Kelly Clarkson is looking back on her seven-year journey hosting her own talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, ahead of its final episode.

“You know what? [In our] seven seasons, a lot has happened in my personal life and a lot has happened in life for everyone,” Clarkson, 44, said in a YouTube video published Friday, August 28. “There’s been a pandemic. I think, if there’s a word to describe The Kelly Clarkson Show, it’s ‘pivot.’ There’s not been one normal season, I feel like, but at the same time; what a necessary thing to have to come to work and focus on other people.”

She continued, “I think that saved me, honestly, a lot of times [and] I think this show has made everyone better at what they do.”

Clarkson debuted her eponymous NBC daytime show in 2019, one year before the coronavirus pandemic forced production to go virtual. The former American Idol champ later moved the show to New York City in 2023 following her messy divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. (Blackstock died in 2025 at age 48 after a private battle with cancer.)

Related: How Kelly Clarkson Is Rebuilding Her Life After Talk Show Exit

For Kelly Clarkson, the choice wasn’t about walking away — it was about making space for what mattered most. After months of speculation, the singer revealed on February 2 that she’s leaving her daytime talk show after its current seventh season. “This was not an easy decision,” she said in an emotional Instagram post. “Stepping […]

Clarkson announced in February that she decided to wrap her show to prioritize her family, including kids River Rose, 12, and Remington, 10, she shared with Blackstock.

Ahead of the Monday, August 31, finale, Clarkson recalled her tenure as a talk show host.

“Well, it was brought up to me with my ex and he was like, ‘Hey, NBC was talking about maybe doing a talk show with me,’ and I was, like, ‘OK, that’s the worst idea ever ‘cause I never shut up,’” Clarkson recalled of Blackstock’s pitch for the then-new show’s concept. “You know, nobody really knew my personality to the extent of what it is until The Voice, and I think they saw how comfortable on-camera I am and how, like, I’m all in.”

She added, “I’m very present. I think they saw that and it’s really just me. I’m the same kid at 19 that auditioned for Idol that everybody got to know in the first place. Working with those producers on that show and having to do the little segments here and there and that probably prepped me a little, and I didn’t realize it.”

Once Clarkson filmed the talk show’s pilot episode, she admitted her “ignorance [was] kind of bliss” before producers found the series “really worked” with test audiences.

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“Sometimes, a lot of times, I’m just sitting across from people going, ‘How did I get the chance to talk to you?’” she quipped of her onscreen celebrity interviews. “All these incredible people that I’ve really looked up to. You know, Julie Andrews, I’ve talked to her a couple times. Who says that? We’ve literally had people that are in the White House. I mean, it’s been everyone from Heart to Alanis [Morissette] to, I mean, I’ve had Pink on here. I’ve been singing with people that I’m just, like, ‘What?’”

Receiving a yearbook of her The Kelly Clarkson Show memories on Friday, the singer mused how much has changed in the seven years since the show’s inception.

“See, I forget some of these things. And honestly, for me, my kids have grown up on this show, too,” she said. “Like, it’s been seven years, and these are the growing years for them right now. It’s been crazy.”

Celine Dion has yet to share with fans which song she will perform first for her run of shows in Paris as she makes her music comeback.

The veteran singer is choosing to remain tight-lipped about the song, leaving her die-hards guessing about which options from her catalogue she would eventually select.

Dion has been largely away from the spotlight since 2022, when she disclosed her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis.

Celine Dion is set to return to public performances for the first time since 2024, and fans are highly eager to see her take to the stage again.

Her first series of concerts will be held in Paris between September and October at the Plenitude Arena in the French capital’s western suburbs, and the singer has confirmed that she is ready.

However, for her first show, she will be keeping the title of her first song under wraps until she gets on stage, as revealed in a recent interview with French broadcaster BFMTV.

“I can’t say, it’s a big secret,” Dion said of her first song when asked by the media outlet.

Dion Admits She’s ‘A Bit Uptight’ Ahead Of Paris Return

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Regarding how she feels about returning to public performances after such a long absence, Dion confirmed that she is ready but admitted she still feels some nerves.

“I am ready, and I’m a bit uptight, of course, because it’s been a long time,” she said elsewhere in her interview.

Still, she is hoping to bank on the support she has always received from her fans in Paris to deliver stellar performances across her shows in the city.

“I have always felt supported from the first day and because it’s a story that continues. It’s true that this is my second home,” the Quebec-born singer added.

Celine Dion Revealed Her Paris Comeback In March

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Dion’s return to public performance comes after she announced it in a broadcast beneath the city’s iconic Eiffel Tower to mark her birthday earlier in the year.

