Entertainment

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s It Ends With Us Lawsuit: Case Updates

Published

2 months ago

12 February 2026

Blake Lively’s alleged feud with director and costar Justin Baldoni on the set of It Ends With Us exploded into multiple lawsuits in 2025.

The former Gossip Girl star kicked off the legal battle by filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department and subsequently sued Baldoni over sexual harassment allegations.

Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman fired back by calling Lively’s allegations “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious,” before countersuing the actress for $400 million on the filmmaker’s behalf in January 2025.

Lively’s lawyers declared “total victory and a complete vindication” against Baldoni when his countersuit was dismissed in June 2025, but their court battle is far from over. A trial over Lively’s original lawsuit is set to take place in New York in May 2026, with her husband, Ryan Reynolds, pal Taylor Swift and other It Ends With Us stars all being dragged into the matter along the way.

Keep scrolling for a full timeline of the legal battle.

Lively Files Complaint Against Baldoni

The New York Times reported on December 21, 2024, that Lively had filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department against Baldoni. The initial complaint included a litany of accusations about Baldoni’s alleged onset conduct on It Ends With Us and alleged smear campaign against Lively.

Lively claimed that a meeting was held to address “a hostile work environment” on It Ends With Us, where her husband, Reynolds, was present. Lively recounted requesting “no more showing nude videos or images of women to Blake, no more mention of Baldoni’s alleged previous ‘pornography addiction,’ no more discussions about sexual conquests in front of Blake and others, no further mentions of cast and crew’s genitalia, no more inquiries about Blake’s weight, and no further mention of Blake’s dead father” at this meeting.

Lively allegedly also asked for “no more adding of sex scenes, oral sex or on camera climaxing by BL [Blake Lively] outside the scope of the script BL approved when signing onto the project” to be added to It Ends With Us by Baldoni or other creatives.

Elsewhere, Lively accused Baldoni of using a “social manipulation” campaign to smear her reputation, including sharing a text message allegedly sent by his publicist to a studio PR contact about him allegedly wanting “to feel like [Lively] can be buried.”

Another Complaint

Lively’s legal filing referenced a complaint from an unnamed It Ends With Us actress about Baldoni’s onset conduct. Her lawyers wrote in court documents that Lively’s decision to raise concerns about Baldoni “were not only for herself, but for the other female cast and crew, some of whom had also spoken up.”

“As result of Mr. Baldoni’s behavior, on May 29, 2023, another cast member lodged a sexual harassment complaint about Mr. Baldoni’s ‘gross’ and ‘unwanted comment[s]’ towards her and others,” the complaint read.

Lively stated that Baldoni “expressly acknowledged her concerns in writing” and promised to “adjust accordingly,” though she reported having another worrying conversation with an actress following that agreement.

“On June 8, 2023, that actress informed Ms. Lively that ‘outside of anything in a scene, I actually cannot talk to Justin at all,” her attorneys alleged. “Mr. Baldoni later expressed suspicion regarding Ms. Lively’s friendship with this actress, as if they were colluding against him.”

Lively alleged that Baldoni made demeaning and sexist comments about her and other coworkers during production on It Ends With Us, in addition to sharing alleged details about having sex without asking for consent in the past. (Baldoni denied any wrongdoing.)

Baldoni’s Lawyer Responds

In the immediate aftermath, Baldoni’s lawyer Freedman dismissed the merit of the complaint in a statement to Us Weekly. The attorney suggested the complaint was Lively’s attempt to “fix her negative reputation” and “rehash a narrative” that It Ends With Us’ production was troubled.

Freedman accused Lively of making “multiple demands and threats” throughout production of the blockbuster, including “threatening to not show up to set, threatening to not promote the film, ultimately leading to its demise during release, if her demands were not met.”

1st Mention of Taylor Swift Involvement

The first mention of Lively’s friend Swift’s involvement in the dispute seemingly came in an exhibit attached to the complaint by the It Ends With Us actress’ attorneys. A crisis management expert working for Baldoni allegedly wrote in an August 2024 email that “we have seen the most innocuous issues turn giant due to socials or the hugest crises have no effect on social whatsoever. You just cannot tell at this stage. But, BL [Blake Lively] does have some of the same TS [Taylor Swift] fanbase so we will be taking it extremely seriously.”

Another “scenario planning” document prepared by Baldoni’s side referenced how their “team can also explore planting stories about the weaponization of feminism and how people like Taylor Swift, have been accused of utilizing these tactics to ‘bully’ [enemies] into getting what they want.”

Lively Makes 1st Statement

In her first public statement since filing her sexual harassment complaint, Lively described her legal action as an important step toward eliminating hostile work environments on Hollywood sets.

“I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted,” she said on December 21, 2025.

Baldoni Dropped by Talent Agency

Top executives at powerful Hollywood talent agency WME made the decision on December 21, 2024, to drop Baldoni as a client in the wake of sexual harassment allegations in Lively’s complaint. Lively continued to be represented by WME.

Baldoni Has Award Rescinded

A spokesperson for the Vital Voices Solidarity Awards announced it was rescinding an award given to Baldoni for his allyship on behalf of women’s rights.

“The Voices of Solidarity Award honors remarkable men who have shown courage and compassion in advocating on behalf of women and girls,” a statement released via Instagram on December 23, 2025, read. “On December 9, 2024, we recognized Justin Baldoni with this award. On Saturday, December 21, we learned through news reports about a lawsuit brought by Blake Lively against Mr. Baldoni, his publicists, and others that is disturbing and alleges abhorrent conduct. The communications among Mr. Baldoni and his publicists in the lawsuit — and the PR effort they indicate — are, alone, contrary to the values of Vital Voices and the spirit of the Award.”

New Baldoni Statement

Baldoni’s attorney Freedman released a new statement on December 23, 2024, to deny that the filmmaker’s work with crisis management firm The Agency Group PR amounted to a “social manipulation.”

“TAG PR operated as any other crisis management firm would when hired by a client experiencing threats by two extremely powerful people with unlimited resources,” Freedman said. “The standard scenario planning TAG PR drafted proved unnecessary as audiences found Lively’s own actions, interviews and marketing during the promotional tour distasteful, and responded organically to that which the media themselves picked up on.”

Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni s It Ends With Us Lawsuit Case Updates — Justin Baldoni. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images

Freedman accused Lively’s legal team of “cherry-picking” text messages between Baldoni and TAG PR to build their case in a New York Times article about the scandal.

“It’s ironic that the New York Times, through their effort to ‘uncover’ an insidious PR effort, played directly into the hands of Lively’s own dubious PR tactics by publishing leaked personal text exchanges that lack critical context — the very same tactics she’s accusing the firm of implementing,” the lawyer said.

Sony Supports Lively

Sony Pictures — the studio that distributed It Ends With Us — publicly supported Lively in connection with her work on the blockbuster without directly mentioning Baldoni.

“We have previously expressed our support for Blake in connection with her work on and for the film. We fully and firmly reiterate that support today,” a Sony representative told Variety in a December 23, 2024, statement. “Further, we strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society.”

SAG-AFTRA Applauds Lively

The acting union released its own statement on December 23, 2024, to “applaud” Lively’s “courage in speaking out on issues of retaliation and harassment and for her request to have an intimacy coordinator for all scenes with nudity or sexual content.”

“This is an important step that helps ensure a safe set,” a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson continued. “Employees have every right to raise issues of concern or to file complaints. Retaliation for reporting misconduct or inappropriate behavior is illegal and wrong. We all have a right to be treated with dignity and respect on the job and to work in an environment free of harassment, discrimination and retaliation.”

Jenny Slate Breaks Silence on Legal Battle

Lively’s It Ends With Us costar Jenny Slate came to her defense in a strongly-worded statement sent to NBC’s Today.

“As Blake Lively’s castmate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation,” Slate said on December 24, 2024. “Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.”

She went on, “What has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening. I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side.”

Baldoni Lawyer Promises Countersuit

Freedman confirmed to Deadline on December 28, 2024, that he was preparing a countersuit against Lively on Baldoni’s behalf.

“I am not going to speak to when or how many lawsuits we are filing but when we file our first lawsuit, it is going to shock everyone who has been manipulated into believing a demonstrably false narrative,” the lawyer said. “It will be supported by real evidence and tell the true story.”

Freedman then warned, “In over 30 years of practicing, I have never seen this level of unethical behavior intentionally fueled through media manipulation.”

Baldoni Sues ‘The New York Times’

The filmmaker filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times over its coverage of Lively’s complaint, on behalf of himself, his studio Wayfarer, publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, It Ends With Us producers Jamey Heath and Steve Saraowitz, and five others. The suit accused Times staff of libel and false light invasion of privacy for “cherry-picking” communications and text messages between Baldoni and a crisis PR firm for its article “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine” by reporters Megan Twohey, Mike McIntire and Julie Tate.

Baldoni’s lawyers accused the Times of aiding in Team Lively’s “strategic and manipulative” smear campaign against the director, which included making “sexual harassment allegations to assert unilateral control over every aspect of the production” of It Ends With Us.

“The Times story relied almost entirely on Lively’s unverified and self-serving narrative, lifting it nearly verbatim while disregarding an abundance of evidence that contradicted her claims and exposed her true motives,” Baldoni’s legal team alleged in court documents.

‘The New York Times’ Responds to Lawsuit

The New York Times stood by its reporting in the wake of Baldoni’s $250 million lawsuit.

“The role of an independent news organization is to follow the facts where they lead,” a statement from the Times read on December 31, 2024. “Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported. It was based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and emails that we quote accurately and at length in the article. Those texts and emails were also the crux of a discrimination claim filed in California by Blake Lively against Justin Baldoni and his associates.”

One major disagreement between the two sides revolved around Baldoni alleging that the New York Times published its article earlier than it had originally promised.

“To address some inaccuracies in the lawsuit, when seeking comments from Mr. Baldoni and others who would be mentioned in the article, The Times shared the information that we intended to publish, including references to specific text messages and documents, asked them to identify any inaccuracies, provide additional context and speak with our team. Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer and the other subjects chose not to have any conversations with The Times or address any of the specific text messages or documents and instead emailed a joint response, which was published in full. (Also, they sent their response to the Times at 11:16 p.m. ET Dec 20th, not at 2:16 a.m. ET Dec 21st as the complaint says.)”

A spokesperson for the outlet vowed to “vigorously defend” itself against the lawsuit.

Lively Responds to Baldoni’s ‘New York Times’ Suit

Lively’s spokesperson told Us that any insinuation that she’d collaborated with The New York Times to defame Baldoni was “obviously false.”

“Nothing in this lawsuit changes anything about the claims advanced in Ms. Lively’s California Civil Rights Department Complaint, nor her federal complaint, filed earlier today,” Lively’s statement read on December 31, 2024. “This lawsuit is based on the obviously false premise that Ms. Lively’s administrative complaint against Wayfarer and others was a ruse based on a choice ‘not to file a lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer,’ and that ‘litigation was never her ultimate goal.’ As demonstrated by the federal complaint filed by Ms. Lively earlier today, that frame of reference for the Wayfarer lawsuit is false. While we will not litigate this matter in the press, we do encourage people to read Ms. Lively’s complaint in its entirety. We look forward to addressing each and every one of Wayfarer’s allegations in court.”

Lively Sues Baldoni

On the same day as Baldoni took legal action against The New York Times, Lively sued him in the Southern District of New York for sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and lost wages. Baldoni’s studio Wayfarer, along with publicists Nathan and Abel, were also named in Lively’s lawsuit.

“Earlier today, Ms. Lively filed a federal complaint against Wayfarer Studios and others in the Southern District of New York,” Lively’s attorneys told Us on December 31, 2024. “Ms. Lively previously sent her California Civil Rights Department Complaint in response to the retaliatory campaign Wayfarer launched against her for reporting sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns. Unfortunately, Ms. Lively’s decision to speak out has resulted in further retaliation and attacks.”

Their statement went on, “As alleged in Ms. Lively’s federal Complaint, Wayfarer and its associates have violated federal and California state law by retaliating against her for reporting sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns. Now, the defendants will answer for their conduct in federal court. Ms. Lively has brought this litigation in New York, where much of the relevant activities described in the Complaint took place, but we reserve the right to pursue further action in other venues and jurisdictions as appropriate under the law.”

Baldoni Confirms Countersuit Plans

Freedman told NBC News on January 2, 2025, that his office was “absolutely” working on a countersuit against Lively.

“We plan to release every single text message between the two of them,” Freedman told the outlet. “We want the truth to be out there. We want the documents to be out there. We want people to make their determination based on receipts.”

In that same interview, Freedman denied Lively’s accusation that Baldoni coordinated a smear campaign against her in cooperation with a crisis management firm.

“One hundred percent no,” he said. “Justin Baldoni, from the get-go, said, ‘I don’t want to do anything negative toward her. I don’t want to hurt her.’”

Lively Denounces Baldoni ‘Attacks’

Lively’s attorneys condemned Freedman’s recent public comments in a statement to Us and insisted that her lawsuit was based on “serious claims of sexual harassment and retaliation.”

“This is not a ‘feud’ arising from ‘creative differences’ or a ‘he said/she said’ situation,” the lawyers’ statement said on January 7, 2025. “As alleged in Ms. Lively’s complaint, and as we will prove in litigation, Wayfarer [Studios] and its associates engaged in unlawful, retaliatory astroturfing against Ms. Lively for simply trying to protect herself and others on a film set. And their response to the lawsuit has been to launch more attacks against Ms. Lively since her filing.”

Lively’s legal representatives further explained, “Sexual harassment and retaliation are illegal in every workplace and in every industry. A classic tactic to distract from allegations of this type of misconduct is to ‘blame the victim’ by suggesting that they invited the conduct, brought it on themselves, misunderstood the intentions, or even lied. Another classic tactic is to reverse the victim and offender, and suggest that the offender is actually the victim. These concepts normalize and trivialize allegations of serious misconduct.”

Their statement concluded, “Most importantly, media statements are not a defense to Ms. Lively’s legal claims. We will continue to prosecute her claims in federal court, where the rule of law determines who prevails, not hyperbole and threats.”

Freedman told Us on January 7, 2025, that the new comments from Lively’s attorneys were a misrepresentation of the facts.

“It is painfully ironic that Blake Lively is accusing Justin Baldoni of weaponizing the media when her own team orchestrated this vicious attack by sending the New York Times grossly edited documents prior to even filing the complaint,” he said. “We are releasing all of the evidence which will show a pattern of bullying and threats to take over the movie. None of this will come as a surprise because consistent with her past behavior Blake Lively used other people to communicate those threats and bully her way to get whatever she wanted. We have all the receipts!”

The ‘Nicepool’ Controversy

Us reported on January 14, 2025, that Freedman issued a litigation hold letter to The Walt Disney Company’s Bob Iger and Marvel Studio’s Kevin Feige to “preserve all existing documents and data relevant” relevant to a potential lawsuit. Freedman specifically requested that Disney and Marvel Studios preserve documents pertaining to whether the character “Nicepool” in Reynolds’ 2024 movie Deadpool & Wolverine was intended to mock Baldoni.

“[The request is] relating to or reflecting a deliberate attempt to mock, harass, ridicule, intimate or bully Baldoni through the character of ‘Nicepool,’” Freedman wrote. “It is important that Marvel take every reasonable step to preserve this information until further notice.”

Baldoni’s Studio Sues Lively

Baldoni’s company Wayfarer Studios filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband, Reynolds, and her publicist, Leslie Sloane, on January 16, 2025. They accused Lively of trying to “make Baldoni the real-life villain in her story” to make up for “tone-deaf” promotion of her haircare and alcohol products while releasing a film about domestic violence.

The suit accused Lively of initiating a “takeover strategy” on It Ends With Us due to creative differences with Baldoni, in addition to a litany of claims about her preparedness to work and alleged demeaning onset comments. He accused Lively of pressuring other It Ends With Us castmates to “shun” him once they started having creative disputes.

