Congratulations, you made it through 2025!
Here at Us Weekly, we sincerely hope your year was a happy and successful one. If you’re struggling to pinpoint your triumphs, we have good news for you: You learned a ton!
Not convinced? Then read on to uncover the celeb lessons we picked up over the past 12 months and will keep in mind as we head into the new year:
January
Mother Nature Doesn’t Get Starstruck
The year got off to a terrifying start for hundreds of thousands of people across California as the wildfires took hold — and it was a stark reminder that Mother Nature really doesn’t discriminate.
Celebrities might be protected from many things, but the fires that ripped through Pacific Palisades and other upscale areas of Los Angeles didn’t care whose possessions they burned to smithereens.
Stars like Paris Hilton, Anna Faris, Billy Crystal, Milo Ventimiglia, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag all saw their homes destroyed by the terrifying blazes.
Don’t Try and Be Smart With an E-Bike
Sure, it was a little performative, but the footage of Timothée Chalamet arriving at the London premiere of his movie A Complete Unknown on one of the city’s Lime e-bikes was hilarious to witness.
Even funnier? The fact that he was given a parking violation.
“There was a traffic jam, and I actually wasn’t allowed to park there, and I got a £65 fine,” he said. “And actually it’s horrible because it was an advert for them.”
Damn, you try to role-model sustainable transport, and these are the thanks you get!
The New Year Is a Great Time for a Fresh Start
January has always been a lucrative time of year for lawyers, with its reputation as “divorce month,” because unhappy couples often choose the start of the year to make things official.
Is it down to the stress of the holiday season? People feeling the urge for a fresh start? Perhaps both. And it’s a trend that impacted celebrities, as high-profile couples including Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson and Jessica Alba and Cash Warren chose to confirm that they were no more. Now, of course, we’re wondering who January 2026 will take down.
February
Think Before You Ink
It’s hard to talk about this without sounding like someone’s disapproving aunt, but tattoos are a big commitment — as Pete Davidson knows.
He revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that he’s in the process of getting approximately 200 removed. The star described the laser process like “putting your arm on a grill and burning off a layer,” but explained that he had to do it because some of his ink made him feel sad. A cautionary tale, but we’re sure your tats look cool.
Reinvention Pays Off
When Beyoncé released Cowboy Carter in 2024, critics were a little skeptical about her pivot to country. How are you supposed to shake your booty to a country song? (Nobody needed to worry, this is Beyoncé after all.)
And it paid off at the Grammys when she became the first Black woman in 25 years to win Album of the Year, and the first Black artist ever to win Best Country Album.
So, next time you’re pondering a career change or even just getting bags, be bold and brave — the world loves a surprise reinvention!
March
Never Underestimate the Underdog
Oooh, who doesn’t love a shocking moment at the Oscars? This year, Demi Moore losing out to Anora newcomer Mikey Madison for Best Actress was the plot twist that had everyone gasping into their Insta stories.
But, while fans of The Substance practically mutated into monsters due to their fury over Moore’s so-called snub, the actress herself remained graceful and classy.
“I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude for this journey,” Moore wrote via Instagram. “It’s been the ride of a lifetime and we’re just getting started!”
She added: “And a huge congratulations to #MickeyMadison — can’t wait to see what you do next.” Yup, that’s how it’s done.
Confidence Gets You a Long Way (Especially if You Add Flowers)
Even Meghan Markle’s detractors — in fact, especially Meghan Markle’s detractors — were eager to see what she would get up to on her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. And that was a whole lot of elevating.
From toast to kids’ goody bags, the duchess knew that a few dried flowers and an even bigger sprinkling of confidence was the key to fanciness. It’s a formula she ran with in every episode, as she wowed an array of medium-profile guests at her house. OK, not actually her house. But still a very nice house.
Hanging Out at the Mall Is Cool Again
If you were a boy band starting out now, the mall is the last place you’d launch (after all, you’d just find yourself performing to retired couples sipping lattes). But 20 years ago, the Jonas Brothers took over America one mall at a time.
So, the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, was the perfect venue for JonasCon, a 20th anniversary fan celebration of the siblings who’ve spent the last couple of decades conquering the charts and quite a few celebrity love interests. It had us all nostalgic for the days when we’d actually leave the house to try on jeans.
