Big Brother fans, we’ve got the latest vote counts on who’s likely going home between Melody Morris, Rome Seymour and Jason de Puy. Of course, eviction predictions have been made way more complicated when they introduced and kept the BB Blockbuster. We’ll go over the latest vote counts, discuss who’s doomed. And we’ve got some fun from the live feeds and our tweet of the day is fire.

Big Brother: In House Entertainment

They pulled a prank on LaTrice “Lala” Verrett. Drew Campbell left a towel behind the toilet – it was supposed to trigger Lala. Jason De Puy piled a couple more towels in there. Lala found them and got riled up. Then instead of blowing it up, she turned it into a skit, using Egg-Angela Murray’s big magnifying glass to investigate.

Drew and Jason eventually confessed and it was laughed off. Angela’s hoping and praying she won’t be a Have Not after her week of boiling misery in that shell. She’s ready to crack. Jason told her no one will make her a Have Not after seeing her misery. But Angela’s worried it’s one of those HOH comps where your performance determines your Have Not status. The houseguests suspect an endurance comp because of the multi-day build in the backyard. Haley Thogmartin‘s hoping for a balance beam course.

BB28: Live Feed Confusion

Yash Patel told Devens, Drew and Barrett Pfeiffer he’ll nominate Dee Valladares if he wins HOH. Remember I told you that several houseguests don’t understand how the live feeds work. Mallory didn’t know their lavalier mics feed the feeds. But this is next level. Taylor Brown thought the live feeds tape non-stop but only aired from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Also, found out the one person in the house that believed Rome and Lyric Medeiros broke up. It’s Chuk Anyanwu. Because Lyric told him they did and keeps flirting with him. She’s working on strategies if Rome’s evicted. But Chuk was floored.

Big Brother 28: Vote Counts and Eviction Scenarios

Jason said he had to leave the Have Not room because Rome and Lyric were making out. Not just making out but loudly – to the extent Jason got the ick. Rome and Lyric were also making the most of what might be their last night together, rubbing all over each other under the covers.

I guess if the torture wheel’s a rocking, there might be boots knocking. I wonder if the constant clack, thump and groan of that horrific medieval hardwood spinning bed from hell cover up the sounds of Lyric and Rome. Chuk was upset. He said Lyric lied right to his face.

Dee also told Haley that jugglers Drew and Barrett might target Chuk and Kamuela “Kamu” Kirk. Dee is always playing ten moves ahead. Last week, she dropped a bug in Haley’s ear that Devens would turn on his alliances. Haley’s more focused on winning HOH and targeting Lala. She’s fixated.

Sitting Blind on BB28

Also, Angela gave Jason a live feeds TED talk on how escrow works when you’re buying a home. Angela laid in her shell, giving him financial facts. Jason’s hoping that when he buys his house, his rich husband will take care of all this for him. Angela cheered that.

Chatter around the house was Taylor and Lala would like to vote to keep Rome but realize that’s probably a bad idea. Taylor and Lala told Jason he has the votes to stay but people have been lying to them. So, they really don’t know what’s coming. Looks like Rome’s conclave of dudes did him no good. No one’s opinion shifted. Dee, Haley and Devens worry that Barrett and Drew might vote to evict Jason over Rome. Dee and Devens want to keep Melody over Jason.

Big Brother: Eviction Options

Let’s talk through the options. If Rome wins BB Blockbuster and it’s Jason versus Melody as the final two nominees, it’ll probably be Jason meeting Julie Chen Moonves and Melody lives to plot another day. The nomination ceremony tea that Angela spilled burned him badly.

If Jason wins the Blockbuster, it’ll be Rome versus Melody with a landslide of votes to evict Rome. But Lyric’s been considering giving him a sympathy vote, which most would understand. However, Drew and Barrett are considering a hinky vote to blame on someone else. But since the icons have their eyes on them, Drew and Barrett might burn some bridges if they do it. So, I’m really hoping they do it. Hinky votes are good for chaos. Rome’s doomed if it’s him versus Melody.

