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Kevin Costner’s Mystery Blonde Sparks New Dating Rumors
For Kevin Costner, a simple grocery run has turned into the latest Hollywood mystery. The Oscar-winning actor was recently photographed alongside a blonde companion during a shopping trip near his California estate, sparking widespread speculation about whether the outing was merely friendly or something more.
Now, the woman at the center of the attention has been identified, and the discovery has revealed an intriguing connection to one of Costner’s favorite places, while also spotlighting a 31-year age gap that has only fueled further curiosity.
The most surprising detail about the mystery blonde woman, Jennifer Milburn’s connection to Kevin Costner may not be their supermarket outing at all. Instead, it appears the answer could lie hundreds of miles away in Colorado.
Milburn has spent years building ties in Aspen, the exclusive mountain enclave where Costner owns his sprawling Dunbar Ranch.
Before becoming director of partnerships for Simon Sinek’s The Optimism Company, Milburn worked for nearly six years at celebrity-favorite western retailer Kemo Sabe.
The former Delta flight attendant also established herself in the community through local modeling work and has embraced the area so fully that she uses the Instagram handle “@theaspenjenn.”
Her social media presence showcases life among horses, ranches, and luxury mountain properties, a lifestyle that mirrors the world Costner has cultivated at his famous Colorado retreat.
The “Yellowstone” actor’s 160-acre Dunbar Ranch has become one of Aspen’s most recognizable celebrity compounds, featuring 12 bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and enough space to accommodate 27 guests.
Costner’s Grocery Outing Sparked Questions Neither Side Is Answering
What transformed an ordinary errand into a headline-making moment was not what Kevin Costner and Jennifer Milburn bought, but how they appeared together while doing it.
The pair were photographed shopping at an Albertsons near the 71-year-old’s Santa Barbara-area property, loading up on everyday items including steaks, vegetables, grapefruit juice, and cereal.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, witnesses described the two as being “extremely affectionate,” a characterization that immediately fueled speculation about the nature of their relationship.
Photos from the outing showed the duo moving comfortably through the store, with Milburn taking charge at times, including pointing out selections at the meat counter.
Afterward, they headed back to Costner’s gray Mercedes-Benz, with the movie star returning the shopping cart before leaving.
Milburn has done little to clarify the situation. When contacted by the Daily Mail, she confirmed that she was the woman photographed alongside Costner. However, when asked directly whether she and Costner were romantically involved, she abruptly ended the conversation.
Kevin Costner’s Dating Life Is Facing New Scrutiny
The attention surrounding Milburn arrives at an interesting moment in Costner’s personal life.
Just last year, reports linked the twice-divorced filmmaker to filmmaker Kelly Noonan Gores, the former wife of billionaire Alex Gores.
Sources described that relationship as “private and casual,” with the two reportedly spending time together in Aspen after meeting through mutual friends.
One source told Us Weekly in January, “After such a public and expensive divorce, he’s being cautious.”
The insider added that the pair would “see each other when schedules allow, often spending time at his Santa Barbara estate” and “love dinners at home, walks on the beach and quiet nights in.”
Another source suggested Costner had little interest in rushing toward anything serious, claiming he was “not looking for a serious relationship or marriage any time soon.”
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Costner Admitted Divorce Remained An Emotional Daily Battle
Before Kevin Costner’s name was linked to Kelly Noonan Gores the actor was still grappling with the emotional fallout from the end of his marriage to Christine Baumgartner.
In his candid 2024 GQ cover story, Costner made it clear that the divorce was not something he had simply moved past, describing it as one of several major challenges weighing on him while he fought to bring his passion project, “Horizon: An American Saga,” to life.
While discussing the personal and professional pressures he was facing, Costner admitted, “So much. Very serious stuff. And those things are very important. I have to deal with them. And I have to deal with them on a daily basis, emotionally, historically almost.”
He also rejected suggestions that his decision to mortgage property and finance “Horizon” contributed to the breakdown of the marriage, saying, “No, they’re not related.”
The Hollywood star acknowledged that the divorce, combined with responsibilities to his children and mounting public scrutiny, had left him carrying a heavy emotional burden.
Despite that, Costner insisted he would not lose himself amid the turmoil, choosing instead to keep moving forward even as he privately dealt with what many outlets later described as a “crushing” chapter in his life.
Kevin Costner And Jennifer Lopez Rumors Refuse To Go Away
The emotional struggles Costner described in his GQ interview also help explain why so much attention was paid to his love life following his divorce.
While he was trying to adjust to a new chapter personally, fans and media outlets were busy looking for signs that he might be ready to move on romantically.
One of the biggest stories to emerge during that period involved Jennifer Lopez. According to The Blast, the rumors began during the 2024 holiday season.
Lopez had just split from Ben Affleck, while Costner was adjusting to life after his divorce from Baumgartner. When the pair were spotted at Aspen hotspot Kemo Sabe, the internet immediately went into overdrive.
Witnesses described the atmosphere as relaxed and friendly. Photos showed the two spending time in the celebrity-favorite western store, which has become something of an institution among Aspen’s elite visitors.
