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Entertainment

Bunnie XO’s Ex Reveals Painful Relationship Fallout

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Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo at the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Jon Bon Jovi

The end of Bunnie XO and Jelly Roll’s nearly decade-long marriage has sparked plenty of headlines, but now, attention is shifting to a chapter of her life long before the country star entered the picture. 

As Jelly Roll publicly insists their split remains amicable, one of Bunnie’s former husbands is sharing deeply personal memories about their relationship, their struggles, and the heartbreak that followed. 

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo at the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Jon Bon Jovi
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

While fans were stunned by news of their divorce, both Bunnie XO and Jelly Roll have made it clear that there is no public war unfolding between them.

During a concert in Saratoga Springs, the Grammy Award winner paused to address speculation surrounding the end of their marriage. The singer told fans that despite filing for divorce in May, he and Bunnie remain close.

According to the musician, they are still “best friends” and “will always be best friends.”

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Bunnie echoed a similar sentiment on a recent episode of her podcast, “Dumb Blonde,” where she described the breakup as ending “on the best possible terms.”

Their split came as a surprise to many followers who had watched the pair overcome addiction struggles, public scrutiny, and even an admitted affair during their years together. 

Yet insiders have suggested that the couple’s increasingly different public identities may have contributed to the decision.

One source previously claimed that Jelly Roll’s highly visible embrace of Christianity clashed with Bunnie’s candid discussions about sex and relationships on her podcast and social media platforms.

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Bunnie’s Ex-Husband Recalls Their Unusual Beginning

As Bunnie XO navigates life after Jelly Roll, her former husband Francisco “Frankie” Lombardo is shedding light on the relationship they shared years earlier.

Lombardo told the Daily Mail that meeting the podcast host in 2009 changed his life. At the time, he was confiding in her about problems with another relationship while she was married to Christopher Gilbert and working as a dancer in Las Vegas.

According to Lombardo, Bunnie was hustling to make ends meet and had financial support from several “sugar daddies.” Their connection developed quickly. He recalled meeting both Bunnie and Gilbert together before she unexpectedly whispered, “I want to make out with you.”

Within a week, Lombardo had moved in with her. Although the circumstances appeared complicated, Lombardo insisted there was no cheating involved and maintained that Bunnie and Gilbert had already separated before their romance began.

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After Gilbert’s marriage officially ended, Bunnie and Lombardo tied the knot in Maui on Valentine’s Day 2010. “We were like, ‘Hey, let’s go to Hawaii and let’s get married.’ And we did it,” Lombardo recalled.

He described their marriage as adventurous and intensely close, comparing their dynamic to Bonnie and Clyde. “We’re f*****g best friends,” he said while reflecting on that period of their lives.

Bunnie XO’s Lifestyle Became A Major Source Of Tension

Bunnie XO at CMT Music Awards
MBS/MEGA

Despite their strong bond, Lombardo said one issue repeatedly created friction in their marriage.

“When I met her, she said to me right out of the gate, ‘I just want to let you know that I have a couple sugar daddies,’” he recalled.

The arrangement became difficult for him to accept. “I was super jealous,” Lombardo admitted, explaining that he wanted Bunnie entirely to himself. The situation reportedly led to arguments throughout their relationship.

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Bunnie has openly discussed her history with wealthy benefactors in the past, previously revealing that she received “half a million dollars” from sugar daddies who showered her with luxury gifts.

She has also acknowledged that she was still financially relying on clients during the early stages of her relationship with Jelly Roll.

“I literally went on tour with him and was seeing clients just to fund our life at the time,” she revealed on her podcast.

According to Bunnie, she was working as a high-end escort in Las Vegas and earning significant sums while helping support their lifestyle.

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Lombardo said the reality of that world was often difficult for him, even though he understood it was part of who she was when they met.

Bunnie And Lombardo Faced Heartbreak Before Their Divorce

Beyond relationship tensions, the former couple also faced serious personal challenges. Lombardo revealed that his family’s legal troubles placed enormous strain on their marriage. 

After his parents lost their home following criminal proceedings, they moved in with them. The arrangement proved overwhelming.

“With everything crashing down,” Lombardo said he reached the “lowest point” of his life. He believes those circumstances played a major role in the collapse of the marriage.

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Another painful issue involved the couple’s efforts to start a family. Lombardo said both he and Bunnie XO desperately wanted children and pursued fertility treatments together.

“I really wanted a baby with her. She wanted to have a baby,” he explained. The experience mirrors fertility struggles Bunnie later discussed while married to Jelly Roll. On “Dumb Blonde,” she described IVF as “one of the loneliest, darkest journeys.”

She revealed that the process had left her emotionally drained and that Jelly Roll’s own treatment for a low sperm count created additional challenges.

Even so, she recently insisted that they still plan to become parents despite their divorce.

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Bunnie XO’s Former Husband Thinks Her Next Chapter Is Just Beginning

@infamous.viii

,📣📣📣 Good news NEVER MAKES HEADLINES. They say bad publicity is good publicity but this is bonkers, man. Ya’ll believe nothing you hear and half of what you see. Media is a sesspool of nonsense! Look guys, all this crazy crap and Bunnie and the allegations are not only false but they are ridiculous. Bunnie is really a great human. Y’all don’t believe the hype about her and J. Send them your love and your support and don’t buy into the garbage 🫵🏼 🙈 #news #tmz #dailymail #bunniexo #podcast

♬ original sound – Frankie Lombardo

Although Lombardo admitted their breakup devastated him, he maintained a friendship with Bunnie over the years.

One of the most painful periods came when she entered a relationship with another man after their split. Lombardo said watching her endure alleged abuse was “a nightmare.”

Referencing a figure identified as “Karma” in Bunnie’s memoir, he recalled seeing her arrive at his home seriously injured and said he preferred not to revisit those memories.

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Lombardo’s own life has not been without controversy. He faced domestic battery allegations in 2023, though the case was dismissed in 2024. He has denied wrongdoing, stating: “I would never put my hands on a woman.”

Despite everything that has happened, he believes Bunnie is entering a transformative period. “I think we’re going to witness her really kind of blossom now and kind of step into herself a little bit more as an individual and not really be in the Jelly shadow,” he said.

Still, he could not resist offering one final piece of advice to the woman he once thought he would spend forever with. “I was like, ‘Just do me a favor. Don’t get f*****g married.’ It’d be the fourth time. It makes no sense,” he shared.

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Kendall Jenner, Jacob Elordi Seen Walking Dog In Australia

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Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi Seen Getting Cozy on Japan Date After Pair Visited Hawaii

Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi appear to be closer than ever after the pair were spotted walking the actor’s dog in Australia.

In photos shared via social media by Deux Moi on Tuesday, June 23, Jenner, 30, accompanied Elordi, 28, on a walk in New South Wales’ Byron Bay before dropping into The Byron Bay General Store, a local cafe.

Jenner and Elordi, who was born and raised two hours’ north of the town in Brisbane, Australia, were both dressed in pop color windbreakers and dark pants for the occasion. The model paired her bright blue jacket with a blue bandana wrapped around her hair, while the Wuthering Heights star pulled the hood of his yellow jacket over his head.

Elordi, who will celebrate his 29th birthday on Friday, June 26, also clutched the leash of Layla, his family’s golden retriever dog. While standing at the cafe’s counter, Elordi also appeared to pay for the pair’s purchases as Jenner watched beside him.

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Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi Seen Getting Cozy on Japan Date After Pair Visited Hawaii


Related: Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi Get Cozy on Japan Date

Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi were spotted out on a cozy date night while visiting Japan. Jenner, 30, and Elordi, 28, enjoyed a meal at the restaurant Udon Shin. While sitting at the counter, the pair smiled while taking a photo with several workers. Jenner and the Euphoria actor rocked matching black T-shirts for the […]

The couple have notched up multiple international vacations since Us Weekly confirmed their romance in April. Jenner and Elordi were spotted enjoying time together in Hawaii in May before enjoying the sights of Tokyo, Japan the following month.

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While their time in Hawaii remained low-key, their Tokyo adventures were captured by local restaurant owners who took to Instagram to share their star sightings. “Thank you for visiting our restaurant. We sincerely appreciate your patronage and look forward to serving you again” a post shared via pizzeria Seirinkan’s Instagram account read on June 1, which came after the pair’s visit to ramen restaurant Udon Shin.

A source exclusively told Us in May that the duo, who have been friends for years, felt a more serious connection while visiting Hawaii that month. “Kendall and Jacob have become very close recently,” the insider told Us on May 20. “They were excited to get away to Hawaii and have some downtime together.”

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Related: Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi Grab Dinner During Montecito Date Night

Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi appear to be spending more time together than ever. Photos published by TMZ on Sunday, May 24, seemingly showed the model, 30, standing inside a Montecito restaurant with the Euphoria actor, 28. According to the outlet, the pair dropped into the eatery “with pals” in what was a “double date” […]

They added that “things are progressing” since finding an initial spark in January. “They have been consistently seeing each other when they can. It is much more serious now, without a label,” the source added at the time.

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The couple have seemingly clicked with Jenner’s sister, Kylie, after the siblings were spotted on several double dates with Elordi and Kylie’s boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet. “It has really worked out that they can hang out with Kylie and Timothée, and it has been so fun for all of them to be together,” the insider noted of the couples’ time together. “The group dynamic has made things even easier because there’s no pressure and everyone gets along naturally. They’ve been enjoying low-key dinners and just hanging out at home casually.”

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Netflix, Prime Video and Apple TV Can Never Copy This Streamer’s Secret Weapon

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Graphic showing the purple and yellow Tubi logo and titles like Brownish and Secret Life of Pets you can find on the platform

Most major streaming services tend to have one element that helps them stand out above the pack. Netflix has crafted a library of extremely popular shows, including Stranger Things and Squid Game. Apple TV is quickly becoming a major hub for the next wave of groundbreaking science fiction shows. Prime Video has buzzy genre fare like Invincible and Fallout, not to mention the added bonus of connecting to different services via Amazon Prime. Yet all of these services are slowly becoming overshadowed by another streamer with a built-in advantage that no one expected.

That service would be Tubi. Launched in 2014, Tubi was designed as an ad-supported streaming service by creators Farhad Massoudi and Thomas Ahn Hicks​​​​​. It flew under the radar for years, largely overshadowed by the programming other streamers put out. However, Tubi quickly became one of the biggest streaming services in the game. It’s grown its subscriber base to 78 million users and seen a massive increase in revenue and usage. What led to Tubi’s sudden surge in popularity? The answer is simple: it costs nothing to install or to start watching, and that’s a big draw for many viewers in the streaming age.

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Tubi’s FAST Model Gives It A Leg Over Other Streamers

Graphic showing the purple and yellow Tubi logo and titles like Brownish and Secret Life of Pets you can find on the platform
Graphic showing Tubi logo and titles like Grownish and Secret Life of Pets that you can find on Tubi
Image via Tubi

One of the biggest issues most people have with streaming services is the rising costs. At a time when most people are struggling to get by, seeing Netflix prices go up has subscribers questioning if they want to stay subscribed. On the other hand, Tubi’s FAST (free ad-supported streaming) model is quickly becoming more attractive to wider audiences. All you have to do is sit through a few ads at certain points, and you can enjoy your programming for free. While other FAST services like Pluto TV and the Roku Channel have their own steady subscriber bases, those bases haven’t grown as much as Tubi’s.

