Category: BUSINESS

Crossword Blog & Answers for March 10, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today’s puzzle before reading further! FaceTime
Constructor: Jess Rucks

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Comments from Today’s Crossword Constructor

Jess: When I made this puzzle, I had been playing with grid art and trying out more visual themes. For this crossword, I did actually create a grid that resembled a face… resembled being the key word. Faces just look too creepy unless they’re done well (I didn’t even submit it to Amanda, but I did send it to her for a good laugh)! Although the grid art didn’t pan out, I’m happy with this grid and this puzzle! Fun note: the clue for RAKED was inspired by the students who use the sand tray in my playroom; I provide therapy (often play and art-based) to students in an elementary school. Thanks for solving!

What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle

ELM (68A: Tree first referenced in literature in “The Iliad”) I did not know which three-letter tree was first referenced in Homer’s Greek epic poem, The Iliad. Could it be ELM, oak, ash, or yew? A quick check of the crossing answers led me to the right answer. In The Iliad, there is a reference to mountain nymphs planting ELM trees on top of a tomb. There is another instance in The Iliad, when Achilles grabs onto an ELM tree to try and save himself from drowning when the river floods.

HE’S (11D: “___ the DJ, I’m the Rapper” (1988 album)) HE’S the DJ, I’m the Rapper is the second studio album by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.

ROBOT (35D: Claire or Oliver, in “Maybe Happy Ending”) Maybe Happy Ending is a one-act musical about life-like ROBOTs (helper-bots) named Claire and Oliver. The ROBOTs have been abandoned by their owners and live in an apartment complex with other abandoned helper-bots. The musical was written by Hue Park with music composed by Will Aronson. It premiered in Seoul, South Korea in 2016. Maybe Happy Ending opened on Broadway in November of last year.

Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

BACH (8A: “Air on the G String” composer) “Air on the G String” is an arrangement of the second movement of Johann Sebastian BACH’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV. The arrangement was done by German violinist August Wilhelmj, who transposed the part of the first violins so that the entire piece can be played on the violin’s G string. The title “Air on the G String” has come to be used for other arrangements of BACH’s piece as well.

BLUE (15A: Babe the ___ Ox) In American and Canadian folklore, Babe the BLUE Ox is an animal who accompanies the giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan.

LORAX (17A: Kid-lit character who “speaks for the trees”) The LORAX is a 1971 children’s book by Dr. Seuss. The LORAX is a character who “speaks for the trees,” and confronts the Once-ler, a business person causing environmental destruction.

OTIS (18A: R&B legend Redding) Thanks to this answer, I now have OTIS Redding’s song “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” going through my head. It could be worse.

ANDOR (22A: “Star Wars” prequel series) The TV series ANDOR, which premiered on Disney+ in 2022 is part of the Star Wars franchise. The show is a prequel to the 2016 movie Rogue One. The series follows the story of Cassian ANDOR, who is portrayed by Diego Luna.

RIM (24A: It’s 10 feet high in basketball) Here’s a fun fact!

SERB (32A: Balkan native) The Balkans are a geographical region in southeastern Europe. The SERBs are an ethnic group native to the Balkans.

FOLLOW YOUR NOSE (38A: “___! It always knows!” (Froot Loops slogan)) “FOLLOW YOUR NOSE! It always knows!” is the slogan said by Toucan Sam, the mascot of Froot Loops cereal.

SAUTE (41A: Make a mirepoix) A mirepoix is a mixture of diced vegetables – often onions, carrots, and celery – that are sautéed in butter. A mirepoix serves as a base for stocks, soups, stews, and sauces.

AREA (51A: Vatican City’s is 0.17 square miles) Here’s another fun fact! Vatican City is a landlocked country surrounded by Rome, Italy. It is the smallest sovereign state in the world, both according to AREA and population.

LENT (53A: Time before Easter) This answer is timely, as Christians are currently observing LENT, which began on March 5 this year.

TYRA (69A: Smize & Dream founder Banks) Smize & Dream is a boutique ice cream brand founded by model and TV personality TYRA Banks in 2020. I enjoyed reading TYRA Banks’ explanation on the website about how she decided to start an ice cream store. It’s related to memories of eating ice cream with her mom.

IDAHO (6D: The Gem State) Although many people (myself included) think of IDAHO as The Potato State, its official nickname is The Gem State. The nickname is a reference to the more than 72 types of gems found in IDAHO, including garnet, jasper, and opal.

