Which NFL player, coach has the most Super Bowl rings?

They're not quite the One Ring to Rule Them All, but given howSuper Bowl ringsare coveted by every NFL player, they're pretty close.

While many NFL stars would be happy with one "precious," more than a few pro football players have slipped multiple Super Bowl rings on their fingers throughout the league's history. A handful of players will be looking to join that group this year.

Two members of theSeattle Seahawks– linebackerErnest Jonesand wide receiverCooper Kupp– and threeNew England Patriots– defensive tackleMilton Williams, wide receiverMack Hollinsand cornerbackCarlton Davis– are seeking a second Super Bowl ring when the two teams face off in Super Bowl 60.

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Conversely, neither of the head coaches in this year's Super Bowl has won a championship as a coach. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel won three as a player for New England, but he never led theTennessee Titansto a Super Bowl win in his six-year stint as their head coach.Seahawkshead coach Mike Macdonald is in just his second year as the head coach of an NFL team.

Here's a look at the players and coaches with the most Super Bowl rings in NFL history

Super Bowl VII ring: The Miami Dolphins beat Washington, 14-7, on Jan. 14, 1973.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XVII ring: Washington defeated the Miami Dolphins, 27-17, on Jan. 30, 1983.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XVIII ring: The Los Angeles Raiders beat Washington, 38-9, on Jan. 22, 1984.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XXII ring: Washington defeated the Denver Broncos, 42-10, on Jan. 31, 1988.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XXVI ring: Washington beat the Buffalo Bills, 37-24, on Jan. 26, 1992.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XXXII ring: The Denver Broncos beat the Green Bay Packers, 31-24, on Jan. 25, 1998.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XLVII ring: The Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31, on Feb. 3, 2013.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XLVIII ring: The Seattle Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos, 48-3, on Feb. 2, 2014.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XLIX ring: The New England Patriots topped the Seattle Seahawks, 28-24 on Feb. 1, 2015.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 50 ring: The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers, 24-10, on Feb. 7, 2016.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl LIII ring: The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams,13-3, on Feb. 3, 2019.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl LIV ring: The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 31-20 on Feb. 2, 2020.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl LV ring: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9, on Feb. 7, 2021.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl LVI ring: The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20, on Feb. 13, 2022.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl LVII ring: The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-35, on Feb. 12, 2023.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl LVII ring: The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 25-22 in overtime, on Feb. 11, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl LIX ring: The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-22, on Feb. 9, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Super Bowl rings through the years

Players with the most Super Bowl rings

Tom Brady leads all players, past and present, with his seven Super Bowl rings – six with the Patriots, one with theTampa Bay Buccaneers. He's also one of just nine players to win at least four Super Bowls across stints with multiple teams.

Here's a list of the players with the most rings in Super Bowl history:

• QB Tom Brady: 7 (New England Patriots: Super Bowls 36, 38, 39, 49, 51, 53; Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Super Bowl 55)

• DE Charles Haley: 5 (San Francisco 49ers: Super Bowls 23 and 24; Dallas Cowboys: Super Bowls 27, 28, 30)

• TE Marv Fleming: 4 (Green Bay Packers: Super Bowls 1 and 2; Miami Dolphins: Super Bowls 7 and 8)

• LB Ted Hendricks: 4 (Baltimore Colts: Super Bowl 5; Oakland/L.A. Raiders: Super Bowls 11, 15, 18)

• LB Matt Millen: 4 (Oakland/L.A. Raiders: Super Bowls 15 and 18; San Francisco 49ers: Super Bowl 24; Washington: Super Bowl 26)

• LB Bill Romanowski: 4 (San Francisco 49ers: Super Bowls 23 and 24; Denver Broncos: Super Bowls 32 and 33)

• K Adam Vinatieri: 4 (New England Patriots: Super Bowls 36, 38, 39; Indianapolis Colts: Super Bowl 41)

• TE Rob Gronkowski: 4 (New England Patriots: Super Bowls 49, 51, 53; Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Super Bowl 55)

• OL Joe Thuney: 4 (New England Patriots: Super Bowls 51 and 53; Kansas City Chiefs: Super Bowls 57 and 58)

Thuney is the active leader in Super Bowl wins with his four championships across two teams.

Outside of those nine players, there were 22 players – and 10 Pro Football Hall of Famers – to win four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers in their dominant 1970s era. That group includes quarterback Terry Bradshaw, cornerback Mel Blount and defensive tackle "Mean" Joe Greene, among others.

