No show has taken the world by storm quite like Heated Rivalry. Premiering at the tail end of 2025, the Crave original series (airing on HBO in the U.S.), adapted from the bestselling Game Changers series by romance author Rachel Reid, rapidly became an obsession for television audiences. There’s no onscreen couple that viewers have become invested in quite like Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). Despite a relatively short first season, each episode of Heated Rivalry is perfect from start to finish.

Series creator Jacob Tierney lets each episode of Heated Rivalry stand on its own, allowing the story to evolve naturally while serving the overall narrative. The pacing is right, the character development is smart, and the show itself is a strong example of proper queer storytelling and visibility. Ultimately, Heated Rivalry‘s first six episodes serve as a blueprint for the show to extend its success into an already confirmed second season.

What Is ‘Heated Rivalry’ About?

For those needing a refresher, Heated Rivalry tells the story of two young hockey stars — Canada’s Shane Hollander (Williams) and Russia’s Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) — whose competition on the ice evolves alongside their secret romance behind closed doors. The two evolve from casual hook-ups into a much more emotional relationship, depicted through a storyline taking place over several years. With the difficult task of depicting Shane and Ilya’s relationship over such a broad span of time, the series dedicates itself to slow-burn storytelling, which allows for deeper, more nuanced character development.

In order to craft a strong story, Heated Rivalry also takes bold risks that initially seem confusing. It’s rare for any show to pivot an entire episode away from the central duo to introduce a separate relationship between other characters, and yet that’s exactly what the series does. Later, it becomes clear that the complicated romance between Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) and Kip Grady (Robbie G.K.) is essential for Shane and Ilya to take the next step in their own relationship. There aren’t necessarily any massive cliffhangers that lead fans to question whether Shane and Ilya will end up together; instead, the slow build to a happily ever after is what successfully keeps people tuning in week after week.

‘Heated Rivalry’s Best Moments Are About Building Both Romance and Drama

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In adapting Heated Rivalry, Tierney took Reid’s original novel and successfully translated it into a TV series by treating the source material with care. When the show happened to stray from the book, each moment still existed in service to the story. Some of that success was only possible thanks to some excellent performances, chief among them Storrie and Williams, whose depiction of Ilya and Shane’s lust-to-love evolution allowed viewers to fall in love with the journey unfolding onscreen.

Outside of thoughtfulness in the adaptation process, Heated Rivalry‘s initial airing led to a lot of viral moments that you’ve likely seen while scrolling on your phone. These scenes weren’t just intended to get viewers talking; they have a much deeper meaning for the show’s central romance. In Episode 4, Ilya making Shane a tuna sandwich is a sign that he is listening to his on-again, off-again fling. In Episode 5, Shane’s suggestion that Ilya vent over the phone to him in Russian gives him the freedom to share his true feelings. When the two rendezvous at Shane’s cottage in the finale, which you can now rent on Airbnb, a surprise interruption leads to an even more important scene with Shane’s parents, Yuna and David (Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh).

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‘Heated Rivalry’ Just Took a Major Narrative Risk in the Finale — and It Paid Off

Take us back to the cottage!

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‘Heated Rivalry’ Has a Strong Road Map for More Seasons, Thanks to Rachel Reid’s Books

Heated Rivalry‘s overall charm lies in how it successfully resonates with every viewer. For the queer community, the show is positive onscreen representation, celebrating the queer experience without reinforcing tired stereotypes. For others who may not strictly identify with every character onscreen, the promise of a happy ending for Shane and Ilya is more than enough reason to binge. Tierney’s remarkable ability to pack integral character development for Shane and Ilya into only six episodes helps to create fully rounded characters with depth.

Heated Rivalry also has a strong foundation for replicating its initial success. With Season 2 set to go into production this summer ahead of a 2027 release, Tierney also has a guide for where the television adaptation could go. Earlier this year, Reid revealed that she is writing a Game Changers sequel featuring Shane and Ilya, providing even more material for future seasons to adapt. With Reid’s book series offering even more couples to introduce as well as a sense of where Shane and Ilya are going, Heated Rivalry has a bright future ahead, but for now, as Tierney told CBS Mornings, we’ll have to “enjoy the yearn” by binging the show’s six perfect episodes over and over again.

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Release Date

November 28, 2025

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Network

Crave

Directors

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Jacob Tierney

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Cast

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  Connor Storrie

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  Ilya Rozanov

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  Hudson Williams

  Shane Hollander

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Jen Affleck is sending a message to fans after the premiere of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 4 amid the show’s recent pause after star Taylor Frankie Paul was again accused of domestic abuse.

“When I joined The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, I didn’t know what would come from it but I knew I wanted to share my story,” Jen, 26, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, March 22. “I hoped it could inspire someone or feel relatable. I wanted to be honest about what it’s like being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints, the beauty and the struggles.”

Jen noted that she wanted to “highlight marriage, being married at a very young age, the real pressures many couples face with culture and expectations,” referring to her 2019 wedding to husband Zac Affleck.

“I wanted to share what it felt like stepping into a world so different from the one I came from, and navigating the contrast between the two,” she wrote. “When I went on DWTS postpartum, my purpose was to represent moms to show our strength, our resilience, and what we’re capable of. To remind us that our dreams still matter, while honoring the incredible role it is to be a mother.”

Related: Mormon Wives’ Jen Affleck Cries Over ‘Hardest Year’ Amid Split Rumors

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Jen Affleck admitted to struggling throughout 2024 amid speculation about her marriage to Zac Affleck. Jen, 25, took to TikTok on Tuesday, December 31, to share a video of her crying, which she captioned, “The hardest year of my life. But one that will forever change me and […]

Alongside the message, Jen shared a series of clips and photos through the years with Zac and their three children — daughters Nora, 4, and Penelope, 8 months, and son Luca, 2 — as well as her time on Dancing With the Stars season 34.

