Mixing business and pleasure seems to be a hard no for Brittany Cartwright.

One of the TV personality’s longtime professional relationships has reportedly bitten the dust after cozy photos of her estranged husband, Jax Taylor, on a getaway trip in Mexico made waves online.

Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor have been in the spotlight thanks to their messy relationship. The pair were together for nearly a decade before separating. They tied the knot in 2019 and welcomed their only child, Cruz, about two years later.

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While the pair are still legally married, Cartwright has filed for divorce since 2024, and both parties have stepped back into the dating pool. However, it seems the TV personality has drawn a line on Taylor dating people from her inner circle.

Cartwright is reportedly severing ties with her longtime publicist, Lori Krebs, who has been with her for a longer time than her relationship with her estranged husband lasted. Krebs and the mom of one had a professional relationship that lasted more than a decade, which has now come to an end.

The Bravo star fired her longtime publicist after cozy photos of Krebs and Taylor made waves online. The pictures obtained by TMZ showed the pair snuggled up in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, seemingly enjoying each other’s company and going quite heavy on PDA. 

Sources told the media outlet that Krebs called Cartwright before the photos were released to give her a head-up about the story. This apparently did not affect the mom of one’s decision to cut ties with the publicist.

Inside The Steamy Weekend Getaway At Mexico

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Taylor and Krebs spent the weekend at Hotel Mousai, where uploaded pictures show them getting awfully close inside the pool. The pair were photographed with arms wrapped around each other while they enjoyed the water, and at one point they appeared to be having a conversation. 

They were seen standing chest to chest while talking to each other in the resort’s infinity pool. There are also uploaded videos showing them having a conversation while sitting on the poolside loungers during the trip.

According to witness reports, the reality TV star and Krebs were cozier than what the photos showed. The witness claimed the pair did not hide that they were together around other guests and spent the day in each other’s arms. Even though the trip was part of a larger group celebration for Taylor’s birthday, which fell on March 11, the duo found their way to enjoying a great deal of quality time.

Is This A Deja Vu Moment For The Bravo Stars?

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Fans, friends, and followers have seen something similar play out but on the other side of the table. Cartwright previously made her way to the spotlight for engaging in an affair with her estranged husband’s friend, Julian Sensley, shortly after their separation in 2024.

The Blast shared that “The Valley” star insisted at the time that her fling with Sensley was not a result of a well-thought-out decision, although lingering resentment for Taylor was a contributing factor to her actions. She also tried to justify her actions by stating that there was never a “no dating in the friend group” policy between them.

Cartwright explained that at the time she was too upset with her estranged husband to worry about hurting his feelings when she started linking up with Sensley. The whirlwind romance quietly came to an end within months; the reality TV star learned that Sensley was dishonest about his living situation and relationship with his partner at the time.

The Bravolebrity Took A Step Back After Her Last Relationship

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Cartwright chose to focus on herself and healing after seeing the end of a two-month relationship with her longtime friend Brandon Hanson. From the outset, fans had worried about her re-entry into the dating pool so soon following her split from Taylor. Another factor that raised eyebrows was that Hanson had a wife and three kids.

“Little side note, I’m single. We actually did not last… We were very good friends before we started dating. It was kind of like a whirlwind relationship,” the reality TV star shared, announcing that they had called it quits.

The Blast reported that she stressed that their romance became public knowledge sooner than they wanted; however, that did not influence their decision to break up.

The TV personality revealed as she explained further that they could not continue the relationship due to long-distance and Hanson having a lot of other responsibilities on his plate. Despite their short-lived romance, which in her words ended “amicably,” they still cared about each other.

Brittany Cartwright And Jax Taylor’s Agreement For Their Son

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Initially, Cartwright had full custody of Cruz, and Taylor filed for joint legal custody, but they recently reached a middle ground. The custody deal states that neither parent will pay the other child support, and they have agreed to split their time with their son.

