It seems like It Ends With Usnews just keeps coming, long after its August premiere — and Brandon Sklenar is adding his two cents in regards to the news of Blake Lively's lawsuit against co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. The 1923star shared his support for Blake on Instagram, joining an ever-growing list of celebrities standing with her. Here's what Brandon had to say, plus why it's so on-brand for him to say it.
Scroll to see how Brandon Sklenar shared support on Instagram for Blake Lively amid Justin Baldoni lawsuit.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images
On December 23, 2024, Brandon posted a screenshot of theNew York Times article on Blake's lawsuit to his Instagram story. The part of the article he shared includes the specific complaint Blake filed, and the star wrote "For the love of god read this" on the link out to the article. The Dropstar then tagged Blake and put a red heart emoji next to her handle.
The post follows Blake's bombshell lawsuit, filed against Justin Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment and other claims. And Brandon's not the only It Ends With Us teammate that's shared their support for Blake. Colleen Hoover and Jenny Slatealso expressed their solidarity with Blake. And while it would be easy to jump on the Blake bandwagon after the lawsuit news dropped, these tree (Brandon included) made their support of Blake clear from the beginning. Many of the cast unfollowed Justin on Instagram, with instances like Jenny Slate dodging questions about Justin peppered throughout the press and promotional tour of the film.
Lia Toby/Getty Images
This also isn't the first time Brandon's spoken out about the "swirling" rumors and allegations tied to It Ends With Us. In August, the star of The Housemaid posted to Instagram, noting how hypocritical it is for people to "vilify" women like Blake Lively and Colleen Hoover and that it "detracts what this film is about." His full statement reads:
Hey everyone,
I wanted to take a moment and address all this stuff swirling online.
Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves. Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about. It is, in face, the opposite of the point. What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film. It's been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.
Someone very close to me has been struggling with a relationship that has mirrored Lilly's closely. I feel a responsibility to bring this to life and help spread that message further. Prior to my involvement in this film, she had not heard of the book. It was only then that she read it. She credits Colleens book and subsequently this film with saving her life.
Trust me when I tell you, there isn't a single person Involved in the making of this film that was not aware of the responsibility we had in making this. A responsibility to all the women who have experienced generational trauma - Domestic abuse - Or struggle with looking in the mirror and loving who they see. This movie is a harsh reality check for the men who need to get their s--t together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions.
This film is meant to inspire. It's meant to validate and recognize. It's meant to instill hope. It's meant to build courage and help people feel less alone. Ultimately it's meant to spread love and awareness. It is not meant to once again, make the women the "bad guy," let's move beyond that together.
All I ask is that before you spread hate on the internet, ask yourself who its helping. Ask yourself if your opinions are based in any fact. Or if you simply want to be a part of something. Let's be a part of something better together. A part of a new story being written for women and all people everywhere.
Lead with Love and please be Kind.
Brandon
While this story develops, I will say it's nice to see so much support for women speaking out about — and actively standing against – sexual harassment. And it's especially to see the men in their sphere doing much of the same!
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Trader Joe’s, though very tempting with their vast array of sweet treats, is truly a secret weapon for eating healthy and sustaining a healthy diet. TJ’s aisles are packed full of nutritious (yet delicious) options, all of which are often easy to prepare and even easier to devour. Whether you’re focusing on fueling your workouts with protein, cutting back on sugar, or simply eating more whole foods in 2025, Trader Joe’s has plenty of affordable, wholesome finds to keep your diet inspired.
Below, find the best Trader Joe’s products that make sticking to your 2025 resolutions a breeze!
Trader Joe's
Creamy Dreamy Hummus
Hummus is an instant snack hack if you're trying to eat a high-protein diet – this $3 one from TJ's boasts a "thick, rich, and exquisitely creamy" texture. Slap it on a wrap or dip in some veggie sticks to give your meal a nice boost.
Trader Joe's
Vegetable Root Chips
These veggie root chips make a deliciously healthy swap for your traditional potato chips as they're packed with fiber and plenty of color to enjoy!
Trader Joe's
Organic Super Bread
Though you might not guess it at first glance, this loaf contains whole wheat flour, organic rye flour, organic rolled oats, organic millet, organic pumpkin seeds, organic flax seeds, organic sunflower seeds, organic carrots, organic dried apple, and organic dried banana – that's a mouthful! If your 2025 goal is to eat more whole foods without sacrificing a ton of familiar foods, this is the bread for you!
