Entertainment

How Janelle James Became One of TV’s Most Impressive Breakout Stars

Published

4 hours ago

15 April 2026

‘Abbott Elementary’ star Janelle James photographed by Madi Atkins for Collider on March 25, 2026, in North Hollywood, California.

Janelle James settles comfortably onto the couch of her hotel room, looking relaxed and alert, despite having only recently woken up for our interview. Even with the lights down on the Warner Bros. sound stage during Abbott Elementary’s hiatus, James remains very much in the spotlight. When we spoke, the Emmy-nominated comedian was already back on the road for Janelle James On Tour, having performed for college students in Boston the night before.

James and I begin our conversation with something we have in common: a love of vinyl. We’re both collectors, and every so often, she shares current records she’s spinning or new finds on her Instagram stories. Her collection is vast – Billy Squier, Celia Cruz, and the entire discography of Björk. One of her favorites is a Womack & Womack record featuring “I Can Understand It.” “I’ve been looking for that forever, and I walked into this place randomly. It was a bookstore, but then they also had records, and then they had that there.”

In case anyone is keeping score, James is currently hunting for Stevie Wonder’s “Another Star,” which is only available as a 7-inch record. When I ask whether music connects to her work, James makes it clear that the two are separate for her. “I do like having my separate hobbies, [and] different interests and not bringing everything into the things that make me money in a way. The new thing of making everything you like into a venture of capitalism does not jive with me. It is just a separate thing I do.”

James Isn’t Ava Coleman, but the Separation Has Gotten Harder Over Time

It’s easy to look at James and assume she’s like Ava. She’s confident, charismatic, and unafraid to speak her mind. But to James and the people closest to her, there’s a clear difference between her and her Emmy-nominated character. “No one who really knows me thinks that I’m like Ava.” She does admit, though, that as the series has gone on, the line between character and performer has gotten blurrier. “I have added more of my personality into the character, and the writers have as well. Not only my personality [and] my interests, [but] even some of my jokes are in the show. It’s been harder to separate it.”

It would be easy for James to coast on that success playing Ava. “I know that I could, in fact, just go on the road as this character,” she admits. When you’re known for a standout role that’s resonated, there’s always some temptation to lean into it as much as possible. “We’ll see how my career goes,” she laughs, adding, “You’ll see me draped across a piano in Vegas as Ava Coleman.” Yet for James, at least right now, that separation remains valuable. “My own stubbornness and my desire to keep myself separate is what stops me from doing that, from appearing as her everywhere.”

But James understands that Ava Coleman has come to mean so much to so many. She’s a well-rounded character, someone with enough layers to feel both relatable and aspirational. “Black women in my age group love her because they see themselves in me — in her and me. Young adults see me, see her as aspirational. People who maybe feel like they’re lacking self-confidence like her because they’re like, ‘Oh, I love this person who’s displaying confidence and who speaks out in a way that I think I would love to be able to do, too.’ Other people love her because she’s so well-dressed and fashionable, and they love that about her. Other people love that she’s sarcastic, and they’re like, ‘That’s how I am.’” And to James’ credit, Ava never feels like a caricature. “That’s why people assume I’m her, because I’m doing a good job of bringing this character to life.”

James Isn’t Interested in Keeping Her Comedy the Same

Before acting entered the picture, James was first and foremost a comedian. When she first started, she was emulating the comics around her, most of whom were Midwestern white guys. Their style at the time was somber, which happened to line up with where she was in life 15 years ago. “I started at a very sad time in my life.” But being around those comedians made her realize she liked the challenge of it. “It’s a problem solving of how do I make this thing that isn’t on its face funny, funny? Oh, I’m feeling this way about something, or I see something that’s upsetting, or I feel like this is a common experience that people don’t talk about. How do I make that funny and put it into my acts? That’s what keeps me excited about comedy.”

Over the course of her stand-up career, her own personal style has evolved. In the beginning, she was emulating Todd Barry. “He does very deadpan. He doesn’t move around a lot, is monotone, no act out. He was one of the first comedians who did pure crowdwork material.” However, as she got more comfortable with her routine and came out of her own depression, she began to add more of herself into her style. “Oh, I’m not this deadpan in real life. I’m actually quite joyous. So I just started trying to add some of my joy back into this subject matter that I was doing.”

