'SNL' takes on Iran attacks and Khamenei killing in cold open

The latest "SNL" cold open couldn't be more timely.

"Saturday Night Live"kicked off its Feb. 28 episode with a sketchaddressing news that the United States and Israel launched military strikes and combat operations against Iranearlier in the day, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In the cold open, James Austin Johnson played PresidentDonald Trumpdelivering remarks and declaring, "Happy World War III to all who celebrate!"

Johnson's Trump went on to say he launched the attack on Iran because he and his "Board of Peace decided that we were bored of peace" and because he needed help "distracting from the Epstein files."

"I know on the campaign trail I promised no new foreign wars," he said. "But listen: Wars, plural, right? I'm allowed to do one."

Surprise!'Heated Rivalry' star Hudson Williams joins Connor Storrie on 'SNL'

In a meta moment, Johnson's Trump also implied the breaking news required "SNL" to throw out a cold open focused on the president's State of the Union address earlier in the week.

"People are asking, 'Why attack Iran now?' Well, we had to strike in the early hours of Saturday, which has two advantages militarily: One, it's after the stock market closes for the weekend, and two, it's to cause immeasurable fear, rage and chaos in the 'SNL' writer's room," he said. "Those guys were going crazy. They probably had a big State of the Union address thing they were going to do. Not anymore!"

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Colin Jostsoon entered as Defense SecretaryPete Hegsethto declare that although he seems confident, "I am scared and I don't know what I'm doing. When he said we were going to blow up the leader of Iran, I thought he was kidding."

Harry Styles is returning to 'SNL':Get the details

The "SNL" sketch kicked off the show's first new episode after a nearly month-long hiatus. It was also a return to the sketch show's typical format of beginning with a Trump spoof;the cold open of the previous episode on Jan. 31, hosted by Alexander Skarsgård, was rare in that it didn't feature Johnson's portrayal of the president. Instead, former cast member Pete Davidson returned to play White House border czarTom Homan.

Connor Storriehosted the Feb. 28 episode of "SNL," coming off the massive success of "Heated Rivalry." The hockey romance series, streaming on HBO Max, has catapulted Storrie from obscurity to stardom, and the actor made his debut on late-night television in January with a "Late Night With Seth Meyers" interview.

'SNL' cold open:Trump distracts from 'freaks and psychos' in ICE

Mumford & Sons served as musical guest for Storrie's "SNL" episode.

Who's hosting 'SNL' next?

Saturday's episode is the first ofthree consecutive weeks of new "SNL" shows.

Next week's episode will feature thereturn of Ryan Gosling, who is serving as host for the fourth time alongside musical guest Gorillaz. The week after,Harry Styles is doing double dutyas host and musical guest on March 14.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'SNL' cold open addresses Trump's Iran attacks, Khamenei killing

byJastin Mags

in

February 28, 2026

'SNL' takes on Iran attacks and Khamenei killing in cold open

The latest "SNL" cold open couldn't be more timely. "Saturday Night Live"kicked off ...

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'Heated Rivalry' star Hudson Williams joins Connor Storrie on 'SNL'

Things are getting "heated" on "Saturday Night Live."

"Heated Rivalry" star Connor Storriemade his "SNL" hosting debut onthe sketch show's Feb. 28 episode, and he wasn't alone: His costar on the wildly popular hockey romance series,Hudson Williams, was also in the building.

Williams appeared early in the episode in a sketch where a couple argues after a surprise proposal in front of the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink, only for the man to become distracted by a group of guys gleefully skating around behind them. Williams skated into the sketch and hugged Storrie, drawing cheers from the "SNL" studio audience. "Sorry I'm late, fellas, but I have a serious question: Who's ready to skate their butts off?" Williams asked.

'SNL' cold open:James Austin Johnson's President Donald Trump defends Iran attacks

Later, Williams helped Storrie introduce musical guest Mumford & Sons, and he joined Storrie on stage as the host said goodnight at the end of the episode.

Williams and Storrie star on "Heated Rivalry" as two hockey players who become entangled in a secret, steamy relationship, despite being rivals in the sport. The show has become a sensation since debuting on HBO Max last year, skyrocketing both Williams and Storrie to fame.

