For months, fans have tried to piece together every clue surrounding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s rumored wedding, and a wave of reported activity in New York has only intensified the speculation. 

While the couple has not publicly confirmed any wedding details, multiple reports now point to Madison Square Garden as the venue for the highly anticipated celebration. 

From tightened security to production crews and rumored guest preparations, the venue has quickly become the focus of what could be one of the year’s biggest celebrity events.

Madison Square Garden has become the subject of intense attention after reports claimed preparations are underway for Taylor Swift and Kelce’s wedding celebration.

According to the Daily Mail, members of Swift’s security team were seen outside the iconic New York venue while production activity appeared to increase throughout the day. 

The security officials, dressed casually in short-sleeve shirts and jeans, were seen walking alongside a larger crew outside Madison Square Garden. 

Their appearance coincided with an influx of delivery trucks and workers at the venue.

Around the same time, the outlet reported that the singer’s private jet landed in New Jersey, although it was not confirmed whether she was aboard.

Elsewhere in Manhattan, activity was also spotted outside Swift’s Tribeca residence, where a tinted-window sedan was seen leaving the property.

Swift Wedding Preparations Reportedly Include Strict Security Measures

Reports suggest extraordinary measures are being taken to protect the privacy surrounding the alleged event. 

The Daily Mail reported that workers accidentally rolled out a red carpet before a staff member quickly intervened, telling the crew, “This wasn’t supposed to happen yet.” 

Within minutes, the carpet was reportedly removed. Other reports claimed employees surrendered their mobile phones before beginning certain tasks to prevent images from leaking, while additional security procedures were also introduced.

Meanwhile, permits have reportedly been filed for temporary street closures around Madison Square Garden, adding another layer of speculation.

Construction rumors have also continued to circulate, with claims that an elaborate princess-style castle is being assembled inside the venue. 

Other reports have suggested large floral deliveries and extensive event staging, although none of those details have been officially confirmed by Taylor Swift’s representatives.

Taylor Swift Said To Be Experiencing Emotional Pre-Wedding Jitters

While preparations continue outside, reports suggest Taylor Swift is navigating a much more personal challenge behind the scenes.

One insider told the outlet, “Taylor can perform in front of tens of thousands of fans in a stadium and feel confident and not at all nervous. It’s her stage and she owns it. But I’ve never seen her like she is now. She has pre-wedding jitters.”

The source continued, “She’s going through a totally new experience in her life and it’s got her ruffled.” According to the same insider, the “Cruel Summer” singer has found herself overwhelmed by the occasion’s significance.

“She’s having trouble sleeping, feels very emotional about the little things that don’t usually even matter,” the source claimed.

The insider claimed Swift is aware that every aspect of her appearance and the ceremony itself will likely be scrutinized.

Meanwhile, Kelce has reportedly taken the opposite approach. Sources claim the Kansas City Chiefs star has remained calm throughout the planning process and has focused on helping his fiancée stay relaxed as the countdown continues.

Swift Guests Reportedly Face Secrecy Rules Before Celebration

The reported guest arrangements appear almost as exclusive as the event itself. Previous reports claimed invited guests were required to sign nondisclosure agreements before confirming attendance. 

More recent reports have also revealed that the agreements contain no financial penalties, but invitations are said to feature individualized watermarks that could identify anyone who leaks details.

Even with invitations accepted, guests reportedly know very little about the final schedule.

“Guests still do not know anything other than be in NYC July 3-5 and available then. That is all. Everyone is still being kept very in the dark,” one source said.

The insider also added, “Yes, everyone going and associated with [the wedding] cannot get in without their NDA being signed.”

Taylor Swift Celebration Reportedly Expands Into A Star-Studded Industry Event

Beyond family and close friends, reports suggest the celebration could also double as one of entertainment’s biggest gatherings.

According to insiders, musicians, executives and longtime collaborators are expected to attend alongside celebrities from Swift’s inner circle.

