2025 was a surprisingly mixed year for movies.

While the box office increased slightly from 2024’s total, several high-profile movies, like Marvel’s Thunderbolts and Paramount’s The Running Man, underperformed. There’s a reason for that — they weren’t as good as many people, including myself, expected them to be.

2026 promises to be different.

Project Hail Mary, Michael, The Devil Wears Prada 2, Obsession and Backrooms have brought audiences back to the multiplex — and most of these films are actually good.

With new films from directors like Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg and some fan-favorite sequels like Dune: Part Three in the pipeline, 2026 has plenty of movies I’m looking forward to watching in a crowded theater.

‘Disclosure Day’ (June 12)

Watch the Skies was the original title of Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi masterpiece, 1977’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and it’s a perfect title for the director’s upcoming extraterrestrial movie, Disclosure Day. Little is known about the movie except what the teaser trailer, well, teases — humanity’s first contact with an unknown alien species, and the questions that are inevitably asked when such an event happens. Are they friend or foe? And what exactly do they want?

Related: What Is ‘Disclosure Day’ About? All About Steven Spielberg’s Alien Film

Steven Spielberg is returning to the science fiction genre with his mysterious project Disclosure Day. The Devil Wears Prada 2’s Emily Blunt and Wake Up Dead Man star Josh O’Connor lead Disclosure Day as two seemingly ordinary people who become central figures in the first direct communication between humanity and an alien race. “I’ve always […]

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Starring Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor and Colman Domingo, Disclosure Day feels like a summer blockbuster from years past. In this case, that’s a good thing, with a masterful director behind the camera, a sure-to-be thought-provoking script by Jurassic Park’s David Koepp and a majestic score by frequent Spielberg collaborator John Williams. After watching the trailer, I felt the same chills I had when I first watched Spielberg’s modern sci-fi classic, Minority Report. If Disclosure Day is half as good as that Tom Cruise banger, we’re in for a treat.

‘Supergirl’ (June 26)

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s … an alien teenager with a drinking problem? Just one year after James Gunn‘s successful Superman reboot with David Corenswet, the DCEU goes back to Krypton for its second feature, Supergirl. Loosely based on Tom King and Bilquis Elvey’s acclaimed DC comic book series Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Supergirl follows Kal-El’s cousin, Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock), as she stumbles around the galaxy with her loyal dog, Krypto. Along the way, she’s recruited by a young girl, Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley), to avenge her father’s murder by the villain Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts).

Can Supergirl match Superman’s box office success? Probably not, but the spinoff looks to be a wilder and more fun take on the superhero genre. As she showed in House of the Dragon season 1, Alcock is at home playing complicated female characters who pack a mean punch, and the addition of Jason Momoa as the violent antihero Lobo makes Supergirl the comic book movie to look forward to in the summer.

‘The Odyssey’ (July 17)

Never bet against Christopher Nolan. The Inception and Dunkirk director has long defied convention and expectations in his impressive career, with his last movie making almost a billion dollars worldwide even though it was a nearly three-hour biopic about the father of the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer ended up winning seven Oscars in 2023, and Nolan’s latest movie, a big-budget adaptation of the Greek tale The Odyssey, promises to win some awards of its own, in addition to probably becoming one of 2026’s biggest blockbusters.

The $250 million epic chronicles the long, strange journey of Odysseus (Matt Damon) as he makes his way from after barely surviving the Trojan War. Determined to reunite with his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), Odysseus must battle a dangerous cyclops, deceptively alluring sea sirens and the witch Circe (Charlize Theron) to find his way home.

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Related: What to Know About Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’: Cast, Release Date

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated films of 2026. The film is adapted from Homer’s Odyssey, an ancient Greek epic about Odysseus returning home following the Trojan War. John Leguizamo, who was cast in the film, said that despite the hype and budget surrounding the production, […]

The Odyssey has been told countless times before, but never on this scale. With a cast that also includes Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, John Leguizamo and Mia Goth, the movie has almost as many stars as the night sky Odysseus travels under. The just-released teaser trailer promises epic action set pieces and a moving love story. If Oppenheimer can pack them into the multiplexes, surely The Odyssey can, too.

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ (July 31)

When we last saw Tom Holland’s lovable wall-crawler, he was still recovering from Aunt May’s (Marisa Tomei) death and adjusting to a new life where no one, not even girlfriend MJ (Zendaya), knows he exists thanks to a convenient mind-wipe from Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch).

The little we know about Spider-Man: Brand New Day is this: Spidey is still slinging solo until some event triggers a team-up of sorts with Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk. MJ and Jacob Batalon’s Ned return in some capacity, and Sadie Sink joins the cast as a yet-to-be-revealed character. (Some say she’s playing a new version of the X-Men’s Jean Grey, while others insist she’s playing Rachel Summers, Jean’s adult daughter from a future timeline.) In addition, Spidey will battle new-to-the-MCU villain Tombstone (Marvin Jones III) as well as the Scorpion (Michael Mando), who appeared briefly in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.

