By Jennifer Asencio
| Updated 1 hour ago

The Survivor 50 merge episode aired on April 2, 2026, and proved to be the most explosive episode to that point, only to be followed by an equally exciting episode that proves the game has returned to its cutthroat roots. As if Christian Hubicki arranging the ouster of fan favorite and The White Lotus creator Mike White wasn’t fireworks enough, we lost no fewer than four contestants through Tribal Councils in two episodes, and the epic aftermath of the merge brought out the competitor in even the contestants who’ve been hanging back.

The merge episode was so good that it nearly made up for the hated Zac Brown episode a few weeks ago, in which the country music star hogged 30 minutes of screen time fishing, singing, and having more confessionals than some of the contestants. As soon as the castaways got on the merge beach, strategizing started immediately. Allies, like Hubicki and Rick Devens, were reunited; hidden immunity idols (held by Aubry Bracco, Ozzy Lusth, and Rizo Velovic) were sussed out; and targets were placed, particularly on legends Benjamin “Coach” Wade and Colby Donaldson, injured in a previous challenge.

Emily Flippen, who is turning out to be one of the season’s movers, pointed out the tribe could get “two for the price of one” by voting out Coach and waiting for Colby to be medivaced from the show. That is how ruthless the merge got.

Survivor’s Blood Moon

However, at the Immunity Challenge, host Jeff Probst sprung the surprise on the castaways that there would be a twist that night called The Blood Moon. With Ozzy and Rizo oblivious to this because they were off on a fortuitous jaunt to Exile Island together, the other 15 castaways were divided into three groups. The challenge was an individual immunity endurance challenge, but whatever group won would also be treated to Applebee’s at Survivor’s famous Sanctuary, “where good things happen” to the winners of rewards.

The twist was that each group of five had one immunity winner and would be going separately to Tribal Council rather than as a full merge tribe. Three people would be voted off, and which group each castaway was sorted to was entirely luck of the draw. This resulted in three Tribal Councils.

Survivor Legend Penner Humiliates Himself With Racism Accusations

The first group shown were the reward winners, Chrissy Hofbeck, Jonathan Young, Stephenie LaGrossa-Kendrick, Tiffany Ervin, and Kamila Kathigetsu, the latter of whom was the unlucky victim in a controversial tribal council that had real-world effects.

Two former CBS contestants got angry at Chrissy for claiming she, Jonathan, and Stephenie were “cut from the same cloth” when they allied to vote out either Tiffany or Kamila; since the latter two are women of color, the voting bloc, Chrissy in particular, was targeted as racist by Survivor alum Jonathan Penner and Big Brother contestant Hannah Chadda. The backlash was so bad that Chrissy Hofbeck deleted her X account.

In the aftermath of that outcome, Penner had this to say about his initial accusations: “Let’s just say I meant it as a joke, but as I say to my kids, there are no – jokes.”

The second group shown consisted of Genevieve Musaluk, Aubry, Hubicki, Devens, and Joe Hunter. Despite fireworks between the three men and a heated rivalry between the two women, the second group came together to vote out Genevieve in a move that was rather expected from this team.

The final tribal council of the merge episode was a tear-jerker for longtime fans of the show, including contestant Dee Valaderes, who had to choose between Emily, Colby, Coach, and their fellow legend, Cirie Fields. The only person in this group who actually wanted to vote was true gamer Emily, as the three legends and former winner Dee broke down in tears over how important these icons were to the history of Survivor. Before he was tragically voted out, Colby delivered a heartfelt speech about how much the show has been a part of his life for half of it, and the opportunities he was presented with thanks to his appearances.

Colby Speaks For The Fans

For many people, Survivor is a way to bond with family as they watch together and talk about it. Colby’s speech about what the show has done for him was felt by all of us, for whom the show has been meaningful as fans.

It was a bittersweet ending to an incredible episode, but fans were disappointed that the merge vote was split up the way it was because they wanted to see how the morass of everyone together in one tribal council would play out, rather than the New Era trick of splitting the vote. It was the one dark spot in an almost perfect episode.

Blood Moon’s Aftermath Episode

The next episode, aired April 9, 2026, saw the intertribal conflicts intensify as “trust clusters” (a term coined by former Survivor player Hannah Shapiro at tribal council during Millennials vs GenX) form. Ozzy and Rizo returned from their bonding trip to Exile Island to reunite with ally Cirie. Rizo wanted to enhance that alliance with Dee, except she blabbed his secret about having an idol to several people, and Emily told Rizo what she had done.

Emily is loosely allied with the super-nerd alliance of Devens and Hubicki, a duo that seems to be floating around together. Coach had formed an alliance he called The Four Horsemen; the loss of Colby prompted him to try to add Rizo alongside himself, Jonathan, and Joe. Further complicating alliances is Jonathan’s loyalty to Stephenie and Chrissy. Aubry and Tiffany don’t seem to have an alliance and are floating around the various webs of other alliances, just trying to survive.

