Entertainment
Forget ‘Game of Thrones,’ These Beloved Books Have the Best Dragons in Fantasy
Since the release of Game of Thrones in 2011, audiences around the world have become obsessed with the A Song of Ice and Fire franchise by George R. R. Martin. Though the show ended in one of the worst-received final seasons in television history, the franchise keeps people coming back thanks to its rich worldbuilding, gripping political intrigue, and stunning visuals, especially regarding the dragons. Two spin-offs have since come out: House of the Dragon, which focuses on a civil between House Targaryen that sees dragons burning entire armies, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, set many decades later, after the dragons are gone.
While iconic thanks to their size, bonds with their riders, and ties to magic, Martin’s dragons are far from the best in fantasy media, partially because Martin wanted the dragons to be more realistic, with only four limbs instead of six, and keeping their intelligence closer to animals than sentient, ancient creatures. Thus, they lack the presence and personality of dragons from J. R. R. Tolkien‘s Middle-earth, or the ancient majesty of the dragons of Ursula K. Le Guin‘s Earthsea. But another series has dragons that can stand alongside them in terms of their design and execution: Jennifer Rowe‘s (under pen name Emily Rodda) Deltora Quest.
What Are the Dragons of Deltora?
The titular land of Deltora is part of a larger universe made up of Rowe’s other fantasy series, including Rowan of Rin, The Three Doors, and the sequel series Star of Deltora. It is notable for the seven different tribes of people who live on it, each of whom possesses a magic gemstone: a diamond, emerald, lapis lazuli, topaz, opal, ruby, and amethyst. Prior to Deltora’s unification under its first king, Adin, it was known as the Land of Dragons because of how many of the beasts lived there. They, too, were divided based on the seven tribes, resulting in unique visual distinctions, something further emphasized through illustrator Marc McBride‘s beautiful work, which not only gives the dragons vibrant colorations, but appearances that are inspired by marine life.
Like most fantasy series, the dragons of Deltora are sentient creatures, and their personalities vary based on their tribes. Topaz dragons are loyal and thoughtful; Ruby dragons are kind and good-natured; Opal dragons are meticulous and observant; Lapis Lazuli dragons are impulsive and eccentric; Emerald dragons are honorable and stubborn; Amethyst dragons are philosophical and wise; and Diamond dragons are aggressive and dutiful. Their diets are also different, such as Lapis Lazuli hunting vicious Sand Beasts from the Shifting Sands, Topaz hunting cruel gray-furred creatures called Granous who love to bite the fingers and toes off their victims, and Diamond grazing on Blood Lillies when they’re not hunting meat. The dragons have a unique identity compared to other franchises, feeling closer to distinct cultures of people while remaining powerful and ancient.
Deltora’s Dragons Are Woven Into the Bones of the World
Many times it is said that dragons are “of the land,” which the series demonstrates in two main ways: the first is physically. While dragons are sentient creatures, they feel more “natural” compared to other franchises. Their soft underbellies are a pale blue that blends into the sky, making them nearly impossible to see from the ground. The reason they kidnap maidens like in fairy tales is not to eat them, but because human hair makes for a great lining for their nests. They are solitary hunters whose territories overlap with other dragons of the same tribe, but socializing is reserved only for mates and their children. Even the way they speak to humans feels like an apex predator speaking to something far beneath them, but they don’t feel like killing unless angered. Winning a dragon’s trust is a very tricky thing; if they tell someone their name, it means they trust that person.
The other example is that their magical presence is tied directly to the land; dragons are an extension of Deltora itself. They cause the land to prosper, while their absence causes crops to fail and animals to reduce in number. They can tell at a glance what tribe a person belongs to, and can sense when things are off, such as disease or the presence of evil magic. In such cases, they try to destroy the source of corruption as quickly as possible, but know to show restraint if humans and non-human tribes of Deltora are caught in the crossfire.
Speaking of the tribes of Deltora, many of them have certain customs based around the dragons. The women of Broome in Ruby territory shave their heads to deter dragons from abducting them for their hair, while the warrior-like Jalis of the Diamond territory often seek out dragons as the ultimate challenge. Others, like the magical Torans of Amethyst territory, befriend dragons and enjoy philosophical conversations with them. Again, this lore helps the dragons feel like integral parts of the world rather than an arbitrary addition.