“I understand drama is what people expect from reality TV, but I wish more of the other real moments were shown too,” Jen continued. “The empowerment, the birth stories, the beauty of motherhood. Since I was dancing on my countertops as a young mom all I’ve ever wanted is to be a light and to help moms and others feel seen, hopeful, and inspired 🤍.”

She concluded, “My current TikTok search is literally ‘who is Jen Affleck’… and honestly, same. I’m still figuring out who I am, what I believe, what I want, and where I fit. Thank you to everyone who’s supported me along the way. I’m far from perfect, still learning, but I hope my vulnerability can be a source of good.”

In the comments section, Zac shared his support, writing, “I love you ❤️.” Costar Mikayla Matthews also added, “😍😍.”

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Related: ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Stars Talk Where They Stand With Zac Affleck 

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars have Jen Affleck’s back after her near-divorce from husband Zac Affleck. During a group appearance on the Wednesday, September 11, episode of “The Viall Files” podcast, Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley, Demi Engemenn, Jessi Ngatikaura and Layla Taylor revealed that they haven’t totally forgiven Zac, 27, for how he […]

Since the season dropped on Hulu, news broke that there is an open “domestic assault investigation” into an alleged dispute between Taylor and ex Dakota Mortensen, who is also featured on the show.

According to an NBC News report on Thursday, March 19, the cast met virtually with Hulu and Disney executives on March 7 to discuss how to proceed with production amid the ongoing investigation. The group ultimately agreed to pause filming.

“It’s a dangerous situation, it’s a sad situation, and we don’t know how to navigate it because Taylor is our friend,” one cast member said during the 30-minute call, per NBC News, which said it had obtained audio of the meeting.

The outlet reported that the cast member said they did not feel comfortable filming while Taylor was being investigated. Us Weekly reached out to Hulu for comment.

Related: Where Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Jen, Zac Affleck Stand After Near-Split

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Jennifer Affleck‘s marriage to Zac Affleck caused a lot of concern for her costars on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives — but are they still together? During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Jennifer, 25, expressed her gratitude for the show because it allowed the couple to work on their issues. “I definitely […]

Mikayla, for her part, appeared to confirm that she and her costars cosigned the decision to pause filming.

“It was a decision that all of us girls came up with and agreed on. We didn’t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening,” Mikayla wrote via her Instagram Story on Wednesday, March 18.

Taylor’s upcoming season 22 of The Bachelorette has since been cancelled by ABC.

“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,” a Disney Entertainment spokesperson told Us on Thursday.

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.

Quite amazingly, five years have elapsed since Game of Thrones concluded its eight-season run in 2019, and although fans remain divided with the final season, the series’ relevance has never waned. While the prequel series House of the Dragon has been partially responsible, a significant reason for its enduring quality is its sheer brilliance, not only for its mesmerizing fantasy spectacle but for its political intrigue, scintillating suspense, and its arresting and often confronting intensity as well.

As such, fans don’t have to stay within the realm of fantasy to recapture the heart-stopping thrill that Game of Thrones so famously provided. While several fantasy titles are simply must-watch movies for all Game of Thrones fans, everything from modern political satires to grueling war films, classic mobster pictures, and even dystopian sci-fi may prove to be just the tonic for those still missing the hit HBO series. These movies are perfect for every Game of Thrones fan, acting as inspired and, sometimes, perfect companions.

15

‘The Green Knight’ (2021)

Image via A24

One of the most overlooked films of the 2020s thus far, The Green Knight presents exactly what one would expect from an epic fantasy adventure handled by the bold creativity of A24. A commanding spin on the Arthurian legend, it follows young Sir Gawain (Dev Patel) as he embarks on a quest to prove his honor and bravery by defeating the Green Knight (Ralph Ineson). On his quest, he encounters ghosts, giants, and thieves while wrestling with his courage and resolve.

The comparisons to Game of Thrones are plain to see, with The Green Knight excelling as a dark and gritty fantasy with its sights firmly set on human nature. Its intriguing reworking of myth and legend to create a unique and spellbinding adventure gives it an alluring and enigmatic quality that is utterly transfixing. Bolstered by breathtaking visuals and Patel’s outstanding lead performance, The Green Knight is a modern masterpiece of fantasy cinema.

14

‘The 13th Warrior’ (1999)

Image via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Far better than its poor reviews and abysmal box office figures would suggest, The 13th Warrior is a gritty yet wondrous marriage of historical fantasy and swords-and-sandals action that all lovers of the genre should see. For Game of Thrones fans, it is particularly good for those who enjoyed the story of The Wall and its themes of duty, honor, and standing strong against a formidable and unnatural enemy.

It follows an exiled Arab ambassador as he joins forces with a group of Viking warriors to defend a remote village from an evil and mystifying force descending upon them from the nearby woods. Granted, The 13th Warrior isn’t without its flaws, but it does triumph as a compelling tale of dark fantasy eeriness and the valor of a warrior. Complemented by John McTiernan’s nous for action direction and practical production elements that feel especially immersive and intricate when the film is revisited today, The 13th Warrior stands as a forgotten gem of fantasy action that is perfect for Game of Thrones fans.

13

‘Dragonslayer’ (1981)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Despite being released as a box office flop, Dragonslayer has become an enduring fantasy adventure, one that has steadily amassed a cult following over the decades. Another brilliant dose of pure fantasy for Game of Thrones fans, it follows a young apprentice wizard who must kill a terrible dragon that terrorizes the kingdom of Urland, only sparing its people so long as they provide him with human sacrifices to feed on. The situation takes an urgent turn when the deceptive king’s daughter is to be the dragon’s next sacrifice.

