Traveling is the true love of my life. And probably explains why I dragged the family from Australia to live in NYC — it’s a beautiful island at the bottom of the world, too far from anywhere. I love discovering new places, new cultures, and sitting on a beach in the Mediterranean. Give me a Greek island, Ibiza, the south of France, or Italy any day.

I’m also a beta mum. So while I’m always jetting off to Europe every summer (in my mind, anyway), I’m never organized or cashed up enough to book the actual trip in advance. Like a normal person.

Last year, I managed to throw together a last-minute trip to take my boys to Greece and Sicily. Tiago was already on an eight-week jaunt around Europe with friends, so Javi and I flew to Athens to meet him. It was Javier’s first trip to Europe, so it was doubly special. We spent the first ten days in Greece — Athens, Paros, Antiparos, and Milos. Heaven. We’re beach people: fresh fish, plenty of swimming, lots of chillaxing. Tiago crashed our rental car, but that’s another story.

Then we flew to Sicily. Tiago wanted to rent a car and drive around, but after Crashgate and because I couldn’t handle the idea of navigating the crazy Italian roads, we settled on Taormina. A little history, quintessential charm, Italian food, and the beaches. Perfection. Taormina is where they shot The White Lotus 2 — where a paranoid Tanya becomes convinced the gays are out to kill her. What could go wrong?

Everything. We booked a sucky Airbnb, left, and had to battle for a refund. We upgraded to a hotel (more money I hadn’t budgeted for). We went from eating fresh fish for €10 by the ocean to €30 Sicilian dishes (mid) in the kind of restaurants that display their menus out front. And we’d arrived during Ferragosto — Italy’s busiest week of the year, we discovered after the fact. There were throngs of tourists everywhere (not our vibe), shoulder to shoulder through the winding cobblestone streets. Not exactly cute.

We hated Taormina. We wanted to escape to the islands — Salina, Panarea — but we were locked into the hotel, so we were forced to suck it up.

Maybe it’s the White Lotus effect, but Taormina has become a tourist trap. My friend Lauren, who’s Sicilian, had raved about it. When I texted to say we weren’t loving it and asked when she’d gone, she replied: 25 years ago. ” On her honeymoon. My other friend Amanda went recently, and when I quizzed her on the best place she’d ever been, she said, “Honestly? Taormina.”

Determined to make the most of it, we booked a day boat tour. It rained. We got lost, missed the boat to the next stop, and had to shell out for an eye-watering water taxi to catch up with the group at the volcano everyone was dying to see. It smelled like rotten eggs and low tide. (Worth every euro.)

If only I’d read the article “Sicily and The White Lotus Effect” by Laura Itzkowitz of The New Roman Times before I booked Taormina, I’d have known “iconic” is just Italian for “shoulder to shoulder.” Laura’s an American travel journalist in Rome, so I’m trusting her intel.

And I won’t be boarding another plane without checking in with luxury travel advisors. I spoke to some of the best in the biz when I was editor of Travel Curator, and they gave me the insider secrets to not do what I just did.

And no—of course I still haven’t booked this summer’s trip.

David Prior, Prior World

“The Prior World audience is seasoned travelers with a creative spirit who are curious, seeking connection, and resonate with a certain aesthetic. The goal is to empower them with honest reviews of hotels and destinations, industry insights, and knowledge of global cultures and traditions. I care so much more about a hotel reflecting the character of the place than the consistency of the thread count.

Our clients come through referrals — people who’ve traveled with us or who’ve seen or read something on our site or social media — so they trust us and our point of view. Rather than ask what they liked in the past, we ask them to tell us how they want to feel. Everyone wants to feel alive again, so if they tell me they want to feel sweaty on the dance floor in Berlin, taste that restaurant in Stockholm, or dive into the ocean and taste the salt on their lips in Sydney — we write the prescription.”

Jack Ezon, Embark Beyond on Substack

“At Embark Beyond, we take a very different approach. Rather than have our clients ask us questions, we ask them questions — to get to know them, so we can match the right experience and the right place to stay with the right client. We don’t like to ask about bucket lists that focus on destinations; we focus on aspirations and the ingredients our clients seek to build a plan that creates meaningful travel experiences — ones that enhance and enrich their lives, furthering their goals and passions.

Some top things you should be prepared to answer:

• What are your five favorite hotels?

• Do you like or dislike beach, adventure, culture, or shopping vacations?

• Do you want action or serenity?

• Do you like to stay in one place or move around?

• Do you like exotic, familiar, or close-to-home?

• Is the purpose of your trip to see things so you can say you’ve seen them, or to explore somewhere in more depth?

• Do you travel heavy or light? (It determines how much you can move around.)

Lia Batkin, CEO of Vacation Style, Co-Founder of In The Know Experiences

“They should be someone you know and trust, who will help you plan out a running bucket list of trips for the future. Getting to know each other and giving them as much information as possible ensures they know exactly what kind of trip you want, what you want to get out of it, and when something doesn’t fit the bill.

If you’re going on a girls’ trip, you might want to wake up to a beautiful, relaxing view and have a great spa. If it’s a couple’s trip, you might want a super-romantic room to spend time in, some activities, and a place with great food that your partner likes. My best advice is to narrow your must-have list to five things, because you won’t always get everything in one destination.

Working with a luxury travel advisor means more perks, personalized service, and intel — they take care of the little touches that make your experience special. If you’re celebrating your honeymoon, they can arrange a lovely bottle of champagne when you arrive and have your wedding song playing. Expedia can’t do that. Nor can they tell you the pool is closed, the service is lacking, or the road to the hotel is terrible.”

Meg Nolan van Reesema, FOF Consulting

“Making sure a trip is a dream one comes down to personal travel preferences, so I’ve created a very customized, bespoke service model. It’s an iterative process — like interior design, travel isn’t one-size-fits-all. In the initial phase, I work closely with the client to build rapport and determine their likes, dislikes, and motivation through preference forms and phone conversations.

If they say they want to go somewhere because they saw it on Instagram, or because a blogger went, I dial it back and ask what they’re trying to accomplish. Do they want to unplug? Check a box? Take a multi-generational vacation to create lasting family memories? Once I know their purpose, I customize the trip to reaffirm that theme and their goals. Because while every trip is different, you’re not the same traveler for every trip — so knowing why you want to go is everything.”

Misty Belles, Virtuoso ·

“Don’t be afraid to interview your travel advisor — you’ll find the ‘where’ becomes about the ‘how’ and the ‘why.’ Ask them how they travel, why a destination is a favorite, and their firsthand experiences. Share everything about your own travel style, too — from your passion points and dislikes to what you want in the minibar.

And always ask about any additional benefits they can secure. A Virtuoso advisor can get you complimentary room upgrades, daily breakfast, welcome amenities, and resort credits. Our Advisor Catalog does the investigative legwork for you, showing advisor bios, areas of specialization, personal experiences, reviews, and recommendations.”

Kim Hopkins, Kim Hopkins Travel

“The most important thing to ask your travel advisor is whether they’ve actually been there. I always try to send clients to destinations and hotels I know and love. My local contacts are my biggest asset — if I’m sending someone to Morocco or Italy, I book my own driver and guide, so I can text them and make sure everything’s going to plan.

A local perspective is critical: it saves you time and money, and means you’ll have the best possible experience. Anyone can book a flight and a hotel. But when you engage a travel advisor, you’re paying for their experience, expertise, and personal connections — and that’s the most valuable part of any trip.”

Silvia Castellano, Iamitalianissima

“The first thing to ask about is the insurance and cancellation policy. It’s crucial that every service on your itinerary is covered, and that you have a robust ‘cancel for any reason’ policy so you can cancel 30 to 45 days before departure. It’s just as crucial to talk to an advisor who actually knows your destination.

