Jennifer Lopez has never been shy about believing in love. However, some of her most candid comments reveal that finding it in earnest has not always been easy.

The singer and actress has been married four times, and her relationships have played out under intense public attention. Over the years, she has looked back at her choices with surprising honesty.

She has admitted to repeating patterns and searching for validation from others. Jennifer Lopez has also spoken about learning difficult lessons about self-love.

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Long before her second romance with Ben Affleck ended, Lopez was already taking a long, hard look at her dating history.

During a 2018 conversation with Vogue, the “On The Floor” singer admitted that she once had a habit of blaming her partners when things went wrong. However, she admitted that she’d experienced a shift in perspective.

“Then I realized it was me. I had to figure out myself,” Lopez said. According to her, she needed to understand why she kept making certain choices. That process included identifying negative patterns and dealing with unresolved hurt from her past.

It was a revealing admission from the star, who by then had already experienced several major relationships. In 1997, she married Ojani Noa, her first husband, but the marriage ended the following year. Lopez then went on to marry dancer Cris Judd in 2001, but by 2003, their divorce had been finalized.

Her longest marriage was to singer Marc Anthony, which lasted from 2004 till it finally ended in 2014. Regardless, Lopez’s comments suggested that she had begun examining what she brought to her various relationships.

The Singer Learned To Put Self-Love First After Her Marc Anthony Split

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Lopez spoke about another major realization after her marriage to Anthony came to an end.

In a 2012 Vogue profile, the superstar showed off a diamond ring that she had been given following the divorce. The words “I LOVE ME” were spelled across it.

According to Lopez, the message existed as a reminder that she needed to “love myself first.” She explained that people can believe they have good self-esteem while still allowing others to treat them wrongly.

For her, learning to value herself became an important part of understanding her past relationships.

Jennifer Lopez Once Believed Ben Affleck Proved Lasting Love Was Real

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The superstar’s outlook on love appeared especially hopeful after she reunited with Ben Affleck. The pair first dated and got engaged in the early 2000s, before splitting in 2004. Nearly two decades later, “Bennifer,” as they were lovingly known by fans, found their way back together.

The pair rekindled their past romance back in 2021. They married in July the year after in Las Vegas, and later had another wedding celebration in Georgia. At the time, Lopez appeared convinced their unusual love story represented the beliefs she still held about romance.

During a 2022 Apple Music interview, she encouraged people not to give up on finding love. “True love does exist, and some things do last forever,” she declared. Lopez struck a similarly optimistic tone during her Vogue cover interview that same year.

Ultimately, the marriage did not last, however. Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024, and their settlement took effect on February 21, 2025.

Ben Affleck’s Divorce Forced His Ex-Wife To Admit She Had More Work To Do

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The end of Lopez’s marriage to Affleck led to another period of intense self-reflection. She spoke openly about a process during an October 2024 Interview Magazine conversation with comedian Nikki Glaser.

Lopez admitted that she previously thought she had learned how to be happy on her own. “I thought I learned that, but I didn’t,” she said. She explained that when old problems appear again, a person sometimes has to examine the beliefs and feelings influencing their choices.

When Glaser suggested that she might now have a different standard for her next partner, Lopez revealed that dating was not her priority.

“I’m not looking for anybody,” she said, going on to explain that being in a relationship no longer needed to define her happiness. More recently, during a June 2026 appearance on the “SmartLess” podcast, Lopez described the previous two years as a healing process.

Jeniffer Lopez Says She Doesn’t Think She’s Ever Been ‘Truly Loved’

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Perhaps Lopez’s most striking assessment of her romantic history came in October 2025. During her first appearance on “The Howard Stern Show,” Stern asked the star whether she believed she had ever truly been loved.

Lopez answered, “No.” She went on to clarify that she had experienced truly loving someone herself. However, she had apparently come to an opposite conclusion about what she received in return. “It’s not that I’m not lovable, it’s that they’re not capable,” Lopez explained.