ALTER EGO (9D: Ms. Marvel for Kamala Khan, e.g.) In the Marvel Universe, Kamala Khan, whose ALTER EGO is Ms. Marvel, is a Pakistani American teenager from New Jersey with shapeshifting abilities. She took over as Ms. Marvel when Carol Danvers became Captain Marvel.

NOW (29D: “___ and Then” (1995 coming-of-age film)) The 1995 movie NOW and Then follows four women who were childhood friends as they are reunited in their hometown. The friends remember a memorable summer they shared together.

RAND (31D: “The Fountainhead” author Ayn) Ayn RAND (1905-1982) was the pen name of Russian-born American author and philosopher Alice O’Connor. The Fountainhead is her 1943 novel about an innovative architect named Howard Roark who fights for his creative ideas. In her work, Ayn RAND sought to describe man, “as he could be and should be.”

KENYA (46D: Country featuring a Maasai shield on its flag) The Maasai people are an ethnic group of KENYA and northern Tanzania. As the clue informs us, the East African country of KENYA has a flag featuring a Maasai shield.

BEAUTY (48D: Attribute of someone benefitting from pretty privilege) Pretty privilege refers to the idea that people who are considered to have BEAUTY receive more opportunities and benefits than those who are considered to be less attractive.

ASNER (52D: “Up” actor Ed) Ed ASNER voices the role of Carl Fredricksen in the 2009 animated movie Up. I think Up is a great movie even though I always forget how sad the beginning of it is!

MRS (59D: “___ Dalloway”) MRS. Dalloway is a 1925 novel by Virgina Woolf. It begins with the line, “MRS. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.” The book, set in England after World War I, tells about one day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class woman. During that day, MRS. Dalloway reminisces about her life, while preparing for a party she is hosting that night.

A few other clues I especially enjoyed:

RAKED (64A: Played in a sand tray, perhaps)

SCIENCE FAIR (2D: Event showcasing students’ experiments)

PARADE ROUTE (3D: Path for a certain Pride event)

Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis

EASY ON THE EYES (19A: Good-looking)

FOLLOW YOUR NOSE (38A: “___! It always knows!” (Froot Loops slogan))

ME AND MY BIG MOUTH (59A: “Oh, no! I shouldn’t have told you that!”)

FACETIME: The last words of the theme answers are elements of a FACE: EYES, NOSE, and MOUTH.

It’s too bad the grid art didn’t work out, but it’s a nice touch that the EYES, NOSE, and MOUTH are in FACE order, so to speak, in the grid. This is a fun set of theme answers; I especially enjoy ME AND MY BIG MOUTH. Thank you, Jess, for this delightful puzzle.

For more on USA TODAY’s Crossword Puzzles
March 10, 2025
‘White Lotus’ Jon Gries lied about playing shady Greg. Is he a killer?

Have “The White Lotus” fans rushed to unfair judgment against Greg (Jon Gries), the husband of dead heiress Tonya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge)? Absolutely not.

Greg, now calling himself Gary, shocked viewers when he resurfaced in Thailand as the only character to appear in all three seasons of HBO’s hit (Sundays, 9 ET/PT). Gries, 67, admits his shady character, one of the most despised on TV, is slippery and a “trickster,” at best.

Yet Gries dodges questions about Greg’s role in Tanya’s suspicious Season 2 death. Greg had left Italy’s White Lotus resort, allegedly for a business trip, when his multimillionaire wife perished in a suspicious yacht mishap.

If Greg was in Denver, how could he be the offender?

“If you wanted to prosecute the case in a court of law, how would you do it?” Gries asks. “It would be pretty hard to prove that I was involved in her demise. And I will neither confirm nor deny.”

Jon Gries lied to family, friends about playing shady Greg in Thailand

To be clear: Gries is nothing like scowling Greg, and is friends with Coolidge in real life. Patrick Schwarzenegger echoed other Season 3 cast members by calling Gries “a loving guy to film with and, more importantly, to hang out with.” Gries, who starred as Uncle Rico in 2004 film “Napoleon Dynamite,” even lets his parrot Pablo (named after the character in the quirky cult classic) perch on his shoulder during a Zoom interview.

Gries was floored when “White Lotus” creator/writer/director Mike White revealed Greg would be the scandalous luxury resort visitor no one saw coming. “It was an enormous honor,” Gries says. “It was incredible, even bizarre, to me that I was the one coming back.”

