It was hard to pick the best one, but I think I’d put Fuller’s unique cantaloupe overnight oats at the top. I wouldn’t even make any changes to how I followed the recipe; it was that good.
For Drummond’s oats, I’d just cut back on the liquid. Otherwise, I loved how sweet they tasted.
Hall’s oats were also delicious with a great contrast of textures. Her original recipe was good, but I’m also interested in experimenting with other flavor combinations.
Check out the other celebrity-chef recipes we’ve put head-to-head so far.
This story was originally published on October 29, 2021, and most recently updated on April 17, 2025.
One might assume that TV personalities appear on Peacock’s murder-mystery competition show “The Traitors” for a paycheck and attention. But the savviest among the cast know the show’s real prize is something money can’t buy: redemption.
The series, a “Mafia”-esque game in which contestants must guess what “Traitors” are among them, while the Traitors must lie their way to the end of the game, might not seem like the friendliest environment for a celebrity or reality star looking to rehabilitate their image.
But over four seasons, the show has made viral stars and renewed celebrities out of several of its famous cast members, earning a reputation as the best cottage industry for celebrity image rehab this side of “Dancing with the Stars.”
Who knew a show about lying and manipulating could make you so beloved?
The making of a ‘Traitors’ star
“The Traitors” has always had a taste for the devilish ones. Hosted with campy flourish by Alan Cumming and filmed in a 19th-century castle in the Scottish Highlands, the show leans heavily into its calling card as a game of deception. As such, it’s attracted all manner of niche celebrities, many of whom come from competition shows like “Survivor,” “Big Brother,” and MTV’s “The Challenge,” which require strategy; or social reality shows like Bravo’s “Real Housewives,” which arguably relies on a fair amount of interpersonal strategizing and lying for sport.
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But the breakout star of “The Traitors” season four — which has been viewed for billions of minutes on Peacock since its January premiere, its biggest audience yet — isn’t a gamer or a Housewife. It’s someone who caught the casting director’s attention not by strategizing and scheming, but by coupling up and kissing on cue.
Rob Rausch on season four of “The Traitors.”
Euan Cherry/Peacock
Rob Rausch emerged from the neon-lit “Love Island” Villa in 2024 with a polarizing reputation. He’d dated and then promptly dumped Leah Kateb, a season six fan favorite, to chase a hot new bombshell who’d caught his eye. (No, really, the newcomers on “Love Island” are called “bombshells.”) While Kateb struggled with hurt and confusion about his change of heart, viewers grew suspicious of Rausch’s Southern charm and snake tattoos; save for one memorable meltdown, Rausch was mostly inscrutable as the Villa’s chaos swirled around him. In a postmortem interview with Alex Cooper, he summarized the feedback he received online: “Basically, I’m a toxic gaslighter, but I’m hot enough that it doesn’t matter.”
Rausch has said he turned down “The Traitors” multiple times because he didn’t want more drama. But from the moment he set foot on Scottish soil to film season four, he shrewdly leveraged his past drama to draw the spotlight.
“I honestly think I’ll make a good Traitor. I’m hard to read,” Rausch said in the season four premiere. “I’ve been told that by every girl I’ve ever dated.”
When Rausch was selected for the titular role, he picked off his costars one by one — including his fellow Traitors — with ease while remaining impressively unsuspected. In addition to earning praise for his strategic gameplay and knack for social manipulation, he was shown sticking up for his friends, playfully meowing at the camera, and quoting Mark Twain.
In one of the final episodes, fellow Traitor Eric Nam compared Rob to an eagle soaring above the fray, his feathers unruffled. Fellow cast member and “Real Housewives” star Dorinda Medley even said she was flattered to be targeted by Rausch for elimination. “He can do no wrong in my book,” she said. “I’m getting murdered, and I have butterflies.”
The viewers at home agreed. The qualities that made Rausch a villain in the “Love Island” Villa were the same ones that led to success and stardom in the “Traitors” castle, where everyone has signed up for a game of paranoia and deception.
“Rob came in carrying a ‘Love Island’ reputation for manipulation layered over with charm, and ‘The Traitors’ is essentially a format where those two qualities stop being a liability and start being a competitive advantage,” Evan Nierman, CEO of the global PR firm Red Banyan, told Business Insider.
