Leighton Meester is sharing rare insight into her life as a mom of two.
In a new video with Vogue, Meester explained that her two children, whom she shares with husband Adam Brody, are aware of what their parents do for a living.
“My kids, they get what we do,” Meester explained. “They come on location a lot.”
But both Meester and Brody are careful to make sure their kids, now 9 and 4, get some balance and a good amount of time away from all the cameras.
“I don’t think that they’re fazed at all because they get a lot of us off set and a lot of us not working, which has been always like a really big benefit for both of us,” she told Vogue.
Inside Leighton Meester and Adam Brody’s Life as a 'Normal Couple'
In a 2023, Meester told People that having kids has forced her to reflect on her past.
“It’s all just so intimate and private,” she said of being a parent. “It’s something that I could never put into words, really. It’s such an emotional journey to have children, and it certainly has made me reflect on my own upbringing and childhood.”
She added, “Having children, I want to give them all that we never had when we were growing up, but also to be candid and open about how grateful we should be for everything that we have.”
Currently, both Meester and Brody are working on different television series.
Meester has returned to The CW to star in its new dramedy Good Cop/Bad Cop, while Brody has begun filming the second season of Netflix’s Nobody Wants This.
Adam Brody Is So in Love With Leighton Meester in Adorable New Interview
It’s been reported that Meester has also signed on to Nobody Wants This as well. She is expected to play Abby, Kristen Bell‘s character’s “middle school nemesis who is now an Instagram mommy influencer.”
In 2022, she told Bustle that she feels “incredibly lucky to be in the position where I’ve gotten to work, but then take plenty of time off and be there with my children. It’s become obvious to me that that’s the most important job that I can have. That love is a never-ending well.”
Penn Badgley and Domino Kirke found their happily ever after — and even celebrated it with two wedding ceremonies.
Badgley and Kirke initially sparked romance rumors in 2014. Four years later, the doula admitted that their early relationship didn’t feel too serious.
“I was sort of getting used to being a single mom, maybe a little too used to it. I had a really good thing with my kid and we were like this little team. Penn and I were dating, but it wasn’t nearly as serious as it is now, of course,” Kirke, who shares son Cassius with ex Morgan O’Kane, told Hey Mama in 2018. “I didn’t think marriage was in the cards for us. So I was sort of just chugging along, surviving and getting through the days, and I think the difference now is that I’m really living.”
The couple, who tied the knot twice in 2017, announced that they were expecting their first child together three years later.
“On the road again,” the musician captioned a close-up photo of her baby bump via Instagram in February 2020. “Pregnancy after loss is a whole other thing. After two miscarriages in a row, we were ready to call it. I stopped trusting my body and started to accept the fact that I was done. As a birth attendant, I’ve seen and heard it all. It takes everything I’ve got to detach lovingly from the losses I’ve been present for and be in my own experience.”
Scroll down to relive the romance between Badgley and Kirke:
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Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley and more Gossip Girl cast members have settled down after skyrocketing to fame on the beloved drama.
During the series’ six-season run, however, there were several on set romances. While portraying on-again, off-again couple Serena and Dan, Lively and Badgley dated IRL from 2007 to 2010.
“I remember there was one point where we were just afraid of how our personal lives overlapping our work life could be perceived by our bosses,” Lively told Vanity Fair in 2017. “[But then] we were like, ‘Oh, no, that’s exactly what they want.’ They wanted us all to date. They wanted us all to wear the same clothes that we’re wearing on the show. They wanted that, because then it fed their whole narrative. People could buy into this world.”
Executive Joshua Safran went on to tell Vanity Fair that Lively and Badgley “kept their breakup hidden from the crew,” as they “did not want their personal drama to relate to the show.”
Lively and Badgley weren’t the only ones to mix business with pleasure on Gossip Girl. Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass) dated Jessica Szohr (Vanessa Abrams) on and off through the series’ run before splitting for good in 2010.