Rich with dark fantasy adventure, exciting action, a wonderfully unconventional love story, and a lovable, bumbling hero worth cheering for, Dragonslayer is an underrated highlight of Disney’s forays into action-fantasy storytelling. In a piece written for The Daily Beast, George R. R. Martin himself heralded Dragonslayer as the fifth-best fantasy picture of all time and labeled its villainous dragon, Vermithrax, “the best dragon ever put on film.”

12

‘Dragonheart’ (1996)

Image via Universal Pictures

Another forgotten fantasy gem to appeal to those who loved the dragons of Game of Thrones, Dragonheart substitutes the terrifying might that the magical beasts are sometimes presented with in favor of humanity, heart, and gentle wisdom. The 1996 fantasy adventure follows the unlikely partnership between Draco (Sean Connery), the last dragon, and Bowen (Dennis Quaid), a disillusioned dragon-slaying knight, as they work together in defiance of an evil king’s tyrannical reign.

It’s cheesy, childish, and its CGI effects haven’t aged all that gracefully over the years, and yet Dragonheart holds an enduring charm that is difficult to resist, particularly for those who love medieval fantasy indulgence and the air of majesty that surrounds dragons. Complemented by the efforts of its impressive ensemble cast and Randy Edelman’s genuinely exceptional score, Dragonheart stands as a commendable guilty pleasure that plenty of Game of Thrones fans would embrace for its fantasy allure and its surprisingly poignant tale.

11

‘Come and See’ (1985)

Image via Sovexportfilm

Taking a significant stride away from fantasy entertainment, Come and See is a grueling and deeply disturbing war film that may appeal to Game of Thrones fans who were left contemplating some of the brutal horrors the series depicted, particularly in war. Episodes like “Battle of the Bastards” and Season 5’s “Hardhome” are among the highest-rated Game of Thrones episodes on IMDb for their commitment to exhibiting the terror of war and showing humanity at its destructive and savage worst.

Very few films in history have managed to excel in this regard quite like Come and See, a Soviet-Belarussian WWII drama from 1985 that tracks a young boy as he joins a Resistance movement and experiences the atrocities committed in the war. It is a punishing picture, but an important and necessary one that is perfect for fans who enjoy grappling with the more challenging and confronting aspects of Game of Thrones’ morally ambiguous characters.

10

‘Children of Men’ (2006)

Image via Universal Pictures

Science fiction and fantasy are often lumped together, largely due to both genres taking audiences to vastly different realities and featuring stories with great scope and thematic poignancy. Another aspect that makes them easy to link is their necessity to efficiently and masterfully build a new story world that audiences can understand quickly. While Game of Thrones did this brilliantly, there has perhaps been no greater cinematic achievement in this regard than the criminally underrated 2006 sci-fi drama Children of Men.

Set in a dystopian future where humanity has lost the ability to procreate, it follows a reluctant former activist as he safeguards the first pregnant woman in 18 years through to a mysterious safe harbor at sea. Children of Men is a masterpiece in immersive storytelling, one that thrives as a gripping, action-packed thriller, a contemplative sci-fi spectacle, and a deeply affecting human drama.

9

‘Gladiator’ (2000)

Image via Universal Pictures

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The lack of fantasy allure aside, Gladiator is a perfect movie for Game of Thrones fans on account of its astonishing scope, rich historical setting, and its ability to weave together a story of stirring, vengeful passion with overtones of political corruption and the elusive nature of power. Russell Crowe stars as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who is betrayed by the emperor’s son when he kills his father to seize power and orders Maximus and his family to be murdered. Surviving the assassination attempt, Maximus becomes a gladiator with a mission to return to Rome to instill the vision Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) had for the senate while avenging his slain wife and child.

Ridley Scott’s ability to realize such a vast sense of scale while still delivering a rousing revenge story is brilliant, as is the brutal realization of the combat sequences, the gripping intensity of the performances, and the captivating atmosphere of power, corruption, and Roman glory. With even John Mathieson’s cinematography and Hans Zimmer’s gorgeous score worthy of singling out for praise, Gladiator soars across all disciplines of filmmaking as a defining triumph of epic cinema.

8

‘The Death of Stalin’ (2017)

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Beneath all the fantasy glamour and the confronting violence, Game of Thrones is ultimately a political thriller, with each character a ruthless and cunning figure hoping to secure power and prestige. While this basic, oversimplified concept makes for pulsating drama, it can also conjure riotous satire, as is the case in Armando Iannucci’s underrated, darkly comic masterpiece The Death of Stalin.

Featuring an exceptional cast, it focuses on several advisors and followers of Joseph Stalin as they scramble to outwit each other in the wake of the Soviet Union leader’s sudden and unexpected demise. Running with a razor-sharp wit and a deliciously cynical perspective on humanity, The Death of Stalin mercilessly skewers politics to be a hilarious historical film that draws clear parallels to the modern day. Replacing the Red Wedding with the Red Scare and bloodshed with belly-laughs, The Death of Stalin is a great comedy for those who enjoy Game of Thrones’ scheming politics.

7

‘The Lives of Others’ (2006)

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Another foray into political cinema, The Lives of Others is an Academy Award-winning German spy movie set in East Germany in 1984. It follows Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe), an espionage agent for the Stasi who is assigned to observe the conversations between a playwright and his lover. As he grows interested in their lives, Gerd begins to doubt the purpose of his task.

While the film may not closely replicate the political scheming that made Game of Thrones so intoxicating, The Lives of Others does maintain the same sense of moral ambiguity, using its bleak tone and historical setting to present an intriguing story about human connection. Additionally, spycraft played a significant though largely invisible role throughout Game of Thrones, and fans who were interested in that underlying deceit would do well to seek out The Lives of Others as a rewarding and surprisingly sincere movie about invading someone’s privacy while living behind the Iron Curtain.

