Taylor Frankie Paul is making it clear she’s not stepping away from the spotlight even as controversy continues to follow her. 

The reality TV star and MomTok influencer is pushing back against calls to go offline, choosing instead to document her struggles in real time. 

With domestic violence investigations, a canceled TV opportunity, and ongoing scrutiny tied to her relationship with ex Dakota Mortensen, Paul is now leaning into the chaos rather than hiding from it.

Taylor Frankie Paul isn’t interested in logging off social media, despite growing pressure from critics who believe she should take a step back.

After a TikTok fan advised her to “Do your healing off of social media,” Paul responded directly, making her stance unmistakably clear. 

Taking to her Instagram Stories, she shared a screenshot of the fan’s comment alongside the reply, “That sounds like the reasonable answer, however I will be doing the opposite. I’ll continue sharing on social media showing how ugly healing truly can be.”

For Paul, posting content is more than just staying visible, it’s part of how she processes everything happening around her. 

She explained, “Making and editing videos is my way of processing just like people like to write into a journal.. this is my way and I choose to share it.”

She also acknowledged that her approach might not work for everyone, adding, “Saying this with love, most people would need to get off and so understandable [bandaged heart emoji] I’m not most.”

Paul Opens Up About ‘Ugly’ Healing Amid Legal Drama

Taylor Frankie Paul has been upfront about the emotional toll of the past few months, describing her situation as something deeply overwhelming.

A day before the response, the 31-year-old shared a post on Instagram, revealing she planned to document “the ugly parts of what healing actually looks like,” giving followers a closer look at what she’s going through behind the scenes. 

Paul also described the backlash and attention as a “public atrocity” she wouldn’t wish “upon my worst enemy.” Her legal situation has been a major part of that stress. 

The TV personality referenced a turning point when she learned charges would not be pursued against her, saying, “God undoubtedly had a hand in this because after waiting 7 weeks on the 7th day EXACTLY I received the call all charges dropped.”

The investigations stemmed from reported domestic disputes involving her ex, Mortensen, with whom she shares a young son. 

While the case brought significant scrutiny, prosecutors ultimately chose not to move forward.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s Reality TV Setback Adds To Ongoing Turmoil

Paul’s personal challenges have also spilled into her professional life, affecting major opportunities. 

She had been set to appear on season 22 of “The Bachelorette,” but the project was abruptly canceled just days before its scheduled premiere. The decision came after footage surfaced showing a past altercation involving Mortensen.

In response to the situation, a spokesperson stated per PEOPLE, “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.”

Despite the setback, Paul has expressed a desire to rebuild and focus on herself. In her Instagram post, she shared that she’s returning to basics, writing, “We’re working on eating, movement, rest, and retraining the nervous system.”

At the same time, she made it clear that her journey will remain public. “I’ll be sharing the process, because if my worst is shared better bet I’ll share the rebuilding too,” she said.

Paul Opens Up About The Bad Effects Of Her Domestic Violence Case

Taylor Frankie Paul recently opened up in raw detail about what she called the “ugly parts” of healing after her domestic violence case, sharing an emotional and deeply personal message with fans. 

As The Blast reported, she described the aftermath as overwhelming, writing, “I wouldn’t wish this upon my worst enemy,” while reflecting on the intense public scrutiny and personal pain she endured.   

Paul added that the experience felt like “a certain living hell I couldn’t find my way out of,” revealing how trapped and broken she felt during the ordeal.  

She also painted a vivid picture of her emotional state, saying it was like “someone witnessed me bleeding out and poured salt all over me.” 

Despite that, Paul expressed gratitude for surviving the situation, saying she felt “forever freed,” even if she was “barely” holding on.  

Dakota Mortensen Admits Regret Over Difficult Cycle With Taylor Frankie Paul

Days before Paul’s revelation, Mortensen broke his silence on the legal drama, describing their relationship as a “difficult cycle” he wished he had left sooner. 

According to The Blast, he admitted, “I regret not stepping away from a difficult cycle sooner,” reflecting on the toxic nature of their on-and-off relationship.   

Mortensen explained that he had since taken time away from the chaos, adding that his focus was now “on my son and creating a stable, healthy environment.”   

