Where Is Shandi Sullivan from “America's Next Top Model” Now? What to Know About Her Life 20 Years After the Show

Frazer Harrison/Getty ; Netflix

NEED TO KNOW

• Shandi Sullivan came in third on cycle 2 of America's Next Top Model

• She later left modeling and pursued a career as a jewelry store owner and podcast host

• During the 2026 Netflix docuseries Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, Sullivan claimed she was sexually assaulted on-camera

Shandi Sullivanis reflecting on her time in the hit competition seriesAmerica's Next Top Model.

The Walgreens clerk-turned-aspiring model finished third in the show's second cycle. Though Sullivan — who uses both she/her and they/them pronouns — impressed judgesTyra Banks,Janice Dickinson,Nigel Barkerand J. Alexander with their dramatic makeover and high-fashion potential, their run became most remembered for a highly publicized incident during an overseas trip to Milan, Italy.

In the 2026NetflixdocuseriesReality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, Sullivan claimed thatAmerica's Next Top Modelproduction shaped a narrative around her cheating on her boyfriend with a Vespa driver. But the former model described their encounter as sexual assault.

"I remember him on top of me," Sullivan told filmmakers, noting that she was "hammered" at the time. "I was blacked out. No one did anything to stop it. And it all got filmed, all of it."

Executive producer Ken Mok said in the docuseries that editors scaled back that scene "significantly," but that it "was, for good or bad, one of the most memorable moments inTop Model."

So, where is Shandi Sullivan now? Here's everything to know about the formerAmerica's Next Top Modelcontestant's life today.

Sullivan was on season 2 ofAmerica's Next Top Model

Frazer Harrison/Getty

When season 2 — also called "cycles" inAmerica's Next Top Model— aired in 2004, Sullivan instantly became a fan favorite. The Kansas City, Mo., native went from working at Walgreens to being photographed in some of the most iconic images on the show — including their pink-frocked Italian colosseum portrait shot for a mock eyewear campaign.

The image was so iconic that New York City artists Tanner Abel and Nicholas Needham recreated it with Sullivan on the 20th anniversary of its TV airing. Shandi's Italian colosseum photo from 2004 was undoubtedly her superstar moment of the cycle and, personally, may be my favorite photo inTop Modelhistory," Abel toldEntertainment Weeklyin March 2024.

Though Sullivan said inReality Checkthat she initially wanted to winAmerica's Next Top Model, she "didn't care" after what happened in Milan.

She claimed production framed her alleged sexual assault as a cheating storyline

Nancy Kaszerman/ZUMAPRESS.com via Alamy

In the Netflix docuseries, Sullivan recounted what happened between her and the Vespa driver in Milan. After a long day of "go-sees," one of the cast members invited the drivers over for dinner and drinks. The former model said they were "pretty drunk" after the group entered the hot tub.

"I was hammered," they said onReality Check. They went on to claim, "I think I had two bottles of wine by myself. I just remember, like, little bits and pieces. He threw me in the shower and then just sitting in the shower. And then we're in the bed. I was blacked out for a lot of it. I didn't even feel sex happening. I just knew it was happening. And then I passed out."

Footage of the following morning showed Sullivan hysterical and saying, "I just want to die." She was also filmed telling her boyfriend, Eric, about what happened and asking the driver if he had any sexually transmitted diseases. In the docuseries, Sullivan said that two camera operators later apologized for filming their phone call with Eric.

Sullivan toldReality Checkthat she believes production should have stopped the incident. "I think after getting out of the hot tub, I think they should have f---ing been like, 'Alright, this has gone too far. We get it. We gotta pull her out of this,' " she said.

The former model has repeated that sentiment in the past. "If I would've seen me out with that dude in [public], I would've been like, 'Okay, grab [her], you're way too drunk to even know what's going on,' Sullivan toldEntertainment Weeklyin March 2023.

Advertisement

InReality Check, Mok andJay Manuelcited the documentary-style nature of the show as a reason for filming the incident.

Banks said in the docuseries that she was not a part of production, and a spokesperson for the supermodel toldEntertainment Weeklythat she "played no role in the events that occurred this night. Everyone, including production, was surprised to find out what had transpired."

Sullivan appeared on Banks' talk show in 2005

Kevin Winter/Getty

AfterAmerica's Next Top Model, Sullivan toldReality Checkthat they went back to working at Walgreens and "felt really broken."

