Influencer Jen Hamilton confirmed that she is stepping away from her nursing job amid her separation from estranged husband, Brian Hamilton.

“I’m taking some time off of work, which is something that I never, ever wanted,” Jen, 37, announced in a vlog on Monday, June 29. “My patients do not deserve the mental state that I would bring to the bedside right now. One moment, I’m OK. The next moment, I’m not OK.”

Per her website, Jen has worked as an ER and obstetrics nurse for more than a decade, specializing in helping mothers through giving birth.

“I don’t know when those moments [of not being OK] are and my patients deserve so much better than that,” she said. “There is so much happening that is so complicated that I wish that I could share right now and I cannot. Just know that I am being a kickass mom, not just to my children but to myself.”

(Jen and Brian wed in 2012 and they share two sons: Ellis and Luke.)

On June 15, Jen fought back tears in a TikTok vlog where she revealed she’d separated from husband Brian.

“I’m feeling embarrassed and feeling exposed and feeling sad, feeling every single thing you probably possibly feel,” she shared with followers. “My publicists say that I should make a statement ‘when I’m ready.’ There is no being ready. But there’s already been a bunch of articles about it, so I might as well just rip the Band-Aid off and put it out there in the wind.”

She subsequently shared a joint statement with Brian, thereby confirming the split.

“Yes, we are separating,” their joint statement read. “This comes with enormous pain for the both of us but also gratitude for the 15 years of shared history, love, and friendship. What we are committed to is loving each other well through this transition and placing the wellbeing of the family we created at the center.”

Related: Influencer Jen Hamilton and Husband Brian’s Relationship Timeline

Influencer Jen Hamilton and her husband, Brian, have been candid about their relationship through the years. The couple exchanged vows in 2012, before welcoming sons Ellis and Luke. In June 2026, Jen — who sparked speculation that the pair had called it quits — shared her side of the story on where they stand in […]

The Hamiltons went on, “We are hoping our paths diverging in physical location will make space and room for mental healing for the other. We still are committed to being a team. We even wrote this together (and without chatgpt). We both want to be very clear. This wasn’t about falling out of love. That’s why this is so devastating. It was about recognizing that sometimes the most loving thing you can do is give someone space to figure out complex things. And that’s exactly what we are doing.”

In that video, Jen promised fans that she was “gonna be alright” — but she compared the separation to the pain of childbirth in a subsequent vlog.

“It feels like labor,” Jen said in a June 20 video. “You’ll be OK for a minute and here comes a contraction! And another thing about this and labor is I don’t know when it’s going to end.”

Related: Everything HGTV Exes Jen and Brandon Hatmaker Have Said About Their Divorce

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HGTV couple Jen and Brandon Hatmaker’s 2020 split and subsequent divorce rocked both of their worlds. Former Your Big Family Renovation host Jen stunned fans in July 2020 by announcing that her family was “in a moment with no handbook and without a single clue how to navigate this privately, much less publicly” as she split […]

The Birth Vibes author continued, “The thing that is annoying me right now — that I know it shouldn’t be annoying to me, but I wish that I had something stable to count on — is the labileness of my feelings right now. Because I can wake feeling OK and, like, do stuff and get stuff done and feel like a boss and then somebody mentions something and I’m just a puddle on the floor.”

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In Monday’s vlog, Jen made it clear that she will continue to root for Brian despite how their marriage ended.

“Even after everything that has happened, I have no animosity, no ill will. I want him to find himself,” she explained. “I want him to be the bestest version of himself that he’s ever been. I’m gonna be his biggest cheerleader as he is on that journey.”

Jen then vowed, “I’m also going to be my biggest cheerleader. I am going to model for my children what it means to have healthy relationships, healthy self-worth and allowing those that we love the very most in this world to accept and embrace the gift that is accountability and consequence for the decisions that we make in this life.”

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are ensuring no one can ruin their big day!

The famous couple has been big on privacy regarding their wedding plans, keeping every little detail under wraps, including their wedding venue.

Sources have revealed the shocking measures they took to ensure any guest spilling the tea about their union will be caught. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will reportedly tie the knot on July 3.

According to sources with direct knowledge about Swift and Kelce’s upcoming union, the duo allegedly watermarked each wedding invite. The guest’s first and last name were repeated throughout the invitation as a security measure to catch anyone who leaked it online.

