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By Jennifer Asencio
| Published

Christopher Nolan’s extravaganza version of The Odyssey has already met with some derision over some of the choices made by production. The costumes have been compared to bad Batman villains, and the dark aesthetic of the scenes that have been released to the public has been criticized for not reflecting the colorful style of classic Greek culture. The ships, an important part of a story about a sea voyage, look awful.
The casting has also caused a lot of controversy, especially now that there is a rumor going around that Lupita Nyong’O, known for Black Panther and Twelve Years a Slave, has been cast as Helen of Troy. The outcry over her is, of course, about her race, and defenders of a more classical Helen are being attacked as “racist” for supposedly not finding Nyong’O attractive.

The defense of Nyong’O’s alleged casting has been varied. One tactic has been to point out that nobody in the rest of the cast is Greek. That’s true, but it’s not like there weren’t complaints about, for example, Jon Berenthal being cast as Menelaus, King of Sparta and husband of Helen of Troy, or even Matt Damon in the lead as Odysseus. Just about every aspect of the ensemble casting of this movie has been complained about, from John Leguizamo to Anne Hathaway, not just Lupita Nyong’O.
Another angle of defense has been that it’s just fiction, so why should anyone care? Sure, it might be a fictionalized story, but there is a lot of history backing it up. Troy existed and was the site of many wars with various Greek city-states, most of which, including Helen’s hometown of Sparta, survive today. Homer wrote The Odyssey alongside The Iliad, which was the story of one such war. The mythic elements of the story, like interference from the gods and the various monsters Odysseus encounters, overlay specific historical, cultural, political, and even geographical narratives.
Helen of Troy was one of those narratives. There is no evidence that she existed, but her beauty and supposedly divine origins were so highly prized that a war uniting much of Greece was said to have been waged over her. There were also political ramifications for kidnapping the Queen of Sparta that were deeply embedded in Greek notions of honor and lineage. Abducting Menelaus’s wife and mother of his child was a major humiliation that if left unanswered would have subjected Sparta to derision and attack. Greeks would not have gone to war over her if she wasn’t one of their own.
But Helen was also prized because she was the epitome of the Greek standards of beauty. Homer describes her carefully as fair, glowing skin, honey-colored hair, and deep blue eyes. This was so important to Greek culture that Homer noted it, as well as fellow classical Greek poets Euripides and Sappho. Greek art and sculpture depict her with classic Greek features based on these descriptions. We know what George Washington looks like, and paintings of him have only been around for 250 years. Physical depictions of Helen of Troy have been around for thousands of years and established an image of what her beauty represented to the Greeks.

Arguments that decry objections to Nyong’O’s casting thus fall flat when racism is invoked. The problem isn’t that Nyong’O isn’t attractive; it’s that she isn’t what the Greeks considered attractive. It imposes today’s standards of beauty not on an arbitrary work of narrative fiction, but on an epic that represented a cultural identity. Helen of Troy was more than just a character in a story, she was something like a national symbol. To this day, Greece is also called “Hellas.”
That, of course, has not stopped Nyong’O’s defenders from accusing detractors of racism; if anything, it’s supported the notion because who else likes blonde-haired, fair-skinned, blue-eyed people?
It’s not that black people didn’t exist in Greece. They called them “Ethiopians” and treated them very fairly, because they didn’t have the notions of race that have developed over the past two decades. However, they also considered them an exotic curiosity. They were very aware black people existed, even accepted them as beautiful, and still didn’t depict Helen of Troy as one. That was a matter of cultural values, not racism. If inclusivity was the goal, there were plenty of other characters from Homer’s epicthey could have chosen.

Finally, there is the argument that “Helen of Troy was hatched from an egg. Why does it matter what race she is?” This is a little different from the “it’s fictional” argument because it questions the very roots of Greek culture, the gods. Helen’s parents were supposedly Leda, Queen of Sparta, and Zeus, King of Olympus and the Greek pantheon. If she was a real person, her real father would have been King Tyndareus, and a mythic layer of folklore (the egg) was added to her story to represent why she was blessed with such ethereal beauty.
But let’s go with the idea that she was hatched from an egg and Zeus is her father: either Sparta was ruled by an Ethiopian queen, which is very against Spartan and Greek character (and Homer’s era), or people handwaving the egg story are ignoring that it implies that the entire Greek culture is actually black. In Greek mythology, Zeus was the template Prometheus used when creating the Greek people. That Zendaya, another black actress, was cast as Athena, who is also Zeus’s offspring, makes you wonder what it’s really trying to say.

