Big Brother’sRachel Reilly shared a touching tribute in honor of her late costar Mickey Lee.
Posting via X on Thursday, January 1, Rachel, 41, opened up about the impact Mickey had made on her life before her tragic death.
“I think I didn’t even give myself a chance to cry yet and looking back on 2025 and seeing posts of Mickey really has me thinking about how she had such a big impact on so many lives!” Reilly wrote. “I’ve been watching her stories and she was such an incredible woman – she’s touched so many lives and her fabric is woven throughout so many stories- she made an impact in my journey and I’ll always love her for it and never forget that about her.”
She continued, “I remember telling her one day in the HOH she’s part of my heart now and she always will be and I meant that 😍🥲 it’s so hard to loose a friend and especially such a bright light 💕 2025 wouldn’t have been as impactful without the journey I went on with big brother and Mickey 💕”
Mickey died in the early evening on December 25, 2025 after being hospitalized due to multiple cardiac arrests as she battled complications from the flu. She was 35.
“With profound sadness, the family of Mickey Lee announces her transition on Christmas in the early evening,” her family wrote in a statement released via social media on Friday, December 26.
“Mickey captured the hearts of audiences nationwide through her appearance on Big Brother, where her authenticity, strength and spirit left a lasting impression on fans and fellow cast members alike,” the statement continued. “She will be remembered for the joy she brought into the lives of so many and for the genuine connections she formed both on and off screen.”
Rachel Reilly.(Photo by Sara Mally/CBS via Getty Images)
Rachel, who was Mickey’s housemate in Big Brother’s Season 27, was among the show’s past players who reacted publicly after the news was announced.
“We are in shock and so saddened by the news of my big brother cast mate and family member- my heart is broken,” Rachel wrote via X on December 26. “My heart goes out to her family and lifelong friends. Big Brother doesn’t just give you castmates, it gives you family. I’m forever grateful I got to share that house and that experience with Mickey 💕.”
Rachel continued: “We walked into the Big Brother house as strangers and walked out bonded for life. I wish I could still thank her for the memories, the laughter, and the moments only we will ever understand. I’ll carry a bit of Mickey with me always. Rest in peace, my friend. 🤍.”
The Season 13 winner also shared a video of her, Mickey and Ashley Hollis from inside the Big Brother house.
The same day, Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves also took to social media to share her condolences after Mickey’s death.
“Two months ago I interviewed Mickey Lee on ‘God 101/’ That’s when she revealed to me that she was born with a hole in her heart, and as an adult she survived an ATV accident that should have killed her, but God kept her alive,” Julie wrote via Instagram. “Last night God brought her home 🕊️ Rest In Peace dear Mickey. I will see you again on the other side in eternity.”
During her season, Mickey played for 59 days in the Big Brother house. She was the final houseguest to be evicted prior to the jury phase starting.
University of Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel spoke publicly for the first time since the firing of football head coach Sherrone Moore, who was terminated earlier this month over an “inappropriate relationship” with a staff member.
“There’s not much I can say,” Manuel, 57, told reporters on Sunday, December 28. “There’s an investigation continuing into Coach Moore — there’s a cultural evaluation around the department — and so we will we obviously know some facts. There’s some things that are out there that I can’t comment on, that are untrue, and there may be some things that they find, but that’s why we do an investigation, and I’m very open to that.”
Earlier this month, it was reported that Chicago-based law firm Jenner & Block is conducting an investigation into the University of Michigan athletics department, with Moore’s firing being “a particular focus.”
“I asked the President to help with a cultural analysis and have somebody come in,” Manuel explained. “So yes, I am very supportive of that, because as a leader, I face reality. There are things that happen. I don’t step away from it. Never have, never will. So we need to get better, and that’s part of it, getting somebody to come in and to assess.”
Manuel fired Moore, 39, on December 10 after a university internal investigation uncovered evidence of Moore’s relationship with the female staffer.
“Listen man, it’s hard,” Manuel said on Sunday. “It’s hard when you have a colleague that is going through something personally, professionally, in his family and [knowing the] people and impact that it has on so many staff, student-athletes and the Michigan community.”
