General Hospital spoilers for June 8-12, 2026 are going to see Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) desperate to get out of his Turning Woods situation before Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) kills him. And also, Steve Burton is back as Jason Morgan and we have his return air date.

Plus, we’ve got some huge casting updates. A new guy and a returning character, both of which we leaked for you in the past couple of weeks, and also two returning players and a reveal of which character was marked for death but got a reprieve. That’s something else that we leaked for you guys. And as we always do on early edition day, we are going to start with what is happening the rest of this week and then we are going to get into all the good juicy stuff that is coming next week.

General Hospital Spoilers Wednesday, June 3rd: Lucas Stresses Out

So, with that in mind on Wednesday, June 3rd, Lucas Jones (Van Hansis) is worried that he might have said too much. He might have spilled a little more than he should have. And this could have been something to do with going to the cops and telling them about Pascal Levesque (Mark Forget) and that he thinks he killed Marco Rios (Adrian Anchando) when of course he knows he didn’t, but I think he’s just trying to get the PCPD over there. Lucas is plotting. He wants them at Wyndemere to rattle cages. And that’s exactly what happened when Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett) showed up there.

So, it looks like Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), Lucas, and Laura Collins (Genie Francis) check in with each other on Wednesday. Lucas says they will shoot first and ask questions later. That’s presumably talking about Sidwell and Cullum. And Sonny offers some help and he tells Laura, and I assume Lucas as well, that if they offer him a suspect, he will bite. I think maybe they’re talking about Sidwell in reference to Marco’s murder, but it could be about the cops, but I think Sidwell.

Also, Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) wants answers. Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) and Carly have crept into Jack’s room at Turning Woods and he wants their help. But Valentin tells Jack that his and Carly’s help comes at a price. I’m guessing it’s to get the WSB off Valentin’s back. I would pay good money to see them pull Jack out of there and stick him up in the attic with Valentin. I don’t think that’s going to happen, but I think it’d be funny.

Willow Tait Cain (Katelyn MacMullen) makes Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard) an offer. So, Willow’s asking Chase, “What if there was a position more in line with his skill set?” I wonder if Willow is going to hire Chase to be her personal security. It’s kind of interesting that Willow seems completely unbothered by Brook Lynn Quartermaine’s (Amanda Setton) threats to avoid Chase and instead Willow seems more intrigued by the threat. Also, Brook Lynn says to somebody, “Forgive him for what?” So, they’re likely talking about Chase because I’m sure she walked in while Chase is out with Willow out by the boathouse.

Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) is appalled by what she sees, which is Willow getting handsy with Chase by the boathouse. Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) asks Kristina Corinthos-Davis (Kate Mansi) what exactly she needs him to do. So, I wonder if she’s going to ask Michael maybe to get Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) to take over running Charlie’s after she leaves for medical school.

GH Spoilers Thursday, June 4th: Cassius Gets an Offer – Closet Scientist?

Thursday, June 4th, somebody gives Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) an offer that’s hard to refuse. This may be Cullum looking to Cassius to complete his father’s final project since Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) is MIA. If you remember, Cullum was telling Sidwell that he had somebody else in mind. And also, don’t forget Cassius told Lulu Spencer (Alexa Havins Bruening) that his dad used to make him memorize the periodic table. You know, he’s not really a cop. He may be a closet scientist. So, we’ll see if he’s more than just a henchman.

And somebody warns Ethan Lovett (Nathan Dean), and this might have to do with the photo of him and Delilah Wilson (Lily Cardone). Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros) tries to get Willow to listen to reason. Maybe about Chase or the Jack mess or the Drew mess. I mean, honestly, pick a mess. Josslyn tries a new way to escape captivity. This week, she’s messing with the light fixture.

And then she’s trying to jimmy the door open. Looks like she got a part from the light. So, Josslyn is shocked when it works. She gets the door open, but we’ll see how far she gets. Carly tells Valentin that Josslyn would never leave without saying goodbye. And she’s certain that someone took her. And Tracy’s arguing with Chase. I’m sure it’s about seeing Willow and Chase looking way too close.

