I covered Prime Day then performed at the ballet after — my 11 survival products
I'm a writer at the New York Post, a Juilliard-trained violinist, and a three-time marathon runner. At times, my life can feel…a little full.
And as a commerce writer, I've tested thousands of products, but today I'm sharing my unadulterated thoughts and the beloved products that have seen me through hell and back.
This past week, as Prime Day took over everyone's carts and my calendar, I found myself thinking about just how extreme this balance is. Because while the world sees Prime Day as a chance to score deals and move on, for me, as a commerce writer, it's a high-stakes sprint. Weeks of prep, early-morning call times, and 10- to 12-hour writing days that start around 4 a.m.
Advertisement
During this time, brands compete for the best discounts, and we track every flash sale, algorithmic shift, and surprise restock like we're trading on the floor of the NYSE. I wish that were an exaggeration, but I'm as serious as calling my 55-pound Sheepadoodle back during off-leash hour at the park. We're talking hands-on-hips serious.
Nate Williams
But the madness doesn't stop when I log off. That's when my second life begins.
Most days, I squeeze in a break to run four miles because marathon habits die hard, and then write 1,000 words on the thriller I've been writing as part of an 80-day 1st draft challenge I've been publicly documenting on Instagram to hold myself accountable.
And yes, I know it sounds like a full day's work, but then, I run down to Lincoln Center to perform with the American Ballet Theatre. I am a violinist for some of the most legendary dancers this world has ever seen: Skylar Brandt, Catherine Hurlin, Herman Cornejo to name a few of my faves (but also the iconic Misty Copeland in a legendary hall: the Metropolitan Opera House).
It's exhilarating, exhausting, and makes life a little more beautiful. And in a world filled with chaos and despair at every turn, isn't that worth striving for?
People always ask me how I keep it all together. And the truth is, I really don't, I just have a very patient husband and loving dog who support me every step of the way. But I also have products I rely on for survival mode, and it gives me so much joy to share them with you. I know you'll enjoy as much as I do!
Cozy Earth
When I'm not styled to the nines in the office, I wear this PJ set as my off-duty uniform. It's so soft and hangs on my skin with a comforting weight, but since it's made from viscose, it's also cooling. Plus, it's available in inclusive sizing from XS to XXXL.
Save an additional 35% with our exclusive coupon code: NYPOST.
Amazon
I love ending my day with a good book instead of mindlessly scrolling through my phone. Clémence Michallon is the bestselling author of The Quiet Tenant, which I enjoyed immensely. If one can say that about a serial killer book?
I highly recommend picking up a copy of her newest release, Our Last Resort, to slip away for a much-needed vacation. Don't worry, your life will be there when you get back.
Michallon has a beautiful way of writing with such vivid detail that it feels like you've stepped into the pages; everything she writes is a must-read.
CozyEarth
It's the next best thing to having a dog, weighted, cushy, and so comforting, I want to snuggle in it all day, even in the summer with the AC blasting. I look forward to it after work, and honestly, I'll probably buy a new one every year for the rest of my life. It really is that good! CozyEarth, please never stop making it.
Save an additional 15% with this coupon code: COZYDAYS
Roborock
I never cared about vacuums at all until I started writing for The Post. That's when my vacuum testing journey began, and this robot quickly became a standout. It's saved me hours cleaning my apartment. I just tell Google to activate 'Winston' (yes, I named him), and he gets to work, vacuuming and mopping while I write, practice violin, or head out for a gig. You can read my full review to see how he performs and judge for yourself.
I have this laptop for work at The Post, but if you can splurge on one for yourself, I highly recommend it. It's a great way to reset the brain and not be bothered by work on off-work hours. I love my Apple MacBook Air because of its lightweight, which makes it easy to travel with and take to a coffee shop or park to finish out my word count.
Unagi
Owning a scooter has saved me so much time; I no longer have to wait for public transportation or pay for every swipe. There are tons of options on Amazon, and with fast, free shipping for Prime members, they're well worth the investment. Just think how much you'll save in the long run, I know I have.
Emma Sutton-Williams
Marcella
I love this dress because I often find myself in the office, but also performing at Lincoln Center. It's very hard to find a dress that can go from day to night, but the midi length of this makes it easy for me to do a round trip to home and back only once. And it's under $100!
