Entertainment
Hayden Panettiere’s Mom Says Narcotics Investigator Joined Case
Hayden Panettiere‘s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, gave an update on the investigation into her daughter’s sudden death.
Vogel, 70, told NBC News on Wednesday, August 19, that she was informed that law enforcement is investigating the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death. She claimed that a narcotics investigator has joined the case. Vogel said she is unsure of where things currently stand in the probe.
Panettiere’s father, Skip, confirmed the actress’ death on Sunday, August 16. She was 36.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” Skip said in a statement to Us at the time. “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”
Hayden Panettiere shared an update on her relationship with her estranged mom, Lesley Vogel, months before her untimely and shocking death. “Unfortunately, we don’t have a relationship right now,” the Heroes alum exclusively told Us back in 2025. “But that doesn’t mean that I don’t leave the door open for the opportunity to present itself […]
According to the Greenville Police Department, Panettiere was found “unresponsive” at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. The Nashville alum was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy was completed on Monday, August 17, and found that there were “no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed” to Panettiere’s death. An official cause of death has yet to be revealed amid the “pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies.”
Us later reported that Panettiere’s ex Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were at the apartment where the actress’ body was found. Brian, 37, provided a “bag of medication” that Panettiere was “currently on,” per an incident report obtained by Us.
The investigation into Panettiere’s death remains ongoing.
After news broke of Panettiere’s unexpected death, Vogel, who previously served as her daughter’s manager, spoke out.
“I think it becomes very difficult to be true to yourself and I think Hayden sadly lost her way and I wish it were different,” Vogel told NBC News on Tuesday, August 18. “I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes.”
Vogel also slammed Brian and his tumultuous history with Panettiere.
Hayden Panettiere‘s body has been released by the coroner’s office less than one week after her death at age 36. The Greenville Coroner’s Office in South Carolina confirms to Us that the actress’ body was transferred to a mortuary chosen by her family on Tuesday, August 18. The name of the mortuary was not disclosed. […]
“This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death, and that was Brian Hickerson,” she said.
Vogel’s remarks earned criticism as she and her daughter had their fair share of ups and downs. (Before her death, Panettiere wrote about her complicated relationship with her mother in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, which was released earlier this year.)
“You know, guys, you read this and all I think is, ‘Thanks, Mom, for nothing,’” Gayle King said of Vogel’s statement about Panettiere’s death during the Wednesday broadcast of CBS Mornings.
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Holly Robinson Peete is backing Gayle King after the morning show host called out Hayden Panettiere’s estranged mom, Lesley Vogel, following her statement on the actress’ death.
“She’s not wrong,” Peete, 61, wrote via X on Wednesday, August 19, alongside a link to a story about King’s remarks in which she said that Vogel’s statement regarding her daughter after her death on Sunday, August 16, at the age of 36 left her thinking, “Thanks, Mom, for nothing.”
Peete called out Vogel, 70, in her own post, writing, “We know this young lady clearly had so many issues, but if you’re not gonna take accountability for the fact that you put her in the business that eventually messed her up then nothing you say has any integrity.”
The Hallmark Channel actress added, “She didn’t even say, ‘I will miss my daughter’ or ‘I loved my daughter the best way I could.’ Has she even mentioned the word daughter?”
Gayle King weighed in after Hayden Panettiere’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, broke her silence on her daughter’s sudden death at 36. “You know, guys, you read this and all I think is, ‘Thanks, Mom, for nothing,’” King, 71, stated on the Wednesday, August 19, broadcast of CBS Mornings, discussing Vogel’s recent statement about Panettiere’s death […]
“There were so many things she could have said to show us that she was a caring mother … And now both of her children are gone,” Peete continued, referring to Vogel’s son, Jansen Panettiere, who died in February 2023 from an undiagnosed heart condition.
Peete concluded, “It is all so tragic.💔 rip Hayden🙏🏽.”
Peete’s comments come one day after Vogel — who shared both Hayden and Jansen with ex-husband Skip Panettiere — broke her silence in the wake of the Nashville alum’s sudden death.
“I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments, and I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry — it is a struggle and it’s a very challenging industry and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path,” Vogel said in a statement to NBC News on Tuesday, August 18.
Hayden Panettiere and mom Lesley Vogel. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Vogel, who was her daughter’s manager as a child, continued, “I think it becomes very difficult to be true to yourself and I think Hayden sadly lost her way and I wish it were different.”
She explained, “I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes.”
Vogel added that she took some solace in the fact that Hayden is now reunited with her sibling.
“I just feel that she’s with her brother and they’re at peace,” she told the outlet.
Hayden Panettiere spoke openly about her estrangement from her mother, Lesley Vogel, in the months leading up to her death in August 2026. “Unfortunately, we don’t have a relationship right now,” Panettiere exclusively told Us in May 2026. “But that doesn’t mean that I don’t leave the door open for the opportunity to present itself […]
Prior to her death, Hayden exclusively told Us that her relationship with her mother was still rocky after their ups and downs.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have a relationship right now,” the Remember the Titans actress said in May. “But that doesn’t mean that I don’t leave the door open for the opportunity to present itself one day. It’s hard for me to say, but I’ve chosen to be brutally honest. So that’s the honest truth of it.”
