Entertainment
All 8 Episodes of ‘The Bear’ Season 5, Ranked
Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for The Bear Season 5.It’s the final service in Season 5 of The Bear. After 1,440 hours, Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) finally hands over the keys to the restaurant. But he and his crew weren’t about to go down without a fight. Picking up right after the Season 4 finale, Carmy leaves The Bear in the hands of his trusted partner Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri) and his loud but dependable friend Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Then, literally the next day, everything that can go wrong does. Raging storms, burst pipes, and a shortage of ingredients turn their final service into a complete nightmare.
Season 5 puts The Bear through one last gauntlet, showing both the highs and the lows of running a restaurant when everything is on the line. Some episodes are among the show’s very best, while others feel more like setup than payoff. But taken together, they deliver a fitting send-off to a series that’s always been about more than just food. After nearly four years of kitchen chaos, here’s every episode of The Bear Season 5, ranked.
8
“Lamb”
Episode 2
“Lamb” isn’t the strongest episode, largely because it is a continuation of the fallout set up by its predecessor. As the team deals with the repercussions of a flooded basement and a shortage of ingredients, the episode mostly follows everyone scrambling to find the next best solution. It’s the same familiar story of The Bear — a restaurant constantly putting out fires — but this time, the stakes are pushed to their absolute limit.
What is new about “Lamb” is that Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt), Computer (Brian Koppelman), and his equally calculating niece, Cheese (Elsie Fisher), finally step up to do something about the situation. After spending much of the previous season complaining about mounting losses, it’s refreshing to watch them take action instead. They may not love the restaurant business, but Uncle Jimmy certainly isn’t willing to lose more of his money. That urgency sets the trio on a far more proactive path, as they race to keep the restaurant afloat and minimize the damage.
7
“Soda”
Episode 1
For all the storm that’s brewing, “Soda” is like a kettle that’s only just beginning to whistle — it hasn’t exploded yet, at least not until the very end. Everyone is clearly under pressure, but nobody has cracked just yet. The episode opens with the looming possibility that the restaurant’s next service could be its last. Everyone prepares for the night as if it’s business as usual, but an unspoken sense of dread hangs over the kitchen. Even with torrential rain threatening to ruin their do-or-die service, they all show up ready to fight for one last shot.
Still, that determination isn’t fueled by blind optimism. Each character spends the day wrestling with the uncertainty of what comes next before stepping into the restaurant, caught somewhere between denial and accepting the inevitable. Then, a burst pipe in the basement turns their worst fears into reality, kicking off the kind of frantic, all-hands-on-deck chaos that The Bear does better than almost any other show.
6
“Ribs”
Episode 4
After all the wet and wild madness of the previous episodes, “Ribs” provides a much-needed breather as The Bear prepares for an uncertain service. Fittingly, it’s an episode where nearly every character gets the chance for a heartfelt conversation. Sugar (Abby Elliott) and Carmy have finally reached a place where they can laugh about their complicated history with Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis), even joking over who her favorite child really is. Meanwhile, Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas) and Sydney reaffirm that they’ll always have each other’s backs, marking a huge step forward from their frosty rivalry in Season 1.
What makes “Ribs” truly unforgettable is the closing scene, where Cousin Richie delivers one of his signature pep talks. His motivational speeches are usually hilarious because he stumbles through big words while trying to inspire everyone. Here, however, he’s at his most honest and vulnerable, admitting that nothing about the restaurant is perfect — and that’s okay, because they’re a “f–king family.”
5
“Mint”
Episode 3
“Mint” is where things really start to simmer, especially between Carmy and Syd, who do their best to keep the peace despite the growing strain between them. They can’t seem to get on the same wavelength, making an interesting contrast to how naturally Marcus (Lionel Boyce) and Luca (Will Poulter) click. Audiences can feel the tension slowly building as Carmy micromanages Sydney without even realizing it, while Syd keeps swallowing her frustration to avoid another fight.
But the real shocker is Carmy’s sudden confession to the staff that he’s leaving The Bear, which comes completely out of nowhere. The reveal stings even more because Sydney lets it slip under her breath out of pure annoyance with Carmy, accidentally breaking the news herself. It feels like a knife to the back, but what really hurts is seeing Uncle Jimmy’s reaction. He’d never looked at Carmy with that much disappointment or betrayal before, which is a subtle note as to how Jimmy never really saw Carmy as just a mere business partner, but as someone whom he truly cared about. And the fact that someone he cares about would do this to him has never enraged Uncle Jimmy more.
4
“Raspberries”
Episode 5
There’s no better way to cut through the gloom than by putting one of The Bear‘s most unlikely heroes in charge: Pete Katinsky (Chris Witaske), Sugar’s husband. It’s a running joke that the Berzatto family finds him unbearably annoying, mostly because he’s so relentlessly optimistic compared to their dysfunction. But Pete’s golden retriever energy fuels some of “Raspberries’” laughable moments, from being hilariously “tricked” by Sydney into taking out the trash to getting whisked away by Uncle Jimmy’s entourage to negotiate the building’s air rights.
