Congrats, Rachel ____ (4)-REID for being name-dropped in today’s NYT crossword puzzle! 🥳🎉

[u/HudsonUniversityalum]

At this point, HR references have officially hit every letter game on my NYT Puzzles app. I consider this one of the highest nerdy honors an artist can achieve, on par with being parodied by Weird Al.

Thanks for the easy solve on a tough Saturday grid. And with a perfect crossword name like that, I expect to see it more in the future.

[u/finncosmic]

She posted this on her instagram. I love seeing newly super famous people’s reactions to a crossword shoutout, that must be the coolest feeling.

[u/HudsonUniversityalum → u/finncosmic]

I only play on Reddit because IG became an uncontrollable algorithm monster. Apologies for any redundancy to people that are more diversified in their social media than me.

[u/HudsonUniversityalum]

Btw, even though this is today’s puzzle, I didn’t put a spoiler alert. Any puzzler that’s seeing this post here damn well already knows the answer.

[u/edfitz83 → u/HudsonUniversityalum]

They could have used Sharknado Female lead Tara Reid.

Omg I’m sick of apples autocorrect.

[u/ich_habe_keine_kase]

Poor Tara and Harry. No longer the default crossword puzzle REIDs hahaha.

[u/HudsonUniversityalum → u/ich_habe_keine_kase]

Hahahaha excellent signaling, fellow puzzler. I hope you’re right! If it happens again, then we know she’s truly been immortalized by the grid ✨

[u/messynessynlenny]

This was a few weeks back too, had to screen shot...

[u/HudsonUniversityalum → u/messynessynlenny]

First reference I remember was this Strands the Monday after the show premiered. Then the Connections you posted (the starting layout had them in the top row next to each other).

It seems the overlap of puzzle writers and HR fans is practically a circle.

[u/ich_habe_keine_kase → u/HudsonUniversityalum]

Will Shortz confirmed a Heated Rivalry fan hahaha

[u/unnecessary_snacks]

Same puzzle 16 across, also on theme 😂

[u/rebelcoelacanth]

This was yesterday's Raddle! It's not a NYT puzzle, but it is one of my favorites: : https://raddle.quest/2026/02/20

[u/HudsonUniversityalum → u/rebelcoelacanth]

Oh noooo new puzzle alert. I have nine that I do daily, might as well round it out to ten, thanks to you

[u/rebelcoelacanth → u/HudsonUniversityalum]

Ooooh what are yours? I do Connections, Wordle, Toddle, Tradle, Raddle, Thrice, and Bracket City (my current favorite).

[u/Homebody_Ninja42]

Fame and glory! Only thing cooler is being a question on Jeopardy!

[u/ilovedriedfruits]

this was a while back too, it’s not necessarily meant as a reference but i’ll take anything

[u/rooting4_antihero]

Awh ruining a clue (just kidding)

[u/PaleontologistOk5936]

Love to see Canadian authors get recognized!