Young and the Restless 2-Week Spoilers for June 15-26, 2026 explode with Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) absolutely detonating when he finds out an enemy got a leg up on him. Plus, Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) is worried and desperate to find his mom, Diane Jenkins Abbott (Susan Walters), who has been captured by a complete psycho.

We’re going to get into all the latest spoilers starting June 15th and continuing for the next two weeks, including the start of July Sweeps, which starts on Thursday in the second week. So, let’s get to it!

Young and the Restless Spoilers: Diane’s Kidnapping and Jack’s Investigation

On Monday, June 15th, Young and the Restless is trying to realign the messy, broken timeline of Diane’s story because she had been missing from work and the GCAC and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) and Kyle were worried. So, Jack had hired a PI to look for her and then poof, Diane was with Jack and Kyle, all smiles and reconciled in Maryland on the Beyond the Gates crossover. So Y&R has now basically erased when Diane was missing before and just rebooted it with her missing again now that they’re all back in Genoa City. This is some sloppy stuff, y’all.

Jack calls Detective Burrow (Matt Cohen), who takes a missing person’s report, and Jack tells him he’s sure that Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) is responsible. And then while Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) is out, she spots crazy Patty with wicked-looking Dr. Laurence Markham. He’s a new guy played by Jere Burns. And it turns out he was Patty’s shrink at her last psychiatric hospital. So Dr. Markham must be a terrible psychiatrist because she is still nutty as a pecan pie. And it turns out Patty is paying Markham to keep Diane locked in his house. He even put bars on the windows.

Y&R Spoilers: Traci Loses It on Patty

So, Traci blasts Patty over getting her daughter, Colleen, killed back in the day and now doing something to Diane. Traci calls and alerts Jack who shows up to confront Patty and she tells Jack that Diane left him like she did before and Jack threatens Patty that she’s going to be locked up again soon.

Back at the mansion, Jack and Traci look up Dr. Markham and he looks legit. But then Patty shows up at the house to speak to Jack privately and Patty shows Jack a pic of Diane unconscious. Patty claims that Diane had a nervous breakdown because of Jack’s betrayal and says Diane’s recovery could take years. Jack says it’s a lie and demands to see Diane, but Patty says that’ll be bad for Diane’s recovery. And Patty tries to blackmail Jack into a relationship and threatens Diane’s life if he keeps pushing and doesn’t do exactly what Patty wants.

Y&R: Patty’s Blackmail and Diane’s Captivity

Meanwhile, Diane wakes up trapped in a random house and tries to pick the lock with a letter opener. Dr. Markham shows up and he gaslights Diane about her having a nervous breakdown. Markham says he found her after work screaming in her car and brought her to his house. Diane denies having a breakdown, but Markham says that Jack knows she’s there, agreed to her being there, and blames himself for her breakdown. Diane says, “Fine, I’ll get treatment for my breakdown, not here in your house. Take me to a real psychiatric hospital.”

Tuesday, June 16th, Jack brings together some people for a meeting. I’m sure this is about Diane being missing and Patty’s craziness. Jack has Detective Burrow involved. I expect Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson), Traci, Kyle, and some others. Diane is going to meet Patty’s accomplice on Tuesday. She already met Markham, so somebody else may be involved. Or this is a poorly written spoiler.

Young and the Restless Spoilers: Devon Swipes at Cane

Wednesday, June 17th, Devon Hamilton Winters (Bryton James) fires off a warning shot at Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn). I suspect he’s furious that Lily Winters (Christel Khalil Adnana) made Cane CEO of Chancellor. Also, Jack takes action. This is obviously related to Diane. And Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) interrogates Lily. I’m quite sure that Nikki is ticked that Lily got Chancellor and put Cane in charge. I kind of hope Lily rubs it in Nikki’s face because if you remember, Victor and Nikki did Lily really dirty on that Chancellor deal last year.

Thursday, June 18th, Victor lays down the law with Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). He may be pushing back on Victor because he wants Matt to do shady things because he doesn’t want to lose his soul again. Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) is increasingly worried about Nikki’s health. The headaches are getting worse.

Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) hits Cane with a low blow on Thursday. I think Phyllis is going to brag that Victor gave her Arabesque, but I don’t think Cane will care about that as much as she and Victor were hoping. He’s got Lily, so Cane’s pretty satisfied. And this week, Cane tells Lily that they are going to do great things together. Then he gives her a sweet kiss right in the middle of Crimson Lights. And if people see, they will lose their minds.

Young and Restless Spoilers: Victoria Terrified of Losing Nikki

On Friday, June 19th, Victoria shares her concerns with Claire Grace Newman (Hayley Erin). This may be about Nikki’s health, but also probably some gripes about Victor giving Chancellor to Lily when Nikki should have it. Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun) is losing patience with Audra Charles (Zuleyka Silver) and hits back. She’s obviously jealous over Noah Newman (Lucas Adams) and marking her territory.

Valuable information falls into Phyllis’ lap on Friday. Maybe about Cane or Chancellor or Patty. Or it could be the details about what Matt is doing for Victor. This week, it looks like Jack tries to fake it with Patty trying to get more info playing along, but Jack may only make Patty more unhinged by trying to fool her.

Y&R: June 22nd-26th – July Sweeps and Nikki’s Health Crisis

Then the week of June 22nd through the 26th, as I said, July sweeps kicks off. It starts Thursday, June 25th. We should learn more about Nikki’s health crisis and word is going to spread. She gets a scary and life-threatening diagnosis after her vision starts deteriorating. So, it sounds like something in her brain is misfiring and Nikki’s health crisis will be front burner in July sweeps.

After talking to Victoria, we may see Claire checking in with her grandma Nikki. And I wonder if Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox) is going to be involved in Nikki’s medical crisis since she’s the only doctor we know at the hospital right now. Maybe Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic) will consult on the case as well.

Sienna and Audra’s feud over Noah is going to heat up. Lily and Cane get closer. I expect them to make love during sweeps, but there’s going to be big drama with Victor targeting Cane using Matt. And of course, Victor may get more aggressive now that Cane is CEO of Chancellor because, you know, Victor is going to hate that. We’ll see if Matt is truly good or if he’s going to start to veer back towards the dark side. We should also see Phyllis in his orbit and they may spend more time together.

Young and the Restless Spoilers: Nikki & Victor Reunite Soon

Nikki and Victor are on a path to a reconciliation once he finds out about her diagnosis. Although Nikki doesn’t want to tell Victor at first because she doesn’t want him coming back to her just because she’s sick. Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) is going to struggle and have some setbacks in his recovery. We’re expecting a relapse based on an interview with headwriter Josh Griffith.

Diane struggles in captivity. Wicked Patty’s not going to stop until she gets Jack. And Dr. Markham seems to be willing to do anything for a payday. Hopefully, Jack is going to locate Diane soon and he’ll be the one to expose Patty and maybe she and her shrink can share a room at the prison or the psych hospital and Mariah Copeland (Cameron Grimes) should be released and home soon, but I actually don’t expect her to stick around Genoa City, but we’ll see.

And in big casting news, Jill Abbott is coming back to Genoa City with a recast in the role. And that’s like maybe 9 days away. We’re going to get Lauren Koslow making her debut as Jill in the first day of July Sweeps, which is Thursday, June 25th. Lauren’s going to fill in as Jill for five episodes, and I’m really interested to see how she feels about Lily getting Chancellor and then Cane running it.

Some movies want you to fall in love with the story. Obsession takes that idea, flips it on its head, and reminds you that sometimes love can become something much darker. I walked into the cinema expecting a supernatural horror film with a few decent scares, but I walked out having experienced something far more unsettling. This isn’t just another horror movie that relies on jump scares and buckets of blood. Instead, it takes a simple “what if?” scenario and slowly turns it into a nightmare that becomes more disturbing with every passing minute.

The story follows Bear, a young man who has secretly been in love with his childhood friend and co-worker, Nikki, for years. When he comes across a mysterious object known as the One Wish Willow, he makes what seems like the perfect wish—to have Nikki love him more than anyone else in the world. Unfortunately, as horror fans already know, wishes rarely come without consequences. Instead of getting the romance he always dreamed of, Bear finds himself trapped in a terrifying situation where love quickly becomes obsession, and obsession becomes pure horror. It’s a classic case of “be careful what you wish for,” but it feels fresh because of how well it is executed.

