As concern for Britney Spears intensifies, insiders talk to Us about what’s going on behind closed doors.

“Britney is very headstrong and is going to do what she wants,” says a source.

A source says Spears is “upset” by the May 2 incident at the Chateau Marmont: “She didn’t want it to get to that level.”

One week after Spears made headlines for being photographed outside L.A.’s Chateau Marmont walking barefoot with a blanket wrapped around her as emergency service vehicles gathered, the pop star was back on Instagram doing what she loves: dancing. In a clip posted on May 8, 
Spears — wearing a cropped white blouse and tiny neon bikini bottoms — smiled from ear to ear as she shimmied around to Kings of Leon and Nelly Furtado songs.

Britney Spears’ Ups and Downs Over the Years

On the surface, it seems like business as usual for the 42-year-old star. But sources tell Us that behind the scenes, people in her inner circle are worried. Spears has exhibited troubling behavior since her August 2023 split from ex-husband Sam Asghari. One source says the incidents — including what occurred at the Chateau Marmont in the early morning hours of May 2 
— are “scary and very reminiscent” of the singer’s chaotic behavior in 2006 but notes that “they are nowhere near that level.”

Spears’ romance with Paul Richard Soliz, whom she hooked up with shortly after her split from Asghari, 30, has also been cause for concern. Soliz, a handyman, was hired to work at Spears’ California home in 2022 but was fired a few months later when his criminal record was discovered. “He’s the root of a lot of her problems,” says the first source. Soliz was at the Chateau Marmont the night of Spears’ incident, with an insider previously telling Us that “Britney was upset… [because] Paul was trying to leave after visiting her room.”

Those closest to Spears “have tried to put a team around her with the best medical help they can,” reveals the first source, adding that the “Toxic” singer isn’t accepting their help — at least for right now. “They hope that eventually she will.”

Is Her Boyfriend Bad News?

Multiple sources tell Us Soliz isn’t bringing out the best in Spears. “He’s terrible,” says one source. “He’s the root of a lot of her problems and the reason she’s gotten worse.” The source claims Soliz — who has a criminal past — is manipulative and has been trying to “sabotage” her team’s efforts to get her on the right path. “He tries to make her not trust the people who are closest to her.” A second source previously told Us that Spears’ team “made it clear from day one” that they don’t want Soliz around. “They think he’s out to do something shady and want him out of the picture.”

Where Does She Stand With Her Family?

Her relationships with her family members remain complicated. She’s tight with her brother, Bryan — “They don’t see each other often, but they speak and text a lot,” says a source — and is in contact with her mom, Lynne. (Lynne was spotted arriving in L.A. the day after the incident at the Chateau Marmont; in a since-deleted Instagram post, Spears appeared to blame Lynne for the drama and said they hadn’t spoken in six months.) “There’s unresolved displaced anger there,” adds the source. A second source says Spears’ team thinks the pop star would benefit from spending time with her mom: “When there’s a crisis, Lynne knows how to handle Britney.”

The singer still “wants nothing to do” with sister Jamie Lynn or her dad, Jamie, says a third source. (Spears settled the ongoing legal battle with Jamie over her conservatorship on April 25.) “Britney can’t even imagine what it would take to repair things [with her dad and sister],” the source adds, “and it’s of zero interest to her.”

As for her sons, Sean, 18, and Jayden, 17, multiple sources say they are in touch with their mom, though an insider told Us in April that their conversations can be “very surface level.” Spears and the teens “text and speak on the phone,” says the first source, with the third noting that Spears is hoping things will “continue” to improve with the boys, who moved to Hawaii with their dad, Kevin Federline, last year. “She doesn’t have as much contact with them as she would like.”

Does She Have Plans to Work Again?

In January, Spears declared she was done recording albums, writing on Instagram, “I will never return to the music industry.” According to Charli XCX, she was asked to write songs for a future Spears album, but they were ultimately not recorded.

“You always write songs hoping Britney’s going to record them. I love her. It would be a dream come true,” she told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live, noting that she wasn’t sure if Spears was actually aware of the songwriting process. “Maybe her team was running before they could walk. Britney probably has a load of other projects that she’s focusing on.” A source confirms Spears’ wheels are in motion with other ventures, telling Us, “There are tons of deals lined up.”

Who’s in Her Inner Circle?

Spears keeps her inner circle small. “The people around her genuinely do care about her well-being,” says one source. Spears’ team is “trying very, very hard,” adds a second source, noting that they’re “looking at” different types of treatments for Spears, who already does equine therapy. “It’s about trying to enforce a routine.” Multiple sources say there are no plans to get Spears under a new conservatorship; her former one was terminated in late 2021 after 13 years. [See box for more on the legal logistics involved.]

According to a third source, Asghari wanted their marriage to end on amicable terms, but the exes are no longer speaking. “They don’t communicate,” the source says, noting that Asghari thinks Spears’ current situation is “definitely worrisome. He hates seeing Britney struggle and hopes she’s OK.”

Is She Overspending?

Her financial habits have raised some eyebrows. “Britney buys a lot of clothes online,” says one source, noting that the singer does stick to “affordable” items: “She isn’t buying designer.” The source says Spears also “burns money” on lavish trips to places like Bora Bora and Hawaii and sometimes winds up canceling them. Adds a second source: “There was a plan in place when Britney’s conservatorship ended for her day-to-day life, but no one followed it. The money is going out quickly.”

A third source says it’s “not a huge problem,” adding, “Yes, Britney spends on vacations and the clothes you see her in on Instagram, but that’s her prerogative. It’s her money.” The source notes no one is ringing alarm bells about the singer blowing through her reported 
$60 million fortune. “She has earned $40 million this year,” the source says, pointing to her bestselling memoir, The Woman in Me, “Hold Me Closer,” her successful duet with Elton John, and the millions of dollars that her fragrances have brought in. She also earns royalties on her past albums and songs. Adds the source: “There is no issue with money.”

Understanding a Conservatorship

A legal expert talks to Us about what’s required to get out of a conservatorship and the likelihood of getting into one again.

