Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for The Pitt Season 2.

Since its premiere in early 2025, The Pitt has given the medical drama genre a much-needed boost. The HBO Max series, currently airing its second season, takes a real-time approach to a city emergency room, with every episode covering a single hour in a hectic day shift. With an ensemble made up of both experienced and still-learning medical professionals, The Pitt has earned overwhelming praise for its realistic depiction of an overflowing ER, and Season 3 is already on the way.

There are very few medical shows like The Pitt, but it has drawn numerous comparisons to another ground-breaking title in the genre: ER. The 15-season hit redefined how hospitals were shown on TV and launched countless careers, including a then-unknown George Clooney. The Pitt was created by former ER producer R. Scott Gemmill, is produced by ER showrunner John Wells, and is led by ER‘s ostensible lead, Noah Wyle. By exploring a very different medical reality and adopting its own storytelling rhythm, The Pitt is decidedly its own show. Still, its creative team is no doubt very aware of the path ER paved for them, and Season 2 is quietly paying tribute to its predecessor.

‘The Pitt’ Season 2 Subtly Calls Back to ‘ER’s Costumes

The Pitt Season 2’s biggest crisis thus far begins when Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center is threatened with a cyberattack. As a preventative measure, the internet and all the computers have been shut off, forcing the staff to revert to a pre-digital emergency department. This almost immediately poses a challenge, particularly for the younger doctors who have only ever worked with online charts and orders, leading Charge Nurse Dana (Katherine LaNasa) to call in a former employee with experience in an analog ER. Episode 9 sees the arrival of Rusty Schwimmer‘s Monica, a nurse who, as she puts it, was “laid off by the digital revolution.” She’s sporting a floral-patterned scrub coat when she arrives, and for ER fans, it might look familiar. It is similar to a coat worn by Haleh (Yvette Freeman), one of ER‘s most prominent recurring nurses, in Season 9. Though it isn’t clear if it is the same exact piece of clothing, it’s a clever visual reference all the same.

The Pitt has avoided making more overt references to ER, but it’s inevitable that viewers will think of the two shows together, considering their premises and creative teams. Rather than bringing in high-profile cameos from major ER stars like Clooney or Anthony Edwards, or making meta quips about Dr. Robby’s time as a med student, The Pitt is focusing on the realistic details that have a place in all medical dramas, reminding viewers that these situations might be dramatized for television, but they’re not so far off from the real world.

Related

‘The Pitt’s Most Controversial Episode Exposes America’s Darkest Truth in 5 Minutes

“All patients, regardless of immigration status, have the right to emergency care.”

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‘The Pitt’ Season 2 Puts Even More of the Spotlight on the Nurses

By calling back to ER‘s characters and costuming, The Pitt is offering both a smart little Easter egg for fans and referencing the deeper history at play here. ER aired from 1994 to 2009, covering a time before tablets replaced clipboards and the COVID-19 pandemic completely shattered the status quo for healthcare. The medical professionals on that show regularly had to write orders and patient charts by hand, and they had to keep everything straight without the help of a computerized system. Usually, it was the nurses who kept everything running smoothly, as they’d often be left to write up and submit orders for labs or medications.

Perhaps the strongest connection between ER and The Pitt thus far has been their insistence that nurses are the lifeblood of any emergency department. It was a common refrain on ER, and The Pitt Season 2 even dedicated a whole episode to PTMC’s nursing staff. That installment was an overt acknowledgment of their contributions to hospitals, and Monica’s role in the season is a subtler tribute. Wearing that scrub coat establishes her as a nurse who worked in the early 2000s, the same era that ER thrived in. As she was laid off when the hospital went more digital, she’s only ever worked in an analog emergency room, so she isn’t floundering like the others.