Still, the singer did not place all responsibility for her relationship woes on her exes. During the same discussion, she acknowledged that she had not fully loved herself during those relationships.

Brian Austin Green had such a great time filming Totally ‘90s House for HGTV that he wants to return — without any new additions.

“I wouldn’t nominate anyone else,” Green, 53, quipped exclusively to Us during a joint interview with Beverley Mitchell and Jodie Sweetin. “I think the three of us should come back and do season 2.”

Totally ‘90s House, which airs Wednesdays on HGTV, follows Green from Beverly Hills, 90210, Mitchel, 45, of 7th Heaven fame and Full House‘s Sweetin, 44, who are paired off against Melissa Joan Hart from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Boy Meets World‘s Matthew Lawrence and The Cosby Show alum Keshia Knight Pulliam.

“There’s so many people that would be fun to join,” Mitchell added. “But I would never break up our team. So it would have to be our team and then we would have a challenge [with someone new].”

Sweetin, meanwhile, suggested themed teams.

“We could do Step by Step. We could do TGIF shows. We could do all Aaron Spelling shows,” she suggested. “I’m just tossing out ideas.”

Despite the wide variety of possibilities, Green stood behind his initial vision, jokingly telling Us, “They’re horrible ideas. No one is as good as us. I want to keep this team intact, and I want to continue doing this show.”

Totally ‘90s House hinges on each team being tasked with looking across the country for houses stuck in the 1990s. After picking the perfect throwback home in need of a major overhaul, the groups get help from mentors Carter Oosterhouse and Sabrina Soto as they “modernize the dated spaces while preserving their nostalgic charm in hopes of creating the ideal ‘90s-inspired dream home — to win bragging rights and $25,000 for their chosen charity,” according to the official synopsis.

“I think what’s the greatest thing about our team is that we complement each other very well. We work very well together,” Mitchell gushed. “And we are not nearly as strong if it’s not the three of us. It takes all three of us to make us such an exceptional team.”

She continued: “I think that that is the key component — and we’re very well aware of that. I can’t do this by myself, so I need them.”

Related: HGTV’s Biggest Breakout Stars: Chip and Joanna Gaines and More

Thanks to HGTV, real estate agents, general contractors and interior designers have become household names. “Home building [and] home design 20 years ago was this deep, dark mystery,” the network’s cofounder Kenneth Lowe told Architectural Digest in July 2019. “People just didn’t understand it, and a lot of what HGTV has done is educate the […]

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Filming a show such as Totally ‘90s House has gotten everyone hooked on home renovation. Mitchell noted she has “lots of ideas” but no “team behind me to help me pull off all the ideas.”

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Sweetin agreed that it is tough to have “lots of ideas” but no capacity to follow through. Green, however, told Us he was well on his way.

“I just need a plumber and I need some people that are actually really good at building things aside from me. I fake it really well,” he noted. “I’m one of those guys. I have an impressive tool collection.”

Totally ‘90s House premieres on HGTV Wednesday, August 26, at 9 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on HBO Max.

The internet has been waiting for India Love to come to the front after fans started speculating that she might have a bun in the oven. Now, the influencer is setting the record straight on whether she’s gearing up to be in mommy mode after folks online criticized her appearance during a recent livestream.

RELATED: Social Media Reacts After India Love & Streamer Rakai Clash Over His Influence On Younger Fans (VIDEOS) 

India Love Clears The Air On The Pregnancy Chatter

It’s unclear what sparked the pregnancy speculation surrounding India Love, but clips from an apparent recent livestream show her seemingly shutting down the chatter. In one video, India laughs off the rumors and says folks have it all wrong — she just gained some weight.  “No I am not what y’all think I am,” she said while laughing. “I gained weight. I went from being 149 pounds to 169 pounds, literally.” Despite the criticism about her appearance, she said she’s enjoying being thick, but the only thing she’s not vibing with is the fact that some of the weight went to her stomach. “I love the weight everywhere else, but my stomach. I did get a little wider,” India added.