“I get bored easily. I never want to get bored of what I’m doing.”

From there, she would go on to open for Chris Rock during his 2017 Total Blackout tour, release her comedy album Black and Mild, and be featured in two Netflix comedy specials, The Comedy Lineup and The Standups. Even with Abbott’s success, she still finds joy in performing stand-up. “It’s such a niche form of entertainment. I always remember that people can go their whole life and never see a real stand-up comedy show. You really got to search it out. I always try to do a good job because if someone comes to a show, and they hate it, they will never check anyone out ever again.”

Even though it’s taken her a decade to find her style, don’t expect James to stop evolving or simply incorporate Ava Coleman into her routine. “I get bored easily. I never want to get bored of what I’m doing.” She still enjoys tackling depression and other dark subject matter in her act, but it’s the craft of her comedy that keeps things interesting for her. “Once I master a new craft — the last few years I’ve been trying to do more physical things on stage — I’m like, okay, I got that.” James has done deadpan and physical work. What’s the new thing she’s trying to master? Riffing, thanks to Rory Scovel. “He does a lot of riffing and has fun on stage, and so that’s my new goal for myself as a stand-up. I think I’ll just continue to evolve my style.”

James Doesn’t Think ‘Abbott Elementary’ Should Be the Only Reason We Care About Teachers

Janelle James as Ava standing in a hallway and looking flirtatious in Abbot Elementary.

Abbott Elementary is a love letter to teachers, inspired by Quinta Brunson’s mom and her 40+ year career as a public school teacher. For all the ways the elementary school in the series is underfunded, there’s still a palpable sense of support for the students. When James reflects on her time in school, it’s the strictest teachers who had the greatest impact on her. “It was always the teachers I thought were too tough.” In particular, she had a speech teacher who helped pave the way for her future career. “I thought it was gonna be just a blow it off, easy [class]. ‘I know how to talk. I’m gonna ace this.’ He was so strict, and then years later, I realized taking that class is what helped me become a stand-up, to become comfortable speaking in front of a crowd.”

Working on Abbott and being a mother herself, the lack of support teachers receive bothers her. “It’s sad because we’re a society that says we care about children. We say we care about education. We say that we’re a great country. It’s not shown in any way towards these people that spend most of their time and most of our kids’ time with them.” In her eyes, as a person in the world, the sacrifices these dedicated educators make are obvious. “Why do we have to keep having this conversation that should be on its face to know how important these people are to our society?”

James knows the impact Abbott can have in highlighting the systemic brokenness in American education. It’s a topic that’s been around since she was a child, and it shouldn’t take a TV show to celebrate the hard work and dedication of teachers. “It should be icing on the cake. They should already be so lauded and everything.” Despite this, she’s proud that Abbott exists to keep the spotlight where it belongs. “I’m glad we exist to open our own way. I’m against the entertainment as a news thing that happens, but if it helps, then great. But it shouldn’t be on the comedy show’s back for people to realize how much sacrifice teachers are making.”

‘Abbott Elementary’ Season 5 Is About Ava Coleman Stepping Up as Principal

Ava Coleman has come a long way since Abbott’s first season in 2021. She began as the zany, uninvolved principal who got the job only after blackmailing the superintendent. While much of her personality has remained just as outgoing and magnetic, her connections to her job and her coworkers, including Janine, have deepened. Season 4 is what James calls the “Ava season.” Audiences met Ava’s father, played by the legendary Keith David, and the strained relationship she has with him. Plus, Ava took the fall for the bribery scandal with the new golf course and was briefly fired. For Season 5, it’s about Ava stepping up even more seriously into her role, which includes a brief relocation to an abandoned mall. “Seeing her step up to the plate and taking responsibility for things that she hasn’t even done or even been responsible for is a very non-Ava thing to do. The challenge of this season or the new exciting thing of this season is to see her show that professional side that she hasn’t done before.”

In addition to her professional side, Ava’s relationships continue to expand, like her romantic relationship with O’Shon (Matthew Law) and her working relationship with Dia (Pam Trotter), the school’s secretary. Both O’Shon and Dia, in their own way, expose a softer side to Ava, one that doesn’t want to lose those she’s come to rely on. Even though the season places more emphasis on her school life than her backstory, Season 5 still highlights James’ favorite aspect of Ava – her lack of vulnerability. “I understand it, and I love how it’s being peeled back.”

