Charlie Hunnam Wondered If He Made a Mistake Playing Ed Gein in “Monster ”Before This Breakthrough Moment“ ”(Exclusive)

Charley Gallay/Getty;Courtesy Of Netflix

NEED TO KNOW

• Charlie Hunnam was worried he made a "mistake" before boarding Monster: The Ed Gein Story 

• The actor tells PEOPLE he was worried he signed up for "a horrible process" when agreeing to play the infamous murderer

• "I really started to get scared that maybe I'd made a mistake and this was just going to be impossibly bleak and dark and a horrible process," Hunnam says

Charlie Hunnamis getting candid about his mindset going into the role of Ed Gein.

TheMonster: The Ed Gein Storystar, 45, caught up with PEOPLE at Netflix's Tudum Theater in Hollywood on Nov. 10, and detailed why he initially thought he made a "mistake" in his decision to play the titular murderer and grave robber.

Hunnam, who previouslyrevealed his second thoughtsback in October when the series first hit the streamer, says he was initially worried he signed up for "a horrible process" when agreeing to play Gein.

"I mean, it got in my head…The most in my head. Before we started shooting, during the research period, everything that's been written about Ed have been these sort of sensationalist, grotesque litanies of just horror. And I really started to get scared that maybe I'd made a mistake and this was just going to be impossibly bleak and dark and a horrible process," Hunnam says. "And then there was a breakthrough."

That "breakthrough," Hunnam shares, came when he began to "really read" Gein's medical records. which "gave a less sensationalized depiction of who he was."

"It was just the brass facts of his mental illness, his struggles with isolation, his emotional abandonment from his mother. And I just started to see the human," Hunnam adds. "Because that's what we were really trying to do, is just find the human story within this, ask the question what creates a monster and why this man did the things that he did, and less interested in what he did, and really very interested in trying to answer the question why he did what he did."

Hunnam previously shared his hesitancy regarding the role of Gein — who was initially arrested in 1957 and died in 1984 — in an interview withEntertainment Weeklypublished on Oct. 6. At the time, he said that understanding he would be playing the murderer, widely known for exhuming human remains and using them as everyday items, sent him "into a full panic."

Gein's crimes are believed to have inspired several horror films, such asPsycho, The Texas Chainsaw MassacreandThe Silence of the Lambs.As for Hunnam, he revealed at the time that he doesn't "really like the horror genre," making the job "kind of a strange choice" for him.

"I just found myself saying yes, based, I would say like 99 percent of it, on just how much I liked Ryan," Hunnam said of series creatorRyan Murphy.

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Hunnam stars inMonsteralongsideTom Hollander,Laurie Metcalfand Suzanna Son, with Vicky Krieps,Addison Rae, and more filling out the cast. It marks the third installment of Murphy's anthology series, which previously explored the legacies ofJeffrey DahmerandLyle and Erik Menendez.

Courtesy Of Netflix

"I think Ryan does a very good job in the show of asking the question, 'Why do we tell these stories and what is the consequence of it?' I felt it was my job to truly try to understand this character and try to bring him to life," he says. "And I asked myself a lot, 'Why we do tell these stories and what is the function of them?' And I think in the history of the function of storytelling is to bring light to confusing and dark parts of the world, or to the human condition just writ large."

He adds that he hopes "nobody gets any ideas from watching Ed Gein" and that there wasn't "anything positive" in his actions. "He was just a truly disturbed and deeply sad character who never found any joy in his life," Hunnam says. "There was nothing positive that came for Ed or anybody that he came into contact with."

Monster: The Ed Gein Storyis available to stream in full on Netflix.

Read the original article onPeople

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

January 01, 2026

Charlie Hunnam Wondered If He Made a Mistake Playing Ed Gein in “Monster ”Before This Breakthrough Moment“ ”(Exclusive)

Charley Gallay/Getty;Courtesy Of Netflix NEED TO KNOW Charlie Hunnam was worried he made a "mistake" before boarding Monster: T...

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Influencer Paul Kim's Son, 5, Dies After Contracting Severe Case of the Flu

Paul Kim/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

• Influencer Paul J. Kim's 5-year-old son, Micah, died on Dec. 31, 2025, after contracting a severe case of the flu

• Kim — who maintains a following of over 300,000 sharing videos about his Catholic faith — first revealed that his son had been hospitalized in a Dec. 21 Instagram post

• In a video update to his Instagram page, Kim wrote that this has been "the hardest thing I've ever been through in my life and it continues to be"

Influencer Paul J. Kim's 5-year-old son, Micah, died on Dec. 31, 2025, after contracting a severe case of the flu.