@onlyclips1017 #indialovewestbrooks on #Twitch | #indialovewestbrooks on #Twitch ♬ original sound – Onlyclips

India Claps Back At Trolls For Criticizing Her Appearance

Another livestream clip making rounds online show India doubling down and denying she’s expecting. In the footage, India appears inside a home and mocks the trolls who keep commenting on her weight and claiming she’s pregnant. She doesn’t seemed to be fazed by the chit chat, but instead comes through with a direct message for anyone who has something to say about her appearance. “India got thick, India got thick and she fat and she fat and she pregnant. Shut the f**k up,” Love says in the clip.

@unfitclips Follow up‼️#fyp #trending #viral#indialove ♬ original sound – unfitclips

The Internet Quickly Came To The Influencer’s Defense

Of course, fans didn’t stay quiet. Plenty of folks slid into Onlyclips’ comment section after the video showed India clearing the air. Some fans said they didn’t even peep any changes in her appearance, while others said they love how she looks and still see her as a baddie regardless of what anyone says or thinks.

TikTok user @thatsdayy1 wrote, “She looks good.” 

TikTok user @Nene wrote, “And she still bad asf I love India.” 

While TikTok user @Rude gal clipz wrote, “It happens she still fineee.” 

Then TikTok user @xlexisxz wrote, “I didn’t even notice a difference. I wish weight wasn’t always such a big deal.” 

Another TikTok user @PynkSiddity 🎀 wrote, “She looks great the people complaining are weird asf.” 

TikTok user @Huh😃 wrote, “Ngl the weight looks good on her, it makes her look more natural.” 

While another TikTok user @™Elmo wrote, “still the most beautiful women on the planet.” 

Lastly, TikTok user @Keionna Turner wrote, “Nothing wrong with that. Women’s weight fluctuate so much as you get older especially and you just gotta embrace it for what it is she is still beautiful no matter what.” 

RELATED: Probably Pregnant? Claressa Shields’ SPICY Tea About Her Quality Time With Papoose Has The Internet Popping Off (PHOTO) 

Get a rundown of Us‘ top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on August 26, 2026. Here are the key takeaways:

• Miley Cyrus broke her silence on the death of her godmother, Dolly Parton, who died peacefully at her Nashville home. In an Instagram tribute, Cyrus wrote that she has “an angel by my side” and said one of their last conversations was about “music and metamorphosis.” Parton became Cyrus’ godmother through her close friendship with Billy Ray Cyrus.

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• Below Deck Med‘s Nathan Gallagher addressed his domestic violence arrest in Australia, telling Rolling Stone, “I made mistakes and I will take responsibility for my own actions” while insisting he has video, messages and records that contradict the public account. Gallagher, who confirmed his split from castmate Gael Cameron, is due in court September 1 for charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentionally choking a person without consent.

• The cast and crew of Heroes reunited to celebrate Hayden Panettiere nearly 10 days after her death from a suspected overdose in Greenville, South Carolina. Writer Bryan Fuller shared photos of the gathering with Jack Coleman, Zachary Quinto and others, writing that Panettiere was “#1 ON THE CALL SHEET AND #1 IN OUR HEARTS AND MEMORIES.”

Edited by Samantha Benitz. Story produced with AI assistance

Parents understand the daily battle of trying to get their kids to eat enough of the good stuff — and we’re not talking about cookies. Protein is particularly tough, but it’s such an important part of a well-rounded diet. Hiya is changing the game with a kid-focused protein powder containing grass-fed whey protein, prebiotics and healthy fats.

Hiya aimed to create something “simple and trustworthy,” according to a press release, which is what led the brand to introduce the Kids Daily Growth + Protein. Formulated for ages 2 to 12, the sweet cream flavor is naturally sweet, as the name suggests, so your child might view it more as a treat. Wouldn’t that be the biggest win?

