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Miss Universe Canada Star Gets Threats After Bold Stand

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Miss Universe Canada Star Gets Threats After Bold Stand

Ashley Callingbull knew going off-script at the Miss Universe Canada pageant could create controversy, but she did not anticipate how ugly the reaction would become. After publicly calling out Indigenous cultural appropriation during the competition, the former titleholder says she has received death threats, racist slurs and messages telling her to kill herself. Still, she refuses to regret speaking up.

Callingbull opened up about the fallout from her unscripted pageant moment in a new interview with PEOPLE, revealing that the criticism has gone far beyond disagreement over her stance.

“I think this is why we need to speak up is after I spoke up, I experienced so much racism and hate,” she told the outlet.

The 36-year-old said she has received death threats, racist slurs targeting her Indigenous heritage and messages urging her to take her own life. Callingbull admitted the response has been “quite surprising,” particularly because she has also spent considerable energy trying to educate people about why the costumes caused offense.

Callingbull, a Plains Cree woman from Enoch Cree Nation, made history in 2024 as the first Indigenous woman to win Miss Universe Canada. She later represented the country at Miss Universe, finishing in the Top 12.

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Despite describing the current situation as “emotionally heavy,” Callingbull said she remains mentally strong.

“I can’t control what life throws at me, but I can control how I react to it,” she explained.

Ashley Callingbull Went Off-Script Over Two Controversial Costumes

The controversy began during the national costume portion of Miss Universe Canada 2026 in Windsor, Ontario.

Callingbull, who was preparing to co-host the Aug. 8 final, saw footage from the earlier costume competition and was stunned by outfits worn by contestants Karisa Haverkamp and Jasleen Kaily.

Haverkamp’s look incorporated a feathered headdress and a red handprint across her face, imagery associated with awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Kaily appeared in an “Arctic Beauty” ensemble featuring fur clothing, fur boots described as mukluks and braids.

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“It felt like a slap in the face to the Indigenous community,” Callingbull told PEOPLE.

She immediately contacted pageant officials and suggested safeguards, including cultural liaisons who could help prevent similar situations.

However, Callingbull ultimately decided a behind-the-scenes conversation was not enough.

During the live final, the teleprompter unexpectedly stopped working while Callingbull and national director Sonny Borrelli were hosting. She seized the opportunity to address the controversy without warning organizers beforehand.

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Callingbull told the audience that cultural appropriation had occurred before stressing that reconciliation requires people to “educate and learn and understand and move on from these things in a good way.”

Miss Universe Canada Responds And Promises Changes

Rather than distancing itself from Callingbull, the Miss Universe Canada organization acknowledged the controversy and promised changes.

Borrelli said onstage that the organization took responsibility for causing offense and intended to learn from what happened.

The pageant subsequently announced plans for a comprehensive Costume Guide establishing standards for future competitions. Callingbull was also invited to become an official liaison for the costume competition going forward.

Both contestants involved have apologized. Kaily said her intention was never to disrespect or misrepresent Indigenous culture but to celebrate one of Canada’s First Peoples. Haverkamp similarly acknowledged that her costume caused “hurt and offence” and said she appreciated what she learned from the experience.

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Callingbull told PEOPLE that Haverkamp also apologized to her personally.

For the former titleholder, that willingness to listen is ultimately what she hoped her intervention would accomplish. “Accountability is everything,” she explained.

Ashley Callingbull Says Staying Silent Was Never An Option

Callingbull’s decision to commandeer the live moment was not entirely spontaneous in spirit.

She recalled experiencing racism at work when she was just 14 and receiving advice from her grandfather that remained with her years later.

“Ashley, if you never speak up… things will never change,” she remembered him telling her.

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That philosophy has followed Callingbull throughout a career that has repeatedly broken barriers. Beyond becoming the first Indigenous Miss Universe Canada, she previously became the first Canadian and First Nations woman to win Mrs. Universe in 2015 and has used her platform to advocate for Indigenous issues.

Her latest stand also comes amid a turbulent period for the broader Miss Universe world.

As The Blast previously reported, the 2025 international competition became engulfed in controversies ranging from a viral confrontation involving eventual winner Fátima Bosch to accusations surrounding the judging process. The organization later faced further scrutiny after Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry suffered a frightening fall during the preliminary competition.

Miss Universe Canada Star Refuses To Back Down After Death Threats

Despite the disturbing messages, Callingbull says the response has not convinced her that speaking out was a mistake.

Instead, she believes the backlash demonstrates why difficult conversations remain necessary.

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The former beauty queen acknowledged that constantly explaining the issue has been “exhausting,” but she hopes the controversy leads to stronger safeguards around cultural representation at future pageants.

She also wants her experience to encourage others who feel pressured into silence.

“Regardless if people try to silence you or you feel like the world is against you, use your voice and speak up because you have no idea the impact it can make,” Callingbull told PEOPLE.

Despite the personal toll, she remains determined to take the heat if it results in change.

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10 Netflix Shows That Quietly Became Modern Classics

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A man with a blue line down his face gestures out in The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur, Love, Death + Robots.

Back in the early 2010s, the idea of Netflix producing its own television shows sounded like a risky experiment. However, the platform completely changed the game with House of Cards in 2013 and proved that a streaming platform could produce prestige television just like any other traditional network. That’s when Netflix actively began reshaping the TV industry thanks to the advent of binge-watching.

However, a huge part of that transformation also came from the streamer consistently delivering some of the best shows of the modern era. Netflix gave creators the freedom to experiment with format, genre, language, and storytelling on a scale that traditional television could just never do. Of course, the streamer has its fair share of hits and misses, but these are the Netflix shows that quietly became modern classics thanks to their timeless storytelling.

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10

‘Love, Death & Robots’ (2019–Present)

A man with a blue line down his face gestures out in The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur, Love, Death + Robots.
A man with a blue line down his face gestures out in The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur, Love, Death + Robots Vol. 4
Image via Netflix

Love, Death & Robots has no fixed cast, central storyline, or even consistent animation style, and that’s what makes it so compelling. The adult anthology series hands each episode to a different creative team and allows them to tell a complete science-fiction, fantasy, horror, or comedy story. This means that one episode could use colorful 2D animation, while the next uses a photorealistic visual style. Across four volumes, that unpredictability has become the entire appeal of the series. The stories themselves vary wildly in their settings and ideas. They might not be explicitly connected, but many of them explore similar questions about technology, violence, identity, and whether humanity is intelligent enough to survive its own inventions.

Love, Death & Robots definitely has its weaker entries, as does any anthology. However, that doesn’t take away from the show’s brilliant experimental approach. The series continues to find new ways to stretch its own format. Every episode introduces a world, explores memorable ideas, and leaves before the narrative loses its impact. Some stories in the show could easily turn into entire movies, but their self-containment is what makes them hit so hard. Viewers are left to imagine everything that existed before, and after the small piece of the world they were shown. Love, Death & Robots stands as a boundless creative playground for storytellers, a feat that not many shows can boast of.