Kim shared the devastating news in an emotionalvideoto his Instagram followers on Thursday, Jan. 1, saying that "after fighting 11 long hard days, [Micah] went home to the house of our father."

"We are so proud of him. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart as his dad, on behalf of my family, for all the ways you guys prayed and lifted us up during this time. This incredibly difficult, impossible time for our family. It's been the hardest thing I've ever been through in my life and it continues to be," Kim said his in video.

"As much as this time I just want to have privacy and have time to mourn with my family I felt like I owed all of you an update, just out of gratitude. Micah is already in Heaven at work, seriously, so many testimonies, so many ways in which God is using the light in my five-year-old to truly save souls and change the world," Kim said.

Kim shared that his videos and posts have reached all seven continents. He also shared that his profile has been viewed over 50 million times in the last two weeks, with many people reaching out to pray for his family and for Micah.

Kim also shared the story of another woman who he spoke to at the hospital, who had a two-week-old in intensive care.

"We got to talking about, 'Have you given baptism to your baby girl?' She said no and I encouraged her to think about it, especially given this emergency situation. Yesterday, toward the end of Micah's life when his bed was being pushed, right at that moment the mom walked up and she said 'Hey, my husband and I have been talking it but we would like for you to baptize our child.' "

Kim said got the okay from his spiritual director and baptized the baby.

"How does this happen in the midst of all this we're going through? There's a real possibility that before Micah passed he may have already been gone. Coma, and the situation is very mysterious. His body was there but we know that his soul was already with the Lord. We were in a time of waiting. But, God's already using him in miraculous ways."

Continued the grieving father, "For those two weeks we were fighting long and hard, we were consulting legal, health, ethical teams even outside the hospital. Just to make sure we weren't leaving any stone unturned. In many ways we were fighting for Micah to buy him as much time as possible, until he passed. As a father, that is my duty I was called to do that. Even if in God's ultimate will it wasn't meant for him to recover."

Kim shared that coming home without his son was one of the most "heart-wrenching awkward experiences."

"Coming back to a home where Micah is not running around, laughing and screaming as he usually is," he said.

Kim — who maintains a following of over 300,000, by sharing videos about his Catholic faith — first revealed that his son had hospitalized in aDec. 21 Instagram post, saying that Micah was transported in an ambulance for a "medical emergency."

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In subsequent updates over the next few days, Kim said that his son had avery severe case of influenzathat prompted sepsis and seizures and required that he beplaced on life support. He also shared thatscans had foundthat Micah's brain activity was "not present."

On Christmas Eve, Kim shared that his family was celebrating Christmas mass with his son from inside his hospital room.

Paul Kim/Instagram

"This has undeniably been the heaviest cross my wife and I have carried in our entire lives. I have never felt so crushed and helpless in my life," penned Kim in an emotionalChristmas Day post. "But I have simultaneously never felt so strong and upheld by God's grace in my life. To those I know and strangers I've never met, thank you for your prayers, generosity, and concern."

Micah's health journey captured the hearts of thousands of people online, who posted kind messages to his family while he was receiving treatment. His story even caught the attention of singer-songwriterGwen Stefani, who commented on one of Kim's posts, "🙏 praying for u."

Read the original article onPeople

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

January 01, 2026

Influencer Paul Kim's Son, 5, Dies After Contracting Severe Case of the Flu

Paul Kim/Instagram NEED TO KNOW Influencer Paul J. Kim's 5-year-old son, Micah, died on Dec. 31, 2025, after contracting a severe cas...

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Pink Spends New Year’s Eve in the Hospital, Shares Photo with Bandage on Neck

Pink/Instagram; Dave Benett/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Pink posted a selfie in a hospital gown on New Year's Eve

• The Dec. 31 post detailed her reason for the hospital stay

• The singer also reflected on her year and the goals she is setting for 2026

Pinkgave her New Year's Eve wishes from a hospital bed.

The "Raise Your Glass" singer shared a selfie on Wednesday, Dec. 31, while donning a hospital gown, a large neck bandage, and a huge smile.

The smileyInstagrampost came with a contemplative caption about her 2025 and an explanation for her hospital visit.

The musician joked that she was not getting a facelift but rather "two new shiny discs in my neck." "Rock 'n' roll is a contact sport," she wrote, adding that her family was snowboarding while she was "by [her]self" in a hospital room.

"This year was a doozy for all of us and it ran the spectrum from absolutely devastating to mildly annoying," the "So What" popstar wrote. "In amongst all of that, there was so much beauty. And I got to wake up every day and get out of bed and go about my business. The business of loving my children and helping them to follow their dreams."