Coach’s Plan Works To Perfection

Despite the attempts of the Cirie-Ozzy-Rizo voting block to save her, Dee landed herself in hot water when she betrayed Rizo’s secret about his immunity idol. This was further compounded when Jonathan took advantage of the buzz to rile her up enough to admit her role in the blindside of Charlie Davis a few episodes before. All this damning evidence against Dee prompted a haiku-spouting Coach to assemble what he called “7 and 4,” referring to the number of votes needed to vote Dee out and also to cover themselves with some votes for Tiffany in case Dee played her Shot in the Dark. Dee reacted by trying to put together votes against Coach, and it looked like tribal council was going to be a toss-up.

Coach’s plan worked to perfection, despite the show giving the appearance that he was in danger for his bossy behavior in assembling the vote. A sorry Dee was voted out for the first time in her Survivor career, with the only stray vote going to Coach and a warning shot fired across Tiffany’s bow in the form of the four security votes. Dee did play her Shot in the Dark, but it failed, so she lost her vote.

Stephenie LaGrossa’s Survivor Journey

Aside from explosive scheming and plenty of fighting, another notable moment in the episode saw Stephenie LaGrossa-Kendrick on a Survivor journey, one of the individual challenges that castaways are occasionally sent on. She didn’t really want to go and miss out on all the social play on the beach, but the group picked her name out of a bag, and she handled it with grace, especially when she saw what her challenge was: the infamous bucket on a swivel, to which one arm was chained, pointing straight up. A win would give her an advantage, a loss would not only drench her but also cost her her vote at the next tribal council.

This was a remarkable event because of Stephenie’s history on the show. She was notably the only castaway whose team lost so much that she was eventually its last member, alone on the Ulong beach in Palau for three days until the tribes merged. She was runner-up the following season in Guatemala, her blunt honesty costing her the top spot by rubbing the jury the wrong way.

However, it is Heroes vs Villains that had an impact on this challenge, because there, she dislocated her shoulder, had it reset in the middle of a very physical challenge, and then had to have surgery on it after the show ended. Forced to use her good arm, she persevered through the entire endurance challenge and won a Steal-a-Vote, allowing her to replace another castaway’s vote with her own at a time of her choosing.

Stephenie spent all day April 9 celebrating this achievement with a video posted to social media teasing the episode, and it was well-earned and richly deserved. As soon as she said, “This is my happy face,” I knew from her posts that we were in for an epic ride.

Survivor 50’s Contestants Are Here To Play

Overall, the episodes that have followed the Zac Brown fiasco have brought a lot of excitement, backstabbing, gameplay both impressive and sloppy, and even controversy. Survivor 50 may be embracing some of the more annoying conventions of the recent seasons of the show, but one thing that is definitely not present is the Girl Scout camp atmosphere: these people are here to play and aren’t pulling any punches.

This is the first season of Survivor in a long time where the contestants are willing to go to war for the million dollars, and it is refreshing to see. Viewers weren’t tuning in to watch the players have a sing-along; they tune in to watch exactly the drama that this season is delivering.

Catch Survivor 50 on CBS on Wednesday nights at 8pm EST and streaming on Paramount Plus the following day. You can also stream all the other seasons on Paramount Plus and get to know or reconnect with the contestants who were invited to return to play this fantastic season.

First lady Melania Trump is denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein and knowledge of his sex crimes. She said on Thursday (April 9) that the “stories are completely false,” calling accusations that she was somehow involved “smears about me.” Her message comes days after President Donald Trump‘s deadline-based threat to bomb Iran, before pulling it back during the last hour.

RELATED: Videos Show Bill Clinton Explaining Ties To Jeffrey Epstein, Smiling While Viewing Old Photos And Denying He “Likes Them Young” (WATCH)

Melania Trump Shuts Down Alleged Ties To Jeffrey Epstein

Melania Trump addressed the Epstein allegations about her while reading a statement at the White House. She said she and her attorneys were fighting back against “unfound and baseless lies” regarding her connections to Jeffrey.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today. The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation,” Mrs.Trump said.

Also, the first lady mentioned her husband several times, who appears in the Epstein files tens of thousands of times, according to The New Republic. She said, contrary to some rumors, Epstein did not introduce her to Trump. Instead, she allegedly met her future husband at a party in NYC in 1998.

Furthermore, Mrs. Trump called on Congress to hold a public hearing centered on survivors of Epstein’s crimes. She also suggested an opportunity for them to testify before lawmakers and have their stories entered into the congressional record.

“Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes,” she said. “Then, and only then, we will have the truth.”

First Lady Melania Trump’s Statement pic.twitter.com/fSEz24NEyg

— First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) April 9, 2026

Is Melania Listed In The Epstein Files?

Melania Trump’s calls for the issue to go back to Congress came after the DOJ released millions of pages of documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Today, Mrs. Trump said in her statement that she was not friends with Jeffrey Epstein or his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, but was in overlapping social circles in New York and Florida. She described an email reply she sent to Maxwell as “casual correspondence” without elaborating. “My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trifle,” she said.

Among the documents was a brief email from 2002 with the sender and recipient blacked out. It begins, “Dear G!” and ends “Love, Melania.” It also compliments the recipient on a magazine article about “JE.”

“I know you are very busy flying all over the world,” it says. “How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY.”