The former couple also agreed to share custody and responsibility on Cruz’s health decisions, well-being, and education. However, Cartwright would have the upper hand concerning the health decisions if they cannot come to an agreement.

The Blast shared that other restrictions were put in place, especially due to Taylor’s struggles with addiction. Neither parent is to be under the influence of marijuana, other hard drugs, or alcohol while with Cruz. They also are not allowed to introduce their new partners to their son until after a 6-month waiting period.

Is Brittany Cartwright’s reaction to Jax Taylor’s action justified?

Kyle Cooke didn’t hold back when he addressed his estranged wife, Amanda Batula, during the “In The City” finale. During their conversation, Cooke called Batula out for lying to him about her relationship with their “Summer House” co-star, West Wilson.

For those who may be unfamiliar, things exploded in the Bravosphere in March 2026 when Batula and Wilson confirmed they were in a romantic relationship after weeks of denying it. While their romance isn’t a crime, it surprised fans and their inner circle due to Batula’s former friendship with Wilson’s ex-girlfriend, Ciara Miller.

The cast of “Love Island” season 8 has officially exited the villa, and some of them didn’t receive a warm welcome back to social media. Following the conclusion of the season, the final four contestants, Carl Schmidt and Aniya Harvey, Sincere Rhea and Melanie Moreno, Zach Georgiou and Kayda Bosse, and Bryce Dettloff and Trinity Tatum, have been adjusting to life in the real world. While some have been greeted with messages of support from brands and even millions of followers, others, like Georgiou, have been subjected to hate comments and incessant trolling. The criticism was enough for season 8 winner Tatum to speak on his behalf, urging fans to pull back.

Flavor Flav is turning the spotlight on women in sports during this week’s SHE Weekend in Las Vegas. The celebration is designed to inspire, uplift, and celebrate female athletes during the four-day event.

The fun begins on Thursday evening with some exciting events for fans to enjoy. Here’s what you need to know if you plan to attend. 

SHE Weekend was started by Flavor Flav to honor female athletes from the 2026 Winter Games. The multi-day celebration will recognize competitors and their achievements in a way only Vegas can with a series of events across The Strip. 

The fun begins on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Toshiba Plaza in front of T-Mobile Arena. At 8 p.m., the parade begins at Park MGM, turning right on Las Vegas Blvd. near CVS/Park MGM, then right on Bruno Mars Drive, and ends at Toshiba Plaza around 8:30 p.m. 

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When the parade arrives at Toshiba Plaza, there will be a Key to the Strip and Proclamation presentation, and then a live performance by Public Enemy, Blue deTiger, Grace Bowers, and other special guests. The parade will include floats carrying the athletes and special appearances by Vegas-based sports organizations, community groups, and others. 

And did we mention the party at Toshiba Plaza and parade are free and open to the public? For fans who are unable to attend, they can follow along at home on the SHE Center: The Official Show of Flavor Flav’s SHE Weekend.

How Did The Idea For SHE Weekend Get Started?

The idea for the big Vegas celebration happened earlier this year when Flavor Flav took to X to share a message for the USA Women’s Hockey team after they declined an invite to Washington, D.C.

“If the USA Women’s Hockey team wants a real celebration and invite, I’ll host them in Vegas,” he tweeted. “Do some nice dinners and shows and good times. I’m sure I can get a hotel and airline to help me out here and celebrate these women for real for real.” 

The rapper also took to his Instagram page to share more about his idea. 

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“Cuz this wasn’t big enough,,, I wanna invite ALL the female Olympic and Paralympic medalists from the United States out to Vegas and we got you covered,, we gonna do some nice dinners, throw a big party and a parade and a concert,,, and go to some concerts and shows,” he wrote. “Thankx to all the companies and brands and musicians and entertainers who reached out. We gonna celebrate and show em SHE GOT GAME!!”

It Didn’t Take Long For Flavor Flav To Get Approval From The County

It didn’t take long for Clark County Commissioners to approve the idea, for a date to be chosen, and for businesses and fans to get involved. In mid-May, Flavor Flav shared good news about the planning of SHE Weekend.