He also pushed back against public narratives, saying, “I don’t agree with how this situation has been portrayed publicly,” arguing it “does not reflect the full context” or its impact on him and their child.   

He acknowledged his own role in the situation, saying he was taking accountability and prioritizing growth, while stepping away from the spotlight to focus on healing.

After such a long wait, Euphoria coming back was always going to be a moment. The real question was whether the show would still have the same pull after four years away. Turns out that answer is very much yes. HBO’s drama returned on April 12, 2026, and within days it had climbed right to the top of HBO Max’s worldwide chart, overtaking The Pitt in the process. That’s a pretty loud comeback.

FlixPatrol’s chart for April 17 shows Euphoria at No. 1 on HBO Max worldwide, ahead of The Pitt, while the April 18 chart has the two shows flipped again with The Pitt at No. 1 and Euphoria at No. 2. Either way, the bigger point is clear: the series came back swinging and immediately re-entered the platform’s top tier.

That tracks with the scale of the return. Season 3 premiered four years after the previous run and pushes the story forward with a major time jump, bringing Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi, and more back into the chaos. Love it or hate it, Euphoria has never exactly done subtle, and that shock-factor reputation is part of why the comeback landed so hard.

Is ‘Euphoria’ Worth Watching?

Collider’s review stated that Euphoria Season 3 still delivers the things the show is known for, but it no longer feels like it has much purpose. Even with the five-year time jump and an older version of these characters, the series does not seem to have grown in any meaningful way. According to the review, it falls back on the same formula of striking visuals, strong performances, and nonstop ugliness, but this time without much depth behind it.

“The fact that these characters were in high school for the first two seasons made all of Euphoria‘s risqué moments that much more shocking and uncomfortable, but in a way, it also sort of felt like the whole point. The show’s five-year time jump inherently strips it of its central thesis of ‘look at all the adult things kids have to deal with nowadays,’ making it difficult to pinpoint why Season 3 exists at all. Is it beautifully shot? Yes. Does it feature excellent performances? Many. Does it have anything interesting to say? It doesn’t, really — in fact, it amounts to a whole lot of well-crafted, weakly-written nothing.”

Euphoria is streaming now.

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Release Date

2019 – 2026-00-00

Network

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HBO

Showrunner

Sam Levinson

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Directors

Jennifer Morrison, Augustine Frizzell

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There’s a reason some shows become background noise, and others become ritual. NCIS, now in its 23rd season, has managed to be both. It’s a comfort watch, a character drama, a crime procedural, and, somehow, still a ratings and streaming force in an era where even younger, louder franchises burn out fast. On Paramount+, where legacy library viewing drives real value, few titles have proved as durable.

That durability — and consistent ratings, according to FlixPatrol — is the result of a series built to evolve without losing its center. Cast members leave as others step in; people like Gibbs exit as Alden Parker arrives. NCIS has managed, over the years, to get the rhythms right and keep its audience.

‘NCIS’ Built a Formula That Still Works

Image via CBS

If by now, viewers don’t know about NCIS, a team of agents with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigates crimes tied to the Navy and Marine Corps, such as murders, espionage, terrorism, cybercrime, and internal corruption. Some cases are ripped from the pages of military bureaucracy; others edge toward political thriller territory. Despite similar shows doing the same, what keeps NCIS alive after more than two decades isn’t the cases alone.

Mark Harmon’s Gibbs gave the show its steel as Michael Weatherly’s DiNozzo brought swagger and comic timing. Pauley Perrette’s Abby made forensic science feel punk while David McCallum gave the series soul. Then there were later additions that didn’t imitate what came before, but added a different flair to the series. For instance, Gary Cole wisely didn’t play Parker as Gibbs 2.0. Wilmer Valderrama, Katrina Law, Sean Murray, Brian Dietzen, Diona Reasonover — the current team works because the show lets new rhythms form.

NCIS has always understood something many procedurals miss, which is that formula only works when it has texture. That’s why the show makes room for grief, running jokes, office rituals, old wounds, even absurd little signatures like Gibbs’ head slaps and those famous black-and-white “phoof” transitions. Tends to stick.

Where To Start With ‘NCIS’ if You’ve Never Watched

Image via Cliff Lipson / © CBS / courtesy everett collection

Twenty-three seasons can look intimidating, but one would beg to differ. Start at the beginning if you want the full Gibbs era; early NCIS has a crackling energy, and seasons two through nine are widely considered a golden run for good reason. Episodes like “Kill Ari,” “Shiva,” and “Twilight” still hit just right.

