Meet the Men Behind the Most-Hated Experiment in Business

Plus: The Olympic Ice Dancing Drama, Explained

View in browser | Update preferences SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS From the gender of celebrity babies to the outcome of upcoming elections, it seems that practically every aspect of life today, including the weather, is fair game for a wager. (My boyfriend won $20 on Super Bowl Sunday by accurately predicting that Bad Bunny would kick off his halftime performance by singing "Tití Me Preguntó".) For the March issue of Vanity Fair, Zoë Bernard interviewed the CEOs of Kalshi and Polymarket, the two startups at the center of the prediction-market craze, which she describes as "an experiment in collective intelligence with the potential to upend not only Wall Street but the inner workings of American democracy." Meanwhile, Natasha O'Neill breaks down all the juicy ice dancing drama at the 2026 Winter Olympics; Rebecca Ford takes us inside the annual Oscar nominees luncheon, which she calls "the most playful event of awards season"; and Julie Miller pays tribute to James Van Der Beek, who died Wednesday at age 48 after a three-year battle with colorectal cancer. CAITLIN DICKSON, SENIOR EDITOR Meet the Men Behind the Most-Hated Experiment in Business BY ZOË BERNARD "We don't think it's gambling. We just don't." READ MORE More Great Reads SPORTS The Olympic Ice Dancing Drama, Explained BY NATASHA O'NEILL Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates were the favorites to win gold in Milano Cortina—until a strange judging call put their future in jeopardy. READ MORE AWARDS SEASON A Seat at the Table: Inside the Academy's Annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon BY REBECCA FORD Nominees like Jacob Elordi, Teyana Taylor, Steven Spielberg, and Kate Hudson got a chance to let their hair down and enjoy the moment. READ MORE In Memoriam Remembering James Van Der Beek BY JULIE MILLER The actor became a millennial heartthrob at 20 thanks to Dawson's Creek, and spent decades processing his sudden onslaught of fame. READ MORE Feats of Fashion Princess Anne's Sunglasses Take the Gold The younger sister of King Charles has won everyone over with an eye-catching detail that sums up her nonchalant style. Threading the Moment at New York Fashion Week As Fashion Week begins, will the industry confront the nation's volatile political landscape or continue to retract into itself? MORE FROM VANITY FAIR POLITICS BUSINESS HOLLYWOOD STYLE ROYALS CELEBRITY This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2026. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.