Entertainment
Lucy Lawless Just Revealed the ‘Xena’ Fantasy Story We Should Have Gotten
Fantasy is a genre that’s constantly finding new life on television. From Game of Thrones and its various spin-offs to the chaotically charming Legend of Vox Machina, there’s a fantasy show for every generation. For those who grew up in the ’90s, that show was Xena: Warrior Princess. Spinning out of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena followed Lucy Lawless‘ titular warrior princess as she sought to atone for the sins of her past. Ironically, Xena would wind up outstripping Hercules in popularity and remains an iconic series to this day. While most fans have been clamoring for a reboot, Lucy Lawless has taken to social media to explain why it hasn’t happened…and what she’d like to do with the character.
On her Instagram account, Lawless discussed the potential Xena reboot that was in development from 2015-2016 under Javier Grillo-Marxuach (The 100, Lost). NBC eventually canceled the project, but Lawless said that she had a different project in mind: a movie that explored Xena’s youth.
“In my opinion, it would have been far more interesting to make a full-length feature film exploring Xena’s past. I would have loved to see her childhood, her birth, her family, her life in Amphipolis, her first hardships, the loss of her brother, and the events that gradually shaped her character and ultimately led her down the dark path of becoming a ruthless warrior.”
While Lawless didn’t confirm that a new Xena: Warrior Princess project was in the works, her idea of a prequel movie centered on a young Xena would be the perfect way to expand upon the series. Not only could it further expand upon the lore of Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, but it could build out elements of Xena’s character that were only hinted at in the original series.
A ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ Prequel Could Finally Explore Xena’s Turn to Darkness
Xena’s past life was only touched upon in certain episodes, but it’s a past that’s fraught with tragedy. She lost her younger brother during an attack by the warlord Cortese, which drove a wedge between her and her mother. During her time as a pirate, she starts an affair with Julius Caesar — yes, that Julius Caesar — only for him to betray and crucify her. Finally, after being rescued by an Egyptian slave girl named M’Lila, Xena watches her take an arrow to the chest and fully embraces her darker nature. Though Hercules will eventually convince her to turn to the side of good, it’s not hard to see why Xena embraced a life of violence.
A Xena prequel could build upon these moments and showcase more of who Xena was before she was a warlord and eventual adventurer. How did she learn to fight? What was her relationship with her mother and brothers like before Cortese’s attack? How did she wind up being a pirate? Unlike most prequels that spend their time answering questions that didn’t need to be answered, a Xena movie would actually expand upon the parts of Xena’s past that were only briefly hinted at in her series. It would also remind fans of how much she’s grown as a character, evolving from a ruthless warlord into someone who protects others.
Making a ‘Xena’ Prequel Could Avoid Tarnishing the Original Series
Another benefit of a Xena prequel is that it would avoid the trap that most television reboots fall into; namely, failing to capture the spirit of the original series. In Xena‘s case, it would be pretty hard to continue the series as Xena sacrificed her life to stop a demonic force in the Xena: Warrior Princess series finale, “A Friend in Need.” Her longtime companion, Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor), takes up Xena’s weapons and her mission to protect the innocent, making it the perfect conclusion to Xena’s journey. A reboot would only be treading well-worn ground, while a prequel could add more depth to Xena as a character without sacrificing the poignant ending of the original series.
Xena: Warrior Princess worked because it was a series that showcased the long, rocky road that is redemption. If anyone ever wants to revisit the series, they should take Lucy Lawless up on her idea and make a prequel movie that touches on those same themes.
- Release Date
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1995 – 2001-00-00
- Network
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Syndication
- Directors
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Garth Maxwell, Rick Jacobson, Mark Beesley, Josh Becker, Charles Siebert, T.J. Scott, John Fawcett, Michael Hurst, Michael Levine, Oley Sassone, Charlie Haskell, Doug Lefler, Gary Jones, John Laing, Bruce Campbell, Jace Alexander, John T. Kretchmer, Paul Lynch, Renee O’Connor, Stephen L. Posey, Chris Martin-Jones, Christopher Graves, Allison Liddi-Brown, Anson Williams
- Writers
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R.J. Stewart, Adam Armus, Nora Kay Foster, Emily Skopov, George Strayton, Hilary Bader, Terence Winter, Tom O’Neill, Carl Ellsworth, Chris Black, Peter Allan Fields, Jeff Vlaming, Alan Jay Glueckman, Eric Morris, Gene O’Neill, Gillian Horvath, Katherine Fugate, Linda McGibney, Melissa Blake, Noreen Tobin, Ashley Gable, Brenda Lilly, James Kahn
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TJ Jackson is refusing to celebrate Perez Hilton’s hospitalization despite the gossip blogger’s painful history with his famous family. The son of Tito Jackson and nephew of the late Michael Jackson revealed that he is praying for Hilton after the blogger was hospitalized following a severe mental health crisis. Although some social media users argued that Hilton’s past behavior made him undeserving of sympathy, Jackson insisted that he was not raised to find pleasure in another person’s suffering.
Jackson first addressed the situation on X after seeing widespread discussion about a disturbing livestream involving Hilton. The singer explained that he had no interest in viewing footage from the incident but acknowledged what he had heard about it.
“Everybody is talking about this Perez Hilton video. I haven’t seen it but from what I’ve heard it’s horrible,” Jackson wrote. “One thing I’ll say…He hasn’t been nice to many celebs, including my family.”
Despite Hilton’s previous treatment of the Jacksons, TJ said he still wanted him to recover. “Nevertheless, I never want to see anyone broken and in such a dark place. I am praying for his healing and his health,” the performer added.