Maybe I’m defensive because half my heritage is not only Greek, but Spartan in particular. Maybe it’s the literature major in me that is annoyed that Christopher Nolan is treating a classic text of Greek literature like it’s nothing more than a Michael Bay action blockbuster.
But I can’t help but feeling that the oddly specific casting of Helen of Troy, which has yet to be debunked, is yet another attempt at subversion of Western culture and values through screenwashing. Nolan and his backers are trying to redefine concepts of beauty that have existed for thousands of years. And this time, rather than attacking through modern popular culture like video games and Star Trek, they’re “making a statement” by going after its honey-haired, fair-skinned roots.
screenwashed (adjective) — When something seen on a screen completely changes how someone thinks or feels, as if their old beliefs were erased and replaced by what they just saw.
I’m sure The Odyssey will have an audience who will pay for the fancy $250 million spectacle of effects or to see their favorites in some roles. Homer’s classic work will be absorbed into the blob of pop culture, while the Greek people it truly represented will barely merit a second glance because it was part of the foundation of a way of life many people think should cease to exist. I hope I’m not catastrophizing, but I expect that even if it’s bad, its failure will be blamed on “internet Nazis” and not on justified complaints about the vandalism of a staple of Western civilization.
We’ll find out this summer on July 17, 2026, when The Odyssey is released in theaters.
By Jonathan Klotz
| Published

Generations of sci-fi fans waited for Dune to finally be recognized as one of the greatest sci-fi epics in history. Frank Herbert’s grand vision was deemed unfilmable, unadaptable, and incomprehensible for the average movie-goer. That’s why the reveal of Dune: Part Three is so stunning. The story of the second novel, Dune Messiah, is coming to theaters. It’s being marketed as the conclusion of the Dune trilogy, which is odd, as in the books, it’s the end of the prologue to the real story yet to come.

After the events of Dune: Part Two, Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) is seen in the teaser trailer as the leader of the Fremen, accepting his role as their Messiah, the Muad’Dib, while his lover Chani (Zendaya) appears to be pregnant. The teaser doesn’t reveal if it’s a boy or a girl, but what the brief two minutes and 30 seconds of footage does reveal is Paul’s doubts about being the Messiah. In the best line of the teaser, his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) reminds Paul that his father “didn’t start any wars.”
Dune: Part Three is again going to be full of amazing special effects, gorgeous shots of Arakkis, and even more all-out wars between the Fremen and everyone who wants them dead. Which, as it turns out, is everyone else. Towards the end of the trailer, we hear Paul say he’s not afraid to die, not yet, as what looks like the biggest explosion yet goes off right in front of him.

Those who have read the books are excited that Dune: Part Three looks, amazingly, to contain the major plot beats of the novel. If Denis Villeneuve and Brian K. Vaughn’s script sticks to Frank Herbert’s masterpiece, this is going to be a dark, but very satisfying movie that’s not going to go the way fans of the films will expect. The trailer looks like it’s front-loading the battle scenes, but as with every Dune film, it’s the political intrigue and philosophical discussion that’s going to eat up most of the running time.
Joining the cast for Dune: Part Three is Robert Pattinson, as the Tleilaxu Face Dancer, Scytale, another role that’s going to remind people that playing Edward in Twilight was the odd role out for one of Hollywood’s strangest leading men. The returning Florence Pugh, as Paul’s wife Irulan, and Anna Taylor-Joy as his sister, Alia, will get substantially more to do in the third movie. Jason Momoa, who brings to life Duncan Idaho, will also get a lot more screen time now that he’s overcome the small problem of being dead.

