From the Group Chat: Miss Universe Drama, the “Met Gala for Teenagers,” and “Eternity”

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Sunday. We can all agree that few Sundays are scarier than the one after Thanksgiving, right? That said, here are a few things I’ll do today to avoid spiraling…

• Swap my trusty black leggings for this slightly more vibrant yet equally versatile option — apparently key to giving “I take private Pilates lessons” energy.

• Dig through my nail polishes to find the season’s must-try mani color, which is basically the beauty equivalent of a cashmere throw. Meaning luxe, cozy, and impossible to resist.

• Ponder whether the latest underwear-as-outerwear trend is the universe telling me to finally upgrade my tragically tired bras.

• Get to the bottom of two celeb rumors that’ve haunted me all week: Is Beyoncé dropping hints that new music may be on its way? And is Robert Irwin dating this Baby-Sitters Club actress? The “evidence” is…compelling.

• Whip up this Single Serve Ginger Molasses Cookie recipe — ideal for late-night cravings or when you just need a couple thick, chewy, and ridiculously perfect treats. Trust me, I made them every night this week.

— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC

😮 Never in a million years did we think we’d be excited to wear tights, but after seeing the old-money vibes of this unexpected shade, we have the sudden urge to stock up. 

🐢 If wearing a turtleneck inevitably leaves you feeling like Steve Jobs, these fresh, foolproof styling tricks will be a revelation.

🤫 People everywhere are apparently asking Google these five relationship questions. Monogamy, you OK?

🧦 Our condolences to eyes, but this once unthinkable shoe-and-sock combo is taking over — and it’s perplexing enough to make that Birkenstock choice seem perfectly normal.

🎄 The latest makeup trend looks like it came straight from a Hallmark holiday movie, and we have just one thing to say: It’s. Still. November.

Even if the last beauty pageant you watched was Miss Congeniality, you’ve probably heard that the Miss Universe, well, universe has had a month. It all started in early November, when Thai pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil was seen on a livestream berating Miss Mexico (aka Fátima Bosch) for not participating in some promotional activities, prompting Bosch and other contestants to walk out in protest. After the video went viral, Itsaragrisil issued an exceptionally teary apology, while Miss Universe president Raúl Rocha Cantú announced that Itsaragrisil would be restricted — if not excluded — from the pageant. Then, days before the competition kicked off, three judges abruptly resigned, and one of them, Omar Harfouch, alleged that a secret jury had preselected the top 30 contestants. (The organization denied those claims.) Add to that: A controversial social media post and Miss Jamaica’s terrifying fall during a preliminary round — and, yeah, it’s safe to say that this year’s pageant was messier than the latest season of Selling Sunset. 

Now, if you thought that Miss Mexico’s big win would put an end to all the chaos, (a) how rational of you, and (b) not quite. As of now, Miss Jamaica remains in the hospital recovering from her injuries, though Rocha Cantú says she’s “close to being released.” Both Miss Côte d’Ivoire and Miss Estonia announced they were stepping down from their titles, in order to stay true to their values. First-time contestant Miss Ireland told People she doesn’t plan to participate in Miss Universe again, adding “I’d never seen anything as bad as this.” And in an interview, Rocha Cantú — who is reportedly being investigated for alleged connections to organized crime activity — indicated that he was looking to sell his stake in the pageant, saying he was “so fed up” with all the controversy. All of which begs the question: Can Miss Universe continue hanging on by a (sequined) thread?  Particularly as audiences, contestants, and judges walk away? Or is it time for the pageant to wave goodbye? In the words of Miss Rhode Island Cheryl Frasier, “that’s a tough one.”

While you were disassociating on the couch yesterday, 20 young women hailing mostly from Hollywood royalty, actual royalty, and families with enough money to act like royalty made their debut at Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris. Described as a “Marie Antoinette fever dream,” the invite-only event is so extravagant, it makes the deb balls in Bridgerton and Gossip Girl look like a high school formal. There are runway-worthy couture gowns, crystal chandeliers at every turn, a champagne budget that costs more than rent, choreographed father-daughter waltzes, and wall-to-wall documentation on LeBalTok (think: RushTok for the 1%). Included in The Debs Class of 2025? Bronwyn Vance, daughter of Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance (we’d hoped she’d borrow her mom’s best Oscars gown, but alas); Carolina Lansing, granddaughter of fashion designer Carolina Herrera (her very trendy polka-dot dress was a tribute to her grandmother’s first collection); and Lady Araminta Spencer-Churchill, who is somehow related to Princess Diana, Winston Churchill, and the Vanderbilts (talk about a holy trinity). The women are now part of an extremely specific sorority that includes alums like Margaret Qualley, Lori Harvey, Lily Collins, Ava Phillippe, sisters Scout and Tallulah Willis, and yes, Apple Martin, who, it seems, has shaken off last year’s “mean girl” allegations. Bisous, Debs.

Rihanna, we agree, you didn’t deserve this “stray.” But your response is so iconic, it kind of makes us glad you did?

Think “’til death do us part” sounds like a long time? For the characters in Eternity, it’s just the beginning. In the new, aptly titled rom-com, the recently departed have one week to decide where they want to spend forever and with whom — something Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) discovers when she dies just after her longtime husband Larry (Miles Teller). But before you assume what Joan’s happily ever after will look like, here’s the plot twist: Her first husband, Luke (Callum Turner), who was killed in the Korean War, is also waiting for her — and has been for 67 years. So with the help of her afterlife coordinator (John Early), Joan must make a tough decision: stick with what she knows or find out what could have been? Either way, one thing we know for sure is she won’t be heading to the man-free world, which is sadly “at full occupancy.” Can’t say we’re surprised.

Aritzia The Effortless Crepette Pant

Caroline, senior commerce editor, here. I don’t usually gasp out loud when I’m trying on clothing, but these pants are the exception. I’m 5-foot-1 on a good day, so finding trousers that don’t need tailoring is nearly impossible — which makes the “short” inseam option a game changer. They also fit comfortably in the waist, look slightly looser through the legs in that French Girl-chic way, and drape perfectly over sneakers and loafers alike. My one gripe? They hit about a half inch below my belly button — a smidge too high for this Team Low-Rise loyalist (I know, I know). But here’s the thing: That means they’re actually a true mid-rise, which 99% of people prefer. (They also come in a high-waisted version.) I have them in black, but I’m grabbing navy while they’re 20% off for Black Friday. Oh, and while you’re at it, check out more Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales worth shopping today, too.

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Ritual is taking 40% off sitewide until December 2. Our sleep-challenged senior editor will be replenishing her stock of melatonin capsules (that actually work).

Hot take: this night cream works just as well as moisturizers double the price, thanks to an elegant formula containing squalane, rosehip oil, and chamomile. At 30% off today, it's even more of a steal than usual.

When you can't afford VPL but want more coverage than a thong, these soft, seamless briefs from Honeylove will come in handy. Get them (and everything else on the site) for up to 60% off today.

The new year is still a few weeks away, but it's not too early to get started on your 2026 goals — and these DailyOm courses make reaching those goals even easier (and more enjoyable). Use code BLACKFRIDAY6 for $6 off.

Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.