Scroll through for a breakdown of the Gossip Girl cast’s love lives:
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Penn Badgley and wife Domino Kirke welcomed their first child together amid the coronavirus pandemic — and they are grateful for the quiet moments they got to spend locked down with the little one.
“The great bounty that we got out of it was our son,” the You star said during an October 2021 appearance on SiriusXM’s The Jess Cagle Show. “I [also] have a stepson who’s 12, and his experience was, I think in a sense, different because they’re so social at that age, but our baby is, like, chilling. He’s only been with us and he loves it.”
Badgley and Kirke, who wed in 2017, announced in February 2020 that they were expecting their first child together after previous miscarriages. Their rainbow baby, son James, was born the following September.
Badgley quickly adapted to new fatherhood after James’ birth, he previously got a taste of parenting while bonding with Kirke’s eldest son, Cassius, from a previous relationship.
“He’s a really good stepdad,” the “Half Blood” songstress exclusively told Us Weekly in October 2019 of Badgley. “He doesn’t have to be ‘dad’ so he can have more fun with him. It’s really nice. The stepparent thing is definitely uncharted territory for me ’cause I didn’t grow up with one, but … he takes care of him really well.”
In February 2025, Kirke announced that she is expecting twins.
Scroll below for Badgley’s rare insights into becoming a father and raising children:
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A search warrant has revealed more information about the pills found inside the home of the late Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
The warrant, obtained by People, reveals Tylenol, unspecified thyroid medication and diltiazem, a medication used to treat high blood pressure were found by the authorities.
The couple was found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Wednesday, February 26. Hackman, who was 95, was found fully clothed, near a pair of sunglasses, suggesting he may have fallen suddenly. Arakawa, who was 64, was found in the couple’s bathroom with an open prescription bottle on the counter and pills scattered on the countertop.
It is not clear which pills were found near Arakawa and to whom the three medications belonged.
What to Know About Gene Hackman, Wife Betsy’s Deaths After Sheriff's Update
As the investigation into their deaths and the death of one of their three dogs continues, police still have not determined a cause. Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth, told TMZ that she suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, but both Hackman and Arakawa tested negative. The Santa Fe fire department also found no evidence of a leak, though fire chief Brian Moya told Today that they could not rule one out.
“That was a home with natural gas in it, so it could have [played a factor],” he said. “There’s a lot of unanswered [questions] there. When we arrived, we made sure our people as well as the sheriff were safe, and there was nothing that we found. We also went back again yesterday to do another round of searches … and we didn’t find anything as well.”
Both Hackman and Arakawa are thought to have died around the same time, possibly as long as two weeks ago. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said in a press conference on Friday that Hackman’s pacemaker last recorded an event on February 17, meaning it’s possible he had been dead for nine days.
Both bodies were found to be decomposing, with Arakawa’s hands and feet also showing signs of mummification.
Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa Last Photographed 1 Year Before Deaths: Photo
A forensic pathologist who is not involved in the case told Us Weekly that it was highly unlikely that the pills found near Arakawa were related to her mummification. Instead, the conditions of the room where she was found could have played a role.
“Mummification can happen anywhere from days to weeks [after death], given the right conditions, all the way through months,” the doctor said. “There’s certain circumstances that favor a body going into a mummification type stage as opposed to decomposition.”
One of the conditions that favors mummification is dryness. New Mexico is a dry climate. If the bathroom was completely sealed, keeping flies or other bugs from interfering with the body, that could also have contributed to the process.
Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley and more Gossip Girl stars went on to big things after The CW series gave them their big breaks.
The teen drama ran for six seasons from September 2007 to December 2012. Fans became instantly obsessed with the lives of the elite youth of New York City, played by Lively (Serena van der Woodsen), Meester (Blair Waldorf), Badgley (Dan Humphrey), Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass), Chace Crawford (Nate Archibald) and Taylor Momsen (Jenny Humphrey).
After the series wrapped, the cast built thriving personal lives with fellow A-listers and starred in some of the most popular television shows and films in the entertainment industry. Max ordered a Gossip Girl reboot in 2019, leaving many fans hopeful to see their favorite characters return.
