BEYOND THE SPOTLIGHT

Quirky Collectors: Did you know these 10 strange Celebrity Hobbies?

Image: Karen Vardazaryan

Have you ever wondered what celebrities do in their free time? Most stars are used to being the center of attention, but beyond the luxuries, fancy dresses, and red carpets, they are people with different interests, tastes, and passions, just like us. However, they sprinkle a bit of stardust and extravagance on everything they do, including their hobbies.

It's time to lift the veil and explore the lesser-known side of fame. Let's peek behind the velvet curtain and discover the hobbies of these 10 world-famous celebrities; you won't believe number 10!

Image: Takafumi Yamashita

We all know Angelina Jolie is a tough woman, and it's not just because of her roles in action movies. Beyond her martial arts prowess and stunt work, she has a touch of Mrs. Smith in her real life too.

While many people collect coins or stamps, Angelina's hobby is a bit more exciting: she is into knives. The actress stated that she has a thing for daggers and blades, finding them utterly fascinating. And this is nothing new, since Angelina began her collection at the tender age of 11, hand in hand with her mother.

Image: Sean Bernstein

With iconic roles like Jack Sparrow and Willy Wonka, it's no surprise that Johnny Depp's off-screen hobbies are as eccentric as his characters. While perhaps not as intense as Angelina Jolie's knives, Depp's hobby is certainly unexpected: he collects dolls.

The actor revealed that his fascination with dolls began during his daughter's childhood when he would join her in playing with Barbies. Even as his daughter grew older, Depp continued to accumulate dolls, accessories, special editions, and even celebrity dolls to his extensive collection. Sounds fun, right?

Image: Nathan Dumlao

Behind legendary boxer Mike Tyson's tough exterior lies a remarkable soft spot for an unexpected creature. While many remember Tyson's famous tiger pet, it's his affinity for pigeons that really shows his tender side.

From a young age, Tyson has felt a deep connection with pigeons, and this bond has grown stronger over the years. He has dedicated himself to raising, protecting, and loving these feathered friends, taking his adoration to the next level by housing hundreds of them in his huge mansion.

Image: Zdeněk Macháček

Who could've ever imagined that Paris Hilton and frogs would be in the same sentence? Truth is indeed stranger than fiction!

Despite her stance against hunting and her deep respect for all creatures, big and small, Hilton has a peculiar predilection for hunting frogs.

Although it may sound bizarre, the actress stated that she finds immense joy in chasing and catching these slippery amphibians. Of course, she does it with care and compassion. Once caught, she releases her amphibious targets back into their natural habitat.

Image: Rich Smith

In the world of celebrities, it is no secret that their closets are often full to the brim with an array of designer dresses, suits, and coats. But when it comes to hangers, few stars can boast a collection as quirky and extensive as Penelope Cruz.

The Spanish actress has let slip her peculiar penchant for collecting hangers. Perhaps a little less fun than Johnny Depp's collection, Cruz has more than 500 hangers of different materials, colors, and sizes. So, if one day you find yourself face to face with the radiant Penelope Cruz, you'll know just the unique gift to bring her way.

Image: rocknwool

Okay, let's be real; there's nothing unusual about this hobby, but we couldn't resist putting the iconic Meryl Streep in the spotlight. In a world where eccentricity reigns supreme, Meryl shines with her simplicity.

The renowned actress, known for her breathtaking performances on the silver screen, has an ordinary hobby: knitting. That's right, she dedicates her free time to making cozy garments, and she has even knitted pieces that she used in some of her films. Admit it, who wouldn't jump at the chance to wrap themselves in a sweater made by Meryl Streep herself?

Image: Samuel Ramos

Collecting coins, spoons, buttons, or even dolls and knives may require little space, but Tom Hanks' passion ventures into a realm that demands a bit more room: typewriters.

The beloved actor has compiled a collection of these mechanical marvels at his home, a habit that traces its origins back to his youthful days at 17.

His devotion to typewriters has even led him to write a book containing 17 captivating stories.

Image: Erik Mclean

When it comes to passions, some transcend mere collections. Take the case of Nicolas Cage, for example. He's not just a casual comic book fan; he elevates his love for comics to another level, infusing it into every aspect of his life.

