By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 1 hour ago

John Wick changed the action film landscape so thoroughly that it became a part of our cinematic lexicon … for example, when you want to describe a movie built around big celebrities, epic fights, and intricate worldbuilding, you might say something like “Nobody is Bob Odenkirk’s John Wick.” There is currently no shortage of these movie homages, and some are inevitably better than others. One of the best such films is Gunpowder Milkshake, a John Wick clone with a girl power twist now streaming on Netflix.

A Cross Between Fire Power And Star Power

What is Gunpowder Milkshake about, exactly? This is mostly the story of a veteran hit-woman who works for a mysterious organization and can handle almost any job with ease. But when she has to protect the young girl of one of her victim’s fathers, she must reunite with her estranged mother and recruit some unexpected allies if she wants to have any hope of survival.

As with the John Wick films, a large part of Gunpowder Milkshake’s appeal is its cast of quirky actors. Karen Gillan (best known as a fan-favorite Companion Amy on Doctor Who) plays our chief hit-woman protagonist, and Lena Headey (best known as Cersei on Game of Thrones) plays her estranged mother turned professional killer. Other big names in this great cast include Paul Giamatti as a shady assassin employer, and Michelle Yeoh as a member of a very special sisterhood of warriors.

A Perfect Mix Of Violence And Charisma

While it’s not quite as good as John Wick (more on this later), Gunpowder Milkshake does a good job of emulating that film’s best characteristics. For example, the fights are well-choreographed and complex, and every single bullet fired helps to propel the narrative relentlessly forward. All of the cast has great chemistry, and the organic worldbuilding in the script is reminiscent of killer action films like Mad Max: Fury Road. 

When Gunpowder Milkshake debuted on Netflix, it made a big splash, establishing itself as the most-watched film in America that week. This positive buzz was enough for a sequel to be announced in 2021, but there hasn’t been any real movement or announcements since then. Fingers crossed for more of this strange cinematic universe, but the lack of updates has me worried that this particular milkshake machine may be broken (the McDonald’s curse strikes again?).

Good, But Not Better Than The Best

Gunpowder Milkshake may have been a highly-streamed hit when it came out, but critics were a bit mixed in their opinions. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie currently has a 60 percent critical rating, meaning that it barely eked into “fresh” territory. Critics generally praised the colorful and entertaining universe and its stylish ultra-violence but noted that, like a more conventional milkshake, it might be nothing more than a sugar-filled rush of empty calories.

I think that’s a generally correct assessment, and I feel the same way about Gunpowder Milkshake. It’s not as good as John Wick, but that isn’t meant as a slam…if we’re being honest, that Keanu Reeves genre-defining classic is better than most movies. But this newer film notably manages to deliver Wick-style thrills and charismatic characters while taking some very big swings to establish its own unique cinematic identity.

GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE SCORE

Gunpowder Milkshake is ultimately a great film for anyone who likes great action scenes, and if you happen to love Gillan, Headey, and Yeoh (honestly, who doesn’t?), it’s even better. Of course, milkshakes aren’t for everyone, and you won’t know if this is your new favorite sugar bomb or just a bomb in general until you stream it on Netflix. Fair warning: if you’re a Doctor Who fan like me, you might spend half the movie singing “Amy’s got a gun” to the dulcet tones of Aerosmith.

Kim Scott, the ex-wife of rapper Eminem, is now the subject of an active arrest warrant after failing to appear in court for a hearing related to her recent DUI case. According to multiple reports, Scott missed a scheduled appearance on Wednesday in Macomb County District Court in Michigan, prompting prosecutors to request a bench warrant.

The latest legal development comes just weeks after Scott was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following a traffic crash.

Judge Issues Arrest Warrant After Kim Scott Missed Court Appearance

Scott was expected to appear before Judge William H. Hackel III on Wednesday for pretrial proceedings tied to her DUI case. However, after she failed to appear, prosecutors requested that a bench warrant be issued and that her previously posted release bond be forfeited. The judge granted the request, issuing an active arrest warrant and setting Scott’s bond at $10,000.

