There are several genres that lend themselves perfectly to being re-read, but there’s one in particular that benefits greatly from re-visits to one’s favorite books: science fiction. After all, these are stories that can often be mind-bending extravaganzas of pure creativity, full of clever foreshadowing and cool hidden details that are hard to catch on a first read-through.

Sci-fi authors have been writing novels worthy of re-reading since the days of giants like Ursula K. Le Guin, and up to the modern day and the age of modern sci-fi masterpieces like Anathem. These are the sci-fi books that are even better the second time around; once you understand their dense worldbuilding and thematic intricacies, it becomes far easier to appreciate them fully.

‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’ (1987)

Image via Macmillan

Inspired by Douglas Adams‘ own time at university and by two serials he wrote for Doctor Who, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency was described by its author on its cover as a “thumping good detective-ghost-horror-whodunit-time travel-romantic-musical-comedy-epic.” Before it inspired one of the most underrated time travel shows ever, it was Adams’ next big hit after the success of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

As re-readable as those hilarious sci-fi classics are, nothing beats just how much better the original Dirk Gently gets on one’s second read-through. Adams wrote one of the most labyrinthine, non-linear, and densely plotted sci-fi comedies that the printed page has ever seen, so revisiting the story allows the reader to appreciate how brilliantly all the seemingly random events end up connecting. The amount of “aha!” moments that you get the second time around is almost without equal.

‘Solaris’ (1961)

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Written by legendary Polish author and futurologist Stanisław Lem, Solaris is a brilliant sci-fi novel all about the limitations of human rationality. It’s one of the best sci-fi books that no one talks about (its Andrei Tarkovsky and Steven Soderbergh film adaptations being significantly better-known), but that doesn’t detract from the fact that it’s one of the greatest works of European science fiction of the 20th century as a whole.

It’s a very short book, which definitely contributes to its re-readability; but it’s also incredibly dense both in terms of its plotting and of its philosophical thematic work, making re-visits pretty much obligatory to gain a more complete understanding of Lem’s commentary on human communication. Once you get past understanding all the exposition, you start reading Solaris less as an alien mystery and more as a powerful mirror revealing the limitations of the human ego.

‘Ubik’ (1969)

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It’s no exaggeration to say that Philip K. Dick was one of the most important and hugely influential figures in the history of science fiction. He was an author who revolutionized the genre by moving toward more psychologically and philosophically profound explorations of reality, humanity, and artificial intelligence. Nowhere is that clearer than in what many consider his best work: Ubik.

It’s not often that a sci-fi author’s best book also serves as a perfect introduction to his style, but that’s definitely the case with Ubik, which becomes an even better introduction to Dick’s classic themes once you re-read it. On first read, you get an almost dizzying cascade of twists and surreal elements. The second time around, you still keep the appeal of those head-scratching bits while transforming the experience into a taut, intellectually masterful psychological puzzle. Confusing science fiction rarely gets any more rewarding.

‘Anathem’ (2008)

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The 21st century has delivered plenty of science fiction masterpieces, and Neal Stephenson‘s Anathem (winner of the Best Sci-Fi Novel Locus Award and a nominee for many other prestigious accolades) is a perfect example. Grand, ambitious, and philosophically sharp, it’s a fascinating exploration of the nature of reality and independent thought.

Anathem feels like a novel that was pretty much designed to get better on one’s second time around. Stephenson’s prose is admirably dense, full of invented jargon and philosophical language. As such, one’s first read of this almost 1,000-page behemoth can be quite challenging, while the second read is guaranteed to let the reader immerse themselves in the story and world right off the bat and appreciate its thematic and narrative intricacies without feeling lost.

‘The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress’ (1966)

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Sometimes called the “dean of science fiction writers,” Robert A. Heinlein is one of the most important writers in the history of speculative fiction, helping take sci-fi from the realm of pulp magazines into a more sophisticated and thematically complex place. Several of his works get considerably better on re-read, but none more so than The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress.

It’s one of the best hard sci-fi books of all time, and like many of history’s best hard sci-fi books, its dense prose and infodump-heavy world-building make it so that a first read can be a bit slow, while a second read becomes immensely rewarding. Having already had the chance to understand the political, economic, and scientific intricacies of the narrative, you’re equipped with the toolset to dive even deeper into Heinlein’s fascinating world.