Monica’s ability to remain focused and give order to the chaotic department seems like a superhuman feat, but it’s also exactly how nurses used to do their jobs decades ago. It looks natural on ER, but as The Pitt has hammered home this season, the medical field has drastically changed, and though tech has made some things easier, it’s also altered the skills these professionals rely on. Monica’s arrival at PTMC — and the outfit she’s elected to wear — is a striking callback to a different time and a poignant tribute to the impressive contributions of nurses from all decades.

Days of Our Lives early weekly spoilers for March 30th through April 3rd excite as Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) infuriates Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) and it’s about to be nuclear war.

As we always do on early edition day. We start with what’s coming the rest of this week and then we jump into what is ahead for next week.

Wednesday, March 25th Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Marlena Finds Out Disturbing News

So, on Wednesday, March 25th, we’ve got Marlena finding out some very, very disturbing news. And I expect that Tate Black (Leo Howard), Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis), and Brady Black (Eric Martsolf), or some combination of them, are going to tell Marlena that Rachel Black (Lorelei Olivia Mote) played switcheroo with the skin supplements and the psychiatric medication.

Plus, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) and Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) are bantering and insulting each other. And I’m sure it’s about Dimitri von Leuschner DiMera (Peter Porte) because Leo now firmly believes Gwen was involved in Dimitri’s kidnapping, which of course she was. She and EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) masterminded it.

DOOL Spoilers: Liam a Free Man

Liam Selejko (Hank Northrop) gets some good news from Arianna Horton (Marissa Reyes). This is Marissa Reyes last air date as Arianna and then we’re going to have the new one coming on in April. Air date TBD. So with Klaus Mueller (Bassel Alzaro) dead and Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel) also supposedly dead, Liam should be in the clear to go home to his kid.

Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) confronts EJ and I wonder if she’s going to blame him for Rachel’s latest crisis with the alleged supplement and pill swap. Everybody completely believes the kid did it. And I mean reasonably yes, especially Sarah since Rachel tried to poison her. Rachel’s innocent on this occasion, but people rightfully are assuming the worst. So maybe EJ can reassure Sarah and or Rachel.

Plus, Kristen and Rachel head into their hearing in front of the judge about EJ’s shooting. Kristen’s going to recant her confession. Rachel’s going to make one. Brady and Kristen are there, and Rachel is nervous. She’s holding her dad’s hand. Marlena shows up, too. And the judge says she will rule on the second request at the conclusion of the punishment. And I wonder if it might be something about custody.

Days of Our Lives Thursday Spoilers, March 26th: Kristen Acts Up in Court

Thursday, March 26, Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) offers Shawn-Douglas Brady (Brandon Beemer) to come stay with her while he recuperates. And the question is, how will Belle Brady (Martha Madison) react? How will Theo Carver (Cameron Johnson) react? And what is next? Will Shawn say yes? I hope so.

As expected, Kristen is going to be her usual charming self in front of the judge and start something. And then Belle has to scramble to try and protect Rachel from criminal charges being filed against her. So, Belle may try and help stop this, but I don’t know if the judge will be lenient since the DA is Rachel’s aunt.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: JJ Confides in Theo

Also, Theo listens as JJ Deveraux (Casey  Moss) opens up and I think he’s going to tell Theo about the shooting situation and how he froze up and that, you know, one guy got his arm grazed and then Shawn is out of work and has been shot and it’s all because of JJ not doing his duty because he freaked out.

Plus, Marlena and EJ find common ground on Thursday. I’m sure that’s because they’re both concerned about Rachel’s sentencing. And I do suspect Marlena is going to recommend inpatient care, you know, maybe as a revered shrink, maybe as a grandma who’s concerned. And obviously, it’s about the pill swap. So, Marlena may tell the judge everything. We’ll see.

Friday, March 27th: Kristen Furious with Marlena on DOOL

Friday, March 27th, Marlena telling the judge everything may be why Kristen takes her anger out on Marlena. She’s absolutely furious at her. And you know, Dr. Evans may suggest that Rachel needs to go into Bayview for a very long time.

I mean, Marlena, I think, like everybody else, has concluded that Rachel did this supplement swap even though the real culprit is Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd). And I expect that Marlena may tell Kristen outside of the judge’s earshot if Brady hasn’t already told her.

