“I think it feels particularly good, particularly because my royal lines go through France,” Stone, 66, exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, January 30, at the American Heart Association’s Red Dress Collection Concert. “My grandparents founded France.”
According to Stone, “King Hugh and Queen Nora founded France” — a country that also holds special meaning to her.
“[It] is the place that’s very dear to my heart. It’s, like, a second home to my home,” Stone told Us. “All the princes and princesses through Burgundy were my relatives. That’s really beautiful and it’s really touching.”
She added, “I think if my father was alive to know that he had princely heritage, it would really touch his heart. But whether he knew it or not, my father had the air of kings.”
Stone discovered her heritage during an appearance on Finding Your Roots that aired last month. Show host Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. informed the Basic Instinct star that her father’s family line dated back to medieval times. In fact, famed Holy Roman Empire monarch Charlemagne is Stone’s 38th great-grandfather.
“Well if you want to see someone whose mind is completely blown, here it is,” she quipped on the episode. “There wasn’t time or moments to even think about [whether] there [was] anybody before them; there wasn’t the luxury of imagining ‘who were your ancestors.’ It’s so important to know who your people are. It’s really nice to be able to find that out.”
Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for The American Heart Association
Stone brought her newfound regal sensibilities as the host of the AHA’s annual Red Dress Collection concert, which supports the organization’s Go Red for Women campaign and fighting cardiovascular diseases.
Stone embodied old-school Hollywood glam in a red sequined jumpsuit, which she paired with silver pumps, a coordinating choker necklace and hoop earrings. She accessorized her ensemble with bright, red lipstick.
The gala, held at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, paid homage to a cause close to Stone’s heart as a stroke survivor. She previously suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2001.
“My recovery period was hell, quite frankly,” Stone recalled to Brain & Life Magazine in 2018. “I lost 18 percent of my body mass in nine days. I came out of the hospital looking like teeth on a stick. At that time, they didn’t have stroke recovery programs. Months later, I was really, really struggling.”
Stone’s condition steadily improved over time, helped in part by overhauling her diet, quitting alcohol and implementing a daily exercise regimen.
Taylor Swift will presumably walk the 2025 Grammy Awards red carpet solo, as it would be highly improbable for boyfriend Travis Kelce to attend the ceremony given his (possibly history-making) NFL schedule.
The Grammys will be held on Sunday, February 2, where Swift, 35, is up for six trophies and is slated to present another category.
It is, however, unlikely that Music’s Biggest Night will become her official red carpet debut with Kelce, also 35. The tight end is currently deep in Kansas City Chiefs practices ahead of Super Bowl LIX.
Kelce, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the rest of Chiefs are currently preparing for their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance. The NFL championship takes place in New Orleans, exactly one week after the Grammys on Sunday, February 9, but the team members have multiple practices and media appearances scheduled prior to kickoff.
The Super Bowl Opening Night is held one day after the Grammys, meaning that Kelce and the Chiefs will be traveling from Missouri to Louisiana in advance. Per the official media schedule, both teams arrive on Sunday. Upon their arrival, athletes will participate in a variety of interviews and practices at local facilities.
The Super Bowl LIX is a rematch of the 2023 game, in which the Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles. The next year, the Chiefs also took home the win over the San Francisco 49ers.
While Swift attended the 2024 game — and is presumably expected to step out at Super Bowl 2025 in New Orleans — Kelce also missed last year’s Grammys. At the time, the pop star took home two trophies for Midnights and announced her 11th album, The Tortured Poets Department,in her victory speech.
XNY/Star Max/GC Images
During his pregame press conference, Kelce expressed his pride in Swift’s accomplishments.
“She’s unbelievable. She’s rewriting the history books herself,” he gushed in February 2024, when asked about Swift winning her fourth Album of the Year accolade. “I told her I’ll have to hold up my end of the bargain and come home with some hardware too.”
He added, “Taylor has an unbelievable fanbase that follows her and supports her throughout her life and it’s been fun to kind of gather the Swifties in the Chiefs Kingdom. It’s been cool to just experience all of that.”
Of course, Kelce was able to come home with some hardware of his own — his third Super Bowl ring. Swift watched in person, celebrating with her boyfriend on the field with a romantic sideline kiss.
In a now-deleted post from 2022, shared via X, Gascón, 52, commented on the rumored feud between Gomez, 32, and Hailey Bieber, according to The Latin Times. Gascón allegedly quoted a photo shared by the Mexican outlet Reforma featuring a photo of Gomez and Bieber, 28, reuniting at the Annual Academy Museum Gala in October 2022, appearing to refute rumors of a feud between them.
“She’s a rich rat who plays the poor b—— whenever she can and will never stop bothering her ex-boyfriend and his wife,” Gascón reportedly wrote at the time, referring to Gomez, her ex Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey. The post was allegedly shared via Gascón’s account, which has been deactivated.
Us Weekly has reached out to reps for both Gascón and Gomez for comment.
Gascón received widespread backlash in January 2025 when past social media posts started circulate online, some of which date back to 2016. In some of the posts, Gascón made derogatory comments about the Muslim population in her native Spain and criticized George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in the United States in 2020. Gascón has since deleted her X account and apologized for the resurfaced posts.
Robert Kamau/GC Images
“As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain,” she shared in a statement via Netflix, per the Associated Press. “All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness.”
Gascón’s Emilia Pérez costar Zoe Saldañaaddressed the controversy during a Q&A in London on Friday, January 31, saying she was “still processing.” She explained, “It makes me really sad because I don’t support [it], and I don’t have any tolerance for any negative rhetoric towards people of any group.”
Saldaña, 46, continued, “I can only attest to the experience that I had with each and every individual that was a part, that is a part, of this film, and my experience and my interactions with them was about inclusivity and collaboration and racial, cultural, and gender equity. And it just saddens me. It saddens me that we are having to face this setback right now.”
Emilia Pérez is a musical drama starring Gascón as the leader of a Mexican cartel who fakes her death and transitions into a woman.
Gascón’s posts aside, the film is already shrouded in controversy. While Gascón is the first transgender woman nominated for Best Actress at both the Golden Globes and Academy Awards, Emilia Pérez was notably left out of the nominations for the GLAAD Media Awards in January. In one article, the LGBTQ+ non-profit had called the film “a step backward for trans representation.”
It’s becoming very pricey to attend an NFL game — even if you are a family member of a player.
The prices have continually increased through the years, with an average regular season ticket costing upwards of $375 in 2023.
Football’s biggest day of 2024 is no exception, with Super Bowl LVIII being the most expensive game on record. To watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas, tickets cost about $8,000.
The sticker shock has kept some NFL athletes and their families from buying tickets, including 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey’s mom, Lisa McCaffrey, who confessed she couldn’t afford it.
“We looked into a suite and none of us can afford it,” Lisa said on the “Your Mom” podcast in January 2024. “Not even Christian, moneybags over there nor moneybags Olivia [Culpo]. So, we are not in a suite. I’ll tell you that right now.”
Shortly after Lisa’s admission, Culpo revealed she bought a Super Bowl suite for her fiancée’s mom’s birthday.
Scroll down for what NFL athletes and their families have said about game day ticket prices:
Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Donna Kelce
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce’s mom, Donna Kelce, knows all too well the struggles of attending the Super Bowl after her sons famously faced off against each other in 2023.
“If your child has a heartbeat, you have to pay for them,” Donna told Today in February 2024. “It doesn’t matter if they just were born. If you have a child, even if you’re holding them the whole time, you have to pay the full price.”
