The wait for Mortal Kombat II is almost over, as theatergoers will finally find out whether it lives up to expectations in less than twenty-four hours. Serving as the fourth installment in the Mortal Kombat film series, the new movie is widely regarded as an improvement over its 2021 predecessor and brings back several fan-favorites. Among the returning cast members are Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman — this time in a different role — Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano, Joe Taslim, and Hiroyuki Sanada.

As anticipation continues to build, Mortal Kombat II has officially received its Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, with early reactions praising its brutal action sequences and its incorporation of the franchise’s legendary characters. With that said, the fantasy adaptation currently holds a 73% critics’ score on the review aggregator website based on 82 reviews, 60 of which are positive. This marks a major achievement for the iconic franchise, ending a decade-long streak of “rotten” scores for its live-action entries. Notably, the previous three live-action films released in 1995, 1997, and 2021 all scored below 60%.

What Do Critics Have To Say About ‘Mortal Kombat II’?

Directed by Simon McQuoid and written by Jeremy Slater, Mortal Kombat II follows fan-favorite champions — now joined by Johnny Cage himself — pitted against one another in the ultimate no-holds-barred, gory battle against the dark rule of Shao Kahn, which threatens the very existence of Earthrealm and its defenders. Karl Urban stars as Johnny Cage, joining new cast additions Adeline Rudolph and Tati Gabrielle.

With many critics praising Mortal Kombat II, the positive reception bodes well for the franchise’s future, especially with another sequel already in development. In Collider’s review, Aidan Kelly awarded the film a 7/10, noting that although the first half struggles with pacing issues and balancing its large ensemble of characters, the second half evolves into a bloody thrill ride where nearly every minute delivers entertainment.

CBR critic Rachel Leishman also gave the martial arts sequel a 7/10, praising it as wildly entertaining and arguing that it serves as a reminder that movies can simply provide audiences with an escape from reality and bring joy amid all the chaos. Similarly, MovieWeb rated the film 3.5/5, describing Mortal Kombat II as a “savage sequel” that die-hard fans will appreciate for its excessive carnage, faithfulness to the video game lore, and relentless “f-bombs.”

Mortal Kombat II arrives in theaters on May 8, 2026.

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Release Date

May 8, 2026

Runtime

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116 Minutes

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“Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill may not be able to use the Force to get out of this one! The actor, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the Lucasfilm franchise, has never been shy about his political views. However, he might have taken things a step too far when he shared an AI-generated photo of U.S. President Donald Trump in a grave with the caption, “If Only.”

‘Star Wars’ Actor Mark Hamill Shared An AI Photo Of Donald Trump In A Grave

On Wednesday, “The Life of Chuck” actor shared an AI-generated image on Bluesky depicting current U.S. President Donald Trump in a shallow grave, with daisies growing around his body. The image featured a gravestone that contained the President’s name and the dates 1946-2024. The words “If Only” were written at the bottom.

Hamill captioned the post, “If Only — He should live long enough to witness his inevitable devastating loss in the midterms, be held accountable for his unprecedented corruption, impeached, convicted & humiliated for his countless crimes.”

He added, “Long enough to realize he’ll be disgraced in the history books, forevermore.” He capped off his message with the hashtag “#don_TheCON.”

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The White House Slammed Mark Hamill’s AI Image Of Donald Trump

White House Spokesman Davis Ingle responded to the post with a brief statement, calling the actor a “deranged lunatic” and mocking the Obama Presidential Center’s Star Wars Day video on May 4.

“Barack Hussein Obama just appeared in a video with this deranged lunatic three days ago,” he wrote. “Now this same person is calling for President Trump to die. Why won’t Obama and Democrats condemn this disgusting call to violence?”

Mark Hamill Apologized For The Post

Mark Hamill deleted his post of President Trump lying on a grave after getting backlash from the White House.

He made a follow up post trying to backtrack:

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“Accurate Edit for Clarity:

‘He should live long enough to… be held accountable for his… crimes.’

Actually,… pic.twitter.com/55BFwZRwEw

— Jacktron (@jacktronprime) May 7, 2026

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On Thursday afternoon, Hamill deleted the original photo and shared a new message.

“Accurate Edit for Clarity: ‘He should live long enough to… be held accountable for his…  crimes,’” he wrote alongside another photo of Trump. “Actually, I was wishing him the opposite of dead, but apologize if you found the image inappropriate.”

Mark Hamill Called ‘One Sick Individual’

.@MarkHamill is one sick individual.

These Radical Left lunatics just can’t help themselves.

This kind of rhetoric is exactly what has inspired three assassination attempts in two years against our President. pic.twitter.com/daJqcyssm7

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— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 7, 2026

The official White House Rapid Response account also took to X, the social media platform also known as Twitter, to slam Mark Hamill’s post.

“@MarkHamill is one sick individual,” the account wrote. “These Radical Left lunatics just can’t help themselves. This kind of rhetoric is exactly what has inspired three assassination attempts in two years against our President.”

Donald Trump Shared His Own Post On Star Wars Day

May 4 is known as Star Wars Day, on a play of the signature phrase “May the Force Be With You,” when it becomes “May The Fourth Be With You.”

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This year, the official White House X account posted an image of Trump as Pedro Pascal’s bounty hunter character Din Djarin holding Grogu, more affectionately known as Baby Yoda, ahead of “The Mandalorian & Grogu” movie, which hits theaters later this month.

“In a galaxy that demands strength – America stands ready,” the post‘s caption said. “This is the way. May the 4th be with you.”

Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy. You’re not the Rebellion—you’re the Empire.

May the 4th be with you. pic.twitter.com/G883DhDRR5

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 4, 2025

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For Star Wars Day 2025, the White House posted another AI-generated photo of Trump holding a red lightsaber. The color red is usually associated with the Sith, or “evil,” and was widely mocked online.  

“Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy. You’re not the Rebellion — you’re the Empire,” the post’s caption read. “May the 4th be with you.”

Is Mark Hamill Done With ‘Star Wars’?

Luke Skywalker’s character passed away at the end of 2017’s controversial “The Last Jedi,” although some are still hoping for his return. Hamill seems to have moved on from a galaxy far, far away; however, as he told Comicbook in June 2025, Lucasfilm should focus on a new cast of characters.

“But my deal is, I had my time. I’m appreciative of that, but I think they should focus on the future and all the new characters,” he said before pointing out that Luke physically “disappeared” following his death and only left his cloak on the ground.

“I left my robes behind. And there’s no way I’m gonna appear as a naked force ghost,” the actor joked.

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Days of Our Lives indicates Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) isn’t happy that her husband, Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson), fathered a baby with his ex-girlfriend, Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins). And this has left Stephanie in a tough spot because it’s not like Alex betrayed her or anything.

You know, he didn’t cheat, nothing like that, and he was just as blindsided as Stephanie. And with his wife venting to a bunch of people about her issues with this baby bombshell, we could see her walk away from Alex. Their marriage might end over this. We have a lot to talk about. let’s do this.

Stephanie Made It Clear She Doesn’t Want Kids on Days of Our Lives

Before Joy showed up with the baby, Stephanie and Alex had that uncomfortable talk where Stephanie made it clear that she’s definitely not going to consider starting a family now. And she told Alex she might never want to have kids, and he was a little annoyed because he thinks Stephanie just doesn’t want kids with him.

Because if you remember she was willing to jump in and play, you know, pseudo stepmom to Chad DiMera‘s (Connor Floyd) kids and Alex thought Stephanie might be willing to have a baby with Chad, but just not with him. And that led to Stephanie being frustrated. You know, she walked out, she confided in Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark), and that of course led to Joy coming to town with baby Kelsey and that changed everything and it could kill their marriage.

Jeremy Had Perfect Timing on DOOL

I mean, it was really the worst time for Jeremy to lure Joy to Salem. And of course, he knew it because Stephanie and Alex had been having a rough time since her kidnapping. You know, Stephanie got mad when Alex was being a bit controlling in the aftermath of that, but she’s been getting therapy. She and Alex were finally getting back to a good place.

Stephanie and Alex did that skydiving date, and Stephanie said she hadn’t felt that live-in-the-moment feeling for quite some time. And it was right after she and Alex got back and Stephanie left to run an errand that Joy showed up. And Alex thought Stephanie left her keys, but then he opened the door. Bam, there’s Joy with cute little baby Kelsey in her little stroller.

Alex Smitten with His Daughter on Days

And of course, we’ve been expecting Joy back with the baby for a while because, you know, we all knew she lied to Alex and Stephanie about the pregnancy test. Although Alex was initially shocked when Joy introduced baby Kelsey to him, once Alex held his daughter, he was smitten, over the moon, excited.

And even though he didn’t think Joy was lying, it was smart that Alex got a DNA test that did in fact prove the baby’s paternity. Yes, Kelsey is Alex’s daughter. Meanwhile, Stephanie is horrified because now her life has taken another unexpected and chaotic turn and it’s other people doing things to affect her life. These aren’t choices she made. These are things being done to her, you know.

Days of our Lives: Stephanie Trying to Figure it all Out

So, she’s gone and she’s looking for comfort and advice from her mom, Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans.) She’s also talked to Dr. Marlena Evans (Diedre Hall). You know, Stephanie just feels ill equipped to be a stepmother right now, which is fair. She’s still dealing with PTSD from the kidnapping. That’s why she wanted the gun.

And so her dad, Steve, got Stephanie a pistol and ammo and a gun safe. Took her and Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) to the gun range, taught her how to shoot. Unfortunately for Stephanie, the thing causing problems in her life at this point aren’t things that a gun will help with.

Alex And Justin Bond Over Being Dads

You know, this week, Alex and his dad, Justin Kiriakis (Wally Kurth), are bonding over being dads. And Alex’s father is thrilled to have this grandbaby in his life. And I’m sure he’s going to fill Justin in on the drama that the baby reveal caused in his marriage to Stephanie.

So, we could see Justin offering Alex some good advice about how to deal with her reluctance to help raise Kelsey, much less embrace his daughter. If you remember, Justin’s late wife, Adrienne, was not Alex’s biological mom. That was Anjelica Deveraux. And while it took some time, eventually Adrienne grew to love Alex and she saw him as her son just as much as her other sons, one bio and two adopted that she had on Days of our Lives.

Days of our Lives: Stephanie Does Not Want to Be a Mom

But I have a feeling that Stephanie isn’t looking to get advice from Justin or anybody else about raising another woman’s child. She just kind of doesn’t want to do it. Stephanie knows she’s not ready to be a mom now. Maybe not ever, and Kelsey and Joy being in the mix is already causing strife for Stephanie and Alex this week. Not only does he talk with Justin about his daughter Kelsey, but Stephanie has a heart-to-heart with her bestie Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu).

