RJ Mitte spent years fighting for the chance to prove that his cerebral palsy did not define the roles he could play. 

Behind the success of “Breaking Bad,” the actor privately questioned Hollywood’s reluctance to give disabled performers meaningful opportunities, even as he kept auditioning and developing his own projects. 

Messages that now reveal his frustrations offer a painful look at a career shaped by persistence, disappointment, and a determination to change an industry he believed overlooked his talent.

RJ Mitte Challenged Hollywood’s Casting Practices

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RJ Mitte’s frustration with Hollywood was rooted in a recurring problem: casting professionals often treated disability as a reason to exclude him from roles that had not been written specifically for disabled characters. 

In an April 2017 private message to a longtime friend obtained by the Daily Mail, he described the uncomfortable reactions he encountered when he questioned that approach.

“When I go for a part, they sometimes tell me that it’s not a character with a disability, and I’m like why can’t the character be disabled?” he wrote.

Mitte believed a character could have cerebral palsy without the entire storyline revolving around the condition. 

His role as Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston’s chemistry teacher turned drug manufacturer on AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” had demonstrated his ability to play a character whose life extended beyond his disability. 

Yet the show’s success did not bring the steady stream of opportunities he had hoped for. “I can do any role, but some of [the casting agents and directors] are a**h****s who won’t even look at me,” he wrote in another 2017 message. 

He kept auditioning, but a television pilot he worked on didn’t move forward. “Worked on a pilot that didn’t go, a few months ago. Brutal biz,” he wrote that December.

Mitte Struggled To Find Consistent Work

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The difficulty securing roles also affected RJ Mitte’s ability to plan for his future. After completing an independent film project in Sydney, Australia, he explained in February 2019 that he hoped to find more work in the United States. 

The overseas project had been enjoyable, but it did not guarantee another opportunity at home. “I did a job in Sydney, and it was fun,” the 34-year-old wrote. 

He added, “But it’s a film not going to be here, it’s Australian, I hope I can find stuff here. I would like to work enough to keep my [health] insurance. Pain in the ass lol.”

When the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the entertainment industry in 2020, Mitte continued pursuing projects, including work in Canada and voice acting. He also recognized that completing projects was not enough if casting professionals forgot he was available.

“I’ve got to figure out more work,” he wrote in June 2020, adding, “I need to keep myself relevant lol.” He later offered to do video interviews and other promotional opportunities, explaining, “I just need to remind people to book me.”

By March 2021, Mitte believed disabled actors were facing additional barriers because of assumptions about their health and insurability during the pandemic. 

“Gotta convince people that I’m not going to die of Covid. There’s a backlash about people with disabilities, they think that we can’t be insured or that we are going to die in the middle of a scene, its bullshit,” he wrote.

RJ Mitte Pursued Greater Representation And New Projects

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Mitte’s concerns extended beyond finding work for himself. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at three, he became an advocate for disabled performers, serving as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s. 

In 2016, he publicly called for television to portray disabled people in ordinary, varied roles rather than limiting them to stories about their conditions.

“I would love to switch on my TV and see a disabled person talking about something they are genuinely interested in or acting out a part that doesn’t just focus on their impairment,” the star said.

His private messages showed that he remained dissatisfied with the scripts he received. In April 2022, he told his friend that some offered little more than a token appearance. 

“Looking for interesting stuff to do, getting a lot of scripts where I would be a prop and they don’t want to give any depth, 3 lines if that,” he wrote. “I’m writing my own s**t now.”

Four months later, he complained that they were mainly offering him animation work. By July 2025, however, he was considering “Dancing with the Stars” as a possible platform to challenge assumptions about cerebral palsy, provided the experience preserved his dignity.

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Details Of Mitte’s Tragic Demise Revealed

According to a report from The Blast, RJ Mitte died by suicide on Monday, October 12, at age 34 in Brownsville, Texas. 

His representatives confirmed his death, with a statement that read, “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte.”

The statement also said Mitte drew on his experience living with cerebral palsy to bring authenticity to his role as Walter White Jr. on Breaking Bad and to promote disability awareness and inclusion.

It added that he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s, and led The Mitte Foundation, which supported philanthropic efforts and community initiatives.