INEZ
Hear me out. These shoes are three and a half inches tall, and yes, that normally sounds like a horrible idea, but they make me look like a supermodel and actually feel really comfortable. I would never lie to you about this, and I will be honest: I did lie to my third-grade teacher. However, I'm a changed woman.
Emma Sutton-Williams
I also own these shoes in a 2.5-inch height for walking around and running errands, but the 3.5-inch height is better suited for shows and fancy events. INEZ shoes are handmade in Spain and will treat you right. Be gentle with the soft leather, as it can wear easily if handled roughly.
OZLO Sleepbuds
If I'm going to get through these long days, I need sleep desperately. As much as I adore my husband, he can be a loud sleeper with snoring that will kiss my sweet ZZZs goodbye. I love to turn on my book at night or listen to ambient waterfalls to help me off to sleep.
These noise-canceling headphones block unwanted noises like snoring and horns. They also turn off your podcast or music when you fall asleep and use a gentle alarm in your ear to wake you. These headphones sense when you fall asleep and then switch off your preferred streaming service to play built-in soundscapes instead, including babbling brooks and deep brown masking noise.
Emma Sutton-Williams
The price is a little steep, but if you struggle with getting solid shut-eye, they're worth the investment. Read my full review here.
Amazon
As I've stated, I'm a reader right before bed, but I also read in the Broadway pits between rests while performing. It's an ar,t but I am really good at multitasking. But I will say it can be very dark, so I keep my reading light with me to pull me through the long days and keep my spirits high. It has soft, warm light and rarely needs to be charged.
I've tried a lot of running shoes, but the Brooks Women's Glycerin 21 has been one of my go-to shoes recently. It has enough cushion to help me cover lots of miles in a day while still being structured with lots of support from heel to toe.
If you're just getting into running or have years under your belt, I highly recommend giving these a try. And since running shoes need to be replaced regularly once the cushioning wears down, why not make these your next six-month go-to?
This article was written by Emma Sutton-Williams, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter and resident fashionista. Emma is one of the best-dressed ladies in The Post's office, and also known for finding an unbelievable deal on any one of her stylish outfits. Divulging on everything from the most-popular and most-underrated purse brands to her honest thoughts on Kim Kardashian's Skims undergarments and apparel, Emma has cultivated an eye for style and an expertise for identifying the clothes and accessories worth your coin. At the same time, she proudly models the products she picks so you can see their fit and function first-hand. Emma has been creating shopping guides for The Post since 2024, and previously held bylines in Rolling Stone, Oprah Daily, Parents, InStyle, StyleCaster and more.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
16 minutes ago
- New York Post
Country singer Conner Smith cancels shows as he faces misdemeanor in fatal Nashville crash
In the wake of a tragic accident that left a 77-year-old woman dead, rising country music star Conner Smith has been issued a misdemeanor citation for failure to yield, resulting in a fatality. The 24-year-old artist, who was behind the wheel during the deadly Nashville crash in June, took to social media to break his silence as he grieved and mourned the loss of Dorothy Dobbins. Advertisement 'Four weeks ago, I was involved in a tragic vehicle accident that resulted in the loss of a life,' Smith penned in an Instagram post on July 11. 'Not a day has gone by that I haven't grieved, prayed, and mourned for Ms. Dobbins and her family.' The 'Creek Will Rise' singer leaned on his faith as he expressed the emotional toll of the accident. 'My heart is broken in a way I've never experienced, and I still struggle to fully process the weight of it all,' he wrote. 'I ask that you continue to lift the Dobbins family up in prayer by name, asking for God's peace to surround them each day.' 3 Country music singer Conner Smith took to social media after the Nashville car crash he was in last month, which killed Dorothy Dobbins. Getty Images for Big Machine Label Group Advertisement In the aftermath of the accident, Smith made the decision to cancel multiple shows in Ohio. He explained that he needed time to grieve and focus on his emotional well-being. While he pointed out that performing has often served as a source of healing for him, he acknowledged that this moment required him to take a step back. 'Out of respect for everyone involved and to give space for grieving, I made the decision to step away from shows these past few weeks. I have always found that making music and playing shows is a place of healing for me – but for this moment, it was important for me to take time away. 3 'My heart is broken in a way I've never experienced, and I still struggle to fully process the weight of it all,' Smith wrote. 