Dancing With the Stars has attracted some of the biggest names in show business and beyond — but some celebrities wouldn’t consider stepping foot into the ballroom.

In a November 2025 interview for InStyle alongside his brother Nick Jonas, Kevin Jonas admitted to being a fan of the reality series — but added that he has no plans to join its cast, despite repeat inquiries.

During a September 2025 episode of the “Sorry We’re Cyrus” podcast, Brandi Cyrus revealed that mom Tish Cyrus is “terrified” of lacing up her dancing shoes due to the live nature of the ABC show.

“I think she’d be so good on Dancing [With the Stars]. And she’s like, ‘It’s live. I can’t.’ But I feel like you could,” Brandi said, while Tish added, “I could never. Not live.”

While Tish isn’t racing to compete on the show, former husband Billy Ray Cyrus tried his hand on the dance floor during season 4 in 2007. The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer and pro dancer Karina Smirnoff ultimately placed in fifth. (Tish filed for divorce from Billy Ray in 2022 after nearly 30 years of marriage.)

Scroll down to see more celebrities who wouldn’t go on Dancing With the Stars:

Andy Cohen

The Bravo personality claimed to Variety in August 2026 that he once turned down an offer for DWTS “many, many, many years ago.”

“I can’t dance on TV. No one wants to see that,” he said. “I used to be the greatest freeform dancer, and I feel like every time I go to Dead shows, people film me dancing, and then I get made fun of on TikTok. Let me dance in peace.”

Kylie Kelce

Kylie Kelce has no interest in competing on DWTS — no matter how badly fans might want her to.

“I don’t want to do anything reality [and] I don’t want to do Dancing With the Stars either,” Kelce said on the “Conversations With Cam” podcast in March 2026. “I say that with my whole chest.”

According to Kylie, her husband, Jason Kelce, would be “great” on a future DWTS season.

“By that, I mean terrible,” she quipped. “He can’t dance. … I would love to see that.”

Kevin Jonas

In an interview alongside his brother Nick Jonas for InStyle on Tuesday, November 18, Kevin Jonas admitted that he’s been asked to join the reality series several times — but he always says no.

“They’ve asked you pretty much every season for the last 20 years I think,” Nick said.

Kevin answered, “For a long time, yeah. I have said no. It’s just not for me. But thank you so much. I’m a huge fan.”

The pop star added that he watches the show and enjoys it.

“I will say, we watch the show,” he continued. “It’s very fun. I feel like it’s really back. Dancing With the Stars is fully back.”

Tish Cyrus

Tish shared on a September 2025 episode of her and Brandi’s “Sorry We’re Cyrus” podcast that she “could never” do Dancing With the Stars.

Caitlyn Jenner

When asked if Jenner or former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe might be appearing on the show, cohost Alfonso Ribeiro claimed to E! News that Jenner was “not going to do” Dancing With the Stars. (Bristowe, meanwhile, took home the mirrorball trophy with partner Artem Chigvintsev on season 29 in 2020.)

Tiffani Thiessen

The former Saved by the Bell star shared that she has turned down Dancing With the Stars more than once through the years. “I’ve been asked a few times,” she told The Huffington Post in 2017, “but my response to that is that I am an actor, not a dancer.”

Bobby Flay

The Food Network star told Zagat in 2013 that he declined the show, explaining he didn’t want to “be known as that guy on Dancing With the Stars.” E! News reported that Flay quipped his wife “would divorce me if I did it,” referring to ex-wife Stephanie March, whom he split from in 2015.

Jamie Lee Curtis

The Freaky Friday star told E! News in 2011 that she would “never in a million years” appear on Dancing With the Stars — but then shared that she had one condition if she were to compete.

“I’ll tell you how I would do Dancing With the Stars,” she said at the time. “If they gave me a million dollars to give to charity…I would only do it if there was a big charity component. ”

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Paula Deen

When asked by Extra in 2010 if she would ever consider Dancing With the Stars, Deen replied, “No! Fat girls don’t look good sweating.”

Gayle King

King told Us in 2010 that she had been asked to appear on Dancing With the Stars three times, but turned down each offer.

“I think it’s good to keep my public humiliation to a minimum,” she explained. “I would never want to embarrass my children ever…or myself! I can’t dance.”