That’s all that’s currently known about the top-secret project as of press time. As the MCU movie before Avengers: Doomsday, it’s reasonable to expect it will set up that film in some capacity. Even if it doesn’t, who cares? Holland’s always killed it as Spidey, and this fourth film in Sony’s reboot series sounds like a blast.

‘The Social Reckoning’ (October 9)

When it was released in 2010, writer Aaron Sorkin and director David Fincher’s The Social Network was a critical and commercial hit. A pseudo-biography about Mark Zuckerberg and the origins of Facebook, it captured a key moment in time when social media was just starting to take over everyone’s lives.

A lot’s changed since then, enough for Sorkin, sans Fincher, to return to write and direct a follow-up, The Social Reckoning. Based in part on the real-life 2021 Facebook whistleblower leaks, the movie promises to show the damaging effects of Facebook on society, specifically how misinformation led to events such as the January 6 Capitol riots. With a cast that includes recent Oscar winner Mikey Madison, The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong, The Social Reckoning promises to be the most talked-about movie of the year and a surefire contender at the 2027 Academy Awards.

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ (December 18)

Is there any magic left in the Marvel machine? That’s the big question Avengers: Doomsday hopes to answer with a resounding and definitive “Yes!” Marvel’s throwing everything at this latest Avengers sequel, the first since the massively successful Avengers: Endgame in 2019, by bringing back its OG star, Robert Downey Jr. But instead of playing Iron Man, he’s playing another character this time – the evil Doctor Doom, who wants to conquer, well, everything.

Related: ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Cast Confirmed: Full List of New and Returning Stars

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Doomsday is coming — luckily, Marvel has assembled a star-studded lineup for Avengers 5, which is now in production. Robert Downey Jr.‘s return was announced last year, but instead of playing Iron Man/Tony Stark, he’ll play the evil Doctor Doom. Avengers: Doomsday will reunite the actor with some familiar faces as well as some newbies, […]

It will take more than one team of Avengers to stop him, which is why heroes from various timelines and dimensions, from the X-Men’s Prof. X (Patrick Stewart), Magneto (Ian McKellan) and Cyclops (James Marsden) to the recently introduced Fantastic Four, are banding together to counter Doom’s threat. Also appearing are Avengers founding members Captain America (Chris Evans) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the new Black Panther (Letitia Wright), the Thunderbolts and many, many more.

After recent Marvel movies like Captain America: Brave New World and shows like She-Hulk: Attorney at Law failed to light the world on fire, a lot is riding on Doomsday to breathe new life into the tiring superhero genre. Even if the story falls short, it’ll be fun to see the X-Men fight side-by-side with the Avengers for the first time.

‘Dune: Part Three’ (December 18)

It’s safe to say that 2021’s Dune and 2024’s Dune: Part Two are two of the best modern sci-fi movies ever made. The critically acclaimed adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction novel won a bunch of Oscars and a legion of fans, so it’s only natural that another movie would be made to cash in on the success of the previous two.

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Based on Herbert’s divisive novel Dune: Messiah, Dune: Part Three takes place years after the last chapter ended. Paul (Timothée Chalamet) is now the Padishah Emperor and father to two children. The long-dead Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa) is somehow alive again, and Paul’s young sister, Alia (Anya Taylor-Joy), last seen as a sentient embryo in Part Two, is now fully grown. Zendaya and Rebecca Ferguson return, as well as director Denis Villeneuve, who has promised this is the last Dune sequel he’ll be involved in. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for his farewell to a far-out universe filled with massive sandworms, albino gladiators and, of course, spice.

‘Werwulf’ (December 25)

On Christmas 2024, director Robert Eggers delivered a most unusual gift to moviegoers – the vampire horror movie, Nosferatu. An unexpected hit, Nosferatu exploited an untapped market for dimly-lit period movies depicting all sorts of dangerous creatures lurking in the night. This Christmas, Eggers promises more of the same with his new film, Werwulf, which swaps out vampires for, you guessed it, werewolves.

Not much is known about the plot except that it takes place in 13th-century England and focuses on a small village being terrorized by a murderous lycanthrope. Most of the cast of Nosferatu, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe, return for Werwulf, as well as longtime Eggers’ collaborators, cinematographer Jarin Blaschke and writer Sjon. I’m hoping Werwulf can conjure the same magic that Nosferatu cast on me and millions of other moviegoers and give all of us some relief from those endless repeats of Home Alone during the holidays.

