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‘House of the Dragon’s Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith Break Down Season 3’s Brutal Iron Throne Cliffhanger
Editor’s note: The below interview contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2.
Only two weeks into House of the Dragon‘s return, the penultimate season has already dropped more than a few shocking bombshells. While the premiere began with the devastating Battle of the Gullet, which saw several characters’ fates either sealed or ultimately left a mystery, Episode 2 affords Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) little time to grieve the most personal loss of her eldest son, Jacaerys (Harry Collett), before she has to make a more decisive move on King’s Landing. Yet her arrival on dragonback, alongside Daemon (Matt Smith), isn’t met with the reception that she anticipated — and without Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) or Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) to dispatch, a secretly imprisoned Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) ends up taking their place, but the moment itself ultimately rings hollow, especially after Rhaenyra’s initial attempt to execute the former Hand of the King doesn’t go as planned, especially when Alicent (Olivia Cooke) enters the hall immediately afterward.
Ahead of the show’s premiere, Collider had the opportunity to speak with several House of the Dragon cast members about their characters’ most pivotal moments in the first two episodes, including D’Arcy and Smith. Over the course of the interview, which you can watch above or read below, the two discuss Rhaenyra’s reaction to Jace’s death (and why D’Arcy “dreaded” the scene the most out of any other moment in Season 3), that less-than-triumphant claiming of the Iron Throne in Episode 2, and whether Rhaenyra and Daemon’s marriage will face any other obstacles now that the show has scrapped Fire & Blood‘s Nettles plotline.
COLLIDER: Emma, I did speak with Harry [Collett] yesterday; obviously, Jace’s fate is set up in this initial episode, and it carries over into Episode 2. Rhaenyra’s reaction to being confronted with Jace’s body, starting with that denial… it feels like you watch her go through the grief process right there. How did you prepare for that scene and her exploring all those emotions in that moment?
EMMA D’ARCY: If I’m totally honest, it’s the only scene in the series that I sort of dreaded, and I think I probably was quite avoidant about it for a while. But how did I approach it? If I’m honest, the real sense of privilege of a recurring character and getting to be with the show for a number of years is having a honed operating system that you kind of trust, and that you can run these big events through, and to trust the output of.
Harry was totally beautiful on the day. I’m always struck by the extraordinary intuition of actors. We didn’t really speak in the morning, and he gave me kind of a wide berth, but we hadn’t talked about it in advance. Then at lunchtime, he found me very briefly and just said, “I didn’t know what would be best, but I just thought it could be some space.” He’s a beautifully, incredibly caring and deeply thinking person. So, I think sometimes — maybe this is just me, but I probably do require something sort of slightly sacred about those days, where you do just have to stay in it. You have to honor, I suppose, the size of the ask, and certainly Harry did that very, very beautifully. And I was extremely relieved when the day was over on that occasion.
‘House of the Dragon’s Emma D’Arcy Explains Why Rhaenyra Is Actually “Rudderless” on the Iron Throne
“I felt there was an opportunity in that scene to look at how power and the pursuit of power, the toll that that takes on identity, on the body, on one’s sense of self…”
The second episode really feels like it’s just blow after blow — not just in terms of the grief, but also these unexpected turns that the story takes, especially with Rhaenyra and Daemon going to King’s Landing. It culminates in a scene that I wanted to ask both of you about, which is Rhaenyra reclaiming the throne. It’s a moment that feels anything but triumphant. I was curious about how the two of you wanted to approach not just Rhaenyra ascending the steps to the Iron Throne — it feels like she’s physically staggering to get there — but also the look that she shares with Daemon once she’s seated on the Iron Throne.
MATT SMITH: I’ve not seen it yet, so it’s interesting. I didn’t know there was a look there at the end. I mean, I remember doing it with you, obviously, but I think you could probably speak more to that.
D’ARCY: I haven’t seen it yet either, but I’m happy to hear your read, because I certainly thought there was a lot of scope to kind of rob that moment of its triumph, which, for my money, feels honest in a family where the political ambition and the personal, interpersonal strife are sort of part of the same thing. I felt there was an opportunity in that scene to look at how power and the pursuit of power, the toll that that takes on identity, on the body, on one’s sense of self, so that by the time she does finally claim that seat, so long dreamt of, she’s kind of rudderless in some way, and actually may be finally claiming the sort of thing that could actually cause an identity crisis. I think that’s kind of interesting.
