Olympian Simone Biles is opening up about a recent experience in which she says she was misidentified as two Black athletes multiple times in one day.

“It’s not even 6 a.m. and I’ve already gotten called Dominique Dawes 2x,” Biles, 29, wrote via her Instagram Story on Sunday, July 12, referring to the retired Olympic gymnast, “and Sha’Carri [Richardson] once.” (Richardson, 26, is an Olympic track and field sprinter.)

Biles added three laughing emojis to her message, which was shared alongside a photo of the sky from a balcony.

Biles previously revealed in a 2020 interview that she “didn’t really notice racism” in her gymnastics career until seven years prior.

Related: Simone Biles Claps Back at Criticism of Recent Vacation After Health Scare

Simone Biles sent a message to those who criticized her for being on vacation after experiencing a recent health scare. “Almost died but look at these traveling selfies…. 😂😂😂,” one user wrote in the comments section of Biles’ Wednesday, June 17, Instagram post, which featured images of the iconic gymnast on vacation with the caption, […]

“I was on a world scene, and what made the news was, another gymnast saying that if we painted our skin black, maybe we would all win because I had beaten her out of beam medal, and she got upset,” Biles told Today in 2020. “And that was really the news, rather than me winning worlds.”

Biles was referring to making history as the first Black woman to win all-around at the 2013 World Championships in Belgium, where she faced a comment from fellow gymnast Carlotta Ferlito. At the time, Biles shared that she felt racism “happens every day.”

“I feel like every Black athlete or colored athlete can say that they’ve experienced it through their career,” she said. “But you just have to keep going for those little ones looking up to us. It doesn’t matter what you look like. You can strive for greatness, and you can be great.”

In recent weeks, Biles has made headlines for experiencing a health scare. She has not disclosed further details about what occurred.

“I’m not one to normally share things like this because I value privacy in today’s age. But almost dying wasn’t on my bingo card this week,” Biles wrote via her Instagram Story in June, sharing a photo of her arm containing alleged hospital wristbands.

Biles explained that her husband, Jonathan Owens, was in Indiana for workouts with his NFL team at the time.

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“This was one of, if not the scariest experience of my life, especially since Jonathan was in Indy for practices,” Biles wrote. “I’ve been in bed resting this week. I’ll explain sooner or later, but [shoutout] to my close circle who reached out, checked in, visited & or sent flowers.”

After opening up about the incident, Biles shared that she and Owens, 30, were headed for a “baecation.”

When a follower commented on a post days later that they “never got the update on [her] near death experience,” Biles replied, “Not ready to talk about it just yet.”

⚠️ SPOILER WARNING: Reports surrounding a leaked Spider-Man: Brand New Day Trailer 2 have surfaced online. While none of the details have been officially confirmed by Sony Pictures or Marvel Studios, the following article discusses rumored footage and potential story elements that some fans may consider spoilers. Proceed with caution.

Sony Pictures may be preparing to release the second trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day much sooner than fans expected.

Over the past several days, reports of a leaked Trailer 2 description, audio, and even low-quality footage have spread across social media. While none of the leaked material has been officially confirmed by Sony or Marvel Studios, the growing number of reports has fueled speculation that a new trailer could be right around the corner.

Adding fuel to the fire, a second Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer was recently age-rated in Canada. The trailer reportedly runs approximately two minutes and thirty seconds, marking the first major batch of new footage since the film’s debut trailer premiered earlier this year. Historically, trailers often arrive online shortly after receiving ratings approval, leading many fans to believe an official release could happen within days.

According to various leak reports circulating online, the trailer may feature additional footage of Peter Parker’s latest adventure, including more action sequences and a closer look at several supporting characters. Rumors have also pointed to expanded appearances from Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner, though those claims remain unverified.

Some of the more surprising leak descriptions suggest the trailer includes a confrontation between Spider-Man and Hulk. If true, it would mark one of the film’s biggest reveals yet. However, fans should approach these claims with caution until Sony officially releases the trailer.