The episode also stirs up conflict between two of the show’s most unexpected chefs: Marcus and Luca. Pitting them against each other is a bold choice, given their easy, brotherly bond throughout the series. It’s refreshing to see Marcus’ increasingly obsessive pursuit of perfection — a flaw that’s surfaced before — finally test Luca’s patience. Watching the usually calm and level-headed chef lose his composure adds a new dynamic to their relationship while proving that even the strongest partnerships can crack under pressure.
3
“The Original Beef of Chicagoland”
It’s tough to top the visceral camaraderie of “Foccacia” or “Caramel,” but the season finale, “The Original Beef of Chicagoland,” delivers the sense of calm the show has earned after five seasons of constant calamity. In the aftermath of the previous night’s disastrous service, audiences might expect a triumphant victory lap. Instead, the finale makes a quieter point: a bad service is simply another day in the restaurant business. No matter how rough things get, there’s always another shift waiting tomorrow.
And because there’s always another day, problems simply don’t disappear. That’s a powerful reflection not only on the restaurant industry but on life itself. Still, that doesn’t mean the characters can’t celebrate the victories they do earn. Beyond the exciting news of their two Michelin stars, “The Original Beef of Chicagoland” doesn’t tie every loose end together, but it offers something even more meaningful: hope. The future of the restaurant remains uncertain, but the bond between its people has always been the one thing they can count on — and that’s what The Bear has always been about.
2
“Focaccia”
Episode 6
In typical The Bear fashion, any episode centered on service usually emphasizes the overall chaos. It captures the feeling that everything is falling apart without always pinpointing exactly why. “Focaccia” finally changes that. While it still showcases the mounting pressure in the kitchen, it zeroes in on one specific problem driving the disaster: overbookings. By focusing on a tangible issue instead of general mayhem, the episode makes the escalating tension feel even more immediate and focused.
In theory, more guests should mean more profit and a successful night. But The Bear doesn’t have enough seats, forcing the staff to improvise in increasingly absurd ways. Richie’s crew hauls out makeshift tables and chairs, while a few diners are even brought inside the kitchen for an “intimate experience.” It starts as a clever solution, but quickly unravels when those same guests witness the last thing the kitchen needs: Marcus and Luca getting physical.
1
“Caramel”
Episode 7
“Caramel” is The Bear at its absolute best, and it doesn’t disappoint. Time and again, the series reminds viewers that the show isn’t really about the food or earning a Michelin star — it’s about the chosen family keeping it alive. “Caramel” rekindles that spirit, giving even the most jaded viewers a reason to root for this dysfunctional crew, despite how often they get under one another’s skin.
The Bear may have started as Carmy’s dream, but “Caramel” gives every character a chance to shine as they pull together through service. Standout moments include Neil charming a potential Michelin inspector with the story behind his tattoos and the entire kitchen stepping in to give Carmy room to recover after he commits every chef’s nightmare: dropping a plated dish. But the real highlight is the team’s last-minute decision to swap their ambitious lamb course for Sydney’s humble family recipe, proving that while presentation matters, it’s heart and intention that truly make a dish — and a restaurant — memorable.
The Bear
- Release Date
-
2022 – 2026-00-00
- Network
-
Hulu
- Showrunner
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Christopher Storer
- Directors
-
Ramy Youssef
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Courtney Stodden is accusing television personality Dr. Drew Pinsky of exploitation when she says he forced her to undergo an exam of her breasts on live television when she was a minor.
“Dr. Drew had me on his show when I was 16 and had me undergo an ultrasound to see if my breasts were real or if I was lying about my breasts,” Stodden, now 31, alleged in a post shared via Instagram on Saturday, June 27. “I wasn’t an underage girl. I was a minor trapped in a situation that I wasn’t able to get out of legally. I had no rights at the time. The money he paid me to be on the show went straight to my abuser.”
At the time, a then-16-year-old Stodden was married to then-51-year-old actor Doug Hutchison. Stodden eventually filed for divorce from the actor in 2018 and the former couple finalized the split in 2020.
“Obviously there is a problem in America,” Stodden told Fox News Digital in an October 2025 interview of her experience as a teen bride. “We think of child marriage as something that’s, like, overseas or foreign, but really America’s dirty little secret is the loophole in the judicial system for, in my opinion, pedophiles to marry children.”
Courtney Stodden is opening up about a life-changing plastic surgery procedure. “Introducing the new girls 🤍,” Stodden, 31, captioned a Thursday, June 11, mirror selfie in which she showed off the results of her breast reduction in a lacy black lingerie set. “I got huge implants when I was barely 18. Today, at 31, I […]
She added at the time, “And the scariest part of this whole thing is that I’m not alone. There are so many people that reach out to me to tell me their horror stories of being a child bride.”