Responses were divided between those who praised Jackson’s compassion and others who believed Hilton’s history of attacking celebrities made him unworthy of grace. When one person said they hoped never to see the video and wanted Hilton to be safe, Jackson responded that he agreed “100%.”
“And hopefully one day he will find his way and inspire others who make a living negative talking/slandering others to choose a different route and be better themselves, to lean into LOVE more,” he wrote. “That’s the way to really live life to the fullest.”
Michael Jackson’s Nephew Rejects ‘Revenge’ And ‘Karma’
After receiving continued pushback, Jackson returned to X on Thursday to explain why he would not change his position. “I’ve gotten so many comments disagreeing with my last posts on Perez Hilton that it’s actually sad to me,” he wrote.
Jackson acknowledged that Hilton had hurt numerous people, including members of his own family. However, he said his upbringing prevented him from wishing additional pain on the blogger. “Again, I know he was absolutely awful to so many (including my family), but I just wasn’t raised or taught to want worse for people. It’s just not the way,” Jackson declared. “There is no beauty in ‘revenge’ or joy in ‘karma.’”
“If you disagree, I believe you are playing the wrong game in life or at least living by the wrong set of rules… A healthy ego doesn’t need to feel justified,” he added.
Jackson also urged the public to respect Hilton’s privacy while his family navigates the crisis. “I believe he (yes, even he) deserves privacy and will pray for his healing and strength for his kids and family during this painful time and hope you all do too,” he concluded.
TJ Jackson Turns To Martin Luther King Jr.’s Message Of Love
After another user applauded his decision to pray for Hilton, Jackson shared a quotation from Martin Luther King Jr. that has continued to influence him. “One of my favorite MLK quotes is ‘I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.’ And not saying it’s always been easy, but as I get older it’s clear to me… it’s the only way,” Jackson said.
His reaction carried particular weight because of Hilton’s conduct surrounding Michael Jackson’s death in June 2009. Before the King of Pop’s death was confirmed, Hilton falsely suggested that reports of the singer suffering cardiac arrest were merely part of a publicity stunt intended to promote his “This Is It” concerts in London. “Get your money back, ticket holders!!!!” Hilton wrote while alleging that the health emergency was a hoax.
The blogger also claimed that “[Jackson] pulled a similar stunt when he was getting ready for his big HBO special in ’95 when he ‘collapsed’ at rehearsal!”
Once Michael’s death was confirmed, Hilton removed the post and replaced it with a link to reporting about the tragedy. Despite that painful history, TJ made clear that he does not view Hilton’s current crisis as an opportunity for revenge.
Perez Hilton Was Hospitalized Following A Mental Health Crisis
Hilton, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., was transported to a hospital Tuesday after concerned viewers contacted authorities about his TikTok livestream. Police responded to his Miami-area home and attempted to communicate with him before bringing the incident to a close.
“Mario, it’s the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, please step out of the house,” a deputy was heard saying in surveillance footage captured by a neighbor’s doorbell camera.
The livestream was eventually removed, and TikTok reportedly banned Hilton’s account. The platform subsequently faced criticism over how long the footage remained available.
Hilton was surrounded by loved ones at the hospital Wednesday, including his sister, Barbara Lavandeira.
Perez Hilton’s Family Asks For Privacy
His three children, niece and sister had reportedly been at his home shortly before the crisis began. According to a statement shared through Hilton’s website, the family “immediately fled” to prevent the children from “witnessing any further trauma.”
Hilton’s family later addressed the effect the incident had on his children and asked the public to stay away from their home. “Our family cannot express enough our continued gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement began. “The events of the past several days have been nearly unbearable for our family.”
The family explained that helping Hilton’s children recover was its immediate priority. “Our highest priority right now is helping the children begin to heal from what they experienced. An important part of that process is allowing them to safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy.”
“For the children’s safety, privacy, and well-being, we respectfully ask members of the media, paparazzi, content creators, and the public to leave the area surrounding the family’s home and not return. Please allow his children the privacy and space they need during this unimaginably difficult time.”
John Goodman surprised fans with his dramatically slimmer appearance after unexpectedly crossing paths with fellow actor David DeLuise at a supermarket. DeLuise shared an Instagram selfie with the “Roseanne” star, whose transformation looked especially striking compared to his years playing Dan Conner on the beloved sitcom. Goodman previously revealed that he weighed as much as 400 pounds before making sweeping lifestyle changes that eventually helped him shed approximately 200 pounds.
Goodman became a television favorite while starring opposite Roseanne Barr in “Roseanne,” which originally aired from 1988 until 1997. His size was frequently incorporated into jokes and storylines throughout the sitcom’s original run. However, his latest appearance shows how significantly his body has changed in the decades since.
DeLuise, known for playing Jerry Russo on “Wizards of Waverly Place,” happened to encounter Goodman while shopping and excitedly documented the moment. “He was my childhood !!” DeLuise wrote alongside the selfie, adding a heart emoji. “Legend! I love that I get to say that to someone 😉 If you know you know.”
Fans could hardly believe that was Goodman in the snap with DeLuise. “Is that John Goodman???? @daviddeluise he’s unrecognizable,” one fan wrote. “Yes, he looks very different, but I bet he feels great!” another chimed in.
John Goodman’s Transformation Began After Rehab
Goodman’s health journey began with his decision to seek treatment for alcohol addiction in 2007. The actor has previously acknowledged that his drinking continued for decades and sometimes occurred while he was working.