Donna noted that “it’s a little pricey” for NFL families to bring their children to the game, but it’s a special moment that’s hard to miss.
“You want them to know that you were there when your father was in the Super Bowl, so that you can tell them that later on in life,” she said.
During an appearance on the Today show later that month, Donna shared that she’d be cheering on Travis at Super Bowl LVIII from the stands rather than a suite.
“You can understand that the boxes in Vegas are multimillion dollars, so I have a feeling I’m not in a box,” she said. “I have a feeling I’m in the stands.”
Travis Kelce
Travis KelcePerry Knotts/Getty Images
Travis joked about the steep price of Super Bowl tickets during a February 2024 episode of his and Jason’s “New Heights” podcast.
“Just counting how much money I’m spending on this damn Super Bowl for family and friends to come. Just making sure I’m on top of those finances and losing all this money,” he said when asked how he was prepping before the big game.
49ers linebacker Fred Warner’s wife, Sydney Warner, shared in a February 2023 TikTok that all tickets for home and away games aren’t free. She noted that her husband’s team is offered seats at a discounted rate.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Night of Too Many Stars
Kylie Kelce
Jason and his wife, Kylie Kelce, candidly discussed their decision to buy their children tickets to watch their dad play in Super Bowl LVII during their Kelce documentary.
“We are going to pay almost $4,000 for a f–king kid who’s not going to sit in a seat,” Kylie said in the Prime Video film, which dropped in September 2023. “To watch her dad play in a game. That’s bananas.”
When their daughter Elliotte appeared on the screen with her baby doll, Jason asked her whether she wanted to go to the Super Bowl. Elliotte shook her head before adding, “My baby [doll] wants to go to the Super Bowl, too.” (Jason and Kylie also share daughters Wyatt and Bennett.)
Britton Colquitt
The former Denver Broncos punter welcomed his third child just days before the team was set to play in the Super Bowl in 2016. While each player was allotted 15 tickets for the game, each one was worth $1,800 — even for babies.
“There’s no age limit to tickets,” Britton Colquitt told the Denver Post at the time. “It’s $1,800 for our week-old daughter we just had. It’s kind of crazy.”
He explained that while his daughter wouldn’t remember the day, he made the decision to include her.
“If we win and my wife and two kids are there, but she’s not, how do I explain that to her?” Colquitt explained to CBS Sports. “In the pictures, if we win, I’d like her to be in it.”
David Madison/Getty Images
Lisa McCaffrey
Before Culpo surprised Lisa with a Super Bowl LVIII suite to watch Christian, the NFL star’s mom opened up about her struggles to secure a ticket and shared that her family was able to “negotiate” a group of tickets in a specific section of the stands.
“I don’t exactly understand what it is, but anyway we are in [that area]. Part of the problem is I wanted eight tickets together because I felt strongly about everybody being together,” Lisa said, adding that her husband, Ed McCaffrey, and other sons would be joining her and Culpo. “[Tickets are] outrageously expensive.”
She continued, “[Christian’s] best friends, they can’t afford it, and Christian used all his [allotted] tickets to get these other seats for us. All his good friends, they’re gonna come out and they’re going to go have a watch party somewhere and we’ll find them later.”
When asked via TikTok whether there is a “family room inside the stadium” for player’s families to watch the game, Saints tight end Juwan Johnson’s wife Chanen Johnson quickly set the facts straight.
“No,” Chanen said in the November 2023 video. “I feel like this is a common misconception because a lot of the times whenever you see families on TV it’s because they’re catching a glimpse of them in their suites or where they’re sitting at with their families. But it’s not free. The regular bad seats aren’t free, let alone the suites.”
Channen explained that “cheaper” stadium suites cost about $20,000, whereas others can cost up to $50,000.
Kelly Stafford
Ahead of the NFC Championship game in January 2022, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s wife Kelly Stafford announced she was going to purchase tickets for fans after seeing how cost prohibitive they were.
During an episode of her podcast, “The Morning After With Kelly Stafford & Hank,” she shared that she purchased tickets for about 240 people, ranging in price from $850 to $1,200 each.
Emily Bushman
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Matt Bushman’s wife admitted during a February 2024 TikTok video that the pair’s daughters, Andie and Micah, who were born in 2020 and 2023, respectively, would not be present to cheer on their dad during Super Bowl LVIII.
“Just like it was explained in the Kelce documentary, even newborns count as a ticket. So thankfully, my mom’s gonna watch my girls during the game,” Emily said, noting that Super Bowl tickets cost “about four times as much” as tickets to a regular game.
Orlando Brown Jr.Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Orlando Brown Jr.
Ahead of the 2024 Super Bowl, former Chiefs player Orlando Brown Jr. spoke out against the NFL’s high ticket prices for the big game. “They’re kind of taking advantage of the players knowing that guys like Christian McCaffrey’s family members are public figures — with his dad [retired NFL pro Ed McCaffrey] being who he is and obviously who he’s with, [Olivia Culpo],” the Cincinnati Bengals player told Page Six in February 2024.
Brown Jr., who spent “60 grand” on 2023 Super Bowl tickets for his family, went on to call the ticket pricing “unfortunate,” adding, “I think they should be able to make suites more affordable for people.”
Justin Reid
Justin ReidBrooke Sutton/Getty Images
Reid, a safety for the Kansas City Chiefs, hails from Louisiana. He purchased 30 tickets for his hometown crew to watch the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans.
“Ticket prices are running up, man, like I got 30 of ‘em,” Reid said during a pregame press conference in January 2025. “I mean, we’re excited to go play and we’re chasing glory, but we gotta win just so I can break even.”
Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid is aware how expensive seats are at the 2025 Super Bowl.
“Ticket prices are running up, man, like, I got 30 of ‘em,” Reid, 27, said during a Thursday, January 30, press conference. “I mean, we’re excited to go play and we’re chasing glory, but we gotta win just so I can break even.”
The Chiefs will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, February 9 in a rematch of the 2023 championship. (Kansas City won the first matchup in 2024, clinching the franchise’s second consecutive Super Bowl victory.)
February’s matchup will be held at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome. According to Ticketmaster, the cheapest ticket price is $4,000 while other seats are retailing for more than $15,000.
All of the athletes and coaches competing in the Big Game are required to purchase tickets to accommodate their guests, just like other fans. At 2023’s championship, now-retired Eagles center Jason Kelce paid $4,000 per ticket for his wife, Kylie Kelce, their eldest two daughters and her OB-GYN to attend the game in Arizona. (Kylie, now 32, was pregnant with baby No. 3 at the time. She is now expecting again.)
The next year, Jason’s brother, Travis Kelce, shelled out $3 million for a private suite at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium for girlfriend Taylor Swift, their two families and respective friends to watch the championship against the San Francisco 49ers.
For Reid, he gets that a Super Bowl ticket is a hot commodity and, as a result, has tried to advise newer teammates to get their own logistics squared away as early as possible.
“Put the work in early, so you’re not playing catch up next week when you’re already doing 50 interviews and your schedule is crazy and everything’s different,” he said on Thursday. “Have your tickets set up, your family settled. Take care of all of that this week, so that way you can focus on ball. We’re not there to have a vacation; we’re there to win a football game and that’ll be the focus.”
“I mean, [it was the] most exciting thing that happened over the last couple of weeks, for me,” he gushed on Thursday of daughter Cielle’s birth. “We’re trading off getting some sleep right now, but it’s just the usual things [of] feeding, sleeping, cleaning diapers. We’re getting a lot of practice at those.”