Manuel added, “Personally, I’ve known him for seven or eight years, so it was difficult to see him, as a person, go through what he went through. But professionally, it was an easy decision to make because of the expectations that we have for everyone on our side.”
Moore was arrested on December 10 and subsequently charged with one count of third-degree felony home invasion, one count misdemeanor stalking related to a domestic relationship and one count misdemeanor breaking and entering.
The former coach was released on $25,000 bond and ordered to wear a GPS tracking monitor, in addition to dropping all contact with the staff member.
Former University of Utah coach Kyle Whittingham was officially named as the University of Michigan’s new head football coach on Friday, December 26.
“Kyle Whittingham is a well-respected and highly successful head coach who is widely recognized as a leader of exceptional character and principled leadership,” Manuel said in a statement. “Throughout our search, he consistently demonstrated the qualities we value at Michigan: vision, resilience, and the ability to build and sustain championship-caliber teams.”
The statement continued, “Kyle brings not only a proven track record of success, but also a commitment to creating a program rooted in toughness, physicality, discipline and respect — where student-athletes and coaches represent the university with distinction both on and off the field. We are excited to welcome Kyle to the University of Michigan family as he takes the helm of our football program.”
Timothée Chalamet received a surprise 30th birthday shoutout from Susan Boyle.
Chalamet, 30, reposted a musical birthday salute from the former Britain’s Got Talent contestant, 64, after the official Instagram for his new movie Marty Supremepremiered the clip on Saturday, December 27.
“Timothée, have a lovely 30th,” Boyle told the actor before blowing him a kiss. “All the best. Love, Susan.”
Along with sharing the clip via his own Instagram, Chalamet thanked his friends and fans for the birthday love.
He wrote on Saturday, “THANK U FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES THANK U THANK U THANK U!!!!!! 🥳TIMMYTIM IS OFFICIALLY UNC 🫡 #uncletimmytim”
There is more than meets the eye to the unexpected interaction between Chalamet and Boyle. Harper’s Bazaar reported this month that Doni Nahmias, Chalamet’s stylist Taylor McNeill and Marty Supreme studio A24 came up with the idea to market jackets featuring the movie’s title and three embroidered stars.
Chalamet and A24 sent the jackets to public figures like Tom Brady, Justin and Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner, among others who the actor felt exemplified greatness. The garments went viral when celebrities started wearing them out, leading to a limited supply of black, red, blue and orange jackets completely selling out when they were released to the general public.
During Chalamet’s U.K. press tour for Marty Supreme in December, he was asked by BBC News which British celebrities were “worthy” of the jacket.
“Lewis Hamilton. David and Victoria [Beckham],” Chalamet answered. “Who else, man? [Rapper] Fakemink. Susan Boyle!”
Susan Boyle sings to Timothee ChalametCourtesy Instagram / A24
While the interviewer could be heard chuckling at Boyle’s inclusion, Chalamet reminded him that Boyle’s star-making Britain’s Got Talent audition in 2009 broke the internet.
“She dreamt big. She dreamt bigger than all of us,” Chalamet explained. “Who wasn’t moved by that? I remember that like it was yesterday. It was like the advent of YouTube, you know?”
In her 2009 BGT audition, Boyle was initially heckled by the studio audience and scoffed at by judge Simon Cowell before singing a note. Boyle managed to win over the crowd and Cowell with her stunning rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables.
Boyle eventually finished second overall to street dance troupe Diversity on Britain’s Got Talent that year. She competed on America’s Got Talent: The Champions in 2019, where she also made it to the finals. Throughout her career, Boyle has sold an estimated 25 million albums worldwide.
The theme of “dreaming big” is crucial to the plot of Marty Supreme, as Chalamet portrays a table tennis player who defies all expectations for his career.
Following Chalamet’s public praise, Boyle confirmed to BBC News on December 17 that she had indeed received one of the Marty Supreme jackets.
“[I’m] very flattered,” she told the outlet. “Those early days were quite something, and to know that moment meant something to [him] all these years on truly humbles me.”