Sony has already dealt with multiple Brand New Day leaks throughout the film’s marketing campaign. Earlier footage and images reportedly surfaced online before the first trailer debuted, making it possible that the studio could accelerate its marketing plans if additional material continues to spread across social media.

With Spider-Man: Brand New Day set to swing into theaters on July 31, 2026, the timing would make sense for Sony to begin its next major promotional push. Whether the recent leaks are accurate or not, the appearance of a newly rated trailer and the increasing volume of online chatter suggest that Trailer 2 may arrive sooner rather than later.

For now, fans eager for another look at the next chapter in Peter Parker’s story may not have to wait much longer.

Senator Lindsey Graham unexpectedly died at age 71 just one day before he was scheduled to make what would have been his 64th appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.

“As we reflect on the life and legacy of Senator Linsey Graham, we here at Meet the Press want to extend our deepest condolences to his friends, his family and his colleagues,” Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker said on the Sunday, July 12, episode of the NBC program. “Senator Graham was not only a fixture on Capitol Hill but on this broadcast as well.”

She continued, “He was scheduled to appear on the show this morning for what would have been his 64th appearance. Senator Graham was one of the show’s most frequent guests, second only to hsi dear friend, the late Senator John McCain.”

The South Carolina senator’s office confirmed early Sunday morning that Graham had died the previous evening at the age of 71 after battling a “brief and sudden illness.”

“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” a spokesperson for the late politician said in a written statement shared via X. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”

President Donald Trump called into Meet the Press’ Sunday program in the wake of the senator’s death, detailing what he said was perhaps the final phone call the politician made before he died.

“So, what makes it even stranger is I got a call last night something in the early evening — maybe in the sevens — and he called and said, ‘We’re all set for the Save America Act,’ the president, 80, said, referring to his controversial voting bill that many experts have argued will actually make it more difficult for U.S. citizens to vote.

”He was pushing the Save America Act like crazy,” the president continued. “He got back, said he just landed from Ukraine, I said, ‘That’s a long trip.’ He sounded a little tired, but perfect, but a little bit tired — he had the right to be, he was a worker. He was really a worker. But he sounded great, actually. But he actually said he was tired.”

Trump added, “But he wanted to pass the Save America Act, and I said, “Well, we’re gonna get it done, Lindsey. We’re gonna get it done. See you soon.’ We might even meet today, and then that was it. That was very, around the time… it couldn’t have been much longer. It could have been his last call, I don’t know exactly.”

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During Sunday’s tribute, Welker detailed Graham’s final appearance on the program, sharing that the show gifted him a picture that used to hang in a green room.

“During his last appearance on the show this past May we presented him with a photo that previously hung in the Meet the Press green room from a joint appearance with Senator McCain in 2017,” Welker explained. “It was a fitting moment for a senator who understood the power of this program.”

She concluded, “Senator Graham was a frequent guest because he believed in the idea that democracy is strengthened when we continue the conversation even when we disagree.”

Catherine Paiz has added another little one to her family!

“We waited nine months for this surprise!” Paiz wrote via Instagram on Saturday, July 11. “My husband was the first to meet our baby and tell me, ‘It’s a girl.’ 💗 Sea’vanna 🌊 born on July 8, 2026✨.”

Alongside the announcement, Paiz shared photos from her home birth with husband Igor Ten and uploaded an image of the newborn to her Instagram Story with the caption: “The sweetest chapter of our life begins.”

“Laboured under the open sky in my garden 🤍,” she wrote in a separate Instagram post on Friday, July 10. “3 hours of surrendering, trusting, and giving my body fully to the most powerful experience of my life. The hardest thing I’ve ever done, and somehow the most beautiful.”

