hot Dog, 85 cents, Hamburger, $1.15’ and I say, ‘This is my favorite restaurant in Pawnee.’”

“Rashida [Jones, who played Ann Perkins] says, ‘Aren’t you afraid to eat there?’ and I say, ‘When I eat, it’s the food that is scared,’” Offerman told Us, noting that a “great” Parks and Recreation writer Dan Gore came up with the line. “I remember the imitable smell of a bowling alley, and the red and blue leather shoes.”

The series’ fourth season episode, titled “Bowling for Votes,” features Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) recruiting her staff to join her for a fun night of bowling after she’s told by a local resident that he wouldn’t vote for her to be on the city council because she doesn’t look like someone he could go bowling with.

'Parks and Recreation' Cast: Where Are They Now?

The NBC sitcom — which premiered in 2009 and aired for seven seasons — starred Offerman, Jones, Poehler, Aziz Ansari (Tom Haverford), Adam Scott (Ben Wyatt), Chris Pratt (Andy Dwyer), Aubrey Plaza (April Ludgate), Rob Lowe (Chris Traeger), Retta (Donna Meagle) and Jim O’Heir (Jerry Gergich) as the team overseeing the fictional Pawnee’s Parks and Recreation department.

Despite the series ending in 2015, Offerman’s character has gained a cult following. Ron Swanson has become revered for his deadpan personality, love of meat and, of course, his iconic mustache, which has become the Last of Us actor’s signature look.

“Over the years, I’ve been really lucky to get certain gigs simply because they like my mustache,” he told Us. “I could be any jackass where they’re like, ‘Can you come to this job and bring that mustache? because that’s all we really care about.”

The facial hair came in handy for Pringles’ Super Bowl campaign, “Call of the Mustaches,” which features Offerman, Adam Brody, James Harden and Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid starring in a hilarious commercial.

Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally Recall Making Out on ‘Parks and Rec’

“There’s a bit of a snacking emergency, and Mr. Pringles — who insists that we call him Mr. P around the set — sort of sends out a clarion call and some of the great mustaches of the world come to answer the snacking emergency,” Offerman explained, joking that fellow ‘stache enthusiast Sam Elliot held a bootcamp for those featured in the Big Game spot.

“I never would’ve imagined that my mustache could do some of the things they got it to do,” Offerman added. “To be counted in this sort of Mount Rushmore of snacking mustaches makes me incredibly grateful.”

 

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In Green and Gold, Craig T. Nelson’s Buck fiercely defends both his land and his beloved Green Bay Packers.

The drama, inspired by true events, follows Buck, whose Wisconsin dairy farm is facing foreclosure when he’s presented with a unique opportunity to save his property. In Us Weekly’s exclusive clip, Buck arrives at his farm with his granddaughter Jenny (Madison Lawlor) to find Jerry (Tim Frank), a rent collector evaluating the land and taking photographs.

“I’ve got an agro [agriculture] business interested in developing the place,” Jerry explains. “It’ll be a huge operation. They’re going to want to tear all of this down and build a facility for 1000 [a] head.”

“This ain’t your land,” Buck responds.

“When you don’t pay your loan, it becomes my land, doesn’t it?” Jerry answers. “As much as you want it to, farming doesn’t look like it does in children’s books.”

Buck argues that prices will continue to go up and down, but the businessman is unmoved, telling the farmer: “Prices coming back up are about as likely as the Packers winning the Super Bowl.”

Going Through Super Bowl Withdrawals? Watch These Football Movies, TV Shows

Later in the film, Buck is offered up alternative to losing his farm: If the Green Bay Packers ‘go all the way’ in the Super Bowl, Jerry will give Buck one interest-free year to give him time to get his payments under control. However, if the Packers lose, Buck must sign everything over. With everything on the line, Buck realizes he has no other choice but to risk it all.

Meanwhile, as Buck focuses on saving his property, Jenny chases her dream of leaving the family business in order to become a professional singer. After meeting Brendan Skelnar’s Billy Reed — a famous musician with the contacts to help Jenny with her career as an aspiring singer — the two embark on a mission to make her dreams come true, much to Buck’s chagrin.

Comedian Tom Green Details His Canadian Farm Life With Mule Fanny

Inspired by true events, and in partnership with NFL Films and the Green Bay Packers — who are featured in the film — Nelson has said Green and Gold might be his favorite of all of the iconic projects he’s been involved in.

“At this stage in my life, a story that has heart like this, and tells the truth… that is what I was seeking,” Nelson shared. “And that truth is what I wanted to impart to my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.”

Green and Gold is in theaters now.

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The Millionaire Matchmaker alum Patti Stanger is still all about finding The One.

Stanger, 61, is gearing up for Valentine’s Day this year by chatting with Us Weekly exclusively — and about which single stars would make the perfect match.