Banks later invited her and other former contestants toThe Tyra Banks Showfor a reunion a year later. Though she claims she asked Banks off-camera not to play the clip from the Milan incident, since she'd never seen it, she alleges that the supermodel aired it in front of her anyway.

Banks' spokesperson toldEntertainment Weeklythat she denied that she deliberately aired the clip as it "goes against her beliefs."

Sullivan also said in the docuseries that she and Eric continued to date after the show but eventually broke up due to the negative attention she gained from being on the show.

"I'd be walking with Eric down the street and somebody would recognize me and call me a slut to my face," Sullivan said onReality Check. "It made me hate myself."

She stopped modeling in 2014

SBM / PictureLux via Alamy

When Sullivan recreated their Italian colosseum portrait in 2024, it was their first professional shoot in 10 years.

"I wanted to nod to this image to showcase that Shandi still has that magic and beauty within her no matter how much time has passed or what her current career is, while also taking the opportunity to create a fresh 2024 interpretation of her through my eyes," Abel toldEntertainment Weeklyat the time.

Where is Sullivan now?

In 2023,Entertainment Weeklyreported that Sullivan was running a Brooklyn-based jewelry business called Dream Meow Corner. They wrote in a December 2023Instagrampost that they also make "pet portraits, earrings, blobs, candle holders ... whatever I am interested in at the moment."

The formerAmerica's Next Top Modelcontestant also launched the podcastUrn Fulla Popcornin September 2024, where she discusses various horror films. In anInstagrampost announcing the new project, she wrote that she'd be co-hosting the show with Timmy Williams ofThe Whitest Kids U'Know.

Sullivan addressed the release of theReality Checkdocuseries in a January 2026Instagrampost, writing viewers will see if those in charge ofAmerica's Next Top Model"finally take responsibility for the part they played."

They continued, "Because if you truly are placing the blame on the fans for continuing to abuse, manipulate, and extort the contestants on the show that bares your name; I don't think they ever will and that's a damn shame."

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.

Read the original article onPeople

byAdministrator

in

February 16, 2026

Where Is Shandi Sullivan from “America's Next Top Model” Now? What to Know About Her Life 20 Years After the Show

Frazer Harrison/Getty ; Netflix NEED TO KNOW Shandi Sullivan came in third on cycle 2 of America's Next...

Read More

Jimmy Kimmel Drops One Epstein Question for Donald Trump’s AG

Late-night hostJimmy Kimmelzeroed in on Attorney GeneralPam Bondi'scontroversial handling of the Epstein files during her recent testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, posing a straightforward question.

Jimmy Kimmel has a question for Pam Bondi

During a recent episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, the host dissected Pam Bondi's combative appearance. She came before lawmakers, where she faced hours of questioning from both Republican and Democratic members about the Department of Justice's release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

"Today, it was Attorney General Pam Bondi's turn in the hot seat," Kimmel told his audience. "This woman, she's something. This is the kind of woman who, if you lived next door to her, you'd move. You wouldn't even argue with her, you'd just relocate and never go back to the block."

He also mocked a tense back-and-forth between Bondi and North Carolina Congresswoman Deborah Ross. "Did she think she was invited to a mixer? I don't know, it's like speaking to a teenage girl…. That went on for, like, five hours. She's shouting like a crazed Dance Mom, berating Democrats for giving her chubby daughter a low score."

Advertisement

At the center of the dispute is the Justice Department's redaction of names in the Epstein files. Lawmakers who have reviewed unredacted versions have argued that individuals who were not alleged victims had their names blacked out. Bondi did not directly address those redactions during the conversations.

Kimmel framed the issue as a matter of transparency. "There's nothing to defend here. This Department of Justice is hiding the names of people who are not victims. Why are they doing that?" he asked. "If they have nothing to hide, why are they hiding names? That's it. That's the only question anybody needs to ask."

Bondi, as attorney general, oversees the release of the Epstein-related materials. Her testimony and the redactions have intensified scrutiny from lawmakers and media figures alike, with Kimmel's pointed question reflecting broader concerns about transparency in the Epstein case.

Originally reported by Devanshi Basu onMandatory.com.