There are also six players who won four titles with the San Francisco 49ers during their run of dominance in the '80s and early '90s, including Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott and Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana.

PATRIOTS SUPER BOWL HISTORY:When was the last time New England played in the Big Game?

Coaches with the most Super Bowl rings

With Brady leading the players in Super Bowl ring count, it should be no surprise that former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick leads all coaches in Super Bowl rings. All of the coaches with more than two Super Bowl wins have won all of their NFL titles with the same team.

Here's a look at the NFL head coaches with the most Super Bowl rings:

• Bill Belichick: 6 (New England Patriots: Super Bowls 36, 38, 39, 49, 51, 53)

• Chuck Noll: 4 (Pittsburgh Steelers: Super Bowls 9, 10, 13, 14)

• Andy Reid: 3 (Kansas City Chiefs: Super Bowls 54, 57, 58

• Joe Gibbs: 3 (Washington: Super Bowls 17, 22, 26)

• Bill Walsh: 3 (San Francisco 49ers: Super Bowls 16, 19, 23)

There are nine other coaches with multiple Super Bowl rings, including Vince Lombardi and Bill Parcells, but none have won more than two, aside from the five coaches listed.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Super Bowl rings: NFL players, coaches who have the most

byCristiano Ronaldo

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, ShowBiz, Sports

January 31, 2026

Which NFL player, coach has the most Super Bowl rings?

They're not quite the One Ring to Rule Them All, but given howSuper Bowl ringsare coveted by every NFL player, they...

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Lindsey Vonn misses super-G day after crash, says she's 'doing my best'

Lindsey Vonn's latest knee injury is forcing her to miss at least one race.

Vonn did not compete in the super-G on Saturday, Jan. 31, one day afterinjuring her left kneein a high-speed crash. It was the last race before theMilano Cortina Olympics, which open Friday, Feb. 6.

"Unfortunately, I won't be able to race today. Wishing all my teammates a great race," Vonn wrote inan Instagram postthat included a video of her crash.

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"Thank you for all of the love and support I have received," she added. "Means the world to me."

She ended by saying, "Doing my best right now…" She added praying hands and fingers crossed emojis.

Fellow American Breezy Johnson finished third in the super-G, her first time on the podium this season and her first-ever top three in that discipline on the World Cup circuit.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, ShowBiz, Sports

January 31, 2026

Lindsey Vonn misses super-G day after crash, says she's 'doing my best'

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Bills reportedly hiring Broncos defensive passing-game coordinator Jim Leonhard as DC

The Buffalo Bills took a chance on Jim Leonhard after he didn't hear his name called during the 2005 NFL Draft. Buffalo brought aboard the undrafted, undersized former walk-on Wisconsin safety, and that's where he began his 10-year NFL playing career and ultimately spent four seasons.

More than a decade later, he's reportedly headed back, this time as a 43-year-old coach after serving as the Denver Broncos defensive passing-game coordinator the past two seasons.

The Bills are hiring Leonhard as their new defensive coordinator,permultiplereports. Leonhard, who doubled as Sean Payton's assistant head coach in 2025, will now be Joe Brady's DC in Buffalo.

Leonhard joined the Broncos' staff ahead of the 2024 season, during which he also coached a defensive-back room that featured NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, now a three-time All-Pro cornerback.

He last held a DC gig at his alma mater. Not long after wrapping up a 431-tackle, 14-interception NFL career, Leonhard was Wisconsin's defensive coordinator from 2017-22. The Badgers clocked out top 20 in scoring defense in five of those six seasons, placing top 10 four times. He finished the 2022 campaign as Wisconsin's interim head coach.

This coaching cycle, Leonhard interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens as well,according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, but Leonhard will be responsible for a Bills defense that allowed the 12th-fewest points per game (21.5) this season yet ranked 28th against the run, giving up 136.2 yards per game on the ground.

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[More Bills news: Buffalo team feed]

Leonhard will replace Bobby Babich, who was the Bills' DC under Sean McDermott from 2024-25. McDermottwas firedafterBuffalo's turnover-ridden, 33-30 defeat to the Broncos in the AFC divisional-round of the playoffs.

The hiring of Leonhard is an important one, given that Brady's forte is offense and the Bills have struggled to come up with key stops in the postseason in recent years.

