Category: BUSINESS

What to know about ‘The Bachelor’s’ Juliana Pasquarosa

Grant Ellis’ journey on “The Bachelor” is heading toward its conclusion but before Ellis makes his final choice, he and his final three contestants are heading to the Dominican Republic for the Fantasy Suites.

While in Dominican Republic, “Grant takes one woman on an exhilarating ATV ride, connects in an intimate yoga session with another and ends the week with a zipline adventure through the gorgeous green foliage,” says ABC about the upcoming episode.

The upcoming episode will also have “Bachelor Nation favorites Daisy Kent, Rachel Nance and Kaity Biggar” stop by to “offer guidance to the women as they near the end of their journeys.”

The women who will be accompanying Grant on this trip include Juliana, Zoe and Litia. Here’s what to know about Juliana Pasquarosa, the 28-year-old client service associate from Massachusetts.

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Who is Juliana Pasquarosa?

Juliana, 28, is a client service associate from Newton, Massachusetts, according to her bio on ABC.

“The Bachelor” describes her as a “bubbly, outgoing woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and go after what her heart wants.”

Juliana comes from a big Italian family and “aspires to find a lasting love like her parents,” who were high school sweethearts. She hopes to find a man “who has a good heart, strong ambition, and loves to hang out with family,” ABC says.

Juliana, meanwhile, describes herself as “an extroverted introvert.”

“I love people but really obsess over my alone time and don’t be surprised if I cancel plans to cuddle with my dog in my sweats,” Juliana says in her bio on La Beautique Salon, where she works as a marketing manager, according to an Instagram post.

This also probably explains why “The Bachelor” contestant wants to own a dog-friendly bar one day.

Juliana on ‘The Bachelor’

Juliana told Bachelor Nation that her favorite part of being on the show was “learning to trust myself.” On the show, Juliana had opened up about being cheated on, telling viewers that despite that, she was in the “relationship for a pretty long time.”

The contestant also revealed that if she had to hang out with only three people from Bachelor Nation for the rest of her, it would be Gabby, Daisy and Kelsey A.

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Why did Grant Ellis choose Juliana?

Grant told Bachelor Nation that Juliana had a nurturing personality and was someone who is real.

“She was somebody who’s gonna stick up for who she’s with and go to bat, and that’s how I am,” Ellis said.

Juliana, meanwhile, has been actively sharing pictures of herself indulging in PDA with Grant, on Instagram.

How to watch ‘The Bachelor’

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

Episode 8 of Season 29 of “The Bachelor” will air on Monday, March 17 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT.

‘The Bachelor’: Stream on Hulu | Watch on Sling

The season finale is expected to air March 24, according to Variety.

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

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 17, 2025
What to know about age, hometown, job

Grant Ellis and the final three women on “The Bachelor” are heading to the Dominican Republic for the Fantasy Suites, where Grant will have overnight dates and exciting experiences with them all.

While in Dominican Republic, “Grant takes one woman on an exhilarating ATV ride, connects in an intimate yoga session with another and ends the week with a zipline adventure through the gorgeous green foliage,” says ABC about the upcoming episode.

The upcoming episode will also have “Bachelor Nation favorites” Daisy Kent, Rachel Nance and Kaity Biggar stop by to “offer guidance to the women as they near the end of their journeys.”

Among the women who will be accompanying Grant on this trip is Litia Garr, the 31-year-old model and venture capitalist from Utah. Here’s what to know about her.

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Who is Litia Garr? Age, hometown, job

Litia is described as a “vibrant, empathetic and confident woman with a lot of love to give,” by ABC in her bio.

“She is ready for a man to put her first and is looking for someone who is honest, vulnerable and family oriented,” ABC says.

Much like Grant, Litia, a Pisces, loves sports and enjoys watching basketball, football and water polo. She also loves riding horses and is an incredible swimmer. However, despite loving the outdoors, she hates hiking.

Fun fact: Litia is a huge fan of the board game Clue, though she feels she isn’t the best player in it.

