New York City in mid-January is usually a slushy mess of grey snow and freezing wind, but if you're looking for stars, the sidewalks are surprisingly hot right now. Honestly, the post-holiday lull didn't happen this year. Between massive film sets taking over the West Village and a weirdly high concentration of A-listers hitting midtown for talk show appearances, it's a busy time to be a professional—or amateur—paparazzo.
Basically, if you're walking around Manhattan today, January 17, 2026, you've actually got a decent shot at a sighting.
The Law & Order Takeover and Big Screen Sets
If you see those "No Parking" film permit signs anywhere near Uptown or the West Village, there’s a 90% chance it’s Mariska Hargitay. She’s been spotted filming Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as recently as yesterday and today. Kelli Giddish, Kevin Kane, and Michael Viola are also on set. They’ve been moving between Uptown Manhattan and some locations in the Hudson Valley, but the core production is very much rooted in the city streets right now.
But the real "zombie" in the room is Jeffrey Dean Morgan. He and Lauren Cohan are currently tearing through Manhattan filming Season 3 of The Walking Dead: Dead City. Just a few days ago, they were seen near Central Park. It’s kinda surreal seeing Negan grabbing a coffee in a puffer jacket while tourists are trying to find the skating rink.
Down in SoHo, things are a bit more "indie thriller." Angelina Jolie has been working on her new project Sunny. While she’s been doing a lot of work up in Rhinebeck and the Hudson Valley, she’s been popping back into the city for production meetings.
Broadway is the Real Celebrity Hub
Forget the streets for a second. If you want a guaranteed sighting, you go to the theater. Broadway is currently stacked with names that usually live on Netflix.
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- Mark Strong and Lesley Manville: They are currently starring in Oedipus at Studio 54. This isn’t your high school English class version—it’s set on a modern election night and people are losing their minds over it.
- Darren Criss: He’s still over at the Belasco Theatre for Maybe Happy Ending. It’s a robot musical, which sounds weird, but his fanbase is keeping that stage door packed every night.
- Carrie Coon: The Gilded Age star is currently leading the psychological thriller Bug at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
- Jinkx Monsoon: For the comedy fans, the RuPaul’s Drag Race legend is still killing it as Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary! at the Lyceum.
The "All Out" comedy rotation is also a big deal this week. You might catch Sarah Silverman, Mike Birbiglia, or Wayne Brady depending on which night you go, as they’ve been swapping in and out of the cast.
The "Caught in the Wild" Sightings
Sometimes celebrities are just... out. Rihanna was spotted in Manhattan yesterday looking, well, like Rihanna. She’s been a frequent fixture in the city lately, often seen around SoHo or heading into dinner spots in Tribeca.
Jacob Elordi is also currently a high-value target for the "spotted" accounts. He was just seen earlier this week at a screening for Frankenstein and has been hanging out with Olivia Jade Giannulli. They were caught by photographers leaving a hotel on January 14 and grabbing dinner with his parents. If you're hanging around the Crosby Street Hotel, keep your eyes peeled.
Bella Hadid and Gabrielle Union have also been seen frequently this week, mostly transitioning between Midtown hotels and the Today show studios at Rockefeller Plaza. Teyana Taylor was also just at the Today show yesterday, likely promoting her latest projects.
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Where to Actually Look
Look, standing on a corner in the cold is a bad strategy. If you're serious about seeing what celebrity is in New York right now, you have to follow the schedule.
- Rockefeller Plaza: This is the Holy Grail. Between The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Today Show, and Saturday Night Live, the revolving door of talent is constant. Kyle MacLachlan and Billy Bob Thornton were both through there in the last 48 hours.
- The Stage Doors: 44th and 45th Streets after 10:00 PM. This is where you’ll see the Broadway stars. It’s crowded, it’s chaotic, but it’s a sure thing.
- The West Village: This is the neighborhood for the "low-key" sightings. A$AP Rocky was seen walking around here yesterday just being a normal New Yorker (as much as he can be).
Why New York is the Spot This Week
Normally, January is for Sundance, but there’s a lot of production lag being made up for right now. Shows like Law & Order and Dead City are on tight filming schedules, and Broadway is in that sweet spot where the fall hits are still running strong before the spring previews start.
It's also worth noting that some stars are using NYC as a pitstop. While Tom Hiddleston was just seen in New York earlier this month, he’s currently over in Milan for Fashion Week. The celebrity world moves fast, so if you see someone, snap the photo quick.
Next Steps for Your Celebrity Hunt
If you're planning to head out, check the 1iota website for last-minute "fan event" tickets. They often have audience spots for things like the Jason Momoa vs. Dave Bautista fan events that have been happening this week. Also, keep an eye on the @DeuxMoi or @OverheardNewYork Instagram stories for real-time "blind items" that usually get confirmed within the hour. Dress warm—the wind tunnel on 6th Avenue is no joke, even if you are waiting for a movie star.