'I ask that you continue to lift the Dobbins family up in prayer by name.' Getty Images for Big Machine Label Group Advertisement Smith, who has been open about his faith and how it's shaped his response to the tragedy, continued to reflect on how God's presence has helped him through this difficult time. 'I'm thankful to serve a God who is near to the brokenhearted, and I have leaned on Him every step of the way,' Smith wrote. 'Through tragedy, I have learned that God is more faithful than I could have ever known before.' The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) issued Smith a misdemeanor citation Thursday for failure to yield, resulting in a fatality. 3 Smith cancelled his shows in Ohio to grieve and focus on his emotional well-being following the crash. Getty Images for Stagecoach Advertisement Smith's attorney released a statement to Fox News Digital, expressing the country singer's deep gratitude for the MNPD's careful investigation. The statement additionally highlighted Smith's ongoing commitment to supporting Dobbins' family while working to prevent future tragedies. 'Conner is incredibly grateful to the MNPD for their time and efforts to carefully investigate this tragic accident and has continued to cooperate at all times,' the statement read. 'His thoughts remain with Ms. Dobbins' family, and he remains committed to honoring her memory with compassion by supporting efforts to improve pedestrian safety and help prevent future tragedies.' Last month, Smith struck and killed Dobbins, who was crossing the street near her home when the incident occurred. He was driving a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck when he hit the elderly woman as she was crossing the street in downtown Nashville, according to a press release shared by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department at the time. Dobbins was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she died.
Buzz Feed
26 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
Star Amerasu Is The Space-Age It Girl Who's Turning Chaos Into Comedy
If you're looking for the new It girl who can do everything from acting, directing, composing, DJing and writing, Star Amerasu is your girl. Star is best known for her Immersive DJ sets and intergalactic online series, 2099. She blends futuristic vibes with current issues to make it easily digestible for people to see how wild our futures could be, and how those in power can make these things happen. She channels the spirit of Marsha P. Johnson in her work, aiming to create art that not only entertains but also uplifts and informs. With so much chaos in the world, Star's presence feels like a breath of fresh air. Star is starting a new chapter with a variety show called A Journey With Star Amerasu. The show features live music, comedy sketches, and celebrity guests. We sat down with her to talk about the new show, the state of the world, and why wigs are the key to her funniest characters. What can you tell us about your new show, A Journey With Star Amerasu? I wrote a show; it's kind of like a sketch comedy. I'm harkening back to the '70s when everyone had a variety show with a bit of a modern twist. There are TV shows like Carol Burnett. I were obsessed with Carol Burnett as a young person, and my mum used to order the tapes off the TV, so I was inspired by that when I created my show. You blend live music, comedy and celebrity interviews in the new show. Where did the idea for all of this come from? Well, the show's changed a bit – the interviews aren't like straight-on interviews, it's just a little bit different and unique, without giving too much away. It's like a synthesis of all the things that I've learned in the entertainment industry. Because, you know, I started working a long time ago, making music primarily, and I made a soundtrack to a film, which was like my first foray into being a professional artist. So, I felt like I was just thrown into it, and I did a lot of theatre when I was 22. I was in a Jeremy O'Harris play, the play was called NORF. I feel like those experiences really shaped me. How I view my artistry now, and now that I feel like I'm more in control of my narrative. I'm just trying to find ways to say things about society and wrap them in like a silly goofy package and be myself. What do you want people to take from the show? I want people to know that every person out here is trying to do their best under oppressive forces, and I think that a lot of comedy comes from reality, and I've gotten the note that some of my Instagram stories feel dark, which is so funny to me because I'm just like, "Have you looked outside?" Girl, like its actually dark, especially right now, like I'm in LA and I was downtown two days ago, it was scary – like four cops were driving through the streets with their sirens blazing, and it's like right now we are living under military takeover in certain parts of the city. So, I think when you make a dystopian comedy, in my mind, the reality that we have is dystopian, and I'm just trying to process that. I think it's really fucked up that the idea of like having such an intense immigration process and trying to like capture people