Less than three years after Spears’ conservatorship was terminated, there’s some question as to whether she could be placed under another one. According to attorney Tamar Arminak — who represented Amanda Bynes’ parents when the actress wanted out of her conservatorship in 2022 — it’s possible, but not without its complications. For a conservatorship to be put in place, it must be proven that a person has a mental illness or is suffering from a medical condition, like dementia, and lacks the mental capacity to provide for themselves. They “may be susceptible to people who might take advantage of them,” explains Arminak, adding that to get out of it, “you need to prove that you can take care of yourself — food, shelter, clothing, medical needs — and that you’re of sound mind.” Arminak notes it can still be necessary to ensure “guardrails” are in place so the person has “the right care team” around them once the conservatorship is lifted.
 Putting someone back under one can be easy in some cases — “that person has a history of needing help,” Arminak explains — but it can be especially difficult in more public cases. “The pressure is significant,” Arminak says, adding that the decision wouldn’t be made lightly, considering the person was determined to be well enough to be “off that setting” in the past. Adds Arminak: “Were they taken off too soon? Was there too much public pressure? Those are natural questions that would be asked.”

With reporting by Travis Cronin, Sarah Jones, Andrea Simpson & Amanda Williams

For more on Spears, watch the video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.

In April 2021, all six Friends cast members arrived at the Warner Bros. Studio lot in L.A. to film the long-awaited reunion special, which would debut to great fanfare the following month. Over the course of two days, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Matthew Perry reminisced about their time on the hit sitcom, both in front of and behind the camera.

Though it had been nearly two decades since they’d all worked together, it was as if no time had passed at all. Their chemistry crackled, with Aniston, 55, Cox, 59, and Kudrow, 60, trading fashion and beauty tips while LeBlanc, 56, Schwimmer, 57, and Perry cracked jokes.

Even after hours of seemingly endless interviews, echoes of raucous laughter could be heard throughout the soundstage, the very one where the original series had filmed from its second season.

They were the rare cast from a smash hit sitcom who meant it when they said they were just as close off-screen as they were on. Last October, their tight-knit crew was shattered when Perry was found dead at his Pacific Palisades home at the age of 54. The beloved actor was found unconscious in his hot tub, and an autopsy later revealed he died due to the acute effects of ketamine. Drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects — a medication used to treat opioid use disorder — were also listed as contributing factors.

'Friends' Cast: Where Are They Now?

Perry had famously battled drug and alcohol addiction for years, and in his 2022 memoir, he revealed he was taking 55 Vicodin pills a day during the show’s heyday.

Since his sudden death, Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc and Schwimmer have come together, helping one another through their grief. According to a source, the former costars are figuring out how to appropriately mark the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Friends finale (52.5 million viewers tuned in for the May 6, 2004 event).

“The prospect of having a reunion or a formal get-together without Matthew is bittersweet. There will be a huge void,” says the source in the latest issue of Us Weekly. “[But] they know Matthew would’ve wanted them to carry on and celebrate the show. So that’s very much on their minds as they move forward.”

The actors all posted touching tributes on Instagram in the days after Perry’s passing. “Oh boy, this one has cut deep. [Perry] was such a part of our DNA. We were always the 6 of us,” wrote Aniston, whom the source says was hit the hardest by the loss. “She was in pieces for months,” notes the source. “Even now it’s something she finds difficult to reconcile.”

Everything the ‘Friends’ Cast Has Said About Matthew Perry’s Struggles

Cox said she missed Perry “every day,” Kudrow and Schwimmer thanked him for years of laughter, and LeBlanc said it was an “honor” to call Perry his friend. “I will always smile when I think of you and I’ll never forget you. Never,” he added. “Spread your wings and fly brother, you’re finally free.”

Together, they found some solace. “Matthew’s death reminded them how precious life is and the importance of catching up with each other more frequently,” says the source. “It underlined the unbreakable bond they share and the need to look out for each other.”

They check in with one another frequently. “They talk via group chats as well as one-on-ones,” says the source. “Jen and Courteney are in constant contact, and they’re both close with Lisa too.”

In February, Aniston and Schwimmer costarred in an Uber Eats commercial that aired during the Super Bowl, and that same month, Cox shared a selfie with Kudrow on social media.

Friends' Cast's Dating Histories Through the Years

The actors are “all aware” of birthdays and anniversaries that are coming up, says the source, explaining that the cast has had “ongoing discussions” about how to celebrate the finale’s milestone.

“They will most certainly be commemorating it somehow,” continues the source, noting that Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc and Schwimmer will likely post something on social media and get together privately. (The 30th anniversary of the show’s 1994 debut will take place in September.)

The insider adds, “For all their individual successes after Friends, nothing else comes even close to that experience. They continue to look back on it with a huge amount of love, and of course, they’ll be giving Matthew credit for everything he contributed.”

They want to keep Matthew’s memory alive. In November, the Matthew Perry Foundation was launched with a mission to further his enduring commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction.

Matthew Perry’s Ups and Downs Through the Years

In a 2022 interview that resurfaced after his death, Perry — who in 2013 turned his Malibu home into a sober living facility for men — said he’d ultimately like to be remembered for “the things I did to try and help other people.”

Perry’s castmates are proud of the legacy he left behind on screen and off. “They’re committed to upholding Matthew’s values and spreading his message,” says the source. “So while they miss him terribly, they take comfort in knowing they got to share so much of their lives with such a special human being.”

For more on the cast of Friends, watch the exclusive video above — and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now.

It’s been over two months since Brittany Cartwright moved out of the L.A. home she shared with her husband of four years, Jax Taylor. Since then, the Vanderpump Rules alum has been taking stock of their nearly decade-long relationship. “I’ve forgiven Jax for things that I shouldn’t have over the years. I stood by him no matter what. But after nine years, that can wear on you,” Cartwright, 35, shares. The Kentucky native and Taylor, 44, are currently starring in the hit new reality series The Valley (Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Bravo), which follows the couple and their friends as they navigate parenthood and marriage.

Cartwright announced the separation in February on the duo’s “When Reality Hits” podcast. “Jax and I are taking time apart,” she revealed. (The pair share son Cruz, 3.)

Cartwright tells Us that Taylor has yet to put in the work when it comes to fixing their marriage. “Things are in his hands if he’s going to fix some things in our relationship, so we will see,” she says, adding that “it’s disappointing” Taylor hasn’t stepped up just yet.

“I don’t think that he thought I was actually going to leave, and it’s been three months now,” Cartwright adds. “So I think that he thought I would come right back and things would go right back to how they were, and that’s just not happening.”

Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright’s Ups and Downs Over the Years

She tells Us she still doesn’t know what the future holds for her and Taylor, but she’s confident she’s making the right decision for now. “I feel good,” she says. “I feel strong, and I’m proud of myself for doing what’s right for my mental health and my family.”

Tell Us about the last big fight that led to you moving out. Did it stem from a night out with Kristen Doute?

That was just the last fight before I packed up my bag and was like, ‘I have to get out of here.’ We were fighting a lot. The night that I went out with Kristen, I came home at 10 o’clock [and] he didn’t come home ‘til 4 o’clock in the morning. So he was out way later than me. I don’t know if he was hungover the next morning or what, but he comes in and starts a huge fight with me. He, like, made a story up in his head that [Kristen’s boyfriend], Luke, was reaching out to him saying we were already having issues in our marriage at that time. He gets in his head. He doesn’t like to think that I’m telling people about our problems. He wants me to keep everything to myself. He doesn’t want me to talk to anybody else about it. … But in reality, Luke never texted him. So he just made up this big story to sort of fight with me the next morning because he was having insecurities in his own head. It was almost, like, the stories were being made up to start a fight with me. And it was happening numerous times. That wasn’t the only time. I like, ‘OK, this is insane. I cannot deal with this. This is obviously a toxic situation. If you don’t get help, then me and Cruz are not going to be living here right now.’ Because it just didn’t feel it didn’t feel right.

Jax opened a bar [Jax’s Studio City sports bar] and was trying to get his business up and running. Was drinking a big contributing factor to your marital struggles?

If we were to be drinking, or anything like that, we were always going to be fighting. Stuff like that’s always not good if you’re already in a bad place. … I’m not saying he shouldn’t be at the bar. But there has to be a limit on how late you stay or how often you go. There needs to be boundaries set in place.

You said things got worse after The Valley finished filming. How so?

We’d always talked about having more kids, and he started questioning that. We weren’t being intimate. … We were getting on each other’s nerves. I’m not perfect; I was yelling at him too. It just started getting bad. He was staying at the bar more. A lot of things piled up.

You mentioned would embarrass you in the public eye. [Taylor claimed on House of Villains that Cartwright had a stroke, which she denied, later clarifying she had “stroke-like symptoms.”] How does that feel to have your spouse betray you like that?

It was very embarrassing, and he doesn’t really understand. To him, he would be like, ‘Well, I just care about you. I was so worried about you. I care about you so much. Like, I was just telling a story.’ I was like, “Yeah, but you added that I, for sure, had a stroke and you knew at that point that I didn’t.” So you just lied on a TV show. That’s harmful to me.

Does he acknowledge any wrongdoing in this situation?

He acknowledged it but then he’s always like, ‘I said sorry.’ He likes to think that just saying, ‘I’m sorry,’ will be fine and we should move on. … I can’t do that now, this is too serious. And if things don’t change, then we can’t be together because we’re gonna be unhappy for the rest of our lives. I don’t want to be unhappy for the rest of my life. I don’t want to be in a sexless marriage for the rest of my life. I don’t want to be arguing with my husband for the rest of my life.

You mentioned in a clip from The Valley that you weren’t having much sex.

Keeping things romantic and spicy is how you make it work. If we’re going to make it 20 years, we have to keep this up but it’s already dwindled so much. It was messing with my confidence — why is he not coming on to me? I felt like I wasn’t good enough. If you start to feel like your partner doesn’t want you and they’re also being mean to you, it’s like, “What am I doing here?” I’m basically living with a roommate. I hit my breaking point.

Did you try to talk to him about it?

Yeah. He would say, “I’m 44 and I’m tired.” I was like, “Oh my gosh, everybody has kids, and not everybody’s going through this! I can’t talk to him about things; he always goes on the defensive. He doesn’t care about my side.”

‘Vanderpump Rules’ Cast’s Dating History

Do you think being back on reality TV affected your relationship?

Normally I’d say no, but maybe he got a bit of a big head again. He’d made a lot of changes for Cruz, but he started being the old Jax [again]. All season long I wanted to be with him and then things got continually worse. And he likes to throw things in your face like, “I got us a show.” Like I wouldn’t have anything without him.

You’ve dealt with Jax’s bad behavior for years. [Taylor confessed to cheating on Cartwright with their VPR castmate Faith Stowers in 2017.] What makes this different?

After having Cruz, I realized I wanted more in a relationship. I need to make sure Cruz isn’t living in a house where his parents are fighting; that could be a horrible way to grow up.

Are you still in love with Jax?

I am. But it’s different. I was very naive in the beginning on Vanderpump Rules. I was on a TV show, being embarrassed by Jax, but I was madly in love, and I just wanted to be with him. I’m different now. I can stand up for myself and not take his s–t anymore.

What would he have to do to get you back?

There are a lot of things, and I’m not seeing enough effort from his side. He needs to go to therapy. He doesn’t need to be staying out at the bar all the time. He needs to respect me more and stop taking me for granted. I was the closest person to him and was kind of like his punching bag. He was always giving me jabs. I can’t deal with that for the rest of my life.

Do you think he’s taking the separation seriously?

He tries to act like everything is OK. He thinks we can get into an argument, and he can apologize, and then everything’s back to normal.

Jax recently said he has a hard time enjoying life because he feels like he always needs more. Did that play out between you?

He’s never satisfied. We have our son and this beautiful home, the bar and a successful podcast, and he still needs more. He’s gone to doctors and complains that he needs help but then never goes back. I had to pick up the pieces all the time. It’s very frustrating.

Is there a chance you two could get back together?

There’s definitely a chance. But I won’t waste my time and get back into a toxic situation. Now the veil has been lifted and I see how much I was always cleaning up Jax’s messes. I’m thrown in the middle of all these fights and constantly forced to apologize for him in the media and to friends. It’s hard.

Do you have a time frame for when you’d be ready to pull the plug?

We need to have a serious conversation. Every time I try to talk to him, it turns into an argument but I’m obviously not going to do this for very long. I’m spending money on an Airbnb. I would love to be in my house.

Have you guys talked about the house at all if you were to move forward with the divorce?

We haven’t really gotten to figure that out yet. I would love to stay there with me and Cruz and take it over.