In her Saturday upload, Stodden shared screenshots of her 2011 interview on Dr. Drew’s daytime show Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers. During the episode, the then-minor was instructed to lie on stage in front of a studio audience while Dr. Drew performed a breast ultrasound to check for breast implants.
“These photos bring up a lot of sadness for me because I see a little girl being exploited by grown men and used for views and mockery,” she continued in the poignant caption. “Dr. Drew, what made you think this was a good idea? As a doctor, did you think this was actually healthy for a little girl to experience? Did you even care?”
Stodden also tagged Dr. Drew in the post, who has not publicly addressed Stodden’s claims at the time of publication. Us Weekly has reached out to representatives for the TV personality for comment but did not hear back.
Stodden — who has often detailed her on-again, off-again 35-year age-gap marriage to Hutchison and has since claimed she was groomed by the actor — has become an advocate against child marriage — a practice that continues in the United States. Currently, 33 states allow a child under the age of 18 to get married, while 17 states have banned the practice.
“Realizing everything that has happened to me in present time has been a lot to process,” she told Fox News Digital during the same 2025 interview. “When I first hit the spotlight as a young girl, my brain wasn’t developed yet. And I had a certain image of what my life was. I thought I knew everything. I mean, what kid doesn’t at 16. Then as things started to escalate quite quickly — and my role seemed to shift in the marriage quite quickly — I became the breadwinner.”
Chrissy Teigen was quick to respond after she was accused of getting facial fillers — and she didn’t hold back. The Cravings founder, 37, clapped back via her Instagram Story alongside a screenshot form the account Beauty by Dr. Kay. In a post that has since been deleted, plastic surgeon Dr. Kay Durairaj addressed Teigen’s “new face,” […]
Stodden famously revealed that she received negative comments and attacks for her age-gap marriage, including leaked DMs from Chrissy Teigen in which the model encouraged the then-16-year-old Stodden to die by suicide.
“Not a lot of people are lucky enough to be held accountable for all their past bulls*** in front of the entire world,” Teigen, 40, wrote in a since-deleted post shared via X, apologizing for her previous comments. “I’m mortified and sad at who I used to be. I was an insecure, attention seeking troll. I am ashamed and completely embarrassed at my behavior but that is nothing compared to how I made Courtney feel.”
In 2025, Stodden revealed she had contemplated suicide as a result of the online hate she received.
“I had a suicide letter written,” she said in the ABC News documentary IMPACT x Nightline: Confessions of a Child Bride. “I remember my last thought was, ‘You know, maybe I don’t deserve to be here when people that high up are telling me I don’t deserve to be.’”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
If you know of a young person who is being exploited or is the victim of a crime, you are urged to report it to your local FBI field office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be left at http://tips.fbi.gov/
Soccer player Lucas Trejo was a devoted father and husband before his beloved wife and two young children were killed in the devastating Venezuela earthquakes.
The athlete’s family had been reported missing after their apartment building collapsed during the two earthquakes that hit the area in June 2026. (At the time of publication, NBC reported that more than 1,000 people have died as a result of the earthquakes.)
Days later, Lucas’ team, Club Sport Marítimo La Guaira, confirmed the family’s death while paying tribute to his wife and two children.
“For the eternal rest of Yanina de Trejo (wife), Aaron Trejo (son) and Ainhoa Trejo (daughter) of our player Lucas Trejo,” the caption read via Instagram, translated to English. “The big family of the Maritime Sport Club of La Guaira offers their condolences for the death of their relatives, which occurred last June 24th during the earthquake that shook the whole country.”
The statement continued, “Directors, coaches, players, administrative, operational and administrative staff of the club we ask God for the eternal rest of the family of Lucas Trejo. We also continue to pray for the rescue of other victims of this catastrophe in La Guaira.”
Scroll down to learn more about Lucas:
Lucas Trejo Plays for Maritimo de La Guaira
Lucas joined the Venezuelan soccer team Maritimo de La Guaira in 2026 as a defender.
“With two league titles conquered in Venezuelan football, the Argentine defender Lucas Trejo arrives at Maritimo de La Guaira ⚽,” an Instagram post read in February 2026. “He is willing to contribute his experience and trusts the talent of his teammates to achieve the great goal of the Club this season🇻🇪🇵🇹.”
Lucas Trejo Was Married
Lucas and Yanina tied the knot in 2020.
“And if any prevails against one two will withstand him, a threefold cord is not easily broken 23/12/19 ‘love never ceases to be.’ ❤️💍💑 @lucastrejo_lt,” Yanina wrote via Instagram at the time, translated to English.
