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Whats It Like Being Married to the Sexiest Man Alive Patrick Dempsey? The Truth Behind Their Unlikely 24-Year Relationship
Celebrities

Whats It Like Being Married to the Sexiest Man Alive Patrick Dempsey? The Truth Behind Their Unlikely 24-Year Relationship

At 57, Patrick Dempsey is finally crowned People's Sexiest Man Alive. And it has split his fandom in two, with one camp shouting, "It's about time!" and the other more of a "Shouldn't this have happened back in 2005?" grumble. But there is one woman who knows Dempsey deserves the title: Patrick Dempsey's wife of 24 years, Jillian Fink.Patrick Dempsey and Jillian Fink have enjoyed over two decades of marriage and, upon first glance, their relationship appears to be pretty perfect. Scroll through their Instagram feeds and you’ll see plenty of sweet professions of love, like a 2018 post from the Grey's Anatomy star that shows him and Fink kissing in front of the very same gazebo where they tied the knot in 1999. “This spot 19 years ago, today!” he gushed. However, despite appearances, the couple almost called it quits in 2015. In fact, they went as far as to file for divorce. That's when they realized they weren’t ready to give up on the life they had built together and by putting in some serious work, they brought their relationship back on track.Here’s what we can learn from Patrick Dempsey and Jillian Fink’s impressive marriage rescue: Patrick Dempsey and Jillian Fink first met in 1994 when the actor made a haircut appointment at Fink’s L.A. hair salon, Delux. Speaking with People in 2002, Fink recalled seeing the name “Patrick Dempsey" in her appointment book and thinking it was a joke. Then the Fast Times actor walked through the door. “I was shocked,” she admitted. “But at the same time, I was happy because he was so cute.”What ensued were "three years of occasional haircuts and harmless banter" because the timing simply wasn’t right. While Fink was dating someone, Dempsey was working through the end of an allegedly "nightmarish first marriage" to his manager, Rocky Parker, who was 26 years his senior when they married in 1987. Patrick Dempsey and first wife, Rocky Parker (Photo: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)It wasn’t until 1997, when a mutual friend told the actor that Fink had become single, that they began dating. A whirlwind romance followed, as the celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist moved in with Dempsey after just three months of dating and they said “I do” in 1999. The ceremony, which took place at a Maine farmhouse owned by Dempsey’s family, was a tearjerker, according to the bride’s sister, Kristen Mason. As she recalled, the moment Dempsey saw Fink walking down the aisle, he “started crying.”The pair grew their family in February 2002 with the arrival of daughter Tallula Fyfe, then twin boys Sullivan Patrick and Darby Galen followed in February 2007. Getting candid about fatherhood, Dempsey sang its praises, telling People, “I’m constantly amazed by their insight and their observations. It’s fascinating and fun to come up with answers to their questions, and the questions are getting harder!”A successful partnership requires constant work @patrickdempsey/InstagramIt’s easy to assume that a strong, blissful union will simply sustain itself, but that’s not the case. A successful partnership requires work — and not just every once in a while. No, it takes constant effort from both sides to succeed in the long run.Patrick Dempsey and Jillian Fink learned this truth first-hand.In January 2015, they were ready to call it quits with Fink filing for divorce and the couple telling the media (via TMZ), "It is with careful consideration and mutual respect that we have decided to end our marriage. Our primary concern remains the well-being of our children, and we ask with profound gratitude that you respect our family's privacy at this very sensitive time,” they said in a joint statement. But jump to November 2015 and the supposed exes were spotted holding hands in Paris, sparking rumors of a reconciliation. Something Dempsey confirmed in May 2016. When the Evening Standard asked if he and Fink had reconciled, he said, “Yeah, I think so” and revealed that it was realizing that “you have to work at everything” that saved their marriage. Speaking with People, he further explained, “Our marriage was not something I was prepared to let go of. I didn’t feel like we had done all the work. And we both wanted to do that work. That’s where it started.” Calling a potential divorce “scary,” he admitted, “It’s always destabilizing when you’re potentially breaking up a family or you have a big section of your life that’s ending.” Faced with that realization, he and Fink decided “it was time to work on our issues and improve,” so they turned to couples counseling, which the actor calls “very important.” What’s more, they “wanted to be role models for our kids like, okay, if you have differences, you can work them out.”The pair's efforts paid off. Come November 2016, Fink filed to have their divorce papers dismissed and a judge granted the request soon after, officially calling off their pending separation.Patrick Dempsey learned to reorder his priorities The world may know Patrick Dempsey for his various acting roles, but back in 2004, he set his sights on another passion — racing — and built quite an accomplished career, even starting his own team, Dempsey-Proton Racing. But as he told the Evening Standard in 2016, the reconciliation with Fink was made possible by the realization that “you cannot do everything” and that “something has to be sacrificed.” That something ended up being racing. In 2016, Dempsey announced that following his full season in 2015, he was stepping back because “time goes by so quickly with my kids that I don’t want to miss that.” In an official statement, he added that his “motorsports journey has been a rewarding one,” but that “at this point in my life, after an amazing season thanks to my friends at Porsche and TAG Heuer, I need to take a step back and focus on both my family and my acting career.”Speaking of the importance of reshuffling his priorities and putting his marriage first, Dempsey told People, “You can only do one thing at a time and do it well. I [learned] to prioritize. Our union has to be the priority. I wasn’t prepared to give up on her and she wasn’t either,” he told the mag, adding that their marriage is "much healthier" now.Dempsey also admitted that he “always struggled with the question of sacrifice” and it was during his time apart from Fink, which “was really a time of introspection,” that he realized the importance of putting family first. I became frustrated with the lack of quality of experience in my life. I wanted to get to that deeper level, and not just skirt the surface.Despite their successful reconciliation, the work hasn't stopped. “You’ve got to keep at it,” Dempsey told People. “You’ve got to communicate, and stay open and not get lazy. And not give up. And lots of sex!” he laughed. Another key to success? "Getting quality time together.” Speaking with ET, the actor stressed the importance of making time for each other, away from the kids. “Couples have to figure [out how] to get date nights. That is what it is about." There is no such thing as an easy relationship. It takes a lot of work to make something appear effortless and the same can be said about marriage. What Patrick Dempsey and Jillian Fink learned (and what they can teach us) is that a successful union requires constant communication and plenty of work. But if you're willing to put in the time, you will always be rewarded.

Jennifer Lopezs Relationship with Violet Affleck Is a Lesson In Parenting And Its Beautiful
Celebrities

Jennifer Lopezs Relationship with Violet Affleck Is a Lesson In Parenting And Its Beautiful

