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Bad Bunny Lands First Lead Movie Role With Big-Name Co-Stars

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Bad Bunny at Super Bowl LX

Global music star Bad Bunny is expanding his career beyond music, landing his first leading role in a feature film set in his homeland, Puerto Rico.

The project places Bad Bunny alongside an ensemble of established actors, signaling a new chapter for the performer and widening his influence in the entertainment industry.

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Bad Bunny Will Star In A Historical Drama

Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show.
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On February 18, Deadline announced the cast for the upcoming film “Porto Rico,” the directorial debut of Grammy-winning Puerto Rican rapper René Pérez Joglar, more famously known as Residente.

According to the report, the historical drama will feature Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, in the lead role. Joining him are Hollywood heavyweights, including Edward Norton, Javier Bardem, and Viggo Mortensen.

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Residente and Bad Bunny are linked by their fierce commitment to their country, their people, and the causes they champion, and the former has always wanted to make a movie about his country.

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“I have dreamed of making a film about my country since I was a child. Puerto Rico’s true history has always been surrounded by controversy. This film is a reaffirmation of who we are — told with the intensity and honesty that our history deserves,” Residente shared.

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What Is The Movie About?

Although there aren’t many details shared about the movie as yet, Residente spoke about co-writing the script with “Birdman” screenwriter Alexander Dinelaris back in 2023.

Apart from selecting Dinelaris for his writing talent, Residente shares a personal connection with him, as both of their grandmothers were born in Puerto Rico. “I was looking for someone who not only is talented but also connects with the subject matter. I found both in Alex,” Residente said.

“Porto Rico” will focus on the life of José Maldonado Román aka Águila Blanca, a Puerto Rican revolutionary, who led ex-convicts in a fight against colonialism.

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Dinelaris said that this is their chance to share a part of Puerto Rico’s history that not many around the world know about. “It’s a story about the spectacular courage and resilience of someone unwilling to bend the knee at any price.”

Norton also talked about the film, saying, “Everybody knows what a poet of language and rhythm René is. Now they’re going to see what a visual visionary he is as well. And bringing him and Bad Bunny together to tell the true story of Puerto Rico’s roots is going to be like a flame finding the stick of dynamite that’s been waiting for it.”

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Bad Bunny Has Appeared In A Few Films

Bad Bunny at Happy Gilmore 2 New York Premiere-NYC
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Bad Bunny isn’t new to acting. He has appeared in movies, such as “Bullet Train,” “Cassandro,” “Caught Stealing,” and “Happy Gilmore 2,” as well as TV shows, including “Narcos: Mexico” and a guest appearance on “SNL.”

In an interview with Rolling Stone in January 2025, Bad Bunny shared his excitement over acting in different films, describing the experience as “bad-ss.”

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When asked whether he would be open to being a full-time actor, he replied, “I’d do it. I’m always going to make music, but I’d spend some time just making films and dedicating myself to acting.”

Bad Bunny’s Mother Always Thought He Would Be An Actor

Puerto Rican Rapper Bad Bunny performs during his World's Hottest Tou
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Bad Bunny has made it big in the music industry, but he revealed that he had always loved acting since he was a child. When his mother learned that he would be starring in movies, she was thrilled for her son.

According to the singer, his mother said, “When you were little, even though you loved music, I never imagined you’d be a musical artist. I always imagined you as an actor. When you were little, I used to say, ‘This boy is going to be an actor’,” adding that her son being a singer never crossed her mind.

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Former Prince Andrew Arrested Amid Investigation Into Epstein Ties

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Former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor detained arrested suspicion misconduct in public office Jeffrey Epstein files

Former British prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was previously stripped of his royal titles because of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Years later, the former Prince Andrew is seeing the inside of a jail cell over those same links. And to top it off? His arrest date, Feb. 19, marks his 66th birthday.

RELATED: Whoa! Jeffrey Epstein Files Begin Surfacing As DOJ Releases New Photos Showing Alleged High-Profile Connections

What Police Have Said About The Former Prince Andrew’s Arrest

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. However, concerns about the former prince’s links to the late Epstein have dogged the royal family for more than a decade. Still, the arrest of a monarch’s brother was an extraordinary development. The arrest has no precedent in modern times and will no doubt put more pressure on the crown.

Thames Valley Police confirmed that officials arrested a man in his 60s from Norfolk, in eastern England, per the Associated Press. The agency covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home. It did not identify the suspect, which is standard procedure in Britain. When asked to confirm if Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested, AP reports that the agency pointed to its statement. For context, Mountbatten-Windsor moved to Charles’ estate in Norfolk after he was evicted from his home near Windsor Castle earlier this month.

Policing commentator Danny Shaw told the BBC that in most cases, suspects are held between 12 and 24 hours. At that point, official either press charges or release suspects pending further investigation. The absolute longest the former prince can be held for is 96 hours. But this would require multiple extensions from senior police officers and a Magistrate’s Court. It is unclear what time Andrew was arrested. AP reports that the former Prince Andrew will wait for his police interview in “a cell in a custody suite” with just “a bed and a toilet.”

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“There’ll be no special treatment for him,” Shaw said.

How The U.S. Aided In Andrew’s Arrest

Thames Valley Police previously said it was “assessing” reports that the former Prince Andrew sent confidential trade reports to Jeffrey Epstein in 2010. At that time, Andrew was Britain’s special envoy for international trade. Local police picked up the reports tip after the U.S. released millions of pages of documents last month from the  Justice Department’s investigation into Epstein. In those pages, there’s correspondence between Andrew and Jeffrey about said reports and more.

“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,” Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said in a statement. “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”

Police also said they were searching two properties. The arrest came after pictures circulated online that appeared to show unmarked police cars at Wood Farm with plainclothes officers gathering outside. That farm is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

King Charles III Speaks Out

After the arrest, King Charles III said the law must take its course in the investigation and agreed to cooperate. Also, he sought to reassure the British public that he would continue to serve them.

“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” the king said. “As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter.” He addressed the British public, saying: “My family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”

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He signed the statement Charles R., in line with the convention that British monarchs use to sign their names. The R. stands for rex, Latin for king. The late Queen Elizabeth II forced Mountbatten-Windsor to give up royal duties and end his charitable work in 2019. At the time, he tried to explain away his ties to Jeffrey Epstein during a catastrophic interview with the BBC. But more details about the relationship emerged in a book published last year. In response, Charles stripped him of the right to be called a prince and ordered him to move.

Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that it was ready to cooperate in the event of a police inquiry into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Jeffrey Epstein. King Charles was forced to act after the pages from the U.S. release revealed the extent of his brother’s relationship with Epstein. That relationship continued long after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Family Of Prince Andrew’s Late Victim Reacts To His Arrest

To note, the allegations being investigated on Thursday are separate from those made by Virginia Giuffre. She previously revealed she had been trafficked to Britain to have sex with Andrew in 2001, when she was just 17. Giuffre died by suicide last year. Her family praised the arrest of the former British Prince, saying:

“Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty.” The family added, “He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.”