Do you feel like you’ll be OK on your own?

Definitely. I feel really strong. At the beginning, I was freaking out. I came to L.A. for Jax and we moved in together immediately, so I’ve never been here by myself. But now I have my own friends and my own money.

How often do you and Jax communicate these days?

He’ll text me random things and send me memes sometimes but I’m trying to focus on Cruz. I do feel like I’m letting Jax have the best of both worlds because he’s still at the house and when I drop Cruz off I will clean or I’ll send groceries over. I need to limit that. He needs to see what it’s like without me doing everything for him.

What are you hoping to see from Jax going forward?

The fighting has to stop. We were just constantly digging at each other. We got to that point, which I think a lot of marriages go through, where everything that the other person does is getting on your nerves. That’s a horrible feeling and a horrible way to live. That’s one of the main reasons I knew that we needed space from each other.

You’ve said you’re open to dating. What are you looking for in a guy?

It’s weird to even think about dating. But I need someone who has their stuff together, who is confident and respectful and makes me laugh. It’s going to be difficult because I am so in the public eye.

Have you and Jax talked about seeing other people?

Here and there. We act like it would be OK, but I’m not sure. I think he’d freak out if he saw me with a man. I’d be upset, too. You can get over those things, but the first one might be strange.

How’s Cruz coping? Does he know what’s going on?

If this ends in a divorce, we will discuss what happened with him later in life. We’re not fighting in front of him and we try to do fun things like the aquarium and the zoo. I feel like Cruz is happier that we’re not in the same house right now — and that tells me a lot.

Are you and Jax splitting your time with him evenly?

I probably have Cruz more, but we’re good at being like, “I have this to do today, so I’ll drop him off.” If I come home and Cruz isn’t here, that’s harder than anything. Jax is a good dad to Cruz; he’s just not good to me.

‘Vanderpump Rules' Stars Who Left the Series: Where Are They Now?

It sounds like you’re in a decent coparenting groove.

We’re doing great with that. We’re gonna be in each other’s lives whether we stay married or not. I hope that we have more seasons for The Valley. We will be around each other.

Who have you been leaning on the most?

The entire Valley cast has been incredible. Kristen is there for me and [VPR stars] Scheana [Shay] and Lala [Kent] are always texting me and checking in randomly.

How are you taking care of yourself?

I’m trying to stay busy working out, spending time with my friends and talking to my family. I’m focusing on my mental and physical health. This revenge body is about to be insane! I’m getting my sparkle back.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Reporting by Amanda Williams and Christina Garibaldi

Hours before his tragic death, Matthew Perry was doing something he’d come to love: playing pickleball. The Friends star — who was found dead in his Jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home on October 28 at the age of 54 — had played earlier in the day and, according to his former coach, Matthew Manasse, had been hitting the courts four to five days a week for the past two years.

“It doesn’t seem real,” Manasse told Us of Perry’s untimely demise. Adds a source: “Matthew was keeping a healthy lifestyle. He was [trying to] get back to where he [used] to be. When he was on the pickleball court, he was happy.”

By most accounts, Perry had been in good spirits in recent months. Amid a decades-long battle with alcohol and drug addiction — which he detailed in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing — he was working on getting fit and spent most of his time watching and playing sports and hanging out with loved ones.

In a joint statement released on Oct. 29, family members said, “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”

As of press time, authorities were waiting on toxicology reports before announcing Perry’s official cause of death.

“Matthew’s main pleasures were chilling at home with friends and seeing his family,” says a second source, noting that he was “extremely close” with his parents. “He was also getting out and being as active as possible.”

On October 21, he was photographed grabbing lunch with a pal at an iconic L.A. burger joint, The Apple Pan, and he’d been keeping fans updated with posts on social media. He smiled alongside his dad, John, in a photo shared to Instagram on October 15.

Related: The One Where We Remember Matthew Perry's Most Iconic Chandler Moments

The late Matthew Perry’s Friends character, Chandler Bing, not only knew how to cut through any situation with a well-timed joke, but he also had a lot of heart. Perry — who died at age 54 on Saturday, October 28, after an apparent drowning at his home in Los Angeles — starred as the funny one of […]

That same day, he’d been texting back and forth with his A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon costar Ione Skye. After his death, the actress posted a screenshot of their conservation on Instagram, in which Perry told his old friend she was on his mind and that he’d been meditating (“I meditate now,” he wrote).

“Generally,” says the second source, “Matthew was doing a whole lot better.”

Perry found fame playing Chandler Bing on Friends, which ran from 1994 to 2004, and was celebrated for his quick wit and biting sarcasm, earning an Emmy nod for the role. In the late ’90s and early 2000s, he made the jump to movies with Fools Rush In and The Whole Nine Yards alongside Bruce Willis.

He was one of the biggest stars in the world — and highest paid: By the end of Friends, Perry and his costars were taking home $1 million per episode. But behind the scenes, addiction was ruining his life. At his lowest point, he was taking 55 Vicodin a day and weighed just 128 pounds. “I didn’t know how to stop,” he said. “The disease and the addiction is progressive, so it gets worse and worse as you grow older.”

Related: Matthew Perry Memoir: Why He and Julia Roberts Split, Drug Addiction, More

The good, the bad and the ugly. Matthew Perry didn’t hold back in his Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing memoir — recalling his high-profile romances, addiction woes and Friends highs and lows. “People would be surprised to know that I have mostly been sober since 2001,” he wrote in the book, which hits […]

Perry spared no details when he opened up about his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction over the years. In Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, he recalled spending two months in a coma and five months in the hospital when his colon burst in 2018 due to excessive drug use. He underwent a seven-hour surgery, and doctors told his family members he had a two percent chance of surviving. “It was almost certain at that point that I was going to die,” he wrote.

In 2020, he proposed to ex Molly Hurwitz while hopped up on “1,800 milligrams of hydrocodone,” he revealed. “[I was] high as a kite,” he recounted in his memoir. “And on one knee. And she knew it, too. And she said yes.” (They split in June 2021.)

He also admitted to spending “upwards of $7 million” trying to get sober over the years and doing 15 stints in rehab — one of which took place when his onscreen alter ego, Chandler Bing, was set to marry Monica Gellar (played by Courteney Cox). “Not only do I have the disease, but I also have it bad,” Perry wrote. “Even on good days, when I’m sober and I’m looking forward, it’s still with me all the time.”

