Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are reportedly gearing up for one of the most highly anticipated weddings of the year, and it’s all happening sooner than fans may have expected. According to insiders, the superstar couple is planning to tie the knot this summer, just before Kelce returns to the field for the 2026 NFL season. And while excitement is building, details surrounding Swift’s big day are being kept tightly under wraps.

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Keep Wedding Details Secret

Sources say the couple is going to great lengths to ensure their wedding remains as private as possible, even for those closest to them. “Everybody [loved ones, close friends] has been told to put the summer on hold, and they will find out the details right before the wedding,” one insider told the Daily Mail.

With the guest list reportedly left in the dark about key details, the couple appears determined to avoid leaks ahead of their big day.

Swift And Kelce Racing To Tie The Knot Before The NFL Season Begins

Another source confirmed that the wedding will take place before the start of football season, ensuring Kelce can fully commit to his training schedule. The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to begin practice on July 22, giving the couple a limited window to celebrate before Kelce shifts focus back to the field.

Despite recent speculation that the wedding might be delayed, especially after Kelce signed a reported $12 million deal to return, insiders say plans are very much moving forward.

Taylor Swift Source Makes It Clear She Doesn’t Want A Wedding Like Selena Gomez’s

While rumors have circulated about a potential Rhode Island venue, sources say Swift has specific ideas about how she wants her wedding to look, and privacy is a top priority.

“It will take place someplace indoors,” the first insider shared. “Taylor doesn’t want it to be like Selena’s wedding,” the insider continued, referring to the recent nuptials of the pop star’s best friend, Selena Gomez, who wed Benny Blanco in Santa Barbara, California, last October.

Concerns over maintaining privacy are said to be driving the decision, as the couple aims to keep the event as controlled and discreet as possible.

A ‘Huge’ Reception Is Expected

Even with the emphasis on privacy, the celebration itself is expected to be anything but small. According to insiders, the reception will be “big,” aligning with Swift’s own comments from a previous interview.

She previously described her ideal wedding as “huge,” explaining that smaller guest lists can create unnecessary stress. “I’m not gonna do that,” she added, before joking, “Anyone I’ve ever talked to [is getting an invitation].”

The entire event is also expected to be recorded, giving the couple the option to look back on the day and potentially share select moments with fans.

Blake Lively May Be Left Off Taylor Swift’s Wedding Guest List Amid Drama

The wedding is expected to draw a star-studded guest list, including close friends and family from both sides. Among those rumored to attend are Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany Mahomes, along with Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco.

However, one name that may be missing is Blake Lively. Sources say Swift and Lively are no longer as close as they once were following recent drama tied to Lively’s legal battle with Justin Baldoni. “They are not invited. Period,” one insider said of Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. “Taylor wants a drama-free day, and she no longer trusts Blake or Ryan.”

The reported decision to leave Lively off the guest list comes shortly after private text messages between the two were made public, sparking tension behind the scenes. “Taylor felt exposed and violated,” said an insider. “That crossed a line for her.”

Taylor Swift Feels ‘Violated’ As Blake Lively Fallout Intensifies

The situation reportedly strained relationships behind the scenes, with Kelce even making a pointed move by unfollowing Reynolds on Instagram, a move that insiders claim was intentional. “There’s been an emotional gap for a long time,” the source said. “Rebuilding trust doesn’t feel possible right now.”

Another source spoke to PEOPLE Magazine, emphasizing that “Taylor felt like her privacy was impacted” and that “She was just being a friend to Blake. It’s turned into something bigger than she ever expected. She never thought private messages would become public.”

As anticipation builds, fans will have to wait and see how much of Swift and Kelce’s big day is ultimately revealed.

What was supposed to be a major return for “The Bachelorette” has taken a sudden and dramatic turn. ABC has officially scrapped the upcoming season featuring Taylor Frankie Paul, pulling the show just days before its highly anticipated debut, as new allegations and resurfaced footage make headlines.

ABC Makes Swift Decision To Cancel ‘Bachelorette’ After Video Of Taylor Frankie Paul Goes Viral

The decision, first reported by TMZ, comes after a previously unseen video began circulating, prompting swift action from the network.

A Disney Entertainment spokesperson told the outlet, “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.”

The response signals a major behind-the-scenes shift, with ABC choosing to halt the project entirely rather than move forward under the circumstances. Her season of “The Bachelorette” was supposed to premiere Sunday on ABC.

