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Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Thinks Payton Pritchard is a Lock For Postseason Award

 

Six-time All-Star Boston Celtics power forward Jayson Tatum would clearly vote in Boston reserve guard Payton Pritchard for 2025 Sixth Man of the Year honors if he could.

On Thursday night, Payton starred in his role off the bench, raining triples against a porous Philadelphia 76ers defense. During the 124-104 victory, Pritchard poured in a Celtics-most 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the floor and dished out four dimes across just 31:23 of action.

The 6-foot-1 pro shot 8-of-15 from long range, marking the third time in his career he’s had eight or more made triple tries.

Speaking after the win, Tatum talked with TNT’s Allie LaForce about Pritchard deserving the Sixth Man of the Year honor.

“He’s unbelievable, what he brings to this team on a given night, especially off the bench. We’ve got a few weeks left, but he’s got to be Sixth Man of the Year,” Tatum told LaForce.

For his part, Tatum chipped in a 15-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist triple-double. All-Star Celtics small forward Jaylen Brown contributed 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 shooting from the foul line, dished out six dimes and grabbed six rebounds.

Another potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate (although he’s likely to be lapped by Pritchard in voting), former five-time All-Star big man Al Horford, scored 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field (3-of-5 from deep) and pulled down four boards. All-Defensive Second Team guard Derrick White chipped in a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double of his own, while starting center Kristaps Porzingis notched 17 points while shooting 5-of-11 from the floor (3-of-6 from long range) and 4-of-5 from the foul line.

With the win (its fourth straight), Boston improved to a 40-16 record on the season as it looks to defend its 2024 title.

As the top-scoring reserve on a major contender, Pritchard has been a prominent figure across the NBA landscape, and seems to have a very good shot at notching some end-of-year hardware beyond a Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter, Detroit Pistons swingman Malik Beasley, and last year’s winner, Minnesota Timberwolves center/power forward Naz Reid, are the other top betting favorites.

But Pritchard looks like the top contender right now.

Through 55 games, the 27-year-old Oregon product is averaging a career-best 14.1 points on .471/.415/.836 shooting splits, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 0.9 steals a night.

Steph Curry’s wife dishes on parenting their 4 kids: ‘Our relationship always comes first’

Steph and Curry have been together since their teens

Ayesha Curry stressed the importance of maintaining her relationship with her husband, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, in an interview published on Thursday.

Steph and Ayesha Curry were married in 2011 and have four children together. Ayesha talked about how they are as parents in an interview with People magazine.

“I think for us, our relationship always comes first. Then we’re parents,” she said. “And that works for us because then you have two happy people raising the kids in the house. So the family sector in our lives always comes first.

“And then honestly, it’s just surrounding ourselves with people that are smarter than us and know what they’re doing and can make the things run. And they allow us the space to be creative and they allow us the space to truly show up however we choose to. And I think that’s what’s really worked for us.”

Steph and Ayesha met when they were young teenagers but did not start dating until a few years later. The two welcomed their fourth child last May.

Ayesha Curry was still on hand rooting for the NBA star as he helped Team USA capture a gold medal over France at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Recently, Ayesha Curry had to shut down one of her Sweet July brick and mortar shops in Oakland, California, over safety concerns.

The British No.1 wasn’t about to storm off court despite his disappointment.

Jack Draper signs items for fans in Qatar. (Image: @No_Art_754)

British No.1 Jack Draper may have been tired and despondent after his Qatar Open final defeat but that didn’t stop him from making time for the fans. The 23-year-old missed out on a third ATP Tour title against Andrey Rublev, going down 7-5 5-7 6-1 in Doha.

He looked fatigued in the deciding set as Rublev raced into a 4-0 lead and there was no way back for Draper from there.

Admitting afterwards that he struggled to maintain his intensity against the Russian player, Draper said: “He outlasted me. We have both played some really tough matches this week and he was just too strong for me in the third set.”

And as the clock ticked towards 12.30am, the new world No.12 could have been forgiven for quickly getting off court before heading to bed. Instead, he stayed a further 20 minutes to sign memorabilia for fans who had stayed behind at the arena.

Footage posted on Reddit by @No_Art_754 showed Draper taking a pen to autograph books, tennis balls, and even a straw hat. He also posed for a selfie with one fan.