Deltora Quest Knows Not to Overuse Its Dragons
With how much detail Rowe put into the dragons, you would think they are an ever-present force in the series. However, they are believed to be extinct by the time of the first book, The Forests of Silence. Most of the information about them comes from the in-universe writings of an explorer named Doran the Dragonlover, and is recorded in the companion book Secrets of Deltora. Dragons also feature prominently in the Tenna Birdsong Tales—a collection of myths gathered by a woman who could speak to birds—and the written history of Deltora, which are detailed in Tales of Deltora.
Of course, being believed to be extinct isn’t the same as actually being extinct. The longer the main series goes on, the more Rowe shifts from talking about the dragons in a mythological sense to a theoretical possibility. This approach mirrors how Martin handled the dragons in his first Ice and Fire novel, A Game of Thrones. Rowe isn’t as graphic in the return of her dragons as Martin is, but the result is no less magical. Like how Daenerys hatching her dragons comes at her lowest moment, the return of the dragons in Deltora Quest comes when the land is near its own breaking point. There is a clear shift in tone — not only does magic return to the world, but so too does hope.
Even once they appear, dragons do not dominate this story, an understandable trap that some franchises can fall into. After all, dragons are the most iconic creature in all of fantasy, and nearly every culture on Earth has its take on them. Naturally, authors want to get the most out of them to inject their world with more fantastical wonder. However, Rowe’s restraint in using the dragons sparingly ensures that they never feel mundane. They remain awe-inspiring manifestations of the will of Deltora itself that also serve as a physical representation of hope and renewal, presented in a more naturalistic way in terms of their culture and lifestyle. All these choices make Deltora’s dragons truly singular in the fantasy world, a crucial aspect of the saga’s lore and a natural evolution of the role they usually play in fantasy stories.
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On her new reality show, Stassi Schroeder got brutally honest about how she thought Vanderpump Rules protected the men over the women.
“I loved Vanderpump Rules but it also is literally what we’re gonna have PTSD about and have to talk to therapists about for the rest of our life,” Stassi, 38, told Katie Maloney in the series premiere of Freeform and Hulu’s House of Stassi.
Stassi called the Bravo show out, adding, “It was always, ‘Make the girls look psychotic, make the girls look like they have issues. They covered for the boys, they covered for the men.”
In a confessional Stassi elaborated on her “mixed feelings” for the show that made her a household name.
While some things never change, the cast of Vanderpump Rules is used to a shake-up … and a touch-up. Vanderpump Rules was introduced to Bravo viewers during a special episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in January 2013. Season 1 starred Lisa Vanderpump, Stassi Schroeder, Scheana Shay, Jax Taylor, Katie Maloney, Tom Sandoval […]
“I’m so appreciative of it, and it’s given me so many opportunities. But it normalized so much darkness,” she continued. “It rewarded so much darkness until it didn’t. And then coming back to reality TV, I’m like, ‘Are you being a dumb bitch?’”
Stassi continued: “I’m scared of reality TV but it’s all I know. I love it but I’m also traumatized by it. But I can’t stay away from it. But I was not gonna let Vanderpump Rules be my legacy. I had to make this happen. I had to.”
Stassi made her reality TV debut as a contestant on season 8 of The Amazing Race. She also starred on the short-lived show Queen Bees, which aired two years before Stassi took a job as a waitress at Vanderpump’s SUR restaurant.
It didn’t take long for Stassi to become the fan favorite on Vanderpump Rules after it premiered in 2013. While documenting her life for the hit Bravo series, Stassi started to expand her empire by releasing her first book, Next Level Basic: The Definitive Basic Bitch Handbook, in 2019.
When viewers were introduced to staff at Lisa Vanderpump‘s restaurant during Vanderpump Rules‘ 2013 premiere, it was clear everyone was intertwined in one another’s love lives. From Stassi Schroeder‘s rocky relationship with Jax Taylor, which took a turn when he hooked up with her best friend Kristen Doute, to Peter Madrigal’s casual connections to several […]
The following year, however, Stassi was fired from Vanderpump Rules alongside Kristin Doute at the end of season 8 following controversy with their former costar Faith Stowers. She has since authored a second book, Off With My Head, and shifted her focus to her podcast.
“Even when I started Vanderpump Rules, the goal was then to always do something even bigger after that,” Stassi told TV Insider earlier this month. “Granted, Vanderpump Rules was huge. We didn’t even know how big it was. We still, I don’t think, understand how big it was or whatever, but I never thought it would be Vanderpump Rules or nothing. Anyone who goes on Bravo, they’re like, ‘Oh, I want to get a spinoff out of this.’ Everyone will tell you that. And so it was always like, ‘OK, what can I do after this?’”