Vogel clapped back at Hayden that same month, claiming to Page Six that her daughter was trying to “sell books” after writing her 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, by describing “20 years of trauma.”
She further alleged that “this condition cannot be ‘fixed’” regardless of “continual efforts to support” or “comfort.”
Lesley Vogel and Hayden Panettiere. Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Alvin Valley
King, 71, explained during the Wednesday broadcast of CBS Mornings that she wasn’t moved by Vogel’s words following Hayden’s death, claiming that Vogel’s complicated relationship with her child made her statement leave a lot to be desired.
“You hear stuff like that and you realize it was still very much in progress,” she told viewers, referring to the mother-daughter relationship. “It makes me so sad that, of the opportunity that you have after your daughter’s death, that’s what you choose to leave us with.”
Fellow CBS anchor Vladimir Duthiers was in complete agreement during the broadcast, adding, “I mean, Hayden Panettiere spent years publicly acknowledging her own failures, her own struggles.”
Hayden Panettiere‘s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, gave an update on the investigation into her daughter’s sudden death. Vogel, 70, told NBC News on Wednesday, August 19, that she was informed that law enforcement is investigating the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death. She claimed that a narcotics investigator has joined the case. Vogel said she is unsure […]
Duthiers, 56, noted, “She cannot respond now, and for her mother to use these days after Hayden’s death to just remind the world just how much trauma she caused, it’s unseemly.”
Us confirmed that Hayden died on Sunday in South Carolina where she was reportedly in town to watch a friend perform.
According to 911 dispatch audio obtained by People, there was a mention of an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” around the time of her death.
The coroner later told Us in a statement that paramedics responded to a call about a “reported cardiac arrest.”
“EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM,” the medical examiner’s statement read.
Hayden is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Get a rundown of Us‘ top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on August 19, 2026. Here are the key takeaways:
• Hayden Panettiere once dated her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson’s brother, Zach Hickerson, in 2019. The revelation came days after Panettiere died in South Carolina on August 16 at the age of 36. Both Brian and his brother were reportedly at the scene when authorities arrived.
• Former Penn State cheerleader Paris Shanabrough revealed she has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and is undergoing chemotherapy. Her twin sister, Brooke, launched a GoFundMe that had raised over $19,000 to help cover medical costs at the time of publication.
• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly relocating to the U.K. with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet six years after stepping back as senior royals and moving to California. The family will keep their Montecito home while establishing a non-royal residence in Britain.
Edited by Samantha Benitz. Story produced with AI assistance
Saying that Agatha Christie is one of the greatest, most groundbreaking, and most important writers in the history of English-language literature would be quite an understatement. She’s the best-selling fiction writer of all time (outsold only by William Shakespeare and the Bible), the most widely translated author in history, and one of the most influential mystery writers of all time. Needless to say, Christie’s impact cannot be overstated.
Pretty much her entire bibliography, composed of 66 remarkable novels and 14 phenomenal short story collections, is worth checking out. There are ten books of hers in particular, however, that stand out way above the rest. From detective novels like A Murder Is Announced to her autobiography, these are the greatest Agatha Christie masterpieces, works that everyone even remotely interested in her ought to check out.
10
‘The Man in the Brown Suit’ (1924)
Colonel Race is one of Christie’s most iconic and memorable characters, a British Secret Service agent and Army officer who allied with Hercule Poirot—undoubtedly Christie’s best-known hero—in two novels. It was The Man in the Brown Suit that introduced him to the world, however; in that book, it’s only he who appears as a major supporting character.
Though many readers expecting a new Poirot novel were disappointed by The Man in the Brown Suit back in 1924, it has aged as one of Christie’s most underappreciated masterpieces 102 years after its publication. It’s a fun, fast-paced, and delightfully pulpy globe-trotting adventure that reads much differently than any of Christie’s better-known detective stories.
9
‘A Murder Is Announced’ (1950)
If there’s any one character deserving of being considered Christie’s most iconic after Hercule Poirot, it’s Miss Marple. Female sleuths had existed in mystery literature before her creation, but Miss Marple was an entirely new archetype, an investigative genius who weaponized her image as a “spinster” to get suspects to drop their guard around her. She appeared in 12 novels, one of the best being A Murder Is Announced.
It’s one of the best classic detective books of all time, promoted at the time as Christie’s fiftieth book. For such a landmark figure, the author came up with a psychologically sharp, ingeniously plotted gem of a book that has aged wonderfully as one of her best. The novel is full of surprises that take full advantage of the highly theatrical premise, resulting in a murder mystery that’s as entertaining as it is admirably well-written.
8
‘The A.B.C. Murders’ (1936)
One of Christie’s best-plotted and most creative novels, The A.B.C. Murders marked the 13th novel appearance of the beloved Hercule Poirot. Here, Christie perfected an inventive narrative resource that she had previously employed in The Man in the Brown Suit: a mixture of third-person and first-person narratives that allows the book to still read as one of her most distinct.
