20 days ago
Art imitates life imitates...
In summer 2026, word started to spread that the movie star at the center of Rachel Cusk's new novel, Life of M, appeared to draw heavily from the life and career of Natalie Portman, who had previously met Cusk, praised her writing, and promoted her work through her book club. While Cusk has resisted confirming the connection and Portman herself has not publicly addressed it, sources close to the actress have denied that she had any involvement in the book. Life of M is hardly the first time a seemingly fictional character has closely resembled a real-world figure.
Still, as Cusk recently put it to The New York Times, while skirting the question of M's real-life parallels: "Famous people enter the public imagination... it is part of fame's deal, and part of its tragedy."
Here are nine instances in which a celebrity has seen themselves reflected in a fictional character — and weighed in. Many of them didn't bother holding back.
Anna Wintour at the 2025 Met Gala; Meryl Streep in 'The Devil Wears Prada'
Credit: Theo Wargo/FilmMagic; 20th Century Fox
#real
In summer 2026, word started to spread that the movie star at the center of Rachel Cusk's new novel, Life of M, appeared to draw heavily from the life and career of Natalie Portman, who had previously met Cusk, praised her writing, and promoted her work through her book club. While Cusk has resisted confirming the connection and Portman herself has not publicly addressed it, sources close to the actress have denied that she had any involvement in the book. Life of M is hardly the first time a seemingly fictional character has closely resembled a real-world figure.
Still, as Cusk recently put it to The New York Times, while skirting the question of M's real-life parallels: "Famous people enter the public imagination... it is part of fame's deal, and part of its tragedy."
Here are nine instances in which a celebrity has seen themselves reflected in a fictional character — and weighed in. Many of them didn't bother holding back.
Anna Wintour at the 2025 Met Gala; Meryl Streep in 'The Devil Wears Prada'
Credit: Theo Wargo/FilmMagic; 20th Century Fox
#real
1 month ago
Audrey Hepburn was a legendary actor and humanitarian. But she was also a major fashion and beauty muse who made a huge impact on Hollywood and pop culture, even long after her death. In fact, some of Audrey Hepburn's biggest skincare secrets are still so useful today. What you may not have known, however, is that she has an equally gorgeous and talented granddaughter named Emma Ferrer (full name Emma Kathleen Hepburn Ferrer). Ferrer shares many similar traits with her famous grandmother, including the fact that they both studied ballet and pursued artistic endeavors. However, Ferrer took a different path, pursuing visual arts rather than acting, and she has a sleek signature style all her own.
Theo Wargo/Getty
Hepburn was often known for wearing cigarette pants, turtlenecks, and flats that were sleek and very trendy at the time. For her more formal looks, Hepburn was often seen in elegant and feminine A-line gowns (though column dresses were also a favorite of hers). Ferrer, though, has played around with more modern styles and doesn't shy away from shorter, form-fitting dresses and strappy heels — quite a departure from her grandmother's wardrobe. The artist has also shared photos of her outfits on Instagram, where she favors casual, menswear-inspired styles (much like Diane Keaton's iconic "Annie Hall" look).
Read more: The 20 Most Expensive Celebrity Engagement Rings In The World
Bettmann & Jamie Mccarthy/Getty
#getty #however
Theo Wargo/Getty
Hepburn was often known for wearing cigarette pants, turtlenecks, and flats that were sleek and very trendy at the time. For her more formal looks, Hepburn was often seen in elegant and feminine A-line gowns (though column dresses were also a favorite of hers). Ferrer, though, has played around with more modern styles and doesn't shy away from shorter, form-fitting dresses and strappy heels — quite a departure from her grandmother's wardrobe. The artist has also shared photos of her outfits on Instagram, where she favors casual, menswear-inspired styles (much like Diane Keaton's iconic "Annie Hall" look).
Read more: The 20 Most Expensive Celebrity Engagement Rings In The World
Bettmann & Jamie Mccarthy/Getty
#getty #however
1 month ago
With her name attached to two internet-breaking movies in 2026 — "The Devil Wears Prada 2" and "The Odyssey" — Anne Hathaway has been a regular on the red carpet and in conversation. But the attention should be nothing new to the star. She had a similarly big year back in 2013. Hathaway won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for role in "Les Misérables," but when she walked the carpet ahead of the ceremony, she wore a pink satin Prada gown that got a lot of attention for all the wrong reasons. Between the dress' pale color, show-everything fabric, and the dart placement at the bust, Hathaway's, erm, nipples looked quite prominent and pointy. With the privilege of hindsight and time, Hathaway's dress has earned its proper place among the Oscars red carpet greats. But let's put a pin in the pink satin, shall we?