In her personal life, Stassi found love with Beau Clark. The couple exchanged vows in 2020 before welcoming daughter Hartford in 2021. Two years later, Stassi and Beau expanded their family with son Messer.
House of Stassi premieres Thursday, July 30, on Hulu.
It’s been over a month since Chris Brown and Usher gagged fans with their ‘R&B Tour’ kickoff. While the ‘U Got It Bad’ singer has dealt with a lil’ drama onstage, Brown’s is playing out in the courtroom — both in the U.S. and overseas. Now, his latest Instagram Story message is turning heads. It comes just days after reports revealed that his ex-housekeeper is seeking to enforce her $13 million judgment by any means, including tapping into his joint tour profits and royalties.
RELATED: Chris Brown Reportedly Receives Sentencing Date After Pleading Guilty In 2023 London Nightclub Attack (VIDEO)
Chris Brown’s Message Talks Of “Trusting The Process”
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday (July 29), Breezy shared a cryptic message in his usual text-on-black-screen style. He didn’t provide any context behind the message. However, fans began speculating his post could be connected to his life offstage and in the courtrooms.
“Life gonna always push and pull you in different directions,” Chris Brown wrote. “JUST REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE! Trust the process.”
Ex-Housekeeper Wants Her $13M From Breezy By Any Means
According to court documents pulled by Billboard, Maria Avila isn’t playing any games when it comes to collecting her $13 million check from Chris Brown. As previously reported, on June 30, a jury ruled in her favor after she sued the singer in 2021. She walked away with a $12.9 million judgment after Breezy’s 200-pound dog mauled her while cleaning his home in 2020.
Last week, in a court filing, Avila and her lawyer alleged that Brown has yet to make any payments toward the judgment. Additionally, the docs claim they’ve “repeatedly attempted to communicate with [Chris Brown’s] attorneys regarding payment, but those communications have gone unanswered.”
As a result, Avila wants a judge to intervene by cutting into his ‘R&B Tour’ profits, including for the accumulating daily interest. How? She wants the judge to freeze the singer’s touring accounts. If the amount in the accounts doesn’t settle the $12.9 judgment, she’s recommending the court pulls the coins from his music royalties, licensing revenue, merchandising and sponsorship deals, per Billboard.
Aside from Avila, Brown is also responsible for paying her sister $885,000 for emotional distress. She was present on the day of the attack. Avila’s husband was also awarded $50,000 in the final verdict.
Breezy Faces Sentencing In London Attack (UPDATE)
Avila’s filing isn’t the only court update Chris Brown has received in the last week. On Friday (July 24), he pleaded guilty in his London case. He accused of assaulting a producer named Amadou Diaw in a nightclub in 2023 and causing great bodily harm. Brown was arrested last summer in the case, but authorities allowed him to go on a $6.75 million bail bond. He was granted bail again last week, but will be back in court in October for sentencing.
Meanwhile, his tour partner Usher is out here clocking the girls who think they’re bigger than the program. Recently, he appeared to respond to a fan he booted from his performance in Nashville over the weekend after her limited participation. He also sent a warning to any other fans planning to take the stage and took aim at the idea of “pretty privilege.”
RELATED: Wayment! Usher Seemingly Responds To Woman’s “Pretty Privilege” Remarks After Booting Her Off Tennessee Stage (VIDEOS)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Diddy‘s release date has reportedly been updated following his alleged fight in Fort Dix prison.
RELATED: Social Media Users Are Goin’ OFF With Reactions To Alleged Footage Of What Appears To Be Diddy & Daphne Joy’s Apparent Explicit Encounter With Another Man
Diddy’s Release Date Is Reportedly Updated Following Alleged Prison Fight
According to an exclusive report published by TMZ on Wednesday, July 29, the Federal Bureau of Prisons website has updated Diddy’s release date to January 24, 2028. Per the outlet, it remains unclear what prompted Diddy’s release date to be updated – once again.
To note, social media users reacted to the update in TMZ’s comment section on X, formerly known as Twitter.
X user @CHICAGO566 wrote, “Changes to a prison release date can happen for a variety of legal or administrative reasons. While reports of an altercation may attract attention, it’s important to wait for official information before assuming why a release date was adjusted.”