Over the past five seasons, Ava Coleman has transformed from a disinterested principal into the right leader for what Abbott Elementary needs. This is in no small part due to the writing of the series and James’ own created backstory for the educator. “What I’ve built as her backstory is that she’s somebody who grew up in the same environment that she’s now working in. She totally understands that these kids don’t have what they need. Things don’t work how they’re supposed to, and doing things in the correct way doesn’t always yield the best results. She knows how to hustle.” It’s that hustle and drive that keep the school running, and the school is better for it.

James Loves All Her ‘Abbott’ Co-Stars, but Her Favorite Scene Partner Is Her Boss

What makes Abbott Elementary special for audiences is the synergy of the cast. Within five seasons, Abbott has become one of the best modern sitcom ensembles, and James recognizes that. “Every once in a while, I’ll be on set, mostly in the teacher’s lounge, and we’ll be doing a group scene. Those are the moments where sometimes I don’t have a lot of lines, or I’ve already said my line, and my brain will shift and I’ll be just looking around and I’ll be like… ‘I’m on a sitcom.’”

When asked about her cast, she has nothing but praise for each of them. For Chris Perfetti, she hangs out with him the most off-set. “Chris [Perfetti] is my homie.” James has a good time in her scenes with Lisa Ann Walter, another stand-up comedian. With Tyler James Williams, his professionalism and time in the industry challenge her to step up. “I feel like he makes me better.” James also admits that she likes looking at Sheryl Lee Ralph‘s face and her sparkly eyes (which, honestly, who wouldn’t).

As for her favorite scene partner, there was no hesitation for James – her boss and co-star, Quinta Brunson. “We just have a good banter. I like that big sister-little sister relationship that Ava and Janine have. We have a similar sense of humor.” With Quinta in charge, there’s an ease to everything and an instant reinforcement. “She’s right there, so I could pitch to her without having to go through another channel to get the joke to her.”

From ‘Abbott Elementary’ to ‘Ted Lasso,’ 10 Modern Sitcoms That Are 10/10, No Notes

Laughter is still the best medicine.

Even though she has direct access to Quinta, it doesn’t mean James knows everything about what’s coming for Ava in the future. “Quinta [Brunson] doesn’t tell us anything. [Laughs] Rightly so, you see how much I talk.” Something James wants to explore more is Ava’s backstory, like the whereabouts of Ava’s mom. “I’m not hoping for anything, but I’m wondering, is she alive? What’s the deal with that? Maybe it’ll be said and not shown.” More than her mom, James wants to unpack what happened to nerdy, younger Ava that made her harden up. “Part of my backstory is that she’s more like Janine than she lets on. It’s shown here and there in her nerdy interests and aspects… Maybe before that happened, she was more bright-eyed and hopeful in a way in a Janine way. We don’t really do flashbacks, but it would be cool.” If they were ever to do flashbacks, she trusts their casting department to bring in new talent to play a younger Ava Coleman. “Our casting has been so spot-on, not only for my dad, all our parents, all our siblings, everybody. I think it would be a new person that kills it.”

James Isn’t Just Interested in Talking About Deep Subjects – She’s Contemplating Them

Throughout our time together, James interjects that she talks too much, which, to me, isn’t a problem. There’s a reason why she’s captivated so many through Abbott and her stand-up. I’m trying to capture every word and piece together who the real Janelle James is. When our conversation turns to success, the timing feels apt. After all, Abbott Elementary has been renewed for its sixth season, which means the series will cross the 100-episode threshold and hit syndication status. At a time of shortened series and streaming dominance, this 2020s sitcom has entered a rare yet revered benchmark. “Already?”

When I ask what this benchmark means to her, she admits that it’s not something she thinks about every day. “We shoot a lot of episodes, 22 in a season, so we’re like a machine. Sometimes you’re in it, but you don’t have time to take it in… It just passes through because I’m on my way to work.”