She added, “We all start somewhere, with a dream and a bit of hope, don’t we? We should all dream big! I wish you every success as you continue to dream your own dream. Thank you for your kindness and for remembering that moment so fondly.”
Boyle is far from the only one praising Chalamet’s performance in Marty Supreme. He has received huge award season buzz and already earned nominations from Critics’ Choice Awards and the Golden Globes.
Chalamet’s girlfriend Kylie Jenner’s mom, Kris Jenner, shared via Instagram that she too received a Marty Supreme jacket on Friday, December 26. Kris hailed Marty Supreme as the “greatest movie ever” via her Instagram Story.
Kris Jenner is giving two thumbs up to Timothée Chalamet’s new awards season contender Marty Supreme.
The Kardashians star, 70, offered an enthusiastic review for her daughter Kylie Jenner’s longtime boyfriend’s sports drama via her Instagram Story on Friday, December 26. She described Marty Supreme as the “greatest movie ever” and revealed that she’d been gifted one of the film’s red promotional jackets.
The Nautica-style sports jackets — which feature the title of Marty Supreme in white print over three embroidered stars — have been worn by some of the world’s biggest stars in recent months. Of course, Kylie’s sister Kendall Jenner sported one of the pullovers, while the likes of Tom Brady, Justin Bieber and his wife, Hailey Bieber, wore them in public too.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, the garments were created by Nahmias designer Doni Nahmias, Chalamet’s stylist Taylor McNeill and Marty Supreme distributor A24. A limited number of the jackets were made available to the public in black, red, blue, and orange colors but completely sold out as part of special pop-up releases.
Prior to publicly praising Marty Supreme, Kris included Chalamet, 30, in one of her family’s time-honored holiday traditions. Each year, Kris orders a custom gingerbread house with placards for every child, spouse and grandchild’s name — with Chalamet included this year, too.
Chalamet dropped some hints about what he planned to get Kylie for Christmas while promoting Marty Supreme on the “Heart Breakfast” radio show in the U.K. on December 11.
“I was hoping to find some local goods for friends and family,” he told hosts Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden. “What’s that chocolate store here called?”
Unfortunately, Holden — who has been a judge on Britain’s Got Talent since 2007 — couldn’t quite help Chalamet figure out the name of the chocolatier he was looking for.
“Legoland is over there. Does Kylie like to build Legos?” she joked.
There were reports earlier this year that Kylie and Chalamet may have split up after dating for more than two years. However, Us Weekly exclusively reported in November that the couple were “still very much together and committed” despite Chalamet having to miss Kris’ star-studded 70th birthday party earlier that month.
Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner in December 2025.Getty Images/Frederic J. Brown / AFP
“Timothée wasn’t at Kris’ party because he is filming two huge projects right now and is working,” a source told Us. “He has been on set for Dune, but he and Kylie FaceTime every day.”
Us learned that “it is very serious” between Kylie and Chalamet, as her family has shown tremendous support for the two stars. (Kylie, 28, shares two children — daughter Stormi, 7, and son Aire, 3 — with her ex-boyfriend Travis Scott.)
“Everyone adores them together and he has even been present in the kids’ lives, which makes Kylie so happy,” an insider told Us. “Everything is going well and Kylie respects that he is working really hard right now and having a huge moment in his career.”
According to the source, Kylie was content in the relationship even though she couldn’t “spend every day” with Chalamet because “it makes their time together feel more special.”
The following month, Chalamet and Kylie walked the red carpet in matching orange ensembles at the premiere of Marty Supreme at the historic Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles on December 8. The two posed for photos and even shared some PDA as they celebrated Chalamet’s awards season contender.
Aaron Rodgers made sure his Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen had a very merry Christmas this year.
On Saturday, December 27, the Steelers quarterback, 42, revealed via Instagram that he’d gifted his linemen Can-Am Maverick X3 off-road vehicles — which range in price from $19,999 to $29,000, according to Pennsylvania dealership Mosites Motorsports. Rodgers donned a “The Dude Abides” sweater from The Big Lebowski as he surprised his offensive line with the expensive gifts.
