rznews77.site

Christopher Nolan’s epic “The Odyssey” quickly became one of the year’s biggest cinematic events, with Matt Damon leading the cast as the legendary Greek king Odysseus.

While the film impressed audiences with its sweeping scale and ensemble cast, the actor’s striking physical transformation also captured plenty of attention, with photos and footage showcasing the muscular physique he developed for the demanding role.

Still, Damon made it clear that he did not deserve all the praise for the imposing appearance audiences saw on screen. While reflecting on the production during an appearance on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, the actor singled out one of the film’s unsung heroes — his female stunt double, Devyn Dalton.

Dalton, a seasoned stunt performer known for her work on shows such as “The Last of Us” and “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” stood in for Damon during scenes that relied on forced perspective to create the towering Laestrygonians.

Explaining how those sequences came together, the Hollywood star recalled that the production cast stunt performers who were more than seven feet tall to portray the giants, while others under five feet tall were used to help create the visual illusion. Damon said:

“My double was a woman, a female stunt performer, who had the greatest arms I’ve ever seen. And then she came into the catering tent, it was the first time I met her. I went up and hugged her and […] and I thanked her for all the work she put in.”

The Oscar winner also revealed that some of the scenes audiences might assume feature him actually show Dalton instead. “There are those shots where you see these giants looming over me [and that’s her],” he explained.

The actor added, “So, it was almost 100% my arms in the movie, but you got to give it up where it’s due.” His comments quickly made their way across social media, where many praised Dalton’s impressive physique.

Several people focused on the practical filmmaking behind the scenes, with one person commenting, “The crazyiest [sic] thing to me is that she is over a foot shorter than him!”

Another shared, “It’s hard to get a stunt double in [sic] that height. 😌,” while someone else joked, “Maybe she should play Achilles in the new Odyssey movie.”

Others were simply amazed by Dalton’s muscular arms after seeing photos and videos of the stunt performer. “She really does have the greatest arms 🔥🔥,” one netizen typed, while another said, “Fierce 🔥 I would be terrified if I saw her coming after me in a ring.”

As much attention as Dalton’s remarkable physique has received, Damon still underwent an intense physical transformation of his own to convincingly portray the battle-hardened king.

The Hollywood star revealed that he slimmed down to 167 pounds for the role, returning to the weight he carried in high school. Rather than pursuing an extreme approach, however, he emphasized that the transformation was carefully managed. Damon explained:

“I didn’t change it in an unhealthy way. I think if I had done the opposite and put weight on, that would have been dangerous and it’s not something I’ll do anymore. I was happy to do it earlier in my life.”

Achieving the lean physique required more than simply shedding weight. The actor said he eliminated gluten from his diet, among other dietary changes, and adopted a disciplined lifestyle centered on physical fitness.

“It was more about just getting really, really physically fit, which just really involves changing your diet, just a whole lifestyle change,” he said. “You have to just be very, very intentional about everything you’re putting in your body.”

The preparation reflected the demanding nature of the production itself. Filmed across Iceland, Scotland, Greece, Italy, and Morocco, “The Odyssey” pushed its cast and crew to their limits as they brought the mythical world of gods, monsters, and epic voyages to life on an IMAX scale.

For Damon, the challenges extended far beyond his own performance. Watching everyone around him give everything they had became a source of motivation throughout the production.

“This movie was by far the hardest movie to the most challenging movie I’ve ever been a part of,” he shared, adding that those involved were “completely maxing out and straining against what they thought was possible.”

The demanding conditions created a sense of camaraderie that stayed with the actor long after filming wrapped. According to Damon, the experience often felt less like making a movie and more like embarking on an expedition, with everyone enduring the same harsh environments together. He recalled:

“It really felt more like an expedition than a movie. And if you were cold and wet, you just turned and you looked and Chris was just as cold and just as wet and going through it.”

Between Damon’s dramatic transformation and his willingness to spotlight Dalton’s contributions, “The Odyssey” has already given audiences plenty to talk about.

Readers can check out the photos and videos below to get a closer look at Dalton’s remarkable arms, along with Matt Damon’s own impressive physical transformation for the role.

Devyn Dalton

Matt Damon

The Oscar-winning actor has opened up about Jennifer Lopez’s overlooked performances and his hopes of working with Jennifer Garner, whose real-life history with him nearly complicated his latest film.

And while Affleck has nothing but praise for both women, his revelations show just how difficult it can be to keep Hollywood business separate from personal relationships.

Ben Affleck Defends Jennifer Lopez After Hollywood Awards Snubs

Affleck did not hold back when discussing Lopez’s acting career during an October 7 interview with Variety. The actor, who produced “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” starring Lopez, was asked why his former wife continues to miss out on major awards recognition.

Variety pointed to her performance in the film and her failure to secure an Oscar nomination for 2019’s “Hustlers,” despite the praise surrounding her work.

Affleck immediately acknowledged his personal connection to Lopez but made his admiration unmistakable. “I’m biased. I have an enormous amount of respect and admiration for what she can do.”

Why Affleck Believes Hollywood’s Biggest Awards Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Affleck went further, questioning whether awards truly reflect the quality of an actor’s performance.

He explained that commercial success does not always align with his personal taste and argued that awards are ultimately subjective, shaped by individual voters and their opinions.

The filmmaker admitted he does not always believe the right person takes home the right prize, suggesting that even Hollywood’s most prestigious honors are hardly definitive measures of talent.

His passionate defense of Lopez comes after the former couple endured a highly publicized breakup.

Affleck and Lopez married in 2022, but their relationship unraveled, with Lopez filing for divorce in August 2024, just two months after filming wrapped on “Kiss of the Spider Woman.”

Despite their troubled marriage, their professional relationship survived. Lopez starred in the musical film, while Affleck’s production company, Artists Equity, helped bring it to the screen.

Lopez later admitted she “barely” made it through filming but publicly credited Affleck and Artists Equity for helping make the project possible.

Affleck Breaks His Silence on the End of His Marriage to Lopez

The actor had previously defended his relationship with Lopez during a candid March 2025 interview with GQ. At the time, Affleck addressed the attention surrounding “The Greatest Love Story Never Told,” Lopez’s documentary chronicling the making of her album and film project “This Is Me… Now.”

He acknowledged that he and Lopez approached fame differently, describing himself as more private and reserved while praising his former wife’s ability to navigate celebrity. But Affleck pushed back against suggestions that their contrasting attitudes toward public life were responsible for their failed marriage.

He explained that he wanted his participation in the documentary to be honest and interesting and emphasized that he loved and supported Lopez at the time.

Concerned that his remarks might be interpreted as criticism, Affleck returned to the subject later in the interview, insisting he had “nothing but respect” for his ex-wife.

