JonBenét Ramsey’s father, John Ramsey, still believes there’s a chance her murder will be solved nearly three decades later after a DNA breakthrough.
“We are encouraged that the police will finally use the FBI’s skills and resources to help solve our case,” John, 81, told The U.S. Sun on Thursday, December 26, which marked the 28th anniversary of JonBenét’s death.
John plans to have a sit-down with new chief of Boulder Police Stephen Redfearn about the case. They specifically will discuss recruiting the FBI to help and using new DNA testing to narrow down their suspect list.
“Suppose they now use cutting-edge DNA labs to develop a DNA profile in the proper format for familial genealogy research,” John noted. “In that case, we have pretty good odds of finding the killer’s identity.”
John and Redfearn are expected to meet in January to address assistance from advanced forensic experts, according to Today. DNA profiling involving genealogy work has proved successful in the past with high-profile cases such as that of the Golden State Killer.
The renewed interest in JonBenét’s case comes after Netflix released their three-part docuseriesCold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey. JonBenét was found dead at age 6 in 1996 in the basement of her house hours after she had been reported missing. Her official cause of death was asphyxia by strangulation associated with craniocerebral trauma, and her death was ruled a homicide.
Over the years, the Boulder police looked into many suspects and theories, including her brother, Burke Ramsey, and JonBenét’s parents, Patsy and John. A grand jury voted to indict the pair in 1999, but the indictment was never signed by the Boulder district attorney due to a lack of evidence. The couple were exonerated in 2008 and continued to advocate for JonBenét’s murderer to be found. (Patsy died of ovarian cancer in 2006.)
“What we are advocating for — and have been doing so for the last year or so, aggressively, is we know there’s five or six items that were taken from the crime scene. They were sent into a lab for DNA sampling and were not sampled,” John told the camera in the three-part doc. “We want those items sampled. We want what has been sampled to be retested. Then use the public genealogy database to look for — not only a match — but a similar relative. That’s been used very successfully in the last few years by police departments to find the killer of very old cold cases.”
A spokesperson for the Boulder PD told Us Weekly in a November statement that they are “aggressively investigating the case and pursuing all avenues.” Meanwhile, a source connected to the authorities shared with Us that there have been “new sets of eyes” on the case in an attempt to find “anything that could have been overlooked.”
“No one is off the table. This case is still wide open,” the insider noted. “We are after the truth, whatever that is. We are going to leave no stone unturned. The kindest thing we can do for the Ramseys is to solve this.”
Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt can’t help but make some news with their relationship.
Ever since reports surfaced in 2020 that the duo were dating, both Hannity and Earhardt have tried their best to keep their romance out of the spotlight.
Along the way, the pair have been able to grow their long-distance relationship as Earhardt resides in New York and Hannity lives in Florida.
While celebrating Christmas 2024, Hannity — who shares Patrick and Merri with ex-wifeJill Rhodes — proposed to Earhardt, who has a daughter, Hayden, with ex-husband Will Proctor.
The newly engaged couple revealed to Fox News that they “still get along well” with their ex-spouses and “everyone is supportive of each other.”
Keep reading to see how the couple managed to grow their relationship:
June 2020
Vanity Fair was first to break the news that Hannity and Earhardt were a couple and had been “quietly dating.” At the time, the reporting drew denials from both parties.
“Right now I am focused on raising my daughter and I am not dating anyone,” Earhardt said through a network spokesperson. “As anyone at Fox News will tell you, Sean is a wonderful person and whomever he chooses to date will be extremely fortunate.”
In his own statement through a spokesperson, Hannity added, “I do not discuss my personal life in public.”
April 2023
The Fox News hosts’ relationship went public when the Daily Mail posted photos of the pair at a Waffle House in South Carolina as well as at an Oyster Fest in Long Island, New York.
December 2024
Hannity and Earhardt turned heads when they stepped out for Fox Nation’s 2024 Patriot Awards at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in New York. “A great night celebrating the men and women who serve, protect, and honor our country and what it means to be a good and proud American!” Earhardt wrote via Instagram on December 6 after posing for photos with Hannity on the red carpet.
Weeks later, Hannity took his relationship with Earhardt to the next level over Christmas by proposing at their home church. “We are overjoyed and so thankful to our families for all of their love and support during this wonderful time in our lives,” Earhardt and Hannity said in a statement to Fox News.
The two added that they had the blessing and support from their children, who “couldn’t be happier.”
“Merry Christmas. Happy Birthday, Jesus,” Earhardt wrote via Instagram on December 26. “2024 has been a very special year. #christmas #merrychristmas.”
Kristin Cavallari is hitting the road, and her fans can’t wait to see her live.
The Laguna Beach alum will kick off a four-city tour for her “Let’s Be Honest” podcast, beginning March 7, and it’s proven to be a tough ticket.
According to insiders, her shows on March 8 in Chicago and March 12 in Boston have already sold out, prompting Cavallari, 37, to add more — a second show in Chicago on March 8 and in Boston on March 11.
“I am blown away by the response to this tour,” Cavallari told Us Weekly exclusively. “To see these shows selling out so quickly and reading all the messages from people on social media expressing their excitement to attend makes me even more thrilled to get out on the road already. I can’t wait to see everyone!”
The live shows will include special guests, including men she has dated, a source told Us.
“She’s not holding back when it comes to talking about the men she’s been linked to and her romances,” said the source.
While it’s still a mystery which exes will make an appearance, Cavallari’s love life has been making headlines since her days as a high school reality star. At the time, her relationship with Stephen Colletti and their alleged love triangle with costar Lauren Conrad provided plenty of drama for the MTV series.
Later, Cavallari was married to former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler from 2013 to 2022. The couple shares three children, sons Camden, 12, and Jaxon, 10, and daughter Saylor, 9. She has also been linked to Mark Estes, Jason Statham, Nick Lachey and Matt Leinart.
“Each tour stop will feature a guest who has made the biggest headlines and impact on the podcast, and together we’ll pull back the curtain and dive in even further,” Cavallari said in a statement to Variety when she announced her tour on December 17. “This podcast has taught me the power of total honesty — it is liberating — and I cannot wait to experience more of this with all of you.”
She added on the December 17 episode of “Let’s Be Honest” that her guests will be “the people I’ve been in the most scandalous, biggest headlines with over the years.”
Cavallari launched her relationship and lifestyle podcast in September 2023, and while she frequently records them solo, she has also had guests ranging from celebrity chef Bobby Flay to Heidi and Spencer Pratt. She also frequently records with her best friend Justin Anderson.
Benny Blanco had a vision for Selena Gomez’s engagement ring.
Blanco, 36, got on one knee and popped the question to Gomez, 32, earlier this month with a dazzling marquise diamond set on a gold band. The ring designers, Katherine Theofilos Claster and Stephanie Theofilos, later opened up to Page Six about custom designing the rock with Blanco.
“We started the project earlier this year. Benny, a wonderful creative himself, had [a] specific inspiration, including the center cut, the marquise,” Theofilos said.
“Benny had a very sharp idea of what he ultimately envisioned,” she continued, noting that Blanco was “immediately drawn” to the marquise diamond, which “captures the essence of an heirloom piece with a modern hand.”
Of course, Blanco added his own personal touch to the ring as well with “a handful of special symbols,” per Theofilos, which made the diamond sparkle even more in the light.
Selena Gomez’s ring.