Alternatively, you can start with season 19 and the Parker era because it functions, in many ways, as a soft reset, and you’ll catch up easily. A secret third option is to do what many viewers do (i.e., drop into standout episodes and let the show pull you along).

There’s also a misconception that NCIS is only for procedural devotees or older broadcast loyalists, which also undersells what the show does well. At its best, this is an ensemble drama disguised as a case-of-the-week machine. The investigations pull you in, and the relationships keep you around. Frankly, there’s pleasure in watching a show so comfortable in its own skin.

The “Lone Wolf & Cub” template, where a complex older man seeks redemption by dedicating his life to protecting a child, has inspired perhaps the most resilient of sub-genres. The template has been used in films as diverse as Logan, the Oscar-nominated superhero blockbuster starring Hugh Jackman, to Children of Men, the dystopian sci-fi classic directed by Alfonso Cuarón. More recently, it was explored in the HBO video game adaptation The Last of Us, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. However, there’s another movie in this group that is currently enjoying massive streaming success.

The movie was released in 2025 to mostly positive reviews but negligible box-office success. It was directed by Bryan Fuller, best known for the television shows Pushing Daisies and Hannibal. He reunited with his Hannibal star, Mads Mikkelsen, on the film, a fantasy in which a young girl approaches a hit-man to kill the “monster” under her bed. The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025, before debuting theatrically in December.

Here’s Your New Favorite Fantasy Movie

We’re talking about Dust Bunny, which features Sophie Sloan as Mikkelsen’s young co-star, along with Sigourney Weaver and David Dastmalchian. Dust Bunny holds a “Certified Fresh” 86% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics’ consensus reads, “Elevated by Mads Mikkelsen and Sophie Sloan’s magnetic chemistry, Dust Bunny is a dazzlingly imaginative and stylish feature debut from director Bryan Fuller.”

In his review, Collider’s Ross Bonaime compared the movie to the dark fantasies of Tim Burton and the surreal dramas of Jean-Pierre Jeunet. He described Dust Bunny as “a film that’s both an assassin story and a movie that feels tame enough for kids, which is a perfect fit for Fuller’s aesthetic.” The positive reception appears to be working in the film’s favor. According to FlixPatrol, Dust Bunny was the number one movie on HBO Max domestically this weekend, beating out The Mummy, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, and The Devil Wears Prada.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

December 11, 2025

Runtime

106 minutes

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Director

Bryan Fuller

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Producers

Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Jillian Share

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Blake Lively commended Justin Bieber’s Coachella performance, describing it as a powerful return to the stage despite facing criticism. The actress’s post comes weeks after she spoke about experiencing “digital violence” in connection to her legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

The ongoing case between Lively and Baldoni continues to draw public attention, with both parties presenting competing claims as the trial date approaches.

Blake Lively Discusses The Price Of Fame

Blake Lively is lauding Justin Bieber’s Coachella performance, the singer’s first major live appearance since canceling his tour in 2022. The actress reposted an analysis by user Django Degree, who called the “Baby” singer a “living embodiment of the ‘Truman Show’,” referring to the 1998 film in which Truman Burbank, played by Jim Carrey, lived his life not knowing he was the subject of a reality show.

Degree juxtaposed Bieber’s life with Burbank’s, explaining that the singer got more than he bargained for after his rise to superstardom. “What followed was basically us watching them grow up and watch a bunch of adults treat that child like they live in a petting zoo,” he said.

Lively agreed with Degree’s sentiment and expanded on the point. “So many people have been hurt and never come back to themselves. We watch it happen every time,” the actress wrote.

The Actress On Being Under Public Scrutiny

Lively continued to write that people are quick to judge and often only reflect on a situation after it has already happened, saying, “And the collective looks back when it’s too late with empathy that was missing at the time. Shocked everyone treated someone’s most painful days as entertainment.”

The actress wrote that it still happens today, adding, “It makes money. It gets clicks. Followers. Virality.” Because of this, the actress noted that an entertainer’s health may be affected even when people do not intentionally cause harm.