‘Hyperion’ (1989)

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The winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel and the first chapter in the Hyperion Cantos series, Dan Simmons‘ Hyperion is undoubtedly the best of the bunch. With a film adaptation currently in production, it’s one of the best classic sci-fi books to read in 2026, and just as rewarding for those who have already read it to visit its world once again.

Borrowing the structure of The Canterbury Tales, Hyperion unfolds like a thrilling mystery and a sweeping space opera upon first reading it. On re-read, fans should be able to appreciate the intricate foreshadowing, subtle worldbuilding, and even the book’s slower sections even more. The emotional impact of Simmons’ incredibly detailed plotting is tremendously enhanced by having a more complete understanding of everything that comes next.

‘Blindsight’ (2006)

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Written by Canadian author Peter Watts and nominated for several Best Novel and Best Science Fiction Novel accolades, Blindsight is one of the best Canadian hard sci-fi books of all time. Exploring themes of consciousness and transhumanism in ways that feel even more relevant and timely nowadays in the age of AI, it’s a book as entertaining as it is scientifically rigorous.

Blindsight is so well-written, thematically fascinating, and so clearly designed to be revisited that it makes an immediate re-read right after one’s first go almost irresistibly tempting. When experiencing the novel for the second time, Watts’ dense prose and heavy use of jargon become far more intuitive and less like a barrier, which allows you to catch the full scope of the narrative and worldbuilding in a way that would be almost impossible the first time around.

‘The Dispossessed’ (1974)

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It should go without saying that Ursula K. Le Guin is one of the most important, groundbreaking, and massively influential authors of speculative fiction in history. One of her best works of science fiction is the utopian novel The Dispossessed, one of her seven Hainish Cycle novels. Thanks to its thematic and political depth, it achieved a level of recognition that was almost unprecedented for science fiction at the time, and today, many still remember it as one of the best-ever examples of the genre.

Not many authors could ever even hope to create a culture and society as intricately detailed as the one Le Guin constructs in The Dispossessed, bolstered by her signature elegant yet uncomplicated prose. The book’s heavily philosophical and deeply symbolic study of anarchism and utopianism, however, can feel somewhat slow on one’s first go. A second read allows for an almost unbelievably deeper understanding of Le Guin’s worldbuilding, plotting, and thematic work.

‘Neuromancer’ (1984)

Image via William Gibson / Ace Books

William Gibson‘s Neuromancer is widely regarded as one of the best sci-fi book masterpieces in history, a pioneer of the subgenre that we now understand as cyberpunk. Today, over four decades after its publication, the book reads as an even more relevant and urgent piece of commentary on artificial intelligence and the digital age, making it a must-read in 2026.

On first read, Neuromancer can be more than a bit disorienting, since Gibson seems to deliberately drop the reader into a strange, high-tech future without much context, using a dense and slang-heavy writing style that demands plenty of deductions and inferences on the reader’s part. By the time that first read is over, however, readers should have already acquired a perfect understanding of the world, the characters’ motivations, and the themes that concern Gibson. That makes it easy to skip the confusion and disorientation on a second read, gaining a far deeper appreciation of Gibson’s masterpiece as a whole.

‘Dune’ (1965)

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It isn’t really an exaggeration to call Frank Herbert‘s Dune the single most important, groundbreaking, and influential work of 20th-century science fiction. There are even those who would confidently call it their favorite sci-fi book ever written—It’s just that good. There aren’t many sci-fi books as good as Dune, and the ones that are typically owe an awful lot to Herbert’s masterpiece about environmentalism, the intersection of religion and politics, and the dangers of charismatic messianic leaders.

