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Whether consciously or not, we all receive a pretty high volume of exposure to celebrities' personal lives. Think of social media, TV and reality shows, the fashion and beauty industries, you name it, nothing has remained untouched by A-list bravado where celebs transform their fame into brands.

This comes in many forms, from selfie announcements and live videos to reactions and statements in response to current events. It seems like we truly are “all in this together,” as the celebs kept convincing us during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. But are we really? In order to find out more about celebrity culture that, in spite of our turbulent times, seems to be thriving, we spoke with David Schmid, an Associate Professor of English at University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences. So scroll down to see the insights he shared about it.

Below is an entertaining list with some of the lesser-known and very random facts about celebrities that make you wonder who these people are, that so many of us aspire to be like.

#1

Monica Lewinsky Is Very Funny; She's Always Making Jokes Like This On Twitter

Monica Lewinsky Is Very Funny; She's Always Making Jokes Like This On Twitter

MonicaLewinsky Report

To find out more about why people are so fascinated with celebrity culture and when it becomes too much, we reached out to Professor David Schmid, who is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of English at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Schmid has published on a variety of subjects, including the book "Natural Born Celebrities: Serial Killers in American Culture."

When asked why people are so fascinated with celebrities, Dr. Schmid told us that it’s “partly because our culture teaches us, both implicitly and explicitly, that celebrities are role models and we should strive to be like them. They are more attractive and successful than us, not to mention a lot wealthier, and so we should want to be like them.”

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    #2

    Natalie Portman Has Had Papers Published In Two Scientific Journals

    Natalie Portman Has Had Papers Published In Two Scientific Journals

    Her high school paper, “A Simple Method to Demonstrate the Enzymatic Production of Hydrogen from Sugar,” was published in the Journal of Chemical Education, and while at Harvard, she co-authored a study called “Frontal Lobe Activation during Object Permanence: Data from Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.”

    natalieportman Report

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    Otter
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Guitar player Brian May had a paper based on his astrophysics PhD research published while Queen was topping the charts in the late 1970s, and wrote a version for "Nature" magazine. There are actually a lot of people who left science for showbiz, and made big bucks, including Mayim Bialyk and Dolph Lundgren. Yes, Dolph Lundgren left his Fulbright Scholarship studies in chemical engineering at MIT to make action movies.

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    #3

    Helen Mirren At 25 And 70

    Helen Mirren At 25 And 70

    Sofargonept2 Report

    #4

    The Obamas Didn’t Pay Off Student Loans Until They Were In Their 40s

    The Obamas Didn’t Pay Off Student Loans Until They Were In Their 40s

    Pete Souza Report

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    Mitchell
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because they didn’t have rich daddies to smooth their path and open doors. Love these two.

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    The professor explained further: “At the same time, we realize celebrities are ordinary people (especially when they mess up, go through a divorce, have problems with drink and drugs, etc.), and so part of our fascination with them derives from this contradiction: they are both exceptional and ordinary.”

    During the pandemic, we spent more time on social media than ever, and that definitely increased our level of engagement with celebrities, Dr. Schmid argues. “The internet fosters a sense of intimacy with celebrities that we find very appealing; we feel like we share in their everyday lives and feel part of a community of people who also follow celebrities. This sharing and community are powerfully attractive forces in a culture where anxiety and isolation impact so many people,” he explained and added that celebrities compensate for the unsatisfactory aspects of our own lives.

    #5

    During The Filming Of The Avengers Robert Downey Jr Hid Snacks Everywhere

    During The Filming Of The Avengers Robert Downey Jr Hid Snacks Everywhere

    The food he kept offering people in the movie was the actor's own personal stash - it wasn't written into the script, the actor just got hungry and would pull out food. The crew couldn't keep up with all his hiding places, so they finally gave in and let him do it.

    NoApollonia , Omaze Report

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    James016
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I read that the scene where he eats the cheeseburger in Iron Man 1 came from this

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    #6

    This Was Danny Devito's First Tweet

    This Was Danny Devito's First Tweet

    dannydevito Report

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    Quaumsy
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is true for most people over 60(minus the nuts on fire bit)

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    #7

    This Is What Morgan Freeman Looked Like When He Was A Teenager

    This Is What Morgan Freeman Looked Like When He Was A Teenager

    morganfreeman Report

    For those who’re wondering if it’s possible to become too invested in the lives of famous people, in his opinion, Dr. Schmid confirmed that’s possible. “Everyone's familiar with the consequences of toxic fandom, including cyberbullying and even turning on your favorite celebrity when they disappoint or 'betray' you in some way.”

    “Sometimes, our expectations of celebrities become unrealistic, and when that happens we can easily cross over from reality to fantasy, with all kinds of potential negative consequences,” the professor concluded.

