Randy Jackson has fans talking after his recent return to “American Idol” sparked concern online. The former judge appeared on the Fox competition series earlier this month alongside fellow original Idol star Paula Abdul to mentor Season 24 semi-finalists, but some viewers quickly shifted their attention from the contestants to Jackson’s noticeably slimmer appearance.

Jackson returned to “American Idol” as a guest mentor, reuniting with Abdul in a nostalgic moment for longtime fans of the singing competition. However, viewers took to social media shortly after the episode aired, with some expressing concern over Jackson’s appearance after noticing he looked significantly thinner.

The music producer appeared seated in a chair while greeting contestants, with some fans pointing to his slimmer frame, gaunt facial features, and raspy voice. Several social media users questioned whether the former judge was feeling well, with some describing him as looking “weak and frail.”

Others wondered whether the star’s dramatic weight loss had impacted his overall health. “He lost a bit too much weight,” one user claimed as another chimed in with, “For phex’s sake, Randy, you were ok the way you were. You look awful Bro. I hope you can save yourself.”

Jackson Previously Lost More Than 100 Pounds

Jackson has been open for years about his health journey after receiving a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis in 2003. At the height of his fame on “American Idol,” Jackson revealed in his 2008 memoir, “Body with Soul,” that his weight climbed to 350 pounds before he decided to make a major lifestyle change.

Following his diagnosis, Jackson underwent gastric bypass surgery, a decision he has previously described as a “jump starter” rather than a long-term solution. “It’s a great jump starter. You lose a bunch of weight really fast, but maintaining is another thing,” Jackson told PEOPLE in 2022. “You get there and your mind tells you, ‘OK, phew. I’m here now. I can start to party and bring out the cheesecake.’”

Randy Jackson Says Keeping The Weight Off Took A Mindset Shift

Jackson previously revealed that he ultimately lost 114 pounds and has focused on maintaining his health through lifestyle changes rather than extreme dieting. At the time, he said he prioritized eating healthy, avoiding crash diets, and paying closer attention to gut health.

“I hate the word diet. I don’t use that anymore,” Jackson explained. “Anybody that’s lost weight, you lose it and then you start eating and drinking more and it all starts coming back.”

The former “American Idol” judge admitted he eventually realized he had to completely rethink his relationship with food. “You have to change the way you think about food,” he said. “You have to almost have a complete divorce break up … and start back bit by bit and find out the things that work with your body.”

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Jackson Made Rare ‘American Idol’ Return

Jackson’s recent appearance marked a rare return to “American Idol,” bringing longtime fans a nostalgic reunion with one of the show’s original judges. The music veteran returned to the competition to mentor Season 24 contestants Hannah Harper, Jordan McCullough, Keyla Richardson, Braden Rumfelt, and Chris Tungseth during the episode’s “Class of 2006” theme night.

Offering advice to contestant Chris Tungseth, Jackson reflected on his time behind the judges’ table while encouraging the aspiring singer to stay focused on the competition. “As a guy that was a judge on this program a long time ago,” Randy told Chris, “I always ask the question, ‘Are you in it to win?’”

For Tungseth, the moment proved surreal. “I grew up watching ‘American Idol,’ so I’m a little starstruck,” the Minnesota native told Jackson. “I love you.”

Paula Abdul And ‘American Idol’ Favorites Joined Randy Jackson’s Return

Jackson was not the only familiar face making a comeback that evening. Fellow original judge Paula Abdul also returned, joined by former contestants Kellie Pickler, Elliott Yamin, Paris Bennett, Bucky Covington, and Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks for the nostalgic celebration.

Jackson’s nostalgic return came just days before “American Idol” officially crowned its newest champion. After weeks of competition and a nationwide fan vote, host Ryan Seacrest revealed Harper as the winner of “American Idol” 2026, officially earning the title after edging out her fellow finalists.