You know, I kind of hope that Marlena doesn’t spill the beans on Rachel. But then again, maybe she thinks that she’s protecting the kid long-term. You know, protecting her long-term well-being if she has to pay consequences for her actions and gets back under full psychiatric care because this seems bad. It seems like a big backslide on Days of our Lives.

Rachel is absolutely devastated on Friday when the judge hands down the verdict. So, looks like Sophia really screwed Rachel over. Now, admittedly, Sophia couldn’t have known this would happen, but she was manipulating a kid who’s much younger than her.

Days of our Lives: Sophia Crashes the Adoption Meeting

Meanwhile, speaking of manipulations, Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) and Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens) head into their appointment to finalize the adoption, and that’s another situation Sophia wants to manipulate.

So, Melinda Trask (Tina Huang) is going to interrupt the adoption meeting, and she’s going to tell Johnny and Chanel and the judge the adoption can’t be finalized until we hear from this person. And then Sophia walks through the door. She’s dressed nice.

She’s looking sane, but she’s not. And I’m sure that Sophia is going to object to finalization of the adoption. EJ steps up on Friday and I wonder if the whole thing with the pills is going to circle around.

If Rachel denies having anything to do with it and says Sophia is the one who sent her the bottle of pills, you know, if they haven’t taken out the trash, the wrapper is still there and it may show it came from Bayview, which would be pretty good evidence.

Then, you know, if EJ got wind of that, he could roll into that adoption meeting and absolutely blow Sophia out of the water. That’s what I hope happens. We’ll see if we get a soapy result like that.

Week of March 30th-April 3rd Spoilers on Days of Our Lives

March 30th through April 3rd, we’re probably going to see Rachel heading somewhere. Even if this Sophia thing is proven to everybody else, the judge made her ruling. And you know, we’ll see if that can be backpedaled at all. If not, you know, hopefully Rachel’s not going to be heading to juvie, maybe another mental hospital, will hopefully not be Bayview if Sophia remains there.

I fully expect Rachel to unload and tell her parents and maybe Marlena and Tate and Holly that Sophia has been faking all along. Just all her dirty deeds completely rat her out. You know, if Rachel cannot avoid consequences of her past actions, she may decide to just burn Sophia down with her because of this pill twist. And the bottom line is she’s lost leverage on Rachel because of this.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Alex Unhappy with Stephanie & Jeremy’s Bond

Stephanie Johnson‘s (Abigail Klein) new attitude about Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark) may confuse her husband, Alex Kiriakis. Jada and Shawn may rekindle during his recovery. Sarah is ready to get closer to Brady, but not too close.

They’re in that slow burn phase, but with Rachel possibly going away and also giving her blessing to Brady, he and Sarah can move forward. Sarah and Xander Kiriakis Cook (Paul Telfer) have both admitted there’s still love there, but they just can’t make their marriage work.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Guilt-Ridden Gabi Helps Titan?

Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) may assuage her guilt over Titan’s downfall, which of course she helped orchestrate. She may help Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). She may help Titan. You know, I don’t think he’d take her money, but she might offer to bring Gabi Chic back over under the Titan umbrella.

Also, with the recent ISA search in Alamania, they may have found more of Stefan DiMera’s (Brandon Barash) writing samples that could help to invalidate those divorce documents so that Gabi inherits lots of money she could use to actually help bail Titan out.

Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford) should be waking up any day now, maybe even before Stefano DiMera’s will is read. Plus, Lani Price (Sal Stowers) and Eli Grant (Lamon Archey) return with the twins, and there are a bunch of recasts coming in April. We’re going to tell you about that in its very own video.

Hoda Kotb reflected on how Savannah Guthrie has continued to navigate mother Nancy Guthrie‘s missing case.

“There is a desperation and also a steeliness about Savannah,” Kotb, 61, shared on the Wednesday, March 25, episode of the Today show. “She’s hoping that somebody — whoever this person is — will see something and say something.”

