A Texas judge denied a new trial for Karmelo Anthony on Saturday in the stabbing death of a 17-year-old athlete at a high school track meet, a killing that drew national attention and led to harassment of the families.

RELATED: Karmelo Anthony’s Lawyers Request A New Trial And Judge Following Conviction (UPDATE)

Anthony, 19, was convicted of murder in June and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the April 2025 killing of Austin Metcalf, 17.
Judge Michael Chitty denied the retrial motion in a half-page order following a two-day hearing this week near Dallas, citing a review of the evidence and arguments. He did not elaborate.

Russell Wilson, Anthony’s attorney, said the defense would appeal.
“Our commitment to our client has not changed,” Wilson said. “We will continue to advocate vigorously on his behalf through every lawful avenue available.”
At the center of Anthony’s retrial request was an off-the-record agreement between prosecutors and his trial defense team to keep damaging character evidence about both teenagers out of the proceeding. Both sides agreed to hold back evidence that risked further inflaming a case already boiling with racial tensions and death threats.
The case attracted widespread attention in part because of a flood of social media posts that amplified the killing in racial terms. Anthony is Black; Metcalf was white. Lawyers on both sides, however, told jurors that the case had nothing to do with race.
But worries that prosecutors would renege on the agreement as Anthony prepared to testify, his attorneys say, came after a heated argument between lawyers on both sides and changed their defense strategy at the eleventh hour. Anthony ultimately decided not to testify.
Prosecutor Bill Wirskye defended the trial as fair this week.
“We respect, and expected, the court’s decision denying the motion for a new trial,” Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said after the denial was announced. “The jury’s guilty verdict stands, and we remain confident in the process. Every defendant has the right to appeal, and our thoughts and prayers remain with the Metcalf family in the painful wake of last week’s hearing.”
Anthony’s attorneys also demanded a retrial because they said trial judge John Roach’s courtroom rules were so strict that they limited the public’s access to the proceedings. And in asking for Roach’s recusal, they noted that he gave a posttrial interview with a Dallas TV station in which he expressed agreement with the jury’s decision.
“Whatever they say, they got it right,” Roach said.
Roach said his rules were necessary for a fair trial, and prosecutors insisted he did nothing wrong.
Jurors rejected Anthony’s claims that he was defending himself during a confrontation with Metcalf in the bleachers of the track meet.
Anthony and Metcalf were athletes for different high schools in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, where several teams were competing on the rainy spring day when the meet took place.
Anthony sat under the tent that belonged to Metcalf’s team, and Metcalf and others repeatedly told him to leave, witnesses testified. That led to an escalating confrontation.
Prosecutors said Anthony provoked Metcalf, and witnesses identified Anthony as the aggressor.
At one point Anthony reached inside a bag and said: “Touch me and see what happens,” according to a police report.
Witnesses said Metcalf pushed Anthony, who pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.

Associated Press writer Jamie Stengle contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.

Following its original 2018 debut, The Rookie has become one of the most popular television shows, thanks to its unique blend of humor and the traditional police procedural format. Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) has become a fan favorite along with Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil). Thanks to the character’s integrity and Winter’s compelling dramatic intensity, Tim is known for many iconic quotes throughout the show’s eight seasons. However, one quote in particular in Season 2 stands out as one of the best in the show’s history.

Tim Bradford Offers Crucial Wisdom for Lucy Chen in ‘The Rookie’ Season 2

During Season 2, Episode 11, “Day of Death,” Lucy is kidnapped, buried alive, and nearly killed by the serial killer Caleb Wright (Michael Cassidy), a protégé of Rosalind Dyer (Annie Wersching). Thanks to the efforts of Lucy’s friends and colleagues in the Mid-Wilshire Division, she is saved at the end of the episode. However, Lucy still deals with the trauma of the ordeal for years. Specifically, in the Season 2 episode “Now and Then,” Lucy contemplates what to do about the tattoo that Wright forced on her, which marks what would have been her date of death. After witnessing Lucy’s emotional turmoil, Tim provides Lucy with some crucial wisdom to help her with the decision:

“You can choose to see that tattoo as your greatest failure. But I see it as proof that you’re a survivor. It wasn’t your day of death, Officer Chen. It was the first day of the rest of your life. And no one can take that away from you.”

