Diana Ross rings in 2026 with New Year's Eve performance

USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change.Diana Ross rings in 2026 with New Year's Eve performance Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY January 1, 2026 at 5:51 AM 0 There still "ain't no mountain high enough" that Diana Ross can't conquer. At 81, the "Queen of Motown" proved her timeless appeal during her headlining performance on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" just before the arrival of 2026.

- - USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change.Diana Ross rings in 2026 with New Year's Eve performance

Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY January 1, 2026 at 5:51 AM

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There still "ain't no mountain high enough" that Diana Ross can't conquer.

At 81, the "Queen of Motown" proved her timeless appeal during her headlining performance on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" just before the arrival of 2026.

Wearing a crimson feathered floor-length coat over a slinky dress, the glamorous legend began her disco-tastic set walking through a throng of revelers in Times Square.

Ross proved a game participant as she moved from her main stage - with a phalanx of tuxedo-clad male dancers behind her - where she sang statement songs "The Boss" and "Upside Down," to a platform above the crowd for "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

As she emphatically delivered the song's uplifting lyrics, she proclaimed, "I'm so grateful for all the blessings in my life!"

Ross returned to her primary stage spot to close out her six-minute romp with "Take Me Higher," as swirls of confetti blew through the air.

Ross topped a performance lineup that also included Mariah Carey, New Kids on the Block, "KPop Demon Hunters" singers Huntr/X, Pitbull, Post Malone, Chappell Roan, Busta Rhymes, Maren Morris and Rick Springfield.

Ryan Seacrest anchored ABC's live coverage with Rita Ora from Times Square in New York, while Chance the Rapper helmed the inaugural NYRE Central time zone countdown in Chicago, Rob Gronkowski and Julianne Hough cohosted from Las Vegas and Roselyn Sánchez beamed in from Puerto Rico. The show will be available on Hulu Jan. 1.

Diana Ross speaks onstage during the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Ross' medley showcased the expanse of her seven-decade career.

She scored her first No. 1 hit with The Supremes – "Where Did Our Love Go?" – in 1964 and steered another 11 songs to the top of the charts with the group. Ross also earned six solo No. 1s, starting with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" in 1970, three years after Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell accomplished the same feat.

Her standing in pop culture was reaffirmed when her 1980 smash "Upside Down" was used in the first episode of the current season of "Stranger Things" on Netflix.

Ross remains a steady road warrior, playing dozens of shows around the world in 2025 including the O2 Arena in London, the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and two nights at the famed Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Earlier this month, Ross wrapped her Reflections, Magic & Memories Tour at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage casino near Palm Springs, California.

Ross will return to Las Vegas – the site of her last-ever concert with The Supremes in 1970 – with shows Feb. 12, 14-15 at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diana Ross performance rings in 2026

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Diana Ross rings in 2026 with New Year's Eve performance

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Is This “Stranger Things” Character Actually Alive? What Show Creators Meant by That Ambiguous Ending

Is This "Stranger Things" Character Actually Alive? What Show Creators Meant by That Ambiguous Ending Colleen KratofilJanuary 1, 2026 at 7:30 AM 0 Courtesy of Netflix Linnea Berthelsen as Kali, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, and David Harbour as Jim Hopper in 'Stranger Things' season 5 Warning: This story contains spoilers for Stranger Things season 5, Volume 3. Stranger Things finale premiered on Dec.

- - Is This "Stranger Things" Character Actually Alive? What Show Creators Meant by That Ambiguous Ending

Colleen KratofilJanuary 1, 2026 at 7:30 AM

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Courtesy of Netflix

Linnea Berthelsen as Kali, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, and David Harbour as Jim Hopper in 'Stranger Things' season 5

Warning: This story contains spoilers for Stranger Things season 5, Volume 3.

Stranger Things finale premiered on Dec. 31

Netflix revealed what the show's creators wanted the viewer to take away from the ambiguous ending

The hit show ended its five-season run with a two-hour episode

Stranger Things has come to an end, and its final moments left one major possibility up in the air.

In the Dec. 31 two-hour finale of the hit Netflix show, the final scene brought on some additional questions about the fate of its main character.