Lucas Trejo Had Children
Lucas and his wife welcomed their first child in 2018. “A month ago, on 31\12 at 14:20 came my great love, the one who changed my life and taught me how to love…! We made it to the month son!!!! My little warrior Aaron, we love you ❤️🎂🎊,” Yanina wrote via Instagram one month later, translated to English.
The couple added their daughter to their family in 2020. Yanina paid tribute to their daughter one year later in honor of the little one’s birthday.
“20/08/20 the day the princess I had always dreamed of arrived, the doll I imagine in my childhood arrived to change my life, I don’t know at what moment you grew up so much. I just ask the weather to slow down!!!. Thank you, daughter, thank you for bringing so much love to our family, today is certainly another day of games, bottles and changing diapers, but for mom it is the most special day. When you grow up you’ll understand 💕 I thank God for your life, for letting me walk by your side 👩 👧 today begins the first year of many 🎊,” Yanina wrote via Instagram in 2021, translated to English.
She continued, “You dressed me before I was born,every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was designed before a day came to pass psalms 139:16. Happy birthday 🌸AINHOA 🌸.”
Lucas Trejo Honored His Family After Their Deaths
Lucas paid tribute to his family via his Instagram Story in June 2026, sharing a photo of him with his hand on his wife’s knee as the couple sat beside their children and smiled for the camera.
Influencer Lillian Droniak — known as Grandma Droniak to her 15 million TikTok followers — claimed that she was asked to leave her retirement community.
“I’m getting kicked out of the nursing home,” Droniak, 96, alleged in a recent TikTok video, holding up a letter she apparently received from the facility. “It says, ‘You’re getting kicked out if you don’t stop the parties.’”
Droniak, who has enjoyed hosting ragers in her apartment, explained that she was told “parties are not allowed” on the premises. The rules also allegedly state that she is forbidden from serving alcohol to other residents.
“‘This letter serves as a formal warning,’” Droniak read aloud, shortly before ripping up the paperwork. “I pay $12,000 a month to live here. I could party if I want. My girlfriends are coming over today, and we’re gonna drink and gossip. It’s not a party, but we do get rowdy.”
Wendy Williams’ current living arrangements are being put under the spotlight once again. After the ID Channel premiered a new special titled TRAPPED: What Is Happening to Wendy Williams?, some fans grew concerned about a claim that Williams, 60, was moved to a more restrictive area in her New York City assisted living facility after […]
She continued, “I can’t help it, I love to party. You can’t stop me.”
Droniak had been served the initial notice following alleged noise complaints from her fellow residents.
“We are reaching out because there have been many noise complaints about your room. Parties are not allowed and you cannot serve alcohol to other residents,” the letter read, which Droniak held up to the camera in her footage. “This is a safety concern.”
The letter continued, “While we encourage residents to socialize and enjoy community activities, we cannot have wild parties. It is shown on security footage that people were leaving your room at 1 a.m. last Tuesday. Continued incidents of this nature may result in restrictions on visitors and common area privileges, and could lead to further review of your residency status within the community. We kindly ask for your cooperation in ensuring future gatherings remain respectful of community rules and quiet hours. No more parties please.”
@grandma_droniak i cant believe this. i have to party #partygirl #nursinghome #drama #grandma
Despite the warning, Droniak hosted a group of friends. She even shared a post-party update the next day.
“Hungover from last night’s party,” she wrote over a TikTok video of herself wearing a T-shirt that read, “To-Do List: Your Dad” while smiling for the camera. “My nursing home can’t stop me from partying through the last chapter of life.”
Droniak further captioned her upload, “I can’t help it, I like to party and can’t stop.”
Droniak moved into the facility in 2024 after breaking her leg in a fall and has since “resolved” the dispute with her building, which the influencer’s rep told People on Sunday, June 28.
Janet Jackson shut down the 2026 BET Awards red carpet in standout style.
Jackson, 60, stepped out at the annual awards ceremony on Sunday, June 28, at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, in a pair of oversized pinstripe pants and a coordinating blouse. She layered the striped top over a “2Pac” graphic T-shirt, in honor of her Poetic Justice costar Tupac Shakur. Jackson accessorized the ensemble with a waist-defining studded belt and an armful of silver bangles.
Jackson topped off her stunning look with a tipped black fedora, which featured a birdcage veil and feathered accents.
Hours before slaying the red carpet, Jackson delivered a dose of “Sunday Inspiration” to her social media followers.
Celebrities brought their finest fashion ensembles to the 2026 BET Awards red carpet. Some of music’s biggest names in music, including Cardi B, Tyla, Kehlani, Bruno Mars, Olivia Dean and more, delivered sartorial drama while posing on the red carpet, which took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28. Rapper […]
“Don’t be afraid of losing people. Be afraid of losing yourself by trying to please everyone,” an anonymous quote shared to Jackson’s Instagram Stories read.