So, Stephanie’s frustrated. I think for the most part that this is just a blind side. Because if Joy had told the truth when she first did that pregnancy test back last year, you know, Stephanie would have had all this time to adjust. But Joy lied to their faces, then left town fully intent to have this baby. She had 9 months of pregnancy and 6 months since the birth to come clean. But Joy didn’t tell Alex until Jeremy prodded her. He was hoping, of course, it would split Stephanie and Alex. And it may.

Alex Left Out That He Wanted Joy To Move To Salem

Even though Stephanie rejected Jeremy, you know, that’s not all there is to it. Alex told Stephanie that Joy and Kelsey are going to stay in Salem so Alex can be near his daughter, but he kind of left out that he told Joy he wanted her to move to Salem. That’s kind of an important distinction, but I think he didn’t want to poke the bear too much.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Alex looked for an apartment for Joy that’s nearby his place with Stephanie. It’d be terrible if it was in the same building. Convenient, but terrible. Also, I’m sure Alex is going to want to have Kelsey over to his and Stephanie’s place a whole bunch. And I think that could make her even more uncomfortable.

I mean, to me, it feels like they’re laying the groundwork for Alex and Stephanie to split. Another issue for them related to the baby is I don’t think Alex is going to let Stephanie keep that gun in the house because Alex isn’t going to want his daughter around a firearm. Plus, Stephanie is breaking all her dad Steve’s gun safety rules. She’s not keeping it in the safe. And she’s not keeping the ammo separate. She’s just got it in a drawer loaded. If Alex takes it on himself to get rid of Stephanie’s gun for safety reasons, I think that would push her to explode.

Joy Wants To Use Her Daughter To Steal Alex on Days

Plus, we know that Joy wants to get with Alex. She is really hoping that it’ll happen. And I think Joy is willing to use her daughter to try and steal Alex from Stephanie. That’s another complication. And if Stephanie feels like she’s losing control of her life again, like with the kidnapping and Alex overstepping, that’s just more problems piling up.

Especially if he insists that that gun has got to go. You know, Stephanie might take a step back from her marriage because the firearm is like a security blanket at this point. So, I could see her wanting a little break from the stress and just everything, and she could go stay with Steve and Kayla for a while just to give them a breather.

Days of our Lives: Stephanie May Shoot Owen Kent

Hopefully Stephanie does what she needs to protect her mental health. I’m kind of worried that she might grab that gun and shoot Owen Kent (Wes Ramsey) at his trial if we get to see that happen on screen. They have mentioned that his trial is upcoming and Stephanie was imagining shooting him when she was aiming at the targets at the gun range.

So, I’m not sure at this point if Alex and Stephanie’s marriage can survive all of these external pressures. It may fall apart permanently. It may fall apart in the short run and then they find a way to get back together. So, we’ll have to wait and see if he winds up with Joy and then Stephanie moves on. We’ll see.

By TeeJay Small
| Published 27 seconds ago

With all the money Paramount Skydance has been shelling out lately, you’d expect them to have a crop of massive investments right around the bend that will replenish the savings of their top executives and shareholders. Unfortunately, it looks like the billionaires running the show at the major movie studio aren’t up on their accounting, as CEO David Ellison tells Variety he expects “significantly lower theatrical revenue” for the remainder of 2026. Even though Paramount has dozens of blockbuster films slated for theatrical release, the corporation’s accountants are expecting to see a sharp loss, due to an overall decline in ticket sales.

So Much Merging, So Little Actual Cash

While it’s true that the entire movie theater industry is struggling to remain afloat in the streaming age, it’s shocking that Paramount would be in this position. For starters, the conglomerate owns multiple streaming services, meaning they can effectively control the competition for theatrical releases. They already have Paramount+ for original shows such as Tulsa King, Dutton Ranch, and Strange New Worlds, as well as Pluto TV, where they can soak up ad revenue on older classic films. Paramount even owns BET+, which must be pulling in tens of dollars per month worldwide, at least.

Now, as Paramount prepares to execute their merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, they’ll be taking over the entire DCU, HBO, the Harry Potter franchise, the Food Network, HGTV, the Discovery Channel, and more. Does David Ellison seriously not have the business capability to make money off any of these ventures? If not, then why is he buying them for a price tag that’s the length of an international phone number?

Phase One: Acquire, Phase 2: ???, Phase 3: Profit

Specifically, Ellison told Variety that Paramount and Warner Bros. “are actually making 30 films to date,” and that that figure is “accelerating” as the merger solidifies. Despite this impressive output, Ellison has assured shareholders that they can anticipate “significantly lower theatrical revenue year-over-year … as we build into our 2027+ slates.” Paramount and Warner will tout over 200 million combined streaming subscribers, along with a suite of some of the most recognizable IPs in human history, and they’re scrambling to figure out how to turn a profit.

Perhaps these comments represent an overall decline in the entertainment industry at large. Of course, it seems more likely that the wrong people have been put in charge. A brief doomscroll on any social media outlet will alert you to thousands of fans with great ideas, and untold sums of aspiring writers, actors, and filmmakers. These people can’t get jobs in Hollywood because out-of-touch billionaires are busy putting their dumb sons in everything, and locking anyone without direct connections out of the industry. If a few multi-billion dollar corporations need to hemorrhage money in order for bigwig execs to understand that, it may be a necessary evil.

Eva Longoria has cracked the code to always looking effortlessly glam, and thankfully, she’s not gatekeeping. In 2023, the actress and producer walked fans through her now-famous “Hottest Mom” makeup routine, casually dropping that, despite relying on pricy products from brands like Victoria Beckham Beauty, she still keeps a drugstore staple in her makeup bag. The lipstick that earned a starring role? L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin — a.k.a. the same tube your mom probably had on her vanity in 1995.