“We’ve reached out to all of them to let them know it was happening, and we would love for them to be involved if they want to be involved,” executive producer Josh Schwartz told reporters in July 2019. “But [we] certainly didn’t want to make it contingent upon their [participation]. They played those characters for six years, and if they felt like they were good with that, we wanted to respect that. But obviously, it would be great to see them again.”
Despite making several references to the original series — as well as featuring a cameo from Michelle Trachtenberg as Georgina Sparks — the revival was ultimately canceled in January 2023 after two seasons.
Keep scrolling to see what the cast of Gossip Girl is up to now:
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Love can be messy, but luckily for the cast of You, their offscreen relationships aren’t as rocky as those of their characters.
The drama premiered on Lifetime in September 2018, starring Penn Badgley, Ambyr Childers, Elizabeth Lail and more. Based on Caroline Kepnes‘ novel of the same name, season 1 followed Joe Goldberg (Badgley) as he went to extreme lengths to pursue a relationship with aspiring writer Beck (Lail).
At first, the series didn’t take off, but it picked up a major following when it moved to Netflix. Season 2 dropped on the streaming platform in December 2019, and the following month, a third season was confirmed.
The Easy A actor thinks “there’s value” in Joe not being a traditional romantic lead, he told IndieWire in December 2019. “I mean … I think a lot of what we talk about, the way they talk about love, in pop culture and as long as it ever has been pop culture, is actually quite distorted and sometimes — if not most of the time — has nothing to do with true love. Because true love is something that can be expressed between many different kinds of people, not just people who are romantically interested.”
The MOTHXR musician continued, “I think a lot of times what we’re talking about when we say ‘love’ is actually lust. There’s nothing inherently wrong with lust, but I mean, it obviously doesn’t always compel us to do the best thing.”
You isn’t Badgley’s first experience starring in a wildly popular series. He portrayed outsider Dan Humphrey on Gossip Girl from 2007 to 2012 and had plenty of fans swooning with his brooding performance. He even sparked a romance with costar Blake Lively, who played his onscreen love interest Serena van der Woodsen.
“I remember there was one point where we were just afraid of how our personal lives overlapping our work life could be perceived by our bosses,” Lively told Vanity Fair in 2017. “[But then] we were like, ‘Oh no, that’s exactly what they want.’ They wanted us all to date. … They wanted that, because then it fed their whole narrative. People could buy into this world.”
The duo ultimately went their separate ways in 2010, continuing to work together on the CW series. He went on to marry Domino Kirke in Brooklyn in 2017. After suffering multiple miscarriages, the couple welcomed their first child together in the summer of 2020.
Kirke is also the mother of son Cassius from a previous relationship, and the little one has a solid relationship with Badgley. “He doesn’t have to be ‘dad’ so he can have more fun with him,” she told Us Weekly exclusively in October 2019. “It’s really nice. The stepparent thing is definitely uncharted territory for me ’cause I didn’t grow up with one, but … he takes care of him really well.”
Production on season 3 of You was paused amid the coronavirus pandemic, but in February 2021, Badgley and his costars returned to set. Scroll down to see the cast’s dating histories through the years:
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The cast of Pretty in Pink is all grown up — but they’ll never forget what it meant to star in the teen classic all those years ago.
The 1986 film marked star Molly Ringwald’s third and final project with its writer, John Hughes, who she had previously worked with on 1984’s Sixteen Candles and 1985’s The Breakfast Club.
“He was unlike any other director that I had ever met. He had spiky hair and these crazy sneakers,” Ringwald told Vogue in March 2021 in honor of Pretty in Pink’s 35th anniversary. “We really clicked and got along almost immediately. I was fairly introverted, but he just had so much confidence in me, to the point that I felt like I could do anything.”
In the film, Ringwald played Andie Walsh, a high schooler whose thrift store wardrobe made her an outcast with her more affluent peers including her bully, Steff McKee (James Spader), and her crush, Blane McDonough (Andrew McCarthy).