General Hospital Spoilers Friday, June 5th: Someone Gets Good News for a Change

Friday, June 5th, Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn) delivers good news, maybe to Chase and Brook Lynn about the baby. And I’m wondering if she’s going to show Tracy the photo of Ethan with Delilah. Speaking of him, Ava Jerome (Maura West) is prodding at Ethan on Friday. I’m sure it’s about Delilah. And Ethan may not react well. He seemed to have strong feelings for Delilah and was committed to keeping her secrets.

Also, somebody helps Brook Lynn and this may be Jacinda Bracken (Paige Herschell) or Michael and if it is, they’re not really helping her. Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) issues a warning to someone and this may be about the search for Britt and Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) Laura gets a win. Hopefully, it’s something to do with her scheme with Sonny and Lucas against Pascal and Sidwell moving forward.

Week of June 8th-12th on General Hospital

June 8th through the 12th, we’re going to see Nina continuing to protect Brennan. And I wonder if he’s going to, you know, mention that he’s at death’s door if he doesn’t get out of Turning Woods. I’m sure he’ll have also told Carly and Valentin at this point about Cullum trying to kill him. Speaking of Cullum, the actor who plays him, Andrew Hawkes, revealed that his character was supposed to die in the Britt, Jason and Rocco shootout. We leaked a while back that he was supposed to die and then it didn’t manifest, and that’s apparently because of this last-minute story pivot that he just confirmed.

Trina Robinson‘s (Tabyana Ali) showcase performance is fast approaching. We should see her and Gio Palmieri (Giovanni Mazza) rehearsing more. Tracy reacts to Ethan’s hidden connection to Delilah. I’m sure she’ll be classic snarky Tracy. Got to love her.

GH Casting and Return Updates

Quick casting tidbit and then we’ll get back to next week’s spoilers. Finola Hughes has been taping for a few weeks. So, Anna Devane will be back on our screens very soon. And Steve Burton resumed filming on June 1st. And that puts Jason’s return air date mid-July. Looks like it’s going to be Monday, July 13th. Also, we heard Michael E. Knight is back taping as legal eagle Martin Gray. I wonder if he’s going to take Curtis Ashford‘s (Donnell Turner) case.

Aussie actor Dean Geyer, known for Glee among other projects, is joining the GH cast as Tristan Roberts. That’s like a whole mashup of Tristan Rogers and Robert Scorpio. Plus, with his Australian accent, a tie to Robert makes sense. The only other person I can think of that had the last name Roberts on GH was that was the name that Carly stole from her best friend Charlotte Roberts back in the day. So, we’ll see who it is.

Also, Kate Mansi told fans to be sure to watch June 12th for more news about Kristina’s future. She is exiting very soon. All right, back to spoilers. Michael’s plot with Josslyn to ruin Brook Lynn and Chase’s marriage picks up speed. And if Brook Lynn doesn’t come clean to Chase before the car wreck reveal, I think he’s going to lose it on her.

Curtis’s Legal Troubles on General Hospital

Curtis may lose some cockiness when he finds out that he is likely not going to get a prison-free plea bargain. You know, this grievous injury to Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson) is a big deal. So, we should find out what’s next for Curtis. I don’t think he is going to come out of this shiny the way he thinks. And I am wondering if Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper) will push Curtis to apologize to Isaiah and try and make amends and ask him to drop the charges. I don’t think Curtis’ ego will allow for that. Plus, he’s somehow hoping to leverage all this into Isaiah being blocked from the baby’s life when Portia Robinson (Brook Kerr) is not down with that at all. And honestly, if anybody’s at risk of losing custody, it’s Curtis who’s just shown that he’s violent.

Final GH Spoilers and a Milestone

Britt and Rocco may be located and hopefully not by Cullum or Sidwell. Hopefully we’ll get an update at least. More on Josslyn and her deal with Cashes. And also they just taped the big milestone General Hospital 16,000th episode. They taped it this Monday and it’s going to air on Monday, July 13th, and that’s when we should get Jason back.

Cassie has reportedly revealed that she has moved out of the United States as she responds to a lawsuit filed against her and Diddy by male escort Clayton Howard.