Now, if Melody wins the BB Blockbuster, and it’s Jason or Rome, things get a little dicier. The vote might not be such a landslide but I’d still expect Rome to be evicted. In the end, his only chance to stay with his little girl Lyric is to win the Blockbuster.

Big Brother 28: New Showmance and Historic Beef

Meanwhile, she’s bummed about the idea of life in the house after the fall of the Roman Empire but Lyric mostly seems worried about being stuck in the house while women are beating down the doors to play with her honey.

Now the new showmance alert. Kamu and Taylor, y’all. Kamu’s been flirting hard. I’ve thought all along that Taylor was freaking gorgeous. And Kamu’s all about it, openly flirting – several of the houseguests are discussing it. Kamu was up late talking with Taylor and the topic of her gag reflex came up. She and Kamu were discussing brushing your tongue, but it was all just very, okay, we’ll, you can take that a lot of ways. Anyway, his advice to Taylor – open your mouth wider and you won’t gag.

Big Brother: Tweet of the Day

And now our tweet of the day – you need the context in case you didn’t see my Tuesday update video. We talked about the BB27 Ashley versus Morgan cat fight tweets. Ashley posted the photo of them then Morgan clapped back about it being basically staged. Then Ashley asked Morgan “How’s Vince though?” Okay, there’s your context.

Tweet of the day is from BB27‘s Katherine Woodman. She tweeted: “So me and Lauren are still getting along well if anyone was wondering.”

And some rando who set up an X account using the name Julie Chen replied: “How’s Rylie tho” with a hot tea emoji. And Katherine replied – “harassment.” Just to clarify, not the real Julie Chen, but funny as heck.

Chris Brown’s legal troubles continue in connection with a 2023 London nightclub attack. Now, the case has taken another turn after Breezy reportedly pleaded guilty to the altercation that injured a music producer.

RELATED: Chris Brown’s London Nightclub Assault Lawsuit Dropped After Accuser Files To Dismiss (UPDATE)

Chris Brown Pleads Guilty In London Nightclub Attack Case

According to CNN, Chris Brown pleaded guilty to affray on Friday, July 24, in connection with a 2023 altercation at a London nightclub. As The Shade Room previously reported, Breezy initially pleaded not guilty after prosecutors accused him of attacking music producer Amadou “Abe” Diaw. However, he changed his plea during a hearing at London’s Southwark Crown Court. In exchange for Chris’ guilty plea, prosecutors dropped the charges of assault, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, and possessing an offensive weapon. Chris’ friend and vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, also reportedly pleaded guilty to affray. Both men will return to court for trial in October.

So, What’s Next For Breezy?

Chris Brown previously secured his release on a $6.75 million bail bond, which allowed him to hit the road for his European and North American tour last summer. The court granted him bail again on July 24, and he will return for sentencing on October 26 for the affray charge, which reportedly carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

During his hearing at London’s Southwark Crown Court on Friday, senior prosecutor Claire Campbell called the attack unprovoked and accused both CB and Omololu Akinlolu of carrying it out. “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack by Brown and Akinlolu in a crowded nightclub where Brown used a glass bottle as a weapon to strike the victim’s head twice,” Campbell said. She also said prosecutors will continue pursuing cases like this to show that no one stands above the law. “This kind of violence is entirely unacceptable, and the Crown Prosecution Service will work tirelessly with the police and partners across the criminal justice system to pursue cases like this, and prove that no one is above the law.”

More About Chris’ Legal Battle Over 2023 London Club Fight

In July 2025, Abe Diaw filed a request to dismiss his case against Chris with prejudice, meaning he could not bring the case back to court. Neither side confirmed a settlement at the time, though. Still, Chris continued to face criminal charges. Diaw accused Chris of attacking him in February 2023, an incident that allegedly sent him to the hospital and led to a $16 million lawsuit. In the lawsuit, Diaw claimed the attack left him with deep cuts on his head and torn ligaments in his legs.  Authorities arrested the singer in May of last year after prosecutors charged him with one count of grievous bodily harm. Chris denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty the following month.

