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New York Post
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Jason Sudeikis breaks silence on uncle George Wendt's death
Jason Sudeikis is honoring his late uncle George Wendt. The veteran actor, who was known for playing the iconic Norm Peterson on 'Cheers' for all 11 seasons, from 1982 to 1993, died May 20 at age 76 in his sleep. Nearly two weeks later, Sudeikis, 49, spoke about Wendt's death for the first time at the Big Slick 2025 kickoff in Kansas City over the weekend. Advertisement 15 Jason Sudeikis at day 1 of the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend in Kansas City on May 30. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock 15 Jason Sudeikis and George Wendt in 2014. GC Images 'With regard to my uncle George, there's that saying, 'don't meet your heroes… usually cause they let you down,' I assume is the back half of that statement. But he's not one of those people,' the 'Ted Lasso' star said during a news conference at the event. Advertisement 'He's as fun and kind and as warm as any character he played on television or in films,' Sudeikis continued about Wendt. 'He was an incredible influence to me, both as someone that plays the trail being from the Midwest and teaching me that acting was a career you could actually have, and it's also a career where you could meet the love of your life like his wife, and AKA permanent girlfriend, Bernadette.' 15 Jason Sudeikis speaks on stage at the 2025 Big Slick Weekend. Getty Images 'He also always kept connected to his family and to his roots both both in Chicago where he's from, and from the time he spent here going to Rockhurst college and to a bar named Mike's a whole bunch where I think he logged maybe 18 credit hours,' Sudeikis joked. 'But it was all for preparation of a job that we all know him for on 'Cheers,' and all time well spent. But yeah, we miss him greatly and I love him dearly.' Sudeikis is hosting the benefit event to raise money for Children's Mercy Hospital. He sweetly wore a jersey with Wendt's last name on the back and the number 76 (Wendt's age at death) at the celebrity softball game. Advertisement 15 Jason Sudeikis honors George Wendt at the celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium during the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend. Getty Images 15 Jason Sudeikis reps his late uncle at the Big Slick celebrity softball game. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock 15 Jason Sudeikis participates in 2025 Big Slick Weekend. Getty Images Sudeikis and Wendt have always been close, with 'The George Wendt Show' star gushing over the 'Ted Lasso' actor's career in 2024. Advertisement 'It was Letterman or Conan, he said, 'Did your uncle George have any advice for you?'' Wendt recalled on the 'Still Here Hollywood' podcast. 'And Jason goes — he's so sharp — he goes, 'Yeah he told me just get on the best show on television and one of the greatest shows of all time and just pretty much take it from there.' And he goes, 'So I did.'' 15 Jason Sudeikis during the Big Slick celebrity softball game. Getty Images 15 Curt Menefee, Johnny Knoxville, Jason Sudeikis and Andy Richter at the 2025 Big Slick softball game. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock 15 George Wendt, Rob Riggle and Jason Sudeikis. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock 'He got 'SNL,'' the comedian, who is the brother of Sudeikis' mom, Kathy, added. 'He's such a great kid,' Wendt continued of Sudeikis. 'Very proud. Proud especially, you know, not only of the success, but he's solid. Have you read profiles and stuff? I mean he is such a mesh, so smart, so thoughtful. I mean, it all comes out in the show. Right?' During the interview, Wendt also reflected on his own journey into Hollywood. 'I didn't want to be in a job I hated for the rest of my life,' he admitted before noting he went through a long list of careers before landing on comedy. Advertisement Wendt ended up joining Chicago's improvisational comedy troupe Second City, which he called 'a blast.' 