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Inside Mormon Wives’ Taylor and Dakota’s Messy Relationship

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The Secret Lives of Mormon WivesTaylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen never shied away from addressing their messy — and oftentimes volatile — relationship ahead of their domestic dispute.

Before the show premiered on Hulu in September 2024, Taylor and Dakota started dating following her divorce from husband Tate Paul due to a high-profile “soft swinging” sex scandal. Taylor and Dakota faced ups and downs in their relationship after she was arrested for domestic violence before they expanded their family with son Ever in March 2024.

Taylor, for her part, expressed hope that the show would offer more insight into her life outside of the arrest. The reality star, who also shares kids Indy and Ocean with Tate, later admitted she was surprised that season 1 didn’t show Dakota’s “good soft side.”

“I feel like for him, that wasn’t shown on the show,” she exclusively told Us Weekly at the time. “It did show just defense. So he’s like, ‘I look like this a**hole to you while you’re pregnant — when that’s just not the case of how I treated you the whole time. Yes, I did defend myself in cases, but that’s not how I am to you.’”

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Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Stars Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen s Relationship Timeline 779


Related: Mormon Wives’ Taylor Frankie Paul, Dakota Mortensen’s Relationship Timeline

Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen‘s complicated romance was thrust into the spotlight on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives — and their relationship status remains unclear. The couple started dating before the show premiered on Hulu. Dakota was Taylor’s first public boyfriend after her divorce from husband Tate Paul due to a high-profile “soft […]

After the reality show became a success, Taylor and Dakota went through numerous breakups and reconciliations. For Dakota, the most difficult part was having their issues play out in a public forum.

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“I was so afraid of how much I liked Taylor and how afraid I was of her and knowing that I didn’t know really what she wanted, or if this could even be a thing,” he said on “The Viall Files” podcast in June 2025. “I didn’t really necessarily want to give her 100 percent of me because I was afraid of that. I didn’t want to get hurt by that, because that’s how I am. When I’m all in, I’m all in.”

The duo ultimately faced more legal issues when news broke in March 2026 that Mormon Wives allegedly halted production on season 5 after Taylor and Dakota were involved in a domestic violence dispute while filming. A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed that there is an open “domestic assault investigation” involving the pair.

Keep scrolling for Taylor and Dakota’s most telling quotes about their dynamic:

Defending Her in the Public Eye

Dakota-Mortensen-Reacts-to-Ex-Taylor-Frankie-Pauls-Bachelorette-Casting1.jpg

Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen.
(Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images)

Dakota Mortensen was Taylor Frankie Paul’s first public boyfriend after her divorce from Tate Paul. After nearly one year of dating, Taylor was arrested in February 2023 for domestic violence. She was ultimately charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief after the incident. Taylor pleaded guilty six months later to aggravated assault, while the other four charges were dismissed with prejudice. She reached a plea deal the following month.

Dakota told the Daily Mail in an interview at the time that Taylor would never hurt anyone “intentionally,” adding, “She’s a good mom, she’s going through a lot in her life right now. Taylor’s been struggling, it’s been a hard year for her. She is racked with guilt [over] her cheating scandal that cost her her marriage.”

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He elaborated on the “Viall Files” podcast in June 2025. “That was a really scary thing that night. You want to talk about being, like, in a position of, ‘What do you do?’ That’s how it felt,” he recalled. “I did take a video because I didn’t know what was going to happen. My truck was in the garage. I could not leave. I tried to leave. It just was so bad.”

Dakota claimed Taylor was “absolutely hammered,” adding, “The second we walked into the house, essentially it just turned into the most craziest thing ever.”

Documenting Their Highs and Lows

Despite several onscreen fights, Taylor Frankie Paul was confident in a future with Dakota Mortensen, sharing in the first season of Mormon Wives, “Dakota, he was such a good partner in the process and very supportive.”

She continued: “I’m, like, on cloud nine, and this is, like, the first time I’ve been so confident in us, in a future. I just — I hope that I can trust him.”

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At the time, Taylor admitted to Us that she was in no rush to get engaged to Dakota.

“I just want to take my time with this time around, this is my second marriage. It is going to be very important to me, and I don’t want to end up in another situation of being divorced,” she explained. “So, I really just want everything to be really solid and have a foundation of trust. And so I feel like that takes time. I would love for that to be the end goal. But right now, I think building it up to that is where I’m at.”

Watching Their Dynamic Back

Feature Mormon Wives Dakota Mortensen Details Heroin Addiction Recalls Taylor Frankie Paul Arrest and Reveals Where They Currently Stand
Courtesy of Dakota Mortensen/Instagram

“It’s really hard for me to watch [the ups and downs with me and Dakota] because it’s all such true feelings. None of it is fabricated or acting or nothing. It’s all real,” Taylor Frankie Paul told Us in October 2024 after the first season of Mormon Wives was released. “So it’s really hard for me to watch that back to that. That’s probably one of the hardest moments.”

Taylor said she wasn’t sure about her relationship status with Dakota Mortensen at the time.

“I would say we’re working on things, and I actually have no idea where it goes with us from here. We are not fully together but not fully done. I don’t know where the future holds with him and I,” she admitted. “It’s just a lot. So I’m coping and trying to cope. But I don’t want to watch the show.”

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Dealing With the Reality TV Aspect of Their Relationship

“I know a lot of people from a viewer point of view [don’t understand that] having everything aired out to the world is a lot different than just going to a person you care about or your family and telling them something,” Dakota Mortensen explained on the “Viall Files” podcast in June 2025. “Like, you want to talk about fear, that’s the scariest feeling in the world.”

He continued: “Then doing it with a show, you don’t have any control over it. If they’re missing something, it’s like that’s not how it was. That to me was really hard to grasp. That was hard to understand. I was like, ‘I don’t want to be torched to the world for it. I just want to have a moment with you where I can talk to you. I want a safe place to talk.’ But that’s not the case.”

Dakota also reflected on the early days of his and Taylor Frankie Paul’s relationship.

“Pretty early on I was like, ‘What are we?’ Because I just don’t know. And I could tell something inside of me liked her. I knew it, and it scared me really bad. So there was also that part where I didn’t want her to hurt me,” he explained. “That’s the sad part — I was [the] one that hurt her. I think part of that was maybe me sabotaging it. I was so afraid of how much I liked Taylor and how afraid I was of her and knowing that I didn’t know, really, what she wanted or like if this could even be a thing.”

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Working to Break the Cycle

Dakota Denies He's Having Another Baby
Disney/Fred Hayes

After several breakups, Taylor Frankie Paul chose to cut ties with Dakota Mortensen and went to film season 22 of The Bachelorette.