The show of class was welcomed by supporters, if not stadium officials. They could be seen waiting in the background as Draper embraced the fans, unable themselves to leave court until the Brit made his exit.

Draper with his runner-up trophy. (Image: Getty)

It’s not the first time Draper has made the effort to adhere to fan requests long after a match has finished. He’s previously done similar at the US Open in Flushing Meadows, and has established a reputation as a likeable figure on the ATP Tour.

But fans hoping to see him at the Dubai Tennis Championships have been left disappointed. The day after his late night match with Rublev, Draper confirmed he would be withdrawing from the event, that gets underway on Monday.

“Unfortunately, I have made the decision to withdraw from Dubai Duty Free,” he posted on X. “After a great week at Qatar Open Tennis, I’m taking on board advice to prioritise my recovery and manage my body.

“After a number of long matches, this gives me the best chance of competing consistently throughout the year. I’m gutted not to compete at such an amazing event but will look forward to returning to competition at BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open.”

Draper’s withdrawal has benefited one of his compatriots though. British No.5 Dan Evans has now been given a wildcard entry into the singles competition and will face Karen Khachanov in the first round.

C’s React to HBO’s ‘Celtics City’ Premiere

If you’re a history buff, if you enjoy basketball, and if you’re a fan of the Boston Celtics, then HBO and Max have a treat coming for you.

On March 3, HBO will launch Episode 1 of “Celtics City,” a nine-part docuseries that takes an extreme deep-dive into the history of the winningest professional basketball franchise on Earth.

Executive producers Bill Simmons, Connor Schell, and Gabe Honig, and seven-time Emmy award-winning director Lauren Stowell pieced together the saga with more than 80 interviews with Celtics Legends and never-before-seen archival footage dating from the team’s inception all the way to its 2024 championship run.

Those 2024 champions got to have a sneak peek at the show on Friday night as part of a premiere screening at the Revere Hotel, where they watched Episode 5, which recaps the 1980s and focuses heavily on the peak of the Celtics-Lakers rivalry.

Being the history buff (and Colorado Buff) that he is, Derrick White is already hooked after watching one episode.

“It definitely dives into a deeper element about the team,” he told reporters Saturday afternoon. “You learn more about the team, more about the city, and everything that goes on. Obviously I wasn’t born in the 80s, and I haven’t seen the earlier years, so I’m looking forward to learning more about Celtics history. I’ve heard a lot, and just to get a deeper look on the Celtics’ history and how it affected Boston and kind of shaped the NBA as well.”

Looking back on that history adds to White’s motivation and pride in representing the Celtics.

“Every time I put on this jersey, I know it’s a blessing,” White said. “And just to play in the Garden in front of these great fans, it’s always good to have a nice reminder like that. It just makes me more thankful and grateful I get to play for an organization I love in a great city.”

What Joe Mazzulla loves about the show is how it doesn’t only display the team’s highs; it also covers the lows from over the years and how the team has risen back up after hitting adversity. It highlights the championships, but it also details the hardships that the organization dealt with both on and off the court. It covers conflicts within the locker room, it dives into social issues within the city, and it examines how the team handled tragedy following the deaths of Len Bias and Reggie Lewis. Ultimately, it shows how the organization overcame obstacles time and time again on its path to unparalleled success.

“Everybody always remembers when things go well, but this shows the difficult parts,” Mazzulla recapped. “I think that’s important to know that you have to take the good with the bad; you have to take the journey.”

The coach added, “It gives perspective into the responsibility that we have toward moving the organization forward. But also, if the people before us didn’t do what they did and achieve what they did, then this job isn’t what it is. It just gives great perspective into the opportunity that we have.”

Fans will have an opportunity to dive into the docuseries on March 3 at 9 p.m. on HBO, and it will also be available to stream on Max with new episodes airing weekly through April 28.

 

Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic on why he’s never eaten at Taco Bell

Jokic was the Nuggets’ second-round pick in 2014

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic developed into a three-time NBA MVP and champion from a second-round pick out of Serbia.

The Nuggets’ selection of Jokic in the 2014 draft out of Serbia was famously announced as the ESPN broadcast showed a Taco Bell commercial. As Jokic rose to prominence in the last few years, NBA fans couldn’t believe that someone like the star center’s selection was seemingly passed over.

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic looks to pass the ball as Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura defends on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

He said in an interview with the Nuggets’ social media team he never ate at the fast-food chain ever again.

