Entertainment
Cassie Ventura’s Fresh Start Comes With a Big Sacrifice
Cassie Ventura spent years trying to survive a world that once promised her success. Now, according to sources close to the singer, the life she has built after testifying against Diddy looks very different from the one fans remember.
While her recent red-carpet appearance alongside her husband, Alex Fine, suggested confidence and stability, that new beginning has reportedly come with a painful tradeoff: leaving behind the career that first made her famous and creating distance between herself and the industry she once called home.
Cassie Ventura Walked Away From Music To Protect Her Peace
Long before her courtroom testimony became one of the most talked-about moments of 2025, Cassie Ventura was known as the voice behind “Me & U,” the breakout hit that turned her into one of the music industry’s most promising young stars.
Yet those close to her say she has no plans to return to that world. Speaking to the Daily Mail, a source said Ventura has no desire to revive her recording career, despite continued interest from fans.
The insider claimed, “She has no interest in returning to the music industry because she feels it was complicit in her abuse. She isn’t focused on music at all.”
That decision makes her departure especially significant, given how closely her rise was tied to Bad Boy Records after she met Diddy as a teenager.
During testimony, Ventura described how control over her life allegedly intensified after signing with the label at 19.
Rather than recording new material, sources say some previously unreleased music she recorded is now being explored for other artists.
Ventura Built A Smaller World After The Trial
Cassie Ventura’s decision to retreat from public life extends far beyond music. Friends say the 40-year-old has dramatically narrowed her circle since the criminal proceedings involving Diddy concluded.
“She’s living a quiet life with her family and is much happier,” one insider told the outlet, adding, “She has a tight inner circle and only keeps those who she trusts around her. She let go of a few people once she moved. She has a small team now.”
That shift became increasingly noticeable after her emotional four-day testimony, during which Ventura detailed allegations of violence, coercion, and manipulation throughout her relationship with the disgraced rapper.
While the testimony generated widespread support from survivors, sources say the experience also exposed her to online ridicule and criticism.
Even so, those close to Ventura insist she does not regret speaking publicly. The source said she receives “thousands of messages from sexual assault survivors thanking her for giving them the courage to expose abusers.”
Today, her focus is far removed from the spotlight as Ventura reportedly spends most of her time raising her three children with Fine, writing for personal enjoyment, and prioritizing her well-being.
Friends describe her husband as a constant source of support whose presence has helped anchor this new chapter.
Cassie Ventura’s New Beginning Is Taking Place Far From America
Perhaps the clearest sign of how dramatically Ventura’s life has changed is where she has chosen to live.
In a legal declaration filed earlier this year, the actress stated, “I reside outside of the United States. I do not intend to move back to the United States.”
Sources say that decision was influenced by multiple factors, including concerns for her safety following the Diddy trial. One insider claimed Ventura received death threats and has no immediate plans to return permanently.
“She’s hoping to put the past behind her. This is a new life for her – something she did not choose, never thought would happen but it’s what needed to be done because of her sharing her truth about Diddy,” the source said.
According to another insider, Ventura also spends significant time in Asia, where she maintains family ties through her Filipino heritage.
Yet even with an ocean separating her from her former life, one concern remains difficult to escape. Diddy is currently projected to be released from prison on February 5, 2028, and sources say the possibility of that day still weighs heavily on her mind.
“Cassie is doing really well since Diddy entered prison,” an insider said, further sharing, “But of course she is terrified of what could happen when Diddy is released from prison. It’s something she tries not to think about because it causes anxiety.”
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Ventura Makes Rare Red-Carpet Return Alongside Fine
The quiet life Cassie Ventura has built away from the spotlight briefly gave way to flashing cameras and a packed red carpet on September 10, when she stepped out for one of her most high-profile appearances in more than a year.
As Page Six reported, the dancer joined her husband at the “MobLand” Season 2 premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London, marking a rare public outing after largely disappearing from public view following her testimony in Diddy’s criminal trial.
Ventura arrived arm-in-arm with Fine, who stars as Donnie in the Paramount+ crime drama. She wore a fitted gray bustier-style dress paired with pointed brown pumps, while Fine opted for a black knit sweater, matching trousers, and black shoes.
The event drew several of the show’s biggest stars, including Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, and Helen Mirren, but Ventura’s appearance quickly became one of the night’s most talked-about moments.
Fine’s Emotional Tribute Revealed Why Cassie Ventura Means Everything To Him
That appearance alongside Fine also reminded many fans of the unwavering support he has shown Ventura throughout some of the most difficult moments of her life.
Fine drew widespread attention after publicly praising his wife following her testimony, making it clear that he viewed her strength as something extraordinary.
In a statement released after Ventura took the stand, Fine wrote, per The Sun, “You did not break her spirit nor her smile that lights up every room.”
He continued, “You did not break the soul of a mother who gives the best hugs and plays the silliest games with our little girls.”
The actor and fitness trainer reserved some of his strongest words for Ventura herself, writing, “Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats.” Fine also addressed other survivors directly, saying, “To all the survivors, your stories are real, and people believe you.”
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While taking a break in Alaska, Reggie has continued to open up about his personal life. Although he has not been streaming during his time away, Reggie has been using the videos to reflect on his experience with the Clover Boyz, his relationship with Kai Cenat, and other personal experiences.
Related: Oop! Kai Cenat Gets Pulled Into The Mix As Adin Ross Reacts To Reggie’s Diss Track (VIDEOS)
Reggie Breaks Down Over His Relationship With Kai Cenat & The Clover Boyz
In a recent YouTube video titled “The Truth About Clover Boys,” Reggie got emotional while explaining that he felt unloved and left out. He said he no longer wants to be around Kai after feeling like Kai “put him on a shelf” despite his potential.