On the downside, Gries had to deceive family members and friends to keep the state secret. The actor told everyone that he was off to the Philippines for a four-month stint playing a U.S. Navy crew member in a remake of the 1966 Steve McQueen drama “The Sand Pebbles.”

“It was just bad lying while really sticking to my guns,” says Gries, who says he was recognized in Thailand. “This local businessman said, ‘Dude, I hear they’re shooting “White Lotus.” Are you working?’ I insisted that I was just visiting. I was lying through my teeth.”

The deceit paid off when Greg appeared in the Feb. 16 season premiere. “It was so hard, but so worth it,” Gries says. He was surprised by the burnt-orange shirt and table napkin for the reveal. “Bold color choice. I was like, ‘Holy cow, it looks like I’m in jail,’” he says. “Or it could have something to do with the (Buddhist) monks.”

What’s the case against Greg as ‘White Lotus’ killer?

Government employee Greg met lonely heiress Tanya in Hawaii, which Gries says was not an accident. “This was probably something that (Greg) was planning all along,” he says. In Italy, Gries is deeply annoyed that Tanya has insisted on a prenuptial agreement for their new marriage. Tanya discovers that Quentin (Tom Hollander), one of her new friends on a yacht, knew her husband long ago. And she realizes in horror that the prenup only covers divorce, not death. In one of the most memorable finale scenes, Tanya kills everyone on the yacht and then falls to her death trying to get on a dinghy.

Greg, as Gary, is loaded in Thailand with his own yacht and a huge house near the resort. His girlfriend, former model Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon), shares Gary’s version of his previous wife’s death – the mentally unwell woman died after wandering into the sea. But Greg’s evasion of authorities hits a snag when Hawaii spa manager Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), who was close to Tanya, spots him in Thailand. Belinda is suspicious and could bring righteous retribution … or become his next victim.

Greg is staying alive in Thailand as Gary

Give the suspect his due. The dude is in great shape, swimming laps at his luxury pool. He’s desperate to stay alive now that he has all the money.

“That’s pretty much the essence of this character, to me. This guy doesn’t waste his time. He wants to make the best of every moment,” Gries says. “It’s just about keeping one step ahead of time.”

It’s a valid theory that his character will be near the center of the violence in Season 3. The premiere gave a startling glimpse of the near future – a resort shooting and at least one body floating in tranquil waters. But as before, every visitor and employee at the posh wellness resort is either a possible murderer, victim, or both.

“There are many people who could be the killer. So I can say that Gary would be heaped into that group. But it goes across the board,” Gries says.

The April 6 finale could be redeeming, damning, or the end for this mysterious character. “All I’ll say is that it will get dark and downright twisted from here,” Gries says.

March 10, 2025
Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell duets with son
As a new season of “American Idol” kicks off, Season 23 so far is losing focus on the next Idol as it highlights one of its most famous alumni: Carrie Underwood.
Of course, Underwood is the long-running competition show’s newest judge, coming home after cultivating a successful career over the past two decades to nurture the next generation of talent.

Following Katy Perry’s departure last year, Season 4 winner and eight-time Grammy winner Underwood signed on to help Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie sift through the nation’s undiscovered talents. And Sunday’s season premiere went to great lengths to re-introduce Underwood — the show’s first ever alum-turned-judge — to “Idol” loyalists.

As the trio went from audition to audition, Bryan and Richie realized something about their new colleague: She can sing almost anything. Thus, “Jukebox Carrie” was born as the country star belted along to auditions utilizing everyone from Korn to George Strait to Bell Biv DeVoe.

We’ve got a few of these auditions episodes to get through in the next few weeks, so let’s get right to it.

Here are Episode 1’s standout performances, who made it to Hollywood and which lucky lady is getting fast-tracked through Hollywood Week with a platinum ticket.

Listen up, millennials: This Backstreet Boy did a duet with his son

There was no getting the family resemblance past Underwood.

She’d clocked there was something familiar about Baylee Littrell, and she was right; the 21-year-old college student from Alpharetta, Georgia, is the son of Backstreet Boys star Brian Littrell. His career started early, when he was a kid opening for the boyband.

“I believe I get my voice from Dad, and hopefully I can do him justice today,” Baylee said. “Following in my dad’s footsteps is scary because his career to me is one of the most extraordinary in music history. No one can ever compare.”