‘House of the Dragon’s Cast Unpacks Filming Westeros’ Deadliest Sea Battle
The Dance of the Dragons was always building toward this brutal turning point.
Looking ahead to the rest of Season 3, one thing that book fans may have been surprised by is that the show is dispensing with the Nettles storyline. That was a point of strife for Daemon and Rhaenyra in that original story, but are there any threats to their dynamic, their relationship, that you can tease or set up this season? Despite what we saw at the end of Season 2, with Daemon publicly swearing fealty to Rhaenyra, are there obstacles that their marriage is going to face?
SMITH: Yeah, of course. Of course. There’s so much going on on a grander scale in terms of fronts of war, politically, and then the personal relationships that are sort of encroaching, encroaching, encroaching like a sort of swarm of flies. Then, amidst all of that, you’re trying to balance an actual relationship between yourself when you have two slightly different attitudes towards how to achieve the same goal.
D’ARCY: Absolutely.
SMITH: There’s a lot of wrestling that has to take place, I think. There are some big peaks and troughs that come in within that, without giving too much away.
New episodes of House of the Dragon Season 3 premiere Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.
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T-Pain shared an unreleased collaboration with Oliver Tree in honor of the musician just two weeks after his shocking death.
The rapper, real name Faheem Rashad Najm, was performing with Shaquille O’Neal, aka DJ Diesel, at the Electric Forest festival in Michigan in the late hours of Saturday, June 27, when he unveiled the new track, per social media footage.
Fan clips captured the emotional moment when T-Pain, 41, rolled out a video montage of clips of the late Tree as the track played.
The song’s public release came two weeks after Tree died in a mid-air helicopter collision over Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro. He was 32 years old.
Singer-songwriter Oliver Tree has reportedly died. He was 32. Two helicopters crashed into one another in southwest Rio de Janeiro on the morning of Sunday, June 14, according to a same-day report from CNN Brazil. According to the outlet, Tree was one of six fatalities from the reported crash. Further details about the reported collision […]
In T-Pain’s video montage, Tree was seen performing, riding a scooter down multiple hills and goofing around with friends. As the throwback videos played, T-Pain held his hand in the air before asking the crowd to wave their arms from side to side in unison.
T-Pain and Tree were known to be close friends, with the former often hosting the latter on his “Nappy Boy Radio Podcast.”
T-Pain Ethan Miller/Getty Images
News of Tree’s death circulated online after CNN Brazil reported on the fatal helicopter incident that occurred on June 14. The outlet stated at the time that two helicopters had crashed into one another, resulting in the death of six people including Tree. There were no survivors.
The musician and artist had been traveling in Brazil as part of his world tour at the time. After performing in São Paulo on June 6, Tree was scheduled to take to the stage in Lisbon, Portugal on July 1.
A spokesperson for Rio de Janeiro’s State Civil Police Press Office told USA Today in the collision’s aftermath that an investigation was being conducted to determine the “causes of the aircraft crash.”
Oliver Tree Rob Kim/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
Once a forensic examination that was conducted at the scene is finalized, the Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center will release its report. The outlet added that preliminary reports indicated that the falling helicopters crashed “into the parking lot of an electric car dealership, igniting a fire that consumed at least 20 vehicles.”
Tree’s team revealed via an Instagram post on Sunday, June 21, that his body had been recovered and transferred to California. The post, shared via Tree’s official account, also announced that he will be honored via a forthcoming foundation. “His legacy will live on through his foundation/endowment named ‘Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Grant For Baby Geniuses’ coming soon,” the post stated. “This is something that Oliver had put together before his passing, written in his will. We will make sure his wish comes to fruition so that more joy, love and art can be spread into the world, that was his final wish.”
T-Pain shared his own tribute to Tree via Instagram in the wake of his friend’s death. “Thanks for sharing your art and for always being different in the best way possible. See you on the brighter side,” T-Pain wrote hours after the news broke.
Courtney Stodden is accusing television personality Dr. Drew Pinsky of exploitation when she says he forced her to undergo an exam of her breasts on live television when she was a minor.
