"People" Magazine's Top Celebrity Stories of 2018

It’s that time of the year again! 

We’re getting close to Christmas, which means not too long after, we’ll be welcoming a new year! But before we do, we want to take a look back at 2018 — specifically the top celebrity stories of the year.

And we went straight to the source — People’s Editor-in-Chief, Jess Cagle.

Considering everything that’s happened over the past year, Jess shared his and the magazine’s take on the top five stories of the year.

1. The Royals

Prince Harry married Meghan Markle, and then they announced that they were expecting their first child! Plus, Duchess Kate gave birth to her and Prince William’s third child, Louis, and Princess Eugenie married her longtime love, Jack Brooksbank.

But the royal event that took the cake? Definitely Harry and Meghan’s nuptials. "My eyes are still swollen from how much I cried!" Rach says.

2. Anthony Bourdain’s Death

Days after fashion designer Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain also took his own life. And while it was an extremely sad time, Jess said it was notable for opening up a national conversation about suicide.

3. Aly Raisman

Jess said it best: “I think we live in a time when there are a lot of villains in the world, and that also means that people who are heroes and act heroically, they become even more noticeable.”

That’s certainly the case with Aly Raisman, who, after realizing that she had been sexually abused for years by her gymnastic team doctor Larry Nassar, chose to speak up. Dozens more gymnasts then shared their harrowing stories, and together, they brought Nassar to justice — and helped make gymnastics, and all work places, safer spaces for the future.

“Tragedy,” adds Rach, “but out of it comes maybe the next generation of women not being afraid to speak up.”

4. "A Star Is Born"

With the fourth iteration of the classic tale, a star was reborn — and that star would be Lady Gaga. 

The pop phenom plays singer-songwriter Allie, with no makeup, her natural chestnut hair, and a sweet smile that makes it hard to believe it’s the same bold woman who once walked the VMAs red carpet in a meat dress! 

“To see Gaga so stripped down is so cool — you just see the raw talent,” says Rach.

And you get a very soulful Bradley Cooper, who’s also making his directorial debut here, opposite of her to boot!

5. Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra

Okay, let’s be honest, there were really three royal weddings this year — the third belong to Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra! 

The pair, who, though friends for years, only started dating this past spring, got engaged in July and wed in December in two incredibly over-the-top ceremonies on the grounds of India’s stunning Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace. 

And what did the bride accessorize her stunning dress with for her Western ceremony? Oh, just a 75-foot veil… ?

Watch Jess and Rachael break down all the stories in the video above!