My summer is jam-packed with travel, including trips to France, England, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. And while I’m typically a last-minute packer, I’m planning ahead this season. On the list are versatile dresses, do-it-all handbags and — most importantly — luxe sandals.

However, I won’t settle for a shoe that’s just chic; it needs to be comfortable, too. That’s why I scoured the internet to find the 17 most stylish and comfy versions available, including jelly pairs, fisherman sandals and minimalist thong footwear. I’m not the only one fawning over these picks, either — plenty of other fashion editors are reaching for the trend-forward styles on repeat.

17 Luxe-and-Comfy Summer Sandal Styles 

1. Endlessly Versatile: The Dolce Vita Dom Sandal takes the guesswork out of getting ready. Minimal leather straps keep it securely on your foot, while a black design turns it into a multi-tasking shoe that works from day to night.

2. $11 Find: Don’t sleep on this beach-ready find. While it may look like a simple flip flop, hidden arch support, stretchable straps and a flexible sole put comfort at the forefront.

3. Editor Favorite: When I think “comfy,” Birkenstock comes to mind. The brand takes its classic cork-footbed silhouette to the next level with the buckle slide sandal, featuring an oversized gold-tone buckle.

4. Made for Euro Summer: Crisscross ankle straps turn the cushioned Margaux Palermo Sandal into a luxurious art piece made for strolling European cities with ease.

5. Trend Spotlight: The fisherman jelly sandal combines two of this season’s biggest trends. A chunky platform delivers a cloud-like feel, while a caged silhouette keeps your foot secure and supported.

Related: All the Rich Moms Are Wearing These 17 Slip-On Sandal Styles

Sometimes, even tying laces and adjusting buckles feels like too much work. Summer 2026 is the season of slip-on sandals, allowing you to get out the door with little to no effort. Because not all slip-on sandals are comfortable for all-day wear, we prioritized styles that offer excellent arch support. Below, shop 17 rich mom-style […]

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6. Comfiest Thong Sandal: Listen up: the OluKai Ohana Flip Flop might just be the comfiest thong sandal you can buy on the internet. It’s structured, stabilizing and downright comfy.

7. Lowkey Elegance: Simple and chic, the ankle-wrap sandal includes a grippy rubber sole, faux-leather upper and a contoured footbed. An adjustable side buckle helps you achieve the perfect fit.

8. For the Outdoors Type: In the market for a sandal made for summer adventures? Then reach for the knotted nature sandals, featuring a slip-on design and a lightweight feel.

9. Designer Find: The Tory Burch Miller Cloud Lite Sandal is one you’ve probably seen before — and for good reason. It features an ergonomic, waterproof design and boasts the brand’s iconic logo.

10. Adding to Cart RN: Add an edgy touch to your summer wardrobe with the leather sandals. Two buckled straps make for a bold, modern look.

11. A Boost in Height: Tony Bianco never fails to strike the perfect balance between relaxed and refined. The toe-loop sandal comes in both deep brown and midnight black, tapping into a classic gladiator silhouette with a chunky platform.

12. Dress Up or Down: Whether you’re headed to an ocean-front dinner or simply a street market, the Steve Madden slide sandals check all the boxes. My favorite part? A wide raffia strap.

13. Subtle Opulence: Thoughtful hardware details add a polished finish to these toe-loop summer sandals, complete with adjustable straps.

14. Cloud-Soft Cushioning: During the colder months, I rely on Rothy’s cozy clogs — but now that summer is around the corner, I’m reaching for the brand’s weekend sandal. Look forward to crisscross straps and an adjustable closure.

15. Vacation Essential: Slip into a pair of handwoven sandals from Plaka. Details include palm-inspired braided straps and a relaxed feel. Better yet? The lightweight, flat design is perfect for packing.

16. Sellout-Worthy: Who said jelly styles couldn’t be luxe? The Loeffler Randall Dana Strappy Sandal proves the opposite, finished with glitter and a gold-tone sphere.

17. Vibrant and Playful: Beads are a major trend for summer 2026, and these strappy espadrilles are an easy way to tap in. Vibrant cherry red and long ankle-wrap ties make for an instant head-turner.

Related: Skip Chunky Sneakers — These Rich Mom Walking Sandals Are Comfier

‘Walking’ and ‘sandals’ might feel like contradictory terms, and for a while, they were. But it’s 2026. Designers have finally heard our wishes, creating chic walking sandals that deliver the support of sneakers with the style of summer. They’re still hard to come by, but we found 15 comfy sandals that effortlessly balance comfort and […]

Morgan Wallen is speaking out after rumors surrounding his canceled Pittsburgh concert sparked backlash online. The country star was scheduled to perform at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday before the show was abruptly called off due to severe weather concerns. But after speculation began circulating on social media, Morgan Wallen took to Instagram to address what he called “nonsense” claims and explain what really happened.

