Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, has died. He was 68.

“Club Atlético Newell’s Old Boys bids farewell with deep sorrow and grief to Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68 in the city of Rosario,” Lionel’s first soccer club, the Newell’s Old Boys, wrote in a Saturday, August 8, X statement. “[Jorge was a] recognized leproso fan, businessman and father of the Argentine national team captain, Lionel Andrés Messi.”

The statement continued, “Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor, and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini. His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory. Thank you for teaching him to love these colors.”

The Old Boys’ Board of directors, members and athletes went on to offer their condolences to Cuccittini, 66, Lionel, 39, and their entire family in their Saturday statement.

Multiple Spanish and Argentine outlets reported that Jorge, who served as his son’s longtime business agent, died in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, on Friday, August 7.

Lionel has not publicly addressed his father’s death at the time of publication.

In addition to Lionel, Jorge and Cuccittini shared sons Rodrigo and Matías, as well as daughter María Sol, Jorge is survived by his wife, his four kids and his multiple grandchildren. (Lionel and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, share three sons.)

Two months before Jorge’s death, news broke that the Messi patriarch was battling an undisclosed health scare.

“He is currently under medical supervision, recovering, and progressing favorably within his current condition,” a family statement shared with ESPN in June read. “Given the versions, rumors, and speculation that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep displeasure at the lack of sensitivity, respect, and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family matter.”

At the time, the family declined to share details of Jorge’s condition or diagnosis.

“We ask for responsibility, prudence and compassion. A person’s health and the peace of mind of those around them should not be subject to speculation or irresponsible media interest,” the told the outlet. “We sincerely appreciate the expressions of affection, respect and concern received, and we request that the privacy, confidentiality, and intimacy of Jorge and his entire family be respected during this process.”

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Lionel had been representing Argentina in the 2026 World Cup at the time, where he was seen getting emotional after scoring the first goal in his team’s first qualifying match against Algeria.

“Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated ​to football. I went through some ​difficult days,” the pro athlete told reporters afterward. “ I’m grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates because they were always by ​my side, ​giving me a lot of strength to help me get through ​it.”

Lionel led the Argentine national team to the World Cup final in July, which they ultimately lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time.

David Fincher‘s reported planned expansion of the “Squid Game” universe has apparently been shelved. Netflix is said to have moved away from the project as its approach to the global franchise evolved.

The decision reportedly followed shifting priorities at the streamer as Fincher focused on other projects.

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David Fincher’s long-rumored “Squid Game” spinoff is reportedly dead at Netflix after spending years in development.

Sources close to the filmmaker told The Playlist that the streamer is no longer moving forward with “Heckler,” the working title for Fincher’s planned English-language take on the hit Korean franchise. The project was conceived as an American version of “Squid Game,” although filming was expected to take place in the UK.

“Utopia” creator Dennis Kelly had reportedly been tapped to write the series, with development dating back to a period when Netflix was eager to expand “Squid Game” with a U.S. adaptation.

Cate Blanchett’s ‘Squid Game’ Cameo Wasn’t A Spinoff Tease

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According to insiders, Netflix’s franchise priorities changed amid executive shakeups and the project’s lengthy development process.

The report comes after Cate Blanchett’s surprise appearance as an American recruiter in the “Squid Game” series finale. Her character is seen playing ddakji, a Korean game in which players try to flip a folded paper tile by striking it with another, with a man in a Los Angeles alley.

The cameo fueled speculation that she could be connected to Fincher’s project. However, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk denied that her cameo was intended as a setup for the spinoff. According to The Playlist, “Heckler” was never developed around Blanchett or her character.

Director Hwang Explains Why Blanchett Was Cast

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Hwang had a very specific idea in mind when choosing Blanchett for the brief but memorable role in “Squid Game.” The creator told Netflix’s Tudum that he wanted the American recruiter to be a woman because he believed the choice would make the character more “dramatic and intriguing.”

Blanchett then emerged as his ideal candidate because the part required an actor capable of commanding attention with very little dialogue. “She’s just the best, with unmatched charisma,” Hwang said, adding that the production needed someone who could “dominate the screen with just one or two words.”

