The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen sparked split speculation after posting equally sad — but separate — Christmas celebrations.
Taylor, 30, took to TikTok on Wednesday, December 25, with a video of her crying. “Chaos to pure silence. Wouldn’t wish this pain upon anyone,” she wrote alongside the post. “If you’re there, take a drive, scream, cry, feel the pain, because I promise avoiding it will make it much worse.”
The reality star elaborated in the caption, adding, “I was told you got through this once, you’ll get through it again. #coparenting #loss #relationships.”
In the comments section, a follower noted that “Dakota’s TikTok brought” them to Taylor’s account. “Just happy he can have his day with him,” she replied in reference to her and Daktoa’s 8-month-old son, Ever.
“Wrapping presents alone. But I am sober and can be there for my son’s first Christmas,” he captioned the video before adding in a separate post, “He is the only gift I’ll ever need in my life. I love being a dad.”
Fans of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wiveshave become familiar with Taylor and Dakota’s public ups and downs. When the first season premiered in September, the couple found out onscreen that they were expecting their first baby together before Taylor subsequently suffered an ectopic pregnancy.
The season premiere ended with footage from Taylor’s February 2023 arrest for domestic violence. Taylor was ultimately charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief after the incident. She pleaded guilty in August 2023 to aggravated assault, while the other four charges were dismissed with prejudice, reaching a plea deal the following month.
“The first few days [when the show came out], I was actually really busy that I couldn’t just binge it. I had my kids and for some reason I do feel uncomfortable with my kids watching it,” Taylor, who also shares daughter Indy, 7, and son Ocean, 4, with ex-husband Tate Paul, exclusively told Us Weekly one month later. “It makes me feel uncomfortable. And then it gives me anxiety.”
“It’s really hard for me to watch [the ups and downs with me and Dakota] because it’s all such true feelings. None of it is fabricated or acting or nothing. It’s all real,” she noted. “So it’s really hard for me to watch that back to that. That’s probably one of the hardest moments.”
Hulu renewed the show for a second season as Taylor and Dakota attempted to figure out their future together. At the time, Taylor said she wished viewers saw more of Dakota’s “good soft side.”
“I feel like for him, that wasn’t shown on the show. It did show just defense,” she continued. “So he’s like, ‘I look like this asshole to you while you’re pregnant — when that’s just not the case of how I treated you the whole time. Yes, I did defend myself in cases, but that’s not how I am to you.'”
Taylor added: “I would say we’re working on things, and I actually have no idea where it goes with us from here. We are not fully together but not fully done. I don’t know where the future holds with him and I. It’s just a lot. So I’m coping and trying to cope. But I don’t want to watch the show.”
The pair have since offered glimpses at them spending time together — but also shared posts that have hinted they were no longer an item. Season 2 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is expected to premiere next year.
Paris Hilton certainly made a statement this Christmas, transforming herself into a human present by posing wrapped in a large bow.
Hilton, 43, celebrated the holiday season with a sexy video posted via her Instagram account on Wednesday, December 25, that caused fans to do a double take.
The shot featured the socialite wrapped in a large red bow, complemented by red fingerless elbow-length gloves, pointed-toe pumps and pearl-and-diamond drop earrings. The final accessory? Her 20-carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring with baguette diamonds on either side.
The clip was set to Ariana Grande’s Christmas anthem “Santa Tell Me (Dirty Version)” with the lyrics, “Oh, I wanna let him unwrap me, like, oh-ooh-oh / Get on top of him, by that fireplace, oh-ooh-oh.” She captioned the post, “My presence is a present.”
Her signature blonde hair was styled in glamorous Old Hollywood waves. Additional photos showcased Hilton in lacy red lingerie paired with matching thigh-high fishnet stockings and Santa-worthy suspenders. Her caption read: “All wrapped up and ready to sliv this holiday season.”
The joke was on Us, as many tastemakers and media outlets have recently declared the bow as the go-to holiday detail of choice, albeit usually atop a Christmas tree.
“The bow-topped tree trend stems from the aforementioned girlhood aesthetic, but it also aligns with the cottagecore and coquette-ified interiors that dominated our social media feeds during the pandemic,” wrote Architectural Digest. “But more importantly? It’s about personal style.”
The trend started to take shape in 2023, with Vogue reporting that, “bows — pinned into hair and dangling from clothes and hanging from candlesticks and stuffed into pillows and stuck onto unconsenting dogs and tied around everything from champagne coupes to antidepressants — were everywhere.”
Hilton’s tree, however, was dressed in a pink color scheme with various Christmas ornaments in shades of magenta, fuchsia, Barbie pink and more. On top was a single sparkling silver star, though no amount of decor could steal the spotlight from Hilton as a scantily clad present.
The holidays may be over, but that doesn’t mean the excitement is! lululemon is keeping the holiday cheer going for a few more days. During its End-of-Year Scores event, you can snag some of your favorite leggings, accessories, shoes, sports bras and more for special prices that may be better than Black Friday. It’s a fit fashionista’s dream!
Lululemon’s End-of-Year Scores Event runs until December 29, so you have a few days to snag your top picks, but don’t let anything linger in your cart for too long . . . the bestsellers are bound to sell out! Everything from iconic lululemon Scuba Pullovers to belt bags and Softstreme shorts is part of this event.
So read on to see what we’re adding to cart — and good luck not grabbing everything. See you at yoga!
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The Today cast opened their Secret Santa gifts during the show’s broadcast on Wednesday, December 25. Guthrie, 52, revealed she had Kotb, 60, and the emotional gift had everyone feeling some type of way.
“This is for me? I got wishing candles,” Kotb said while opening her gift bag. When pulling out the second item, Kotb could be heard whispering, “Oh, God,” to herself before showing a small framed square to the camera.
“OK, this phrase, ‘May you find a light to guide you home.’ It’s a beautiful song that Savannah gave to me every time I was going through something new,” Kotb explained. “Oh, my God. It’s too much.”
The lyric is from the song “May You Find a Light” by Josh Garrels.
“I thought you could put it on your desk in the morning when you’re reading your stuff,” Guthrie explained. Kotb responded, “You know what I love about this the most? That’s your handwriting.”
Guthrie confirmed that she did write the framed note before sharing a hug with her cohost.
This year’s Christmas broadcast marked Kotb’s last with the Today show. She announced in September that she would be departing the show in 2025. (Kotb’s final episode date is January 10.)
“I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new. This is the right time for me to move on,” she shared at the time.
Kotb has hosted the Today show’s fourth hour since 2007 and became a coanchor of the morning show in 2018. She and Guthrie — who joined the Today family in 2012 — have experienced several ups and downs together, which made the gift that much more meaningful.
During Kotb’s Today tenure, she has spoken candidly about her personal life on air. In 2007, Kotb announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy.
She and Joel Schiffman adopted two daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, throughout her time on the show. Kotb and Schiffman also got engaged in November 2019 after six years together, just one year after the television host took over as the Today coanchor.
Two years later, Kotb announced that she and Schiffman split during a February 2022 Today broadcast. Throughout all the hardships, Guthrie has been by Kotb’s side.
Kotb even referred to Guthrie as her “ride-or-die” in an open letter on Today.com announcing her departure from the show.
After the show was renewed for its final season, KJ Apa said he wasn’t sure how he would approach Riverdale‘s last chapter. “I try not to think about it, because the more I think about it, the more real it becomes,” he told TV Line in May 2022, shortly after the show was picked up for season 7. “I think a lot of us saw it coming, season 7 most probably being the final season. So it didn’t come as too much of a surprise to me.”
Apa joked that there was one aspect of playing Archie Andrews that he wouldn’t mind leaving behind, adding, “I can’t say I’d miss dying my hair every week. I’m looking forward to being myself again, but I promise you guys, this last season, we are going to end it with a bang, and we can’t wait to share it with you.”
“A–holes saying ‘can’t wait for this show to end,’ like, babe, why does the show have such an impact on your life that you feel the need to make a public comment about it?” she wrote via Instagram Stories in March 2023. “Run along now.”
