Mila Kunis can’t stop gushing about her marriage to Ashton Kutcher and why it works. 

The prominent movie actress opened up about the deep comfort she experiences within her high-profile celebrity marriage, crediting their long-standing personal history as the reason behind their strong connection.

The two met in 1998, on the set of “That ‘70s Show,” but didn’t start dating until 2015. They now have two children together. 

Kunis recently shared that her marital relationship functions smoothly because she and her husband have shared a bond since their youth. The couple originally crossed paths during the late 1990s on the set of “That ‘70s Show,” and at that time, she was just 14, and he was 19. 

Appearing on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” the movie star explained that navigating multiple personal transitions over the years allowed them to witness every version of each other. 

By the time Kunis and Kutcher initiated a romantic relationship when she reached her late twenties, they had already observed each other’s finest and most challenging moments, leaving absolutely no room for unexpected secrets.

This deep familiarity established a remarkably transparent environment where neither individual needed to conceal past experiences or put on a false persona.

“But he knew me through all of them, and I knew him through all of it, through like the good, the bad, the ugly, you know, and vice versa,” she said.

The entertainer emphasized that their entire partnership rests on a firm baseline of deep admiration because they essentially grew up alongside one another.

Knowing that they have successfully adapted to life’s shifts since adolescence gives her confidence that they will continue to grow together because there’s a certain level of “ease” to it. 

Mila Kunis Previously Raved About Her Husband’s Thoughtfulness

This isn’t the first time Kunis has given the public a peek into her marriage to Kutcher. In late September last year, the actress highlighted how her husband demonstrates his deep affection by fully supporting her unique personal interests, even when they differ significantly from his own. 

While attending the Toronto International Film Festival, she recalled a pleasant morning surprise when her spouse initiated an unexpected video call with the cast of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”  

The Blast noted that even though Kunis was barely awake at the time, the incredibly thoughtful gesture completely thrilled her. She explained that this total acceptance of her true personality is exactly what allows their partnership to thrive.

The Couple’s Marriage Was Rocked By The Danny Masterson Scandal

Kunis and Kutcher’s bond seemed to carry them through the good and difficult times, including when they faced heavy backlash due to their association with Danny Masterson, who was convicted of rape. 

The long-term partners faced reputational damage and backlash after publicly offering statements of support for the former television co-star during the major criminal trial.

When the public became aware of their letters of support, the couple faced instant condemnation from fans and observers alike. This forced them to issue a formal video apology to clarify their intentions, per The Blast. 

To preserve their mental well-being and protect their household during the massive public fallout, the pair intentionally withdrew from the entertainment scene. Insiders noted that their time away allowed them to further strengthen their bond as partners.

The Couple’s Golden Globe Red Carpet Appearance Resulted In More Backlash From The Public

Kunis and Kutcher’s bond as a couple was further threatened when they made an appearance on the 2026 Golden Globes red carpet in January. Despite their outward smiles and mutual adoration on the carpet, the public response online remained decidedly cold. 

Digital spectators immediately took to social media to voice their disapproval, making it explicitly clear that previous controversial behaviors had not been forgotten. The Blast reported that one fan wrote, “I thought they were being excommunicated for being rape apologists,” while another noted that they “aren’t royalty anymore.” 

Commenters openly questioned their presence at the major ceremony, noting that public forgiveness had certainly not been granted.

Mila Kunis’ Closeness With A Former Close Star Reportedly Caused Tension In Her Marriage

In addition to facing backlash from the public over their past grievances, the high-profile couple was also reportedly navigating some friction within their marriage. Recent media reports suggest that Kunis has maintained an incredibly close and playfully affectionate relationship with a former male co-star, Josh O’Connor.  

Sources close to the situation claim that the two performers established an undeniable connection while working together on “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” per The Blast.  

While their interactions appeared entirely platonic, Kutcher reportedly felt somewhat uncomfortable with their persistent familiarity, which is said to be “testing” his patience.

Hogwarts Legacy is a role-playing game released for PC and consoles in 2023. The game is based on the universe established in the wildly popular Harry Potter novels, which became a multi-billion-dollar movie series and a massive cultural phenomenon. It’s also due to become an HBO series at the end of this year. Many know the story already: an orphaned boy is whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn how to use magic. That’s the really short version of it, anyway. However, the game isn’t based on any direct writings, but is rather a wholly original story set in the same world, just at a very different time.

The game received excellent reviews, especially from the fans. There are so many hidden references and Easter eggs that show just how much genuine love was poured into the project. The game can easily consume dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of your time with how much there is to see and do, and it allows players to explore their favourite wizarding school in a way that no other video game adaptation has allowed them to. Beyond being an enjoyable experience, the game also patched a massive hole in the original franchise, one that was sorely in need of mending.

What is ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ about?

Image via Warner Bros. Games

Hogwarts Legacy lets players control a custom character, a new student beginning their fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the early sequences of the game, players will customize their name and looks, be sorted into their house, and will even receive their very own wand, courtesy of Ollivander’s wand shop. The game is set in the Victorian Era, roughly a century before the main events of Harry Potter. Throughout the narrative, players attend classes, make friends, enroll in clubs, learn spells, and try to save the world from a new rising threat. The goblin Ranrok is leading a vicious rebellion against wizardkind, and it’s up to you to stop him and his nefarious allies.

Being an RPG, the game has loads of side quests tacked onto it, as well. Many of these involve learning the Dark Arts, delving into forgotten tombs, protecting magical wildlife from poachers, brewing potions, and creating a personal space via the Room of Requirement. The story isn’t only set in Hogwarts; rather, it is set throughout the entire Hogsmeade valley, including the town of Hogsmeade, and various other small hamlets and landmarks in the region. Some people didn’t like how the game felt a bit sparse and unpopulated with how huge the map was, but on the other hand, many fans appreciated how it encouraged exploration and discovery, and how there’s never a shortage of things to do. The vastness of its map is just one example of how the game improved on the setting of the original books and films, and how it only bettered the overall brand.