RELATED: Bow Wow Stands By Chris Brown Following His Arrest, While Second Suspect Is Charged In London Brawl 

Meghan McCain is taking a firm stand against online trolls who have posted unkind remarks about her physical appearance. 

The former television personality forcefully dismissed the negative feedback by making it clear that she embraces natural aging instead of using cosmetic procedures or weight-loss medication.

McCain has never been silent in the face of critics who comment about her appearance. She similarly pushed back against such comments a few months ago when she opposed the idea of using Ozempic. 

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During the recent broadcast of her “Citizen McCain” show, the mother of three confronted the harsh remarks circulating online following a widely circulated video snippet. In a clip shared on YouTube, she confessed that the flood of negative remarks caught her attention as the segment came to a close. 

“I am normally an Armadillo-skinned person, but there’s been a lot of commentary about how ‘old and ugly’ I am now,” she said. 

Addressing her listeners directly, McCain pointed out that she is 41 and naturally gaining years. “I’m going to get older. I am fatter because I’ve had three kids,” she added.

The media figure stressed that her appearance reflects her daily priorities as a busy parent who recently welcomed her baby boy, Ransom. She noted that she does not rely on a glam team every morning because caring for her household, feeding her infant, and spending quality moments with her offspring take precedence over personal styling. 

Pointing out that fans are seeing her without studio styling, she explained that she looks different simply because she prioritizes family duties over glam routines.

Joining the conversation, co-host Miranda Wilkins noted that neither of them uses Botox or Ozempic, to which McCain quipped, “It’s tempting, but I’m not [on Ozempic].”

Reinforcing her position, the show host shut down rumors regarding surgical enhancements, cosmetic fillers, or weight-loss drugs. 

She reiterated that she is going to keep aging, and while it’s tempting, Ozempic isn’t in the cards for her. 

Meghan McCain Previously Spoke Against Using Weight-Loss Injections

McCain’s recent refusal to rely on popular weight-loss medications or cosmetic enhancements aligns with statements she made earlier in the spring. 

Back in March, just two months after welcoming her third child, PEOPLE Magazine reported that the podcast host directly addressed critics who posted negative remarks about her post-pregnancy body.

She wrote on X, “Keep the fat comments coming because I’m sorry to disappoint so many of you, I will not be going on any of the ozempic shots despite just having my third child.”

The media personality emphasized that while she harbors no ill will toward people who utilize medical weight-loss treatments, she remains skeptical of quick fixes and simply doesn’t want her face to change. 

Meghan McCain Addressed Comments About Her Body While She Was Pregnant 

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The podcaster’s refusal to succumb to body-shaming comments follows years of public critique over her physical appearance.

Back in December, while heavily pregnant with her third child, the media figure took to X to address harsh statements made during an episode of “The Tucker Carlson Show,” as reported by The Blast. 

During the broadcast, host Tucker Carlson and guest Milo Yiannopoulos targeted her weight and her father’s political legacy, with Yiannopoulos launching offensive insults directed at her character and body.

In response to the public mockery, the author noted that she was completely content with her life despite being heavy and pregnant. She criticized the broadcast personalities, arguing that public harassment contradicts the religious values they claim to have. She also added that name-calling has been a constant since her early twenties, describing the insults as “tired” and unoriginal.

Meghan McCain Recently Dismissed Rumors Of Family Political Feuds

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Besides body-shaming, the former television host has also been forced to publicly shut down ongoing online speculation regarding her family dynamics. 

About a week ago, she issued a public statement on X to address persistent negative rumors concerning her relationship with her mother and siblings. Making her stance clear, she revealed that there’s love and support between her mother, her siblings, and herself, despite their different political views. 

According to The Blast, she further emphasized that she remains a staunch conservative Republican even if her relatives hold contrasting political views.

Meghan McCain Condemned The False Abuse Allegations Involving Pete Buttigieg

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Despite standing on opposite sides of the political aisle, the media personality recently put partisan differences aside to defend politician Pete Buttigieg following a distressing personal incident. 

After he disclosed that a fake, anonymous complaint sparked a child welfare probe into his family, the podcaster fiercely condemned the maneuver as “dirty, cruel politics,” per The Blast.