Social media amplified the rumors even further. Some fans became convinced there was more to the encounter than a chance meeting. One report noted that the pair appeared to be “having a merry time drinking and laughing” alongside friends at the venue, which only intensified the speculation.
However, the excitement quickly ran ahead of the facts. Follow-up reporting suggested there was little evidence of an actual romance.
Multiple outlets later characterized the encounter as largely innocuous, with no confirmation that the two were dating. In fact, subsequent reports indicated Costner moved on to his relationship with Gores, while Lopez focused on her own post-divorce life.
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For nearly a decade, the Paris robbery that left Kim Kardashian bound, terrified, and convinced she might not survive has remained one of the most shocking celebrity crime stories of the century.
The case involved millions in stolen jewelry, elderly robbers who became notorious in France, and years of legal proceedings.
Yet when the final chapter arrived, it wasn’t marked by a massive financial payout. Instead, Kardashian made a decision that transformed the meaning of the verdict entirely.
When people think about the 2016 Paris robbery, the numbers are usually the first thing that come to mind.
Approximately $10 million worth of jewelry disappeared during the raid, including the $4 million engagement ring Kanye West had given Kim Kardashian. Much of what was stolen was never recovered.
However, the reality star’s latest legal victory shows that recovering money was never the point.
According to the Daily Mail, after a Paris court found eight people guilty for their roles in the robbery, Kardashian requested just one euro ($1.15) in compensation.
In a joint statement with stylist Simone Harouche, who was present during the ordeal, Kardashian explained why the ruling mattered.
“The experience was deeply traumatic, and its impact has stayed with us. Today´s decision is not about the compensation, but about accountability and recognition,” she said.
The socialite added, “We are thankful to the Court and everyone who supported us throughout this process, and we hope to now move forward and continue to heal.”
Kardashian Was Not The Only Victim Seeking Recognition
Although Kim Kardashian’s name dominated headlines throughout the case, others affected by the robbery were also waiting for the court’s decision.
One of them was the former receptionist at the Hôtel de Pourtalès, the luxury residence where Kardashian was staying during Paris Fashion Week when the gang struck.
According to the employee’s lawyer, his client had been deeply traumatized by the events of October 2, 2016. Unlike Kardashian, he sought substantial damages, requesting €550,000 ($634,510) in compensation and interest. The court ultimately awarded him €109,516 ($126,329).
His attorney, Mohand Ouidja, described the outcome as a victory. The hotel itself also received compensation, with the court awarding €50,000 ($57,674).
Harouche, Kardashian’s stylist, who endured the terrifying night alongside the mom of four, was awarded the same symbolic amount as her longtime friend: one euro.
Kim Kardashian Says The Case Will Always Stay With Her
Long before the compensation ruling, Kardashian had made it clear that the robbery permanently changed her life.
Following the convictions, she publicly reflected on the lasting impact of the attack, describing it as “the most terrifying experience of my life.”
Despite that trauma, Kardashian also emphasized forgiveness, accountability, and healing.
According to her, “While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all. I remain committed to advocating for justice and promoting a fair legal system.”
Her legal team echoed that sentiment after the latest ruling, sharing, “Kim appreciates the court’s decision and once again thanks the French authorities for treating her with great respect throughout the process.”
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Kardashian Reveals Why She Stopped Wearing Expensive Jewelry
The Paris court may have finally delivered its verdict, but for Kim Kardashian, the robbery’s most lasting consequence was never the missing jewelry or the years of legal proceedings.
It was the way the crime fundamentally changed how she lived. In the years following the 2016 heist, Kardashian repeatedly admitted that the experience forced her to rethink her relationship with luxury, security, and public visibility.
The turning point became even more poignant when she later revealed that one of her most treasured possessions had survived only because of advice Kanye West gave her weeks before the robbery.
According to PEOPLE, during a March 2025 episode of “The Kardashians,” Kardashian recalled that after she posted both of her engagement rings on social media, West warned her, “Are you looking to get robbed?”
She ultimately left her original engagement ring at home before traveling to Paris, while the newer 20-carat ring was stolen during the attack. The robbery also led Kardashian to largely abandon the habit of showcasing expensive jewelry online or wearing large collections in public.
Kim Kardashian’s Paris Robbery Forced ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ Into Crisis Mode
The fallout from the robbery extended far beyond Kardashian’s personal life. In the days after the attack, one of television’s biggest reality franchises faced an unprecedented situation.
As concern for Kardashian’s well-being grew, E! made the rare decision to halt production on “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.”
Fox 5 NY reported that filming was immediately placed on hold as the family focused on supporting the television personality in the aftermath of the traumatic ordeal.
Network representatives emphasized that “Kim’s well-being is our core focus right now” and confirmed that no decision had been made about when production would resume.
Weeks later, Kardashian gradually returned to filming, but the incident would eventually become one of the most emotional storylines the series had ever explored.
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Pamela Anderson has dreamy dressing down to a formula, and her latest fall style is no exception. Instead of a stuffy knit or tight top, Anderson wore the chicest, flowiest ‘poncho’ blouse. We’re copying the look for only $12!