Get the Kids Daily Growth + Protein for $29 at Hiya!

Don’t let the bright pink packaging fool you — Hiya’s kids’ protein powder is packed with top-notch ingredients. The grass-fed whey protein isolate is a complete protein with all essential amino acids, and the organic medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil provides energy for developing bodies. Other key components are organic coconut milk for dietary fat, organic inulin for gut health and a mineral blend, including calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamin D3.

The simplest way to use Kids Daily Growth + Protein is by mixing it with 8 to 10 ounces of water or milk. Or, add it to smoothies, baked goods or whatever bite tastes good when paired with vanilla.

Real parents are giving a thumbs up on this protein powder, noting that they haven’t experienced issues with getting their children to eat or drink with it.

“We’ve been using this protein in our kid’s routine for the past few weeks, and it’s been so easy to integrate into breakfast or smoothies! I even made some protein pancakes with it, which was a huge hit,” one verified purchaser shared.

“My toddler is going through one of those phases where his meals consist of bread, rice and crackers. So having a protein option that he actually LOVES has been amazing. He genuinely gets excited about his Hiya protein, and I love knowing I have an EASY option to help round out his day when meals for the day are nothing but beige. It’s one less thing I have to worry about or overthink as a mom!!” a five-star reviewer wrote.

Parents of young kids know it’s a win when they find something little ones will actually eat, and Hiya’s kids’ protein powder solves that problem with ease.

Get the Kids Daily Growth + Protein for $29 at Hiya!

Ricky Schroder is facing backlash for his controversial tribute to Dolly Parton following her death at age 80.

“I didn’t agree with her advocating for Transgender & Covid Vaccine support … but Loved her anyway,” Schroder, 56, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, August 26, alongside a photo of him and the late country singer. “Thank you for choosing me Dolly to be your Movie Daddy.”

Schroder was seemingly referring to Parton’s advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community as she used her platform to oppose anti-trans legislation. Parton also played a major role in the fight against COVID-19. She made a $1 million donation to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center which helped fund research that led to the development of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Parton and Schroeder crossed paths back in 2015 as he played the fictionalized version of Parton’s father in her TV movie Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors. He reprised his role for the sequel, Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, the following year.

Several social media users flocked to the comments section to slam Schroder’s post.

“Wow … you should have said nothing,” one user wrote while another responded, “Couldn’t just pay tribute to a beautiful person. Had to make it about yourself.”

Lioness star Jay Huguley also criticized Schroder’s remarks.

“‘I loved her anyway’ what a strange tribute. Good Lord,” the actor, 60, replied.

Parton died on Tuesday following a “brief” and private battle with an undisclosed type of cancer.

“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” a spokesperson for the late singer said in a statement at the time. “Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.”

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Related: Dolly Parton’s Nephew Addresses Her Death at Age 80 in Emotional Video

Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver paid tribute to his late aunt while confirming her death at the age of 80 in a sentimental video. “I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver began in the clip posted to Parton’s Instagram account on Tuesday, […]

The statement continued, “Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”

Countless of Parton’s friends, colleagues, loved ones and fans paid their respects to the music icon, including fellow country singer Reba McEntire.

“Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side. Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you,” the “I’m a Survivor” hitmaker, 71, wrote via Instagram. “We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang. Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her. I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart. I will always love you, Reba.”

There’s nothing like a good, unexpected movie twist. You’ve got the iconic all-timers like Charlton Heston seeing the Statue of Liberty at the end of Planet of the Apes, or Luke learning Darth Vader’s true identity in Empire Strikes Back, that will always be at the forefront of conversations. But those surprise endings are far from the only twists deserving of that level of attention. Back in 2003, director James Mangold and writer Michael Cooney teamed up for a propulsive little thriller that packed an enormous twist — one that still blows the minds of new viewers more than two decades later.