Throughout the episode, Lucy struggled with what to do about the tattoo. Tim’s advice encouraged Lucy not to remove it but to own it, not as a sign of victimhood, but to prove she’s a survivor. As Tim explained earlier, the scars you receive in life become a part of who you are, and his advice helps Lucy come to grips with the trauma. Tim’s unforgettable moment with Lucy reinforced his character as an attentive training officer for his then-rookie student. It also demonstrated that Tim genuinely cared for Lucy and her well-being, recognizing how much Caleb tattooing her “day of death” was affecting her emotionally.

The Quote Epitomizes the Importance of Tim and Lucy’s Relationship

There are many great Tim and Lucy moments in The Rookie, but this is easily one of the best. Additionally, it’s important to note that Tim’s quote proves crucial in the buildup to Tim and Lucy’s eventual romance. Viewers recognized the obvious romantic chemistry between the two characters going back to the first season. Lucy’s kidnapping hit Tim very hard, as he was racked with guilt, feeling responsible for the incident, and became desperate to save her. Although Tim’s quote was not delivered romantically, it signifies Tim’s respect and admiration for Lucy, as well as how much Lucy appreciates Tim’s wisdom and guidance.

The moment plays out in a small but significant manner in the grander development of Tim and Lucy’s relationship, hinting at the possibility of feelings between them. Plus, it definitely added to The Rookie viewers’ anticipation of Tim and Lucy eventually falling in love and getting together, as the LAPD officers start a relationship in Season 5. Although the couple broke up in Season 6, they eventually resumed their relationship and moved in together early in Season 8.

Tim Bradford Will Need Some Strong Motivational Quotes in ‘The Rookie’ Season 9

Image via ABC

Tim Bradford must maintain that impeccable moral integrity and fiber in “Now and Then” when The Rookie returns for its upcoming ninth season. Unfortunately, the Season 8 finale, “The Bandit,” ended with Tim and Lucy getting kidnapped by thugs hired by Heath Everett (Jeffrey Vincent Parise) in the episode’s final moments, which happened just after Tim proposed to Lucy. Season 9 will pick up with the newly engaged Tim and Lucy in captivity and fighting for their lives, as their friends in the Mid-Wilshire Division desperately seek to rescue them.

Tim’s strength of character served him so well as a police officer, military soldier, and Lucy’s instructor, and these strengths should help him deal with his captors. Perhaps he can even drop some strong lines similar to the aforementioned quote that will similarly define Tim Bradford’s overall character arc for the series. Ultimately, The Rookie Season 9 can’t get here fast enough, as we patiently wait for its 2027 debut.

Mychal Threets is sharing an update on his wellness amid the Reading Rainbow host’s recent hospitalization.

“I just wanted to apologize for worrying so many people,” Threets, 36, said in a video shared via Threads on Saturday, August 22. “I just got back from a five-day stay at the hospital, a five-day psychiatric hold. I haven’t been OK for what feels like a very, very long time. I am not OK. But I have hope that I will get to OK.”

He continued, “I’m on the struggle bookmobile. It’s gonna take a long time for me to be OK. It’s going to take a long time, but I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ to the multitude of doctors, nurses and mental health workers I saw — it’s not enough, but thank you, you saved my life.”

The Reading Rainbow host announced he’s unwell on Monday, August 17, revealing his plan to check himself into a nearby hospital amid mental health concerns.

Related: ‘Reading Rainbow’ Host Discussed Anxiety Struggles Before Hospitalization

New Reading Rainbow host Mychal Threets has been candid about his mental health struggles. “We need to give Doechii their flowers for making a song about anxiety,” Threets, 36, recently wrote via TikTok, sharing footage of himself holding a bouquet while shouting out the singer’s popular song. “We really needed that, and she came through!” […]

“I am not OK. Maybe I’ll never be okay. I’m seeking help. Going to the hopital [sic] tomorrow,” the TikTok famous librarian shared via Threads at the time. “In this moment I am safe. By God’s grace.”

Threets continued, “No matter what happens to me I will always be thankful for the extraordinary people in my life who worry, who help me. Thank you for your care. I will always love you.”

Us reached out to Threets for comment at the time but did not hear back.

Prior to his hospitalization, Threets alluded to mental health issues while acknowledging how powerful it can be when famous artists and others with massive social and cultrual platforms share their own experiences with mental illness.