Fans Back ABC’s Decision To Pull ‘Bachelorette’ As Backlash Over Casting Grows

The abrupt cancellation has left viewers shocked, especially given how close “The Bachelorette” season was to airing. Despite the surprise, many fans feel the decision was the right call. “This is the only responsible move ABC could have made,” one X user wrote.

Another echoed, “Pulling the show after such serious allegations makes sense. Domestic violence is not something that should be overlooked, and the focus on supporting the family is important.”

Others feel ABC should have never cast Paul, especially since the allegations were already made public. “They knew about this for three years,” one user said as another wrote, “ABC knew she was charged with DV in 2023 and still chose to make her the ‘Bachelorette’…”

Timing Raises Eyebrows As ‘The Bachelorette’ Was Set To Premiere

The decision came on Thursday, just hours after TMZ published footage from a 2023 altercation involving Paul and Dakota Mortensen. Sources tell the outlet that no one at ABC had seen the footage before it was released.

In the newly surfaced footage, Paul appears to strike Mortensen, kick him, tug at his hair, and try to swat his phone away. At one point, she is also seen throwing two chairs in his direction.

Paul and Dakota have been ordered to undergo psych exams amid a fresh batch of spousal abuse claims, and the Utah Division of Children and Family Services is investigating ongoing allegations of violence between them. Paul originally pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after the 2023 dispute.

The claim suggests the footage surfaced at the worst possible time, after production of “The Bachelorette” had already been completed and promotional efforts were underway.

‘Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives’ Season 5 Paused As Taylor Frankie Paul Controversy Deepens

The latest situation has also raised concerns about other projects tied to Paul, including “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”

A source shared that production on season 5 has been put on hold, explaining, “Taylor [Frankie Paul] has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”

Paul Speaks Out On ‘Heavy’ Timing Amid Mounting Controversy

As the headlines continue to build, Paul has also addressed the difficult timing of everything unfolding in real time. “Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal,” she said, adding that the news has also impacted the rollout of that show, which is “extremely hard.”

“It’s just heavy. It’s a heavy time, and it’s unfortunate,” she continued. “I’m struggling for sure, but also at the same time I feel like if I don’t show up, then I’m just giving these opportunities away and not enjoying what we’ve worked on and something super exciting that’s coming. I just feel like it was the right thing to do… show up even though it’s hard.”

Dakota Mortensen Breaks Silence, Shifts Focus To Protecting His Child

Dakota Mortensen has also begun to address the situation, speaking out through a representative, who says his primary concern remains protecting his and Paul’s child, Ever.

The rep explained that while Mortensen anticipated details of their alleged dispute could eventually become public, he had hoped to keep as much of the situation private as possible.

A Draper City Police Department spokesperson confirmed there is an active “domestic assault investigation” involving Paul and Mortensen.

For the past few months, streamer Kai Cenat has been stepping into a new chapter, focusing on his mental and finding the courage to chase new dreams. As he took a step back from streaming to pursue his fashion goals, Kai recently gave fans a look at his “hate wall,” filled with negative comments he’s turned into motivation. While the criticism seems to be fueling him, Soulja Boy has now entered the chat with some thoughts of his own. 

RELATED: Unfazed! Kai Cenat Reveals “Hate Wall” That Keeps Him Motivated While Building His Clothing Brand (VIDEO)

Soulja Boy Tells Kai Cenat To Get Back To Streaming 

Soulja Boy went off in a heated rant while reacting to a viral clip of Kai Cenat’s recent “hate wall” moment.As he watched the clip, he mocked and criticized Kai while the streamer spoke about his current struggles.

“Acting like he’s light-skinned, man. Kai Cenat. You is not light-skinned. Yo, Kai, you is pissing me off. Straight up n****, stop talking like that. Shut the f*** up n**** before I get on your a**. I’ll make you struggle with some sh**. On the internet crying and sh**! This n**** got a hate wall, that’s crazy. You look at my wall, I got billion stream plaques and Atlanta Hawks jerseys with my name on it. What did y’all do to this n****?”

While talking about the world, he mentioned that everyone is too sensitive.The rapper also questioned why Kai stepped back after reaching major success, hitting one million subscribers on Twitch.He went on to tell Kai Cenat to get back to streaming and entertaining his supporters. “You ain’t streamed in six months, create the content, weirdo. What do you mean you quit? Now I feel like you finessed me, I was subscribed too. I want my money back because now this n**** finessed the whole world.”