is reminiscent of when the police originally started as slave catchers. And that is like what's happening again. Round people up, catch them, turn them in, and make them work. Could you give us a little hint on what celebrities might be making an appearance on the show? There's nothing confirmed; we're keeping it under wraps. I have friends whom I might tap, and who are willing to be a part of my journey, because it is a journey with Star. You centre a lot of your work online around space. What does this theme mean to you? Octavia Butler is an inspiration of mine, and she has a series where it's like post-apocalyptic Earth, and then the aliens come and save people, but the aliens were capturing people. That's something that fascinated me. I also watched a lot of Star Trek, and when I say a lot, I mean I've watched all of the Next Gen. I'm a big we're nerd, and so I love space, and I love the ideas of the future where we're sort of past Earth's chaos. Your TikToks and reels are funny, but are also packed with unsettling truths about the future. How do you choose what to focus on, and do you consciously balance humour with social commentary, or does that happen naturally? It's like what Mary Poppins said: a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. So, I feel like it's kind of giving that. You must package things in a way that people can digest them, especially as a Black trans woman. I think there's a fatigue of yelling at people like that. When Black Lives Matter was big in 2020, that sort of modality of like we could say 'you guys are fucked up' and 'this is fucked up' to people, and they were willing to listen and accept it. I feel like things have shifted right, so currently the issues that are more present in the news cycle are like immigration – in the states and in the UK – and anti-Blackness is still a thing, like anti-Blackness is still a huge issue all around the globe, and it's like moved to the back burner. So I think, as a Black woman making art, I've realised that I'm not the kind of a yelling at people artist, it doesn't work for me. I found a way to package a message through humour, because I feel it's easier for people to accept that message from me in a way, because our society is messed up, honestly. You're going on a Pride tour this summer. How does your set change depending on where you are? I just did LA Pride, they booked me to do 2099 live and so I made it, we had a video of pandemia playing in the party and me interacting with the video, So I integrated like the video to the club, I think for my other performances this month, I might bring a little bit of shenanigans and sound clips and bites into my DJ sets and definitely wear the wigs because a lot my characters come from wigs. I just feel like I'm in my silly, goofy, girly era, and it's an opportunity to be silly in San Francisco Pride. They booked me to do like a pride Stand-up comedy thing, and I'm gonna go on a rant about contemporary culture and sort of insular LGBT+ issues. Because my question for society is 'What's going on with the twinks?' and that is the question I'm asking society right now. That's a big question, and that's something I'm addressing in my stand-up. The internet can be both a catalyst to success and a harsh critic. How do you navigate visibility, especially as a Black trans artist? The bitches love to try to bully me. I realised that it's not just my issue, it's kind of like an everybody issue; we live in a weird bully culture. Well, that's because our governments have become even more bullies, I think it's become normalised to be an asshole to people, so I try not to be. I'm realising that I have a lot of power in just being nice to people. So that's my tea. But I feel like I've learned now to just not take it personally; when people comment on my Instagram or TikTok, honestly, these people cannot put an idea together, and I can put many ideas together and get shot done. So that's what helps me sleep at night, and that's why they are haters. And in fact, I will say this. I pray for them, and I wish them well, as I rise in success and fame, and I get all the possibilities of my heart's desires. How has your online popularity affected your artistic practice, especially your music? I would say that I've always been kind of silly. My birthday is Fool's Day, and so I feel like I've internalised that in everything I do. You know I'm a sickening DJ and I've been a DJ for many years, and so what I've learned recently is the idea that the internet shows people videos of me being funny, but they don't necessarily know that I've been an artist for super long time and vice versa. Some people who have known me as a musician and an artist are like, 'Oh, my God! I didn't know that you were like an actress. I didn't know that you could do all these things,' and I'm like, 'I'm happy I'm showing all aspects of myself now' so everyone will see. In what ways do you see yourself continuing Marsha P. Johnson's activism and creativity through your music and visual art? The thing we do as a community is we put these people on a pedestal and kind of view them as an idea versus an actual person. So, what I'm realising is that