As the season unfolded, Rausch’s scene-stealing moves inspired flattering headlines and countless TikTok fancams set to songs like Saweetie’s “My Type,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Like That,” and Taylor Swift’s “Cancelled!” On his own Instagram page, Rausch has flaunted brand partnerships with Sonic and Celsius, as well as his clothing brand, Creek Rat, to over 1.7 million followers.
Out of “Love Island” infamy, a star was born. With the space to show more of his personality in a different context outside of a dating series, Nierman said “The Traitors” has given Rausch a “multi-dimensional public profile.”
“Viewers observe you problem-solving under pressure, forming real friendships, navigating betrayal, and handling the game’s emotional weight in real time,” he said. “That’s character evidence more persuasive than anything a publicist could engineer from the outside.”
For reality stars, getting cast on ‘The Traitors’ is the hottest ticket in Hollywood
Rob Rausch makes his case at the “Traitors” roundtable on season four.
Euan Cherry/Peacock via Getty Images
Since the first US season debuted in 2023, “The Traitors” has become appointment TV for reality fans.
Juliana Martins, celebrity publicist and Founder of Eleven11 Media Relations, said she’s had requests coming in “left and right” from talent agents asking how they can get their clients cast on “The Traitors.”
“A show like this, from a publicity perspective, is phenomenal,” Martins said. “It’s also so competitive to get on now because everybody wants it.”
Because the game requires a certain amount of backstabbing and deception, even from the so-called Faithfuls — whose job it is to stay alive and sniff out the Traitors while voting to boot one player per episode — the show is high risk, high reward for those looking to reenter the news cycle.
“It really catapults reality stars into other opportunities,” Martins explained. “Dylan Efron, for example, reached a broader audience through ‘Traitors,’ and then he went on to do ‘Dancing With the Stars.'”
Efron, previously best known as Zac Efron’s younger brother, appeared on season three and — spoiler alert! — won the show with a small group of Faithfuls, including former “Bachelorette” Gabby Windey, who said appearing on “The Traitors” was “the best thing I’ve done for my career.”
Rob Mariano, aka “Survivor” legend Boston Rob, also starred on season three and parlayed his renewed visibility into a cohosting gig on the official “Traitors” podcast. He and Efron have transformed their in-castle “bromance” into a professional partnership.
“For legacy reality stars like Boston Rob, returning to a really popular series can reintroduce them to a new audience, new viewers, while also still re-engaging fans,” Martins said. “It can lead to future casting opportunities, brand partnerships, hosting gigs, and other opportunities that really contribute to their career longevity and their overall perception.”
Rob Mariano and Alan Cumming on “The Traitors” season three.
Euan Cherry/Peacock via Getty Images
Peter Weber, a former “Bachelor” star, received a hero’s edit on season two thanks to his bold gameplay, keen instincts, and self-branding as the ultimate Faithful.
Martins, who previously worked with Weber on the promotional campaign for his 2021 children’s book and has advised him on other projects, attributed his success on “The Traitors” to the show’s unique format.
“Most reality shows are built around a specific narrative framework. ‘The Bachelor’ centers on finding one true love, and because of that structure, that editing and the storytelling, they’re designed to support that one core goal and theme, which I think limits how somebody can fully show their personality,” Martins explained.
By contrast, a show like “The Traitors” is more playful and less precious about hemming in its contestants. Part of its charm is the varied cast of characters, all trying to suss out each other’s quirks and peculiarities.
“In Peter Weber’s case, viewers really saw qualities that have been a part of who he is, but weren’t really highlighted on his original seasons of ‘The Bachelorette’ or ‘The Bachelor,'” Martins said. “‘The Traitors’ gave audiences a fuller understanding of him, rather than redefining him.”
Still, that opportunity for a less restricted, more complex arc can be a double-edged sword (or, in the case of “The Traitors,” a double-edged dagger).
“The exposure can cut both ways,” Martins said. “The ‘Traitors’ format does leave very little room to hide.”
Not everyone on ‘The Traitors’ can pull off a redemption arc
Lisa Rinna and Colton Underwood, center, on “The Traitors” season four.
Euan Cherry/Peacock via Getty Images
Season four’s resident “Bachelor” star is Colton Underwood, a former pro football player who had a tumultuous ride on the dating show. (His most famous scene involved him hopping a massive fence to escape the camera crew.)
