Ashley Benson is clearly a pro when it comes to packing for a French getaway. Between breezy dresses, designer bags and effortless jewelry, every look from her trip to Saint-Tropez struck the perfect balance of polished and unfussy. But it wasn’t her Chanel bag or lace slip dress that caught our attention — it was the chic jelly flats that quietly tied her outfit together.

The Pretty Little Liars alum recently shared photos from her family vacation, showing off a black lace slip dress styled with a quilted shoulder bag and clear jelly ballet flats that seemed straight off the runway. However, her shoes weren’t actually a splurge — Benson wore the Steve Madden Grove Ballet Flats, which are hiding on Amazon for just $49.

Get the Steve Madden Grove Ballet Flat for $49 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The clear jelly flats are the kind of shoe that instantly makes a summer wardrobe feel more current. The translucent design pairs with almost anything, from linen dresses and tailored shorts to relaxed denim and breezy maxis. The modern square toe also keeps this shoe looking elevated instead of overly playful. If clear isn’t quite your style, the same pick is also available in red, tortoiseshell, blue and several other colors in sizes 5 through 12.

Related: Love Katie Holmes’ Red Tote? Get the Look for Just $18

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Katie Holmes has a knack for making even the simplest accessories feel like the only thing worth shopping. Whether she’s grabbing coffee, running errands or heading across town, the actress always seems to find one standout piece that quietly steals the show. This time, it’s a roomy cherry red tote that instantly makes every neutral […]

These flats just as practical as they are stylish, too. The slip-on silhouette makes them easy to throw on before heading out the door, while the airy jelly cage design feels vacation-ready. With a subtle 0.25-inch heel, the shoe adds just enough lift without sacrificing comfort. One shopper called them “so comfortable and so cute,” adding they’re perfect to “wear to either a dinner or just to run errands” and fit true to size.

Another reviewer admitted they were hesitant to try jelly shoes again after remembering uncomfortable pairs from high school, but quickly changed their mind, writing, “boy am I glad I did . . . [they’re] so comfy and still stylish.” One person even admitted that they’re already on their second pair, since the flats “don’t cut in or hurt your feet at all,” adding, “I’ll probably get a third pair. They are just so whimsical.”

Whether you’re planning your own seaside escape or simply want shoes that make everyday outfits feel a little more fashion-forward, Benson’s exact jelly flats are an easy way to capture her vacation style — without spending designer money.

Get the Steve Madden Grove Ballet Flat for $49 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Steve Madden 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

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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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More than four decades after attempting to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, John Hinckley Jr. has a message for Jodie Foster, the woman he was trying to impress at the time. Hinckley became obsessed with the actress after watching her in the 1976 film “Taxi Driver,” ultimately carrying out the 1981 shooting in an attempt to gain her attention.

John Hinckley Jr. became infamous for his assassination attempt at President Ronald Reagan in 1981, all to impress a young Jodie Foster. The 71-year-old is reflecting on his past in a rare interview, and he has a message for the actress.

“I just wish Jodie Foster well, you know. I don’t really see her movies, but I wish her well, and I know she’s doing quite well. And that’s all I can say is just, I wish Jodie well, and I hope she has a good life,” Hinckley said in a preview clip of an episode of “The Mark Joseph Show,” per Entertainment Weekly.

Hinckley had been obsessed with Foster for several months before the shooting and even relocated to Connecticut upon learning that the actress was enrolled at Yale University. He repeatedly attempted to contact her, sending letters and poems that he slipped under her door.

Foster, who was 18 at the time, rejected his advances and set firm boundaries.

The Shooter Wanted To Have A ‘Union’ With The Actress

During the interview, Hinckley was asked what his intended outcome of the assassination was. Noting he was “delusional” at the time of the incident, he said he wanted to “have a union” with the actress and live the rest of his life with her.

Joseph argued that he would have known that prison was a possibility, but Hinckley said in his mind, Foster would be with him, wherever that may be. “I wasn’t sure if I was gonna be in jail or the hospital or what after things settled down. I had this notion that she was gonna join me wherever I was,” he said.

Moreover, he shared that Foster could also have been his target, but said “fate” had other plans, and Reagan became his intended target instead.

Inside The 1981 Attempted Assassination Of Ronald Reagan

On March 30, 1981, Reagan was at the Washington Hilton Hotel to deliver a speech to a labor union group. As the president exited the hotel and walked to his awaiting limousine, Hinckley opened fire. One bullet ricocheted off the armor plate on the presidential vehicle and hit Reagan, puncturing his lung and narrowly missing his heart.

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Three other people were injured, including the press secretary, a Secret Service agent, and a police officer. Reagan was rushed to a hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

In 1982, Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Psychiatric experts testified that he had major depression and was diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and narcissistic traits.

He was sent to a psychiatric facility where he underwent long-term treatment. He was released from the hospital under strict supervision in 2016, and restrictions were fully lifted in 2022.