Tubi’s growth began to surge in 2019, when it signed a deal with NBCUniversal to bolster its programming library. It’s continued to grow over the past few years, due to its acquisition by Fox and a steady stream of licensing deals. The fact that major studios like Warner Bros. Pictures and Universal are willing to lend out their programming to Tubi, combined with its free-to-watch model, makes it a major draw for new users. Why pay a staggering fee for multiple streaming services when you can save money and just tune into one? Tubi’s chief marketing officer, Nicole Parlapiano, perfectly summed up the streamer’s advantages during an interview last year.

“Our fans come in, and they behave like [subscription streaming] viewers. The only difference is they don’t pay for it.”













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Collider Exclusive · Action Hero Quiz
Which Action Hero Would Be
Your Perfect Partner?

Rambo · James Bond · Indiana Jones · John McClane · Ethan Hunt
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Five legends. Five completely different ways of getting out alive — with style, with muscle, with charm, with luck, or with a plan so intricate it probably shouldn’t work. Ten questions will reveal which action hero was built to have your back.

🎖️Rambo

🍸James Bond

🏺Indiana Jones

🔧John McClane

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🎭Ethan Hunt

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01

You’re dropped into a dangerous situation with no warning. What do you need most from a partner?
The first few seconds tell you everything about who belongs beside you.





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02

You have to get somewhere dangerous, fast. How do you travel?
How you get there is half the mission.





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03

You’re pinned down and outnumbered. What does your ideal partner do?
This is when you find out what someone is really made of.





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04

The mission is paused. You have one evening to decompress. What does your partner suggest?
Who someone is when the pressure drops is who they actually are.





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05

How do you prefer your partner to communicate mid-mission?
Good communication is the difference between partners and a liability.





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06

Your enemy is powerful, well-resourced, and has the upper hand. How should your partner approach them?
The approach to the enemy defines the partnership.





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07

Things go badly wrong and you’re captured. What do you trust your partner to do?
Who someone is when you need them most is the only thing that matters.





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08

What does your ideal partner bring to the table that you couldn’t replace?
A great partner fills the gap you didn’t know you had.





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09

Every partnership has a cost. Which of these can you live with?
No one comes without baggage. The question is whether you can carry it together.





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10

It’s the final moment. Everything is on the line. What do you need from your partner right now?
The last question is the most honest one.





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Your Partner Has Been Assigned
Your Perfect Partner Is…

Your answers have pointed to one action hero above all others. This is the person built to have your back — for better or considerably, spectacularly worse.

Rambo

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Your partner doesn’t talk much, doesn’t need to, and will have assessed every threat in your immediate environment before you’ve finished your first sentence. John Rambo is not a man of plans or politics — he is a force of nature shaped by survival, loyalty, and a capacity for endurance that goes beyond anything training can produce. He will not leave you behind. He has never left anyone behind who deserved to come home. What you get with Rambo is the most capable, most quietly ferocious partner imaginable — one who has been through things that would have broken anyone else, and who chose to keep going anyway. You’ll never need to ask if he has your back. You’ll just know.

James Bond

Your partner will arrive perfectly dressed, perfectly briefed, and with a cover story so convincing it’ll take you a moment to remember what’s actually true. James Bond is the most professionally dangerous person in any room he enters — and the most disarmingly charming, which is the point. He operates in a world of layers, where nothing is what it appears and every advantage is used without apology. You’ll never be bored. You’ll occasionally be furious. But when it matters — when the mission is genuinely on the line and the margin for error has collapsed to nothing — Bond is exactly the partner you want. He has survived things that have no business being survivable. He does it with style. That is not nothing.

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Indiana Jones

Your partner will know the history, the language, the cultural context, and exactly why the thing everyone else is ignoring is actually the most important thing in the room. Indiana Jones is brilliant, reckless, and occasionally impossible — but he is also one of the most resourceful, most genuinely knowledgeable partners you could find yourself beside. He approaches every situation with a scholar’s eye and a brawler’s instinct, which is an unusual combination and a remarkably effective one. He hates snakes and gets personally attached to objects of historical significance, both of which will slow you down at least once. It doesn’t matter. What Indy brings is irreplaceable — and the adventures you’ll have together will be the kind people write books about. Assuming you survive them.

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John McClane

Your partner was not supposed to be here. He does not have the right equipment, the right information, or anything approaching the right odds. He has a sarcastic remark and an absolute refusal to accept that the situation is as bad as it looks. John McClane is the greatest accidental hero in the history of action cinema — a man whose superpower is stubbornness, whose contingency plan is improvisation, and whose capacity to absorb punishment and keep moving would be alarming if it weren’t so useful. He will complain the entire time. He will make it significantly more chaotic than it needed to be. And he will absolutely, unconditionally, without question come through when it counts. Yippee-ki-yay.

Ethan Hunt

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Your partner has already run seventeen scenarios by the time you’ve finished reading the briefing, and the plan he’s settled on involves at least two things that should be physically impossible. Ethan Hunt operates at the absolute edge of human capability — technically, physically, and intellectually — and he brings the same relentless precision to protecting his partners that he brings to dismantling organisations that shouldn’t exist. He is not easy to know and he will never fully tell you everything. But he will carry the weight of the mission so completely, so absolutely, that your job is simply to trust him — and the remarkable thing is that trusting him always turns out to be the right call. The mission will be impossible. He will complete it anyway.

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Tubi’s Diverse Streaming Lineup Makes It Stand Out

Another reason more viewers are drawn to Tubi is its truly unique collection of movies and TV shows. Millennials who grew up on Saturday morning cartoons can check out series like Static Shock and Ben 10. Anime lovers have the entirety of classic series like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Naruto at their fingertips. Genre fans can check out the Percy Jackson movies or even a sci-fi classic like Independence Day. Tubi’s also become a livestreaming hub for major sporting events, including the Super Bowl and this year’s FIFA World Cup, which makes it a streamer worth investing in.

Tubi also invests in its own original programming, which has yielded surprisingly successful results. Whether it’s original movies like R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead or TV revivals like Wynonna Earp: Vengeance, there’s a wide range of projects designed to appeal to different audiences. Tubi’s biggest venture into original programming is its “Creatorverse“, which spotlights social media creators from YouTube and other platforms as they create their own shows. At a time when movies like Obsession and Backrooms are enjoying box office success, that’s a wise investment.

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The rising success of Tubi is something that more streamers should pay attention to. It didn’t need a bottomless budget or a splashy new prestige series to grow its audience. It got by on a simple model that’s drawing in viewers, and that might be what wins the “streaming wars”.

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10 Best Force Powers in Star Wars

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The Force Ghosts of Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christiansen), Yoda (Frank Oz), and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) stand together looking proud in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.

In a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas envisioned a universe in which the battle of good and evil became a pop culture phenomenon. Perhaps the most beloved and devoted franchise in media, Star Wars has provided the world with some of the most incredible characters. We’ve become so enamored with the Jedis and Sith Lords because of the power they wield: the Force. A mysterious, metaphysical energy field created by all life that surrounds, penetrates, and binds everything in the universe together, the Force is not inherently good or evil, but it is channeled through two primary philosophical aspects: the Light Side and the Dark Side. It’s those approaches that create the epic battles in the galaxy.

There are only certain Force-sensitive individuals who can harness its power to gain supernatural abilities; quite an arsenal of Force powers, actually. For this list, we are going to examine the greatest Force powers at users’ disposal, going through some of the most iconic moments in which we saw them in action. They’re more than just a Force check or Jedi mind tricks, but in terms of cinema, they certainly make for some of the greatest moments in Star Wars history.

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10

Force Spirit

The Force Ghosts of Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christiansen), Yoda (Frank Oz), and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) stand together looking proud in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.
The Force Ghosts of Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christiansen), Yoda (Frank Oz), and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) stand together looking proud in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.
Image via Lucasfilm

For those who might need a little extra boost, they can often be visited by the galaxy version of a ghost: a Force spirit. The power is the preserved consciousness of a deceased Force-sensitive being. Unlike ordinary beings who dissolved into the Cosmic Force upon death, these individuals retained their memories, personalities, and forms to guide and mentor the living. This technique is exclusively tied to the light side of the Force, as it requires complete surrender of the ego and detachment from worldly powers.

The first modern Jedi to rediscover the ancient secret was Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), who in turn passed his knowledge to Yoda (Frank Oz) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). This legacy was passed down to help guide Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who then learned to manifest as Force spirits to guide the next generation of Jedi. The most famous example occurred during the original trilogy in which Obi-Wan (Alec Guinness) guided Luke in the trench run of the Death Star, later returning to him on Dagobah and Endor.

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9

Shatterpoint

Mace Windu uses Shatterpoint in 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars.'
Mace Windu uses Shatterpoint in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars.’
Image via Lucasfilm

One of the rarer Force abilities in the Star Wars universe is known as shatterpoint. This power allows its user to sense and exploit crucial weaknesses in objects, people, or events that can alter the outcome of a situation. Call it Jedi intuition. By applying this Force pressure to the focal points, its user can break otherwise indestructible elements and alter the course of fate. Its most prominent user is Jedi Master Mace Windu (Terrence C. Carson), whose powers were explored further in the Legends novel Shatterpoint by Matthew Stover.

As seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, he perceived that Count Dooku (Corey Burton) was a major shatterpoint of the Clone Wars. He sensed that if Dooku had been killed in the arena on Geonosis, the entire devastating galactic war might never have started. He was also able to sense the shatterpoints surrounding Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter), sensing that he would either doom the Jedi Order or save it. He also recognized that Supreme Chancellor Palpatine’s (Ian Abercrombie) shatterpoint was the chosen one, Anakin. Unfortunately, Mace Windu was killed before he could alter that fate.

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8

Force Whisper

Obi-Wan Kenobi sitting in a cruiser using a jedi mind trick on stormtroopers in A New Hope.
Obi-Wan Kenobi sitting in a cruiser using a jedi mind trick on stormtroopers in A New Hope.
Image via Lucasfilm

Perhaps the most famous power on this list is the Force Whisper, colloquially known as the Jedi Mind Trick. This power is a telepathic Force ability that allows its user to manipulate the thoughts, feelings, and actions of another sentient being without violence. It’s a persuasion technique frequently used to avoid conflict, bypass guards, interrogate subjects, or plant information. There are limitations, though. Species with highly independent minds are completely immune to the trick.