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Jack Schlossberg is still struggling to wrap his head around the loss of his late sister, Tatiana Schlossberg.

Speaking to Vanity Fair in an interview published on Friday, May 15, Jack, 33, admitted, “I don’t think I’ll ever process it.”

Tatiana, who was the daughter of Caroline Kennedy and granddaughter of the late President John F. Kennedy — died in December 2025 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was 35.

“The world will never be the same for me, not only since she passed away, but since she was diagnosed with cancer about two years ago,” Jack told Vanity Fair.

Jack, who is also a younger brother to Rose, 37, said his sister Tatiana is still on his mind almost five months after her death.

“She was my best friend. We could finish each other’s sentences,” Jack added. “I miss her all the time. Every day I think about her.”

The JFK Library Foundation confirmed Tatiana’s death following her battle with acute myeloid leukemia via an Instagram statement in December 2025.

“Our beautiful Tatiana passed away this morning. She will always be in our hearts,” the statement read. It was signed by Tatiana’s husband, George Moran, their two children, Edwin, 4, and Josephine, 1, her parents, siblings and sister-in-law Rory Schlossberg.

In a New Yorker essay published in November 2025, Tatiana wrote that she had been given a year to live after receiving her devastating diagnosis.

Tatiana shared that she learned she had “a rare mutation called Inversion 3” after her doctor noticed an imbalance in her white blood cell count following the birth of her second child. Initially, Tatiana was told she would need to undergo months of chemotherapy and receive a bone marrow transplant.

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“I did not — could not — believe that they were talking about me. I had swum a mile in the pool the day before, nine months pregnant. I wasn’t sick. I didn’t feel sick. I was actually one of the healthiest people I knew,” she wrote. “I had a son whom I loved more than anything and a newborn I needed to take care of.”

Related: Tatiana Schlossberg Reveals How Her Siblings Supported Cancer Treatment

As Tatiana Schlossberg underwent stem cell treatment for her terminal cancer battle, her siblings leapt into action to help. “My sister had turned out to be a match and would donate her stem cells,” Tatiana, 35, wrote in a New Yorker essay published Saturday, November 22, referring to older sister Rose Schlossberg. “My brother [Jack […]

Tatiana added in the essay that her mind immediately went to her young children and she shared her fears that they would grow up with limited memories of their mother.

“My first thought was that my kids, whose faces live permanently on the inside of my eyelids, wouldn’t remember me,” she recalled. “My son might have a few memories, but he’ll probably start confusing them with pictures he sees or stories he hears. I didn’t ever really get to take care of my daughter — I couldn’t change her diaper or give her a bath or feed her, all because of the risk of infection after my transplants. I was gone for almost half of her first year of life. I don’t know who, really, she thinks I am, and whether she will feel or remember, when I am gone, that I am her mother.”

Over the years, stories have made the most of criminals with good intentions. Some have undergone impressive redemption arcs, while others have always been good but worked outside the system, but it is undeniable that people flock to these stories. However, one 2008 TNT series with this concept is unfairly forgotten. Leverage takes the Robin Hood idea and applies it to modern con artists in a five-season heist series that can be watched over and over again. Though Leverage may not have been the most popular show, it got a three-season sequel on Prime Video, Leverage: Redemption, which continues the story with a few new faces, proving that there are plenty of stories to tell about these unlikely heroes.

The original series centers on five complex and lovable characters who use their morally questionable talents for good as they defend those who are taken advantage of by the rich and powerful. Though the action sets Leverage apart, it’s the characters that are the heart of the show as they show off their skills, face their fears, and let each other in. With over 70 episodes, each featuring a different job, Leverage offers a new and exciting story with each installment, making it the perfect show to have on repeat.

What Is ‘Leverage’ About?