During the video, Reggie also discussed the Clover Boyz, a content group created by Kai Cenat. The group includes Reggie, Ray, Rakai, Tylil, Dezz, and Punga, all of whom participated in Kai’s 30-day “Mafiathon 3” marathon. At the end of the marathon, Kai gifted each member an iced-out Clover chain.
Reggie also shared his personal opinions about the group’s members, describing Ray as “greedy” and Rakai as focused on fame. He claimed Tylil and Dezz are competing with each other, while also calling Punga “lazy.” Reggie further claimed Kai did not want Tota to officially become a Clover Boy because he allegedly viewed Tota as unloyal.
Reggie later pinned a comment under the video, further explaining why he decided to leave the group.
He wrote, “The real reason why I left Clover is because I felt left out and I felt like Kai didn’t wanna care about us no more which is OK and I’m not mad. He did everything for us but at the same time if you don’t care about me no more let me go and be great. Why wasn’t clover on any of the recent streams why did you tell me that u was gonna do something for me that you didn’t do? I never asked Kai for a dollar. You know what I’m saying and is just crazy that everybody is mad at me for telling the truth and I’m gonna continue to tell the truth”
Kai Cenat & Kaiya Cenat Speak Out Amid Reggie’s Comments
After the video was released, Reggie continued sharing his thoughts by calling several creators who were livestreaming at the time. He called KaleelNYC, Kai Cenat’s youngest brother, and opened up about feeling hurt by what he perceived as Kai prioritizing his friends over his family.
Reggie also called Raud, telling him that he stood by everything he said in his video and discussing his plans for when he returns from Alaska. He later called Agent and asked him to tell his audience that he loves them, that he’s OK, and that he plans to “take over” when he returns.
As Reggie’s comments about Kai and his family dynamic circulated, Kai shared a throwback photo with his AMP crew on his spam account. Shortly after, Kai’s sister, Kaiya Cenat, shared a family photo thanking her brother for always “protecting, providing for and taking care of their family.”
Reggie Shares Personal Trauma In Latest Video
In his latest YouTube video, “The Truth About Me And Everything Part 1,” Reggie became emotional while opening up about an alleged experience of sexual abuse involving his brother when he was younger.
While discussing the experience, Reggie said he feels better after finally being able to share what happened. He also opened up about questioning his sexuality as a result of what he experienced, explaining how the situation affected the way he viewed himself.
Reggie said he is sharing his story not only for himself, but also to stand up for people who have gone through similar experiences. He encouraged others who have experienced abuse to speak up and urged parents to listen to their children if they come to them with allegations or disclosures of abuse.
In the video, Reggie also continued discussing his relationship with Kai, claiming that Kai is attempting to keep him around despite, according to Reggie, no longer genuinely “f****** with him.”
In the comments, he also made additional claims about the situation, alleging that Kai was trying to influence his cameraman’s opinion and that Kai planned to sue him.
Related: Kai Cenat Sets The Record Straight On Where He & Gabrielle “Gigi” Alayah Stand Following Relationship Speculation (VIDEOS)
What Do You Think Roomies?
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards certainly gave Us something to sing about.
The music scene’s best and brightest — from Madonna and Taylor Swift to host Snoop Dogg and more — came together for the Sunday, September 27, awards ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
From Madonna’s opening number to Swift giving Us chills for her latest music video directorial masterpiece, Sunday’s show was full of standout surprises.
Keep scrolling to revisit Us’ most memorable moments from the VMAS — and those that left Us wanting more:
Celebrities delivered all the drama for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Deal of the Day Why Wait for Prime […]
BEST: The Queen of Pop Has Returned
Madonna, who was nominated for a record 13 trophies, kicked off the show with a medley of hits featuring Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and Sombr.
The opening was a who’s who of famous faces with Madonna’s longtime pal Debi Mazar making a cameo, as well as Julia Garner, who was set to play the Queen of Pop in a now-scrapped biopic.
“Madonna just killed it,” host Snoop Dogg gushed in his opening monologue. “Now, that is an icon!”
WORST: The Late Start
The VMAs were off to a troubling start when the Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys football game ran long, delaying the live ceremony by nearly 30 minutes. Over on MTV, a retrospective of Video Vanguard winners played that just left Us confused and waiting for new updates.
Once the Ravens won 34-31 in overtime, the ceremony was finally underway.
BEST: Remembering Dolly Parton
The VMAs paid tribute to Dolly Parton, who died in August at the age of 80, with an emotional performance by Kacey Musgraves. Dressed in a sparkly pink gown, Musgraves had Us reaching for the Kleenex during her cover of Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”
“Wow, now that’s how you honor a legend,” Snoop proclaimed afterward. “There’s nothing but love for Dolly in this room.”
Later that night, Taylor Swift won Video of the Year and dedicated the prize to “the ultimate showgirl” Parton.
“Every single song that she wrote, her storytelling was so vivid and so rich that listening to her music was like watching the best music video,” Swift gushed. “I will always be one of [her] fans. … I think we were all very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time.”
WORST: Madonna’s Bout of Confusion
Madonna triumphed at the VMAs, taking home a handful of Moonperson trophies, though she appeared confused during her multiple acceptance speeches. Winning Best Collaboration, she stressed that she hadn’t written a speech. Hours later, she won Best Dance and audibly asked Charli XCX and Troye Sivan to name the category before rambling about her passion for hitting the dance floor.
As much as we love Madonna, her unscripted moments had Us scratching our heads.
BEST: Taylor Swift Gets Cinematic
Instead of delivering a lengthy acceptance speech for the inaugural Artist Director Honors, Taylor Swift premiered the music video for “Patient Zero.” Starring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell, the pop star directed a mini-movie to chronicle a tumultuous relationship.