In his monologue, Storrie joked that, "Some of you may have seen literally all of me" on "Heated Rivalry," which is filled with graphic sex scenes.

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"It's a show that has taught a lot of people about hockey, and it's taught a lot of straight women that their sexuality is actually gay guy," he said.

See 'Heated Rivalry' stars:Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in photos

On a more serious note, Storrie noted he has "only technically been a professional actor for like six months now" and was working as a waiter before landing "Heated Rivalry." He said he has been "preparing for this for my entire life since I was a 12 year-old obsessed with acting."

'Heated Rivalry' stars in the spotlight:Meet Connor Storrie and Hudson Wiliams

"I really did not know if this would ever to happen to me, and when I got the call that I was going to be on 'SNL,' I honestly cried," he also said.

The Feb. 28 episode marked the "SNL" hosting debut for Storrie. The actor's busy weekend will continue on March 1, when he's scheduled to be a presenter at the Actor Awards in Los Angeles.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Connor Storrie 'SNL' features Hudson Williams 'Heated Rivalry' cameo

byJastin Mags

in

February 28, 2026

'Heated Rivalry' star Hudson Williams joins Connor Storrie on 'SNL'

Things are getting "heated" on "Saturday Night Live." "Heated Rivalry" star Con...

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With sniper rifle photos, Kim Jong Un intensifies spotlight on his daughter, a potential successor

North Korea on Saturday released pictures showing leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter at a rifle range, the latest propaganda images to promote the child touted as a potential successor.

State media KCNA said Kim and his daughter – along with Kim Jong Un's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong and other officials – fired the rifles after the North Korean leader gifted them to military leaders to salute their service to the reclusive state's ruling party.

One of the images – which was flagged during a CNN check as being potentially AI-manipulated – showed the girl,believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and in her early teens, firing a sniper rifle.

In all, North Korea released 27 pictures of the event.

CNN checked four of the photos for signs of manipulation. Only the picture of Kim Ju Ae firing the rifle showed possible use of AI.

Kim specially prepared the gifts of the "new generation sniper's rifle" for the key leaders, calling it "a really wonderful weapon," the KCNA report said.

The shooting-range event came after the conclusion of a congress of the Korean Workers' Party, a largely rubber-stamp political gathering of the nation's elite, where Kim's leadership was reaffirmed by unanimous vote.

At the assembly, Kim Yo Jong was promoted to director of a party department after years in a deputy role, solidifying her standing in the inner circle. Several senior party and military posts were reshuffled, elevating younger loyalists.

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But much of the attention was on Kim's daughter.

Kim Ju Ae stood with her father on the grandstand as he reviewed some14,000 troops goosestepping through Kim Il Sung Square, named after her great-grandfather, in the capital of Pyongyang.

She has also been at her father's side for previous missile tests and other ruling-party events, fueling speculation that she will be the fourth-generation successor to the Kim family dynasty that has ruled North Korea since before the Korean War started in 1950.

In February South Korea's spy agency said it believes the dictator has "entered the stage of nominating her as successor."

There has been no official confirmation from North Korea on the daughter's role, but the image of her purportedly firing the sniper rifle on Friday brought even more attention to her.

"By emphasizing that Kim Ju Ae knows how to fire a rifle, North Korea is hinting that she is undergoing succession training," Yang Mu-jin, a distinguished professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul,told the Chosun Daily newspaper.

Other images appeared to show Kim Ju Ae, wearing a leather jacket, observing through binoculars as her father took a shot, and helping present the rifles to others at the event.

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byJastin Mags

in

February 28, 2026

With sniper rifle photos, Kim Jong Un intensifies spotlight on his daughter, a potential successor

North Korea on Saturday released pictures showing leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter at a rifle range, the late...

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Rod Stewart, 81, Performs 'Forever Young' with Daughter Ruby and 2-Year-Old Grandson Otis: 'Three Generations of Stewarts'

Rod Stewart was joined onstage by his daughter Ruby Stewart and grandson Otis during his Feb. 27 show in Florida

NEED TO KNOW

• Ruby, a singer herself, performed "Forever Young" with her dad while her son Otis, 2, held her close

• Ruby is one of Rod's eight children

Rod Stewart's latest show was a bit of a family affair.