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9

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)

Harry Melling sitting and looking at someone off camera in The Queen's Gambit
Harry Melling in The Queen’s Gambit
Image via Netflix

The Queen’s Gambit was a massive hit when it premiered, but it has only become more impressive with time. The seven-episode limited series follows Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphan who discovers an extraordinary talent for chess while growing up in Kentucky during the 1950s. She first learns the game from the orphanage cleaner, Mr. Shaibel (Bill Camp), who reluctantly allows her to join him in the basement before realizing that she can already think several moves ahead of players with decades more experience. At the same time, the orphanage gives its children tranquilizers, which causes Beth to develop an addiction that becomes increasingly difficult to separate from her talent. The show follows Beth as she becomes famous, wealthy, and a legend in the world of chess.

However, every high in her career is accompanied by constant personal lows. That is what makes The Queen’s Gambit so much more than a straightforward drama. The show never shies away from portraying Beth as a nuanced individual who is just as self-destructive as she is talented. Not to mention how confidently the show visually captures the complexity of chess. The audience doesn’t need to understand the game to know what the stakes are for Beth. The cinematography, editing, music, costumes, and production design all come together to deliver one of the most thrilling yet personal stories Netflix has ever told.

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8

‘American Vandal’ (2017–2018)

Tyler Alvarez, Taylor Dearden, and Griffin Gluck in 'American Vandal' Season 2
Tyler Alvarez, Taylor Dearden, and Griffin Gluck in ‘American Vandal’ Season 2
Image via Netflix

In the wrong hands, American Vandal would probably not have worked after the first few episodes. However, Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault really ran with the mockumentary format. The Netflix series follows high-school filmmakers Peter Maldonado (Tyler Alvarez) and Sam Ecklund (Griffin Gluck) as they investigate immature crimes with the seriousness of a prestige true-crime documentary. The show carefully copies the dramatic interviews, forensic reconstructions, suspicious editing, and cliffhangers popularized by series including Making a Murderer. However, the point here isn’t to simply mock the genre.

American Vandal Season 1 opens with 27 faculty cars at Hanover High School being spray-painted with obscene images. The obvious suspect is class clown Dylan Maxwell (Jimmy Tatro), who insists that he is innocent. The evidence is completely ridiculous, but the show treats Peter and Sam’s bogus investigation with such commitment that the question of who committed the vandalism becomes genuinely difficult to stop thinking about. American Vandal lasted only two seasons, but maybe that limited run made it all the more special.

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7

‘Blue Eye Samurai’ (2023–Present)

Close-up of Mizu scowling with her face covered in blood
Close-up of Mizu scowling with her face covered in blood
Image via Netflix

Blue Eye Samurai is a revenge story set in 17th-century Japan. The story follows Mizu (Maya Erskine), a mixed-race swordmaster born during a period when the country’s borders were largely closed to outsiders. Her blue eyes make her an outcast, so she disguises herself as a man and begins hunting the four white men, one of whom is her father. However, Mizu plans to kill all four rather than waste time discovering which one it is. The action in the series is obviously a major attraction, but the violence never overshadows the story.

Mizu is a deeply complex character whose emotional journey centers on all the sword fights and dramatic revelations. The animation in Blue Eye Samurai is just as great as the storytelling. The visually stunning TV series combines three-dimensional character models with painterly backgrounds, detailed lighting, and action influenced by live-action choreography. Every fight has weight and rhythm, while the more emotional scenes have a cinematic quality to them. Even with Mizu’s journey still unfinished, Blue Eye Samurai already feels more confident and complete than many shows manage across several years.

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6

‘Baby Reindeer’ (2024)

Donny on stage holding a microphone in front of a red curtain in Netflix's Baby Reindeer. 
Donny on stage holding a microphone in front of a red curtain in Netflix’s Baby Reindeer.
Image via Netflix

Baby Reindeer is a downright haunting experience. The thriller miniseries follows struggling comedian and pub worker Donny Dunn (Richard Gadd), who offers Martha (Jessica Gunning) a free cup of tea when he sees her distressed and sitting alone. However, that simple act of kindness leads to an increasingly disturbing obsession as Martha begins stalking Donny and trying to insert herself into every part of his life. What makes all of this hit even harder is the fact that the story is inspired by Gadd’s own experiences.

Baby Reindeer begins as a dark comedy, but the show quickly takes a much more uncomfortable turn. Donny knows that Martha’s behaviour is dangerous, yet he repeatedly delays reporting her and occasionally allows her back into his life. The series never presents this as logical or healthy, but it gradually helps the audience understand why Donny behaves this way. Martha is never presented as a one-dimensional villain either. The series barely offers any easy answers because it aims to show how clueless the characters feel themselves. This blatant honesty makes Baby Reindeer unlike anything else on TV.











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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz
Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive?
The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars
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Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.

💊The Matrix

🔥Mad Max

🌧️Blade Runner

🏜️Dune

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🚀Star Wars

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01

You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do?
The first instinct is often the truest one.





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02

In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely?
What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.





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03

What kind of threat keeps you up at night?
Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.





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04

How do you deal with authority you don’t trust?
Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.





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05

Which environment could you actually endure long-term?
Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.





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06

Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart?
The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.





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07

Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all?
Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.





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08

What would actually make survival worth it?
Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.





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Your Fate Has Been Calculated
You’d Survive In…

Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.

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The Resistance, Zion

The Matrix

You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.

  • You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
  • You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
  • You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
  • The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.

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The Wasteland

Mad Max

The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.

  • You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
  • You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
  • You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
  • In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.

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Los Angeles, 2049

Blade Runner

You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.

  • You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
  • In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
  • You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
  • In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.

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Arrakis

Dune

Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.

  • Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
  • You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
  • Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
  • In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.

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A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Star Wars

The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

  • You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
  • You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
  • You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
  • In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.
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5

‘The Sandman’ (2022–2025)

Tom Sturridge and Kirby Howell Baptiste in The Sandman
Tom Sturridge and Kirby Howell Baptiste in The Sandman
Image via Netflix
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The Sandman begins when Morpheus, also known as Dream (Tom Sturridge), one of the most powerful beings in existence, is pulled from his kingdom during a failed occult ritual and imprisoned inside a glass cage for more than a century. During this time, his kingdom, the Dreaming, slowly falls apart. When he finally escapes, Dream must recover his stolen tools and restore his realm. This brings the protagonist into direct conflict with Lucifer Morningstar (Gwendoline Christie), the dangerously unstable John Dee (David Thewlis), and the Corinthian (Boyd Holbrook), a nightmare who has spent Dream’s imprisonment becoming a serial killer in the waking world.

This narrative is pretty intriguing as it is, but the show adds another layer of excitement to the mix by giving Dream the ability to disappear into the background while an episode follows an ordinary person whose life briefly crosses his path. That freedom produces some of the show’s best stories that make this enormous fantasy world feel a lot more personal. Visually, The Sandman moves from gothic horror and historical fantasy to mythology and quiet human drama without feeling restricted to one genre. There’s no denying that the series does get buried under its mythology time and again, but the fantasy show’s unpredictable structure is exactly what keeps the audience hooked till the very end.