He also viewed Blanchett’s character as a deliberate counterpart to Gong Yoo’s recruiter from the Korean storyline. “If Gong Yoo is the Korean Recruiter, I thought she would be the perfect fit as the American Recruiter,” Hwang explained.

For the filmmaker, the casting ultimately served the finale itself. He wanted Blanchett’s brief appearance to deliver a “gripping and impactful ending” without requiring an extended introduction.

Hwang Reveals The Message Behind ‘Squid Game’s L.A. Ending

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Interestingly, Los Angeles was always part of Hwang’s plans for the ending, but not in the form viewers eventually saw.

The filmmaker told Vanity Fair that he initially imagined a happier conclusion to the season, which he ultimately abandoned as his ideas about the series’ message changed. That shift also gave Blanchett’s final appearance a larger purpose than simply teasing another series.

Hwang explained that although the Korean arena where the deadly competition was staged had been destroyed, he wanted the closing scene to show that the organization behind the Games remained intact. Blanchett’s recruiter operating in Los Angeles made that point clear by revealing that the same system was still finding new players in the U.S.

David Fincher Moves On With ‘The Adventures Of Cliff Booth’

While “Heckler” may have stalled, Fincher has been busy bringing another Netflix project to life. “The Adventures of Cliff Booth” reunites the director with Brad Pitt, who reprises his Oscar-winning role from Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Tarantino wrote the script, while Fincher stepped behind the camera.

Production reportedly wrapped in January, with the movie following Booth years after the events of the 2019 film. He is now working as a Hollywood fixer in a changing Los Angeles. The project marks the fourth movie collaboration between Fincher and Pitt. They previously teamed up on “Seven,” “Fight Club,” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

Leonardo DiCaprio, however, will not return as Rick Dalton. The actor confirmed that he had been involved in early discussions but ultimately stayed out of the project, while praising Fincher as the “perfect man for the job.” Netflix plans to give the movie an IMAX theatrical run beginning November 25 before its streaming debut on December 23.

Martha Stewart believes her five-month prison sentence added an unexpected element to her carefully cultivated public image. More than two decades after serving time in connection with a stock-trading scandal, the lifestyle mogul reflected on the experience and insisted that being incarcerated gave her “street cred.” However, Martha Stewart also rejected the comparatively comfortable reputation of the minimum-security federal facility where she completed her sentence, describing it as “a horrible place.”

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Stewart served her sentence at Federal Prison Camp Alderson in West Virginia between October 2004 and March 2005. During a new interview with PEOPLE, she acknowledged how the experience affected the way the public viewed her. “Of course it gave me street cred,” Stewart said. “I mean, you would never know what jail was like until you go to jail.”

When the interviewer suggested that her newfound credibility may have helped bring her closer to longtime friend Snoop Dogg, Stewart rejected the theory and explained that their connection began with her interest in hip-hop.

“No, I don’t think Snoop likes me because I have street cred. I invited Snoop to be on my show [in 2008] because he was a rapper, and I was attracted to rappers. I like rap music. I especially like Eminem, and I could never get Eminem to come on any show. He would not accept any invitation. I still haven’t met him,” she said.

Inside The Minimum-Security Facility Dubbed ‘Camp Cupcake’

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The 85-year-old television personality did not look back fondly on her time at the facility. “It’s not a restorative process,” she said of incarceration. And although Stewart described the prison in stark terms, FPC Alderson has frequently been nicknamed “Camp Cupcake” because of its minimum-security environment.

FPC Alderson occupies approximately 159 acres and has been compared to a college campus. Unlike a high-security prison, the facility does not have barbed-wire fencing. Inmates reportedly have access to televisions and recreational activities, including ceramics and gardening.

Stewart lived in one of three units known as the “mansions.” Each reportedly contains approximately 100 rooms furnished with bunk beds for two occupants. The units were generally reserved for new arrivals and inmates serving shorter sentences. Those comparatively relaxed features helped create the facility’s “Camp Cupcake” nickname.