Social Media Reacts 

Viewers flooded The Shade Room Teens comment section after Soulja Boy’s viral clip began circulating online. Some agreed with his take, saying Kai should return to creating content consistently. Meanwhile, many of Kai’s supporters quickly stepped in to defend him in the comments. A few even joked that Soulja Boy’s clip belongs on Kai’s “hate wall.” Others said the backlash feels unnecessary, especially since fans don’t know what he may be going through. Still, many shared they miss his content but will support whatever path the streamer chooses next.

Instagram user @jeanclaudevanscam wrote, “Ng| I’m w Draco man kai content is needed right now”

Instagram user @wyannahhh wrote, “this video finna be up there 😂😩”

While Instagram user @redpillceo_ wrote, “He saying what others thinking fr 😂 bro need to stop crying nd whining nd just get back to doing what he do best…..make content.”

Instagram user @Official.princesss wrote, “he just mad because he wasn’t “the first to ever do it” 🙄 “

Instagram user @itsonly.q wrote, “clout chasing at its finest once again….”

While Instagram user @courtzthegemini_ wrote, “Nah he right Kai trippin”

Instagram user @asiiiawasiiia wrote, “I honestly don’t like all the hate and backlash Kai is getting😭😭We don’t know WHAT he’s truly going through”

Instagram user @mzband0 wrote, “But when all these artist sing about shouting their haters out yall motivate them it’s nothing but vibes but when Kai embracing the hate it’s a problem 💀 Soujia mind everyone else business but his own.”

While Instagram user @_kxngka wrote, “I miss Kai, I need him to comeback to making content but I’II patiently wait til he’s ready I’ll support bro no matter what he chooses to do”

Soulja Boy Takes To X With Words Of Motivation

Over on X, Soulja Boy came through with some words of encouragement for his followers. On Wednesday, he wrote, “You don’t need a perfect plan, just a decision to not quit,”. He added, “The small things done daily create big changes.” The following day, he continued to keep the energy going. The rapper told his  supporters to stay locked in with two other messages: “Keep pushing.” “No excuses.”

You don’t need a perfect plan, just a decision to not quit.

— Soulja Boy (Draco) (@souljaboy) March 18, 2026

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Related: Crank That Or Crack Up? Soulja Boy & Druski Have The Internet Crying Laughing With Y2K Dance Lesson (WATCH)

During a recent Instagram Q&A, Mikayla Matthews opened up a bit more about her ongoing battle with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, shedding light on the daily challenges she’s dealing with. 

“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star is using her platform to raise awareness and connect with others facing similar struggles. She also shared some inside info about her relationship with costar Whitney Leavitt, why the show is currently not filming, and more. 

Mikayla Matthews Said Her Condition Has ‘Stolen Literally Everything’ From Her

During a Q&A on Instagram, Matthews opened up a little more about the chronic health condition she’s been dealing with for years.

When asked how she is able to “find the motivation to deal with life and illness,” Matthews credited “messages and the interactions” she has with others and that her “story is helping them feel more confident or they feel seen.”

“This condition has stolen literally everything from me. I had like a year and half where I couldn’t look people in the eyes. I felt like if I didn’t look them in the eyes then they couldn’t see my skin,” she wrote in her response. “It’s something I’m still working on.”

She also shared that she’s still saying “no” to “so many fun events, premiers, and opportunities” because of her skin condition.

The ‘Mormom Wives’ Star Suffers From Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

In another Instagram Story, Matthews shared the name of the condition she’s been struggling with – CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.

“It has ruined just everything in my body,” she said. “Nerves, skin, hair, brain, gut, liver, hormones, etc.”

In a recently shared Instagram carousel, Matthews shared that she’s “chronically over this sh-t” and “still chronically ill.”

Friends and fans dropped into the comment section to share some uplifting words for the reality star.

“You are chronically beautiful sending lots of love,” one viewer wrote. Another said, “I’m sorry you’re battling all of that! You’re so beautiful and strong! Thanks for sharing your journey, you’re not alone! Sending you hugs!”

Mikayla Matthews Also Answered Questions About The Hit Reality Show

In addition to the health questions, some fans asked for information about the show.