4

‘Midnight Mass’ (2021)

Hamish Linklater in priest vestments inside a church looking to the distance in 'Midnight Mass' (2021).
Hamish Linklater in priest vestments inside a church looking to the distance in ‘Midnight Mass’ (2021).
Image via Netflix
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Midnight Mass is a signature Mike Flanagan horror that openly talks about how dangerous religion can become when faith is replaced by blind certainty. Just like the showrunner’s other masterpieces, this one also uses horror as a doorway into something far more sinister. The story takes place on Crockett Island, an isolated fishing community whose population is slowly declining. The narrative picks up when Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford) returns home after serving time in prison for causing a fatal drunk-driving accident. He has lost his faith and has no idea what to do with the rest of his life, but his return coincides with the arrival of Father Paul (Hamish Linklater), a charismatic new priest.

Soon, seemingly impossible miracles begin occurring, church attendance rises, and the residents become convinced that Crockett Island has been chosen for something extraordinary. Now, Flanagan does not present faith itself as the villain. Crockett Island is just a place full of people who desperately need something to hold on to. The show spends a lot of time with its characters and keeps building a constant sense of dread before finally dropping the ball and letting the audience in on what is actually happening. Midnight Mass is not the fastest-paced show, but its patience and restrained approach to horror separates it from predictable supernatural stories.

3

‘Ozark’ (2017–2022)

Jason Bateman looking to the side, about to get into a car in Ozark.
Jason Bateman looking to the side, about to get into a car in Ozark.
Image via Netflix
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Ozark is a thriller series that deserves way more appreciation than it gets. The story follows financial adviser Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) relocating to the Missouri Ozarks with his wife, Wendy (Laura Linney), and their children to escape from a Mexican drug cartel that is after him. However, his solution only pulls the family further into the criminal world. Soon enough, Marty comes into conflict with local criminals, the FBI, the Kansas City mob, and the ruthless Snell family. He also meets Ruth Langmore, who soon becomes his most valuable employee. Ruth quickly becomes the emotional center of the show, but the story actually takes a turn when Wendy goes from Marty’s reluctant accomplice to the actual mastermind behind it all.

The couple’s complicated marriage drives the narrative as they lie to each other, undermine each other’s plans, but still keep coming back together because they are the only ones who truly understand each other. By the final season, Wendy’s willingness to take risks is so extreme that even Marty struggles to control her, and that descent is fascinating to witness. One wouldn’t imagine everyday business dealings, and the unglamorous process of money laundering would feel so thrilling, but Ozark makes it work. The show is often compared to Breaking Bad because of their similar themes, but over Ozark‘s four seasons, the Netflix series definitely established an identity of its own.

2

‘The Crown’ (2016–2023)

Olivia Colman as Princess Margaret smiling softly wearing a tiara in The Crown Season 4.
Olivia Colman as Princess Margaret in The Crown Season 4.

Image via Netflix

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The Crown looks like a grand historical drama about the British monarchy, but it’s surprising how intimate the show actually is. The series begins with a young Elizabeth (Claire Foy) enjoying a relatively private life with Prince Philip (Matt Smith), only for the death of her father, King George VI (Jared Harris), to place her on the throne at 25. From that moment onward, every decision she makes as a wife, sister, mother, or daughter has to be in sync with what the monarchy requires of her. The Crown’s boldest decision was replacing its main cast every two seasons as the story moved through more than fifty years of Elizabeth’s reign. Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies take over as the middle-aged Elizabeth and Philip, before Imelda Staunton and Jonathan Pryce play them in the final era.

Instead of weakening the audience’s investments in the characters, the recasting perfectly captures the evolution of political crises, changing governments, public tragedies, and the monarchy’s struggle to remain relevant. Eventually, the series also includes Diana Spencer (Emma Corrin), whose marriage to Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor) becomes one of its most compelling storylines. There’s no denying that The Crown takes historical liberties and openly presents itself as a fictional dramatization inspired by real events. However, the show stands as an undisputed modern classic because of how patiently it examines the people trapped behind one of the most important institutions of the world.

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1

‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

Louis Hofmann as Jonas wearing a yellow jacket on a road in Dark
Louis Hofmann as Jonas wearing a yellow jacket on a road in Dark
Image via Netflix

Dark will easily go down in history as one of the most ambitious shows ever made. The mystery thriller is Netflix’s first original German-language series that is set in the gloomy town of Winden that’s practically defined by a nuclear power plant and a network of caves hidden in the surrounding forest. The story begins shortly after teenager Jonas Kahnwald (Louis Hofmann) loses his father and returns home following psychiatric treatment. When young Mikkel Nielsen (Daan Lennard Liebrenz) suddenly disappears, Jonas joins Mikkel’s siblings, Martha (Lisa Vicari) and Magnus Nielsen (Moritz Jahn), in searching for him.

The investigation quickly reveals that Mikkel’s disappearance is connected to another child who vanished exactly 33 years earlier. Now, what’s interesting is that a passage beneath the caves links different periods in Winden’s history, which allows characters to move between generations and discover how the town’s families have been connected for far longer than they realize. All of this sounds extremely complicated, but Dark never treats time travel as a gimmick. The audience feels genuinely invested in all these characters. Every revelation contributes to the overarching tragedy that the narrative is built around, and the sci-fi elements only add more weight to it. All of that, combined with the fact that Dark delivered one of the most memorable and fitting finales in recent television history, makes it a strong contender on this list.


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Dark
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Release Date

2017 – 2020-00-00

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Network

Netflix

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Showrunner

Jantje Friese

Directors
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Baran bo Odar


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  • instar49910207.jpg

    Louis Hofmann

    Jonas Kahnwald

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  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Lisa Vicari

    Martha Nielsen

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Brooks Nader Reveals Her Sisters’ Dating Advice to Her

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Brooks Nader’s sisters don’t shy away from weighing in on her dating life.

Appearing on the Thursday, August 13, episode of YouTube series, Bumble’s Bee Line, Brooks, 29, answered a caller’s question about her siblings.

“Hi Brooks, I’m wondering if your sisters have ever given you any dating advice that maybe you didn’t want to hear but ended up being right about? And did that teach you anything?” the caller asked.

In response, the Sports Illustrated model admitted that her sisters, Mary Holland Nader, 26, Grace Ann Nader, 25, and Sarah Jane Nader, 22, often give her tough love.

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“Oh, have they ever!” Brooks joked. “Yes, my sisters give advice and opinions which can be a good thing and a bad thing.”

Noting that her sisters don’t always approve of her dating picks, Brooks continued, “Sometimes I fall really hard and fast quickly and I’m like, ‘I’m getting married!’ And they’re like, ‘No, he’s insane.’ And I’m like, ‘Let me just do this just for like a week please.’”

