Reading view
What Led to 'You' Star Griffin Matthews' Surprise Move From U.S. to Spain?
After filming the final season of You, Griffin Matthews made a surprise change in his life by moving overseas.
“I moved to Spain. I left America to try and expand my life and expand my artistry,” Matthews, 42, exclusively told Us Weekly while discussing his arc on season 5 of You. “I’m really looking forward to writing my own show, which I’m currently developing.”
Matthews clarified that his involvement in the entertainment industry hasn’t changed, adding, “It is time for us to see a character that I have played many, many times. I tend to play the same position on TV but I don’t ever see my position as No. 1 on the call sheet. So I’m writing the show for myself and I hope that it happens and everyone gets to see what it is to be in that position.”
While reflecting on his move, Matthews, who shares two kids with husband Matt Gould, acknowledged there were ups and downs.
Celebrities Who Have Left the U.S.: Why Ellen DeGeneres and More Have Moved
“It’s been both easy because Madrid is incredible — and it is easy in that way — but it is difficult and it’s hard to immigrate so I have an entirely new respect for immigrants,” he shared. “Obviously, our country is having a lot of conversations about immigrants and I think we don’t give them enough credit.”
Matthews broke down his commitment to his new life in Spain, telling Us, “I’m in Spanish school five days a week, four hours a day learning Spanish. I am expanding my artistry. I actually attended a cinema festival where I’m seeing movies that could never be made in America. But they’re being made here and it’s just incredible work.”

He continued: “I am so excited to expand my capabilities of storytelling and language. It’s where we’re at in the world right now. We need to take a pause and learn about other people. For me, the best way to do it and for my children was to pick up and grow and start a new life.”
Matthews has already been doing the work that comes with inclusive storytelling since becoming an actor. His most recent role was Teddy Lockwood in Netflix’s hit series You, which allowed Matthews to prioritize authenticity with his performance.
“We had many, many calls with our showrunners. The showrunners gave me a lot of freedom to make sure that Teddy felt authentic. I had the space to say, ‘I think in this particular scenario, a Black person in 2024 is going to say it like this,'” he recalled to Us. “We had to tackle race and culture and privilege. I wanted people who looked like me to see the show and recognize themselves on screen. So I was so lucky that our showrunners were so open to conversations.”
'You' Series Finale Ending Explained: Did Joe Die? Who Returned?
Matthews noted that Teddy’s appearance was a good example of his involvement, adding, “We did an entire conversation about hair. I spent more time in the hair chair than any of the women on our show: four hours. We were just going hours and hours a day trying to craft a look because Teddy starts with an afro and then as the season progresses, he finally makes it to the end. I wanted him to look the way that he would look in Harlem — but now he’s the CEO.”
There were also discussions about how to capture Teddy properly through his personal life.
“I’ve played many gay men on television and I’ve never had a Black boyfriend or husband. So when I found out that Teddy had a husband and a son, I said ‘It might be interesting if we cast another Black actor and maybe a Black child. Because it will say something about who Teddy is when he’s not inside of this particular world. It will tell the viewer that Teddy is completely outside of this culture, that he’s a fish out of water when he’s in that office,'” Matthews explained. “I give the showrunners a lot of credit because they really heard some of the ideas that I had and implemented them in really, really special and beautiful ways.”
You is currently streaming on Netflix.
© Clifton Prescod/Netflix
10 Loose, Expensive-Looking Dresses That Flatter Every Body Type — All Under $20
If you secretly think about slipping into sweatpants while wearing dresses, you haven’t found the right ones yet. The right dresses are loose, billowy and skin-friendly, some comfier than loungewear (and ten times more stylish).
Flattering, high-quality can dresses cost hundreds, which is why we couldn’t believe the dress options at Shop LC. You can score the perfect beach dress, a head-turning errand dress, Zimmermann-looking prints and everything in between, starting at just $10. It’s a fashionista’s wonderland!
Whether you wear a size 2 or a size 2X, there’s a breezy, one-size-fits-most dress with your name on it. These dresses would cost hundreds — if not thousands — at a boutique near you, so take advantage of it!
10 Boutique-Looking, One-Size-Fits-Most Dresses at Shop LC
1. Vacation Staple: Everyone’s going somewhere this summer. If you’re jetting abroad, you won’t want to travel without this tropical floral midi.
2. Rich Mom: Snakeskin is a total power move. Own the look with this smocked and tiered maxi dress that keeps you comfy and cool in hot weather!
3. Bestseller Alert: Reviewers can’t get enough of this sleeveless A-line maxi, one calling it “outrageously comfy” and adding that they’re on their 11th Tamsy dress.
Amazon Can't Keep These 19 Under-$30 Summer Dresses in Stock
4. Classy Act: Every size and color variety is available for this bell-sleeve wonder, so grab one for spring and one for summer.
5. Hamptons Aesthetic: Drapey, loose and all sorts of chic, this T-shirt midi has a patchwork side design that screams expensive and a soft, breathable fabric.
6. Wedding Guest-Ready: You’ll RSVP ‘yes’ to every invite just so you can wear this knee-length dress with double layers.
7. Lounge in Luxury: Simple in design, this solid-color mini dress pairs beautifully with sneakers, an oversized tote and your favorite jewelry for an effortlessly put-together look.
8. Total Steal: We can’t believe this waist-cinching midi is just $10 right now. Flutter sleeves are just one highlight!
9. Selling Out: Run! This modest dress has a one-of-a-kind pattern that shoppers are snagging left and right. It’s the ideal ‘everything’ dress that can be worn fancy or casual, depending on the occasion.
10. Off-the-Shoulder: This vacation maxi flatters the arms while lengthening the body. Added to cart!
I Have a Short Torso — These 20 Summer Dresses Masterfully Elongate My Frame
Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!
© Getty Images
Celebs Who Discovered Parents Later in Life: Mariska Hargitay, More
Mariska Hargitay, Jack Nicholson, Orlando Bloom and Liv Tyler are among the most notable stars who discovered major revelations about their parents later in life.
In the case of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Hargitay, she learned as an adult that her late mother, Jayne Mansfield, had a secret fling that resulted in her birth. In another astounding story, Jackie Chan was abandoned by his parents as a young boy when they fled persecution from the Chinese government.
Some of these celebrities and their biological parents were able to find catharsis when they finally reunited, though there are notable instances where families have been torn apart entirely. Nickelodeon star Jennette McCurdy conceded on The Drew Barrymore Show that a startling discovery about her biological dad damaged her relationship with the man who raised her.
“That was a relationship I sort of let dissolve [and] disintegrate,” McCurdy said in 2022. “There wasn’t really much there to begin with.”
Looking Back at Mariska Hargitay’s Mom Jayne Mansfield’s Untimely Death
Keep scrolling for a look back at the compelling stories of stars with shocking parental revelations:
Mariska Hargitay