RJ Mitte’s Upcoming Movie Put On Hold After Death

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Mitte’s death also disrupted production of “Forgotten Outlaw,” a Western in which he was cast as the lead. 

TMZ reported that the film had been placed on hold, with director Nik Tizekker planning to continue the project in the late actor’s honor.

Tizekker told the outlet that the film was in pre-production and that Mitte had been helping the team secure additional financing before his death. The director considered the Hollywood star a strong fit for the central role because of his mindset and physical resemblance to the person he was set to portray.

Although the production would need to find another leading actor, Tizekker said he intended to move forward with the movie rather than abandon it.

Mitte had also been collaborating with Tizekker on “Like It Was Yesterday,” a limited series exploring near-death experiences. The actor had filmed scenes with Catherine Carlen, who played his mother in the project.

The series was about half complete before Mitte’s death. Tizekker hoped to finish and release it if the necessary funding could be secured.

Since Taylor Sheridan‘s hit neo-Western Yellowstone premiered in 2018, many attempts to create a story of that magnitude have been made, but none has matched its success. Almost every streaming service has tried to make a Yellowstone version, from sweeping romances in Ransom Canyon to family feuds with sci-fi twists in Outer Range. Only recently has a TV show captured the Yellowstone spirit, and it has become a streaming favorite.

At 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, the drama is a certified hit in its own right. Viewers also rated it favorably, giving it an 85% score. Part of that success is that Dutton Ranch is set in the Yellowstone universe and directly continues the story. Critics agreed that “Dutton Ranch takes what its predecessor perfected and carries the mantle well in a new town with the same well-worn trappings, perfectly dusted and ripe for entertaining.”

But the Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser-led series isn’t the first direct sequel to Yellowstone, with Marshals preceding it a few months earlier. However, critics and viewers seemed to agree that Marshals didn’t feel like a perfect continuation of Yellowstone, since it lacked the grit and expansive storytelling that were Yellowstone‘s hallmarks. Dutton Ranch, by contrast, features ranching, family feuds, and violence. However, both shows stream on the same platform, and with Marshals‘ return for a new season, Dutton Ranch has also seen renewed interest and has been among the most-watched shows on Paramount+ over the last week, peaking at number 7 according to FlixPatrol’s rankings. It’s a decent performance for a show that’s not airing new episodes, but once the new season comes out, Dutton Ranch will reclaim its glory from earlier this year.

Will ‘Dutton Ranch’ Return for Season 2?

Dutton Ranch is officially returning for a second season on Paramount+ following a record-breaking debut. Filming for Season 2 is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with the writers’ room actively developing scripts throughout the remainder of 2026. While a definitive premiere date hasn’t been announced, a late 2027 premiere date is more likely. Behind the scenes, the series is undergoing a major creative shift. Benjamin Cavell, the creator of SEAL Team, takes over as showrunner from Chad Feehan, who exited the series due to creative differences. Plot details remain tightly under wraps, but the season is expected to immediately address the finale’s dramatic cliffhangers, focusing on tense cartel conflicts and the mission to rescue Carter (Finn Little) from his kidnappers. Meanwhile, Ed Harris will also have a larger role after calling out the show for him being underutilized in Season 1.

Stream Dutton Ranch and Marshals on Paramount+ in the U.S. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

May 15, 2026

Network

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Paramount Network, Paramount+

Showrunner

Chad Feehan

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Directors

Christina Alexandra Voros

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Writers

Jacob Forman, Hilary Bettis, Chad Feehan, Hayley Tibbenham, J. Todd Scott, K.C. Scott

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Below Deck Med‘s Gael Cameron made a rare comment about the complicated period in her life before Nathan Gallagher‘s arrest.

“And there goes the close of another season of Med… and another chapter of life 🤍,” Gael wrote via Instagram on Thursday, October 8.

Gael noted that most of her experience wasn’t shown on camera.

“You didn’t get to see much of my time in Croatia. It wasn’t the easiest chapter of my life, and there’s still so much left to be said about that time,” she wrote. “But I’d love to share a bit of the good you guys didn’t get to see.”