Gomez is also a huge fan of her ring, which is estimated to be around six carats and worth $225,000, according to Jared Jewelers expert and VP of Merchandising Ann Grimmett. She showed it off via Instagram earlier this month while moving her hand around in the sunlight, proving just how sparkly the piece is.
“I’ve just dreamed of this moment my whole life,” she gushed at the time.
Gomez previously shared a zoomed in pic of her ring via Instagram when Blanco proposed during a romantic picnic he set up for her on a set. For their date, she wore a tan furry coat, blue Banana Republic jeans and white sneakers. The couple enjoyed her favorite guilty pleasure, Taco Bell, before heading home and cuddling up together on the floor of her closet.
Blanco, for his part, wore a pink-and-white pinstripe collared shirt over a sage green waffle T-shirt and dark blue jeans.
Celebrity friends including Taylor Swift, Lily Collins, Jennifer Aniston, Nina Dobrev and more congratulated the duo in the comments section.
Pants shopping is hard! Unlike sweaters and dresses that can be forgiving in the comfort and flattering departments, pants are a different story. It’s especially tough for Us fashionistas who want to be comfortable, of course, but also want to rock the trendiest pieces on the market.
Contrary to what you may believe, however, you don’t have to choose between comfort, style and fit. We found 18 pants that check all the boxes and more! If you want to be the most fashionable person in the room while looking taller and feeling like you’re wearing pajama pants, read on. These are non-negotiables in our winter wardrobes!
Happy shopping!
1. Our absolute favorite: We’re a little obsessed with these trendy knit pants from Grey Bandit. The ribbed material elongates your legs — $63 at Grey Bandit!
2. Three for one: These Real Essentials pants are as comfortable as it gets. Wear them with every sweater in your closet this winter. They come out to just $12 each — $37 on Amazon!
4. Worthwhile splurge: In case you missed it, flare pants are totally back in style. These pants have pleated details on the front for added style — $148 at Carbon38!
5. Flowy chic: Wear these flowy pants all year long! Whether worn with a fitted sweater or tank top, you’ll feel like a million bucks — $37 on Amazon!
6. Closing big deals: Even if you don’t work in an office, you’ll look like a Wall Street professional in these elastic waist pants. They’re shockingly stretchy — $40 on Amazon!
7. Bow tie: What a steal! These tie-waist pants have a trendy front tie that adds a dynamic flair to any outfit — $26 on Amazon!
8. Aviator Nation: Coined “the most comfortable sweatpants you’ll ever own”, these designer-like pants live up to the hype. We adore the side stripes — $156 at Aviator Nation!
10. Yoga mom: The elastic waistband is everything! Hundreds of people give these everyday pants five stars. You get three for one — $33 on Amazon!
11. Modal material: Stretchy, luxe and classy, these pants are an absolute ‘yes’ in our book. They couldn’t be more comfortable — $40 on Amazon!
12. Trendy queen: We’re a little bit obsessed with the merlot hue. These breathable pants are ideal for those who want a professional look on the daily — originally $85, now $70 at Love, Bonito!
13. Crisscross waist: You’ll probably ditch your expensive leggings after trying these staple yoga pants. They even have pockets — $25 on Amazon!
14. Button up, buttercup: Four front buttons, pockets, a straight-leg design and flare ankles are just a few highlights of these dressy pants — $17 on Amazon!
15. Classy act: We’re just going to say it . . . these bow tie pants should be much more expensive than they are. Choose from dozens of colors — $27 on Amazon!
16. Bestseller alert: You won’t find a pair of joggers with a bigger crowd following! These lightweight pants taper at the ankles, flattering the thighs — $25 on Amazon!
17. Cargo pants: Cargo pants are the ideal winter fashion statement. Pair these with a fitted white tee for a casual and relaxed style — $32 on Amazon!
18. Nearly 70,000 fans: According to reviewers, these jogger-like pants are the “softest ever” — $17 on Amazon!
Celebrity wedding planner Marcy Blum opened up about working on the exes’ nuptials before their eventual split on the Thursday, December 26, episode of “The Skinny Confidential Him & Her” podcast. “I’ll tell you a story because I never signed an NDA,” she stated.
According to Blum, her clients are often shocked by “the price of headliners,” and Lopez, 55, and Rodriguez, 49, were no exception. “We were working with J.Lo and A-Rod before they broke up. And we’re going through a list of musicians and she goes, ‘What about Bruno Mars?’” she shared.
Having recently worked with Mars, 39, at the time, Blum surprised Lopez with the “Treasure” singer’s hefty fee. “I said, ‘I just worked with him and he’s $5 [million],’” she revealed. “[Jennifer said], ‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ I said, ‘I’m telling you, $5 million plus rider.’ The night [of the wedding], you get 45 minutes, you get an hour.”
Blum didn’t reveal whether Lopez agreed to Mars’ price point, but the wedding eventually fell through after she and Rodriguez ended their engagement in April 2021.
When it comes to working with high-profile performers for events, Blum said she and her team “don’t give them an excuse to be obnoxious” by catering to their needs. “We’re like, ‘Here we go, and here’s someone who’s gonna handhold you and da da da,’” she said.
Bruno Mars
Blum said it’s also not normal to have a celebrity such as Mars as the “regular entertainment” of the event. “No one wants to do their first dance, or maybe they do but they shouldn’t, to Coldplay or something. That’s just dumb,” she quipped. “What you want is you want a band-band and maybe a DJ, and then you want 45 minutes of Chris Martin or Elton John or whomever you want. Because otherwise, it’s all about them.”
Lopez and Rodriguez got engaged after two years of dating in March 2019. News broke that the two had called it quits in March 2021, but the pair did not confirm their split until the following month.
“Jen really does wish Alex the best,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2022. “She’s completely moved on. She doesn’t give any thought to Alex. Their relationship was filled with drama and that’s the last thing she has time for in her life.”
Rodriguez noted that he and Lopez “had a great time” in their relationship on a July 2022 episode of “The Martha Stewart Podcast.” He added, “More importantly, we always put the kids front and center in everything we do.” (Lopez shares her 16-year-old twins, Max and Emme, with her ex-husband Marc Anthony. Rodriguez shares his two daughters, Natasha, 20, and Ella, 16, with his ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis.)
Lopez moved on with Ben Affleck, whom she filed for divorce from after two years of marriage in August. Rodriguez, meanwhile, briefly datedKathryne Padgett in 2022 before finding love with his girlfriend, Jaclyn Cordeiro, later that year.
Carrie Fisher left behind a legacy that friends and fans will never forget following her December 2016 death at the age of 60.
The actress was best known for her role as Princess Leia inStar Wars, which daughter Billie Lourd (whom Fisher shared with ex-husband Bryan Lourd) has consistently been in awe of through the years.
“I wanted to hate [Star Wars] so I could tell her how lame she was,” Billie said during her mother’s posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in May 2023. “Like any kid, I didn’t want my mom to be hot or cool — she was my mom. But that day, staring at the screen, I realized no one is, or will ever be, as hot or as cool as Princess Leia.”
She continued, “People of all ages from all over the world were dressed up like my mom, the lady who sang me to sleep at night and held me when I was scared. Watching the amount of joy it brought to people when she hugged them … was incredible to witness.”
Billie later joined the Star Wars universe herself, costarring with her mom in 2015’s The Force Awakens and 2017’s The Last Jediboth filmed before Fisher’s death.