As the British singer-songwriter, 81, was performing at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 27, as part of his ongoingOne Last Time Farewell Tour, his daughterRuby Stewartjoined him onstage with yet another special guest: her 2-year-old son,Otis.

Rod's 38-year-old daughter and her little one joined the rocker for a performance of "Forever Young," with Ruby — a musician herself — performing a duet to the '80s track with her father.

Rod and Ruby sang for the Florida crowd as Otis, who sported a pair of noise-canceling headphones, clung to his mother's leg in a clip of the family performance that Ruby shared in anInstagram Storiespost on Saturday, Feb. 28.

Then, Ruby scooped up her son and, during an instrumental break in the song, danced with her father while holding the toddler in her arms. Rod could not seem to stop smiling as he looked on at the mother-son duo.

"Three generations of [Stewarts] one stage…," Ruby captioned the post.

Rod shares Ruby, one of his eight children, with ex-girlfriendKelly Emberg. The self-described "songstress" inherited the music genes from her dad and pursued a career as a singer. She was previously part of country music duo The Sisterhood, which disbanded in 2021, and is currently a solo artist who — like the Friday show — occasionally joins her dad for a performance.

Ruby shares Otis with fiancé Jake Kalic. The coupleannounced their engagementin early 2023 and revealed on social media that they had welcomed their son later that year, on Mother's Day.

"This love… unlike any other love I've ever known," Ruby said of Otis on Instagram at the time. She also shared that the now-toddler was born on May 9 at 3:36 p.m. and weighed in at 8 lbs., 8 oz.

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Ruby has shared occasional glimpses into the family of three's life on Instagram, including marking Otis turning 2 with a special birthday-Mother's Day hybridpostlast year.

"You are two," the proud mom wrote alongside a sweet outdoor photo of the toddler. She went on to list "some of my favorite moments from this last year."

The moments ranged from "hearing you say I love you for the first time" and "seeing you muster up the courage to do things that scare you" to "seeing you hug your friends at school who are crying."

"And in all these moments.. I find myself having current nostalgia… I already miss the day you used to fit in my arms… the days we'd walk holding hands… the mornings I'd wake to you sleeping peacefully between us…," Ruby wrote of the 2-year-old. "One day you will outgrow me… but you will always be my baby… Happy birthday sweet Otis."

Rod's wife,Penny Lancaster, commented on the post, writing, "Best Mothers Day to you and happy 2nd birthday, beautiful Otis (as of two days ago) xx."

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In addition to Ruby, the rock legendhas seven other sons and daughters. He shares the eight children with five mothers.

In total, the "Maggie May" crooner is a father to four daughters — Sarah, 62, Kimberly, 46, Ruby, 38, and Renee, 33 — and four sons — Sean, 45, Liam, 31, Alastair Wallace, 20, and Aiden Patrick, 15.

Read the original article onPeople

byJastin Mags

in

February 28, 2026

Rod Stewart, 81, Performs 'Forever Young' with Daughter Ruby and 2-Year-Old Grandson Otis: 'Three Generations of Stewarts'

Rod Stewart was joined onstage by his daughter Ruby Stewart and grandson Otis during his Feb. 27 show in Florida ...

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Max Greenfield Says It's 'Really Scary' How Easily All of His “New Girl” Costars Slip 'Right Back' into Old Dynamics (Exclusive)

Max Greenfield says the New Girl cast still keeps in close contact years after the finale

NEED TO KNOW

• He admits his kids don't find Schmidt as funny as fans do because "they live with it"

• Greenfield also reveals his favorite episode came from season 1

More than a decade afterNew Girlfirst introduced Schmidt's precision grooming and obsessive organization to audiences,Max Greenfieldsays stepping back into that mindset still happens almost automatically — especially when he's around his former castmates.

The actor tells PEOPLE that the chemistry forged during the sitcom's seven-season run remains so intact that reunions instantly revive their old dynamic. "If you put us together in any circumstance, we go right back," Greenfield, 46, says. "It's really scary."

That enduring connection extends beyond occasional get-togethers. Greenfield says he remains in regular contact with the core group, includingJake JohnsonandZooey Deschanel, with friendships that have quietly continued long after the cameras stopped rolling.

