By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 6 seconds ago

In Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Kirk famously quotes from A Tale of Two Cities: “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” He quotes from the novel again in the final scene as a way of grieving Spock, who had given him a copy of the Charles Dickens novel. I’ve been thinking about these scenes quite a bit lately as I process my own feelings regarding another death altogether: that of Starfleet Academy, the Discovery spinoff that was canceled shortly after Season 1 ended.

That season inadvertently honored Dickens by being “A Tale of Two Star Treks.” Half of the series focused on vulgar banter, teen hijinks, and juvenile humor so stupid that it actively made you lose brain cells. The other half focused on interesting characterization, deep lore cuts, and engaging (if uninspired) sci-fi melodrama. Interestingly, these two versions of the show were split right down the middle. The first half was the dumb teen comedy hour, and the second half was NuTrek’s best attempt at classic Star Trek. The only reasonable conclusion is that Paramount had no faith in their audience, waiting to give us traditional Trek storytelling until it was too late.

A Tale Of Two Star Treks

Obviously, taste is subjective, but most of the fans I have spoken to agree that Starfleet Academy was much better in the second half of Season 1. Critical reviews generally echoed this sentiment, with various reviewers chiming in on which episodes felt the most like classic Star Trek. Even the online fandom generally agreed with this sentiment. While it was mostly verboten to criticize Starfleet Academy in online spaces like r/startrek, superfans of the show repeatedly suggested that, like The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager, everyone should give this new show time to find its legs.

What made the second half of Season 1 better, though? Some fans liked the increased callbacks to old Trek, including a final arc involving the Omega molecule. Other fans liked the payoff to ongoing character plots, like Caleb finally reuniting with his mother. But my theory about the show getting better is far simpler: it dropped the juvenile humor. Suddenly, the cadets weren’t speaking exclusively in Zoomer catchphrases and focusing on intercollegiate prank wars. The digital dean wasn’t cracking jokes about boners, and we didn’t have scenes with half the adult characters laughing at a farting fish. Just like that, Star Trek suddenly started taking itself seriously again.

Paramount Is Sick Of Star Trek’s Core Audience

While Star Trek had moments of levity over the years (like all those gags in The Voyage Home), it has generally been a very serious franchise. Quite frankly, it never had all of the over-the-top, tone deaf comedy that ruined the first half of Starfleet Academy’s first season. Removing all the gross, teen humor (well, minus the space vomit) from the show is a big part of what made it feel like classic Trek and, therefore, appeal more to the traditional fandom. This leads to the obvious question: if fixing your expensive new spinoff was that easy, why include the humor in the first place? 

My theory is that Paramount simply didn’t have enough faith in Starfleet Academy. Maybe the execs were nervous about the premise being so different, or maybe they knew how much other NuTrek shows had driven away the traditional fandom. For whatever reason, the network didn’t think fans of shows like TNG and DS9 were going to show up for Starfleet Academy, so they decided the first half of Season 1 to appeal to the widest audience (the younger, the better). Hence, all the dumb jokes and juvenile bro humor were an attempt to give the spinoff more mainstream appeal. It didn’t feel like Star Trek because it wasn’t Star Trek: it was, simply put, a teen comedy in space.  

Paramount’s Plan Blew Up In Their Face

If this was Paramount’s plan, it backfired spectacularly. As usual, younger viewers didn’t flock to the latest show of a franchise that debuted when their grandparents were young. Meanwhile, the attempts to pander to everyone but the older fans managed to (shocker here) drive away the older fans. This is why Starfleet Academy was canceled: the network drove away the core audience while failing to secure a new one, leaving a series with only a handful of diehards tuning in each week. 

With SFA dead, Alex Kurtzman’s contract expiring, and Paramount about to buy Warner Bros, one thing is clear: the future of Star Trek is going to be very different from the NuTrek era. Whatever the future of the franchise looks like, we can only hope the writers stop trying to appeal to everyone but the fans. Drop the mass market appeal, drop the cringe characters, and for the love of God, hire some writers who know something about sci-fi. By focusing on well-written sci-fi drama and colorful characters, Paramount can finally recapture what made The Original Series and The Next Generation so awesome in the first place. 