15 George Wendt and Jason Sudeikis attends Apple TV +'s Primetime Emmy Party at Mother Wolf on January 15, 2024. WireImage 'I had fun and it wasn't really until I'd been there working, and then they called from Leo Burnett or something and said, 'Hey, can you send the people, some of the cast over… we're going to do some commercials or we're going to have some demos for commercials,' that sort of thing, and they said, 'Well you have to join SAG.'' Sudeikis, meanwhile, opened up about his relationship with Wendt during a 2011 interview with Playboy. Advertisement 'He's always been very encouraging, but there was no 'Tuesdays With Morrie' kind of relationship between him and I,' the 'Horrible Bosses' star explained. 'He didn't take me to the park to explain comic timing. There was nothing like that. He was just a good example that being an actor was a viable option.' 15 George Wendt and Jason Sudeikis attends Apple TV +'s Primetime Emmy Party. Lisa O'Connor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock Sudeikis added, 'Here's a guy from the Midwest, in my family, who took the road less traveled and it worked out for him. The advice he gave me, and I say this jokingly, is 'Get on one of the best sitcoms of all time and then ride it out.'' The 'We're the Millers' alum got his start as a writer on 'Saturday Night Live' before starring as a cast member for nine seasons from 2005 to 2013. Advertisement In 2008, Sudeikis revealed to The Post that Wendt didn't give him any tips for being on the late-night sketch show, despite the 'Cheers' actor's frequent appearances on it over the years. 15 George Wendt and Jason Sudeikis attend 'I Can't Believe They Wendt There: The Roast Of George Wendt' on September 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images 'Not at all,' he confessed. 'George is great at shepherding out advance, like, 'You know who you should talk to?' But the neat thing is, my third week there, Robert Smigel, who wrote the Superfan sketches, was like, 'Wanna help me write a Superfans thing for your uncle George and Horatio [Sanz]?' So I'm sitting there with comedy legend Robert Smigel my third week in this job that I can't believe I have, and we're writing stuff for my uncle George based on characters he's done since I was 15. It's crazy.' In 2017, Sudeikis attended 'I Can't Believe They Wendt There: The Roast Of George Wendt' in Chicago, Illinois. On the red carpe before the roast, the 'Horrible Bosses 2' vet cheekily told ABC7, 'When I realized that that show ['Cheers'] was watched by other people than my family, I thought, 'oh wow.'' Advertisement Wendt's family rep confirmed his death to The Post last month, stating that the star 'died peacefully in his sleep while at home' that morning. 15 George Wendt and Jason Sudeikis at Big Slick Party and Auction in Kansas City. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock 'George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,' their statement continued. 'He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.' At this time, no official cause of death has been revealed. During his time on the NBC sitcom, Wendt garnered six consecutive Emmy nominations for his performance as Norm. The cast of 'Cheers' recently had a mini-reunion at the 2024 Emmys. 15 Nicholas Colasanto, Shelley Long, Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, and George Wendt on 'Cheers.' ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection Wendt, along with Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman and John Ratzenberger, reunited as part of a special tribute at the awards ceremony honoring some of the most beloved shows in TV history. The cast appeared on stage inside a replica of the iconic Boston bar, with host Anthony Anderson calling the sitcom 'one of the greatest television shows of all time.' 'This feels nice to be here in front of you,' Danson, 77, said, before Ratzenberger, 78, chimed in that the event was a 'long overdue class reunion.' 15 George Wendt arrives at the Alliance For Children's Rights 3rd annual celebrity right to laugh event at Avalon on June 12, 2012 in Hollywood, California. Getty Images Noticeably absent was Woody Harrelson, who couldn't make 'Cheers' because he's in a play,' Jesse Collins, an executive producer for the Emmys, told the Hollywood Reporter at the time. Following the news of Wendt's death, two of his 'Cheers' co-stars released touching statements about his life. 'I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us,' a rep for Danson shared with The Post. 'I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children. It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie.' Perlman told The Post in part, 'George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met. It was impossible not to like him.'
