A Brief History of the High Art of Good Gossip

Plus: Princess Diana’s bodyguard; ‘Moonlight’ at 10

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September 28, 2026

If you don’t have anything nice to say, come sit by me—and Lindsey Weber and Bobby Finger, whose canonical podcast about Q-list celebrities, Who Weekly, has now inspired an impeccably titled book: I Want to Be Famous: When Everybody and Nobody Is a Celebrity. Today in VF, Lindsey and Bobby chart how celebrity gossip has evolved since the days of hard-charging muckrakers like Walter Winchell and Dorothy Kilgallen, the Broadway columnist Frank Sinatra angrily nicknamed the “chinless wonder.” It’s an excerpt that reads like a dishy conversation with a few well-informed friends, and what more do you need on a Monday evening than that? Elsewhere, Katie Nicholl catches up with Princess Diana’s former bodyguard, and Rebecca Ford reminisces about Moonlight with Barry Jenkins, 10 years after the director’s dreamy Oscar winner premiered. More tomorrow!

HILLARY BUSIS FEATURES EDITOR

A Brief History of the High Art of Good Gossip   By Lindsey Weber and Bobby Finger

In an exclusive excerpt from their new book, podcast hosts Lindsey Weber and Bobby Finger trace the evolution of celebrity tabloid culture from Old Hollywood to the internet era. Read more

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ROYALS   Princess Diana’s Former Bodyguard “Saw How Much Pain” Charles and Camilla’s Affair Caused the Late Royal   By Katie Nicholl   Ken Wharfe, who worked as one of Diana’s protection officers, talks to Vanity Fair about Charles Spencer’s new book, what pushed Diana “over the top,” and what the late royal would have wanted for Prince Harry. Read more

HOLLYWOOD   Barry Jenkins Revisits Moonlight, 10 Years Later   By Rebecca Ford   Ahead of a rerelease of the Oscar-winning film, in theaters on October 2, Jenkins reveals the film’s emotional hold on him, the best-picture mix-up that sent him to therapy, and the challenges of the “fucking vortex” of awards season. Read more

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STYLE   The Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces in Recent History   By Mathilde Engelmann   The past few decades have seen some of the most expensive divorces ever. Here’s a selection of nine famous couples whose separations cost a fortune. Read more

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Bob vs. Bob Bob Chapek breaks his silence about being ousted from the Walt Disney Company.

Sabrina Carpenter and Margaret Qualley Join the Cast of Tom Holland's Fred Astaire Biopic Sabrina Carpenter will play Ginger Rogers, while Margaret Qualley will play Fred’s older sister, Adele.

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