One person asked, “Is filming actually on pause?” after seeing all the headlines about Taylor Frankie Paul’s domestic violence allegations and hearing that the show might be taking a break from filming.

“It was a decision that all us girls came up with and agreed on,” she replied. “We didn’t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening.”

Another fan asked, “How much did you get paid for ‘SLOMW’? to which Matthews simply said, “Not enough hehe.”

A Question About Whitney Leavitt Entered The Chat

Fans of the hit Hulu reality show know all about the tension that once lived between Matthews and fellow MomTok member, Whitney Leavitt. One fan wanted to know if there were any scenes in season 4 with the two of them and their newfound friendship that were “cut out.”

“Very grateful for how far we’ve come. I missed her,” Matthews said first. “It’s just inevitable for things to be cut, just the name of the game.”

She said there are two moments that she remembers that she wishes didn’t get cut from the show.

“It was bts of convo I had with her at the reunion and then I did a Prenuvo scan and in the scan (I was so desperate for any answers to help me) and she was there in California on the trip before we all went to ‘DWTS,’” she wrote. “We had a really vulnerable conversation when I got back from my apt, and Conner and Jace were there. Same with the reunion convos we had.”

Mikayla Matthews And Husband Jace Terry Separated

During season 3 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” viewers saw that Matthews’ marriage was dealing with some struggles. In season 4, it’s shown that the two made the tough decision to separate.

During an exclusive chat with PEOPLE, Matthews shared that season 3 was just the “beginning stages” of their marriage struggles.

“Last season, we dove into the beginning stages of it, and that was me revisiting all this trauma for the first time as well,” she said about being sexually abused during her childhood. “It’s still new to me, and it’s new to him, and we’re just navigating it the best way that we can.”

Seasons 1 through 4 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” can be found on Hulu. Season 5 filming is currently on hold.

A glamorous Oscars after-party hosted by music royalty quickly turned into the center of drama, as whispers of a tense confrontation between Usher and Justin Bieber began making the rounds. While early chatter suggested things may have escalated physically, insiders are now painting a more detailed picture of what really went down behind closed doors.

Usher And Justin Bieber Reportedly Had A Heated Exchange

According to sources, the situation unfolded when Usher made his way over to Bieber during the event. Those connected to Justin told TMZ that Usher approached Justin at the party with “energy and anger,” and the two got into a “heated exchange.” The interaction quickly caught the attention of those nearby, with the intensity of the moment becoming a major talking point among guests.

TMZ reports that people are talking about the incident between Usher and Justin, with some saying that it ended up as a fist fight between the two. As word of the encounter spread, speculation quickly intensified, with partygoers and insiders offering conflicting accounts of how far things may have gone.

The sources claim that Justin’s been trying to erase everyone in his past, and one source connected to the singer has always been rude to Usher.

Tension Dates Back To January 2025 Fallout

The reported Oscars after-party clash may not have come out of nowhere. Signs of tension between Bieber and Usher first surfaced in January 2025, when fans noticed what appeared to be a subtle yet telling social media move.

Speculation quickly picked up after Bieber seemingly unfollowed Usher on Instagram, raising eyebrows given their long history in the music industry.

Usher and Diddy are two people who greatly influenced Bieber’s rise in the music industry. However, his relationship with the pair has been scrutinized after Diddy‘s arrest and incarceration on sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution charges.

Usher introduced Bieber to Diddy after taking him under his wing. Following Diddy’s arrest, rumors emerged Usher and Bieber were victims of his sexual exploitation.

Usher Faces Backlash After Viral Hotel Moment In Paris

The resurfaced tension also comes on the heels of a separate controversy surrounding Usher earlier this year. In April 2025, the singer found himself at the center of online criticism after a viral video captured an awkward moment at a Paris hotel.

The clip showed Usher gesturing for a staff member to step in and open a door after he had briefly held it himself for a female companion. Since hitting the internet, the video has sparked a heated debate online, with many labeling Usher’s actions as “rude.”

Justin Bieber’s Recent Headlines Add To Growing Scrutiny

Meanwhile, Bieber has also found himself making headlines in recent months for a series of eyebrow-raising incidents.

The singer reportedly found himself on the wrong side of the law in Aspen during an outing when he illegally parked his car. Police officers reportedly cited the singer, and onlookers made it clear to him that his celebrity status does not warrant preferential treatment when it comes to the law, per an eyewitness who spoke to The Daily Mail.