Keep scrolling to see who Stanger paired up:

Colin Farrell & Angelina Jolie

The Alexander costars were linked in the early aughts, and if it were up to Stanger, they’d pick up where they left off. “I’d like to see them back together,” she tells Us of Farrell, 48, and Jolie, 49. “They’ve grown a lot, and they each have compassion and are family-oriented.” And with both of their careers “hotter than ever,” the Geminis have no reason to clash: “They have a lot in common.”

Unlikely Celebrity Couples Over the Years

Andrew Garfield & Isla Fisher

Age ain’t nothing but a number, but for Garfield, 41 (a “great catch,” Stanger tells Us), one higher than his own is certainly a perk! “He likes older women,” she says, pointing to Fisher, 49 — who announced her split from Sacha Baron Cohen in 2024 — as a great fit. Bonus? “He’s Jewish and she’s a convert — that would work.”

Michael B. Jordan & Zoë Kravitz

Kravitz, 36, is back on the market following her split from Channing Tatum — and Stanger believes she and the Creed III actor, 37, would have great synergy. “She’s got a solid career, he’s got a solid career, he’s handsome as f—, and she’s adorable,” Stanger, who recently opened her Millionaire’s Club matchmaking service in NYC, explains. To put it simply, “No one’s dating down here.”

Julie Bowen & Kevin Costner

The Modern Family alum is Costner’s type, says Stanger. “Kevin’s first wife [Cindy Silva] was brunette, but he really went for blondes after,” she explains. Bowen, 54, “is adorable, has tons of money and [wouldn’t be] running after his.” The Yellowstone alum, 70, could also benefit from someone who can “ground” him: “I think that they would be attracted to one another.”

Emily Ratajkowski & Jared Leto

Though the Patti Stanger: The Matchmaker star doesn’t usually advocate for significant age gaps between couples — the Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman is 53 while Ratajkowski is 33 — she believes the stars’ personalities would mesh well. “They’re both quirky, and I think his quirkiness would be very attractive to her,” she says. Plus, “She’s his look, and he’s her look.”

Sam Heughan & Anna Kendrick

The Outlander star, 44, needs an independent woman, says Stanger — which is why Kendrick, 39, would be (pitch!) perfect for him. “They’re both serial monogamists and have been through a lot,” she explains. “It would be good [for them] to be with someone who understands the other person’s commitment fear and kind of [help] heal each other.”

Celebrities Who Fell in Love With Non-Famous People: Lana Del Rey and More

Sergey Brin & Natalie Portman

Portman, 43, “deserves a good guy,” Stanger tells Us, and according to her, the Google cofounder, 51, is well-suited for the task. “I’d love this relationship: They’re both Jewish and foreigners,” she explains. The actress and Brin are also equals when it comes to success: “He’s one of the richest men in the world, and her career is at the top of the food chain.”

Kristin Cavallari & Tom Brady

“Tom is ready to settle [down], and I think he wants more of an athletic homebody, and that’s Kristin,” Stanger says. Distance wouldn’t be an issue for Brady, 47, and Cavallari, 38 — “She has a business where she could travel and he has homes all over” —
 and the two also share a common interest in raising their three respective children: “They can be the Brady Bunch!”

Demi Moore & Liam Neeson

If the stars are any indication, these A-listers are two peas in a pod. With Moore, 62, being a Scorpio and Neeson, 72, a Gemini, “They might have nice chemistry,” Stanger tells Us, noting the astrological signs are known to have “serious attractions” to each other. Most importantly, “They’re age-appropriate — and would merge their families nicely.”

For more from Stanger, pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.

Catherine O’Hara grabbed one of Moira Rose’s signature looks while evacuating her home during the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.

In an interview to promote her latest gig — starring in Michelob ULTRA’s 2025 Super Bowl spot, “The ULTRA Hustle” alongside Willem Dafoe — O’Hara, 70, recalled bringing some of Moira’s costume items home as keepsakes when Schitt’s Creek wrapped. “When I was evacuated two weeks ago, I took a lot of them with me,” the actress shared, noting that she snagged “Givenchy boots and this great outfit: A short dress with big, round, silver sequins from when I was babysitting [in the ‘Housewarming’ episode during season 5]” from the set.

“I was offered a lot of wigs, but I don’t have a setup to take good care of them, so I only brought [home] the Vivien wig, which was my soap opera character’s wig,” she continued. “That went with me in the evacuation.”

She also dished on what she misses most from her time filming Schitt’s Creek. “It’s just fun to work with people who collaborate and allow you to create an inconsistently crazy character with an inconsistent way of speaking and an amazing wardrobe,” the Home Alone star said, noting the series, which aired from 2015 to 2020, “relaunched opportunities for all of us.”

'Schitt's Creek' Cast: Where Are They Now?