Craig Prescott, a royal expert at the University of London, called the arrest the “most spectacular fall from grace for a member of the royal family in modern times.” The last time a senior British royal was arrested was almost 400 years ago, during the reign of King Charles I. At the time, there was a growing power struggle between the crown and Parliament. After the king attempted to arrest lawmakers in the House of Commons in 1642, hostilities erupted into the English Civil War. That war ended with victory for the parliamentary forces of Oliver Cromwell. Meanwhile, Charles was arrested, tried, convicted of high treason and beheaded in 1649.

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RELATED: Russell Wilson Clears The Air After Allegedly Being Named In Newly Released Jeffrey Epstein Files

Associated Press writer Danica Kirka contributed to this report via AP Newsroom. 

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General Hospital LEAK: Peter’s Secret Return Confirmed & Valentin’s Involved in the Plot!

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General Hospital: Peter August (Wes Ramsey)- Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart)

General Hospital LEAK said that Peter August (Wes Ramsey) is indeed alive and is back from the dead, just like his two siblings are. The leaker also said Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) has known all along that Peter is alive. Plus, we may have a lookalike doppelganger twist.

Aside from these tidbits, details were very scant, but I’ve got some ideas to talk to you about. I want to dive into how this Peter return might happen based on another part of the leak.

Valentin Cassadine’s Secret Role in Peter August’s Survival on General Hospital

Before we dig into this, I just want to clarify, as I always do, that this is a leak, which puts it in the rumor category, not the spoiler category until ABC or General Hospital officially says so. However, the source has a proven track record.

They’ve been spot on about things like who killed Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco), Michael Corinthos (Chad Duell) exit, and other things that I’ve reported here. I feel confident in sharing this info. Not everything they leak manifests, but a lot of it does.

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Our source says Peter August is still alive, which makes perfect sense because his previously dead siblings, Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) and Nathan West (Ryan Paevey), are also back to the land of the living.

Even more importantly, the leaker also said Valentin knows Peter is still alive. Apparently, Valentin is sitting on some other secrets as well, which is cryptic. I’m wondering if it’s more than just knowing that Peter survived.

The Complex History and Guilt of Valentin Cassadine on GH

It could be that Valentin helped Peter survive. If you remember your history, Valentin always felt responsible for Peter. He saw him as a son, mentored him, and genuinely cared about him. Valentin stepped in and protected Peter from Cesar Faison (Anders Hove) since birth as much as he could.

That is because Valentin always felt guilty; he is the reason Faison found out that Peter even existed right after he was born. If you recall, Valentin initially thought Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) was Peter’s mother. Anna actually suspected it too because it turns out her evil twin sister, Alex Devane Marick (Finola Hughes), is actually Peter’s mother.

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There was a storyline involving Anna having some of Alex’s memories implanted into her. That is why Anna thought she was Peter’s mom. Peter actually hoped that Anna was his mom because she was kinder to him than his own mother.

Analyzing the Death of Peter August in Switzerland

Valentin was involved in Peter’s life pretty much since he was born and has always been protective of him. I suspect that Valentin would do whatever he could have done to help Peter survive that incident and keep him hidden away from all those people who rejoiced that he was dead—including Anna, the woman Valentin loves.

Just to be clear, this leak is not about the nightmare appearance when P

Wes Ramsey did that one episode and played Peter while Anna was hallucinating in that room under Wyndemere. This is a whole other thing. The leak says Peter is back in the flesh, well and truly alive.

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He supposedly died on February 23rd, 2022, which makes next week the four-year anniversary of his death. Peter died in Switzerland after he had kidnapped Maxie Jones (Kirsten Storms) and was going to shoot her. Felicia Scorpio (Kristina Wagner) whacked Peter with a tire iron, and he died shortly after that from the head injury.

How the WSB Could Have Faked Peter August’s Death on General Hospital

Anna did not call an ambulance or get him medical help. Instead, she sat there and watched Peter die. Anna pretty much wanted him dead because she knew Maxie and little Bailey Lou Jones (Miley & Riley Plonski) would never be safe as long as he was alive. At the time, he seemed truly dead.

But think about it: so did Britt and Nathan. There are some red flags that have me thinking this leak is legit. The biggest red flag is that Peter’s body was taken from that scene in Switzerland by the WSB. They could have frozen him, revived him, or used any of the methods the WSB knows.

The WSB has a history of shady doings. Think about what Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) is doing right now. They’ve always been dodgy; it just depends on who is in charge. Plus, Victor Cassadine (Charles Shaughnessy) was close to Peter and had deep ties to the WSB, which he used to run.

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The General Hospital Rumor: Two Nathans and a Doppelganger Twist

Victor could have gotten hold of Peter’s body, revived him, and stashed him somewhere. At the time of Peter’s death, Valentin was off dealing with his own drama after Victor had kidnapped him. Valentin was off-screen when Peter died, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know exactly what happened to the body.

The other big red flag is that Nathan and Britt are back from the dead. So why not a trifecta? Bringing back all three of Faison’s kids from the dead has me wondering if Peter’s comeback ties into the theory that there may be two Nathans: a real one and a fake one.

That could explain Britt’s strange and strong reaction when she first saw Nathan back from the dead. Her reaction wasn’t that of a sister thrilled to see her long-dead brother. Britt looked worried and scared, especially when Felicia and Damian Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) decided to let James West (Gary James Fuller) meet him. It seemed like Britt didn’t trust her brother.

General Hospital: Peter August (Wes Ramsey)- Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) General Hospital: Peter August (Wes Ramsey)- Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart)
General Hospital: Peter August – Valentin Cassadine

The Theory of Peter August’s Plastic Surgery Transformation

Once I started thinking about whether the Nathan and Peter leaks were related, another thing dawned on me: what if the “fake Nathan” is actually Peter, and he had plastic surgery to look like his brother?

This makes sense because after Faison killed Nathan, we saw Peter slide into Nathan’s life. He was there when James was born and got involved with Maxie. Peter was also jealous of how much everybody adored Nathan. Faison was insanely hard on Peter, which helped drive him off the deep end.

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There was a recent scene where Nathan was talking about his dad drilling him with science flashcards. That did not align at all with the man who raised Nathan. That was another big red flag that had people scratching their heads.

Nathan West and the Potential for an Emmy-Winning GH Performance

We might have had Wes Ramsey back just for that one flashback with Anna, and now we may have Ryan Paevey doing double duty. Maybe he will play both parts: Peter and Nathan. We might get flashbacks of the real Peter after his death plotting and planning, or a flashback of Ryan as Peter after the surgery, pulling off the bandages to reveal Nathan’s face.