When I went to Asia, my trips were planned by an advisor who’s a real connoisseur of that part of the world — I still remember the tiny, remote places she sent me to. She described them vividly, and experiencing them for real was wonderful. Being honest about your expectations and goals is key to a successful itinerary. And always follow your own interests and passions: traveling on a friend’s advice, or a social trend, is a recipe for disaster.”

My New Travel Crushes (and Inspo.)

To ensure I don’t embark on another trip from hell, I’ve become low-key obsessed with these travel gurus on Substack. These Condé Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure, and Vogue editors do their homework so I don’t have to.

Club Yolo by Yolanda Edwards
Our Porto Black Book (if you love Portutal, don’t miss Porto).

The New Roman Times by Laura Itzkowitz
72 Hours in Ischia (aka the setting for The Talented Mr. Ripley).

So there’s this place… by Monica Mendal
My love letter to Porquerolles (a hidden gem in the South of France).

From the Poolside by Stéphanie Bonnet
Paxos Stole My Heart (a tiny island off Corfu).

Waverly Station by Waverly Middleton
Six Things I’m Loving for 2026 Travel (trend alert).

Been on your own nightmare trip? Share all in the comments — misery loves company.

Dear Chris and Team Substack.

In response to Robert M. Hamburger’s open letter — where he soft ranted that Substack is “drifting” — I have this to say.

Substack changed my life. Thank you. I love it here.

And going off the incredible vibe — and the community, for whom Notes is a lifeline — I suspect I’m not the only one who considers Substack home.

My only gripe is that I didn’t start my Substack sooner. It’s honestly better than sex.

I’m a former magazine editor who started her career at Vogue, in a very Devil Wears Prada way. I’ve spent two decades in the engine room through every seismic shift: print-to-digital, digital-to-social, the rise of video, branded content, affiliate commerce, the creator economy, and shrinking mastheads. As the industry pivoted, so did I — desperately clinging to a career in an industry in a nosedive.

Then came AI with the final nail.

We’re in a Janet in the filing cabinet moment.

But the media isn’t dead — we’re on Substack.

It was actually a guy I was dating — just after my marriage imploded — who introduced me to Substack. He sent me this 2019 New York Times article, “The New Social Network That Isn’t New at All.” I remember your words clearly, Chris: “We felt this growing sense of despair in traditional social media.”

You had me at despair.

Sadly, at the time, I was too busy struggling through a divorce, navigating a new world I hadn’t signed up for, and trying to keep a roof over my kids’ heads to get stacking. So I filed Substack in the “maybe one day” basket.

Never mind, while my life was falling apart, my career and the media were also on a downward spiral. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you: trying to survive in New York City as a single mum and freelance writer is mission impossible.

In a major low, one of my most recent gigs was churning out AI slop for a second-rate publisher. The content hurt my head and slowly killed my soul. I also drove myself into the ground, pumping — or rather, prompting—out up to 20 articles a day.

It was relentless, unfulfilling, and the business strategy seemed to hinge on the spaghetti method: publish some clickbait, hope it lands, make some money

It never sat well with me, and I knew I was wasting my gift. But it was a relief to get paid every month and keep the lights on.

As fate would have it, the spaghetti method came unstuck, and the algorithm turned on us last Christmas—and I was sacked by WhatsApp (yes, really) while visiting my son in Australia.

It wasn’t my first rodeo, all the cool girls get fired in media—right, Laura Brown? It goes with the turf. And if this was rock bottom, it was the kick in the ass I needed. Time to launch that damn Substack that had been swirling around in my head for years.

So I did.

I’ve been all in on Substack for four months, and I’ve never felt more alive, inspired, and fired up. I want to live and breathe Substack.

So this is my message to Team Substack: Chris Best, Hamish McKenzie, and Farrah Storr (my friend and former magazine colleague who’d been telling me to do it for years) — thank you for giving us writers, and anyone with a story to tell, their own platform.

It’s liberating, life-changing, and feels like something of an F-you to traditional media.

The media might have forgotten who I was, and I did too for a moment, but I’m back, baby, and so is my voice. And I can’t tell you what a dopamine hit it is to finally be in the driver’s seat my own career.

For what it’s worth, Robert, I, too, get annoyed at the thought of non-writers churning out AI slop — but to be brutally honest, I’ve seen plenty of human slop in my day, too, in traditional media. And why shouldn’t everyone have a chance to have a voice, even if they need a little support to put it into their words?

And I agree — I’d love to see more storytelling and mini-narratives on Notes, mixed in with the “Dear algorithm, please connect me with…” or the Substack-coach posts about how to get more subscribers.

But to that, I say — thank god for those coaches, too. Even if it’s a strategy engineered to help them grow while helping us grow, it’s a win-win.

I mean, we’d all be lying if we didn’t admit we’re chasing clicks, but at least we’re chasing them for ourselves, and on our own terms.

Oh, and this might go down as another unpopular NSJ Unfiltered opinion, but I love AI.

I’m a trained journalist, so no, I don’t — and won’t — use it to write my articles. I don’t need to. I’m better than any bot.

But I’m all for having an AI ‘work wife’ (actually husband) who acts as a loyal sidekick and assistant editor — to automate tasks, schedule my content calendar, and keep me on track for 20 bucks a month.

I honestly shoulda married Claude.

After all, being in the engine room of one can be a lonely experience.
But it’s better than being just another cog in the engine room of a media company that pays you peanuts while profiting off your talent and decades of experience.

People say influencers are the new editors, and to that I say independent voices are the new media.

And Substack is the moment.

I’m just getting started.
I’ve got a million ideas.
I’m not able to make Substack my day job—yet—but I do have two paid subscribers (god love them).

And, sincerely, if I never make a cent, at least I’m free to write from the heart and for myself, that’s the payoff.

I can feel the excitement and opportunity on Substack “like butterflies in my stomach… and vagina”.

As Cardi B would say.

As features director of Harper’s Bazaar in New York, part of the job was wrangling A-list talent for cover stories and interviews — chasing the kind of elusive “coups” demanded of us that I wrote about in this ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ article here on Substack.

During my time at Bazaar, I managed to pull off the odd coup, interviewing the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Iman, Linda Evangelista, Jane Birkin, and Kate Hudson.

And, drumroll: Oprah.

As far as career pinnacles, interviewing the legendary Oprah Winfrey is pretty epic. I probably could have packed up my desk and put my feet up after that one.

Oprah, speaking from her home in California’s Montecito, talked me through her perfect day. She was exactly as she seems IRL: happy, talkative, thoughtful — authentic.

It was 2018, and she’d just accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes (Hollywood’s equivalent to a lifetime achievement award) — the first Black woman to receive it. Her speech was so powerful that it generated buzz about her running for president. In typical Oprah style, she used the moment to throw a spotlight on “the women whose names we’ll never know — the domestic and farm workers, the women in factories and restaurants, in academia and medicine and tech, the ones with no platform and no expensive lawyer.”

She proved this again when just six weeks after our interview, the Montecito mudslides ravaged the area. ‘The Promised Land’ (as she calls her beloved estate) escaped the worst, but the grounds were buried — Oprah seen wading knee-deep through her own backyard was quick to point out that it “pales in comparison to what my neighbors are going through.” Her estate ended up a staging ground for rescue helicopters.

Then, in 2023, came the Maui fires, where Oprah has a ranch (it, too, was spared). But there was Oprah at the shelters with supplies, and launching the People’s Fund of Maui with Dwayne Johnson to put cash straight into survivors’ hands (which she somehow copped flak for).