Kotb, who had a sit-down interview with Savannah, 54, noted that they talked “about so many things.”

“She talks about the investigation, she talks about her faith and she talks about how she’s getting through,” Kotb continued. “That was one portion there, and then the next portion you’ll see how she talks about how God’s holding her hand.”

Related: Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Nancy Guthrie Is Missing in Arizona: What to Know

Questions still remain after Today show host Savannah Guthrie‘s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the news on February 1, sharing a missing person report via X. Nancy was described as a “vulnerable adult” who was last seen “at her residence” within Arizona’s Catalina Foothills area on the evening […]

After speaking with her friend on camera, Kotb was in awe of Savannah’s strength, adding, “I was sort of marveling that she was able to sit there with an outfit on, have a conversation and also have direct thoughts about what she sees going forward. … It’s like no one’s stealing her joy, so you’ll see both sides of that.”

Savannah got emotional during a segment for the morning show while detailing the ongoing search for Nancy.

“Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony,” she shared about the “unbearable” pain of waiting for updates. “And to think of what she went through. I wake up every night in the middle of the night. Every night. And in the darkness, I imagine her terror. And it is unthinkable.”

Nancy, 84, was reported missing in February, one day after she was last seen in Arizona. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos later noted that there were “concerning circumstances” found in Nancy’s home.

“She’s very alert, she’s of good, sound mind,” he told reporters, adding that Nancy is “not in good” physical health. “I hope we find her safe and sound, but we can’t ignore what’s in front of us.”

Savannah, meanwhile, has been absent from Today amid her mother’s disappearance. She previously shared a statement from her family with the show, which read, “On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.”

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Related: What Happened on January 11? Breaking Down the Potential Nancy Guthrie Clue

While Nancy Guthrie was last seen by loved ones on January 31, investigators believe that January 11 might be a significant date into her disappearance. Nancy’s family, which includes daughters Annie and Savannah Guthrie as well as son Kamron Guthrie, posted a message on social media asking for assistance in providing footage related to their […]

Savannah and her siblings, Annie and Camron Guthrie, have since kept sharing public messages in hopes that their mother’s kidnapper would listen. In February, they confirmed that the reward for Nancy’s return had been raised to $1 million.

“She may have already gone home to the Lord that she loves and is dancing in heaven with her mom and her dad and with her beloved brother, Pierce, and with our daddy. If this is what is to be, then we will accept it,” Savannah said at the time. “But we need to know where she is. We need her to come home.”

The FBI has previously released photos and video footage of a subject outside of Nancy’s home.

Claressa Shields has responded to those who believe that Papoose is only dating her for her money.

RELATED: Whew! Claressa Shields & Papoose’s Recent Baecation Flicks Have Some Social Media Users Goin’ IN (PHOTOS)

Claressa Shields Responds To Those Who Believe Papoose Is Only Dating Her For Her Money

On Wednesday, March 25, ‘The Breakfast Club’ released a sit-down interview with Claressa Shields via its YouTube channel. Furthermore, the conversation began with the group discussing the song Shields recently wrote about Papoose. Additionally, Charlamagne Tha God noted that some people believe her actions fuel the “‘rumors that Pap is with Claressa because Claressa takes care of him — Claressa gives him money.’”

“What?” Shields initially responded. “… That’s how they paint out narratives. But I will tell you something, though: Pap pays my mortgage. Pap pays my car insurance, and my car note. And what else does he do? I haven’t paid for a flight or for a hotel in I don’t know how long — that’s a man right there!”

Social Media Weighs In

Social media users immediately entered TSR’s comment section with reactions to Claressa Shields’ response.

Before Claressa Shields Responded To Those Who Believe Papoose Is Only Dating Her For Her Money, She Dropped A Love Song About Him

Before Claressa Shields responded to those who believe Papoose is only dating her for her money, she dropped a love song about him. As The Shade Room previously reported, Claressa Shields celebrated her 31st birthday on March 17. But instead of showering herself in all the love, she reportedly had Papoose choose between rapping or singing a song for him, and she hopped in the booth!