How did you celebrate this July 4th? If you're an A-list celeb then you were rubbing shoulders with the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck and Ben's daughter, Violet, at the official Hampton White Party.J.Lo has been a stepmother to Affleck's three children (Violet Anne, 17, Seraphina Rose, 13, and Samuel, 10), from his marriage with Jennifer Garner, for the last two years. But there looks to be an extra-special bond between the eldest Affleck child and Jenny from the Block. And there doesn't seem to be a wicked step-mother in anywhere in the mix. Jennifer Lopez Has Blended Families Before@marcanthony/InstagramLopez has had numerous high-profile relationships (and breakups) and they’ve all had one thing in common: The singer’s kids are always her top priority. Lopez welcomed twins Emme and Max with then-husband Marc Anthony in February 2008 and while they eventually separated in 2011, they’ve stayed close for their children. In 2017, Lopez told Live with Kelly that they’ll always be “great friends” because it’s best for the family. “We share something very special in the kids and we know that,” she explained. “We’re there for them, and that’s the main thing.” What’s more, “I’m always gonna be there for him, he’s always gonna be there for me.”When Lopez eventually found love again with Alex Rodriguez, her kids, as well as his two daughters, Natasha and Ella, were again a priority, “I was so loving to his kids and he was so loving and accepting of mine, and they embraced each other right away.” Sharing what it takes to make a blended family work, Roriguez noted it’s all about perspective. "We positioned what could be perceived as a negative into a positive, by saying to the girls, look, now you don't have one house, you have two houses. You don't have two parents, you have four parents. Lucky you, the more the merrier." In the end, Jennifer Lopez and A-Rod split in April 2021 and Lopez went on to rekindle her romance with her now-husband, Ben Affleck. Yet again, her twins, as well as Affleck’s three kids with ex-wife Jennifer Garner — Seraphina, Violet, and Samuel — were top of mind.Violet Affleck’s Relationship with Jennifer LopezPierre Suu/Getty ImagesWhen Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck began dating for a second time in mid-2021, they were spotted making real strides to bring their two families together. That August, for example, they enjoyed a number of fun family outings in Hollywood, including attending “Hamilton” and a magic show in one weekend. A source told E! at the time that "Jennifer has made a big effort to get to know Ben's kids and welcome them into her home and her life.” The insider added that “letting the kids have fun and bond” was incredibly important to both of them. Not that it was easy. As Lopez told Vogue in 2022, “The transition is a process that needs to be handled with so much care” because they have so many feelings; they’re teens.” And now that she’s married to Affleck, she really wants to be a source of strength for his and Jennifer Garner’s kids. “What I hope to cultivate with our family is that his kids have a new ally in me and my kids have a new ally in him, someone who really loves and cares about them but can have a different perspective and help me see things that I can’t see with my kids because I’m so emotionally tied up.” Does Violet Affleck Like Jennifer Lopez?@michaelrubin/InstagramIt seems to be working. Affleck and Garner’s eldest daughter, Violet Affleck, in particular appears to have developed a special bond with her stepmom. In July 2022, for example, they were spotted sharing a huge hug in Paris during the Afflecks’ family honeymoon, which was a genuinely heartwarming moment. Jump to August and Violet and Lopez were spotted shopping in New York City, then in September, they were captured having lunch and enjoying a day out in Beverly Hills. The “On The Floor” singer even let the 16-year-old drive!Just this past 4th of July the seventeen-year-old was invited, alongside Lopez, to attend Michael Rubin's celeb mega party. The two can be seen hugging and mugging for the cameras. Why Wasn’t Violet Affleck at Dad Ben’s Wedding to J.Lo? Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck surprised fans when they tied the knot in a shotgun Las Vegas wedding that took place at A Little White Wedding Chapel in July 2022. Lopez broke the news in her OnTheJLo newsletter, sharing that their kids were with them for the shock ceremony, but according to Page Six, only Emme and Seraphina attended. Given Lopez’s obvious connection with Affleck’s daughter Violet, some folks wondered why she missed the nuptials. One insider said it was partly because the whole thing was organized at the last second, but there was reportedly a deeper reason too. “Violet stayed home because she’s extremely loyal to her mom,” the source claimed. Whether that's true or not, Jennifer Garner took it all in stride. She’s said to have sent the couple flowers to congratulate them on their big day and, according to one insider, “Jen welcomed J.Lo into their family, officially, after they got married.” As the source explained, Garner is happy for her ex because “[Lopez] is such a great influence on Ben and all that Jen has ever wanted was for him to be healthy, happy, and sober, so that he can be there for his children.”Jennifer Garner and Jennifer Lopez Seem to Also Get Along Nathan Howard / Getty ImagesGiven Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner’s history relating to Ben Affleck, it’s easy to assume that the two women don’t have a great relationship. However, that’s absolutely not the case. For one, they’re handling the situation like adults – without any jealousy and with the understanding that relationships ebb and flow and don’t always work out. Case in point: Jennifer Garner’s reaction to Affleck and Lopez’s marriage was not what many expected. Rather than giving the media a public statement, Garner kept mum and, instead chose to focus on her family’s happiness. As always, her focus is solely on her kids' happiness. Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner Always Put Violet and Other Kids FirstIndeed, that’s something both Jennifers have in common. Their kids come first.Two moms can be better than one and their kids all agree. What’s more, they apparently share “a unique bond” and J.Lo truly appreciates the fact that Jennifer opened herself and her home to J.Lo and her children. Indeed, Lopez herself told Vogue that Garner is “an amazing co-parent.”Just like Lopez is trying her best to be there for Affleck and Garner’s kids, Garner is putting in the effort to get to know Lopez’s twins. She appears to be especially close with Emme who reportedly “really likes” her new stepmom thanks to a shared hobby. An insider told HollywoodLife that Garner “is very hands-on and loves to plant plants and garden, which are things that Emme enjoys too.”Every family is unique and, as with all relationships, its dynamics are likely to change over time. The same way that we as individuals grow and evolve, so do families. The key, as Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner show us, is being open to change while also being cognisant that it may be harder for some, especially kids. But it looks like Lopez and Violet have nothing to worry about.A blended family can only succeed if the effort is made by everyone to communicate and get to know one another while accepting that some unions simply aren’t forever. More From Goalcast: Jennifer Lopez Reveals What She’s Learned After Three Failed Marriages – And How She’s Protecting Her FourthAdam Sandler Insists “Nobody Wants to Hear About My Secret to Marriage,” But He Is Dead WrongSigourney Weaver Found the Secret to Her Successful 37-Year Marriage in a Surprising Place

Simon Cowell’s Wife Lauren Silverman - From a Messy Start to True Love 
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Simon Cowell’s Wife Lauren Silverman - From a Messy Start to True Love 