The Harry Potter Franchise Previously Felt Too Contained, Despite Extensive Lore

The main problem with Harry Potter is that everything felt much smaller-scale than it should have; simply, the worldbuilding is not that great. For one, the books and movies feature a conflict called the Second Wizarding War, which is too broad a statement that implies there had never been wizarding wars in the world before, even though the lore details magical individuals existing for thousands of years. It also seems to imply a larger, more global conflict, when the reality is that it was almost entirely confined to the UK and Ireland. The books frequently reference other places and feature international monsters and beasts, but don’t physically take the reader to any of these settings. The lore also talks about legendary figures like Merlin or the dark wizard Ekrizdis, yet only in passing mentions. Lastly, it details extensive family lines from respected magical clans, including the Blacks, yet few of these people actually make an appearance.

Later on, the saga does introduce other magical schools like Durmstrang of Northern and Eastern Europe and Beauxbatons of Western and Central Europe, but these places never make a physical appearance. The Fantastic Beasts movies go to New York City and reference the North American magic school, Ilvermorny, which does help the world feel broader. Still, this Wizarding World feels much smaller than it should, almost like New York and the UK are two completely separate universes. There is very little overlap between them, save for maybe a couple of characters and references. The Fantastic Beasts movies also added to the universe’s backstory, being set in the roaring ’20s, but much of the world that isn’t mentioned, to the point that it almost feels nonexistent. The books also have a habit of mentioning a lot of magical creatures without actually showing them, something Fantastic Beasts tried to fix, with decidedly uneven results.

‘Hogwarts Legacy’ Makes the Wizarding World Live Up to Its Name

Image via Warner Bros. Games

Hogwarts Legacy makes the Wizarding World feel expansive for the first time in the franchise. There aren’t just British students in Hogwarts, but exchange students, too. For example, one of the primary allies is Natsai Onai, a student who previously attended Ouagadou, the African wizarding academy in Uganda. Natsai, or “Natty” as players come to know her, talks a bit about life at Ouagadou, where students don’t use traditional wands, but rather their hands or bodies to conjure magic. There are also students and professors from South and East Asia, making Hogwarts feel like it’s actually connected to the broader Wizarding World.

The game also enriches the world’s history and lore. Through a series of flashbacks and vision sequences, players see how Hogwarts used to be and speak to some of its previous professors, some of them dating back to the Middle Ages. There are also hundreds of collectible book pages to find, many of them detailing the history of the items and landmarks within the castle and the valley. These fill a gap in Hogwarts’ history, which, save for its original founders, is almost entirely unknown. Now, players can at least get an idea of what the school used to be like and who used to run the place after the founders.

Moreover, many of the characters are actually ancestors or distant relations of memorable characters from the novels and movies. The headmaster of the castle is Phineas Nigellus Black, a distant relation of Sirius Black. Phineas is actually glimpsed in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, as a painting in Dumbledore’s office. He doesn’t speak, so it’s great that this game allowed players to see what kind of headmaster Phineaa actually was. Aside from Professor Black, Hogwarts’ headmistress is the red-headed and good-natured Matilda Weasley, an ancestor of the modern Weasley family that many know from the books and films.

There’s also Ominis Gaunt, a surprisingly well-intentioned Slytherin student who many will recognize as the ancestor of Lord Voldemort himself. Ominis even talks about his family history and how he is directly related to an original co-founder of Hogwarts, Salazar Slytherin. The presence of all these characters only deepens the lore, making family history more coherent and interesting. The game also added to what Fantastic Beasts started by including a ton of magical wildlife, so players can see how they interact with the world and how they behave, making the universe feel vibrant and alive.

‘Hogwarts Legacy’ Makes What the Books and Movies Couldn’t

Image via Warner Bros. Games

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At the end of the day, Hogwarts Legacy contributes so much to the Wizarding World in many ways. From its lore to its connections to its wildlife, the game makes the established universe much, much deeper and more compelling. Finally, it feels like a proper universe, with a deep, rich history, with wide-reaching influence, and with actual life populating it, all hidden away from the non-magic folk.

More importantly, it finally fulfils the Wizarding World’s potential. Hogwarts Legacy isn’t just a fun game; it feels like a unique story rather than just an extension of an already existing one. It makes the player feel like the Wizarding World is just that, and that the main sequence of Harry Potter is just a small part of it. This detail goes a long way in making both the main series and this stellar RPG feel that much more engrossing. Especially now, with a somewhat unnecessary remake coming, it’s easy to see Hogwarts Legacy as the path forward for the Potter saga.

Tom Sandoval‘s ex-girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson’s father filed a counter restraining order against the Vanderpump Rules alum following an alleged scuffle earlier this month.

Victoria’s father, J. Will Robinson, countered Sandoval’s petition for a restraining order by seeking one of his own, per court documents obtained by Us Weekly on June 26. Will contended that he received multiple injuries in his scuffle with Sandoval on June 3, where he was allegedly pushed into a lit fire pit by the reality star.

Will alleged that he suffered a ruptured disc in his back, as well as a broken thumb and elbow and a wound on his heel.

Per Will’s version of events, an argument erupted between the now-former couple over “Tom lying” and he only intervened when Sandoval “overpowered” Victoria by allegedly swiping at her phone. He accused Sandoval of talking about “having a gun” — though the reality star allegedly did not necessarily threaten to use it — before police arrived at the property.

Related: The Return of Tom Sandoval: Why He Feels ‘So Much Healthier’ Today

Fresh off his run on season 3 of The Traitors, Tom Sandoval has settled back into normal life. That means he’s spending plenty of time with his girlfriend, Victoria Lee Robinson. After his split from Ariana Madix, Sandoval, 42, is happy to “grow together” with Robinson, 32. “Victoria is a very strong and supportive woman […]

Will subsequently asked a court to block Sandoval from coming within 100 yards of himself or Victoria. He also wants to keep four cats who live at the Los Angeles residence he shared with Sandoval and Victoria.

Sandoval initially took legal action against the Robinsons on Thursday, June 25, when he asked a court to grant him a domestic violence order of protection against them. He accused Victoria and Will of “verbal and physical abuse” during a June 3 confrontation.

