Serena Williams Recalls Body Image Struggles at Young Age: ‘I Had Big Boobs, Butt’ When ‘Every Athlete Was Super Thin’

Serena Williams Recalls Body Image Struggles at Young Age: 'I Had Big Boobs, Butt' When 'Every Athlete Was Super Thin' Vanessa EtienneDecember 2, 2025 at 1:01 AM 0 Emmanuel Sanchez Monsalve/ PORTER / NETAPORTER.COM Serena Williams wears BOTTEGA VENETA dress and BY PARIAH earrings. Photographed by Emmanuel Sanchez Monsalve for PORTER, NETAPORTER.COM. All items can be purchased via the shoot at NETAPORTER.

- - Serena Williams Recalls Body Image Struggles at Young Age: 'I Had Big Boobs, Butt' When 'Every Athlete Was Super Thin'

Vanessa EtienneDecember 2, 2025 at 1:01 AM

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Serena Williams wears BOTTEGA VENETA dress and BY PARIAH earrings. Photographed by Emmanuel Sanchez Monsalve for PORTER, NET-A-PORTER.COM. All items can be purchased via the shoot at NET-A-PORTER.COM -

Serena Williams said she struggled in the beginning of her tennis career because she had a different body type than other athletes

The 44-year-old said she thought she was "large" her entire life, but now she realizes she was "fit" and just had "big muscles"

She admitted that she stopped reading articles about herself and said she's glad things are starting to change for the next generation of Black tennis stars

Serena Williams is opening up about overcoming her struggles with body image early on in her career.

In the latest cover story for NET-A-PORTER's digital title, PORTER, the tennis star, 44, reflected on how difficult it was to have a different physique than other athletes.

"It was hard because when I was playing in the beginning – the first 15 years – my body was different," she told the outlet. "I had big boobs; I had a big butt. Every athlete was like super flat, super thin and beautiful, but in a different way. And I didn't understand as an athlete how to deal with that."

"It does affect you mentally. Absolutely," she continued. "You think you're large for your whole life and you look [back] and you're like, I was fit. Yeah, I had big muscles. I didn't look like these other girls but not everyone looks the same."

Emmanuel Sanchez Monsalve/ PORTER / NET-A-PORTER.COM

Serena Williams wears ALAÏA swimsuit and shoes, and BY PARIAH earrings. Photographed by Emmanuel Sanchez Monsalve for PORTER, NET-A-PORTER.COM. All items can be purchased via the shoot at NET-A-PORTER.COM

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Williams explained that the comparisons and criticism took such a toll on her body image that she ultimately decided not to read any comments about her.

"When I was 17, when I won the Open for the first time, I took a decision there. I was so young, but I said I'm never going to read anything about me," she said. "At the Open, there was so much positivity, and I thought, I don't want my head to get too big. I wanted to stay humble. I also thought if it's negative, I don't want to read it. I never really read an article after that."

That's one of the reasons why the 23-time Grand Slam champion is often praised for her resiliency, because she's been able to block out the noise.

"Growing up and being Black in tennis, it's just like, well, that comes with negativity… You have something mean to say, get in line. You got to go way back. It's going to take you a few days to get there. Join the crowd," she said. "I don't hear the noise. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. How am I going to sit here and change someone's thought? If [you] don't like me, you don't have to."

Emmanuel Sanchez Monsalve/ PORTER / NET-A-PORTER.COM

Serena Williams PORTER cover

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Williams said she's glad that things are starting to change and get better for the young Black tennis players who are at the top of their game today, like Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka.

"It's changed," she said. "No one's calling these girls the [things] I was called. People would say we were like men and all this other stuff."

"I'm not going to let anyone bring me down," she continued. "I put enough stress on myself. The last thing I'm going to allow is someone else to do that. But I'm so happy that girls nowadays don't have to go through it as much. I mean, I think internet trolls are different. So, you have that to deal with…"

To see the full interview with Serena Williams read PORTER at https://ift.tt/GwrIUPX and/or download the NET-A-PORTER app for iPhone, iPad and Android.