While X user @Anazirullmubeen added, “Am I the one confused with this?”
X user @Openminded187A wrote, “Prison fight and still getting early release like the system has a soft spot. Dude’s in solitary and somehow the calendar still bends for him. At this point is the release date even real or just another promo?”
More On Diddy’s Alleged Prison Fight
To note, the update arrives on the heels of Diddy reportedly being thrown into solitary confinement within the last two weeks. As The Shade Room previously reported, on July 24, TMZ reported that on a recent date, the 56-year-old got into an argument with another inmate. This, reportedly, because the inmate “dissed” him. Subsequently, the pair got into a scuffle in which Diddy allegedly “held his own.”
This, before the altercation was broken up by prison staff, and Diddy was placed in solitary confinement.
His Previous Release Date
Before this alleged altercation, it was reported that Diddy was slated for prison release on February 23, 2028. If the alleged altercation indeed took place, it remains unclear why the 56-year-old’s release date moved closer.
RELATED: Whew! Diddy Reportedly Placed In Solitary Confinement Following Alleged Fight With Inmate
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
Forget Going to Space, ‘9-1-1’ Gave Us Athena’s Best Moments in This Masterpiece Episode
9-1-1 Season 8 had one of the strangest emergencies in the series’ history: a tornado of killer bees (colloquially dubbed “bee-nado”). With roughly 14.8 million of them swarming Los Angeles, the first responders get creative as they deal with situations they could’ve never been trained for. Along with this unique premise, the Season 8 premiere also sees Police Sergeant Athena Grant (Angela Bassett) tasked by the FBI to transport an inmate back to Los Angeles to testify in a sex trafficking case. Seems easy enough for her, until it’s revealed that the prisoner she’s escorting is Dennis Jenkins (Glenn Plummer), the man who killed her fiancé, Emmett Washington (Jeff Pierre). What makes matters even worse is that, in exchange for his cooperation, Dennis will be granted early release.
Athena begrudgingly accepts the job because Dennis won’t testify if she doesn’t escort him. Despite the palpable tension from Athena, she protects Dennis from a group of hitmen who want him dead due to some information he has on his Jeffrey Epstein-like former cellmate. When they switch flights to evade these killers, a large swarm of bees causes their plane to collide with a light aircraft, setting up the events of Season 8, Episode 2, “When the Boeing Gets Tough…” Although 9-1-1 Season 8 starts off on a lighter note, writers Tim Minear and Ted Griffin subvert expectations and deliver a stressful but inspiring story in its second episode.
Athena Grant Straps In for One of the Best ‘9-1-1’ Episodes
9-1-1 Season 7’s big emergency featured Athena and her husband, Robert “Bobby” Nash (Peter Krause), trapped on a sinking cruise. Despite them having marital issues moments beforehand, this catastrophe brought them closer than ever. But in Season 8, Episode 2, they’re physically thousands of miles away from each other as Athena worries for her life. The collision with the small aircraft knocks out the pilot and co-pilot of the plane Athena is on, leaving her as the only one capable of landing the plane. However, just because she’s a first responder doesn’t automatically mean she’s a pilot all of a sudden. Realizing that she might not make it, she tries to call Bobby, but his new job as a tech advisor on a TV set keeps him occupied. Even with a short voicemail, Bassett’s line delivery is enough to pack in just how much Athena loves Bobby.
A flight trainer, Jimmy (Anthony Azizi), gets on the line with Athena to guide her through landing the plane. It’s fine, though; he’s done this many times… with students on flight simulators. Luckily, a young boy, Gem (Carter Young), is a big fan of planes and helps Athena find the right buttons to stabilize the Boeing, even with the gaping holes in it. The tender moments between Gem and Athena provide a much-needed balance through the many wild events of the episode. After finally hearing Athena’s voicemail, Bobby goes full knight-in-shining-armor mode and takes a firetruck with Buck (Oliver Stark) to the airport. It’s unclear what Bobby plans to do, but his heroic drive is in high gear to do whatever he can to help Athena. While Athena and Bobby’s relationship has been through ups and downs, 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 2 was a nice reminder of how much they care for one another.
