The episode, titled "The Bridge," features Will Byers coming out as gay to his family and friends just before the group’s final battle with Vecna, the antagonist. Matt and Ross Duffer, known as the Duffer Brothers, told Variety the "honest truth" is that they did not see the outrage coming.

"Because it is, as Ross said, something we’ve been building for a really long time. I always say, Ross and I are many things, but subtle is not one of those things!" Matt said.

The brothers said they had been planting seeds for the scene throughout the series and spent more time writing it than any other, noting they were "so concerned about getting it right."

The episode is now the series’ lowest-rated installment on IMDb, receiving a 5.6 out of 10. It also drew backlash on Rotten Tomatoes, where the season fell to an 83 percent critic score and a 56 percent audience score, the lowest of all five seasons.

Some viewers online criticized the timing of the coming-out scene, saying it felt out of place in preparation for the show’s final battle. But the Duffer brothers argue the scene was necessary for the plot.

They explained that Will’s coming out as gay was a crucial part of his journey toward self-acceptance, something he needed in order to help defeat the show’s primary villain.

Matt called it "the final step in Will’s journey," adding that Will is "in so many ways, the key to defeating Vecna."

"He’s trying to figure out how to come out, and he knows that he needs to do that, and that that’s the final step for him," Matt said. "And he finds the courage to be able to do it. And it’s really the ultimate f--- you to Vecna. That was the intention."

Noah Schnapp, who played Will, came out publicly himself in 2023. The creators of the show said they were very sensitive in how they handled the moment due to "how close to home this hit for him [Schnapp]."

Despite the pushback, the Duffer brothers maintained they were proud of the episode and the entire season.

"We’re proud of the episode, and we’re proud of the scene, and proud of Noah [Schnapp], who gave a really brave, very vulnerable performance," Ross said.

This article originally appeared on Fox News.com.

The post ‘Stranger Things’ Creators Defend Controversial Episode After Fan Backlash appeared first on FamilyToday.

That’s according to a survey of 1,279 people in a relationship, which saw a surprisingly high number (20 percent) state they do not see their current partner as their truly destined other half.

Conducted by Talker Research as part of a lifestyle omnibus, results showed, on the positive side, that the majority (80 percent) of couples share a real conviction that their current partner is the one for them.

Women are slightly more likely than men to feel their current partner isn’t their soulmate overall (14 percent women vs. 11 percent men).

While millennials are the generation most likely to put faith in the concept and feel their partner is their soulmate, compared to other age groups.

But while many feel their love is written in the stars, some are potentially still keeping an eye on those around them.

One in six (16 percent) of those in a relationship included in the survey said there is someone in their life they’d actually leave their current partner for if they showed romantic interest in them.

Adam Horvath, Clinical Psychologist at Personal Psychology, gave insight as to how attraction to other people might cause people to reflect on their own relationships. “It is not uncommon to think we could leave our partner for the new, exciting, mysterious other one, but it matters how we respond to these feelings. If you often find yourself emotionally invested outside your relationship, that’s a signal to look at why your boundaries are dropping.

“We’re human. Attraction does not turn off when we say ‘I choose you.’ What matters is what we do with our feelings, and whether we’re honest with ourselves about why they’re there. Having a daydream about someone else isn’t rare or pathological, and it doesn’t automatically mean you are a bad partner, let alone that your relationship is doomed.

The results showed men are more likely to say there’s someone they’d leave their partner for if that person were to show interest in them (19 percent of men in relationships versus 12 percent of women saying the same).

Horvath continued: “Developing feelings for someone is quite normal, as our brains are wired to notice a romantic interest. It’s biology, not betrayal. Where it gets tricky is when we think these feelings are meaningful, and in fact, they are our way out. When we compare our real partner to a fantasy of someone else, and check out because ‘there’s something better.’ That’s less about the crush and more about something missing that the backup person represents: Playfulness, romance, excitement. Or sometimes simply just something new.”