“Christmas gifts for the big guys done right. 🌲 🎁Can-Am Maverick X3-X turbo’s for the boys,” Rodgers wrote in the Instagram caption.
The footage showed Rodgers being thanked by his linemen before he decided it was time to test out their new off-road vehicles.
“Alright, let’s take them on a joy ride,” Rodgers challenged his teammates.
The dealership posted a separate behind-the-scenes look at the tremendous preparation that went into Rodgers’ surprise for his Steelers O-line. Hours before Rodgers presented the vehicles, each one had to be loaded separately onto massive trucks.
“The night before Christmas Eve, getting everything dialed in for Aaron Rodgers’ O-Line delivery,” Mosites Motorsports explained. “A lot of work goes into moments like this.”
Mosites joked that Rodgers was “rewarding the guys who protect the pocket.”
The dealership also boasted that their team helped Rodgers give “his offensive line the gift of horsepower” this festive season.
“Safe to say, [the gifts] delivered,” Mosites Motorsports declared.
Aaron Rodgers in December 2025.Nic Antaya/Getty Images
Rodgers and his Pittsburgh Steelers are one game away from earning a spot in the NFL playoffs. If the Steelers manage to beat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, December 28, they will secure a spot in the AFC playoffs.
NFL QBs have definitely upped their gifting game this year. Patrick Mahomes surprised his Kansas City Chiefs offensive line with a jaw-dropping set of gifts on December 19, including an Aventon electric bike (retails between $1,799 and $1,999), a pair of Beats Studio Pro headphones ($349), a Hublot watch (retails between $12,000 and $25,000), a hardshell Rimowa suitcase ($1,500), white sunglasses and a Full Swing golf simulator kit (starting at $11,000).
The Chiefs were stunned by the lavish presents, with various players being heard saying “Oh my” and “Whoa” in social media footage shot in their locker room.
“Christmas came early for the o-line! Shoutout to QB1 for the gift,” the Chiefs shared via Instagram.
Meanwhile, Detroit Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff splurged on custom golf carts for his offensive line. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow went with a more eclectic choice by giving out authentic dinosaur, bear and mammoth fossils for the holidays.
ESPN’s Bengals reporter Ben Baby revealed that Burrow, 29, invited offensive linemen to his home on December 22, where he had the fossils displayed. Each lineman was invited to pick a fossil to take home with them, with the order determined by seniority.
“I think it speaks to his intelligence and interests and his desire to do something unique,” Bengals center Ted Karras told ESPN on Friday, December 26, of Burrow’s presents. “I thought it was really special.”
As for Rodgers, his pricey gifts follow a contentious week for the Steelers QB after he was caught on a hot mic disparaging Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell about his age after a play on December 21.
“Oh, you don’t want me to help pick you up? Why?” Rodgers was heard asking Campbell, 22, in between plays. “‘Cause you’re slower than a 42-year-old. Is that why? You’re slower than a 42-year-old?”
Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers ultimately beat the Lions 29-24.
Joe Burrow’s Christmas gifts to his offensive linemen are pretty dino-mite.
The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback gifted his teammates authentic dinosaur, bear and mammoth fossils for the holiday — a gift that many of the offensive linemen said fits his personality well.
“I think it speaks to his intelligence and interests and his desire to do something unique,” Bengals center Ted Karrastold ESPN on Friday, December 26, of Burrow’s gift choice. “I thought it was really special.”
According to ESPN’s Bengals reporter Ben Baby, Burrow invited his offensive linemen to his house on Monday, December 22, for a holiday gathering. There, Burrow had the fossils on display and each player selected their bones of choice.
The order of selection was determined by seniority and when they arrived.
Karras reportedly picked a woolly mammoth fossil (that archeologists estimated to be about 30,000 years old) while Bengals Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims took home bear skulls.
Rookie Dylan Fairchild selected a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil.
Burrow’s interest in fossils and artifacts was highlighted in season 2 of the Netflix series “Quarterback,” which debuted in 2024.