Bieber was also recently in the news after he was caught urinating on a golf course during a round of golf. The “Peaches” singer was reportedly out and about without his son, Jack Blues, when the incident occurred. There was also no sign of his wife, Hailey Bieber.

Concerns Grow Over Justin Bieber’s Alleged Drug Use

Bieber has also been under the microscope for his personal habits, with fans increasingly voicing concern over his well-being, especially in the past year.

In a carousel post shared on his Instagram account, Justin was all smiles in the opening slide as he sat in an armchair with a massive glass bong on his lap. In addition to many photos of Justin recording music, the upload included a picture of the pop star appearing to hold a joint or a cigarette.

His face was hidden by a cloud of smoke in another shot. Although Justin’s rep hit back at “harmful” rumors of drug use in February, the “Peaches” crooner has made headlines for smoking marijuana multiple times in recent months.

One of the surprise winners of the 2026 Academy Awards was Amy Madigan, who took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Zach Cregger’s Weapons. The actor, previously known for films such as Field of Dreams and Gone Baby Gone, transformed herself into the unforgettable Aunt Gladys, the film’s main antagonist, who became an instant favorite among fans and eventually award voters.

What you might not know is that the actor’s win breaks a particularly long drought for the category, as the last person to win Best Supporting Actress for a horror movie was over half a century ago, for 1958’s Rosemary’s Baby. Both Madigan and her predecessor, Ruth Gordon, gave performances that chilled audiences to the bone thanks to subverting expectations and immediately put their stamp on horror folklore.

‘Weapons’ Villain Aunt Gladys Became an Instant Horror Icon

The veteran actor stole the show in Weapons as Aunt Gladys, the antagonist of Cregger’s creepy classic. As the people of Maybrook, Pennsylvania, search for 17 children who disappeared in the night, it emerges that Gladys has moved into the house of the Lilly family, claiming to look after their young boy, Alex (Cary Christopher), as his parents are ill. In reality, she is a parasitic witch capable of controlling people by owning something of theirs. Forcing Alex to help her, she is behind the children’s disappearance and intends to drain their life force to preserve her own.

Related

‘Weapons’ Star Amy Madigan Praises the Horror Genre, ‘Sinners,’ and DEI Following Historic Oscar Win [Exclusive]

Madigan earned her first win and second nomination for tonight.

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As with many classic horror performances, the terror of Madigan’s Aunt Gladys comes from a sinister twist on innocent themes. Just as Norman Bates made the sanctity of a shower deadly, or Damien Thorn made the sanctity of childhood demonic, Gladys is a terrifying twist on a kindly older relative, who is revealed to have the predatory cunning of a supernatural beast. She dons makeup and a bright wig that feels similar to what you would see an eccentric aunt wear, but just slightly heightened to make her unsettling. Furthermore, she is not like any cackling witch you might have seen in a fairy tale. She calmly manipulates all around her, especially children, making our most primal fears a reality and destroying our notions of where or who is safe.It’s a layered, complex performance that did enough to convince voters that she was the worthy winner of this year’s Best Supporting Actress prize. In doing so, she replicated a feat that you would have to travel back over five decades to see.

The Antagonist of ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ Broke the Mold

Image via Paramount PIctures

You have to go back to 1968 to find the last time a horror film was awarded Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars. The film was Rosemary’s Baby, Roman Polanski’s legendary horror starring Mia Farrow as a young expectant mother who suspects that her neighbors, Minnie and Roman Castevet (Ruth Gordon and Sidney Blackmer), have sinister intentions toward her child. Those suspicions are confirmed in horrifying fashion when it emerges that the couple is part of a satanic coven who are preparing her to give birth to the Antichrist.

There is some common ground with Gladys regarding what makes Minnie so frightening. She wears colorful clothes and makeup, and she has an initially kind demeanor that makes you doubt she could do any harm. Once again, the terror lies in the mundane. Who would suspect that a friendly, if slightly fussy, elderly couple next door could be linked to something so dark and sinful? Like Gladys, the very people you would expect to trust in nurturing a baby have harmful intentions toward it, creating a paradox that is anxiety-inducing, particularly during the film’s shocking climax.