It is not presently known whether Rand and the couple’s baby girl will attend the Super Bowl.
Gascón, 52, began receiving widespread backlash after past social media posts — some of which date back to 2016 — resurfaced online. In some of the posts, Gascón targets various religious groups, including the Muslim population in her native country of Spain. She also criticized George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in 2020.
“I’m still processing everything that has transpired in the last couple of days, and I’m sad,” Saldaña, 46, said of Gascón’s comments during a Q&A in London on Friday, January 31, per The Hollywood Reporter. “It makes me really sad because I don’t support [it], and I don’t have any tolerance for any negative rhetoric towards people of any group.”
Emilia Pérez is a musical drama about the leader of a Mexican cartel, played by Gascón, who hires a lawyer (Saldaña) to help fake her death and transition into a woman. For her role in the film, Gascón became the first transgender woman to be nominated for Best Actress at both the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.
“I can only attest to the experience that I had with each and every individual that was a part, that is a part, of this film, and my experience and my interactions with them was about inclusivity and collaboration and racial, cultural, and gender equity,” Saldaña said on Friday. “And it just saddens me. It saddens me that we are having to face this setback right now.”
She went on to thank the audience for “still showing up” to see Emilia Pérez, emphasizing the film’s message and “the change that it can bring forward to communities that are marginalized.”
She added, “All that I can attest is that all of us that came together to tell this story, we came together for love and for respect and curiosity, and we will continue to spread that message. That’s all we can say right now.”
Gascón, for her part, has since apologized for the resurfaced posts and deleted her X account.
“As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain,” she shared in a statement via Netflix, per the Associated Press. “All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness.”
Emilia Pérez is already a film shrouded in controversy, having received criticisms from Spanish-speaking viewers for its awkward and stilted songs and dialogue as well as the film’s representation of Mexico. Additionally, the film was notably left out of the nominations for the GLAAD Media Awards in January, with the LGBTQ+ non-profit previously calling the film “a step backward for trans representation” in one article.
Many trans critics have cited more than one issue with the film, including its unrealistic portrayal of Emilia’s gender-affirming surgery.
“It’s not about offense or something being not allowed,” critic Drew Burnett Gregory wrote for Autostraddle. “It’s that it’s boring. I don’t understand why a movie that’s so bonkers in other ways chooses to undercut its strengths with this shallow understanding of its titular character.”
King Charles IIIhas reacted to the recent American Airlines plane crash.
“My family and I have been profoundly shocked and saddened by the dreadful news of the tragic air accident in Washington, D.C., which has led to such a devastating loss of life,” the British monarch, 76, said in a Saturday, February 1, statement. “Our hearts, and our special thoughts, are with the people of the United States and our deepest possible sympathy goes to the families and loved ones of all the victims.”
He continued, “I would also like to pay a particular tribute to the emergency responders who acted so quickly to this horrendous event.”
News broke on Wednesday, January 29, that a commercial flight traveling from Wichita, Kansas collided with a military helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River. All 67 people involved in the accident died, including the 60 passengers and four crew members on the American aircraft.
The American Airlines flight manifest also included 14 youth figure skaters who traveled to Kansas for U.S. Figure Skating’s development camp earlier this week.
“It’s beyond the skating community. So many people see this tragedy and the loss of these brilliant young skaters who have poured their lives into building an identity in our sport,” Olympian Scott Hamilton tearfully said on the Today show on Friday, January 31. “For their lives to be taken … is just devastating [and] shocking. It just doesn’t make any sense.”
He continued, “This is where the community comes together. It’s a very tight-knit, very close-knit, very wonderful, caring, supportive community. We’re no stranger to tragedy, but this is just beyond devastation.”
Six of the skaters involved in the airspace tragedy belonged to the Skating Club of Boston.
“Any time I’ve been able to be here and watch them grow. The kids here really work hard, their parents work hard to be here,” fellow Olympian Nancy Kerrigan said in Thursday, January 30, press conference at the Massachusetts rink. “I just feel for the athletes, the skaters, their families and anyone who was on that plane — not just the skaters because it’s just such a tragic event. We’ve been through tragedies before as Americans, as people and we are strong. My response is to be with people I care about and I love; I wanted to support.”
Members of the flight industry have also memorialized the late American Airlines crew members.
“Flight Attendant Ian Epstein wasn’t just a crew member — he was the heart of every flight he worked,” travel influencer Jay Robert wrote via Instagram on Friday. “Through his quick wit and infectious humor, he turned routine trips into moments of joy, making passengers smile even on the most stressful travel days.”
Singer Katharine McPhee Foster also once had an encounter with Epstein “on one of our many flights.” She said in an Instagram Story post on Friday that he was always “a gem.”
Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott’s daughter Stormi Webster is officially 7 — and her mom pulled out all the stops in order to give her “princess” the perfect Hello Kitty sleepover party.
On Friday, January 31, Kylie gave fans a sneak peek at Stormi’s “birthday sleepover,” complete with peeks at custom Hello Kitty sleeping tents for guests, pink-covered candy and treats and lots of Hello Kitty decor and stuffed animals.
On Saturday, February 1, Kylie’s mom, Kris Jenner, also celebrated her granddaughter (and her little brother, Aire, whose birthday is February 2) in a sweet post shared via Instagram. “Happy Birthday, my precious Stormi and Aire!,” Kris wrote.
“Watching you both grow has been the greatest joy—your love, laughter, and energy light up our lives!” she continued. “I love you to the moon and back. Can’t wait to celebrate you both all weekend long! ”
Kylie gave birth to Stormi on February 1, 2018, after keeping her pregnancy a secret. Months later, Kris revealed she was instrumental at Stormi’s birth and “pulled the baby out.”
Keep scrolling for an inside look at Stormi’s big day.
Kylie showed off a tray that included Hello Kitty-shaped waffles, rice, and desserts as well as strawberries covered in pink icing, pink starburst, sticks of pink Pocky and a cup of popcorn.
Later in the day, Kylie shared another photo of what appeared to be a Hello Kitty-themed tea, complete with plush pink chairs and tiny Hello Kitty tea cups.
I’m a sucker for puffer coats — they’re warm, comfortable and the sleek materials make me feel fashionable whether I’m headed to a yoga class or brunch. But on those weirdly warm February and March days, my favorite puffer coat makes me overheat. That’s why I rely on a rich mom-style puffer vest to keep me warm (but not too warm) on winter days when the sun is beaming.
Better yet, the puffer vest that always earns me compliments this time of year just so happens to be 40% off right now. Plus, it’s from one of my favorite brands: Steve Madden. Available in black, cognac, khaki, light blue and an adorable light pink perfect for Valentine’s Day, here’s why I can’t stop wearing this sleek puffer vest.
I’m always amazed by the surprising warmth of this puffer vest. Though it’s sleeveless, it provides almost the same warmth as my puffer coats — minus the overheating factor. On cold, dark days, I style my vest with a thick hoodie, leggings and snow boots. But on those weirdly warm winter days, I layer it with a long-sleeve top so I don’t get too toasty.
The cropped silhouette hits right at the waist, giving a slimming effect. Plus, the adjustable drawstring helps you achieve the perfect fit. If you want to wear it with thicker sweatshirts underneath, I recommend sizing up.
“This vest is very cute and actually provides decent warmth and weight,” one five-star reviewer shares. “I like the Steve Madden brand a lot and find it to be very stylish for a good price point. This vest is puffy but doesn’t stick out too much and you can still see some of your body shape because of the cropped length. I really like the light gray color as it looks good with both light and dark shirts underneath.”
