CELEBRITY

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Matt Damon has never stepped away from Ben Affleck during the actor-director's most turbulent years, including public divorces and a long struggle with alcohol addiction.

The longtime friends appeared together Monday on SiriusXM's "The Howard Stern Show," where Affleck reflected openly on a period when he admitted he was "drinking too much." Stern turned to Damon and asked whether he felt able to step in and offer help during those highly scrutinized moments.

"Oh, yeah. Our relationship isn't affected by what people are saying," Damon said. "I was there for all of it."

Affleck, visibly moved, responded that Damon's loyalty meant everything to him. "That's sort of what a real friend is," he said.

Damon, 55, and Affleck, 53, have been close since childhood, growing up together in Boston before launching their careers with the Oscar-winning "Good Will Hunting." Stern described their bond as "a great romance" rooted in genuine love rather than Hollywood convenience.

"It's definitely love," Affleck agreed, explaining that the intensity of early male friendships often shapes identity. He said those relationships, especially ones built young, can last a lifetime and provide emotional grounding long after fame arrives.

Damon added that sharing success helped them stay balanced. "We hit the lottery," he said. "We hit it together."

Affleck credited that shared rise for keeping both men "sane" in an industry that can distort reality. Becoming famous simultaneously, he explained, gave them someone trusted to question choices, offer honesty, and cut through excess.

Damon has previously expressed sympathy for Affleck's level of scrutiny, saying he could not imagine enduring that pressure himself. Affleck has faced two highly public

divorces, from Jennifer Garner in 2015 and Jennifer Lopez in 2025, alongside well-documented efforts to address alcoholism.

In 2018, Affleck announced he had completed treatment, describing addiction as a lifelong commitment requiring humility and constant work. Damon stood by him throughout, largely shielded from similar attention.

"And it's been like that for 25 years," Damon said, noting their parallel careers and his gratitude for avoiding some of the spotlight.

Damon, married to Luciana Bozán since 2005, said stability and friendship have been key. For Affleck, that friendship remains foundational, a presence through recovery.

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Muhammad Ali once joked that he should be a postage stamp because “that’s the only way I’ll ever get licked.”

Now, the three-time heavyweight champion’s quip is becoming reality.

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Sheinelle Jones marked a deeply emotional milestone on Monday, January 12, as she made her official debut as Jenna Bush Hager's permanent co-host on Today's fourth hour, newly titled Today With Jenna & Sheinelle. The broadcast was filled with tears, memories and tributes, as Jones reflected on stepping into the role months after the death of her husband, Uche Ojeh.

Early in the episode, Jones revealed a personal story she initially hadn't planned to share publicly. "I did not plan to share this, but I shared it with Jenna and she is having me share this with you," Jones, 47, told viewers. She recalled that Ojeh had always believed she belonged on a talk show dating back to their college years. "Uche always felt like, when we were in college, 'Oh, you should do a show,'" she said, admitting she often brushed off the idea.

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Paris Hilton is preparing to share her life story on the big screen with the release of her new documentary film, Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir, which arrives in theaters on Jan. 30. The entrepreneur and media personality described the project as deeply personal and rooted in empowerment, saying it is ultimately about encouraging others to live authentically and take control of their own narratives.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the 2025 TikTok Awards in Los Angeles on Dec. 18, Hilton said she feels proud of the finished film and what it represents. The 44 year old, who accepted the Muse of the Year award at the event, explained that being an "infinite icon" means inspiring people to be true to themselves while striving to make a positive impact on the world.

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Bebe Rexha has jokingly suggested she might ask Taylor Swift to manage her pop career. Over the weekend, the 36-year-old singer shared a series of posts on X reflecting on her place in the music industry and poking fun at her own success level. She responded to a fan's suggestion that Swift, also 36, could take on the role of her manager with the comment, "That's actually genius."

The conversation began when Rexha shared a meme of the Grim Reaper preparing to unlock her door after freeing other pop stars, including Tinashe, Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and Zara Larsson, from what internet users jokingly call the "Khia Asylum." The term refers to a supposed place where pop stars are kept until they achieve major success, named after rapper Khia. Rexha captioned the meme, "Guys

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Timothée Chalamet earned his first Golden Globe win on Sunday night, taking home best actor in a motion picture, musical or comedy for his performance in Marty Supreme at the 2026 ceremony in Beverly Hills.

The actor, who had previously been nominated four times without a win, reflected on how those earlier losses shaped the significance of the moment. Chalamet was first recognized for Call Me by Your Name, followed by nominations for Beautiful Boy, Wonka, and last year's Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.

"My dad instilled in me a spirit of gratitude growing up, always be grateful for what you have," Chalamet said during his acceptance speech. "It allowed me to leave ceremonies in the past empty-handed with my head held high. But I'd be lying if I said those moments didn't make this one that much sweeter."