Reacting to his revelation on social media, she expressed her anger over the ordeal, writing, “Absolutely horrified at what happened to @PeteButtegieg and his family.” 

Josh Duhamel’s wife, Audra Mari, had a difficult experience delivering their second baby together.

“[Childbirth was] not good. I mean, it was great ultimately, but it was really hard on Audra, to be honest,” Duhamel, 53, said on the Thursday, July 23, episode of Live With Kelly and Mark. “She had this thing called placenta previa, which means the placenta was sitting between the baby and the cervix. That’s how women used to bleed out back in the day.”

He continued, “Thankfully, we have modern medicine and everything, so we knew it was there and we knew that we had to do a scheduled C-section.”

Duhamel and Mari, 32, initially scheduled a cesarean for May 19. However, their plans changed just four days prior.

Related: Fergie Reacts After Ex-Husband Josh Duhamel Welcomes His 3rd Baby

Fergie sent her best wishes to her ex-husband, Josh Duhamel, after he welcomed his second baby with wife Audra Mari. “Rocca de Leon Duhamel,” Duhamel, 53, and Mari, 32, wrote in a joint Instagram post on Saturday, May 17, sharing snaps of their newborn daughter. “Our baby girl is here 🤍🕊️.” Fergie, 51, was one […]

“Well, on the 15th, she has this dream where she wakes up to me tapping her on the nose like, ‘Wake up, wake up, wake up.’ And then she wakes up and I’m just laying there sleeping,” the Ransom Canyon star recalled on Thursday. “I won’t get into the gory details, but she said, ‘We got to go.’ So, we rushed into the car, raced through about five red lights, and then had the baby … two hours later.”

Despite the hurried labor, Duhamel felt confident knowing that his wife was in expert hands by trained medical professionals.

“Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota, is unbelievable. It is one of the most state-of-the-art hospitals in the country,” he gushed to married cohosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. “So, we felt very confident and, you know, and now we have a beautiful baby girl.”

Duhamel and Mari announced on May 16 that they welcomed daughter Rocca de Leon. (The couple also share son Shepherd, 2, while the actor is also father of son Axl, 12, from his marriage to ex-wife Fergie.)

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“He likes her, kind of, but he also accidentally kicks her in the head,” Duhamel quipped on Thursday of Shepherd’s reaction to his 2-month-old sister. “He pretends he doesn’t mean to, but he does. … But yeah, [Rocca] is a little sweetheart. She just smiled yesterday for the first time.”

Duhamel further revealed that he named his daughter after the Rococo and Baroque styles of art.

“My minor was art history in college, and for whatever reason [when I was on a recent flight], I was thinking about [the] Rococo and Baroque … periods of art history,” he said. “I had always liked those two words, so I texted Audra and she liked it. Then, we sat on it for a few days and that’s how the name came to be. There’s no other significance other than that.”

Out of all the mediums in the world, video games are the most popular, delivering immersive gaming experiences where players can explore worlds and live as fantastical characters. Prominent examples include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Red Dead Redemption 2. However, one that has stood out in recent years is the soulslike genre, which is known for its challenging gameplay.

Defined by dodging mechanics, recharging stamina, dark worlds, unforgiving combat, and plenty of other aspects, soulslike games are all the rage nowadays, which is why this list will rank the ten greatest soulslike video games of all time. Based on aspects such as authenticity to the genre, design, polish, gameplay, narrative, visuals, originality, critical acclaim, fan opinion, and overall quality, these are the ten must-play soulslikes.

10

‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ (2025)

Image via Neople

Set within the Dungeon & Fighter universe, an online multiplayer side-scrolling beat ’em up, The First Berserker: Khazan has players controlling the titular general from the Pell Los Empire. When falsely accused of treason, Khazan is exiled, but he overcomes death and makes it his life mission to find out who framed him.

As the newest game on this list, The First Berserker: Khazan made quick time of establishing itself as a modern classic. It is rather underrated when compared to the rest of the games on this list, but its ultra-aggressive style of combat is extremely fluid and satisfying. The unrelenting gameplay is perfect for the soulslike genre and players looking for a fast-paced experience.