But far from just being structurally inventive, The A.B.C. Murders is also brilliantly subversive, shattering the classic whodunnit structure of a detective investigating a single isolated incident. Instead, it follows Poirot as he investigates a sequence of thematically unified murders. This novel approach makes it one of the most important and essential precursors of the traditional serial killer thriller genre.
7
‘Death on the Nile’ (1937)
Unrelated to Christie’s 1933 short story of the same name, Death on the Nile is yet another Poirot masterpiece. The thing that makes Christie’s best books—Death on the Nile most definitely included—undisputed masterpieces is that she was an absolute master of structure, pacing, misdirection, and characterization. There aren’t very many places where that mastery is clearer than here.
Anchored by an enrapturing atmosphere set in a strikingly described Egypt, Death on the Nile is undoubtedly one of the best crime books of all time. Whereas many whodunnits can end up feeling coldly mechanical, Death on the Nile is a tale about love and obsession, so Christie had to craft secondary characters and character dynamics that felt emotionally engaging. At that, she absolutely succeeded, and that’s what makes the book so unforgettable.
6
‘Crooked House’ (1948)
Though a solid portion of Christie’s oeuvre is composed of either Poirot or Miss Marple novels, she also wrote plenty of masterful standalone novels throughout her career, Crooked House being one of the best and most noteworthy. Suspenseful in its pacing and airtight in its plotting, it’s a fantastic way for those who want their introduction to Christie to be one of her less-mainstream books.
But even though Crooked House may not be Christie’s best-known novel, it sure is one of her very best. Full of brilliant red herrings and permeated with an air of darkness and cynicism not often seen in the author’s work, the book feels less like a lighthearted and mysterious puzzle, and more like an unsettling story about an irreparably dysfunctional family. It’s a genius subversion of the locked-house mystery that Christie specialized in.
5
‘Murder on the Orient Express’ (1934)
The most often-adapted Hercule Poirot mystery is Murder on the Orient Express, which is not only one of the best mystery books of all time, but also one of the most iconic. Originally titled Murder in the Calais Coach in the United States, this gem is probably Christie’s most iconic book, and that’s for good reason. After all, based on one of the most perfectly intriguing premises in the history of mystery literature.
It’s a brilliant subversion of the locked-room mystery setup in all sorts of delightful ways, culminating in one of the most fascinatingly unique resolutions in the history of murder mystery novels. Murder on the Orient Express is far more than just its rule-breaking plot twist; it’s a thoroughly exceptional psychological puzzle that only keeps getting better with age, regardless of whether you know the twist going in or not.
4
‘The Murder at the Vicarage’ (1930)
The Murder at the Vicarage was the first novel to feature Miss Marple, and it just so happens that it’s also arguably the best book featuring the character. One of the smartest and best-written murder mysteries ever to grace the printed page, it’s a classic example of the “cozy mystery” subgenre that Miss Marple helped revolutionize and redefine.
It’s not as big, loud, or spectacular (at least in terms of scope) a murder mystery as Christie’s better-known books. However, it’s so deliciously twisty in its character-driven plot and so perfect in how it cleverly uses the character of Miss Marple that it ends up being one of the author’s most uniquely human novels. Psychologically layered and making unexpectedly perfect use of Christie’s sharp (and often underappreciated) sense of humor, it’s one of the author’s biggest must-reads.
3
‘Agatha Christie: An Autobiography’ (1977)
It’s probably not the best place to start for those who have never read an Agatha Christie book, but for those who have read a couple and are at all interested in the person behind those literary masterpieces, Agatha Christie: An Autobiography is essential reading. It’s one of those non-fiction books that are still a must-read in 2026, an absolutely gripping retelling of the author’s fascinating life.
Proving that, even when not writing fiction, Christie was an author who adored nothing more than entertaining her reader, she doesn’t take the traditionally dry chronological approach to writing her autobiography. Rather, she approaches the book with such a natural flair and such a charming ability to turn even her most ordinary anecdotes into riveting stories that this should be considered a masterclass in how to write a compelling autobiography.
2
‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd’ (1926)
It may not be the most iconic Hercule Poirot story, but The Murder of Roger Ackroyd sure is the best of the bunch. It’s one of those classic detective books that are perfect from the first page to the last, and since it was only the third novel ever to feature the Belgian detective, it was early proof that readers were witnessing the rise of one of fiction’s most iconic heroes. As the years have passed, bookworms have only grown fonder and fonder of Roger Ackroyd.
The book’s twist ending completely recontextualizes everything that came before and makes a reread pretty much instantly tempting, and even though it was a somewhat controversial conclusion back in 1926, history has been kind to it. Endings and the revelations they carry often make or break a mystery novel, and in the case of this one, it takes a book that was already perfectly written and turns it into an all-timer that’s endlessly fun to revisit.
1
‘And Then There Were None’ (1939)
There’s really no question about it: And Then There Were None, the Agatha Christie book that has been adapted for the screen the largest number of times, is the author’s very best. It’s probably no coincidence that it’s a standalone novel, making it a perfect entry point for those who have never read anything by the best-selling fiction author of all time. One of the most intense books ever written, this masterpiece is the best-selling mystery novel ever written and one of the best-selling books of all time in general.