Sources explained that if a guest chose to photograph and post the invitation publicly, Swift and Kelce would be able to identify the person responsible through the watermarked invite. Their security measure to catch tattletales appeared to have worked, as there have been no leaked invites.

TMZ learned that the lovebirds began sending invitations in early spring, with many guests receiving them around April. The invites reportedly did not mention the wedding venue, only listing July 3 as the date and New York City as the location.

Madison Square Garden Remains The Most Suspected Wedding Venue

Although Swift and Kelce remain secretive about their wedding venue, many reports have highlighted Madison Square Garden as the most likely location for the July 3 affair. The outlet reported that sources had further fueled the speculations thanks to a permit request.

The permit reportedly requested that New York City close streets around Madison Square Garden from July 2 through midday July 4. The paperwork stated the street closure was a July 3 event, sparking more speculation about Swift and Kelce saying their vows in MSG.

Event planners also requested space for tents, canopies, and trucks around the arena. The wedding venue speculations continued with several members of Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs team allegedly booking rooms at the famous Marriott Marquis in Times Square for the same period.

JFK Jr.’s Former Aide Shuts Down The MSG Theories

While many believed Swift and Kelce were planning to tie the knot at MSG, one wedding planner begged to differ. RoseMarie Terenzio, who planned John F. Kennedy Jr.’s secret wedding to Carolyn Bessette nearly 30 years ago, weighed in on the wedding venue speculations.

Terenzio told “CBS Mornings” that she did not believe the famous duo was planning to say their vows at MSG. Instead, JFK Jr.’s former aide theorized that the arena was a decoy meant to distract the public from the actual wedding ceremony.

Although Terenzio did not believe the wedding would happen at MSG, she suspected Swift chose the location to plan something special for fans. “I think she has such an emotional connection to her fans and she understands that relationship so well that I think there will be something for the fans,” Terenzio said.

Did The Couple Secretly Say Their Vows?

Amid the growing speculations of Swift and Kelce’s wedding venue, The Blast shared that an industry insider had dropped a shocking perspective. The source echoed similar sentiments to Terenzio’s decoy theory, pointing out that the couple might have said their vows.

“Something this big and lavish is somewhat antithetical to what those closest to her would have imagined for her wedding,” the insider said about Swift’s preferences. “And that’s why many feel the MSG event will be a celebration of marriage that will have already occurred,” they added.

Sources from City Hall further fueled the narrative by confirming that a permit to use MSG for an event with about 100 people had been secured for July 2, presumably for a more intimate gathering. There was another permit for a larger event for July 3 with over 1,000 people in attendance.

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce May Have Locked Down Two Music Acts

According to a recent report by The Blast, the upcoming wedding could feature performances from music legends Stevie Nicks and Tim McGraw. The latter has history with the “Opalite” hitmaker, whose 2006 debut single was titled “Tim McGraw.”

As for the other iconic singer, fans began speculating he could perform at Swift and Kelce’s union following Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The soon-to-be bride appeared at Madison Square Garden wearing a top illustrated with the words “Stevie Knicks.”

Nicks and McGraw weren’t the only speculated performers, as there were rumors of a surprise performance by Beatles Legend Paul McCartney. Swift and McCartney once shared the stage during the 40th anniversary celebration of “Saturday Night Live.”

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 1 hour ago

I really, really love horror movies. Like, all of them. But as an ‘80s kid, my preference is for slashers where over-the-top killers slowly pick off hapless teens, one by one. By comparison, body horror is something I have to really be in the mood for because it feels more visceral and, in many ways, much scarier. In a Friday the 13th film, the worst Jason Voorhees will do is brutally stab someone. But in a body horror film, you’re likely to get melting bodies, mutated faces, and explosive showers of gore. It’s genuinely disturbing stuff, and the right cast can transform such a film into an instant classic.

That’s exactly what happened with Together, the powerhouse directorial debut from Michael Shanks. The movie stars real-life couple James Franco and Alison Brie, and their chemistry adds so many layers of electric tension to almost every scene. Like many, I’m a huge fan of Community, and I’d happily watch Brie read a phone book. Fortunately, Together is much more entertaining than that, and she’s at her sexy, charismatic best in a film that explores everything from compromise to codependence. It’s a relationship film in a creepy horror wrapper, meaning you and your partner can enjoy the world’s weirdest date night by streaming Together, well, Together!  