As the crew, including Will (Noah Schnapp), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) and Max (Sadie Sink), gathered in Mike's basement for a game of Dungeons & Dragons, Mike opened up the possibility that Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), who was presumed dead, may actually, be alive.

David Harbour as Jim Hopper and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in 'Stranger Things' season 5

Just as the Hawkins crew was triumphant in their quest to defeat Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), their celebration was cut short when they were apprehended by the military as they exited the Upside Down. Eleven followed through on the plan devised by her sister, Eight a.k.a Kali (Linnea Berthelsen), and stayed in the Upside Down to kill herself as it explodes. According to Eight, it was the only way to stop the military from creating more people with their abilities or create new worlds.

After a tearful goodbye to Mike, Eleven disappeared as the crew's explosives destroyed the Upside Down. Viewers were left to assume she died, and as the episode jumped ahead 18 months later, a grieving Mike wanted to skip his high school graduation because he was "not ok with moving on."

Hopper (David Harbour) helped him realize he needed to stop "blaming himself" and "find a way to accept what happened" and "live the best goddamn life you can."

Following graduation, the crew met in Mike's basement, like old times, for a game of D&D. At the end, Mike told a tale where Eight actually saved Eleven, and she escaped to live a tranquil life.

He explained that Eleven and Eight devised a plan to make everyone believe Eleven was dead, to trick the military. Eight "cast a spell from far away, a spell of invisibility" and the person they saw die was an "illusion." Mike said he wants to imagine Eleven disappeared to a "land somewhere far away."

The show cut to Eleven walking up a mountain overlooking three waterfalls, where she found "peace and happiness" in a small village where no one knows she's alive, Mike said. When Max and Lucas asked if it's true, Mike said we don't know, but "I chose to believe that it is." They all agreed with him that they believed too.

According to Netflix's Tudum, the creators, brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, "have left it up to viewers to decide what they think happens to Eleven."

As the Tudum recap states, "she lives on in their hearts, whether that's real or not," Ross said, referring to the Hawkins crew.

In an interview with Variety earlier this season, Matt explained that the ending wouldn't be a "bloodbath."

"I've said this before: The show is not Game of Thrones," Matt said. "I'm hoping it surprises people. But there's no Red Wedding, if that's what you're asking," he said, referring to a massacre on GoT. "That would be depressing."

— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Speaking to PEOPLE at the Los Angeles premiere, executive producer Shawn Levy said the finale is "as good as any TV series finale I've seen in my life."

He teased the ending again speaking with PEOPLE before Volume 2 dropped. "You will get outcomes that are deeply satisfying, but many of which are completely surprising."

"I just want to assure all of the people around the world who have walked the long road with us for nearly a decade, this finale is what you've been waiting for."

All three volumes of Stranger Things season 5 are streaming now on Netflix.

on People

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Is This “Stranger Things” Character Actually Alive? What Show Creators Meant by That Ambiguous Ending

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Miami shocks Ohio State in Cotton bowl: Reactions to Miami's upset win in Cotton Bowl

Miami shocks Ohio State in Cotton bowl: Reactions to Miami's upset win in Cotton Bowl John Leuzzi, USA TODAY NETWORK January 1, 2026 at 5:09 AM 0 Miami shocks Ohio State in Cotton bowl: Reactions to Miami's upset win in Cotton Bowl The Cardiac Canes continue on in the College Football Playoff. Behind a dominant first half effort from Carson Beck, Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. and Co., the 10thseeded Hurricanes were able to upset No. 2 seed Ohio State 2414 in the CFP Cotton Bowl quarterfinals on Wednesday, Dec.

- - Miami shocks Ohio State in Cotton bowl: Reactions to Miami's upset win in Cotton Bowl

John Leuzzi, USA TODAY NETWORK January 1, 2026 at 5:09 AM

0

Miami shocks Ohio State in Cotton bowl: Reactions to Miami's upset win in Cotton Bowl

The Cardiac Canes continue on in the College Football Playoff.

Behind a dominant first half effort from Carson Beck, Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. and Co., the 10th-seeded Hurricanes were able to upset No. 2 seed Ohio State 24-14 in the CFP Cotton Bowl quarterfinals on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for their second upset of the postseason.