As of Wednesday, officials confirmed Scott had not yet been taken back into custody.

DUI Arrest Followed Michigan Crash

The missed hearing stems from Scott’s arrest on May 14 in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. According to authorities, Scott allegedly crashed her vehicle into another car the night before in nearby Detroit. She was taken into custody the following morning and booked into the Macomb County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The arrest marked yet another legal issue for Scott, who has faced several public struggles over the years.

Kim Scott Was Already Facing Charges From An Earlier Crash

The May arrest came only weeks after Scott entered a no-contest plea in a separate case connected to a February crash. According to reports, authorities alleged Scott drove her white Range Rover into a parked Dodge Ram on February 16.

Her son, Parker, and three of his friends were reportedly inside the vehicle at the time as they were heading out shopping. Investigators said the impact pushed the parked truck approximately 50 feet from where it had been sitting.

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Scott was subsequently charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and failure to stop or identify after causing property damage.

Kim Scott And Eminem’s Relationship Played Out In The Public Eye

Scott and Eminem, whose legal name is Marshall Mathers III, have one of the most well-known and turbulent relationships in hip-hop history. The pair first met as teenagers in 1987 before beginning an on-again, off-again romance that lasted for decades. They married for the first time in 1999 before divorcing in 2001. The former couple reconciled several years later and remarried in 2006, but their second marriage also ended in divorce later that same year.

Throughout his career, Eminem frequently referenced Scott and their complicated relationship in his music, making her one of the most recognizable figures connected to the rapper’s personal life.

When it comes to family, Scott and Eminem welcomed their daughter, Hailie Jade, in 1995. “Bein’ a dad is definitely living a double life,” Eminem told Rolling Stone in 2004. “Even before Hailie was born, I was a firm believer in freedom of speech … But once I hit them gates where I live, that’s when I’m Dad.”

Beyond Hailie, the rapper also helped raise several other children connected to Scott’s family. He adopted Stevie Laine Scott after reuniting with Kim in the mid-2000s. Stevie was born in 2002 during one of the periods when Scott and Eminem were separated. Eminem also adopted Alaina Marie Scott, the daughter of Kim’s late twin sister, Dawn Scott, who struggled with substance abuse before she died in 2016.

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The rapper has frequently spoken about the importance of family throughout his career, and all three children have remained a central part of his life.

Kim Scott Has Faced Personal Struggles Over The Years

Scott has been candid about the personal challenges she has faced over the years, including struggles with addiction and mental health. In 2015, she survived a suicide attempt after crashing her vehicle into a utility pole. She later described the incident as an intentional act and said she had been battling depression and substance abuse at the time.

Despite periods away from the public eye, Scott has periodically made headlines because of legal troubles and her longstanding connection to Eminem.

With an active arrest warrant now issued, the latest chapter in her legal case continues to unfold.

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Bunnie Xo is setting the record straight on the speculation surrounding her divorce from Jelly Roll.

“I’ve seen this narrative online where people are like, ‘Bunnie was embarrassing Jelly.’ That’s why he wanted the divorce. ‘She’s not good for his PR,’” Bunnie, 46, said during the Friday, June 26, episode of her “Dumb Blonde” podcast. “I’m just like, please, it’s not me, OK. It’s not me, and that’s completely false.”

In the wake of their split, Bunnie (real name Alisa DeFord) told listeners that her DMs are open. While some podcast listeners have written in asking for advice, others have written “crazy” things.

Friday’s episode of the podcast was an “ask, tell, confess” installment, meaning listeners wrote into Bunnie. One message came from a man getting out of a “10-year bid” in prison asking for “a time” with her when he’s released.

“What I don’t like is he said, ‘Let me go out and have a time with you.’ So that’s where it’s like, OK, so you’re just expecting me to put out on this first date?” Bunnie said. “Listen, same. I just got out of a 10-year bid too, bitches, what are we talking about?”

