Days of Our Lives delivers Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins) telling her baby daddy, Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson), a big old insurance story. So, was that legit? Or is it just the beginning of Joy digging her claws into Alex who’s got family money even if Titan is struggling right now?

Before we get into the red flags around Joy showing up with Kelsey and what she has done since then, let me set the stage.

Days of Our Lives: The Insurance Story and Suspicious Timing

So, recently, Alex had a big scare when Joy called him in a panic from University Hospital and he hung up without waiting to get details and just hightailed it out of his apartment. And that left his wife Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) wondering what was going on and Alex didn’t text any follow-up details.

And that left Stephanie worried. And when her mom Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans) stopped by with pastries, Stephanie told her about it. So, then Kayla called the hospital, found out there was no emergency, and told Stephanie, who was immediately suspicious. But I kind of feel like Kayla violated HIPAA with that call. I mean, that wasn’t okay.

Alex Terrified on DOOL

Meanwhile, Alex rushed over to the hospital, scared that little Kelsey was seriously sick or injured. And his baby mama Joy explained it wasn’t an emergency, just a routine visit for vaccinations. But the reason she called Alex in a panic was financial. So, Joy was upset that she owed money for that visit and the prior one. And she told Alex in New York, her dad’s a doctor, so it sounds like she may be on his coverage. But in Salem, Joy’s out of network. Her insurance didn’t cover it. So she needed to pay out of pocket.

And Alex was relieved that it was just that small thing. He presumed it was a medical emergency for little Kelsey. And then Alex was a little annoyed that he felt like he’d been misled into thinking it was a medical emergency. And to be fair, she never said that. And Joy reminded Alex that he hung up on her before she could explain exactly what was going on. So, he promised Joy he’d pay the bill. And once Kelsey’s birth certificate had been amended to put Alex’s name on it, then he would put Kelsey on his insurance plan.

Days of Our Lives: Red Flags and Gold Digger Theories

And a lot of fans are seeing red flags in this whole deal with Alex and Joy. Basically, ever since she showed up, there have been questions. And of course, Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark) was the one who told her to come to town. And since Joy’s arrival with Kelsey, I’ve seen comments on soap social media that a lot of fans think Joy’s looking for a meal ticket for her and Kelsey. And we know full well her mother Nancy and dad Craig were paying her way. They provided for Joy and Kelsey’s every need when she still lived in New York. So far though, Joy hasn’t really asked Alex for a dime.

And when Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) asked Joy if she was looking for a payday, she assured him that that’s not why she came. But honestly, that’s what any gold digger would say, right? First, it was the insurance, and the next thing could be Joy complaining to Alex about her housing situation. Currently, Joy and Kelsey have a room above the Brady Pub, but that’s one room for a single mom and a baby. Not a lot of space. And as Kelsey grows, that’ll be an even tighter area for her and her mom Joy.

Joy Manipulates Alex on Days?

So, we could see Joy mentioning to Alex that it’s cramped above the pub and not really the best place for a baby who’s rapidly turning into a toddler. And Joy might be manipulative and even suggest that her mom’s place back in New York has more space. And of course, that would send Alex into a panic about losing everyday access to Kelsey. And so, he might get Joy an apartment close to his. Or Alex might even suggest the Kiriakis mansion as a better place for her and Joy since there’s a ton of space there. I mean, a mansion’s a dream residence for a gold digger, right?

Plus, if Alex suggests an apartment in his building, Joy may remind him she can’t be around trigger-happy Stephanie. And this week on Days of our Lives, Alex’s wife makes an empowering decision. So, she may start getting self-defense lessons, martial arts lessons from Tate Black (Leo Howard). And Joy may claim to Alex that she’s worried Stephanie might attack her physically because of this.

Days of Our Lives: Paternity Questions and DNA Conspiracy Theories

You can see on soap social media, fans think Joy is not only looking for a payday, but also wants Alex for herself. And a faction of fans believe that Alex isn’t even Kelsey’s father. So, the DNA test said that Kelsey is Joy and Alex’s baby. However, Joy might have had help rigging it.

After all, her dad, Craig Wesley (Kevin Spirtas) is a doctor, so she might have tapped into his medical expertise for help scamming the test. And there’s always Jeremy who might have helped. He’s the one who schemed to bring Joy to Salem to try and break up Alex and Stephanie. So Jeremy might have figured out how to swap the DNA results.

There are even some fans that think Joy and Jeremy might be Kelsey’s parents. If you remember, Joy told Stephanie and Alex she wasn’t pregnant. And then she went back to New York. That was March 2025. She could have hooked up with Jeremy and got pregnant right away. We heard Nancy Wesley (Patrika Darbo) lecturing Joy about her loose lifestyle.

Joy had no qualms about almost hooking up with Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) the first day she was in Salem. So, it’s not a stretch to think she would leave Salem, maybe a little annoyed about Alex, and she could have hooked up with Jeremy, whose dad, Mike Horton (Roark Critchlow), was dating her mom, Nancy. It’s not that far-fetched.