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Serena Williams Recalls Body Image Struggles at Young Age: ‘I Had Big Boobs, Butt’ When ‘Every Athlete Was Super Thin’

Serena Williams Recalls Body Image Struggles at Young Age: 'I Had Big Boobs, Butt' When 'Every Athlete Wa...

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“Harry Potter” Actor Dominic McLaughlin Reveals His Reaction to ‘Insane’ Letter from Daniel Radcliffe

"Harry Potter" Actor Dominic McLaughlin Reveals His Reaction to 'Insane' Letter from Daniel Radcliffe Becca LongmireDecember 2, 2025 at 2:35 AM 0 Aidan Monaghan/HBO; Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros Dominic McLaughlin; Daniel Radcliffe in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' Dominic McLaughlin, who is the titular star of HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series, is speaking out about receiving a letter from former Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe "My dad just tapped me on the train and he just gave me this letter.

- - "Harry Potter" Actor Dominic McLaughlin Reveals His Reaction to 'Insane' Letter from Daniel Radcliffe

Becca LongmireDecember 2, 2025 at 2:35 AM

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Aidan Monaghan/HBO; Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros

Dominic McLaughlin; Daniel Radcliffe in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' -

Dominic McLaughlin, who is the titular star of HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series, is speaking out about receiving a letter from former Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe

"My dad just tapped me on the train and he just gave me this letter. I read it and then I got to the bottom, and it said, 'Dan R,' " the young actor recalled during an appearance on the CBBC show Saturday Mash-Up! Live

McLaughlin said being handed the surprise was an "insane" moment

Dominic McLaughlin, who is the titular star of HBO's Harry Potter TV adaptation, got a special surprise after being handed a letter from his dad on a train.

During an appearance on the U.K.'s CBBC show Saturday Mash-Up! Live, McLaughlin, 11, spoke about receiving a letter from "the man himself," Daniel Radcliffe, 36, who played The Boy Who Lived from 2001 through 2011 in the eight-film series.

The young actor said on the show, "It was insane," adding that he'd been on the train back to Glasgow heading home at the time.

"My dad just tapped me on the train and he just gave me this letter. I read it and then I got to the bottom, and it said, 'Dan R.' I was going mad, but I had to keep it [cool]. I was on the train," McLaughlin recalled, per a clip shared on Reddit.

Courtesy of Aidan Monaghan/HBO

'Harry Potter' TV series stars Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin, and Alastair Stout

When asked how filming has been going so far, the new Potter star insisted, "It's going amazing, it's going really well. I've made good friends with everyone, it's great to be there."

McLaughlin's comments come after Radcliffe spoke about reaching out to the young star during an appearance on Good Morning America on Nov. 18.

"I wouldn't say that anyone who is going to play Harry has to [reach out]," Radcliffe said. "And I have a very sweet, I know a few people who are working on the production, so I wrote to Dominic and I sent him a letter and he sent me a very sweet note back."

He insisted that he does "not want to be a specter in the light of these children," referring to the cast, including actors McLaughlin, Alastair Stout (Ron Weasley) and Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger), who were announced to play the roles in the eagerly anticipated show back in May.

"I just wanted to write to him [McLaughlin] to say, 'I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did — I had a great time, but I hope you have an even better time,'" Radcliffe, who isn't participating in the series, said of the note. "And I do, I just see these pictures of him and the other kids and I just want to hug them."

He went on, "They just seem so young. I just look at them and say, 'Oh it's crazy I was doing that.' But it's also incredibly sweet and I hope they're having a great time."

Peter Mountain/WireImage

Daniel Radcliffe in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'

The forthcoming HBO series, which is an adaptation of J.K. Rowling's book series, kicked off production in July, and is set to premiere in 2027. It will adapt each of the franchise's seven books into a separate season over the next few years.

While it features new cast members such as John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape and Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, the series also sees actors such as Warwick Davis reprising his role as Charms professor Filius Flitwick.

Photos shared by PEOPLE last month captured several cast members featured in the upcoming series filming scenes at the historic Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire, England. The location has ties to the original films, as the Quidditch World Cup in the 2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire movie took place there.