Where can one even begin singing this absolutely perfect novel’s praises? It’s one of the most flawlessly plotted books ever written, regardless of genre. It’s fast-paced, immensely challenging to solve before Christie starts dropping answers, and at times even genuinely chilling. Ten strangers, no detective trying to rescue them, and no true voice of reason to make even the reader feel safe. It’s the pinnacle of not just Christie’s career, but the whole mystery book genre.
Kendra Wilkinson is opening up about the pressure of living her life in the public eye while building a new career and raising her children.
The former “Girls Next Door” star said she has faced criticism over her appearance and other aspects of her life as she moves away from her former image.
Wilkinson rose to fame as a Playboy star. However, she has evolved through the years and is now navigating a career as a realtor, one that seems to have come with its own challenges,
Wilkinson believes sharing her life publicly takes courage, especially as she works through major changes in both her personal life and career.
In a series of Instagram Story posts, the TV star addressed the criticism she has received while trying to establish herself as a realtor and provide for her children. She described the experience of being watched so closely as difficult, particularly because she is also raising two children on her own while “a lot of people want to see me fail.”
“I’ve come to realize that a lot of people assume weird s— and [are] jealous of me while I’m trying to make a living for me and my kids,” she added, according to People Magazine.
Wilkinson also pushed back against the idea that her former public image fully represented who she was and acknowledged that although some people want to see her fail, others are also rooting for her.
Kendra Wilkinson Pushes Back Against Body Critics
That determination to accept herself has also been evident in Wilkinson’s response to comments about her changing appearance. In a previous post, the former model addressed people who had criticized her body and the changes that have come with age.
Wilkinson shared a selfie taken while sitting in front of an open laptop, wearing a white polo shirt with her hair pulled back.
“Sexy is the last thing I want to be nowadays,” she wrote in the photo’s caption. She also made it clear that she is now focusing on “finding peace, happiness and success,” as reported by The Blast.
The reality star acknowledged that criticism can still affect her at times, but she does not allow those comments to determine her self-worth.
Wilkinson specifically addressed people commenting on her body and the fact that she is getting older, saying she has reached a place where she feels comfortable with those changes.
Kendra Wilkinson Recently Opened Up About Facing A Career Setback
Still in the spirit of being transparent about life, Wilkinson recently opened up about her work as a real estate agent, where she has had to deal with disappointments.
In late July, she revealed that one of her clients had decided to end their professional relationship after she had already devoted considerable time to the deal.
The setback clearly affected Wilkinson, who shared an emotional photo of herself with tears on her face while explaining what had happened. She later posted another video in which she became emotional while discussing how difficult the situation had been for her and noting that she was “struggling.”
According to The Blast, Wilkinson further acknowledged that difficult moments are part of life, but admitted that the experience hit her particularly hard.
Kendra Wilkinson Celebrates Her Weight Loss Progress
That difficult experience with a real estate client was followed by a more positive moment for Wilkinson, who turned her focus to a personal milestone.
Three months into her GLP-1 journey, she shared an Instagram video showing off the progress that left her feeling happier and more confident.
The Blast reported that Wilkinson appeared in a bikini as she celebrated the changes, telling her followers that she felt better than ever and was pleased to finally see the results of her efforts.
She also encouraged people who had been considering GLP-1 treatments to explore Effecty, saying she felt ready for summer and more comfortable in her body.
Kendra Wilkinson Previously Opened Up About More Career Struggles
Before Wilkinson celebrated her weight loss wins, she got honest about how she has continued to face greater difficulties in her professional life, particularly as she tries to find her place in an industry where she has often felt out of place.
According to The Blast, she described the emotional toll of navigating the challenges that come with being a woman in a male-dominated environment.
Wilkinson said there are moments when she feels pressured to appear fine even when she is struggling internally. She further explained that real estate involves dealing with people as much as it does property, which only added to her distress.
The Shards is described as a fictionalized memoir about Bret Easton Ellis‘ high school years — so what is real and what is fake?
According to the official synopsis, The Shards is set in Los Angeles in 1981 and follows “a 17-year-old version of Ellis during his final year at the elite Buckley prep school.” His world is upended by the arrival of a mysterious new student, Robert Mallory, whose “unsettling presence coincides with the activities of a serial killer known as The Trawler.”
Igby Rigney portrays Ellis, now 62, in an adaptation based on Ellis’ book of the same name. The 2023 release was Ellis’ first in 13 years and has a disclaimer stating that all the major players in The Shards are fictional — apart from the narrator.
After publishing The Shards, Ellis recalled hearing from a former classmate after they saw themselves in a character. Ellis told Vanity Fair in 2023 that he received a Facebook message, which read, “Of all the names you could have chosen, the name I hate the most is Debbie.”
Ellis also reflected on the larger inspiration behind The Shards.
“I’m not motivated to write a novel without feeling it, and that might be why a lot of my novels have that pervasive sense of dread,” he continued. “I think it just stems from where the books come from, and it’s a reflection of that. Conversely, if I’d been a happier guy would I have been writing books? Would I be using the novel as a way to express this or communicate it? I don’t know. But that could have something to do with why I’ve been attracted to horror and used elements of it in my work.”