In 2021, Perry sparked concern following his appearance in the Friends reunion special. During the show, his speech appeared to be slurred and he seemed emotionally fragile, even breaking down in tears while discussing the close bond he shared with his castmates.

“People had been worried about him because he wasn’t in the best form during the reunion taping,” reveals a third source, who says the cast and crew “are filled with grief and heartbreak” over the loss. “Of course, there was an initial feeling of ‘Could we have done something more for him?’ They are all just incredibly sad.”

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew,” Perry’s Friends costars said in a statement to Us on October 30. “We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”

Related: Matthew Perry’s Ups and Downs Through the Years

Matthew Perry never shied away from opening up about his struggles after rising to stardom for his role as Chandler Bing in Friends. “When [fame] happens, it’s kind of like Disneyland for a while. For me it lasted about eight months, this feeling of ‘I’ve made it, I’m thrilled, there’s no problem in the world.’ […]

The following year, he revealed he’d been mostly sober since 2001, admitting to occasional relapses. The release of Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing had been a cathartic experience for him. “Matthew put his heart and soul into that project and was elated when it became a bestseller,” says the second source. “He got closure from it.”

The source says Perry’s main objective with the book was to help others suffering from addiction. (In 2013, the Canada native converted his former Malibu home into a sober living facility for fellow addicts.)

“The outpouring of positivity he received from fans, friends and his peers was something that made him feel ten feet tall,” says the source. “He got more satisfaction from that than he ever imagined possible.”

In late 2022, Perry sat down with podcast host Tom Power and reflected on his life and how he most wants to be remembered. “When I die, I know people will talk about Friends, Friends, Friends. And I’m glad of that, happy I’ve done some solid work as an actor, as well as given people multiple chances to make fun of my struggles on the world wide web,” he said. “But when I die, as far as my so-called accomplishments go, it would be nice if Friends were listed far behind the things I did to try to help other people.”

Despite being one of the most famous women in the world, Taylor Swift “was low-key and low-maintenance” as she watched Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce help his team defeat the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, October 1, an insider exclusively reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly. The source adds that Swift “was sweet to everyone and had an amazing time” as she cheered alongside famous pals including Blake Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds, Sophie Turner and Sabrina Carpenter.

It was her second time watching Kelce play, but just one of Swift’s many upbeat outings in recent weeks. On a break from the first leg of her record-shattering Eras Tour — which is set to make more than $1 billion — the 33-year-old Grammy winner is clearly enjoying herself as she embarks on a new romance with the football star, 33, and spends quality time with her girl squad. “Taylor’s doing all the things she hasn’t had time for lately,” says a second source, “like going out with her friends and staying out late.”

Swift kept a noticeably lower profile during her six-year relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn, from whom she split in April. “Taylor has decided she’s not going to hide anymore,” a third source tells Us. “She’s going to be her authentic self and enjoy life.”

Despite talk that Swift and Kelce’s hookup is a PR stunt, multiple sources tell Us the pop star’s feelings for the Ohio native are legit. They’ve seen each other several times — Kelce was reportedly spotted leaving Swift’s NYC apartment on Sunday morning — and “talk every day,” says the third source. “Taylor’s really enjoying getting to know Travis,” the insider adds. “They’re taking it day by day, but she has high hopes. She likes that he’s a normal, nice guy. He’s down-to-earth and isn’t affected by fame. She also thinks he’s hot.”

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A fourth source says the feelings are mutual: “Travis is completely smitten.”

Fans are equally as obsessed with the duo’s budding romance. After Swift and Kelce were photographed together leaving his game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 24, sales of Kelce’s jerseys increased nearly 400 percent. One week later, 27 million viewers tuned in to watch Swift cheer on Kelce as the Chief took on the Jets — making it the most watched Sunday program since the Super Bowl aired in February.

Swift is benefiting as well: Her upcoming concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, is reportedly on track to rake in $100 million during its opening weekend, giving movie theaters and Hollywood at large a giant boost.

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While business is booming, Swift’s gal pals are still a priority right now, especially Turner, who’s in the midst of a contentious divorce from Joe Jonas. Swift dated Jonas in 2008 (he famously dumped her in a 27-second phone call) and met Turner when they both appeared on The Graham Norton Show in 2019.

A fifth source says Swift “instinctively wanted to reach out” when she heard Turner and Jonas had split in early September, and she’s since lent Turner one of her NYC apartments. (Turner and Jonas have agreed to keep their two young daughters in New York while they hash out a custody agreement.) Adds the source: “She’s letting Sophie stay there as long as she needs and is supporting her however she can.”

Swift is doing things on her own terms. “Taylor is at a point in her life where she’s no longer willing to hold back,” says the second source. “If something feels right — like it does with Travis — she’s jumping in with both feet. She’s very happy and loving life right now.”

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Her highly anticipated concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, hits theaters on October 13, and the source says she’s looking forward to having some family time in Nashville and then celebrating the holidays with loved ones. She’ll also continue to attend as many of Kelce’s games as she can.

“Following her heart comes naturally to Taylor, and she doesn’t think about the consequences or the optics of [cheering him on],” a sixth source tells Us. “She’s doing what she wants to do, and it’s a breath of fresh air all around.”

The September 12 MTV VMAs had a few major moments this year, but the highlight of the evening was easily Shakira’s powerhouse performance, a 10-minute medley of hits like “Hips Don’t Lie” and “TQG.”

Later, she accepted the Video Vanguard Award with an emotional speech. “I want to share this with my fans, who always support me through thick and thin,” she said. “Thank you so much for being my army and helping me fight all my battles.”

It’s been a rough year for Shakira. In June 2022, the star, 46, split from her boyfriend of 11 years, former pro soccer player Gerard Piqué. (They share sons Milan, 10, and Sasha, 8.) It’s been widely reported that Piqué, 36, cheated on her with his current girlfriend, 24-year-old Clara Chia Marti. Shakira later called the breakup “the darkest hour of my life.”

Now multiple sources tell Us the Colombia native — who relocated to Miami in April and has been romantically linked to NBA star Jimmy Butler, 34, since the summer — is finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. “It’s a new chapter for Shakira,” says one source, “and she’s feeling better than ever.”