Related: Influencer Babies of 2026: Catherine Paiz and More Stars Who Gave Birth

Some of the internet’s biggest faces expanded their families this year. 2026 began with influencers Haley and MonDarius Black welcoming their first baby together, daughter Leilani Noel Black, after previously suffering a pregnancy loss. The next month, influencer Dani Austin and husband Jordan Ramirez added their fourth child, while Emily Stomauk and Michael Justin later […]

Ten gushed over his wife in the comments section, writing, “Watching you go through labor made me admire you even more. Your strength, courage, and love were truly inspiring. I’m so proud of you. I love you so much! ❤️.”

Elsewhere in the comments section, Paiz’s ex-husband, Austin McBroom, congratulated her and Ten on their new arrival.

“Congratulations to you both. The kids are blessed to have another sibling 🙏🏽🫶🏽,” he wrote.

Paiz shared in November 2025 that she and Ten were expecting their first child together, her fourth. The announcement came less than two months after the pair tied the knot.

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Paiz became an online figure as part of The Ace Family YouTube channel with McBroom, where the couple gave glimpses of their lives with their three kids: daughters Elle, 10, and Alaïa, 7, and son Steel, 6. In 2024, Paiz and McBroom announced their split.

One year after their separation, Paiz appeared on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast and alleged that McBroom had cheated on her multiple times with various women. Despite McBroom reportedly sharing that he was unfaithful in a series of Snapchats before Paiz’s podcast appearance, he claimed she condoned his behavior — an allegation Paiz denied.

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“I would never want my kids to think that that is OK to cheat on your husband or your wife,” she said on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast in May 2025. “I will make sure to raise them so that they know that they never, ever do that because that is so wrong. You never cheat on the person you love. I would never in a million years say that.”

Us Weekly reached out to McBroom for comment at the time. McBroom, who did not mention Paiz by name, appeared to address the accusations the following day.

“I realize in order for this s*** to stop, the best thing for me to do is not respond,” he said at the time, per People. “Because you guys see what’s going on. It would just continue and it would affect my kids, and my kids don’t deserve that.”

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 4 seconds ago

Right now, Star Trek has failed as a franchise. That’s not just a matter of opinion, either: all of the NuTrek shows have been canceled prematurely with the exception of Picard, which was planned for only three seasons. Starfleet Academy got canceled as soon as Season 1 was over. Now, Paramount is pivoting the film to the big screen, meaning that we may go a long time before getting another new show. It’s easy to get mad at Paramount, but all of this ultimately comes down to the power of math, people: with a minimum per-episode budget of $8 million, these shows just don’t get enough views to justify their price.

Long before Paramount pulled the plug on Trek’s TV shows, fans negatively compared these newer shows to earlier series like The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. The general consensus is that classic Trek was just better than what came later, with fans fervently waiting for Paramount to fire Alex Kurtzman and hire someone who could bring the old magic back. However, according to the franchise’s greatest actors, NuTrek is better than classic Trek in exactly one way: letting people improvise dialogue instead of sticking to the script.

Improv? Make It “No”

Classic Star Trek shows like The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager had amazing dialogue, courtesy of writers who understood the franchise and truly loved it. For better or for worse, the writers and producers were very protective of their scripts. After some of the TNG cast mocked a script from Maurice Hurley, the show stopped doing table reads with the actors. Furthermore, improvising new lines was frowned on by many people on the show; this included Patrick Stewart, who actually scolded the TNG cast for improvising funny lines, ultimately storming off the set in frustration.

Stewart eventually mellowed out, but this became a moot point as producers effectively tightened the leash on improvisation of any kind. There was a method to their madness: writer Ronald D. Moore once told the official Star Trek site, “We had to lock down scripts and make sure that everybody was going to say exactly what they were going to say well in advance of production.” Why is that? Rick Berman and Brannon Braga once told ComicBook.com that they wanted everyone to speak the lines exactly as written to create a timeless style that was very distinct from contemporary speech.