That email was sent the same month that a New York Magazine article was published about Jeffrey Epstein. In it, Trump called the financier a “terrific guy.” Among other documents released was an image from Epstein’s home showing a series of photographs along a credenza and in drawers. In that image, inside a drawer among other photos, was a photograph of Trump, Epstein, Melania Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Why Is Melania Speaking Out About Epstein Now?

It was not immediately clear what prompted the first lady to speak out about this issue now. The seemingly out-of-the-blue message came as Trump and his administration had finally seemed to move past the Epstein controversy that had followed them for over a year. Now, the first lady’s comments have put the Trump-Epstein allegations back in the spotlight, even after the president urged the public and media to move on. The White House account on X reshared a video of Melania’s announcement posted by the first lady’s account. However, it didn’t add any comment.

Meanwhile, Democrats jumped on Melania Trump’s comments, saying they agreed with her call for a congressional hearing. Rep. Robert Garcia is the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee that is investigating Epstein. In a social media post, Garcia called on the Republican chair of the committee, Rep. James Comer, to schedule a public hearing “immediately.” Also on X, the Democrats called for the cover-up investigation to start with Donald Trump.

The Epstein cover-up must end.

Start by investigating Trump. https://t.co/mK0Rrr7qgP pic.twitter.com/hZuUdmTInX

Advertisement

— Democrats (@TheDemocrats) April 9, 2026

RELATED: Just In Time? Trump Agrees To Pause Iran Bombing As Nation Presents “Workable” Peace Plan (UPDATE)

Associated Press writers Collin Binkley, Will Weisset and Stephen Groves contributed to this report via AP Newsroom. 

Whew, Roommates! When it comes to smoke, Donald Trump isn’t ducking any of it. The president called out four media figures — Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly, Alex Jones, and Tucker Carlson on Truth Social for disagreeing with his decision to go to war with Iran. But Candace isn’t backing down. She appeared to peep his lengthy post and clapped back, letting him know exactly how she feels in just a few words.

RELATED: Just In Time? Trump Agrees To Pause Iran Bombing As Nation Presents “Workable” Peace Plan (UPDATE)

Donald Trump Drags Candace Owens & More Over Iran War Stance

Recently, Donald Trump hopped on Truth Social to get a lot of his chest. In a lengthy post, he called out Candace Owens along with some of his other biggest supporters — Megyn Kelly, Alex Jones, and Tucker Carlson — accusing them of turning their backs on the MAGA movement and opposing his stance on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Trump didn’t hold back, he claimed they all share on thing in common: “Low IQs.” He kept the insults coming, labeling them as “nut jobs and troublemakers.” Donnie also accused the group of being willing to “say anything necessary for some free and cheap publicity.” He continued, “They’re not “MAGA,” they’re losers, just trying to latch on to MAGA.” 

Despite popping off in his lengthy post, Donald Trump made it clear that he’s unfazed by Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, and Alex Jones. He said he’s too busy holding down the country to worry about their criticism. Trump also doubled down on MAGA, stressing that it truly stands for “Making America Great Again.” He added that each of them “don’t have any idea how to do that,” while he believes he knows exactly how, claiming the United States is the “HOTTEST” country anywhere in the world right now.

Candace Keeps It Cute & Firm Amid Trump’s Call Out

Candace wasn’t here for Trump’s shade at all. She hopped on X (formerly Twitter) to clap back, questioning his cognitive skills. “It may be time to put Grandpa up in a home.” Folks online were surprised by response since she usually stands as a strong supporter of him and the MAGA movement. However, back in June 2025 during an interview on ‘Piers Morgan Uncensored,’ she said she believed Trump was a better pick over Kamala Harris. Still, she admitted that she regretted voting for him.

“I think he was the better candidate […] certainly a better candidate above former President Joe Biden. But what I will say is that he’s been a chronic disappointment, and I feel embarrassed that I told people to go vote for him,” Candace said.

Social Media Weighs In After Candace Claps Back At Trump’s Fiery Post

Folks jumped right in on Trump and Candace Owens over in The Shade Room’s comment section. Some said they never expected to see them beefing, while others kept it real and said one thing about those tables — they always turn.

Instagram user @shanell.sorrells wrote, “never thought i’d see the day.” 

instagram user @talkyoshitlilken wrote, “we not agreeing with her, she finally agreeing with us 🙏🏽” 

While Instagram user @walkwithdevwalker wrote, “It warms my heart watching them crumble.” 

Then Instagram user @talkyoshitlilken wrote, “we not agreeing with her, she finally agreeing with us 🙏🏽”

Another Instagram user @savvy_nicolez wrote, “Even MAGA supporters aren’t safe LOL.” 

Instagram user @karranr_ wrote, “He heated, he the birthday candle… no I’m not finna stop ts 😂” 

While another Instagram user @lets.get.ready.to.stumble wrote, “This is like watching, “Mean Girls”, when the cool clique starts to turn on each other 🍿🍿” 

Then another instagram user @rem_the_audacious_ wrote, “The gworls are fightinggggg 😬😬😬” 

Finally, Instagram user @iknowwhereiwanttoeat wrote, “How the tables have turned 😂😂” 

RELATED: Trump Warns “A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight” As Iran Says 14 Million Are Ready To Defend Nation (UPDATE)

If you’re looking for an easy way to elevate your spring outfits without overthinking every detail, Lauren Conrad just delivered it. The designer stepped out in sleek, backless loafers that instantly upgrade even the most low-key looks. Naturally, we found a nearly identical version on Amazon for just $60 that captures the same refined, wear-on-repeat feel.