Grab the chic puffer vest just in time for those February days when it’s just too warm to breakout your heavy-duty coat. At 40% off, it only makes sense to buy a few colors!
“Dream has one mother, Angela White, and one father, Robert Kardashian. I usually don’t speak up, but I’m done,” Chyna, 36, wrote via Instagram comment on Friday, January 31. “Stop all this clout-chasing involving my daughter!”
Chyna and Kardashian, 37, welcomed their only child together in November 2013 before they split less than one year later. (Chyna also shares son King Cairo, 12, with ex Tyga.)
“As parents, we have joint custody,” she wrote on Friday of her dynamic with Kardashian. “We also have a beautiful, healthy coparenting relationship.”
Thompson, 33, meanwhile, shares two children with Rob’s sister Khloé Kardashian after dating on and off between 2016 and 2021. (Thompson also shares son Prince, 8, with Jordan Craig and son Theo, 3, with Maralee Nichols.)
“I have two daughters and their names are Dream, [who] is my oldest daughter and True is the second oldest,” the NBA star said in a social media video reshared via Hollywood Unlocked’s Instagram account. “Those are my two girls and I miss you guys so much. I love you guys.”
George Pimentel/Getty Images
Thompson and Khloé, 40, are parents to daughter True, 6, and son Tatum, 2. The Good American founder also has a close relationship with her niece Dream. In a 2023 episode of The Kardashians, Khloé even said that she feels like a “third parent” to Rob’s daughter, who often has sleepovers with True and Tatum. The comment sparked drama with Chyna, prompting Khloé to clarify her remarks.
“I love ALL of my nieces and nephews more than I can express. Dream and I are particularly close. My brother and I are extremely close,” Khloé said in a July 2023 Instagram Story statement. “I am with Dream all the time because I’m with my brother all of the time. I love her beyond measure.”
She continued, “I consider ALL of my nieces and nephews my babies. I even consider my sisters my babies. I take pride in this love and always have. I wholeheartedly believe that it takes a village to raise a child. Life is full of ups and downs and I am proud that we have a family that can lean on one another. That’s what family does.”
Thompson, meanwhile, has not further addressed his recent comments about having “two daughters,” nor Chyna’s stance on his perspective.
Emily Baldoni and Justin BaldoniCindy Ord/Getty Images
Justin Baldoniopened up his house to a friend whose own property was destroyed by the recent Los Angeles wildfires.
“If you don’t know, we lost our home in the Altadena fire a couple weeks ago. In the first six days, we slept in five different beds hopping around hotels and Airbnbs,” John Kim, best known as The Angry Therapist on Instagram, wrote on Thursday, January 30. “Then I got a text from @justinbaldoni and @emilybaldoni offering their home to us. I don’t know them that well so I declined, didn’t feel comfortable with it.”
Kim explained that Baldoni, 40, “insisted” that the psychologist’s family stay at their house since his brood was “going to Hawaii to get away from their own s—storm they’re currently going through.” (Justin and his wife, Emily Baldoni, have recently been on a family vacation with their two children.)
Justin is in the middle of a legal battle with his It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively, who accused him of sexual harassment and trying to destroy her reputation in a December 2024 lawsuit. Justin denied the allegations, later filing a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, 37, for defamation. Lively has also denied the accusations.
Weeks later in January, a string of wildfires broke out around the greater Los Angeles area, ravaging thousands of acres of property and killing approximately 30 individuals. Kim was among the locals who lost their house in the blaze. He ultimately evacuated the city limits with his family.
“I told them I was with another family with two kids. He said bring them,” Kim recalled of his interaction with Justin. “So for the last week and a half, two families have been staying in their home. It has truly been a miracle and a gift. It has given us space, breath, and some peace. Kids are playing and laughing. We are sharing meals and able to reset and figure out our next steps. Their home has been and continues to be healing in so many ways.”
Kim further stressed that “no one is telling” him to share his experience with Justin in light of the ongoing litigation.
“I am posting this because it’s my experience of them. And as a therapist, character and values can not be compartmentalized,” he wrote on Thursday. “They are revealed in everyday life and ripple into all areas. I don’t know what happened on movie sets and board rooms. I was not there, but I do know how one kind and compassionate family has helped us.”
Kim also praised Justin and Emily for checking in on him during their stay. He is also operating a “men’s [therapy] group” out of the couple’s home for the time being.
“I’m running my men’s group here this Sunday (what I used to run in my garage) to create the same space Justin and Emily to a dozen other men,” Kim said, referring to Justin’s mental health advocacy initiatives and “Man Enough” podcast. “And that is the power of the human exchange. Because we are all catalysts. What if Justin is the catalyst to cripple cancel culture, giving It Ends With Us a whole new meaning. I HOPE YOU SHARE THIS. Not to take a side. To get rid of how fast we throw stones on the internet and destroy real lives. All sides.”
Justin, meanwhile, has tried to prioritize his family amid the controversy.
“We’re grateful to be with the family, man,” he told photographers last month at the airport while traveling to Hawaii. “We have amazing friends and family and faith.”
Check the LAFD website for local wildfire alerts and click here for resources on how to help those affected.
The cast of This Is Us are just as close to their own families as their characters were on the NBC drama series.
“[Playing a mom has] shown me that maybe I am not as patient as I thought I was,” Mandy Moore, who portrayed matriarch Rebecca Pearson, exclusively told Us Weekly in February 2019, noting that she learned how to change a diaper during the show’s first season. “But maybe it will be different when it’s your own children.”
Moore shares three kids — sons Gus and Ozzir and daughter Louise — with her husband, Taylor Goldsmith. Sterling K. Brown is also the father of two boys, sharing sons Andrew and Amaré with his wife, Ryan Michelle Bathe.
“Each [This Is Us baby] has been such a blessing,” Brown exclusively told Us in May 2021. “It’s nice to know that other people are joining the club because [when the show started] it was just Justin [Hartley] and I who were the parents. Now everybody else is starting to get in on the action too.”
He added: “It’s been such a wonderful sort of camaraderie-building experience to be able to share my story of fatherhood and parenthood with all of them.”
Keep scrolling to meet the children of the This Is Us actors:
Ron Cephas Jones, who played Randall’s biological father, William Hill, became a real-life dad in July 1989, welcoming the future Blindspotting star with Kim Lesley. Ron died in August 2023 due to heart issues and is survived by Jasmine.
“They can’t watch [This Is Us],” Brown exclusively told Us about his sons in January 2020. “It’s nine o’clock. They’re both in bed, but [filming also] keeps me from them a lot. They’re like, ‘Are you going off to do This is Us again?’ And I’m like, ‘I’m sorry guys, Daddy will be back as soon as possible.’ They’re like, ‘OK.’ Anytime something takes dad away, it’s not cool.”
“HE HAS ARRIVED!” the Stranger Things alum gushed via Instagram in July 2020. “8lbs of beautiful baby boy. Witnessing @therealrachelsullivan bring our first son into this world, after 20 hours of labor, was one of the great honors of my life. It was primal and intentional and I have never been more in love with this powerful woman. She and baby are resting and recovering well. Everyone is healthy and exhausted.”
Moore and her husband announced his birth in October 2022, writing via Instagram: "Every adage is true: our hearts have doubled in size and the immediacy of the love is astounding. He is beyond words and we are so grateful for our family of four! 💓💓💓💓."