Rosemary’s Baby would go down as an all-time great of the horror genre, with the Castevet’s legacy furthered in 2024 with the series Apartment 7A, a prequel which coincidentally also stars Weapons actor Julia Garner. Dianne Wiest takes over the role of Minnie from Gordon (who passed away in 1985).

Amy Madigan Joins a Rare Group of Horror Oscar Winners

The Weapons star’s Best Supporting Actress win is a rarity in that category, but horror performances are also scarcely recognized by the Academy in general. Before this year’s awards, only six actors had ever won an Oscar for a horror film. Gordon’s win came over thirty years after the first, Fredric March for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932, Best Actor). Kathy Bates would win Best Actress for playing Annie Wilkes in 1990’s Misery, while Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster would scoop the Best Actor and Actress awards for The Silence of the Lambs the following year. We would then wait almost two decades for Natalie Portman to win Best Actress for the 2010 psychological horror Black Swan.

Madigan’s win, as well as Michael B. Jordan’s Best Actor award for Sinners, are made all the more remarkable given that they are just the seventh and eighth actors ever to achieve such a feat for a horror movie. The Oscars have generally been less favorable to genre films, compared to Academy-friendly fare such as dramas or biopics. However, Aunt Gladys was a performance that just couldn’t be denied. Cregger himself claimed in an interview with Vanity Fair that Madigan “saved” the film, and that, “without her, the movie doesn’t work”. It’s apt, then, that such an impactful film should be celebrated through its most prominent performance.

Only time will tell whether Amy Madigan’s win is a shift in the Academy’s way of thinking, or if we will have to wait another 58 years for someone to deliver something as memorable. Whatever the outcome, it’s a testament to the mark both Aunt Gladys and Minnie Castavet have left on movie history, creating moments that cannot be denied.Weapons is available to stream on HBO Max in the U.S.

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Release Date

August 8, 2025

Runtime

128 minutes

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Director

Zach Cregger

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Writers

Zach Cregger

Producers

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Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J.D. Lifshitz

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Olivia Rodrigo gave an update on where she stands with Sabrina Carpenter after the pair’s longstanding feud rumors.

“I think she’s great,” Rodrigo, 23, said of Carpenter, 26, in an interview with British Vogue published on Thursday, March 19. “I’m so happy for all of her success too. I love the album she’s put out.”

Rodrigo added that everything is “good” between her and Carpenter.

“It’s all love, though,” she said. “I’ve talked to her many times.”

Related: Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett and Sabrina Carpenter’s Drama Explained

Disney drama! Us Weekly is breaking down Olivia Rodrigo’s alleged feud with High School Musical: The Musical — The Series costar Joshua Bassett and Sabrina Carpenter, amid their music faceoff. The Bizaardvark alum made headlines in January 2021 after releasing her debut single, “Driver’s License.” The hit song resonated with Rodrigo’s fans, including Taylor Swift, […]

The pop stars were rumored to have tension following the release of Rodrigo’s hit song “Driver’s License” in 2021. Speculation sparked that Rodrigo was in a love triangle with Carpenter over ex and former High School Musical: The Musical: The Series costar Joshua Bassett. In the ballad, Rodrigo sings about a “blonde girl” who an ex was close to. Many fans believed Carpenter was the blonde in question. (Carpenter and Bassett seemingly started dating after he split from Rodrigo, but they pair called it quits in 2021.)

Following the release of “Driver’s License,” Carpenter dropped her song “Skin” which featured the line “Maybe blonde was the only rhyme.” Fans theorized that the track was a response to Rodrigo.

Carpenter previously addressed the “Skin” lyrics speculation in a June 2025 interview with Rolling Stone.

“I didn’t really intentionally do that. All I knew was that it wasn’t going to stop me from doing what I loved, ever,” she said about the song. “That’s kind of how I’ve always felt. Sometimes, it’s about how you are able to be resilient.”

Carpenter added that during that point in her career she listened to her gut instincts.

“What that era taught me was to just trust myself, and trust that everything is going to work out the way it’s supposed to, and trust that relationships are put into your life for a reason,” she recalled. “You might not see that in the moment, but you see it later.”

Bassett also addressed the rumored love triangle, sharing that the focus should be the women’s music not their dating histories.

“[Everyone] is asking me about Sabrina and Olivia. Why don’t we focus on these women for who they are?” he said in a 2021 interview with GQ. “Let’s focus on the art that they’re making and how great they are instead of their relationship to a boy.”

