Sylvester Stallone achieved peak fitness during his “Rocky” years and beyond, but at a price paid in steroid use and an eating disorder, he revealed in a new interview.

What started as a desire to “design” his body to reflect the characters he was playing “became an obsession” that led to bulimia, the 80-year-old performer revealed to The New York Times in an interview published Saturday.

“I got down to 2.6% body fat when I was doing ‘Rocky III,’ and I couldn’t hold anything down,” Stallone told The New York Times’ Lulu Garcia-Navarro. “Or I didn’t want to keep it down because I became so obsessed with staying at that point of fitness, literally an obsessive body-worship kind of thing.”

He admitted he’d used steroids, which he said was the only way anyone achieves and maintains that level of fitness.

“Nobody does it without additives and drugs, period. I don’t care what they say,” Stallone said. “It isn’t as though you’re a junkie, but if you’re going to work out and try to stay in shape for six months straight, and you’re eating yogurt and pudding, it’s not happening. You have to.”

Sensible use notwithstanding, steroids and action stunts “took a terrible toll” on his body, Stallone revealed.

“I’ve had nine back operations, two shoulder operations, three neck fusions,” he said. “Everything is held together with baling wire, but I still want to stay in good shape.”

Nowadays “I’m sort of fit,” he added, “but I take a lot of pills to keep going.”

Stallone spoke to The Times ahead of the release Tuesday of his memoir, “The Steps ,” which alludes to the Philadelphia Museum of Art stairs his character Rocky Balboa triumphantly ascends in “Rocky.” The book covers the years leading up to his skyrocket to stardom in the 1976 film, starting with a childhood marked by abuse and neglect. He won three Academy Awards for “Rocky,” but his parents were no-shows at the ceremony.

His childhood experiences colored his path through life, and gave him insight into another famous character, John Rambo in 1982’s “First Blood,” because he could identify “with this dismissive attitude that I grew up with,” he said.

Also on the horizon is Anthony Ippiloto ’s portrayal of him in “I Play Rocky,” due in theaters in November. It’s titled after his oft-uttered deal-breaker phrase in insisting he needed to star in “Rocky” back when the producers wanted a big name in the title role.

At 80, Stallone has become introspective, looking honestly and unsparingly at the effects of his movies, deeds and perceived missteps over his 50-year career.

“I built a castle with thousands of stones made of regrets,” he told The Times. “I’m trying to make up for it in my own petty way, and I don’t know if there’s enough time. There is not enough time.”

Self-forgiveness is not possible, he said.

“No, you just regret,” Stallone said. “You denied people your love, but you also did worse to yourself.”

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NEW YORK — Taylor Swift broke records at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, as she is known to do.

The pop powerhouse received the inaugural Artist Director Honors on Sunday night, becoming the most-awarded artist in VMA history.

Previously, she was tied with Beyoncé for the title, with 30 VMAs each. The new award is meant to recognize artists “whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling.”

“I got to start making music videos and being a part of music videos 20 years ago,” Swift said in her speech, adding that she's been involved in making roughly 60 music videos, 18 of which she wrote and directed.

“You, the fans, make it so much fun,” she said.

She also took home the top prize of the night — video of the year — for “The Fate of Ophelia” from her album “The Life of a Showgirl.”

Swift dedicated that award to the “ultimate showgirl,” the late Dolly Parton.

“I think we were all very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time,” Swift said.

Swift also debuted the music video for her new song, “Patient Zero,” during the award show. She directed the visual, which stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson. Johnson and Swift portray mirror images of each other.

“Patient Zero” is also her first single since marrying Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in July.

The two-hour show was broadcast live on CBS from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

“It's mother,” were the first words uttered by Madonna as she opened the VMAs with her 2026 single “Bring Your Love” alongside collaborator Sabrina Carpenter. Later in the night, the pair won the award for best collaboration for the song.

“It’s been a while since I did one of these things,” Madonna joked. “So, I’ve prepared nothing.”

When it came time for her return to the stage to accept the award for artist of the year, Madonna began with, “First of all, I would like to thank my fingers because I can always count on them.” Returning a third time to accept for best dance, she said simply, “I came alive on the dance floor. … We’re all equal on the dance floor.”