Brooks also humorously referenced her past marriage and divorce to advertising executive Billy Haire, although she did not mention him by name.

She joked that her sisters, who she stars alongside in reality show Love Thy Nader, need to hurry up and get married and divorced like she did at a young age.

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GettyImages-1462314210Brooks-Nader-Reveals-the-Tough-Advice-Her-Sisters-Gave-Her-About-Dating.jpg

L-R: Mary Holland Nader, Brooks Nader, Grace Ann Nader, and Sarah Jane Nader.
(Photo by Natasha Campos/Getty Images for Clarins)

“I tell my sisters all the time, I don’t know what’s taking y’all so long because by your age I was proposed to, married, divorced,” Brooks said in jest. “I’m a fast mover so they’re not doing something right.”

Brooks and Haire first met in New York City and were together for three years before Haire proposed in October 2018.

The duo got married during a December 2019 wedding ceremony in New Orleans before separating in 2024. Their divorce was ultimately finalized in early 2025.

More recently, Brooks had been romantically linked to actor Taron Egerton, 36. The pair sparked romance rumors in March after they were spotted out and about in Los Angeles multiple times and were spotted packing on the PDA on several outings.

In July, an insider exclusively told Us that Brooks and Egerton had gone their separate ways after their brief romance.

“Their relationship was casual but Brooks ended things with him,” a source told Us last month. “She is living her best single life right now and is embracing ‘Euro Summer’ in St. Tropez.”

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DCC’s Reece Weaver Shares Broadway Gig FaceTime Call

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707136640_18593309269027332_7525261184435180528_n reece weaver will allman .jpeg

Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Reece Weaver is sharing the special moment she found out her Broadway dreams had come true.

In the short clip posted via her TikTok account on Wednesday, August 12, Weaver, 24, could be seen smiling widely and appeared to be laughing in disbelief as she took a FaceTime call on her phone.

Text overlaying the footage read, “Are you ready to make your Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago?”

“A Facetime I’ll never forget,” Weaver captioned the post, adding, “@Chicago the Musical #chicagothemusical #roxiehart #audition #nyc #dream.”

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707136640_18593309269027332_7525261184435180528_n reece weaver will allman .jpeg


Related: Reece Weaver Reveals Major Life Change After Retirement, Talks Future Plans

Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Reece Weaver wasted no time in making another major decision after announcing her surprising retirement from the iconic squad.  “We also just moved to Alabama, so we’re really excited about that,” Weaver, 24, exclusively told Us Weekly about life with her husband, Will Allman. “I think right now it’s just trying to […]

Weaver’s followers were quick to throw their support behind her in the comments section.

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“😭😭 you deserve everything good in the world,” wrote one, while another added, “So proud of you🥹 this video makes me so happy.”

Another social media user commented, “You’re going to smash it!! So excited for you!”

Weaver announced on Tuesday, August 11, that she will be making her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago next month after retiring from the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading team earlier this year.

“A DREAM COME TRUE 😭♥️,” Weaver wrote via Instagram to reveal her exciting new career step.

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Weaver will begin performances on September 7 at New York City’s Ambassador Theatre. She will join the production for a six-week limited engagement through October 18.

“I was born and raised as a dancer,” Weaver said Tuesday on CBS Mornings. “I started dance at 3 years old. I have a degree in dance. I went to a performing arts middle school and high school, where I just fell in love with all things arts. I actually did a few musicals growing up in high school.”

@reece_christinee

A FaceTime I’ll never forget🥹♥️ @Chicago the Musical #chicagothemusical #roxiehart #audition #nyc #dream

♬ Bundle of Joy (From “Inside Out”) – Piano Version – Clavier & your movie soundtrack

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She continued, “I just fell in love with the team aspect of growing something and creating something all together. I’ve always wanted to perform on the Broadway stage.”

Although Weaver confessed she was feeling nervous about the gig, she shrugged off the feeling as “very natural.”

“There’s so many iconic people who have played the role of Roxie and an incredible cast,” she said. “I do think there is a challenge ahead of me, but I’m so honored to be on this journey.”

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Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Reece Weaver Retirement Explained


Related: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Reece Weaver’s Retirement Explained: What to Know

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Reece Weaver stunned fans when she announced her retirement from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders after three seasons — but the breakout star of Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders tells Us Weekly the decision had been brewing for months. Between a whirlwind newlywed life, a cross-country move and a brand-new Broadway dream, she’s closing one […]

After quickly becoming a fan favorite on Netflix’s docuseries America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Weaver shocked viewers when she walked away after three seasons.

Speaking to Us in June, Weaver explained why she made the decision to retire.

“Going into season 3, my third year on the team, I just had so much gratitude,” Weaver told Us at the time. “My cup was filled to the brim even going into this year. I had that in the back of my mind. I was excited and looking forward to year three and what it brought. But my cup was getting really, really full. I went into my last game not thinking and knowing it was my last, but I kind of treated it as it was my last, so I could really just soak it all in. I think I really needed that sense of closure for my mental state.”

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Big Brother Fight Night: Haley’s Deception & Mallory Entertains

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Big Brother 28: Mallory Aurichio

Big Brother 28 had its 90 minute veto comp and meeting episode but all eyes were on Angela Murray vs Haley Thogmartin fight club.

Big Brother 28: Hot Tub Horror

First, in another ew moment. Haley and Taylor Brown suspect the hot tub might’ve given them UTIs. Haley said she sat in it for a long time and is feeling sick. Then, Taylor said after she was in it, she felt the same.

And Kamu Kirk is in trouble all over the house and he doesn’t even know it. Drew Campbell doesn’t like Kamu and told Melody Bourne that. Rick Devens lets Dee Valladares know that both Barrett Pfeiffer and Drew want the target on Kamu and also a bit on Yash Patel. Dee would prefer to target Yash.

Kamu thinks he’s flying under the radar but the Crossovers have him clocked and the other side of the house, Lala Verrett, Melody, and the others, only think Kamu’s useful if he’ll win comps and take hits at the icons for them.

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Kamu doesn’t know that Drew dislikes him. And he did a great job imitating Kamu’s walk for him and the rest of the house. Drew puffed his chest back and walked with this pecs-first swagger than pumped his fists around. Everyone cackled.

Big Brother: Kamu Dishes Drama

Drew told Angela and Dee in front of Barrett that Mallory and Melody aren’t after the icons, they want Kamu out after Haley and Chuk Anyanwu. Plus, Drew told Angela that Kamu brought her up to the gym to make good TV.

Talking to her, Barrett and Dee, Drew said he witnessed Kamu repeating the story to three different groups of people. He quoted Kamu, “It’d be really cool if I brought Angela up into the room. That’s what the fans would want. That’s what my family wants to see.”

Drew said it’s because Kamu’s a drama queen. Drew said Kamu’s still close to Chuk and Haley and Angela says she sees it.

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Speaking of Haley, Angela saw Haley and Chuk talking in the gym and asked if they’re okay. They made small talk and Angela said she doesn’t like that room and won’t go back in again.