There are multiple kinds of science fiction, just like there are a whole host of different works of horror and different kinds of fantasy. Breaking things down into sub-genres can get exhausting, admittedly, but when it’s a significant sub-genre like hard sci-fi, it feels more reasonable. You might well have some people calling out hard science fiction as the genre at its most sci-fi-y.

That being said, there are some great works of science fiction that don’t count as hard sci-fi, including Dune, which has a little too much by way of mystical elements (not quite outright fantasy, but it gets near there at times) to be “hard” science fiction. Hard science fiction is probably best defined as sci-fi that puts a particular emphasis on the science side of things, and the following works of hard sci-fi are especially influential. Plenty of them are classics generally speaking as well, but they’re being included here mostly because they had some kind of role in shaping this branch of science fiction as it’s currently understood. This also means there’s an emphasis below on older hard sci-fi novels, as it’s harder to know for sure whether more recent ones will prove influential and/or game-changing until enough time’s passed.

8

‘Ringworld’ (1970)

Image via Del Rey Books

Whether it’s the best of Larry Niven’s novels might be up for debate, but what’s harder to argue is the notion that Ringworld isn’t his most influential for science fiction overall. And including something by Niven if you’re talking hard sci-fi is obligatory, since the science is generally paid attention to quite heavily in all his books (like Lucifer’s Hammer, which sets it apart from other post-apocalyptic epics like The Stand and Swan Song, which lean more into fantasy).

Ringworld is more interesting for its science and world-building than it is narratively. The titular Ringworld is really cool, and then most of the characters and plot beats (including, unfortunately, some of what those characters get up to on the titular constructed world) prove a bit middling. Still, what a world and idea, and that’s enough if you’re considering influence. Post-1970 works of science fiction that take place in deep space and have constructed planet-sized objects all probably owe something to the original Ringworld.

7

‘The Forever War’ (1974)

Image via St. Martin’s Press

The Forever War is the first part of a series, but is easily the best of that series, and it takes rather seriously the idea of a war fought against an alien species at first in the not-too-distant future, and then eventually in the genuinely distant future. The war goes on for what feels like forever and all, with the protagonist experiencing it across all that time because of time dilation.

Things here are a bit more outlandish than some of the most grounded works of hard sci-fi, yet there is still a lot by way of actual science (or actual scientific ideas) that play a big part in the narrative. The Forever War is compelling and certainly admirable for how ambitious it is, condensing a story that goes on for more than 1000 years into 200-something pages.

6

‘The Andromeda Strain’ (1969)

Image via Cornerstone

Since it came so early within Michael Crichton’s writing career, and it’s also a bit more hard sci-fi than some of his later books, it feels right to mention The Andromeda Strain for present purposes. The premise here involves the outbreak of a disease that has extraterrestrial origins, taking the whole thing very seriously and maybe even downplaying the science fiction stuff, once you get past the extraterrestrial aspect.

It’s about a very deadly disease and all, which is the sort of thing that feels scarily believable or grounded, by sci-fi standards. The Andromeda Strain is realistic, but thankfully without feeling too dry (the same can’t really be said about the movie adaptation, but at least Jurassic Park was great, as an eventual Michael Crichton adaptation that felt like a genuine winner).

5

‘Neuromancer’ (1984)

Image via Orion Publishing Group

The least hard of the hard sci-fi novels here is probably Neuromancer, but not enough that it can be called soft science fiction. It’s hard enough, even if the sci-fi genre it mostly easily fits into is cyberpunk. If there’s a bit by way of crossover, though (or if it’s permissible), then here’s Neuromancer. It also wasn’t the very first sci-fi novel to be dystopian, by any means, but is one of the most important.

It’s also a little like Ringworld in that it’s hard to feel super excited by the narrative here, with it being more about the world and the technology explored (here, it’s artificial intelligence and the idea of cyberspace). Neuromancer comments on a whole bunch of things socially and politically, too, but with enough that feels grounded and believable to make it, again, “hard” enough.

Image via Simon and Schuster

This one’s easy to include, largely because it was written by scientist Carl Sagan (whose best-known work probably remains the documentary series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, which he narrated and co-wrote), but still, Contact is science fiction. There is fiction here, unlike much of the other writing Sagan did, or was involved with, as you can probably guess from the title.