However, Hughes, who passed away in 2009, was so enamored with the then 17-year-old redhead’s style that he wrote the script with her in mind.
“At that point in my life I also just really liked pink — Andie’s room was basically modeled after my own,” Ringwald revealed to the magazine. “The prop people even took a collage from my personal bedroom and used it in the movie for Andie’s room, if that tells you anything.”
The costumes in the film were also inspired by Ringwald’s real wardrobe — but the former teen star hated Andie’s Pepto-Bismol-colored prom gown. She even “burst into tears” when she first saw it.
“I kept all of the clothes except for that dress because I hated it so much,” the California native told Vogue. “And of course now I wish I could frame it!”
Ringwald didn’t get to wear the dress of her dreams in the film’s big finale — but her character did get the man of hers. That wasn’t always the plan, though. Pretty in Pink originally ended with Andie choosing her bestie Phil “Duckie” Dale (Jon Cryer) over Blane. However, early screenings of the film found that audiences wanted to see their leading lady get the guy she had been pining for all along, not her nerdy friend.
When asked about the initial reactions to the ending, director Howard Deutch told Den of Geek in June 2020, “I had a heart attack because it was my first movie and we were in the screening room. … These kids that they recruited to watch the movie were screaming, loving the movie, screaming. It was like a hit! And then all of a sudden, the minute the ending came and Duckie was gonna be the hero they started booing.”
Deutch was forced to go back and filmed a new ending in which Andie got her happily ever after with Blane, which he still believes was the right choice.
“I think it was [Princess Bride director] Rob Reiner [who] said, ‘You can’t have the princess get the frog,’” he noted. “In other words, you have to give the women what they want and they wanted [Andie] to have what she wanted. She wanted the cute boy and forget the politics.”
Keep scrolling to see what Ringwald and the rest of the cast are up to all these years later:
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Finn Cole knows the power of love firsthand — even when it’s tested by extreme circumstances.
“We’ve all, if we’re lucky enough, to have loved in our life,” Cole, 28, exclusively shared with Us Weekly at the film’s New York premiere on Tuesday, February 25. “It really helps in any performance because it affects so many stories.
In Last Breath, Cole plays real-life saturation diver Chris Lemons, who finds himself trapped 300 feet underwater with only minutes of oxygen left. While the film is a high-stakes survival thriller, Cole says it’s the love story at its core that anchors the film.
“I think the relationship between Chris and Morag was more representative of the struggles saturation divers have when they have to leave their families, friends, and people,” Cole explained to Us. “It’s opening up a conversation for anyone that has to work abroad and be away from the ones that they love for long periods of time.”
'Peaky Blinders' Cast: See What the British Stars Are Doing Now
He added, “Make sure you’re giving love to the people that are around you because you never know what’s gonna happen.”
Cole stars alongside Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu in the film, which is based on the 2019 documentary of the same name. They play a trio of saturation divers on a routine repair expedition when an unforeseen storm leaves them fighting for survival at the bottom of the North Sea. Cole and Liu, 35, both committed to three months of intensive scuba training to prepare for the shoot.
“My dad was a really keen scuba diver, but before we were born,” Cole shared, explaining that his father was an avid diver before starting a family.
“On holiday one year, he was like, ‘There’s an opportunity to take you diving.’ So we went out with some instructors, and me and my four brothers just became obsessed. We really enjoyed it.”
Last Breath marks a pivotal moment in Cole’s career, following his breakout role as fan-favorite Michael Gray on Peaky Blinders. With a highly anticipated Peaky Blinders movie in the works, Cole admitted he was “absolutely gutted” to miss visiting the set.
Costar Couples! Celebs Who Fell in Love on TV and Movie Sets
“I was away while they were filming,” Cole said. “I’m so excited to watch it. I’m so proud of that show and all the people involved. They’re absolutely awesome and I can’t wait for the movie. It’s going to be amazing.”
Last Breath is now playing in theaters everywhere.