The very first time Star Wars fans would have witnessed Force whisper in action on film was Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope. Here, Obi-Wan Kenobi uses the technique on Imperial stormtroopers in Mos Eisley, famously waving his hand and stating, “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.” Later, the mentor used the Force whisper to encourage Luke during his trench run. Obi-Wan Kenobi was notorious for this skill, as in Star Wars: Episode II— Attack of the Clones, the younger iteration of the character uses the mind trick on Elan Sleazebaggano (Matt Doran), a drug dealer attempting to sell him death sticks. Obi-Wan commands the dealer to stop his illicit trade by uttering, “You will go home and rethink your life.” In the sequel trilogy, Rey (Daisy Ridley) showcases her ability with it, using the mind trick on a First Order stormtrooper.

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7

Force Vision

Kylo Ren stands in front of the Knights of Ren in a dark, rain-soaked landscape
Kylo Ren stands in front of the Knights of Ren in a dark, rain-soaked landscape in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
Image via Lucasfilm

Force vision allows Force-sensitive individuals to perceive events in the past, present, or future. From vague premonitions to immersive, dreamlike states, this power is used by both Jedi and Sith to seek warnings, guidance, or hidden truths. Through Jedi teaching, it’s emphasized that the future is always in motion; thus, Force vision is a means to show only possible outcomes or paths. It’s also very subject to interpretation, as it can be influenced by the viewer’s emotions and fears.

One of the most prominent examples in the Skywalker Saga comes in Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back, in which Luke sees himself beneath Darth Vader’s (James Earl Jones) mask, serving as a warning of the dark path he might take should he give himself over to anger. In hindsight, this scene became even more valuable upon learning the origin of the iconic villain. For Anakin (Hayden Christensen), he’s plagued by a Force vision of his wife, Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman), dying in childbirth, which drives him to the dark side in desperation, ultimately becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. Perhaps Padmé might have died sooner had Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eickstein) not had a vision of her assassination, which allowed her to track her down and stop it in The Clone Wars.

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6

Force Drain

Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine uses Force Drain Daisy Ridley as Rey and Adam Driver as Ben Solo in 'Star Wars- The Rise of Skywalker.'
Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine uses Force Drain Daisy Ridley as Rey and Adam Driver as Ben Solo in ‘Star Wars- The Rise of Skywalker.’
Image via Lucasfilm

Now, for something that the dark side loves to use: Force drain. This power allows its practitioner to siphon life essence and Force energy from living targets to heal, empower, or sustain themselves. Rather than drawing on the natural harmony of the Force, the Force-sensitive individual relies on parasitically feeding on the death and suffering of others. Force drain can manifest on different scales, including physically targeting their victim, draining at a distance, targeting multiple victims, and, at their absolute peak, some Sith Lords can consume the life force of entire planets.

The use of this power has extended throughout Star Wars lore across multiple platforms. In the video games The Old Republic and Knights of the Old Republic, the Sith Emperor Vitiate (Doug Bradley) performed the apocalyptic ritual on the planet Nathema while Darth Nihilus drained the entire Miraluka colony on the planet Katarr to sustain himself. Before that, in Tales of the Jedi comics, Exar Kun drained the energy of the entire Massassi species on Yavin 4 to trap his spirit inside his temple for millennia. In Star Wars: Episode IX—The Rise of Skywalker, Darth Sidious (Ian McDiarmid) notoriously drains the life force and Force Dyad energy from Rey and Ben Solo (Adam Driver), allowing him to rejuvenate his frail body to an immense state of power.













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Collider Exclusive · Star Wars Quiz
Which Force User
Are You?

Light Side · Dark Side · Or Somewhere Between
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The Force is not a binary. It is a spectrum — from the serene halls of the Jedi Temple to the shadowed corridors of Sith space. Ten questions will reveal where you truly fall. The Force has always known. Now you will too.

🔵Jedi Master

🟡Padawan

🔴Sith Lord

Inquisitor

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Grey Jedi

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01

What is the Force to you?
Your relationship with the Force defines everything else.




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02

When you feel strong emotions — anger, grief, love — what do you do?
The Jedi suppress. The Sith feed. Others choose differently.




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03

The Jedi Council gives you an order you disagree with. You:
How you handle authority reveals your alignment.




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04

You are offered forbidden knowledge that could give you enormous power. The cost is crossing a moral line. You:
The dark side’s pull is never more than a choice away.




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05

Your approach to training and learning is:
A student’s habits become a master’s character.




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06

In a duel, your lightsaber fighting style reflects:
Combat is the purest expression of a Force user’s philosophy.




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07

A defeated enemy lies at your feet, powerless. You:
Mercy — or its absence — is the truest test of alignment.




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08

The Jedi Code forbids attachment. Your honest view on love and bonds:
The source of the greatest falls in the galaxy.




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09

Why do you use the Force at all? What’s the point?
Purpose is the difference between a knight and a weapon.




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10

At the final moment — light side or dark side pulling at you — what wins?
In the end, every Force user faces this moment. What does yours look like?




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Your Alignment Has Been Determined
Your Place in the Force

The scores below reveal how the Force sees you. Your highest number is your true alignment. Read on to understand what that means — and what it will cost you.

🔵
Jedi Master

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🟡
Padawan

🔴
Sith Lord


Inquisitor


Grey Jedi

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Disciplined, compassionate, and deeply attuned to the living Force, you have walked the path long enough to understand its demands — and accept them. You lead not through authority alone, but through example. You have felt the pull of the dark side and chosen otherwise, every time. That is not certainty. That is courage.

You are earnest, powerful, and brimming with potential — and you know it, which is both your greatest asset and your most dangerous flaw. You act before you think, trust your gut over your training, and sometimes confuse impatience for bravery. The Masters see something in you, though. The question isn’t whether you have what it takes — it’s whether you’ll be patient enough to find out.

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You are not simply dangerous — you are certain, and that is worse. You have decided what the galaxy needs, and you have decided you are the one to deliver it. Your power is genuine and formidable, earned through sacrifice that would have broken lesser beings. But examine your victories carefully. Every Sith believed their cause was righteous. The dark side’s cruelest trick is that it agrees with you.

You were forged in fire and reshaped by those who found you at your lowest. You serve, because service gave you structure when you had none. Your allegiance is not to an ideology — it is to survival and to the master who gave you purpose. But there is something buried beneath the conditioning. The Jedi you hunt? You recognize them. Because you remember what it felt like before the choice was taken from you.

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You have looked at the Jedi Code and the Sith Code and found both of them incomplete. You walk the line not out of indecision but out of conviction — you genuinely believe both extremes miss something essential. The Jedi don’t fully trust you. The Sith think you’re wasting your potential. They’re both partially right. But so are you.

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5

Telekinesis

Anakin Skywalker force choking Padme in Revenge of the Sith
Anakin Skywalker force choking Padme in Revenge of the Sith
Image via Lucasfilm
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Perhaps the other most infamous Force power is telekinesis, though casual fans liken it to the Force choke. Though that’s one ability under the telekinesis umbrella, we’re going to lump all its power into one. This ability authorizes its user to manipulate matter with the mind using the Force. It is one of the most fundamental, versatile, and frequently used Force powers by both sides. The power can range from a saber throw, which can guide a lightsaber through the air, to a Force barrier, in which a concentrated shield of kinetic energy is formed to deflect projectiles.

The scale of this power varies drastically depending on the user’s skill, focus, and training. An average Patawan might be able to lift a small rock or retrieve a lightsaber, while legendary Force users might be able to rip starships out of the sky. And right in the middle is Darth Vader choking the life out of those who cross him. In the franchise’s canon, telekinesis is seen quite often. In The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda famously demonstrates the power by telekinetically lifting Luke’s sunken X-wing from the swampy waters of Dagobah. In Star Wars: Episode VIII—The Last Jedi, Rey and Kylo Ren use telekinesis to simultaneously pull on the Skywalker lightsaber. Needless to say, the range of this power is vast and quite useful.

4

Force Lightning

Palpatine shoots force lightning
Palpatine shoots force lightning
Image via Lucasfilm
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One of the more visually iconic and recognizable powers is known as Force Lightning. This destructive ability allows a Force-user to shoot crackling arcs of electrical energy from their fingertips. It is predominantly a dark side ability as it is fueled by negative emotions, hatred, anger, and malice. Its power can inflict excruciating pain and is used to torture or kill. Light side Force-users have been known to manifest a variant of the energy projection, even being able to block it with their lightsaber or neutralize the electrical energy via tutaminis or Force absorption.

Force lighting is a signature weapon of the Sith. In Return of the Jedi, Emperor Palpatine used it to torture Luke. Count Dooku frequently used his blue lighting to incapacitate Obi-Wan and Anakin during his duels in Attack of the Clones and The Clone Wars. Mother Talzin (Barbara Goodson), leader of the Nightsisters, used a greenish, magical variation, drawing on the energy of Dathomir rather than raw Sith hatred. The Son (Sam Witwer), the physical manifestation of the dark side realm of Mortis, wields an incredibly powerful red force lighting.

3

Force Healing

Grogu uses Force Healing in 'The Mandalorian.'
Grogu uses Force Healing in ‘The Mandalorian.’
Image via Lucasfilm
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Now, for something for the light side: Force healing. In the Star Wars realm, Force healing is a rare and powerful ability that allows its user to mend injuries, cure poisons, and save lives by transferring their vital life energy into a wounded target. Depending on the severity of what needs healing, the selfless act often physically weakens the practitioner. That said, they can often recover their strength through rest and meditation.

The evolution of this lore was brought into the mainstream Star Wars on two massive occasions. In Rise of Skywalker, Rey heals a wounded Vexis in the desert and later channels the energy to heal Kylo Ren after impaling him with his lightsaber. Not to be outdone, their Force dyad came in when Ben Solo gave his remaining life force to resurrect Rey after she perishes, defeating Darth Sidious. The more adorable iteration of the power came in The Mandalorian at the hands of Grogu, who used his ability to heal Greef Karga’s (Carl Weathers) fatal, venomous wound. Star Wars fans have debated why characters like Obi-Wan or Anakin didn’t use this power to save their loved ones in earlier stories.

2

Force Storm

Ian McDiarmid uses Force Storm in 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.'
Ian McDiarmid uses Force Storm in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’
Image via LucasFilm
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An extension of Force lighting is the even more powerful Force storm. This incredibly destructive, volatile ability combines deep dark side energy, Force lighting, and complex rituals to manipulate space and weather. It’s a cataclysmic ability that can even rip holes in space-time. It’s not a power that any ordinary Force-sensitive individual can conjure, though it has been seen throughout the Star Wars universe, including the Legends expanded universe and via the games.

The most vibrant occasion came at the hands of Emperor Palpatine. In the Dark Empire comic series, Palpatine uses his anger to conjure titanic storms, even reaching thousands of light-years from his fortress world of Byss to Coruscant. The galactic devastation scorched planetary surfaces and opened wormholes across the galaxy. His usage expanded in The Rise of Skywalker as he conjured a localized storm, marking its sole movie appearance. Another prime example is Bendu (Tom Baker), an enigmatic, neutral Force entity who summons a hurricane-force wind and lightning over the planet Atollon to attack both Imperial and Rebel forces in Star Wars Rebels.