“This lawsuit is a legal action based on an overwhelming amount of untampered evidence detailing Blake Lively and her team’s duplicitous attempt to destroy Justin Baldoni, his team and their respective companies by disseminating grossly edited, unsubstantiated, new and doctored information to the media,” Freedman told Us. “It is clear based on our own all out willingness to provide all complete text messages, emails, video footage and other documentary evidence that was shared between the parties in real time, that this is a battle she will not win and will certainly regret. Blake Lively was either severely misled by her team or intentionally and knowingly misrepresented the truth.”

Freedman told Us that the goal of the lawsuit was to make sure Lively could “never again be allowed to continue to exploit actual victims of real harassment solely for her personal reputation gain at the expense of those without power.”

Taylor Swift Text Message

As part of his lawsuit, Baldoni’s lawyers released a text message from the filmmaker to Lively that seemingly referenced her friend Swift and Reynolds giving feedback on It Ends With Us’ rooftop scene.

“Was working on rooftop scene today, I really love what you did. It really does hep [sic] a lot,” he purportedly wrote. “Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor). You really are a talent across the board. Really excited nd [sic] grateful to do this together.”

Lively Responds to Baldoni Lawsuit

Lively condemned Wayfarer’s lawsuit as a “desperate” strategy and described the legal action as “another chapter in the abuser playbook.”

“This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim. This is what experts call DARVO. Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim Offender,” Lively’s representatives told Us on January 16, 2025. “Wayfarer has opted to use the resources of its billionaire co-founder to issue media statements, launch meritless lawsuits, and threaten litigation to overwhelm the public’s ability to understand that what they are doing is retaliation against sexual harassment allegations.”

Her attorneys accused Baldoni of “trying to shift the narrative to Ms. Lively by falsely claiming that she seized creative control and alienated the cast from Mr. Baldoni.”

“The evidence will show that the cast and others had their own negative experiences with Mr. Baldoni and Wayfarer. The evidence will also show that Sony asked Ms. Lively to oversee Sony’s cut of the film, which they then selected for distribution and was a resounding success,” they said. “Their response to sexual harassment allegations: she wanted it, it’s her fault. Their justification for why this happened to her: look what she was wearing. In short, while the victim focuses on the abuse, the abuser focuses on the victim. The strategy of attacking the woman is desperate, it does not refute the evidence in Ms. Lively’s complaint, and it will fail.”

Baldoni Lawyer Defends Lawsuit

Freedman released a statement to Deadline on January 18, 2025, to object to Lively’s characterization of Baldoni’s lawsuit. The attorney said his suit was filled with “almost 200 pages of undeniable facts” that “crushed” Lively’s “smear campaign” with The New York Times.

“Blake and her legal team have just one heinous pivot left, and that is to double down on the revoltingly false sexual allegations against Mr. Baldoni,” Freedman said.

Baldoni’s Rare Comment

The It Ends With Us director was filmed outside Los Angeles International Airport on January 17, 2025, with his daughter Maiya and son Maxwell, as well as his wife, Emily.

Asked how he was holding up, Baldoni replied: “We’re grateful to be with the family, man. We have amazing friends and family and faith.”

‘It Ends With Us’ Set Footage Released

Freedman released 10 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage from It Ends With Us which purportedly showed Baldoni and Lively having friendly banter in between filming a romantic scene. In the footage, Baldoni compliments Lively about her marriage to Reynolds and she jokes about getting her “body makeup” on her costar as they cuddled for a scene.

“Ms. Lively’s complaint alleges that during a scene Mr. Baldoni and Ms. Lively were filming for a slow dance montage, Mr. Baldoni was behaving inappropriately. The following videos captured on May 23, 2023, clearly refute Ms. Lively’s characterization of his behavior,” Freedman told Us in a statement on January 21, 2025. “The scene in question was designed to show the two characters falling in love and longing to be close to one another. Both actors are clearly behaving well within the scope of the scene and with mutual respect and professionalism. These are all three takes filmed of the sequence.”

Lively’s Attorneys Condemn ‘It Ends With Us’ Footage Release

Lively’s lawyers dismissed Baldoni’s release of behind-the-scenes footage from It Ends With Us as a “stunt” that did nothing to disprove their client’s allegations.

“The video shows Mr. Baldoni repeatedly leaning in toward Ms. Lively, attempting to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, flicking her lip with his thumb, caressing her, telling her how good she smells, and talking with her out of character,” her attorneys said. “Every moment of this was improvised by Mr. Baldoni with no discussion or consent in advance and no intimacy coordinator present. Mr. Baldoni was not only Ms. Lively’s costar, but the director, the head of [the] studio and Ms. Lively’s boss.”

Lively’s legal team suggested that anyone who’d been “inappropriately touched in the workplace” would recognize the actress’s behavior in the footage.

“They will recognize her attempts at levity to try to deflect the unwanted touching,” her lawyers argued. “No woman should have to take defensive measures to avoid being touched by their employer without their consent.”

Their statement concluded, “The matter is in active litigation in federal court. Releasing this video to the media, rather than presenting it as evidence in court, is another example of an unethical attempt to manipulate the public. It is also a continuation of their harassment and retaliatory campaign. While they are focused on misleading media narratives, we are focused on the legal process. We are continuing our efforts to require Mr. Baldoni and his associates to answer in court, under oath, rather than through manufactured media stunts.”

Trial Date Set

Judge Lewis J. Liman, of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, announced on January 27, 2025, that Baldoni and Lively’s trial would begin on March 9, 2026, unless they settled their dispute beforehand.

Lively and Reynolds Try to Dismiss Baldoni Countersuit

The couple asked a federal judge on January 30, 2025, to dismiss Baldoni’s countersuit. Lively also attempted to block Freedman from being able to depose her as part of their legal battle.

No Mediation

In a rare moment of agreement, Baldoni and Lively’s attorneys filed a joint letter to Judge Liman on January 30, 2025, to say that they both “agreed that settlement discussions would be premature” at the time. Judge Liman ultimately granted their request to forego traditional mediation processes since Lively was preparing to file an “amended complaint imminently.”

Baldoni Launches Website About Case

Amid very public complaints from Lively and her lawyers, Freedman moved forward with the launch of a website about the case on February 1, 2025. The website — which has the URL of “thelawsuitinfo.com” — went live with a massive 224-page “Amended Complaint” detailing Baldoni’s accusations against Lively, plus a 168-page PDF breaking down the timeline of their dispute.

Some of the evidence featured on the website included a text message where Reynolds allegedly called Baldoni a “standup person,” plus additional communication between the director and Lively over It Ends With Us’ iconic rooftop scene. The site even featured an alleged message drafted by Reynolds and Lively where they took accountability for the much-maligned promotion of It Ends With Us.

“Justin and team have the right to defend themselves with the truth,” Baldoni’s lawyer Freedman told Us about the website. “And this is what we will be continuing to show with the upcoming website containing all correspondence as well as relevant videos that directly quash her claims.”

Financial Impact

Freedman revealed at a pretrial conference on February 3, 2025, that Baldoni and other parties named in Lively’s lawsuit were “devastated financially and emotionally” because of the case.

“Not to sound like a 4-year-old fighting a 4-year-old with ‘they started it,’ but in these kinds of cases, once someone says something it becomes fact: There’s no way to fight against it,” Freedman told the court.

In her own statement, Lively’s lawyer Michael Gottlieb argued that the impact of Baldoni’s accusations had been “devastating” for the actress’s life and career.

Lively Sued by Crisis PR Firm

Jed Wallace and his company, Street Relations Inc. — a crisis PR firm named in Lively’s initial complaint against Baldoni but reportedly not included in her eventual lawsuit — filed a lawsuit against the actress on February 5, 2025. Wallace alleged that the “damage was done” by Lively simply linking him to the It Ends With Us dispute.

Wallace claimed that Lively wrongly connected him to helping crisis management firm TAG PR with “their unlawful retaliatory social combat campaign.” He alleged his company suffered millions of dollars of harm as well as more than a million dollars in projected losses for Street Relations Inc.

Lively’s legal team responded by telling Us: “Another day, another state, another nine-figure lawsuit seeking to sue Ms. Lively ‘into oblivion’ for speaking out against sexual harassment and retaliation. This is not just a publicity stunt — it is transparent retaliation in response to allegations contained within a sexual harassment and retaliation complaint that Ms. Lively filed with the California Civil Rights Department. While this lawsuit will be dismissed, we are pleased that Mr. Wallace has finally emerged from the shadows, and that he too will be held accountable in federal court.”

Phone Records Subpoenaed

Us confirmed on February 13, 2025, that Lively’s lawyers sent subpoenas to AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile seeking phone records for Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath and Wayfarer Studios cofounder Steve Sarowitz, plus Baldoni’s publicists Abel and Nathan.

“Phone records belonging to all of the individual defendants will expose the full web of individuals who were involved in the smear campaign against Ms. Lively,” a Lively representative explained to Us. “Such records will provide critical and irrefutable evidence not only about who, but also about when, where, and how their retaliation plan came together and operated.”

Freedman responded by telling Us that subpoenas “are an ordinary part of the litigation” before decrying Team Lively’s latest request.

“What is extraordinary is what the Lively Parties are seeking. They are asking for every single call, text, data log, and even real-time location information for the past 2.5 years, regardless of the sender, recipient, or subject matter,” he claimed. “This massive fishing expedition demonstrates that they are desperately seeking any factual basis for their provably false claims. They will find none.”

Reynolds Jokes About Case on ‘SNL’

Reynolds and Lively both attended the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special in New York City on February 16, 2025, where the Deadpool actor made light of the couple’s legal drama.

During a segment where Amy Poehler and Tina Fey interviewed celebrities in the live studio audience, the SNL legends asked Reynolds how he was doing.

“[I’m doing] great. Why, what have you heard?” Reynolds replied as the camera flashed to Lively with a blank expression.

Baldoni Lawyer Condemns ‘SNL’ Joke

Freedman wasn’t laughing about Reynolds’ joke at the SNL 50th anniversary special when he was asked about it on the “Hot Mics With Billy Bush” podcast on February 17, 2025.

“I’m unaware of anybody, frankly, whose wife has been sexually harassed and has made jokes about that type of situation. I can’t think of anyone who’s done anything like that,” the lawyer said. “So it surprised me.”

New Accusations Against Baldoni

Following the January 30 pretrial conference, Lively filed an amended complaint in a New York court on February 18, 2025, with new accusations against Baldoni. One of the bigger revelations in Lively’s complaint involved new details about alleged workplace harassment that other women who worked on It Ends With Us allegedly faced from Baldoni. (The other party is not named directly in Lively’s amended complaint.)

The revised court documents accused Wayfarer Studios of launching a “farce” investigation into sexual harassment complaints against Baldoni because the filmmaker was still involved in the company.

“The amended complaint details the corroboration that backs up Blake’s original sexual harassment and retaliation concerns, including that (1) Justin Baldoni and Jamey Heath made other women uncomfortable on set; and (2) other women confided in Blake about their discomfort and fear of coming forward, and their concern about the current public vitriol,” a spokesperson for Lively told Us in a statement. “The new filing also details that a Sony representative spoke to Baldoni about the concerns, and that Baldoni responded, including by reaching out to one of the other women who complained to reassure her that he heard her and promised to make adjustments.”

According to Lively, Baldoni “didn’t follow through on that promise” to adjust his conduct. Lively alleges that Baldoni decided instead to “hire a crisis management team, digital manipulation experts, litigators, and used those helpers to plan and execute the smear campaign.”

“In doing so, Blake has alleged, Baldoni hoped that if she or any other woman made their grievances public, nobody would believe them,” Lively’s spokesperson concluded.

Baldoni Responds to New Accusations

On February 19, 2025, Freedman described Lively’s amended complaint as “underwhelming” and once again dinged Reynolds for joking about the case on SNL.

“Our clients have taken this matter and these issues very seriously notwithstanding the jokes made publicly by the plaintiff and her husband,” he told Us. “Her underwhelming amended complaint is filled with unsubstantial hearsay of unnamed persons who are clearly no longer willing to come forward or publicly support her claims. Since documents do not lie and people do, the upcoming depositions of those who initially supported Ms. Lively’s false claims and those who are witnesses to her own behavior will be enlightening. What is truly uncomfortable here is Ms. Lively’s lack of actual evidence.”

Lively and Reynolds Seek More Protection

Lively and Reynolds submitted a legal request for a stronger protective order to be issued on their behalf on February 20, 2025. The couple argued in court documents that “additional protections” were needed since they’d been subject to violent threats due to their dispute with Baldoni.

“As detailed in Ms. Lively’s Amended Complaint, Ms. Lively, her family, other members of the cast, various fact witnesses, and individuals that have spoken out publicly in support of Ms. Lively have received violent, profane, sexist, and threatening communications,” their attorneys alleged.

Team Baldoni told Us that they did not support anyone sending threatening messages on his behalf.

“Anyone receiving violent messages by anonymous parties is abhorrent,” his attorneys declared. “When private parties were wrongfully accused by Lively and her paid team of wrongdoing, they received continuous death threats and visits to private homes where young children reside after their addresses were leaked on her initial complaints. No one should have to face that, especially private parties who do not have means for security detail. We do not condone dangerous rhetoric targeted toward anyone no matter the situation.”

Lively’s Publicist Seeks Removal From Case

Lively’s publicist Sloane formally asked a New York federal court to remove her company Vision PR from Baldoni’s countersuit on February 20, 2025. She alleged that her company was included in the legal wrangling as part of a “smoke and mirrors exercise to distract” from Lively’s sexual harassment accusations against Baldoni.

Public Information Clash

Baldoni asked Judge Liman on February 25, 2025, to block Lively’s attempt to instate an “Attorney’s Eyes Only” stipulation in the case, which would block the release of certain sensitive information to the public during the discovery process.

Baldoni’s attorney Mitchell Schuster expressed surprise at Lively’s trying to “prevent the public from accessing material and relevant evidence” given her attorney’s previous public statements about the importance of her sexual harassment suit. He suggested Lively was trying to use the court motion to “rehabilitate her tarnished image with bold statements to the press.”

“Ms. Lively lacks a ‘good faith’ belief that there is any information of such a ‘personally sensitive nature’ that disclosure thereof to the parties ‘would unnecessarily violate [her] privacy rights,’” Schuster argued.

Lively’s lawyer Gottlieb hit back at Team Baldoni for showing “callous disregard and disrespect for a woman advocating for the most basic workplace protections against sexual harassment” with its legal letter. He also condemned “certain online content creators” for “parrot[ing] the Wayfarer Parties’ line” with misleading claims about Lively.

Lively’s New Crisis PR

A spokesperson for the actress confirmed to Us on February 28, 2025, that she hired PR crisis manager Nick Shapiro to advise on the case. Shapiro previously served as the CIA’s deputy chief of staff and was an advisor to former director John Brennan.

“The litigation team for Ms. Lively retained Mr. Shapiro to advise on the legal communications strategy for the ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit occurring in the Southern District of New York,” Lively’s legal team said.

Judge Rules on Protective Order

On March 13, 2025, Judge Liman partially granted Lively’s request for additional protections. The ruling allowed for certain documents in case to only go between attorneys.

“Today, the Court rejected the Wayfarer Parties’ objections and entered the protections needed to ensure the free flow of discovery material without any risk of witness intimidation or harm to any individual’s security,” a spokesperson for Lively told Us in a statement. “With this order in place, Ms. Lively will move forward in the discovery process to obtain even more of the evidence that will prove her claims in Court.”

Baldoni’s lawyer Freedman replied: “We are fully in agreement with the Court’s decision to provide a narrow scope of protections to categories such as private mental health records and personal security measures that have never been of interest to us. As opposed to Ms. Lively’s exceedingly over broad demand for documents for a 2 [and a half] year period of time which the court rightly quashed.”

Ryan Reynolds Files for Removal

In court documents obtained by Us on March 18, 2025, Reynolds asked to be removed from Baldoni’s countersuit because the director could not “identify a single allegedly defamatory statement” made by the actor.