HBO and Max chairman and CEO Casey Bloys previously said in a press release from Warner Bros. Discovery in April 2023 that he's "delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way."

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The release added that "each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally."

HBO's Harry Potter series will premiere in 2027.

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December 01, 2025

“Harry Potter” Actor Dominic McLaughlin Reveals His Reaction to ‘Insane’ Letter from Daniel Radcliffe

"Harry Potter" Actor Dominic McLaughlin Reveals His Reaction to 'Insane' Letter from Daniel Radcliff...

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Your guide to the biggest Las Vegas residencies of 2026: No Doubt, Dolly Parton, Jennifer Lopez, ...

Here are all the artists who'll be holding court in Sin City next year. Your guide to the biggest Las Vegas residencies of 2026: No Doubt, Dolly Parton, Jennifer Lopez, and more Here are all the artists who'll be holding court in Sin City next year. By Emlyn Travis :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/EmlynTravisauthorphotocba6765b433b4f93b9398d18053153b1.jpg) Emlyn Travis is a news writer at . She has been working at EW since 2022. Her work has previously appeared on MTV News, Teen Vogue, and NME. EW's editorial guidelines on December 1, 2025 11:25 a.m.

Here are all the artists who'll be holding court in Sin City next year.

Your guide to the biggest Las Vegas residencies of 2026: No Doubt, Dolly Parton, Jennifer Lopez, and more

Here are all the artists who'll be holding court in Sin City next year.

By Emlyn Travis

Emlyn Travis is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2022. Her work has previously appeared on MTV News, Teen Vogue, and *NME*.

EW's editorial guidelines

on December 1, 2025 11:25 a.m. ET

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Gwen Stefani; Dolly Parton; Jennifer Lopez. Credit:

Amy Sussman/Getty; Jason Kempin/Getty; Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

Only a few months remain in 2025, but several Grammy-winning artists are already making plans to host Las Vegas residencies next year.**

Whether you want to sing "Everybody" with the Backstreet Boys or beg Jolene not to steal your man with Dolly Parton or walk in the spiderwebs of the long-awaited reunion of No Doubt, there's a concert for just about everyone hitting the strip. **

Don't believe us? Just take a look at the list below to find out everything you need to know about some of the biggest performances of 2026, including how to snag tickets.

Leona Lewis: A Starry Night

Leona Lewis performs in 2023.

Victor Boyko/amfAR/Getty

**Artist:** Leona Lewis

**When:** Jan. 2, 3

**Where:** Voltaire at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas

**Tickets:** See Voltaire

Backstreet Boys: Into the Millennium

Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, and Kevin Richardson perform at the 2024 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony in December 2024.

Michael Loccisano/Getty

**Artist:** Backstreet Boys

**When: **Jan. 2, 3 and Feb. 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 15

**Where:** Sphere

**Tickets:** Visit the Backstreet Boys' website

Jennifer Lopez: Up All Night Live In Las Vegas

Jennifer Lopez performs in May 2025.

ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty

**Artist: **Jennifer Lopez

**When:** Jan. 2, 3 and March 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28

**Where: **The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

**Tickets:** Visit Ticketmaster

John Fogerty: Live in Las Vegas

John Fogerty performs in June 2025.

Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty

**Artist: **John Fogerty

**When: **Jan. 2, 3 and March 18, 20, 21

**Where: **PH Live at Planet Hollywood

**Tickets:** Visit Ticketmaster

Blake Shelton: Live in Las Vegas

Blake Shelton performs in 2024.

John Shearer/Getty

**Artist: **Blake Shelton

**When:** Jan. 15, 18, 21, 23, 24, 28, 30, 31

**Where: **The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

**Tickets: **Visit Ticketmaster

Zac Brown Band: Love & Fear at Sphere in Las Vegas

The Zac Brown Band performs in July 2025.

James Gilbert/Getty

**Artist: **Zac Brown Band

**When: **Jan. 16, 17

**Where:** Sphere

**Tickets: **Visit Zac Brown Band's website

Zayn: Las Vegas

Zayn Malik performs in January 2025.