6

‘The Last Duel’ (2021)

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With its gritty, high-stakes medieval atmosphere, compelling focus on political intrigue and codes of honor, and its penchant for graphic and brutal violence, The Last Duel is able to match the intensity, aesthetic, and general themes of Game of Thrones, even with the stark differences between the stories. The biggest difference resides in The Last Duel’s basis, with the movie depicting true events that transpired in 14th-century France when the friendship of two knights is stained by an accusation of sexual assault and a looming fight to the death.

Like Game of Thrones, The Last Duel excels at conjuring a tone of imposing tension. It delivers a promise of violence and death that isn’t exciting or thrilling so much as it is stomach-churning. Also armed with a realistic understanding of human nature in all its egotistical and selfish complexity and an intriguing true story of a woman’s charge for justice in the Middle Ages, The Last Duel holds a certain gravitas that will resonate with many Game of Thrones fans.

Joe Amabile is predicting that the cancellation of Taylor Frankie Paul’s season 22 of The Bachelorette will not be the end of the franchise.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen to the franchise. I don’t know if this is it. If they come back, are they going to come back with The Bachelorette or are they going to come back with The Bachelor?” Joe, 39, questioned on the Sunday, March 22, episode of the “Not Married to This” podcast with wife Serena Pitt.

He continued, “What do I think is going to happen next? I think, since I went on the show – the first time I went on the show was 2018 — people were saying, ‘This is it. This is going to be the last season.’ People say that all the time. I think this is really bad, but I also think it’s still publicity. If anything, more people are talking about the Bachelor franchise now than maybe ever.”

Joe pointed out that the famed Bachelor mansion has been recently renovated thanks to the HGTV series Bachelor Mansion Takeover, which stars several alums helping to redo the home.

Related: Will ‘Bachelorette’ Still Air After Taylor Frankie Paul’s Domestic Dispute?

Taylor Frankie Paul’s domestic dispute has reportedly caused The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives to press pause on production — but will it affect The Bachelorette season 22 premiere? Taylor, 31, was allegedly involved in a domestic violence dispute with on-again, off-again boyfriend Dakota Mortensen earlier this month. After a 2023 video of Taylor throwing […]

“They have a brand new mansion,” Joe said. “I, personally, if you’re still a fan of the franchise and you want to watch, I would bet a lot of money that they come back. Like, I don’t think it’s over. I think they come back and I think they go to their bread and butter, which is The Bachelor.”

News broke last week that Taylor and ex Dakota Mortensen were involved in an alleged domestic violence incident leading to season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives halting production. A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department in Utah confirmed to Us Weekly at the time that there was an open “domestic assault investigation” concerning the pair, noting that allegations were “made in both directions.”

“There’s more to the context to everything and it’s unfortunate,” Taylor exclusively told Us 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. 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. I have always treated my children with respect and I’ve never touched them. So it’s been really hard.”

Days later, TMZ released footage of Taylor physically assaulting and throwing multiple chairs at Mortensen in an 2023 altercation while in the presence of her daughter. The incident led to her arrest at the time, where she was charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief after the incident. Taylor ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while the other four charges were dismissed with prejudice. She later reached a plea deal.

Hours after the footage was released, ABC announced the cancellation of The Bachelorette season 22 — which was set to premiere on Sunday, March 22.

“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,” a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told Us in a statement.

A rep for Taylor later told Us in a statement that she “is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.”

“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,” the rep said.

The statement continued, “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.”

Dakota, for his part, broke his silence on the footage in a separate statement.

“As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” Dakota said at the time. “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.”

Dakota has since been granted a temporary protective order against Taylor and given temporary custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever, per documents obtained by Us. (Taylor is also mom to daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, whom she shares with ex-husband Tate Paul.)

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.

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo has issued an apology over his controversial comments downplaying the seriousness of two well-documented medical conditions, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and asthma.

“I recently did an interview and had a lapse in judgment, which resulted in me making a tasteless joke about CTE and asthma,” Skattebo, 24, wrote via X on Saturday, March 21. “It was never my intention to downplay the seriousness of head injuries or asthma.”

He continued, “I sincerely apologize to anyone that was offended by my remarks, and I assure you that I’ll be more mindful and respectful going forward. Much love!!!”

Earlier this month, Skattebo was asked whether he believed that CTE was “a real thing.” (CTE is a degenerative brain disease likely caused by repeated head injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic.)

Related: Why NY Giants Star Cam Skattebo Was Fined Before Suffering Gruesome Injury

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo took a hit to his bank account before suffering a gnarly season-ending injury. Skattebo, 23, was fined $15,000 by the National Football League on Friday, October 24, two days before the rookie star dislocated his ankle in dramatic fashion against the Philadelphia Eagles.  The fine was handed down […]

“No, it’s an excuse,” Skattebo said on a March episode of the “Bring the Juice” podcast, also agreeing with host Frank Delana’s own opinion that asthma is similarly an excuse. The football stay continued, “That’s valid. Yes, asthma’s fake.”

Asthma, per Mayo Clinic, is a condition where the airways narrow and swell that can make breathing extremely difficult, causing wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. There is no known cure.

Delana, for his part, subsequently made a joke about individuals who have asthma.

“Is there anything worse than and someone’s huffing and puffing,” he quipped. “You’re just soft.”

Skattebo concurred, adding, “Yeah, just literally breathe air.”

Related: New York Giants RB Cam Skattebo’s Girlfriend Reacts to His Horrifying Injury

The girlfriend of New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo showed her support after his gruesome season-ending injury. Chloe Rodriguez broke her silence via social media on Monday, October 27, one day after Skattebo, 23, underwent surgery to repair the dislocated ankle he suffered during the Giants game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, October […]

Skattebo was drafted by the Giants in April 2025, playing his rookie season with the team until he sustained a gruesome ankle injury the following October.