“It was hard because I’m, obviously, a part of that — it’s not like I am pointing the finger like, ‘He is [the toxic one.]’ It takes two to tango. We were just not progressing,” she shared with Us in March 2026. “We like each other sometimes, and then we fight. It’s really hard to explain to people, and unless you’ve been in that situation, it is hard to understand. If I could just snap out of it, trust me, I would. It’s just a lot harder said than done.”

When asked what was happening in their relationship, Taylor reflected to Us, “Honestly, I think it was just still in the same cycle that I’ve been in for a while now, and it’s been really hard to get out. … It’s been so hard to remove myself from that.”

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Taylor also admitted she wasn’t sure what to call their relationship at the time.

“I don’t even know. I have to ask myself that question all the time [about where we stand],” she told Us in a cover story interview conducted days before the dispute took place in February 2026. “Where do we stand? I don’t know. Ask me tomorrow.”

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Young and Restless 2-Week Spoilers April 6-17: Nick Taken Down in Brutal Fall – Devon’s Furious Rage Ignites!

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Young and the Restless Spoilers: Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) - Devon Hamilton Winters (Bryton James)

Young and the Restless 2-week spoilers for April 06 – 17, 2026 expect Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) getting taken down and Devon Hamilton Winters  (Bryton James) raging.

Monday, April 6th on Young and the Restless: Devon Furious About Mariah

So, on Monday, April 6th, we’ve got Devon complaining to Lily Winters (Christel Khalil) that Mariah Copeland (Camryn Grimes) isn’t facing consequences for kidnapping his son. Lily thinks it’s good that Mariah is getting psychiatric help, but Devon is furious, and he worries that Mariah is going to get out and is going to be an ongoing threat to Dominic Chancellor after that.

Meanwhile, Abby Newman (Melissa Ordway) asks Daniel Romalotti (Michael Graziadei) what’s going to happen with him and Tessa Porter (Cait Fairbanks) once Mariah is back. And then Abby tells Daniel she hates that Mariah avoided paying for the kidnapping. And Abby also worries that Mariah is going to fixate on Dominic again. Daniel just hopes that Mariah is forgiven someday. Devon shows up and rants about the district attorney and the judge that made the plea deal and he is going to blow them up over it.

Y&R Spoilers: Diane Rejects Jack

Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) begs Diane Jenkins (Susan Walters) to talk and asks for a shot to earn her forgiveness, and she’s upset when Jack says Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) wins if they don’t reconcile. Diane thinks Jack only cares about revenge and she just can’t stop seeing Jack in bed with Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk). And then Jack leaves because he is not invited to dinner.

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So over dinner, Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) reminds Diane that they all work at Jabot and Kyle wants to know if his mom can handle it. And Diane asks if Kyle is going to fire her if she doesn’t get back with Jack and Kyle says, “Of course not.” But Diane is still teary. Jack goes home and tells Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) he cheated with Patty, but Traci says that Victor is solely responsible for everything that happened on the yacht. Traci thinks that he and Diane can work things out, but Jack is really starting to doubt it.

Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn) wants Holden Novak (Nathan Owens) to get information from Claire Grace Newman (Hayley Erin) that he can use against Victor. Thing is, Holden doesn’t want to exploit his friendship with Claire. Plus, he really, really wants to date her again. So Cane tells Holden he’ll find another way and lets it slide. Cane ignores Lily when she tries to talk to him and Holden is completely shocked when Lily confesses that her kidnapping was a fake.

Young and the Restless Spoilers Tuesday, April 7th: Malcolm Winters Returns

On Tuesday, April 7th, Malcolm Winters (Shemar Moore) is back in town with a secret and some information. Shemar Moore starts his arc on Tuesday as Malcolm walks into the GCAC and his daughter Lily is very happy to see him. Vivica A. Fox is also back as Stephanie Simmons and she appears on Tuesday’s episode as well.

So, Malcolm Winters is bringing some news that is going to shake things up in Genoa City and the aftereffects promised to last for quite a while. Malcolm is going to leave Genoa City after a short arc, but then he’s going to be back for May sweeps.

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Wednesday, April 8th on Y&R: Malcolm and Stephanie Get Emotional

On Wednesday, April 8th, we’ve got Malcolm and Stephanie getting very emotional. They’re spending time together at Crimson Lights. They are obviously still split up on the show, but these were passionate exes and they’re talking about their past romantic adventures. I’m so looking forward to having both of them back, but in particular Shemar. We also have Lily being entrusted with a secret. So, obviously, it’s whatever secret that Malcolm is hiding.

Plus, Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) tempts Cane. So, we’re going to see Phyllis spending time together with Cane at the GCAC. It starts with drinks. They end up sitting, he’s sitting with Phyllis on the sofas and talking. And Cane still wants revenge on Victor. And since Phyllis seems to still want Cane, you know, she may offer to help him. Phyllis may even offer Cane a job at Summer Newman‘s conglomerate. And I’m sure Phyllis also wants Cane back in her bed, and he might be down for that, knowing it’ll bother Lily.

Thursday, April 9th: Lily Asks Traci for Help on Y&R

On Thursday, April 9th, we’ve got Lily asking Traci for help. This might be some advice about Cane and making things right with her family. Or could be about Malcolm and his secret. Maybe it ties back to the Abbott somehow. Also this week, Claire and Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) have an intense chat over at the ranch.

And I’m sure it’s about Victor and what he’s doing and, you know, Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) being tossed out, all that stuff. Claire also sees a different side to Holden. I wonder if he’s going to tell her that Cane asked him to get information from her to get revenge on Victor.

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You know, maybe Holden is making a play to move over to team Newman and that way he’ll get closer to Claire. This week, Lily is at Crimson Lights with Malcolm and Stephanie and somebody else. I think it’s Devon who shows up. So, we have Stephanie and Malcolm discussing their complicated past on Thursday on Young and the Restless.

So again, they’re at Crimson Lights and Stephanie is telling Malcolm that she can still remember how excited Olivia and Drucilla were when they first set them up to go out together because the two of them thought Stephanie and Malcolm were perfect for each other. And you know, maybe we’re going to get some sort of offscreen reunion for these two.

Friday, April 10th: Adam Takes A Big Risk on Young and the Restless

Friday, April 10th, we’ve got Lily taking matters into her own hands to help Malcolm. Now, maybe this is about his secret or maybe it’s something to do with Stephanie. Also, out in Vegas, Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) is taking a big risk. I will say he’s been technically unfaithful, you know, on Chelsea Newman (Melissa Claire Egan) by kissing Rizza Thomas so much and so often. And I just wonder if Adam’s going to take it even further and give Rizza what she really wants.