Hinckley Wrote A Final Letter To Jodie Foster Before The Shooting

Young Jodie Foster pic.twitter.com/JKfcCruvtO

— – (@xxxx90s) March 15, 2016

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FBI agents discovered a letter the shooter wrote to Foster before the attempted assassination. It was never sent, however, and was left in his hotel room. He told her his plan “to get Reagan” and confessed his undying love for her.

Hinckley said that he left “dozens of poems, letters and love messages,” hoping Foster would like him in return, but said he never approached her directly because he was shy and didn’t want to be bothersome. He took comfort in the fact that the actress, at least, knew his name and his feelings for her.

“At least you know that I’ll always love you. Jodie, I would abandon the idea of getting Reagan in a second if I could only win your heart and live out the rest of my life with you, whether it be in total obscurity or whatever,” he wrote.

Hinckley said Foster was the reason for the assassination, as he wanted to “impress” her, and he was willing to sacrifice his freedom or his life to change the actress’ mind about him. He signed off, writing, “I love you forever.”

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John Hinckley Jr.’s Theory About Jodie Foster

In January, shortly after the release of his memoir, Hinckley shared his theory about Foster, saying that his obsession and assassination attempt on Reagan deeply traumatized the actress, that she no longer wanted to be with men and became a lesbian, as The Blast previously reported.

Foster addressed her sexuality publicly in 2013 at the Golden Globe Awards, saying that she already came out to her family and close friends “about a thousand years ago.”

The actress has rarely talked about Hinckley in the years since the attempted assassination.

Brooks Nader has come under fire after being spotted topless during an outing with her sister, Sarah Jane Nader, and their parents, Breaux and Holland Nader.

The move has sparked heavy debate among fans, with many slamming the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model for going as far as ditching her top in front of her dad, Breaux, who seemed unfazed in a viral video clip.

This comes as Brooks Nader prepares to star in the upcoming reboot of the ’90s hit series, “Baywatch,” which she recently claimed made her lose interest in her signature string bikinis.

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Brooks has found herself at the center of heated debate after a video of her without a top while relaxing with family members, including her dad, Breaux, went viral on social media.

The clip in question features a braless Brooks next to her sister and parents on Sunday, August 9, during a boat trip through Sardinia, Italy.

The model was not entirely in the buff, as she had on white crochet bottoms, which she accessorized with a diamond necklace and earrings.

Showcasing her natural beauty, Brooks went completely makeup-free for the outing, per reports, while wearing her blonde locks in an updo style.

At some point in the video, her dad could be seen sitting next to her on the boat, looking completely unfazed by his daughter’s bold outfit choice, a move that has also raised eyebrows online.

See the video clip here.

The SI Cover Star Has Come Under Scrutiny

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Social media was quick to call out Brooks Nader, with many fixating on the fact that her father was also with her during her topless display, instead of just her mother and sister.

One critic noted, “Being topless in front of your family IS weird wtf are ppl talking about,” while another said, “Topless in front of a dad or brother is strange idc if it’s Europe or not.”

“Mom and sister is one thing, but the dad and brother is crazy,” a third individual noted about Brooks’ outing with her family.

Another said, “Being naked in front of ANY family member like this is weird. I will change in front of my sister, but I’m not hanging out on the water naked with my whole family, including my dad… weird asf.”

“Her father and brother should definitely see an issue in this and not be okay with it. Her family shouldn’t want to see her like that???? Anyone defending this is weird af no joke,” one more person commented.

Brooks Nader Received A Lot Of Support Over Her Topless Display

Amid the scrutiny, Brooks also received a lot of support for going topless in front of her sister and parents, with many noting that it was a regular thing to see in Europe.

The incident also sparked a broader discussion regarding the contrasting cultural perceptions of nudity in Europe versus the United States, with many branding Americans “prudish.”

A supporter said, “To us prude Americans, this looks inappropriate, but I assure you that in European culture, this is normal.”

Another said, “Europeans don’t think of nudity the way that we do. Being topless is no big deal to the rest of the world.”

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“It’s not weird to have boobs; people have just normalized hiding them. Why can guys take their shirts off if women can’t?” a third TikTok user asked.

One more noted, “This is normal behavior in Europe. Americans are too uptight about nudity.”

The Model Recently Opened Up About Starring In ‘Baywatch’ Reboot

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Although Brooks Nader’s casting in the upcoming “Baywatch” reboot caught some fans off guard, the model feels the role was actually years in the making.

In a recent interview, she recalled selecting a specific red one-piece swimsuit during her Sports Illustrated cover shoot simply because it reminded her so much of the iconic beach series.

That intuitive wardrobe choice ultimately made the final cover, creating what she describes as a full-circle experience where a long-held dream turned into reality.

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Brooks noted that spending more time living in Los Angeles also helped her manifest the opportunity, as immersing herself in the city made her feel deeply connected to the show’s legacy.

“I don’t know, I feel like I have been hoping for that one for a really long time, and it finally came true,” the model said of the project.

Brooks Nader Admits She’s Done With String Bikinis After Starring In ‘Baywatch’

To prepare for her upcoming role, Brooks made some interesting changes to her wardrobe by replacing her signature bikinis with one-piece swimsuits.