“It was 30 years of a disease that was taking its toll on everyone around me, and it had got to the point where, every time I did it, it was becoming more and more debilitating. It was life or death,” Goodman told The Guardian in 2012. “It was time to stop.”
After entering rehab and giving up alcohol, Goodman began changing his eating and exercise habits. By 2010, he had lost approximately 100 pounds. The transformation involved removing sugar from his diet and exercising six days a week with celebrity trainer Mackie Shilstone, who has also worked with Serena Williams.
Goodman later reflected bluntly on how much of his time and attention had previously revolved around food. Being heavier, he said, had been “a waste,” adding, “It takes a lot of creative energy to sit on your a-s and figure out what you’re going to eat next.”
The ‘Roseanne’ Star Adopted A Mediterranean-Style Diet
Shilstone placed Goodman on what he described as a “Mediterranean-style eating plan.” The actor’s fitness routine included using a treadmill and elliptical while working toward 10,000 to 12,000 steps each day.
According to Shilstone, Goodman remained motivated by the memory of how he had felt at his highest weight. The trainer said the actor “remembers what it feels like to be extremely heavy and it’s something he doesn’t want again.”
Goodman also credited portion control with helping him change his relationship with food. The approach represented a major shift from his former habit of “just shoving everything into my mouth.”
Even while discussing his success, the actor remained cautious about presenting himself as a weight-loss role model. “But I don’t want to be an example to anybody when the weight comes thundering back on, when I start eating Crisco out of the can with a spoon and a side of confectioner’s sugar,” Goodman joked to AARP.
Despite his concern that the weight could return, Goodman continued making progress. By 2023, he confirmed that he had lost approximately 200 pounds.
John Goodman Has Not Spoken To Roseanne Barr In Years
Goodman recently revealed that he has been out of contact with his former “Roseanne” co-star for nearly a decade. The actor told The Hollywood Reporter that he has not spoken to Barr “for about seven or eight years.”
That timeline roughly coincides with ABC canceling the “Roseanne” revival in 2018 following Barr’s controversial social media posts. The franchise subsequently continued as “The Conners,” with Goodman leading the cast after Barr’s character was removed. “I’d rather doubt if she wants to talk to me,” Goodman said of his former onscreen wife.
Despite their estrangement, Goodman remembered their early working relationship fondly and praised the chemistry that helped make “Roseanne” a television phenomenon. “We hit it off from jump street. She made me laugh, and I made her laugh, and wow, it was so much fun,” he recalled. “We’d get so many viewers for the show back then, 20, 30 million people. Things are so different now, but it was a special time.”
John Goodman Has Several New Projects Ahead
Goodman has remained busy professionally throughout his health transformation. The actor is involved in the podcast drama “Hindsight: The Day Before,” playing Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, who is associated with the famous observation that “free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic.”
Goodman’s upcoming film projects include “The Hollywood Hitman,” in which he plays himself, and the horror movie “Skeletons,” starring Brie Larson and Willa Fitzgerald.
He will also appear alongside Tom Cruise and Riz Ahmed in “Digger,” an oil-industry satire directed by “Birdman” and “The Revenant” filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu. The movie is scheduled to reach American theaters in October.
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Tight pants had their moment, but if you look around, you’ll notice there’s been a shift. Fashion girls like Dakota Johnson are instead rocking flowy lounge pants, a cool, effortlessly chic swap. We couldn’t be happier, especially since Johnson’s everyday look is only $20 on Amazon!
If anyone embodies the elevated loungewear trend, it’s the Verity actress, and her latest outfit is the perfect example. Johnson paired a graphic tee with $1,090 lounge pants from The Row that were so billowy, we could barely see her shoes. These wide-leg wonders have the same silhouette, however, they’re $1,070 less.
Like Johnson’s choice, these Gracyoga Wide-Leg Lounge Pants feature a high-waist design, wide-leg shape and pleated detailing for a polished touch. And with such a drapey fit, they skim the body nicely while concealing cellulite like a champ. Whether you’re running errands or meeting the girls for brunch, you’ll feel your best in more ways than one.
We don’t know what Johnson’s exact pants feel like, but if we had to guess, these luxurious pants are even comfier. The fabric is stretchy and buttery-soft, per shoppers, so you might ditch every other pair in your closet.
“These are one of the most comfortable pants I have ever worn,” wrote one happy reviewer. “If I could wear these all day, every day, I would.”
These lounge pants work beyond the couch, dressing up in seconds with a cute blouse and flats. In fact, another shopper noted, “These pants are great for traveling, and I also wear [them] to work with a dressy sandal or shoe.”
Johnson’s aesthetic may seem effortless, but it requires the right pants to pull off. These are it, and they make comfort look incredibly expensive. Snag this cool-girl staple below!
Get the Gracyoga Wide-Leg Lounge Pants for $20 (was $23) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more comfy pants, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
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“Wizards of Waverly Place” star Jake T. Austin is slamming Disney for allegedly failing to include him in the rebooted series, “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.” Over the last few days, the 31-year-old has voiced his frustration with the new show and, in a new post, claimed that he wasn’t even invited to the show’s 2024 premiere.
For those who may be unfamiliar, Austin played Max Russo in the original series, which aired on Disney from 2007 to 2012. The rebooted series, which stars his fictional brother, Justin Russo, played by David Henrie, premiered on the network in 2024.
While none of the OG cast members were main characters in the reboot except for Henrie, every character from the main family, including Selena Gomez, David DeLuise, and Maria Canals-Barrera, made an appearance in the first season. Austin, however, didn’t.