What I appreciated most about Obsession is that it never feels like it’s in a rush. It takes its time introducing the characters and building their relationships before everything slowly starts falling apart. That slower pace allows you to become invested in Bear and Nikki before the horror truly kicks in. When things finally start escalating, the tension becomes almost unbearable because you’ve already connected with the characters.

Michael Johnston does an excellent job as Bear. He’s not your typical horror movie lead, and that’s exactly why he works so well. He’s awkward, lonely, and desperate enough to make a terrible decision, but he’s still someone you can understand. You don’t necessarily agree with what he does, but you understand why he makes that choice. Inde Navarrette was equally impressive as Nikki. Watching her gradual transformation throughout the movie was genuinely unsettling. She manages to switch between sweet, vulnerable, and downright terrifying without it ever feeling forced. Both performances felt believable, which made the horror even more effective.

One thing that really stood out for me was the atmosphere. The movie doesn’t depend on loud noises every five minutes to make you jump. Instead, it creates this constant feeling that something isn’t right. Even during the quieter scenes, I found myself waiting for something horrible to happen. The camera work, lighting, and sound design all work together to create an uncomfortable feeling that never really disappears. There are a few jump scares, but they’re used at the right moments instead of becoming the movie’s entire personality.

The practical effects deserve a special mention as well. They look fantastic and add so much authenticity to the horror. Nothing felt cheap or overly reliant on computer-generated effects. Some of the imagery is genuinely disturbing, but it never feels like it’s being shocking just for the sake of it. Everything serves the story, which I always appreciate in horror films.

Another thing I really enjoyed was that Obsession isn’t just about the scares. Underneath all the supernatural horror is a story about loneliness, unhealthy relationships, and the dangers of trying to force something that was never meant to happen. It explores the difference between genuine love and unhealthy obsession in a way that feels surprisingly thoughtful without becoming preachy. By the time the credits rolled, I found myself thinking about those themes just as much as the horror itself. That’s usually the sign of a movie that’s done something right.

That being said, I don’t think the movie is completely flawless. The final act becomes a little chaotic compared to the steady build-up that comes before it. While I enjoyed the ending overall, there were a couple of moments where I felt it tried to do a little too much all at once. A slightly tighter ending could have made an already excellent movie even stronger. Thankfully, those issues are relatively minor and didn’t take away from my enjoyment.

Director Curry Barker deserves a lot of credit for creating a horror movie that feels different from many of the recent releases we’ve seen. Despite being made on a modest budget, Obsession looks and feels like a much bigger production. It’s easy to see why the movie has become one of this year’s biggest surprise success stories, with audiences embracing its fresh take on supernatural horror.

Overall, Obsession was one of the biggest surprises I’ve seen this year. It delivers creepy moments, strong performances, memorable visuals, and a story that sticks with you long after you’ve left the cinema. More importantly, it proves that you don’t need a massive budget or endless jump scares to make an effective horror movie. All you need is a great concept, believable characters, and filmmakers who know exactly how to build tension.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)

If you’re looking for a horror movie that’s more than just cheap scares, Obsession is absolutely worth watching. It gets under your skin, keeps you thinking long after it’s over, and reminds us all that some wishes really are better left unmade. I’m hopeful we get to see a sequel to Obsession, in actual fact, I wish for a sequel to this movie.

Final Thoughts – A Movie Worth Getting Attached To… Just Not Too Attached

At the end of the day, Obsession completely won me over. It scared me, kept me invested, and told a story that felt fresh in a genre where originality can sometimes be hard to find. This is one obsession I didn’t mind having for just under two hours. Just don’t blame the movie if you find yourself thinking about it for days afterwards… some obsessions are harder to shake than others. Make sure to catch it in cinema if you can…

As Mackenzie Shirilla continues serving her 15-to-life prison sentence, Natalie Shirilla offered a rare glimpse into what her daughter’s day-to-day life looks like behind bars. The 21-year-old is currently incarcerated at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, roughly two hours from the family’s home, for her involvement in the shocking 2022 high-speed wreck that left Mackenzie Shirilla’s boyfriend and friend dead.

According to Natalie, Mackenzie keeps in close contact through daily messages sent on a prison-issued tablet. “She’s struggling, they all are. It’s very hard and challenging in there,” Natalie said, adding she is only able to visit her daughter twice a month.