RELATED: She Got It Bad! Papoose Reacts After Claressa Shields Drops Love Song About Him On Her 31st Birthday (VIDEO)

By Joshua Tyler
| Published 32 seconds ago

Paramount has announced that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will be cancelled after airing its second season sometime next year. That’s welcome news, but for most Trekkies, it doesn’t go far enough.

The problem with this announcement is that Paramount still plans to air the show’s second season. They completed filming it several months ago, and since they’ve already got the footage, you can see why they might think it makes sense to dump whatever they’ve got online, as long as they’ve got it.

It doesn’t have to be that way, though. There is another path. Paramount could Batgirl Starfleet Academy.

Batgirling – The act of a studio permanently shelving a completed or near-completed film or series because it is deemed unreleasable, choosing instead to claim a financial loss through a tax write-off rather than risk public exposure or reputational damage.

The Batgirl Precedent

In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery made an unusual decision: it canceled an upcoming Batgirl movie after filming had already wrapped and the film had entered post-production. The superhero outing, starring Leslie Grace and featuring Michael Keaton’s return as Batman, had a reported budget of around $90 million and was originally planned for release on HBO Max.

Instead of finishing and releasing the movie, the studio chose to shelve it and treat the production cost as a financial loss. This allowed Warner Bros. Discovery to reduce its taxable income through a write-down, a legal accounting strategy tied to its post-merger restructuring. Batgirl has never been released and never will be.

Why Batgirling Starfleet Academy Makes Sense

Starfleet Academy has the lowest viewer rating of almost anything on television. According to some reports, the show performed 20% worse than even Paramount’s most pessimistic projections predicted. It didn’t just fail; it tainted the brand in a way Star Trek may not recover from.

In that context, why would any for-profit company want to release more of it? There’s basically no value in releasing it, because no one will watch it. Meanwhile, there’s huge potential value in not releasing it, because doing so protects your brand from further reputational harm.

Most importantly, fans don’t want it. We asked Trekkies on X if they’d like to see Starfleet Academy’s second season released. Nearly 85% of respondents voted for Batgirling it.

There’s currently a petition running on Change.org asking Paramount to Batgirl Starfleet Academy season 2. If you’re part of that 85%, consider signing it to send Paramount a message. Maybe it’s time Star Trek fans were heard.

Ashley Iaconetti isn’t too worried about The Real Housewives of Rhode Island impacting her relationship with husband Jared Haibon.

“I know that since we’ve been through the spotlight together, that neither of us are going to feel affected by it,” Ashley, 38, told Us Weekly exclusively during the RHORI cast’s first interviews. “We have been under the spotlight together. This isn’t going to be a new thing.”

She added, “I just think that’s nice that we’re not gonna have a new thing thrown at our relationship.”

Ashley explained that she and Jared, both Bachelor Nation alums, have already experienced “the struggles” of putting their relationship under a microscope on a reality show.

“We, honestly, know how to navigate it pretty well. It’s our foundation,” Ashley explained. “I would say we, kind of, know how this is gonna go. We know we have our priorities in line, for sure.”

Ashley and Jared, 37, wed in August 2019 after they experienced a series of ups and downs on two seasons of Bachelor in Paradise. The two have since relocated to Rhode Island, where they live with sons Dawson, 4, and Hayden, 20 months.

“We’re very grateful for having previous experience when jumping into this. I cannot imagine starting to get a spotlight on me in my late 30s,” Ashley explained to Us. “We’re really super grateful we’ve had [a] background in it.”