In Venice for the Venice Film Festival, Anderson wore a lilac-colored poncho blouse paired with a matching maxi skirt and clutch in the same soft purple. Her blouse style skims the body in all the right places, sweeps over the arms without clinging and lets the fabric do the work. A little boho and a lot glamorous, it screams ‘Italian rich mom.’
Get the Hotshawl Chiffon Cape Top for $12 (was $14) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
This Hotshawl Chiffon Cape Top is nearly identical to Anderson’s, right down to the elegant lilac shade and loose, floaty sleeves. It’s drapey everywhere, with a curved hem that hits at the perfect spot and sleeves that move when you do.
Better yet, the airy chiffon fabric gives it that expensive feel without the corresponding price tag. One five-star shopper wrote, “Very good quality, flows nicely and adds elegance to an outfit.”
Another happy fan shared, “I had a sleeveless long dress I wanted to wear to a wedding. This covered my arms and dressed up the plain black dress. I was very pleased.”
Style it like Anderson with a matching lilac maxi skirt, or throw it on over a neutral tank and jeans and let the color pop. At only $12, this billowy top is the easiest way to steal a little Venice magic for your own fall wardrobe.
Get the Hotshawl Chiffon Cape Top for $12 (was $14) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more stylish tops, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping
Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
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Let’s face it: Jeans aren’t the most polished. But Celine Dion‘s latest denim style is incredibly luxe, hence why it’s dominating rich mom wardrobes this fall. We found Dion’s classy look on sale for only $37, and it’s selling out as we type!
Leaving her Paris hotel, the songstress proved that the right denim pants can instantly elevate an outfit. She wore a sharp blazer, simple block heels and sleek straight-leg jeans that made Us rethink all the frumpy wide-legs hanging in our closet. With clean lines and a tailored silhouette, this chic Amazon pair hits every note.
Get the Sidefeel Straight Leg Jeans for $37 (was $46) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
These Sidefeel Straight Leg Jeans skim the hip, fall cleanly to the ankle and pair with heels like they were born to. Like Dion’s, they have a trendy raw hem for that lived-in edge.
Finding your go-to jeans that fit correctly (and comfortably) is challenging enough, but the hunt gets even harder when you want them to be stylish and flattering, too. For fall, we’re ditching pants that dig in or cause that dreaded tummy spillage situation — and luckily, these high-waist jeans nail it. Our top tummy-hiding wonders […]
To make things sweeter, these denim wonders have a stretchy waistband that feels more like leggings than jeans — and it works tummy-control magic behind the scenes. One happy shopper raved, “Love the fit, the fabric is soft yet strong feeling, the length is perfect and the two-button closure has a comfortable and smoothing effect over the tummy area.”
Another five-star fan wrote, “I am a short girl and almost as round as I am tall. Love how they are high-waisted and cover my belly. I have three pairs so far.”
Rock these straight-leg stunners with a blazer for lunch in the city, ballet flats for weekend errands or block heels for dinner reservations where you want to channel Celine Dion’s European energy. With three lengths and plenty of sizes to choose from, you’re destined to find your match.
Get the Sidefeel Straight Leg Jeans for $37 (was $46) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more stylish jeans, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping
Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
Not to be dramatic, but the mere thought of tight, scratchy jeans makes me shudder. Thankfully, there’s no reason to make myself suffer with stiff denim. Flowy pants are totally ‘in’ for fall this year, and I’m taking advantage of the trend with chic yet comfortable styles. These 13 stylish pants are on my radar, […]
ESPN’s Pat McAfee has revealed details from inside Taylor Swift’s private Arrowhead Stadium suite, including how enthusiastic she is while watching her Chiefs tight end husband, Travis Kelce.
“She is all in. She is, every snap, [it] was the most into-it suite we’ve ever been in,” McAfee, 39, said during the Tuesday, September 15, episode of The Pat McAfee Show. “Everybody in there was all in, I mean … then he had that 59-yard catch, oh my God, that is what being a football fan is like. Watching them experience the game was fantastic.”
The former NFL player shared further memories from inside the Kansas City venue when he and Swift, 36, watched the Chiefs win their Monday, September 14, NFL opener against the Denver Broncos, 31-10. He noted that while he did attend the Madison Square Garden wedding of Travis, also 36, and Swift in New York CIty on July 3, Monday offered McAfee his first chance to properly engage with the pop star.
“I got a chance to chit chat with Ms. Taylor Swift last night. Huge day,” he said before sharing a selfie he snapped with her with his show’s viewers. “[I said] ‘Ms. Taylor, is there any way I can get a selfie with you?’ and she said ‘Absolutely.’ She was so kind, so hospitable. Her mom [Andrea Swift] brought sugar-coated bacon strips, candied bacon.”