Survey Methodology

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans; 1,279 of those were currently in a relationship. The survey was administered and conducted online by Talker Research between August 15 and August 21, 2025.

This article originally appeared at the NYPost.com.

The post 1 in 5 Americans Say Their Partner is Not Their Soulmate, New Survey Reveals appeared first on FamilyToday.

According to a CDC release, Deputy Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Jim O’Neill, serving as acting CDC director, signed a decision memorandum accepting the findings of a comprehensive scientific assessment ordered by President Donald Trump in December.

The assessment examined childhood immunization practices in 20 peer, developed nations and found that the United States is a "global outlier" in both the number of diseases covered by its routine childhood vaccine schedule and the total number of recommended doses.

The assessment also concluded that the U.S. does not achieve higher vaccination rates than countries that recommend fewer vaccines.

"President Trump directed us to examine how other developed nations protect their children and to take action if they are doing better," Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement.

"After an exhaustive review of the evidence, we are aligning the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule with international consensus while strengthening transparency and informed consent," Kennedy said. "This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health."

Under the updated framework, the CDC will continue organizing vaccines into three categories: those recommended for all children, those recommended for certain high-risk groups and those based on shared clinical decision-making.

Vaccines recommended for all children include protection against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV) and chickenpox.

All CDC-recommended vaccines will remain fully covered by insurance without cost-sharing, the CDC said.

Senior officials at HHS said the change is meant to rebuild confidence in public health institutions after trust was lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kennedy had discussed the shift during remarks at the White House, framing it as part of a broader effort to address declining vaccination adherence.

"Public health works only when people trust it," Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said in a statement.

This article originally appeared on FoxNews.com.

The post CDC Slashes Childhood Vaccine Schedule in Unprecedented Overhaul Following Pandemic Trust Issues appeared first on FamilyToday.

Kayla Corrigan, a 21-year-old senior at Syracuse University, died in a devastating house fire early Christmas Eve morning while staying at her family’s home in Needham, Massachusetts. The fire broke out around 5 a.m. at the three-story, single-family home, located about 15 miles outside of Boston.

According to fire officials, the blaze appears to have started in the home’s garage. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they were met with heavy smoke and intense flames already consuming the structure. “The first responding personnel attempted entry but were pushed back by the raging fire, which quickly spread throughout the structure and caused catastrophic damage,” officials said in a press release.

Two adults were able to escape the home safely, but Corrigan was unable to get out. She was later found inside the charred remains of the house. The fire was so severe that it required a four-alarm response, with roughly 75 firefighters battling the flames for more than seven hours before bringing the fire under control.

Investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of the blaze. Multiple potential heat sources were identified in the area where the fire is believed to have started, all of which are thought to be accidental. State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine noted that tragedies like this are most common during the winter months, when heating equipment and electrical usage increase.

“Our thoughts have been with the family since the early morning hours of December 24 and they remain with the family today,” Needham Fire Chief Thomas Conroy said.

News of Corrigan’s death sent shockwaves through the Syracuse University campus. The university announced her passing in an email to students and faculty, describing her as a driven and engaged student who was just months away from graduation. Corrigan was pursuing a degree in marketing management at the Whitman School of Management, where she had immersed herself in internships and hands-on learning.

“Kayla immersed herself in internships, strengthening her understanding of navigating marketing decisions in an evolving global landscape,” Syracuse University senior vice president and chief student experience officer Allen Groves wrote. He also encouraged students impacted by the loss to seek counseling and support services.

Corrigan was also a beloved member of Sigma Delta Tau, where sisters remembered her for her warmth, humor, and selflessness. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the sorority described her as having a “beautiful presence” and being “such a kind and caring soul.”

“Everyone who knew her recognized her kindness, her warmth, her humor, and her selflessness,” the post read. “Kayla will forever hold a special place in our hearts and will be undoubtedly missed.”