Simon Cowell is no stranger to making headlines. But his biggest shocker was announcing his marriage plans to now wife Lauren Silverman. Whether it’s how Cowell lost everything at age 32, the horrifying reason he quit botox, or his unique judging style (complete with unforgettable insults galore), Cowell gives folks plenty to talk about.RELATED: Henry Cavill and Girlfriend Natalie Viscuso Are Heating Up – Who Is the Woman Who Stole Superman’s Heart?However, it was in 2013 that the America's Got Talent judge experienced one of the biggest media storms of his career. That July, Us Weekly learned that Cowell was expecting a baby with a woman named Lauren Silverman who just so happened to be married to one of his friends. Not surprisingly, scandal enveloped the couple, but they stuck by each other and, a decade later, they’re still together. So who is Lauren Silverman and how did she turn Cowell — who never believed in marriage — into a devoted partner? Here’s everything you need to know. Who Is Lauren Silverman?Despite her news-making romance with Simon Cowell, Lauren Silverman has managed to keep a relatively low profile. What we do know about her is that she’s a New York socialite and a mother of two boys. RELATED: Elizabeth Holmes Faces 20 Years in Prison, Her Husband Stands by Her – Who Is Billy Evans?Lauren had her first child, eldest son Adam Silverman, in 2006 with her then-husband, real estate mogul Andrew Silverman. She later gave birth to Simon Cowell’s first child, Eric Cowell, in February 2014, per Us Weekly. How Did Lauren Silverman and Simon Cowell Meet? Lauren Silverman and Simon Cowell’s relationship had an unorthodox beginning, to say the least. The TV judge first met Silverman and her then-husband, Andrew Silverman, at Barbados' Sandy Lane Resort in 2004. He was dating Terri Seymour at the time and he and the Silvermans were just friends at first. However, things reportedly turned romantic between Lauren and Cowell in 2009. RELATED: Who Is Katie Holmes’ Boyfriend? What You Need to Know About Bobby WootenJump to July 2013 and Lauren became a household name when it was revealed that she and Cowell were expecting a baby, despite her already being married. At the time, a source assured Us Weekly that "Lauren and Andrew have been unhappy in their marriage for some time, and their divorce has been in the works for a while.” Indeed, Andrew filed for divorce and it was finalized that November. The American Idol alum initially kept quiet, but he later addressed the scandal, telling Mirror in 2014 that he regretted the infidelity. “It is not something I am proud of or wanted to happen in terms of hurting anyone,” he shared. “You have to deal with it and man up to it. You have to accept the responsibility and the criticism.” It’s a sentiment he repeated to Mail on Sunday as he adamantly proclaimed, “I'm not proud of the circumstances; I can't hold my head up about it.” However, there was a silver lining: his son, Eric. “This was not something I planned, but I remember going to the first scan with Lauren and I called him Tad because he looked like a tadpole,” he reminisced. That’s when “something just kicked in. I felt unbelievably protective of both of them. I just absolutely wanted him. I just hadn't known that before,” he said. How Lauren Silverman Changed Simon Cowell Simon Cowell is the first to admit he never planned to have a child, but fatherhood had an unexpected — and very positive — impact on him. As he told MailOnline, "People have asked me if I have changed since I have had Eric and of course you do, you can't help it. In a very positive way you start [...] looking at the world through his eyes as well,” he shared. RELATED: Who Is Ariana Grande Married To? Meet Her Husband, Dalton GomezSimilarly, marriage was not something he saw in his future either. Back in 2008, he proclaimed, “I don't believe in marriage, certainly not in this business.” Why? Because according to a cynical Cowell, “The truth is that you get married and in a year or two they clean you out! It's just not going to work.”Cowell has never married but came close once with makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy. The two were engaged in 2010 but went their separate ways only a year later.Well, meeting Lauren Silverman changed all that. Their romance may have started in a messy way but the result has been pure joy. “Simon and Lauren are ridiculously, nauseatingly in love,” a source close to then newly-engaged couple said.Indeed, the shift in Cowell’s outlook on love and family was made clear in 2018 when he accepted his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A decade after he first made that anti-marriage statement, he couldn’t help but gush about how great it is to have fiancée Lauren Silverman in his life. “Lauren, you've been my rock for the past few years,” he enthused. COVID-19 Strengthened Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman The 2020 COVID-19 lockdown proved to be a real make-or-break situation for many couples. For Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman, it brought them closer together. Calling it “a real test,” the TV personality told MailOnline, “We were in lockdown for a long time and that's when you realize whether or not you actually enjoy each other's company or not — we really, really did.”RELATED: Who Is Tara Lynn Wilson? What to Know About Chris Noth’s WifeSpending so much time together also made him realize that “family is everything.” But it wasn’t just the pandemic that strengthened the couple’s union. In 2020, Cowell had an e-bike accident that left him with a broken back. Lauren was right by his side through the arduous recovery and, according to Cowell’s brother, Tony, “That accident was the catalyst for Simon. He began to think about his future, and who to share it with.” The Sweet Way Simon Cowell ProposedOnce Simon Cowell realized how special his partner was, he decided to do something he said he never would: get married. At the end of 2021, he proposed to Lauren Silverman because, as one source told The Sun, “Whilst Simon never thought he was the marrying type, he’s realized he’s met the woman of his dreams and couldn’t be happier.” So he decided to put a ring on it. RELATED: Who Is Paul Rudd’s Wife: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Julie YaegerThey were vacationing in Barbados when, on Christmas Eve 2021, he popped the question. Both of Lauren’s sons were present and, as Cowell later told Entertainment Tonight, Eric helped plan the whole thing. “One hundred percent he had to coach me,” he shared. “He was a big part of it.” As for Lauren, she “never in a million years expected Simon to pop the question,” but said “Yes!” right away. It was a huge surprise to fans and media alike but not to those close to the couple. "They are both super happy," a source said of the newly engaged couple. "They've been together a long time now and adore each other so it's not a huge surprise to their close friends."Are Lauren Silverman and Simon Cowell Married?Shortly after his engagement was made public, Simon Cowell told Mirror he would be a hands-on groom. “I am planning it all, otherwise I know what will happen: There will be 600 people and it'll get out of control, like my 50th birthday party,” he quipped. RELATED: Who Is Rumi and Why Did Beyoncé and Jay-Z Name Their Daughter After Him?In August 2022, he told Entertainment Tonight, "I am always wedding planning," however, as of December 2022, he and fiancée Lauren Silverman had yet to walk down the aisle. When The Sun pressed him to find out if the nuptials would happen in 2023, he refused to answer. “I’m not going there because I’ll get into too much trouble,” he joked.Life doesn’t always follow a clear-cut path and neither does love. As Simon Cowell and New York socialite Lauren Silverman’s relationship shows us, romance can certainly be messy and complicated. At the same time, happiness and light can come from dark situations. As Cowell himself has said, the key is to own your mistakes without dismissing the blessings that may inadvertently come from them. KEEP READING: Who Is Julia Roberts’ Husband and Why Is Their Marriage Considered Complicated?

Julianne Moore Refuses to “Age Gracefully”―The Powerful Reason Why
Celebrities

Julianne Moore Refuses to “Age Gracefully”―The Powerful Reason Why

Julianne Moore is one of Hollywood’s biggest actors with a successful career spanning nearly four decades and yet, she hasn’t been immune to self-doubt. Despite being an A-lister, Moore has admitted to feeling the pressure of unrealistic beauty standards and is particularly self-conscious about her freckles. It began when she was a child and felt she didn’t belong because of her red hair and fair complexion. As she told The Sunday Times in July 2022, “When I was growing up in the U.S., it felt as if no one had freckles [and] I just wanted to look like every other tanned American kid.” RELATED: Ashley Graham Reveals The Damaging Effects Of The Toxic Fashion IndustryEventually, she realized there was nothing she could do about it and she stopped obsessing, but she admits it still bothers her occasionally. “I still see somebody in a backless dress with no freckles and I’m like, ‘Oh! I would love that!’” she revealed. It’s a sentiment she previously shared with Tatler (via People) when, in 2019, she confessed, “I still don’t like them [and] I’d prefer not to have them.” That being said, she learned a valuable lesson over time: “It’s okay to have something you don’t love. It’s really alright.” Why Julianne Moore Doesn't Believe in “Aging Gracefully” Julianne Moore and Amanda Seyfried, Chloe (2009)Indeed, these days, Julianne Moore is all about embracing who she is and inspiring others to do the same. In 2021, she made headlines when she slammed the notion of “aging gracefully” and her reasoning will both surprise and inspire you. While beauty standards are slowly growing and evolving towards acceptance, we still have a long way to go. However, when it comes to redefining what it means to age, big names are helping to shake up the norm by stepping up and standing their ground.Everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Cameron Diaz and Naomi Watts have publicly shut down the notion that you can’t be beautiful, successful, and thriving after a certain age. One of the most outspoken stars, though, has been Julianne Moore who is encouraging everyone to embrace aging and accept it for what it is: a mere fact of life. RELATED: Sharon Stone’s Deadly Wake-Up Call Taught Her To Love AgingMoore first broached the subject in a 2021 interview with As If magazine in which she slammed the term “aging gracefully” as “totally sexist.” Explaining her stance, she argued, “There's so much judgment inherent in the term 'aging gracefully.’ Is there an ungraceful way to age?” she asked, noting how aging is not a choice. Rather, everyone has to go through it, whether they want to or not. “It's not a positive or a negative thing, it just is," she reasoned. "It's part of the human condition, so why are we always talking about it as if it is something that we have control over?" That notion is rooted in some inspirational advice she received from Helen Mirren who once told her, per W magazine, “Aging is a requirement of life: You either grow old or die young.” Julie Moore Knows Aging Is a PrivilegeJulianne Moore in Suburbicon (2017)Not only does Julianne Moore want to banish the idea of “aging gracefully,” but she’s also a firm believer in overhauling what it actually means to age. As she told The Sunday Times, it’s not something that should be seen as a nuisance, nor should it be taken for granted. "It seems so silly to talk about it as something negative when it is a privilege to continue to age,” she mused.RELATED: 2 Powerful Mindset Hacks to Embrace Aging and Turn It Into an AdvantageThe Dear Evan Hansen star elaborated on that idea in her interview with As If magazine (via Page Six), saying it’s time to look at aging as an opportunity. “Shouldn’t aging be about inner growth?” she asked, encouraging readers to embrace life and ask themselves, “How do we continue to challenge ourselves, to interest ourselves, learn new things, be more helpful to other people, be the person that your friends and family need or want? How do we continue to evolve? How do we navigate life to have even deeper experiences? That’s what aging should be about,” she concluded. Now in her sixties, Moore is adamant that there’s nothing to be afraid of as you get older, but she’s also the first to admit that can be easier said than done. “I don’t think it goes away entirely, I don’t think there is a person in the world who couldn’t care less,” she admitted to The Sunday Times. It's Time to Approach Aging From a Different AngleHer trick to pushing age aside? Focus your energy on more important priorities. “The degree to which you are interested in that, and the fruitlessness of that, becomes apparent as you get older,” she told the mag, adding, “I think it’s because you have other things that you are interested in, such as family, relationships, work, or your community [so] being myopic about the way you look recedes.”As Julianne Moore so rightly argues, it’s time to curb talk of “anti-aging” and approach the subject of growing older from a different perspective. The simple, undeniable truth is that aging happens to everyone and trying to fight it is a waste. As the star told Vanity Fair, “It’s not possible to age one way or another; we simply age.” RELATED: Halle Berry Reveals the Surprising Health Habit that Helps Her Slow Down AgingIt’s up to us to make the most of life — at any age. Rather than worrying about something as trivial as a number, take that energy and redirect it towards more important endeavors, like friends, family, and career. As we grow, we are continuously presented with new opportunities for joy and fulfillment and that’s something worth celebrating. Moore sure had it right when she said, “Every stage in your life is a valuable one.” Now that is a lesson we should all carry with us. KEEP READING: Naomi Watts’ Response to Aging and “Not Being Attractive After 40” Is a Lesson in Holding One’s Ground