Making contact with extraterrestrial life is what this one’s largely about, tackling the premise in a way that feels grounded and probably close to how it might go down in real life, should legitimate contact ever happen… and assuming it’s not a violent or conquering sort of alien race contacted. Anyway, the novel’s easy to recommend for anyone who dug relatively “peaceful” alien contact movies like Arrival (which was based on a novella) or Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Or Contact (1997), come to think of it, if you happened to get to the movie adaptation before Sagan’s novel.

3

‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’ (1968)

Image via Rapp & Whiting

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Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? was the inspiration for Blade Runner, or you can probably call Blade Runner an adaptation of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, even with that title change and other deviations. The basic premise of a bounty hunter tracking down rogue replicants is here in both versions, though Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? doesn’t take place as far into the future as Blade Runner, and the setting is San Francisco instead of Los Angeles.

Influencing Blade Runner plays a role in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? feeling as influential as it does, since that film is recognized as being similarly significant to cyberpunk as Neuromancer. And novel and film here feel like decently hard science fiction, being gritty and down-to-earth and all.

2

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)

And another instance of novel and film being important, but here, with 2001: A Space Odyssey, it’s fairer to bring up the movie. This is because 2001: A Space Odyssey, as a film, came out a little before 2001: A Space Odyssey, the novel, with both being developed at the same time. This naturally sets it apart from the majority of movies that are based on books, and it’s also a bit different from a movie getting a novelization.

The story here is very grand in scale, and has to be, considering evolution is the main thing explored in 2001: A Space Odyssey, and you can only really recognize such changes over huge spans of time. It’s got a focus on science, like most of the other books here, and tries to envision different stages of the future in as realistic a manner as possible, for speculative/predictive fiction.

1

‘Brave New World’ (1932)

Image via Horizon Ridge Publishing

Once more, here’s a science fiction novel with a plot that’s a bit hard to remember and/or describe. Brave New World is about the world. It’s essential dystopian fiction about a world that’s run by people who try to insist it’s a utopia, but it becomes very apparent in time that’s really not the case. And you’re asked to spend time in that increasingly uneasy world. That’s kind of the novel.

It’s similar to Nineteen Eighty-Four, but that one doesn’t tend to get considered hard science fiction, whereas Brave New World does… and it feels close to the original work of hard science fiction, or at least the first great work of hard sci-fi. Nineteen Eighty-Four is more about the social side of things, while Brave New World explores scientific advancements – and how they’ve been detrimental – within the society it depicts.

You don’t need a Chicago zip code to know about the Gold Coast style. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a haven for the city’s most affluent, located right on the coast of Lake Michigan. This luxurious neighborhood is filled with designer boutiques, multimillion-dollar mansions and of course, rich moms with old money style.

Walking around the neighborhood, I noticed similar shoes on everyone’s feet, including cutesy Mary Janes, sleek loafers, and the iconic Adidas sneakers loved by Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston and more. Whether you choose a pair for errands, work, brunches or anything in between, these 13 luxe shoes make you look like a wealthy Chicago socialite.

13 Gold Coast Rich Mom Shoes

1. Totally Timeless: The search ends for the most expensive-looking Mary Jane flats. I mistook them for real leather.

2. Boutique Find: Give sporty sneakers a boutique-like twist with these ribbon-lace kicks. They go with everything, so prepare to wear them 24/7.

3. Easy On: Instead of slides, opt for these pointed-toe mules that slip on just as easily (and actually elevate your aesthetic).

4. Laced Up: Beige, lace, ribbons! These dreamy sneakers lean more sophisticated than athletic, so you can wear them for Fridays at the office.

5. Luxe Leopard: Make a statement in these sassy leopard-print loafers that take a tee and jeans to ultra-polished heights.

Related: These 4 Old Money Sneaker Trends Are Straight From Europe — From $10

I spent ten days in Europe, and when I tell you that locals wore rich-looking sneakers everywhere, I really mean everywhere. What struck me most wasn’t the sheer volume — after all, the style is incredibly comfortable — but rather that the coolest gals wore the same four sneaker trends on repeat. Sure, the trends […]

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6. Celeb Magnet: If you grab one pair of Adidas, let it be the classic Samba sneakers that have over 23,000 five-star ratings.

7. Designer Find: Consider this your sign to snag these quiet-luxury penny loafers on major sale. The shiny ‘C’ logo is the whole point.