The Scariest Relationship

The premise of Together is that a couple (played by Dave Franco and Alison Brie) is in a relationship that has grown stagnant. They try to patch things up with some big changes: she gets a job teaching at an elementary school, and he moves to the new town with her to focus on his music career. Things are still rocky, but they try to bond by exploring their new town together. After falling into a cave, however, they discover something horrific: their bodies are physically trying to merge together, and tearing themselves apart afterward causes pain and, quite possibly, death.

Together is powerful largely because it focuses entirely on our two main characters, Tim and Millie. Sure, there are other characters, including friends at a going-away party and a friendly teacher at the elementary school. The vast majority of the time, however, we are just focused on this couple and their relationship troubles. Those troubles form a kind of Rorschach test early in the movie as viewers try to decide who is most to blame. Is it Millie for expecting too much of her man, who makes a major life change for her despite grieving his recently deceased parents? Or is it Tim, a slacker who spent years failing to get his life together?

Learning To See Eye To Eye

The drama between these characters is that much more potent because of their talented actors. Dave Franco and Alison Brie are great on their own, but they are perfect onscreen together because they are a couple in real life. This allows the two to infuse scenes with all of the emotional highs and lows of an actual relationship. When they have snippy little fights over everything from navigation to sex, it feels both relatable and raw. However, their affection for each other is very clear, with their arguments reflecting (with painful accuracy) how nobody can hurt you like the one you love. In that way, Together features one of the most realistic portrayals of a relationship in modern film.

As an added bonus, Together strikes that rare balance between powerful social commentary and visceral storytelling. The couple at the center of this film is painfully codependent, something dramatized by the horrific concept of being forced to become one body. That premise leads to some great grossout moments courtesy of director Michael Shanks, who is clearly a fan of David Cronenberg. Even as the body horror gives audiences a visceral ick, though, the film asks some hard questions: what causes codependence? How do you maintain individuality in a relationship? And how much of yourself can you sacrifice before there’s just nothing left?

If that sounds a bit heavy, don’t worry: Together also has sprinkles of weird humor throughout, much of it coming from the easygoing banter between Dave Franco and Alison Brie. The movie isn’t exactly a comedy, but it will make you laugh, and those moments of levity help to offset the more harrowing scenes. At the same time, the comedy underscores the terror of their characters’ bizarre situation. That situation will hit that much harder for anyone currently in a relationship because it forces you to ask yet another hard question: what if this were happening to us? 

There’s not much else to say about Together without ruining some of its delicious twists and turns, and trust me: it’s worth experiencing these surprises for yourself. If you’re still on the fence, you should know this quirky horror movie has a whopping 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the rare horror film that blew critics’ minds. Will it blow your mind, though, or just make you want to start merging your hand with the remote as you change the channel? You won’t know until you find out for yourself; Together is currently streaming on Hulu.

A dramatic shakeup has hit “Love Island UK” just as one of the show’s most anticipated twists gets underway. Casa Amor bombshell Gabriel Garland has reportedly been removed from the ITV2 dating series after producers became aware of reports linking him to a 2019 stabbing incident. While Garland was never convicted of any crime related to the case, his reported connection to court documents surrounding the altercation has sparked controversy among fans. The unexpected exit comes just as viewers prepare for the return of Casa Amor, the fan-favorite twist designed to test the strength of the Islanders’ relationships.

Garland was introduced as one of six male bombshells entering Casa Amor during Season 13. “Gabriel has now left the Villa and will not be returning,” an ITV spokesperson told Deadline in a statement.

The newcomer was set to join the secondary villa alongside five other men in an effort to tempt the female Islanders away from their existing couples. However, reports indicate producers decided to remove him from the show after learning of his alleged connection to a 2019 stabbing case.

Despite his reported removal, Garland will still appear in Sunday’s episode when the Casa Amor bombshells are first introduced. His appearance beyond that episode, however, has reportedly been cut short.