“Dr. Drew had me on his show when I was 16 and had me undergo an ultrasound to see if my breasts were real or if I was lying about my breasts,” Stodden, now 31, alleged in a post shared via Instagram on Saturday, June 27. “I wasn’t an underage girl. I was a minor trapped in a situation that I wasn’t able to get out of legally. I had no rights at the time. The money he paid me to be on the show went straight to my abuser.”
At the time, a then-16-year-old Stodden was married to then-51-year-old actor Doug Hutchison. Stodden eventually filed for divorce from the actor in 2018 and the former couple finalized the split in 2020.
“Obviously there is a problem in America,” Stodden told Fox News Digital in an October 2025 interview of her experience as a teen bride. “We think of child marriage as something that’s, like, overseas or foreign, but really America’s dirty little secret is the loophole in the judicial system for, in my opinion, pedophiles to marry children.”
Courtney Stodden is opening up about a life-changing plastic surgery procedure. “Introducing the new girls 🤍,” Stodden, 31, captioned a Thursday, June 11, mirror selfie in which she showed off the results of her breast reduction in a lacy black lingerie set. “I got huge implants when I was barely 18. Today, at 31, I […]
She added at the time, “And the scariest part of this whole thing is that I’m not alone. There are so many people that reach out to me to tell me their horror stories of being a child bride.”
In her Saturday upload, Stodden shared screenshots of her 2011 interview on Dr. Drew’s daytime show Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers. During the episode, the then-minor was instructed to lie on stage in front of a studio audience while Dr. Drew performed a breast ultrasound to check for breast implants.
“These photos bring up a lot of sadness for me because I see a little girl being exploited by grown men and used for views and mockery,” she continued in the poignant caption. “Dr. Drew, what made you think this was a good idea? As a doctor, did you think this was actually healthy for a little girl to experience? Did you even care?”
Stodden also tagged Dr. Drew in the post, who has not publicly addressed Stodden’s claims at the time of publication. Us Weekly has reached out to representatives for the TV personality for comment but did not hear back.
Stodden — who has often detailed her on-again, off-again 35-year age-gap marriage to Hutchison and has since claimed she was groomed by the actor — has become an advocate against child marriage — a practice that continues in the United States. Currently, 33 states allow a child under the age of 18 to get married, while 17 states have banned the practice.
“Realizing everything that has happened to me in present time has been a lot to process,” she told Fox News Digital during the same 2025 interview. “When I first hit the spotlight as a young girl, my brain wasn’t developed yet. And I had a certain image of what my life was. I thought I knew everything. I mean, what kid doesn’t at 16. Then as things started to escalate quite quickly — and my role seemed to shift in the marriage quite quickly — I became the breadwinner.”
Chrissy Teigen was quick to respond after she was accused of getting facial fillers — and she didn’t hold back. The Cravings founder, 37, clapped back via her Instagram Story alongside a screenshot form the account Beauty by Dr. Kay. In a post that has since been deleted, plastic surgeon Dr. Kay Durairaj addressed Teigen’s “new face,” […]
Stodden famously revealed that she received negative comments and attacks for her age-gap marriage, including leaked DMs from Chrissy Teigen in which the model encouraged the then-16-year-old Stodden to die by suicide.
“Not a lot of people are lucky enough to be held accountable for all their past bulls*** in front of the entire world,” Teigen, 40, wrote in a since-deleted post shared via X, apologizing for her previous comments. “I’m mortified and sad at who I used to be. I was an insecure, attention seeking troll. I am ashamed and completely embarrassed at my behavior but that is nothing compared to how I made Courtney feel.”
In 2025, Stodden revealed she had contemplated suicide as a result of the online hate she received.
“I had a suicide letter written,” she said in the ABC News documentary IMPACT x Nightline: Confessions of a Child Bride. “I remember my last thought was, ‘You know, maybe I don’t deserve to be here when people that high up are telling me I don’t deserve to be.’”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
If you know of a young person who is being exploited or is the victim of a crime, you are urged to report it to your local FBI field office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be left at http://tips.fbi.gov/
Soccer player Lucas Trejo was a devoted father and husband before his beloved wife and two young children were killed in the devastating Venezuela earthquakes.
The athlete’s family had been reported missing after their apartment building collapsed during the two earthquakes that hit the area in June 2026. (At the time of publication, NBC reported that more than 1,000 people have died as a result of the earthquakes.)