Chuk said, “Really?” She lurked at the door while Have Not Haley said she can smell the food. Angela again said she hates the room and left. Haley rolled off the couch laughing and Chuk said that’s a grown a*s woman. He said that was the most awkward thing. Chuk said they better play that on the show.

Big Brother 28: Angela vs Haley Confrontation and House Dynamics

We saw Haley admitting in the DR she did lie about Angela. Haley said in front of everyone that she pointed to Dee as the other flip vote, the whole trust your gut thing.

And that’s when Angela went nuts with her  tirade of expletives. Haley said in the DR she deliberately threw a log on the fire. So no, Angela doesn’t owe her an apology.

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Now for some non-game, non-plotting just fun feeds stuff. If you didn’t see Angela busted her ass climbing down from a sleep pod. Just fell on the floor on her back like a turtle. She was okay and laughed. Barrett quipped Humpty Dumpty’s back.  

Devens had an oven mitt on his hand doing impressions of everyone. For Melody, it was just a bleep because she curses so much. For Hair Drew, Devens flipped the mitt upside down. That killed.

His impression of Angela was a high pitch voice saying “sex, sex, sex”. Devens said it about 10 times and Angela said, no, c’mon. Devons said, “Sorry, I couldn’t hear you over you saying sex, sex…” They asked him to do Dee and he laughed and said he was scared to do it.

Then, when Devens was asleep, Dee started laying Doritos on him. He woke up with them stuck to his face and back while Angela, Barrett and Dee died. But Devens was actually angry. His bed was full of crumbs and he started throwing them around then left.

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Dee was upset and said oh no, I messed up. Angela said, go clean his bed. Then she said Devens can’t be mad at me forever. Dee said, “is he going to evict me?” Angela said, “Don’t be scared, it’s Devens”.

Then Dee said, “No, I’m sad. I made Rick Devens mad. I’ve never seen him mad in my life”. He came back, climbed into bed and said it was fine but he was ticked.

Big Brother 28: Mallory AurichioBig Brother 28: Mallory Aurichio
Big Brother 28: Mallory Aurichio

Big Brother 28: The Madness of Mallory

Now let’s talk about Mallory because she’s a gem on the live feeds. She keeps things popping. Melody, Drew and Barrett pretended to be on a plane and Mallory’s the flight attendant saying the plane’s going to crash. They found a prop mic and used it.

They screamed, pretended to crash while Mallory threw pillows at them. And the live feeds camera man played along moving the camera all around to look like turbulence. She did a similar skit with Drew and the icons with them screaming and the camera jittering.

Mallory also got on the mic play-talking to production saying she doesn’t know why they got onto her about swinging on the hammock. She said they’re allergic to fun and she’s a professional hammock swinger.

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She said over and out, put up the mic then typed like a maniac on the old Commodore OC. Then she said, I just wrote the Declaration of Independence. We’re free.

Mallory and Barrett did a prolonged airplane skit, just the 2 of them with her as an annoying flight attendant terrorizing him. Mallory was saying stuff like you can raise your window covers, but you’re not allowed to look out the window.

And she terrorized Barrett about the tray table up and down. Mallory did a perfectly aggressive flight attendant. Then she did a tour bus thing with Yash, Dee, Drew, Melody, Angela and Devens and said we’re in Brooklynn.

Then she yelled, everybody down, there’s someone with a gun. They all screamed and she did: pew, pew, pew. She did a Staten Island thing and said look, they’re Nikki Minaj, The Impractical Jokers (nice shout out – love them).

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These people have gone stir crazy with the yard locked. Lala just sat there observing the insanity while the others screamed and played along.

BB28: Kissing Commotion

And in kissing news, we talked about this before but there was more to it. Mallory said she kissed a girl but said it doesn’t make her gay, it makes her fun and exciting. They asked Drew if he’s kissed a boy and he said oh yea.

When they asked Barrett, he said, “What do you think? Yeah. C’mon now.” Melody says she likes kissing girls and boys both. Drew said that’s why Yash asked if you’re bi and Melody said some people are good kissers, some people are bad kissers.

Now some game talk about eviction and what’s next. Haley told Chuk that Barrett’s safe this week no matter what. Then, Haley and Chuk talked revenge nominations they’d make after this.

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Haley would put up Lala, Dee and Kamu then backdoor Angela. Chuk’s got his eye on Dee, Devens and Lala. Also, Dee and Angela plan to stay up late spying on last minute vote conversations. And a new possible alliance emerging. The FAP 4 plus the icons = FAPCON. That’s a 7 person block.

Big Brother: Eviction Prediction

And as for the eviction prediction. The plan to keep Haley is back and forth. Lots of waffling because they worry Kamu will team back up with her if Chuk goes instead. No talk of evicting Barrett at all.

Also in more Gripes and beef news. Lala ranted about everyone has money. Angela’s from Orange county, where even sh*tty homes have swimming pools. About Dee’s $1 million from Survivor.

Drew’s dad being a rockstar. He’s a niche rockabilly star. But yeah. Lala said Lyric’s dad gave her a business, Chuk makes bank, Mallory lives where Run-D.M.C. lives.

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Also, Melody, Mallory and Barrett are already talking next HOH and they wonder if it’s a head to head comp and how to play it. They want to target either Haley or Chuk, whoever stays and also Kamu in the head-to-head face-offs. They hope the icons will also target Kamu.

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Will Smith’s Costar Aunjanue Ellis Weighs In On Chris Rock Oscar Slap

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aunjanue ellis-taylor, will smith

Will Smith changed the trajectory of his career in March 2022 when he slapped Chris Rock on stage at the 94th Academy Awards after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Since then, he’s worked to change his image and has multiple projects in the works. However, his “King Richard” costar, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, has reignited the conversation by defending the “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” alum.

aunjanue ellis-taylor, will smith
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Ellis-Taylor appeared on The Daily Beast’s “Obsessed” podcast in August 2026. During the episode, the Oscar-nominated actress stated that she could understand why Will would want to storm the stage to provide a voice for Jada.

She stated, “I know that he wanted to protect his wife.” In supporting him, Ellis, who played his wife in “King Richard,” the movie he won the Oscar for the night of the 2022 Oscars, defended him, saying, “I stand by that. I stand with him for that.”

After that, Ellis-Taylor questioned what protections freedom of speech should offer. According to her, “I think that, you know, this idea that First Amendment rights should protect everybody? I don’t think it should necessarily protect assholes. I don’t. I don’t. I really don’t, especially if you’re causing harm.”

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor Says The First Amendment Needs More Nuance

29th Annual Critics' Choice Awards, Arrivals, The Barker Hangar, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Ellis-Taylor continued her thoughts on the debacle between Will and Chris over his joke about Jada. Notably, during the podcast, she noted that being from Mississippi, she’s accustomed to the First Amendment being used to justify the Confederate flag.

According to her, “I know blanket First Amendment valorization. I don’t buy into that. I just don’t. To say the least, it needs to be nuanced. You can’t use it as an excuse to harm someone.”