Pat McAfee has a message for those criticizing Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s star-studded Madison Square Garden wedding. “That was the most spectacular evening I have ever been a part of. I cannot wait to chit chat about that throughout the day,” the sportscaster, 39, said on the Monday, July 13, episode of his eponymous […]
McAfee also recalled how Swift ushered him in for a warm hug when he entered the exclusive suite. “It was a thousand degrees so we walk all the way up there, shout to Jason Kelce, I’m dripping in sweat, my shirt is just drenched [and] we open the [door, and the] first person I see: Ms Donna Kelce and Taylor Swift,” he shared. “I look at Ms. Donna, I go ‘Legend, how are you?’ I go to Taylor, ‘Ms. Taylor,’ [and] she goes, ‘Pat, how are you,’ big hug she wants and I’m drenched. This is how I’m meeting Taylor Swift for the first time really … just sweat all over her.”
Pat McAfee Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Netflix
A production member of The Pat McAfee Show also added that the vibe inside the room was “absolutely rocking … so loud, hitting the roof every time.”
Swift was joined by Tom Cruise on Monday night, whom McAfee also recalled interacting with. “I potentially talked to Tom Cruise last night. I’ll tell you, I was dripping in sweat and he had a leather jacket on and didn’t have a single drop or bead of sweat anywhere. He doesn’t sweat. I had a big hearty laugh at that,” he said.
Taylor Swift Jamie Squire/Getty Images
ESPN cameras had captured Swift chatting with Cruise, 64, another guest at Swift and Travis’ wedding, within the suite late in the first quarter.
James Ransone’s widow, Jamie “Skipper” McPhee, has slammed the Emmys for omitting her late husband from its “In Memoriam” segment.
“I didn’t watch the Emmys, so I only now understand how much of a snub this truly was. I am incredibly disappointed @televisionacad,” McPhee wrote in a Tuesday, September 15, Instagram Story shared one day after the event aired. “James Ransone was an incredibly gifted actor and it simply is not right to now acknowledge him and his work.”
The post followed an earlier Instagram Story that first revealed McPhee’s surprise over the omission of Ransone, best known for his roles in HBO’s The Wire and Generation Kill, who died at age 46 in December 2025.
“My husband James Ransone was not acknowledged in memoriam at tonight’s Emmys. He was also not at the Oscars earlier this year,” she wrote via Instagram Stories on Monday, September 14, per a report by Entertainment Weekly. “PJ [Ransone] was impossible, loveable, intolerable and incredible – depends on who you ask. But without question – he was a great actor.”
James Ransone’s wife, Jamie McPhee, broke her silence after the actor’s death at the age of 46. The Wire and It: Chapter Two actor died by suicide on Friday, December 19, per County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner records viewed by Us Weekly. Ransone leaves behind his wife, McPhee, and their two children: son Jack, […]
McPhee concluded in her first post, “But good news is PJ wouldn’t care. He’d actually think it’s funny.”
A spokesperson for the Television Academy, whom McPhee had tagged in her second Instagram Story, shared a statement regarding Ransone’s omission with the outlet on Tuesday. “Every year, the Emmy Awards presents an In Memoriam video for all three ceremonies. Given only a few minutes to honor those who have passed, there is a limit on how many people can be acknowledged on the broadcasts,” the statement read. “The Academy presents a more extensive video, listing the hundreds of names of television colleagues we’ve lost in the past year, on their website.”
McPhee has spoken about her late husband in the wake of his untimely death via social media on several occasions. In May, she shared a candid message about solo parenting as she celebrated her son’s birthday without his father. “Baby king Jack is 7 today,” McPhee captioned a May 5 Instagram post. “I can’t believe it. The most handsome, stubborn, funny, affectionate, strong boy and we wouldn’t want it any other way. Love you to the moon and back! To all of our friends and family — it takes a village indeed. We love everyone so much. Thank you for all your support, love, kindness, food, tears, and laughs these last 5 months. I can finally see that every day is a gift so on this one we celebrate Jack together. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Ransone died by suicide last December. He is survived by McPhee, Jack and the couple’s daughter, Violet.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. https://988lifeline.org/
Scott Speedman has made the move from Grey’s Anatomy to a more permanent appearance on RJ Decker — but who does the actor and the rest of the cast play?
Based on Carl Hiaasen‘s novel Double Whammy, RJ Decker focuses on a disgraced newspaper photographer and ex-con who “starts over as a private investigator in the colorful-if-crime-filled world of South Florida, tackling cases that range from slightly odd to outright bizarre, with the help of his journalist ex, her police detective wife and a shadowy new benefactor — a woman from his past who could be his greatest ally … or his one-way ticket back to prison.”
Speedman plays the titular role while Jaina Lee Ortiz, Kevin Rankin, Adelaide Clemens and Bevin Bru round out the rest of the cast. Before RJ Decker, Speedman won over Grey’s Anatomy fans as a guest star, playing Nick on season 14. He then appeared as a main cast member during seasons 18 and 19 before taking a break from the show.
Speedman rejoined the cast as a recurring character for season 20 and has remained on Grey’s Anatomy since. His commitment to the medical drama hasn’t impacted his ability to also be front and center on RJ Decker.
The midseason 2026 TV schedule is stacked — but when is your favorite show coming back? On ABC, Grey’s Anatomy is returning after the season 22 fall finale ended with Jo’s (Camilla Luddington) premature emergency C-section. Jo’s fate was unclear and the trailer for the rest of the season hinted at a possible loss. Season […]
“Scott is great. He’s such a professional. He shows up, he has all his lines memorized and he is just so great,” Ortiz gushed exclusively to Us Weekly earlier this month. “He’s present and I love that every scene is different and it’s very unexpected and unanticipated. There’s something new that happens in every take and that’s what I love the most.”