1

Midi-Chlorian Manipulation

Anakin Skywalker on the brink of turning into Darth Vader at the end of 'Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.'
Anakin Skywalker on the brink of turning into Darth Vader at the end of ‘Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.’
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It’s one thing to shape a battle; it’s another to shape the entire future and history — that’s the overwhelming power of midi-chlorian manipulation. The profound and dangerous ability directly influences microscopic, intelligent life forms within the cells of living beings. By communicating with or altering these organisms, the user can heal the sick, drain the Force energy from others, and, most importantly, create life itself. It’s the latter that became Star Wars‘ most famous application. The lore behind midi-chlorians acts as a bridge between the physical self and the cosmic Force. A higher concentration per cell allows an individual to channel the Force better than others.

The concept came to fruition when the Sith Lord Darth Plagueis conducted extensive experiments to create new life. It is said that it was the catalyst for Anakin Skywalker’s immaculate conception by the Force. Plagueis sought eternal life by coaxing midi-chlorians to cheat mortality. The Force fought back against his unnatural experiments, which caused the attempt to alter the galactic balance to conceive Anakin as the Chosen One. There are some who believe this power is useless or futile, but in the grander picture of the Skywalker Saga, it’s a crucial plot point that shaped the story.

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Kate Middleton’s Exact Hydrating Shampoo Is 20% Off Now

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Katie Holmes is seen, outside Patou, during the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2024/25 as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 27, 2024 in Paris, France.

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We always feel that familiar pang of jealousy upon viewing Kate Middleton‘s hair, but honestly, who can blame Us? That glossy, bouncy blowout she’s been perfecting for over a decade has become as iconic as her tailored coat dresses. From royal engagements to Wimbledon appearances, her chestnut waves always look freshly styled, never overdone. So when word got out about the shampoo she reportedly trusts, we admittedly rushed to buy it.

According to Grazia UK, the Princess of Wales reaches for Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin Shampoo to keep her famous strands looking soft and shiny. It’s a fitting choice. The formula is gentle enough for regular use yet rich enough to handle the frequent styling that comes with being photographed roughly 400 times a week.

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Get the Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin Shampoo for $34 (Was $43) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Right now, the luxe shampoo is 20% off for Amazon Prime Day — which explains why more than 5,000 shoppers grabbed it in the last month alone. The pick has racked up over 3,600 five-star ratings, with reviewers raving about results that sound almost too good.

Katie Holmes is seen, outside Patou, during the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2024/25 as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 27, 2024 in Paris, France.


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Katie Holmes has a knack for making the most practical wardrobe staples feel unexpectedly chic. The secret? Her accessories, which always seem to pull her entire look together, whether she’s using them to spice up baggy jeans, enhance breezy dresses or make separates seem extra polished. That’s exactly why her latest go-with-everything tote bag caught […]

One shopper said their hair is the “healthiest it has ever been,” crediting the formula with undoing “a lot of heat damage.” Another reported that “after two weeks” of using it, their hair felt “softer, fuller [and] shinier.”

The ingredients are what make this product so special. Plant-based proteins nourish dry strands while niacinamide locks in moisture for long-lasting strength. The lightweight formula cleanses away buildup without stripping, then smooths and detangles as it goes. There’s a soft floral musk scent, too, the kind that lingers just enough to feel luxurious without overwhelming.

The good news is that you don’t need a royal styling team to get hair that looks polished and healthy. A little patience and the same quality shampoo Kate apparently keeps in her shower can go a long way. Just don’t wait too long. Deals like this tend to disappear faster than a paparazzi-free afternoon at Kensington Palace.

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Get the Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin Shampoo for $34 (Was $43) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Kerastase here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Gwyneth Paltrow attends the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards at American Museum of Natural History on November 06, 2023 in New York City.


Related: Copy Gwyneth Paltrow’s Head-Turning White Bikini Look for $25

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Gwyneth Paltrow knows how to do a European summer! The Goop founder was recently spotted soaking up the sun in the kind of crystal-blue water that quickly makes you rethink your own vacation plans. And the outfit she chose for the occasion? A simple white string bikini that looked effortlessly chic against the Mediterranean backdrop. […]

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Jennifer Aniston Named In New Voting Records Storm

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Jennifer Aniston at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards

Jennifer Aniston has found herself at the center of an unexpected Hollywood controversy after a new analysis of voter registration records raised questions about where some of the entertainment industry’s biggest names are officially registered to vote. 

The “Morning Show” star is among dozens of celebrities connected to a high-profile West Hollywood business address, a discovery that has prompted scrutiny from election experts and a review by county officials. 

As questions mount, the situation is putting celebrity privacy and voting laws on a collision course.

Jennifer Aniston at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards
C Flanigan/imageSPACE / MEGA

Jennifer Aniston is among a group of celebrities whose voter registrations appear to be linked to Suite 600 at 9200 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. 

According to voter roll data obtained by the Daily Mail, the same address is also listed for stars including Jenna Dewan, Linda Cardellini, Katheryn Winnick, Nicollette Sheridan, Laura Harrier, Matt Czuchry, Debbie Gibson, and Hamish Linklater.

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The address is not a private residence but the business location of Platinum Financial Management, Inc., a firm run by celebrity money manager Michael Ullman. County voter records show a total of 36 voters registered at the office.

Under Los Angeles County voting rules, voters are required to register using their residential address. Anyone registering must sign documentation under penalty of perjury affirming that the listed address is their home residence. 

The discovery has therefore prompted questions about how so many high-profile names came to be associated with a single business office.

Records indicate that Aniston was last registered at the address on January 29, 2025. Other registrations span years, with some dating back more than two decades.

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Aniston Registration Raises Questions About Election Rules

Jennifer Aniston attends Official Emmy FYC Event The Morning Show’
Janet Gough / AFF-USA.COM / MEGA

Michael Ullman told the outlet that his office was used only to receive mail on behalf of celebrity clients. 

“They don’t live here,” Ullman said, adding, “It’s just a mailing address, but it’s not their residential address. So it gets mailed here, but they voted in their area.”

However, county officials disputed that explanation. According to the county, the registrations were not listed merely as mailing addresses but were entered as residential addresses.

When informed of the county’s position, Ullman responded, “That’s weird. That’s not my understanding.” The issue has become particularly significant because voter registration forms distinguish between mailing addresses and residences. 

Election officials maintain that voters must register where they actually live, regardless of whether they choose to receive mail somewhere else.

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The records reviewed by the Daily Mail reportedly show the office being used as a residence address by multiple individuals over many years, creating questions about whether the registrations complied with county guidelines.

Jennifer Aniston Case Highlights Celebrity Privacy Concerns

Jennifer Aniston at Apple TV+'s "The Morning Show" World Premiere
Ron Adar / M10s / MEGA

Election law expert Amber Hulse of the Dhillon Law Group told the Daily Mail that celebrities are still bound by the same voter registration laws as everyone else.

“You’re allowed to use a mailing address, like a business address or something like that. But they still need to provide their residential address as their domicile,” Hulse said.

She noted that privacy concerns do not automatically exempt public figures from disclosure requirements. According to her, “If, for example, Jennifer Aniston is using it as her residence, when it is clearly not her residence, then it would be illegal.”

Hulse added, “When you sign up to register to vote, you’re signing under penalty of perjury. It would be the crime of perjury in California.”

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While California does allow some individuals to shield their home addresses, Hulse emphasized that celebrity status alone does not qualify someone for that protection.

County voter records reportedly show that none of the 36 registrants associated with the office had received exemptions that would allow them to keep their addresses confidential.

Aniston Was One Of 27 Registered Voters Who Cast Ballots

Jennifer Aniston is all smiles waving as she arrives to the Late Show with Stephen Colbert this evening in New York City
Eric Kowalsky / MEGA

The voter database was used for the November 2024 general election and includes updates through 2026. According to county records, 27 of the 36 people registered at the office voted in the 2024 election, including Jennifer Aniston.

The actress has been outspoken politically in recent years and publicly supported Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. 

Records also show that some of the email addresses connected to registrations at the office were work-related accounts associated with Platinum Financial Management.

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Harrier reportedly registered the office as her residence on March 23 of this year, while Dewan registered there on December 12, 2025. 

The oldest registration associated with the address dates back to 2002 and belongs to director Campion Murphy. His wife, actress Faith Ford, was also registered at the office in 2008.

Hulse warned that registering at a business address rather than a true residence could affect which elections a voter participates in.

Jennifer Aniston Controversy Prompts Ongoing County Review

Jennifer Aniston at SAG Awards 2024: RED CARPET
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

County officials say they are continuing to examine the registrations associated with the Sunset Boulevard address.

Under the Los Angeles County website’s frequently asked questions section, the guidance is straightforward, noting,  “A person may only register to vote at their place of residence. A business address or a P.O. Box number may only be used as a mailing address.”

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County spokesman Michael Sanchez confirmed that dozens of registrations were tied to Ullman’s office and reiterated the legal requirement.

“Under California law, voters must register at the address they identify as their domicile or residence,” Sanchez told the Daily Mail. He added that the registrar’s office is “continuing to review the records associated with this address.” 

Sanchez explained that election officials generally process registrations based on information provided by voters and do not independently investigate every address. 

The building itself may have complicated matters because 9200 Sunset includes both commercial offices and residential penthouse units.

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‘Sweet Magnolias’ Just Set Up 7 Unexpected Season 6 Mysteries

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Ty and Annie singing on a stage in Sweet Magnolias

Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for Sweet Magnolias Season 5.With 744 million hours of viewership under its belt, Sweet Magnolias is one of Netflix’s sweetest successes. While the streaming giant has established itself as a leader in genres like sci-fi and fantasy, Sweet Magnolias is subtly proving that Netflix can create some truly captivating emotional dramas. Fans eagerly waited for Season 5 to come out this year, and now that it has, some juicy Season 6 mysteries have been teased.

Season 5 starts off with a fun Sex and the City vibe as Maddie (JoAnna Garcia Swisher) begins her new role in New York. There is a fun scene where a group of women sitting at a table with cosmopolitans acknowledge the three Magnolias, who slyly nod and note that they prefer margaritas. However, Maddie’s venture outside of Serenity is short-lived, and her tenure in NYC lasts less than one episode. No one is really surprised by this writing choice, as the series is inseparable from the quaint, idealistic hometown where no one is a stranger and everyone is given a second chance.

With the Magnolias united again, Season 5 goes on to deliver some interesting twists and turns. Throughout it all, the three lifelong friends of Maddie, Helen (Heather Headley), and Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott) continue to love and support each other through life’s unexpected ups and downs. Though Season 5 played it safer than earlier seasons, there was still plenty of drama in Sweet Magnolias this year.

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How Will Ty’s Storyline Be Resolved?

Ty and Annie singing on a stage in Sweet Magnolias
Ty and Annie singing on a stage in Sweet Magnolias
Image via Netflix

One notable absence from Season 5 is Maddie’s oldest son, Tyler “Ty” (Carson Rowland). While Season 4 ended with Ty going off on a European music tour, audiences were hopeful that he would return, at least periodically, in Season 5. Ty and Dana Sue’s daughter, Annie (Anneliese Judge), had finally gotten together romantically in Season 4, and it felt all too bittersweet and short-lived.