“I gotta let everybody know right now, my Flavor Flav’s ‘SHE Weekend’ just got approved officially today by the commissioners,” he said enthusiastically in a video shared on IG. “Right here in Vegas, it’s going down July 16 to the 19th.” 

His caption continued to share more about the event.

“FLAVOR FLAV::: ITS HAPPENING!! ITS REALLY HAPPENING!! SHE Weekend was approved by the Las Vegas Clark County Commissioners today!! Thatz right,,, imma bringing the celebration to Vegas and am officially hosting a FREE PUBLIC CELEBRATION + CONCERT + PARADE ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP!!” the caption reads. “Your boy has been putting in the work,,, including spending hours and hours at these commissioners meetings,,, but hard work pays off.”

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Flavor Flav Is ‘Honored’ To Be Able To Host SHE Weekend In Vegas

The event will also feature two days of curated panels for the athletes and a keynote by Chantell Preston, Co-Founder/Owner of San Francisco Signal, a League One Volleyball Team, as well as exclusive tickets and meet-and-greet opportunities for Ed Sheerhan and the Backstreet Boys for the athletes.

There will also be a dinner celebration hosted by MGM Resorts.

“I am honored to be able to host these incredible athletes here in Las Vegas for my Flavor Flav SHE Weekend,” Flavor Flav said in a statement, according to PEOPLE. “I want to thank everybody who has reached out wanting to get involved… This weekend is gonna be action-packed!”

Recently, Flavor Flav shared some information about the #NotAloneChallenge on the Flavor Flav’s SHE Weekend’s Instagram page.

“We’re celebrating women in sports and putting free mental health tools in everyone’s hands. Because even champions need support. Get the free toolkit at NotAloneChallenge.org. Link in bio,” he shared in the caption. “You are not alone.”

In the carousel of slides, one states, “1 in 3 elite athletes face a mental health challenge.” Another slide shares information about a free mental health toolkit.

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For more information on Flavor Flav’s SHE Weekend, visit the website and the IG page.

Lenny Kravitz raised eyebrows in 2024 when he shared a viral video of himself working out in leather pants. Now at 62 years old, the singer is revisiting the revelation, confirming that he still sticks to his preferred workout clothing while pumping iron, and he has a practical reason for doing so. Kravitz also talked about being in the best shape of his life, while also admitting there’s still one part of his physique he’d like to improve.

Lenny Kravitz is known for his signature style, blending vintage pieces with his rock-and-roll persona. He’s often seen onstage wearing leather pants, and while they certainly make a statement, they aren’t exactly known for their comfort, especially when worn during workouts. However, that’s exactly what the Grammy award-winning singer does.

Kravitz has a practical reason for doing so, as he said he could simply fit in some gym time when he’s not on the stage performing. Moreover, he uses his pants, leather or jeans, as a fitness gauge. “I perform onstage in leather, denim, whatever, so those are the pants I wear to train,” he told Men’s Health.

The singer wears 28-inch pants, and when some areas feel tighter, he knows it’s time to get in shape. Kravitz shared a saying Denzel Washington told him that he lives by: “The pants don’t lie, the pants don’t lie.”

The Singer’s Workout Video Went Viral In 2024

In 2024, Kravitz shared a video of himself weight-training in a tank top, leather pants, and boots. The clip went viral, with many commenting on his preferred choice of workout clothing.

“My man never breaks character. Full-time rock star,” one user noted, with another adding, “Reasons why I haven’t started working out: 1. I don’t own any leather pants.”

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Even fellow celebrities weighed in, with Wiz Khalifa noting he needed better gym outfits, and Arsenio Hall saying that seeing Kravitz’s post made his back hurt.

Kravitz addressed the viral clip in an interview with Variety, in which he said he doesn’t work out in leather pants “for effect.” “A lot of times I’m coming from somewhere or I’m going somewhere. And I just don’t care. I’m gonna pop in, I’ve got 45 minutes we’re gonna hit it and I’m gonna go run to where I’m going,” he said.