Related: Below Deck Med’s Gael Cameron and Nathan Gallagher’s Romance Before DV Scandal

Below Deck couples haven’t had long lasting success — and Mediterranean‘s Gael Cameron and Nathan Gallagher aren’t the exception. The couple, who met on season 9, got off to a rocky start as Gael navigated a breakup from an offscreen boyfriend. Nathan, meanwhile, was clear about his immediate attraction to Gael, which blossomed as they […]

The reality star recalled the difficult time in her life, writing, “I moved away with a new baby and [was] still living in survival mode. But honestly? I think I did okay. I got to explore one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been while figuring out my new life as a mother, and I got to share my love for the unfamiliar with my new little best friend.”

Gael was grateful to have support from her loved ones. “For almost three of the six weeks we were there, my best friend flew over to be with us,” she continued. “With an extra set of hands and a bit of care I stopped just surviving and moments there I got to feel like myself again.”

She continued: “I just wish I had more photos with this incredible cast. And huge props to everyone, cast and crew, in front of the camera and behind it. I get to see how hard you all work and how much heart and soul goes into what you do.”

Despite the challenges, Gael was determined to take away something from her time in Croatia.

“Leaving my support system at home wasn’t the plan, but I’m so grateful for the experience,” she concluded. “Croatia showed me the strength I have as a mother and as a woman: no matter how challenging the circumstances, I will survive. And not only that, I’ll always find the pockets of joy, cause life is a beautiful thing and there is always light as long as you keep looking for it xx.”

As viewers know, Gael spent most of her time in season 11 on land with her and Nathan’s infant son, Kayden. Nathan, for his part, would visit the pair at their home when there wasn’t a charter on board.

News broke in August, however, that Nathan was arrested on domestic violence charges in Australia in December 2025. Nathan was charged with “assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentionally chok[ing] a person without consent and common assault” following an alleged incident with an unnamed victim.

A police memo revealed that Nathan was eventually granted conditional bail. He was later convicted on three counts of domestic violence after failing to appear in court. Us also confirmed that Nathan is the subject of an Apprehended Violence Application that was filed on behalf of Gael in New South Wales.

Related: Below Deck Med’s Gael Makes Rare Comment About Nathan Split and Arrest

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Below Deck Mediterranean‘s Gael Cameron admitted she’s faced struggles following ex Nathan Gallagher‘s arrest for domestic violence. “You handled it so well. No, I didn’t,” she wrote via Instagram on Saturday, September 12. “I lost myself, I lost my spark. I didn’t handle it.” Gael continued: “My best friend did. She sat with me, let […]

“I’m not claiming I was perfect. I wasn’t. I made mistakes, and I will take responsibility for my own actions,” Nathan told Rolling Stone in a statement in August. “I will not accept being portrayed solely through one account of a relationship when there is another side and evidence relating to it. I have contemporaneous video footage from the night in question, as well as messages and other records, which I believe provide important context.”

In his statement, Nathan revealed he and Gael had split.

“There are also other matters surrounding the relationship that I have never discussed publicly,” he claimed. “My priority is being recognized as his father, establishing a relationship with him and ultimately finding a way for both of us to move forward and coparent peacefully.”

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Us has since confirmed that Bravo fired Nathan in light of his domestic violence arrest.

“Bravo does not plan on working with Nathan in the future,” a rep for the network noted in a statement.

Below Deck airs on Bravo Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Peacock.

Roomies, Lil Wayne and Madison Cannon have folks keeping an eye on the little details, and her latest social media moment has a certain accessory catching attention!

RELATED: Lil Wayne Talks Wedding Plans With Fiancée Madison Cannon As Fans Bring Up Reginae Carter (PHOTO + VIDEO)

Lil Wayne’s Fiancée Madison Cannon Seemingly Shows Off THAT Ring

This weekend, Lil Wayne’s fiancée, Madison Cannon, seemingly gave fans a closer look at her engagement ring while showing off her fresh nail set. In a photo shared to what appears to be Madi’s Instagram Story, she shows off her hand as she seemingly lounges poolside, surrounded by beige tile. Her nails feature a soft blush-pink polish, while a noticeable yellow-toned ring sits on THAT finger, appearing to be her engagement ring. Madi kept the caption simple, adding, “pink mani kinda day” over the photo.

The Comments Are All Over The Place

Chile, TSR’s Instagram comment section was jumping as folks shared mixed reactions to Lil Wayne and Madi’s relationship, with some pointing out that she’s reportedly younger than his daughter Reginae Carter. Meanwhile, others put the chatter aside to send the couple congratulations and wish them well as they seemingly prepare to tie the knot.