There’s a lot to unpack in just over two minutes of footage, and book readers can already pick out key scenes that have made the jump to the big screen, but it’s the marketing for Dune: Part Three that’s revealing a whole lot. We knew Denis Villeneuve was only to make three movies, but again, the original series is six novels, with Dune and Dune Messiah becoming mere footnotes by the time of the fourth novel, God-Emperor of Dune. No studio will ever adapt that particular novel about a human/sandworm hybrid galactic tyrant ruling for thousands of years as he brings humanity to his grand vision, “The Golden Path.”
All of that is to say that Dune: Part Three, referred to as the end of the trilogy, is going to be as far as Hollywood goes into Frank Herbert’s universe. This is the final time we’ll get to see Villeneuve’s vision for Arakkis, and in a landscape devoid of smart sci-fi, it might be the last great sci-fi blockbuster of this decade.
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Jennifer Aniston‘s beauty routine may be famously low-maintenance, but it’s clearly effective. Her lips always look naturally smooth and hydrated, no matter the occasion. According to the actress, it all comes down to a moisturizing lip balm she refuses to skip.
In a “What’s Really in Her Beauty Bag” video with Harper’s Bazaar UK, the Friends star revealed she uses the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Balm. She shared that a makeup artist introduced her to the Eight Hour Cream in the late ’90s, and she became “addicted to it.” These days, she takes the lip balm version with her “everywhere.”
Get the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Balm for just $38 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Created with the brand’s iconic Eight Hour Cream base, the lip balm is formulated with shea butter, coconut oil and vitamin E. The nourishing ingredients hydrate all day, relieve chapping and soften lips. That level of hydration alone explains why it’s stayed in her beauty bag for decades.
There’s more to love beyond hydration. It includes SPF 15, likely something she appreciates for helping her lips stay protected in the California sun. The balm also doubles as a primer, creating a smooth base for lip liner, lipstick, gloss and more.
Aniston’s not the only fan! The lip balm has earned more than 3,200 five-star ratings on Amazon. One user, who’s tried pricier brands like “Dior and Chanel,” said this is “one that works.”
Another shopper labeled it “a must” in their makeup bag, noting that it “heals lips” when worn “overnight.” They also emphasized it helps “heal cuts faster” and is effective for “dry cuticles.”
For anyone reassessing their everyday lip care, this Eight Hour Cream Lip Balm offers more than just moisture. At $38, it may cost more than the average balm, but its versatility makes it feel like a worthwhile investment rather than a splurge — especially when it’s a longtime staple in Aniston’s routine. Once it’s in rotation, it’s easy to see why it’s earned lasting loyalty.
See it: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Balm for just $38 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more from Elizabeth Arden here and more lip balm here! Don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
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“It became instinct to know how to handle it,” former producer Barbara Hunter said.
Dax Shepard recently made an interesting revelation, shedding light on his views about plastic surgery.
The actor revealed that while he is not against plastic surgery, he would prefer to remain as authentic as possible.
This update comes shortly after Shepard addressed jaw implant rumors, making it clear that he has not gone under the knife for any enhancements.
During the March 16 episode of his podcast, “Armchair Expert,” Shepard opened up about his evolving relationship with his appearance.
The 51-year-old actor admitted to his guest, “Scrubs” star Zach Braff, that he frequently debates whether or not to get a facelift.
While Shepard maintains that he has “zero judgment” for those who choose plastic surgery, he finds himself wanting to stay exactly as he is about 80 percent of the time.
He explained that there is a certain “weird value” in being one of the few people in the industry who chooses to look “weirdly authentic” as the years pass.
“I’m like, this is actually kind of cool. I’m going to be one of the few people that didn’t have a facelift, and I’m going to look weirdly authentic. I think that’s going to have some weird value,” he said, per PEOPLE Magazine.
However, the actor confessed that the remaining 20 percent of the time, his vanity takes over. Given that he has the financial means, he sometimes questions why he wouldn’t simply go through with a procedure.

This is not the first time Shepard has spoken about getting cosmetic procedures. He has also had to address specific rumors regarding his changing facial structure. During a January episode of “Armchair Expert,” the 51-year-old actor admitted that watching his older projects like “Parenthood” with his children makes him realize how much his appearance has shifted.
“I will acknowledge, I’ll be watching with my children, like ‘Parenthood,’ we watch with them. And I’m going, ‘Oh, my God, dude, I look so different,’” he said, per The Blast.
Shepard clarified that these physical changes are actually the result of natural weight gain rather than a surgical procedure. He explained to guest Kumail Nanjiani that a thicker neck can completely transform a person’s profile, a theory Nanjiani supported based on his own experiences with shifting body fat.
Nanjiani also took the opportunity to dismiss similar plastic surgery rumors about himself, noting that while he has tried Botox, he has never undergone a jaw operation.