8. Square-Toe Stunner: Mary Janes can look dated but not these modern wonders. They’re designed with matte leather and a chic square toe.

9. Slinging It Back: Combine a slingback silhouette, mini block heel and metallic finish, and you get these incredibly rich pumps. They’re 38% off, so run!

10. Two-Toned: Ever since Angelina Jolie wore two-tone flats, I’ve been eyeing this fall-coded knit version.

11. Burgundy Babe: Whether you call them ‘backless loafers’ or ‘pointed-toe mules’ is up to you; either way, these shiny burgundy shoes serve such classy vibes.

12. Cool Mom: Look like a Chicago cool mom in these sleek, low-profile sneakers that should cost hundreds but are only $27.

13. Everyday Staple: Swap sneakers for this suede flats style and feel instantly more put together. I love the soft fabric and gold hardware for fall.

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In the first installment of this two-part interview with The Blast, Mumbi Maina reflected on how “Sense8” and “The Matrix Resurrections” changed the trajectory of her life.

In this follow-up, Mumbi reveals the Marvel character she would love to play someday and explains why the role feels particularly close to home. She also turns her attention to African cinema, sharing what excites her about its next chapter.

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When Mumbi Maina thinks about her ultimate dream role, one Marvel icon immediately rises above the rest. “Storm is the first role that comes to mind. 100%,” Mumbi told The Blast, adding a little cheekily, “She’s also half Kenyan, so it would be quite fitting, no?”

The attraction, however, goes well beyond their shared national heritage or Storm’s superhuman abilities. The actress describes herself as a versatile performer who gravitates toward strong, complicated characters that allow her to explore different sides of human psychology.

Storm, also known as Ororo Munroe, is one of the X-Men’s most powerful mutants, with the ability to manipulate weather and atmospheric forces.

The Character Has Deep Roots In Africa

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There is plenty beneath the surface of the superhero Mumbi would love to play one day. According to Marvel, Storm was born in Harlem to Kenyan princess N’Dare and American photographer David Munroe before her family relocated to Cairo.

After losing her parents as a child, Ororo Munroe eventually journeyed toward her ancestral homeland in Africa. Her sprawling comic history has since seen her become an X-Men leader, a mentor, and even Queen of Wakanda through her marriage to T’Challa.

“Storm is such an iconic character, and there’s so much depth to her beyond her abilities,” Mumbi said of the part made most famous by Halle Berry. She told us she would relish the chance to dig into the superhero’s different dimensions, including “her strength, her vulnerability, her power and her humanity.”

For now, though, the role has entered a new chapter with Maya Boyd, whom Marvel announced as its next Storm at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Boyd is expected to debut as Ororo in the studio’s upcoming “X-Men” movie, currently slated for 2028.

Inside Mumbi Maina’s Rise Through African Film And Television

Long before Hollywood came calling, Mumbi had already been steadily building a résumé across African film and television. She entered the industry in 2009 as Riziki in “Unseen, Unsung, Unforgotten,” a film centered on HIV/AIDS awareness.

Her profile grew further when she joined the drama series “Mali,” a role that put her in front of a much wider television audience.

From there, her credits expanded across genres and markets. She appeared in major productions, including the 2020 Netflix thriller “40 Sticks.” Mumbi also took on the role of Thabisa in the Nigerian film “La Femme Anjola.”

That breadth of experience has given Mumbi a front-row view of how African film has evolved across different territories. In our conversation, she described the industry as being in a period of reinvention and said she sees opportunity in the disruption.

Mumbi Wants African Filmmakers To Put African Audiences First

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Speaking to The Blast, Mumbi said shifts in the streaming landscape have forced African film to “hit something of a reset button.”

She views this moment as difficult, but potentially freeing. “It’s challenging, but I also see it as a wonderful opportunity for a clean slate,” she said.

For Mumbi, that means figuring out “what actually works” for the region instead of trying to fit African storytelling into Western molds. “We get to redefine what draws in our audiences and determine what success looks like on our own terms,” she explained.

Part of that reset, she believes, must involve greater confidence in telling distinctly African stories. “We still need to evolve in writing stories that are fully ‘us,’” Mumbi said, stressing that the goal does not always have to be reaching a global audience. “I think we sometimes underestimate the value of telling stories for our own audiences first.”