Yet Lopez is not the only former wife he spoke about during the Variety interview. Affleck also revealed how a promising Hollywood reunion with his first ex-wife nearly became reality before an unexpected casting shake-up changed everything.

Jennifer Garner Was Almost Cast in Affleck’s New Thriller

Affleck’s upcoming Netflix thriller “Animals” underwent a dramatic transformation before reaching its current form. Written by Connor O. McIntyre, Billy Ray, and Affleck, the film follows Los Angeles mayoral candidate Mark Kimball, whose son is kidnapped during a bitter political campaign.

As the desperate father faces a terrifying family crisis, secrets and betrayals threaten his already crumbling marriage and political ambitions. Affleck now directs and stars opposite Kerry Washington, marking the fifth time the Oscar-winning filmmaker has directed himself.

But the original cast looked very different. When the project was announced in January 2024, Affleck’s longtime friend and business partner Matt Damon was supposed to play Mark. And Affleck had a familiar face in mind to portray the character’s therapist wife: his ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

During a September interview with Entertainment Weekly, Affleck recalled believing Garner would be perfect for the role. The arrangement also offered a personal advantage.

Because Affleck and Garner share children, working on the same production could have helped them coordinate schedules and spend more time with their family. Professionally, he believed the role would allow Garner to reveal a side of her acting abilities audiences rarely saw.

Garner had recently returned as Elektra in 2024’s “Deadpool & Wolverine,” reprising the character she originally played alongside Affleck in 2003’s “Daredevil.” Her last leading film role had been in 2023’s “Family Switch.”

Affleck was convinced she could bring something fresh to “Animals.” But just two weeks before cameras were set to roll, the production came to an abrupt halt.

A Rival Kidnapping Thriller Threatened to Derail the Entire Movie

Affleck discovered that Spike Lee and Denzel Washington were developing another film centered on a kidnapping. That project was “Highest 2 Lowest,” the 2025 Apple and A24 thriller starring Washington as a music mogul whose son is abducted by a character played by A$AP Rocky.

The similarities immediately concerned Affleck. Although “Animals” was based on an original screenplay, he feared audiences might view it as a competing version of Lee’s movie.

The situation reminded him of 1998, when he starred in the asteroid disaster film “Armageddon” during the same year that another asteroid thriller, “Deep Impact,” hit theaters. Affleck initially considered postponing “Animals” to avoid another uncomfortable cinematic overlap.

Then came an even more unsettling discovery. Lee’s film was actually a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic “High and Low,” which Affleck admitted he had never seen. Learning about that connection “freaked” him out.

After discussing the situation with Damon and their producing partners, including Damon’s wife, Luciana Barroso, Affleck made the difficult decision to abandon the version they were preparing to shoot.

“We were two weeks from shooting, and I was like, ‘We’re not doing it,'” he told Entertainment Weekly. Affleck reasoned that making a successful movie was challenging enough without inviting further complications.

But when “Animals” finally returned to production, another obstacle awaited. Damon was no longer available.

Matt Damon’s Exit Created an Awkward Problem for Affleck and Garner

By the time “Animals” was ready to move forward, Damon had committed to “The Odyssey.” Affleck jokingly mocked his longtime friend’s decision, calling it a “lesser film” with a smaller director and role before teasing that Damon would regret the choice.

With his original leading man unavailable, Affleck needed a replacement. His solution was to take the role himself. But that seemingly straightforward decision created a deeply personal casting dilemma.

If Garner stayed, Affleck would find himself playing a husband opposite his real-life ex-wife, with their characters trapped in a deteriorating marriage. The potential for audiences to draw uncomfortable parallels with their actual relationship was impossible to overlook.

Affleck explained that he and Garner discussed the situation, and she ultimately decided against the pairing because viewers might struggle to separate the fictional couple from their real-life history.

During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, Affleck revealed that Garner had initially been willing to join the movie before his decision to replace Damon changed the equation.

He described Garner and Damon as performers he knows, likes, and respects, explaining that his familiarity with them allows him to recognize opportunities to show audiences something unexpected. But once he became the leading man, Garner reconsidered.

“She was like, ‘Yeah. Great, but no, I’m not going to play your wife in a movie.’ Probably for the best. That lesson’s been learned,” he shared. Affleck praised her judgment, adding that Garner was “very wise in many ways.”

With Garner no longer attached, Affleck turned to Kerry Washington, an actress he had wanted to work with for years. Still, Garner’s departure did not mean he had abandoned the possibility of sharing the screen with her again.

Affleck Makes a Surprising Admission About Working With Garner Again

During his Variety interview, Affleck was asked directly about the casting decision that prevented his reunion with Garner. He agreed that their history could have overshadowed the story. “In a movie, the illusion has to be the thing,” he explained.

Then he made it clear that his hopes of collaborating with Garner were far from over. “And I still want to find something to do with her.” It was a sentiment he had expressed just a month earlier. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Affleck was equally enthusiastic about his former wife’s talent.

“She’s fabulous.” He described Garner as a good friend, expressed profound gratitude toward her, and emphasized their positive relationship. His desire to work with her had never disappeared. The problem was simply the prospect of portraying a troubled married couple when their own relationship was so familiar to audiences.

His remarks also echoed what he told GQ in 2025, when he praised Garner as a “really good co-parent and partner” and said they worked well together. Affleck has repeatedly made clear that he remains open to another collaboration, provided their personal history does not distract from the film itself.

Two Ex-Wives, Two Very Different Hollywood Relationships

Affleck’s latest revelations offer a striking look at how his relationships with Lopez and Garner have continued to shape his professional life long after their marriages ended.

With Lopez, he has already demonstrated that divorce does not necessarily mean the end of a creative partnership. His company helped produce “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” and Jennifer Lopez publicly acknowledged his role in bringing the project to life.

His praise also reinforces his earlier insistence that his comments about their personal differences should not be mistaken for bitterness or criticism. With Garner, however, the professional reunion remains unfinished business.

Affleck originally envisioned her starring opposite Damon in “Animals,” believing the role could showcase her range while allowing them to better coordinate their family responsibilities.

Yet despite the unexpected casting

On June 12, 2026, Sir David Beckham was honored with the 2,849th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6819 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. Victoria Beckham introduced him before the unveiling, and three of their four children were standing nearby, including Harper Beckham, who drew intense scrutiny online for her too-grown-up clothes.

But an even more significant moment happened during a secret whispered exchange between father and daughter that has now been decoded.

Harper’s Pink Dress Had a Very Victoria Beckham Explanation

Harper, 14, arrived in a sleek satin midi dress in baby pink, widely believed to be a version of her mother’s label’s Cami maxi slip dress, a silhouette Victoria has made a staple of her own wardrobe for years.