The point of Leverage is the central group of thieves uniting to fight for the little guy. The team is formed by former insurance investigator, Nate (Timothy Hutton), who serves as the mastermind, using his years of chasing thieves (including his eventual friends) to plan elaborate heists in near-impossible situations. The rest of the group consists of Sophie Devereaux (Gina Bellman), a grifter able to play any role, Eliot (Christian Kane), the hitter who rarely loses a fight, Hardison (Aldis Hodge), a gifted hacker, and Parker (Beth Riesgraf), a cat burglar, pickpocket, and safe-cracker. They each prefer to work on their own, but one unlikely mission proves that they make an impressive team, setting all five of them on a new path where they use detailed heists to target corruption and avenge ordinary people whom the system has failed.

Leverage‘s episodic format allows each story to stand on its own, but the characters all have their own journeys. Nate has perhaps the most unique story as he goes from a respected investigator to a criminal, but his journey isn’t black and white. Nate loses his career long before the events of the series, as the loss of his son and subsequent divorce ruined him both emotionally and financially. This newfound passion helps Nate heal while the rest begin to reform as they steal to help others and form a strange found family, especially as they learn more about each other. While the heist action is new every episode, the characters’ personal storylines develop slowly, making a compelling rewatch, especially considering it’s impossible to remember the details of every mission.

The Characters Are ‘Leverage’s Highlight

While the concept is exciting in itself, the characters make Leverage that much better. The main group doesn’t initially fit together, but they end up being exactly what the others need. While they all quickly choose to help others, it is a slow process of growth, and throughout the series, each one is haunted by their past. This allows all five heroes to grow throughout the series, proving that redemption isn’t something that happens immediately. Each character gets episodes to explore their growth as they return home to help their family or face their personal trauma. With the constant development, it’s hard not to get attached to these characters.

It’s a strange support group, but they are always there for each other, and with two slow-burning romances (one between Nate and Sophie and another between Parker and Hardison), the show keeps changing the dynamic. But one thing always remains: the humor. Though there are often dark realities that the characters face, Leverage never misses an opportunity to lighten the mood. With relentless gags, constant banter between Elliot and Hardison, Parker’s socially awkward personality, and shocking talents that come to light, the show offers plenty of laughs in the midst of the drama. While sorely underrated, Leverage is the perfect new comfort series where the heroes outmaneuver the bad guys in increasingly unexpected ways.

Leverage is streaming on Prime Video in the U.S.

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Release Date

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2008 – 2012-00-00

Showrunner

Chris Downey

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Directors

Dean Devlin

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Taylor Swift has employed a non-conventional means to reach out to her wedding guests as her big day approaches.

According to a new report, the pop superstar has decided to skip the traditional method of sending out save the dates and is simply dialing up her guests to remind them of her upcoming nuptials.

This comes after it was revealed that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have already decided to get married in early July in New York, with a precise venue still uncertain.

Sources who spoke with TMZ revealed Swift had made a major pivot from the traditional route when it comes to wedding invitations ahead of her big days.

The singer has reportedly been personally calling her celebrity pals to let them know of her wedding to her NFL star fiancé, Kelce.

According to the news outlet, sources claim Swift has decided against mailing out “save the dates” in an attempt to keep things tightly under wraps and avoid the leak of information about her nuptials, as these kinds of invitations tend to go public.

The singer, along with some members of her team, is said to be handling the calls, but only letting the A-list guests know about the wedding without giving too much away.

Sources noted that due to this, guests are still unaware of the exact wedding date and location, and have to keep their schedules flexible as it will certainly happen this summer.

The Pop Star Is Also Being Careful About Her Wedding Gown Information Ahead Of Her Nuptials

News about Swift’s decision to personally call her friends to invite them to her wedding comes after insiders alleged that she has commissioned six gowns for her big day, with some meant to be used as decoys.

“There are multiple gowns standing by,” an insider told journalist Rob Shuter’s “Naughty But Nice” Substack, noting that Swift “could wear one dress the entire night” or switch into different gowns as the event progresses.