Earlier this week,Buffalo promoted Brady from OC to head coach. Brady, 36, has been on the Bills' staff since he arrived as quarterbacks coach in 2022. He's now building a staff of his own.

That includes Leonhard, plus another former Broncos assistant, Pete Carmichael Jr. Carmichael, a longtime New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator, reunited with Payton in Denver, where he spent the past two seasons as a senior offensive assistant. He's an OC again in Buffalo.

A handful of years removed from college, Brady worked under Carmichael in 2017-18 as a Saints offensive assistant. Payton hired Brady back then.

"So proud of him,"Payton said of Brady on Tuesday. "Just spoke to him two days ago. You want to see guys that come in and work that are part of your staff.

"You want to see them have success, not the other way around."

Leonhard's one of those guys, too.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, ShowBiz, Sports

January 31, 2026

Bills reportedly hiring Broncos defensive passing-game coordinator Jim Leonhard as DC

The Buffalo Bills took a chance on Jim Leonhard after he didn't hear his name called during the 2005 NFL Draft. Bu...

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Inside Cher's 'Really Weird' Bond with Ex-Husband Sonny Bono, and the Heartbreaking Moment She Learned He Had Died

Douglas Miller/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty; Gisela Schober/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Cher is being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in celebration of her spectacular career as part of 2026 Grammys weekend

• The singer, 79, has enjoyed a decades-long career that contained hits as one half of Sonny and Cher before her enormous success as a solo artist

• In 2004, Cher looked back at her journey and told PEOPLE why meeting late husband Sonny Bono was a catalyst for change throughout her life and drove her toward success

Cher's journey has been truly one-of-a-kind.

The singer, 79, is among the recipients ofThe Recording Academy's Special Merit Awards, named one of those awarded the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.

PEOPLE spoke with Cher in 2004 for our 30th-anniversary double issue, asking her, along with other stars, to discuss a defining moment from the previous three decades. As Cher prepares for another defining moment this weekend, we look back on her response, which focuses on how her late husband, Sonny Bono, shaped her life and set her on the path she would later dominate on her own.

"What's the most significant moment in my life over the past 30 years? Well, meeting Sonny Bono is the thing that shaped my whole life in some sort of way, but since it happened 40 years ago, I'd have to say the next most important moment was splitting from him. We divorced in 1975, and it forced me to go out on my own," Cher told PEOPLE.

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

"The truth is, I didn't want to go out on my own. I was comfortable being half of Sonny and Cher. I wanted to keep working with him and go on as a team. Growing up, I had all these ideas coming out of my ears. But I couldn't make them come together. Then I met Sonny and everything coalesced," she continued.

"From the first time I saw him, I thought he was the most interesting man I'd ever seen. He had a Beatles haircut and hippie boots and he was dressed so strangely. I was just mesmerized by him."

The duo reached a breaking point, both personally and professionally, in 1975, leading them to split in music and in life.

"We had two components to our relationship: personal and business. When we worked together, it was fabulous. Except for the money part of it, we were equal partners. We had a great time. Both of us were really funny. We enjoyed each other. But our home life was harsh," Cher acknowledged.

Marcello Salustri/Mondadori via Getty

"We didn't communicate well. We worked so hard and long and spent so many hours onstage that when we were together at home, it was strange. We worked so often, it took me a long time to realize I wasn't happy."

The split led to a "really weird" time, where the two continued to work and live together while trying to separate their lives."Then he did his own TV show and I did my own show, and then the network brought us together again. By then, a year had gone by. I was pregnant with my son [Elijah, by Gregg Allman]. I was pregnant by a person who was also divorcing me. And I was divorced from Sonny, but working with him. It was completely bizarre," she shared.

Cher said that she and Sonny "talked all the time," even through their most tumultuous stages.

"Through girlfriends and boyfriends, through ups and downs, we always talked. That's the way it was. You know, on the day of our divorce, he grabbed me and kissed me and stuck his tongue down my throat. I was really furious with him. Then we just started to laugh. It was hard for me to be angry with him. I could never do it very well," Cher said.

That special connection and camaraderie continued through Sonny's death. The singer-turned-politician died at age 62 in a skiing accident, and Cher's 1998 comeback albumBelievewas dedicated to him."I was in London [in 1998] when I heard that Sonny had died. [Chaz] called and told me, and it was too weird to comprehend. I said, 'Oh my God. Honey, are you okay?' But then after those words left my lips, I got completely hysterical. It was terrible," she recalled.

