Entertainment
Liza Minnelli Goes After Lady Gaga For 2022 Oscars Incident In New Memoir
Liza Minnelli is finally telling her side of one of the most talked-about Oscars moments in recent memory, and she’s not holding back. In her upcoming memoir, the legendary performer opens up about what really happened during her widely scrutinized 2022 Academy Awards appearance alongside Lady Gaga, claiming she felt blindsided, humiliated, and forced into a situation she never agreed to. The bombshell revelations are just one part of a deeply personal book that also explores Liza Minnelli’s childhood with Judy Garland, her struggles with addiction, and the life experiences that shaped her career.
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Liza Minnelli Says She Was ‘Ordered’ Into Wheelchair At Oscars
Liza Minnelli tore into Lady Gaga and the Oscars four years after she was humiliated by her chaotic appearance at the awards show.
As a refresher, Gaga rolled Minnelli onstage in a wheelchair to present best picture at the 2022 Academy Awards, then leaned down and tried to get her to sing a song from her 1972 movie “Cabaret,” only for Minnelli to cut her off and say, “Hi, everybody!” The younger singer then whispered, “I got you,” which was caught on the mic and only fueled speculation about Minnelli’s health.
Now Minnelli has offered her own honest account of the onstage fiasco in her upcoming memoir, “Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!,” as told to Michael Feinstein and excerpted by PEOPLE.
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Minnelli alleged that she “was inexplicably ordered, not even asked, to sit in a wheelchair or not appear at all.”
“I was told it was because of my age, and for safety reasons, because I might slip out of the director’s chair, which was bullsh-t,” she claimed. “I will not be treated this way.”
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Emotional Fallout From The Onstage Moment
Minnelli revealed she was devastated by how events unfolded, particularly because the change impacted her ability to perform comfortably.
She was “heartbroken” by the turn events had taken, on top of which she “was much lower down than I would have been in the director’s chair. Now I couldn’t easily read the teleprompter above me. How would you feel if you were wheeled out, against your will, to perform in front of a live audience, and unable to see clearly?”
Minnelli then pointedly recalled that “when I stumbled over a few words, Gaga, who was at my side, didn’t miss a beat to play the kindhearted hero for all the world to see. ‘I got you,’ she said, leaning down over me.”
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Liza Minnelli’s Dressing Room Encounter With Lady Gaga
Following the presentation, Minnelli said Gaga approached her privately backstage.
Gaga asked, “Are you okay?” to which Minnelli replied simply, “I’m a big fan,” having “learned this lesson years ago from Mama and Papa. At a moment of high stress, you stay gracious.”
In the immediate aftermath of the Oscars, Minnelli’s close friend Michael Feinstein publicly claimed she had been “forced” into the wheelchair appearance at the last minute after initially agreeing to appear in a director’s chair due to back trouble.
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Memoir Also Explores Childhood With Judy Garland
The memoir also delves into Minnelli’s upbringing as the daughter of Hollywood icon Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli.
In one excerpt, she reflected on caring for her mother during Garland’s struggles with addiction. “At 13, I was my mother’s caretaker, a nurse, doctor, pharmacologist, and psychiatrist rolled into one,” she wrote, per PEOPLE. “I lost count of the times I called doctors to say she’d run out of pills. I’d say, ‘I’m a kid! Please fill my mama’s prescription!’”
She also recalled the constant travel of her childhood. “I’ll never forget the day she sat us down and gave Lorna and me a choice; Joey was less than 1 year old,” Minnelli shared. “We could stay in school in Los Angeles. Or we could come on the road with her. We’d be in and out of different hotels, schools (I’d eventually attend 22 of them), and cities. ‘When do we leave?’ we answered in unison.”
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Addiction Struggles And Life Lessons
Minnelli also opened up about her own struggles with substance abuse following her mother’s death. “I cried for eight straight days. Stress and tension overwhelmed me. I was reeling, and a doctor prescribed Valium to help me relax just before the funeral,” she shared. “What began as a one-day blessing soon turned into a habit, then a full-blown case of addiction in the years ahead. It was a final gift, a genetic inheritance from Mama I could not escape.”
She also credited Elizabeth Taylor with urging her to seek help during a difficult period. “I’ll never forget the urgency in her voice and her words, ‘Liza, this disease is going to kill you if you don’t do the right thing,’ she said. ‘Please, no more lies. Look in the mirror and see what we all see. You look like hell, and you feel even worse. You’re not able to do this alone.’”
Minnelli ultimately sought treatment multiple times over the years, including a return to rehab in 2015 after recognizing warning signs in her own behavior.