Just as Abbott Elementary has earned widespread recognition and success, so has James. She’s a four-time Emmy nominee touring a new stand-up routine and evolving as a comedian. This level of success means that she can take care of her family and the people in her life. However, the success and money she’s gained mean she can buy something you’d probably not expect — time for contemplation. “Another reason I’m a comedian, I’m a big ruminator. I think money buys you time for true rumination. Now I don’t have to do it in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping,” she laughs. “I can carve off time to contemplate existence and all the thoughts that I have in my head, which then come out in even more jokes.”

“I think people are missing out on a whole chunk of the human existence.”

With the state of the world, there are plenty of topics to ruminate on. For James, she’s thinking about everything from the future that will exist for her children to the repercussions of the pandemic. She’s also questioning this societal stepping back from community, especially when it comes to dating. “I think people are missing out on a whole chunk of the human existence. I ruminate on that and why that exists, why that’s being seemingly pushed so much. What is the product that’s being sold on the other end of that for us to become very individualistic and always in the house?”

James is a big thinker, and it’s these thoughtful meditations that become material for her stand-up. “Those are all things that I try to turn into jokes. Sometimes successfully and sometimes not.” This isn’t a stretch considering her early material focused on depression and somber comedy. No longer having to carve out time in the middle of the night, success has meant she gets to slow down and turn these deep questions into something that makes you laugh. That’s worth more to her than stuff. “I always say people think money is stuff. For me, it’s time. It’s an experience and being able to slow down and realize we’re all on this planet… That’s the true blessing to me.”

Photographer: Madi Atkins | Hair: Joy Johnson | Makeup: Carla Rosso-Neal | Nails: Nails by Aran | Clothes: Veronica Beard

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Ruby Rose Accuses Katy Perry Of Sexual Assault, Police React

Published

9 minutes ago

15 April 2026

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Katy Perry Ruby Rose Sexual Assault Allegations Viral Threads Posts Australian Law Enforcement

Katy Perry is reportedly under investigation by Australian police following shocking allegations made by Ruby Rose. Page Six reported the update just days after Ruby’s claims went viral. Rose accused the ‘I Kissed A Girl’ singer of rubbing her bare vulva on Rose’s face inside a nightclub in 2010. While Rose claimed to have evidence and witnesses, Perry’s rep has called the claims false.

RELATED: Jourdin Pauline Says She Plans To Take Lie Detector Test Amid Sexual Assault Claims Against Tylil James (VIDEOS)

What Did Ruby Rose Accuse Katy Perry Of Doing?

Ruby Rose launched her sexual assault claims against Katy Perry on Sunday. First, she replied to a Complex article which highlighted Katy Perry’s reaction to Justin Bieber’s Coachella performance. Rose replied, “Katy Perry [sexually] assaulted me at Spice Market nightclub in Melbourne. Who gives a sh*t what she thinks.” In another post, the ‘Orange Is The New Black’ actress revealed she was in her early 20s when the incident happened.

“I’m now 40. It has taken almost 2 decades to say this publicly,” Ruby Rose wrote on Threads. “Though I am grateful to have made it long enough to find my voice, it just shows how much of an impact trauma and sexual assault takes. Thank you for seeing me.”

Another reply, per PEOPLE, said that Katy Perry saw Ruby Rose resting her head on her friend’s lap in the nightclub “to avoid her,” then suddenly the singer, “bent down, pulled her underwear to the side and rubbed her disgusting vagina on my face until my eyes snapped open and I projectile vomited on her.”

The actress continued to reveal details as fans asked questions about the incident. She confirmed she didn’t file a report at the time. However, she welcomed a lawsuit from Katy Perry , doubting it would actually happen. “She won’t, because it happened, I have photos and it was literally in public and witnessed by multiple people. Plus there is so much more that happened in the years leading up to her silly song she won’t want me discussing. The psychological manipulation is strong with that one.”

Ruby Rose said she turned the nightclub incident into a “funny little drunk story” while telling it publicly because she “didn’t know how else to handle it.” Also, Perry later allegedly agreed to Rose secure her US visa, and Rose kept what happened “a secret.”

Katy Perry’s Rep Slams “Dangerous” Allegations

On Monday (April 13), a rep for Katy Perry shut down the sexual misconduct allegations. The rep also called out Ruby Rose, claiming she has a history of making baseless accusations.