He voiced his frustration about the situation two days ago, according to The Blast, saying he was “disappointed” he was left out of the show. “Even though I wasn’t involved, I still have nothing but love for my former castmates and wish them continued success. Thank you to all the fans who watched over the years. The show wouldn’t be what it is without your endless support,” he added.
Henrie Denies Austin’s Claims, Says His Former Co-Star Was Asked Several Times To Join The ‘Wizards’ Reboot
Henrie denied Austin’s claims in a series of different Instagram Stories posts yesterday, August 7.
In one, Henrie said that not only would he have loved to have seen Austin’s character return, Disney executives allegedly “called him, texted, and went through his agents” to get him back.
One of the rebooted series’ showrunners confirmed Henrie’s statement, adding on X, “David Henrie is correct. Jake was asked multiple times by many people. Really wanted him back. No response.”
Austin Says He Was Left Out Of The ‘Wizards’ Reboot From Day One, Says He Wasn’t Invited To The Premiere
A day later, Austin returned to his Instagram Stories with a lengthy post, revealing how everything allegedly went down.
“I first met with Disney in 2020 to discuss returning as Max for what I was told was essentially going to be a continuation of the original series,” he wrote. Continuing, Austin said conversations stalled, and then he learned that the reboot had been greenlit to series with the rest of the world in October 2024.
“I was the only Russo family member who wasn’t invited to make a cameo appearance or visit the set by the end of season 1,” he added. “I was also not invited to the premiere.”
Austin Says He Was Asked To Return Only After The First Season Wrapped
Austin, who also appeared in “The Suite Life on Deck,” claimed that he was “kept in the dark” by Disney about the show until after the first season wrapped. After that, Austin said he received DMs from Henrie, asking if he would be interested in reprising his role in the second season.
However, by that point, Austin wasn’t “interested” in returning because he felt “dismissed” by Disney for not being invited during the first season.
Adding to the drama, Austin said he wasn’t a “fan” of where the show was heading, adding that “the whole thing felt off.”
“I feel like more of the OG Wizards cast should have been involved from the beginning, not just randomly appear for an episode or two, so I passed,” he finished.
Austin’s Fate In The Series Was Revealed
Although Austin was the only Russo to not appear in the rebooted series, Henrie and Gomez addressed his fate during the season premiere in 2024. While speaking with one of the other characters, Henrie reveals his brother had taken over their father’s chain of sub shops and become a wealthy man.
“So, you’re the guy who owns all the sandwich shops? Like, the billionaire,” the character asked Henrie’s character, Justin. “Uh, no, that would be Max,” he replied. “I’m a middle school vice principal, which some would say is much cooler than being a billionaire.”
“I would never say that,” Gomez’s character clapped back. “Nobody says that.”
Jessie Cave says her unconventional OF account has generated more money than all of her acting work combined. The 39-year-old actress, best known for playing Lavender Brown in the final three “Harry Potter” movies, joined the subscription platform with a highly specific concept: sensual content centered entirely on her long hair. What Jessie Cave initially viewed as a brief way to make extra money has since become a life-changing source of income for her family.
Cave revealed that she earned £15,000 in a single day, the equivalent of more than $20,000. “I’ve earned more, easily, than my entire acting career within one year,” she told The Times. The actress charges subscribers $6 per month but reportedly earns additional money through “paid-for messages” and customized requests.
When Cave opened the account, she had considerably lower expectations and did not anticipate remaining on the platform long-term. “I thought I’d make five grand, be on it for a few months and it would buy me time to work out what we’re going to do,” she explained. “But it’s now been over a year and a half and it’s genuinely saved our lives.”
Cave said she had reached “a point of complete desperation” because acting auditions had become scarce. She and her longtime partner, Alfie Brown, share four children and needed another way to support their household. Cave explained that traditional employment did not necessarily work for her family’s circumstances, making the flexibility and earning potential of OF especially appealing.
The Actress Keeps Her Content Focused On Her Hair
Although OF is commonly associated with explicit adult content, Cave has established firm boundaries around what she offers. “My rule is the hair is the main character,” she said. “That’s how I justify it. It’s literally about hair: the texture of hair. The fetish. It’s very, very niche.”
Cave’s unusually long light-brown hair has become the defining feature of her page. The actress revealed that it is currently “down to [her] v-gina,” adding, “I could trim it, but the truth is, the weirder the better.”
Her content focuses on activities such as brushing, swishing, and styling her hair, with the sounds and visual texture designed to appeal to subscribers interested in that specific fetish. Cave has repeatedly emphasized that she does not post explicit sexual material.
Jessie Cave Calls OF A ‘Strange New Journey’
When Cave initially announced her account, she described the decision as a “strange new journey.” In a humorous Instagram video, she brushed her hair while explaining to an off-camera voice, believed to be Brown, that her OF videos would primarily feature “stuff like this.”
When Brown apparently questioned whether hair-brushing content was an established phenomenon, Cave responded, “No.” She explained that subscribers “want to hear the sounds” of her brushing and “swishing” her hair.
“Well, don’t give it away for free!” the off-camera voice told her as she demonstrated the type of material she intended to create. “I need to tell people what I’m offering,” Cave replied.
She then attempted to describe the unusual aesthetic she envisioned for the account. “It is a fetish. I think. I hope! Slutty Mormon. I’m going for a very pure aesthetic,” she said.
When asked what she hoped to offer subscribers, Cave answered, “Just very sensual stuff with my hair.”
