Amber Portwood’s relationship with daughter Leah appears to be more distant than ever before.
On the Thursday, February 27, episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, Leah, 16, opened up to Cheyenne Floyd about the possibility of being adopted by Kristina Shirley.
“I haven’t really talked to [Amber] or seen her in awhile. It’s fine,” Leah said. “I don’t really care anymore. I kind of want Kristina to adopt me. I’ve been wanting it for awhile just because Kristina’s been there for me since I was, like, in kindergarten and before that.”
Amber, 34, welcomed Leah in 2009 with ex Gary Shirley and documented her pregnancy journey on 16 and Pregnant. After the pair broke up, both Amber and Gary, 38, continued to allow MTV to document their lives as part of the Teen Mom franchise.
What Amber Portwood Thinks of Gary Shirley’s Wife Possibly Adopting Leah
Gary and Kristina, 37, got married in November 2015 and welcomed a daughter named Emilee that same year. Over the years, Leah began to spend more and more time with her dad and stepmom.
In recent episodes, Amber admitted that her relationship with Leah wasn’t as tight as she hoped it would be. At the same time, she acknowledged her mental health struggles — including a bipolar disorder diagnosis — have prevented her from being the best possible mom.
“With my daughter, she doesn’t want to be around me,” Amber said on the February 6 episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter. “I’ve never been a mom that didn’t care. Just a f—ed up mom.”
When Gary previously discussed the idea of Kristina adopting Leah, a source told Us Weekly Amber would not be onboard. “Having Kristina adopt Leah would never happen on Amber’s watch,” an insider shared in July 2024. “She wants to be in Leah’s life. She is not looking to hand off parental responsibility to somebody else.”
In her candid talk with Cheyenne, 32, Leah described the rare occasions when she hangs out with her mom.
“When I do see her, she acts like everything is perfectly fine, and I haven’t seen you in months. Why are you talking to me like this?” Leah asked. “Obviously she has a lot of things going on, lots of difficulties, but I feel like I can’t handle it. I wish I could but I can’t.”
While Leah admitted that “it would be good” to one day meet up and have a sit down with Amber, she doesn’t know when would be a good time.
After listening to Leah’s experience, Cheyenne called the whole situation “unfortunate and sad.”
“There’s nobody that could keep me from showing up for [my daughter] Ryder,” she said in a confessional interview. “It’s really hard to understand. I would be at their house damn near every day trying to fight for my relationship with my child.”
Teen Mom OG's Amber Portwood, Daughter Leah's Ups and Downs Over the Years
After speaking with Cheyenne, Leah reiterated her hopes that she could one day be adopted by Kristina. While her dad agreed to speak with an attorney to get information on what steps he would need to take, he warned his oldest daughter about the possible heartache it would cause.
“As a father, I want you to make sure you know if it’s 100 percent what you want,” Gary said. “Once that happens, for Amber, it would be a big heartbreak for her, which I know you’re not trying to do, but it’s just part of the process.”
Leah added, “It is, but she didn’t raise me.”
Teen Mom: The Next Chapter airs on MTV Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET.
Paige DeSorbo made a cameo on the latest episode of Southern Charm to try and talk some sense into Shep Rose amid his and Sienna Evans’ relationship woes.
“I need your help talking to Shep,” Craig Conover told his then-girlfriend, Paige, during the Thursday, February 27, episode of the Bravo series while chatting with her over FaceTime. (Paige, 32, and Craig, 36, split in November 2024 after three years of dating.)
Craig told the cameras that after trying to tell Shep, 42, that Sienna, 26, was not into him, he realized maybe “he needs to hear a girl translate the message to him.” Craig employed Paige to do the job and she didn’t mince words.
“The only thing I will say is, especially with long distance, if it’s already a little shaky it only gets shakier,” Paige told Shep over the phone while the Southern Charm squad was in the Bahamas.
Craig Recalls Learning 'How to Exist’ in Paige’s World on 'Southern Charm'
Shep noted that he “said everything I need[ed] to say” and “laid it all out on the line” and she was still not responding in a way he liked. (During the group’s Bahamas trip, Shep reunited with Sienna after a month and a half apart. Shep proceeded to profess his love for her, but she didn’t express the same feelings.)