Keep scrolling for a breakdown of fact vs. fiction when it comes to The Shards:
The Trawler
Some who have read Ellis’ book have assumed that the serial killer The Trawler is loosely based on The West Side Rapist. Outside of those theories, The Trawler, who attacked high school students in The Shards, is entirely fictional.
The Setting
Mark this under accurate because the real Bret graduated from Buckley School in Sherman Oaks. The Los Angeles private school is meant to mirror the environment portrayed in The Shards, which follows Bret’s final year in high school.
Bret’s Home Life
While The Shards depicts Bret as a single child, the real Bret has several sisters. He previously mentioned on his podcast that he changed the detail after his siblings asked they not be depicted in his work.
The Shards is Ryan Murphy‘s newest highly anticipated series, but how is the spooky — and star-studded — teen slasher related to Bret Easton Ellis‘ hit American Psycho? According to the official synopsis, The Shards is set in Los Angeles in 1981 and follows “a 17-year-old version of Ellis during his final year at the […]
Bret’s Inner Circle
The Shards introduces Kaia Gerber as Susan Reynolds, Hayes Warner as Debbie Schaffer and Graham Campbell as Thom Wright, who all make up Bret’s best friends. While some details about the group are presumably fictionalized for TV, Bret did pull inspiration from his own senior year and the experiences he shared with his friend group at the time.
Debbie, for example, is likely meant to mirror Julie Foreman — the daughter of Hollywood producer John Foreman — whom Bret dated in the past.
The Existence of Robert Mallory
Homer Gere’s Robert Mallory is the new kid in town who Bret suspects of being a serial killer. The line between fact and fiction hinges on the show (and book’s ending) which Us won’t spoil. It is safe to assume, however, that there was no specific individual in Bret’s life named Robert Mallory.
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As the season draws to a close and I place my summer shoes in storage, I can’t say I’m sad. This year’s fall footwear trends have me so excited for the cooler temps, and I can’t wait to strut into every function with the hottest shoe selects.
The autumnal shoe trends I’m seeing offer versatility and longevity — these aren’t styles that will collect dust at the back of your closet after a single season. For example, penny loafers are a time-tested style that have been popular for hundreds of years. The fall designs modernize the shoe and make it feel fresh. The same can be said for the other textures, colors and silhouettes we’re seeing on fashionable women everywhere. One thing’s for sure: If you upgrade your fall footwear collection with the below picks, you’ll be set with a capsule shoe collection that will keep you stylin’ for years to come.
16 Trendy Fall Shoes Stylish People Wear
Penny Loafers
1. Our Favorite: Yes, timeless penny loafers can still make a statement when you opt for an eye-catching color, like this gorgeous red style. It also comes in 18 other options, so you can match your personality.
2. Patent Dreams: Even if you opt for a neutral black penny loafer style, a shiny patent finish will certainly draw tons of attention.
3. New Heights: What’s a couple of inches? The platform on these lug-sole penny loafers makes them easy to walk in, and amplifies their trend factor.
4. Mooooove Over: These cow-print penny loafers are an unexpected way to incorporate texture into your outfit. Oh, and they’re surprisingly versatile, thanks to the muted color.
As one season ends and a new one begins, it’s time to think about what clothes you might need to add to your closet. Whether it’s versatile dresses, easy tops or comfortable footwear, fresh pieces like these are fashion must-haves that will fill the gaps in your summer-to-fall wardrobe. And Nordstrom is making sure you […]
Suede Sneakers
5. Trendiest of all: Adidas continuously ranks high among Us editors for its comfort and style. These maroon suede kicks will take you anywhere from local jaunts to worldwide adventures.
6. Go Retro: Brown suede sneakers were all the rage back in the ‘80s. In fact, my dad never shuts up about it. He was thrilled to see me rocking this brown pair that’s surprisingly breathable.
7. Upgraded Classic: Keds stepped up their style game with these platform suede sneaks that give you a subtle 1.5-inch boost.
8. Crossover: Ballet slippers with a sporty upgrade? Look no further than these suede sneakers. The streamlined silhouette resembles the delicate shoe style with a full-coverage design.
Leather Booties
9. Old Reliable: Chelsea boots are a time-tested style for the fall, and this pair is waterproof and comfy. No doubt it will become the finishing touch to countless outfits.
10. Keep It Sleek: Tiny details like the V-cut side, pointed toe and stacked heel instantly elevate these brown leather booties and make them ideal for nights out.
11. Unexpected: At first look, you might think these block-heeled booties are black, but they’re ever-so-slightly tinted burgundy. The hue adds dimension to every look.
12. Strut it Out: Look sharp (figuratively and literally) with these slim-heeled black booties that have a chic pointy toe.
Animal Print
13. Walk on the Wild Side: Animal prints are still considered neutrals! That fact makes these leopard-print ballet flats easy to style for the office and beyond.
14. Easy Pattern: Spice up your footwear collection with these faux snakeskin loafers. You’ll be surprised by just how often you wear them.