“I think I’ve never had Taco Bell just because of that,” he said.

Jokic didn’t come to the NBA until the 2015-16 season and developed into a player who could contend for the starting role. He started in 55 games in his first season and 59 games in his next season. He then started 73 out of 75 appearances in the 2017-18 season.

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic collects a loose ball as Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges defends on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The Nuggets star earned his first All-Star appearance in 2019 and his status grew from there. He was a back-to-back MVP in 2021 and 2022 and then again during the 2023-24 seasons. Denver also won the NBA title in 2023.

He’s one of the best players in the league and potentially one of the best international players the NBA has ever seen.

This year, Jokic is averaging 29.4 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists for the Nuggets. He’ll be in contention for the NBA MVP once again.

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic argues for a call during the Los Angeles Lakers game on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver is 37-20 as of Sunday and third in the Western Conference.

Jaylen Brown’s One-Word Message to the Knicks Leaves Fans STUNNED!

The Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to five games after defeating the New York Knicks on Sunday. Following their win over the Knicks, the Celtics now have a 3-0 series lead against them with one game remaining during the regular season. Furthermore, the Celtics, who are the No. 3 seed in the East, are now four games ahead of the Knicks in the standings.

Despite the Knicks’ shortcomings against Boston this season, they are still a talented team. Heading into the season, many expected them to be a top-three team in the conference, especially after their busy NBA offseason.

Though their biggest transaction was landing Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Knicks also made two other notable moves by trading for Mikal Bridges and re-signing OG Anunoby. The Knicks made these moves as a way to counter Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

After the game, Brown opened up about the Knicks making these transactions and sent the team a message. In a post-game press conference, the reigning NBA Finals MVP was asked if he felt motivated seeing New York make moves in hopes of containing himself and Tatum.

Brown only needed one word to make his feelings clear: “Absolutely.”

Against the Knicks, Brown scored 24 points on 10-for-21 shooting (only Tatum scored more in the game). Furthermore, he recorded eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals. The Georgia native made his presence felt at every level of the game and played a crucial role in Boston’s victory over the Knicks.

After winning the first title of his career last year, it is clear that Brown is aiming to reach the top once again this season.

Derrick White Silences Madison Square Garden with Clutch 3-Point Barrage to Crush Knicks’ Comeback Hopes!

 The New York Knicks were on the cusp of pulling off a wild comeback Sunday afternoon in Boston – until one of the league’s most lethal fourth-quarter shooters put them back in their place.

Karl-Anthony Towns hit a 3-pointer over Derrick White’s outstretched hand on New York’s first possession of the final frame, cutting what had been a 27-point deficit down to four. But White punched right back with consecutive 3-pointers to seize back the momentum and set the stage for a 118-105 Celtics win.

White made all three of his 3-point attempts during the fourth quarter, giving him 45 fourth-quarter threes on the season, good for fifth in the NBA. It brought his average up to 1.0 3-point makes per fourth quarter on the season, tying him for the second-most threes per fourth in the league behind Stephen Curry.

White probably wouldn’t be the first Celtic you’d guess to be a part of that list, but as Kristaps Porzingis pointed out after the game, “He’s just a silent killer.”

Boston’s “silent killer” quietly put up a near-triple-double against New York, logging 19 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists while shooting 7-of-10 from the field and 5-of-6 from 3-point range. And he is quietly in the midst of some of his best basketball of the season.

White has now scored at least 13 points in 11 straight games. During that monthlong stretch, he has averaged 17.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 49.6 percent from the field, including 44.6 percent from deep.

Prior to that, White had gone through a nine-game cold spell where he produced five single-digit scoring efforts and shot just 32.6 percent from the field, including 23.9 percent from long range. He admitted during that stretch that he wasn’t experiencing the typical joy that basketball brings him. But he told himself to “knock it off,” and so he snapped right out of it.

“I think that’s just when I’m at my best is when I’m having fun and my energy is high,” White said. “Just trying to have that right energy, right mindset, and I think I’ve been better since then.”

A stretch like that is rare for White, who has been one of Boston’s most reliable contributors since joining the team in 2022. However, Joe Mazzulla noted how it’s only a natural part of White’s growth.