Bunnie was laughing while telling listeners that she’s “gonna get a phone call” from Jelly (real name Jason Bradley DeFord) after that comment.

“I’m sorry, OK,” she said. “Just cutting a rug, buddy.”

Jelly submitted a petition for divorce in Tennessee on May 18. However, their split news didn’t go public until June 15.

“On Mother’s Day, we had a little bit of an argument, which I don’t think the details are necessary,” Bunnie explained on the June 18 episode of her “Dumb Blonde” podcast, detailing what led to their divorce.

“I was so fed up and so tired that I just looked at him and I said, ‘Well, then file the f***ing divorce papers,’” she claimed. “And in our relationship, that is the one cardinal thing that you don’t say. Even though my husband has said it numerous times ‘cause he’s the runner.”

Related: Inside Bunnie Xo and Jelly Roll’s Shocking Split: What Went Wrong?

Bunnie Xo is ready to shine a light on what went wrong in her nearly 10-year marriage to Jelly Roll. “My family was always so important to me, and when I said those vows with him, I really meant them,” Bunnie, 46, shared on the Thursday, June 18, episode of the “Dumb Blonde” podcast. “J […]

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Jelly was apparently “so mad” that he did what she said.

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“Was I blindsided? And was this divorce mutual? No, it was not mutual,” she added. “Even though I told him to file the divorce papers, I was speaking out of anger and just frustration.”

Bunnie referred to Jelly as her “best friend” despite their breakup.

“I don’t care how f***ed up our relationship was, which it wasn’t that f***ed up. I don’t care how much we didn’t communicate or how things shook out,” she said. “I was riding with this motherf***er till the wheels fell off. I didn’t care. I felt like we deserved a chance to go to therapy and figure s*** out. He didn’t feel that way and I respect it.”

When Superman premiered last year, it accomplished something the DC brand had struggled to find for years: a clear creative identity. James Gunn proved audiences were ready to embrace a version of DC that was colorful, optimistic, unabashedly comic book, and completely sincere. It was exactly the kind of reset the franchise needed after years of tonal uncertainty. That identity is one of the DCU’s greatest strengths, but it also carries its biggest risk.

After watching Supergirl, I’m less concerned about whether the movie succeeds on its own than I am about what it suggests for the future of the franchise. The movie introduces an excellent Kara Zor-El in Milly Alcock, but it also feels strangely hesitant to establish its own personality. Too often, it feels like it’s chasing the same rhythms that made Superman work rather than discovering what makes Supergirl unique. If that’s the template going forward, the DCU could end up making the same mistake every shared universe eventually faces: confusing consistency with sameness.

The DCU Needs an Identity, Not a Formula

There’s a reason Superman resonated with so many people, and it wasn’t simply because it was hopeful. It was because Gunn committed to a very specific vision from beginning to end. Every emotional beat, joke, action sequence, and supporting character felt like it belonged to the same filmmaker. Whether someone loved the movie or hated it, nobody walked away wondering whose voice they had just watched. That’s exactly what the opening chapter of a cinematic universe should accomplish. The problem is that a filmmaker’s voice isn’t something that can be copied by someone else. You can recreate the broad ingredients: offbeat humor, obscure comic references, heartfelt speeches, quirky side characters, licensed music. You can’t recreate the instincts behind them.

That’s where Supergirl stumbles. The movie frequently feels like it’s working from the outline of what a Gunn movie looks like without fully understanding why those choices worked in Superman. The result is a movie that often feels familiar but rarely surprising. Scenes unfold exactly as you’d expect them to, emotional moments arrive on schedule, and even the dialogue starts to feel predictable, as though every character is speaking with the same cadence. That’s not a franchise identity: that’s a formula.

