Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin led the comingofage film. Where is the My Girl cast now? See what the beloved '90s stars are doing today Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin led the comingofage film. By Allison DeGrushe :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/allisondegrusheEWbiophotoe5f8e89253c84b7085a43c502a3051a4.jpg) Allison DeGrushe Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at . She has been working at since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify. EW's editorial guidelines January 1, 2026 12:00 p.m.

Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin led the coming-of-age film.

Where is the *My Girl *cast now? See what the beloved '90s stars are doing today

Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin led the coming-of-age film.

By Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at **. She has been working at * *since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify.

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Anna Chlumsky as Vada and Macaulay Culkin as Thomas in 'My Girl'. Credit:

Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett

- *My Girl *centers on Anna Chlumsky's Vada, an 11-year-old girl who has a deep fixation on death.

- The coming-of-age drama hit theaters on Nov. 27, 1991.

- The film costars Macaulay Culkin, Dan Aykroyd, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

*My Girl *arrived in theaters in November 1991, a tearjerker that resonated with audiences everywhere. Set in 1972, the coming-of-age film follows 11-year-old Vada (Anna Chlumsky), a hypersensitive kid fascinated by death, as she navigates a challenging summer.

At the time, critics were divided. **'s critic noted that while "there's something discomforting about a movie that takes the experience of an audacious, conflicted child and reduces it to: She needs to Confront Her Feelings," there are still "some sweet, funny moments," thanks to the charming cast.

Despite the mixed reception, *My Girl *performed well at the box office and has since become a nostalgic '90s treasure. Now, over 30 years later, *My Girl* has found a new audience on Netflix, and we're catching up with the cast to see what they've been up to since its release.

Read on to see the *My Girl *cast, then and now.

Anna Chlumsky as Vada Sultenfuss

Anna Chlumsky in 'My Girl'; Anna Chlumsky at the 'Bride Hard' premiere at the DGA Theater on June 18, 2025 in Los Angeles.

Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett; Michael Buckner/Getty

Anna Chlumsky has done a lot in her career, but to many, she'll always be remembered as Vada Sultenfuss, the angsty kid obsessed with death, in *My Girl*.

She went on to star in the 1994 sequel and a handful of other films, including *Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain *(1995), before stepping away from acting. During her hiatus, Chlumsky graduated from the University of Chicago and briefly worked in publishing.

The actress later attended drama school and returned to acting, landing guest roles on shows like *Law & Order *and *30 Rock*. Her big comeback came in 2012 with HBO's *Veep*, where her role as Amy Brookheimer earned her six Emmy nominations.

The 20 best female coming-of-age movies, from 'Now and Then' to 'Lady Bird'

Macaulay Culkin in his first screen kiss

Since then, Chlumsky has appeared on *Hannibal *(2013–2014) and *Inventing Anna *(2022), voiced characters on the Paramount+ *Rugrats *reboot, and starred in the films *They/Them* (2022) and *Bride Hard*.

Despite *My Girl *being a hit and Chlumsky's big role, she's been open about being tired of talking about the movie. In June 2025, she told *Forbes *that, even with the current trend of sequels and reboots, she has no interest in returning for a third *My Girl *movie.

"I've heard so many different ideas about that, but I will never, ever do one. I will never be involved in that," she said. "I don't want to do it. Sorry. Life's too short. I don't need to do that.… I played that character when I was ten years old. I don't have to play it as an adult."

Macaulay Culkin as Thomas J. Sennett

Macauley Culkin in 'My Girl'; Macaulay Culkin attends the Academy Museum Gala at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Oct. 19, 2024 in Los Angeles.

Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett; Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage

By the time *My Girl *hit theaters, Macaulay Culkin was already a household name thanks to *Home Alone*. But instead of playing another mischievous kid outsmarting burglars, Culkin showed a softer side as Vada's ill-fated friend Thomas J. Sennett, who is "allergic to everything."

Following the 1991 movie, Culkin starred in the *Home Alone *sequel and, like Chlumsy, eventually took a step back from acting. He returned in 2003's *Party Monster *and appeared in a number of indie films, such as *Sex and Breakfast* (2007) and *Changeland *(2019).

Culkin has since shifted to TV, with roles on *American Horror Story: Double Feature *(2021), *The Righteous Gemstones *(2022), and *Fallout *(2025). In 2023, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Offscreen, he published his autobiography *Junior *(2006) and even sang lead vocals for the comedy rock group, The Pizza Underground.

In a November 2025 appearance on the podcast *On Film ... With Kevin McCarthy*, Culkin opened up about some of the dangerous stunts from *My Girl*. For one, his character's death was filmed with real bees. "They actually released thousands of bees on me," he recalled.

Looking back, he admitted something like that wouldn't happen today. "That would not fly nowadays, boy howdy," he said, adding, "They just told me to wave my hands in front of my face, so the bees could get in front of my face, for the camera and all that stuff."

If that wasn't enough, Culkin also had to jump into a lake while trappers were actively catching snapping turtles, venomous snakes, and alligators.

Dan Aykroyd as Harry Sultenfuss

Dan Aykroyd in 'My Girl'; Dan Aykroyd attends a photocall to launch the 3L jeroboam of Crystal Head Vodka at Opera Gallery on Sept. 16, 2014 in London.

Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett; Dave J Hogan/Getty

Dan Aykroyd joined *My Girl* with plenty of comedy credentials, thanks to hits like *The Blues Brothers* (1980), *Trading Places *(1983), and *Ghostbusters *(1984). Plus, we can't forget about his time as an original cast member on *Saturday Night Live*, which even earned him an Emmy.

In *My Girl*, he took on a more grounded role as Harry, Vada's widowed father who runs a funeral home.

Aykroyd has stayed busy ever since, appearing in dozens of movies and TV shows, such as *Soul Man *(1997–1998), *50 First Dates *(2004), *Christmas With the Kranks *(2004), and *Tammy *(2014). He's also never fully left the *Ghostbusters *universe, returning for several video games and reboots, including 2024's *Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire*.

Jamie Lee Curtis as Shelly DeVoto

Jamie Lee Curtis in 'My Girl'; Jamie Lee Curtis attends the 'Freakier Friday' premiere at El Capitan Theatre on July 22, 2025 in Los Angeles.

Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett; Jesse Grant/Getty

Like Culkin and Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis was already a well-known actress by the time *My Girl *hit theaters. She made a name for herself as a scream queen in the *Halloween *movies before stepping into the role of Shelly Devoto, the sweet makeup artist who becomes an important presence in Vada's life.

In the years since, Curtis has starred in dozens of films, returning to the *Halloween *franchise while also appearing in hits like *Freaky Friday *(2003) and its 2025 sequel, *Christmas With the Kranks* (2004), and *Knives Out *(2019). In 2022, she earned widespread acclaim for playing an IRS agent in *Everything Everywhere All at Once*, a role that won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Curtis has also made plenty of TV appearances over the years, with roles on *New Girl *(2012–2018), *Scream Queens *(2015–2016), and *The Bear *(2023–2025), the latter earning her an Emmy for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series.

In a recent interview with *Entertainment Tonight*, Curtis said she "loved" making *My Girl*. "That was another beautiful, unexpected, beautiful little bit of work and a wonderful character that I got to play," she told the outlet.

She also confessed that it wasn't always easy watching Chlumsky and Culkin act out such emotionally heavy scenes. "Watching young actors do an adult's job, it's very challenging," she said. "It's hard for me. It's hard to wrestle with that."

"I've played a lot of moms, worked with a lot of young actors, and Macaulay and Anna were so great," Curtis added.

Richard Masur as Phil Sultenfuss

Richard Masur in 'My Girl'; Richard Masur attends the 'Tumbledown' premiere at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Columbia; Lars Niki/Corbis via Getty Images

Before stepping into the role of Vada's Uncle Phil in *My Girl*, Richard Masur had built a solid career with *Hot I Baltimore* (1975), *One Day at a Time* (1975–1976, 1981), and *Risky Business *(1983).

After appearing in the drama, Masur stayed busy both on and offscreen, serving two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and popped up on shows like *The Good Wife *(2015–2016), *Transparent *(2015–2016), *Orange Is the New Black* (2015–2016), *Younger *(2016–2018), and *The Girls on the Bus* (2024).

Griffin Dunne as Mr. Jake Bixler

Griffin Dunne in 'My Girl'; Griffin Dunne attends the 'Drive-Away Dolls' premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on Feb. 20, 2024 in New York City.

Columbia Pictures; Cindy Ord/Getty

Oscar nominee Griffin Dunne took on the role of Mr. Bixler, Vada's teacher and secret crush, in *My Girl*.

Since then, he's gone on to appear in a mix of films and TV shows, including *House of Lies* (2013–2014), *Dallas Buyers Club* (2013), *Only Murders in the Building *(2024), and *Caught Stealing *(2025). Dunne also earned praise for his heartfelt performance as Nicky Pearson on NBC's hit series *This Is Us *(2018–2022).

Where can I watch My Girl?**

*My Girl *is now streaming on Netflix.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

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#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 02, 2026

Where is the My Girl cast now? See what the beloved '90s stars are doing today

Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin led the comingofage film. Where is the My Girl cast now? See what the beloved '90s ...

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Zack Snyder shares test photos of Henry Cavill in Christopher Reeve's Superman suit: 'It was unde...

Cavill played the superhero in &34;Man of Steel,&34; &34;Batman v Superman,&34; and &34;Justice League.&34; Zack Snyder shares test photos of Henry Cavill in Christopher Reeve's Superman suit: 'It was undeniable' Cavill played the superhero in &34;Man of Steel,&34; &34;Batman v Superman,&34; and &34;Justice League.&34; By Sydney Bucksbaum :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/headshotb5dc24df8d5d43d1a16c9ce0e0383119.jpg) Sydney Bucksbaum Sydney Bucksbaum is a staff writer at . She has been working at EW since 2019 and is a published author.

Cavill played the superhero in "Man of Steel," "Batman v Superman," and "Justice League."

Zack Snyder shares test photos of Henry Cavill in Christopher Reeve's Superman suit: 'It was undeniable'

Cavill played the superhero in "Man of Steel," "Batman v Superman," and "Justice League."