Mangold’s 2003 thriller Identity is a movie you may not hear people talking about a lot these days, but it has one of the wackiest and most unforgettable twists in movie history. It’s a lean little thriller set at a roadside motel during a storm that has caused several road closures. Several strangers arrive under mysterious, related circumstances, hoping to wait out the storm — but someone amongst them is a killer, and they start dropping one by one. The star-studded cast includes John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, and John Hawkes, and they help draw you into the shady world of the motel. Once you get comfortable, though, the rug is ripped out from under you, and you realize this isn’t a straightforward thriller after all.

The Unforgettable ‘Identity’ Ending

It should go without saying, but we’re going to dive deep into spoilers here, so if you want to experience Identity’s ending without knowing anything (which is the best way to do it), stop reading now. If you’re still here, let’s talk about how Identity comes to a close.

Along with the strangers at the motel, there is a side story throughout Identity that features Alfred Molina as the psychiatrist of a criminal on death row. An emergency hearing is called in the middle of the night — in the middle of the storm — for Molina’s character to prove that his patient shouldn’t be executed. When a detective (Liotta) shows up to the motel with a prisoner (Jake Busey) in his custody, you start to wonder if that’s how the two stories are tied together; but that would be too simple, wouldn’t it?

The motel is filled with twists and turns involving its characters, but they mainly serve as rabbit holes that distract you from the truth of the situation. When the psychiatrist brings in his patient, Malcolm (Pruitt Taylor Vince), it is revealed that he suffers from a dissociative identity disorder. According to the doctor, a childhood trauma caused him to create multiple personalities within his mind, and one of those personalities is the killer responsible for the murders that landed Malcolm on death row. This is where things get crazy.

As it turns out, those multiple personalities are the people at the motel. Everything happening at the motel, every single character, exists solely within Malcolm’s mind. None of them are real, at least not in a tangible way. From Liotta’s criminal posing as a cop to Peet’s prostitute trying to build a better future, each one of them is a personality living within Malcolm’s head. The motel scenario was created with the help of the psychiatrist in the hopes that the other personalities could weed out which one of them was the killer and eliminate them, proving Malcolm would no longer be a danger. Basically every minute of the film’s main plot wasn’t actually real.

But That’s Not All…

As if one twist wasn’t enough, Identity throws another one at everyone before it concludes. Most everyone at the motel is dead, and a couple of them — including a young boy named Timmy — completely disappear. When only three remain, it is made clear that Liotta’s character is the killer, and Cusack’s detective-turned-limo driver takes him down with his final breath. That leaves Paris, the former prostitute, as the lone survivor, and she flees for Florida and the newly purchased orange grove that awaits her.

After being taken off death row and ordered to a mental health facility, Malcolm is seen saying the same things as Paris after she makes it to the orange grove, alluding to the fact that she’s the only personality left in his mind, and he can be at peace as they try to recover his actual self. However, as she tends to an orange tree, somebody comes up behind her. Timmy, the boy who went missing after seeing both his parents die, stands above her with a gardening tool, preparing to kill her. The little boy was the murderer all along, and he takes over Malcolm’s body on the way to the hospital. The very last moment of the movie sees Malcolm, controlled by Timmy, killing his psychiatrist and seemingly escaping custody.

‘Identity’ Just Got a Major Upgrade

Image via Arrow

While Identity isn’t on any prominent streaming services at the moment, it is currently having a moment in the home entertainment spotlight. Tuesday saw Arrow Video release a brand new 4K Blu-ray edition of Identity, which completely revamps the film and helps it look as good as it did in the theaters 23 years ago.

Arrow’s 4K edition of Identity gives the film the rich layers it needs to really pop, which was hard for previous DVD and Blu-ray releases, given that most of the film takes place in the dark and in the pouring rain. There’s some incredible texture to this transfer, and it captures that early 2000s era look in a way that will make any fan nostalgic. The release also includes brand new interviews with Pruitt Taylor Vince and producer Cathy Konrad, as well as several previously released commentaries and deleted scenes.