“Lou is here! Louise Everett Goldsmith arrived happy, healthy, expeditiously and right in time for Virgo season,” Moore wrote via Instagram in September 2024, announcing the arrival of her and Goldsmith’s third baby. “She is our absolute dream girl and her big brothers are already as obsessed with her as we are. Endlessly grateful for our family of 5 (and our very own big three) and soaking in every moment of this special time 💓💓💓.”
The winter is a time to rest, relax and be cozy. I try to hibernate between December and March, but for those rare moments that I do make an appearance in public, it’s an absolute necessity to remain comfy. Gwyneth Paltrow understands what I mean. The wellness mogul stays snug during the winter by wearing oversized turtleneck sweaters that feel like fluffy, personal blankets. Does cold-weather style get much better than that? I don’t think so.
When Paltrow showcased her favorite December fits on Instagram, I couldn’t help but notice how similar she and I dress. I, too, prefer wearing oversized turtleneck sweaters with jeans and white sneakers when the temperatures are below freezing. However, unlike the Goop queen, I don’t own a nearly $1,000 Dries Van Noten sweater. I think I’ll stick with my $43 PrettyGarden design, which is just as cozy.
This oversized sweater is a relative newcomer on Amazon, but I have a feeling it’s going to quickly become one of the site’s bestsellers. The warm, knit design wraps you in comfort, and while oversized, it doesn’t feel like you’re completely swimming in the sweater. I like to say it’s fashionably chunky — it’s big enough to keep you comfortable, but not so much that it swallows you up or looks frumpy.
According to multiple Amazon shoppers, this sweater is extremely versatile and soft — so don’t be surprised if you constantly reach for it. “Cozy, oversized, stylish — I love this sweater and grabbed it in two other colors,” one reviewer writes. “It’s perfect with black leggings and boots, or slim jeans and loafers. No need to size up at all! It’s so soft and cuddly while looking winter chic at the same time! Looks more expensive than the price point.”
We still have six more long weeks of winter. Don’t struggle through the frigid temps. You deserve to be extra comfy and cozy, whether you’re chilling at home or out and about. It’s time to treat yourself to the PrettyGarden Turtleneck Oversized Sweater.
“Another year to make memories that I keep sacred in my heart,” Biel, 42, wrote via Instagram on Friday, January 31, in honor of Timberlake’s 44th birthday. “Another year of joy and challenges being a parent with you. Another year together being curious and creative in the world.”
The actress then went on to describe her marriage as both “evolving and sometimes devolving” as she continued to celebrate her husband.
“Another year growing and evolving and sometimes devolving, with you,” she continued. “Another year laughing about it all. Happy birthday my love.”
Biel and Timberlake started dating back in 2007. After a brief split in 2011, the pair tied the knot in 2012.
“She is the single-handedly most significant person in my life,” Timberlake said in a Vanity Fair interview earlier that year. “In my 30 years, she is the most special person, okay? I don’t want to say much more, because I have to protect things that are dear to me — for instance, her.”
The pair share two children, Silas and Phineas.
In June 2024, Timberlake was arrested and charged with one count of driving while intoxicated and given two additional citations — one for running a stop sign and one for failure to stay in his lane. Months later, in September, he pleaded guilty to driving while impaired, a lesser charge, and was given a $500 fine and 25 hours of community service at a non-profit of his choosing.
Shortly after Timberlake’s arrest, sources close to the couple told Us Weekly that Biel was “extremely upset” by her husband’s legal trouble.
“Jessica is extremely upset,” the insider told Us at the time. “She was shocked to hear the news and had no idea as she was working. She was really worried about him.”
Despite rumors Timberlake and Biel were headed for a divorce as a result of his DWI, Biel stood beside her husband following his very-public arrest.
“Jessica andJustin are spending more time together and are happier and more relaxed,” the source explained. “Justin is taking time to reevaluate his priorities. He hasn’t been going out as much and is staying in more with Jessica and the kids. Jessica is showing patience and compassion while also maintaining firm expectations of him.”
On Friday, Timberlake thanked his wife and loved ones for all the birthday wishes.
“Thank ya’ll for the birthday love,” Timberlake wrote via Instagram Stories. “And @jessicabiel you outdid yourself.”
Travis Kelce made his thoughts on the NFL referees and some of their seemingly questionable calls known during a virtual cameo on his brother Jason Kelce’s They Call It Late Night showahead of the 2025 Super Bowl.
“Be honest, if [the Kansas City Chiefs] would have lost, would you be here right now?” Jason, 37, asked his sibling, 35, on the Saturday, February 1, episode of his ESPN talk show.
According to Travis, he would have “100 percent” shown up in person had the Chiefs lost to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship earlier this month. (Kansas City won 32-29, securing their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.)
“Dammit, Josh [Allen], why’d you have to ruin this?” Jason quipped.
Travis then told his older brother not to blame the 28-year-old Bills quarterback, who the tight end said “played his tail off.” Jason then jokingly questioned if the game’s referees were to blame instead.
“What? I thought it was fair,” Travis diplomatically responded.
Throughout the 2024-2025 season, some NFL fans have accused officials of favoritism and bias toward the reigning Super Bowl champions. (The Chiefs won back-to-back in 2023 and 2024, and are now hoping to take home the Lombardi Trophy for a third consecutive time — the first NFL team to ever win three in a row.)
Other members of the Chiefs organization have also denied that the powerhouse team is getting preferential treatment.
Perry Knotts/Getty Images
“We can stay with false narratives or discuss this — KC was 17th in % of scoring drives that were aided by a penalty for a first down on such drives in [a] regular season,” longtime Chiefs radio announcer Mitch Holthus said in a social media statement earlier this week. “Number 1? Wait for it…Buffalo. 33% of scoring drives were aided by penalty for a first down on 86 scoring drives.”
The Chiefs, meanwhile, are currently focusing their efforts on Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, February 9 — a rematch of the 2023 Big Game against the Philadelphia Eagles — later this month.
“I’m wishing the best for those guys [and] go birds,” Travis said on Saturday before noting how the Chiefs are preparing for the matchup. “This team still feels hungry and it feels new almost. We got a lot of new players, got a lot of different faces from the previous two Super Bowl runs and it’s a really different identity on the offensive side.”
According to the Chiefs tight end, the offensive line has a “new mindset” going into the Super Bowl, while the defense players remain “pretty stout.”
“It’s a new journey,” Travis added.
Later on the broadcast, Travis played coy about the Chiefs’ game plan — or whether he’d be handling the kickoff coin toss. (Travis is a team captain, alongside Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Nick Bolton, Harrison Butker and James Winchester.)
“I can neither confirm nor deny,” Travis coyly joked of the coin toss. “I think it’s going to be heads or tails.”
While Bale, 50, is certainly recognized for his role as the selfless superhero Batman, the Academy Award-winning actor is arguably best known for his role as ultimate bad boy Patrick Bateman. Bale’s villainous character in 2000’s American Psycho has become synonymous with corporate greed and toxic masculinity, all while wielding a chainsaw.
More than 20 years after Bale taught Us to background check our first dates, he stretched his villain muscle again in 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder as Gorr the God Butcher. In a noir-style performance, Bale served as the antithesis of all things joyful and good — the ultimate bad guy of the multiverse.
“There’s a great pleasure in playing a villain,” Bale said of his Thor: Love and Thunder character during a 2022 press event. “It’s a lot easier to play a villain than it is to play a hero — Chris [Hemsworth] had a much tougher job. You know, everyone is fascinated with the bad guys, immediately.”