Related: Meet the Men of Bravo’s ‘The Real Housewives of Rhode Island’ Spinoff

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The newly minted Real Housewives of Rhode Island cast has the complete support of their better halves. Bravo announced during its annual BravoCon convention in November 2025 that a new Housewives iteration would take place in the Ocean State. “The Real Housewives hits its milestone 20th anniversary next year, Bravo is expanding the distinguished franchise […]

The RHORI trailer teased an inside look at aspects of Ashley and Jared’s marriage that Bachelor Nation fans haven’t seen before — including the financial aspect of their business Audrey’s Coffee House & Lounge.

“It’s our real life. Audrey’s, ever since it opened, it’s been such a work of love for Jared and so many hours get put into that place. He’s really grateful he did it,” she explained, noting there are always questions about renewing the lease. “It’s always a debate on whether it’s worth keeping because it’s really about his happiness.”

When it came to being so honest on the show, Ashley said she and Jared knew doing RHORI was “too good of an opportunity” to skip out on.

Newcomer Jo-Ellen Tiberi, meanwhile, had in-depth conversations with husband Gary Tiberi about signing on for RHORI.

“Gary and I talked a lot about our family. That’s our No. 1 focus,” she explained, telling Us that their “biggest concern” was with their 11-year-old son and “if anyone was going to tease him.” (The couple are also parents to a 4-year-old and 18-month-old.)

Related: Every Bachelor Nation Alum Who’s Crossed Over to Bravo Franchises

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Many reality TV stars have handed in their roses for slots on Bravo. Ashley Iaconetti rose to fame on Chris Soules’ season of The Bachelor followed by stints on Bachelor in Paradise and Bachelor Winter Games before eventually marrying her BiP crush, Jared Haibon, in 2019. Nearly five years later, the pair will make the […]

“I want to protect my kids. That was probably our biggest thing,” she said. “Gary and I have known each other since we were in high school. We know everything about each other. He knows the good, he knows the bad. I do, too. So if my husband loves me and my friends, it’s not going to change anything.”

Rosie DiMare told Us that, looking back, she should have had more discussions with husband Rich DiMare about the show.

“We didn’t have any boundaries going into it, and I kind of wish that we had,” she said. “We should probably talk about that if we’re going to do [another] season.”

The Real Housewives of Rhode Island premieres on Bravo Thursday, April 2, with a second episode premiering on Sunday, April 5. New episodes will be released on Sundays, streaming via Peacock the following day.

For more from the RHORI cast, pick up this week’s issue of Us Weekly.

Crystal Renay stepped in for her childhood friend Sammie after his child’s mother, Marie Brooke, seemingly suggested he has deadbeat tendencies. Before Renay entered the chat, Sammie’s attorney shut down the allegations in an exclusive statement to The Shade Room. However, Renay took her friend’s defense a step further! She posted home footage that shows Brooke dropping off her infant at his father’s front door. In response, Marie Brooke clapped back at the singer and his friend, explaining what led up to the controversial baby drop-off. Here’s the breakdown of everything that went down online! 

RELATED: R&B Rumble? Mario Responds After Ray J Claims He’d Win In A Song Battle — Sammie Picks A Side (VIDEOS)

Marie Brooke Alleges Sammie Has Barely Seen Their 5-Month-Old Son

On Monday (March 23), Marie Brooke, real name Brooklyn Marshall, tagged Sammie in a Threads post. Her words accused him of barely seeing their son, Legend Lee Bush, since birth. She also claimed that he visited for less than 48 hours after their child had surgery at seven weeks old.

“Imagine your son being in the same city as you several times since birth and you’ve only seen him once while he was in your city for a total of three hours, and haven’t visited him in his city since 10 days after he had surgery at seven weeks for less than 48 hours,” Marie wrote, tagging Sammie.

For context, Legend was born on October 21, 2025. He’s now five months old, according to her Instagram post on March 22. She captioned the sweet video of Legend at an aquarium, “He may never remember, but I’ll never forget this moment.” 

Lawyer Denies Marie Brooke’s Allegations, Singer Seemingly Agrees Son’s Mom Wanted A Relationship 

Meanwhile, Sammie’s lawyer, Durante Partridge, says the deadbeat allegations are all cap. In an exclusive statement on Tuesday, Partridge shut down claims that his client isn’t involved in Legend’s life.