She told Page Six that she is now “100% into one-pieces,” sharing her particular fondness for Tropic of C, a sustainable swimwear label celebrated for its eco-friendly aesthetics.

Even prior to her official screen debut, the model has been displaying the style at high-profile events. At a recent Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show, she debuted a black one-piece designed with a striking thong back.

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Later, at that same event, she joined fellow models for a photograph while wearing a red one-piece, which she accessorized with a wide white belt.

Tension is the lifeblood of every great thriller. While compelling characters and strong writing are important, the genre ultimately succeeds or fails based on its ability to keep readers turning pages. With that in mind, this list looks at some of the novels that do it best.

The titles below vary a lot in style and tone, each of them generating suspense in their own way, whether that’s through lost memories, espionage, lies, or relentless survival scenarios. All are worth checking out if you’re a thriller fanatic.

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‘The Spy Who Came in from the Cold’ (1963)

Image via Penguin

“What if nobody is truly on your side?” The Spy Who Came in from the Cold revolutionized espionage fiction with its complex characters and moral ambiguity, as well as its abundance of tightly coiled suspense. In it, British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is left exhausted and disillusioned by a disastrous mission. Offered one final assignment against East Germany, he agrees to participate in an elaborate deception that gradually becomes far more dangerous than either he or the reader initially realizes.

John le Carré’s greatest strength here might be his refusal to provide certainty. Every new revelation raises fresh doubts about who is telling the truth and whose interests are actually being served. These characters lie for a living, after all. The book broke major ground by depicting spycraft as something inherently corrosive, always ending in paranoia.

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‘Gone Girl’ (2012)

Image via Phoenix

“What happens when nobody can be trusted?” Even before David Fincher‘s killer film adaptation, Gone Girl had established itself as one of the defining thrillers of the 2010s. The delectably intricate tale begins with the disappearance of Amy Dunne on the morning of her fifth wedding anniversary. Her husband Nick quickly becomes the focus of public suspicion, but as the investigation unfolds, Gillian Flynn repeatedly overturns readers’ expectations.

Every chapter encourages readers to reassess earlier events, while the shifting perspectives continually undermine confidence in what appears to be true. There are twists aplenty and a ton of narrative misdirection, all of it calibrated for maximum impact. On top of being an exercise in sheer genre style, Gone Girl also works as a combustible dissection of a marriage. Not for nothing, it was a runaway bestseller.

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‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ (1955)

Image via W. W. Norton & Company

“How long can someone successfully pretend to be another person?” Many thrillers build tension around catching a criminal. The Talented Mr. Ripley plunges us into the mind of the criminal himself. This is the book that introduced Tom Ripley, a struggling young American sent to Italy to persuade wealthy heir Dickie Greenleaf to return home. Instead, Tom becomes dangerously fascinated with Dickie’s privileged lifestyle. Soon, he’s spinning lies and contemplating violence.

Patricia Highsmith opened up new possibilities for thriller writing by getting us to understand this twisted antihero without ever fully approving of him. At the same time, she wrings unbearable tension out of every one of Ripley’s cons. They’re always threatening to collapse around him, and readers are forced to experience every one of those close calls. We feel the stress of a desperate man trying to avoid exposure.

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‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1988)

Image via St. Martin’s Press

“We covet what we see every day.” Serial killer writing changed forever with The Silence of the Lambs. Author Thomas Harris had been delivering great work for years before this, but here he perfected his recipe. The setup is iconic by now: FBI trainee Clarice Starling seeks the imprisoned psychiatrist and cannibal Hannibal Lecter in hopes of gaining insight into another murderer known as Buffalo Bill. However, every interview with Lecter becomes a psychological contest.

Here, Harris balances multiple sources of suspense. We fear Clarice’s dangerous encounters with Lecter, we’re gripped by her race to stop Bill, and we constantly wonder whether Lecter himself is manipulating everyone around him for purposes not yet revealed. It helps that the character himself is so brilliant: urbane, unpredictable, charming, terrifying, adept at figuring out his interlocutors’ vulnerabilities.

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‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ (2005)

Image via Norstedts Förlag

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“Sometimes the oldest secrets are the most dangerous.” Stieg Larsson‘s Millennium series was a publishing sensation in the mid-to-late 2000s, selling approximately a bazillion copies. It’s easy to see why: the main characters are memorable, and the plots keep the pages turning effortlessly. The first one pairs investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist with the brilliant hacker Lisbeth Salander as they reopen the decades-old disappearance of Harriet Vanger, whose wealthy family has remained haunted by the unsolved mystery for more than forty years.

Soon, the protagonists are knee-deep in family secrets, sprawling conspiracies, financial corruption, and the threat of violence. The whole way through, the narrative momentum never lets up. Every answer uncovers another mystery, every suspect conceals additional secrets, every breakthrough increases the danger, and the story tightens like a noose. Larsson knew exactly how to play his audience.

