An attorney for Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann’s 15-year-old son, Kroy “KJ” Biermann Jr., has broken his silence on accusations that the teen engaged in sexual activity with a family member under the age of 12.

“The characterizations made in court regarding the prior juvenile matter involving KJ Biermann grossly misrepresent both the facts and the ultimate resolution of that case,” KJ’s lawyer Jason Sheffield told TMZ on Friday, September 11. “The matter arose from inappropriate, crude behavior involving two middle-schoolers.”

During his bond hearing on Friday, September 11, Page Six reported that prosecutors allegedly found video evidence on KJ’s phone of the teenager having sex with an unidentified underage relative. Per the report, investigators had allegedly discovered footage of “multiple encounters” where KJ used “predatory [and] derogatory” language toward the victim. The incident had not previously been reported, with prosecutors telling the judge on Friday that they planned to press charges.

Us has learned that a judge granted KJ’s request for bond on Friday, setting it at $200,000. KJ will be required to wear an ankle monitor under the terms of his bond agreement.

Related: Kim Zolciak’s Son KJ, 15, Accused of Having Sex With Minor Relative: Report

Investigators have reportedly found evidence of Kim Zolciak’s 15-year-old son, Kroy “KJ” Biermann Jr., having sex with an underage relative. Prosecutors revealed during KJ’s bond hearing on Friday, September 11, that investigators allegedly discovered footage on KJ’s phone that showed him and an unidentified family member under the age of 12 engaging in sexual activity, […]

Following Friday’s hearing, Sheffield told TMZ that these allegations about an unidentified underage relative “did not result in an adjudication for statutory rape, sexual intercourse, or any comparable offense.”

“Any suggestion otherwise is inaccurate and creates a materially misleading impression of how the juvenile matter was ultimately resolved,” the attorney said.

While he has yet to actually see the new evidence, Sheffield described the video footage discovered by investigators as “more ridiculous, raunchy behavior” rather than anything illegal, though he acknowledged the behavior was “boundary crossing inappropriate.” Per the attorney, KJ received counseling to resolve the matter.

Zolciak, 48, and her daughter Brielle Biermann were spotted outside the courthouse on Friday, though neither publicly addressed the situation. (In addition to KJ, Zolciak and Kroy, 41, share son Kash, 14, and twins Kaia and Kane, both 12. Kroy also adopted Zolciak’s daughters from a previous relationship: Brielle, 29, and Ariana, 24.)

KJ was arrested in Alpharetta, Georgia, in August for aggravated sexual assault and aggravated battery after an alleged incident with another underage victim at a gym earlier this year. He was immediately remanded to Atlanta’s Regional Youth Detention Center, a juvenile detention facility where he remained prior to his bond hearing.

Weeks after his arrest, KJ was indicted for aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment and three counts of sexual battery against a child under the age of 16. (He has not been arrested for the remaining charges in the indictment.)

KJ has maintained his innocence regarding the accusations ahead of his October arraignment.

“First and foremost, this is not the kind of information that should be for public dissemination. These are juveniles,” KJ’s attorney Sheffield told Us in a statement, denying the initial allegations. “Secondly, my client is 100 percent innocent and tried to present evidence to the arresting officer, including a passed polygraph by a notable and respected sex offender polygrapher.”

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Related: What to Know About Kim Zolciak’s Son KJ’s Arrest for Sexual Assault

Kim Zolciak‘s son Kroy “KJ” Biermann Jr. made headlines after he was arrested on felony charges of aggravated sodomy and aggravated sexual assault. The alleged incident occurred at Lifetime Fitness on April 23. The minor female victim, who Us has chosen not to identify, reported an aggravated sexual battery and aggravated sodomy and was taken […]

Sheffield continued, “Additionally, the officer’s report notes the [Georgia Bureau of Investigation] found no male DNA on or inside the areas the alleged victim claimed she was assaulted. Had the officer sat down with me, I feel certain she would’ve never made an arrest.”

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Sheffield filed a motion on Tuesday, September 8, to transfer KJ’s case to juvenile court, attempting to prevent his client from being tried as an adult.

“It is difficult to comprehend that a 14- or 15-year-old child can be held in detention for a month or longer simply waiting for a bond hearing,” Sheffield told Page Six in a statement at the time. “But that detention is a direct consequence of the detective’s decision to arrest him on charges of this magnitude.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate must remain in custody as they fight extradition to the United Kingdom. There, the Tate brothers are accused of rape and sex trafficking. A federal judge gave this ruling in Miami on Wednesday (September 9), per AP.

RELATED: Romanian Prosecutors Indict Influencer Andrew Tate On Trafficking Minors & Money Laundering

Details From The Court Hearing For Tate Brothers

U.S. Magistrate Lauren Louis denied a defense motion for release. This means the Tate brothers will remain jailed during what could be a months-long extradition process. Tristan and Andrew Tate failed to demonstrate that they do not present a flight risk or danger to the community or that special circumstances warrant their release, Louis said in her ruling.

“Having failed to meet these three factors, Respondents’ Motion for Release Pending Extradition Proceedings is DENIED,” she said in the ruling.

Prosecutors say the brothers are a flight risk because they appear to have money and have bragged about multiple passports.

Andrew & Tristan Tate’s Lawyer Call Out Judge’s Ruling

Meanwhile, the Tates’ legal team said in a statement that the decision to keep them in custody creates a legal contradiction. The brothers are being detained in the United States due to a British extradition request. But they’re also being required to defend themselves against charges in Romania, the statement said.