“Good. Then it literally is all on her,” Paige explained, noting, “If she doesn’t give you the same energy back, then let her go.”
Craig pointed out that Shep was “hung up” on the fact Sienna allegedly told him she “loved” him three weeks prior to the trip and was then acting so distant. (Sienna missed multiple group outings, including a boat day following Shep and Paige’s call.)
Southern Charm's Salley Says Writing Was 'On the Wall' for Shep and Sienna
“Things change,” Paige said, pointing out, “If she’s not texting you back. If she’s not trying to sleep in your room every night, if she’s not trying to hang out, if she’s not trying to introduce you to her family, she does not like you.”
Shep revealed that he did meet her family while visiting Sienna in the Bahamas months prior, but Paige noted that times have changed.
“Yes, but she wasn’t talking to you before you got there [this time] and she’s not going to talk to you after you leave,” she said.
Paige then gave Shep advice that she learned from her mother. “They don’t like you! If they liked you, you would know it,” the Summer House star bluntly told him. “She doesn’t like you. So you gotta let her go.”
Elsewhere in the episode, Craig told Shep that “whatever this is isn’t healthy,” reminding him that Sienna wasn’t making an effort despite Shep’s continued attempts to see her while in town.
Shep tried to give Sienna the benefit of the doubt, telling Craig and the rest of his friends that she was going to join them on a boat adventure that afternoon. However, when she texted to say she was “running late” and to go without her, it became even more clear to the group that they weren’t on the same page.
“Look at that dejected walk. He’s Charlie Browning right now,” Austen Kroll said when he saw Shep walking to the boat, hunched over with his head down. “That’s not good.”
When Madison LeCroy asked, “Did she break up with you,” Shep replied, “Not really.”
Breaking Down Paige DeSorbo and Craig Conover's Split: What They've Said
Once on Rose Island in the Bahamas, Madison, 34, had a heart-to-heart with Shep, asking, “Do you feel like you’re not rich enough for her?”
Shep confessed, “Maybe, yeah, I do. Maybe I don’t even deserve [her]. Who am I? I’m a wild son of a bitch. Sort of disaster zone. How am I a good idea for anybody?”
Madison tried to brighten his spirits, saying, “You deserve to be loved as much as you’re giving.”
Shep confirmed in November 2024 that he was single after a whirlwind romance with Sienna earlier that year.
Southern Charm airs on Bravo Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET.
Who knew that Carrie Preston‘s quirky CBS procedural Elsbeth would be secretly brilliant at throwing subtle — yet fun — celebrity shade?
After originally appearing on The Good Wife and The Good Fight, Preston was reintroduced as Elsbeth Tascioni, who became a de facto detective that aids the NYPD in their investigations. The titular character’s unconventional methods led her to make unique observations that help solve crimes.
Elsbeth, which premiered in 2024, also stars Wendell Pierce and Carra Patterson. The procedural nature of the show meant each episode has new characters that need Elsbeth’s help with viewers usually knowing who was to blame for a crime from the beginning of the episode.
But the CBS series isn’t just about entertaining weekly cases or star-studded cameos, Elsbeth quickly cemented itself as the show with the best shade. From bringing up Justin Timberlake‘s DUI to mentioning Meghan Markle‘s issues with the royal family, keep scrolling for the highlights:
Ethan Slater Is Playing a Cop on Carrie Preston's CBS Show 'Elsbeth'
“What happened to all our high-profile cases?” Elsbeth asked when season 2 premiered in October 2024, to which Kaya (Patterson) replied, “Oh, they’re all in Martha’s Vineyard, Tuscany … [or] driving drunk in Sag Harbor.”
The joke aired four months after Timberlake got charged with one count of driving while intoxicated. Timberlake subsequently agreed to a plea deal, accepting a lesser charge of traffic violation. He was ordered to complete 25 to 40 hours of community service with a nonprofit, pay a $500 fine and issue a public safety announcement.
Season 2 introduced a mystery at a high-end jewelry store — seemingly inspired by Tiffanys — where a woman tried to get approved for a membership-restricted floor.
“I heard Kate Middleton applied three times and she still didn’t get in,” Jenn Lyon‘s character Celeste told Vanessa Williams‘ Rosalyn Bridwell in a November 2024 episode.