However, he only wears leather pants for weight training. When it comes to cardio, Kravitz wears sweats instead, knowing he’ll be perspiring heavily.

Lenny Kravitz Doesn’t Want To Be Bulky

The singer has been with the same trainer, Dodd Romero, for almost three decades. Romero helps keep Kravitz in shape and has also been instrumental in healing his past physical injuries. Now, his trainer designs specific programs to help him maintain his physique.

Kravitz said his goal isn’t to bulk up. “I want a very narrow silhouette, more like Spider-Man meets Bruce Lee, you know what I mean? Bruce Lee looked good in clothes,” he said. While he’s quite happy with his body, he shared that there’s one area he’d like to improve.

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“I gotta fill out my legs a little bit,” Kravitz said, noting that Romero is working on that by adding more deadlifts and lunges to his workout routine.

The Singer Does Not Eat Before 3 P.M.

Kravitz’s first meal daily is usually after 3 or 4 p.m., but it isn’t intentional. “It’s not because I’m trying to intermittent fast; it’s just the way I am,” he said, adding that he can’t eat immediately after waking.

He is used to having a low-carb diet and opts for mostly raw and vegan foods. However, he also enjoys eggs. In addition, he consumes protein shakes and supplements. Romero reveals that Kravitz wasn’t always a disciplined eater, sharing that he used to indulge in pizza, fried chicken, and Taco Bell.

Nowadays, Kravitz rarely treats himself to a cheat meal, but when he does, his choices include pasta or bread. In Romero’s opinion, the singer is in the best shape of his life.

Lenny Kravitz Is In The Middle Of A Tour

Kravitz kicked off his “Blue Electric Light Tour” in June 2024 and has continued touring with only brief breaks along the way.

He is currently on the European leg and will be performing in Finland, Sweden, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, France, and the U.K., before heading back to the U.S. in the fall.

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According to reports, Kravitz is actively working on a new album, but no title or release date has been announced yet.

After one of the most difficult years of her life, Dolly Parton is ready to step back into the spotlight, but not before spending months away from public view. 

While fans recently celebrated the country icon’s announcement that her life story is heading to Broadway, newly revealed details show where she quietly found comfort after losing her husband, Carl Dean. 

Hidden behind the gates of a sprawling Tennessee estate, Parton spent the past year grieving, healing and channeling her energy into the project that now marks her long-awaited return.

As Dolly Parton stepped away from the spotlight, much of that time was spent inside Willow Lake Plantation, the secluded Brentwood estate she shared with Dean for decades.

The property became more than just a luxury home following Dean’s death and the health issues that forced Parton to shelve her planned Las Vegas residency earlier this year. 

Tucked away on 63 acres just outside Nashville, the custom-built property has served as both a private sanctuary and a creative retreat while Parton worked on her Broadway comeback.

The singer recently surprised fans by announcing that she is returning with “DOLLY: A True Original Musical,” for which she wrote the music and book while also serving as producer. 

The production is scheduled to open in December, marking a major milestone after a challenging year away from the spotlight.

The estate itself, known as Willow Lake Plantation, was purchased by the couple in 1999 for $400,000, and is now estimated to be worth around $10 million.

Parton’s Home Reflects The Life She Built Beyond The Stage

According to aerial photographs obtained by the Daily Mail, the estate reveals a side of Dolly Parton that fans rarely get to see.

Scattered throughout the property are deeply personal touches, including a small church, towering angel statues and several converted outbuildings that have served as music and production studios over the years. 

The main home overlooks the grounds from a scenic balcony, while butterfly-shaped benches and colorful outdoor décor add unmistakable flashes of Parton’s personality.

Family also remains at the heart of the compound. Although Parton and Dean never welcomed children of their own during nearly 59 years of marriage, they devoted themselves to their nieces and nephews and later embraced the next generation as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

That connection is reflected in an elaborate gingerbread-inspired playground featuring slides, an in-ground trampoline, a see-saw, oversized guitars and multiple playhouses built for family gatherings that have long remained out of the public eye.