“This year, I’m getting the best birthday gift of my life,” the 58-year-old said. “I’m getting the chance to see you, to perform for you once again in Paris, beginning in September! I’m feeling good. I’m strong. I’m feeling excited — obviously a little nervous — but most of all, I’m grateful to all of you.”

The five-time Grammy winner will kick off the Paris residency on September 12, followed by more than a dozen shows, which end on October 17. The singer is also expected to perform 10 more shows in May next year.

The Singer Says She’s ‘Doing Great’ Ahead Of Paris Return

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Fans who have followed Dion over the years know she has been dealing with stiff-person syndrome, which she first disclosed in 2022.

In her birthday message, she thanked fans for their prayers and also shared a health update to allay their fears about her well-being.

“I’ve recorded a lot of birthday messages, but this is the first time I’ve ever recorded one for my own birthday,” the vocalist shared at the start of the clip. “I want to let you know that I’m doing great, managing my health, feeling good. I’m singing again, even doing a little dancing.”

Celine Dion Details Her Health Struggles Ahead Of Paris Return

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For Harper’s Bazaar September issue, Dion drew back the curtain on her stiff-person syndrome, revealing she had lived with the symptoms for nearly two decades before receiving a formal diagnosis.

She described the ailment as a “progressive condition,” adding that she felt uncomfortable referring to it as a disease.

In the interview, she also revealed her preparation for her upcoming residency. This includes regular 90-minute Pilates sessions, ballet classes, and a rehabilitation program to help her perform at her best.

Elsewhere, she shared that her comeback was inspired by a desire to show fans how much she missed them during her leave of absence.

Cardi B has seemingly touched on the multiple industry beefs she’s been embroiled in over the years, saying she doesn’t really care as it majorly springs from “jealousy.”

The “Bodak Yellow” singer also rued fame and all it comes with, admitting that she sometimes feels like she “didn’t apply for this.”

Cardi B has been involved in a very public feud with Nicki Minaj, with both of them going so far as to attack each other’s kids. She has also called out her estranged husband publicly, accusing him of spite, jealousy, and theft.

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Cardi B is pulling back on the harsh realities that come with her superstar status, particularly the never-ending media scrutiny and the public feuds she has been dragged into.

In a wide-ranging interview with Vogue Arabia, the Grammy winner spoke about her new single “Ah Ha,” which comes with a catchy beat over lyrics hitting back at naysayers who want to see her go down.

“This is for everyone who thinks I’m worried about them. I don’t care about you,” she said when asked who the song is aimed at.

She continued, “There’s a lot of jealousy around me all the time. All the time! It comes from these girls who think I want their baby daddy or that they are equal to me. Also from these guys… From everybody!”

The Hitmaker Admits Fame Comes With ‘A Lot’

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The “Wap” rapper was then pressed for her thoughts on fame and everything it comes with.

Cardi B, born Belcalis Almánzar, expressed satisfaction at all the things she’s been able to achieve and how her rise has helped prove many people wrong.

“I have proven a lot of people wrong over and over and over again. It makes me feel good that I achieved things that nobody else did,” she said.

However, she admitted that fame comes with its own toll, which she didn’t bargain for while starting out.

“That’s why they say to be careful about what you wish for because you just might get it. Being a celebrity comes with a lot, and sometimes I feel I didn’t apply for this. But hey, it is what it is,” she explained. “You can’t really protect yourself. You are never gonna be ready for this type of pressure, you know? You just gotta find a mechanism that works for you.”

She added, “But whatever mechanism you decide on, just don’t turn to drugs, okay? I know it’s hard. I know it really is. Being famous is almost like a mental game, but whatever you do, just don’t do drugs.”

Cardi B’s Industry Beef With Nicki Minaj

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Over the years, the 33-year-old Bronx native has made headlines for several industry beefs and personal issues with her romantic partners.

One of the most prominent of those is her feud with Nicki Minaj, which began almost a decade ago as an extension of the latter’s beef with Remy Ma.

Both ladies initially tried to deny speculation that their relationship had soured after Cardi B performed at Remy Ma’s concert, but in 2018, Nicki Minaj accused her of not showing “genuine love.”

Last year, things went too far as both rappers took aimed shots at each other’s kids.

Nicki called Kulture “ugly” and “a roach & a monkey,” after which Cardi B referenced rumors that her child is neurodivergent, per REVOLT.

“Your hate is so deep, dark and nasty because your son nonverbal cuz you f-cked him up wit them drugs so you jealous of everybody kids and their happiness!!!” she said.