Days of Our Lives: Joy Might Not Be Sure of Kelsey’s Paternity

However, we know that Joy was pregnant before she left Salem and lied to Alex and Stephanie. But she could have miscarried and then hooked up with Jeremy and got pregnant. I mean, this is Days where they do resurrections and demon possessions. But it seems more likely that Alex did get Joy pregnant since he’s frustrated that Stephanie’s not ready to be a mom and maybe isn’t ever going to be ready.

But also, there’s a chance Joy hooked up with somebody else in Salem around the same time she hooked up with Alex. According to Nancy, her daughter is promiscuous. So, Joy might not know who’s the dad really and decided to cheat the test just in case it’s not Alex. Her mom Nancy can be sneaky and manipulative. So Joy might be the same way and came by it honestly from her mom.

There’s also an off chance that Johnny’s the dad. I mean, it sure seemed like Joy and Johnny did the deed, but then both of them claimed they stopped before they went all the way. But maybe they didn’t stop and Joy agreed to lie at Johnny’s request to save his marriage.

Possible Outcomes and Medical Crisis on DOOL

In the end, Joy might be trying to get that Kiriakis cash whether or not Alex is Kelsey’s father. And it seems like the likeliest outcome is that Joy did indeed get pregnant by Alex. But anything is possible. It’s a soap. Baby swap, baby DNA, all of that is everyday stuff.

And in the summer promo, baby Kelsey seems to have a medical scare of some kind. And events like that with babies having a medical crisis tend to lead to dramatic outcomes. You know, there’s diagnostic blood tests that could show that Alex is definitely not the daddy.

Maybe there’s a blood type or a DNA issue. Another outcome could be that the medical crisis unites Joy and Alex and pushes Stephanie aside as Alex and Joy care for their daughter. So, we’ll see how it goes.

Right now, the new mystery thriller I Will Find You is topping the streaming charts on Netflix worldwide, per FlixPatrol. The eight-episode series, which premiered on June 18, 2026, stars Avatar’s Sam Worthington and Severance star Britt Lower, and follows a twisty, dangerous journey of a father uncovering a dark conspiracy to track down his long-lost son. And while the story and its characters are all new to the streaming service, viewers of the show might not realize I Will Find You is part of a much bigger franchise.

Since 2018, Netflix has created one of its most successful franchises to date in collaboration with mystery novelist Harlan Coben. Over the years, their partnership has produced a whopping 13 mystery TV shows, including 2024’s Fool Me Once, which became one of Netflix’s most-watched thrillers of all-time, and Run Away, which surpassed Stranger Things after its release earlier this year. I Will Find You is just the latest addition to the expansive franchise, and further proof that Netflix’s collaboration with Coben has become one of the streamer’s most reliable franchises ever.

The Harlan Coben Franchise Is a Gold Mine for Netflix

Looking at Coben’s franchise with Netflix, there are a few key reasons why it’s been so successful. For starters, all the 13 shows so far have told distinct, one-season stories. So while some mysteries might be more intricate and unexpected than others, by the finale, the story is not only wrapped up, but there are famously no loose ends, cliffhangers, or teasers for Season 2. For the viewer, that not only indicates a binge that’s satisfactory and climactic by the end, but a watch that is easy to get into. After all, without having to know any of Coben’s TV shows, a Netflix viewer can press play on any of the shows that speak to them, get sucked into the mystery, and reach a satisfying conclusion by the time the finale rolls along. It’s a consistent, effective formula that the franchise delivers each time.

With such a reliable set format, the franchise finds its success in viewers not only knowing what they’re getting into, but also knowing that the stories are based on Coben’s bestselling, nail-biting novels. Those two points together, combined, of course, with impressive casts like Worthington and Lower, make the franchise easy to sell to viewers, without having to rely on blockbuster branding. So while some Netflix hits might require extra branding and marketing budget for its other shows, Coben’s franchise appeals to the masses without having to spend much at all.

The Harlan Coben Franchise Is a Consistent Streaming Hit

With that said, however, Coben’s TV shows on Netflix haven’t been universally well-received. On Rotten Tomatoes, several titles from the franchise have received a disapproving rating, like Gone for Good‘s disappointing 37% from viewers, Missing You‘s 50% from critics and Run Away reaching only 37% from the public. Some common critiques are the shows leaning into soapy, overdramatic storylines or having too drawn-out, overcomplicated mysteries.

But while the numbers alone might tell another story, the franchise has continued to top streaming charts after each release. I Will Find You immediately rose to #1 worldwide by June 19, aka the day after its release. Run Away went on to reach over 38 million views worldwide and spent four weeks on the streamer’s global Top 10 chart, while Coben’s biggest show to date, Fool Me Once, garnered a whopping 98.2 million views in its first 91 days on the platform. The numbers are astronomical, and prove that while critical reception and audience approval might not be a given, Netflix viewers consistently respond to Coben’s addictive mystery formula.