Litia on ‘The Bachelor’

Litia told Bachelor Nation, her favorite part of being on the show was learning about herself and giggling with the girls.

As for what she learnt on the show, it was to “go out of my comfort zone more often.” Litia added the best relationship advice she has ever received is to be the person you want to marry.

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Why did Grant Ellis choose Litia?

Grant told Bachelor Nation he chose Litia because she was “nurturing” and “somebody that had so much love in her, and I saw that.”

How to watch ‘The Bachelor’

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

Episode 8 of Season 29 of “The Bachelor” will air on Monday, March 17 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT.

‘The Bachelor’: Stream on Hulu | Watch on Sling

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

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 17, 2025
‘White Lotus’ party turns to naked pool romp as Ratliff incest stirs

Warning: “White Lotus” Episode 5 spoilers ahead.

HBO’s “The White Lotus” had already lit the fuse on the Thailand Full Moon party celebration. In Sunday’s episode, those bacchanal fireworks explode.

The raving even brings an alcohol-fueled détente to the escalating Cold War between reunited forever friends – corporate lawyer Laurie (Carrie Coon), Trump-supporting Austin socialite Kate (Leslie Bibb) and TV actress Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan). After a series of life-jarring moments and resurfaced personal friction, the trio hits a nightclub with their hunky White Lotus resort wellness guru Valentin (Arnas Fedaravičius), who brings along his Russian childhood friends Vlad (Yuri Kolokolnikov) and Aleksei (Julian Kostov).

The frequent flirting between the women and the younger abs-and-tattoo-baring Russian men attract the attention (and eventual ire) of Aleksei’s Russian girlfriend, who parts the dance floor as she strides over for a confrontation.

Coon tells USA TODAY she had no idea what was being said in the ensuing, improvised lovers’ quarrel (the scene has no subtitles). But the Russian-speaking nightclub background actors lapped up Aleksei’s Slavic shellacking.

“The extras were mostly Russian. And when they called ‘cut’ on that scene, all the extras cheered,” Coon says. “I didn’t know what she was saying, but they all thought it was a hoot. Nobody cheered for any of us in that club, and we worked there all night long.”

Meanwhile on ‘White Lotus,’ Ratliff brother incest is real

Your uneasy feeling about Saxon Ratliff (Patrick Schwarzenegger) and brother Lachlan (Sam Nivola) is legit. Fueled by booze and drugs, the brothers consummate their unhealthy mutual admiration relationship with a kiss at the playful urging of their (also kissing) Full Moon Party yacht friends Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood). Saxon’s confused expression after the kiss is just the beginning. His eventual realization about the depths of this fraternal interaction will have future repercussions.

“It’s a moment that’s shattering about who he thought he was and what he stood for and what he thought masculinity was,” Schwarzenegger tells USA TODAY. “Everything he stood for is now not who he is.”

What causes the nightclub argument in ‘The White Lotus’?

Jaclyn is the spark for the raucous evening, In last week’s episode, Valentin started a spiral by directing the beautiful actress to a pool bar filled with seniors. “A bargain hotel for retirees. Why would he send us there?” Jacyln fumed. Fueled by this unwelcome look at regular-people aging, Jacyln won’t allow the same mistake again at the nightclub. She demands that Valentin come along and bring his friends.

“White Lotus” creator and executive producer Mike White had very specific thoughts about how each of the three women should move around the dance floor to express their distinctive personality, and demonstrated. “We asked Mike how the different characters danced, and he channeled each one,” Coon says.

Laurie is boisterous fun, while Jaclyn overtly vamps it up with the guys as if she’s flexing her powers in front of the club’s younger female attendees. The drinking, dancing and shots lead to the Russian-language argument and Laurie’s suggestion (powerfully seconded by Jaclyn) that the six reconvene at their White Lotus resort villa pool.

The suits come off at the ‘White Lotus’ pool party

The drunken group takes the party to the next level back at the resort’s pool. Everyone but pajama-wearing Kate goes swimming, and bathing suits are ejected all around. Coon says that the revealing scenes for Kolokolnikov (best known as the cannibal warrior Styr on “Game of Thrones”) are all the more impressive, considering it was the Russian actor’s first scenes. His Vlad whips off his suit and gyrates comically before diving into the pool.