It would make sense that Peter would want to disguise himself as Nathan because he was so obsessed with Maxie. Nathan was the great love of Maxie’s life, and she even told Peter that she only settled for him because he was the closest thing to Nathan. This version of him who is crushing on Lulu Spencer (Alexa Havins) might be the real Nathan.

But if there is a second Nathan who is actually Peter, he might try to swap places with the real Nathan to be with Maxie. I think it would be really cool if this leak turns into a spoiler. I like the idea of Peter being back but looking like Nathan with Nathan playing both parts. I think that would be Emmy bait.

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How Dueling Space Station Shows Created Sci-Fi’s Best Decade

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How Dueling Space Station Shows Created Sci-Fi's Best Decade

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published

The mid-1990s were a golden age of space opera. Two of the best shows of this genre were Star Trek’s Deep Space Nine and the independent series, Babylon 5. Both shows centered on a space station with all the drama, diplomacy, and war of such a setting. The conflicts of both shows are compounded by the existential horror of knowing there are forces at play that are larger and incomprehensible than the “human” mind can process.

We are introduced to both settings following major conflicts, and the recovery that comes after is often dark and filled with its own dread. Both series confront the harsh realities of war and occupation. The depth of the stories expressed is what makes these two shows stand out above the rest. Both ask us questions on guilt, innocence, and the price of survival.

The Name Of The Place Is Babylon 5

Babylon 5 begins in the aftermath of the Earth-Minbari War with an unsteady peace on the titular neutral-zone station. The Narn Homeworld was recently liberated from the Centauri Republic. Other minor powers are shown wanting a voice in station politics and to stop any wars. As the series progresses, the stakes are continually raised, with much of it framed by the Narn-Centauri conflict reigniting.

Overarching the politics of these various alien races are the machinations of the galaxy’s eldest races and the games they play. The Vorlon Empire has existed for millions of years and wanted to bring order to a chaotic galaxy. Resisting them is an even older species: the boogeymen of the series, the Shadows, with ships as black as the void of space. It is considered an ill omen to see even a shadow of their vessels. This ancient species believed that evolution began through chaos and conflict. Believing in the power of flesh and bioengineering, their ships were alive.

From the start of the series, audiences can feel the depth of lore. The ideologies of the Vorlon and the Shadow feel like universal truths. In Babylon 5’s clever cyclical storytelling, the young replace the old. Conflict will always happen. Order will always stand against disorder as the interests of the various alien species collide.

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Come To Quark’s, Quark’s Is Fun

Meanwhile, at the start of Deep Space Nine, the Federation has taken over the former Cardassian station, Terok Nor, now known by the titular Starfleet designation. The station becomes the hub of new exploration when a wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant is discovered nearby.

Early seasons build on the recovery of Bajor and continued issues with the Cardassian Union. Meanwhile, the plot slowly introduces the Dominion threat, first through the Vorta and later through their Jem’Hadar shock troops. Eventually, it becomes a fully blown war, taking up the later seasons of “DS9.”

The story of Deep Space Nine is not typical of many shows set in the Star Trek setting. It has a long, continuously evolving plot despite having individual episodes like any other Star Trek show. Characters experience true devastating loss, with episodes showing lists of lost vessels with crew either confirmed killed or missing. It cast the long, dark shadow of war across the remaining seasons of the show, raising questions about morality and ethics in the face of an unrelenting enemy and the lines they are willing to cross to ensure victory.

Parallel’s Beween DS9 And B5

There are many similarities between these two series: themes, settings, and conflicts, starting with the Earth-Minbari War and the Cardassian withdrawal of Bajor. Simmering tensions brewing between groups leads to active war in both series. Even the elder alien races are comparable: the Vorlons and the Shadows in the universe of Babylon 5 mirror DS9’s Dominion, led by the shapeshifting Changelings who view solids as bringing chaos and disorder. 

Another parallel between the two shows is that we, as fans, are treated to some of the best dramatic acting in all of science fiction. Scenes between the Narn ambassador G’Kar and the Centauri ambassador Londo Mollari on Babylon 5 reveal a history that predates what we are initially shown, as seen in their emotion and pain over the love for their people and their home worlds. It mirrors the ongoing verbal duel between Captain Sisko and Gul Dukat as they debate their roles in history, how they will be remembered, and the motivations of their actions.

Babylon 5 Journeys Into Darkness Deep Space Nine Avoids

Perhaps the biggest difference between the two shows was the tone. Babylon 5 showed us a darker, more dystopian future. Despite the darkness, sorrow, and loss during Deep Space Nine, the characters remained Starfleet. They still acted nobly even when an easier path existed but crossed moral or ethical lines. Babylon 5 showed us more clearly the flaws, the inhumanities, and failures in its main characters.

The similarities between the shows eventually led to a lawsuit, but the creator of Babylon 5 ultimately decided not to pursue it so that both shows could succeed. We should be thankful that, as fans, we got to experience a quality of programming that is lacking in current productions.

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All that we have been lectured on, with modern norms pushed into places where they really don’t fit, like questions on race, colonization, and violence: these were all handled on two 1990s space stations with nuance lacking in modern science fiction. Fans of one will vastly enjoy the other, and both series are the real inclusive utopias today’s programming only wishes it could aspire to.

Check them out where you can: Deep Space Nine is part of Paramount Plus’s Star Trek collection, and Babylon 5 just got absorbed by YouTube.


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Kid Rock’s Tour Demands Big Bucks for ‘First Class Seats’

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Kid Rock performs live in concert at The Fillmore Miami Beach the Rock N Roll Jesus tour

Kid Rock is gearing up for his long-awaited Freedom 250 Tour, and tickets are selling as high as $5,000.

The singer, who was recently accused of lip-syncing during his Turning Point USA Halftime Show, is set to kick off his tour in May 2026.

Amid his career moment, he has also been in the spotlight for allegedly seeing Lauren Boebert, after fans spotted them sharing a cozy moment in Washington, D.C., last May. 

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Kid-Rock Is Selling First-Class Tickets For His Tour

Fans who wish to see Kid Rock take the stage during his upcoming tour will have to pay a premium for it. According to Ticketmaster, the 55-year-old singer’s concert tickets are going for as high as $5,000 for fans who want to watch the show from the front row. 

The “First Class Tickets” in the second row are going for $4,000, and those in the third row for $3,000, People Magazine confirmed. 

Kid Rock’s Freedom 250 Tour will feature special appearances from big names such as Brantley Gilbert, Jon Pardik, and more. Set to kick off on May 1, the show will kick off in Dallas and will cover other stops around the country before coming to a close at Burgettstown, Penn, in June. 

