The future of “The Bachelorette” is suddenly wide open, and fans already have their pick. Following the cancellation of Season 22 amid controversy surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul, viewers are rallying behind a new name to take the lead: Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher. And now, she’s finally weighing in on the growing buzz.

Bachelor Nation Alum Jill Chin Says Ilona Maher Is The ‘Right Choice’

The push for Maher didn’t come out of nowhere. Bachelor Nation alum Jill Chin took to TikTok as news of the cancellation spread, making it clear she already had someone in mind for the role, and she didn’t hold back.

“You know who is the RIGHT choice for ‘The Bachelorette?’” she asked. “You wanna know who I wanted as ‘The Bachelorette,’ who never would never would have done any of this?” She then pointed to a photo of Maher behind her and added, “This queen right here.” “An Ilona Maher season would have SLAYED,” Chin declared.

Fans quickly echoed the sentiment, with many saying Maher has been their dream pick for years.

Maher Reacts To Fan Frenzy With Humor

Maher is well aware of the growing support, and she’s taking it all in stride. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight at the “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary” special premiere in Los Angeles, the two-time Olympian addressed the rumors with a lighthearted response.

“It’s very sweet. The only way I would do it, I was talking to Joey Graziadei, the only way I would do it, he would have to executive produce, Alan [Bersten] would have to executive produce,” she said. “My whole friends would, they’d have to check everybody off.”

Maher’s comment about Alan refers to her connection with “Dancing With the Stars” pro Alan Bersten. For those unfamiliar, Bersten has strong ties to Bachelor Nation. He previously won Season 28 alongside Hannah Brown and even went on a date with former “Bachelorette” Gabby Windey in 2023.

Taylor Frankie Paul Drama Led To Season Cancellation

The conversation around a new lead comes after a dramatic turn for the franchise. Taylor Frankie Paul was originally set to star in Season 22, but plans were scrapped after a domestic violence scandal made headlines.

A video obtained by TMZ showed her throwing chairs at her ex, Dakota Mortensen, with one nearly hitting a child. According to a police report, the child, who was five at the time, was injured during the incident and had “a goose egg on her head.”

The video surfaced after a source claimed that production on Season 5 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” was paused following Paul’s alleged second domestic violence incident involving Mortensen in February 2026.

Taylor Frankie Paul Sentenced To Probation In Assault Case

The video became a key piece of evidence in a felony aggravated assault case, which ultimately ended in a plea deal. Paul was sentenced to three years’ probation, which is set to expire in August. As part of the agreement, four additional charges, including domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse, and criminal mischief, were dropped.

In the aftermath, Dakota Mortensen was granted a temporary restraining order, alleging that Paul posed an “immediate threat” to his safety. The order bars Paul from contacting Mortensen and their two-year-old son, Ever, until a scheduled court hearing on April 7.

ABC Cancels ‘The Bachelorette’ Season Amid Scandal Fallout

In response to the controversy surrounding the newly released video, ABC ultimately pulled the plug on the season entirely, leaving the future of the show, and its next leading lady, up in the air.

“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time,” the statement from ABC read. “Our focus is on supporting the family.”

Behind the scenes, however, the situation had already been escalating. According to an insider, tensions reportedly escalated during an individual date when contestant Casey Hux brought up Paul’s 2023 domestic violence arrest in an attempt to understand her past, but the conversation quickly took a turn as Paul had “a full-fledged meltdown” and “stormed off set.”

Meanwhile, as fans loudly back Ilona Maher and Maher playfully entertains the idea, the question now is whether the franchise will actually make the move to make the Olympian the next lead.

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Usher has offered support for Sean “Diddy” Combs as the rapper serves a 50-month prison sentence.

Diddy became a controversial figure following his indictment on multiple sexual offense charges in 2023. Although he was ultimately found guilty on only two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, the negative narrative surrounding the Bad Boy Records founder has persisted.

For Usher, however, he maintains that he has nothing negative to say about his former mentor, prompting praise from Diddy, who thanked the singer for his kind words.

Usher Claims He Has Nothing Negative To Say About Diddy

Following months of silence during Sean “Diddy” Combs’ high-profile prosecution, Usher has seemingly stepped forward with remarks that cast the jailed rapper in a more favorable light.

The pair’s connection dates back to the early ’90s, when Diddy guided Usher’s early career, even taking on a legal guardian role before helping shape his 1994 debut album as co-executive producer.

