Entertainment
‘Lanterns’ Officially Reveals the Guardians’ Greater Plan for John Stewart
Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for Lanterns Episode 3.
If you were hoping that this week’s Lanterns would pick up right where last episode’s cliffhanger left off, making good on that highly anticipated face-off between Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen), think again. Instead, the third episode of the HBO series, titled “OutKast,” travels back in time to John Stewart’s (Aaron Pierre) complicated (to say the least) upbringing. The previous episode almost overemphasized John’s importance, and this week is entirely devoted to the same. Yes, the past is prologue, but how much of that past is necessary for Lanterns to include? Perhaps that depends on the viewer.
‘Lanterns’ Episode 3 Dives into John Stewart’s Origin Story
This episode begins in 2016, only a few months before “Pilot.” John Stewart falls onto a bunch of mattresses littered on the floor of an abandoned shopping mall. Signs lead him to the makeshift office of a Guardian of the Universe (Laura Linney). She tells him to wait inside, and that she’ll be back, so John waits until the next morning when she returns. “I was told to wait,” he says, when she notes that he hasn’t moved, reminding us that John simply does what he is told. But here’s where things get interesting. When John inquires about why he’s being interviewed for the job — and he’s seemingly not the only one, by the way — rather than being chosen by the ring, the Guardian reveals that it’s due to the death of one of their kind.
“OutKast” doesn’t give us time to dwell on the “what ifs,” even if that’s exactly what John’s father, John Sr. (J. Alphonse Nicholson), does. The episode flashes back to years ago, on the night when John Sr. was considered to become a Green Lantern. While an infant John lies awake in his crib, his father is terrified by the bubble of green energy that envelops him, admitting his fear before it departs for good. It isn’t long after that that Hal Jordan begins to actively patrol the Earth, causing John Sr. — enraged and slowly losing his mind after the experience — to shoot the television in anger, disgust, and depression. Nobody believes that he could have had the ring himself, not even his wife Bernadette (Jasmine Cephas Jones). After she kicks her husband out of the house for the risk he poses to their children, she’s met by the aforementioned Guardian, who apologizes for any distress they may have caused John Sr. before revealing her true form.
“Whatever the ring saw in your husband is in his genetic makeup,” the Guardian eventually notes, offering Bernadette a chance to raise her son to be fearless — to be the next Green Lantern. This isn’t how Green Lanterns are usually chosen, and from what we can tell, this takes place long before Sinestro’s coup. Thus, it appears that (as usual) the Guardians have some sort of agenda. Back in 2016, John tells the Guardian that he became a Marine to get this “job interview” in the first place before recounting his last mission, which began almost a year earlier. When John meets with his commanding officer, he learns that a threat to national security, a target codenamed “Grey Wolf” (who doesn’t appear to be related to the DC Comics character), is almost impossible to track — save for his preferred personal retreat in Russia. John is the third Marine to be tasked with this mission after the other two failed, but he agrees to go behind enemy lines without hesitation.
‘Lanterns’ Reveals John’s Upbringing Was More Complicated Than We Thought
It’s here where “OutKast” begins to get really intense. After meeting the Guardian, Bernadette confronts her husband and informs him that their other sons, Aaron and Marcus, already know fear, but baby John is a blank slate. They vow to condition their son not to know fear with the ultimate goal of training him to become a Green Lantern candidate. “He’s going to hate us,” John Sr. tells his wife. “So be it,” Bernadette replies. At John’s (Cairo Cash Lee) fifth birthday party, his parents gift him a Green Lantern uniform (one akin to the character’s classic comic book appearance) and tell him about his destiny. They explain to John that the Guardians send birds to watch over him (which explains his construct in the last episode). “They want us to make sure that you’re fearless,” Bernadette says. “You can’t worry about anybody but yourself.” They also give him a rifle when the poor boy just wanted crayons!
Back in 2016 (give or take), John embarks on his mission to hunt and apprehend “Grey Wolf.” Though he is injured while parachuting into Russia, he cauterizes his wound and sets up surveillance on the target. Nine months pass during John’s stakeout. Back in the interview, the Guardian inquires about why John was discharged from the Marines. He reveals he was dishonorably discharged — not because he couldn’t follow an order (he stuck around for nearly a year!), but because he failed to complete the mission. At first, the Guardian replies by asking what John knows about Sinestro, but the conversation quickly pivots to Hal Jordan. “Sinestro was Jordan’s teacher, a father figure,” the Guardian reveals, though she believes that Jordan’s continued affection for Sinestro is troubling.