As Coben’s 13th TV show with Netflix, I Will Find You, currently reigns supreme on the platform, there’s no better time than now to reflect on how successful the franchise has been. With 13 shows, 13 mind-bending one-season mysteries, and millions of views, the collaboration has found a formula that works consistently, making it an easy, satisfying watch for viewers time and time again. So while the franchise is impressive already, the potential to keep the formula going is almost limitless.

Advertisement

Release Date

Advertisement

2026 – 2026-00-00

Network

Netflix

Advertisement

Showrunner

Robert Hull

Advertisement

Directors

Adam Davidson, Maggie Kiley, Maja Vrvilo, Brad Anderson

Writers

Advertisement

Robert Hull, Harlan Coben

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

You may ask yourself, “Why is an American werewolf in London?” And the answer is that he wasn’t a werewolf when he crossed the Atlantic. David Kessler (David Naughton) and his friend, Jack Goodman (Griffin Dunne), were just normal tourists until a werewolf attacked them and left them for dead.

Only David survives the attack, although he sees an apparition of Jack telling him to end his life before he transforms for the first time. David and his new lover, Alex Price (Jenny Agutter), may come to regret not making that choice. Because once David’s inner wolf is unleashed, there’s no putting it back in the bottle.

An American Werewolf in London is now streaming on Shudder.

Beyond the Gates early spoilers for the week of June 29th through July 3rd include Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) being completely fixated on his ex to the point that his current wife sniffs out the betrayal. Plus, Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie) focuses on taking care of her family and sets herself aside once she gets good news.

There’s a lot to get into as we see the first full week of July sweeps, which sees the drama build. And honestly, they were already off to such a strong start with this transplant drama.

Beyond the Gates July Sweeps Begins – Week of June 24th-26th:

So, on Thursday, June 25th, this is day one of July sweeps. It’s already high drama is going to kick into high gear when they’ve basically already hit the ground running pre-sweeps with the crossover from Young and the Restless, the tornado that nearly killed people, and the Kat Richardson (Colby Muhammad) and Eva transplant drama.

So, on Thursday, we’re going to have more on Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) and Anita. He already pressed her to keep her appointment. So, Vernon’s gonna go along, I’m sure, as Anita heads back to Garland Memorial to see Dr. Bower about her lumpectomy scan and the consult. Anita’s docter, Dr. Bower, if you don’t remember, is the head of oncology. And it dawned on me that the name is in honor of Tamara Tuni being on the Fox show 24 years back because the guy Jack Bauer was the head of the agency and then she took over for him temporarily. I think it’s a little homage.

BTG Spoilers: Grayson Remains Hopeful

Also, on Thursday, Grayson Perez, (Jordi Valiasuso, has reason to hope for a romantic future with Ashley Morgan (Jen Jacob. She’s still grieving Derek Baldwin’s (Ben Gavin) tragic death that Grayson had a hand in, but he’s overall a good guy. So, we’ll see what sort of positive sign he gets from Ashley.

Also, this week, Bill’s at Uptown with Haley Lawson (Marquita Goings) and something Bill says has Haley asking why Bill thinks the tornado was about him. She wants to know why Bill can’t shake it off. And Haley says it’s like Bill is haunted. Naomi already chastised her dad for thinking about Dani, so this is a red flag.

And then on Thursday, Haley rolls up on an intense conversation between Bill and Dani. Honestly, Bill seems to be reminiscing fondly about the elevator encounter while Dani is terrified that Andre finds out and will be upset. And we know he is going to find out. It’s just a question of when.

Somebody surprises Ted Richardson (Keith D. Robinson) with a request on Thursday. And I wonder if this is Tomas asking Ted’s permission to propose to Kat. We know Tomas Navarro (Alex Alegria) is a pretty serious guy, pretty traditional, so I can see him doing something like that. Of course, Chelsea Hamilton (RhonniRose Mantilla) doesn’t want the proposal to happen.

I’ll be curious to see if Ted thinks it’s a bad idea, fresh off Kat having the whole emotional ordeal of seeing her half-sister Eva injured and dying and then donating her part of her liver, suffering complications and all of that. But I can see why Tomas is inspired to propose. And Ted may say it’s up to Kat, not him.

Beyond the Gates: Celebrations and Secrets – Friday, June 26th

Friday, June 26. One family celebrates several wins. Obviously the Duprees because Anita may have a positive appointment with her oncologist. Kat’s recovering well after that scare. Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) won his primary. And you never know maybe Tomas proposes and Kat says yes on Beyond the Gates.

Dana “Leslie” Thomas (Trisha Mann) makes an announcement at the end of the week that causes panic. She just sincerely thanked Kat for saving Eva’s life. Her house got knocked down. She didn’t get to bribe the staff and Ted told her to donate to a hospital charity instead. So, we’ll see what Leslie does to freak people out.