15. Sling It Back: All of Hollywood’s most outspoken characters wear animal-print kitten heels. This mesh leopard design feels modern and flirty, and the style is surprisingly easy to walk in.
16. The Coolest: For an unexpected print, opt for these pointy zebra-print slides. The adjustable strap ensures the perfect fit.
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A great cardigan does so much more than keep you cozy. The right one creates a polished, pulled-together silhouette while giving you a little extra coverage through the midsection — without awkward tugging, clinging or strategic posing. The key is in the details: structured shoulders, flattering necklines, strategic buttons and gently draped fabrics that turn […]
It is always challenging for a filmmaker who broke through with their debut film to land a second feature, as they will be assessed on whether they lived up to their own hype. Neill Blomkamp had a more difficult time of it than most, considering that his first feature, 2009’s District 9 , was a word-of-mouth hit that felt like a completely new spin on the science fiction genre, and earned surprising Academy Awards nominations for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. So expectations were sky-high for his second film, 2013’s Elysium, which presented a grounded look at a not-so-distant future in which class discrepancies have resulted in mass inequality. Elysium was criticized at the time for being too pointed and obvious in its political criticisms, but the film has held up remarkably well when considering the dramatic changes to the U.S. healthcare system that have occurred within the 13 years since it was released. Now more than ever, Elysium isn’t just an entertaining cyberpunk thriller with appropriately gritty action, but a searing indictment of the consolidation of power in crisis situations.
Set in the year 2154, Elysium imagines an Earth that has become overpopulated and devastated by environmental damage, meaning that most citizens have to work under laborious conditions to keep producing technology. Pollution and the depletion of resources have made the planet largely inhospitable, as it is ravaged by disease; in response, the wealthiest and most powerful members of the human race have escaped to the space station Elysium, which circles the Earth and contains advanced medical supplies. Elysium is only accessible to those who can afford it — it’s designed to exclude people like Max Da Costa (Matt Damon), who has been denied any opportunities to cure his life-threatening illness because of his criminal history. Elysium looks at the differences between the haves and have-nots in a direct way, but Blomkamp’s exhilarating, visceral sci-fi mythology ensures that it is still a riveting genre film.
‘Elysium’ Is an Eerie, Terrifyingly Dystopian Story
Though it’s sci-fi, Elysium succeeds at creating a story audiences can identify with because the circumstances that Max is dealing with are relatable, regardless of whether they are connected to any sci-fi themes. Max is simply a man who is desperately looking for work to support both himself and his childhood friend, Frey (Alice Braga), whose daughter Matilda (Emma Tremblay) has leukemia. Although Max recognizes that he is competing against other poor people who are in the same position, and that he will have even more difficulties finding work because of his criminal history, injuries he sustains in the midst of performing manual labor soon make his own health status equally pressing. That average citizens would be stripped of the resources that they need to survive, let alone not be offered any dignity, is not a concept that is based in science fiction, as it reflects present reality far closer than anyone watching Elysium in 2013 would have expected. Blomkamp makes a smart environmentalist point by showing that it may be corporations and conglomerates that pollute the world, but it will be average people who have to pay the price.
Elysium uses its sci-fi premise to show how those with wealth can create their own reality because they are not burdened by any directive to show compassion. The notion of pooling medical resources for those of the upper class is not a science fiction concept, as the only “imagined” component in Blomkamp’s universe is that this would extend to the monopolization of space; today, it’s a much less farfetched concept than it appeared to be in 2013. Another smart link that Blomkamp makes is between the healthcare systems, the government, and the military-industrial complex, as he implies that they’ve all conspired to rig the market so that class ascension is impossible. This explains why characters like Max feel so powerless, and why they must resort to extreme measures in order to protect themselves; even if they spent a lifetime living by the rules of Earth’s governments, they could never hope to be among the select few allowed to live on Elysium.
‘Elysium’ Features a Compelling Moral Dilemma
Elysium thoughtfully considers what kinds of desperate situations could turn someone into a revolutionary figure, but the film is also a visceral action thriller that makes use of all the brutality allowed by an R-rating. There’s a significant disparity within the style of filmmaking used when depicting Earth and Elysium; the planet is dirty and damaged, feeling like a never-ending wasteland, whereas the space station has a slick, nearly retro-futuristic feel. The opulent beauty of Elysium is effective because it is infuriating to see the gross excess within a society that only allows a select few to enter, giving it an Imperialist feel. At the same time, the film paints a realistic portrayal of what Earth may look like should ecocide continue, and it’s a future that feels far more plausible in the aftermath of the U.S.’s exit from the Paris Accords.
Elysium presents a dark future that is sadly identifiable, but the film still works as a piece of summer entertainment because it does believe in heroes. Max is not just the perfect redemptive protagonist because he ends up learning that there is more to fight for than just himself; he becomes a symbol that the rest of those on Earth can get behind. Elysium showed in no uncertain terms what Earth could transform into if it headed on its current trajectory, but its most radical decision may have been its faith in human kindness.
Former Disney star Christy Carlson Romano is reflecting on child stardom just days after her peer, Hayden Panettiere, died suddenly at 36. In a personal essay, the “Even Stevens” actress compared child stardom to the deadly brain disease CTE.