Cardi B Had A Public Split From Offset

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Cardi B has also had her split from estranged husband Offset play out in public.

The pair were in an on-again, off-again relationship that began in 2017 until the “I Like It” rapper filed for divorce in July 2024, after previously calling off the one she filed in September 2020.

During a 2025 appearance on an X Space, she accused him of being spiteful toward her and their kids.

“I’ve been alright all of 2025. But this morning, motherf-ckers decided to disturb my peace. So since people want to disturb my peace, I’m gonna disturb everybody’s f-cking peace myself,” she said.

In that interaction, she made several allegations against him, including claims he wouldn’t agree to her divorce terms and doesn’t show love to their kids.

The Fiery Rapper Regrets Being With Offset

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Cardi B went further to allege that Offset and his mother, Latabia Woodward, “robbed” her, among other unsettling claims.

“I ain’t listen after you and your mama robbed me. Yeah, you and your mom robbed me cold, wiped my nose. Told you stop f-cking playing with me,” she said.

The “Money” rapper then explained that she realized Offset was kind of against her after he accused her of being “competitive” with him for posting his album and writing, “I’m next.”

According to USA Today, she also expressed regret over being with him during a livestream interaction.

“Nothing surprises me anymore. You’ve done it all, so I don’t care,” she said. “Thank you for my kids, though. All three of them, I don’t regret none of them. But I regret you. I don’t regret my kids; you’re a good daddy. You’re all right.”

Alix Earle believes in the power of manifestation!

The content creator recently revealed that she manifested getting millions of followers on TikTok. Currently, she has over 8.5 million followers on the social media platform. In a video posted recently, Earle, 25, recalled writing down an ambiguous goal for her TikTok account — one that she has surpassed today.

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Earle showed an old journal by Anastazia Dupee, where she wrote down her goals as an influencer. Showing the book, which she said had been “through the wringer,” the creator revealed she’s the “biggest believer” in the power of manifestation.

“You might be able to tell that I’ve had this journal for a while. It’s been through the wringer, but when it comes to your life and your goals and manifesting, I am like the biggest believer in you have to like speak things into existence,” Earle said. “I first got this in, I think right before my senior year of college and my first journal entry. Hello. Scripture. Okay. August 19th, 2022 in my kitchen. And I was like, you know what? I’m just going to like write something crazy.”

Initially, she wanted 500,000 followers on TikTok within a few months of writing her goal.

“And I said, um, I’m going to have 500k on TikTok by January. And at the time I think I had like around a hundred thousand followers. I was making videos for like three years I was obsessed with just getting online and like posting my life, making videos, editing them. I just really, really loved it,” Earle recalled. “And I remember writing that and I was like, ‘Oh, should I even write like 500?’ I was like, ‘That’s crazy.’ But I was like, ‘You know what? Whatever.’”

Getting More Than What She Asked For

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Earle remembered having so much more than what she manifested for. While she only wanted 500,000 thousand followers, she got about “four million” instead, describing the situation as “nuts.”

“By that time in January, I had, was like, four million followers. So nuts,” she said. “In my biggest dreams, hopes and goals, I never even thought I would reach 500,000, which the followers isn’t the point of this. The point is I am such a big believer in manifesting. Not only will I like say, certain things like that, but then I write goals down, and when I go back, I would just like reach for the stars.”

Alix Earle Explains Why She Likes Writing Down Her Goals

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Earle went on to explain that by writing her goals, she can track her progress better, and see how far she’s come. However, she also likes to “speak” about things as if “they’re a fact.”

“I’m like, you know what, I’m just gonna like, put this down, say it, and I also always speak. Like you have to speak with an attitude of like something is happening. So I used to do this, and I still do,” the TikTok star explained. “I like [to] say things as if they’re a fact but they have not happened yet. The reason I like writing things down, and I do this like every like six months, is because then I will go back and see, even if it’s from like years and years ago, I wrote something down crazy, and you’re able to just like sort of track your progress because we’re so, I think just… It’s human nature to like get so caught up in like wanting to keep going, wanting to keep doing better. And you forget like the little things you’ve accomplished along the way.”

Earle said that going back and reading through her goals is her “favorite thing in the world,” adding, “The gratitude part of this is really, really important as well. Just like stop for a second. Remember the things that you have being like friends, family, support system, a roof over your head. At the end of the day, those are the things in life that really matter.”

‘Mindset Can Change Everything’

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Later in the video, Earle talked about how a person’s “mindset” can change things, even turning negative thoughts into something positive.