By Sydney Bucksbaum

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Sydney Bucksbaum is a staff writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2019 and is a published author. Her work has previously appeared in *TV Guide Magazine*, E! News/E! Online, *The Hollywood Reporter*, Mashable, Bustle, IGN, DCComics.com, Inverse, *The Daily Northwestern*, and more.

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December 26, 2025 6:14 p.m. ET

Christopher Reeve and Henry Cavill as Superman. Credit:

Warner Bros.; Clay Enos/Warner Bros.

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's… Henry Cavill wearing Christopher Reeve's original Superman suit.

*Justice League* director Zack Snyder has shared two early test photos of Cavill in the iconic cape and spandex that solidified the actor's run as the Man of the Steel.

"Henry Cavill. The original Superman suit," Snyder captioned an Instagram photo Thursday. "This photo. It was undeniable."

While sharing another, more close-up shot, Snyder added, "With the last image I shared, and this one we showed WB, everyone agreed: Henry Cavill was Superman. That's where the journey began."

Henry Cavill in 'Man of Steel'.

This isn't the first time Snyder has offered a glimpse of Cavill in Reeve's original suit. In 2017, the filmmaker posted a behind-the-scenes shot of Cavill in the costume sitting in a makeup chair on set. However, these new photos are more in character and out in the world, showing Cavill in all his Superman glory.

"First test with Henry," Snyder wrote in the caption of the first photo posted to his Vero account in 2017, of which a blurry version emerged online three years prior. "I knew right away he was my Superman."

Christopher Reeve in 'Superman'.

Silver Screen Collection/Getty

As Snyder explained during a 2016 interview, "We didn't have the suit made when Henry was auditioning, so he wore the original Christopher Reeve suit. He put it on and when he came out of the trailer, everyone was like, 'Dang, you're Superman!'"

Cavill recalled feeling imposter syndrome in that moment when speaking to * *in 2011. "All I could think was, 'Oh, God, they're going to look at me and go, 'He's not Superman. Not a chance,''" Cavill said. "The actor inside me was going, 'You're not ready! You're not ready!'"

But Snyder revealed that "no one laughed" when Cavill first walked out wearing that suit.

Henry Cavill Dons Christopher Reeve's Superman Suit In Test Shot

James Gunn says it was 'terrible' letting go of Henry Cavill ahead of new 'Superman'

"Other actors put that suit on and it's a joke, even if they're great actors," Snyder added. "Henry put it on, and he exuded this kind of crazy-calm confidence that just made me go, 'Wow. Okay, this is Superman.'"

Reeve played Superman across four films between 1978 and 1987, paving the way for Cavill to debut as the beloved superhero (with his own modernized suit) in 2013's *Man of Steel*. Cavill continued wearing the cape in Snyder's follow-ups *Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice *(2016) and * Justice League *(2017), and also made a cameo in 2022's *Black Adam*.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Despite a promise of more to come as Superman, plans for Cavill to return to the character were scrapped after James Gunn and Peter Safran rebooted the onscreen DC Universe. David Corenswet took over the role, beginning in this year's *Superman*, opposite Nicholas Hoult and Rachel Brosnahan.

"It was really unfair to him and was a total bummer," Gunn previously said of the way Cavill found out about the recasting.**

- Movie Reviews & Recommendations

- Superhero Movies

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January 01, 2026

Zack Snyder shares test photos of Henry Cavill in Christopher Reeve's Superman suit: 'It was unde...

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EW's handy calendar for the biggest theatrical and streaming movie premiere dates. Your guide to 2026 movie release dates EW's handy calendar for the biggest theatrical and streaming movie premiere dates. By Gerrad Hall :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/Gerrad413fcf02541834f43bb26c0de8fe66f66.jpg) Gerrad Hall is an editorial director at , overseeing movie, awards, and music coverage. He is also host of The Awardist podcast, and has cohosted EW's live Oscars, Emmys, SAG, and Grammys red carpet shows.

EW's handy calendar for the biggest theatrical and streaming movie premiere dates.

Your guide to 2026 movie release dates

EW's handy calendar for the biggest theatrical and streaming movie premiere dates.

By Gerrad Hall

Gerrad Hall is an editorial director at **, overseeing movie, awards, and music coverage. He is also host of *The Awardist* podcast, and has cohosted EW's live Oscars, Emmys, SAG, and Grammys red carpet shows. He has appeared on *Good Morning America*, *The Talk*, *Access Hollywood*, *Extra!*, and other talk shows, delivering the latest news on pop culture and entertainment.

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December 30, 2025 5:00 p.m. ET

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'Scream 7'; 'Wuthering Heights'; 'Toy Story 5'; 'The Odyssey'; 'The Mandalorian and Grogu'. Credit:

Jessica Miglio/Paramount Pictures; Warner Bros; Pixar; Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures; Lucasfilm Ltd.

From the return of the Avengers in *Doomsday* and the Hunger Games prequel, *Sunrise on the Reaping* to Tom Holland's latest adventure as Spider-Man and a new mission for Mando and Grogu, 2026 is shaping up to be a jam-packed year with big movies.