Who Is Chris Evans' Girlfriend, and What Does His Love Life Say About Dating?
Relationships

Who Is Chris Evans' Girlfriend, and What Does His Love Life Say About Dating?

Christopher Robert Evans (or Chris Evans, as we know him) doesn’t mind being single. The Captain America star has dated a slew of A-listers over the years. But, contrary to what some may think, he’s not averse to settling down.RELATED: Chris Evans’ Vulnerable Admission About Marriage Will Change The Way You Think About HimJust like Hollywood’s top bachelor-turned-family man, George Clooney, Evans is totally open to getting serious and starting a family. As he told USA Today in 2017, "I definitely want children. I definitely want a family. But you cannot put the cart before the horse.” Chris Evans, from People's "Sexiest Man Alive" photo shoot (Photo by Michael Schwartz)“The family only works if it's built off the extension of the love you feel for a person," Evans continued. "If you all of a sudden want the kid more than you want the relationship, you may be on shaky ground.” That’s precisely why he’s not about to force a relationship or rush into one. Rather, Evans is holding out for the right match. He wants someone who will complement his passions and interests while also pursuing their own.Getting super-real about what he wants in a partner, Evans told The Hollywood Reporter that he “fears being enveloped.” As he put it, he has always been “a really autonomous guy,” and he doesn’t want to lose that. “I really like to be with someone who also has their own thing to do as well,” he shared, adding, “If I’m with someone who just kind of adopts my life, that can feel a bit suffocating.”Jessica Biel Almost Became Chris Evans' WifeKate Bosworth and Chris Evans on the set of the 2000 drama The Newcomers (Photo: Instagram)Chris Evans dated some of Hollywood’s biggest names over the course of the past two decades. His first high-profile romance was with Kate Bosworth, who he met on the set of 2000’s The Newcomers. Their union was short-lived, however, and by 2001, he was in his first long-term relationship. That’s when Evans began dating Jessica Biel. The couple was together for five years and co-starred in two movies (Cellular and London) and yes, marriage was definitely on the table. Calling Evans a “keeper,” Biel told Cosmopolitan in 2005, “We always talk about [getting married]. We both want to be married, and we both want to have children.”Unfortunately, things didn’t work out and Evans appeared to hit pause on getting serious.Chris Evans' Star-Studded Dating HistoryFollowing his split from Jessica Biel, Chris Evans reportedly decided to keep things casual and date around. Over the years, he was linked to a long list of stars, including Emmy Rossum, Christina Ricci, Kristin Cavallari, Amy Smart, Dianna Agron, Ashley Greene, Sandra Bullock, Lily Collins and Minka Kelly. However, the situation changed in 2016, when the Knives Out actor met comedian Jenny Slate on the set of Gifted.While Evans didn’t address most of the relationship rumors that surrounded him following his split from Biel, he did go public with Slate. They were smitten and began dating soon after meeting. As Slate gushed, theirs was an instant connection. “[The] first night that we hung out, I was like, ‘Wow, I could hang out with Chris for, like, 90 hours,” she shared and Evans agreed. “I’ve only known Jenny for a few months, which is insane to say because we’re like the same animal,” he enthused.His Relationship with Jenny Slate Lasted Less Than a YearHowever, despite appearing to be super in-sync, they split less than a year later, in February 2017. After initially citing “conflicting schedules," Slate told Vulture there was more to their breakup. “When Chris and I started dating, my husband and I had only been separated a couple of months,” she recalled. That meant she didn’t have time to properly mourn the end of her marriage. Still, she couldn’t resist giving love a chance. “Chris is a sunny, loving, really fun person, and I didn’t really understand why I should be prudent,” she told the mag. Even so, she was adamant that she has “no regrets,” while Evans underscored the fact that theirs was a positive, drama-free breakup. “I am endlessly grateful for having met her,” he gushed. “She will be in my life always.”Chris Evans & Lily James Dating Rumors, Explained Lily James (Photo: Instagram)Once Chris Evans and Jenny Slate called it quits, tabloids once again began linking the actor to other stars. Yes, Evans has dated some incredible leading ladies, but some purported relationships were merely the result of speculation by fans and the press. For one, there was his reported romance with Cinderella star Lily James.The couple first sparked dating rumors in July 2020, when the Daily Mail published photos of Evans and James out in London. They were spotted on July 6, 2020, leaving Mark's Club in Mayfair, and reportedly heading back to Evans’ hotel in the same cab. Just two days later, the Daily Mail spotted them again, this time having ice cream and lounging on the grass in a London park.James was later asked outright by The Guardian if they were dating, but she played coy, simply saying, “No comment.” When Harper’s Bazaar UK asked the same question, she shared some sage dating advice: "Don’t be obsessed by boys! Hang out with your girl mates.”Did He Really Date Selena Gomez?Selena Gomez (Photo: Instagram)Just a few months later, speculation about Captain America’s love life ramped up once more as Selena Gomez was added to the long list of Chris Evans’ girlfriends. Or, rather, possible girlfriends. In October 2021, Evans’ fans became convinced the was seeing the singer/actress. As E! News reported, Evans posted an Instagram Story of himself playing the piano, which turned out to be the clue his followers were looking for. Eagle-eyed folks spotted the reflection of a brunette in the video, and they were sure it was none other than Gomez. Jump to November 2021, and rumors swirled that Gomez had worn Evans’ sweater while supporting bestie Taylor Swift on Saturday Night Live.Neither star ever addressed the dating rumors, although Gomez admitted to Andy Cohen back in 2015, "I kind of have a crush on Chris Evans. Isn't he cute?" Even so, they may have been just friends, or maybe they never spent any time together. After all, the internet is filled with rumors, and Evans’ decision to not comment on every single speculation is both worthy of applause and seriously healthy. Who Is Chris Evans' New Girlfriend, Alba Baptista?Since splitting from Jenny Slate, Chris Evans has done his best to keep his private life private. Despite his efforts, though, fans became convinced, as far back as fall 2020, that Evans was dating Portuguese actress Alba Baptista, the star of Warrior Nun. RELATED: Why Chris Evans and Jenny Slate’s Positive, Drama-Free Breakup Is Truly InspiringEvans and Baptista's romance was finally confirmed on Nov. 11, 2022, when photographers spotted them walking together, hand in hand, through New York City's Central Park. Neither actor has publicly commented on their relationsip.How Did Evans and Baptista Meet? That's a Good QuestionIt’s believed the two actors met in Europe, where Evans was there shooting The Gray Man and Baptista was working on Warrior Nun. However, as the Daily Mail notes, their filming locations didn’t actually overlap. While she was in Spain, he was in the Czech Republic and France.So who is Alba Baptista? According to IMDb, she has 28 acting credits (so far), including recurring roles on a number of popular Portuguese TV series. Her big break came in 2014, when she was cast on a telenovela called Jardins Proibidos and went on to star in more than 300 episodes. Jump to 2020, and she made her North American small-screen debut as the lead in Netflix’s Warrior Nun. What’s more, we also know that Baptista speaks five languages (Portuguese, English, Spanish, French and German), and is 16 years younger than Evans,. She was previously linked to Canadian film director Justin Amorim, who called her his “soulmate” on Instagram in 2019. Chris Evans' Wife? The Star Definitely Wants to Marry(Photo: Instagram)It sounds like things are going well between Chris Evans and Alba Baptista. A source told People in November 2022 that the couple has been dating for over a year, and they’re taking the relationship seriously. "They are in love and Chris has never been happier,” the insider gushed, adding, “His family and friends all adore her."Could marriage and kids be next? The newly crowned Sexiest Man Alive told People that month, "That's absolutely something I want: Wife, kids, building a family.” He shared, “I love the idea of tradition and ceremony, I had a lot of that in my life so the idea of creating that, I can't think of anything better."Evans also told the outlet that he thinks he’s a better partner now than he’s ever been because he’s used every failed relationship as a chance to improve. "You spend a lot of time learning what's been helpful and what hasn't been," he shared. "We all have patterns, hang-ups or baggage that repeat and echo, so I've really been able to kind of identify where I need improvement and what works.”Is Chris Evans’ Approach to Dating Healthy?Upon first glance, Chris Evans’ dating history can make him look like a player. However, as he’s made clear, that’s simply not true. Case in point: He made a vulnerable admission about settling down when he told Men’s Journal in 2019, “I really want kids. Yeah, I do. I like pretty pedestrian, domestic things. I want a wife, I want kids."RELATED: Elsa Pataky Reveals Why It’s Hard Being Married to ‘Bossy’ Husband Chris HemsworthThat said, he’s also made it clear he’s not about to rush into a union simply because of those aspirations. Finding "the right one" isn’t easy (nor is it guaranteed), and there’s no magic formula to make the perfect partner materialize in front of you. As we can see from Evans’ love life, even when you’re a Hollywood leading man who’s found incredible success in other aspects of life, dating is hard. It has ups and downs and you need to embrace the good with the bad. Is It Really Possible to Have 'No Bad Breakups'?Chris Evans in The Gray ManIf a relationship doesn’t work out, there’s no reason to become resentful or place blame on your partner. Rather, you should appreciate the union for what it was, celebrate the joy that it brought, and use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. It’s a valuable lesson we can all learn from Evans, who is a master of peaceful, grown-up separations. As he told Elle, “I've had no bad breakups in my life” because, “if you're ever fortunate enough to love someone and have them love you back, it's worth protecting that. It's rare that someone can truly know you,” he mused, so “if you've broken through that kind of wall, I think it's important to value that.”Equally important is striking the right balance on the quest for love. As the actor shows us through his own healthy approach to dating, it’s imperative to be open to love, but not be desperate to have it at all cost. KEEP READING:Demi Moore & Ashton Kutcher’s Legacy Isn’t a Failed Marriage – It’s Their War on Human Trafficking