Related: Olivia Rodrigo Was ‘Caught Off Guard’ By Taylor Swift Royalty Drama

Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage Olivia Rodrigo is opening up about the complicated nature of growing up — and getting thrust into the spotlight at age 18.  In her October cover issue for Rolling Stone, Rodrigo, 20, got candid about the changes that have occurred throughout her life since her debut album, Sour, hit No. 1 on the […]

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Since the alleged love triangle, Rodrigo and Carpenter have interacted multiple times as they’ve attended the same events over the years. The women shared a hug at the 2025 Grammys where Carpenter took home Best Pop Vocal Album for her record Short ‘N Sweet and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Espresso.”

When Rodrigo released “Driver’s License” she was still in her teen years. While speaking with British Vogue, the singer reflected on how her life is now in a different place compared to getting her big break at a young age.

“Sometimes I meet a 17 or an 18-year-old nowadays and I’m like, ‘Wow, you are such a baby.’ I can’t believe people were that mean to me,” she told the outlet on Thursday. “I was going through a breakup, working a full-time job, making [Sour], a student in high school and taking, like, three AP classes. Looking back, I always think, ‘Wow, life will never be as hard as it was when I was 17.’”

After the death of Bobby Nash (Peter Krause) last season, all of the remaining 9-1-1 characters have since seemed to have plot armor, so I haven’t been worried for their lives this season – even during their most extreme near-death experiences. Last week’s episode saw both Buck (Oliver Stark) and Eddie’s (Ryan Guzman) lives put in danger when an older couple drove them off the road, abducted Buck, and tried to kill both of them when Eddie came to save him. Still, I knew that they would be okay, and I wasn’t truly worried about Buck – that is, not until now.

9-1-1 Season 9, Episode 14, “DIY” is an episode themed around asking for help. Every issue in this episode is caused when the characters try to handle a problem by themselves, and only those who ask for help are able to get to a better place by the end of it. This episode is split between three main storylines: Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) stepping up at the call center after Sue (Debra Christofferson) has a stroke, May (Corinne Massiah) trying to get an elite law internship, and Eddie trying to get Buck to process his feelings about his abduction in the last episode.

‘9-1-1’ Season 9, Episode 13 Shows Buck Struggling With Trauma From His Abduction

Image via ABC

At the start of the episode, Chimney (Kenneth Choi) mentions a dinner that he and Maddie had had the previous Tuesday with Sue, Sue’s husband, and Buck. Eddie realizes that Buck lied about going to therapy during that time, so he finds him privately to talk. Eddie is concerned that Buck hasn’t been to see a therapist since his abduction, but Buck is trying to move past the trauma without properly processing it. The next day, Eddie and Christopher (Gavin McHugh) surprise Buck for dinner with a pizza. Buck doesn’t answer the door, and Chris thinks he’s not home, but Eddie sees that he’s hiding from them. There’s nothing Buck loves more than spending time with Eddie and Christopher, so this shows just how much he’s struggling.

In a new switch-up for 9-1-1, every call this episode is about the same engaged couple (Bayley Corman and Jake Short), who keep getting injured while fixing up their new house. During one of these calls, this couple is paralleled with Buck and Eddie, who use their situation to passive aggressively argue about how Buck should handle his trauma. Later in the episode, Eddie and Chris schedule an official plan with Buck, where they come over for dinner with takeout again. Buck makes macarons and keeps up a positive attitude, and Eddie really believes he’s doing better. He apologizes to Buck and affirms his way of handling things, and Buck apologizes back and assures Eddie that he’s alright. When Eddie says, “I was worried the man I knew didn’t make it out of New Mexico,” though, Buck gets a heartbreaking look on his face.

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The dinner goes well, but after Eddie and Chris leave, Buck immediately starts to get a panic attack. He runs to his backpack, which has three prescription pill bottles in it, and then he takes a handful of pills from one of the bottles. This could very well be an anti-anxiety medication that Buck’s been prescribed to take as needed, but it seems like 9-1-1 may be setting up an addiction storyline for him. Whether or not Buck was prescribed these pills, he takes more than he likely would’ve been prescribed (and, oddly, without water), and he keeps them a secret. This could spell a dangerous path for Buck going forward, but if 9-1-1 does go down this road with care and nuance, it could be a really important storyline.