“I grew up with this,” Longoria revealed in a Vogue: Beauty Secrets video, holding up two different shades. “My mom wears a red lip. I used to grab her Colour Riche, and, ugh, it has the most beautiful scent.” The nostalgia hit instantly. Anyone who remembers raiding their mother’s makeup bag knows exactly that creamy, slightly powdery fragrance she’s talking about. It’s the smell of getting caught playing dress-up.

Get the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick for $8 (regularly $11) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Longoria’s technique is the part worth studying. She layered two shades: 815 Ginger Spice as her base, then 843 Toasted Almond dabbed right in the center for dimension. Toasted Almond, for the uninitiated, was the unofficial lip color of the ’90s, the shade that defined every millennial’s first foray into ‘grown-up’ makeup. Longoria knows her audience. By pairing a warm, spiced red with that creamy nude, she’s giving you a lip that reads as sophisticated, lived-in and genuinely flattering rather than flat.

Related: Yes, Lucy Liu’s Bold Red Carpet Lipstick Is a $8 Drugstore Find

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Lucy Liu just confirmed something we’ve known for years: when it comes to red carpets, she knows how to command the spotlight. The actress did just that at the New York premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, walking the red carpet in a completely see-through Georges Hobeika dress. Her outfit choice was no doubt […]

Longoria may be a global ambassador for L’Oréal, but her endorsement still felt authentic. She didn’t call the $8 lipstick a ‘steal’ (even though it is) or frame it as a ‘dupe.’ She treated Colour Riche like the heirloom it is — a beauty product passed down from her mom that still earns its place in her routine today.

Even without celebrity hype, the budget-friendly drugstore pick is nothing short of iconic. The formula is infused with argan oil and vitamin E, which is why it glides on with a hydrating, almost balm-like feel rather than dragging across your lips. The satin finish lands somewhere between creamy and luminous, the sweet spot that makes lips look fuller without veering into sticky gloss territory. It also photographs beautifully and reads expensive in person, which is exactly why a Hollywood actress can pull it out on camera without flinching.

Color range is where Colour Riche truly shines. Beyond Longoria’s picks, there are blue-based reds, brick browns, soft mauves and pinks that flatter every skin tone. The shades feel pigmented but not heavy, so you get color payoff without the dryness that plagues cheaper formulas. And that scent Longoria swooned over? Still there, boosting your mood each time you apply.

“Love everything about this lipstick!” one Amazon reviewer wrote, sharing that they purchased Ginger Spice. “I love the color, the texture, the smell and the price is right!”

“I’ve been using this lipstick for about 10 years in a couple of shades. Nature’s Blush and Toasted Almond are my favorites,” revealed another shopper. “I’m one of those women who wears lipstick everywhere (yes, even to the beach!), all the time. If my lips get dry, they start to chap! This lipstick is very moist and rich in color. It stays on much longer than other brands. It’s not a gloss, nor is it super ultra-moist, as those lipsticks never stay on long, in my opinion. There are other L’Oréal lipsticks I like as well, but for staying power, this is my go-to.”

Longoria knows it’s not always about chasing trends or dropping a paycheck on viral products. Sometimes, the best beauty trick is knowing what works, leaning into a few affordable classics and layering smart. Whether you grab the star’s exact two-shade combo or opt to build your own signature, you can rest easy knowing that you’re getting a lipstick that shaped a generation of beauty memories, and the same one Longoria still reaches for when she wants to look her best.

$8 for a celebrity-approved lip with built-in nostalgia? That’s the kind of math that always works out!

Get the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick for $8 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop other L’Oreal lipsticks here and don’t forget to check out Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Jennifer Aniston Takes This Lip Balm ‘Everywhere’ — On Amazon!

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Jennifer Aniston‘s beauty routine may be famously low-maintenance, but it’s clearly effective. Her lips always look naturally smooth and hydrated, no matter the occasion. According to the actress, it all comes down to a moisturizing lip balm she refuses to skip. In a “What’s Really in Her Beauty Bag” video with Harper’s Bazaar UK, the Friends […]

Meghan Markle is reportedly upset over a joke made about her on “Saturday Night Live,” with insiders saying the comment will make her distance herself from NBC.

The sketch, delivered by Colin Jost, sparked claims of public humiliation and renewed scrutiny of how she perceives media treatment.

Despite the brutal joke, Meghan Markle has been focused on family life, recently celebrating son Archie’s seventh birthday with cute images of the young prince.

Meghan has seemingly been left displeased after “Saturday Night Live” roasted her in their latest episode.

The comment, delivered during “Weekend Update” by Colin Jost, reportedly referred to Meghan as an “American terrorist” in a royal-themed sketch involving King Charles III and Prince Harry, with an image of the couple shown during the joke.

According to sources, Meghan viewed the moment as more than comedy, seeing it as a public humiliation rather than satire.

One insider claimed she felt the joke was personal and disrespectful, adding that she tends to withdraw from media relationships when she feels unfairly targeted.

“She sees this as deliberate, cheap, and personal — and once she feels mocked, she shuts the door,” the source shared.

Those close to her also suggest the incident fits a broader pattern in how she perceives media treatment, saying she is sensitive to what she sees as repeated public ridicule of both herself and Harry.

The Duchess Might Distance Herself From NBC Over The Joke

Regarding the “SNL” incident involving Meghan, another source noted that the duchess would likely give NBC the same treatment she has given other media outlets that have seemingly covered her negatively.