Brian clearly disagrees, proud dad that he is: “I’ve always told everybody that he’s 10 times more talented than I ever was,” he said. “He’s obviously grown up in the business and I think he’s cut out for it.”

Bucking any expectations that he’d go the saccharine pop route, Baylee took a risk with an original song called “Waiting on Myself to Die.” The judges were convinced enough by the acoustic guitar set and the vulnerability in a song about not letting yourself give up, but for good measure, they requested a father-son duet.

Brian joined for a reprisal of the song, providing the upper range for the chorus. And with three yeses delivered, Brian was left in tears.

This 17 year old deserves to go straight to the Top 10

Someone give this high schooler a record deal, stat.

Isaiah Misailegalu, a 17-year-old high school senior from Las Vegas, Nevada, is not only the varsity football team captain, a member of the honor choice and president of his school’s Polynesian club, but he also has immense singing talent.

Forget the platinum ticket — where’s the card that rockets him straight to the Top 10? With his confidence and emotion as he sang Donny Hathaway’s “A Song For You” with accompaniment from his Uncle Luigi on acoustic guitar, the performance was one you’ll want to put on a loop.

One issue: Underwood refused to believe that voice could come from someone who only recently started singing in front of others. “It sounds like you’ve been doing it forever. You made it sound very easy, and it’s not. So well done, you liar,” she joked.

“You just borrowed Donny’s song, but that’s your song now,” Richie said before the judges gave thee easy yeses.

Carrie Underwood was ‘not a crier’ — until she met an adorable toddler

Usually, putting your audience to sleep isn’t a good sign for a singer. But it might’ve just secured 25-year-old Breanna Nix a ticket to Hollywood.

As the stay-at-home mom from Denton, Texas, boldly sang Underwood’s own song “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” her toddler Emerson fought to keep his eyelids open in Underwood’s arms until he finally gave in to slumber. The cuteness moved the “Idol” alum to tears.

As Underwood described what “an honor” it was to hear the cover, Bryan took over babysitting duties and let the little boy nap against his chest.

The trio’s unanimous vote came in a whisper, so as to not wake the little one, and was a resounding “yes.”

Who made it to Hollywood Week?

The judges were not too sparing with their golden tickets in the season premiere (I’m looking at you, Insite, and your head-banging to Korn). Here’s who’s making it through to Hollywood.

Kolbi Jordan

Breanna Dix

Crews Wright

Isaiah Misailegalu

Kam’ron Smith

Insite

Baylee Littrell

Lillie Zitlaly Rhoden

Shane Dan Turner

Pat Johnson

Ché

Gabby Simone

Ian Ward

Abi Bowen

Slater Nalley

Who got a platinum ticket?

Introduced in 2022 to shake things up after more than 20 years on air, the platinum ticket rockets a contestant through the first week of auditions in Hollywood. The judges typically have four of these updates to dole out.

Kolbi Jordan, the 26-year-old singer from Tulsa, got top billing as the first audition of the episode. Her rendition of Chrisette Michele’s “Epiphany (I’m Leaving)” bowled over the judges so much that not only did Richie get her on the phone with her idol Patti LaBelle, the producers also set her up with a performance during a Titans vs Patriots game at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium.

After she proved her chops to an estimated 70,000 football fans (one would assume; we didn’t actually get to see the performance), Kolbi had her golden ticket upgraded to a platinum ticket. Cue the confetti.
March 10, 2025
Greg lives: Jon Gries talks ‘White Lotus’ S3 return after TV wife diedEntertain This!

Greg lives: Jon Gries talks ‘White Lotus’ S3 return after TV wife diedEntertain This!

March 10, 2025
Atlanta housewives Porsha Williams, Phaedra Parks, on ‘RHOA’ return

“Real Housewives of Atlanta” fans will be getting a sweet blend of the past and present this season.

Season 16 of the hit Bravo “Housewives” franchise (premiering Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo, streaming the next day on Peacock) will feature OGs Porsha Williams, Cynthia Bailey and, returning after six seasons, Phaedra Parks, along with returning cast member Drew Sidora and a slew of new ladies getting their peaches for the first time – Shamea Morton Mwangi, Brit Eady, Kelli Ferrell and Angela Oakley.

For Parks, this cast is a return to the fun and occasional “shadiness” fans love.