this lady was doing her thing. Theres a quote in this book where she's talking about how her reason, why she feels like she's alive on earth was to bring happiness to people and that God brought her down after WW2 as an angel of joy for people on earth and I think that like that is such a good way to view being alive on earth. Life is fucked up, but my vibe is also trying to find the mirth and all of it, and my defiance is not letting the world take my joy from me, even if it's just like one act, you know, like how easy it is to smile at somebody, or you know. Tell somebody like, 'Hey, like your skirt is cute today', 'girl, you're serving 'Hi, diva'!' That could save somebody's life. You don't know. With everything going on politically right now, how do you protect your joy? Log off. I log off, and I go on a walk, and you know, sometimes walking isn't for everyone. But for sure, you can go outside and get some fresh air. A lot of us are online chronically; that's why we're so stressed out. Sometimes you gotta be like: you know what, today is not the day to be on this computer and my phone, I'm just gonna not do it. And watch if I need, if I must be plugged into something, just watch some old TV shows that make you feel happy. When the world becomes too much, I'm just like, okay, bye, girl, I'm just gonna sit and like veg out. What are the types of things people can do to advocate for those who don't have a voice? Start talking. I feel like what people don't realise is that interpersonal relationships are more political than they think. Everything's not online – not everything needs to be like I'm standing up for the rights of these people. It's like, girl. Do you have a friend? Or do you know somebody? A trans person who needs support, you could help them: it doesn't need to be like I'm gonna wear a protective T-shirt, it could be actually at my job, where we're hiring, and I know that there's a Trans girl who's working at the club – maybe I should help her find another avenue to make her rent. Those kinds of things, or like you know, I just got an inheritance, I should donate to this girl's mutual Aid fund, she looks like she needs it. Like, I don't think that people realise how easy it is to directly impact people that they might pass in life. There are real people in real life who need help. With everything going on in America and the UK surrounding being trans, can you talk about the importance of visibility for Black trans creatives today, and how you hope your work contributes to that? I don't get the hoopla. I think Trans people are super cool, like don't you think it's freaking cool how malleable the human body is?! Why is this not a science thing like, we have all this science and technology – that's freaking fab. I look at myself and I think to myself, that's wild. I transitioned when I was 19 years old, and look at me now: I just love how I look. I love everything about my body. I'm like, that's so awesome, and every time I see trans people, I think, 'Wow', that is very interesting and very cool. I can't imagine how much more technology could advance in the next 20-40 years. It's like we should just be fascinated with humanity and the growth that humanity can achieve, versus focusing on one group of people that's probably less than 5% of the population all around the world. Also, I'm like, well, there must be something magical about this percentage of people that people are trying to legislate them to disappear, that's so freaking weird. I just think that we are a group of people on Earth that have access to something that other people don't. Some can't handle it, and I feel bad for them. So, my thing for other trans people is just to really settle into the idea that it's okay that people don't get you, and it's not okay for them to try to erase you. It would be impossible for them to. We just have to keep pushing forward. That's all I can say, because it doesn't make any sense to me.'
Buzz Feed
31 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
Famous Actors Who Dumped Their Spouses For Costars
In late 2016, Ewan McGregor — who had been married to Eve Mavrakis for 22 years — joined the cast of FX's third season of Fargo, playing the dual role of the Stussy brothers, one of whom was lovers with Nikki, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who was also married. Well, life imitated art as photos emerged in October 2017 of McGregor and Winstead kissing and getting cuddly at a London restaurant. The previous May, McGregor had separated from his wife (though they were still legally married), and — wouldn't you know it? — that same month, Winstead announced the end of her marriage. It's unknown if McGregor and Winstead's relationship began, shall we May, or if they just developed a strong, non-intimate bond on either way there was a lot of drama online in the immediate aftermath of the couple being publicly outed. McGregor's then-22-year-old daughter Clara called Winstead a "piece of trash" on Instagram, but, in an interview with the Times, said it wasn't her "finest moment," adding, "It wasn't the right way to go about things, but it's a hard thing to wrap your head around when you feel you had