Penn Badgley and wife Domino Kirke are expanding their family with not one — but two — babies.
“Babies #3 and #4 coming this Summer! Talk about a PLOT TWIST!” Kirke, 41, captioned an Instagram post on Friday, February 28, alongside a photo of her, Badgley and their 4-year-old son, James. “Spontaneous twins are beyond magical.”
She continued: “We are stunned. We are in awe. Can’t think of anyone else I’d rather be on this ride with @pennbadgley #handsoffthewheel #monoditwins.”
The couple, who got married in 2017, are already parents to son James and to Kirke’s eldest son, Cassius, whom she welcomed in a previous relationship.
Penn Badgley and Domino Kirke's Relationship Timeline
“He’s a really good stepdad,” Kirke exclusively told Us Weekly in 2019 of Badgley. “He doesn’t have to be ‘dad’ so he can have more fun with him. It’s really nice. The stepparent thing is definitely uncharted territory for me ’cause I didn’t grow up with one, but … he takes care of him really well.”
Kirke gushed to Us about watching Cassius grow into his own, adding, “Boys at 10 have the same amount of testosterone as they will have when they’re 18, so there’s a sass, but when I speak to him on the phone, he’ll be like, ‘Hey mom, you sound tired. You should go to bed.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, OK, thanks.’ Like, ‘Whoa, who am I talking to?’”
Badgley, 38, has also spoken about taking on the role of a stepfather.
“I was curious [how] my new fatherhood would influence my experience with Joe and acting with him,” he told Access Hollywood in 2021. “But sometimes, it was almost not helpful because I was having such a light and joyful experience [and] still am, and Joe was, like, so petrified and so scared. Of course, I can identify with the fear, but he’s just so morbid in his obsessive self-preservation and primal instinct that sometimes I almost found it harder.”
At the time, Badgley reflected on becoming a first-time “biological father” amid COVID pandemic, telling InStyle, “It’s just been us, my wife and I, taking care of him. And as a result, in some ways, we’re thrilled, there’s a beautiful joy and lightness to our connection with him. He seems to reflect that. And at the same time, it’s so hard.”
Penn Badgley's Most Candid Quotes About Fatherhood Through the Years
While filming season 3 of his hit Netflix series You, Badgley found himself connecting to his character, who welcomed a son on screen.
“I certainly had the great bounty of drawing on my own experience, becoming a new biological parent, and that was quite natural,” he recalled to Elle in October 2021. “There are some definitely sweet moments where I was able to do that, but I think by and large, [Joe’s] paternal instinct is at best primal. I think to be a good father or a parent, you need to really rise several orders above primal, but he’s at least primal, I guess.”
Whether you’re planning a tropical escape, weekend getaway or quick business trip, the right luggage makes all the difference. Not only do you need something stylish and durable, but you also want a bag that keeps you organized and ready for anything — without blowing your budget, of course. Luckily, I scoured the best sales to bring you top-rated luggage, backpacks and weekender bags, all up to 70% off.
From sleek carry-ons and roomy duffels to versatile backpacks with all the pockets, these picks will help you travel in style and stress-free. Pack your bags and get ready for your next adventure. These deals won’t last long!
1. SwissGear Softside Expandable Luggage: This bestselling, check-in suitcase is a whopping 50% off right now, and there’s really no excuse not to scoop up this deal. Over 16,000 shoppers say the 25-inch bag is the ‘best money can buy’ thanks to its roomy interior and sleek features — $65 at Amazon!
2. Swiss Mobility Hardside Luggage Set: This three-piece luggage set includes a carry-on, medium suitcase and large checked bag, all designed with a durable hardshell exterior to keep your belongings safe — $170 (was $450) at Nordstrom!
3. Bagsmart Backpack: This sleek backpack is perfect for both travel and everyday use. It’s designed to fit under airplane seats as a personal item and features multiple compartments to keep your essentials organized. Right now, the bag is on sale for under $25, and the durable fabric and comfortable straps make it one of our top picks — $24 (was $36) at Amazon!