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‘The Bourne Identity’ (1980)

Image via Hachette/ Richard Marek

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“Who are you when even your own memories have disappeared?” Everyone knows the Bourne movies, but Robert Ludlum‘s original novel, published all the way back in 1980, is a banger in its own right. The plot hits the ground running, opening with an unidentified man being pulled from the Mediterranean Sea with multiple gunshot wounds and no memory of who he is. As he slowly begins uncovering fragments of his identity, he discovers evidence suggesting he may be one of the world’s most dangerous assassins.

Amnesia has become a familiar thriller device, but few novels have used it as effectively as this one. Bourne’s loss of identity is the prime mover of the whole story, and his quest is beset by dead ends and false turns, to the point that his identity seems to grow more uncertain the deeper he digs. The question of who he is and what he might have done generates endless drama.

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‘And Then There Were None’ (1939)

Image via Collins Crime Club

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“One by one…” This is one of the most influential mystery novels ever for a reason. In And Then There Were None, ten strangers are invited to a remote island by a mysterious host who never appears. Shortly after arriving, each guest is publicly accused of having caused another person’s death. Then the guests begin dying one by one, with every murder following the verses of a sinister nursery rhyme. Trapped on the island with no possibility of escape, the survivors desperately try to identify the killer before it’s too late.

This whole book is a marvel of narrative construction, weaponizing point of view and building up to a killer twist. Every chapter steadily increases the pressure until readers, like the characters themselves, begin questioning absolutely everyone. The isolated setting ensures that the tension feels 10 times as intense, a veritable pressure-cooker threatening to explode.

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‘Misery’ (1987)

Image via Viking

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“I’m your number-one fan.” Reading this book is a white-knuckle experience. Misery begins with novelist Paul Sheldon getting into a car accident during a Colorado snowstorm. Rescued by his self-proclaimed “number-one fan,” Annie Wilkes, Paul initially believes himself fortunate to be alive. He soon discovers, however, that Annie is dangerously unstable and has no intention of allowing her favorite author to leave until he rewrites the ending of his latest novel according to her demands.

Stephen King strips thriller mechanics down to their essentials with this one. It’s a claustrophobic psychological battle consisting of just two characters and one location, far from help. Wilkes herself is a truly loathsome creation, pivoting at a moment’s notice from kindness to shocking brutality, which is a huge part of why we root so desperately for Paul to escape… and why we’re so devastated when he fails.

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Misery

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Release Date

November 30, 1990

Runtime

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107 minutes

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Apple TV refuses to be a streamer put in a box, and this is evidenced by its best shows on the platform. 2026 was a landmark year, starting with the understated but hilarious horror-comedy Widow’s Bay. A perfect mix of Stephen King tropes and workplace comedy setups, the series is a perfect season of television with no weak episodes. There are many memorable moments from the show that define it as the best television experience, but its greatest sequence can be boiled down to four minutes in Episode 8, “Your Baggage.”

Widow’s Bay effortlessly balances the ensemble cast, with some of the best moments belonging to the Emmy-nominated Kate O’Flynn in the role of Patricia. The often overlooked and reasonably irritated municipal worker has to endure the jeering of townspeople, but in the end, she is victorious. O’Flynn delivers perfect comic timing as well as an important message at the tail end of the eighth episode of Widow’s Bay.

‘Widow’s Bay’ Episode 8 Solves the Final Girl Problem

Widow’s Bay is a huge success for Apple TV, not just because of its satirical nature, but also because of how it twists notable tropes in horror. This is perfectly utilized in “Your Baggage,” which finally gives credit where credit is due. While one of the best characters in Widow’s Bay, Patricia has often been ridiculed as the sole survivor of the Boogeyman, who was famous for killing teenage girls when she was in high school.

No one believes she was a target, but she proves them wrong when the Boogeyman returns to wreak havoc. Episode 8 hits its peak when Patricia is confined to the Final Girl trope, running through the streets and screaming for help as a masked figure, ala Michael Myers, attempts to kill her. Even the sheriff is powerless to stop this attack, leaving Patricia to demonstrate that she is made of stronger stuff than any Final Girl in Halloween or Friday the 13th.

Unlike all those other surviving characters, Patricia ensures that her Boogeyman won’t turn into a franchise. She resorts to clever solutions, like trying to incinerate the serial killer with a taser and finally getting her hands on a shotgun. Patricia shows that she is the Final Girl to end all Final Girls when she refuses to be victimized again.

Unlike Laurie Strode or Sydney Prescott, who have to endure masked killers over and over again, Patricia puts a stop to that immediately. The amazingly poignant and humorous sequence ends with Patricia never letting the monster out of her sight for one second. She joins him in the ambulance with a shotgun trained on him and follows him all the way to the morgue where he is cremated. Widow’s Bay puts a finer point on the concept as Patricia asks the crematorium worker if there is any other way out of the furnace, to which he answers with a curious “no.”