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Halfway through the tour, Kid Rock will also make an appearance at the Rock the Country Festival, which will be held across seven towns. It will feature artists such as Blake Shelton, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Riley Green, and many more. 

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Kid Rock Reacts To Lip-Syncing Claims

Kid Rock performs live in concert at The Fillmore Miami Beach the Rock N Roll Jesus tour
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Ahead of his Freedom 250 Tour, Kid Rock took the stage at the Turning Point USA Halftime Show. However, following the show, the singer received a lot of backlash online from fans who accused him of lip-syncing to a backing track. 

According to The Blast, Kid Rock addressed the claims on Fox News, saying, “My DJ, who actually raps that song with me, was not lit up. I’m jumping around the stage like a rabid monkey, rapping my song, and I’m taking breaths, and my DJ is filling in the other parts of it.” 

He continued, “I even told them when I saw the rough cut, I was like, ‘You guys got to work on that sync.’ It’s off,” confirming that the show was pre-taped. 

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Kid Rock noted that the incident occurred because there was a syncing issue and acknowledged that although the technical team tried hard to get it right, they couldn’t. 

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What Fans Said About Kid Rock’s Performance

Kid Rock performs live in concert at The Fillmore Miami Beach the Rock N Roll Jesus tour
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Before the “Cowboy” singer took the stage at the Turning Point USA Show, he also came under fire for being involved with the Turning Point organization. 

One user on social media tagged the organization “desperate,” and another called the show a “Hillbilly Halftime Antics.”

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Other users called the show a “joke,” and another argued that it was blatant racism to hire Kid Rock to take the stage, per The Blast.

Kid Rock Was Rumored To Be Romantically Involved With Lauren Boebert

Lauren Boebert speaking during a House committee meeting
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Long before Kid Rock performed at the TPUSA show, he was spotted sharing fond moments with Congresswoman Lauren Boebert during his Rock N’ Rodeo event. 

Boebert was captured standing next to Kid Rock, and they were joined by Loesch and Chris. They all had their arms around each other as they smiled and posed for the picture.

The politician was dressed in a brown dress, with a matching hat and boots, while Kid Rock donned a black shirt, boots, a cowboy hat, and shades. 

According to The Blast, one fan asked if Kid Rock and Boebert were “dating,” and others gushed over the pair, adding more speculations about their rumored romance. 

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Lauren Boebert And Kid Rock Were Seen Together At A Different Time 

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Sarah Ferguson’s Future In Crisis After Andrew’s Arrest

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Sarah Ferguson attends amfAR Gala Cannes 2024 - 30th Edition

The shocking development has raised fresh questions about the former Duchess of York’s already fragile standing in Britain. 

Having kept a low profile for months amid mounting backlash over her ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Ferguson now faces even greater uncertainty as the scandal surrounding her family deepens.

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Sarah Ferguson’s Future Thrown Into Doubt After Former Prince Andrew’s Arrest

Sarah Ferguson attends amfAR Gala Cannes 2024 - 30th Edition
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Speculation is growing about what lies ahead for Sarah Ferguson following Andrew’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The 66-year-old former Duchess of York has kept a notably low profile, with her last public sighting dating back to September 25, 2025, when she was photographed leaving Royal Lodge by car.

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Despite their divorce decades ago, Ferguson and Andrew had continued sharing his sprawling Windsor estate until recently. She once famously referred to them as the “happiest divorced couple in the world.”

Andrew, who is marking his 66th birthday today, is now in police custody. Unmarked vehicles were seen arriving at his current residence in Sandringham, Norfolk, where he relocated after he and Ferguson vacated Royal Lodge.

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According to Thames Valley Police, officers are conducting searches at properties in both Berkshire and Norfolk. 

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Authorities have not specified the exact addresses involved, though Royal Lodge is located in Windsor, Berkshire, and Wood Farm sits on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

This detention represents the first time the former prince has been arrested in connection with allegations tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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Ferguson Has Been Lying Low Amid Mounting Outrage

Sarah Ferguson at the 79th Venice International Film
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Sarah Ferguson has largely withdrawn from public life amid growing outrage over her ties to Epstein. 

She is said to have spent time with friends in the French Alps before traveling to the United Arab Emirates. 

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During that time, she has also been with her youngest daughter, Princess Eugenie, who was attending an art fair in Doha, Qatar, in her role as a director at dealer Hauser and Wirth.

Despite keeping a low profile, Ferguson’s past connections continue to resurface. 

Emails between the ex-duchess and Epstein reportedly show her repeatedly chasing him for money to clear debts and seeking practical support over a considerable period. 

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The correspondence includes evidence that she remained in close contact with him after his release from prison for sex offences against children, even taking Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to lunch with him five days after his release. 

She also privately issued a grovelling apology to the child trafficker for publicly denouncing him, explaining she had done so to protect her career as a children’s author. In that message, she referred to him as a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend.”

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Sarah Ferguson’s Finances And Search For Stability

Duchess of York Sarah FERGUSON at Europe 1 radio studios
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As the fallout continues, Ferguson’s financial position has come under scrutiny. 

According to the Daily Mail, sources say she has openly told friends, “I need to get back to work. I need money.” 

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Her reported need for income comes as she and Andrew have become pariahs in Britain, facing social exclusion and reputational damage.

Royal author Andrew Lownie, who wrote “Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York,” believes Ferguson’s future opportunities may lie outside the UK. 

He suggested that wealthy figures in Dubai, Bahrain, and Qatar could already be providing support. 

According to Lownie, “In Britain neither Sarah or Andrew will be socially accepted again whatever they try to do or wherever they go. But in the Middle East no one will care about what they have got up to.” 

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He added that influential figures in the region may be willing to bankroll them, saying, “These types of people in the Middle East simply couldn’t care less what Sarah has done.” 

Lownie also noted that, even without formally using the title Duchess of York, Ferguson would still be viewed and treated as royalty in those circles.

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Ferguson’s Daughters React As Scandal Deepens

Princess Beatrice and Eugenie
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The scandal has also impacted Sarah Ferguson’s daughters. Princess Eugenie recently left the UK for Qatar, where she worked at a contemporary art fair in Doha. 

She was tagged by model Caroline Daur at Art Basel 2026 with the caption, “REUNION!!! It’s been too long.” 

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The event was also attended by David Beckham and Angeline Jolie. Despite the storm surrounding her family, Eugenie smiled as Daur put a comforting arm around her.

Sources say Eugenie and Beatrice are “aghast” at their mother’s tranche of emails to Epstein and are “appalled” and “embarrassed” by images of their father at Epstein’s New York mansion. 

Both daughters, along with Ferguson, are said to be rocked by Andrew’s arrest. They have not commented publicly.