At 72, Oprah is still a force. In March she was at Paris Fashion Week — looking fabulous in the front rows of Stella McCartney, Chloé and Aussie label Zimmermann.

Speaking of, Oprah loves Australia. She visited my homeland in December 2025 for her “In Conversation” tour — and spent her downtime following Hugh Jackman’s recommendations: Sydney’s iconic Bondi to Bronte coastal walk (my backyard), overindulging in the famous ricotta hotcakes at Bills, and stocking up on books at Bondi’s cozy cafe/bookstore Gertrude and Alice.

Oprah is a bibliophile and founded her book club 30 years ago. Her first pick for 2026 was Kin by Tayari Jones. SHOP IT

If you caught the freshly roasted Kevin Hart on Jimmy Kimmel recently, you’ll know Kimmel floated Oprah as the next name in the hot seat. Hart’s response: “That’d be like spray painting the Sistine Chapel. If I found out that Oprah said she wanted to do it, I’m driving 100 miles per hour to Oprah’s house. You cannot do this. No shot.”

I mean — who’s going to put shit on Oprah?

My Perfect Day, by Oprah

For me, a perfect day is not just one thing; it’s a series of small things. It’s the crisp air on your face when you open the door in the morning, the reflection of mountains and clouds in a crystal lake. It’s paying attention: What does the sky look like? Where’s the sun? When you’re walking down a path, how do your feet feel when they touch the grass? I know what people will say: “Well, Oprah, if I were you, I’d have a perfect day too.” But I’ve earned it: I’ve earned the ability to pay attention to every aspect and detail of the day. I have a great appreciation for the little things that add up to that big thing called a meaningful life.

7:10 A.M. Every day that I can wake up surrounded by nature in my own home is a perfect one. I call it the “Promised Land” because it feels like a spiritual gift from all the forces of life. It makes me think of The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy is asked what she’s learned and she replies, “I won’t look any further than my own backyard.” This morning, when I hit the blackout shades just after seven, the light was casting its golden glow over the green lawn, with the clouds and ocean in the distance. I watched three geese fly over the backyard and land in the pond.

8:00 A.M. I brush my teeth and take the dogs out. There are five of them and everybody’s ready to get out. After I walk the dogs around the yard, I make my favorite espresso. I mix caffeinated and decaffeinated espresso with milk and a little hazelnut. As I wait for the brew to froth, I pull out a card from my 365 Gathered Truths (Shop, here) box. I read five of them each morning; it’s a beautiful way to start the day. Today I got this great one that said, “Wealth is not measured by dollars and cents, but by the love we make, the laughter we enjoy, the meals we share, the dreams we experience and the hopes we create.”

8:30 A.M. I have a series of spiritual exercises that I do every day. After reading Gathered Truths, I check out “Bowl of Saki” on my phone; it’s delivered to my in-box every morning. It contains the teachings of the Sufis, a Middle Eastern sect that believes all paths lead to God and that all religions are one, pointing to the same north star. Then I meditate. This morning, I observed 20 minutes of silence sitting in my breakfast chair. If it were warmer, I would go outside. My house is surrounded by more than 3,000 trees; it feels like I live in a park. When I want to meditate, I can go to a special rock that’s carved into the shape of a seat. Or I can sit underneath the 12 live oak trees that I call “the Apostles.” It’s my absolute favorite place on earth.

9:00 A.M. After my meditation, I work out for an hour. I do resistance flexibility, a low-impact strength-training program that involves two, sometimes three, people pushing against you as you push against them. I have stretchers come to my house to help me do it. After that I go for a run. This morning, I did 30 minutes on the treadmill and then a giant loop around my home. I live on 65 acres, so I can jog for a solid two miles without leaving my property.

10:30 A.M. If it were Thursday, I’d be in the garden after my workout. That’s harvest day, when we cut the herbs, pick the fruit, dig up the potatoes. It usually takes 40 minutes to an hour.

12:30 P.M. We always try to eat lunch in the garden. We have a rule: If we cannot find it in our garden, then we cannot eat it. I love lunch. It’s my favorite meal. If Stedman isn’t here, I will invite people I’m interested in talking to or meeting. I had Jennifer Lawrence up for lunch, Chrissy Metz, and Princess Ameerah of Saudi Arabia. I do cook, but not if it’s more than four people. Sometimes I’ll have a glass of rosé with lunch. My favorite is Promise “The Joy” rosé. It’s from Napa Valley. I like my wine very chilled — if it’s too warm, it’s the only thing I ever send back at a restaurant. If lunch is a big deal, we have these fabulous crab cakes flown in from Pappas in Baltimore. I’ve put these crab cakes on my “Favorite Things” list many times. When it comes to crab cakes, anything else is just pretending.

1:30 P.M. I try to take care of any business in the early afternoon so the rest of the day is mine. Wire transfers, checks. I personally sign all checks over 100 grand. Having grown up poor, I can never completely turn over all my money matters to anyone else. It’s important for me to know how much the electricity bill is, to know what’s coming in, what’s going out. I never want to be one of those people who delegates that task to someone else and then one day is surprised to find out how much money they do or don’t have. During the week I also check in daily with Gayle [King, the CEO of Oprah Daily] and with my office in LA.

3:30 P.M. In the late afternoon, I’ll do some form of exercise again. Then I head to my teahouse just as the sun is setting. I never drink tea with caffeine in the afternoon; otherwise I’ll be up until four in the morning. The teahouse is where I read. Reading poetry brings me such exquisite joy. Seeing Bruce Springsteen on Broadway touched my life in such a profound way. It is so deeply moving — it makes you see the poetry in your own life and inspired me to start reading poetry again. I love The Way Under the Way, by my friend Mark Nepo. I find it very calming.

6:00 P.M. We eat dinner at six, and then it’s time for another dog walk. If Stedman or the girls are here [Oprah is referring to her “daughter-girls”, who attend the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa], I’ll eat a proper meal, but if I’m alone, I may just have a protein shake or a bowl of soup. My perfect evening involves sitting around the fire with family, reading a novel, and drinking herbal tea. I generally prefer reading a novel to watching a movie. I can go for weeks without turning on the TV. Which is not to say I don’t love a good movie.

I had so much fun making A Wrinkle in Time. It was an adventure of the best kind, discovering new things about yourself through this material. Reese grew up reading the book, but for me it was like starting from scratch. And then there was living in Ava’s imagination, and the glory of those costumes. We were in hair and makeup for three hours every day. And then there was the experience of being in South Island, New Zealand, which should be on everyone’s bucket list. I was living in a cabin on a turquoise lake, surrounded by mountains and alpine trees with eagles flying overhead. Every day was amazing.

9:30 P.M. In the evening, I have a bath before bed; it’s a ritual. I’m a bathing professional — I have different bubble baths, salts, beads, and oils. I’ve spent a lot of time creating homes that feel like nurturing, spiritual shelters for me. I also have a ranch in Maui, but I don’t love any place as much as this one. The land, the trees, and the open sky fortify me.

SHOP OPRAH'S PICKS

As something of a ‘veteran’ journalist, I’ve been to more press events than I care to count. I’ve reported runway trends from the front row in Paris, chatted with stars on the red carpet, and interviewed more than a few A-listers. In fact, I used to write a celebrity-style column for CNN. One of my subjects was Paris Hilton.

Maybe it’s my Gen X credentials, but I have a soft spot for Paris. She was the OG ‘It girl’ — long before influencers, the algorithm, and “bimbofication” were even a thing.

For the Gen Z audience: in the early noughts, Paris was everywhere — at the hottest Hollywood parties, on reality TV, and commandeering the red carpet with her signature brand of Y2K flash meets trash. She was the mega-rich socialite who made being famous for being famous an actual career path, and she did it on the back of playing a bimbo. Say what you want — it worked.