Still, Natalie claimed Mackenzie appears physically healthier than when she first entered prison. “She’s actually gained a little bit of weight; she looks healthier. She looks physically better, but she’s still mentally struggling,” she said.

When asked whether she worries about her daughter being bullied in prison, Natalie insisted Mackenzie is capable of standing up for herself. “I think some people get targeted at times, but it’s not something she talks about,” Natalie explained. “She’s not afraid to stand up for herself. We talk about how to navigate through those situations.”

“But from what I can see, the women really take care of each other in there,” she added.

Natalie Shirilla Defends Daughter Amid Prison Misconduct Reports

Despite reports that Mackenzie has accumulated roughly 36 misconduct violations while incarcerated, Natalie argued that many of the infractions were minor misunderstandings of prison rules. “A lot of the tickets she got were for stuff she wouldn’t even know were rules, like wearing her uniform,” Natalie claimed.

Some disciplinary reports reportedly stemmed from sexually explicit video calls involving an ex-inmate, something Natalie brushed off while defending her daughter’s character. “I mean, she’s in her 20s, so…,” Natalie said when asked about the alleged behavior. “I don’t know about that one. All I can say is Mackenzie is not violent or aggressive.”

According to Natalie, Mackenzie has since found ways to occupy her time, including working as a food service employee inside the facility. “She paints, she draws, she’s very talented. She listens to music or watches movies,” Natalie said.

“They have tablets that have controlled apps,” she added. “They can’t access the Internet, but they can watch movies or listen to music. They also have a gym and can take fitness classes.”

Mackenzie Shirilla’s Mom Says Family Feels ‘Trapped’

Elsewhere in the interview, Natalie reflected on the emotional toll the case has taken on everyone involved, including both families affected by the deadly 2022 crash.

“I feel trapped,” Natalie admitted. “I feel like we’re stuck in quicksand and we can’t get out. I feel so bad for Mackenzie, but at the same time, I feel so bad for the other families.”

Inside Mackenzie Shirilla’s Trial And Murder Conviction

Shirilla’s case drew national attention after prosecutors argued the fatal July 31, 2022, crash was not an accident, but an intentional act. According to prosecutors, Shirilla drove her black Toyota Camry at nearly 100 mph down Progress Drive in Strongsville, Ohio, before crashing through a sign and slamming into a commercial building.

The crash killed Shirilla’s boyfriend, Dominic Russo, 20, and friend, Davion Flanagan, 19, while Shirilla, then just days shy of her 18th birthday, survived with serious injuries.

Why Prosecutors Argued Mackenzie Shirilla Intentionally Crashed The Car

During the trial, prosecutors pointed to surveillance footage, crash reconstruction evidence, and data from the vehicle to argue Shirilla deliberately accelerated without braking in the moments leading up to impact. They also cited the volatile nature of Shirilla and Russo’s relationship, arguing the deadly collision came after tensions between the couple.

Defense attorneys pushed back, maintaining the crash was a tragic accident and arguing there was no definitive evidence proving Shirilla intentionally drove into the building. Her legal team also challenged the prosecution’s theory of motive and questioned whether the available evidence could conclusively establish intent.

In August 2023, Cuyahoga County Judge Nancy Margaret Russo ultimately found Shirilla guilty on multiple charges, including four counts of murder, felonious assault, and aggravated vehicular homicide. While delivering the verdict, the judge famously referred to Shirilla as “Hell on Wheels,” saying the teen had “a mission of death” the night of the crash.

Shirilla was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, becoming eligible for parole after serving 15 years.

Whew, Roomies! It looks like two familiar faces might have the internet putting on its detective hats once again. After months of playful chemistry, viral moments, and interactions that had folks raising their eyebrows, Keke Palmer and Sean Evans are finding themselves at the center of some fresh speculation. Now, nobody has confirmed anything just yet, but let’s just say the timeline is already connecting dots and filling in blanks.