Related: Perez Hilton’s Podcast Cohost Addresses Blogger’s Troubling Livestream

Advertisement

Perez Hilton’s podcast cohost, Chris Booker, has broken his silence after the blogger’s troubling livestream and subsequent hospitalization. “I am so profoundly sad for Perez and his family and what they’re all going through. It’s truly unimaginable,” Booker, 55, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, August 5. “I have only spoken briefly with the family. I […]

“We need to give Doechii their flowers for making a song about anxiety,” Threets recently wrote via TikTok, sharing footage that showed the librarian holding a bouquet while shouting out the singer’s popular song. “We really needed that, and she came through!”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

While sharing his Saturday update, Threets reiterated that it’s OK to be “struggling” in life.

“We’re struggling, we’re human beings, we’re doing our best,” he continued in the video, at times growing emotional. “Thank you for being you. Thank you for staying. Maybe I’ll see you at the library. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.”

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Lady Gaga has scored a major legal victory in the battle over her “Mayhem” album branding. A federal judge sided with the singer, finding that her use of the name is protected by free-speech principles.

The ruling follows an earlier win for Gaga, when the same judge rejected Lost Surfboards’ attempt to block her from selling “Mayhem” merchandise while the case played out.

4

Lady Gaga has defeated a trademark lawsuit accusing her of infringing on a surfboard brand with the name of her “Mayhem” album.

U.S. District Judge Fernando M. Olguin dismissed the case on Tuesday, August 18, ruling that Gaga’s use of the word was protected by the First Amendment. Lost Surfboards had sued the singer last year, arguing that consumers could mistakenly believe the album was connected to its Mayhem line, which the company says it has sold since the 1980s.

According to Billboard, the company also took issue with Gaga’s stylized red “Mayhem” logo, claiming it closely resembled branding used on its surfboards and merchandise. However, Olguin found that the lawsuit failed to show that Gaga had explicitly misled consumers about the source of her work. The judge noted that titles of expressive works, such as albums, receive heightened free-speech protection.

Gaga Fought Off Attempt To Ban ‘Mayhem’ Merch

Months before the lawsuit was dismissed, Gaga was already fighting Lost’s attempt to restrict how she used “Mayhem.”

In May 2025, the surf company sought a preliminary injunction barring Gaga from using the name on clothing and accessories while the case proceeded. The request covered everything from T-shirts and jackets to caps, sandals and tank tops.

Gaga pushed back hard, calling Lost’s consumer-confusion argument “nonsensical.” Her filing stressed that her merchandise was sold primarily through her website and concert tour, while Lost targeted a niche surf market.

Gaga further argued that she had no plans to enter Lost’s territory, bluntly stating that she had “no interest in selling surf gear.” Judge Olguin later denied Lost’s request, allowing Gaga to keep selling the disputed merchandise as the case continued.

Lady Gaga Said ‘Mayhem’ Reflected Her Personal Chaos

4

Long before “Mayhem” became the subject of a courtroom fight, Gaga had opened up about why the word felt so personal to her.

Speaking to “Good Morning America” around the album’s March 2025 release, Gaga said the title reflected the different versions of herself she has navigated throughout her career. She described feeling as though she had been “playing multiple different people” while learning to hold those identities together.

That internal conflict also connected to how she viewed the world around her. Gaga said she wanted the record to capture personal chaos while still giving listeners something they could celebrate and dance through.

‘Mayhem’ Became One Of Lady Gaga’s Biggest Recent Wins

4

Whatever the courtroom drama surrounding its name, “Mayhem” quickly became one of Gaga’s biggest recent commercial successes. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking Gaga’s seventh chart-topper and the biggest opening week for an album by a woman at that point in 2025.

Streaming also delivered a career high. “Mayhem” generated 108.05 million official on-demand streams during its first week, while 136,000 units came from traditional album sales. The project made an immediate impact beyond the album chart. Ten songs from “Mayhem” landed on the Billboard Hot 100 in the same week, led by “Die With a Smile” at No. 2 and “Abracadabra” at No. 19.

Gaga also broke a Billboard record when “Mayhem” became her eighth No. 1 on the Top Dance Albums chart, giving her the most leaders in the ranking’s history. Physical sales were strong too, with 74,000 vinyl copies sold in the album’s first week, another personal best for Gaga.