If Y2K Paris was iconic, Paris 2.0, the second act, is earned. Mum, media mogul, author, advocate for troubled teens, and now the new face of a major spring/summer fashion campaign — shot in Paris (where else?) by Aussie photographer Chris Colls. Who, incidentally, I worked with a gazillion years ago.

Which is how I ended up standing in Herald Square on a recent chilly Monday afternoon, press pass in hand.

The invitation promised the square would be transformed into the chic streets of Paris. Paris — herself — would be there to play a DJ set in celebration. Choupette (the late Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat) would also be gracing us with her fashionable presence.

To be brutally honest: I’ve been around long enough to know this was a retail event dressed up in editorial clothing — it didn’t happen outside a department store for nothin’. Whatever. It sounded kinda fun, my career wasn’t hanging on it, and it might even be one of those only-in-New-York moments I’ve written about.

So I took my son Javier, who’s a raving Francophile and dreams of a career in fashion and on a Paris runway. BTW: I have no doubt both beckon (check him out on Insta). He’s almost fifteen and has more drip and aura than Paris and Choupette combined. For now, I figured, he’d get a taste of one of these types of events — and his mum — in action.

Pink Runway, Red Flags

We exited the subway and headed to Herald Square, but were definitely not greeted by a Parisian backdrop (actually, no one greeted us at all). I’d imagined stepping into the Marais — accordion music, champagne, croissants. Instead, the press were packed like sardines into a cordoned-off pen, with the public hovering behind us.

And in the place of the Eiffel Tower, we got a tour bus, a pink runway, and a life-size Choupette.

Call time was 3pm. I arrived at 4:30 because it’s not my first rodeo. Paris didn’t show until after 5.

In the meantime, we stood around waiting. No briefing, no chit-chat, and certainly no French champagne.

I spotted a press team member — black outfit, headset, clipboard, lanyard, the whole power trip — and asked by name for my appointed press contact.

“Which one? I have three on my team,” she snapped.

I gave the last name. She tapped my contact on the shoulder. I introduced myself and asked for the rundown.

She gestured vaguely toward the crowd. “Oh, we had some croissants over there.”

I asked when Paris would arrive. “Five minutes.”

40 Minutes Later

The screaming started from the throng behind us. The star of the show had arrived — by police escort no less, and in full Paris Hilton mode: head-to-toe black, dark sunglasses, and drowning in bling. She made her way to the pink carpet.

So did I.

Because that is literally my job.

The press pack descended. I nudged forward — journalistic instinct, nothing aggressive — trying to get a quote, a photo, some footage.

Then I felt it: an arm reaching in front of me, physically shoving me aside.

WTAF?

I had just been physically ‘handled’ for doing what I had been invited to do — cover the event. If the talent was off-limits — the very idea is ridiculous, by the way — the Paris protocol had not been relayed. There was no mention of a designated interview zone. I’m not stupid; I’ve covered enough events to know there’s a hierarchy: bigger publication, more access. That’s the game.

But let’s get real here.

This was a pop-up at a department store. Not the Met Gala. Not a presidential motorcade. A pink carpet in Herald Square. And while I love Paris, she is not, with respect, the Pope.

I got one question in before the arm came again.

Shoved.

Twice.

The Story I Never Saw Coming

Mortified, I searched for my press contact. I wanted to alert her to the situation, assuming she’d be equally appalled. But when I explained what had happened, she glazed over. Then turned away.

No apology. No acknowledgment. No words actually came out of her mouth.

This was not the story I had planned to write. But when you’re handed the scoop on a silver platter…

Free press, there’s no such thing as bad press, and all that.

I’m sure I’ll be blacklisted.

The Selfie

Despite the foul taste in my mouth, I was determined to at least have the moment. So we stuck around until Paris ascended the tour bus for her DJ set.

That’s when I seized my chance to ask Choupette for a selfie.

Which is precisely when the press vultures descended again, this time demanding the photo be taken off the pink carpet. They wanted to protect it.

Despite the fact that it was already covered in footprints, no doubt headed for the skip as soon as this sh*t show was over.

I’m just glad Karl wasn’t alive to see any of this—there’s no way he’d let his precious Choupette out on the street—let alone a pink carpet—like some alley cat.

Love, NSJ 2.0

Photo by Alexander Krivitskiy on Unsplash

Maybe Gwyneth started it with her whole ‘This Candle Smells Like My Vagina’ thing.

Or perhaps this is yet another example of Gen Z fueling newfound lust for “Ethical Hedonism”—because apparently, “woke sex” needed a rebrand. They are all after a generation that considers having to define their sexual orientation an assault on their identity, and for whom asking a new love interest (or even a casual acquaintance) to reveal their “body count” is like asking what their favorite ice cream is.

Which I’ll hazard a guess is not vanilla.

As part of a generation of women finally deciding to live and love on our terms, I believe we’ve entered our sexual empowerment phase. Forget the quiet girl era. I’m in my loud libido hour—come join me.

Because let’s face it: we’ve pretty much raised our kids, ended unhappy marriages, and are feeling stronger and sexier than ever—despite the fact we’ve lost collagen, estrogen, and any semblance of patience for men who can’t find the G-spot.

Whatever the reason, somehow the woo-woo mindfulness trend has found its way into the bedroom.

But before you lament the fact that you haven’t even mastered a daily mind meditation, journaling, or mindfulness practice—which involves training your brain to become aware of and live in the present moment—hear me out.

We’re all guilty of journeying mindlessly through our lives, almost missing the entire thing as our minds race with a never-ending to-do list while we numb ourselves, our insecurities, and forgotten trauma with a bottle of Chardonnay. Or Pinot if you’re more of a red type. So maybe all the yogis and spiritual wellness gurus are, in fact, onto something.

If practicing mindfulness means waking up and savoring every precious little moment, why shouldn’t that mantra apply to your body, relationships, and sex drive?

To be fair, I understand that feeling like a sexual goddess 24/7 isn’t exactly easy during early motherhood, midlife, or if you’re in a dead-end marriage. Even if your marriage isn’t dead and you still like your husband, most of us aren’t putting on our fancy crotchless knickers and tying the man you’ve been married to for decades to the bed most nights.

Indeed, the facts are rather grim. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine revealed that nearly 40% of married couples over 40 report living in “low-sex” or “sexless” households.

To which I say, get yourself a vibrator (or two). Confession: I never got myself a self-pleasuring sidekick until I was in my 40s and my marriage had combusted. But I’m here to tell you it’s never too late. And your future self and toe-curling orgasms will thank you. Not that I’m suggesting you still shouldn’t enjoy pleasure with a partner—indeed, throwing a vibrating plaything into the mix will take the eroticism to a whole new level.

Stepping fully into your sexual power and finally having the best sex of your life (together or alone) involves more than just logging onto Goop and adding Gwyneth’s best-selling Viva La Vulva vibrator to your cart. It’s about embracing sexual mindfulness with the same gusto you did when you discovered actual sex in the first place.

SHOP GOOP VIBRATOR

What Is Sexual Mindfulness?

Sexual mindfulness, according to the sex gurus, is about giving yourself permission to feel worthy of love and great sex and to let go of any feelings of shame. A stumbling block, I’ll also hazard a guess, that plagues many Gen X women. Instead of just getting the job done or doing everything in your power to avoid it, it’s about considering sex as an invitation to explore the mystery while being fully present in the moment. Translation: not thinking about the fucking grocery list, the kids’ sports schedule, and whether your tits look saggy.