One Instagram user @noaveragetxla said, “He always engaged …. Hope this one the last”

This Instagram user @lieclothingcompany added, “BRO GOT HIM A BADDIE DON’T FUMBLE HER FAM!!🔥🔥🔥”

And, Instagram user @spinninboutkai wrote, “I’m surprised it’s not a Ring Pop 🍭💍🤣”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @starflow commented, “Congrats Wayne 🔥🔥”

While Instagram user @therealsofinee added, “This dead wrong 😂😂😂 I can be her older sister lmfaooooo F**K wrong with these 🥷”

Then Instagram user @lexxyy.xo_ said, “How does Reginae feel about this ? Y’all know she don’t play about her daddy lol”

Lastly, Instagram user @crazy_sexybunny_keyz shard, “🔥🔥🔥🔥 haters will hate I love it for them”

Lil Wayne Talks Wedding Plans And Calls Madison His Fiancée

As for what we know about the couple, Lil Wayne recently gave fans a little insight into his wedding plans. On the October 7, episode of ‘The Joint Venture Show,’ host Craig Carton asked the rapper who he would want to perform at his wedding, and Wayne named R&B legend Anita Baker as his first choice. He also mentioned Keith Sweat and Babyface as possible alternatives, while leaving the final song selection up to his bride-to-be.

Wayne has also been getting excited about wedding festivities after congratulating rapper B.G. on his engagement to Brooke Jones in a video message, joking that he would be the best man and needed to know what color suit to wear. During the clip, Wayne panned the camera to Madi and proudly told viewers, “This is my fiancée,” before asking the couple to let him know what color they would be wearing.

RELATED: Hol’ Up! Lil Wayne Introduces Madi K. As His Fiancée Months After Saying He Wasn’t Engaged To Her (VIDEO)

Cindy Crawford and her husband, Rande Gerber, are finding solace in one another in the wake of their son Presley Gerber’s unexpected death at 27.

Crawford, 60, and Rande, 67, were spotted holding hands while walking along Zuma Beach in Malibu, California, on Saturday, October 10, in photos obtained by People. The couple went incognito, each wearing baseball caps and sunglasses for the outing.

Us confirmed nearly three weeks earlier that the supermodel and the businessman’s son had died on September 20.

“The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time,” a rep for Crawford and Rande, who also share daughter Kaia, told Us in a statement.

Related: Cindy Crawford Shared Emotional Tribute to Son Presley Months Before Death

Cindy Crawford expressed her love for son Presley Gerber in a sweet birthday tribute shared just two months before his death. “Happy birthday @presleygerber 🎂 I’m so proud of the man you’ve become, but I’ll always see you as my little boy! Love you ❤️,” Crawford, 60, wrote via Instagram on July 2. Alongside her […]

A cause of death has yet to be revealed at the time of publication, pending an ongoing investigation amid authorities’ suspicions of an alleged overdose. Presley and his family had been candid about the model’s substance abuse struggles prior to his death.

“When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,” Kaia, 25, told Vogue in August of her brother’s addiction battle. “I think that’s also why I started to self-​identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt like too much to have two children who were needing.”

Presley’s family, who reportedly had his remains cremated, have since received support from  their famous friends.

“I don’t think we’re even in the position of even being able to talk about it,” George Clooney, Rande’s close friend and Casamigos business partner, told Entertainment Tonight on Friday, October 9.  “Quite honestly, it’s one of the most devastating things that’s happened to our family, and their family.”

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Related: Presley Gerber Cremated Days After Death, Ashes to Be Kept at Parents’ Home

Just days after Presley Gerber’s shocking death, his family is moving forward with burial plans. Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber’s son was cremated at the Rose Family Funeral Home, TMZ reported on Friday, September 25, following his death on Sunday, September 20. He was 27. Presley’s ashes will be kept at his parents’ home in […]

He continued, “As you can imagine, it’s the worst thing that could happen to the family.”

While neither Crawford, Rande nor Kaia have further addressed Presley’s untimely death, several of his former girlfriends have offered their public condolences.