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From there, the actress discussed her experience with Will on the set of “King Richard.” She recalled, “He just would not allow anybody to be treated poorly in his presence. He would just not allow it. And I cannot tell you how rare that is in this job.”

Ellis-Taylor added, “I will always have a great deal of affection and care for him because he acted that way.”

Will Smith Was Mentioned In Michael B. Jordan’s 2026 Oscar Speech

98th Oscars Nominees Luncheon: RED CARPET
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Will is banned from the Oscars until 2032. However, despite not being in attendance, “Sinners” star Michael B. Jordan named him in his speech when he won the trophy for Best Actor for his role in the Ryan Coogler-directed film.

Regarding Smith’s reaction, an insider spoke to PEOPLE after the ceremony. They said, “Will was very happy to hear his name mentioned during Michael’s Oscar speech. Having someone so talented — who just won this incredible Oscar — mention him at that time was awesome for him.”

The insider claimed that Jordan’s name drop “made Will feel good on its own, but even more so to be included with the other top actors mentioned.” A different source told the outlet, “Will and Michael have huge respect for each other’s talent.”

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Regarding the slap, the outlet was told that Will had “moved beyond” the situation. They added, “Life goes on, and so do good films with award-winning actors,” while noting that Will “has been building back” in his Hollywood career.  

Will Smith’s Next Film Is Supposed To Be ‘I Am Legend 2’

Will Smith at 94th Annual Academy Awards
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Following the Oscar slap launched at Rock, who was hosting, Will has released two movies. The first is “Emancipation,” filmed before the slap and released in December 2022; the second is “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” released in June 2024.

“Bad Boys” became a hit at the box office. According to Deadline, it opened with an impressive $104 million at the global box office. Following its success, a fifth installment of the movie is being discussed but has not been greenlit.

Now, his next film to be released is “I Am Legend 2,” which has attached director Steven Caple Jr., announced to direct in April 2026. However, filming has not begun.

Will Smith Will Also Star Alongside Jaafar Jackson In A Movie

Jaafar Jackson at the Premiere Of Lionsgate's ''Michael''
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Deadline reported in May 2026 that Will was set to star in a new action flick for Amazon MGM, “Supermax.” The movie, which will be directed by David Gordon Green, will center on two FBI agents, Will and AnnaSophia Robb, with events taking place at the world’s most secure prison, Supermax.

In August, following the success of Lionsgate’s “Michael,” Jaafar Jackson was announced as one of the movie’s stars. However, details of his role are kept under wraps.

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Eva Longoria’s Bubblegum Pink Bikini Turned Heads in Spain

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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, during a forum about digital responsibility at EAN University during a visit around Colombia on August 15, 2024 in Bogota, Colombia.

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Eva Longoria knows how to make an entrance, even at the beach. The actress recently turned heads while vacationing in Spain, stepping out in a bubblegum pink bikini that instantly stole the spotlight. The playful color feels like one of summer’s biggest swimwear trends, and we found an affordable way to recreate the look.

Longoria was spotted soaking up the sun in Marbella, Spain, wearing a bright triangle bikini style with an oversized button-down shirt, a woven tote and simple nude flip-flops. The effortless ensemble struck the perfect balance between polished and relaxed, proving once again that her vacation style is always worth copying.

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Get the Holipick Triangle Two-Piece Bikini for $25 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

While we couldn’t track down her exact swimsuit, we found a nearly identical version on Amazon for $25. The Holipick Triangle Two-Piece Bikini comes in the same bold pink shade, along with black, blue, floral prints and several other colors. The swimsuit is also available in sizes XXS through 5X, making it a size-inclusive option.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, during a forum about digital responsibility at EAN University during a visit around Colombia on August 15, 2024 in Bogota, Colombia.


Related: Copy Meghan Markle’s Slimming Tailored Jeans Look for Only $39

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Every so often, a pair of jeans comes along that makes you question every other style hanging in your closet. Meghan Markle‘s latest denim moment is one of those times. Her pant style is crisp, tailored and elongating. In fact, the jeans somehow make legs look a mile long, giving you a flattering silhouette that […]

The flattering swimwear style features an adjustable halter top, removable padding and side-tie bottoms that let you customize the coverage. It’s the kind of simple, timeless bikini that looks just as chic layered under a breezy button-down shirt as it does on its own.

Shoppers have plenty of good things to say about the swimsuit, too. One reviewer who appreciates the “flattering and full coverage” pick wrote, “I feel secure in this suit, and know I won’t be indecently exposed while paddle boarding or hanging at the lake.” Meanwhile, another buyer simply described the thick material as “well made” and “very comfortable.”

Longoria’s beach look proves that sometimes all it takes is one bold pop of color to make an outfit unforgettable. And thanks to this $25 Amazon find, recreating the head-turning vacation style is easier than ever.

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Get the Holipick Triangle Two-Piece Bikini for $25 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more swimwear from Holipick here, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

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Nicole Kidman attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Hulu's "Nine Perfect Strangers" Season 2 at The Beverly Estate on May 15, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California.


Related: Love Nicole Kidman’s $8,300 Bag? This Lookalike Is 99% Less

Some bags are trendy for a season. Others quietly become the kind you reach for every single day because they make everything in your closet look a little more polished. Nicole Kidman’s latest black purse falls firmly into the second category — timeless, versatile and somehow able to elevate even a simple jeans-and-sneakers outfit. The […]

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Erling Haaland Admits J. Lo Night Out Was ‘Overstimulating’

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Erling Haaland at the World Cup

Erling Haaland showed a different side of himself while attending a lavish Dolce & Gabbana event in Sicily. The Manchester City star admitted the celebrity-packed atmosphere left him feeling “overstimulated,” even as he enjoyed Jennifer Lopez‘s performance.

The closing celebration the soccer star joined featured custom couture, an Italian music tribute, and a fireworks display over Isola Bella.

Erling Haaland at the World Cup
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Erling Haaland traded the soccer pitch for a much glitzier stage during a star-studded night in Sicily. The Manchester City striker attended Jennifer Lopez’s exclusive performance in Taormina as part of Dolce & Gabbana’s 2026 Alta Moda celebrations. Haaland was among the celebrity guests gathered at La Plage Resort overlooking Isola Bella for the closing festivities.

The Norwegian star had already made an appearance at Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Sartoria menswear presentation at the historic Teatro Antico earlier in the week. He was also spotted during the celebrations with his partner, Isabel Haugseng Johansen.

Despite embracing the glamorous night out, Haaland admitted the packed social scene was testing his limits. “As an introvert, I am overstimulated, but it’s still nice,” he said in a clip shared online. Haaland insisted he was enjoying himself, adding that he was “still happy” and “peaking still.”