"We all keep in touch in a really beautiful way," he says. "I was texting with Jake this morning."

When they do spend time together, he admits Schmidt sometimes resurfaces — to Johnson's amused exasperation. Greenfield laughs, recalling how easily he slips into the character's controlling instincts, even in ordinary situations like airplane travel.

"We were on a plane together … and I'll say to the flight attendant, 'Oh, excuse me — he can't eat this,' and start organizing his food," he says. "He'll be like, 'We're not on the show anymore.' "

Revisiting Schmidt's meticulous tendencies recently for a campaign reminded Greenfield how closely the character still overlaps with his real personality. The experience, he says, reinforced his affection for both the role and the series that shaped his career.

"It's so connected to the character and who that character was," he says. "It brings you back to that role in that show."

At home, however, Schmidt's quirks feel far less novel. Greenfield sayshis children— who have seen parts ofNew Girl— view the character through the lens of familiarity rather than fandom.

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"I don't think they think it's as funny as America, because they live with it," he says. "They're like, 'Ugh, I know.' "

Asked whether he would ever return to Schmidt, Greenfield says the answer is easy — provided the original creative team is involved. Rather than imagining the character's future himself, he says he'd prefer to discover it through the writers who defined him.

"For sure, it would always be fun to jump back in," he says. "I would always just be really excited to see what the writers thought — where they think Schmidt would be — and then I'd jump in and do whatever that was."

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He already knows which episode best captured Schmidt at his core: season 1's "Control," which explored the character's struggle to relinquish order. The story's theme of clinging to small certainties, he says, still resonates in his own life today.

"It really, truly was my favorite episode — the one we submitted for the Emmys," Greenfield tells PEOPLE. "It just dialed in exactly this idea of these little things that we can control in our lives."

Even now, that idea remains surprisingly relevant. "As long as I know the leftovers are stored safely and stacked neatly," he adds, "then I can go to sleep at night and I'm okay."

In fact, Greenfield partnered with Rubbermaid's EasyStore containers for its "Neat Freaks" campaign, which is available now on Amazon.

Read the original article onPeople

byJastin Mags

in

February 28, 2026

Max Greenfield Says It's 'Really Scary' How Easily All of His “New Girl” Costars Slip 'Right Back' into Old Dynamics (Exclusive)

Max Greenfield says the New Girl cast still keeps in close contact years after the finale NEED TO KNOW He a...

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Kylie Kelce Says She and Husband Jason Already Have Thoughts About Their 4 Daughters Joining Social Media One Day (Exclusive)

Kylie Kelce tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview that she and husband Jason Kelce have a plan in place when it comes to their four young daughters one day joining social media

NEED TO KNOW

• "I think it's our job as parents to let our kids be kids," the Not Gonna Lie podcast host says

• Kylie and Jason are parents to Finnley, 11 months; Bennett, 3; Elliotte, 4; and Wyatt, 6

KylieandJason Kelce'sfour daughtershave years before they'll ever joinsocial media, but their parents already have thoughts aboutwhen that moment may come.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Kylie, 33, says she and Jason, 38, "have discussed" letting their girls —Finnley, 11 months;Bennett, 3;Elliotte, 4; andWyatt, 6 — one day use platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok, to name a few.

"We are really the first generation that's had access to social media for as long as we have, and during our developmental years, so we are big proponents ofnot allowing our kids to have that, especially when they're young," Kylie explains of herself and her husband.

"I think it's our job as parents to let our kids be kids," she continues. "Kids are meant to play. They aren't meant to be taking on the weight of the world or deal with comments online, or feel that they're not living up to this aesthetic lifestyle they see."

Adds the mom of four: "So in an effort to protect our girls, I think we will make a conscious effort to make sure they get to play and enjoy life, and really, truly lean into being kids."

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While Kylie is appreciative of the joys that social media can bring, she is also aware that it has a dark side and can sometimes be a "black hole."

"Social media can be so disappointing, because there are so many ways that it doesn't show the true scope of things, and it's not a full scope of what happens," theNot Gonna Liepodcast host says.

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"People can post these beautiful things, and then you think, 'Oh, that's not what my life looks like,' and suddenly someone is down on themselves about the fact that their life isn't as aesthetic," Kylie continues.