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Sydney Sweeney breaks silence on split from fiancé Jonathan Davino
Sydney Sweeney is feeling euphoric as a single woman. The actress, 27, has broken her silence following her split from fiancé Jonathan Davino, 41, after getting engaged in 2022. During an interview with The Times, Sweeney was asked by a reporter if she was currently planning her wedding, to which she stated: 'No.' Advertisement 6 Jonathan Davino and Sydney Sweeney are seen in SoHo on December 14, 2024. GC Images When asked if she was single, the 'Anyone But You' alum replied, 'Yes.' 'I'm learning a lot about myself,' Sweeney expressed. 'Spending more time with my friends. And I'm loving it.' Advertisement In March, an insider told People that the couple's relationship had been 'rocky for a long time.' 6 Jonathan Davino and Sydney Sweeney. Getty Images for InStyle The source added that Sweeney 'didn't feel right' about walking down the aisle with the businessman, which led her to break things off. 'She's exactly where she wants to be,' they continued. 'Most people would feel overwhelmed by her working schedule this year, but not Syd. She's all about working right now and very excited about all her projects.' Advertisement The source noted that Sweeney is currently 'in the middle of this magical career that she could only dream of a few years ago' and that 'this is what she wants to focus on right now.' 6 Sydney Sweeney hangs out with friends. Instagram/Sydney Sweeney Although her workload didn't add extra pressure, the thought of following through with the wedding was weighing on the young starlet. 'What did make her overwhelmed though was her relationship and her wedding. She didn't feel right about it.' Advertisement 'She's not ready to settle down,' the insider said. 'They only lasted for this long because it was hard for her to break it off. They didn't split because there is no love. They split because she just wants to focus on her career right now.' 'The White Lotus' actress and the film producer were first romantically linked in 2018 and four years later, in 2022, he popped the question. 6 Sydney Sweeney poses on the tennis court. Sydney Sweeney / Instagram In October 2024, while speaking with Glamour magazine, Sweeney took a moment to gush over her then partner. 'We're in it together,' she confessed. 'And we want to see each other succeed.' As she put it, 'I'm a very successful, independent woman who's worked really hard. I've accomplished and bought everything myself, and I provide for myself and my family.' At the time, Sweeney shared insight into what makes their romance work, stating, 'You can be in a healthy relationship with someone and also be very successful without needing the man.' 6 Sydney Sweeney hangs out with friends. sydney_sweeney/Instagram Advertisement She dubbed herself and Davino 'teammates.' In April, the exes were spotted out to lunch in Los Angeles, with Davino walking their dog before sitting down to eat. A month later, Sweeney was seen hanging out with Machine Gun Kelly and Patrick Schwarzenegger while in Las Vegas. The trio partied together while at the grand opening of the Palm Tree Beach Club in Las Vegas. Advertisement One shot posted to social media showed Sweeney flashing a dazzling smile as she stood in between the rocker, 35, and actor, 31. 6 Sydney Sweeney. Instagram/ Molly Dickson Along with having fun with friends, the actress is back to filming Season 3 of 'Euphoria' after years long delays. Advertisement While Sweeney won't be walking down the aisle IRL anytime soon, her character on the HBO series, Cassie Howard, just might be. The blonde bombshell was spotted wearing a wedding dress while shooting earlier this year.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Will Steve Brady be back for ‘And Just Like That' Season 3? All the star-studded cast for its latest installment
'And Just Like That…' Season 3 is here with new characters and some familiar faces. Since Season 3 started filming around the city in May 2024, fans have been clutching their Manolo Blahniks, waiting to find out which beloved characters would not be returning to the popular 'Sex and the City' spinoff. After Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), and Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) were spotted filming a funeral scene back in June, speculation swirled that Miranda's estranged husband, Steve Brady (David Eigenberg), might be the person who died. Advertisement Here's what we know about who's returning and who's out for 'AJLT' Season 3. 