So, Adam is kissing Rizza again, and she’s telling him that if everything goes well, they can celebrate tonight. And I think this is something to do with Matt Clark (Sean Dominic) that she’s plotting. So, Adam says he looks forward to it and more kissing. And then when he comes back, Nick is asking Adam exactly how far he’s willing to go with Rizza. And I think he’s willing to go pretty far if it’ll save his family.

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Young and the Restless Spoilers: Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) - Devon Hamilton Winters (Bryton James) Young and the Restless Spoilers: Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) - Devon Hamilton Winters (Bryton James)
Young and the Restless Spoilers: Nick Newman – Devon Hamilton Winters

Y&R Spoilers: Matt Pushes to Meet Spyder

So, also this week, Matt and Riza are kissing passionately, and Matt is pressing her again to meet Spyder aka Adam. We’re also going to see Matt cornering Nick by the end of the week. And of course, he’s high as a kite from Matt’s fentanyl dealers. So, this is going to go really badly.

We’re also going to see more soon with Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) and Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) making plans for their future. Maybe it’s buying a house. Maybe it’s marriage talk. We’re going to see more of Patty making trouble for Diane and Jack’s marriage.

Patty still wants Jack for herself, and she wants to punish Diane for cheating with Jack when Patty was married to him. And Nikki and Victor’s marriage continues on the verge of collapse.

Week of April 13th-17th on Young and the Restless

The week of April 13th through the 17th, we’ve got Lily struggling to make things right with her family and she still feels bad about what she did to Cane and him giving her the cold shoulder and just doing like he said and cutting her out of his life. But I think she is more worried about making things right with Devon and Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic).

Adam faces a choice. He’s playing Riza to get to Matt so the Newmans can take him down. But since Nick is in over his head with Matt by Friday, you know, once he gets cornered and things get more precarious with Nick, then Adam may have to step even more to the dark side and turn more towards his Spyder persona. Lily is determined to help Malcolm and Nikki and Victor both continue to refuse to budge and their marriage crisis heats up as the rift widens between Jack and Diane.

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Jack really wants Diane to come to the table and talk to him. Unlike Victor, he’s not being stubborn. Jack’s putting it all out there and Diane’s just not having it. Patty remains a problem for Jack and she has a new scheme to try and get her man. Tessa and Daniel struggle with their feelings while they’re out of the country with Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian). Billy and Sally get more serious and Cane gets closer to Phyllis.

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Jessica Simpson’s Run-In With Her Ex Riddled With Avoidance

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Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey at Teen Choice Awards

First class seats were not enough for a friendly reunion between Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey.

The former couple had an unexpected encounter on a recent flight, and all sources are claiming nothing positive or conversational came out of it.

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey got married in Austin as one of the most high-profile couples of the 2000s, with their MTV reality show “Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica” showcasing their lives as a young couple before their divorce was finalized in 2006.

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Jessica Simpson Reportedly Changed Seats To Avoid Talking To Nick Lachey

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey at Teen Choice Awards
Jen Lowery/ MEGA

The musician and her ex reportedly met on a flight going from Los Angeles to Kauai, Hawaii, on March 29, where they both picked the first-class seat. Eyewitnesses on the flight claimed that the exes did everything humanly possible to avoid talking to each other through the entire trip.

The source recalled Nick turning bright as soon as he heard his former wife was on the flight, while Jessica was more cutthroat with her reaction by switching seats with someone in her group to completely avoid interaction with Nick.

TMZ stated that it was a full house affair because Jessica’s estranged husband, Eric Johnson, was also on the flight, but was seated in coach, while Nick’s wife, Vanessa Lachey, was also on the airplane.

Inside The Former Couple’s First Meeting And Pre-Marriage Days

Jessica Simpson Nick Lachey at the 1999 Billboard awards
©1999 RAMEY PHOTO/ MEGA

Jessica and Nick met in the late 90s at the peak of their careers, and shortly after their marriage ended, the duo caught up one last time with Nick playing his new album for the musician. As shared by PEOPLE, all the tracks on Nick’s new album were about Jessica, and she confessed that she felt manipulated into some revenge fantasy and had no choice but to sleep with her ex to make things better.

When Nick and Jessisa first met in 1998, they shared the same manager with the latter as a solo artist and her former husband as a frontman of the boy band “98 Degrees.” They then reconnected at a party in Florida a few months later, and he recalled being completely smitten by her performance.

In 1999, the former couple toured together when Simpson joined Nick’s band, and the experience deepened their trust for each other. The former couple even recorded a duet together for her debut album, with the music video featuring cameos from both of them. The duo got engaged in 2002 after a brief breakup in 2001, and in 2003, she walked down the aisle in a custom Vera Wang gown in front of 350 guests and a performance from 98 Degrees. 

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Jessica Simpson’s Former Husband Unpacked Lessons From Their Failed Marriage 

Nick Lachey out and about in New York City
MEGA

Nearly two decades after finalizing his divorce from the singer, Nick got candid during his appearance on the third season of Netflix’s “The Ultimatum.”  He shared his experiences during divorce with a contestant, admitting that he understands the hurt and scars that exist from a marriage gone bad. Nick found love with Vanessa Lachey in 2011, five years after ending things with the 98 Degrees frontman.

As stated by The Blast, he urged the contestant not to let his past define his future, as a healthy marriage and a beautiful life are very attainable. In October 2006, Jessica confessed that she knew her marriage was over during a trip to Kenya with the non-profit Operation Smile, which presented them with an award.

While Nick pulled out of the trip, she found herself at the hospital with all the sick kids, and it dawned on her that she needed to get more out of life. The epiphany coincided with Jessica and Nick’s third anniversary celebration. In 2015, the musician described her marriage to the singer as her biggest financial mistake, as she did not sign a prenup when they got married.

How Jessica And Eric Johnson Set Off Divorce Rumors

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson Make An Appearance In Nordstrom At The Grove in Los Angeles, California
@CelebCandidly / MEGA

In 2024, Jessica’s estranged husband, Eric, was seen on the streets of Los Angeles without his wedding band. He was reportedly spotted flipping through pages of a document, which could be related to his divorce from the musician.

Jessica was also sighted in public without a ring on her finger and had taken the same to Instagram during a promo gig for Chicken of the Sea tuna. The singer kept up with the no-ring appearance during Valentine’s Day 2024, atop a post without her husband in sight.

Jessica continued giving hints about troubles in her marriage with Eric when she teased the return of her music on social media by sharing glamorous pictures with cryptic captions. She also added that her comeback to music is an apology to herself for putting up with everything she did not deserve.

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Jessica Simpson Has Moved On Romantically

Jessica Simpson at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards
MBS/MEGA

The fashion mogul has put Eric’s drama behind her and found love again in the arms of musician Thomas Eisenhood, a Nashville-based musician and a member of the defunct band Stoop Kids.