The dress featured delicate spaghetti straps and a clean, polished drape that Harper softened with a matching bubblegum-pink cardigan worn loosely over her shoulders. But she broke from the all-pink palette with a pair of strappy kitten heels in turquoise, covered in rhinestones.

Victoria chose a piece from her own Resort 2027 collection: a liquid jersey dress in lilac, long-sleeved, with a fitted silhouette and a high neckline. The cut drew from 1930s style but got a sharp contemporary edge through a thigh-high slit and an angular hemline, finished with aubergine pumps.

Together, they made a composed, coordinated impression. But it was Harper’s look that lit up the comments sections, and not always in the way a 14-year-old might hope.

The Comments About Harper’s Outfit That Got Brutally Honest

On Instagram, people didn’t hold back. “She’s only bloody 14! They dress her like a fully grown adult,” one person wrote.

“Victoria always has her in her silk nightdress,” said another, while a third added, “She’s still a baby really! It’s all a bit too much, too soon.” A fourth echoed the sentiment, “Lovely young girl .. But always in the silk nightdress.”

One commenter kept it lighter, writing, “She’s already doing the leg like mum 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅.” Meanwhile, Victoria’s own footwear drew a separate wave of commentary.

On Facebook, one person wrote, “Look at her toes 😱,” while another asked, “Why are her toes all mashed up in those sandals?” A third weighed in with a warning, “She’s going to have foot issues wearing shoes like that.”

Not everyone was focused on the criticism. “Harper is beautiful! Better looking than her brothers,” one commenter said.

What David Whispered to Harper Right Before the Photos

Before the family settled into formation for photographs, David moved down the line, pulling each of his kids into a hug and a kiss. When Harper stepped toward him, he took her face in both hands, and she reached up to grip his forearm as he kissed her forehead.

He told her something before she moved away. The moment was brief, warm, and entirely caught on camera.

According to The Mirror, lip-reading expert Nicola Hickling broke down the exchange and concluded that David told his daughter, “Don’t be embarrassed to kiss your dad.“

This is a reaction the expert described as consistent with “a typical teenage response to the attention and direction during the family photo opportunity.”

Victoria stepped in immediately after, telling Harper, “Make sure you stand correctly and adjust your dress,” before the two posed side by side.

The Celebration Brooklyn Skipped, and Harper’s Unanswered Visit

Only three of David and Victoria’s four children attended the ceremony: Cruz, 21, Romeo, 23, and Harper. Their eldest, Brooklyn Beckham, 27, was absent, as was his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham.

The couple lives near the Hollywood landmark but did not show up for the event. Brooklyn’s estrangement from his family has been unfolding publicly for months, culminating in an 800-word statement released in January 2026.

David’s Walk of Fame star now joins the list of family milestones Brooklyn has missed, including his father’s 50th birthday celebrations the previous year.

In the hours before the ceremony, Harper was seen walking up to Brooklyn’s home. She was there for roughly 30 seconds, according to Hello! Magazine, before leaving without making contact. The couple, it turned out, were out of town in Miami.

The Real Reason David’s Mother Wasn’t Standing Next to Him

David’s mother, Sandra Georgina West, and his younger sister, Joanne Beckham, were also absent, and their reason was one of the most quietly heartbreaking parts of the entire day.

Rather than flying to Los Angeles, the two were back in England at the funeral of Jake Hall, a former cast member on the British reality series “The Only Way Is Essex,” who died last month at the age of 35. Jake had gone on to work in fashion after leaving the show, including a period in which he dressed David himself.

Sandra and Joanne were photographed in black alongside Jake’s ex-girlfriend, Chloe Lewis, and former “TOWIE” costars Lydia Bright, James Argent, and Tommy Mallet. The timing made their absence from Hollywood unavoidable.

David still named them in his speech. “My parents and my sisters, who always supported my dreams,” he said, before going on to thank Victoria, his “amazing wife for almost 30 years,” and their children, whom he called “the reason that I get out of the bed in the morning.”

The Debate Over Whether He Belongs There

Tom Cruise introduced David before the star’s unveiling, with James Corden and Eva Longoria also in attendance for the ceremony, which was held in the Sports Entertainment category.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s Walk of Fame producer, Ana Martinez, pointed to the timing as deliberate, noting that the honor comes as the United States prepares to host the FIFA World Cup, and that David’s role in raising soccer’s profile in America made the recognition particularly fitting.

The decision sparked immediate backlash online. Following Variety’s coverage of the ceremony on X, critics quickly questioned the honor. One user wondered why a British soccer player qualified for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Another commenter went even further, pointing out that recipients or their supporters must fund the star themselves. They suggested that the athlete’s family likely footed the bill, noting his thin entertainment resume consists mostly of sports programs, a few minor TV cameos, and a self-produced documentary. In their view, the choice severely damages the prestige of the entire landmark.

A Career Worth Remembering Even in America

David’s actual résumé is not a short one. His career spanned 20 years across Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain, and six years as England captain, making him the first English footballer to win league titles in four different countries.

Since retiring from the sport in 2013, he co-founded the MLS club Inter Miami CF, which signed Lionel Messi in 2023 and won the MLS Cup in 2025.

His content studio, Studio 99, produced the Emmy-winning Netflix documentary series “Beckham,” among other projects.

He was knighted by King Charles III in September 2025 for his services to sports and charity. The Walk of Fame has existed since 1960 and draws millions of visitors every year.

Whether he deserves it or not, it’s a fact, and the soccer legend embraced it wholeheartedly and even tearfully.

David’s speech ended with his voice breaking. “Kids, I’m going to get emotional now,” he said. “I hope you bring my grandchildren here one day and tell them about a boy who dreamed big. To make you all proud is my greatest achievement. I’m so grateful for you all, thank you, and thank you so much for this honour, L.A., it means so much.”

The photos from the day tell their own story, from Harper’s rhinestone heels to Victoria’s angular hemline to the quiet moment a father held his teenage daughter’s face in his hands and asked her, gently, not to be embarrassed to love him back.

Hoda Kotb and former fiancé Joel Schiffman accompanied daughters Haley Joy Kotb, 9, and Hope Catherine Kotb, 7, back to school on September 8, 2026. The proud parents captured the milestone outside a place that carries enormous meaning for Hoda, but first, it was the girls’ appearance and one wonderfully dramatic pair of pants that demanded attention.

Their First-Day Outfits Made This Family Walk Extra Adorable

Hoda shared a trio of photos from the big morning, including two images of the family walking away from the camera. A third captured all four facing forward and smiling together before Haley began fourth grade and Hope headed into second.

Hoda could barely contain her disbelief over those new grade levels. “It’s here! First day of school💥. 4th and 2nd grade! Whaaaatttt?” she wrote. The girls looked so much older, but each brought a completely different personality to her school-day outfit.