Some Sibling Competition on BTG

Some siblings get competitive on Friday. Maybe Samantha Richardson (Najah Jackson) and Tyrell Richardson (Jaden Lucas Miller). Hopefully not Martin and Kat. And of course, there’s always the chance it could be Deanna McBride (Angela Fairley) and Donell McBride (Alex Cheeks) because we have Deanna scenes on Friday with her seeking advice from those she trusts.

It seems like she’s asking about Vanessa McBride (Lauren Buglioli) and Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom) since that’s the issue that stresses Deanna the most. And she just got mad at her mom, Vanessa, when she heard Joey talking about running a bath for her after the tornado drama.

Deanna has zero chill where Joey’s concerned. She thinks he’s sus, and she’s right. Just as Kat was the one who was always right about Eva and Leslie, we know that Deanna’s gut is right about Joey since he had her dad Doug McBride (Jason Graham) killed so that he could have Vanessa all to himself. And speaking of her, Joey has a proposition for Vanessa. I wonder if he wants her to move in with him, but keep her house she had with Doug so her kids don’t have to say goodbye to the place they grew up in with all their memories of Doug.

Beyond the Gates: July Sweeps in Full Gear – June 29th Through July 3rd

Then the week of June 29th through July 3rd, this is going to be the first full week of July sweeps. We’re going to see things heating up, picking up momentum, and a lot of storylines. Kat and Eva should be out of the hospital by then. I thought it was interesting that Kat told Eva that they’re still not sisters, even though a chunk of Kat’s liver now lives in Eva’s body.

Even though she had that dream and I think she got some perspective, Kat’s not a fool and she’s not going to jump into, you know, hugs with Eva. So, I do think though this is a starting point of Kat being more open to Eva being around, but not Leslie. And I don’t blame Kat for that. Also, Leslie’s going to have to decide what to do with her house. Is she going to restart with a more normal mansion rather than that unholy, tacky mess that she was building? We’ll see.

BTG Spoilers: Bill Obsessing over Dani

Bill can’t let go of what happened between him and Dani in the elevator. And I could see Bill being foolish enough to tell Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman) trying to break up his and Dani’s marriage so that Bill can try and win Dani back. And I do think Bill is like wine for her as a recovered alcoholic.

Not that she is, but an analogy. Dani knows that it’s bad for her, but she really enjoyed the taste of it until she realized what she was doing and then she was ashamed. Like when drunks fall off the wagon. I think Andre is a much healthier choice for her. Haley may sniff out Bill’s renewed interest in Dani, and it makes her more desperate to finish him off so she can get her payday before he ditches her.

And this long con Haley’s been working with help from Randy Parker (Maurice P. Kerry) turns to dust in her hands and she walks away with nothing. Kat may be planning a wedding if she says yes to Tomas, but I do wonder if she will accept the proposal. She may reject the ring, though, and I wonder if Chelsea will put a damper on it and tell her to slow her role.

Beyond the Gates Spoilers: Eva & Izaiah Grow Closer

Getting engaged hot on the heels of tragedy may not be a good idea for Kat, at least in Chelsea’s mind. Chelsea and Ted enjoy their relationship with less hassle from Leslie, but we’ll see how long her newfound chill lasts before she backslides to being her old awful self. We could see Izaiah Hawthorne (David Lami Friebe) and Eva’s relationship also taking a big step forward after her life-and-death ordeal.

Now, as you know, Izaiah was totally wrecked over the idea of losing Eva, and he didn’t leave her side till he knew that she was going to be okay. And Darlene Hawthorne (Monique Mosee) pledged to try harder with Eva. So, we’ll see if she sticks to that. Now, I don’t see Izaiah pulling out a ring or anything like that.

But he and Eva might move in together at her place or something low-key like that. That’s still a big step forward for them. Also, look for updates on Vanessa and Joey and her Deanna issues. Also, some updates on Ashley’s grief and where she and Grayson go from here and whether the mysterious Heather has really left town or is lurking.

Asian Doll has been juggling life as a rapper, entrepreneur, and new mom after welcoming her daughter, Mi’Lani, in September 2025. While she’s been enjoying motherhood with her 9-month-old daughter, she’s also been open with fans about the ups and downs of her relationship with her child’s father.

Now, it looks like she has something new to celebrate as she returns to social media with a shocking reveal.

RELATED: Moneybagg Yo, Waka Flocka & Asian Doll Speak Out As Social Media Debates Whether Gucci Mane “Snitched” On Pooh Shiesty

Asian Doll Starts The Countdown As She Reveals Baby No. 2 Is On The Way

On Thursday, Asian Doll took to social media ready to reveal a huge announcement. Officially sharing photos of her growing baby bump and revealing she’s expecting a baby boy, the rapper tweeted, “I’m pregnant with my son & I give birth in December on my birthday I’m so tired of hiding it.” As she celebrated finally letting the world in on her big news, she shared on her Instagram Story, “So glad the world know my tea now so I can stop hiding & live in my truth.”