According to an insider, “A lot of celebrities will be there including Stevie Nicks and Selena Gomez. But there will also be a ton of industry players at the big event, almost like a who’s who of bigwigs.”

However, not everyone is said to be happy with the event’s scale. One source claimed that some people close to Swift feel the guest list has evolved into something resembling an entertainment-industry gathering rather than a small family celebration.

The same source also alleged, “Some friends are complaining the wedding concert is a vanity move to advance her career, to prove she is a super big fish in the music world,” adding, “She is really showing off with this wedding.”

Despite those reported reactions, preparations appear to be continuing at full speed. An insider claimed, “All of the MSG security are not allowed to use their phones as of this week. They’re all doing 24-hour shifts, around the clock. MSG does usually have 24-hour security, but it appears it’s been stepped up.” 

They also alleged, “There is also an increase in security personnel at Taylor’s NYC place. There are several SUVs parked outside.”

Taylor Frankie Paul voluntarily checked into a rehab facility recently, Us Weekly can confirm.

“She is focused on doing the work with her mental health professionals and checked in for a voluntary stay,” a source tells Us. “She has since been cleared and departed. Her priority remains doing the work on her mental health and being a good mom.”

Us understands that the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star voluntarily checked into the rehab facility, which provides mental health treatment, on the recommendation of her doctor.

Us has reached out to Taylor’s representatives for comment.

Related: What to Know About Taylor Frankie Paul and Ex Dakota’s Custody Battle

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen have tried to coparent son Ever since their fall 2024 split. Paul and Mortensen welcomed their first baby together, the MomTok content creator’s third, in March 2024, months before they called it quits. As Paul and Mortensen navigated jointly raising their son, […]

The MomTok influencer has been locked in a bitter custody dispute with ex Dakota Mortensen in recent months over their 2-year-old son, Ever.

In March, production on season 5 of Mormon Wives was halted after it emerged that Utah’s Draper City Police Department was investigating allegations of domestic assault involving Taylor, 32, and Dakota, 33, in connection with a February incident. Prosecutors declined to press charges in April.

In court documents obtained by TMZ in March, Dakota alleged that Taylor choked him and shoved him into a window at her house in the February incident. He claimed that Taylor was “emotionally volatile” and that he was fearful for their toddler’s safety. Dakota was granted a temporary protective order against Taylor and temporary custody of Ever.

Taylor filed for her own protective order against Dakota, claiming that he assaulted her in his truck, which was also granted the following month. The exes must remain at least 100 feet away from each other.

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Related: Who Is Tate Paul? What to Know About Taylor Frankie Paul’s Ex-Husband

Taylor Frankie Paul’s relationship with ex-husband Tate Paul has been thrust into the spotlight after her alleged domestic dispute with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. Taylor and Tate are no strangers to scandal after their life as “soft swingers” became public knowledge in 2022. That summer, the couple divorced, but they continued to maintain a good coparenting […]

In June, a judge lifted Taylor’s supervised visitation with Ever and said she can have the little one on alternative weekends and one midweek day that is not overnight. The former couple are due in court again on July 8.

Also in March, ABC pulled Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette, which was set to premiere that month, after footage leaked of another domestic violence incident involving the pair in 2023.

“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, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told Us at the time.

Meanwhile, news broke on Tuesday, June 30, that Taylor’s ex-husband, Tate Paul, filed for a temporary restraining order against the reality television star. Taylor and Tate, 32, share daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 6.

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TMZ reported that Tate is also seeking sole custody of the couple’s two children.

Taylor and Tate were married from 2016 to 2022. The former couple broke up following a “soft swinging” scandal that went viral on TikTok.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. 

Love Island USA‘s Caleb McDaniel is just as confused by the villa’s code words for sex as the audience is.

During the Tuesday, June 30, episode of the Peacock show, Caleb asked what “French fry” means and Trinity Tatum replied that it was “Deejaying.” No more information was provided for Caleb after multiple Islanders were caught hooking up on the night cameras.