“I think as you become a better player, which he’s done since he’s gotten here and with the success that he’s had, the expectations rise, and when the expectations rise, it’s easy for the joy to be robbed,” Mazzulla said. “That’s just kind of the natural ebbs and flows of a career, and I think there are moments where you have to fight for that.”

White has fought his way free from those struggles, and Mazzulla is happy to see his point guard playing loose and with a smile on his face.

“When he’s at his best, he plays carefree, he makes big shots like he did today, and he just defends at a super high level,” Mazzulla said. “But you have to go through those (tough stretches). I’m glad he went through it. It was important for his growth. It was important for us to see him struggle because it shows how much we need him, and it was important for him to fight for that confidence because he’s one of the best point guards in the league. And when he plays like that, we’re a different team.”

There’s no question about that last point. The Celtics were 4-5 during White’s rough patch in January. In his 11 games since, they have gone 10-1, including five straight double-digit wins.

He Tried Everything! Jimmy Butler and His Secret Obsession with Seducing Jennifer Lopez

Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin(L), Megan Briggs(R); (inset): Photo by Christopher Polk

 

Jennifer Lopez is once again at the center of a new swirl of romance rumors. After her recent split from actor Ben Affleck , the superstar has been linked with Miami Heat’s NBA star , Jimmy Butler. The gossip started heating up when fans noticed some playful exchanges between Lopez and Butler on social media, igniting speculation about a potential new romance. Lopez, known for her high-profile relationships, has always attracted attention to her love life. Following months of rumors, her recent split from Affleck has left fans curious about her next move. And now, with Butler entering the conversation, that curiosity has only intensified.

🚨 J.Lo and Ben Affleck File for Divorce

Ben Affleck bought a $20.5M LA mansion as divorce rumors swirled.

J.Lo sold her NYC penthouse, signaling trouble in paradise.

Sources said their relationship has "been over for months."

Source: TMZ pic.twitter.com/lfcPsMEY8g

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 31, 2024

As per Marca , the flirtation between Lopez and Butler became public when the singer posted a demure clip on Instagram with the caption. “Very demure… very mindful.” While the clip was stunning, it was the comment section under Lopez’s post, nudging the singer to address an earlier private conversation they had. He wrote, “Would it be too modest of you to respond to my DM?” Lopez, known for her sharp wit, responded in kind, asking,  “Do you have a ring?” While it remains unclear if Lopez was referring to an NBA Championship ring or something more personal, the exchange certainly gave fans more to speculate about.

As per OK Magazine , the flirtatious interaction comes shortly after Lopez’s recent divorce from Affleck, with whom she shared a whirlwind romance and two-year marriage. An insider revealed, “He’s where he wants to be: close to his kids and in a neighborhood that he loves. He enjoys working too, and is very focused on the positives.” A source close to Lopez revealed her situation and noted, “She’s surrounded by family, friends, and her kids. She always manages to have a positive outlook. The divorce is difficult for her, but she always finds a way to move forward.”

The couple also parted ways with their extravagant $68 million mansion , marking a clear end to their relationship. An insider noted, “The $68 million mansion was Ben’s idea and a major compromise for her. She agreed to it because of its spacious layout, accommodating both their families, a gym and a pickleball court, office space, plus it has two private entrances… She loves the romantic, Spanish, European vibe.” However, another source revealed, “His life’s in Brentwood. His kids live there. It was such a pain and time-consuming for Ben to navigate traffic from their house. He never liked it.”

Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Edward Berthelot
Talking about the challenges one source spilled the beans and said Lopez was tired of waiting and there is a symbolism behind the date she took the major step. The source remarked, “She tried really hard to make things work and is heartbroken. The kids are a top priority, as they always have been.” They further added, “The move gives her control of the process. It’s good that she did it.”

 

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was slapped with a three-month suspension.

Jannik Sinner is serving a three-month ban from tennis. (Image: Getty.)

Jannik Sinner reluctantly agreed to a three-month suspension after “tricky” conversations with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The world No. 1, who lifted the Australian Open title last month, has been banned until May 4 after two positive drug tests in 2024.

He was found to have banned substance clostebol in his system in March, as WADA sought a two-year suspension, after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) opted not to punish Sinner.

WADA had previously accepted that the three-time Major winner “did not intend to cheat and the drug did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit” but was still seeking to punish the 23-year-old Italian.

However, having reached an agreement with Sinner for a three-month suspension that expires before the French Open, an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will no longer go ahead.