In a new interview with Forbes, Usher was asked to name a word that comes to mind when his mentor’s name is mentioned, to which the singer replied, “Legacy.“

He then went on to give a detailed remark about how he thinks the Bad Boys Records founder has been “misrepresented” by the public.

“In many ways, I think certain people are prosecuted and maybe not recognized for the greatness that they offer,” Usher said of Diddy, who is currently serving 50 months behind bars for two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

“I don’t have anything negative to say about Sean Combs because my experience was not what the world has seen and how he’s been misrepresented,” he added, per Variety.

Usher Explained Why He Is Supporting Diddy

While sharing his views on Diddy, Usher acknowledged that his former mentor is not perfect, just like any other person.

However, the “Yeah!” crooner emphasized that his sense of humanity compels him to recognize Diddy’s impact on the music industry, particularly for Black artists.

“I can’t with any sense of humanity not recognize the valuable contributions that this man made for us as Black entrepreneurs, for us as businessmen, for us as people who have transitioned culture and ideas into something that’s tangible,” Usher said of his former mentor.

The Rapper Thanks Usher For His Kind Words

For Usher, it remains abundantly clear just how many people have benefited from Diddy’s influence, and for that reason, he chooses to focus on that legacy rather than the allegations that have surrounded the rapper in recent times.

“That’s who I see that man as. And that’s what I choose to remember,” added the “Good Good” singer. “I put respect on his name because I realized that what I learned as a businessman before I even understood what business was came as a result of seeing the incredible things that he was able to do and the way that he positioned himself as a businessman.”

Diddy was clearly touched by Usher’s words as he expressed appreciation for the singer through his spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer.

“I’ve always had love and respect for Usher. I appreciate his words and everything he’s achieved,” the rapper said, per TMZ.

Netizens Berated Usher Over His Diddy Comments

Online, netizens did not find Usher’s comments appropriate, with many pointing out how Diddy was violent toward his alleged victims, including his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.

“For Usher to say Diddy is misrepresented is wrong and very disrespectful to Cassie and other victims that suffered domestic violence from Diddy. It’s like he’s disregarding their experiences. These comments from Usher are very disappointing,” a user wrote.

“It really shouldn’t shock me that there are black men out here who would say Diddy’s been ‘misrepresented,’ but yet here I am. What a profoundly hurtful and disappointing comment from Usher,” another individual aired.

One more wrote, “Usher really said, ‘My experience was not what the world has seen.’ Bro, you LIVED THERE at 13. What exactly was YOUR version of events because the rest of us are connecting dots you’re pretending aren’t there.”

Usher’s Friend Recently Claimed Incident With Justin Bieber Was Taken Out Of Context

Usher’s shocking support of Diddy comes on the heels of an alleged altercation he had with Justin Bieber, whom he mentored and allowed Diddy to have access to when the singer was still a teenage sensation.

Some claimed that the alleged altercation was sparked by Bieber finally confronting Usher for not protecting him from bad industry influences, while other sources also claimed that the feud had been long coming and that there was no hope for reconciliation.

However, according to a friend of Usher who claimed to have spoken with the singer, the incident between Usher and Bieber was exaggerated, and the two remain on good terms.

“People just take things out of context when they see something, and they run with it, and I’m just here to say that is not the issue,” said Usher’s friend Da Brat, per the Daily Mail. “They are definitely cool with each other, and they have love, and they support each other.”

Spoiler Alert: This list includes spoilers for the ‘Invincible’ series and comics.While some absolute powerhouses have been depicted in the Invincible series on Prime Video thus far, fans have yet to experience the absolute strength shown off by both new and already introduced characters in the comic books. Even with multiple seasons now released, the animated series is still adapting only part of the original comic storyline, meaning many of the biggest power shifts, characters, and battles from Invincible‘s later arcs have yet to fully reshape the show’s on-screen hierarchy.

While there are still super-strong characters that have yet to make their way to the series, characters like Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) himself and even Battle Beast (Michael Dorn) have yet to show off their true strength or go through the growth that eventually makes them more powerful. There’s a reason that Invincible is one of the best superhero shows of all time.

10

Angstrom Levy

First appearance: Invincible #16 (2004)

Image via Image Comics

Fans of the animated show are more than familiar with Angstrom Levy (Sterling K. Brown) at this point, thanks to his growing role as a multiversal threat and his connection to the upcoming Invincible War storyline. Because of this, pretty much everyone already knows about Angstrom’s powers: the ability to travel dimensions and open dimensional portals at will.