Speaking of parental figures, the Guardian then inquires if John resents his own parents due to his rigorous upbringing. He tells her that “rigorous” comes with the territory, and what we see next begins to unpack that a little. Remember that scene in “Pilot” where John Sr. shot an apple off young John’s head? Well, Lanterns flashes back to John’s youth to reveal that the whole thing was his idea in the first place, an idea that Bernadette pushed her husband to entertain. After the test is successful, his father takes him to get a cheeseburger. This scene is bookended by another question by the Guardian, who asks if he loves his parents. John responds in the affirmative, adding that he’s entirely confident that he will get the job as the next Green Lantern.
In another flashback, it’s emphasized that young John and his brothers don’t exactly get along. They grew up in the same home, but John was raised quite differently from Marcus and Aaron. In some respects, he’s something of an outcast, and to drive that idea home, his brothers get him to sing along to OutKast’s “ATLiens” from the backseat of the family car. What seems like a bonding moment at first adopts a more somber note when one of his brothers likens John’s pronunciation to a “white boy named Henry,” and then the car stops in a rough neighborhood, where John’s parents force him to get out and walk the rest of the way home for the sake of his “training.” When he gets home, Bernadette has been waiting for him, but leaves before the boy breaks down, refusing to comfort her son.
“OutKast” Reveals the Real Reason Behind John Stewart’s Tension with Hal Jordan
As John tells the Guardian, “Humans are not programmed, we’re raised,” though the alien doesn’t understand the distinction. John insists that there is one, but in his case, that may be a stretch. As a boy, John watched his mother go crazy, wondering about the Guardians and their lack of response. She believes it must be due to John’s fear, but the boy calls the birds liars, insisting that he’s not afraid. So, his mother turns the tables on him the next time he fearlessly survives another apple-on-the-head target shoot. Instead, she wants John to shoot an apple off her husband. Unsurprisingly, John can’t do it — how has nobody called the cops after years of backyard target practice? “Guess the birds aren’t liars, after all,” his mother tells him. That evening, Bernadette tells John that loving his dad isn’t something to be ashamed of. “It’s normal not to want to hurt the people you love,” she says before admitting that she made the bird thing up. It turns out that the Guardians don’t answer at all. In her mind, she insists they’re giving John the gift of privilege that Hal Jordan has. Inspired by his mother’s emotional manipulations, John tries again, successfully shooting an apple off her head instead.
This whole time, John has been dancing around what got him discharged from the Marines in the first place, but the Guardian insists he talk about it. As it turns out, “Grey Wolf” arrives after John has been scoping out the retreat for nine months, but before he can pull the trigger and complete his mission, Green Lantern arrives, destroys the entire compound, and leaves with the target. As John later discovers, apprehending “Grey Wolf” had all been a lucky break on Jordan’s part, but John is forced to take the fall for the international incident. John speaks with his mother afterward and is frustrated that everything he worked for is gone. However, she’s applied to art school on his behalf: “The path hasn’t changed; this is just a detour.” At art school, John is eventually sought out for a very special project: the Green Lantern Corps. After sketching the building they’re in to prove his imaginative power, John is asked to use a Green Lantern ring to create a replica of his father’s watch. When he succeeds, the events are set in motion for his interview, bringing the episode full circle.
The Guardian asks John whether Hal’s actions have caused him to harbor ill will toward the current Green Lantern. As it turns out, the Guardians have asked Hal to stop using his abilities to interfere in terrestrial affairs, and he wasn’t following orders when he captured “Grey Wolf,” after all. “Would you be comfortable replacing Hal Jordan?” she asks. John replies that if those are his orders, it doesn’t matter if he’s comfortable with it. When he heads home to share the good news with his folks, Hal is already sitting at the kitchen table, spoiling the surprise. It’s all good at first, but when Hal and John are alone, the Green Lantern insists that he doesn’t want a sidekick or a backup: “The only way you’re going to get this ring is over my dead body.”
New episodes of Lanterns air on HBO and HBO Max every Sunday.
- Release Date
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August 16, 2026
- Network
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HBO
- Directors
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James Hawes
Pros & Cons
- Aaron Pierre really shines in this episode as we begin to understand the complexities of John’s feelings toward Hal Jordan.
- The whole episode (in particular each time shift) is well-paced, which can be difficult to do properly in stories like these.