“The allegations being circulated on social media by Ruby Rose about Katy Perry are not only categorically false, they are dangerous, reckless lies. Ms. Rose has a well-documented history of making serious public allegations on social media against various individuals, claims that have repeatedly been denied by those named,” the rep reportedly said, per PEOPLE.

Melbourne Police Involved Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

On Tuesday (April 14), Ruby Rose circled back to Threads to double down on her sexual assault allegations against Katy Perry. She had followed through on a previous post about taking the matter to the police, and her Tuesday post served as a “last update.”

“As of this afternoon, I have finalized all of my reports. This means I am no longer able to comment, repost, or talk publicly about any of those cases, or the individuals involved. It’s going to look like I am ignoring everything from supportive messages, to other people’s experiences, but I’m not,” Ruby Rose wrote on Threads. “This is a standard request from the police and in many ways, quite the relief. I can start the healing process now. And temporary move forward. I love you all so much.”

That same day, the Acting Sergeant of Victoria Police, Paul Hogan, gave a statement to Page Six on the matter. Hogan confirmed an investigation is underway.

“Melbourne Sexual Offenses and Child Abuse Investigation Team detectives are investigating a historical sexual assault that occurred in Melbourne in 2010,” Hogan said. “Police have been told the incident occurred at a licensed premises in Melbourne’s Central Business District.”

Katy Perry has spoken out against Ruby Rose’s claims aside from her rep’s statement. However, also on Tuesday, she reportedly shared her 2013 song, ‘By The Grace of God’, on Instagram Stories with the message, “I love you.”

RELATED: Bill Cosby Found Liable For Sexually Assaulting Donna Motsinger In 1972, Jury Awards Nearly $60 Million

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Lena Dunham thanks Taylor Swift in acknowledgments of book that details Jack Antonoff drama

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20 minutes ago

15 April 2026

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“I love you so much and forever, for the reasons that everyone does and for reasons all my own,” Dunham wrote of her musician friend.

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Lauren Conrad got pulled over while taking her driving test: 'I didn't pass'

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34 minutes ago

15 April 2026

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“The Hills” alum recalled that the officer didn’t give her a ticket “because I’ve clearly ruined your day.”

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Taylor Momsen hospitalized after poisonous spider bites her on AC/DC tour

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46 minutes ago

15 April 2026

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The bite comes two years after a bat bit the singer when she was on stage opening for the rockers in Spain.

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Ryan Gosling’s R-Rated Netflix Thriller With An MCU Budget Is Worth Its Weight In Shootouts

Published

59 minutes ago

15 April 2026

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Ryan Gosling’s R-Rated Netflix Thriller With An MCU Budget Is Worth Its Weight In Shootouts

By Robert Scucci
| Published 31 seconds ago

After watching 2021’s Kate, the almighty algorithm threw 2022’s The Gray Man onto my radar, and I can’t say Ryan Gosling has ever disappointed me, so I figured I may as well give it a shot. He has a built-in level of charisma that lets him do his thing, and most of the time it lands. Going into the Russo brothers’ film expecting to see $200 million well spent on action sequences, with the added bonus of Gosling in the mix, I didn’t quite know how things would play out, but I had a hunch I wouldn’t feel let down.

But here’s the problem with straight-to-streaming action thrillers. Films like The Gray Man never get much time on the big screen, and they kind of need it if you want to enjoy them at the highest level. Across roughly 400 theaters, the film only brought in $454,023, which isn’t really its fault. It had a very short run across a disproportionately small number of screens, meaning it was never meant to recoup its budget this way. It’s a Netflix Original, designed to pull huge numbers on streaming.

The reason I see this as a bad thing is because this is an expensive movie. MCU expensive. Waterworld expensive. When that much money goes into blowing stuff up in spectacular fashion, I want to see it on a giant screen. Living in an apartment, I don’t have a fancy audio setup because my neighbors would murder me if I did, and my 44-inch TV is fine for most things, but less than stellar when entire city squares are getting leveled with all guns blazing.

Long story short, The Gray Man is a lot of fun, but it would be even more fun if you could watch it the way it was meant to be seen.