“[I] feel absolutely terrible for the young man,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll told reporters at the time. “Obviously I saw it. It looked bad. You feel for anybody on your team that goes down and has a really bad injury. And I feel, and I know the players feel the same way about Skat.”

The pro athlete underwent surgery to repair his dislocated ankle and has since been recuperating to prepare for the 2026-2027 NFL season.

“[My recovery is] on schedule,” Skattebo said during a January press conference about his progress. “I got another week until I start moving around, upping my speed a little bit. Time’s gonna tell, but take it easy. [I] got plenty of time to get back to it.”

He further stressed that making it to the team’s training camp in the summer “was obviously the goal.”

“Hopefully, [I’ll] get back by OTAs,” Skattebo said, referring to the NFL’s voluntary preseason practices. “If not, there’s no rush to it.”

[Editor’s note: The following contains spoilers for Episode 4 of DTF St. Louis.]

From creator Steven Conrad, the seven-episode HBO limited series DTF St. Louis follows what happens when local weatherman Clark Forrest (Jason Bateman) starts an affair with Carol Smernitch (Linda Cardellini) and her husband Floyd (David Harbour), Clark’s on-air ASL interpreter and friend, ends up dead. As Clark and Floyd start to spend time together, Clark finds himself drawn to Carol and wants to spend more time with her, even if it’s right under Floyd’s nose. So, when Floyd ends up dead, and either one of them could be a suspect, detectives are brought in to unravel the clues, put together all the strange pieces, and solve the mystery.

During this interview with Collider, co-stars Bateman, Harbour and Cardellini discussed Floyd’s Playgirl past and the role it still plays in his life, Bateman and Harbour’s Beastie Boys inspired episode four rap, the love triangle that makes you keep guessing about who could have committed murder, how the meeting between Floyd and Modern Love ended up in a kiss, and what Harbour loved about working with Peter Sarsgaard.

Floyd’s Playgirl Past Plays a Big Role in What He Thinks of Himself Now in ‘DTF St. Louis’

“It’s core to what he struggles with.”

Image via HBO

Collider: I’m so intrigued by the character study of these three people. David, much is made of the fact that Floyd was in Playgirl. It’s certainly an unexpected detail about the character, and it seems very specific to him. What was your reaction to that aspect of his story? How do you think he feels about that detail from his past?

DAVID HARBOUR: I think it’s core to what he struggles with nowadays. He, at one point and very physically, thought himself quite something. Now, he’s in decline and feels like he doesn’t have the same sort of potency that he used to have as a young man. I think that’s part of the reason why he carries that thing around, and he has it in the closet, and it’s so integral. You’ll see, as we get to the final episodes, it plays a big part, before his death, in what he wants and what he thinks of himself and what’s important to him. It’s an incredible detail, right from the weird, wonderful brain of Steve Conrad. This poor overweight guy with heart problems and Peyronies disease used to be a Playgirl model when he was 23 or 24. I love it.

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‘DTF St. Louis’ Review: David Harbour and Jason Bateman’s HBO Mystery Wobbles, but Its Dark Comedy Still Hooks You

In the heart of suburbia, three lives intertwine through a dating app, but one death throws the town into chaos.

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I loved it because it was so unexpected. Jason and David, I never imagined that I would hear the two of you rapping a song about acing a life insurance physical. How did that rap come about? Were you intentionally referencing the Beastie Boys because it so sounded very Beastie Boys to me?

JASON BATEMAN: We just followed our leader. Steve Conrad wrote those lyrics and came up with the beat and the style of shooting it. That’s a great example of what this show is, which is that these real spicy meatballs can exist in this world, and it doesn’t bump you out of the show. There’s some great counterbalance in these other scenes that have all this raw vulnerability and emotion that allow for these big swings on this side, and somehow it ends up balancing. It’s such a fun watch, this show.

Jason Bateman and David Harbour Shared a Beastie Boys Moment in ‘DTF St. Louis’

“We were talking about the life insurance policy, but it was also kind of written like a rap.”

Did you guys immediately lock in on getting that timing right with the two of you doing it, or did that take some time?

HARBOUR: We had versions of it. We were three weeks into shooting, and in the script, there was this thing where it was written that we were talking about the life insurance policy, but it was also kind of written like a rap. I was like, “Do you want us to sing this at all?” You can’t say things like that to Steve because his mind will go, “Yeah, maybe you should. Let’s do that.” And then, he wrote the whole thing and recorded a version of it. And you’re right, it’s very Beastie Boys. As opposed to professional, amateur means doing it for the love of it, and I do think there’s a wonderful amateur quality of Steve, in some ways, where he’ll just go, “Yeah, I don’t know, in the middle of this episode, I just want to see these guys rap,” or “I want to see Floyd on a pommel horse.”

I find, as a viewer, when I sit around watching Game of Thrones or whatever, I do wish I could have these little breakout moments where you can just be like, “Okay, now you guys are doing something else,” and just allows the audience that pleasurable moment of, “You’re watching TV, so here’s this little bit of strangeness and a bit of weirdness for you.” It’s calibrated with a very dark, contemplative show about relationships and marriage and normalcy, and all these things. But they are these little bonbons that are just lovely. But yes, it’s very Beastie Boys inspired, for sure.

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The series also stars David Harbour and Linda Cardellini.

There’s something that feels awful and sad about Clark and Carol taking advantage of the fact that Floyd got them concert tickets and they’re continuing their affair in front of him. How did all of that work? How did you guys feel about that? And David, what was it like to put your whole body into that moment?

BATEMAN: That was the very last shot I had. That was another balance of being with his wife and sweetly offering to get us water, and I’m like, “Yeah, sure, go get us some water,” and I immediately grab her hand. There’s just something so untoward about the whole thing. Carol is having this moment of recognition with Floyd about how incredible he is. It brings on tears. That’s also a moment for Clark to maybe flash being threatened by him, that maybe she’s falling back in love with him. Now, you’ve got another moment for the audience to go, “Oh, maybe she didn’t kill him. Maybe Clark killed him.” There’s all this stuff that’s going on.