In a lengthy declaration to the court, Sandoval alleged that an argument over whether Victoria was secretly recording him turned physical when Will lunged at him.

“[Will] chased me into the bedroom and punched a 12-inch hole in my spare bedroom door where I was barricading myself,” Sandoval wrote in an impact statement. “I am afraid of [Will] and his daughter and request the Court’s protection.”

He alleged that Will “put his face in the hole in the door and smiled, telling me he will ‘f***’ me up, ‘destroy’ me and called me a ‘motherf***er.’” Per Sandoval, Victoria confronted him as he hid and struck him in the face “so forceful[ly] that it caused my vision to blur.”

Police eventually arrived and took Victoria into custody, though Sandoval acknowledged that he eventually provided financial support to bond her out of custody.

“Ms. Robinson was arrested when it became clear that she had attacked me. As I saw her being arrested, in the heat of the moment, I asked the police officers the process by which she could be bailed out,” he wrote to the court. “I even foolishly accepted Ms. Robinson’s phone call from jail and lent her mother financial assistance for the bail. In hindsight, I deeply regret that decision.”

Sandoval submitted photographic evidence of his injuries, including bruising and scrapes on his neck and inner ear. He accused both Robinsons of past physical abuse, as well as alleging that Victoria tampered with his personal devices and used a GPS tracker on his car.

In the wake of his court filing, video footage of the night in question emerged, appearing to show Sandoval angrily confronting both Will and Victoria as they sat around his outdoor fire pit. Sandoval could be seen getting increasingly agitated while questioning Victoria for allegedly recording him without permission.

The footage showed Sandoval approaching Victoria, demanding to know, “Are you recording me right now?” He appeared to try to wrestle her phone away before shoving her father into a lit fire pit when Will tried to intervene.

“What the f***?” Sandoval shouted as he seemingly pushed Will.

Related: Tom Sandoval’s Girlfriend Apologizes to Him After Cheating Accusations

Tom Sandoval‘s girlfriend, Victoria Lee Robinson, is walking back her claims that he cheated with her best friend. “I would like to sincerely apologize for my previous post. I had a true misjudgment in a situation. Tom did not do anything,” Robinson, 32, wrote via Instagram Story on Monday, December 16. “From my own personal […]

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The footage then documented Sandoval moving back into his home, with Will following. The action moved off-camera, though sounds of the continuing confrontation could be heard.

Us reached out to representatives for both parties and the LAPD for comment.

An insider exclusively told Us that Tom and Victoria have definitively split up in the wake of the June 3 incident.

“They are broken up,” an insider said. “Tom has endured this abuse for many months. For the most part, Tom has been supporting Victoria and her dad as Tom has been paying the rent and utilities. Victoria’s dad has been living in the house for free. He put up with far too much for too long.”

Sandoval and Victoria went public as a couple in 2024, after he famously cheated on now-ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix with their Vanderpump Rules costar Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.

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As part of a March 2025 Us cover story, Sandoval said he saw a long-term future with Victoria, praising her as a “strong and supportive” partner.

“I’ve been extremely happy in [our] relationship. We work very well, we have similar goals, and it feels like we could really grow together,” he told Us at the time. “I feel so fortunate and lucky to have her in my life. She’s been my rock and stuck by me.”

If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.

It’s only right to celebrate the Fourth of July in the great outdoors. And by great outdoors, we really mean the comfort of your backyard. All you need are a few festive essentials to get the party going, and Walmart is the main spot to get everything on sale ahead of the holiday weekend.

Your summer shindig needs a grilling station, comfortable seating and a great ambiance to create the coolest backyard on your block. Thankfully, we found seriously stellar Fourth of July sales that appeal to all of the above. You’ll find legendary Charbroil grills, Ashley Furniture outdoor sofas and even pool floaties that are ideal for both kids and adults. Now, brace yourself — our picks are extremely marked down with the steepest discount listed at a little over $650 off. The Fourth of July is a week away, so don’t wait to shop!

Walmart Fourth of July Sales on Outdoor Home Essentials

1. Our Favorite: For whatever reason, outdoor string lights have a way of making a space feel lively and inviting, which means you need some before sending out those invites. This 100-foot option emits a warm hue and has a vintage-looking appearance that’s so trendy — was $60, now $26!

2. Problem Solver: If you hide inside when the sun is at its peak, this chic outdoor gazebo is for you. It shields you from harmful UV rays while creating a designated spot for outdoor seating. Trust Us, all the rich moms in Nantucket have one of these — was $300, now $125!

3. Low-Key Genius: It’s hard to discern what this Coca-Cola style ‘box’ is at first glance, but after looking closer, we think we hit the jackpot. It’s really a steam cooker that can make up to 20 hot dogs at the same time. Talk about a time saver! The top portion also warms hotdog buns while the sausages are cooking, so you can set your apron down for a few — was $70, now $50!

4. Game Changer: Those who are actually outdoorsy might want to take the camper for a spin. If you do, don’t forget to pack the Coleman propane grill, which is designed specifically for camping trips. It’s compact yet provides a 285-square inch cooking area to grill up fish, burgers, veggies and more — was $260, now $195!

5. Bestseller Alert: With over 8,400 five-star ratings, it’s clear that shoppers adore this Ninja slushie machine. All you have to do is pour in your favorite juice concoction and it magically turns the liquid into a slushie drink. Psst, there’s no ice or blending involved either, giving you the same great results each time — was $299, now $179!

Related: Walmart‘s Summer Sale Has Cute Fourth of July Fashion Deals

We love the fireworks, hot dogs and all the patriotism associated with the Fourth of July. But if we’re being honest, there’s one thing we would undeniably change about the holiday: the fashion. Most Fourth of July-themed clothes can skew tacky with ‘punny’ phrases and purposeful yet cheesy distressing, and that’s why we went on […]

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6. Laid-Back Luxe: Lounge around in style with this pool float lounger that comes with a built-in canopy and a backrest for hours of relaxing fun — was $40, now $23!