- This episode breaks up the momentum after last episode’s exciting cliffhanger.
- Longtime DC fans may not love the direction Lanterns is taking with John Stewart, especially as it makes Hal Jordan out to be the orchestrator of all his personal and familial turmoil.
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Ryan Reynolds may still be putting on a brave public face, but behind the scenes, the fallout from the “It Ends With Us” controversy may be creating new challenges for his career.
The actor became caught up in the drama surrounding his wife Blake Lively and her legal battle with Justin Baldoni, with his involvement in the movie and its aftermath drawing criticism.
Now, concerns are emerging that the controversy may have damaged some of the industry confidence Reynolds previously enjoyed. This can potentially complicate his efforts to expand beyond his established projects and achieve some of his biggest career ambitions.
Reynolds’ involvement in the “It Ends With Us” scandal appears to have affected how some people in Hollywood view him. Although the actor maintained his usual upbeat demeanor during Comic Con this summer, a source claimed the situation behind the scenes has been considerably more difficult.
“Sure, Ryan was all smiles and jokes at Comic Con this summer, but it’s a much darker time than he’s letting on,” the insider said. According to the source, Reynolds has privately acknowledged that rebuilding the level of trust he once enjoyed within the industry could take years.
Part of the backlash surrounding Reynolds emerged after Lively revealed that her husband rewrote the movie’s well-known rooftop scene. He also faced criticism over an email he sent to “It Ends With Us” author Colleen Hoover following the film’s 2024 release. With the controversy continuing to follow him, the source said Reynolds now has “some serious rebuilding to do.”
Reynolds’ Hollywood Career Could Face A Setback
Beyond the damage to his reputation, Reynolds may face difficulties securing the same level of creative freedom he previously enjoyed. His extensive involvement in the production and the dispute that followed has allegedly made some industry figures more hesitant about giving him significant control over future projects.
“His significant involvement with the difficult It Ends With Us production and aftermath has made people wary of him,” the source claimed, adding that people are now less willing than they were several years ago to give Reynolds and his company ‘total creative control’ over a project.
The actor still has major work underway, including writing another “Deadpool Adventure” and developing a sailing reality show with Hugh Jackman. However, the insider questioned why the romantic comedies and action dramas that once formed a broader part of Reynolds’ career are no longer coming as they once did.
That narrowing of opportunities could be concerning as Reynolds looks toward the next stage of his career. As the source put it, “He doesn’t want to be still playing Deadpool when he’s 70, that’s for sure!”
Reynolds’ Oscar Dream May Prove Difficult
The controversy could also complicate one of Reynolds’ long-held ambitions, which is getting recognition at the Academy Awards. According to the source, the actor entered the entertainment business with goals that extended beyond commercial success and included eventually winning an Oscar.
“Ryan grew up wanting to make a fortune and win Oscars, but the prestige projects are not materializing,” the insider said.
His personality may also be creating challenges when it comes to potential collaborations. The insider claimed some filmmakers are “downright scared of Ryan” because of what was described as his “domineering and exacting personality.”
Justin Baldoni’s Lawsuit Against Ryan Reynolds
Justin Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios filed a $400 million countersuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of claims including civil extortion and defamation amid their dispute over “It Ends With Us.”
Baldoni’s side also alleged that Reynolds and Lively used the actress’s accusations to gain greater control, claiming they “exploited Lively’s false insinuations” to obtain “power and authority to which they were not entitled.”
Reynolds denied the allegations and sought to have the claims against him thrown out, with his legal team arguing that Baldoni had failed to establish a valid case against him.
Ryan Reynolds Makes A Plan To Have The Lawsuit Dismissed
Reynolds sought to have Baldoni’s claims against him dismissed, with his attorneys arguing that the director could not pursue legal action simply over ‘hurt feelings.’ The dispute included Baldoni’s allegations surrounding Reynolds’ comments about him and claims that the Nicepool character in “Deadpool & Wolverine” was created to mock him.
Baldoni also accused Reynolds of calling him a ‘sexual predator.’ Reynolds’ legal team defended his comments as protected opinion, arguing that the actor had a First Amendment right to hold Baldoni in ‘deep disdain.’
His attorneys further maintained that Reynolds believed the allegations his wife had made about Baldoni and therefore had the right to express his opinion about the filmmaker based on that information. They argued that Baldoni’s lawsuit failed to establish grounds for holding Reynolds legally responsible for those views.