Clemens had a similar reaction to sharing the screen with Speedman, saying, “He’s so fun. We have a great time and there’s a lot of unspoken stuff that happens. It’s really fun with our characters where they make each other laugh and even just the little things. When you’ve known someone so well, you know what they’re going to say and what a little twitch of their eyebrow means. Things that irritate you also charm you.”
Scroll down to see who is in the RJ Decker cast:
Scott Speedman
The actor portrays the titular role of a disgraced newspaper photographer and ex-con who solves cases in Florida.
Jaina Lee Ortiz
Jaina Lee Ortiz plays Emilia “Emi” Ochoa who is responsible for sending R.J. to prison at the order of her corrupt father who is a state senator.
Scott Speedman is making the move from Grey’s Anatomy’s Seattle to RJ Decker‘s South Florida — but where is his show actually filmed? Based on Carl Hiaasen‘s novel Double Whammy, RJ Decker, focuses on a disgraced newspaper photographer and ex-con who “starts over as a private investigator in the colorful-if-crime-filled world of South Florida, tackling […]
Kevin Rankin
Aloysius “Wish” Aiken, played by Kevin Rankin, is R.J.’s former cellmate and a current bar owner.
Adelaide Clemens
R.J.’s ex-wife and journalist Catherine Delacroix is played by Adelaide Clemens.
Bevin Bru
Bevin Bru brings Melody “Mel” Abreu to life. The character is Catherine’s current wife and a detective at Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
Melissa McCarthy is taking on a dramatic new role in Netflix‘s upcoming scripted series about the JonBenét Ramsey case. The actress will portray JonBenét’s mother, Patsy Ramsey, bringing a different character to the screen than many fans may be used to seeing her play. The series will revisit one of the most widely known and scrutinized cases in true crime that remains unsolved to this day.
On September 15, Netflix gave a first look at Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen as Patsy and John Ramsey in the upcoming limited series “The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey.”
The comedic actress looked almost unrecognizable as she transformed into Patsy, JonBenét’s mother who was thrust into the spotlight following her daughter’s murder.
The series will explore the unsolved case of 6-year-old JonBenét, who was discovered deceased in the basement of her Boulder, Colorado home on December 26, 1996.
Apart from McCarthy and Owen, other cast members include Emily Mitchell, Garrett Hedlund, Alison Pill, Shea Whigham, Owen Teague, Clifton Collins Jr., Angus Caldwell, and Jaime Ray Newman. The series will premiere on December 10, 2026, nearly 30 years after the murder.
The Actress Takes On A Challenging Role
McCarthy is best known for her comedic roles in movies such as “Bridesmaids,” “The Heat,” and “Identity Thief,” making her portrayal of Patsy Ramsey a notable departure from the types of characters she typically plays.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight at the 2025 Golden Globes, McCarthy said “it was quite a challenge” to step into the shoes of JonBenét’s mother. She also spoke about the media circus that surrounded the case, saying the Ramseys were treated like “blood sport” as their lives became the subject of intense public scrutiny.
McCarthy believes they did a “great version” of the story, and she hopes it gives JonBenét’s family their humanity. “It’s been rewarding and challenging at the same time,” she said of the series.
Melissa McCarthy Earned An Oscar Nod For A Dramatic Role
Just watched ‘Can You Ever Forgive me?’ Melissa McCarthy is outstanding as literary fraudster, Lee Israel. Quirky and brilliant. pic.twitter.com/wI0ZIbxkBk
— Neil Alexander (@neilalexander_) January 19, 2020
While McCarthy has built much of her career around comedy, she has also taken on some serious roles.
In 2018, she played real-life celebrity biographer Lee Israel in the biopic “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” for which she was nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards.
Other serious roles followed, including tough ’70s hosewife Kathy Brennan in “The Kitchen,” struggling romance novelist Frances Welty in “Nine Perfect Strangers,” and grief-stricken Lilly Maynard in “The Starling.”
“I started in standup, and then did all dramatic work, so I really love it. I gravitate towards it. I think the joy of doing both is kind of heaven,” McCarthy said about taking on projects comedic and dramatic roles.
John And Patsy Ramsey Faced Public Scrutiny After Their Daughter’s Murder
JonBenét’s parents became the target of police investigation after the murder. The Boulder Police Department worked on a theory that the murder was an inside job staged by John and Patsy. The District Attorney’s office and private investigators, however, believed an intruder committed the crime.
In 1999, a grand jury voted to indict the couple, but the DA refused to sign the indictment, citing there was not enough evidence to prove a case against John and Patsy.
In 2008, Boulder County District Attorney Mary Lacy officially cleared John, Patsy, and their son Burke, in JonBenét’s murder after uknown male DNA was found on the victim’s clothing.
Prosecutors also apologized for what the family went through in addition to losing JonBenét. “No innocent person should have to endure such an extensive trial in the court of public opinion,” the DA wrote.