    #8

    Katy Perry's Cat Was Named Kitty Purry

    Katy Perry's Cat Was Named Kitty Purry

    katyperry Report

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    #9

    Taylor Swift Has A Framed Picture Of Kanye West Interrupting Her At The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards In Her Living Room. It's Captioned, "Life Is Full Of Little Interruptions"

    Taylor Swift Has A Framed Picture Of Kanye West Interrupting Her At The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards In Her Living Room. It's Captioned, "Life Is Full Of Little Interruptions"

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    #10

    Daniel Radcliffe Broke Over 80 Wands While Filming The Harry Potter Movies Because He Used Them As Drumsticks

    Daniel Radcliffe Broke Over 80 Wands While Filming The Harry Potter Movies Because He Used Them As Drumsticks

    Warner Bros Report

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    #11

    Steve Buscemi Used To Be A Firefighter

    Steve Buscemi Used To Be A Firefighter

    wiki , wiki Report

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    Otter
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Everyone knows the story about 9/11, right? He was in NYC, and went back to his old unit to help out. Worked his ass off for the duration of the crisis.

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    #12

    Here's What Jason Momoa Looked Like In His 20s

    Here's What Jason Momoa Looked Like In His 20s

    samanthahazard Report

    #14

    Actor Woody Harrelson’s Dad Was A Hitman

    Actor Woody Harrelson’s Dad Was A Hitman

    Charles Voyde Harrelson (July 23, 1938 – March 15, 2007) was an American hitman and organized crime figure who was convicted of assassinating federal judge John H. Wood Jr., the first federal judge to be assassinated in the 20th century

    Public Domain , Houston Police Department Report

    #17

    Leonardo Dicaprio's Mom Was Looking At A Leonardo Da Vinci Painting In A Museum In Italy When Leo First Kicked. That's Why He's Named Leonardo

    Leonardo Dicaprio's Mom Was Looking At A Leonardo Da Vinci Painting In A Museum In Italy When Leo First Kicked. That's Why He's Named Leonardo

    wiki Report

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    MyOpinionHasBeenServed
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had a sewing teacher refuse to believe that's his real name. She even looked offended lol.

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    #18

    Nicole Kidman's Hair Is Naturally This Curly

    Nicole Kidman's Hair Is Naturally This Curly

    Arab_Cherub Report

    #19

    When Lady Gaga Went To NYU, A Group Of Students Started A "Stefani Germanotta, You Will Never Be Famous" Facebook Group

    When Lady Gaga Went To NYU, A Group Of Students Started A "Stefani Germanotta, You Will Never Be Famous" Facebook Group

    Via thesun.co.uk Report

    #20

    Hugh Jackman Performed At Children's Birthday Parties As Coco The Clown

    Hugh Jackman Performed At Children's Birthday Parties As Coco The Clown

    thehughjackman Report

    #21

    Bill Murray Was Arrested When He Was 20 For Trying To Bring 10 Pounds Of Marijuana On A Plane

    Bill Murray Was Arrested When He Was 20 For Trying To Bring 10 Pounds Of Marijuana On A Plane

    wiki Report

    #22

    Ricky Gervais - Young And Old

    Ricky Gervais - Young And Old

    gripes23q Report

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    Nathaniel
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ricky Gervais has a stab at a pop career. He wanted to be David Bowie. Check out Seona Dancing.

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    #23

    The Weirdest Thing Daniel Radcliffe Ever Had To Do To Prepare For A Role Was Wax His Butt

    The Weirdest Thing Daniel Radcliffe Ever Had To Do To Prepare For A Role Was Wax His Butt

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    Mad Dragon
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He had a scene in Equus where he was completely nude, I assume that’s why.

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    #24

    Well, Apparently He Retired At 19 With $40 Million In The Bank

    Well, Apparently He Retired At 19 With $40 Million In The Bank

    frankiemuniz Report

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    Paul Davis
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They should have included the original post from the neckbeard that prompted that great response. Without context this makes Frankie look like a douche.

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    #25

    Christopher Walken's Old Friends Called Him Ronnie. His Birth Name Is Ronald

    Christopher Walken's Old Friends Called Him Ronnie. His Birth Name Is Ronald

    wiki Report

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    #26

    Lorde Has A "Secret" Onion Ring Account Where She Reviews Onion Rings

    Lorde Has A "Secret" Onion Ring Account Where She Reviews Onion Rings

    Ah, the fish and chip shop ring. Humble, honest. Did I miss the crunch of a true battered ring biting into this? Perhaps. But it was perfectly seasoned, and brought joy. 3.8/5.

    onionringsworldwide Report

    #27

    Matthew Perry Is Missing Part Of His Middle Finger

    Matthew Perry Is Missing Part Of His Middle Finger

    Ollindberg Report

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    Autumn
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How did I never notice this? Why didn't they make Monica accidently chop off part of his finger rather than his toe?