In a video shared to his Instagram Stories, the singer said he felt compelled to “clear the air” after seeing rumors gain traction following the cancellation. “This morning, my team walked on my bus. Told me that they had been consulting with local officials and that I should cancel my show in Pittsburgh tonight,” Wallen explained.

According to the singer, he was informed that dangerous weather conditions, including strong winds, made moving forward with the concert too risky. “So, that’s what I did and that was the information I had in the moment and I trusted my team.”

Wallen Says Pittsburgh Concert Cancellation Was About Safety

Wallen went on to explain that the decision was made out of concern for the safety of fans, crew members, and everyone involved in the production. The country star noted that severe weather had already impacted parts of Pennsylvania and said his “heart goes out to those affected” by the storms.

He also explained that the size of his touring production played a major role in the difficult decision. “But the truth of the matter is I have a large stage and in those conditions, could become fatal to a lot of folks around it.”

Wallen emphasized that he “did the best I could with the information I had in that moment.”

Toward the end of the clip, the singer addressed the growing speculation directly. “I’ve been seeing a lot of nonsense about me that is simply not true. And I just wanted to clear the air,” he said. “I think my true fans know that’s not how I operate in general, but I had to say it. Y’all take care.”

Following the announcement, reactions online were mixed. Some social media users criticized the last-minute decision, with radio personality Marty Griffin of KDKA Radio writing on X, “Breaking news: Outrage over the Morgan Wallen show cancellation!”

He added, “Acrisure stadium officials fuming. Sources confirm… Wallen left town on plane before they even had meeting and demanded they announce the cancellation after he was in the air.”

Still, many fans defended the singer’s decision. “Not a shock weather forecast supposed to get bad,” one supporter wrote, while another added, “So everyone gets refunds. What’s the issue? Good Christ.”

Another fan shared, “My heart goes out to Morgan Wallen for the backlash he is getting about canceling tonight’s show. He canceled because he was trying to keep everyone safe and unharmed. If he wouldn’t have canceled and someone got hurt because of the storm he would still be receiving backlash.”

Wallen Recently Went Viral After Onstage Piano Mishap

The Pittsburgh concert drama comes just days after Wallen made headlines for an unexpected onstage moment during a concert in Denver. While performing his hit song “Sand In My Boots,” the singer experienced technical issues with a piano onstage.

In viral videos shared online, Wallen could be seen pushing the instrument, causing it to tip forward as parts appeared to break off. He ultimately walked away from the piano and finished the performance a cappella.

Wallen later addressed the viral moment on TikTok. Standing next to a red piano, the singer joked, “Hey, I just want you to know that right now this piano is working.” He then quipped, “That’s what they told me last night, too.”

In the caption, Wallen added, “Can’t you tell I’m so distraught over my piano.”

Morgan Wallen Previously Faced Legal Trouble In Nashville

The latest controversy surrounding Wallen comes roughly two years after the country star made headlines following a highly publicized arrest in Nashville. At the time, the singer was accused of throwing a chair off the rooftop of a downtown bar, resulting in three felony reckless endangerment charges and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

Wallen later pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment. As part of the resolution, he agreed to spend seven days in a DUI education center, pay a $350 fine, and complete two years of probation.

Sources later suggested the incident may have been fueled by personal heartbreak. According to the Daily Mail, Wallen had allegedly been upset after learning his ex-fiancée Katie “KT” Smith had eloped with Luke Scornavacco.

Following the incident, Wallen publicly addressed the situation and admitted he was “not proud of my behavior.”

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 4 seconds ago

It’s the destiny of any man to eventually become obsessed with history. Some men get into World War II, the Civil War, the Peloponnesian War, the exact point in history doesn’t matter, but it happens. There’s no fighting it. When it comes to historical naval warfare, there’s no movie better than 2003’s Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. For years, it was hard to find the film unless you owned an out of print DVD or Blu-Ray, but finally, it’s available to stream on Peacock. 

Master And Commander: Far Side Of The World Has Been Saved

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World loosely adapts the novels by Patrick O’Brian, taking the title of the first book and the plot of the fourth, to bring the Golden Age of Piracy to life. Russell Crowe is Jack Aubrey, Captain of the Surprise, a British vessel operating off the coast of Brazil in pursuit of the French privateer vessel, Acheron. Alongside him is the ship surgeon and, begrudgingly, his best friend, Stephen Maturin, played by Paul Bettany in a Beautiful Mind reunion. 

The smartest choice made by director Peter Weir was to keep the Acheron a mystery. We don’t follow the French vessel, and often, as with the crew of the Surprise, the viewer has no idea where it’s located. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World captures the reality of warfare in the age of piracy while showing us the harsh psychological impact of being at sea for days on end. 