Details of what Rihanna told police in the moments following the shooting at her Los Angeles home earlier this month have reportedly been revealed.

RELATED: Ivanna Lisette Ortiz’s Social Media Posts About Rihanna Resurface After $10M Bail Set In Shooting At Singer’s Home (PHOTOS)

Here’s What Rihanna Reportedly Told Police Following Shooting At Her Home

On Wednesday, March 25, the Los Angeles Times published a report. This, asserting that the details of Rihanna’s police report following the shooting at her home had been released. According to the outlet, the incident occurred on Sunday, March 8, and the details of Rihanna’s police report were recently made public.

Rih reportedly told cops that she and her “husband,” A$AP Rocky, were in their Airstream trailer on her property. Furthermore, Rocky was sleeping when she “suddenly heard approximately ten loud sounds like something banging on metal.” Per Rih, once the shots stopped, she “grabbed Rocky out of bed” and told him they were being shot at. From there, she reportedly “pushed them to the ground,” and they ran into their home to check on their three children.

Per the report, three bullets of the multiple shots fired struck the Airstream, but none penetrated the trailer.

More Details On The Shooting At Rihanna’s Home

As The Shade Room previously reported, a 35-year-old woman named Ivanna Lisette Ortiz was subsequently taken into custody following the shooting. She was reportedly booked on suspicion of attempted murder. Per the Los Angeles Times, in addition to A$AP and Rih being on the property at the time of the shooting, so were their three children, Rihanna’s mom, two staff members, and two neighbors.

Since then, Ortiz’s social media posts have turned heads, revealing her apparent history of disparaging Rihanna.

Ivanna Lisette Ortiz Officially Pleads Not Guilty To Charges Related To The Shooting

As The Shade Room previously reported, Ivanna Lisette Ortiz was officially charged with attempted murder and assault charges. Per the  Los Angeles Times, on Wednesday, March 25, Ortiz officially pleaded not guilty to the charges. And she reportedly told authorities she “wasn’t attempting murder.” Additionally, a judge declined to lower her $1.8 million bail, citing her as a threat to public safety.

At this time, Ortiz’s motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Additionally, Rihanna reportedly told cops she’s unaware of any “recent events” that could have sparked Ortiz’s actions.

RELATED: Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, And Their 3 Kids Were At Home During Ivanna Lisette Ortiz’s Murder Attempt, Bail Set At $1.8M (UPDATES)

Megan Thee Stallion was reportedly rushed to the hospital in the middle of her ‘Moulin Rouge!’ Broadway performance.

RELATED: Case Closed! Milagro Gramz Speaks Out After Megan Thee Stallion Reportedly Scores Partial Win In Civil Case

Megan Thee Stallion Reportedly Rushed To The Hospital In Middle Of ‘Moulin Rouge!’ Broadway Performance

According to PEOPLE, on Tuesday, March 31, Megan Thee Stallion was rushed to a hospital amid becoming “very ill” while performing in Broadway’s ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical.’

“During Tuesday night’s production, Megan started feeling very ill and was promptly transported to a local hospital, where her symptoms are currently being evaluated. We will share additional updates as more information becomes available,” her spokesperson reportedly asserted.

Additionally, Megan’s hairstylist, Kellon Deryck, also took to social media, asking the public to send prayers her way. Lastly, Loren LoRosa, who was present at the show, shared a few tweets, recounting the show’s disruption and Meg’s apparent departure.

TMZ reports that the FDNY informed the outlet that they responded to the location “for a female who was having trouble breathing.” At this time, it remains unclear if that female was Megan.

Social Media Sends Prayers

Social media users entered TSR’s comment section with prayers for Megan Thee Stallion.

More On Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Moulin Rouge!’ Broadway Performance

According to PEOPLE, Megan Thee Stallion is making her Broadway debut as Zidler in ‘Moulin Rouge!’ Furthermore, she will reportedly be performing in the show for weight weeks — until May 17.

“Stepping onto the Broadway stage and joining the Moulin Rouge! The Musical team is an absolute honor. I’ve always believed in pushing myself creatively, and theater is definitely a new opportunity that I’m excited to embrace. Broadway demands a different level of discipline, preparation and storytelling, but I’m up for the challenge and can’t wait for the Hotties to see a new side of me,” Megan reportedly stated about the opportunity.