The postJimmy Kimmel Drops One Epstein Question for Donald Trump's AGappeared first onReality Tea.

byAdministrator

in

February 16, 2026

Jimmy Kimmel Drops One Epstein Question for Donald Trump’s AG

Late-night hostJimmy Kimmelzeroed in on Attorney GeneralPam Bondi'scontroversial handling of the Epstein files during her recent testi...

Read More

Travis Kelce Says Fiancee ‘Made Him So Much Better’ at This

Travis Kelcerecently revealed thatTaylor Swifthas had a surprising impact on his personal growth. The Kansas City Chiefs star shared how his fiancée helped him improve at one specific and relatable skill.

How Taylor Swift made Travis Kelce 'better' at one thing

The Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift relationship has drawn attention for everything from game-day appearances to viral stage moments. But in a February 6 appearance on sister-in-law Kylie Kelce's Not Gonna Lie podcast, Kelce opened up about a quieter, more personal change.

While chatting with Kylie, the two reflected on when they first met. She asked whether her husband, Jason Kelce, had ever shared much about her with Travis early on. "Nothing. No. Me and Jason, we never talk about any of that stuff," Travis admitted.

Kylie said she wasn't shocked, explaining that Jason rarely offers extra information. She joked about how she often learns things from others before realizing her husband already knew. When she asks him questions, his approach tends to be, "I don't know, and I don't care to know."

Advertisement

"I call them girl questions," Kylie teased. "'Cause they're only questions girls would ask." That's when Travis Kelce credited Taylor Swift for influencing him. "Taylor's made me so much better at that. You get the details," Travis quipped.

The player explained that he now pays closer attention and makes a conscious effort to remember specifics, especially when Swift can't attend events with him. On February 5, he attended the 2026 NFL Honors, where he was nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Although Swift "couldn't go," he kept her in mind throughout the evening.

"The whole time I'm saying hi to all these familiar faces and some friends of Taylor… and I'm just like, 'All right, got to remember saw that person,'" he said. "I'm like throwing them in like my memory bank [thinking] 'Don't forget, cause she's going to want some details 'cause she didn't get a chance to go.'" Still, he admitted that remembering everything can be tricky, especially because of the beers.

Originally reported by Devanshi Basu onMandatory.com.

The postTravis Kelce Says Fiancee 'Made Him So Much Better' at Thisappeared first onReality Tea.

byAdministrator

in

February 16, 2026

Travis Kelce Says Fiancee ‘Made Him So Much Better’ at This

Travis Kelcerecently revealed thatTaylor Swifthas had a surprising impact on his personal growth. The Kansas City Chiefs star shared how h...

Read More

Padres' Manny Machado praises Dodgers for spending big on free agents: 'I f***ing love it'

Manny Machado doesn't have a problem with the Los Angeles Dodgers' spending.

While many Major League Baseball team owners wrung their hands and protested over the payroll disparity throughout the sport after the reigning World Series championssigned free agent outfielder Kyle Tuckerto a mega-millions contract, Machado welcomed the aggressive spending by the San Diego Padres' National League West rival.

The Padres' star third baseman added some profanity to emphasize his point while speaking to reporters on Sunday.

"I f***king love it," Machado said,via ESPN's Jesse Rogers. "Every team should be doing it. That sh** is f***ing great for the game."

AsUSA Today's Bob Nightengale points out, Machado is staunchly opposed to MLB implementing a salary cap and limiting earning potential for the players.

However,the debate over a capignited further after the Dodgers inked Tucker, consideredthe top free agenton the offseason market, to a four-year, $240 million deal and outbid rival suitors including the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays.

Kyle Tucker deal with Dodgers ignited MLB salary cap debate

A shorter-term agreement paying Tucker an average annual salary of $60 million was particularly grating to many in the sport. One team owner toldThe Athleticthat it was "a 100% certainty" that clubs would push for a salary cap in the next collective-bargaining agreement.

"These guys are going to go for a cap no matter what it takes," a source familiar with conversation among MLB ownerssaid to The Athletic's Evan Drellich.

Following consecutive World Series titles, the Dodgers go into the 2026 season with a projected payroll of $395 million,according to FanGraphs. That will cost the team at least an estimated extra $100 million in luxury tax for going over the $244 million threshold.

Among MLB teams, the Mets are second in team payroll but nearly $30 million behind the Dodgers. The only other club to exceed a projected $300 million is the New York Yankees.