Schitt’s Creek, which also starred Dan Levy, Eugene Levy and Annie Murphy, featured O’Hara stepping into the stylish shoes of the Rose family matriarch, who quickly became a fashion icon, thanks to her chic wardrobe and incredible wigs.

The character’s evolving hairstyles was something O’Hara had input on. “At the very beginning, I said, ‘I’d like to wear different wigs [in] different scenes,’ and Eugene was like, ‘Um, OK, how would that work?’” O’Hara — who won an Emmy and Golden Globe for the role — recalled. Somehow, “They made it work.”

Though O’Hara’s home was spared from the devastating wildfires, she felt conflicted, knowing so many — including longtime-collaborator Eugene — lost their properties. “It didn’t feel right praying for my home to be saved,” she admitted. “It was just, ‘We’ll see what happens.’ We were really lucky.”

“The least you can do is feel horrible,” she told Us, “and just try to find ways to help others.”

Catherine O’Hara Through the Years: ‘Home Alone,’ ‘Schitt’s Creek,' More

O’Hara hopes to inspire laughter with her new Michelob Ultra commercial, in which she and Dafoe show off their competitive sides while playing pickleball against professional athletes Sabrina Ionescu, Ryan Crouser, Jaume Martinez Vich, Emily Cederquist and Randy Moss.

“I got the script and really laughed reading it — just the very idea made me laugh,” she explained, noting it was also a perk that she’d be teaming up with Dafoe, who she briefly worked with on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. “He’s a great actor, but he also has a great sense of humor, and was really collaborative and fun.”

“It was as lovely as I hoped it would be,” she added. ”It was a great experience.”

Jim Carrey’s successful career is nothing to laugh at.

Since scoring his breakout gig on the series In Living Color in 1990, Carrey has captivated the big and small screen with his slick wit, hilarious humor and uncanny ability to bring people to stitches with laughter.

While Carrey is best known for his comedic roles in projects such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Dumb and Dumber and How The Grinch Stole Christmas, he has also surprised fans by taking on more serious roles in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Kidding and The Truman Show.

After decades of memorable performances, Carrey teased a potential acting retirement in April 2022. “I’ve done enough. I am enough,” he admitted to Access Hollywood at the time.

However, he backtracked his comments in a December 2024 exclusive with Us Weekly, sharing, “I think I’ve decided not to retire, but to have power rests. I meditate a lot.

Scroll through to relive Carrey’s best TV and movie roles over the years:

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For decades, it’s been an unspoken rule that celebrities are expected to be friendly and approachable in public — but lately, we’ve seen a shift in stars dropping the facade when their boundaries are crossed.

Take Jason Kelce. The typically affable former NFL player shocked his loyal following in November 2024 when he used the f-slur during a heated confrontation with a heckler who was following him and had used the same slur to insult his brother, Travis Kelce.

The dad of three, 37, isn’t the only star who’s lost their cool when provoked. In June 2024, footage circulated of Lana Del Rey clashing with a group of people following her and her family in Paris. (She later allegedly claimed on social media that they were “stalkers” who told her they’d try to “make me look bad.”)

There’s no argument that — to borrow from Jason’s subsequent apology — to “greet hate with hate” is entirely unacceptable. Still, these incidents have inspired an important conversation about the expectations of public figures’ reactions when their personal space is violated.

Kelce Family's Most Controversial Moments: Phone Swatting, More

With fan culture (and criticism) reaching new heights in today’s social media–driven society, it’s no wonder stars are getting tired of keeping up appearances.

“[A fan] may see a public figure as not being human in the same way they are — they may rather view them as larger than life, not ‘real’, and not empathize with being violated,” Dr. Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell School of Medicine, told Us. Alternatively, “Their envy of the celebrity who seems to have it all could drive their being aggressive and feeling entitled to act in whatever way they choose.”

Feeling entitled to a star’s attention is not only misguided but can also lead to negative interactions. “Sometimes a celebrity is pushed to assert boundaries because others are threatening, disrespectful, hurtful, attacking or dangerous,” Saltz shared. That may just be what the person who is doing the provoking is hoping for: “Negative attention is deemed better than no attention at all to someone who craves the attention.”

Celebs Fight Back on Social Media

It’s easy to dismiss a celebrity who lashes out in public as selfish or difficult, but sometimes, they’ve simply reached their limit. “This tends to occur when there are a combination of emotional, psychological and situational factors at play,” licensed clinical professional counselor Anne M. Appel told Us, pointing to stress, burnout and fatigue as factors. “Ideally, they’d respond in a calm and composed way — however, just like all people, they can get pushed to a ‘breaking point’ and may react in a less than ideal way publicly.”

This could explain the April 2024 video of Alec Baldwin allegedly hitting a cell phone out of a stranger’s hand. In reality, the individual had been berating him for several moments — going so far as to ask an offensive question about the victim of the fatal 2021 Rust shooting — before he reacted.