RELATED: Winning On Stage & At Home! Megan Thee Stallion Shares Selfie With Klay Thompson Amid Her Broadway Debut (PHOTO)

Francesca’s season of Bridgerton will look a little different than Julia Quinn‘s book after a gender swap twist — but which steamy moments should still be brought to life between her and Michaela?

Based on Quinn’s book series, Bridgerton centers around members of the wealthy Bridgerton family as they search for love in 19th century London. When He Was Wicked followed Francesca (Hannah Dodd) after her marriage to John (Victor Alli) was cut short by his death. Francesca met her match with John’s cousin — except Michael got swapped for Michaela (Masali Baduza).

“The first time I read When He Was Wicked I really related to it as a queer woman,” showrunner Jess Brownell told Vanity Fair in 2024 about the change. “Her story is in some ways about feeling different. In Julia Quinn’s book, it really has more to do with her being introverted. But for many of us in the queer community, that sense of feeling different from a young age is part of our stories. So I felt like there was already thematic richness in her book to mine for her story.”

The actors also spoke out after some fans criticized the change.

Related: ‘Bridgerton’ Cast and Crew Discuss Gender-Swapping Francesca’s Love Interest

Bridgerton surprised book fans by changing Francesca’s future love interest from Michael to Michaela, but the show’s creative team is excited about the meaningful swap before they lead season 5. Season 3 offered Francesca (Hannah Dodd) a much larger role — following a recasting — where viewers watched her fall in love with John (Victor […]

“I understand that the Bridgerton book fans are very passionate about these characters, and I am too,” Baduza told Refinery29 Australia in February 2026, noting how “proud” she is to tell a queer story on screen.

Baduza noted that “everyone’s story deserves to be told,” adding, “I love Michaela so much, and I am just very proud to tell the story alongside Hannah. In Bridgerton, a lot of the characters are growing into themselves and learning new things about themselves.”

She continued: “I think that the show accepts that, I think it’s important for everyone else to accept that too, and hopefully that can be reflected back into society.”

Dodd also pointed out that Quinn’s book When He Was Wicked is still there for fans who miss Michael.

“The book will always exist as well, [but] I’m really, really excited to tell this story and also give it the platform it deserves, like a leading story line, not additional characters,” Dodd told the outlet, with Baduza saying, “Everyone deserves to be represented. I think we’re excited to see these stories get told.”

Keep scrolling to see which When He Was Wicked book moments we’re hoping to see brought to life in season 5:

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Their 1st Kiss

The couple’s first kiss would come after Francesca thinks Michaela is angry with her for trying to get married again. After an argument, Francesca and Michaela kiss but the Bridgerton sibling pulls back and leaves for Scotland.

Related: ‘Bridgerton‘ Cast: See the Hit Netflix Show‘s Stars Then and Now

Bridgerton fans have watched the cast change on and off screen since the series first debuted. The historical drama, which is based on the book series written by Julia Quinn, follows the members of the wealthy Bridgerton family as they search for love in 19th century London. When Bridgerton premiered in 2020, the show centered […]

Making a Move

Michaela ultimately will go after Francesca but won’t mention her feelings — yet. Instead, Michaela will try to seduce her … to steamy results. The fictional couple will have sex, which later will cause Francesca to feel guilty.

The Morning After

Francesca will try to run away again after her first time with Michaela but then a storm breaks out. She will have to hide out — with Michaela — so they end up at an unoccupied gardener’s cabin. Things get heated again but this time Francesca will take control.

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 18 seconds ago

If you were recovering from a trauma, would you be able to handle another one? That’s the central question asked in the 1989 psychological thriller Dead Calm, starring Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane, set on the open ocean, and currently steaming for free on Tubi.

Anything But Calm

Australian couple John (Sam Neill) and Rae Ingram (Nicole Kidman) are already grieving in Dead Calm. Upon arriving home on leave from the Australian Navy, John is immediately taken aside by the police, who have been looking for him to give him the tragic news of a terrible car accident. Their son is dead, and Rae is psychologically scarred. To retreat from the surroundings that only remind them of their tragedy, the couple sets out on their Yacht and cruises around the western Pacific Ocean. Rae is having nightmares and is on sedatives, but John is determined to not return home until they have worked through their grief.