After coming out as gay in 2021, Underwood found himself back in the reality TV conversation with “The Traitors. Though he was hoping to be cast as a Traitor, he was ultimately made a Faithful, , and his aggressive gameplay ultimately made him a target both in the castle and on social media. He flung out accusations and dominated the roundtable debates. After he rallied his castmates to erroneously banish Tiffany Mitchell, she wrote on X, “It’s actually fuck Colton Underwood and I said that shit.”
Though Underwood did accurately guess that “Real Housewives” alum Lisa Rinna was a Traitor, he did so in a memorable scene where he threatened to blackmail her in the game, detailing a plan to “hold her hostage.” This language prompted many viewers to recirculate stalking accusations from Underwood’s ex-girlfriend, Cassie Randolph, who filed a restraining order against him in 2020. (She later dropped the order, and Underwood said at the time that he and Randolph “were able to reach a private agreement.”)
If Underwood hoped to use “The Traitors” to recover or distract from his past, it backfired. Many viewers criticized his energy as off-putting, unlikable, and overconfident. The Cut published an article titled, “Colton Underwood’s Reality-TV Rebrand Isn’t Going Very Well.” Meanwhile, Rausch is the latest star of the publication’s “Dream Date” series.
In a statement to Business Insider, Underwood’s representative said he had “the best time” on the show.
“Colton came into Traitors Season 4 as a fan of the franchise ready to play the game. Since leaving the castle, he has continued to expand his network and slate. His involvement in the show is one he’s truly grateful for.”
Historically, villains from other TV shows have fared well on “The Traitors.” Infamous “Vanderpump Rules” star Tom Sandoval was dubbed by The New York Times as “the most hated man in America” after a very public cheating scandal, but bumbled through “The Traitors” season three with little to no backlash.
“I was like, Tom Sandoval’s here? Damn, this guy’s still getting gigs? It’s good controversy,” Windey told Variety. “And then who knew? He actually kind of redeemed himself — he was the village idiot.”
Phaedra Parks and Alan Cumming on “The Traitors” season two.
Euan Cherry/Peacock via Getty Images
Nierman also cited Phaedra Parks — who was fired from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” in 2017 after admitting to spreading harmful rumors about a fellow Housewife — as a cast member who had a massive reputational shift after appearing on “The Traitors.” In a game that rewards wit and discernment, her snappy one-liners and cutting takedowns at the round table went viral, and the moments helped all be forgiven by viewers. Her return to “Real Housewives” was announced shortly thereafter.
Vanzil Burke, who was Parks’ manager at the time, said the rumor-spreading scandal “almost destroyed” Parks’ career, but her popularity on “The Traitors” reopened doors for her.
“It was needed for her professional career,” Burke told Business Insider. “I had no doubt that she would go in, read the room, and handle it.”
Being a Traitor allowed Parks to play up her “bad girl” persona, Burke said, while also proving to viewers that she’d matured and mellowed since she last appeared onscreen.
Still, as with every PR maneuver, one size doesn’t fit all.
Rausch, Sandoval, and Parks read as authentic because they didn’t try to hide their notoriety, turning their perceived flaws — cunning, cluelessness, and shady reads, respectively — into assets. On the flip side, Nierman said Underwood lacked humility and self-awareness.
“The foundational rule of reputation repair is showing people you understand why they distrust you,” Nierman said. “Colton walked into the castle and did the opposite by immediately positioning himself as the leader of the Faithfuls in a way that confirmed every instinct that viewers already had about his controlling tendencies.”
“If the arc feels like a calculated PR move rather than genuine growth, then audiences will not only reject it but be even more against you,” Nierman added.
Ultimately, the real winners of “The Traitors” aren’t the players who go home with a portion of the prize pot (somewhere around $250,000, depending on their success in challenges). It’s the players who emerge with the public’s favor, a busy phone line, and maybe even a comeback story.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson was a leader of the Civil Rights Movement, a minister, and an activist icon who twice ran for president.
Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson experienced Jim Crow segregation on public buses and at school firsthand. It would shape the rest of his life.