The loss for Ohio State drops teams that earned a first-round bye to 0-5 across two 12-team playoff iterations, with three more games to be played on Jan. 1.

REQUIRED READING: Ohio State vs Miami score: Hurricanes shock Buckeyes, CFP with quarterfinal win

After Ohio State made it a one-possession game off a 14-yard touchdown pass from Julian Sayin to Jeremiah Smith in the third quarter, the Hurricanes secured their spot in the CFP semifinals with a defensive stop, a 5-yard rushing touchdown from CharMar Brown and an interception from Jakobe Thomas, all in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter.

Given the overall performance from the Hurricanes and the defending national champions being knocked out in just one game, college football social media didn't hold back from reacting to the outcome of the CFP Cotton Bowl quarterfinal.

Here's a snippet of those reactions:

College football reacts to Miami upsetting Ohio State in CFP Cotton Bowl:

Here's a look at social media after Miami's win over Ohio State in the CFP Cotton Bowl quarterfinal:

MIAMI HOLDS OFF OHIO STATE TO ADVANCE TO THE CFP SEMIS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QILh6mky37

— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2026

Gutsy play-calling from Shannon Dawson tonight

— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) January 1, 2026

#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/9581SZevfz

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) January 1, 2026

What a performance for Carson Beck, too. Has made so many great decisions tonight.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 1, 2026

MIAMI TAKES DOWN DEFENDING CHAMP OHIO STATE 24-14 TO ADVANCE TO THE CFP SEMIS 🌀The Hurricanes' quest for their first national championship since 2001 continues 🏆 pic.twitter.com/b91T08AlTz

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 1, 2026

MIAMI PICKS OFF JULIAN SAYIN TO SECURE THE CFP DUB‼️ pic.twitter.com/yPy4tTQATb

— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2026

pic.twitter.com/4i3QAf0MS1

— Matt Hayes (@MattHayesCFB) January 1, 2026

When Ohio State loses, America Wins.

— Sam Sutton (@SamSutton11) January 1, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miami shocks Ohio State: Social media reacts to Hurricanes' upset win

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Miami shocks Ohio State in Cotton bowl: Reactions to Miami's upset win in Cotton Bowl

Miami shocks Ohio State in Cotton bowl : Reactions to Miami 's upset win in Cotton Bowl John Leuzzi, USA TODAY NE...

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Mike Vrabel responds to Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore charges

Mike Vrabel responds to Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore charges Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY December 31, 2025 at 9:30 PM 3 Mike Vrabel responds to Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore charges Two New England Patriots players have been charged with assault in the last 36 hours. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing felony strangulation or suffocation charge as well as misdemeanor assault as of Dec. 30. Defensive lineman Christian Barmore is facing assault and battery charges as of Dec. 31. Coach Mike Vrabel has the team at 133 and fighting for the No. 1 seed in the AFC in his first year in New England.

- - Mike Vrabel responds to Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore charges

Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY December 31, 2025 at 9:30 PM

3

Mike Vrabel responds to Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore charges

Two New England Patriots players have been charged with assault in the last 36 hours.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing felony strangulation or suffocation charge as well as misdemeanor assault as of Dec. 30. Defensive lineman Christian Barmore is facing assault and battery charges as of Dec. 31.

Coach Mike Vrabel has the team at 13-3 and fighting for the No. 1 seed in the AFC in his first year in New England. He was asked today about the charges against Diggs and Barmore as the team prepares for Week 18.

"We've been aware of these allegations," Vrabel said. "Yesterday and today isn't the first that we've heard about them. [We] try to do everything in accordance with the league policy and making sure that the league, that we're in compliance with the league."

Vrabel shot down any fears that Diggs and Barmore's legal proceedings would be a distraction for the other players.

"I'm 50 years old, going to be 51, I'm not afraid," Vrabel said. "I love coaching this football team."

The team put out a statement about both players and said the franchise is aware of reports regarding both Diggs and Barmore. The statements did not include comments because both are "ongoing legal matters," a stance Vrabel reiterated through much of his news conference today.