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    #28

    After He Didn't Make The Cut For The Backstreet Boys, Chris Kirkpatrick Was The Founding Member Of N'Sync

    After He Didn't Make The Cut For The Backstreet Boys, Chris Kirkpatrick Was The Founding Member Of N'Sync

    Chris Kirkpatrick Report

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    Pheolei
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like BSB didn't want it that way, but for NYSNC he was like it's gonna be me

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    #29

    Dennis Rodman Has 28 Siblings

    Dennis Rodman Has 28 Siblings

    reddit Report

    #30

    Elvis Presley Was Actually A Blond

    Elvis Presley Was Actually A Blond

    lvis Presley Report

    #31

    Jennifer Lawrence Has H2o Tattooed On Her Hand To Remind Her To Drink More Water

    Jennifer Lawrence Has H2o Tattooed On Her Hand To Remind Her To Drink More Water

    SteadyRed Report

    #32

    Tom Cruise Has A Tooth That Sits Directly In The Middle Of His Face. Once You See It, You'll Never Un-See It

    Tom Cruise Has A Tooth That Sits Directly In The Middle Of His Face. Once You See It, You'll Never Un-See It

    imgur Report

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    David K
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And he also has a black line in the middle of his face which I find quite fascinating.

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    #33

    Before Going Solo, Britney Spears Was In An All-Female Group Called Innosense

    Before Going Solo, Britney Spears Was In An All-Female Group Called Innosense

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    #34

    This Is What Stevie From Malcolm In The Middle Looks Like Today

    This Is What Stevie From Malcolm In The Middle Looks Like Today

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    #35

    Limp Bizkit Were Originally Going To Be Called Blood Fart

    Limp Bizkit Were Originally Going To Be Called Blood Fart

    Limp_Bizkit Report

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    #36

    Angelina Jolie Wanted To Be A Funeral Director

    Angelina Jolie Wanted To Be A Funeral Director

    angelinajolie Report

    #37

    Rachel Mcadams Has A Sister Who Looks Exactly Like Her Named Kayleen Mcadams

    Rachel Mcadams Has A Sister Who Looks Exactly Like Her Named Kayleen Mcadams

    rachelmonline Report

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    #41

    The Rock Eats And Documents His Enormous "Cheat" Meals

    The Rock Eats And Documents His Enormous "Cheat" Meals

    TheRock Report

    #42

    Soon After Moving To New York City, Madonna Worked At A Dunkin' Donuts. She Was Fired After One Week For Messing With The Jelly Machine

    Soon After Moving To New York City, Madonna Worked At A Dunkin' Donuts. She Was Fired After One Week For Messing With The Jelly Machine

    madonna Report

    #43

    Tim Allen's Mugshot After Being Arrested For Possession Of Over 650 Grams 1.43 Lb Of Cocaine. 1978

    Tim Allen's Mugshot After Being Arrested For Possession Of Over 650 Grams 1.43 Lb Of Cocaine. 1978

    codywinters327 Report

    #44

    These Are Some Of Taylor Swift's First Myspace Pictures

    These Are Some Of Taylor Swift's First Myspace Pictures

    Myspace Report

    #46

    Vince Vaughn Is Missing Part Of His Thumb

    Vince Vaughn Is Missing Part Of His Thumb

    imgur Report

    #47

    Beyoncé Got An Insect Named After Her

    Beyoncé Got An Insect Named After Her

     It happened in 2012, when researchers in Australia discovered a new species of horse fly. So they named it "Scaptia Beyonceae," apparently because of the golden hairs on the fly's abdomen. Researchers even claimed that the rare horse fly is the "All-time diva of flies"

    beyonce Report

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    Otter
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Either the people who name insects have the weirdest senses of humor, or they figure nobody outside the field will ever notice! Seriously, if you ever want to completely waste some times, start looking up bizarro insect names. There's a spider named "Calponia harrisonfordi", the "gelea rol" beetle, the Pleasing Fungus Beetle, various species of Crazy Ant and Poodle Moths...

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    #48

    Cate Blanchett With Her Husband Adopted Baby Girl In 2015

    Cate Blanchett With Her Husband Adopted Baby Girl In 2015

    Report

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    Otter
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it just me, or does that child look like a supermodel in the making?