Their trip takes a turn when they find a distressed vessel floating adrift. John feels obligated to follow maritime law and try to help the stranded boat, but while they are approaching, a rowboat starts heading toward them. It carries Hughie Warriner (Billy Zane), a handsome young man with a harrowing tale of shipmates gone mad and a sinking ship. When John goes to the sinking ship to verify Hughie’s story, Hughie takes over the Ingram’s boat, kidnaps Rae, and sails away.

While John is stranded in the sinking boat containing the corpses of Hughie’s shipmates, Rae is alone with a man who is slowly proving to be a psychopath. His sinister history begins to unfold, and both John and Rae must fight for survival, one from a deadly shipwreck and the other from a madman, all on the high seas with nothing around within view.

The thrill of Dead Calm comes from its paranoid setting. The Ingram’s beautiful yacht has a huge inside like the TARDIS; it’s much bigger than its outside appearance seems to contain. Hughie’s former boat is a mess of libertinism, alcohol, wantonness, and abandonment. The only other thing within view once the couple sets sail is the wide ocean and the ever-changing sky. There is no wind, as indicated by the nautical term “dead calm,” making for a setting that’s as claustrophobic as it is wide. Even the sprawling maze of the sailboat’s interior becomes confining when it’s the only safe retreat within reach.

Explosive Performances All Around

The performances in Dead Calm are exquisite. Sam Neill is masculine protectiveness and desperation personified as he tries to get back to his wife. Nicole Kidman has a much more nuanced performance as Rae sways between navigating Hughie’s machinations and the boat that contains them.

Billy Zane puts on one of his best performances as Hughie, leaving the viewer never quite sure how much of what he is saying is true. The fact that he looks like a Greek god, muscular and shirtless through much of the movie, only adds to his menace.

A fourth character runs around the edges of the setting, yipping and causing so much trouble that if he wasn’t such an adorable little pup, you’d wonder how he wasn’t thrown overboard. The movie manipulates the audience with Rae’s little dog Benji, who is a little too obedient and well-trained for his own safety. A warning to dog lovers is in order here.

If there is anything wrong with the film, it’s that its pacing is sometimes uneven. It becomes very easy to wonder why John and Rae are handling things the way they are, which causes some of the scenes to drag out a little longer than they need to, diminishing some of the tension at times. The movie could have been trimmed by about 10 to 15 minutes without harming the plot, and probably would have tightened the grip of the viewer’s fear for the grieving couple.

It also has a few sexually graphic and violent scenes that can be extremely shocking. The movie takes us into the car for Rae’s accident with her young son and does not spare us the gritty details of his demise. A sex scene with Kidman is consensual but still disturbing given the context. The bodies in the sinking ship are intimately displayed, and the shots frame Rae and Hughie around a grisly background that’s not for the faint of heart.

Nevertheless, the scenery is stunning. A wide, glassy ocean crowned with vast blue skies dotted with puffy clouds gives way to spectacular stormy seas and roiling waves. The luxurious interior of the Ingram’s vessel is augmented by gorgeous exterior shots, especially when they raise their sails. The setting contributes to the action as the sailboat rolls over waves and the distressed boat is slowly swallowed by the sea.

While Dead Calm never holds back with its gut punches, it makes the struggle all the more fulfilling to watch each time John or Rae succeed. The couple’s devotion to each other, even in their darkest moments, carries them through the plot as they work on reuniting after Hughie’s flight in the Ingram’s boat. The theme of the movie is overcoming grief, and it manifests in myriad ways as the story pushes its way through treacherous waters.

Sail away for a chilling experience with Nicole Kidman in Dead Calm for free, because it is now streaming on Tubi.

HBO Max has plenty of hot new movies and shows debuting in April 2026, but there’s only one series that’s dominating the conversation — Euphoria.

The Sam Levinson drama is finally returning for its third and reportedly final season, and it features original stars Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schaefer, as well as new additions to the cast like Sharon Stone.

Other notable debuts include Richard Gadden‘s Baby Reindeer follow-up, Half Man, and the streaming debut of Timothee Chalamet‘s Oscar-nominated sports film, Marty Supreme.