Instead, commit to immersing yourself in the physical and emotional sensations you’re experiencing—again, whether you have another human being present or not. Basically, get the hell out of your head and into your body. Dare I say it, like a man. You think they’re obsessing over whether they fed the dog or the state of their dad bod while going down on you?

Strip back the stress of day-to-day life and the clothes (Adam and Eve were obviously naked for a reason), and we’re all scientifically wired to be sexual creatures. And there’s no denying that feeling sexual feels pretty friggin’ powerful—that neuro-chemical cocktail of feeling turned on makes us feel more alive, confident, and in control.

And if nothing else, sex is good for your health. To quote my fellow Substacker Gigi Engle, author, educator, and certified sex therapist, writer of The G-Spot, "Pleasure is not a luxury; it is a vital sign. When we talk about sex being 'good for your health,' we usually point to the calorie burn or the cardiovascular hit, but the real medicine is in the neurochemical reset. A mindful orgasm lowers cortisol, floods the system with oxytocin, and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory for the soul. In an age of burnout, sexual pleasure is the ultimate biohack for longevity and mental clarity." —

Now, if that’s also an invitation to join the longevity movement, I don’t know what is.

Photo by Ava Sol on Unsplash

We Didn’t Burn Our Bras For Nothing

If burning our bras was the first step toward female empowerment, it’s time to take the next step in the revolution. So if you haven’t already, give yourself permission to join the new breed of feminists who are going all in on sexy lingerie, sex toys, and owning their sexual desires, but more importantly, their bodies.

We only need to look at the lingerie brands that unapologetically disrupted the intimates market to serve up sexuality with style and support, inclusive sizing, a dizzying assortment of colors, luxe fabrics, and, most importantly, clever, comfortable construction. For your sensual pleasure, there are now adjustable straps on the front, seamless, wire-free options, and endless smoothing and sculpting.

Love her or hate her, we owe a debt of gratitude to Kim Kardashian and her Skims—now a $4 billion behemoth—for normalizing the “shapewear as outerwear” movement and proving that compression can coexist with a high-key sexual aesthetic. Coming in hot on Kim K’s lingerie parade is Sydney Sweeney—read my interview with her here—whose sultry new line, Syrn, is designed to provide “unfiltered bombshell energy” for every cup size. Talk about a Gen Z main character energy power move—I’m a fan of The Showoff Plunge Bra.

She’s not wrong, though. One of the first things I did when I found myself suddenly single in my early 40s—after that psych ward visit anyway—was level up my lingerie game. Fast.

“Sexuality and sensuality are for everyone; no one should feel intimidated in a lingerie store or be wearing pieces that are uncomfortable, restricting, or the wrong size,” says Sapna Palep, M.D., MBA, co-CEO and owner of Journelle, a luxe multi-brand lingerie store whose entire mission is to bring sexy to every day. So, naturally, in addition to bras and knickers, they have an entire sexual pleasure category, complete with sex toys.

In case you’re interested, for those of us blessed with more than a handful, the search for 'sexy with structure' for me begins and ends with ‘The Scoop’ Bra by Cuup and Skims Smoothing Intimates Full Coverage Bra.

SHOP CUUP

Smash Through The Sexual Ceiling

Sadly, many women—and I’m generalizing here—were raised in an era where there was a lot of shame surrounding sex and intimacy, our bodies, and their natural urges. “It’s time to shine a light on what is holding us back sexually and know that we don’t have to define our sexual experiences anymore,” says Jennifer Gunsaullus, Ph.D. (best known as Dr. Jenn), intimacy expert, sex coach, and author of From Madness to Mindfulness: Reinventing Sex for Women as well as Intimacy Dispatches on Substack.

The first step in breaking free, says Dr. Jenn, is to reflect on the messages you received in childhood and your early experiences around sexuality, body image, and intimacy, and recognize that these don’t work for you today. Next, examine your current relationships: What are your patterns? When do you shut down? When do you want to numb or distract yourself? Mindfulness is about taking ownership of those interpretations and your emotions, and where you feel them. Then opening up with your partner and speaking from a place of vulnerability and authenticity, and creating a safe space for your partner to do the same.

Finally, critique your sexual encounters mindfully. Do you have body image concerns or performance anxiety? Maybe you’re worried it’s taking too long for you to come. You can acknowledge these thoughts, then choose to bring yourself back to the moment with your partner—that’s when you experience real emotional intimacy, and that in itself is very sexy.

Conscious-Sexual-Coupling

Cultivating sexual mindfulness and engaging in a sensual, intimate experience is the opposite of “wham, bam, thank you, ma’am.” In fact, it doesn’t even have to involve sex. Start a sexual encounter by just looking into each other’s eyes and breathing in sync for a couple of minutes, and then lightly start touching each other’s arms and face. Any time you notice that you’re distracted (or afraid of feeling this vulnerable), acknowledge that thought or feeling and bring your focus back to your five senses and the emotional connection you’re sharing with yourself at that moment.

Hey, don’t know it until you try it.

Over time, you can bring this level of awareness into experiencing pleasure and giving pleasure, asking for what you want, being curious about their needs without shame or blame, and enjoying yourself and each other more. Now look at passion levels. Are you lacking desire? Feeling neglected or pushed? Many people don’t feel horny when they’re stressed or not feeling present or confident in their sexual body. If that’s the case, try a melting hug; hold each other while taking deep breaths together, and literally feel your chests melting together. This creates a little sacred moment to prioritize connection in your relationship. Sexual feelings will grow from there—we promise.

Masturbation Is The New Meditation

And thankfully, the sex toy industry has also undergone an awakening and is meeting us where we are. Along with Goop, Dame is a sexual wellness brand created by a sexologist who aims to inspire women to take matters into their own hands to end the “pleasure gap”. Aka the disparity that has long existed between women and men around sexual pleasure.

Unsurprisingly, Dr. Jenn is also an advocate for masturbation. And, well, there’s no argument here. Her advice here is to slow down, explore your body more, and experiment with new sex toys. That way, you may learn some new things about your sexual responsiveness. And let’s face it, once you intimately know your erogenous zones and what really gets you off, you’ll be able to explain it easily and guilt-free to your partner.

Also busy sounding the horn for sexual health wellness is Diana Leon, M.D., FACOG, an obstetrician-gynecologist who offers a revolutionary, non-invasive treatment at her N.Y. clinic. Get this: The ‘treatment’ incorporates soundwaves to change how women orgasm, making sex more enjoyable, less painful, and improving orgasm frequency and intensity. “So many women who don’t orgasm and enjoy a full sex life and are embarrassed to address it, are worried that there is no solution, or that the solution involves an invasive procedure,” says Dr. Leon.

Well, if all that has you all hot and steamy, go forth and get jiggy. Here’s to having more mind-blowing, mindful sex.

Or at least getting back in the game.

The Oscars have, and will always be, Hollywood and fashion's night of nights. Even when television’s night of nights sets up camp on YouTube. And so it goes that every year, the fashion media goes into [now AI-assisted] overdrive to bring you their take on who wore what and who wore it best.

But after decades in the editor’s chair, I can testify that the real stories don’t happen on the red carpet or "best-dressed" lists. Oscar 2026 wasn't just about Grace Kelly-inspired Chanel couture (I bow down, Jessie), Gucci feathers (Demi bringing her fashion game at 63), or the return of the ‘revenge dress’ (Nicole Kidman, we see you).

At The New Front Row, the promise is ‘Style, Storytelling and The Sh*it We Should Be Talking About’—and the Oscar goes to…

Jessie Buckley: ‘The Mother Of All Speeches’

The night belonged to Jessie Buckley, who rightfully took home the Oscar for Best Actress (for her career-defining turn as Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet). The Irish actress also secured first place on my unofficial best-dressed list. Channeling a modern-day Grace Kelly, Buckley stole the show with her chic sideswept champagne bob (nothing c*nty about it) and the custom Chanel bubblegum gown with an off-the-shoulder wrap neckline in contrasting red (Kelly wore a similar one to the Oscars in 1956).