Days later, Lucas’ team, Club Sport Marítimo La Guaira, confirmed the family’s death while paying tribute to his wife and two children.
“For the eternal rest of Yanina de Trejo (wife), Aaron Trejo (son) and Ainhoa Trejo (daughter) of our player Lucas Trejo,” the caption read via Instagram, translated to English. “The big family of the Maritime Sport Club of La Guaira offers their condolences for the death of their relatives, which occurred last June 24th during the earthquake that shook the whole country.”
The statement continued, “Directors, coaches, players, administrative, operational and administrative staff of the club we ask God for the eternal rest of the family of Lucas Trejo. We also continue to pray for the rescue of other victims of this catastrophe in La Guaira.”
Scroll down to learn more about Lucas:
Lucas Trejo Plays for Maritimo de La Guaira
Lucas joined the Venezuelan soccer team Maritimo de La Guaira in 2026 as a defender.
“With two league titles conquered in Venezuelan football, the Argentine defender Lucas Trejo arrives at Maritimo de La Guaira ⚽,” an Instagram post read in February 2026. “He is willing to contribute his experience and trusts the talent of his teammates to achieve the great goal of the Club this season🇻🇪🇵🇹.”
Lucas Trejo Was Married
Lucas and Yanina tied the knot in 2020.
“And if any prevails against one two will withstand him, a threefold cord is not easily broken 23/12/19 ‘love never ceases to be.’ ❤️💍💑 @lucastrejo_lt,” Yanina wrote via Instagram at the time, translated to English.
Lucas Trejo Had Children
Lucas and his wife welcomed their first child in 2018. “A month ago, on 31\12 at 14:20 came my great love, the one who changed my life and taught me how to love…! We made it to the month son!!!! My little warrior Aaron, we love you ❤️🎂🎊,” Yanina wrote via Instagram one month later, translated to English.
The couple added their daughter to their family in 2020. Yanina paid tribute to their daughter one year later in honor of the little one’s birthday.
“20/08/20 the day the princess I had always dreamed of arrived, the doll I imagine in my childhood arrived to change my life, I don’t know at what moment you grew up so much. I just ask the weather to slow down!!!. Thank you, daughter, thank you for bringing so much love to our family, today is certainly another day of games, bottles and changing diapers, but for mom it is the most special day. When you grow up you’ll understand 💕 I thank God for your life, for letting me walk by your side 👩 👧 today begins the first year of many 🎊,” Yanina wrote via Instagram in 2021, translated to English.
She continued, “You dressed me before I was born,every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was designed before a day came to pass psalms 139:16. Happy birthday 🌸AINHOA 🌸.”
Lucas Trejo Honored His Family After Their Deaths
Lucas paid tribute to his family via his Instagram Story in June 2026, sharing a photo of him with his hand on his wife’s knee as the couple sat beside their children and smiled for the camera.
Influencer Lillian Droniak — known as Grandma Droniak to her 15 million TikTok followers — claimed that she was asked to leave her retirement community.
“I’m getting kicked out of the nursing home,” Droniak, 96, alleged in a recent TikTok video, holding up a letter she apparently received from the facility. “It says, ‘You’re getting kicked out if you don’t stop the parties.’”
Droniak, who has enjoyed hosting ragers in her apartment, explained that she was told “parties are not allowed” on the premises. The rules also allegedly state that she is forbidden from serving alcohol to other residents.
“‘This letter serves as a formal warning,’” Droniak read aloud, shortly before ripping up the paperwork. “I pay $12,000 a month to live here. I could party if I want. My girlfriends are coming over today, and we’re gonna drink and gossip. It’s not a party, but we do get rowdy.”
Wendy Williams’ current living arrangements are being put under the spotlight once again. After the ID Channel premiered a new special titled TRAPPED: What Is Happening to Wendy Williams?, some fans grew concerned about a claim that Williams, 60, was moved to a more restrictive area in her New York City assisted living facility after […]
She continued, “I can’t help it, I love to party. You can’t stop me.”
Droniak had been served the initial notice following alleged noise complaints from her fellow residents.
“We are reaching out because there have been many noise complaints about your room. Parties are not allowed and you cannot serve alcohol to other residents,” the letter read, which Droniak held up to the camera in her footage. “This is a safety concern.”