RELATED: Keke Palmer’s Reaction To Surprise Marriage Proposal At SXSW Has Fans Shook (VIDEO)

Keke Palmer And Sean Evans Spark Dating Rumors

It looks like the rumor mill might be working overtime after Keke Palmer and Sean Evans were recently spotted enjoying what appeared to be a cozy night out in New York City. According to reports, the pair grabbed dinner Friday night at Lucali in Brooklyn, where they reportedly spent more than an hour and a half together. An eyewitness claimed the two stayed completely locked in on each other throughout the evening, with Sean allegedly looking especially smitten while chatting with the actress. While there was reportedly no PDA, photos circulating online show the pair deep in conversation at an intimate candlelit table, further fueling speculation that more than friendship may be brewing between them.

Are Keke And Sean More Than Friends?

The outing comes just weeks after the pair had fans side-eyeing their screens during an episode of Keke’s podcast, ‘Baby, This Is Keke Palmer.’ During the conversation, Keke playfully introduced Sean as her “potential future suitor,” sparking a string of flirty exchanges that quickly had the internet talking. Things got even more interesting when Keke’s mother Sharon Palmer openly rooted for the pair, calling their interaction “how life should be,” while Sean jokingly thought Keke was shouting out their future together.

@firstwefeast

the smooch that broke the internet ❤️‍🔥😘 #HotOnes #BabyThisIsKekePalmer #SeanEvans #KekePalme

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RELATED: City Boys Up? Keke Palmer Kisses ‘Hot Ones’ Host After He Previously Said She’s His Celebrity Crush (VIDEOS)

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 16 seconds ago

Last year, something fairly embarrassing happened to Marvel. They had a big plan to release different teaser trailers for Avengers: Doomsday across a period of several weeks, each one premiering theatrically. The idea was to build hype for the upcoming blockbuster film and, ideally, get diehard fans to come to the theater each week to catch a new preview. Unfortunately, the trailers leaked early online, spoiling any real sense of surprise. Now, it’s happening again, but something much more significant has gotten leaked: actual footage from Doomsday showing Doctor Doom in action!

If you’re a Marvel fan looking for serious spoilers, I’ve got good news and bad news. The good spidernews is that I’m going to link you to the leaked footage and provide a breakdown of everything happening in it. The bad news is that you’ll likely need the breakdown because the footage is so pixilated it looks like a cutscene on the Atari 2600. As near as we can tell, though, it’s not AI, meaning that this is actually a scene (albeit one missing certain VFX) from the upcoming movie. If you’re ready to open your Christmas present early, keep reading to get your first real look at Avengers: Doomsday!

Marvel Leakers: Assemble!

You can view the leaked Avengers: Doomsday footage above. Sadly, there’s no sound, and the footage has more pixels than Tony Stark has Iron Man suits. Anyway, what happens in this trailer? It begins with Doctor Doom seemingly using either magic or technology to activate some Sentinels, the robot titans that frequently vex the X-Men. We then see Captain America and Thor getting ready to fight these mechanical mutant-hunters. Thor calls Stormbreaker, his now familiar weapon, to his hand. Meanwhile, in a crowdpleasing moment, Cap summons Mjolnir as his own weapon of choice.

Afterward, we see that these two heroes are not alone. The Avengers are there, with Sam Wilson leading them. There are also members of the Fantastic Four and the Thunderbolts, fellow heroes from the MCU. Fighting alongside them are members of the X-Men from the 20th Century Fox X-Men films. This includes Cyclops, who fires off an optic blast before the Sentinels begin their own terrifying counterstrike. Sadly, the footage ends right when things were getting very exciting.

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In case you don’t know, social media is filled with AI videos that users pass off as secret film trailers or leaked footage. This is such a common phenomenon that whenever there is a leak from Marvel, the first question everyone has is whether it’s fake. So, is this Avengers: Doomsday footage AI or not? While nothing has been officially confirmed, this looks like the real deal. The fight lines up with what we already know about the movie; furthermore, most AI creators try to make their fake footage look as convincing as possible. Therefore, it doesn’t make much sense to release AI footage that has no sound and is hilariously pixilated. 

My personal theory is that, between this Avengers: Doomsday leak and the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer leaks, Marvel is doing a bit of guerrilla marketing. The actual studio “leaking” footage is a great way to get fans to hype up the film, all while getting entertainment writers (myself included!) to give the MCU additional coverage. If that’s the case, it’s working: leaks like this help generate buzz and keep excitement for Doomsday very high. Here’s hoping the film actually delivers on the hype, or nothing (not even Captain America wielding Thor’s hammer) will be able to save Marvel from its own cinematic implosion.