Watch With Us has compiled a complete list of all the new movies and shows on HBO Max in April 2026 below.

April 1:

A Big Hand for a Little Lady
Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd
Alien vs. Predator: Extended Cut
Alien
Alien 3
Alien 3: The Assembly Cut
Alien Resurrection
Alien Resurrection: Special Edition
Alien vs. Predator: Requiem: Extended Cut
Alien: Director’s Cut
Aliens
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
Aliens: Director’s Cut
Abbott and Costello In Hollywood
AVP: Alien vs. Predator
Blood on the Moon
Cabin in the Sky
Captain Horatio Hornblower
Carson City
Dallas
Deeply, Season 1
Deeply, Season 2
Deeply, Season 3
Evil Lives Here: My Child the Killer, Season 1 (ID)
Fort Dobbs
Fort Worth
Gunsmoke in Tucson
Inu-Oh
Man From the Black Hills
Maze Runner: The Death Cure
Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms
Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match
Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge
Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind
On Moonlight Bay
Out of the Past
Practical Magic
Rachel and the Stranger
Rancho Notorious
Renovation Aloha, Season 3 (HGTV)
Riding Shotgun
Rocky Mountain
Roughshod
San Antonio
Santa Fe Trail
Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend
Springfield Rifle
Tall in the Saddle
Tall Man Riding
The Bounty Hunter
The Boy and the Beast
The Devil Wears Prada
The Family
The Flame and the Arrow
The Hole in the Ground
The Left-Handed Gun
The Man
The Man Behind the Gun
The Man with a Cloak
The Mummy (1999)
The Mummy Returns
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
The Naked Spur
The Oklahoman
The St. Louis Kid
They Died with Their Boots On
Thunder Over the Plains
Twister
Wagons West
Welcome to Plathville, Season 8 (TLC)
Westward the Women
Wichita

Related: 35 Best Movies on HBO Max Right Now (March 2026)

The 2026 Oscars were good for HBO Max — both One Battle After Another and Sinners won an armful of awards and can be streamed only on the Warner Bros.-owned streamer. But HBO Max has more than just award-winning films — it also streams some of the biggest hits of the past and present. In […]

April 2:

Body Bizarre, Season 8 (TLC)
Expedition Files, Season 4 (Discovery)

April 3:

Alien: Romulus
Dream Stage, Season 1

April 4:

Game Night

April 5:

Teen Titans Go!, Season 9G (Cartoon Network)

April 7:

Tropic Like It’s Hot, Season 1 (HGTV)

April 9:

Hacks, Season 5 (Max Original)
The World’s Tallest Man, Season 1 (HGTV)

April 10:

Artemis II: To the Moon and Back (Discovery)
Christy
House Hunters International: Volume 9, Season 208 (HGTV)

April 12:

Be My Guest with Ina Garten, Season 7 (Food Network)
Building Back America’s Trades, Season 1 (Magnolia Network)
Euphoria, Season 3 (HBO Original)

April 13:

Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event, Season 1 (ID)
Smiling Friends, Season 3B (Adult Swim)

April 14:

Rock The Block, Season 7 (HGTV)
The Dark Wizard (HBO Original)

April 15:

Nanny McPhee Returns
World’s Bargain Dream Homes, Season 1 (HGTV)

April 16:

One Day In My Body, Season 1 (TLC)

April 17:

Dust Bunny (Lionsgate)
House Hunters: Volume 11, Season 253 (HGTV)

April 18:

Belle Collective, Season 7 (OWN Network)
Krypto Saves the Day: Coastal Catastrophe

April 20:

Impractical Jokers, Season 12B

April 21:

Hollywood Demons, Season 2 (ID)
No Hard Feelings

April 22:

Jeff Dunham’s The Cars That Drove Us, Season 1 (Discovery)

April 23:

Half Man (HBO Original)

April 24:

48 Hrs: Escape From Chernobyl (Discovery)
HGTV Smart Home 2026 (HGTV)
House Hunters International: Volume 9, Season 209 (HGTV)
Marty Supreme (A24)

April 25:

Confessions of a Nazi Spy
The Mouthpiece
Stranger on the Third Floor

Related: 39 Best Shows on HBO Max Right Now (March 2026)