“They are now facing an extraordinary situation in which they are being held thousands of miles from Romania while Romanian proceedings continue, deadlines approach, an additional indictment is said to be imminent and their own Romanian lawyer says he cannot properly prepare,” the lawyers said.

“No serious person can pretend that this can be reviewed properly through occasional conversations from a federal detention center in another country,” the lawyers added.

The attorneys said they are considering whether to appeal the judge’s decision.

Tate Brothers Facing Charges In Multiple Countries

During a hearing last month in Miami, the Tate brothers denied criminal accusations spanning several countries. Also, they blasted their critics and described their brash online personas as characters and not their true personalities.

For context, Andrew and Tristan built up their social media empire based on promotion of wealth, male dominance and misogyny. Earlier this month, though, the Tates said they exaggerate their claims of wealth to boost their clout on social media.

The new allegations are the latest in the Tates’ long-running international legal saga, which spans the U.S., Britain and Romania. They have been in the Federal Detention Center in Miami since making a brief court appearance two days after their July 18 arrest.

Lawyers for the Tates asked the judge to allow them to be freed from custody at least until an extradition hearing can be held on their U.K. rape and trafficking charges. They have repeatedly argued that Britain’s request is out of line because their criminal case in Romania is going first.

Romanian officials have let the brothers remain free until the proceedings conclude. So far, the Tate brothers have not tried to flee and are complying with all court restrictions. Earlier this month, Romanian prosecutors indicted the brothers on additional charges.

RELATED: Yikes! Man Arrested After Posing As San Francisco 49ers Player To Scam At Least 26 Women Out Of $1.3 Million

Associated Press writer David Fischer contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.

Prince William wasn’t very confident that brother Prince Harry and sister-in-law Meghan Markle’s return to the United Kingdom wouldn’t reopen old wounds.

“There was cautious optimism that perhaps they would arrive in silent dignity and not stir up drama, but William was much less optimistic than the king and was proven right because right now he’s having an ‘I told you so’ moment,” a source exclusively tells Us.

William, 44, and Harry, 41, have had a fractured relationship since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior working members of the royal family in 2020, following which Harry released his memoir, Spare, and a six-part Netflix docuseries, titled Harry & Meghan, in which he and Meghan, 45, spoke out against the royal family.

In March 2020, Harry and Meghan moved to Montecito, California, to raise their two children: Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.

“William and Kate don’t have to do anything and say anything. History has proven time and again Meghan and Harry will dig their own grave,” continues the source. “And this takes them further away from reconciliation.”

“William has not spoken to Harry,” the insider adds. “William also hasn’t gotten over all the stress that Harry and Meghan caused leading up to Kate’s cancer diagnosis. She finally reached remission, only for them to come back to the U.K. and create more stress for everyone.”

Last month, Harry and Meghan sent shockwaves when news broke that they would be returning to the U.K. with their kids after living stateside for the past six years. It came as an even greater surprise to many due to Harry’s long-running concerns over his family’s security in Britain, as he previously expressed to the BBC that “I can’t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point.”

Harry and Meghan previously lost publicly-funded security protection in the U.K. as a result of stepping down from their royal roles.

Following the news of Harry and Meghan’s return, a letter was released on behalf of King Charles III to clarify the couple’s status in the royal family.

“It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of The Sovereign, and are no longer working Members of The Royal Family,” read the letter written by royal household senior officer Lord Chamberlain. “This position, distinct from the State and Royal duties undertaken by the working Royal Family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of their privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected.”

The letter added that Harry and Meghan’s “charitable work” is “a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity.”

“In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests,” the letter stated.

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A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan told the BBC that they were “a little surprised” to not have been told about the letter “in advance.”

An additional source previously told Us that the reason Charles, 77, put out the letter to help ease confusion following Harry and Meghan’s return as the couple’s children reportedly just began their new school year.

“Charles wrote a letter to clarify they are not working royals and they are considered private citizens so there is no confusion,” the source explained. “The king just wanted the public and press not to be confused. They can’t be one foot in and one foot out.”

An Illinois mother charged with murdering her 2-year-old son had reportedly become “very invested” in Lindsay Clancy’s high-profile murder trial in the weeks before the killing — a case with disturbing parallels to her own alleged crime.

Corie Walsh was arrested on September 1, 2026, after her son, Barrett, was found hanging from a rafter in the basement of the family’s Frankfort, Illinois, home, according to the Frankfort Police Department. Walsh has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and denied pretrial release. She has also retained one of Casey Anthony’s former defense attorneys to represent her.

Everything to know about Walsh’s alleged crime and her case, below.

Corie Walsh Killed Her Son While Her 2 Older Kids Were at School

Two of Walsh’s school-aged children were not home when the killing took place, but they returned around the time Barrett was found, according to a pre-trial release denial petition viewed by People. Walsh’s fourth child, an infant, was discovered unharmed inside the residence at the time of her arrest.

Related: Mom Claims She’s Open to Admitting She Killed Her 3 Children as Trial Looms

Massachusetts mother Lindsay Clancy said she’s open to admitting she murdered her three children in 2023 as the start of her murder trial approaches. Clancy’s attorney, Kevin Reddington, said she “is offering to admit that she killed the children” if the judge agrees to a bifurcated trial format, according to WCVB. A bifurcated trial is […]

When officers arrived, a neighbor was already administering CPR to Barrett. The neighbor told police she had found the toddler hanging with “ligature around his neck and his feet were off the ground.” The boy was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Walsh was found fully clothed in a bathtub full of “bloodied water.” She allegedly told officers that her son was the “devil” and the “Antichrist.”