“The entirety of Mr. Baldoni’s case appears to be based on Mr. Reynolds allegedly privately calling Mr. Baldoni a ‘predator,’ but here is the problem, that is not defamation unless they can show that Mr. Reynolds did not believe that statement to be true,” Reynolds’ attorneys Gottlieb and Hudson told Us. “The complaint doesn’t allege that, and just the opposite, the allegations in the complaint suggest that Mr. Reynolds genuinely believes Mr. Baldoni is a predator.”

Reynolds’ spokesperson accused Baldoni of compiling “a list of grievances attempting to shame Mr. Reynolds for being the man Mr. Baldoni has built his brand pretending to be, a man who is ‘confident enough to listen’ to the woman in his life.”

Baldoni Fires Back at Reynolds

Freedman accused Reynolds of continuous “exploitation of his enormous power” by trying to remove himself from the lawsuit.

“Mr. Reynolds was a key player in the scheme, defaming Justin around Hollywood, strong-arming WME into dropping Justin as a client, and trying to destroy Justin’s career however possible,” Baldoni’s lawyer told Us on March 19, 2025. “His fingerprints have been all over this smear campaign against Justin and the Wayfarer team since day one.”

Lively Tries to Dismiss Baldoni Countersuit

The Gossip Girl alum followed a similar legal tactic to Reynolds by asking a judge to dismiss Baldoni’s multi-million dollar lawsuit on March 20, 2025. Her legal team claimed that the lawsuit was “a profound abuse of the legal process” that had “no place in federal court.”

“California law now expressly prohibits suing victims who make the decision to speak out against sexual harassment or retaliation, whether in a lawsuit or in the press,” Lively’s lawyers Gottlieb and Hudson told Us. “This meritless and retaliatory lawsuit runs head first into three legal obstacles, including the litigation, fair report, and sexual harassment privileges, the latter of which contains a mandatory fee shifting provision that will require the likes of … Wayfarer Studios, and others that brought frivolous defamation claims against Ms. Lively to pay damages. In other words, in an epic self-own, the Wayfarer Parties’ attempt to sue Ms. Lively ‘into oblivion’ has only created more liability for them, and deservedly so, given what they have done.”

Freedman unloaded on Lively’s latest legal maneuvering by calling it “one of the most abhorrent examples of abusing our legal system.”

“Stringent rules are put into place to protect the innocent and allow individuals to rightfully defend themselves,” Baldoni’s lawyer replied. “Laws are not meant to be twisted and curated by privileged elites to fit their own personal agenda. As we said yesterday in response to Mr. Reynolds’ same cowardly measures, we will continue to hold Ms. Lively accountable for her actions of pure malice which include falsely accusing my clients of harassment and retaliation. Her fantastical claims will be swiftly debunked as discovery moves forward, easily disproved with actual, evidentiary proof.”

Baldoni Adds Publicist to Lawsuit

Baldoni amended his lawsuit to include Stephanie Jones, whose PR company used to employ his one-time crisis management expert Abel. His attorneys alleged that Jones took Abel’s work phone and handed it over to Team Lively, who then mined it for emails and text messages for their lawsuit.

“It is undeniable that Stephanie Jones initiated this catastrophic sequence of events by violating the most basic of privacy rights, as well as any remaining trust her clients held,” Freedman said in a statement to Us on March 21, 2025. “No stranger to stirring up crisis scenarios for departing clients, Ms. Jones maliciously turned over communications from the phone she wrongfully took from her own partner to her cohort Leslie Sloane, immediately after Jones was terminated for cause by Wayfarer due to her own wrongful behavior.”

Baldoni’s legal move followed Jones filing a lawsuit against Abel, Baldoni and others. In her suit, Jones accused them of orchestrating an alleged smear campaign against Lively

Jones’ representative Kristin Tahler told Us: “Abel, Nathan, Baldoni and their co-defendants attempted to achieve these outcomes through bullying, distortion and outright disparagement. These facts are backed up by dozens of messages provided in the suit we filed a month ago and cannot be credibly disputed. Having no facts or evidence, we see a familiar playbook — smear our client, culminating in the work of fiction masquerading as the counterclaims that were filed yesterday.”

Baldoni Defends Suing Reynolds

Baldoni’s attorneys officially filed paperwork on April 3, 2025, to oppose Reynolds being dropped from their lawsuit. They labeled Reynolds a “co-conspirator” in the smear campaign and suggested there were “ample facts” to support him being included in the suit.

“The main takeaway from the Wayfarer Parties’ opposition to Ryan’s motion to dismiss their case is that they finally realize the plain defects in their complaint,” Reynolds’ spokesperson told Us in response. “They once again claim defamation without alleging who was defamed, what specifically was said, or how anyone suffered actual harm.”

They went on, “Unlike Mr. Baldoni, who built his brand pretending to be a man who is ‘confident enough to listen’ to the women in his life, Ryan Reynolds actually is that man and he will continue to support his wife as she stands up to the individuals who not only harassed her but then have retaliated against her. Under New York law, California law, and indeed in every jurisdiction of the United States this lawsuit not only fails but may result in the Wayfarer Parties covering Ryan’s costs and attorneys’ fees for bringing such a frivolous case in the first place.”

‘Scorched Earth’

Lively’s attorneys Hudson and Gottlieb shared a statement with Us on April 10, 2025, in which they accused Baldoni’s side of using “scorched earth litigation” to prevent people from coming forward with sexual harassment complaints. The two lawyers suggested Team Baldoni was “tear[ing] down” legal protections for accusers with their courtroom tactics.

“Mr. Baldoni has gone from monetizing a brand devoted to believing and supporting women, to leading the charge to tear down the very law that protects women who come forward about sexual assault, harassment and discrimination.” they told Us. “California’s sexual harassment privilege, AB 933, was enacted to stop perpetrators of sexual harassment from abusing defamation lawsuits to sue their accusers into oblivion.”

Baldoni’s lawyer Freedman responded that it was Lively who’d used “calculated efforts first to extort and manipulate” others to go against his client.

“Ms. Lively and her circle of Hollywood elites cannot prevent my clients from exercising their constitutional right to petition the court to clear their names from her false and harmful claims,” Freedman added. “What Ms. Lively is attempting to do is to set a dangerous precedent by barring the courthouse doors to my clients and punishing them for having their day in court, a right protected by the First Amendment.”

Marvel Responds to Baldoni Lawsuit

After being dragged into the dispute due to the “Nicepool” character in Reynolds’ movie Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel Studios asked Judge Liman on April 29, 2025, to “quash the subpoena issued to Marvel” and grant a “protective order prohibiting the disclosure of Marvel’s confidential documents” pertaining to spoilers for future story lines in the MCU.

“The requested documents are particularly sensitive because they relate to the development of a character in an ongoing movie franchise,” their letter to the court read. “Marvel has built the success of the MCU in large part by interconnecting storylines, plots, and characters across its titles, including ‘crossover’ events and sequels. Whether and how such elements will appear in upcoming, unreleased projects is the subject of much public interest, and this information is closely guarded by Marvel.”

Baldoni’s counsel replied: “My office met and conferred with Marvel’s counsel via telephone about the objections, and although we attempted in good faith to address Marvel’s purported concerns about confidentiality and relevancy, Marvel’s counsel interrupted us, refusing to engage in that discussion.”

“Instead, Marvel’s counsel interjected and stated he merely wanted to know what documents the Wayfarer Parties ‘really’ needed, regardless of the Subpoena’s demand for all documents concerning: (a) the creation, development, modification or portrayal of Ryan Reynolds’ ‘Nicepool’ character from Deadpool & Wolverine; and (b) Justin Baldoni,” Freedman continued.

Wayfarer Foundation Shuts Down

Baldoni‘s charitable Wayfarer Foundation announced on May 6, 2025, that it was shutting down amid its cofounder’s dispute with Lively.

“Over the past four years, Wayfarer Foundation has supported dozens of grantee partners in fulfilling their missions,” cofounder Sarowitz announced via Instagram. “I am so incredibly proud of the impact this organization has made and deeply grateful for our staff, board, donors and partners.”

The Wayfarer Foundation immediately began “the process of sunsetting the Foundation,” according to Sarowitz.

“We will honor all of our current grant commitments as we carefully wind down operations over the next several weeks,” he vowed. “Although the Wayfarer Foundation is closing, my personal commitment to giving remains strong, and I’m dedicated to making an impact on society through the ongoing mission and work.”

Lively Will Testify

In a bombshell announcement, Lively’s attorney Gottlieb told People on May 8, 2025, that the actress planned to testify in her 2026 trial against Baldoni.

“The ultimate moment for a plaintiff’s story to be told is at trial,” Gottlieb said. “We expect that to be the case here [with Lively]. So we would, of course, expect her to be a witness at her trial. Of course, she’s going to testify.”

Lively Lawyer Slams Possible Taylor Swift Subpoena

Gottlieb also used his interview with People to discourage Team Baldoni from subpoenaing Lively’s friend Swift, as well as her husband, Reynolds, in their 2026 trial.

“It’s completely unclear what claims or defenses, in the case any of these celebrities … have any relevance to at all,” he complained.

He then argued: “This is a case about what happened to Blake Lively when she raised claims of sexual harassment on the set. It’s not a case about how songs were chosen for the movie. It’s not a case about fictional Marvel characters in Deadpool movies.”

Taylor Swift Subpoenaed

Team Baldoni followed through on their previous threat by formally issuing Swift a subpoena in connection with the 2026 trial. Swift’s spokesperson argued the subpoena was meritless because the singer “never set foot on the set of” It Ends With Us, nor did she make “casting or creative decisions.”

“She did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film,” her rep told Us on May 9, 2025. “She did not even see It Ends With Us until weeks after its public release, and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024 headlining the biggest tour in history.”

Swift’s spokesperson reiterated that the only connection the musician had to It Ends With Us was allowing her song “My Tears Ricochet” to be used in the blockbuster.

“Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case,” her rep insisted.

Swift asked the court to reject Team Baldoni’s subpoena on May 13, 2025.

Baldoni Returns to Instagram

Amid reports that Team Lively was looking into his financial background, Baldoni returned to social media after a five-month hiatus to celebrate Mother’s Day.

“My mom gave us faith. My wife is the definition of it. Our children are growing up in the fortress of that love,” he wrote via Instagram on May 11, 2025, alongside a family photo. “Happy Mother’s Day to all ❤️.”

Taylor Swift Dropped from Lawsuit

A source close to the matter told Us on May 22, 2025, that a summons for Swift was quietly rescinded because “information was voluntarily provided” to Baldoni’s legal team.

“We are pleased that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties have withdrawn their harassing subpoenas to Taylor Swift and her law firm,” Team Lively responded via a statement. “We supported the efforts of Taylor’s team to quash these inappropriate subpoenas directed to her counsel and we will continue to stand up for any third party who is unjustly harassed or threatened in the process.”

They continued, “The Baldoni and Wayfarer team have tried to put Taylor Swift, a woman who has been an inspiration for tens of millions across the globe, at the center of this case since day one. Exploiting Taylor Swift’s celebrity was the original plan in Melissa Nathan’s scenario planning document, and it continues to this day. Faced with having to justify themselves in federal court, they folded. At some point they will run out of distractions from the actual claims of sexual harassment and retaliation they are facing.”

Baldoni Lawsuit’s Dismissed

Judge Liman officially granted Lively and Reynolds’ request to dismiss Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit on June 9, 2025, in addition to dismissing Baldoni’s defamation suit against The New York Times. The judge did allow for Baldoni to refile with amended claims by June 23, 2025.

Lively’s attorneys called Judge Liman’s decision “a total victory and a complete vindication” for her side.

“As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it,” Team Lively told Us in a statement. “We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni, Sarowitz, Nathan, and the other Wayfarer Parties who perpetrated this abusive litigation.”

Lively Breaks Silence

Hours after Baldoni’s countersuit was dismissed, Lively celebrated the ruling with an impassioned Instagram statement.

“Last week, I stood proudly alongside 19 organizations united in defending women’s rights to speak up for their safety,” she wrote to Instagram followers on June 9, 2025. “Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us.”

Lively noted: “While the suit against me was defeated, so many don’t have the resources to fight back. I’m more resolved than ever to continue to stand for every woman’s right to have a voice in protecting themselves, including their safety, their integrity, their dignity and their story.”

Baldoni Attorney Responds to Lawsuit Dismissal

Freedman told Us in a statement on June 10, 2025, that Team Lively’s “predictable declaration of victory” was “false.”

“While the Court dismissed the defamation-related claims, the Court has invited us to amend four out of the seven claims against Ms. Lively, which will showcase additional evidence and refined allegations,” Freedman clarified. “This case is about false accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation and a nonexistent smear campaign, which Ms. Lively’s own team conveniently describes as ‘untraceable’ because they cannot prove what never happened.”

Baldoni Declines to Refile Lawsuit

On June 24, 2025, Baldoni’s legal team confirmed it would not file an amended legal suit against Lively and Reynolds in order to focus on the discovery process for their 2026 trial.

“The Court’s decision on the motion to dismiss has no effect whatsoever on the truth that there was no harassment nor any smear campaign, and it does not in any way affect our vigorous defense against Ms. Lively’s claims,” Freedman told People.

Celebrity Subpoenas Exchanged

With the legal battle now refocused on the 2026 trial, Team Lively asked Judge Liman on June 13, 2024, to issue a new “protective order” to block Team Baldoni’s “continuing demands” over her communication with Swift. Lively’s lawyers alleged that Baldoni had failed to produce “the documents they publicly claimed to have received as part of a deal to withdraw their subpoenas” from Swift.

Meanwhile, it was reported Team Lively planned to issue its own subpoenas to conservative commentator Candace Owens, podcaster Andy Signore and blogger Perez Hilton.

“Given the fact that I have not received any subpoena yet, I appreciate Blake’s team leaking this to TMZ to alert me to it,” Owens told People in a statement. “And, of course, I have not the slightest idea what I am being subpoenaed for as I knew none of these parties when their respective lawsuits were filed. But stay tuned, and I’ll let audiences know on my podcast.”

PR Executive Dismissed From Lively Lawsuit

Judge Liman officially dismissed PR expert Jed Wallace from Lively’s amended lawsuit on July 16, 2025, because of a lack of jurisdiction, since Wallace and his company, Street Relations, are based in Texas, not New York where Lively filed her suit. Lively had alleged that Wallace took part in orchestrating a smear campaign against her on Baldoni’s behalf — which the PR executive denied.

“Ms. Lively respects the Court’s decision, which has nothing to do with the merits of her allegations about Mr. Wallace’s role in the smear campaign and relates solely to the procedural question of whether he is subject to jurisdiction in New York or elsewhere,” a spokesperson for Lively told Us. “We currently are evaluating our numerous options for holding Mr. Wallace accountable for the pivotal role he served in the retaliatory effort that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties paid him at least tens of thousands of dollars a month to perform.”

Lively Deposition Takes Place

Lively took part in her delayed deposition on July 31, 2025 in New York City. Baldoni was in the room, along with his legal team, to witness the actress answer questions about their onset feud and ongoing legal dispute.

Leaked Deposition Dispute

Four days after the deposition, Team Lively accused Baldoni of attempting to release the full “292-page transcript” to the public docket as part of “a “manufactured excuse to force the transcript into the public domain as fodder for the Wayfarer Defendants’ media campaign.”

“There is no conceivable legal purpose to file the whole transcript, particularly given that it has not been reviewed, corrected or finalized, and a mere two pages of it were cited in their argument,” Team Lively wrote in a letter to the court.

Baldoni’s attorney Freedman responded on August 6, 2025, to deny that his side tried to release the deposition transcript.

“[Blake] also fails to explain why any such ‘leak’ could not have originated from [Lively], her husband [Reynolds], her multiple attorneys, legal or administrative staff from the law firm representing her (whose office she demanded host the deposition), or the catering staff employed thereby who served lunch,” Freedman responded.