Scroll down to see then and now photos of the Riverdale cast members:
Before taking on the role of Archie Andrews, Apa kicked off his acting career playing Kane Jenkins in New Zealand's soap opera Shortland Street. The musician branched out after moving overseas with projects on the big screen including A Dog's Purpose, The Hate U Give, I Still Believe, Dead Reckoning and Songbird.
In 2021, Apa released his debut album, Clocks. After going public with model Clara Berry in 2020, the couple welcomed their first child, a son, in September 2021. Berry announced their split in March 2024 after previously sparking speculation.
The Ohio native rose to stardom playing Betty Cooper in Riverdale. Reinhart has also appeared in Hustlers, Charlie's Angeles, Chemical Hearts and Look Both Ways. In 2020, the actress released a book of poetry titled Swimming Lessons: Poems.
Reinhart, who came out as bisexual in 2020, dated Riverdale costar Sprouse on and off for three years. They called it quits for good in May 2020. She is currently dating Jack Martin.
After bringing Veronica Lodge to life, Mendes appeared in several movies such as The New Romantic, The Perfect Date, Palm Springs and Do Revenge.
The singer dated photographer Ian Wallace from 2013 to 2017. She was later linked to her onscreen Riverdale love interest, who was played by Charles Melton. The pair dated for one year before calling it quits in 2019. Mendes moved on with Rudy Mancuso after collaborating on his coming-of-age feature, Música.
The child star, who took a break from acting to attend New York University, returned to TV with his role as Jughead Jones. On the big screen, Sprouse appeared in Five Feet Apart, Moonshot and is set to star in the upcoming horror comedy Lisa Frankenstein.
In his personal life, Sprouse made headlines for his romance with Reinhart until their 2020 split. Since then, the California native has been linked to Kaia Gerber and Reina Silva. Sprouse is currently dating Ari Fournier after they made their relationship official in July 2021.
In 2017, the YouTube star booked her first major TV job as Cheryl Blossom alongside Trevor Stines as her onscreen twin brother, Jason Blossom. Petsch has appeared in Polaroid, Sightless, Jane, About Fate and Hotel for the Holidays in addition to her time on The CW.
Petsch previously dated Travis Mills for three years before calling it quits in February 2020. She confirmed her romance with Halsey's manager, Anthony Li, in November 2022.
The Missouri native originated the role of Josie McCoy from season 1 to season 3. Murray ultimately left the series as her character scored her own spinoff series alongside Lucy Hale in The CW's Katy Keene. After the short-lived show came to an end in 2020, the singer starred in the Nancy Drew spinoff Tom Swift two years later.
Murray, who has remained tight-lipped about her dating life, has appeared in films such as Valley Girl, Christmas in Harmony and The Way Out.
The actor, who has played Kevin Keller since season 1, has also booked TV roles in Instinct and a guest spot on Katy Keene. On the big screen, Cott has starred in All the Little Things We Kill and Asking For It. He also played a love interest in Sabrina Carpenter's music video for "Why" in 2017.
The Ohio native announced his engagement to Nichola Basara in December 2020 and they tied the knot one year later. The “Why” music video star announced in April 2023 that he and Basara are expecting their first child.
The Alaska native took over the role of Reggie Mantle in season 2 when Ross Butler left the series for Netflix's 13 Reasons Why. Melton, who previously modeled for Dolce & Gabbana, Kenneth Cole and MAC, has appeared in music videos for JoJo's "Save My Soul" and Ariana Grande's "Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" since transitioning to acting. He has booked movie projects such as The Sun Is Also a Star, Heart of Champions, Secret Headquarters and the upcoming May December as well.
Melton dated Mendes on and off from 2018 to 2021 before moving on with Chase Sui Wonders. He is currently single.
Before playing Toni Topaz in Riverdale, Morgan scored roles in My Babysitter's a Vampire, Finding Carter and The Shannara Chronicles. The Canada native also starred in Kygo's music video for "Higher Love" in 2019.
Morgan announced her engagement to professional baseball player Michael Kopech in 2019. The couple exchanged vows in January 2020 but ultimately called it quits six months later. In July 2020, the Geek Charming star confirmed she was expecting her first child with Kopech. She welcomed their son, River, in 2021. The athlete expanded his family with girlfriend Morgan Eudy with the birth of their son, Vander, in 2022.
Morgan and James Karnik welcomed their first baby together — daughter Kaia — in July 2024. They got engaged later that year.
The Canada native, who has played Fangs Fogarty since season 2, appeared in You Me Her, The Order and Legends of Tomorrow as well. He previously made a name for himself with projects such as The Haunting Hour: The Series, Arrow, iZombie, Supernatural, Supergirl and Somewhere Between. On the big screen, Tanner scored roles in Secret Millionaire and Work It.
He was linked to Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Jasmine Vega from 2018 to 2019.
Kaitlyn Bristowe and Zac Clark offered a subtle glimpse into how they celebrated the holidays — seemingly together.
The rumored couple took to their Instagram Stories on Wednesday, December 25, to highlight their Christmas festivities, with Bristowe, 39, uploading a photo of her holding a candle at church.
“Many different beliefs when attending church,” she wrote alongside a snap that featured her and someone else who was also holding a candle. “But one I share with the community is shining your light.”
Clark, 40, meanwhile, shared a very similar photo of him holding a candle, which looked to be the exact same setting as Bristowe’s but from another angle.
Bristowe and Clark have not publicly addressed their relationship status after sparking romance rumors earlier this year. When they were spotted spending time together over New Year’s Eve, Bristowe swiftly shut down speculation that she was unfaithful to ex-fiancé Jason Tartick before their split in August 2023.
Bristowe didn’t, however, deny that there was anything romantic between her and Clark.
“You would think by now I’d be used to the hate. I’m not. Your words hurt. Your shaming hurts. Part of me feels a little sad and honestly embarrassed for you guys because this shouldn’t be how you spend day 1 of a new year,” Bristowe wrote via her Instagram Story in January. “You should not be this invested in someone you don’t even know or respect. It’s actually scary, and I know looking inward might be even scarier for you. But the bullying is next level. You are allowed to have opinions and feelings.”
She continued, “But you don’t even know the truth, and your HATE should actually come with consequences. I truly worry about some of your mental health. It’s not OK. It’s. Not. Please. Please feel ashamed of yourselves for treating someone this way who you don’t know. I did not kill someone. I had a party with some of my favorite people. Shame. On. YOU. Not me.”
In response to a separate post, Bristowe called out the rumors directly, writing, “Here to say that there was never an ounce of cheating happening and I will not stand for this rumor. Y’all are NASTY in here. Anywho. Swear on my dogs lives. No cheating went on. So we can just put that to rest. Thank you!! Happy new year everyone. Go donate some blood or somethin!”
Clark has remained more tight-lipped following his breakup with Tayshia Adams, who cohosted seasons 17 and 18 of The Bachelorette with Bristowe. Clark and Adams, 34, got engaged on season 16 of the ABC dating show in 2020, but Us Weekly confirmed their split in December 2021.
“In the moment, it felt real, it felt right — it was all those things. I wouldn’t change anything,” Clark shared on “The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast” in September 2023. “I don’t live in regret. It’s a very special moment in time and in my life regardless of what happened.”
“I’ve lost fights. I’ve won fights. I’ve been married. I’ve gotten divorced. I’ve been addicted to heroin and I’ve recovered. I’ve gotten a brain tumor cut out in the back of my head. I’ve made friendships and I’ve lost friendships. I’ve made money and I’ve lost money,” he wrote via Instagram at the time. “At the end of the day, I throw it all in the middle of the table and that’s life. I believe we’re all dealt a hand to play and for me, I’m a pretty happy guy right now.”
The I Still Believe star shared his excitement about the next chapter of his life, telling Entertainment Tonight in April 2022, “When you have a child, it pulls everything closer in your life in terms of the people that you love, your friends. It really reveals the people who really matter in your life, and it all revolves around this one special thing that you’ve created. It’s the most incredible thing that’s ever happened to me.”
He added: “I find myself looking at him and getting goosebumps ’cause I feel like I’m looking at a version of myself — which I guess I am. I see a lot of Clara in him too, which is something you can’t really describe. You can’t really describe the feeling, it’s amazing.”