While Shepard has faced years of public scrutiny regarding his appearance and rumors of jaw implants, those superficial concerns pale in comparison to a life-threatening ordeal from his youth.
The podcast host revealed a terrifying car accident that occurred during his senior year of high school while traveling from Toledo to Detroit. Shepard was resting in the backseat of a Ford Probe while a friend drove at 85 miles per hour with cruise control engaged, per The Blast.
The situation turned dire when Shepard was jolted awake by the sound of gravel, only to discover his friend had fallen asleep behind the wheel.
Miraculously, the car missed the trees and eventually came to a stop upside down. Both Shepard and his friend were able to crawl out through the windows, escaping the wreckage, shaken but without any serious physical injuries.

Weeks after Shepard opened up about his near-death encounter, he briefly reminisced about a brief but memorable fling with actress Jessica Alba that took place roughly twenty years ago.
According to The Blast, the two former flames reunited on the set of the 2017 Netflix film “El Camino Christmas,” leading to a moment that deeply flattered Shepard.
While sitting in the makeup trailer, the actor privately assumed that Alba would want to keep their past “make-out” sessions a secret from their colleagues. To his surprise, Alba openly shouted across the room to ask if he remembered when they used to date, showing no embarrassment about their history.
Shepard joked that his low self-esteem had convinced him she would be ashamed, but her public acknowledgement made him feel validated and proud of their brief time together.

While the casual openness of his former flame, Alba, provided a boost to his self-esteem, Shepard’s most significant bond remains his unique family life with Kristen Bell.
The couple is well-known for their transparency, but their relationship with podcast co-host Monica Padman has also piqued public interest.
Padman’s journey with the pair began in 2011 when she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting and started working as a babysitter for their daughters.
Over time, her role evolved from a nanny to a trusted assistant and speechwriter for Bell, eventually leading to her becoming a deeply integrated member of their household, per The Blast.
Reflecting on the early years of their arrangement, Padman described the household environment as a relaxed and collaborative space where everyone pitched in.
By Jennifer Asencio
| Published

The Disney Corporation has experienced a lot of upheaval so far this year. First, Bob Iger announced he was stepping aside. Then Josh D’Amaro taking his place was overshadowed by the huge promotion of Dana Walden from Head of Entertainment to Chief Creative Officer. Now, Disney is being sued by another top exec for racial discrimination.
The plaintiff is Jay Ong, Head of Disney Games Group. His job has been to oversee the production, marketing, and sales of games that fall under the Disney umbrella. This includes not only Disney IP, like the Toy Story games, but also Marvel and Star Wars games, such as Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, which was announced in December at the 2025 Game Awards. The Disney games are performing above expectations right now, but Ong has taken a huge pay cut in the form of bonuses and incentives.

The trouble started in February 2025, when Vice President of HR Natalia Strauch told him in an evaluation meeting that he was a “poor cultural fit” for the company. He was also told he was getting a pay cut, losing roughly $40,000 in bonuses and $150,000 in incentives. His work was called “exceptional,” but he was told he was taking the cut anyway.
Meanwhile, he alleges in his suit, Strauch also contacted his executive coach behind his back, which is against company policy. He claims this contact led to the reductions in his bonus and incentives, and that Strauch was trying to “dig up dirt” on him.
The discrimination, Ong contests, is against Asian employees at Disney. He alleges that the meeting with Strauch, the contact with his executive coach, and the reduction in compensation were all intended to drive him out of the company by embarrassing him. His suit alleges “such treatment is part of a broader pattern at Disney whereby those of Asian descent – the few which Disney deigns to hire – are discriminated against.”
On this basis, Ong is suing Disney for $40 million.