It’s just another great example of a scene that’s got a bunch of different stuff going on. Linda [Cardellini] did such a great job performing that scene. She had to speak up and pretend the music was going on and that the crowd was cheering, and yet the crowd, when we were shooting it, was completely silent to protect the dialogue, and she had to get into this emotion. I just remember being so impressed that she was able to make herself cry and be very lovely while screaming, and saying these very sweet, soft things that you would whisper. I don’t know how she did that, but it was very impressive.

LINDA CARDELLINI: Thank you. That scene, watching him up there and that music was so infectious. We did it a couple of times with just the music, and he didn’t have to go full-on. It was so much fun to be there. When you come back to that moment after knowing more things that will come about, there’s more in there than we all realize at that moment. I love those moments.

Floyd Just Wants To Make a Connection With Modern Love in ‘DTF St. Louis’

“He wants to protect him and take care of him.”

Image via HBO

David, the relationship between Floyd and Modern Love is an interesting one. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dynamic where somebody just agrees to kiss someone to be polite and not upset them. What was it like to find that relationship, figure that dynamic out, and figure that kiss out? It feels like we couldn’t have had that moment without the things that we learned about Floyd before then.

HARBOUR: Yeah, for sure. You’ll see things, further on, about sign language. You’ve started to see the beginning of how his Peyronies disease got started, but you haven’t gotten to the end of that story, which is another big moment in Floyd’s life that relates to this as well. I think it is a show about true love. Floyd really does love people, and I think he really tries, really hard. He fails, and he doesn’t communicate well, and he’s got a lot of problems. It’s a weird thing that you just have to give over to it. There’s a version of that scene with Modern Love where he comes back, and he’s like, “Sorry, man, I thought you were a girl. This is a mistake.” But he doesn’t. He really wants to make this guy comfortable. He sees the guy’s vulnerability around the Solid Gold dancers and how he felt alone, and he wants to protect him and take care of him.

I think that he’s caught off guard, certainly, by the kiss idea. I don’t think it’s his first impulse, but he’s like, “Why not?” And then, he gets confused about it and has a nice little scene with Jason [Bateman], trying to figure out what he is doing. One of the fun things about the arc of this character, and you’ll see as we go into [episodes] five, six and seven, what it is that Floyd is looking for in DTF, and it’s not really sex, it’s something else. He even changes the word, at one point. The DTF doesn’t have to mean fuck? It can mean “feels good together.” He has a new phrase for that. He’s looking for a certain connection and a certain potency in life, and he’s making attempts. That scene is one of my favorites. We’re so lucky to have gotten Peter Sarsgaard to do that for us. He’s so extraordinary in the whole thing, with the eyeliner and the roller skates. He’s just the best. It was so fun.

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Release Date

2026 – 2026-00-00

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Network

HBO

Showrunner

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Steve Conrad

Directors

Steven Conrad

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Writers

Steven Conrad

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DTF St. Louis airs on HBO and is available to stream on HBO Max.

RELATED: Alleged Mom Of 21 Savage’s Two Oldest Children Seemingly Reacts To Latto’s Pregnancy Reveal (PHOTO)

Keyanna Strikes A Pose For The ‘Gram

Keyanna Joseph blessed her timeline with a new photo of herself, and it’s giving unbothered, quiet luxury! It’s her first feed post on the ‘gram since Feb. 23. This new post shows the mother of two posing next to a cream-colored piano. She’s dressed in black shorts, a printed long-sleeved blouse, and brown sandal heels. Joseph struck a pose from behind with her face slightly poking from behind her long, highlighted curls. Her luxury handbag, believed to be Hermes, is sitting on the piano. The caption? An emoticon sticking out its tongue. Unlike the caption in the embed below, it’s unclear whose home Keyanna Joseph snapped this photo in.

21 Savage wife Keyanna posted up in her matrimonial home looking like money 😍👀🔥#21savage #keyannanukee #latto #hiphopculture #jviewsdaily pic.twitter.com/cY0CST29sU

— JViews (@jviewsdaily) March 22, 2026

As stated, mentions of 21 Savage flooded Keyanna’s IG comment section. For example, @sexyshay02 commented, “Mrs. Abraham-Joseph” while @fittlifeofcoco name-dropped Latto: “Sis ain’t post since February now she poppin out cuz LAtto announcement…. Yall both know it’s a marriage for the paperwork so why we playing salty games keyanna 😬.”

@netta.aaa added, “tell us the tea girl🌚.”

“Forever ♾️ going to be the wifey 😍,” @thenum1_goat said.

“🙌🙌🙌 sit pretty.. when you know what it is, you don’t have to say much.. #BIGUnbothered,” @randiblanko advised.

“Pop itttttt! 🤏🏾💍,” @princessbarbsss wrote.

@__tema__98 got straight to the point with their comment, writing, “So you and latto are going to be sister wives? 👀.”

Is Keyanna Joseph Married To 21 Savage?

In 2020, rumors surrounding Keyanna Joseph and 21 Savage shifted to marriage. At the time, reports alleged that Savage, real name Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, and Keyanna had tied the knot as a resolution to his legal troubles related to overstaying his visa. The H-4 visa had expired during his childhood in 2006. Savage was then raised in East Atlanta, which many fans believed to be his birthplace until ICE detained him, subsequently revealing he was born in London.

Neither Keyanna nor 21 Savage has ever confirmed or denied a legal arrangement. Notably, they share the same last name, “Joseph.” However, in all these years, no marriage documents have been cited or released in the media. Still, it hasn’t stopped the internet from calling for his “wife” every time the Latto dating rumors have popped off—and even more so this week with her pregnancy reveal.