President Donald Trump has claimed that NBC journalist Kristen Welker “will be reported” to the Federal Communications Commission over comments made during a promotional segment for Meet the Press.
“Kristen Welker, the unpopular “hostess” of the once great Meet the Press, now considered Meet the Fake Press, just stated that Donald Trump has “mixed results” on his endorsements of candidates, when the recent WINS of Darline Graham and Mike Mazzei, stand at 100% for the U.S. Senate, and 98% for the U.S. House, recently and over the long term,” the president, 80, wrote via his Truth Social account on Sunday, August 30.
He continued, “How can anyone be allowed to say this, working for freely given Public Airwaves? Because of this purposeful inaccuracy, she will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment.”
The president attached a graph that showed alleged endorsement records from the Republican primaries, which contradict comments made by Welker, 50, during an appearance on NBC’s local Washington, D.C. station that pointed to upcoming Meet the Press coverage.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz suggested that Jimmy Kimmel should not face legal repercussions from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for criticizing President Donald Trump. “It is not [the] government’s job to censor speech, and I do not believe the FCC should operate as the speech police,” Cruz, 55, told Punchbowl News in an interview posted […]
The journalist, who began serving as moderator on the news program in 2023, said during the appearance that the primaries showed “mixed results,” per reporting on Sunday by CNN. The outlet stated that NBC’s recent reporting backed up Welker’s commentary.
A spokesperson for NBC told CNN on Sunday, “Kristen is one of the best in the business and we stand by her.”
President Donald Trump Finn Gomez/Getty Images
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez also took to X on Sunday to respond to the president’s FCC claim. “As I’ve said many times, the FCC has no authority to punish journalists this administration doesn’t like,” she wrote. “These threats to press freedom are dangerous. They undermine the foundation of our democracy, and they have no place in it.”
The president’s social media post stated that Welker was “not the only” journalist or member of the media to report alleged inaccuracy. “The radical left news is going out of their way to harass, demean, and libel anything “TRUMP.” Their new weapon is to say that my 99% SUCCESS rate on endorsements, 100% on senatorial endorsements (many of whom were not even given a shot of winning until I endorsed!), is either a mixed result, or not very good,” he continued. “In actuality, it is, without question, the strongest endorsement in the history of politics.”
Kristen Welker Shannon Finney/Getty Images for Motion Picture Association, Inc.
He concluded, “The Press is a disgrace to our nation, and I hope that [FCC] chairman Brendan Carr, and the fine people of his commission, will take this threat to our country very seriously. Thank you for your attention to this very important matter of fake polls and commentary!”
The tributes following Dolly Parton’s death have ranged from emotional memorials to national honors, but one gesture sparked an unexpected political firestorm.
After President Donald Trump ordered American flags flown at half-staff in recognition of the country music legend, a Mississippi mayor publicly questioned whether the honor should have been extended to the beloved entertainer.
What followed was a swift backlash from supporters who argued that Parton’s decades of philanthropy, service, and cultural impact made her more than deserving of the rare distinction.
As communities across the country continued to mourn Dolly Parton, Olive Branch, Mississippi, Mayor Ken Adams found himself at the center of a heated debate after publicly expressing reservations about lowering the American flag in her honor.
In a statement posted to the town’s Facebook page, Adams made clear that he admired the singer and considered her “a great person.”
However, he argued that flying flags at half-staff should be reserved for a narrower group of individuals and circumstances.
“I believe lowering the American flag to half-staff should mean something very significant,” Adams stated, adding, “In my opinion, it should be reserved for our military heroes, fallen first responders, presidents and other major national leaders, or events that have had a tremendous impact on our country.”
The mayor stressed that his position was not intended as a slight against Parton. Instead, Adams argued that the gesture represented one of the nation’s highest forms of recognition and should be used sparingly.
“It’s simply my belief that the American flag at half-staff is one of the highest honors we can give, and I believe that honor should be reserved for truly extraordinary circumstances,” he added, later noting that “sometimes preserving the meaning of an honor means being selective about when we use it.”
The response to Adams’ comments was immediate and overwhelming, with many users arguing that Dolly Parton’s contributions easily met the standard he described.
Numerous commenters pointed to the late icon’s charitable work, particularly her Imagination Library program, which has distributed hundreds of millions of books to children worldwide.
Others pointed out her longstanding support for military families, disaster relief efforts, education initiatives, and countless community causes.