The mother of twodescribed having had to say goodbye to "incredibly important people" this year and having "realized dreams this year, as well as nightmares." But she vowed to "work this year to help preserve the choices of others to make for themselves and their families and this very pursuit of happiness" in 2026.

Juliette Lewiscommented in support of Pink, writing, "Thank you for this. 🙌 happy healing & happy new year."Kristin Chenowethechoed the sentiment and wrote, "Amen sister amen! ❤️🙌👏🔥"

Pink kept fans in the loop on her health journey in 2025.

Over the summer, the "Just Give Me a Reason" singer shared that she wasrecovering from a bacterial infectionin anInstagrampost on Aug. 31.

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She posted a photo resting on a couch, legs crossed and a wine glass in hand, while hooked up to an IV.

"When you go on vacation and have food and E. Coli decides to move into your gut, you kill it with friends and daughters and red wine and a vitamin IV concoction," she wrote. "This is all normal and everything is going well."

Read the original article onPeople

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

January 01, 2026

Pink Spends New Year’s Eve in the Hospital, Shares Photo with Bandage on Neck

Pink/Instagram; Dave Benett/Getty NEED TO KNOW Pink posted a selfie in a hospital gown on New Year's Eve The Dec. 31 post detailed he...

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Musk says Neuralink to start 'high-volume' production of interface devices by 2026

BENGALURU, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Elon ​Musk's ‌brain implant company ‌Neuralink will start "high-volume production" of ⁠brain-computer ‌interface devices and ‍move to an entirely automated ​surgical procedure ‌in 2026, Musk said in a post ⁠on the ​social ​media platform X on ‍Wednesday.

(Reporting ⁠by Rishabh Jaiswal in ⁠Bengaluru; Editing ‌by Rashmi ‌Aich)

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

January 01, 2026

Musk says Neuralink to start 'high-volume' production of interface devices by 2026

BENGALURU, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Elon ​Musk's ‌brain implant company ‌Neuralink will start "high-volume production...

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Health subsidies expire, launching millions of Americans into 2026 with steep insurance hikes

NEW YORK (AP) —Enhanced tax creditsthat have helped reduce the cost of health insurance for the vast majority of Affordable Care Act enrollees expired overnight, cementing higher health costs formillions of Americansat the start of the new year.

Democrats forced a43-day government shutdownover the issue. Moderate Republicanscalled for a solutionto save their 2026 political aspirations. President Donald Trumpfloated a way out, only to back off after conservative backlash.

In the end, no one's efforts were enough to save the subsidies before their expiration date. A House vote expected in January could offer another chance, but success is far from guaranteed.

The change affects a diverse cross-section of Americans who don't get their health insurance from an employer and don't qualify for Medicaid or Medicare — a group that includes many self-employed workers, small business owners, farmers and ranchers.

It comes at the start of a high-stakes midterm election year, withaffordability— including the cost of health care — topping the list of voters' concerns.

"It really bothers me that the middle class has moved from a squeeze to a full suffocation, and they continue to just pile on and leave it up to us," said 37-year-old single mom Katelin Provost, whose health care costs are set to jump. "I'm incredibly disappointed that there hasn't been more action."

Some families grapple with insurance costs that are doubling, tripling or more

The expired subsidies were first given to Affordable Care Act enrollees in 2021 as a temporary measure to help Americans get through the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrats in power at the time extended them, moving the expiration date to the start of 2026.

With the expanded subsidies, some lower-income enrollees received health care with no premiums, and high earners paid no more than 8.5% of their income. Eligibility for middle-class earners was also expanded.

On average, the more than 20 million subsidized enrollees in the Affordable Care Act program are seeing their premium costs rise by 114% in 2026, according to an analysis by the health care research nonprofit KFF.

Those surging prices come alongside an overall increase in health costs in the U.S., which are further driving up out-of-pocket costs in many plans.

Some enrollees, like Salt Lake City freelance filmmaker and adjunct professor Stan Clawson, have absorbed the extra expense. Clawson said he was paying just under $350 a month for his premiums last year, a number that will jump to nearly $500 a month this year. It's a strain for the 49-year-old but one he's willing to take on because he needs health insurance as someone who lives with paralysis from a spinal cord injury.

Others, like Provost, are dealing with steeper hikes. The social worker's monthly premium payment is increasing from $85 a month to nearly $750.

Effects on enrollment remain to be seen

Health analysts have predicted the expiration of the subsidies will drive many of the 24 million total Affordable Care Act enrollees — especially younger and healthier Americans — to forgo health insurance coverage altogether.

Over time, that could make the program more expensive for the older, sicker population that remains.