In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe was launched to support Corrigan’s family, whose home and belongings were destroyed in the fire. The fundraiser described her as a “beautiful and beloved sister and daughter,” adding, “Words cannot express the depth of our grief or the shock of this loss.”

Donations have poured in from across the Syracuse community, including sororities, fraternities, and the university’s men’s hockey team. More than $200,000 has already been raised, a powerful testament to the impact Corrigan made in her short life.

Though her life ended far too soon, those who knew Kayla Corrigan say her kindness and selflessness will not be forgotten.

The post Adored Syracuse University Sorority Sister Dies in House Fire Months Before She Was Set to Graduate appeared first on FamilyToday.

People on social media are sounding off after a mother took to social media to claim that childfree people have all the time in the world.

Clearly thinking the other grass is greener, Danielle Ekwerekwu (@danni_ek) shared her controversial thoughts in a now viral video: “I don’t think people without kids realize how much free time they actually have. They are practically on vacation 24/7. And you don’t realize that until you have kids and you have no free time ever.”

She said she loves her kids but rarely gets any free time, a sentiment many parents could probably relate to.

In her video, which has garnered over 600,000 views, Ekwerekwu was self-aware enough to acknowledge she signed up for this when choosing parenthood, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that she might be slightly jealous of her peers who don’t have little humans to take care of and worry about every waking minute.

“I have friends who don’t have kids and I just get a kick out of hearing them say, ‘Oh I’m so tired or I’m so busy’…at the end of the day, everyone has problems, everyone has issues, everyone has a to-do list… but I’m just saying, if you’re watching this and you don’t have kids, embrace the free time because once you do have kids, there will be little to no free time,” this frustrated mom said.

Well, that was enough to set off thousands of people in the comment section of Ekwerekwu’s video.

“This is giving ‘I regret my choice and I’m envious of those who are childfree,'” quipped a commenter.

“‘I don’t want to be that person’… proceeds to be that person,” another pointed out.

“This video proves you have free time,” a snarky commenter claimed.

“Yes, our free time is different. It’s why a lot of us don’t want kids. But to say we’re ‘practically on vacation 24/7’ is a little absurd,” chimed in someone else.

It might not be a vacation childfree people are on, but it’s definitely a life they’re actively choosing, according to a new report.

A team of researchers from Michigan State University discovered that the number of people in the US deliberately choosing not to have children has doubled over the last two decades.

According to the team’s findings, the percentage of non-parents who don’t want to bring children into this world rose from 14% in 2002 to 29% in 2023.

This article originally appeared on NYPost.com.

The post Mom Slammed For Claiming That Childfree People Are ‘On Vacation 24/7’ appeared first on FamilyToday.

Twenty years after Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey’s divorce became a pop culture earthquake — which made headlines on Dec. 16, 2005 — Newlyweds still looms large as one of reality TV’s most revealing experiments.

The series debuted in August 2003, shortly after Lachey, the 98 Degrees heartthrob from Cincinnati, married Simpson, the purity-ring-wearing pop princess from Texas, to document their first year of marriage. It became an overnight hit, catapulting them both — especially Simpson — into megastardom and delivering indelible moments like the infamous “Chicken of the Sea.”

As the series extended to three seasons — audiences couldn’t look away from her burps and his exasperated reactions as they lounged in their living room — it also highlighted the couple's differences. In March 2005, the show ended, and by the end of the year, their marriage did too.

Looking back, producers say Newlyweds captured an unusual intimacy for its time — from offscreen chaos to moments that became cultural touchstones. Those moments live on in memes, news stories and the enduring fascination with early reality TV, which was unscripted and raw in ways today’s shows like Real Housewives, Mormon Wives and The Kardashians are not.

The Osbournes Inspired a Reality TV Gold Rush

After MTV's The Osbournes — which offered a window into Ozzy and Sharon's hilarious home life — became a runaway success in 2002, networks rushed to give practically every star their own reality show.

