Over a month after its release, Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender became a massive hit. What was supposed to be a theatrical release ended up a streaming exclusive on Paramount+, and it didn’t take long for the feature to dominate the streaming charts. And while the movie was leaked, fans continued to show support. Now they’re given another opportunity to show their love for the film.

Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender takes place 13 years after the end of the Hundred-Year War, as Republic City is being established. The movie brings back Avatar Aang, now voiced by Eric Nam, who learns about an ancient Avatar relic that could potentially be used to restore the Air Nomads. Aang is once again joined by Team Avatar, with Jessica Matten voicing Katara, Roman Zaragoza as Sokka, Dionne Quan as Toph Beifong, and Steven Yeun as Fire Lord Zuko. The film also brings several notable names into the Avatar universe, including Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy), who voices Tagah, an ancient Airbender Aang encounters during his search for the relic, and Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok), who plays a spirit named Gorillavark. The supporting cast also includes Ronny Chieng (M3GAN) as a Fire Nation messenger, Ken Jeong (KPop Demon Hunters) as the Cabbage Merchant, and Ke Huy Quan (Loki) as Avatar Xian, an Earthbending Avatar.

As discussion of physical ownership becomes more prevalent following what’s going on with Sony, fans no longer have to worry about Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender becoming lost media, as a physical release has been announced. Listed for $45.99 on Amazon, the physical release of Avatar: The Last Airbender is a 4K UHD steelbook. The product is available for pre-order and is scheduled for release on February 9, 2027.

Is ‘Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender’ Worth Watching?

Image via Paramount

Since its release, Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender received high praise, earning a 90% Certified Fresh Critics’ Score and a 99% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 3.7-star rating on Letterboxd. Both audiences and critics said this feature should have entered theaters, was well animated, and did a good job serving its devoted fanbase. Collider’s Aidan Kelly gave Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender a 7/10 in his review, citing great animation and details fans would recognize, but criticized the fact that the supporting cast was not given much to do and that it was more made for fans than newcomers to the franchise.

Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender is available to stream on Paramount+.

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Release Date

July 25, 2026

Runtime

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99 minutes

Director

Lauren Montgomery, Steve Ahn, William Mata

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  Jessica Matten

  Katara (voice)

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  Román Zaragoza

  Sokka (voice)

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Sarah Jane Nader is following in her sister Brooks Nader’s footsteps by competing on Dancing With the Stars — but she’s not planning to copy her every move.

In fact, Sarah Jane, 23, exclusively told Us on Wednesday, September 2, that Brooks, 29, gave her one warning ahead of stepping into the ballroom and it seemingly had to do with her ex-boyfriend DWTS pro Gleb Savchenko.

“She told me not to do anything she did, which is fine,” Sarah Jane said with a smile while attending the Dancing with the Stars post-cast reveal event in New York City.

The Love Thy Nader star noted that Brooks — who struck up a showmance with her season 33 partner Savchenko — also gave her some more positive advice.

“She really just said to enjoy every moment and, like, soak it up and embrace the challenging [side] of it all,” Sarah Jane recalled. “[She said] don’t be scared to embarrass yourself. And so I’m really just leaning in.”

While Sarah Jane experienced her sister’s highs and lows with Savchenko before he and Brooks split for good in April 2025, she isn’t letting their messy breakup plague her own time on the show. (Us exclusively confirmed in September 2024 that Brooks was “hooking up” with Savchenko amid their partnership. Brooks and Savchenko later split in October 2024 following their DWTS elimination before rekindling the romance that December.)

“I think this is my own journey, and I’m not really thinking about Gleb during it,” Sarah Jane told Us on Wednesday. “I mean, I think we’re really locked in on the dance of it all, and like, it’s a lot to think about already.”

She cracked a smile, adding, “So I’m not thinking about a sister’s ex, honestly.”

Luckily for Sarah Jane, Savchenko isn’t returning as a pro for season 35 — but he could always make a cameo or show up in the crowd to support his friends.

He broke his silence about not being a part of the cast this time around via Instagram, telling fans, “Guys, I promise… I’m good 😂❤️.”

Savchenko, 42, noted on Wednesday that he has “nothing but love and gratitude for all the years in that ballroom. Excited for this next chapter — and wishing everyone an amazing season 🪩.”

Related: Brooks Nader Reveals the Tough Advice Her Sisters Gave Her About Dating

Brooks Nader’s sisters don’t shy away from weighing in on her dating life. Appearing on the Thursday, August 13, episode of YouTube series Bumble’s Bee Line, Brooks, 29, answered a caller’s question about her siblings. “Hi, Brooks. I’m wondering if your sisters have ever given you any dating advice that maybe you didn’t want to […]

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Sarah Jane, meanwhile, is focused on making history after being paired with female pro Hailey Bills, marking the show’s first time two women have competed as partners.