“First day of filming, and he had to just jump nude into the pool,” Coon says. “They were all amazing, so game. They really brought a lot of energy to that evening.”

Jaclyn enters the pool like a goddess in a leopard print bathing suit, adored by the three splashing male admirers.

Jaclyn shockingly trysts with Valentin, and that’s a problem

For several episodes, the married Jaclyn has prodded the single Laurie to hook up with Valentin. And at the nightclub, Laurie warms up to the idea as she and Valentin dance at his request. After the pool frolic, Laurie seems to encourage a furthering of relations by moving close to Valentin, but he subtly pulls away.

It’s not a big deal, until it’s clear that Valentin has other late plans. He’s been clandestinely invited to Jacyln’s private villa, where he shows up for a discreet tryst. It will be a toxic friend event when it’s discovered and discussed by the straight-shooting Laurie.

“You can also use your honesty as a weapon,” says Coon. “Especially if it comes out of a wounded ego.”

“The White Lotus” airs Sundays (9 ET/PT) on HBO and streams on Max.

March 17, 2025
Crossword Blog & Answers for March 17, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today’s puzzle before reading further! Good Vibrations (Freestyle)
Constructor: Matthew Stock

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle

COACH PRIME (29A: New nickname for football’s Deion Sanders) Deion Sanders is a former NFL player who is now the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, the University of Colorado Boulder’s football team. He is the subject of the TV series COACH PRIME, which follows his career as a college football coach.

MIRI (54D: “Tokyo Ueno Station” author Yu) Tokyo Ueno Station is a 2014 novel by Korean Japanese author Yū MIRI. The novel was translated to English in 2020 by Morgan Giles, and won the National Book Award for Translated Literature. Tokyo Ueno Station is narrated by Kazu, a ghost who haunts a busy train station in Tokyo. The book tells of Kazu’s life as he observes the train station and the nearby park where he used to live.

Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

MEXICAN HAT DANCE (16A: Performance also called Jarabe Tapatio) The MEXICAN HAT DANCE, also known as Jarabe Tapatio, is the national dance of Mexico. The DANCE originated as a courtship dance, and is characterized by each partner dancing around a HAT.

ADAM (26A: Singer Lambert) In 2009, ADAM Lambert was the runner-up on Season 8 of American Idol. Since then he has had a successful solo career, as well as collaborating with the band Queen as the lead vocalist for Queen + ADAM Lambert. He made his Broadway debut in 2024, playing the Emcee of Cabaret. If you want to see him in that role, you’ll need to hurry, as his last performance is March 29.

TASTE (37A: “___ the Rainbow” (Skittles slogan)) Although the multi-colored candy Skittles has been on the market since 1971, they didn’t adopt the slogan, “TASTE the Rainbow,” until 1994. Since then, Skittles has adapted their slogan, at times using, “Touch the Rainbow,” “Give the Rainbow,” “Discover the Rainbow,” and even “Apologize the Rainbow.”

CLUE (44A: Murder-mystery board game with accusations) Always happy to see a reference to the board game CLUE. Today it was Matthew in the USA Today with the crossword puzzle (although hopefully there was no victim!).

ERNIE (55A: “Sesame Street” character with a beloved Rubber Duckie) I’m also always happy to see ERNIE, particularly with a clue referencing Rubber Duckie. I have previously written about the importance of rubber duckies in our family.

MAXX (3D: TJ ___ (clothing retailer)) TJ MAXX is a discount clothing retailer founded in 1976 in Framingham, Massachusetts. This clue reminds me of a favorite book series of mine, the Thursday Next books by Jasper Fforde. Stick with me, I’ll explain… In the seventh book of the series, The Woman Who Died a Lot, TJ MAXX turns out to be, not a discount store for designer garments, but a “high-security facility for the imprisonment of dangerous criminals.” Fortunately, that’s only in fiction. It’s still safe to shop at TJ MAXX.