“Thank you so much,” Patricia answers politely. This distills the character perfectly but also notes the issues with these common tropes in slasher films. The Final Girl rarely goes to such lengths to ensure that the killer will never come back in any form. Patricia is only satisfied when she sees the pile of ashes and only then shoulders the shotgun she has been holding the entire time. This underestimated character has become an icon in horror and, as far as accolades are concerned. Kate O’Flynn steals every scene she’s in, especially with the best sequence on television.

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Release Date

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April 28, 2026

Network

Apple TV

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Showrunner

Katie Dippold

Directors

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Sam Donovan, Andrew DeYoung, Hiro Murai, Ti West

Writers

Alberto Roldán, Neil Casey, Kelly Galuska, Colton Dunn, Dave Harris, Katie Dippold, Mackenzie Dohr

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The MCU is slowly assembling its version of the X-Men. Sadie Sink made her long-awaited debut as Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and the recent castings of Samara Weaving as Emma Frost and Kit Connor as Scott Summers have kept the team top-of-mind with audiences. Many of the mutants’ best-known stories have already been adapted by the Fox movies, including God Loves, Man Kills, Days of Future Past, and, of course, the Dark Phoenix Saga (twice!).

However, the recent Krakoan Age of the team’s history has provided a slew of new, intriguing storylines, the best of which is arguably Immortal X-Men. Focusing on the Krakoan Quiet Council, Immortal X-Men shows a new side to the X-Men, setting aside the team’s usual superhero antics in favor of a more dramatic, political, and interpersonal story about power, corruption, ambition, self-interest, the weight of expectations, and the destructive power of secrets. This bold approach resulted in the most layered and compelling X-Men storyline in years and the highlight of the Krakoan Age overall, proving why the mutant team is still Marvel Comics’ most engaging and versatile group.

What Is Immortal X-Men About?

Image via Marvel Comics

To understand Immortal X-Men, we need a little context first. The 2019 sister miniseries House of X and Powers of X reshaped the X-Men franchise by having Charles Xavier and Magneto ally to create the mutant sovereign nation of Krakoa, which, by the way, is a sentient island that effectively functions as a hive mind. Xavier offers complete amnesty to every mutant on Earth, turning Krakoa into a de facto haven. A lot of things happen in between, including the revelation that Moira MacTaggert is a mutant with the ability to reincarnate with all her memories intact. There’s also tons of time-traveling shenanigans, betrayals, and mutants achieving immortality through a group known as “The Five”—you know, standard comic book silliness.

It’s in this context that Immortal X-Men takes place. The 18-issue series mainly concerns the Quiet Council, the 12-member governing body for Krakoa. The Quiet Council is comprised of four tables, each one named after a season and responsible for a specific part of the island’s governance. The Autumn table is made up of the most powerful mutants (Xavier, Apocalypse, and Magneto) who act as the diplomats, mainly overseeing mutant-human relations. The Winter table includes the most dangerous mutants (Exodus, Mystique, and Mister Sinister), with their seat in the Council a way for Xavier to keep an eye on them. The Spring table oversees the island’s commercial interests via trading, and is comprised of the two highest-ranking members of the Hellfire Club, Emma Frost and Sebastian Shaw. Finally, the Summer table represents Krakoa’s most moral and by-the-book mutants; basically, it’s the X-Men table, including Jean Grey (going by Marvel Girl), Storm, and Nightcrawler.

This is the initial line-up, anyway. Throughout the series’ run, many mutants leave for different reasons: for example, Magneto retires to terraform Mars, aiming to turn it into a mutant planet (seriously), while Jean Grey leaves to reform the X-Men. All the while, Moira MacTaggert acts as a silent partner, using knowledge from her ten different lifetimes to advice on what strategies to employ and what mistakes to avoid, hoping to escape the tragic future that mutantkind suffered in her other lives. Each member tries to make a flawed concept work, but contrasting personalities, clashing interests, and pure, old-fashioned drama make governance all the more difficult.

Why Is Immortal X-Men the Best Storyline in the Team’s Recent History?

Image via Marvel Comics

Immortal X-Men excels because it’s an entirely character-driven political thriller. Most superhero comic book storylines are plot-driven, meaning the characters serve the narrative. X-Men storylines tend to favor a more balanced approach between character and plot, but Immortal X-Men openly embraces characterization as a cornerstone for its storytelling. The writing is spectacular from start to finish, with Kieron Gillen injecting a lot of personality into his writing and making every major character pop out of the page.

The dynamics between each member of the Council are fascinating. In particular, Charles Xavier is the best he’s been in years—decades even—playing a major supporting role and often operating from the shadows in a borderline Machiavellian way. He’s in his element here: surveilling, manipulating, controlling, and carrying secret agendas, working for what he believes are Krakoa’s interests while actively eroding the Quiet Council from within. It’s a fascinating depiction of a morally compromised character who very few writers have been able to get right, especially in the 21st century.