HBO Max started 2026 off with a loaded lineup of dramas, including A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and The Pitt. But now, it’s time to send in the clowns as the streamer drops two big comedy shows in March. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid […]

April 27:

24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, Season 3 (Food Network)

April 28:

Standoff: The FBI, Power and Paranoia, Season 1 (CNN)

NHL on TNT

April 1:

St Louis vs Los Angeles, 9 PM

April 5:

Minnesota vs Detroit
Boston vs Philadelphia

April 8:

Washington vs Toronto

Edmonton vs San Jose

April 12:

Pittsburgh vs Washington

April 15:

Detroit vs Florida

April 19:

NHL Playoffs, TBD

April 22:

NHL Playoffs, TBD

April 23:

NHL Playoffs, TBD

April 24:

NHL Playoffs, TBD

April 25:

NHL Playoffs, TBD

April 26:

NHL Playoffs, TBD

April 28:

NHL Playoffs, TBD

April 29:

NHL Playoffs, TBD

April 30:

NHL Playoffs, TBD

College Basketball – March Madness

April 4:

Final Four

April 6:

National Championship

US Soccer

April 11:

Japan vs USWNT

April 14:

Japan vs USWNT

April 17:

Japan vs USWNT

MLB

April 7:

LA Dodgers vs Toronto

April 14:

Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia

April 21:

NY Yankees vs Boston

April 28:

Detroit vs Atlanta

Related: 14 Must-Watch Sci-Fi TV Shows on HBO Max Right Now (March 2026)

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ALL ELITE WRESTLING (AEW) IN APRIL

April 2:

AEW Dynamite, 8 p.m.

April 5:

AEW Collusion, 8 p.m.

April 6:

AEW Dynamite PPV, 8 p.m.

April 9:

AEW Dynamite, 8 p.m.

April 12:

AEW Collision, 8 p.m.

April 16:

AEW Dynamite: Spring Breakthru, 8 p.m.

April 17:

AEW Collision: Spring Breakthru, 8 p.m.

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April 23:

AEW Dynamite, 8 p.m.

April 26:

AEW Collision Playoff Palooza, 8:30 p.m.

April 30:

AEW Dynamite, 8 p.m.

Zendaya always knew what type of wedding she wanted long before finding her perfect half, Tom Holland.

The sensational entertainer has been keeping fans guessing about the status of her relationship with her “Spider-Man” co-star. The pair is rumored to be married, but has yet to confirm or deny the speculations.

Now, a resurfaced clip has confirmed Zendaya never wanted a fanfare for her union, and the reason is quite touching.

Zendaya Once Declared Her Love For An ‘Intimate’ Union

The resurfaced video captured Zendaya on the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of the hit movie “Blended” in 2014. She looked stunning in an all-black ensemble, radiating her ever-consistent youthful glow as she flashed her toned midriff in a crop top.

While speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Zendaya was asked what kind of wedding she wanted when she eventually decided to walk down the aisle. The model wasted no time answering the question, revealing that she had always known what type of ceremony she wanted.

“I want, like, a small and intimate. More like just me and like my close family and friends. Relatives,” Zendaya declared, before explaining why she did not want a large wedding ceremony. “You know, I don’t want to go to my own wedding and be like, ‘Who are they?’” she said.

The Disney Alum Addressed Her Refusal To Confirm Or Deny The Marriage Rumors

Zendaya’s past comments matched her recent reaction to speculation about her marriage to Holland. The rumors intensified after her stylist, Law Roach, claimed the couple had secretly tied the knot during a red carpet appearance at the 2026 Actor Awards on March 1.

During an April 1 appearance on The New York Times’ “Modern Love” podcast, Zendaya explained why she and Holland have failed to confirm or deny the rumors. She noted that it felt like there was “this level of a parasocial investment” in her personal relationship, and she wasn’t a fan of it.

Zendaya acknowledged that she and Holland are public figures whose love life played out in the public eye, and she did not want to dismiss fans’ interest in them. Nonetheless, she and Holland needed their privacy and wanted certain aspects of their lives to themselves.

