Yahoo Finance Courteney Cox recreates 'Friends' turkey dance and how more stars celebrated Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving looked different for most of us this year. With the coronavirus raging and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending people not travel, a lot of celebrations were scaled way back. But Americans still recognized a day of traditions, gratitude and pie.
And celebrities were no different, keeping close to home but still managing to have their best Turkey Day. Stars like Carrie Underwood, John Legend, Nicki Minaj and Blake Shelton took to social media to talk about what they were grateful for.
Even some who grew up outside the U.S., like Nicole Kidman (Australia), Paul McCartney (England) and Justin Bieber (Canada), chimed in with good wishes.
"Friends" alum Courteney Cox took to Instagram to recreate her iconic turkey dance from the November 1998 episode of the show.
"Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I hope you're having a great day. I’m feeling so thankful,” Cox said, before changing her tone, bringing the camera closer to her face and sharing some bleeped-out words. "And also, if I get one more (expletive) GIF with that turkey on my head dancing like a (expletive) fool, I'm just going to snap.
She then pulled the camera back again and went back to smiling.
“So anyway, since I’m the symbol of Thanksgiving, here you go, hope it makes you happy," she said, before a short clip of her played, where she shimmied with a sunglasses-wearing turkey on her head.
John Legend showed what he was most thankful for, with an adorable family photo. "So so grateful for these three. Happy Thanksgiving!"
Aussie Nicole Kidman may have gotten a double helping of pie, since Australia celebrated Thanksgiving on Wednesday this year. The actress wished fans a happy holiday, adding: "Thinking of family and friends with love and gratitude."
Nicki Minaj posted a music clip along with her best wishes: "Happy Thanksgiving to my day 1's. Love you."
Happy Thanksgiving to my day 1’s. Love you 😘 pic.twitter.com/4R7PcK9GBV
— Mrs. Petty (@NICKIMINAJ) November 27, 2020
Sir Paul McCartney wanted fans to come together: "Give thanks for #Thanksgiving! - Paul
Give thanks for #Thanksgiving! - Paul pic.twitter.com/T0q7o5sOIC
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) November 26, 2020
Kelly Ripa also paid tribute to family, with a photo of the whole gang and a tease for those who had to join them virtually: "#tbt thanksgiving is not like last year, but we’re still grateful that our parents are getting the hang of FaceTime. Sort of."
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani have a lot to be grateful for this year, not least their new engagement. "What a year we’ve all had, but there is still plenty to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving y'all!!!," Shelton posted, alongside a photo of the smiling couple.
Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler spent the holiday with Carrie Underwood and her family, posting a video to Instagram of the feast, with the caption: "We had it all. And when I say we, I mean @carrieunderwood and @mfisher1212. I watched a large turkey cook in a vat of oil. Carrie and Mike had enough for 20 people. Hope everyone had a great Turkey day.
"Couldn't be with the fam this year, but we feasted nontheless!" said Underwood, who thanked Cutler back, posting the same video but adding the words "I cooked for 2 days. It was over in 20 minutes!"
"I worked hard and our bellies are stuffed!" the singer added. "Shoutout to @ifjayhadinstagram for the turkey, which I did not try (I’m a Tofurky kind of girl) but was told it was delicious! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!"
Common wanted people to celebrate, but not forget their history: "Today, we celebrate all that we are grateful for. But let us also take the time to understand the true history of #Thanksgiving and acknowledge the genocide committed against Native Americans."
Today, we celebrate all that we are grateful for. But let us also take the time to understand the true history of #Thanksgiving and acknowledge the genocide committed against Native Americans. https://t.co/VgJvTtgA1v
— COMMON (@common) November 26, 2020
Jennifer Aniston didn't tempt with classic holiday dishes. She gave fans the feels with an adorable photo of puppy Lord Chesterfield and a simple message: "We're grateful."
Justin Theroux and his dog, Kuma, got dressed up for their special shared dinner. The actor posted a classy black-and-white pic with strategic spots of color along with his holiday wishes: "Happy Thanksgiving! We’re doing this one alone so the rest can be with loved ones. Miss you mom. Be there soon."
Justin Bieber kept it short and sweet: "Thankful. Grateful. Blessed."
Thankful. Grateful. Blessed
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 26, 2020
Kerry Washington offered several notes of gratitude, saying she was "Thankful to those who chose safety over tradition. Thankful to those who recognize the complexity of this holiday. Thankful to all who have continued to show love, spread joy, and give kindness in these uncertain times."
"Please keep Native peoples in your thoughts and prayers today and throughout #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth," the actress said in a second post.
New mom Meghan McCain was missing her dad, posting several throwback videos of Sen. John McCain carving the bird and manning the turkey deep-fryer: "Happy Thanksgiving, wherever you are Dad.
Country star Reba McEntire wanted people to focus on the positive: "I know this has been a hard year for so many of us, but I am taking time, as I do every day, to count my blessings - for my faith, my family, my friends and you. What are you thankful for today?"
Happy #Thanksgiving! I know this has been a hard year for so many of us, but I am taking time, as I do every day, to count my blessings - for my faith, my family, my friends and you. What are you thankful for today? pic.twitter.com/UvDSoc7xcn
— Reba (@reba) November 26, 2020
"Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro posted a photo of his table, saying, "Happy Thanksgiving from my table to yours! Thank you to my beautiful wife @lisavalastro4 for this amazing feast!"
Valastro, who is recovering from a September accident when his hand was impaled in a pinsetter at the bowling alley in his New Jersey home, told People he's "thankful for all the extra family time I've had with my wife and kids."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stars' Thanksgivings: Courteney Cox, Carrie Underwood, John Legend