The Blast stated that an insider confirmed that the musician is happy and in a great place while embracing such a positive phase in her life. Her new relationship emerged over a year after she announced her separation from Eric in January 2025.

As for her co-parenting situation with Eric, sources share that they are committed to raising their three kids, Maxwell Drew, Birdie Mae, and Ace Knute, with a harmonious relationship. “The goal has been to keep everything as stable and as friendly for the kids as possible,” the source emphasized.

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey’s cold war is really on!

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Why Tiger Woods’ Romance With Vanessa Trump Remains Strong

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Tiger Woods Interview at Genesis Invitational

Tiger Woods’ recent troubles are not expected to impact his relationship with Vanessa Trump.

Earlier rumors suggested that the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. had issued the golfer a firm ultimatum to straighten up or risk losing her. However, sources now claim that Vanessa has no plans to leave him, particularly as he remains a highly desirable partner.

Tiger Woods, who was recently involved in a car crash that resulted in a DUI arrest, has since taken a step back from golf to focus on his recovery.

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Why Vanessa Trump Is Staying With Tiger Woods Amid DUI Saga

Tiger Woods Interview at Genesis Invitational
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

As Woods heads into rehabilitation to address his personal issues, he has his relationship with Vanessa Trump to lean on.

The two began dating privately in late 2024, but reports had earlier claimed that Vanessa had threatened to leave after the golfer’s recent DUI arrest. However, that claim was quickly dispelled when she posted a throwback photo of them together, along with a heartfelt “love you” in the caption.

Sources have now reinforced this stance, revealing that the mother-of-five never intended to leave her boyfriend, not only because of her love for him, but also because of his desirability.

“He’s like the hottest bachelor of Palm Beach,” a source said about Woods, who was charged with DUI, refusal to submit to a lawful test, and property damage.

“He’s the biggest golfer in the world, and he’s a gazillionaire. There aren’t that many options,” the insider continued, per Page Six.

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Netizens Praised Vanessa Trump For Standing Behind Her Man

President And Mrs. Trump Host Annual White House Easter Egg Roll
Pool via CNP / MEGA

Vanessa’s decision to support Woods amid his rehabilitation has earned her praise from netizens.

“Happy for you both and know Tiger will be serious in getting the help he needs and have a wonderful life,” one wrote.

“So happy that you are standing by such a great man. Watched the video of the arrest and looked like Tiger was totally fine and answered everything they asked,” a second individual noted.

“Love them together. Glad she’s standing by him,” one more wrote.

Conversely, some individuals advised Vanessa to call things quits now over concerns for her children.

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“He will only bring trouble to your life & your children lots of drama. Think of your children first, Vanessa. Lot of good men out there,” someone commented.

One more wrote, “In all honesty, I can’t stand the Trump family, but you mean to tell me Vanessa Trump cannot do better than this??”

Tiger Woods’ Financial Future Is In Possible Jeopardy After DUI Incident

Tiger Woods' mugshot released after DUI arrest
Martin County/MEGA

While Woods may still have his relationship intact after the DUI incident, his finances could be taking a hit from his actions.

The golfer, who currently holds deals with several high-profile brands, is believed to have lost significant marketing appeal since the incident, which could unsettle his financial future.

“He was already on the decline from a marketing standpoint. It’s tough to say if you’re aligned with Tiger, you knew what you’re getting into,” said a celebrity expert, per Page Six.

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According to the source, Woods’ declining appeal was already evident in his 2024 split with Nike after nearly three decades of collaboration, and his recent absence from news reports about the NFL’s flag football league partnership with TMRW Sports is further proof.

“The interesting thing now is how TMRW [Tiger’s tech and sports arm with McElroy that created the TGL golf league] is looked at… They left his name out of the announcement with the NFL. So there is already a bit of distancing,” said the source.

Tiger Woods Stepped Away From Golf Amid Rehabilitation

Tiger Woods seen after being released following DUI arrest
OG-MEGA

Following his arrest, Woods was released on bond for an undisclosed amount and later took to social media to address the situation.

“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” the athlete noted. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health.

“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally,” Woods added in the post. “I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones, and myself at this time.”

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When Is The Golfer’s Next Hearing?

Tiger Woods at a golf tournament
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Woods has already taken serious steps to get help after his crash and DUI arrest.

The golfer’s rehabilitation is expected to hold overseas, and he has since obtained permission from the courts to leave the country.

It remains unclear how long the treatment will last; however, Woods is expected to return to the U.S. for his next hearing on or before Friday, April 17, 2026.

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Harry Potter Star’s Forgotten Historical Mystery Is Suddenly a Streaming Hit Again

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RISEN, l-r: Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, 2016. ©Sony Pictures Releasing/courtesy Everett Collection

Aside from the unsurprising success of The Passion of the Christ and The Chosen this Easter, an unusual faith-based film seems to have found a spot for itself on the re-watch lists of religious audiences. The movie was released a decade ago and was headlined by Joseph Fiennes and Tom Felton. It was directed by Kevin Reynolds, best known for his many collaborations with star Kevin Costner — the two worked together on the ill-fated Waterworld, the limited series Hatfields & McCoys, and the box-office hit Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The 2016 movie was quietly successful at the box office and has steadily expanded its reach in the last decade.

The movie was positioned as a genre spin on a familiar story. It revolves around a Roman soldier who is tasked with locating Jesus’ body after the resurrection. Fiennes played the Roman soldier leading the search for Jesus’ body, while Felton — best known for playing Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies — starred as the soldier’s companion. The role of Jesus was played by Cliff Curtis, while Peter Firth played Pontius Pilate. The movie received mixed reviews upon release and is now sitting at a 53% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. This happens to be slightly higher than the 50% that The Passion of the Christ seems to have settled at.

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Collider Exclusive · Oscar Best Picture Quiz
Which Oscar Best Picture
Is Your Perfect Movie?

Parasite · Everything Everywhere · Oppenheimer · Birdman · No Country

Five Oscar Best Picture winners. Five completely different visions of what cinema can be — and what it can do to you. One of them is the film that was made for the way your mind works. Ten questions will figure out which one.

🪜Parasite

🌀Everything Everywhere

☢️Oppenheimer

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🐦Birdman

🪙No Country for Old Men

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01

What kind of film experience do you actually want?
The best movies don’t just entertain — they leave something behind.





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02

Which idea grabs you most in a film?
Great films are driven by a central obsession. What’s yours?





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03

How do you like your story told?
Form is content. The way a story is shaped changes what it means.





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04

What makes a truly great antagonist?
The opposition defines the protagonist. What kind of opposition fascinates you?





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05

What do you want from a film’s ending?
The final note is the one that lingers. What do you want it to sound like?