We're also getting the return of Miranda Priestly in *The Devil Wears Prada 2*, a new *Practical Magic* movie, a re-teaming of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in *The Rip*, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in Emerald Fennell's take on the literary classic *Wuthering Heights*, a new He-Man in the form of Nicholas Galitzine in *Masters of the Universe*, Christopher Nolan's latest theatrical *Odyssey*, and Jessie Buckley's version of *The Bride* of Frankenstein, among so many other movies hitting theaters and streaming.

Mark your calendars, and check back as we update this article throughout the year.**

**JAN. 2*****The Dutchman* - In theaters***The Plague *- In theaters (wide release)***We Bury the Dead* - In theaters**

**JAN. 9*****The Chronology of Water* - In theaters (wide release)***Dead Man's Wire* - In theaters (limited release)***Greenland 2: Migration* - In theaters***People We Meet on Vacation* - Netflix***Primate* - In theaters**

**JAN. 16*****28 Years Later: The Bone Temple* - In theaters***Dead Man's Wire* - In theaters (wide release)***Hamnet* - In theaters (wide release)***A Private Life* - In theaters (limited release)***The Rip* - Netflix**

**JAN. 23*****Clika* - In theaters***H Is for Hawk* - In theaters***Mercy* - In theaters***Return to Silent Hill* - In theaters**

**JAN. 28*****The Wrecking Crew* - Prime Video**

**JAN. 30*****The Moment* - In theaters***Send Help* - In theaters**

**FEB. 4*****Relationship Goals* - Prime Video**

**FEB. 6*****Dracula* - In theaters***Jimpa* - In theaters***Pillion* - In theaters (wide release)***The Strangers: Chapter 3* - In theaters**

**FEB. 13*****By Design* - In theaters***Crime 101* - In theaters***GOAT* - In theaters***Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die* - In theaters***Wuthering Heights* - In theaters**

**FEB. 19*****Girls Like Girls* - In theaters**

**FEB. 20*****Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert* (doc) - In IMAX theaters***How to Make a Killing* - In theaters***I Can Only Imagine 2* - In theaters***Midwinter Break* - In theaters***Protector* - In theaters***Psycho Killer* - In theaters**

**FEB. 27*****Dreams* - In theaters***Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert* (doc) - In theaters (wide release)***Scream 7* - In theaters

The 32 best Netflix original movies

The 16 best horror and sci-fi films to stream on Paramount+

**MARCH 6*****The Bride!* - In theaters***Hoppers* - In theaters***Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man* - In select theaters**

**MARCH 13*****The Breadwinner* - In theaters***Reminders of Him* - In theaters**

**MARCH 20*****Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft – The Tour (Life in 3D)* - In theaters***Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man* - Netflix***Project Hail Mary* - In theaters**

**MARCH 26*****The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One* - In theaters

**MARCH 27*****Ready or Not 2: Here I Come* - In theaters**

**APRIL 3*****The Drama* - In theaters***The Super Mario Galaxy Movie* - In theaters**

**APRIL 10*****You, Me & Tuscany* - In theaters**

**APRIL 17*****Normal* - In theaters**Untitled NL/Atomic Monster/Blumhouse Horror Film - In theaters**

**APRIL 24*****Apex* - Netflix***Michael* - In theaters

**MAY 1*****Animal Farm* - In theaters***The Devil Wears Prada 2 *- In theaters***Hokum *- In theaters**

**MAY 6*****The Resurrection of the Christ: Part Two* - In theaters

**MAY 8*****The Sheep Detectives* - In theaters**

**MAY 15*****Mortal Kombat 2* - In theaters***Obsession* - In theaters***Poetic License* - In theaters**

**MAY 22*****I Love Boosters* - In theaters***The Mandalorian and Grogu* - In theaters

**JUNE 5*****Animal Friends* - In theaters***Masters of the Universe* - In theaters

**JUNE 12*****Disclosure Day* - In theaters***Scary Movie 6* - In theaters**

**JUNE 19*****Toy Story 5* - In theaters**

**JUNE 26*****Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow* - In theaters

**JULY 1*****Minions 3* - In theaters**

**JULY 3*****Shiver* - In theaters**

**JULY 10*****Moana* (live-action) - In theaters**

**JULY 17*****The Odyssey* - In theaters**

**JUY 24*****Evil Dead Burn *- In theaters**

**JULY 31*****Spider-Man: Brand New Day* - In theaters

**AUG. 7*****Super Troopers 3* - In theaters**

**AUG. 14*****Flowervale Street* - In theaters***Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie* - In theaters**

**AUG. 21****Untitled Insidious film - In theaters**

**AUG. 26*****Coyote vs. Acme* - In theaters**

**AUG. 28*****Cliffhanger* - In theaters

**SEPT. 11*****Clayface* - In theaters***Sense and Sensibility* - In theaters**

**SEPT. 18*****A Practical Magic Film* - In theaters***Resident Evil* - In theaters**

**SEPT. 25*****Charlie Harper* - In theaters

**OCT. 2*****Digger* - In theaters**

**OCT. 9*****The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender* - In theaters***The Social Reckoning* - In theaters**

