It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Do You Know What to Look For?

Munn shared with TODAYthat she didn't initially plan to show her scars on the set. The campaign was focused on her recovery post-breast cancer diagnosis, but the makeup artist had a hard time covering up the scars throughout the shoot. She explained that she took a look in the mirror and thought, "I’m done being insecure about my scars." From there, she took the idea to show them off to the SKIMS team — and the rest is history.

And while she was scared to be so vulnerable on camera, this was ultimately a really empowering move for Munn. She elaborated that there are "so many women that have these same scars" who feel just as insecure as she did about them — and she really hopes those women see this ad. "Skims is so iconic and associated with beauty and sex appeal, and cancer really doesn't have that same connotation," she said. "So I just really hope that other women who have gone through my same path feel a little better after seeing it."

The star also took to Instagram to give a behind-the-scenes explanation of her experience. She reiterated that she was "done being insecure" about her scars. "Every mark life has left behind on my body is proof of how hard I fought," she wrote. "I hope other women who have been self-conscious about their scars see these photos and feel all the love I’m sending."

She also shared that SKIMS will donate 10% of their bra sales (except bralettes) to Susan G. Komen® — a charity dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer — from October 23-31 in stores and online. "It’s really meaningful to be part of an initiative that supports research and helps countless individuals impacted by breast cancer," she said.

All of this comes on the heels of Munn's announcement earlier this year that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She revealed the diagnosis came after recently tested negatively for well-known breast cancer genes and had normal results from her annual mammogram — but her doctor to check her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score. The test showed Munn had a 37% risk of breast cancer, so she pushed for more answers that eventually lead to her diagnosis.

Since then, Munn shared with PEOPLE that she had 4 surgeries in 10 months and underwent medically-induced menopause — all the while juggling being a new mom with husband John Mulaney. She shared, "I'm lucky. We caught it with enough time that I had options. I want the same for any woman who might have to face this one day."

After that March announcement, it's clear Munn is dedicated to raising awareness for women's health — and particularly their options. While chatting about the SKIMS campaign, Munn told TODAY, "You've got to go your doctor and you inundate them with information and you don't stop until they give you the test you need."

If you want to test your own risk for breast cancer, the National Institute of Health has resources here.

But even Larson has days she feels off, saying she knows that feeling "very well," and whether it's seasonal blues or mental health days, she knows routine is where she thrives — and seasonal affective disorder lamps. "Light is a big game changer for me because I grew up in California," she says.

To engage her other senses, she relies on movement, breathing techniques, and temperature changes to keep in touch with her body. "A hot bath, a cold shower, both — anything that sort of wakes your brain up and kind of jolts it," she says. "I have a pretty demanding schedule and I truly don't have room to not feel like I'm present in my life. And so you come up with ways to figure out how to do that."

That includes everything from drinking plenty of water and prioritizing sleep to packing foam rollers and bands in her carry on. "It looks like a clown bag!" she says. "I always do [those exercises] every morning because even if I don't want to do it, which I always don't want to do it, I feel a lot better after I do it."

Admittedly, that's exactly how I feel some days about making breakfast — but a powerhouse like Larson knows how important fueling our bodies is. "Pretty consistently I'm having an egg, like a breakfast sandwich, egg on toast first thing in the morning," she says. "I can't think beyond that for breakfast because I wake up so early. It's like there's no creativity happening in the morning. I'm sorry. No."

And while her mornings are all about wellness, her evenings are all about getting cozy, and she tells me her dream night in includes playing a new video game, wearing Gelato Pique sweatpants, and ordering Thai food. But when she's in the kitchen? "I've been making pasta and sausage quite a bit and I make tacos quite a bit. I mean, I kind of just do like protein and veggies and a little bit of a carb," she says.

Cozy nights in wouldn't be the same without a movie, and there's a very good chance you've seen Larson on your screen recently, whether you're rewatching Captain Marvel, 13 Going on 30, or Lessons in Chemistry. But how does the actress consistently choose such beautiful, inspiring pieces to work on? She equates the feeling to having a crush.

"When I feel like [a story] hits something that lives so truthfully in me that I just want to know if it's true to other people," she says. "I just know that we all have more that's the same than different...Film and television, it lives in a way that is beyond me physically. So I'm here talking to you, but anybody can be watching whatever they want. And so I try my best to think through what the pieces are saying so that they go out in the world and I don't get to be at the end of it and explain it or tell people what to feel or what to take from it. It lives a life outside of me. So I try and make sure that it has a complete message in it that I feel like I'll be able to live with for the rest of my life."