9

‘Hollow Knight’ (2017)

Image via Team Cherry

Since soulslike games are so popular, it is mostly only AAA studios making them, but Hollow Knight is an indie that fits under that category. Playing as a nail-wielding bug, gamers descend into the land of Hallownest, which has been destroyed by a mysterious ancient plague. Now, the audience must fight throughout the world to stop the plague and learn about the protagonist’s origins.

Hollow Knight isn’t the most soulslike game, but it features enough elements to classify itself as one and earn a spot on this list. The melancholic world design, dark tone, environmental storytelling, and death penalty are often tied to soulslike games. Hollow Knight is an indie masterpiece that delivers a masterful metroidvania and soulslike hybrid experience.

8

‘Dark Souls’ (2011)

Image via Namco Bandai Games

Many games have inspired the soulslike genre, but this list wouldn’t be complete without the one that influenced it the most: Dark Souls. Set in a grim and dark world, players are the Chosen Undead and must travel through the world to ring the Bells of Awakening, thus determining the fate of humanity.

With the genre being named after Dark Souls, this game is the most influential on it, establishing the general formula that has been popularized in future titles. While later games improved upon its blueprint, the legacy and importance of Dark Souls can’t be understated. It is the most quintessential soulslike game that embodies everything the genre is about, mainly because it kickstarted the genre.

7

‘Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’ (2023)

Image via Respawn Entertainment

Star Wars houses some of the best video games of all time, and one of their recent ones is among their best, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Years after the first game, Cal Kestis (Cameron Monaghan) fights a futile battle against the Empire. But after discovering a remote planet, he hopes to make it a safe haven for Force users and those affected by the tyrannical grip of the Empire.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is different than most soulslikes, but that makes it a perfect starting point for players wanting to dip their toes into the genre. Besides being a good soulslike starter, this game is packed with references and easter eggs that build on the Star Wars lore. With varied combat, parkour sections, tough bosses, a cinematic journey, and a massive open-world to explore, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a crowd-pleasing masterpiece and one of the best Star Wars video games.

6

‘Bloodborne’ (2015)

Image via Sony Computer Entertainment

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FromSoftware already has one game on this list, and it has plenty more, such as the fan-favorite Bloodborne. Yharnam is a decrepit city full of beasts and monsters, but it is also home to a miraculous cure. The players travel to the city looking for it, but get trapped in a cycle involving cosmic horrors, Lovecraftian gods, and a virus that turns humans into nightmarish creatures.

Fans are still waiting for a sequel or PC port, but as they endlessly wait for that, they can at least find solace in the fact that Bloodborne is a cult classic soulslike experience. It redefined the usual soulslike combat from highly defensive to aggressive, with the mechanics encouraging players to take risks to gain health. Bloodborne is a fresh take on an established genre that sets itself apart from the rest.

5

‘Elden Ring’ (2022)

Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment

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Half of this list consists of FromSoftware games, which makes sense since they invented the genre, including their magnum opus, Elden Ring. After the titular object is shattered, the children of Queen Marika claim these shards for themselves. Playing as the Tarnished, gamers travel throughout the Lands Between to defeat the demi-gods, take the pieces, and restore the ring to become the Elden Lord.

Elden Ring is arguably the best game on this list, but it is more of a 3D open-world fantasy adventure than a soulslike. Still, it combines the two genres to create something new, which just means it will be lower on this specific list. It encourages exploration and curiosity, which often leads to intriguing lore or challenging boss fights. Either way, the narrative design, combat, worldbuilding, and remarkable experience of Elden Ring build what many consider to be the best video game of all time.

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‘Nioh 2’ (2020)

Image via Team Ninja

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Nioh 3 just came out in 2026 and is already a fantastic game of the year candidate, but Nioh 2 is still the peak of the franchise. This prequel has players controlling a half-human, half-yokai mercenary in ancient Japan. As they spend time hunting demons and monsters, players eventually get intertwined with the unifiers of the country.