His fight for civil rights began in the 1960s, when he helped organize protests and demonstrations across the US and worked closely alongside civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
His decadeslong career as a leading civil rights activist included support for modern national movements, such as the push for voting rights, the fight against racism, and a higher minimum wage.
Jackson ran for president twice, both times as a democrat. He placed third for the party’s nomination in 1984 and second in 1988. This marked the most successful presidential runs of any Black candidate prior to Barack Obama.
Jackson announced in 2017 that he’d been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In November 2025, Jackson was treated in a Chicago hospital after complications from progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative condition.
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I sailed on Celebrity Constellation in interior, ocean-view, veranda, and concierge-class cabins.
Some lower-tier rooms felt similar to me, mostly just differing in configuration and floorspace.
Concierge class was great, but if I were paying full price I’d go for a standard veranda room.
Last fall, my husband and I sailed on the Celebrity Constellation for 51 nights in a row on six back-to-back cruises.
We did so using offers for discounted sailings that we received while playing in the onboard casino on a Celebrity cruise we’d taken earlier that year.
Our almost two-month journey began in Rome and ended in Tampa, and we spent each sailing in a different cabin trying the various room classes Celebrity offers.
Ultimately, we were able to sail in interior, ocean-view (standard and deluxe), and concierge-class cabins. Here’s how they compared, and which I’d book next time if I were paying full price.
We started in a cozy interior cabin without windows.
Though it would’ve been nice to see the seas from our room, the lack of morning sunshine streaming in can be a blessing after a late night. Tammy Barr
On every cruise ship, interior staterooms tend to be cheaper and smaller than the other cabin types.
Prices vary widely depending on demand, itinerary, and dates, but I’ve generally seen these rooms listed on the Constellation for about $550 to $700 per person.
It was a well-appointed and basic room of 171 square feet that included a small desk area, refrigerator, television, closet, bed, and bathroom.
The king-sized bed was comfortable and the bathroom felt spacious. I especially liked the generous counter space and large rectangular shower.
After a late night, our interior room’s the lack of morning sunshine was a blessing. It was always easy to sleep in without windows, but I did miss seeing the stellar sunsets at sea from my bed.
I spent two voyages in ocean-view staterooms.
I liked that the ocean-view rooms tended to be lower on the ship. Tammy Barr
In my experience, upgrading from interior to ocean-view can add around $50 to $100 per person to the cost of the cruise.
This room was the same size as the interior one and elements of the space, from the bed to the nightstands, looked nearly identical.
However, the various ocean-view rooms can have different layouts. In one, the window was above the head of the bed, and in the other, we were able to use our window well as a bench or storage area.
These were appointed similarly to the inside cabin, but are located on the outside part of the lower decks, featuring windows of various sizes.
Lower floors tend to experience less movement, so these sailings felt especially quiet and smooth — this is one perk interior and ocean-view rooms tend to have over ones with balconies.
The deluxe ocean-view room offered more space and a larger window.
Our deluxe ocean-view cabin had a fairly large window. Tammy Barr
A cut above the regular ocean-view cabins, the deluxe room size took us from 171 to 242 square feet.
In comparison, this room felt massive, and the (slightly bigger) window provided outstanding views of the sea. The bathroom was similar-sized to the other classes, and the bed and vanity appeared to be the same.
It was nice to have space for in-room yoga and additional chairs that I used to host friends in the room.
These typically cost about $100 per person more than standard ocean-view cabins. Though it was a pleasant week, I am not convinced the larger room and window are worth the extra cost.
The veranda room featured an outdoor balcony.
I loved watching the sunset from our balcony. Tammy Barr
On one voyage we stayed in a standard veranda room, which is also commonly referred to as a balcony cabin. It was slightly longer than the previous staterooms, but at 175 square feet, it was not as large as the deluxe ocean-view.
The setups were quite similar, though I liked that the outdoor balcony added another 40 square feet for relaxing.
The best part of a balcony room is the access to fresh, salty air. I loved leaving the door open to hear the waves lap against the side of the ship.
Again, prices can vary, but I’ve seen balcony rooms on this ship cost about $300 more per person than a typical ocean-view cabin.
The cabin we most enjoyed was the concierge class.
The concierge-class room came with a full-sized couch for entertaining. Tammy Barr
The room itself is a balcony cabin, but is slightly larger than the basic veranda level at 191 square feet plus a 42-square-foot balcony.