“Some of the dresses are deliberate decoys,” another insider explained, per The Blast. “The goal is to confuse people, stop leaks, and make sure nobody figures out the real look ahead of time.”

Designers Involved In Taylor Swift’s Wedding Had To Sign An ‘Ironclad’ NDA

With the recent information about Swift personally calling her guests, it’s no surprise that she would also go the extra mile to keep details about her wedding gown a secret, particularly with the help of non-disclosure agreements for designers involved.

“Every designer involved signed ironclad NDAs,” the insider noted. “No photos, no sketches, no fitting details — absolutely nothing is allowed to leak.”

They added that “Taylor wants complete control over the reveal” of her wedding gown design, which is bound to break the internet, with another source sharing that “everyone is desperate for that first image.”

The pop star’s wedding is being handled like a major Hollywood production,” an insider further alleged, noting that Swift “wants the moment to feel cinematic — a true jaw-dropping reveal.”

The Singer And NFL Star’s Wedding Might Have Two Major Ceremonies: A Huge Event And An Intimate Gathering

Swift is reportedly considering having double wedding ceremonies due to mounting security concerns.

According to Ok! Magazine, sources shared that the singer and her NFL beau have grown weary of possible safety issues due to growing media speculation about their nuptials, which could lead to potential stalkers causing a scene.

“Taylor is extremely aware of the risks that come with this level of fame and exposure, and there is a feeling that a single event simply cannot be protected in the way she would like,” an insider told the news outlet.

“The strategy being discussed is to hold one large, highly visible celebration with extensive security, which effectively acts as a decoy, while a second, much smaller ceremony takes place privately,” the source added.

They further noted that Swift believes that putting on a headline-grabbing event will help draw attention away from the intimate ceremony and greatly “reduce the risk of stalkers or troublemakers attempting to track her movements…”

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Pre-Wedding Parties Are Expected To Be Lavish And Extravagant

Before their day, Swift and Kelce are already reportedly pulling out the stops for a memorable pre-wedding bash.

According to Closer Online, the singer has also set a very high spending budget to ensure all their needs are met, but they don’t go overboard for their bachelorette and bachelor parties.

“Taylor didn’t want money to be a factor in planning these parties, so she and Travis have set a $10 million limit,” an insider told the publication.

They added, “However, they’ve made it clear to their wedding party that if more needs to be spent to ensure everything runs smoothly, that won’t be an issue.”

The singer and NFL star will likely be employing the use of “private jets” for said parties along with “villa rentals, a large team of private staff to cater for guests, and plenty of other luxury extras.”

Britney Spears is back on Instagram after she was embroiled in reports of drama at a Los Angeles restaurant earlier this week.

Posting via Instagram Reels on Friday, May 15, Spears, 44, told her followers she was en route to see The Devil Wears Prada sequel.

“What’s up, world?” she said in the short clip, that appeared to be filmed inside her car. “So, I’m about to go see Devil Wears Prada 2.”

She joked, “I personally prefer Chanel or Gucci but yo, if the devil says Prada, like I guess we should listen, right?”

Related: Britney Spears Defended by Restaurant Manager After ‘Erratic’ Night Out

Contrary to reports, Britney Spears was on her best behavior during a recent girls’ night out. After Spears, 43, and her assistant got dinner at Red O in Westlake Village, California, on October 22, eyewitnesses claimed to the Daily Mail that the pop star acted “erratically” at the Mexican restaurant before “dangerously” speeding back to her […]

The “Toxic” singer also shared her enthusiasm for the cinema treats that she couldn’t wait to get her hands on.

“Anyways, I came here for the buttered popcorn and the Slurpee. F**k yeah, Slurpees. Yes man, yes!” she said.

The Grammy winner’s movie outing comes after her representatives blasted a recent restaurant incident as being “blown out of proportion.”

Journalist Jeff Sneider went viral on X on Wednesday, May 13 after posting about his alleged experience dining at a restaurant near Spears.