Revealing that she has six months to go, Asian Doll also started the countdown to welcoming her baby boy, writing, “I give birth on my birthday. A real gift from GOD.”

The rapper also got candid with supporters about feeling better after making it through her first trimester. She tweeted, “The 1st trimester of pregnancy be the hardest. I be so sick & lose so much weight from throwing up for a month straight 💯 so happy I’m in my 2nd trimester. I got my energy back & I’m eating sooooooo much more. It’s time to build me back up & GET BACK TO IT 💯 #mommyof2.”

Social Media Reacts 

Folks quickly gathered under The Shade Room as they reacted to Asian Doll’s pregnancy announcement. Some flooded her with love and congratulations, while others entered the chat sharing their opinions about her having kids back-to-back.

Instagram user @ingod_itrust365 wrote, “Congratulations now you got your girl & Boy @asiandabrat”

Instagram user @ambertucker added, “Aww thats beautiful she must be real happy  🥺”

While Instagram @a.loni_ wrote, “Lord ion see how yall do 2 under 2 😩 bless  y’all’s heart cause lah pass out 😭😭”

Instagram user  sabrinabellbow wrote, “Idk how y’all keep having kids!! Back to back is insane 😂”

Instagram user @al_petty.tee 21 added, “Asian doll I promise you didn’t have to hide nobody gives af anymore we got bigger things to worry about that’s going on in America 😭😭😭😭”

While Instagram user @katoraaaaaa wrote, “Give her the same grace ya give Rihanna too”

Instagram user @foreverjefe_ wrote, “Do yall know people have their kids close together so they can grow up tg,”

Instagram user @bahnnybunny added, “Just wish her a safe pregnancy and go”

While Instagram user @luhzyy_ wrote, “This is so perfect, if you live life by these btes in the comments your life would be shitty! Back to back boy and you’re girl perfect !! Congrats truly ❤️ “

Asian Doll Opens Up About Overcoming Postpartum

Last week, Asian Doll shared another life update with fans as she opened up about overcoming postpartum. While sharing footage of her adorable daughter, Mi’Lani, she reflected on feeling like herself again and revealed she’s focused on motherhood, healing, and what’s next in her career.

She wrote: “Postpartum tried to take me out but I’m way STRONGER than that!! A lot of sh** that’s meant to break you at your lowest point use it as your stepping stone. I been threw so much & did so much for so many people that im numb to the it random switch up’s. Once people think they finally have 1 up on you they’ll handle you. All I know is how to stay 1000 with myself & know that there’re so many people that love me for me!!

I feel like I’m back myself back thinking straight back being the bad-b*tch that I am!! Ready to get pretty be a great mother & enjoy my life & make more memories than I’ve already created.

New music coming. New merch. New cosmetics & more shows!!! I always come out on top with or without a team. Anybody that ever went against this sh** ain’t NEVER won when it comes to me.”

RELATED: Muva Clapback Session! Asian Doll Responds To Critics After Showing Off Her Postpartum Body And Controversial EP Cover (PHOTOS)

Swimsuit shopping has a way of crushing your mood faster than a sunburn. The bottoms cut in, the tops don’t support and somewhere between the fluorescent dressing room lights and the mirror, that vacation excitement just evaporates. Finding a two-piece bathing suit that actually flatters can feel impossible . . . until now.

The Blooming Jelly High-Waisted Bikini Set has earned over 1,600 five-star ratings on Amazon. Shoppers say it “helps hide the mom tummy” while still looking cute enough for the beach, lake or pool day. At just $39, it’s the kind of swimwear find that makes you do a double take.

Get the Blooming Jelly High-Waisted Bikini Set for $39 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The high-waisted bottoms are what set this swimsuit apart. The ruched fabric across the front helps create a smoothing effect, while the adjustable side drawstrings let you customize the amount of coverage depending on your comfort level.

Related: Shoppers Say This Flowy Maxi Dress Hides the ‘Mom Pooch’

Advertisement

Finding a summer dress that’s comfortable, flattering and easy to wear is harder than it should be. Too often, breezy dresses look shapeless, while fitted styles cling in all the wrong places. That’s why shoppers can’t stop talking about one flowy Amazon maxi that reviewers say hides the “mom pooch” and earns “many compliments.” The […]

One shopper said the bottoms “really help smooth and shape your midsection without feeling tight or restrictive” and loved that you can adjust the fit to suit different activities and occasions.

The matching top is equally thoughtful. It features a flattering V-neckline, crisscross back straps, removable padded cups and a feminine tie-knot detail in the back. The swimsuit comes in sizes XS to XXL as well as a variety of colors and prints, including blue stripes, leopard patterns and classic black.

Reviewers are just as impressed with the fabric. One shopper described the material as “high-quality” and said they felt “confident and supported,” noting that those qualities can be surprisingly hard to find in a swimsuit.