Such an ability already makes him an overpowered villain, but he has also had his body radically transformed to be more of a physical match for Invincible. While he’s not as strong as the hero, Levy is far more powerful than the average bear. All of that, paired up with a genius-level intellect, makes him one of the worst things to happen to Mark Grayson and, therefore, one of the absolute toughest villains of the young man.

9

Atom Eve (Samantha Eve Wilkins)

First appearance: Invincible #2 (2003)

Image via Image Comics

A few years ago, audiences of the series may not have thought Atom Eve (Gillian Jacobs) belonged on a list of the strongest Invincible characters from the comics. But due to the finale of the third season, Invincible Season 3, Episode 8, “I Thought You’d Never Shut Up,” non-comic readers finally got to witness the absurd amount of power that she holds.

At the end of the episode, after she seemingly dies, the show depicts the moment in which she overcomes her mental blocks and reforms her body. This has huge implications for her abilities, given the fact that it’s always been established that she can’t change biological matter, but with that change, she has become a borderline otherworldly force and one of the Invincible world’s best superheroes.

8

General Kregg

Image via Image Comics

To be a general of the Viltrumite Empire, one has to be pretty dang strong. In the show, General Kregg (Clancy Brown) hasn’t been shown off much, and, honestly, his power isn’t shown off a ton in the comic, either. This doesn’t mean the strength isn’t there, though. His position, the way people speak about him, and the few feats he does accomplish in front of readers prove that he is a worthy opponent.

Unlike a lot of his comrades and inferiors in the Viltrumite Empire, Kregg is not as bellicose. He is quite a calm and logical general, and that actually makes him even more of a threat, because the only thing more dangerous than a bloodthirsty Viltrumite is precise and knows exactly what he’s doing three steps ahead of his opponent.

7

Anissa

First appearance: Invincible #44 (2007)

Image via Image Comics

At the end of the day, Anissa (Shantel VanSanten) and Kregg are on pretty equal ground when it comes to power. Anissa gets the upper hand in power-scaling, however, mainly because audiences/readers have gotten to and will get to see way more of her accomplishments than the former’s and because she is a perfect mix of typical Viltrumite bloodthirsty nature and Kregg’s level-headed demeanor.

She effortlessly whoops the snot out of Mark on multiple occasions, one of them being adapted to the show already in the animated series’ Invincible Season 2, Episode 7, “I’m Not Going Anywhere.” There are more instances of this to come in the future, as well. She holds the merciless and battle-hungry nature of a typical Viltrumite, but knows exactly how to tactically exploit her enemy’s weaknesses.

6

Conquest

First appearance: Invincible #61 (2009)

Image via Prime Video

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After making quite the mark (an understatement) in the Prime Video series, Conquest (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) remains one of the most talked-about villains introduced in Season 3. He’s given Mark the worst beating of his entire life thus far, and was only defeated because Atom Eve had her big power-up. As shown at the end of Invincible Season 3, Episode 8, “I Thought You’d Never Shut Up,” Cecil (Walton Goggins) decided to keep him hostage, and, obviously, this is going to come to bite them in the rear.

Despite eventually being beaten by Omni-Man in the future, this doesn’t mean that when they eventually face off, he puts up an incredible fight. The way he absolutely and practically slaughtered Mark in their first fight shows just how much raw power he holds. He also has an immense love for, well, conquest and holds nothing back in his fights—that’s certainly a valid reason to be one of the strongest in Invincible.

5

Omni-Man (Nolan Grayson)

First appearance: Invincible #1 (2003)

Image via Prime Video

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The first big villain of the Invincible series was Mark Grayson’s own father, Nolan Grayson (J.K. Simmons)—or, as the Earth knows him, Omni-Man. Nolan was also the first big example of how strong the Viltrumite race is and the terrible future to come for Mark regarding his new role as the man to “prepare the Earth” for the empire.

Some may think that Nolan’s best showcase of power was at the end of the first season or, more recently, when he and Allen (Seth Rogen) teamed up and kicked the crap out of a few Viltrumites, but the best is yet to come. He also destroyed an entire planet in Season 1, but he will come to beat Conquest to death and even take on the strongest Viltrumite, Thragg.