“This is what Meghan does,” the insider told journalist Rob Shuter. “When she feels attacked, she doesn’t confront — she cuts off access.”

They added, “She distanced herself from Vanity Fair after coverage turned, and now NBC is getting the same treatment.”

Meghan Markle Shares Rare Birthday Tribute To Prince Archie

Despite the controversy, Meghan recently shifted focus to family life, sharing a rare birthday tribute for her son, Prince Archie of Sussex, who turned seven on May 6.

The post included the caption “7 years later…happy birthday to our sweet boy,” alongside intimate family photos, including one of Harry holding a newborn Archie and another showing Archie walking on the beach with his sister, Princess Lilibet of Sussex.

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Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Meghan and Harry have been raising their children in California, where they’ve aimed to build a more private and grounded family life.

Meghan has previously described their routine as intentionally “normal,” including simple outings like lunch dates with Archie and everyday family activities away from public pressure.

A source also told People Magazine that both Meghan and Harry are focused on allowing their children to develop their own identities.

“They give their kids space to be themselves,” the insider said, adding that Harry’s own experience growing up in the spotlight strongly influences his approach to parenting.

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Prince Harry Opens Up About Raising His Kids With Meghan Markle

Harry has previously spoken about how his own upbringing continues to influence his approach to parenting, saying his experience growing up in the public eye has shaped the way he raises his children with Meghan.

During a Movember event in Australia held in April, Harry reflected on fatherhood and the changes he hopes to make in comparison to how he was raised as the son of Charles III and the late Princess Diana.

He said parenting is constantly evolving and emphasized the importance of growth, noting that children today require a different approach than previous generations experienced. Harry also stressed that there is no blame in how people parent, but that improvement is always possible.

The Duke of Sussex further highlighted the role therapy has played in his personal development, explaining that he began working through past challenges before becoming a father to Archie and Lilibet.

He added that his focus is on becoming the best version of himself for his children, saying that addressing unresolved issues from his past was an important step in preparing for parenthood.

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Meghan Markle Makes Quiet Solo Trip To Chicago For Godson’s First Communion

Meanwhile, Meghan recently made a quiet solo trip to Chicago to attend a meaningful family milestone for someone close to her from her university days.

A photo shared on X by reporter Natalie Martinez showed the Duchess at a First Communion service held at Holy Name Cathedral on May 2, where she was seen smiling among attendees as children processed through the church.

Sources confirmed to People that Meghan was in town for the First Communion of her close college friend’s son and that she is the child’s godmother. The visit was kept low-key, with Meghan traveling alone and returning to Montecito, California, shortly after the ceremony.

According to a source, the duchess arrived early and sat with other families in the pews without special arrangements or private access, blending in with other guests throughout the service.

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Allie Eklund has closed the book on her relationship with ex-boyfriend Steven McBee Jr. after he accused her of cheating on him at Stagecoach Music Festival last month.

“I have no plans to speak to him ever again,” Eklund, 29, told TMZ on Wednesday, May 6, while in Los Angeles for work. “We just aren’t speaking. There’s nothing else to say.”

The model claimed that she “tried to encourage” McBee, 33, to “get help a while ago” for his anger issues “and he declined.”

Eklund noted that she is “happy that he’s seeking it out now,” referring to The McBee Dynasty star’s recent voluntary stay at a trauma retreat following their explosive breakup in April. (Eklund denied the allegations of cheating after McBee accused her of getting cozy with a man at the music festival the moment he flew home. The man also denied the claims.)

Related: Steven McBee Jr. and Allie Eklund Talked Engagement Before Stagecoach Drama

Steven McBee Jr. and Allie Eklund were planning their future together before cheating accusations blew up their relationship. “They had only been dating for about seven months but did talk about getting engaged this year,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly after McBee, 33, sent shockwaves by accusing Eklund, 29, of cheating while at the […]

When it comes to her own mental health, Eklund told the outlet on Wednesday, “I’ve had better days for sure, but I’m hanging in there.”

The influencer shared that she’s been “spending a lot of time with my family and my support system, so I’m very thankful for them.”

Eklund then teased that “what’s next” for her was “a martini” as she was in West Hollywood for a birthday dinner.

“A martini is what’s next for me. Maybe a couple martinis,” she said with a laugh.

Eklund’s decision to cut McBee out of her life completely comes just weeks after the rancher publicly accused her of cheating at Stagecoach, which took place from April 24 through April 26.

“I still don’t know exactly what happened,” McBee said in a since-deleted Instagram video posted on April 27. “I just know there was hand holding, grinding, dancing, drunken stupor at an afterparty.”

McBee claimed in a series of Instagram Stories that after he left California for Missouri, he got “two calls” about Eklund’s alleged infidelity. He also alleged he had video proof that she was getting cozy with “one person at the gym” and being “drunk and cheating at an afterparty.”

Eklund, who started dating McBee in fall 2025, denied the allegations in her own Instagram Story statement on April 27.

“Posting everything online before we talked is extremely disheartening and extremely unfair, considering l’ve protected Steven many times during the course of our relationship,” she claimed. “I chose not to respond to [Steven] immediately because he has a history of verbally abusing me while he’s in a heightened emotional state, and I felt it was more appropriate to have a private, level-headed conversation once emotions had settled.”

Eklund then shared a series of alleged text messages McBee sent to her in a his fit of anger, including one calling her a “f***ing hooker.”

McBee accused Eklund of taking her “tits out for literally everyone at Stagecoach” and called her “slutty” before allegedly texting her to come pick up her stuff from his place.