“When aren’t fossils on your mind?” Burrow said in the episode. “They go back millions of years. That’s sick.”
The episode shows Burrow and some teammates going to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. There, they saw several rare fossils, including one believed to belong to an Archaeopteryx.
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati BengalsGetty Images
“We went to the Natural History Museum. They took us behind the scenes and showed us some really cool stuff. It’s like a library of fossils that they don’t show everybody else,” Burrow said in the series.
He added, “It’s like you go to a shoe store, and they’re like ‘Maybe we have it in the back.’ And it was, like, all the fossils back there. It was pretty sick.”
Burrow’s unique gesture was a hit with the offensive linemen.
“It says a lot about who he is — his personality, his heart, all of those things, man,” said Brown. “He’s just a special person.”
“It was quite an event, man,” Karras said. “He just continues to outdo himself as always with his kindness and generosity and his creativity. We’re just very thankful for him.”
Burrow has missed nine games this season due to injury, and the Bengals (at 5-10) will miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
Despite the adversity, Burrow was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after the team’s Week 16 win against the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, December 24.
Quarterbacks giving gifts to their offensive linemen has become a solid holiday tradition across the NFL.
This year, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and his wife, actress Hailee Steinfeld, gifted the Bills linemen one-quarter of a cow, perhaps a nod to the team’s “everybody eats” mantra. Each lineman also got a Schwank Infrared Grill.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes gave each of his linemen a Hublot watch, as well as a Full Swing KIT (the indoor golf practice tool). Mahomes’s teammates also got Beats Studio Pro headphones, Oakley Meta HSTN AI sunglasses, Rimowa aluminum suitcases and Aventon e-bikes.
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers sent his Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen Can-Am off-roader side-by-sides, off-road ATV vehicles.
Taking to Instagram on Friday, December 26, Brooklyn, 26, and Nicola, 30, shared a joint post, showing off their Christmas together with Nicola’s side of the family.
“We wish everyone a merry christmas and a happy new year filled with so much love, peace and happiness ❤️🎄⭐️, “ they captioned the carousel of photos.
In the series of snaps, the couple cozied up to one another in matching Christmas outfits as they posed in front of a festively decorated Christmas tree.
Several other photos in the collection showed the duo posing with Nicola’s parents, Nelson Peltz, 83, and Claudia Heffner Peltz, 70.
The public appearance of Nicola’s parents on the couple’s Instagram appeared to make the ongoing absence of David, 50, and Victoria, 51, even more glaring for followers.
“Why don’t you show love to the Beckham family?!” questioned one person in the comments section, while another wrote, “I’m surprised you haven’t dropped the surname Beckham because you were all quick to drop the Beckhams.”
The post comes less than a week after Cruz Beckham, 20, accused his older brother Brooklyn of blocking their parents as well as him. (David and Victoria also share son Romeo, 23, and daughter Harper, 14.)
After media reports emerged on December 20 that the former footballer and Spice Girl had “unfollowed” Brooklyn, Cruz hit back at the accusations.
“NOT TRUE,” Cruz wrote alongside a screenshot of Daily Mail’s coverage of the family feud. “My mum and dad would never unfollow their son.. let’s get the facts right. They woke up blocked … as did I.”
In May, David held multiple bashes to celebrate turning 50, but Brooklyn and Nicola were noticeably absent for the milestone birthday. A source subsequently told Us in October that Brooklyn was not interested in fixing his relationship with his family.
“Brooklyn has no interest in mending things at this time,” the insider shared. “He’s really focused on living a peaceful, drama-free life with Nicola. They’ve built their own world together and are very content in it. They want to let things settle naturally rather than trying to fix something that still feels tense.”
Us learned that there is still “a huge rift in the family” that has extended to Brooklyn falling out with his younger brothers.
“The relationships are all still strained,” a source revealed to Us.
When David was knighted by King Charles in November at Windsor Castle, Brooklyn and Nicola were nowhere to be seen. Victoria, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper all attended the ceremony to support David.
Brooklyn and Nicola also skipped the premiere of Victoria’s Netflix documentary in October, while the rest of the Beckham family posed together on the red carpet.