In the 2025 documentary My Mom Jayne, Mariska revealed for the first time that the man who’d raised her — bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay — wasn’t her biological dad.
Her mother, Hollywood icon Mansfield, split from husband Mickey — with whom she had two other children — and engaged in a brief affair with Italian singer Nelson Sardelli. The fling was short-lived, and Mansfield soon returned to Mickey once she learned she was pregnant. They raised the child together until Mansfield was tragically killed in a car accident that also severely injured 3-year-old Mariska in 1967.
Mariska found out Sardelli was her biological father in her 20s, though Mickey denied it all in his one and only conversation about the topic with the Law & Order star. Nonetheless, Mariska forged a relationship with Sardelli and his family that continues to this day.
“I do know that everyone made the best choice for me,” she told Vanity Fair. “I’m Mickey Hargitay’s daughter — that is not a lie.”
Orlando Bloom

The Pirates of the Caribbean star grew up believing that his mother Sonia Bloom’s husband, the novelist Harry Bloom, was his biological dad. Harry died at age 68 in 1981 when Orlando was just 4 years old.
At age 13, Orlando’s mother told him that his biological father was actually family friend Colin Stone. Colin had taken an active role in helping Sonia raise Orlando even before the future Lord of the Rings star learned the truth.
“We would always spend weekends with [Colin],” Orlando told The Times in 2020. “He was trying to be there for me in his own way, but he was busy. When I first found out, I was like, ‘Great, when can I move in with you?’ But that didn’t happen. He was married. And that was quite hard for me.”
His mother, Sonia, insisted to Hello! Magazine in 2003 that her son grew up with “a very happy background” despite the family secret.
“Orlando is not sad,” she insisted. “It was marvelous when he learned that Colin was his father. He was brought up surrounded by a loving family.”
Liv Tyler

The Lord of the Rings actress grew up with mother Bebe Buell and her on-off rocker boyfriend Todd Rundgren. While Todd signed Liv’s birth certificate as her father, Buell kept hidden that Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler was actually Liv’s biological dad.
Steven wrote in his memoir, Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Memoir, that he first learned about Liv’s existence in 1980. Liv noticed her own physical similarities to Steven as she grew up and finally put the pieces together when she spotted her half-sister Mia Tyler at one of Rundgren’s concerts.
“I kind of figured it out [that Steven is my father] because he looks exactly like me and I have sister, named Mia, who is a year younger than me,” Liv recalled on The Jonathan Ross Show. “I saw her, standing on the side of the stage at a concert, and literally, it was like looking at a twin. She looked exactly like me. I looked at my mom and she had tears in her eyes. I kind of put it all together.”
A Guide to Liv and Steven Tyler’s Family Controversy
Liv went on to star in Aerosmith’s “Crazy” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” music videos. However, she admitted on the “Sibling Revelry” podcast in April 2025 that her relationship with Rundgren suffered once she reconnected with Steven.
“I think it’s probably still very hard and painful,” Liv reflected. “I don’t speak to him enough, I love him and I have brothers from him and I had a whole family with them. But I was a kid, so it was really hard because he was mad at my mom, and then suddenly Steven was there and we did a paternity test and it was positive and so we moved to New York. I think I was 11 or 12.”
Rundgren discussed the awkward situation with WXPN in April 2019, admitting that Steven’s involvement impacted his own relationship with Liv for many years.
“Fortunately, there is a happy ending there,” he said. “Just talking about the way everything came about, what happened during the relationship. It was always the one subject in my life that I was most sensitive about; my relationship with Bebe, and such. For years, I was very upset about the fact that [Liv] essentially forgot that I was her father. Things turned out to be a lot of fun for her. I got completely sidelined for a while, and I got bent out of shape about it.”
Jack Nicholson