‘9-1-1’ Season 8 Episode 2 Shows That Anyone Can Be a Hero
Before attempting to fly the plane, Athena admits to the passengers that she’s afraid and tells them not to panic and help however they can. Thanks to Maddie’s (Jennifer Love Hewitt) help, she connects Eddie (Ryan Guzman), Hen (Aisha Hinds), and Chimney (Kenneth Choi) to the passengers over the phone and guides them through triage. Even with the limited amount of resources, the 118 paramedics rely on their quick thinking to come up with temporary solutions for the injured victims. Even in the face of danger, the passengers are able to step up and be capable first responders. Who would’ve thought a concept as silly as bee-nado would be the cause of one of the best episodes of 9-1-1?
“When the Boeing Gets Tough…” continued the series trend of using multi-episode emergencies to test the characters in uniquely dire situations and showcase what makes each of them special. It remains one of the better disaster episodes of the recent seasons, especially when compared to the cruise ship or Athena and Hen’s trip to space, which felt far more isolated. Although a majority of the characters don’t physically interact with one another, the power of communication is on full display.
LeToya Luckett side-stepped questions during a livestream on Saturday, July 25. The artist was celebrating the 20th anniversary of her single ‘Torn,’ and she avoided talking about radio stations being warned not to play her music after she left Destiny’s Child.
RELATED: Mathew Knowles Claims Destiny’s Child Is Dropping New Music & We Can’t Even! (VIDEO)
LeToya Luckett Avoids Destiny’s Child Drama During Livestream
During an Instagram livestream with former manager Terrance Ross, he brought up the issue of radio stations being threatened for playing Luckett’s solo music. Ross didn’t name names, but Luckett was a member of Destiny’s Child before she was allegedly fired by Beyoncé’s dad, Mathew Knowles. According to Billboard, Knowles was the group’s manager at the time, and Luckett sued him over wrongful termination.
Ross claimed that radio stations received phone calls saying that if they played ‘Torn,’ they wouldn’t receive records from “this group anymore.”
“I can’t speak on that,” Luckett replied. ‘I’ll let you speak on that.”
“When your record went to radio,” Ross recalled. “There was a call put in that if you play that record, if you play that record, you won’t get no more records from this group.”
“But you know what? God be the glory,” said Luckett.
“That record fought through that,” he added. “There was a mandate called up to the radio stations.”
Mathew Knowles Teases New Destiny’s Child Music
The Shade Room reported Knowles recently teased fans that new music from Destiny’s Child was on the way. Knowles claimed the group has several remixes prepared for Destiny’s Child 30th anniversary collection. Furthermore, Knowles shared footage of Luckett’s reunion with the group on Instagram. The post was mere days after her livestream. The post was captioned, “Sisterly Love #destinyschild #beyonce #destinyschildreimagined,” and fans questioned it’s timing.
Fans Credit LeToya Luckett For Keeping It Classy
Fans questioned the timing of Knowles’ post after seeing Luckett’s livestream, and many credited the singer for keeping it classy.
User @ajk_mi wrote, “Very classy lady – I love how she handle it and wanted to move on. It’s been 20 years let it go.”
@prettyjazzlifts replied, “Y’all don’t want to admit it but them Knowles are kinda shady! 🫣.”
User @brownbaldie added, “Y’all know that man was doing that. Let’s be real.”
@throne_of_queenb added, “Mathew is definitely messy!
User @victoria399751 wrote, “I don’t care I still feel they was jealous of Latoya from jump.”
@_niciab had an idea that quickly caught on. “Let me play Torn right now.”
User @donchi__ added, “Everyone go stream torn by Letoya Luckett.”
@swaggerboi305 wrote, “Now I’m finna go listen to TORN! and get some play time up! 😌😏😁🎶🎼🎵.”
RELATED: Yikes! Beyoncé & Jay-Z’s House Damaged After Driver Crashes Gates, Officials Explain What Happened
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
Cartoon Network’s Most Iconic Shows Officially Find a New Free Streaming Home After HBO Max Exit
After HBO Max purged most of its Cartoon Network titles over the past couple of years, Tubi has stepped in of late to play host to the banner’s animated classics. Earlier this year, the free ad-supported streaming platform made a deal to pick up the rights to over 100 shows from the Warner Bros. vaults as part of its “cartoon era,” from Justice League to Dexter’s Laboratory, Courage the Cowardly Dog, and much more. The move came after the platform found a massive audience for animation upon saving the Looney Tunes library last year, and ever since, the deals have kept coming. Its biggest splash came in March, however, when it greenlit Yokoso Scooby-Doo!, the first-ever Scooby-Doo anime series produced by WB that will take the titular Great Dane and his best pal, Shaggy, on a foodie adventure for the ages in Japan. Frank Welker and Matthew Lillard are even back to lend their voices to the Tubi exclusive.