Spotted in New York City on April 7, 2026, she paired them with relaxed denim, a camel coat and oversized sunglasses. The overall look leans minimal, but still taps into that understated rich mom aesthetic that always looks expensive. Consider this your comfy outfit upgrade of the season — no styling stress required.

Get the QIY Backless Slip On Penny Loafers for just $60 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, April 9, 2026, but are subject to change.

We may not know Conrad’s exact loafers, but this QIY pair comes impressively close. The backless, slip-on design makes them an easy grab-and-go option, while still looking polished enough for everyday wear. Details like the faux leather finish, gathered ruching and classic strap add that elevated, rich-looking touch.

Related: Lindsay Lohan’s Relaxed Jeans Feel Cooler (and Comfier) Than Skinnies

Advertisement

At a certain point, skinny jeans just stop being the easiest clothing option. They’re restrictive, hard to style and don’t quite give that effortless look most of Us are going for anymore. A pair of relaxed denim, on the other hand, does all of that without sacrificing comfort — and Lindsay Lohan just proved it. […]

They come in the reality star’s classic black pick, which pairs effortlessly with everything from off-duty denim to more polished office staples. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, options like suede chocolate and camel offer a fresh, spring-ready update. No matter the color, they instantly elevate the look.

The appeal goes beyond celebrity styling — shoppers are calling them a standout, too. One reviewer noted they offer a “designer-inspired look,” adding that the faux leather feels “high quality.” Another highlighted the convenience, saying they’re “great for busy mornings, office wear or quick errands.”

If you’re ready to elevate your spring outfits without overthinking it, this chic loafer is an easy place to start. It delivers that same polished, rich mom feel Conrad made look so effortless, but in a way that actually fits into your everyday wardrobe. At just $60, it’s a simple upgrade that you’ll reach for on repeat all season.

Love the look but want to see a few more takes on the trend? Scroll through similar backless loafers we’re eyeing below.

Shop more black slip-on loafers that we love:

Not your style? Explore more denim tops here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Advertisement

Related: Olivia Munn’s Butter Yellow Blouse Is a Chic Spring Upgrade

There’s one sunny color that’s taking over spring wardrobes, and Olivia Munn is the latest celeb to wear it. The actress stepped out in a butter yellow blouse that feels soft, elevated and subtly statement-making. Simply put, it’s the easiest way to refresh your outfits this season. You can absolutely recreate the look without splurging, […]

Nicole Kidman heated up the red carpet with a cheeky look.

Kidman, 58, flashed some skin at the Margo’s Got Money Troubles premiere at the Regal Union Square theater in New York City on Wednesday, April 8. She rocked a Schiaparelli outfit featuring a fitted top with white scaly details and long, sheer sleeves adorned with lace.

The Babygirl actress teamed the top with a matching skirt that exposed her bum with sheer cutouts. Kidman added a touch of sparkle to her ensemble with a diamond cuff bracelet and coordinating rings. She further accessorized with hoop earrings.

For glam, Kidman stunned with soft makeup, including dewy skin, filled-in and feathered eyebrows, blushed cheeks and lined, pink lips. Her blue eyes popped with brown eyeshadow blended into her crease. She completed her glam with mascara. Her strawberry blonde hair was pulled back into a chic ponytail with her bangs parted over her forehead.

Related: Nicole Kidman Upgrades the ‘Naked’ Trend With Daringly Low Cut Dress

Theo Wargo/Getty Images Nicole Kidman put her own twist on the “naked” trend at the Expats premiere in New York City.  Kidman, 56, graced the Sunday, January 21, red carpet in a skin-baring gown by Versace. While most “naked” dresses are often categorized by sheer and mesh fabric, Kidman’s look was an upgraded take on […]

At the premiere, Kidman posed with costar Elle Fanning, who looked gorgeous in a Givenchy outfit. (Kidman portrays a professor in the Apple TV series.)

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Fanning, 28, who plays college dropout turned OnlyFans model Margo Millet, went topless underneath a navy double-breasted blazer featuring light blue pinstripes. She matched the piece with striped pants and added a pop of color to her ensemble with a leather scarf.
Fanning beamed with a bright red lip and simple eye makeup. She wore her platinum blonde hair down and parted to the side.

Related: Nicole Kidman Knows Her Miu Miu Miniskirt Stirred Controversy 

Advertisement

Nicole Kidman is aware of the chatter surrounding her February 2022 Vanity Fair cover. The 56-year-old actress took a major fashion risk, gracing the front page in a tiny miniskirt by Miu Miu. The piece — which debuted on the fashion house’s spring/summer 2022 runway — featured a pleated construction and nearly exposed Kidman’s bum. She styled the […]

Margo’s Got Money Troubles follows Margo as she drops out of college and starts an OnlyFans account to make money. More cast members include Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman and Michael Angarano.

The first three episodes of the series premiere on AppleTV+ on April 15. The show then follows a weekly schedule with episodes being released on Wednesdays.