Kevin Mazur/Getty

**Artist: **Zayn

**When: **Jan. 20, 21, 24, 25, 28, 30, 31

**Where: **Dolby Live at Park MGM

**Tickets: **Visit Ticketmaster

Styx: The Las Vegas Residency

Styx members Terry Gowan, Will Evankovich, James 'JY' Young, and Tommy Shaw perform in June 2025.

Thomas Cooper/Getty

**Artist: **Styx

**When: **Jan. 23, 24, 28, 30, 31

**Where: **The Venetian Theatre at the Venetian Resort

**Tickets: **Visit Ticketmaster

Eagles at Sphere

Eagles members Vince Gill, Timothy B. Schmit, Don Henley, Deacon Frey, and Joe Walsh perform in 2023.

Kevin Mazur/Getty

**Artist:** Eagles

**When:** Select weekends in January, February, and March

**Where: **Sphere

**Tickets:** Visit the Eagles' website

Def Leppard: Live at Caesars Palace The Las Vegas Residency

Def Leppard's Rick Savage performs in 2024.

Paras Griffin/Getty

**Artist: **Def Leppard

**When: **Feb. 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28

**Where: **The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

**Tickets: **Visit Def Leppard's website

Collective Soul

Collective Soul's Ed Roland performs in July 2025.

Scott Legato/Getty

**Artist: **Collective Soul

**When: **Feb. 4, 6, 7

**Where: **The Venetian Theatre at the Venetian Resort

**Tickets: **Visit Ticketmaster

New Kids on the Block: The Right Stuff Las Vegas Residency

New Kids on the Block members Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood perform in 2024.

Manny Carabel/Getty

**Artist: **New Kids on the Block

**When: **Select dates in February, June, July, and October

**Where: **Dolby Live at Park MGM

**Tickets: **Visit Ticketmaster

Illenium Presents Odyssey

Illenium, a.k.a. Nicholas Daniel Miller, performs in 2023.

Sergione Infuso/Corbis via Getty

**Artist: **Illenium

**When: **March 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 and April 2, 3, 4

**Where: **Sphere

**Tickets: **Visit Ticketmaster

Foreigner: The Hits Orchestral - Celebrating 50 Years Live in Vegas

Foreigner's Kelly Hansen and Bruce Watson perform in 2021.

Terry Wyatt/Getty

**Artist: **Foreigner

**When: **March 6, 7, 11, 13, 14

**Where:** The Venetian Theatre at the Venetian Resort

**Tickets: **Visit Ticketmaster

The B-52s Love Shack: The Las Vegas Residency

The B-52s perform on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'.

Randy Holmes via Getty

**Artist: **The B-52s

**When: **April 22, 24, 25

**Where: **The Venetian Theatre at the Venetian Resort

**Tickets:** Visit Ticketmaster

Cyndi Lauper: Live in Las Vegas

Cyndi Lauper performs in October 2025.

Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty

**Artist: **Cyndi Lauper

**When: **April 24, 25, 29 and May 1, 2

**Where: **The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

**Tickets: **Visit Ticketmaster

No Doubt's Gwen Stefani performs in January 2025.

Scott Dudelson/Getty

**Artist: **No Doubt

**When: **May 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 21, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30

**Where: **Sphere

**Tickets: **Visit Ticketmaster

Goo Goo Dolls

John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls performs at Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre on August 16, 2025.

Scott Legato/Getty

**Artist: **Goo Goo Dolls

**When: **May 15, 16, 20, 22, 23

**Where: **The Venetian Theatre at the Venetian Resort

**Tickets:** Visit Ticketmaster

Rod Stewart: The Encore Shows Las Vegas Residency

Rod Stewart performs in August 2025.

Jason Kempin/Getty

**Artist: **Rod Stewart

**When: **May 27, 29, 30 and June 2, 4, 6

**Where: **The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

**Tickets: **Visit Ticketmaster

Kenny Chesney Live at Sphere Las Vegas

Kenny Chesney performs in March 2025.