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Team USA had the full support of the Gaudreau family at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith Gaudreau, and his parents were spotted in the crowd during the men’s hockey semifinal matchup against Slovakia on Friday, February 20. (Team USA ultimately won the game, advancing to the gold medal championship round against Canada on Sunday, February 22.)
“You should be here, John, and I’m so sorry you aren’t,” Meredith wrote via her Instagram Stories later on Friday. “So proud of you and your legacy.”
Meredith also shared a sweet pic of daughter Noa, 3, decked out in Team USA gear and holding an American flag before the game in Milan, Italy. (In addition to Noa, Meredith and Johnny shared sons Johnny Jr., 2, and Carter, 10 months.)
Late hockey star Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, is celebrating their son’s 1st birthday. “Happy 1st Birthday to our baby boy! We love you so much, Baby Johnny! Already so strong and so special,” Meredith wrote via Instagram on Saturday, February 22. “‘I can’t believe you gave me a boy,’ is all John said over […]
Johnny, a forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets and a favorite for the 2026 Olympic hockey team, died in an August 2024 accident at the age of 31. Johnny and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver while riding their bikes before their sister Katie Gaudreau’s wedding in New Jersey.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the Ohio hockey team said in a statement at the time. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving father, son, brother and friend.”
The statement concluded, “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden death of Johnny and Matthew.”
Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau’s daughter Noa. Courtesy of Meredith Gaudreau/ Instagram
Meredith, who started dating Johnny in 2018, broke her silence that same month.
“Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much,” she wrote via Instagram in August 2024. “You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much, forever and ever.”
In a follow-up tribute, Meredith called Johnny “the absolute best dad in the world.”
“[He was] so caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with,” she wrote in a social media upload. “John never missed a single [doctors’] appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the Apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so so so much, Daddy.”
Courtesy of Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram Although Johnny Gaudreau loved the game of hockey, his family always came first. Off the ice, the NHL player enjoyed spending quality time with his wife, Meredith, and their two children, Noa and Johnny. Tragedy struck the Gaudreau family, however, when Johnny and his younger brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were killed while […]
Meredith announced at Johnny and her brother-in-law Matthew’s funeral in September 2024 that she was pregnant with baby No. 3. She gave birth to son Carter in April 2025.
“Our third baby is here!” Meredith wrote via Instagram, announcing Carter’s arrival. “I love you so much my baby! We are going to have so much fun. I can’t wait to give you the best life, my special boy forever. John, thank you for giving me our beautiful family. We love u, Daddy and miss you so much.”
John is also survived by his parents and two sisters. Matthew, who died at 29, was married to wife Madeline Gaudreau, who gave birth to son Tripp after the brothers’ deaths.
Tom Schwartz is one of the newest cast members to join Bravo’s hit reality series, “The Valley,” and he couldn’t be more excited about his next chapter.
For those unfamiliar, Tom Schwartz was one of the marquee players of the original “Vanderpump Rules,” which also consisted of cast members Tom Sandoval, Jax Taylor, Stassi Schroeder, and Scheana Shay.
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Tom Schwartz Is Excited For His Second Act On Bravo As The Newest Full-Time Cast Member Of ‘The Valley’
Speaking with BravoTV during a recent Q&A, Schwartz said his return to Bravo “feels so good,” adding that returning to the small screen as part of “The Valley” truly “feels like a rebirth in the most organic way.”
“It doesn’t feel like I’m casted on a new show, you know what I mean? It feels like they just picked up cameras with a different group of friends who I all know and love,” he said.
Season 3 of “The Valley” kicks off on April 1, 2026, and will feature many of the first two seasons’ OGs, such as Brittany Cartwright, Kristen Doute, Danny Booko, Nia Booko, Jason Caperna, Janet Caperna, Jasmine Goode, Jesse Lally, Michelle Saniei, and Zack Wickham.
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What’s Going On With Tom Schwartz In Season 3 Of ‘The Valley’?
It’s been some time since Bravo watchers have gotten an in-depth look into Schwartz’s life since being fired from “VPR.”
According to him, in “The Valley,” viewers will see an entirely different side of the bar owner.
“I’m starting life over in my 40s, and you get to see that, how that looks,” he said. “And, also, you get to see me in the early stages of kind of falling in love, which is super intimate.”
Schwartz’s season 3 bio teases that cameras will also capture the veteran reality star as he navigates drama emerging in his relationships with his longtime friends.
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“After a few tumultuous years, Tom is eager to settle down and find his forever person, even testing the waters within the friend group,” the bio read. “When a promising romantic interest comes into play, his friends question the validity of the relationship and his dating choices, creating friction for him in the friend group.”
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Tom Schwartz Wasn’t Sure About Joining ‘The Valley’ As A Full-Time Cast Member At First
A previous report from The Blast reveals that Schwartz wasn’t so sure about joining the “Valley” cast in a full-time capacity. Last year, the Bravo staple said that he believed producers were trying to decide if the show really needed more players.