The beauty of Nioh 2 lies in its gameplay and combat depth, which offers three combat stances, a Ki system, and a special attack ability. These combine to give the player vast control over the gameplay, with so many potential combos and attacks. The loot system isn’t typical of a soulslike, but everything else makes it a must-play game of the genre that dares to be fresh and bold.

3

‘Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’ (2019)

The next, but not last, FromSoftware game on this list is one of their best in terms of pure action, and that is arguably Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Set in a fictionalized version of the Sengoku-era, players are a disgraced samurai who hunts down the clan members who kidnapped his lord.

Elden Ring is the better game, but in terms of being true to the soulslike genre, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice easily has it beat. RPG leveling mechanics only get in the way of pure unfiltered gameplay, or at least that is what Sekiro thought, and the game was better for it. The posture and parry system is demanding, and winning is earned through mastering techniques. The rhythmic gameplay is incredibly tight, and with the choreography of the enemies, it is no wonder that this is one of FromSoftware’s best games.

2

‘Lies of P’ (2023)

Image via Round8 Studio

FromSoftware has dominated the top ten soulslike games, but a nice change of pace comes in the form of one of the most underrated modern games, Lies of P. This dark retelling of Pinocchio has players waking up in a ruined city, needing to find their creator in a sea of rogue puppets, but be wary, because every lie alters his humanity.

The best part about Lies of P is that it bridges the best parts of multiple soulslike games into one, including the deflections of Sekiro and the dodging of Bloodborne. This coalescing of mechanics creates a remarkably fluid gameplay style that is all about customization. Lies of P isn’t the first soulslike fans think about, but it is evidently one of the greatest of all time.

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‘Dark Souls 3’ (2016)

Image via Namco Bandai Games

As mentioned, FromSoftware has absolutely taken over this list, which makes sense since they founded the soulslike genre. However, the last and best on this list is Dark Souls 3. The First Flame is fading in the kingdom of Lothric, and its only savior is the Unkindled Champion, who must hunt down the Lords of Cinder and return them to their thrones.

It may not be the most influential video game like the first in its franchise, but Dark Souls 3 is the best out of a great bunch, mainly because of its story, which revitalized soulslike game design and updated gameplay, delivering an overall smoother experience. Known for its challenging yet rewarding combat, Dark Souls 3 is the must-play game in a staple dark fantasy franchise that mastered the soulslike formula.

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

Days of Our Lives saw Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) snatched by a mysterious masked figure last week and the initial assumption was that EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) must have been who had her taken. But now he is denying it.

And honestly, he did this in a conversation with Rita Lesley (Maggie Carney), somebody he has no reason to lie to. And no matter how much she prodded, EJ stuck to his story of innocence. So, if he’s not behind it, who took Gwen? And I believe the culprit is somebody that is going to blindside you.

Days of our Lives: EJ Looks Guilty

So, first of all, we got to talk about EJ. We got to talk about him first because he’s the obvious culprit despite his denials because Gwen and EJ have been on the outs since he told her he wasn’t going to honor the fifty-fifty split with Gwen on the Versix serum money. But EJ screwed over Gwen, I think in part to punish her for bringing back Dimitri von Leuschner (Peter Porte). So Gwen decided to hit back at EJ by buying Salem University Hospital out from under him.

And sure enough, the same day that he heard the state board wanted him out. And Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans) said they approved Gwen’s purchase happened to be when Gwen was kidnapped. But when Rita told EJ that Gwen was missing, EJ seemed genuinely surprised. So, despite all the red flags waving at him as Gwen’s kidnapper, it might not actually be the dimpled DiMera who did the very bad deed.

DOOL: Suspects in Gwen’s Kidnapping

Another DiMera adjacent culprit to consider is henchwoman Rita herself. She follows EJ’s orders and she’s been with the DiMera family since way back in the Stefano days. And there’s honestly nothing that Rita wouldn’t do to protect EJ. So Rita could have taken some initiative. She might have proactively ordered one of the family thugs to go take Gwen.