16 (L-R) Evan Handler, Cynthia Nixon and David Eigenberg are seen filming 'And Just Like That…' GC Images 16 Cynthia Nixon and David Eigenberg. GC Images Advertisement Warning: spoilers below: Steve Brady 16 John Corbett, Sarah Jessica Parker and David Eigenberg are seen on the set of 'And Just Like That.' GC Images Eigenberg's beloved character has been part of the 'Sex and the City' franchise since his first appearance in Season 2 of the HBO show. The charming bartender, without a plan for the future, stole Miranda's heart despite the fierce attorney trying her damndest to push him away. Over the years, the pair married and welcomed a child: Brady Hobbes, a combination of both names. Advertisement Steve and Miranda's marriage saw rough times, with him admitting in the 2008 'Sex and the City: The Movie' that he had a one-night stand. Despite breaking up, she ultimately forgives her husband. However, the couple splits in Season 1 of 'AJLT,' allowing Miranda to go on a sexual quest, which is later fulfilled in a same-sex relationship. 16 Evan Handler (who plays Harry Goldenblatt), Cynthia Nixon and David Eigenberg. GC Images In January, Eigenberg was spotted filming a dinner scene with Nixon in Astoria, Queens, for 'AJLT,' confirming that his character will be featured in Season 3. Advertisement However, it didn't necessarily debunk the fan theory of Steve's possible death. That is, until the casting notice for the funeral made the rounds, revealing that production was looking for background actors to portray 'a row of ex-girlfriends' who would be featured in the scene, per Bustle. Despite stepping out of his marriage once, Steve's heart was always Miranda, so the exes mourning over his body wouldn't really make sense. It's still uncertain the extent of his return at this point — but Steve will be in Season 3. Che Diaz 16 Sara Ramirez filming 'And Just Like That.' Craig Blankenhorn Che Diaz was the character who grabbed Miranda's attention in Seasons 1 and 2 of 'AJLT.' The nonbinary comedian, played by Sara Ramirez, got mixed reviews from fans with their toxic yet charismatic energy. But in the sixth episode of Season 2, Che and Miranda called it quits after they realized their relentless fighting would never end. 16 Sara Ramirez and Cynthia Nixon in 'And Just Like That.' Advertisement The breakup left Che's future on the show unknown — until Ramirez (who is nonbinary in real life and uses they/them pronouns) took to Instagram to claim that their character was dropped from the show because 'casting directors and agents are making blacklists of actors and workers who post anything in support of Palestinians and Gaza to ensure they will not work again.' However, production sources later dispelled those allegations, telling the Daily Mail, 'Sara was not fired because they support Palestine and the ceasefire. Sara was fired because Che brought nothing to the show anymore. 'They were on the chopping block since last season. After Che split with Miranda, the character really held no value anymore and fans found them annoying. The storyline as a struggling comedian was a waste of airtime and Sara knew it.' Nya Wallace 16 Karen Pittman as Nya Wallace filming the spinoff series. Advertisement Miranda's college professor-turned-buddy Nya Wallace (played by Karen Pittman) will not be returning to Season 3. Unlike Ramirez, Pittman is out of the spinoff due to scheduling conflicts, as she is starring on Apple TV+'s 'The Morning Show' and the forthcoming Netflix series 'Forever.' Appearing in 17 out of the combined 22 episodes of Seasons 1 and 2, Max announced Pittman's shock departure in March. 'As we have thoroughly enjoyed working with this dynamic actress, so too have others. Due to her commitments to two other streamer series, it has become apparent that filming three shows at once isn't possible,' the streaming site's statement read. Advertisement 'Karen and Nya will be missed, and her Max family and fans will all be cheering her on in her other endeavors.' Samantha Jones 16 Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones in her 'And Just Like That' cameo. Known for playing the feisty character Samantha Jones with a male-sized appetite for sex, Kim Cattrall, who once made the trio (Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte) a foursome, confirmed she will not be in Season 3 despite a brief cameo in the Season 2 finale. 'Aw that's so kind but I'm not,' Cattrall wrote on X in July 2024, responding to a claim that she'd be appearing on the next season of 'AJLT.' Advertisement Fans' prayers for Samantha's comeback were further dashed when the Season 3 trailer was released in April and did not feature the iconic character. At this point, it's Samantha, who? Mr. Big 16 Big (Chris Noth) and Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker). John James Preston, commonly known as 'Mr. Big' or just 'Big,' played by Chris Noth, was Carrie's longtime love in the TV series, the movies and 'AJLT,' but he was killed off in the first episode of the spinoff's Season 1 in 2021 after suffering a heart attack while riding a Peloton bike. While the show's writers had planned for Big to make a cameo in the finale, that was scrapped when several women came forward with sexual assault allegations against Noth. The actor denied the claims and was never charged with any crime. The 'AJLT' crew released a statement following the accusations. 