Dolly Parton Continues To Honor Carl Dean In Quiet Ways

Even as the legendary country singer prepares for one of the biggest professional milestones of her career, reminders of Dean remain woven throughout the property they once shared.

Dean died at 82 in March 2025, only weeks before the couple would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. 

While much has changed since then, the estate continues to preserve small pieces of his presence.

Among the most poignant reminders is the white van Dean once drove, which remains parked near the children’s play area. 

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Elsewhere, several colorful vehicles, including Parton’s signature pink Jeep and matching golf cart, offer glimpses of the vibrant personality that has always balanced the home’s quieter moments.

Parton’s Private Struggles Emerged Behind Closed Doors

While Dolly Parton’s secluded Tennessee estate became a place of healing, those closest to the country icon previously suggested the emotional weight of losing Dean also took a physical toll. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, one insider claimed the loss affected nearly every aspect of Parton’s life. “The life she lives now without him is crippled in comparison,” they stated.

The source added, “To know that she will never be the same absolutely has affected her deeply. Emotionally, personally, physically, it all has taken a toll.”   

Another insider alleged that Parton’s grief disrupted routines she had maintained for years, claiming, “She was not eating right, not doing the things she usually would do for her continued health, and she let things slip.” 

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Dolly Parton Offered Hopeful Health Update After Setback

The insider claims were later echoed by Parton herself when she addressed fans in a rare health update, explaining that complications from kidney stones, along with immune and digestive system issues, had sidelined her performances. 

Despite the setbacks, she struck an optimistic tone, telling fans, “The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day.” 

In the video, she acknowledged there was still a road ahead, adding, “I’ve still got some healing to do,” before explaining that the medication left her feeling “a little bit swimmy-headed,” making it impossible to perform safely in her signature heels. 

Even so, Parton emphasized that everything she was dealing with was treatable and assured supporters she was looking forward to getting back on stage as soon as she was fully recovered.

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Throughout the late 1970s and ‘80s, Sylvester Stallone was an action star who demanded to be taken seriously. In early work from Rocky to Rambo, there was almost this refusal to wink at the audience — a solemnity to whatever battle was unfolding on-screen, whether Stallone’s leading man was fighting for his life in the ring or on the run. But by the 1990s, Stallone’s reign as action star had taken on some levity. Call it a product of the time or simply a product of Stallone learning to have a little more fun with his career, but his third decade as a screen legend involves significantly more humor and self-deprecation than what came before.

Case in point: 1993’s Demolition Man. What could have been a completely earnest and straightforward cop-versus-criminal thriller is instead a gleefully over-the-top blend of sci-fi action and comedy. The result is a film that has aged far better than many of its contemporaries, thanks largely to its willingness to poke fun at both action movie clichés and the culture surrounding them. First-time director Marco Brambilla and screenwriter Daniel Waters (of Heathers fame) leaned into the absurdity — and in doing so, didn’t just create a fun popcorn flick, but ended up predicting the future of our increasingly stupid reality 33 years later.

‘Demolition Man’ Is as Much a Satire of Stallone As It Is of Society

The setup: In 1996, reckless Los Angeles cop John Spartan (Stallone) and homicidal criminal Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes) are both sentenced to cryogenic imprisonment after a disastrous hostage rescue goes horribly wrong. Decades later, Phoenix escapes into the futuristic city of “San Angeles,” where society has progressed so much that cops now have very little experience dealing with violent criminals of his ilk. With no one else on the force capable of stopping him, authorities thaw Spartan and ask him to hunt down his old foe.

Stallone plays Spartan completely straight-faced, but that doesn’t mean he’s not having fun with it. Much like his performance in Judge Dredd a few years later, Stallone’s the comedic foil that makes the whole ridiculous thing work. Demolition Man imagines a very stupid future — not unlike, say, Idiocracy — that make no-nonsense Stallone types feel antiquated. Here, you’ve got a stoic action star thrust into a future where profanity is illegal, fast food places are all Taco Bell, and toilet paper has been replaced by three mysterious seashells. Stallone’s self-seriousness in the face of all this is what lands every joke.