Scroll down for more of Fisher’s iconic photos and quotes:
Carrie Fisher was born on October 21, 1956, to Hollywood star Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. Her dad scandalized Hollywood when he infamously left her mother for Elizabeth Taylor. Reynolds surprisingly stayed friends with Taylor, who even left her some of her jewelry after her 2011 death.
Fisher, a self-proclaimed bookworm, attended Beverly Hills High School (pictured above in 1972 during her sophomore year) before appearing alongside her mother, Reynolds, in the 1973 Broadway revival Irene.
After a brief relationship with Dan Aykroyd, Fisher went on to date and later marry Paul Simon in 1983, but they split up a year later. The musician’s song “Hearts and Bones” is about their relationship.
Fisher welcomed her only child, daughter and Scream Queens actress Billie Lourd, in July 1992. After three years together, Carrie’s ex and Billie’s dad, Bryan Lourd, left her and came out as bisexual, and is now married to Bruce Bozzi.
In her memoir The Princess Diarist, Fisher revealed she had an affair with Star Wars costar Harrison Ford. “It was so intense,” she wrote. “It was Han and Leia during the week, and Carrie and Harrison during the weekend.”
The actress was open about suffering from bipolar disorder. In her book and show Wishful Drinking, she said that “living with manic depression takes a tremendous amount of balls” and it's “something to be proud of, not ashamed of.”
The When Harry Met Sally actress, pictured above with Bill Murray on Saturday Night Live, was known for her witty remarks. In her book Wishful Drinking she joked, “I feel I'm very sane about how crazy I am.”
“People are still asking me if I knew Star Wars was going to be that big of a hit,” Fisher once said. “Yes, we all knew. The only one who didn’t know was George [Lucas].” She also once joked that her “life is like a lone, forgotten Q-Tip in the second-to-last drawer.”
The actress never went anywhere without her beloved pooch, Gary. The bulldog was even by the star’s side when she suffered a massive heart attack while aboard a flight from London to LAX in December 2016.
The trailer for Fisher's final film, Wonderwell, was released after several delays. The late actress played Hazel, a mysterious leader from a magical land. She wrapped filming six weeks before her December 2016 death.
Meredith Gaudreau maintained a post-Christmas tradition during the first holiday season since the death of her husband, Johnny Gaudreau.
One day after Christmas, Meredith reposted a picture from a night out with Drey Severson, wife of Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson. “Dec 26 tradition ,” Meredith captioned the picture, which showed a fancy dinner table and a bottle of wine.
Drey — who married Damon in 2022 — posted the original photo from their evening on the town, writing, “Favorite Columbus Tradition that won’t be broken .”
Damon, 30, and Johnny were teammates during the 2023-2024 season after Damon was traded to the Blue Jackets in June 2023 after spending the first nine seasons of his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils.
Johnny was killed on August 30 after he and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. Johnny was 31 years old, Matthew was 29.
Meredith’s post-Christmas celebrations also included some quality time with her sister, Lily, who posted a video of Meredith and Johnny’s 2-year-old daughter, Noa, chowing down on a huge sandwich.
Meredith and Johnny also shared a son, Johnny, now 10 months. At the memorial service for Johnny and Matthew in September, Meredith revealed she was 9 months pregnant with the couple’s third baby.
“John is happy mom and dad stopped to give the babies and Mer some lovin,” Johnny’s youngest sister, Katie, posted via Instagram Story on Wednesday, December 25. “The best mom-mom and pop-pop.”
Katie shared a photo of Jane holding Noa and Guy holding baby Johnny, both kids asleep, while the couple smiled for the camera.
Johnny and Matthew were both scheduled to be groomsmen in Katie’s wedding the day after they were killed. Katie has since rescheduled her wedding for July 11, 2025.
Jane posted her own somber Christmas message via Instagram on the first holiday since the death of her sons.
“Our 2024 Christmas family photo in front of the Christmas tree will be this beautiful Christmas ornament we received,” Jane wrote, sharing a photo of an ornament featuring a picture of the family from Johnny and Meredith’s wedding in September 2021. “Remembering all the wonderful Christmas Eves our family has spent together .”
“Wear shoes that keep your child entertained,” Sofia, 26, captioned an Instagram Story post on Thursday, December 26. In the photo, Sofia wore a pair of embellished Alaïa flats which go for $1,290. The model’s daughter, whom she shares with husband Elliot Grainge, could be seen reaching her hand out and grabbing for the shoes.
While Sofia and Elliot, 31, have yet to publicly share their daughter’s face, the couple have shared a glimpse at Eloise’s life since her May birth.
This is hardly the first time that Sofia has showed off her daughter’s budding style. Earlier this month, the 6-month-old was holding her mom’s Chanel purse in a sweet mother-daughter snap shared via social media.
Sofia and Elliot sparked dating rumors in January 2021 and went Instagram official in April of that year. The following year, Sofia announced that she and Elliot were engaged. The couple tied the knot in April 2023.
Sofia Richie Grainge and daughter Eloise.
This past January, Sofia announced that she was pregnant. By May, her and Elliot’s baby girl was born.
“My life makes sense now,” Sofia said about motherhood during a November episode of the “Therapuss” podcast. “I’ve never loved anything more in my life. I’m obsessed with her, she’s perfect. And I’ve lost 50 pounds.”
She started laughing after the revelation along with podcast host and close friend Jake Shane. Sofia continued to discuss her pregnancy journey, revealing the advice she gives to friends who are expecting.
“It was beautiful. This is the thing I always tell my friends,” she shared. “I’m like, ‘Oh, it got crazy.’ But I was always empowered. The entire way. I was like, ‘I am unbelievable that I can do this.’”
In October, Sofia detailed her birth story and postpartum health struggles during an appearance on the “SHE MD” podcast. The model explained that she was induced at 38 weeks and had an “emotionally draining” birth experience. After welcoming Eloise, she “blew up like a balloon” and was diagnosed with postpartum preeclampsia.
“From the second Eloise was born, I was like, ‘I can’t miss an awake time. I can’t miss a moment. I don’t want someone else taking care of my kid,’” Sofia recalled. “I wouldn’t have had a kid if I wasn’t ready to take that on. My mom guilt has been balancing those two things.”
Tennis bracelets are a classic rich mom staple that every wrist needs. The timeless design is simple yet packs tons of sparkle, and the balance ensures that it’s not too much to wear every day. Whether you love the look of a bracelet on its own or are feeling inspired by arm stacks on social media, we have some good news: You can now score one (or even two!) for under $30 at Walmart.
The JeenMata Tennis Bracelet features a strand of jewels cut from cubic zirconia and set in high-quality white gold over brass. Unlike other options, this one does not look like your average piece of costume jewelry. Instead, it resembles something special that you would select at the corner of a jewelry store. You can wear it on its own for a low-key yet dazzling look, or pair it with your other bracelets to create an effortless stack.
While it’s easy to be skeptical of such an affordable accessory, shoppers are thrilled with their purchase, noting that it’s luxe-like and even makes a great gift.
“This tennis bracelet is absolutely beautiful! I’ve been showing everyone, it’s just that beautiful,” one person said. “The diamonds dance all over my wrist with no filter. It’s an amazing price and a nice piece of jewelry to have.”
“I love how clean and expensive it looks,” another wrote. “I’m so glad it doesn’t look low quality because it’s a special gift for my sibling. The gems look so nice, and silver looks good too!’