Setting limits is “absolutely reasonable,” says Appel, who encourages celebrities to communicate their expectations “clearly and directly.”

But is it bad business for a household name to show their less-than-shiny sides, like when Chappell Roan received mixed reactions for publicly confronting photographers on two separate occasions? According to Robbie Vorhaus, founder of PR/media company Vorhaus Communications, Inc., it depends on the context.

Daniel Craig Praises Chappell Roan's Criticism of Fame: 'Celebrity Kills'

“The issue of celebrities having their boundaries crossed is complex because public visibility is inherently part of their profession,” he told Us. “However, this doesn’t justify harassment or invasion of personal space.”

Paparazzi are known to invade celebrities’ personal space. For example, Tom Holland was filmed allegedly pushing away a photographer who got a little too close to his now-fiancée, Zendaya, in October 2024 — but it’s unlikely the incident will resonate when it involves his flawless reputation.

“If a celebrity’s response appears justified, it rarely causes lasting career damage,” Vorhaus explained. Still, “We advise clients to establish clear boundaries while remaining professional, as a recorded outburst can overshadow the initial provocation.”

Chris Vlasto, cofounder of crisis communications firm Haven Strategies, agrees these incidents don’t have long-term effects, noting that for those who’ve had public scuffles with paparazzi, “All of the instances are replayed for decades but in the end, their audiences don’t care. The battles are meaningless and the fans are sympathetic.”

The takeaway? The Golden Rule — do unto others as you would have them do unto you — still applies when you’re dealing with those in the spotlight. A little empathy goes a long way, so remember there’s always more to the story, and that stars really are just like Us: They have good days and bad days too.

Rebecca Falcone is one of the most powerful characters on Landman — and in order to portray the litigator effectively, Kayla Wallace had to do her research.

During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Wallace, 31, dished on watching real court trials to get in the right headspace for her role in Taylor Sheridan’s drama series. “I was really interested in the questioning and the manipulation of how litigators get what they need out of the questioning itself,” the actress told Us. “I found that to be so fascinating. It’s a whole art on its own.”

Not only did Wallace sit in on a trial in Fort Worth — where Landman was filmed — but she also looked to highly publicized trials on the internet for inspiration.

“I watched some famous cases [and] celebrity trials,” Wallace told Us, noting that included “both” the 1995 O.J. Simpson trial and the 2022 Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial. She also rewatched The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story: “That was super helpful.”

Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Landman’ Unveils 1st Look and Premiere Date

In episode 4, Rebecca proved her prowess as a negotiator by demanding respect during a tense deposition alongside Tommy (Billy Bob Thornton). The dialogue-heavy scene featured Rebecca fiercely telling a sexist attorney, “Do you think they hired me because I’m pretty? I charge $900 an hour … and you’re real close to learning why.”

Wallace admitted that scene was “one of the biggest to tackle,” explaining, “I remember feeling like I’d run a marathon at the end of the day.” Ultimately, she was proud of the result: “It was really wonderful to experience having to build that confidence in her and also in myself.”

For the When Calls The Heart alum, starring as Rebecca — “a powerful, strong, smart woman” — has been a dream. As it turns out, the role was made for her, with Sheridan reworking the character after seeing Wallace’s audition for Ainsley, played by Michelle Randolph.

“I’m so honored that he saw whatever he saw in me and trusted me, almost in a time where I didn’t trust myself at first,” she told Us. She doesn’t take being part of Sheridan’s successful television empire lightly, either: “We all just feel so lucky to have him at the helm of our ship.”

Michelle Randolph Defends 'Landman' Character 'Sparking Conversation'

Working opposite Thornton, 69, was also a masterclass in acting. “It’s really inspiring to watch, and it makes filming a scene so exciting because he’s so in the moment,” Wallace explained. “He’s such a pro, and so incredibly talented — I took a lot away from him.”

In the season 1 finale, Rebecca faced a moral dilemma after she was asked to renegotiate a $175 million farmout lease that would involve fracking. Though there’s no word on a season 2 yet, Wallace hopes to continue bringing Rebecca’s story to life — and she already knows where she’d like to find the “incredibly smart and shrewd negotiator.”

“As they called out in episode 9, she’s not an oil and gas person — she’s a litigator with almost zero knowledge in this field, so I’m excited to see her navigate [a field] that she doesn’t know a lot about,” Wallace told Us. “I also want to see who she is at the end of a workday.”

“I’m ready for more,” she added. “I hope that we get the chance.”

Robbie Williams is grateful Taylor Swift has revived a trend that was popular in the ’80s and ’90s — because it’s become a symbol of connecting with his own fan base.

In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly to promote his new film, Better Man, Williams, 50, dished on his favorite gifts that he’s received from fans. “Well, Taylor Swift has started this thing with these bead wristband things,” the British pop star told Us, referring to friendship bracelets. “I quite like that people are bringing in these bracelets.”