Shared Universes Work Best When Directors Leave Their Fingerprints

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

The best cinematic universes don’t ask every filmmaker to make the same movie, they ask every filmmaker to tell a different story inside the same world. That’s why some of the strongest entries in the MCU still stand apart years later. Captain America: The Winter Soldier feels nothing like Guardians of the Galaxy. Black Panther has a completely different energy from both. They’re connected through continuity, but they’re driven by distinct creative voices. The DCU should want the same thing. That doesn’t mean abandoning the hopeful tone Gunn established, it means giving filmmakers permission to explore different genres, different visual styles, and different emotional perspectives while respecting the universe they’ve inherited.

Ironically, that’s exactly what DC Comics has always done well. Batman, Superman, Swamp Thing, Wonder Woman, and Supergirl all inhabit the same universe on the page, but their stories rarely feel interchangeable. The characters shape the storytelling, not the other way around. That’s what Supergirl needed more of. Kara shouldn’t simply feel like she’s existing inside Superman’s creative shadow, she should have a perspective, rhythm, and emotional identity that belong entirely to her. Alcock gives the character that spark throughout the movie. The movie surrounding her never quite catches up.

James Gunn’s Biggest Job Isn’t Directing ‘Superman’ Anymore

Gunn has already proven he knows how to make a great DC movie. The bigger challenge is proving he knows how to build a universe where other filmmakers can make great DC movies, too. That’s an entirely different responsibility. If every project starts chasing the tone that made Superman or any of other Gunn’s superhero projects successful, audiences will eventually notice the repetition. One of the biggest advantages comic book adaptations have over almost every other franchise is the sheer variety of stories they can tell. The DCU should feel big enough for political thrillers, cosmic adventures, gothic horror, fantasy epics, and intimate character dramas to coexist. That’s how comic books have survived for generations.

Supergirl doesn’t convince me the DCU has found that balance yet. It feels caught between honoring Gunn’s vision and establishing one of its own. That’s a difficult line for any filmmaker to walk, but it’s also one the franchise has to figure out sooner rather than later. Because the future of the DCU shouldn’t depend on every director trying to make the next James Gunn movie, it should depend on finding filmmakers who understand these characters well enough to make them feel unmistakably like themselves.

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Release Date

June 26, 2026

Runtime

108 minutes

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Writers

Ana Nogueira

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Producers

James Gunn, Lars P. Winther, Nigel Gostelow, Peter Safran

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Social media users are weighing IN after Willie Taylor said Day 26 would have “smoked” Pretty Ricky and B2K in a Verzuz.

RELATED: Raz-B Turns Heads With “PSA” Message For Pretty Ricky As Pleasure P Spills Tea On Verzuz Plans (PHOTO + VIDEOS)

Willie Taylor Says Day 26 Would Have “Smoked” Pretty Ricky & B2K In Verzuz

On the evening of Thursday, June 25, Willie Taylor took to Instagram, initially sharing a brief text post.

“Honestly Speaking… We would have SMOKED both Groups Tonight!!!! SMOKED!!” he wrote before adding an additional caption. “Great Show tonight fellas. But for what verzuz consist of easy Work!!!”

Subsequently, Taylor then shared footage of himself, elaborating on his thoughts in real time. Ultimately, Taylor doubled down on his claim that Day 26 would have B2K and Pretty Ricky off the stage.

Social Media Users Are Weighing IN After Willie Taylor Said Day 26 Would Have “Smoked” Pretty Ricky & B2K In Verzuz

Social media users quickly slid into TSR’s comment section, sharing their thoughts on Willie Taylor’s statement about Day 26 and largely defending Pretty Ricky.

More On The Groups’ Battle

As The Shade Room previously reported, Pretty Ricky and B2K faced off in a Verzuz battle on Thursday, June 25. Ultimately, the battle left most social media users declaring Baby Blue, Spectacular, and Pleasure P the victors.

RELATED: Social Media Goes Off Over B2K And Pretty Ricky Verzuz As The TL Brings All The Smoke (VIDEOS)

AMC’s Anne Rice universe was never built to be only one vampire show. Interview with the Vampire gave the franchise its prestige anchor, Mayfair Witches opened the supernatural side of the mythology, and the next logical step was always the organization watching all of it from the shadows. That made this cancelled spin-off interesting from the start because it was not centered on one immortal lead.