Haley was sporty and confident in a short-sleeved midi T-shirt dress covered in hot-pink and dark-navy horizontal stripes. White athletic sneakers, matching crew socks, dark wire-rim glasses, and a light-colored backpack completed her comfortable first-day ensemble.

Meanwhile, Hope appeared ready to float into class in a tiered pale-pink floral maxi dress, then gave it a casual twist with a medium-wash denim jacket. Her white low-top sneakers and pink backpack made the outfit practical enough for school without losing any of its sweetness.

The parents joined in with two polished looks of their own. Joel wore a tailored charcoal-gray suit with a light-blue button-down shirt, leaving the collar open for a slightly more relaxed morning feel.

Hoda went in a much more playful direction with a cropped Broncos knit sweater featuring navy graphics and panels of pale blue and cream. She teamed it with tan loafers, a cream canvas tote, and ultra-wide pale denim trousers with an exposed button fly.

Those enormous jeans nearly swallowed her shoes, and naturally, the wonderfully exaggerated silhouette earned its own admirer. One person joked, “Those pants are the tallest pants I have ever seen.”

Yet Hoda’s trousers faced some stiff competition from the real scene-stealers. People viewing the first set of photos on Facebook could hardly process how quickly Haley and Hope had shot up.

“I can’t believe how tall and grown up your girls are! Beautiful family,” one person wrote. Another exclaimed, “The girls are so tall!”

And despite being adopted, one admirer declared, “Her daughters look just like her God you are amazing!!! 😻 [sic]” Someone else added, “The girls are getting so big. 🥰🥰🌷🌷”

The affection continued beneath a second post, where people observed, “Getting so tall [sic],” and “Look how grown they are.”

The excitement was understandable. The girls who once appeared beside Hoda as tiny preschoolers now looked poised and remarkably tall, confidently carrying their backpacks while their parents followed them toward another big year.

That Pretty Backdrop Was the Home Hoda Chose for Her Girls

The first-day photographs were taken outside Hoda’s house in the suburbs, where she has shared occasional glimpses of family life since moving in. The charming setting behind that school walk was no incidental background either, because the property was selected around the childhood she desperately wanted Haley and Hope to experience.

Hoda left her Manhattan apartment for Bronxville, New York, in 2024. According to Realtor.com, a trust linked to the television host paid the full asking price of $2.895 million for the four-bedroom, five-bathroom Colonial.

Built in 1952 and refreshed by local builders before the family arrived, the sunny residence covers approximately 4,000 square feet. Although Bronxville is only about a 30-minute drive from Midtown Manhattan, its leafy residential streets offered Hoda and the girls an entirely different daily rhythm.

Inside, the main floor flows between a chef’s kitchen, formal dining room, living area, and a family room flooded with natural light. A vaulted ceiling, skylight, and custom built-ins make that family space especially inviting.

The first level also contains a large en suite bedroom and another room previously used as a home office. Downstairs, a finished basement provides more living space and its own bathroom.

Hoda’s primary suite is especially generous at 764 square feet, with custom cabinetry and closets. The adjoining bathroom brings a little luxury into the family home through marble floor tiles with radiant heating, dual sinks, and a towel warmer.

The outdoor space may be the loveliest part for a mother determined to give her children more room. Set on one-third of an acre, the grounds feature a broad bluestone patio for outdoor meals, colorful flowers, and plenty of space for Haley and Hope to play.

Hoda had reportedly already begun entertaining there by the time details of the purchase emerged. Even better for those busy school mornings, the house sits within walking distance of the girls’ school, as well as local restaurants, shops, and the train.

She Dreamed of Bare Feet, Bicycle Rides, and Room to Grow

Leaving the city apartment where Hoda first brought both daughters home was emotional. She adopted Haley in 2017, and Hope in 2019, so the Manhattan property held the earliest memories of the family she once feared she might never have.

Still, Hoda had been picturing something bigger than additional square footage. Speaking to People in August 2024, shortly after celebrating her 60th birthday, she described the wonderfully free childhood she hoped the suburbs would give her daughters.

“I want my kids to feel grass on their feet, and play in the yard, and ride bikes down the street, and run up and down the stairs,” she said. “I just see that life for them in this perfect house in this beautiful little town where I know they’ll be able to blossom into beautiful, independent, strong women.”

The move was not quite complete when Hoda returned from covering the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Painting had finished, and furniture was slowly arriving, although she laughingly admitted that deciding where everything belonged was not yet a priority.

“They’re like, ‘You have two couches, where do you want them?’ And I’m like, ‘I don’t know, put them wherever, I’ll get to it later!'” she recalled.

For Hoda, the transition represented what she called a “repotting phase.” Her old life had become familiar and comforting, but she believed her family needed fresh space to become stronger.

“It’s like my roots need a bigger pot,” she explained. “You know when you take a plant out of a pot, and it’s roots are all twisted and tight? And then you put it in a bigger pot with fresh new soil and it just grows bigger and stronger? That’s the journey I’m on right now.”

She acknowledged that leaving the apartment would hurt, but trusted the change. “But in the end, it’s going to be exactly what we need.”

Later that year, Hoda announced that she would step away from “Today” after 26 years with NBC, allowing her to spend more time with Haley and Hope. The house and career decision were deeply connected, each clearing room for the part of her life she treasures most.

Joel Has Remained Beside Them for the Milestones That Matter

Hoda and Joel ended their two-year engagement in January 2022, but they remained united in raising the girls. Seeing them together for the first day of school showed how naturally that commitment continues to fit into Haley and Hope’s lives.

Hoda previously told People that she and Joel had found a healthy rhythm, dividing weekends and adjusting their plans through open conversations. “He’s a great dad,” she said.

She also made clear that she held no bitterness about the relationship ending. “I don’t regret one day, not one minute, not one second of our time together because it brought me here,” Hoda added.

The television personality also credited Joel with giving her the courage to build the family she wanted.

And the girls have long understood that their family began through adoption. During a 2021 appearance on the “Me Becoming Mom” podcast, Hoda revealed the tender words she used to explain it:

“You didn’t come from Mommy’s tummy, you came from my heart.”

She even made the subject fun for them. Hoda told People, “I tell them how cool it is. I tell them that their cousin Ella was adopted and, you know, ‘All the cool kids were adopted’ — they get such a kick out of that.”

Years later, those once-little girls are in fourth and second grade, walking taller beside both parents and beginning another school year from the home Hoda imagined for them.

When Ines de Ramon joined Brad Pitt at the Venice Film Festival in Italy in September 2024, she looked perfectly at ease beside one of Hollywood’s most famous men.

But she had already exchanged wedding vows with another much-loved heartthrob, and a particular fact about her boyfriend and her father holds a surprise that is almost too irresistible to leave alone.