“… they want to keep — this is my interpretation — ‘The Valley’ pure,” he said. “I think it is good the way it is.”
The network decided to go in a different direction for the next round of episodes, and after catching the season 3 super teaser online, Schwartz posted on Instagram to celebrate the special occasion.
“Grateful to be back in your living rooms (acting a fool) PS I MISSED YOU GUYS,” he wrote.
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Schwartz Hit A Rough Spot In His Friendship With Sandoval, Points To Their Failed Bar, ‘Schwartz & Sandy’s’
Another report from The Blast details Schwartz’s complicated relationship with one of his best friends, Sandoval.
On “Vanderpump Rules,” the pair were filmed opening two bars, “TomTom” and “Schwartz & Sandy’s.”
The latter, however, was forced to close following a decline in bar traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the backlash Sandoval received after being exposed for cheating on his partner of 10 years, Ariana Madix, with her then-best friend.
“Unfortunately, the current climate for this business is pretty rough,” Schwartz said in 2024. “Recovering from all the negativity post-scandal wasn’t easy, and the slimmer margins post-COVID made it even harder to bounce back. There’s not a lot of room for error in the restaurant/bar business.”
“It’s already a tough business, and the damage from relentless negative press over the last year made it even harder,” he added. “It was difficult not to feel resentful and bitter, but eventually, we had to let it go — no more replaying what went wrong.”
While Schwartz acknowledged that he and Sandoval would always be tight due to their history, he also admitted he was harboring “deep-rooted frustrations” over their failed business venture.
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Jax Taylor Walked Away From ‘The Valley’ After Difficult Year In Front Of The Cameras
One Bravo cast member viewers shouldn’t expect to see in the next season of “The Valley” is Jax Taylor.
According to The Blast, Taylor walked away from the series following season 2 to focus on himself and his personal struggles, which he previously admitted involved cocaine and alcohol.
“After an incredibly challenging year and many honest conversations with my team and producers, I’ll be stepping away from the next season of The Valley,” he said. “Right now, my focus needs to be on my sobriety, my mental health, and coparenting. Taking this time is necessary for me to become the best version of myself — especially for our son, Cruz.”
Claressa Shields had plenty to say after videos showed a heated weigh-in with her upcoming opponent, Franchon Crews-Dezurn. The champion boxer even joked about being disrespected while wearing her “Faith Evans” wig. Meanwhile, social media is cracking up after Papoose stood ten toes down in front of his lady during the incident, even letting off a few words for the other side!
RELATED: Okay, Sis! Fans Are Sending Claressa Shields Heart Eyes After She Flexed A Fresh NEW Look Ahead Of Fight Night (VIDEOS)
Claressa Shields Says Franchon Crews-Dezurn Head-Butted Her
Claressa and Franchon Crews-Dezurn popped out in Detroit on Saturday for their weigh-in. Their fight is going down tomorrow night at the city’s Little Caesars Arena, but the ladies brought the heat to the weigh-in. Standing face to face in their fur coats, the videos show the boxers getting close enough for their foreheads to touch! That only lasted a few seconds, though, as Claressa Shields shoved Franchon back a few steps.
From the clip, Shields had her face scrunched up, yelling over a sea of people between them who were trying to calm the heat! The boxers didn’t get close after that.
Within hours of the incident, Claressa Shields hopped on social media to clear the air, accusing Franchon Crews-Dezurn of attempting to throw their fight. In a tweet, she wrote, “Who TF head butts someone at weigh in!!!! Damn right she got pushed! She’s trying to throw the fight.” Additionally, in a livestream, Shields claimed that she’s been “so professional all this time,” even slapping on her Faith Evans’ wig for the event! She shared a “lesson” for all the female boxers: don’t ever in your *MF* life walk up on the GWOAT to head butt her—those were her words. Also, Shields said that when Fronchon walked up to her, the brim hit her on the head, and she let it slide.
“If you don’t get the hell up off me,” Claressa said. She also popped off on someone named Glenn, accusing him of trying to get involved and warning that Papoose would’ve “knocked his a** out.” She added, “My baby would’ve torn your a** up.”
Swipe below to see what else Claressa Shields got off her chest!
Papoose Draws Attention With His Weigh-In Reaction
Boxing fans likely had their eyes on Claressa Shields and Franchon Crews-Dezurn. But, the fans of her personal life? The ones rooting for Papoose and Claressa? They were locked in on videos showing the wordsmith smirking while clapping back at apparent threats at the weigh-in. Angles show Claressa telling her man not to let her opponent throw the fight, and him seemingly warning the organizers. All in all the internet streets are saying Pap was ready to get active, and the comment sections are loaded, chile!