The neighbor told authorities she had found Walsh “actively harming herself” and had taken a knife from her, throwing it into a sink. According to the neighbor, Walsh said “she was trying to kill herself.”

Corie Walsh Was ‘Actively Discussing’ Lindsay Clancy’s Trial Hours Before Killing

Witnesses told authorities that Walsh had become “very invested” in Clancy’s trial, in which the Massachusetts mother was accused of strangling her three young children in January 2023. Walsh was “actively discussing” Clancy’s case via text messages with friends up to three and a half hours before Barrett’s body was found, according to court documents obtained by WLS.

Hours before Barrett’s death was discovered, Walsh wrote in a group chat that she was “freaking out” because she believed Lindsay’s ex-husband, Patrick Clancy, was involved in their children’s deaths, according to claims made in court on September 8, 2026, per NBC Chicago.

Walsh’s message aligned with conspiracy theories that Patrick was responsible for the killings — claims he has publicly denounced. Patrick has threatened legal action against those spreading the theories.

The Clancy trial was in the jury deliberation stage when Walsh killed her son. A Massachusetts judge declared a mistrial on September 4, 2026, after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Prosecutors have not revealed whether they will retry Clancy.

Corie Walsh Allegedly Threatened Her Other Children and Husband

Prosecutors have asked for Walsh to remain detained pending trial, arguing she made statements about harming her other three children, WLS reported, citing court documents. Walsh also allegedly intended to harm her husband, who was out of state at the time of the killing, once he returned home.

Corie Walsh Has Retained One of Casey Anthony’s Attorneys

During a court appearance on September 8, 2026, Walsh was denied pretrial release, WLS reported. Andrea Lyon, a Chicago-based attorney who served on Anthony’s defense team during her 2011 high-profile murder trial, is representing Walsh, NBC 5 Chicago reported.

Anthony was previously found not guilty of murder, manslaughter and child abuse in connection with the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. The Anthony case is described by A&E as “one of the most polarizing trials in United States history” that “continues to divide public opinion and raise questions about the complexities of justice and the role of the media in high-profile criminal cases.”

Lyon has argued Walsh was experiencing a “psychotic episode” when Barrett was killed.

“This is a tragedy for the Walsh family, all of whom are mourning the loss of this child,” Lyon said in a statement to ABC News. “It is also a tragedy in that Corie herself was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time this happened. It is our hope that through a thorough presentation and investigation of the facts, that all of us will come to see this heartbreak for what it is.”

Another attorney for Walsh, Robert Kerr, told a judge that the defendant had been “severely mentally ill” and suffering from a “brief psychotic disorder” when she killed Barrett, per NBC Chicago. Kerr added that she needs treatment. Court records indicate Walsh has not yet entered a plea.

She is being held in the Will County Jail, where she is to receive psychiatric care ahead of trial.

Related: Inside Lindsay Clancy’s Defense Team’s Failed Emergency Appeal Before Mistrial

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Shortly before a Massachusetts judge declared a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy case, her defense team filed an emergency appeal asking for the removal or further questioning of an allegedly biased juror. “Petitioner asks this court to order the Plymouth County Superior Court, in Commonwealth v. Lindsay Clancy … to inquire into the ability of […]

The Lindsay Clancy Case That Reportedly Consumed Corie Walsh

Clancy was arrested in January 2023 for strangling her three children, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months. She later leapt from a second-story window in an apparent suicide attempt, which left her paralyzed from the waist down.

Clancy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to three counts of first-degree murder. During her trial, which began in July 2026, her defense argued that she suffered from postpartum psychosis when she killed her children and had no sense of control over her actions. The prosecution argued that the murders were premeditated and that Clancy acted intentionally.

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The mistrial was declared due to a deadlocked 11-1 jury.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 833-852-6262 for free, confidential support, available 24/7 in the U.S.

This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.

The final season of Apple TV‘s Silo has a lot to explain, but the apocalyptic drama has quite a bit of story to tell as well. The show is based on a trilogy of novels by Hugh Howey, and while it has taken some liberties in the adaptation process, it has stuck to the source material where it counted most so far — even in places where it may not have been convenient. Season 4 will be the show’s final test, and we’ll see if all the changes along the way have led us to the same conclusion as Howey’s books. We’ll also see if these characters are similar enough to support the story’s central romance, or if that will be the biggest dropped plot in the series.

For those unaware, Howey’s books string out a long, star-crossed romance between Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) and Lukas Kyle (Avi Nash). So far, the show has not lingered on these two quite as much as the books did, though most of their important encounters are still intact in the adaptation. The show may be building a more subtle foundation so that this plot line can land in the end, though at this point, it’s fair to say they may be dropping it altogether. The show would likely hold up fine without this romance, but if the writers and producers can pull it off, it will hit even harder than it did in the books.

‘Silo’ Season 3 May Have Built the Foundation For Romance

Image via Apple TV+

Apple TV’s Silo has diverged from the books since the beginning, though early in Season 1 it appeared they were building up to Juliette’s romance arc. The show actually started off stronger in this respect by introducing us to George Wilkins (Ferdinand Kingsley). This character was already dead when the books began, and Juliette’s romantic history with him was much further in the background. Juliette had helped with the investigation of George’s death, which was the pretense for making her sheriff.