Janet, the youngest of the famed Jackson family including brother Michael Jackson, won the Icon Award at last year’s BET Awards.
“I’m so honored. I’m so grateful,” she gushed in her acceptance speech at the time. “I mean no disrespect in any way but I don’t consider myself an icon. My family, myself, our dream was to, it wasn’t ever to be famous.”
Janet continued, “We always had a special love for music, dancing and singing. Fame came as a result of hard work and dedication. My story, my family story, is truly an American story. This would have only happened in America. The only thing that I hope for is that I’ve been an inspiration to other and artists to follow their dreams and succeed.”
Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images for British GQ Janet Jackson is sharing a throwback family photo to celebrate the women in her life. “Celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women today and everyday, but wanted to give a very special shout out to these women here,” Jackson, 58, wrote via Instagram in honor […]
Aside from her back-to-back BET appearances and other glam nights out, Janet is a proud mom of son Eissa.
“The most important thing I’ve done, the biggest thing I’ve done, is become a mother, and it’s had a beautiful impact on my life,” she told The Guardian in 2024 of motherhood. “I wanted to have three children, but thought, ‘I should stop there, that’s probably all I can handle.’ Because you have to give all of yourself. Obviously, you have to work, but you don’t come first anymore. Your life completely changes. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Bachelor in Paradise star Raven Gates is reacting to a comment about her finances.
“This isn’t reality for most to be able to do who live paycheck to paycheck and have debt. Tips,” one user wrote in an Instagram Story Q&A on Saturday, June 27, seemingly referring to Gates’ income bracket.
“Going back to this topic for a second. I totally get that because that was ME!” Gates, 34, replied in an Instagram Story post. “I don’t want anyone to feel as though I am trying to make anyone feel less than. That was my story, too. But you don’t see that part, but I’m trying to show a bit more of the place I was in over 10 years ago & how I got out of it.”
Gates explained that she doesn’t feel like “people remember how broke, how in debt, how bad of credit, etc [she] had.”
“The high school I graduated from had free and reduced lunches for the whole school because of our poverty level. I can go into more but there’s so much to the story including a lot of chance and luck (ECCLESIASTES 9:11) but also a lot of grinding, failing and discipline,” she wrote. “I do believe there’s always a way for things to be better and if we lose sight of that, that’s when we can’t take the next steps, whatever that may look like.”
She continued, “I knew this topic would bring a lot of emotions from people so I’m not sure I should have even shared but I am trying to be more open and also sensitive to others. But all in all to encourage and say I KNOW how it feels & I believe in you and that your situation can get better.”
Gates also shared details about her income with husband Adam Gottschalk in a post that she has since appeared to have deleted but was reviewed by Us Weekly.
Gates met Gottschalk, 36, on the beaches of Bachelor in Paradise season 4 in 2017. The couple ultimately got engaged two years later but had to postpone their nuptials multiple times amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Gates and Gottschalk went on to tie the knot in 2021. The pair have since welcomed sons Gates and Max in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
The reality stars celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary in April, with Gottschalk sharing a sweet compilation of five photos through the years via Instagram. “Happy anniversary baby,” he wrote at the time. “5 years & 5 pics with you 🫶🏼.”
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders star Dayton Bramhall’s journey to dance for the iconic NFL team is officially over.
“It’s been a year, so I feel great. My life has completely changed in the last year, like, new job, new career, new city [and] I have a boyfriend now. Life has changed completely,” Dayton, 28, said on the Friday, June 26, episode of the “Baddie Besties” podcast. “I think when I said I was done auditioning, I really meant I was done.”
As fans saw in America’s Sweethearts season 3, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders director Kelli Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammell cut Dayton ahead of training camp for the 2025-2026 season. Dayton, who has failed to make the team twice before, is the daughter of team associate choreographer and former DCC cheerleader Shelly Bramhall.
While Shelly was overwhelmingly emotional that her daughter’s dreams were dashed, Dayton proclaimed in a confessional that she was done trying to make the team.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders director Kelli Finglass revealed where her relationship stands with associate choreographer Shelly Bramhall after cutting Shelly’s daughter, Dayton, for the third consecutive time. “We are still standing,” Finglass, 61, exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, June 23. “Shelly is still reporting to work and contributing in a big way. She always has. […]
“I really put it behind me at that moment and I just, kind of, moved on from there,” Dayton said on Friday. “I feel really content this time around … and fulfilled to say the least. I did what I needed to do. I worked my butt off all year. In between the last time I was in training camp [and] the last time I auditioned for finals, I worked so hard and that’s all I could do.”
According to Dayton, she simply wanted to try “as much as [she] could” and her best.
“I gave it my all and it didn’t work,” she acknowledged. “So, I’ll use my abilities somewhere else, and that’s what I’ve been doing and it’s been great.”