Chris Evans’ Inspiring Quotes on Happiness, Success, and Being 'Laser Focused' on Love
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Chris Evans’ Inspiring Quotes on Happiness, Success, and Being 'Laser Focused' on Love

Chris Evans is one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars but he’s not your typical A-lister. Over the years, the Captain America actor has been exceptionally candid about his professional and personal life and his admissions are all the more surprising, and refreshing, given his fame. RELATED: Chris Evans’ Vulnerable Admission About Marriage Will Change The Way You Think About HimFor one, he’s repeatedly shared how acting is not his be-all and end-all. In fact, he told Variety in 2014 that he was ready to move behind the camera and pursue another passion: directing. “I can’t see myself pursuing acting strictly outside of what I’m contractually obligated to do,” he admitted, noting, “If I’m acting at all, it’s going to be under Marvel contract, or I’m going to be directing.” Similarly, he’s been honest about the fact that he doesn’t love doing press and yet, he’s talked openly about everything from the true meaning of happiness to finding success beyond work. And so, in honor of Evans’ many memorable interviews, we’re rounding up some of his most inspirational quotes below. Chris Evans’ Inspirational Quotes About Happiness “Gratitude is the key to happiness."Chris Evans has achieved incredible fame and status but he tries to never take it for granted. In 2013, he was asked what it’s like to be such an integral part of the MCU and, as he put it, it’s easy to become “desensitized.” As the actor explained, the more your career takes off, the more likely you are to focus on the hustle rather than on the experience or your achievements. “You're not just sitting there like, 'Wow, look at this, look what I was a part of' [...] which is a shame,” he mused. That’s why Evans now makes a conscious effort to soak it all in and always be grateful. As he shared, he tries to constantly remind himself “to be appreciative and grateful because gratitude is the key to happiness. If you have a healthy understanding of gratitude, you can't lose," he reasoned. “Happiness is about trying to live in the moment, and being present.”While practicing gratitude is one major key to happiness, being present is another. It’s easy to get into the habit of always looking forward and working towards the next goal, then the next. However, it’s important to stop and soak in the moment. As Chris Evans told Woo in 2022, savoring your present – whether it be career, love, or just life overall – is vital. RELATED: Dwayne Johnson’s Most Inspirational Quotes about Success for When You Hit Rock BottomYes, it’s wise to learn from the past and set goals for the future, but the here and now should never be dismissed. After all, once it’s gone, you won’t get it back and you may regret not taking the time to enjoy it. Sharing his super simple secret to being happy, Evans told the outlet, “Happiness is about trying to live in the moment, and being present.”“The times in my life when I've been happiest are when I've seen, like, a sunset."If there’s one final key to happiness we can all learn from Chris Evans, it’s the importance of finding joy in little things. While grandiose milestones and accomplishments are definitely worthy of celebration, smaller everyday wins also deserve your attention. Little moments of sparkle and happiness are all around us — we just need to be open to seeing them. In Chris Evans’ case, as he told GQ, he’s a sucker for a good sunset. “The times in my life when I've been happiest are when I've seen, like, a sunset,” he shared. When the interviewer seemingly questioned if he was being serious, the actor didn’t back down. "The point is that when I see a sunset or a waterfall or something, for a split second it's so great, because for a little bit I'm out of my brain, and it's got nothing to do with me,” he explained. Chris Evans Gets Real About Love Chris Evans and Alice Eve, Before We Go (2014)"My 20s was a time for self-exploration and, okay, a little self-indulgence."As we grow and evolve, our priorities change, and that’s OK. Speaking with Cosmopolitan UK in 2014, Chris Evans shared how his approach to dating has morphed through the decades and how he’s always been honest with himself about what he was looking for. Case in point: While he wasn’t ready to settle down earlier on in life, that was no longer the case. "My 20s was a time for self-exploration and, okay, a little self-indulgence,” a 33-year-old Evans shared. However, he added his priorities have since shifted. “I'm at the point now where I'm ready to take the next step,” he told the mag. What it comes down to is embracing what you want and following a timeline you’re comfortable with — not one dictated by outside voices or society. “[I’m] laser-focused on finding a partner.”Once Chris Evans decided he was ready to settle down, he got serious about finding a serious relationship. After telling Cosmopolitan UK in 2014 that he was ready for a long-term romance, he shared with New York Times in 2018 that one of the reasons he wanted to act less was to make time for starting a family. Jump to 2022 and he confessed to Shondaland that he was pretty much trying to manifest his romantic future. “[I’m] laser-focused on finding a partner, you know, someone that you want to live with,” the actor revealed. RELATED: Why Chris Evans and Jenny Slate’s Positive, Drama-Free Breakup Is Truly InspiringSaying he still loves work and doesn’t plan to give it up — “I pour all of myself into it” — he explained he wants to find a partner to share his joy and successes with. And for anyone assuming dating must be easy for someone of his status, Evans quickly set the record straight. Love isn’t tied to career or money and there’s no fast-track to finding it. “Even this industry is full of pockets of doubt, hesitation, and recalibration in terms of really trying to find someone that you really can pour all of yourself into,” he shared. “I just want someone with a good soul.” It’s easy to get carried away when coming up with a list of characteristics you think a perfect partner should possess. However, the more requirements there are, the lower the chances of success. The key is to hone in on the essentials and approach dating realistically. Which is exactly what Chris Evans has done. As he told Playboy (via Us Weekly) in 2012, he’s really narrowed down his must-haves. First, there’s humor. "I like girls who are self-deprecating; I like girls who make fun of themselves,” he said, arguing, “If you can't poke fun at yourself, what are you?” That being said, the most important trait he looks for in a partner is also the simplest. “I just want someone with a good soul,” he told the mag. “That's about it. The rest I'm really flexible on.” Chris Evans’ Most Memorable Quotes About Success Chris Evans as Captain America “I’ve stopped thinking about my trajectory, or my oeuvre, or whatever pretentious word you want to use.” Achieving career success is incredibly gratifying but as Chris Evans argues, doing what you love should always take precedence over doing something for money or praise. Yes, it’s true that he himself has starred in a slew of blockbusters, but as he told the New York Times in 2018, he’s trying not to focus on the box office. Instead, he wants to hone in on what makes him happy. “I’ve stopped thinking about my trajectory, or my oeuvre, or whatever pretentious word you want to use,” he told the mag, adding, “I’m just following whatever I feel creatively hungry for.” RELATED: Superman’s Most Inspirational Quotes That Prove He Really Is a ‘Man of Tomorrow’That includes making time for hobbies he enjoys (think sculpting and carpentry), even if they’re just for himself and not his fans. It also explains why, after 10 years of playing Captain America, he officially left the Marvel family in 2022. When you find career success, it can be tempting to stick with what you know and stop trying new things. However, fulfillment only comes from growth, which is synonymous with taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone. “My happiness in this world, my level of peace, is never going to be dictated by acting.”Chris Evans has repeatedly said that he loves his work in Hollywood, but he’s also been adamant about the fact that career success does not automatically equal life success. Yes, hitting your work goals and being good at what you do brings satisfaction and its own kind of joy, but it shouldn’t become your be-all and end-all. As he once told the New York Times in 2018, while he likes working in Hollywood, “when I think about the times that I’m happiest, it’s not on a movie set.” It’s a sentiment he previously shared in 2016 when he explained that he finds great joy in what he does but he also knows to look outside his work for fulfillment. “I love acting. It’s my playground; it lets me explore,” he enthused, but quickly added, “My happiness in this world, my level of peace, is never going to be dictated by acting.” As Chris Evans shows us, the most important thing to keep in mind when searching for success and happiness is balance. Making time for both your personal and professional life is key in order to be truly fulfilled and discover a real sense of joy and peace. KEEP READING: Who Is Chris Evans’ Girlfriend, and What Does His Love Life Say About Dating?