April
You Can Find Love in the Most Unlikely Circumstances
One of the most surprising celebrity relationships of the year dropped into our laps when former Dance Moms star JoJo Siwa, who identifies as queer, met Chris Hughes, a British reality star, on the U.K.’s Celebrity Big Brother. At first, the pair were friends, but it was obvious to viewers — not least Siwa’s gobsmacked girlfriend Kath Ebbs — that there was more to it. Six months later, the unlikely couple is still madly in love.
Going to Space Might Not Be a Photo Op
Would you go to space if given the chance? And if so, how many selfies would you share before, during and after? These are the questions Katy Perry and a host of other big names probably didn’t spend too much time pondering when they were offered the opportunity to board Blue Origin.
Instead, they jumped at the chance and dealt with the haters afterwards. Sure, Perry was mocked, but we bet she has no regrets — it’s a pretty big one to tick off the bucket list, right?
May
Sometimes It Pays to Be a Rule Breaker
Cannes is full of people trying to out-fashion each other, so how do you ensure you stand out? If you’re Heidi Klum, you do what you always do: go big, bold and with little regard for the style rules.
So when the film festival banned “voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests,” she showed up in a gown with, well, a very long train.
But, hey, she’s Heidi Klum, what are they going to do, kick her out? Plus, her Ellie Saab design looked amazing. Worth every inch of fabric.
June
Never Sleep on the Kid Crowd
If 2025 taught us anything, it’s this: Kids have clout. KPop Demon Hunters didn’t just land on Netflix — it exploded, becoming the most-watched movie in the streamer’s history after its June release.
The animated musical skyrocketed past 236 million views by late August and left former heavyweights like Red Notice and Squid Game in the dust. And it didn’t just have a moment; it had a movement, holding onto the English-language Top 10 for a record-shattering 15 straight weeks.
The craze was so intense that it left parents scrambling for Halloween costumes, since the studio never saw the phenom coming and barely had official merch ready in time. Proof that when kids love something, they don’t just watch it — they turn it into a global takeover.
Being Playful Gets People Talking
Look, if Beyoncé can transform from R&B legend to country queen, Sabrina Carpenter is allowed to reinvent too: in her case, from squeaky-clean child star to full-on sex kitten.
When the cover art for her new album, Man’s Best Friend, dropped, some people got a little hot under the collar while conveniently forgetting that pop music has always thrived on a little tease. Plus, being playful and provocative is literally her whole thing — it hasn’t done Madonna any harm!
July
Clever Wordplay Can Get You in Trouble
It’s been a bit of a weird year for Sydney Sweeney. She’s had huge success, but she’s also been caught up in a few controversies, especially when she appeared as the new face — and body — of American Eagle denim, alongside the tagline “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.”
The marketing team was pretty proud of that pub, but seeing it alongside Sweeney’s all-American looks left some people a little uncomfortable. And the actress was pretty shocked.
“I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans,” she told GQ. “All I wear are jeans. I’m literally in jeans and T-shirt every day of my life.”
Don’t Overlook That Random Hot Guy on Instagram
This was the year that Jennifer Aniston finally realized that dating actors might be overrated. Instead, real happiness can be found with a handsome life coach who posts inspirational Instagram Reels. In the spring, she started liking the occasional post by hypnotist Jim Curtis, and by summer, they were spotted together on the regular.
Curtis looks like someone just asked ChatGPT to depict the ultimate middle-aged hottie, and that’s exactly what the queen of wellness, TV and a million women’s hearts deserves.
August
You Never Know When You’ll Get Your Happy Ending
So there we were, discreetly scrolling Instagram at work when boom! She only went and did it. Yes, in August, the day finally came when Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement and zillions of fans across the world rejoiced.
Of course, before we’d even had a chance to digest their cute caption (“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married”), all the speculation began: When would the wedding be? What would she wear? And can we please be bridesmaids?
Always Know When It’s Time to Quit
Are you one of the Sex and the City fans who hold a special place in your heart for And Just Like That or did you think it never should have been made? Both sides were in agreement when it was canceled.
As much as we loved swooning over Carrie’s midlife wardrobe, the plots and some of the cast additions felt ridiculous, and we found ourselves watching through our fingers as season 3 unravelled. In the words of Berger all those years ago, I’m sorry. I can’t. Don’t hate me.