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Just one day after a 21-year-old died during a bungee jump in Brazil, six others have passed away in separate airborne accidents. Local firefighters said two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning and crashed in the city’s western zone. All six people abroad, including singer Oliver Tree, died.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Viral Video Shows 21-Year-Old Woman In Brazil Being Tossed Off Bridge Before Her Bungee Safety Cord Is Attached

Details About Helicopter Crash 

Rio de Janeiro’s Military Fire Department said one of the helicopters crashed on the parking lot of a car dealership, where several electric vehicles were parked. The incident ignited a fire that firefighters extinguished. Officials said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision, per The Associated Press.

Oliver Tree & Streamer Were Reportedly Killed In The Crash

Additionally, police said that American singer and comedian Oliver Tree was on the list of passengers given to aviation authorities. However, they have not been able to identify the bodies of those killed in the crash. Tree performed in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 4. Also, he published a video on his Instagram account on Saturday showing him playing soccer in a Brazilian neighborhood.

Argentine streaming channel Blender said that content creator Gaspar Prim Díaz — also known as Gaspi — was in one of the helicopters. Gaspi had more than 2.8 million YouTube followers and was 23.

“Thanks for your art, your magic and your sensibility, every one of us will miss you,” Blender said on its X account.

Witness Describes Seeing Collision

Fernandes de Freitas, a tire repair worker, said he saw one of the helicopters in flames following the midair collision. Also, he noticed that one of the passengers jumped out of the other aircraft before it hit the ground.

“It was terrifying, absolutely horrifying,” De Freitas said.

RELATED: Whew! Social Media Is Still In Disbelief After Viral Video Shows Woman Moments Before Bungee Jump Incident (REACTIONS)

Associated Press writers Diarlei Rodrigues and Ramiro Barreiro contributed to this report via AP Newsroom. 

DMX‘s ex-wife, Tashera Simmons, is speaking out following their son, Xavier Simmons’s, remarks about being the rapper’s “original family” during a recent street renaming ceremony.

RELATED: WATCH: DMX’s Youngest Son Plays ‘Ruff Ryders’ Anthem’ On The Piano

DMX’s Ex-Wife Speaks Out Following Their Son’s Remarks About Being The Rapper’s “Original Family”

According to TheGrio, on Friday, June 12, officials in Yonkers renamed the intersection of School Street and Brook Street “Earl ‘DMX’ Simmons Way.” Per the outlet, the ceremony included two of Ruff Ryfers co-founders, DMX’ family, and fans.

During the unveiling, speeches from the late rapper’s family members were shared. Desiree Lindstrom, DMX’s fiancée and mother of his youngest son, took the stage, asserting herself as one of the members of his estate. However, when Xavier Simmons’ DMX’s eldest son took the stage, things appeared to take a turn. While on stage, Xavier stated that the ceremony couldn’t close without hearing from his dad’s “original entire family.”

Per the outlet, Xavier even chastised Lindstrom, for behaving “dishonorably.” Specifically, Xavier alleged Lindstrom excluded the rapper’s children and ex-wife, Tashera, from festivities.

The remarks apparently led to Xavier’s mic being cut off. Ultimately, Tashera appeared to weigh in on what went down, seemingly calling Lindstrom a “devil.”

Social Media Weighs In On “Original Family” Remarks & DMX’s Ex-Wife

Social media users entered TSR’s comment section with reactions to Xavier Simmons and Tashera Simmons’ remarks about his “original family” and Desiree Lindstrom.

Late Rapper’s Youngest Son Made Headlines Years Before His Son’s Present Remarks

Before DMX’s oldest son made headlines, his youngest son was making headlines. As The Shade Room previously reported, in December 2023, Exodus Simmons made headlines when when Lindstrom took to Instagram to share a clip of him playing his father’s song, ‘X Gon’ Give It To Ya,’ on the piano.

“Happy Birthday Earl! Thinking of you always, but especially today. You was New York!!! Exodus tribute to you! (X gonna give it to ya) We love you baby! #ForeverX,” Lindstrom had captioned the heartwarming clip at the time.