4

Allen the Alien

First appearance: Invincible #5 (2003)

Image via Image Comics

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After being completely decimated by the Viltrumites in Invincible #23 and Invincible Season 2, Episode 3, “This Missive, This Machination!,” Allen was put into a comat and began a process that would eventually turn him into the ultimate weapon against the Viltrumite Empire—making him the same level or just under the level of strength the average Viltrumite sits at.

He would become absolutely vital in the Viltrumite War and did wonders in the fight for good. Allen is one of the only non-Viltrumite heroes who can truly stand up against and kill the world-conquering race. This makes him a force to be reckoned with and not to be underestimated in the slightest in the acclaimed superhero show.

3

Battle Beast (Thokk)

First appearance: Invincible #19 (2004)

Image via Image Comics

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Ever since his introduction in Invincible #19, Battle Beast has been a massive favorite among the Invincible fan base, and for very good reason. Action is one of the highlights of both the comic and the show, and if anyone brings the action, it’s Battle Beast. His profound strength might make him one of the most memorable characters in the franchise. So much so that he just recently got a solo comic book series launched in May 2025 titled Invincible Universe Battle Beast.

Alongside Allen, his strength makes him one of the few non-Viltrumites to be able to kill one. His beast-like form, mastery of weaponry, superhuman reflexes, physical strength, durability, healing, and his desire only for a worthy challenge make him seemingly unbeatable to most. He cares not for villainy or heroism. He simply seeks a good fight.

2

Grand Regent Thragg

First appearance: Invincible #11 (2004)

Image via Image Comics

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The true big bad of Invincible is none other than Grand Regent Thragg, the leader of the Viltrumites and the strongest of them all (for his time, alive, that is). Thragg earns his title as the overarching villain of the franchise through the astounding strength he possesses and the feats he accomplishes throughout the book.

The best way to describe the power Thragg holds is to imagine the grand strength a Viltrumite like Omni-Man has and multiply that by three. The only way Mark managed to beat him was by flying him into the sun itself and ripping his throat out with his teeth. He fought Battle Beast for days on end before murdering him.

1

Invincible (Mark Grayson)

First appearance: Invincible #1 (2003)

Image via Prime Video

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While the common joke of the series is that for a hero named Invincible, he’s quite “vincible,” Mark comes to be the strongest there is by the end of the series. There’s a bit of discussion surrounding Mark’s power-level in the fandom, but the proof is in the pudding with his power by the end of the comic run.

By the time Mark becomes the Emperor of Viltrum, he’s on the road to being the strongest character in the universe. Viltrumites grow exponentially stronger as they age, so the sheer fact that Mark, in his 20s, could beat Thragg in his prime in any way, shape, or form, is proof enough that by the time he’s Nolan’s current age, he’ll be virtually… invincible.

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Invincible

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Release Date

March 26, 2021

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Amazon Prime Video

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The 1970s were a major decade in the history of American cinema, a period that saw the dawn of new filmmaking techniques and the breakthroughs of now-legendary filmmakers. But not every great movie that hit theaters in those days made it big, and far too many have been all but forgotten in the years since. Thankfully, with streaming services like Netflix, audiences now enjoy unprecedented access to these underrated films, so you can revisit the style, flavor, and music of the decade with fresh eyes and ears, and maybe even discover a long-forgotten cinematic masterpiece.

The ’70s produced several groundbreaking classics and blockbuster franchises, iconic crime sagas and beloved comedies, all of which continue to have a significant influence on cinema today, and even the lesser-known films of the decade still resonate with the right audiences. Netflix’s particular selection of ’70s movies may be a little limited, but it does include some must-watch classics that have played an important role in the development of popular culture. So, without further ado, here’s our handpicked selection of some of the best 1970s movies you can watch on Netflix that may be mostly forgotten but are just waiting to be rediscovered by a brand-new audience.

1

‘The Sting’ (1973)

Image via Universal Pictures

Directed by George Roy Hill, The Sting is a 1973 caper film starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, reuniting the trio after their work on 1969’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Inspired by the real-life cons of brothers Fred and Charley Gondorff, as documented in David Maurer’s 1940 book The Big Con: The Story of the Confidence Man, the movie follows two conmen who hatch a complicated scheme targeting a mob boss (Robert Shaw). Charles Durning, Ray Walston, Eileen Brennan, Harold Gould, John Heffernan, and more star in supporting roles.