Shakira opened up about her painful breakup with Piqué last September. “I’ve remained quiet and just tried to process it all,” she told Elle. “It’s hard to talk about it, especially because I’m still going through it.”

In January, she seemed to address his relationship with Marti in a diss track she recorded with Bizarrap, featuring the lyrics: “I’m worth two 22-year-olds / You traded a Ferrari for a Twingo / You traded a Rolex for a Casio.”

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And in June, Shakira appeared to confirm cheating rumors when she said she learned she was “betrayed” by her ex while her beloved dad was in the hospital following a fall.

“Shakira’s lowest point was finding out Gerard cheated on her when her dad was in the ICU,” says a second source. “She doesn’t know how, but somehow she made it through.”

She turned to music, writing and recording songs for her long-awaited new album. “All the pain and emotions she’s experienced — the anger, the frustration, the tears, it’s all there,” says the second source, noting that Shakira will likely release the album at the end of the year. “She wants it to be perfect.”

While she’s due to stand trial in November over alleged tax fraud charges (and, in July, a Spanish court announced a second investigation), the second source says Shakira “believes she’ll be vindicated.”

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As for her relationship with Piqué, the source says it remains “tepid at best” for now. “There have been digs from both sides,” notes the source. “When they do communicate, it’s just about the boys. Shakira isn’t ready to be friends yet.”

Last November, after an intense custody battle, Shakira was given permission to relocate from Piqué’s native Spain to Florida with their sons in the spring.

“Today we start a new chapter in pursuit of happiness,” she wrote via Instagram on April 2 in a farewell message to Barcelona. “Thanks to everyone who surfed along with my many waves… the city where I learned that friendship is undoubtedly longer than love.”

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Since putting down roots stateside, she’s been enjoying the 305, hitting up the Miami Grand Prix alongside Tom Cruise and taking wakeboarding lessons with her sons. “Shakira loves Miami and the energy, music and people,” says an insider, noting that the singer’s been meeting with famous pals like Gisele Bündchen for dinner. “She’s going surfing and experiencing the nightlife and everything else Miami has to offer.”

Shakira was first spotted out with Miami Heat star forward Butler in July. According to the first source, things are “going well” between the two. “They’re growing closer every day,” adds the source, who previously told Us Shakira “appreciates how he takes the lead in the relationship.”

Still, she’s not in a rush to settle down again. “Shakira has a lot on her plate,” says the source. “Her main priority is her kids and career. But she’s definitely optimistic about finding love again.”

Kristin Cavallari has never been one to censor herself. “If you know anything about me, it’s that I’m honest,” says the star, who found fame on MTV’s Laguna Beach before branching out into hosting, writing cookbooks and running her Uncommon Beauty and Uncommon James lines. Still, she admits she’s had a bit of a wall up — until now.

Chatting with Us at the Fairlane Hotel in Nashville for our latest cover story, the 36-year-old mom of three (she shares sons Camden, 11, and Jaxon, 9, and daughter Saylor, 7, with ex-husband Jay Cutler) reveals she’s “putting it all out there” on her new podcast, aptly titled “Let’s Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari,” premiering September 12. “Since I first started on TV at 17, my image has been controlled to a degree,” she says. “So this is the first thing I’ve done where I’m like, ‘This is the real me for the first time in my entire career. I’m in a really good place in my life, and I feel like I can finally open that door and let people in.’”

What made you decide to do this podcast now?
I’ve been offered a podcast for more than 10 years. I wasn’t ready before because to have a successful podcast, you have to be vulnerable. I’ve always had no filter, but I’ve kept the audience at arm’s length. Once I signed on, I knew I had to be completely myself.

What topics will “Let’s Be Honest” cover?
It’s a good mix. I want to have men come on to shed light on dating. It’s one thing for us girls to sit here and be like, “This is why he didn’t call you back,” when we’re just coming up with scenarios. But for men to actually be like, “This is what we’re really thinking and feeling,” is really beneficial. We’ll also focus a lot on women’s inspiring stories. I’ll talk about spirituality, too, and have psychic mediums come on.

Will listeners learn anything surprising about you through the show?
Everything I’ve done in my career — the TV shows, the books, Uncommon James — has only ever been a little piece of me. It’s like social media — you get a snapshot of someone’s life. So I think people are going to be surprised to really get to know me.

What do you hope the audience will gain from it?
I want to build a community and have conversations about dating, health and friendships. Like right now, I don’t have time for new girlfriends, and how do you have that conversation with the new moms you meet at school? How do you say, “I really do like you, but I literally don’t have time for a new friend”?

What’s the latest with your love life?
I’m dating. I’ve gone through phases of going on a million first dates, and I’ve gone through phases where I’m not dating at all. At the moment, it’s not my priority, but I’m open to it.

Are you on dating apps?
Everyone tells me to get on the apps, but someone can be amazing on paper, and you meet them, and they’re a dud, or you just have nothing in common. I want that passion and fire. I feel like if it’s meant to be, he’ll find me. I don’t know where, because I hardly ever leave my house! Hopefully it will happen at the grocery store. [Laughs.]

What about being set up by friends?
Listen, I’ve tried every avenue. I hate being set up by friends because I hate having to say, “I just wasn’t into them.” I feel bad.

What’s the hardest part about dating as a mom of three?
I’ll go on a first date with someone and sit there thinking, “Could you be a stepfather to my children?” And then I’m like, “No, you suck.” The good thing is I’m not going to waste my time. I have really high standards now because of my kids.

Have they met any potential love interests?
They met one person once because they were a fan of his. They asked me to go out with him when they were with me so that they could meet him. I’m very open with them; they know what’s going on in my love life and who I’m talking to. And they have strong opinions! I haven’t found someone who’s special enough to be around them yet.

What are you looking for in a guy?
Someone who’s secure. A lot of guys want to be needed, so I need someone who’s very, very confident. My life is really great. I love being on my own; I really do. I’m very happy. So it has to be someone who can add joy to my life.

You’ve talked about celebs sliding into your DMs and said you only respond to dudes with a verified check mark…
Not to sound like an a–hole, but I get a lot of DMs. I’ve seen some really cute guys who aren’t verified where I’m like, “I should maybe respond to this,” but I haven’t.