Manny Machado on Nick Castellanos: "You get a $20 million player for pennies on the dollar, I think that kind of deserves an extension for A.J."

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin)February 15, 2026

The Padres rank ninth with an estimated $219 million payroll, so Machado's remarks may have been a prompt for his team's owners to write bigger checks to compete with the Dodgers in the NL West. However, the Padres willlikely go up for sale soonand that might curb any additional spending. San Diegojust added outfielder Nick Castellanos, along with pitchers Griffin Canning and German Marquez. But those players didn't require multiyear or large-money contracts.

Machado did give Padres general manager A.J. Preller credit for getting a player like Castellanos at a below-market price while the Philadelphia Phillies pay the majority of his $20 million. San Diego is only obligated to pay Castellanos the major-league minimum of $780,000.

"You get a $20 million player for pennies on the dollar, I think that kind of deserves an extension for A.J.," Machado said,via The Athletic's Dennis Lin.

byAdministrator

in

February 15, 2026

Padres' Manny Machado praises Dodgers for spending big on free agents: 'I f***ing love it'

Manny Machado doesn't have a problem with the Los Angeles Dodgers' spending. While many Major League B...

Read More

Olympic curling controversy explained: Sweden accuses Canada of cheating

MILAN—Cheating allegations have rocked the men's curling competition afterSweden accused Canada of intentionally breaking the rulesin the Canadians' 8-6 preliminary round win at the2026 Winter Olympics.

Sweden's Team Niklas Edin accused Canada's Team Brad Jacobs of double touching the stone during their preliminary round matchup at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium on Friday, Feb. 13. Tensions boiled over between the squads and a NSFW exchange ensued, resulting in a verbal warning from World Curling.

Kennedy initially asked who before responding, "I haven't done it once. You can (expletive) off." Eriksson said he'll show Kennedy "a video after the game," which Kennedy replied, "I don't give a (expletive)."

The heated exchange started when Swedish third Oskar Eriksson told Canadian third Marc Kennedy, an Olympic gold-medalist at the 2010 Vancouver Games, "Apparently, it's OK touching the rock after the hog line."

Curling has changed a lot through the years, the sport and the athletes

In response to the accusations, World Curling said officials would monitor opponents' deliveries more closely moving forward.

"It is not possible for World Curling to have game umpires positioned to observe all hog lines for every stone delivery," the organization said in a statement on Saturday. "However, beginning with the Saturday (Feb. 14) afternoon session, two officials will move between all four sheets and observe deliveries."

But the double touch controversy continued on Saturday when the Canadian women's team was called for the same infraction the men were accused of. Canada's Rachel Homan was called for a rules violation for touching the rock in the team's narrow 8-7 loss to Switzerland. Her first stone was removed as a result, which Homan immediately contested. "I've never done it in my life," the Canadian skip told officials.

"Yeah it's frustrating, the officials getting into the game that they have no business getting into," Homan told CBC Olympics following the loss. "They said I touched the stone after I let it go, which is so far from the truth, it's crazy ... Just making something up, I don't know. We have the Maple Leaf on our back, I'm not sure."

World Curling released another statement on Sunday, Feb. 15, about positioning of umpires: "Two umpires who had previously been actively monitoring athlete deliveries remain available in the field of play, but will now only monitor athlete deliveries at the request of the competing teams."

Here's everything we know about the men's curling cheating allegations:

How does Olympic curling work?

Two teams of four people each take turns gliding 44-pound stones down a sheet of ice toward a target that looks like a bullseye. Each match features six to 10 rounds, called ends. The stones have a handle on them, so when they are released, they curl down the ice. As the stone glides toward the target, players sweep the ice in front of it, which can affect the direction and the speed of the stone.

During each round, teams take turns throwing eight rocks, and the team with the rock or rocks closest to the center of the target wins the end. Players can throw guards to block the target, draws to try to score or takeouts to remove the opponent's stones as each end plays out. There are three curling events in the 2026 Winter Olympics: Men's curling, women's curling and mixed doubles.

What happened with Sweden vs. Canada men's curling?

Team Sweden alerted officials of their opponents' potential delivery issues during Friday's matchup, resulting in game umpires being positioned to observe Canada for release infractions for three ends.

"During this period of observation in the Friday evening game, there were no violations recorded," World Curling said in statement on Saturday.