Earlier this month, Trinity said she heard someone performing “French fries,” which sounded “too wet” to just be a kiss. In a confessional, Kenzie Annis confirmed she shared a heated exchange with Corbin Mims.

“I was definitely getting some French fries. Feeling good,” she gushed. “We were probably doing a bit much, honestly, but I feel a strong connection with Corbin. We probably got a little bit carried away.”

Based on the footage, French fries hinted at manual sex acts such as a hand job. Viewers, meanwhile, pointed out that it likely meant an appetizer ahead of a full meal.

Love Island USA originally premiered in the U.K. in 2002 before it expanded worldwide with various spinoffs, including Love Island USA on Peacock. The series follows a different group of singles every season who have to pair off in order to stay in the show’s luxury villa.

The contestants — referred to as Islanders — live in isolation in a villa and are under constant video surveillance. They must be coupled up to remain on the show and stand a chance at receiving the $100,000 prize.

While finding a connection that you want to explore more intimately isn’t out of the question, season 7 of Love Island USA seemed to set some sort of record with the number of times Islanders were caught hooking up — until season 8.

From Hannah Fields and Pepe Garcia to Huda Mustafa and Jeremiah Brown, the reality stars found ways around having to address their sexual encounters for all of America to hear.

“We had a code name for intimacy,” Hannah exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2025. “We would say, ‘How was your journey? What was this journey like?’ Huda [started it when she] said something like, ‘Oh, I had a journey. My journey went all the way.’”

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Season 8 escalated the sex that took place in the villa with multiple couples going all the way while sharing a bedroom in the villa. The potential has only escalated with Casa Amor being introduced halfway into Sunday’s episode.

New episodes of Love Island USA are released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.

Join Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv in our first-ever Love Island USA fantasy league! This is your chance to predict who you think will win Season 8 and rank the Islanders weekly based on how confident you are that they will survive the next elimination. You will be playing against our editors, get access to exclusive content and have the chance to win fun prizes. Sign up for free today!

Conor McGregor appeared on Jimmy Fallon‘s NBC late-night talk show in June 2026. However, due to the fighter’s past sexual assault case, the host received a ton of backlash both for including him on the show and for not addressing the controversy during their conversation. Now, comedian Kathy Griffin is weighing in, revealing she’s been banned from the show for quite some time.

Griffin released a new episode of her YouTube series “Talk Your Head Off” at the tail end of June 2026. In it, she addressed the Fallon/McGregor situation by saying, “Now I have not done the Jimmy Fallon show since it was on at 12:30 Eastern and Pacific.”

She went on to speculate, “So I guess I’m banned from the Fallon show or inappropriate or too controversial.” From there, she stated that when a celebrity is banned from a talk show, they’re typically not informed but are simply never invited to appear.

Regarding McGregor, the 65-year-old said, “I do think it was a bad move to have convicted rapist Conor McGregor on.”

Griffin continued her commentary of Conor McGregor’s interview on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” by discussing how his continued inclusion in popular culture impacts women. According to her, “I think the Fallon folks made a mistake by having Conor McGregor on.”

She continued, “I think it sends yet another message to women and marginalized folks everywhere that we’re not equal and you can do anything to us and the perpetrators are still gonna be out there being glorified.” After that, Griffin stated that it reminded her of when Fallon interviewed Donald Trump on his show and “petted his hair.”

The comedian also likened the situation to Trump’s hosting “Saturday Night Live” during his first presidential run. She added, “I think it’s time we kind of make up our minds about who we’re gonna cancel and who we’re not.”

Griffin concluded, “As the kids say: do better.”

Fans Are Still Slamming Jimmy Fallon Over The Interview

Fallon, like most late-night talk show hosts, is no stranger to controversy. However, for many, his decision to feature Conor McGregor on his show was a bridge too far. Now, following Griffin revealing she’s more than likely banned from the show, many are calling out the host’s morals.

One person wrote, “Conor McGregor is a welcome guest, but Kathy Griffin is not? Jesus, Jimmy Fallon, do better.” Someone else said about Griffin, “You have always been on the right side; it’s just taken everyone else a little longer to catch up.”