She Was Building Her Future Long Before the Premiere Invitations

Before Hollywood became interested in whom Ines was dating, she was busy getting an education. She graduated from the University of Geneva in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, laying the groundwork for a career of her own.

And honestly, that part deserves its moment. A famous boyfriend tends to become the headline, but Ines had already spent years building a life that had absolutely nothing to do with standing beside him.

Her qualifications also include a nutrition health coach certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, as detailed in People’s profile. Business and wellness make an interesting combination, especially for someone whose professional life would become closely tied to luxury jewelry.

The Geneva degree also places an important part of her story in Switzerland, well before the Los Angeles premieres. Her introduction to public attention came later, after she had already established some rather impressive credentials.

For anyone meeting her through photographs of Brad, there is a whole working life to catch up on. And yes, that working life comes with some exceptionally good sparkle.

Her Jewelry Résumé Has Plenty of Shine All Its Own

Ines’s professional experience includes a position in the jewelry department at Christie’s and work for the Swiss luxury jeweler De Grisogono, according to her LinkedIn history. She was learning the business of beautiful things long before the cameras followed her dates.

She later worked as a vice president at Anita Ko Jewelry, a Los Angeles-based brand with some very recognizable admirers. Hailey Bieber, Kourtney Kardashian and Mandy Moore are among the stars who have worn its pieces.

So, while her relationship brought a new level of attention, celebrity circles were hardly a completely foreign world. She already had a professional reason to be around the kind of jewels that end up on famous wrists and red carpets.

In February 2022, she also appeared in a campaign for Anita Ko Jewelry and shared the now-deleted photographs on Instagram. For that assignment, the woman working in the jewelry business became part of its imagery herself.

That campaign arrived months before her first public sighting with Brad. By then, she had already moved from a Swiss business degree into a luxury career with a distinctly Hollywood clientele. As introductions go, hers was considerably more substantial than “the actor’s new girlfriend.”

A Mutual Friend Made an Exceptionally Good Introduction

Ines and Brad met through a mutual friend, which is a wonderfully ordinary beginning for a relationship that would eventually become big celebrity gossip. The two apparently liked each other enough to keep seeing each other.

When they were spotted at a Bono concert in November 2022, a source close to Ines said they had already been dating for a few months. The insider also said Brad was “really into” her.

By December 2022, Ines was accompanying him to the Los Angeles premiere of “Babylon.” At the afterparty, they were reportedly seen mingling with their arms around each other, giving the glamorous evening a sweetly affectionate touch.

A few days later, they celebrated Brad’s 59th birthday at Pace, an Italian restaurant in Hollywood, California. Being invited to a premiere is lovely, but being the person someone wants beside them on their birthday feels much more intimate.

Their early outings gradually brought the relationship into view. There was no need for a sweeping declaration when their time together was already beginning to tell its own story. Soon, the invitations extended beyond concerts and dinners. They were making room for each other at home.

The Birthday Dates Eventually Became Everyday Life

In February 2024, a source said Ines had moved into Brad’s home, although she still kept her own residence. The arrangement was described as recent. “They are going very strong and she is happier than ever,” the insider said.

After the excitement of those early dates, their relationship was moving toward the everyday closeness of sharing a place. By July 2024, a few weeks after they were seen at the British Grand Prix, another source described how things were going since the move.

“It’s more of a serious relationship than just dating,” the insider said. “Brad loves so many things about her. She’s great for him.”

An October 2025 update described them as fully living together, with Brad adding her into many aspects of his life. “Brad is really including Ines in all his travel plans, and when they are home, they just relax together,” the source said. “They are really making their home into a home.”

For Ines, however, building a life with an actor was familiar territory. Before Brad, she had married a man whose television character inspired a considerable amount of swooning.

Her First Husband Was a Television Crush for an Entire Generation

Ines was previously married to Paul Wesley, the actor who played Stefan Salvatore in “The Vampire Diaries.” Yes, her romantic history includes one of television’s most adored vampires.

Some people have an ex whose name requires a lengthy explanation. Ines has an ex who immediately brings back memories of supernatural love triangles and very passionate fan loyalties.

She and Paul were first photographed together in June 2018, holding hands after a dinner date in New York City. By February 2019, their jewelry was attracting attention of its own.

As People reported, the pair were seen walking through Manhattan’s West Village wearing bands on their wedding-ring fingers. Paul was 36 at the time, and the photographs prompted speculation that they had quietly married.

A few months later, his former “The Vampire Diaries” co-star Nina Dobrev appeared to confirm it. During a June 2019 podcast appearance, she referred to Ines as his wife. But Ines eventually shared a much more personal glimpse of their marriage.

On July 23, 2020, she posted a wedding photograph on Instagram to celebrate their anniversary. The image showed her wearing a white wedding dress as she and Paul kissed on a beach.

Paul had been married before, too. He wed his “Killer Movie” co-star Torrey DeVitto in April 2011, and their marriage ended in July 2013. He later dated “The Vampire Diaries” actress Phoebe Tonkin on and off for four years before they split for good in October 2017.

His relationship with Ines followed that chapter. Sadly, in September 2022, a representative announced that the couple had separated after more than three years of marriage. “The decision to separate is mutual and occurred five months ago. They request privacy at this time,” the representative said.

Their divorce was finalized in February 2024. They reached a written agreement concerning their property and marital rights, including support, while Paul waived future spousal or partner support payments and Ines asked to restore her former name.

Her marriage to a television heartthrob certainly makes her romantic history interesting. But her relationship with Brad comes with a fact that might have you pausing to do the math.

Her Father’s Birthday Adds a Rather Unexpected Twist

Ines’s father, Vicente de Ramon, lists Geneva, Switzerland, as his current city and Madrid, Spain, as his hometown on his Facebook profile. The Geneva connection brings another piece of her family life into view alongside her education there.

But his birthday is the part that might briefly stop a conversation. Vicente was born on January 4, 1960, while Brad was born on December 18, 1963. Their birth years are only three years apart, and their actual age difference is just under four years.

Yes, Ines’s boyfriend and her father are remarkably close in age. Brad has occupied the heartthrob category for so long that this little calculation can feel unexpectedly startling. Put his birthday beside Vicente’s, and suddenly that familiar Hollywood image gets a very different family context.

Vicente’s profile also identifies Ines’s sister, Leticia de Ramón, as his daughter. Beyond the movie premieres, Ines has family ties stretching between Spain and Switzerland.

Her life has covered quite a bit of ground before and during her Hollywood relationships. And while the birthday arithmetic is an irresistible talking point, another part of her romance with Brad has been much more tender.

She Was Beside Brad Through a Painful Family Chapter

In 2024, a friend of the couple told the Daily Mail that Ines had been a source of comfort during his strained relationships with his children and ongoing divorce proceedings involving Angelina Jolie.