“The tennis bracelet is absolutely beautiful and believable,” said a happy Walmart customer. “It looks real and not like it’s costume jewelry. I would 100% recommend it. It was definitely worth buying, and I plan on buying another one from this jewelry company.”
While other stone colors are available, almost all are sold out — meaning the cubic zirconia likely won’t be in stock long. Hurry up and add it to your cart before it’s gone for good and prepare to show off the dazzling edition throughout 2025!
Scheana Shay thinks the Vanderpump Rules men were more upset about the cast overhaul than the female stars of the show.
“We all were kind of in a place where we’re like, ‘OK, if it continues, great.’ I did think there was more story to tell. We’ll just be telling that somewhere else now,” Scheana, 39, said during the Friday, December 27, episode of her “Scheananigans” podcast. But I think the women were kind of ready to move on to another platform to tell our stories.”
Scheana stills thinks she can show her life elsewhere, adding, “I’m not distraught. I wasn’t shocked at all. I think the men — minus Brock [Davies] — from what I’ve heard, took it the hardest. Definitely not the women.”
The reality star specifically named James Kennedy as someone who was affected by the news. (James, 32, made headlines earlier this month after he was arrested for domestic violence. He was released on a $20,000 bail and his legal team revealed plans to conduct their own investigation into the incident.)
“[Ally Lewber and I] didn’t really talk about it that much,” Scheana noted. “We had a few texts because she had reached out to me and said that James was taking it really hard and for me to check on him.”
Other men on the show who Scheana could be referring to are Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval.
“Any sad feelings that I have about not returning for season 12 are mostly not being able to work with that crew anymore. I loved the crew that we’ve had and hopefully, we’ll be able to work together on other projects because we became like a family,” she continued. “So that was definitely the hardest part. And the whole thing was bittersweet. It’s sad to say goodbye, but excited for the new servers and the next chapter of their lives.”
Scheana is now looking forward to the future ahead of her new ventures — including appearances on VPR’s spinoff The Valley.
“I am excited for new opportunities ahead outside of Vanderpump Rules, but I’m also a nostalgic person and it’s never easy to say goodbye,” she concluded. “Lala [Kent] and I had a good cry about it on the podcast, something that was such a big part of my life for so long. But also I think it was time. Honestly, it all feels right. It’s still all happening. It’s just happening a little differently.”
Bravo originally put season 12 on pause after the cast ended up at odds following Sandoval’s split from Ariana Madix due to his affair with Rachel “Raquel” Leviss. The network announced in November that an entirely new cast would take over after 11 seasons with (mostly) the same group.
Scheana previously suggested that she was at peace with how things played out. She also confirmed she had no plans to make amends with any of her now-former costars.
“I don’t think I will change anything that I have been [doing]. I text Ariana here and there. I ran into Katie [Maloney] at a festival, but I’m not going to reach out more [or] reach out less,” she said on her podcast last month. “I’m just going to continue doing what I’ve been doing because show or no show, all of these people have been in our lives for so long.”
She concluded: “So it’s like, ‘When I see you, I see you. And when I don’t, I’m living my life.’ I’m just going to continue on the same path I’m on and excited for new adventures.”
Each winter, we experience it at least once: Coat Envy, usually brought on by a bundled-up celebrity rocking a super stylish layer. And while winter has only just (officially) begun, we’re already feeling a bit of C.E. thanks to Olivia Munn, who stepped out in New York City on December 26 wearing a puffy bomber jacket with a chic shearling collar.
After looking into the actress’ simple yet luxe outerwear choice, we received some unfortunate news. Munn’s extremely cute coat? It’s Loewe (trendy!) and would set us back a whopping $3,400 (gah!). Of course, we wouldn’t blame a fashionista for splurging, but if your budget is somewhere in the under-$100 range, we found an Amazon alternative — and it costs just $54.
Get the Purepear Winter Puffer Jacketfor just $54 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, December 27, 2024, but are subject to change.
The Purepear Winter Puffer Jacket is extremely similar in style. Made of polyester, it’s puffy and waterproof, and the wool collar isn’t just a fun detail — it fully zips to protect your neck from the elements. The fit is slightly oversized, which makes this pick perfect for layering over bulky sweaters, and two deep pockets can be found on either side, meaning there’s plenty of room to store your essentials.
Shoppers are also able to choose between four different colorways, including black, beige, brown, and military green, each of which is available in sizes small through XXL.
According to reviews, the Purepear pick is well worth adding to cart.
“I got this jacket for my 18yo college daughter,” one person wrote. “She loves it. She says it’s cute and warm!! Which is what was needed when she’s walking to class on her large snowy college campus. She’s pleased, so I’m pleased! It fits her well too, so I’d say true to size.”
“I’m really happy with this stylish puffer jacket,” another satisfied customer said. “The wool lapel gives it a cute aviator-style look, and the jacket has a nice fluffy filling without being bulky. It has three pockets — one on the inside and two on the outside. I’m usually between a small and medium (size 8, 5’6″, 145 lbs), but I sized down to a small and I’m so glad I did. It has a slightly oversized look, but the cropped style balances it out, giving a more fitted and stylish appearance. Overall, I’m really pleased with this jacket. It’s warm and has the perfect puffy look without bulk, and I can still easily wear a sweater underneath. Just be aware you may need to size down depending on how you like your fit.”
Since this puffer comes in solid colors, it’s versatile enough to pair with a variety of outfits. You can take a note from Munn, who styled her Loewe jacket with straight-leg jeans and chunky black booties, or you can rock it with a seasonal sweater dress, a casual pair of sweats or a fancy sequined ensemble. The possibilities are endless, so what are you waiting for? Add this pick to your closet, ASAP!
If this bomber jacket doesn’t feel very “you,” no worries — we’ve found a few other styles worth browsing! Check out these equally chic alternatives, ahead!
Shop more black bomber and puffer jackets we love:
Wicked: For Good, the second part of the popular movie musical, will include brand-new music that deviates from the original production.
“I collaborated on one of the new songs, and it’s so special to me,” Cynthia Erivo told Variety on the Thursday, December 26, episode of its “Award Chatter” podcast. “When we filmed it, the entire crew was in tears. I hope audiences are ready — it’s a song that speaks to the heart of who Elphaba is.”
Wicked, which hit theaters last month, was adapted from Stephen Schwartz’s Broadway musical of the same name. Both shows serve as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, in which the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North are roommates at the fictitious Shiz University.
The OG musical starred Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth as Elphaba and Galinda/Glinda, respectively. In the long-awaited film version, Erivo, 37, and Ariana Grande took over the roles.
Wicked: For Good is set to continue the story where Part One left off but with a more mature tone.
“We’re diving deeper into the consequences of the characters’ choices,” Erivo told Variety. “The story is richer, and the stakes are higher. It’s not just a continuation; it’s a transformation.”
While Elphie eventually becomes the notorious Ozian villain, Erivo doesn’t see the character as “purely” evil.
“Elphaba isn’t wicked. None of the characters are purely good or bad. They’re flawed, complex and human,” Erivo stressed to the outlet. “This story asks us to reconsider the labels we place on others and ourselves. It’s about empathy and understanding. The world needs more of that right now.”
Erivo and Grande, 31, are both nominated for Golden Globes for their Wicked roles albeit in different categories. (Erivo is up for Leading Actress in a Musical/Comedy, while Grande was honored for Supporting Actress in a Musical/Comedy.)