POOL/AFP via Getty

"I fell down on the floor. Everything was awful. I got on a plane and flew straight to Palm Springs, and everybody in his life was there."

Grief impacts everyone differently and years later, Cher acknowledged she was no exception."Strangely enough, I don't think of Sonny that often. Probably because I don't think of him as gone," she admitted.

"I think of him as someplace else. Not here, but not gone. And every so often something will happen or I'll see something and I'll think, 'Oh God, Sonny would think this is so funny.' "

Read the original article onPeople

byCristiano Ronaldo

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, ShowBiz, Sports

January 31, 2026

Inside Cher's 'Really Weird' Bond with Ex-Husband Sonny Bono, and the Heartbreaking Moment She Learned He Had Died

Douglas Miller/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty; Gisela Schober/Getty NEED TO KNOW Cher is being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award i...

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'Tell Me Lies' and why Gen Z is obsessed with sexy TV

In Los Angeles, bars arehostingwatch parties for the highly-anticipated weekly releases of "Tell Me Lies." And in New York City, more than 2,000 people have RSVPed for an upcoming"Heated Rivalry"look-alike contest.

Both shows have captivated young viewers enough to create a cultural moment rarely seen outside of sports in today's couch potato, streaming-friendly TV era: They're getting people out of the house to gather with other fans.

These shows are also hot, filled with sex-scenes, body parts and lots of forbidden and fiery romantic interactions.

And yet, research shows that Gen Z — the cohort born between 1997 and 2012 — ishaving less sexthan prior generations.

For young viewers who aren't engaging in sexual activities themselves but are seeking out emotional validation and connection, these stories may help fill a gap, explains Virginia Gramarosso, a 25-year-old Chicagoland health educator who works with middle schoolers, high schoolers and young adults.

Gramarosso says just because studies show Gen Z is having less sex doesn't mean they're not interested in and curious about sex.

"I think they still have desires related to sex... Consuming that media might almost fill that void," Gramarosso says.

Hulu's "Tell Me Lies" is back with Season 3, and believe it or not, the drama series is more deranged and twisted than ever.

Hulu premiered three episodes on Tuesday, Jan. 13, and so far, we're seeing an unraveling of the web of lies between Lucy (played by Grace Van Patten) and her friend group. Fans can expect major reveals, the start of new friendships, the fizzling out of other relationships, a new romantic pairing, a surprise pregnancy, and so much more drama.

To celebrate the new season, the cast of "Tell Me Lies," including stars Grace Van Patten and Jackson White, hit New York City for a screening hosted at The Corner Store on Jan. 12, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> From left: Actresses Sonia Mena, Grace Van Patten, Alicia Crowder and Catherine Missal attend the "Tell Me Lies" Season 3 premiere at The Corner Store on Jan. 12, 2026, in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Grace Van Patten plays Lucy in "Tell Me Lies."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jackson White plays Stephen in "Tell Me Lies."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Spencer House plays Wrigley in "Tell Me Lies."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Catherine Missal plays Bree in "Tell Me Lies."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sonia Mena plays Pippa in "Tell Me Lies."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Alicia Crowder plays Diana in "Tell Me Lies."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Branden Cook plays Evan in "Tell Me Lies."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Iris Apatow, Catherine Missal, Sonia Mena, Spencer House, Alicia Crowder, Jackson White, Grace Van Patten, Tom Ellis, Natalee Linez, Katherine Hughes and Branden Cook attend the "Tell Me Lies" Season 3 premiere in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Iris Apatow plays Amanda in "Tell Me Lies."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Tom Ellis plays Oliver in "Tell Me Lies."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Katherine Hughes plays Molly in "Tell Me Lies."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Natalee Linez plays Lydia in "Tell Me Lies."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Spencer House and Sonia Mena

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Katherine Hughes and Branden Cook

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Actor Tom Ellis and wife, "Tell Me Lies" creator and showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> From left: Spencer House, Catherine Missal, Sonia Mena, Alicia Crowder, Jackson White, Meaghan Oppenheimer, Grace Van Patten and Branden Cook attend the "Tell Me Lies" Season 3 premiere.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Meaghan Oppenheimer and Alicia Crowder attend SiriusXM Studios' "The Morning Mash Up" on Jan. 13, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Spencer House and Sonia Mena