The thing about Dune is that it gets better the second time around… and then even better the third time… and then even better the fourth time. It’s the sort of sci-fi novel so masterfully written, so philosophically and thematically profound, and so richly detailed that it’s nigh-impossible to get sick of it. Re-reads make it easy to appreciate the subtle bits of foreshadowing, the complex sociopolitical commentary, and the almost unbelievably nuanced and layered worldbuilding. As such, there is no better sci-fi book to re-read than Dune.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 26 seconds ago

To put it mildly, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a very crowded film. It’s got plenty of good guys, including Spidey himself, Punisher, and the Hulk. But it’s also got plenty of bad guys, including Scorpion, Tombstone, Hand ninjas, and more. Then, there’s one character who’s neither friend nor foe: the mystery character played by Stranger Things star Sadie Sink. The trailers make her out to be an antagonist, one whose telepathic skills are making the city nervous and weaponizing the Hulk. But most fans are convinced that she’s Jean Grey, one of the earliest members of the X-Men.

Regardless of who Sink is playing, we already know that her character is coming back for Avengers: Secret Wars. That means that she’s destined to be one of the bigger movers and shakers in this cinematic universe, and if she really is playing Jean Grey, Sink is about to be the face of the X-Men, the MCU’s hottest new super team. Because of that, you might think she faced a rather grueling audition process, much like costar Tom Holland did. Surprisingly enough, though, Sink was hired for her mystery Marvel role with no audition whatsoever!

Running Up That Hill

Stranger Things provided Sadie Sink with the breakout role of a lifetime. Back when it was the most popular show in the world, this series demonstrated what a great actor she really was. That was especially true in Stranger Things’ controversial final season, where she was effectively acting circles around her young costars. Therefore, it wasn’t much of a surprise that she got scooped up by Marvel, a studio always on the lookout for popular and talented actors. What is a surprise is the identity of her Spider-Man: Brand New Day character. Fortunately, Stranger Things taught Sink how to keep secrets, and she hasn’t spilled the beans on who she’s playing.

However, in a recent interview with Nylon, she offered a few interesting tidbits regarding how she ended up in a Marvel movie. The most fascinating thing was that she was actually hired for Brand New Day without having to audition. Was this just because she was so good in Stranger Things? While her acting skills are undeniable, this was more about having professional connections. The new Spider-Man movie is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, and he previously directed Sink in the 2017 film The Glass Castle. He was happy to hire her on the spot, though she didn’t receive a script for Brand New Day until she landed in London for filming.

Is She The Big Bad Or Spider-Man’s Only Hope?

Having previously been a main character in Stranger Things, Sadie Sink knows what it’s like to step into a franchise filled with obsessive fans. However, she admitted in the interview that Marvel is its own beast, and she was shocked at the online fascination with discovering her character’s identity. Fortunately, she found an ally in Spider-Man lead actor Tom Holland, who “could not have been more welcoming…He was just so relaxed and open, and I felt very at ease.” As for Holland, he did have to audition many times, and he got so nervous about his first screen test with Robert Downey Jr. that he drank all the liquor in his hotel’s minibar!

It’s good to know that Sadie Sink and Tom Holland hit it off so well. If she really is playing Jean Grey in the MCU, then these two are likely to get plenty of screen time together, both in Secret Wars and in the inevitable X-Men/Spider-Man crossover movie. Before that, though, she’ll be tangling with Spidey, the government, and just about everyone else in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The movie premieres July 31st, meaning you’ve still got time to start a betting pool with your friends about who she’s actually playing. I’ve got 20 quatloos that say she’s playing Jean!

For decades, Batman: Knightfall has stood as one of the most influential storylines in the Dark Knight’s history. Now, DC and Warner Bros. Animation are finally bringing the legendary comic arc to life with a multi-part animated film series, and longtime fans have every reason to be excited.

Originally published between 1993 and 1994, Batman: Knightfall redefined Batman by pushing Bruce Wayne to his absolute limits. Rather than relying on brute strength alone, Bane orchestrates a calculated campaign to wear Batman down, releasing the inmates of Arkham Asylum and forcing the Caped Crusader into an endless battle before delivering one of the most iconic moments in comic book history—breaking Batman’s back.

While that shocking image has been referenced in films, television, and games over the years, the complete Knightfallsaga has never received a faithful screen adaptation. That is finally changing.

According to Collider, the upcoming animated project has the opportunity to become the definitive adaptation of one of DC’s greatest comic stories. The publication praised Warner Bros. Animation’s recent success with comic-faithful adaptations and suggested that the multi-part format is exactly what Knightfall needs to properly tell its sprawling story.

