Right now, The Pitt is the show of the moment. Every week since early January, millions of viewers have been tuning into the show’s second season to watch the nurses and doctors of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center save lives and cure patients on a very hectic and dramatic Fourth of July. The Pitt is something of an anomaly in today’s television landscape in that, during its first season, it became a hit through positive word-of-mouth and a steadily growing week-to-week audience. It was given the chance to find its footing and reach viewers, and now it’s already one of the biggest shows of the year.

However, there’s also little question that The Pitt got a boost from a show that came before it. Medical dramas are almost as old as television itself, and more often than not, they follow a familiar formula of rotating patients and doctors, high-stakes cases, and plenty of blood. The Pitt found a way to stand out with its real-time format, but it still has a lot in common with its predecessors in the genre — especially ER, which is now seeing a surge in viewership on streaming. Over 30 years after it premiered, the Michael Crichton-created drama is still very much worth a watch.

‘ER’ Brought Intense Realism to the TV Medical Drama

Before Noah Wyle was The Pitt‘s experienced and traumatized Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, he was ER‘s newbie, Dr. John Carter. The acclaimed drama first began in 1994 and tracked both the professional and personal lives of the many doctors and nurses who roamed the halls of Cook County General Hospital. Looking back on ER today, one can see shades of several present-day medical dramas, including Grey’s Anatomy and Chicago Med, though those shows might not have been created without ER paving the way. The series redefined what a primetime medical procedural could be, depicting the intensity of a high-volume emergency room with unflinching realism.

ER was ambitious right from the start, as it was born from a screenplay Crichton wrote that was then translated into a two-hour pilot. It introduced its core cast, led by Anthony Edwards‘ Dr. Mark Greene, and plunged them right into a packed 24 hours within the hospital, expertly combining devastating medical cases and character-driven drama. This would soon become ER‘s defining formula, best exemplified by the County General set itself. In one room, you could find Greene and Carter working to save someone’s life, while the next one over would see Dr. Doug Ross (a pre-big-break George Clooney) sharing a private moment with Nurse Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies).

ER is still considered one of the best medical dramas ever, but for a time, its significance for younger generations seemed overshadowed by the soapier antics of shows like Grey’s Anatomy. However, The Pitt has revived interest in ER, with the two shows occupying opposite ends of HBO Max’s daily Top 10 Series chart — #1 and #10, respectively — at the time of writing. They make good companions, both because of their emergency medicine settings and their creative teams. In addition to Wyle’s onscreen roles on both shows, The Pitt was created by former ER producer R. Scott Gemmill and is produced by John Wells, who served as the showrunner for ER‘s first six seasons and as an executive producer for the whole run.

‘ER’ Takes Its Characters Beyond the Hospital, but Always Keeps Its Heart Intact

Image via NBC

Advertisement

Much has been said about The Pitt‘s similarities to ER — in fact, the Crichton estate has sued over the allegation that it grew from an ER reboot that never came to pass — but there are many things that set the two shows apart. Most notably, ER takes its doctors outside the eponymous department, going up to the surgical wing and into their houses. It stands as a sharp reminder that while these people are everyday heroes capable of saving lives without breaking a sweat, they’re also very human. They face mental health crises — Carol is brought into the hospital after a suicide attempt in the very first episode — and relationship troubles just like anyone else.

Because several characters stick around for multiple seasons, viewers truly get invested in their lives, making their trials and tribulations even more impactful. Greene’s eventual departure after spending years as County General’s most reliable doctor is made all the more emotional thanks to the years spent with him, and Carter’s evolution from baby-faced rookie to hardened ER vet is rewarding. Though ER somewhat suffered from its longevity — when a character both loses a limb via helicopter and then is later killed by one, it’s hard not to feel like the shark has been jumped — it always kept its core values intact.

This meant honoring healthcare workers, giving grace to patients, and delivering non-stop drama. At its best, ER could feature storylines that felt devastatingly real, yet utterly shocking, such as a standout Season 1 episode where Mark makes a fatal error when treating a woman in labor. Above all else, it was a fascinating peek into how an emergency room could function, and one that put equal stock in the tragedy and camaraderie that can thrive there. With The Pitt now reminding viewers how effective the medical drama can be, it’s the perfect time to revisit ER.

‘Love Island USA’ star Nic Vans is celebrating his 25th birthday, and Olandria Carthen made sure to show him some public love. On Friday, she shared a sweet message and several throwback moments together. Fans, however, are now debating whether the pair are just friends or in a real romantic relationship.