Lively then tagged Bieber, writing, “Seeing @lilbieber meet that with healing was stunning.” Fans looked forward to Bieber’s comeback, but many were left confused or disappointed after the first Coachella weekend. Per The Blast, the singer’s set was described as “lazy,” especially since Bieber was reportedly paid $10 million for the gig.

Blake Lively’s Fight Against ‘Digital Violence’

Lively’s comments about public scrutiny come two weeks after she posted about “digital violence.” After most of her claims against Justin Baldoni were dismissed, the actress urged her followers not to be distracted by “the digital soap opera.” “The constant packaging of this lawsuit as a ‘Celebrity Drama’ is not only irresponsible, but it is by design: to keep you from seeing yourselves in my story. The physical pain from digital violence is very real,” the actress wrote.

Some online creators pushed back against Lively, especially those who received subpoenas for their personal data after extensively reporting on the actress’s case against Baldoni. Per The Blast, one creator said that the actress’s statement about digital violence was “disingenuous,” and another opined that she was “gaslighting everybody.”

The Actress Is Seeking Millions In Reputational Damages

As reported by TMZ, Lively is seeking more than $40 million in reputational damages in her case against Baldoni. She is also reportedly asking for hundreds of millions in compensatory and punitive damages. In documents obtained by the outlet, the actress noted that there were about 176 million online impressions about her, with descriptions such as “bully,” “mean girl,” and “tone deaf.”

Lively is alleging that Baldoni’s team orchestrated a smear campaign against her, resulting in the loss of future earnings and income from her hair care and beverage companies. Baldoni’s team has vehemently denied the allegations, saying that the backlash against Lively was organic. “That Lively’s reputation may have suffered is a result of her own ill-advised public statements and actions… This is a dispute about Hollywood reputations, not genuine legal wrongs. It does not belong in court,” a document filed by the Baldoni camp in 2025 read.

What Remains Of Blake Lively’s Lawsuit?

In early April, the judge presiding over the case dismissed 10 out of Lively’s 13 claims, including allegations of sexual harassment and defamation. The surviving claims are breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation.

As the trial date draws near, there are no signs of either side settling, with both parties continuing to stand firm in their positions and prepare for the court proceedings. The trial is scheduled to begin on May 18 in New York.

A shocking criminal case involving rising music star D4vd has drawn widespread attention after authorities formally filed charges tied to the death of a teenage girl.

The allegations stem from a months-long investigation that began with a disturbing discovery in Los Angeles and has since unfolded into a complex legal battle.

D4vd Charged With Multiple Serious Offenses

Singer D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, is now facing a series of serious charges in California following his arrest on April 16.

Prosecutors have accused the 21-year-old of first-degree murder with special circumstances, along with additional allegations including continuous lewd acts with a minor under 14 and mutilation of human remains.

According to a Daily Mail report, officials from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office outlined the nature of the charges, explaining that the special circumstances tied to the murder count include “lying in wait, committing this crime for financial gain or murdering a witness in an investigation.”

These enhancements significantly increase the potential penalties if a conviction is secured.

At present, D4vd is being held without bail in a Los Angeles jail. Authorities have indicated that a decision regarding whether to pursue the death penalty will be made later in the legal process.

Investigation Began With Disturbing Discovery

The case first came to light in September last year after employees at a Hollywood tow yard noticed a strong odor coming from a Tesla that had been impounded.

The vehicle had reportedly been left on a public street for more than 72 hours before being towed.

When authorities inspected the car, they discovered human remains inside the front trunk.

Investigators later identified the victim as 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

According to officials, the remains were found in a cadaver bag and had undergone severe decomposition.

The county medical examiner described them as “severely decomposed,” noting that the victim likely died well before the discovery was made.

D4vd Linked To Vehicle And Ongoing Probe

Law enforcement sources say the Tesla was registered to an address associated with D4vd in Texas.

This connection became a key part of the investigation, eventually leading to him being named a suspect in February.

Authorities later secured a search warrant for a residence in the Hollywood Hills where Burke had reportedly been staying.

During that search, a computer was seized, though officials have not disclosed what, if anything, was found on the device.

A grand jury investigation began in mid-November, with prosecutors presenting evidence and calling multiple individuals to testify.