“I remember getting calls out of the woodwork with agents saying, ‘I've got this family. They’re really funny,’” Newlyweds and Osbournes executive producer Greg Johnston tells Yahoo. “But I couldn't do another family-type show. I thought, ‘It can't live up to what we did. I don't want to even attempt it.’”

Newlyweds — pitched to market B-level pop stars Simpson and Lachey’s music — got the greenlight because it offered something a little different.

“It was a young pop culture couple who were getting married,” Johnston says. “For me, the story of a couple in their first year of marriage was very interesting. I hadn’t seen that. Plus, they hadn’t lived together before. I thought that would [interest viewers], whether they were celebrities or not.”

The show also came with built-in interest in Simpson’s nuptials, fueled by widespread reporting that she was a virgin saving herself for marriage. While that scrutiny feels uncomfortable in hindsight, Simpson recently reflected on it, saying it “was just something that I talked about,” and added that she had always been open about her life.

“She was young,” Johnston says of Simpson, who was 22 when she married Lachey, seven years her senior. “She was very naive. [The Simpsons] had a very tight-knit family. She was a performer, but she was in this bubble.”

Viewers watched her struggle trying to do her laundry, cook and clean for the first time. Her forte — in addition to singing, because her third album, In This Skin, blew up when Newlyweds premiered — was more shopping and designer handbags.

“He was sort of the opposite — the macho dude from working-class Cincinnati,” Johnston says of Lachey. “I remember saying, ‘Are you getting movers [to haul his belongings to the couple’s Calabasas, Calif., house when they moved in] and he's like, ‘No, [my brother] Drew and I are going to do it.’”

He adds, “There was this little bit of the odd couple” vibe.

The Birth of 'the Chicken of the Sea'

Todd Stevens was brought in as the on-set producer for Newlyweds. He has the distinction of being the guy who was there when Sharon Osbourne infamously threw a ham over the fence during a dispute with the neighbors on The Osbournes — leading to the police being called. Stevens was also there for Simpson’s tuna confusion.

“That was day one of being in the house,” Stevens tells Yahoo.

Production began with shooting trips with Simpson and Lachey. Then they set up at the pair’s new home, mounting cameras throughout the house. One camera was positioned behind the TV and recorded the couple — on their L-shaped couch — when they watched it.

“It was probably 9 o'clock at night, and we were sitting around thinking: They’re just making dinner. It's been a long day. [Should we go home?]” Stevens says. “We decided we’d just watch. Then she made the tuna, sat down and when she said that — asking, “Is this chicken or is this fish?” — we looked at each other like: What?! And the look on Nick’s face was just priceless.”

He adds, “That was the moment when I was like: This is going to be good.”

Johnston said he had no idea the couple would be funny. The show didn’t hinge on humor — the goal was to capture the realities of newlywed life.

“Todd called and said, ‘Hey, did you see the thing where Jessica … is not sure if it's chicken or tuna?’” Johnston remembers. “We ended up moving it up to the first episode.”

To Johnston, Newlyweds “was a little bit of I Love Lucy” meets a modern Honeymooners, though totally unscripted. They only had a calendar of what the couple had coming up, and they’d tag along.

“The first season is always the best because [the subjects] are not as self-aware,” Johnston says. “They haven't watched themselves on TV. They haven't had critics comment on what they're doing. Simpson really was that way in the first season.”

All that changed when Simpson exploded into stardom after a solo Rolling Stone cover in November 2003. According to her 2020 memoir, Open Book, that caused tension with Lachey. And as the spotlight was now focused on her, Simpson seemed to adopt a ditzy blonde role.

“In Season 2, she did try to lean into it a little bit,” Johnston says. “There were times if we sniffed it, we would go like, let's not include that. It feels like she’s trying.”

But at the start, Stevens says, Simpson was purely herself — including when she asked if chicken wings were buffalo meat.