The flattering fit appears to resonate across age groups, too. Another buyer, who described themselves as a “curvy 64-year-old woman,” said the swimsuit “fits in all the right spots” and praised the tummy control and value as “spot on.”

The verdict? “This is the perfect bathing suit for lake life in Wisconsin,” the shopper wrote.

With a wallet-friendly $39 price tag, it’s easy to see why so many shoppers keep adding this bestselling bikini to their carts. If you’re looking for a swimsuit that offers a little extra confidence without sacrificing style, this one is worth snagging before your next beach day.

Get the Blooming Jelly High-Waisted Bikini Set for $39 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more Blooming Jelly swimwear here, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: I Was Skeptical of Jelly Shoes — This $40 Bestseller Changed That

Summer shoe trends can be hit or miss. Some look cute in photos but feel impossible to style in real life, while others bring back memories you’d rather leave in the past. That’s exactly how I felt about the return of jelly shoes — until one bestselling Amazon pair started changing my mind. The Cushionaire […]

Advertisement

Lisa Vanderpump has added hotelier to her already impressive résumé as she expands her Las Vegas empire with one goal in mind: for guests to “misbehave accordingly.”

“For many years you have been coming to my restaurants… We’ve been eating, drinking, chatting the night away, and I’ve loved every minute of it,” Vanderpump — who recently expanded her Vanderpump Blooms x Bloom Haus floral collection at Kroger to include Vanderpump Home items — told Us Weekly and other guests gathered for the grand opening of her new Vanderpump Hotel in Las Vegas. “So in a way, we’ve been dating! And now, finally, after all these years, you get to sleep with me!”

The cheeky joke drew laughs from a crowd packed with Bravolebrities — and also perfectly captured the vision behind Vanderpump’s latest venture. After decades spent welcoming fans into her world — via her L.A. restaurant empire, and TV shows like The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules — the entrepreneur now offers something even more immersive: a stay at her first- ever hotel, the newest jewel in her growing Vegas empire, which also includes restaurants Pinky’s by Vanderpump, Vanderpump à Paris and Vanderpump Cocktail Garden.

Created in partnership with Caesars Entertainment, the boutique property transforms the former Cromwell hotel into a luxe destination infused with Vanderpump’s signature style: equal parts elegance, whimsy and a touch of mischief. From bespoke furnishings and custom-designed carpets to the deeply personal Gigolo cocktail lounge, nearly every detail reflects Vanderpump’s hands-on approach.

For Vanderpump, 65, the project represents the culmination of years spent building a brand that extends far beyond reality television.

“I was given an extraordinary opportunity,” she told Us. “I get goosebumps thinking about it. Caesars Entertainment, who are arguably the best in hospitality, had the confidence in me to say, ‘We want to do a hotel with you.’”

The star describes the property as personable and sexy, and she especially likes the intimacy and ease of the space.

“You can pull up and go to the lobby, then 10 steps later, you’re in this fantastic Gigolo Bar,” she said. “Then you can walk to the elevator and 30 more steps, you can be in your room.”

Rather than creating a sprawling resort, Vanderpump wanted guests to feel immediately immersed in her world. “When you walk into the lobby, it’s like, ‘Wow, look at these flowers, look at these teacups, look at these pictures, the decanters,’” she said. “It feels like you are walking into somebody’s home. It’s like you are coming to a party rather than walking into a corporation.”

One of the most personal spaces in the hotel is Gigolo, the glamorous cocktail lounge named after Vanderpump’s beloved Pomeranian, Giggy, who became a fan favorite during her years on reality TV. For Vanderpump, the bar is more than just a place to grab a drink.

“The emotional content of the Giggy bar really just speaks volumes,” she said. “It’s playful, it serves gorgeous cocktails, it’s decadent.”

Giggy’s legacy also lives on through the Vanderpump Dog Foundation, the nonprofit Vanderpump and her husband, Ken Todd, founded in 2016. Inspired by their love of animals, the organization has helped rescue and rehome thousands of dogs while advocating against animal cruelty around the world.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

As guests explored the sparkling new property on opening night, one thing was clear: The hotel is more than a celebrity-branded venture. It’s a reflection of Vanderpump herself — equal parts enchanting, whimsical and deeply personal.

The hotel’s official slogan is, “Misbehaving accordingly” — so what does that mean for guests? “Having fun, being naughty,” Vanderpump says. “Don’t take it so far that you’re going to get yourself in trouble,” she advises, “but life is playful! It’s all about having a bloody good time.”

Criminal Minds kept the surprises coming with a huge twist that could change the direction of the season.

During the Thursday, June 25, episode of the Paramount+ series, Brian (Paul F. Tompkins) revealed to the BAU that an FBI agent’s testimony is what led to Voit (Zach Gilford) being sentenced to life in prison instead of the death penalty.