The political angle of Immortal X-Men is very strong, too, recalling the glory days of Game of Thrones. Like the high-fantasy series, Immortal X-Men uses multiple POVs to present a comprehensive look into the Quiet Council. Each issue showcases a character, providing a deep dive into their mindset while still balancing the larger ensemble. The result is a complete and utterly fascinating look into this mutant society. One issue you’re scheming alongside Xavier and Moira MacTaggert, the next you’re inside Destiny or Mister Sinister’s minds, seeing them calculate their next move, weighing risks versus rewards while wondering what their next move will be.

Particularly, Immortal X-Men is willing to fully engage with the very idea of Krakoa, and the struggles it faces as a new nation in a hyper-competitive, commercialized, profit-focused world. As it turns out, the Quiet Council is Krakoa’s biggest enemy, corrupting the nation from the inside out despite the best efforts of many within. Indeed, the Quiet Council is flawed to its core, full of backstabbing, lies, egos, hubris, and misunderstandings. At its core, Immortal X-Men questions whether self-interest can coexist with idealism, whether the greater good can actually benefit from amorality, and whether a noble goal can amount to anything if the people set out to carry it don’t understand it.

Immortal X-Men Proves That Mutants Have the Most Complex Storylines in Marvel

The Quiet Council’s machinations during Immortal X-Men eventually led to the Fall of X initiative, the final chapter in the Krakoan Age, which saw the ultimate confrontation with the anti-mutant organization Orchis and Krakoa’s departure from Earth (remember, the island is sentient). Thus, another mutant nation bit the dust, joining the likes of Genosha as a failed experiment. Alongside Krakoa went The Five, ending the mutants’ de facto immortality.

The role of the Quiet Council in Krakoa’s failure cannot be understated, and it’s a major reason why revisiting Immortal X-Men is such a rewarding experience. This group of profoundly broken, unapologetically amoral, and dangerously (in)effective mutants was a force to be reckoned with; alas, and true to life, their differences prove too significant to overcome. In this way, Immortal X-Men offers a rather sobering and bleak observation about the inherent flaw within any governance system. Are all systems bound to fail, even the superpowered ones?

Immortal X-Men is by far the most complex and worthwhile mutant-centric comic book storyline since House of M, and further proof that this corner of the Marvel Universe is home to the most riveting, layered, and thought-provoking storytelling in the medium. The MCU would do well to adapt it for its upcoming X-Men movie; we already know Emma Frost will play a major role, so will we see Krakoa on the big screen soon? Only time will tell.

Jenna Ortega is the latest Hollywood star to drive fans into worry over her physical appearance.

The “Wednesday” star unveiled a much slimmer look in a new interview, causing many to tag her as unhealthy and raise questions about her well-being.

With pop star Ariana Grande facing a similar fate, the entertainment industry is being scrutinized and blamed for promoting extreme thinness.

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The actress appeared on the latest release of Esquire Magazine’s “How I Got Here” to take a walk down memory lane of her career.

Ortega answered questions about working on “Wednesday” and “Beetlejuice” while sharing her desires for future projects.

For the appearance, the 23-year-old donned a slinky silk beige dress that resembled a nightgown. Her signature brunette tresses were styled in loose waves with side fringes that partially covered her face. Ortega’s makeup was subtle, and she wore no jewelry. 

She appeared noticeably slim, with her face looking gaunt, her cheekbones and clavicle protruding obviously.

Fans Sound Alarm About Jenna Ortega’s Extreme Weight Loss

It took no time for the comment section to be filled with concerns from admirers of the actress, who observed she looked unusually thin.

“Now, she’s nowhere near as bad as Ariana Grande or others who have also done this, but it does appear she has gotten a bit skinnier. She’s also gotten paler as well,” one fan pointed out on YouTube.

Another user lamented, “Wow, Hollywood’s unhealthily skinny strikes another great actor. Please get better, Jenna!”

A similar remark read, “In 3 years she’s gone from a healthy, beautiful girl into another Hollywood shell of her former self. It’s painful seeing her transform like this,” while this fan noted they were tired of everyone “shrinking” in the industry.

Others suggested something other than beauty standards was behind Ortega’s frail look. “I truly hope from the bottom of my heart that she’s doing well and finds time to rest despite all the stress,” this worried fan wrote.

Ariana Grande Faced Concerns Of Looking ‘Deeply Unwell’

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The chatter around Ortega’s weight loss echoes the cries the Internet had weeks ago after Ariana Grande released the music video for “Petal.”

The former child star sparked major concern about appearing severely underweight, with some describing her as emaciated.

As The Blast reported, fans took to social media to speak out in concern. “Bro, this is so sad. She’s one of our generation’s biggest talents, and we’re all just watching her die right in front of our eyes,” one comment read.

“I wish the people around her were taking care of her,” one fan lamented, noting Grande appeared “deeply unwell.”

Grande Announced Decision To Stay Away From Public Amid Scrutiny

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The overwhelming response from fans seemingly reached the Nickelodeon alum’s quarters as it was revealed that Grande was taking a hiatus from the spotlight.

According to The Blast, a rep for the singer announced her plans to step back from the public eye following the completion of her 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 statement read.