The letter continued, “While we encourage residents to socialize and enjoy community activities, we cannot have wild parties. It is shown on security footage that people were leaving your room at 1 a.m. last Tuesday. Continued incidents of this nature may result in restrictions on visitors and common area privileges, and could lead to further review of your residency status within the community. We kindly ask for your cooperation in ensuring future gatherings remain respectful of community rules and quiet hours. No more parties please.”
@grandma_droniak i cant believe this. i have to party #partygirl #nursinghome #drama #grandma
Despite the warning, Droniak hosted a group of friends. She even shared a post-party update the next day.
“Hungover from last night’s party,” she wrote over a TikTok video of herself wearing a T-shirt that read, “To-Do List: Your Dad” while smiling for the camera. “My nursing home can’t stop me from partying through the last chapter of life.”
Droniak further captioned her upload, “I can’t help it, I like to party and can’t stop.”
Droniak moved into the facility in 2024 after breaking her leg in a fall and has since “resolved” the dispute with her building, which the influencer’s rep told People on Sunday, June 28.
Janet Jackson shut down the 2026 BET Awards red carpet in standout style.
Jackson, 60, stepped out at the annual awards ceremony on Sunday, June 28, at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, in a pair of oversized pinstripe pants and a coordinating blouse. She layered the striped top over a “2Pac” graphic T-shirt, in honor of her Poetic Justice costar Tupac Shakur. Jackson accessorized the ensemble with a waist-defining studded belt and an armful of silver bangles.
Jackson topped off her stunning look with a tipped black fedora, which featured a birdcage veil and feathered accents.
Hours before slaying the red carpet, Jackson delivered a dose of “Sunday Inspiration” to her social media followers.
Celebrities brought their finest fashion ensembles to the 2026 BET Awards red carpet. Some of music’s biggest names in music, including Cardi B, Tyla, Kehlani, Bruno Mars, Olivia Dean and more, delivered sartorial drama while posing on the red carpet, which took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28. Rapper […]
“Don’t be afraid of losing people. Be afraid of losing yourself by trying to please everyone,” an anonymous quote shared to Jackson’s Instagram Stories read.
Janet, the youngest of the famed Jackson family including brother Michael Jackson, won the Icon Award at last year’s BET Awards.
“I’m so honored. I’m so grateful,” she gushed in her acceptance speech at the time. “I mean no disrespect in any way but I don’t consider myself an icon. My family, myself, our dream was to, it wasn’t ever to be famous.”
Janet continued, “We always had a special love for music, dancing and singing. Fame came as a result of hard work and dedication. My story, my family story, is truly an American story. This would have only happened in America. The only thing that I hope for is that I’ve been an inspiration to other and artists to follow their dreams and succeed.”
Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images for British GQ Janet Jackson is sharing a throwback family photo to celebrate the women in her life. “Celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women today and everyday, but wanted to give a very special shout out to these women here,” Jackson, 58, wrote via Instagram in honor […]
Aside from her back-to-back BET appearances and other glam nights out, Janet is a proud mom of son Eissa.
“The most important thing I’ve done, the biggest thing I’ve done, is become a mother, and it’s had a beautiful impact on my life,” she told The Guardian in 2024 of motherhood. “I wanted to have three children, but thought, ‘I should stop there, that’s probably all I can handle.’ Because you have to give all of yourself. Obviously, you have to work, but you don’t come first anymore. Your life completely changes. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Bachelor in Paradise star Raven Gates is reacting to a comment about her finances.
“This isn’t reality for most to be able to do who live paycheck to paycheck and have debt. Tips,” one user wrote in an Instagram Story Q&A on Saturday, June 27, seemingly referring to Gates’ income bracket.
“Going back to this topic for a second. I totally get that because that was ME!” Gates, 34, replied in an Instagram Story post. “I don’t want anyone to feel as though I am trying to make anyone feel less than. That was my story, too. But you don’t see that part, but I’m trying to show a bit more of the place I was in over 10 years ago & how I got out of it.”
Gates explained that she doesn’t feel like “people remember how broke, how in debt, how bad of credit, etc [she] had.”