Some of that extra space was used for additional shelving, and an even longer couch that could fold out to a queen-size bed.
Most notably, though, this class comes with access to a dedicated concierge to assist us with anything we need around the ship, such as booking excursions.
Our bathroom looked the same as it did in the other rooms.
The bathroom in our concierge-class room wasn’t anything special. Tammy Barr
The bathroom and closet we had in concierge class resembled the ones in the other rooms. All of them were simple and functional with a good amount of counter space and a decent-sized shower.
However, our bathrobes in here seemed to feel more plush than the ones in the regular cabins — but maybe we just imagined it.
This room class comes with an abundance of perks like complimentary binoculars to use and a bottle of sparkling wine, plus a menu of pillow options to choose from for the bed.
Throughout our week sailing in concierge class, we were able to attend exclusive events, like a lecture on our upcoming ports and a party on the ship’s helipad, where we enjoyed complimentary drinks with the officers as we sailed out of port.
As much as I enjoyed the in-room benefits of concierge class (especially the plush pillows), I do think these exclusive events would get old on a repeat cruise.
This luxe-feeling class can get pricey — and it’s not even Celebrity’s top offering.
We stayed in a concierge-class room on the Celebrity Constellation. Tammy Barr
Oftentimes, concierge class costs nearly twice as much as an interior cabin. I’ve seen rooms on this ship for about $928 a week per person to over $1,000.
Although the service we received felt like what we’d find at a fine hotel, this isn’t even the top class that Celebrity offers.
Next up is AquaClass, which offers similar balcony rooms, but with additional spa-related perks and better locations on the ship (like aft-facing balconies). I’ve seen these for a few hundred more than concierge.
Then, Celebrity has its highest-end suites in The Retreat, a ship-within-a-ship concept with a private restaurant, lounge, and team of dedicated employees. These can be double the price of a concierge room.
Ultimately, the sweet spot for me is the veranda room.
If I’m factoring in cost and value, my top pick would be the standard veranda room. Tammy Barr
Celebrity offers cabins for all budgets and I relished the opportunity to try several of them.
It’s no surprise that concierge class — the most expensive offering with the most luxurious perks — was my favorite. However, if I were paying full price for a sailing I’d book a standard veranda room.
In my opinion, it feels like a great value at a more reasonable cost, and paying a few hundred dollars to upgrade from ocean-view or interior room seems worth it.
And, at the end of the day, when the ship is sailing out of port, I just want to be able to watch from my private balcony — not looking through a window or crowding on a shared deck.
A proposed billionaire tax in California has the wealthy threatening to flee, according to a letter written by power lawyer Alex Spiro to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
In a December 11 letter that was obtained by Business Insider, Spiro lays out his opposition to the proposed tax on behalf of his clients, whom he calls “California residents who would be subject to the proposed Billionaire Tax Act.”
“It will trigger an exodus of capital and innovation from California,” Spiro wrote. “Our clients have made clear they will permanently relocate if subjected to this tax.”
The measure proposes that California residents with assets exceeding $1 billion be subject to a one-time 5% tax on the value of their assets. If the proposal receives enough signatures, it will appear on the state ballot in November 2026. If passed, it would apply retroactively to all California residents as of January 1, 2026.
While Newsom has said he is against the tax and would “fight” it, he would not have the ability to veto it if it were to pass as a ballot measure.
Several wealthy Californians, including venture capitalist Peter Thiel and Google cofounder Larry Page, have considered shrinking their presence in California, according to a New York Times report. Representatives for Page and Thiel did not respond to Business Insider when asked if they were represented by Spiro.
Over the weekend, billionaire Palmer Luckey took to X to voice his opposition to the measure.
“I made my money from my first company, paid hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes on it,” the Anduril cofounder wrote. “Now me and my cofounders have to somehow come up with billions of dollars in cash.”
While it’s not clear which clients the lawyer was referencing in his letter to Newsom, Spiro’s client roster in the past has included billionaires and A-listers. He has previously represented Kim Kardashian, Jay-Z, and Elon Musk.