4. Calpak Evry Luggage Set: This travel bundle is as cute as it is functional. The set includes a carry-on suitcase, large checked bag, five-piece packing cube set and luggage tag for the ultimate travel organization. There’s a reason people rave about Calpak luggage, and snagging a set for a whopping 45% off is a rare steal — $299 (was $545) at Calpak!
5. Manhattan Hardside Luggage Set: Chic, sturdy, spacious and 62% off, this black textured luggage set is perfect for keeping your travel essentials organized. The set includes three suitcase sizes, offering plenty of packing space and versatility for quick getaways and long adventures — $149 (was $400) at Nordstrom!
6. Etronik Weekender Bag: Need a versatile travel bag? This weekender bag has you covered with a separate shoe compartment, multiple interior pockets and built-in USB charging port. It even comes with a matching toiletry bag, so it’s perfect for keeping your packing stress-free — $22 (was $40) at Amazon!
I'm an Amazon Shopping Writer — These Are the 10 Deals Worth Buying This Week
7. Horizon Upright Carry-On: Say hello to your new favorite carry-on! This expandable suitcase maximizes available packing space while looking extra stylish. The smooth spinner wheels make navigating busy airports a total breeze, and you can travel worry-free thanks to the self-mending zipper — $100 (was $200) at Nordstrom!
8. Lovevook Backpack: Equal parts stylish and functional, this backpack is perfect for business trips or casual travel. The sleek backpack includes a padded laptop compartment, USB charging port and added pouch bag for organizing your essentials, making it an ideal choice for the organized traveler or commuter — $56 (was $70) at Amazon!
9. Calpak Trnk Luggage Set: If you want to travel in style, this carry-on and checked bag luggage set is for you. The vintage-inspired trunk design adds a chic touch to your travels, while the spacious interior and organizational compartments (both dividers and pockets) keep everything in its place — $329 (was $470) at Calpak!
10. Bugatti Duffle Bag: This expensive-looking duffle bag offers a sleek look with practical features. The contrast detailing is ultra modern and stylish, and the roomy interior and sturdy handles make it a perfect pick for weekend getaways. Made with high quality materials, now’s the perfect time to grab the bag while it’s on sale — $80 (was $110) at Nordstrom!
11. Hanke Grace Hard Shell Suitcase: Gone are the days of digging through your bags on the airport floor to find your passport, laptop or charger thanks to the convenient front opening on this hardshell suitcase. It’s lightweight, yet durable thanks to the aluminum frame. With smooth spinner wheels and a spacious interior, this suitcase is ready for adventure — $128 (was $180) at Amazon!
12. Vera Bradley Performance Weekender: When it comes to classic and stylish travel bags, Vera Bradley never disappoints. This weekender bag is made from a lightweight, quilted fabric and offers plenty of room for your clothes, accessories and travel essentials — $76 (was $175) at Amazon!
13. Dwqoo Expandable Weekender Backpack: When you need a bag that can do it all, this expandable backpack is the answer. It functions as a carry-on, a weekender or even a gym or hiking bag thanks to its spacious design and smart compartments. The expandable design means you can pack a little more when needed without having to lug multiple bags around the airport — $18 (was $37) at Amazon!
14. Maelstrom Waterproof Backpack: Ready for adventure? This waterproof backpack is a must-have for trips that might include the unexpected. It has a detachable compartment, plenty of pockets (along with a padded laptop compartment) and best of all, a durable, water-resistant exterior to keep your belongings safe and dry. Bonus: It comes with a matching crossbody bag — $43 (was $50) at Amazon!
15. Wedama Weekender Bag: This overnight bag is just $12, and it combines functionality with a bit of flair. It comes with two magnetic closure compartments perfect for your laptop or books, along with a waterproof PVC pocket where you can stash wet clothes or towels — $12 (was $24) at Amazon!