On the TV show, George and Jules have a secretive romance that kicks off the main action of the show spectacularly. He introduces us to the idea of relics, leaving behind clues to the true nature of the silo after his death. He also adds a lot of emotional weight to Juliette’s story early on, though her grief for him may be part of the reason the show has held off on her romance with Lukas up until now.

In both versions, Juliette met Lukas while she was sheriff, noticing him stargazing in the commissary at night. However, in the books Juliette and Lukas spend a lot of time getting to know each other via radio while Juliette is in Silo 17 and Lukas is locked in the I.T. department. This is where their overt romance starts, while the book has kept it at bay. Meanwhile, the show added the Season 3 plot line where Juliette develops amnesia, further delaying the romance. In the books, Juliette becomes mayor shortly after returning to Silo 18, and immediately strikes up a romance with Lukas as well.

These changes do not rule the romance out entirely — in fact, they may even make it stronger. The TV versions of Jules and Lukas have now spent a lot of time together, and have relied on each other in some high-stakes situations. They have every reason to trust and admire each other without any expectations of love. If the show can transmute the history they have now into a romance, it will pay off strongly.

Juliette is Stronger on TV So Far

Image via Apple TV

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One major reason the TV show may have left Juliette’s romantic life on the back burner is her role as a heroic figure in this story. In the books, Juliette sacrifices no agency or strength in order to be with Lukas, but on TV the optics are much more important. It might be harder for audiences to see Jules as a capable revolutionary leader once she had a man at her side. The show also had to leave space for Juliette to grieve for George, not to mention everything else she has endured up to this point.

The show cleverly side-stepped an awkward part of the story where Lukas and Juliette are at odds, which is hard to reconcile for a relatively new relationship. In the process, it gave Lukas more to do and established more common ground between him and Juliette. Now the show has a chance to bring these two together in the climactic moments of their story with some real momentum. It will be a powerful statement to those who feel the show has been too unfaithful to the books, proving that a story can evolve and meander a bit while still ending up at the same place with all its authenticity intact.

It’s also possible the show will drop this romance plot entirely, and that could work just fine as well. We’ll know soon enough as Silo Season 4 premieres on July 9, 2027 on Apple TV. Previous seasons are streaming there now, and Howey’s books are available in print, digital, and audiobook formats.

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Release Date

May 5, 2023

Network

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Apple TV

Showrunner

Graham Yost

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Directors

Morten Tyldum, David Semel, Michael Dinner, Aric Avelino

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Writers

Graham Yost, Hugh Howey, Jeffery Wang, Lekethia Dalcoe

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The conversation surrounding Chingy and his son, Isaiah Russell-Bailey, has sparked a heated discussion online about their estranged relationship. Chingy recently revealed Isaiah is one of his children during an interview with Jason Lee. Following the interview, Isaiah seemingly reacted while showing love to his mother and recognizing her support throughout his life. Amid the tension, Chingy seemingly addressed Isaiah’s mother, suggesting some parents manipulate their children and use them for financial gain. He also explained that his support for Isaiah has not always been public because he wanted him to create his own path. However, Isaiah is now sharing his side of the story! The actor is pushing back against some of his father’s claims while also defending his mother.

RELATED: That’s That! Chingy Sets The Record Straight On Where Things Stand With Son Isaiah Russell-Bailey (PHOTO)

Isaiah Russell-Bailey Addresses Where He Stands With His Father Chingy

Isaiah took to Instagram on Thursday (Sept. 10) to address his relationship with his father after taking a few days to reflect. The actor shares he usually keeps their relationship private but felt compelled to speak after seeing Chingy’s comments. Isaiah also claimed Chingy’s version did not accurately reflect their relationship, alleging years of absence, neglect, and lack of involvement.

Additionally, Isaiah defended his mother against claims that she influenced his feelings toward his father. He explained that his feelings about their relationship came from his own experiences growing up.

Isaiah wrote, “I’ve stayed quiet about my relationship with my father because I’ve never felt the need to share that aspect of my life publicly. But after seeing his comments, I feel compelled to speak for myself. What my biological father shared is not an accurate representation of our relationship. Saying something publicly does not make it true. You cannot rewrite years of absence, neglect, or lack of involvement with a few paragraphs about love, support, and being there for your child.”

The actor added: “I know what my childhood and my relationship with my father actually looked like. I know who was present and who wasn’t. I know who supported me and who didn’t. And to be clear, the claims about my mother are completely false. She did not manipulate me into disliking my father. A parent doesn’t have to turn a child against someone who was already absent. My feelings are my own, and they come from my own experiences.”

Furthermore, Isaiah Russell-Bailey said his career is not a part of his and Chingy’s story either. “I’ve worked diligently and tirelessly for what I have. The people who genuinely supported me know the sacrifices I and my mother had to make, as well as the setbacks and work that went into getting here. What bothers me is the blatant attempt to present an image to the public that doesn’t match reality, while implying that I somehow share that version of our relationship. I DO NOT,” he said.

Ultimately, the actor refused to expose “every private detail” of his relationship with Chingy “just to win an argument on the internet.” However, he said he refuses to allow someone to speak for him or use his or his mom’s name “to create a false picture of a nonexistent relationship for clout.”