She also joked that the venture “could make the big bucks,” a prediction that ultimately proved accurate.
The ‘Harry Potter’ Alum Set Clear Boundaries
Cave made it clear from the beginning that certain types of content would remain off-limits. “There will be no ‘feet’ or ‘bums’ involved,” she said.
Her OF biography reinforces the narrow focus of the page while playfully referencing her “Harry Potter” history. “Former ‘Harry Potter’ actress, writer, doodler and now OF Long Hair Specialist. I do NICHE HAIR CONTENT which you may well quite like. How magical! Owl drop near daily,” the bio reads.
The promise of an “Owl drop near daily” adds a Wizarding World-inspired twist to the subscription page without making the content itself directly connected to the franchise. “If you have a hair thing, this is the place for you,” Cave told prospective subscribers.
She also encouraged them to contact her with specific hair-related requests.
OF Helped Jessie Cave Feel Visible Again
Beyond the financial impact, Cave said the account changed how she viewed herself after becoming a mother of four. “For so long I’ve just been this quirky figure,” she told The Times. “After having four kids and feeling invisible for so long that was really appealing to me.”
Her OF work has allowed her to embrace sensuality while maintaining control over what she shows, how she presents herself and which requests she accepts. The niche approach also separates Cave’s page from more traditional celebrity OF accounts. Rather than treating her acting fame as the product, she built the subscription around a distinctive physical feature and a narrowly defined audience.
Perez Hilton’s family is sharing a new update on his status amid his hospitalization, confirming the celebrity blogger will require “surgery” for the injuries he sustained during a disturbing livestream.
“Perez’s condition remains serious but stable,” his family shared via his website on Saturday, August 8. “He experienced significant blood loss and sustained additional injuries that will require surgery in the coming days. His treatment and recovery will be a long process. We are grateful that Perez was able to spend time with his mother and sister yesterday.”
The statement added, “As our family remains focused on Perez’s treatment and recovery, we also need the space and privacy to care for everyone affected by this situation.”
The blogger alarmed TikTok followers on Tuesday, August 4, when he appeared to perform dangerous acts of self-harm during a live stream. (TikTok later banned Hilton’s account for violating its terms of service, though the platform did acknowledge that human error allowed the stream to continue for over 10 minutes.)
Perez Hilton’s team is speaking out after the blogger was transported to a hospital following a disturbing livestream. “At this time, we do not have any additional confirmed information to share regarding Perez Hilton’s condition,” Hilton’s agent Dante Rusciolelli tells Us in a statement. “Our focus remains on Perez’s health, recovery, and the privacy of […]
A Miami-Dade police spokesperson confirmed to Us that law enforcement officials received calls “regarding an individual who was live-streaming acts of self-harm on social media” and were then sent to Hilton’s Florida home for what they suspected was a “possible suicide” attempt.
In Saturday’s statement, Hilton’s family confirmed that the blogger “remains hospitalized under Florida’s Baker Act,” which allows for people to be held for medical observation for up to 72 hours for emergency mental health evaluation without their consent.
“His communication has been extremely limited and confined to immediate family, medical providers, and others directly involved in his care. He has not communicated with the media or issued any public statements,” their statement stressed.
His family also asked the public to stay away from Hilton’s home in Miami out of respect for his children.
“There is absolutely no reason for members of the media or the public to remain outside the family’s home,” they said. “We again respectfully ask members of the media to leave the home and surrounding area, stop following family members, and cease photographing Perez’s children. We also ask photo agencies not to purchase, publish, or distribute any photographs of the children that may have been taken.”
Perez Hilton Ethan Miller/Getty Images
His loved ones clarified in a previous statement that “Perez’s [three] children, niece, and sister were inside the home” moments before his livestream started, though they quickly “fled to protect the children from witnessing any further trauma.”
“Our highest priority right now is helping the children begin to heal from what they experienced,” his family said on Thursday. “An important part of that process is allowing them to safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy.”
Hilton’s podcast cohost, Chris Booker, announced on Wednesday, August 5, that their weekly entertainment news show, “The Perez Hilton Podcast with Chris Booker,” will be on hiatus for the foreseeable future and until the blogger fully recovers.
“[Perez] is very loved. I can only hope he feels it. Heal up friend,” Booker, 55, wrote via Instagram.
Prior to Tuesday’s disturbing livestream, Hilton opened up to his YouTube followers in June over the stress of moving his family from Las Vegas to Miami. (Hilton is a father to children Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, 8.)
New details regarding Perez Hilton’s hospitalization have come to light. In 911 dispatch audio obtained by Page Six, first responders were called to Hilton’s Miami home following an apparent “suicide attempt.” Multiple units arrived on the scene late on Tuesday, August 4, and were reportedly present for hours. Police had been notified after Hilton, 48, […]
“I fell off the wagon in every sense, but I’m back. I went to the gym this morning for the first time in weeks,” Hilton said in the June 28 video. “I also went to church today for the first time in weeks. I also read my bible today for the first time in weeks.”
He added, ”I was in a bit of a spiral because I was overwhelmed with our move to Miami, and I didn’t do these things that I know are good for me.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams scored a major legal victory in her divorce from estranged husband Simon Guobadia.
In court documents signed by a judge on Friday, August 7, and obtained by Us, a settlement agreement between the two parties has been certified. As part of this agreement, Guobadia.62, agreed to give up “any and all right, title, interest, estate, claim, lien, or demand whatsoever” in the couple’s Fulton County, Georgia, home to Williams, 45.