The Batman actor learned in a truly shocking way that the woman who raised him was not his biological mother. A Time reporter broke the news to Nicholson in 1974 that the woman he’d always thought was his mother, Ethel May, was actually his grandmother, and his “sister,” June Nicholson, was actually his biological mom. Because June got pregnant at age 17, her parents agreed to bring up Jack as their own child.
Jack was informed by the magazine’s researchers that his biological father was alive and living in New Jersey. This revelation was particularly difficult for Jack because he couldn’t discuss it with his mother or grandmother — they died in 1963 and 1970, respectively.
“Both grandmother and mother were deceased before this particular group of facts came to my attention,” Jack told Rolling Stone in 1986. “I was very impressed by their ability to keep the secret, if nothing else. It’s done great things for me.”
He went on, “I mean, I don’t have to question the abortion issue in my mind. It’s an open-and-shut case where I’m concerned. As an illegitimate child born in 1937, during the Depression, to a broken lower-middle-class family, you are a candidate for — you’re an automatic abortion with most people today. So it’s very easy for me. I don’t have to get into the debate of when does the thing come alive. And I’m very pleased to be out of it, ’cause it’s not an easy issue.”
Daisy Lowe

Daisy discovered as a teenager that her mother, fashion designer Pearl Lowe, hid the truth about her father being Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale. Until she was 15, the model believed her mom Pearl’s ex-lover Bronner Handwerger was her dad and that Rossdale was her godfather.
The revelation had huge repercussions on the lives of everyone involved. Pearl wrote in her memoir All That Glitters that Rossdale — who was married to Gwen Stefani at the time — was furious when a DNA test confirmed he was indeed Daisy’s dad.
“Daisy beamed when I told her the result. … Later that day I emailed Gavin,” Pearl wrote. “There was no response. When Daisy eventually succeeded in speaking to him, Gavin appeared more concerned with venting his anger about my behavior than engaging with his daughter. All this was very hard on Daisy. She spent most days in tears but it is a testimony to her maturity and strength of character that after she overcame her initial hurt she got on with her life.”
Father and daughter eventually mended fences, with Daisy telling The Guardian in 2015 that it was a long and difficult process to forge a relationship with the rocker.
“I was so happy the day I found out Gavin was my dad,” she said. “I’d always looked up to him. But it was still a s***show trying to get over it. There’s no handbook. As a 15-year-old you have to pull yourself together anyway.”
Daisy confirmed on “That Gaby Roslin Podcast” in 2022 that she’d become close to Gavin and Gwen’s three children — Kingston, born in 2006, Zuma, born in 2008, and Apollo, born in 2014. (Rossdale and Stefani split in 2015.)
Gavin Rossdale Gives Rare Insight Into Former Life With Ex Gwen Stefani
“I love them all so dearly,” she said. “I FaceTime with my brothers over in L.A. at least once a week. Kingston is the same age as [my sister] Betty actually. Zuma and Apollo are a bit younger, a bit less into FaceTime understandably. Whenever I go to L.A. I always have the best time with those boys. They’re such brilliant kids.”
Gavin made a rare public comment about his relationship with Daisy after she got engaged to real estate agent Jordan Saul in 2022. (Daisy and Jordan welcomed daughter Ivy Love in April 2023.)
“Daisy has just got engaged. I played some music to her fiancé, my future son-in-law, when they were with me in L.A. and he wrote to me that he loved the new tracks,” he revealed to Metro in 2022. “He’s a budding amateur fighter, so I think he just likes the strength. I don’t know what else he likes but he’s a really good person so I’m super excited about him.”
Jennette McCurdy

Jennette wrote the powerful memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died about her troubled childhood and abuse she endured from her mother, Debra McCurdy, who died in 2013.
Following Debra’s death, her husband, Mark McCurdy, began dating one of Debra’s closest friends, a woman referred to as Karen in I’m Glad My Mom Died. With Karen’s encouragement, Mark told Jennette that he wasn’t her biological father.
“I remember feeling like I got the wind knocked out of me. My mouth was really dry,” she recalled on The Drew Barrymore Show in 2022. “I think I hugged him and his then-girlfriend sort of, like, joined the hug, and she was well-meaning, but I was like, OK, this is just a hug between us two.’”
The Nickelodeon actress said she was ultimately disappointed in the way Mark revealed the shocking news.
“[He said,] ‘It’s not your fault you were born.’ Then he repeated it, he doubled down and then tripled down,” she said. “I thought, ‘This is the weirdest thing to say to somebody after you’ve just told them you’re not their biological father.’”
Jennette recalled feeling equally stunned to learn her biological dad was a local jazz musician, whom she referred to in the book as Andrew. The iCarly actress went with costar Miranda Cosgrove and other friends to introduce herself to Andrew at one of his concerts.
Andrew confirmed to Jennette that he’d known he was her father all along but never reached out because he wasn’t sure whether Debra ever told Mark the truth.
During her appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Jennette said that the revelation made sense in hindsight because she “always felt” Mark was “pretty disengaged and disconnected” throughout her childhood.
“That was a relationship I sort of let dissolve [and] disintegrate,” she said. “There wasn’t really much there to begin with.”
Tim McGraw