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Release Date

April 25, 2003

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Runtime

90 Minutes

Writers

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Michael Cooney

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New details about Brian Hickerson’s behavior in the months before Hayden Panettiere’s death have emerged as authorities continue investigating what happened to the actress. Hickerson was reportedly permanently banned from at least three bars in Greenville, South Carolina, following concerns about his alleged drinking and conduct while intoxicated. The development comes as Panettiere’s death remains under investigation by state authorities and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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Sources with direct knowledge of the situation told TMZ that Hickerson was barred from Hooters, Twin Peaks and another Greenville bar within the last two to three months. The bans reportedly stemmed from concerns about excessive drinking and intoxication at the establishments.

According to the sources, Hickerson could be nice, kind, and engaging with staff members while sober. However, they claimed his demeanor sometimes changed after he became intoxicated. Hickerson allegedly became erratic and irate and reportedly refused to cooperate when employees asked him to leave because they believed he had consumed too much alcohol.

No representatives for the bars were quoted in the available report, and Hickerson has not publicly addressed the allegations.

Hayden Panettiere’s Death Remains Under Investigation

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Panettiere was pronounced dead on August 16 after she was discovered unresponsive inside a Greenville Airbnb she had been sharing with Hickerson. His brother, Zach Hickerson, previously said that he went to the property after he was unable to reach the couple.

Zach claimed that he and Brian found Panettiere unconscious and attempted to save her while emergency services were contacted. Brian reportedly administered Narcan, a medication used to reverse an opioid overdose, before first responders arrived.

The presence and use of Narcan does not establish Panettiere’s cause of death. Toxicology results remain pending, and authorities have not announced whether narcotics contributed to her passing.

State authorities and the DEA are assisting with the ongoing investigation. No criminal charges have been announced in connection with the actress’s death.

Prosecutors Previously Accused Hickerson Of Being ‘Quite High’

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The reported bar bans are not the first allegations concerning Hickerson’s behavior while allegedly under the influence. Three days before Panettiere’s death, Los Angeles prosecutors reportedly criticized Hickerson in court over his appearance during a May 2026 interview with TMZ’s Charlie Neff. Prosecutors claimed that he appeared “quite high” during the interview. Hickerson was also arrested in August 2025 after he was allegedly under the influence at a restaurant in West Hollywood.

Since Panettiere’s death, Hickerson has largely remained inside his family’s Greenville home. He has reportedly been seen leaving only to retrieve deliveries and run errands.

Meanwhile, Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, has publicly criticized Hickerson and questioned his role in the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death. However, authorities have not publicly identified him as a suspect or accused him of causing Panettiere’s death.

Hickerson Previously Faced Assault Allegations Involving Panettiere

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Hickerson’s relationship with Panettiere had previously drawn attention because of domestic violence allegations. According to court documents, police responded to calls from neighbors who reported hearing a woman “screaming” on May 2, 2019. Officers reportedly observed bruising on Panettiere’s body, which she allegedly said had resulted from an earlier incident involving Hickerson during a trip to Puerto Rico.

“Officers reported seeing more than 10 darker bruises throughout the victim’s arms, back and legs. When asked about these additional injuries, the victim explained the two had been in Puerto Rico a few days prior and that the defendant (Hickerson) had assaulted her, leaving numerous bruises on her body,” the court documents state.

Prosecutors sought to introduce the alleged Puerto Rico incident while pursuing their case against Hickerson. “Both incidents help to illustrate the defendant’s propensity for violence against women he dates,” the DA argued in the motion to introduce the alleged Puerto Rico incident and the one involving his previous ex in their case against Hickerson, claiming he “lies in order to increase his chances of getting away with the crime at hand.”

Authorities Have Not Announced Hayden Panettiere’s Cause Of Death

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Although Hickerson’s reported bar bans, alleged intoxication and past legal history have come under renewed scrutiny, none of those details establish what caused Panettiere’s death. Her cause and manner of death have not been publicly released, and toxicology testing remains pending.