this idea of what the family unit is and then to have that shift. It's very weird." Mavrakis, meanwhile, appeared to respond to a different Instagram comment which read: "I can't believe Ewan would end things with u for that cheap (expletive)! U are so much better than him!!!! Take him for every penny u can!!!!" by replying: "What can I do?" Winstead's ex-husband was also reported by British tabloids to have posted angrily about the split, although Riley Stearns strongly denied writing the message, saying he'd been hacked or that the image of the message circulating online (reading: "Fuck the woman of my dreams behind my back, will ya? @mewins @mscregor_ewan You're FUCKING dead…") had been photoshopped. All drama aside, McGregor and Winstead have since married and welcomed a son, and last year, when McGregor received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, his daughters, Winstead, and their son were all by his side. Want to hear how a Lifetime movie launched one of the most scandalous affairs of the late 2000s? Well, that's what happened when LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian met filming Northern Lights in 2008. At the time, Rimes (the singer and actor) was married to dancer Dean Sheremet, and Third Watch star Cibrian was married to Brandi Glanville, who would later channel the fallout into a Real Housewives career. The affair started on set — with kisses caught on a restaurant security camera, according to US magazine — and was obvious to Sheremet when he visited. He said, "There was this bar that everyone hung out at after set and I remember coming down the stairs and seeing the two of them shooting pool together. I could just tell by the body language that everything had changed. My stomach dropped... I literally felt like I got hit." Glanville, meanwhile, slashed the tires of Cibrian's motorcycles, and then, writing for Glamour, said, "My heartache probably lasted a lot longer than it should have, because in the old days, you broke up with someone, you never saw me again. You're not seeing pictures of how in love they are. I started to drink too much. I would cry all day. I began taking an antidepressant. I got a DUI and realized I needed to wake up and let go. I said to myself, 'You know what, Brandi? You have a life to live. Why are you obsessing over these two people?'" By 2009, Rimes and Cibrian had separated from their spouses, finalizing divorces the following year. The backlash was brutal, especially for Rimes, who'd built her career as a sweet country ingénue, and was suddenly painted in a negative light. She later told People, "I did one of the most selfish things that I possibly could do, in hurting someone else. I take responsibility for everything I've done. I hate that people got hurt, but I don't regret the outcome." Despite the scandalous start, their love has are still married today. Let's continue with a wild one (even if it didn't break up a marriage). In the late '90s, Billy Bob Thornton and Laura Dern were in a serious relationship and even lived together. But then Thornton was cast alongside Angelina Jolie in the air traffic controller comedy Pushing Tin. While filming, Thornton and the nearly 20 years younger Jolie hit it off, and in May 2000, they married in Vegas in a move that shocked everyone, but no one more than Laura Dern. She told Talk magazine, "I left our home to work on a movie (likely the Hallmark movie A Season for Miracles) and while I was away, my boyfriend got married. I've never heard from him again. It's like a sudden death. You don't get to mourn or negotiate." Meanwhile, the Thornton-Jolie relationship They wore vials of each other's blood around their necks, made out on red carpets (and bragged about having sex in the limo on the way over), and gave interviews that made even hardened publicists need a vacation. The couple divorced in 2003. As for Dern, she went on to win an Oscar for Marriage Story, star in Big Little Lies, and become pretty universally beloved. She also married (and later divorced) musician Ben Harper, with whom she has two kids. You'd think Jolie would've sworn off romances with taken costars after her experience with Thornton, but in 2004, she met Brad Pitt — who was married to Friends icon Jennifer Aniston — on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Rumors immediately swirled about an on-set affair, but Jolie and Pitt denied them, insisting they were just costars who got along well. Hmmm. However, just months after Pitt and Aniston announced their separation in January 2005 after five years of marriage, Pitt and Jolie were filmed on a beach in Kenya with Maddox, her adopted son. The stars, of course, would marry and have six kids together. Did Aniston buy Pitt's claim that he didn't cheat on her before they separated? "I choose to believe my husband," she told Vanity Fair at the time. "At this point, I wouldn't be surprised by anything, but I would much rather choose to believe him." Aniston's Friends costar and IRL pal Courteney Cox also told Vanity Fair, "I don't think he started an affair physically, but I think he was attracted to her. There was a connection, and he was honest about that with