“My sweet Presley, I will miss you for the rest of my life,” model Isabella Jones, who dated the late content creator in 2024, wrote via instagram on Friday.

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Summer House alum Lexi Wood separately paid tribute to Presley, who she briefly dated in 2022.

“It’s hard to put into words what it means to lose someone who was such a meaningful part of my life for so many years,” Wood, 28, wrote via Instagram late last month. “Through every chapter and every version of our relationship, friendship was always at the core of it. Everyone who loved Presley and was loved by him knows he was one of the kindest, most open, loving and courageous people. He loved so deeply, so purely, was incredibly romantic and thoughtful.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Not so basic! CHAM founder Christy Cham is giving everyday staples a serious upgrade with her better-than-basics line of long sleeves, tees, dresses, skirts, pants, cardigans, and more, already worn by Ariana Grande and Khloé Kardashian.

Before launching in 2023, Cham worked as a costume designer on film sets with directors including Martin Scorsese, giving her a behind-the-scenes look at the power of a good outfit.

“There was a gap in the market for high end basics and something that was giving you more than just a t-shirt, but not a blouse,” she tells ET.

When dreaming up the pieces she wanted in her own closet, Cham turned to Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer, and other style muses, even naming designs after them.

“Those ’90s icons are the people who inspired me most when I first started CHAM. The simplicity of the ’90s where the most important thing was fit and fabric is what I’ve always loved,” she explains.

Naturally, those elements became the foundation of the brand, starting with its proprietary fabric made to feel like a second skin.

“Working in costume design taught me that the ultimate goal is to make someone feel confident in what they’re wearing. … I also learned that everything is amplified on camera. A fabric can read differently, colors can appear brighter, and even a small fit issue can suddenly look messy on screen,” she notes.

“I wanted something sheer, but not too sheer; stretchy, but that would still hold you in, and something that looked high-end and not just like workout material.”

The silhouettes have a few tricks up their sleeves too, with keyhole necklines, slits, off-the-shoulder styles, cutouts, mini lengths, and more, adding a little something extra to everyday staples.

“When fitting actors, everything had to be incredibly precise. We learned all these little strategies with proportion and fit to create the illusion of a longer torso, slimmer arms, or a more flattering shape. It made me a perfectionist about fit, proportion, and fabric, and really taught me how much the right clothing can transform the way someone looks, and more importantly, how they feel.”

That attention to detail also carries over to the color palette, with shades of red, brown, black, cream, navy, orange, and green, all chosen to make getting dressed that much easier.

“I choose colors that work well together so they can be easily mixed and matched. I keep the tones softer and focus on flattering undertones, while offering enough variety that everyone can find a color they naturally feel good in,” she says.

And because what’s underneath counts too, the fashion expert took the label one layer deeper by launching undergarments, which she celebrated at Body Shop in West Hollywood, California, on Oct. 3.

“I wanted to create something that was simple, but still sexy that makes a woman feel her best without showing under tight or sheer clothing.”

For anyone looking to make their basics a little less basic, CHAM also offers a wide variety of charms for a playful, personal touch.

“I’ve always gravitated toward cute accessories that make an outfit feel a little less serious and more fun. It feels very in line with fashion right now and the whole whimsymaxxing idea. I’m constantly clipping charms onto skirts, tops, or bags.”

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John Cena may not be putting on the Peacemaker helmet again anytime soon, but the actor appears perfectly comfortable waiting for James Gunn to call his number.

During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, Cena opened up about his future as Christopher Smith following the second season of Peacemaker and where the character currently fits within Gunn and Peter Safran’s expanding DC Universe.

When asked whether he had worn the Peacemaker helmet since finishing the second season, Cena gave a straightforward answer: “No.”

That doesn’t mean Cena is walking away from the character. The actor made it clear that he remains committed to Gunn and is willing to return whenever the DC Studios co-CEO needs him.

Cena explained that he has already had an opportunity to play a character who was relatively unknown to mainstream audiences and believes it is now important for Gunn to devote his attention to some of DC’s biggest characters.

“I got to step back.”

Cena pointed to characters such as Superman as examples of the massive pieces Gunn is currently responsible for establishing within the new DCU.