Lively Scores Win Over Deposition

Judge Liman granted Team Lively’s request on August 8, 2025, to block Team Baldoni from introducing portions of her deposition in the court record before the transcript was finalized. Freedman previously attached a portion of Lively’s transcript to a court motion under seal as supporting evidence.

Isabela Ferrer Drama Begins

Team Baldoni asked Judge Liman to compel It Ends With Us star Isabela Ferrer — who played a younger version of Lively’s character Lily in the movie — to turn over text messages relevant to the case.

In the August 12, 2025, court filing, Baldoni’s lawyers alleged that they’d failed to serve Ferrer with a subpoena at multiple locations and that the actress’s lawyer did not respond to their request to turn over data related to the case. Team Baldoni sought “all documents relating to any discriminatory, harassing, retaliatory, inappropriate or unwelcome action, conduct or statement.”

Baldoni alleged that Lively pressured Ferrer to isolate herself from him during the production of It Ends With Us.

Ferrer Accuses Team Baldoni of ‘Harassment’

Ferrer’s legal team alleged in court documents on August 18, 2025, that Team Baldoni was “harassing” her in “transparent efforts to exert pressure on Ms. Ferrer” to turn over communications with Lively. Her attorneys asked the court to deny Baldoni’s request for documents and impose sanctions upon him.

“Baldoni has tried to manipulate, threaten, control and otherwise act inappropriately towards Ms. Ferrer,” Ferrer’s attorneys alleged.

Team Baldoni dismissed those accusations on August 19, 2025, and insisted they were only after “documents that [Ferrer] either neglected to produce or were not requested” when Lively first subpoenaed her in February 2025.

Text Messages and Emails Unsealed

On August 25, Judge Liman unsealed a selection of Baldoni’s text messages and emails that were previously redacted exhibits from one of Lively’s court motions.

One message included an exchange between Baldoni and his PR agent about an “example of someone trolling Blake” from his Instagram account that may not have been “a real account.” The publicist insisted that the message was potentially written by an “actual troll” and that it was “100 percent” not anyone from Baldoni’s team.

Another text message from Baldoni’s business partner Jamey Heath referenced hiring a “crisis management team” that cost “$9 million.”

“Just have to manage every land mine so it doesn’t go off,” the text message from Heath read. “And there’s just so much to it.”

Lively Seeks Millions from Baldoni

In the wake of Baldoni’s countersuit being dismissed in June 2025, Lively sought a multi-million dollar payout from the director for alleged abuse of the court system in September 2025. Us obtained court documents in which Team Lively alleged she was owed “reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for successfully defending [herself] in the litigation.” Lively planned to seek damages for economic, emotional and psychological harms in addition to the aforementioned fees.

Lively cited California’s Protecting Survivors from Weaponized Defamation Lawsuits Act, which “ensures that individuals who experience sexual harassment or retaliation are able to share their experiences with courts, agencies, the press and others without fear of being sued for doing so.”

Baldoni’s attorneys have insisted the law does not apply to Lively’s case.

Taylor Swift Deposition Drama

In a shocking development, Us exclusively reported on September 11 that Baldoni’s team filed court docs stating that Swift “agreed to appear” for a deposition in October.

However, Swift’s own attorneys issued a response to counter any suggestion that the singer volunteered to be deposed.

“As counsel for the parties know, since the inception of this matter we have consistently maintained that my client has no material role in this action,” Swift’s legal team wrote to Judge Liman on September 12. “Further, my client did not agree to a deposition, but if she is forced into a deposition, we advised (after first hearing about the deposition just three days ago) that her schedule would accommodate the time required during the week of October 20 if the parties were able to work out their disputes. We take no role in those disputes.”

Team Lively blasted Freedman’s framing of Swift’s deposition as voluntary and pointed out that a proposed late October date would take place after the cutoff for the discovery process.

“In this respect, [Baldoni and his team’s] lack of diligence, and disrespect for [Swift’s] privacy and schedule, is astounding,” Lively’s attorney argued on September 12, 2025. ”Discovery has been ongoing for more than six months, and [Swift] is someone whose calendar should be presumed to be packed with professional obligations for months in advance. At any point over the past six months, [Baldoni’s team] could have noticed a deposition, served a subpoena, and negotiated an agreeable time and place for this deposition. But they did not.”

Judge Liman ruled on September 13, 2025, that there would be no extension for Swift be deposed because Team Baldoni waited too long to initiate the process.

“The only justification they have provided for the extension is their assertion that Swift’s preexisting professional obligations now prevent her from appearing for a deposition prior to October 20, 2025,” he wrote.

The judge added, “Discovery has been ongoing in this case for approximately six months. They have offered no evidence that they have served a renewed subpoena on Swift… Having failed to demonstrate appropriate diligence, the requested extension is denied.”

Baldoni Hires Diddy’s Lawyer

Team Baldoni beefed up its legal roster on September 15, 2025, by hiring Alexandra Shapiro, who previously represented disgraced mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.

Baldoni Sued by ‘The New York Times’

The New York Times Company formally filed suit against Baldoni‘s production company, Wayfarer Studios LLC, on October 1, 2025, over the actor’s dismissed defamation lawsuit.

Following Judge Liman’s decision to throw out Baldoni’s suit in June 2025, the Times sought to recoup at least $150,000 in “compensatory and punitive damages” associated with Baldoni’s legal action. The media organization accused Baldoni of violating New York’s anti-SLAPP law against lawsuits that seek to “inhibit the exercise of free speech and harass publishers by forcing them to expend time and resources on baseless litigation.”

“It is now well-established that news coverage of matters of public interest fall within the scope of the law,” the New York Times lawsuit asserted.

Freedman responded to the Times’ lawsuit by telling People that Baldoni would continue seeking justice “win, lose or draw.”

“We refuse to cave to power brokers even in the face of seemingly impossible odds,” the lawyer said. “We continue to stand tall for a reason: the pursuit of truth, in the face of giants.”

‘It Ends With Us Stars’ Deposed

On October 17, 2025, it was reported that It Ends With Us stars Slate and Ferrer and book author Colleen Hoover were all deposed as part of the discovery process.

Slate and Ferrer reportedly took part in depositions over the summer, while Hoover was recently deposed about her knowledge of the dispute between Lively and Baldoni.

‘Hidden Messages’ Dispute

Us obtained court documents filed by Team Lively on October 23, 2025, in which they accused Team Baldoni of “hid[ing] the ball at every turn in the discovery process, either failing to produce documents or improperly cloaking them in the attorney-client privilege.”

“Now that the dust has settled, and fact discovery and depositions have closed, two things are clear,” Lively’s team insisted. “There is substantial evidence that the retaliatory campaign was, in fact, implemented as planned.”

Lively’s lawyers asked the court to sanction Baldoni because his legal team “destroyed and/or failed to preserve or produce additional material and highly relevant evidence, the absence of which they intend to try to unjustly exploit in their favor.”

Team Baldoni did not immediately comment on the motion.

Lively Claims ‘It End With Us’ Producer Did Not Hand Over Video of Wife Giving Birth

According to a letter obtained by People on November 3, 2025, Lively’s lawyers asked judge Judge Lewis J. Liman to “sanction” producer Jamey Heath after he allegedly failed to hand over “certain materials” that he was asked to provide by September 2, 2025, including “the video Mr. Heath showed Ms. Lively on the set of the Film of his fully nude wife during the birth of their child during an at-home birth.” Lively claims the alleged video was shown to her by Heath “without warning or consent.”

Lively further alleged that she has “consistently disputed” that the three-minute video Heath has turned is not the same clip she was shown on the It Ends With Us set. Despite Heath’s previous claims that he did not have any other videos, Lively alleged that Heath has been “knowingly and willfully withholding” relevant information, therefore failing to give her the chance to address it when he was deposed.

Per the outlet, Lively asked Judge Liman to “order” Heath to provide all footage related to the birth video within three days. She also asked that Heath be prohibited from giving any evidence, including oral or written testimony, related to him showing the birth footage.

Us Weekly reached out to Baldoni for comment.

Baldoni Intentionally Misses Filing Deadline

After Us exclusively reported in November 2025 that Baldoni did not miss a deadline to file an appeal after a judge dismissed the lawsuit against Lively, but rather that his legal team never intended to file in the first place, the director’s lawyer broke his silence regarding the trial.

“The truth regarding this case [is it] continuously and completely gets distorted in the media. Even something as simple as a procedural update has resulted in total mischaracterization. At this point, we have to set the record straight: no deadlines were missed. Our clients chose not to amend their complaint to preserve appeal rights,” Freedman told The Daily Mail in a November 2025 statement.

“In the meantime, we are focusing on Ms. Lively’s claims,” Freedman continued. “We remain fully committed to pursuing the truth through every legal and factual avenue available and look forward to our day in court.”

Us reached out to Lively’s legal team for comment at the time.

Judge Dismisses Claims Against Jed Wallace

A federal judge dismissed Lively’s claims against Wallace — a Texas-based social media consultant — on November 5, 2025.

According to the court, Lively failed to show that Wallace had sufficient connection to New York to be sued there.

“The court’s decision today was only about where Jed Wallace can be sued. The court ruled that Ms. Lively’s claims against him can and should be brought in a different court,” Lively’s spokesperson told Us in a statement. “Ms. Lively is evaluating her many options for doing so. This has no impact on her case against Baldoni, Heath, Sarowitz, Nathan, Abel, Wayfarer, and The Agency Group, who she will see in court in New York at the March trial.”

Baldoni’s attorney, however, had a different reaction to the judge’s ruling.

“We are grateful for the court’s order today, making clear that the claims against Mr. Wallace never belonged in this court,” Freedman said in a statement to Us. “Allegations that he participated in any smear campaign are unsupported, and all claims against him have been dismissed by this court. The other defendants look forward to their day in court when they will show there is no merit to Ms. Lively’s claims against them.”

A judge also dismissed Wallace’s claims against Lively.

“With this decision, all of the retaliatory lawsuits filed against Blake Lively by Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and their crisis communications and digital teams have been dismissed,” a spokesperson for Lively told Us in a statement. “Ms. Lively will have her day in court on her claims at the March trial in New York.”

Lively Seeks Damages and Names Potential Witnesses

Us obtained new court documents filed by Team Lively in July 2025 and unsealed that November. In these disclosure forms, Lively claimed she suffered at least $161 million in damages from Baldoni’s alleged sexual harassment and “smear campaign.” (Baldoni has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing on the set of It Ends With Us and insisted he was not involved in any smear campaign.)

Lively’s team specified that her losses amounted to $56.2 million for past and future earnings from her acting career, speaking engagements and endorsements, plus $49 million in potential losses from her beauty brand, Blake Brown, and $22 million from her beverage brand, Betty Buzz/Betty Booze. The documents specified several other associated costs that Lively is seeking from Baldoni, including $34 million in reputational damage.

Team Lively’s latest filing hinted at some stars who may be called to testify at the March 2026 trial. Her lawyers suggested that Reynolds, Swift, Emily Blunt, Scooter Braun, Hugh Jackman and Gigi Hadid, among many others, are “likely to have discoverable information” about the It Ends With Us workplace dispute.

Lively and Baldoni Battle Over Motion for Summary Judgment

In November 2025, Baldoni’s legal team filed a motion for summary judgment, or asked the court to decide a claim without a trial.

At the time, the actor’s legal team claimed Lively’s allegations were a “litany of minor grievances” that fall short of the requisite level of being “severe or pervasive enough to create an objectively hostile or abusive work environment.”

One month later, Lively’s attorneys responded to Baldoni’s motion and argued that the actress deserves her day in court.

“In their latest effort to avoid accountability for the hostile environment they created during the production and marketing of It Ends With Us, Justin Baldoni [and other defendants] ask this court to shield them from trial and deny Blake Lively her day in court, by throwing the kitchen sink at Lively’s sexual harassment and retaliation claims,” Lively’s team claimed in court documents obtained by Us in December 2025. “The record evidence is clear: Lively’s claims survive summary judgment and must be sent to a jury.”

Lively and Baldoni’s Trial Postponed

In December 2025, it was announced that Lively and Baldoni’s trial would be postponed until May 18, 2026. Liman shared during a post-discovery hearing that he was also the judge on two criminal trials and “as important as this case is … criminal trials take precedent.”

Judge Recommends Lively and Baldoni Settle

The same day news broke of the trial being postponed, Liman suggested that the It Ends With Us costars settle outside of court and directed them to contact a magistrate judge to discuss a settlement.

Lively and Baldoni’s Legal Teams Reflect on 1 Year of ‘It Ends With Us’ Drama

In December 2025, Lively’s attorneys reflected on the past 12 months of their case against Baldoni.

“One year ago, Blake Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department to continue to stand up for a safe workplace after the experiences she and others had on the film It Ends With Us,” Lively’s lawyers Hudson and Gottlieb said in a statement to Us on December 22, 2025. “Over the past year, Blake has persevered against a billionaire-financed effort to try to ‘bury’ her, her family and businesses through retaliatory lawsuits and a relentless media and digital campaign. With their retaliatory lawsuits dismissed and only her claims set for trial in May, Ms. Lively is more determined than ever to shine a light on the forces that work behind the scenes to silence and discredit women who dare speak up.”

As for Baldoni’s legal team, they shared a message of gratitude for those who hope “truth” will win.

“My clients are deeply grateful for the support and kind words they’ve received over the past year,” Baldoni’s attorney Freedman said in a statement to Us. “We trust that the truth will ultimately prevail, and the care that so many have shown has been a meaningful source of strength during an incredibly challenging time.”

The statement continued, “At the same time, we recognize that there are many other issues affecting the world that deserve even greater attention and compassion, particularly at this time of year. We hope the focus remains on supporting those who need it most and that we continue to look out for one another this holiday season.”

Justin Baldoni Had ‘Prayer Gathering’ Before His Deposition

Baldoni said in his October 6, 2025, deposition that he gathered with friends and family to pray the night prior, according to a transcript obtained by People in January 2026.

“Jennifer Abel, my family, my wife. We had a prayer gathering last night with a lot of friends so they were aware that I was being deposed, but that’s all I can think of at the moment,” he said when asked if he spoke to anyone about the deposition.

Describing what he discussed with his publicist, Abel, he said, “It wasn’t a conversation about the deposition. It was like, ‘You’re going to do great.’ And she was letting me know she was going to be there. But there was no content that was discussed. She might have said just to keep being honest and shine your light, or something to that extent.”

Justin Baldoni Claims Blake Lively Calls Her Home Office ‘Buckingham Palace’

Elsewhere in his deposition, Baldoni claimed that Lively referred to her home office as “Buckingham Palace” when she asked to facilitate It Ends With Us meetings.

“She used to call it Buckingham Palace, as she said, because so many celebrities walked through there,” Baldoni said, per People. “I think that was her office in her penthouse apartment, which was the place that Ms. Lively requested all of our meetings be.”

Justin Baldoni Objects to Blake Lively’s Motion to Conceal Her Friends’ Names in Legal Battle

On January 12, 2025, Baldoni’s lawyers filed an objection to Lively’s motion to conceal the names of her celebrity friends and family, including Swift and Reynolds, in their legal battle, according to court docs obtained by Us. Baldoni claimed that Reynolds could be a key witness in the proceedings due to his involvement in It Ends With Us. Additionally, he argued that the names of other potential witnesses, including Swift, Hugh Jackman, America Ferrera and Emily Blunt, were already made public.

“Not one of [Lively’s] requests meets the [court’s] high standard for sealing at this stage,” the filing stated, adding that Lively’s A-list friends were “recruited as advocates on her behalf against the Wayfarer Parties in her attempt to take over the film.”

Lively claimed in her own request to conceal the names that Reynolds is an “innocent third party” in her legal battle with Baldoni.

Baldoni and his legal team requested that most of Lively’s sealing requests be denied.

Us reached out to Lively’s reps for comment.