The strange part is that the series is now showing life after cancellation. AMC canceled it in March 2026 after only one six-episode season, but its AMC+ chart movement through Amazon Channels has improved this week in both the United States and Spain. In the U.S., it moved from No. 9 on June 20 to No. 6 yesterday and today (June 26). In Spain, it bounced from No. 7 to No. 5 earlier in the week and is now sitting at No. 6. That is not a giant global revival, but it is a useful late signal for a show that already lost its renewal fight.

The series is Talamasca: The Secret Order, AMC’s Anne Rice spin-off starring Nicholas Denton as Guy Anatole, a young man pulled into a secret agency that tracks immortal and supernatural beings. The cast also includes William Fichtner, Elizabeth McGovern, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, and Celine Buckens, with John Lee Hancock and Mark Lafferty behind the show. The show has a 6.5 IMDb rating and 61% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, which explains why it never became the franchise’s breakout, but the chart climb still matters. Cancelled shows usually disappear quietly. Talamasca: The Secret Order shows there was still some audience curiosity left in the order.

What Is the Premise of ‘Talamasca: The Secret Order’

Compared with Interview with the Vampire, which follows immortals from inside their own seductive, violent world, and Mayfair Witches, which centers on inherited power and family occult history, Talamasca: The Secret Order was built more like a supernatural spy thriller. The series follows the people who monitor vampires, witches, ghosts, and other beings while trying to keep the mortal world from seeing too much.

At the center is Guy Anatole (Nicholas Denton), a young law-school graduate who is pulled into the Talamasca after learning that the secret organization has been tracking him for years. From there, the show turns Anne Rice’s mythology into a surveillance-and-conspiracy story about humans trying to manage forces far older and stronger than them.

Talamasca: The Secret Order is currently trending on AMC+ (Amazon Channels). Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

2025 – 2026-00-00

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Network

AMC

Directors

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Eva Sørhaug

Writers

Donald Joh

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  Nicholas Denton

  Guy Anatole

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Chile! Tracee Ellis Ross is clearing the air after social media started running with a claim that had fans doing double takes. The actress and entrepreneur hopped online to set the record straight herself after edited screenshots sparked a wave of speculation.

RELATED: Been Tea! Tracee Ellis Ross Has Fans Saying She’s Snatched And Serving In Latest Visuals (WATCH)

Tracee Said “Y’all Can Stop Right There”

In a video circulating across social media, Tracee shut down the pregnancy rumors once and for all after fake screenshots made it appear as though she’d shared a positive pregnancy test on her Instagram Story. Rocking a blue cap, yellow raincoat, AirPods, and carrying a tote bag, she looked directly into the camera and said, “You guys, c’mon… I am not pregnant.” She doubled down moments later, adding, “Not only am I not pregnant, I’m not trynna get pregnant.“

Tracee also made it clear that the only thing she’s preparing to bring into the world is her latest project. Joking about the rumors, she explained that while there’s no baby on the way, fans can expect the birth of her newest work instead. And, she even advised people to reflect on Michelle Obama’s speech at the Obama Presidential Center opening instead of her ovaries.

Roomies Didn’t Waste A Single Second

Roomies wasted no time running straight to TSR’s Instagram comment section and running it all the way up. Some joked that “Tracee” and “pregnancy” don’t even belong in the same sentence, while others reminded people to stop being so invested in women’s uteruses and personal choices. Plenty of commenters also applauded Tracee for shutting the rumors down herself with humor instead of letting the speculation continue.