Westbrook, who was largely absent from season 7 of Riverdale, revealed in September 2023 that she welcomed her first child. “No greater love. 🩵🥲 Welcome to the world, Teddy - born August 23, 2023. You are the light of our lives & we love you endlessly. 💫,” she wrote via Instagram.
"One year of YOU. Loving YOU. Growing with YOU♥️ Happy 1st birthday my lil Buddha. Your Birth day was also my rebirth. My greatest purpose. Crazy how fast this year flew by. Grateful everyday I get to call myself your Mommy. I love you," the My Babysitter's a Vampire alum wrote via Instagram in January 2022.
Morgan and now-fiancé James Karnik welcomed Kaia in July 2024. She first introduced Kaia to the world in a brief TikTok video one month later before giving fans a full Instagram carousel of their new family of four several weeks later.
“Been enjoying all the baby snuggles these past 3 weeks with our angel. Beyond Grateful,” she wrote.
The live-action How the Grinch Stole Christmas has become a holiday classic, but fans may not know one of its most memorable stars died just two years after the film’s release.
Actor Joshua Ryan Evans died at age 20 not long after winning fans’ hearts as the 8-year-old Grinch in the Ron Howard–directed Christmas movie. Evans, who lived with a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, died as a result of a medical procedure to correct a congenital heart condition at a San Diego hospital in August 2002.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which hit theaters in November 2000, marked Evans’ second-to-last acting credit before his death. Evans famously appeared as the younger version of Jim Carrey’s Grinch in a flashback sequence explaining the character’s dislike for Christmas. Adopted by two Whoville residents, the young Grinch tries to impress his crush, Martha May Whovier, by shaving his face, but cuts himself in the process. After being laughed at by his classmates and teacher, the young Grinch flees to Mount Crumpit and vows to hate Christmas.
Though Evans’ version of the Grinch was only 8 years old, the actor was a teenager when he filmed the movie. His achondroplasia made him appear younger than his actual age, standing at only 3-foot-2. Evans also suffered from a congenital heart condition that caused him to undergo several surgeries during his childhood.
As a result of being homebound by his medical issues, frequently watching TV shows and movies inspired Evans to become an actor. “I thought, if it’s all pretend, why can’t I do that,” he told the Los Angeles Times in a November 2000 interview.
Evans got his acting start on TV shows such as Family Matters, Ally McBeal, Hey Arnold!, Rugrats and 7th Heaven before booking How the Grinch Stole Christmas. He also starred as Timmy the living doll on the NBC soap opera Passions from 1999 to 2002.
Joshua Ryan Evans
In an odd Hollywood coincidence, Evans died the same day as an episode of Passions aired where his character died and donated his heart.
Evans’ role in How the Grinch Stole Christmas was originally meant to be a small one, but his skills inspired Howard, 70, to expand the part. “As it turned out, he was able to create a character and generate a lot of heart for the story,” the director told the Los Angeles Times in November 2000. “It was such a pleasant surprise. The days working with Jim were always amazing, but Josh was just delightful.”
Similar to Carrey, 62, Evans spent several hours in the makeup chair. “I have had heart surgery three times, so I know what it was like to have pins and needles stuck in you,” he told the newspaper. His mother, Cheryl Evans, added: “At one point, we were there 16 hours and I was ready to pull him. Then Ron said, ‘Action,’ and he just came to life.”
Joshua Ryan Evans
At the time, Evans said he would “never have forgiven myself” if he was pulled from the film. “I came close [to pulling myself]. I had two days left and I knew I had to go back. It was in the morning and, while getting up and putting on my clothes, I did not want to go,” he shared. “The night before I was yelling at my mom every minute she was saying something.”
Before his death, Evans was considering his options behind the camera as well. “Ron gave me an offer to intern because I asked him if I could observe him,” he recalled. “I can’t think too far ahead. I am feeling better than I have ever felt. I love being an actor. I love my work. I love the payoff.”
Reinhart and Sprouse won over fans as lovebirds Betty and Jughead on the CW drama, which premiered in January 2017. So viewers were ecstatic to discover the duo were a real-life couple when they were first linked in July 2017.
After dating on and off for three years, the costars called it quits in 2020. However, Sprouse and Reinhart were not the only Riverdale stars to pair up off screen. Mendes also dated Charles Melton from 2018 to 2019.
Apa native was linked to model Corrine Isherwood in 2017. The rumored romance sparked controversy since she was 16 at the time while he was 20.
Us broke the news in July 2019 that Apa was dating his A Dog’s Purpose and I Still Believe costar Britt Robertson. The actor later received attention from Paris Hilton in August 2019 when she “was super flirty with him” at a house party, according to an insider.
Apa then sent fans into a frenzy in February 2020 when he posted an Instagram photo of himself locking lips with model Clara Berry. In August 2020, she declared her love for him via Instagram and the pair announced her pregnancy in May 2021. They welcomed son Sasha in September 2021. Berry confirmed their split in March 2024 after months of speculation.
The Hustlers star was first linked to Sprouse in July 2017 after they were spotted showing PDA at Comic-Con. They kept their romance mostly private, with Reinhart telling Harper's Bazaar in July 2018 that she was "not OK talking about my relationship." Multiple sources confirmed to Us in July 2019 that the pair had split.
Reinhart revealed in September 2019 that they were back on. However, the Disney Channel alum shared in August 2020 that they “initially separated in January of this year, deciding to more permanently split in March.”
Amid her on-off relationship with Sprouse, the actress came out as a “proud bisexual woman” in June 2020.
The Chemical Hearts actress was linked to Spencer Neville in April 2022 when the pair were spotted holding hands at Coachella, but they seemingly called it quits four months later.
Reinhart was spotted kissing TikTok star Jack Martin in April 2023 at the airport. The twosome packed on the PDA before the actress jetted off. Martin confirmed the romance in July 2023 by sharing a series of Instagram photos with the actress.
Sprouse called actress and dancer Alyson Stoner his “girlfriend” in a 2004 interview with Access Hollywood. He has also been linked to Bree Morgan, Victoria Justice, Sophie Oda, Katelyn Pippy, Erin Barr and Maiara Walsh.
The former child star dated Reinhart on and off from July 2017 to March 2020. Sprouse sparked dating rumors with model Kaia Gerber in April 2020, prompting him to speak out about his love life.
“When I first stepped into a public relationship this was one of the foreseeable consequences,” he wrote on his Instagram Stories. “And while I truly never intended to indulge any part of my private life to the ravenous horde, it’s clear my restraint in updating them has allowed them to push their own agenda onto my habits and lifestyle. Please eat my delectable plump ass.”
The former Disney Channel star sparked dating speculation with model Ari Fournier in February 2021 when the pair stepped out together in Vancouver, Canada, and were spotted holding hands.
The actress dated childhood friend Victor Houston in 2018. “We went to neighboring high schools in Florida,” she exclusively told Us in July of that year. “It’s going well, yeah. I’m very happy.”
Mendes confirmed her relationship with Melton in October 2018. She clapped back at a troll the following month, retorting that she was "happier" than she had ever been. However, the costars split in 2019 after more than a year together.
She made her romance with photographer Grayson Vaughan Instagram official in September 2020. They were first linked in February 2020. The pair split in March 2021.
Mendes subtly confirmed her romance with Rudy Mancuso via Instagram in November 2022 after working together on the film Música. They were later seen getting cozy in Miami on New Year's Day 2023.
Petsch dated musician Travis Mills from 2017 to 2020. They met via Facebook after he congratulated her on the success of Riverdale. The rapper wrote on Instagram after their split that he was “so incredibly grateful to have shared the last 3 years with someone as compassionate, smart & wonderful as Madelaine.”
Petsch moved on with Anthony Li. The pair celebrated their one-year anniversary in August 2023. "It's been a cute 9 years of knowing you," Petsch wrote via her Instagram Story at the time. "But even cuter 1 year of dating you."
Morgan married baseball player Michael Kopech in January 2020, but he filed for divorce in June 2020. The actress announced in July 2020 that she was pregnant with their first child. She welcomed son River in January 2021.
Since her divorce from Kopech was finalized, Morgan has been dating James Karnik since late 2022. They welcomed daughter Kaia in July 2024 and got engaged later that year.