When Rowland decided to leave the show to pursue other opportunities, it created a plateau for the character. While his absence was addressed in Season 5, it wasn’t dealt with. It will be interesting to see what the final conclusion for his character’s journey will be and whether it takes place on screen or not. As the rest of Sweet Magnolia‘s next generation prepare to take flight to pursue their dreams, viewers wonder who will stay outside of Serenity, like Ty, and who will land back home.

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Can Ronnie and Dana Sue Ever Break the Pattern?

Dana Sue and Ronnie about to kiss in Sweet Magnolias Season 4
Dana Sue and Ronnie about to kiss in Sweet Magnolias Season 4
Image via Netflix

Ronnie (Brandon Quinn) and Dana Sue’s marriage has had its share of struggles, and just when everything seemed to be on track, old problems resurface like ghosts of unhappiness past and haunt them once again. Ronnie suffers from a major case of insecurity, and Dana Sue tends to shut down when she gets upset, and this pattern wreaks havoc on their marriage. In Season 5, Donnie is desperate to prove himself and pushes his family away by working long hours at the Bike Barn, his new business venture. Dana Sue builds resentment like a brick wall and either leaves or goes silent and refuses to talk to him, so their weak attempts at reconciliation go nowhere.

Sadly, this is a dance viewers have watched the couple do in previous seasons. Frustrated, Dana Sue asks Donnie why he can’t ever learn. Audiences are left wondering the same thing and if the couple will finally break the vicious cycle in their relationship. When Dana Sue reaches out to Donnie’s tumultuous sister, Kathy (Wynn Everett), rather than talk to her husband, it is a big clue that things are not going the way they should. Fans will have to wait until Season 6 to see if their marriage can be saved.

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What Will Dana Sue and Clark Bellson’s Relationship Be in Season 6?

John Gabriel Rodriquez as Clark Bellson, smiling and looking off-camera in Sweet Magnolias Season 5
John Gabriel Rodriquez as Clark Bellson, smiling and looking off-camera in Sweet Magnolias Season 5
Image via Netflix

Right at the time when Donnie and Dana Sue start to have relationship problems, a blast from her past waltzes back into her life. John Gabriel Rodriquez joins the cast this season as Clark Bellson, Dana Sue’s childhood rival. As Dana Sue has conversations with Clark about the Magnolias renting from him to launch their new creative endeavor, Common Language, it becomes clear that Clark feels more than admiration for Dana Sue.

Having Clark Bellson enter the picture at this point in the timeline creates an interesting dynamic for Dana Sue. She feels overlooked by Donnie, who is self-absorbed in his own career goals, but Clark seems to take notice and appreciate Dana Sue for who she is, both now and before. It is clear that Dana Sue will have to make a choice, which adds a lot of tension for Season 6.

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What Does the Future Hold for Erik and Helen?

Helen and Erik embracing in Sweet Magnolias Season 4
Helen and Erik embracing in Sweet Magnolias Season 4
Image via Netlfix

The arduous courtship of Helen and Erik (Dion Johnstone) has been one of the most dramatic and rewarding of the entire series. Both of them have suffered loss and tragedy, and both of them have loved and poured into everyone around them endlessly. Seeing two characters that mean so much to everyone else finally find happiness is sublime, and their wedding is a joyous occasion that Season 5 gifts to its loyal viewers.

As Helen and Erik come together as a family, audiences get some insight as to why Erik tends to be guarded. Needless to say, this trait and some Whitley family turmoil give Helen several challenges to navigate through as she tries to plan their wedding. Luckily, it all ends well, and the couple emerges stronger than ever. As Erik and Helen finally dance together as a newlywed couple at their reception, Helen notices all the young people she and Erik have mentored. She suggests to Erik that having “children of the heart” could include fostering teenagers. This would be an excellent extension of their lives and would provide the series with unlimited opportunities for some intriguing and impactful storylines.

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Collider Exclusive · The Sorting Hat Awaits
Which Hogwarts House Are You?
Gryffindor · Slytherin · Hufflepuff · Ravenclaw

Four houses. One destiny. The Sorting Hat has considered thousands of students — now it’s your turn. Answer honestly and discover where you truly belong at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

🦁Gryffindor

🐍Slytherin

🦡Hufflepuff

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🦅Ravenclaw

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01

What quality do you value most in yourself?
Answer as honestly as you can — the Hat always knows.




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02

A friend is being treated unfairly. What do you do?
How you protect others says everything about who you are.




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03

What does success look like to you?
What you’re working toward defines who you’re becoming.




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04

What is your greatest fear?
Fear is the most honest thing about a person.




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05

The rules say no. Your gut says go. What do you do?
Every institution has rules. What you do with them is a choice.




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06

What kind of friend are you?
Who you are to the people you love is who you really are.




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07

You look into the Mirror of Erised. What do you see?
The mirror shows the deepest desire of your heart.




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08

The Sorting Hat pauses. It whispers: “You could do well in any house. But what matters most to you — truly?”
This is your tiebreaker. The Hat always listens.




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The Sorting Hat Speaks
Your House Has Been Chosen

After careful deliberation, the Sorting Hat has made its decision. This is the house your values, your instincts, and your particular way of being in the world were made for.

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Gryffindor Tower · Scarlet & Gold

🦁 Gryffindor

You have nerve. Not the reckless kind, but the deep, quiet courage that shows up even when you’re terrified — especially then.

  • Gryffindors don’t act because they’re fearless — they act because they understand that some things are worth being afraid for.
  • You stand up for people when it would be easier to look away.
  • You charge toward what’s right even when the odds are terrible.
  • Harry, Hermione, Ron — the heroes of Hogwarts’s greatest chapter — all called the tower with the scarlet and gold home. And now, so do you.

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Slytherin Dungeon · Emerald & Silver

🐍 Slytherin

You are driven, sharp, and utterly clear-eyed about what you want and how to get there.

  • Slytherin has long been misunderstood — painted as the house of villains when it is, at its best, the house of those who refuse to accept limits placed on them by others.
  • You are resourceful, strategic, and you play the long game.
  • You know your worth. You protect your own fiercely.
  • The dungeon common room with its view of the Black Lake is yours — and the ambitions that will take you further than anyone expects are yours too.

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Hufflepuff Basement · Yellow & Black

🦡 Hufflepuff

You are the kind of person that makes the world genuinely better just by being in it.

  • Hufflepuff is not the “safe” house or the “leftover” house — it is the house of those with the greatest heart and the most unwavering integrity.
  • You show up. You work hard. You don’t need glory or recognition — you do what’s right because it’s right.
  • Your loyalty never wavers, even when tested.
  • Nymphadora Tonks, Cedric Diggory, Newt Scamander — some of the wizarding world’s finest. And now you join them.

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Ravenclaw Tower · Blue & Bronze

🦅 Ravenclaw

Your mind is your greatest gift, and you’ve always known it.

  • Ravenclaws are the thinkers, the questioners, the ones who find a puzzle irresistible and a good book better company than most people.
  • Ravenclaw is not merely about intelligence — it’s about the love of learning, the pursuit of truth, and the rare courage to admit you don’t know something yet.
  • You see the world with unusual clarity and depth.
  • Luna Lovegood, Filius Flitwick, Rowena Ravenclaw herself — all extraordinary, all original. And so are you.
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Will Annie and Noah Stay Together?

Aidan Merwarth as Noah smiles at someone with their back to the camera in Season 5 of Sweet Magnolias
Aidan Merwarth as Noah smiles at someone with their back to the camera in Season 5 of Sweet Magnolias
Image via Netflix
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After Ty’s departure and absenteeism, Annie decides she has had enough and ends things with him. This leaves Annie free to pursue her passions, and two unexpected ones come in the form of Blake (Austin Woods) and Noah (Aidan Merwarth). While Blake is an outgoing and adventurous employee of the Bike Barn, Noah is an insightful and introspective cartographer. As both young men are interested in Annie, the Mini Magnolias (and viewers) get some time to decide whether they are on Team Blake or Team Noah. Annie ultimately decides that while dating Blake was fun for the summer, she wants something deeper and more connected with Noah.

As Annie and Noah spend time together, the big question becomes, will they stay together in Season 6? Annie is about to go off to college, and Noah is doing a summer internship in Serenity. Annie has been through so much throughout the tenure of Sweet Magnolias, from her parents’ separation and her home burning down to bullying at school and Ty breaking her heart. It would be nice to see her have a win in a relationship. Noah seems more suited to her and would make an ideal love interest. While Ty was headstrong and more focused on his own dreams and goals, Noah looked for opportunities to connect with Annie and found ways to show her that he sees and appreciates her.

Will Jessica Become a Permanent Member of the Mini Magnolias?

Iman Benson as Jessica smiles and looks off camera inside Sullivan's in Sweet Magnolias Season 5
Iman Benson as Jessica smiles and looks off camera inside Sullivan’s in Sweet Magnolias Season 5
Image via Netflix
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A fantastic addition to the cast this year was Iman Benson as Erik’s niece Jessica. Jessica provided the insight needed when Helen and Erik were failing to move past their conflict, and she fit in perfectly with the Mini Magnolias. With such great on-screen chemistry with all the characters, it would be superb to see Benson return as a permanent member of the cast.

Since Rowland has left the series, it feels like a hole has been left in the next-gen Magnolias, and Jessica could be the perfect choice to make the series feel complete again. Her presence would give Helen and Erik a constant and tangible investment in the young people’s group and be a terrific choice for all of their storylines. Jessica and Annie struck up a friendship during Season 5, and it would be rewarding to see them have each other as comrades to do life with.

Who Is Peggy’s Lost Love?

Brittany L. Smith as Peggy talking to someone in the mayor's office in Serenity in Sweet Magnolias
Brittany L. Smith as Peggy talking to someone in the mayor’s office in Serenity in Sweet Magnolias
Image via Netflix
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As the women walk around Savannah on a ghost tour for Helen’s bachelorette party, Peggy (Brittany L. Smith) mentions that she is haunted by a lost love. When the Magnolias try to ask who it is, she doesn’t reveal her beau. Peggy is another character who has had her fair share of sadness and betrayal. It has been very satisfying to see Peggy succeed professionally and become Serenity’s mayor, and adding a love interest to her story would be the icing on the cake.

Sweet Magnolias excels in the blast from the past department, and Peggy’s long-lost romance would be perfect for Season 6. There are so many opportunities to discover who it could be and whether she gets a chance to reconnect with them. Although Season 6 has yet to be confirmed, Sweet Magnolias continues to be a small-screen darling, playing to its strengths and delivering familiar atmosphere with new mysteries.