But more importantly, Buckley won my heart.

Devoting her impassioned speech to “the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart,” (weep) Buckley, who has an 8-month-old daughter along with an Oscar, said of her character, “to get to know this incandescent woman and journey to understand the capacity of a mother’s love is the greatest collision of my life.” And then there was the public display of adoration for her husband, Freddie Sorensen. “Fred, I love you, man. You are the most incredible dad, you’re my best friend, and I want to have 20,000 more babies with you!” It almost makes me believe in marriage again.

Rose Byrne: ‘The Aussie Connection’

My fellow countrywoman may not have taken home the gold for her raw, intense, career-defining performance in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, but she was heavenly in a strapless black, floral-embroidered dress with a dramatic mermaid train. And hearing that thick Aussie accent as she rejoined the cast of Bridesmaids to present Best Original Screenplay was gold in itself. Speaking of gold, Byrne did pick up the Golden Globe for her portrayal of Linda, a psychotherapist pushed to her absolute breaking point in the movie, cementing her rightful place among Australia’s best actors—Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Hugh Jackman, Margot Robbie, and Heath Ledger.

Ironically, her breakout role was alongside Ledger in the 1999 crime/comedy Two Hands. BTW, if you're in NYC, make sure to check out its namesake café.

But I can’t even with this Facebook post by Hunters Hill High School, where Byrne attended: “Congratulations to former Hunters Hill High School student Rose Byrne for her Best Actress win at the Golden Globes. Rose has also been nominated for Best Actress at the upcoming Oscars. Good Luck Rose!”

Sean Penn: ‘The Iconic No Show’

What’s not to love about Sean Penn? The legend, now 65, took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the ruthless Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw in One Battle After Another, for which he was a no-show (ditto when he won the Golden Globe). Penn’s been nominated for an Oscar six times (winning three), and while his MIA status on Hollywood’s biggest night was kind of epic, it wasn’t a diss.

Penn’s focus is currently on the front lines (not the red carpet). He was in Ukraine meeting with President Zelenskyy to continue his work with CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), the crisis-response organization he founded. His activism has evolved from celebrity outreach to genuine, boots-on-the-ground logistics, providing everything from medical supplies to structural support in war zones. Sean, I salute you. You’re the only person in the world who can win an Oscar from a bunker.

Anna Wintour: ‘Fashion Is Art’

On planet fashion, Vogue is the Bible, and Anna is God. She is, after all, the real-life inspo behind The Devil Wears Prada. BTW: for all you fashion-obsessed cool girls, the long-awaited sequel drops on May 1st. It’s kind of ironic that this year’s Met Gala exhibition is “Costume Art” (dress code: fashion is art) because here was Wintour, the accidental actor playing herself (or rather, the caricature of herself), while playing Oscar presenter.

For this long-time fashion editor, seeing Anna on that stage was the “lit”. It’s about time the queen of fashion had her proper Oscar moment. Rumors may continue to swirl that Wintour, now 76, is on the road to retirement after stepping down as EIC, but I don’t think she—or her signature black glasses—are going anywhere anytime soon.

Gwyneth & Demi: ‘Midlife Fashion Slay’

“Fashion is dead for women over 56,” according to The Telegraph. Kill me now. I’m not sure what bubble they live in, but I hope they tuned in to the Oscars to see a sea of 50-plus women killing it—Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, and Sigourney Weaver (76 thank you very much). So to hell with that outdated and obnoxious fashion theory.

For my money, Gwyneth proved why she’ll always reign as queen of old-Hollywood royalty, looking decades younger (not that she needs to, but she does) with her immaculate complexion, sleek sidepart (many stars greenlit its return), and “naked-but-not-really-naked” strapless ivory silk column Armani Privé dress. Talk nailing the naked trend in real life and midlife.

And LFG Demi Moore, who has found her fashion and career stride in her 40s, 50s, and now 60s (as I wrote about for The Fashion Times). In a world of safe fashion, be a Demi, who crushed it in a custom emerald green Gucci gown dripping in peacock-style feathers and a dramatic black train.

At 63, no less.

Nicole Kidman: ‘The Quiet Revenge Tour’

Nic (as she’s affectionately known in our native Aus) continues on her “Keith Who?” “F You” revenge tour, which she’s done quietly and delicately, especially last night in an ethereal powder pink silk dress with a crystal-encrusted bustier and a peplum waist that cascaded onto the skirt in beige, pink, nude, and apricot feathers. Slay.

If the dress spoke volumes, so did her turn as presenter. Kidman dialed up the sex siren act as she flirted with Ewan McGregor to present Best Picture in honor of the 25th anniversary of Moulin Rouge!. When the two burst into “All You Need Is Love” lyrics, it was the dopamine high every divorcée needed.

Jacob Elordi: ‘The Date Heard ‘Round The World’

It was certainly a night for the Aussies, but the Oscar for “Son of the Century” goes to Jacob Elordi. Nominated for Best Actor, Elordi—who spent over 400 hours in the makeup chair to transform into Frankenstein—won hearts for taking his mum, Melissa Elordi (54), as his Oscars date.

The handsome-as-hell Brisbane-born actor, 28, promised her when he was 15 that if he ever made it to the Academy Awards, she’d be by his side. As a boy mum, I can’t even imagine how Melissa must have felt, but the images of them on the red carpet—and her emotional Instagram post—say it all.

Javier Bardem: ‘No War For Hot Men’

Speaking of being a boy mom, my youngest is Javier. He’s not actually named after Javier Bardem, despite my having a crush on him since forever—I mean, when he played the chilling, bowl-cut assassin in No Country for Old Men, I was gone. No, my Javier was actually named after a random guy I met at a dance party on a beach in Spain a million moons ago.

But here’s why Javier (both of them) will always be my guy.

Politics entered the Oscars chat—despite every A-lister being warned to “keep politics out their fucking mouths”—courtesy of Javier’s pin. Buttoned to his suit, the pin read in Spanish “No a la guerra” (No to war), and the actor used his moment at the podium while presenting Best International Feature Film to utter a clear, firm “Free Palestine.” There’s definitely something about the men from Spain.

Michael B. Jordan: ‘The Fashion Flex’

The actor took out Best Actor, a win the rumor mill insists was stolen from Timothée Chalamet after “Ballet-and-Opera-Gate”. I don’t buy the robbery narrative because Michael was sublime playing identical twin brothers in Sinners. He also takes gold for his best-dressed fit—a custom all-black Louis Vuitton ensemble by Pharrell featuring a sharp military-style high collar and a sleek chain detail. A best dressed award approved by my stylish son, Javier, the 14-year-old up-and-coming influencer/fashion model, giving young dudes the green light to dress well. I mean, give him Michael B. Jordan and Pharrell all day, every day.

Jordan is only the sixth Black man to have ever won Best Actor, and he called out the giants who paved the way—Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, and Will Smith (even despite the slap). He also honored the real heroes in his story: his father, Michael A. Jordan, who flew in from Ghana, and his mother, Donna, also his date for the night. Aww, these boys. But perhaps the best bit? The actor celebrated the old-school Hollywood way: hitting up In-N-Out Burger, still wearing “that suit,” and placing his newly minted statue on the counter while he ordered. Flex.