Mumbi Maina Calls For Better Actor Welfare And Stronger Marketing

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Mumbi also believes that executives need a stronger appreciation of what actors contribute beyond visibility or social-media numbers. “An actor brings craft, interpretation, audience connection and an enormous amount of creative value to a production,” she said.

Mumbi argued that artists’ wellbeing deserves equal attention, particularly “how we work, how we process, and how our welfare is considered and protected.”

Marketing remains another concern. “We have incredible stories and incredible talent,” she said, “but audiences need to know that the work exists and be given a reason to engage with it.” Still, Mumbi is enthusiastic about what could come next. “I think we have an opportunity to become much more intentional about what African cinema looks like, what it sounds like, who it is for, and ultimately what success means to us.”

Leah Remini Is Officially Joining RHOBH for Season 16! 

Leah Remini is officially joining The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

The actress has signed on to join season 16 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, according to TMZ, marking one of Bravo’s biggest celebrity additions to the franchise yet. Leah Remini is already one of the most recognizable names to enter the Housewives universe. She became a household name playing Carrie Heffernan on the hit sitcom The King of Queens and has since built a career known for both comedy and her willingness to speak candidly about her personal experiences.

That outspoken personality could make her a natural fit for RHOBH, where cast members are rarely shy about confronting one another when tensions rise.

The move also comes as Leah enters a new chapter professionally. She recently signed with William Morris Endeavor, signaling that several new projects may be in the works as she makes her jump to Bravo. Remini won’t be the only familiar face joining the Beverly Hills cast.

Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star Tracy Tutor, 51, also confirmed that she is joining season 16, announcing the news in an Instagram post on Wednesday, Aug. 19. “The secret’s officially out,” Tracy wrote before sharing her excitement about stepping into the franchise.

“I’m joining the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and I could not be more excited for this next chapter,” she wrote. “Beverly Hills is home. I’ve raised my girls here, built my career here, and now apparently I’ve decided to let you all even further into my life.”

Tutor acknowledged that she has some nerves about the transition, but she also made it clear she’s ready to embrace whatever comes with being a Housewife.

“Excited? Very. Nervous? A little. Likely to get into some trouble? Absolutely. So what’s left to say but, Let’s f—— go.”

With both Remini and Tutor joining the lineup, season 16 is already shaping up to bring fresh personalities, established star power and potentially plenty of new drama to Beverly Hills. Season 16 is already in production, with several cast members — though not Leah or Tracy — attending Bozoma Saint John’s Aug. 21 wedding to Keely Watson in Ghana. Dorit Kemsley, Kyle Richards, Jennifer Tilly and Sutton Stracke were among the guests.

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Avigail is an Entertainment blogger at All About The Tea, who specializes in The Real Housewives of Atlanta and The Real Housewives of Potomac. Avigail has a background in marketing. She’s a Brooklynite living in the Bahamas, with a passion for travel, writing, reality TV watching, pop culture and spoken word.

Call your mother because Brittany Snow, Dave Grohl, Jasmine Tookes, Ava Phillippe, Alexandra Shipp, and more stars headed to Beverly Hills, California, on Wednesday, Aug. 26, for the opening of MOTHER’s flagship.

The celebs proved that mother knows best, arriving in looks from the fashion brand for a chic cocktail party hosted by founders Lela Becker and Tim Kaeding.

DJ Mei Kwok spun tunes as attendees sipped pink cocktails, caught up in the conversation pit, snacked on caviar from a cart, snapped pics by an analog phone installation, and, of course, shopped.

The latest Dazzler capsule was on display, featuring denim, ready-to-wear, outerwear, knits, and accessories, along with limited-edition products and seasonal exclusives available only at the Beverly Hills store.

Another picture-perfect moment came courtesy of the vintage photo booth, where recorded messages from Alicia Silverstone, Sarah Silverman, and Chloe Fineman greeted partygoers.

And consider MOTHER’s house rules officially suspended for the evening.

A vintage white El Camino parked outside the store kept the after-hours fun going, delivering late-night pizza from Mulberry Street Pizzeria right next door.

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Roomies! Keith Powers has the timeline talking after sharing a personal milestone that has us raising our glasses — just not the boozy kind! The actor recently gave fans a peek at a major change he’s made. And judging by his post, Keith is clearly feeling good about where he is today.