JonBenét Ramsey’s Case Is Still Open
Patsy died in 2006 after battling ovarian cancer. John is 82 years old and continues to search for answers about his daughter’s murder. He actively participates in documentaries about the case and has direct communication with authorities.
The Boulder Police Department releases annual updates about JonBenét’s case, and in a statement in 2025, they reaffirm that it “remains a top priority” and shared they conducted new interviews and re-interviewed others.
“It is never too late for people with knowledge of this terrible crime to come forward,” they noted.
Sydney Sweeney likely expected her latest sports betting campaign to spark conversation. Instead, it ignited a debate that has stretched far beyond advertising.
The actress is facing criticism from prominent female athletes after appearing nude in a promotional video for bookmaker Novig, using sports equipment to cover herself.
While the ad generated millions of views and more than a million likes, it also sparked backlash that coincided with a noticeable drop in her Instagram following.
The controversy began after Sydney Sweeney shared the Novig advertisement on Instagram last Wednesday. The campaign quickly drew online attention, but not all of it was positive.
According to a Daily Mail report, Sweeney initially gained roughly 50,000 followers after the ad’s release before the trend sharply reversed.
By Sunday, the “Euphoria” actress had lost 136,848 followers, and the following day, another 68,000 had unfollowed her.
The combined loss pushed the total above 200,000. While that figure represents less than one percent of her audience of more than 25 million followers, it showed the intensity of the reaction to the campaign.
Critics argued that the advertisement’s approach conflicted with the values many athletes had spent years promoting.
Rather than celebrating sporting achievement, some felt the campaign shifted attention toward physical appearance.
Sweeney Faces Criticism From Olympic And World-Class Athletes
Some of the strongest reactions came from elite female athletes who used their platforms to push back against the campaign.
British sprinter Amy Hunt addressed the controversy during a post-race interview after placing fourth in a 200-meter event at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
“It was incredible to be part of such an incredible race. Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like. 21.4 [seconds, the winning time of Melissa Jefferson-Wooden], muscles, hard work, sweat, blood, tears. This is a beautiful evening,” she said.
As The Blast reported, former Australian Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus also expressed frustration with the advertisement. “I can’t describe how infuriated I feel when I watch this,” Titmus shared.
She continued, “Not only is it a kick in the face to every woman who had dedicated her life to perfecting her craft, but every woman who enjoys sports for what it really is – teamwork, friendship, dedication, excellence, unity.”
Titmus then questioned the broader culture surrounding sports marketing, asking, “How do we live in a world where monetising a woman’s body and sexualising women’s sport is still a thing?”
Sydney Sweeney And Novig Defend The Campaign’s Intentions
Despite the backlash, both Sweeney and Novig have defended the advertisement and its purpose. Addressing the criticism, Sweeney revealed that the campaign was about embracing a fun idea.
She added, “The concept is simple: cut through the noise and put the focus entirely on sports. The campaign brings that idea to life with confidence, humor and a playful edge.”
Meanwhile, Novig founder and CEO Jacob Fortinsky revealed that Sweeney, who owns an equity stake in the company, was actively involved in shaping the campaign. According to Fortinsky, the Hollywood star specifically pushed for the nude concept.
He recalled Sweeney telling him, “I’m uncomfortable with other platforms that have markets on what color underwear I’m going to wear.”
Fortinsky also praised her ability to command attention, saying, “Sydney is great at captivating audiences and being the center of attention.”
More From The Blast
Sweeney’s Romance With Scooter Braun Faces Fresh Scrutiny
The backlash surrounding Sydney Sweeney’s sports betting campaign may have dominated headlines for days, but it wasn’t the only conversation unfolding around the actress.
As critics debated her latest advertisement, another story was quietly gaining traction in Hollywood circles: the increasingly intertwined nature of her relationship with Scooter Braun and her business decisions.
The discussion intensified after Sweeney signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a move that quickly became the subject of industry chatter.
According to The Blast, Braun played a role in helping facilitate meetings that ultimately led to the representation switch.
However, the story took an unexpected turn when Page Six reported that sources claimed super-agent Ari Emanuel allegedly advised Sweeney to distance herself from Braun if she wanted to strengthen her image as a serious actress and businesswoman.
The report drew immediate attention because Braun reportedly encouraged Sweeney to meet Emanuel in the first place. However, a representative for Emanuel denied that the meeting and comments ever occurred.
Sydney Sweeney And Scooter Braun Make Major Relationship Statement At Venice Film Festival
If questions about Braun’s influence were circulating behind closed doors, the couple’s appearance in Venice offered a very public answer to a different question: just how serious is this relationship?
Nearly one year after reports first emerged that Sweeney and Braun were dating, the pair stepped out together at the Venice Film Festival, turning what might have been a routine celebrity sighting into one of the event’s most talked-about relationship moments.
The appearance carried added significance because Venice was also where their story first began. According to PEOPLE, the two seemingly connected during Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding celebrations in Venice in June 2025.
At the time, sources described their relationship as casual, but that quickly changed as they spent more time together.