RELATED: Social Media Users Are Goin’ OFF With Reactions To Alleged Footage Of What Appears To Be Diddy & Daphne Joy’s Apparent Explicit Encounter With Another Man

Cassie Reportedly Reveals She’s Moved Out Of The United States As She Responds To Lawsuit Filed By Male Escort

On Tuesday, June 2, TMZ published an exclusive report asserting that Cassie filed a court declaration on May 1, 2026. Furthermore, the declaration was made in regard to the lawsuit filed against her and Diddy by Clayton Howard. In her declaration, Cassie reportedly asserted that she resides “outside of the United States.”

“I do not intend to move back to the United States,” she reportedly wrote, adding. “I am a citizen of the United States… am not a resident of the State of California.”

Ultimately, she reportedly asserted that she would be able to attend court proceedings in New York. This, since this is where her lawyers are located. In her declaration, however, Cassie reportedly did not reveal where abroad she is living.

Social Media Weighs In On Her Moving Out Of The United States

Social media users weighed in on Cassie reportedly moving out of the United States in TSR’s comment section.

More On The Lawsuit Filed Against Cassie By Male Escort

As The Shade Room previously reported, in July 2025, Clayton Howard filed an explosive lawsuit against Cassie and Diddy. In it, he alleged that he was one of the male escorts used in freakoffs for the pair, and alleged he even contracted an STD from Cassie. Additionally, Howard alleged he impregnated Cassie, which led to her getting an abortion, and he accused her of “manipulating” him into taking drugs and having unprotected sex.

“Ventura was not merely a victim forced into sexual encounters with male escorts, but rather an active and engaged participant who willingly manipulated and exploited others, including Plaintiff, to satisfy the sexually depraved desires of Defendant Combs and herself,” his lawsuit reportedly stated.

Furthermore, Howard accused Cassie of demanding that he masturbate for hours, forcing herself on him when she was on her period, and threatening physical violence alongside Diddy. In his suit, Howard requested monetary relief.

Per TMZ’s latest report, in her declaration, Cassie reportedly stated that Howard reached out to her husband, Alex Fine, in previous years. In his message, he reportedly expressed his happiness that Cassie was getting justice. To note, Cassie’s mention of Howard’s previous support of her comes amid another male escort, Edmond Laurent, who is also reportedly filing a lawsuit against her. According to TMZ, Cassie noted that Laurent also expressed his support of her before now accusing her of sexual battery and assault.

“[Edmond’s] ‘repulsive use of the judicial system and the attempt to make a victim into an abuser should not be’ allowed by the court,” Cassie reportedly asserted in recent legal docs. “[His lawsuit is] baseless and harassing” [and disincentives] actual victims from coming forward or testifying truthfully as a government witness.”

RELATED: Male Escort Speaks Out After Reportedly Filing Lawsuit With EXPLOSIVE Claims Against Cassie Following Diddy Verdict (WATCH)

Jessica Simpson reflected on her past issues with alcohol before singing an unreleased song about her struggles.

“I realized that the drinking wasn’t numbing my pain,” Simpson, 45, told the crowd while performing at the Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in Highland, California, on Tuesday, June 2. “It was actually causing more pain.”

Simpson referred to herself as “a work in progress” while introducing the song, titled “Give It All Away,” which was cowritten by Linda Perry.

“I celebrate each and every day that I feel alive and in my body, and I’m very proud of myself,” the singer continued. “It felt right to share this song with you.”

Simpson concluded, “I want all of you to know that you should have a little grace for yourself, and everything is gonna be OK if you just give it all away, and that’s what this song is about.”

Simpson has been open about her sobriety journey throughout her career, giving up alcohol in 2017.

“I had started a spiral and I couldn’t catch up with myself … and that was with alcohol,” Simpson recalled during a 2020 appearance on Today. “Every day I would say it, ‘I’ll stop soon. I’ll cut back.’”

Initially, Simpson didn’t realize she had a “problem” with alcohol.

“I completely didn’t recognize myself,” she added. “I always had a glitter cup. It was always filled to the rim with alcohol. I just realized that I had to surrender. It was time. I had to give it up and I was ready. I’m not going to miss another day. … I’m going to be present.”

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Simpson celebrated eight years of sobriety in November 2025, months after splitting from estranged husband Eric Johnson. (Simpson and Johnson were married for 10 years prior to their January 2025 separation. They share three children: Maxwell, 14, Ace, 12, Birdie, 7.)