The Couple Isn’t Hiding But Preserving Their Privacy

Zendaya continued that she wasn’t oblivious to fans’ interest in her relationship status, saying, “I hear it, but also my own little boundaries of what I like to bring up and talk about, but then also what I’m willing to share.”

Zendaya stressed that she and Holland weren’t trying to “hide from the world. Instead, their actions stemmed from their decision to “preserve things for ourselves so that we can maintain that joy just within ourselves and our loved ones and our family.”

“In a lot of ways, I’m also a very private person, and I try my best to be able to have things for myself and for him as well,” Zendaya explained. Her words came days after she addressed the viral AI-generated images of her alleged wedding to Holland.

The ‘Dune’ Actress Said People Were Deceived By The AI Wedding

Last month, The Blast reported that Zendaya appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to address the marriage speculation. When the host brought up the AI-generated images of her secret wedding to Holland, she revealed the pictures had deceived people in her circle.

When asked whether people got upset that they weren’t invited to the wedding, Zendaya confirmed that “many people” were mad. She also poked fun at the claims of a secret wedding, using the moment to promote her new movie, “The Drama.”

Zendaya claimed she was sharing footage from her actual wedding ceremony, but it was a badly photoshopped image of Holland’s head on her co-star, Robert Pattinson’s body. She joked about the clip’s authenticity, claiming it was real rather than AI-generated.

Zendaya Fueled The Marriage Rumors In Paris

Although Zendaya and Holland have not publicly confirmed or denied the marriage speculations, it did not stop fans from drawing their own conclusions. The Blast shared in March that Zendaya’s actions had further ignited the wedding rumors.

The Golden Globe Award honoree gave fans plenty to talk about during the Paris premiere of her new movie. She stepped out in a bridal-themed ensemble, rocking a white dress and a curly side bob haircut.

Naturally, eyes were drawn to the three diamond rings on her fingers, particularly the one on her left ring finger. Zendaya’s new movie with Pattinson is set to hit theatres on April 3. The Blast reported that she declared she would take a break after undertaking multiple projects scheduled for 2026 releases.

We got a texttt, Roomies! The weather is heating up, the baddies are outside, and new cast bombshells will soon be entering the villa.

From dramatic recouplings to sweet love stories, many ‘Love Island USA’ fans can’t wait to see who will be gracing our screens this year. Well, the wait won’t be long, because we’ve got the FIRST LOOK at the official cast.

And from the looks of it, that ‘Baddies’ x ‘Love Island’ crossover might be coming sooner than we expected.

RELATED: Huda Mustafa And Louis Russell Speak Out After His Ex-GF Is Granted Restraining Order Against Reality Star (PHOTOS)

‘Love Island USA’ Officially Renewed For Season 8

Earlier this month, Variety revealed that Peacock renewed ‘Love Island USA’ for Season 8. The show is set to premiere June 2nd with Ariana Madix returning as host.

The renewal comes after ‘Love Island USA’ continues to dominate the charts.The show skyrocketed during Season 6, with many viral moments taking over our timelines. It went on to become the most-watched reality series of summer 2024.

Season 7 also pulled major numbers, with a few controversial moments from the cast and even more viral clips, racking up over 18.4 billion minutes streamed on Peacock and holding the No. 1 streaming original spot in the U.S. for six consecutive week

Many Of Your Faves Enter New Eras As ‘Baddies USA’ Officially Wraps Up        

‘Baddies USA’ Chapter One recently wrapped on Sunday, many of the outros had us shedding a few tears as the baddies reflected on everything they went through this season. From music to motherhood, it’s clear a new era is underway.

Ahna Mac, who got a bit emotional, revealed this will be her final season of ‘Baddies.’ As y’all know, Ahna recently celebrated her engagement with baseball player Jazz Chisholm Jr.  Ahna has been very open about growth and ready for wifey life. 

She penned a  writing, “Don’t be sad guys, just come watch me on YouTube. I don’t know why everyone is so sad, y’all getting a better version of me! Now I have more time to build my farm and make my day-in-life videos, and I have so much more coming. The journey does not stop here. It only gets better, I PROMISE.”

Scotlyn “Scotty” Ryan is also enjoying her new era as she counts down the weeks until she welcomes her baby with Zeus CEO Lemuel Plummer. The couple recently cleared up misconceptions, revealing that they are not in an open relationship. They shared that they are very much in love and are even talking about having another baby in the future, teasing the idea of a “Lil Baby Lemmy.”