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Sweet Magnolias

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Release Date

May 19, 2020

Network
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Netflix

Showrunner

Sheryl J. Anderson

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Directors

Norman Buckley, Mary Lou Belli, Lauren Petzke, Christine Swanson, Kelli Williams, Laura Nisbet Peters, Mykelti Williamson, Yangzom Brauen, Joy T. Lane, JoAnna García Swisher

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  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Brooke Elliott

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    Dana Sue Sullivan

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    JoAnna García Swisher

    Maddie Townsend

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The Beach Boys’ Most Beautiful Song Secretly Destroyed Their Sunny California Image

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Chester-Bennington

There’s only so much summer one could take, even for The Beach Boys. Formed in 1961, the surf-and-turf Hawthorne heroes were only teenagers when they first started, with the youngest, Carl Wilson, being 14 years old and the eldest, Brian Wilson and Mike Love, being 19 years old. Age-wise, this made them the perfect representation of the youthful, sun-drenched spirit they would soon become associated with.

That Californian influence would spark the genesis of their 1961 debut single, “Surfin’”. Rumored to have been inspired by member Dennis Wilson’s love for surfing, the single later led to their 1962 debut album Surfin’ Safari, establishing them as the peppy doo-wop group behind many summer anthems. But all the sun has to set eventually to make room for a little darkness. For The Beach Boys, nothing marks a greater shift away from their sunny California myth than the closing track of their most celebrated album, Pet Sounds.

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“Caroline, No” Is the Most Heartbreaking Beach Boys Track on ‘Pet Sounds’

Like many of the songs on Pet Sounds, “Caroline, No” is inspired by Brian’s experiences and the sentiments that come out from it, as chronicled in the behind-the-scenes making-of book “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” much of Brian’s songwriting starts off with talking about anything, and those conversations could wander away into anything else besides music. Oftentimes, it would be about the boys’ dating experiences. The Beach Boys may be legendary musicians, but, like mere mortals, they are not immune to heartbreak.



Who’s Your Perfect Classic Rock Band?























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Classic Rock Personality Quiz
Who’s Your Perfect
Classic Rock Band?

A Personality Quiz · 10 Questions
Five legendary bands. One perfect match. Answer 10 questions about your personality, attitude, and taste to find out which classic rock icon you truly belong with. Are you raw power, rolling swagger, operatic drama, thunderous riffs, or timeless melody?
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AC/DC

👅Rolling Stones

🤘Metallica

👑Queen

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🎸The Beatles

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01

How do you walk into a room?
Choose the answer that feels most like you.





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02

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What does your ideal Friday night look like?





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03

What’s your philosophy on keeping things simple vs. complex?





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04

How would your friends describe your personal style?





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05

How do you want to be remembered?





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06

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What kind of crowd do you want around you?





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07

If you were writing a song, what would it be about?





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08

What’s your secret to staying relevant over time?





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09

You’re playing to 80,000 people. What does your performance look like?





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10

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Pick the word that best sums up your relationship with rock music.
This is your tiebreaker — choose carefully.





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Your Result
Your Perfect Band Is Revealed

Based on your personality, energy, and taste, the classic rock band that matches your soul is…

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⚡ AC/DC

You are pure, undiluted rock energy. You don’t need tricks, trends, or theatrical gimmicks — you have something more powerful: a riff that hits like a thunderbolt and an attitude that never wavers. Like AC/DC, you understand that simplicity executed with absolute conviction is its own form of genius. You’re the person in the room who doesn’t overthink it, doesn’t pretend, and never turns the volume down. The highway to hell is a state of mind — and you’ve been on it since day one.

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👅 The Rolling Stones

You’ve got swagger that can’t be taught. Rooted in the blues and soaked in street-level attitude, you move through life with a loose, dangerous elegance that draws people in without ever trying too hard. Like the Stones, you’ve seen it all, done most of it, and somehow look better for it. You’re not chasing perfection — you’re chasing truth, groove, and that electric moment when everything clicks. Can’t always get what you want? You tend to get it anyway.

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👑 Queen

You are magnificent, and you know it — not from arrogance, but from an unshakeable sense of self that has never needed anyone’s permission. Like Queen, you defy every category people try to place you in. You blend the epic with the intimate, the operatic with the anthemic, the serious with the playful. You live boldly, love fiercely, and perform every aspect of your life as though the whole world is watching. Because sometimes it is. We are the champions — and so are you.

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🎸 The Beatles

You have the rarest of gifts: the ability to make something that feels both deeply personal and universally human. Like The Beatles, you’re a natural connector — someone whose warmth, curiosity, and creative instincts draw people together across every divide. You believe in melody, in craftsmanship, and in the quiet power of a song that says exactly what someone needed to hear. You’ve changed the people around you just by being who you are. All you need is love — and you give it generously.

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Who’s Your Perfect Classic Rock Band?

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Classic Rock Personality QuizWho’s Your PerfectClassic Rock Band?A Personality Quiz · 10 QuestionsFive legendary bands. One perfect match. Answer 10 questions about your personality, attitude, and taste to find out which classic rock icon you truly belong with. Are you raw power, rolling swagger, operatic drama, thunderous riffs, or timeless melody?

AC/DC

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👅Rolling Stones

🤘Metallica

👑Queen

🎸The Beatles

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Begin Quiz →

01

How do you walk into a room?Choose the answer that feels most like you.

ALike a freight train — loud, fast, and everyone knows I’ve arrived.BWith a slow, cool swagger — I take my time and own every step.CHead down, focused — I’m here for a purpose and small talk isn’t it.DWith total confidence and a flair for the dramatic — all eyes on me.EWarmly and curiously — genuinely excited to see what and who is here.

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Next Question →

02

What does your ideal Friday night look like?

ALoud bar, cold beer, cranked jukebox — the louder the better.BA smoky club, good company, and doing whatever feels right in the moment.CIntense concert or staying in with headphones — nothing in between.DSomething theatrical — a show, a dinner party, an experience worth remembering.EHanging with close friends, maybe making music, keeping it relaxed and genuine.

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Next Question →

03

What’s your philosophy on keeping things simple vs. complex?

ASimple is king. A great riff repeated perfectly beats any amount of cleverness.BKeep it loose and bluesy — the groove matters more than technical perfection.CGo deep and dark — I want layers, tension, and something that hits hard.DWhy not both? Elaborate arrangements and hook-driven anthems can coexist.ECraft every detail — a perfect melody is the result of countless small choices.

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Next Question →

04

How would your friends describe your personal style?

ANo-frills, no-nonsense — jeans, a t-shirt, and ready to go.BEffortlessly cool — slightly dishevelled in a way that somehow always works.CDark and deliberate — black is a lifestyle, not just a colour.DBold and expressive — fashion is a form of performance for me.EClean and classic — timeless over trendy, always put-together.

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Next Question →

05

How do you want to be remembered?

AAs someone who never let the energy drop — relentless, loud, and alive.BAs someone who lived fully and on my own terms, unapologetically.CAs someone who was brutally honest and made music that meant something real.DAs someone who transcended genres, boundaries, and expectations entirely.EAs someone who changed the world — and left it genuinely better than I found it.

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Next Question →

06

What kind of crowd do you want around you?

APeople who are there to have a blast — no pretension, just pure fun and noise.BA mix of rebels and free spirits who don’t take themselves too seriously.CA loyal, passionate crew who are all in — intensity over numbers every time.DEveryone — I want to unite people who wouldn’t normally be in the same room.EPeople who appreciate craft and feel genuinely connected by the music.

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Next Question →

07

If you were writing a song, what would it be about?

AHaving a good time, turning it up, and not overthinking it.BStreet life, desire, and the rawness of being human.CAnger, grief, war, or the darker side of the world — music as a weapon.DSomething epic and emotional — love, loss, triumph, or pure fantasy.ESomething personal and universal at once — a feeling everyone can recognise.

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Next Question →

08

What’s your secret to staying relevant over time?

ANever change the formula — if it works, it works. Consistency is everything.BStay hungry, stay dangerous, and always keep a bit of that rebellious edge.CEarn respect through dedication — the work and the live show speak for themselves.DReinvent constantly — never let anyone put you in a box or predict your next move.EWrite songs so good they can’t be ignored, in any decade, in any context.

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Next Question →

09

You’re playing to 80,000 people. What does your performance look like?

AA wall of sound and sweat — pure, unfiltered energy from first note to last.BLoose, cool, and dangerous — every song feels like it might fall apart but never does.CBrutal precision — tight, powerful, and leaving no one unmoved.DA full spectacle — lights, costumes, vocal acrobatics, and total theatrical command.EWarm, joyful, and tight — the crowd singing every word back at you.

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Next Question →

10

Pick the word that best sums up your relationship with rock music.This is your tiebreaker — choose carefully.

ARaw — stripped back, high-voltage, no frills.BRolling — fluid, dangerous, built on blues and attitude.CHeavy — powerful, honest, uncompromising.DMajestic — theatrical, boundary-defying, unforgettable.ETimeless — melodic, human, built to last forever.

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See My Result →

Your ResultYour Perfect Band Is Revealed
Based on your personality, energy, and taste, the classic rock band that matches your soul is…

Advertisement

⚡ AC/DC
You are pure, undiluted rock energy. You don’t need tricks, trends, or theatrical gimmicks — you have something more powerful: a riff that hits like a thunderbolt and an attitude that never wavers. Like AC/DC, you understand that simplicity executed with absolute conviction is its own form of genius. You’re the person in the room who doesn’t overthink it, doesn’t pretend, and never turns the volume down. The highway to hell is a state of mind — and you’ve been on it since day one.

👅 The Rolling Stones
You’ve got swagger that can’t be taught. Rooted in the blues and soaked in street-level attitude, you move through life with a loose, dangerous elegance that draws people in without ever trying too hard. Like the Stones, you’ve seen it all, done most of it, and somehow look better for it. You’re not chasing perfection — you’re chasing truth, groove, and that electric moment when everything clicks. Can’t always get what you want? You tend to get it anyway.

👑 Queen
You are magnificent, and you know it — not from arrogance, but from an unshakeable sense of self that has never needed anyone’s permission. Like Queen, you defy every category people try to place you in. You blend the epic with the intimate, the operatic with the anthemic, the serious with the playful. You live boldly, love fiercely, and perform every aspect of your life as though the whole world is watching. Because sometimes it is. We are the champions — and so are you.

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🎸 The Beatles
You have the rarest of gifts: the ability to make something that feels both deeply personal and universally human. Like The Beatles, you’re a natural connector — someone whose warmth, curiosity, and creative instincts draw people together across every divide. You believe in melody, in craftsmanship, and in the quiet power of a song that says exactly what someone needed to hear. You’ve changed the people around you just by being who you are. All you need is love — and you give it generously.

↩ Retake Quiz

“Caroline, No” became Pet Sounds’ nostalgic anthem, based on the idea of “how wonderful it is when you first meet a girl, and she looks great, and how terrible it is when you know you’ll be breaking up at any moment.” Interestingly enough, instead of Brian, it was co-writer Tony Asher who knew a Carol in his life — his high school girlfriend who moved to New York to pursue a career as a Broadway dancer. When he visited her in the city, he was surprised by how much New York had changed Carol, hence the lyrics: “Where did your long hair go? Where is the girl I used to know?” “Caroline, No” may not be a word-for-word account of their relationship, but it captures the inevitability of growing up, and the way we sometimes miss the “old” version of a person.