“8 years ago today I made the choice to confront, to confess and to let go of the self sabotaging parts of my life that I was choosing,” Simpson captioned an Instagram post at the time. “Making that decision allowed me to fully live in the pursuit of Gods [sic] purpose for my life. Alcohol silenced my intuition, blocked my dreams and chased my circulating fears of complacency.”

She concluded, “Today I am clear. Today I am driven by faith. Both fear and faith are something that we feel and may not see, I’m so happy I chose faith over fear. It was not in the fight that I found my strength, it was in the surrender.”

After Bridgerton fans had strong opinions about the show’s mistress offer, The Other Bennet Sister just introduced its own version.

During the Wednesday, June 3, episode of the BritBox period drama, Mr. Ryder (Laurie Davidson) offered Mary (Ella Bruccoleri) the chance to travel with him. Mary initially assumed them going away together meant they would get married — until Mr. Ryder clarified he wanted them to be together but with no strings attached.

“At the time and in the moment, Ryder thinks that he’s the ultimate modern feminist of that time. He’s like, ‘Well, marriage is a complete patriarchal shackle and of course, you would want to do away with that,’” Davidson, 34, exclusively told Us Weekly. “I don’t think he’s fully realized that the actual realities of that are very, very different.”

Davidson pointed out that Mr. Ryder wasn’t considering Mary’s perspective.

Related: Meet ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ Love Triangle Cast: From Mary to Tom Hayward

BritBox’s The Other Bennet Sister is already taking the internet by storm but who makes up the Regency show’s steamy love triangle? Based on the novel by Janice Hadlow, The Other Bennet Sister follows the events from Pride and Prejudice from Mary Bennet’s (Ella Bruccoleri) point of view. The story then departs from that to […]

“The cost of it is very different for Mary. It’s very idealistic but he can genuinely see why she would want to do that. I think they would have a great time. But I don’t think he’s thought it through probably beyond the next two or three weeks,” the actor continued. “There’s a line where he says, ‘You have the courage of my convictions.’ It’s almost like he has an idea that he’s trying out in his mind. He says it out loud and then it’s now out in the air.”

Davidson continued: “When Mary sort of doesn’t push it away completely, he’s like, ‘Well, brilliant, now we’re doing it.’ It’s sort of this idea vomit, which then he wants to follow through with.”

Mary ultimately declined Mr. Ryder’s invitation, which made Bruccoleri “really intrigued” by what would have happened if she agreed to the dynamic, adding, “I’m intrigued to know whether he would have stuck around or whether either of them would have been happy long term.”

In response, Davidson suggested that Mr. Ryder would have encouraged “a freedom of relationships” for both of them. Bruccoleri, 30, meanwhile, was thrilled to hear that Mr. Ryder likely “wouldn’t have left” Mary.

Related: Best Love Triangles in TV and Movie History Over the Years

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Who doesn’t love a good love story? Girl falls in love with boy, then falls in love with his best friend too, for example. The love triangle has been a frequent plot point in TV and film for years, but there is maybe no more iconic angsty trio than the one between Dawson (James Van […]

“I don’t think so. That’s the thing, I think it’s genuine love,” Davidson added. “There’s nothing disingenuous about Ryder. It’s just what I suppose people would probably call ADHD — or you’d give it another label — but it’s big ideas and and he is thinking very fast. But I like to think he wouldn’t do a complete 180.”

Based on the novel by Janice Hadlow, The Other Bennet Sister follows the events of Pride and Prejudice from Mary’s point of view. The story then departs from that to follow Mary as she travels to London and the Lake District, and the overlooked sister from the big Bennet family has a romantic adventure in Regency England.

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While Mary is currently figuring out her future, her connection with Mr. Hayward (Dónal Finn) has yet to be addressed again. Finn, 30, weighed in on the mistress offer of it all during the joint interview with Us, telling Davidson, “You feel pretty true to yourself [on the show].”

Davidson couldn’t help but agree. “It’s very spontaneous,” he added. “So in his mind, it’s the most romantic thing in the world.”

New episodes of The Other Bennet Sister air Wednesdays on BritBox.