Monica Schipper/Getty

**Artist: **Kenny Chesney

**When: **June 19, 20, 24, 26, 27

**Where: **Sphere

**Tickets:** Visit Ticketmaster

Kelly Clarkson: Studio Sessions - The Las Vegas Residency

Kelly Clarkson performs on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'.

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

**Artist:** Kelly Clarkson

**When: **July 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and Aug. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15

**Where: **The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

**Tickets: **Visit Ticketmaster

Carín León at Sphere

Carin León performs in 2024.

GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images

**Artist: **Carin León

**When: **Sept. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13

**Where: **Sphere

**Tickets: **Visit Léon's website

Dolly: Live in Las Vegas

Dolly Parton performs in 2023.

Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty

**Artist: **Dolly Parton

**When: **Sept. 17, 19, 20, 23, 25, 26

**Where: **The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

**Tickets:** Visit Ticketmaster

- Concerts & Tours

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Concerts"

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Source: Concerts

Published: December 01, 2025 at 11:57AM on Source: PRIME TIME

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December 01, 2025

Your guide to the biggest Las Vegas residencies of 2026: No Doubt, Dolly Parton, Jennifer Lopez, ...

Here are all the artists who'll be holding court in Sin City next year. Your guide to the biggest Las Vegas residencie...

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50 Cent teases never-before-seen footage in Sean Combs abuse allegations doc: 'He forgot that he ...

The fourpart docuseries, &34;Sean Combs: The Reckoning,&34; will premiere on Netflix Dec. 2. 50 Cent teases neverbeforeseen footage in Sean Combs abuse allegations doc: 'He forgot that he was on tape' The fourpart docuseries, &34;Sean Combs: The Reckoning,&34; will premiere on Netflix Dec. 2. By Mekishana Pierre :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/MekishanaPierreauthorphotoed08906b8105488ca1e991de8ac00dec.jpg) Mekishana Pierre Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at . She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Entertainment Tonight and Popsugar.

The four-part docuseries, "Sean Combs: The Reckoning," will premiere on Netflix Dec. 2.

50 Cent teases never-before-seen footage in Sean Combs abuse allegations doc: 'He forgot that he was on tape'

The four-part docuseries, "Sean Combs: The Reckoning," will premiere on Netflix Dec. 2.

By Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on *Entertainment Tonight* and Popsugar.

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December 1, 2025 11:21 a.m. ET

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Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson/Sean 'Diddy' Combs. Credit:

John Nacion/Variety via Getty; Bryan Steffy/WireImage

Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson is ready for people to see the real "character" of Sean "Diddy" Combs.

The rapper and TV producer is gearing up for the upcoming release of *Sean Combs: The Reckoning, *his Netflix documentary series about the sex trafficking and racketeering allegations against the disgraced music mogul. During an appearance on *Good Morning America* on Monday, Jackson delved into his and director Alexandria Stapleton's motivation for creating the four-part documentary about Combs' September 2024 arrest and his October 2025 conviction.

Combs was sentenced to 50 months, or just over four years, in prison for two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He is expected to be released in May 2028.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs.

MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty

"Look, if I didn't say anything, you would interpret it as the hip-hop is fine with his behaviors," Jackson told host Robin Roberts. "There's no one else being vocal. So you would look at it and just say, 'Mind your business' or 'Let me not say nothing about nothing or those things.' It would allow the entire culture to register as if they're for that behavior."

Stapleton noted that it was "very interesting" to watch the never-before-seen footage of Combs in New York City during the days leading up to his arrest, which *The New York Times* reported was arranged by the father of seven to be recorded for his own means.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

"He has a really amazing knack for marketing and all of that, and he was sort of taking that into account and how he was coming off to the public," the Emmy-winning director added.

The pair tease glimpses of the footage in *The Reckoning*'s new trailer, which features clips of Combs talking to his lawyer over the phone about his legal trouble. "We have to find someone who will work with us who has worked in the dirtiest of dirty business," Combs says in the clips. "We are losing."

In another clip shown on *GMA*, Combs is seen greeting fans, shaking their hands, and even accepting a jacket from one. The music producer is later seen in a car declaring that he needs "some hand sanitizer" and a bath because he's been "in the streets amongst the people."**

"It shows you his character," Jackson told Roberts when asked what those clips represent. "What [are] the odds that you would do that in front of the camera? That's one of the moments where he forgot that he was on tape."