The DCC is currently in training camp, where Judy and Kelli’s teams are whittling down the cheerleading hopefuls to set their roster for the 2026-2027 NFL season. Dayton, for her part, opted against trying out.
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders star Dayton Bramhall is proud of her audition — even if she didn’t make the squad. “At least I can say I gave it my all ⭐️🎬,” Dayton, 28, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, June 17, sharing a photo from her solo audition featured in the Netflix docuseries. Dayton, whose […]
“I was encouraged to come back,” Dayton alleged on Friday’s podcast episode. “My mom and I separately had conversations with staff of me returning and trying again because it was told there was a place for me there, I just had to work for it.”
She continued, “[They told me that] it wasn’t impossible for me to make the team. I had to really work for it. I was given a lot of feedback because of who my mom is and they expected a lot out of me, and while that seems like it could be a lot of pressure, I actually appreciate that.”
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Shopping for a flattering swimsuit shouldn’t mean settling for something that feels dated or overly covered up. The latest tankinis are designed with tummy-flattering features like flowy tops, strategic ruching, supportive fits and high-rise bottoms that help you feel comfortable and confident from every angle. Best of all, they’re surprisingly affordable.
From sporty two-pieces to resort-ready swim skirts and retro-inspired prints, there’s a style here for every kind of summer plan. Whether you’re lounging poolside, heading to the beach or packing for vacation, these picks deliver extra coverage without sacrificing style. Ahead, shop 17 slimming tankinis that camouflage a belly pooch without looking frumpy — all starting at just $22.
Slimming Tankinis That Camouflage a Belly Pooch
1. Our Favorite: The blouson cut on this two-piece tankini skims over the midsection instead of clinging to it. Sporty shorts with real pockets hold a hotel key or lip balm without a beach bag.
2. Belly Blurring: Vertical blue stripes plus ruched side seams do the heavy lifting on this striped tankini top. The gathered fabric draws the eye up and away from the middle.
3. Tummy Control: Built-in tummy control panels sit inside this printed tankini set without adding bulk. The high-waist shorts hit above the navel for full midsection coverage.
4. Three Piece Hero: Three pieces, endless options. The green floral tank, matching bra and boy shorts in this three-piece set mix and match, so you can wear the tank alone or layered.
5. Confidence Booster: Board shorts offer more thigh coverage than standard swim bottoms, while the loose tank on this modest tankini set provides extra coverage through the shoulders and mid-thigh for a confident, comfortable fit.
6. Resort Chic: The swim skirt instantly elevates this green tankini set, while the palm print channels effortless resort style from the pool to lunch by the water.
7. Retro Vibes: A faded blue palm print lends this retro tankini set a subtle ’70s-inspired look, while the breezy top and coordinating shorts feel effortlessly put together.
8. Coastal Stripes: The smocked bodice on this ruffled tankini set delivers a flattering, smoothing fit without the rigid feel of traditional tummy-control panels.
9. Color Crush: Spaghetti straps on this smocked tankini set keep shoulders cool while the V-neck elongates the torso. The coral and sunset palm shorts pull the whole look together.
10. Has Pockets: This striped tankini set is built for people who hate carrying things. The two real pockets on the swim shorts hold a phone or sunscreen on the walk back from the pool.
11. Ravishing Ruffles: A halterneck pulls the shoulders back and lifts the bust. Ruffles on this halter top tankini add volume up top to balance leopard bikini bottoms below.
12. Tropical-Inspired: Tropical prints never go out of style, and this Hawaii print set pairs a flowy tank with matching shorts for easy, confidence-boosting coverage — all for just $22.
13. Sporty-Chic: This navy tankini set pairs a classic V-neck top with a printed swim skirt for a look that’s equal parts sporty and polished.
14. Big Chest-Approved: Built specifically for fuller busts, this floral V-neck tankini has the support a standard tankini skips. The flowy cut below the bust skims the stomach.
15. Strapless Stunner: Bandeau tops can slip, but the elasticized band on this strapless tankini grips. The pink and orange hem detail breaks up the all-black base.
16. Midsection Magic: A flowy palm-print top is designed to skim the midsection, while the matching shorts even include pockets, making this palm tankini set feel worth the $44 price tag.
17. Pop of Pink: Pink and white vertical stripes give this striped tankini set a lengthening look, while the solid pink bottoms keep the colorful design feeling balanced.
There’s nothing worse than settling for an unflattering swimsuit that makes you self-conscious every time you sit down. Thankfully, these 17 tummy-hiding wonders work magic in the flattering department, helping you feel slim and confident from the pool to the sand. Better yet, these crowd-loved favorites start at just $8! With ruched detailing, tummy control and flattering prints and […]
Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass is celebrating her electoral primary victory in style at the 2026 BET Awards.