In “You’re on Your Own, Kid” from Swift’s 2022 album, Midnights, the Grammy winner, 35, sings, “So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it,” and during the Eras Tour, Swifties everywhere — including Selena Gomez, Jennifer Garner, Kyle Richards, Flavor Flav, Paula Abdul, Ashley Greene and Mindy Kaling — took that lyric literally by creating their own friendship bracelets to share during the concerts.

Celebrities Who Had the Time of Their Lives at Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour'

After spending his formative years in Take That and enjoying a massively successful solo career, Williams is thankful to be able to show his appreciation for the fans who have been along with him every step of the way.

“It’s very sweet, and a representation of something that I’m very grateful to, which is people buying a ticket to come and see me,” the “Angels” singer continued. “It’s a representation of them and me, and it’s an unusual relationship that we have. It’s nontraditional.”

Noting that the only time he takes the accessories off are when he attends awards ceremonies, he added of rocking the jewelry on a daily basis, “It’s a way of me accepting their gratitude — and me having gratitude to them by existing on my body.”

Taylor Swift Pays Tribute to Fans' Touching Friendship Bracelet Tradition

Williams’ fans are also coming out in droves to watch Better Man, a musical fantasy film exploring the ups and downs of his decades-spanning career. Though musical biopics are nothing new, what sets Better Man apart is that Williams is depicted by a CGI monkey — a risk inspired by Michael Gracey’s conversations with the singer, who would refer to himself as the animal while talking about his career.

Better Man is the one movie Williams could watch for the rest of his life — “I’m not just saying that for promo,” he told Us — and his favorite moment is the same one that fans can’t stop talking about: “The Rock DJ choreography scene on Regent Street,” he said of the now-viral moment featuring his character dancing in London.

Better Man is in theaters now.

Jennifer Lopez has famously been in several high-profile romances. Lopez has been married four times, her most recent marriage being with Ben Affleck.

Lopez was previously married to Ojani Noa from 1997 to 1998, Cris Judd from 2001 to 2003 and Marc Anthony, with whom she shares twins Max and Emme, from 2004 to 2014. Before marrying Affleck in 2022, they were previously engaged from 2002 to 2004. In addition, Lopez got engaged to Alex Rodriguez in 2019 before they called it quits in 2021.

After ending her relationship with Rodriguez, Lopez then rekindled a romance with Affleck and the singer announced their second engagement in April 2022. Three months later, the couple tied the knot at a wedding chapel in Las Vegas. Us Weekly confirmed in August 2024 that Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck after two years of marriage. Us confirmed the pair had finalized their divorce four months later.

Scroll through the photos below to relive Lopez’s dating history — from her marriages to her engagements and more:

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Us Weekly is celebrating the stars who are changing the conversation when it comes to body
standards.

“Body image and body positivity have become major buzzwords and part of the cultural conversation,” Lexie Kite, Ph.D. and coauthor of More Than a Body: Your Body Is an Instrument, Not an Ornament, tells Us in the latest issue of Us.

Hollywood has played a part in that too, thanks to stars who’ve embraced the movement rather than the unrealistic body goals of the past. And even though Zoë Bisbing, LCSW, director of Body-Positive Therapy NYC, admits there’s “definitely better representation of diverse body types now” compared to the waif-like ideals of the ’90s, the work isn’t finished. “Positive body image isn’t believing your body looks good — it’s knowing your body is good, regardless of how it looks.”

These celebs are leading the way:

LIZZO
‘My Body Is
Nobody’s Business’

The “Good as Hell” singer’s health journey has both impressed and polarized her fan base. After years of proudly flaunting a fuller figure, Lizzo, 36, has been showing off her recent weight loss — which she credits to switching up her diet and weight training — on social media. “2021 me would be soooo proud of 2024 me,” the cocreator of Yitty by Lizzo shapewear and swimwear proudly wrote on Instagram in August. Critics accused her of turning her back on fat acceptance and body positivity and of using Ozempic. (She denies taking the weight-loss medication but did cheekily use the popular drug as inspiration for this year’s Halloween costume.) Despite the haters, Lizzo is committed to working on her mind, body and soul — and doing it for herself. “I think a lot of people see a fat person that way and immediately just assume everything they’re doing is to be thin,” she said. Ultimately, she added, “my body is nobody’s business.”

The Takeaway Losing — or gaining — weight is not at odds with body neutrality. “If we really believe our bodies are instruments for our own use and experience, not ornaments to be admired, that means we need to trust people to make the right choices for their own bodies as we trust ourselves to do the same,” Kite tells Us. “Health is personal.”