MIA HAMM (6D: Soccer legend who wore No. 9 for Team USA) MIA HAMM is a retired professional soccer player. She wore No. 9 on the U.S. women’s national soccer team that won Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004, and an Olympic silver medal in 2000.

IGA (8D: Tennis champion Swiatek) IGA Świątek, a professional tennis player from Poland, won the French Open in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, and the U.S. Open in 2022.

SAN JUAN (9D: Puerto Rico’s capital) Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island approximately 1,000 miles southeast of Miami, Florida. SAN JUAN is the capital of Puerto RICO.

CASH APP (14D: Venmo alternative with a green icon) CASH APP and Venmo are mobile payment systems that allow users to transfer money using an APP. CASH APP also has other capabilities that include stock investment, applying for loans, and paying taxes.

VOCAL CORDS (24D: Body parts that vibrate when you sing) Located in the throat, VOCAL CORDS vibrate not only when you sing, but also when you speak. The length of a person’s VOCAL CORDS affects the pitch of their voice.

DRAG RACE (27D: Reality competition most recently won by Nymphia Wind, familiarly) RuPaul’s DRAG RACE is a reality competition TV series in search of “America’s next DRAG superstar.” There have been 17 seasons of DRAG RACE to date, and it has inspired a number of spin-off shows. As the clue informs us, the winner of Season 16 of DRAG RACE was Nymphia Wind. Season 17 premiered on January 3 of this year.

CAT CAFE (29D: Business where you might sip chai with a li’l buddy purring in your lap) I adore the idea of a CAT CAFE. CAT owners essentially live in a 24-hour CAT CAFE. I have sipped many a beverage with my CAT, Willow, on my lap.

HARDEE’S (41D: Sister chain to Carl’s Jr.) HARDEE’S and Carl’s Jr. are both owned by CKE Restaurant Holdings, Inc.

Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis

GOOD VIBRATIONS (Freestyle): There’s no theme today because this is a freestyle, or themeless puzzle. The title is a nod to VOCAL CORDS (24D: Body parts that vibrate when you sing).

Anybody else now have “GOOD VIBRATIONS” – the 1966 song by the Beach Boys – stuck in their head? “I’m picking up good vibrations…” That music in my head made a lovely accompaniment to this puzzle, honestly, which is jam-packed with many great entries. Solving this puzzle didn’t feel like a DAILY GRIND (22D: Rat race) at all. Thank you, Matthew, for this delightful puzzle.

For more on USA TODAY’s Crossword Puzzles
March 17, 2025
2021 winner Chayce Beckham returns
Even the “American Idol” judges are prone to mistakes.
No, that’s not just a reference to Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie’s choice of platinum ticket winner in this week’s episode of ABC’s singing competition (Sundays, 8 p.m. ET/PT), which was a bit of a head-scratcher. I’m talking about one 23-year-old contestant who delivered a father-daughter duet so impressive that it had Underwood changing her vote.

This time, the format of these audition rounds became clearer: It’s Underwood’s launching pad, shows off the straight-to-Hollywood Week singers, gives some airtime to those we’re supposed to pity for not making the cut, phones a celebrity friend to make a contestant star-struck and then pulls out all the stops for a platinum ticket winner.

The episode’s familiar beats, however, don’t detract from the stunning talent that came out of this audition round. These were the highlights from Episode 2.

Catch up on last week: Carrie Underwood cries, Backstreet Boy duets with son in ‘Idol’ premiere

Tennessee high school student duets with 2021 winner Chayce Beckham

Let’s circle back to “Idol” phoning a friend. Last week was Grammy winner Patti LaBelle. This week’s celebrity cameo was also a winner — in reality TV, anyway — Season 19’s Chayce Beckham.

Bryson Quick, a 17-year-old Tennessee high school student, put a unique country spin on Pink Floyd’s “Time” and delighted the trio of judges with the bold move: “Smart choice,” as Underwood put it. Bryan, who might’ve been biased (he knows Bryson’s fishing-guide dad), compared his talent to that of 2021 winner Beckham.