“The main reason why I love writing and directing music videos so much is because you, the fans, make it so much fun,” she said onstage moments earlier. “You make it so rewarding because you actually care about what we’re making. So, you know, I want to say thank you to everyone who ever worked on a music video that I got to be a part of. I learned something from every single person that ever worked alongside me on these projects.”
BEST: Nirvana Stages a Nostalgia-Fueled Reunion
Nirvana earned the coveted Video Vanguard Award, in which former members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear reunited to accept the trophy. (Their late bandmate, Kurt Cobain, died by suicide in 1994 at the age of 27.)
“The ideas of [the band’s videos] all grew out of the vision of one of the greatest artists of all time, Kurt Cobain,” Novoselic said. “Kurt was one of one. None of us could have imagined that our band, our sound or our aesthetic would mean so much to so many people, but ultimately the music had a life of its own.”
The wildest night in music is finally here. The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards kicked off at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27, with Snoop Dogg serving as the evening’s host. The network tapped this year’s most-nominated (and most-awarded) artist, Madonna, to open the show, marking the first time the Queen […]
WORST: Kurt Cobain’s Family Absent From VMAs
Despite the surviving members of Nirvana’s presence, there was no mention of Cobain’s widow, Courtney Love, nor daughter Frances Bean. Love and her daughter also were not present on Sunday, leaving Us missing both during the awards show.
Worst: Sombr’s Unexpected Performance
Sombr joined Adam Lambert for a musical tribute to the late George Michael, though his appearance seemed out-of-place and awkward to many of those watching at home.
It’s official — Jersey Shore alum DJ Pauly D is no longer DTF.
The former reality star, 46, is engaged to Las Vegas-based influencer Nikki Hall after six years of dating. Taking a knee inside Sin City’s Omnia Dayclub on Sunday, September 27, Pauly D, real name Paul DelVecchio Jr., popped the question to a delighted Hall, 34.
Footage of the moment, shared via Instagram by the club and then also DelVecchio Jr., captured the reality star walking his lady to the center of a crowd as an open-mouthed Hall looked around in disbelief. Grinning, DelVecchio Jr., dressed in a black button-down shirt and black sunglasses, pulled out a black box that he opened to present to Hall.
Grabbing her hand, he asked her if she would marry him, to which the influencer and former Double Shot at Love reality star nodded while keeping a hand over her mouth. Then, seemingly breaking down into tears, Hall steadied herself before letting DelVecchio Jr. place the bling on her finger.
For the fourth year in a row, the Nassau Paradise Island Wine and Food Festival at Atlantis Paradise Island is bringing together the world’s top chefs with celebrities, influencers and foodies alike. Nassau Paradise Island Wine and Food Festival is a five-day festival hosted at the Atlantis resort. This year’s festivities, running from March 11-15, […]
Once the deed was done, DelVecchio Jr. addressed the crowd.
“She said yes,” she yelled as fans filmed the special moment and cheered the couple on. The video then showed the couple warmly embracing.
“Things just got serious,” a caption by the club read on the post. “Congratulations to @djpaulyd and Nikki Hall for their engagement.”
DelVecchio Jr. met Hall while filming MTV’s Double Shot at Love in 2019. (DelVecchio Jr. signed onto the show alongside fellow Jersey Shore star Vinny Guadagnino.)
After getting to know 20 single women, DelVecchio Jr. couldn’t decide on a match. Thankfully, sparks later flew between him and Hall, who stayed connected once the show wrapped.
DJ Pauly D and Nikki Hall Supplied by Jazmyn Le
During season 4 of the six-season Jersey Shore, which extended into the 2018 spin-off Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, DelVecchio Jr. told the cast that he and Hall had decided to quarantine together in Las Vegas during the COVID-19 pandemic. He then officially introduced them to Hall after she joined him during a Zoom call.
Fans of DelVecchio Jr. were quick to congratulate him on proposing to Hall.
“FINALLY PAULY!!” wrote one fan, while another commented, “She been riding for him for a lonnnngggg time! Congratulations to them both!!”
Further social media users noted the time between the pair’s initial meeting and engagement. “It’s about damn time,” wrote another follower, while others wondered where Guadagnino, 38, was. “Has anyone checked in on @vinnyguadagnino 🤣🤣,” wrote one person.
Jersey Shore ran on MTV from December 2009 to December 2012 before it was rebooted in 2018. It followed the lives of a group of housemates, including Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Jenni “JWoww” Farley, and often honed in on their colorful dating lives.
Brandon Winn Sanderson is far and away one of the most universally beloved and critically celebrated authors of speculative fiction working today. An absolute icon of fantasy and science fiction, his incredibly prolific rhythm of output, intricately detailed magic systems, and deep connection to his fans through the Internet have made him a total legend. However, wondering where those unfamiliar with his oeuvre can start reading his work is a very fair question.
Thankfully, there are ten particular Brandon Sanderson books that are so creative, compelling, and masterfully written that they can very well be considered his very best. Whether it’s a part of his immensely popular Cosmere shared universe or a completely separate title, Sanderson’s best-ever novels are irrefutable proof of why he’s widely celebrated and considered one of the best authors of speculative fiction in the 21st century.
10
‘The Rithmatist’ (2013)
Through his Laws of Magic, Sanderson is credited with having coined and popularized the concept of hard magic and soft magic. Whereas the former has clear, well-defined rules and limitations, the latter is often much more mysterious and ambiguous. Evidently, few authors have a better understanding of the ins and outs of building an engaging magic system than Brandon Sanderson, and the magic system of The Rithmatist is precisely its main selling point.
Indeed, Rithmatics is one of Sanderson’s most original inventions, a geometry-based system whose users use a special form of chalk to draw shapes with unique powers. The twist? Joel, the book’s protagonist, is unable to use that magic. That subversive premise allows Sanderson to then craft a delectably genre-blending, high-stakes tale whose message about finding one’s purpose and self-worth is hugely effective. A whopping 13 years later, fans are still eagerly waiting for a sequel.