“I’ve never ballroom danced, so I’m learning everything for the first time. All I’m going to know is female on female dancing,” Sarah Jane told Us of her approach to working with Bills, 20, who is a first-time professional herself. (Bills was previously a troupe dancer and is the niece of longtime pro Jenna Johnson.)

Bills exclusively told Us on Wednesday that she has “never danced with a female before” so it will be “an adjustment for sure.”

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She explained, “Working with a girl, seeing who can be the lead, who can be the follow” is different than she’s used to.

“But I’m honestly having fun figuring it out. It’s like we can switch it up and be unique with it. So I think this is an awesome opportunity,” Bills added.

Dancing With the Stars premieres on ABC and Disney+ with a two-night event beginning Tuesday, September 15, at 8 p.m. ET. New episodes will stream the next day on Hulu.

Disney Channel star Carla Jeffery has died at the age of 33.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Carla Jeffrey, who passed away on September 1, 2026, at just 33 years old,” read a statement from Jeffrey’s management company, Alexanders Talent, shared via Instagram on Wednesday, September 2. “Carla joined Alexanders Talent Management family at the age of 12.”

The statement continued, “For more than 20 years we had the privilege of watching her grow into a beautiful, vibrant and incredibly talented woman whose radiant smile could light up any room.”

The post added that Jeffrey was known for her “joy, humor and bright spirit.”

Related: Disney Channel Original Movie Leading Ladies: Where Are They Now?

There are so many stars that have appeared in Disney Channel Original Movies over the years — but what happened to some of the network’s biggest leading ladies? From Halloweentown’s Kimberly J. Brown and Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century’s Kirsten Storms to Brink!’s Christina Vidal and Cadet Kelly’s Hilary Duff, the Disney Channel has […]

“Carla was more than a client; she was family,” the statement read. “Our hearts are with Carla’s family and loved ones during this devastating time. We respectfully ask that their privacy be honored as they grieve this unimaginable loss. Rest beautifully, Carla. Your light will never be forgotten.”

A cause of death and additional details were not revealed at this time.

Jeffrey was best known for starring in the Disney Channel Original Movie franchise Zombies. She played the cheerleader Bree in the first three movies.

Several of Jeffrey’s Zombies costars, including Milo Manheim and Chandler Kinney, paid tribute to her in the comments section.

“Carla. The sweetest person I have ever met. I love you,” Manheim, 25, wrote while Kinney, 26, replied, “The brightest shining light in any room she walked into. The kindest person you’d ever meet.The most beautiful soul. This doesn’t feel real….. 💔.”

Trevor Tordjman, who played Bucky in the supernatural musical, responded, “At a loss for words right now.. I’ll never forget your energy and spirit Carla ❤️❤️❤️.”

Fellow Disney Channel alum Roshon Fegan also paid his respects.

“Noooo 😞 rip Carla 🖤,” the Camp Rock star, 34, wrote.

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Jeffrey’s final post before her death was celebrating Zombies costar Meg Donnelly’s birthday in July.

“What A Night ! 😋 .. Hope You Had An Amazing Birthday @megdonnelly , Cuz iHad An Amazing Night Girl ! 🔥👏🏾 lol,” she wrote via Instagram alongside several snaps from the festivities. “You Always Know How To Bring The Looks &The Party, Queen ! Love Youu MegBoo !! 😍🥳🎂🎉🔥❤️❤️.”

In addition to Zombies, Jeffrey appeared in multiple shows and films. She made her acting debut in 2006’s Phat Girlz. The actress also had small roles in several children’s shows including iCarly, Good Luck Charlie, Shake It Up and more. Jeffrey also had a guest role on Curb Your Enthusiasm from 2007 to 2009 and American Vandal in 2017.

Ohhweee, Roomies! Joseline Hernandez is NOT letting up on Stevie J. The Puerto Rican Princess spun the block AGAIN after Stevie called her and her husband, Balistic Beats, out while responding to her claims that he doesn’t financially support their daughter, Bonnie Bella. Now, Joseline is taking things a step further, claiming Stevie allegedly previously denied Bonnie and warned him that their baby girl will eventually know the “real” truth.