Bale went on to say that a well-written bad guy can evoke both hatred and empathy, adding that when an actor successfully plays a villain “you sort of understand maybe why this guy is making awful decisions.”
“He is a monster and he is a butcher, but is possibly a little understanding of why he came to be that way,” he concluded.
From a polarizing political figure to an all-powerful demigod, here are Bale’s most iconic villain roles, ranked:
The 2005 film tackled a slew of difficult topics, from the state of veteran’s affairs and support in this country to United States’ international policy and how it impacts communities in third-world countries. While Bale played protagonist Jim Davis, a troubled Army Ranger struggling to return to civilian life, he is arguably villainous in his actions — the only “language” Bale’s character understands is violence and he wields it with a vengeance.
Bale took on the bad guy role of Walter Wade Jr., a sleazy, racist and rich New York City playboy who brutally murders Trey Howard (Mekhi Phifer) and sets off a chain of events that only highlight his depravity. Through his actions, Bale’s character embodies racist real estate policies, upper-class snobbery, and shameless elitism. By the end of the film, viewers love to hate Bale’s Walter Wade.
While Bale technically played a protagonist, his portrayal of FBI agent Melvin Purvis navigating J. Edgar Hoover’s Bureau leans more bad than good. Because Bale’s character is relentless in his pursuit of so-called “justice,” he ends up blurring the lines between “right” and “wrong” until there’s very little difference between him and the criminals he is hunting.
At a time when the MCU universe had what many considered to be a “villain problem,” Bale delivered a masterclass in bad guy acting via his portrayal of Gorr the God Butcher. Despite being one of Marvel’s most notable and powerful supervillains — and Thor’s greatest adversary — viewers found themselves feeling sorry for Bale’s Gorr, who vowed to kill all the Gods after they refused to intervene and save his mother, wife and child.
While accepting the 2019 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Bale thanked Satan — yes, like, the Devil himself – for giving him the inspiration he needed to play former Vice President Dick Cheney.
“Thank you Satan for giving me inspiration on how to play this role,” Bale said after accepting the award. “I’ll be cornering the market on charisma-free a–—. What do you think, Mitch McConnell next?”
In the film, Bale portrayed Cheney as a power-hungry politician who will stop at nothing to amass as much influence over the federal government and foreign policy as possible, especially post-9/11. In 2019, Cheney told an audience member during a speaking engagement at Beloit College that he had never seen the movie, but that his granddaughter believed it portrayed him as a “real badass.”
More than 20 years after 2000’s American Psycho hit theaters, Bale’s Bateman is still one of the first characters to come to mind when movie-lovers think of serial killers. The investment banker living a secret life as a murderer wasn’t just a hateable character for his murderous rampages – his materialistic, self-indulgent personality gave viewers even more of a reason to both despise him and become (for better or worse) infatuated with him. Now a cult classic in every sense of the word, Bale’s portrayal solidified him as an actor who can do it all.
The Hallmark Channel’s The Way Home is known for its twists and turns — and the cast is spilling the tea about some of season 3’s biggest revelations thus far.
Warning: Spoilers below from The Way Home season 3, episode 5.
“It’s been really cool because many of the people have actually done pretty well connecting some of the dots, at least from the two seasons prior,” Chyler Leigh, who plays Kat Landry, exclusively told Us Weekly of fan theories.
She teased that season 3 won’t be as easy to solve. “This year we’re going to throw everybody off, which is so wonderful,” the actress said.
Leigh noted that as the season continues, viewers will “learn more about the pond” and how it “really works” and “how it started.”
While seasons 1 and 2 showed both Kat and her daughter, Alice (Sadie Laflamme-Snow), time-traveling via the magical pond on their family farm, season 3 hints that more Landrys know about the means of transportation.
Yes, Kat’s long-lost brother, Jacob Landry (Spencer Macpherson), successfully left 1814 and returned to modern times via the pond, but now fans think their late father, Colton Landry (Jefferson Brown), may also be a time traveler.
Scroll down to see which of your burning questions The Way Home cast has answered — including how much matriarch Del Landry (Andie MacDowell) really knows:
Was the Colton Twist Always Planned?
Michael Tompkins/Hallmark Media
During season 3, episode 5, which aired on Friday, January 31, a sweater was left by the pond in modern times after Alice was mysteriously pushed into the water. Kat eventually realized that it was in fact her dad Colton’s jacket, hinting that Colton might be there with them … even though he died years prior.
“From what I understand, there was always at least a five year plan to make sure that we could get to a certain place to explain enough [about Colton],” Leigh told Us in late January. “But at the same time, you see our show and you can again [see] the way that our showrunners, our writers, our creators think. It can really genuinely go anywhere.”
So far in season 3, viewers learned that Colton heard stories about the pond’s magical powers from his grandmother, Fern, but he wasn’t sure they were true. However, when his childhood best friend died, Colton confessed he jumped into the pond to see if he could go back and save his life. The question is: was that the only time Colton attempted to time travel?
“It is such a well-laid plan, but I’m just really impressed how much they’ve been able to write to our strengths and listen to how we feel about the story,” Laflamme-Snow exclusively told Us of the show’s creative team and their plan for Colton.
The actress revealed she “hoped’ her character, Alice, would get to meet a younger Del and Colton — which is what has been happening when she jumps back to 1974. That change of scenery has made this season “that much more exciting,” Laflamme-Snow added.
Does Del Know More Than She’s Letting On?
Peter Stranks/Hallmark Media
Leigh confessed to Us that the whole cast thinks Del knows more about the pond than she’s disclosing, but Del is also wary of her relatives poking holes into her and Colton’s relationship.
“That’s her struggle. ‘Do you want to know those things?’” Leigh explained. “It’s just like, ‘I don’t know if I want that tainted.’ I don’t know. And I don’t know if I personally would either.”
She explained that Del keeps her romance with Colton close to her heart and rarely lets the family in on their intimate past. That said, Leigh told Us Del is a “free spirit” who “wants to know that the depth and the origin” of their family is known.
“It’s a really fine line because she does have that adventurous spirit,” Leigh said, teasing Del has a layer of mystery to her.
How Will Alice and Del Move on From That Fight?
Peter Stranks/Hallmark Media
During season 3, episode 5, Alice tells her grandmother that she feels bad for young Evelyn Goodwin (Devin Cecchetto) after going back to the 1970s and seeing that Evelyn was in love with Colton when Del came to town and won his heart. Del yells at Alice and tells her to stay out of her memories, getting defensive about Alice seemingly rewriting history.
“It’s the first time we’ve seen them at odds in a way. And obviously for Alice it’s devastating, but when I read the scene, I was sort of excited,” Laflamme-Snow exclusively told Us. “I was like, ‘Oh, this is a new thing for Alice and Del.’”
She explained that since Alice moved to Port Haven to live with Kat and Del, her grandmother has been “hands off and let Alice just sort of be Alice.” However, this argument is a turning point in their relationship.
“[Del has] pushed back and said, ‘No, you can’t go in there and interfere with my memories and my love story.’ And I was excited to do that scene, because anything new is always exciting,” Laflamme-Snow continued. “It leaves us at a good spot halfway through the season to not really know how their relationship is going to evolve.” She teased, the characters “are having a bit of a struggle” over the argument.
Should Kalliot Fans Be Worried Now That Elliot’s Wife Has Been Introduced?
Hallmark
Kat was taken aback when Elliot Augustine’s (Evan Williams) ex-wife came to town unannounced during season 3, episode 5. Her appearance caused Kat to worry about her relationship with Elliot even though they recently moved in together.