Following the announcement, Grande, during her show, addressed her decision, saying it was long planned and had nothing to do with the “negativity” about her body.

The Singer’s Family ‘Begged’ For Her Hiatus Over Health Worries

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Amid Grande’s insistence that her break has nothing to do with the chatter surrounding her appearance, insiders say her loved ones have been clamoring for her to slow down.

Family members were reportedly worried that the “POV” singer was hitting her limit with the years of packed schedules for her movie and music projects.

“We have asked her to take a break. Actually, we’ve begged her, like a lot. A lot, a lot. Not like a day or two, but a break break. She is not well. She is anxious and unhappy,” the family source claimed, per The Blast.

The entertainer is said not to be sleeping and eating enough while dealing with intense burnout. Although the hope remains that Grande returns to the spotlight to continue doing what she loves, her family wants to see her “happy and healthy” again.

Miranda Kerr resonated with what Kris Jenner said about her facelift.

Kerr, 43, opened up to Kristin Cavallari during a recent episode of her “Let’s Be Honest” podcast about the “amazing” results her friends have seen from facelifts.

“I’m like, ‘Hmm. This is interesting. Good research, good research to have,’” she explained. “It’s one of those things that I guess you don’t really know until you really know because you think you want to be the best version of yourself.”

The model went on to say that she agreed with how Jenner, 70, viewed the procedure. “I heard Kris Jenner say something like she wanted to feel like how she felt on the inside. That made a lot of sense,” Kerr shared. “She was looking in the mirror and was like, that’s not how I feel on the inside. It wasn’t matching.”

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Kris Jenner got transparent about her recent facelift. Jenner, 69, opened up to Vogue Arabia about going under the knife for their September cover story published on Tuesday, August 26, showcasing her results after months of fan speculation about her youthful appearance. “I had a facelift about 15 years ago, so it was time for […]

She continued, “And so I get it. You just want to help gravity… so time will tell because time is going to get to all of us.” Kerr explained that she thinks it’s “important” to “embrace whatever it is that you’re doing and not be afraid of sharing that or feel guilty for doing something like that.”

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Jenner previously opened up about her facelift in August 2025, telling Vogue, “I had a facelift about 15 years ago, so it was time for a refresh. I decided to do this facelift because I want to be the best version of myself, and that makes me happy. Just because you get older, it doesn’t mean you should give up on yourself.”

The Kardashians star noted the surgery was her version of “aging gracefully.”

“If you feel comfortable in your skin and you want to age gracefully – meaning you don’t want to do anything – then don’t do anything,” Jenner said. “But for me, this is aging gracefully. It’s my version.”

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur explained the cruel sequence of events that led to him missing the funeral service for Cristina Ulbrich, the late wife of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich. 

LaFleur, 46, made plans to fly privately to the memorial from the Packers’ training camp location in Green Bay, according to a profile published in The Athletic on Tuesday, August 11. 

However, as the plane prepared to take off, the crew found a mechanical issue and the aircraft was unable to get off the ground. 

Matt and his wife, BreAnne, have been longtime friends with Jeff, 49, and Cristina, who died of cancer last month at the age of 48. 

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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel attempted to pivot when asked about attending marriage counseling during the offseason at a press conference on Tuesday, August 11.  ESPN reporter Kalyn Kahler asked Vrabel, 50, “What did you learn from that counseling and how did you balance that personal commitment with getting ready for this season?” […]

“All the sudden, I’m back in meetings,” he recalled. “I’m like, ‘It’s out of my control.’”

BreAnne, 43, was able to travel separately to the funeral and made it on time to represent the LaFleur family. 

“It’s different … when it’s somebody your age,” Matt said about Cristina’s death. “She was a rock star. I think about it every day. I worry about ‘Brich.”

Matt and Jeff were on the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff together from 2015 to 2016 – Matt as quarterbacks coach, Jeff as linebackers coach – both joining the staff in the same season. 

“It puts all of this stuff a little bit more in perspective,” Matt said, gesturing around his office “… you can’t take it for granted, that’s for sure.”

The Falcons announced Cristina’s death in a social media post on July 30. 

“Cristina was a devoted wife, mother, and friend whose strength, grace, and resilience touched all who knew her,” the statement read. “She was a constant source of love and support to Jeff, their family, and the broader Falcons community.”

The team continued, “On behalf of the entire organization, we extend our deepest condolences to Jeff, their children, and all who loved Cristina. During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with the Ulbrich family. We ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve this profound loss, and we stand with them in support and remembrance of Cristina’s life.”

Jeff and Cristina met in 1997 and share three children: sons Jax and Jace and daughter Samantha.

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Falcons head coach, Kevin Stefanski, called Cristina’s death a “difficult time” for the entire organization. 

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“Like any family, we will support Jeff and the kids and we’ll put our arms around him and the kids, literally and as an organization,” Stefanski, 44, told reporters on Friday, July 31. “I’ll let Jeff address you guys when the time is appropriate and he can share his thoughts. But just so you guys know, we are obviously with him and the kids in the short-term and in the long-term.”