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Elsbeth Season 3, Episode 15.Last week’s episode of Elsbeth, “Deadutante,” with J. Smith-Cameron as guest star, marked a high point in the season, placing this week’s “Otherwise Enraged” in the rather unenviable position of following it up. Thankfully, Carrie Preston and company, along with guest star Beanie Feldstein, are up for the challenge, and while “Otherwise Enraged” doesn’t quite hit the high-bar set last week, it comes pretty darn close. How close? Read on.

Beanie Feldstein is a Foul Friend in Elsbeth’s “Otherwise Enraged”

“Hey friends, I’m getting married!” starts Rachel Withers in voiceover, admitting she’s kidding. She’s reading from the email invitation to her friends for a party, a guilt trip of the highest degree, with Rachel reminding them of the countless hours coordinating events and the thousands spent on gifts for them, without asking for anything in return. Now it’s her turn, choosing to throw a party to celebrate the villa in southern France that her aunt left her in her will. “Come celebrate with me,” she adds before laying out expectations: no cellphones, no children, toasts in her honor are required, gifts of French pre-war pieces, and the dress code is “Regency chic.”

Rachel comes down the stairs at the Brooklyn Carriage House, where her party is in final preparations before guests arrive. But as time wears on, it’s evident that no guests are coming. She retrieves her phone, only to see a host of lame excuses from her friends for not coming. She tells everyone to go home and begins pounding back her cocktails. Finally, she leaves, only for a cyclist to accidentally brush against her on the bridge, leading to her breaking a heel. The cyclist, a barista named Carson (Pierre Marais), assumes she’s jumping off the bridge and, smitten with her, begs Rachel to reconsider. She’s not, despite it all, and, unable to take his number because she left her phone at the venue, grabs his business card.

Related

‘Elsbeth’s Carrie Preston Wants a Crossover with This ‘Evil’ Character

Carrie Preston also shares a story about overcoming her nerves while shooting a scene with Julia Roberts for the 2009 flick ‘Duplicity.’

Advertisement

She promised she’d let Carson know when she got home, but instead she stormed into her friend Kimberly’s apartment, demanding to know why she and her other friends weren’t at her party. It turns into a heated argument, with Kimberly unwilling to indulge in Rachel’s pity party about being a bridesmaid 16 times, yet with no appreciation. “We all appreciate you,” Kimberly adds, “but you could have said no.” The words incite Rachel further, as she rattles off all the gifts Kimberly would never have received if she had said no. But Kimberly’s admission that she told everyone to change their RSVPs, noting that inheriting a house isn’t a true milestone, pushes Rachel over the edge. She knocks Kimberly in the head with the heavy pot she was holding, killing her. Panicked, Rachel puts the pot in the dishwasher and starts it, just as Kimberly’s husband, Howie (Lionel Leede), walks in, drunk as a skunk, and passes out on the couch, oblivious. Sensing an opportunity, Rachel takes an identical pot and places it beside Howie, making it appear that he’s holding it, and runs off.

Rachel Lands on Elsbeth’s Radar in ‘Elsbeth’s “Otherwise Enraged”

Elsbeth is at the station, rewatching Alec Bloom’s (Ivan Hernandez) press conference yet again (the one the last episode teased), where a (seemingly) very penitent Bloom does come clean, urging New Yorkers to look past his transgression and vote not for him, but for the movement to have an affordable city for all. And when asked why he came forward, he explains that “someone very important to me” made him realize that without truth and honesty, he has nothing. Very sweet, but as Elsbeth tells Captain Wagner (Wendell Pierce), “It’s complicated.” What isn’t complicated is the case Wagner has for her: Kimberly’s murder. Howie, her third husband, called the cops on himself, claiming he did it.

Might have done it, that is, and although he can’t recall, Howie believes he must have, simply because of the heave Le Potique pot in his hands. Elsbeth believes he simply wants to find out what happened, but squirrels when she notices strange marks on the floor, which Howie attributes to their elderly neighbor’s cane. That would explain some of the marks, but not all. For that matter, neither is the color of the pot in Howie’s hand, buttercream yellow, and the lid found near the body, lemon daffodil. What does match is the pot in the dishwasher. Only Howie is adamant that he would never put a Le Potique pot in the dishwasher, no matter how drunk he was. The discussion is cut short by Kimberly’s nearby phone going off, with someone named Rachel texting to check in on her after she wasn’t at the party.

Related

‘Elsbeth’ Enters the High Class World of a ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Star in New First Look [Exclusive]

Carrie Preston will have “High Class Problems” on CBS in three weeks.

Back at Wagner’s office, they start reading through Rachel’s party invitation, with both Wagner and Donnelly taken aback at the requests being made to celebrate something that barely qualifies as a milestone. Elsbeth, of course, thinks the party sounded fun, and offers to question her about what she knows regarding Kimberly and Howie’s marriage or, as Wagner astutely notes, to ask about the party. Rachel is at a Western-themed gender reveal party she’s put together for another friend when Elsbeth, in a pink cowboy hat, moseys on up beside her. Elsbeth is surprised to hear that Rachel isn’t a party planner, given her talent, but Rachel chalks it up to just a part of being a maid of honor and a good friend.