The couple first had issues with his family ahead of — and at — their 2022 wedding. The bride notably did not choose her fashionista mother-in-law to design her gown, and it was later reported that Nicola left her reception in tears after performer Marc Anthony called Victoria the “most beautiful woman in the room.”
Mario Rodriguez, who had a minor role in Perry’s film Boo! A Madea Halloween, filed the lawsuit against the actor and Lionsgate films in California on Thursday, December 25, per Peopleand Page Six.
In the lawsuit Rodriguez reportedly alleged Perry sexually assaulted him and made unwanted advances while promising him future acting roles – claims that Perry’s attorney Alex Spiro described as a “money grab.”
Page Six reported that Rodriguez claimed via the lawsuit that Perry “tightly hugged” him, “reached into Mr. Rodriguez’s underwear” and touched his genitals in a 2018 incident. The pair had reportedly gone to Perry’s home after Perry invited Rodriguez to dinner at Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills, California to chat about a potential role in his series, The Oval.
“Mr. Perry was making sexual moaning noises and saying, ‘Stay here, stay here,’ while he pressed his body against Mr. Rodriguez and continued to grab his penis,” the court papers claimed, per Page Six.
People reported that during one of the alleged unwanted advances, Perry urged Rodriguez to “let it happen” and told him, “If you were to just be with me, I would take care of you….”
According to both outlets, Rodriguez also claimed via the lawsuit that following two incidents of unwanted sexual advances, Perry apologized and paid him $5,000.
Rodriguez, who is seeking $77 million in damages, is being represented by attorney Jonathan J. Delshad. Delshad also represented actor Derek Dixon, who previously made sexual assault allegations against Perry.
“Having recently failed in another matter against Mr. Perry, the very same lawyer has now made yet another demand from more than a decade ago which will also be a failed money grab,” Perry’s attorney Spiro told Us Weekly in a statement on Friday, December 26.
Mario Rodriguez.Photo by John Parra/WireImage)
Posting to his Instagram on December 13, Rodriguez spoke about an unnamed “powerful” director “that everybody knows.” He explained in the post that he felt “scared and ashamed.”
“I stayed quiet for much too long. And I just want to say I’m really sorry, man. Because if I would’ve spoken up sooner I could’ve saved somebody that this probably happened to after me,” he said in the video. “I just wanna say sorry for that, whoever that may be. It could’ve stopped with me if I would’ve said something. … But I’m speaking up now.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Rodriguez’s representatives for comment.
In June, Perry faced a similar lawsuit when Dixon sued Perry and his production company over alleged sexual assault on the set of The Oval. Dixon was seeking $260 million in damages from Perry and his production company.
Perry told the court that actor Dixon’s lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault was “profoundly disappointing, cynical and — most of all — false,” Us Weekly reported in October.
“Dixon invents alleged assaults and encounters that never happened. Mr. Perry never assaulted Dixon or committed any sexual battery. He did not offer Dixon pay raises and shoot Dixon’s television pilot script to threaten, coerce, or control Dixon,” the court filing read.
“Dixon earned through merit alone whatever professional opportunities he received from [Perry and his company],” Perry’s lawyer noted. “And it is notable that in his effort to exploit his friendship and professional relationship with Mr. Perry to obtain a $260 million payday, Dixon was forced to lie not only about Mr. Perry, but himself too.”
Meghan Markleand Prince Harry’s chief publicist, Meredith Maines, is stepping down from her role after one year in the job.
Us Weekly can confirm that Maines will no longer work for the Sussexes in her role as .Chief Communications Officer (CCO), which she began in January. Maines worked in conjunction with US-based PR firm, Method Communications. The Sussexes have cut ties with the consultants after seven months.
“After a year of inspiring work with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Archewell, I will be pursuing a new opportunity in 2026,” Maines said in a statement to Us. I have the utmost gratitude and respect for the couple and the team, and the good work they are doing in the world.”
A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said: “Meredith Maines and Method Communications have concluded their work with Archewell. The Duke and Duchess are grateful for their contributions and wish them well.”