Peacemaker [dc studios]

The comments come as Gunn continues building an interconnected universe across film and television. David Corenswet’s Superman has become one of the central figures of the franchise, while projects involving Batman, Wonder Woman and several other major DC characters remain in various stages of development.

Cena’s comments shouldn’t necessarily be interpreted as the end of Peacemaker.

The second season left Christopher Smith’s story open for continuation, and Gunn has previously avoided giving fans a definitive answer about exactly when Peacemaker or the other members of the 11th Street Kids will return.

For now, Cena appears content to wait.

After helping turn one of DC’s more obscure characters into a major live-action fan favorite, Peacemaker may simply be taking a temporary backseat while Gunn continues putting the larger pieces of the DCU into place.

Former Girls Next Door star Holly Madison has entered the chat as Jessica Biel’s upcoming Playmates film continues to raise eyebrows.

“I can’t wait to see it,” Madison, 46, told TMZ on Saturday, October 10, sharing her support for Biel’s costar Lily-Rose Depp and the director and screenwriter, Lorraine Nicholson, amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the film and its subject matter.

In the upcoming coming-of-age movie, Elle (Indiana Elle) befriends Anna (Depp) as the duo vy to become the next Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine. Lewis Pullman is set to star as the late magazine founder, Hugh Hefner, who died in 2017. Biel, 44, landed the role as a fictionalized version of Hefner’s wife. (Hefner was married to Mildred Williams from 1949 to 1959, to Kimberley Conrad from 1989 to 2010 and to Crystal Hefner from 2012 until his death.)

While Biel has not publicly addressed her involvement, her role has already drawn backlash from critics who argue the movie downplays some of the more serious allegations made against Hefner.

“Please reconsider playing Hugh Hefner’s ‘wife’ if this film intends to romanticize him or the Playboy world,” Crystal, 40, told Biel in a Thursday, October 8, social media post. “I was actually his wife, and I experienced sexual, emotional, financial and physical abuse in this relationship.”

Acknowledging other abuse allegations against Hugh, Crystal hoped the filmmakers made certain changes to the production.

“I hope everyone involved in this film takes the time to listen to the women who lived it before helping Hollywood turn it back into nostalgia,” she said.

Crystal has previously been outspoken about her time in the Playboy Mansion, which she alleged was “traumatizing” in her 2024 memoir, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself.

“Life in the mansion wasn’t the fairy tale I had once hoped it would be,” she wrote in one passage. “From the outside, sure, it had all the trappings of a fairy tale. But it wasn’t, and everyone who lived there knew it.”

Related: Every Former Playmate Who’s Spoken Out Against Hugh Hefner

The truth behind the fantasy. The Playboy Mansion is the stuff of pop culture legend, but former Playmates have been brutally honest about what life was really like there — and how the late Hugh Hefner treated them. Holly Madison was never technically a Playmate, but she did live with Hefner, who died in September […]

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Crystal later filed a complaint against the Hugh M. Hefner Foundation in February, expressing concern if Hugh’s explicit scrapbooks were to be made public.

“My focus is on how Hugh Hefner’s personal scrapbooks chronicle private moments that took place behind closed doors,” she said during a press conference at the time. “There are serious and unresolved concerns about the scope of what these books contain. The materials span decades, beginning in the 1960s, and may include images of girls who were underage at the time and could not consent to how their images would be retained or controlled.”

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Madison, who famously dated Hugh during her tenure as a Playboy Bunny from 2001 to 2008, stressed to TMZ that she’s keeping an open mind about the project.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.

Catherine Zeta-Jones has no plans to read Michael Douglas‘ memoir, but it seems he is way ahead of her.

Zeta-Jones recently admitted that she has not read her husband’s newly released book. Her tight schedule has been the major reason for not reading the book; however, she encouraged others to read the memoir regardless.

Michael Douglas and Zeta-Jones have been married for over 25 years. There is also a 25-year age gap between the couple. The veteran actor was previously married to Diandra Luker before their divorce in 2000. 

Michael Douglas Says ‘Ooh Yeah!’ To Catherine Zeta-Jones Not Reading His Memoir

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During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Douglas was asked about Zeta-Jones admitting she had not read his memoir. Kimmel mentioned that she had told an interviewer she was not planning to read it. He then asked Douglas if he thought that decision was probably for the best.