“Caroline, No” Is Not the Only Song About the Loss of Innocence on ‘Pet Sounds’

While “Caroline, No” looks back on a relationship that never fully blossomed, “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times” serves as the perfect companion piece in reflecting on the loss of innocence. Considering that most of The Beach Boys were only in their early twenties during the making of Pet Sounds, it makes sense that the then-23-year-old Brian would look back on past regrets as he shed the optimistic, commercially appealing image the group had become known for in its earlier work. In its place, he embraced a more introspective tone — one that could only emerge through maturity.

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“I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times” speaks to Wilson’s deepest insecurity: the fear that he simply did not fit in with anyone else. That anxiety stemmed from the belief that his mind was moving far beyond those of his peers and that nobody could truly keep up with him. While that may sound somewhat pompous, one clear example was the production of Pet Sounds itself, which was marked by creative disagreements within the band. As Pet Sounds represented a drastic departure from The Beach Boys’ surf-rock sound, and with Brian taking near-total creative control during its creation, even members such as his own cousin, Mike, reportedly referred to Wilson as the “Stalin of the Studio.”


Chester-Bennington


10 Replacement Rock Band Singers Fans Never Truly Accepted

For every Sammy Hagar, there are twice as many Gary Cherones.

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This Beatle Album Inspired Inspired Brian Wilson to Create ‘Pet Sounds’

For all of Brian’s insecurities, which would manifest as more serious mental health struggles in the late 1960s, he remained musically daring. Although Brian often wrote from the heart, he approached Pet Sounds intending to create an album that could compete with The Beatles‘ 1965 record, Rubber Soul. The British album inspired and challenged Brian to experiment with a wide range of sounds and textures, but still be cohesive; make bolder musical decisions but still sound effortless to sing.

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The Beatles themselves were well aware of The Beach Boys’ growing presence in the 1960s. Although there was some competition between the two bands, it was nothing that two legendary acts could not handle. Looking back on the period, Love expressed that while artists will always have a certain sense of pride, there was also a great deal of mutual admiration between the groups. Paul McCartney himself is a well-known admirer of Pet Sounds, and its track “God Only Knows” famously reduced the Beatle to tears whenever he hears it. If Pet Sounds can move a legend like McCartney to the point of breaking down, just imagine what it can do to millions of listeners.

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Entertainment

The 10 Most Suspenseful Movies of All Time, Ranked

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Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) hunchesover his desk while Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) loiters casually behind him in 'Zodiac' (2007).

Suspense maybe shouldn’t be bearable, but sometimes, the milder thrillers out there kind of are. You can also talk about suspense in movies that aren’t necessarily thrillers, or that aren’t entirely thrillers. Comedies can be suspenseful and even anxiety-inducing (see Shiva Baby and After Hours), and if a funny movie can also be tense and unnerving, then any movie of any kind can be, really.

Returning to the idea of suspense being bearable or unbearable, the following titles lean toward the latter. They’re thrillers (alongside some crime, drama, and horror films) that go particularly hard on being intense. Your mileage may vary somewhat, so if you don’t find these unbearable, then good for you. But there’s a good chance that at least some people will find some films below quite hard to get through, especially if you’re not well-prepared for a disquieting sit.

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10

‘Zodiac’ (2007)

Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) hunchesover his desk while Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) loiters casually behind him in 'Zodiac' (2007).
Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) hunchesover his desk while Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) loiters casually behind him in ‘Zodiac’ (2007).
Image via Paramount Pictures

With his first few movies, released in the 1990s, David Fincher proved he could make some pretty damn suspenseful stuff, but it’s probably 2007’s Zodiac that ends up being his most consistently unsettling. It has the dread you’d expect out of a movie covering the ultimately fruitless search for a notorious serial killer, and finds ways to keep being unsettling even after all the leads seem to dry up.

Zodiac pivots to being about obsession in its second half, and while the paranoia there might not be as in-your-face, there are certainly sequences found closer to the end that feel even more harrowing than the comparatively grislier first half. It’s all very well-controlled and paced throughout, keeping things engrossing even in the quieter moments, and all-around being a much better experience than reading the book it was based on.

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9

‘The Wages of Fear’ (1953)

A wounded man leaning on another one in The Wages of Fear Image via Cinédis

The Wages of Fear was remade as Sorcerer, and that film’s also very suspenseful for sure, but the original might be more of a nail-biter. It’s also easier to appreciate the original for holding up remarkably well, since it’s about a quarter of a century older, feeling timelessly intense as a movie about men on a desperate mission through dangerous territory where any false move could result in their fiery deaths.

It might all sound a bit too simple to work as well as it does, and the 153-minute runtime might also be questionable, or even something of a deterrent, but in execution, The Wages of Fear nails things. It’s also a movie that proved influential on the films of Christopher Nolan, and he’s generally good at crafting suspenseful works, so that’s another reason this one is very much worth checking out, even if you’re not usually the fondest of movies that are many decades old.

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8

‘Parasite’ (2019)

Cho Yeon-jo climbs a staircase in a scene from Parasite.
Cho Yeon-jo climbs a staircase in a scene from Parasite.
Image via NEON

Just a perfect movie all around, Parasite has been praised to death at this point. Like, every part of Parasite has been praised to death, truth be told. It’s a very good social dramedy that feels agonizingly relevant and of the times, all the while also being a genuinely exciting thriller. And it lurches into some more genres throughout, but mostly sticks to being a comedy/drama/thriller kind of thing.

The less said about the plot, the better, because all you really need to know is that it’s about two families (one poor, one very well-off), and a strange dynamic/conflict that plays out between the two. The bleak parts make the humorous parts funnier, and then the funny parts contrast with the bleak parts to make them feel all the heavier. It’s a chaotic blend of genres and tone, but ultimately functions incredibly well.

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7

‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007)

Javier Bardem standing firmly in No Country for Old Men Image via Miramax Films

Capturing the harrowing and nightmarish quality of Cormac McCarthy’s writing very effectively, No Country for Old Men is a neo-Western, a thriller, and a very dark crime movie all at once. It’s about a man finding some money at the site of a drug deal that turned deadly, and when he takes it, he ends up making himself the target of a relentless assassin who’s trying to track down the immense quantity of cash.

If it’s not the best Coen brothers movie, then it might well be the best-directed Coen brothers movie, which is saying quite a bit. No Country for Old Men has an inherently intense premise that’s made a whole lot more grim because of the approach taken, not to mention the strength of the acting on offer (Javier Bardem did indeed deserve the huge amount of praise heaped upon him for his performance here).

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6

‘Psycho’ (1960)

Marion Crane driving and looking pensive in Psycho.
Marion Crane driving and looking pensive in Psycho.
Image via Paramount Pictures

Psycho might well be the definitive psychological horror/thriller movie made before, say, 1970. What it did for its time was undeniably bold and subversive, to such a famous extent that the biggest surprise Psycho has in store will likely be known ahead of time, should you choose to watch Psycho for the first time decades after it first came out.

That’s not a fault of the movie or anything, and more a testament to how iconic it was as a shock-heavy film. Psycho throws certain storytelling rules out the window before the halfway mark, and though the film was quietly tense before that point, it’s more relentlessly suspenseful afterward. You get the feeling that anything could happen, and the sense of a movie feeling genuinely dangerous while being this old is truly impressive.













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Collider Exclusive · Oscar Best Picture Quiz
Which Oscar Best Picture
Is Your Perfect Movie?

Parasite · Everything Everywhere · Oppenheimer · Birdman · No Country
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Five Oscar Best Picture winners. Five completely different visions of what cinema can be — and what it can do to you. One of them is the film that was made for the way your mind works. Ten questions will figure out which one.

🪜Parasite

🌀Everything Everywhere

☢️Oppenheimer

🐦Birdman

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🪙No Country for Old Men

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01

What kind of film experience do you actually want?
The best movies don’t just entertain — they leave something behind.





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02

Which idea grabs you most in a film?
Great films are driven by a central obsession. What’s yours?





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03

How do you like your story told?
Form is content. The way a story is shaped changes what it means.





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04

What makes a truly great antagonist?
The opposition defines the protagonist. What kind of opposition fascinates you?





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05

What do you want from a film’s ending?
The final note is the one that lingers. What do you want it to sound like?





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06

Which setting pulls you in most?
Where a film takes place shapes everything — mood, stakes, what’s even possible.





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07

What cinematic craft impresses you most?
Every great film has a signature — a technical or artistic element that makes it unmistakable.





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08

What kind of main character do you root for?
The protagonist is the lens. Who you choose to follow says something about you.





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09

How do you feel about a film that takes its time?
Pace is a choice. Some films sprint; others let tension accumulate slowly, deliberately.





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10

What do you want to feel walking out of the cinema?
The best films leave a mark. What kind of mark do you want?





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The Academy Has Decided
Your Perfect Film Is…

Your answers have pointed to one Oscar Best Picture winner above all others. This is the film that was made for the way your mind works.

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Parasite

You are drawn to films that operate on multiple levels simultaneously — that begin in one genre and quietly, brilliantly migrate into another. Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is a film about class, desire, and the architecture of inequality that manages to be darkly funny, deeply suspenseful, and genuinely shocking across a single extraordinary running time. Your instinct is for cinema that hides its true intentions until the moment it’s ready to reveal them. Parasite is exactly that — a film that rewards close attention and punishes assumptions, right up to its devastating final image.

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Everything Everywhere All at Once

You want it all — and this film gives you all of it. The Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of the most maximalist films ever made: action comedy, multiverse sci-fi, family drama, existential crisis, and a genuinely earned emotional core that sneaks up on you amid the chaos. You are someone who responds to ambition, who doesn’t want cinema to choose between being entertaining and being meaningful. This film refuses that choice entirely. It is overwhelming by design, and its overwhelming nature is precisely the point — because the feeling of being crushed by infinite possibility is exactly what it’s about.

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Oppenheimer

You are drawn to cinema on a grand scale — films that understand history not as a backdrop but as a force, and that place their characters inside that force and watch what happens. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a film about the terrifying gap between what we can do and what we should do, told with the full weight of one of the most consequential moments in human history behind it. You want your films to feel important without feeling self-important — to earn their ambition through sheer craft and the gravity of their subject. Oppenheimer does exactly that. It is enormous, complicated, and refuses easy comfort.

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Birdman

You are drawn to films that foreground their own construction — that make the how of the filmmaking part of the what it’s about. Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, shot to appear as a single continuous take, is cinema examining itself through the cracked mirror of a fading actor’s ego. You respond to formal daring, to the feeling that a film is doing something that probably shouldn’t be possible. Michael Keaton’s performance and Emmanuel Lubezki’s restless camera create something genuinely unlike anything else — a film that is simultaneously about creativity, relevance, self-destruction, and the impossibility of ever truly knowing if your work means anything at all.