Tim opened up on Q With Tom Power about meeting his father, legendary New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies baseball player Tug McGraw, at age 18.
Tug had a brief fling with Tim’s mother, Betty Ann D’Agostino, when they lived in the same Florida apartment building. Once D’Agostino became pregnant, her family sent her away to Louisiana and later led Tim to believe D’Agostino’s first husband, Horace Smith, was his father. Tim finally learned the truth at age 11 when he found his birth certificate.
Tug denied being Tim’s father for seven years but eventually agreed to meet him. In his 2023 interview, Tim recalled being presented with a legal letter by Tug when they met.
“We sat there in silence for about five minutes just looking at each other,” Tim remembered. “And I finally said, ‘Look, I’m happy to sign this [legal agreement] and I’ll get out of your hair. It’s not about the money. I’ll work three jobs if I have to. It’s not a big deal. I just want to know, do you think you’re my father?’ And he said [to me], ‘Yeah, I think so. I know so.’”
According to Tim, Tug then offered to tear up the legal agreement so they could forge a relationship.
“He said, ‘I want you to be part of my family,’” Tim said, before revealing with a laugh: “I didn’t hear from him for a year.”
Tug died at age 59 in January 2004 after being diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Tim honored his father by spreading his ashes on the pitcher’s mound at the Phillies’ home stadium Citizens Bank Park during the 2008 World Series.
Jackie Chan

The 2003 documentary Traces of the Dragon: Jackie Chan and His Lost Family delves into the action star’s extraordinary background as the son of a Shanghai gambler (his mother, Lee-lee Chan) and a clandestine political operative (his father, Charles Chan). Under political pressure, Jackie’s parents fled China in 1949 and later left 6-year-old Jackie behind to attend school in Hong Kong when they moved to Australia in 1962.
“The fact that his mother was an opium smuggler, a gambler and a ‘Big Sister’ in the underworld was a big shock to Jackie and also to us,” Traces of a Dragon director Mabel Cheung told The Guardian in 2003. “Everybody in Hong Kong knew that his mother was like a common housewife, very kind, very gentle.”
Jackie reconnected with his parents a few years later. In the 1990s, Jackie learned his real name was actually Fang Shilong, as his father had changed their family’s surname from Fang to Chan to avoid scrutiny from the Chinese government. He was told his parents each had two other children from previous marriages, whom Jackie had never known of.
The entire family was eventually reunited in Australia in the late 1990s.
Sean Astin

The Stranger Things actor’s mother, Hollywood icon Patty Duke, was involved in three romances around the same period in 1970 with then-17-year-old Desi Arnaz Jr., Addams Family star John Astin (who was married to Suzanne Hahn at the time) and rock music promoter Michael Tell.
Duke quickly married Tell when she got pregnant, but their union only lasted 13 days. She raised her son Sean to believe John was his father since they eventually got together following John’s 1972 divorce.
Duke confessed to Sean when he was 14 that Arnaz was actually his biological father — though Sean eventually learned this was not true. Sean underwent a DNA test to confirm that Tell was his biological father all along, despite Duke’s insistence that she’d never consummated her 13-day marriage.
Sean told People in 2001 that he was able to develop “a good relationship” with Tell, though he would always think of John as a father.
“I don’t fault anybody, I don’t fault myself or with Desi, who is like my godfather, I have such a powerful love bond with this man, he’s a gorgeous human being,” Sean said.
Duke remained skeptical about the possibility of Tell being her son’s father, telling People in 2001 that she simply “didn’t buy the [DNA] test.”
“I can support [Sean’s] truth as long as my truth, if not supported, is respected. I have told him I know what I know to be true,” she insisted. “When God looks me in the eye and says, ‘Anna Marie [her real name], you have been mistaken all these years,’ then I will consider [Tell’s paternity].”
Duke died at age 69 in 2016 from sepsis caused by a ruptured intestine.
Wynonna Judd