Batman Nightfall [credit: Warner Bros. Animation]

Unlike a single feature film, the multi-part approach allows the adaptation to cover the full scope of the original event. Beyond Bane’s victory over Batman, the story follows Jean-Paul Valley (Azrael) as Gotham’s new Batman, whose increasingly violent methods tarnish the symbol Bruce Wayne spent years building. Eventually, Bruce returns to reclaim the mantle, leading to one of the most compelling redemption arcs in Batman history.

The animated adaptation is being directed by Jeff Wamester from a screenplay by Jeremy Adams. Warner Bros. has confirmed that the project is envisioned as a multi-part animated event rather than a standalone movie, giving the creative team room to faithfully adapt the massive comic storyline.

The first trailer, released this week, showcases the brutal confrontation between Batman and Bane while teasing the emotional journey ahead. Fans also received a first look at several iconic moments pulled directly from the comics, suggesting the filmmakers are embracing the source material rather than reinventing it.

Warner Bros. Animation has earned praise over the years for adaptations such as Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and many fans hope Knightfall will join that list as another faithful translation of a beloved comic classic. Given the scale of the original story and the creative team’s commitment to preserving its biggest moments, this could become one of DC’s most ambitious animated projects to date.

If the finished film delivers on what fans have seen so far, Batman: Knightfall may not simply adapt one of Batman’s greatest stories—it could become the definitive animated Batman epic for a new generation.

Jay Cinco has been proudly embracing life as a girl dad since welcoming his daughter, Raine, with Lala Baptiste. Now, the content creator has fans talking again after debuting a permanent tribute to his little one that had social media doing a double-take.

RELATED: Twinning Or Tripping?! Jay Cinco Reacts After Internet Claims Sincere Rhea Of ‘Love Island USA’ Is His Look-Alike (PHOTOS)

Girl Dad! Jay Cinco Shows Off Face Tattoo Dedicated To His Daughter

Jay Cinco is making his love for his daughter permanent. On Wednesday, July 1, the content creator shared a close-up selfie on his Instagram Story, giving fans a first look at a new face tattoo dedicated to his daughter, Raine. The fresh ink appears in red cursive lettering just above his left eyebrow and spells out “Raine.” Jay kept the post simple, pairing the selfie with a nose-blowing face emoji and letting the tattoo speak for itself. The new ink marks Jay’s second face tattoo. He also has his late best friend Dominic’s name tattooed on the right side of his face, beneath his hairline.

Social Media Reacts

The reveal quickly caught fans’ attention, with many zooming in on the tattoo’s bold placement. While some applauded the sentimental gesture, others questioned why Jay chose to place his daughter’s name on his face rather than on another part of his body.

Instagram user @5starrr_ejj wrote, “Out of all places he chose right there omg 🤦‍♀️😭😭😭”

Another Instagram user @sadboyiife333 wrote, “He just wanted a reason to get a face tattoo 😂😂😂”

While Instagram user @msnobodyyyy wrote, “Glad somebody baby got a cute normal name lol”

Instagram user @blsd88_ wrote, “He doesn’t look happy with it. Why is it slanted and red. Looks like somebody cut him”

Another Instagram “the only.tazia wrote, “Now why would lala let him do that”

While Instagram user @msperfectttt__ wrote, “It look good”

Instagram user @itsdrshannonmichelle wrote, “That face 😍”

Another Instagram user @qinq_kjay wrote, “He already got his homie that passed away name on the other side maybe that’s why he got it right there”

While Instagram user @niyxh07 wrote, “Tats on the face are sooooo stupid. Think smarter. My dad has my name on his arm, we should normalize that 😭”

Jay Cinco Previously Had Kai Cenat Cracking Up With Streamer University Prank

Before debuting his new tattoo, Jay Cinco had the internet laughing after pulling a prank during auditions for Kai Cenat’s Streamer University. Jay arrived pushing a baby stroller while wearing a shirt that read “Number One Dad,” seemingly hoping his daughter would help earn him a spot in the program. After noticing the stroller, Kai excitedly walked over, believing he was finally about to meet baby Raine.