“I’d lower it for Dolly before any politician,” one commenter wrote. Another user argued that Parton’s impact extended far beyond entertainment, writing that she “did more for children than any politician ever has,” adding that this elevated her far above being “just a celebrity.”
One particularly pointed response described Parton as “the most unifying figure of the past 40 years … [who] she donated 325 million books to kids,” before asking, “Sounds like an impact … what have you done?”
Veterans also joined the discussion. “As a veteran and first responder I’m 100% ok with lowering the flags for Dolly. She gave her time and money to the military and multiply organizations. She earned this,” one commenter wrote.
Dolly Parton Debate Quickly Turns Political
As the controversy continued, many critics suggested the mayor’s statement could have political consequences.
Several users openly referenced future elections while questioning the wisdom of publicly challenging a tribute to one of America’s most beloved figures.
“This post just made my choice for next election, if he is in the running,” one commenter wrote, while another reminded readers, “I think elected officials tend to forget they are ELECTED.”
Others pointed to historical precedent, noting that entertainers have previously received similar honors.
One commenter cited comedian and entertainer Bob Hope, writing, “Flags were lowered to half staff when Bob Hope died. So this action is not unique for Dolly. It’s a sign of respect for someone who represents the best of America.”
Perhaps the most cutting reactions focused less on the mayor’s position and more on his decision to make it public at all. “There are certain times when it’s best to just say nothing. This is one of those occasions,” one user wrote.
More From The Blast
Parton’s Private Farewell Reveals Final Wish To Rest Beside Carl Dean
The outpouring of tributes following Dolly Parton’s death showcased the enormous impact she had on millions of lives, but beyond the public memorials and emotional messages, her family was focused on fulfilling one final request.
On August 28, just three days after her death, the “Jolene” singer was laid to rest during a private funeral in Nashville attended only by immediate family members, honoring her long-stated desire to keep her most personal moments out of the spotlight.
As The Blast reported, the service took place at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, where Parton was buried beside her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.
Their shared memorial featured symbols of the life they built together, including intertwined wedding bands and imagery that reflected their humble Tennessee roots.
The funeral was intentionally intimate despite Parton’s global fame. Family members honored her request that there be no large public memorial, and instead encouraged fans to celebrate her life through donations to the Imagination Library, the literacy program that became one of her proudest achievements.
Dolly Parton’s Niece Leads Emotional Grand Ole Opry Tribute
While Parton’s family gathered privately to mourn, Nashville’s most iconic stage hosted a public celebration of her extraordinary legacy.
The day after the funeral, the Grand Ole Opry dedicated an emotional evening to the country legend, bringing together family members and some of country music’s biggest names to honor the woman whose connection to the Opry spanned more than six decades.
According to PEOPLE, one of the night’s most memorable moments came from Parton’s niece, Jada Star, who took the stage to perform “The Orchard,” a song she previously recorded with her famous aunt for the 2024 family album “Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables.”
After singing, the star addressed relatives in attendance, telling them, “Thank you. I love you, cousins. We’re all going to be alright. I promise.”
The tribute concert featured appearances from Carly Pearce, Kathy Mattea, Ketch Secor, Molly Tuttle, and Channing Wilson, while Jelly Roll made a surprise appearance during a group rendition of “9 to 5.”
The evening concluded with footage of Parton herself performing “I Will Always Love You,” allowing the country icon to have the final word. In the video, she thanked fans for standing by her throughout her career and said, “This song kind of sums up how I feel about you. Thank you so much, and I will always love you.”
Siesta Key alum Kelsey Owens and her husband, Max Strong, welcomed their rainbow baby on Wednesday, August 26, after the couple previously navigated a 2025 pregnancy loss.
“Our lives were changed forever. Words can’t begin to express the kind of love our hearts feel getting to call ourselves your parents,” Kelsey, 29, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, August 30, announcing their daughter’s arrival and revealing her name: Blaine Grace. “We love you more than you’ll ever know sweet girl, and we’ll spend every day for the rest of our lives showing you just how loved you are.”
Kelsey and Max announced in February that the couple were expecting a baby.
“The best parts of both of us… in one tiny heartbeat 🤍,” they wrote via Instagram at the time.
These celebrity moms welcomed rainbow babies to their families after suffering miscarriages. Nicole Kidman shared the “massive grief” that she felt after miscarrying in her Tatler magazine cover story in 2018. The actress was married to Tom Cruise when she had an ectopic pregnancy, which means that her fertilized egg was implanted outside of the […]
The next month, the couple found out that they were expecting a baby girl.