Related: Outside?! Olandria Carthen And Nic Vansteenberghe Go Viral After Apparent Night Out At The Club (VIDEOS)

Olandria Carthen Wishes Nic Vans A Happy 25th Birthday

On Friday, March 20, Olandria Carthen took to Snapchat to celebrate Nic Vans’ 25th birthday. She shared photos from their Love Island USA days, as well as a video from a recent vacation together. In a collage of candid, cozy moments, Carthen expressed her gratitude to Nic, calling him her biggest “supporter” and highlighting the memories they have shared.

“Happy Birthday Nicky Pooh 🥳 my biggest supporter and the one person I can count on no matter what. Thank you for all the laughs, crazy memories, and for always being there even when I’m being a mess. Year 25 will be the best year yet!! ❤️”

Since appearing on Love Island USA Season 7, Nic and Olandria have remained fan favorites. The duo has attended events, enjoyed vacations, and appeared in interviews, though they have never publicly confirmed a romantic relationship.

Social Media Reacts

Fans took to Instagram to weigh in on the pair’s relationship status following Olandria’s post.

Instagram user @libvoriann wrote, “Definitely giving friends 😅”

Another Instagram user @taye_babydoll wrote, “Wonder when the contract up, so Ola can find her Mannnsss 😍😍😍 for real”

While @amarionashanti wrote, “y’all literally hate on them for no reason they don’t need to convince y’all.. but my favs 😍”

Instagram user @nappturalbella wrote, “Y’all be wanting people to perform for you, and they’re not going to do that!! They’re together whether y’all want to believe it or not.”

Another Instagram user @lalaavuitton wrote, “Y’all want them to be friends so bad because the couples yall thought was stronger than them ended up breaking up 😂😂😂 yall hate to see them love each other ?? They go together real bad and yall sooooo mad about that”

While Instagram user @vkeyboo2 wrote, “The best relationships don’t have titles ❤️”

Instagram user @flamessz wrote, “no I love yous? It’s been almost a year of this scam 😂😂”

Another Instagram user @bigrican_mma96 wrote, “Dear lord 😂 what they gotta do… release a tape for yall to believe they together? 😂”

While Instagram user @kdogan44 wrote, “Nicolandria 4L!”

Nic Vans Posts Birthday Photo Dump On Instagram

Nic also shared a nine-photo Instagram carousel celebrating his 25th birthday. The collection included snapshots from his childhood, his time on Love Island, and a family photo featuring Olandria alongside his mom, dad, and sister.

He captioned the post: “25 years young 🥳 The frontal lobe had closed…”

Several castmates from Love Island left birthday wishes in the comments. Hannah Fields wrote, “Happy bday Mr. Olandria.”

Related: Oop! Lil Baby Clears The Air After Nic Vans Shades Him Over Emojis Left On Olandria’s Post

By Chris Sawin
| Updated 2 seconds ago

A man (Ryan Gosling) wakes up on a spaceship as the only survivor of three. He initially has no memory of who he is, what his mission is, or how far he is from Earth. Through pictures, digging through personal items, and a lot of vodka, the man begins to remember that he is a middle school science teacher named Ryland Grace.

Grace was also a molecular biologist before he was a teacher. He was hired by the government to study Astrophage, a microorganism discovered on the sun’s surface. The Astrophage is beginning to dim the sun, and in 30 years could result in global cooling and the death of much of Earth’s population.

A Journey To Save The World

The Astrophage is infecting all other stars close to the sun except for one, Tau Ceti. A three-person team of scientists is sent into space, on a journey 11.5 light-years away, to investigate and hopefully save mankind. The catch is that there’s no way home and that everyone involved knows that this is a suicide mission. That plan is named Project Hail Mary.

Project Hail Mary is based on the 2021 novel of the same name by Andy Weir, author of The Martian. The film’s script is written by Drew Goddard (The Cabin in the Woods, Bad Times at the El Royale) and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie and Spider-Verse franchises).

The sci-fi adventure film has a budget of nearly $200 million, so it’s visually gorgeous. What makes it special, though, is the relationship between Grace and his alien bro Rocky.