RELATED: Whew! Stevie J Fires Back After Joseline Hernandez Claims He Doesn’t Financially Support Bonnie Bella (VIDEOS) 

Joseline Hernandez Claps Back At Stevie J & Accuses Him Of Lying

Whew, chile! Joseline Hernandez is doubling down on her claims about Stevie J’s lack of financial support for their daughter, Bonnie Bella. After Stevie responded to her accusations, Joseline slid into The Shade Room’s comment section with some words. She straight-up accused him of lying and told him that Bonnie will eventually see that he’s been denying her for years. Joseline’s latest comments come after Stevie accused her of pushing a fake narrative and spreading lies about him.

“You better be glad you have no money so I don’t take you to court for your lying thru your dirty mouth get a job and get a life. Bonnie’Bella will see this just like she will see that you denied her for years you looser.” Joseline wrote.

Stevie Enters The Chat & Says “Find Somebody Else To Play With”

Stevie didn’t say quiet AT ALL! He hopped on Instagram with a video of his own, accusing Joseline of pushing a “fake narrative” while making it clear that he loves and takes care of all his children.” Stevie then reminded Joseline about their alleged court order and claimed that neither of them pays child support. From there, he suggested that her reality TV run must be drying up since she’s suddenly looking to him for coins. He even pointed out that Joseline never mentioned him while she was taking over the Zeus network.

But Stevie wasn’t done. He continued firing back, saying wouldn’t tolerate the disrespect or let Joseline have Bonnie Bella “bad mouthing” him. And chile, he didn’t stop at Joseline either! Stevie also called out her hubby Balistic Beats, and brought up an alleged past conversation where she claims Balistic reached out to complain about Joseline’s parenting. Stevie eventually wrapped up with two words: “Free Bonnie.” 

Bonnie Bella Speaks On Her Relationship With Stevie

Things between Joseline and Stevie appeared to pop OFF after Joseline gave viewers a peek into one of her mother-daughter talks with Bonnie during their reality series, ‘The Grandma Is The Baby.’ Joseline asked Bonnie how she feels about Stevie, and Bonnie said she doesn’t feel the need the need to tell her dad about himself because she thinks he already knows where he falls short. She also said she’s sure people tell him “A LOT!”

Bonnie went on to say that she considers Stevie a good in some ways because he does try to see her sometimes. However, she also feels he isn’t a great father because she thinks he lies about his availability. That’s when Joseline chimed in and told Bonnie that Stevie doesn’t step up as much as he should, especially when it comes to providing for financially. Bonnie agreed with her mom, adding that Stevie doesn’t give them “a dollar.” 

“Well, my papi he lives with me, so you know its different. He’s been watching me since I was three months, six months or whatever and the difference with my dad is because he doesn’t really come more than he’s suppose to, but he kinda sees me. I just want him to see me more,” Bonnie said in the clip.

RELATED: Joseline Hernandez DRAGS Benzino After He Calls Her Out For Telling Bonnie Bella That Stevie J Doesn’t Contribute Financially (VIDEOS) 

The conveyor belt that is the K-drama world is packed with shows that just keep on coming. With Netflix Korea getting more traction and a higher budget, as well as other streamers investing their money into great original Korean programming, there will soon be a time where everywhere we look, we will have an array of K-dramas to watch (in a good way).

However, that type of constant influx of new titles can become overwhelming, as some good shows can then stay buried unless we pay attention to them. There are many great shows hiding under piles of brand-new titles with big names, waiting to be discovered. Here are K-dramas that everyone forgot about that are worth your time.

‘Prison Playbook’ (2017–2018)

Image via tvN

Prison Playbook has recently re-entered the mainstream conversation, but it’s been largely forgotten over the past few years. Created by the writer behind Reply 1988, the show has a meditative and warm energy nurtured by the ensemble in their best form. Less interested in prison-drama darkness than in the small, absurd, genuinely funny rhythms of people making do in an impossible situation, Prison Playbook is a comedy as often as it’s a drama, and it shifts between genres without ever losing its footing. Park Hae-soo, years before Squid Game made him a global name, leads the ensemble as the protagonist while Jung Kyung-ho anchors the supporting cast as Park’s childhood friend and long-term prisoner. The two leads have a kind of effortless chemistry that can’t really be manufactured, and their rapport makes the show all the more compelling.

Prison Playbook follows Kim Je-hyeok (Park), a professional baseball pitcher who is days away from his Major League signing, when he’s arrested for assault after defending his sister from an assailant and sentenced to serve a one-year prison sentence. Prison Playbook follows Je-hyeok’s adjustment to life inside, the weird and wonderful array of inmates and guards who become his unlikely community, and the slow, patient understanding of prison life, survival, and that all of it is less about toughness and more about figuring out who to trust. The show aired in 2017, and it predates the global K-drama boom by several years, which is why it lacks more international recognition; this show’s been waiting for new audiences to find it ever since it aired, and now’s the perfect time to rediscover it.