“I know the truth, and the people who were actually there know it too. I’ve said what I needed to say, and I won’t be speaking on this again.”

Social Media Weighs In

Many gathered under  The Shade Room  as they reacted to Isaiah’s statement. Many empathized with his experience and commended him for standing up for himself and his mother. Others argued that Chingy did not say much to begin with and felt the situation was being dragged out.

Instagram user wrote @theearred wrote, “Good for him for standing up for himself & his mom. Very mature response.” ❤️ 

Instagram user @annayaalanaeee.__ wrote, “that part. ppl refuse to believe that children can have their own mind and voice when it comes to a relative relationship.”

While Instagram user @trappthageneral wrote, “Moma wrote this lol”

Instagram user @dat1sagittarius wrote, “Like he so bothered that his father mentioned him when he was asked a question 😂 all he said was his son is a big actor out in cali. He didn’t take credit or say he raised him. He doing too much IMO”

Instagram user @teshayfanchon wrote, “Atp you’ve mentioned him & went into detail more than he did you. Let’s hang this up and just get along. 🥴”

While Instagram user @flawlessndbrown_ wrote. “Idk I feel like his mom talked bad about his dad a LOT & it worked. Chingy didn’t even say anything bad”

Instagram user @jeffspates00 wrote, “Mind yall he’s 19 I’m pretty sure he can write up his own statements while yall saying his mom did it”

Instagram user @shortybaddaxx added, “He needed this moment to become relevant again & im glad his son let it be known respectfully. He didn’t even need to bring up his son name in the interview knowing they don’t have a relationship.”

While Instagram uaer  @tyisha_ wrote, “Chingy has 4 kids. Why didnt he name drop them all? You can acknowledge how many kids you have without exposing their identity. He only name dropped the famous kid that he didnt raise.”

How Isaiah Russell-Bailey Has Been Making His Own Lane In Hollywood

Outside of the family drama, Isaiah has been making waves in Hollywood for some time now. He held it down on Netflix as Shaka McKellan on ‘Family Reunion,’ appearing throughout the series from 2019 through 2021. Isaiah later played Rewind in Netflix’s ‘We Can Be Heroes’ and Caleb Channing in Disney+’s ‘Crater,’ adding to his growing resume. Whether he’s hitting red carpets or pulling out his best moves alongside his mother, Brittany Perry-Russell, Isaiah continues making his own lane.

RELATED: 21 Savage Opens Up About Fatherhood & How Parenting Youngest Child With Latto Differs From Raising His Other Kids

Some kids movies survive because parents keep introducing them. Others survive because kids would find them again anyway. The really special ones have enough mischief, speed, heart, and personality that nobody in the room feels like they are sitting through children’s entertainment. You can put one on after dinner, hear a familiar line from the other room, and somehow end up watching the rest.

That is the standard here on this list. Adventure helps. Great jokes help even more. But the biggest thing is whether the movie makes being young feel exciting rather than simplified. These stories understand imagination, embarrassment, friendship, fear, and the absolute seriousness children can attach to things adults dismiss. These 8 movies are fun because they remember what that age actually feels like.

8

‘Paddington 2’ (2017)

Image via StudioCanal

Paddington 2 sends the nicest bear in Britain to prison, which sounds cruel until Paddington starts improving prison life through marmalade sandwiches and basic manners. Paddington (Ben Whishaw) just wants to buy Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) a beautiful pop-up book of London for her hundredth birthday. He gets a job washing windows, saves every coin, and then somehow ends up accused of stealing the book himself.

That is the movie’s whole charm. Paddington assumes people can be decent and keeps behaving accordingly until even hardened inmates begin softening around him. Hugh Grant’s Phoenix Buchanan adds exactly the right amount of silliness as a vain actor using ridiculous disguises to hunt for hidden treasure. The Browns get their own pieces of the investigation, the prison escape turns into proper adventure, and almost every payoff circles back to some tiny detail planted earlier. Children get color, slapstick, trains, and a bear causing chaos. Adults get a surprisingly moving reminder that kindness can actually change the temperature of a room.

7

‘The Goonies’ (1985)

Image via Warner Bros.

Goon in The Goonies definitely means a very different thing now about 4 decades later. But this is a movie about a group of kids facing the loss of their neighborhood, and they find an old treasure map and do what kids in movies used to do before smartphones ruined everything. They disappear into tunnels beneath the Oregon coast looking for One-Eyed Willy’s fortune. The Goonies feels like childhood imagination given permission to become completely real for one afternoon.

The fun comes from how messy the adventure is. Nobody behaves like a tiny action hero. They yell over each other, panic, argue, make bad decisions, and somehow keep moving. Chunk (Jeff Cohen) gets separated and ends up befriending Sloth (John Matuszak). Data (Ke Huy Quan)’s homemade gadgets work just often enough to justify carrying them. Mikey Walsh (Sean Astin) genuinely believes the treasure can save everyone’s homes, which gives all the pirate nonsense a surprisingly sincere purpose. Then there are waterslides, booby traps, skeletons, the Fratellis, and an actual pirate ship waiting underground. It is loud and scrappy in a way newer family adventures sometimes polish away.

6

‘School of Rock’ (2003)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Dewey Finn (Jack Black) gets kicked out of his band, needs rent money, and impersonates his roommate to take a substitute-teaching job at an expensive private school. That should probably end badly. Instead, School of Rock turns a classroom full of overachieving kids into a rock band and somehow makes the fraud feel like the healthiest thing that has happened to half of them.