Stefanski added, “It’s heartbreaking, and we’ll make sure we are a family through all of this.”

Jeff returned to Falcons practice on August 3, as the team prepared for its preseason opener against the Denver Broncos on Friday, August 14.

No space for trouble on Cardi B‘s video shoot set!

Law enforcement agents saved the day on the rapper’s latest music video set when an intruder attempted to gain access to the restricted area where she had secured permission to express her creativity.

Cardi B had also previously gotten into an altercation herself when she threw her microphone into the crowd on July 29, 2023, after a concertgoer splashed a drink at her face.

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August 11, 2026, will be an unforgettable day for everyone on the set of Cardi’s new visual project, as a photographer got into a tussle with security, prompting an intervention from the New York Police Department.

The man, identified as Steven Sands, in his 70s, allegedly showed up unannounced on set, stationed on the streets of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where she was given the rights to film. According to sources on the scene, Sands had bypassed police structures and also ignored directives from staff on the set.

He also failed to heed instructions from police officers to stop causing tantrums on set, and his refusal led to a criminal court summons for disorderly conduct, according to TMZ.

Sands was shown in a viral video from the scene being detained with handcuffs by the NYPD next to a patrol car, but he was released without being arrested.

Steven Sands Shared His Side Of The Story

The alleged set intruder cleared the air on the extent of his involvement in the activity, explaining that he arrived at the scene of the video shoot before Cardi. He explained that a security guard had come up to him and informed him about instructions to control the crowd and media.

He recalled the guard making some adjustments to the arrangement, which had him behind equipment that interfered with his camera’s angle; hence, he could not get a proper shot of Cardi.

This made Sands approach the guard for an easier arrangement that would place him 10 feet away in an open area to help him get a clear shot of the rapper.

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Sands explained that the security personnel still did not give room for his suggestion and had told him Cardi would not be pleased with the arrangement. Sands stated that at that point, he informed the guard he did not care what the mother-of-four wanted, and things went downhill from there.

Cardi B Fans Predict Incoming Lawsuit From The Alleged Intruder

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The scene made its way to Instagram and got a handful of comments from Cardi’s fans and people who seem to know a thing or two about Sands. A user stated that Sands somehow gets himself in these dramas on a regular basis and his conduct rightfully deserves police attention.

“Oh sh-t Steve is gonna sue everyone now- just be prepared,” this user added. Another fan mourned a missed opportunity to take a picture with the singer as they recalled passing the scene earlier, but mistaking the scene for a movie shoot.

“Steve got chased off my gig on Thursday night while we were on Ave A in the LES. What a guy. He’s been around since the 80s. Oh, you have to see Radioman; did he show up?” another commenter who has encountered him in the past added.

One more user suggested that Cardi knew there was going to be some drama on that set, especially after she chose one of Brooklyn’s most infamous blocks.

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The ‘Bodak Yellow’ Rapper Made A Splash In Miami While Her Assault Case Waits In New York

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In 2018, Capital Xtra shared that Cardi headed to a more upbeat destination as her case returned to court. The rapper headed to Miami for a video shoot involving tiger body paint, lots of body movement and a yacht.

Cardi was absent at a New York court hearing on December 3, 2018, in connection with an alleged altercation involving strip club bartenders Jade and Baddie Gi. The women had accused Cardi of masterminding an attack that reportedly left them injured.

As for the case, Cardi had already received a six-week extension prior to the hearing, and her attorneys learned only days before the case that the rapper had a previously scheduled work commitment preventing her from appearing. 

While her lawyers dealt with the courtroom fallout, Cardi was photographed in Miami filming alongside rap duo City Girls. Images from the shoot showed her covered in tiger-inspired body paint while working on what was believed to be the video for their collaboration, “Twerk.”

The extravagant shoot was said to have taken place on a yacht, featuring over a dozen bikini-clad women, along with Cardi and City Girls, who were seen with champagne in hand.

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Cardi B’s Infamous Mic Saga Returned For A Second Legal Episode

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Cardi’s controversial microphone toss in Las Vegas three years ago resurfaced last year when a member of the audience allegedly hit by the object came looking for payback. 

The Blast stated that the incident went down as Cardi performed on stage at Drai’s Beachclub and a fan threw liquid in her direction as she rapped. Cardi retaliated by launching her microphone in the woman’s direction, and when police investigated the case, they decided not to pursue any criminal charges.

The woman went ahead to sue Cardi, accusing her of assault, battery, negligence, and more crimes, as she took issue with the microphone’s sale and tagged it an attempt to malign her experiences. The plaintiff continued that she felt targeted by the rapper, especially because she threw the water based on her instruction.

According to Cardi’s account in a previous interview on “The Breakfast Club,” the woman went against her instruction, which asked fans to throw water at her but avoid her face due to the makeup. Cardi stressed that her decision to go against the grain meant she had a deliberate motive to sabotage her appearance.

Will Cardi B be the next recipient of Steven Sands’ lawsuit as predicted?

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