“While the claims being made do not accurately reflect the reality of the situation, Sammie remains focused on what matters most: his children and his continued presence in their lives. He is, first and foremost, a father, and he takes that responsibility seriously.” It continues, “Out of respect for his family, he has chosen not to engage in public discourse regarding private matters. However, it is important to note that he approaches fatherhood with care, intention, and consistency,” the statement reads.

Sammie also spoke out for himself in The Shade Room’s IG comment section, under the repost of Marie Brooke’s message. @thatguy_marco wrote, “Well the thing is that sometimes it leads you to delusion.” Sammie replied, “Preach, preacher.” 

@danididitduh commented, “Sh*t be so cap lol I’m sick of it! You wanted the baby and relationship…got a one night stand instead.” Sam replied, “preach, again.” 

@_ashaunda_ added, “You want him to spend time with his son or you?” Again, the singer replied, “Preach.” 

Sammie also reposted his lawyer’s statement on his Instagram Stories, adding the comment: “It’s all about the kids. No internet games. #RealFathersStandUp”

Amid peeping Sammie’s comments, Marie Brooke hopped on Threads to share a text he sent her. The message thanks Marie for “being a safe space” and pouring into him. It’s unclear when the singer reached out as the screenshot does not show a date or any before and after conversations. She tagged her co-parent and said, “You’re always commenting and doing everything but be a father.” 

Cystal Renay Shares Home Footage Of Marie Dropping Off Legend

In a now-deleted post, Crystal Renay, who is Ne-Yo’s ex-wife and co-parent, stood by her childhood friend. It’s unclear who gave her access to Sammie’s home footage. But, on her Instagram page late Tuesday, she shared a video of Marie Brooke dropping off Legend Lee at his father’s front door. It was nighttime and the infant was in a carseat, bundled with blankets. It’s unclear how old the child was when this incident occurred.

After setting the car seat down and seemingly ringing the doorbell, video shows Marie Brooke walking away. Shortly afterward, there’s audio of what sounds like a car door closing and a vehicle driving off. In the caption, Crystal Renay wrote:

“OK, so normally I stay out of ALL internet drama, but this has been my friend since the 6th grade! YOU dropped your newborn son off in 38 degree weather on his front porch, in the middle of the night and left… @sammiealways you’re a great dad.”

Additionally, there was a video Sammie filmed that showed the infant inside the home, as the singer explained the situation. He, too, said it was 38 degrees outside, and claimed Marie Brooke did the drop-off unannounced and left the infant outside for several minutes. Additionally, he said she was parked near his house, then pulled into his neighbor’s and waited. She had allegedly told him she couldn’t “do this anymore.”

“And I thought she was playing until I actually went to the door and picked him up. But I got her pulling in and just watching him in the cold for minutes,” Sam said in the video.

As mentioned, the post is no longer available on Crystal Renay’s IG feed. Before she removed the post, Sammie slid in her comment section, dropping an infinity symbol and blue heart in one response that tagged Crystal.

“That’s why I be silent. Tried to save her. Tried to spare my son. But oops,” he wrote in another comment.

In another comment, Sammie said: “But I’ve seen my son in Oct., Nov., Dec., but Jan. bcz my dad died, saw him in February too although my grandma passed, tired of saving people that’s vile and only wanted the baby bcz they wanted me.”  

Marie Brooks Reacts To Drop-Off Footage As Crystal Renay Doubles Down 

After Crystal Renay shared the home footage, Marie Brooke circled back to Instagram Stories to defend herself. In a lengthy statement speaking directly to Sammie, she said she asked him several times for help with his son while dealing with postpartum, then and now. Every time she reached out, Marie said she was “met with excuses.” Additionally, she claimed that Sammie and his father knew she was planning to drop off Legend because she called them beforehand.