And what do you know? Soon Chayce is on FaceTime, readily agreeing to Bryan’s request to “send a kid your way for a little inspiration.” He’s coincidentally already in town to perform at a little-known venue called the Grand Ole Opry, and the alum is willing to share the stage with a newcomer. How’s that for serendipity? (Or production scheduling, take your pick.)

Thus, Bryson’s first ever visit to the Opry saw him duet with Beckham on the country chart-topping “23.”

Why Carrie Underwood changed her vote for his contestant

Mikaela Bautista, a 23-year-old behavioral tech from L.A.’s neighboring Rancho Cucamonga, sounded good. Her “Saving All My Love for You” audition didn’t do Whitney Houston a disservice by any stretch of the imagination.

But when she was singing with her dad, Vhen? She was a wonder.

Richie and Bryan’s votes had her squeaking through to Hollywood Week, while Underwood was the holdout who noted Mikaela had “potential” but lacked emotion in her performance. When the Bautista family filed in to congratulate Mikaela, the judges asked to hear from Vhen, who was a singer in the Philippines before the family moved to the U.S.

Mikaela came to life as she soulfully sang Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion’s “The Prayer” alongside her dad. And somehow, the judges’ stunned faces somehow didn’t translate to a platinum-ticket offer. But it did have Underwood issuing a correction: She changed her vote and issued Mikaela her third “yes.”

This ‘sensational’ contestant is from a family of famous singers

Mky, a 25-year-old singer from East Los Angeles didn’t only inherit his name (Mike Jimenez III) from his family but also a singing talent that Richie called “sensational” talent.

Mky is the nephew of 1960’s Chicano rock and soul singer Little Ray (aka Ray Jimenez), the grandson of Mike Jimenez Sr. — lead singer of the band Tierra — and son of R&B and soul singer Myke Nez.

With a “song that’s been sung in my family for generations,” Mky delighted the Smokey Robinson fans among the judges. Mky hit every high and low note in “Ooo Baby Baby” by The Miracles. Richie, who let out enthusiastic exclamations throughout the performance, was transported right back to high school.

He’s got “all the pieces,” Underwood declared, before the trio issued three yes votes.

Who made it to Hollywood Week in Episode 2?

These golden ticket recipients were sent packing — for Hollywood, that is.

Landry Chaplin

Victor Solomon

Isaiah Moore

Grayson Torrence

Brajawn Upshaw

Mikaela Bautista

Bryson Quick

Carsen Webb

Mky

Josh King

Filo

Who got a platinum ticket in Episode 2?

Onetime “Shrek the Musical” star Filo got quite the upgrade when he went from the swamp to Times Square, where he was surprised with a platinum ticket in front of millions of ABC’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” viewers.

The performance that landed the 23-year-old Egyptian musician on the exclusive platinum list, which fast tracks a few contestants through the first week in Hollywood, was an over-the-top, musical theater-style rendition of Otis Redding’s “Try A Little Tenderness” that sucked up all the oxygen in the room. Surprisingly, the judges were unanimously won over.

“We’ve been waiting for you. What took so long for you to get here?” Richie said. As the judges geared up to deliver a round of yeses, Bryan declared, “You’re going to go far in this. Definitely Top 20, maybe Top 10.”
March 17, 2025
Grimes has begged Elon Musk to keep children off the internet

Being a parent in the digital age is a losing battle, according to Grimes.

The Canadian singer-songwriter (real name: Claire Boucher) and former partner of Elon Musk took to social media last week to reflect on parenting with the billionaire tech entrepreneur, who also serves as a senior advisor to President Donald Trump.

Grimes shares three children with Musk: X Æ A-Xii, 4, Exa Dark Sideræl, 3, and Tau Techno Mechanicus, 2. Last month, the “Genesis” singer expressed her disdain for son X’s public visibility after he accompanied Musk to the White House during a visit with Trump.