A different person stated, “Jimmy’s show should be canceled. An apology is not enough.” Another social media user also referenced Trump’s appearance on Fallon’s show, saying, “He had Trump on his show, laughing and smiling and having a good time. Did you all miss that?”

Someone else chimed in, writing, “Jimmy is not as cool as we used to think he was. Not a fan. Used to be.” Lastly, another person said, “He needs to give an explanation of why he thought McGregor was a good guest for the show? It’s embarrassing.”

The Conor McGregor Sexual Assault Case Stemmed From A 2018 Incident

According to Complex, McGregor was accused of sexual assault by Nikita Hand, stemming from an incident from 2018. In 2024, an Irish court found him liable, and she was awarded damages. He later released a statement on X.

He said, “People want to hear from me, I needed time. I know I made mistakes. Six years ago, I should have never responded to her outreaches. I should have shut the party down. I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me.”

McGregor added, “As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual.” The fighter then tried to appeal the decision, but the motion was later denied.

Kathy Griffin Isn’t The Only Celebrity To Call Out Fallon For The McGregor Interview

According to The Daily Beast, actress Christina Ricci also made her feelings known about Fallon hosting McGregor on his show. She did so by sharing a viral post on social media. It began, “Conor McGregor r-ped a woman so brutally that the EMT who saw her commented on the severity of her bruising.”

The post continued, “She also had to have the tampon she was using when he r-ped her surgically removed, as it had been shoved so far inside her. Why the ABSOLUTE F— is this piece of human garbage being given a platform on Jimmy Fallon’s show? Shame on you, Jimmy.”

The caption read, “We need to stop pretending like r-pe is OK. Men. What the f— are we doing here?”

The aprons are off, the final “Yes, Chef!” has been uttered, and The Bear has finally closed its doors with Season 5. Since 2022, audiences have followed Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) and his motley crew as they transformed the once-dingy The Original Beef into the fine-dining restaurant The Bear. It was never a smooth ride. Over five seasons, the series captured the relentless pressure of running a restaurant while exploring the personal struggles that each member of the kitchen brigade brought through its doors.

In between the nonsensical screaming, the burnt meats, and panic attacks by the garbage, The Bear has always been a story about finding a chosen family. Individually, these deeply flawed characters are more than willing to call each other out. Together they somehow become a well-oiled machine when it matters most. Every season introduces different ingredients to the table, whether it’s risky creative swings, character growth, or unresolved conflicts. Some installments are simply better seasoned than others. With the series now complete, here’s every season of The Bear, ranked.

5

Season 3

Image via FX

For a season that literally takes place after the much-awaited opening of The Bear restaurant, audiences would expect to see more of the carnage inside the kitchen and among the restaurant staff. However, Season 3 of The Bear has quite the tonal mismatch. Instead of bringing audiences deeper into the action of the kitchen, it spends more time inside Carmy’s psyche, giving more background on why he wanted to open a restaurant in the first place. This creates some confusion because the season hyperfocuses on Carmy’s existential crisis as a chef instead of showing how the restaurant is actually operating under its increasingly worrying circumstances.

However, Season 3 also gifted audiences with some standout episodes. Season 3, Episode 6, “Napkins,” is a touching tribute to Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas) that captures the fear of being laid off and the struggle of finding a new job, ultimately leading her to cross paths with Mikey (Jon Bernthal) and discover a cooking career she never expected. Even more emotional is “Ice Chips,” where Sugar (Abby Elliott) goes into labor with only Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis) by her side. It’s no secret that Sugar and Donna have the most troubled relationship in the series. Putting them together in such a life-or-death situation creates incredible tension while delivering some of the most vulnerable moments between mother and daughter.