Sweden's Eriksson alleged that the Swedish team has video evidence of the delivery issues, but World Curling said video replays cannot be used "to re-umpire game decisions. Decisions made during a game are final."

What happened with Canada vs. Switzerland women's curling?

Canada skipper Rachel Homan's first stone was removed from the ice by officials for a double touch violation while facing off against Switzerland on Saturday, less than 24 hours after the drama unfolded in the Canadian men's matchup against Sweden on Friday. An umpire placed on the hog line determined Homan touched the stone again after release. The Canadian team argued the call with chief umpire Brett Waldroff and requested video replay, which isn't available in curling.

"Absolutely not," Homan said of the violation, adding there's a "zero percent chance" she double-touched.

Even after Canadian second Emma Miskew and lead Sarah Wilkes' continued protest the call, the stone was eventually removed. After her next throw, Homan told officials, "It's the same throw as my last one. It's unreal."

The Canadian women went on to lose the match to drop to 1-3. Homan said the violation got in her head, telling CBC Olympics, "Obviously it rattles you and we fought hard and we lost in an extra by one point. It's just a shame that had to happen."

NEW: Canada's women's curling team accused of cheating, just like their men's team, after being called for the same infraction.Just one day after Canada's men's team was called out for a "double touch," the women's team was caught doing the same thing.Rachel Homan was heard…pic.twitter.com/RGz11PA0ur

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg)February 15, 2026

Is double touching allowed in curling?

According to the World Curling rulebook, players can retouch the handles before the hog line, "a line extending across the width of the sheet that is parallel to each tee line," but touching the handle after the hog line isn't allowed. A violation would result in the stone being removed from play.

—Rule R.5 (e): "A stone must be clearly released from the hand before it reaches the hog line at the delivery end. If the player fails to do so, the stone is immediately removed from play by the delivering team."

A player is not allowed to touch the granite of the stone during forward motion. This violation would also result in the stone being removed from play.

—Rule R.5 (d): The curling stone must be delivered using the handle of the stone.

Curling Canada responds

The Canadian men's team was issued a verbal warning over explicit language used during Friday's game. According to World Curling, Kennedy's profanity broke Rule R.19, which states: "Improper conduct, foul or offensive language, equipment abuse, or willful damage on the part of any team member is prohibited. Any violation may result in suspension of the offending person(s) by the curling organization having jurisdiction."

Curling Canada said its athletes showcased "passion" during the "highly competitive" matchup, but noted that the organization was supportive of the warning.

"We want to reaffirm that Curling Canada fully supports fair play, respect and sportsmanship, values that are fundamental to our sport," the statement reads. "We appreciate the support and enthusiasm of curling fans everywhere, and we look forward to continuing to cheer on and support our Canadian teams in Cortina on their journey."

Yesterday's men's curling match between Team Canada and Team Sweden in Cortina was highly competitive, showcasing the passion and commitment of both teams.During the game, officials were called to the field of play and closely monitored for any release rule infractions,…pic.twitter.com/vB8IkBZdga

— Curling Canada (@CurlingCanada)February 14, 2026

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Sweden accuses Canada curling of cheating at Olympics: What happened?

byAdministrator

in

February 15, 2026

Olympic curling controversy explained: Sweden accuses Canada of cheating

MILAN—Cheating allegations have rocked the men's curling competition afterSweden accused Canada of intentionally bre...

Read More

No. 8 Illinois stifles Indiana for easy win

David Mirkovic poured in 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead No. 8 Illinois to a 71-51 Big Ten victory over Indiana on Sunday afternoon in Champaign, Ill.

Keaton Wagler contributed 18 points and Tomislav Ivisic added 14 as the Illini (21-5, 12-3) snapped a two-game losing streak by turning 15 offensive rebounds into 17 second-chance points and committing a season-low two turnovers.

Kylan Boswell added nine points and seven rebounds as he returned to the Illinois lineup after missing seven games with a fractured right hand. Andrej Stojakovic sat out his second straight game with a high ankle sprain.

Lamar Wilkerson paced Indiana (17-9, 8-7) with 21 points, while Tucker DeVries posted 13 points and Sam Alexis added 11. However, the Hoosiers scored their fewest points since Dec. 3, 2022, at Rutgers as they hit 6 of 24 from 3-point range and lost the rebound battle by a 38-25 count.