Franchon Crews-Dezurn Invites Remy Ma To The Boxing Match
Meanwhile, Franchon also made time to clear the air and share her side of what went down ahead of Claressa Shields shoving her. She spoke on Shields allegedly selling her soul for “some clout and a married man.” Additionally, she said she would fly Remy Ma first-class to the fight if she can get in contact with Remy. “You a clown, I’m disappointed in you,” she said.
RELATED: Love Day Lit! Papoose Goes All Out For Claressa Shields With MAJOR Oceanfront Surprise On Valentine’s Day (VIDEO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Travis Kelce‘s ex-girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, has gone viral again for a recent comment she seemingly made about her past relationship with the NFL star.
Nicole blamed “compatibility issues” as the reason why they didn’t work out, saying Kelce was the “right person.” She previously came under fire from fans over a Super Bowl ad that appeared to take a dig at Kelce and his fiancée, Taylor Swift.
Meanwhile, the power couple is reportedly planning their wedding, with the Chiefs’ tight end recently revealing that their reception would feature a lot of booze.
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Kayla Nicole Said Travis Kelce Was The ‘Right Person, Wrong Time’
Kayla Nicole has made headlines for her recent reflection on her failed relationship with football star Travis Kelce, nearly four years after their split.
The podcaster made a viral appearance on a TikTok livestream with “Love Island” Ace Greene, where she was asked the reason why she and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end didn’t work.
“Who knows? Could be compatibility issues, right person, wrong time,” she replied, per the DailyMail.
She was then asked when her last relationship was, to which she said, “Probably, like, three years ago now. It’s been a long time.”
Reports suggest the pair started dating around 2017 after connecting via Instagram, and dated on and off for five years until they eventually called it quits in 2022.
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About 18 months later, Kelce’s whirlwind romance with Taylor Swift began.
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The Influencer Got Roasted On Social Media For Her Recent Remarks
Nicole’s latest comments about Kelce have since gone viral across social media, sparking varying reactions from netizens on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok.
One viral clip slammed Nicole for saying Kelce was the “right person” a few months after shading him with a Halloween video in which she performed to Toni Braxton’s song, “He Wasn’t Man Enough.”
“Tell me you can’t move on without telling me you can’t move on. Meanwhile, Travis and Taylor are out there living life and minding their own business,” one person wrote about the media personality’s comment.
Another said, “Doesn’t make sense. She spoke down to him and looked annoyed at times to be with him. She just now thinks he was the right guy!”
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A third person joked, “At this point, Travis needs to make sure his security is always on the lookout for her.”
“Right person, wrong time, because she knew she had a good man, but wasn’t mature enough to be in a relationship,” a fourth TikTok user commented.
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Kayla Nicole Came Under Fire For Throwing A Jab At Travis Kelce In A Super Bowl Ad
Nicole has come under fire severely for her continued comments about her broken-down relationship with Kelce, with fans accusing her of always making reference to it in order to stay relevant.
She recently garnered backlash as she appeared to shade him in a 2026 Super Bowl ad for the brand Sleeper.
As reported by The Blast, in the ad, comedian Tiffany Haddish and NBA star Ben Simmons, who were promoting their business “Simmons and Haddish,” featured as a team that helps people get “excommunicated” from their exes following a celebrity breakup.
Nicole, who was addressed in the ad by name and was referred to as the “Ex of a certain NFL player,” said Simmons and Haddish promised her that they could “put an end to this whole ‘ex-girlfriend’ fiasco quickly,” referencing her past relationship with Kelce.
However, Simmons interjected, “That doesn’t sound right,” before Nicole suggested “Rapidly.”
The basketball star insisted he never used the adjective before correcting her, saying, “I said swiftly, why is that so hard to remember?” appearing to reference Kelce’s fiancée, Swift.
Many critics, particularly Swifties, took to social media to call her out following the perceived shade.
“I’m convinced she doesn’t have any friends cuz my friends wouldn’t let me crash out like this after 4 years,” someone wrote.
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Travis Kelce And Taylor Swift Are Planning Their Wedding, But Are In No Rush
Meanwhile, Kelce and Swift’s relationship blossomed since they got together, and they got engaged in August last year.
Both of their moms, Donna and Andrea, were seen spending time together as they attended the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Sunday, January 25.
They’re understood to be planning their marriage, which reports claim would hold this summer in Rhode Island. However, the couple is taking things slow and is in no rush, especially as Kelce looks to figure out his future in the NFL.
“When it comes to wedding planning, nothing feels rushed or one-sided,” an insider told PeopleMagazine. “They’re both equally involved and excited, and this isn’t something one or the other is carrying on their own. They’re approaching it as a partnership, talking things through together and enjoying the process in a way that feels natural to them.”