The friend said those difficulties had brought the couple closer. Around the same period, Brad and Ines were photographed enjoying a morning beach walk in Santa Barbara, California, sharing a quieter outing away from the premiere circuit.

Brad and Angelina share three daughters and three sons. Their children are Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt. Unfortunately, several of the kids have dropped Pitt from their names in the last few years.

On her 18th birthday, Shiloh filed to remove her father’s surname and become Shiloh Jolie. A source close to Brad told People that he was aware of the request and upset by it.

Another source close to Brad told People that he continued to love all his children tremendously. “This whole process has been very hard for the whole family,” that source said. Amid those painful circumstances, Brad’s friend described a hopeful outlook toward his future with Ines.

“Having more kids in his life is not out of the question. Ines is young and Brad said he’s 100% on board if she wants to have kids. He loves the idea of building a life with Ines and nothing is off the table.”

The friend added, “Brad said Ines would be a wonderful mother.” Describing her as patient and easygoing, with a great sense of humor, the insider said Brad was committed to the relationship for the long run.

The affection in that account centered on the woman he enjoyed being with, and the life they might build together.

From Venice Glamour to a Very Enthusiastic Wedding Guest

September 2024 brought a particularly glamorous milestone when Ines accompanied Brad to the Venice Film Festival premiere of “Wolfs.” For their red carpet debut as a couple, she wore a fitted white dress, while he chose an all-black ensemble.

The pairing was gorgeous. Ines looked elegant beside him, and their appearance gave a much more public face to a relationship that had already grown through private dates and shared time at home.

Ahead of the premiere, a source said, “He’s serious about Ines.”

“He’s very happy and enjoys spending time with her. She’s easygoing and everyone likes her.”

A later outing brought a much livelier glimpse of their time together. During a September 2026 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Brad discussed attending Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding with Ines.

He called the celebration “the wedding of the century” and said he lost track of her on the dance floor at one point. Apparently, even having Brad Pitt as your date is no reason to abandon a good dance.

“Let me tell you, that was such an amazing night, I think we were there 10 hours, maybe 12,” he said. “It was so thoughtful, and well-planned, and really moving, and great fun.”

That is a delightfully cheerful glimpse of Ines, happily enjoying the party while her boyfriend had an excellent evening of his own. After all the attention paid to her past, it is lovely to picture her simply having a fabulous time in the present.

She brought a whole life into this relationship, including a career she had built and a marriage she had already lived through. Now, with a shared home and a boyfriend who sounds thoroughly smitten, Ines appears to have plenty to smile about, and apparently plenty of dancing left to do.

Gigi Hadid, 31, and Bradley Cooper, 51, left a private dinner together in Paris on October 3, 2026, giving photographers another glimpse of a romance that has spent nearly three years developing mostly on its own terms.

They looked polished, relaxed and very much together, but two tiny accessories brought a rather large question right back to the table, while commenters found several other things to discuss too.

Paris Put Their Left Hands Back in the Spotlight

Ah, Paris. The city of love, butter, couture and, apparently, two celebrities making everyone stare shamelessly at their fingers.

Bradley stepped out in a dark green look for the evening, while Gigi paired jeans with a gray striped jacket and carried a brown Miu Miu bag. It was stylish without looking painfully styled, which is exactly the sort of trick a supermodel can pull off while the rest of us are still arguing with a jacket zipper.

But forget the clothes for a second. Both Gigi and Bradley were once again photographed wearing bands on their left ring fingers. And these were not entirely new additions.

Back on August 3, Gigi and Bradley had been photographed walking hand in hand through Paris with bands sitting on the very fingers traditionally associated with marriage. They were smiling, carrying matching water bottles, dressed in athletic clothes and sunglasses, and generally looking like the sort of couple who could turn hydration into a paparazzi event.

The August jewelry immediately triggered questions about whether the two had quietly married. Page Six later reported that the rings themselves came from French jewelry house Boucheron. The model’s was identified as the Quatre Radiant Edition Wedding Band, while Bradley wore the Godron Pink Gold Wedding Band.

And darling, these are not rings one accidentally finds beside the chewing gum at checkout. Gigi’s band retails for $6,450 and combines yellow gold grosgrain detailing with a fine row of diamonds. Bradley’s pink-gold design retails for $2,120 and uses a rounded double-band motif.

Boucheron describes Gigi’s style as something “worn as a declaration of love, but also of style.” Meanwhile, the “The Hangover” actor’s ring receives even more matrimonial language from the jeweler.

Apparently, its rounded form evokes “the strength of the love that binds two people together” and describes the design as “an eternal symbol of the union between husband and wife.”

Well. Subtle, Boucheron is not.

Yet neither Gigi nor Bradley has announced that they are married. Their representatives also did not comment on the marriage speculation surrounding the August photographs.

Another explanation had already emerged. On an early August episode of Deux/U, a source described the jewelry as having more of a “promise, commitment vibe” than being evidence of a traditional engagement.

That made the whole mystery considerably more interesting, because two months later the rings were not sitting forgotten in a jewelry box. They were still right there.

The most recent photographs show both stars wearing bands on their left hands again, meaning whatever the jewelry represents to them, it certainly does not appear to have been a one-afternoon experiment. And the rings themselves are unusually personal choices.

Jewelry experts told ELLE that although the couple’s rings use different metals and designs, they share enough visual similarities to feel connected without looking like identical his-and-hers bands.

Ali Galgano, founder of Serpentine Jewels, praised Gigi’s choice for departing from a conventional bridal style. “What stands out immediately is that Gigi didn’t choose a traditional plain diamond eternity band or classic gold wedding ring [for her new ring],” she said.

Gigi’s Quatre design combines yellow and white gold and includes 33 round diamonds totaling 0.25 carats. Rather than putting one enormous stone front and center, the diamonds are integrated into the architecture of the band.

Ali explained that the design “reads more like a piece of fine jewelry than a conventional bridal band,” adding that its understated but fashion-driven feel suited Gigi particularly well. That sounds right. A plain little band was probably never going to stroll onto the hand of this model and call it a day.

Bradley’s ring is different, but that may be part of the charm. Steph Mazuera, founder of her namesake jewelry brand, said both rings have “a strong design point of view, but they’re still wearable enough to function as everyday rings.”

She also saw a connection in their contrasting textures and materials. “It feels much more personal than simply choosing identical bands,” Steph explained.

Several of the other jewelers interviewed by ELLE made essentially the same point: these rings look related without being twins. There is something rather lovely about that, whatever relationship milestone they may or may not represent.

Commenters Had Theories About the Rings, Then Looked Everywhere Else

If celebrities wear bands on their left ring fingers twice in Paris, people are going to investigate with all the restraint of a detective who has just discovered a fresh corkboard and six rolls of red string.