Ananalysisconducted last September by the Urban Institute and Commonwealth Fund projected the higher premiums from expiring subsidies would prompt some 4.8 million Americans to drop coverage in 2026.

But with the window to select and change plans still ongoing until Jan. 15 in most states, the final effect on enrollment is yet to be determined.

Provost, the single mother, said she is holding out hope that Congress finds a way to revive the subsidies early in the year — but if not, she'll drop herself off the insurance and keep it only for her four-year-old daughter. She can't afford to pay for both of their coverage at the current price.

Months of discussion, but no relief yet

Last year, after Republicans cut more than $1 trillion in federal health care and food assistance with Trump's big tax and spending cuts bill, Democrats repeatedly called for the subsidies to be extended. But while some Republicans in power acknowledged the issue needed to be addressed, they refused to put it to a vote until late in the year.

In December, the Senate rejected two partisan health care bills — a Democratic pitch to extend the subsidies for three more years and a Republican alternative that would instead provide Americans with health savings accounts.

In the House, four centrist Republicans broke with GOP leadership and joined forces with Democrats toforce a votethat could come as soon as January on a three-year extension of the tax credits. But with the Senate already having rejected such a plan, it's unclear whether it could get enough momentum to pass.

Meanwhile, Americans whose premiums are skyrocketing say lawmakers don't understand what it's really like to struggle to get by as health costs ratchet up with no relief.

Many say they want the subsidies restored alongside broader reforms to make health care more affordable for all Americans.

"Both Republicans and Democrats have been saying for years, oh, we need to fix it. Then do it," said Chad Bruns, a 58-year-old Affordable Care Act enrollee in Wisconsin. "They need to get to the root cause, and no political party ever does that."

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

January 01, 2026

Health subsidies expire, launching millions of Americans into 2026 with steep insurance hikes

NEW YORK (AP) —Enhanced tax creditsthat have helped reduce the cost of health insurance for the vast majority of Affordab...

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Russia rings in new year with mass drone strike on Ukraine, Putin says he's confident of victory

KYIV, Ukraine —Russiarang in the new year by launching more than 200 drones atUkraine, whilePresident Vladimir Putinused his year-end address to rally support for his troops and to assure his nation of victory.

In Ukraine itself,President Volodymyr Zelenskyy'sDec. 31 address was defiant but also optimistic aboutthe frenetic shuttle diplomacy being brokered by the United States.

Zelenskyy said that Russia,whose officials are also in talks with the Americans, remains the central barrier to peace, with Putin unyielding in his maximalist demands.

"I would give anything in the world if, in this address, I could say that peace will also come in just a few minutes," Zelenskyy said just before the clock struck midnight. "Unfortunately, I cannot say that yet. But with a clear conscience, I — all of us — can say that Ukraine is truly doing everything for peace."

The Ukrainian leader recently returned froma meeting with President Donald Trumpin Florida on Sunday. Afterward, Zelenskyy said Trump had offered 15 years ofthe crucial "security guarantees"that he says are essential to stop Putin from attacking again. Ukraine had asked for 50 years, he said.

Hours before the new year's bells chimed, Trump's special envoySteve Witkoff posted on Xthat he had held a call with Zelenskyy, Ukrainian national security secretary Rustem Umerov and the national security advisers of Britain, France and Germany.

In his own post on X,Umerov saidSecretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner were also on the call.

Though Zelenskyy said that the "peace agreement is 90% ready," he suggested that the remaining 10% contained the thorniest issues preventing peace.

"Those are the 10% that will determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe, how people will live," he said. "Ten percent to save millions of lives. Ten percent of the determination needed for peace to work 100%. Ten percent of the unity and wisdom so desperately needed — Ukrainian, American, European, from the entire world. Ten percent to peace."

The Ukrainian leader charted what has been a roller-coaster year trying to retain the goodwill of Trump, a pivotal and changeable figure in the peace process. Zelenskyy said "it was not easy at all to achieve such a change in the tone of relations between Ukraine and the United States" after he clashed with Trump and Vice President JD Vance in anextraordinary White House meetingin February.

Trump has often shifted between appearing to favor Russia and then Ukraineduring these negotiations, and has at various points been criticized for freezing Ukraine and Europe out of the process.

"Without Ukraine, nothing will work. Ukraine has defended its right to have a voice," Zelenskyy said, adding later: "Ukraine is, in fact, the only shield that now separates Europe's comfortable way of life from the Russian world."

Hours after Zelenskyy spoke, Russia launched 205 drones — mostly Iran-designed Shaheds along with some Russian Gerbera drones — into Ukraine, according to the country's military. Air defense systems downed 176 of these, but 24 strikes were recorded at 15 locations, it said. There was also shelling right along the line of contact between Russia and Ukraine.