Image via ABC

After Sue has a stroke at the call center, Maddie and Josh (Bryan Safi) visit her at the hospital while she’s recovering. In front of Josh, Sue asks Maddie to take over in her role in her absence. Josh is understandably upset about being passed over for the job by his own mentor in favor of his close friend, whom he trained. He impulsively quits his job, and Maddie is left to run the call center without both Sue and Josh. Chimney encourages Maddie to make the most of the situation, so she tries to be a good boss. She has a hard time adjusting to the position, though, and even unfairly takes over one of Linda’s (Chiquita Fuller) calls at one point.

Later, Maddie visits Sue again, and Sue tells Maddie why she chose her over Josh: the job isn’t the right one for him, because he cares too much about being liked by everyone around him, and he doesn’t know how to ask for help. After how Josh handled Claudette’s (Vanessa Estelle Williams) bullying of May in Season 5, this is understandable. Above all, though, this reinforces the episode’s theme of the importance of asking for help. The engaged couple faces problems because they try to do everything themselves, and this leads to their breakup and their house burning down. Because Maddie asks for help, though, she gets the promotion. At the end of the episode, Josh even returns to dispatch, and Maddie apologizes to Linda.

‘9-1-1’ Season 9, Episode 13 Sets Up a New Career Path for May

This episode, May prepares for an interview at a prestigious law firm in her first solo storyline this season. She is hoping to get a law internship for the summer after college, and then to eventually go to law school. This internship is at the law firm of Athena’s (Angela Bassett) college friend, Gabby Vaughn (Tasha Smith). Athena wants to call Gabby for May, but May wants to get the internship on her own terms. When May goes in for the interview, Gabby has to leave to tend to an emergency situation. She looked May up and knows who she is, though, so she invites May to come along. In the car, though, May can’t give Gabby a good reason as to why she wants to practice law. They get to a hospital, where things have escalated due to a police officer’s abuse of power.

After a highway pile-up, an unconscious driver was brought into the hospital. The police officers on the scene showed up to the hospital demanding the blood that the nurse, Ian (Tre McBride), had taken from the driver. The officers have no warrant, but they want to throw their power around and try to find proof of intoxication. May steps in and destroys the blood sample to keep the officers from taking it, but they just arrest her and Ian. Later, Athena bails May out of jail, and it’s clear that she’s learned from her recent storylines with Harry (Elijah M. Cooper). Athena doesn’t understand what May did, but she supports her ability to make her own decisions, especially if May believes in what she’s doing.

What May did was brave, and any member of the 118 extended family would have done something similar. As Gabby later points out, though, that isn’t an effective way for a lawyer to handle things. May acted too impulsively without being mindful of laws or procedures, and she wasn’t able to do anything to help the unconscious driver. Later, Gabby comes over for dinner with Athena, Hen (Aisha Hinds), and May. Gabby and Athena reminisce about college, and then May brings up Gabby’s doubts about her future as a lawyer. May finally admits that she feels lost and doesn’t know what to do with her life, but everyone there encourages her to take the time to figure it out. At the end of the episode, May meets with Ian and expresses her interest in potentially becoming a nurse.

9-1-1 airs Thursday nights at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

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Release Date

January 3, 2018

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Showrunner

Tim Minear

Directors

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Bradley Buecker, David Grossman, Brenna Malloy, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Jann Turner, Jennifer Lynch, Marita Grabiak, Sarah Boyd, John J. Gray, Barbara Brown, Robert M. Williams Jr., Kristen Reidel, Marcus Stokes, Tasha Smith, Millicent Shelton, Juan Carlos Coto, John Gray, Greg Sirota, Alonso Alvarez, James Wong, Kevin Hooks, Varda Bar-Kar, Shauna Duggins, Sharat Raju

Writers

Tim Minear, Andrew Meyers, Brad Falchuk, David Fury, Ryan Murphy, Christopher Monfette, Nadia Abass-Madden, Nicole Barraza Keim, Erica L. Anderson, Matthew Hodgson, Stacey R. Rose, Taylor Wong, Tonya Kong, Adam Penn

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Pros & Cons

• This episode frames everything around the central theme of asking for help, making all of the storylines fit well together.
• This episode gives important character-centered storylines to May, Buck, and Maddie.

• This episode leaves too many major moments for off-screen, like Josh’s choice to return to work, and the build-up to the heartbreaking Buck reveal at the end.