7. Year-Round Staple: An outdoor conversation set is a must for anyone who loves to host. This furniture set comes with three pieces, including a lounge-worthy chaise and a little side table for appetizers. We also love the wrap-around wicker paneling that gives the set a bohemian look — was $510, now $236!

8. Popular Pick: Ask any master griller and they’ll tell you that Charbroil is one of the best in the game. This classic 6-burner grill lets you cook burgers, hotdogs, skewers and more like a pro. You can thank the stainless steel grates, gas grilling precision, dual cooking surfaces and prep table — was $600, now $556!

9. Top Seller: Not into slushies? Cuisinart’s ice cream maker might be calling your name instead. The 2-quart ice cream maker does all the mixing and churning for you — no ice needed. Oh, and you’ll ice cream shop-quality results in about 20 minutes — was $101, now $61!

10. Summer Staple: Now you can enjoy the luxury of a pool day, even if you don’t have an actual pool. This inflatable lounger blows up into an outdoor pool, complete with a headrest and two cup holders. Honestly, this thing is kind of genius — was $63, now $33!

11. Rich Mom: You simply can’t go wrong with outdoor pieces from Ashley Furniture. This outdoor sofa exudes elegance and chic style, just like the kinds of furniture displayed in a high-end hotel or the rich mom on your block — was $1,704, now $1,506!

12. Total Reset: Ninja is making our list for the second time with this outdoor grill and smoker. It does the hard work of a large propane grill combo, but just in a compact, more manageable size. The electric grill uses wood pellets and a smoke box to give meats that wood-smoked flavor everyone loves — was $350, now $280!

13. Everyday Ease: Kick your feet up and relax while sitting in this outdoor rocking chair. Unlike your grandpa’s go-to, this one is made with durable high-density polyethylene that won’t fade, rot or chip. Plus, we love the fun color options, like this blue one — was $170, now $81!

14. No Brainer: We always appreciate a versatile item that makes life easier, which is where this patio umbrella comes in. The large 10-foot umbrella will give you some shade while lounging by the pool, and illuminates the area come dusk with the built-in LED lights — was $190, now $70!

15. Last But Not Least: Dining alfresco is easy when you have this seven-piece dining set in your midst. The iron-style dining set comes with cushioned seating and a long table that can house main plates, cutlery, cups and serving platters with ease — was $1,447, now $790!

Related: Walmart‘s Summer Sale Is Almost Over — 13 Rich-Looking Staples Under $30

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There’s something about finding versatile summer staples that look cute, flattering and high-end. What’s even sweeter is nabbing those same items at a discount. Yes, we love a good markdown at Us Weekly, which is why we can’t gatekeep Walmart’s Deals & More sale that’s happening now through June 28. We were curious to see […]

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce continue to fuel fascination about their future together, with everything from family plans to wedding rumors dominating headlines.

A recent exchange on the Chiefs star’s podcast reignited conversations about children, while his fiancée’s own lyrics have offered fans a glimpse into her vision of love and family life.

As speculation around a possible wedding intensifies, bettors are wagering millions on everything from the venue to the guest list, despite Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce confirming very little themselves.

A recent episode of the “New Heights” podcast sparked fresh conversation about Swift and Kelce’s future together after a playful exchange between Travis and his brother, Jason Kelce.

During a sponsored segment for WhatsApp, Jason joked about the prospect of expanding the Kelce family, teasing that future reunions might become more lively once there are more children in the family.

Referencing a lyric from Swift’s music, he teased the idea of a neighborhood full of children who resemble Travis, turning it into a running joke about a “look-alike” family line.

“Do I sense a Kelce family reunion in the works? We really don’t have a big family,” Jason said. “It might be nice to meet some of the Kelce relatives that we don’t know.”

Travis laughed along, replying that he sees it “in our future.” He then noted that he would put it on his “wish list,” though the exchange was clearly lighthearted and not intended as any kind of announcement.

“There you go,” the Chiefs tight end said while laughing, per Us Weekly. “I’ll add it to my wish list.”

Taylor Swift’s ‘Dreamy’ Song Offers Glimpse Into Her Hopes For The Future

The conversation also circled back to Swift’s recent music. On her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” she has a track that explores idealized visions of love, stability, and building a future together.

In the song, Swift sang: “I just want you, huh / Have a couple kids, got the whole block lookin’ like you / We tell the world to leave us the f-ck alone, and they do. Got me dreamin’ ’bout a driveway with a basketball hoop / Boss up, settle down, got a wish.”

Swift has previously described the track as one of her favorites on the album, calling it both “dreamy” and “romantic.” Reflecting on the writing process, she said it felt like the final piece that completed the project.

According to the singer, the song “details all these different things that people aspire to have in their lives and all the wishes that people are making all over the world.”

Taylor Swift Pregnancy Rumors Draw Millions In Bets As Wedding Speculation Grows

The themes in Swift’s song have only fueled public fascination when it comes to her relationship with Travis. Since the pair were first linked in 2023, engagement and wedding rumors have become a constant topic of discussion, inspiring millions of dollars in wagers on prediction markets.

One of the biggest talking points among bettors is whether the mega popstar is expecting a child. Despite persistent online rumors, prediction market data suggests very few people believe that to be the case.

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According to Fox News Digital, on Polymarket, where more than $2 million has reportedly been wagered on the question, only 2% of participants are betting that the singer is currently pregnant.

Wedding-location speculation has generated even more interest. According to betting trends tracked by Kalshi, New York is viewed as the most likely destination for the ceremony.

Many participants have singled out Madison Square Garden as a possible venue, while others believe the couple could opt for a more private celebration at Swift’s Rhode Island property.

The Couple’s Wedding Venue Has Become A Subject Of Heavy Speculation

Rumors intensified after reports emerged that Madison Square Garden had been reserved for a multi-day private event beginning July 2.

According to reports, the gathering could start with a smaller event for close friends and family before expanding into a larger celebration for roughly 1,000 guests the following day.