**OCT. 16*****Street Fighter* - In theaters**

**OCT. 23*****Remain* - In theaters

**NOV. 6*****Archangel* - In theaters***The Cat in the Hat* - In theaters**

**NOV. 13*****Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol* - In theaters**

**NOV. 20*****The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping* - In theaters

**NOV. 25*****Focker In-Law* - In theaters***Hexed* - In theaters**

**DEC. 11*****Jumanji 3* - In theaters**

**DEC. 18*****Avengers: Doomsday* - In theaters***Dune: Part Three* - In theaters***Ice Age 6* - In theaters**

**DEC. 23*****The Angry Birds 3* - In theaters**

**DEC. 25****Werwulf - In theaters

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

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byKris Ronald

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January 01, 2026

Your guide to 2026 movie release dates

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The story behind a famous photo Hart took with Britney Spears in which her smile, she now says, was entirely forced. Why Melissa Joan Hart was left crying at Drive Me Crazy premiere: 'One of the worst days of my life' The story behind a famous photo Hart took with Britney Spears in which her smile, she now says, was entirely forced. By Ryan Coleman :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/RyanColemanauthorphoto0081ce8f0254478080f35972c433877b.jpg) Ryan Coleman Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

The story behind a famous photo Hart took with Britney Spears in which her smile, she now says, was entirely forced.

Why Melissa Joan Hart was left crying at Drive Me Crazy premiere: 'One of the worst days of my life'

The story behind a famous photo Hart took with Britney Spears in which her smile, she now says, was entirely forced.

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

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December 31, 2025 4:00 p.m. ET

Melissa Joan Hart at the premiere of her movie 'Drive Me Crazy'. Credit:

Charles Sykes/Shutterstock

What should have been a crowning moment turned out to be one of the worst of Melissa Joan Hart's life.

The *Sabrina the Teenage Witch *star and millennial icon recently reflected on the highs and lows of her career — and one moment that encapsulated them both.

"Aw! Me and [Britney Spears]! This is at the premiere of *Drive Me Crazy *in New York," Hart recalled, while musing over a photo of herself with the legendary pop star, in which Spears is all smiles, yet Hart seems to strain to appear pleased.

Britney Spears and Melissa Joan Hart at the premiere of 'Drive Me Crazy'.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

"If you look at my eyes, they're very bloodshot because this was what I would consider, if you read my book, one of the worst days of my life at the time," she revealed.**

The 1999 romantic comedy costarred Hart and Adrian Grenier, and took its title from the song of the same name by Spears, released earlier that year.

"We did the press together, and then we went inside to watch the movie, but I was actually flying to Vancouver to shoot the movie *Scary Movie*," she explained. "I was supposed to be the small part in the beginning, that's like the Drew Barrymore knockoff part."

The first *Scary Movie *film parodied a panoply of recent horror releases, including *The Blair Witch Project*, *I Know What You Did Last Summer*, and *Scream*, which famously opens with the shocking murder of Barrymore's Casey Becker.

The satiric version of Casey was meant to be played by Hart, but the role eventually went to Carmen Electra.

"They decided when I did the fitting that I didn't have big enough boobs," Hart explained.****

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.*****

Melissa Joan Hart believes 'Quiet on Set' allegations '100 percent'

Britney Spears discusses 'sadness and darkness' in Instagram return after Kevin Federline dispute

"I'm driving to the airport, and back in those days, you had the cell phone in the limo, and I got a call, and it was like, 'Turn around, go back to your premiere. You've been fired from the movie.' And I was like, all right, at least I get to hang out there," Hart reasoned.

The teen star had "just been crying" in anticipation of parting from her family, so when she returned to the *Drive Me Crazy *premiere, "my lawyer meets up with me first and says, 'Because of your cover of *Maxim *magazine, you're being fired from your show.'"

Hart could not believe she was about to lose out on the role that had made her a global star: the title role in the WB supernatural sitcom *Sabrina the Teenage Witch*. In fact, the *Maxim* scare proved to be just that, and she continued on with *Sabrina *for another four years.

But believing then it was all over, "I really start crying, and then my dad comes and hugs me. I don't see my dad often, so for him to hug me? I was like, 'Oh my God, my dad's hugging me.' It was just a dramatic night."******

Melissa Joan Hart in 'Drive Me Crazy' (1999).

20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

*Sabrina *went on as planned and *Drive Me Crazy *grossed nearly triple its budget. The end of the millennium was not unkind to Hart.

But she never made it into the *Scary Movie *franchise, which helped make stars out of Anna Faris, Regina Hall, and more.

In August, Faris and Hall revealed they signed on to return to the franchise, which has been dormant since 2013's *Scary Movie 5*. *Scary Movie 6 *will also see the return of original co-writer and star, Marlon Wayans, who teased to * *in September that the latest sequel will be "no holds barred" and aim to "make everybody laugh."**

- Celebrities & Creators

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Published: January 02, 2026 at 07:38AM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 01, 2026

Why Melissa Joan Hart was left crying at Drive Me Crazy premiere: 'One of the worst days of my life'

The story behind a famous photo Hart took with Britney Spears in which her smile, she now says, was entirely forced. Why Meli...