One Instagram user @alizedenyae commented, “Don’t play with my girl Rainbow 🌈😂”

This Instagram user @jazrealpretty joked “‘Where do we even get the PREGNANT?!!!!’😂”

And, Instagram user @and_im_aeja_ shared, “She’s really Joan in real life 😂😂”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @dr.deneice added, “Idk why people insist on being in other people’s uterus.“

Then Instagram user @only1laniiiii wrote, “Tracee and pregnant in the same sentence is actually insane tho😂😂”

Finally, Instagram user @therealeazyeconomicz said, “Wishing pregnancy and marriage on anyone who reads this 😂💍🤰🏾”

Tracee Ellis Ross Sets The Record Straight…Again

Tracee Ellis Ross is making one thing crystal clear: she is not pregnant. While appearing on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ to promote her upcoming Broadway debut in ‘Every Brilliant Thing,’ the 53-year-old addressed the viral speculation head-on. Tracee revealed she had been receiving congratulatory text messages that initially left her confused. “I’m like, ‘On the play? Thank you!‘” she joked before explaining that she later learned people believed she was expecting her first child. Shutting the rumors down once and for all, she told Fallon, “Which is hilarious. I am not pregnant.“

Keeping the laughs going, Tracee poked fun at the internet’s tendency to create its own narratives. “No, and I don’t know how you get the preggers,” she quipped. “Now, ‘the pregnant’ I think is different from just pregnant. I know how you get pregnant. But ‘the pregnant’ is a thing they make up online when it’s obviously a slow news day.” Her lighthearted response quickly resonated with fans, many of whom applauded her for addressing the rumors with wit instead of frustration.

RELATED: Whew! Tracee Ellis Ross Sets The Internet On Fire With Sizzling NEW Look (PHOTOS)

Lionel Richie’s latest tour has hit an unexpected pause after the music icon suffered a frightening health scare in front of thousands of fans. 

The legendary singer shocked concertgoers when he suddenly stopped performing during the opening night of his Sing A Song All Night Long tour, later leaving the venue in an ambulance as a precaution. 

Now, the 77-year-old has postponed upcoming shows while doctors monitor his condition, with those closest to him reportedly urging the workaholic entertainer to put his health first.

Just one day after cutting short his performance in St. Paul, Minnesota, Lionel Richie announced that his next two concerts would no longer go ahead.

A statement issued through Chicago’s United Center confirmed that the Grammy winner had been advised to step away from the stage while he recovers.

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“Under advisement by doctors to rest and return to full health, Lionel Richie has postponed his next two shows on Friday, June 26 in Chicago, IL and Saturday, June 27 in Columbus, OH,” it read.

The statement added that Richie and tourmates Earth, Wind & Fire are expected to resume the Sing A Song All Night Long tour on Tuesday, June 30, in Pittsburgh.

“Lionel is heartbroken to postpone these two shows and cannot wait to be back performing for his fans. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes fans who have tickets for these two shows. Rescheduled dates will be announced soon,” the statement noted.

Richie Struggled Through Performance Before Calling An Intermission

BREAKING: Lionel Ritchie concert in St Paul at Grand Casino Arena canceled mid-show. Ritchie sat down on stage during “Dancing on the Ceiling”, said he felt dizzy. Performed one more song at piano, “Three Times a Lady”, then announced unplanned intermission. Did not return. pic.twitter.com/RNalkYHnmG

— Patrick Kessler (@PatKessler) June 25, 2026

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As The Blast reported, the frightening moment unfolded during the opening concert of Lionel Richie’s latest tour at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.

After performing “Three Times A Lady” from behind the piano, Richie unexpectedly announced an intermission after telling the audience he felt “dizzy.”

Fans soon realized something was wrong when more than 40 minutes passed without the singer returning to the stage. Eventually, saxophonist Dino Soldo addressed the audience.

“Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well,” he said. “He won’t be able to continue. Additional information will be available.”

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Videos shared online showed the “We Are the World” singer appearing increasingly unsteady during “Dancing On The Ceiling.” Audience members also recalled Richie trying to reassure the crowd while acknowledging he wasn’t feeling his best.

One concertgoer said Richie told fans, “he has been in this business long enough, if you feel dizzy you sit down! And if you don’t feel right, you sit down!”

Lionel Richie Fans Watched The Situation Unfold In Real Time

Before the concert officially ended, fans witnessed several worrying moments that hinted that Richie was struggling.