Project Hail Mary Is A Bump-Fisting Buddy Movie

Once Grace reaches Tau Ceti, he meets up with an alien spacecraft. Through dancing, jazz hands, fist bumps, and Grace learning that Rocky communicates via echolocation and musical tones, he creates a translation device to help them communicate. Grace names Rocky himself after his rock-like appearance.

Ryland Grace has been lost his entire life. He was once a respected scientist, but now teaches at a junior high. He is single with no pets or immediate family, and he doesn’t commit to anything. He hides behind jokes and sarcastic charm. Rocky is a mechanic and also the sole survivor on his spacecraft. He and his now-dead crew came from the planet Eridian, and Rocky was also sent to try to save his sun.

After years of isolation, Grace and Rocky originally bond over the fact that they no longer have to be alone. They also enjoy each other’s company and agree to work together.

What’s interesting is that Grace, as a character, grows solely through his interactions with Rocky. The decisions he makes in the second half of the film can only happen through his growth as a person. Rocky sticks to Grace like glue from the moment they meet, but you can tell Grace is holding back because he knows that Rocky is working towards going back to Eridian, while Grace will never see Earth again.

One Of Ryan Gosling’s Best Performances

Ryan Gosling has delivered many mesmerizing and powerful performances throughout his career. Ryland Grace is one of his best. Gosling is able to bring in so many elements from other roles he’s portrayed, but he’s incredibly funny here, understandably terrified, and perhaps the most emotional he’s ever been in any recent on-screen role.

His take on Grace is subtle at times, but you always seem to know how he feels or what he’s thinking, even though often no one is talking. That makes the film not only more heartbreaking but also more rewarding in the long run.

Andy Weir and Drew Goddard have written Project Hail Mary, which entertains on several levels. The film is surprisingly goofy, which is meant in the most complimentary way. The concept is already intriguing, but the film takes some unexpected turns in its second half. Grace is piecing his memories back together throughout the film, so you’ll see all of the drama of space happening for a bit, and then we’ll get a flashback of how Grace got to be the final member of the Project Hail Mary scientist team.

The Most Satisfying Ending Of Any Modern Hollywood Movie

It’s Grace’s bond with Rocky that truly hijacks the film and sends it barreling into one of the most satisfying finales of recent memory. This is an adventure that makes you laugh for its first half, cry during its second, and sends you out of the theater with a big ass smile on your face and your heart full. It’s the feel-good film of the year.

Project Hail Mary is a prime example of why cinemaphiles love going to the theater. If popcorn flicks are capable of being intellectually stimulating, incredibly emotional, and monumentally worthwhile, then Project Hail Mary is the ultimate popcorn flick.

Project Hail Mary is now playing in theaters. See it in IMAX if you’re able to.

The flow of new movies to Peacock has slowed down considerably now that March is in the final third of the month.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t some entertaining films to watch — it just takes more effort to find them.

Luckily, the Watch With Us team has already done the work for you by bringing together the three best Peacock movies to binge-watch this weekend.

Our picks include a recent action film, a cult classic comedy and a romantic drama.

‘The Beekeeper’ (2024)

If you were expecting The Beekeeper to be a compelling exploration of the life of an apiculturist, then you’re going to be disappointed. This is a Jason Statham film, not some arthouse flick. Adam Clay (Statham) does take care of honeybees, but in this world, the Beekeepers are a secretive branch of the intelligence community who have a reputation for doing anything and everything to protect the nation.

Adam was happily in retirement until scammers stole the life savings of his friend, Eloise Parker (Phylicia Rashad), and framed her for the theft of charity funds. These people destroyed Eloise’s life, and now Adam will call upon every resource the Beekeepers can spare so he can hunt them down and avenge his friend. But once Adam sets out on his rampage, it inevitably makes him a target of some powerful people.

The Beekeeper is streaming on Peacock.

‘Death Becomes Her’ (1992)

Death Becomes Her isn’t as well-known as some of Robert Zemeckis‘ other films, but this was the first movie he made after the Back to the Future trilogy was complete. Bruce Willis stars as Ernest Menville, a plastic surgeon torn between two lovers: Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep) and Helen Sharp (Goldie Hawn).

Madeline and Helen were frenemies before the word was widely popularized, and they’ll do anything to outdo each other. When Lisle von Rhuman (Isabella Rossellini) promises the women a potion that can make them eternally young, they both go for it. However, they didn’t bother to ask the true price of that immortality until it was too late. And this is one party favor that they can’t return, no matter how much damage they take along the way.