“Maybe I sound crazy, but I’m just a really big believer in your mindset can change everything. Even… Just like you go into something with a negative attitude, like negative things are gonna happen or you’re only gonna pay attention to the negative things that are going on,” she said. “And of course I’m not the most like positive chipper person 24/7, but if I ever do catch myself in a rut or something where I’m like, oh my God, like I’m being cranky and negative right now for no reason. And you just start saying out loud and you’re just like, ‘I’m happy,’ ‘I’m lucky,’ and I just feel like things start to fall into place.”

Alix Earle On Being ‘Delusionally Optimistic’

Fall is my favorite season to dress for, which makes waiting for the weather to cool down especially difficult. Luckily, I don’t need to break out chunky knits to start wearing olive green, chocolate brown, rich rust and moody florals. A loose, flowy dress lets me get the autumn aesthetic while still surviving an 80-degree afternoon.

I rounded up 17 dresses that strike that sweet spot between breezy and fall-ready, including flowy maxis, tummy-friendly babydolls and waist-defining styles that give you shape without feeling tight or clingy. Prices start at just $15, so giving your wardrobe an early taste of fall doesn’t have to cost much either.

17 Loose-but-Flattering Dresses to Take You Straight Into Fall

1. Our Favorite: If the calendar says fall but the forecast says summer, reach for this flowy mini dress. The wide waistband defines your shape, while the lantern sleeves and olive green shade bring all the autumn energy.

2. Rust Romance: Nothing says early fall quite like a rust-colored dress. The autumnal hue is paired with a breezy tiered skirt and stretchy waist, making it ideal for those still-sweltering September days.

3. Boho Beauty: This breezy maxi dress is about as loose as it gets, but the ruffled neckline keeps it looking pretty rather than shapeless. The earthy green shade also gives it an instant early-fall feel.

4. Visually Slimming: This deep V-neck flowy dress draws the eye vertically, while the roomy draped shape gives you plenty of breathing space. Slit sleeves and an olive hue make it especially chic for early fall.

5. Workday Winner: A printed button-down midi dress is one of those throw-on-and-go pieces that still looks like you tried. The loose skirt and short sleeves handle the heat, while the brown print transitions nicely into fall.

Related: Boots! Loafers! Sneakers! Amazon’s Fall 2026 Shoe Edit Is Here

I don’t need another reason to get excited about fall dressing, but Amazon’s massive new shoe selection gave me one anyway. Its Fall Shoe Shop is overflowing with 2026 trends I’ve been seeing everywhere, including finds featuring deep burgundy hues, soft suede, animal prints and throwback silhouettes. I narrowed down the seemingly endless options to […]

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6. Gingham Girl: Stretchy smocking gives this gingham maxi dress a fitted look up top before flowing into a loose, breezy skirt. The neutral checks also make it easy to transition into fall with a denim jacket and boots.

7. Preppy Chic: Crisp collar detailing gives this loose mini dress an instantly pulled-together look, while the tiered skirt keeps things relaxed and airy. Pair the creamy neutral shade with loafers now and boots later.

8. Moody Florals: Dark blooms instantly make this floral mini dress feel more fall-ready, while the lightweight chiffon keeps it from feeling too heavy for warm weather. An elastic waist adds flattering definition without the squeeze.

9. Retro Florals: Oversized blooms give this brown floral shirt dress a distinctly fall feel, despite its breezy short sleeves. The swingy, loose fit leaves plenty of room for airflow on those still-hot September days.

10. Chocolate Checks: The rich brown hue instantly makes this plaid maxi dress feel fall-ready, while spaghetti straps keep it practical for lingering summer heat. The fitted top and flowy tiered skirt also create that loose-but-flattering balance.

11. Waist-Defining: Ruching through the middle gives this floral V-neck dress a cinched-in effect, while the A-line skirt stays loose and easy. Its brown-and-black print does all the heavy lifting when it comes to making it feel fall-ready.

12. Eyelet Elegance: Intricate eyelet detailing makes this navy maxi dress feel special despite its incredibly relaxed silhouette. The deep shade nods to fall, while spaghetti straps and a roomy A-line shape keep things cool.

13. Slimming Stripes: Vertical stripes give this V-neck swing dress a lengthening effect, while the loose silhouette keeps it from clinging anywhere. Flutter sleeves and handy pockets make the under-$20 find even easier to wear.

14. Golden Girl: Warm mustard gives this flowy babydoll dress instant early-fall energy, even when temperatures are still firmly in summer mode. The loose tiered shape also means nothing is clinging to your middle.

15. Budget Buy: Bold boho prints make this $15 flowy mini dress look anything but basic. Better yet, the higher waist adds shape before the fabric falls loosely over your middle.