FLORENCE PUGH
You Don’t Wake Up Like This

Florence Pugh is known for showing up and showing out on red carpets, but the Don’t Worry Darling star, 29, doesn’t wake up flawless and isn’t afraid to admit it. “There’s no pretending with me,” she’s said. “When I put on makeup and step into a wonderful dress, I give credit to the people that made me look like that, and I also want my fans to know that a) I don’t look like that all the time and b) I also have stress acne, and I also have hairy eyebrows, and I also have greasy hair.” And to those who critique her body: “It has always been my mission in this industry to say ‘f— it and f— that’ whenever anyone expects my body to morph into an opinion of what’s hot or sexually attractive,” she wrote on Instagram.

The Takeaway “In addition to photo editing and filters as an industry standard… it is so vital for media consumers to be aware of the time, effort, money and pain that goes into qualifying to be on screen at all,” Kite says. “We applaud every celebrity and influencer who tells the truth about what it takes to be ‘camera-ready.’” Actress and fitness guru Brooke Burke agrees. “No one should feel pressure to look a certain way, but I’m realistic in knowing that we all do it, even those of us who know 99 percent of what we see in photos has been airbrushed and hundreds of dollars have been paid to the magical makeup artists and hairstylists that can make us look like a million dollars even on our worst days.”

Florence Pugh: 'I'm Never Losing Weight' to Look 'Fantastic' for a Movie

CELESTE BARBER
Promoting Body Positivity Through Parody

It’s been 10 years since comedian Celeste Barber began posting videos and photos parodying celebrity images. The pics quickly went viral. “I found it hilarious that heavily curated, Photoshopped images being posted on social media were being sold to us as ‘normal,’” Barber, 42, tells Us. “When I saw these edited photos of influencers posing on a yacht drinking green juice with the caption ‘just dropping the kids off at school,’ I realized I could do something with it. I knew it would be funny, but did I think that 10 years later, people would still be loving it? No.” Her 9.6 million followers — including some of the subjects of her posts — beg to differ! “Most of the people that I parody love it. It’s great, they’re in on the joke,” the Booie Beauty founder says. While images of unattainable bodies are the fodder for her comedy, Barber is aware of the damage they can do. Her advice? “Unfollow accounts that make you feel s— about yourself,” she says. “I’ve unfollowed a handful of accounts recently and I feel better for it. You have to be active in who you follow, or it will seep in and mess with your head.”

RIHANNA
Bodies Fluctuate

You may know Rihanna for her unapologetic personality, but she’s also a fierce example of what it means to practice self-compassion. The star, 36, has referred to her own shape as “fluctuating,” but she “accepts” it. And her lingerie line, Savage x Fenty, is all about inclusivity, featuring models of every body type and offering bras in sizes 30A to 46DDD. The Fenty mastermind continues to embrace the current stage she’s at. “Winter body workout,” she playfully captioned an October 30 Instagram post of her playing with sons RZA, 2, and Riot, 16 months.

The Takeaway Don’t give in to unrealistic expectations, especially if you’re a new mom. “Given the size fluctuations women frequently experience postpartum, I suggest they listen to their bodies, not the tag,” says body acceptance advocate and wellness expert Katie Sturino, who’s teamed up with Stitch Fix. According to the online styling service, “45 percent of people experience added stress when navigating a significant size change.” And when it comes to picking out an outfit, the expert is on board with Rihanna: “I believe clothes are not for hiding; they’re for self-expression!”

NICOLA COUGHLAN
‘A Cracking Pair of Boobs!’

Nicola Coughlan has been praised for her portrayal of Penelope Featherington, but the Bridgerton star has left a lasting impression for more than her acting chops. After years of being body-shamed, Coughlan, 37, turned the tables, opting to take charge of the narrative. In May, she revealed she advocated for a nude scene, explaining, “I felt beautiful in the moment, and I thought: ‘When I’m 80, I want to look back on this and remember how f—ing hot I looked!’” Responding to someone who called her brave, the recent Skims campaign star said: “I have a cracking pair of boobs. There’s nothing brave about that, that’s actually just me showing them off.”

The Takeaway Be unapologetically proud of your body. If you’re having trouble getting there, “cultivating a compassionate self-talk that gets you out of your head and into your senses can help,” Bisbing says. Charlotte H. Markey, Ph.D, professor of psychology at Rutgers University and author of The Body Image Book series, agrees: “Remind yourself that you’re hot — and that your hotness is just one small part of 
who you are.”

EVA LONGORIA
Exercise for Mental Health

For Eva Longoria, working out is truly about self-care. The actress, 49, has long valued exercise for its mental health benefits, calling it a “part of [her] life.” The Desperate Housewives alum’s passion began during her college days at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where she led aerobics classes and studied kinesiology, a science that focuses on human movement while examining the mind-body connection. So, whether the star’s lifting weights, practicing yoga or bouncing on a trampoline, she’s ultimately breaking a sweat to boost energy and enhance her emotional well-being. “I don’t really do it for vain reasons,” she said. She also prioritizes physical activity to support longevity: “I’m doing everything, not because I don’t want to age but because I do want to age.”