Sources have suggested live performances may be part of the festivities, though no official confirmation has been provided.

The couple seems to be planning something major as they have also requested permits to shut down streets around the garden from July 2 to July 4.

Who Will Be Attending Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Wedding?

The guessing game extends beyond the venue itself. Fans and bettors have also been speculating about who could be included in the wedding party.

Longtime friend Abigail Anderson is widely considered a leading candidate for a bridesmaid role, while names such as Ashley Avignone, Gigi Hadid, Este Haim, and Kylie Kelce have also been frequently mentioned.

On Travis’s side, many expect his brother Jason to play a prominent role, alongside close friends including Patrick Mahomes and Swift’s brother, Austin.

Whitney Houston‘s hairstylist is clapping back at Oprah after the renowned talk show host claimed the award-winning singer fell off her soundstage because she was high. Oprah’s remarks ignited backlash, prompting Houston’s estate and veteran entertainment journalist Roger Friedman to push back.

According to Page Six, Houston’s former hairstylist, Tiffanie Dixon, said Oprah’s comments about the singer being high during her 2009 appearance on her talk show are flat-out false.

“It’s not true. She fell because they did not rope off the stage… I was standing right there,” Dixon said.

Dixon continued, claiming Oprah made people sign NDAs after the incident and even threatened to fire her staff if the story was leaked to the press.

Despite the precautions Oprah allegedly took, Dixon insisted Houston was “not high.”

Dixon Says Oprah Has ‘A Lot Of Nerve’ To Allegedly Lie About Whitney Houston

Dixon said that she spoke out about Oprah’s comments because they “disturbed” her, adding, “It’s not true. There’s no truth and no validity… It’s a lie… She’s got a lot of nerve.”

Oprah sent a portion of her Cannes Lions press tour talking about the alleged incident, claiming that Houston relapsed on drugs when she arrived at her “Oprah” show set to promote her final studio album in 2009.

“The first interview I did with her when we’d gone behind stage and I asked her about her intention, she was clean, but the day she came to my show then to perform in front of the audience, she was not, and she fell off of the stage,” she said, per Variety.

Opah said she “begged” the audience to keep quiet about the incident, stating that she knew it would ruin Houston’s career if it became public.

Whitney Houston’s Estate Claps Back At Oprah’s Claims About The Singer

Houston’s former hairstylist isn’t the only one to deny the claims that the singer was high during her appearance. Houston’s estate executor, Pat Houston, fired back as well, denying the claims and saying that Houston fell “due to the darkness of the area and unfamiliarity with the stage.”

Elsewhere in the statement, Houston’s estate confirmed that the singer struggled with addiction earlier in her career; however, they said Oprah’s claims about her 2009 mishap were “inaccurate and unfair.” They added, “What the studio audience witnessed on stage was the result of discipline, talent, and commitment—not the assumptions others project.”

Esteemed Journalist Defends Houston Against Oprah’s Claims

Roger Friedman of Showbiz 411 also commented on the headlines and said that Oprah’s claims today were much different than her words in 2021. Friedman went on to say that he was on a Zoom call with Oprah and the late Clive Davis 5 years ago, and during that call, Oprah allegedly said that Houston’s fall was not due to drugs.

Friedman reported on the call live back then, writing that Oprah allegedly said, “It was not drugs.”

In Friedman’s 2026 report, the writer said that they could “produce” the past Zoom call of Oprah’s alleged confession if needed, adding that the TV executive was stretching the truth today “to make headlines.”

Oprah’s comments were met with backlash from Houston fans, many of whom questioned why the talk show host would speak about the story almost 20 years later.

“I feel like we could respect her memory better than talking about this publicly a decade plus after she passed,” someone wrote. Another user added, “Oh, wow, and you thought this was a perfect time to mention this?”

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“Oprah would say anything to protect that nasty man and take the attention away from Clives,” said a third, while a fourth wrote, “This is one lady I do not like.”

“Whitney gone haunt tf outta her,” someone else added. “Oprah contradicted herself saying she didn’t want the puctures to be released to the public but here she is talking about it in detail.”

According to History.com, Houston was found dead in the bathtub of her hotel room at the Beverly Hilton in California on February 11, 2012. She was 48. PEOPLE reported that the singer’s death was ruled as an “accidental drowning with contributing factors of heart disease and cocaine use.”

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It’s difficult enough to write an excellent book, but it’s an entirely different art unto itself to craft an equally excellent trilogy of them. As long as each book offers a feeling of self-contained satisfaction, and the author also manages to make the whole trilogy feel like an escalating, meaningful, satisfying progression, any trilogy has the potential to be deemed great.

Throughout the 21st century in particular, there have been a few noteworthy book trilogies that haven’t just been great, they’ve been the absolute best of the last 26 years. From YA classics like the Hunger Games series to period pieces like the Wolf Hall trilogy, these have been some truly exceptional sets of novels that have demonstrated why the art of the book trilogy is still alive and well in modern times.

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The Wolf Hall Trilogy

Image via Henry Holt & Company

British writer Hilary Mantel was a great master of the historical fiction genre, and she demonstrated that greatly with the last three novels she ever wrote: Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, and The Mirror & the Light. Set during the 16th century, this trilogy is a sweeping saga chronicling the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell (which is why this is also known as the Thomas Cromwell trilogy), the son of a blacksmith who became the chief minister to King Henry VIII.

Before it became one of the best miniseries worth watching over and over, Wolf Hall was the greatest historical fiction trilogy of the 21st century. Anchored by Mantel’s beautifully vivid prose and a brilliantly creative reinvention of the Tudor era, the trilogy masterfully strikes the perfect balance between mythologizing Cromwell and also humanizing him with unexpected depth. It’s an entirely unique approach to the genre that makes court politics feel like the most gripping, modern-feeling source of drama imaginable.

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The MaddAddam Trilogy

Image via McClelland and Stewart Ltd.