Williams exclusively told Us that fans will have to tune in to see if the couple “can ride out the turbulence” that comes after his ex-wife comes and goes.
“It really brings some of the fundamental, I would say, cracks in the foundation of their relationship to bear,” he teased. “And the things that also don’t really have anything to do with their relationship, but it’s just contextual.”
Leigh compared Kat and Elliot’s back and forth to the “Ross and Rachel” dynamic from Friends, where they are meant to be but it’s never easy.
“You got to have that little bit back and forth,” she explained, noting that after time traveling to a “fantastical world” it is a change for Kat and Elliot to be home together and act normal.
Leigh continued, “When we’re not jumping in the pond, when we’re not time traveling, when we’re not doing all those things, if one adventure seemingly ends, where do we go from here? So it’s a lot of those reality check moments.”
Is Thomas a Threat to Kat and Elliot’s Romance?
Peter Stranks/Hallmark Media
After falling for Thomas Coyle (Kris Holden-Ried) in 1814, Kat has had a hard time putting the past in the past.
“I don’t think there would be a better off [scenario] regardless, because leaving the 1800s in general is a difficult concept in her brain, but also conflict in her heart,” Leigh told Us of Kat’s inner turmoil with Thomas. “And so that’s the tough part about it because she knows that you can’t come forward.”
Leigh added that Kat could “never leave her baby girl” Alice and live permanently in another time period, so Thomas isn’t a massive threat to her future.
In addition to Thomas, Kat is constantly pulled back to the 1800s because of her friendship with Susanna Augustine (Watson Rose). Fans, meanwhile, have started to wonder if there’s a romantic undertone to the women’s dynamic.
“I think it’s always been a magnetism between the two of them. I think they’ve always had some sense of a kindred spirit,” Leigh told Us of the two fierce female characters. “Between the two characters, there is definitely a love there.”
She noted that it’s become obvious that Kat has “never felt” this strong pull and friendship with someone.
“If you really pay attention to the details about Susanna, the character, there’s a lot more to it about her discovering herself and who she is and why she feels the way that she feels,” Leigh said. “And we learn a little bit more about Susanna this season, which is really wonderful.”
Could Nick Be Back?
Peter Stranks/Hallmark Media
Elliot mentioned Nick Oates’ (Kerry James) name while reading a text during season 3, episode 5, hinting that the adult version of his best friend could make another appearance. The Way Home fans will remember that Alice fell in love with young Nick when she was transported back to the 1990s during season 1.
Laflamme-Snow revealed that she loves the Alice and Nick story line, calling it an “anchor point” for her. “She was really going through a hard time at the beginning and the first time we see her sing on [Nick’s] request at the beach in front of all these strangers, you really see her for the first time as a young girl and just vulnerable,” she recalled.
The actress noted that she was surprised at how “attached” fans became to Alice and young Nick’s love story even though it can’t continue.
“The more they became star-crossed lovers … the more they got pulled apart, the more people wanted them to come together,” she said, telling Us that for now Alice needs to be “focusing on her future.”
That said, Laflamme-Snow teased that viewers will “see how the Alice and Nick in present day awkwardness can work itself out” this season.
The Way Home airs on Hallmark Channel Fridays 9 p.m. ET.
“I remember this man on one of our many flights,” McPhee Foster, 40, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Friday, January 31. “He was a gem just like you see. We had a great conversation.”
She continued, “So warm and fun. Rest in peace, kind man .”
Epstein was one of 67 individuals who died in the Wednesday, January 29, plane crash outside of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. A commercial plane traveling from Wichita, Kansas and a military helicopter collided mid-air before the aircraft crashed into the Potomac River. There were no survivors.
After law enforcement confirmed that Epstein was listed among the casualties, many frequent travelers took to social media to reflect on their own experiences with the late flight attendant.
“Flight Attendant Ian Epstein wasn’t just a crew member — he was the heart of every flight he worked,” travel influencer Jay Robert wrote via Instagram on Friday. “Through his quick wit and infectious humor, he turned routine trips into moments of joy, making passengers smile even on the most stressful travel days.”
According to Robert, the Charlotte-based flight attendant was known for his “comedic PA” announcements.
“[They brought] proof of the laughter and warmth he brought to the skies. Now we all can experience the magic he brought to flight,” Robert wrote in his tribute. “Ian was a testament to what it means to be a great flight attendant — not just making passengers feel safe and comfortable, but making them love flying. In an era where air travel is often met with frustration, Ian’s infectious spirit reminded everyone of the magic of flight.”
He concluded, “The United By Wings network at A Fly Guy’s Cabin Crew Lounge salutes Ian for the passion he brought to our profession. His legacy of kindness, laughter, and love for aviation will forever bring pride to the wings we wear.”
Epstein was among the four crew members and 60 passengers who died in the tragic incident, including 14 youth figure skaters traveling home from a recent U.S. Figure Skating development training camp in Kansas.
“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,” a statement from the organization read. “We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”
I hate the winter. Not just because of the frigid temperatures, but also because I struggle with putting together fashionable outfits. For me, this becomes the season of sweatsuits and nothing else. In an effort to teach myself how to layer, I’ve made it my mission to find solid basics that will help me get through winter without freezing. At the top of my shopping list is this thin thermal top from Amazon-favorite brand Zesica.
My biggest struggle is finding basics that are fashionable yet functional and this top is both. Made from a mix of warm, wool-like viscose and elastane, the top feels stretchy and insulated, warding off the chill while keeping you comfortable. The mock neck silhouette is also super trendy right now and is one of the best necklines for layering. You’ll be able to put a vest, sweater, blazer and more overtop for a simple, streamlined look.
Choose between eight colors, including neutrals like grey, white, khaki and oat. (Black is currently sold out, but there should be a restock soon!) If you’re hoping to add some color to your closet, this same pick also comes in a few vibrant hues, including dusty blue, red and bean green.
Shoppers who have bought the thermal top have been so happy with the quality and toastiness that they’ve gone back and ordered more. “This is the most comfortable and warm mock neck I have ever purchased, so I purchased 5 of them,” one Amazon reviewer admits. “The fit is perfect and the cozy warmth keeps my body temperature regulated, even during Chicago winters. I may purchase the last three colors! The best quality for the price!”
Others have been pleasantly surprised by how versatile this shirt is. While it looks casual online, shoppers assure that it’s also suitable for more special occasions, too. “[This has a] flattering cut, is cozy, and versatile. I ended up buying this in three colors,” another person writes. “I bought them to stay warm at night — specifically to wear under PJ tops — but then discovered they could also pass for dressy (thanks to the higher-than-usual collar). These were the only tops I packed for a trip to NYC. Great price, too!”
Many high-end thermal tops will cost five times as much as the Zesica style yet do the same thing. So why spend more? The solution is simple: We can all stay warm and feel stylish without breaking the bank with the Zesica Long Sleeve Thermal Top — shop it now!
In an era where streaming dominates the way people listen to music, some of the world’s most famous artists have publicly criticized services like Spotify for unfair payouts and exploitative business models.
Spotify, in particular, has faced criticism for partially paying out royalties to artists using a market share metric, based on the number of streams for a musician or band’s songs as a proportion of all songs streamed by subscribers. This model stands in contrast to physical sales or downloads, where an artist earns a set fee for every song or album sold. Others have criticized Spotify and competing streamers for amplifying misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and other hot-button political issues.
Keep scrolling to see which artists have been critical of streaming music services over the years.