Jimmy Kimmel: ‘The Comedic Resistance’

In a sanitized political Oscars, kudos must go to this comedic duo for the digs heard ‘around the world’. In a short segment, Jimmy Kimmel didn’t hold back regarding freedom of speech. “There are some countries whose leaders don’t support free speech. I’m not at liberty to say which. Let’s just leave it at North Korea and CBS.” Then on the subject of documentaries: “There’s an international community of filmmakers dedicated to telling the truth, oftentimes at great risk to make films that teach us, that call out injustice, that inspire us to take action, and there are also documentaries where you walk around the White House trying on shoes.”

Gloves off.

Next came O’Brien’s quote of all quotes as he returned after a break. “Welcome back to the ‘Has A Small Penis Theater’—let’s see him try to put his name on the front of that one,” in response to the outrage around the renaming of the Kennedy Center by you know who.

Conan O’Brien: ‘The Host For Life?’

Hosting the Oscars is an honor that can make or break your career. The jury is out on Conan re-hosting—what were your thoughts? Clearly, the Academy was pleased, and that’s all that matters.

In pure cinematic gold, the final scene/skit sees Academy officials tell Conan he’s the permanent host and lead him to a plush new “Host for Life” office. O’Brien is locked in his new room with a view, gassed through the vents, and his body is unceremoniously dumped down a garbage chute. Sound familiar? Let’s just say Sean would have been proud.

If only he’d turned up.

Cassandra Kulukudis: ‘One Battle Finally Won’

And finally, for the first time in Oscar history, an award was introduced for Best Casting. Unbelievably, its inclusion has been the subject of fierce debate, with purists arguing it “clutters” the telecast. Incidentally, the inaugural award went to Cassandra Kulukundis for her work on One Battle After Another. She was the one who assembled the massive, high-stakes ensemble—hello Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, and Regina Hall. Not to mention Chase Infiniti, the 25-year-old, ‘completely unknown no more’ breakout discovery of the film.

Let’s be clear: casting directors are the ones who source and recruit the talent that catapults these stars and their movies to Oscar glory. Just like a top-tier recruitment agent, ensuring the best hire lands the job to guarantee a company’s success.

Put through an Aussie lens, an Oscars ceremony without a casting category is like a pub with no beer.

That’s a wrap.

Like it or not—it’s officially the ’90s again.

Kate Moss is back slaying the runway—closing the Gucci F/W show in Milan, no less. Britney is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons (arrested for drink driving). The Clintons are testifying (but weirdly not Trump). And low-rise jeans, kitten heels, and black turtleneck sweaters—aka the OG of “quiet luxury”—are trending out of control.

Not to mention the entire planet is obsessed with JFK Jr. and Carolyn Besette Kennedy, thanks to the TV series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Besette.

Do you, like me, find waiting a week between episodes literal torture?

As we relive their tragic real-life romance, the media is in overdrive—fueling both new and renewed lust for everything Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. With good reason: The former Calvin Klein publicist turned Queen of Camelot—who famously snagged America’s most eligible bachelor—was the ultimate downtown cool girl.

The Hailey Bieber of her day, if you will.

Bessette was the embodiment of the ’90s minimalist aesthetic—her signature style was chic, understated, and impossibly modern: jeans, trench coats, turtlenecks, and an endless sea of black, black, and more black. Then there’s the platinum gold hair, nearly as famous as she was, which flip-flopped between undone waves, sleek blowouts, low ponies, messy buns, and slicked-back in a headband.

And she could also take the crown as the pioneer of the ‘no-makeup makeup’ look, which women have painstakingly tried to fake for decades.

And lest we forget the influence she had on brides the world over, who, nearly three decades later, are still channeling her 1996 wedding style. If you watched the latest wedding episode, the iconic slip dress was created by then-unknown designer (and her close friend) Narciso Rodriguez—the same man behind Michelle Obama’s unforgettable gown on election night in 2008.

But while all eyes are on Bessette (played by actress Sarah Pidgeon), my attention is firmly fixed on two other women in this story.

First: Daryl Hannah—the ’90s actress who shot to fame as the sexy mermaid in Splash and who dated JFK Jr. from 1988 to 1994. Hannah herself is trending again after penning a scathing essay for The New York Times over her portrayal in the series as the shallow, irritating, unstable ex-girlfriend.

The headline? How Can ‘Love Story’ Get Away With This?

Ouch.

And last—but even more importantly—Caroline Kennedy: the stoic, fiercely private sister of JFK Jr. and the sole surviving child of President John F. Kennedy and the legendary Jackie Kennedy Onassis (played to perfection by Naomi Watts).

But I’m not actually referring to the real-life Caroline Kennedy here.

I’m talking about the actress portraying her in the series—the formidable Grace Gummer.

If Bessette has been cast as the pin-up of ‘quiet luxury’, Kennedy—or rather Gummer—is without doubt the queen of ‘elegant luxury’.

And here’s where things get personal.

I was lucky enough to have tea with the then-buzzy up-and-coming Gummer—now 39—eight years ago in a café in her then-neighborhood of Dumbo, Brooklyn.

You can read the full interview here.

Gummer—who you may or may not realize is the daughter of the iconic Meryl Streep—was an indie theatre darling who landed her big break in Arcadia on Broadway in 2011. TV roles in The Newsroom and American Horror Story followed, earning her a reputation for playing smart, complex women with real depth.

What you also may not know is that Gummer studied art history and Italian at Vassar and contemplated becoming a costume designer before a theater director friend sent her a script that changed everything.

Meeting Gummer all those years ago, it was clear she was well on her way.

Watching her now transform into Caroline Kennedy—with her composed demeanor, political savvy, and regal-like restraint—has been fascinating.

Here are a few highlights from our interview, Gummer’s thoughts on style, and how she approached becoming the classy, enigmatic Caroline Kennedy.

Grace Gummer “Modeled” For A Max Mara Shoot For Harper’s Bazaar

“I really understand why supermodels are paid a gazillion dollars. It’s 95 degrees, I’m wearing wool pants and cashmere sweaters, cars are coming in every direction, and the photographer is yelling, ‘Smile! Okay—back, front, turn around, hop in the air!”

The Actresses Who Inspire Her

Carey Mulligan, Sarah Paulson, and Claire Danes. “They’re my friends—but I also genuinely admire their work.” Just don’t mention Meryl.

Fame Quietly Elevated Her Fashion Game

Gummer was a fixture in the front row at Michael Kors, Proenza Schouler, Calvin Klein, Tory Burch, and Khaite during New York Fashion Week. “Khaite makes up about 40 percent of my wardrobe. I don’t go to work in sweatpants anymore, I’m a little bolder now.”

One Vintage Shirt Helped Her Find Caroline Kennedy

An' 80s-vintage Valentino striped shirt helped unlock the character. “The moment I put it on, I thought—oh, here she is. It has a little bit of a shoulder, buttons all the way to the top, and the most beautiful fit. It’s one of those pieces that just couldn’t be replicated today.”

Gummer Deeply Respects Caroline Kennedy

“I think she has impeccable style—and still does. I have so much admiration and respect for Caroline. She’s such a strong, powerful woman of integrity. Fundamentally decent, intensely private—and in our show, she becomes an incredibly important voice of reason for John.”

5 Things You May Not Know About The Real Caroline Kennedy

1. She Has Lived Through Unimaginable Grief
Kennedy was just six when her father was assassinated in 1963, lost her mother, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, in 1994, and then her brother John Jr. in the 1999 plane crash that also claimed Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and her sister Lauren. And heartbreakingly, her daughter Tatiana Schlossberg passed away in December 2025 at 35 from acute myeloid leukemia.

2. She’s A Respected Diplomat
The Kennedy matriarch served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 2013–2017 and is currently serving as U.S. Ambassador to my homeland of Australia.

3. She’s A Political Author
Kennedy has published several books on American history, poetry, and constitutional rights, including In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action.