On Keyanna’s Instagram profile, at least two posts, from December 2023 and July 2025, appear to show her wearing a diamond ring on her left ring finger. Though there’s no other evidence that the ring is an engagement ring, a wedding band, or related to 21 Savage in any way. Also, the co-parents do not follow each other on Instagram.

Social Media Floods The Mother With “Wife” Comments & Questions

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Editor’s note: The below interview contains spoilers for Dark Winds Season 4 Episode 6.

Season 4 of Dark Winds has been quite the rollercoaster. From beginning with a series of bodies on the Rez to the journey to ’70s Los Angeles, the trio of Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), and Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) has been thrown for a serious loop. But after this week’s episode, “Shíká Nidanitáhą́ą́ (Those who were searching for me),” the budding conflict between Chee and Manuelito finally comes to a tipping point. Ahead of this week’s episode, Collider caught up with Kiowa Gordon and Jessica Matten, who shared their thoughts on where these two lovebirds are headed — and how Season 4 will change them forever.

Kiowa Gordon and Jessica Matten Explain the Tension Between Chee and Bern in ‘Dark Winds’ Season 4

COLLIDER: It’s no secret that fans have been hoping for a full-blown Chee/Bernadette since Season 1, but there’s still plenty of drama and tension between them this season. Were either of you surprised at Joe’s decision to choose Bern as his successor or by your characters’ respective responses to that decision?

KIOWA GORDON: Yeah, I think Chee was very surprised. She was surprised, too, in the episode.

JESSICA MATTEN: Well, I, in real life, was surprised because that doesn’t happen in the novels. Right?

GORDON: Yeah.

MATTEN: So that was a way to integrate Bernadette’s character into the [Leaphorn] and Chee novels. So, I was just kind of like, “What?” And I was like, “Oh, this is an interesting turn.” You know, so. [Turns to Gordon] I don’t know if you want to…

GORDON: Oh yeah. It was a surprise, but a welcome one for sure.

MATTEN: Well, not really to Chee.

GORDON: Not to Chee but to me personally. I was like, “Yeah! We could do that.”

MATTEN: We’re just rooting for each other. I saw that Kiowa had this big story arc this season, and I was like, “Good!”

GORDON: Yeah, the trade-off. She got the position, I got the meat. [Laughs]

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MATTEN: But it’s cool. It’s a team effort, and I think it’s important that the individual characters all get their arc, and get a moment to shine…

GORDON: You’re gonna get yours this [upcoming] season…

MATTEN: Am I? I don’t know, because you get to invest more into the character, and I think that’s what audience members are craving. I know when I watch shows, I want to go into the depths of the soul…

GORDON: Yeah, you dive deeper into it, and it’s amazing.

MATTEN: Yeah, and just how it works is that person gets that time on screen. But I think it’s very important, and in the end, it benefits us all. As a team.

Jessica Matten Reveals How Bernadette Manuelito Deals With Her ‘Dark Winds’ Trauma

Image via AMC+

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Speaking of that, in Episode 6, Bern has this heart-to-heart with Emma that I think really highlights the mother-daughter dynamic between them that’s honestly been missing a bit from the last few seasons. Jessica, considering where Joe and Emma have been over the years, is there a part of Bern that maybe doesn’t want the job? Maybe she’s afraid of her and Chee falling down that same path of slow compromise?

MATTEN: 100%. And, as we were saying earlier… Bernadette is coming from a place of protecting their relationship. She also is very conflicted because she just experienced this post-traumatic stress of murdering someone [in Season 3], and she’s trying to deal with her own emotions still and process how to cope with that. Because this is the ’70s, it’s not like there are mental health clinics saying, “This is how you deal with your trauma.” Right? So, she’s trying to hold this all in on her own and remain solid, not just for her own safety but for Chee’s safety, for the person that she loves.

So, yes, and thank you for pointing out that scene with Bern and Emma, because I was talking to the writers and I said, “I feel like there’s something still missing in the arc of Bernadette dealing with her trauma and trying to heal from cold-blooded killing someone for the first time.” If you go back to Joe Leaphorn’s arc for the first two seasons — or three seasons — it was about his trauma [resulting in him] killing a man, essentially, but the man just freezing to death. Where Bernadette straight up stabs a man in the freaking jugular…

GORDON: In the neck!

MATTEN: And I was like, “I think we need to continue this arc and not let it go just in Episode 1.” So, our writers, Tom Brady and Max [Hurwitz], they beautifully incorporated this small but powerful scene between Emma and Bern. Emma is the mother she never had, so this is why that scene held so much weight. And it was beautiful to just connect with Deanna as a person and actor, and to have that moment because you’re right, we don’t have a lot of those matriarchal moments in the show.

And it’s a shame, honestly.

MATTEN: Yeah! And that’s why it was so beautiful to have that moment. It really helped shape not only her character arc for the season for Bernadette, but you see that beautiful river, that flow, go into her next scene, which is with Chee. And that scene is really powerful too.

‘Dark Winds’ Season 4’s Ghost Sickness Arc Has Changed Jim Chee to His Core

Image via Michael Moriatis/AMC

You guys mentioned earlier that Chee really gets the spotlight this season. Much of his arc in Season 4 has centered on the ghost sickness, which is one of the most interesting elements. In Episode 6 specifically, Chee encounters this harrowing vision of his mother, which is really chilling to the viewer. Kiowa, did you feel like this moment has been a long time coming for Chee? Is this ghost sickness almost a blessing in disguise for him to deal with these things?