Trader Joe's
Cut Sweet Potatoes
These 'taters come already cut, so all you gotta do is toss 'em in some olive oil and spices, bake on a sheet pan, pair it with a protein, and voila! Dinner is served.
Trader Joe's
Organic Dried Ataulfo Mango Slices
These mango slices make a great healthy snack to enjoy on the go. They taste just like candy, except without all the excess processed sugar.
Trader Joe's
Solid White Albacore Tuna
Protein fiends already know what's up with canned tuna. It's the perfect base for tuna salads, wraps, and bakes. Plus, one can goes for just $2 at TJ's – stock up!
Trader Joe's
Caesar Broccoli Bake Kit
This pre-made kit makes getting a side dish on the table super easy and healthy. It comes with all the fixings, like Caesar dressing, crouton crumbs, and Parmesan cheese.
Trader Joe's
10 Minute Farro
Traditionally, farro takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to fully cook. This bag of Trader Joe's farro defies all tradition and is ready in just 10 minutes! The whole grain is really rich in protein and fiber, so you know you'll be eating healthy when you choose to chow down.
Trader Joe's
Vanilla Bean Whole Milk Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is *the* breakfast hack to rule all breakfast hacks. It's high in protein, plus is typically packed with plenty of probiotics to keep your gut real healthy. Enjoy a heaping scoop with some fresh (or frozen) fruit, granola, and honey to get a tasty start to the day.
Trader Joe's
Rainbow's End Trail Mix Bars
Healthy snacks can be really hard to track down at TJ's, especially since they have so many sinful goodies on their shelves. Luckily, these trail mix bars exist, bringing a yummy medley of oats, nuts, raisins, and chocolatey bits to satisfy that sweet tooth without weighing you down during the day!
Trader Joe's
Carb Savvy Tortillas
If you're set on watching your intake of carbs, these tortillas are a must-have. They contain 21% of your daily recommended value of fiber (6 grams each) according to TJ's, and make an excellent addition to wraps, quesadillas, or just as a snack.
Trader Joe's
Organic Brown Rice Cake Thins
These rice cakes may be thinner than most, but they still boast an enjoyably dense texture, perfect for layering on some peanut butter and banana for an easy, fulfilling snack.
Trader Joe's
Pulled Chicken Salsa Verde
This fully-cooked chicken is ideal for people seeking a convenient, time-saving meal. The salsa verde flavoring instantly qualifies them for delicious tacos, quesadillas, burritos, burrito bowls, nachos – the list goes on! Just pop it in the microwave for 4 minutes, and boom – time to eat!
Trader Joe's
Perfect Bar Peanut Butter Protein Bar
This protein bar is called the Perfect Bar because it's literally perfect. The sweetness is at just the right level, the texture is so satisfying, and the high protein content (17 grams) fills you up easily if you're seeking a substantial mid-day snack.
Trader Joe's
Classic Greek Salad
With this ready-made salad kit, you won't have to think too hard at all about what you're having for a healthy lunch. Feel free to grab 5 at a time, because you will be hooked. Add some chicken or salmon on top to bulk it up with extra protein!
Trader Joe's
Stir Fry Veggie Blend
Why pick up 5 or more individual ingredients for stir fry when you can just grab this $3 bag, cook it, and call it a day? We highly recommend cheffing this up with TJ's Soyaki sauce and your protein of choice.
Trader Joe's
High Protein Organic Tofu
One serving of this tofu contains 14 grams of protein, which is higher than what you can typically find elsewhere. Plus, it's certifiably organic, so it's always gonna be clean eating-friendly.
Trader Joe's
Organic Tricolor Quinoa
Quinoa makes an impressive grain base for bowls and salads. This one boasts a healthy mix of white, red, and black quinoa for some good variety!
Trader Joe's
Crunchy Curls
These 100% vegan bites are the ultimate movie snack and are way healthier than your average bag of theater popcorn. They're made with lentil flour and potato starch for a superb texture every time.
Trader Joe's
Organic Brown Rice & Quinoa Fusilli Pasta
This organic, gluten-free pasta delivers 4 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per serving, making each meal nutritious as ever.
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11 Most (Sort Of) Controversial Celebrity Age-Gap Relationships—& They're Still Going Strong!
Dec 23, 2024
What is it about age gap relationships that are so dang perplexing? Maybe it's the idea that someone can find love in a partner that's 10 to 30 years older than them. Maybe it's wondering if it's a red flag if someone only dates people who are way younger or older than they are. Whatever it is, from Sam and Aaron Taylor Johnson to Leonardo DiCaprio and literally everyone he's dated over the past two decades, we're clearly hooked. 👀
One thing worth noting is these kind of relationships are often mind-boggling even if you do root for them. Don't believe me? Take a look at the most (sort of) controversial celebrity age-gap relationships we've seen!