The movie works because Dewey eventually notices what each kid can actually do. Zack Mooneyham (Joey Gaydos Jr.) writes songs. Freddy Jones (Kevin Clark) attacks the drums. Lawrence (Robert Tsai) finds his place at the keyboard. Tomika (Maryam Hassan) can absolutely sing, even if insecurity has convinced her otherwise. Billy (Brian Falduto) takes fashion extremely seriously. Even the children who are not performing get jobs because this entire ridiculous operation needs managers, security, and lighting. The Battle of the Bands gives everyone a goal, but the real joy is watching a classroom loosen up without becoming stupid. Few kids movies make self-expression feel this contagious. You finish it wanting to start a band even if you cannot play anything.

5

‘The LEGO Movie’ (2014)

Image via Warner Bros.

Emmet (Chris Pratt) follows every instruction, likes every popular song, and has somehow managed to live such a perfectly normal life that his coworkers barely remember him. Then he is mistaken for the most important person in the universe. The LEGO Movie takes that joke and runs with it at a speed that feels appropriate for children dumping an entire LEGO bin onto the floor.

Anything can become useful because everything can become something else. A city street can turn into a vehicle. A couch can become part of a getaway. Benny (Charlie Day) spends ages begging to build a spaceship and finally gets his moment with the enthusiasm of someone who has been waiting his entire existence. Batman (Will Arnett) is convinced every idea he has is brilliant, while Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks) spends much of the movie wondering why destiny apparently chose Emmet. Beneath all the visual chaos is a very simple pleasure familiar to anyone who played with LEGO as a kid. Rules are useful until imagination decides otherwise.

4

‘The Incredibles’ (2004)

Image via Pixar Animation Studios

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The Parr family has superpowers and still spends a surprising amount of time dealing with things every family recognizes. Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson) hates his job. Helen Parr (Holly Hunter) is trying to keep everyone functioning. Violet Parr (Sarah Vowell) wants to disappear socially and can literally do it. Dash Parr (Spencer Fox) is told to stop showing off even though running ridiculously fast is the thing he enjoys most. The Incredibles understands that family life remains family life even when someone can lift a car.

That makes the action much more fun because everybody fights like themselves. Helen stretches around problems. Dash turns danger into a race. Violet has to become confident enough to protect people instead of hiding. Bob discovers that sneaking around on secret missions is much less exciting once the whole family gets dragged into the consequences. Syndrome (Jason Lee) brings genuine danger, but the movie never forgets to be funny. Edna Mode (Brad Bird) can explain costume design like national security, and Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) searching for his super suit during a citywide emergency is still one of the most believable marriage arguments ever written.

3

‘Ratatouille’ (2007)

Image via Pixar Animation Studios

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Remy (Patton Oswalt) has better taste than almost everyone around him. The problem is that he is a rat living in Paris, and restaurants are generally not open-minded about that résumé. Ratatouille gets around this problem by having Remy hide beneath Linguini (Lou Romano)’s chef hat and control his movements by pulling his hair, which is completely absurd and somehow becomes normal within minutes.

From there, the movie turns cooking into play. Remy darts through the kitchen correcting sauces while Linguini tries desperately to look competent. Colette Tatou (Janeane Garofalo) teaches him how unforgiving a professional kitchen can be. Skinner (Ian Holm) becomes increasingly convinced something strange is happening and is absolutely right. Then Anton Ego (Peter O’Toole) arrives looking like a man who has never enjoyed lunch in his life. His reaction to one simple plate of ratatouille gives the movie its emotional center because everybody understands the feeling of food suddenly bringing back a place or person. Kids can enjoy the chase scenes and kitchen chaos. The rest of us may leave weirdly motivated to cook something.

2

‘Back to the Future’ (1985)

Image via Universal Pictures

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Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) gets into a DeLorean with a mad scientist, travels from 1985 to 1955, and immediately creates the worst possible problem by accidentally interfering with his parents falling in love. Back to the Future barely gives you time to think about how strange that is because the movie keeps finding another complication. And it’s not just fun for kids.

Watching Marty meet teenage versions of his parents is still hilarious. George McFly (Crispin Glover) is even more awkward than Marty imagined, Lorraine Baines (Lea Thompson) develops a crush on her own future son, and Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson) somehow manages to be awful in every decade available to him. Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) has to solve time travel using 1955 technology while Marty races toward the exact lightning strike that can send him home. The clock-tower finale remains ridiculously satisfying because so many moving pieces finally line up at once. Children get a time machine, skateboards, rock music, and adventure. Adults get the much stranger experience of imagining their parents before they were parents. That combination never really gets old.

1

‘Toy Story’ (1995)

Image via Pixar Animation Studios

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Toy Story is to kids what the Night at the Museum would be to history geeks. The idea is almost unfairly good. Toys come alive when children leave the room, and their biggest concern is whether the next birthday present will replace them. Toy Story turns that childhood fantasy into a friendship story between Woody (Tom Hanks), who is terrified of losing his place, and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), who does not yet realize he is a toy.