Both teams' key players showed up immediately. While Wilkerson and DeVries canned their first 3-point attempts for Indiana, Wagler produced seven points in the first five minutes to forge an 11-11 tie.

Advertisement

Then, Mirkovic asserted himself. He cashed a 3-pointer on a pick-and-pop with Wagler at the 11:17 mark to highlight a 10-0 run that gave the Illini a 24-15 lead with 9:46 remaining. After Indiana's Jasai Miles and Wilkerson answered with 3-pointers, Mirkovic hit back-to-back 3-pointers and fed Ivisic for a layup to restore a 32-23 lead with 5:28 to go.

Mirkovic posted 15 points in the first half, and Wagler added 11 to offset Wilkerson's 14 and give Illinois a 38-31 halftime lead.

Ivisic scored the first five points of the second half to produce the game's first double-digit lead, but Wilkerson responded with five of his own. Then Illinois reeled off 11 points in a row -- highlighted by a Wagler 25-footer and a Mirkovic running bank -- to claim a 54-36 lead with 12:33 to play.

Wilkerson was the only Hoosier to score in the first 10 minutes of the second half as the rest of the squad went 0-for-6 from the field with four turnovers. Though Alexis finally broke through with a dunk at the 9:31 mark, Indiana never got closer than 12 the rest of the way.

--Field Level Media

byAdministrator

in

February 15, 2026

No. 8 Illinois stifles Indiana for easy win

David Mirkovic poured in 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead No. 8 Illinois to a 71-51 Big Ten victory over...

Read More

Candace Bushnell Reveals Her Mr. Big Broke Up with Her the Night She Got Her Copy of the “Sex and the City” Book (Exclusive)

Dia Dipasupil/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Candace Bushnell is opening up about how close her life was to the Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw

• The author talks to PEOPLE about her one-woman show and her career

• What surprises audiences, she shares, is really how close her life was to Carrie's

Candace Bushnell lived Carrie Bradshaw's life. Or more, Carrie Bradshaw lived Cadance Bushnell's life.

When talking to PEOPLE, the author and television producer shares thatSex and the Citywas modeled after her life, minus a few major changes. Similarly to the show, Bushnell also had her own Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha. She reveals stories about this in her one-woman show,Candace Bushnell: Tales of Sex, Success and Sex in the City

James Devaney/WireImage

"Originally Carrie Bradshaw was basically me, and that's one of the things that's a big part of the show, it's aboutSex and the City, how I createdSex in the City, how hard I worked to get there, and why I invented Carrie Bradshaw," the author, 67, says.

The writer reveals thats she used to be a lot closer to Carrie Bradshaw, who on-screen is played by Sarah Jessica Parker. "Carrie Bradshaw is the character that it was based on me, probably closer at the beginning of the series, and then it takes on a life of its own, which is fantastic because you want that to happen," Bushnell explains.

One of the things that surprises most audiences is how close her life was to Carrie's. However, one big difference is that ultimately, Bushnell didn't end up with Mr. Big like Carrie did. "I didn't end up with my Mr. Big. I do tell that story about our breakup. The day that he broke up with me was the day that I got the galleys to the book,Sex and the City,"Bushnell reveals.

Like on the series when Mr. Big marries Natasha, Bushnell says her real-life Mr. Big married to someone else. But he's been married for around 30 years and now lives in Vermont.

Fadil Berisha

"One of the things that struck me was how much my Mr. Big, he was looking to get married, and how much I was not," Bushnell recalls. "That was something that I realized when I read the book, because at the time, I thought, like, 'Oh, I just wanna be him!' But everything that I did and said made it clear that I did not. I did not want to get married and have a conventional life."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE'sfree daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Despite that, her life, she shares, has a lot of "little connections" to the HBO series. "There's one character who was in the show. She was only in one episode, Amalita Amalfi, and she made me buy these amazing Manolo Blahnik boots. I wore those boots on the same night that I was reporting the first column forSex in the City," the author says.

Bushnell also reveals that she still has the actual boots, although they never made onto the show.

Read the original article onPeople

byAdministrator

in

February 15, 2026

Candace Bushnell Reveals Her Mr. Big Broke Up with Her the Night She Got Her Copy of the “Sex and the City” Book (Exclusive)

Dia Dipasupil/Getty NEED TO KNOW Candace Bushnell is opening up about how close her life was to the Sex and the City character Carrie Br...

Read More