Death Becomes Her is streaming on Peacock.

‘The Photograph’ (2020)

There are two romances at the heart of The Photograph, and both are linked together despite taking place decades apart. In the present, journalist Michael Block (LaKeith Stanfield) embarks on an investigation into the life of a photographer, Christina Eames (Chanté Adams). But when Michael meets Christina’s daughter, Mae Morton (Issa Rae), he immediately pursues a romantic relationship with her.

In the past, Christina had a complicated courtship with Isaac Jefferson (Rob Morgan), and the fallout from that relationship is felt in the present. And despite being a good fit for each other, Michael and Mae may be facing insurmountable circumstances that could separate them forever.

The Photograph is streaming on Peacock.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 8 seconds ago

1980’s The Psychotronic Man is one of those films that should go on your watch list if you’re a creative type who deals with crippling amounts of self-doubt. It’s not a great movie. It’s grainy, rough around the edges, and acted just well enough to pass as a forgotten B-movie with a $175,000 budget. Not only was it personally financed by Peter G. Spelson, who wrote, produced, and starred in it, it was also shot illegally, completely outside of the studio system.

At the time of its production, Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley discouraged filmmaking in the city because many movies coming out were cynical, and he didn’t want Chicago portrayed in a negative light. Instead of giving up on his project, Spelson went ahead and made the movie anyway. All of the downtown scenes with shootouts and car chases were done without permission, without notice, and without apology, perfectly illustrating what you can accomplish through guerilla filmmaking.

And we’re not talking about Bowfinger-level trickery either. People could have seriously gotten killed if they found themselves caught in the middle of an unsanctioned chase involving fake police cars barreling through city streets at reckless speeds unannounced.

The Movie Isn’t That Great

What’s unfortunate about The Psychotronic Man is that its production values leave a lot to be desired. The chase scenes are actually solid, all things considered, but the rest of the film plays out like a scrapped episode of The X-Files. While this is a common trap when a single person is running the show (see also: Neil Breen, Tommy Wiseau), there’s still something to appreciate here on a molecular level. Some guy wanted to make a movie, didn’t necessarily know how to, and did it anyway.

The final product, as you would expect, is a total punisher, and you generally have to be a fan of B-movies to even get your foot in the door. You have to squint a little, read between the lines, and imagine the film it could have been with proper studio backing to truly enjoy it.

The film revolves around a troubled man named Rocky Foscoe (Peter G. Spelson), a barber on the verge of a mental break. He drinks heavily, then drives around, blacks out, and loses track of long stretches of time. During these blackout periods, he insists that his car starts flying, but nobody believes him, not even his wife (Lindsey Novak), because he’s the worst kind of alcoholic. When Rocky complains about his issues to Dr. Stenberg (Paul Marvel), his concerns are brushed off because there’s no tangible way to prove his claims.

Desperate to retrace his steps and prove he’s not going crazy, Rocky goes back to the road where he first experienced the phenomenon and has a run-in with an old man who believes him. When Rocky has another episode, the old man attacks him, but Rocky kills him with his mind. No special effects are used for these sequences, so again, you have to use your imagination.

There’s Really Not Much Else To It

As Rocky’s behavior escalates in The Psychotronic Man, everybody eventually catches on, confirming he’s not just some looney drunk trying to justify his blackouts. Once it becomes clear that he’s incredibly dangerous, and that his latent subconscious powers pose a threat to the physical world for real, the chase is on, and everything goes off the rails.

The chase sequences are the best parts of The Psychotronic Man because they’re basically real. Real cars on real Chicago streets. These shots were all stolen and done completely on the sneak. It’s a miracle some random pedestrian didn’t get picked off while these scenes were filmed, and even crazier to think that at any moment the production could have been shut down, with Peter G. Spelson getting thrown in jail for reckless endangerment and breaking God knows how many other laws in the process.

I don’t care whether you like this movie, love it, hate it, or never plan to watch it. It takes a massive amount of balls to just say “screw it” and do the thing you want with no regard for the consequences. For that reason alone, I admire this film because it proves that sometimes all you need to do is take a risk and believe in yourself if you want to see your vision realized. Nobody else is going to do it for you. 

But I’d be lying if I said it was even a good B-movie. It’s okay. I don’t regret watching it, and I’m glad it exists. Part of me wishes it had a bigger budget because the concept is cool, but there just weren’t enough resources to hold it together.