“Oh my goodness oh my goodness,” Grande gushed via her Instagram Story earlier this month. “I am floored and honored to be recognized by members of the @goldenglobes. Crying (of course). It’s impossible to find my words, but I am simply so deeply grateful for this acknowledgment.”
She added, “Congratulations to my brilliant, dear sister @cynthiaerivo, and all of our Ozian family on this celebration of our work. I can’t possibly express my gratitude.”
Both parts of Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, also star Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum and Peter Dinklage.
Wicked: For Good premieres in theaters November 21, 2025.
Ahead of his team’s Sugar Bowl showdown against Georgia, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman required his players, staff and their families to spend the holidays as a unit.
“It’s an honor, it’s a privilege to be able to celebrate Christmas together with your football program, with your football family and to be practicing for a College Football Playoff game,” Freeman, 38, told reporters this week.
Notre Dame is getting set to face Georgia on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Freeman and his squad defeated Indiana 27-17 on Friday, December 20 to advance to the game.
“There’s a lot of college football teams that would want to do that,” Freeman continued. “We gotta make sure we understand that. Our guys do. None of those guys are thinking about going home — at least they won’t tell me if they are.”
Freeman concluded, “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
The winner of the Notre Dame-Georgia game will advance to the Orange Bowl on January 9 in Miami Gardens, Florida against the winner of Penn State-Boise State, which takes place on Tuesday, December 31.
Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates with the team after defeating the Indiana Hoosiers 27-17 in the Playoff First Round game at Notre Dame Stadium on December 20, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana.
Freeman and Notre Dame will face a Georgia team without the team’s usual starting quarterback, Carson Beck, who is out for the remainder of the playoffs with an elbow injury. In his place, Georgia will rely on sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton.
Despite the change, Freeman said his team’s preparations have not wavered.
“You look at the 13 games they played,” Freeman said Tuesday, December 24 on FS1’s The Herd with Colin Cowherd. “They won’t be a completely different offense with a new quarterback.
Freeman added, “There’s some things [Stockton] does well within their system. He makes really good decisions. He makes fast decisions. He obviously can extend plays with his feet — a little more QB run. But we’re still going to plan to see the things that we’ve seen their offense do, no matter who’s been at quarterback.”
Notre Dame has won 11 games in a row since their shocking loss at home to unranked Northern Illinois on September 7. In retrospect, Freeman said the defeat taught him a lot about his team.
“Well, immediately after the game, you tell them, ‘I’ve been here before,’” Freeman recalled on The Herd. “I told them, ‘Listen, it will be a rough week. It will be a long week, but I’ve been here before.’”
Freeman added, “All season long, I’ve continued to tell them, ‘Keep the pain, keep the pain,’ because we can’t let a loss continue to teach us the lessons we need to learn to prepare. So they’ve done a wonderful job of continuing to find ways to get better, but the preparation and mindset have been the key.”
The Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia kicks off Wednesday, January 1 at 8:45 pm ET on ESPN.
Below Deck Mediterranean‘s Chef Dave White isn’t just a married man now — he is also about to become a dad.
White took to Instagram on Thursday, December 26, to share a photo of him and wife Holly, which he captioned, “Merry Christmas everyone, love from the 3 of us .” In the snap, the former reality star was wearing a shirt that read “Daddy’s little sous chef” while his partner showed off her baby bump and a mini chef’s jacket for their little one.
The exciting news came one week after White announced that he and Holly tied the knot.
Captain Sandy Yawn wished her “congratulations” while Aesha Scott replied, “Yesssssssss darl So happy for you!!!!”
Meanwhile, Alex Radcliffe responded with fire emojis as Daisy Kelliher sent her own well wishes in the comments section.
Bravo fans became very familiar with White when he joined season 7 of Below Deck Mediterranean. After sparking romance rumors with chief stew Natasha Webb, the couple confirmed that they hooked up before reuniting on screen — despite initially pretending they weren’t close.
As the season went on, Webb ultimately didn’t want to continue their relationship. She instead reconnected with her ex, which caused White to become increasingly frustrated and consistently rage-texted her throughout the season. During a crew night out, Webb even ended up hiding in a primary bedroom because of White’s concerning messages.
“I didn’t want everyone to judge us on the situation. It was just unfortunate,” Webb told E! News in August 2022 about originally keeping her past with White a secret. “Because I didn’t want everyone to know, everything was done through text message, which is what the viewers don’t get to see. Dave’s more open and speaks about it so you get to see his side a little more, which is where judgment can come in from people.”
Webb admitted she had regrets about how she handled the situation.
“Looking back, it was the wrong thing to do,” she said. “I should have been more open and honest. It’s just because of the way things came about on my last boat. I just thought it was a messy situation that a lot of people can judge people. We all make mistakes in life. And unfortunately, that was just one of those things that I had to get through.”
That same month, Webb called White’s actions “toxic” during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. White, meanwhile, said he was “absolutely gutted” watching back his behavior.
“What I did and what I said were completely out of line. No matter how much I felt ill-treated, I should have never sent her what I did,” he told Decider at the time. “I’m absolutely gutted by my behavior and wish I could take it back. Even though I was super upset, there’s no excuse for what I did. I feel like I need to apologize to everyone because the way I reacted was disgusting.”
He continued: “To be honest, I can’t watch the episode. I don’t know how I came across. I obviously know what happened, but I don’t know. Do I deserve a second chance? I was out of order and it was the second time I slipped up…. However, in the galley, I put in a hundred and ten percent. I respect all the crew, and I am a good crew member. People do deserve second chances, but I feel like that might have been my third.”
Stassi Schroeder’s daughter Hartford is a huge Wicked girl — and she’ll even draw blood over the movie.
“Christmas was bloody Wicked this year!” Schroeder’s husband, Beau Clark, captioned a video uploaded via Instagram on Thursday, December 26.
Hartford, 3, wore a yellow dress and held Elphaba’s broom from the Wicked movie while Cynthia Erivo’s “Defying Gravity” played in the background. Schroeder and Hartford were singing along to the song with the latter furiously thrusting her broomstick into the air. At one point, Hartford’s broom collided with Schroeder’s face.
“Are you OK?” Hartford asked as Schroeder, 36, wondered whether she looked like Dracula. The Vanderpump Rules alum’s daughter went to go get her mom “a napkin” for the injury.
Schroeder turned to look at Clark, 44, who was still recording, and blood could be seen dripping down the left side of her mouth. Clark gasped, which made Schroeder ask, “Is it really that bad?”
As Clark continued to repeat “oh, my God,” Schroeder started laughing because she couldn’t tell if he was “messing” with her. When Hartford wiped the blood off her mom’s face, Schroeder chuckled in disbelief.
“I’m so sorry,” Hartford told her mom, as she continued to hold a cloth to Schroeder’s face. (It’s important to note that the Wicked soundtrack was playing in the background the entire time.)
Schroeder left a comment on Clark’s video explaining why the injury wasn’t that bad on her end.
“But yes, that side of my chin has always been numb ever since the chin implant lol,” the former Bravo star explained, referring to the plastic surgery procedure she got at age 18.
Schroeder and Clark share daughter Hartford along with son Messer, 15 months. Since welcoming her kids, the reality star can’t help but gush over her role as a wife and mom.
“Having it all in terms of what my family looks like, I’d love to have more kids if I was just insanely wealthy and had the most amount of help ever,” Schroeder shared during an October appearance on the “Disrespectfully” podcast, noting that in a perfect world she’d have “a really big family” with Clark.