An episode from January 2025 featured Elsbeth investigating a holistic wellness center after a patient is found dead in his car. Elsbeth immediately got a bad feeling about the facility’s founder (Eric McCormack) when getting the case assignment from Captain Wagner (Wendell Pierce).
“In the meantime, I need you on a case. A young man, Cole Campbell, was found deceased on the highway. His car ran off the road,” Captain Wagner said. “The last place he was seen was some fancy spa where celebrities and the royals go to.”
Pierce, who played Meghan Markle‘s dad on Suits, poked fun at the wellness center‘s popularity in character, adding, “The global press was already trying to frame Meghan Markle, and she wasn’t even there!”
CBS Is Invested in Spinoffs: Guide to Every Show Universe They Are Expanding
During a February 2025 episode, Matthew Broderick played an educational consultant named Lawrence, who promised an Ivy League future to high-paying clients with help from an assistant — played by the actor’s real-life son James Wilkie Broderick.
“Schools are cracking down. They are trying to be more meritocratic. Gone are the days when a simple 10 million donation guaranteed you a spot freshman year,” Lawrence told parents about their child’s future in the opening scene. “In the current climate, outmatch educational consulting is a real bargain. You don’t want to start too late then panic senior year and end up sharing a prison cell with a Desperate Housewife.”
The shady line referenced Felicity Huffman‘s role as Lynette on Desperate Housewives, which aired on ABC from 2004 to 2012. Huffman was arrested at gunpoint by FBI agents in 2019 for her involvement in the infamous college admissions scandal.
Following her arrest, Huffman pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. She served 11 days in prison in October 2019, paid a $30,000 fine and completed 250 hours of community service for her crimes.
Tyga and Riverdale alum Madelaine Petsch have sparked romance rumors while stepping out together in Hollywood.
Fans speculated the pair may be dating after Tyga, 35, and Petsch, 30, attended the Vanity Fair and Instagram Celebrate Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood party at Bar Marmont together on Wednesday, February 26.
At the event, which took place in Los Angeles, the duo posed for photos while sitting closely side by side. For the occasion, Petsch wore a black mini-dress while Tyga opted for a black leather jacket.
Just one week prior to the outing, Tyga and Petsch were also spotted attending an L.A. Lakers game together on Wednesday, February 19. This time, it was Petsch in a leather jacket as she sat side by side with the rapper while they watched the Lakers take on the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena.
Avril Lavigne and Tyga Split After Whirlwind Romance: What Went Wrong?
Us Weekly has reached out to Tyga and Petsch’s representatives for comment.
Fans took to social media to express their surprise at the pair being seen together and questioned whether they were an item.
“Madelaine Petsch on a date with Tyga?” wrote one fan via X, while another added, “Tyga and Madelaine Petsch was not on my 2025 bingo card.”
Petsch was most recently romantically linked to Anthony Li, who she was friends with for nine years before dating.
In February 2024, Petsch shared multiple photos via Instagram, which showed the couple hugging and holding hands. A screenshot of a text detailing how long the pair have known each other was also included in the post.
“How do i [sic] say i’m celebrating 10 years of knowing you today without confusing the internet,” Petsch’s text reads.
Li’s response was: “Say ‘finally let this one bust out the friendzone and i’ve never been happier !!!! !!!!!!!!!”
Prior to letting Li out of “friendzone,” Petsch was in a relationship with Travis Mills for three years.
Madelaine Petsch and Anthony Li's Relationship Timeline
Meanwhile, Tyga has had several high-profile romances in the past, including Blac Chyna, with whom he shares son King Cairo, 12. The pair dated from 2011 to 2014.
Tyga then went on to date Kylie Jenner on and off from 2015 to 2017. The former couple courted controversy at the time for their age gap, especially with Jenner being 17 when speculation of a romance between the pair first began. They went official with their relationship when Jenner was 18.
More recently, Tyga was also briefly linked to singer Avril Lavigne, who he was rumored to have a romance with in 2023 after they were photographed enjoying various outings together. They were last spotted attending a Fourth of July party at Nobu restaurant in Malibu, California in summer 2023. A week earlier, they were seen enjoying time together in Las Vegas.
Tyga was also previously married to Jordan Craig, who shares a 7-year-old son with Khloe Kardashian’s ex Tristan Thompson.