That’s what makes Master and Commander the ultimate dad movie: it’s about the men on board, their relationships, and their duty. Ship to ship combat is awesome and it’s never looked better, but the respect between Audrey and Maturin is what elevates it far above say, Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s easy to entertain a man. Show him a film or show with highly competent men doing their jobs, respecting their duty, and never giving up in the face of staggering odds. 

The Ideal Russell Crowe Performance

Russell Crowe was the perfect choice for Aubrey. His early 2000’s streak of Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, and Master and Commander is the type of run no actor will ever have again. Gruff, stern, and subtly showing his real emotions as the film unfolds, the barrel-chested grizzled Crowe was the ideal vision of Hollywood manliness. His box office run didn’t even end with a film about historical naval combat. Against all odds, Master and Commander was a success. 

Ship films have a disastrous track record in Hollywood after the 1950s. Master and Commander: Far Side of the World should have, in a perfect world, launched a never-ending series of Patrick O’Brian adaptations. 20th Century Fox was happy it turned a profit, earning $211 million against a budget of $150 million. We never got the franchise, but getting even one film as amazing as Master and Commander is a miracle in and of itself.

Come for the historical combat, stay for the detail given to life on the open ocean and the bonds between men sharing a duty and a purpose. Stream Master and Commander: Far Side of the World on Peacock and watch as any dad in your life ends up standing behind the couch to watch it from beginning to end.

Thanks to the stunning success of a pair of horror favorites, A24’s Backrooms and Curry Barker‘s Obsession, The Mandalorian and Grogu is sadly falling flat at the box office. Excitement was high for the big-screen arrival of Pedro Pascal‘s titular bounty hunter and his ever-hungry companion, but the viral success of ambitious competitors has sent The Mandalorian and Grogu down the domestic ranks. In its second weekend, the film managed just $24 million in U.S. ticket sales, a disastrous 70% week-by-week drop compared to its debut.

This surprising struggle for The Mandalorian and Grogu at the box office is the latest big sign that the iconic sci-fi franchise is losing its cultural impact. However, its impact is nonetheless undeniable, with many of the franchise’s stars, past and present, having gone on to lead many other great projects. One such example of this, starring Rey Skywalker herself, Daisy Ridley, is currently a global streaming favorite. The film in question is Cleaner, a John Wick meets Silo-esque movie released under the radar in 2025.

Directed by Martin Campbell and written by the trio of Simon Uttley, Paul Andrew Williams, and Matthew Orton, Cleaner also stars Taz Skylar and Ruth Gemmell in a tale of an ex-soldier-turned-window-cleaner who must save the day after a group of radical activists steal 300 hostages during an energy company’s annual gala. Over a year since it debuted, Cleaner is going head-to-head with tough streaming competition and coming out victorious, placing as one of the ten most-streamed movies on Prime Video worldwide, at the time of writing.

What’s Next for Daisy Ridley?

Yet to release a feature project in 2026, Ridley is part of a star-studded ensemble for an upcoming festive movie, set to debut in November. Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, directed by the X trilogy’s Ti West, is the latest adaptation of Charles Dickens‘ iconic novel, although it isn’t the source material most will be interested in. Instead, it will be the fact that Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol marks Johnny Depp‘s major Hollywood comeback, following his high-profile legal battle with his ex, Amber Heard. Ridley will then star alongside Alden Ehrenreich in the romantic comedy The Last Resort.

Cleaner is a streaming favorite on Prime Video. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for all the latest streaming stories.

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Release Date

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February 21, 2025

Runtime

97 minutes

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Director

Martin Campbell

Writers

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Paul Andrew Williams, Simon Uttley, Matthew Orton

Producers

Cindy Cowan, Thomas Fanning, Sebastien Raybaud

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Miley Cyrus recently celebrated one of the biggest milestones of her career, but one notable absence quickly caught fans’ attention. The Grammy winner was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, surrounded by supporters and loved ones, including mom Tish Cyrus. However, many fans noticed that Miley’s father, Billy Ray Cyrus, was nowhere to be seen, reigniting questions about the pair’s often complicated relationship. His absence came despite Miley Cyrus referencing him during her emotional acceptance speech.

While Miley Cyrus made sure to honor her father during her Hollywood Walk of Fame speech, Billy Ray Cyrus’ absence from the major milestone did not go unnoticed. Fans quickly questioned why the country star was missing from one of the biggest moments of his daughter’s career, especially after years of public speculation surrounding the family’s relationship.

According to the Daily Mail, it seems that Billy Ray was absent “thanks to a long-running family estrangement” following the fallout from Billy Ray and Tish’s divorce. Still, despite the reported ups and downs in their relationship, sources have suggested Miley’s feelings toward her father may be more layered than headlines often suggest.