"It also allows the opportunity for people to become keyboard warriors and post comments and messaging that otherwise would not get to the person that they're commenting on."

Kylie is one to lead by example when it comes to uplifting her four young children. She tells PEOPLE she doesn't letnegative thoughtsaffect how she talks about herself, because she knows her girlslook up to her as a role model.

"I really try my best to make sure that I speak positively about myself, even on the days that I don't necessarily feel it," Kylie, who continues her ongoing partnership withDovethrough a commercial that aired during the2026 Super Bowl, explains.

"You can say it as much as you want, but we're still human, so there are days when I find myself leading by example for our girls, recognizing, like, 'You know what? I might not feel that way right now, but it is how Ishouldbe talking about myself,' " she continues.

According to Kylie, "Motherhood has forced me into the idea that I do need to make sure that I'm speaking positively about myself."

"Becausemaking sure that girls are confidentnot only sets them up to be happier, but they will also have a more joyful feeling in life, ... and that joy can drown out the other mess," she further explains.

Read the original article onPeople

byJastin Mags

in

February 28, 2026

Kylie Kelce Says She and Husband Jason Already Have Thoughts About Their 4 Daughters Joining Social Media One Day (Exclusive)

Kylie Kelce tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview that she and husband Jason Kelce have a plan in place when it comes t...

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Phil Collins Could Make History If Selected For Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2026 Class

Phil Collinshas been announced as one of the nominees for this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class, and if selected, his induction could go down in history.

The 75-year-old drummer and singer was named among a list of 17 total artists who are up for induction at the2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fameceremony, but it wouldn't be Collins' first time getting inducted.

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Collins was previously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 as part of the British rock band Genesis. This time, Collins is nominated as a solo artist, and if selected, he would become the fourth drummer to ever be inducted twice.

He would join the ranks ofMatt Cameron, who was inducted withPearl Jamin 2017 and Soundgarden in 2025, as well asRingo Starr, inducted as a member of The Beatles in 1988 and for Musical Excellence as a solo artist in 2015, plusDave Grohl, who first received the honor as the drummer for Nirvana in 2014 and later with Foo Fighters in 2021.

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In addition to Collins, this year's list of nominees is full of several other impressive acts, including The Black Crowes,Jeff Buckley,Mariah Carey,Melissa Etheridge,Lauryn Hill,Billy Idol, INXS, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, New Edition, Oasis,P!nk, Sade,Shakira,Luther VandrossandWu-Tang Clan.

Many of Collins' fans insist that it's about time he was nominated for his solo career, with several usersonlineinsisting that he should have been inducted for the second time years ago.

How likely is Phil Collins to be selected for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2026?Here's what early odds predict.

In addition to over 1,200 industry experts who vote for the final Hall of Fame inductees, fans can alsocast daily votesthat are collected to form a single fan ballot with tallies for the top 5 most voted-for artists.

The final inductees for 2026 are expected to be announced in April.

Related: Kelly Clarkson Covers 'One of the Best' Phil Collins Songs in 'Brilliant' Kellyoke Performance

This story was originally published byParadeon Feb 27, 2026, where it first appeared in theNewssection. Add Parade as aPreferred Source by clicking here.

byJastin Mags

in

February 28, 2026

Phil Collins Could Make History If Selected For Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2026 Class

Phil Collinshas been announced as one of the nominees for this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class, and if selec...

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This week's “RuPaul's Drag Race” special guest died 1 month before episode aired

Though the annualRuPaul's Drag RaceRusical challenge typically leads to gleeful fans each season, this year's installment was tinged with sadness, as it featured a special guest (and Emmy-nominated member of theDrag Racefamily) who died one month before Friday's episode aired.

This week's season 18 edition (which was filmed in 2025) featured the queens preparing to star inFannie, a Rusical spoof of the classicAnniestage production. Mid-way through the episode, the queens took to the Main Stage to record vocals for the project, where they joined songwriter Leland andlate producer Gabe Lopezto make music together.

Lopez died in January 2026, with his mother, Connie Howard, announcing on social media that her son died days earlier.

Howard called Lopez "loving, kind, talented," in her tribute, and added that he died following a "brief but intense battle with lymphoma."