The Stock-Trading Scandal That Sent Martha Stewart To Prison

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Stewart was convicted on four federal counts stemming from an investigation into her sale of ImClone Systems stock. A jury found her guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators.

Her conviction became one of the biggest celebrity legal controversies of the early 2000s, placing the homemaking expert at the center of a national media storm. Stewart ultimately served five months at FPC Alderson before returning to public life and rebuilding her entertainment and business career.

Martha Stewart Reportedly Broke Rules While In Prison

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Despite the facility’s relatively relaxed reputation, Stewart was reportedly disciplined for violating some of its rules. In December 2024, Lisa Guarino, who described herself as Stewart’s “prison bestie,” claimed that the cookbook author attempted to remove two sugar packets from the prison kitchen. According to Guarino, Stewart received a write-up for the incident.

She was also reportedly reprimanded for collecting crabapples from trees on the prison property. “Every blade of grass and tree leaf is owned by the government, so when Martha made her crabapple jam it was made from contraband product,” Guarino told the Daily Mail.

The alleged infractions were minor, but they became another unusual chapter in the story of one of America’s most famous homemaking personalities serving time in federal prison.

Martha Stewart Has Never Avoided Controversy

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The stock case and her prison sentence remain the largest controversies of Stewart’s career, but her outspoken personality has continued generating attention. She recently referred to her former husband, Andy Stewart, as a “jerk” while discussing their relationship and divorce.

When asked if she heard from Andy after her 2024 Netflix documentary “Martha” came out, she said, “Only legally, to remind me of divorce settlement statements, which I had never read. I mean, who cared after two years of arguing about a settlement? I still haven’t read it. He’s a jerk.”

Now, more than 20 years after leaving prison, Stewart continues enjoying the success and luxury associated with her lifestyle empire.

Ariana Grande can always count on her older brother, Frankie Grande — no matter what.

“Family forever. I will have your back until the end of time,” Frankie, 43, wrote via Instagram on Friday, August 7, sharing footage from the final night of Ariana’s Eternal Sunshine Tour. “I am so proud of you and so happy for you.”

He continued, “Last night was a beautiful celebration of your artistry and the magnificent eternal sunshine family you have built and created. It was a magical night. You are magical. You are my everything and I am so so happy I was there to see you shine on this tour one last time.”

In a second post shared via social media, Frankie gushed that Ariana, 33, put on “the greatest concert [he’s] ever seen.”

Related: Ariana Grande to ‘Step Back From Visibility’ After Tour Amid ‘Scrutiny’

Ariana Grande plans on stepping away from the spotlight after she ends her Eternal Sunshine Tour amid public scrutiny over her body. “Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour,” a rep for Grande, 33, told People in a statement on Sunday, August 2. “She looks forward […]

“I’ve never experienced anything quite like it. It was cinematic, theatrical, intimate, spectacular, and vocally flawless all at once,” the influencer gushed via Instagram earlier this week. “Somehow it felt like a Broadway show, a film, and a concert existing in the same magical space. The way live performance and cinema danced together was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. And then … there was the singing.”

Frankie added, “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it forever: I believe my sister is the greatest singer of all time. There is simply no substitute for hearing those songs performed live. Her artistry, her musicianship, her storytelling, and a discography that is truly unmatched all came together in what I genuinely believe is the highest expression of her craft.”

The Big Brother alum further marveled at Ariana’s vocal talents, calling his sibling a “once-in-a-lifetime artist at the absolute peak of her powers.”

“I’m so incredibly proud. So deeply inspired, and so grateful that the world gets to experience this version of her,” Frankie concluded. “Brava, sister. What a gift you are.”

Just before wrapping the Eternal Sunshine Tour, Ariana’s spokesperson confirmed that the Oscar nominee planned to take a break from the public eye amid an onslaught of public scrutiny about her body, assumed weight and perceived health.

“It is something that I had decided, a plan I had quietly made a long time ago, and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place,” Ariana said during her Monday, August 3, concert, without addressing the criticism of her appearance. “No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or not as real to me than this love that we share and how it feels to make art with people that I love and respect. Absolutely nothing will change that.”