Madison LeCroy is gearing up for her sweetest role yet . . . becoming a new mom to a new baby girl!
The Southern Charm star just opened up to Us about her gender reveal, which she shared on an Amazon livestream, some of her pregnancy essentials from the retailer and some dreamy finds she’s getting for her baby girl. Knowing her exquisite taste, these are must-have picks you’ll want to shop, whether you’re expecting a baby girl of your own or are searching for the perfect baby shower gift.
“Of course, once I found out that it was a girl, my head starts spinning,” LeCroy said. “I’m like, ‘okay mini me outfits, mom and daughter pajamas, matching pajamas . . . swimsuits, all the things. Yeah, the wheels are turning.”
On the live, she shared her gender reveal video for the first time with her and her family reacting to finding out the baby is a girl. It showed her and her husband Brett Randle taking champagne glasses and scooping out a cake to find that the inner frosting was pink! Her 13-year-old son Hudson was seemingly filming the moment.
“I think that they were so happy because they knew that deep down I wanted a girl,” LeCroy said. “Obviously, I’m happy with anything just as long as everything’s healthy. But yeah, I think deep down they kind of thought it was a boy. But Hudson thought it was a girl. And yeah, it worked out.”
In a previous Amazon live, LeCroy said she was keeping a gender neutral approach to baby shopping. But that came to a screeching halt the second she found out a girl was on the way.
“Everything I was buying at first was obviously nudes and greens and things like that,” LeCroy said. “And once I found out it was a girl, we went straight with girly stuff.”
Her latest live, showcasing her favorite baby girl Amazon finds, is proof of not only the shift from gender neutral to pretty pinks, but also her excitement for being a girl mom. It includes everything from fun fashion finds like a cute pack of pink ruffled socks to the sweetest baby button up cardigan. However, it also has several other girl-themed finds too, from these pink mini closet hangers to a luxe Barefoot dreams baby blanket.
Barefoot Dreams Cozychic Dream Mini Blanket with Buddie
A celeb-loved blanket brand, this Barefoot Dreams mini blanket is sure to be the softest against your baby’s skin and look cute in their nursery as well.
When it comes to maternity essentials, LeCroy said she’s just looking for “anything to make life easier.” She said she got a belly band because it’s easier for her walks, prenatal vitamins and glass tumblers to replace plastic and aluminum. One item that she also couldn’t stop raving about and that’s featured in her live is this pregnancy pillow since “relaxing and taking those extra naps” are a requirement in her daily routine.
“The pregnancy pillow, I didn’t have that before,” LeCroy said. So now I have one downstairs, one upstairs and then I have like a mini one if I’m traveling. So that’s been something that I never knew that I needed so much.”
Momcozy Pregnancy Pillows for Sleeping
It’s not just LeCroy that can’t get enough of this pregnancy pillow. Amazon shoppers can’t either, seeing that it’s got over 15,600 five-star ratings.
When it comes to beauty, LeCroy said she’s been “struggling” with acne for the first time in her life. To help combat it, she went to her dermatologist who told her “less is more.” She picked up a gua sha and jawline tightening mask, which she said she’s “religious about” being consistent with. And as a hairstylist herself, one thing she also recommends beauty-wise is Nutrafol’s Postpartum Hair Growth Supplements, which she said she’ll “definitely” be using.
As LeCroy gets prepped for baby girl life, one thing is for sure — this baby is bound to have the most stylish start! From mommy and me fashion moments to charming nursery finds, her Amazon picks showcase once again that she has an eye for the best finds. Whether you’re expecting yourself or are searching for a baby gift for the Bravo-lover, her Amazon finds are proof that baby essentials can both be chic and practical. Keep scrolling to shop more of her favorites below and her Amazon page for the full list!
Faithtur Infant Baby Girl Cardigan Sweater
LeCroy told me that she loves “a granny gown” for babies, which I imagine she’ll pair with this vintage-style baby cardigan sweater.
The Sassiest Baby Clothes That Make the Cutest Gifts
Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly Balm
Helping to combat stretch marks, LeCroy recommends the Summer Fridays belly balm, which contains ingredients like vitamin E and avocado oils, which boost skin suppleness and elasticity.