“We’re trying to basically get back to what made Atlanta the flashiest of the franchise. Just good, old-fashioned, fun sisterhood,” says the attorney, who is returning later this season. “Drama, but also, laughs and crying. I think that’s what became missing in those past two seasons.”

Parks said she decided to return because of Williams. The fan-favorite Frick and Frack duo is reuniting this season after years of ups and downs. “I love her,” says Parks.

“And additionally, once I found out that Cynthia would be returning – we came into the show together as newbies,” Parks says. “I love Cynthia, and our children have grown up together. So that was a definite plus.”

Bailey is back as an official “friend of the Housewives” while focusing on her acting career, though she is still “very involved.” She says: “I ended up shooting a lot more than I even thought I would even be shooting, to be honest.”

The Essentials: Porsha Williams on divorce, ‘RHOA’ sisterhood with Phaedra Parks, self-care

Phaedra Parks, Cynthia Bailey on new cast: Shamea Morton, Brit Eady, more

Both women are excited for viewers to get to know the new cast. Morton Mwangi, a friend of Williams who has appeared on the show for years, is now getting a chance to be in the spotlight. Bailey says she “lives a fabulous life” and is excited for fans to get to know her more intimately.

Parks calls Eady a “ball of light” and a “beautiful girl inside and out,” while Bailey says she’s a “wild card” and a “fun time.”

Bailey says viewers will enjoy Oakley’s dynamic with her husband, former NBA player Charles Oakley, as well as her humor and filing in the resident pot-stirrer role. And Parks looks to Ferrell, who stands at 5 feet even, as her “little mini-me” and a “firecracker” in her own right.

“She’s an entrepreneur, so I think that she’s going to be a great role model for women, but also she’s definitely very entertaining. She’s a very loud little woman,” Parks says of Ferrell, laughing.

Williams says she wasn’t familiar with the new cast – outside of Morton Mwangi – beforehand and admits some of these relationships were “a little rocky” to start the season. “But they ended up developing right there on TV. Because I can relate to people who are real, and I will have to say that a few of these girls are real,” she says. “Some of them, we’re going through the same situation, and so they’re very relatable.”

As for their own appearances, Parks marks her return later this season, while Bailey pops in to be a “voice of reason and a support system” for the women, including Sidora, who has been part of the cast since 2020.

“Drew Sidora, I actually brought on show when she entered. And she’s going through a divorce (from Ralph Pittman). Obviously we were able to connect on that,” Bailey adds, going through her own divorces in 2017 and 2022. “I had some advice for her, in terms of that.”

‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ evolution: Cast departures, returns and ‘new blood’

Fans have seen Bailey pop in and out since Season 13, but she’s been busy sharpening her acting chops. With credits on “The Cosby Show” and “Star,” she’s diving deeper into film and TV, including the Wendy Raquel Robinson-directed BET+ movie “Who’s Cheating Who?,” as well as “BMF” Season 3 on Starz.

Meanwhile Parks, who has departed “Married to Medicine” and juggled reality hits on “The Traitors” and “Dancing With the Stars,” is focused on work and family.

Her two sons “actually were born on the show, and I never took the day off, and people watched them grow up,” she says. “Now them being young men, it’s a different type of supervision. They are entrepreneurs themselves, and so from watching how I work and my strong work ethic, I’m hoping that they will be more successful than I am.”

Season 16 comes amid the departures of Kandi Burruss, Marlo Hampton and Sanya Richards-Ross. Kenya Moore, who was originally set to appear throughout this season, departed the series following claims that she displayed “revenge porn.” She was previously suspended indefinitely from filming by Bravo after an altercation with Eady.

Though the ladies remain mum about the situation, they’re all in on the “new blood” shaking up the cast.

“A lot of people often talk about Season 6 being the sweet spot for Atlanta. It was something about that specific group of women, which I was a part of, that just worked. It just was good TV,” Bailey says. “I’m excited to come back as a friend this season, to just help get the show back in that space where people really are excited to watch it again.”

She says some people “have dropped off” since then, and new faces were necessary.

The show “ultimately has to be able to keep bringing a couple of new people in every season,” she says. “Otherwise, you end up with a cast where we’re just still having the same conversations and the same arguments.”

“We always have a splash of drama, but it won’t be dark, and so we’re trying to lighten it up and just enjoy each other,” says Parks. “Right now, I think we’re in a moment where people come to television to escape. And so we’ll be offering an escape from everyone’s normal life with a lot of fun, a lot of fabulousness, a lot of fashion (and) a lot of very powerful stories, because everyone’s got a different story.”