9
‘Tress of the Emerald Sea’ (2023)
Back in 2022, Sanderson announced a Kickstarter campaign to publish four Secret Projects, novels that he wrote during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within a day, the campaign reached its goal of over $40 million, becoming one of the most successful campaigns in Kickstarter history. The first of these Secret Projects was Tress of the Emerald Sea, the first installment of the Hoid’s Travails series, already one of Sanderson’s most widely acclaimed series.
Tress of the Emerald Sea is also part of the Cosmere universe, devised by Sanderson as an overarching superstory composed of several subseries. As it happens, Tress is one of the best Cosmere installments and one of the best fantasy books published since 2020, a delightful piece of cozy high fantasy heavily inspired by William Goldman‘s The Princess Bride. It’s a love letter to fairy tales and classic seafaring swashbucklers, one that feels refreshingly different from anything else Sanderson had written before.
8
‘Wind and Truth’ (2024)
Part of the Cosmere universe, the Stormlight Archive series is one of the most foundational and hugely influential fantasy book series of the 21st century. It’s a massive anchor for the Cosmere, Sanderson’s flagship high fantasy series, and one of the most admirably sprawling and epic fantasy book series the world has ever seen. It’s one of those series where every book is a masterpiece, and its latest installment, Wind and Truth, is certainly no exception.
The Stormlight Archive is planned to consist of five more novels whose publishing date is still to be defined, but Wind and Truth is nevertheless imbued with a sense of finality, narrative payoff, and emotional catharsis that’s beyond remarkable. Over 1,300 pages long yet faultlessly paced, thanks in large part to its stakes reaching the stratosphere throughout the whole story, it’s a radical expansion of the series’ lore. It’s full of satisfying character arc resolutions and emotional moments, and its second half as a whole feels like the ultimate Sanderlanche—a term fans of the author have coined to describe the massive, fast-paced climaxes that characterize most of Sanderson’s books.
7
‘Rhythm of War’ (2020)
The Stormlight Archive installment right before Wind and Truth is Rhythm of War, a novel made all the more special by how it shifts the series’ focus away from traditional military high fantasy and toward a more psychologically deep character study and survival story. Add to that the fact that the book contains the hardest magic system that Sanderson has ever explored, with a focus on the pure fantastical science of a magic-technological arms race, and you get a book that anyone who loves his work should greatly enjoy.
But as much emphasis as Sanderson may put on magical physics, Rhythm of War also serves as a surprisingly powerful exploration of themes of mental health, from PTSD to trauma more generally. Uniquely structured with a scope so airtight that it’s hard to believe the book is over 1,200 pages long, Rhythm of War should be perfectly satisfying both for those expecting major Cosmere lore shifts and a book that’s intimately compelling even when analyzed in a vacuum.
6
‘Warbreaker’ (2009)
As undeniably incredible as both Sanderson and his legendary oeuvre are, it’s quite understandable for someone who’s not looking to commit to a gargantuan series to feel intimidated by the author’s work. Thankfully, though, Sanderson has definitely written standalone novels, and the best of the bunch is arguably Warbreaker. Though it’s part of the Cosmere, it can absolutely be read as a self-contained story.
On the one hand, Warbreaker benefits from having a color-based magic system that’s among the coolest magic systems the fantasy genre has seen at any point during the 21st century. But on top of the incredible worldbuilding, this early Sanderson outing is a tightly plotted and philosophically profound political thriller whose intimately character-driven story, shocking plot twists, and fast pacing make it an exceptional introduction to Sanderson for those who have never read him.
5
‘Yumi and the Nightmare Painter’ (2023)
The second (and almost universally agreed to be the best) of Sanderson’s four Secret Projects, as well as the second installment in the Hoid’s Travails series, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is perfect proof of why the Cosmere is widely considered one of the fantasy book series with the best lore. Heavily inspired by anime, manga, and Japanese and Korean pop culture as a whole, this exquisitely cozy fantasy tale is a deeply thought-provoking meditation on the nature and importance of art and human connection.
It’s philosophically layered, intimately character-driven, and so economically written that its less-than-500 pages flow without a single bit of dead space on the way. It strikes the perfect balance between feeling like a charming, cozy adventure that can be read as though it were a standalone title, and adding a massive mind-bending twist that Cosmere lord hunters should feel perfectly rewarded by.
4
‘Oathbringer’ (2017)
The third book in the Stormlight Archive is Oathbringer, one of the most triumphant works of epic fantasy from the 2010s and one of the best fantasy books of the last 20 years. Fan rankings of Cosmere installments vary, of course, but Oathbringer is typically agreed to be right up there as one of Sanderson’s very best. It offers a groundbreaking shift in the moral foundation of the Stormlight Archive, inverting the series’ moral system and blurring the lines between good and evil.
All Stormlight Archive books make ample use of flashbacks, using them as the foundation to build the core structure of their respective stories. Through its use of flashbacks, Oathbringer delivers one of the most complex, compelling, and masterfully written redemption arcs in the modern history of epic fantasy literature. The deep exploration of Dalinar Kholin’s character is as emotionally riveting as it is thematically fitting, and though Oathbringer may not be quite as transcendental as its two predecessors, it’s still one of the best fantasy books of the 21st century so far.
3
‘Mistborn: The Final Empire’ (2006)
Sanderson’s Mistborn series is one of the most foundational in the history of modern epic fantasy, and it serves as the primary gateway into his Cosmere universe. It’s absolutely stunning that Mistborn: The Final Empire was only Sanderson’s second published novel ever, and though it’s usually agreed upon that it doesn’t exactly offer his best character work ever, everything else works about as flawlessly as anything fantasy literature has ever seen.