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Travis Kelce’s NFL Future Seems To Be Priority For Them
Not much is known about the event’s proceedings because Kelce and Swift have remained tight-lipped about it. Kelce’s future seems to have taken center stage after suffering a disappointing season with the Chiefs.
“They’re not even halfway through the guest list,” a source told Rob Shuter’s #Shutterscoop. “Right now it’s more about enjoying time together than crunching spreadsheets.”
“Travis is still figuring out if he’s playing next year,” another source explained. “They don’t want to stress over a wedding when there’s so much else going on.”
However, the football star revealed that the reception would feature a lot of Garage Beer, the alcoholic beverage he co-owns with his brother Jason.
Sometimes, when a television series becomes super popular, it can then lose some of its luster. Shows that are beloved by fans and critics can sometimes experience a bit of a fall from grace when the criticisms start to roll in. Series such as The Bear and Game of Thrones come to mind as victims of this trend. However, there are still examples of exceptional shows that just keep getting better with time. One award-winning Netflix miniseries certainly falls into this category, and is still earning kudos today.
What Is ‘Baby Reindeer’ About?
In April 2024, Netflix released a seven-episode limited series called Baby Reindeer. At first, the show seemed like it would fly under the radar, with no prior IP to drum up interest and no big-name stars. However, word-of-mouth quickly spread that the series was, in fact, something truly special. The story is about an aspiring comedian named Donny Dunn (Richard Gadd) who meets a woman named Martha (Jessica Gunning) while he’s working as a bartender. At first, he thinks Martha just might be a tad odd, but when he offers her a friendly complimentary cup of tea, Martha latches onto Donny, inciting stalking patterns that systematically threaten to ruin Donny’s life.
Martha’s intense and abusive behaviors include emailing Donny hundreds of times a day, ruining his relationship with his girlfriend, Terri (Nava Mau), and messing with Donny’s confidence (an essential aspect of being a stand-up comedian). Martha is somehow both terrifying and pathetic, and her connection to Donny becomes a twisted, toxic cycle. Donny must try to break away from Martha, while also examining a past sexual assault that he’s never truly dealt with which might be affecting why he’s become even more intertwined with the dangerous Martha. The most intriguing part of the entire miniseries is that, although dramatized to some degree, Baby Reindeer is based on real events that Gadd himself experienced.
‘Baby Reindeer’ Offers Several Astounding Performances
The series is already remarkable in how it brings Gadd’s experiences to life. But Baby Reindeer also becomes a must-watch because of the incredible performances. Gadd has written the series so that you immediately feel entrapped in Donny’s world, and Gadd infuses the role with a brutal authenticity and an honesty that allows us to truly experience all the complex emotions Donny holds. Collider‘s Therese Lacson noted in her review that Gadd “gives his all in every scene…the unabashed way the narration interrogates his inner thoughts, mixed with the way Donny presents himself and his slow physical deterioration over the time of the stalking, make the show memorable.” Gadd is able to convey the harsh, lingering effects of trauma (both of his prior assault and with Martha’s stalking) so that we understand how life-altering and truly damaging these types of acts of intrusive violence can be.
The 10 Best Psychological Thriller Shows on Netflix Right Now
For stories where nothing is ever what it seems.
As impressive as Gadd’s performance is, Baby Reindeer’s success can largely be attributed to Gunning’s multi-faceted portrayal of Martha. With a lesser actor, Martha could have come across as a mere caricature — a dowdy woman who develops a crush and then takes it way too far. She could have been depicted as unhinged or overly dramatic. Instead, Gunning allows us to see all sides of Martha. She’s not only driven by her obsession, she’s also a woman who has experienced countless examples of disappointment and heartbreak that have resulted in a fractured psyche. This allows the viewer to develop a bizarre sympathy for a character who would otherwise be classified as a frightening villain. Gunning expertly demonstrates that even antagonists are devastatingly human at the end of the day.
It’s no surprise that Baby Reindeer quickly became beloved by critics for its original storytelling and extraordinary performances. It then took home 11 Emmy nominations and six wins, including ones for Outstanding Limited Series and Writing, and statues for Gadd and Gunning. But even after the Emmy ceremony took place, Baby Reindeer continues to live up to the prestige, with a 99% Rotten Tomatoes score. Although the series has been met with a bit of controversy (a woman claiming to be the real Martha has launched lawsuits against Netflix since the show’s release), Baby Reindeer is worthy of a binge-watch for anyone looking for a haunting thriller that examines the dark and complicated sides of humanity.