The Takeaway A question that helps promote a healthy relationship with exercise: 
“Is there anything I can do today to do my future self a favor?” Sturino shares. This shifts the attention to the long-term benefits. “[It’s not about] how you look in a swimsuit or how your jeans fit,” she adds. “Instead, I’ve framed exercise through the lens of strength.”

KESHA
Standing Strong

For Kesha, body shaming is so “Blah Blah Blah.” After starring in a PSA for the National Eating Disorders Association, she looked back on recovering from an eating disorder with the help of therapy and creating new routines. “Knowing that I don’t count any calories, I don’t know what my pant size is and I don’t weigh myself is so beautiful,” she said. The singer, 37, honors her body — “I am a strong, badass, motherf—ing woman, and quite frankly, I like my junk” — and she’s not having it when critics share their unsolicited opinions. “I am so proud of my body. She’s been through a lot. She’s torn her ACL on stage and finished the show. She’s held my… broken heart together,” she wrote via Instagram.

The Takeaway Celebrate your body for what it can do. “Focusing on functionality is important to body image improvement,” says Markey. Having a tough time getting there? Burke recommends “I AM” meditations (a combination of yoga, pranayama and meditation) to develop positive inner dialogue, personal strength and appreciation: “Your body is listening to your thoughts and words.”

Stars Who've Hit Back Against Body-Shamers

ARIANA GRANDE
There Are Different Ways to Look Healthy

Ariana Grande is no stranger to body shaming. But now, the Wicked star, 31, has had enough. While promoting the film, she opened up about the “horrible” comments made about her, noting that she’s been “a specimen in a petri dish, really, since I was 16 or 17.” It’s not the first time the “Thank U, Next” singer has addressed her critics. “There are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful,” she told her 37 million TikTok followers last year. “[I was] at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you consider ‘my healthy.’” Despite her pleas, Grande’s figure has continued to be a topic of discussion — but she does her best to block out the noise. “I have work to do, I have a life to live, I have friends to love on,” she said. “It’s not invited, so I don’t leave space for it anymore.”

The Takeaway Keep your opinions to yourself — what you may think is a compliment could be harmful. “The biggest problem with body comments/shaming is that we never know what the impact of our [words] is going to be on the person we are talking about,” Bisbing tells Us. “Body comments increase body consciousness — and body consciousness is directly linked to negative body image.”

SELENA GOMEZ
It’s OK to Be Me

After being in the spotlight for over two decades, Selena Gomez has learned to speak up. The Emilia Pérez star, 32, clapped back at the haters who posted negative comments regarding her appearance at the film’s November premiere. “This makes me sick,” she wrote. “I have [SIBO] in my small intestine [small intestine bacterial overgrowth]. It flares up… End of story. I am NOT a victim. I’m just human.” Earlier in the year, Gomez shared words of wisdom with her fans: “I’m not perfect, but I am proud to be who I am… Sometimes I forget it’s OK to be me…,” she said. “Yeah, we have days where maybe we feel like s—, but I would much rather be healthy and take care of myself.”

The Takeaway On days you don’t feel confident, Sturino suggests practicing gratitude “to get your brain in the mind frame of what’s important.” She recommends crafting “a confidence capsule”: an assortment of clothes that boost your mood. It’s the perfect reference to “remind yourself that you look great,” she adds, “and that you have dependable outfits to make you feel empowered.”

CODY RIGSBY
Finding the Right Balance

There are more than 74,000 posts on TikTok about #BodyNeutrality, a concept defined as having a neutral stance on your body — i.e., not loving it, not hating it, just appreciating it for what it does. According to Cody Rigsby, who’s gained a loyal following because of his empowering Peloton cycling classes, it’s possible to be both body neutral and committed to staying healthy. “Start from that foundation of knowing that you don’t need to change anything [about yourself],” the fitness instructor, 37, tells Us. “Tap into yourself and hone in on the things that are important to you, which may be having more energy or feeling strong.” Trying to rewire your brain to appreciate your body may seem daunting at first, but the Tactful Pettiness podcast host knows the perfect place to start: “Have gratitude for what you can do today — because you don’t know what things are going to be in your way in the future.”

ILONA MAHER
Strength = Beauty

For Ilona Maher, body positivity is about appreciation. “[It’s] realizing what your body does for you and giving it the tools it needs to continue doing that,” the Olympian rugby player tells Us. The Vermont native, 28, is like the internet’s supportive sister with the uplifting messages she shares on social media, and she makes a point to keep it real. “You’re not going to love your body all the time,” she admits. “[But] for a lot of us, that’s the size we’re supposed to be, and I think we have to come to terms with that.” The athlete continues to disrupt unfair standards and stereotypes in her male-driven sport, whether by rocking her signature red lip on the field or challenging weight comparisons. She once clapped back: “[We] are not known for our thigh gaps in rugby — and we don’t want to be!”