Scroll down to see some controversial celebrity age gap relationships!
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Mercury Studios
David Foster (75) & Katharine McPhee (40): 35 Years
I don't know if David Foster and Katharine McPhee is anyone's Roman Empire, but regardless of who's rooting for them, their 35-year age gap clearly doesn't hold them back. No, I'm not making that up. They both celebrated huge milestones this year because Katharine turned 40 while David rang in his 75th birthday with a concert.
Though they met in 2006 during the season Katharine was on American Idol, they didn't become a couple until the end of 2017. Even still, they didn't really address their relationship until their 2018 Met Gala red carpet appearance. So far the couple seems to be going strong — which is all that matters!
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Sarah Paulson (49) & Holland Taylor (81): 31 Years
Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor have been dating a little over a decade, but that's not what's shocking. It's the fact this couple has a 31-year gap between them. According to People, they started dating in 2015 and have been happily in love ever since.
Appearing on the SmartLess podcast earlier in May, Sarah dished about what makes their relationship work so well. She said, "Yeah, we don’t live together. That’s the secret to it. We spend plenty of time together, but we don’t live in the same house."
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Michael Douglas (80) & Catherine Zeta-Jones (55): 25 Years
This is a couple I've known about since I was kid and it used to baffle me until it didn't. They didn't hit it off right away, but fate decided to do what it does best when it wants two people together (via People). They're one of the first celebrity age gap relationships that have lasted since the late '90s and it's amazing to see how far they've come.
As they near their 24th year of marriage (OMG), it's clear Michael and Catherine Zeta-Jones have figured out what it takes to not only sustain their marriage, but their lives in the public eye.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Sam (57) & Aaron Taylor Johnson (34): 23 Years
Despite their 23-year age gap, Sam and Aaron Taylor Johnson have been together for 16 years. They met some time in 2008, but it didn't take long for them to get engaged and welcome their first child together. They both know others have talked about their relationship, but they've let the comments roll off their shoulders. Sam told The Times UK, "When you're solid with someone in your own love, you don't think about it."
John Phillips & Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Gigi Hadid (29) & Bradley Cooper (49): 20 Years
I think I can understand this celebrity age gap relationship because I actually like Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper. I could've never guessed they'd become a couple, but life is full of surprises! They're not ones to talk about their relationship though. I suppose that's the best way to go when you're a celebrity, but us nosy fans are intrigued by the moments we do see them in the public eye.
Daily Mailwas one of the first few outlets to report their second sighting as an alleged couple which lets me know it would be hard for them to deny they weren't together.
Image via Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
George (63) & Amal Clooney (46): 17 Years
George and Amal Clooney are probably my second favorite couple on this list because they make absolute sense to me. They're like two missing pieces of a puzzle that found each other and are happy to fit into each other's lives. As it turns out, Mr. Clooney is ever the romantic because he's been wooing Amal from the beginning.
From their sweet introduction in 2013 to the way George planned a romantic proposal and the amazing work they continue to do with their Clooney Foundation For Justice organization, this is one of those celebrity age gap relationships that's hard to be mad about.
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
Matthew McConaughey (55) & Camila Alves (41): 13 Years
"All right, all right, all right," it's Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves! These two met in a way that truly makes sense for them: at a club. How many of us can say we found the love of our lives in a club full of loud music and sweaty people? This lucky couple have been together since possibly 2007 and have added three kids to their family.
Camila recently took to Instagram to celebrate Matthew's 55th birthday with a moving tribute to the actor. She wrote, "Today we celebrate you! …. Well technically we celebrated you all weekend! Hoo you bring so much Joy Matthew… but I am stopping here before I get all sentimental…! To many more sleigh street rides celebrating YOU," in the caption.
Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Beyoncé (43) & Jay-Z (54): 12 Years
Beyoncé and Jay-Zshocked the music industry when they became a couple between 1997 and 2000. It was mainly because Beyoncé was only 19 years old when they started dating (via NBC). But somehow their love has prevailed through music collaborations, cheating scandals, and a certain elevator incident that no one'll ever forget. In recent years, the couple has been riding the waves of bliss as one of the more popular celebrity age gap relationships.
Mike Coppola / Getty Images Entertainment
Blake Lively and Ryan ReynoldsBlake Lively (37) & Ryan Reynolds (48): 11 Years
I said it once and I'll say it again: the best thing Green Lantern could've done was introduce Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds to each other. They both have the same dry and high key sarcastic humor that makes people love them so much, plus they way they love each other is so d*mn adorable. Did I mention I love the way they talk about their kids?