Beaming Up Shenanigans

How bad did things get? On Star Trek: Voyager, Neelix actor Ethan Phillips once read the line “Can you hand me that PADD?” as “May I have that PADD?” This shut down production of the episode and led to a joint discussion with the writers, the director, and all three producers. They ultimately decided that the new line was fine, but Phillips was so aghast at causing this much trouble that he never tinkered with the dialogue again. Decades later, NuTrek more or less abandoned this practice, allowing actors to improvise if they had better lines or better ideas for their characters.

This astonished Riker actor Jonathan Frakes when he directed the crossover episode between Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks. When he appeared on the D-Con Chamber podcast, he described his astonishment when Tawny Newsome and Jack Quaid began improvising new lines. He huddled with two producers, and they all agreed that the new lines were (in Frakes’ words) “f*cking great!” From that point, he began encouraging improvisation, something that Anson Mount and Ethan Peck really took to. Now, Frakes and other directors encourage NuTrek actors to improvise lines. In fact, Sam Kirk actor Dan Jeannotte recently told a Trek convention that “Frakes lets us do whatever we want.”

Even in the NuTrek era, there are still directors who prefer everyone stick precisely to what is written. But Frakes helped lead the way in normalizing improvisation and generally trusting the actors to bring their characters to life. Arguably, this is a far better approach to creating Star Trek, one that leaves room for others to make the episode as strong as it possibly could be. Now, the franchise is about to boldly go into a new era of film, and we can only hope future directors encourage future Trek actors to make these characters their own instead of slavishly sticking to every single syllable they are given.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 11 seconds ago

Star Wars has been trying to frantically pull itself out of a tailspin for many years now. When did this franchise first start facing major problems, though? Arguably, the beginning of the end was Solo: A Star Wars Story. That movie’s budget had already ballooned once Lucasfilm switched directors, and many fans were already annoyed by The Last Jedi. They ended up voting with their dollars, and Solo ended up becoming the lowest-earning live-action Star Wars movie ever made. That’s a pretty grim achievement, one which was recently surpassed by an even lower-earning franchise film: The Mandalorian and Grogu.

While the Star Wars films continue to flounder, the franchise has found a bit more success on the small screen. Fans have generally loved shows like Andor, Ahsoka, and The Mandalorian (at least, the first two seasons), and that goes double for animated fare like Maul–Shadow Lord and the final season of The Clone Wars. What has made these shows so successful, though? Believe it or not, it all comes from embracing Star Wars’ biggest failure. That is, Lucasfilm finally learned to lean into the best parts of Solo, which audiences are now responding to like they never have before.

See You Later, Space Cowboy

I’ve always had complicated feelings about Solo: A Star Wars Story. On the one hand, I think Lucasfilm made a huge mistake by firing Phil Lord and Christopher Miller as directors. These two went on to create the Spider-Verse movies, and I can’t help but think their more comedic take on a galaxy far, far away would have been awesome enough to change the fate of the franchise for the better. The final cut was directed by Ron Howard, who tried to create a more traditional sci-fi adventure. While I think Lord and Miller’s cut would have been better, Solo is still a great film: it has plenty of action, romance, and characterization, featuring actors who have surprisingly great chemistry.

It might have taken nearly a decade, but both Lucasfilm and the Star Wars fandom have begun belatedly acknowledging how great Solo is. How can you tell? Simple: some of the best TV shows in the franchise have taken their creative cues from that movie. The most obvious example is the recent animated series Maul–Shadow Lord. Part of what has made the show so successful is that audiences love its exploration of the seedier side of Star Wars, including vicious crime syndicates and bloodthirsty characters who would fit right in at the Mos Eisley cantina back in A New Hope.

The Best Shows Came From The Worst Movie

This was, of course, the driving narrative force of Solo: A Star Wars Story, which tracked Han Solo’s increasing involvement with assorted criminals and the vicious Crimson Dawn Syndicate. Back in 2018, fans thought it was weird for this movie to focus on characters who are (at best) morally grey instead of upstanding, morally upright heroes. Now, though, the most beloved Star Wars shows focus on these kinds of characters, and audiences just can’t get enough of them. This includes Andor, which showed how the Rebellion could never have thrived without characters who are willing to make hard decisions and even harder compromises in the name of the greater good. 