Hickerson has not been charged with any crime connected to Panettiere’s passing. The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.

Selena Gomez  has filed to dismiss the fraud lawsuit against her.

According to court documents obtained by Us on Wednesday, August 26, Gomez’s lawyer, Mathew S. Rosengart, submitted a motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought by Wondermind investors earlier this month. The actress, 34, denied the allegations made by investors that she falsely represented the startup’s infrastructure, leadership and resources.

“Ms. Gomez agreed to support her mother Mandy Teefey, who co-founded Wondermind. … Although she invested in and holds a minority stake in the Company, Ms. Gomez never agreed to and did not manage the Company,” the filing read. “Management was vested in Ms. Gomez’s mother, Mandy Teefey, and Ms. Pierson, who ran the Company as co-CEOs and board members. The Company, in turn, retained Ms. Gomez as a consultant and conferred on her the title of Chief Impact Officer (“CIO”).”

Rosengart slammed the lawsuit in a statement to Us, “Today’s motion to dismiss demonstrates that plaintiffs never should have dragged Selena Gomez into this case as the claims against her are completely meritless if not frivolous. The notion that Selena engaged in ‘fraud’ or any other wrongdoing is absurd — and in addition to filing our motion we are exploring other avenues of relief for Ms. Gomez including sanctions against plaintiffs for improperly including her.”

Related: Selena Gomez’s Lawyer Addresses Fraud Lawsuit Against Pop Star and Her Mom

Selena Gomez is firing back after the pop star and her mother, Mandy Teefey, were named in a fraud lawsuit. “The allegations that Selena Gomez engaged in any way whatsoever in any purported ‘fraud’ or other wrongdoing are completely meritless, both factually and legally,” Gomez’s lawyer Mathew S. Rosengart told Us in a Saturday, August […]

Gomez and Teefey, 50, were accused of allegedly defrauding investors for their Wondermind mental health media startup, which they cofounded in 2022 alongside Daniella Pierson. (Pierson, 31, left the organization in 2023.)

Earlier this month, Wondermind investors filed a lawsuit against Gomez and Teefey.

According to docs obtained by Us, investors claimed that they put more than $1 million into the company. The investors alleged that they learned Wondermind was seemingly struggling after an exposé was published by The Cut in 2025.

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“For three years, while the company quietly collapsed around them, not one of its founders, officers or directors said a word to the investors whose money was funding the collapse,” court documents obtained by Us read, in part.

Related: Selena Gomez‘s Mom Addresses Report She Snorted Ritalin at Their Joint Startup

Selena Gomez’s mother, Mandy Teefey, has been accused of using drugs in her office at their joint Wondermind organization. In a Wednesday, September 3, exposé published by The Cut, anonymous employees claimed that Teefey, 49, would sometimes be intoxicated while at the office. One individual alleged that she was seen snorting what was believed to […]

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After news of the lawsuit made headlines, Gomez denied the allegation via a statement from her attorney.

“The allegations that Selena Gomez engaged in any way whatsoever in any purported ‘fraud’ or other wrongdoing are completely meritless, both factually and legally,” Gomez’s attorney Mathew S. Rosengart told Us in an August 15 statement. “We will vigorously defend these false allegations and indeed are filing a motion to dismiss the baseless claims against her.”

Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3 Episode 5.

When The Walking Dead debuted on AMC in 2010, it was about much more than the fight between the living and the undead, with other humans often as terrifying as any horde of walkers, if not more so. In the early seasons, Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and company battled a host of big bads before encountering the leader of a group called the Saviors, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), whose introduction was so violent and controversial that many fans stopped watching the show and never returned.

Negan, however, wasn’t written off. In fact, he’s still around in the spin-off The Walking Dead: Dead City, which he leads alongside Maggie (Lauren Cohan), the woman whose husband he once killed right in front of her. The series started strong, but faltered after a disappointing second season, largely because Negan became mopey and listless. Thankfully, The Walking Dead: Dead City has rebounded with a great Season 3. In the latest episode, Negan’s attempts to be good crumble, and the terrifying person he used to be is now threatening to make a bigger comeback.