The actor was linked to actress Stephanie Styles from 2016 to 2017. Though he prefers to keep his personal life out of the public eye, Cott announced his engagement to Nichola Basara in December 2020. The pair tied the knot in December 2021. The Ohio native announced in April 2023 that the duo are expecting their first child.
Melton dated Mendes from 2018 to 2019. “365 days,” she captioned an anniversary post in August 2019. “I love you.” He reciprocated on his Instagram account: “I love you.”
Three years later, Melton confirmed his relationship with Bodies Bodies Bodies actress Chase Sui Wonders in July 2022 with a cozy Instagram photo taken at a baseball game. Following their split, the Alaska native sparked romance rumors with Marvel star Chloe Bennet.
Ulrich was married to Georgina Cates from 1997 to 2005. They welcomed twins, Jakob and Naiia, in 2001. He was married to Amelia Jackson-Gray from 2012 to 2015, and briefly engaged to Rose Costa from 2016 to 2017.
In 2020, Ulrich was linked to model Megan Blake Irwin until they split in the fall of that year.
In February 2021, he was spotted kissing Lucy Hale. Us confirmed the following month that the pair had been “dating for a little over a month” and were spending a “lot” of time together. A source told Us that the duo’s age gap didn’t “bother them,” but their fling fizzled out by April 2021.
Britney Spears got the best Christmas gift this year — a reunion with her youngest son.
Spears, 43, took to Instagram on Wednesday, December 25, to share a video of her and son Jayden, 18, where she referred to him as “my baby” before kissing him on the cheek.
“Best Christmas of my life !!! I haven’t seen my boys in 2 years!!!” she captioned the post. “Tears of joy and literally in shock everyday koo koo crazy so in love and blessed!!!”
Spears noted she was left “speechless” by the reunion before the clip showed her and Jayden in front of a Christmas tree. The singer shares sons Preston, 19, and Jayden with ex-husband Kevin Federline.
After her divorce from Federline, 46, in 2007, Britney was under a conservatorship overseen by her father, Jamie Spears, for much of her children’s lives. The conservatorship was terminated in late 2021 after 13 years, and Britney has since had a rocky relationship with her sons.
“I think Mom has struggled giving us both attention and showing us equal love and I don’t think she showed enough to Preston and I feel really bad for that,” Jayden told the Daily Mail in 2022. “We’ve both been through so much pressure in the past that this is our safe place now, to process all the emotional trauma we’ve been through to heal, heal our mental state. If I complained, she went after [my brother]. I feel guilty, so I am there for him. Mom has treated me better.”
Britney responded to Jayden’s comments at the time, writing via Instagram, “I say to my son Jayden that I send all the love in the world to you every day for the rest of my life.”
She continued: “My love for my children has no boundaries and it deeply saddens me to know his outcry of saying I wasn’t up to his expectations of a mother …. and maybe one day we can meet face to face and talk about this openly!”
Jayden and Preston subsequently moved to Hawaii with their father and his wife, Victoria Prince, along with their half-siblings, in 2023. Jayden’s reunion with Britney happened after he returned to California in November.
“Jayden is spending time back in California but does not live with Britney,” a source told Us Weekly. “All of his friends are still in California and he wanted to come back after graduating high school. Jayden reached out to Britney and initiated conversation.”
“It’s going to take time and will not be an immediate reconciliation. They have seen each other twice and [it] was very brief,” the source continued. “Britney was very excited to hear from him. She hopes they can continue to spend time together and hopes Preston also comes around. She has had a hole in her heart from not seeing her boys. Jayden reaching out means everything to her.”
Whether it be because of some extra holiday lbs or chilly temperatures, the sound of putting on a pair of pants right now sounds about as fun as putting on a swimsuit. During the cold months, we want styles that’ll both flatter our bodies, while also looking polished and feeling warm. That’s why we rounded up these 10 slimming wide leg dress pants that feel like cozy loungewear — and they start at just $15.
Thanks to the fashion world expanding, there’s now plenty of wide leg pant styles out there that mix both warm, comfortable fabrics, with elevated design details. With the design of these Spanx Wide Leg Ponte pants, no one at the office will know that they’re secretly made of lounge-soft knit fabric. We also included pants that even have a tummy-slimming design as well like this yoga style that has a high waistline. They come in at every price point, come in several color options and can be used for both the office and at home as well. Happy shopping!
10 Slimming Wide Leg Dress Pants That Feel Like Cozy Loungewear
1. Our Top Favorite: These soft wide leg trousers are our favorite for their soft knit fabric, upscale trouser design and affordable price point of $15!
2. Seriously Stretchy: Hence their name, Quinc made these ponte wide leg pants ultra stretchy with a rayon, nylon and spandex fabric blend!
3. Mix and Match: Pair these high waist pants with a blazer and loafers for the office and tennis shoes and a sweatshirt for the gym!
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5. Slenderizing Straight Leg: A brand dedicated to mixing athleisure and workwear, Lululemon came up with these stretchy pull-on trousers that’ll provide all day comfort!
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9. Fabulous Flannel: If the weather station is warning of a cold front, you’re definitely going to want to wear these flannel trousers from Banana Republic that have a loose and flowy design!
10. Velvet Dreams: Just like a cozy velvet pillow, you’ll want to cozy up with these velvet wide leg pants that can be used for holiday parties as well!
Southern Hospitality stars Joe Bradley and Maddi Reese gave Us a complete breakdown of their relationship timeline — before their shotgun wedding in Las Vegas.
“I guess around February we started hanging out,” Joe exclusively told Us Weekly on December 18, while promoting season 3 of Southern Hospitality, which premieres on Thursday, January 2. “I have not been with anyone or kissed anyone since last winter around February.”
The reality star revealed that he and Maddi “started being boyfriend and girlfriend in the middle of April,” which was “a little bit before the cameras came around.”
Joe gushed, “We’re very happy right now.” He added that Bravo fans will see the couple’s “love story kind of unfold” on the upcoming season, since it was “pretty fresh” when the cameras were rolling.
Joe Bradley, Maddi Reese.
“We just started dating weeks before we started filming, so I feel like we’re figuring it all out,” Maddi added. She confessed, “I am still uneasy about getting into another relationship or dating or even putting myself out there, so I just feel like it’s going to be really interesting watching that play out and everything.”
That uneasiness, however, didn’t appear to put a damper on Maddi and Joe’s surprise plan to get married in Las Vegas. In fact, their shotgun wedding, which fans saw in the trailer that dropped last month, will be a big part of this season’s story line.
“I feel like you’re going to have to tune in to find out [if it’s real],” Maddi teased during a joint interview with Joe. “I feel like you watch our whole journey from [when] we just started dating to talking about getting serious and taking that kind of big next step. You’ll see that play out and I’m excited because we’re in Vegas when it happens, and that trip is awesome.”
Joe called the nuptials — which were officiated by an Elvis impersonator — an “epic moment” on the show. He played coy about whether fans should start referring to them as husband and wife, but said Maddi is “100 percent” his long-term partner.
“I think Elvis knew that too in the white cowboy hat and I think everyone around us finally feels that and knows that,” he explained. “This summer you’ll kind of see who actually believes that [from] the start.”
Joe insisted that for him, the Vegas ceremony was “serious” because he “wanted to show my love for her and prove all the haters wrong.”
Although Joe and Maddi are happy in their relationship, they confessed that getting hitched in Sin City was a spur of the moment decision. “I think everything in our life is spur of the moment, so it’s pretty on brand for us,” Joe told Us. “We’re spontaneous crazy people in the best way possible, but it felt right.”
He teased, “I definitely had a lot of a– kissing to do over Thanksgiving at her house” after they spontaneously said “I do” without either family in attendance.
Despite raising some eyebrows for their choices, Joe and Maddi both admitted their romance was a long time coming.
“I really have had feelings for her for years, but we were also best friends,” Joe recalled. “One day I would wake up and be like, ‘I have a chance with a girl in my dreams’ and the next day I’ll be like, ‘This will never happen.’ And most of our friends told me it would never happen.”