50 Cent's Netflix docuseries on Sean Combs abuse allegations gets release date

50 Cent mocks rival Sean Combs asking Trump for pardon: 'Get out of here'

Despite a decades-long beef with Combs, Jackson says their public feud has nothing to do with his desire to produce the Netflix docuseries shedding more light on the allegations against Combs. "It's not personal," he asserted.

Stapleton agreed, telling Roberts that *The Reckoning* is more than just "salacious details" about Combs and the allegations lodged against him. It also includes interviews with two jurors from Diddy's criminal trial, among others.

"The real goal was to story-tell. Not everyone needed to have an allegation to be a part of this project," she explained.

Watch Jackson and Stapleton's Monday appearance on *GMA* above. *Sean Combs: The Reckoning* will premiere on Netflix Dec. 2.**

- Documentary Shows

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50 Cent teases never-before-seen footage in Sean Combs abuse allegations doc: 'He forgot that he ...

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The newest jury member also says there were &34;heated&34; conversations about race on the island. Survivor 49 star Jawan Pitts reveals he smuggled French fries in his sock The newest jury member also says there were &34;heated&34; conversations about race on the island. By Dalton Ross :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/DaltonRossauthorphoto2e15b12006e2438a99fb06db6d682421.jpg) Dalton Ross is a writer and editor with over 25 years experience covering TV and the entertainment industry. Survivor is kind of his thing. EW's editorial guidelines December 1, 2025 11:22 a.m.

The newest jury member also says there were "heated" conversations about race on the island.

Survivor 49 star Jawan Pitts reveals he smuggled French fries in his sock

The newest jury member also says there were "heated" conversations about race on the island.

By Dalton Ross

Dalton Ross is a writer and editor with over 25 years experience covering TV and the entertainment industry. *Survivor* is kind of his thing.

EW's editorial guidelines

December 1, 2025 11:22 a.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Jawan Pitts on 'Survivor 49'. Credit:

Robert Voets/CBS

He repeatedly told us that *Survivor* was like a horror movie, and on Thanksgiving eve, Jawan Pitts became the victim. Jawan was blindsided by his former Uli allies and became the fourth member of the *Survivor 49* jury after Sophie Segreti joined Rizo Velovic, Savannah Louie, and Sophi Balerdi to take him out. The opposition also put a little mustard on the move, with Savannah pretending to not know the outcome and trolling Jawan by acting to be hurt by his betrayal. Rizo then played a fake idol to add even more showmanship to the ouster.

How does Jawan feel about those moves? What was up with him stealing everyone's stuff (bags, water bottles, torches)? And what happened out there that we did not see? We asked juror number 4 all that and more.

Jawan Pitts on 'Survivor 49'.

Robert Voets/CBS

**: What do you make of Savannah trolling you at Tribal Council as the votes are being read pretending to not know you had flipped on her, while knowing the entire time that you would be the one to go?**

**JAWAN PITTS: **It was savage. It was total savage. I think it's crazy being blindsided because it's like an out of body experience, but I do remember the looks. That stuck with me. I was like, "Yo!" I can be salty all I want but I think I had my fair share of like, evil, you know, beard-stroking smirks towards her before too. So, tit for tat.

**Why were you pleading with Rizo to play his idol for Savannah, since you were about to be outed as having voted for her anyway?**

Because at that point I knew we were cooked. I knew we were done, so I might as well get him to burn that thing. But this speaks to how unaware I was on that vote because I thought I had weird vibes before we left for Tribal. But I'm like, *If something hits the fan, my name won't be brought up. Odds are they're going to go after Steven, maybe Kristina, maybe Sage.*

So that was me kind of being like, *Okay, you know, it's going to bite somebody, but it's not going to bite me.* And then when I saw the first Jawan vote, I was done.