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    #49

    AOC's Nickname Is Sandy

    AOC's Nickname Is Sandy

    wiki Report

    #50

    This Was Shaq's First Tweet

    This Was Shaq's First Tweet

    shaq Report

    #51

    Simon Cowell Polished Jack Nicholson's Axe On The Set Of 'The Shining'

    Simon Cowell Polished Jack Nicholson's Axe On The Set Of 'The Shining'

    wiki Report

    #52

    Martha Stewart Started Out As A Fashion Model

    Martha Stewart Started Out As A Fashion Model

    Report

    #53

    Before She Was A Reality Star, Kim Kardashian Was Paris Hilton's Stylist And Professional Closet Organizer

    Before She Was A Reality Star, Kim Kardashian Was Paris Hilton's Stylist And Professional Closet Organizer

    parishilton Report

    #54

    Anne Hathaway Thought Catwoman Audition Was Originally For Harley Quinn

    Anne Hathaway Thought Catwoman Audition Was Originally For Harley Quinn

    annehathaway Report

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    Suzi Q
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love this picture. It looks like something from the JFK Camelot era.

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    #56

    Before Shooting The Friends Pilot Episode, Jennifer Aniston Turned Down Being A Cast Member On Saturday Night Live

    Before Shooting The Friends Pilot Episode, Jennifer Aniston Turned Down Being A Cast Member On Saturday Night Live

    Report

    #58

    Luke Perry Has A Son Named Jack

    Luke Perry Has A Son Named Jack

    refillwill Report

    #59

    There Also Used To Be Another Spice Girl Named Michelle

    There Also Used To Be Another Spice Girl Named Michelle

    eujoey Report

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    Robert T
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is a joke that if ever Joanna Lumley joined The Spice Girls, she'd be "Old Spice". Poor Joanna, they are so cruel to you. :'-(

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    #60

    Zac Effron Used To Have A "Yolo" Tattoo

    Zac Effron Used To Have A "Yolo" Tattoo

    zacefron Report

    #61

    This What Billy From School Of Rock Looks Like Today

    This What Billy From School Of Rock Looks Like Today

    brianfalduto Report

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    #62

    Ashton Kutcher's Real First Name Is Christopher

    Ashton Kutcher's Real First Name Is Christopher

    wiki Report

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    Milan
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “Kutcher”, when pronouncing in slovak language, it means “Duck”. Maybe he has a czechoslovak heritage 😀😃😃

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    #63

    The Goo Goo Dolls Were Originally Named The Sex Maggots

    The Goo Goo Dolls Were Originally Named The Sex Maggots

    wiki Report

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    Paul C.
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Iris, one of the greatest songs that most people don't remember.....until they hear it and go, Oh! that one.

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    #64

    Ed Sheeran Has A Giant Lion Tattooed On His Chest

    Ed Sheeran Has A Giant Lion Tattooed On His Chest

    teddysphotos Report

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    Maiun
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You'd think with all his money he'd have gone to a better tattoo artist - if that's really him.

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    #65

    Tyra Banks Suffers From Delfiniphobia (Aka A Fear Of Dolphins)

    Tyra Banks Suffers From Delfiniphobia (Aka A Fear Of Dolphins)

    tyrabanks Report

    #66

    Calvin Harris's Real Name Is Adam. Like, That's What Taylor Swift Called Him When They Were Dating

    Calvin Harris's Real Name Is Adam. Like, That's What Taylor Swift Called Him When They Were Dating

    calvinharris Report

    #67

    Taylor Hanson Has Seven Children, Zac Hanson Has Four Kids, Isaac Hanson Has Three Kids

    Taylor Hanson Has Seven Children, Zac Hanson Has Four Kids, Isaac Hanson Has Three Kids

    For those not keeping track, that means there are currently 14 spawn of Hanson.

    taylorhanson Report

    #68

    Tom Cruise Went To Seminary School As A Boy. He Could Have Been A Priest

    Tom Cruise Went To Seminary School As A Boy. He Could Have Been A Priest

    wiki Report

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    Ben
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Did you know Tom Cruise has n tooth right in the center of his face

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    #69

    Katy Perry Collects Celebrity Hair

    Katy Perry Collects Celebrity Hair

    katyperry Report

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    Artsy Bookworm
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does she go around with scissors and like, "Ooh I don't have that person's hair! Let me just snip!"

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    #71

    This Is Kourtney Kardashian's Children's Playhouse

    This Is Kourtney Kardashian's Children's Playhouse

    Architectural Digest Report

    #72

    Grimes Legally Changed Her Name From Claire To c In 2018. The Lowercase Is Intentional

    Grimes Legally Changed Her Name From Claire To c In 2018. The Lowercase Is Intentional

    wiki Report

    #73

    Kanye West Used To Work At The Gap

    Kanye West Used To Work At The Gap

    wiki Report