4

Season 4

Image via FX

Season 4 of The Bear might stray away from the chaos of its earlier seasons, which, again, feels at odds with what came before. However, arguably, its slower pace also serves as a much-needed breather before the show approaches its final season. It’s the season where Carmy realizes he can no longer avoid the demons inside his head. Everything that clouded his mind over the previous seasons is finally, and satisfactorily, externalized as he embarks on an extensive apology tour to Claire (Molly Gordon), Donna, and even Cousin Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). It’s also the season where Carmy finally faces the inevitable truth: he might be good at cooking, but he might not love it anymore.

There’s not much of the restaurant action fans were expecting, which is a disappointing continuation of Season 3’s biggest flaw. However, family is a major theme throughout Season 4. Whether it’s Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) reconnecting with her cousin Chantel (Danielle Deadwyler) and her daughter T.J. (Arion King) while getting her hair done in Episode 4, “Worms,” or the Berzattos mending broken bridges at a wedding in Episode 7, “Bears,” Season 4 is all about finding closure. And no closure is more important than in the Season 4 finale, which is The Bear‘s most experimental episode yet, unfolding almost entirely through a single, uninterrupted conversation in the back of the restaurant.

3

Season 5

Just like a well-rounded dish, Season 5 is the perfect balance of all the ingredients from its four previous seasons. It has the unexpected chaos of a kitchen gone absolutely haywire from torrential Chicago storms and a flooded restaurant, the good old-fashioned Carmy and Sydney fallouts and makeups, and the emotional growth that comes from overcoming the impossible. Most importantly, it finally gives audiences the action they’ve been waiting for with one unforgettable night of restaurant service. The episode not only highlights the chefs but also the front of house, showing how this imperfect team somehow works like a well-oiled machine under the immense pressure of their restaurant potentially being closed.

The only flaw is that some episodes feel like filler, particularly Episodes 2 and 3, as they mainly focus on the prep leading up to the night of service. Even so, Season 5 is much more experimental, following just one night of service in a way that arguably feels The Pitt-esque, minus the one-take format. It also takes a bold risk by ramping up the tension, from Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) feeling more betrayed by Carmy than ever before to the unexpected fistfight between The Bear‘s biggest bromance, Marcus (Lionel Boyce) and Luca (Will Poulter). Best of all, there are barely any major guest-star cameos — Mikey included. Much of the attention stays on the crew itself, making this a season that truly belongs to the OG cast.

2

Season 1

Image via FX

Although the discourse around it was controversial, especially during awards season, Season 1 is proof that The Bear is a comedy. Not pure sitcom comedy, but dark, dramatic comedy nevertheless. It turns everyone’s worst nightmare of working in a restaurant kitchen into something both stressful and weirdly hilarious. Between its frantic camerawork, unforgiving dialogue, and constant talking over one another, the season throws viewers into a workplace that is as chaotic as it is dysfunctional. It’s unabashedly messy and symbolic of what it’s like working in a cramped, dirty kitchen that’s practically a health and HVAC hazard. The fact that the kitchen eventually catches fire in the finale perfectly sums up just how unfit The Original Beef really was.

And yet, it’s this relentless chaos that makes some of Season 1’s funniest moments land. The humor comes from the sheer absurdity of everything constantly going wrong, and nobody is well-adjusted enough to fix things properly. The staff can barely talk to each other, let alone cook together. But beneath all the shouting and fighting, the season is really about these cooks finding their place in the restaurant. They resist Carmy’s new system and the roles he’s trying to build, but once everything finally starts to click, all the chaos and hard work pay off in a genuinely satisfying way.

1

Season 2

Image via FX

Season 2 of The Bear has the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, altogether making it the best installment of the series. It’s where nearly every character experiences a breakthrough, and the season takes the time to show the work behind that growth instead of simply handing it to them. Audiences watch Tina and Ebra (Edwin Lee Gibson) attend culinary school in Episode 2, “Pasta” (granted, Ebra drops out, but he eventually finds his own path in Season 4 on his own terms), Marcus stage as a pastry chef in Copenhagen in Episode 4, “Honeydew,” and, most importantly, Richie finally realize the importance of his role in the show’s most celebrated episode yet, Episode 7, “Forks.” Watching these characters — many of whom entered the restaurant with little to no fine-dining experience — finally find their place in the industry makes their journeys all the more beautiful and inspiring.