However, when Kai lifted the cover, he discovered there wasn’t a baby inside at all—just a baby doll. The fake-out instantly changed Kai’s mood. After realizing he had been pranked, Kai tossed the doll aside and jokingly declined Jay’s admission into Streamer University, saying he wasn’t getting accepted after lying about bringing his daughter. The hilarious moment quickly went viral, leaving viewers in stitches and adding another memorable moment to the Streamer University auditions.

RELATED: Daddy Duties! Jay Cinco Has Fans In Their Feelings After Opening Up About First-Time Fatherhood In TikTok Post (WATCH)

Former Kardashian nanny Leah Barrs hinted at the content that didn’t make the cut in season 1 of Million Dollar Nannies — including some hookups.

“I wasn’t the only one sampling the island,” Leah teased via Instagram Stories on Wednesday, July 1, in response to a submitted question about unaired moments from the Hulu show.

While Leah did make out with a local in Ibiza on the show, she also made a startling confession about sleeping with a dad who previously hired her to watch his son. This revelation concerned certain nannies — and parents — which affected Leah’s attempt at starting her own agency in season 1.

“[Now], he’s happily married. Pack it up,” Leah told People in June. “But I’m not that person today.”

Related: Former Kardashian Nanny Slept With a Dad: NannyTok Scandal Explained

Million Dollar Nannies introduced viewers to former Kardashian nanny Leah Barrs, who quickly found herself at the center of a scandal after she revealed she previously slept with a dad who hired her to watch his child. The show, which is streaming now on Hulu, follows a young group of elite nannies as they head […]

Leah addressed her history with the unnamed man, adding, “I was young — I was 22 at the time. And I shouldn’t have done that.”

After Million Dollar Nannies premiered, Leah clarified that the father was a “friend” before he hired her to be his nanny. She also maintained that the dad was single when they slept together.

“I was working for him that night, so I shouldn’t have crossed that line,” she noted.

Million Dollar Nannies follows eight nannies in Ibiza as they try to gain employment with wealthy clients. While most of the show was focused on the demanding families, there were also issues between the nannies themselves.

Leah recently let slip that there are “plans” for a season 2 of Million Dollar Nannies, which would likely address where she stands with costar Sydney Siegel. (Leah confirmed off screen that they were still not on good terms.)

“As of right now, there’s plans to [have] another season and there’s plans for me to bring these nannies back,” Leah said via Instagram Stories before hinting how the falling out with Sydney could influence future episodes. “I don’t want to bring someone who I can’t trust.”

Leah added that “some conversations need to be had” since costars Jack McCann, Hannah Joy Davis, Olivia McMahon and Tamaya Denae have all sided with her. She didn’t mention Mitchell Bienvenue and Taylor Hayward, who previously hinted at tension among the cast.

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“Things ended in a little bit of a rocky place in certain situations amongst us. There’s definitely tight friend groups within all eight of us,” Mitchell exclusively told Us Weekly. “Now, it’s been interesting to see new friendships form and we all stay relatively close. But I think there’s definitely stronger friend groups amongst the overall cast than others.”

He continued: “There’s a lot of things that are still to be spoken about and there’s a lot of things that can still find [their] way of clearing the air.”

Million Dollar Nannies is currently streaming on Hulu.

If you’re tired of boring flip-flops and flat sandals, Kate Hudson has a suggestion for you. She recently wore a sleek woven shoe style that’s a breath of fresh Hamptons air, infusing rich mom vibes into any outfit. The pick may appear expensive, but don’t be fooled: we found a similar summer-ready pair for only $40!

While filming Hello and Paris in Manhattan, Hudson wore a romantic floral dress with beige-toned woven sandals that had everyone doing a double-take. But it wasn’t just the woven design that made them chic. The shoes had a mini heel that further elevated the look, as does this Amazon twin.

Get the Omlishzty Woven Low-Heel Sandals for $40 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

These Omlishzty Woven Low-Heel Sandals nail Hudson’s look with the same round toe, strappy woven upper and beige tone. The alternative even has a similar slingback silhouette and low heel, while the faux leather material adds a polished twist to the laid-back look.