Over the following year, Sweeney and Braun reportedly traveled together, attended industry events side by side, and gradually became more comfortable being seen publicly as a pair.
Recent reports describe the pair as being in a committed relationship, while Braun publicly celebrated Sweeney’s birthday by praising what he called their “true partnership” and describing her as “the exception to every rule.”
Almost seven years after its inception, Apple TV has firmly established itself as the home of prestige science fiction. What began with the ambitious, high-budget cinematic storytelling of For All Mankind and See evolved with the patient pacing and serialized depth of the unapologetically cerebral Foundation and Severance, and set a new standard for high-concept world-building with Silo and Dark Matter. Trusting its audience to follow intricate details as they unfold not over episodes but across seasons, the platform has built an empire out of complex, philosophical television that uses spectacle to examine big-picture ideas rather than existing for its own sake.
No longer needing to prove itself, Apple TV has been dabbling heavily in sci-fi’s weird and wonderful subgenres, exploring post-humanist dystopia with Pluribus, Lovecraftian cosmic horror with Widow’s Bay, speculative neo-noir with Sugar, and high tech, low life cyberpunk with Neuromancer. But since so many of its biggest success stories are adaptations, the widening of the platform’s sci-fi remit presents a massive opportunity to finally bring some of the most epic novels ever written to TV. From 1Q84 to Children of Time, these are the books at the top of the queue; primed, ready, and waiting to become Apple TV’s biggest, most ambitious franchise ever.
1
‘1Q84’
By Haruki Murakami
1Q84 centers on two people who shared a single unforgettable moment as children who, 20 years later, independently find themselves in a surreal, alternate version of Tokyo where reality has subtly shifted, and two moons hang in the sky. Aomame, a fitness instructor and skilled assassin who eliminates abusive men for a wealthy dowager, and Tengo, a math teacher and aspiring novelist who ghostwrites a novella for a mysterious teenager, find their separate lives increasingly intertwined as they each navigate a sinister religious cult and a group of enigmatic supernatural beings whose influence in the altered reality is profound. A parallel-universe mystery and magical realism-laced journey of self-discovery; at its core, it’s a metaphysical love story where mutual desire and faith can shift the fabric of reality itself.
A three-volume journey clocking in at more than a thousand pages, Haruki Murakami’s masterwork could never be adapted as a movie without losing its core identity and becoming a standard-fare action or mystery thriller. But it has limitless potential as multi-season episodic television, the ideal medium for a visual translation of an exposition-and-monologue-heavy story; it’s a format that would allow for the epic dual narratives to layer and build, the deep-seated philosophy to weave its way towards earning its merit, and the magical realism to develop and expand on its own terms. While Murakami is extraordinarily choosy about where and how his stories get adapted, Apple TV’s auteur-first mentality might be the one time he might actually want a part in bringing his work to life on the small screen.
2
‘Children of Time’
By Adrian Tchaikovsky
Children of Time tracks humanity’s attempt to relocate across the stars and their ongoing encounters with advanced species on distant worlds that, after a human terraforming mission went sideways centuries earlier, have evolved into highly intelligent races and created civilizations of their own. With every first contact, the trauma inflicted by human hubris is laid bare, and the vast disconnect between different forms of intelligence forces humankind, alongside an interspecies crew, to reconsider its understanding of society, identity, and the meaning of sentience. But as the struggle for survival becomes more interconnected, the series asks whether cooperation and radical empathy are enough to overcome the dangerous instincts toward domination that have shaped intelligent life from the very start.
The four books in Adrian Tchaikovsky‘s series are uniquely suited to television, as each one doesn’t simply continue the story but expands its universe, presenting a unique opportunity to lay the groundwork for a long-running series steeped in lore and mythology. But what makes it such a standout in a crowded world of sci-fi epics is its meticulous depiction of its alien civilizations, its intrinsic weirdness that stays with you, permeating your consciousness for weeks and months after reading it. Keeping the core oddities of the source material instead of softening them requires a level of creative fearlessness, which makes it an ideal franchise for Apple TV in its adventurous era, one with the potential to alter the way hard sci-fi is brought to life on TV going forward.
3
‘The Deluge’
By Stephen Markley
The Deluge opens in an alternate 2013 rife with political discord and extreme weather, with a scientist issuing a public warning after discovering a climatological tipping point, only to find his message ignored, his career sidelined, and his life threatened. What follows is an epic journey through three decades of American collapse, experienced through a sprawling cast of characters across the country, including activists, politicians, experts, executives, extremists, and regular people. But as the crisis intensifies, political paralysis and government failure trigger economic and societal upheaval, making the consequences of inaction impossible to ignore and forcing the characters to converge in a high-stakes reckoning of what they’re willing to sacrifice to save even the smallest portion of humanity’s future.
Stephen Markley‘s novel already has all the makings of a prestige ensemble series: a massive cast, power struggles amid deep personal relationships and passions, warring American factions, and of course, a series of escalating disasters. Markley, who currently serves as a writer on Hulu’s hit series Paradise, is uniquely placed to tackle his 900-page source material in the slow-drip fashion that Dan Fogelman has mastered – and he’s worked under for the last three seasons – especially when considering the 27-year timeline. But what makes his novel so appealing for TV is how it tackles its story from every angle, bringing a fresh look at a world that, in many ways, mirrors ours, but extends into an unfamiliar sci-fi future, making it feel both incredibly plausible and urgent for the moment we’re living in.