“I’ve always been someone who wants to hang onto moments, so when it came to your gender reveal I knew I wanted more than just the countdown and smoke cannons,” Kelsey wrote in a Instagram letter to her unborn child in March. “I wanted something I could carry with me forever. Something that would always remind me of the moment we found out who you are.”
She continued at the time, “In our backyard, at the house we spent over a year turning into a home, the place where we’ll bring you home, fill with laughter and memories, surrounded by your aunt, uncles, and grandparents we discovered you’re our beautiful baby girl 💗. … I’ve dreamt of having a little girl my whole life! Bows in your messy hair, dance parties in the kitchen, inside jokes only we’ll understand, and teaming up to drive your daddy crazy.”
Kelsey and Max got married in 2024 after four years of dating. The couple announced the next year that the reality TV alum had suffered a miscarriage.
Many stars grew their families in 2026. Ushering in the year, Becca Kufrin, Justin Theroux, MLB player Freddie Freeman, TikTok star Allison Kuch and NFL star Baker Mayfield all welcomed little ones into their respective families in April, followed by Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden in May. That month also brought new arrivals to Stephen […]
“This past week was a really bad one. Max and I have been trying to get pregnant, and we were blessed to find out in August that we were pregnant,” Kelsey began in a September 2025 social media video. “I did find out yesterday [that] I miscarried. I just want to say that any woman who has gone through this, I am sending so much love. You are not alone. This can feel so lonely ‘cause we’re told not to share about this [until you are 12 weeks along]. No matter what, this baby’s a part of my story.”
At the time, Kelsey broke down in tears while revealing it was “the first time” she had been pregnant.
“It will always be so special to me, and I’m just praying for anyone else going through it that you guys will have healthy beautiful babies one day — and that will be the same for me,” she tearfully added. “Please keep me in your prayers, and I’ll be praying so much for all the other women going through it.”
Adult content creator Bonnie Blue has officially welcomed her first child.
Blue’s rep confirmed to Us on Sunday, August 30, that she is “doing well” after giving birth to a baby. Blue (real name Tia Billinger) shared a black-and-white video via Instagram on Sunday that chronicled her pregnancy as well as labor and delivery.
In the clip, Blue shared a video outside of the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital in London — the same hospital where Princess Kate Middleton gave birth to all three of her children with husband Prince William.
At the end of the video, Blue smiled as she seemingly held a baby — who was blurred out — in her arms. She also shared a photo of her holding up a blurred-out child in the hospital bed.
Former OnlyFans star Bonnie Blue has been making headlines for her alleged pregnancy — mainly, whether or not it is actually real. Blue (real name Tia Billinger) claimed in February that she was pregnant weeks after having unprotected sex with 400 men as part of her “breeding mission.” In March, Blue admitted that the entire […]
“And then there were 1058 of us 💙,” Blue captioned the video.
Blue made headlines in February when she claimed she was pregnant after having unprotected sex with 400 men as part of her “breeding mission.” The following month, Blue participated in her annual spring break event and posted a video wrapped in a towel while wearing a bikini — at which point fans seemed to spot an alleged silicone bump in her midsection. Later that month, Blue admitted that her pregnancy was a stunt.
In May, Blue shared that she was pregnant. Creator Tommy Lee, who was present at one of Blue’s events about a week after her “breeding” stunt, shared in June that he had been wondering about the paternity of her baby.
“I don’t think anything really sinks in until proven. But it’s still a big worry in the back of your mind, thinking about what do you do if it is,” Lee exclusively told Us. “It’s not that I haven’t thought about it, I think about it, but you just don’t know what can you say? I don’t think there’s anything you can do. That’s it, really.”
One year prior, Blue — who separated from estranged husband Oliver “Ollie” Davidson in 2023 — exclusively told Us that she had struggled with her fertility in the past.
“I tried to get pregnant for years with my ex-partner and really, really struggled and I’d have to go down the IVF route,” she said at the time. “So I wish I could say I might get pregnant, however, I’m not in that position where I can fall pregnant naturally.”
To learn more about the serious potential risks and harms of “competitive sex” and other explicit OnlyFans content — read what doctors, mental health professionals and other experts told Us here.