Blake Lively Expands Her Legal Team Before Trial

Us confirmed on January 16, 2026, that Lively hired attorney Sigrid McCawley, who is a longtime advocate for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, including Virginia Giuffre.

“It is a privilege to get to work with Blake Lively’s world-class legal team on a case that at its core is about a woman who was subjected to a hostile work environment and is being attacked for standing up to protect herself and other female coworkers,” McCawley said in a statement to Us.

McCawley will join Lively’s other attorneys Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson as they prepare for trial.

Blake Lively Says She Was ‘Humiliated’ by Birth Scene in ‘It Ends With Us’

Evidence unsealed in January 2026 revealed that Lively said she was “humiliated” by her birth scene in It Ends With Us.

“On the day of the Birth Scene, Baldoni and [producer] Jamey Heath insisted that I simulate giving birth naked,” she said, according to court docs obtained by Us. “Baldoni recounted that his wife tore her clothes off when giving birth to their children. I shared that that was not my experience when birthing any of my four children and requested that my character give birth wearing a hospital gown, as it was set in a hospital. Baldoni insisted that the prosthetic belly be visible and continued to press for nudity. I felt forced to compromise and ultimately agreed to simulate nudity from below the chest down, which we had not previously discussed or agreed to.”

Lively stated that filming the scene took “several hours,” during which time she was “positioned on [her] back on a hospital bed, with [her] naked legs spread apart wide in stirrups, while nonessential crew passed by.”

“Other than a strategically placed hospital gown and an exposed ‘nude’ prosthetic belly, during certain shots of the scene, I only wore a small, thin and flat piece of black fabric to cover my genitalia,” she continued in her declaration.

Additionally, Lively claimed that the person playing the OB-GYN in the film was Baldoni’s “best friend,” which “amplified” her humiliation.

“[The actor who was] repeatedly positioned between my legs in close proximity to my barely covered genitalia was one of Baldoni’s friends,” she said. “I was extremely uncomfortable with the degree to which I was exposed during the Birth Scene, which felt violative and humiliating. That was amplified by having Baldoni’s best friend acting between my legs, and his other best friend and the Film’s financier visiting that day of all days.”

Unsealed evidence also revealed texts, deposition transcripts and emails from It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover and actresses Jenny Slate and Isabela Ferrer discussing their experience working on the movie.

In response to the new court documents, Sigrid McCawley — who is a member of Lively’s legal team — told Us, “In his TED Talk to promote his brand as an advocate for women, Justin Baldoni said we must ‘listen to the women … even if what they are saying is against you.’ See how he actually reacts in the bombshell new evidence released for the first time, which includes sworn testimony and contemporaneous messages from numerous women who actually worked with him.”

McCawley continued, “As we head to trial, only Ms. Lively’s claims against the defendants remain. The Court dismissed Wayfarer’s retaliatory countersuit in its entirety last June. The newly unsealed evidence contains never-before seen testimony, messages, and evidence from numerous eyewitnesses backing the claims in Ms. Lively’s lawsuit. The evidence includes Ms. Lively’s own testimony describing the harassment she faced, as well as new evidence from numerous women describing their own disturbing experiences.”

McCawley concluded that “the newly unsealed evidence shows the concerns of Ms. Lively and others were documented in real-time as early as Spring 2023, and Wayfarer understood them as ‘sexual harassment’ concerns.”

“The evidence also documents how Wayfarer refused to investigate, but instead attempted to ‘bury’ Ms. Lively and others who spoke up through retaliation,” she said.

Blake Lively’s Private Text Messages Revealed

Thousands of pages of documents were unsealed and made public on January 20, 2026, ahead of a court hearing.

Testimony from several members of the It Ends With Us cast — including Jenny Slate, Brandon Sklenar, Isabela Ferrer and author Colleen Hoover — were unsealed in court documents obtained by Us Weekly.

Communications, including text messages, between Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reyonds, with celebrities like Taylor Swift, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were also included in the documents.

Other evidence came from Sony executives and Lively’s trainer.

Justin Baldoni Asks Judge to Dismiss Blake Lively’s Lawsuit

Days after hundreds of documents were unsealed — including numerous text messages with Blake Lively and her Hollywood peers — Justin Baldoni and his legal team appeared in court on January 22, 2026, and asked a judge to dismiss Blake Lively’s lawsuit.

According to NBC News, Baldoni’s legal team argued Lively’s sexual harassment case concerned nothing more than “trivial and petty grievances.”

Lively’s attorneys, however, rejected the argument and claimed the case revolved around “women feeling comfortable in their jobs and not being retaliated against.”

U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman will determine if the case will move forward.

Lively and Baldoni Both Attend Settlement Conference

Lively and Baldoni were both spotted at a settlement conference in New York City on February 11, 2026.

Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman, however, claimed the mediation was “unsuccessful.” He told Deadline that “there’s always a chance” of reaching a settlement and he’s “looking forward” to going to trial in May 2026.

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Brandy’s Memoir Clarifies Past Relationship With Wanya Morris

Published

3 minutes ago

2 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Brandy's Memoir Reframes Past Relationship With Wanya Morris As An Adult Taking Advantage Of A Child

Brandy is reframing how the world views one of her most famous relationships. In her new memoir, ‘Phases,’ she shuts down suggestions that she was a “fast girl.” Instead, Brandy says Boyz II Men singer Wanya Morris took advantage of her being a child “in over [her] head.” The revelation has fans on both sides sounding off. Additionally, an alleged past interview of Morris admitting to being intimate with an underage Brandy is going viral.

she’s arrived. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/iGFnFZAN3H
— DE’RON 🌞 (@deronworld) April 1, 2026

RELATED: Shyne Reacts After Ray J Says He’ll “Slap The Daylights” Out Of Him & Mase For Claiming They Allegedly Dated Brandy At The Same Time

Brandy Was “Not A Fast Girl” Chasing After Wanya Morris

Back in 1995, ‘Brokenhearted’ by Brandy and Wanya Morris became a Billboard Hot 100 hit. It was the remix to the song released on her debut album, ‘Brandy.’ After collaborating, their friendship turned into something to be hidden from her parents. She lied to them constantly, she reportedly admits in her memoir ‘Phases.’

“They barely liked the idea of me dating at all, and telling them about us was out of the question,” Brandy wrote, per PEOPLE.

Brandy also admitted that she and Wanya knew “with diamond-cut clarity that public knowledge of [their] relationship would “ignite scandal.” Being out in the open, her being a minor and him in his early 20s, could mess both of their careers up. So, they pretended to have waited until she was 17. In reality, she lost her virginity to him while still a minor. She wrote of the red flags she missed or chose to ignore because she believed she was in love. They split up after he admitted to cheating on her. Since then, Brandy writes, Wanya Morris has framed her as a schoolgirl with a crush that didn’t come through. But that’s not the real narrative, Morris “took advantage,” she said.

“The shame ends here. The silence ends here,” she adds of coming to terms with the feeling that she was manipulated into and throughout the relationship. “I was not a fast girl with a crush. I was not a dramatic teenager who couldn’t handle rejection. I was not an unstable obsessive fan. I was a child. And he was an adult. And it’s time the world understood the difference,” Brandy wrote in ‘Phases,’ per PEOPLE.

Wanya Speaks Of Being Intimate With Brandy In Resurfaced Interview, She Shares Her POV In Memoir

Amid the release of Brandy’s memoir, fans have dug into Wanya Morris’ past comments about their relationship. One ‘Breakfast Club interview, allegedly from 2014, is being covered across hip hop outlets, including Hollywood Unlocked and ‘The Morning Hustle.’ The clip is going viral because it shows Wanya Morris speaking of having sex with Brandy. After being asked whether Brandy was a minor when they slept together, he said, “We did the thing when she was 16, 17…She was old enough to get it.” Later, Morris explained they were in a relationship that grew and un-grew. Elsewhere, in an Instagram Live that circulated in 2020, Wanya Morris seemed to deny being involved when Brandy was a minor.

Meanwhile, in ‘Phases,’ Brandy paints a different picture. She says the sexual element of their relationship was Wanya Morris getting what he wanted from a young girl who didn’t recognize “she was being used,” per Entertainment Weekly. She reportedly wrote, “I think he saw me as conquerable. As someone whose boundaries could be negotiated away. I was in over my head.” She also explained that while she wanted to wait until marriage, she thought sex with him would “cement [their] bond.”

“I was young and inexperienced, and thought that following my heart meant following his lead, that what we shared transcended ordinary rules and limitations,” Brandy wrote, per EW. She said having sex felt like it, “Would prove I was mature enough for our relationship. Would make him happy. And so, I told myself I was ready. That this was my choice. But the truth is I felt like I had no choice. I felt like saying no meant losing him.”

Social Media Sounds Off About The Age Gap Issue

Aside from reactions to ‘Phases,’ the resurfaced clips of the Boyz II Men singer speaking on his past with Brandy are also catching heat.

I look back at when I was 22 yrs old. I would’ve felt like a nasty old man trying to be involved with a 16 yr old. What is wrong with these dudes?🤨 https://t.co/AsHso5JZwD
— FOST (@GeorgeFoster72) April 1, 2026
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wanya knew he shouldn’t have been dating a 16 year old brandy while in his 20s and then lied and said she was 18 cause his ass knew he was wrong, let’s not forget how he was on the breakfast club saying she was “old enough to get it” like HUH? i’m glad brandy woke up this tea.
— lauren ꨄ︎ (@J0DECIDAL) April 1, 2026

It was time for us to put this to bed. For good. I am so proud of Brandy and her courage here. https://t.co/tbyQXjoF2C
— Gerrick Kennedy (@GerrickKennedy) March 31, 2026

Wanya being 22 while Brandy was 15-16 is absolutely crazy.
Grown ass man with a child and even went as far as being the one she trusted with her virginity.
That’s foul. IDC how long it’s been.
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That’s foul. And all these years been lying saying she was 18.
Nah dawg.
— ERIC LAMONT (@BlameEricLamont) March 31, 2026

The comments on literally every platform on instagram that’s talking about this Brandy/wanya situation are truly disgusting. So many people, women especially, are calling her everything but a child of God, and wanya escapes blame yet again.
— Mille👩🏽‍❤️‍💋‍👩🏽 (@millesbabies) April 1, 2026
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in retrospect, it’s wild how cruel the media was to underage Brandy and Aaliyah with regard to their upsettlingly high-profile “relationships” with grownass men. I hate how dedicated folks were to perpetuating the “fast” stereotype rather than hold these men accountable. https://t.co/EEXdCpPQSX
— champagne and cherri, babÿ (@cherrilizabiff) March 31, 2026

we had Demi, KeKe, and now Brandy. i’m so glad these women are standing up and speaking out about how they were prayed on
keep exposing these predators https://t.co/xBsjpJaAuq
— 𝕛𝕒𝕟𝕖𝕒 (@heyyitsjanea) April 1, 2026

RELATED: Keke Palmer And Demi Lovato Reflect On Dating Older Men As Teenagers (VIDEO)

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Dr. Hong-An Jan Faces Charges For Charles Wang Circumcision

Published

16 minutes ago

2 April 2026

NewsAdmin

A California doctor, Dr. Hong-An Jan, is reportedly facing a felony charge and a lawsuit after a days-old baby, Charles Wang, allegedly died following a circumcision procedure.

RELATED: Prayers Up! 1-Year-Old Reportedly Dies After 14-Year-Old Mom Allegedly Crashes While Under The Influence

Officials Charge California Doctor After Newborn Dies Post-Procedure

Prosecutors have reportedly charged Dr. Hong-An Jan with felony involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2024 death of newborn Charles Wang. The infant was reportedly between two to three days old, per conflicting reports from Law & Crime and other outlets. PEOPLE reports that Jan allegedly injected a synthetic opioid into Charles on Feb. 27, 2024, at his private clinic in Garden Grove. According to WGXA, the baby’s toxicology report showed high levels of Demerol, a Schedule II narcotic painkiller, instead of the required anesthetic Xylocaine.

Law & Crime says Charles’ parents noticed the newborn seemed lethargic and unresponsive after the circumcision. However, Dr. Jan reportedly advised them that it was “normal” and “not a cause for concern.” However, the next day, doctors pronounced Charles dead after his parents rushed him to the hospital. Doctors determined that acute Demerol intoxication led to bronchopneumonia, which purportedly caused Charles’ death.

Newborn Baby’s Parents React To Tragic Loss

Charles’ parents, Yiqi Wang and Hongyu Lu, have reportedly filed a civil lawsuit against Dr. Hong-An Jan. They are accusing him of wrongful death, medical malpractice, and fraud. Jan previously oversaw Hongyu Lu’s care during childbirth, and he later allegedly advised the parents to have Charles circumcised the day after he was born.

“Jan only looked at Charles and reassured his parents that these symptoms were normal post-circumcision reactions and advised them to return home,” the suit claimed, per the Los Angeles Times. “He did not take any blood samples or order any laboratory studies, even though he observed the symptoms … symptomatic of opiate substances.”

What’s Next For Dr. Hong-An Jan?

Dr. Hong-An Jan reportedly pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter on Feb. 19 and is set to appear in court on May 1 for a pre-trial hearing. Also, a court order reportedly suspended Jan’s medical license on Feb. 19, 2026.

RELATED: Atlanta Couple Awarded $2M After Doctor Allegedly Shared Graphic Pic Of Decapitated Baby On Social Media

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90 Day Fiance: Jealous Elise Rages in a Bar – Before The 90 Days Recap [S08E16]

Published

29 minutes ago

1 April 2026

NewsAdmin

90 Day Fiance, Elise Benson loses it in a bar when she’s had enough of Josh Lawson‘s emotional connection to his gal pal Nat. Aviva Duhamel gets a no from a pregnancy test but says yes to Stig Da Artist’s proposal. Forrest is giddy the morning after he loses his V-card to Sheena. And Lisa gets cleansed in a bizarre ritual. Let’s take a closer look at the crazy in this recap of Season 8, Episode 16 Mile High Club.

90 Day Fiance: Elise Benson’s Jealousy Gets The Best of Her

On 90 Day Fiance, Elise Benson just can’t shake her suspicion over Josh Lawson’s relationship with best friend Nat. After a fight, the pair move forward claiming they are falling for one another. But it isn’t long before Nat comes up and it’s really bugging Elise. Josh is a yacht broker. His job is on notice after he took a company yacht on a joy ride and crashed it. Elise Benson wants the details. And it seems Nat was on board on the fateful day in question.

Elise Benson grills Josh. He says the damage to the boat wasn’t as bad as he initially thought. And he’s already paid it off. In spite of his irritation, Elise isn’t sold that there’s not more to his relationship with Nat than meets the eye. Josh suggests they all go out for drinks and try to come to some sort of common ground and get along. Elise Benson agrees but gets a dig in when Josh wants to shower. She suggests he’s “got to shower for Nat”.

Everyone is polite at first as the trio gathers at a bar. But it isn’t long before Elise Benson starts jabbing at Nat on 90 Day Fiance. She wants to know why they constantly text. And claims Nat has a financial hold on Josh. This angers Nat and Elise suggests she will ask the opinion of all the bar patrons. She starts screaming about the situation and a few agree with her that it’s crazy. But it’s Elise Benson who looks crazy and Nat bolts after declaring her toxic. And it’s Nat who Josh runs after the embarrassing scene.

90 Day Fiance: Aviva Duhamel says Yes to Stig Da Artist

Before The 90 Days couple Aviva Duhamel and Stig Da Artist share a tense 5 minutes awaiting the results of a pregnancy test. Aviva is hopeful for a positive result. Stig Da Artist plays along but admits in an aside he doesn’t think they are quite ready yet. They huddle together over the test and a result finally comes through: one line. In other words negative. They comfort each other and Stig suggests an outing to the Mayan Ruins to cheer up.