Baby Reindeer is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
- Release Date
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2024 – 2024-00-00
- Directors
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Weronika Tofilska, Josephine Bornebusch
- Writers
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Richard Gadd
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Jessica Gunning
Martha Scott
What started as a regular night out quickly spiraled into chaos in San Antonio. And now, two families are mourning while two suspects sit behind bars. Authorities say Joseph Amador and Lauren Machado-Juarez are at the center of a deadly shooting that turned a Texas hookah lounge into a crime scene. The details unfolding from that night are as chilling as they are heartbreaking.
RELATED: Florida Woman Sentenced After Shooting Deputy With Hidden Gun While Handcuffed (VIDEO)
Fight At Hookah Lounge Ends In Capital Murder Charges
According to the San Antonio Police Department, 34-year-old Joseph Amador and 35-year-old Lauren Machado-Juarez have both been charged with capital murder. This comes after they allegedly opened fire on patrons seated on the outdoor patio of Myst Hookah + Ultra Lounge. Police say the pair had been inside the lounge late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning when a fight broke out. Additionally, security escorted them out of the establishment. Just minutes later, investigators say the situation escalated in a deadly way.
Lights Off, Shots Fired Into Packed Patio
Authorities allege that about five minutes after being removed, a Ford Fusion — reportedly driven by Machado-Juarez with Amador in the passenger seat — returned to the scene with its lights off. According to an arrest affidavit, the vehicle passed the lounge before circling back, positioning the passenger side toward the patio. That’s when gunfire erupted. Witnesses reported hearing around 20 shots fired into the crowded outdoor area.
The victims were later identified as 27-year-old Derek Brown and 50-year-old Kyung Lee. A witness told local media that at first, the gunshots didn’t immediately register as danger — until they saw two people lying on the ground. Panic quickly set in as bystanders scrambled for safety.
Tracked By Plates, Cuffed Days Later
Investigators say they were able to track down the vehicle through its registration. Furthermore, they later spotted Amador and Machado-Juarez exiting an apartment and getting into the same car two days after the shooting. Police arrested both suspects and recovered a handgun from inside the vehicle. Authorities also revealed that at the time of their arrests, both individuals allegedly had outstanding warrants unrelated to the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing as the community grapples with the violence that shattered what was supposed to be a night of music and socializing. Police have not released additional details about what sparked the initial altercation inside the lounge.
RELATED: Florida Man Charged After Fatally Stabbing His Brother Following Alleged Dispute Over Shared Cash App Money
What Do You Think Roomies?
Punch the Monkey
Ape Expert Says He Needs a Real Mom!!!
Published
TMZ.com
A baby Japanese macaque named Punch has gone viral for capturing hearts around the world — after his mother neglected him at birth and led him to find comfort in a stuffed monkey … but according to one expert we spoke to, he will eventually need a living, loving mom in his life.
We spoke with Michael Stern — a Harvard-trained primatologist with decades of experience studying gorillas both in captivity and in the wild in Uganda — who tells us every primate needs something to love when they’re a baby, and they need to be loved … just like us humans!
Sterns tells us it’s been scientifically proven that just about every mammal out there has the same basic emotions as a human, and every baby needs something to put that loving emotion toward … he says, “To me, it’s kind of sad that what he had was this stuffed animal.”
He continues to emphasize the importance of how the baby would usually need to be raised by its mother in the natural environment, where it’s going to have all the stimuli that a mother would give … and it’s never going to get the same from a human or toy, as it would get from its mom.
Michael tells us … “I think people are right to feel a little bit sad when they see him running to a stuffed animal for for comfort” but that it’s actually beneficial to him that he is in the midst of a big troop of other monkeys and — according to Stern — he thinks as Punch grows up, he will be able to integrate himself into the social atmosphere.
In terms of people online like Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, who have publicly offered to buy Punch off of the zoo, Stern tells us it’s not necessarily the zoo’s fault, but there are some ways these folks can put their money where their mouth is.
Stern calls to Punch’s fans to remember when you watch these videos online — that might just be a minute of either happiness or sadness — for the animals, that’s their entire life and we must do our part to support our animal buddies.
The ape expert points out if you look at the video, these monkeys are living on concrete and don’t really have that much grass or any real trees to climb. So the folks who are saying we should buy them out and rescue them, maybe they should be thinking bigger picture.
Michael works for the New Nature Foundation — an organization he’s part of that is looking to stop deforestation in Africa through a variety of new technologies — so for those touched by Punch’s story, they can make a difference by helping donate to the cause.
James Van Der Beek’s sudden death at 48 left Hollywood stunned, and it sparked a wave of generosity few could ignore.
Within days, a GoFundMe created for his widow and six children crossed $2.6 million. Big names opened their wallets, and fans followed.
However, as the total climbed, so did the questions. Why would a recognizable TV star need public donations? The answer, it turns out, is far more layered than many critics assumed.