“Passing that video someone to post is, by far, one of the lowest and saddest things my son’s father has ever done to me. Choosing to weaponize my mental health against me—after knowing I have diagnosed and treated for postpartum depression after having our son—is a level I didn’t even think he would reach. I truly believed I was bringing my son to a place where he would be safe. I never imagined the delay at the door was because he was being recorded for content. And to the woman who chose to post that video as if you know me—shame on you. As a mother, you should know better,” Marie Brooke said.

On Wednesday morning, Crystal circled back to Instagram Stories to clarify her intention behind posting the home footage.

“Apparently, my post caused an uproar last night…but it’s not about being a girls’ girl, it’s about being a parent first and I’m a mom at the end of the day and just cause somebody don’t wanna be with you, don’t mean your child has to suffer for it. Hell, look at my situation, cause I’m the last one to talk about a man being with you, but guess what? My kids ain’t suffer for it. I still show up everyday for my children and there’s so much other things I could say, y’all don’t even really know what be going on behind the scenes. I could’ve posted so much more, but I didn’t. But I stand on what I said, I stand on how I feel. That’s been my friend for a million years and to hear him in distress and going through it, yeah I felt a way. So yeah I wanted to come to his defense. Could I have done it differently? Probably, but I didn’t so it is what it is and that’s all I’m gon say on that. So, back to my corner I go.”

After The Shade Room reposted Crystal’s response, Sammie slid into the comment section to thank her. He wrote, “I love you @itscrystalsmith in this life & the next. Under no circumstances is this ok. If I did this, I’d be crucified. God bless us all. 💙🫶🏾 I’m speaking up all 2026. I never speak 🗣️ ima clear it 🆙.” 

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The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul is reportedly being investigated over allegations of a third domestic violence incident involving ex Dakota Mortensen.

NBC News reported on Wednesday, March 25, that Utah’s West Jordan Police Department is looking into claims made against Taylor, 31, by Dakota, 33, following an alleged domestic dispute in 2024. Dakota contacted the police department last month, the outlet said.

A West Jordan PD spokesperson declined to give further details to NBC News, citing the ongoing investigation. The spokesperson did, however, confirm that the department was reviewing video footage in connection with the alleged incident.

The official said the department has only spoken to Dakota at this time but has made contact with Taylor through her attorney.

Related: ‘Mormon Wives‘ Star Taylor Frankie Paul‘s 2023 Arrest Explained

Details about Taylor Frankie Paul’s 2023 arrest have resurfaced in the wake of her latest scandal. News broke in March 2026 that Taylor and on-again, off-again boyfriend Dakota Mortensen were allegedly involved in a domestic dispute. A spokesperson for Utah’s Draper City Police Department confirmed to Us Weekly that there was an open “domestic assault […]

Us Weekly has reached out to the West Jordan Police Department and representatives for both Taylor and Dakota for comment.

According to NBC News, Dakota told West Jordan authorities he was referred to them by the Draper City Police Department in Utah because the alleged 2024 incident took place within the department’s jurisdiction.

A spokesperson for the Draper City PD confirmed to Us earlier this month that it had an open “domestic assault investigation” involving the reality television stars stemming from a separate alleged dispute that took place in February. Authorities said allegations were “made in both directions.”

News of the incident emerged on March 16 after it was reported that production on season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was halted due to the investigation.

“There’s more to the context to everything and it’s unfortunate,” Taylor exclusively told Us on 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.”

Taylor was previously arrested in February 2023 following an altercation with Dakota and charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse and criminal mischief. She pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault in exchange for the other charges being dropped.

Footage of the 2023 incident, in which Taylor appeared to hurl barstools at Dakota in the presence of her young daughter, was published by TMZ on Thursday, March 19. ABC later pulled The Bachelorette season 22 starring the MomTok influencer just three days before it was set to premiere.

Taylor and Dakota share a 2-year-old son, Ever. Taylor is also mom of daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, whom she shares with ex-husband Tate Paul.

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