Sammy Harper and Jonathan Harrold’s Love Is Blind: UK season 3 romance was left on the cutting room floor — but that didn’t stop the pair from giving fans a candid update on their lives.
“The year no one saw. We got engaged on Love Is Blind, but our journey didn’t make it onto your screens,” Sammy, 33, wrote via Instagram on Friday, August 28. “Twelve months, approximately 847 lies about how we met and apparently we forgot to break up 😂. Anyway … hi from your unseen couple of Love Is Blind UK S3. Surprise x 💍.”
Sammy and Jonathan, 32, were among the contestants on the third season of Love Is Blind: UK, where they found a romantic connection sight unseen. The pair’s engagement — Sammy only met Jonathan in person after accepting his proposal — was not chronicled on the hit reality TV dating experiment.
In an Instagram timeline of their love story, Sammy revealed on Friday that she and Jonathan were left to figure out their future without cameras around. They first met in September 2025, soon navigating a long-distance relationship while “living [on] opposite sides of the country.”
By February, Sammy revealed that “s*** got serious” with her pod fiancé.
“We got Poddy, our Love Is Blind puppy, because apparently getting engaged after two weeks wasn’t enough commitment,” she wrote. “Our little family officially began. … This started to feel like real life. Somewhere along the way, we stopped feeling like two people who met on Love Is Blind. Suddenly, it was less ‘experiment’ and more ‘whose turn is it to pick up the dog s***.’ Turns out, we quite liked our very un-TV-worthy little life.”
Sammy found out in April, on Jonathan’s birthday to be exact, that she was pregnant. She suffered a pregnancy loss two months later.
“We lost our baby to a silent miscarriage, and honestly, we really struggled,” Sammy recalled of her experience. “Grieving whilst still living [on] opposite sides of the country was one of the hardest things we’ve had to face together.”
According to Sammy, July became their “bounce back” era as she underwent a breast augmentation while Jonathan had a hair transplant.
“A few really tough weeks prior, but slowly we started to feel like ourselves again,” she said. “It brought us closer than ever. Still randomly tearing up over the future we’d got so excited for, but finding our way forward together.”
Love Is Blind: UK season 3 featured — spoiler alert — four weddings and two pre-altar breakups between the other reality TV couples. They will come face to face in the reunion special, which drops on Netflix Sunday, August 30, at 4 p.m. ET.
Eva Mendes has opened up about a tattoo inked on her wrist in honor of her husband, Ryan Gosling.
“It’s the only one I have, the only one I’ve ever wanted,” Mendes, 52, wrote in response to a fan who shared praise for the actress’ body art, which was visible in a Sunday, August 30, Instagram carousel posted by the actress.
In her series of black-and-white images, the Hitch star, who is believed to have quietly married Gosling, 45, in 2022, holds her arm up to the camera from the back seat of a car. Scrawled upon her wrist are the words “de Gosling,” which translates to “of Gosling” in Hispanic culture. (Mendes boasts Cuban-American heritage.)
Mendes first flaunted the tattoo via social media in September 2022, but never addressed the tribute publicly. At the time, Mendes had also not confirmed that she was married to Gosling, sparking speculation about the status of their romance. While the pair, who met while filming 2013’s The Place Beyond the Pines, had already become parents to two daughters, Esme, 11, and Amada, 10, the tattoo reveal had fans convinced that the couple were married.
In November 2022, Mendes appeared to confirm the news during an interview with Australia’s Today show. “Everyone is so welcoming here, and my husband, Ryan, is here, and we are having the best time,” she told the show’s hosts at the time as Gosling’s work took him Down Under to film The Fall Guy.
For Gosling’s part, the Barbie actor has also publicly shared tributes to Mendes over the years. While promoting 2023’s Barbie, the actor wore a necklace with an E pendant in signature white-and-pink Barbie font. In June that year, Entertainment Tonight asked him what the letter stood for, to which he replied, “Eva.”
The couple took part in their most public show of affection earlier this year when Gosling was a guest star on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. During his time on the show, Gosling invited Mendes out on-stage to enjoy a surprise 52nd birthday tribute. “It is Eva’s birthday today. She is here,” Gosling told the audience, which was full of teachers to celebrate his role as one in his film Hail Mary. “You have no idea how much she loves teachers. Loves you so much. She has her hall monitor sash still from when she was a kid. She hangs it proudly in the house.”