“I think of single parents every day, multiple times a day, because I do have help,” Schroeder continued. “Hartford’s in school and I have a husband that does half the things I do. So, I’m supported, but I still get overwhelmed all day long. I literally think, ‘There are people that are just doing this alone. Alone, alone.’”
Some of the most shocking TV moments of 2024 came from shows such as Outer Banks, My Lady Jane, 9-1-1, Monsters and more.
Netflix’s Outer Banks started out on a high with the friend group back together solving their newest treasure hunt. With the season being split up into two parts, the first half ended on an interesting note when JJ (Rudy Pankow) discovered that newcomer (and season 4 villain) Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane) was his biological dad.
Things went south in the second half of the season, which was released weeks later. As JJ’s story line separated him from the other Pogues and his girlfriend Kiara (Madison Bailey), he embarked on a downward spiral that led to a last-minute redemption arc and abrupt death.
The Outer Banks creators claimed JJ’s death was planned from the very start but fans had their doubts. Ultimately JJ’s confusing exit overshadowed most of the season — except for that very predictable pregnancy reveal with Sarah (Madelyn Cline) and John B (Chase Stokes).
Monsters, meanwhile, attempted to take inspiration from Lyle and Erik Menéndez‘s infamous murder trial to mirror key moments from their lives both before and after they were sentenced to life without parole for shooting their mother and father. Episodes 4 and 5 received critical and fan praise for introducing Erik and Lyle’s claims that they killed parents Kitty and Jose Menéndez in self-defense following years of alleged physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
Ultimately, Monsterssparked a back and forth between creator Ryan Murphy and the real Menéndez brothers over claims of inaccuracy and backlash after the show leaned into sexualizing Lyle (played by Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Erik’s (played by Cooper Koch) relationship in promotional material.
Keep scrolling for more of TV’s most shocking moments from 2024:
Grotesquerie’s It Was All a Dream Revelation
Murphy’s newest FX series felt like a season of American Horror Story as it followed Detective Lois Tryon (Niecy Nash). Lois was working with local nun Sister Megan (Micaela Diamond) to figure out who was behind a series of heinous crimes in their community — until she wasn’t. More than halfway through the season, fans were asked to forget what they saw in the first six episodes: none of it took place anywhere except in Lois’ mind because she was the one who was actually in a coma.
The rest of the season — in typical Murphy fashion — didn’t make a lot of sense and Lois ended up exactly where she started.
Matty’s Real Identity on ‘Matlock’
When Kathy Bates‘ character was introduced on Matlock, she was a fictional lawyer hoping to get hired at a prestigious law firm — and she just happened to share the same last name as the iconic Matlock series from the ’80s. The ending, however, revealed that it was all an act.
Matty is actually the wealthy Madeline Kingston, who has gone undercover at the firm to track down who is responsible for her daughter’s death. The suspects on Matty’s list included Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), Julian (Jason Ritter) or Senior (Beau Bridges) — all of whom could have had access to documents that would have taken opioids off the streets before her daughter died from an overdose.
‘Outer Banks’ Kills Off JJ Maybank
The Outer Banks creators — Josh Pate, Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke — never publicly stated that no Pogues would ever die, but it certainly felt that way. Four seasons in, the show tried something new by killing off Pankow’s character, which sparked online outrage. The fan-favorite character’s death came out of nowhere — despite the showrunners claiming it was planned all along.
There were also those rumors about tension between Pankow and Bailey leading up to his exit. The costars never publicly addressed fan speculation but it continued to spread in the weeks after Outer Banks’ lackluster season 4 finale.
‘My Lady Jane’ Isn’t Just a Historical Reimagining
Based on historical YA novels, My Lady Jane was promoted as a radical approach to Lady Jane Grey’s (Emily Bader) very brief time as monarch after King Henry VIII’s son Edward (Jordan Peters) death from tuberculosis. In this version, Jane and her husband, Guildford (Edward Bluemel), weren’t beheaded and Edward didn’t get killed off.
There was more to the story though, as the series premiere revealed Guildford turned into a horse during the day. He was one of many shapeshifting humans who were persecuted by the royals — before Jane got involved through her love story with Guildford.
‘The Acolyte’ Introduces Their Big Villain — And the Internet’s Newest Boyfriend
When The Acolyte initially premiered, Manny Jacintowas introduced as a smuggler named Qimir. He entertained viewers with his antics, which made him seem harmless. The fifth episode, however, turned out to be one for the history books when the Jedi warriors met The Stranger and an epic battle revealed Jacinto’s character Qimir as the man behind the sinister helmet.
The twists kept coming as The Stranger developed more fans thanks to a shirtless scene, a sad backstory and Jacinto’s heated chemistry with Amandla Stenberg. It didn’t seem to be enough though and The Acolyte got cancelled way too soon.
‘Rivals’ Strays From the Source Material
Based on Jilly Cooper‘s novel of the same name, Disney+ and Hulu’s Rivals centered around a feud between two men fighting for control of a television station in 1980s Britain. The first season ended with several major cliffhangers including Tony (David Tennan) learning about Cameron’s (Nafessa Williams) relationship with Rupert (Alex Hassell) and lashing out by attacking her.
Cameron defended herself, and it remained unclear whether Tony was still alive by the end of the season 1 finale. (That was a major change from the book in which Cameron didn’t fight back.)
Bridgerton’s Departure From the Books With a Gender-Swap
A narrative shakeup took place during the season 3 finale when Francesca (Hannah Dodd) met her future love interest. In the When He Was Wicked book, which focuses on Francesca’s journey, Francesca fell in love with now-husband John’s (Victor Alli) cousin Michael. The series swapped Michael out for Michaela (Masali Baduza) — to mixed results from fans.
Where do we start with 9-1-1? First fans got to see their wish come true when Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark) came out as bisexual. That paved the way for him to date Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.), who it turned out was once engaged to Buck’s ex-girlfriend Abby (Connie Britton). Buck and Tommy didn’t last, and the final moments of the season 8 midseason finale hinted that Buck could be developing feelings for his best friend Eddie (Ryan Guzman).
‘Agatha All Along’ Unmasks Who Actually Created the Road
Before Agatha All Along even premiered, fans were predicting how Joe Locke‘s character, Teen, connected to Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). That buildup was a red herring since Teen a.k.a Billy being Wanda’s son was only the beginning. The bigger twist was that the Witches’ Road never existed — until Billy haphazardly created it in a moment of panic similar to his mother turning Westview into a fictional TV world in WandaVision.
‘Doctor Odyssey’ Explores a Threesome — and a Paternity Scandal
The ABC series initially introduced separate connections between Avery (Phillipa Soo) and Max (Joshua Jackson) and Avery and Tristan (Sean Teale). There was a subtle flirtation between Max and Tristan, however, and that ultimately turned into a threesome. The situation only got more messy when Avery realized she was pregnant — but didn’t know whether Max or Tristan was the father.
‘NCIS: Origins’ Unravels Gibbs’ Journey to the NIS
The prequel series picked up less than a year after Gibbs’ (Austin Stowell) wife and daughter were killed. The other agents at the NIS Camp Pendleton office thought he was still trying to hunt down the person responsible for their deaths a.k.a cartel leader Pedro Hernandez.
But through flashbacks — and a case that took Lala (Mariel Molino) and Gibbs to Mexico — it was revealed that Hernandez died months prior. Gibbs killed Hernandez before he ever joined the team and kept it a secret.