“I am having dinner next to Britney Spears right now and it’s a WILD experience,” Sneider claimed via X at the time. “She just left and everyone in the restaurant turned and started talking about it. An INSANE dining experience. One diner feared for her life. This is not a joke…”

TMZ reported Spears was dining with friends at Blue Dog Tavern in Sherman Oaks, California. One witness alleged to the publication that the singer was raising her voice, screaming and even barking at times during the meal.

Related: Britney Spears Deletes Instagram Amid Kevin Federline’s Memoir Controversy

Britney Spears deactivated her Instagram account amid a public battle with her ex-husband Kevin Federline. A message appeared on the account held by Spears, 43, on Sunday, November 2, that read, “The profile you’re looking for doesn’t exist.” Us has reached out to a representative for Spears for comment. The deactivation comes after a string […]

The following day, Spears’ team set the record straight via a statement shared with Us Weekly.

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“This is completely blown out of proportion. Britney was enjoying a quiet dinner with her assistant and bodyguard,” a rep for Spears told Us on Thursday, May 14. “She was simply telling the story about how her dog was barking at the neighbors.”

The statement continued, “At no point did she put anyone in danger with a knife. She was cutting her hamburger in half. This constant attack on everything that she does and this is exactly what happened 20 years ago when the media tried to depict Britney as a bad person. This is ridiculous, and it needs to stop now.”

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is the follow-up to the successful original, which was released in 2006. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt reprised their roles as Miranda Priestly, Andy Sachs and Emily Charlton respectively.

Roommates, years after Young Dolph’s murder shocked the hip-hop community, another major update in the case is making headlines. Cornelius Smith, one of the men charged in Dolph’s killing, has officially been sentenced after accepting a plea deal. And, the details are sparking reactions online.

RELATED: Hernandez Govan Found Not Guilty On All Charges In Young Dolph’s Death

Cornelius Smith Sentenced After Accepting Plea Deal

According to reports, Smith was originally facing several charges, including first-degree murder. He also faced conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. However, on Friday, Smith pled guilty to second-degree murder as part of an agreement that resulted in the remaining charges being dropped. Smith was sentenced to 20 years in prison without parole. However, his attorney, Michael Scholl, said he’ll receive credit for time already served, leaving him with around 15 years remaining. Scholl also shared that Smith has shown remorse throughout the process.

“He’s been extremely remorseful for what’s going on, and just trying to do whatever he could do just to make things just a little bit right.”

Shelby County Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman added that Young Dolph’s family had been aware of the plea agreement and understood Smith’s cooperation played a role in helping prosecutors build the case.

The Internet Don’t Play About Young Dolph

Roommates immediately flooded The Shade Room’s comment section after the sentencing news broke. And whew — everybody had something to say. Some argued that 20 years wasn’t nearly enough time for the role Smith played in Young Dolph’s murder. Others filled the comments with messages of support for the late rapper, writing “Long Live Dolph” and sharing prayer emojis. Meanwhile, several commenters expressed heartbreak over yet another case involving Black men losing their lives or spending years behind bars.

One Instagram user @kan.disaa commented “Is that 20 to life? Cause just 20 not enough time😒”

This Instagram user @yourmommasnameiskaren said, “Yall can’t read? He’s cooperated from the time he got arrested and the family is aware of this“

And, Instagram user @pretty_evelynnn claimed, “Dolph didn’t deserve that 🥹🐬🐬🐬”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @madmariodelo wrote, “LL🐬”

While Instagram user @greenbayp_202 said, “and he might not have to do the whole 20 🤦🏾‍♂️”

Lastly, Instagram user @iknowwhereiwanttoeat added, “It’s been a long time come. So sad to see black men taking the lives of other black men .. it has to stop“

Jury Clears Hernandez Govan In Young Dolph Case

RELATED: Hernandez Govan: What’s Going On In The Second Trial Over Young Dolph’s Ambush Death? (COURT PHOTOS)