In fact, it is said that his own stage name pays homage to a Marvel comic book hero, Luke Cage (the actor's real last name is Coppola).

And it doesn't stop there; Cage also created a comic book with his son, and dabbled in various acting roles related to heroes and other comic book characters. He is what we would call a true fan.

Image: Courtney Cook

When the topic of beauty arises, it's almost impossible not to conjure up thoughts of Brad Pitt. But beyond his striking looks, this actor has a talent for creating beauty in more ways than one.

In a revelation that may surprise many, Brad stated that he delved into the art of pottery during the 2020 lockdown. Since then, he has been in love with the activity, even though he may not indulge in it as frequently as before.

Imagine drinking a cup of delicious coffee from a mug made by the hands of Brad Pitt himself. That elevates the entire experience to new heights.

Image: Sonika Agarwal

When we encounter an insect, there's only one thing most of us can do: jump and scream. But for the beautiful and talented Claudia Schiffer, these little friends are not a threat at all. Quite the contrary, they're a source of fascination and wonder.

The renowned model and actress has shared her deep connection with the insect kingdom. It all began with spiders, but her curiosity soon spread to butterflies, beetles, and beyond.

Surprising, right? But also a testament to the diverse passions that lie beneath the surface of even the most glamorous.

PACK YOUR SUITCASE!

Let’s Hit The Road & Discover Ten Iconic American Roadside Attractions!

Image: Dino Reichmuth

Are you planning on taking a road trip soon? Hitting the road with no fixed destination, just you and the wind blowing on your hair? That might be a tad too romantic, but it can’t be denied that America is truly a wonderful place to travel through. As the third-largest country in the world, there is plenty to see and enjoy on every road you come across.

Now, you might be expecting the usual sightseeing recommendations, like Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon, to be featured in this article. However, we have decided to take a slightly different approach and pick our ten favorite roadside attractions from all across America. Enjoy this selection of memorable, iconic, and downright weird destinations!

Image: Jan Hazevoet

We’ll start this list with a New Jersey icon. Located in Margate City, five miles away from Atlantic City, this six-story-tall elephant has been a sightseeing treasure of this community since 1882. As you might expect, Lucy is the oldest roadside attraction in the country.

Originally built to promote tourism and real estate sales in the area, Lucy soon became the beloved mascot of this city. She was built out of wood and clad in tin, and was modeled after Jumbo, the world-famous elephant featured in the "Barnum and Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth" circus.

Image: Steve Wrzeszczynski

The Cadillac is truly an American icon: Few cars are as easily recognizable and beloved as this luxurious and spacious car. However, if your road trip happens to take you to Amarillo, Texas, you might come across a curious sight: a row of ten Cadillacs, painted in bright colors and buried nose-first in the ground. This is "Cadillac Ranch", an art installation created in 1974.

Artists Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez, and Doug Michels came across this idea while looking at a children’s book about cars. "Cadillac Ranch" was first installed in a wheat field, but it was relocated in 1997 to a cow pasture along Interstate 40.

Image: Susi Kleiman

Few images are as ingrained in pop culture as Marilyn Monroe’s iconic subway vent shot, featured in the 1955 comedy "The Seven-Year Itch". You can probably picture it clearly as you read this: Marilyn's unforgettable smile, coyly trying to catch her iconic white dress from fluttering. But, in case you are having trouble remembering this picture, we got you covered: You just need to take a trip to Palm Springs, California, and visit the 26-foot-tall statue "Forever Marilyn".

This statue was first located in Chicago, displayed on the famous "Magnificent Mile" avenue. However, it has relocated through America several times, and it even visited "The Land Down Under": In 2016, "Forever Marilyn" was displayed in Bendigo, Australia, as part of Bendigo Art Gallery's Marilyn Monroe exhibition.

Image: Paxson Woelber

This entry is a little bit misleading since you can’t actually visit this roadside attraction by car: it is located on Adak Island in Alaska, so getting there on a single trip might be a tad difficult (although not impossible). However, we thought the history of the Adak National Forest was too good to pass.

