This was my first year as editor in chief of PEOPLE, and when I look back at the incredible stories we’ve run, I can’t believe we did it all in the course of (just under) 12 months.
There were deeply personal stories from the likes of Priscilla Presley, Emma Heming Willis, Michael Strahan and Charlie Sheen. Interviews with celebrities who almost never do interviews: Billy Joel, Melinda French Gates, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. We talked to so many legends: Dick Van Dyke, Dolly Parton, Michelle Obama, Demi Moore.
And perhaps what I’m most proud of were those weeks when we spotlighted a star rising to new heights, and there’s no greater example of that than our Sexiest Man Alive Jonathan Bailey, who has now become the top-grossing actor of 2025 with his mega hits Jurassic World: Rebirth and Wicked: For Good.
As we close out the year, we’ve updated our traditional coverage with a little bit of levity. In this issue we’re celebrating the Jonas Brothers, who dominated stages across the country in 2025.
Then we’re reflecting on the rest of the best, worst and oops moments that “owned the pop culture conversation this year — for better or for worse,” says executive director of special integrated projects Andrea Lavinthal, who also interviewed our cover stars.
The brothers were in high spirits in Houston — until drama hit the shoot.
“After chatting about our shared home state of New Jersey, we talked about their incredible 20-year career and life on tour. Everything was going great until I got lightheaded and had to stop the interview (it turned out to be low blood sugar),” Lavinthal recalls. “I was mortified, but the guys were incredibly understanding.”
Jonas superfan and staff editor Alexandra Schonfeld jumped in to finish the interview: “I am beyond grateful to Andrea for trusting me,” she says. “Who would’ve thought that 10-year-old Alexandra, who couldn’t stop listening to ‘Year 3000,’ would one day be sitting across from them? It was a dream come true.”
Go behind the scenes of the shoot exclusively on the PEOPLE app.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. PEOPLE’s editors share their favorite memories from the most exciting cover stories of 2025. Thank you for reading, clicking, and watching.
Michelle Obama
“Getting to sit down for an hour and pick the brain of America’s history-making former first lady Michelle Obama was in itself a career highlight and dream come true, but what sent the experience over the top for me was how incredibly open she was about her family’s journey and who she’s become now that the White House is long behind her,” says editor at large Janine Rubenstein.
“What I thought would be an interview about her style pegged to new book The Look, became a deep dive into her evolution as a woman, and a Black woman, at that. I met a new Michelle Obama, now so sure of herself and comfortable in her skin that it was palpable.”
Robert Irwin
“I love the fact that I pitched a cover interview with Robert Irwin before Dancing With the Stars started — and he ended up winning,” says senior reporter Gillian Telling. “Maybe I have a sixth sense? (Bookies, take note!) But after our chat, I knew he’d absolutely charm the hearts of America. He’s such a sweet, conscientious person who truly cares about the earth and animals, as well as treating others with kindness. He exemplifies the perfect PEOPLE person. I can’t wait to see where his exciting life takes him.”
Heidi Klum
The moment Heidi Klum walked on set, the mood was “electric,” says style and beauty director Brittany Talarico. “She was singing, dancing, cracking jokes in German and FaceTiming her kids, all while bringing some full-on supermodel sex appeal in micro-mini hemlines. Her energy was so infectious L.A.’s stubborn June gloom actually broke apart overhead, as if even the weather knew better than to kill her vibe.
“At 52, she’s unapologetic and just as unstoppable as she was at 22. As she put it: ‘I’m not hiding in a corner. I like to run around sexy — even now.’ In a beautiful thank you note, she wrote that it was, ‘One of my favorite photo shoots ever,’ which, coming from one of the world’s top supermodels, might be the highest compliment ever.”
Dolly Parton
Despite being one of the biggest stars in the world, “Dolly was as down to earth as everyone says,” senior music editor Jeff Nelson says. “We talked about her upcoming Las Vegas residency, and she said she’s most looking forward to the free room service at the resort — what a relatable Queen of Country!”
Reba McEntire
“Reba McEntire was a gift of a cover star,” says writer-reporter Daniela Avila. “For my first print cover, we talked about her happiest season yet with a 70th birthday, an engagement and her 50 years of music milestone. At the end of our chat, Reba —whose kindness is ever-present — told me something I’ll never forget: She totally forgot we were doing an interview, and she felt I had a ‘gift.’ ”
John Cena
“I spent an early Sunday morning in San Diego during Comic Con with John Cena —who arrived 10 minutes early and stepped out of his car and right onto set, ready to work,” says senior TV editor Colleen Kratofil. “We had a wide-ranging conversation about his career, his retirement from wrestling and his most passionate topic: hair loss. He really showed a vulnerable side of himself because he wants to eliminate the shame and stigma around it for other men.”
Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush
“Jenna and Barbara made my first PEOPLE cover such a special experience from start to finish. They’re funny, smart, warm and so very easy to talk to,” says staff writer Alex Ross. “Because the story was about sisterhood (they’re twins, after all) and raising children, I also got to meet and play with their kids: Mila, Poppy, Hal, Cora Georgia and Edward. The issue date even turned out to be my 25th birthday. What a gift!”
Helen Mirren
“As we were wrapping up the interview, Dame Helen Mirren shook my hand and said, ‘That was fun. Thank you for your research. You obviously did a lot of research, so I appreciate that,’ ” recalls senior movie writer Eric Andersson. “As a journalist, I couldn’t ask for a higher compliment.”
Priscilla Presley
“I’ve been covering the Presley family for years now, from covering Lisa Marie’s funeral to getting the first exclusive excerpt from her posthumous memoir and interviewing Riley — but this was the first time I’ve sat down with Priscilla in person,” says staff editor Brianne Tracy.
“The story was pegged to her new memoir, which focuses on her life after Elvis, and I was so grateful for how candid she was about all of the ups and downs she’s experienced — including Lisa Marie’s death — in the last few years.”
Emma Heming Willis
“Spending the day with Emma was to experience what humanity, empathy and resilience looks like,” says managing executive editor Lizz Leonard. “As she shared her journey navigating her husband Bruce Willis’s Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) diagnosis — equal parts devastating and inspiring — I was so struck by Emma’s desire to help other caregivers feel less alone. I’m an only child and take care of my elderly mom, and Emma’s hard-earned wisdom, and endless compassion, still resonate with me all these months later.”
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