'We are deeply saddened to hear the allegations against Chris Noth,' the message posted to Instagram and signed by Parker, Nixon and Davis read. 'We support the women who have come forward and shared their painful experiences,' they said. 'We know it must be a very difficult thing to do and we commend them for it.' Needless to say, Mr. Big is dead for good. Willie Garson 16 Willie Garson, who played Stanford Blatch, sadly passed away in 2021 at 57. Carrie's gay best friend for the past several decades, Stanford Blatch, played by the lovable Willie Garson, will not be in Season 3, as the actor died from cancer in September 2021 at the age of 57. Stanford shot several scenes and was featured in Season 1, which began airing two months after his death, leaving producers the task of tying up the sad loose end for Garson's beloved character in the second season. Enter the plot twist. Instead of killing Stanford off, they turned him into a Shinto monk who left New York without warning to live his brand-new life. 'We didn't want Stanford to die,' Michael Patrick King, executive producer and creator of the series, said of the decision on the podcast 'And Just Like That. . .The Writers Room.' 'We wanted Willie to be alive, as Stanford, somewhere in the world.' Patti LuPone 16 Patti LuPone on the 'And Just Like That…' film set. GC Images Patti LuPone, a New York stable, joined the Season 3 cast of 'AJLT.' However, little is known about the legendary performer's part in the show, as the creator has kept the details close to his chest. King told Entertainment Weekly in January that LuPone will have 'an arc on our show this season,' but that's all he'd give up. Rosie O'Donnell 16 Rosie O'Donnell and Cynthia Nixon filming in Times Square. GC Images Comedian Rosie O'Donnell confirmed she had joined the cast in an Instagram post on May 1, 2024, sharing an image of her Episode 1 script. The photo revealed her character's name is Mary. In June 2024, O'Donnell got to work in front of the cameras in Times Square. Her character Mary was seen in the tourist trap in a 'Wicked' t-shirt with Miranda. Some speculate she might be Miranda's new love interest; however, one thing is clear — Mary's not a New Yorker. 'That is fair to say,' King shared of her character. 'That is not a cutting edge Carrie Bradshaw moment.' Cheri Oteri and Kristen Schaal 16 Kristin Davis and Kristen Schaal on the set of 'And Just Like That.' GC Images 'Saturday Night Live' alum Cheri Oteri and 'Bob's Burgers' star Kristen Schaal also joined the 'AJLT' Season 3 cast. Oteri was spotted shooting 'AJLT' in Lincoln Center Plaza in May 2024. While King didn't reveal much about their characters, he did share that comedy is a huge aspect of the newest installment — and, of course, they will be bringing the fashion. 'Yeah, they're different, and they're all uniquely special,' he shared of Oteri and Schaal. 'Everyone was up for fun. Everyone was excited to be dressed. Everybody's so excited to come on the show because they get to look a certain way that maybe they don't usually look. There's always a designer element to every character on the show, whether they're a designer character or not. They have a design to them.' Logan Marshall-Green, Mehcad Brooks and Jonathan Cake 16 Jonathan Cake and Sarah Jessica Parker filming Season 3. GC Images 16 Jonathan Cake and Sarah Jessica Parker filming Season 3. GC Images 16 Mehcad Brooks' character is said to fall for married Lisa Todd Wexley. Getty Images Rounding out the newbies are three hunks, likely to be someone in the cast's love interest. Logan Marshall-Green, known for playing Trey Atwood on 'The OC,' was seen leaving Carrie's new apartment and sharing a cute moment with her cat, leading many to believe that he might have the hots for the best-selling author. Mehcad Brooks from 'Law & Order' fame will also be featured in Season 3. He plays an 'award-winning editor' who falls for Nicole Ari Parker's character, Lisa Todd Wexley, which is a problem considering she's happily married. Finally, British actor Jonathan Cake from 'Desperate Housewives' was also seen filming a scene that sure looked like his character was getting cozy with Carrie, which could throw a wrench into her happily ever after with Aidan Shaw (John Corbett). 'And Just Like That' Season 3 airs on Thursday, May 29, at 9 p.m. ET on Max. New episodes will drop weekly on Thursdays until the finale on August 14.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Ex-PepsiCo exec who claimed he invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos loses defamation lawsuit against snack giant