When does ‘RHOA’ come back? How to watch ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ Season 16

“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” Season 16 premieres Sunday, March 9, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo. New episodes will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.

Contributing: Naledi Ushe and Jay Stahl

March 10, 2025
Who’s left, how to watch ‘Women Tell All’ episode
Editor’s note: Season 29 spoilers ahead!
With just two roses remaining, “The Bachelor” Grant Ellis is episodes away from announcing who his final choice will be.

But before viewers find that out, 15 women from this season will be returning for “The Women Tell All” episode to talk about their experiences on the show.

“It’s a night full of confrontations and emotions as Grant reunites with 15 women from this season,” says ABC about the upcoming episode. “For the first time since filming, Grant’s former flames come together to address the season’s most memorable moments and heated controversies. Plus, Grant enters the hot seat to answer burning questions and share behind-the-scenes glimpses of the season’s funniest moments.”

Unlike the other episodes, Monday’s “The Women Tell All” episode is not scripted and cast members will take the stage in front of a live audience to talk about their experiences on the show. While the “Tell All” episodes of the franchises also usually feature the next “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette,” that’s not expected this time as ABC reportedly stopped production on the female-led series for the first time since 2007 due to scheduling conflicts.

The previous episode of “The Bachelor,” meanwhile, ended with Ellis down to his final three choices: Litia, Juliana and Zoe. Dina Lupancu’s journey came to an end on the show after she told Ellis he wouldn’t be meeting her family during the hometowns’ week because her pastor father disapproved of the show’s format and did not want to be a part of it. Dina later told Parade her mother, who, like her father, also grew up in Romania did not want to be on camera, and she did not want to put her parents through it.

Here’s what to know about “The Women Tell All” episode of Season 29 of “The Bachelor,” including final contestants, trailer and how to watch it.

‘The Bachelorette’: Gabby Windey reveals secret wedding to partner Robby Hoffman

‘The Bachelor’: Top 3 contestants

Juliana

Age: 28

Occupation: Client service associate

Hometown: Newton, Massachusetts

Zoe

Age: 27

Occupation: Tech engineer and model

Hometown: New York, N.Y.

Litia

Age: 31

Occupation: Venture capitalist

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah

What time does ‘The Bachelor’ air? Episode 7 date, time

Episode 7 of Season 29 of “The Bachelor” will air on Monday, March 10 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT.

ABC has not released a full schedule for Season 29, and it is not yet clear how many more episodes the season will have. “The Bachelor” franchise typically has nine to 13 episodes per season.

How to watch ‘The Bachelor’

“The Bachelor” airs on ABC on Mondays, with new episodes available to stream on Hulu the next day.

Watch “The Bachelor” on Sling

‘The Bachelor’ ‘Women Tell All’ episode: Episode 7 Trailer

Which contestants will be part of the ‘Women tell All’ episode of Season 29?

The 15 women who will be a part of the episode include:

Alexe, 27: Pediatric speech therapist from New Brunswick, Canada

Alli Jo, 30: Boxing trainer from Manalapan, N.J.

Allyshia, 29: Interior designer from Tampa, Fla.

Bailey, 27: Social media manager from Atlanta, Ga.

Beverly, 30: Insurance salesperson from Howard Beach, N.Y.

Carolina, 28: Public relations producer from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

Chloie, 27: Model from New York, N.Y.

Dina, 32: Attorney from Chicago, Ill.

Ella, 25: Luxury travel host from Los Angeles, Calif.

J’Nae, 28: Account coordinator from Colorado Springs, Colo.

Natalie, 25: Ph.D. student from Louisville, Ky.

Parisa, 29: Pediatric behavior analyst from Birmingham, Mich.

Rose, 27: Registered nurse from Chicago, Ill.

Sarafiena 29: Associate media director from New York, N.Y.

Vicky, 28: Nightclub server from Las Vegas, Nev.

Who is Grant Ellis?

Season 29’s “Bachelor” Grant Ellis is a 31-year-old day trader from New Jersey and a former pro basketball player.

A Lakers fan, Ellis enjoys “hitting strikes at the bowling alley, or belting out tunes at karaoke nights,” per ABC. Grant is the second Black man to lead “The Bachelor” since the show first premiered in 2002. Matt James was cast as the first Black bachelor in June 2020.