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Saying that novelist, poet, and literary critic Margaret Atwood is one of the greatest and most important Canadian writers of the 20th and 21st centuries would be quite an understatement. But it’s not all The Handmaid’s Tale with Atwood; there’s also the MaddAddam trilogy, a speculative fiction and adventure romance trilogy (which technically also counts as sci-fi, even if Atwood rejects the label) about a dystopian near-future Earth that’s been decimated by climate collapse.

From Oryx and Crake to The Year of the Flood to the eponymous MaddAddam, the trilogy is a wonderfully human yet bitingly satirical critique of genetic engineering and unchecked capitalist greed. We’re talking about three of the greatest climate-fiction novels of the 21st century, a trio of books bolstered by some exceptional worldbuilding, which present a sense of hope readers don’t often find in the dystopian genre.

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The Infernal Devices Trilogy

Image via Margaret K. McElderry Books

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With the unprecedented success of J. K. Rowling‘s Harry Potter series, the 21st century saw an unprecedented boom in the Young Adult genre across all media, including literature. From this boom came Cassandra Clare‘s The Mortal Instruments series, six of the most widely beloved YA fantasy novels of the last two decades. Before she finished the series, though, Clare wrote the Infernal Devices trilogy, a prequel series to the Mortal Instruments saga.

To this day, many fantasy fans still deem the Infernal Devices series as not just considerably superior to the original saga, but also three of the best YA books of their era. With its tremendous emotional depth, richly atmospheric Victorian setting, and one of the best love triangles in the history of the YA fantasy genre, Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, and Clockwork Princess are worth reading even for adult readers. With a more mature writing style than The Mortal Instruments, as well as an emotionally stirring exploration of themes of grief and sacrifice that should resonate with anyone, every reader should love this trilogy, no matter their age.

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The Hunger Games Trilogy

At this point, with it being such a tremendously successful multimedia franchise, there’s barely any need to even introduce Suzanne Collins‘ Hunger Games trilogy. It should hardly be surprising that the series, which originated and spearheaded the YA dystopia fad of the 2010s, consistently remained the best of the bunch. Still, all that fame and popularity can, at times, make people forget that this is actually a legitimately exceptionally written trilogy.

There’s an argument to be made that the trilogy got slightly weaker as it went on, but Catching Fire and Mockingjay are both still a pair of incredible sequels. There are only a handful of dystopian books better than The Hunger Games, and when it comes to dystopian book trilogies? It doesn’t get much more iconic than this one. With its high-stakes, adrenaline-pumping action, chillingly relevant critiques of authoritarian power and the media’s exploitation of the public, and the profoundly compelling character writing, these three books are essential reading for all those who love the dystopian genre.

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The Remembrance of Earth’s Past Trilogy

Image via Tor Books

It’s not only the English-speaking world that has produced exceptional book trilogies throughout the last 26 years. Case in point: Cixin Liu‘s Chinese series Remembrance of Earth’s Past, consisting of The Three-Body Problem, The Dark Forest, and Death’s End. It was the inspiration for one of the most near-perfect hard sci-fi shows on Netflix, and itself fittingly consists of three books that wonderfully blend hard and soft science fiction elements. Sometimes read as an allegory for China-United States relations, the series is about humanity’s preparation for the invasion of an alien threat.

Alien invasion stories are aplenty, but few reach the awe-inspiring, downright epic cosmic scale that the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy benefits from. Mind-bending, sharply political, and boldly philosophical, it’s a series that perfectly lends itself to some of the most profound analyses that one will get from any 21st-century book trilogy. It’s a must-read for all those who enjoy literary science fiction, and even though its characters may sometimes feel like somewhat shallow vessels for the plot, the plot itself is so deliriously entertaining and emotionally compelling that it’s easy to forgive that as a feature, not necessarily a bug.

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The Broken Earth Trilogy

Image via Orbit

When science fiction meets fantasy in a way that blurs the line between both genres, along the same vein of the kind of magic that Star Wars achieves, it becomes a genre known as science fantasy—and N. K. Jemisin‘s The Broken Earth is one of the best science fantasy book trilogies in history, let alone of the 21st century. It’s an epic post-apocalyptic tale set on a supercontinent called the Stillness, where humanity struggles to survive cataclysmic natural disasters that occur periodically.

The Fifth Season won the Hugo Award for Best Novel, as did its first sequel, The Obelisk Gate. The Stone Sky may not have achieved the same honor, but it is the highest-rated book of the trilogy on Goodreads, and isn’t the favor of the court of public opinion the ultimate award? In any case, these are three of the best sci-fi books of the last 10 years. With Jemisin’s unique eye for breathtaking world-building, instantly captivating imagination, and ambitious narrative structure, it’s no wonder that the Broken Earth series has received so much praise. Jemisin is well-known for her bold artistic choices, and there are plenty of those here (including a particular POV being narrated in second person), making this essential reading for sci-fi fans.

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Era One of Mistborn

Image via Brandon Sanderson / Tor Books

Those who have grown tired of the likes of George R. R. Martin and Patrick Rothfuss seeming unable to finish the book series that they’ve been promising for well over a decade ought to take a look at Brandon Sanderson. He is easily one of the greatest fantasy authors of modern times, and few of his works demonstrate that better than the Mistborn series. The books are organized into four eras (only two of which have been completed up to this point) with large time jumps between each other, making it so that each era feels entirely like its own series. Era One of Mistborn is composed of The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, and The Hero of Ages, and it feels like a completely self-contained story as high-quality as any of Sanderson’s previous and future masterpieces.

It’s one of the few fantasy book series better than Harry Potter, the kind that must be read in order to be truly believed. It’s a masterpiece of modern fantasy unlike any other, with one of the best hard magic systems ever written, a powerful subversion of the “Dark Lord” trope, and a mind-blowing ending that recontextualizes the whole thing and makes a re-read instantly tempting. It’s an exquisitely creative work of genre literature that always takes full advantage of its fascinatingly original premise, full of the same kind of slow-building tension and airtight structure that all fans of Sanderson have come to expect. Some have called Sanderson’s prose here overly simplistic, but those who appreciate highly accessible and functional language over unnecessarily flowery styles are bound to find Mistborn irresistible.