Of course, part of what makes Cassian Andor a compelling protagonist is that, while he’s rough around the edges, he is determined to do the right thing. Arguably, this is another major inspiration from Solo: A Star Wars Story. In that film, Han Solo is the archetypal outlaw with a heart of gold. Aside from Andor, other popular characters were made in that mold, including Din Djarin from The Mandalorian, Boba Fett from The Book of Boba Fett, and Jod Na Nawood in Skeleton Crew.

Found Families And Dark Mentors

How else did Star Wars TV take its cues from Solo? Like that movie, there are multiple shows that emphasize the importance of found family. The core of The Mandalorian is the relationship between the titular character and the little baby Jedi that he adopts. Ahsoka, like Rebels before it, emphasizes how Ezra and Sabine are like siblings to each other. Incidentally, Ahsoka also borrows Solo’s use of a dark mentor character to demonstrate the relationship between Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati. For all its faults, The Acolyte also followed this trope when Osha rejected the Jedi and decided to train under Dark Side user Qmir.

The similarities go on, really. The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Andor all focused more on the ordinary people of the galaxy, something that arguably started with Solo. Additionally, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and The Book of Boba Fett expanded our knowledge of a familiar character, just like Solo did. Long story short? Solo wasn’t a perfect movie, but it’s far better than its reputation. If you need any proof, just look at the most ambitious TV shows in which Lucasfilm has spent nearly a decade creating new things from the creative building blocks of a box office disaster.

Killer TV shows growing from the corpse of the franchise’s first box office failure? Like Star Wars’ best character might put it, never tell me the odds!

Oh, oh, oh–James Maslow, known from his time as James Diamond in the Nickelodeon hit “Big Time Rush,” said there’s one song from the popular boy band that he and his group members have never really enjoyed singing. During his appearance on the “Joe Vulpis Podcast,” the actor and “Big Brother” alum opened up about the show, which ran from 2009 to 2013, and spilled the tea on things some of the program’s biggest fans may not have known.

While Big Time Rush was created as a fictional boy band for the TV series of the same name, the group actually released popular songs and albums, three of which reached the top 20 on the Billboard 200.

And while the music resonated with some of the show’s fans, Maslow said the “Big Time Rush” theme song is the one he and his co-stars have the most trouble performing.

“It was written as a theme song, in my defense, which means it wasn’t written to be sung… to be performed live like regular music,” he said.

Maslow Said It’s Always A ‘Struggle’ To Sing The Show’s ‘Cheesy’ Theme Song

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Maslow, 35, was first cast in the Nickelodeon series at 19. On the podcast, the actor said he didn’t enjoy singing the “BTR” theme song live back then, but now, he’s learned to appreciate it a bit more.

Even then, it’s not a track that he and his bandmates, including Kendall Schmidt, Carlos PenaVega, and Logan Henderson, are champing at the bit to sing live.

“It’s always been a struggle, and we’ve always found a way to like put it in a mashup or sing half of it and like move on, and we still do to some degree because, again, it’s a theme song and it’s cheesy by nature,” he said.

Fans Probably Didn’t Know This Fact About ‘Big Time Rush’

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Elsewhere in the podcast, Maslow told the podcast host that he wasn’t sure “Big Time Rush” would even make it to air, given that they shot a million-dollar pilot without Schmidt, the show’s leading man.

According to Maslow, they filmed the pilot with a different actor, but after wrapping, the network shelved the program to do another nationwide search. Despite the back-and-forth, Maslow expressed gratitude that everything worked out as it did.

“The reality is, and I remind myself of this all the time, [we] could have gone through those two years, those four screen tests, the million-dollar pilot, and then back to nothing, and then got it picked up, and then it still could have not worked,” Maslow said. “So, I’m just grateful that so many people fell in love with the show and the band.”