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James Van Der Beek’s Fundraiser Drew Major Hollywood Support
The GoFundMe for James Van Der Beek’s family quickly became a rallying point for the industry.
Steven Spielberg contributed $25,000. Zoe Saldaña pledged $2,500 a month, while Jon M. Chu gave $10,000. Lyn Lear also donated $5,000. Others, including Julie Plec, Ricki Lake, and Lydia Hearst, also generously chipped in.
The fundraiser’s rapid rise to more than $2.6 million underscored Van Der Beek’s stature in Hollywood.
After losing his three-year fight with colorectal cancer on Feb. 11, colleagues and friends clearly wanted to ease the burden on his family.
To many, the donations were a sign of love and appreciation for an actor who had worked steadily for decades.
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Van Der Beek’s GoFundMe Sparked Online Backlash
Still, not everyone felt comfortable with the campaign. Some online commenters questioned why a star of “Dawson’s Creek” would need financial help.
One critic wrote, “This doesn’t sit right with me. Not at all. Sure, I get it. But thousands of people around the world face this exact situation every day and deal with the struggle.” They added, “He had to have had life insurance … and residual checks.”
The criticism grew louder after reports suggested that James Van Der Beek had secured a down payment on a Texas ranch shortly before his death.
That fueled speculation that he had more money than people realized.
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However, actor Mehcad Brooks pushed back forcefully, writing, “You have no idea wtf you’re talking about. You have no idea the pain they went through. It’s ok to stfu when you can’t know what the f-ck you’re talking about.”
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James Van Der Beek Was Famous But Not Ultra-Wealthy
While Van Der Beek became a household name playing Dawson Leery, early TV contracts were rarely lucrative for young actors.
At the start of his career, he was reportedly paid modestly. According to a Warner Bros insider, every actor cast for “Dawson’s Creek” was unknown at the time.
“Katie Holmes was cast from a home video on her kitchen counter. I can’t imagine James had any points,” they said.
However, salaries increased over time, possibly reaching six figures per episode in later seasons, but residual deals in that era were often limited.
In an interview with Today, Van Der Beek admitted, “There was no residual money,” adding, “I was 20. It was a bad contract.”
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After “Dawson’s Creek” ended in 2003, he stayed busy. He appeared in “Don’t Trust the B—— In Apartment 23,” “CSI: Cyber,” and “Pose,” and acted in films like “Varsity Blues” and “The Rules of Attraction.”
Van Der Beek also competed on “Dancing With the Stars” and even voiced Boris on “Vampirina.”
These jobs kept him visible, but they did not come with blockbuster-level paydays.
Inside Van Der Beek’s Costly Medical Battle
After James Van Der Beek’s diagnosis in 2023, he qualified for SAG insurance, which likely covered much of his traditional cancer treatment.
However, insurance typically does not cover alternative therapies, and according to reports, the Hollywood star pursued both.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, a family friend shared, “It was a lot of ups and downs these past few years.”
The friend noted that in Van Der Beek’s last year, the actor tried everything to survive, including attempting the holistic route and traveling out for other options, even if they cost thousands of dollars.
“He really wanted to live and had a lot to live for. He fought really, really hard,” they added.
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Even so, Van Der Beek remained hopeful. During an interview, he revealed that he knew from the start that he would turn the experience into something positive.
“When I heard the news,” he said during a 2025 “Today” interview, “I was like, ‘This is going to be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’”
Van Der Beek added that a voice told him, “‘You’re going to make changes in your life that you would never, ever make if you didn’t have this extreme of a diagnosis, and it’s going to add healthy, happy years to your life.’”
James Van Der Beek And Kimberly Renew Their Vows
Van Der Beek’s widow, Kimberly, is devastated by his death. However, shortly before he died, the pair reassured each other of their undying love.
As reported by The Blast, the couple renewed their wedding vows just days before he died, creating a deeply emotional moment that family and friends have shared publicly.
According to the report, they held an intimate ceremony in their bedroom at their Texas ranch, deciding just two days beforehand to mark their commitment again with new rings, candles, flowers, and loved ones nearby.
Kimberly revealed that friends helped organize the “simple and beautiful” event from their bed, and some guests even joined via Zoom as an instrumentalist played music, including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
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That final act of love and commitment stood as a poignant tribute to their 15-year marriage and the life they built together.
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After filing for divorce in 2018, Gayheart had it dismissed in March 2025, just weeks before Dane made his ALS diagnosis public.
This week, videos of Shia LaBeouf cuttin’ up in the streets of New Orleans circulated on social media. Mardi Gras was last Tuesday (Feb. 17), so the city has been lit. However, the actor’s behavior landed him in hot water with the local law. In addition to coming to blows with bar patrons, police now claim Shia was using homophobic slurs, too.