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Lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz shares the rewriting process that led to the new version of the song originally sung by Joel Grey and Idina Menzel. Why the Wizard's Wicked: For Good song 'Wonderful' was transformed to be more aggressive Lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz shares the rewriting process that led to the new version of the song originally sung by Joel Grey and Idina Menzel. By Patrick Gomez :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/pgomezheadshot25b24b6c6d8948899ca9b24a6a9a6844.jpg) Patrick Gomez is an Executive Editor at . Formerly at People magazine and The A.V.

Lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz shares the rewriting process that led to the new version of the song originally sung by Joel Grey and Idina Menzel.

Why the Wizard's Wicked: For Good song 'Wonderful' was transformed to be more aggressive

Lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz shares the rewriting process that led to the new version of the song originally sung by Joel Grey and Idina Menzel.

By Patrick Gomez

Patrick Gomez is an Executive Editor at . Formerly at People magazine and The A.V. Club, the Critics Choice and Television Critics Association member has appeared on 'Today,' 'Extra!,' 'Access Hollywood,' 'E! News,' 'CNN,' and 'Nightline,' and can be seen frequently on 'Good Morning America.' Follow the Texas Native at @PatrickGomezLA wherever your media is social for all things 'For All Mankind' 'Top Chef,' and puppy related.

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January 1, 2026 2:00 p.m. ET

The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) in 'Wicked: For Good'. Credit:

Interpreting a character from stage to screen is always going to include changes — but *Wicked* composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz says Jeff Goldblum is a Wizard of a different color from the one we know from Broadway.

Those familiar with the original cast recording of *Wicked* will recall Broadway legend Joel Grey beginning the act 2 song "Wonderful" by demurely asking for Elphaba's pity: "I never asked for this / Or planned it in advance / I was merely blown here / By the winds of chance / I never saw myself / As a Solomon or Socrates / I knew who I was / One of your dime a dozen / Mediocrities".

But in *Wicked: For Good*, "the Wizard is coming from a different place. He's not apologizing anymore," Schwartz tells *.*

In the blockbuster film, Goldblum's Wizard instead begins the song with an all-too-relevant new intro: "Take it from a wise old carney / Once folks buy into your blarney / It becomes the thing they'll most hold on to / Once they've swallowed sham and hokum / Folks and logic won't unchoke 'em / They'll go on believing what they want to / Show them exactly what's the score / They'll just believe it even more."

"Here, he's obviously telling Elphaba that her point of view is incorrect, and that he knows better," Schwartz explains, "so it demanded a new lyric, and new music as well."**

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That wasn't the only change the *Wicked: For Good* team made. The film version also integrates Glinda (Ariana Grande) into the number, given that the song follows a newly added scene in which Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) secretly visits her old roommate ahead of the Good Witch's wedding.

"If we thought of it, we probably would've done it in the [stage] show, too," Schwartz says, "because I think it improves the sequence, and improves the storytelling. It just didn't occur to us at the time."

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"While working on the films, we realized that after 'Defying Gravity,' we don't have Elphaba and Glinda — the central relationship — in the same place at the same time for a very long time," he continues. "So we looked for, 'Well, how could we get them together sooner,' and came up with the idea that it could happen when Elphaba goes back to the Emerald City."

Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), Glinda (Ariana Grande), and the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) sing 'Wonderful' in 'Wicked: For Good'.

Not only did it solve their pink-and-green problem, but "it's also much more persuasive that Elphaba might change her mind and go along with this [plan of having her join the Oz government] if appealed to by her friend, rather than the Wizard, whom she already mistrusts," he concludes.

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byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 01, 2026

Why the Wizard's Wicked: For Good song 'Wonderful' was transformed to be more aggressive

Lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz shares the rewriting process that led to the new version of the song originally sung b...

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Mayor Zohran Mamdani doubles down in an unapologetically progressive inauguration

Mayor Zohran Mamdani doubles down in an unapologetically progressive inauguration Analysis by Gloria Pazmino, CNNJanuary 2, 2026 at 4:14 AM 0 New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani vowed to govern as a democratic socialist, saying he would not "abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical." Kylie Cooper/Reuters If there was any hope New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani would inch towards the middle or appeal to moderate Democrats as he launched his administration, it vanished in the bitter January air that ushered in the start of his term.

- - Mayor Zohran Mamdani doubles down in an unapologetically progressive inauguration

Analysis by Gloria Pazmino, CNNJanuary 2, 2026 at 4:14 AM

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani vowed to govern as a democratic socialist, saying he would not "abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical." - Kylie Cooper/Reuters

If there was any hope New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani would inch towards the middle or appeal to moderate Democrats as he launched his administration, it vanished in the bitter January air that ushered in the start of his term.

During his inaugural address Thursday, Mamdani sought to send a clear message: That the left had won the hard-fought race for mayor, and his administration is now intent on showing the rest of the country that progressive liberals can, in fact, govern.

At a time of deep political division across the US, Mamdani stuck to his political identity and ideology, reminding the crowd he had been "elected as a democratic socialist," promising to "govern as a democratic socialist" and castigating the politics of complacency and the political establishment for failing its constituency.

It was an unapologetically progressive speech, in which Mamdani framed the mainstream Democratic party as one that lacked imagination and ambition. Then, he vowed to not "abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical."

It's a high bar for a new mayor who is taking the reins of a complicated city in a political landscape that often demands compromise.