As of this writing, you can stream The Psychotronic Man for free on Tubi.

The Madison just wrapped up its first season — but will there be a season 2?

Taylor Sheridan‘s hit series concluded on Saturday, March 21, after airing six episodes across two weeks. The Madison followed the Clyburn family from New York City, who “relocate to the Madison River valley of southwest Montana for emotional recovery following a tragedy that shattered the family.”

In addition to Kurt Russell and Michelle Pfeiffer, the show stars Patrick J. Adams, Elle Chapman, Matthew Fox, Beau Garrett, Alaina Pollack, Amiah Miller as members of the Clyburn family, Ben Schnetzer, Kevin Zegers. Rebecca Spence and Danielle Vasinova make up the rest of the cast.

Russell, 74, previously confirmed that the show has filmed a second season already.

Related: How Is ‘The Madison’ Connected to Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Yellowstone’ Franchise?

Fans of Landman, Tulsa King and Mayor of Kingstown are gearing up to watch Taylor Sheridan‘s new TV show The Madison — but how is it connected to his Yellowstone franchise? Paramount+ offered a glimpse at the upcoming show in January, which introduced the fictional Clyburn family. After originating from New York City, the Clyburns […]

“I did the second season of Monarch [Legacy of Monsters], the Apple TV show, and unfortunately for me, the timing was when Madison came around,” Russell explained to Entertainment Weekly in January. “And I said, ‘There’s just no way to do it,’ because I was working on this show.”

Sheridan and Pfeiffer, who both serve as executive producers on the series, came up with a way to delay shooting Russell’s season 1 scenes.

“Michelle Pfeiffer and Taylor were able to get together with the people at Paramount+ and said, ‘Well, let’s do two seasons instead of just one,’” Russell recalled. “‘And then before we start the second season next year, instead of doing that, we will start with Kurt’s stuff. We really do want him to play the guy. And we’ll get his first season out of the way first, and jam all that in there, and then go into the second season and do that.’ And so we were able to do that.”

While no official announcement has been made about season 2, Russell’s costar Chapman revealed on social media that production wrapped last month. Russell, meanwhile, confirmed that The Madison has six episodes slated per season.

“I really like what The Madison is. It’s a smart show,” he added while referring to Sheridan as a “really good writer.”

“Taylor’s excellent, and Michelle [Pfeiffer]’s great, and she’s really great in this show. Talking about awards — I think they’re going to be looking Michelle’s way,” he noted. “They’re all really good, but it is [Sheridan’s] writing that is so compelling.”

Russell continued: “I think that it’s a very different show for Taylor in that it’s a very female-gaze-oriented show. And I think it’s extremely well written, it was fun to play. It was really fun to do. I just had a good time.”

The Madison is currently streaming on Paramount+.

Roommates, y’all know the timeline stays ready when somebody shares their opinion on food. And this time, Erica Banks had plenty to say after tasting Tina Knowles’ cooking—sparking a whole debate online.

RELATED: Tina Knowles’ Gumbo Booth Reopens Following Temporary Health Department Shutdown At Houston Rodeo (VIDEOS)

Erica Banks Keeps It Real About Tina Knowles’ Cooking

On Friday, Erica took to Instagram after pulling up to Tina Knowles’ gumbo booth at the Houston Rodeo and gave her official review. Sharing a clip labeled “Ms. Tina’s Gumbo Review,” she wrote, “Now I did feel like I took 3 Don Julio shots after about 20mins BUT — I give the gumbo a 9/10!”

Rocking a sleek side-part ponytail, layered jewelry, and a brown tie-up corset top, Erica made it clear the gumbo was “good as f*ck,” adding that while she’s not from Louisiana, it doesn’t take that to recognize good food. And whew, when folks started coming for her in the comments, Erica didn’t hold back, hopping in to say, “Omg yall get mad at everything,” letting it be known she said what she said.

Fans Clash Over A Gumbo Review

Folks wasted no time flooding The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section, and you already know they had thoughts. Some questioned why people were so quick to doubt that Tina Knowles could actually throw down in the kitchen, while others said they’ve tried the gumbo themselves and she’s telling the truth. Meanwhile, a whole group chimed in saying if you’re not from Louisiana, you shouldn’t be judging gumbo at all.

