The Most Unexpected Stories About Celebs We Heard This Year
This year kept everyone on their toes with headlines that came out of nowhere. Engagements popped up with no warning, projects returned after long breaks, and the industry said goodbye to several giants whose work shaped film, music, and fashion. The mix of personal milestones and major losses made for a year that felt both celebratory and historic.
Below is a quick tour through the moments people talked about the most. Each entry sticks to what actually happened, when it happened, and why it mattered in the bigger picture of entertainment and pop culture.
Robert Redford’s passing at 89 on September 16
Robert Redford died at his home in Utah on September 16, 2025 at age 89, with statements confirming the news and tributes following immediately. Reports noted his long career as an actor and director, his Oscar for directing ‘Ordinary People’, and his lasting influence as founder of the Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival.
Colleagues marked the loss with public remembrances that highlighted decades of collaborations and mentorship. Reflections from peers such as Jane Fonda and Mark Ruffalo underscored how his films like ‘All the President’s Men’ and ‘Our Souls at Night’ continued to define eras of American cinema.
Ozzy Osbourne’s death at 76 on July 22
Ozzy Osbourne died on July 22, 2025 at age 76, with his family sharing the announcement and details of his final days at home in England. Follow up reporting described the emergency response and the family’s request for privacy while arrangements were made.
The official death certificate later listed out of hospital cardiac arrest and acute myocardial infarction, with coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease noted as joint causes. A funeral procession in Birmingham took place on July 30 as fans and musicians honored his legacy.
Brian Wilson’s death at 82 on June 11
Brian Wilson died on June 11, 2025 at age 82, with his family announcing the news and outlets recounting his role in creating classics like ‘Pet Sounds’. Coverage emphasized his songwriting, studio innovations, and the lasting impact of his harmonies on generations of artists.
Obituaries also noted the personal milestones and challenges that shaped his later years, along with tributes from collaborators and admirers across music. Regional and national outlets provided additional confirmation and context around the announcement.
Val Kilmer’s death at 65 on April 1
Val Kilmer died on April 1, 2025 at age 65, with confirmation published soon after initial reports. Coverage cited pneumonia as the cause of death and looked back at signature roles across films such as ‘Top Gun’, ‘The Doors’, and ‘Tombstone’.
Retrospectives also addressed his career’s later chapters and the health battles he had discussed publicly, while film writers assessed how performances like Doc Holliday endured in popular memory.
Giorgio Armani’s death at 91 on September 4
Giorgio Armani died on September 4, 2025 at age 91, as confirmed by his fashion house and international news organizations. Statements described him as working up to his final days while guiding a global brand identified with clean tailoring and understated elegance.
A private funeral followed in Italy, and additional reporting outlined plans for stewardship of the company and exhibitions that were already in motion to mark his five decades in fashion.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announce their engagement on August 26
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce revealed their engagement on August 26, sharing photos of the proposal and confirming the news on social media. Subsequent interviews and timeline pieces documented how the relationship became public in 2023 and reached this milestone in 2025.
Kelce discussed the proposal the following week, noting when and where it took place and describing the moment on his podcast. Coverage captured those details along with the couple’s initial comments about planning.
Beyoncé’s big night at the 2025 Grammys
Beyoncé won Album of the Year in early February 2025, capping a landmark ceremony where she also won Best Country Album for ‘Cowboy Carter’. The latter made her the first Black woman to win that category.
Reports detailed who presented the awards and how the wins fit into her broader awards history, while noting how the evening’s results reflected the year’s most discussed releases.
Rihanna confirms she is expecting her third child
Rihanna confirmed in May that she is expecting her third child with A$AP Rocky, sharing the news around the time of major red carpet appearances. Later features tracked public clues about the pregnancy and documented how she balanced brand and fashion work during this period.
Profiles and photo shoots published in September added fresh images and styling details as fans continued to follow updates about the baby and the family.
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom end their engagement
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom ended their engagement in late June, with representatives confirming the breakup and emphasizing their focus on co parenting their daughter. Coverage compiled a timeline from their first meeting through their engagement and later split.
Bloom addressed the change in September, speaking about their ongoing family relationship and how they plan to navigate schedules and responsibilities going forward.
The Jonas Brothers return to ‘Camp Rock’ with a new film
Disney announced ‘Camp Rock 3’ is in production with the Jonas Brothers returning in front of the camera and Demi Lovato serving as an executive producer. Filming began in Vancouver with new cast additions alongside familiar faces from earlier films.
Project notes outlined the storyline, creative team, and distribution plans for Disney platforms, while confirming returning roles and character details for the ensemble.
Aaron Tveit and Ericka Hunter Yang’s wedding surfaces months after the ceremony
Broadway actor Aaron Tveit and Ericka Hunter Yang married in New York City in June, with the couple keeping the event private until the news surfaced in September. Photo roundups and wedding lists documented the timeline and provided the first public confirmation.
Coverage noted their shared Broadway background and included quick details about the celebration once it became public, adding the wedding to roundups of notable ceremonies this year.
Simu Liu and Allison Hsu share their engagement news
Simu Liu announced his engagement to Allison Hsu in May, posting images and captions that confirmed the proposal. Fashion and culture outlets included the couple in their running lists of notable 2025 engagements.
Roundups compiled the proposal date and the couple’s public timeline, placing the announcement alongside other high profile engagements this year.
Gene Hackman’s death at 95 in late February
Gene Hackman died in late February 2025 at age 95, with reports confirming that he was found at his home. Obituaries revisited major roles in ‘The French Connection’ and ‘Unforgiven’ and outlined his retirement from acting and later career as a novelist.
Follow up reporting noted family arrangements and the status of his literary projects. Memorial segments across film events summarized his awards history and the breadth of his screen work.
Zendaya and Tom Holland confirm they are engaged in January
Zendaya and Tom Holland confirmed their engagement in early January after speculation sparked by a ring debut during awards week. Coverage outlined that the proposal took place over the holidays and that the couple kept details private.
Fashion and culture pieces followed the ring’s design and the couple’s low key event schedule through spring. Occasional joint appearances and charity commitments kept interest high while wedding plans remained off the record.
Liam Hemsworth and Gabriella Brooks share engagement news on September 12
Liam Hemsworth and Gabriella Brooks revealed their engagement on September 12 with a photo set that included a close look at the ring. Reports traced their relationship timeline from 2019 and noted earlier sightings that hinted at the announcement.
Family and friends offered comments that appeared in follow ups during the week. Outlets also noted how his current series work could affect timing for ceremonies in Australia.
Share the unexpected story that surprised you most this year in the comments so we can compare notes.