Footage posted online showed him briefly sitting on the edge of a raised platform before standing to continue singing. 

Less than 30 seconds later, however, he sat down again on the opposite side of the stage while still performing.

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According to reports, Soldo even sat beside Richie during part of “Dancing On The Ceiling” as the singer tried to finish the performance.

Once Richie’s band quietly exited the stage, audience members slowly realized the concert would not continue, and many began to leave the venue before the official announcement.

Lionel Richie’s Inner Circle Is Reportedly Worried

Although Richie has not publicly revealed the cause of the episode, people close to the singer reportedly fear he has been pushing himself too hard.

A source told the Daily Mail that family, friends, and even his bandmates have growing concerns about his relentless schedule.

“Family, friends, and even his bandmates are definitely concerned about Lionel’s health, but nobody is about to tell him to slow down,” the insider explained.

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According to the source, the Grammy Award winner’s dedication to performing has remained unchanged since his days with The Commodores decades ago.

“The Lionel we see on tour and on American Idol is the same Lionel we have known for decades – he’s always moving, always working, and always looking ahead to the next show,” they stated.

The insider added that Richie’s passion for performing continues to drive him, sharing, “Music isn’t just his job; it’s what keeps him going. He’s not someone who sits still, and retirement has never really been part of the conversation unless his health leaves him with no other choice.”

Richie Is More Focused On Fans Than Himself

Despite the alarming health scare, the insider claimed Lionel Richie’s biggest concern isn’t his condition, but it’s disappointing concertgoers.

“Right now, Lionel is actually more upset that fans didn’t get the full show they paid for than he is about himself and his health. That’s where his head is,” they explained. 

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The source added that the icon is eager to return to the stage as quickly as doctors will allow. They revealed Richie hopes he’ll soon receive reassuring news.

“He fully expects to be back doing what he loves, and he’s already hoping to make it to Chicago this weekend if everything checks out,” the insider said.

While Richie continues undergoing medical evaluation, the insider said the legendary entertainer remains optimistic.

According to them, “He’s still waiting for a few more answers on what he is dealing with, but he feels that it could be just a bit of an episode over something super serious.”

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By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 18 seconds ago

After facing a ban in Germany due to potentially violating hate speech laws, director Uwe Boll released his latest film, Citizen Vigilante, on social media for a limited free viewing from June 25-27, 2026. This unprecedented move has allowed people all over the world to view Boll’s message, which has polarized people between admiring it as a right-wing message and condemning it as a racist caricature.

I watched the movie, and I don’t think either of those statements is true.

Citizen Vigilante Will Not Spare You Its Savagery

Citizen Vigilante is a portrait of a man we eventually learn is named Sanders (played by the controversial Armie Hammer), who grew up wealthy, has a military background that includes some nifty tattoos, and now rents out properties in Europe that his father once owned. The movie takes place in an unspecified city that is meant to generically symbolize Europe, and despite the title, Sanders is not actually a citizen of the country, which is a source of contention regarding his rental properties: they could be seized and offered to migrants seeking refuge in the town because of their ownership.

However, Sanders also has a few hobbies, including making anonymous videos criticizing society from a far-right perspective, visiting victims of violent crimes committed by foreigners who escaped justice, and beating up or slaughtering anyone who threatens an innocent. A few revealing scenes show that Sanders does have some kind of moral compass, but that compass includes breaking the wrists of some bullying teenagers and luring a gang of abusers to their deaths.

Meanwhile, this portrait is being assembled by Interpol Regional Chief Henry (Costas Mandylor), who has been following the story with concern because the “Citizen Vigilante” is picking up fans on social media who wish someone like him would operate in their countries. Henry has been trying to track down this vigilante and bring him to justice, tapping local police in his quest to find Sanders.

This is a heavy film, and not for the faint of heart. The opening scene sees a mother suddenly stabbed in the neck (in a style reminiscent of a recent high-profile, real-life murder that became a major news event), and the violence only ramps up from there. The movie is very gritty, and Sanders is a brutal man; audiences are not spared his savagery.