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Related: Ariana Grande Gushes About ‘Petal’ Music Video After Announcing Break

Ariana Grande gushed about her “Petal” music video days after her team announced that she will take a “step back” from the public eye amid intense “scrutiny” of her appearance. “Blooming and firmly planted . . ꕤ,” the pop star, 33, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, August 5, alongside several behind-the-scenes photos from the music […]

Ariana’s body had been criticized following the recent release of her “Petal” music video. While the Wicked actress never addressed the recent claims pertaining to disordered eating, she has long been vocal about navigating the conversation.

“I don’t do this often. I don’t like it. I’m not good at it,” Grande previously said in an April 2023 social media video. “I just want to address your concerns about my body. There are ways to compliment someone or to ignore something that you don’t like that I think we should help each other work toward. Just to aim towards keeping each other safer. There are many different kinds of beautiful. There are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful.”

If you or someone you know struggles with an eating disorder, visit the National Alliance for Eating Disorders website or call their hotline at (866) 662-1235. Text “ALLIANCE” to 741741 for free, 24/7 support.

Roomies, sometimes the person you thought you’d be walking into the next chapter with ends up being the person you have to learn to walk away from. Erica Raven and NLE Choppa had been serving up a romance that quickly turned serious, but now the singer and TV personality is letting folks know that her relationship status has changed — and she’s asking for a little support while she works through it.

RELATED: Love Is In The Air! NLE Choppa Seemingly Proposes To Girlfriend Erica Raven With Pink Diamond Ring (WATCH)

Erica Raven Confirms She & NLE Choppa Have Split

On Thursday, Erica took to Instagram to address questions about whether she and NLE Choppa, whose real name is Bryson LaShun Potts, were still together. In a video, Erica confirmed that the two are no longer a couple and revealed that she is now single. She captioned the post simply, “Pray for me.”

Erica opened up about the split, saying she did her best to be the best fiancée she could and gave the relationship as much love as she could. She explained that sometimes that still isn’t enough and said she’s now choosing to move forward on her own while focusing on herself.

Here’s What Erica Raven Said In The Video

The 23-year-old also described the past three weeks as “very rough” and said she’s been trying to regain control of her life. While Erica made it clear there’s no ill will toward NLE Choppa, she said she continues to send him support and prayers while asking women to show her some love as she navigates the difficult moment.

In the video, Erica revealed:

“I did the best to be the best fiancée. And I showed up as much as I can. I gave as much love as I can. But sometimes, it’s just not enough. So, I will be moving forward by my lonesome, focusing on myself. I’m sending him support. I’m sending him prayers. There’s no ill will. But, I just gotta focus on me now. It’s been very hard for me. It’s been a very rough 3 weeks. And I’m just trying to push through and regain control of my sh*t. You know? Please send me some support. Please send me some love. Woman-to-woman, like, we all be going through this. I’m only 23, so it’s been hard. But, we’re gonna keep pushing. And we’re gonna focus on ourselves now.”

What We Know About Erica Raven & NLE Choppa’s Love Story

Erica Raven and NLE Choppa first sparked romance rumors in October 2025 after they shared a photo together that showed the rapper leaning against a Cadillac truck while Erica kissed him. Just a few months later, their relationship took another major step when NLE Choppa proposed to Erica over Christmas, sharing footage of the December 26, 2025 proposal. Now, less than a year after going public and getting engaged, the pair have seemingly gone their separate ways.

RELATED: Y’all Go Together? NLE Choppa & Erica Ravén Look Real Cozy In New Flick And The TL Peeped (PHOTO)

Sandra Bullock just solved one of fashion’s biggest seasonal dilemmas: what do you wear when it’s too cool for a T-shirt but far too warm for a chunky sweater? That awkward stretch between summer and fall calls for layers that feel light, look polished and work from morning coffee runs to chilly evening dinners. Luckily, Bullock’s latest sweater look delivered the perfect answer.