4
‘Sea of Tranquility’
By Emily St. John Mandel
The four timelines in Sea of Tranquility are linked by a single anomaly, a jarring glitch in reality that causes three people to experience a flash of darkness followed by the echoing sound of a violin in an airship terminal. From a distant British royal exiled to the Canadian wilderness in 1912, to a New Yorker searching for a long-lost friend in 2020, to a moon-based writer on a book tour in 2203, three people find their lives upended by an unexpected event that connects them across time and space, while a time-traveling detective tasked with investigating the anomaly in 2401 becomes more and more certain that reality is a simulation. A sweeping temporal mystery, the novel is a devastating examination of fate and isolation, and the transcendence of human connection across all imaginable distances,
A faithful adaptation of Emily St. John Mandel‘s book would work best in a limited-series format, as it’d require a steady hand to nail the eerie details that echo across centuries, and a tight focus to truly deliver the canny, quiet interior lives of its characters while capturing the vast scope of its visual landscape. But here’s where it gets interesting, and where things move into franchise territory: the book exists in the same universe as The Glass Hotel, and while the earlier work is a realistic white-collar literary crime drama, it adds a tremendous amount of color to the characters and plot of Sea of Tranquility. There’s a world where these two books come together to tell a much more expansive story that dabbles in genre-bending and literary boundaries, one perfectly suited to being a franchise for Apple TV.
5
‘The Bone Clocks’
By David Mitchell
The Bone Clocks tells the extraordinary story of Holly Sykes, who runs away from home as a teenager in 1984 and begins experiencing unexplained visions and events that leave her certain a secret supernatural war is being waged in an invisible realm. The sweeping novel is divided into six sections, each spanning a decade, tracking Holly from rebellious teen to elderly grandmother as she becomes increasingly involved with the immortal beings who use her as a pawn, with her narrating the first and last sections. The other sections are narrated by individuals whose lives become part of her story, giving depth to a tale that begins as 80s realism, twists into supernatural horror, and ultimately leads to dystopia, a future on the brink of a collapse, where Holly must finally end the war that only she can see.
David Mitchell is a truly one-of-a-kind author, but when approaching his vast, interconnected body of work, it’s important to note that it’s incredibly unsuited to the brevity of a feature film – ahem, Cloud Atlas – but his spectacular writing lends itself beautifully to the format of a long-running television series. Each section of The Bone Clocks provides enough material to carry multiple episodes, if not a season, with Holly a strong, unforgettable anchoring protagonist, the supernatural lore begging to be turned into a mystery box, and a new leading character introduced at the top of each time shift to keep it fresh. Most importantly, it starts as a coming-of-age tale, morphs into an occult thriller, then becomes a dystopian journey, offering something for every type of Apple TV viewer in its franchise-ready story.
2026 has been a quiet year for Tom Cruise so far, but that’s all going to change soon when he returns to the big screen to star in one of the most anticipated movies of 2026, Digger. Co-starring Riz Ahmed, Sandra Hüller, and John Goodman, the film was written and directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu with help from Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jez Butterworth, and Sabina Berman. Cruise recently starred in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, and while he never exactly came out and said it, it’s expected that it was his final movie as Ethan Hunt — the title also gives off that impression. After Digger, the only other movie that Cruise has on the release schedule is the highly anticipated sequel to Days of Thunder, which has already been dated for release on June 2, 2028.
Tom Cruise has also confirmed that he will star in another Top Gun sequel with Miles Teller and Glen Powell, but at the time of writing, it’s still unclear when the film will be released. After the colossal success of Top Gun: Maverick, most fans thought that Paramount would be further along on the third installment by now. The legacy sequel grossed $1.5 billion at the box office, and it’s also been one of the most popular movies on Paramount Plus for years now, but it’s officially set to join a new streaming library soon. Netflix has officially announced that Top Gun: Maverick, the movie Steven Spielberg once proclaimed “saved Hollywood,” will begin streaming on the platform on September 22. It’s also streaming for free on Pluto TV, and the streamer has not announced any plans for it to depart the platform.
What’s Going on With ‘Top Gun 3’?
Top Gun 3 is officially confirmed, but there haven’t been many updates on the film since last year, when Christopher McQuarrie confirmed that he had broken the story and just needed writer Ehren Kruger to turn it into a workable script. Once Cruise finishes promoting Digger later this year, he’s expected to begin shooting Days of Thunder 2 to prepare for its 2028 launch date. Thinking optimistically, even if Cruise begins working on Top Gun 3 after Days of Thunder 2, it’s unlikely the film will be released anytime before 2030.
Check out Top Gun: Maverick on Netflix starting on September 22 and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Tom Cruise’s future projects.
- Release Date
-
May 27, 2022
- Runtime
-
131 minutes
- Director
-
Joseph Kosinski
- Writers
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Christopher McQuarrie, Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Peter Craig, Justin Marks
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