TheMayo Clinicdescribes lymphoma as a form of cancer that primarily impacts the lymphatic system, and can damage "part of the body's germ-fighting immune system" in the process.

In astatement shared to social mediaat the time,Drag Raceproduction company World of Wonder honored Lopez.

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"We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Gabe Lopez. Gabe was a unique combination of musical brilliance, kindness and sharp wit. His impact — throughRuPaul's Drag Race& beyond — is immeasurable," the statement read. "We mourn a great talent and a greater friend. His melodies play on in all of us."

RuPaul's Drag Racefranchise stars also paid tribute to Lopez earlier this year, after the artist received an Emmy nod for his behind-the-scenes work mixing sound for the show's"Wigloose: The Rusical!" 2023 musical episodebased on the Kevin Bacon movieFootloose.

"Devastating to hear, sending so much love- he was a true gem," wroteDrag Race UK vs. the Worldseason 1 winner Blu Hydrangea, while season 2,All Stars 1, andAll Stars 6contestantPandora Boxxcommented with a tear-filled emoji and a heartbreak emoji under Howard's announcement.

Oscar-nominated songwriterDiane Warrenalso expressed sadness over Lopez's loss, writing, "Oh no this is horrible and heartbreaking shocking news. Sending love to You."

In addition to his work withDrag Race —including theDrag Racespin-off competition seriesQueen of the Universeand TV filmThe Bitch Who Stole Christmas— Lopez launched projects with pop star Belinda Carlisle, and further contributed behind-the-scenes toMonster High: The Movie,The Other Two,and theLas Culturistas Culture Awardsbroadcast.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byJastin Mags

in

February 28, 2026

This week's “RuPaul's Drag Race” special guest died 1 month before episode aired

Though the annualRuPaul's Drag RaceRusical challenge typically leads to gleeful fans each season, this year's in...

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“Bridgerton” Star Yerin Ha Opens Up About Representing the Asian Community in Netflix Hit: 'We Deserve These Spaces' (Exclusive)

Bridgerton star Yerin Ha opens up about representing the Asian community as Sophie in the fourth season of the Netflix drama

NEED TO KNOW

• "We deserve these roles and spaces," Ha told PEOPLE at the Lunar New Year Gold Celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 12

• Bridgerton season 4 is available to stream on Netflix

Bridgerton'sYerin Hais speaking out about the importance of Asian representation.

Ha, 28, shared what it means to her to represent the Asian community in Netflix's beloved drama while speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Lunar New Year Gold Celebration hosted by Gold House in New York City on Wednesday, Feb. 12. TheBridgertonstar plays Sophie Baek, a maid who attends a masquerade ball and catches the eye of Benedict Bridgerton, in theseries fourth season.

"It's been really, really amazing and beautiful," Ha shares of being a part of the series' latest season. "I've been really caught up with a press tour, it has been really positive."

"I just feel so proud that I get to be the face of that and keep advocating for change and knowing that we deserve these roles and spaces," she adds.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The fourth season ofBridgertonsees Sophie navigate class disparities and identity as her character falls in love with the wealthy Benedict, played byLuke Thompson. After meeting Sophie at the masquerade ball as the Lady in Silver, Benedict sets out on a quest to find the mystery woman.

For the Australian actress, working on the show has been filled with fun memories. "We just have fun every day," Ha says. "It was always a laugh on set, and everyone's a good time and a good chat."

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In an October 2024 interview withShondaland, Ha revealed the moment she discovered she landed the lead role in season 4. While she was having breakfast with her mom at a cafe in Korea, she received a phone call.

"She came out crying, and then after the phone call, she was like, 'We gotta go home. I think I have indigestion,' and so we left," Ha said. "It was really beautiful to kind of, I guess share that moment with her."

However, when Ha readAn Offer from a Gentleman, the book inJulia Quinn's series that follows Benedict's love story, the nerves set in. In her JanuaryInStylecover story, the actress revealed that the intimacy scenes between Benedict and Sophie made her nervous.

"Being a woman in this industry, it's a massive thing. People think that they have the right to talk about your body, how you look, and your external appearance," Ha said. "I've dealt with body image and that shame for a very, very long time — and I'm still working through it."