Recently spotted in New York City, the actress leaned into her signature understated style wearing a slouchy taupe V-neck knit with loose black pants, a black tote, fishnet flats and oval sunglasses. The relaxed sweater gave the entire outfit that effortless rich-mom feel, proving you don’t need loud trends to look incredibly chic. It’s the kind of piece you’ll reach for again and again once temperatures start bouncing between seasons.

Get the Anrabess Long Sleeve V Neck Sweater for $20 (Was $33) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

While we couldn’t track down Bullock’s exact sweater, we did find a nearly identical Amazon version that’s currently 39% off, bringing the price down to just $20. Available in the same soft taupe she wore, plus chocolate brown, navy and several other versatile neutrals, it comes in sizes XS through XXL and captures the same relaxed, polished vibe.

Related: Jennifer Aniston’s ’90s-Inspired Weekender Tote Look Is Only $20

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Jennifer Aniston has never been one to chase flashy handbag trends. While everyone else cycles through micro purses and logo-covered totes, she’s loyal to one timeless staple: a roomy black weekender bag. And the style somehow manages to look just as polished today as it did in the ’90s. The best part is you can […]

The Anrabess sweater nails everything that makes Bullock’s look work so well. The lightweight knit offers just enough warmth for unpredictable weather, while the relaxed fit creates that easy, slouchy silhouette without looking oversized. Finished with subtle ribbed cuffs and a ribbed hem, it looks equally chic tucked into trousers, half-tucked into jeans or layered over a tank on cooler mornings.

Shoppers are more than impressed. With more than 1,300 five-star ratings, reviewers repeatedly praise its premium feel, with one buyer saying it “feels like an expensive sweater” thanks to its “well-made” design and “quality stitching throughout.” Another shopper called it “an essential piece” in their “capsule wardrobe,” adding that it “pairs well with white jeans [and] pants.”

If you’re looking to master that tricky summer-to-fall transition without overthinking your outfits, this is exactly the kind of staple worth adding to your closet. It’s timeless, endlessly versatile and looks far more expensive than its $20 price tag. Just throw it on, and you’ll instantly channel Bullock’s effortlessly polished rich-mom style.

Get the Anrabess Long Sleeve V Neck Sweater for $20 (Was $33) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

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

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

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Related: Eva Longoria’s Confidence-Boosting Bikini Look Never Goes Out of Style

If there’s one swimsuit style that’s classic, simple and chic, it’s the classic triangle bikini, and Eva Longoria was spotted wearing the confidence-boosting look while on vacation. Her two-piece swimsuit reminded Us why some trends never lose their appeal, earning a permanent place in summer wardrobes everywhere. You don’t need a celebrity budget to recreate […]

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Ariana Grande‘s brother, Frankie Grande, posted an emotional tribute to his sister amid the ongoing public scrutiny. Frankie has always been his sister’s biggest supporter, cheering her on from inside the “Big Brother” house in 2016 and in the years that followed, all over social media.

To celebrate the end of Ariana’s North American leg of her “Eternal Sunshine Tour,” Frankie posted an emotional tribute, praising his younger sister.

“Family forever. I will have your back until the end of,” Frankie, 43, said about the “Petal” singer. “I am so proud of you and so happy for you.”

Frankie’s post featured videos and pictures of his sister on stage, singing hits from her seventh album of the same name. “Last night was a beautiful celebration of your artistry and the magnificent eternal sunshine family you have built and created,” he wrote.

Frankie finished by praising his sister, calling her “magical” before reflecting on what she means to him. “It was a magical night. You are magical. You are my everything and I am so so happy I was there to see you shine on this tour one last time,” he said.

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Frankie Talked About His Sister On His Season Of ‘Big Brother’

It’s no secret how Frankie feels about his younger sister. During “Big Brother 16,” the former Broadway star opened up about his love for Grande, calling her a “mega pop star.”

When he first entered the game, Frankie was against people knowing who he was because he believed it would’ve put a target on his back. “They will assume that if there is an America’s vote or America’s player that I will win it because I have a viral following. So if I am recognized as soon as I get into the house, I have to win and I have to do damage control,” he said, according to PEOPLE.