"There's ongoing legal matters," he said. "We've made a statement, we take these allegations seriously and what comes of that, then we'll have another discussion. I don't think we have to jump to any sort of conclusions right now and let the process take its toll."

Vrabel said Barmore likely will not be at practice today due to an illness. As of today, he considers both players available to play against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18.

"I haven't heard anything that would keep either player from the game," Vrabel said. "The NFL hasn't told me anything... I haven't had a call with the NFL."

LIVE: Mike Vrabel Press Conference 12/31 https://t.co/bnLd1hZnhZ

— z - New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 31, 2025

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Mike Vrabel responds to Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore charges

Mike Vrabel responds to Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore charges Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY December 31, 2025 at 9:30 PM 3 ...

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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.***

- Movie Reviews & Recommendations

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Your guide to 2026 movie release dates

EW's handy calendar for the biggest theatrical and streaming movie premiere dates . Your guide to 2026 movie release ...

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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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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."**

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- Entertainment Industry Roles

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Steven Stamkos scores goal No. 600, Predators win New Year's Eve matinee in Vegas 4-2

Steven Stamkos scores goal No. 600, Predators win New Year's Eve matinee in Vegas 42 W.G. RAMIREZ January 1, 2026 at 12:11 AM 0 1 / 4Predators Golden Knights HockeyNashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates his goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward) LAS VEGAS (AP) — Steven Stamkos scored his 600th career goal and the Nashville Predators beat the Vegas Golden Knights 42 on Wednesday.

- - Steven Stamkos scores goal No. 600, Predators win New Year's Eve matinee in Vegas 4-2

W.G. RAMIREZ January 1, 2026 at 12:11 AM

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1 / 4Predators Golden Knights HockeyNashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates his goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Steven Stamkos scored his 600th career goal and the Nashville Predators beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Wednesday.

The Predators, in the middle of a season-long seven-game road trip, won for the 12th time in 17 games, including the third of their first four on the trip.

The win put the Predators (18-17-4) above .500 for the first time since Oct. 16, just five games into the season, when they were 2-1-2.

Vegas, meanwhile, lost for the sixth time in seven games. The Knights closed their four-game homestand with a 1-2-1 mark.

Now in his 18th season, Stamkos scored his 18th of the season and ninth against the Golden Knights since they entered the league in 2017. The game-tying goal was part of an unanswered three-goal spurt over five minutes that turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead for the Predators.

Nick Perbix, Reid Schaefer and Michael Bunting also scored for the Predators. Justus Annunen made 29 saves.

Former Knight Erik Haula, who is two games shy of skating in his 800th game, registered the 200th assist of his career on Bunting's goal.

Mark Stone, who earlier in the day was named to Canada's Olympic roster, scored his 10th goal of the season, while Ben Hutton added his sixth for the Knights. Akira Schmid stopped 15 shots before being pulled late in the third period for an extra skater.

Vegas forward Mitch Marner and defenseman Shea Theodore were also named to Canada's team. All three of the Knights represented their homeland in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.

Up next

Nashville: Visits Seattle on Thursday.

Vegas: Visits St. Louis on Friday.

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AP NHL: https://ift.tt/8McsWSG

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December 31, 2025

Steven Stamkos scores goal No. 600, Predators win New Year's Eve matinee in Vegas 4-2

Steven Stamkos scores goal No. 600, Predators win New Year's Eve matinee in Vegas 42 W.G. RAMIREZ January 1, 2026 ...

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Has NBA fought off NFL's Christmas Day invasion? Viewership up for hoops

Has NBA fought off NFL's Christmas Day invasion? Viewership up for hoops Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY December 31, 2025 at 8:35 PM 0 For the NBA, Christmas Day in 2025 was a resounding success — at least in terms of viewership. Across the fivegame slate on the Disney networks, 47.19 million unique viewers tuned in, making it the mostwatched Christmas Day since 2010 and representing a 45% yearoveryear increase, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. These data exclude 2011, when a lockout prompted the start of the regular season to fall on Dec. 25.

- - Has NBA fought off NFL's Christmas Day invasion? Viewership up for hoops

Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY December 31, 2025 at 8:35 PM

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For the NBA, Christmas Day in 2025 was a resounding success — at least in terms of viewership.