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Casa Amor Remains One Of ‘Love Island’s’ Biggest Twists

The controversy comes as “Love Island UK” launches another installment of its famous Casa Amor twist. Each season, the format separates the men and women into different villas before introducing a fresh group of bombshell contestants. The goal is to test existing relationships and determine whether Islanders remain loyal to their current partners or pursue new romantic connections.

This year’s Casa Amor lineup included six new women and six new men entering the competition. Alongside Garland, the male bombshells included Tommy, Jordon, Will, Carlos, and Aaron.

The female newcomers included Charleen, Mara, Martha, Olivia, Nevaeh, and Julia.

‘Love Island’ Fans Were Already Calling Out One Islander During Casa Amor

Garland’s reported removal comes as “Love Island UK” viewers are already finding plenty to talk about during this year’s Casa Amor twist. Recent episodes have introduced a fresh batch of bombshells tasked with testing existing couples, and fans were quick to react to one contestant in particular: Aidan.

According to viewers, it took less than three minutes of Monday night’s episode for Aidan to become the center of attention after openly discussing kissing one of the new arrivals.

Aidan’s Behavior Quickly Sparked Backlash Online

The drama unfolded after the Islanders participated in a flirtatious game of “Two Truths and a Lie,” where correct guesses were rewarded with a kiss.

As the group got to know one another, Aidan spoke with bombshell Julia about her kiss with his brother, Kavan, during the game. He jokingly suggested she would need to determine which brother was the better kisser before asking for a kiss himself.

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Julia ultimately obliged, but viewers were stunned when Aidan later appeared to pursue another kiss with fellow bombshell Martha.

Afterward, he reportedly told the group that he and Martha would be sharing a bed that evening.

Viewers Accused The Islander Of Moving Too Fast

The scenes quickly sparked criticism online, with some fans arguing that Aidan was moving far too quickly after arriving at Casa Amor.

Several viewers took to social media to express frustration with the Islander’s behavior, with some even joking that producers should send him home before the twist had fully unfolded.

Others questioned whether his actions signaled trouble ahead for any potential romantic connections he hoped to build inside the villa. “Send Aidan home please,” one user wrote as another said, “Aidan needs to be stopped. I cannot believe he hasn’t been warned. He makes me sick”.

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With Casa Amor only just getting started, however, many fans suspect even more drama could be on the horizon before the Islanders are forced to decide whether to remain loyal to their partners or recouple with someone new.

Serena Williams had a brutally honest conversation with herself before making her highly anticipated return to competitive play.

The legendary tennis champion admitted that while mulling over her decision, she realized that she was handed a rare opportunity when she accepted a wildcard into the main draw. 

Williams’ return to the tour started with a bang as she teamed up with Victoria Mboko during the HSBC Championships, where they emerged victorious.  

Williams needed a strong internal push before deciding to accept the final special invitation to play at the grass-court championship. Organizers had held onto one last open spot for the tournament, leaving the tennis champion with a big choice to make.

“I thought I should really take this opportunity. Who knows if I’ll ever make it here again. This could be it,” Williams shared with reporters during a news conference with AP News. 

She admitted to having a lot of self-doubt before making up her mind, laughing about the internal debate she had before agreeing to step out onto the court alone.

“I was like, ‘What’s wrong with me, Serena? What are you thinking? Are you nuts? Like you really should do this,’” she explained.

Ultimately, Williams realized that very few people get to experience life as a professional athlete, and she wanted to embrace the opportunity to showcase her skills on the global stage once more. She noted that people spend their whole lives wishing for a moment like this, so she told herself it was just too exciting an opportunity to pass up. 

Serena Williams Faces a Difficult Road Ahead Of Wimbledon Opener

Now that Williams has returned to competitive play, she has an upcoming match against Maya Joint. This marks her first official solo competition since she walked away from professional tennis four years ago. 

The Blast reported that after losing at the US Open in 2022, Williams famously stated that she was not retiring, but instead “evolving” away from the sport to focus on her growing family.

Since then, she welcomed her second daughter and stayed off the competitive courts until this surprising return. Now, her path to winning an eighth title at the event looks like a massive challenge. If she manages to beat her young opponent, Joint, the matches ahead are expected to get much tougher.

Family And Fellow Athletes Inspired Serena Williams’ Iconic Return

Williams’ challenging path back to the tournament became much easier to handle because of the strong support network cheering her on behind the scenes.