The ruins impress Aviva. And the pair decide to go to the very top of a tall structure. But halfway there he surprises Aviva by getting down on one knee. He proposes, promising to be loyal to Aviva forever. She is overjoyed and didn’t want to leave Belize without a ring. So, of course she says yes. The couple then continue their climb to the top and Aviva flashes her ring celebrating her engagement to the Belizean pop star.

Before The 90 Days: Forrest and Sheena Get Closer

Forrest is feeling confident after standing up to his mom Molly and choosing to stand by Sheena’s side. But now it’s time to take things even further for the 90 Day Fiance couple. First steps to the future include finally consummating the relationship. A big deal since they are both virgins. Forrest arranges a getaway complete with rose petals on the bed. He’s also armed himself with some protection. Sheena changes into lingerie and it’s game on.

In a cringe bout of TMI Forrest is giddy the morning after. While he found it sloppier than expected, he is on cloud nine with Sheena, his “vixen of the internet”. The encounter has made him even more sure that he can’t bear to be away from Sheena. So he makes the choice to stay in the Philippines since without a job the K-1 visa is out of reach. But first they have to tell Molly and it won’t be easy.

TLC Couple Lisa and Daniel Go Through a Crazy Ritual

It’s never boring when it comes to Before The 90 Days couple Daniel “Tito” Herrera and Lisa. Between crazy uncles, lion kings, past secrets and wig wars, the pair are exhausted. But yet another crazy situation arises. After Lisa divulged her long history with her “fellow women” and a still pending divorce, the ancestors call for a cleansing. Which involves a distressed bleating goat, large root vegetables, spitting out schnapps and screaming all while ringing a bell.

It’s tough to watch. The “cleansing” also involves Lisa forking over even more money in addition to buying the goat and yams. After the migraine inducing scene, the couple leave with the permission to move forward with a marriage. Of course after she finalizes her fifth divorce.

90 Day Fiance: Trish’s Dad Demands Rick Makes a Decision

Rick Van Vactor is getting used to village life on 90 Day Fiance. Trish takes him on a quaint trip to buy vegetables and fruits at local stands. She used to actually sell fruits with her grandmother at one of the stalls. She reminds him that her dad wants answers about whether Rick will have children with her. He waffles and wants more time. Trish explains how important the experience would be for her since her mom left her as an infant.

It’s painful for Trish to explain that her mom took a new husband after leaving her dad when Trish was only one. And refused a ritual that would allow her to see her children. Rick consoles her. But still has to face her father. It doesn’t go well when Rick balks and asks for more time. Her uncle says if he can’t give her children they will keep her. Her dad refuses to give him more time demanding a decision immediately. Till next time!

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10 Feel-Good Movies To Ease Your Existential Dread

Published

42 minutes ago

1 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Audrey Tautou watches a film in the cinema in Amelie

There is a time and a place for intense movies, and maybe that time is not right now. Other things are intense, and so if you get the chance to sit down and actually watch a movie, maybe intensity is best avoided. It’s understandable if you feel that way, and so if you’re after comfort, good vibes, and whatever the cinematic equivalent of a nice hug is, then the following movies have got your back.

Many of these aim to be crowd-pleasing, while others are a little more obscure and out-there, and maybe not conventionally entertaining, though undeniably easy to appreciate if you’re in the mood for something a little different. They’re not ranked in any particular order, either, since having to decide between which movie, say, is #6 and which is #7 can be stressful in itself, and stress is not what we’re here for right now.

10

‘Amélie’ (2001)

Essentially, Amélie is a movie about being nice. The titular character is withdrawn and has admittedly unconventional ways of being a good Samaritan to strangers, but that’s what she does anyway, and that’s what most of the movie shows her doing. She also has her own arc that involves falling in love and becoming less withdrawn in the process.

It’s all done without too much concern for story, or at least less concern for telling an intricate/unpredictable story than most movies out there. The approach works, and it’s helped by how stylish Amélie is, too. It’s a movie about niceness that also looks incredibly nice, with a bold use of color throughout and an overall energy that makes it feel quite fantastical at times, on top of being romantic and gently comedic.

9

‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988)

Mei Kusakabe, the younger daughter from My Neighbor Totoro with totoro — Mei Kusakabe, the younger daughter from My Neighbor Totoro, with totoro

My Neighbor Totoro is another movie that’s not about too much narratively, and that’s okay. It’s potentially the gentlest and most comforting of all the movies Hayao Miyazaki has directed, which is saying quite a lot, and it’s mostly about two sisters having to deal with a move to the countryside because their mother’s sick. And, while there, they discover fantastical creatures living in a nearby forest.

My Neighbor Totoro is also great to just sink into, or let wash over you.

The animation here is as great as you’d expect, given the director and the fact that it’s a Studio Ghibli production, and My Neighbor Totoro is also great to just sink into, or let wash over you, if you can let a movie do that. The likes of Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke might be better films, but My Neighbor Totoro could well be the most worth checking out if you’re after a comfort watch.

8

‘Hot Rod’ (2007)

Andy Samberg as Rod Kimble about to luge down a hill in Hot Rod

Thoroughly committed to being as silly as possible for pretty much its whole runtime, Hot Rod is incredibly funny, and even the jokes that sort of miss the mark are endearing in their own ways. It’s a movie that just wants you to have a good time for a while, pretty much encouraging the turning off of one’s brain in the process, and something so purely and wholeheartedly comedic in tone is sometimes just what you need.

It’s an entertaining and chaotic movie about someone who’s obsessed with being a stuntman, but he’s not very good at actually doing stunts without getting hurt or causing destruction. There’s also something to be said about a movie that looked like it was fun to make, since that can rub off on the people watching it, proving sort of infectious, and Hot Rod is that kind of fun-looking (and feeling) film.

7

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)

It's-a-Wonderful-Life-James-Stewart-Karolyn-Grimes

Doing everything you could ask for, from a Christmas movie, and maybe even a little more on top of that, somehow, It’s a Wonderful Life is naturally going to be one of the first things that comes to mind when you hear the phrase “life-affirming movie.” And, no, not just because it was the word “Life” in the title, and also not because it’s nothing but good vibes for a couple of hours or so.

The vibes are eventually good, but It’s a Wonderful Life puts you through some turbulent stuff before then, and does the same for its main character, who slowly learns that he has more worth than he initially thought, largely thanks to some fantastical influences. There’s a tremendously rewarding and well-earned ending here, and even 80 years later, it’s still about as uplifting and cathartic as movies have ever gotten.

6

‘Paterson’ (2016)

In Paterson, there’s a man named Paterson, and he goes about what seems to be a pretty relaxed life, and it’s one he finds satisfaction in, even if it might look a little boring on the surface. And Paterson, the movie, might also sound a bit boring, if you lay it out in that way, even with that way being accurate to what it is and what it’s going for.

There’s plenty to like and appreciate here, though, once you get on the film’s wavelength. Paterson feels meditative and peaceful, and just being those things ends up being enough to make it genuinely compelling for a couple of minutes shy of two hours. Even watching a person go about a strict routine over the course of a week turns out to be compelling, if you’re a sufficiently good filmmaker (Jim Jarmusch) and equipped with a perfectly utilized Adam Driver.

5

‘Perfect Days’ (2023)

Another movie about a simple lifestyle and a routine being followed, Perfect Days is easy to compare to Paterson, but it’s about a man in a different profession living in a very different environment, too. While Paterson in Paterson was a bus driver, the protagonist of Perfect Days is a toilet cleaner, and his work – plus the other things in his life – take him around Tokyo.

It might sound cheesy, but Perfect Days is a movie about just enjoying and trying to appreciate small or seemingly insignificant things, and also being in touch with one’s emotional state. It manages to be very touching at times, even with the seemingly low stakes, and calling it, ironically enough, one of the most perfect movies in recent memory doesn’t feel hyperbolic.

Henry Thomas as Elliot standing next to E.T in 'E.T the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982) — Henry Thomas as Elliot standing next to E.T in ‘E.T the Extra-Terrestrial’ (1982)

With E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, there was both a noble and successful attempt to make a science fiction movie that could appeal to anyone, all centered on the unlikely friendship between a boy and an alien. The latter gets stranded on Earth, and the former endeavors to help him reconnect with his own kind and get him home, even if that’ll ultimately mean they have to part ways.

In that sense, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is bittersweet, and certainly feels quite sad at times for something that’s ultimately life-affirming, yet the emotional balance is pulled off perfectly here, and it’s the right kind of touching for such a film; emotional without being devastating and all that. If you want to see Steven Spielberg’s sentimental streak at its most effective, that’s exactly what you get here.

3

‘Cinema Paradiso’ (1988)

Since you’re reading (or maybe skimming over) an article about movies right now, there’s a pretty good chance you like movies, right? If you do indeed like movies enough to also enjoy movies that are about movies, then Cinema Paradiso is about as essential a watch as a film could be, since it might well be the ultimate movie about cinema that’s not a biographical/historical movie about the making of a specific film.

It’s more of a coming-of-age movie about a young boy who finds that cinema is a great escape from the hardships of the real world, and a way to connect with people, too. Also, even when finding a connection with others gets hard, later in life, the movies are always there for him, and the love for cinema keeps enduring in one way or another. Cinema Paradiso is also a good deal less cheesy than all those words might make it sound, but it’s hard to break down and analyze such a film; one you’re much better off just feeling instead.

2

‘Toy Story’ (1995)

Buzz Lightyear holding Woody while they hover on the air in Toy Story — Woody and Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story

Since the sequels are a good deal more devastating (though not without some sweet to go along with the bitter), Toy Story, as in the original, is the one being singled out here. It’s also got a bit of sadness with the whole arc Buzz Lightyear goes through, which is somewhat heavy-going for an animated family movie, but it doesn’t overwhelm or prove suffocating when the rest of the movie is breezy and comforting.

Toy Story is a fun, colorful movie when you’re young, and to some extent, it’s still that if you watch it as an adult, but then you also appreciate what it’s going for beyond just entertainment once you’re of a sufficient age. Not that it’s deep by the standards of, like, arthouse cinema, though there is still a fair bit here to think about, which is cool considering it’s, at first glance, a kind of goofy kids’ movie about toys that come alive and talk.

1

‘Singin’ in the Rain’ (1952)

Don Lockwood, Lina Lamont, and Cosmo Brown with umbrellas and raincoats under the rain in Singing in the Rain — Don Lockwood, Lina Lamont, and Cosmo Brown

Singin’ in the Rain is, out of all the classic Hollywood musicals, maybe the easiest to get into and appreciate. It’s got a breezy story about the film industry transitioning from silent movies to talkies, done in a way that’s a good deal more lightweight than, say, Babylon (which does reference Singin’ in the Rain, both the movie and the song of the same name, more than once throughout).

If you don’t usually like broad and cheery old-school musicals, it’s still worth watching Singin’ in the Rain, since it could well be the one to convert you. There’s a focus on comedy here, above all else, and then a bit of romance thrown in for good measure (not an overwhelming amount, though). It’s a film that wants you to have a good time, and one where it’s hard to imagine too many people watching it and not having that sort of experience throughout. It’s inherently (or maybe even intensely, for what it’s worth) likable, as a film.

Singin’ in the Rain

Release Date: Advertisement

April 11, 1952
Runtime: 103 Minutes
Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Writers: Advertisement

Adolph Green, Betty Comden

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Bold and Beautiful Early Spoilers April 6-10: Deacon Panics, Steffy Furious & Baby Bombshell!

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55 minutes ago

1 April 2026

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Bold and the Beautiful Spoiler: Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) - Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood)

Bold and the Beautiful spoilers for April 06-10, 2026 have Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) terrified, Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) big mad, and also big baby news.

As we always do on early edition day, we start with what’s coming this week and then dive into what is ahead next week.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers Wednesday, April 1st: Hope and Deke Confront Deacon

So, on Wednesday, April 1st, we’ve got Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) Deke Sharpe (Harrison Cone) and heading over to Il Giardino and going upstairs to have a sit down with Deacon at his place. Looks like Hope and Deke are worried. So, I think that Deacon is going to come completely clean about nearly everything that went down at Steffy’s place with Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) because a very concerned Deke repeats it back to his dad.

So, Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) showed up in Taylor’s bedroom doorway holding a freaking knife. And Deke tells Deacon, “Hello, is that not a huge wakeup call? And Deacon is definitely looking worried for good reason. Hope also tells Deacon that she and Deke know how much Taylor means to him. But after this, Hope asked her dad how can he think that Sheila is not on to him.

Steffy meanwhile worries about Taylor’s safety and Steffy is telling Taylor that Deacon married a lunatic and that’s on him, not on Taylor. But an irate Steffy is pushing on that ultimatum again because she is genuinely scared for her mom’s safety. But Taylor is in love and acting like a starry-eyed teenager and is not as afraid as she should be.

B&B Spoilers: Sheila’s Putting the Pieces Together

It’s all starting to make sense to Sheila. So, on Wednesday, she asked their delivery person at Il Giardino if he made a delivery out to Steffy and Finn’s (Tanner Novlan) place. And the guy says he has delivered to Finn a bunch of times, but not last night. Sheila thinks that that pizza box is a smoking gun, but this is a rewrite of history. If you watch Bold and the Beautiful regularly, you’ll know Finn gets carry out from Il Giardino all the time.

I do not recall him and Steffy ever getting or mentioning Il Giardino delivery. They have to be way outside their delivery zone because they’re all the way out in Malibu versus Il Giardino downtown LA. They also mentioned before that Finn drives all that way to pick up his favorite pizza and we’ve seen him there avoiding Sheila whenever Finn picks up the order. So, this is a rewrite.

Anyway, so I do wonder if Sheila’s going to see Hope when she’s there with Deke to talk to Deacon because Sheila may corner Hope and, you know, if she starts asking questions and if Hope and Deacon didn’t get their story straight beforehand about what went on the night they were supposedly having dinner, you know, where they went, what they ate, that’s trouble. Now, Deacon told Sheila he went home early, but still they had plans and they should be able to answer questions about them.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers Thursday, April 2nd: Steffy Tears Into Deacon

Thursday, April 2nd, we have Deacon feeling Steffy’s wrath. She is face to face with Taylor’s boyfriend. And Steffy is tearing into Deacon for coming to her house and putting Taylor at risk and about his psycho wife Sheila waving a knife around.

And Steffy may rant that if Sheila had caught Deacon there, Sheila could have killed Taylor and possibly him. Bottom line is Steffy’s at her limit and she wants Taylor to stay away from Deacon for good. And now Steffy wants to make sure Deacon sees the danger and prioritizes Taylor’s safety over wanting to hook up with her.

This week, also, Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) is going to chat with her son RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) in the showroom at Forrester Creations and she is fishing for information on his love life. And looks like that Brooke has changed her tune a little.

If you recall, when RJ first came back to LA, Brooke had warned RJ he needed to stay away from Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) because she was with Will Spencer (Crew Morrow). But now she knows Electra and Will have split. And Brooke’s basically telling RJ to go for it. Brooke tells RJ that Electra is the woman that he deserves.

That’s factual, but I don’t think in the way that Brooke meant it. And Electra finds out something about Ivy Forrester (Ashleigh Brewer). I’m wondering if Daphne Rose (Murielle Hilaire) going to hint to Electra that maybe Ivy is not as trustworthy as Electra thinks. I don’t think she’d listen if Dylan (Sydney Bullock) tried to tell Electra the truth.

Bold Spoilers Friday, April 3rd: Sheila Back to Old Habits

Then on Friday, April 3rd, we’re going to wrap up this week with Ivy telling Electra it’s time to move on with her life, move on with someone wonderful like RJ. And Ivy is doubling down on matchmaking RJ and Electra. And it looks like it is working because RJ and Electra kiss again.

This time in the design office. And they look pretty smitten and cuddly. I wonder if Will is going to see them or Dylan. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ivy is creeping and peeping on them like usual.

Sheila is back to her old habits on Friday. She may confront one or both of Taylor and Deacon now that she’s pretty sure that Taylor’s been doing bad things with Deacon. And I wonder if Sheila will get all dark and murdery.

Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) and Brooke see something that they should not. Lots of options. Could be Ivy creeping on RJ with Electra. Could be their son kissing his new girl. They may walk in on Daphne and Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) doing some baby making at the office.

Week of April 6th-10th Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers

Then the week of April 6th through the 10th, we’re going to find out more soon about Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) and Katie Logan‘s (Heather Tom) scheduled Logan launch and what plans Brooke and Ridge are making to sabotage it so Eric Forrester (John McCook) is not further embarrassed.

I expect Deke to touch base with Katie about her offer to work at Logan and see if it still stands. He’s got all those sketches that Hope was raving about that she would like to have for Hope for the Future, but she can’t because she is stuck with Thomas Forrester (Matthew Atkinson) and Zende Forrester Dominguez (Delon De Metz). Plus, Dylan and Will get a whole lot closer, as do RJ and Electra, but there’s a ticking clock on both of those new relationships.

Bold and Beautiful Spoilers: Deacon Protects Taylor

Deacon tries to protect Taylor. That is true, but Sheila may come after her anyway. You know, Deacon may try and sacrifice himself. This is getting really messy. I actually hope that Sheila truly has changed and doesn’t go all insane. But of course, everybody’s scared of it and expecting it. So, it’d be a nice twist if it didn’t happen. But next week, Steffy fears the worst.

And Daphne can’t keep sitting on the truth and keeping it from Electra for much longer. Also, in the next couple of weeks, looks like Daphne and Carter get the results of a pregnancy test. They have been very busy getting busy since they got married because they both want a baby. You know, there’s been some rumors they might have some infertility issues and you know, maybe because that’s the soapy outcome, but I want to see Daphne and a cute little Carter baby.

Taylor may be sacrificing too much for love and puts herself in danger by refusing to ditch Deacon. And Taylor and Deacon are outed as cheaters soon and lots of people have opinions about it. Very strong opinions. We know Ridge already does and I’m sure he’s going to lose his mind again.

Bold and Beautiful April Spoilers: A Couple Splits for Good

Also, we’ve got one couple calling things off soon and this is a pair that were thought to be an excellent match. So, could be about Sheila and Deacon, although I think the common opinion was that they were a match made in hell, not a perfect pair.

Maybe it’s Will and Electra calling it officially and forever off. I mean, with B&B spoilers, they can be very bait and switch. So, we’ll see what couple that applies to soon.

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Netflix Sci-Fi Hit Brings Back 80s Action For New Generation

Published

1 hour ago

1 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Netflix Sci-Fi Hit Brings Back 80s Action For New Generation

By Jonathan Klotz
| Updated 1 hour ago

There’s been a lack of sci-fi action movies hitting theaters in the last few years, at least those that don’t involve superheroes or established franchises, which is why the Netflix original, War Machine, is a breath of fresh air. It’s predictable, and it can be boiled down to a modern retelling of Predator, but that’s not a bad thing. Starring Alan Ritchson, it’s an old-school sci-fi action story that does all the little things right, and it’s perfect for anyone who wants 80s action movies to make a comeback.

A Modern Day Predator

Ritchson plays 81, known only by the number designation he receives when he applies for the Army Rangers following the death of his brother (Jai Courtney, making the most of his 4 minutes of screentime) years earlier in Afghanistan. War Machine doesn’t give the recruits any names, everyone has a number, but you’ll recognize some familiar faces, including Keiyan Lonsdale (Wally West from The Flash) as 60, and Daniel Webber (Lee Harvey Oswald from 11.22.63) as 57, along with the senior officers played by Esai Morales and Dennis Quaid. Don’t worry, it’s the type of movie where the moment a character seems important and we get some backstory, they’re the next ones to die.

Doing the killing is a large, alien war machine that the Ranger recruits accidentally stumble upon during their final test. Slow but relentless, the war machine chases them through the wilderness, picking off soldiers by identifying them with a blue light, and then the red light is the sign that the guns are about to go hot. It’s a simple visual language that adds tension without the need for any explanation. No one points out how the war machine is “seeing” them, it just happens.

War Machine embraces that “show, don’t tell” mentality throughout. It’s not only with the story, it’s the various horrible ways the soldiers die, including a brutal tumble down a cliff, and later, while attempting to escape in an armored transport that’s bouncing around and reacting to the explosive ordnance in a way most action movies would simply ignore. Rappelling, crossing a river, not wearing seat belts while the alien killing machine is chasing them, all of it makes the action brutal to watch in the best ways possible.

The Birth Of A New Sci-Fi Franchise

Alan Ritchson’s 81 is a man of few words, but the Reacher star’s physical charisma carries him from the word go. The man was born to be an 80s action star. He has the television franchise locked up, and Fast X hasn’t led anywhere, but the early success of War Machine means we probably haven’t seen the last of 81. Richson and director Patrick Hughes have mentioned the name War Machines on social media.

The odds are good that Netflix will greenlight the sequel, given how War Machine has been in the top ten movies for the entire month of March. These days, original sci-fi stories don’t have to do much to clear the bar, and War Machine isn’t for everyone. There’s no deeper meaning, no extensive lore, and not a whole lot to the plot, but with an under two-hour runtime and enough of the little things fans expect of action movies, there’s also no better way to kill an evening at home then relaxing, turning off your brain, and watching Alan Ritchson battle an alien invader.

War Machine is currently streaming on Netflix.

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Basque-Waist Dresses Are Trending — 15 Styles to Get the Look

Published

1 hour ago

1 April 2026

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You’re not imagining it: Basque-waist dresses are everywhere right now. Everyone from New York City ‘It’ girls to movie stars is donning the romantic dress trend that has no signs of stopping in 2026. While we saw inklings of the drop-waist style last year, the flattering design took off into overdrive due to the Wuthering Heights craze — and we’re not mad about it.

Basque-waist dresses first became popular during the Victorian era, and then stepped back into the fashion world, thanks to designers who put a new ‘cinched’ spin on the fairytale-esque style (See: Dior’s 1950’s New Look collection). And now? The look is back in a big way with A-listers slipping into the elongating design, including stars like Margot Robbie, who wore several basque-waist dresses during the 2026 Wuthering Heights press tour.

The vintage-looking dress has a V-like bodice cut that extends beyond the waist, giving you a slimming, lengthening appearance. The silhouette also accentuates curves and helps with proportions due to the round shape, making it ideal for petites and pear-shaped gals. It’s no wonder the style is so sought after. If you want to try it out for yourself, we found dresses from Lulus, Abercrombie & Fitch, Astr the Label and more that deliver the look without having to step back in time.

Romantic Basque-Waist Dresses for Spring

1. Our Favorite: Classic and gorgeous are just two ways to describe this Basque-waist dress. The fitted bodice and outlined cups give it a corset appearance without the wiring. We also like that the dress has a modern high slit to show off a bit of leg — a definite ‘no-no’ in the 1800s!

2. Runner-Up: The seersucker pattern on this midi tank dress makes Us think about the lazy-hazy-crazy days of summer, so naturally, we’re adding it to our cart. The high neckline and pleated design around the V-cut bodice give off a flattering effect that works in tandem with the vertical stripes, which are known for lengthening the body.

3. Mini Me: Basque-waist dresses don’t only come in midi and maxi lengths! This cute mini dress is proof. It has bow-tie straps, a U-shaped waist and a short skirt, which is ideal for warm spring and summer days. Plus, doesn’t the short top portion give off major Bridgerton vibes?

4. Transitional Staple: If it’s still too chilly to go sleeveless where you’re located, opt for this long-sleeved number, which gives you the same vintage style with a little more coverage.

5. Top-Seller: This milkmaid-style dress is what fairytale dreams are made of. The vibrant colors, floral patterns and form-fitted bodice are chef’s kiss. It’s no wonder the dress has over 1,200 five-star ratings to date.

6. Everyday Essential: We’ll admit that the romantic dress style skews closer toward the elevated side, but this cap-sleeved pick makes it appropriate for everyday wear. You can thank the tee-like top for that.

7. Rich Mom: There’s no arguing about it: This halter midi dress looks far more expensive than its price suggests. We can totally see rich moms everywhere donning this dress for baby showers, church services and even weddings (just in a different color).

8. Anything But Basic: This simple yet stylish dress feels like it’s from another era, thanks to the puffed quarter-sleeved, gathered bodice and bow accent in the middle. Plus, the houndstooth pattern embodies that ‘mod’ swing look.

9. Low-Key Genius: The biggest flex about this basque-waist maxi is the bra-free design. Unlike other options on this list, the Abercrombie dress has hidden built-in coverage, so you can forgo the pasties before heading out the door.

10. Pop of Color: Another trend for spring is butter yellow everything. Celebrities like Martha Stewart wear the sunny color, which makes Us want to get this smocked sundress ASAP.

11. Quite the Charmer: Everyone will turn their heads when they see you wear this lace-up maxi dress. The Lulus wedding guest dress is perfect for every spring ceremony . . . and the overlay bodice will make you feel comfy while sitting, standing and dancing the night away.

12. Out of Office: Seeing a basque-waist dress in this fun, vacation-esque print wasn’t on our bingo card, but we’re totally here for it. It modernizes the Victorian style with a short ruffle hem, exposed U-neckline and bright color palette.

13. Date Night: Your little black dress just got a revamp with this drop-waist number that gives you an hourglass shape . . . without strapping into a painful corset. Oh, and the short bubble-like hem makes legs look so long, your date will think you’re a model. Win-win!

14. Spring Must-Have: We’re kind of in love with this flutter-sleeve dress from Lulus. The deep V-neckline, lightweight chiffon fabric and corset appearance feel very ethereal. You’re bound to get princess treatment while wearing this baby.

15. Expensive-Looking: Throw on this vintage-style halter dress, book a trip to Italy and cruise around town on a Vespa. Yes, in that order. Designed with a fold-over neckline, fit-to-loose silhouette and polka dot pattern, this stylish dress is one you’ll wear over and over — especially if you want that Emily in Paris look.

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Young and the Restless Early Spoilers April 6-10: Adam Faces Deadly Threat & Jack Loses Control!

Published

2 hours ago

1 April 2026

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Young and the Restless Spoilers: Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) - Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman)

Young and the Restless spoilers for April 06-10, 2026 reveal Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) is in danger and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) is increasingly frustrated.

As we always do on early edition day, we start with what’s coming the rest of this week and then dive into what is ahead next week.

Young and the Restless Spoilers Wednesday, April 1st: Adam Plays Poker as Spyder

So, on Wednesday, April 1st, we’ve got Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) twitching like a junkie while Adam mentally prepares to be Spyder at Riza Thompson’s (Tina Casciani) big game. Adam is showing Nick his card shark skills where he can read body language and tells. And Adam knows something is off with Nick and offers his help, but he says that it’s just hard to wait to find Matt Clark (Roger Howarth).

The drug dealer shows up after Adam leaves for the game and Nick orders enough drugs for a party of six or seven people, but we know it is all for just Nick. The drug dealer hands over what he asked for, plus a bonus baggie with a different drug in it. Nick also asks if the guy knows Mitch Bacall, but either the drug dealer doesn’t know or he is playing dumb.

Also, Matt Clark is back on screen on Wednesday. He’s with Riza in her room in the casino and they’re making out. And Matt wants to hang around for the big poker game, but Riza says no. Matt then asked if he can play in the poker game and she refuses that as well. And he asked Riza about Spyder. So, Matt clearly doesn’t know that that is Adam’s secret identity. And then Matt insists he wants to meet Spyder, Riza’s partner.

Y&R Spoilers: Riza Kisses Adam

Matt gets antsy and bails and Riza is happy when Adam shows up and of course he wins big at the game for her. After the other players leave, Riza kisses Adam and tells him to slow down when he’s trying to get deeper into her business.

Riza tells him that she had to take on another partner after Spyder left, but she does want him to meet the guy, but doesn’t use Matt’s name. Also, you know, he’s asking to meet Spyder. So, there’s a big thing coming where I think Adam suspects this, but Matt is going to be blindsided.

Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) updates Faith Newman (Reylynn Caster) on a call that Mariah Copeland (Camryn Grimes) can’t have visitors or Zoom chats yet. Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) shows up asking why Sharon’s upset. She nags Phyllis about the Newman takeover, brings up Summer Newman (Allison Lanier), but of course, Phyllis doesn’t want to hear it.

She says Victor Newman‘s (Eric Braeden) done all this bad stuff, so why is Sharon judging her? But she warns Phyllis that Victor won’t stop until he gets everything back. Phyllis is in her I can do it alone, I deserve this, I’m fabulous phase, and Sharon wonders if this is about what Martin Laurent (Christopher Cousins) did to them.

Young and the Restless Spoilers: Phyllis Hurt by Sharon

Phyllis is actually annoyed that on the anniversary of their shared Martin trauma, Sharon didn’t reach out to her. Phyllis says Sharon has another maniac after her, Matt Clark. And Phyllis says her kids are hating on her again, so neither of them have come out of the whole thing unscathed.

Sharon says at least they’re free. And Martin is in a prison cell all alone. But Phyllis makes it clear she won’t back down and that the Newmans have each other and a mountain of money, so they’re fine. And Phyllis says she’s okay doing this alone.

Tessa Porter (Cait Fairbanks) and Daniel Romalotti (Michael Graziadei) catch up at Crimson Lights. Mariah has gone to the psychiatric hospital and Daniel’s ranting about Phyllis and how Summer cut her out. Daniel says he’s also done with his mom. And Tessa’s frustrated that Mariah wouldn’t let her support her and go along to the psych hospital just to be close by.

Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian) then shows up and sees Daniel and Tessa playing guitar together. And Danny wants them to cut an album and he even offers to produce it. And then he invites Tessa and Daniel to Spain to perform in a club. Tessa jumps at the offer. Daniel’s not sure about performing, but agrees to go to Barcelona. And Tessa and Daniel both agree they’re in the friend zone now.

Y&R Thursday, April 2nd: Nick Targeted by Matt

Then on Thursday, April 2nd, Nick is targeted by Matt, who I’m sure sent the dealer to sell to Nick and specifically to give him that bonus baggie, which I suspect contains something really, really scary that could push Nick off the edge.

Lily Winters (Christel Khalil) gets blasted by Phyllis for conspiring with Victor, for faking her and the twins’ kidnapping, and for hurting Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn) so badly. Meanwhile, Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) continues to defend Victor. I don’t think Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic) is going to like this.

If you remember, Victor is the sole and only reason that Nate and Victoria split before. So, to be fair, Nate saw Victoria when she was being a megalomaniac who was so power-hungry she was screwing over her own family. And Nate still stuck around. But Victor is a big issue for him. Even though Victor and Nate have kind of said bygones about things, I think this is going to bring up a lot for Nate.

Young and the Restless Spoilers Friday, April 3rd: Diane and Kyle Confront Victoria

Then on Friday, April 3rd, we’re going to wrap up the week on Young and the Restless with Diane Jenkins (Susan Walters) and Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) confronting Victoria. And if she repeats what she told Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) that it’s Jack’s own fault for what Victor did to him, I think they are going to go off on Victoria.

And of course, Kyle’s very angry with Claire Grace Newman (Hayley Erin) about this as well. The Victor backlash is tearing relationships apart all over Genoa City. Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun) walks up on Audra Charles (Zuleyka Silver) and Noah Newman (Lucas Adams), reflecting and talking about their past.

So, Sienna may question Noah, and I wonder if he’s going to bring up Audra’s miscarriage, and it may prompt a talk about babies since Sienna is a little too old to have any biological kids with Noah. Plus, on Friday, Victor makes good on a threat, likely against Cane.

But there’s a chance it’s against Jack or Phyllis, especially Jack since we know Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) remains in town and she is another partner in crime of Victor’s. Plus, Nikki talks Jack into something on Friday.

Y&R Spoilers Week of April 6th-10th Spoilers

Then, the week of April 6th through the 10th, we’ve got more on trouble in Vegas. Roger Howarth said in a recent interview that Matt’s been busy while the actor was offscreen. He’s plotting and up to no good. And Roger Howarth said Matt is still destructive as he ever was. He also mentioned being in scenes with new people. One of course is Riza, who we see this week and next week.