Watch unaired 'Survivor 49' 'invasion of privacy' bag search scene (exclusive)

'Survivor 49' recap: The best episode of the season

**Were you surprised you did not have Yellow Sophie on your side?**

Yeah, I really underestimated Yellow Sophie. First off, she's a fierce competitor, and the editors need to get it together. I wish she had more screen time, because I always thought she was a force out there. And on my blindside specifically, I underestimated seeing her go off with the other Sophi. I'm like*, Huh, what do they have to be talking about?*

But what kept me calm with her is her relationship with Sage. I think they have an out of game relationship, and so anytime I was wary about Yellow Sophie, Sage would be like, "No, we got her. She's with us." And that's what was my downfall was, not trusting my gut. I knew something was up with her.

Jawan Pitts on 'Survivor 49'.

Robert Voets/CBS

**Was there any strategic purpose to Rizo's fake idol play or was it just for show and playing to the jury?**

I believe it was a little bit of both. I think it was definitely like his John Cena moment, like WWE. He's a showman and I can respect that, you know? He's excited to be out there. And then maybe there's something to wanting to make Yellow Sophie feel comfortable if there was a plan. But I think it definitely was him kinda just being a showman though.

**Was it ever brought to your attention that you had actually brought Jeff the wrong torch to be snuffed? When did you realize that?**

When I watched it on TV, that was my first time really being like, *Oh my gosh, classic Jawan*. But it's such a beautiful way to end my story, just a full arc. I'm glad that people know that yes, I wasn't targeting Savannah with all the bag and water bottle antics. They don't show this, but I also accidentally painted Sage's water bottle. At our merge thing, we all painted ours so we would not forget, and I painted Sage's, so it's just like classic me. I'm just a dork who's clumsy.

**You said, it's classic Jawan, so is this you out of the game? Is this something that you do in your regular life too?**

Oh yeah. I'm definitely the guy that's like looking for my wallet, the keys, checking at all times because I will forget everything. So, yeah, that's me.

Jawan Pitts on 'Survivor 49'.

Robert Voets/CBS

**I wrote this after the episode, but shouldn't Rizo technically be out of the game if his torch was snuffed?**

I mean, you said it, Dalton! That's the next level gameplay right there. I should still be in there technically. It was all my master plan.

**MC told me that the reason she told you about Yellow Sophie putting a vote on you is that she did not want the first two jury members to both be Black, and that she told you that. Do you remember that, and if so, what was your reaction to that reasoning?**

Such a great question. Thank you for bringing that up. I do remember that conversation and it was a long, intimate conversation about just kind of like the optics. And we talked about season 42 and other prior new era seasons. And I just want to hold space for her hurt feelings and also hold space for anyone that maybe is uncomfortable with our overall boot order in the jury.

I will say for my perspective, every move I made out there was about bringing home money for my family. I'm a broke dude, man, and I have no safety net. So I remember talking to MC about that, and my goal wasn't to try to get her out after she told me that. My goal was like, *How do I protect me and her?* And I thought by protecting me and her was trying to get the votes stacked on Yellow Sophie.

I think with the Savannah coming [on the boat] really influenced a lot. So my goal at that point was just to get me and Sage out alive. So, yeah, I want to continue to hold space for MC's hurt feelings, but for me, it wasn't personal. It just was about survival for my family.

Jawan Pitts and Alex Moore on 'Survivor 49'.

Robert Voets/CBS

**Was there any more discussion about Black players being voted out after the merge after Alex was sent out?**

Yeah, thank you for bringing that up. Me and, Kristina actually had a longer conversation about it. It got pretty heated between me and her. But yeah, it definitely was something that was a topic of conversations.

**Is this something that you, MC, and Kristina have now all been able to come to a good space together where you feel like you all understand the perspectives where everyone was coming from?**

You know, that's such a great question. I feel like I'm learning that everyone has their own process of healing, and that looks different for everyone. I definitely reached out and tried to clear their air on certain things. I just hope in  some more time we can continue to unpack stuff together.

**You say how everyone has their own process of healing. Everyone also goes into the game with their own set of personal rules in terms of the things they are going to do. You said, "I'm coming in, I'm broke, I'm going to do this." But that line is not static for everyone. It's in different places. And that's what why the game can be both frustrating and fascinating.**

100 percent. Thanks for saying that.