His mom, however, was always in his “corner” reminding him, “‘That’s the one. Don’t be an idiot. That’s your long term. That’s a long game, Joe.’ And I just, it sounds cheesy, but I didn’t give up on it,” he said.
Maddi noted that for her, “Timing was everything.” She had recently split from boyfriend Trevor Stokes, which fans saw unfold during season 2 of Southern Hospitality, so she had to “sit with that for a little bit” before jumping into another relationship.
“I always had feelings for Joe, but I just didn’t know if it was past a friendship or not,” she told Us, explaining that it was “very scary” for her to take that leap of faith. “It was definitely worth taking that risk.”
When asked if Maddi ended up making the “first move” this time around, she teased, “I feel like Joe made a lot of [moves].”
Joe chimed in, “I made the first 300 moves and then it was to the point where I had to give her time and space to make that safe decision, that leap of faith on our own. But I was ready for it.”
Maddi did take her time but ultimately realized that Joe was more than her best friend. “I think kind of more so [with the] timing we were both out of a relationship and it was like, ‘Why not?’” she recalled. “That’s kind of how it played out for me.”
Season 3 of Southern Hospitality premieres on Thursday, January 2, at 9 p.m. ET.
The Valley‘s Nia Sanchez and Daniel Booko are expanding their family again.
“It was a complete surprise,” Sanchez, 34, who already shares son Asher, 3, and twins Isabelle and Zariah, 18 months, with Booko, 41, exclusively revealed in the newest issue of Us Weekly. “I was shocked but I knew that Daniel would have a full mix of emotions. So I told him on his birthday — exactly a week after I found out.”
“We had a plan. This was a little bit earlier than our plan. But we figured this baby needed to come at a certain time. Just a little earlier than planned,” Sanchez noted while Booko joked they wouldn’t stop there, adding, “I think we’re just gonna go for a football team.”
During season 1 of Bravo’s The Valley, viewers saw Sanchez and Booko adjust to life with three kids under 3. Now that has turned to four under 4 — and the couple are in on the joke.
“That will be our tagline for season 3,” Sanchez quipped to Us. “If I’m gonna go through it, we might as well get all these kids out. And then I can get back to being myself. It is that thing, obviously, you’re always gonna be a mom and just having your body back to yourself as a woman. So let’s do it all close together.”
Booko, meanwhile, said they are up for the challenge, adding, “I grew up in a family of six. I have three siblings, so I’m one of four. So it’s gonna be the thing. I am best friends with my three other siblings and we talk every day. It was just such a fun, exciting and wild upbringing. I just feel so blessed.”
As the pair prepare for “a full house” full of “love [and] laughter,” there are still some things they don’t mean keeping a surprise. For example, Booko and Sanchez aren’t in a rush to have a gender reveal for their fourth baby.
“We technically have an email in the inbox. Daniel wants to know and I’m telling him we have to wait and do it in some special way,” Sanchez shared. “Even if it’s intimately between us first. Then we’ll probably do a gender reveal at some point in the new year with some friends and family. It will definitely be very cute.”
This time around, Sanchez also has costar Kristen Doute to lean on. Doute, who is engaged to Luke Broderick,is currently expecting a baby as well.
“We did tell Luke and Kristen because they’re pregnant. So we’ve actually been trying to tell them specifically for weeks,” Sanchez, who just finished her first trimester, explained. “It was the funniest thing because for Kristen, it didn’t click right away. She thought we were talking about her pregnancy.”
Sanchez recalled: “We were taking a video and we say, ‘We’re pregnant.’ She goes, ‘Yeah, we are pregnant.’ She was thinking that we were saying that we’re all a family and we are celebrating her pregnancy. Then finally she goes, ‘Hold on, you’re pregnant?'”
“We’ve bonded so much over the last few years in general. It took us a year and a half to get pregnant at first — and I know Kristen has been very public about her journey. Before Asher, it took us a year and a half,” Sanchez told Us. “Now that we’re both pregnant, we are definitely extra close. It’s been nice to be there for her during the early stages of her pregnancy.”
After sharing the news with Doute and Broderick, Sanchez and Booko also have to tell the rest of The Valley cast.
“We haven’t decided how we’re gonna tell them. We do like to try to capture memories on video, so we might pretend to take a group photo and say it and get everybody’s reaction,” Sanchez said before Booko added, “We have been loving getting people’s reactions. These faces and reactions are all just so priceless.”
For more on Sanchez and Booko’s exciting baby news, pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.
You’re not alone if your home feels a bit disheveled from the holidays. Whether you hosted your extended crew or traveled, chances are your home looks a little different than usual. If you hosted, it probably looks like a snowstorm flew through; if you’ve been gone for a few weeks, everything is likely a little musty. But with the new year just around the corner, there’s no better time to get things back in order!
To elevate your space for the new year, it’s not necessary to buy a new couch, paint the walls or switch out your carpet for hardwood. All you need is this set of two bestselling cotton and bamboo towels! Trust Us — all your guests will want for Christmas next year is a set of their own.
These towels are a blend of cotton and viscose from bamboo, giving them a plush, cozy, skin-soft feel and top-notch absorbency. You’ll think you’re drying off with a blanket! Plus, Zero Twist technology makes them quick-drying and perfect for everyday use.
The design is beyond sophisticated, combining peak functionality with a classy look that adds a touch of elegance to any bathroom. They look beautiful atop bathroom shelves and in cabinets — as do the Luxe bath sheets, hand towels and washcloths. Their 30-inch by 58-inch size is as versatile as it gets, so good luck grabbing just one set of these towels!
You can choose from six solid colors or two different striped varieties; if you want to nail a luxe style, we recommend the charcoal hue. Caring for these towels couldn’t be simpler as they don’t pill, even when tumble-dried on low. The brand recommends using color-safe detergent and machine washing on warm. They actually get softer and more absorbent after the first wash! Just be mindful not to bleach these towels — it damages the fabric and fades the color!
“When house guests take the time to compliment your bath towels, you know they’re special,” Commerce Editor Madi Koetting says. “Out of all the bath towels I’ve tested as a shopping editor, these Cozy Earth towels stand far above other picks. Do yourself a favor and upgrade to the bath sheet size — you’ll thank me later. I’ve washed these towels once a week for almost two years yet they still feel brand new. This is one of life’s little luxuries I look forward to a little too much.”
Oh, what fun it is to attend a Kardashian-Jenner Christmas Eve party!
The famous family is known for throwing an extravagant bash every year, a tradition matriarch Kris Jenner passed down to her kids. Kim Kardashian even cried when Kris gave her the baton during a June 2019 episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
“I want you guys to be able to do this until you’re my age and one of your kids takes over. That’s the joy,” Kris told Kim at the time. “It’s just the thought of actually not doing at my house. … I’m getting emotional. It makes me sad. It does. It makes me so sad. It’s just that magic that you can make, and make everybody feel so amazing on one night a year. It’s that love. … It’s not just a party. It’s changing of the guards.”
After getting her mom’s “blessing,” Kim went on to explain her decision to take over the party planning.
“Our Christmas Eve party was always this fun party that I just remember being friends and family and my grandparents and cousins. It was just the best night ever,” she shared in a confessional. “But my mom’s been doing it for so long that it’s turned into something different. It’s kind of a party just for my mom and mostly her friends. We want it to be a place that we can just have fun and it’s all of our friends and definitely family and my mom’s friends, too. But a good mix of both so we can have a good time and really just enjoy each other.”
Scroll down to take a look back at some of the family’s most iconic Christmas parties over the years:
According to Khloé, Kendall was the host of the family’s 2024 Christmas Eve get-together. “I didn’t get to make it to the Christmas Eve party, which was a bummer,” she explained in a post-Christmas Instagram Story video, noting that her kids, True and Taum, were both dealing with sickness during the holidays. “But it wasn’t really a party this year. It was just us hanging out at Kendall’s house. But still, I missed being with my family.”
Despite the event being toned-down compared to years past, Kendall dressed in a chic, white silk dress while playing the role of hostess. Kim’s eldest daughter, North, filmed a handful of TikTok videos during the gathering, including one of her and Kim singing along to Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me.”