Until that series arrives, the streamer still has more of the classics to dole out. While Batman: The Brave And The Bold, Krypto the Superdog, Pinky And The Brain, and more will be cycling out of Tubi’s catalog soon, a third wave is coming, starting August 1, to fill that hole. Among those is a former Cartoon Network staple that is now notoriously difficult to stream, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, as well as its holiday special, Billy & Mandy Save Christmas. It’ll be accompanied by another forgotten gem of the era, ¡Mucha Lucha!, and the short-lived but fondly remembered Freakazoid!, created by the accomplished duo of Bruce Timm and Paul Dini and executive produced by Steven Spielberg.
Most of the programs arriving come from the Kids WB block and were previously announced as part of the massive collection acquired by Tubi. However, this wave also included the animated Beetlejuice series, which capitalized on the success of the Tim Burton classic to become a megahit on Fox Kids following the Deetz family and the Ghost with the Most himself. Ahead of HBO Max’s new Lanterns series, the streamer is also giving viewers a chance to catch up on Green Lantern: The Animated Series, which came from some of the same voices behind the classic Batman and Superman: The Animated Series. Also included are the Looney Tunes: 3D Shorts and Codename: Kids Next Door – Operation Z.E.R.O. to round out the selection.
Tubi’s Animation Era Is Just Getting Started
Tubi’s push into animation has been a golden opportunity to revisit Cartoon Network’s Golden Age with entire Saturday morning blocks released for free so far. However, the plan goes beyond breathing new life into old favorites. The platform has slowly been pushing into original animation to bolster its library. Their latest attempt in that realm, the starry adult animated comedy Breaking Bear led by Brendan Fraser, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Josh Gad, recently made an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con to promote its two-episode premiere on July 24, and this Friday, July 31, will see the remainder of its eight-episode first season drop for free. With Yokoso Scooby-Doo! also on the way, Tubi clearly has its sights set on becoming an animation destination in an increasingly expensive streaming world.
The next wave of Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Animation shows arrives on Tubi starting August 1. Stay tuned here at Collider for more on all the titles coming to free streaming throughout the year.
- Release Date
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2001 – 2007-00-00
- Network
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Cartoon Network
- Directors
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Robert Alvarez, Maxwell Atoms, Eddy Houchins, Sue Perrotto, Brian Sheesley, Russell Calabrese, Brian Hogan, Kris Sherwood, Phil Cummings, Randy Myers, Dave Brain, Matt Engstrom, Pat Shinagawa, Gordon Kent, Robert Hughes
- Writers
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Gord Zajac, Alex Almaguer, C.H. Greenblatt, Mike Diederich, Brett Varon, Nina G. Bargiel, Jeremy J. Bargiel, Craig Lewis, James Silverman, Zena Leigh Logan, Aaron Springer, Tim McKeon, Jeff Prezenkowski, Richard Steven Horvitz, Amy Keating Rogers, Jackie Buscarino, Kristen Lazarian, Tom Warburton, Rachael MacFarlane, Anna Chambers, Rob Desales
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Greg Eagles
Lord Pain (voice)
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Richard Steven Horvitz
Plain Cow (voice)
-
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Vanessa Marshall
Irwin (voice)
Y’all! Sometimes the best moments happen when you aren’t even looking for them. What started as a casual shopping trip quickly turned into an unexpected celebrity link-up that had everyone smiling. And when Brandy crossed paths with something connected to Rasheeda Frost, the wholesome exchange that followed was nothing short of Black girl magic.
RELATED: Brandy Seemingly Addresses Commentary About Her Appearance After Viral Images Spark Concern Online (PHOTOS)
Brandy’s Atlanta Shopping Trip Takes An Unexpected Turn
Looks like Brandy was out doing a little shopping while in Atlanta when she wandered into a boutique that immediately caught her eye. The real surprise hit when an employee revealed that the Grammy-winning singer had walked into Pressed, Rasheeda Frost’s clothing store. The unexpected revelation led to an adorable FaceTime call between the two stars, and the love fest that followed has social media eating it up.
