People

chatter

‘Funny how I haven’t hugged my best friends in six months and y’all are out here partying’—BILLIE EILISH, criticizing large groups gathering during the coronavirus pandemic, on Instagram Stories‘The last time I really smoked, I died and went to hell’—ISSA RAE, on why she doesn’t like to smoke marijuana, to Billboard‘I was kind of looking at my life, taking stock of my career and wondering if I was going to be a washed-up has-been at 21’—NICK JONAS, reflecting on the Jonas Brothers’ past split, to Entertainment Weekly‘I’m a lot of people’s Black shrink or their Black whisperer’—CHRIS ROCK, on offering his guidance, to The Hollywood Reporter‘It wasn’t shocking back then. It’s not shocking now’—CHRISTINA AGUILERA, on her and Britney Spears’s infamous kisses with Madonna at the 2003 VMAs, to Apple…

5 things we’re talking about this week!

1 Madonna Will Direct and Cowrite Her Own Biopic The pop superstar will express herself by telling her story on the big screen. “It’s essential to share the roller-coaster ride of my life with my voice and vision,” she says. 2 Lil Nas X Writes a Children’s Book Read till you can’t no more: The “Old Town Road” singer will kick off the New Year by releasing C Is for Country, which he deemed “the best kids’ book of all time.” 3 Brad and Jen Reunite Virtually Friendly exes Pitt and Aniston shared a very steamy scene—as costars like Julia Roberts giggled—during a table read of 1982’s Fast Times at Ridgemont High to benefit COVID-19 relief. 4 Jim Carrey will play Joe Biden on SNL The comedy star steps in as the Democratic presidential nominee, vying with…

editor’s letter

The Power of Food There are many things Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be remembered for (see our story on page 54), but what I found most touching is the love story with her husband, Marty. He supported her career and helped at home, famously becoming the chef in the family since “Ruth was fairly terrible” at it, he once joked. At intimate lunches at the Court when spouses were invited, Marty’s cooking also helped foster collegiality. So much so that after he died, Martha-Ann Alito, wife of Justice Samuel Alito, led the charge in putting his recipes together into a cookbook. That’s the power of food: It brings us together and shows how much we care. I’ve felt this in my own life, especially as this summer began and…

startracks

THE FIRST VIRTUAL EMMYS! Despite the coronavirus crisis, host Jimmy Kimmel—and stars celebrating from home—made TV’s big night memorable on Sept. 20 A sweep for Schitt’s Creek! THE EMMYS 2020 GETTING READY WITH ZENDAYA The Euphoria star, 24, became the youngest-ever winner for Best Actress in a Drama—and the night’s style standout Stars Who Still Got Glam The unconventional awards show didn’t stop these actors from delivering major looks They Wore PJs! More Big Moments! BEST QUOTES OF THE NIGHT ‘THE WORLD MAY BE TERRIBLE, BUT TV HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER’—JIMMY KIMMEL‘I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL RIGHT NOW … BELIEVE IN LOVE AND THE POWER OF LOVE’—RUPAUL‘I WILL FOREVER BE GRATEFUL TO EUGENE AND DANIEL LEVY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY A WOMAN OF A CERTAIN AGE, MY AGE, WHO GETS TO FULLY BE HERSELF’—CATHERINE O’HARA‘TO ALL MY PEERS OUT THERE…

ellen’s apology: ‘i am a work in progress’

Ellen DeGeneres is back on-air—and talking about the elephant in the room. After pushing back the start of the 18th season of her syndicated daytime talk show following allegations of a toxic workplace environment, the host addressed the controversy head-on in her opening monologue on Sept. 21. “I learned that things happened here that never should have happened,” she said. “I take that very seriously, and I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected.” DeGeneres, 62, known for her “be kind to one another” motto, also spoke about her own shortcomings in front of an audience watching remotely because of COVID-19 precautions. “The truth is I am that person you see on TV. I am also a lot of other things,” she said. “Sometimes I…

halle berry reveals her new love!

After months of teasing a special someone on social media, Halle Berry introduced her new beau on Sept. 17, when she wore a T-shirt with singer and producer Van Hunt’s name. “Now ya know,” the Oscar winner, 54, wrote. A source says Berry and Hunt, 50, have been dating for “several months” and spend time together at her Malibu house. “He has met her kids, so it seems pretty serious,” the source adds of Berry’s daughter Nahla, 12, and son Maceo, 6. Berry, who’s been married three times, filed for divorce from Maceo’s dad, Olivier Martinez, in 2015. “Halle’s been through a lot of stress in her past relationships,” an insider adds. “But this one seems very positive. She is really happy.”…