I expect to see Matt in scenes with Adam. Of course, Riza knows who Spyder is, knows he’s a Newman, but Matt has no idea that Riza was partnering up with Adam Newman. So, that’s going to be a really interesting conversation with Riza and Matt when it comes out. And Nick obviously is already on his radar and in trouble, but Adam is increasingly in danger as well.

Nate does not like this side of Victoria. Looks like she’s doubling down on defending Victor and Nate may take a step back because Nate laid into Lily about conspiring with Victor. I just doubt he’s going to appreciate Victoria continuing to enable her dad’s awfulness.

Young and the Restless Spoilers: Crazy Patty Wreaks Havoc

Expect more chaos from Crazy Patty as she continues to cause problems for Jack and Diane. Lily drowns in regret. And despite Cane vowing that he’s done with Lily forever, soon Cane is going to make an effort and prove himself to Lily. Holden Novak (Nathan Owens) is determined to get Claire away from Kyle.

And Victor’s antics may actually help Holden’s cause because Claire is sticking with team Victor and Kyle has taken a step back with her. He’s not happy. Phyllis and Cane may reconnect over the Victor hate and her laying into Lily about him.

And also look for a couple of weeks when Victor’s not around because actor Eric Braeden was out sick for a couple of weeks. He’s all better now. Noah reassures Sienna not to worry about Audra, but Sienna is more focused on shutting down Matt before he hurts the Newmans. And Sienna may engage in some self-sacrifice.

Nick, Nikki and Jack strategize on how to fix their fractured marriages. Victor still off-put about Nikki defending Jack. Don’t forget Malcolm Winters (Shemar Moore) is back in April. And after Billy Abbott‘s (Jason Thompson) back from London, he and Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) are going to make some significant plans.

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Days of our Lives Early Spoilers April 6-10: EJ Drops Major Shock & Brady Wins Big!

Published

2 hours ago

1 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Days of Our Lives Spoilers: EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) - Brady Black (Eric Martsolf)

Days of Our Lives spoilers for April 06-10, 2026 find EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) shocking somebody and Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) scoring with a lady.

As we always do on early edition day, we start with what’s coming the rest of this week, then dive into what is ahead for next week.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers Wednesday, April 1st: Holly and Tate Feel Vindicated

So, on Wednesday, April 1st, Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) and Tate Black (Leo Howard) feel vindicated. They already suspected that Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) swapped Holly’s drug bottle at Bayview.

And this week, Brady confirms it and tells Holly and Tate that Rachel Black (Lorelei Olivia Mote) said Sophia gave her the supplements and asks her to give them to Holly without bringing up Sophia’s name. Bottle number two. Bottle number one. They have now realized that, you know, Holly got tricked by Sophia.

Xander Kiriakis Cook (Paul Telfer) finds it difficult to be in the same room with Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey). And of course, it’s because Xander just is having a hard time letting go and accepting that she’s with Brady.

And at this point, Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) is definitely a consolation prize. Sophia gets an earful from Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk). She is livid that psycho Sophia used Rachel.

And I do wonder if Sophia will have any sort of remorse that Rachel is back to Bayview. I hope Sophia doesn’t try to go visit her. And I hope Kristen and Brady put Sophia on the ban list.

DOOL Spoilers: Gwen Breaks News to EJ

Gwen has some news about Dimitri von Leuschner DiMera (Peter Porte) that she gives to EJ. And of course, we know that Dimitri is now the main suspect in Vivian Alamain’s (Louise Sorel) mysterious death. But EJ may know even more about Dimitri’s situation since EJ is the one who had a bad bad thing done to Vivian.

But again, I’m with Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow). I don’t think Madame Vivian is dead. Also, we’ll see. But I wonder if we’re going to get any April’s April Fool’s Day pranks. I suspect not. The new headwriters seem to have dropped that nonsense that Ron Carlivati always did. They didn’t do it in 2025. So we’ll see if it happens this Wednesday.

Thursday, April 2nd on Days: Johnny Needs Another Favor from EJ

Thursday, April 2nd, Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) approaches EJ needing another favor. Now that Kate wants a pile of cash to settle the copyright claim against Bonnie Kiriakis’s (Judi Evans) book. We know that Johnny is reeling and he’s told Kate that he would fight it in court.

So, I bet EJ will show up for his son because he wants Johnny to stay at DiMera and this Titan suit that Kate threatened probably means that Johnny can’t go back to Titan, which is great news for EJ.

Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Theo Carver (Cameron Johnson) are talking business. And I just wonder if Gabi is going to offer Gabi Chic back to DiMera to get a cash infusion so she can help Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) save the family business and the Kiriakis mansion.

Bonnie gets an earful from Justin Kiriakis (Wally Kurth). He doesn’t see how Bonnie doesn’t understand that her book and Stephanie Johnson‘s (Abigail Klein) are way too much alike, as in copyright infringement alike. It’s not fanfiction and it’s beyond plagiarism.

Even Arianna Horton (Marissa Reyes) noticed the striking similarities when she was reading the manuscript. Bonnie asked Justin what he thinks about her book, and he tells his darling wife, Bonnie, that One Rainy Afternoon reminds him a whole lot of Stephanie’s book, One Stormy Night.

This could rip the Kiriakis family apart because of the chicanery around this. You know, it’s one thing for Bonnie to write something, but a whole another thing to publish it. And it never should have gotten this far.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Philip Turns to Maggie

Philip needs a favor from Maggie Kiriakis (Suzanne Rogers). So, I wonder if Philip wants Maggie to help him pursue this lawsuit or just not to intervene and try and shut him down. You know, obviously she knows it’s going to be problematic.

Bonnie and Justin live at the mansion and Justin’s going to be really upset if he figures out that Bonnie was essentially set up by Kate and Philip. However, I do think Justin can see that the legacy and the Kiriakis mansion and everything is at stake, but he’s not going to want to see Bonnie roasted in public.

So, Philip is going to tell Maggie that Bonnie screwed up and her mistake could save Titan. And then Philip also tells Maggie they cannot afford the next loan payment. They could lose Titan. They could lose the mansion. But damages paid from DiMera for the copyright suit could bail them out.

Also, Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens) questions Mama Paulina Price (Jackée Harry), and I wonder if it’s her asking why her mom has been so off-kilter lately. And we know that’s all about Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford).

Also, this week, speaking of her, EJ shows Theo that his mom, Lexie, is indeed alive. She’s not yet awake, though. And of course, Theo’s stunned, and I’m sure he’s going to be thrilled. He may have some questions, but overall, I think he’s just going to be happy.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers Friday, April 3rd: Stephanie Faces Off with Owen

Friday, April 3rd, Leo Stark’s (Greg Rikaart) writing reflects his achy, breaky heart, and Belle Brady (Martha Madison) is hurt a little that Shawn-Douglas Brady (Brandon Beemer) wants to stay with Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) instead of her or letting her come stay with him while she caretakes him.

And in case you have not heard, Elia Cantu has reportedly been pushed back to recurring as Jada, which mirrors Brandon Beemer’s status as Shawn. So, they may be coupling up mostly offscreen from Days of our Lives while he recuperates.

Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark) gets an apology from Steve Johnson. They both want Stephanie to be happy and safe, but Alex Kiriakis seems to want Jeremy to step back and leave Salem, but he’s not going just yet. It’s going to be a whole another month before Jeremy goes.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Stephanie Faces Owen

Stephanie faces off with Owen Kent (Wes Ramsey). I mean, good for her for facing her kidnapper. And hopefully Stephanie can get some peace of mind. She closes the blinds, blocking Steve and Alex’s view so she can confront Owen in private after Jada brings him in and handcuffs him to the chair.

And I’m sure he’s going to be creepy as usual with Stephanie. JJ Deveraux (Casey Moss) gets some advice from Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) to keep at the therapy for PTSD for the Shawn shooting event and him feeling like he had to resign. And hopefully JJ will follow through on all of that.

Week of April 6th-10th Spoilers for DOOL

The week of April 6th through the 10th. Just by the way, side note, in addition to Elia Cantu going on recurring status, Galen Gering has also gone recurring as Rafe Hernandez. That’s why we were seeing Gabi on a phone call with Rafe this week because he is not in town.

They’re just going to say he’s off doing FBI stuff, I guess. I have heard a rumor that he was going to wind up back with Jada eventually, but we’ll see if that manifests. And again, it may mostly be offscreen. Rachel wants out of Bayview so desperately, and I wonder if she’s going to tell Dr. Gregory what Sophia did and that she, you know, was saving up her psych meds and all that kind of stuff.

And the bottom line is because Rachel is involved in this, Holly is feeling a little trapped in terms of, you know, not being able to go to the police. But then again, they can’t really prove whose psych meds were whose because it looks like Rachel and Sophia were taking the same thing.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Brady & Sarah Heat Up

Gwen continues to enjoy her friends with benefits and cheeky fun relationship with Xander, but of course, his heart remains with Sarah. Meanwhile, Brady and Sarah are going to take their relationship to the next level and sleep together. Here’s my question.

With Rachel in Bayview and Kristen blowing up at the hearing and acting inappropriately, seems like Brady may need to boot Kristen out of his house if he is going to be getting intimate with Sarah. Now, of course, Brady can go over to the Kiriakis mansion. He was staying there before, but let’s face it, Kristen needs to go.

Gabi and Philip are looking to get a place together, a little love shack all their own. Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) and EJ keep getting closer, but with recast Chad, played by Connor Floyd, debuting in April, things are going to get even more twisted.

Leo chooses Javi over hot as heck suspected murderer Dimitri, but it turns out Javi already has a new man. So, was one of his exes still in Texas and they rekindled? Plus, Stephanie may continue to bond with Jeremy and we know Alex won’t like it.

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Starfleet Academy’s End Reveals The Biggest Lie About Star Trek

Published

2 hours ago

1 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Starfleet Academy's End Reveals The Biggest Lie About Star Trek

By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated 1 hour ago

Recently, Paramount made the surprisingly sudden decision to cancel Starfleet Academy shortly after the end of its first season. Starfleet Academy was designed to attract younger audiences, and it failed to do so. Its characters and storytelling drove away older fans while failing to capture that coveted youth demographic.

With any luck, Paramount will learn from this show’s failure and learn the truth behind the biggest lie in Star Trek. Namely, that the franchise must court younger viewers to survive. That’s never been true. In reality, simply following the blueprint for The Original Series is enough for new shows to attract both younger and older audiences, a formula that has worked for nearly four decades.

Fandom: The Next Generation

The most obvious example that the Original Series formula works is, of course, the success of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The show featured a new crew and new adventures, but at its heart, it was about the starship Enterprise and its mission to explore strange new worlds. We also got some entertaining new characters, but more of them are throwbacks to Kirk’s era than you might think.

The android Data was clearly meant as a stand-in for Spock, and like the legendary Vulcan before him, his attempts to understand what makes humans tick served as a reflection of our own humanity. Riker was (as confirmed by the Season 2 Writer’s Guide) modeled after Captain Kirk. Worf was an ongoing reminder of Kirk’s old nemesis, the Klingons. Dr. Pulaski channeled much of Dr. McCoy’s famous crankiness, and even wunderkind Wesley Crusher was an echo of Chekov, whom Gene Roddenberry created to appeal to younger audiences.

Simply put, Star Trek: The Next Generation very explicitly modeled itself after The Original Series. Its success was so (ahem) out of this world that it launched the franchise’s Golden Age. An era that ended only when Paramount finally began deviating from its winning formula.

Playing The Hits

It’s not hard to see how Star Trek: Voyager similarly built off the formula of The Original Series. As with TNG, producers once again focused on an intrepid crew constantly making contact with new and exciting alien life. The premise that our titular starship was stranded on the other side of the galaxy helped this show channel TOS even more explicitly by bringing back the vibe of going where (in a quite literal sense) no man had gone before.

There were, of course, parallels with TOS characters: Tuvok is Spock 3.0 (no, I’m not counting Xon, and you can’t make me!), and the grumpy Doctor is Dr. McCoy 3.0 (albeit a holographic one). Harry Kim was, like Wesley and Chekov before him, an attempt to appeal to younger audiences. Interestingly, Voyager shared significant DNA with the highly successful Next Generation: B’Elanna Torres was a new iteration of K’helyr, TNG’s popular half-human, half-Klingon. Seven of Nine was an ongoing reminder of Captain Picard’s assimilation. Finally, Tom Paris was very explicitly based on TNG’s Nick Locarno character, who was also played by Robert Duncan McNeil.

Even The Exception Followed The Rules

On paper, Deep Space Nine is the anomaly: as a show set on a space station, it is seemingly the antithesis of the Original Series formula. However, the early show still echoed the TOS focus of life on the frontier, and it echoed TNG more than you might think. The entire relationship between Cardassians and Bajorans was set up in TNG. It featured Miles O’Brien from the beginning, and it later added the fan-favorite TNG character, Worf.

Finally, by Season 3, Sisko had his very own starship with which to engage in adventures on either side of the wormhole. The addition of Worf and the Defiant made DS9 more like The Next Generation (itself an iteration of The Original Series) than ever before. Uncoincidentally, these changes also made the show popular enough to earn a dubious honor: it was the last Star Trek show to get seven seasons.

The Pattern Is Clear

Star Trek: Enterprise was infamously canceled after four seasons. Its first two seasons tried to follow The Original Series formula, though audiences didn’t cotton to changes like Vulcans (save for the hottie in the catsuit) being complete jerks. Season 3 tried to modernize the series’ formula by focusing on an ongoing story clearly inspired by 9/11. Season 4 righted the ship with some stellar episodes, but the damage was done, and the show ended with one of the worst finales in TV history.

The same thing happened to Star Trek: Discovery. While that show’s early days had its detractors, most fans agree that the first two seasons were the best. The show channeled TOS in some provocative ways, including illustrating the brutality of Starfleet’s earlier war with the Klingons and the horrors of the Mirror Universe. Audiences also loved the introduction of a young Captain Pike and Spock so much that they headlined Strange New Worlds, the beloved spinoff that is popular explicitly because it’s modeled so heavily after The Original Series.

Conversely, Star Trek: Picard didn’t get good until its final season, and that’s because it finally became one big cast reunion for The Next Generation. This season reunited our favorite TNG characters and even focused on familiar bad guys like the Borg. Fans loved this season so much that they practically begged Paramount to give us a Star Trek: Legacy spinoff series. Meanwhile, Starfleet Academy deviated from the formula entirely, focusing on different characters (young, vulgar cadets) and a different setting (the titular academy). Nobody begged for more; in fact, the show was canceled after one season due to low viewership.

The Blueprint Is There, Will Paramount Actually Use It?

There you have it, folks. While each new Star Trek series gives the franchise a new coat of paint, it’s clear that the most successful shows are the ones that draw heavily from The Original Series or its successor show, The Next Generation. Some worry that sticking to a 60-year-old blueprint means that things will get repetitive and boring, but that’s the brilliance of Gene Roddenberry’s amazing creation: it allows for endless different stories, technologies, alien races, and so on. Fans just want the characters encountering all of this to be in the vein of Kirk and Picard’s iconic Trek through the stars.

Now, Paramount is on the cusp of reinventing this franchise yet again. Doubtlessly, there will be plenty of internal debates about the direction new shows and movies should take. Sadly, NuTrek, with its astonishing failure rate, is a startlingly expensive example of what not to do. From the most hardcore fans to the most casual viewers, nobody wants another slick sci-fi show that is Star Trek in name only.

By sticking to Roddenberry’s successful blueprint, Paramount can reinstate a new golden age for the franchise. Otherwise, they risk destroying their most vital IP and fully driving away the fans they will so desperately need when the dust finally settles on these endless mergers and acquisitions. If that happens, though, the Star Trek fandom has a handy catchphrase they should go ahead and start practicing: “Kurtzman, when the Trek fell!”

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