Doubling Down With the Derricos alum Deon Derrico is opening up about the aftermath of his split from ex-wife Karen Derrico.

“There was a breakdown at the point that I just told her that I didn’t want a relationship between [her] and I any longer,” Deon, 55, exclusively tells Us Weekly of his dynamic with Karen, 46, after their 2024 split, adding that they chose to coparent their 14 children under the same roof for two years following their divorce.

“We were trying to make it work for the children,” he recalls. “I know I was very dedicated and devoted to that. She appeared to be as well. But we were just having issues and, you know, financial issues, you could name it.”

Though Karen suggested that they try couples therapy to make their coparenting dynamic work, they continued to grow apart. Karen also allegedly pressed Deon on whether he was seeing another woman, which led to a transparent conversation between them.

“[She] just kept asking me that, saying, ‘I can handle it, tell me. I can handle it if it is.’ And I then just said, ‘Yes, my love interest does lie somewhere else, but I don’t want that to factor on you and I with the children,’” he recalls, noting that he’s had a “special friend” in his life for about a year. “And, of course, you know, she had her crying moment. It felt like a kumbaya moment. We were just really transparent. I told her it wasn’t her. We just grew apart. I’m not faulting anyone.”

Karen ultimately decided it was best for her to move out, according to Deon.

“I helped her move out, and that was on April 3, [2026],” he continues. “The very next day, I had discovered a series of untruths that she had been taking part in, and I addressed those issues with her. And everything rapidly declined.”

Though Deon thought he and Karen had been in a good spot, he says he could see “anger and hatred” in his ex after she moved out with seven of their kids.

“I just kept telling her, ‘Hey, look, I want peace.’ I’m a peaceful person by nature,” he explains, recalling a day where Karen allegedly wouldn’t let him visit with one of their sons in her care.

“I went by the house to pick up three boys that were in her care to cut their hair, and then when I brought them back to drop them off, I asked to see one of my sons. She declined me being able to see him, and I then said, ‘Don’t do this, don’t play this game. We’ve never done this before,’ which we hadn’t,” he recalls, adding that they had “always been supportive” of each other as parents despite calling it quits romantically.

Related: Who Is Karen Derrico? TLC Alum Allegedly Threatened to Kill Her Family

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Karen Derrico is known for her role as a TLC star, but she’s also been making headlines for a recent arrest. Karen made her TLC debut in 2020 when Doubling Down With the Derricos premiered. The reality show followed Karen and her then-husband, Deon Derrico, along with their 14 children. Doubling Down With the Derricos […]

The exes share kids Darian, 18, Derrick, 13, twins Denver and Dallas, 12, quintuplets Deniko, Dariz, Deonee, Daician and ​Daiten, 10, Diez and Dior, 6, and triplets Dawsyn, De’Aren and Dyver, 4.

“When she did that, I knew something was up,” he says of her alleged behavior, adding that Karen filed a temporary protective order against Deon the following day.

“After that happened, I couldn’t believe it, ’cause she had done threatening things to me and things that made me question even my life. I had even told my mother, on a couple occasions, maybe back in January, that if something happens to me, look at Karen, because that’s the level of anger and hatred I was feeling from her,” he claims, adding that as far as he was concerned, they were “on the same page” about their relationship.

“My daughters, they saw it too. They started sleeping in the room with me. So she and I were sleeping in separate rooms, and my daughter started staying in my room with me and locking the door,” Deon notes.

Us reached out to reps for Karen and TLC for comment.

Related: TLC’s Karen Derrico Appears to Threaten Child on Phone Call: Report

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TLC personality Karen Derrico seemingly threatened her child while on a contentious phone call amid her recent arrest and legal drama. According to audio obtained by TMZ on Thursday, June 25, the Doubling Down With the Derricos alum, 46, was on the phone with some of the 14 children she shares with ex-husband Deon Derrico. […]

Karen was recently arrested in Las Vegas and charged with harassment, violating a restraining order, preventing a witness from testifying through threat of violence and aggravated stalking, according to online records viewed by Us on Wednesday, June 24. Prosecutors accused her of sending emails to Deon in which she threatened to kill him and their children. She also allegedly tried to prevent Deon from attending a court hearing about a temporary protection order he requested.

Karen was arraigned on the felony charges on Tuesday, June 23, and pleaded not guilty.

“The allegations are completely false,”. “And we will prove they were completely fabricated by Mr. Derrico.”

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“We are in the process of proving that these emails are crude forgeries by the supposed victim and never sent by my client,” her attorney Jess Marchese said in a statement to Us. “We have retained a forensic expert who is uncovering vast inconsistencies in the his story.”

Karen was released from custody on a $2,000 bond and outfitted with an ankle monitor. Her next hearing is scheduled for August 6.

Karen and Deon rose to fame on the TLC reality series Doubling Down With the Derricos, which documented the former couple’s life raising their 14 kids. The show ran for five seasons from 2020 to 2024.

As speculation surrounding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s upcoming wedding continues to build, new details have emerged about what is reportedly shaping up to be a multi-day celebration in New York City. Just days before the pair are rumored to tie the knot, a fresh report claims Swift and Kelce have planned an intimate rehearsal dinner for their closest friends and family ahead of what could be one of the most star-studded celebrity weddings in recent memory.

According to a new report from Page Six, the superstar couple is planning an intimate rehearsal dinner ahead of their rumored July 3 wedding, giving close friends and family a chance to celebrate before the main event.

Neither Swift nor Kelce has publicly confirmed wedding plans.

Swift And Kelce Reportedly Hosting Rehearsal Dinner For 100 Guests

The latest report claims the couple will host a rehearsal dinner at Madison Square Garden on July 2, one day before their reported wedding celebration.

Sources told the outlet that approximately 100 guests are expected to attend the more intimate gathering, which will reportedly be reserved for close family members and friends. The event is said to serve as a kickoff to a larger wedding weekend celebration expected to draw a significantly bigger crowd the following day.