RELATED: Go Get Her? Fans Encourage Jacob Latimore To Spin The Block On Serayah Amid Her Split From Joey Bada$$ (VIDEO)

Keith Powers Hits 600 Days Alcohol-Free

Keith Powers revealed that he has officially reached 600 days without alcohol. In a photo shared on social media, the actor stands shirtless beneath a clear blue sky, pointing the camera toward himself while giving a serious, locked-in look. Looking fresh from a run, Keith is visibly sweaty and rocks black headphones and a black cap while biting his bottom lip. Over the photo, he added several exclamation-point emojis alongside the message, “DAY 600 of No ALCOHOL” and “(I’m done forever, counting for fun now)”, paired with a beer glass and error-sign emoji. And honestly? We love that for him!

Fans Got Jokes While Celebrating Keith’s Big Win!

Fans quickly ran to TSR’s Instagram comment section and ran it up with reactions to Keith Powers’ milestone. Some said they were genuinely happy for him. While others opened up about their own sobriety journeys and shared words of encouragement. Of course, others had a different take, joking that “Jesus turned water into wine,” so they’re good with the alcohol.

One Instagram user @dr.chappelle206 said, “I hope more ppl try this the way our generation drinks. We all need a liver panel ran 😩🥴”

This Instagram user @ntunga.abantu commented, “600 seconds for me 🥳”

And, Instagram user @x0.vay wrote, “maybe he had an addiction, in any event congrats to him for staying Sober 👏🏽”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @iamscorpio420 shared, “This accomplishment in this crazy world needs to be celebrated 🔥🔥”

While Instagram user @charmstacie claimed, “I can’t get pass 60 minutes 😩”

Finally, Instagram user @dougie_dagoat said, “Jesus turned water into wine, I don’t know why this is a flex. 😩”

Stepping Into His Forever Sober Era?

Ryan Destiny and Keith Powers are officially headed down the aisle, and Keith’s recent sobriety milestone has us wondering if the lifestyle change helped shape this new chapter. The couple announced their engagement last year in a joint social media post, with Keith keeping it short and sweet: “Engaged to the love of my life,” alongside a first look at Ryan’s stunning ring. The two originally dated from 2017 to 2022 before seemingly finding their way back to each other, and now they’re taking that love to the next level.

With Keith recently revealing that he’s reached 600 days without alcohol andsaying, “I’m done forever,” some may be wondering if the lifestyle change helped set the tone for this fresh start with Ryan. And now, folks may also be wondering if he plans to carry that alcohol-free lifestyle into married life. Either way, we love a full-circle love story and a beautiful new chapter!

RELATED: Congrats! Keith Powers & Ryan Destiny Announce Engagement In Sweet Joint Post (PHOTOS)

Toya Johnson has fans gagging after videos surfaced of her looking GOODT at Jeremy Robinson’s 50th birthday celebration. Plenty of celebrities popped out for the festivities, but fans couldn’t take their eyes off Toya. Clips showed her turning up during Juvenile’s performance, and folks quickly started saying she’s aging backwards.

RELATED: Reginae’s Impression Of Her Mom Toya Johnson’s Accent Has Internet In Disbelief: “She Sounds More Like Toya Than Toya”

The Vibes Were UP, But Toya Johnson’s Face Card Stole The Show

Recently, Toya Johnson dropped a video on social media from her time at Jeremy Robinson’s 50th birthday party. Videos shared by LiveBitez showed Toya turning up and looking stunning, with her makeup popping, a strapless black dress on, and a beverage in hand. Once fans peeped the clips, they immediately started saying she’s “aging backwards” and looking better than ever. Others said she’s aging like fine wine and her glow isn’t going anywhere.

Fans Say Toya Is Aging Like FINE Wine

Comment kept rolling into LiveBitez’s comment section, with fans dropping heart-eyes and fire emojis for Toya. Peep some of the reactions below.

Instagram user @amazing_.t wrote, “Absolutely Gorgeous! 🖤 Agin like Fine Wine🍷” 

Instagram user @lizzybaby4579 wrote, “This lady don’t look like she ever ages 🥰😍🤩” 

While Instagram user @ewwulookliketashak wrote, “She looks great 😍😍😍” 

Then Instagram user @seductionthevoice wrote, “She so damn fine.” 