“The high school I graduated from had free and reduced lunches for the whole school because of our poverty level. I can go into more but there’s so much to the story including a lot of chance and luck (ECCLESIASTES 9:11) but also a lot of grinding, failing and discipline,” she wrote. “I do believe there’s always a way for things to be better and if we lose sight of that, that’s when we can’t take the next steps, whatever that may look like.”
She continued, “I knew this topic would bring a lot of emotions from people so I’m not sure I should have even shared but I am trying to be more open and also sensitive to others. But all in all to encourage and say I KNOW how it feels & I believe in you and that your situation can get better.”
Gates also shared details about her income with husband Adam Gottschalk in a post that she has since appeared to have deleted but was reviewed by Us Weekly.
Gates met Gottschalk, 36, on the beaches of Bachelor in Paradise season 4 in 2017. The couple ultimately got engaged two years later but had to postpone their nuptials multiple times amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Gates and Gottschalk went on to tie the knot in 2021. The pair have since welcomed sons Gates and Max in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
The reality stars celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary in April, with Gottschalk sharing a sweet compilation of five photos through the years via Instagram. “Happy anniversary baby,” he wrote at the time. “5 years & 5 pics with you 🫶🏼.”
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders star Dayton Bramhall’s journey to dance for the iconic NFL team is officially over.
“It’s been a year, so I feel great. My life has completely changed in the last year, like, new job, new career, new city [and] I have a boyfriend now. Life has changed completely,” Dayton, 28, said on the Friday, June 26, episode of the “Baddie Besties” podcast. “I think when I said I was done auditioning, I really meant I was done.”
As fans saw in America’s Sweethearts season 3, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders director Kelli Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammell cut Dayton ahead of training camp for the 2025-2026 season. Dayton, who has failed to make the team twice before, is the daughter of team associate choreographer and former DCC cheerleader Shelly Bramhall.
While Shelly was overwhelmingly emotional that her daughter’s dreams were dashed, Dayton proclaimed in a confessional that she was done trying to make the team.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders director Kelli Finglass revealed where her relationship stands with associate choreographer Shelly Bramhall after cutting Shelly’s daughter, Dayton, for the third consecutive time. “We are still standing,” Finglass, 61, exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, June 23. “Shelly is still reporting to work and contributing in a big way. She always has. […]
“I really put it behind me at that moment and I just, kind of, moved on from there,” Dayton said on Friday. “I feel really content this time around … and fulfilled to say the least. I did what I needed to do. I worked my butt off all year. In between the last time I was in training camp [and] the last time I auditioned for finals, I worked so hard and that’s all I could do.”
According to Dayton, she simply wanted to try “as much as [she] could” and her best.
“I gave it my all and it didn’t work,” she acknowledged. “So, I’ll use my abilities somewhere else, and that’s what I’ve been doing and it’s been great.”
The DCC is currently in training camp, where Judy and Kelli’s teams are whittling down the cheerleading hopefuls to set their roster for the 2026-2027 NFL season. Dayton, for her part, opted against trying out.
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders star Dayton Bramhall is proud of her audition — even if she didn’t make the squad. “At least I can say I gave it my all ⭐️🎬,” Dayton, 28, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, June 17, sharing a photo from her solo audition featured in the Netflix docuseries. Dayton, whose […]
“I was encouraged to come back,” Dayton alleged on Friday’s podcast episode. “My mom and I separately had conversations with staff of me returning and trying again because it was told there was a place for me there, I just had to work for it.”
She continued, “[They told me that] it wasn’t impossible for me to make the team. I had to really work for it. I was given a lot of feedback because of who my mom is and they expected a lot out of me, and while that seems like it could be a lot of pressure, I actually appreciate that.”
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Shopping for a flattering swimsuit shouldn’t mean settling for something that feels dated or overly covered up. The latest tankinis are designed with tummy-flattering features like flowy tops, strategic ruching, supportive fits and high-rise bottoms that help you feel comfortable and confident from every angle. Best of all, they’re surprisingly affordable.
From sporty two-pieces to resort-ready swim skirts and retro-inspired prints, there’s a style here for every kind of summer plan. Whether you’re lounging poolside, heading to the beach or packing for vacation, these picks deliver extra coverage without sacrificing style. Ahead, shop 17 slimming tankinis that camouflage a belly pooch without looking frumpy — all starting at just $22.