Kim kicked off the festivities with a winter wonderland theme which included a performance from Babyface, an area for guests to slide down a hill of snow and various other Christmas traditions.
Khloé announced in December 2020 that due to COVID-19 cases “getting out of control” in California, the family decided not to host their annual party. It will be the first time since 1978 that the family has not thrown a big bash for the holiday.
Kourtney hosted the 2019 celebration, which included a performance by Sia. Kim shared photos of the party via her Instagram Stories, calling the décor “homey,” “woodsy” and “cute.” The sisters all wore gorgeous gowns for the night and Kylie Jenner’s daughter matched her with a custom dress from Ralph & Russo.
Celebrity guests, including Hilton and Jennifer Lopez, enjoyed a hot dog stand, sledding, a John Legend concert and an Instagram-worthy light tunnel. Jenner gushed over the party on Larsa Pippen’s Instagram Story.
Not only was this Khloé's first year rocking a baby bump, but Christina Aguilera attended and Toni Braxton performed Christmas favorites with Babyface.
Kim and Hilton reunited for the first time in years with the Simple Life star writing on Instagram, “Lovely evening celebrating the holidays with @KimKardashian.”
There’s nothing like the glitz and glam of the holiday season. Sophisticated sweater dresses are an effortless way to instantly upgrade your look — especially now that winter is here. No matter where you’re headed this holiday season, you can stay dressed to impress in a cozy and stylish frock.
From chunky knit minis to curve-hugging midis, there are so many sweater dress styles to choose from. Ready to upgrade your winter wardrobe? Take a look through this list of fashionable sweater dresses and prepare for endless compliments.
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14. Popular Pick: With over 21K ratings and reviews, it’s not hard to guess that this oversized dress is a popular style shoppers can’t get enough of — $43!
15. Last but Not Least: Mock-neck silhouettes scream sophistication. This long-sleeve frock is a great choice for in-office wear — $40!
On screen, he’s played a tightly wound Navy SEAL, a temperamental chef, a weary rock star and a larger-than-life composer. Off camera, Bradley Cooper is a bit harder to peg. Despite being one of the biggest stars in the world, the ultra-private actor has managed to maintain an air of mystery. He prefers the relative anonymity he’s afforded in NYC, where he takes the subway (just like us!) and lives with his 7-year-old daughter, Lea De Seine (mom is Cooper’s ex, model Irina Shayk). In interviews, he’d much rather talk passionately about whatever project he’s promoting than his personal life.
Still, he’s offered glimpses into his world. The hands-on dad has gushed about fatherhood, calling it “the absolute greatest thing,” and he’s also been open about his sobriety; the Guardians of the Galaxy star got sober at 29 after struggling with alcohol and drug abuse.
By all accounts, Cooper’s happier than he’s ever been as he gears up for his milestone 50th birthday on January 5. He’s set to direct his third feature film, Is This Thing On? (his previous two — 2018’s A Star Is Born and 2023’s Maestro — garnered critical acclaim for the 12-time Academy Award nominee) and is peacefully coparenting Lea with Shayk. “He doesn’t think too much about turning 50 other than how proud he is of his career trajectory and his most important job as a dad,” says a source in the latest Us Weekly cover story, noting Cooper will likely celebrate his big day in NYC. “It won’t be a Leonardo DiCaprio–style party, as that’s not Bradley’s [vibe],” adds the source, “but there is a celebration in the works.”
He’s found love with his girlfriend of one year, model Gigi Hadid. On December 9, the pair were spotted getting dinner at Giorgio Baldi in L.A. with Hadid’s father and his girlfriend. The source says the couple “are the real deal,” adding that their relationship “has become very serious over the last year.” As for next steps, the source says Cooper and Hadid — who shares 4-year-old daughter Khai with ex Zayn Malik — can see the possibility of an engagement in the future, but there’s nothing planned right now.
Both sources say Hadid, 29, and Cooper have similar low-key personalities, which is one reason they make such a good match. “Bradley and Gigi have very calm temperaments and are very understanding; it’s why they mesh so well,” says the second source, noting they spend a lot of time in Pennsylvania, where they both own farmhouses. Adds the first source: “Bradley is a very easygoing kind of guy. His demeanor is very relaxed and chill.” Here, Us reveals Cooper’s secrets to living well.
Don’t Hold Grudges
Cooper and Shayk split in 2019 after four years of dating but have remained on good terms. “They have a great coparenting friendship,” says the first source. “They make it [a priority] to spend time together with Lea and put in the effort to show her healthy relationships.” The friendly exes took Lea trick-or-treating in October and even vacationed in Italy in August 2023. “He’s the best father Lea and I could dream of,” Shayk, 38, told Elle in 2023. “It always works, but it always works because we make it work.” The source says Shayk approves of Cooper’s romance with Hadid (the two women know each other from the modeling world). “Irina has always given her blessing for Gigi to be around Lea and date Bradley. They are all cordial and friendly.”
Get Your Hands Dirty
During a June 2022 “Smartless” podcast appearance, Cooper recalled how he treasures every moment with Lea. “This is kind of crude… but after she goes to the toilet, the way she sits there waiting for me to wipe her butt… I’m just like, ‘This is the greatest moment of my life right now,’” he said with a laugh, adding that “every single thing” is “brought out in glorious colors by the fact that I get to be a father to a wonderful human being.” The first source says Lea is Cooper’s “pride and joy,” adding, “Everything he does is for her.” The second source notes Cooper and Shayk don’t employ nannies or sitters. Instead, they rely on each other or Cooper’s mom, Gloria Campano, who lives in Philadelphia, near where Cooper grew up. “One of them is almost always with Lea, and Gloria visits often.”
The Hangover star credits most of his success to getting sober when he was 29. “I would never be sitting here with you [if I didn’t change],” he told Barbara Walters in 2015. “I wouldn’t have been able to have access to myself or other people or even been able to take in other people if I hadn’t changed my life.” Cooper’s said he considers himself “lucky” to have cleaned up his act (which he did after an intervention from his close pal, actor Will Arnett). “If I continued it, I was really going to sabotage my whole life.”
Be a Gentleman
In February, Cooper was photographed opening a taxi door for Hadid. “Gigi always talks about how romantic and thoughtful he is,” says the first source. “He does small gestures like making sure to call her whenever he gets a break on set just to say hello. It’s the little things that mean the most to her.” When she walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in October (along with Shayk), Hadid revealed he was watching from home. “He’s on dad duty,” she explained, “but so supportive.”
Lighten Up
The hardworking star recently revealed a new relaxing guilty pleasure — reality TV! “I’m absolutely obsessed,” he admitted in February, noting that his favorites are Love on the Spectrum (“It’s the greatest show I’ve ever seen,” he said), The Golden Bachelor and Love Is Blind. “I’m new to it all, but whoa.”
He’s still close with his childhood bestie, Brian Klugman (who he cast in Maestro to play Leonard Bernstein’s onscreen bestie!), as well as a bunch of actors he met early on in his career, including Arnett, Dax Shepard and Jennifer Garner. In 2020, Brad Pitt thanked him for helping him get sober while accepting an award from the National Board of Review, and last year, his neighbor Brooke Shields praised him as her “guardian angel” for riding in the ambulance with her after she suffered a grand mal seizure. “The next thing I remember … Bradley f—ing Cooper is sitting next to me holding my hand,” the actress recalled of the “surreal” experience.
Dream Big
Cooper has said he briefly felt pigeonholed in bro-y roles after Wedding Crashers and The Hangover. And it took some convincing for him to get studios to trust him as a writer and director before A Star Is Born. “You’re like, ‘I have these big dreams, and I feel these things.’ Is that wrong? Like, shame on anybody that’s going to tell you who you are,” he told The New York Times in 2018. “It’s like, someone’s going to tell you who you are, what you’re capable of? Like, what?”