The Ultimate Back Scratcher
In case you’re in need of back stratch, use this large back scratcher, which has a long handle for hard-to-reach places.
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Ribbed Hooded Robe
Treat yourself to a self care night in this Barefoot Dreams robe, which is especially easy to get on and off while pregnant.
Nutrafol Postpartum Hair Growth Supplements
With over 5,000 bought just in the last month, it’s clear this Nutrafol hair growth supplement can help with pregnancy hair shedding.
These Flared Maternity Leggings Are Perfect for Petites — And They’re Currently on Sale
Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!
© Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret
Princess Eugenie is mourning the death of her longtime pal Michelle Trachtenberg.
“Goodbye, special friend. You are so loved and missed,” Eugenie, 34, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Thursday, February 27. “Thank you for so many memories of laughter and fun. You were so thoughtful and generous and soooo funny.”
She continued, “My favorite was listening to you order food, always done with precision so you got exactly what we all wanted. I’m thinking of you up there friend, of your spirit that was so bright and your joy you brought so many. .”
Eugenie also included a throwback photo of the two women embracing on a night out.
Michelle Trachtenberg Through the Years: Her Life and Career in Photos
According to a source, Eugenie and Trachtenberg had a long history of friendship, noting that the pair were close for more than a decade after meeting in the Big Apple.
“Princess Eugenie and Michelle met at a night out around 2012 in New York, they really hit it off and their friendship remained constant throughout the years,” the insider exclusively told Us. “They were always very fond of each other.”
Trachtenberg, best known for roles in Harriet the Spy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, died one day earlier at the age of 39.
“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” the actress’ rep told Us Weekly in a Wednesday, February 26, statement. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
Trachtenberg is survived by her parents, her sister and her boyfriend, Jay Cohen. She had been found unconscious inside her New York City apartment on Wednesday and an official cause of death is listed as “undetermined” because the family objected to an autopsy.
Everything to Know About Michelle Trachtenberg's Death, Investigation
Despite meeting in 2012, Eugenie and Trachtenberg’s kinship first made headlines when they stepped out at a New York Knicks basketball game the following year. (Eugenie worked for a local auction house Paddle8 from 2013 to 2015, later relocating back to her native England upon her marriage to Jack Brooksbank.)
“There are few people in life that you meet that you know are true and real. This lady happens to be one of them,” Trachtenberg gushed of Eugenie in a March 2016 Instagram post. “Friends really do mean a lot. Happy #stpatricksday May luck of love and friends be with you. .”
Four years later, Trachtenberg further detailed their bond.
“This is a #throwback post. And a dedication to an amazing person. I met this wonderful human. Years ago in New York. Eugenie has been one of the most dearest, kindest, most genuine friends I have ever had in my life,” the Ice Princess star recalled in a December 2020 upload. “As we are going through these very challenging times. I’m finding new levels of gratitude. I am grateful for the relationships I have made over the years.”
Gene Hackman pursued an active lifestyle in the time leading up to his death despite his advanced age, according to his daughter, Leslie Anne Allen.
“He liked to ride his bicycle and he was still doing Pilates at 95 [years old],” Leslie told Us Weekly.
“We are very saddened about the news. It’s kind of shocking that his wife passed with him.”
Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on Wednesday, February 26, along with one of their dogs. Police were called to their residence for a welfare check after a neighbor expressed concern for their wellbeing.
What to Know About Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy's Death and Investigation
Leslie said that she last spoke to her father about two months ago.
“We were going to do a DNA test through Ancestry.com because we didn’t know if he was German or not,” she recalled.
Leslie, 58, is the youngest of the late actor’s three kids, whom he shared with ex-wife, Faye Maltese. The two also had son Christopher, 65, and daughter Elizabeth, 63.
Although she said The French Connection star was in “good health,” Leslie also revealed to Us that her father’s memory had started to decline.
“He was doing ok. His wife told me that his memory was fading and he recently had a birthday and apparently his wife had to remind [him] three times it was his birthday,” she said. “But everyone was ok.”
Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa’s Relationship Timeline
After news of Gene’s death broke, Leslie released a statement along with her sister Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s daughter, Annie, confirming the news and expressing their grief.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” they said in a statement to Us. “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
Police confirmed to Us that they do not suspect foul play in Gene and Arakawa’s deaths, though an investigation is ongoing and no cause of death has been determined.