The Story Behind Lost Surfboards’ ‘Mayhem’ Name

4

For Lost Surfboards, “Mayhem” was part of the brand’s identity long before Gaga entered the picture. The company traces its roots to 1985, when shaper Matt Biolos and a group of school friends formed “Team Lost” around their shared love of surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding.

Biolos began sanding surfboards after high school in 1987 and soon started shaping his own. He adopted “Mayhem” as a nickname, inspired by the second board model he shaped, and the name became closely tied to his work. Over the years, Lost grew from a small California surf operation into an international brand.

When they sued Gaga in 2025, Biolos said his company had been making “Lost Mayhem boards” for nearly 40 years. He also framed the dispute as a fight over the brand’s image. Biolos said Lost catered to surfers, skaters, and snowboarders who valued its alternative identity and feared mainstream pop merchandise could dilute that reputation.

Singer and former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kandi Burruss finalized her divorce from Todd Tucker in March 2026. Since then, the two have remained amicable as they co-parent their two young children, leading some to wonder if a reconciliation may be brewing. Recently, in a new interview, the “RHOA” alum shot down the reports.

5

Burruss appeared on “The Ricky Smiley Morning Show” in August 2026 to promote her one-woman show, “I Do, I Did, I’m Done.” During the interview, the show touched on the current state of her relationship with Tucker, and she gave an update.

In a clip from the interview, the “RHOA” alum stated, “I feel like the more we are able to get past the drama, the better we’re able to get along as friends.” After that, she highlighted the recent rumors, saying, “People automatically wanna say, ‘Oh, they’re getting back together.’ Now, because it’s hard for me to push past certain things.”

Notably, Burruss’ comments come after the two embarked on a family vacation in July 2026, with the singer/songwriter sharing footage on social media. In the post, she was seen asking Tucker about the book he was reading, “Daily Prayers for Men.”

She joked in the video, “Let me just say this. We was married for almost 12 years, and that man ain’t never had no Prayers for Men book, none of that. Now we divorced, and he wanna be out here on the beach, well out on the pool with his Daily Prayers for Men book.”

The ‘Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ Alum Also Cleared Up Reports About Her Divorce

5

Later in the conversation, one of the show’s co-hosts, rapper Da Brat, chimed in to discuss the divorce settlement. Specifically, she appeared to believe earlier reports that Tucker had walked away from the marriage with a portion of Burruss’ estate from before their time together.

This led the “RHOA” alum to call out one of the show’s other hosts for reporting it incorrectly. In clarifying, she said, “The only thing that was split between us was the things we built together. Meaning the properties we bought together.”

Burruss added, “Anything that was mine – if it was mine before, it’s mine after.” She went on, “Even if it was mine in the middle time, if it was just mine, it was still mine. So, I think the impression that was given was that he was able to get me for all these things.”

The Terms Of Their Divorce

5

Burrus filed for divorce from Tucker on November 21, 2025. Days later, during an Amazon Live session, the songstress broke her silence on the matter, saying, “This is something that has been brewing for a while.”

She continued, “All the times you’ve been seeing me online [all smiles] means nothing. I’ve been going through it, child. I’ve been going through it. Life has been life-ing me.” In subsequent months leading up to the divorce being finalized, she revealed that the marriage reached its final straw in July 2025, and she’s since hinted that infidelity may have been the cause.

Regarding the divorce settlement, according to Us Weekly, Burruss and Tucker will share joint legal and physical custody of their 10-year-old and six-year-old children. Neither of them will be required to pay child or spousal support. The “RHOA” alum will retain the kids’ passports, but Tucker can request them ahead of international travel.

Advertisement

Regarding finances, Burruss was required to pay Tucker a lump sum of $426,000. The settlement also required the couple to sell a shared food truck and divided their vehicles. The real estate portion of the settlement was redacted, but Tucker was ordered to vacate the marital home within 15 days.

Kandi’s Daughter, Riley Burruss, Has Opened Up About The Divorce

5

Though not her biological dad, Tucker has been part of Riley Burruss‘ life since she was a child, as he and the “RHOA” star began dating in 2011 and married in 2014. The “Next Gen NYC” star broke her silence in July 2026 during an interview on “Today on SiriusXM.”