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06

Which setting pulls you in most?
Where a film takes place shapes everything — mood, stakes, what’s even possible.





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07

What cinematic craft impresses you most?
Every great film has a signature — a technical or artistic element that makes it unmistakable.





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08

What kind of main character do you root for?
The protagonist is the lens. Who you choose to follow says something about you.





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09

How do you feel about a film that takes its time?
Pace is a choice. Some films sprint; others let tension accumulate slowly, deliberately.





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10

What do you want to feel walking out of the cinema?
The best films leave a mark. What kind of mark do you want?





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The Academy Has Decided
Your Perfect Film Is…

Your answers have pointed to one Oscar Best Picture winner above all others. This is the film that was made for the way your mind works.

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Parasite

You are drawn to films that operate on multiple levels simultaneously — that begin in one genre and quietly, brilliantly migrate into another. Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is a film about class, desire, and the architecture of inequality that manages to be darkly funny, deeply suspenseful, and genuinely shocking across a single extraordinary running time. Your instinct is for cinema that hides its true intentions until the moment it’s ready to reveal them. Parasite is exactly that — a film that rewards close attention and punishes assumptions, right up to its devastating final image.

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Everything Everywhere All at Once

You want it all — and this film gives you all of it. The Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of the most maximalist films ever made: action comedy, multiverse sci-fi, family drama, existential crisis, and a genuinely earned emotional core that sneaks up on you amid the chaos. You are someone who responds to ambition, who doesn’t want cinema to choose between being entertaining and being meaningful. This film refuses that choice entirely. It is overwhelming by design, and its overwhelming nature is precisely the point — because the feeling of being crushed by infinite possibility is exactly what it’s about.

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Oppenheimer

You are drawn to cinema on a grand scale — films that understand history not as a backdrop but as a force, and that place their characters inside that force and watch what happens. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a film about the terrifying gap between what we can do and what we should do, told with the full weight of one of the most consequential moments in human history behind it. You want your films to feel important without feeling self-important — to earn their ambition through sheer craft and the gravity of their subject. Oppenheimer does exactly that. It is enormous, complicated, and refuses easy comfort.

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Birdman

You are drawn to films that foreground their own construction — that make the how of the filmmaking part of the what it’s about. Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, shot to appear as a single continuous take, is cinema examining itself through the cracked mirror of a fading actor’s ego. You respond to formal daring, to the feeling that a film is doing something that probably shouldn’t be possible. Michael Keaton’s performance and Emmanuel Lubezki’s restless camera create something genuinely unlike anything else — a film that is simultaneously about creativity, relevance, self-destruction, and the impossibility of ever truly knowing if your work means anything at all.

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No Country for Old Men

You are drawn to cinema that trusts silence, that refuses to explain itself, and that treats dread as a form of meaning. The Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men is a film about the arrival of a new kind of evil — implacable, arbitrary, and utterly indifferent to the moral frameworks we use to make sense of the world. It is one of the most formally controlled films ever made, and its controlled restraint is what makes it so terrifying. You want your films to haunt you, not comfort you. You are not interested in resolution if resolution would be dishonest. No Country for Old Men is honest in a way that most cinema never dares to be.

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Easter Usually Delivers a Spike for Faith-Based Movies

We’re talking, of course, about Risen. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus for the movie reads, “Risen benefits from a lighter tone than many faith-based productions, as well as a unique take on the Greatest Story Ever Told and a terrific turn from star Joseph Fiennes.” Like Mel Gibson‘s blockbuster, Risen also has a higher audience score on the aggregator; it’s currently perched at 70% with over 10,000 ratings. This is one of the biggest reasons for its continued success at home. According to FlixPatrol, Risen was among the most-watched movies on the global HBO Max chart on Easter, when the leaderboard was topped by 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which, coincidentally, stars Fiennes’ brother, Ralph.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.


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Release Date

February 18, 2016

Runtime

107 minutes

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Director

Kevin Reynolds

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Writers

Kevin Reynolds, Paul Aiello

Producers
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Mickey Liddell, Patrick Aiello, Pete Shilaimon

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Days of our Lives 2-Week Spoilers April 6-17: Maggie’s Explosive Rant – Johnny Completely Loses Control!

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Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Maggie Horton Kiriakis (Suzanne Rogers) - Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman)

Days of Our Lives 2-week spoilers for April 06 – 17, 2026 anticipate Maggie Horton Kiriakis (Suzanne Rogers) ranting and Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) completely losing it.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers Monday, April 6th: Johnny Stunned By Theo

Monday, April 6, we’ve got Johnny stunned by Theo Carver (Cameron Johnson). Looks like he’s going to step down as CEO because of Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford), but Johnny won’t know that’s the reason. EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) issues Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) an invitation.

And I wonder if he’s going to take her to see Lexie since she’s waking up soon, and EJ very unwisely trusts Cat. Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) and Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) are plotting revenge on their enemies. Of course, Sophia wants Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) and Tate Black (Leo Howard) crushed.

And she wouldn’t mind Johnny and Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens) being crushed as well. Meanwhile, Kristen wants payback on EJ and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), whom she’s blaming for the Rachel situation. So, this week, Kristen is out at Bayview hugging a very upset Rachel Black (Lorelei Olivia Mote), and that may spur her to start cooking up these revenge plans.

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DOOL Spoilers: Steve Wants Brady on Board at Black Patch

Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) is between jobs since he is out at Titan, so Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) asks Brady to join him and put the black back in Black Patch. Looks like he’s going to say yes.

Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) and Dimitri von Leuschner DiMera (Peter Porte) are up at the hospital and they run into Cat. And later after listening to them, Dimitri tells Leo he’s pretty sure Cat is an ISA analyst. Dimitri says he spoke to one. Sounds just like that. And they may start figuring that out.

Meanwhile, Leo checks out of the hospital and he and Dimitri are going to head over to the Salem Inn. And Leo and Dimitri admit their feelings. And by Monday, he should explain to Leo exactly how he is a free man after the Vivian Alamain stuff in Alamania.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers Tuesday, April 7th: Maggie Blasts Xander

Tuesday, April 7th, we’re going to have Maggie blasting Xander Kiriakis Cook (Paul Telfer) about the book scheme. So Xander’s telling Maggie she needs to understand or she should understand why they want to block publication of Bonnie Kiriakis‘s (Judi Evans) book. But Maggie knows thanks to Johnny, it was all a big fat scheme.

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Roman Brady (Josh Taylor) is quite unhappy with Cat and she’s going to scramble to smooth it over. So, it looks like Johnny may reveal to Roman what she did to him. And that may all come out in a scene at the pub because this week Marlena is asking Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) to run Basic Black with her.