Blending a high-stakes heist narrative formula with an epic dystopia, The Final Empire is one of the most fun fantasy books of all time, and could be a perfect introduction to both Sanderson and the Cosmere. Allomancy is a top contender for the title of “best hard magic system ever written for a book,” the pacing is absolutely perfect, and protagonist Vin’s coming-of-age arc is more than engaging enough to make up for the lack of depth of the secondary ensemble. All in all, The Final Empire is a must-read for anyone who loves high fantasy.
2
‘The Way of Kings’ (2010)
The first book in the Stormlight Archive is The Way of Kings, still regarded by some as Sanderson’s magnum opus. Though some may find the slow pacing that comes naturally with the heavy worldbuilding of a juggernaut like this a bit tiresome, The Way of Kings largely overcomes the symptoms of “first book syndrome,” delivering a perfectly self-contained epic that’s easily among the high fantasy books with the best magic systems.
This book completely redefined 21st-century speculative fiction, reshaping the perception people had of the scale, kind of world-building, and emotional depth that fantasy literature was capable of. Kaladin’s journey is easily one of the greatest character arcs ever written, the worldbuilding of the planet Roshar is an absolute masterclass in every sense imaginable, and the hugely cinematic way in which Sanderson writes action scenes is as exciting as it is beautiful.
1
‘Words of Radiance’ (2014)
Groundbreaking though its predecessor may be, The Way of Kings‘ sequel, Words of Radiance, is almost universally agreed to be one of the best fantasy sequel books of the 21st century. Not only that: It may very well be the single greatest fantasy novel of the last 26 years. It’s one of those fantasy books better than most movies being made today, a book that pretty much anyone and everyone who loves epic high fantasy should consider essential reading.
Words of Radiance takes the already flawless foundation laid out by The Way of Kings and expands the lore, accelerates the pacing, and deepens the character arcs in ways that prove why Sanderson is almost universally viewed as a master of his craft. The dialogue is delectably witty, the character writing is exceptional, and the action scenes are some of the most engaging that fantasy literature has seen in years. The explosive Sanderlanche that is the story’s final act is impossible to put down. All in all, Words of Radiance is undoubtedly its author’s best work to date.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star Benjamin Satterley, better known to fans as Pac, has died at the age of 40.
AEW announced the British wrestler’s death via its official website on Sunday, September 27.
“All Elite Wrestling is saddened to announce the passing of Benjamin Satterley, aka Pac,” the organization said in a statement. “A native of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Satterley began his wrestling career in 2004 and went on to perform for wrestling organizations all over the world, captivating fans with innovative high-flying moves and incredible in-ring ability.”
“Pac signed with All Elite Wrestling in 2019 and held multiple AEW championships and competed in some of the most memorable matches in AEW history,” the statement continued.
Hollywood mourned the deaths of some of its most legendary stars in 2026. In June, legendary music executive Clive Davis also died at age 94 following a hospitalization for an upper respiratory infection. The following month, G.R.L. member Lauren Bennett died at age 37, while Bonnie Tyler died at 75. Emergency!‘s Randolph Mantooth and Police […]
The company concluded, “Our condolences go out to Satterley’s family, friends and fans.”
No cause of death was provided.
Satterley’s tragic death comes just one day after he competed for the AEW National Championship in the opening match of AEW’s All Out event in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Satterley lost to reigning champion Andrade El Idolo at the Now Arena on Saturday, September 26, at All Out, which was broadcast live on pay-per-view globally.
In AEW, Pac held one-third of the AEW Trios Championship and was the inaugural AEW International Champion. He was part of the popular faction the Death Riders, alongside former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia and Marina Shafir.
Professional wrestler Andy Williams, known in the ring as “The Butcher,” has died. He was 48. Williams died on Saturday, September 5, after a tag-team match in Pennsylvania, according to TMZ. The local Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to the outlet that Williams died after an undisclosed medical emergency. Williams and his partner, Jesse […]
Satterley previously competed as the high-flying “Neville” in WWE from 2012 to 2018. He is a former WWE NXT Champion and Cruiserweight Champion.
Stars from across WWE and AEW mourned Satterley’s death in social media tributes late Sunday and early Monday, September 28.
WWE star Becky Lynch wrote via X, “One of the best in every way possible. 💔”
Current AEW World Champion Will Ospreay shared, “The greatest export from our country. Also the greatest human being. Honoured to have shared the ring with you so many times. You truly are such a hero to myself and many others. Forever our BASTARD 💚RIP Pac.”
WWE veteran Nattie “Natalya” Neidhart wrote via X, “I am so sad to hear this news. Pac was always so respectful and kind to me, especially during his time at NXT when he and [Nattie’s husband] TJ were working a lot together. I’ll always remember how passionate Pac was about wrestling, but equally, how much respect showed everyone around him.”
“Every time TJ was in the ring with him, he wanted to make Ben proud and be his absolute best. That always stayed with me and said so much about the kind of person he was,” Neidhart continued. “My heart goes out to Pac’s family, his friends and everyone who loved him. This is an immeasurable loss. I’m so grateful I had the chance to know him.”
Disaster movies used to be everywhere. Back in the late 1900s, disaster films tackled everything from tsunamis and plane crashes to global pandemics. Over time, though, they lost some of their widespread global pull. As the world grew more digitally interconnected, real-life crises became international headlines in the 24-hour news cycle, making old-school Hollywood CGI destruction feel a bit too close to home. Today, traditional disaster films mostly occupy a smaller, niche corner of pop culture, occasionally inspiring high-stakes emergencies on network procedurals like 9-1-1. But a massive, big-budget disaster movie event? That has been a rare sight ever since the 2024 Twisters sequel starring Glen Powell.