Stay Open to Inspiration
Cooper was inspired to make A Star Is Born by a dream he had after watching singer Annie Lennox perform on TV, and he says the idea for an unnamed future project came to him while he was brushing his teeth. “As long as I stay open as a human being, then I have a chance for these inspirational moments to occur,” he’s said, noting that he tries to follow the lead of acclaimed director Steven Spielberg. “The biggest lesson he’s given me [is] that it’s OK to maintain that childlike joy and curiosity with what we do. There’s nothing uncool about it
The French-speaking Georgetown University grad spent six years learning how to conduct music to play Leonard Bernstein in Maestro and six months improving his singing and playing the piano and the guitar for A Star Is Born. He also trained to shoot guns for American Sniper and upped his cooking game for Burnt. “Things that I’ve explored, they do come with hobbies, or things that can become hobbies after,” he’s said. “Being able to learn how to cook, and be proficient with certain firearms and learning about music in a way I never had, and then learning about classical music, conducting … these are the beautiful gifts that come out of these experiences.”
For more on Cooper, watch the exclusive video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now.
With reporting by Travis Cronin and Amanda Williams
Do you ever catch your friends rolling their eyes when you bring up Taylor and Travis over dinner again? Do you and your partner regularly fight over the remote when they suggest watching a gritty thriller while you just want to check in on your “friends” the Real Housewives?
Then we have good news: your insatiable need for gossip could be a sign of deep intelligence — and you shouldn’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
We know it’s true, because the smartest man in the world says so. Seriously! Younghoon Kim, 35, from Korea, has the world’s highest recorded IQ, a staggering 276. To put this into context, the average IQ is around 100 with the threshold for genius standing at 140. So it’s fair to say that Kim is pretty intelligent and, unsurprisingly, works in academia. But when he’s not putting his amazing mind to neuroscience, finance and biomedical engineering and encouraging others to unleash their brain power, he can often be found scrolling the latest celebrity news while listening to his beloved K Pop.
Younghoon Kim
Us Weekly’s Editor in Chief Dan Wakeford sat down with Kim to find out more about his belief that a love of pop culture is crucial to his well-being.
“I love news and stories from the celebrity and entertainment worlds, because it helps a lot with my anxiety,” he told Us, noting that many people with particularly high IQs can struggle with their mental health. “I believe that celebrities and the entertainment industry are harnessing our culture and their content is so intriguing for me. They’re the ones that are entertaining all of us. They are artists so I think, in a way, learning about their lives is a form of art experience. It’s an escape for me as well, but also a source of inspiration.”
Despite dedicating his life to science and technology, Kim has an equal respect for creativity. “Not only are the celebrities really creative, they’re also helping us think of new ideas and new ways to express ourselves,” he says. “And it helps us become more motivated to become better versions of ourselves. And pop culture never stops!”
As well as being a huge fan of BTS — the first K Pop act to go truly global — Kim is also something of a Swiftie, and says that this helps him feel more immersed in US culture; yes, keeping up with celebrities can give us a wider world view too!
But don’t just take one (very, very smart) man’s word for it — there are many other reputable academics who’ve come to the same conclusion. A new study by researchers at Stanford and the University of Maryland found that gossip can be good for you, discovering that talking about other people for around an hour a day resulted in more cooperative behavior. Perhaps it’s something to make your boss aware of next time they’re concerned that too much watercooler chat in the office is affecting productivity? On the contrary, it’s how we get things done as a team!
The truth is, as humans, we’re uniquely privileged to be able to indulge in gossip. According to Yuval Noah Harari’s groundbreaking book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, homo sapiens — that’s us! — are such social animals that gossip is key to our survival. If you don’t chat to your peers about who hates who, who’s sleeping with who, who tells the truth and who often lies, how do you know who to trust about the important stuff, like where the lion is hiding? Gossip is social currency, and those who don’t indulge in it risk being excluded from the circle. Leave that group chat at your peril; you could get swallowed by a wild animal (or just miss the memo on vacation plans.)
We’re big fans of the podcast Sentimental Garbage, in which author Caroline O’Donoghue interviews great writers, artists and comedians about “the culture we love that society can sometimes make us feel ashamed of” — and that’s a culture that’s often gossipy! On one recent episode, London Times journalist Elizabeth Day shared her deep obsession with The Real Housewives franchise, and on another bestselling author and Schitt’s Creek screenwriter Monica Heisey ranked the relationships in Love Actually. Sounds trivial? Sure, but trivial can be crucial. The great minds on Sentimental Garbage know that human relationships — which are almost always at the center of any good piece of gossip, whether it’s about Jennifer Lopez or Jenny from Marketing — are literally essential to the survival of humanity. Emotional intelligence is worth just as much (maybe more) as being book smart, and celebrities and the art they create can teach us a lot about what makes people tick. Yes, we’re saying that reality shows are a form of art. Not sorry!
Even some stars are pro-gossip, with actor Morgan Spector telling The Cutthat it’s key to understanding strangers. “If someone has a juicy tidbit, what’s better?” said the star of HBO’s The Gilded Age. “Talking about other people is one of life’s great pleasures. I think gossip is underrated. It usually gives you an atypical insight into someone else’s life, into how they live, into their character. It’s not just the scandal or the surprise; it’s also that you go, Oh, that’s who they are, and then you get to unpack that — at length, ideally.”
OK, so ultimately we know that being able to name every single member of the Kardashian/Jenner dynasty — including their pets, obviously — probably isn’t your ticket to winning a Nobel, but we do believe it’s time to stop feeling guilty about gossip. Celebrating the colorful characters in the world, admiring what they’re wearing, laughing at what they’re saying and gasping at who they’re dating can offer some much-needed light relief from the stresses and strains of real life.
Whether you’re juggling your finances to pay for the groceries or feeling anxious about everything you see unfolding on the news, we all know that reality can be tough, but great music, TV, movies and fashion are there to distract, entertain, delight and inspire. And if it’s good enough for the world’s smartest man, it’s good enough for Us.
After two years of marriage (and decades of history), Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Ben Affleckon their wedding anniversary. (While Lopez and Affleck had eloped in July 2022, they renewed their vows in a grandiose ceremony at the Oscar-winning director’s Georgia residence the next month.)
“The timing of the divorce was a big f— you to Ben,” an insider exclusively told Us Weekly at the time.
By October, Lopez opened up about her mindset for her ending her marriage.
“I did all the work and look where I am, and then it was like my whole f—ing world exploded,” she told Interview magazine. “Sometimes, it’s going to work out great. And sometimes it won’t. And that’s f—ing OK, too. I was thinking about this time in my life, and I’m like, ‘That’s not what I thought it was going to turn out like.’”
Lopez and Affleck were not the only celebrity couple to go their separate ways this year. Keep scrolling to look back at the biggest celebrity breakups of 2024:
These two had their ups and downs for years, reaching a boiling point in June 2023 when McDermott confirmed via Instagram that they had separated. Within hours, he deleted the post. It wasn’t until March of this year, however, that Spelling filed for divorce and cited “irreconcilable differences.”
Spelling later revealed on her podcast that she initially thought it’d be a “disservice” to her and McDermott’s five children if they broke up and lived separately.
“I always thought as bad as things might be between my partner and myself, it’s better to have their dad in the house than in a different residence,” Spelling said on a December episode of her “Misspelling” podcast. “I think that kept me in the relationship far too long. It ultimately, I feel, did a disservice to my kids.”
Lindsay and Abasolo were known as one of Bachelor Nation’s success stories after meeting on The Bachelorette season 13. Abasolo filed for divorce in January, later claiming that the “stress” of fertility struggles factored into his decision.
Lindsay, for her part, revealed in July that she had felt “done” in their relationship before their respective filings.
“I think I read this somewhere, I’m not sure, but by the time women decide they want a divorce, they’re done [and] I was done,” Lindsay said in a YouTube interview. “Doesn’t mean it wasn’t hard or a re-adjustment. It’s still a struggle daily, but emotionally, I felt I was very sure this was what I wanted to do.”
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum announced via Instagram in early November that she planned to file for divorce from Arroyave after 13 years of marriage. When Mellencamp submitted her court docs later that month, she said they separated in October.
“My priority is my children and ensuring that every care is taken with their privacy and wellbeing throughout this new chapter,” she wrote in her social media statement, referring to her and Arroyave’s three children. “Making a public statement is not something I wanted to do, but in an effort to protect my family from undue speculation and rumors, I felt being open, honest and vulnerable was the best path forward. Making a public statement is not something I wanted to do, but in an effort to protect my family from undue speculation and rumors, I felt being open, honest and vulnerable was the best path forward.”