But when the topic turns to her emailed invite, Rachel denies the resentful tone, saying it was a joke email that reflected their sense of humor, and that even Kimberly thought it was funny. That piques Elsbeth’s curiosity, and she asks why, if Kimberly loved it, she didn’t come to the party since she was alone and just waiting for Howie to come home from the bar. That provides Rachel with an opportunity to avoid the question, saying how that isn’t unusual, and adding that she checked in after not hearing from her. That, too, is curious, with Elsbeth questioning why she wouldn’t have done so that night, not the next morning. Of course, Rachel couldn’t, with the phone at the venue all night, and she walks away, leaving Elsbeth looking quizzical.

The Party’s Over for Rachel in ‘Elsbeth’s “Otherwise Enraged”

Image via CBS

Back at the station, Donnelly and Elsbeth interview three more of Rachel’s friends, who assert she’s a control freak who gives gifts not out of love, but rather to show off or expecting something in return. Turns out, no one thought Rachel’s email was funny, either, and they disclose how Kimberly pushed them to change their RSVPs. Motive? Perhaps, but from the evidence they have, Rachel couldn’t have known about it. The neighbors never heard anyone buzz at 2:00 am, meaning whoever killed Kimberly had a key. Say Howie, for example, who’s already confessed. Elsbeth still has her eye on Rachel, but her phone records confirm that the phone, and presumably her, were at the Carriage House all night.

Elsbeth confronts Rachel at another party, dropping the information about Kimberly’s email, but doesn’t get the hoped-for reaction that would seal the deal, nor does adding that the lid and pot colors didn’t match. Elsbeth does note that for a party no one attended, there should have been a lot of food left over, but there were only two boxes. A look of panic crosses her face, but Rachel simply says she has no idea how that happened. But one of the catering staff knows, as he came by around 2:00 am to pick up the remaining food for a charity organization. And he didn’t see Rachel at all.

Related

‘Elsbeth’ Delivers a Perfect Episode Featuring ‘Succession’s J. Smith-Cameron as the Hell of the Ball | Review

Elsbeth’s got bite in the best episode of the season to date.

Advertisement

Donnelly informs Elsbeth that forensics found Kimberly’s blood on the pot in the dishwasher, and in the filter, freeing Howie and seemingly justifying Elsbeth’s theory. One problem: Carson. Carson, who arrived at the station in a Cybertruck, is lovingly holding hands with Rachel, explaining how they met that night, with “teardrops raining down her alabaster cheeks,” and confirming that she was with him all night at his apartment. They walk away, leaving more questions. How does a barista afford a Cybertruck? Why are all the pictures of them on social media posted only recently? And why is Rachel wearing shoes at her party that weren’t accurate for the period, as Donnelly points out?

It’s Donnelly’s factoid that cracks the case for Elsbeth, and they approach Rachel, who is at Kimberly’s apartment. Inside, thanks to her key. Rachel was at the apartment at 2:00 am, when something Kimberly said must have triggered her. Desperate to wash away the blood, she threw the pot in the dishwasher and planted another on Howie. As for her alibi, the dealership confirmed that she bought the Cybertruck for Carson so he’d back up her alibi, and the last piece of the puzzle is Rachel’s shoe, the one with the broken heel that created a unique, semi-circle imprint on the floor that matches perfectly. Party’s over, Rachel.

“Otherwise Enraged” has two smaller plotlines, one involving Wagner’s plans for his 30th anniversary that his daughter throws a wrench into, and, of course, Alec Bloom, who apologizes to Elsbeth and asks for only one thing: that she watch E.T. with him, trying to right his previous wrong. He appears honest again, but is he? Stay tuned for next week’s episode.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

February 29, 2024

Directors

Advertisement

Nancy Hower, Robert King, Lionel Coleman, Rob Hardy, Robin Givens, Ron Underwood, Rosemary Rodriguez, Aisha Tyler, Bille Woodruff, James Whitmore Jr., Joe Menendez, Kevin Rodney Sullivan, Lily Mariye, Nick Gomez, Peter Sollett, Sam Hoffman, Tyne Rafaeli, Darren Grant, Fong-Yee Yap, Mary Lou Belli

Writers

Jonathan Tolins, Erica Shelton Kodish, Bryan Goluboff, Sarah Beckett, Michelle King

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Pros & Cons

• Beanie Feldstein is wonderful as Rachel, creating an antagonist with a mild demeanor that hides the crazy.
• The writers have thrown in lot of amusing nuggets in the script, including a custom cocktail called the “Guess my Gender Gimlet” at the gender reveal party.
• Carrie Preston’s energy never fails to impress.

• The storyline about Wagner’s daughter threatening to avoid his 30th Anniversary party, because Detective Rivers will be there, misses.
• A perfect opportunity to bring viewers up to speed on Kaya comes and goes without being seized. Grr.

Sometimes a story is so heinous that it seems incomprehensible that it could happen twice. This was at the heart of Netflix’s 2022 limited series, Keep Sweet, Pray, and Obey. The show was a deep dive into convicted sex offender Warren Jeffs, who was the former cult leader of The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeffs used his clout as the Prophet of FLDS to commit sex crimes against minors. It was a relief when the leader of the Church was sent to prison, but as it turned out, that wasn’t the end of the story.