However, he was able to keep his identity a secret until the middle of the season, when he revealed it all to the remaining houseguests.

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Ariana Grande Is Stepping Away From The Public Eye After Tour Concludes

Frankie’s heartwarming post comes days after a representative for Ariana said that the “Victorious” alum would step away from the public eye once she wraps the European leg of the “Eternal Sunshine Tour.”

“She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny,” the spokesperson said, per The Blast. “This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”

Ariana Grande Talks Candidly About Feeling Pressure From The Public As They Discuss Her Body

While it’s unclear exactly why the singer is stepping away from the public eye beginning in September 2026, it’s rumored that the ongoing conversation surrounding her body has fueled the decision. Grande, unfortunately, has been the subject of scrutiny since she began promoting “Wicked” alongside Cynthia Erivo several years ago.

In 2023, Grande shared candidly on TikTok that the statements about her body had gone on for far too long and reminded her followers that while she’s a public figure, she also has feelings. “I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies, no matter what,” she said. “There are ways to compliment someone or to ignore something that you see that you don’t like that I think we should help each other work towards.”

Ariana Addresses The Crowd At Her Chicago Show, Tells Fans She’s OK

During her stop in Chicago, Grande addressed her fans with a 4-minute speech and handwritten note, revealing that the statement about her taking a break had been “blown out of proportion.”

“The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It is something that I had decided to plan, and have quietly made, a long time ago,” Grande told her fans directly, assuring them that things were OK. “No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or not as real to me as this love that we share.”

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Shania Twain’s deeply personal new album has delivered the lowest chart debut of her celebrated career. The country music icon released her seventh studio album, “Little Miss Twain,” late last month, but the project entered the Billboard 200 at No. 131 after selling just 12,000 copies. The result represents a dramatic decline from 2023’s “Queen of Me,” which debuted at No. 10. However, Shania Twain has acknowledged that her latest record was not created with the same commercial focus as her previous releases.

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“Little Miss Twain” marks an unusually modest chart performance for an artist who has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Twain previously topped the Billboard 200 with both 2002’s “Up!” and 2017’s “Now,” while “Queen of Me” gave her another top-10 album three years ago. Her latest project’s No. 131 debut now makes it the lowest-charting studio album of her career.

The disappointing opening does not erase Twain’s standing as one of the best-selling recording artists in history. It does, however, show the commercial risk she took by moving away from the accessible songwriting that helped define her biggest hits.

During interviews promoting the record, Twain explained that its material was far more intimate than what listeners had typically heard from her. The album explores her childhood and contains “a lot of things that I wouldn’t normally write about as a commercial songwriter,” she told Billboard Canada.

Shania Twain Admits She Felt Anxious About The Album

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Twain acknowledged that releasing such personal music left her feeling nervous about how listeners might respond. “I’m full of anxiety and excitement at the response, but even if you find one lyric that speaks to you or makes you feel something, I’ll be happy,” she wrote on Instagram.

For the singer, creating the album required revisiting painful experiences while reflecting on her younger self and her late mother. “The emotional journey on this album was a true rollercoaster, and there were moments where I felt like I was sitting with my younger self while my mother looked over me. It was very painful at times, but telling some of these stories out loud was also incredibly healing, and then there was the fun and laughter,” Twain continued.

Although its chart debut fell far below her previous releases, Twain’s remarks suggest that she measured the album’s value through emotional connection rather than sales alone.

She also thanked fans who have remained with her as her music and identity evolved. “Thank you for going into the next chapter with me, it’s not easy to evolve as an artist and keep your people with you, but you’ve been loyal and supportive through it all,” she wrote.

The Country Icon Has Struggled With Her Changing Appearance

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The album’s release follows a period in which Twain has spoken candidly about aging, menopause and her changing relationship with her body. “I go from being this young, stunning figure, beautiful skin, everything’s in the right place to a time in my life where I couldn’t look in the mirror because all I could see were imperfections and not wanting to be that curvy thing,” she told PEOPLE in July.