Another Instagram user @demihiggs wrote, “She’s always been so pretty 😍😍😍” 

Instagram user @gorgelious wrote, “Just fiiinnnee 😍” 

Then another Instagram user @coupe_22 wrote, “Loveeeee her 😍😍🔥🔥🔥” 

While another Instagram user @luscious_bae wrote, “TOYA IS FOREVER FINE YESSSSSSSSSSS LAWDDDDDDDD QUEEN 👑👑👑🔥🔥🔥” 

Lastly, Instagram user @_monetdior wrote, “She fine 😍😍” 

Reginae Had Fans Doing A Double Take With Her Impression Of Toya

Toya previously took over timelines after hopping on a livestream with Reginae Carter. Their mother-daughter convo had fans cuttin’ UP online, especially when Reginae seemed to be impersonating her mom’s New Orleans accent. Nae pretended to talk like she was NOLA, and fans said she nailed it so well that she sounded just like her mom. Peep the video that had fans cracking up below.

RELATED: Toya Johnson & Robert Rushing Share Throwback Clips From Their Wedding Night & Social Media Is Gushing Over Their Chemistry 

Video games are one of the most popular mediums in the world nowadays, thanks to their increasing quality and the wider demographic that they reach. As titles continue to evolve, AAA blockbusters like Elden Ring and Red Dead Redemption 2 push gaming further. However, not everyone prefers hyperrealistic 3D graphics, instead opting for a more nostalgic 2D setting.

2D games aren’t just about nostalgia; they have a certain style of gameplay that just resonates with some players, which is why this list will rank the ten greatest side-scrolling video games of all time. Based on aspects such as design, gameplay, visuals, narrative, originality, entertainment value, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these ten games are the best of the best. Side-scrolling games need continuous motion, meaning games like Street Fighter and Super Smash Bros. are not eligible.

10

‘Streets of Rage 4’ (2020)

Image via Dotemu

Side-scrolling games aren’t simply platformers, and they certainly are not just older games, and the proof lies with Streets of Rage 4, a modern arcade beat em up. A new crime syndicate has taken over Wood Oak City, and the children of the leader keep their rule in check. But old and new fighters unite to take down these usurpers and free the city from their tyrannical control.

Reviving old franchises of 16-bit arcade games is a tough challenge because they usually lack the soul of the original. However, Streets of Rage 4 is the rare exception that perfectly captured the aesthetic and soul of ’80s arcade beatdown games with revamped graphics and a modern feel. Further bolstered by smooth animation, fluid combat, and incredible gameplay, Streets of Rage 4 is the prime example of how to revive a franchise.

9

‘Cuphead’ (2017)

2D side-scrolling video games can be deceptively difficult, and if players still don’t believe that, then they should play Cuphead. The titular character has more than a couple of debts, but he and his brother, Mugman, make a deal with the devil in order to clear them. Now, Cuphead and Mugman must travel around the world and force the money out of other debtors of the devil to collect their soul contracts.

Cuphead is one of the most visually stunning video games of all time, creating a retro aesthetic that captures old-school animation perfectly. It does this by hand-drawing everything in painstaking detail, enhancing the style and vibe of this game. However, Cuphead is also considered one of the most challenging video games with its blend of unforgiving platforming and shooting gameplay.

8

‘Katana ZERO’ (2019)

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Fans might think most of the games on this list feature older titles, but it actually consists mostly of modern video games, such as Katana ZERO. Subject Zero is an amnesiac assassin who takes up any contract that comes to him in a grimy neon-lit metropolis. He relies on a time-manipulating drug called Chronos for his powers, but when he stumbles upon a conspiracy behind it, he must uncover its origins.

For fans who want a modern side-scrolling game with exhilarating gameplay and flashy mechanics, Katana ZERO is the game for them. The blend of puzzles and action creates a distinct sense of gameplay that includes bullet-time, time-stopping, and high-stakes battles that turn into a rhythm of swordplay choreography that feels like a symphony of fluid combat. Not to mention, Katana ZERO also boasts an impressive narrative, meaning it can engage the player in multiple ways.

7

‘Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze’ (2014)

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Nintendo is no stranger to 2D side-scrolling games, and they have a few titles on this list, starting with one of their modern titles, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. When the Snowmads invade Donkey Kong Island and blast DK and friends far away, the group must travel back to their home and take it back before the Viking-like animals get too comfortable.