Even so, storytellers keep finding sharp, character-driven ways to trap people in chaos when human behavior is pushed to the breaking point. Netflix is leaning into that exact formula with its next release. Audiences have shown a steady appetite lately for tight psychological thrillers where the danger isn’t just external. Netflix’s upcoming comedy-drama film, The Storm, explores what happens when a group of friends faces a potentially life-ending catastrophe.
The story unfolds in northern Sweden, where a man named Filip is celebrating his 45th birthday. It’s supposed to be a triumphant milestone: he and his wife have just bought a lavish farm estate, and they’re eager to show it off to their inner circle. But right as the party gets going, a violent storm rolls in, trapping everyone inside. Before long, the real destruction stops coming from the weather outside and starts coming from within the house. Carefully maintained social performances collapse, polite masks slip, and long-buried secrets start spilling out. As panic settles in and the walls start closing in, ugly meltdowns take over. Whether the natural storm ultimately consumes them or passes them by, the emotional damage inside the room might already be permanent. The Storm hits Netflix in three weeks, premiering globally on Thursday, October 15.
Who Is Behind ‘The Storm?’
Acclaimed Swedish writer and director Josephine Bornebusch spearheads the film and also steps in front of the camera. Bornebusch is well-known locally for helming series like Love Me, while building an international profile through her work on Baby Reindeer and Bad Sisters. She has put together a stacked ensemble of recognizable Swedish talent, anchored by Vikings star Gustaf Skarsgård as Filip. The main cast also features director Bornebusch herself (as Kina) alongside Jonas Karlsson (Jacob), Filip Berg (Ossi), Aliette Opheim (Caroline), Johan Rheborg (Nicholas), Christopher Wagelin (Henrik), Sara Shirpey (Ninni), Gizem Erdogan (Nattis), Henrik Dorsin (Stefan), Nils Wetterholm (Petter), Editha Domingo (Carmen), and Nicole Levin (Siri).
The Storm premieres globally on Netflix on Thursday, October 15. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates as release day gets closer.
Off Campus’ Belmont Cameli has reacted to seeing Tyler Cameron perform his notorious on-screen salsa dance on Dancing With the Stars.
“I did see that. And he killed it too,” Cameli, 28, said during a Sunday, September 27, interview with Entertainment Tonight on the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet. “And the man looks good, and he gave full effort, and that’s what I love, that’s what it’s all about. Tyler did fantastic.”
Cameron, 33, performed the Tuesday, September 22, live salsa to “Girls” by The Kid Laroi, which mirrored the song choice originally chosen by Off Campus for its premiere season 1 episode in May. Cameron, who is competing with pro Sharna Burgess on season 35 of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, received 16 out of 30 for the performance.
Cameli, who stars alongside Ella Bright in the Prime Video romance drama series, added that he’d also seen Cameron’s fellow DWTS contestant Guillermo Rodriguez have a go at the original choreography. “I saw a video of Guillermo doing it, too, and Guillermo f***ing killed it,” Cameli told the outlet. “Sexy little dance.”
Off Campus’ Belmont Cameli enthusiastically praised costar Ella Bright amid online rumors of a falling out. “Everything about Ella makes the perfect Hannah [Wells],” Cameli, 28, said of Bright, referencing her character in their Prime Video series, during an E! News interview on Saturday, September 12. “I mean, she’s fantastic. She’s an incredible actress, and she’s […]
Cameli attended the VMAs alongside Bright, 19, posing for photos with her on the event’s red carpet. Appearing friendly and giggling in each other’s company, the appearance seemed to squash any lingering rumors of a feud. (Social media users were convinced in recent weeks that Cameli deleted, or archived, multiple Instagram grid photos that featured Bright.)
The pair even addressed the rumors during individual interviews with Entertainment Tonight. “I mean, I laugh every time I hear them,” Cameli said. Bright added, “All the days I’m on-set, we’re, like, in the green room, and he’s like, ‘Have you seen this?’ and I’m like, ‘LOL.’”
Belmont Cameli Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Cameli also said that the rumors were “really entertaining. And sometimes fascinating, the conclusions people will jump to.”
He concluded, “I’m happy to put [the rumors] to bed. Ella and I are extremely close.” Bright also concluded, “He’s one of my best friends. He doesn’t need to know that, but he is.”
Tyler Cameron Amy Sussman/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Cameli and Bright’s Off Campus costar Mika Abdalla recently told Vogue India about how season 2 will differ from season 1. “It’s a lot more emotionally turbulent, so you lose some of that fun, best-friend energy,” Abdalla, 26, told the outlet in an article published on September 1.
The show is based on the book series by Elle Kennedy and follows an elite ice hockey team and the women in their lives.
Stephen King‘s massive library of stories continues to be translated to film and television at a rapid pace, and for the most part, the results have been positive lately. Last year saw three new high-profile adaptations of his work hit the big screen — Oz Perkins‘ The Monkey, Francis Lawrence‘s The Long Walk, and Edgar Wright‘s The Running Man — all of which were mostly met with acclaim from critics and audiences. However, they also earned high praise from the author himself, solidifying the year as an all-around great one for fans of his novels, especially with Mike Flanagan‘s much-lauded The Life of Chuck also hitting theaters following its festival circuit premiere in 2024. It’s a notable feat considering how much each of the three sides can disagree with one another.
Case in point: Stanley Kubrick‘s The Shining. Released in 1980 with Jack Nicholson in the leading role as the Overlook Hotel’s new caretaker, Jack Torrance, the film is considered one of the director’s and the horror genre’s crowning achievements, depicting the terrifying descent into madness of a father whose demons are preyed upon by the ghosts that haunt the lodging. However, opinions were more mixed at the time, and King himself famously lambasted Kubrick’s work for departing so wildly from his original vision. In particular, he voiced his disapproval of Jack’s portrayal, which leaned away from his more tragic depiction as a victim to create a frightening antagonist. His views now stand in contrast to a classic that’s defined by iconic shots and moments immortalized in cinematic history, from the Steadicam capture of Danny’s ride through the Overlook’s halls to Jack axing through the bathroom door and the elevator of blood.