Eklund, for her part, noted in her Instagram Story that despite McBee’s actions, she just wanted to move forward and leave the relationship in the past.

Related: Steven McBee’s Ex Accuses Him of Abuse Amid Allie Eklund Cheating Claims

Calah Jackson has accused ex Steven McBee Jr. of abuse after he claimed recent girlfriend Allie Eklund cheated on him while attending Stagecoach 2026. “I’ve stayed quiet on this topic for over a year since season 2 came out to focus on my healing and moving forward,” Jackson, 33, began in a lengthy statement shared […]

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“I’m not looking to escalate things any further. I’d like this to end here,” Eklund concluded. “I’ve said what feels necessary in response to his actions and I plan on taking time to process and move forward.”

The next day, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that although McBee and Eklund had “only been dating for about seven months,” the pair had talked about “getting engaged this year.”

The insider noted they were “very serious” before the Stagecoach scandal.

McBee, meanwhile, issued another statement on April 29 apologizing for the “cruel and degrading” text messages he sent Eklund. “No level of personal hurt and betrayal justifies the language I used and I am ashamed of those messages,” he wrote.

McBee exclusively told Us on Friday, May 1, that he’d checked himself into a trauma retreat and was taking responsibility for his regretful actions toward Eklund.

“I am embarrassed, humiliated for myself, my family,” McBee said. “I handled it poorly, without a doubt.”

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The Bravo personality admitted that he does have “an anger problem,” and the six-day retreat would hopefully help him break the “family cycle of trauma” he carries with him.

“The anger, the high-intensity emotions that I have, it’s something that I’ve experienced growing up. I hate to say it’s genetic or passed down, but I saw it growing up,” McBee explained. And I don’t want to say it became the norm because I know that’s not OK. But it’s harder to break the cycle than I thought.”

Season 3 of McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys premieres this summer on Bravo and will be available to stream next day on Peacock.

Fans are revisiting a surprising chapter in pop culture history after reports resurfaced claiming Michael Jackson once wanted to buy Marvel Studios, all so he could step into the role of Spider-Man himself.

A clip of the claim has recently resurfaced online featuring the late, acclaimed Stan Lee, who co-created the iconic Spider-Man character. However, Michael’s reported attempt to purchase the studio never came to fruition, as his offer was ultimately rejected.

Years after the King of Pop’s death, his nephew confirmed the claims were true and also revealed that Michael had been a major Marvel fan.

Fans are divided after resurfaced claims revealed that Michael once attempted to buy Marvel Studios so he could play Spider-Man.

The claim first emerged years ago from Lee, but is now being revisited by fans imagining what the franchise might have looked like if the singer had achieved his goal.

On X, one fan believed it would have worked perfectly, writing, “Thriller-era Michael would have made a great Peter Parker.”

Another echoed the sentiment, saying, “He definitely had the Spider-Man build, I’ll give him that.”

However, others pushed back against the idea, with one person arguing that Michael “wouldn’t have been a good fit for Spider-Man, though.”

Stan Lee Recounted Spider-Man Conversation With Michael

Lee first made the claim about Michael back in 2009 while attending the annual San Diego Comic-Con.

“He wanted to do Spider-Man,” Lee revealed, per The Telegraph. “I’m not sure whether he just wanted to produce it or wanted to play the role. Our conversation never got that far along.”

According to Lee, Michael approached him with the proposal because he believed the comic legend could make it happen. However, the comic book creator recalled telling the singer that he didn’t have the authority to make such a deal happen himself.

“He would have to go to the Marvel company,” Lee remembered telling Jackson at the time. “But we did become friendly, and he was a great guy.”

Lee Claimed Marvel Would Be Less Successful If Michael Jackson Bought It

Lee doubled down on the claims three years after first making the remarks. At the time, the comic creator said Michael wanted to purchase the then-struggling movie studio because he believed it was the only way he could ultimately play Spider-Man.

However, unlike some fans celebrating the idea online, Lee suggested Marvel’s future may not have turned out as successfully if the “Thriller” star had taken over the company, particularly given the singer’s history with business ventures.

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“I can’t imagine it would have been totally different, of course, but maybe not as successful,” Lee said. “Michael was not a great businessman.”

Michael’s Nephew Confirmed The Marvel Rumors

“He wanted to [buy Marvel] with Stan Lee, and they had been talking and discussing that. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. They were shut down from doing that,” Taj said during a sit-down with “Popcorned Planet.”

Sharing more details about Michael’s plans, Taj admitted he never learned exactly why the singer failed to secure the deal, but recalled that board members were firmly against making it happen.

Taj Says Michael Jackson Was Obsessed With Marvel

By any measure, wanting to buy Marvel Studios just to play a character is an unconventional move, and only someone with Michael’s level of wealth could realistically consider it. However, his nephew explained that the motivation was not purely financial, but also rooted in the singer’s genuine love for Marvel stories and characters.

“Besides Spider-Man, he was a huge Marvel fan. He knew all the characters. So it was not only Spider-Man [he wanted to buy]. But yeah, he probably wanted to be Spider-Man,” Taj added.

He also shared that he believes the late performer “would love” the way Marvel has since evolved its characters into a massive cinematic universe where different superheroes can appear together in the same film.

“He would be so excited about it,” Taj said. “He was such a movie buff in that way that I think he would have thought this is the greatest thing since sliced bread, all these characters coming together.”

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Bold and the Beautiful puts Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) with one foot out the door at Forrester Creations, and it seems like her move over to Logan is going to be locked down very soon.