The decision was reached on Valentine’s Day (February 14) when Sinner’s lawyer was in a lengthy phone call with WADA’s most senior law representative.

“It all happened unbelievably quickly,” Singer told BBC Sport. “In a matter of a couple of days, really.”

Jannik Sinner won the first Grand Slam of 2025. (Image: Getty)

WADA had been seeking a resolution with Sinner for several months, having made two approaches that were promptly turned down by his team.

Sinner’s lawyer, Jamie Singer, admitted that it was “tricky” to convince his client to agree to a ban.

“When I was saying ‘well, look, maybe we should settle for three months’, he was saying ‘well, why would we do that if the first independent tribunal found it was no ban at all, why would I accept three months now?’” Singer said.

“My advice was ‘one never knows what’s going to happen at a hearing, we know that WADA are pushing for a year, if we don’t accept their offer then they will go to court looking for a year and who knows what those three judges could do’.

“So the possibility of three months, in my view, was a good possibility.”

Had the case been sent to CAS, the only outcomes were a year-plus suspension or Sinner being cleared.

And though WADA agreed that Sinner “was a million miles away from doping”, they were able to strike a 67th agreement despite the backlash that the player would not miss a single Grand Slam.

“This was a case that was a million miles away from doping,” WADA’s general counsel Ross Wanzel added.

“The scientific feedback that we received was that this could not be a case of intentional doping, including micro-dosing.

“I’m not sure that a sanction of 12 months in this case – if we’d have forced the tribunal into that position – or a case of ‘no fault’ would have been a good outcome.

“One would have compromised an important principle under the code. The other one, in our view, would have been an unduly harsh sanction.”

Millie Bobby Brown & Jake Bongiovi’s SAG Awards 2025 Moment Has Fans Swooning—Did You Catch It?

Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown shared a special moment with husband Jake Bongiovi Feb. 23 while on the red carpet of the 2025 SAG Awards, hosted by Kristen Bell.

There’s nothing strange about Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi’s cute date night.

The couple—who tied the knot in two separate ceremonies in 2024—attended the 2025 SAG Awards Feb. 23 and shared a special moment on the red carpet.

In video obtained by E! News, the Stranger Things star walked toward her husband—the son of Bon Jovi frontman Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea Hurley—after posing for pictures on the red carpet and the pair grabbed each other’s hands before leaning in for a warm embrace. As Millie wrapped her arm around Jake’s back, he returned the favor by draping his arm around her waist.

The Enola Holmes star and model also posed together as they arrived in their chic fashion. For her part, Millie donned a champagne orange halter dress with a short train with her newly blonde hair tied up in a bun. She complemented the look with a Chopard ring and earrings.

Jake sported a black tux and tie over a white button down shirt with his hair slicked back. (Click here to see all of the 2025 SAG Awards red carpet fashion.)

While the couple’s date night featured cute displays of affection, the pair are no strangers to outwardly sharing their love for each other.

Four days before the SAG Awards—hosted by Kristen Bell—Jake celebrated Millie’s 21st birthday with a touching tribute.

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images

“Happy 21st baby,” he wrote to Instagram Feb. 19 alongside a mirror selfie of the pair. “I love you so much.”

A week before, Millie gushed about her husband and shared a never-before-seen picture from their wedding day while celebrating Valentine’s Day.

“Happy Valentine’s Day to the most handsome husband that’s ever lived,” she wrote in an Instagram post Feb. 14. “I love you more than anything.”

Read on to see other stars who walked the red carpet of the 2025 SAG Awards.

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Ariana Grande

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Timothee Chalamet

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Selena Gomez

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Cynthia Erivo

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Leighton Meester

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Adam Brody

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Zoe Saldaña

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Keke Palmer

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Kieran Culkin

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Millie Bobby Brown

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Demi Moore

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Colman Domingo

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Jeremy Allen White

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Ebon Moss-Bachrach

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Daniel Craig

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Ralph Fiennes

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Brett Goldstein

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Kumail Nanjiani

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Colin Farrell

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Adrien Brody

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Keri Russell

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Michelle Yeoh

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Georgina Chapman

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Jane Fonda

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Jodie Foster

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Gillian Anderson

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Monica Barbaro

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Lily Gladstone

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Mikey Madison

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Mary Steenburgen