Read the full letter below:
Re: Constitutional Concerns Regarding Proposed Billionaire Tax ActDear Governor Newsom:I represent California residents who would be subject to the proposed Billionaire Tax Act if it qualifies for the November 2026 ballot. I write to urge you to work to prevent this initiative from moving forward. The Act has serious legal problems and would cause significant economic damage to California and the broader economy.First, and most importantly, the Act would be unconstitutional. Although the Act purports to be a tax, it is in reality an uncompensated confiscation of property. The Act imposes a 5% levy on total accumulated wealth, including illiquid assets that generate no income. That is in substance a taking without just compensation. As the Supreme Court explained in Armstrong v. United States, the government cannot force “some people alone to bear public burdens which, in all fairness and justice, should be borne by the public as a whole.” 364 U.S. 40, 49 (1960). The Act concentrates an extraordinary burden on a small group to solve a general revenue problem— exactly what the Constitution prohibits.Second, for the people who relocate from California in 2026 before the November election, the Act would tax them after they have become citizens of other States and without any ability to vote on the measure. The Supreme Court has held that retroactive taxation cannot be “harsh and oppressive.” United States v. Carlton, 512 U.S. 26, 30 (1994). A 5% levy on total net worth imposed on former residents who departed before the law was even enacted clearly meets that definition.Third, the Act’s unprecedented novelty makes it especially vulnerable to a legal challenge. California has never imposed a wealth tax, much less one that reaches former residents and that is targeted at a small group of citizens. The Supreme Court closely scrutinizes unprecedented exercises of government power precisely because they lack historical precedent. See Biden v. Nebraska, 600 U.S. 477, 505 (2023). In fact, it has not hesitated to invalidate the retroactive application of new taxes, even for far less extreme measures. See Blodgett v. Holden, 275 U.S. 142 (1927). There can be no doubt that the current Supreme Court would carefully evaluate a law so out of step with the American legal tradition.From an economic perspective, the Act creates two serious problems. First, it will trigger an exodus of capital and innovation from California. Our clients have made clear they will permanently relocate if subjected to this tax. They are not alone. See California’s wealth-tax test: Have voters finally found a policy that the state’s inherent economic strengths can’t overcome?, Wash. Post (Nov. 17, 2025) (opinion) (describing the tax as “almost tailor-made to drive most Silicon Valley tech companies to Austin, Texas”). In other words, by passing this proposal California would exchange a one-time windfall for the permanent loss of billions in annual income taxes, capital gains taxes, property taxes, and economic activity. The state’s most economically productive residents would take their businesses, jobs, and charitable giving with them. Second, the Act will force destructive asset sales. Our clients hold equity stakes in operating businesses, venture capital funds, and real estate. Paying a 5% wealth tax would require massive forced liquidations, depressing asset values and triggering market instability that would harm ordinary investors whose retirement accounts hold these same investments.Our clients are prepared to mount a vigorous constitutional challenge if this measure advances. Litigation would be protracted and expensive, and it would generate sustained negative attention to California’s business climate. The prudent course is to prevent this constitutionally defective measure from reaching the ballot. We respectfully ask that you discourage signature gathering, oppose qualification, and if necessary, campaign against passage.Our clients prefer to remain in California and continue contributing to the state’s economy and civic life. But they will not remain if subjected to an unconstitutional confiscation of their wealth. We hope this can be resolved through political channels rather than through years of contentious litigation.Respectfully,Alex Spiro
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I tried the famous “Tom Cruise Cake,” which the actor sends to a select group every Christmas.
Recipients have included Glen Powell, Jon Hamm, Kirsten Dunst, and Elle and Dakota Fanning.
The dessert is a white chocolate bundt cake from Doan’s Bakery in Los Angeles.
‘Twas the weeks before Christmas, when all through Hollywood, every celebrity was stirring, even Glen Powell.
Their assistants and publicists checked the mail with care, in hopes that the famous “Tom Cruise Cake” would soon be there.
We may have taken some creative liberties with the iconic “A Visit from St. Nicholas” poem, but there’s no denying that Cruise’s annual gift has become the stuff of legends.
Every year, the “Mission: Impossible” star sends white chocolate coconut bundt cakes from Doan’s Bakery in Los Angeles to a select group of friends and former costars. It’s a list that every celebrity wants to be on.
For those not on the list or local to LA, the famous cake is also available on Goldbelly for $140. Of course, I had to order one for the holidays to see what all the hype was about.