In a Thursday thread post shared on X, the social media platform owned by Musk, Grimes opened up about her unsuccessful attempts to limit her children’s exposure to the internet.

After debunking an online rumor that she wrote a post about the “sexuality and kinks” of Fortune 500 CEOs, Grimes responded to a user who asked if she could remove the post and “protect your children” from the content.

“I unfortunately do not control the internet and cannot wipe this from the internet,” Grimes wrote. “I have tried begging the public and my kids’ dad to keep them offline, and I’ve tried legal recourse.”

Grimes and Musk have long disagreed publicly about their parenting styles. The former couple was previously locked in a custody battle over their children, which the pair reportedly settled in Texas court in August 2024, according to Business Insider.

Following her son’s Oval Office appearance, Grimes told Time magazine: “I would really like people to stop posting images of my kid everywhere. I think fame is something you should consent to. Obviously, things will just be what they are. But I would really, really appreciate that.”

Grimes speaks out: Why singer wants people to ‘stop posting images’ of her and Elon Musk’s child

Grimes concluded in her post that “it’s insane to me that there’s no way to deal with” her children’s media exposure.

“The state of my children’s lives being public is of grave concern to me and I think about how to solve this every day,” Grimes wrote. “I would hope there was some law that would allow a parent to veto small children from living public lives but I don’t even trust the law to help me now if I tried to invoke it (to be honest).”

Contributing: Jay Stahl and Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY

March 17, 2025
Who’s left, how to watch Fantasy Suites episode
“I never thought it’d be possible to be in love with multiple women,” Grant says heading into Fantasy Suites.

Editor’s note: Season 29 spoilers ahead!
With just two roses in hand, “The Bachelor” Grant Ellis is heading to the Dominican Republic with his final three women for a “week of unforgettable dates.”

While in Dominican Republic, “a place near and dear to his heart,” “Grant takes one woman on an exhilarating ATV ride, connects in an intimate yoga session with another and ends the week with a zipline adventure through the gorgeous green foliage,” says ABC about the upcoming episode.

“This is the perfect place to get engaged,” Ellis says in the teaser. “I have to pick between three amazing women.”

At the same time, Grant says he’s torn between his final women, saying: “I never thought it’d be possible to be in love with multiple women. I don’t know how to navigate it. Stay tuned for my demise.”

The upcoming episode will also have “Bachelor Nation favorites Daisy Kent, Rachel Nance and Kaity Biggar” stop by to “offer guidance to the women as they near the end of their journeys.”

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

Watch The Bachelor on Sling

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‘The Bachelor’ Fantasy Suite Week: 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 8 date, time

Episode 8 of Season 29 of “The Bachelor” will air on Monday, March 17 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT.

The finale is scheduled for March 24, according to Variety.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

How to watch ‘The Bachelor’s’ Fantasy Suite Week episode

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

‘The Bachelor’: Stream on Hulu | Watch on Sling

‘Love is Blind’: Producer is in search of ‘nice guys’ after Season 8 drama

‘The Bachelor’ Episode 8 Trailer

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.”

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

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 17, 2025
'Snow White': See Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot on the red carpetMovies

‘Snow White’: See Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot on the red carpetMovies

March 17, 2025
Kanye West seemingly releases new song with Diddy, daughter North West

Despite his ongoing legal troubles, Sean “Diddy” Combs still has a musical brother in Ye.

The controversial Grammy-winning rapper, formerly known as Kanye West, seemingly released a new collaboration with the embattled hip-hop mogul in a since-deleted post on X Saturday, according to People magazine and Billboard.

The track, titled “Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine,” also featured vocals from Ye’s daughter North West, Combs’ son Christian “King” Combs and Yeezy artist Jasmine Williams, People and Billboard reported.

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Ye and Combs for comment.

The song’s release came a day after a pretrial conference was held for Combs’ upcoming federal sex crimes trial in New York. The Bad Boy Records founder, who has been accused of sexual abuse in over a dozen lawsuits, is facing charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

The nearly five-minute track opens with a voice recording of a phone conversation between Ye and Combs, per People and Billboard. Combs is currently in custody at the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center ahead of his May 5 trial.