September
True Friendship Lasts Forever
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when the Dawson’s Creek cast came together for a Broadway reunion to celebrate the show and its star James Van Der Beek as he battles colon cancer.
While Van Der Beek wasn’t well enough to attend, the rest of the cast, including Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson, did him proud, with Lin-Manuel Miranda stepping in to play Dawson in the live reading of the iconic teen show’s pilot.
But the real scene-stealer came from Van Der Beek’s adorable kids as they led the crowd in a sing-along of Paula Cole’s legendary theme tune, “I Don’t Want to Wait.”
You Can Do Anything You Put Your Mind To
Some guy called Sted Sarandos spent much of 2025 sweating on the sidewalks — and it turns out he was actually Harry Styles, who has used his downtime between albums to become a seriously impressive runner.
In September, he shaved a staggering 25 minutes off his previous Tokyo PB by running the Berlin Marathon in just under three hours. It’s an inspiring tale, adorably at odds with the One Direction alum’s ladies’ man reputation, as his biggest commitment seemed to be to his training plan, not his dating life. (Well, until Zoë Kravitz came along.)
October
You Don’t Need to Hate Your Ex
In an impressive display of adulting, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were all smiles at the Kiss of the Spiderwoman premiere in NYC. The movie was produced by Affleck but stars Lopez, and they didn’t let the small matter of their divorce stop them from celebrating its success, with both gushing about the other’s talents on the publicity drive.
And no, this isn’t a “third time’s the charm” situation: they’re just grown-ups who support each other, even if they do also secretly still find each other a teeny bit hot because they’re only human.
Guys Have Body Image Issues Too
It’s been a big year for slimming down as weight loss drugs have gone mainstream. While we mostly notice women dramatically shedding the pounds, dieting is a dude’s game too. Jelly Roll revealed that he had committed to healthy eating and exercise to shed an eye-popping 200 pounds over a few years, which he unveiled in the fall.
Oh, and an extra ounce or so was also shed when he shaved off his signature beard. Are you ready for this all-new jelly?
It Doesn’t Have to Be That Deep
Taylor Swift gave us just what we needed for Q4, as she released The Life of a Showgirl, perhaps her most frivolous album yet.
After years of heartbreak songs, Swift showed her fun side with catchy bops like “Wood” and “Opalite,” while still giving us plenty of juicy lyrics — especially on “Actually Romantic,” rumored to be a diss song aimed at Charli XCX.
We have to make the most of Swift in a salty mode before the marriage and babies albums start dropping.
November
Never Cheat on an Amazing Storyteller
Taylor, Adele, Alanis… we’ve heard plenty of breakup albums in our time, but none as blistering, graphic and powerful as Lily Allen’s West End Girl, which made a late play for album of the year when it dropped unexpectedly in the fall.
The alleged indiscretions of Allen’s ex, Stranger Things star David Harbour, were the subject of much of the record, and she timed its release impeccably. Just days later, he graced the red carpet to promote the show’s new run, grinning maniacally as we all tried not to think about butt plugs and Madeline. You messed with the wrong woman, pal.
Success and Sadness Can Go Hand in Hand
David Beckham’s dream came true as he was finally awarded a knighthood — but the celebrations were tinged with sadness following a year dominated by son Brooklyn’s tension with his family. It’s a rift that David and Victoria have maintained a dignified silence about, but Brooklyn’s absence from the official family photos on one of the biggest days of his dad’s life and career felt like a clanging admission of the divide.
December
Don’t Get Pigeonholed
Adam Sandler may be best known for his iconic characters in comedies like Happy Gilmore and The Waterboy, but 2025 proved that refusing to stay in one lane pays off. While Jay Kelly isn’t his first dramatic turn, it’s generating awards buzz — and could finally bring him his first Oscar nod. Someone get this guy some high-quality H2O, stat!
Patience Pays Off
After years of cliffhangers, conspiracy theories and counting down the days, the Stranger Things series finale is finally here — and if one thing’s clear, it’s that good things really do come to those who wait.
Fans stuck it out through production delays, long breaks between seasons and the cast going from middle schoolers to full-blown adults (and even a mom!) before our eyes. But that anticipation made the payoff even sweeter.
The lesson? Patience isn’t just a virtue — it’s the key to making a moment unforgettable. Sometimes the wait is half the magic.