‘Through the Darkness’ (2022)

Image via SBS

It’s safe to say that the raging success of Mindhunter reached all corners of the world, including South Korea. However, a show about special agents, profilers, and chasing serial killers isn’t a novelty in the K-drama world; Korean filmmakers and showrunners love their killer hunts, maybe even more than Hollywood does. Through the Darkness was based on the memoirs of a prolific South Korean profiler, Kwon Il-yong, the first to carry the title in the country and who wrote about his chases for serial killers across Korea during the 1990s. The comparison to Mindhunter here can and probably will come immediately, but that’s flattering. Both shows are far more interested in the psychological toll of crawling inside a killer’s head than in procedural mechanics.

Set in 1990s Seoul, Through the Darkness follows Song Ha-young (Kim Nam-gil), a perceptive detective recruited to join Korea’s very first Criminal Behavioral Analysis team, formed specifically to track a serial killer dubbed “Red Cap” who has been terrorizing the city. Criminal profiling doesn’t yet exist as a recognized discipline in Korean law enforcement, which means Ha-young has to build the entire playbook from scratch while simultaneously convincing a skeptical police hierarchy that the whole enterprise is worth funding. Kim delivers an outstanding performance, as he portrays a man who sacrifices his own psychological state in order to interrogate criminals. Through the Darkness is absolutely a forgotten gem, and if you like serial killer chases, intriguing real-life drama, and some thrilling pursuits, this show should be your priority viewing.

‘Navillera’ (2021)

Image via tvN

Navillera is the kind of “it’s never too late” story that will make you laugh, cry, and question your own opinions and prejudices. This twelve-episode story has no filler and no wasted scenes, with Park In-hwan, who was around 76 years old when he made the show, delivering one of the most compelling and compassion-inducing roles of his career. Active since the 1960s, Park is one of Korea’s most prolific actors, and a role like the one in Navillera is nothing new for him—but it might have been novel for his physical prowess. Park stars alongside Song Kang, who apparently trained seriously for his role and is one of the biggest K-drama names of the 2020s. Navillera was released under the radar and is only being rediscovered now.

Navillera follows Shim Deok-chul (Park), a 70-year-old retired postman with one dream he’s spent a lifetime putting off: learning ballet. His family is horrified by this resolution, while his body absolutely has its own opinions on the matter. However, he signs up anyway and meets Lee Chae-rok (Song), a 23-year-old dancer with real talent, struggling financially and on the verge of quitting the thing he loves most. The two form an unlikely mentorship that ends up going both ways; the old man finds his dream, and the young one rediscovers his reason to fight for his. The show also has a dementia subplot, which arrives mid-series and is handled with a care and honesty that most dramas couldn’t pull off without tipping into melodrama. With bigger names and titles, Navillera wasn’t the most popular show of its time, but it aged really well and is one of the most emotional and beautiful shows you’ll ever get to see.

‘Black Dog: Being a Teacher’ (2019–2020)

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Another highly beloved K-drama trope is high school drama, though that’s not purely reserved for Korean shows and audiences. The entire world is obsessed with the drama between a bunch of 16-year-olds and their teachers, classmates, and parents, and there’s no sign that shows with this theme are about to die out. Black Dog: Being a Teacher is from 2019, and it’s a fairly forgotten series with a high school theme. If you have most recently watched Teach You a Lesson, Netflix’s most popular K-drama of the summer, Black Dog is its distant, forgotten cousin that tackles similar themes and packs just as a powerful punch as its successor. Seo Hyun-jin and Ra Mi-ran star as a newcomer teacher and a veteran who takes him in and mentors him, and their relationship is filled with (platonic) chemistry that works well on-screen.

Black Dog follows Go Ha-neul (Seo), who arrives at Eungyo High School as a new temporary teacher. Ha-neul is naive about how deeply the politics of the Korean education system run and immediately starts learning that surviving in a private high school staffroom requires as much strategy as anything happening in the classrooms. The show, written by a former teacher, is a sharp, unsentimental look at Korea’s hyper-competitive academic culture told entirely from the staff’s perspective rather than the students’. What separates Black Dog from the dozen other school-set K-dramas is how little interest it has in glamorizing teaching or the institutions around it. The staffroom is political, exhausting, and often unjust, and Ha-neul’s idealism gets ground down and rebuilt across the entire show, showing the true strength of perseverance. Black Dog aired in 2019 and garnered moderate ratings without much buzz despite being one of that year’s best dramas.