Just based on what we’re seeing on episodes these days. And Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) kind of got a hint of what’s coming for her from her son-in-law Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton).

We’ll talk about all that. We’re going to discuss Brooke’s explosive reaction when and if she finds out Hope is going over to work with Katie Logan (Heather Tom), Liam, and Bill Spencer (Don Diamont).

Hope Pushing Back On Steffy on Bold and the Beautiful

All right. So, this week we saw Hope pushing Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) asking if Hope for the Future was going to be shelved indefinitely. You know, I think that is a fair question. You know, is it on hold or is it just dead? Steffy told Hope she was in no position to make demands, but she clapped back on Steffy saying that without Hope for the Future, there’s no point in her being at Forrester Creations.

Steffy said, “Couture takes priority.” And then Hope said she felt unwanted. Ridge was trying to assure Hope that that’s the furthest thing from the truth. She didn’t believe it. And I see why she didn’t because Steffy was getting increasingly aggressive.

Steffy Goes Too Far on B&B

She actually laughed at Hope kind of right in her face at the idea that she might be able to leave and find work elsewhere. And when she asked Steffy about other lines being in production like jewelry and fragrance, you know, they pushed back and explained why those were an exception and Hope for the Future is not.

But one thing they’ve not mentioned is the fact they’re letting RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) start up a brand new men’s line out of nowhere, while Zende Forrester (Delon de Metz) and Thomas Forrester (Matthew Atkinson) have completed the designs for Hope for the Future’s next collection, and they’re ready to be put right into production.

So, why is RJ’s brand new men’s line okay to pursue, but Hope for the Future is not? That’s a valid question, and I haven’t seen Hope asking it. Ridge promised that they do want Hope there, but I think we all know Steffy would love to see her gone. And Hope said, “If they don’t want her, somebody else will.” And she stormed out. So, Ridge told Steffy, “Please stop causing problems with Hope.” But Steffy said, “Eh, Hope’s not going anywhere.” I think Steffy might have a rude awakening along with Brooke.

Hope Complains To Brooke About Steffy on Bold

So, that’s the point when Hope went over to Brooke’s to complain about Steffy and she tells Brooke that she thinks she ought to be running Forrester Creations with Ridge and Hope said the only thing Steffy’s created is a toxic work environment. Hope is wondering if she can really leave the company, of course, knowing it’ll upset Brooke.

That’s what she’s talking to Liam about and Katie Logan (Heather Tom) about and her own internal dialogue. But I don’t think Steffy’s going to let up until she pushes Hope right out the door. I think Steffy expects that Hope is probably going to stay around and put up with it, you know, but I don’t think she will. And so she’s going to push, push, push, and she’s going to go.

Bold and the Beautiful: Brooke Offers an Olive Branch

So this week, Brooke went over and sort of tried to make peace with Katie, but really just kind of snarked about Logan being lost without Eric Forrester (John McCook). So Brooke still feeling smug and like Katie’s going to fail. But I do expect she has a blind side coming.

I do think Hope’s going to go to Logan because she’s so salty about Steffy. And assuming Hope officially joins Logan, I think Brooke will lose her whole mind. Her reaction to Hope defecting to the enemy will be explosive if it goes that way. And I think several people will be in Brooke’s line of fire if Liam convinces Hope to join team Spencer.

Brooke Will Explode at Katie on B&B

First of all, I expect Brooke to explode at Katie. We’ve seen Brooke rage at Katie over the family name and over Eric. So, if Hope joins Logan, I think Brooke will react in an even bigger way. I would expect her to accuse Katie of stealing Hope like she stole the Logan trademark and Eric’s designs. And you know, Brooke, Ridge, Steffy, and RJ have all been calling Katie a thief. Brooke accused Katie of manipulating and using Eric even though he’s the one that came to Katie demanding to be her designer. And if Hope goes to Logan, that’s not on Katie either because it’s Liam pushing for it. But, you know, Brooke will still blame Katie on Bold and the Beautiful.

And this week, Donna Logan (Jennifer Gareis) is freaking when Katie mentions Logan needs a fashion icon like Hope. And Donna is warning Katie that Brooke would lose it. Even so, I don’t think Katie would let her fear of Brooke’s reaction stop her from bringing Hope on board, because it would be good for Logan.

And Katie understands feeling unappreciated at Forrester. I also think Brooke will blow up at Steffy and accuse her of intentionally driving Hope away. You know, Brooke taking Steffy to task would, I think, be more accurate than attacking Katie for Hope leaving Forrester because Steffy, it feels like she is trying to punish Hope. I think she’s punishing her because she can’t do anything to Katie or Brooke.

Brooke May Demand Ridge Reinstate Hope For The Future on Bold and the Beautiful

So, Brooke knows that Hope for the Future has a collection ready to put into production. And the thing is, styles change. You can’t just sit on a fashion collection. If Steffy shelves Hope’s collection for too long, they’ll have to scrap all the design work that Zende and Thomas did that the company has already paid for. Another thing is Brooke may demand that Ridge reinstate Hope for the Future and bring her daughter Hope back to Forrester Creations.

You know, Brooke may play the wifey card and nag Ridge to get Steffy in check and stop attacking Hope on a personal level. And of course, Steffy claims it’s just business. But like I said, if Couture is the focus, why greenlight RJ starting a whole new line from scratch instead of carrying on with an existing line? Now, Hope for the Future had a little slump, but they seem to be doing better.

Bold and the Beautiful: Brooke Hounds Ridge?