As part of the settlement, Guobadia agreed that Williams is owed $1,568,181.63 from the property’s equity, in addition to handing over the title to a 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost. (TMZ was first to report the news.)
Williams retains the right to refinance or sell the Fulton County property without seeking Guobadia’s approval.
Porsha Williams is celebrating her victory after ex Simon Guobadia lost his appeal in their divorce battle, Us Weekly can exclusively report. Williams, 44, posted on social media, “It’s over” without any details on Tuesday, September 9. The reality star also shared a video of her boarding a private jet captioned, “Free.” Us can confirm […]
The Bravo star filed for divorce from Guobadia after 15 months of marriage in February 2024 and finalized the process in June 2025. During their extended divorce proceedings, Guobadia was deported to Nigeria over alleged immigration violations. (Williams was previously married to former NFL star Kordell Stewart from 2011 to 2013. She shares 7-year-old daughter, Pilar Jhena McKinley, with ex Dennis McKinley.)
This week’s court ruling severed one of Williams and Guobadia’s few remaining legal ties. Speaking to People in 2025, Williams opened up about the emotional toll of going through a lengthy divorce battle.
“You go through different stages,” she said. “You have that anger. You have the moment where you have to fight for your life in a court situation. And then, toward the end, you have the clarity where you realize you are still blessed. Your family is by our side, your child is protected; there’s a whole new life that you can start.”
At the time, Williams described herself as “a true hopeless romantic” and expressed her desire to one day fall in love again.
“Once I decide to be with you, I dedicate everything to you,” she said. “And Simon matched my energy. He’s very warm. He loved spending time with me. We were freakin’ extra. If we wanted to fly out of the country every weekend or post on Instagram together about how much we loved each other, he was down.”
Porsha has since introduced her “lady friend” Patrice “Sway” McKinney on The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 17.
“People had a lot to say about me being with women in the past. It’s like, literally the worst kept secret,” she joked in a confessional interview.
The aftermath of Porsha Williams and Simon Guobadia’s split hasn’t been breezy. News broke on February 23 that the Real Housewives of Atlanta star filed for divorce from Guobadia after 15 months of marriage. Williams’ social media showed no signs of trouble in paradise and she still had her married name in her bio at […]
Her costar and longtime pal Phaedra Parks exclusively told Us in April that she is fully supportive of Williams and McKinney’s relationship.
“I think Sway is so sweet. She is just such a gentle woman,” Phaedra, 52, said. “I just love it and you know, she just adores Porsha and I think Porsha needs this type of love, someone that just loves her unconditionally.”
The iconic RHOA star joked that she was the last to know about the romance because she tries to “mind [her] business.”
“You notice things, but at the end of the day I just want her to be happy. A lot of people aren’t courageous enough to walk in their truth. A lot of people have desires that they are afraid to act upon because of cultural norms, whatever the case may be, and so I’m just happy that she’s showing her truth,” Phaedra told Us. “She’s walking in her truth and unapologetically allowing someone to love her.”
Perez Hilton is facing a longer road to recovery than initially understood after his team revealed new details about the injuries that have kept him hospitalized.
Days after the celebrity blogger reportedly told his mother, “I need help,” his family has confirmed that his condition remains serious but stable, that he suffered significant blood loss, and that surgery will be required as doctors continue treating him.
The sobering update adds to a difficult year already marked by a life-threatening health crisis, a major relocation, and Hilton’s own admission that he had recently been feeling overwhelmed.
Hilton’s team shared the latest update directly through his official website, stressing that he remains hospitalized under Florida’s Baker Act while warning that some reports surrounding his condition have been inaccurate.
“There are many false and inaccurate reports circulating in the media regarding Perez and the circumstances surrounding this situation,” the statement began.
His team confirmed that communication with Hilton has remained “extremely limited” and largely restricted to immediate family members, medical professionals, and people directly involved with his care.
More significantly, the family disclosed the extent of the physical toll.
“Perez’s condition remains serious but stable,” the update explained. “He experienced significant blood loss and sustained additional injuries that will require surgery in the coming days.”
The statement added that his “treatment and recovery will be a long process,” though the family expressed gratitude that Hilton had recently been able to spend time with his mother and sister.
Perez Hilton Previously Made Heartbreaking Plea From Hospital
The new surgery update comes after The Blast reported that Hilton’s first meaningful words to his mother reportedly reflected an awareness that he needed assistance.
According to a longtime family friend, the 48-year-old told his mother, “I need help,” while recovering in the hospital.
The source described Hilton as being in considerable emotional pain and said he was still trying to process what had happened.
Earlier family updates had offered a small sign of hope, confirming that Hilton was able to communicate while remaining under medical supervision. PEOPLE also reported that emergency responders transported him to a hospital after concerned viewers alerted authorities to a troubling TikTok livestream from his Miami home.
The latest statement, however, makes clear that communication is still extremely limited and that the physical recovery itself will not be quick.
Earlier Health Crisis Had Already Taken A Major Toll
Perez Hilton’s current hospitalization follows an extraordinarily difficult stretch for his health.
In March, the longtime entertainment personality revealed that he had spent 21 days hospitalized with severe sepsis after developing an ulcer that perforated. He said the medical emergency also caused complications affecting his heart and required multiple procedures.
His recovery was then complicated by a deep vein thrombosis in his leg, which Hilton later said doctors treated before the clot could travel to his heart, lungs, or brain.
By April, Hilton was celebrating milestones as basic as walking without assistance, dressing himself, and being pain-free.
“To be alive,” he wrote at the time, was something that still brought him to tears.