Have you been surprised by any celebs who’ve reached out to you?
Yeah. I’ll talk about it on my podcast, but change the names. It hasn’t been anything scandalous, more like, “Oh my God!” where I’m texting all my friends to guess who DM’d me.

Did you go out with any of them?
Oh, yeah. There was a point about a year ago where I said yes to a lot of dates.

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Any good ones?
I went on two dates with one guy — they were probably two of the best dates of my life. Very romantic and sweet, he went all out. But ultimately, I don’t think we were compatible.

Any terrible experiences?
I went out with an actor in L.A. He was slamming drinks and got up to act out a stunt and ran into the waiter. But for the most part, I’ve been lucky. I’ve gone out with all types of guys — actors, musicians, businessmen, Joe Schmo down the street … I’ve covered all the bases.

You must be learning a lot about what you really want in a relationship.
Yes. This is the first time in my life I’ve been single. My first boyfriend was in eighth grade, and I had boyfriends all throughout high school and in my early 20s. Then I met my ex-husband at 23.

You live in Nashville. Is the dating scene there better or worse than in L.A.?
I thought L.A. was bad, but Tennessee is worse! I’ve dated a couple musicians and let’s just say they’re not their music. It’s a huge letdown. You expect them to be so communicative and to express their feelings, and then you’re like, “Hello, where did that guy go?” But they don’t write their own music! [Laughs.] I’m going to get s–t for that — people will piece it together.

Have you sworn off musicians?
I’ve realized entertainment is not for me. It’s just a whole ego thing that comes with it. I just want someone normal. I did the Hollywood thing; it ran its course. It was fun. I really loved it. But now I’m just in a more peaceful place in my life.

Are you open to marrying again?
I still very much believe in marriage and love. I was just really young when I met my ex. So, yeah. I’m open to it — even after all these horrible dates!

What advice would you give to women who are going through a divorce?
Remind yourself that everything is temporary. It’s horrible, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Allow yourself grace and know that when you get to the other side, it’s the most beautiful thing.

How is coparenting going with Jay?
It’s working. We’re making the most of it.

You’ve said you’re grateful your parents divorced. Why?
It helps me relate to my kids. My mom never said anything bad about my dad, and I really admire that. [It] was something I wanted to do with my kids.

Your brother, Michael, died unexpectedly in 2015. How did that tragedy change you?
It made me question everything about life and started me on my spiritual journey. My kids and I talk about Uncle Mike, and we keep him alive; they have some of his stuffed animals. We still get signs from him sometimes. It opened my eyes to there being something so much bigger than what’s right in front of me.

Would you say it brought your family closer?
Yeah. I think about my parents all the time and what they’ve gone through. It’s one thing for me to lose a brother, but to lose a kid as a mom, I don’t know how you move on from that.

You lived in California, but you settled down in Nashville. Why?
I couldn’t be happier here. Today my kids are outside riding their bikes all day. There’s a real sense of community. It’s old school, and I love that. When I got a divorce, everyone thought I’d move back to L.A., but nothing in me wanted to move back there.

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Do you think you’ll stay in Nashville permanently?
I don’t know. My soul really comes alive at the beach. I am a beach girl, tried and true. I’ll end up [near the beach] at some point, I just don’t know when.

What are your favorite things to do with your kids?
They all love being in the kitchen — even my 11-year-old son loves baking. We swim. We’re going to ride go-karts tomorrow. We like fun stuff like laser tag and paintball.

You don’t show your kids’ faces on social media. Will you let them go on eventually?
It’s so hard. My kids have seen firsthand how things on the internet are not necessarily true. I’ve had conversations with them, and they’ve pulled up articles and been like, “This didn’t happen.” With Saylor, the big thing is body image. We’re trying to live up to a standard that truly doesn’t exist. I also worry about random people reaching out to them.

You started on Laguna Beach at 17. Would you let your kids do a reality show?
Not until they’re 18. I just want them to be kids. I wanted to be older my whole life, and now I’m like, “Why didn’t I just enjoy being 18?” We all get there. So just live in the moment.

Do you think your E! reality show, Very Cavallari, affected your marriage to Jay?
No. Our problems were our problems before doing the show.

Would you ever do another reality show?
No. I promise you I will never do another reality show about my life. I have nothing else to say. Even on Very Cavallari, it was a struggle for storylines. It’s not for me anymore.

Were there any differences between filming Laguna Beach and The Hills?
I look at [the shows] very differently. Laguna Beach was more like producers coming in, kind of manipulating our lives, putting us in situations we wouldn’t normally be in. With The Hills, it was like, ‘OK, let’s go. I know what you want me to do. I’m going to play this character.’ It was like filming a real TV show.

If the cameras weren’t around, do you think you and your Laguna costar Stephen Colletti would’ve gone the distance?
No. Stephen was my high school sweetheart. I think college would’ve happened and we would’ve broken up anyways.

Have you gotten any memorable advice from a producer?
Just being honest and telling me when to reel it in or when to step it up. I actually had a lot of producers looking out for me on all the shows I did. There are definitely snakes, don’t get me wrong. But there are really good people too.

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What has surprised you the most about fame?
It can be really lonely. It’s also really fun, and I’ve done a lot of cool s–t. But it can be hard to trust people. I was hanging out with a lot of bad people in my early 20s. It felt grimy at times. Being in Tennessee has helped with that.

Talk to us about your self-care routine.
Meditation has become really important. I’m someone who loves being alone, and that’s how I recharge my batteries. Writing is also really beneficial for me. Self-care is extremely important, especially as a mom. If my cup is empty, I have nothing to give my kids. If my cup is full, I can be patient and loving and supportive. I didn’t understand that until the last four years, and I’m a better mom now.

What’s the latest with your Uncommon James line?
Uncommon Beauty is crushing it right now — I think it’s going to overtake the jewelry. We’re really going to expand on skincare.

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You have a lot going on. Do you ever struggle with mom guilt?
Because I’ve gone through divorce, I don’t have my kids a hundred percent of the time, and that’s given me a good balance. When I don’t have them, I go to dinner with friends [or] go to L.A. for a photo shoot. When I have them, that’s it. I’m Mom. I can count on two hands how often I’ve gotten a babysitter. I want them to always be able to count on me. My parents didn’t make my brother and I their priority, which was hard. My kids know they’re my priority.