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Jennifer Lopez Lit Up Dolce & Gabbana’s Finale

Dolce & Gabbana saved plenty of spectacle for the final night of its Taormina showcase. J. Lo headlined the closing celebration after the fashion house wrapped its 2026 Alta Gioielleria, Alta Moda and Alta Sartoria presentations. Guests first gathered for a reception amid Mediterranean greenery and views of Sicily’s turquoise coastline.

Lopez then turned the setting into a full-scale stage production, performing a string of her best-known songs before slipping in a tribute to Italian music.

The fashion was just as theatrical. The singer moved through four custom Dolce & Gabbana looks during the show, including pieces decorated with gemstones, lace and the brand’s Sacred Heart motif. Floral elements tied the stage design back to the wider Alta Moda theme.

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The night ended with Lopez joined by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana as the trio greeted the crowd. Fireworks lit up the backdrop as the Sicilian celebration closed.

Erling Haaland Has Developed A Soft Spot For The U.S.

Haaland appears to have developed a real soft spot for life across the Atlantic. During a 2025 interview with TIME in Florida, the Norwegian striker admitted he had been surprised by just how famous he was in the United States. Fans turned out in Manchester City shirts during the Club World Cup, something Haaland said he had not expected.

His curiosity about the country stretched beyond soccer. Haaland revealed he had watched “Yellowstone” and wanted to visit Montana, even joking that Kevin Costner could drive him around.

American cars have also caught his attention. The forward was particularly impressed by the oversized pickup trucks he saw on the road and wanted to stop for a photo with one. He was less enthusiastic about Tesla’s Cybertruck.

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Haaland Teases A Future MLS Switch

Erling Haaland from Norway celebrate during FIFA World Cup 2026
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Haaland is also not shutting the door on a future move to Major League Soccer. The Manchester City striker was asked in the TIME interview whether he could eventually follow Lionel Messi and David Beckham to the U.S.

“You never know what the future is going to bring,” Haaland said. He praised Messi’s impact at Inter Miami as “incredible” and called Beckham’s role in helping grow the league “amazing.”

However, any such switch would be a long-term possibility rather than an imminent transfer. Haaland signed a mammoth Manchester City contract that runs through 2034, meaning he would be 34 when the deal expires.

Erling Haaland Traded World Cup Pressure For NYC Sights

Erling Haaland player of Norway during the Round of 16 match
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Haaland also squeezed in some classic sightseeing during Norway’s World Cup run. The striker used a break between games to explore New York with Johansen, attempting to keep a low profile with a light baseball cap and dark sunglasses.

Photos shared on social media showed the pair in Times Square and outside Katz’s Deli, with Haaland appearing to move through the city largely unnoticed. “It helps to hide the hair, to be honest,” he joked on Snapchat, referring to the long blond locks that usually make him easy to spot.

The outing came after Haaland scored twice in Norway’s 4-1 victory over Iraq, the country’s first World Cup match in 28 years. Norway coach Stale Solbakken had given his players a couple of days away from camp before their next Group I game against Senegal. He said the downtime gave the squad a chance to clear their heads and spend time with friends and family.

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Forget ‘Ocarina of Time’, Nintendo’s ‘Zelda’ Movie Needs to Pull From a Different Game

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Psylocke, Northstar, Aurora, Cipher, and Puck in X-Men '97

The cast of the live-action The Legend of Zelda movie is finally starting to take shape, and Nintendo is making it increasingly difficult not to look toward one game in particular. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Bo Bragason are already set to lead the movie as Link and Zelda, respectively, while Uli Latukefu will play Ganondorf. Yvonne Strahovski and Sam Neill have also joined the cast in roles that remain undisclosed. We already know the movie is telling an original narrative, so expecting a direct adaptation of Ocarina of Time would be setting ourselves up for disappointment. That doesn’t mean Nintendo won’t pull heavily from the games that defined Hyrule on its way to creating something new. In fact, the cast makes Ocarina of Time feel like an increasingly obvious source of inspiration.

And if Ocarina of Time is one of the movie’s biggest influences, that’s a pretty great place to start. Nearly three decades later, it still contains so much of what audiences picture when they think of The Legend of Zelda, and its story has the bones of an incredible fantasy adventure. But Nintendo doesn’t have to take everything from the same game. When it comes to Latukefu’s Ganondorf, there’s another version of the character that would give the movie something Ocarina of Time can’t. The Wind Waker gave Ganondorf a perspective, and that’s exactly what his live-action debut needs.

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‘Ocarina of Time’ Has Everything Nintendo Needs To Build a ‘Zelda’ Movie

There’s a reason Ocarina of Time remains such an obvious point of reference nearly three decades after its release. It contains almost everything a general audience associates with The Legend of Zelda: Link, Zelda, Ganondorf, the Triforce, the Master Sword, Hyrule Castle, and a collection of wildly different peoples and places that make the kingdom feel enormous. More importantly, its basic conflict gives Nintendo plenty to borrow without actually adapting the game. Link’s journey begins small. He’s a child leaving Kokiri Forest for the first time, only to become wrapped up in Zelda’s suspicions about Ganondorf and a race to protect Hyrule. The two young heroes ultimately make the catastrophic mistake that gives Ganondorf exactly the opportunity he needs. Link draws the Master Sword and awakens seven years later to discover Ganondorf won. Tell me that isn’t a second-act turn made for a movie theater.

Nintendo obviously doesn’t need to reproduce that progression beat for beat, especially if the goal is to create a new story. Nobody needs to watch Link methodically complete every dungeon, and trying to cram an entire Zelda game onto the screen would be a fantastic way to make the movie feel like someone uploaded a playthrough to IMAX. What Ocarina of Time offers instead is a blueprint for how to introduce Hyrule, establish Link and Zelda as young heroes, and make Ganondorf feel like an overwhelming threat before either of them is ready to face him. Even the mystery castings make that possibility interesting. Strahovski has the presence for an Impa-like role, while Neill could naturally fit into Hyrule’s older generation as its king, Rauru, or another mentor figure. Those guesses could be completely wrong (and probably are, if I’m being honest), but the larger point is that an original narrative still gives Nintendo the freedom to assemble recognizable pieces from across the franchise. There’s just one place where another Zelda game has a much better piece to borrow.

‘The Wind Waker’ Gave Ganondorf the Story a Movie Actually Needs

Link in Outset Island in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Link in Outset Island in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Image via Nintendo
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Ocarina of Time establishes so much of what has become inseparable from Ganondorf: the Gerudo king, his pursuit of the Triforce, his conquest of Hyrule, and ultimately his transformation into Ganon. He’s threatening before Link has any hope of challenging him, and the adult portion of the game shows exactly what happens when the hero fails to stop him. But The Wind Waker does something Ocarina of Time never really needed to do by asking Ganondorf to explain himself. By the time Link encounters Ganondorf in The Wind Waker, the Hyrule he once coveted has been buried beneath an ocean. Near the end of the game, Ganondorf remembers the harsh winds of the Gerudo desert and contrasts them with the winds that blew across Hyrule. Eventually, he admits that he coveted that wind. It’s one of the best Ganondorf scenes Nintendo has ever written because it doesn’t suddenly pretend he was right. He’s still a tyrant. Instead, The Wind Waker gives him something far more valuable to a movie: a perspective. His desire for Hyrule becomes rooted in resentment, envy, and the circumstances that shaped him instead of simply wanting ultimate power because the story needs a villain.