Netflix’s newest bingeable series details the fallout of the Jeffs story and, heartbreakingly, reveals that this vulnerable community could be targeted again. The four-part series, Trust Me: The False Prophet, shows the circumstances that led another monster to power in the FLDS and the tireless effort of one woman to reveal his crimes.

‘Trust Me: The False Prophet’ is Part Two of a Horrifying Story

In many circles, Warren Jeffs is a recognizable name. The same cannot be said for the new villain plaguing the FLDS community, but that doesn’t make him any less dangerous. The genesis of Trust Me: The False Prophet begins with Christine Marie and her husband, Togas Katas, who start filming a documentary because she wanted to help a society in shambles. A former Mormon herself like so many in pop culture, Christine saw that the remains of the FLDS church needed help. Without Jeffs in the picture, families were being evicted from their homes, and their way of life was crumbling.

Christine has immense empathy for these people, but when she and her cinematographer husband start filming their experience, they have no idea what truth they will discover. After gaining the trust of the community that was famously wary of outsiders, Christine comes to know Sam Bateman, an unassuming member of the Church who starts making waves. Even though Jeffs mandates from prison that no one should be getting married, Sam starts amassing a collection of wives, many of them underage.

Though Sam was affable on the surface, Christine became privy to the disturbing facts about the new self-appointed Prophet. Claiming that he had “impressions from God,” he declares that many of the girls should be given to other men in the Church. Christine starts gathering evidence and discovers that she was only scratching the surface in the disturbing documentary.

The four episodes follow her attempts to get the attention of the authorities and save women and young girls who were being groomed. Bateman seemed to be picking up right where Jeffs left off, and somehow, it is even more brazen. Because the former Prophet wasn’t giving commands anymore, Bateman saw an opportunity to take advantage of women who were compelled not to question their husbands and obey them without complaint.

Sam amasses power by cultivating a close group of male friends who could coerce their wives into doing the unthinkable. Part of the fascination of The False Prophet is the delicate dance Christine and her husband have to do to discreetly save these women. In the tight-knit community, the wives are in a tricky situation where even questioning their husbands is tantamount to heresy. Christine offers her help while also not alerting Sam to what she is doing.

The False Prophet is also an examination of the authorities’ failure to act when it comes to crimes against women. Even though Christine had hard evidence in the form of a confession on tape, it took months for the police to inform the FBI. This is, unfortunately, a running theme for many true crime stories, and the reason that Bateman got away with it for so long and had so many victims. The Netflix series is a fascinating look at a vulnerable group of people whom no one wanted to help.

Advertisement

Release Date

April 8, 2026

Advertisement

Network

Netflix

Directors

Advertisement

Rachel Dretzin, Elise Coker

Advertisement

Cast

• 
• 

Advertisement

Advertisement

Meghan Trainor is pulling back the curtain on the emotional toll behind welcoming a child via surrogacy and making it clear the journey was far from easy.

The “All About That Bass” singer has long been candid about motherhood, including her own birth experiences with her older children. 

However, having a third child through a surrogate came with a different set of difficulties, and she is revealing.

Meghan Trainor Details The ‘Scary’ Part Of Having A Child Through Surrogacy 

During a Thursday, April 9, interview on Kylie Kelce’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, Trainor did not hold back, revealing that the challenges came as far back as during the deliberation process about the method.

“[We had] heartbreaking, big decision-making to do,” Trainor candidly told the host. “And I was struggling with my health and almost towards an autoimmune disease,” she added, noting that surrogacy was her safest option. 

The “Lips Are Movin” singer went on to disclose that it also came with a mixture of emotions, admitting she felt anxious, scared, and jealous of not carrying her baby herself. 

Despite the challenges that came with it, the Grammy winner said having a newborn this time brought noticeable changes. 

“I’ll tell you what’s different is not healing from a C-section with a newborn,” she shared, adding she could be present and care for the baby and her other kids. “So that was the good parts, but there’s a lot of scary parts,” she said. 

Trainor noted she also had to deal with public reaction. Expecting criticism, she chose to avoid reading comments altogether. In the end, she acknowledged that while the process brought plenty of tears, it was ultimately “the best thing” for her family.

Meghan Trainor Previously Defended Her Birth Choice From Critics 

This is not the first time Trainor has stood firm on her decision to grow her family in a non-traditional way.

The Blast reported a few months back that the pop singer addressed the conversation surrounding her choice, making it clear that it isn’t something open to judgment.

Trainor emphasized that every family’s journey looks different, and each one is valid. For her, the decision ultimately came down to choosing the safest path, especially in light of her past health challenges.

The mom of three has been open about those struggles in her 2023 book “Dear Future Mama.” After welcoming her first son, Riley, she revealed she developed post-traumatic stress disorder following his birth.

With her second, Barry, she endured severe physical and emotional strain, including exhaustion and panic attacks, which pushed her to a breaking point.

The Proud Mom Shared The Skin-To-Skin Moment With Her Newborn 

Trainor and her husband, Daryl Sabara, welcomed their girl on January 18, with the singer taking to Instagram to announce the news through a heartfelt post, featuring an emotional moment between mother and daughter. 