Taylor Swift
Andreas Rentz/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
One of the first and most notable protests against Spotify’s business practices took place in 2014, when Taylor Swiftpulled her discography from the service. She later told Rolling Stone that she was “not willing to contribute [her] life’s work to an experiment that [she didn’t] feel fairly compensates the writers, producers, artists and creators of this music.”
Spotify responded by launching a social media campaign to encourage Swift to change her mind. The company’s CEO, Daniel Ek, subsequently wrote an open letter claiming that its “payouts for a top artist like Taylor Swift” would surpass $6 million a year, though Swift’s then-record label, Big Machine, disputed those figures.
The disagreement carried on for three years until Swift allowed her full discography to return to Spotify in June 2017 following the success of her 1989 album. A statement from her representatives at the time explained: “In celebration of 1989 selling over 10 million albums worldwide and the RIAA’s 100 million song certification, Taylor wants to thank her fans by making her entire back catalog available to all streaming services.”
Swift recently recorded a message for Spotify subscribers after being named the streamer’s top artist for the second year in a row in 2024 with more than 26.6 billion streams.
“I just wanted to say thank you so much for being one of my top listeners on Spotify, that’s so nice of you,” Swift told fans in a video message. “I look back on this year and I think about how special you guys made it for us being on the Eras Tour.”
Jay-Z
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Fans of hip-hop icon Jay-Z have endured his music being pulled from Spotify on multiple occasions. Jay has had a tumultuous relationship with all of the major streamers over the years, in part because he co-founded competing service Tidal in 2014.
Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj and Madonna were among the artists who joined Jay-Z at the launch of his streaming brand, where they were described as “the owners of Tidal” with equity in the streaming service.
Jay-Z told The New York Times that he’d founded his own streamer in order to “get everyone to respect music again” and “recognize its value.” Tidal offered higher percentages of music royalties to both artists and songwriters, as well as high-fidelity audio for subscribers.
Following an initial boycott, Jay-Z’s music eventually returned to Spotify in celebration of his 50th birthday in 2019. His company Tidal has faced high-profile criticism from former collaborators West and Minaj in recent years.
Drake
Prince Williams/Wireimage
Spotify was unexpectedly dragged into the epic hip-hop feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar in late 2024.
Drake’s company Frozen Moments accused his and Lamar’s record label, Universal Music Group, of conspiring with Spotify to inflate streaming figures for Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.”
His initial legal filing alleged that UMG “launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves” for “Not Like Us” and offered to license the track to Spotify for a 30 percent discount to boost its placement in streaming recommendations.
Spotify denied it had “any arrangement” with UMG over inflating “Not Like Us” streams and sought to dismiss the suit by arguing Drake’s allegations were a “subversion of the normal judicial process.” UMG also denied Drake’s claims, calling them “offensive and untrue.”
The legal wrangling between both sides has continued into 2025, when Drake filed a lawsuit against UMG for agreeing to “publish, promote, exploit, and monetize allegations” in Lamar’s track that were “not only false, but dangerous.” UMG has denied those accusations.
Björk
Santiago Felipe/Getty Images for ABA
Icelandic musician Björk held nothing back when she described Spotify as “probably the worst thing that has happened to musicians” in a January 2025 interview with Swedish outlet Dagens Nyheter.
The “It’s Oh So Quiet” singer argued that many young and unestablished artists are now essentially required to make their living from touring because streaming royalties are so low.
“I’m lucky because I no longer have to raise money on touring, which younger musicians are often forced to do,” Björk pointed out.
Despite Björk’s criticism of the streamer, her discography is still available on Spotify as of January 2025.
Garth Brooks
Shannon Finney/Getty Images
For years, the only way country music legend Garth Brooks’ fans were able to listen to his music was through physical media.
Brooks confirmed in 2017 that he’d met with the heads of both Apple Music and Spotify about licensing his catalog digitally but ultimately walked away from making any deals.
“They came in with their own set of rules, and if you’re already established, you have to change to get to them,” the singer told Billboard of Apple Music. “I’m never going to change to fit their rules. Nice guys, we have respect for each other, we’re just never going to work together. So we were kind of dead in the water.”
When Amazon Music became the streaming home for Brooks’ music in 2017, the star said: “It is a joy to work with a company that is all about the customer when it comes to service, and all about the music and its creators when it comes to the music.”
Brooks told attendees of the Country Radio Seminar in 2023 that he chose to sign with Amazon because it is “a retailer as well” and thus would be motivated to “move those physical units so the songwriters get paid.”
Joanna Newsom
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for JNSQ Wines
Progressive folk artist Joanna Newsom was an early and ardent critic of Spotify in 2015 when she likened the streamer to “a villainous cabal of major labels” in an interview with The Los Angeles Times.
Newsom accused streamers of trying to “circumvent the idea of paying their artists” and dismissed their royalty payouts as “infinitesimal.”
“It’s set up in a way that they can just rob their artists, and most of their artists have no way to fight it because they’re contractually obligated to stay with the label for X amount of time and you can’t really opt out. It’s a garbage system,” Newsom argued.
Spotify responded in a statement by suggesting the singer had “misunderstandings about how [it] works to support artists” and credited its business model as “the single biggest driver of growth in music” at the time.
The streamer’s argument seemingly didn’t change Newsom’s mind because, as of 2025, her discography is still not available on Spotify. However, her music is now on Apple Music and Deezer.
Prince
Theo Wargo/WireImage
For much of the 2000s, Prince rigorously blocked his music from iTunes and even YouTube. The enigmatic rocker told The Daily Mirror in 2010 that he didn’t want to participate in what he deemed a passing fad.
“The internet’s completely over. I don’t see why I should give my new music to iTunes or anyone else. They won’t pay me an advance for it and then they get angry when they can’t get it,” he said. “The internet’s like MTV. At one time, MTV was hip and suddenly it became outdated. Anyway, all these computers and digital gadgets are no good. They just fill your head with numbers and that can’t be good for you.”
Prince later agreed to make Jay-Z’s Tidal the exclusive streaming home for his final two albums only a few months before his death in 2016. The musician’s estate then partnered with both Spotify and Apple Music on a wider release for his extensive back catalog.
Neil Young and Joni Mitchell
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Canadian rock legends Neil Young and Joni Mitchell took a stand against Spotify for platforming controversial podcaster Joe Rogan during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022.
Young shared a lengthy statement via his website accusing Spotify of becoming a “very damaging force via its public misinformation and lies about COVID” on The Joe Rogan Experience, where the host and guests were accused of promoting misleading public health information.
“I want you to let Spotify know immediately today that I want all of my music off their platform. They can have Rogan or Young. Not both,” Young vowed.
Mitchell followed suit in removing her content from Spotify, after accusing the streamer of promoting “irresponsible people [who] are spreading lies that are costing people their lives”.”
“I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue,” the singer-songwriter wrote via her website.
Young’s former bandmates in Crosby, Stills, & Nash and E Street Band member Nils Lofgren left Spotify in solidarity with the “Rockin’ in the Free World” musician as well.
Spotify responded with a statement saying it wanted “all the world’s music and audio content to be available” to its subscribers and hoped to “welcome [Young] back soon.”
Young and Mitchell held back their music from Spotify for two years, before both of their catalogs were once again made available on the streamer in 2024.
“Other music services [such as] Apple, Amazon, Qobuz, Tidal … have started serving the same disinformation podcast I had opposed at Spotify,” Young acknowledged in a statement. “Because I cannot leave all those services like I did Spotify, because my music would have no streaming outlet to music lovers at all, I have returned.”
”