Not only that, but Rita may also have had Gwen kidnapped to protect EJ from Gwen’s plan to take the hospital from him. And Rita might have asked EJ about Gwen’s kidnapping so that he could have plausible deniability. That way, EJ won’t suspect that Rita did it either, and he can be completely in the clear.

So, if the kidnapper isn’t EJ or his sidekick, Rita, it could be Gwen’s ex-friend Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk). Kristen had one of her personal henchmen snatch up Gwen. Remember, Kristen had those bad guys that helped her dump Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) in the Salem River.

So, Kristen might have tasked them to do her dirty work again and kidnap Gwen. And it might be about the recent catfight between Kristen and Gwen. And Kristen might have kidnapped Gwen because they both want Xander Cook Kiriakis (Paul Telfer).

Kristen the Culprit on Days?

Now, we saw Kristen really enjoying her time with Xander. Also, Kristen might have been outraged that Gwen showed up to confront her at the mansion. Plus, we know that Kristen plans to thwart EJ’s plan to kidnap her and dump her on the island. She’s planning this big swap with Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford). And Kristen does plan to come back to Salem as soon as she can. And she may want Xander with no competition from Gwen. Or Kristen may have taken Gwen with a plan to frame EJ.

So, speaking of a revenge plot as a motive, Gwen’s cheater of an ex-husband, Dimitri, may have had his ex-wife, Gwen, snatched because Dimitri is convinced that Gwen was behind his kidnapping that kept him away from his then lover, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart). And we all know Dimitri is right. She did it. Gwen and EJ had Dimitri kidnapped and had him stashed in Alamania while they spent his money on the secret lab in the basement of the hospital.

Days of our Lives: Dimitri Has Motive

And then Dimitri was further set up to look like he had helped Peter Blake (Dan Gauthier) kidnap the DiMeras. Long story short, Dimitri wants Gwen to pay for kidnapping him and ruining his shot with Leo. Because if you recall, Gwen forged a Dear John letter from Dimitri to Leo. And in the letter, Gwen was writing as if she were Dimitri. And she broke Leo’s heart by saying he fell in love with some rando felon that he met in prison.

And then Gwen brought Dimitri back to Salem on Leo and Javi Hernandez (Jacob Martinez)’s wedding day intentionally to disrupt things. So, Leo was heartbroken again. Dimitri was initially a wanted man and then Leo tried to help clear his name. But even when Dimitri was free, Leo decided that he wasn’t going to get back with him because he still wanted Javi. So Dimitri left town angry and he might have been sitting and stewing and plotting how to make Gwen pay and also to find a way to win back Leo once and for all.

The Wild Card Theory on DOOL

And we know that Dimitri returns to Salem this summer because in the big promo, Gwen, Dimitri, Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering), and Leo are all in the DiMera living room playing Let’s Make a Deal. So maybe Dimitri took Gwen and he dumped her somewhere in revenge. But then Dimitri might bring her back to Salem with him. If Leo contacted Dimitri and says, “Look, if you took Gwen, please give me back my best friend.” And if so, I think that Dimitri would bring her home to Leo. I see Dimitri as a very plausible kidnapping suspect.

However, there’s one last one to consider. Some soap fans think that there’s somebody who didn’t even appear to kidnap Gwen, and they’re not even part of the current character canvas. And that person is Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel), who is supposedly dead and gone. But I think most of us never believe that she was dead. I mean, heck, I’m not even sure her son Stefan DiMera (Brandon Barash) is dead. Most people assume that Vivian is still alive and kicking because, let’s be real, she has faked her death many times before.

Days of our Lives: Vivian Still Alive

So, even though Alamanian authorities and her trusty sidekick Ivan Marais (Ivan G’Vera) said that Madame Vivian has died, I’m not buying it. Plus, Gwen and Vivian plotted together in the past. They were both involved in Dimitri’s kidnapping. And of course, Vivian loathes the DiMera family. And of course, Gwen’s no dummy. She’s fine spending Stefan’s money that she got from Dimitri in their very messy divorce. But the question is, if Vivian is alive, why would she kidnap Gwen on Days of our Lives?