Among those reportedly involved were D4vd’s associates, including his managers and a friend identified as Neo Langston.

Timeline Of Victim’s Disappearance Raises Questions

Family members of Rivas Hernandez said she was last seen in spring 2024 after leaving her home in Lake Elsinore at the age of 13.

They noted that she had run away before, which initially complicated efforts to determine her whereabouts.

Her mother reportedly filed missing person reports on three separate occasions throughout 2024.

During that time, the family became aware that their daughter may have been involved in a relationship with someone named “David,” whom they had never met.

Reports also suggested that the two shared matching tattoos reading “Sshhh” on their right index fingers.

Friends of D4vd later told TMZ that the pair had been “frequently” seen together, though authorities have not publicly confirmed the nature of their relationship.

D4vd’s Career And Lyrics Draw Renewed Scrutiny

The case has also brought renewed attention to D4vd’s music career, particularly the themes present in some of his songs.

His 2022 track “Romantic Homicide” has been widely discussed in light of the allegations.

In the song, the artist sings, “In the back of my mind, I killed you… And I didn’t even regret it… I can’t believe I said it… But it’s true… I hate you,” lyrics that have since been revisited by fans and critics alike.

D4vd rose to prominence in 2022 after gaining traction on TikTok, eventually collaborating with major artists including SZA and Kali Uchis.

At the time the remains were discovered, he was reportedly on tour, though those plans were later canceled.

As the legal process unfolds, many details remain unclear. Authorities have not released full information about the evidence collected, and the case is expected to move through the courts in the coming months.

Haylie Duff and fiancé Matthew Rosenberg have split after 14 years of dating.

Duff’s spokesperson confirmed to TMZ on Monday, April 20, that the Napoleon Dynamite actress, 41, and Rosenberg ended their relationship earlier this year. Duff has asked for privacy amid the breakup to protect her daughters. (Duff and Rosenberg share daughters Ryan, 10, and Lulu, 7.)

Us Weekly has reached out to Duff for comment.

Duff and Rosenberg started dating in 2012 and they got engaged two years later.

“This week has seriously just become the best week of my life!” she wrote via her Real Girl’s Kitchen blog. “As if announcing The Real Girl’s Kitchen tv show wasn’t enough, Matt just took me by total surprise and proposed … on April Fool’s Day of all days! The moment was genuine and sweet (like him!) and I couldn’t wait to say yes!”

Duff continued, “We are so excited and happy to share our wonderful news with everyone! We both feel so blessed to have the love and support of our family and friends and can’t wait to start this new adventure!”

Nearly a decade after getting engaged, Duff exclusively opened up to Us about why she and Rosenberg weren’t in a rush to tie the knot.

“We’re busy with both of the kids and jobs, and we always say, ‘We will at some point,’ and then life continues to be busy, and we still really like each other, which is good, I guess,” she told Us in April 2020. “At some point we will, but certainly now is not the time to have a wedding.”

News of Haylie and Rosenberg’s split comes a few months after her sister, Hilary Duff, confirmed that they had a falling out. (Hilary confirmed that her estrangement from Haylie inspired her song “We Don’t Talk.”)

“Absolutely the most lonely part of my existence is not having my sister in my life at the moment,” Hilary told CBS Mornings in February 2026. “It’s my truth, and so many people are [also] having this experience. It’s hard because I am me, and people know everything about my life since I was a child. I didn’t necessarily choose that part, but it’s my reality. It was honestly, like, healing to say.”

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Related: Hilary Duff’s 1st New Song in 10 Years Includes Leonardo DiCaprio Shout-Out

The long national nightmare of no new Hilary Duff music has finally ended with the arrival of “Mature,” her first new single in 10 years. Duff, 38, released the new track and its accompanying music video on Thursday, November 6, after announcing its impending arrival earlier this week. While the song’s lyrics initially read like […]

The following month, Hilary shared that she received a lot of support after speaking out publicly about her and Haylie’s strained dynamic.

“My sister and I don’t speak. And I think in my adulthood I’ve come across more and more people that are having this experience,” Hilary said during a March episode of the “On Purpose With Jay Shetty” podcast. “And as painful as it feels to share, when I decided to make this record, I could only talk about the things that I’ve gone through.”

Haylie has not publicly addressed her estrangement from Hilary.