Before making her Wimbledon appearance, the tennis legend recently shared that her daughter, Olympia, was actually a major reason she decided to step back onto the grass courts with her sister Venus.

“Well, I think it’s going to be fun. My daughter, Olympia, told me I should play with Venus. She’s always right,” Williams stated during a media interview, per The Blast.

In addition to her family, the tennis legend noted that watching her sister perform so well at the US Open gave her a huge boost of inspiration. Additionally, seeing her sister excel, alongside watching the amazing success of other iconic sportswomen like alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, gave her the final push she needed to officially join the competition.

Meghan Markle Had an Awkward Moment With Serena’s Mom

While the tennis champion enjoys deep support from her immediate family, a different kind of family interaction from her past has recently started trending online again. 

A viral video resurfaced showing an uncomfortable meeting between Williams’ mother, Oracene Price, and Meghan Markle. According to The Blast, the two women sat next to each other in the VIP section during a 2019 match, where the former actress reportedly tried and failed to start a conversation with the athlete’s mom.

A body language expert named Judi James studied the old clip and claimed it showed clear signs of “tension” between them. James further criticized the Duchess of Sussex, stating that she seemed to be performing for the audience. 

Serena Williams’ Husband Faced Public Backlash Over Sports Event

The uncomfortable situation involving family and fame also extended to the sports star’s husband, Alexis Ohanian, who recently faced heavy public anger.

The Blast reported that the prominent investor was fiercely criticized by social media users for attending the recent White House UFC event, where a fighter directed a nasty insult at Michelle Obama. 

Ohanian tried to explain his presence on X, stating that he only went because he received a high-level corporate invitation. However, angry fans were not satisfied, with one critic posting, “Shame on you for so many reasons. But I feel bad for your wife and child.”

She may own a home in Nashville, but Reese Witherspoon‘s casual summer wardrobe is everything we love about East Coast style. Her looks embody country club class, and her latest dress is no exception. The one downside for those who hope to copy it? The price tag. However, we found the dreamy, Hamptons-coded look for just $35!

In a shoot for Draper James, Witherspoon posed in a buttery yellow dress that screamed ‘Southampton garden party,’ especially since she paired it with delicate tie sandals. The dress retails for $158, which feels somewhat reasonable. . . until you spot this twin on Amazon.

Get the Auselily Sleeveless Summer Dress for $35 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

This Auselily Sleeveless Summer Dress is pure Witherspoon: sunny, feminine and polished without trying too hard. It channels the same breezy elegance that translates from a Nashville rooftop to a Sag Harbor porch, thanks to the flowy silhouette, sleeveless design and vibrant yet flattering yellow color.

Related: Nicky Hilton‘s Leopard Print Dress Is the Epitome of Old Money Elegance

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If you want to look rich, leopard print never fails. Just take it from Nicky Hilton, easily the epitome of old-money style. Hilton’s leopard-print dress style is this year’s (unofficial) rich mom uniform, and we found the expensive look on for just $30! Hilton wore a flowy maxi dress that gave off her signature polished vibe. […]

Speaking of flattering, this chic dress features a surplice neckline that minimizes the shoulders, a faux wrap that shapes the waist and an A-line skirt that skims past the hips, landing right at the knee. It’s an appropriate length for brunches, bridal showers and everything in between.

Better yet, the spandex blend material had just enough stretch to feel like loungewear. One happy shopper wrote, “This dress is perfect, soft and [has] pockets  . . . material is stretchy and comfy, the fit is flattering . . . I purchased three for my trip to Italy. I’ll wear short leggings underneath, but it’s long enough to ensure it stays, looks classy in any setting. Tennis shoes, sandals or heels.”

Summer should feel easy, cheerful and a little romantic, and luckily, this Amazon mini dress delivers all three without the $158 commitment. Throw it on with raffia sandals, grab an iced coffee and channel your inner Hamptons hostess. Witherspoon sure is!