While Ong is certainly not poor, the fact is that he has overseen the release of several successful Disney games during his tenure. Before managing the entire Disney library of video games, he was head of Marvel games for a decade. Since even HR admitted that his performance in his position was “exceptional,” the House of Mouse is going to find themselves in serious trouble if it turns out they’re actually discriminating against Ong and other Asian executives. It is clear the company’s treatment of Ong was unfair, given that the video game department is the only segment of Disney that hasn’t suffered under its recent leadership struggles.
At this time, Ong still lists Disney as his current employer. However, Disney has seen a lot of its executives depart recently, and a discrimination suit might lead to the departure of yet another. This time, though, it’s someone who was actually succeeding at his job, leading to a net loss for the Magic Kingdom.
Taylor Frankie Paul has officially broken her silence following the domestic violence allegations against her just days before she is set to make her debut as the new “Bachelorette.”
“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star commented about the incident involving her and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, who are parents to son Ever.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE during a press preview of “The Bachelorette” in New York City on Tuesday, March 17, Paul addressed the domestic violence allegations against her for the first time.
“Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time,” Paul told the outlet. “Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I’ve experienced, I’ve never enjoyed fully, so this is another one… it’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today.”
“It’s just heavy. It’s a heavy time, and it’s unfortunate,” she continued before sharing that she is currently “struggling” as the details and fallout of the incident continue to unfold.
“I’m struggling for sure, but also at the same time I feel like if I don’t show up, then I’m just giving these opportunities away and not enjoying what we’ve worked on and something super exciting that’s coming. I just feel like it was the right thing to do… show up even though it’s hard,” Paul said.

The reality star also told PEOPLE that the decision to accept the offer to be “The Bachelorette” was an easy one, as heading to Los Angeles to film for months allowed her to get “out of my toxicity of a life in Utah and bubble.”
“It was like the best thing I could have done,” Paul added, noting that the show’s contestants were “different” than the men back in her Utah hometown.
“There was a lot of reassurance in who I am, you know, from all these men being just kind and gentle and gentlemen,” she said of the men. “It kind of brought out my true side of who I am and honestly belief in me, value, worth… they made me feel reassured in that and reminded me of that. It was a journey of also that too.”
Several members of the season 22 cast of “The Bachelorette” recently spoke with TMZ and sang Taylor Frankie Paul’s praises, notably pointing out how different she was on the show in stark contrast to what “Mormon Wives” fans see and the current domestic violence allegations against her.
The contestants told the outlet that while filming Paul was “kind, genuine, and well-intentioned,” and displayed “a softer, more authentic side.” They also added that overall she was “consistently pleasant to be around.”
Regarding the recent domestic violence allegations, they said that while the claims are “troubling,” they believe there are many misconceptions about Paul and want the public to refrain from rushing to judge, and that the full truth of what happened during the incident will be revealed in time.
According to TMZ, as of now, ABC has decided that the premiere of “The Bachelorette,” starring Paul will still air as planned, despite recent allegations of domestic violence against her.
Per the outlet, Paul is currently in New York City on a press run to promote the show, which is still slated to air the full season in its entirety. She is also still set to appear at the Los Angeles premiere for the show.
Additionally, TMZ also shared details about “The Bachelorette” team being laser-focused on casting Paul for the show despite her drama-filled past and prior domestic violence arrest.
An inside source close to the show, told the outlet that “Bachelorette” producers wanted Paul badly for the show because they felt that due to the massive success of “Mormon Wives” and her immense social media following she could increase the show’s lagging ratings.
However, since they wanted her at all cost, the source said they admittedly “cut corners” during the vetting process.
ABC has since hired a public relations crisis manager amid the news of Paul’s alleged domestic violence incident involving ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
Per TMZ, Mortensen has made calls to the Utah Division of Child and Family Services multiple times alleging Paul has been physically abusive to their son, which Paul firmly denies.
According to the outlet, in late February, the former couple got into a verbal altercation while inside Mortensen’s car after Paul reportedly spilled a drink. Inside sources shared that Mortensen became “enraged” and “got physical” with Paul, however, he called the police and told them that she was the one who assaulted him.
Following the incident, a source close to Paul told TMZ that Mortensen disappeared for weeks and ditched filming, which led to production being put on pause. However, sources with “Mormon Wives” said that filming stopped because cast members refused to film amid the domestic violence and child abuse allegations, despite production wanting to continue filming season 5.
Additionally, due to Mortensen repeatedly calling DCFS on Paul, alleging abuse, both are now required to undergo psychological evaluations.
When production on “Mormon Wives” resumes, it has not been decided what capacity, if any, Mortensen will be part of the show.
According to PEOPLE, the Draper City Police Department confirmed to the outlet that an open “domestic assault investigation” exists between Paul and Mortensen. Per the police department’s spokesperson, “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th.”
An inside source connected to “Mormon Wives” confirmed the production pause. “They are not filming,” the source said. “Taylor [Frankie Paul] has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”
Things are reportedly so serious that Paul’s fellow MomTok members have all distanced themselves from her. “None of the women want to be associated with her,” the source told the outlet.
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The former couple was married for 12 years and share 3 sons.
Jerry O’Connell has shared candid details about his life, as he recently recalled a tense moment with his wife, Rebecca Romijn, and their daughters.
According to the actor, the women got “physical” with him due to his opinion about the outcome of the election and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Jerry O’Connell also hinted that he walks on eggshells around his wife and kids, claiming they would get angry at him if he made any kind of joke.