Brendan Fraser Steps Out With New Girlfriend - Proves It’s Never Too Late to Bounce Back in Life and Love 
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Brendan Fraser Steps Out With New Girlfriend - Proves It’s Never Too Late to Bounce Back in Life and Love 

Brendan Fraser was one of Hollywood’s biggest A-listers in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He shot to fame thanks to his starring role in 1997’s George of the Jungle, then solidified his status with 1998’s Gods and Monsters and 1999’s The Mummy. RELATED: Why Brendan Fraser’s New Film Got Such a Shocking Reaction – And Left Him in TearsA slew of roles followed but after 2008’s third Mummy installment, the actor slowly stepped away from the spotlight. By the 2010s, he had seemingly vanished. As we now know, a number of hardships, both personal and professional, were to blame. However, the actor is now making a major comeback and inspiring us along the way. Brendan Fraser’s Very Messy Divorce Brendan Fraser with ex-wife Afton Smith.Brendan Fraser and fellow actor Afton Smith enjoyed over a decade of romance after meeting at a barbecue hosted by Winona Ryder in 1993, per DailyMail. In 1997, they appeared together in George of the Jungle, then tied the knot in 1998. A family followed as they welcomed three sons together — Griffin Arthur in 2002, Holden Fletcher in 2004, and Leland Francis in 2006 — before announcing their split in December 2007.RELATED: What Happened to Anna Marie Tendler After Her Divorce from John Mulaney?At the time of the announcement, the couple’s publicist assured Fox News that "they continue to maintain a close and caring friendship.” Unfortunately, that didn’t last and the separation soon turned messy. When the pair’s divorce was eventually finalized in February 2009, Fraser was ordered to pay $50,000 a month in alimony until 2019, per FindLaw. He also had to pay an additional $300,000 a year in child support, totalling a whopping $900,000 a year. In the settlement, the exes agreed that Fraser would be able to ask for a modification if his yearly income ever dropped below $3 million and in 2013, that’s exactly what he did. Fraser and Smith found themselves back in court as the actor sought to pay less alimony and argued he no longer earned enough to cover the initial sum. As a source told RadarOnline, his health was mainly to blame. “Brendan’s trying to reduce his alimony because he suffered a serious injury that could really impact his movie earning potential,” the insider shared.Smith wasn’t buying it. In her response, she accused her ex of fraud and claimed he actively hid $9 million worth of contracts during their original settlement negotiations. In the end, the outcome of the court proceedings was kept under wraps but we can likely assume that the ordeal hurt Fraser — financially and emotionally. Brendan Fraser Faced Mounting Hardship Brendan Fraser’s difficult divorce wasn’t the only hardship he faced as he retreated from the limelight. When GQ profiled him years later in 2018 in a feature titled “What Ever Happened To Brendan Fraser?” the actor revealed he had silently suffered both physical and emotional pain for years. For one, Fraser shared how the Mummy franchise that made him a household name also broke him. All of the stunts he was doing during the film had very real repercussions on his body. As he recalls, “By the time I did the third Mummy picture in China [in 2008], I was put together with tape and ice.” RELATED: ‘Cancel Culture’ Almost Killed Constance Wu – Her Comeback Is a Significant Lesson for EveryoneA slew of surgeries followed, including a partial knee replacement, an operation on his vocal cords, and a laminectomy on his spine which “didn't take, so they had to do it again a year later.” All in all, he spent almost seven years seeking medical treatment and his career took a real hit. As he explained, “Going to work in between being in and out of those hospitals, that wasn't always possible.” Around that time, Fraser also lost his mother, but perhaps the toughest ordeal of all was one he didn’t speak about for over a decade. As Fraser told GQ, he suffered an alleged sexual assault at the hands of former Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) president Philip Berk in 2003. It was the final straw that broke him. “I became depressed,” he shared. “I was blaming myself and I was miserable” and so, it “made me retreat. It made me feel reclusive.” It didn’t help that he felt shunned by Hollywood after reporting the incident internally. “I don't know if this curried disfavor with the group, with the HFPA, but the silence was deafening,” he told the mag.Brendan Fraser’s Big ComebackIt’s been over a decade since there’s been much talk about Brendan Fraser but the actor is now back and better than ever. His leading role in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale isn’t just generating major Oscar buzz, it’s also ushering in a new era for the actor. As film and media historian Chris Yogerst told NPR, "It's almost like the public was just waiting for this moment. Everyone has missed him.” Nicholas Baer, an assistant professor of film studies at the University of Groningen, agreed. "[The Whale] is offering us an opportunity to kind of recognize the virtue and the kind of fundamental decency of Brendan Fraser, who has been really wronged by the industry and has long suffered," he mused. RELATED: A ‘Destructive’ Habit Destroyed Jennifer Coolidge – Her Comeback Is a Powerful LessonIndeed, after the film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2022, Fraser received a six-minute standing ovation that nearly brought him to tears. As he later told Variety, “I was emotional because it was acknowledgment that what we did is making an impact. And that kind of response feels completely new in my professional life.” When asked about his lengthy hiatus, Fraser said he needed that time to arrive at where he is today. “I know that the time I needed to take for personal reasons and for family reasons was all time well spent,” he said. What’s more, he pointed out that he never actually stopped working, no matter how difficult his life was off-screen. “I’ve always done something every year,” he told the mag. “No matter what it was, I never thought about giving it up. I’m an actor. I don’t know what else I would do.”Fraser Steps Out With His New Girlfriend Looking Happier Than EverBrendan Fraser and Jeanne Moore.Now, it’s not just his professional life that’s thriving – his personal life is also blossoming. While attending the Venice International Film Festival, Fraser made his red carpet debut with a new girlfriend, Jeanne Moore. Since then, she’s been right by his side, offering her love and support at the movie’s UK premiere, as well as at The Whale screening at the Mill Valley Film Festival in San Rafael, California.While the pair has kept mum about their relationship, what we do know about Moore is that she's an accomplished makeup and hair artist. According to her website, she works on everything from films to weddings and is even certified in special effects makeup. Based in Calabasas, California, she has worked with folks from all walks of life, including celebs like Billy Blanks, Paula Abdul, and Marie Osmond.A Valuable Lesson From Brendan FraserAs Brendan Fraser shows us, it’s never too late. Never too late to turn your career around; never too late to find love; and never too late to be happy. While it’s important to take time to heal — at your own pace — it’s also crucial to never give up on yourself or your passions. RELATED: What Happened To Brendan Fraser? The Promising Mummy Star Who VanishedEven as he stepped away from huge blockbusters to deal with personal trauma, the actor continued to find fulfillment in smaller roles. As he told Variety, the goal shouldn’t be public praise but rather personal gratification because it could all be gone in a flash. “I’m still expecting somebody to walk over to me, hand me a dish towel and say, ‘Fraser, get back in the kitchen,’” he quipped. However, the biggest lesson Fraser can teach us all is that, regardless of age, you can overcome hardship and you can find joy and success after darkness. KEEP READING: What Happened to Carrie Anne Moss? The Matrix Actress Who Is Making a Comeback