The Donkey Kong Country franchise is critically acclaimed, but the newest game proves to be better than its predecessors because of its revamped platforming gameplay and tight level design. The Wii U has many great games, but the failure of the console means players didn’t get to experience the masterpiece that was Tropical Freeze. Simply satisfying to play, the level design is among the best of all time, making the side-scrolling platforming the best it has been.

6

‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ (1992)

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There are a lot of renowned side-scrolling franchises, but one of the most popular is Sonic the Hedgehog, and his best video game is arguably Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Dr. Robotnik is after the Chaos Emeralds again, this time wanting to use them to power his new weapon, the Death Egg. Luckily, Sonic and Tails are here to stop him.

The original was great, but Sonic the Hedgehog 2 refined everything that it did, establishing itself as one of the most influential 2D side-scrolling games. It is momentum-based platforming at its best, creating a sense of movement unheard of for its time. Fast-paced, exhilarating, and non-stop action defines Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and its revolutionary movement.

5

‘Hollow Knight’ (2017)

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Metroidvanias originated as side-scrollers, and they are still the best in this format, as proven by Hollow Knight. When the bug-like warrior, armored with nothing but a needle, learns that the world of Hallownest has been taken over by a plague that infects its residents, they must fight through it to learn the source of the infection and cure it before it takes over everyone.

Hollow Knight is the pinnacle of modern Metroidvania, thanks to its original narrative, fluid platforming, difficult bosses, and smooth, yet exciting combat. Outside of its gameplay, Hollow Knight is also fully hand-drawn, giving the world a greater aesthetic and enhancing the art and atmospheric vibe of it. All of this comes together to make it one of the best modern fantasy video games.

4

‘Inside’ (2016)

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Side-scrolling games come in many shapes and forms, but most of them include some form of platforming or combat. However, Inside is a rare exception, as it follows an unnamed child wandering around a scientific experimentation facility looking for a way out. Unfortunately, the only way out is deeper into it, and the further gamers progress, the darker horrors they experience and uncover.

Players only walk forward in Inside, but it creates such a compelling experience through the pacing, mystery, and moments that spice up simple walking mechanics. It is a pure masterpiece that is regarded for its design, specifically using lighting to both teach and navigate players as well as add to the tense and eerie vibe. Inside is a quiet, yet cinematic game that dazzles with its environmental storytelling and incredible progression.

3

‘Super Metroid’ (1994)

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As mentioned earlier, the Metroidvania genre is inherently side-scrolling, and the most definitive game in the genre is Super Metroid. After Ridley steals a Metroid Larva, Samus Aran follows him to a planet known as Zebes. However, this isolated planet holds more than a hiding space pirate; it holds plenty of monsters and unknown mysteries that she will have to fight through.

There are many fantastic side-scrolling Metroidvania games, but Super Metroid is the most essential and defining game, even becoming a sci-fi video game blueprint of the genre. While atmospheric, the heart and prestige of Super Metroid lie in the way it teaches players and its progression design, flawlessly pacing the gameplay to keep it flowing and the players engaged.

2

‘Terraria’ (2011)

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If fans are tired of jumping, shooting, or slashing, but still want to play a side-scrolling video game, then they should take a break and relax with Terraria. Gamers are put into a procedurally generated world with nothing but basic tools, but with them, they can explore, mine, and create massive settlements. But the bigger the town, the bigger the threats that want to destroy it.

Terraria can be relaxing, but it also provides tense combat where players need to battle Eldritch horrors. This blend of vibes has drawn so many fans to it, and when adding the addictive gameplay loop to the formula, Terraria is easily a side-scrolling masterpiece. There is no better 2D sandbox game than this acclaimed 2011 title, and making it a side-scroller is even more difficult.

1

‘Super Mario World’ (1990)

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As this list previously said, Nintendo has some of the best side-scroller games, and most of them are from Mario. Super Mario World follows Mario on vacation in Dinosaur Land, but when Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach, the brave plumber and his brother, Luigi, team up with Yoshi to travel across the kingdom and rescue her.

Super Mario Bros. is more legendary, iconic, and influential, but Super Mario World is 2D Mario at its peak, perfecting the formula. Shifting away from solely linear progression, it redefined 2D platformers with its level design, adding a vertical layer and rewarding curiosity and exploration. From the art to the design to the levels, progression, and reinvented gameplay, Super Mario World became a 1990s video game masterpiece and the best side-scrolling title.