O’Connell opened up about his home life with wife Rebecca Romijn and their twin daughters in a revealing chat on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast on Monday, March 16.
The “Stand By Me” actor, 52, first shared a tense moment involving his family after he made comments about Kamala Harris losing the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump.
“I said something along the lines of, ‘There was no planning. This is what they get. There should have been a primary,’” O’Connell recalled. “I was just spit-balling ideas.”
The reaction, however, caught him off guard. “It was shocking,” he noted. “My wife and daughters, without saying anything, became physical with me. They were filled with rage.”

O’Connell admitted that, despite his comments, he never expected Harris to lose and acknowledged the need to be cautious about his words at home.
“I live in California,” he said. “I live with not one, not two, but three people who, if I made any kind of joke, they’d become very angry with me.”
O’Connell and Romijn, 53, have been married since 2007 and are parents to 17-year-old twins, Dolly and Charlie.
While it’s unclear how serious O’Connell was about his wife and kids’ reactions to his jokes, the actor once revealed that he avoids getting into fights with Romijn, telling the Daily Mail that, “If there’s an argument brewing, I try not to engage.”
“I try to distance myself,” he added, noting that he would even go as far as leaving the house whenever things get tense.

In another part of the episode, O’Connell asked Maher, 70, known for smoking marijuana during recordings, to “get higher than you’ve ever been on any episode” and blow smoke in his face.
Maher agreed, saying he’d be “happy” to, and asked whether O’Connell smoked himself. “I don’t smoke myself, but listen, I live with someone who smokes — vapes, actually,” he replied, referring to Romijn.
Joking about the intimate side of their relationship, O’Connell added, “The only time my wife finds me appealing, is intimate with me … the only time my wife — what’s the word? — touches me is if my wife takes a hit off that pen.”
Maher then asked if O’Connell was a “health nut,” prompting the actor to admit he often indulges in processed snacks and takeout. “I’m getting this picture: A guy doesn’t get laid unless his wife is high, he’s always on Instagram, eating sh-tty food,” Maher teased.
O’Connell laughed and replied, “Well, my wife gets high every day, so don’t worry about me!”

O’Connell and Romijn have also been open about how they manage their finances.
During a July 2025 appearance on Andy Cohen’s SiriusXM show, they revealed that while they keep their personal spending separate, they contribute to a shared “community pot” for joint expenses.
“That’s like one of the first conversations you have when you decide to enter into a legal agreement together,” Romijn explained.
How much each of them contributes, however, isn’t fixed. It shifts depending on who’s earning more at the time.
“I have to say, we actually throttle how much money we put into that account sometimes,” O’Connell said, while Romijn added, “Depending on who’s working more. The one who isn’t working gets a little break, and the one who is working puts in a little more. And we really tag-team with work.”