If there's a chance they're considered controversial, put me in pop culture jail because it's hard for me to turn my nose up at them!
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Nick Jonas (32) & Priyanka Chopra (42): 10 Years
Last but not least, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra deserve an award for having the least controversial celebrity age gap relationship. They look amazing together — look at the material — and seem to speak each other's love language in a way that's kind of sexy. They too made a Met Gala red carpet appearance together in 2017, but Priyanka said they weren't even dating. I mean, that's if you believe her Jimmy Kimmel Liveappearance!
Whether they were or weren't dating then, Nick and Priyanka didn't waste time becoming love birds in 2018. Priyanka was even featured in the Jonas Brothers' music video for "Sucker." Are you kidding me?
From then on, the couple have been enjoying marriage and being parents which seems to be the case for a lot of the featured celebrity age gap relationships!
Monica Schipper/Getty Images & Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Leonardo DiCaprio (50) & Vittoria Ceretti (26)
Leonardo DiCaprio is well-known for dating models in their 20's, and Vittoria Ceretti is no exception to that rule. These two have been quietly together since around May 2023, and it seems like they're still going strong. Since they've been together, there have been plenty of engagement rumors swirling, but so far there's no ring in sight for Vittoria. Leo's never quite settled down, so it'll be interesting to see how this age gap relationship pans out! Wishing them both the best of luck!
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So, you've found your 2025 word of the year and are ready for the biggest reset of your life. Now all you have to do is map out how you're going to get there. You could opt for vague ideas that live only in your head, but when has that motivated you to achieve your goals in the past?
If you think we're putting you on the spot, we're not! We're here to encourage you to dream boldly by being detailed about what you actually want. Of course, we have the perfect list of deep questions and journal prompts so you can tap into the life you want to live.
Here are 25 deep questions to ask yourself and journal about to guide you toward your 2025 vision of personal growth and self-improvement:
Questions About Your Daily Routine
Please don't throw eggs at us! We know you don't want to feel governed by a schedule like you're in grade school, but there are benefits to having something to guide you daily. According to Northwestern Medicine, you can "reduce stress" and even "get better rest" by having a routine.
If you've been promising yourself to improve in these areas, here are 5 questions to ask yourself:
- How many of hours of sleep do I typically get per night?
- What distractions can I eliminate before bed so I'm not groggy in the morning? (i.e., no more binge watching my favorite TV shows or scrolling mindlessly on TikTok)?
- Do I have a morning routine or do I rush through taking a shower, brushing my teeth, and eating breakfast?
- How do I usually feel when I get to work?
- Am I okay with setting a reminder for myself to take a break during the work day so I can stretch my legs, eat lunch, or go for a quick walk?
Questions About Your Self-Care
Making time for your self-care is a part of your daily routine, but we want to dig deeper by sharing questions that'll help you reflect on how you treat yourself.
- How do I want to feel about myself in 2025?
- Did I have moments I looked in the mirror and didn't like the way my skin or body looked this year?
- Have I been prioritizing my mental health?
- Did I make space for exercising (i.e. walking, yoga, running, etc.)?
- Did I create healthy boundaries with family, friends, or someone I'm dating?
Brit + Co
Questions About Your Career
We almost said, "Here comes the fun part," but that would be unfair for people who consider other areas of their lives more important to chasing a career. If you are focused on pursuing something you're passionate about or simply want to earn a new promotion, here's what you can ask yourself:
- What are my biggest career accomplishments this year?
- What skills do I need to sharpen that align with the position I want?
- How do I respond to constructive criticism?
- What is my usual response to change or tight deadlines?
- Do I ask for help when I don't understand a project or concept?
Brit + Co
Questions About Your Home
Your home is anywhere that you live even if you're renting or living with your parents for the time being.
- How did the energy in my home feel?
- Did I do anything to make it feel like me?
- How can I create a relaxing environment in my room that promotes rest and relaxation?
- Do I want to have a certain aesthetic for my living room, office, etc.?
- What does having a clean and organized home mean to me?
Questions About Your Relationships
Have you been making excuses for toxic friends or ignoring red flags? If it's okay, we're going to sit by you and gently suggest it's time for a change. The kind of life you want to live can't be weighed down by old habits of yours or some of the people you've been spending time with, especially if you've been feeling uncomfortable.
- What kind of friendships do I want to have in 2025?