So, Brooke may hound Ridge to undo what Steffy did. Another thing Brooke may do is demand that Eric and Ridge appoint her as co-CEO because between the two of them, they do have enough voting power to do it. Brooke may want to push Steffy aside because she feels like she’s driven Hope away. And this week, Brooke agrees when Hope tells her that, you know, Brooke should be co-CEO with Ridge rather than Steffy.

So, I think Brooke’s next step may be to bring it up to Ridge that Steffy’s abusing her power. You know, I’m not saying she is. I’m saying this is how Brooke would approach him and that Steffy’s using Forrester to settle personal scores and doesn’t have Forrester’s best interest in mind. And of course, we know if Brooke got more power, she would use it to reinstate Hope for the Future and try to bring her daughter back.

Brooke May Try to Convince Bill Not to Hire Hope

Now, one last thing I could see Brooke going to Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) and trying to convince him to not let Hope be part of Logan. You know, Brooke may think she can still work some of that mojo magic on Bill like she always has and get him to do what she wants. If Brooke did that, if she approached Bill, given her sketchy history of cheating with Katie’s husband, I think that would be so disrespectful. But Brooke may think Katie hiring Hope is equally as disrespectful. However, I think Bill is finally over Brooke. I don’t think she has any hold over him anymore. I think he’s totally devoted to Katie finally.

So, if Brooke tried to manipulate Bill into doing what she wants, I don’t think Brooke would get very far with it. And I do think he would probably tell Katie what Brooke tried to pull. So, we’ll see how it goes. But it sure looks like Hope is going to feel like she has no option but to walk out of Forrester and go over to Logan, at least if she wants to keep pursuing fashion as her career. And I don’t think Brooke’s going to handle this very well at all.

The saga between General Hospital alum Steve Burton and ex-wife Sheree Gustin continues.

While it appeared that the contentious dispute between the two exes came to an end when their divorce was finalized in 2023, Burton and Gustin continue to make headlines. Their custody battle over youngest daughter Brooklyn reignited in May 2026, when Burton alleged Gustin was manipulating him over custody.

Burton and Gustin announced in 2022 that they had split after 28 years of marriage. Along with Brooklyn, they are also parents to two adult children, Makena and Jack. Keep scrolling for a breakdown of their ongoing drama:

Steve Burton and Sheree Gustin’s Shocking Split

In May 2022, Burton shocked fans with an Instagram Story statement offering an update on his personal life.

“I wanted to clear something up. Sheree and I are separated. She recently announced that she’s expecting her 4th child. The child is not mine,” he wrote at the time.

Burton filed for divorce that July in Orange County, California, citing “irreconcilable differences” and listing March 1, 2022, as their separation date.

Steve Burton and Sheree Gustin’s Divorce Settlement

Burton and Gustin finalized their divorce in December 2023, agreeing to share joint legal and physical custody of their minor children. Per settlement details, Burton agreed to pay Gustin $12,500 per month in child support through April 2024, after which payments dropped to $10,000 monthly.

Both parties waived spousal support, though Steve was ordered to pay Sheree a one-time $50,000 sum at $2,500 per month. He also retained three investment properties in Tennessee.

Their New Relationships

Gustin welcomed daughter Izabella with new partner Jason Amador in February 2023, followed by another daughter, Addy. Sheree and Amador tied the knot in February 2025.

Burton, meanwhile, married Michelle Lundstrom in May 2025.

Inside the Custody Battle

According to Burton’s filings, Gustin convinced him to move to Tennessee post-divorce, then relocated back to California herself. He followed to be near Brooklyn and claimed Gustin refused to coordinate a coparenting schedule.

In a May 2025 filing, Burton alleged Gustin was “gatekeeping” Brooklyn because of his relationship with Lundstrom. “

Early on in my relationship with Michelle, Sheree began to refuse to call Michelle by her name and instead referred to her as ‘the girl’ in an effort to downplay her role in my life,” he wrote. “Sheree has seemingly forgotten how our family ended up in this situation. It was Sheree who had an extramarital affair, became pregnant with another man’s child and immediately moved him into her home after our separation, without informing me she would be doing so.”

Related: Breaking Down Steve Burton and Ex-Wife Sheree Burton’s Custody Battle

Steve Burton and ex-wife Sheree Burton have been raising eyebrows since their 2022 split — and now they’re facing off in another messy legal battle. The General Hospital star filed for divorce in July 2022 after news broke that Sheree was pregnant with another man’s baby. While the scandal spread like wildfire, Steve and Sheree […]

Gustin alleged that Burton had been “harassing” her in a separate filing.

“Steve maintains that Sheree’s allegations are categorically false,” his attorney said in a statement at the time. “He has, and will continue to, act in the best interests of the parties’ daughter, Brooklyn, which includes ensuring there is frequent and continuing contact with both parents.”

The Custody Battle Continues After a Resolution

In August 2025, an Orange County judge resolved the dispute, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly. Steve scored custody of Brooklyn on alternating weekends and one weekday, with Sheree keeping custody otherwise.

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However, court documents obtained by Us in May 2026 reveal that they amended the agreement that January. Burton claimed that Gustin is not following the new arrangement. He further alleged Gustin of manipulation in a series of texts discussing the situation.

“You signed an order two months ago and now you’re going against it. and then you try to put it on me and Brooklyn,” the texts read, in part. “We will not be in California. And please stop telling Brooklyn her life is here. It’s gonna be in both places .. and you can choose to be supportive for Brooklyn.”

This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.