4. Her Son Is Following His Grandfather Into Politics
Jack Schlossberg—JFK Jr.’s nephew—has emerged as a vocal political voice and has become increasingly active in Democratic politics.

5. She Remains An Enigma
Despite being born into America’s most scrutinized political dynasty, Kennedy has spent her life fiercely guarding her privacy—making her portrayal in the series all the more fascinating.

If Eric Dane’s passing wasn’t heartbreaking enough, last night I watched Famous Last Words—the Netflix documentary in which Dane is interviewed by Brad Falchuk, American Horror Story creator (and, yes, Gwyneth Paltrow’s husband). Filmed in early 2025 under the proviso that it would only air after Dane’s death, it sent me spiralling.

Dane was 53.

A year younger than the father of my two sons—and not much older than me. That alone triggered me into confronting my own mortality, and served as another tragic reminder that once you hit midlife, it’s no longer uncommon for friends to die or be diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.

In his case, Dane stunned the world when, less than a year ago, he revealed he had been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). A brutal, progressive neurodegenerative disease that traps a fully functioning mind inside a body that has forgotten how to move, speak, or breathe. It’s a terrifying terminal diagnosis that comes with a countdown rather than a cure.

This is when my anger kicked in.

A cultural icon who famously played the charming and devastatingly handsome Dr Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy—Dane had stepped into a new role, one he didn’t audition for, as an advocate in the fight against ALS. In the documentary, the actor, who, decades after his mid-noughties heartthrob heyday, captivated an entirely new generation with his brutal portrayal of the closeted, tormented Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, revealed that only 31,000 people in the US live with the disease.

“It’s a money problem. If they had unlimited funds and research, we would find a solution pretty quickly. I think it’s hard to understand the concept of a single life and how many people it affects when you’re an executive looking at numbers.”

Now, I promise I’ll never get political in The New Front Row (trust me, you don’t want me to go there), but forgive me this once: fuck every billionaire hoarding more money than they could ever spend in a lifetime, when it could go toward life-saving medical research and treatments.

Witnessing Dane—once the blueprint for physical perfection—wheelchair-bound and speaking his final words in a voice reduced to what he jokingly described as sounding like a “frog,” was as sad and surreal as it was powerful and prophetic. As he stared death in the face, baring his soul for the world to see after he was gone, it was not lost on me that he was still as handsome and magnetic as ever.

But perhaps what hit the hardest was his raw, emotional, authentic unveiling of the real Eric Dane. A man who, as he so eloquently put it in his own words, is “kind, thoughtful, considerate, empathetic, sensitive, vulnerable—a person who cares a lot.”

There was also an intensity to him, and a profound fragility.

Not purely because of the cruel diagnosis fate had dealt him in the prime of his life and at the height of his career, but because, at the heart of it all, he was a father. And a son who had carried the trauma and invisible grief of losing his own father to suicide at the tender age of seven.

My heart aches for Dane’s two daughters, Billie (15) and Georgia (14), who—in a tragic case of history repeating itself—will also grow up without their father.

The world may have lost McSteamy—but they lost their daddy.

Following are some of Dane’s most powerful final words, which I’ve personally taken as a call to action—and maybe you will too.

ERIC DANE’S FAMOUS LAST WORDS

On Doing An Interview That Will Air After His Death

“It’s a weird concept. You and I are talking here right now, and we’re very much alive. Living on past the moment when you peace out is pretty interesting to me, speaking from the dead. I still can’t believe this is happening. I didn’t think this was going to be the end of the road for me—that I would get something as crazy and deadly as ALS.”

On Death Itself

“I’ve got a very controversial relationship with the universe right now. I don’t believe there is another place for our souls to go. I think people believe that because it provides them with a lot of comfort. I believe when we go to sleep, it’s lights out. Once we’re gone, we’re gone. We live on in the memories of the people who miss us. I don’t feel sorry for myself—I feel bad for Rebecca, my kids, and my friends. I’m not going to be around for my kids, to walk my girls down the aisle, or have grandkids, and that’s a tough thing to deal with.”

On His Father’s Tragic Suicide

“My father struggled with life and never felt like he was enough. I think about how lonely my father must have been. It’s heartbreaking. I think trauma reaches somebody on a cellular level. It’s really hard to get it out of your system—probably impossible. Being told by my mother to be strong meant ‘don’t feel, don’t cry’. She has a black belt in denial. I don’t think she accepted how profoundly my father’s death affected me. I ended up going to a treatment center for trauma and depression, related solely to my dad.”

On Confronting His Own Demons

“I’ve always had a warped sense of who I am. I thought I wasn’t enough—that I didn’t deserve a great life. Cal and I are very similar; we know what it’s like to lead a double life. I know what it’s like to not have my insides match my outside. I can feel lonely in a crowded room. I’ve had my experience with drugs and alcohol. This thing, [ALS], has made me softer, more open, and more available to experience the truth about myself. It’s a fucked-up way to realise you were enough the whole time—when everything gets taken away.”

On His Work

“I’m proud of some of it. You know what—fuck it, I’m proud of all of it. All of it got me to where I am today. I think I had moments in my career when I was undeniably good, like some of the early days of Grey’s Anatomy.”

On Meeting His Wife, Rebecca Gayheart

“I will never, by the time anybody sees this, have fallen in love with another woman as deeply as I fell in love with Rebecca. She’s the mother of my children. I met Rebecca and turned to her friend and said, “I’m going to marry that girl.” Four years later, I married her. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.”

On The Breakdown Of His Marriage

“We still love each other deeply. We’re best friends. Rebecca was more willing to show up and do her part than I was. I don’t have that gene that makes you want to keep going regardless of what’s happening. If there’s a hole in the boat, don’t try to patch it—scuttle the damn thing and go find a new one. I’ve always been envious of people who fight and persevere. Rebecca is a fighter, and she perseveres.”

On Being a Dad

“My girls would say I was tough, resilient, loving, endearing, compassionate, empathetic, and trustworthy. I’m a good dad. I haven’t been perfect, but I’ve always been there when it mattered. I’ve shown up to all of Billie’s ballet recitals. I go to Georgia’s beach volleyball games. I’m present in their lives whether I’m in front of them or 2,000 miles away.”

On His Most Treasured Memories

“We travelled as a family and saw some wonderful places. We drove through the French countryside in this crazy rental car, and I spoke in a French accent the whole time. For fifteen minutes, my French accent was spot on.”

THE ACTOR’S POWERFUL PARTING MESSAGE FOR HIS DAUGHTERS

Live Now

“Right now, in the present. For years, I would wander off mentally lost in my head for long chunks of my time, wallowing and worrying in self-pity and shame. Out of pure survival, I am forced to live in the present, but I don’t want to be anywhere else. The past contains regrets, the future remains unknown. The present is all you have; treasure it, cherish every moment.”

Fall In Love

“Not necessarily with a person—although I recommend that too. Fall in love with something. Find your passion, your joy, the thing that makes you want to get up in the morning. When I was the age you are now, I fell in love with acting. That love got me through my darkest hours, days, and years. My work doesn’t define me, but it excites me. Find something that excites you—find your path, purpose, dream, and then really go for it.”

Find Your People

“Choose your friends wisely. Give yourself to them. The best of them will give back to you—no judgment, no conditions, no questions asked. Just show up. Love your friends with everything you have. They will entertain you, guide you, help you, support you, and some will save you.”

Fight

“Fight with every ounce of your being, and with dignity. When something unexpected hits you—and it will, because that’s life—face it with honesty, integrity, and grace, even when it feels insurmountable. Never give up. Fight until your last breath. You inherited resilience from me—that’s my superpower. This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit. You can face hell with dignity.”