‘Song of the Bandits’ (2023)

The Good, the Bad, the Weird isn’t the only South Korean Western—Netflix’s own Song of the Bandits is another Western told from the Korean perspective, and just like the Song Kang-ho-led film, the show is set during the Japanese colonial occupation of Korea. Song of the Bandits is another series on this list that stars Kim Nam-gil, who transforms into a gun-slinging revolutionary effortlessly and with great style. This show came out in 2023, but it’s been largely ignored at launch despite being one of Netflix Korea’s more ambitious originals that year; a Korean period Western was probably much harder to sell than the platform’s algorithms were prepared for, but it’s still not too late to rediscover this gem and make it a part of your K-drama watchlist.

Set in 1920s Manchuria during the Japanese colonial occupation of Korea, Song of the Bandits follows a group of former soldiers and displaced Korean exiles. Some of them are idealists, some are criminals, but most of them land somewhere in between; this group of Korean freedom fighters band together to fight back against the forces occupying their homeland. One of them, Lee Yoon (Kim), is a stoic, morally gray ex-soldier and gunslinger trying to survive while the world he knows collapses around him, reluctantly becoming a leader for people with nowhere else to turn to. The action sequences are genuinely impressive, the ensemble is stacked with character actors doing strong work, and the show possesses a compelling political depth about the colonial period Korea lived in that gives even its most genre-conventional moments real-life weight.

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Song of the Bandits

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Release Date

2023 – 2023-00-00

Network

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Netflix

Directors

Hwang Jun-hyeok

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Writers

Han Jung-hoon

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  Yoo Jae-myung

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  Choi Choong-su

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  Lee Hyun-wook

  Lee Kwang-il

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Given how much Tom Cruise has been embracing his ’80s hits with sequels like Top Gun: Maverick and the recently announced Days of Thunder follow-up with Anne Hathaway, one defining movie from earlier in his career has yet to receive that honor: 1986’s pool hustler classic The Color of Money. Much like the original Top Gun and Days of Thunder, The Color of Money captured Cruise at his most rebellious, angsty and purely charismatic. Unlike the other two films, which were directed by Tony Scott, Color of Money had to merely settle for being directed by Martin Scorsese, who was tasked with making an edgier kind of 1980s sports movie in an arena he knew well: smoky urban pool halls, where complex relationships between father and son figures could be hashed out.

The movie itself was already something of a legacy sequel to 1961’s The Hustler, with Paul Newman reprising his role as “Fast Eddie” Felson as an older and theoretically wiser man. In 1986, there wasn’t much precedent for a sequel produced several decades removed from the original, giving audiences a new view on the old character. Much like how Top Gun: Maverick gave the Tom Cruise seal of approval to its cast of younger stars, Cruise was practically anointed by Classic Hollywood with his casting. As if to seriously distance himself from the “Brat Pack” band of ‘80s of upstarts, Cruise jumped into the role and got the chance to act alongside one of the greats, starring in a movie by another one of the greats.

‘The Color of Money’ Was a Legacy Sequel to ‘The Hustler’

Image via 20th Century Studios

Far from the colorful pop-song montage style of ‘80s sports movies, the original Hustler was a quiet and sprawling character study of addiction and tortured masculinity, as exciting as it is tough to watch. It fit nicely into producer and director Robert Rossen’s collection of morally grey working-class tales, and became one of Paul Newman’s most beloved roles. While the Walter Tevis novel on which it was based had a sequel called The Color of Money, the general narrative wasn’t exactly what Newman had in mind for a new “Fast Eddie” Felson story. That led to him, director Martin Scorsese, and writer Richard Price radically restructuring the narrative, eventually crafting something wholly new under the same title. The biggest thing borrowed from the book was incorporating 9-ball, the pool variation that became thematically tied to the core of the movie.

Legacy sequels weren’t exactly a thing in the ‘80s. Sequels tended to be seen as junky and cheap in general, with rare exceptions like The Empire Strikes Back or The Godfather Part II demonstrating that massive hits deserved to be revisited with sequels that could be even better than the original. By giving Eddie an electric sparring partner like Vince, The Color of Money immediately justified itself, turning its tale of an old man looking back at his life into a hard-hitting character study, just like The Hustler was. Not content to make the movie a Tom Cruise vehicle, Price and Scorsese turn the focus on his and Newman’s chemistry and toxic surrogate father-son relationship, with Eddie trying and failing to turn Vince into the young man he can no longer be.