“I want to just thank you so much for just taking care of my kids, man,” Combs says in the recording, the outlets reported. Ye replies, “Absolutely, I love you so much, man. You raised me. Even when I ain’t know you, know what I’m saying?”

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in court: What to know about federal sex crimes trial

North West, who is gearing up for her own musical career, can reportedly be heard rapping, “When you see me shining, then you see the light.” Ye shares West with ex-wife and media mogul Kim Kardashian.

This isn’t the first time Ye and Combs have shared the mic. The hip-hop heavyweights were both featured on the Ty Dolla Sign track “Guard Down,” taken from Sign’s 2015 debut album “Free TC.”

Ye also came to Combs’ defense last month in a pair of X posts, in which he asked President Donald Trump to release Combs from custody, according to Billboard and Deadline. “@realDonaldTrump please free my brother Puff,” Ye wrote, referring to Combs’ former alias.

‘A movie in real life’: Ye defends wife Bianca Censori’s nearly nude Grammys look

The “Heartless” emcee stirred controversy at the Grammy Awards earlier this year, where he appeared on the red carpet alongside his wife Bianca Censori. The Australian entrepreneur and model shocked fans with her nearly nude, see-through dress.

Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY

March 17, 2025
Disney’s live action movie praised

There’s still some magic left in “Snow White.”

Disney’s controversial live-action remake amped up the sparkle for a kid-friendly Los Angeles premiere on Saturday, where star Rachel Zegler, who plays the title character, went full-on Disney princess.

The 23-year-old “West Side Story” actress donned a peachy-pink strapless taffeta gown with a belted, butterfly-embellished corset and a full skirt. She wore her hair in an upsweep and accessorized with a sparkling diamond necklace, drop earrings and rings.

She and co-star Gal Gadot (as the Evil Queen), who wore a sheer black lace gown with a ruffled overskirt, greeted and embraced young fans. Many were dressed as the beloved princess in instantly recognizable blue-and-yellow gowns.

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The stars did not take questions on the red carpet, which was geared to moviegoers.

“I interpret people’s feelings about this film as passion for it − and what an honor to be able to be a part of something that people are so passionate about,” Zegler told Vogue Mexico last month.

The movie has come under fire for “taking a different approach” in depicting Snow White’s diminutive companions, the Seven Dwarfs, and casting a Snow White of Colombian and Polish descent, an ethnic contrast to the original 1937 character. Zegler further riled the faithful by comparing the cartoon prince’s pursuit of Snow White to stalking.

But the handful of first reactions to the completed film, which arrives in theaters on March 21, were encouraging.

Variety’s Katcy Stephan described Zegler as “a shining supernova” and praised her for “beautifully embodying the graceful, gentle nature of the OG Disney princess.”

“It’s a visual feast with show-stopping new musical numbers and, of course, dozens of enchanting animated animals,” she wrote. “The screenplay wisely gives its heroine newfound depth through her fervent desire to become the leader her father believed she could be, and a love story that’s sweet as apple pie.”

Screen Rant’s Ash Crossan called the film “quite charming!”

“The message lands well, the critters are adorable, and Rachel Zegler and her enchanting voice are stunning,“ Crossan wrote. “It almost got a full tear out of me, and I’ve never cried in my entire life.”

“Listen, I was worried, but let me tell you Snow White is PURE DISNEY MAGIC!” The DisInsider’s Skyler Shuler wrote. “This will end up being a lot of people’s favorite live-action remake.”

Matt DeGroot of Crooked Media offered similarly high praise. “Despite becoming an internet punching bag Disney’s remake of Snow White is actually mostly successful!” he wrote. “Rachel Zegler is an absolute star, (most of) the new songs are catchy and beautifully performed, and the visual palette is sumptuous and vibrant.”

Critics’ reviews, including USA TODAY’s, will be out March 19.

Contributing: Edward Segarra, KiMi Robinson and Patrick Ryan

March 17, 2025