O’Connell has also recently opened up about another deeply personal chapter during the February 13 episode of the “Work In Progress” podcast with Sophia Bush, where he reflected on his decade-long battle with nicotine and how he finally quit.
“I struggled with nicotine for decades… I had to get hypnotized,” O’Connell shared, noting that he hasn’t smoked in about 14 years.
The turning point, he revealed, came from an ultimatum at home. According to the actor, his wife made it clear she wouldn’t be physically affectionate with him if he continued smoking, and she followed through. What he initially brushed off as a joke quickly became reality.
“After about three and a half weeks, I was like, I gotta do something,” he recalled.
Although he tried quitting on his own, he admitted it didn’t stick until he explored hypnosis after a recommendation from a friend, which, despite having doubts, actually helped him stop smoking.
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Saddle up for movie night in.
TikTok creator Jools Lebron, who rose to viral fame with the “very demure, very mindful” trend, is opening up about the unexpected toll that sudden internet stardom took on her life. What began as something lighthearted and fun quickly turned into overwhelming attention, pressure, and a dramatic lifestyle shift.
In a series of TikTok videos, Jools shares a candid reflection about navigating instant fame and how it led her down a difficult path that included struggles with substance abuse. She’s speaking out with honesty and shedding light on the darker side of internet fame while emphasizing growth, accountability, and moving forward transparently.

Jools, who quickly rose to viral internet fame a little over a year ago and has more than 2.3 million followers on TikTok, is sharing the hidden side to sudden fame in a series of videos on the app.
In one video, she shares that she “got ate up and spit out by the influencer Hollywood system.”
“I went mega viral a year and a half ago, and it unfortunately was the best time of my life and the worst time of my life,” she candidly shared. “And I’m opening up about it and I’m calling it ‘Jools’ Journey’ because I’m on a track of getting my life back together after the entertainment industry led me to substance abuse and alcoholism and having my life fall apart.”
She followed that by saying she felt “chewed up and spit out by Hollywood.” She attributed it to the same thing people can sometimes go through after winning the lottery, or someone who has a “one in a million” kind of moment.
The video, posted just one day ago and has nearly 250k views and tons of supportive comments, continued with Jools’ honest storytime.
“Yesterday, I came to social media for the first time to share what’s been going on because I need support and I need help and I just can’t do this by myself,” she continued. “And I see the comments and they’re like changing my life right now, if I’m gonna be honest with you.”
She said that she spent much of the prior day cleaning and struggling to try to “figure out what to do cause it’s not like my first day sober but it’s my first time I’m willing to be open about it.”
“I don’t know what to do. What am I supposed to do?” she asked. “A lot of the comments are really redirecting me.”
She explained that she fell into “peer pressure” and that it led to other things such as “shopping addiction.”

Many viewers hopped into the comment section to share words of encouragement and their own similar stories.
“‘Less struggling w being sober and more struggling with what to do’ I FELT THIS,” one person wrote. Another added, “Jools, you and your vulnerability *are* ‘The Brand.’ We watch bc we love YOU! No matter what your journey, you’ve got this!”
And there were many other comments with the same theme.
“Being accountable, very demure, very cutesy,” one viewer shared. Another said, “Thank you for your vulnerability! Love you, Jools!”
In a follow up TikTok video, Jools shared an update using her viral trend.
“You see how I fixed my life? Very demure, very mindful,” she shared. “You see how I come to the internet to start my ‘Jools’ Journey’? Very cutesy.”
She gave a bit of an update for anyone who missed the original confession video that started the “Jools’ Journey” series. She shared some of the ways she’s “fixing” her life and inviting her fans to be part of the journey through her videos. It appears, based on comments, that she’s inspiring others to also make necessary life changes.
“‘I will not accept a life I do not deserve’ is a new mantra for the people!” one viewer wrote in the comments. Another said, “Not Jools inspiring me to take out my stepper and work out so we can get it together.”
In another follow up video, Jools gets visibly emotional as she thanks her followers for all the support they’ve been giving her.
“Thank you guys for your support,” she said through tears. “I don’t know why I felt like I was gonna come to the internet with this and it was gonna make me lose everything. I don’t know why I was like the internet is tired of me. But thank you for your support.”
She said it was “confusing” on whether or not she should open up this way about her struggles.
“We’ll never be tired seeing someone find themselves again,” one viewer wrote in the comments. Another said, “Oh how can we not love our girl, life is not linear, we should never judge someone on their lows but just support them to get back up again. You got this.”
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