16. Denim Darling: Nothing transitions into fall quite like denim, and this flowy jean dress makes it work before temperatures actually cool down. Its loose A-line cut gives you plenty of breathing room, while the tie neckline adds a little shape up top.

17. Smocked Style: Stretchy smocking gives this floral mini dress definition through the bust before flowing into a loose, tiered skirt. The dark floral print and long sleeves make the breezy silhouette feel especially fall-ready.

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

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Related: Amazon’s End-of-Summer Sale Has Matching Sets, Sneakers and More From $9

Now that summer is coming to a close, I’m swapping out warm-weather staples for fall-looking pieces with chocolate hues, suede materials and layerable designs. To get the look I’m going for, I went hunting through Amazon’s End-of-Summer Sale for fashion finds that can bridge the gap between this season and the next. Think breezy matching […]

A viral video circulating online has sparked outrage across social media after it showed an Arkansas trooper aggressively pulling a Black man from the backseat of a car. The man has reportedly been identified as Tedrick Washington Jr. Now, Washington is speaking out about the incident and sharing how he plans to handle the situation moving forward.

RELATED: Police Say They’re Considering All Possibilities In The Hanging Death Of A Black Man In North Carolina (UPDATE)

Viral Incident With Arkansas Trooper & Black Male Sparks Outrage On Social Media

Footage making rounds online shows an encounter between an Arkansas trooper and a man reportedly identified as Tedrick Washington Jr. In the video, the trooper appears to tell Tedrick to “crawl out the car” as he sits in the backseat with another person. Tedrick appears to respond that he can’t unlock the door, but the trooper continues yelling and demanding that he “crawl out of the car.” The trooper then appears to yank Washington out of the vehicle by his dreads before continuing to pull him through the back window by his arm. As Tedrick hangs halfway out of the window, the trooper appears to punch him in the face.

Tedrick Washington Jr. Breaks His Silence On The Viral Encounter

While speaking exclusively with The Shade Room, Tedrick Washington Jr. said he willingly cooperated with the trooper but believes the officer used excessive force. Washington also said the Arkansas trooper’s violence and aggression prompted him to pursue legal action against the officer.

Social Media Calls Out The Trooper For Using Excessive Force

After The Shade Room shared the clip of the Arkansas trooper and Tedrick Washington Jr., many social media users took to the comments. Plenty of Roommates said the trooper didn’t need to get so aggressive, while others pointed out that Tedrick clearly appeared to cooperate.

Instagram user @ms_katie_baby wrote, “He was clearly having difficulties opening the door and wasn’t aggressive what was the reason for pulling him by his hair and punching him?!?!” 

Instagram user @attrvktion wrote, “He was on the BACK SEAT and said multiple times that he COULD NOT open the door! For the people who’s going to say ‘he wasn’t cooperating’ or ‘he was the one driving over the speed limit.’ 

While Instagram user @prettyass_star wrote, “His Lawyer rubbing his hands together like birdman right now lol.” 

Then Instagram user @flygirlmimi_318 wrote, “That cop need to be charged and fired he could’ve broken his shoulder or arm.” 

Another Instagram user @lilobama19 wrote, “There was absolutely no reason for this. Senseless violence. Makes me sick. That’s a huge excessive force lawsuit.” 

Instagram user @mik.jefa wrote, “They need to test officers for their level of emotional intelligence before they become someone that ‘enforces the law’.” 

While another Instagram user @shelovecj wrote, “Absolutely no reason for this!”

Then another Instagram user @carmelcutie__ wrote, “This was so unnecessary he wasn’t even moving.” 

Finally, Instagram user @sassye85 wrote, “I’m soooooooooo sick of seeing this it’s like the new norm for them smfh its disgusting.” 

RELATED: UPDATE: Atatiana Jefferson’s Family Reportedly To Receive $11.25 Settlement Nearly 7 Years After She Was Killed By Police Officer 

Hard sci-fi actually tries to get the science right, or at least close enough that a real physicist wouldn’t laugh you out of the room. That’s a much harder thing to pull off than it sounds, since real science doesn’t care about your plot deadlines or your big emotional climax and most movies think audiences are dumb enough not to find loopholes in the concept.

These ten movies all do the work anyway. Most of the films had actual scientists on set checking the math. You can watch them and learn a thing or two. However, some of them were just made by people obsessive enough to figure it out themselves in a garage. So here are some of the best sci-fi ever put on screens. Let’s get nerdy about them.

Image via Warner Bros

This film is based on a novel written by Carl Sagan. He stayed deeply involved in it right up until he died, just before the movie came out, and you can feel his actual scientific mind all over it. It is about Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster), a SETI researcher who spends years listening to static as she hopes to find a real signal, and then actually finds one.