That said, not everything is sweet in Season 2. The sophomore season isn’t afraid of breaking audiences’ hearts with the most devastating twists. Just as Carmy thinks he’s found happiness outside the kitchen, he sabotages it during his infamous fridge meltdown on opening night. Marcus struggles to care for his terminally ill mother, who eventually passes away and numbs him later in the series. Then there’s the dramatic flashback episode, “Fishes,” which shows the Berzattos’ main source of trauma. Donna’s alcoholism and self-martyrdom reveal why Carmy, Natalie, and Mikey have carried so many scars into adulthood. By the finale, The Bear may finally be open for business. Emotionally, its staff has only just begun opening their emotional baggage.

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The Bear

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Release Date

2022 – 2026-00-00

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Network

Hulu

Showrunner

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Christopher Storer

Directors

Ramy Youssef

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We’ve seen celebs wear cutoff, patch-pocket and even purple jeans, but Mariska Hargitay‘s embroidered pair are a new level of chic. The pants style simply screams ‘Hamptons boutique,’ and we found a similar summer look hiding on Amazon — for only $35.

Spotted walking through New York City with a coffee mug in hand, Hargitay traded her usual sleek tailoring for something far more playful: a soft T-shirt, a Knicks baseball cap and khaki wide-leg pants covered in floral embroidery. The combo was cute yet elevated, and her fun pants choice definitely added whimsy to tried-and-true basics.

Get the Utcoco Wide-Leg Embroidered Pants for $35 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

These Utcoco Wide-Leg Embroidered Pants look just like the bottoms Hargitay wore, featuring the same beige base, unique embroidery and easy wide-leg drape. However, the Amazon alternative goes the extra mile, thanks to a frilly hem that adds a touch of romance and front seams that quietly elongate the legs.

Related: Mariska Hargitay‘s Comfy Pants Scream ‘Hamptons Mom‘ — Here‘s Why

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Mariska Hargitay proved that sporty can totally be chic. Instead of basic leggings, Hargitay wore the dreamiest eyelet-style lounge pants that took her aesthetic from courtside-cool to classy. We found the expensive look hiding on Amazon! The star turned up at the 2026 NBA Finals rocking a New York Knicks jersey, white sneakers and breezy […]

It goes without saying that these denim pants are chicer and infinitely more interesting than plain old blue jeans. Pair them with a crisp white tee and sneakers for daytime errands, then swap in a lacy tank and sandals when dinner reservations call. There’s no need to go all out here — the bold bottoms are the statement piece, so everything you pair with it can be somewhat simple.

On top of making even a T-shirt look intentional, the artsy denim style is also mega comfortable. One five-star fan shared, “The material feels sturdy like a jean rather than a jegging, but are still stretchy and movable . . . They’re lightweight, soft and comfy, but solid jeans.”

Hargitay knows that the right pants can carry an entire wardrobe, and these embroidered wonders are an easy way to turn even your easiest outfits into a fashion-forward ensemble. Steal the star’s New York cool-mom formula and see how quickly the Utcoco bottoms become your most-worn piece!

Get the Utcoco Wide-Leg Embroidered Pants for $35 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop other chic pants and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Blake Lively Wears the Comfy-Luxe Pants Trend Seen All Over London

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If there’s one thing I remember from my recent trip to London, it’s polka dots, and Blake Lively just brought the rich mom look to New York City. Not only that, but she also nailed the elevated lounge pants trend. I found her comfy-chic style for just $23! Heading out to dinner, Lively was spotted […]

Fab Factory Studios has taken a strategic stake in Milkyway Brands, the Los Angeles-based merchandise and fulfillment company, and moved the operation into dedicated warehouse space on its North Hollywood campus. The investment signals a broader shift in entertainment economics: creators now view merchandise as a real business line, not an afterthought.