“We were there from nine in the morning till midnight — six days a week,” Stevens says. “So you better be able to be yourself [for it to work].” And Simpson “was kind of airy, but it never felt contrived — and I mean we were as close as you could get.”

When the Cameras Stopped Rolling

The examination of the newlyweds’ first year of marriage enjoyed three seasons, thanks to strong ratings.

By the summer of 2004, both were pursuing busy careers outside the show, which often pulled them in different directions. Simpson career got a huge boost after she was cast as Daisy Duke in the Dukes of Hazzard remake, filmed in New Orleans that year. In her memoir, she revealed that during production, she began an emotional affair with her costar Johnny Knoxville, as Lachey seemed to spend most of his free time on trips with his friends.

The Newlyweds crew captured some peripheral moments in New Orleans, including Lachey recording solo music in the studio before, in Stevens's words, “everything went south.”

In the final season, “they were leading separate lives,” says Johnston. “It was like pulling teeth to film them. They didn't want to be filmed. They were doing their own things. We were just like: OK, I think we're done, because they don't want to do this anymore, and who knows what's going on in the relationship. We didn't want to become paparazzi chasing them down.’”

Stevens says he had no idea things would fall apart for the couple.

“When you do these shows, you drink the Kool-Aid,” he says. “There was no reason why I thought [their marriage] wouldn't work out, except the fact that it just blew up so big. I remember being chased by eight paparazzi cars [in the show’s second season]. It just got progressively worse. You've got people in Jessica's ear — her family. You’ve got people in Nick’s ear. Then the tabloids.”

However, looking back, the signs were there.

“You can see in the show them kind of moving away from each other,” Stevens says. “It's just unfortunate because you wonder: Would that have happened if there was no show? Would they have lasted? I think they were just too young.”

The Enduring Appeal of Newlyweds

By the time the show ended in March 2005, Simpson and Lachey were constantly denying that they were divorcing, as the tabloids constantly tried to link them to other people. Reports surfaced in October that a divorce was coming, and they officially announced their separation over Thanksgiving weekend. Simpson filed for divorce in December, and the marriage was legally over in June 2006.

Lachey and Simpson have both talked a lot about the show and their split through the years. In her memoir, Simpson wrote that the show wasn’t good for their marriage. She said they stopped getting along early on as her star rose. She was working nonstop to pay off their wedding and the mortgage on their mansion. Rumors about third parties didn’t help. Neither did watching the show and seeing her then husband rolling his eyes at her.

Lachey has also had his say. In an interview last year, he referred to having scars from his first marriage. In June, he said he cried when Newlyweds wrapped for good because he was so bonded with the crew.

“Listen, I'm just happy that everything worked out for both of them,” Stevens says. “He's got three kids now and is happily married [to Vanessa Minnillo], and Jessica’s got her three kids [with Eric Johnson, from whom she is separated]. Both seem to have come out well. Everything works out great in the end.”

This year, Simpson released her first album in 15 years. Lachey and 98 Degrees also put out a new album, and he hosts Netflix’s Love Is Blind with Minnillo.

Both producers later worked with Lachey on reality specials, while Johnston also produced Simpson’s sister Ashlee Simpson’s reality show. Today, with reality TV mostly in the rearview mirror, they marvel at how Newlyweds and The Osbournes continue to be a talking point 20 years later — and how they find new fans along the way through clips being shared on TikTok and memes.

“Just yesterday … a young woman was like, ‘You did Newlyweds?! That was my jam,’” says Johnston. “Her eyes lit up. ‘What's Jessica like? How about Nick?’”

Stevens adds, “Back then, you truly had no idea what was going to happen. Today’s reality shows have 22-page scripts. It just doesn’t feel real — because it’s not.”

This article originally appeared on Yahoo! Entertainment.

The post It’s Been 20 Years Since MTV’s Golden Couple Split. These Producers Saw it All Unravel. appeared first on FamilyToday.