Maslow And His Bandmates Had To Fight For Creative Control Over Their Music

After Nickelodeon rounded out the cast with the right actors, Maslow said he and his co-stars then had to fight for a bit of creative control, noting that the people involved in creating the show didn’t realize they had cast men who wanted to be involved in the music-making process.

“So it became art imitating life in many, many ways where they set out going, ‘Hey, we’re going to hire actors to make a show, and maybe they can play music or something outside of this,’ but we proved to be like, no, we’re actually going to be a band,” Maslow explained.

Speaking Of Fictional Bands … This Group Is Returning To The Small Screen Nearly 20 Years Later

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And speaking of fictional bands, another group is returning to the small screen almost 20 years later.

According to a previous report from The Blast, Raven-Symoné and Adrienne Bailon are returning to Disney to reprise their roles as Galleria and Chanel in the new “Cheetah Girls” movie titled “Next Gen.”

The made-for-TV film, executive-produced by the “That’s So Raven” alum and Debra Martin Chase, will feature her and Bailon’s characters traveling to Africa with a group of younger singers to help save a wildlife sanctuary.

Sabrina Bryan, who played Dorinda in the franchise’s first three films, will reprise her role, along with Lynn Whitfield and Lori Alter. Kiely Williams, however, is not attached to the project at this time.

“The Cheetah Girls has always been about friendship, music, and empowering young people to use their voice,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family. “That spirit connected deeply with a generation of fans, and it still resonates today. Bringing this dynamic new group of young stars to the franchise allows us to continue that legacy for a new era of kids and families.”

Senator Mitch McConnell‘s mounting health concerns have thrust the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican back into the political and cultural spotlight, spurring a series of conspiracy theories and demand for transparency from his office.

McConnell was reportedly found unconscious at his Washington, D.C., home on June 14, 2026, according to multiple outlets who reported on the incident weeks later. He had not cast a Senate vote since June 11, 2026, per Senate records, and his prolonged absence has since fueled speculation about his condition.

Scroll below for a history of McConnell’s recent health scares:

Mitch McConnell’s February 2026 Hospitalization

Less than four months before the June incident, McConnell was hospitalized after experiencing flu-like symptoms.

“In an abundance of caution, after experiencing flu-like symptoms over the weekend, Senator McConnell checked himself into a local hospital for evaluation [on February 2],” a spokesperson told Us Weekly at the time. “His prognosis is positive and he is grateful for the excellent care he is receiving.”

Mitch McConnell’s June 2026 Reported Cardiac Emergency

Emergency services dispatch audio referenced “CPR in progress” for a “cardiac arrest” at McConnell’s D.C. home before 9 a.m. on June 14, per The New York Post. McConnell’s office has not publicly confirmed the specifics.

Spokesperson Stephanie Penn told People via email on July 1, “Senator McConnell is still working closely with staff on Senate business and Kentucky matters as he continues his recovery. However, he will not be voting this week.”

‘Brain Dead’ Rumors Circulate

Right-wing activist Laura Loomer alleged on X on July 7, 2026 that McConnell was “brain dead and hooked up to machines,” citing a “high-level source close to the White House.”

McConnell’s office responded the same day in a statement to Us Weekly: “Senator McConnell appreciates the outpouring of support he’s receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital. The Senator continues to improve, and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session.”

GOP Senate leaders John Thune and John Barrasso subsequently claimed they had each recently spoken with McConnell.

Meghan McCain, Scott Jennings and Lisa Rinna Weigh In

McConnell’s mysterious health scar prompted a flurry of celebrity reactions.

Meghan McCain, for her part, publicly demanded more information.

“Senator McConnell’s staff owes it to the American public to give a real update on his health or show us some kind of proof of life,” she tweeted on July 7, 2026. “All of this is unseemly, macabre, bad for democracy and quite frankly embarrassing for the country.”