She said, “I will say, a lot of people forget the fact that yes, a divorce happens between two people, but it affects more than just those two people.” Riley then said, “So it is really hard for me.”

Regarding how she’d handled the divorce, Riley shared, “It’s just been a year of adapting. It’s tough at times. It’s easy at times. It’s confusing. I’m still learning, honestly.”

Kandi’s One Woman Show Is Nearing Its End

5

Burruss began publicly discussing her one-woman show, “I Do, I Did, I’m Done,” in March 2026. Initially, the City Winery event was intended to be a one-off. However, following the runaway success of the first show, held in Atlanta in April 2026, she turned it into a tour.

Now, per her official website, “I Do, I Did, I’m done” has two more dates, with the final performance taking place on September 20 in Chicago.

Advertisement

Melissa Gilbert can’t help but take the recent deaths of former child stars Hayden Panettiere, Michelle Trachtenberg and Daveigh Chase personally.

“They are gone and the question I have been turning over and over in my head is, ‘WHY?’. Why are these three, sweet, wildly talented, vibrant, vital young women gone?” Gilbert, 62, wrote in an essay shared via her Substack on Saturday, August 22. “And why does this all feel so personal to me? I did not know Hayden personally and only worked briefly with Mishy and Daveigh. It feels personal because I was them.”

She continued, “We are all members of the same tribe; Female Former Child Performers, and when one of us dies, it runs through all of us like an electrical current. When three of us die so close together, something is very, very wrong.”

News broke on Sunday, August 16, that Panettiere died of an apparent drug overdose. She was 36. Trachtenberg died in February of this year at the age of 39, while Chase died in June at the age of 35.

Related: Melissa Gilbert Mourns Daveigh Chase After Her Death: ‘Truly Heartbroken’

Melissa Gilbert is paying tribute to former costar Daveigh Chase after her death. “This is the @daveighchase.official I knew,” Gilbert, 62, wrote via Instagram on Monday, June 29, sharing a photo of Chase as a child. “I shot a pilot for a series with her 20+ years ago. Two wonderful humans @thejackcoleman and @kevinzegers1984 played […]

Gilbert famously starred as Laura Ingalls on the hit TV series Little House on the Prairie from 1974 to 1983 and starting at just 10 years old. She later became the youngest person at the time to secure a star on Hollywood’s iconic Walk of Fame. (Gilbert most recently made headlines for fiercely supporting her husband Timothy Busfield was arrested and charged with child sex abuse after alleged altercations with two male child actors. Busfield, 69, has denied the allegations, pleaded not guilty and has filed a motion to quash the grand jury indictment.)

While speaking about the death of three young women actors in such quick succession, Gilbert blamed an overwhelming lack of privacy for the apparent epidemic.

“We all know the stories of how the entertainment industry uses, abuses, exploits and then throws away its youngest, but for some reason, this trend is getting worse,” she wrote. “My thinking is that it is tied to the invention of the mobile phone. Once a VIP area, lung or anything meant privacy. We could travel to restaurants, events, clubs, etc. and go through the paparazzi into a safe zone. The invention of the mobile phone with camera obliterated that. No everyone is a paparazzo. There is no privacy. What’s worse, is that what was once kept private is now exploited and sold.”

Gilbert also blamed the unrealistic and unsustainable expectations placed on child actors, drawing on her own experience on the Little House on the Prairie set.

“One of the most universal assets and ultimate liabilities I hear about child actors is that they, ‘Deliver no matter what.’ They are referred to as ‘soldiers,’ ‘Machines,’ ‘Pros.’ Saying ‘no’ is something child actors are discouraged from doing. Lest they seem difficult,” she wrote. “And then, there’s the ‘Doctor Show Syndrome.’ That’s the thing that kicks in and enables us to perform when we are sick both physically and emotionally.”

She continued, “I can’t tell you how many times I worked while horribly sick, injured or worse. My father died when I was just 11 years old and I was back working on Little House within months. And not one single adult on that set discussed it with me or offered condolences. I later found out that the fear was I would become too upset to work. I was 11, my Daddy had just died and I was shattered. Thank God my character cried in every single episode. That, as twisted as it sounds, was my therapy. My release.”