‘The Bear’ Seemingly Divides the Plot Across 2 Seasons
The past two seasons of The Bear set up an arc for each character and ended in a way that set up the next chapter in the story. Season 3, however, received a lackluster response because of a “To Be Continued” message that came after 10 episodes that felt like it was just building up to the next season.
Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) spent the season pushing The Bear — and the employees — to a level of success not all of them wanted. Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and others in the kitchen found it tough adjusting to the higher caliber of service and that led to new rifts and challenges. Carmy’s volatile behavior led Sydney to consider leaving The Bear for another opportunity and the final scene of the season showed Carmy reading The Bear’s first review, which appeared to be mixed.
Luckily, reports surfaced that FX quietly renewed the show for more episodes. Reportedly seasons 3 and 4 were filmed at the same time due to the busy schedules of cast members such as White, Edebiri and Moss-Bachrach.
Season 2, which debuted in August, picked up months after Stephen (Jackson White) blindsided Lucy (Grace Van Patten) by ending their toxic relationship. That split was just the beginning because by the end of her sophomore year they were once again an item. In the present day, Stephen and Lucy crossed paths again and had sex despite both being in serious relationships with other people.
Stephen also had something up his sleeve though because it turned out he knew that Evan (Branden Cook) and Lucy hooked up in college. While at the time he seemed cool with it, he waited until Evan’s wedding to Lucy’s friend Bree (Cat Missal) to blow everything up with a voice message.
‘All American’ Exits
Ahead of All American‘s seventh and final season, Daniel Ezra announced his exit from the show but is expected to remain a director and guest star.
Samantha Logan, Cody Christian, Karimah Westbrook, Monét Mazur and Chelsea Tavares subsequently departed as series regulars as well, which only left Greta Onieogou, Michael Evans Behling and Bre-Z on the CW series as series regulars. To balance out the departures, Osy Ikhile and Nathaniel McIntyre joined as new characters.
‘The Diplomat’ Ups the Suspense
Season 2 was all about trying to figure out who hired a mercenary to shoot at a British warship. Turns out it was the vice president (played by Allison Janney) and a plan was set in motion to replace her. Before that could happen, the President of the United States died after learning about Grace Penn’s involvement in the major political attack, which left her to take off as the new leader of the nation.
The ‘Sugar’ Alien Reveal
Apple TV+ introduced Colin Farrell as a mysterious detective John Sugar who kept details of his past close to his chest. Flash forward six episodes where Sugar revealed he was a blue alien who’s been disguised as a human the entire time.
‘9-1-1: Lone Star’ Attempted to Write Sierra McClain Off
After contract renegotiation issues, Sierra McClain left 9-1-1: Lone Star before the fifth and final season. The Fox series explained her absence by having McClain’s character Grace go abroad to volunteer with Mercy Ships — an organization that provides global surgeries.
Grace’s sudden departure left Judd at home with their 2-year-old daughter and caring for his son, Wyatt Harris, whom he welcomed in a previous relationship, while he recovered from an accident that left him paralyzed. Later in the season, Owen (Rob Lowe) discovered that Judd (Jim Parrack) developed a drinking problem due to Grace’s exit, which wasn’t meant to happen before McClain departed 9-1-1: Lone Star.
Caitlin Bassett as Addison and Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song in ‘Quantum Leap.’
The revival of the ‘90s science-fiction series followed Ben (Raymond Lee) after he made a secret leap through time and got lost in the past. With help from his now-ex Addison (Caitlin Bassett) and the rest of the Quantum Leap team, Ben tried to figure out what caused him to alter history.
Season 2 introduced a three-year time jump that initially created more distance between Ben and the Quantum Leap team. During the season finale, which became the show’s last episode, the Quantum Leap team figured out a way to bring Ben home by swapping him out for Addison.
Addison did end up being taken back in time but Ben had also leaped into that moment instead of returning to present time. The couple reunited for the first time in years and were finally able to be together again.
Ryan Murphy’s Take on the Menendez Murder in ‘Monsters’
Erik and Lyle were originally arrested in 1990 on two counts of first-degree murder after their parents, José and Kitty Menéndez, were found dead in their own Beverly Hills home. They received separate life sentences despite maintaining that their mother and father were physically, emotionally and sexually abusive and that their actions were that of self-defense.
Season 2 of Murphy’s Netflix series Monstersprovided a dramatized new look at the high-profile murder case. Similar to season 1 of Monster — which was centered around Evan Peters‘ portrayal of Jeffrey Dahmer — the show came under fire for several inaccuracies about the Menéndez brothers, including the insinuation that they were in a sexual relationship.
Murphy stood by the vision that came together on screen after plenty of research despite Erik speaking out against the series. The renewed interest in the case subsequently resulted in the Los Angeles District Attorney to recommend in October that a judge re-sentence Erik and Lyle to 50 years.
‘Bad Monkey’ Connects Its Story Lines
Initially Bad Monkey was split up with former police detective Andrew Yancy (Vince Vaughn) looking into why a severed arm washed up in Florida. This led him to the deceased ma Nick’s (Rob Delaney) wife Eve (Meredith Hagner), who he considered the prime suspect in his death. A separate story line then revealed a young fisherman in the Bahamas named Neville (Ronald Peet) was at risk of losing his home due to a greedy developer.
The twist? The stories were connected. Nick wasn’t really dead and he was the man threatening to take over Neville’s land after relocating to the Bahamas in an attempt to fake his death.
Dowager Countess Violet Crawley died in Downton Abbey: A New Era, but the upcoming third movie will still pay tribute to the late Maggie Smith.
“The fact that Dame Maggie herself has now passed away since that time, I do think, has given a real added poignancy to a story that we would have planned anyway,” Downton Abbey executive producer Gareth Neame shared in an interview with TVLine on Tuesday, December 24. “The loss of the dowager, it now feels far more significant that you see actors playing characters mourning the family matriarch. But I also see actors mourning the matriarch of the show, and it feels more genuine and more meaningful.”
Smith died at age 89 on September 27, not long after production on Downton Abbey 3 finished filming earlier this year. While the plot of the series’ third film is currently unknown, it will likely address the aftermath of Violet’s death. Smith’s iconic character died surrounded by her family at the end of the second movie, which hit theaters in May 2022.
Neame, 57, called Smith’s death “the end of an era,” telling TVLine that “we will never see the like of Dame Maggie Smith ever again.” He went on to note that the Downton Abbey cast and crew’s “huge respect for her … will come across in the next movie.”
Smith portrayed the Crawley family matriarch on all six seasons of Downton Abbey from 2010 to 2015 and in the 2019 film Downton Abbey and its 2022 follow-up. The sharp-tongued character earned the actress multiple accolades, including two Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and a 2013 Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Television Series.
Throughout her legendary Hollywood career, Smith won a total of four Emmys, two Oscars, three Golden Globes and one Tony Award. She portrayed a number of memorable characters in addition to Violet, including Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter film franchise and Mother Superior in the Sister Act movies.
Smith’s sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed her death in a September 27 statement to the BBC. “She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” they shared. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.”
Smith’s cause of death was not revealed at the time, though she battled breast cancer while filming 2009’s Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Back in October, Smith’s Downton Abbey costar Hugh Bonneville called the upcoming film “a wonderful sort of closing of all the stories” in an interview on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio U.K.