Their rivalry makes the whole movie move. Buzz walks into Andy Davis (John Morris)’s room believing he is an actual Space Ranger. Woody watches everyone adore him and handles the situation with the emotional maturity of someone being replaced at work. Then both toys get stranded, land in Sid Phillips (Erik von Detten)’s terrifying house, survive Pizza Planet, and have to stop fighting long enough to get back to Andy. The jokes still work because the personalities are so clear. Rex (Wallace Shawn) worries constantly. Hamm (John Ratzenberger) is sarcastic. Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles) seems permanently irritated with everybody. But the real reason Toy Story stays number one is simpler. It takes the secret life every kid once imagined for their toys and makes that world feel completely believable.

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Toy Story

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Release Date

November 19, 1995

Runtime

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81 minutes

Director

John Lasseter

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Writers

John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Joss Whedon, Alec Sokolow, Joel Cohen, Joe Ranft, Pete Docter

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• 
• 

  Tim Allen

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  Buzz Lightyear (voice)

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Roomies, after days of waiting and plenty of anticipation, the moment has finally arrived for Lil Durk. The rapper walked into Friday facing a jury’s decision that could have drastically changed his future — and now, that decision is in. The verdict also had social media buzzing, with G Herbo, Drake, Ye, and more taking to social media to react to the news.

RELATED: Lil Durk Found Not Guilty On All Charges In Murder-For-Hire Trial

Lil Durk’s Murder-For-Hire Trial Ends With Not-Guilty Verdict

Jurors reached a verdict Friday, September 11 in Lil Durk’s federal murder-for-hire trial, and the rapper was found NOT GUILTY on all counts. The case centered on an alleged plot prosecutors said targeted Tyquian Bowman, better known as Atlanta rapper Quando Rondo, during an ambush near the Beverly Center four years ago.

Prosecutors charged Durk and two others in connection with the alleged stalking and killing of a man during the 2022 shooting. Throughout the trial, prosecutors accused Durk of setting the alleged plan in motion. The federal jury began deliberating Wednesday after hearing closing arguments from both sides and spent several days considering the evidence before reaching its verdict.

Ye, Drake & G Herbo React To Lil Durk’s Verdict

The reactions didn’t stop with fans, as several celebrities also took to social media to weigh in on Lil Durk’s not-guilty verdict. Ye, Drake, and G Herbo were among those who shared their reactions following the news, with each appearing to acknowledge the rapper’s legal victory in their own way.

Lil Durk is not guilty on ALL COUNTS

— ye (@kanyewest) September 12, 2026

Drake sends love to Lil Durk after he was found not guilty on all charges. pic.twitter.com/HXrYWn9OQi

— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) September 12, 2026

G HERBO REACTING TO DURK NOT FOUND GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES pic.twitter.com/ZrI7pqOHdn

— Big StoneBridge (@StoneBridge49_) September 12, 2026

Social Media Pops OFF Amid Durk’s Verdict

Following the verdict, social media quickly lit up with reactions to Lil Durk being found not guilty on all counts over in The Shade Room’s comment section. Celebs and supporters flooded social platforms with celebrations, while others weighed in on the outcome of the closely watched case and the rapper’s long-awaited return to freedom.

The Instagram user @yesimprettyvee added, “👏👏👏👏👏👏👏”

And, Instagram user @supa_cent commented, “All that ratting went to waste.”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @lyfejennings wrote, “👏🔥🔥🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🔥🔥🔥”

While Instagram user @bhadbhabie shared, “🙌”

This Instagram user @louuuyoung said, “All my life…🙏🏾🏆💯”

Finally, Instagram user @thelilmoshow added, “🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆”

Folks On X Didn’t Come To Play About The Voice

Lil Durk looking at OTF Jam after being Found not Guilty 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/zHUjMeEmNZ

— 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑺𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝑭𝒂𝒏 ™️ (@Spliffingza) September 12, 2026

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LIL DURK FOUND NOT GUILTY pic.twitter.com/9WBVgs4EpS

— Wost🕷️ (@mosthiphop) September 12, 2026

Lil Durk walking out of prison after being found not guilty : pic.twitter.com/fKejaHyjz0

— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) September 12, 2026

WOW Lil Durk not guilty on ALL Charges! nobody guilty of Murder For Hire. Dede and Lindsay guilty of all 3 Stalking counts including the one resulting in death of Lul Pab.

— Trap Lore Ross (@traploreross) September 12, 2026

LIL DURK BEAT THE FEDS 🙏🏽😭 https://t.co/nONmvm6z6R pic.twitter.com/n418B6dYw1

— CMO🐍 (@CGTOPSHOTTA) September 12, 2026

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OTF Jam wore a wire for 6 years just for Lil Durk to get acquitted and he facing life pic.twitter.com/NbWn08c92j

— Cxnt (@CxntCondoneIt) September 12, 2026

LIL DURK NOT GUILTYYYYY AHHHHHHH HAAAAAAAA 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/WNkdISpdMK

— 6 🇯🇲 (@AwinoE5) September 12, 2026

LIL DURK FOUND NOT GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES pic.twitter.com/VVvdUEyE1k

— Big StoneBridge (@StoneBridge49_) September 12, 2026

Lil Durk Found not guilty 🐐 pic.twitter.com/pYZb7q1uYX

— BuffBoy 🦬 (@skobuffss) September 12, 2026

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I can’t believe the song PR worked for Lil Durk 💀 pic.twitter.com/nYRNvPCSbx

— The Pettiest Laker Fan 🤫 (@ThePettiestLA) September 12, 2026

Brian Steel goes 2-for-2 after representing both Lil Durk and Young Thug. pic.twitter.com/uOCtG6Fwls

— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) September 12, 2026

RELATED: Lil Durk’s Case Takes Another Turn As Jury Deliberations Begin

Things are getting a little more personal between Chingy and his son, Isaiah Russell-Bailey. After Isaiah recently shared his perspective on their relationship following his father’s interview, Chingy is now speaking out — and he’s making it clear there’s more than one side to the story.