Royal commentator Neil Sean told Fox News Digital that William believes some traditions feel forced and outdated. One example is the long-standing custom of exchanging joke gifts on Christmas Eve — a ritual started by Queen Elizabeth II.

“Every year, the royals truly let their hair down and show off their sense of humor,” Sean explained. “Every Christmas Eve, the famous trestle table is set up… These are £1 and £5 joke presents.”

However, Sean said William wants to move away from rigid hierarchy and make celebrations more inclusive. “What William wants to do is include more participation from palace staff… more family-oriented, less formal, and less about seniority,” he said.

Another tradition up for discussion is the annual Christmas Day walk to church, where royals greet well-wishers. While beloved by the public, William reportedly sees it as deeply personal. “He does not necessarily like being on display on what he views as a private and sacred day,” Sean said. Still, William understands why his father values the moment. “For the king, it’s important to interact with the public who give up part of their Christmas Day to meet the royals.”

Even within the family, opinions differ. Sean noted that Princess Catherine tends to agree more with King Charles on maintaining tradition. “Like with so many things, it is all up for discussion in the future of the monarchy under King William,” he said.

According to The Daily Mail, William has grown accustomed to quieter holidays with his wife and children, favoring the “Middleton-style ‘family chaos’” over more formal royal gatherings.

Royal expert Hilary Fordwich added that William is uncomfortable with hierarchy and rigid formality. “He rejects this sort of pecking order,” she said. “He wants his courtiers to feel less stiff… while still preserving the monarchy’s mystique.” She pointed to changes like relaxed dress codes and fewer expectations around bowing and curtseying.

When it comes to gift-giving, William reportedly wants to make it more fun and inclusive. “He wants to get a huge barrel… and have everyone plunge their hand in,” Sean said.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams believes the tradition itself isn’t going anywhere. “If the royals did not give each other joke gifts, it would be a joke,” he said, calling the tradition “Dickens in a Cartier setting.”

The stories behind those gifts are legendary. True Royalty TV co-founder Nick Bullen said the royals enjoy “slightly rude, slightly funny” presents — from whoopee cushions to novelty bath toys. Author Christopher Andersen even claimed King Charles once received an upholstered toilet seat and loved it so much he traveled with it.

Princess Anne, often dubbed the family’s best gift-giver, once gave Prince Philip a light-up pepper grinder. Prince Harry reportedly gifted the late Queen a talking fish plaque, while William once gave his grandmother slippers with her own face on them.

As the monarchy slowly evolves, one thing remains clear: whether formal or fun, Christmas behind palace walls is anything but boring.

The post Prince William Eager to Modernize ‘Outdated’ Royal Christmas Traditions appeared first on FamilyToday.

Lee, who appeared on Season 27 of Big Brother, was hospitalized earlier in the week after experiencing complications related to the flu. Her family later confirmed that she suffered multiple cardiac arrests before passing away on Dec. 25.

“With profound sadness, the family of Mickey Lee announces her transition on Christmas in the early evening,” her loved ones shared in a statement on Instagram. “Mickey captured the hearts of audiences nationwide through her appearance on Big Brother, where her authenticity, strength, and spirit left a lasting impression on fans and fellow cast members alike.”

They added, “She will be remembered for the joy she brought into the lives of so many and for the genuine connections she formed both on and off screen.”

The outpouring of love has been overwhelming. Friends, fans, and fellow Big Brother alumni flooded social media with tributes, reflecting on Mickey’s kindness, laughter, and unmistakable light.

Julie Chen Moonves, longtime host of Big Brother, shared a deeply personal message, recalling a recent interview she had with Mickey. “Two months ago I interviewed Mickey Lee on God 101,” she wrote. “That’s when she revealed to me that she was born with a hole in her heart, and as an adult she survived an ATV accident that should have killed her, but God kept her alive. Last night God brought her home.”