Douglas paused for two seconds and blurted out “Ooh yeah!” before pointing to the 25-year age gap between himself and his wife. He explained that he had opened up about his past, including his relationship with actress Kathleen Turner. The pair had an affair while making “Romancing the Stone,” years before Douglas met Zeta-Jones.

The actor noted that Zeta-Jones was only seven years old when the affair happened. The actor said Zeta-Jones “wouldn’t know her husband for, you know, 25 years ahead.” “So I think she’s had to accept the fact that with having this kind of age difference, you may have had a life before you ever saw her for the first time,”  he added.

Kimmel joked that Zeta-Jones might previously have believed Douglas was a virgin when they married. The actor responded that Kimmel knew she had said that, playing along with the joke. When asked whether he contacted the women he wrote about, including Turner, Douglas confirmed by saying, “I did.”

Zeta-Jones Highlighted Her Packed Schedule As Reason For Memoir Snub

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Zeta-Jones’ decision not to read her husband’s book was because of her demanding work schedule. She spoke with Willie Geist on “Today.” She explained that she had only recently finished filming the third season of “Wednesday.” She said she had spent seven months shooting the series in Dublin before moving straight into another project.

After wrapping “Wednesday,” Zeta-Jones flew to London to work on “Kill Jackie.” She then traveled to Spain before appearing on the morning show with Geist.  She said to him, “And now I’m here talking to you, [Willie Geist] on the fabulous Today show.”

The Welsh actress said she had “no intention” of reading about her husband when she was already tired at night. She encouraged other people to read the book. The Blast reported that she told readers to “hold onto their cowboy hats.”

‘One Helluva Of A Ride’ Is Filled With Michael Douglas’ Past Relationship Secrets

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In the “One Helluva of a Ride” memoir, Douglas wrote about past romances, including his affair with Turner during “Romancing the Stone.” He also wrote about his relationship with Jeanne Tripplehorn during “Basic Instinct.” 

The Hollywood actor also discussed his heavy cocaine use during the 1970s. He recalled one evening taking the drug with O.J. Simpson. He described drunkenly insulting Julia Roberts at the 1990 Golden Globes. The memoir also revealed an FBI threat connected to a possible needle attack at the 1992 Oscars.

Douglas explained his decision to become more candid about his past in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. “Your 80s may be a good time to share,” he said, reflecting on why he chose to tell these stories now. He also said that trying to do the right thing sometimes left him looking like “the bad guy.”

“One Helluva of a Ride” talked about Douglas’ relationship with his first wife, Luker. The former couple continued sharing their Mallorca home after their divorce. Douglas described the arrangement as “uncomfortable.” The actor and his wife eventually became the sole owners of the Mallorca home.

Douglas Revealed A Surprising Affair He Had 

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Douglas’ memoir shed light on his relationship with Tripplehorn during “Basic Instinct.” Audiences had long speculated about an offscreen romance between Douglas and Sharon Stone because of their chemistry in the 1992 thriller. Douglas’ account revealed that his feelings were directed toward Tripplehorn, who played his therapist.

“The truth is, I fell very hard for Jeanne despite our nearly 20-year age difference,” he wrote. He also revealed how deeply he considered leaving his wife for her. “In fact, I was ready to officially leave my wife for Jeanne. I was crazy about her.” 

The Blast shared that the actor had separated from Luker, but they were still legally married at the time. Even after the relationship with Tripplehorn ended, he said, “But I will always think of her as an amazing actress and a truly terrific woman that I was very fortunate to spend time with.” 

Michael Douglas Never Gave Up On Catherine Zeta-Jones

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Douglas’ memoir also addresses the loving couple’s brief separation in 2013. Their relationship reportedly faced difficulties around that time. Douglas said his cancer was caused by HPV contracted through oral sex. Zeta-Jones was reportedly upset by the admission. 

The actor later admitted that he regretted causing her embarrassment. At the time, Zeta-Jones issued a statement saying the couple was “taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage.” The Independent revealed that they reunited several months later. 

When Douglas was asked during an interview about how he won his wife back, “What, I won her back? It was a mutual… You know, we had our problems, but I love her dearly and, 25 years, you know,” he said. Douglas also wrote, “I never gave up hope that we would reconcile.” 

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones’ 26th wedding anniversary approaches in November 2026.