RELATED: Watch As DMX’s Youngest Son Celebrates His Late Father’s Birthday With A Special Piano Tribute (Video)

Mackenzie Shirilla’s mother is speaking out for the first time since her daughter’s case exploded back into the spotlight, pushing back against online claims and insisting the convicted killer is not the “villain” many have painted her to be. In a new interview, Natalie Shirilla addressed renewed public scrutiny following Netflix’s “The Crash,” which revisits the shocking 2022 high-speed wreck that left Mackenzie Shirilla’s boyfriend and friend dead.

Now 21 and serving 15 years to life in prison, Shirilla was convicted of murder after prosecutors argued she intentionally drove her Toyota Camry at 100 mph into a commercial building in Strongsville, Ohio, killing boyfriend Dominic Russo, 20, and friend Davion Flanagan, 19.

Natalie Shirilla said the public reaction to her daughter has been fueled by misinformation and assumptions surrounding the deadly crash.

“There were three people in the car,” Natalie told The Daily Mail in her first interview since the documentary aired. “Anything could have happened. Anything. So all these people creating all these stories, it’s just a bunch of story time. Nobody knows.”

The mother of the convicted “Hell on Wheels” killer, a nickname given to Mackenzie by the judge during sentencing, admitted she knows many people will never forgive her daughter, but insisted there is more to the story.

“I’m always going to be a villain in somebody’s story because I’m the mom of someone driving a car who killed two kids,” Natalie said. “That’s okay because I know I’m not a villain, I’m a good person. So is my daughter. She’s not how she’s been labeled online. She struggles with this daily.”

Natalie Shirilla Makes Explosive Claims About Daughter’s Relationship With Dominic Russo

Natalie also disputed long-running rumors surrounding Mackenzie and Russo’s relationship, including speculation he had been planning to break up with her or that Mackenzie had previously attempted to crash a car while he was inside. “I loved Dom. I still love Dom. Mackenzie still loves Dom. She’s struggling,” Natalie said. “Dom was like part of our family.”

The grieving mother went on to claim Russo struggled with mental health issues, alleging he was “bipolar” and had previously threatened suicide.

Inside Mackenzie Shirilla And Dominic Russo’s Allegedly Turbulent Relationship

According to Natalie, Russo once threatened self-harm inside the Shirilla family home and allegedly experienced emotional spirals that required Mackenzie’s help. She also claimed Russo’s mother had contacted Mackenzie multiple times for support when he would allegedly “hit his head against the wall.”

Natalie acknowledged the young couple had a turbulent relationship and fought frequently, but suggested there were complexities behind the scenes that have not been fully understood publicly.

Why Mackenzie Shirilla’s Family Says Everything Changed After ‘The Crash’

Natalie also reflected on the aftermath of the deadly crash, claiming the Shirilla family initially grieved alongside Dominic Russo’s loved ones before relationships suddenly fractured.

According to Natalie, Russo’s mother, Christine Agnello Russo, who previously worked for the Cuyahoga County District Attorney’s Office that later prosecuted the case, was allegedly captured on video speaking with police about wanting Mackenzie to go to prison and advocating for a Republican judge to oversee the proceedings.

Natalie ultimately blamed much of the public narrative shift on Dominic Russo’s half-sister, Christine Russo. “Christine Junior doesn’t even know us,” Natalie claimed. “She’s the daughter of Frank Russo and his first wife. She only knew Dominic until he was about 15. Mackenzie met her like one time. Yet she professes to know all about us.”

Mackenzie Shirilla Remains Behind Bars After Deadly 2022 Crash

Shirilla has remained incarcerated since her arrest following the July 31, 2022 crash, which occurred just days before her 18th birthday. Prosecutors successfully argued during trial that Shirilla intentionally caused the wreck, leading a judge in 2023 to convict her on multiple charges, including murder.

Her family, Natalie said, initially believed Mackenzie would face lesser charges, such as vehicular homicide, and continue to visit her regularly while she serves her sentence.

Natalie’s latest comments come as renewed public interest in the case has sparked fresh debate online following the release of “The Crash,” with many viewers revisiting questions surrounding motive, responsibility, and the events leading up to the fatal collision.

According to The Daily Mail, some of Natalie’s claims may be partially reflected in a massive collection of investigative materials made public following trial, including more than 30,000 text messages, reports, recordings, and court documents.