PepsiCo won the dismissal of a lawsuit by a former executive who said the food and beverage company defrauded and defamed him by denying that he invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos. In a decision on Wednesday, US District Judge John Holcomb said Richard Montanez, who retired from PepsiCo in 2019 to become a full-time motivational speaker, did not show that PepsiCo and its Frito-Lay unit intentionally reneged on a promise to tell the 'true story' of how he created the popular spicy chips. The Santa Ana, Calif.-based judge also said PepsiCo did not defame Montanez by allegedly refusing in 2023 to assist in a documentary about his life unless it debunked his claim. 3 Richard Montanez, who retired from PepsiCo in 2019 to become a full-time motivational speaker, had his lawsuit against his former employer tossed. GC Images Holcomb said the actual malice standard for defamation, requiring knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth, was appropriate based on Montanez's describing himself as 'part of the cultural canon' through two best-selling books and a hit movie directed by Eva Longoria. Lawyers for Montanez did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Camille Vasquez, a lawyer for Purchase, NY-based PepsiCo, declined to comment. Montanez began in 1976 as a Frito-Lay janitor in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and rose to become PepsiCo's vice president of multicultural marketing and sales. He said he sparked what became Flamin' Hot Cheetos around 1989, when took unflavored Cheetos home to experiment with seasonings and 'drew inspiration' from elote, a Mexican grilled corn seasoned with chili powder. PepsiCo introduced Flamin' Hot Cheetos in 1992, and made it a multibillion-dollar brand. 3 Montanez said he sparked what became Flamin' Hot Cheetos around 1989. Mdv Edwards – Montanez said he once booked 35 speaking engagements annually at $10,000 to $50,000 each but lost most bookings after a Los Angeles Times article in May 2021 in which Frito-Lay rejected the 'urban legend' that he invented the snack chips. Frito-Lay later said its comments were misconstrued, and it had no reason to doubt Montanez's efforts to create new Cheetos products. The newspaper defended its reporting. 3 A scene from the 2023 film 'Flamin Hot,' which was directed by Eva Longoria. AP Montanez's story about Flamin' Hot Cheetos was told in Longoria's 2023 film 'Flamin' Hot' and in two memoirs. The case is Martinez v PepsiCo Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 24-01792.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
How Carrie Bradshaw got it wrong in 'AJLT': relationship expert
Carrie Bradshaw once said, 'If you find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous,' and that she did — over and over again. Sarah Jessica Parker's iconic character in 'Sex and the City' went through men like it was her full-time job (which it basically was). There was Jack Berger (Ron Livingston), who broke up with Carrie using a Post-it breakup; Aleksandr Petrovsky (Mikhail Baryshnikov), a wealthy and older Russian artist; John McFadden (Dean Winters), her random 'f–k buddy;' Aidan Shaw (John Corbett), the one who got away; and, of course, her big love — John James Preston, aka Mr. Big, (Chris Noth). While Carrie evolved throughout the six-season HBO drama that turned into two hit movies and the spinoff, 'And Just Like That,' she kissed several toads before landing her frog. 16 Chris Noth, John James Preston or Mr. Big, and Sarah Jessica Parker, as Carrie Bradshaw in 'And Just Like That.' GC Images 16 Sarah Jessica Parker, John Corbett (Aidan Shaw) in 'And Just Like That.' Craig Blankenhorn/Max The Post spoke to relationship expert Sandra Hatton, CEO and founder of When We First Met, who broke down Carrie's biggest relationship blunder — and finally put to rest the Aidan vs. Big of it all. Scroll to read! Carrie's biggest relationship mistake 16 Relationship expert Sandra Hatton told The Post all about Carrie's biggest romance blunders. 'It wasn't loving the wrong man, it was ignoring the right lessons. We all make mistakes. We need to make mistakes to grow,' Hatton told The Post. 'Leaving Aidan for Big was messy. Taking Big back after the altar debacle? Risky and some would say a mistake,' she explained, before revealing Carrie's real dating mistake was 'believing that love must always be dramatic to be real.' 'She confused intensity and pain for something bigger,' Hatton added. 'That cost her good men, time, and for a while, her peace.' Carrie and Big 16 Hatton believes Big was 'a soulmate' she doesn't believe he was Carrie's only one. 16 Carrie and Big had a turbulent relationship in the six-season HBO series that lasted through both hit movies and the beginning of 'And Just Like That.' While Hatton admits that Big was 'a soulmate,' she doesn't believe he was Carrie's only one. 'Sex and the City' fans saw Carrie and Big break up and make up several times over the six-season HBO series before he finally popped the question, only to leave her at the altar in the first movie. While they thought they found their forever when they finally said 'I do,' Big died in the first episode of 'And Just Like That' after suffering a heart attack following a Peloton ride. 