And it seems like she says yes because Marlena and Kate are toasting. But Marlena may rescind the offer because Johnny’s upset and Marlena has questions on Tuesday. So, he may blow up at Kate at the pub. I think she’s going to play dumb. She might blame Xander on Days of our Lives.

Days Spoilers: Sexy Time for Gabi & Philip

Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) get romantic. They have some sexy alone time, and I think that’s going to be at the Kiriakis mansion after they both move in. Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) is feeling off-put by her husband, Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson).

So, looks like Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark) is going to have a shot to get closer to shell shocked Stephanie when she feels the ick about being close to Alex. This week, Stephanie tells Alex she wants a gun, and I’m betting he’s going to say, “Heck no.”

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Wednesday, April 8th on Days: Tate Follows Sophia

Then on Wednesday, April 8th, we’ve got Kristen and Brady arguing about Rachel and the whole Bayview situation. Since Sophia’s the pill culprit, Kristen may want to go back to court. She’s going to be blaming Marlena and EJ, pretty much anybody but herself.

Elsewhere, Marlena encourages Stephanie to just tell Alex about her anxiety in the wake of this ordeal. The PTSD is an expected outcome, but Stephanie may turn to Jeremy instead. Plus, Tate’s determined to take down Sophia, and he pulls a fast one.

Tate’s following Sophia and when she throws away a soda bottle, Tate carefully removes it from the trash to keep his prints and DNA off of it. So, this may be going to the police or it may be going to a certain private investigator. Plus, Holly tries to patch things up with Ari and we’re going to meet Vico Escorcia when she debuts as Arianna “Ari” Grace Horton on Wednesday.

Thursday, April 9th: Lexie Wakes Up on Days of Our Lives!

Then on Thursday, April 9th, we’ve got EJ and Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien). Super excited. They are definitely going ka-ching ka-ching. They are ready for a big payout because Dr. Rolf‘s (Richard Wharton) mad science project with the Versix to resurrect Lexie is a big win.

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She is on the cusp of waking up. Johnny is pleasantly stunned by Chanel’s new attitude. Looks like she’s ready to let EJ into their lives and their kids’ lives at least somewhat provisionally. Let him in on a probationary basis.

Paulina Price (Jackée Harry) and Abe Carver (James Reynolds) are bickering. This may be about Theo quitting DiMera. This was what Abe wanted and was conspiring with EJ to get. So, I don’t think Abe’s going to listen to too much from Paulina because Abe was in on this plot. He was cooking it up. He never wanted Theo there.

Lexie is going to wake up to Theo’s voice on Thursday. He’s sitting at his mom’s bedside talking about how she was always there for him. And Lexie’s first glimpse from her resurrected eyes are going to be her precious boy.

And she says Theo’s name. Meanwhile, Leo shocks Dimitri. Looks like he’s ready to make love. But the question is, is Leo still loopy from that traumatic brain injury because it’s almost like he’s happy and drunk.

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DOOL Spoilers Friday, April 10th: Javi Returns to Salem

Friday, April 10th, we’ve got Javi Hernandez (Al Calderon) surprising his cousin Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering). So, Al Calderon is back on the scene. And I wonder if Javi’s going to bring his new boyfriend to Salem. Meanwhile, Leo taps the brakes with Dimitri and shuts things down before they get intimate. So, maybe his brain fog clears.

EJ gets an earful from Kristen. I’m sure she’s blaming EJ for Rachel being back in Bayview. Kristen is just unhinged right now. Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) and Brady are going to heat up and take things to the bedroom. So maybe Xander prodding Sarah about intimacy when he’s been shagging Gwen may prompt Sarah to hit the gas on things with Brady.

Plus, Gwen is celebrating with Xander. He doesn’t know it, but she’s counting Versix’s cure dollars and she doesn’t know it, but he’s counting dollars from some illegal sort of something. Is he back to shenanigans because he was moving money around maybe to make that loan payment?

Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Maggie Horton Kiriakis (Suzanne Rogers) - Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman)Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Maggie Horton Kiriakis (Suzanne Rogers) - Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman)
Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Maggie Horton Kiriakis – Johnny DiMera

Week of April 13th-17th on DOOL

The week of April 13th through the 17th, we’ve got Cat making final arrangements for Stefano DiMera‘s (Joseph Mascolo) will reading and she reports back to EJ on her progress. Marlena is of course feeling bad about Rachel, but she still thinks the kid needs help. But Kristen is coming for Marlena, or more specifically looks like she may send Sophia for her. And the bad thing is Marlena is not going to see Sophia as any kind of potential personal threat.

Tate asked Brady for more help from Black Patch to take Sophia down and, you know, send her to jail or back to Bayview. Of course, her being a Bayview while Rachel’s there is not a good idea. Plus, she’s not crazy. She’s just crazy like a fox. I think she needs to be in Statesville. And if Kristen doesn’t get her antics under control, she may be her cellmate.

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Days of our Lives Spoilers: Abe Gets the Shock of His Life

Abe learns that Lexie is alive and everything changes for him and a lot of people in Salem. Lani Price (Sal Stowers) and Eli Grant (Lamon Archey) are on their way back to Salem and they may press the gas on that once they find out Lexie is alive.

Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins) is on her way back to Salem with a bundle of joy. Michael Roark has a few weeks left as Jeremy. And I do wonder if we’re going to get a recast and he’s going to, you know, stick around for Stephanie. The way they’re building the story, it feels like it’s too soon for him to leave.

JJ Deveraux (Casey Moss) continues to struggle mentally. Shawn-Douglas Brady (Brandon Beemer) is struggling physically, but Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) is there for him and Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) is there for JJ.

And EJ may be blindsided at the will reading. Plus, recast Chad DiMera, played by Connor Floyd, is just a few weeks away from his debut. And Johnny may find out by then that Cat has played him for a fool.

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Christine Quinn’s Estranged Husband Building A New family

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Christine Quinn and Christian Richard at Fashion Trust U.S. Awards 2023

Christine Quinn‘s romantic past is already someone else’s present and possible future!

The TV star’s estranged husband, Christian Dumontet, stepped back into the dating pool shortly after their split. Showing he has moved on with his love life behind the scenes, he highlights his recent life updates on social media.

Christine Quinn and her estranged husband tied the knot in 2019, and after nearly five years of nuptial bliss, they began the divorce process. The “Selling Sunset” star also filed a restraining order against her former lover, along with charges of assault with a deadly weapon.

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Family Now Looks Different For Christine Quinn’s Estranged Husband

Christine Quinn and Christian Richard at Fashion Trust U.S. Awards 2023
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Dumontet clearly did not put his life on hold while waiting for his divorce to be finalized. The tech boss has revealed that he has started a new family already amid his ongoing divorce from Quinn. The photos of his new family, shared on Instagram, featured his girlfriend and their one-year-old son seemingly on trips at different locations.