Related: Jennifer Lawrence Wore This Easy Slide Sandal (Again)

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Jennifer Lawrence isn’t one to trade comfort for fashion, and her latest slide sandal style is the perfect example. She leaned into a low-key, effortlessly aesthetic style, and we’re copying Lawrence’s easy summer look for only $25! A few days ago, the actress was spotted cruising through Manhattan on her bike. She wore a breezy […]

When it comes to styling, do as Hudson did and wear these sleek sandals with a printed maxi dress, leather bag and lightweight cardigan. You can also swap in a crisp shirt and trousers. While Hudson went with a beige option, the brown version of this shoe is just as versatile.

These woven leather sandals photograph beautifully, play nicely with everything in your closet and read expensive — even though they aren’t. Hudson’s brand is a mystery, but who knows. . . it might be this Amazon pair!

Snag this luxe-looking summer shoe now, and there’s no shortage of when and where you’ll wear them. Vacation dinners, Sunday brunches and more — it works for it all!

Get the Omlishzty Woven Low-Heel Sandals for $40 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more comfy sandals and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

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Related: 13 Elevated Shoe Styles That Make Dresses Look More Expensive

As a comfort connoisseur, I’m all about sneakers. But as a fashion person, I’m also about, well, fashion. When the occasion calls for a dress and sporty isn’t the vibe, I found 13 elevated shoe styles that make my summer dresses appear triple the price. These chic flats, sandals, slides and more are the easiest […]

Former Bachelor Nation producer Julie LaPlaca is sharing her expert opinion on the future of Taylor Frankie Paul’s Bachelorette season after it was pulled from the air.

“I think viewers will see that season,” Julie, 41, shared in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly while promoting her memoir, The Love Producer, out Tuesday, July 7.

Reality TV fans were first introduced to Taylor, 32, on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which debuted in 2024. One year later, news broke that the MomTok influencer was chosen to lead the 22nd season of The Bachelorette.

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Taylor Frankie Paul is “hopeful” her season of The Bachelorette will eventually air, a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. “Viewers would get to see another side to her,” the insider adds as the future of Taylor’s season remains up in the air. ABC announced in March, days before The Bachelorette was scheduled to premiere, that […]

In March — days before the season was set to premiere — ABC announced that the episodes would not air amid a domestic assault investigation involving her ex Dakota Mortensen. Dakota alleged in court documents that Taylor shoved him into a window and choked him. He further claimed that he feared for the safety of the pair’s 2-year-old son, Ever. (Taylor also shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 6, with ex-husband Tate Paul.)

Amid the fallout, Dakota was granted temporary custody of Ever in March and a temporary restraining order against Taylor, who has denied any child abuse allegations. Taylor was later granted her own protective order against Dakota, with a judge ordering the former couple to stay 100 feet away from each other during a hearing in April.

After initially being granted supervised visitation with Ever, Taylor earned unsupervised visitation rights in June. The drama took another turn, however, when Dakota called the cops with a question about whether his protective order had been violated.

Related: Will Taylor Frankie Paul’s ‘Bachelorette’ Season Finally Air on ABC?

Disney’s unscripted and reality TV chief, Rob Mills, is sharing an update on whether Taylor Frankie Paul’s Bachelorette season will air on Disney-owned ABC — or perhaps elsewhere. “Everything with that is one day at a time,” Mills said in a Wednesday, April 22, interview with Variety. ABC shelved season 22 of The Bachelorette starring […]

News later broke on Tuesday, June 30, that Tate filed a motion for his own temporary restraining order against Taylor, which was ultimately denied.

As the disputes continue to play out off camera, rumors surfaced that Taylor’s season may begin to air this month. ABC has not yet announced an official decision about the season’s future.

While Taylor’s unconventional Bachelorette casting may have come as a surprise to some, Julie — who worked behind the scenes on the franchise for seven years — understood the choice.

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“It didn’t come as a surprise to me,” she told Us, noting that the team behind the series likely wanted to find something “new and fresh” for viewers. “They’re always trying to figure out something different to do.”

Julie even drew a comparison to Hannah Brown’s “very iconic season,” which she had a hand in producing.

