We can’t unsee Barry Keoghan’s hair or say his name correctly

— Check out what we Skimm’d for you today December 5, 2024 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [daily_skimm] [Header Image]( But first: [Wait, whose mojo did Travis Kelce steal?]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Update location]( or [View forecast]( Quote of the Day "I had no idea what that movie was about when I saw it, and I was in it" — Kieran Culkin [reflecting on his younger self's confusion](. How very Roman Roy of him. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Kieran Culkin didn’t know what one of the movies he was in was about. #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) What's Happening [Pete Hegseth] Politics What in the Hegseth Is Going On? What's going on: Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, is in damage-control mode amid mounting allegations against him. Hegseth is facing (and vehemently denying) accusations of sexual misconduct, mismanagement, and excessive drinking. Despite the growing concerns, he’s reassuring anyone who will listen (even [writing an opinion piece]() that he’s not going anywhere and promising that [he’ll remain sober if he gets the job](. “This is the biggest deployment of my life, and there won’t be a drop of alcohol on my lips while I’m doing it,” he said during an interview Wednesday — the same day he tried to [assuage senators’ concerns](. (Is this sounding oddly familiar to Matt Gaetz’s playbook?) Also part of the full-court press? Hegseth’s mother, who [previously described him as a liar and a cheat]( in a 2018 email, [appeared on Fox & Friends]( to defend her son. While no Republican senator has explicitly pledged a no vote, [more than four have publicly expressed reservations](, which could potentially block Hegseth’s confirmation. What it means: While Trump has been clear that he has no qualms about bucking traditional choices for his Cabinet, Hegseth’s personal baggage could prove to be too distracting for his administration. Meanwhile, Hegseth’s efforts to win over lawmakers, including telling senators he still has Trump’s support, come at an awkward time. Media reports suggest [Trump may be eyeing Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis]( ([boots and all]() to replace Hegseth. It’s unclear whether Trump, who is famously sober, is considering alternatives because he doubts his nominee has enough Senate votes, or if the allegations tied to Hegseth’s drinking and conduct are making him reconsider. Notably, the Trump transition team didn’t do thorough screenings of potential nominees, and only recently agreed with the Department of Justice [to perform formal background checks]( on his picks. Related: [Bitcoin Hits Record $100,000 After Trump Picks Crypto Supporter To Lead SEC]( (NPR) US News Health Care CEO Killed in a "Targeted" Attack, Suspect on the Run What's going on: A manhunt is underway in New York after a masked gunman shot and killed [the CEO of UnitedHealthcare]( early Wednesday outside the New York Hilton Midtown. [Brian Thompson](, 50, was preparing to speak at the company’s annual investor conference when a gunman approached him from behind, firing several rounds. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch [called the attack “brazen” and “targeted,”]( indicating it was not a random act of violence. The suspect used a silencer and knew exactly which door Thompson would enter, allowing him to ambush the executive from a concealed position, according to sources familiar with the investigation. The suspect was last seen in Central Park riding a bike. Tell me more: Thompson’s assassination is likely to bring further attention to the vulnerability of some high-profile CEOs working at such large and influential companies. UnitedHealth Group (the parent company of UnitedHealthcare) is the nation’s largest private health insurer — with a nearly $400 billion operation, it’s a cornerstone of the health care system. Earlier this year, a ransomware cyberattack on a UnitedHealth subsidiary [affected the health data of over 100 million Americans](, disrupted medical facilities nationwide, and [prompted congressional hearings]( and federal investigations. The company has also faced [allegations of systematically denying coverage]( for necessary health care procedures. Related: [Who was Brian Thompson? The CEO Who Kept a Low Profile]( (CBS News) Music Headphones on for Pop Princesses What's going on: Ah, Spotify Wrapped day — it’s the best of times for people with cool music taste, and the worst for those of us who didn’t realize how much we listen to the High School Musical soundtrack (new [levels of shame](: unwrapped). And this year, Wrapped was for the ladies, especially those in pop. Women artists created a whopping [eight of the top 10 most-streamed albums]( — although, does it really count if Taylor Swift is behind three of those? Still, it’s a somewhat diverse cast, with Karol G, SZA, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and Sabrina Carpenter also making the list. Not to give Spotify too much credit for this — they ([allegedly]() didn’t pick these women, after all. Spotify’s global head of editorial, Sulinna Ong, says artists [outside the mainstream are also performing well](, like emerging indie star Luvcat and the rapper Doechii. What it means: It’s not just Wrapped that’s indicating a winning year for women in music. Beyoncé was just