He uploaded the posts showing their little family unit in Monaco last year. Dumontet smiled widely at the camera with his girlfriend, who had their son in a baby carrier as they posed for the picture. Another post was a more recent photo of the trio, captioned “Family outing, France, recently.”

The string of picture updates ended with a selfie of the tech CEO and his partner, whom he has not publicly named, wearing gleeful smiles. “Elsewhere in Europe, recently,” he wrote as the simple caption. Comments are turned off on those posts and many others on his account where his girlfriend is featured. From the documentation on his Instagram account, it appears his young son was born in March 2025.

What Happened Between Dumontet and His Estranged Partner?

Christine Quinn and Christian Richard's winter wonderland wedding, complete with live swans (while bride wore black gown and battled coronavirus)
John and Joseph/ MEGA

The scruffle between the former lovers spiraled in March 2024, when Dumontet was arrested and booked for assault with a deadly weapon. Following the incident, both parties filed for restraining orders against each other; however, only Quinn’s was granted. The court ordered that he stay away from the author under the guidelines of the temporary restraining order.

The tech boss violated the restraining order when he returned to their home and was taken into custody for the second time. US Weekly reports that he filed for divorce from Quinn, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their breakup and requested for full custody of their now four-year-old son, Christian. Court documents showed that the author filed a detailed request for sole legal and physical custody of Christian.

She stated that her estranged husband’s “actions and behavior have put [their] son’s health and well-being at risk.” Since their messy split, Dumontet has kept a low profile but has been traveling the world with his new partner since 2024 and documenting the moments on his socials. His former partner, on the other hand, moved to Texas with their son to start anew.

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Christine Quinn Opened Up About The Tumultuous Divorce Process

Christine Quinn and Christian Richard at Craig's for Dinner
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Quinn previously shared the effect of the weight of her divorce from her estranged lover with insights into their failed marriage. She disclosed the emotional toll it took on her, which added to the legal struggles and the domestic violence incident. The pain of the situation forced her to leave their home in Los Angeles for Texas, where she had a phase of staying in hotels and “couch-surfing” with friends before she got settled in the new town.

The author told news outlets that the experience was “dehumanizing” as she felt she lost her entire life overnight. In addition to everything she was going through, Quinn reportedly felt this wave of overwhelming emotion without a support system to lean on.

As shared by The Blast, the “Selling Sunset” star revealed that the decision to end her marriage to Dumontet did not stem from just one incident but rather a plethora of troubling experiences. She disclosed that there were difficult times when he attempted to control her life and movement. The mom of one also recalled times where he would lie under her car to prevent her from going to work and other instances where he would shut the gates, not allowing her to leave the house.

The Reality TV Star’s Greatest Concern Was For Her Son

Christine Quinn at Fashion Trust U.S. Awards 2023
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

Quinn summoned the courage to walk away from the unhealthy union ignited by her realization that Dumontet’s behavior was negatively affecting her son.  She disclosed that although her heart was initially bent on staying true to her wedding vows, she had to make the decision to end things and prioritize Christian’s safety.

The TV star also shared that her estranged partner’s parents had set very high expectations, and this added to the internal struggle to walk away from her marriage. Relocating was the cherry on the difficulty sundae for Quinn, but she has come to love her new life.

The “Selling Sunset” alum previously disclosed that on the bright side, the new environment was different from the chaotic life in Los Angeles. Having a home near Dallas is also a blessing for her because she is closer to family, noting that her sister is close by and her son has a cousin to play with. Ultimately, she is grateful for the life changes she had to go through to ensure a peaceful, safer life for Christian.

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Christine Quinn’s Legal Representative Took His Hands Off The Case

Christine Quinn at Versace Fall/Winter 2023 Fashion Show
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

The reality TV star’s lawyer wanted out of the case and sought permission to withdraw from his role as her lawyer last March. Hossein Berenji filed for an emergency hearing in court, claiming that he could no longer represent Quinn due to a significant breakdown in the attorney- client relationship.

The Blast covered the details in a previous release, sharing that Berenji was scheduled to present his case in court on April 15, 2025. After representing her for almost a year, the lawyer said he could not go on as her divorce counsel because their relationship had become “completely and irreconcilably broken.”

This marked a major setback for Quinn as the case has lingered on since then. The former lovers have disagreed on several terms during the process, from custody of their child to the request for spousal support. Their Los Angeles home was also a bone of contention as the TV star was granted exclusive access to the property. Dumontet later accused her of neglecting the property and causing it to suffer significant damage due to poor management.

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Steven Spielberg joins Kylie Jenner in being a fan of 'the “Dunes”'

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The ‘Disclosure Day’ director revealed what sci-fi film is among his all-time favorites — syncing up with Jenner’s cinematic tastes.

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Zendaya’s Controversial 57% RT Netflix Movie Is Officially Better 5 Years Later

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The Drama - 2026

2026 is the year of Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Along with their roles in two major blockbusters with deep ensembles, Christopher Nolan‘s The Odyssey and Dune: Part Three, the pair kick off the year in the dual-starring vehicle, The Drama, Kristoffer Borgli‘s dark comedy-romantic drama, which sees them as a couple amid a grave turning point.

Zendaya, who also has Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Season 3 of Euphoria on the docket, is a tried and true star and cultural icon. Thanks to the cachet she’s built off Spider-Man and Dune, she can elevate the status of less commercially viable films like Malcolm & Marie, which saw her opposite John David Washington in this divisive Netflix drama released in 2021. This relationship drama with 57% on Rotten Tomatoes inspired controversy among audiences and its writer-director, Euphoria‘s Sam Levinson, but the film is worth another look five years later.

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‘Malcolm & Marie’ Faced Criticism and Controversy Upon Release in 2021

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with everyone trapped inside, Netflix provided its subscribers with a timely original movie merely consisting of two people talking inside their home. Sam Levinson’s film follow-up to Assassination Nation and appetizer for Euphoria Season 2’s release in 2022, Malcolm & Marie is a chamber drama about a director, Malcolm (Washington), and his girlfriend, Marie (Zendaya), undergoing a turbulent night following the latter’s movie premiere. During their tense fight, culminating in years of pent-up frustrations, the future of their relationship is put in jeopardy. This was the first Hollywood feature to be written, financed, and produced during lockdowns in 2020, making the film a raw — albeit unsettling — time capsule.