Just like Carol Danvers and Elizabeth Zott empower so many viewers, Brie Larson says she feels empowered by her own Hollywood heroes. "Earlier in my career, like when I was trying to visualize what kind of career I wanted, it was Toni Colette and she's still a hero of mine, but she was truly the one that I was like, 'I want to disappear into characters the way she does.'"

"There's so many incredible [actors]," she continues. "Some of them are people that are more my age and some are older than me. But that's the fun part of my job is that there's so many good people and so many things that are getting made. And so it just feels like we're constantly kind of maneuvering, and when they take on certain roles and represent certain things, it frees up for other people to do other things. And so we kind of all work as a unit."

One movie on the horizon that I'm excited for is Mattel's new American Girl movie. Like many 80s and 90s kids, Brie Larson loved American Girl dolls — and borrowed her stage name from pioneer Kirsten Larson! And just like the rest of us AG kids, she tells me she can't wait for the movie. "I've also seen that there's going to be adult Halloween costumes, which I'm also very excited about," she says. Will she be grabbing a Kirsten one for herself? "I just might!"

Q+A With Brie Larson

What's the first thing you did after you won your Oscar?

I probably drank champagne...I drank champagne and I put sneakers on, and then I went to the airport.

What's the best piece of advice you've received?

"When I think I know, I miss so much." We all get stuck in these things — I think an easy one to think about is like, you're in a fight with your sibling or your partner, and you are just so right in how angry you are. And then maybe the next day you wake up and you're like, "Maybe there was another side to that." And so we miss things when we're in a space where we believe that we know. Having an openness to what something can be or that things can be different than what you think makes things easier.

What's on your holiday bucket list?

I love the holidays. Because I'm in California, I really am looking forward to this year having a chilly winter. I love a cold winter, cozy winter. I love Christmas markets, so I'll definitely hit things like that. All the little holiday markets pop up around, yeah, it's just like a rare time when everybody is resting at the same time.

What are you watching, reading and listening to right now?

Okay. I am reading a book called Patricia Wants To Cuddle. I am watching Love is Blind season 7 because I am not silly. And listening to Chappell Roan, obviously.

1. Fated Mates 

Baidachnaya says, "2024 was a year of shifting fantasies. At the beginning of the year, women leaned into escapism, and Fated Mates reigned supreme. These stories of love destined by fate offer reassurance and hope, a comforting reminder that some things are meant to be."

Our top picks for fated mates romance books:

The God and the Gumihoby Sophie Kim

Kim Hani may look like human, but she's harboring a secret that has ties to her mythical past. She's reformed because, well, she's full and doesn't need to eat as much as she did. Now she spends her time helping customers at a café where a grumpy god named Seokga frequently visits.

They're forced to work together when a powerful demon starts causing trouble in the town they live in and it seems their plans are destined to fail at first. However, time reveals that some things are bound by fate...even the love they develop for each other.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

Ricki Wilde and Ezra cross paths after the funeral heiress moves to Harlem to escape the expectations of her family. But the more the latter tries to put distance between them, the more they're drawn together. Eventually, it's revealed that Ezra's been harboring secrets that transcend time and Ricki's at the center of it all.

Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne

Nora is completely shocked when she realizes her father kept secrets about the way she was conceived — and it weighs heavy on her. She's also managed to do something that's had a lasting impact on her, leaving her to depend on her sister and vice versa.

Though she and her sister have to find a way to save an inn, they realize they're in over their heads for several reasons. One happens to be Ennis "Bear" Freeman. He has low expectations of them until he senses something in Nora that stirs his passion.

It's clear something strong exists between them, but there's more to "Bear" than he's willing to share.

3. Werewolves and Shape Shifters 

"As the year moved forward, we noticed a shift in preferences. By spring, the mystical allure of Werewolves and Shape Shifters captivated audiences. These tales resonate with listeners navigating personal transformations, offering an intriguing mix of wild passion and self-discovery," says Baidachnaya.

Our top werewolves and shape shifter picks:

Brideby Ali Hazelwood

Misery Lark decided to leave behind the politics of being a Vampyre coucilman's daughter by living undetected against normal beings. However, she's unable to refuse the call to perform her duty of marrying the Weres' alpha, Lowe Moreland.

He's as uneasy about their union as she is, but the difference is Misery has her eyes on one prize that she intends to reclaim by any means necessary.

Zodiac Rising by Katie Zhao

"A vampire, shapeshifter, mortal, and werewolf walk into a bar" isn't something you've heard before, but Zodiac Rising makes sure to introduce you to them anyway. They're an unlikely team, but none of that matters now that 12 zodiac statues are in the hands of evil.

To protect humanity and the mythical world, they'll have to band together to right the wrongs of history — that's if they can get along for five minutes.