As The Blast reported, the intimate shot showed Trainor cradling the baby against her chest, offering a soft smile with teary eyes. Elsewhere in the post, she appeared more composed, posing alongside Sabara.

The post also captured sweet family moments, including their sons meeting their baby sister for the first time. In the caption, Trainor revealed that the boys even played a role in choosing their sister’s name.

As Trainor opens up about her daughter’s birth and the scrutiny surrounding it, she has also not shied away from addressing the criticism she faced over her body transformation.

After “The Made You Look” singer shed more than 60 pounds through a combination of exercise, dietary changes, and the use of the drug Mounjaro, the negative comments she received were in numbers. 

During an appearance on a past episode of “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” the 32-year-old admitted that the backlash hit harder than she expected. “It felt like a flame lit off, and I was just getting attacked by so many mean comments,” she recalled, per The Blast.

Later, while promoting her seventh studio album, she again addressed remarks about being “thin,” emphasizing that she has been prioritizing her health and fitness and feels better than ever. 

Why Meghan Trainor Quit Her Coffee-Drinking Habit 

While focusing on her well-being, Trainor had taken lifestyle shifts like giving up coffee drinking. However, the choice was not random. It was triggered by something a psychic told her husband. 

According to The Blast, Trainor shared that the psychic, whom she had never met, described her as relying heavily on caffeine, using it to push through the day, then crashing later. That comment struck a nerve because it was exactly what she’d been experiencing.

She realized that she was using it to stay energized, only to feel drained later and even restless at night. So she quit immediately. 

Jack Black is known today for his iconic appearance and scruffy beard, but there was once a time when he could have passed for a model.

A post shared on Instagram revealed pictures of a younger version of the actor and singer from when he was 23.

Jack Black, in the pictures, possessed well-defined features and no long hair or beard, which left fans surprised and gushing over how different he looked back then.

Jack Black’s Younger Version Possessed Sharply Defined Facial Features

Long before he became known for his larger-than-life comedic roles, Black had a look that might surprise many fans today.

Newly resurfaced photos of the star at just 23 years old show a drastically different appearance compared to the full bearded, white-and-grey look he is now more associated with.

In the photo shared by an account on Instagram, Black has a very clean, closely cropped haircut, like a typical military brat.

He possessed sharply defined facial features that gave him an almost model-like presence and had no facial hair.

His facial expression was also serious and focused, far removed from the cheerful persona he has often portrayed in his movies.

According to the account that shared the image, the picture was taken in 1992, although it was not noted what the occasion was.

Fans Were Shocked By How Different Jack Black’s Younger Version Looked

Seeing Black look so different came as a shock for many netizens, and they took to the comment section to express their surprise.

One user shared that the pictures confirmed their earlier thoughts about the actor being very attractive.

“I’ve always thought he was good-looking and very sexy, but he definitely looks like a bad boy there,” the netizen commented.

A second netizen leaned into the narrative that Black at that age could model for brands, saying that the actor “actually has that model face.”

Advertisement

Another claimed that the actor’s then look was perfect to play the lead role in the popular Jason Bourne franchise.

“He would’ve made a great Jason Bourne,” the user said of Black. Another person commented, “Almost everyone was hot once.”

“Now I understand Elle Fanning,” one more netizen wrote, referencing the actress who once called Black “sex on legs.”

Jack Black Recently Celebrated His 20th Marriage Anniversary

The resurfacing of the throwback photos comes more than a month after Black celebrated 20 years of marriage with his wife, Tanya Haden.

At the time, the actor took to his Instagram page to walk down memory lane, sharing moments he and his 54-year-old wife had captured throughout their relationship.

Advertisement

Among the images Black posted was one showing Haden gazing lovingly into his eyes in a fun way.

Another captured the couple meditating with their two sons, Samuel “Sammy” Jason Black, 19, and Thomas “Tommy” David Black, 17, when the boys were still toddlers.

A third snap featured Haden sitting on Black’s lap, with both of them all smiles.

The heartfelt tribute also featured snapshots of Haden playing the drums and posing with their sons when they were infants.

Advertisement

Several other pictures and videos added to the montage were of Haden enjoying a happy moment.

Completing the post, Black added a heartfelt caption that read, “20 years! Happy anniversary, my love. @tanyahaden.”

Jack Black Previously Opened Up About Meeting His Wife, Tanya Haden

Black’s relationship with his wife began in 2005, even though they had already known each other from attending the same high school.

Speaking of why he waited that long to make his move, the actor told Parade in 2015 that it was due to his shyness.

“I didn’t date Tanya or talk to her or anything in high school,” he told the outlet. “I was pretty shy. I just watched her from afar.”

Advertisement

He continued, “We only started dating like 20 years after high school.”

The Actor’s Wife Changed His Views On Marriage

According to Black, his wife, whom he married in 2006, changed his view about marriage.

“Before Tanya, I had always felt like marriage was not for me,” Black says. “I didn’t like the way it worked out with my parents. I didn’t ever want to be in a divorce, so I was never going to get married,” Black added.

The actor also linked the success of their marriage to his love for her.

“I love her! I’d had decades of flings where, as soon as it was over, I was looking for the exit,” Black said of Haden. “I never feel that need to escape with Tanya.”

Advertisement