The ordeal also became a major turning point in his personal life, with Hilton repeatedly discussing renewed religious faith after what he described as nearly dying.
Perez Hilton Admitted Feeling ‘Overwhelmed’ Weeks Before Crisis
Another piece of context has taken on new significance since his hospitalization.
Roughly five weeks before the August crisis, Hilton openly discussed struggling with his family’s move from Las Vegas back to his native Miami.
In a June video, he described himself as being “overwhelmed” and “in a bit of a spiral” as he adjusted to the move and tried to rebuild routines that had helped him feel grounded.
Hilton had relocated with his three children after saying his near-death experience earlier in the year changed his priorities and convinced him that being closer to extended family in Florida was important.
At the time, however, he acknowledged that the transition had been harder emotionally than expected. Reports following his hospitalization have since revisited those remarks, though neither Hilton’s family nor doctors have publicly identified a single cause for the crisis.
That distinction remains important. The earlier health problems and relocation pressures provide context, but no official statement has established that either directly caused what happened this week.
TikTok Faces Questions As Hilton’s Family Protects His Children
Hilton’s hospitalization has also created scrutiny beyond his immediate recovery.
Per Deadline, TikTok acknowledged that its automated system flagged the livestream within minutes, but the company said a “moderator error” delayed its removal. The platform alerted law enforcement, removed subsequent livestream attempts more quickly, and ultimately banned Hilton’s account.
Meanwhile, Perez Hilton’s family is becoming increasingly protective of his three children.
As The Blast previously reported, relatives said the children were removed from the home as the crisis unfolded in an effort to shield them from further trauma.
The family’s newest statement went even further, asking photographers and media organizations to stop following relatives and photographing the children.
“Perez’s children remain safe and are being cared for by immediate family,” his team confirmed.
For now, the focus remains firmly on Hilton’s medical treatment.
His team has offered no timetable for discharge and no details about the specific surgery he will undergo, only making clear that the situation remains serious and that recovery is expected to take time.
Rita Faez has learned that it doesn’t take much to send her followers searching for clues.
The social media star’s cryptic “Oh well” caption accompanying a dreamy boat ride quickly became an unexpected travel mystery, with fans trying to pinpoint exactly where she was.
Now, Faez is telling The Blast that she didn’t expect the post to inspire quite so much detective work, but she isn’t rushing to explain everything either.
Faez gave her followers remarkably little to work with when she shared her July 28 Instagram Reel.
The clip begins with a close-up of the model slipping on sunglasses before pulling back to reveal her relaxing in a wooden rowboat surrounded by a dramatic mountain landscape.
Her caption offered just two words: “Oh well.”
Rather than dwelling on what Faez might have meant, however, fans became fixated on another mystery.
“Looks like Switzerland,” one follower guessed, while others floated the Italian Dolomites and specifically “Braies” as possibilities.
Those guesses weren’t far off. Six days earlier, Faez had shared another Instagram post tagged “Dolomites, Italy,” showing herself in a red lace two-piece while posing on a balcony overlooking a lake.
The scenery offered followers a pretty substantial clue about where her next adventure had taken her.
Rita Faez Reacts To Fans Turning Into Travel Detectives
Faez admitted to The Blast that she never anticipated such a simple post would inspire an online investigation.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect two words and a boat photo to turn into a full investigation,” she said. “But I love it — watching everyone piece it together in the comments, dropping guesses like they’re on a case.”
She added, “Half the fun of posting is seeing how fast people figure things out. Sometimes I make it easy for them, sometimes I don’t.”
Faez was equally unwilling to clear up the other mystery surrounding the post — what exactly “Oh well” was supposed to mean.
“‘Oh well’ can mean a lot of things depending on the day,” she explained. “I’ll let everyone keep guessing what I meant by it — that’s kind of the point. I don’t think every caption needs an explanation.”
Leaving a little unexplained appears to be working for the creator. Influencer analytics platform HypeAuditor listed Faez at more than 1.4 million Instagram followers in July, with her account recording 9.19 percent follower growth over the previous 30 days.
Fans Had A Major Clue Hidden In Rita Faez’s Boat Ride
The distinctive scenery helped explain why some followers identified Faez’s destination so quickly.
Lago di Braies, also known as Pragser Wildsee, sits in South Tyrol in the Italian Dolomites and has become famous for its emerald waters, towering mountain backdrop and instantly recognizable wooden boats.
Italy’s official tourism website describes the lake as sitting about 1,490 meters above sea level beneath the 2,810-meter Croda del Becco.
South Tyrol’s tourism authority even describes renting a rowboat from the lake’s wooden stilt boathouse as perhaps its most “iconic” experience.
In other words, Faez’s followers had one very recognizable clue floating right beneath her.
She also isn’t the first familiar face to discover the photogenic destination as “Game of Thrones” actress Emilia Clarke previously vacationed there and shared the trip on Instagram.
Faez’s European Getaway Has Been Keeping Fans Busy
Italy wasn’t Rita Faez’s only picturesque destination in July.
Earlier in the month, she checked in from France wearing a blue-and-white striped bikini outside an old stone property.
Five days before that, Greece provided another backdrop as Faez posed in a plunging red dress during a sunset dinner overlooking the sea.
The run of posts fits neatly into the lifestyle content that has helped build her increasingly large online audience, mixing fashion with locations that leave followers almost as interested in the surroundings as Faez herself.
Sometimes, however, followers aren’t merely questioning where she is.