While her father was not in attendance, a source who spoke with the outlet claims that Miley has continued to admire Billy Ray’s ability to navigate setbacks and reinvent himself over the years. “She’s watched her dad go through career highs and lows and find his way back time and time again,” the insider claimed, adding that Miley has also looked to her godmother, Dolly Parton, as an example of longevity, especially as she reportedly figures out her own next chapter professionally.

Rather than diving fully back into old family tensions, Miley’s emotional Walk of Fame tribute appeared to hint that respect for her father remains, even if their relationship has experienced challenges behind the scenes.

Their Father-Daughter Relationship Reportedly Changed After Divorce

Rumors of tension between Miley and Billy Ray intensified after Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus finalized their divorce in 2022 following years of an on-again, off-again marriage. According to reports, Miley was deeply affected by the split and allegedly struggled with aspects of her father’s behavior during the marriage. While Miley remained especially close with her mom, speculation grew that distance had formed between her and Billy Ray in the aftermath of the divorce.

The singer has also previously spoken about how difficult relationships can become when both people are involved in the entertainment industry, something she reportedly observed in her parents’ marriage and later experienced herself during her relationship with ex-husband Liam Hemsworth.

Billy Ray’s Marriage To Firerose Added More Family Tension

The Cyrus family dynamic appeared to become even more strained after Billy Ray married singer Firerose in late 2023. Miley notably did not attend the wedding, fueling further speculation about where things stood between father and daughter.

The marriage, however, did not last long. Just six months later, Billy Ray filed for divorce and sought an annulment, claiming the marriage had allegedly been obtained through fraud. The short-lived relationship once again thrust the Cyrus family into headlines and intensified public curiosity surrounding their personal dynamics.

Billy Ray Cyrus is now dating British actress and model Elizabeth Hurley.

Reconciliation Rumors Have Swirled

Despite years of speculation surrounding estrangement, reports surfaced last year claiming Miley and Billy Ray had begun repairing their relationship. Still, family dynamics within the Cyrus household have often shifted quickly.

Tensions surrounding the famous family only intensified in 2024 after reports claimed Tish Cyrus’ now-husband, Dominic Purcell, had previously been romantically involved with Miley’s younger sister Noah Cyrus before beginning a relationship with Tish. Noah was reportedly left “distraught” by the situation.

Miley Cyrus Once Reflected On What She Learned From Billy Ray

Miley addressed her relationship with her father during a 2024 interview with David Letterman, talking about the good and the bad things she’s learned from Billy Ray. “He has a relationship and a foot on the ground to the real and to nature and he always did, even when he was super famous,” Miley said of her dad.

“I’m grateful for being able to watch him ahead of me. He’s almost given me this map. And there’s a map of what to do and what not to do, and he’s guided me on both,” she continued. “I also inherited the narcissism from my father.”

For now, Billy Ray’s absence from Miley’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony has once again put the spotlight on the family’s complicated dynamic, even as Miley appeared to publicly honor her dad during one of the proudest moments of her career.

Erika Kirk (née Frantzve) publicly responded after being heckled in the middle of her speech at the Turning Point USA’s Women’s Leadership Summit.

Kirk, 37, spoke at the annual conference on Friday, June 5, where she was quickly interrupted by an attendee shouting that the Turning Point CEO allegedly “protects pedophiles” in now-viral social media footage.

After appearing to make a perplexed face, Kirk addressed the unidentified heckler.

“It’s important to remember that happiness comes and goes,” she stated. “I pray that you find it.”

Fellow attendees subsequently shouted that they loved and supported Kirk.

“I love you too,” she responded to her supporters. “That’s an important moment because that just showed duty to faithfulness gives life meaning, and we must pray for our enemies and those who do not feel like their lives have meaning, and that’s a perfect example of that. You pray for your enemies, you pray for those who persecute you. That’s not the enemy, we know who the real enemy is. God bless you, thank you.”

Erika was named the CEO of Turning Point, which late husband Charlie Kirk previously founded, after his assassination in 2025. He was 31, and is survived by Erika and their two children.

“There will be a day 10 to 15 years from now when my children will look back on this season of life that us three are going through, and they won’t remember it fully because they’re so young,” Erika later said in her speech on Friday, referring to her kids. “They will see everything, they will see how the world talked about their father, their mother [and] even themselves. They will be able to read every headline, every accusation, every lie.”

Erika continued, “My prayer is that their focus isn’t on all that noise, but rather on how their mother showed up and how she handled it.”

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In the wake of Charlie’s death, Erika has faced numerous accusations and criticism about her background and beliefs. She’s vehemently denied every claim.

“There is a serious epidemic of dehumanization plaguing this country,” she said in a social media video published in April. “The most unthinkable tragedies have now become commonplace in our daily headlines, yet the media finds a way to conveniently explain away violence. This is what we’re up against. … In Romans chapter 12, verse 21, it says, ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ This is why my husband created Turning Point USA, Sd, we can have civil discourse and debate and open dialogue because when we stop talking to each other, bad things happen.”