Ellis “captured the hearts of Bachelor Nation on Season 21 of ‘The Bachelorette’ with his infectious smile and unwavering positivity,” ABC says about him, adding “fans saw Ellis’ genuine desire to build a future centered on family” before his emotional exit.

“As the Bachelor, Ellis is eager to embark on a journey filled with romance, adventure and genuine connections,” according to ABC, and “hopes to find a partner who shares his values of loyalty, humor and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.”

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Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
March 10, 2025
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s daughter Lilibet seen in new photo

Duchess Meghan celebrated International Women’s Day by honoring “girls with dreams,” including her daughter.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, shared a gallery of photos Saturday on Instagram for International Women’s Day. One was a rare picture of Princess Lilibet, her 3-year-old daughter with Prince Harry.

The Instagram carousel’s third photo showed Harry, who wore shorts and a backwards baseball cap, holding Lilibet as she sat in his lap on a boat.

“Happy International Women’s Day!” Meghan wrote. “Celebrating the strong women around us & the girls with dreams who will become women with vision. Also thanking those who uplift us every day.”

Duchess Meghan’s post also included photos of herself with her mom, Doria Ragland, and a picture of Prince Harry holding her as they stand on a beach together.

Duchess Meghan shares rare photo of Princess Lilibet, launches As Ever lifestyle brand

Meghan and Harry share two children: Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3. She has rarely shared photos of Lilibet, although she did release one in February while launching her lifestyle brand As Ever. A website for As Ever, previously known as American Riviera Orchard, showed Meghan running on grass with Lilibet.

Meghan’s new post comes days after it was confirmed that her Netflix show “With Love, Meghan” will return for another season. The show’s second season has already been filmed, despite receiving mostly negative reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

The show features Meghan offering tips on hosting, baking and parenting, while joined by celebrity guests including Mindy Kaling.

Prince Harry praises Duchess in ‘With Love, Meghan,’ host confirms name change

Speaking with People magazine, Meghan said Harry would bring their children to visit her on set while shooting the show.

“I loved that my children were able to watch me working and see the balance of that and understand what Mama does and is working to create and share,” she said. “It was really special because up until then, they hadn’t seen me at work.”

The Duchess of Sussex also told People, “Being able to have my own little girl, as I’ve spent so much of my life championing the rights of girls and women, and to be able to see this as a multigenerational story — Archie is of course included in that, my husband is of course included in that — but I love the heritage feeling of it and knowing this is something that I can create in front of my daughter and teach her what it’s like to be a working mom. This is something that hopefully can be part of her legacy too.”

Contributing: Anna Kaufman

March 10, 2025
Rihanna posts delivery room photos with sons RZA and Riot Rose

Rihanna had her kids on the brain during International Women’s Day.

The “Umbrella” singer, 37, took to Instagram on Saturday to share a pair of delivery room photos from when she gave birth to her children RZA and Riot Rose in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

The pictures showed Rihanna in a hospital bed looking stylish while holding her newborns, wearing pearls in one and pink sunglasses in the other.

She tied the photos to International Women’s Day, which was Saturday, writing in the caption that giving birth to her “little miracles” was “by far the most powerful thing I’ve ever done as a woman.”

“And yes I gave birth in pearls and sunglasses … don’t ask, a lot was happening,” she joked.

Rihanna shares both of her sons with partner A$AP Rocky. She welcomed her first child, RZA, in May 2022, and her second, Riot, in August 2023.

The Grammy winner famously revealed she was pregnant for the second time during the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show by wearing an outfit that showed off her baby bump.

Rihanna covers Harper’s Bazaar magazine, talks music and motherhood after A$AP Rocky trial

Rihanna recently opened up about her kids in a Harper’s Bazaar profile, telling the magazine that her son RZA “is just an empath. He’s so magical. He loves music. He loves melody. He loves books. He loves water. Bath time, swimming, pool, beach, anything.”

Riot, meanwhile, is “just hilarious,” she said.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky share first photos of their newborn baby, Riot Rose

“When he wakes up, he starts to squeal, scream,” she said. “Not in a crying way. He just wants to sing. And I’m like, ‘Okay, here we go!’ He’s my alarm in the morning! He’s not taking no for an answer from anyone. I don’t know where he came from, dude.”