Before securing the mayoralty, Mamdani showed his willingness to make concessions and back away from some controversial positions. During the campaign, for instance, Mamdani was forced to distance himself from his previous criticism of the New York Police Department and a call to defund the agency.

But on Thursday, the new mayor sought to dispel any suggestions he would soften his agenda.

"In writing this address, I have been told that this is the occasion to reset expectations, that I should use this opportunity to encourage the people of New York to ask for little and expect even less," he said. "I will do no such thing. The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations."

Mamdani also tried to strike a unifying tone. He spoke directly to opponents and critics who remain skeptical the 34-year-old former state assemblyman will be able to run the largest city in the nation and enact an agenda many consider too liberal and unrealistic.

Mamdani has proposed taxing the city's wealthiest residents and raising the corporate tax rate – moves that would require the support of the state legislature and the governor – to pay for his signature agenda items: universal childcare, "fast and free" city buses and enacting a rent freeze for rent stabilized tenants.

"If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor," Mamdani told the crowd. "Regardless of whether we agree, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn alongside you and never, not for a second, hide from you."

Mamdani's focus on working-class New Yorkers was peppered throughout his speech. He spoke of taxi drivers and restaurant servers, hospital workers and subway operators, describing people who work in the shadows and often go unnoticed while struggling to stay afloat.

The working-class and the labor movement was a central theme throughout the day.

Shortly before addressing the crowd, a duo performed the "Bread and Roses" anthem –– the title a nod to a political slogan that became a rallying cry for workers' rights in 1912. The imagery is meant to symbolize people's need for basic necessities, but also beauty. In choosing the performance, Mamdani's administration appeared to try and tell New Yorkers it was possible to have both.

"What's radical is a system which gives so much to so few and denies so many people the basic necessities of life," Mamdani said, quoting Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who administered Mamdani's public oath of office. Sanders praised New Yorkers and Mamdani for giving hope and inspiration to "people all over this country."

US Sen. Bernie Sanders swears in New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani during his public inauguration ceremony on Thursday. - Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Mamdani's election in November sparked a debate about whether the national Democratic party should shift leftward, focus on issues affecting the working class and specifically target voters by highlighting affordability, especially in the upcoming midterm elections.

Hours after delivering his inaugural address, Mamdani traveled to Brooklyn, where he took the first action of his administration, signing a set of executive orders focused on housing.

Then it was back to City Hall, where dozens of workers still toiled in the cold, breaking down chairs and stage equipment used earlier in the day. As they shuffled inside the building, Mamdani was set up behind a folding table, distributing hot chocolate.

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Published: January 02, 2026 at 06:54AM on Source: RON MAG

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byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 01, 2026

Mayor Zohran Mamdani doubles down in an unapologetically progressive inauguration

Mayor Zohran Mamdani doubles down in an unapologetically progressive inauguration Analysis by Gloria Pazmino, CNNJanua...

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In India, door deliveries can come in under 10 minutes. But many drivers are fed up

In India, door deliveries can come in under 10 minutes. But many drivers are fed up Esha Mitra, Rhea Mogul and Ayushi Shah, CNNJanuary 2, 2026 at 4:00 AM 0 Swiggy food delivery drivers in Kolkata, India, on July 14, 2024. Sudipta Das/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Tens of thousands of appbased delivery workers in India went on strike over New Year's Eve, protesting a system they say is defined by relentless pressure, including requirements to deliver items in under 10 minutes.

- - In India, door deliveries can come in under 10 minutes. But many drivers are fed up

Esha Mitra, Rhea Mogul and Ayushi Shah, CNNJanuary 2, 2026 at 4:00 AM

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Swiggy food delivery drivers in Kolkata, India, on July 14, 2024. - Sudipta Das/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Tens of thousands of app-based delivery workers in India went on strike over New Year's Eve, protesting a system they say is defined by relentless pressure, including requirements to deliver items in under 10 minutes.

The workers are calling for "fair pay, dignity and safety," as well as an immediate ban on a marketing hook that commits them to delivering groceries to any address within a roughly three kilometer (1.8 miles) radius within 10 minutes – no easy feat in India's notoriously traffic-clogged cities.

They are also protesting against the automated systems used by the platforms to penalize delivery workers and reduce their ratings when delays occur, and are asking for comprehensive social security including health insurance and pensions. More than 200,000 workers joined the strike, according to the Indian Federation of App Based Transport Workers who organized the strike.

While quick commerce is a global phenomenon, in India, a nation of 1.4 billion people and where a roughly a million new jobseekers enter the market each month, it has become a brutal battleground.

Fueled by a burgeoning middle class with money to spend, speed has become an essential weapon in the corporate battle for market share.

The market is huge – major firm Swiggy has a market capitalization of around $11 billion; its rival Zomato around $28 billion.

Some companies like Swiggy's Instamart, as well as Blinkit and Zepto, have made the 10-minute delivery promise a signature marketing hook – a strategy that workers say can come at the cost of their safety and well-being.

And on top of this, many platforms do not classify their riders as employees, legally absolving the companies from providing the many benefits that the workers are demanding.