Tom Cruise Made ‘The Color of Money’ What It Was

Much like Scorsese’s later films Goodfellas or The Departed, The Color of Money deals with the theme of a young man effectively being groomed by a charismatic older figure influencing him to throw his life away. Vince’s girlfriend Carmen (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) fits into Eddie’s plans, too: Teaching them both the ways of hustling, with ‘80s soft rock by Phil Collins and Eric Clapton filling out the soundtrack, Eddie is also reliving his youth in a way that’s slightly pathetic. Although the movie doesn’t plumb the depths of masculine psychology like its predecessor The Hustler (or Scorsese’s Raging Bull), it’s comfortable with complexity and three-dimensional characters. For a commercial success, it was a far cry from the mainstream ‘80s cinema.

The best part of the movie is its ending. After two hours of hustling, cheating, and intimidation, the two men are ready to face off in an honest match. Who wins is less important than Eddie feeling blood pumping in his veins again. With the movie being such a sterling example of the legacy sequel, it definitely warrants a revisit. Vince and Carmen are both such interesting and striking characters, and it’s easy to wonder where they are now. While Newman’s passing means “Fast Eddie” could not be a part of the film, his absence could structure a sequel too. And most importantly, the door is open for a baton to be passed to the next Vince.

Taylor Hanson confessed his brothers were surprised to hear he would be competing on Dancing With the Stars season 35.

“My brothers were pretty shocked that I would consider honestly putting myself on the dance floor,” Hanson, 43, exclusively told Us on Wednesday, September 2, following the official DWTS cast announcement. “But everybody’s supportive. Everybody’s excited.”

Taylor added that while his family is happy for him, he is also “excited” to be part of the DWTS family.

Taylor formed the music group Hanson alongside brothers Isaac Hanson and Zac Hanson in 1992. The boy band is best known for their 1997 hit “MMMBop” which is nearly three decades old.

Related: Whitney Leavitt’s Husband Conner Reveals Her Advice for ‘DWTS’ Competition

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Conner Leavitt is following in his wife Whitney Leavitt’s footsteps by lacing up his ballroom shoes on Dancing With the Stars. “There aren’t words in the English language to describe how proud I am of my wife,” Conner, 32, exclusively told Us on Wednesday, September 2, gushing over […]

“It’s a song I’m proud of. It’s a song I wrote that was nominated for [the] Grammys. I mean, I have never been shied away from embracing where I’ve been,” he said of the iconic tune. “And honestly, that song talks about things that matter, things that stand the test of time. That’s all I’ve ever done is try and do things. I hope I actually look back and go, ‘I’m so proud of that.’”

While Taylor is best known for being on stage with a microphone, he’s ready to start a “new season of doing different things.”

“We are here to have a great time. I have a great teacher,” Taylor said, referring to his partner, Britt Stewart. “There’s really no loss in this for me. Every day we’re doing [this] it’s a win.”

Taylor shared that he “absolutely” wants to go “all the way” to win the Len Goodman mirrorball trophy. However, he thinks that “learning to dance” will be his “biggest competition.”

“I’m here to leave it all on the dance floor,” he said. “So my only competition is the challenge of being excellent.”

Taylor shared that he and Stewart have yet to pick their official team name. The musician told Us that he would “love to involve the fans” in the creative process for brainstorming their team name.

“They always come up with some amazing, creative team name. So it’s still forming,” he teased to Us. “It’s still in the works.”

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In addition to trying something new in the ballroom, Taylor teased to Us he’s working on something special.

“This is kind of the beginning of a new journey. I’m working on stuff that I’ve never, never done before: solo music,” he said.

Dancing With the Stars premieres on ABC and Disney+ with a two-night event beginning Tuesday, September 15, at 8 p.m. ET. New episodes will stream the next day on Hulu.

Alphonso Smith Jr. left behind a legacy on the football field that stretched from Wake Forest to the NFL. Now, his loved ones and fans are mourning the former standout cornerback after heartbreaking news about the 40-year-old surfaced Wednesday.

RELATED: Yikes! Man Arrested After Posing As San Francisco 49ers Player To Scam At Least 26 Women Out Of $1.3 Million

Alphonso Smith Jr.’s Final Post Revealed His Inner Struggles

According to TMZ, Alphonso Smith Jr. reportedly died by suicide Wednesday at a housing community in Florida. The former NFL cornerback was 40 years old. News of his death has since prompted an outpouring of reactions as those who knew him and followed his football career remember his impact both on and off the field.

Before his death, Alphonso shared a deeply emotional final Facebook post that appeared to reflect the emotional struggles he was experiencing. “Do not cry for me! I tried everything in my power to fight the demons behind the ones that someone put into ME! I did not want to be that WAY! I know I have disappointed so many folks. This is a DEMON in me! But not only me! It’s EVERYONE! I have HURT so many! I needed help & did not get it!” Alphonso repeatedly apologized in the post, described himself as a “coward,” and referenced abuse he said he experienced as a young boy. He ended the message by writing, “I am SORRY! THIS IS IT!”