And if that’s not clear enough of a joke, there’s also the supporting cast of comedians to consider. Denis Leary steals scenes as underground resistance leader Edgar Friendly, there to deliver the kind of sarcastic, rapid-fire monologues that made him a comedy star for a minute. Rob Schneider’s also on hand, as is Jack Black in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it background role. They join a very game Sandra Bullock as Stallone’s partner, plus the aforementioned Snipes, who’s clearly having the time of his life.

It’s So ’90s It Hurts — But It Still Holds Up More Than Three Decades Later

Image via Warner Bros Discovery

What separates Demolition Man from the countless other action-thrillers in Stallone’s oeuvre is how confidently it embraces its comedy. Rather than simply imagining flying cars and futuristic weapons, the film builds an entire society around exaggerated ideas of policed speech, strict public health, and corporate homogenization, with both sides taking hits. At the time of its release, it certainly felt like more of a critique of the newly established Clinton administration than the recently concluded Reagan-then-Bush run. Rampant consumerism, extreme public health initiatives, mass surveillance, laws governing people’s sexuality… But when viewed in 2026, the target of its Brave New World-inspired spoof has changed sides.

Critics were (and, often, still are) divided on this one, but one thing they could agree on was that Demolition Man was more self-aware than the average Stallone blockbuster. Audiences showed up for it, too: It grossed $159 million worldwide, which is only further proof of this being one of the actor’s best. Present day, Demolition Man still entertains. The way it blends together explosive action, broad comedy, science-fiction world-building, and a wacky ensemble shouldn’t work, but it still does. Check it out while it’s currently streaming free on Tubi.

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Demolition Man

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Release Date

October 8, 1993

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Runtime

115 minutes

Director

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Marco Brambilla

Writers

Daniel Waters, Peter M. Lenkov, Robert Reneau

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Influencer Jen Hamilton has hinted at the circumstances that led to her divorce from estranged husband, Brian Hamilton.

“Me crying for weeks about a man I was loyal to for 15 years who wanted everyone but me,” the social media star and labor nurse wrote over the beginning of a TikTok video shared on Tuesday, July 14. Moments later, Jen, 37, is then seen opening her eyes before further text pops up.

“Remembers … I’m a #1 NYT [New York Times] Best Selling Author with the phattest ass,” the text reads as Jen is seen standing up from a chair and mouthing “What the f***” while looking out in disbelief. (Jen, who shares sons, Ellis and Luke, with her ex, published Birth Vibes: Stories and Strategies for an Empowered Birth in May.)

“I am not worthless,” she also captioned the candid post, which attracted more than 235,000 likes in three hours.

Related: Who Is Jen Hamilton? Influencer Hints at Split From Husband in Viral Video

Influencer Jen Hamilton raised eyebrows when she posted a cryptic message suggesting that she and her husband, Brian Hamilton, are heading toward a split. “Day 1: absolutely devastated. Please don’t try to reach out to anybody on my behalf. That would make everything so much worse for me,” she wrote alongside a June 2026 TikTok […]

Jen, who boasts more than 4.9 million followers on TikTok alone, confirmed via the social media platform on June 15 that she was splitting from Brian after nearly 15 years of marriage. “Yes, we are separating,” a statement written by the couple began. “This comes with enormous pain for the both of us but also gratitude for the 15 years of shared history, love, and friendship. What we are committed to is loving each other well through this transition and placing the wellbeing of the family we created at the center.”

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Two weeks ago, Jen revealed that the pair’s ongoing divorce has pushed her to step away from her nursing job. “I’m taking some time off of work, which is something that I never, ever wanted,” Jen wrote via a June 29 “separation vlog” shared via Instagram. “My patients do not deserve the mental state that I would bring to the bedside right now. One moment, I’m OK. The next moment, I’m not OK.”