The Adak Island is part of the Aleutian Islands, an arc of islands known for their low temperatures, heavy precipitations, and extremely high winds. The resulting barren landscape is not suitable for a forest, yet residents of Adak Island claim to have a National Forest in their home. And they do, since a forest of pine trees was planted on the island during World War 2 as a way to boost morale. However, most trees didn’t survive the unsuitable environment: In fact, for a while the Adak National Forest was composed of a single surviving tree. Although it eventually grew into a small forest of 33 trees, the forest is not known for its size, and a small sign states "You are now entering and leaving Adak National Forest".

Image: Adam Nir

If you are a Batman fan, you might be familiar with the humongous coin the Caped Crusader has in his Batcave. Should you want to visit a similar piece of change, you could take a trip to Woodruff, Wisconsin, and learn the wholesome story of the sell-claimed world’s largest penny.

The penny is 15 feet tall and weighs nearly nine tons. It was built to honor the memory of Dr. Kate Pelham Newcomb, a Woodruff resident who raised over a million pennies to build a new hospital for the community. Newcomb’s campaign was a huge success and raised enough funds to open the Lakeland Memorial Hospital in 1954, a few blocks away from where the Giant Penny was built.

Image: Elle Hughes

Spicy food can be extremely divisive, but whether you love it or hate it, it can’t be denied that New Mexico peppers are world-famous. If your road trip takes you to "the Land of Enchantment", you’ll definitively come across this curious question at, at least, one stop: "Red or green"? This is New Mexico’s official state question, and it asks whether you prefer red or green peppers with your food.

If you love spicy food and would like to pay your respects to this wonderful ingredient while you are in New Mexico, you might want to take a quick trip to the city of Las Cruces and visit the world’s largest chile pepper sculpture. Standing at 47 feet, this massive chile is a must-visit stop for everyone who loves that extra spicy kick in his food.

Image: JosephHershMedia

If you, for whatever reason, hear the uncommon phrase "Giant cowboy", you might immediately think about "Big Tex", the 55-foot-tall cowboy that promotes the State Fair of Texas. And while he is definitively iconic, we want to bring the spotlight on two less-known humongous cowboys that adorn New Mexico’s Highway 285. Two cowboys about to start a fight stuck in an eternal standoff since 2016.

The art installation "Cowboy Ruckus" is made up of two 18-feet-high cowboys, each standing at each side of the highway, who seem to be engaged in some sort of disagreement: one of them is pointing accusatorily at the other, who is caught in mid-shrug. The sculptures resemble the respective owners of both fields, two brothers and ranchers who agreed to model for artist John Cerney.

Image: Hoyoun Lee

We’ll continue with what’s probably the cutest entry to this list. The town of Fergus Falls, Minnesota is home to both an adorable and huge mascot, proudly displayed at the shore of Grotto Lake. Otto the Otter is a 40-feet-long statue, promoted by the town as the world’s largest otter.

Otto started as a high-school project, designed as a gift to celebrate the town’s centennial in 1972. The statue was placed in Adams Park, overlooking both the town and the lake.

Image: Joey Kyber

America’s favorite pastime deserves a larger-than-life statue commemorating it, and the self-proclaimed world’s largest baseball located in Muscotah, Kansas would be a fitting tribute to this beloved sport. However, this unfinished roadside attraction was built not to celebrate baseball, but rather to honor the life and career of a player born and raised in this Kansas city.

Joe Tinker was born in Muscotah in 1880, he grew up to play for the Chicago Cubs and be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The city of Muscotah built this baseball from the bubble of an unused water tower, hoping it would attract tourism and encourage the creation of a Joe Tinker Museum. While that idea never came to fruition, the baseball still stands to this day as a popular roadside attraction.

Image: Mike Norton

We’ll end this article with an entry located not just in one state. To call the Four Corners Monument a roadside attraction might be a bit of a disservice: It is a major geographic point, a unique intersection on which the states of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico meet. However, thousands of American families visit the Four Corners Monument, and take a quick break in their road trip to stand in four different states at once.

While simple, the monument is a rather inspiring tribute to America: Circling a granite disk marking the intersection, the monument features smaller state seals and flags placed on each corresponding state. In the center of the granite component, there is a smaller bronze disk that reads the inspiring phrase "Here meet in freedom under God four states"