Erika concluded at the time, “I am choosing to fight for America for my children, your children and our humanity. We all need to do our part, and by the grace of God, we will succeed and America will remain what she was always called to be: A shining city on a hill, a light to the world.”

After largely staying out of the spotlight for years, James Franco has unexpectedly resurfaced, but this time, on TikTok. The actor’s return isn’t your typical comeback. Instead of a clear message, his posts have been a mix of cryptic clips that have fans wondering if it’s a cry for help or if he’s promoting a new project. 

So far, he only has four posts on his new TikTok page, and all have gone viral. Each post has fans in the comment section asking what’s going on, with some even pointing out that he’s only oddly following two other accounts. The unusual reappearance of the actor has sparked conversation, proving that even a quiet, mysterious return to social media can generate major buzz. 

Franco, known for being in films such as “Pineapple Express,” “This is the End,” and “The Interview,” just to name a few, has been out of the spotlight for years and now all of a sudden, fans have found him on his new TikTok page, and they have questions.

His first video was posted about three days ago, followed up by three more videos, each one as confusing as the last. But despite the confusion, all four of his current TikTok videos have quickly gone viral and have tons of comments.

James Franco Said He ‘Can’t Say Too Much Right Now’

With his 2013 thriller Grand Piano, director and musician Eugenio Mira (famed for his ‘lost’ Corey Feldman vehicle The Birthday) paired Elijah Wood with a disembodied John Cusack for a very heightened trip into the anxiety of being a classical musician. Not content to simply be a movie about the difficulties of performance and seeking perfection, it gives its protagonist another crisis too: a sniper rifle trained at him from the nosebleed section, ready to shoot at the first missed note. The premise is so striking and high-concept that it would be easy to expect the movie as a whole to be pretty one-note and silly, but it’s grounded by Wood’s neurotic and soulful performance, as well as a screenplay coming from future Oscar-winner Damien Chazelle.

Chazelle’s screenplay balances the thrills of pianist Tom Selznick (Wood) performing under pressure while being targeted by mysterious gunman Clem (Cusack) with an intriguing study of what makes artistry possible. Tom, encouraged by his actress wife (Kerry Bishé), is performing for an audience for the first time after a very public mental breakdown during a performance five years before. The major piece that broke him is the complex (even impossible) La Cinquette, composed by his recently deceased mentor, and he’s considering performing it again to close out the evening. Additionally, the mentor has a massive fortune that has been missing since his death, which, if you’ve ever seen a movie before, might be a clue as to the true intentions of Clem.

‘Grand Piano’ Features Excellent (and Hitchcockian) Direction from Eugenio Mira

Image via Paramount Pictures

Following Grand Piano’s dizzying plot is always easy thanks to Eugenio Mira’s perfectly controlled direction. Sweeping shots of the concert hall cut to extreme close-ups on Elijah Wood’s face, which then dissolve to the sheet music, giving viewers a musical thrill that rings like the climax of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1956 remake The Man Who Knew Too Much. In fact, Hitchcock (with some Brian de Palma notes) is all over the movie, even down to the frankly nonsensical plot at its core. Hitchcock loved playing with visual gags and the absurdity of his scenarios, wringing suspense from county fair carousels and the Statue of Liberty. Surely he could have appreciated the sniper rifle in the concert hall.

Despite taking place in Chicago, the movie was filmed in the home country of Spanish director Mira. A musician himself, Mira used the rhythm of the performance (three unique pieces before getting to the climactic La Cinquette) to build the walls, closing in on Tom. While Elijah Wood was given just a three-week crash course in piano performance to develop his character, Mira confidently shoots the actor from all angles, giving coverage that makes you believe in Tom’s talent and his anxiety simultaneously. He also draws from Hitchcock to create the voyeuristic sense of Clem’s tight focus on Tom’s performance. If Elijah Wood is making you believe this character is a virtuoso who’s lost his way, Mira is making you believe the life-and-death stakes of this concert.

‘Grand Piano’ Fits Perfectly into Damien Chazelle’s Thematic Concerns

Grand Piano writer Damien Chazelle’s filmography consists of many movies dealing with the central conflict of the artist (or astronaut): how to balance work with one’s personal life. You see it in Whiplash (whose screenplay won Chazelle an Oscar), which explored the relationship of a jazz drummer and his abusive teacher who encouraged him to make jazz his life with monomaniacal focus. In La La Land, a musician and an actress try to balance their relationship with their developing careers. And 2022’s Babylon, while much wider in focus, looks at the wave of an artistic movement (sound cinema) and how it disposed of industry veterans. In half a dozen different cases in Babylon, you see the same arc play out: the ride is over, and if you dedicated your life to your art, good luck with what comes next.