The wormhole machine humanity builds from that alien signal was designed with help from real physicist Kip Thorne, the same guy who later worked on Interstellar. This one is definitely special and the cause is not aliens, though. It’s the argument running underneath the whole movie, science versus faith, played out honestly between Ellie and Palmer Joss (Matthew McConaughey), with neither side made to look foolish.

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‘Moon’ (2009)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

Sam Rockwell basically carries this entire movie by himself, playing multiple versions of the same character, a lonely miner stationed alone on the far side of the moon who starts realizing he isn’t quite who he thought he was. Duncan Jones made this for about five million dollars, practically nothing by sci-fi standards, and used old-school practical model effects instead of leaning on CGI.

Kevin Spacey voices GERTY, the base’s robot assistant, in a way that’s clearly meant to remind you of HAL from 2001, right up until GERTY does the exact opposite of what you’re braced for. The whole thing is about cloning and corporate labor exploitation, dressed up as a quiet, lonely space movie, and it earns every bit of its reputation on a shoestring budget.

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‘Primer’ (2004)

Image via StudioCanal

Shane Carruth wrote, directed, starred in, edited, and scored this movie for about seven thousand dollars, which is less than most people spend on a used car. Two engineers accidentally build a time machine in their garage, and instead of dumbing the science down for the audience, Carruth just lets the characters talk like actual engineers would, dense, technical, and genuinely hard to follow.

People have built entire flowcharts online just trying to map out the timeline, and there’s still no full agreement on what actually happens by the end. That confusion is the selling point of this film. Real time travel, if it worked at all, probably wouldn’t make clean sense either, and this is the rare movie willing to commit to that fully.

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‘Gattaca’ (1997)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Vincent (Ethan Hawke) is born without genetic engineering in a future where your DNA decides your entire future before you’re even born. He takes on another man’s identity, using his blood, hair, and urine samples, just to get a shot at a career the “valid” world would otherwise deny him completely.

Andrew Niccol barely uses any special effects here, building the whole future out of real 1950s modernist architecture instead, which somehow makes it feel more plausible, not less. The genetic discrimination this movie imagines decades ago has only gotten more relevant as real gene-editing technology has actually caught up to it, which is a strange, uncomfortable thing for a movie this old to still be right about.

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‘The Martian’ (2015)

Image via 20th Century Studios

NASA actually consulted on this movie, and the agency has publicly praised how accurate the science stays, from the orbital mechanics of the rescue mission down to the chemistry Mark Watney (Matt Damon) uses to keep himself alive on Mars. Author Andy Weir, a former software engineer, did the actual math himself before he ever wrote the book this is based on.

Watney survives by growing potatoes in his own waste and calculating fuel burns by hand, and none of it looks like movie magic standing in for real science. Ridley Scott trusts the audience to follow real problem-solving instead of a fake shortcut, and that trust is exactly why the ending is earned.

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‘Coherence’ (2013)

Image via Oscilloscope Laboratories

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A comet passes overhead during a small dinner party, and the guests start slipping between overlapping versions of their own reality, based loosely on real, if speculative, ideas from quantum mechanics like the many-worlds interpretation. James Ward Byrkit shot this whole thing with only character backstories, and let the actors improvise every conversation from scratch.

The result feels like something that actually happened to a group of real, panicking friends. It’s confined entirely to one house, made for almost nothing, and it still manages to turn a genuinely dense physics concept into something tense enough to watch through your fingers.

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‘Solaris’ (1972)

Image via Mosfilm

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Stanislaw Lem wrote the novel this film is based on specifically because he was tired of science fiction where aliens are basically just humans wearing rubber masks. His version, adapted here by Andrei Tarkovsky, imagines an intelligence so genuinely alien that humans can’t communicate with it at all, only receive strange gifts from it, memories of dead loved ones made physical, that nobody can properly interpret.

That’s a much harder, more honest idea than most first-contact stories bother attempting. Kris Kelvin (Donatas Banionis) is the scientist sent to investigate, and he never gets real answers, because real answers might not even be possible between two minds this different. It’s slow and deliberately uncomfortable, and that discomfort is doing exactly what Lem wanted it to do.

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‘The Andromeda Strain’ (1971)

Image via Universal Pictures

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Based on Michael Crichton‘s novel, this movie is almost entirely about scientific procedures. It includes quarantine protocols, microscopy, decontamination chambers, and a team of scientists who are racing to understand a deadly organism that fell to Earth on a satellite. There’s barely any action in the traditional sense, only the storyline makes it work.