The Sting was a major success of the 1970s, earning critical acclaim and box office success. A stylish and entertaining conman movie, the film features some great performances, a well-crafted production, and an excellent ragtime soundtrack adapted from the works of Scott Joplin. The film earned several awards, including seven Oscars, and is credited with reviving Newman’s career after an extended period of box office bombs. A sequel followed in 1983, and in 2005, The Sting was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

2

‘Rooster Cogburn’ (1975)

Image via Universal Pictures

Directed by Stuart Millar, Rooster Cogburn is a Western starring John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn that serves as a sequel to 1969’s True Grit. The film continues the adventures of Wayne’s titular character, an aging lawman with one eye who is suspended for his violent behavior, following his attempts to redeem himself by bringing in a group of outlaws who have stolen a shipment of nitroglycerine with the help of a spinster (Hepburn) whose father was murdered by the criminals. The movie also features Richard Jordan, Anthony Zerbe, John McIntire, Paul Koslo, Richard Romancito, Tommy Lee, and Strother Martin in supporting roles.

Unlike its predecessor, Rooster Cogburn was neither a critical success nor a box office hit, underperforming on both counts despite its star power. Part of the problem is that the story is more or less a recycled version of True Grit. On the other hand, the film does feature a pair of solid performances by its two legendary stars. John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn’s chemistry is the film’s saving grace, and it makes the movie a worthwhile revisit for modern-day viewers who want to see more of their classic work.

3

‘The Great Waldo Pepper’ (1975)

Image via Universal Pictures

Directed, produced, and co-written by George Roy Hill, The Great Waldo Pepper sees the filmmaker reunite with Robert Redford once again, this time in an aviation drama set between 1926 and 1931. The movie chronicles various episodes in the life of the titular pilot, a World War I veteran who works as a stunt flier and laments the fact that he never got to fly in combat. Besides Redford, the film also features Margot Kidder, Bo Svenson, Edward Herrmann, and Susan Sarandon in key roles.

Inspired by the real 1920s culture of barnstorming and associated accidents that led to stricter aviation regulations, The Great Waldo Pepper may have had mixed reviews in its day, but it’s a highly detailed historical film that provides real insights into its time period. The film was also very popular at the box office, largely thanks to its spectacular aerial stunts, which were performed using real aircraft, making it an evergreen favorite among aviation enthusiasts. Pair that with a quintessentially charming performance by Robert Redford, and you get a real classic with timeless appeal.

4

‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ (1969)

Image via MGM

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The sixth James Bond movie, and the first and only one starring George Lazenby, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service technically premiered at the tail end of 1969, but its theatrical run continued through early 1970. Inspired by the Ian Fleming novel and directed by Peter R. Hunt, the film sees Bond go up against his archenemy, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savalas), while falling in love with and eventually marrying the daughter of a crime boss, Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg). Bernard Lee, Gabriele Ferzetti, Ilse Steppat, and more feature in supporting roles.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is an outlier among the classic James Bond movies, with a greater degree of tragedy, romance, and drama to its story than other entries. The film was fairly successful at the box office when it premiered, but its critical reception was quite mixed, though it has since been reevaluated as one of the most compelling Bond movies of all time. Though it’s still a relatively underrated film in the massive franchise, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is a truly unique Bond film that’s a must-watch for any fan of the iconic spy character.

5

‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ (1978)

Image via Universal Pictures

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Directed by Michael Schultz and written by Henry Edwards, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is a jukebox musical comedy starring Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees. Inspired by the album by the Beatles, and featuring new versions of the iconic band’s songs, the movie follows a loose story about a band struggling with the realities of the music industry and evil forces that want to steal their instruments and corrupt their hometown. The film’s ensemble cast also features Donald Pleasence, Steve Martin, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Earth, Wind & Fire, Billy Preston, George Burns, and more.

Before the movie’s release in 1978, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was expected to be a massive success, an era-defining blockbuster, and a new cultural landmark. In reality, it was none of those things, receiving middling box office success and terrible reviews. But though it was widely reviled in its time, the film has evolved into a campy cult movie enjoyed by fans of classic rock, and it has earned some praise for Steve Martin’s performance and the musical numbers by Aerosmith and Earth, Wind & Fire.