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Video Shows Car Crash In Charlotte, North Carolina

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Video Shows LaMelo Ball Involved Two Car Crash In Charlotte North Carolina Update 

LaMelo Ball walked away uninjured after being involved in a two-car crash in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday. However, video footage of the accident has since surfaced. So far, social media is shook and dissecting the driving skills of the Charlotte Hornets point guard. Even Hazel E had a lil’ something to say.  Meanwhile, LaMelo has yet to break his silence since driving away from the accident site in a separate vehicle.

RELATED: Anthony Joshua Breaks His Silence As Driver In Fatal Nigeria Car Crash Faces Charges (PHOTOS)

Details About LaMelo Ball’s Charlotte Car Crash

According to The Shade Room, a police report was not immediately made available after Wednesday’s crash. Video of the accident shows Ball driving his camouflage-colored, custom-made Hummer across an intersection before he and another driver collided. This happened shortly before 5 p.m., according to footage obtained by WSOC-TV in Charlotte.

The station and TMZ later posted video of LaMelo Ball, wearing an aqua-colored Hornets hoodie, getting out his truck and into another car before the driver pulled off. Police were on the scene at the time.

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There was no information available on the person in the other car involved in the collision. Video shows the driver calmly get out of his car and walking toward LaMelo Ball’s truck, which had the left front tire missing.

SEE ADDITIONAL CRASH FOOTAGE BELOW. 

LaMelo Expected To Play In Hornets Game After Accident As Hazel E Reacts To Crash Footage (UPDATES)

The Hornets held practice earlier in the day on Wednesday. Charlotte, which has won 10 of its last 11 games, is scheduled to host the Houston Rockets on Thursday night as teams return from the All-Star break. As of Thursday morning, LaMelo Ball was not listed on the team’s injury report. This means, per the Associated Press, he is expected to play just one day after the two-car crash.

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Meanwhile, in The Shade Room’s comment section, Hazel E stopped by with a jokey joke. She quoted LiAngelo Ball’s song ‘Tweaker,’ writing:

“I might swerve on the corner whoaaa ohhh ohhhhh 🤌🏽.”

Ball’s Driving History Resurfaces On Social Media

As mentioned, the accident has supporters and critics digging into LaMelo’s past driving habits. This includes sharing videos of him allegedly running red lights and resurfacing a May 2024 lawsuit in which a mother accused him of running over her 11-year-old’s foot in October 2023 with his purple Rolls Royce. The family demanded $25,000, but in Feb. 2025 LaMelo denied being at fault for the child’s broken foot and emotional distress, and sought for the family to pay his attorneys’ fees.

LaMelo Ball is just the latest to professional sports athlete to be involved in a car accident in Charlotte, North Carolina. Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton fractured his back following a 2014 crash in which he flipped his black pickup truck near Bank of America Stadium. That’s less than a mile from where Ball’s accident occurred.

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And in 2024, Panthers current backup quarterback Andy Dalton injured his thumb when he was involved in a two-car accident in Charlotte. Additionally, former Hornets guard Bobby Phills was killed in a car crash at age 30 following a practice on Jan. 12, 2000.

RELATED: Whew! Larsa Pippen Responds After Fans Speculate That She’s Dating LiAngelo Ball (PHOTO)

AP Sports Writer Steve Reed contributed to this report via AP Newsroom. 

What Do You Think Roomies?

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New Star Trek Series Just Lost The One Actor Who Can Save The Show

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New Star Trek Series Just Lost The One Actor Who Can Save The Show

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

One of the few things that even the biggest fanboys and harshest critics of Starfleet Academy can agree on is that Oscar-winning actor Paul Giamatti is the best thing about the show. His Nus Braka has proven to be a downright frighteningly competent villain, one who some have compared to franchise greats such as Gul Dukat. Unfortunately, in a recent appearance on The D-Con Chamber Podcast, Giamatti dropped a major bombshell: that he won’t be appearing in Season 2 of Starfleet Academy.

This is unfortunate because preliminary data suggests that Giamatti’s character may be the only thing that can save this struggling show. Starfleet Academy has consistently failed to make the Nielsen Top 10 list of streaming shows (something that Strange New Worlds once did with regularity), and it regularly fails to make even the Top 10 streaming list on Paramount+. However, the day after the premiere of “Come, Let’s Away” (an episode featuring the return of Giamatti’s character), FlixPatrol reports that the episode landed on the streamer’s list of Worldwide Top TV Shows, and Amazon Channels reports that it held the number one slot on the Top 10 Overall list. 

In the short term, this is good news for Starfleet Academy, a show desperately in need of both better buzz and more viewers. In the long term, though, the fact that Giamatti was seemingly the key to audiences flocking to this episode may be the kiss of death for this new Star Trek series. That’s because the Oscar-winning actor recently made it clear that he won’t be returning to the show under any circumstances. 

Paul Giamatti recently appeared on The D-Con Chamber Podcast, and he bluntly told hosts (and former Enterprise actors) Dominic Keating and Connor Trinneer that he “was not around” for Starfleet Academy’s second season. His use of the past tense is due to the fact that the second season of this new Trek spinoff has already been largely filmed, with only the season finale (which will be personally directed by co-showrunner and controversial executive producer Alex Kurtzman) left to shoot. 

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Star Trek Is Losing Paul Giamatti

Does this mean that Nus Braka is going to die, possibly at the hands of Holly Hunter’s impossibly chill chancellor? Nope: according to Giamatti (who admitted to his podcast hosts that he “probably shouldn’t” tell them this), the villain is “still alive” by the end of Season 1. He noted that “something could be done with him” if the writers wanted to and expressed optimism that “if it goes another [season], perhaps I will be back around.”

Based on the recent streaming numbers, though, there may not be a Starfleet Academy to come back to. Season 1 hasn’t been able to consistently draw viewers, but the return of Paul Giamatti’s character helped one of the show’s most recent episodes become a Top 10 hit. His inevitable appearance in future Season 1 episodes may be a similar draw for audiences, but the show is going to lose all of these Giamatti superfans when he doesn’t appear in the second season at all. 

He Might Just Take Starfleet Academy With Him

Plus, Giamatti might have hit the nail on the head with his doubts about Starfleet Academy getting a third season. While it was originally conceived as lasting four seasons (to match the four-year educational journey of its cadets), the show has not yet been renewed for Season 3. That renewal is unlikely to happen if the streaming numbers don’t improve, and there are already rumors that Paramount has quietly axed the show and that the second season will be its last.

Should Starfleet Academy fade away, Paramount will have only themselves to blame: they were wise to hire an Oscar-winner like Paul Giamatti for their new Star Trek show, but they then failed to feature him in enough episodes to save Season 1. Now, his complete absence from Season 2 may seal the show’s fate entirely. That just leaves one question: when Starfleet Academy dies, do you think Paramount will stuff its corpse into a torpedo tube and fire it off into space, Spock-style? 