Slimming Tankinis That Camouflage a Belly Pooch
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16. Midsection Magic: A flowy palm-print top is designed to skim the midsection, while the matching shorts even include pockets, making this palm tankini set feel worth the $44 price tag.
17. Pop of Pink: Pink and white vertical stripes give this striped tankini set a lengthening look, while the solid pink bottoms keep the colorful design feeling balanced.
There’s nothing worse than settling for an unflattering swimsuit that makes you self-conscious every time you sit down. Thankfully, these 17 tummy-hiding wonders work magic in the flattering department, helping you feel slim and confident from the pool to the sand. Better yet, these crowd-loved favorites start at just $8! With ruched detailing, tummy control and flattering prints and […]
Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass is celebrating her electoral primary victory in style at the 2026 BET Awards.
Bass, 72, was all smiles while walking the red carpet at L.A.’s Peacock Theater on Sunday, June 28, wearing a power suit for the occasion. Bass donned a fitted blue pantsuit with nude pumps, accessorizing her ensemble with delicate hoop earrings and blue eyeglasses.
Bass’ appearance at the BETs comes shortly after she narrowly defeated former reality TV star Spencer Pratt and councilwoman Nithya Raman in the June 2 primary election. Bass, the incumbent mayor, was seeking re-election opposite a crowded ballot vying for her seat.
The Hills alum Pratt, 42, was the most notable of Bass’ opponents. The Republican ultimately came in third place behind Bass and Raman, 44, who will advance to a runoff election this fall.
Celebrities brought their finest fashion ensembles to the 2026 BET Awards red carpet. Some of music’s biggest names in music, including Cardi B, Tyla, Kehlani, Bruno Mars, Olivia Dean and more, delivered sartorial drama while posing on the red carpet, which took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28. Rapper […]
“Now that the campaign portion of my mission of ‘Save Los Angeles’ is coming to a close and I’m moving on to the next more interesting phase,” Pratt wrote via social media days later. “Save LA — Phase III. I’ve spent a lot of time slaying everybody. I’ve ridiculed everyone on the roster. I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, I’d like to take the chance to apologize to …”
The video then cut to UFC fighter Conor McGregor screaming, “Absolutely nobody.”
While Pratt initially pledged to leave L.A. if he lost the election, he’s since changed his tune.
“Hey morons, I didn’t get in this for political power. I got in this to expose this corrupt machine and nothing’s changed,” he said. “I’m going to be lighting you up every single day and now I don’t have to worry about offending CNN viewers. I don’t have a campaign loss hamstringing me now.”
Pratt entered the mayoral race in January with the full support of his wife, Heidi Montag, who has remained in his corner in the wake of his political loss.
“I couldn’t love my husband more and be more proud of him,” Montag, 39, tweeted earlier this month. “What an inspiration, what a hero.”
Pratt was inspired to run for office, despite no previous political experience, after his family’s home was destroyed in the devastating 2025 wildfires. He was especially critical of Bass’ actions managing the fallout from the natural disaster.
“I truly never imagined I would actually probably [become] the mayor,” he exclusively told Us Weekly before Election Tuesday. “I just wanted somebody to [tell] the truth, and I wanted to have that platform as a candidate against [Bass] to get the truth. You can just get away with lying if you don’t have somebody saying that’s not true.”
Entertainment
Sexy Comedy Featuring America’s Girl Next Door Explains Why Your Relationships Always Fail
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
You know how memes can sometimes be accidentally profound? For example, one of my favorites is when people share this hilarious quote from Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace: “I know writers who use subtext, they’re all cowards.” In the context of the show, this quote is meant to highlight what a bad storyteller Marenghi himself is. Over two decades after that show aired its last episode, this quote highlights how the very opposite is true. Writers who use subtext are actually quite brave because they are unleashing intelligent content on audiences who are largely too dumb to actually understand any of it.
This is particularly true of screenwriting because so many movie lovers never look beyond the surface. That’s why, say, people think RoboCop and Starship Troopers are just cool, violent action movies instead of a poignant commentary on society. The best example of this phenomenon, however, is actually a sweet, sexy romantic comedy: (500) Days of Summer. It’s easy to get lost in the banter and the bluster of the relationship between characters played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. However, beneath the silly comedy is a very serious truth, one that explains why your relationships keep falling apart, no matter how hard you try.