GORDON: Yeah, it has to, otherwise he’s just going to stay stagnant, really. It’s really, it’s an opportunity for him to grow like he’s never grown before. To have the people at his back that he has… It’s the only moment that really saves him, because if he were to have to go through this darkness alone, I don’t think he would’ve ever saw the other side of it. So, to have Bernadette, to have Joe, to have Emma, and Toby Shaw, and [Sheriff Gordo] Sena, and Margaret Cigarete… without that tradition and culture, he would’ve been lost to the ages. So, it’s a nice thing to have him thrust through this and, of course, to have to deal with it in the here and now and not put it off any longer than he has been.

I don’t know if you remember this, but when we spoke at Camel Rock Studios last June, I compared Bern and Chee to Mulder and Scully from The X-Files due to their respective “believer” and “skeptic” roles on the show. In what ways, if any, do you think that those roles have been challenged this season?

GORDON: Yeah, I think [his] skepticism is a little wavering now. It’s like, “Oh, maybe I should dive deeper into the culture and the traditions and ceremony that I was supposed to have been brought up in and taught. And that should’ve been my firm footing. And to learn songs and all this stuff. To be a healer.” So, I think he’s trying to open up his mind towards that aspect now.

MATTEN: I think the writers did a brilliant job… I was excited for Kiowa, because, literally, ghost sickness is a reflection of, psychologically and spiritually, the pain a person is going through, and, within the Navajo culture, showing that physically, how it comes to life and what it looks like. There’s also the thing about Chee being jealous about Bernadette getting the position over him. I would like to think that part of his ghost sickness is also the bad medicine that he’s holding onto about that as well. All the demons coming to the surface come into this physical form. Everything that’s suppressed in the body. And I think it’s kind of a good lesson to the audience on a very subconscious level… It’s like it has to come out from somewhere, otherwise, it does come out in your body. Stress, cancer, disease. Dis-ease.

GORDON: Dis-ease.

MATTEN: Oh, fun part! Kiowa is so brilliant [in] just his commitment to just going there, but in between takes, you yell “cut,” and he’s back dancing and shaking it. [Laughs]

GORDON: Oh yeah, in my gown! [Laughs]

MATTEN: Yeah, he’s in his gown!

GORDON: I told them, “Can we just tear up the back real quick and just have my butt cheeks flapped open, you know? No underwear. That would be so funny.” He’s like, “This ain’t no show. We don’t need that.”

MATTEN: He’s doing this big dance in between… And then another scene we were shooting too, our director for an episode, Jim [Chory], he was like, “You’re one crazy motherf-cker. I don’t know any actor who could just like be joking around 30 seconds [later],” [because] you put out a really amazing performance crying.

GORDON: Yeah, that’s so wild.

MATTEN: So, as dark as our show gets, bless Kiowa because he keeps our energy elevated and light.

GORDON: But it’s just about finding that flow state and then having access to it immediately is really what I try and strive for. I guess that’s what it is.

So, Season 4 gag reel is what I’m hearing?

GORDON: I wish, dude! I don’t think anybody does that anymore.

MATTEN: Oh, that would be amazing.

GORDON: But I wish. That’s what I’m always hoping for every project I ever do. I’m like, “Where’s the bloopers?”

MATTEN: Even Zahn happening to be behind the screen and then going “[gagging noise]” whenever we have a “kissy scene” or whatever. Yeah, it’s just funny. We should have a bloopers’ thing.

Dark Winds airs Sundays on AMC and AMC+.

Whew, Roommates! Doja Cat’s father, Dumisani Dlamini is speaking out and blaming her mother, Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer, for their estranged relationship. In videos that surfaced online, Doja’s dad accuses her mother of allegedly “brainwashing” her into believing he abandoned her. His comments come after Doja previously spoke about her plans to meet up with him while she was performing in South Africa.

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Doja Cat’s Father Breaks His Silence On Their Relationship

Videos surfaced showing Doja Cat’s dad, Dumisani Dlamini, recalling his relationship with her mother and claiming she allegedly paints a image of him that is not true. Additionally, he says he refuses to let her mom ruin his reputation as “a good man” when he’s always treated Doja well, along with Deborah’s other children. “That white woman brainwashed my baby that I left her. I never left my [kid].” From there, he calls out Doja, saying she had the chance to see him while she performed in South Africa, but instead of actually making arrangements, she played him. “Everyone saw it she came to South Africa had power to see and then she faked it.” That lead him to apologize and say he’s going to keep being a respectful, loving man. Dumisani continued, “I am sorry, I am a man of integrity, respect, and love.” 

Doja Admits To Trolling Her Dad Amid Attempt Link-Up In South Africa

Doja’s dad’s comments come after she dropped a video on TikTok titled ‘The Deadbeat Chronicles.’ In the clip, Doja tells fans she planned to see him while she performed as the headliner at the Global Citizen: Move Afrika tour on March 20. She says they texted on WhatsApp, and during their convo, he allegedly told her he wouldn’t come to her show because she doesn’t reach out to him enough.

So she sent him a link to explicit content, which she claimed would give him access to tickets for her concert. Doja then says he told her his management team would handle the ticket arrangements since he was busy working, and he kept repeating that. So he sent the explicit link again, which made him question her intentions because he knew the link wasn’t legit.

@dojacatLOOOOOOOOOL i sent him tim tales♬ original sound – Doja Cat

Inside Doja’s Relationship With Her Father

According to PEOPLE, Doja and Dumisani had a rocky relationship for years. He had a brief relationship with her mother, Deborah in 1990 before their split. Then in 1992, he shot to fame after appearing in the film, ‘Sarafina’ alongside Whoopi Goldberg.

In 2020, Doja spoke about her dad during an interview with Radio One D.C. She gave him props for being a good actor but claimed she didn’t really know him. “He’s an incredible dancer and a great actor. But yeah, I don’t know him very well,” the rapper said at the time. Despite her comments in 2022, Dumisani said he was proud of her success and always believed she was destined for fame. “I’m so proud of her for what she has achieved… I’m not surprised, because it’s in the blood.” 

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