6

‘Same Time, Next Year’ (1978)

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Directed by Robert Mulligan, Same Time, Next Year is a romantic comedy-drama starring Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn. Written by Bernard Slade and based on his 1975 play, the film explores the relationship between Doris (Burstyn) and George (Alda), who are both married to other people but meet up every year at the same hotel for an annual tryst, chronicling the slow evolution of their connection. In the process, their lives also become a mirror to the social and political history of their time.

Unlike the play it’s based on, Same Time, Next Year was not very well-received by critics or audiences, and the film has been largely forgotten in the decades since its release. However, the movie does present a sober, clear-eyed perspective on life, love, and the human condition, elevated by the powerhouse performance of its lead stars. And though it may not have been a critical darling, the film did go on to receive several accolades in its day, including four Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe win for Ellen Burstyn.

7

‘Save the Children’ (1973)

A landmark concert film, Save the Children is a documentary movie directed by Stan Lathan that documents the five-day PUSH Expo held in Chicago in 1972, organized by Rev. Jesse Jackson’s social justice organization Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity). The film features performances by many of the top musicians of its time, across genres, including icons like Bill Withers, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Sammy Davis Jr., Cuba Gooding Sr., Roberta Flack, and more.

Essentially a cultural showcase of Black talent in the 1970s, Save the Children is a historically significant documentary film, but it was fairly unknown for a long time. The film was digitally restored and re-released by Netflix in 2023, bringing new attention to the movie fifty years after its release. Though it’s still not as widely watched as it ought to be, this film is a must-see for anyone who wishes to revisit the culture, spirit, and especially music of the 1970s.

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Release Date

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May 13, 1973

Runtime

123 minutes

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Director

Stan Lathan

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Clarence Avant

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Joseph Baena is set to follow in his famous father’s footsteps as he heads into the bodybuilding world after years of teasing the move.

The novice bodybuilder will reportedly debut in an NPC competition this Saturday and has been training hard ahead of the event.

Joseph Baena has also had the support of Arnold Schwarzenegger throughout his preparation, as seen in recent posts shared on his social media.

The 28-Year-Old Will Compete In The NPC Natural Colorado State Competition

Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger from his bodybuilding days are set to relive that era as his son, Joseph Baena, prepares to step into the spotlight.

After years of training in the shadows, the 28-year-old will make his debut in the bodybuilding world at the NPC Natural Colorado State competition scheduled for Saturday, March  28, 2026.

According to TMZ, he would likely be competing in the novice division, given that this is his first time participating in the event.

During the competition, he will have up to 60 seconds to complete the mandatory poses, including the front double biceps, front lat spread, and side chest.

If he places high, Baena will qualify for higher-level competitions, such as the IFBB Pro Qualifiers, at a later date.

Joseph Baena Has Been Training Hard For The Body Building Competition

Ahead of the competition, Baena has been training hard to ensure he makes an impact on his debut and has often posted on his Instagram to show off his routine.

One such example was a post from two days ago in which he shared videos of lateral raises, shoulder presses, incline presses, and several other routines he tagged as a “full push day.”

He also appeared to be in high spirits ahead of the event, adding the caption, “Almost show time!”

More recently, he revealed that he has been eating what he described as a “ground beef plate” for the past couple of weeks to get lean while maintaining muscle.

According to him, the meal takes about 15–20 minutes to prepare and includes ingredients like chicken, rice, and a variety of vegetables and spices. The bodybuilding newbie also included a video of him preparing the meal from scratch.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Is Involved In His Son’s Training

As a proud father, Schwarzenegger has been hands-on throughout his son’s training for the competition, even appearing in posts shared by Baena.

His presence did not go unnoticed by fans, who took to the comments section of one post to praise the collaboration between the duo.

“Dude, Arnold Schwarzenegger is your dad, holy sh-t, you have the God of personal training at your fingertips,” a user remarked.

One wrote, “He is so proud of you, Joe,” while another commented, “ Like father, like son — both in incredible shape.”

“Bro being trained by the greatest bodybuilder ever and his dad,” a fourth netizen wrote.

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“Love that photo, JB! It’s always special when pops is dropping knowledge from his own life experience,” one more commented.

Another fan said, “What beautiful pictures @joebaena !! Historic ones! How beautiful to see your daddy watching you do what he loves so much! The reflection of oneself! Super proud! Well done!”

Why Joseph Baena Doesn’t Flaunt His Father’s Name

Baena is Schwarzenegger’s son with Mildred Baena, who worked in the actor’s home during the late 1990s.