America Ferrera & Ryan Piers Williams Found Love Through a Shared Passion
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America Ferrera & Ryan Piers Williams Found Love Through a Shared Passion

The love between American actor America Ferrera and producer Ryan Piers Williams’ stretches back 17 years, to when a shared passion first brought the two together. Ferrera was an undergraduate at the University of Southern California when Williams was searching for actors for his first post-grad film, Muertas. The casting of Ferrera would change his life. RELATED: Who Is Larry David's Wife, Ashley Underwood?The pair began dating around 2005, and in 2010 announced their engagement The happy couple have two children together proving Hollywood love stories can last!Ferrera revealed just how important their shared love of the cinematic arts was to their union. “We kind of connected from the get-go on that professional level and that was something that really drew us to each other: a shared passion for what we do and our work,” she explained. The Dry Land Was Nominated for a Sundance Grand Jury PrizeThe Dry LandWilliams and Ferrera continued to work together, most prominently on the 2010 drama The Dry Land, which was nominated for a Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize. RELATED: What Sandra Bullock's Relationship with Bryan Randall Tells Us About Second ChancesThey followed that with the 2014 drama X/Y, written and directed by Williams, who also co-starred in the feature film alongside a talented cast including Jason Ritter, Wilmer Valderrama, and Ferrera herself.“We love storytelling," Ferrera said, sharing how special it was “to get to jump into it and know that the person who knows you the best and who has your best interest in mind has your back the whole time. We were able to do that for each other."Ugly Betty Nearly Broke Ferrera and Williams ApartHowever, while work brought them together, it also could have easily pushed them apart. Just one year after they became a couple, Ferrera landed her starring role in the ABC comedy-drama Ugly Betty. RELATED: Who Is Chris Evans' Girlfriend, and What Does His Love Life Say About Dating?Reminiscing about that career milestone, she told Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast in 2020 that she “loved every minute of being Betty,” but admitted “the hoopla and the whirlwind that happened around it was challenging and exhausting and my whole life changed.” “It wasn't really being famous," she continued, "it was what it did for my personal relationships, what it did to my familial relationships." Particularly her newest relationship, with Williams. "At the time we'd been together one year and then, boom, everything changed, so that was crazy," she recalled. It's like, this guy that I really like, but I don't see him for three days on end, and he's working. Is this gonna survive this? America FerreraHow America Ferrera & Ryan Williams Built a Life TogetherAmerica Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams’ union didn't merely survive — it thrived. Despite the whirlwind that came with Ferrera’s newfound fame, the couple’s shared love of the cinematic arts, and their support of one another, kept their bond strong. Jump to June 2011, when they tied the knot in “an intimate setting amongst close friends and family.” In May 2018, their family grew with the arrival of son Sebastian, followed in May 2020 by daughter Lucia Marisol.America Ferrera/InstagramRELATED: The Secret Behind John Mulaney & Olivia Munn's Relationship - and How They Make It WorkThe second pregnancy, which occurred during the pandemic, was a test for the couple. Once again, they passed with flying colors. In April 2020, Ferrera shared how she was “attempt[ing] to breathe through the fears and unknowns of this time."Superstore/NBCNever-ending media coverage, and the spread of misinformation, only aggravated the problem. "I try to stay away from the news cycle because I think you can drive yourself absolutely insane,” she confessed, sharing, “I could feel my heart rate, my anxiety, my blood pressure go up.” I had to be very disciplined about what I let in because it just doesn't serve you. Especially in a time where you just don't need that added stress when you're pregnant.America FerreraAmerica Ferrera/Instagram Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn celebrate Ferrera's pregnancy.Luckily, she had plenty of support from her friends, family, fans and, of course, her husband, who surprised her with something special for her pandemic birthday. Taking to Instagram in April 2020, Ferrera, who was eight months pregnant, shared how her “sneaky and dear husband surprised me with a Zoom birthday party.” Writing that she was “completely overwhelmed with joy and love.”“You Have Always Felt Like Home”America Ferrera and Ryan Piers (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)In addition to their work and their growing family, America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams share another passion: advocacy. In 2016, they teamed up with Wilmer Valderrama to found Harness, a nonprofit that supports “leaders from historically disinvested communities” and “educates, inspires, and activates an interdependent community of Cultural Organizers to use the power of storytelling to imagine and create a more equitable world.” RELATED: Is Love Truly Blind? What the Netflix Show Taught Us About Love & MarriageAs Ferrera told Vogue in 2019, giving back is something she holds close to her heart. “As an actor, influencer, celebrity, whatever you want to call it, you’re often asked to engage in very shallow, transactional ways,” she noted, highlighting the importance of learning about an issue, rather than simply tweeting about it, to truly help “magnify the work that’s being done.”However, Fererra has never shyed away from her strong beliefs. In 2021, The Superstore alum weighed in on the controversial Texas abortion law on “The View”, while promoting 'Poderistas', her lifestyle platform built to empower Latinas.Build Relationships That LastPhoto: InstagramWith so much in common forming such a strong foundation, it’s no surprise that America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams celebrated 16 years together in June 2021. Celebrating their anniversary on Instagram, she wrote, “10 years married, 16 years of adventuring, growing and building a life together. You’re an amazing husband and the most remarkable father,” she enthused. “How’d I get so lucky? I love you.” America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams show us that when you connect on the big things that are most important to you, your union’s foundation will be strong enough to withstand anything that comes its way, whether it’s unexpected fame, the highs and lows of growing up together, or even a global pandemic. KEEP READING: How Emma Thompson and Greg Wise’s Long-Lasting Marriage Almost Didn’t Happen