Romano knows a thing or two about being a child star. In addition to working alongside Shia LaBeouf on “Even Stevens,” the actress appeared in her own series, “Kim Possible,” and the Disney Channel original film “Cadet Kelly.”
In a personal essay for Elle, Romano said nothing can prepare children for what it’s like to be famous at such a young age. “The former child actor exists in a category the world does not know how to hold,” she wrote. “We are children when the public wants to feel protective of us, professionals when the industry wants to profit from us, and spoiled celebrities when we eventually show symptoms of having been both.”
Romano, 42, said fame at an early age is comparable to “CTE,” the deadly brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. “Not as a diagnosis. As a way of thinking about repeated impact,” Romano added.
Hayden Panettiere Was Pronounced Dead At A South Carolina Residence In August 2026
Romano’s comments come just days after Panettiere was pronounced dead at a South Carolina residence in August 2026. First responders said that they were responding to a call about a person suffering a “cardiac arrest.”
Panettiere’s father released a statement to the media after her death, calling her an “incredible light and a force of nature.” He added that his daughter, who began acting at the age of 1, “brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her.”
Romano Is ‘Crushed’ Over Panettiere’s Death
Romano went even further about the harsh reality of being a child star in her personal essay, saying that while child actors are seen as “lucky” and “cute,” she said their labor “powers one of the most profitable storytelling machines in the world,” leaving some of them struggling with their mental health.
Regarding Panettiere’s death, Romano admitted she was “crushed” and deeply saddened by the news. “Another performer I grew up with, gone too soon,” she wrote.
Months before her death, Panettiere reflected on living her life in the spotlight from an early age and told Jay Shetty that it was really all she knew. According to the “Heroes” actress, acting was forced upon her almost instantly.
“I think it’s the way I was raised,” she said. “I was groomed. I was like a little soldier and I always have been. No was never an option. It was just, ‘Here are your scenes, here’s your dialogue, memorize it, hit the marks, do what your director tells you to do.’ I took my marching orders.”
Panettiere’s Relationship With Her Mother Was Painful
Panettiere detailed her time as a child star in her book, “This Is Me,” and said she felt the pressure to be top tier. Elsewhere in the memoir, the “Remember the Titans” actress opened up about her rocky relationship with her mother, Lesley, and said that disappointing her with a lackluster audition felt like “a fate worse than death.”
“When she was irritated, she opened her mouth ever so slightly. When she was mad, she clenched her jaw. When she was so angry that my best option was to hide under my bed, her lower jaw migrated a few centimeters forward. I looked up and back at Mom, and there was that soul-shattering underbite,” she wrote.
Viola Davis Honors Hayden Panettiere
Hollywood’s elite have come together over the last several days to honor Panettiere’s life. According to a previous report from The Blast, Davis shared a series of images of them on her Instagram and reflected on the time they spent together while making the film “Custody.”
“I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered. Rest well, Hayden. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name,” Davis captioned the post.
For nine seasons, Josh Radnor and his “How I Met Your Mother” co-stars spent countless hours together, becoming one of TV’s most beloved friend groups. Several years after the sitcom wrapped, however, that close-knit bond has changed. Radnor recently opened up about his relationship with his former castmates, revealing that he is no longer close with them while making it clear that he still has a deep love for all of them.
“How I Met Your Mother” aired for nine seasons from 2005 to 2014 with more than 200 episodes. It followed the lives of a tight-knit group of friends in New York City: Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor), Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segel), Lily Aldrin (Alyson Hannigan), Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris), and Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders), as they navigated the ups and downs of adulthood.
More than a decade after the series wrapped, Radnor shares that his relationship with his former co-stars has changed. Appearing on the “Half the Picture” podcast, the actor was asked if he’s still close to his TV friend group, to which he answered. “No. Not even a little bit.”
Radnor explained that the distance didn’t happen in “any dramatic way.” Rather, they just drifted apart.
“It’s like college where you have this very intense time together, and you can’t imagine not seeing each other every day because you’ve seen each other every day for so long. And then it just disperses, and you just go out and live your life,” Radnor said.
The Actor Has A Deep Love For His Former Castmates
Radnor shared that while the friendship dynamic has changed, he still gets to connect with his “HIMYM” co-stars in some capacity.
He exchanges text messages with Segel “once in a while” to reminisce about things that happened on set. Smulders appeared as a guest on his podcast via Zoom, as did Harris. As for Hannigan, Radnor shared that the actress attended his wedding in 2024, but hasn’t seen her since.
Radnor said his relationship with them was more like family, saying that they were cast in the series and didn’t “choose” each other. “You also have love that is quite deep and rich and probably everlasting, but it’s not an active love,” he explained.
Josh Radnor Had A ‘Healing’ Conversation With Neil Patrick Harris
Radnor co-hosts the podcast “How We Made Your Mother” with series co-creator Craig Thomas. In March, Harris appeared as a guest, and the former co-stars discussed their working relationship.
At one point, Harris said, “I always kind of felt that my performance annoyed you, Josh.” Radnor was surprised at the admission and asked Harris to elaborate. The latter said that in portraying his character, a charismatic womanizer, he sensed Radnor’s “frustration” over his “spit takes.”