If her aim was to bring the dance floor to the award show stage, Madonna did exactly that in her opening number — and then some, when Charli XCX emerged from a club bathroom to perform their reworked version of “Danceteria.” Around them? A trove of dancers and various famous friends, including actor Debi Mazar, Sombr and Julia Garner.

The show, which was delayed 20 minutes by a tight NFL game, wasted no time getting heart rates up.

Snoop Dogg, a 13-time VMAs nominee and three-time winner, emerged as host shortly thereafter.

“Now that is an icon,” Dogg said of Madonna, before pivoting to a joke: “She ain't a virgin no more.”

Teyana Taylor then presented the first award for best pop to LISA for “Dream,” featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi.

“Thank you MTV for this amazing award,” she said while holding back tears. “All those late-night dreams brought me here today.” It was a different scene about an hour later, when she returned to the stage for her hip-hop heavy hitter “Sawadika,” which loosely translates to “Hello” in her native Thai.

There was always going to be a big musical tribute to Dolly Parton. Kacey Musgraves paid homage to the late, great country music icon with a cover of Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”

Parton, whose soaring vibrato vocals, poignant songwriting and sparkling costumes defined her rise from a log cabin in the Tennessee mountains to the height of stardom and acclaim, died in Nashville of cancer in August. She was 80.

Performances arrived fast and furious: Raye delivered a medley of her throwback soul, including “I Will Overcome” and “Where Is My Husband!”

Bruno Mars slowed things down with “Dance With Me.” Shaboozey launched into his saloon single “Cowgirl,” before being joined by Gunna for some hybrid country-rap with their crossover track, “High Noon.”

“Survivor” host Jeff Probst and actor Brandon Sklenar introduced the final performance of the night and arguably its best — a partial reenactment of GENER8ION and Yung Lean’s “STORM” music video — which began with Lean smashing a VMA ‘Moon person’ trophy.

Sienna Spiro belted out her “Great Expectation.” It was a welcome introduction to the new talent, who was named best new artist shortly thereafter.

Orville Peck introduced a tribute to George Michael, who died 10 years ago on Christmas Day. He was 53.

If this year's VMAs felt too pop-heavy for some viewers, that changed when the coveted Video Vanguard Award was awarded to Nirvana.

“They were completely original and always fearless at a time when the status quo kind of got to the point of being formulaic,” Public Enemy rapper Chuck D said of the grunge greats.

The award was presented to surviving members Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl and Pat Smear. Frontman Kurt Cobain died in 1994.

“Kurt was one of one,” Novoselic said in their acceptance speech, adding that the band never imagined its sound and aesthetic would resonate with so many people. He said the music continues to endure because people are still hungry for “something real, something uncompromising” and a message that “it’s just OK to come as you are.”

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NEW YORK — Amy Schumer and her estranged husband, Chris Fischer, have reached a divorce agreement nearly one year after announcing their split, according to reports.

The former couple submitted the paperwork to officially end their marriage to a judge in New York on Thursday, and it is now awaiting processing by the county clerk, Us Weekly reported.

Schumer and Fischer tied the knot in February 2018, and they welcomed their son, Gene, the following year in May 2019. The court will also process orders concerning support for the exes’ 7-year-old son, according to Us.

Rumors of a rift in their relationship started to swirl in November 2025, after Schumer posted a photo of herself without her wedding ring. The 45-year-old funnywoman was quick to push back at the time, writing on Instagram: “I never wear jewelry.”

“Whatever ends up happening with Chris has nothing to do with weight loss or autism,” she added, referring to comments on her changed appearance and Fischer’s diagnosis. “Fingers crossed we can make it through … he’s the best.”

A month later, Schumer confirmed their separation.

“Blah blah blah Chris and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage after seven years,” she captioned a December 2025 Instagram post, which featured a photo of her and Fischer smiling and seated side-by-side on the New York City subway. “We love each other very much and will continue to focus on raising our son. We would appreciate people respecting our privacy at this time.”

The “Trainwreck” star concluded: “Amicable and all love and respect! Family forever.”

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From combined wire services