- Do I have a reliable support system?
- What did I love about my romantic relationship this year?
- Are there certain conversations I need to have with family members, friends, or my partner that I've been avoiding?
- Do I need to change the way I show up in my platonic or romantic relationships?
Get a jumpstart on transforming your space for 2025 with easy feng shui tips!
The '90s were a great time, according to millennials. It was a time of rollerblading, listening to cassette players, playing Super Mario Bros. on Nintendos, having birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese, and more. Besides this and other pop culture moments that went viral before social media existed, the '90s gave us classic stores we used to frequent as kids.
Despite meeting their demise as the Y2K age took over, we'll never forget the fun memories (and maximalist vibes) these stores gave us!
Take a walk down memory lane by revisiting our favorite '90s stores that will take you back in time (and make you feel old):
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1. Party City
Our hearts are hurting because we don't understand why one of the most popular decor stores is closing. The brand was apparently facing "financial challenges," according to it's CEO Barry Litwin (via CNN). There were other issues behind the scenes, but everything trickled down to money, or a lack thereof.
It's so shocking because some of us just picked up a few holiday items from Party City this month! It was one of the stores that seemed to have everything we needed before Amazon became the mega wholesaler that it is today.
I guess this means we should've cherished Party City a little more because it's officially gone.
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2. Blockbuster
Long before streaming platforms like Netflix and Peacock existed, people used to spend Friday nights looking at rows of VHS movies to rent. If you were lucky, your parents would stop by Blockbuster before picking up pizza for dinner. It was the ultimate '90s treat…until it wasn’t.
When we want to remember what it felt like visiting Blockbuster, we fast forward to that one scene in I Am Legend where Dr. Robert Neville is going to 'rent' movies. It's a little cringe now that we think about it, but it's the closet memory we have of spending at least 30 minutes picking out the VHS or DVD to watch.
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3. Circuit City
Raise your hand if you remember getting your first CD player or computer from Circuit City. The name alone conjures fun memories of running up and down the aisles pretending we could afford all the fun electronics. We watched desktop computers slowly morph into laptops, which seemed like an exciting time. Also, some of us watched our parents lament the cost of the required Texas Instrument calculators we needed for math class.
Although Circuit City isn't around like it used to be, we'll never forget watching the world change through its eyes.
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4. Virgin Music Store
If you wanted to be a part of the cool crowd, you visited the Virgin music store. We aptly remember the neon sign and memorable displays that beckoned to us. Although we could find some of the same CDs at Circuit City, the store’s design didn’t feel stuffy.
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5. Radio Shack
This one’s personal because we stood in lines with our parents when they bought their first cell phones and DVD players. Also, one of our parents may or may not have purchased a very coveted Bratz convertible that played music from Radio Shack.
Even though it wasn’t the biggest store, it gave us a taste of what the future had for us. Little did we know we’d lose this sweet store though.
6. Border's
As much as we love recommending books from Amazon and local bookshops, we miss when Border’s was around. There’s not much to say about this store besides how grown-up we felt when our parents would let us spend time there while they shopped at their favorite stores in the mall.
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7. KB Toys
Aside from Toys ‘R’ Us, we also remember when K.B. Toys was popular. Not unlike today, there wasn’t such a thing as having too many toy stores. Sometimes we found things at K.B.s that felt like a treat. The cluttered aisles probably annoyed our parents, but we were always happy when we were allowed to pick something out.
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8. Wet Seal
Yes, Wet Seal made the list of stores we loved in the '90s. Unlike Goody’s, it was specifically geared towards pre-teens and teens who wanted to wear the latest fashions. It was one of the the places to discover your style at the time even if it meant leaving piles of clothes for weary store associates to put back (sorry!)
Though we miss it, we hope no one tries to revive it because we’re sure we’d see a few outdated fashion trends.
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9. Esprit
This was another store that screamed 'All American Teen Store.' Unlike Wet Seal, the store's layout and clothing were a little more 'sophisticated.' It spoke to teens who are now adults with a sleeker preppy style. It sounds like a reach, but it's not if you think about it. This store could give you logomania, tenniscore, or something that resembled the outfits from Saved By the Bell at the same time.
10. Goody's
Were you really a '90s kid if your mom didn’t drag you to Goody’s? Shockingly enough, we hardly ever complained because it felt like a huge store we could play in. Plus, it had clothes for everyone.
And if there were a sale during BTS season? You could always count on our moms to leave the store with stuffed shopping bags.
Which '90s stores do you wish were still open? Let us know on Facebook!