RELATED: That’s That! Chingy Sets The Record Straight On Where Things Stand With Son Isaiah Russell-Bailey (PHOTO)

Chingy Addresses Isaiah’s Perspective On Their Relationship

On Friday, Chingy exclusively told The Shade Room that he doesn’t believe private family matters should play out publicly, but he still felt compelled to address some of the claims being made. The rapper acknowledged that while he may feel he made an effort as a father, Isaiah can still feel like he needed more from him.

“I can know that I tried while Isaiah can still feel that he needed more from me. Both can be true,” Chingy wrote. “My intentions do not erase his experience, and his pain does not erase the love I have always had for him.”

Chingy Gets Real On Fatherhood, Support, And Reconciliation

Chingy also shared that he contributed more than $200,000 in child support over the years and made efforts to maintain a relationship with Isaiah. However, he acknowledged that financial support isn’t a replacement for a father’s physical or emotional presence.

The rapper says he’s willing to listen, take responsibility for his part and have an honest conversation with his son. Still, Chingy hopes that conversation can happen away from the public eye rather than becoming something played out online or through interviews. Ultimately, Chingy says his love for his son hasn’t changed. “Your father loves you. I always have, and I always will.”

Fans Weren’t About To Let This Go

Fans quickly headed to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section to share their thoughts on the situation. While some questioned whether $200,000 in child support over 18 years was enough, others agreed with Chingy’s perspective, with many suggesting the situation may have been blown out of proportion.

One Instagram user @ashlicakes said, “$200k over 18 years is very roughly about $30 a day 😂”

This Instagram user @iamdavidb_ wrote, “And now yall don’t want to hear his side huh ?! Even when he owned up and validated HIS SON feelings…”

And, Instagram user @hd4president commented, “Wish my daddy gave me 200,000 😂😂”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @canaryk_ added, “N*gga said ‘I paid that money tho.. relax’ 😂😂😂😂😂”

While Instagram user @iamsooogirly shared, “Court ordered child support vs taking care of your children isn’t the same 😩😩😩😩 it’s usually indicative to the father being an absentee”

Finally, Instagram user @duronswayy said, “The fact you mentioned money tells me everything I need to know. Conversation over.”

RELATED: Actor Isaiah Russell-Bailey Shows Love To His Mom After Chingy Reveals He’s His Father (PHOTOS + VIDEOS)

Christian McCaffrey got a haircut while he was in Australia with the San Francisco 49ers, and his barber had a distinctly Down Under comment for him.

“I was getting a haircut a few days ago and one of the barbers looks at me and says, ‘Looks cracker,’” McCaffrey, 30, told reporters after the 49ers’ 27-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on Thursday, September 10. “I said, ‘Sorry, what did you say?’ I didn’t know what it meant, I guess that means it looks good. But that was funny.”

McCaffrey added that the comment was one he was used to hearing at home, albeit in a different context.

“He said it again, I said, ‘Dude, I hear that every Sunday,’” he joked. “That was good, we had a good moment. I enjoy all the slang.”

Related: Olivia Culpo Shares Rare Glimpse Into Christian McCaffrey’s Life as a Dad

In the game of parenting, Olivia Culpo believes San Francisco 49ers football player Christian McCaffrey deserves the title of MVP. “I always knew he would be a really good dad because he’s a really good person,” Culpo, 33, exclusively shared with Us Weekly while celebrating her partnership with Heluva Good! Dips before Super Bowl LX. […]

The term “cracker” in Australia has quite a different definition than in the United States. In Australia, it’s used to mean something great, according to Charles Stuart University’s guide to Australian slang. Stateside, it’s often used as a derogatory term for a white person.

Overall, McCaffrey spoke glowingly of his experience in Australia. In a press conference on Monday, September 7, he lauded the country’s coffee and food.

“It’s been great. The coffee’s unbelievable,” he said. “I don’t know why nobody talked about that as much as they should have beforehand. Coffee’s been great, the food’s awesome, the people are really nice. It’s been a really, really cool experience for all of us.”

While McCaffrey and his team were in Australia, his wife, Olivia Culpo, supported him from home. The pair welcomed their first baby, daughter Colette, in July 2025, and Culpo, 34, is now pregnant with their second.

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Related: Olivia Culpo Rocks Pumping Bra While Cheering Christian McCaffrey Touchdown

Olivia Culpo is one dedicated wife to San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey. Culpo, 33, took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday, October 19, to share footage of herself jumping up and down while gripping her pumping bra as she celebrated one of McCaffrey’s touchdowns. (The 49ers won over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night […]

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The running back spoke to Us in February about watching Culpo become a mom and how he has embraced fatherhood.

“Watching Olivia become a mom has been so cool,” he said. “We had [Colette] in July, which was right before training camp, so I was kind of in go-mode and went through the whole season. There’s challenges that come with that. So, to now take a breath and be able to be a dad has been really, really fun.”

McCaffrey added, “We have the same values in life, there’s never really any conflict when it comes to [parenting]. Obviously, I can’t be there for most of the day, and she really does love it. As a girl dad, you definitely get softer. I don’t care what anyone says.”