On Instagram, several commenters immediately returned to the marriage question. One suggested a softer possibility, “Maybe it is promise rings.” Another had absolutely no interest in hedging: “No doubt in my mind, they’re married. Good for them!👏”

Others were less focused on romance and began scrutinizing Bradley himself. One commenter wrote, “He needs to stop touching his face looks weird [sic].” Another asked, “Why did he get plastic surgery? He was handsome before…”

Someone else focused on how the couple walked together, writing, “He needs to walk behind her and be more attentive,typical guy [sic].” A second Instagram post produced another mixture of ring theories and comments about Bradley’s appearance.

One person asked, “Is his beard painted on…?” Another wrote, “Someone got some beard and hair implants.” And one especially economical reaction simply read, “His face … omg [sic].”

The jewelry, however, remained irresistible. One commenter wrote, “They look like wedding bands to me?” Another apparently preferred the commitment-ring theory: “aw cute promise rings [sic].”

The comments may have wandered all over Bradley’s face, hair, beard, and walking etiquette, but the biggest unanswered question remains sitting quietly on those left hands.

And unlike a fleeting hairstyle or a single outfit, the bands have now made a repeat appearance two months apart. That is difficult not to notice.

Their Romance Has Quietly Become Much Less Secret

The fascination around the rings also makes more sense when you consider how carefully Gigi and Bradley handled the early part of their relationship. Dating buzz ignited in early October 2023 when onlookers caught the pair sharing a meal at Via Carota in New York City’s West Village.

For a long time, they kept things remarkably low-key. Apart from occasional social media appearances, they largely avoided turning their relationship into a public production.

Then, in May 2025, Gigi finally gave the romance its unmistakable Instagram moment by posting a photograph of herself kissing the actor during her 30th birthday celebration.

By then, she had also spoken with unusual openness about him. In her April 2025 Vogue interview, the model described the relationship as a “very romantic and happy dynamic.”

She also explained why the partnership felt so meaningful to her. “To find someone that is in a place in their life where they know what they want and deserve and you both do work separately to come together and be the best partner that you can be. I just feel really lucky,” she said.

Her admiration for Bradley was not limited to romance either. “I respect him so much as a creative, and I feel that he gives so much to me: encouragement and, just, belief,” she added.

That is a pretty glowing review, and unlike the jewelry speculation, those words came directly from Gigi. Both stars are also parents.

The model shares 5-year-old daughter Khai with former partner Zayn Malik, while the actor shares 9-year-old daughter Lea De Seine with former partner Irina Shayk.

A source told People in January 2025 that their daughters had spent “time together.” “It’s very sweet,” the insider said. Another source added, “They are busy with work, but also prioritize their relationship and daughters.”

Their relationship had another major public moment only a month before the August ring sighting.

On July 3, 2026, the couple attended her close friend Taylor Swift‘s wedding to Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Then came Paris in August. Then came the rings.

And now Paris has delivered the rings again in October. That timeline certainly gives people enough material to wonder. Page Six had previously reported in July that Bradley was “considering marriage and kids with Gigi” and was prepared to propose.

Another insider described the couple as “incredibly happy and are in their own bubble.” But no marriage confirmation followed. Yet. What followed instead was something arguably more intriguing: two Boucheron bands arriving on their left ring fingers and then refusing to disappear.

The Rings May Be Saying Exactly as Much as They Want Them To

There is another possibility here, and it may suit the couple better than any neat traditional label. Their rings could simply mean something intensely personal to them.

The jewelers speaking to ELLE repeatedly pointed out that modern relationship jewelry does not always follow the old engagement-ring, wedding-band rulebook.

Ali explained that couples increasingly use rings to mark commitments and milestones without necessarily making those pieces public declarations of a legal marriage. “Some couples exchange rings as symbols of commitment before they’re legally married,” she said.

Others may choose bands instead of traditional engagement rings or mark meaningful moments with completely different pieces of jewelry. That leaves Gigi and Bradley’s bands in a fascinating little gray area.

They are made by the same French jewelry house. Both designs are officially sold as wedding bands. They are being worn on the conventional wedding-ring finger. And now they have appeared there on more than one occasion.

Still, the only two people who can explain precisely what those bands mean have not done so. Perhaps that is exactly how they like it.

Selma Blair, 54, pleaded not guilty in New York on Monday night, October 12, 2026, following allegations that she assaulted several people during and after a Delta flight to John F. Kennedy International Airport.

As she became tearful in court, her attorneys described circumstances that raise an unsettling question: could she have been in serious trouble before anyone on that plane realized it?

How Did Selma End Up Possibly Facing Years Behind Bars?

The stakes are painfully high for the actress who once played a Harvard law student. According to Page Six, Selma was charged with two counts of second-degree assault and faces between two and seven years in prison if convicted.

The state charges concern alleged assaults on a Port Authority police officer and a hospital nurse. Both allegedly occurred after a confrontation aboard a commercial aircraft, extending the incident well beyond the flight itself.

Selma appeared before Judge Indira Khan with defense attorneys Shawn Barnes and Joshua Reitzas. Indira set bail at $20,000 cash, $60,000 bond, or a $60,000 partially secured bond, and Selma was subsequently released.

During the arraignment, one of her lawyers wiped tears from Selma’s face. The court adjourned her case until January 19, 2027. The judge also granted an order of protection for the nurse Selma allegedly assaulted.

Those legal developments came only days after a very different New York appearance. On October 1, Selma had attended the Anti-Defamation League’s “State of the Arts: An Evening at The Jewish Museum,” where she appeared to be in good spirits.

Fans may also remember her from “Cruel Intentions,” “The Sweetest Thing,” and the “Hellboy” films. Now, the allegations involve a flight crew, emergency responders, and a hospital worker, with investigators examining how the episode unfolded.

To understand why her lawyers are focusing on the period before boarding, the flight itself needs to be retraced first.

What Happened Before the Plane Reached JFK?

The Delta aircraft was heading to JFK on Sunday, October 11, when Selma allegedly became physically aggressive toward members of the cabin crew.

According to TMZ, she allegedly punched one flight attendant and bit another while the aircraft was still in the air. Law enforcement sources said she was placed in restraints aboard the plane.

Dispatch audio obtained by the outlet captured requests for medical personnel to meet the aircraft at the gate. The injuries discussed included a bloody nose and bite marks, while a later update described a laceration suffered by one attendant.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that two flight attendants reported injuries. One was taken to a hospital.

The same dispatch audio included another alarming account: the passenger had apparently struck her head against a bulkhead. Police were waiting when the aircraft landed, and Selma was arrested.