Hits Different When Viewed As A Satire

The technical aspects of this film are exquisite, however. The location scouting treats viewers to an urban all-Europe, and it really is hard to tell what country the story takes place in. However, building exteriors, alleys, streets, and the cinematography that displays them are all well-chosen, feasting the eyes with the “motion” in the phrase “motion picture” by highlighting wide angles and sweeping shots. The movie is also edited masterfully, with cinematic cuts that reveal important parts of the story through imagery rather than dialogue.

The dialogue and script seem weak on the surface, with cliched lines, scenes that drag out, and a plot that seems to zig-zag all over the place. However, it is actually a tightly wrapped package filled with extremist caricatures, not in the least of which is the titular character. To some degree, even Henry is a caricature, although he is less of one than everyone else.

Sanders is a very nuanced character, though, not just a cold-blooded and racist killer. He gives a group of hoodlums repeated chances before harming them. In a scene that was puzzling to many viewers, he engages a worker in a brothel he owns, then interrupts his encounter with her to obsess about mold on the wall (it turns out he owns the building that houses the brothel). The scene seems on a trajectory to paint him as brutal to women as he is to migrant criminals, but veers into an entirely different and surprising direction.

Not that Sanders is a nice guy, though. He is very definitely the villain of the piece, with the true hero being Henry. Sanders’ vitriol is directed against certain types of people, most specifically migrants from Africa and the Middle East who have committed violent crimes. He elucidates his reasoning for his vigilantism in anonymous videos, and some of his rhetoric is quite alarming, calling out cultural and religious differences as the reason these migrants commit their crimes.

However, the film also uses ripped-from-the-headlines anecdotes to illustrate the source of Sanders’ anger. Aside from the early murder of the mother, there are gangs, judges who let truly vicious criminals off on light sentences because they are impoverished or disadvantaged, and a situation where Sanders, in his capacity as a landlord, is demanded by the local government to house migrants for free and indefinitely. These are things that have reportedly taken place throughout Europe and the United States over the past few years, thanks to policies meant to offset centuries of colonialism and inequality.

A Perspective On Protagonists And Polarization

The conflict between these two viewpoints is the central argument of the movie, not a glorification of either side. The problem with Sanders is not that he is deranged or bigoted, but that he weaponizes the truth to a murderous degree. Especially with the current events angle of the script, the arguments Sanders makes have grains of truth to them that he then exploits to their most ludicrous possible conclusions. However, those who receive his brand of justice are as extreme as he is, but in the opposite direction.

This is the main quality that makes Henry and not Sanders the hero of the film; Sanders just so happens to be the protagonist. Henry is very well aware of the injustices Sanders opposes, but is simultaneously aware that Sanders’ solution is not only not the answer but has the potential to create more vigilantes.

He represents all the rest of us who lie between Sanders and his victims; everyone who doesn’t dwell in the extremes but in between them. He represents the victims of the crimes that Sanders’ migrant criminals committed, but he also represents all the other people harmed by Sanders’ actions who were neither criminals nor complicit in criminality. Henry represents all the rest of us who haven’t been polarized by politics surrounding the inclusion of foreigners in society.

So, while both Sanders and the migrant criminals are cartoon versions of reality and the dialogue comes off as cheesy and heavy-handed, Citizen Vigilante is actually a brilliant, robust satire that laments how extreme the mainstream has become and warns us what it could become. It glorifies nobody, least of all its titular character, and condemns everybody, with only the beleaguered Henry exempting himself by looking at all the pieces, both good and bad.

It’s unfortunate that more people didn’t examine this movie the way Henry did Sanders and the world around him, because it is not the movie it is being painted as. For all its simplicity, it is much deeper than it is being credited for. Unfortunately, the people it must most urgently reach are the same people who will decry it the loudest.

Citizen Vigilante is available to watch on X until 10:00 am EST on June 27, 2026.