One Instagram user @lexijanay added, “Damnnnn why yall can’t believe that lady Gumbo is actually GOOD????😭😭😭 Wtf“

This Instagram user @whoo.tee said, “I hope yall not saying her gumbo good cause of who her daughter is…“

And, Instagram user @chanel_dl0r commented, “it really is good i had two bowls . I give it a 8.5“

Meanwhile, Instagram user @f_sharp__major wrote, “Somebody NOT from New Orleans can NOT judge gumbo!!“

While Instagram user @liberated.empress shared, “YOU DONT EAT GUMBO WHEN ITS HOT OUTSIDE😂”

Finally, Instagram user @tripple_d_texas joked, “When people say something good off ONE BITE I know they be lying 🤣🤣🤣”

Mama Tina Serves Up Gumbo Amid Houston Rodeo Hiccup

Roommates, everyone’s talking—why does Tina Knowles’ gumbo keep making waves? Despite a brief hiccup at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Mama Tina is still outside serving up bowls through March 22. Officials temporarily shut down her booth following a complaint investigation, but according to reports, she quickly got things back on track and passed inspection, allowing her to reopen shortly after.

And clearly, the moment didn’t slow her down one bit. Lines have stayed full with fans—and even familiar faces like LeToya Luckett and Bun B—pulling up to show love and co-sign the flavor. Tina even hit Instagram to share clips of folks enjoying her gumbo, proving that despite the chatter, customers are still tapping in heavy for a taste.

RELATED: Erica Banks’ Team Sets The Record Straight On Her Arrest & What Allegedly Went Down

Taylor Frankie Paul has resurfaced in Utah following news that her season of The Bachelorette was scrubbed by ABC.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, 31, was spotted for the first time since the bombshell announcement, per new photos obtained by Daily Mail published on Friday, March 20. Taylor was seen on the phone in her white SUV outside of her nearly $700k five-bedroom home.

Taylor was clad in dark oversized sunglasses and a green sweatshirt. Prior to her sighting, she had been in New York promoting her now-canceled debut as lead of the hit dating show.

ABC’s decision to pull the entire season came after it was revealed that Taylor and her on-again, off-again boyfriend Dakota Mortensen are involved in an ongoing domestic violence investigation stemming from an incident in February. The Draper Police Department in Utah said “that allegations have been made in both directions.”

Related: Taylor Frankie Paul Addresses ‘Mormon Wives’ Production Pause on ‘GMA’

Taylor Frankie Paul is continuing to speak out after her alleged domestic altercation with ex Dakota Mortensen. “Honestly it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of The Bachelorette being released,” Taylor, 31, said on the Wednesday, March 18, episode of Good Morning America. “It’s supposed to be a really […]

In another shocking turn of events on Friday, Dakota, 33, was granted a temporary restraining order against his ex and temporary custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever. Us Weekly reached out to Taylor for comment.

A hearing has been scheduled for April 7.

Dakota had filed the court docs on Thursday, March 19, shortly after footage surfaced of Taylor throwing a stool at him while her daughter — the eldest of her two kids with ex-husband Tate Paul — was present during an altercation in 2023. (She was previously arrested for the incident and later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.)

Taylor is currently on 3-year probation, which is set to end in August 2026.

“Even if there ultimately isn’t enough to formally charge her in the most recent case, the prosecutor could still treat it as a probation violation — potentially moving to revoke her prior deal and seek custody time,” criminal defense attorney R.J. Dreiling, who is not handling the case, exclusively told Us on Thursday.

In response to the domestic violence allegations, Taylor exclusively told Us “there’s more to the context to everything and it’s unfortunate” during an appearance at a New York City press dinner on Tuesday, March 17. “It’s been hard. And it sucks to be in this position.”

“And the mother that I am, that is something I will always stand my ground on,” she added. “I believe that I am a good mother and I have always treated my kids very well. So the headlines that are out right now are very hard to see because that’s not the truth of it.”

Taylor also spoke out after the cancellation of her Bachelorette season. A spokesperson for the star told Us on her behalf, “After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.”

Related: Dakota Mortensen Granted Protective Order Against Taylor Frankie Paul

Dakota Mortensen was granted a temporary protective order against Taylor Frankie Paul amid new domestic violence allegations. “The Court finds there is reason to believe: it has jurisdiction over the parties and this case, the Respondent and Petitioner are cohabitants, the Respondent will be served notice of her opportunity to be heard at the scheduled […]

Her rep added, “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support and preparing to own and share her story.”

In his own statement, Dakota told Us, “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.