Across the five-game slate on the Disney networks, 47.19 million unique viewers tuned in, making it the most-watched Christmas Day since 2010 and representing a 45% year-over-year increase, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. These data exclude 2011, when a lockout prompted the start of the regular season to fall on Dec. 25.

Interestingly, Christmas Day viewership may also be hinting at a general changing of the guard. The first two games of the slate — Knicks vs. Cavaliers and Thunder vs. Spurs — were the ones with the highest viewership.

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

" data-src=https://ift.tt/0vAHDlP class=caas-img data-headline="Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents" data-caption="

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

">Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

" src=https://ift.tt/0vAHDlP class=caas-img>

1 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponentsOct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.

Knicks-Cavs averaged 6.37 million viewers, making it the most-watched 12 p.m. ET Christmas game in history. Thunder-Spurs averaged 6.71 million, making that the most-viewed second game since 2017.

The league made an impact on social media, as well. According to Videocites, the NBA generated more than 1.6 billion views across social platforms, making it the brand with most views on Christmas.

This is notable, given that the NFL has also laid claim to the holiday, broadcasting Christmas games over the past two years. NFL remains king in broadcast viewership, but this year's games proved to be significantly inconsequential, with injuries marring the matchups, which mostly featured teams already eliminated or in danger of elimination from playoff contention.

The Knicks-Cavaliers game featured a late flurry from New York, which rallied back from a 17-point fourth quarter deficit to beat Cleveland, 126-124.

Dec. 25: The San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center.

The Thunder-Spurs game featured the latest iteration of an emerging rivalry in the NBA, one that features a pair of the game's most dynamic young stars in Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama and reigning NBA MVP, Shai Gilegous-Alexander.

The other games on the 2025 Christmas slate were Warriors-Mavericks, Lakers-Rockets and Nuggets-Timberwolves.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA on Christmas Day TV ratings up as NFL invasion continues

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December 31, 2025

Has NBA fought off NFL's Christmas Day invasion? Viewership up for hoops

Has NBA fought off NFL's Christmas Day invasion? Viewership up for hoops Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY December 31, 2025 a...

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Diane Kruger Says She Loves Being a Mom 'More Than I Thought I Would': 'Everything Fell into Place' (Exclusive)

Diane Kruger Says She Loves Being a Mom 'More Than I Thought I Would': 'Everything Fell into Place' (Exclusive) Julia MooreJanuary 1, 2026 at 3:45 AM 0 Roy Rochlin/Getty; Diane Kruger/Instagram Diane Kruger attends the 'Little Disasters' FYC Screening (left); Diane Kruger and daughter Diane Kruger welcomed her daughter Nova, in 2018 with her longtime partner Norman Reedus The German actress, 49, tells PEOPLE that she loves "everything" about being a mom and that the role has made "everything better" in her life Motherhood is "such a big responsibility and such a joy at the same time," says the...

- - Diane Kruger Says She Loves Being a Mom 'More Than I Thought I Would': 'Everything Fell into Place' (Exclusive)

Julia MooreJanuary 1, 2026 at 3:45 AM

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Roy Rochlin/Getty; Diane Kruger/Instagram

Diane Kruger attends the 'Little Disasters' FYC Screening (left); Diane Kruger and daughter -

Diane Kruger welcomed her daughter Nova, in 2018 with her longtime partner Norman Reedus

The German actress, 49, tells PEOPLE that she loves "everything" about being a mom and that the role has made "everything better" in her life

Motherhood is "such a big responsibility and such a joy at the same time," says the Little Disasters star

Diane Kruger became a mother in 2018 and nothing has been the same since.

The German actress, 49, shares daughter Nova with her fiancé, Norman Reedus, and amid her hectic career — she released three projects this year alone — motherhood has taken center stage.

"It's been such a joy. I really relish it," Kruger tells PEOPLE. "I love motherhood more than I thought I would. I'm really fully immersed in it."

She loves "everything that comes with" being a mom to Nova, who turned 7 earlier this year. "I don't want to miss a thing. We are very close."

"Everything fell into place — my life, my work and being a mom — and it just makes everything better."