Alphonso Smith Jr.’s Football Journey

Alphonso made his mark at Wake Forest University from 2004 to 2008, earning All-American honors during his senior season before being inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame in 2022. The Denver Broncos selected him in the 2009 NFL Draft, and he was later traded to the Detroit Lions, where he spent three seasons before ending his career after the 2012 campaign. Across 42 NFL games, Alphonso recorded 88 tackles and eight interceptions.

Other NFL Players Have Added To Mental Health Conversation

In late 2025, more NFL players began opening up about their mental health struggles, bringing increased attention to the pressures athletes can face behind the scenes. Marshawn Kneeland’s death has further highlighted that conversation, particularly as details surrounding his final hours continue to emerge. The tragedy is also renewing attention on the emotional challenges professional athletes may experience away from the spotlight.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Marshawn Kneeland, Dallas Cowboys Defensive End, Dies At 24 From Apparent Self-Inflicted Wound (UPDATE)

An adult whose identity has not yet been released will potentially be criminally charged after a 2-year-old boy died in a pool while under their watch, though the toddler’s mother insisted she believes it was an accident. .

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office said that it has completed its investigation into the boy’s death and submitted the case to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, according to News 4 San Antonio.

The district attorney’s office has now been tasked to review the case and determine what charges are appropriate or if the adult will be charged. No charges had been filed as of Friday, August 28, per the outlet.

Despite confirming that the case is under evaluation, the sheriff’s office has not said who they believe should face charges or what potential offense they may have committed.

Related: Inside Emilie Kiser’s Son’s Redacted Police Report

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The tragic incident happened earlier in August when Malachi LeBlanc was attending a playdate that was supervised by a trusted adult. He nearly drowned during the playdate at a community pool in San Antonio’s Indian Springs subdivision, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The newspaper reported that the adult was supervising LeBlanc and several other children at the time.

The boy’s mother, Grace LeBlanc, spoke to San Antonio Express-News and said she had “complete faith in” the adult who was supervising her child at the time and “wholeheartedly believes” his death was an accident.

Grace went on to say that she strongly opposed criminal charges against the adult and did not know that the sheriff’s office intended to pursue charges until the newspaper contacted her to discuss the situation.

Grace and her husband, Myron LeBlanc, were not at the pool when Malachi was found unresponsive.

First responders performed CPR before he was taken to North Central Baptist Hospital for treatment. Doctors determined that Malachi was brain dead and could not breathe independently, and he died four days after the incident on August 9.

Malachi’s death was ultimately ruled an accident caused by complications of near-drowning, per the newspaper.

Grace shared that her family regularly went swimming together and said that Malachi loved the water. “I’m convinced that he thought he could swim because he would try to get in the water all the time without his floaties,” she told the outlet.

After Malachi was declared brain dead, his parents decided to donate his organs after they were approached by the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance.

“If God wasn’t going to give us the miracle that we’re praying for, then this can be a miracle for other children,” Grace recalled Myron telling her while they were discussing the decision.

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Grace said that doctors retrieved Malachi’s heart, kidneys and liver that went to three children in Texas awaiting transplants.

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She also opened up about her son’s legacy and said she wants Malachi to be remembered for his joyful personality, as well as that he saved lives.

“He always knew how to make you feel beautiful,” she said. “He loved to say, ‘I love you,’ and he meant it when he said it.”

Grace continued, “Knowing that I will see my son again has really carried me through this. I know that right now, where he’s at, he’s being loved on more than we could ever love on him.”

After retreading familiar ground, the latest episode of Ted Lasso proved its titular character is learning from his mistakes. For its fourth season, Ted (Jason Sudeikis) returned to AFC Richmond to help launch its women’s program according to the “Richmond Way.” A new team means a slew of new characters joined the Apple TV hit, including Tanya Reynolds as the newest assistant coach, Alice Chilton. Despite her stoic demeanor earning early comparisons to Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), this latest episode revealed she is actually following in the footsteps of Nathan “Nate” Shelley (Nick Mohammed).

In its initial 3-season arc, Nate started as a lovable kit manager who eventually became an assistant coach. But he grew resentful amid mounting feelings of being overlooked. Throughout “Riches of Embarrassment,” Ted noticed Coach Chilton was becoming increasingly harsh with the players. Despite Ted delivering one of his classic parables urging her to curb the behavior, she only became more derisive during the game. “You know, Alice, I had the privilege of working with another coach who had your fire. Unfortunately, I didn’t notice what was going on with him before, well, before he’d been burned to a crisp,” Ted told her at the end of the episode. “So in the hopes of learning from my mistakes, I’m going to try a different approach with you. I’m gonna suspend you for a match.” The suspension would be an extended break, with only one game left before their holiday break.