“It’s very much set in the house and saying goodbye to all these characters and we obviously say goodbye to Dame Maggie, which was very poignant on screen and now in real life,” Bonneville, who plays Robert Crawley, added. “She’ll be sorely missed. But the final film will obviously be a great lasting tribute to her.”
Downton Abbey 3 is set to hit theaters on September 12, 2025.
Scheana Shay broke her silence on James Kennedy‘s domestic violence arrest — and explained why she initially stayed silent.
During the Friday, December 27, episode of her “Scheananigans” podcast, Shay, 39, revealed that the “majority of questions coming in” were about Kennedy’s legal issues.
“I did write out what I wanted to say because I want to try and be just as eloquent as possible. I want to get what I want to say out without stumbling over my words,” she explained before reading every question she received about Kennedy.
“I was respecting Ally’s privacy — as she requested,” she noted. “So I wasn’t going to say anything on the podcast, but I now see how that’s coming off by staying silent. So I have spoken to Ally. I check in with her often. I always have. But I know it seems like if I stay silent, you all somehow think I support his behavior, which I absolutely do not.”
Us Weekly confirmed on December 12 that police were dispatched to Kennedy’s home on December 10 after receiving a phone call about an argument between a man and a woman. The authorities saw Kennedy, 32, allegedly grabbing the woman, however officers at the scene did not see any visible injuries.
Shortly after news of the arrest broke, Kennedy’s ex-girlfriend Kristen Doute and former fiancée Rachel “Raquel” Leviss released separate statements about their individual tumultuous experiences with him. (Kennedy released a statement after he was released on a $20,000 bail but didn’t address Doute, 41, or Leviss’ comments.)
“Obviously, I was very close with Raquel for years. And while she always told me that James was never physically abusive,” she said on Friday. “As we all know, abuse isn’t limited to just physical. And ultimately it led to her exiting that relationship. I had a lot of empathy for her … I wanted to do anything I could to help and give her a safe space.”
After Kennedy’s arrest made headlines, Shay hoped it caused a personal shift for him.
“I do hope that James views this as a rock bottom moment and is serious about just committing to a healing plan vs. just seeing this is something that’s gonna, like, ruin the world tour or residency or whatever,” she added. “I’ve noticed his name has been taken off of certain shows and that is a direct consequence to his actions.”
Shay urged Kennedy “to get help,” noting, “And not just to prevent Ally — or some other girl — from being subjected to abusive behavior in the future. But to give himself a chance to live life with healthy relationships. I know he wants those things for himself and he needs to give himself the proper tools to deal with his trauma that doesn’t involve projecting it on to others.”
“I am committed to making meaningful changes in my life. I am taking time to focus on my sobriety, personal growth, and being present for my loved ones,” he wrote via Instagram on December 17. “Navigating challenging moments is not easy but I am determined to learn, grow and move forward with the incredible support system around me.”
His legal team also addressed the arrest, telling Us, “We are in the process of conducting our own investigation into the allegations levied by the Burbank Police Department against James. We understand that there were no injuries and we are hoping that, after careful review, the city’s attorneys will decide not to file formal charges.”
Lewber, 28, for her part, has largely remained out of the public eye since the arrest made headlines, with a source telling Us earlier this month that the twosome were taking some space.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love and support and for checking in on me,” Lewber wrote via her Instagram Story at the time. “I’m OK and taking the time I need right now. I deeply appreciate all the kindness and respect for my privacy during this time.”
Elsewhere in her podcast episode, Shay made it clear that she wanted to “keep the line of communication and support open” for Lewber.
“I want her to know that she is supported. I don’t want to say something that then puts her in a position where it’s like she has to choose between a friendship or a relationship. I just don’t want there to be one less mechanism of support for her,” she continued. “That’s just only going to make things harder.”
Shay also addressed her husband, Brock Davies‘ past domestic dispute. (Davies, 34, revealed on season 9 of Vanderpump Rules that an incident between him and his ex led to a tumultuous coparenting relationship when it came to his eldest kids.)
“I know most of you watched season 9 and it was revealed that my husband had made some bad choices in his early 20s. Thankfully, he’s not the same person he was and he continues to work on himself,” Shay, who shares 3-year-old daughter Summer with Davies, explained. “If he was the same person, I wouldn’t have married him. He’s an incredible partner and father. He’s made some mistakes but he’s grown. He’s learned from his past. I thought James had too. Hopefully now he finally will.”
Shay ended the segment by issuing a message of support to anyone in an abusive relationship.
“If you’re in a relationship that is abusive — whether that’s through coercive control, psychological or emotional abuse, economic, physical or sexual abuse — I want you to try and make an exit plan today,” she said. “If you have a friend who you worry might be in one, just make sure they know that they are supported. Help educate them on what types of abuse there are. There are so many different types and what that looks like. Help them access mental health services in your area, and make sure to re-enforce that they are worthy of respect and love.”
She continued: “They deserve to be treated with respect. And I’m going to add some links in this episode description for additional resources in navigating domestic abuse because I do think it’s important to speak on this.”
The reality star admitted she was “hesitant” to speak out.
“I feel like if I say something, I get s— for it. If I don’t say something, I get s— for it. But this is a serious subject,” Shay concluded. “So I needed to say something and I hope I conveyed that properly. ”
If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
Ina Gartenand her husband, Jeffrey Garten, were only separated for four months before reconciling.
“We got married in 1968 and in the ‘70s women are, kind of, sorting things out,” Ina, 76, said during a Tuesday, December 24, podcast appearance. “When we got married, it was assumed that he would be ‘the husband’ and I would be ‘the wife’ and I would make dinner and we would do the finances.”
She continued, “We would have the prescribed roles, and I think those roles annoyed me in the ‘70s — even though Jeffrey thought of me as an equal. We just had roles that we were playing.”
Once Ina bought her first Barefoot Contessa shop, she saw her mindset shift.
“I had my own business and I had my own life,” she recalled. “I found those rules to be really confining, so I just said to him, ‘I just feel like I need to be only own for a little while.’”
In response, Jeffrey, now 78, told the lifestyle maven that, “If you feel like you need to be on your own, you need to be on your own.” Their separation, however, only lasted a few months.
“We, kind of, took a break for about four months,” Ina said. “He was with the State Department, he went on this big trip around the world and afterward, at the end of the year, we met in Palm Springs and we just talked. We just sat and talked about what he wanted and what I wanted. He always has this great attitude, ‘Let’s just figure out what each of us wants and how we can do both of them.’”
Ina further gushed that Jeffrey “is the best” and “should be a role model for every guy,” also crediting the former financier with helping her find her voice.
“He really is so wise,” Ina said. “His advice is never, ‘This will be good for me.’ It’s always, ‘This would be good for us.’”
Ina also credits therapy with improving their relationship.
“I remember going to [my therapist] the first day and I said, ‘I’m not having fun. I mean, I work all the time and it’s easy to get wrapped up in that,’” she recalled on Tuesday. “It was true for us for a long time when Jeffrey would leave on Monday [for a work trip]. .. The weekdays I pretty much had on my own, so I would just work all the time.”
Once Ina started embracing new hobbies — many with Jeffrey’s encouragement — they were able to get their romance back on track.
“He made me feel like I could do anything and that we would talk stuff out and he would say, ‘Have you thought about that’ and we would have a conversation right from the beginning,” Ina said. “He would say to me, ‘What do you love? If you love it, you’ll be really good at it.’ He knows I have a lot of enthusiasm and energy for things.”
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