Diane Kruger/Instagram

Diane Kruger and her daughter Nova

Adjusting to how powerful a role she plays in Nova's life has been part of the journey, too. "You are really conscious that you are — at least for the first couple years of a child's life — you're so much in charge of curating their life. You just realize it one day: the way they're going to look at the world is how you present it to them."

"That is such a big responsibility and such a joy at the same time," Kruger says.

Motherhood has also made the Little Disasters star reevaluate what kind of work she's doing.

"She's definitely my number one priority, but also, the types of roles I take on, I think, have changed," Kruger previously told PEOPLE. "Everything changes, it's not just work, it's also how I live my life, how I talk to people, how I interact with people, the stories."

"I just finished a movie about a World War II female work camp, a concentration camp, and obviously she sees me on FaceTime all in makeup, and she's starting to ask questions, she just turned 7," she said.

"So I have this responsibility very early on in her life, having to explain to her certain really important things [and also] how to make that child-friendly."

Diane Kruger Instagram

Norman Reedus with his and Diane Kruger's daughter, Nova

— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

She said that she feels a "responsibility" when she takes on a role now more than ever, because she wants her daughter to "understand why I took them on," but also because of how it'll help Nova understand the world.

"That has created a really interesting relationship with her, where I feel like she's very curious and aware, and maybe it's a lot of exposure for a young girl," Kruger said. "She's much more aware than I was at 7."

on People

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December 31, 2025

Diane Kruger Says She Loves Being a Mom 'More Than I Thought I Would': 'Everything Fell into Place' (Exclusive)

Diane Kruger Says She Loves Being a Mom 'More Than I Thought I Would': 'Everything Fell into Place' (...

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Disney World worker is injured trying to stop runaway boulder at Indiana Jones show

Disney World worker is injured trying to stop runaway boulder at Indiana Jones show January 1, 2026 at 3:47 AM 0 FILE The road to the entrance of Walt Disney World, Monday, March 16, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File) ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Walt Disney World worker in Florida was injured while attempting to stop a large runaway prop boulder from rolling into seated spectators at the Indiana Jones live show.

- - Disney World worker is injured trying to stop runaway boulder at Indiana Jones show

January 1, 2026 at 3:47 AM

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FILE - The road to the entrance of Walt Disney World, Monday, March 16, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Walt Disney World worker in Florida was injured while attempting to stop a large runaway prop boulder from rolling into seated spectators at the Indiana Jones live show.

The worker at the "Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular" at the Disney's Hollywood Studios park was knocked to the ground by the 400-pound (181-kilogram) prop boulder after it moved off its track on Tuesday and started rolling toward audience members. Another worker stopped the boulder before it reached the spectators.

Disney on Wednesday wouldn't disclose the worker's injuries, citing privacy reasons.

One of the attraction's scheduled shows was canceled Tuesday after the accident, and Wednesday's shows were modified to exclude the prop boulder. Disney said it was reviewing why the prop rolled off the track.

"We're focused on supporting our cast member, who is recovering," Disney said in a statement. "Safety is at the heart of what we do, and that element of the show will be modified as our safety team completes a review of what happened."

The show is based on the Indiana Jones films and recreates an early scene in the first film, "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

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Disney World worker is injured trying to stop runaway boulder at Indiana Jones show

Disney World worker is injured trying to stop runaway boulder at Indiana Jones show January 1, 2026 at 3:47 AM 0 FI...

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Set to go: Two weeks of tennis mania Down Under ahead of the Australian Open

Set to go: Two weeks of tennis mania Down Under ahead of the Australian Open DENNIS PASSA January 1, 2026 at 3:53 AM 0 1 / 3United Arab Emirates Tennis Battle of the SexesAryna Sabalenka acknowledges the crowd after losing against Nick Kyrgios in their Battle of the Sexes match, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday Dec. 28, 2025. (Christopher Pike/Pool Photo via AP) BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — If it's a new year, it must be serious tennis time Down Under.