Robert Wise has directed the film like a drama where computer analysis and lab work carry entire scenes instead of a monster chasing anyone down a hallway. It’s a methodical, patient movie about how an outbreak would actually get studied and stopped, and it ended up influencing an entire genre of realistic outbreak thrillers that came decades after it.

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‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)

Image via Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

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Arthur C. Clarke wrote the novel and the screenplay at the same time, working alongside real physicists and aerospace engineers to get the actual mechanics of space travel right, down to keeping total silence during scenes set in the vacuum of space, since sound genuinely can’t travel out there. Stanley Kubrick built a massive rotating set just so his actors could walk in a circle while gravity got faked around them, all without a single frame of CGI, because none existed yet.

This movie also predicted tablet computers and video calls decades before either one was real. HAL 9000 remains one of the calmest, most rational villains ever put on screen, and the science holding this whole film together is still accurate.

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‘Stalker’ (1979)

Image via Goskino

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This is based on a novel called Roadside Picnic, written by two brothers, one of whom was an actual astronomer, and its central idea is genuinely rigorous as science fiction goes. So, what if an alien visit left behind something the way travelers leave trash after a picnic, not a message meant for us, just leftover debris we’re too small and too different to understand?

Andrei Tarkovsky builds an entire, hypnotic movie around that idea, following three men walking toward a room that supposedly grants wishes, inside a zone that defies ordinary physics without ever explaining exactly how. It’s slow enough to test anyone’s patience, and it’s also one of the most genuinely strange, thoughtful pieces of science fiction ever put on film.

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Stalker

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Release Date

May 25, 1979

Runtime

161 Minutes

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Director

Andrei Tarkovsky

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Writers

Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky

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Claressa Shields was quick to check a troll who claimed she’s giving Papoose a bag to be with her. Folks already know the heavyweight boxing champ doesn’t play about her man, and when rumors start flying, she’s going to clear them up and make it known she’s NOT the one or the two!

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

Claressa Shields Said, “Y’all Better Get Your Facts Straight!”

The boxer is letting folks know that the love between her and Papoose is real!  Recently, the boxer hopped on a livestream and quickly clapped back at a troll who claimed Pap only sticks around because of the money. “Y’all m*****r f*****s know that Pap got his own s**t and I got my own s**t. Y’all been knew that.” Shields wasn’t letting the shade slide, though. She made it clear that’s absolutely NOT the case and told folks to put some respeck on her man’s name because they know he holds his own. “I’m not gonna respond to the little peanut throwers, because I’m an elephant and I step on peanuts.” 

Boxing Champ Calls Out Trolls For Being Obsessed With Papoose

In more videos LiveBitez shared, Claressa said she wasn’t about to let anybody get her worked up because she knows exactly who she is and what really goes on behind closed doors.

“Y’all think about Papoose and bring up Papoose, more than I think about his a**.” She continued, “I’m starting to think that y’all want him. Y’all want him? Cause how anytime I get on my live or I do anything y’all bring up his name.” 

Money Where? Papoose Made It Clear His Love Is REAL

Folks online might have their theories about Papoose and Claressa Shields, but Pap already proved that his feelings for her are REAL. Earlier this month, the rapper gave fans a peek inside his private tattoo session, where he inked Claressa’s name on his bicep. Pap got the fresh ink right before Shields’ big fight against Kaye Scott on August 15th. Claressa already matched his energy by flexing her tattoo of his name right under her breast in July 2025, making it crystal clear that there’s no need for further speculation.

RELATED: So We Know It’s Real! Papoose Makes His Love For Claressa Shields Permanent With NEW Tattoo & Social Media Has Thoughts (VIDEO)

Robert De Niro is pushing back against the “nepo baby” idea that having a famous parent makes an acting career easy.

The 83-year-old actor supports his children following him into entertainment, but he says talent alone is not enough. The Oscar winner says his children can actually face more pressure because of his success.

Robert De Niro has seven children he shares with different women. Some of his children have followed his path into the entertainment industry while others have built careers elsewhere.

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De Niro supports his children pursuing acting, but he knows firsthand that the industry is difficult. He said opportunities have increased now, unlike when he was young, yet getting acting jobs remains just as challenging. The actor explained that children of famous performers can face added pressure to prove themselves.

People may watch them more closely and expect them to demonstrate that they are serious about the craft. “If you don’t look like you’re really sincere about it and busting your ass and working hard, it’ll have a negative impact,” De Niro said. He added that genuine commitment can eventually work in their favor.