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Stephen Colbert loses his voice on late night, but the 'show must go on'

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The host joked he was on “cold and sinus medication, hot tea, tom yum soup, and enough steroids to be named the Secretary of Health and Human Services.”

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13 Winter Fashion Essentials Trending on Amazon Right Now

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Punxsutawney Phil may have done Us wrong by declaring even more winter; however, things are finally starting to let up with temperatures hovering in the mid-30s. That doesn’t mean it’s time to put your sweaters away just yet! If you’re starting to feel winter fashion fatigue, there’s no better way to refresh your wardrobe than with fresh winter finds that are currently trending. Not sure what’s hot right now? We have a hunch on what other shoppers are vying for — and items are all on Amazon.

Two-piece lounge sets, ultra-flattering jeans and cushioned sneakers are all being bought in droves right now. And while shopping editors keep tabs on the latest and greatest, we’ll let you in on our secret: Amazon’s Movers and Shakers Chart is a great place to find items that are worth buying. The section gives Us an inside scoop on picks that are up in sales, and if that’s not an indication to browse, we don’t know what is. We combed through to discover fashion musts that transition from winter to spring like a breeze. Discover must-haves from Levi’s, Brooks, Adidas, Bagsmart and more, starting at $7.

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13 Winter Fashion Essentials Trending on Amazon Right Now

1. Our Favorite: It’s understandable to want to spend all day in sweats. The only problem? Loungewear isn’t appropriate for the boardroom . . . but these stretchy dress pants are. They have that comfy leggings-like feel that channels your at-home favorite yet looks way more put together.

2. Runner-Up: If you’re fortunate to work remotely, you might want to grab this two-piece lounge set in a few colors. The long-sleeved top and drawstring pants give off rich mom vibes, thanks to the soft, expensive-looking fabric that’ll give your pajamas a run for their money.

3. Anything but Basic: There’s something about a half-zip sweater that exudes elegance, and this stylish knit pullover is proof. Designed with a collared neckline, ribbed stitching and a relaxed fit, this classy sweater is perfect for errand runs and post-Pilates brunch.

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Related: Amazon’s February Fashion Drop Is Here: 17 Must-See Finds

It’s a new month, which means it’s time to stock up on Amazon’s hot new releases! In February, we’re shopping for essential fashion pieces that deliver a little mid‑season wardrobe refresh. We’re talking knit sweater vests, dressy two-piece sets and effortless tops you’ll want to wear on repeat. To carry you through the rest of […]

4. Celeb-Loved: Everyone knows that Jennifer Garner is obsessed with Brooks sneakers, and she has these exact Glycerin running shoes that are on sale right now. The sneakers are extremely comfortable with a foam cushioned insole, a flat bottom and breathable exterior that makes them ideal for running, weight lifting and HIIT training — yes, this editor is speaking from experience.

5. Bestseller Alert: While this duffel bag isn’t specific for winter, we think its puffer-esque style is on par for the season (and will work for both winter and spring travels). Great for weekend trips, this top-seller is equipped to store several outfit changes, a 17-inch laptop, toiletries and even sneakers . . . like say, the Brooks above.

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6. Laid-Back Luxe: Layering has never been easier than with a fitted top, like this ribbed long-sleeve number. It’s thick enough to keep you warm, but is breathable enough to prevent overheating. It’s no wonder people wear it under work blazers, sweaters and even scrubs (yes, nurses like them, too)!

7. Going Viral: These clever Levi’s jeans are so sought after, we’re surprised they’re still in stock. The pants went viral on social media due to the adjustable button design at the waist, which lets you customize the fit to eliminate annoying back gaping. We know, it’s genius.

8. Comfort MVP: Sweaters are a winter must, but bulky knits can get tired real fast. Opt for this long-sleeved turtleneck that keeps you warm and covered while also showing off your curves. We love that the thermal top is just fitted enough without being too tight.

9. Boss Babe: Look and feel like a CEO when you throw on these sleek trouser pants that are so chic for work. Despite the fashionable appeal, the pants are made with a blend of breathable and stretchy fabrics to provide more give while you sit at your desk or stand during your presentation.

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10. Popular Pick: Everyone from shoppers to celebrities like Katie Holmes, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon love Adidas shoes. Get in on the trend with these top-rated Court 3.0 sneakers that come in a trendy animal-print style that’s making waves in 2026.

11. Workout Winner: Whether you’re running laps or errands, you’ll want to have these high-waisted yoga pants on standby. They look like your average leggings, but have a warm fleece lining to keep you extra warm when temperatures dip. You’ll thank Us later.

12. Under $10: You probably have tons of socks in your drawer, but how many of them have a cute ruffle trim? We rest our case. These ruffle-hem socks are so fun and dainty, giving loafers, sneakers and the like more personality without the effort.

13. No Brainer: Wearing a dress or skirt in 30-degree weather is almost unthinkable . . . unless you have fleece-lined tights. These translucent-style tights have a warm, insulated interior that embodies everything you love about sweatpants, in a more upscale version.

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Related: Amazon Quietly Marked Down the Coziest Winter Fashion Staples

As long as winter’s frosty conditions rage on, we’ll be advocates for cozy fashion. Unbelievably soft sweaters, stretchy trousers and plush footwear are building blocks of cold-weather-friendly uniforms that beat the frosty conditions and make you look good while you’re at it. To ensure you’re dressed to impress while staying warm, we found 17 Amazon […]

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12 Best Hockey Movies of All Time, Ranked

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Jack Mulhern as Bobby Sanders in 'Odd Man Rush.'

The greatest sport on ice, and one of the big four of professional American sports, hockey has become more and more popular over the years. Whether it’s because the NHL players are competing in the Olympics or a little gay hockey show called Heated Rivalry, there’s truly no time like the present to capitalize on the game.

Before Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) began to smut up your small screens, hockey had a profound history on the big screen. From a beloved ’70s classic with some of hockey cinema’s most iconic characters to a kids’ franchise that got us all quacking, hockey has proven itself to be a brilliant game to pull from for incredible stories. With Olympic fever back again, we’re here to celebrate some of the best films on ice.

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12

‘Odd Man Rush’ (2020)

Jack Mulhern as Bobby Sanders in 'Odd Man Rush.'
Jack Mulhern as Bobby Sanders in ‘Odd Man Rush.’
Image via Hulu

A great place to begin is with a movie inspired by true events. Based on Bill Keenan‘s 2016 memoir, the film follows Harvard hockey player and lifelong New York Rangers fan Bobby Sanders (Jack Mulhern), whose NHL dreams are derailed by injury. Trying to make his passion come to fruition, Bobby pursues a professional career in a minor European league, all while grappling with the reality of his future and finding love in the process. A fish-out-of-water coming-of-age tale, Odd Man Rush focuses on Bobby’s self-discovery as he reassesses his dreams.