A source later told Us that Mellencamp and Arroyave’s split was “a long time coming” after being in couple’s therapy for years. A separate insider claimed to Us that both Mellencamp and Arroyave previously had affairs.
Tatum and Kravitz met on the set of Blink Twice in 2021, getting engaged two years later. Within months of the movie’s release date this fall, Us confirmed that Tatum and Kravitz called off their engagement.
“Ultimately once the project ended, they realized they were on different pages with what they wanted,” a source told Us in October. “It fizzled fast after their press tour wrapped.”
Next, they are set to reunite in the upcoming movie Alpha Gang with a second source telling Us that they can amicably work together.
Cartwright revealed on a solo February episode of her and Taylor’s “When Reality Hits” podcast that they were living separately. By August, she formally filed for divorce and served Taylor papers while filming The Valley season 2.
“I will say that Jax is a terrible husband, but a great dad,” Cartwright exclusively told Us in October. “I know that if I need something if I need help with something, Jax would be there in a heartbeat and that, you know, I can count on him for things like that. He loves [our son] Cruz.”
Lopez and Affleck were initially engaged between 2002 and 2004, ultimately splitting at the time over rampant media attention regarding wedding plans. They each moved on with other partners, reuniting in 2021 and tying the knot the next year. Rumors swirled over thethis summer that Lopez and Affleck had separated when they frequently stepped out in public solo without their wedding bands.
A source told Us in June that Lopez and Affleck “can’t get on the same page” and were discussing divorce. Lopez filed to dissolve their marriage without an attorney two months later.
The “Something in the Orange” singer revealed in October that he and LaPaglia, a Barstool Sports personality, ended their relationship after more than one year together. LaPaglia subsequently claimed that Bryan’s decision to share the split blindsided her. She further alleged that he was emotionally abusive.
“The last year of my life has been the hardest year of my life dealing with the abuse from this dude,” she said on a November episode of her “BFFs” podcast, claiming that she turned down a multimillion-dollar sum in exchange for signing an NDA. “I’m still scared right now because I’m scared of him still. My brain’s rewired. I’m scared to make him mad.”
Bryan never addressed the claims but stated in his social media statement that the decision was amicable.
The Dancing With the Stars pro was arrested on domestic violence charges in August after an alleged altercation with Garcia. They both filed for divorce one week later, requesting joint custody of son Matteo.
“I’ve been heartbroken,” Garcia said on her “Nikki & Brie Show” podcast in December. “You dream of having this family and you have this incredible love, and it just goes the other way. You go from having a great love story to having a terrible one.”
She added, “It’s been a struggle. I know being a public figure, I have to say a little bit about this, right? After this, I don’t want to ever talk about [it] again, because I truly do want privacy for Matteo.”
Garcia and Chigvintsev had settled their divorce weeks earlier in November.
Haack and her third husband both filed to end their marriage in July, with a source telling Us that the HGTV star was “done.” In the wake of the breakup, Hall was cut from The Flip Off, a competition show between Haack and ex-husband Tarek El Moussa and their new spouses. In a preview for the series, Haack revealed that her and El Moussa’s kids asked her to leave Hall.
“Things with Josh have been bad for a long time,” she said in the clip. “The kids literally asked me to leave. They told me he’s not nice to me. Why would I stick around? I feel like I’m in a tornado all the time and I just can’t get out of it.”
Cyrus married Firerose in October 2023 and they separated seven months later in early 2024. In June, Cyrus filed for an annulment and cited “irreconcilable differences” and “inappropriate marital conduct.” Firerose, for her part, claimed that Cyrus was abusive and controlling, which he vehemently denied.
They reached a settlement in August.
The first Golden Bachelor married his final rose pick, Nist, in January on live television. Just three months later, they announced their separation.
“Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations,” Turner said on Good Morning America. “We’ve looked closely at our living situations and we’ve kind of come to the conclusion mutually that it’s time for us to dissolve our marriage. “The things that strike me the most in our conversations it’s been how dedicated both of us are to our families. So, we look at these situations and I think we just feel like it’s best for the happiness of each of us to live apart.”
Turner announced in December that he was battling an inoperable form of cancer and denied that his diagnosis played into the divorce decision.
Richard was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon in March after allegedly throwing a bag with glass in it at Quinn. The glass had missed the Selling Sunset alum and hit their son, Christian. One month later, Richard filed for divorce.
In her own filing, Quinn requested sole legal and physical custody of their son because Richard’s “actions and behavior have put [their] son’s health and wellbeing at risk.” He never publicly addressed her accusations.
After two decades of marriage, Fisher and Cohen announced their split in April.
“After a long tennis match lasting over twenty years, we are finally putting our racquets down,” they wrote in a joint Instagram Story statement, alongside a throwback pic of the pair wearing tennis outfits. “In 2023, we jointly filed to end our marriage. We have always prioritized our privacy and have been quietly working through this change.”
A source told Us in November that Fisher and the Borat star, who share three kids, were discussing financial matters to resolve proceedings “amicably.”
Us confirmed in December that Carpenter and Keoghan called off their yearlong romance due to busy work schedules. While online rumors claimed that the Saltburn actor was unfaithful, a source denied the accusations.
“Barry was very faithful and loyal to her, and very devoted to her happiness,” the insider asserted to Us. “Barry’s very focused on his career and being a dad [to his 2-year-old son, Brando].”
Beyoncé performs with daughter, Blue Ivy, during the halftime show for the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 25, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
Beyoncé brought a little country Christmas to her halftime show performance during the NFL’s Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens game, armed with many tricks up her sleeve.
The Grammy winner, 43, performed songs from her Cowboy Carter album during her set at NRG Stadium in her hometown of Houston on Wednesday, December 25, in what was dubbed the “Christmas Game Day Beyoncé Bowl.”
Beyoncé arrived on the stage via horseback, galloping past a garage of vintage cars while wearing a white oversized fur coat with a coordinating cowboy hat and a diamond choker necklace. After renditions of “16 Carriages” and “Black Bird,” the singing icon strutted onto the field for a showstopping performance of “Ya Ya,” changing into a sequined bodysuit. Beyoncé also sang “RIIVERDANCE” with Shaboozey, “LEVII’S Jeans” with Post Malone (sitting in a denim-covered truck), “Jolene” and “Texas Hold ‘Em” featuring 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy joining the backing dancers.
“It’s only right that we do ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ for the first time in Houston, Texas on Christmas,” Beyoncé quipped in her introduction before concluding, “Merry Christmas, God bless y’all.”
While singing “Black Bird,” Beyoncé was joined by Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts, all of whom were featured on the LP.
The Christmas Day halftime show, which aired on Netflix, marks the first time Beyoncé sang Cowboy Carter songs live since the album’s March release. However, it is not her first rodeo when it comes to the NFL as she previously headlined the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans and returned to perform alongside Coldplay and Bruno Mars during the 2016 Super Bowl halftime show.
Earlier this year, Beyoncé made history with her Cowboy Carter album, venturing into the country music genre for the first time in her career after previously dominating the pop and R&B fields. Her single “Texas Hold ‘Em” was the first song by a Black female artist to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and she became the first Black woman ever to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
Despite its success, the project still drew controversy, with some country music radio stations ignoring fan requests to play the songs on air and the 2024 Country Music Association Awards completely snubbing the album.
While accepting the Innovator Award from Stevie Wonder at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in April, Beyoncé called out “all the record labels, every radio station [and] every awards show,” emphasizing that the music industry needs to become “more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions.”
In her speech, Beyoncé explained, “Innovation starts with a dream. But then you have to execute that dream, and that road can be very bumpy. Being an innovator is saying what everyone believes is impossible.”
“Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength,” she added. “Being an innovator is leaning on faith and trusting that God will catch you and guide you.”
Beyoncé also mentioned several artists who have “dedicated their lives and their art to creating shifts,” including Tracy Chapman, Prince, Tina Turner and Michael Jackson.
She noted, “[They] defied any label placed upon them, thank you for executing your dream so we could all follow.”