Bass, 72, was all smiles while walking the red carpet at L.A.’s Peacock Theater on Sunday, June 28, wearing a power suit for the occasion. Bass donned a fitted blue pantsuit with nude pumps, accessorizing her ensemble with delicate hoop earrings and blue eyeglasses.
Bass’ appearance at the BETs comes shortly after she narrowly defeated former reality TV star Spencer Pratt and councilwoman Nithya Raman in the June 2 primary election. Bass, the incumbent mayor, was seeking re-election opposite a crowded ballot vying for her seat.
The Hills alum Pratt, 42, was the most notable of Bass’ opponents. The Republican ultimately came in third place behind Bass and Raman, 44, who will advance to a runoff election this fall.
Celebrities brought their finest fashion ensembles to the 2026 BET Awards red carpet. Some of music’s biggest names in music, including Cardi B, Tyla, Kehlani, Bruno Mars, Olivia Dean and more, delivered sartorial drama while posing on the red carpet, which took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28. Rapper […]
“Now that the campaign portion of my mission of ‘Save Los Angeles’ is coming to a close and I’m moving on to the next more interesting phase,” Pratt wrote via social media days later. “Save LA — Phase III. I’ve spent a lot of time slaying everybody. I’ve ridiculed everyone on the roster. I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, I’d like to take the chance to apologize to …”
The video then cut to UFC fighter Conor McGregor screaming, “Absolutely nobody.”
While Pratt initially pledged to leave L.A. if he lost the election, he’s since changed his tune.
“Hey morons, I didn’t get in this for political power. I got in this to expose this corrupt machine and nothing’s changed,” he said. “I’m going to be lighting you up every single day and now I don’t have to worry about offending CNN viewers. I don’t have a campaign loss hamstringing me now.”
Pratt entered the mayoral race in January with the full support of his wife, Heidi Montag, who has remained in his corner in the wake of his political loss.
“I couldn’t love my husband more and be more proud of him,” Montag, 39, tweeted earlier this month. “What an inspiration, what a hero.”
Pratt was inspired to run for office, despite no previous political experience, after his family’s home was destroyed in the devastating 2025 wildfires. He was especially critical of Bass’ actions managing the fallout from the natural disaster.
“I truly never imagined I would actually probably [become] the mayor,” he exclusively told Us Weekly before Election Tuesday. “I just wanted somebody to [tell] the truth, and I wanted to have that platform as a candidate against [Bass] to get the truth. You can just get away with lying if you don’t have somebody saying that’s not true.”
Entertainment
Sexy Comedy Featuring America’s Girl Next Door Explains Why Your Relationships Always Fail
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
You know how memes can sometimes be accidentally profound? For example, one of my favorites is when people share this hilarious quote from Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace: “I know writers who use subtext, they’re all cowards.” In the context of the show, this quote is meant to highlight what a bad storyteller Marenghi himself is. Over two decades after that show aired its last episode, this quote highlights how the very opposite is true. Writers who use subtext are actually quite brave because they are unleashing intelligent content on audiences who are largely too dumb to actually understand any of it.
This is particularly true of screenwriting because so many movie lovers never look beyond the surface. That’s why, say, people think RoboCop and Starship Troopers are just cool, violent action movies instead of a poignant commentary on society. The best example of this phenomenon, however, is actually a sweet, sexy romantic comedy: (500) Days of Summer. It’s easy to get lost in the banter and the bluster of the relationship between characters played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. However, beneath the silly comedy is a very serious truth, one that explains why your relationships keep falling apart, no matter how hard you try.
An Adorkable Office Romance
The premise of (500) Days of Summer (and beware some spoilers if you’ve never seen it!) is that an aspiring architect (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) falls head over heels in love with his boss’s new assistant (Zooey Deschanel). After she spontaneously kisses him, he agrees to a casual relationship, and the two end up having plenty of fun together. Unfortunately, he wants something serious, and she wants more of a casual, friends-with-benefits kind of relationship. Eventually, they have a nasty breakup, but things work out for the best: he rebounds by throwing himself into his dream career, while his carefree ex eventually finds a man that she wants to marry.
For the most part, (500) Days of Summer plays out like a standard rom-com with a few heavy doses of drama thrown in. In other words, not the kind of movie that men usually get their panties in a twist over. Nonetheless, this fluffy film has proven controversial because it is built around an unreliable narrator. Most of the film is from the perspective of Tom, the hopeless romantic played by Gordon-Levitt. After Summer (the carefree cutie played by Deschanel) breaks up with Tom because she doesn’t want anything serious, many viewers felt a sense of betrayal, as if she had thrown away a good man and settled down with her first rebound.
This Is Why Your Relationships Fail
Of course, the irony of dudes getting big mad at this film is that (500) Days of Summer is trying to gently explain why so many relationships fail. There’s a common belief that most couples break up because one partner stops putting in much effort, effectively killing the spark they once shared. But that isn’t the case in this movie because Tom tries so hard to make things work with Summer; in point of fact, he tries too hard, which ultimately pushes her away. Men who take Tom’s side in all this are often perplexed and even angry. After all, how can Tom do everything right and still lose the girl?