“On February 26, 2025, at approximately 1:45 p.m., Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased,” the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement shared with Us. “Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time, however, [the] exact cause of death has not been determined.”
With reporting by Andrea Simpson.
A Walk to Remember put Mandy Moore on the map and had fans swooning over Shane West — and now, the Nicholas Sparks’ book is getting another movie makeover.
The beloved 2002 romance film is getting a reboot, Deadline reported on Thursday, February 27, after Monarch Media secured the rights to the story. The company reportedly plans to develop a new version of the movie with the original producers Denise Di Novi and Hunt Lowry, per the outlet. (Us Weekly has reached out for comment.)
Steve Barnett, Alan Powell and Vicky Patel from Monarch Media will also serve producers on the project. Di Novi and Margaret French-Isaac will represent Di Novi Pictures as producers, while Lowry and Patty Reed are joining the project on behalf of Roserock Films.
‘A Walk to Remember’ Turns 23: Where Is the Cast Now?
“A Walk to Remember has endured as a beloved coming-of-age drama, captivating audiences with its heartfelt story of young love, personal growth and the power of faith for decades,” Barnett, who worked for Di Novi during the original movie, told Deadline. “We could not be more excited to bring a new version of Nicholas Sparks’ timeless story to audiences and are particularly thrilled to work alongside the original film’s producers, Denise and Hunt.”
Di Novi said she’s equally as excited about the reboot, telling the outlet, “I am so grateful to Steve and Monarch Media for giving all of us the opportunity to bring this enduring and inspirational story of faith, hope and love to a new generation, all qualities we need now more than ever.”
30 of the Most Romantic Movies of All Time: 'The Notebook' and More
Lowry said he’s “delighted” to be “bringing this timeless story to a new generation of moviegoers” and to reunite with Di Novi after working together more than two decades ago.
A Walk to Remember tells the love story between ultra religious teen Jamie Sullivan and bad boy Landon Carter. In the 2002 film, Moore played the quiet Jamie, while West played the rebellious Landon who falls for her before finding out she’s battling leukemia.
“I had such a visceral reaction to it that I remember not being able to read because I was almost hyperventilating while I was crying,” Moore, 40, told the Los Angeles Times in 2010 about getting the role. “It was my first movie and I know people say it may be cliché and it’s a tearjerker or it’s cheesy, but for me, it’s the thing I’m most proud of.”
Eight years later, Moore exclusively told Us how “bananas” it is to see A Walk to Remember still resonating with fans.
“It [makes] me feel really old! It’s crazy. It feels like another lifetime ago,” the actress said in January 2018. “But I’m so happy to celebrate it and so happy that people still — it’s relevant and still means something to people. That means a lot.”
Mandy Moore Recalls Regrettable Y2K Looks, Shane West Bond, Career Highs
For Sparks, the story is even more important and deeply personal because he based Jamie on his sister Danielle Sparks Lewis who died in June 2000 at the age of 33.
“Like Jamie, my sister got cancer. Like Jamie, my sister met someone. And like Landon, there was a long period of time when this fellow couldn’t imagine himself marrying a girl like her,” the author wrote on his official website. “And yet, in the end, he couldn’t help himself. Even when he knew she was sick, even when he knew that she might not make it, this man asked my sister to marry him.”
Sparks recalled, “It was just about the sweetest thing that’s ever been done for anyone, and I suppose I wrote this novel not only so that you could get to know my sister, but so that you would know what a wonderful thing it was that her husband once did for her.”
Rachel Brosnahan is not just like Us when it comes to unexpected condiment options for her french fries.
“Peanut butter,” The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel alum, 34, said without hesitation when asked what was the “most ridiculous” thing she ever used to dip fries in a video promoting her partnership with McCain Foods.
Brosnahan shared that she didn’t intend to use peanut butter as her dipping selection but the stars aligned for the controversial combo while out in nature with friends.
“I was on a camping trip when I was like 16 and we realized we didn’t have anything else with us,” she explained. “We didn’t have ketchup, we didn’t have mustard, we didn’t have mayonnaise.”
Rachel Brosnahan Is 'Obsessed' With Chappell Roan: 'I Feel So Lucky'
While Brosnahan and her friends didn’t have any of the traditional counterparts for french fries, they decided to make do with the supplies they had on hand.