Meanwhile, a source praised Maines’ skills, exclusively telling Us on Friday, December 26 that Maines is “best in class.”
“Anyone who has worked with Meredith knows she’s best in class — she’s no nonsense, highly strategic and has done it all. They’ve accomplished a ton over the past year and it’s time for what’s next,” the source said.
In May, Forbes reported that Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, added Method Communications to their communications team as they continued to grow their careers and community efforts.
“Chief Communications Officer Meredith Maines has retained the global firm Method Communications to bolster her team overseeing the growing business portfolio and philanthropic efforts of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” a spokesperson for the royals told the outlet at the time. “Method is an integrated PR and marketing agency specializing in high-growth tech and consumer brands. The Sussex team also recently welcomed Emily Robinson as Director of Communications. Method is serving as an extension of that team.”
“Ms. Robinson oversaw project-based work for a very successful season of With Love, Meghan and additional support for the production company,” a spokesperson for the Duchess of Sussex told Us Weekly in a statement on October 24. “She did an excellent job and completed these projects with great success.”
Robinson joined Meghan and husband Prince Harry’s team in June after a previous stint doing publicity for Netflix. The Times of London and People reported that Robinson left on her own accord.
In June, there was another staff shakeup when it was reported by multiple outlets that four team members had parted ways with the Sussexes.
Meghan has been accused in the past of being difficult to work for.The Times of London reported in 2021 that the Suits alum had allegedly bullied and reduced staff members to tears at Kensington Palace. In August 2024, NewsNation claimed Meghan and Harry had lost 18 employees between their time in the U.K. and the U.S. (they launched Archewell Foundation in 2020), with a source blaming an “unbearable” and “condescending” Meghan for the “churn and burn” rate.
However, several former and current staff members denied these reports. Speaking to Us in September 2024, former head of content Ben Browning, who secured the couple’s Harry & Meghan documentary Netflix prior to his exit in 2023, described his experience working for the couple as “positive and supportive.”
He added, “We all continue to be friends. The narratives we’ve seen suggesting the contrary are untrue.”
Longtime NFL reporter Jay Morrison received an outpouring of support following the untimely death of his wife of 32 years, Nicki Morrison, at age 57 in December 2025.
The Sports Illustrated journalist revealed on December 22, 2025, that his family was taking Nicki off life support due to a “catastrophic turn” during a “routine medical procedure.”
“We will be saying our final goodbyes and removing her from the machines,” he tweeted that same day. “My heart is shattered, and my world is obliterated.”
Following Nicki’s death, her family shared more information about her support for the LGBTQ+ community and her “greatest and proudest life’s work” as a mother of two children, son Braden Morrison and daughter Veda Morrison Reister.
Keep scrolling to learn more about Nicki’s life and explore how her death impacted the sports media world.
Who Was Nicki Morrison?
Nicki Morrison was born on July 25, 1968, in Dayton, Ohio, according to her obituary. She graduated from Fairmont High School in Kettering, Ohio, and later studied organizational communications at Ohio University.
She met her future husband, Sports Illustrated writer Jay Morrison, while they were attending Ohio University. They were married for 32 years.
Nicki pursued a career as an artwork specialist and digital solutions manager through her work with World Color, SGK and Procter and Gamble.
Aside from her work, Nicki’s family revealed in her obituary that she “loved planning parties and she usually was the party.” Nicki founded the Palmerfest block parties in her adopted hometown of Athens, Ohio, when Ohio University “tried to squelch its annual spring party by banning beer sales.”
“Nicki also leaves behind an enormous network of friends who loved her deeply and counted her as family,” her family said. “She was the one people turned to for advice because she listened with her heart as well as her ears. She not only was an elite gift giver of both the sentimental and hilarious varieties, she WAS a gift to everyone who knew her – and a few who didn’t.”
Did Nicki Morrison Have Children?
Nicki Morrison and her husband Jay Morrison shared two children: daughter Veda Morrison Reister and son Braden Morrison.