The short answer, of course, is that he didn’t do everything right. The timey-wimey structure of (500) Days of Summer shows us different points in the couple’s relationships, effectively exploring the emotional highs and lows of their time together. Viewers, much like Tom himself, subconsciously focus only on the happy moments, not realizing how important their fights and differing viewpoints are. These aren’t small issues; rather, they are cracks in a foundation that wasn’t very strong to begin with. A foundation that began with a critical misunderstanding: Tom wants a serious girlfriend, and Summer just wants casual fun without putting any kind of definitive label on what they’re doing.
Are You Thinking The Same Thing?
The people who get angriest at Summer are the men who feel like she’s giving off mixed messages with her behavior. We see her holding hands with Tom, enjoying romantic dinners, and even watching weird porn together, which some think are signifiers of a serious relationship. But to believe that, the haters have to do exactly what Tom did: ignore the words coming out of Summer’s mouth. She repeatedly tries telling the man that she doesn’t want a committed, long-term relationship, but he only really sees and hears what he wants to. Therefore, his attempts to be the ultimate marriage material boyfriend backfire because that’s the last thing she’s looking for.
So, fellas, what’s the lesson here, and how can it help you navigate your own relationships? The first and arguably most important thing is making sure that all parties are on the same page. If you’re interested in a girl, you need to ask her exactly what she’s looking for. Is she trying to find Mr. Right or just Mr. Right Now? There’s nothing wrong if you both want a friends-with-benefits situationship or even if you want to explore more adventurous dynamics like ethical nonmonogamy or polyamory. The only thing wrong at this stage is doing exactly what Tom did: simply assuming your partner wants the exact same thing you do.
Much To Ponder
Beyond that, there’s a lesson especially pertinent to younger viewers: your love life doesn’t have to move at warp speed. It doesn’t matter if all your friends are getting engaged or whatever; if you’re not ready to be, then don’t worry about it. Once you find someone, you shouldn’t be like Tom and instantly assume you’re in love. Instead, you should take the time to make sure you are both compatible. Finally, you need to be honest in assessing the good and the bad of your relationship. If you put on optimistic blinders as Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character did, it’s only a matter of time before you get blindsided.
(500) Days of Summer is a great movie, specifically because of its brilliant subtext. To really appreciate the film, you must do as Tom did and see things from Summer’s perspective. Doing this in your own relationship is a great way to stay connected to your partner and prevent minor issues from becoming major catastrophes. Doing so also helps you understand whether you’re in love with the real person or just your idea of them. Need a little more love advice? Believe it or not, it’s free! (500) Days of Summer is currently streaming on Tubi.
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As someone who loves to copy celeb fashion for less, I live for the moments when the designer lookalike clothing is just as lovely as the original. So when I spotted one of my favorite style icons, Kate Hudson, rocking a dreamy floral midi dress on Instagram, I was thrilled to find a lookalike dress that’s nearly identical — for only $28.
This polished Walmart midi dress has all the feminine, flirty, fashionable energy needed to add a romantic edge to any summer wardrobe. And for anyone who loves vintage‑inspired fashion, this retro midi dress brings serious pin‑up‑girl energy, backed by plenty of poise and polish.
Get the IDOPIP Floral Midi Dress for $28 at Walmart! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to changes.
The IDOPIP A-line floral midi dress has the same designer energy as Kate’s version, but with thoughtful upgrades that suit all fashionistas. Adorned with a surprisingly supportive, corset‑style back, a flirty tie at the bust and adjustable straps, it has that elevated, designer‑inspired look. Even better: it’s comfortable enough for everyday summer wear. Just add strappy sandals, an oversized sunhat and a shawl to complete the look.
If pinks and florals aren’t your thing, no worries. The figure‑flattering midi comes in other vibrant prints and even solid hues, including black and navy, as well as a toile‑like blue floral and oversized roses. Walmart reviewers can’t stop swooning over the way it slims the waist and looks far more expensive than its $28 price tag.
“I was shocked but this dress is beautiful and fits amazing,” one Walmart shopper said. “I have always felt uncomfortable wearing dresses and insecure about my body, but this one snatches my waist and looks absolutely stunning! Highly recommend buying this dress.”
“Super flattering. Makes the girls look good and the waist snatched,” another five-star reviewer said.
While copying celeb style isn’t always easy or affordable, it’s fashion finds like these that remind me you don’t need an A‑list budget to look like an A‑list star. Don’t miss this under-$30 dress that you, and countless admirers, will fall in love with.
Get the IDOPIP Floral Midi Dress for $28 at Walmart! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to changes.
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