Ted Lasso Uncharacteristically Addresses Coach Chilton’s Harsh Behavior

Image via Apple TV

Ted Lasso fans first met Coach Chilton in the second episode of the season, when she resigned after being passed over for manager of the women’s team. In convincing her to stay on as an assistant coach, Ted revealed her career as a player was cut short after a succession of injuries. She has built a rapport with Ted and Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) and shown moments of empathy when a player is injured. But she also has a tendency to be hard on the players, exemplified by her tense dynamic with the team’s striker Gemma (Abbie Hern). The duo were former teammates, with Gemma temporarily quitting the sport because of Coach Chilton’s intense criticism.

Coach Chilton has struggled to adapt to the “Richmond Way,” creating an inclusive and positive environment to foster players’ abilities to perform their best. This was no more evident than in the fifth episode. She was taken aback when the women’s team took an interest in Ted’s personal life. She revealed she didn’t garner the same attention and became increasingly agitated throughout the week. An escalating incident during practice resulted in the whole team doing 15 laps after Gemma stood up for a struggling player.

Her story is starting to mimic Nate’s — feeling professionally overlooked, not forming deep personal relationships and being unable to express her more difficult emotions. So, despite Ted equating people to barbecue, getting tougher if overcooked, she continued calling the players “pathetic” and “embarrassing” throughout the game. In a move uncharacteristic of his often overwhelming optimism and kindness, he sidelined Coach Chilton so she has time to “make some adjustments.”

Coach Chilton’s Story Mimics Nate Shelley’s Arc

Longtime Ted Lasso fans remember what happens when Ted’s proclivity toward kindness prevents him from addressing an increasingly difficult personality. Nate started as a kit manager, often taking the brunt of disgruntled players. But Ted, who was new to soccer, noticed Nate’s aptitude for creating successful plays. When Ted appointed him as an assistant coach and bought him a suit, Nate started displaying an increasing confidence.

But confidence soon gives way to an inflated ego. One of the first cracks appeared when Roy took Ted up on his standing offer to join the coaching staff. He started taking his frustration out on the lowest member of the team, a position he used to hold, the kit manager. His tendency to roast the players was initially received as funny, but with his increased position of power, was instead becoming a degrading habit. He refused to acknowledge his flub, saying “wonder kid” when he intended “wunderkind.”

Not able to impress his parents, or to reserve his desired table at a restaurant, he turns to Keeley to help him gain fame and mistakes her kindness as attraction. The combination of growing agitation and embarrassment comes to a head at the end of Season 2, when Ted finally asks what is making him so mad. “You made me feel like I was the most important person in the whole world. And then you abandoned me,” Nate said, explaining he continued to try to get Ted’s attention, to no avail. His outburst continued, calling Ted “a joke” and after AFC Richmond’s men’s team earned their promotion to the premiere league, he ripped Ted’s “Believe” sign that hung in the locker room.

‘Ted Lasso’ Rushes Nate Shelley’s Redemption Arc

Despite spending two seasons establishing Nate’s turn as an antagonist, Ted Lasso spends very little time wrapping up his arc. When Ted Lasso returned for Season 3, a new Nate had taken over. Now sporting gray hair and dark clothes, he has gone to coach for the rival team owned by AFC Richmond’s former owner, Rupert Mannion (Anthony Head).

Nate may seem more confident, but he still seeks external validation, looking at online opinions of himself and seeking Rupert’s praise by emulating his ruthless tactics. He seeks attention from women he wouldn’t normally approach. But he still experiences anxiety when dealing with the press and is instinctually disgusted by Rupert’s womanizing ways. It all comes to a head, and he quits in the season’s final quarter.

Ted Lasso tried to force his redemption arc before the Season 3 finale, which was originally believed to be the series finale. In the penultimate episode, Beard explains Ted’s transformative influence on his life and extends that same forgiveness to Nate. Criticized for rushing the storyline, many fans haven’t fully embraced the character again.

While Alice Chilton is not a carbon copy of Nate Shelley, she fits a similar archetype — someone struggling to find their footing in life who turns that internal conflict into external aggressiveness. This time, Ted finally recognized the warning signs and took decisive action. It is a move to protect the players, but also hopefully, the fans from enduring another unsatisfying redemption arc.

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Release Date

August 14, 2020

Network

Apple TV

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Directors

Declan Lowney, MJ Delaney, Erica Dunton, Matt Lipsey

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