There may be some backstory we don’t know about where she possibly double crossed Vivian. Or maybe Gwen was getting too close to some truth that Vivian has been hiding, like that Stefan’s still alive or Vivian’s still alive. Vivian may want Gwen out of Salem and silenced while her plans unfold. And it could be that Vivian had Ivonne take Gwen hostage to frame their common enemy, EJ, for the crime. So Gwen may be in Alamania right now. So, we’ll find out. She may have been taken as a pawn in a Vivian plot against EJ.

Days of our Lives: EJ in Trouble

And then if he’s arrested for her kidnapping, maybe Vivian will eventually let Gwen go. Whoever took her, we know that Leo is going to be bound and determined to find his bestie. Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez), Leo, and Kayla all think it’s particularly bizarre that Gwen hasn’t answered their texts or their phone calls, and she missed an important meeting with Kayla. Plus, Gwen told Leo that if something happens to her, then EJ did it. And Gwen’s got that dead man’s switch that’ll take EJ down if she goes missing.

So, maybe Leo needs to go tell EJ, “Let Gwen go or you’re really going to regret it.” But I don’t think that EJ did it. And even if he gets threatened with that dead man’s switch, I don’t think he can cough Gwen up. So I am looking forward to seeing Leo talk this all over with Melinda Trask (Tina Huang) by the end of the week. But Gwen’s going to be back soon, I think, in the not too distant future, safe and sound. And I think the culprit who took her is going to be something that drops everybody’s jaws.

The Ultimatum‘s Hayley Hendrich revealed how a significant age gap between her and David Atkinson contributed to them not partnering up during season 4.

“I definitely do think that my experience with David would have been completely different and it wasn’t there,” Hayley exclusively told Us. “There was a date that we had — our last date — and that conversation made it very clear what my decision was.”

Hayley confirmed the scene was “not shown” when the Netflix reality series debuted earlier this month.

“It was David and I. We were having conversations just about what we like, what we don’t like and how living together would look like. But he kept mentioning my age,” she recalled. “So I kept asking the question of like, ‘OK, what about my age? Do you think I lack maturity? Do you think I like to go out and party? Do you think our lifestyles are not the same?’”

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After forming a bond with David, Hayley was confused about his concerns.

“I was trying to be curious about where he stood with the age. Granted, we are 10 years apart, but I didn’t personally feel like that was a dealbreaker,” she continued. “Because I did not think that our maturity levels were completely different regarding communication. Obviously, my communication looked horrible on the show, and I take full responsibility. But I’m a great communicator.”

She concluded: “We just aligned in everything except the age. That was the only thing. I was like, ‘OK, if that’s something that you really just can’t get past then it is what it is.’ I was not attracted to Killian [Grondin] in any way, shape or form, but I did think that he and I could form some sort of friendship living together, so that’s why I picked him.”

The Ultimatum follows real-life couples who enter “trial” marriages with a new connection before deciding whether they’re ready to get engaged to their original partner. Hayley entered the show with Blake Robertson and paired off with Killian before returning to her ex.

Hayley and Blake got engaged during the season 4 finale — but they have since called it quits.

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“After the engagement, we lived together and I was very unstable once I got back. There were a lot of triggers and so I don’t feel like we really were able to enjoy our engagement,” Hayley told Us. “Regarding the emotional side [of things] — at that point — I felt like I had been asking for it for so long that it didn’t feel genuine to me anymore. I was like, ‘OK, well, now you’re doing it and I’ve asked you for a year to meet my emotional needs.’”

Hayley felt “really bad” at the time, adding, “He tried. It took a year, but he was trying. I feel bad that I wasn’t able to really soak that in. It was resentment at that point. It was just not good. It affected our relationship a lot.”

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After filming wrapped, Hayley and Blake ended their engagement.

“We broke up in September of 2025 and then we lived together still until I would say the end of October while I got off my feet,” she clarified. “At the reunion, I did not get any closure. Him and I have spoken since the reunion. It’s been back and forth. Sometimes no closure is closure and I just have accepted that.”

The Ultimatum is streaming on Netflix.