'Big was the kind of soulmate that teaches you lessons,' Hatton said, adding that friends like Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) and Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall) can be soulmates, too. 16 Big died in the first episode of 'And Just Like That.' ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection 16 The couple seemed like they found their happily ever after until Big suffered a fatal heart attack. FilmMagic But Big's big screwup came later in their relationship, she shared. 'Was he the one? At one time, yes. Probably before he didn't show up at the altar,' the relationship expert told The Post. 'He was someone she kept choosing because the idea of 'winning him' was engrained into who she was.' Admitting they 'had a love story for the ages,' Hatton explained it was 'not necessarily a love that lasted forever.' Carrie and Aidan 16 Carrie and Aidan remained in and out of each other's lives through the series, movies and 'And Just Like That.' Craig Blankenhorn 16 The pair were once engaged, but Carrie left him for Big. Craig Blankenhorn/HBO Carrie's other significant love and her one-time fiancé, Aidan, comes back into her life several times during her breaks from Big, including when she becomes a widow in the spinoff series. 'And Just Like That' Season 2 left fans on a cliffhanger when Aidan tells Carrie he needs to put a five-year pause on their relationship to ditch the city and take care of his son, leaving everyone's favorite Manolo-heeled writer alone after she purchased an upgraded Gramercy brownstone for them to share. While Aidan does appear in the Season 3 trailer, it's unclear what their relationship status will be. When asked if Carrie was correct in letting Aidan walk out of her life again, Hatton had an interesting perspective. 16 Carrie and Aidan reunite in 'And Just Like That,' but he puts their romance on a five-year pause. 16 Hatton told The Post that Carrie allowing Aidan to leave showed 'restraint' and 'maturity.' 'Carrie choosing not to chase Aidan to Virginia shows restraint, maturity, and, surprisingly, self-respect. She didn't contort herself to make the relationship work as she has done with others in the past. She let him go without begging or bargaining. But she also accepted a five-year hiatus without much clarity. That's not a pause, it's a gamble,' the matchmaker explained to The Post. 'An agreement to stop time and hope everything and everyone stays the same. It's not realistic or fair, to either of them. 'Still, it's not a mistake to hope and Carrie has always been a romantic. The real question is whether she's finally learning that romance can't come at the expense of self-preservation. They could have come to a compromise and maybe they will,' she added. Will Carrie find love again after Big and Aidan? 16 Hatton believes Carrie 'doesn't need to find a love that mimics her past. She needs one that honors her present.' ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection 16 'If Aidan returns let it be because he chooses her with clarity, not conditions,' she warned. Craig Blankenhorn/Max While Hatton doesn't think fans need to write Carrie and Aidan's happy ending off completely, she explained that Carrie 'doesn't need to find a love that mimics her past. She needs one that honors her present.' 'Carrie has spent much of her romantic life bending to fit someone else's terms by waiting for Big to be ready, walking on eggshells with Aidan, compromising for Aleksandr's life in Paris. But the hope now isn't that she chases someone new, or even that she 'gets Aidan back,' it's that she no longer chases at all,' she elaborated. Hatton also gave Carrie advice, telling The Post she 'doesn't need to find a love that mimics her past. She needs one that honors her present. And maybe that's the lesson for all of us, especially women in their 50s and beyond. We're not waiting to be completed.' 16 While Aidan did leave Carrie behind in 'And Just Like That,' he's seen multiple times in the Season 3 trailer. GC Images 16 But don't count Carrie out to finding a new love after Big and Aidan, said Hatton. Getty Images 'We've lived, lost, grown, and come into ourselves. The next great love, when it comes, should compliment and add value who we already are, not rescue us from who we've been,' she added. 'I hope she learns, finally, that real love doesn't require her to shrink, wait, or wonder. If Aidan returns let it be because he chooses her with clarity, not conditions. And if someone new enters her life, may it be someone who meets her as she is, not someone she has to write herself into for the plot to work.' How to watch 'And Just Like That' 16 'And Just Like That' Season 3 debuts on Max on Thursday, May 29. Craig Blankenhorn/Max The new season of 'And Just Like That' begins streaming on Max Thursday, May 29, at 9 p.m. ET, with new episodes – and faces — dropping weekly on Thursday. Season 3 will feature 12 episodes, with the finale airing on August 14.