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Related: Influencer Jen Hamilton and Husband Brian’s Relationship Timeline

Influencer Jen Hamilton and her husband, Brian, have been candid about their relationship through the years. The couple exchanged vows in 2012, before welcoming sons Ellis and Luke. In June 2026, Jen — who sparked speculation that the pair had called it quits — shared her side of the story on where they stand in […]

Her explanation at the time continued, “I don’t know when those moments [of not being OK] are and my patients deserve so much better than that. There is so much happening that is so complicated that I wish that I could share right now and I cannot. Just know that I am being a kickass mom, not just to my children but to myself.”

The vlog painted a very different picture to the one portrayed by Jen in Tuesday’s TikTok, with the influencer formerly rooting for Brian amid their split. “Even after everything that has happened, I have no animosity, no ill will. I want him to find himself,” she said in the vlog. “I want him to be the bestest version of himself that he’s ever been. I’m gonna be his biggest cheerleader as he is on that journey.”

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 1 hour ago

From the very beginning, the strongest aspect of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was its casting. Without the talent of performers like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, the public would never have embraced characters like Iron Man and Captain America. MCU guru Kevin Feige is well aware of this, and he often takes a personal hand in casting. That’s especially true with films like Spider-Man: Homecoming, which involve some of Marvel’s most popular comic characters. In that film, Tom Holland made for the perfect onscreen hero; the challenge was finding someone suitable to be an equally perfect onscreen villain.

Michael Keaton got the job, and he absolutely nailed the role of the Vulture by channeling his experiences as both Batman and (fittingly enough) Birdman. As it turns out, though, this former Caped Crusader wasn’t Marvel’s first choice for this character. Feige personally offered the role to the last person you’d expect: Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of the insanely popular musical Hamilton. Had he squared off with Spidey back in Homecoming, it’s fair to say the MCU would never have been the same.

He Threw Away His Shot

This shocking revelation comes to us straight from Lin-Manuel Miranda. Recently, the Hamilton star appeared on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast. According to the musical legend, Kevin Feige personally offered him the role, so no audition was required. Had he said “yes,” Miranda would have gotten a healthy payday and very likely have become a mainstay of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, he declined the offer, and he did so for a reason many who are reading this can understand: he wanted to keep his wife happy!

In speaking with Horowitz, Miranda admitted he “would have been so miscast.” He made up his mind about the offer, asking when filming for Spider-Man: Homecoming would begin. Feige’s answer was, “Basically, the moment you step offstage in Hamilton.” Miranda replied, ‘Well, I love these movies, but I would really like to stay married, so I cannot do this.’” He is married to Vanessa Nadal, and they have two children together. Miranda had been looking forward to spending more time with his family once he stopped playing Hamilton, but playing the Vulture in Homecoming would mean being insanely busy for another year while being contractually tied down to future Marvel appearances.

Yes, Father. I Shall Become A Vulture

Looking back, Miranda has no regrets about his decision. He told Horowitz that he “needed a vacation so badly” after Hamilton and reiterated that “I would’ve been deeply miscast.” It’s hard not to disagree with this assessment. Part of why Michael Keaton was so great in the role is that his Vulture practically oozed menace whenever he was onscreen. By contrast, Miranda has spent a lifetime positioning himself as an affably goofy music guy. His Vulture would likely be a comedic character, and that wouldn’t work; since Spidey himself is so silly, it’s important for him to have a genuinely scary villain to bounce off of.

Lin-Manuel Miranda became a household name thanks to the success of Hamilton. He could have pivoted and become a Marvel icon, but he was very happy to “throw away his shot” at starring in Spider-Man: Homecoming. In retrospect, this was the right decision, and Miranda is the first to admit that he would’ve made a terrible villain. At least, a terrible onscreen villain. To everyone who ever got sick of their family blaring the Hamilton soundtrack at all hours of the day and on every single road trip, this guy will always be an archenemy for life!