Katie Holmes introduced Tom Cruise to his favorite Christmas gift.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes split in 2012. Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images
Karen Doan, the self-taught baker behind the famous cake, revealed during a 2021 interview with Spectrum News 1 that Holmes, who was married to Cruise from 2006 to 2012, had learned about Doan’s Bakery from Diane Keaton while they were working on the 2008 film “Mad Money.”
“When Tom and Katie had a big party at their new home in Beverly Hills, we did all the cakes,” Doan said. “They loved it.”
Cruise and Holmes’ marriage didn’t last, but his relationship with Doan’s Bakery has continued for over a decade.
“This has become so popular that I would say when the phone rings, 80% of the people, that’s what they want,” Doan said about the coconut cake in 2021.
The “Tom Cruise Cake,” as it’s since been nicknamed, has become a status symbol in Hollywood.
Cruise always sends the cake to his former costars, including Glen Powell and Tom Hanks. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Whether it’s a bouquet of flowers from Beyoncé or some Meghan Markle marmalade, the A-list loves to show off their exclusive gifts on Instagram. Celebrities, they’re just like us!
The “Tom Cruise Cake” is no different. Stars like Mindy Kaling and Glen Powell have posted pictures of their cakes, and the famous dessert is a frequent discussion on the talk show circuit. Celebrity gossip blogs even publish lists detailing which celebrities — including Jon Hamm, the Fanning sisters, and Angela Bassett — make the cut every year.
The cake itself has also won high praise. Kirsten Dunst told Graham Norton in 2016 that it was the “best coconut cake I’ve ever had in my life,” and Tom Hanks called it “off-the-scale fantastic” during a 2023 video for Mythical Kitchen. The actor loves the cake so much that he said it would be one of the dishes he’d want for his last meal on earth.
I don’t think I’ve ever tried a cake with so much hype. Clearly, it had a lot to live up to.
My cake arrived two days after I ordered it on Goldbelly.
The cake was individually wrapped in plastic and tied with a green bow. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider
I ordered the cake on December 18 and selected two-day shipping, which was an additional $35. There were also options for five-day delivery ($20) and six-day delivery (free). Unfortunately, due to high demand, you now need to join a waitlist for the cake on Goldbelly, although those in LA can still purchase it from Doan’s Bakery for the much cheaper cost of $66.
The dessert, which ships nationwide, was delivered frozen with dry ice. The cake itself was individually wrapped in plastic, topped with a bright-green bow, and tucked inside a Doan’s Bakery box.
I unwrapped the cake and stuck it in the fridge to defrost overnight.
The cake from Doan’s Bakery serves 12 to 16 people. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider
The hefty 10-inch cake — which serves 12-16 people and weighs 3 pounds — can last in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for four months.
Cobie Smulders told Jimmy Fallon in 2019 that she’ll “slowly chip away” at the dessert until March.
When my family and I first tried the cake, it was still pretty frozen.
Slicing into the bundt cake. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider
With its generous dusting of coconut flakes, the bundt cake makes for an angelic and festive centerpiece. But, at first, it was hard to appreciate the flavor.
This is already a dense and buttery cake, and it hadn’t fully defrosted after 24 hours in the fridge. Paired with the cream cheese frosting, the texture was really heavy. My parents and I weren’t super impressed, but we decided to hold our opinion and give the cake another day to fully defrost.
With each passing day, we liked the cake more and more.
A slice of the white chocolate bundt cake. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider
This is definitely a maximalist cake — something Doan said was always part of her ethos.
“I don’t skimp on ingredients,” she said during the Spectrum News 1 segment in 2021. “Everyone says, ‘Less is more, Karen,’ because I want to put more white chips. I want to put more coconut!”
I’m glad she didn’t listen when she created this cake recipe, especially when it came to the white chocolate chunks. Their texture adds just a hint of delicious crunch to the cake, and there’s a warmth to the flavor that helps cut through the intense punch of sweetness. The toasted flakes are also a nice touch, adding depth without giving each bite an overwhelming coconut flavor.
When I woke up for breakfast one morning this week, I found myself craving another slice of the cake. It had surprisingly grown on me. My parents agreed, although they’re not convinced it’s worth the price.
“I’d eat it again, if someone sent it as a gift,” my dad said.