Jawan Pitts on 'Survivor 49'.

Robert Voets/CBS

**Look, I've talked to some of your original Uli tribemates and they say that had original Uli gone to Tribal Council, you would have been the one to go. Did you sense that out there early in the game or was that news to you?**

I learned that when I talked to Sage on the Island on the Shannon boot. And I'm so blessed. I think it's really rare where a player can get a second chance. It's almost like I won an advantage. I feel like I got a phone call from home and Sage was that for me. So, I knew I was cooked, man. I didn't feel that until I talked with Sage, but then that really influences why I make the decisions moving forward, which is more kind of like, alright, anybody but me, you know?

**I think people were really rooting for you in Sage as these underdogs who sort of banded together and at least momentarily took control of the game. Talk to me about your relationship with her and was that what sort of drew you together originally? Was it just the fact that we needed each other and we're not part of the cool kids table?**

Yeah, it definitely felt like the cool kids and the top dogs were Nate, Savannah, Rizo and Shannon. They don't show this, but was actually really close with Shannon throughout the whole pre-merge., I think the reason why I'm so loyal is because I thought I would get back to her and we would reunite. But for Sage to really take the chance on me — and we weren't really that close day one, day two, early game — the fact that she took time to really invest in me, she just feels like someone that you meet in high school and you don't even remember how you became best friends.

I think every side of Jawan I can be, I can be goofy, I can be serious, I can be crying, and she just has always been a solid support system for me. And I'm just blessed that I have someone that unique in my life.

Jawan Pitts and Sage Ahrens-Nichols on 'Survivor 49'.

Robert Voets/CBS

**We heard you repeatedly talk about how *Survivor* is like a horror movie. So what is it like then watching it back and watching Rizo Tribal after Tribal not even have to play an idol or get targeted? I have to imagine that's the ultimate horror movie.**

Yeah, man. That was horrible. Especially because at the merge vote, I was like, "We need to get him out. This is my one-time camouflage of me sniping him. If we don't do it now, it's going to get tricky." But I also think there's something to be said about the amount of idols getting played. In 46, everyone got voted out with idol in their pocket. And then from that point on, people were starting to use that. And in our season, Alex played an idol, MC played an idol. But I think the fact that he was aware of that, that's kind of almost a next level way of thinking. So I just couldn't have predicted that he held it and that's why I was nudging him to get him to play it.

Jawan Pitts and Rizo Velovic on 'Survivor 49'.

Robert Voets/CBS

**What's something that happened out there that didn't make it to TV that you wish we had seen?**

Yeah, I have a really messy moment between me and Sage that really just shows how wacky we are. So at the fried chicken reward challenge. I try to be a big brain game player and at the end, I started looking for advantages. So there's a bowl of fries in front of me, I stick my hand in the fries, look around, there's no advantage, but I'm like, *Oh, I have a fist full of fries and I'll be hungry later*.

So I put the fries in my sock like a crazy person, [in case] someone was going to check my pockets. So one night when I went back, I was like, "Sage, check my socks." And then we had a good laugh about eating crusty sandy fries from my sock. Classic me and Sage.

**If you could go back and change one thing about your game, what would it be?**

My journey on the show was about providing a lot for my family and for my siblings, but I'm also someone that you see at the first Tribal Council, I'm struggling to talk and communicate my ideas. So I'm not as confident as maybe Rizo and Savannah. So I think sometimes if I were to go back, I would try to be more trusting in my gut.

***Want to be kept up with all things Survivor? Dig deep and sign up for 's free Survivor Weekly newsletter to have all the latest news, interviews, and commentary sent right to your inbox. ***

- Survivor Fandom

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Survivor"

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Source: Survivor

Published: December 01, 2025 at 11:57AM on Source: PRIME TIME

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byPrime Sky

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December 01, 2025

Survivor 49 star Jawan Pitts reveals he smuggled French fries in his sock

The newest jury member also says there were &34;heated&34; conversations about race on the island. Survivor 49 star ...

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