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sonia Mena

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Branden Cook

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Alicia Crowder

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jackson White and Grace Van Patten

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jackson White and Grace Van Patten

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Alicia Crowder, Spencer House, Sonia Mena, Jackson White, Grace Van Patten, Branden Cook and Meaghan Oppenheimer of "Tell Me Lies."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

'Tell Me Lies' cast: Grace Van Patten, Jackson White, more hit Season 3 premiere

Hulu's"Tell Me Lies"is back with Season 3, and believe it or not, the drama series is more deranged and twisted than ever.Hulu premiered three episodes on Tuesday, Jan. 13, and so far, we're seeing an unraveling of the web of lies between Lucy (played by Grace Van Patten) and her friend group. Fans can expect major reveals, the start of new friendships, the fizzling out of other relationships, a new romantic pairing, a surprise pregnancy, and so much more drama.To celebrate the new season, thecast of "Tell Me Lies,"including stars Grace Van Patten and Jackson White, hit New York City for a screening hosted at The Corner Store on Jan. 12, 2026.

Why Gen Z is having less sex

Research shows a general decline in teens and young adults engaging in sexual activity. In 2023, 32% of teens said they had sex, compared with 47% of teens in 2013, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.This trend extends to older Gen Zers, too — about 24% of adults aged 18 to 29 had no sex in the past year, doubling since 2010, according to a study from theInstitute for Family Studies (IFS).

Emily Morehead, a Texas-based licensed professional counselor with expertise in sex and relationships, praised "smutty" entertainment for the way it can serve as a conversation-starter for young people.

When formal sex education is lacking or inconsistent, especially about LGBTQ+ sexual health, she says young people use what's around them – television, books, social media — to fill in the gap.

"I think Gen Z is craving information, and if the only media that they're getting representation with is social media or porn, they're not learning about real-life sex and real-life relationships that are safe and consensual and pleasurable," Morehead says.

Gramarosso adds that for some viewers, watching sex on TV can offer a sense of control that real-life dating doesn't amid ghosting, constant swiping on apps and social pressures.

"I think that the media can tie into that because they have an outlet for still engaging and almost expressing and connecting to their sexual wants and needs and questions without actually having to go out and talk to people and date people," Gramarosso says.

Gen Z's sex lives and dating style reflect a deeper trend of risk aversion — young people are alsodrinking less. While those things can be positive, they're also indicators that some Gen Zers may be socially isolated. Much of Gen Z missed out on pivotal years in the classroom or office during the pandemic, impacting their ability to socialize.

This follows a general trend of people reportingless desire to get married and have familiesat a young age.

More:No longer guilty: How romance books have changed readers attitudes toward sex in real life

When 'sexy entertainment' becomes mainstream

Morehead says that sexy entertainment has become more popular as Hollywood and the publishing industry have modernized how we speak about female pleasure. Both "Heated Rivalry" and "Tell Me Lies" are based on book series.

Claire Mazur, one of the founders of romance entertainment company831 Stories, previously told USA TODAY that spicy romance is now a "mainstream form of sex content" that's a direct "counterpoint to porn culture."

People may also be watching these shows as much for the intimacy as they are for the sex. For many viewers, the plot lines feel human, flawed and real.

With "Tell Me Lies," for example, a lot of viewers relate to the sentiment of knowing a person isn't good for you but struggling to walk away.

Where "Heated Rivalry" succeeds, Morehead notes, is in depicting sex and love in a way that shows communication and consent.

Experts say it's just important to remind young people that while it's great to enjoy types of media, they cannot replace genuine social and emotional connection.

"Watching relationships and watching these things play out cannot be in place of experiencing and living and creating relationships themselves," Gramarosso says.

Contributing: Clare Mulroy, Pamela Avila, Kelly Lawler

Rachel Hale's role covering Youth Mental Health at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. Reach her at rhale@usatoday.com and@rachelleighhaleon X.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Tell Me Lies,' 'Heated Rivalry' and Gen Z's smut TV obsession

byCristiano Ronaldo

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, ShowBiz, Sports

January 31, 2026

'Tell Me Lies' and why Gen Z is obsessed with sexy TV

In Los Angeles, bars arehostingwatch parties for the highly-anticipated weekly releases of "Tell Me Lies." And ...

Read More