She continued, "But what's been really nice about Sophie is she's taught me a lot about self-love and self-acceptance. I'm still working on accepting myself for my entirety and being happy with who I am. In a world where we strive for perfection, what does that look like?"

Bridgertonseason 4 is available to stream on Netflix.

Read the original article onPeople

byJastin Mags

in

February 28, 2026

“Bridgerton” Star Yerin Ha Opens Up About Representing the Asian Community in Netflix Hit: 'We Deserve These Spaces' (Exclusive)

Bridgerton star Yerin Ha opens up about representing the Asian community as Sophie in the fourth season of the Netflix ...

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Did Carolyn Bessette Really Resist JFK Jr.'s Proposal? The True Story Behind Their Engagement

Episode 5 of Love Story: JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette includes the political heir's proposal to the Calvin Klein associate

NEED TO KNOW

• The on-screen proposal had both similarities and differences to their real-life engagement

• In real life, JFK Jr. popped the question in 1995 on Martha's Vineyard

John F. Kennedy Jr.'s proposal toCarolyn Bessettewas anything but ordinary.

The political heir and theCalvin Kleinassociate's engagement played out on-screen inepisode 5ofLove Story: JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, titled "Battery Park." In the limited series, JFK Jr. popped the question following a weekend at the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port, Mass. But, Bessette said no, telling him they still have to talk about how their lives will "fit together."

Bessette's hesitation led to the couple getting into an infamous public fight in a New York City park on-screen — whichdid happen in real life, but not because of the engagement. As history shows, she eventually said yes to JFK Jr.'s proposal and the pairtied the knoton Sept. 21, 1996.

Here's everything to know about JFK Jr.'s real-life proposal to Carolyn Bessette.

JFK Jr. proposed on Martha's Vineyard in 1995

JFK Jr.proposed to Bessette on Martha's Vineyardafter the Fourth of July weekend in 1995.

As JFK Jr.'s former assistant RoseMarie Terenzio wrote in her 2024 bookJFK Jr.: An Intimate Oral Biography— co-written by PEOPLE editor-at-large Liz McNeil — he popped the question while taking Bessette out on a boat.

Terenzio recalled Bessette telling her, "He said, 'When you go fishing, it's always better with a partner. Will you be my partner?' "

He gave Bessette two rings — but it wasn't his mother's toi et moi

In the series, JFK Jr. proposes to Bessette with his late motherJackie Kennedy'sring. But in real life,Bessette's engagement ringwas insteadinspiredby Jackie's "swimming ring."

According to McNeil and Terenzio's book, JFK Jr. gave Bessette two rings, including his mother's "swimming ring," which Jackie wore when she didn't wear her real wedding sparkler.

JFK Jr. had asked the late diamond magnateMaurice Tempelsmanto create a version of the emerald-and-sapphire "swimming ring." Bessette's ring was in the same style, but with diamonds and sapphires around a band, per the book.

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Bessette resisted the proposal for about three weeks

As seen in the show, Bessette did resist JFK Jr.'s proposal in real life. According to Elizabeth Beller's 2024 bookOnce Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Bessette responded to his question by saying, "I'll think about it."

In June 2017, a close friend of JFK Jr.'s told PEOPLE that Bessette held the proposal off for "about three weeks," which made him "all the more intent on marrying her." But, she did eventually say yes.

The couple kept their engagement secret and JFK Jr. denied it when it began spreading in the media

After JFK Jr. and Bessette got engaged, the couple kept it a secret, as their relationship wasn't officially on the media's radar yet, per McNeil and Terenzio's book. Terenzio wrote that the Calvin Klein associate was trying to avoid being "under a microscope" once the news got out.

However, theNew York Postpublished an enlarged photo of Bessette's hand with the engagement ring ahead of Labor Day weekend. As the speculation began spreading in the press, JFK Jr. initially thought it was best to ignore it.

However, with theGeorgemagazine press conference happening the following weekend, he and his business partner were concerned that the conversations around the potential engagement would overshadow their launch of the publication. So, they decided to issue a denial statement which Terenzio read at the press conference.

"Once again, John Kennedy seems to be bearing the brunt of a slow news day," she said, per her and McNeil's book. "The stories circulating regarding an engagement are untrue. He is not engaged."