The TAKEAWAY “Maher doesn’t try to fit into the beauty ideals that many of us feel beholden to,” Markey tells Us. “Her pride in her strength is wonderful to see. We need more messengers that say ‘F what is expected of me as a woman! I am strong and tough and don’t need to fit into any mold.’ The more people who say this, the easier it will be for us to believe.” Adds Kite: “Seeing women be powerful and strong and break free from the notion that we exist to be looked at is life-giving!”

SABRINA CARPENTER
Words Matter

When you’re a pop sensation like Sabrina Carpenter with access to some of the best glam squads in the business — it’s hard to imagine you would ever feel anything but confident. But the Grammy nominee, 25, admits she has her good and bad days. “Some days you feel like truly borderline so conceited and obnoxiously confident and then all it takes is like someone saying one thing that strikes a chord in you to be like, ‘I’m actually the ugliest person to ever exist,’” the “Espresso” singer said. “And then it kinda is a big flip flop. But I think for me, I just feel like I have better things to worry about than the way that I look.”

The TAKEAWAY Carpenter’s coping strategies may seem easier said than done, but Sturino shares a unique and fun fix for moments you don’t feel hot. “I’ll look to my go-to style icons on social media for inspiration,” she tells Us. “I’ve made sure my [Instagram] feed is curated to include stylish, empowering women with diverse body shapes and sizes. Seeing others confidently rocking different styles can boost your own confidence.”

For more on stars leading the way, watch the exclusive video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now.

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Gypsy Rose Blanchard. Anna Delvey. Erik and Lyle Menendez. Over the last few years, killers and con artists have gone from names you hear in the news to figures more akin to celebrities with reality shows, hundreds of thousands of social media followers and everyday people invested in every aspect of their lives, from their marriages to what they’re eating behind bars.

According to a June 2024 YouGov survey, 57 percent of American adults consume true-crime content, and the entertainment industry has long drawn inspiration from the world’s most infamous cases (think: the Zodiac Killer and Ted Bundy). But this current crop of criminals aren’t so black-and-white.

Case in point: Blanchard. She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for her role in the killing of her mom, who experts believe had Munchausen by proxy. In 2019, Hulu gave the story the Hollywood treatment in The Act. After Blanchard, 33, was released from prison, she filmed a Lifetime docuseries and appeared on The Kardashians.

Meanwhile, Delvey — the “fake heiress” who was indicted for stealing about $275,000 — was portrayed as a criminal mastermind by Julia Garner in Netflix’s Inventing Anna. This year, Delvey, 33, got special permission from ICE to travel out of New York to compete on Dancing With the Stars, bedazzled ankle bracelet and all.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard's Pop Culture Relevance Explained: TV Shows and More

According to criminologist James Pipe, these ex-cons becoming rising stars “is rooted in society’s fascination with darker aspects of human behavior,” he tells Us. “People are drawn to stories that explore moral ambiguity, and their cases challenge traditional ideas of right and wrong.”

The Menendez brothers are another example, who, despite killing their parents in 1989, have become antiheros in light of Ryan Murphy’s Monsters. “Having an actor play a criminal gets people interested in the real-life case,” psychiatrist and expert forensic witness Carole Lieberman explains. Without Monsters, criminal defense attorney Stacy Schneider says, “I don’t believe the prosecution would have revisited their lengthy jail sentences.”

With more scripted series getting the green light — Melissa McCarthy will star in a Paramount+ project about JonBenét Ramsey, while Hulu’s Amanda, based on the 2007 Amanda Knox case, is currently filming — this trend isn’t going anywhere. Netflix’s Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey? director Joe Berlinger has a theory on why the genre has become a “go-to bucket” for Hollywood: “There’s a hunt for justice, a protagonist and an antagonist vying for the truth and [at times,] a resolution at the end,” he tells Us, pointing to its “classic dramatic structure.” Lieberman shares the same sentiment: “Truth is stranger than fiction and attracts more viewers. Also, the industry seems to be short on original ideas these days.”

These projects can also serve a larger purpose. National Center for Victims of Crime CEO Renée E. Williams credits “good true crime” — like Anna Kendrick’s Woman of the Hour about serial killer Rodney Alcala — for educating viewers. “Decisions such as what images to show [can tell] tell an impactful story versus one that’s harmful.” she shares. So, while this form of media may be America’s guiltiest pleasure, it’s important to treat the stories that inspired them as what they really are: cautionary tales.

“The stories are so sensational that it feels like a ‘you can’t make this stuff up’ moment,” Schneider tells Us.

For more on true crime getting the Hollywood treatment, pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now.