Let’s Not Get Bogged Down By The Details

The Gray Man also has an extremely convoluted plot. Not in a “too many twists” kind of way, but it’s a “load up the guns, spray and pray” kind of movie that would have been better served by simplicity. It’s executed well, but as side characters keep getting introduced in the second and third acts, part of me gets annoyed that I can’t fully shut my brain off because there’s always a new name or face to keep track of after the blasting has already started.

Ryan Gosling is a black ops agent known as Sierra Six, formerly Courtland Gentry. He was locked up as a minor after murdering his abusive father, and CIA officer Donald Fitzroy (Billy Bob Thornton) decides he’s the perfect candidate for a second chance. The deal is simple: Courtland works for him in exchange for his freedom, knowing he’ll be dealing with some very dangerous people.

Once things get rolling, Sierra Six teams up with Agent Dani Miranda (Ana de Armas), and the first mission we see involves assassinating a target named Dining Car (Callan Mulvey). Complications arise when the job goes sideways and Dining Car reveals he’s also part of the Sierra program before succumbing to his wounds. A flash drive gets passed off with vague instructions, and the wild goose chase begins, centering on CIA officer Denny Carmichael (Regé-Jean Page), who sends a swarm of operatives after Six and Dani to retrieve it.

Along the way, we get more backstory on Six’s relationship with Donald and his niece Claire (Julia Butters), who Six previously worked security detail for. This obviously becomes important later because more collateral has entered the equation. The scenes between Six and Claire offer a surprisingly wholesome break from the chaos in Prague, and they’re a welcome addition.

From here on out, you pretty much know the deal. Double crosses stack on top of double crosses, things explode, and there’s so much inter-agency confusion over who’s good and who’s pulling the strings that you almost wish they’d ease up on the exposition and just keep blowing stuff up.

Solid, Pulse Pounding Action Thriller

The Gray Man’s budget absolutely shows on screen from start to finish. The action sequences are gorgeously shot (something that’s not always consistent across Netflix Originals), and at one point Sierra Six is standing on top of a moving tram, firing through the roof while tracking targets through reflections in nearby windows as the city flies past. This comes after he’s handcuffed to a railing in a town square, picking off attackers before they even get a chance to take him out.

Ana de Armas wielding a shotgun after throwing hands is also worth your time because she fully commits when the moment calls for it.

The only real issue I have is the film’s tendency to overload its premise with complexity for the sake of it. Most people don’t turn on action thrillers to do mental gymnastics. At least I don’t. I love psychological thrillers when I want things to get murky, but with action movies, I just want to sit back and watch things explode.

The convoluted plot isn’t a dealbreaker, just a nitpick. Some people enjoy sprawling shadow government conspiracies. It’s just not really my thing, so take that with a grain of salt. It’s still a great watch, just not one you can fully sink into the couch for and completely turn your brain off.

The Gray Man is a Netflix Original, and you can stream it with an active subscription.

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Dave Chappelle slams Republicans who 'weaponized' his transgender jokes: 'That's not what I was doing'

Published

1 hour ago

15 April 2026

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The controversial comedian specifically called out Lauren Boebert for comparing herself to him over their stances on transgender rights.

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Summer House Cast Reacts to Amanda Batula and West Wilson

Published

1 hour ago

15 April 2026

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The Summer House cast has found a front-row seat to one of Bravo’s most shocking romances.

On Tuesday, March 31, Amanda Batula confirmed her unexpected relationship with BFF Ciara Miller’s ex-boyfriend West Wilson more than two months after she split from husband Kyle Cooke.

“Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it,” Amanda and West wrote in a joint statement via Instagram. “We’ve shown up for each other as friends over the years, through all the highs and lows, and what’s developed recently was the last thing either of us expected. Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.”

The statement continued, “As our feelings evolved, we wanted to take time to understand exactly what we were feeling. We also recognize that this has had an impact beyond just us and never wanted our actions to cause any hurt or be perceived as careless. We truly appreciate the understanding and respect as we navigate this.”

While a reunion special with the entire cast is expected to be taped in the coming weeks, many Summer House stars are already weighing in on the surprise romance.

