Celebs Who Should Do a Tick Check

These stars have been rolling around in the grass, as is their right, but they should be warned: This year's tick season could be one of the worst on record.

By Claire Guinan  |  June 29, 2026 | 1:04pm
Photo: Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo CelebritiesCelebrities Nature
Celebs Who Should Do a Tick Check

Amazing news for the ticks! Our winters are getting warmer, which means even better conditions for these parasites to do their thing and reproduce all over our favorite hiking trails and picnicking spots.

In March, Time projected that 2026 could be one of the worst tick seasons on record, which is concerning to everyday folks who enjoy escaping into nature, but even more concerning for our favorite pop girlies, who won’t stop rolling around in grass in their music videos. Last week, a tweet from the USDA Forest Service induced a panic when they posted a photo of a muffin with five ticks masquerading as poppy seeds, demonstrating how easy it can be to glance over these little mischievous guys, and it’s safe to say I’ll never eat a poppy seed muffin again. Or go outside.

But if you absolutely must go outside, don’t forget to conduct a proper tick check before coming back indoors. Check your clothing and double-check crevices like armpits, knees, and ankles, and if you happen to be conducting a tick check on Harry Styles, triple-triple-check. He is embarking on a world tour! He can’t have ticks sucking his blood while he sings about American girls.

But it’s not just Harry who is in trouble. As the summer commences, even more celebs have been spotted rolling around in the grass, as is their right, but they should be warned: the ticks are out and they are bloodthirsty. A proper check is in order for the following stars.

Charli XCX

In her newest music video for the single “Wink Wink,” directed by Aidan Zamiri, Charli rolls around in some long grass (and maybe she f*cked your dad, wink wink). Hopefully, she and Zamiri conducted proper tick checks afterward because nothing kills the dance floor like Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Zoe Kravitz and Harry Styles

Over the weekend, this it-couple was spotted picnicking in London in grass that is a little too long for my liking. And yes, they have ticks over the pond too. Nowhere is safe, and I just know a nearby tick was salivating at the mouth when these two came by with their bare ankles.

Olivia Rodrigo

Sigh, yet another pop girly falling victim to rolling around in grass. This time for Olivia Rodrigo’s new music video for “Stupid Song.” I’m all for whimsy, but this is not the time. The ticks! Just because Central Park is a beautiful city green space does not make it free of ticks. The park is home to a thriving population of blacklegged ticks (i.e., deer ticks). Nowhere is safe.

Addison Rae

Yep, more pop divas in grass. You already know Addison is going to roll around on the ground when the time calls for it. So, Addison, please remain vigilant against these ticks. They want you!

Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi

Another hot new couple, Jenner and Elordi, were spotted hiking in Australia last week. Do they have ticks in Australia? Yes. Again, nowhere is safe.  Thankfully, Elordi and Jenner are exhibiting some excellent habits for the class. A) They are staying on the trail, and B) they are properly covered from head to toe, making it hard for a hungry tick to hitch a ride. Great job, guys!

Joe Alwyn and Sarah Pidgeon

Bare male feet alert! This new couple is K-I-S-S-I-N-G in a park in London as ticks stand by and wait to jump into Pidgeon’s perfectly effortless messy bun. 

Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau

 

 
 
 
 
 
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More lovers rolling around in the grass. Because ticks thrive in humid, dark conditions, they are less likely to be found on a sunny, manicured lawn like this one, so Perry and Trudeau might be safe. Still, these lovers should exercise caution. You never know…We also didn’t think there would be ticks on a poppy seed muffin…

If you must film a music video or ponder a picnic with a romantic partner, check your person accordingly. Stay safe out there. And keep those damn ankles covered.

 
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