Related: Anna Paquin Recalls Dangers of Childhood Fame: ‘We Were Not as Protected’

Anna Paquin is looking back at the dangers of childhood stardom. “It’s not a coincidence that so many former, specially pre-sexualized female ‘child stars’ have profoundly sad lives and untimely ends,” Paquin, 44, wrote via Instagram on Friday, August 21, reflecting on her experience as a child actress. “We were not as protected by the […]

Gilbert then gave a shout out to Anna Paquin, who issued a call to action among her fellow child actors in the wake of Panettiere, Trachtenberg and Chase’s deaths.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

“[Paquin] did put these three tragic deaths together and offered for anyone experiencing similar issues to reach out to her,” she wrote. “I actually see in that, the beginning of a possible solution of sorts.”

She concluded, “I have this image in my mind of Hayden’s little girl who will now grow up without her Mama. She is 11 years old. That’s the same age I was when my father died. And now I am weeping as I type this and I just want to cream from the rooftops, ‘ENOUGH.’”

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).

Post-apocalyptic science fiction is having one hell of a run right now. Silo has trapped humanity underground, The Last of Us has turned America into a fungal nightmare, and Fallout has demonstrated that apparently there’s no good place to hide from the end of the world. But more than a decade ago, Bong Joon Ho decided humanity’s last survivors should simply live on a train. The result was one of the best science-fiction movies of the 2010s.

Snowpiercer, the acclaimed 126-minute sci-fi thriller from Bong, is currently trending streaming on Prime Video, giving audiences another opportunity to discover the director’s freezing, violent and extremely weird vision of the apocalypse. The premise falls somewhere between Silo and The Last of Us. After a failed global-warming experiment, a post-apocalyptic Ice Age has killed off nearly all life on the planet. All that remains of humanity are the lucky few survivors that boarded the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe, powered by a sacred perpetual-motion engine.

A class system has evolved aboard the train, fiercely dividing its population — but a revolution is brewing; the lower-class passengers in the tail section stage an uprising, moving car-by-car up toward the front of the train, where the train’s creator and absolute authority resides in splendor. But unexpected circumstances lie in wait for humanity’s tenacious survivors.

Who Stars in ‘Snowpiercer’?

Snowpiercer stars Chris Evans (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) as Curtis Everett, Song Kang-ho (Parasite) as Namgoong Minsoo, Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) as Minister Mason, Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) as Edgar, Octavia Spencer (The Help) as Tanya, John Hurt (Alien) as Gilliam, Ed Harris (The Truman Show) as Wilford, Ewen Bremner (Trainspotting) as Andrew, Go Ah-sung (The Host) as Yona, and Alison Pill (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) as the Teacher.

The movie was also another early indication of what Bong would eventually accomplish with Parasite. Beneath all the bloody action and increasingly bonkers production design is a vicious examination of wealth and class, with the physical structure of the train allowing Curtis to literally fight his way through society’s hierarchy. Snowpiercer currently holds an outstanding 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes from more than 260 reviews, and its reputation ended up being the driving force in the creation of a four-season television adaptation starring Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs.

Snowpiercer runs for 126 minutes, and is streaming now on Prime Video.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

2020 – 2024-00-00

Advertisement

Network

AMC, TNT

Showrunner

Advertisement

Paul Zbyszewski

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

New York Knicks shooting guard Josh Hart is still adjusting to life as a NBA champ. Thankfully, some things — like his home life with his wife, Shannon Hart (née Phillips), and their 3-year-old twins — stay the same, no matter what.

“You’re getting pulled in so many different directions, it’s always good to have a good foundation — a sounding board to kind of always come back to,” Hart, 31, exclusively told Us on Thursday, August 20, while discussing his new role as Scouting America ambassador.

“And obviously, you know, they’re there to support you through all those moments and coach those, you know, appearances with you or work out with you, you know — those kind of things,” he continued of how vital his wife’s support has been since he made his NBA debut with the Los Angeles Lakers on October 20, 2017. “So for me, it’s been a great time because obviously we travel so much during the year and, you know, game days are basically, ‘Walk through, take a nap and then get in the car and go.’”

He added, “So it’s been great to kind of, obviously, have that sounding board and support system — like I said — to always kind of ball back on and, you know, comfort [you].”