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison

Sometimes all you need is a new thirst for life to help you realize how much you've been running on auto pilot. Sloane Parker's in a loveless marriage and has stopped yearning for things until a birthday trip with her best friend Naomi changes everything. They meet a group of mysterious strangers that alter Naomi's reality and show her what she's been missing.

3. Alpha Males 

"Alongside this, Alpha Males swept listeners off their feet, embodying strength, passion, and stability in uncertain times. These rugged, dominant heroes captured hearts month after month, holding their ground as perennial favorites," adds Baidachnaya.

Our top picks where alpha males really shined:

The Duke's Unexpected Love by Alexa Aston

James Jones goes from not understanding much about himself to learning he's related to the Duke of Seaton in a short amount of time. He starts adjusting to knowing who he is and finds his place in the elite society.

But then there's Sophie Grant and the seemingly bad luck that's followed her based on her dad's decisions. Things seem to change for the better when Josiah Grant, a wealthy man, comes into her life and becomes her husband. Instead of treating her as beneath him, Josiah gives her the tool to run his business.

Years later, James and Sophie meet each other which makes the former's heart go pitter patter. He doesn't care what the rest of society thinks and pursues her with brilliant fervor that generates ton of whispers.

Failure to Match by Kyra Parsi

Determined not to fail her difficult client Jackson Sinclair, Jamie puts her all into finding him the perfect love match. He may be insanely rich and handsome, but he's insufferable. Still, she concocts the perfect plan of knowing as much about him as possible.

Things go horribly wrong when Jackson catches her and she's forced to be monitored in a way for a month. But when Jamie starts to see Jackson for who he is, it gets harder to ignore how perfect they are for each other.

Blood of Dragonsby Penelope Barsetti

After being captured by Talon, Calista can't tell whether she should like or despise him. He's not completely evil, as there's more to him than he likes to show. Still, he's the reason for her suffering so she makes a pact with her dragon Inferno: get rid of the Death King.

When she takes up refuge with her uncle and Queen Eldinar, she signs her fate and the Death King comes to collect — except his appearance makes her realize just how much trouble she's in.

4. Enemies to Lovers 

Baidachnaya says, "Toward the end of the year, modern and relatable themes took the spotlight. Enemies to Lovers, with its tension and emotional payoff, emerged as a late-year darling, showing how rivalry can transform into irresistible romance."

Books where enemies to lovers fell in defied the odds:

The Love Interestby Victoria Walters

Liv Jones is a librarian who has huge dreams of become an romance author, but you kind of need inspiration for that. Her problem is that she doesn't have any until her brother's best friend comes to visit. Aiden Rivers is the last person she wants to be around, but what's more frustrating is how attractive he is. Ironically, he gives her all the inspiration she needs to turn her book goals into reality.

But, she can't possibly be that inspired by him, right?

The Reason I Married Him by Meghan Quinn

Aubree Rowley's got a lot of baggage that doesn't make her the world's friendliest woman. It's surprising when she agrees to marry Wyatt Preston even though they can't stand each other. But, there's something in it for them.

This marriage grants Aubree farm land he's on while Wyatt will be able to snag the family cabin that's been promised to him.

They put on a show to make people believe they're in love, but they fall in love for real.

Right on Cue by Falon Ballard

Emmy Harper's known for her amazing writing skills in Hollywood, but that doesn't meant she gets it right every time. Because she took so long to settle on a main character, she's been tasked to be the center of Right on Cue.

To add to her irritation, she has to work with the annoying Grayson West. He's the perfect person to cast and Emmy knows this. He's so perfect that she wonders what it would be like if they took their relationship beyond a movie set.

5. Billionaire Romance

If You Give a Billionaire a Bride by Ann Einerson

Everly Townstead knows she shouldn't be thinking about her brother's rich best friend (Cash Stafford), especially knowing his family wants to stake their claim in. Yet, their 'marriage' trucks along despite her best attempts to pretend she doesn't feel anything for.

Til Heist Do Us Part by Sara Desai

Simi Chopra and her crew full of thieves did the unthinkable by stealing a diamond necklace, but they had the help of Jack Danger. Their problem? They get a little to cash happy and spend their shares of money.

As it turns out, the necklace they stole belonged to the mafia and they want it back ASAP. So, Simi and everyone rush to retrieve the diamond necklace from a rival. She'll also have to try to stay focused even though she can't stop looking at Jack.

Wild Love by Elsie Silver

Ford Grant went from being a successful billionaire to parenting a moody pre-teen, much to his dismay. To make matters worse, his best friend's sister is back.

Rosie Belmont has danger written all over her and dares to ask Ford for a job at his company. Even though he tries to ignore her, it gets harder each day until they decide to cross the lines with no care about repercussions.