In a video making the rounds online, Brandy can be seen browsing through the boutique when someone behind the camera asks if she knows whose store she’s in. After asking who, Brandy is told, “Rasheeda Frost,” prompting her to gasp, cover her mouth, and respond, “Are you serious?” The employee admits they couldn’t believe Brandy had randomly walked into the store, while Brandy calls the entire moment “interesting.” She goes on to explain that she had recently been thinking to herself how much she’d love to visit Rasheeda’s store, but didn’t know what it was called. As fate would have it, she had simply been passing by and decided to walk in.
Brandy Finally Meets Rasheeda — Virtually, At Least
The surprises didn’t stop there. Moments later, the employee FaceTimed Rasheeda, who appeared genuinely shocked to see Brandy on the screen. Brandy happily introduced herself—“It’s Brandy!”—before explaining how she unknowingly ended up in Pressed. She also shared that both she and her daughter are huge fans of Rasheeda, and from there, the conversation turned into the ultimate Black girl love fest. The two showered each other with compliments and admiration, creating the kind of genuine, heartwarming moment that fans love to see.
Roomies Call Cap On Brandy’s Surprise
Fans immediately flooded The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section, and whew—they had jokes. While some folks argued the viral moment was a setup. Others argued that if it wasn’t, Brandy deserves an award because her reaction was just that believable. Meanwhile, a few people couldn’t get past one detail, hilariously questioning why anyone would randomly be thinking about visiting Rasheeda Frost’s store in the first place.
One Instagram user @lilduval commented, “And CUT!!!! 🎬😂😂😂😂”
This Instagram user @lulu_la_veganbod said, “This the Black Girl Magic I love 😍❤️”
And, Instagram user @rayjenecouture joked, “Me walking into my surprise birthday party that I planned 😂”
Meanwhile, Instagram user @iiiamkwasiii added, “Now she know damn well she aint never said she wanna go to rasheeda store !! NONE OF US DID🤣🤣”
While Instagram user @slimtrimbrownskin claimed, “My girl still a good actor, love that for her 😂.”
Lastly, Instagram user @gypgsy wrote, “She sound like me trynna convince my man I was in da house all night sleep😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂”
RELATED: That’s Her King! Rasheeda Flexes Kirk Frost’s Cooking Skills After He Throws Down In The Kitchen (VIDEO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Olivia Rodrigo‘s latest public outing with rumored boyfriend Julian Croonenberghs may have looked like another sweet date to fans, but according to a body language expert, the singer’s affectionate display revealed far more than simple chemistry.
After the pair packed on the PDA during a laid-back day in New York City, expert Inbaal Honigman believes the “Vampire” hitmaker is showing signs of a dramatic evolution in how she approaches romance, suggesting she’s more confident, emotionally open, and secure than in previous relationships.
After photos of Olivia Rodrigo and Julian Croonenberghs embracing in a New York park surfaced online, body language expert Inbaal Honigman analyzed the couple’s interactions and concluded that the singer appeared captivated by her new partner.
“Olivia is seen glancing up at Julian, her mouth is dropped open as if in awe of him,” Honigman, speaking via Casino.org Canada, explained while analyzing the photographs. “The singing star’s smile is mixed with a rounded mouth shape, signifying a sense of wonder. She is clearly smitten.”
According to the expert, Rodrigo’s facial expressions also point to genuine happiness rather than a carefully staged public appearance.
“Her cheeks are rounded and raised, which suggests happiness,” Honigman added.
Julian Croonenberghs Reacted Differently To Olivia Rodrigo’s Affection
While Rodrigo appeared completely focused on Croonenberghs, the private equity associate displayed a slightly different response.
“Julian himself is seen glancing away from Olivia momentarily, as if her direct eye contact is too intense for him,” Inbaal Honigman observed. “He might be overwhelmed by the sheer emotion directed at him.”
Olivia Rodrigo And Julian Croonenberghs Are Still Finding Their Rhythm
Although the chemistry between the pair appeared undeniable, Inbaal Honigman believes their body language also suggested they’re still settling into the relationship.
“The pair both use some protective body language moves,” she explained.
She pointed to Rodrigo resting two fingers against her chin while Croonenberghs positioned his hands protectively in front of his body.
Honigman said, “Olivia’s pointer and middle fingers are on her chin, covering part of her face, which is a protective gesture, while Julian’s hands are in front of him, protecting his body.”
Rather than viewing those gestures negatively, Honigman interpreted them as signs of a romance that is still in its early stages.
She said, “This abundance of protective moves could say that they’re still getting used to each other’s company.”