A producer then walked Mendes out from a green room to join Gosling as a marching band played “Happy Birthday” to her. Delighted by Gosling’s surprise, Mendes gripped his hand throughout the appearance before kissing him on the cheek.
Dolly Parton’s family mourned the country icon’s death in an intimate memorial service on Friday, August 28.
“This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words,” Parton’s niece Lainey wrote via Instagram on Saturday, August 29, mourning her beloved aunt’s death while confirming she was laid to rest. “From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself.”
Us confirmed on Tuesday, August 25, that Parton had died after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. Days later on Friday, her relatives were spotted arriving at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum for the funeral. (Parton was buried beside her beloved husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in 2025.)
“Most people can think of at least one bad memory with everyone in their family. I honestly can’t think of one with her,” Lainey recalled. “Because she couldn’t have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver paid tribute to his late aunt while confirming her death at the age of 80 in a sentimental video. “I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver began in the clip posted to Parton’s Instagram account on Tuesday, […]
She continued, “As I got older, she continued to believe in me. When I told her I wanted to go to beauty school, she never questioned why I wasn’t going to college. She told me she couldn’t see me doing anything else. She financially supported me through school and helped me get my career started. She didn’t just tell me to chase my dreams, she helped me get there.”
According to Lainey, “it still doesn’t feel real” that Parton died despite attending her burial service.
“I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there. I’m even going to miss those 4 AM calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again,” she wrote. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out, sent messages, flowers to my house, or done any of the little things to show me love. I’ve noticed every single one, and they’ve meant more than you know.”
She concluded, “I feel incredibly lucky that I got to call her my granny. Thank you for always believing in me, loving me, and making me feel like I could do anything. I love you, Granny. Always.”
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Carmen Electra embraced every inch of her nutritious breakfast while visiting the European city of Berlin.
The model, 54, shared an Instagram carousel on Friday, August 28, that captured her playfully indulging in a spread of fruits while soaking up the sunshine. “Breakfast in Berlin,” she captioned the post, which opened with a shot of herself topless while placing pineapple slices over her bust.
Further snaps from the racy shoot showed her with a plate of sliced watermelon, strawberries and other vivid fruits as she posed for the camera seductively. A video also showed her biting into a banana before one final image showed her bending over a chair to show off her derriere in a blue thong.
The shoot was likely staged in July when Electra visited Berlin as the guest of honor at Bellucci Berlin’s “La Grande Bellezza” summer party. A July 15 Instagram carousel showed Electra posing with a lollipop on a graffiti-filled street that she tagged in the German city. “How many licks does it take?” she captioned the post, which also included a video of herself twirling the sweet around the inside of her mouth.
Fans took to the Baywatch alum’s latest Berlin post to share praise, with one follower writing, “Still the most gorgeous,” and another writing, “Look as good as ever, maybe even better!”
Electra often flaunts her killer physique via risque social media posts, including the September 2025 Instagram carousel that captured her posing for sexy snaps in her living room. Proving there’s always opportunity for an impromptu photo shoot, the star sported a black zip-up corset that laced up the back, skimpy Daisy Duke shorts, fishnet stockings and knee-high suede stiletto boots.
In the post, the swimwear model posed seductively and blew kisses at the camera.
From Alix Earle’s washboard abs to Bethenny Frankel’s cheeky moment, stars dared to bare during Miami Swim Week. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Deal of […]
Electra, who rose to fame as lifeguard Lani McKenzie on the original iteration of Baywatch between 1997 and 1998, recently spoke to Us about Fox’s upcoming Baywatch reboot. Discussing one of the series’ new stars Brooks Nader, Electra stressed the need to maintain peak physical fitness to nail the role. “Basically [I] said, ‘Just be ready. Make sure that you’re in your top physical shape,’” she told Us on August 6 before adding that “running in the sand, diving over [and] jumping over waves, diving into the water” isn’t as easy as it sounds.
“You’re going to be coming out of the water, looking into the camera, and they’re going to say, ‘Don’t close your eyes.’ And your eyes are going to be burning,” she recalled telling Nader, 29. Despite the saltwater potentially affecting one’s vision, Electra reiterated that Nader will need to “open those beautiful eyes, and [she’s] going to need to look gorgeous coming out of that water, and you know the slow-motion run.”
Electra’s Baywatch series premiered on NBC in 1989 and focused on California lifeguards — with David Hasselhoff at the helm — who saved lives as beachgoers swam, encountered sharks and came up against the odd serial killer.
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