Directed by Doug Dearth, the film brings humor into the reality of the sport while allowing audiences to understand the stakes surrounding a lower-tier league. There is life beyond the NHL, and the passion is equally fervent. Odd Man Rush brings the reality of life after sports and how it may not be as glamorous as expected. A surprisingly sweet and tender film, Odd Man Rush scores thanks to Mulhern’s winning performance. He’s a subtle charmer, whether alongside his teammates on the ice or wooing the beautiful girl of his dreams, played by Elektra Kilbey. Coincidentally, there is a follow-up film, Bull Run, where Mulhern is replaced by Tom Blyth, who plays Bobby in a post-hockey life as a junior banker on Wall Street.

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11

‘Go Figure’ (2005)

Jordan Hinson as Kat Kingsford in 'Go Figure.'
Jordan Hinson as Kat Kingsford in ‘Go Figure.’
Image via Disney Channel

On the surface, Go Figure is a Disney Original Movie that blends both the sport of hockey and figure skating. But the majority of the film revolves around hockey, so we’ll call it a hockey film first! A hockey film about a figure skater, if you will. The iconic film follows Katelin “Kat” Kingsford (Jordan Hinson), a 14-year-old figure skater who dreams of Olympic glory. But there’s a catch: To train with top Russian coach Natasha Goberman (Cristine Rose), she must accept a scholarship at a private school and join its hockey team. There, she learns teamwork and balances both sports. Bringing the value of friendship, fitting in, and defeating bullies to the forefront, Go Figure truly is a tale of found family and defying the odds.

The DCOM classic blends the usual tropes one might find in these teen-centric movies. There’s the struggle to fit in, the difficulties in overcoming hardship, and the power of positivity. Go Figure also breaks open the stereotypes that hockey is a male-only sport. In fact, women in America have been dominating the game for years! While the believability is that Kat struggles with ice skating in the pads, in the end, she uses her experience as a figure skater to help her team succeed. Go Figure is a delightful film that may be one of the most underrated DCOMs.

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10

‘Breakaway’ (2011)

The Speedy Singhs in the locker room in 'Breakaway.'
The Speedy Singhs in the locker room in ‘Breakaway.’
Image via Alliance Films

What Bend It Like Beckham did for soccer, Breakaway did for hockey. Not every sport is dominated by one ethnicity, and this 2011 film is proof. Directed by Robert Lieberman, the last film before his death in 2023, Breakaway is a sports comedy about Rajveer Singh (Vinay Virmani), a young Indo-Canadian man who drops out of college to pursue a career in professional hockey. To make his dream come true, he must defy his father’s (Anupam Kher) traditional demands to join the family business. Rajveer forms an all-Sikh hockey team, the Speedy Singhs, while overcoming discrimination and cultural pressures with the help of a very unlikely coach, Dan Winters (Rob Lowe). Bringing a new perspective on how culture and religion may affect the game, Breakaway was meant to be a film of pride.

On the surface, Breakaway is a hockey movie, but beneath the surface, it’s an important exploration of the intersection of immigrant identity, cultural expectations, and the pressures to fit in. What may seem like an incidental moment in the film, when the Speedy Singhs are forced to wear helmets but are prevented from using the typical ones, Rajveer’s drive to provide the team with helmets that accommodate their turbans is a breakthrough moment. Breakaway features a plethora of special appearances that might shock you, including Lilly Singh, Drake, and Ludacris. It might be on the hokey side, but it’s an important film nevertheless.

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9

‘The Rocket’ (2005)

Roy Dupuis as Maurice Richard in 'The Rocket.'
Roy Dupuis as Maurice Richard in ‘The Rocket.’
Image via Alliance Atlantis Vivafilm

There are many legends in hockey, but surprisingly few have received the biopic treatment. That changed in 2005 with the French-Canadian film The Rocket. Telling the story of one of the greatest players, Maurice “The Rocket” Richard (Roy Dupuis), the film chronicles the Montreal Canadiens’ star through his rise from a working-class machinist to an early NHL icon. Focusing on his struggles with injuries, discrimination against French speakers, and the “Richard Riot” sparked from his 1955 suspension, The Rocket tells the story of a man who changed a sport.

An intriguing character study on a hockey great, The Rocket doesn’t attempt to portray Richard as perfect. Instead, through a gritty approach, The Rocket‘s authenticity of his life and the game gave hockey fans insight into how he became the man who got the iconic nickname. A gentle person pushed to the breaking point, Dupuis uses subtlety to bring Richard to life. Though the film ends before the five-season run of Stanley Cups, the depiction of The Rocket does make Richard a legend among men. To maintain the integrity of the sport, Richard features a cast of NHL pros, including Mike Ricci, Sean Avery, Vincent Lecavalier, and Stéphane Quintal, to take on his teammates and rivals. An understated film, The Rocket is perfect for hockey fans, regardless of their favorite franchise.

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8

‘Sudden Death’ (1995)

Jean-Claude Van Damme about to be hammered in Sudden Death
Jean-Claude Van Damme about to be hammered in Sudden Death.
Image via Universal Pictures

In the ’90s, if you needed an action star, you called Jean-Claude Van Damme. And let’s just say, no concept was too bizarre for the hero. Such was the case for 1995’s Sudden Death. Directed by Van Damme’s longtime collaborator Peter Hyams, the action thriller follows Van Damme as Darren McCord, a firefighter-turned-arena security officer at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Hoping to impress his children, Emily and Tyler (Whittini Wright and Ross Malinger), Darren scores tickets to the Stanley Cup finals, unaware that the entire arena has been overtaken by a group of terrorists. Former CIA agent Joshua Foss (Powers Boothe) holds Vice President Daniel Bender (Raymond J. Barry) hostage in a press box, with plans to blow up the entire arena if the ransom is not paid. But when McCord learns of the plot, he jumps into action to save the day. A high-octane thriller, it’s Van Damme doing what he does best: kicking ass and taking names.

The epitome of a ’90s action film, Sudden Death is equally gripping and ridiculous. When Foss asks for a ransom of over $1 billion, you can’t help but chuckle and realize how preposterous the scheme is. Of course, McCord will save the day! A race-against-time thriller set against the backdrop of hockey, Sudden Death is a product of its time. Though it is often overlooked compared to his other films, such as Timecop, Van Damme helped spark interest in future hockey-centric films. A remake was made in 2020, Welcome to Sudden Death, where hockey was swapped out for basketball, though the Michael Jai White-led thriller was sadly a bomb.