Baddies X Love Island? Here’s What’s In Store For The Season 8 Cast

As new chapters begin and relationships continue to grow, one thing is clear love is in the air, and it looks like we might be seeing another baddie step into a new journey real soon.

A source tells us that if you loved Season 6 and Season 7, this season is set to be even more intense, with a mix of drama and kick-your-feet moments as a new group of strangers searches for love. That means hotter bombshells, more romantic dates, crazier challenges, and even more unexpected twists.

Before we reveal the full cast, we’ll give y’all a few hints about the “baddie” who will be entering the villa. Hint: She’s talented and can spit a few bars, always serves in every confessional look, and never backs down from getting her get-back.

Scroll down to see who…

The baddie who will be entering the villa is the baddest of them all, Ms. April Fools. It’s safe to say June definitely has some expected surprises in store.

If you made it this far, thank you for always being a tuned-in Roomie and staying caught up. Happy April 1st!

RELATED: Crossover OTW? Natalie Nunn & Biggie React After ‘Love Island’ Star Nic Shows Love To His Favorite ‘Baddies’ Cast Member

Netflix has grown quite a sci-fi division over the last 10 years, but no shows have exploded to the same level as Stranger Things. The series arrived 10 years ago, starting as nothing more than a simple supernatural kidnapping thriller, but by the time its final season arrived last year, the show had evolved into something much more complex. Like any show with a big audience, the ending of Stranger Things was quite controversial among fans, but most would agree it avoided the same disaster-level conclusion as Game of Thrones. Many fans were surprised to see such little death from the finale, though. Season 5 may have come and gone, but there are still plenty of stories from Hawkins left to tell.

The Duffer brothers, Matt and Ross, have already confirmed that another Stranger Things series is in the works, but it will focus on the mysterious rock that a young Henry Creel found inside the suitcase while he was exploring the cave. It’s unconnected to the original show. It’s still up in the air as to when this new offshoot will arrive, but fans don’t have to wait that long to return to Hawkins. Netflix has already announced a new animated spin-off, Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85, which will officially be released later this month, on April 23. The animated series is set between the events of Seasons 2 and 3, and Netflix has also released an official synopsis, which reads as follows:

“Return to Hawkins with Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, an exciting new animated series from showrunner Eric Robles and executive producers the Duffer Brothers. In the winter of 1985, snow blankets the town and the horrors of the Upside Down are finally fading. Our heroes Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max have settled back into a normal life of D&D, snowball fights, and quiet days. But beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened. Could it be from the Upside Down? From the depths of Hawkins Lab? Or from somewhere else entirely? Our heroes must race to solve this mystery and save Hawkins in this new story set in the Stranger Things universe.”

Related

Reach into the Television Grab Bag and Pull Out a Prize — The Collider TV Quiz!

Let’s test your breadth of knowledge, not depth, with this sampling of your favorite shows. True fans will take no issue with these questions.

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Are Any ‘Stranger Things’ Cast Members Coming Back for ‘Tales From ’85′?

Unfortunately, none of the core Stranger Things cast from live-action will be reprising their roles in the animated series. The ensemble cast for Tales From ‘85 consists of Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, Luca Diaz as Mike, Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Ben Plessala as Will, Brett Gipson as Hopper, Odessa A’zion as Nikki Baxer, Jeremy Jordan as Steve, Janeane Garofalo as Anna Baxter and Lou Diamond Phillips as Daniel Fischer. Additional voice cast includes Robert Englund as Cosmo, Alysia Reiner as Karen Wheeler, Alessandra Antonelli as Nancy Wheeler, Valeria Rodriguez as Rosario, and Jack Griffo as Jeff.

Check out all five seasons of Stranger Things on Netflix and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the first spin-off, Tales From ‘85.

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Release Date

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April 23, 2026

Network

Netflix

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Showrunner

Eric Robles

Directors

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Phil Allora

Writers

Jennifer Muro

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  Odessa A’zion

  Nikki Baxter

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  Brooklyn Davey Norstedt

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  Eleven

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  Jolie Hoang-Rappaport

  Max

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