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hode Island's reputation as a hub for celebrities is well-deserved. The state has produced notable talents like Olivia Culpo and Debra Messing, while also attracting A-list buyers with its desirable real estate market. Over the years, many big names have made Rhode Island their home, including singer Taylor Swift, who purchased a $17 million waterfront mansion in Westerly in 2013.

    This year's biggest celebrity real estate story in Rhode Island involves comedian Matt Rife, who bought an 80-acre property in the state earlier this year. In an interview on the "Are You Garbage?" podcast, Rife revealed that he wasn't initially considering Rhode Island as a potential home location, but ultimately found a property that met his needs due to its convenience for traveling and proximity to a thriving comedy scene.

    Rhode Island is also home to several other celebrities who own homes in the state. Taylor Swift owns a mansion dubbed "Holiday House" in Westerly's Watch Hill neighborhood, while Christopher Walken has owned a home on Block Island since 1999. Conan O'Brien has a vacation home in Westerly, and Jay Leno owns a historic mansion on Ocean Drive in Newport. Judge Judy Sheindlin also calls Rhode Island home, owning a Newport mansion dubbed "Bird House."