Get the Auselily Sleeveless Summer Dress for $35 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more summer dresses and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Amazon‘s Bestselling Summer Dresses Are So Boutique-Worthy — From $10

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If you love expensive boutique style, welcome to the club. Instead of actually browsing at high-end boutiques, we found a way to satisfy our pricey taste on a budget — and there’s zero shopper’s guilt involved. Amazon’s bestsellers list is overflowing with dreamy dresses that could easily pass for luxe-looking finds. The only difference? They […]

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 6 seconds ago

Star Trek is full of food and drink that would challenge the most adventurous palate. This includes bloodwine, live worms, Yamok sauce, and the scariest thing of all: Riker’s scrambled eggs. However, you could say this is only fitting because many parts of Trek’s unique storytelling are also an acquired taste. My favorite examples of this are holodeck episodes. Some fans like these stories because they are typically lighthearted and show us an entirely new side of these characters. Others hate holodeck episodes because they are silly trifles that get in the way of exploring strange new worlds and telling killer sci-fi stories.

Early on in Star Trek: Voyager, the writers tried to do something a bit different with the holodeck: namely, using it to create regular locations for characters to unwind. Instead of one-off holodeck episodes like the kind in The Next Generation, this new show had crew members regularly relax in places like Chez Sandrine, a swanky French bar. Fans generally liked that place (it’s like a classier Ten Forward!), but there was one holodeck program on Voyager they hated. The program was “Janeway Lambda One,” and fans despised the captain’s submissive gothic fantasy so much that it was written out of the show altogether!  

Holo Passion

Admittedly, “Janeway Lambda One” is not the most creative title for a holodeck program. Its story wasn’t all that creative, either. In this particular fantasy, Janeway plays governess to a rich lord’s two children. The lord is a widower, and the captain is trying to help the children cope with the recent loss of their mother. Most of the time, she spent her time bonding with these children by teaching them. When she wasn’t spending time helping out the kiddos, she tried learning more about the fourth floor of her lord’s home, somewhere she is surprisingly forbidden to visit.

Originally, Janeway Lambda One was a way of giving the Voyager captain her own holonovel to explore, the same way Captain Picard liked to re-enact his favorite Dixon Hill novels. Originally, producers wanted to give Janeway a Western holonovel where she would be a pioneer woman traveling with her husband and children. However, that plan had two problems: Kate Mulgrew hated working with horses, and adding the holo-Western to an episode could have cost an extra $100,000 per day of shooting. Instead, they pivoted to a much more affordable Gothic holo-novel in the style of books preferred by executive producer Jeri Taylor.

Submissive And Beamable

Unfortunately, fans hated Janeway Lambda One so much that it was written out of the show, and we never got a resolution to that mystery about the fourth floor. What did audiences dislike about this holodeck program, though? According to Captains’ Logs Supplemental–The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages, Taylor said that the program was “one of those things…we were not getting the feedback from the fans that seemed to justify its continuing. A lot of people had problems with Janeway being in what would be considered a servile position.” And, of course, “A lot of people just aren’t fans…of Gothic novels and just sort of didn’t get it.”

What’s up with the “servile position” complaints? Basically, when Star Trek: Voyager came out, it was a big deal that the show had a female captain. Accordingly, she wasn’t written as an overly nurturing or emotional character; instead, she was a tough-as-nails character who could make hard calls with the same dispassionate wisdom as male leaders like Kirk and Picard. In other words, she was the ultimate feminist icon of the ‘90s. Fans who looked up to her as an independent badass leader didn’t like the idea that she spent her spare time daydreaming about being a babysitter and love interest to some rich guy who has immense power over her.

In real life, this isn’t such a crazy idea: many people who are powerful and independent in their professional lives actually enjoy submissive roleplaying as a kind of escapism (just ask your local kinksters!). But that’s an idea that 1) doesn’t really translate well to Star Trek and 2) wouldn’t work in the ‘90s, when the kinkiest thing most audiences had ever seen was Secretary. Accordingly, “Janeway Lambda One” was written out of the show, allowing Janeway to explore a sexier adventure in a later episode that began with that three-word phrase all holodeck husbands love to hear: “delete the wife!”

Dave Portnoy is pulling back the curtain on one of the biggest podcast breakups in recent memory. 

In his newly released memoir, the founder of the Barstool Sports website revisits the dramatic collapse of “Call Her Daddy,” claiming the split involved secret meetings, explosive contract demands, and allegations he says could have destroyed his company. 

Years after the blockbuster fallout between Alex Cooper, Sofia Franklyn, and Barstool, Portnoy is now sharing his version of events in striking detail.