Larry Busacca/Getty
A few months later, on the first Monday in May, Hathaway walked the famous Met Gala steps, and the gown the actor wore that night flew a bit under the radar, but it's more than worth revisiting. That year's theme was "Punk: Chaos to Couture," and Hathaway fabulously nailed the vibe having draped her frame in an impossibly slinky black Valentino gown that read at once punk-rock and disco glam. Between the zig-zaggy shale-like print, the saucy sheer, and the dreamy feather details, this dress should've garnered way more headlines than the Prada "mishap." And we've been keeping our eye on Anne Hathaway's full beauty evolution via the photos, and this icy blond pixie cut was an especially fun high point.
Read more: The Worst-Dressed Celebs In Oscars History
Jamie McCarthy & Theo Wargo/Getty
#hathaway #carpet #getty
Larry Busacca/Getty
A few months later, on the first Monday in May, Hathaway walked the famous Met Gala steps, and the gown the actor wore that night flew a bit under the radar, but it's more than worth revisiting. That year's theme was "Punk: Chaos to Couture," and Hathaway fabulously nailed the vibe having draped her frame in an impossibly slinky black Valentino gown that read at once punk-rock and disco glam. Between the zig-zaggy shale-like print, the saucy sheer, and the dreamy feather details, this dress should've garnered way more headlines than the Prada "mishap." And we've been keeping our eye on Anne Hathaway's full beauty evolution via the photos, and this icy blond pixie cut was an especially fun high point.
Read more: The Worst-Dressed Celebs In Oscars History
Jamie McCarthy & Theo Wargo/Getty
#hathaway #carpet #getty
2 months ago
"Landman" star Ali Larter's storybook romance proves that when you know, you know – but she also knows when it's time to call it quits with the heavy makeup. Larter filmed the Paramount+ series in Fort Worth, Texas, meaning long hours in high heat and humidity, where the last thing on anyone's mind is perfecting a full beat. While makeup artists relied on heavy powders to keep the actors' makeup set under the harsh lighting, the star admitted she would push back against her makeup artist in favor of a glowier look. "I don't like powder, so it's usually my makeup artist fighting to put powder on me, and I'm saying no—I just would prefer to look shiny," she told NewBeauty in July 2026.
Larter's preference for a more lived-in complexion also aligns with the growing trend of choosing a glowy, skin-like perfection over an overly matte complexion – a beauty trend celebrity makeup artists call outdated in 2026. In lieu of consistent touch-ups, the actor's team opted for blotting papers to reduce some of the oils that accumulate throughout filming. "For longer days, if I am really sweaty — usually we're sweaty because it's Texas — they do a lot of blotting papers," she explained to the outlet. The simple swap kept excess oil at bay without sacrificing the fresh complexion and comfort she preferred.
Read more: 14 Fashion Rules That Are Made To Be Broken
Theo Wargo/Getty Images
Part of Ali Larter's complete transformation came from her commitment to skincare. During the demanding production schedule for "Landman," the actor used her lunch break to refresh her skin and her mindset before going back to filming. During the cast's 30-minute lunch break, she would remove her under-eye makeup to apply eye masks and meditate for 20 minutes before stepping back in front of the camera.
#makeup #know #heavy
Larter's preference for a more lived-in complexion also aligns with the growing trend of choosing a glowy, skin-like perfection over an overly matte complexion – a beauty trend celebrity makeup artists call outdated in 2026. In lieu of consistent touch-ups, the actor's team opted for blotting papers to reduce some of the oils that accumulate throughout filming. "For longer days, if I am really sweaty — usually we're sweaty because it's Texas — they do a lot of blotting papers," she explained to the outlet. The simple swap kept excess oil at bay without sacrificing the fresh complexion and comfort she preferred.
Read more: 14 Fashion Rules That Are Made To Be Broken
Theo Wargo/Getty Images
Part of Ali Larter's complete transformation came from her commitment to skincare. During the demanding production schedule for "Landman," the actor used her lunch break to refresh her skin and her mindset before going back to filming. During the cast's 30-minute lunch break, she would remove her under-eye makeup to apply eye masks and meditate for 20 minutes before stepping back in front of the camera.
#makeup #know #heavy
2 months ago
X Factor Global / Via giphy.com
Note: The examples below reflect individuals' personal opinions and recollections regarding public figures who they believe faced backlash or a decline in public support. Inclusion on this list does not imply that any individual was formally or universally "canceled."
Kristy Sparow / Getty Images
Pool / Getty Images
Theo Wargo / Getty Images
#getty #note #pool
Note: The examples below reflect individuals' personal opinions and recollections regarding public figures who they believe faced backlash or a decline in public support. Inclusion on this list does not imply that any individual was formally or universally "canceled."
Kristy Sparow / Getty Images
Pool / Getty Images
Theo Wargo / Getty Images
#getty #note #pool