In Nicki’s obituary, her family described motherhood as her “greatest and proudest life’s work” and credited her for “nurturing, protecting, celebrating and loving” her children with “every cell in her heart.”
Nicki’s family also noted her “fierce [advocacy] for the LGBTQ+ community,” which included celebrating her daughter Vera’s wedding to her wife, Bethany, in May 2025.
Jay Morrison, Nicki MorrisonCourtesy of Jay Morrison/Facebook
“It was one of the happiest and proudest days of Nicki’s life,” Jay exclusively told Us Weekly on December 23, 2025.
Nicki’s family added in her obituary, “[Nicki] universally supported all human rights with the spirit of a warrior and soul of a chaplain. She knew how to make people laugh – and think. Her voice was a song and her life a dance.”
How Did Nicki Morrison Die?
Nicki Morrison’s husband, Jay Morrison, broke the news via X on December 22, 2025, that she was being taken off life support. Jay explained that Nicki had been hospitalized for “a routine medical procedure” on December 19, 2025, that “turned catastrophic.”
“She has been on life support since, waiting on organ recipient matches, her final gift in a magnificently beautiful and selfless life,” Jay wrote via X. “We will be saying our final goodbyes and removing her from the machines. My heart is shattered, and my world is obliterated.”
Nicki died at the Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati on December 22, 2025.
Because Nicki was an organ donor, Jay later shared video footage of his wife on her “Honor Walk” at the hospital. (An “Honor Walk” is held for people on life support with no chance for survival who have chosen to donate their organs following their death. As they are wheeled into the operating room for organ procurement, hospital staff and family line the hospital hallways to show their support for the person performing a potentially life-saving act for organ recipients.)
“We said our goodbyes to Nicki last night in the most appropriately meaningful way, with a hero’s Honor Walk,” Jay revealed via X on December 23.
Jay warned his followers that the “Honor Walk” may be “hard to watch” because of the “state” Nicki was in before the procedure.
“We are sharing it in order to help bring awareness and positivity to the beautiful act of organ donation,” he noted. “True to her selfless spirit and soul until the very end, she will be giving people she never met the greatest of Christmas gifts.”
Will Nicki Morrison Have a Funeral?
Jay Morrison confirmed on December 22, 2025, that his family decided not to have a traditional funeral for Nicki Morrison.
“For those of you who know me personally and may want to pay respects, there will not be a funeral,” Jay clarified via X. “It’s something we talked about a lot a few months ago when my mom passed.”
The journalist went on, “Instead, there will be celebration of life once my daughter, son and I can compose ourselves enough to plan a party worthy enough of the most beautiful, caring, bad-ass rocker chick I’ve been proud to share a life with for 37 years.”
In Nicki’s obituary — published on December 26, 2025 — her family confirmed that they were planning “a Celebration of Life in the coming weeks that will be the kind of party she loved … and deserved.”
How Has the Sports World Reacted to Nicki Morrison’s Death?
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor shouted out the Morrison family during a press conference on December 22, 2025. (Jay Morrison works as a Bengals beat reporter for Sports Illustrated and has covered the NFL for nearly 30 years.)
“Jay, as you all know, is one of the greatest guys in this business,” Taylor told reporters. “Thoughts and prayers with him and his family and I hate that he’s got to go through that. I know we’re all here for him, so I just wanted to make sure that he knows that and his family knows that.”
Nicki and Jay’s daughter, Veda Morrison Reister, later publicly thanked the coach for his thoughtful words.
“Very cool of Zac to send my dad a personal message yesterday morning and even more touching for him to make these comments publicly,” Veda wrote via Facebook on December 23, 2025.
The Morrisons also received condolences from many of Jay’s fellow NFL beat reporters too.
“Jay, my heart breaks for you and your family,” Cleveland Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot replied via X. “Praying for all of you. She will be with all of you forever. What a tremendous blessing and gift she has been, and will continue to be. God bless.”
Cincinnati Bengals beat reporter Kelsey Conway also reached out by writing via X: “We are all so sad for you and your family. You and Nicki are the epitome of a great couple. Sending you and your family prayers and strength at this incredibly difficult time. 🙏”
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