In case you haven’t heard, Amazon just announced the dates for Prime Day 2026, and the sale is starting earlier than ever. This year, Amazon Prime Day is set for June 23 through June 26, and you’ll be pleased with the massive selection on fashion, beauty and home deals. The best part is that the retailer is rewarded Prime members further with the steepest discounts imaginable, and you don’t even have to wait to shop ’em.

Right now, members have access to tons of exclusive early Prime Day deals on the hottest clothes, skincare and home and kitchen essentials, with prices marked down to just $10. If you don’t have Prime yet, just sign up for a free 30-day trial to get in on all the biggest deals now and during the long-awaited four-day sale. Well, what are you waiting for? Browse our favorite member-only deals below on Wrangler, Project Cloud, Bedsure, Wavytalk, Serta and more.

30 Amazon Prime Member-Only Early Deals

Prime Member-Only Fashion Deals

We cannot get over how many stylish summer picks are on sale right now! A few highlights we can resist? This casually chic maxi dress that could double as a swimsuit coverup and this crochet-style top that’ll make everyone think you summer in the Hamptons. As for accessories, we found deals on bestselling flip-flops and Western-esque crossbody bags that deliver on the trendy style.

• Molerani Summer Button-Down Maxi Dress — was $36, now $30!
• Project Cloud Foundations Flip-Flops — was $50, now $20!
• Montana West Hobo Bag — was $30, now $23!
• Copyleaf V-Crossover Flare Yoga Pants — was $20, now $15!
• Mikarka Espadrille Wedge Sandals — was $60, now $31!
• Wrangler Leather Flap Crossbody Purse — was $50, now $30!
• Vantamo Crescent Bag — was $45, now $32!
• Project Cloud Genuine Leather Ibiza Sandals — was $50, now $33!
• Acelitt Short-Sleeve Crochet Knit Top — was $30, now $24!
• Project Cloud Lace-Up Sneakers — was $50, now $40!

Related: PSA! Amazon Prime Day 2026 Is Coming Early This Year

The anticipation is over! We usually have to wait until July for Amazon Prime Day, but the summer savings event is kicking off early (and we mean early) this year. Prime Day 2026 is June 23, 2026, through June 26, 2026, giving you four full days to save big on rich mom fashion, viral beauty […]

Prime Member-Only Beauty Deals

Everything from skincare to hair styling tools is on sale ahead of Prime Day, including picks from Wavytalk, D’Alba and SheGlam. Most of these items are designed to make getting ready so much easier. . . and give you expert-level results. See: this curling wand set that comes with multiple attachments to create blowouts, curls and more. And to give yourself a little TLC, we love the idea of swiping on one of these face masks for that spa-like experience at home. There’s even an ultra-cute makeup toiletry bag that’s part of a collab with Amazon Essentials and Sofia Grainge.

• Wavytalk Blown Away Ionic Hair Dryer — was $50, now $35!
• Anai Rui 3-Piece Face Mask Set — was $23, now $16!
• Wavytalk 5-in-1 Curling Wand Set — was $69, now $50!
• iMethod 2-Pen Winged Eyeliner Stamp — was $13, now $10!
• D’Alba Piedmont Waterfull Tone-Up Sunscreen Serum — was $28, now $18!
• Dr. G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream — was $22, now $17!
• Coslus C30 Electric Toothbrush — was $16, now $13!
• SheGlam Cupid’s Charm One-Touch Instant Curler — was $40, now $34!
• Amazon Essentials x Sofia Grainge Quilted Makeup Toiletry Bag — was $18, now $12!
• Gaoy Gray Pink Jelly Gel Nail Polish — was $13, now $10!

Prime Member-Only Home Deals

Giving your home a summer refresh is super simple when you have these member-only deals to choose from. Find markdowns on home decor, like this clever candle warmer lamp that’s 38% off. It looks whimsically cute, however, the lamp is also designed to warm your favorite candle without ever striking a match. You’ll also find bedding, like breathable comforter sets, silk pillowcases and mattress covers that provide a cooling sensation. Oh, and we found a loveseat couch for under $350 (nope, that’s not a typo).