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No Country for Old Men

You are drawn to cinema that trusts silence, that refuses to explain itself, and that treats dread as a form of meaning. The Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men is a film about the arrival of a new kind of evil — implacable, arbitrary, and utterly indifferent to the moral frameworks we use to make sense of the world. It is one of the most formally controlled films ever made, and its controlled restraint is what makes it so terrifying. You want your films to haunt you, not comfort you. You are not interested in resolution if resolution would be dishonest. No Country for Old Men is honest in a way that most cinema never dares to be.

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5

‘Misery’ (1990)

Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) shaving Paul's (James Caan) face in Misery
Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) shaving Paul’s (James Caan) face in Misery
Image via Columbia Pictures
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Based on a pretty much perfect Stephen King novel that the author himself considers one of his best, Misery centers on an author who finds himself in just about the most nightmarish situation possible for someone in his profession. He’s seemingly rescued from a car accident, but finds he’s actually been kidnapped by an obsessive fan who doesn’t take kindly to the discovery that her favorite book series of his has recently ended.

She forces him to continue it, and he has to keep writing something he now hates, or otherwise risk incredible physical pain and, eventually, probable death. Misery is all confined, suspenseful, and honestly quite fun/engaging, which might mitigate some of the horror. Yet that horror is nonetheless visceral, and you do feel the desperation of the whole situation and fight for survival in a very intense way, so the immense suspense factor here can’t be denied.

4

‘The Departed’ (2006)

Leonardo DiCaprio about to throw a punch at Matt Damon who has his hands raised in The Departed.
Leonardo DiCaprio about to throw a punch at Matt Damon who has his hands raised in The Departed.
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
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The Departed tells the same basic story as Infernal Affairs, with a criminal infiltrating the police force and a police officer going undercover in the criminal world. Both realize that someone else might be an opposing mole, and so there’s a whole cat-and-mouse game that involves one finding the other before said other can expose them. With The Departed, that whole premise is stretched out to about 2.5 hours.

And it really does keep things going — and always intense — for that entire runtime, which is one of the longest Martin Scorsese movies that isn’t a full-on epic. It’s sort of another Scorsese gangster movie, but with more of an emphasis on being a thriller, and The Departed does thrill indeed. It’s the kind of thing that’s also riveting if you’re rewatching it, or know what happens ahead of time, with that being a sign of a suspense-heavy movie going above and beyond, and truly delivering.

3

‘Whiplash’ (2014)

Miles Teller as Andrew as looking intensely at JK Simmons as Terence who's out of focus
Miles Teller as Andrew and J.K. Simmons as Terence co-star in Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash.
Image via Sony Pictures Classics
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The second film Damien Chazelle directed, and probably his best one overall too, Whiplash is also the most intense exploration of pursuing art and greatness at the cost of everything else Chazelle’s done to date. It’s mostly just one young man doing a bunch of increasingly risky things because he wants to be a legendary drummer one day, and there’s a tyrannical instructor who’s just as willing to push his most desperate (and potentially vulnerable) students.

Drumming has never been so intense, and it probably won’t be ever again to quite this extent. Maybe that’s okay, though. Maybe the world only needs one music-related film that’s this damn gruelling. It’s about as perfect as psychological dramas get, too, being so introspective and effectively nauseating that it puts a good many psychological thrillers to shame, too (even though it’s not technically a thriller).

2

‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009)

Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine in a suit in the woods in 'Inglourious Basterds'
Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine at the end of ‘Inglourious Basterds’
Image via The Weinstein Company
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Kind of an epic movie set during World War II, but not really in the expected way, Inglourious Basterds has a lot of moving pieces and a pretty large cast, too. It takes place in Nazi-occupied France, and many of the characters are people who are either resisting Nazi violence or taking the fight to the Nazis themselves, and the fact that they’re all outgunned and/or underdogs makes so much of the movie all the more intense.

Also, Inglourious Basterds plays around with history and has fictional characters colliding with some real-life historical figures, and the way things are rewritten keeps the suspense high, since you can’t rely on knowledge of actual history to know what’s going to go down. It’s also home to some of the most suspense-filled sequences of the 21st century so far, including the opening scene, the one in the tavern, and then much of the finale inside a cinema.

1

‘Uncut Gems’ (2019)

Adam Sandler with sunglasses on looks amused in Uncut Gems.
Adam Sandler with sunglasses on looks amused in Uncut Gems.
Image via A24
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Essentially, Uncut Gems is a movie about a man digging himself into a deeper hole for a bit over two hours. He’s played by Adam Sandler, and he just doesn’t know when or how to quit hustling, betting money on increasingly risky things in pursuit of a big score. And that involves borrowing more and more money from people, some of whom react very poorly to it all, and everything just worsens to an almost comical degree.

If it’s comedic, though, then it’s certainly dark comedy, and dark in a way that some people just might not find all that funny. But either way, Uncut Gems will put you on edge for pretty much its entire runtime, which is a Safdie specialty (see also Good Time, and the more recent Marty Supreme, which was directed by Josh, but not Benny Safdie).


01518160_poster_w780-1.jpg
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Uncut Gems

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Release Date

December 25, 2019

Runtime
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136 minutes

Director

Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie

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Love Island USA’s KC Teases His ‘Vanilla’ Sex Preferences

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Love Island USA

Love Island USA‘s KC Chandler overshared about his “vanilla” preferences in bed.

During a conversation with Sydney Eugene on the Tuesday, June 23, episode of the Peacock series, KC was asked if he is dominant in bed, to which he replied, “I am very free for all. I am laid-back.”

KC made it clear that he preferred a simple experience.

“When it comes to bedroom s*** and sex, I like to control the tempo, music and the ambiance,” he noted. “I could do it to no music. I could put Family Guy on.”

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He continued: “I don’t need that extra stuff. I am very vanilla. I don’t do all that s***. … I have done whipped cream. I love whipped cream. It is cold, sweet and something different. But that is the most I have done.”

Love Island USA follows a group of singles who have to pair off in order to stay in a luxury villa in Fiji. The contestants — referred to as Islanders — live in isolation under constant video surveillance.

Hosted by Vanderpump Rules alum Ariana Madix, Love Island USA requires the group to be coupled up in order to have a chance at receiving the $100,000 prize. While the Islanders are filming nonstop for weeks, viewers are watching daily episodes — and even get to cast votes that affect couples and the fate of the contestants who are facing temptation as sexy new singles make their debut.

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The popular dating show returned in June with contestants Aniya Harvey, Beatriz Hatz, Bryce Alakai Dettloff, KC Chandler, Kenzie, Melanie Moreno, Sincere Rhea, Sean Reifel, Trinity Tatum and Zach.

As each couple faced obstacles in Sunday’s episode, production sprung the Casa Amor reveal on the villa.

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Love Island Couples


Related: ‘Love Island USA’ Season 8 Couples: Who Is Still Together? Who Broke Up?

Love Island USA is all about coupling up — so which Islanders are currently together and which have already called it quits in the villa? Peacock’s popular dating show returned in June 2026 with contestants Aniya Harvey, Beatriz Hatz, Bryce Alakai Dettloff, KC Chandler, Mackenzie “Kenzie” Annis, Melanie Moreno, Sincere Rhea, Sean Reifel, Trinity Tatum […]

Casa Amor will divide the couples into two different villas — one for the men and one for the women. During their separation, the Islanders are encouraged to test the stability and longevity of their connections with the arrival of a group of brand new bombshells.

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The villa test will end with everyone deciding whether they want to recouple with a bombshell or remain in their existing couple.

New episodes of Love Island USA are released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.

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Join Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv in our first-ever Love Island USA fantasy league! This is your chance to predict who you think will win Season 8 and rank the Islanders weekly based on how confident you are that they will survive the next elimination. You will be playing against our editors, get access to exclusive content and have the chance to win fun prizes. Sign up for free today!

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Taylor Swift Gives Surprise Show at Tight End University

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Taylor Swift Keeps Photobombing Travis Kelce at Tight End University

Taylor Swift treated attendees of fiancé Travis Kelce’s Tight End University (TEU) to a surprise performance.

Swift, 36, took to the stage at the summit’s “Tight Ends & Friends” benefit concert at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, June 23, where she performed “Love Story” with fellow musical guest Lainey Wilson. Rocking a strapless black dress with a silver fringed asymmetrical hemline, Swift gave Wilson, 34, a hug before she addressed the crowd.

“[“Love Story”] was a very special request from a very special tight end,” Swift told fans, per social media footage captured by a USA Today reporter. “He wanted to hear this particular song and that tight end … is named George Kittle.”

TEU was founded by Kelce, 36, and fellow NFL stars Kittle, 32, and Greg Olsen in 2021. The annual three-day program is dedicated to helping tight ends “bond, collaborate with, and learn among their peers.” TEU also raises money for organizations selected by its founders.

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Taylor Swift Keeps Photobombing Travis Kelce at Tight End University


Related: Taylor Swift Keeps Photobombing Travis Kelce at Tight End University

Taylor Swift doesn’t need a blank space to fit into a photo. The singer keeps finding a way to force herself into pictures of her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, at his Tight End University program — and the results are hilarious. A pair of photos surfaced on Wednesday, June 25, of Kelce, 35, posing for photos […]

Swift and Kelce were photographed with Kittle and Olsen, 41, at a party ahead of the 2026 TEU season on Monday, June 22. The pop star sported a yellow floral jacquard mini dress from Simkhai and matching Aquazzura stilettos for the occasion, while the Kansas City Chiefs tight end opted for a white and red polo, tan shorts and dark brown loafers.

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“TEU Yearbook cover worthy ✨,” the organization captioned the photo via Instagram on Monday.

Kittle’s wife, Claire, and Olsen’s daughter, Talbot, were also featured in the snap.

Swift’s performance at TEU 2026 marked her second year participating in the “Tight Ends & Friends” concert. Last year, she hit the stage to sing her 2014 hit “Shake It Off.”

“We would like to dedicate this to our favorite players who are going to play, and these are the tight ends,” Swift said before her performance at the time.

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This year’s TEU summit is likely to be Swift and Kelce’s last as an engaged couple, as the two are expected to tie the knot later this summer. While the location and date of the nuptials are not yet confirmed, rumors have swirled that the couple plans to wed at Madison Square Garden in New York City over the July 4 holiday weekend.

Last week, Travis celebrated what fans speculated was his bachelor party with brother Jason Kelce, teammate Ross Travis, comedian Druski and others at invite-only hotspot Bird Streets Club on Wednesday, June 17. The group was also spotted at a Dave Chappelle comedy show and a Chris Lake concert.

Meanwhile, a small group of women was spotted arriving at Swift’s mansion in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, including the singer’s close friend Abigail Anderson Berard and her toddler.

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani fueled speculation that the couple’s wedding would take place in the city during a June 15 press conference.

“I am fully confident in the work of the NYPD, as well as our state partners, in delivering that safe experience,” he told reporters. “We are the biggest city in the country. We are used to big events, and we are incredibly excited for the [World Cup]. We know it coincides with the Knicks’ [NBA] Finals run. We know it coincides with July 4, America 250, Taylor Swift’s wedding — all happening at the same time — and we are so excited to welcome the world here.”

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