Jen. Most of the time, when people are attracted to other people, they don't tell. At least he was honest about it. It was an attraction that he fought for a period of time." Pitt and Jolie were together for over a decade, but divorced just two years after tying the knot following a dramatic airplane incident where Jolie alleged that an inebriated Pitt physically accosted her and the children. Pitt, for his part, denies he got physical with his family. Regardless, the marriage was over. In 2002, The Devil Wears Prada star Stanley Tucci costarred with Edie Falco (you know, from The Sopranos) on Broadway in the play Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune which required them to be naked onstage, portraying people who had just had a sexual encounter. But the nudity, it seems, didn't stay onstage. Rumors grew that the stars were having a real-life affair, and soon after, Tucci separated from Kate Spath, his wife since 1995, with whom he shared three children. Whatever was going on with Tucci and Falco didn't last, though, and Tucci reconciled with his wife. Falco later addressed the affair with the New York Times, saying, "We were together and then we broke up. Because there's no way for that to be a good thing. He's a lovely man, and he's back with his wife and kids, and I'm thrilled." Other than that, neither Tucci nor Falco has spoken about their affair. Sadly, Spath died of breast cancer in 2009 at age 47. In 2003, Billy Crudup — the star of Almost Famous and The Morning Show — was eight years into a relationship with Mary-Louise Parker (you know, from Weeds), who was pregnant with their first child. But when the 35-year-old actor stepped onto the set of Stage Beauty and met his 24-year-old costar Claire Danes, well, by now so you know what happened. Soon Crudup left his seven-month pregnant partner, and Danes, for good measure, left her boyfriend, Australian musician Ben Lee. As you can imagine, Crudup's leaving a woman pregnant with his child for a much younger woman wasn't popular, and both Crudup and Danes took a lot of hits in the public eye. In a 2015 Howard Stern interview, Danes addressed the scandal, saying, 'I was just in love with him and needed to explore that, and I was 24... I didn't quite know what those consequences would be... But it's OK...I went through it.' Crudup, meanwhile, was asked to comment about the gossip in a 2004 New York Times interview. He wrote to the reporter: "First and foremost, it is personal, painful and involves an infant, and does not deserve to be exploited to sate the appetites of circulation counters and bored readers. I have never indulged our society's misguided notion that my personal life is relevant to my work, so any reporting surrounding that is necessarily hearsay, speculation or fantasy. Each published report is based only on the trade of suffering." Crudup and Danes broke up in 2006, and Danes met her now husband Hugh Dancy that same year. She and Dancy have been together for 19 years and have three children. Crudup is also now in a long-term relationship, married to actor Naomi Watts, whom he met in 2016. And if you're wondering about Mary-Louise Parker, she has maintained a dignified silence on the experience for the sake of her son, William (yes, named after Billy), who is now 21 and a filmmaker. She added a second child to her family in 2007, adopting a baby girl, Caroline. And lastly, let's go back in time for one of the most infamous Hollywood scandals ever. In the early 1960s, 20th Century Fox set out to make Cleopatra, a lavish historical epic starring Elizabeth Taylor as the Egyptian queen. If you've heard about it today, it's likely because it was a runaway production that ended up the most expensive movie ever made at the time, costing the equivalent of nearly $500 million today. But what really blew up wasn't the budget — it was the affair that exploded on set. When shooting began in Rome, Taylor was married to singer Eddie Fisher, and her costar, Richard Burton, who played Mark Antony, was married to actor Sybil Williams. The two had CHEMISTRY playing onscreen lovers, and according to director Joseph L. Mankiewicz, the chemistry wasn't just for the cameras. He reportedly warned producer Walter Wanger: "Liz and Burton are not just playing Antony and Cleopatra." By spring 1962, the tabloids smelled blood in the water, and confirmed the rumored romance when paparazzi (yes, they were causing trouble back then, too!) photographed Taylor and Burton canoodling on a yacht off the coast of Ischia. Both marriages fell apart in short time. Sybil Williams filed for divorce, citing "abandonment and cruel and inhumane treatment." And Fisher, who had infamously left his wife Debbie Reynolds for Taylor just a few years earlier, got to see what it felt like. (Side note: Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds were the parents of Carrie Fisher, aka Princess Leia.)Taylor and Burton went on to marry in 1964, divorce in 1974, remarry in 1975 (!!!), and finally called it quits for good in 1976. Taylor once said about their relationship: "When you are in love and lust like that… you just grab it with both hands and ride out the storm." Well, OK then.