In the 2025 docuseries The Judd Family: Truth Be Told, Wynonna opened up about her famously complicated relationship with late mother Naomi Judd. The country music icon grew up believing her mother’s first husband, Michael Ciminella, was her biological father but learned in her 30s that she was conceived during Naomi’s brief fling with another man, Charles Jordan.
“There was all this pressure and everybody kinda freaked out, and [Jordan] went off to join the Army,” Wynonna explained. “Look, I understand it, but I was really angry with her about it. I was so devastated that I thought there was a part of me that’s missing. The glass is half empty. Learning about my birth father, I feel more like him than I do my mother in certain areas. And I think Mom was terrified of that half of me because she couldn’t control it. She couldn’t bring it in and train it. That’s why Mom was very hard on me.”
Wynonna never got a chance to meet her biological dad because Jordan died in 2000. Naomi died by suicide at age 76 in April 2022.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
© Getty Images (3)
Kate Hudson’s Daughter Rani, 6, Lip-Syncs Her Mom's Iconic “Almost Famous” Line: Watch
“The Pitt”'s Tracy Ifeachor Reveals 'There Was More' Between Dr. Collins and Dr. Robby's Relationship That Didn't Air (Exclusive)
Bryan Cranston Reveals What He Loves About the “Malcolm in the Middle ”Revival and Why He ‘Missed’ Playing Hal (Exclusive)
Demi Lovato Walks Down the Aisle at Wedding Rehearsal, on Video
Elizabeth Hurley, Billy Ray Cyrus Make Red Carpet Debut Family Affair

Why We’re All Obsessed With Wealthy People Behaving Badly
Peering into the lives of the rich and spoiled has always been popular — and these days, the worse they act, the more we love them.
We are a nation of voyeurs, and our fixation with other people’s lives — both fictional and not — is often directed upward, to folks dripping with wealth, privilege and Botox. The best part? Those with the most often act with the least: that is, the least self-awareness, decorum and general connection to reality.
From unscripted reality shows like the Real Housewives franchise and The Kardashians to irresistible dramas like the current AppleTV+ hit Your Friends & Neighbors, starring Jon Hamm as an unemployed hedge fund manager who steals from his wealthy friends, and the HBO sensation The White Lotus, which focuses on the most cluelessly wealthy people ever, we are totally obsessed with rich people behaving badly.
That’s not new: “When there was a recession in the early ‘80s, shows like Dallas and Dynasty proved hugely popular,” Broadcast historian Finola Doyle has told Metro. “They were luxe and opulent. They were a form of escapism. There were fewer of those shows in the ‘90s and noughties, and more of a focus on gritty realism. The economy was performing better, so there wasn’t such a chasm.” Enter Swamp People, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and Duck Dynasty, three reality shows The Hollywood Reporter called part of cable TV’s major “blue collar boom” back in 2013.
Now That 'The White Lotus' Season 3 Is Over, Watch These 5 Great Shows
So, what’s happening now? Clinical psychologist Sarah Bishop tells Glamour, “In times of economic uncertainty, such as a cost-of-living crisis, people often seek escapism through media. Watching the privileged can trigger social comparison processes. People may feel better about their own lives when they observe the flaws and failures of the wealthy, as this reinforces the notion that happiness and success are not solely determined by wealth.” Meaning, a lot of us in ordinary towns with ordinary jobs and ordinary hair that just sort of hangs down instead of swishing sumptuously may never own a mansion in the Hamptons or sashay into a gorgeous beach resort in Sicily, but at least we’re not so miserable.
When the people on Badly Behaved Rich People shows scream, cry, brawl or throw a tantrum because they didn’t get the biggest room on vacation, it’s a welcome reminder that money can buy all the handbags, but not all the happiness.
Watching Housewives flaunt their money and make terrible choices gives us the thrill of feeling morally superior, even for just a minute, to people who technically have it all. When they mess up, it’s a delicious kind of justice — way tastier than caviar (at least, we imagine). Whether it’s passive-aggressive dinner parties or a meltdown in a mansion, we’re hooked on all the compelling chaos and, sometimes, cruelty behind those perfect blow-dries and infinity kitchen islands.
The Messiest 'Real Housewives' Girls Trips in Bravo History
And yet, despite these people’s lives often being way more of a disaster zone than our own, we still want to be a little more like them, too. As Zoe Williams of The Guardian says of White Lotus season 3 compared with its first, “It feels a lot more like early 21st-century wealth porn.” We’re disillusioned with wealth but still seduced by the fantasy.
The stats don’t lie: Style videos tagged “rich mom energy” have had over 100 million views and counting on TikTok and many clothing retailers optimize their products on Google for “rich mom fashion” search terms. And that makes perfect sense. Maybe still, deep down, we believe that if we could only access all that these obsessively watchable and chronically extra people have, we’d be better off.
© Dia Dipasupil/WireImage
Inside Michelle Williams and Jeremy Strong's Decades-Long Friendship
Michelle Williams and Jeremy Strong have had a decades-long friendship full of support.
Williams and Strong met while acting at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2004 when they were both in their early 20s. The actors weren’t starring in the same production at the time — Williams appeared in The Cherry Orchard while Strong starred in Haroun and the Sea of Stories — but they struck up a bond nonetheless.
“We were both very young without real access to an interior of a life in the theater or in cinema,” Williams recalled during a May 2025 appearance on NPR’s “Fresh Air” podcast. “We were hungry, we were wanting and striving. That is hard and takes a lot of effort and also a lot of doggedness to keep at it.”
That same year, Williams filmed Brokeback Mountain, during which she started a romantic relationship with costar Heath Ledger. She and Ledger welcomed their daughter Matilda in 2005. They split in 2007, months before his death.
Michelle Williams Through the Years: From ‘Dawson’s Creek’ to the Oscars
Ledger died at age 28 in 2008 following an accidental drug overdose, and Williams’ friendship with Strong helped her cope with his passing.
Keep scrolling for a breakdown of Williams and Strong’s friendship:
His Bond With Matilda
Williams was asked about Strong — and his method acting following a controversial New Yorker article at the time — during a 2022 interview with Variety. She spoke candidly about the Succession alum’s character and how he helped her daughter following Ledger’s death.