In terms of movies Chazelle wrote but didn’t direct, Grand Piano fits much better into his oeuvre than 10 Cloverfield Lane. Speaking with Indiewire around the film’s release, Mira referenced the script’s portrayal of musical anxiety as “subtle, but there.” The movie externalizes the conflict within any artist to the most ridiculous extreme, but still finds truth about stage fright and the search for artistic credibility and validation. To an extent, maybe most performers feel like John Cusack is somewhere in the back of the venue with a sniper rifle, looking closely to see if a note is missed. While Chazelle’s later screenplays emphasize internal conflict and the power of relationships to heal (or destroy) artists, Grand Piano stands out as an excellent thriller that explores the same themes with a bit more bloodshed.

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Grand Piano

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Release Date

October 11, 2013

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Runtime

90 minutes

Director

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Eugenio Mira

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Bianca Censori is once again turning heads. This time with a dramatic new hairstyle that had fans comparing her to a beloved “Star Wars” icon. The Australian architect stepped out with husband Kanye West for a date night in Amsterdam on Friday, debuting a noticeably different look while the pair grabbed dinner at upscale restaurant Ciel Bleu.

Censori appeared to channel Princess Leia with her brunette hair parted down the middle and styled into two braided sections tucked neatly near the base of her neck, reminiscent of the late Carrie Fisher’s iconic character in the “Star Wars” franchise.

The outing marked another headline-making fashion moment for the model, who paired the hairstyle with a fitted white dress featuring a plunging neckline. She completed the monochromatic look with glossy white tights and open-toed white heels.

See the photos, which have been obtained by the Daily Mail.

Fans React To Censori’s Princess Leia-Inspired Look

As photos from the couple’s Amsterdam outing circulated online, social media users quickly weighed in on Censori’s latest transformation, and opinions were mixed. Some commenters praised the look, with one person writing, “At last, a beautiful look,” while another added, “She’s actually a very beautiful woman.”

Others appeared relieved to see the model in a more covered-up ensemble, as one user quipped, “At least for a change she has clothes on,” while another similarly wrote, “At least she has a few more clothes on this time.”

A handful of fans also embraced the apparent “Star Wars” inspiration, with one person joking, “I can feel the force with this one.”

Bianca Censori Addressed Rumors Kanye West Controls Her Style

Censori’s latest style transformation comes after she addressed speculation surrounding her provocative wardrobe and rumors that West controls what she wears. During an interview with Vanity Fair in February, the media personality pushed back against claims that she is pressured into wearing revealing outfits.

“I wouldn’t be doing something I didn’t want to do,” she expressed to the outlet, before adding that she asks for her husband’s opinion when it comes to putting a look together. “Me and my husband would work on my outfits together. So it was like a collaboration, it was never ‘I was being told to do something.’”

Censori also compared their creative dynamic to fashion partnerships between designers and muses. “If you were married to Gianni Versace, wouldn’t he give you a dress or something?” she questioned.

Public concern surrounding West’s influence over Censori only intensified following a controversial incident involving the couple in Venice last year. The pair made headlines after West was photographed exposing himself during a boat ride while Censori appeared seated nearby in a position that quickly fueled online speculation and criticism.

The incident sparked backlash from locals in Italy and drew widespread scrutiny across social media, with many questioning the couple’s behavior during the highly publicized outing.

Censori’s Fashion Choices Have Frequently Sparked Debate

Over the years, Censori has become known for wearing daring looks during public outings, often sparking online debate. One of her most talked-about moments came at the 2025 Grammy Awards, when she arrived in a long black fur coat before removing it on the carpet to reveal a nearly nude look underneath.

In addition to her headline-making Grammy Awards appearance, Censori has continued to embrace daring fashion choices on social media and during public outings. In one recent snap shared online, the model showed off another revealing ensemble consisting of a barely-there silver bikini top paired with light gray bikini bottoms. She layered the look with a fuzzy sweater.

Meghan McCain Previously Called Bianca Censori A ‘Hostage’

Censori’s bold fashion choices have also drawn criticism from public figures, including Meghan McCain, who did not hold back after the model’s controversial appearance at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

Following the ceremony, McCain took to X to voice her frustration with both Censori and West, while expressing concern over the couple’s dynamic. “I just want and have wanted for years, for Kanye West to leave us all the hell alone,” McCain wrote, later describing the rapper as a “repugnant, vile piece of garbage.”

The former “View” co-host also shared concern for Censori, adding, “She looks like a victim and a hostage.” Although McCain later deleted the post, a representative told Entertainment Weekly the removal was accidental and insisted she stood by the comments, doubling down by referring to West as “a vile pig.”