An eyewitness recording obtained by TMZ captured her screaming as she exited the plane, with an alarm audible in the background. The recording documented her distress during that part of the response; the explanation her legal team would later offer had yet to emerge.

Delta addressed the incident through a spokesperson, saying, “Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first.”

For the injured crew members, the response required medical attention as well as law enforcement. Selma, meanwhile, was taken to a hospital for evaluation. But the journey from the airport to that hospital brought further allegations.

Why Did the Ambulance Ride Bring More Charges?

Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Selma allegedly kicked a Port Authority police officer in the head repeatedly while traveling in an ambulance.

Upon reaching the hospital, she reportedly assaulted a nurse. The nurse pressed charges, and those two alleged encounters became the basis for the state assault counts.

The FBI was also investigating the episode aboard the aircraft. In its 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time update on October 12, TMZ reported that federal authorities had issued Selma a summons, also called a violation notice.

Law enforcement sources described the federal allegation as assault within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. That federal action was reported separately from the two state charges addressed during her arraignment.

Earlier, while Selma was receiving treatment, a representative had offered an initial explanation: a medical situation.

“Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct,” the representative told TMZ. “Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition.”

At that point, the representative had not identified the cause of the emergency. The statement did, however, make clear that Selma’s team believed her medical state was central to understanding the incident.

Then, in court, one of her lawyers supplied the specifics behind that claim. His account reached back to her work schedule and a fall, before turning to something essential to her daily care.

What Do Her Lawyers Say Might Have Caused This Incident?

Attorney Barnes told the court that Selma had missed medication prescribed for her multiple sclerosis. He also said she had fallen and hit her head. Those were the first elements of the explanation her defense presented.

He added that she had boarded the flight after working extensive, exhausting hours on set in the days before traveling. In his account, the missed medication, head injury, and demanding work schedule all preceded the confrontation. He then pointed to the conditions during the flight.

“These factors coupled with the altitude, resulted in a state of severe confusion and disorientation,” he said. Attorney Barnes followed that with a direct rejection of the idea that she had deliberately attacked anyone:

“This was not an intentional assault.”

It is a troubling possibility, especially alongside the accounts of injuries to people trying to assist her. Whether the defense can substantiate that explanation will be part of the case ahead.

Her other representative, Attorney Reitzas, also asked the judge to consider Selma’s professional record, describing her as “the gold standard.” But Judge Khan responded firmly:

“Ms. Blair should not get special treatment because she is a celebrity.”

So, her career most likely won’t be part of this case. Her medical history, however, is another story, one that Selma has spent years discussing openly.

And for anyone who remembers her celebrating remission, there is an important part of that history that is easy to miss: she has continued to live with substantial symptoms.

Why Did Getting a Diagnosis Take So Long?

Selma received her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in August 2018 and announced it publicly that October. At the time, she believed she had likely been living with the disease for at least 15 years.

MS affects the central nervous system and can interfere with the signals between the brain and body. Symptoms can include muscle weakness, changes in vision, numbness, and difficulties with memory.

For Selma, the years without answers had also damaged the way she understood herself. Speaking to “Today,” she described wondering whether she was imagining her symptoms and feeling “broken inside” before learning that she was ill.

During a February 6, 2025, appearance on the same show, she spoke about parenting her son, Arthur, while unknowingly living with MS. Fatigue had been her biggest problem, and she remembered asking other parents how they managed their own exhaustion.

She was trying to make sense of what was happening using the experience of the people around her. Her diagnosis eventually gave her a different answer.

In an interview with Us Weekly, Selma also discussed using alcohol to cope with spasms before she knew their cause. She became sober in 2016, two years before receiving her diagnosis. That same year, she had been removed from a flight on a stretcher after an outburst.

Ultimately, learning she had MS helped her reconsider years of self-blame. She spoke about wanting happiness while living without an explanation for the symptoms that had made life so difficult. “I could’ve been kinder to myself,” she told the magazine.

What Was Remission Really Like for Her?

Selma entered remission in 2021, reporting that no new lesions were forming. But recovery took longer than she had expected. The actress told “Today” that she was getting back on track. “I’m still here,” she said, acknowledging that a few years earlier she had not expected to be.

Her accounts of daily life help explain why remission could coexist with pain. In a November 2023 interview with Kristen Welker for NBC News, Selma said she was improving while still experiencing pain every day.

She also talked about having dystonia, explaining how it can affect her speech and lead others to misunderstand what they are seeing. “So there can be a lot of discrimination and confusion, I think, with people thinking I’m putting something on,” she said.

“But the real fact is I really am in pain all the time.”

Selma has described stiffness that persists despite attempts to relieve it through treatments or massage. Alongside that internal discomfort, the actress has said she cannot feel someone touching her skin. She has also disclosed having Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder.

These are experiences she has chosen to share publicly. They also show how much can be happening beyond what an audience sees during a cheerful interview or an evening out.

Her health updates have included setbacks, too. In September 2025, Selma revealed that she had believed her remission was relapse-free until a new doctor determined that she had experienced another relapse.

After a period of feeling unwell, she was offered a newly available medication that improved her symptoms. By the following spring, she was speaking with real enthusiasm about what she could do again.

What Had Selma Been Looking Forward to This Year?

During her April 14, 2026, appearance on “Today,” Selma said she was feeling well and confirmed that she was relapse-free. “You know, I’m tired a lot. That’s the truth of it,” she added.

She credited happiness and makeup with helping her through. The actress was also excited to get back to work in the upcoming “Ethan Almighty” film. After years of illness interrupting her life, being able to act once more was something she welcomed.

Away from the set, Selma had returned to riding her horse. She also noticed improvements when moving through narrow spaces, including hallways, which had previously triggered changes in her movement and speech.

“I have a lot of gains. You know, I really do,” she said.

Those gains gave her opportunities to do more while she felt well. She wanted to make use of that time, and she hoped sharing it would encourage others facing the same. That wish has also shaped her advocacy.

In 2023, she worked with longtime friend and designer Isaac Mizrahi on an adaptive clothing line. In 2026, she collaborated with MERSEA on a sleepwear and loungewear collection. A portion of the proceeds benefits the American Brain Foundation, for which she serves as a global ambassador.

She has documented her experience through a film, social media updates, and interviews, including conversations about parenting with MS. Her willingness to speak has often come from wanting other people to feel less alone.

“I found that people really were so grateful and there really was a need for people to be able to get more information without stigma,” she said on “Today.”

Now, that very public medical history sits alongside serious allegations that remain unresolved. Selma has pleaded not guilty, the people allegedly injured have their own place in the case, and her lawyers have offered an explanation they will have to support.

For now, the question raised in that emotional courtroom remains open: what happened to Selma before and during that flight? Her defense says the answer begins before boarding, and her next court date will bring the case into a new year.