“Jeremy was serious enough to hold the weight of a child’s broken heart and sensitive enough to understand how to approach her through play and games and silliness,” Williams said. “[Matilda] didn’t grow up with her father, but she grew up with her Jeremy and we were changed by his ability to play as though his life depended upon it, because hers did.”
She added, “We’ve watched him work harder than anyone and wait a long time for other people to recognize it. So, when he became so celebrated, we all celebrated.”
Naming Her House
The Variety article revealed that Strong moved into Williams’ house following Ledger’s death. She offered more details about that time in her life during a May 2025 appearance on NPR’s “Fresh Air” podcast.
Stars Who Have Tragically Lost Their Significant Others Through the Years
“There were, sort of, multiple people going in and out of that house,” Williams said, noting that she had two friends — including Strong — and her sister living there. “We had a name, I think maybe Jeremy came up with it, and he called it Fort Awesome. It was like Pippi Longstocking or something. Something [like] what you imagine as a child, you imagine this place where you could go, and you could make some of the rules and you would be together, and it would be full of fun and play and ideas and personalities and acceptance and love. … I think that was kind of like what that time was. It was like Fort Awesome.”
Their Familial Bond
During the same podcast episode, Williams said she and Strong have raised their children “in great proximity” to one another. (Along with Matilda, Williams shares three kids with husband Thomas Kail. Strong is the father of three daughters with wife Emma Wall.)

Williams acknowledged that the public doesn’t get to “witness” Strong the way she does.
“He would be engaged for as long as Matilda wanted to be on fairy princesses or tea parties or dress up,” she recalled. “I think I was trying to communicate that there’s another aspect to this person, this friend of mine who I love so much, and to shine a little light on that.”
Praising His Worth Ethic
While Strong’s dedication to his career has received widespread criticism, Williams had nothing but praise for her friend.
“I think it’s really inspiring to see the way that he’s held on to that work ethic, even though he has now such great success in so many accolades,” she said during her “Fresh Air” appearance. “He’s still working, like, banging on that door, just like when we were young. And I really admire that.”
© Getty Images (2)
It's the Doctor Who and The Last of Us finales: What's coming up this week
Ruth Jones gets award for new book at Hay Festival
Ed Sheeran thrills with surprise set at Big Weekend
Brooklyn Beckham Says He’d ‘Always Choose’ Wife Nicola Peltz amid Family ‘Tension’ Rumors — as Brother Cruz Posts Family Photo
"It seems like it should get better, but it hurts more and more every time,…
12 Best Father’s Day Gifts to Make Your Dad’s Day
There are few humans in the world as mysterious and hard to shop for than the common dad. While it can be easy to neglect poor ol’ pop on the 16th most important gift-giving event of the year, please don’t.
We have it on good authority (mom’s) that despite what he claims, he’d be disappointed to not get a gift on Father’s Day.
If you’re lucky enough to have a dad to spoil on Father’s Day, our picks below are guaranteed to delight every hard-to-shop for patriarch. Whether he loves professional wrestling, grilling or wants to be left alone with a slice of pie, these thoughtful Father’s Day gifts are guaranteed to make him smile.
12 Best Father’s Day Gifts 2025

Smithey
Smithey Double Burner Griddle
$295
For the Master Chef
There's something truly rewarding about making a big honking breakfast. Whether you're cooking enough bacon for a small army or flipping pancakes like a pro, the sense of accomplishment is staggering. That might be why griddles, like this versatile and polished one from Smithey, are so popular.
Designed for enduring quality, Smithey's pieces make excellent heirlooms. Dads and their proteges alike will enjoy the smooth surface, which makes cleanup a breeze, and the classy stainless steel handles, because … well, who doesn’t want elegant cookware?
This combination of legacy-building and breakfast creation, unsurprisingly, holds particular appeal to dads, making it a perfect gift for Father’s Day.

“Best Farter Ever” Coffee Mug
$8
For the Funniest, Most Flatulent Dad
Farts are funny. Mugs are essential. What more is there to say?