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7

‘Indian Horse’ (2017)

A player in 'Indian Horse.'
A player in ‘Indian Horse.’
Image via Elevation Pitctures

Perhaps the most poignant entry on the list, Indian Horse, adapted from the novel of the same name by Ojibwe author Richard Wagamese, is special. The film tells the story of Saul Indian Horse (Ajuawak Kapashesit), an Ojibway boy who is torn from his family and sent to a brutal Canadian residential school, St. Jerome’s. After escaping the trauma of abuse, his exceptional skill and talent for ice hockey emerge as Saul, trained secretly by Father Leboutilier (Michiel Huisman), rises through the ranks of professional hockey via an all-Indigenous team, as he battles intense racism along the way. A gripping tale of hope while discussing the child abuse and displacement that plagued Canada, Indian Horse is a celebration of salvation through sport.

An unrelenting story, depicting the reality of abuse, racism, and trauma, allows Indian Horse to strike an emotional chord. A special film with a specific perspective, Indian Horse is a tremendous story unlike any hockey movie out there. With Clint Eastwood attached as an executive producer, it’s a tough yet important watch.

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6

‘Goon’ (2011)

Goon Image via Alliance Films 

In the same vein as a classic film to come, Goon is a hockey comedy that highlights a very specific side of the sport: fighting. Doug “The Thug” Glatt (Seann William Scott) is a kind-hearted but dim-witted bouncer who suddenly becomes an unlikely minor-league hockey enforcer. Where he lacks skating skills, he makes up for it in fighting ones. Hired to protect skilled players of the Halifax Highlanders, Doug eventually rises in the ranks while facing off against a rival goon in Ross “The Boss” Rhea (Liev Schreiber), the legendary enforcer of the St. John’s Shamrocks. Alongside a cast that includes Alison Pill, Jay Baruchel, Eugene Levy, and Kim Coates, Goon is wonderfully ridiculous, yet filled with honor.

With hockey at the forefront, Goon is a story about finding one’s place in the world. Based on Doug Smith‘s book, Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey, you may find the film to be hyperviolent, but the surprisingly sweet sentiment and charm take center ice. Though it was a box office disappointment, Goon gained a cult following — so much so that a sequel, Goon: Last of the Enforcers, was born, continuing the tale. With all the elements of a sports masterpiece, Goon may highlight the darker side of the game, but it’s done so in hilarious form.

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5

‘The Mighty Ducks’ (1992)

Joshua Jackson, Brandon Quintin Adams, J.D. Daniels, Matt Doherty, Garette Ratliff Henson, Vincent LaRusso, Marguerite Moreau, Jane Plank, Elden Henson, Aaron Schwartz, Jussie Smollett, Danny Tamberelli, and Shaun Weiss in 'The Mighty Ducks'

From the flying V to the inspiration for a professional NHL franchise, The Mighty Ducks is easily the most important hockey film to ever be made, though perhaps that’s hyperbolized by a millennial who grew up playing hockey. Let’s start with where it all began. In The Mighty Ducks, after reckless young lawyer Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez) is arrested for drunk driving, he’s tasked with coaching a kids’ hockey team as part of his community service. Having experience on the ice, Gordon is not eager to return to hockey after his past with his own coach, Jack Reilly (Lane Smith). Gordon eventually grows a strong appreciation for the team, including Charlie Conway (Joshua Jackson), as he leads them to glory against his one-time mentor. Transforming the District 5 team into the iconic Ducks, the beloved underdog movie became a pop culture phenomenon that helped bring hockey to the mainstream.

A wonderfully ambitious and daring family film, The Mighty Ducks shaped a generation. Not only did it open eyes to the fact that hockey isn’t for one race or gender, but The Mighty Ducks is also a celebration of teamwork and hard work. We all wished we had a team of friends like the ducks. The Mighty Ducks has a brilliant legacy that followed the original film, spawning a trilogy, an animated series, and a Disney+ series, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, that welcomed Estevez back into the fold. Without this franchise, we may not know what a knuckle puck is, nor know the correct identity of Iceland and Greenland. The Mighty Ducks may have been a product of the ’90s, but it’s a sincerely timeless classic.

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4

‘Youngblood’ (1986)

Rob Lowe as Dean Youngblood fights George J. Finn as Carl Racki in 'Youngblood'
Rob Lowe as Dean Youngblood fights George J. Finn as Carl Racki in ‘Youngblood’
Image via MGM

After The Outsiders and before Dirty Dancing, Patrick Swayze was part of a classic ’80s hockey drama, Youngblood. Directed by Peter Markle, the film follows young hockey player Dean Youngblood (Rob Lowe) as he tries to make a name for himself in the Canadian Junior Hockey circuit, hoping to impress NHL scouts in the process. When he is bullied by goon Carl Racki (George Finn), a dirty player who injured his teammate Derek (Swayze), his aspirations falter. Returning to his childhood home deflated, Dean gets toughened up by his father, Blane Youngblood (Eric Nesterenko), to earn redemption against his rival. At its core, Youngblood is a bona fide ’80s film that has easily been lost in the shuffle of other decade classics.

Finding more success after its box office release, Youngblood is a wonderful coming-of-age story. Through ambition and the ability to overcome pressure, Dean is a product of his time: a young man fighting for his dream in any way he can. Lowe, the ultimate pretty boy in a violent game, continues his rise in Hollywood thanks to this film. Though Youngblood isn’t quite Footloose in the training montage, the classic tropes are fun to observe today. A remake, starring Blair Underwood and Ashton James, debuted at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. It’s not quite the same, but the modern perspective with a Black cast proves how the sport has evolved over the past four decades.

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3

‘Mystery, Alaska’ (1999)

Russell Crowe as Sheriff John Biebe in 'Mystery, Alaska.'
Russell Crowe as Sheriff John Biebe in ‘Mystery, Alaska.’
Image via Buena Vista Pictures

When it comes to films that we wish were based on real life, look no further than Mystery, Alaska. Directed by Jay Roach, the film is set in the fictional small town of Mystery, whose population of only 633 is obsessed with their local Saturday pond hockey game. When a publicity stunt books their amateur town team for an exhibition match against the New York Rangers, the entire town must come together and overcome the past to prepare for the biggest game of their lives. A beautiful film about community and a look at a simple way of life, Mystery, Alaska is a darling film that will warm your heart.

There’s an innate charm attached to Mystery, Alaska. As a town isolated from everyone else, they are proud of who they are and where they come from. Despite some personal conflicts, there is a sense of unity and togetherness to unite them all. You may not see an excessive amount of hockey in a hockey film simply because it’s a character-driven movie, and that’s thanks to the cast that includes Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria, and Burt Reynolds. For hockey fans, you can expect cameos from former players and analysts, including Phil Esposito, Steve Levy, and Barry Melrose. And, just for good measure, Mike Myers pops in as well in a wig you can never unsee.

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