Reports suggest the main wedding festivities could welcome between 1,000 and 2,000 guests. The New York Times was the first to report details surrounding the alleged Madison Square Garden venue, while Page Six later reported that the pair had opted for a larger New York City celebration after previously considering other locations.

Earlier rumors suggested Swift and Kelce might marry in Rhode Island, where the singer owns a sprawling waterfront estate. However, sources now claim the couple ultimately decided on a venue capable of accommodating a much larger guest list.

If the reports prove accurate, the event would rank among the most high-profile celebrity weddings in recent memory.

Celebrity Wedding Planner Reportedly Helping Coordinate The Event

The couple has also been linked to celebrity wedding planner Mark Seed, who is known for overseeing large-scale, high-profile events. According to Page Six, Seed’s reputation for discretion was a major factor in his reported involvement.

An insider described him as someone capable of creating spectacular events while maintaining strict privacy for celebrity clients. That secrecy has reportedly extended to the guest list as well.

A-List Guests Are Rumored To Be Attending

While no official guest list has been released, reports suggest several of Swift’s closest celebrity friends have secured invitations to the highly anticipated celebration. Among the rumored attendees are Gigi Hadid, Ed Sheeran, Zoë Kravitz, Suki Waterhouse, and the Haim sisters, as well as Selena Gomez, whose recent wedding to Benny Blanco included Swift as one of her bridesmaids.

Meanwhile, Kelce’s NFL friends are also expected to play a major role in the festivities. San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle recently joked that even invited guests remain largely in the dark about the wedding details.

Speaking earlier this week, Kittle revealed that he attempted to get more information directly from Kelce but came away empty-handed. “I actually asked Travis last night and he laughed at me,” Kittle said.

The tight end jokingly added that he’s preparing for a surprise destination wedding. “I’m half expecting there to just be a jumbo jet on a runway and they put us on a plane somewhere,” he said.

Wedding Rumors Have Been Building For Months

Rumors about Swift and Kelce’s future intensified after reports surfaced that the Kansas City Chiefs star proposed in August 2025 following two years of dating. In recent weeks, fans have closely analyzed the couple’s separate celebrations and public appearances for clues about a possible wedding.

Just last week, a woman believed by some fans to be Swift was photographed at her Rhode Island estate alongside a group of friends, while Kelce spent time celebrating with family and friends in Los Angeles. For now, neither star has publicly addressed the wedding reports, leaving fans to piece together the growing number of details emerging from sources close to the alleged event.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated 25 seconds ago

Adventure Time became a pop culture phenomenon, finding a storytelling sweet spot that appealed to children and adults alike. Kids enjoyed the silly humor and larger-than-life characters; adults, meanwhile, enjoyed the show’s brilliant deconstruction of fantasy themes and its surprisingly in-depth character relationships. Arguably, none of those relationships was more complex than the one between Princess Bubblegum and Marceline, the Vampire Queen. Early on, the show teased that they might have once been a gay couple, which freaked out Cartoon Network and the show’s production company. As queer relationships became more mainstream, however, these two characters became a canonical couple and even shared a same-screen kiss in the series finale “Come Along With Me.”

That finale was bittersweet because fans worried they wouldn’t be getting any new Adventure Time stories. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case, and HBO Max became the exclusive home of two popular spinoff series: Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake and Adventure Time: Distant Lands. Now, it looks like everyone’s favorite lesbian couple is about to come back in a big way. At the Annecy Animation Film Festival, HBO announced that we’ll be getting Adventure Time: Bubblegum and Marceline, a 10-episode series.

A Little More Than Friends

Right now, the official description for this new spinoff is pretty short on details. The logline for Adventure Time: Bubblegum and Marceline reads as follows: “Princess Bubblegum and Marceline the Vampire Queen journey across the farthest reaches of Ooo, encountering familiar faces and new dangers.” That description makes it sound like the spinoff is very episodic in nature; however, it’s designed (like Fionna and Cake before it) to tell a story across multiple seasons. The spinoff should have the classic feel to it: the showrunner is Adam Muto, the Emmy-winning creator who started out as a storyboard artist for Adventure Time before rising up the ranks and becoming showrunner in Season 5.

Right now, it’s fair to say that fans of this franchise are eating quite well. While news of Adventure Time: Bubblegum and Marceline is currently electrifying the fandom, a new show is about to premiere: Adventure Time: Side Quests, which hits Disney+ and Hulu on June 29. On top of that, while Season 3 has not been officially greenlit, Fionna and Cake showrunner Muto has told fans there’s always a chance we’ll get more episodes. All of this and a new Bubbline show? That’s great news for old-school fans who can remember when Bubblegum and Marceline had the most controversial relationship on television! 

Making Things Official

Now, Bubblegum and Marceline are a canonical couple, which took a long time to develop. Originally, they were written as two gals with a mysterious, bitter past. The episode “What Was Missing” implied the two women used to be a couple: Marceline’s song makes her sound like a jilted lover, and the end of the episode reveals the most important thing to Bubblegum is a sweater Marceline once gave her. However, this was back in 2011, and Cartoon Network was very nervous about having openly queer characters. They downplayed any fan suggestions about “Bubbline” (their couple name), and we didn’t get a new episode featuring the pair for two years.

Eventually, Cartoon Network relented: in the wake of queer relationships popping up in other popular cartoons like Legend of Korra and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, they leaned in with episodes like “Varmints,” which followed up on “What Was Calling” while adding more hints about a complex romantic relationship between these two. Still, fans worried the show would be afraid to go beyond giving us some very heavy subtext about this ‘ship. But, not unlike Adora and Catra in the final episode of She-Ra, Marceline and Princess Bubblegum locked lips in the Adventure Time series finale.

Sadly, Adventure Time: Bubblegum and Marceline does not yet have a definitive release date. Therefore, fans of these two will have to content themselves the usual way: by mainlining all their favorite Bubbline episodes, comics, merchandise, and fan content. When the show does drop, it will be interesting to see if it deepens the relationship between these characters while otherwise expanding the crazy world of Ooo. No matter the plot, though, it will be great to see the most fascinating couple in animated history back together again!