Owala
Owala Fairways for Days Waterbottle
$40
For the Hard-To-Shop for Golfer
It’s no secret, dads love golf. Perhaps it’s the combination of stillness and barely-there exercise, or perhaps there’s nothing quite like the feeling of nailing a golf ball as hard as you can across a sea of green.
And while it can be an impossible task to buy your dad a new diver (as he already knows what he wants but won’t tell you,) this limited edition Owala is hole-in-one! Not only does it come with Owala’s signature, beloved FreeSip spout, but it’s also dimpled to feel like a golfball. And that’s cute. Like all Owala drink ware, the triple layer insulation keeps dad’s iced tea cold for all 18 holes.
Amazon Shoppers Are Ditching Their Carry-Ons for This Spacious Travel Backpack

Steelcase
You save: 25%
Steelcase Karman Chair
$1140 $1520
For the Boss Dad
As I grow older, I’ve learned a thing or two about dads. Universally, they like to get stuff done, move at their own pace and they all love sitting (finally, something my dad and I have in common.) And if I had to recommend something for the sitting connoisseur, it’d be this Steelcase Karman chair.
Despite being comfortable and customizable, it’s also not an eyesore, which is rare for office chairs. Its sculpted high back, clean lines and subtle accents make it a task chair worthy of dad’s home office.

You save: 14%
Apple iPad (2025)
$299 $349
For the Facebook Dad
If you’re anything like me, your parents are far too comfortable navigating and commenting on Facebook. And if that’s the case for you, there is, perhaps, no better gift for dad than an upgrade for his beloved iPad.
This particular model is perfect for browsing social media, keeping up with friends and former co-workers and, of course, posting pictures of people you’ve forgotten about. As with any Apple device, setup and use is a breeze. Plus, dad is likely already very familiar with it, thanks to his iPhone or previous model iPad.

Secret Aardvark Hot Sauce
$27
For the Dad Who Likes it Spicy
A staple in my fridge for over a decade, the Secret Aardvark habanero hot sauce is the perfect blend of flavor and heat. Everyone who sampled it at my home has raved about it. It’s definitely spicy, but not painfully so. It’s honestly a perfect hot sauce.

Technivorm Moccamaster
$359
For the Coffee-Loving Dad
There's no better way to start the morning than with coffee. And while that sentence was as painful to read as it was to write, the quality of brew that comes from the Technivorm Moccamaster is anything but.
Everyone who has owned and experienced the coffee produced by the Moccamaster is astounded by its consistency and ease of use. There's a lot of magic happening behind the guise of its retro design. The Technivorm Moccamaster brews coffee at the ideal temperature range consistently — which is what dad wants from his coffee maker. This means one thing; the best cup of coffee possible every single time.

WWE
WWE Big Gold World Heavyweight Championship Replica Title Belt
$525
For the Pro Wrestling Fan
In case you haven’t heard, professional wrestling is cool again. But you know whose passion for it never wavered? Dad. Surprise him with the gift that any professional wrestling fan has always dreamt of owning; the big one. More specifically, wrestling’s Big Gold Belt, arguably the most historically important belt in history. It’s appeared in so many wrestling promotions over the years, including the NWA, WCW, and the WWE, on the shoulder of several legends in the industry. If your dad is a fan, this is the one to start his collection with.

Huckberry
Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket
$298
For the Dad Who Would Survive a Zombie Apocalypse
Ever since I binged The Last of Us on HBO, I've been obsessed with waxed trucker jackets. Perfect as a transitional weather piece or to complete a layered outfit, waxed trucker jackets, like this one from Flint and Tinder, are unbelievably versatile. Every man should have one in their wardrobe. Like the best things in life (see: dad), it gets better with age, and this piece will last him a very, very long time.

Crowd Cow
You save: 9%
Taste of Crowd Cow: Steak Adventure
$129 $141
For the Dad Who Loves to Grill
For the carnivore, a flight of steak is the ultimate 'I see you' gift. This particular gift from Crowd Cow includes a pair of sirloin steaks, a wagyu petite striploin and a ribeye. For what it's worth, these were some of the best steaks I've ever made at home; great marbling, a generous portion and perfect for grilling this summer.

Southern Baked Pie
Lemon Chess Pie
$45
For the Dad With a Sweet Tooth
For my money, the lemon chess pie is the king of pies. Sweet, tangy and with a bright zip, this treat from the Southern Baked Pie Company is a definite crowd pleaser, though, I doubt your dad will want to share. As with any great pie, the crust on this one is buttery and hold its shape well even after being sliced.
This 10” pie is the perfect punctuation to an outdoor gathering (see: Father’s Day brunch). It's best served with fresh whipped cream and iced tea.