What’s a lesson you learned from sharing your life on TV?
I learned at a pretty young age that no matter what you do — whether you’re a saint or a wild party child — you can’t please everybody. So why not do what makes you happy?

Like most celebrity parents in the public eye, Jessie James Decker is no stranger to being mom-shamed.

“There was definitely a time when it used to get to me,” Decker, 35 — who shares Vivianne, 9, Eric Jr., 7, and Forrest, 5 —with her husband of 10 years, former NFL player Eric Decker, 36 — admits in the new issue of Us Weekly.

The country singer gave fans an inside look at her family’s life at home on their E! reality series, Eric & Jessie: Game On, which ran from 2013 until 2017; in recent years, she’s been criticized for posting photos of her kids in swimsuits and breast-feeding while holding a glass of wine.

“It hurts your feelings when people are unkind, but as I’m getting older, I don’t have time to focus on negativity anymore,” says Decker, who’s also the founder and designer of the clothing brand Kittenish. “I have three children to love and look after. We’re all just trying to do our best,” she adds. “We should be supporting one another.”

Between your music, Kittenish and an upcoming cookbook, you have so much going on. How do you juggle it with family time?
I know what’s coming, and I’m very strategic. [Last] week, I booked my music video shoot when the kids were at camp and Vivianne had a long gymnastics practice. That way, they didn’t have to be away from me that much. And I have a rule: I don’t do work after I pick up the kids from school. It also takes a lot of help.

It takes a village!
My husband has been retired from football, and he’s been helping so I can live out my dreams. My mom is really helpful, and my sister lives up the street. There are times when I’m like, “Hey, can you pick up Forrest?” and I do the same for her kids.

What are some of your favorite things to do together as a family?
We put on talent shows in the basement — each kid does a song and dance. We sit together every night for dinner because that’s important to me, and we say our prayers.

How do you carve out individual time for each of your kids?
One-on-one time is extremely important. It goes by so fast. I feel like I just had Vivianne yesterday! So you’ve got to have those memories, even when I’m tucking them in. I go in one by one, and I lay in their bed with them for 15 or 20 minutes, and I just talk to them about their day. I rub their backs and I sing to them. Having that individual time is special.

Do you have any favorite activities with each of them?
Forrest and I love making chocolate chip cookies. He knows all the ingredients to get out of the pantry. Vivi is my little helper. If I have to run to Target, she’s my right-hand woman. And I love going to Eric’s games. At [a recent] basketball game, the kids told me I’m too loud!

How fun is it supporting your kids at their sporting events?
I didn’t grow up in a house of athletes, so this is so foreign to me but so much fun. My kids are really good, and they’re winning things. I’m like, “Whoa!” This is not like me and my sister, last place running in track.

Would you say the children take after you or Eric more?
Eric Jr. is his dad. His personality, mannerisms — everything. It trips me out! Vivianne is a combo. She’s strong-willed and feisty like me but fiercely competitive in sports. Forrest is the most like me. He’s a ham and super-duper loving.

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What’s been your proudest moment so far?
There are too many to count, but recently Vivianne took first place in the state of Tennessee in gymnastics. When they called her name, I was looking at Eric, saying, “She did it! She did it!” She works so hard, and I was so proud because she loves it so much. I’m going to cry!

Are you open to doing another reality show in the future?
I don’t think so. I’ve gotten more protective with my kids. People are able to keep up with us on my Instagram.

Do you think they’ll follow in your showbiz footsteps?
I’m almost certain Eric will follow in his dad’s sports footsteps. And Vivianne, I think the girl is going to the Olympics. Forrest loves performing and singing. I want them to live their dreams and shine and do what makes them happy.

How has being a mom changed you?
I became me when I became a mother. My kids complete my life. They inspire me, and when I’m happy, I feel like I’m my most creative. They inspired my upcoming Christmas EP — there’s going to be a surprise on the EP; the Decker children may be making their first feature!

In June, you teamed up with Ryan Reynolds and his Aviation American Gin brand to make light of Eric’s reluctance to get a vasectomy. What’s the latest with that?
He refuses. He’s afraid, and he’s not good with blood or bodily fluids — he passed out two of the three times I delivered.

So could there be baby No. 4?
Three is such a good number, but anything is possible. Every month I take a deep breath because I have no idea.

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You’re very close to your mom, Karen. What has she taught you about parenting?
To this day, anytime I am met with a question in life or a fork in the road, I ask myself, “What would Mom do?” Because in my eyes, she did it right. She took such great care of us, made us feel so loved, and she made me feel like I could live out my dreams. I take that with me, and I learned how to be a mother from my mother.

Last year your brother, John, revealed you had reunited for your mom’s birthday after being estranged. How do you feel about reconnecting?
Family is family. Being able to be all together and have our children together is an incredible blessing from God. My heart is full and happy.

Is it hard having family drama play out publicly?
It’s pretty clear I ignore it. It’s not anyone’s business, nor is it my job to acknowledge it. My job is to sing and make cookies and share what I want.

Do cruel online comments ever still get to you?
In the beginning, it used to hurt my feelings. I’m a tender-hearted person. I’m a human being — no matter who you are, it’s going to hurt when people are unkind. But [now], it’s like I don’t have time to think about it. I just don’t care. It takes away from the beauty and the joy of life. I got beautiful babies to look after, and that’s where my energy goes.

You’ve been open about struggling to lose baby weight. Why be so candid?
I was used to seeing this tiny, fit thing, and my body changed so much. My boobs were down to my belly. I wanted women to know it’s OK. You just grew a baby, and it’s OK if it’s not melting off.

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And you were also open about your 2021 breast augmentation.
I wanted to be real about it. My breasts didn’t look the way they did before I had kids. It made me feel good and confident and sexy.

What do you do for self-care?
Go to the gym, take long walks and bubble baths. I pour a glass of wine and get in for 45 minutes with candles and listen to music and relax. I need that time for myself to decompress. Every mom needs that.

Any good back-to-school hacks?
The hardest part for us is we all like to sleep in, so having to get up at 6 a.m. is tough. We start two weeks in advance, slowly setting the alarms for 7, then 6:45. I also get everything laid out the night before — the water bottles, the lunch boxes and uniforms. All the things that moms do!

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Reporting by Andrea Simpson