The BAU didn’t know that one of their own secretly supported Voit’s rehabilitation — until Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) ultimately revealed it was her. This news left everyone shocked, but Rossi (Joe Mantegna) took it the worst as a divide was created amongst the BAU agents.

Criminal Minds, which premiered in 2005, follows a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its Behavioral Analysis Unit. The crime drama explores different fictional cases and shows how behavioral analysis helps the team locate their unknown subjects.

Related: Most Shocking and Heartbreaking ‘Criminal Minds‘ Deaths Through the Years

After 19 seasons, Criminal Minds has found opportunities to kill off beloved characters over the years. Criminal Minds, which premiered in 2005, follows a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its Behavioral Analysis Unit. The crime drama explores different fictional cases and shows how behavioral analysis helps the team […]

The original Criminal Minds series was revived by Paramount+ after its initial conclusion in 2020. Criminal Minds: Evolution brought back most of the cast with Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster reprising their roles. Other key characters — such as Matthew Gray Gubler’s Reid — have made cameos.

The first season of Criminal Minds: Evolution (a.k.a. season 16 of the OG Criminal Minds series) introduced Voit as the main antagonist. The BAU spent the entire season hunting down the prolific killer, who they linked to 62 murders and was the mastermind behind setting up an online network of fellow serial killers.

Voit’s status as the villain was left up in the air when earlier this season he had significant memory loss that caused him to no longer be labeled as a psychopath. Gilford and the rest of the Criminal Minds cast have acknowledged that Voit can’t remain on the show for good.

“I was supposed to leave the show a while ago and I’ve been pitching, ‘Well, I have to leave at some point. If you’re not going to kill me, we should have a spinoff,’” Gilford, 44, quipped exclusively to Us Weekly in May 2025. “It’s called Criminal Mind: Voit and it follows what Voit is doing when he is out in the world. Somehow he either escapes or he gets released and he is this white whale to the BAU. So Criminal Minds can keep going and having their [unsub] of the week — but they’ll always be like, ‘I wonder if Voit had something to do with this.’”

Related: ‘Criminal Minds’ Cast: Then and Now

Advertisement

Criminal Minds is back with a revival on Paramount+ — but fans have watched the cast change on and off screen since the procedural first debuted. In 2005, viewers were introduced to a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its Behavioral Analysis Unit. The crime drama, which was created by […]

While Gilford returned in his scene-stealing role in season 19, he previously said he is just focused on where Voit is now.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

“No matter what [role] it is, I try to make people like the character. No matter what they’re doing or how bad they are. It’s fun, especially with someone like a serial killer. Or even when I worked on Good Girls, I was a guy who cheated on his pregnant wife and I was like, ‘But I want everyone to like me,’” he told Us. “The thing is just about making people likable and to draw you in.”

Gilford continued: “I feel very, very fortunate and lucky — especially as the guy who started out as Matt [Saracen on Friday Night Lights] — the nicest guy in the world. For a long time, all anyone wanted me to do was be the nice guy. I am still kind of being the nice guy, [but] I just happen to have done bad things [on screen as Voit].”

Criminal Minds: Evolution airs Thursdays on Paramount+.

By TeeJay Small
| Published 7 seconds ago

The works of Stephen King are widely known to contain some super strange elements that often fail to translate to the big screen. One Stephen King adaptation that mostly circumvents this issue is 2017’s Gerald’s Game, which was written and directed by legendary Netflix horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan.

While the film is excellent and emotionally resonant throughout nearly its entire runtime, it takes a sharp left turn into crazy-town in the last 5-10 minutes, basically ruining the entire movie.

Always Remember Your Safe Word

Gerald’s Game centers on a simple and horrifying premise, following Carla Gugino’s Jessie and Bruce Greenwood’s Gerald Burlingame as they embark upon a romantic weekend in a remote cabin with the intention of spicing up their strained marriage.

As the audience soon comes to learn, Gerald has taken part in a number of trysts with other women over the years, and has developed a penchant for bringing kinky surprises into the bedroom, including handcuffs and aggressive role-play.

While Jessie initially seems game for the adventurous hookup, she quickly loses enthusiasm due to her lack of agency, sending the couple into a heated argument.

Upping The Tension

Just as Gerald is preparing to remove the handcuffs, tethering Jessie to the bedpost, he collapses in a heart attack, leaving her completely stranded and unable to call for help.

As the plot of Gerald’s Game progresses, the film expertly ratchets up the tension at every corner with a number of horrifying set pieces and psychological twists that will leave audiences at home screaming and crying.

As Jessie struggles in futility to escape from her shackles, she must fight off a hungry stray dog that wanders into the cabin, hallucinations of her past abusers, and a creepy bone-collecting monster who represents her trauma and fear of death.

Should Have Ended Earlier

Eventually, Jessie manages to escape from the cuffs in one of the most gruesome and bloody scenes ever committed to the Netflix platform, allowing her just enough time to speed away from the cabin and escape to safety.