At least two people were killed and more than a dozen injured across the country, according to regional officials.

For its part, Ukraine launched a strike against Russia's Rosrezerv oil depot in the Yaroslavl region, the Security Service of Ukraine, the SBU, said in a statement. The SBU said this was the latest strike designed to "cut off the supply chains of Russian petroleum products with surgical precision, both abroad and for the troops attacking Ukraine."

Russia claimed this week thatUkraine had attempted to assassinate Putinwith a drone strike on his country residence, something that Ukraine denied and the CIA concluded was not true, a source with knowledge of the matter told NBC News.

In his own New Year's address, Putin said his country was striving "to bring joy and warmth" to those in need, as well as the "heroes" fighting in Ukraine. "I wish all our soldiers and commanders a happy new year! We believe in you and in our victory," he said.

Daryna Mayer reported from Kyiv and Alexander Smith from London.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

January 01, 2026

Russia rings in new year with mass drone strike on Ukraine, Putin says he's confident of victory

KYIV, Ukraine —Russiarang in the new year by launching more than 200 drones atUkraine, whilePresident Vladimir Putinused ...

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Jamie Lynn Spears Unveils the Truth Behind Her Selfies, Jokes About Wearing 'Tons of Makeup' and 'Pounds of Fake Hair'

Jamie Lynn Spears/Instagram (2)

NEED TO KNOW

• Jamie Lynn Spears is getting real about the reality of selfies

• On Wednesday, Dec. 31, the actress and singer lifted the lid and shared that "good lighting, tons of makeup and pounds of fake hair" were the secrets to a perfect shot

• The star's revelations follow her family-focused Christmas at her Louisiana home

Jamie Lynn Spearsis getting real about what makes a great selfie.

The actress and singer lifted the lid on the reality behind creating a perfect shot via anInstagram carousel, which she shared with her 2.2 million followers on Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Jamie Lynn, 34, shared that "good lighting + tons of make-up + pounds of fake hair really make a difference" when trying to get that perfect picture. Alongside her advice, theZoey 101alum shared a carousel of images of herself in various poses, wearing a bright red sweater and gray jeans.

While one image showed her pouting, another had her flashing the peace sign, and a third showed off the long, wavy blonde extensions.

Jamie Lynn's revelation follow her offering an insight into her Christmas celebrations with asocial media poston Dec. 25. The Instagram carousel showed her daughters,Maddie, 17, and Ivey, 7, celebrating at her Louisiana home with her mom,Lynne, 70 and her nephew,Preston, 20, the son of Jamie Lynn's sister,Britney, 44.

Jamie Lynn Spears/Instagram

The festive images include the family posing by a huge Christmas tree, opening piles of gifts, and leaving out food for Santa's reindeer. The carousel also revealed that Jamie Lynn gifted her daughter Maddie an ATV, nearly 9 years after the teen fell into a coma following atraumatic ATV accident.

"Merry CHRISTMAS ✝️🤶🏻🎀🎄🎁," Jamie Lynn wrote in the carousel's caption.

However,one family member notably missing from the celebrations was Britney,who shared a pointedInstagrampost three days later that appeared to be a sarcastic acknowledgement of her family's holiday plans.

The "Gimme More" singer wrote, "Merry late Christmas to my beautiful family who have never disrespected me, harmed me, ever done anything completely unacceptable or caused unbelievable trauma, the kind you can't fix…," Britney wrote. "To my dear sweet innocent family … so so sorry I was busy this Christmas but I will definitely show up and surprise you soon … I can't wait."

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A source previously told PEOPLE that Britneyspent Christmas with her son Jayden, 19, whom she shares with ex-husbandKevin Federline.

View this post on Instagram

"Britney had a fun time celebrating Christmas with Jayden — it's been such a special holiday," the source said.

Britney wrote about her complicated relationship with Jamie Lynn in her 2023 memoirThe Woman in Me.

In the book, the singer said her"heart goes out" to Jamie Lynnfor growing up in her shadow and for being a child of divorce.

"She will always be my sister, and I love her and her beautiful family. I'm working to feel more compassion than anger toward her, and toward everyone who I feel has wronged me. It's not easy," Britney wrote in the book.

Read the original article onPeople

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

January 01, 2026

Jamie Lynn Spears Unveils the Truth Behind Her Selfies, Jokes About Wearing 'Tons of Makeup' and 'Pounds of Fake Hair'

Jamie Lynn Spears/Instagram (2) NEED TO KNOW Jamie Lynn Spears is getting real about the reality of selfies On Wednesday, Dec. 31, the ac...

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