Now, the classic is heading to HBO Max just in time for Halloween. The Shining will be part of a massive wave of movies coming to the platform on October 1, joining other horror hits next month ranging from the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise to the recent return of a horror mainstay, Evil Dead Burn. It’s a fitting home for the iconic film, considering how many King adaptations are available to stream there, including the aforementioned Long Walk, Misery, both adaptations of It, Brian De Palma‘s Carrie, and more. HBO Max is also the exclusive home of the prequel series It: Welcome to Derry, which has since been renewed for Season 2.
The Next Big Stephen King Adaptation Is Right Around the Corner
While HBO Max has a wealth of King films and series to binge during the spooky season, Prime Video will be the home to his next big adaptation — Flanagan’s version of Carrie. The series is set to premiere on October 7 and will put the Midnight Mass creator’s own spin on King’s debut novel across eight episodes. With the expanded runtime, he’s taking the titular high schooler into the social media age, a change that the author has wholeheartedly praised for separating Flanagan’s approach from De Palma’s. Summer H. Howell leads the cast as Carrie White, joining Samantha Sloyan, Siena Agudong, Alison Thornton, Amber Midthunder, Joel Oulette, Josie Totah, Arthur Conti, and more.
The Shining checks into HBO Max on October 1. Stay tuned here at Collider for more on all the films coming to and leaving streaming throughout the year.
- Release Date
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June 13, 1980
- Runtime
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144 minutes
- Producers
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Jan Harlan
Jersey Shore alum Vinny Guadagnino has hilariously addressed his BFF DJ Pauly D getting engaged.
“I’m not OK,” Guadagnino, 38, wrote via Instagram just hours after his former reality TV costar Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio Jr. announced his engagement to influencer Nikki Hall on Sunday, September 27.
Accompanying his tongue-in-cheek words was an AI-generated video that depicted Guadagnino standing in the rain as he held a hand in the air in the hope of DelVecchio Jr. noticing him. Next to him, sheltered within a lavish living area, DelVecchio Jr., 46, was depicted standing beside his wife-to-be, 34, as the couple delighted in their happy news.
Guadagnino, who starred alongside DelVecchio Jr. on the MTV reality series when it aired from December 2009 to December 2012, made sure fans knew that he wasn’t altogether heartbroken by his pal’s news, ending his caption with, “Congratulations @djpaulyd and @nikkisaintclaire.”
Arlene Richie/Shutterstock Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio met girlfriend Nikki Hall on a reality show — but it wasn’t Jersey Shore. In 2019, DelVecchio signed on to participate in the MTV dating show Double Shot at Love alongside his Jersey Shore costar Vinny Guadagnino. The friends met 20 single women competing for their hearts — […]
Fans took to the post’s comments section to flood it with crying-laughter face emojis. One follower noted, “It used to be MVP … then it was VP … now it’s just V 😂😭😭😭,” while another wrote, “He lost his best friend, his [sic] getting married 😢😢.” The post attracted more than 100,000 likes in just two hours.
DelVecchio Jr. had in fact met Hall, a Las Vegas-based lifestyle influencer, when his best friend had also met her. Appearing in the 2019 MTV reality dating series Double Shot at Love, the best friends were faced with choosing a match from 20 single women, including Hall. Despite DelVecchio Jr. deciding to leave the show single, he later struck up a romance with her away from the cameras.
Six years of subsequent dating culminated in a marriage proposal inside Las Vegas’ Omnia Dayclub on Sunday. Footage of the moment, originally shared by the venue and later shared with DelVecchio Jr via Instagram., captured him walking his lady to the center of a crowd as an open-mouthed Hall looked around her in disbelief.
MTV shook up reality TV — and introduced fans to the GTL lifestyle (a.k.a. gym, tan, laundry) — in 2009 with the premiere of Jersey Shore. The series quickly made household names out of stars Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Vinny Guadagnino, Jenni “JWoww” Farley, Angelina Pivarnick, Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Samantha “Sammi Sweetheart” […]
Grinning, DelVecchio Jr., dressed in a black button-down shirt and black sunglasses, pulled out a black box with a ring in it that he presented to Hall.
A spokesperson for the happy couple told Us in the late hours of Sunday night that Bruno Mars’ “Marry You” played over the venue’s speakers after Hall said yes. Additionally, signs that read “Congratulations on the engagement, yeah buddy!” were also brought into the crowd. (“Yeah buddy!” was one of DelVecchio Jr.’s catchphrases on Jersey Shore.)
As for Guadagnino’s love life, the Masked Singer alum remains single after being linked to several women over the years. Most recently, Reddit users speculated that he had found a connection with a New York-based influencer named Nicole.
The art of adapting a book is genuinely difficult. Follow it too closely, and you risk doing nothing differently, failing to properly translate the literary language into the cinematic form. Conversely, if you change too much, you risk altering the very fabric of the story, not only alienating the fans of the source material but perhaps even offending them. It’s no surprise that so many movie adaptations fail these days: they either fail to respect the source material enough or they don’t do enough to stand out, merely settling for being “meh” rather than “wow.”
We’re here to discuss the ones that actually pull it off, the rare movies that take the source material and not only respect it but, more importantly, understand and elevate it. They take everything that worked on the page and successfully translate it into the cinematic language we all know and love. A few make significant changes to the text, but they still maintain the story’s essence, delivering something that might seem different but is the same at its core. These movies are true masterclasses in how to adapt a book for the big screen, the standard that many screenwriters and directors should follow.
‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
Adapting a book for the big screen doesn’t always mean doing a one-on-one version—in fact, it rarely means that. The best movie adaptations can make significant alterations to the source material yet still keep the vibe of the story, the core themes, the nature of the characters, and the basic tone. A truly masterful movie, however, finds a way to enhance everything that worked on the page in an inherently cinematic language. In the case of The Wizard of Oz, it was through the use of color and song.
Now, there are a ton of differences between The Wizard of Oz and its source material, Frank L. Baum‘s book series. Yet, the movie is so whimsical, so heartfelt and purely enjoyable that you not only forgive them but actually get fully on board with them. By the time Dorothy leaves the sepia of Kansas to enter the Technicolor world of Oz, you are fully immersed in the movie, and there’s no going back. The use of Technicolor was key in turning The Wizard of Oz into the pinnacle of fantasy, and important changes, like having Judy Garland wear a red wig in pigtails and changing the slippers from silver to ruby, gave the movie an identity. Indeed, the iconography has become part of cinema’s very fabric. The songs, written by Harold Arden and E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, added further charm and expanded on the emotional themes of the story, especially the sorrowful theme “Over the Rainbow.”
‘The Godfather’ (1972)
The movie adaptations that greatly surpass their source material, to the point where they become the standard of their respective franchise, can be counted with one hand. In a way, they begin and end with The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola‘s big-screen adaptation of the gangster novel by Mario Puzo. Both the movie and the book tell the story of the Corleone Family, headed by Don Vito Corleone, whose son, Michael, begins to take over as a series of conflicts threaten the clan’s dominance.
The difference between the book and the movie is quite significant here. The former is highly regarded indeed, but its adaptation is arguably the best American movie of all time. It’s to both Coppola and Puzo’s credit, as the screenwriters, that they took the book’s sprawling and at times messy narrative and turned it into a streamlined family tragedy. Subplots were outright removed, and storylines were sharpened. The themes of ambition, generational baggage, crime, and the allure and corruptive force of power are intact, but by focusing on a tight-knit group of characters and how their influence poisons those around them, the movie is much more powerful. The Godfather is widely attributed with shaping our modern perception of the mafia; the book introduced this new idea of the mob, and the movie perfected it.
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure, The “Good Parts” Version is the seminal fantasy romance written by William Goldman in 1973. Highly humorous, ironic, and self-referential, the book is a masterpiece of metafiction where the author presents an abridged version of another tale, providing constant commentary on the side. It is widely celebrated as a wholly original and delightful work, a singular fantasy that worked perfectly in its original form. How to adapt such a tale?
As it turns out, only Goldman could do it. The film adaptation of The Princess Bride is just as charming and imaginative, and possibly funnier. Goldman’s genius begins with how he replicates the metaphictional quality of his book: rather than using the same trope, the movie frames the story of farmhand Westley (Cary Elwes) and his love, Buttercup (Robin Wright), as a fairy tale being told by a grandfather (Peter Falk) to his sick grandson (Fred Savage). From there, the movie stays just as fresh, fast-paced, quick-witted, and outright irresistible as the book. The legacy of both works has only gotten better with time—the movie is perhaps better known, though. However, Goldman’s adaptation remains the gold standard for how to take a truly singular work and replicate it in a new form while still respecting everything that makes it unique.
‘The Remains of the Day’ (1993)
Few writers are as prominent or highly regarded as the mighty Kazuo Ishiguro. The Nobel Prize winner is behind multiple modern classics, but his magnum opus is undeniably The Remains of the Day, a tale of the conflict that arises between duty and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. The plot chronicles the life of devoted butler Stevens, whose blind loyalty to his master, Lord Darlington, slowly shapes his life, even as changes around the world and his own bond with the housekeeper, Miss Kenton, introduce conflict to his otherwise rigorous existence.
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and an uncredited Harold Pinter translated Ishiguro’s sorrowful, poignant tale into the big screen, and the result was nothing short of masterful. The 1993 movie version of The Remains of the Day is a perfect adaptation, capturing the book’s profound, somber, and deeply introspective tone and complementing it with lush visuals, elegant camera movements, and two outstanding and quietly powerful performances by Sir Anthony Hopkins and Dame Emma Thompson. Both works are melancholy, though Ishiguro’s book is perhaps more hopeful in its conclusion. The true genius of the movie is how it takes a book that relies entirely on a character’s private and fiercely guarded thoughts and translates it into a movie that is pulled back yet no less cinematic.
‘The Lord of the Rings’ (2001-2003)
Adapting a book is challenging enough, but when the book in question has legions of devoted fans, a comprehensive world that ranks among the most detailed and complex ever created, and a larger-than-life story on a truly sweeping scale, then the task becomes borderline impossible. Such was the challenge that Peter Jackson faced while adapting J. R. R. Tolkien‘s seminal work, The Lord of the Rings. As is well known, the plot centers on the young Hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), who must carry the One Ring to the fires of Mount Doom. Aided by the Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo faces the Ring’s corruption as the Dark Lord Sauron amasses an army to take over Middle-earth.
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to call the Lord of the Rings movies the very apex of the fantasy genre. The work that Jackson and fellow screenwriters Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh, and Stephen Sinclair did is truly impressive in how economically it translates the main events of the books into the big screen. From the get-go, they establish Middle-earth as a place of whimsy and danger, populated by fascinating creatures and haunted by ancient evils while still making it feel tactile and lived-in. Much of the worldbuilding comes organically through dialogue, but exposition is still used effectively. The movies arguably surpass the books when it comes to the massive, jaw-dropping battle sequences; indeed, the action in the trilogy is unlike anything we’ve seen before or since. Tolkien’s lore is deep and mesmerizing, with the author allowing himself the freedom to expand upon it at length. The screenwriters streamline the story while still delving into Middle-earth’s story, making for a saga that is the epitome of what epic fantasy should be.
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