Radnor said he felt a bit of “tension” at times, but in his opinion, it stemmed from drawing the line between Harris and the character he played. “Barney was often incredibly almost dismissive of Ted, and you were so good at playing that. I think sometimes I felt dismissed by Neil, but I was being dismissed by Barney,” Radnor said.
Despite the tension, Radnor admitted he enjoyed their “weird chemistry,” and Harris appreciated that they were able to have the conversation.
Josh Radnor Distanced Himself From ‘How I Met Your Mother’
After playing the hopeless romantic architect Ted Mosby for nine years, Radnor admitted that he did everything he could to distance himself from the show. He also rejected roles that had “any hint of single guy in the big city looking for love,” as he didn’t want to be typecast.
In the years following, he played a Civil War surgeon in the series “Mercy Street,” a high school drama teacher in “Rise,” and a Nazi-hunting movie star in “Hunters,” in addition to appearing in theater productions. He also took on roles behind the camera and pursued writing and directing.
Now that he has done multiple projects, he embraces his time on the series with the understanding that he is no longer defined by that one role.
‘How I Met Your Mother’ Had A Spin-Off Series
In 2022, the spin-off series “How I Met Your Father” premiered. While it featured a whole new cast and independent storyline, the show shares the same universe as the original series. It featured Hilary Duff as Sophie Tompkins, who, alongside her group of friends, navigates love and relationships in the age of dating apps.
Both Smulders and Harris returned to their respective roles as guest stars in separate episodes, though the series ultimately received mixed reviews and was canceled after two seasons.
There are very few actors who have re-defined the action movie like Keanu Reeves. The Matrix remains an impeccable blend of mind-bending visual effects and beautifully brutal fight scenes, and a true game changer for pop culture. Speed is the kind of white-knuckle thriller that’s rare to find these days. John Wick created an entirely new subgenre of action movies that lasts to this day. One of Reeves’ more underrated action movies is currently available to stream on Netflix, and it takes a fantasy-fueled approach to an iconic Japanese legend.
That movie is 47 Ronin, which made its debut all the way back in 2013. Adapting the story of Chūshingura, 47 Ronin takes place in the waning days of feudal-era Japan and follows Kai (Reeves), a half-Japanese, half-British swordsman. Kai is taken in by a prominent samurai, but when said samurai is killed by his rival, Lord Kira (Tadanobu Asano), Kai joins forces with 47 of the samurai’s men to take their vengeance. Though it was critically panned upon release, 47 Ronin is at least worth a watch to see how certain legends can change based on the medium they’re in.
’47 Ronin’ Blends An Iconic Japanese Legend With Fantasy Elements
The tale of the 47 Ronin is surprisingly straightforward: after their master is slain, the titular warriors break into his killer’s house and exact vengeance, ultimately committing seppuku after they’re caught. While 47 Ronin keeps the same story beats, it shakes things up by introducing supernatural elements. Kai fights a massive golem in one scene that takes on the form of a samurai warrior. In another, he has to do battle with a massive, serpentine dragon. The ronin must also contend with Mizuki (Rinko Kikuchi), the malevolent witch who aids Kira in his goals. These fantasy elements caused most of the criticism, as some critics felt what should have been a simple samurai tale came off more like a Lord of the Rings ripoff.
47 Ronin became one of the biggest box-office bombs of 2013, with blame shifted to Universal Pictures for locking director Carl Rinsch out of the editing process and trying to beef up Reeves’ role in the narrative. 47 Ronin would eventually receive a sequel in the form of Blade of the 47 Ronin, where one of the ronin’s blades ends up at the center of yet another supernatural battle. It was even more off the wall than its predecessor, though it skipped theaters in favor of the VOD route. Carl Rinsch would later be tapped to helm the science fiction series White Horse for Netflix, but that fell apart when the streamer sued him for misspending the funds.
Keanu Reeves Surprisingly Isn’t the Standout of ’47 Ronin’
Despite having top billing in 47 Ronin, Keanu Reeves has a very small role in the final movie. Part of that is due to the fact that Reeves was making his directorial debut in the martial arts movie Man of Tai Chi, but the fact is that the story already had a protagonist in the form of Yoshio Ōishi (Hiroyuki Sanada). In the original legend of the 47 Ronin, Ōishi serves as the leader of the other Ronin; Sanada brings a gravity to the scene that helps ground the story in actual emotion. Sanada also told Collider prior to 47 Ronin‘s release that the movie held a special meaning for him:
“It’s a very special movie for me. Not only a Samurai thing. Not only a Hollywood fantasy. It has a very special mixture between Japanese traditional culture and Western culture for the costume, set, story. Everything. I believe it will be a very special film that no one has ever seen.”
While 47 Ronin might not be among Keanu Reeves’ best movies, it’s definitely ambitious enough to warrant a watch. The mix of history and fantasy is the kind of bold swing you rarely see in Hollywood, and it proves Reeves still pushes the boundaries of what can be done in the action genre.
- Release Date
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December 25, 2013
- Runtime
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128 Minutes
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