16. Maison d’ Hermine Quilted Weekender Bag: I admit: The happy yellow design of this bag brings an instant smile to my face — and so does the 20% off discount available right now. Perfect for short trips or weekend getaways, this charming, watercolor-inspired bag is multifunctional and oh, so sweet — $72 (was $90) at Amazon!
17. Bagail Packing Cubes: Packing cubes are a game-changer for staying organized, and this 10-piece set is almost 30% off right now. The packing cubes help maximize space and avoid the dreaded suitcase scramble — $20 (was $25) at Amazon!
Hurry! Amazon Slashed the Price of Its Bestselling Suitcase — 50% Off Today
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Charli D’Amelio has once again influenced Us — and this time, it has to do with statement belts.
It all started when D’Amelio, 20, was spotted at the Prada Fall 2025 runway show during Milan Fashion Week on Thursday, February 27, and let’s just say the TikTok sensation is continuing to take her personal style to the next level.
The social media star chose a midriff-baring ensemble from the Italian fashion house’s Spring 2025 collection. The two-piece set consisted of an emerald-green Radzimir Strapless Bra Top and a low-slung pleated skirt that was attached to a moto-chic belt.
Of course, the & Juliet ensemble member made the impossible-to-miss outfit appear timeless, effortless and classic. Long, beach-like waves added soft, earthy vibes and helped balance out the overall edgy flair, while minimal jewelry kept the attention on the show’s main star — a.k.a. her belt — which just so happened to accentuate her abs.
The Most Talked-About Looks at Paris Fashion Week Spring 2025
The former Dancing with the Stars champion isn’t the only celebrity who’s recently donned a larger-than-life waist accessory or a midriff-revealing outfit. Caitríona Balfe, 45, also displayed some skin and a chunky wardrobe addition at this year’s Critics’ Choice Awards.
Courtesy of celebrity stylist Karla Welch‘s dressing magic, the Outlander actress arrived in a satin Prada crop top that featured keyhole cutouts at the neckline, a coordinating skirt and a leather belt like D’Amelio.
We’re not surprised that this risqué and bold aesthetic is being flaunted around the globe, as low-rise silhouettes are one of spring’s most coveted trends, along with oversized anything. More is more this season.
Even if you cannot imagine pulling off a daring belt like Balfe and D’Amelio, the accessory is coming back in a big way in 2025, even when styled traditionally. To reap the waist-snatching benefits, consider buckling up.
A Texas state lawmaker introduced legislation that would amend the state's ban on gender transition procedures or treatment for minors to also apply to adults in the Lone Star State.
H.B. 3399 filed by Rep. Brent Money, a Republican, would change the language in the current law banning gender-transitioning procedures or treatment for children by replacing the word "child" with "person."
Money's proposal would prohibit medical procedures "for the purpose of transitioning a person's biological sex" or "affirming the person's perception of the person's sex" if the perception is not consistent with the person's biological sex.
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Surgeries and puberty-blocking drugs would be banned for all Texans under the bill, with exceptions for a doctor prescribing puberty-blocking drugs to a child with parental consent to normalize puberty and for surgery on a person born with a "verifiable genetic disorder of sex development."
People who have already started puberty-blocking medications must be weaned off the drugs in a "medically appropriate" manner that "minimizes the risk of complications."
Texas has an estimated 93,000 transgender adults, making it the state with the third-most, behind only California and Florida, according to the Williams Institute at UCLA's School of Law. About 30,000 Texans between the ages of 13 and 18 are transgender, also making it the state with the third-most, behind California and New York.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, signed a bill in 2023 banning gender-transitioning treatment for transgender youth after the measure was approved by the state legislature.
The law was challenged in the Texas Supreme Court, with the lawsuit that sought to block the law arguing that the ban has devastating consequences for transgender teenagers who are unable to obtain treatment recommended by their doctors and parents, according to Fox 7.
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But the court upheld the ban last summer in an 8-1 decision. Only one justice dissented, saying the state Supreme Court was allowing the state to "legislate away fundamental parental rights."
Texas is one of at least 25 states with laws restricting or banning gender-transitioning treatment for transgender minors.
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