Gig workers rest in New Delhi during a nationwide strike on Wednesday - Hindustan Times/Shutterstock

One 41-year-old Swiggy delivery driver in the city of Hyderabad told CNN he makes a base rate of 5 rupees (less that 10 cents) per order and has the potential to earn more based on the number of orders and distance he travels. He works from 7pm to 5am everyday, he said.

"We have to pay for our own fuel and bike maintenance," he said, asking for anonymity for fear of retribution.

And then at least 50 rupees (56 cents) a day goes in paying for something to eat," he said. "I didn't think this is what I would be doing in my 40s but what other choice do I have?"

He became a delivery driver after his bookshop went out of business during the Covid-19 pandemic, and said he makes about 20,000 rupees per month ($222). More than half of that money goes toward his rent and the school fees for all five of his children, forcing his family to live paycheck to paycheck.

CNN has contacted Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Zepto and India's labor ministry for a response.

Deepender Goyal, the co-founder of Zomato, said both Zomato and Blinkit delivered "at a record pace" on Wednesday, "unaffected by calls for strikes," in a post on X.

"Support from local law enforcement helped keep the small number of miscreants in check," he wrote, adding: "if a system were fundamentally unfair, it would not consistently attract and retain so many people who choose to work within it."

In response, the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union said some 7.5 million orders "were delivered because workers cannot afford to log out, not because the system treats them justly," in a post on X.

Jumping red lights

Wednesday's strike placed a spotlight on the deep chasm between the convenience offered to urban consumers and the livelihoods of those providing it.

On one hand, in a country with a massive working-age population, platforms like Swiggy and Zomato provide crucial employment for millions and have been praised for their efficiency. India's gig workforce is expected to expand to 23.5 million by 2030, according to a 2023 report by government research agency Niti Ayog.

Commuters walk on a bridge connecting platforms at a railway station in Mumbai, India, on July 11. - Divyakant Solanki/EPA/Shutterstock

But critics argue this model creates a new form of exploitation.

"When it first started, the idea of being your own boss and making your own money was something that attracted people," said Ria Kasliwal, an independent policy consultant whose research focuses on South Asia's gig economy.

"But what it has essentially done, mostly, is that it has just formalized the informalization of workers."

In other words, the system takes the instability of informal work – no job security, no fixed salary, no benefits – and embeds it within a controlled corporate structure.

For Mohammad Numan, 30, a Swiggy rider in India's financial capital Mumbai, the financial precarity is so acute that he felt he couldn't afford to lose a day's pay to join the strike.

"The work is difficult, but there is no option. I have to do it to earn money," he said.

He described a grueling routine, often working up to 16 hours a day to complete the 35 to 40 orders required to meet Swiggy's targets. After paying for fuel and other expenses, he said he is left with about 700 rupees ($7.70) for the day.

There is also pressure to deliver fast. "For 1 kilometer, we are expected to deliver in 3-4 minutes, and for 4 kilometers, in about 10 minutes," Numan said.

Commuters ride along a street in Varanasi, India, on December 10. - Niharika Kulkarni/AFP/Getty Images

"To meet these timelines, we have to ride fast. If we don't drive fast, we won't be able to meet targets. When I get an order, I just think about delivering it fast so I can take on more orders."

Another rider also based in Mumbai, said he has to "jump red lights most of the time" to make a delivery on time.

"We get penalized if we don't and if we get caught, we need to pay that fine as well out of pocket, so we're stuck either way," the Zepto worker, who did not give his name out of fear of retribution, said.

Goyal defended the 10 minute promise in a post on X, saying it is "enabled by the density of stores" around homes.

"After you place your order on Blinkit, it is picked and packed within 2.5 minutes. And then the rider drives an average of under 2kms in about 8 minutes. That's an average of 15kmph," he wrote.

'Working in fear'

In 2020 India's central government introduced labor reform that promised social security schemes for all gig workers, but the nationwide implementation of these protections has been slow.

In 2023, Rajasthan became the first state to pass a law regulating the gig economy, creating a dedicated welfare board to establish a social security fund and addressing grievances.

Karnataka – home to the country's tech hub Bengaluru – and the state of Jharkhand passed its own legislation last year, with Telangana exploring similar measures.

The gig economy has also been credited for inviting more women into the workforce, and faced with public pressure, some platforms have also introduced a range of benefits such as accident insurance and a basic health insurance plan.

A Zomato delivery person rides a bike through a flooded street in Mumbai on August 19. - Ashish Vaishnav/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

But some gig workers say these are often difficult to access and multiple protests in recent years highlight the need for more transparency and greater benefits.

Manoj Kharade, who works for an app that offers at-home salon services, said he went on strike to demand fixed wages and social security.

His account gets blocked if he doesn't meet the company's targets, affecting his ability to earn, he said. Kharde said he works up to 15 hours a day, earning about 25,000 rupees a month ($277).

"We are working in fear because if I don't meet my target… then it will affect my family. And if we don't have an income, then we are ruined."

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Published: January 02, 2026 at 06:54AM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 01, 2026

In India, door deliveries can come in under 10 minutes. But many drivers are fed up

In India, door deliveries can come in under 10 minutes. But many drivers are fed up Esha Mitra, Rhea Mogul and Ayushi Sh...

Read More