JFK Jr.'s friendSasha Chermayeffwrote in McNeil and Terenzio's book that the public denial was the first sign for Bessette that "this is what life with him is going to be about."

"It's going to be about whatever looks good for him and his world, and I just have whatever role I'm given," Chermayeff added.

Although Bessette was hurt by JFK Jr.'s public denial of the engagement, the couple moved forward and got married in September 1996 in a private ceremony in Georgia.

For more on the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, pick up PEOPLE's special edition, available now on newsstands andhere.

Read the original article onPeople

byJastin Mags

in

February 28, 2026

Did Carolyn Bessette Really Resist JFK Jr.'s Proposal? The True Story Behind Their Engagement

Episode 5 of Love Story: JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette includes the political heir's proposal to the Calvin Klein ass...

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Vatican removes salty white film coating Michelangelo's 'The Last Judgment'

VATICAN CITY (AP) —Michelangelo's "The Last Judgement"is getting a facial, with restorers removing a chalky white film of salt that has accumulated over the Renaissance masterpiece since its last major renovation three decades ago.

Vatican The Last Judgement

The Vatican on Saturday gave the media a sneak peak to the cleaning operation, which is taking place on a floor-to-ceiling scaffolding that has obscured the imposing fresco of heaven and hell that dominates the front of the chapel.

The cleaning operation is expected to be completed by Easter, in the first week of April. The public can continue to visit in the meantime, but will have to settle for a reproduction of "The Last Judgment" superimposed on a screen that covers the scaffolding.

Vatican Museum officials on Saturday described a simple but important cleaning operation to remove the white film of salt that has accumulated on the fresco thanks to the nearly 25,000 people who pass through the Vatican Museums each day.

"This salt is created because, above all, when we sweat, we emit lactic acid, and unfortunately lactic acid reacts with the calcium carbonate present on the wall," said Fabio Moresi, in charge of the scientific research team at the Vatican Museums that is overseeing the cleaning.

Climate change also has a role to play, since the visitors who do come tend to sweat more, creating even more humidity that reacts with the fresco, he said.

Vatican Museums chief Barbara Jatta described the film as a "cataract" that is easy enough to remove: Restorers dip sheets of Japanese rice paper into distilled water and apply them to the fresco, and carefully wipe away the salt film.

Viewed up close on Saturday on the scaffolding, the difference between before and after is remarkable: Sections of the fresco that haven't been cleaned look as if they are coated in a chalky dust; the cleaned sections show the vibrant colors and detail of the original. On the figure of Jesus, for example, at the center of the fresco, a privileged visitor can see how Michelangelo painted his hair and the wounds of his crucifixion.

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The Sistine Chapelis named after Pope Sixtus IV, an art patron who oversaw the construction of the main papal chapel in the 15th century.

But it was a later pontiff, Pope Julius II, who commissioned Michelangelo to paint the famous ceiling, the "Creation of Adam" showing God's outstretched hand, between 1508 and 1512. A later pontiff, Pope Clement VII, commissioned Michelangelo in 1533 to return to paint "The Last Judgment."

The other frescos of the Sistine Chapel, where Pope Leo XIV was elected in May, undergo yearly cleaning with restorers working at night on cherry-pickers that can be removed each morning before the public arrives.

But such machines can't access all of "The Last Judgement," since the fresco is located behind the altar, which is itself raised up marble steps. That logistical impediment required the mounting of a fixed scaffolding to access the full fresco to clean it.

The Sistine Chapel underwent a complete restoration between 1979 and 1999, when centuries of smoke, grime and wax buildup was removed. The Vatican has left small patches of the pre-restored fresco intact to show the difference, which are now visible on the upper floors of the scaffolding and show a nearly blackened wall.

Rather than radically reduce the number of visitors who can access the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican is studying ways to address humidity levels, through filtration systems and other technologies, so that the salty film doesn't form again.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP'scollaborationwith The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

byJastin Mags

in

February 28, 2026

Vatican removes salty white film coating Michelangelo's 'The Last Judgment'

VATICAN CITY (AP) —Michelangelo's "The Last Judgement"is getting a facial, with restorers removing a chalk...

Read More