Eddie Murphy Finally Found Relationship Success After 50, with Paige Butcher
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Eddie Murphy Finally Found Relationship Success After 50, with Paige Butcher

Eddie Murphy has had an incredible career, from Saturday Night Live to Beverly Hills Cop to Shrek. His Hollywood legacy is undeniable. However, the actor-comedian hasn’t always been as lucky in love. Since welcoming his first child, son Eric Murphy, in 1989 with then-girlfriend Paulette McNeely, the Coming to America star has become a father of 10. He's also had share of headline-making relationships. But then Paige Butcher entered Eddie Murphy's life.RELATED: What Eddie Murphy Has to Say About Fathering 10 Children With 5 Different WomenDespite the occasional drama, including Murphy's infamous 14 day marriage to Producer, Tracey Edmonds, he didn’t close himself off to relationships. At age 51, he found his match when he began dating Paige Butcher in 2012. And while they've enjoyed an extended engagement (Murphy popped the question in 2018), they’ve mastered the art of the blended family. Who Is Paige Butcher? (Photo by James Devaney/WireImage)Born in Perth, in Western Australia, Paige Butcher began modelling at a young age because, as she told Vanity Fair in 2013, it ran in her family. Her father, Robert Butcher, was a model, and her mother, a fashion designer. "So I was modelling for my mum’s stuff," Butcher recalled, "and everybody said, ‘You should be a model'."RELATED: Bruce Willis and Emma Heming Willis Built the Perfect Blended Family With Demi MooreFirst posing for shoots “when I was seven or eight,” Butcher “started really taking it more seriously” at 13. Her career eventually took off, landing numerous high-profile gigs, including the 2004 cover of Maxim’s Swimsuit Issue.Butcher had her first movie cameo in 2003’s Something’s Gotta Give, followed by a minor role as Background Model #1 in 2006’s Big Momma's House 2. While that marked the extent of Butcher's career as an actress, it was on the set of the latter where she met six-time Golden Globes nominee, Eddie Murphy. Although nothing happened initially, the encounter would forever change her future. Paige Butcher Wasn’t Interested in Eddie Murphy’s Celebrity Status (Photo by Mark Davis/WireImage)Following those two cameos, Paige Butcher ended her acting aspirations. As she told Vanity Fair, acting was “not really” something she cared to pursue seriously. “I moved to L.A. mainly for the lifestyle,” she explained. “Living in New York after 14 years, I’m such an outdoors kind of person.” In addition to embracing nature, she also focused on modelling and giving back to those in need (more on that later). RELATED: How Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Prove Friendship Is the Strongest Base for LoveAccording to a source who spoke with Us Weekly, it was Murphy who “pursued her” in 2012 because he was not only attracted to her beauty, but to her down-to-earth personality. As the insider noted, the Australian native “loves sports, too, and likes to go to basketball games.”Butcher and Murphy sit courtside at an LA Lakers Game / Image: Allen BerezovskyAs you say, people will use anything against you. The more you put out, the more you get back. I just wasn’t using it. And I was really boring. I would just post my volunteer work.In 2013, Butcher proved just how disinterested she was in fame and the Hollywood lifestyle when she deleted her social media accounts. She pulled the plug on her online presence after becoming Eddie Murphy's girlfriend in order to keep their lives private. “I’m in a relationship with a celebrity," she told Vanity Fair, "so I felt like there’s already enough of me out there. I felt like I was giving out too much information. I was giving people too much access."Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher Both Love Giving Back Paige Butcher, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity (Image: YouTube)Volunteer work is a major part of Paige Butcher’s life, and it’s something she has in common with her partner. Eddie Murphy has supported diverse charities and causes, from The HollyRod Foundation to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. He even returned to stand-up comedy in 2020 to help raise money for Feeding America. However, Butcher is passionate about building homes with Habitat for Humanity and much, much more. RELATED: How Sting and Trudie Styler’s Affair Led to a Happy, Long-Lasting Marriage“Living in New York, I found New York Cares, so that connected me," Butcher revealed, "and I originally would run sessions with KEEN, Kids Enjoy Exercise Now, for children with physical and mental disabilities — a sports program. I started with that and then nursing homes.”Once she moved to Los Angeles, she didn’t stop. Rather, she found new initiatives she could support. “Here [in L.A.] I volunteer at homeless shelters,” she told the mag. “I look after the children while the parents go through counseling. The recent one I’m on every week is called Baby to Baby, which is a nonprofit for women that have children and are living below the poverty line, so the charity sends care packages with toys, things for the kids, diapers, strollers, and stuff. So I go there and help them out."I also refurbish wheelchairs, for Wheels for Humanity. They get donations of old wheelchairs that are broken, and we change the tires out, clean them, and put new seats in, and then they send them to third-world countries.Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher Put Kids First Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher's blended familyDespite Eddie Murphy’s imperfect relationship track record, he’s always placed his children first. As he told Entertainment Tonight in 2016, “The brightest part of my life is my kids [...] My world revolves around them.” He shared a similar sentiment with HipHollywood, proclaiming, “I do love my family and kids and I love being around them. And I'm always there with them.” RELATED: Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s Advice to a Lasting Marriage Is One Very Simple ‘Secret’When he and Paige Butcher became engaged in September 2018, Murphy was already a devoted dad of eight. However, the Australian model had no qualms about accepting his large family. And they accepted her right back. “There is no people not getting along with each other, trippin’. There’s none of that,” Murphy told HipHollywood.Case in point: In December 2016, daughter Bria Murphy shared a photo on her Instagram showing the blended “#MurphyFamily” celebrating Christmas together. The snap included most of her siblings, as well as Murphy and Butcher, who can be seen holding her first child with the actor, daughter Izzy Oona Murphy. Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher's Blended FamilyIn August 2018, Murphy and Butcher took fans by surprise when the model showed off a baby bump. Son Max Charles Murphy was born in December 2018. That same month, Bria shared another sweet Christmas snap on Instagram, this one showing Murphy with all 10 of his kids, posing alongside Butcher, her mom, and his mom, Lillian. Murphy had son Eric with Paulette McNeely, son Miles and daughters Bria, Shayne, Zola and Bella with Nicole Mitchell Murphy, son Christian with Tamara Hood, and daughter Angel with Mel B. "I really got lucky with my kids," Murphy told People in 2016. The couple welcomed their daughter Izzy in 2016. Butcher and Murphy have two children together as of 2023.Paige Butcher Formed a Friendship With Eddie Murphy's Ex-WifeAnd it’s not only his kids who get along with his fiancee. Murphy’s ex-wife, Nicole Mitchell (to whom he was married from 1993 to 2006), also has a good relationship with her. That was proved on the red carpet, when all three came out to celebrate Bria’s film, Amateur Night, and happily posed for photos together. Image: JB Lacroix/Getty Images (2016)Eddie Murphy’s personal life hasn’t been perfect, but the funnyman never gave up on the potential for love, even after his 13-year marriage to Nicole Mitchell ended. Murphy embraced the good that came out of his relationships — he’s called his kids the “brightest part” of his life, after all — and has been unapologetic in his devotion to his family. When the right partner came along, she embraced that part of his life from the get-go, and although the Dolemite Is My Name star was 51 when he and Paige Butcher first started dating, it was undoubtedly worth the wait.More inspiring relationships:LeBron James and Savannah Brinson Grew From High School Sweethearts to Lifelong PartnersPatrick Mahomes Only Has Eyes For One Woman–His High School SweetheartGisele Bündchen Wrote Tom Brady A Heartfelt Letter to Save Their Marriage Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant Are More Than An Unconventional Couple