“We had nothing except this giant jar of peanut butter,” she recalled. “We had been hiking for days and we were so hungry. So we made these french fries over the campfire and started dipping them into the peanut butter.”
As for how it tasted? Brosnahan had zero complaints at the time.
“A little salty, a little crunchy,” she reflected. “It wasn’t bad.”
Brosnahan teamed up with McCain Foods to advocate for regenerative agriculture which aids in combating the effects that climate change will have on the future of food production. The frozen potato brand has already committed to fully implement the sustainable farming practices by 2030.
“I’m excited to be partnering with them to help raise awareness about regenerative agriculture in an immersive and accessible way,” Brosnahan said in a press release. “As a lifelong French fry connoisseur, McCain’s new Regen Fries are already a favorite of mine because not only do they taste good, but they’re doing good for the future of farming (and fries!).”
Not only does Brosnahan appreciate the message for the campaign — she has a personal connection to the french fries brand.
“When I was a kid, my mom would get me the smiley fires all the time and I loved them,” she shared. “She was over the moon with joy when she found out I was doing this partnership”
As part of the partnership, McCain launched their “Farms of the Future” pop-up experience in New York City’s Chelsea Market. Individuals can test out the brand’s Regen Fries from Thursday,February 27, to Saturday, March 1, from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET.
©
Some argue Europe should strengthen its own military and reduce reliance on the US, while others believe a full break from Trump and Nato is necessary due to shifting security priorities
© AFP/Reuters
The ruling absolves the owner of paying millions in restitution
Isa Foltin/Hoermanseder via Getty Images
In an elaborate marketing campaign this month, Duolingo seemingly killed its viral green owl mascot in every country but one.
"Duo, our owl, faked his death in every single market that we had except for Japan," Luis von Ahn, the company's CEO, said on an earnings call on Thursday. "It turns out that in Japan, joking about death is not as kosher. So, in Japan, he was just not dead."
In an early February campaign, the language learning app announced the "death" of its mascot with a sassy statement. In a post on X, the company wrote: "Authorities are currently investigating his cause of death and we are cooperating fully. Tbh, he probably died waiting for you to do your lesson, but what do we know."
Pop singer Dua Lipa replied to the X post, and wrote: "Til' death duo part," a reference to a long-standing joke about Duo being in love with the artist.
The company went all in: The app's thumbnail depicted the mascot dead with crossed eyes and his tongue sticking out, and Duolingo's social handles mourned his death in a series of posts.
On Thursday's call, von Ahn said Duo returned last week from faking his death because users completed enough language lessons to bring him back.
The campaign reflected the company's famous nontraditional and country-specific marketing campaigns, which have made the owl mascot and the Duolingo app cultural icons.
Duolingo's social media accounts for countries like India, Germany, and France feature hyper-local content based on news events, memes, and trends, amassing hundreds of thousands of followers in each of these countries. Duolingo's Japan Instagram page has posts in Japanese and anime-style art, and they feature Duo participating in local trends.
Last quarter, Duolingo became the first company to use animation to deliver prepared remarks on an earnings call, emphasizing its artificial intelligence push. A company representative told Business Insider that the video would have taken weeks to create with human animators, but generative AI did the job in less than seven minutes.
The company spent $25.6 million on sales and marketing in the quarter that ended in September, up from $22.3 million in the same period in 2023. Breakdowns for the most recent quarter were not available at press time.
"We believe that our unhinged and viral marketing campaigns — like our 5-second Super Bowl ad, Duolingo on Ice, and 'Owl Game' partnership with Netflix — contributed to our user growth and the growth of our iconic brand," the company wrote in a shareholder letter released Thursday.
Daily active users — an important measure for consumer apps — jumped by 51% in the fourth quarter to 40.5 million.
Fourth quarter revenue grew 41% to $209 million, beating analyst expectations of $205 million.
Duolingo's stock fell over 7% in after-hours trading. The stock is up 57% in the past year.
Many of the show’s fans will be delighted by the news
© Prime Video
An ‘ambitious’ approach led the way to Super League’s historic debut in Sin City as Wigan Warriors face Warrington Wolves at the Allegiant Stadium
© Getty Images