She added, “I will see you again on the other side in eternity. I pray the good Lord comforts and heals your family and loved ones as we grieve your passing.”

Former houseguest Rachel Reilly also reflected on their bond. “We walked into the Big Brother house as strangers and walked out bonded for life,” she shared. “I wish I could still thank her for the memories, the laughter, and the moments only we will ever understand.”

Other cast members echoed similar sentiments, remembering Mickey as warm, genuine, and full of life. “She shared so much light with us and was such an amazing soul,” wrote Bayleigh Pelham. “This one hurts.”

Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, and later living in Atlanta, Mickey was known not only for her time on reality television but also for her creativity and compassion. A GoFundMe created during her hospitalization noted that she was a “vibrant, strategic, and unforgettable personality” who brought joy wherever she went. The fundraiser raised more than $32,000 to help cover medical expenses.

In their final message, her family expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received during this unimaginable time. “Your kindness has been felt and is sincerely appreciated,” they wrote, while also requesting privacy as they grieve.

Though her life was tragically short, those who knew and loved Mickey Lee say her impact will last far beyond her years. As her family beautifully shared, “Mickey’s light, legacy, and impact will never be forgotten.”

The post ‘Big Brother’ Alum Mickey Lee Dies at 35 After Flu Complications appeared first on FamilyToday.

Williams, 45, and Preti, 38, first tied the knot in September in Italy. At the time, they didn’t have enough time to file paperwork, so they opted for another wedding, as reported by Vogue.

“We had this dream to do our wedding in Italy, but we didn’t have enough time to do the paperwork—because I’m a foreigner, it can take about eight months. So we decided to have a second wedding,” Williams told the outlet.

The wedding festivities are reported to have taken place at their luxe $10 million home in Jupiter, Fla., which is located just miles away from Palm Beach.

“They always say weddings go so fast, and they do. We started on Monday. Serena gave us this gift of a beautiful yacht, and she arranged all the food, everything. We had 10 to 12 of our closest family and friends who were in town on the boat, and we were singing, dancing, gossiping, and just enjoying each other,” Venus told the outlet.

Each of the five days included a pool party hosted at their secluded Mediterranean mansion, with the star athlete noting that she loves hosting and that they were “eager” to welcome people to their home.

Williams revealed that it was extra special because 25 of their closest friends and family had traveled from Italy for the bash.

The second day of the festivities saw the athlete hosting a boudoir-themed bridal shower in the patio of their property.

During her dream bridal shower, Williams and her friends munched on Asian food before partaking in a lip-synch battle.
The next day, they hosted another pool party before spending the evening in Miami.

On the following day, Williams honored her sports skills by hosting volleyball, tennis, dodgeball, wheelbarrow races, and pickleball games.

On Friday, the couple jumped out of bed at 4 a.m. and headed to the courthouse so that they could have the space to themselves.

“I can’t describe how beautiful, calm, sacred, exciting, and exalting it was. It was just a dream,” she told the outlet.
The day of their second wedding, Williams slept in, waking up at 8:30 a.m. to get her nails done and begin getting her glam on.

When the ceremony began, Petri walked out to the song “I’ll Be There” by the Jackson 5, while Williams strutted out to “Ovunque Sarai” by Irama.

The couple penned their own vows and had the “best time.”

Following dinner and dancing, the couple got everyone on a bus and headed to an after-party, which went until they “kicked everyone out” at 2 a.m.

“It was just the happiest, most beautiful, sweetest day,” Williams said.

The couple first met during a 2024 Milan fashion show, which Petri nearly skipped.

“I was in Lake Como on a sisters’ trip when I got an invite at the last minute and decided to go on a whim, and Andrea was tired. Neither of us was planning on being there. I just knew I was going to marry him. People always say they just know, and I just knew,” she told Vogue.

The couple got engaged on Jan. 31, 2025.

It comes as no surprise that Williams decided to host the bash at the sprawling home, which she snapped up in 2019. It comes complete with its own beach and private cottage.