Keep reading to see how the cast reacted to Tuesday’s big romance reveal:

KJ Dillard

Summer House Cast Reacts to Amanda Batula and West Wilson Surprise New Romance — Courtesy of KJ Dillard/Instagram

Summer House newbie KJ Dillard shared a photo of Ciara Miller from filming with the caption, “I love my big sisters for life.”

In a follow-up post, KJ posted a screenshot of his music playlist, which included the song “Back Stabbers” by The O’Jays. He added to the photo, “Logging off.”

Mia Calabrese

Summer House’s newest cast member Mia Calabrese showed her support for Ciara Miller when she posted a photo of her costar on her Instagram Story as “Gorgeous” by Doja Cat played in the background.

Weeks later, Mia appeared on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen and offered more details about the scandal. Mia claimed that Ciara had “intuition” about Amanda and West before news of their romance broke.

“I refused to believe it. Then, certain things started to click,” Mia continued before offering an update on how Ciara is doing.

“Ciara is how anyone would be if their best friend started dating their ex,” Mia said. “But, I will say, Ciara is one of my best friends — she’s like a sister to me — she will always thrive and I will always be there to support her. She’s going to be amazing.

Mia also made it clear that thinks Amanda is at fault.

“She’s a woman. I think men, you know, eh. They don’t always think straight,” she said. “Women it’s like, come on, you know better.”

Jesse Solomon

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and Jesse Solomon didn’t hesitate to showcase how he was feeling with one photo.

The Summer House star seemingly addressed Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s romance when he posted a picture via his Instagram Story looking visibly shocked as he read his phone.

Levi Sebree

Summer House newbie Levi Sebree appeared to react to Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s relationship by sharing a meme of herself on her Instagram Story. Days later, she briefly addressed the drama while appearing on the “Taylor Taylor Taylor” podcast on April 7.

“I don’t want to get into it too much, but I think we’re all kind of a mess in our own little right about everything going on, and we’re going to see how it plays out,” she said. “That’s all I want to say about it.”

Lindsay Hubbard

Original Summer House cast member Lindsay Hubbard seemingly addressed the headlines when she shared a picture of controversial Love Is Blind contestant Alex Henderson.

“The new publicist?” she wrote via her Instagram Story, hours after news broke of Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s relationship announcement.

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Billy Crystal explains why Fred Savage met rest of “Princess Bride ”cast for first time at Rob Reiner Oscars tribute

Published

2 hours ago

15 April 2026

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The comedian got choked up recalling how he united several stars from Reiner’s movies for the touching “In Memoriam” segment for his “devoted” friend.

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Summer House’s Ciara Had ‘Intuition’ About Amanda and West

Published

2 hours ago

15 April 2026

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Summer House’s Mia Calabrese Says Ciara Miller Had ‘Intuition’ About Amanda Batula and West Wilson

Ciara Miller had a feeling that something was going down between Amanda Batula and West Wilson, according to her costar Mia Calabrese.

“Ciara had — her intuition was telling her something and I refused to believe it,” Mia said during her Tuesday, April 14, appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. “Then, certain things started to click.”

Mia admitted to thinking it was “impossible” that anything romantic was going down between Amanda and West, because she believed they would “never do that.”

Rumors swirled earlier this year that Amanda and West’s relationship had evolved from friendship to something more. The duo confirmed their romantic relationship in a March 31 Instagram statement.

While Amanda’s estranged husband, Kyle Cooke, has spoken out at length about the entire situation, Ciara — who dated West in 2023 and was best friends with Amanda — has largely stayed quiet.

“Ciara is how anyone would be if their best friend started dating their ex,” Mia also said during her Tuesday WWHL appearance. “But, I will say, Ciara is one of my best friends — she’s like a sister to me — she will always thrive and I will always be there to support her.”

The Summer House newbie continued, “She’s going to be amazing.”

Mia told host Andy Cohen that she knew Ciara for “years” before they were on reality TV together.

“She’s like a sister to me,” Mia added. “I adore her.”

Amid the relationship fallout, Amanda has returned to social media, asking fans for “normalcy” in an apologetic statement on Friday, April 10. Mia reacted to Amanda’s social media message on Tuesday.

“I thought it was interesting that her normalcy was just going out and hitting the bars with West,” Mia said, referring to viral photos of Amanda and West out and about in New York City.