De Niro currently stars alongside Adam Scott in Netflix’s “The Whisper Man.” In the film, Scott plays a man with a subconscious desire to be like his estranged father, reflecting a dynamic both actors have experienced as their children consider acting.

De Niro’s daughter Drena has more than 45 acting credits, including “A Star Is Born” and “Joy.” His son Julian also acted in “In Dubious Battle” and played a young Barack Obama in “The First Lady.” PEOPLE reported that De Niro’s main advice remains straightforward: work hard because you genuinely want the career. 

De Niro’s Daughter Rejected The ‘Nepo Baby’ Label

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Airyn has strongly rejected the idea that her father’s fame handed her an entertainment career. Her comments came after media outlets reported on her transition without contacting her first.

Airyn was photographed visiting her father at The Greenwich Hotel, after which reports focused heavily on her appearance and labeled her a “nepo baby.”

The model said the coverage got information about her wrong and reminded her that people knew very little about her. She explained that her parents deliberately kept her childhood private.

“I wasn’t brought up having a side part in one of Dad’s movies or going to business meetings or attending premieres. My dad was very big on us finding our own sort of path. I would want [success] to happen on my own merit,” Airyn said.

In 2025, she also revealed that she had spent seven years pursuing voice acting and modeling. She said she was often rejected or ghosted by casting directors and refused to rely on her father’s influence to get ahead.

Airyn also said being transgender made that process more difficult. She described struggling with body dysmorphia and conflicting expectations about her appearance, saying she was repeatedly made to feel either “too much” or “not enough.”

Airyn began hormone therapy in November 2024. She said she hoped her experience could inspire other Black, queer women who do not fit narrow beauty standards. The Blast reported that Airyn wanted any success she achieved to be on her own merit.

Robert De Niro Supports His Daughter’s Transition 

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“The Wizard of Lies” actor did not treat his daughter’s transition as something that changed his relationship with her. He publicly made clear that his love and support remained intact.

“I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter,” he said. De Niro also questioned why her transition was being treated as such a major issue, adding that he loves all his children.

Airyn said she was grateful that both of her parents had protected her from the spotlight while she was growing up. She credited that privacy with giving her a childhood that was as normal as possible.

After her story became public, Airyn thanked people who supported her. She admitted that she was not accustomed to having so many eyes on her and appreciated those who responded kindly.

She also addressed questions about whether she had talent representation. Airyn explained that she was essentially handling things herself, saying she was “literally just a girl with a phone” and might miss some messages. Her experience also showed why she wanted control over her own story.

After being exposed without her consent, she chose to speak publicly on her own terms and explain who she was beyond being the famous actor’s daughter, as shared by The Blast.

The Oscar-Winning Actor’s Guilt As A Father

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De Niro revealed the difficulties of being a father while maintaining such a demanding career. As a father of seven, he acknowledged that he has some self-doubt when it comes to being a present father. He said there is no secret formula for balancing work and family. The Hollywood actor said it comes down to managing everything and accepting that some moments will inevitably be difficult.

The actor shares seven children with four different women. He adopted Drena after marrying her mother, Diahnne Abbott, in 1976, and later welcomed Raphael with Abbott before they divorced in 1988.

The Blast revealed that De Niro also shares twins Julian and Airyn with former partner Toukie Smith. He later welcomed Elliot and Helen with Grace Hightower, before having his youngest child, Gia, with Tiffany Chen in 2023. 

De Niro has maintained that he has always loved his children. He has also said that he does not believe he put his career above them, even though his work kept him extremely busy. “I was busy, of course, but I always loved my kids,” he revealed in a 2024 interview on “The Chris Wallace Show.”

His approach to parenting has been to support his children while allowing them to find their own way. That philosophy appears to extend beyond acting, as his children have pursued very different paths. 

Robert De Niro’s Children Have Built Lives Beyond His Shadow

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Raphael’s career offers another example of De Niro’s approach to raising children under the weight of a famous surname. Despite having an A-list father, Raphael worked several jobs before entering the real estate industry. He worked folding rugs at a store, served as a production assistant for his father, and worked as a busboy at Nobu. 

The experience gave him responsibility and helped him avoid becoming what his parents feared would be a typical Hollywood child. Raphael eventually entered luxury real estate and also became his father’s business partner—the two co-own The Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca with other partners.

Airyn’s experience has followed a different route. She has emphasized that she wants her career and identity to exist independently from her father’s fame, while still recognizing the support he has given her.

She has described De Niro’s support as “nonstop” and said he has been accepting of her identity and choices. Airyn even said he “should be the standard” when it comes to fatherhood.

Robert De Niro being a famous father does not remove every obstacle from his children’s path.