Hart and his wife have been together since August 2021 and share 3-year-old twin boys Hendrix and Haze. After joining the Knicks in 2023 after the franchise acquired the guard via a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for three players — Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono and Svi Mykhailiuk — and a future draft pick, Hart helped the Knicks win their first NBA Finals Championship over 50 years.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Now that he has a NBA ring to go with his NCAA championship hardware (Hart was a member of the 2016 Villanova Wildcats championship team), the athlete is looking to the future while navigating superstardom and keeping one foot firmly planted on the ground thanks to his family.

Advertisement

Related: Gabrielle! Ayesha! Jordyn! Meet the Partners of Basketball Players

Gabrielle Union, Ayesha Curry, Jordyn Woods and more stars have settled down with professional basketball players over the years. The Bring It On actress, for her part, met Dwyane Wade in 2007 at a Super Bowl party. The two called it quits in early 2013 due to conflicting schedules and long-distance difficulties, but rekindled their […]

“August has been the most chill time that I’ve kind of had, and I still have stuff that I’m doing,” he said of his post-championship summer. “I’m out east and now I’m able to kind of separate myself from it and appreciate it. But initially, it was just a whirlwind. You’re doing so many different things — you’re doing interviews here, you’re doing brand appearances where. You’re doing — I didn’t go to the ESPYs, thankfully — but you have award shows.”

He continued, “You have all these things that you’re doing, so it’s really just a sprint — you’re just trying to do all these things, and I think that that’s, like, one part that kind of sucks about it because you’re trying to do all these things and then, you know, you pick your head up and it’s almost September … and you’re like, ‘Now I gotta get back to work.’ And they’re gonna crown a new champion — hopefully it’s us — again in June. You don’t want to lose time to actually appreciate it, but it’s tough.”

Jessie James Decker is opening up about her decision to remove her breast implants.

“I’ve officially locked in the date and made the decision to take out my VERY large breast implants,” Decker, 38, wrote via Instagram on Friday, August 21. “I know I’ve been talking about this for probably six months, but I’m finally setting things into motion!”

The country singer underwent a breast augmentation in 2021 before ultimately deciding to get the implants taken out.

“Ultimately, I would love to explant altogether, but I know myself, and realistically I’m not sure I’m totally ready for that yet,” Decker said, referring to the surgery to remove implants. “I’ve had such large ones for so long I don’t know what I have underneath it all.  What I think I’m ready for is what they’re calling juicy ballerina boobies!?”

Related: Jessie James Decker Shares Before-and-After Body Transformation Pics

Jessie James Decker is proud of her progress after sticking to a workout regimen and fueling her body with the proper nutrition. Decker, 38, showed off her ripped figure in a side-by-side pic via Instagram on Wednesday, June 18, sharing that she’s happier with her physique now than she was at 23 years old. “Why? […]

Decker credited her recent and ongoing “fitness journey” with inspiring her decision.

“I’ve been on such a fitness journey with y’all and my @jjdfitclub getting stronger and more confident than ever,” she wrote of her eponymous training program. “I’m not stopping and I don’t want anything holding me back. This strong girl era has really helped me feel more connected to my body and what feels right for me. I just don’t feel like these big implants fit who I am anymore.”

Decker, a mom of four, explained how welcoming son Denver in 2024 “really kickstarted” her “less is more chapter.” (In addition to Denver, Jessie and husband Eric Decker share daughter Vivianne, 12, and sons Eric Jr., 10, and Forrest, 8.)

“I want less maintenance in my life and I’m embracing my natural girl era,” she continued. “Maybe it’s getting closer to 40, but I’ve reached this place where I want to feel the most like myself. Having a daughter has made me think about it even more. I never want her to feel like she has to do all this upkeep to feel beautiful.”

Jessie further noted via her Instagram Stories on Friday that she was “undecided” about whether to have explant surgery or instead “downsize” her implants.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Related: Jessie James Decker Says Healthy Body Image Isn’t ‘About Being Skinny’

Advertisement

Jessie James Decker has been known to confront body-shamers over the years, but her confidence didn’t come easily. The 35-year-old exclusively opened up about her relationship with her body in the new issue of Us Weekly, confessing that having children caused some major changes. (She shares Vivianne, 9, Eric Jr., 7, and Forrest, 5, with […]

“What has been decided is that I don’t want them in my way anymore,” she stated.

Jessie launched her JJD Fit Club app in June.