• Funistree Flower Candle Warmer Lamp — was $40, now $25!
• Bedsure Queen Comforter Set — was $50, now $32!
• Lushin Silk Pillowcase 2-Pack — was $33, now $26!
• Lunino K3 Air Purifier — was $140, now $85!
• Cocodor Signature Reed Diffuser — was $25, now $21!
• Umite Chef Mixing Bowls with Airtight Lids Set — was $46, now $36!
• Wusthof Gourmet 18-Piece Knife Block Set — was $905, now $499!
• Elegant Comfort 6-Piece Premium Towel Set — was $43, now $37!
• Serta Power Chill Waterproof Mattress Cover — was $58, now $36!
• Dopedio Modern Loveseat Sofa — was $390, now $312!

Related: 17 Best Early Prime Day Deals on Rich Mom Summer Fashion

Rich mom style usually comes with a hefty price tag. Think breezy dresses, polished blouses, tailored shorts and chic sandals that somehow make every summer outfit look expensive. Luckily, some of Amazon’s best Early Prime Day fashion deals are already serving that exact energy for a fraction of the cost. Prime Day officially runs June […]

The internet might be fazed by Journey Porter’s behaviors, but her dad, Blueface, is not. He hopped online to defend his and Jaidyn Alexis‘ mini-me, nicknamed Pinkface, amid new videos of her swearing and hitting him. This marks one of the latest instances of the 4-year-old going viral over using explicit language, particularly toward Blue.

RELATED: Whew, Chile! Blueface Shares Clips Of Daughter Journey Having Meltdown In Mall & Social Media Is Up In Arms

Journey ‘Pinkface’ Porter Slaps Blueface, Calls Him “Motherf**ker”

Less than a year into his early release from prison, Blueface has carved out a new career lane: streamer. This means the internet has been seeing a lot more of the rapper and his family dynamics, from his pregnancy with Nevaeh Akira to how he parents his two children, Journey and Javaughn Porter, with Jaidyn Alexis. With Jaidyn also frequently posting online, ‘Pinkface’ has become a standout lil’ character, especially for her apparent habits of swearing and letting those hands fly when she’s upset.

Most recently, Blueface uploaded footage of Pinkface eating a meal while sitting in his lap. She appears to have marks all over her face, and when he asks to wipe them off, she says, “No, these are my tattoos.” She doubles down on the marks being face tattoos, despite objections from Blueface and a woman off-camera who sounds like Jaidyn Alexis. Then, while smiling and looking at her dad, she reaches up and slaps him across the face. The same woman is head saying, “What the f, NO” while Blueface appears unbothered.

A second video of Journey Porter, seemingly from the same day, shows her upset in the carseat. She yells, “You motherf*cker” at Blueface, who gently put a finger on her nose and said, “You stop cursing right now.” She later slaps someone’s hand away, says she won’t be sharing her toys with Daddy Blue and then fights off his attempt to strap the seatbelt around her. When he mentions that she’s a “bad baby,” she yells back, “shut up” and hits him multiple times.

SWIPE BELOW TO SEE BOTH VIDEOS. 

Rapper Says He Will Continue To Gentle Parent ‘Pinkface’

At some point after posting the videos above, they began to circulate online! It appears Blueface then caught wind of social media users criticizing Journey Porter’s behaviors. He hopped back online, with Pinkface near him, to address comments encouraging him to physically discipline her. Also, he highlighted how the internet would react differently if he put his hands on a grown woman versus his four-year-old.

Karlissa Saffold Reacts To Videos Of Journey Swearing & Hitting

Meanwhile, in The Shade Room’s comment section, Blueface’s mom weighed in on how he and Jaidyn Alexis should discipline her grandbaby. Karlissa Saffold joked about not being able to hit Journey and letting her elder do it.

“Take her over my momma house she will know what to do. I don’t have it in me to beat my baby right 😂,” Karlissa wrote.

RELATED: Blueface Sparks Reactions After Seemingly Handing His Son $11K Following Viral Child Support Message (VIDEO)

Russian band Pussy Riot issued a challenge to the country’s president, Vladimir Putin.

“All these old men ruining the world right now act tough, but we see [through] their fragile egos — and I’m not afraid to call them out,” the band stated in a Monday, June 1, press release, announcing debut album CYKA. “They are, in fact, p******. While the world is waiting for the UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House, I challenge President Putin to a cage match.”

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the UFC will host an exhibition tournament at the White House on June 14. Pussy Riot, led by musician Nadya Tolokonnikova, has long disapproved of Putin’s control over Russia and now wants to be added to the Freedom 2025 lineup.