“It’s like, ‘Who’s that next hot mess express,’ if you will, and they probably saw that in Taylor Frankie Paul,” Julie says, referring to a nickname used to describe Hannah’s personality. “[That casting] doesn’t surprise me, and I feel like if and when it airs, it’ll probably do really well.”

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are rumored to be hosting their lavish wedding at New York City’s Madison Square Garden ahead of the Fourth of July. Now, ahead of the much-buzzed-about wedding, the “Folklore” singer and NFL star have made a hefty donation to various food banks and children’s hospitals in the city.

Neither Swift nor Kelce are strangers to charitable donations. However, ahead of their wedding, a representative for the singer has confirmed to PEOPLE that the couple is donating an impressive $26 million to several organizations. The donation is said to happen “this week.”

Some of the organziations set to recive a portion of the $26 million are City Harvest, the Food Bank for N.Y.C., New York Cares, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Harvesters in Kansas City, Brad Paisley and Kimberly Paisley’s The Store in Nashville, Helping Harvest in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Feeding America, ASPCA, Grammy in the Schools and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Taylor And Travis Are Donating To Other Causes

In addition to Swift and Kelce’s donations to the previously listed organizations and causes, the couple has a few other names on their list. They include Education Through Music, Answer the Call, Musical Mentors, and After-School All-Stars. Notably, After-School All-Stars in New York City and Cleveland will receive donations.

That’s not all; Swift and Kelce are also donating to MSK (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) Kids, Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, and Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

Legally Blonde‘s Elle prequel has already filmed its second season — but not every cast member is coming back.

“Most faces you’ll see in season 2,” showrunner Caroline Dries exclusively told Us Weekly about Prime Video’s new show, which is streaming now and was renewed before its premiere.

Jessica Belkin, who plays Elle’s Los Angeles friend Madison, hinted that she would still be on the show despite pulling double duty with Fox’s Baywatch.

“I definitely am back in season 2. There’s more to Madison’s story,” she teased. “We just wrapped and before we got back into it, the entire cast had a little movie watch binge night together and we watched the full season together, which was super special.”

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She continued: “I had a quick reminder of like, ‘Oh, that’s Madison. She’s spunky. She’s feisty. She gives the best advice.’ I hope that everyone loves Madison in season 1 because she’ll be back.”

Danielle Chand, meanwhile, isn’t expected to reprise her role as Shannon — yet. While speaking with Us, Chand didn’t rule out a potential return after Shannon left Seattle at the end of season 1.

“I’ve made story lines in my head [of how she can return],” Chand added. “My hope for Shannon is that she is just hanging out with all of our friends. If there’s a graduation or like something that involves Kimberly, I would love Shannon just to keep popping in.”

Based on Amanda Brown‘s novel, the 2001 movie Legally Blonde introduced Us to Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon), a sorority girl who attempted to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner (Matthew Davis) by getting a degree at Harvard Law School. Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Victor Garber and Jennifer Coolidge rounded out the cast, with a second movie following two years later.

With Lexi Minetree taking on the role as teen Elle, the series stars June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott as Elle’s parents. Chandler Kinney, Gabrielle Policano and Jacob Moskovitz were also announced as series regulars alongside Belkin, Zac Looker, Amy Pietz and more. (James Van Der Beek also joined the cast for what would become his final TV role before his death. He died in February 2026 at the age of 48.)

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Related: ‘Legally Blonde‘ Cast: Where Are They Now?

The iconic comedy that gave us “bend and snap!” lives on! Released in 2001, Legally Blonde follows Reese Witherspoon‘s Elle Woods, a sorority girl who is dumped by her boyfriend who thinks he’s too good for her. In an effort to prove him wrong and win him back, she hits the books and is accepted […]

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“We always went back to tone. We always went back to what we emotionally connected to about the movie — just as fans of the movie — and making sure that we had those things down perfectly,” showrunner Laura Kittrel shared with Us. “Then once we were able to firmly establish that, we were getting excited about how we have new characters that we get to introduce to the world and still make it feel like its own thing.”

She continued: “We tried really hard to strike a balance of if you’re a fan of the movie, you’re going to watch this and get what you want as a fan of the movie. If you have never watched this movie in your life or even heard of it, you will also totally find something to connect to in it.”

Elle is streaming on Prime Video now.