“I know how easy it is to keep putting yourself on the back burner. To say ‘I’ll start when things calm down’ or ‘I’ll start when I have more time,’” Jessie wrote via Instagram earlier this month, promoting her fitness program. “I didn’t wake up one day and magically become the strongest version of myself. This has been YEARS of showing up, starting again, pushing through different seasons of life, having babies, having hard days, having moments I didn’t feel like doing it … and STILL choosing to keep going!!!!”

Jamie Foxx is expecting a child with his girlfriend, Alyce Huckstepp, but the thought of becoming a father again initially left the actor with some serious doubts.

The “Ray” actor and Huckstepp were first linked in August 2022 when they attended the premiere of “Day Shift” together. Their romance became more serious in 2023, and the pair were later seen vacationing at the Nobu Hotel in Los Cabos, Mexico.

After going through a breakup and eventually finding their way back to each other, Foxx and Huckstepp are now preparing to embrace a new chapter. 

5

During a recent conversation with his eldest daughter, Corinne Foxx, the actor admitted he questioned whether he was ready to take on fatherhood once more, after 15 years.

“Being my age, I was a little on the fence,” Foxx told E! News. “But then I ran into Al Pacino a few months ago.” 

The encounter gave the Oscar winner the reassurance he needed to embrace the idea. “I said, ‘Al, you gonna be back in the drop-off line?’” Foxx recalled asking the octogenarian who welcomed a son two years ago. “I said, ‘Aw man, shoot, I’m good!’”

Foxx is already a father to Corinne, whom he shares with Connie Klein, and Anelise Bishop, whose mother is Kristin Grannis. The forthcoming baby with Huckstepp would be his third child and the couple’s first together.

Fans Celebrated Foxx’s Baby News

5

Before Foxx publicly confirmed the pregnancy, rumors first surfaced in May that he and Huckstepp were expecting a child.

The news quickly sparked excitement among fans, with one X user celebrating the development and sending their best wishes to the couple as they prepare for parenthood.

Another user described the announcement as a major personal milestone, adding that “Foxx has had quite a journey,” per The Blast.

Jamie Foxx And Huckstepp Reunited Last Year After Their Split 

5

While Foxx and the fitness model are now preparing to welcome their baby, their relationship has not been without its ups and downs.

The couple reportedly broke up in January 2025, and before then, the actor admitted to changing his dating preferences.  He performed a song in his Netflix special, “Jamie Foxx What Had Happened Was…” declaring, “I’ve been cured. I’ve been cured of everything, no more white girls.”

However, by August, The Blast reported that Foxx and the Australian model were seen together on a date, appearing to have rekindled their romance.

 For the outing, the “Strays” actor wore a patterned shirt with ripped jeans, sneakers, a wide-brimmed hat, silver chains, and shades. Huckstepp paired a sparkling silver bralette under mesh with black pants, heels, a chain purse, and a sleek ponytail.

The ‘Django Unchained’ Star Strongly Reacted To The BAFTA Scandal 

5

Aside from Foxx’s personal life, he has remained outspoken about events in the entertainment industry.

In February, the actor criticized the BAFTA Awards after Tourette’s activist John Davidson was heard using a racial slur during the ceremony.

The incident occurred as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo took the stage to present the evening’s first award, when the offensive word was heard from the audience.

According to The Blast, Foxx did not hold back in expressing his opinion and suggested that Davidson’s use of the word was intentional. “Out of all the words you could’ve said, Tourette’s makes you say that. Nah he meant that sh-t. Unacceptable,” Foxx lamented. 

As Foxx’s comments drew reactions, Tourette’s Action, a UK charity, explained that involuntary vocal tics associated with Tourette syndrome are not intentional and do not reflect a person’s beliefs or character. 

Foxx Praised Michael B. Jordan After Oscar Win

5

While speaking out about the incident, Foxx has also celebrated his fellow actor’s wins. Jordan claimed the Best Actor award for his performance as twin brothers in Ryan Coogler’s period vampire film “Sinners.”

During his acceptance speech, Jordan paid tribute to the Black actors who paved the way for his success, including Foxx, Denzel Washington, and Halle Berry. 

Per The Blast, Foxx was excited to see the “Creed” star mention him in the ranks of Black performers who have earned recognition. 

He reposted a video of Jordan’s speech and wrote, “Words can’t express how proud I am of you. You deserve this and so much more. Congratulations, my brother.”