named [the greatest pop star of the 21st Century](, and we’re still reeling from a ‘Brat summer’ defined by artists like Charli XCX and Chappell Roan. Plus, a [landmark 35% of last year’s biggest chart]( hits were by women, according to one report. Being a woman in music isn’t all fun and sparkly microphones, though. Artists still [face gender discrimination]( at alarming rates and a [pay gap]( (and it’s worth noting that Spotify has been criticized for its [royalties structure](). [Sabrina Carpenter]( has [faced criticism lately for being “too sexual” on stage](, a critique we don’t hear much about hip-gyrating frontmen. “[If I was a man](,” right? Still, to see so many women secure top Wrapped slots means something…At least according to Ong, who says: “Music is always a bellwether for what’s happening in the outer world.” Related: [Ever Wondered What Would Be on Blair Waldorf's Spotify Wrapped?]( (Bustle) Quick Hits 🇫🇷 Merde: [The French government has collapsed]( (again). --------------------------------------------------------------- 🪄 Drew Barrymore surprised Ariana Grande with a [very magical gift.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 👃 Doctors say [blowing your nose the wrong way]( could make you sicker. Just in time for the holidays. --------------------------------------------------------------- 💬 You’ve been saying “Chappell,” “Shein,” and “semaglutide” wrong — along with [all the other most mispronounced words of 2024](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 👱 It seems like Barry Keoghan has [debuted his breakup-era look](, and it’s giving Ben Affleck 2.0. --------------------------------------------------------------- 👀 Princess Kate is sporting [the color of winter](. Hint: It’s more flattering than “brat” green. --------------------------------------------------------------- 😬 After that messy It Ends with Us press tour, [Justin Baldoni is telling his side of the story]( (sort of). --------------------------------------------------------------- 🧁 Calling hot cocoa lovers, there’s [a new sweet treat]( in town.* Skimm+ We’re on a mission to empower women with more data so they can make smarter decisions for themselves and their careers. If you’re a consultant or freelancer, we’d love to learn more about your experience, rate, and billing – anonymously, of course – [in this form](. Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… Nicole Kidman’s [breakthrough anti-aging DNA beauty serum]( is practically miraculous, using advanced nano delivery tech to visibly minimize fine lines and wrinkles in seconds. [Here’s 30% off and free shipping](.* --------------------------------------------------------------- Cyber Monday may have come and gone, but you can still brighten and whiten your smile thanks to a new [electric oscillating toothbrush]( from [Quip](. Use code CM25 for 25% off. --------------------------------------------------------------- Our shopping editors' [favorite products]( of November are in, including a new cleanser obsession and a bottle of wine that didn't give one editor a hangover. Need we say more? --------------------------------------------------------------- Spice up your desk salad with a 3-pack of [seasonal dressings](, including a healthier-than-normal ranch with no preservatives or refined sugars. Ranch for life. Psst…love our recs? Follow [@skimmshopping]( on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag). Settle This [Crocs ] [Are these shoes the next Crocs](? (Don’t judge them all by the pink camo ones, please.) [Yes, they look comfy]( [No — no Jibbitz, no dice]( Extra Credit [Keira Knightley as Helen Web] Stream It may be the season for wholesome holiday rom-coms — but Netflix is making a compelling case for adding a “[stylish spy thriller](” to this weekend’s TV binge. Set in London during Christmastime, [Black Doves]( (all six episodes are available to stream today) stars Keira Knightley as Helen Webb, a dedicated, perfectly-put-together wife and mother — who also happens to be a professional spy, working for a shadowy, espionage-for-hire organization. When she discovers that her secret lover has been murdered, Webb and an old assassin friend (Ben Whishaw) [set out on a mission for revenge](, uncovering "a vast, interconnected conspiracy linking the murky London underworld to a looming geopolitical crisis." For more recs... Check out the Daily Skimm Weekend newsletter, in your inbox every Saturday and Sunday. We'll help you spend your leisure time well. Game Time [Words]( Brick Breaker meets word search in [Spelltower](, your new favorite game. For every word you find, letter tiles disappear. The fewer tiles left when you run out of words, the better your score. [Try it](. Meet Us On The Leaderboard [Flipart]( | [Spelltower]( | [Crossword]( | [Typeshift]( | [Pile-Up Poker]( This is worth your money [Product Image]( Shaksuki Food Warming Mat [$35.88 at Amazon]( Stay ahead with the Skimm Well newsletter, where expert advice and tools help you confidently manage your health. [Subscribe now]( Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Molly Longman, Mallory Simon, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Jordan Mamone. --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by Andrew Harnik and Cate Gillon via Getty Images, Brand Partners, Ludovic Robert/Netflix Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? 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