Twain explained that she eventually realized protecting her well-being was more important than attempting to control every change in her appearance. “It is well-being first, always, to becoming an older woman and now looking in the mirror, no problem. I’m like, I just have to get over this because every day that goes by, I’m getting older; the dips and bulges and the sags are just getting more and more prominent,” she said.

Rather than attempting to recreate how she looked at the height of her early fame, the performer has challenged herself to accept the person she is now. “I’m not trying to be 30. I’m not trying to be 25, and I won’t be ever again. That’s my own fault for not looking in the mirror when I was younger, and shame on me,” Twain explained.

“I encourage everybody: enjoy yourself the way you are right now and love it,” she added. “Vanity is not worth torture. I’m just learning every phase that I go through, and I adapt.”

Shania Twain Faces Criticism Over Her Revealing Stage Outfits

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Twain’s remarks arrived amid criticism of the outfits she wore while opening for Harry Styles in London. The comments added to the age- and body-shaming Twain has faced while continuing to embrace revealing fashion at 60.

However, the singer made it clear that criticism from strangers would not dictate how she presents herself. “My body is not shameable. That courage comes with time and maturity. Body shaming is nothing that’s going to affect me,” she said.

Shania Twain Is Embracing A New Chapter

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“Little Miss Twain” may not have matched the chart performances of “Queen of Me,” “Up!” or “Now,” but Twain entered the release knowing its subject matter was less commercial than her previous work.

The album gave her an opportunity to explore childhood experiences, confront painful memories and create music that she described as personally healing.

Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy remains the modern standard because it did more than give Batman a serious makeover. It built a complete argument around fear, escalation, sacrifice, and the cost of turning one damaged man into a public symbol. Batman Begins created the belief system. The Dark Knight tested it against chaos. The Dark Knight Rises asked whether Gotham could survive after its protector had exhausted himself.

Very few action trilogies sustain that kind of ambition across three films. The contenders below reach the same conversation through different strengths. One revolutionized modern spy action. Another gave blockbuster cinema an unusually complete character journey. The winner created an entire world, filled it with unforgettable people, and somehow made three enormous films feel like one continuous emotional experience. So while Nolan’s Batman films are unrivaled, so are the three trilogies below and they’re richer in lore.

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‘The Bourne Trilogy’ (2002–2007)

Image via Universal Studios

The Bourne trilogy follows an elite operative who survives an assassination attempt and wakes with no memory of his identity. The Bourne Identity turns that mystery into a tense chase across Europe, while The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum force Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) deeper into the intelligence system that trained him, used him, and expected him to disappear quietly. These films changed action cinema through close physical combat, aggressive pursuit scenes, practical locations, and a hero whose greatest threat was the institution inside his own head. James Bond eventually absorbed some of that urgency. Plenty of lesser thrillers copied the camera shake and forgot the discipline underneath it.

Its strongest challenge to The Dark Knight trilogy comes from momentum. Every installment pushes the same investigation forward, and Bourne’s search for identity keeps the action emotionally specific. He is chasing names, files, and handlers because each answer determines whether anything human remains beneath his conditioning. Bourne arguably answers with tighter continuity and a lead character who never loses the central question driving him. Three films. One relentless pursuit. Barely a wasted detour.

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‘The Planet of the Apes Caesar Trilogy’ (2011–2017)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Rise of the Planet of the Apes begins with a laboratory chimpanzee developing advanced intelligence and forming a bond with the human who raises him. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes expands that intimate story into a fragile confrontation between an emerging ape civilization and the remnants of humanity. War for the Planet of the Apes carries Caesar (Andy Serkis) into a conflict shaped by grief, revenge, leadership, and the future of his species. A franchise once famous for masks, clumsy makeovers, twists, and cultural iconography returned as one of the most emotionally disciplined blockbuster stories of the century.