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) February 15, 2026
RELATED: Shia LaBeouf Arrested In Georgia For Disorderly Conduct And Public Drunkenness
Shia LaBeouf Charged In Connection To NOLA Fight
After his physical tussling, local law charged Shia LaBeouf with two counts of simple battery. Additionally, police are accusing him of repeatedly using homophobic slurs while hitting multiple people at a New Orleans bar during Mardi Gras. These are details from a police report on the incident, obtained by the Associated Press through a public records request.
The New Orleans police report states that 39-year-old LaBeouf “became irate and aggressive throughout the night.” He allegedly struck multiple people with a closed fist at the Royal Street Inn & R Bar, near the historic French Quarter. He was eventually arrested.
On Tuesday, a New Orleans magistrate judge ordered Shia LaBeouf to be released from custody without a bond requirement, according to Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Gary Scheets. In the early morning hours of Feb. 18, LaBeouf wrote “Free me” on his X account.
Free me
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) February 18, 2026
Man Who Actor Allegedly Attacked Describes Incident To Police
Jeffrey Damnit is a well-known local entertainer. Police identified him as Jeffrey Klein in the incident report. He claimed to be one of the people Shia attacked.
“He hit me, he connected a few times with punches, he pushed me a few times,” Damnit said.
LaBeouf “just got nuts” trying to start fights and telling the entertainer and others that he would beat them up, Damnit said. He added that LaBeouf had pushed him from behind at the bar earlier in the night, shouting homophobic slurs and threatening his life. At the time, Damnit was wearing eye makeup and lipstick. He believes his appearance motivated LaBeouf’s attack.
“That’s just somehow something that set him off, angered him and gave him a direction for his anger,” Damnit said. “This guy wants me to be dead because I wear makeup. It’s a screwed up thing.”
Damnit is a member of the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He told the AP he is worried that he will face ramifications in his professional career for pressing charges against longtime Hollywood talent, Shai LaBeouf.
Videos Of Shia LaBeouf Acting Aggressively Go Viral
A viral video shows a shirtless Shia LaBeouf shoving one person to the ground and hitting another person in the face. According to the police report, the face hit caused “his nose to possibly dislocate.” Damnit and others detained LaBeouf and tried to get him to leave the area. However, the actor would not leave and became more aggressive, according to Damnit and the police report. Police arrived at the bar around 12:45 a.m. on the morning of the city’s famous Fat Tuesday revelry.
Shia LaBeouf fight in New Orleans 😬 pic.twitter.com/5itmRNJXH7
— Cringe (@CringeOnX) February 18, 2026
Another video recorded by Damnit and shared with the AP shows Shia LaBeouf looking at the camera and appearing to mouth a homophobic slur while police detained him. He continued to repeat the slur throughout the arrest, the police report stated.
“These f*****s put me in jail,” LaBeouf said, and then told police he’s Catholic, according to the report. “I didn’t shove nobody, I never touched nobody,” LaBeouf tells New Orleans police officers in the video recorded by Damnit.
Videos later show LaBeouf dancing throughout the French Quarter and appear to show him waving his jail release papers.
@tmz Shia LaBeouf was back on Bourbon Street after his Mardi Gras arrest —and tried to play it off like he wasn’t famous 😳🎭Footage shows him telling a streamer he’s “not anyone” … while still chatting it up with excited fans. 🍻📸
Former Disney Actor Has Violent History
This isn’t the first time Shia LaBeouf has faced legal troubles. He was sent to court-ordered rehabilitation after being arrested in New York in 2017 for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. That incident was captured on livestream video.
While on location in Georgia filming ‘The Peanut Butter Falcon,’ later that year, he was arrested for public drunkenness. Then, police accused of disorderly conduct and obstruction. A judge sentenced him to probation. Then in 2020, he was charged with misdemeanor battery and petty theft in Los Angeles.
That same year, FKA Twigs, whose legal name is Tahliah Barnett, filed a lawsuit alleging Shia LaBeouf was physically and emotionally abusive to her during their relationship. Twigs said LaBeouf put her in a constant state of fear and humiliation. She accused him of once slamming her into a car and trying to strangle her. Also, she alleged that he knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease. They settled the lawsuit five years later, in July 2025.
LaBeouf apologized in a statement after the lawsuit was filed. He also denied the accusations in the lawsuit in a 2021 filing. He said any injuries done or damages incurred by Twigs were not his doing.
RELATED: Shia LaBeouf Goes On Rant, Says “A Black Man Arrested Me For Being White”
Jack Brook from Associated Press/Report for America, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr and AP Writer Juan A. Lozano contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
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