Despite his father’s global fame, Baena has largely avoided leveraging the Schwarzenegger name to advance his career, something he opened up about during a 2022 appearance on the “Unwaxed” podcast, hosted by Sofia Stallone and Sistine Stallone.

“I mean, I think really the thing is that I just haven’t really focused on changing it [his surname]. I’m doing my own thing. I haven’t really thought about it that much, like, ‘Oh, I need to change my last name.’ I have a last name already,” he said at the time.

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Joseph Baena Admits Arnold Schwarzenegger Influenced His Interest In ‘Acting’ And ‘Fitness’

Meanwhile, his status as an illegitimate child has not affected his relationship with his father, and Baena has previously spoken about how much he looks up to the veteran actor.

“I mean, my dad is a stallion. He’s a man’s man, I like to think, and I look up to him a lot,” he said during a chat with Loni Love and Morgan Stewart on E! Online.

Baena added, “So in a way, he’s influenced a lot of things: the path that I have taken with acting, with fitness, and my physique, and the many other things that I’m doing.”

Josh Duhamel has opened up about his reluctance to speak publicly about politics, insisting that he’s not willing to risk “alienating” half of his audience.

“I have real strong opinions about things but I don’t really talk about them,” Duhamel, 53, said on the Wednesday, March 25, episode of The Megyn Kelly Show. “Why would I alienate half my audience? Because I respect their views on things but I’m not going to preach to them. They can believe what they want.”

He then joked: “I’m just here to make cool stuff.”

Duhamel mentioned that he spends “a lot of time in the Midwest,” where people are never shy to share their unfiltered feelings about Hollywood.

Related: Josh Duhamel Says Things Are ‘Better Than They’ve Ever Been’ at Age 52

David Higgs Josh Duhamel may be 52, but he’s feeling as young as ever. “I gotta say, things are, things are probably better than they’ve ever been,” Duhamel says of being in his 50s in the latest edition of Us Weekly. “[I’ve got] two healthy boys, brand new, 1-year-old. [I’ve] got an amazing 11-year-old. [I’m] […]

The Ransom Canyon actor recalled one specific incident when a friend from Georgia picked him up at the airport wearing a T-shirt that read, “Nobody Cares What Actors Think.”

Host Megyn Kelly insisted that “all [people] want” on the right is not to be “lectured” by those on the other side of the aisle.

“You don’t need to share our points of view on the big issues of the day but we definitely don’t want to be lectured by Hollywood leftists,” Kelly, 55, said, before clarifying: “I don’t think you’re [Duhamel] a leftist.”

Duhamel suggested that it “should be” a growing trend in Hollywood for actors to keep their political views to themselves.

“It makes perfect sense,” he added. “If you really want to be a success in this business, why would you make half of your audience despise you by your political beliefs? Maybe they don’t care? I don’t know. I look at it like a business decision.”

Duhamel compared himself to a “court jester” whose primary responsibility is to entertain the masses.

“If I want to preach to you about what I believe politically, I’ll go run for office, which I’m not going to do, by the way,” he insisted.

Duhamel hasn’t always kept his political views private. As a Minot, North Dakota, native, the Transformers star backed Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Burgum in the state in 2016 and later endorsed Burgum’s brief presidential run in June 2023. (Burgum ended his presidential bid in December 2023 and currently serves as the secretary of the interior under President Donald Trump’s second administration.)

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Jimmy Kimmel made his late-night return on September 23, 2025, after serving a weeklong suspension that sparked a public debate on free speech. The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host was pulled off the air “indefinitely” by ABC on September 17 for comments he made about the suspect in the shooting death of conservative political pundit Charlie […]

“I don’t normally get involved in politics, but Governor Burgum has become a good friend over the years and I can’t think of anyone better than him to be our president,” Duhamel wrote via Instagram at the time.

Duhamel’s recent comments, however, echo those of Vince Vaughn, who recently slammed perceived “agenda-driven” comedy on the late night shows during his own appearance on the “This Past Weekend” podcast.

“It started feeling like I was f***ing in a class I didn’t want to take,” Vaughn, 55, complained on Tuesday, March 24. “I’m getting scolded.”

He went on, “I think that talk shows, to a large part, became really agenda-based. They were going to [evangelize] people to what they thought. You know what I mean? And so people just rejected it because it didn’t feel authentic.”