“He thinks he’s so tough, but afraid of a girl? Let’s see. He loses? He gets the f*** out of Ukraine,” Tolokonnikova, 36, added in the band’s statement, referring to Russia’s ongoing invasion of the neighboring country of Ukraine. “The world can watch him lose to a girl, even with all his judo training. He can’t even URA anymore, but he throws the world into despair.”

Related: UFC Reveals Main Card For White House Show: See Who’s Tapped To Fight

The UFC released the long-awaited fight card for the upcoming event at the White House on Saturday, March 8. The card features six fights, including two title bouts. The event — dubbed “UFC Freedom Fights 250” — is part of the 250th anniversary celebrations for the United States. Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje will compete […]

Tolokonnikova continued, “Just like [Alexander] Brener in 1995 when they bombed Chechnya, and he challenged [Boris] Yeltsin, now they bomb Ukraine, and I challenge Putin. ‘Putin! Come here!’”

Tolokonnikova’s band is known as a protest collective, announcing CYKA during a protest at the Venice Biennale last month.

“We were always outcasts in the music industry, since we came from the art world, a group of performance artists starting a fake punk band,” Tolokonnikova told Artnet earlier this month. “I’m a workaholic, and don’t know how to rest, so the minute I was out of [Museum of Contemporary Art], I realized I miss producing. The eureka moment for me was that if a f***ing AI can produce a song at this point, I could too.”

Ahead of CYKA’s release, Pussy Riot debuted new single “Candy Dopamine” this week.

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“This song is kind of a love and hate song to prescription and designer drug culture. It started with my dependence on antidepressants, but it’s also looking at everyone now mentalhealthmaxxing [sic] and looksmaxxing via pills and injections,” Tolokonnikova said in a Monday statement. “It’s not a judgment, it’s just an observation and my personal experience with these things is that I have to be in a long-term relationship with them for my PTSD and depression.”

The group even listed Putin, 73, as a collaborator of the record in the liner notes. Putin has not publicly responded to the band’s criticism and UFC challenge.

CYKA will be released Friday, June 12.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated 9 seconds ago

The original Scream used a simple phone call to deliver what would become one of the creepiest lines in horror history: “What’s your favorite scary movie?” In the universe of the film, it’s a great way to introduce us to the psychology of masked killers whose minds were completely warped by their obsession with horror movies. In the real world, it’s a great question to ask fellow horror fiends because it reveals plenty about their personality. Do they prefer slashers, psychological thrillers? Ghost stories or possessed dolls? Once you know what makes them scream, you know what makes them tick.

For fans of that first Scream movie, there’s no use asking who their favorite horror icon is. While Skeet Ulrich had his bloody, broody charm, most prefer Matthew Lillard, whose over-the-top performance instantly cemented his reputation as a legend of scary cinema. Later, he became an accomplished voice actor, bringing characters like Shaggy from Scooby-Doo to brilliant life. Recently, Lillard appeared at a fan convention and went off on Hollywood hiring generic celebrities for big animated films rather than voice actors. While he didn’t name any names, most interpreted these words as a swipe at Marvel veteran Chris Pratt, whose voice acting is the worst part of the Super Mario Bros. movies.

Living The Scream

Recently, Matthew Lillard was a guest at FAN EXPO Denver, and he appeared on a panel in which fans could ask him questions. One fan asked the Scream actor why it is so much easier for traditional actors to become voice actors rather than voice actors becoming traditional actors. It’s a provocative question, and one that Lillard is uniquely suited to answer. After all, he is a man who effectively straddles two worlds. He was a traditional actor who became a voice actor and, like many before him (including Mark Hamill and JK Simmons), has continued to perform in both spaces. 

Lillard surprised the audience with his answer: “I think Hollywood has made a huge mistake by hiring actors that are not able to carry a part with [their] voice,” he said. “As an actor, you have full function, your face, your body, you have all these things that you can play on when you’re on the screen, but a voice actor has only their voice to work.” Summing up his thoughts on the matter, Lillard said, “The ability to carry a film, as the lead of a film with only a voice, is a power very few people have. And the idea that they keep hiring crappy celebrities to carry huge films is killing us.”