Fab Factory has spent the past decade building one of Los Angeles’ largest privately held production ecosystems. The company operates more than 120,000 square feet of production, post-production and event infrastructure across North Hollywood and East Hollywood. Its client roster spans SZA, will.i.am, The Chainsmokers, Post Malone and Hit-Boy in music, plus film and television projects including Joker, Venom and The Rings of Power.

The Milkyway investment extends that infrastructure into a new revenue stream. By housing Milkyway’s design, manufacturing and fulfillment operations under the same roof as Fab Factory’s studios and post-production bays, the companies have created what amounts to a vertical merchandise pipeline. An artist recording in Fab Factory’s studio can move directly into Milkyway’s production space to manufacture apparel bearing their brand.

The Merch Gap

Milkyway Brands was founded by Franco Infante, who scaled the company from a phone-case startup into a full-service merchandise operation serving artists, creators, sports properties and brands. His client roster has included Jhené Aiko, A$AP Rocky, Kevin Hart, Anderson. Paak, the LA Clippers and Jordan Brand.

The company identified a clear market gap. Most artists outsource merchandise to third-party vendors scattered across multiple supply chains, creating delays, quality inconsistencies and higher fulfillment costs. Milkyway controls the entire process in-house: apparel design, manufacturing, decoration and drop-ship fulfillment.

In 2025, Infante launched Prjct Blanks, a proprietary line of premium blanks manufactured and finished on Milkyway’s own equipment. The company is also building Prjct Merch, a Shopify-connected platform that allows customers to upload artwork, receive instant pricing and route jobs directly into production.

Capital and Speed as Competitive Advantages

The Fab Factory investment brings both capital and creative adjacency to the Milkyway operation. Tai Savet, who led the business acquisition, joined as an investor alongside Ketrina “Taz” Askew, longtime manager of Grammy-nominated artist Jhené Aiko, and Chris Cyre, a music and merchandise veteran.

For Fab Factory chairman Steven Fabos, the strategy builds on a proven playbook. Before founding Fab Factory, Fabos started Steven Charles, a gourmet dessert company that became the private-label supplier behind Starbucks’ cake pops and was later acquired by Bain Capital-backed DessertHoldings. He has consistently pursued vertical ownership across his business ventures.

“Quality becomes defensible when you own the infrastructure,” Fabos said. “Milkyway has the same DNA: own the product, own the process and build something that can scale without losing its standard.”

The Creator Economy Gets Serious

The deal reflects a maturation in how artists view merchandise revenue. Creators are no longer treating product as a peripheral brand extension. Apparel, blanks and limited-edition merchandise are now core business lines with real margin potential.

Infante said creators increasingly demand that merchandise quality match the quality of their content. An artist with a global fanbase cannot afford to sell low-quality apparel bearing their name; it damages the brand. By controlling manufacturing, Milkyway ensures every product meets the production standard the brand requires.

Savet, who led the acquisition, framed the partnership in those terms. “Fab Factory sits at the source of culture. Milkyway gives that culture a product engine. When those two businesses operate under one roof, every recording session, campaign, fan moment and brand activation has a direct path to commerce,” he said.

The Economics of Ownership

From a business standpoint, the investment addresses a structural problem in creator monetization. Artists have historically ceded merchandise revenue to third-party operators in exchange for outsourcing operational complexity. By moving that function in-house, Fab Factory and Milkyway are capturing margin at multiple points: manufacturing, decoration, fulfillment, and potentially platform licensing through Prjct Merch.

The campus consolidation also improves operational efficiency. A brand can now shoot content, produce video, design merchandise and manufacture apparel without coordinating across multiple vendors and supply chains. That speed translates to faster time-to-market for limited-edition drops and faster inventory turns.

For Fab Factory, the investment extends its role beyond studio operator into a comprehensive entertainment infrastructure platform. The company now owns the full creator pipeline: content creation, post-production and commerce fulfillment. That ownership structure increases customer switching costs and makes Fab Factory a more valuable strategic asset for entertainment companies and management firms seeking integrated production services.

Terms of the investment were not disclosed.