Negan’s Character Arc in ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ Has Been a Mixed Bag

Any other villain in The Walking Dead would have earned the ultimate comeuppance for such despicable crimes, but, just like in Robert Kirkman‘s graphic novels, Rick Grimes decides to let Negan live. For him, it’s better to keep the man imprisoned as proof that they won’t stoop to Negan’s level. In the wake of this decision, Negan slowly began to evolve. He never became entirely good, but he proved he could be trusted, even with Rick’s own daughter, Judith (Cailey Fleming).

One of the overall franchise’s most intriguing decisions involved pairing Negan with Maggie on The Walking Dead: Dead City. He was forced to endure her pain and rage for his role in Glenn’s (Steven Yeun) death, but rather than breaking him, it only made him stronger. In the first season, their unlikely partnership as enemies turned reluctant allies worked, but in Season 2, it all fell apart.

Maggie’s inability to let go of her grief pushes her and Glenn’s son, Hershel (Logan Kim), into the arms of the Dama (Lisa Emery). Worse is what happened to Negan. The arrogance and charisma that made him so interesting were completely removed, turning one of the franchise’s best characters into a shell of himself. It was a choice that had potential for an episode or two, but for an entire season, it became unwatchable.

Negan Gives In to His Darker Side Again in ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ Season 3

Season 3 of The Walking Dead: Dead City, however, is a much-needed course correction. After Maggie lets go of her grief, Hershel comes back to her, and the Dama is quickly killed off. Rather than being a show all about misery, it’s become one of hope. The season’s new cast additions, brother and sister Renata (Aimee Garcia) and Luis (Raul Castillo), want to rebuild the world, a purpose that Maggie can get behind.

Because Renata and Luis’ dream matters so much to Maggie, Negan gets involved too, even if he’s not a believer — but he’s also willing to kill to protect his former enemy, even when he doesn’t have to. The first sign that he might be returning to his old ways happens when he kills the Dama, making it look like she took her own life. In Episode 5, “Imperialus,” Negan is talking to a man named Fabian (Michael Emery), who has stolen food, when the drunken thief admits he wants to kill Maggie. In response, Negan puts a gun to Fabian’s head right in front of Renata, and, despite her attempts to talk him out of it, pulls the trigger. When Renata tells Negan he’s under arrest, he only smiles. “I will put down any soul who even thinks about putting me in a cage again.” Renata doesn’t back down, promising to return with people and guns to apprehend him. Negan’s response is even more telling: “Bring your army.”

Negan Is a More Compelling Character When He Embraces His Darkness

Image via Robert Clark / AMC

Negan has already been breaking bad in The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3, and in Episode 5, he lets his past instincts take over. He refuses to be weak like these newcomers, and believes their dreams will only get them killed. In his mind, true strength can only come through killing those who are a threat. Negan could’ve shown regret for Fabian’s murder, and would have been more sympathetic in the process, but that’s not what happens. Instead, he seems to relish the thought of his demons consuming him.

The Walking Dead: Dead City could easily turn Negan back into the full-fledged villain he was when audiences first met him, but that’s highly unlikely, since it would strip away all the character growth he’s experienced simply for the sake of nostalgia. The more likely outcome is something short of a full return to his original villainy. Either way, this Episode 5 moment does great things for Negan’s character. He may have evolved into more of a good guy, but he’ll never be fully redeemable or a character who can be relied on to always do the right thing. Ultimately, the best way forward is for Negan to become a more complex anti-hero who occasionally gives in to his antagonistic side. Not only does this make him more interesting, but it’s also a natural source of drama — not just with Maggie but also with the series’ new characters, who are looking to build a new world. Does Negan’s choice to return to his old ways mean he might not live much longer to see that dream fully realized? We can only guess, but at least he’s not moping around anymore.