Opinel
Les Forgés 1890 8″ Bread Knife
$169
For the Dad Who Bakes Bread
There are three main knives to own; a chef’s knife, a paring knife and, the oft-neglected, bread knife. While the former two get all the attention, it’s important to have a well-rounded set — and it’s about time a handsome bread knife made its way into your dad’s hands. Opinel’s Les Forgés 1890 8-inch Bread Knife is designed to stay sharp, feel perfectly balanced, cut through hard crust and look good during it.
This Celeb and Travel Expert-Loved Brand's Memorial Day Sale Has Chic Gear Up to 60% Off
Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!
© Rebecca Perlmutter, Us Weekly
3 Great War Movies to Watch on Memorial Day
Memorial Day is meant to be a time to reflect on the men and women in the military who laid down their lives for our country during times of war.
In the spirit of that holiday, the only war movies appropriate for Memorial Day are those that acknowledge the high cost of war for the people who go into battle and the loved ones they leave behind.
That’s why the Watch With Us team has carefully selected three war movies to watch on Memorial Day.
Two of the films feature world-class directors delivering some of their finest work. And our second selection is often recognized as one of the greatest war movies ever made.
5 Great TV Shows to Watch on Memorial Day Weekend
‘Flags of Our Fathers’ (2006)
In 2006, Clint Eastwood stepped behind the camera to bring Flags of Our Fathers to the screen. This Oscar-nominated film is based on the real story behind the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima, one of the most famous photographs from World War II. As correctly depicted in the movie, the photograph by Bill Genaust (Kirk B. R. Woller) was taken during the second time the flag was raised, but it captured such an iconic moment that the picture became a sensation back in the United States.
John Bradley (Ryan Phillippe), Mike Strank (Barry Pepper), Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford), Harlon Block (Benjamin Walker) and Franklin Sousley (Joseph Michael Cross) are the men who raise the flag in the photo. Not all of them get to come home from the war. Those that survive discover that they now have more value to the military as fundraisers and morale boosters than they do as soldiers. But the psychological toll of their shared experience may be too much to bear.
Flags of Our Fathers is streaming on Paramount+.
‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)
The way that the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan depicts the Normandy invasion is so stunning and realistic that it went a long way towards winning Steven Spielberg his second Oscar for Best Director. The rest of the movie isn’t quite as harrowing as that, but it’s still a powerful tale about the search for one man, James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon).
3 Great Amazon Prime Video Movies to Watch on Memorial Day Weekend
Ryan and his three brothers went to war, but James is the only survivor at the beginning of this film. To prevent the Ryan family from suffering the loss of all four sons, Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) leads a small team through Europe’s frontlines to find James and bring him home. The search is dangerous because World War II is far from over, and even the men on this mission question whether it’s worth all of their suffering and misery to save one man’s life.
Saving Private Ryan is streaming on Peacock.
‘Greyhound’ (2020)
Over two decades after making Saving Private Ryan, Tom Hanks starred in another World War II film called Greyhound. In this film, Hanks plays Ernie Krause, a recently promoted commander who is tasked with leading a convoy of military and merchant ships from America to England during the height of World War II.
The truly dangerous waters in the Atlantic are the areas where Krause’s fleet has no air support, and they remain vulnerable to German U-boat attacks. While the initial attempts to ward off attacks are successful, the fleet’s dwindling resources place them in a dire situation with fewer options to defend themselves.
Greyhound is streaming on Apple TV+.
© Paramount Pictures
20-Year-Old IndyCar Star Nolan Siegel Talks About His Life Off the Track
Nolan Siegel might be a motorsports phenom, but away from the racetrack he’s just another 20-year-old.
Siegel will make his first appearance in the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25, as part of the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team. With a victory, Siegel would become the youngest driver to ever win the historic race. (The youngest Indy 500 driver of all-time was A.J. Foyt IV, who competed on his 19th birthday in 2003.)
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly during race week, Siegel explained how he likes to spend his time when he’s not trying to make history while driving hundreds of miles an hour.
“In the summer now I can go golf and play pickleball,” Siegel said. “I have plenty of friends that live close by. Basically the entire IndyCar field lives within 15 minutes of me, so I’ve got plenty of people to go and do things with. It’s been fun.”
IndyCar's Josef Newgarden Had No Idea Who 'RHOSLC' Cast Was During Cameo
The Palo Alto, California native recently made the move to Indianapolis, which he admitted was a bit of a tough transition.
“A lot of the activities that I could do in northern California are no longer options,” he said with a laugh.
Siegel added, “When I first came and started spending a lot of time here, it was like the start of winter. So that was a bit of a shock for sure.”

Once he adjusted — at least as best as he could — to the change in climate, Siegel started taking things into his own hands.
“I got my pilot’s license over the offseason and that’s been a new activity that I’ve really enjoyed,” he said. “That’s been a good, fun thing to do in Indiana.”
NASCAR Star Who Went to School With Taylor Swift Shades Travis Kelce
Professionally, Siegel finds himself busier than ever. And as his non-racing friends continue to hit certain milestones, he’s been forced to acknowledge that some aspects of his life aren’t quite so normal.
“There are definitely things I’ve missed out on all through school,” Siegel admitted. “Obviously now, all of my friends are in college and I’m missing out on that.”
He continued, “But I do not regret it at all. I wouldn’t trade this for that any day. Yes, there are things that I’m missing out on. But there are plenty of things that I get to do that they don’t get to do.”
One of those things, of course, is the thrill of racing in his first Indianapolis 500, which airs live on Fox Sunday, May 25, at 12:45 p.m. ET.
© Justin Casterline/Getty Images