If Gerald’s Game had concluded and cut to black at that very moment, it would easily be a perfect 10/10 film, rife with emotional highs, horrifying imagery, and incredibly well-realized themes about women’s empowerment, generational trauma, and finding your strength.

What Just Happened?

Of course, the film doesn’t cut to black in that triumphant moment. Instead, Gerald’s Game uses its final few minutes to explain to the audience that the 8-foot-tall bone-collecting monster man was not a manifestation of trauma, but was, in fact, a real psychotic giant carrying a bag of bones through the woods.

Perhaps this baffling choice made more sense within the context of the 1992 novel from which this film was adapted, but it completely undercuts the seriousness of the movie, and completely trivializes the entire film.

The very last scene of Gerald’s Game sees the terrifying bone man taken into police custody and appearing before a judge at a legal trial for having marauded his way through the woods, mutilating people and stealing their bones and valuables.

While the monster appeared terrifying and compelling in the cover of moonlight, the stark reality in the courthouse showcases just how absurd the existence of this character is.

An Otherwise Brilliant Movie Fumbling At The Goalpost

How exactly was this enormous creature moving around silently as he skulked through the cabin, providing numerous jump-scares throughout the runtime of Gerald’s Game? How is it possible that this instantly recognizable monster man was able to evade police capture for years at a time while periodically walking into random houses in the night?

And most importantly, if this bone man is real, does that mean he was actually licking Jessie’s feet in that one scene? Because if so, that instantly makes this a 2/10 movie, at best.

At the end of the day, Gerald’s Game is still a great film, even if it loses significant points for its left-field ending. If you’re interested in catching the acclaimed horror film, Gerald’s Game is currently streaming on Netflix. If you want to really improve your viewing experience, just turn it off as soon as Jessie returns home from the cabin, and enjoy your head-canon that the bone man was simply a psychological narrative device.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated 25 seconds ago

Nobody has ever accused Uwe Boll of being Steven Spielberg or Martin Scorsese. Nonetheless, he’s a legendary director for those of us who love a certain kind of film: action schlock. He is responsible for bringing us absolutely bonkers video game adaptations like House of the Dead, Alone in the Dark, BloodRayne, and Postal. Even when he’s not adapting games, his movies are reliably entertaining…the kind of stuff made for watching with a best friend and a six-pack. Unfortunately, the director flew a little too close to the sun with his latest film, Citizen Vigilante.

This movie is designed as a comeback for the canceled celeb Armie Hammer. He plays an American living in Europe whose wife is fatally stabbed by an immigrant. His solution? To kill as many immigrants as possible, all of whom are portrayed as cartoonishly evil. It’s basically like what would happen if Death Wish were made by your obscenely racist, ex-pat grandfather. Accordingly, the movie got banned in Germany, so Boll decided to take matters into his own hands. Specifically, he released the entire film on X, where you can watch it right now before it gets taken down.

A New Kind Of Vigilante Film

The interesting thing about vigilante films is that they all have something in common: a man who is fed up with injustice and feckless law enforcement and decides to start killing criminals on his own. The only real variables are what sends the vigilante off the deep end and who he targets. In Citizen Vigilante, Armie Hammer plays an American living in Europe (the exact city is not specified) whose wife is murdered by a violent immigrant. Afterward, he wages a one-man war against all violent immigrants while his actions are cheered on by supporters via social media. 

To put it mildly, Citizen Vigilante was built from the ground up as rightwing catnip. It’s a film where all of your problems are being caused by conniving immigrants, and the solution is one brave white guy killing as many of them as he possibly can. The movie has (no shock here) been lauded by online rightwingers who typically wring their hands and whine about how politics need to be kept out of film. Boll’s native Germany ended up effectively banning Citizen Vigilante by refusing to certify its rating, citing concerns that the movie was a form of hate speech inciting violence against immigrants. The director has responded by temporarily releasing the film on X, where you can watch it now.

A Perfect Storm Of Controversy

Citizen Vigilante was always destined to be a controversial film. Uwe Boll has always been a larger-than-life character, one who relentlessly criticizes various Hollywood studios for leftist leanings and politically correct films. Meanwhile, leading actor Armie Hammer was canceled years ago after a number of women accused him of sexual abuse and assault. While the actor denied these claims and was never charged with anything, some of his leaked DMs to women revealed that he has erotic cannibal fantasies. So, Boll bringing back a #MeToo guy who aspires to be Hannibal Lecter is controversial, to say the least.

While Boll has spoken out against his film getting banned in Germany, he’s kind of living out his dream right now. Circumventing studios and rating boards, he has now (temporarily) released his film for free online. No doubt, he is hoping that the message of taking a stand against a perceived immigrant threat will resonate with modern audiences. What will happen when that doesn’t work, though? No doubt, we’ll get an epic online meltdown from the director about how nobody else had the creativity and vision to create what might as well be an AI film: “ChatGPT, remake Death Wish, but make it 1000 percent more racist.”