CNN political commentator Scott Jennings, meanwhile, alleged he spoke with the senator for nearly 20 minutes.

“He’s still recovering in the hospital. We talked for just shy of 20 minutes … about IRAN, UKRAINE, the unfolding situation in MAINE, my visit to the TR Presidential Library and even a little bit of Senate history. I told him we want to see him back at work as soon as possible,” Jennings wrote on X that same day.

Jennings repeated his same claims on CNN that day before the network distanced itself from the commentator. 

“As a CNN Political Commentator, Scott Jennings is not a full-time employee or journalist for the network,” a statement shared with the The Daily Beast on July 10, 2026, read. “His account of a personal conversation with Senator McConnell reflects his experience and is not CNN reporting.”

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Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Lisa Rinna offered a darker take, comparing McConnell’s situation to the 1989 film Weekend at Bernie’s in a TikTok video.

 “I mean, come on, Mitch McConnell’s dead. He’s dead,” she joked. “They’re keeping him alive like Weekend at Bernie’s.”

This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. 

Some of the internet’s biggest faces expanded their families this year.

2026 began with influencers Haley and MonDarius Black welcoming their first baby together, daughter Leilani Noel Black, after previously suffering a pregnancy loss.

The next month, influencer Dani Austin and husband Jordan Ramirez added their fourth child, while Emily Stomauk and Michael Justin later shared they welcomed their first baby. In April, Allison Kuch and NFL’s Isaac Rochell welcomed their second baby and Alex and Harrison Fugman added their son to their family.

In April, TikTok stars Camilla and Julie Lorentzen took fans inside the delivery room as they welcomed their third child. One month later, hairstylist Siiri Parks shared that she and partner Jorden had welcomed their first baby with the help of IVF.

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In late May, influencer couple Keeundra Hatley Smith and Nicholas Smith welcomed their seventh baby.

In June, Sue Rose and husband Josh Vida welcomed their fifth child together, a baby girl. Meanwhile, YouTuber Cody Ko and wife Kelsey Kreppel announced the arrival of baby No. 2. The next month, Campbell “Pookie” Puckett and Jett Puckett shared that they welcomed their second child. Influencer Natalie Zacek and husband Josh Downey also welcomed their first baby and Catherine Paiz and husband Igor Ten welcomed their first baby together, her fourth, on July 8.

Scroll down to see more influencers who welcomed babies this year:

Conor McGregor was a no-show at the Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan’s UFC afterparty after his shocking fight loss, a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. 

McGregor, 37, was scheduled to emcee the Las Vegas bash hours after his Saturday, July 11, fight against rival Max Holloway during UFC 329. McGregor ultimately lost the match just 69 seconds into the bout.

“After the disappointing loss, he bailed,” a source close to the situation exclusively tells Us Weekly, noting iconic UFC announcer Bruce Buffer “came in to save the day” when he stepped in last-minute to serve as the evening’s host.

The insider adds, “Marquee was packed and Bruce did a UFC style intro for rapper Fabulous.”

McGregor has not addressed his decision to skip what the source tells Us was an epic party. Us has reached out to a rep for the pro fighter for comment.

Hours after his surprising loss, McGregor addressed the stinging defeat in a series of social media uploads.

“I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened,” he tweeted on Sunday, July 12. “The talk of me being off while walking into the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock [at] what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here. I am not engaging. I will be at church tomorrow.”

McGregor continued, “I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return.”

The MMA star had last stepped into the ring in 2021, making Saturday’s highly-anticipated matchup his supposed comeback. After the fight was called in just one one minute, UFC commentators speculated that McGregor’s opening roundhouse kick caused an injury.

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“My head gasket is gone. Destroyed. I had no injury / injuries going into the fight,” he tweeted the next day, denying the speculation. “I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell.”

Putting the loss behind him, McGregor has turned to his faith for solace.

“I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible,” McGregor wrote via X on Sunday. “I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through Him all things were made. … “I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.”