Movies released on Netflix can struggle to find stickiness within the zeitgeist, but Malcolm & Marie sparked intrigue among audiences — for better or worse. While many critics were fond of Zendaya and Washington’s performances, the passion behind the film’s naysayers were pointedly aggressive. Being centered around a filmmaker, the self-serving nature of Levinson’s film is blatantly obvious from the get-go. Between Malcolm’s long-winded monologues about cinema and creative expression, Marie, despite sharing half ownership of the film’s title, is egregiously marginalized in the story, something that Levinson himself acknowledged. The movie faced a slew of other controversies, including the 12-year age gap between Washington and Zendaya and Levinson railing against film criticism, which the writer-director positioned as a discussion about a Black artist’s relationship to his work.

Netflix’s ‘Malcolm & Marie’ Is an Acting Showcase for Zendaya

It’s hard not to see John David Washington’s defensive and combative filmmaker character as an avatar of sorts for Levinson, a director and showrunner who has been the brunt of much criticism in response to the transgressive nature of Euphoria and his short-lived showbiz drama, The Idol. The film’s blunt dialogue becomes even more heavy-handed when interpreted as Levinson’s own rebuke of his critics, especially when factoring in controversies regarding the toxic set he harbored while filming Euphoria. The theatrical, capital “A” acting by its two stars and the black-and-white photography presented themselves laughably pretentious by its critics, as all these traits were already pushed to the maximum by Levinson in Euphoria. Malcolm’s constant lecturing about cinema to Marie, which borders on “mansplaining,” can feel gross, but in the end, you’re not supposed to come out of this extended fight between the couple emotionally unscathed.

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The Drama - 2026


The 10 Most Anxiety-Inducing Romance Movies, Ranked

Love squirms.

With its two-person cast, one-location setting, and frantic psychological edge, Malcolm & Marie is the quintessential COVID-era film without being explicitly about the pandemic. The cooped-up frustration stemming from being with the same people and stuck in cyclical conversations of this period is reflected in Malcolm and Marie’s hostile interactions. This prolonged discussion, filled with unbridled rage and highfalutin dialogue indicative of people living in a Gilded Cage, seemingly has no resolution in sight unless one of the partners takes a drastic stand in the relationship.

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While the film is ultimately a little too glossy for its own good, Malcolm & Marie, at its best, echoes the spirit of John Cassavetes‘ raw indie dramas about emotionally unstable people and marriages on the rocks. Luckily, what Sam Levinson might lack in documentary-like naturalism is made up for by Zendaya and John David Washington, whose performances appear as though they’re pulled from their own personal woes with close relatives. Despite being one of pop culture’s most premier figures, Zendaya boldly portrays herself in an unflattering light, and her sheer vigor elevates this experimental COVID production into a buzzworthy event film. Revisiting such a dire moment in recent history is a challenge, but you’ll be surprised by just how well Malcolm & Marie holds up in 2026.

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Blake Lively Reportedly Advised By Close Circle To Settle Lawsuit

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Blake Lively Departs GMA

Blake Lively has reportedly lost the support of her close circle amid her ongoing lawsuit with her “It Ends With Us” co-star, Justin Baldoni.

The actress and director have been embroiled in a legal battle since the project, with the case set to go to trial in May.

However, those close to Blake Lively are said to believe she may not win and are privately urging her to settle with Justin Baldoni, though she remains determined to see the case through to the end.

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The Actress’s Close Circle Is ‘Begging’ Her To Settle

Blake Lively Departs GMA
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With only weeks to go before Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni heads to trial, her close circle is reportedly reconsidering whether she should proceed with the case.

The actress sued her “It Ends With Us” co-star for sexual harassment and other claims stemming from their time on set and beyond, and has continued to stand firm amid the ongoing legal back-and-forth with Baldoni’s attorneys since filing the suit.

Now, sources who spoke with Rob Shuter’s “Naughty But Nice” Substack say Lively’s friends and loved ones aren’t confident she will emerge victorious and have advised her to settle in order to avoid potential embarrassment if she loses.

“People around Blake are begging her to settle,” an insider told the journalist. “They think enough damage has already been done.”

“This is not the win she thinks it is,” the source added about the actress. “The case is weaker now, not stronger.”

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Blake Lively Wants To See The Case Through Despite Dismissal Of Most Claims

Blake Lively out in Bryant Park.
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According to the source, concerns among Lively’s friends about her losing the case intensified after a judge dismissed several of the claims she brought against Baldoni in 2024.

Judge Lewis Liman allowed only three of the 13 legal claims filed by Lively to proceed, dismissing others, including her sexual harassment and defamation allegations, in his 152-page ruling on April 2.

Despite this significant setback just weeks before the trial, Lively is said to be determined to see her day in court and is not backing down.

“She’s framing this as something bigger,” the insider continued about the actress who previously failed to settle with Baldoni during a court-mandated meeting that lasted several hours.

 “A fight about ‘digital violence’ and speaking out,” they further hinted at Lively’s reason for wanting to see the case through.

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Blake Lively’s Husband Is No Longer Confident In The Case, Source Claims

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds at the New York World Premiere of “It Ends With Us in NYC
KCS Presse / MEGA

Some of Lively’s close friends reportedly feel that the longer the case drags on, the more the actress is likely to suffer reputational and professional damage.

They also believe that the impact isn’t limited to Lively alone; her husband, Ryan Reynolds, who has been her biggest supporter since she took legal action against Baldoni, could also face similar losses.

“Ryan has been by her side, but even he’s starting to wobble,” added the insider. “This is affecting everything — their image, their careers, their relationships,” the source explains. “It’s not contained anymore.”

For now, Lively still has the opportunity to step back, but if she forges ahead, many believe she could face an even greater risk of loss in the coming weeks.

“She can keep going, but she may lose a lot more before this is over,” the source concluded.

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Blake Lively Looks Forward To ‘Testifying’

Blake Lively in a white gown as she arrives to the Late Show with Seth Meyers this afternoon in New York City
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Baldoni also faced a setback with Liman’s ruling, as his push for a summary judgment was only partly granted.

Despite this, he also remains committed to seeing the case through like Lively, as noted in statements following the April ruling, per People Magazine.

Lively’s lawyer, Sigrid McCawley, stated that the “Another Simple Favor” star is looking forward to “testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation so that it becomes easier to detect and fight.”

Justin Baldoni Pleased As He Is Now Left With A ‘Significantly Narrowed Case’

Justin Baldoni at Five Feet Apart Premiere
Jaxon / MEGA

Baldoni, on his own part, noted he was pleased with the ruling and cited how the case was now “significantly narrowed.”

“These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the Court for its careful review of the facts, law, and voluminous evidence that was provided,” read a statement from his lawyers, Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach of Shapiro Arato Bach.

“What’s left is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court,” they added.

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What happened to the “Gossip Girl ”cast? See Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, and more stars, then and now

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See where the “Gossip Girl” cast ended up after leaving the Upper East Side.

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