An Adorkable Office Romance
The premise of (500) Days of Summer (and beware some spoilers if you’ve never seen it!) is that an aspiring architect (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) falls head over heels in love with his boss’s new assistant (Zooey Deschanel). After she spontaneously kisses him, he agrees to a casual relationship, and the two end up having plenty of fun together. Unfortunately, he wants something serious, and she wants more of a casual, friends-with-benefits kind of relationship. Eventually, they have a nasty breakup, but things work out for the best: he rebounds by throwing himself into his dream career, while his carefree ex eventually finds a man that she wants to marry.
For the most part, (500) Days of Summer plays out like a standard rom-com with a few heavy doses of drama thrown in. In other words, not the kind of movie that men usually get their panties in a twist over. Nonetheless, this fluffy film has proven controversial because it is built around an unreliable narrator. Most of the film is from the perspective of Tom, the hopeless romantic played by Gordon-Levitt. After Summer (the carefree cutie played by Deschanel) breaks up with Tom because she doesn’t want anything serious, many viewers felt a sense of betrayal, as if she had thrown away a good man and settled down with her first rebound.
This Is Why Your Relationships Fail
Of course, the irony of dudes getting big mad at this film is that (500) Days of Summer is trying to gently explain why so many relationships fail. There’s a common belief that most couples break up because one partner stops putting in much effort, effectively killing the spark they once shared. But that isn’t the case in this movie because Tom tries so hard to make things work with Summer; in point of fact, he tries too hard, which ultimately pushes her away. Men who take Tom’s side in all this are often perplexed and even angry. After all, how can Tom do everything right and still lose the girl?
The short answer, of course, is that he didn’t do everything right. The timey-wimey structure of (500) Days of Summer shows us different points in the couple’s relationships, effectively exploring the emotional highs and lows of their time together. Viewers, much like Tom himself, subconsciously focus only on the happy moments, not realizing how important their fights and differing viewpoints are. These aren’t small issues; rather, they are cracks in a foundation that wasn’t very strong to begin with. A foundation that began with a critical misunderstanding: Tom wants a serious girlfriend, and Summer just wants casual fun without putting any kind of definitive label on what they’re doing.
Are You Thinking The Same Thing?
The people who get angriest at Summer are the men who feel like she’s giving off mixed messages with her behavior. We see her holding hands with Tom, enjoying romantic dinners, and even watching weird porn together, which some think are signifiers of a serious relationship. But to believe that, the haters have to do exactly what Tom did: ignore the words coming out of Summer’s mouth. She repeatedly tries telling the man that she doesn’t want a committed, long-term relationship, but he only really sees and hears what he wants to. Therefore, his attempts to be the ultimate marriage material boyfriend backfire because that’s the last thing she’s looking for.
So, fellas, what’s the lesson here, and how can it help you navigate your own relationships? The first and arguably most important thing is making sure that all parties are on the same page. If you’re interested in a girl, you need to ask her exactly what she’s looking for. Is she trying to find Mr. Right or just Mr. Right Now? There’s nothing wrong if you both want a friends-with-benefits situationship or even if you want to explore more adventurous dynamics like ethical nonmonogamy or polyamory. The only thing wrong at this stage is doing exactly what Tom did: simply assuming your partner wants the exact same thing you do.
Much To Ponder
Beyond that, there’s a lesson especially pertinent to younger viewers: your love life doesn’t have to move at warp speed. It doesn’t matter if all your friends are getting engaged or whatever; if you’re not ready to be, then don’t worry about it. Once you find someone, you shouldn’t be like Tom and instantly assume you’re in love. Instead, you should take the time to make sure you are both compatible. Finally, you need to be honest in assessing the good and the bad of your relationship. If you put on optimistic blinders as Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character did, it’s only a matter of time before you get blindsided.
(500) Days of Summer is a great movie, specifically because of its brilliant subtext. To really appreciate the film, you must do as Tom did and see things from Summer’s perspective. Doing this in your own relationship is a great way to stay connected to your partner and prevent minor issues from becoming major catastrophes. Doing so also helps you understand whether you’re in love with the real person or just your idea of them. Need a little more love advice? Believe it or not, it’s free! (500) Days of Summer is currently streaming on Tubi.
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