Rihanna also revealed in the Harper’s Bazaar interview that she was on a Zoom call just three days after giving birth to her first child, while with her second, “three days out of the hospital, I was in a meeting in person with a robe and a belly that looked like I was still pregnant.”

March 10, 2025
Ben Affleck on 'The Accountant 2' at SXSWEntertainment

Ben Affleck on ‘The Accountant 2’ at SXSWEntertainment

March 10, 2025
Mike Myers reprises Elon Musk, channels Dr. Evil

Mike Myers is still live from New York.

The comedian returned to play Tesla CEO Elon Musk again on the latest episode of “Saturday Night Live,” this time with a little Dr. Evil energy.

The episode’s cold open saw President Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson) attempt to broker a truce between Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Marcello Hernández). Throughout the sketch, Myers’ Musk laughed at himself, made childlike jokes and performed a dance that Trump dubbed his “least unsettling trait.”

After Musk continued saying “Polo” in response to Rubio’s first name, the secretary of state said he can’t believe “this is the guy you’ve given access to the entire government” because he’s “not an elected official,” to which Musk shot back, “I know you are, but what am I?” This led Trump to step in and insist that the two at least come up with more creative insults for each other.

In an inner monologue communicated throughout voiceover, Myers’ Musk proclaimed that he has completed phase one of his plan, “ingratiate yourself to the president and take over the media.” But he asks, “Was taking this job a bad idea? A lot of people seem to really hate me, my Tesla stock is crashing, and my personal net worth just dropped by $100 billion.”

As Musk said “$100 billion,” Myers put his pinky to his mouth to channel Dr. Evil’s iconic pose from the “Austin Powers” films.

Myers debuted his Musk impression during last week’s “SNL,” starring in a sketch where the Tesla CEO interrupted a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The actor’s “Wayne’s World” co-star, Dana Carvey, played Musk on “SNL” last year. That impression prompted a harsh reaction from Musk, who said on X that the show “has been dying slowly for years” and is “increasingly out of touch with reality.” In response to Myers’ first sketch as Musk, the billionaire said on X, “Humor fails when it lies.”

In ‘SNL’ cold open, Mike Myers as Elon Musk interrupts Trump, Zelenskyy meeting

Elsewhere in Saturday’s cold open, Johnson’s Trump similarly spoke to himself in an inner monologue and poked fun at Adrien Brody’s lengthy Oscar acceptance speech, which broke a record as the longest of all time.

“This guy can’t stop talking,” Trump said of Rubio. “I mean, who the hell does he think he is, Adrien Brody?”

As the voiceover monologue continued, Trump was stunned to realize he was “thinking something” but “not saying it out loud,” describing this as a “whole new thing” for him.

Lady Gaga jokes about ‘Joker 2’ failure in ‘SNL’ monologue

Saturday’s “SNL” was hosted by Lady Gaga, who in her monologue poked fun at the poor reception to her film “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Gaga played Harley Quinn in the DC movie, which flopped at the box office and was panned by critics.

“I’ve been very diligent about selecting films that would showcase my craft as a serious actor, films such as ‘Joker 2,’” she said. “Apparently, people thought it was awesome.”

Elon Musk says ‘SNL’ is ‘so mad’ Trump won as he slams Dana Carvey’s impression

Gaga pointed out that she and co-star Joaquin Phoenix won the award for worst screen combo at the Razzies, which recognizes the worst films of the year.

“Joke’s on them: I love winning things,” Gaga said. “And my Razzie brings me one step closer to an EGORT. It’s like an EGOT, but it’s hurtful.”

The singer also sarcastically declared that “every aspect” of her last “SNL” episode as host, from 2013, “aged amazing,” urging viewers not to look up the fact that she performed with R. Kelly, who has since been convicted on sexual abuse charges.

“I won’t bring it up because that would be bad,” she joked.

Gaga’s “SNL” appearance came one day after she dropped her latest album, “Mayhem.” She pulled double duty as host and musical guest, performing the album’s songs “Abracadabra” and “Killah.”

The Grammy winner is engaged to Michael Polansky, and she referenced her fiancé during her monologue. Gaga recalled receiving a call from her mother, who set the couple up, telling her that she just “met your husband.”

“She said, ‘He works in cancer research,’ and while we were talking, I was literally smoking a cigarette,” Gaga quipped. “And then we went on three dates, and I never smoked again, except when I’m drunk.”

March 9, 2025