Mia went on to say that she’s placed more blame on Amanda for the entire situation.

“She’s a woman. I think men, you know, eh. They don’t always think straight,” she said. “Women it’s like, come on, you know better.”

Mia said that both West and Amanda have reached out to her — but she hasn’t responded to either.

“Don’t really know how to respond yet,” she added, noting that West’s message included an apology for “lying to me.”

Summer House airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.

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Joseline Hernandez, Balistic Beats Expecting First Baby Together

Published

2 hours ago

15 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Joseline Hernandez Shares Exclusive Details About Pregnancy With Balistic Beats Baby On The Way PHOTOS

Joseline Hernandez is welcoming her new beginning with excitement! The 39-year-old is expecting her first child with her husband, Balistic Beats. The Puerto Rican Princess announced her pregnancy on April 15. Joseline also spoke exclusively to The Shade Room’s Jade Ashley about how far along she is, the health of her unborn child, and how she’s feeling in this new season!

RELATED: Love To See It! Joseline Hernandez Shares Sentimental Message While Revealing She Is Three Years Sober (VIDEO)

Joseline Hernandez Reveals She’s Pregnant

As mentioned, Joseline Hernandez gagged her followers with news of her pregnancy on Wednesday. She dropped the update on Instagram, sharing a series of photos featuring her and Balistic Beats in what appears to be downtown Miami. They’re seen posing together, holding hands, surrounded by greenery as they walk down a sidewalk with a skyscraper backdrop.

She’s dressed in an off-the-shoulder, light-colored dress, patterned heels, and a small Chanel purse. Her growing baby bump appeared to be poking through! The last photo in her slide shows her holding it. Meanwhile, Balistic came through in a casual printed blue tee, light-colored slacks, blue shoes and a Louis Vuitton crossbody.

Her first daughter, Bonnie Bella, whom she welcomed with Stevie J in 2016, is not featured in the post. Fans have been flooding the Instagram announcement with congratulations and compliments on the mother she is to Bonnie. Even celebrities are stopping by with love, from Chloe Bailey and LightSkinKeisha to Coi Leray.

Balistic Beats, who is also a collaborator on the post, dropped three heart-eye emojis in the comment section. The caption, written from Joseline’s account, says: “New beginnings 🌸 and I’m thankful.”

Joseline Says She’s Two Months Pregnant & “Everything Is Fine” (Exclusive Details)

The Puerto Rican Princess shared additional news about her pregnancy with The Shade Room. She confirmed she’s nearly two months pregnant, sharing a photo of her positive test. Her and Balistic Beats’ desires are to have “a healthy baby,” and continue to receiving support and good energy. “We’re super excited, and we just want everything to go well,” Joseline Hernandez said.

As far as pregnancy itself, Joseline revealed that she’s experiencing “a lot of morning sickness and stuff like that,” but overall she feels great. She had a doctor’s appointment this week that reassured her “everything is fine.” Still, she said she has to keep going back, as is common with pregnancy.

“We want good energy, love , a lot of love from the people; we need that right now. That’s why I stepped away from the cabaret, and just wanted to start a new life with my family and my husband,” Joseline Hernandez exclusively told TSR.

Balistic Beats Is Helping Raise Bonnie Bella

In February, Joseline Hernandez and Balistic Beats shared footage from their courthouse wedding in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She revealed their wedding date as October 11, 2022. Fans had been questioning whether the pair had officially tied the knot, and the couple used their new network Why Are You Here TV to premiere an anniversary special.

Over the years, Joseline has openly credited Balistic Beats for being her active co-parent in raising Bonnie Bella. Last Father’s Day, for example, she called him the best one in the world, thanking him for how he shows up.

“Your dedication your patience your devotion your love your time your kindness and how you all about bonnie’Bella and I! It’s truly a dream come true! We have everything we ever wanted because we have you! Screaming HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO you @balisticbeats the best #father in the Universe 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 we love you and thank you for being our Rock,” Joseline Hernandez wrote.

A few months later, during an appearance on Angela Yee’s ‘Lip Service’ podcast, Joseline said her marriage works because it’s a cycle of give and take with Balistic Beats. “I feel very protected by him, and I feel like he’s the best thing that happened to me outside of Bonnie,” Hernandez said.