The property boasts 25 rooms and spans 10,000 square feet.

Williams previously held the keys to a Palm Beach home that she shared with her sister Serena.

They purchased an acre of land in BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with views of both water and the golf course. They paid $525,000 in 1998. They lived together in the private and secure mansion they built on the parcel.

The triple-gated estate offers 8,000 square feet of living space, with two spacious primary suites with private offices. Luxe amenities include four guest suites and an outdoor living area with a pool and spa, a cabana, and a kitchen.

The sisters listed the sweet spread for $ 2.695 million in 2018. It was sold in early 2019 for $2.3 million.

This article originally appeared on MarketWatch.com.

The post Tennis Star Venus Williams Marries Actor and Model Andrea Preti in Lavish Palm Beach Wedding appeared first on FamilyToday.

Cabot, a married mother of two and the former head of human resources at tech company Astronomer, is now speaking out about the incident that unfolded during Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour stop at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts this past July. In a new interview with the New York Times, Cabot admitted that a “couple of High Noons” fueled the decision that put her on the stadium’s big screen alongside her boss, Astronomer CEO Andy Byron.

“I made a bad decision and had a couple of High Noons and danced and acted inappropriately with my boss,” Cabot said. “And it’s not nothing. And I took accountability and I gave up my career for that. That’s the price I chose to pay. I want my kids to know that you can make mistakes, and you can really screw up. But you don’t have to be threatened to be killed for them.”

The moment became infamous when Cabot and Byron appeared on the kiss cam during Coldplay’s “Jumbotron Song,” when frontman Chris Martin serenades couples in the audience. Cabot immediately covered her face and turned away, while Byron ducked out of view. Martin quipped from the stage, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”

Within days, Astronomer addressed the situation publicly. “Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding,” the company said in a social media statement. “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability.” The company added, “The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter, and we will have additional details to share very shortly.”

Byron was placed on leave and later resigned. “Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted,” Astronomer wrote. “The Board will begin a search for our next Chief Executive as Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO.”

Despite the viral speculation, a source previously told People that there was “no affair.” “[Cabot] and [Byron] had an excellent working relationship, a great friendship,” the source said. “There was no affair.” The source added, “It was inappropriate to be hugging your boss at a concert, and she accepts full responsibility for it. But the scandal, the downfall, the loss of the job — all of that is unfair.”

Cabot revealed that she and her husband were already separated at the time of the concert and later filed for divorce on Aug. 13, agreeing to keep proceedings private. She also shared how her bond with Byron deepened after they discussed their struggles earlier in the year. “I’m going through the same thing,” she recalled him saying, an admission that “sort of strengthened our connection.”

On the night of the concert, Cabot said an inner warning tried to stop her. “Some inside part of my brain might have been jumping up and down and waving its arms, saying, ‘Don’t do this,’” she said. “I was like: ‘I got this. I can have a crush. I can handle it.’”

After tequila cocktails, the two shared their first kiss. “It was like someone flipped a switch,” Cabot said. “I’ll never be able to explain it in any articulate or intelligent way.”

The aftermath was brutal. “I was so embarrassed and so horrified,” she said. “I’m the head of H.R. and he’s the C.E.O. It’s, like, so cliché and so bad.” She recalled thinking, “We have to tell the board,” as panic set in. “Panic attacks were starting,” she said.

When the clip went viral, Cabot retreated to the mountains, but the harassment followed. “My kids were afraid that I was going to die and they were going to die,” she said, noting she was doxxed and received hundreds of calls a day, along with death threats. “Not 900. That showed up in People magazine. I got 50 or 60.”

Now, Cabot says she and her children are finding small steps toward healing, doing their best to move forward after a moment that changed everything.

The post Coldplay Kiss Cam Woman Breaks Silence, Admits Drinks Fueled Embarrassing Career-Ending Moment appeared first on FamilyToday.