Faez Has Even Left The Internet Questioning If She’s Real
The fascination surrounding Rita Faez took a bizarre turn in June when her appearance sparked a Reddit debate over whether she might actually be AI-generated.
A Reddit thread questioned whether images of the model were artificial, with users scrutinizing details including reflections and background text for potential signs of AI manipulation.
Instead, commenters largely concluded that Faez was indeed a real person, with several pointing to realistic reflections and other details in the photographs as evidence.
For a creator who seems perfectly comfortable letting followers fill in the blanks, the unusual debate only adds to the mystery surrounding her online presence.
And judging by what Faez told The Blast, fans hoping every cryptic caption will eventually come with an explanation probably shouldn’t hold their breath. Sometimes, she would rather they simply “keep guessing.”
Perez Hilton’s friends reportedly fear that his life-threatening battle with sepsis may be part of the larger picture surrounding his recent mental health crisis. The 48-year-old gossip blogger was hospitalized Tuesday after authorities responded to multiple reports that he was livestreaming acts of self-harm from inside his Miami home. Although Hilton’s close circle reportedly suspects he may be experiencing psychological complications associated with surviving sepsis, an expert cautioned that no direct connection can be established without a proper medical evaluation.
Hilton spent three weeks in the hospital in March after developing an ulcer, a perforation and sepsis. His friends now reportedly fear that the traumatic medical ordeal may have affected his mental health in the months that followed.
“His health struggles this year have been extreme. The sepsis honestly almost killed him,” a source told Page Six. “I don’t know if people realize just how traumatic and horrific that was for him, both physically, but also emotionally.”
Post-sepsis syndrome affects up to 50% of survivors and can involve “new or worsened physical, cognitive, and psychological problems for months to years after hospital discharge,” according to the Sepsis Alliance.
Possible psychological effects include depression, mood swings, post-traumatic stress symptoms, panic attacks, and difficulty concentrating. However, those complications vary significantly among survivors and cannot be assumed in any individual case.
Clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Andrew Mendonsa explained that people who survive sepsis or other life-threatening conditions can “have psychological and cognitive difficulties that continue well after the immediate medical crisis is over.”
“That can include depression, anxiety, trauma symptoms, sleep problems, fatigue, difficulty concentrating or remembering things, and sometimes changes in mood or behavior,” he said.
Psychologist Warns Against Blaming Sepsis For The Incident
Mendonsa stressed that many people recover from sepsis without developing serious psychological complications. “Many people recover without significant psychological problems. It just means there is a meaningful group of survivors who do struggle afterward,” he said.
The psychologist also made clear that he could not determine whether Hilton’s illness contributed to the reported self-harm. “I have never evaluated him, I have not reviewed his records, and I don’t know everything that was happening in his life at the time. So I can’t say that his sepsis caused or contributed to the reported self-harm,” Mendonsa said.
“Self-harm and suicidal behavior are usually much more complicated than a single event or explanation,” he continued. “There can be medical, psychological, social, environmental, and situational factors interacting with one another.”
While Mendonsa believes it is reasonable to ask whether Hilton’s medical trauma and recovery were “part of the larger picture,” he warned against presenting that possibility as an established explanation. “What we can’t responsibly do from the outside is conclude that the sepsis caused the incident,” he said. “That would require an actual evaluation and much more information than we have publicly.”
Perez Hilton Said Sepsis Nearly Cost Him His Life
Hilton, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., previously explained that his health crisis began after he took flu medication without eating. He said he “developed an ulcer and then a perforation and then sepsis.”
Sepsis occurs when the body responds improperly to an infection, potentially causing organs to function poorly. It can progress to septic shock, involving a severe drop in blood pressure capable of damaging multiple organs and causing death, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“My stupidity landed me in the hospital for 21 days. It was the worst and best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Hilton said in a YouTube video following his hospitalization.
One month later, he returned to the hospital for emergency surgery involving a “massive” blood clot. “His health struggles this year have been extreme. The sepsis honestly almost killed him,” a source said. “I don’t know if people realize just how traumatic and horrific that was for him, both physically, but also emotionally.”
Authorities Responded To Hilton’s Miami Home
Hilton was hospitalized again on Tuesday after viewers contacted authorities about his TikTok livestream. The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office said it received “multiple calls” reporting “an individual livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media.”
Hilton was “safely recovered and transported” to a local hospital for medical attention. “The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Crisis Response Unit and Licensed Mental Health Professionals are also on scene providing support and resources to the individual’s family,” authorities said.
Dispatch audio reportedly described the emergency as a “suicide attempt,” while surveillance footage captured several police vehicles outside Hilton’s home. “Mario, it’s the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, please step out of the house,” an officer could be heard repeatedly saying.
Authorities were initially told that Hilton was alone inside the home. However, Hilton’s family later revealed that his three children, niece, and sister had been at the residence shortly before the livestream began.
“Just minutes before the public livestream incident, Perez’s children, niece, and sister were inside the home,” the family said in a statement. “When it became clear that Perez was experiencing a severe mental health crisis and harming himself, they immediately fled to protect the children from witnessing any further trauma.”
Perez Hilton Reportedly Said ‘I Need Help’
Hilton’s family confirmed that he was able to communicate after receiving medical treatment. A source claimed that his first words after being hospitalized were, “I need help.”
“He’s a man in a lot of pain,” the insider said. “I think right now he’s focused on the physical, but it’s all tied together. No one deserves the torment he’s going through.”
TikTok permanently banned Hilton’s account after the livestream, which reportedly remained active for approximately 15 minutes because of a moderation error.
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