She also noted that while the couple stood close together, they weren’t completely absorbed in one another, noting, “Their torsos are facing the same way forwards, slightly angled towards one another, indicating that they’re giving each other attention, but not all the attention.”
Their Body Language Suggests They Already Share The Same Direction
Despite those early relationship nerves, Honigman believes the couple’s posture points toward compatibility.
“That their bodies face the same way is a sign that their goals are aligned and they’re on the same life path as each other,” she explained.
She also highlighted the confidence both displayed while standing together.
Honigman said,”Both Olivia and Julian are standing confidently, their feet firmly on the ground, shoulder width apart.”
The expert added, “This strong ‘hero’ stance shows comfort and confidence, meaning that they are developing feelings of trust in each other, and that they know they’ve got each other’s backs.”
Those observations align with what fans witnessed during the pair’s recent New York outing, where the couple appeared relaxed while sharing affectionate moments and enjoying each other’s company away from the spotlight.
Olivia Rodrigo’s Body Language Shows She’s More Confident In Love
One of Honigman’s most striking observations came when she compared Rodrigo’s current demeanor with photographs from previous relationships.
According to the expert, the Grammy winner projects far more confidence now than she did with former partners.
Honigman said, “In comparison, old photos of Olivia with former flames feature her head lowered, her shoulders rolled inwards, and overall much more timid body language than what we see here with Julian.”
Rather than appearing hesitant, Rodrigo now seems far more secure in expressing affection publicly.
The body language expert noted, “She used to be more submissive in love, but has grown into becoming a more assertive girlfriend.”
Honigman believes that transformation is visible throughout the latest photographs.
She concluded, “Her romantic growth is expressed in Olivia’s increased confidence of strong, angled poses, and fearless adoration of her new beau as she gazes up and straight into his face.”
Entertainment
Cuba Gooding Jr.’s son Mason recalls wanting to be ‘so small’ he could ‘disappear’ as a kid
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Gooding has spoken publicly about his fitness transformation for movies such as “Scream 7.”
The White House is responding to pervasive claims that President Donald Trump fell asleep during the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s funeral.
“This is Fake News,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle shared in a statement to Us on Wednesday, July 29, claiming that any allegation the command-in-chief was unconscious during the late politician’s celebration of life is being “peddled by individuals who clearly suffer from a severe and incurable disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Ingle’s statement to Us differed from his previous claim to People, made earlier on Wednesday, in which the WH spokesperson alleged the president was simply “reflecting on the loss of his dear friend Lindsey Graham, for whom he had just delivered a beautiful eulogy.”
“Anyone suggesting otherwise is a depraved moron,” Ingle added to the outlet.
On Tuesday, July 28, Trump joined Vice President JD Vance, former Vice President Mike Pence, Fox News host Sean Hannity, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and other politicians on both sides of the political aisle in paying respects to Graham.
The South Carolina senator died on July 11 from a brief and sudden illness, his spokesperson previously confirmed. He was 71.
Trump delivered a eulogy for Graham during the service held at Cathedral Church of Saint Peter & Saint Paul. At one point during the funeral, however, he was spotted by TV cameras and photographers briefly closing his eyes.
President Donald Trump Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
“For more than 30 years, nothing of consequence happened in this capital without Lindsey Graham knowing about it,” Trump said in his eulogy to Graham via NBC News. “Nothing of significance happened anywhere in the world without Lindsey Graham having a view on it, and no bill became law in the most exceptional republic in human history without Lindsey Graham having a say in it.”
Although Graham was once a vocal critic of Trump’s when they ran against each other in the 2016 presidential race, the senator eventually became one of Trump’s closest and most trusted allies on Capitol Hill.
“He was a man who gave America the full measure of his good and mighty heart until that heart itself just gave out,” Trump said.
Ana Navarro is not impressed with those rejoicing over Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sudden death. “I saw a lot of posts online this week kind of celebrating his death,” Navarro, 54, said on the Monday, July 13, episode of The View. “Listen, I know that [Donald] Trump does that. He did it with Robert Mueller. He […]
The White House, including chief of staff Susie Wiles, has repeatedly denied any speculation that Trump falls asleep during important meetings.
The chatter has arisen following previous public appearances, including an NBA Finals game Trump attended in June where he appeared to be dozing off as the New York Knicks played.
“When you love your job, when you love your country, and when you’re in a position like we are … you’re thinking about your country,” Trump told reporters in November 2025 during a sit-down with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “I think about my country. I don’t want to sleep.”
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