That’s what Latukefu’s Ganondorf needs. His physicality already does plenty of the work. Put him opposite Ainsworth’s young Link, and Ganondorf should look like an impossible opponent before Nintendo adds a single visual effect. The harder job is making audiences understand the man underneath that threat. A video game can rely on decades of iconography and the promise of an enormous final boss. A movie needs a character who can carry actual scenes. Let Ganondorf interact with Zelda and the rulers of Hyrule. Show us the Gerudo and what his kingdom looks like compared to the one he wants to conquer. Give Latukefu the opportunity to communicate what Ganondorf sees when he looks at Hyrule and why possessing it matters to him.

Nintendo doesn’t need to copy The Wind Waker wholesale. In fact, an original narrative gives it an even better opportunity. It can take the resentment Ganondorf eventually articulates in The Wind Waker and show us what that resentment looks like before it consumes him. Eventually, give us Ganon. Watching Latukefu transform into the monster that has haunted Hyrule across generations could be an incredible payoff. But Ganon is the monster. Ganondorf is the character. Nintendo is already creating a new Legend of Zelda, which means it doesn’t have to choose a single game to adapt. It can take the sweeping adventure and iconic Hyrule of Ocarina of Time, then borrow the complexity The Wind Waker finally gave its greatest villain. If Nintendo is going to rearrange familiar pieces to tell a new legend, Ganondorf deserves to be one of them.


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Release Date

May 7, 2027

Writers
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Derek Connolly

Producers

Shigeru Miyamoto, Avi Arad

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    Benjamin Evan Ainsworth

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    Bo Bragason

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    Princess Zelda

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Georgia School Fight Escalates Into Shooting, Suspect Arrested

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Lil Scrappy & King Harris React To Phone Tussle

A shooting at a Georgia high school on Wednesday (August 12) left one student wounded. Later, police caught the teenage suspect who fled the Warner Robins High School scene and took them into custody, per the Associated Press.

RELATED: 15-Year-Old Passes Away After Argument At Joppatowne High School Escalated To A Shooting (UPDATE)

Details About The Georgia High School Shooting

The shooting at Warner Robins High School involving two ninth-graders occurred just one week into the new school year. Warner Robins is about 102 miles southeast of Atlanta. The incident prompted a response from dozens of law enforcement officers.

“Today, a call that we train for every year happened to come to Houston County,” Sheriff Matt Moulton said at an evening news conference.

The sheriff said a group of students was inside a school bathroom when a verbal altercation between two students escalated into a physical fight. One student was shot at 2:15 p.m., and the suspect fled. A school resource officer arrived quickly, applied tourniquets to the student’s injuries and remained until emergency services personnel arrived.

It’s unclear whether the school has metal detectors in place. Sheriff Moulton declined to take questions at the news conference, citing the active investigation.

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How Was The Suspect Caught? 

The injured student received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital. Sheriff Moulton did not specify the type of injuries the student had. An hour later, authorities caught the suspect “without further incident” in a neighborhood about a half-mile (800 meters) from the school, Moulton said.

“The school threat protocol and our training was followed perfectly today,” Moulton said. “Fortunately what could have been a much-worse incident was minimized to us only having one student injured.”

School Temporarily Closed For Staff & Students

Additionally, Houston County Schools Superintendent Richard Rogers said the school would be closed for staff on Thursday and students on Thursday and Friday. Crisis counselors would be available at the school for staff on Friday and for students on Monday. “We’re going to focus on healing,” Rogers said.

RELATED: Prayers Up! 12-Year-Old Girl Passes Away Following An After-School Fight With Another Student In Georgia (VIDEO)

Associated Press contributed to this story via AP Newsroom. 

What Do You Think Roomies?

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‘All That’ Star Passes Away At Age 46

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Prayers Up! 'All That' Star Christy Knowings Passes Away At Age 46 (PHOTO)

There’s some heartbreaking news for fans who grew up watching one of Nickelodeon’s most beloved sketch-comedy shows. Christy Knowings, who brought plenty of personality and laughs to the screen during her time on ‘All That,’ has died at 46.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Fans Share Heartbreak After ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Actress Daveigh Chase Passes Away At Age 35

Christy Knowings’ Health Emergency Ends In Tragedy

According to reports, Knowings suffered an asthma attack on Friday, Aug. 7, that resulted in brain damage. She was hospitalized at a Los Angeles-area hospital and placed on life support. After several days, her family made the difficult decision to remove her from life support, and she died Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Knowings was a regular cast member on ‘All That’ from 1997 to 2000, appearing in more than 30 episodes alongside stars including Amanda Bynes, Nick Cannon and Kenan Thompson. She took on a number of memorable characters, including Jessica from “Whateverrr!” and Penny Lane, but previously revealed that Gloria Bankhead was one of her favorite roles. In a 2019 interview, Knowings described Gloria as an “over-the-top Martha Stewart” and said she enjoyed staying in character even when the cameras weren’t rolling.

The Comments Fill With Grief

Folks quickly ran to TSR’s Instagram comment section with plenty to say following news of Christy Knowings’ passing. Many were simply grieving and sharing heartfelt memories, while others reflected on how so many child stars haven’t seemed like the same people since experiencing the pressures of stardom. And in between the condolences, plenty of folks also took a moment to point out just how beautiful Christy was.

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One Instagram user @yeahbullet_ said, I loved her on All That! RIP beautiful”

This Instagram user @charmstacie added, Wow she was so pretty and funny 🙏”

And, Instagram user @korladaaaa commented, D*mn my childhood is just leaving 😢❤️”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @royalteexoxo wrote, Hope her twin brother is ok. Prayers to the family!!”

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While Instagram user @sheadotcom__ shared, awww rest peacefully 😢”

Lastly, Instagram user @co_cainneee claimed, None of these people been right since those shows”

Christy Knowings’ Death Adds To A Painful Year

Beyond ‘All That,’ Knowings continued working in entertainment, including appearances on ‘Sesame Street’ alongside her twin brother, Chris Knowings, between 2008 and 2011. She also appeared in the 2009 film ‘Mother and Child’ and released music, including the 2020 track ‘To the World.’ Knowings had recently been featured on the June/July 2026 cover of Black Beat magazine, making news of her sudden passing especially poignant for longtime fans.

Knowings’ death comes just months after another former ‘All That’ cast member, Kianna Underwood, died at 33 after being struck in a hit-and-run while walking in Brooklyn in January. The back-to-back losses have left fans of the iconic Nickelodeon series mourning two familiar faces from their childhood.

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RELATED: Prayers Up! Former Nickelodeon Star Kianna Underwood Killed In Shocking Brooklyn Hit-And-Run

What Do You Think Roomies?

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