- - Set to go: Two weeks of tennis mania Down Under ahead of the Australian Open

DENNIS PASSA January 1, 2026 at 3:53 AM

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1 / 3United Arab Emirates Tennis Battle of the SexesAryna Sabalenka acknowledges the crowd after losing against Nick Kyrgios in their Battle of the Sexes match, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday Dec. 28, 2025. (Christopher Pike/Pool Photo via AP)

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — If it's a new year, it must be serious tennis time Down Under.

Just over six weeks since the ATP and WTA held their respective 2025 Finals, players on the men's and women's tours are arriving in Australia and New Zealand for a crammed two-week schedule of tournaments ahead of the Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam event starting Jan. 18 in Melbourne.

Leading the way is the United Cup, a mixed teams event which will be played in Perth and Sydney beginning Friday and finishing Jan. 11. The tournament will feature four of the world's top 10 men and women including Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Iga Świątek, Alexander Zverev, Jasmine Paolini and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Also during the first full week of 2026, the Brisbane International will be headlined by defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, fresh off the Battle of the Sexes exhibition against Nick Kyrgios in Dubai.

But missing from the pre-Australian Open tournaments are the two biggest names in men's tennis: No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and second-ranked Jannik Sinner.

Alcaraz and Sinner — who have won nine of the last 10 Grand Slam singles titles, with Sinner winning the 2025 Australian Open — have decided to play an exhibition at Incheon, South Korea on Jan. 10. After the exhibition, it's expected they'll fly to Australia to begin their preparations at Melbourne Park.

Alcaraz will be playing his first major in seven years without coach Juan Carlos Ferrero — the Spanish player recently announced their split. Alcaraz has not announced a replacement.

Other players at the United Cup, which begins Friday with Greece taking on Japan in Perth, include Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Stan Wawrinka, who has said 2026 will be his last year on tour.

The 40-year-old, three-time major winner Wawrinka says he hopes to improve on his current ranking of 157 and move back into the top 100 before he retires. His highest ranking was No. 3, achieved when he won the Australian Open in 2014.

"I'm happy with the decision (to retire) and feeling at peace with that," Wawrinka said when he arrived earlier this week in Perth.

Joining Sabalenka at the 500-level Brisbane International will be two-time major finalist Amanda Anisimova, WTA Finals champion Elena Rybakina, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreeva.

The 18-year-old Andreeva is tipped to be the next big thing in women's tennis and she could renew her rivalry with Sabalenka in Brisbane. Sabalenka leads 4-2 in the head-to-head matches but world No. 9 Andreeva had a three-set win in the Indian Wells final in 2025.

The Russian also made it to the quarterfinals at last year's French Open and Wimbledon along with the semis at Roland Garros in 2024 when at 17 she became the youngest to reach the final four in a major since Martina Hingis at the 1997 U.S. Open.

"Maybe the rivalry (with Sabalenka) is a little bit there but she is leading ... unfortunately ... for now," Andreeva told Australian this week.

Andreeva lost to Sabalenka in the semifinals in Brisbane in 2025 and again in the fourth round at the Australian Open before her victory at Indian Wells where she was the youngest winner since Serena Williams.

"That gave me a lot of confidence. Winning Indian Wells is a milestone of my career so far," she said.

In the second week of the warm-up events, the joint ATP- WTA Adelaide International featuring 24-time Grand Slam singles champion Novak Djokovic will run from Jan. 12-17 as well as a WTA 250 tournament at Hobart, Australia.

Auckland, New Zealand will host a WTA tournament from Jan. 5-11 before the ATP plays at the same venue from Jan. 12-17. Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe are scheduled to play in an exhibition tournament at Kooyong in Melbourne several days before the Australian Open begins.

And in the only warm-up tournament being played outside Australia or New Zealand, Hong Kong will host an ATP event from Jan. 5-11.

The ATP events will come under a new rule for 2026 to address extreme heat during men's matches that will allow for 10-minute breaks during best-of-three-sets singles matches and is similar to what was put in place on the WTA more than 30 years ago.

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AP tennis: https://ift.tt/kXm6lUh

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Set to go: Two weeks of tennis mania Down Under ahead of the Australian Open

Set to go: Two weeks of tennis mania Down Under ahead of the Australian Open DENNIS PASSA January 1, 2026 at 3:53 AM 0...

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