According to Dave Portnoy, the partnership between Barstool Sports and “Call Her Daddy” appeared stable until Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn traveled to Los Angeles to appear on Logan Paul’s podcast in April 2019.

The social media personality claimed there had been no signs of unhappiness before that trip, writing per the Daily Mail, “There was no indication that Alex and Sofia were unhappy with their situation, until they met Logan Paul.” 

He alleged that conversations with Paul about their contracts and compensation planted doubts that grew over the following months.

Portnoy wrote that the hosts gradually distanced themselves from Barstool, first by staying away from the office, and eventually by hiring a lawyer to renegotiate their contracts.

He described the meeting as a turning point, claiming their demands included $1 million annually for each host, ownership of the “Call Her Daddy” intellectual property, control over advertising sales, 90 percent of merchandise revenue, and employee reclassification.

Portnoy said the requests were so extreme that he couldn’t even finish the meeting. He also alleged that former HBO executive Peter Nelson, who was dating Franklyn at the time, played a significant role in the negotiations. 

Franklyn has previously denied those claims, saying speculation surrounding Nelson’s involvement was false and that he was not heavily involved.

Portnoy Claims Podcast Went Silent During Contract Standoff

As negotiations intensified, Dave Portnoy alleged that the hosts stopped releasing new episodes to pressure Barstool into accepting their demands.

He said the production freeze raised the possibility of legal action for breach of contract, setting off increasingly tense negotiations between the two sides.

Portnoy recalled arranging a private meeting with the hosts on the rooftop of his apartment building, where he presented what he described as “the most generous offer in Barstool history.” 

According to him, the proposal would have made both Cooper and Franklyn instant millionaires while allowing them to continue building the successful podcast.

Despite the offer, Portnoy said the dispute remained unresolved. The standoff ultimately became one of the most public contract battles in podcasting, eventually leading to the end of the original “Call Her Daddy” partnership and Franklyn’s departure from the show.

Dave Portnoy Says Alex Cooper Secretly Met With Him Alone

One of the biggest revelations in Portnoy’s memoir centers on a private meeting he claims took place between himself and Cooper without Franklyn present.

According to the 49-year-old, Cooper asked for another rooftop meeting after reviewing his revised offer.

He recalled the 31-year-old telling him, “I love the deal you proposed, and I want to take it. But Sofia is never going to take it.”

Portnoy said he reminded Cooper that Barstool would pursue legal action if the podcast moved elsewhere before the contract expired.

He then made his most explosive allegation, claiming Cooper revealed that she and Franklyn had discussed accusing Barstool of sexual harassment to escape their contractual obligations.

Portnoy wrote that the alleged strategy would have been used if Barstool refused to surrender ownership of the podcast.

He acknowledged the seriousness of the accusation, writing, “I realize that this is a heavy accusation I just made: how Call Her Daddy was allegedly planning to break their contract with us by lying about sexual harassment at Barstool.”

Portnoy Says Public Opinion Would Have Been Against Him

Reflecting on that alleged conversation, Dave Portnoy argued that Barstool would have faced an uphill battle if sexual harassment accusations had become public.

He noted that Barstool had long been criticized for controversial humor but said the company had never previously faced allegations of inappropriate workplace conduct.

Portnoy wrote that even if he believed the accusations were false, “Nobody would have believed my side of the story.”

He suggested public perception alone could have inflicted lasting damage on both him and the company, regardless of the outcome of any legal dispute.

The businessman described the moment as one of the most significant crises he had ever faced while running the company.

Dave Portnoy Fires Back At Sofia Franklyn Ahead Of Her Own Memoir

Portnoy also addressed reports that Franklyn is preparing to release her own book, acknowledging that he has no idea what her version of events will include.

While leaving open the possibility that parts of her story could be accurate, he did not hide his opinion.

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“Listen, I have no idea what she’ll write in her book,” Portnoy wrote before adding, “In my book, Sofia Franklyn is a f*cking liar.”

He also argued that some readers may automatically side with Franklyn for a variety of personal reasons, but insisted his account reflects what he believes happened behind the scenes.

Portnoy concluded by criticizing those who view Franklyn as a feminist figure, writing that he believes anyone supporting her should remember his allegation that she was willing to falsely weaponize claims of sexual harassment.

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