Caesar gives this trilogy the one advantage even Bruce Wayne struggles to match. His development feels completely continuous. Every belief, scar, failure, and compromise from the previous films follows him into the next one. The motion-capture work led by Andy Serkis gave Caesar extraordinary presence, though the achievement reaches far beyond technical performance. His choices reshape an entire civilization. The Dark Knight trilogy has the stronger single-film cultural earthquake through The Dark Knight, and its clash between Batman and the Joker remains almost impossible to rival. Caesar’s trilogy closes the gap through consistency. All three chapters belong to the same soul. That is rare blockbuster magic.

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‘The Lord of the Rings Trilogy’ (2001–2003)

Image via New Line Cinema

This is the trilogy that presses hardest against Nolan’s crown because its three films feel inseparable. Peter Jackson and his collaborators produced them as one enormous undertaking, which gave the characters, landscapes, costumes, music, and dramatic momentum a unity few franchises have reproduced. The Lord of the Rings trilogy takes a quiet hobbit from the Shire and sends him across Middle-earth carrying a weapon that could destroy every free kingdom if it reaches the wrong hands. The Fellowship of the Ring builds the world and gathers the company. The Two Towers fractures that fellowship across several fronts.

The Return of the King brings those journeys toward the war for Middle-earth while Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) continue a smaller, lonelier struggle that may decide everything. The scale is gigantic, yet the emotional language stays wonderfully simple. Friendship. Courage. Temptation. Duty. Hope when hope looks ridiculous. The Dark Knight trilogy remains sharper about modern institutions, political fear, and the uneasy relationship between heroism and public myth. Middle-earth reaches somewhere older and more universal. Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) accepting responsibility, Sam refusing to abandon Frodo, Théoden (Bernard Hill) riding toward impossible odds, and ordinary people standing against ancient evil all belong to the same emotional argument. Batman may own the greatest individual film in this debate. The Lord of the Rings owns the most complete group journey.

There are movies that you’re sure are going to become blockbuster hits and end up just becoming critical darlings. It’s a strange situation when you get a brilliant sci-fi film that’s also the sequel to one of the finest films ever made, and not only does it deliver on its promise, but some might say it even improves on the original. And then, for some reason, it just doesn’t land.

That was the case with Blade Runner 2049. When Denis Villeneuve’s sequel arrived in 2017, it earned near-universal critical acclaim but struggled commercially despite breathtaking visuals, extraordinary performances, and one of the most immersive worlds ever put on screen. Thankfully, though, streaming has finally begun correcting that injustice.

Set three decades after Ridley Scott’s original masterpiece, this time around we follow the LAPD officer K (Ryan Gosling), a replicant (and an actual one, despite all those conspiracy theories the first time around) whose latest investigation stumbles across something that could prove catastrophic to the powers-that-be if it were to become public knowledge. That search eventually leads him to one Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who’s been in hiding for decades by this point.

The stacked cast also includes Ana de Armas (Ballerina) as Joi, Sylvia Hoeks (See) as Luv, Robin Wright (Here) as Lieutenant Joshi, Jared Leto (Tron: Ares) as Niander Wallace, and Dave Bautista (The Killer’s Game) as Sapper Morton.

Was ‘Blade Runner 2049’ a Success?

The film was critically acclaimed upon its release, but it was an undoubted box office disappointment. Despite grossing $276.6 million worldwide, Blade Runner 2049 fell short of expectations against a reported $150–185 million budget, which made it one of the biggest letdowns of the last decade.

Its reputation, however, has only continued to grow. The film boasts an exceptional 88% critics’ score and 81% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, while winning Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects and today, it’s regularly cited among the greatest science-fiction films ever made and one of Villeneuve’s defining achievements. Villeneuve would go on to direct Dune and Dune: Part Two, with Dune: Part Three due for release this year. He will also direct the next James Bond film, so it’s fair to say that the disappointment of Blade Runner 2049 hasn’t hurt the genius.

Blade Runner 2049 is streaming on Paramount+.

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Release Date

October 6, 2017

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Runtime

164 minutes

Director

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Denis Villeneuve

Writers

Michael Green, Hampton Fancher

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Producers

Andrew A. Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Bud Yorkin, Cynthia Sikes, Carl Rogers, Dana Belcastro, Steven P. Wegner

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