The Face Of The Problem

Understandably, that last part has fueled some serious discussion among animation fans online. Just who are the “crappy celebrities” who are being hired “to carry huge films” rather than traditional actors? The most obvious answer would be Chris Pratt, the former Parks and Recreation actor who became a cinematic superstar thanks to the Guardians of the Galaxy films. The success of his Marvel movies soon made Pratt Hollywood’s go-to choice to play generic action heroes. Later, he was inexplicably chosen to voice Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, something many Nintendo fans thought was a slap in the face to longtime actor Charles Martinet.  

Martinet is a veteran voice actor who served as the voice of Mario for over 30 years. Instead of giving the role of Mario to the guy who spent decades voicing him, though, Illumination and Nintendo gave it to Chris Pratt so they could have a more famous name attached to the part. It was, frankly, a disastrous decision. Pratt seemingly put no effort into actually voice acting, and he just sounds like a slightly more chipper version of Star-Lord. The same can be said of Seth Rogen, who played Donkey Kong; he made no effort to do an actual voice, so this intimidating ape sounds just like a bored stoner.

Not Another Shaggy Dog Story

Honestly, this was the perfect year for Matthew Lillard to speak out against Hollywood hiring recognizable actors who are terrible at voice acting for their big-budget animated features. 2026 has already seen the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Hoppers, and Animal Farm, all of which are filled with generic celebrity names. The same thing will happen later this year with Toy Story 5, The Cat in the Hat, and even The Angry Birds Movie 3. Obviously, some actors are better than others (Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are perfect in Toy Story), but Lillard’s point remains: whenever there’s a blockbuster cartoon, professional voice actors never get the big parts. 

It’s worth noting that Lillard isn’t saying this from a place of professional bitterness. With his reappearance in the latest Scream, a strong role in Daredevil: Born Again, and an upcoming part in Superman: The Man of Tomorrow, his career is hotter than ever. Additionally, he’ll be voicing Shaggy again next year in Yokoso Scooby-Doo! He’s established himself as an acting legend in two different worlds, and he worked his butt off to do so. Lillard is understandably angry at Hollywood dismissing experienced voice actors in favor of bland marketing and blatant cronyism. Here’s hoping his speaking out resonates as much with studio execs as it did with fans.

Until something changes, though, we’ll all have an honest answer to a very Scream-like question. “What’s your favorite cartoon movie?” The answer: nothing with Chris Pratt in it, that’s for damned sure!

Tom Holland is giving fans a fascinating look behind the scenes of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, revealing that Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic The Odyssey may have played a major role in shaping the next chapter of Peter Parker’s story.

Speaking about the development of the highly anticipated Marvel sequel, Holland explained that Spider-Man: Brand New Day was originally scheduled to film alongside Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey. However, the scheduling conflict forced him to make a difficult choice.

Rather than rushing into production, Holland pushed for Spider-Man: Brand New Day to be delayed, allowing the creative team additional time to refine the script and find the right direction for the project.

According to Holland, the decision ultimately paid off.

“I convinced the studio to delay the movie,” Holland said, explaining that the extra development time gave the filmmakers an opportunity to strengthen the story and fully realize their vision.

The actor also credited his experience working with Christopher Nolan for changing the way he approaches filmmaking. Holland said Nolan’s commitment to preparation, purpose, and storytelling inspired him to push for a higher standard on Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Tom Holland, The Odyssey [credit: Universal Pictures]

“I wanted it to be a real movie,” Holland explained, emphasizing that he wanted the project to focus on storytelling rather than simply becoming another blockbuster production.

The additional development time reportedly allowed Marvel and Sony to bring in director Destin Daniel Cretton and spend several months refining the screenplay before cameras rolled. Holland now believes the result could be the strongest Spider-Man film yet.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day serves as a fresh start for Peter Parker following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which erased Peter’s identity from the world’s memory. Holland previously described the new film as a “fresh start” and a “rebirth” for the character as he returns to a more street-level version of Spider-Man.

The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jon Bernthal, and Mark Ruffalo. The movie is scheduled to swing into theaters on July 31, 2026.

Meanwhile, Holland will also appear in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which arrives just one week earlier on July 24, setting up a massive summer for the actor.