Starting a thriller is the easy part. All it takes is one intriguing mystery or terrible decision, and the audience is hooked for a couple of episodes at the very least. The real challenge is holding onto that same tension. The longer a story runs, the more chances it has to overcomplicate things, or worse, lose all momentum.

The only shows that avoid that rut hold on to their central narrative while giving their characters room to evolve in every direction. This way, every new twist feels like it is moving the story somewhere rather than just buying more time for bad writing. Here are five such thriller series that stay in complete control of their stories and make the ending feel as exciting as everything that came before it.

1

‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

Image via Netflix

Dark is Netflix’s first-ever German original series, and it begins with the disappearance of a child in the small town of Winden. However, it doesn’t take long for that mystery to expand into something much bigger than the audience could have imagined. The search for this missing boy brings together four families into a mystery stretching across different generations of the town. The story also follows Jonas Kahnwald (Louis Hofmann), who is still struggling with his father Michael’s (Sebastian Rudolph) suicide. What’s interesting, though, is how all of these strange events in Winden lead to a wormhole hidden inside the town’s caves that allows people to travel through time.

Suddenly, Dark turns into a completely different show as characters begin traveling between different periods of Winden’s history, only to discover that events from decades ago are directly connected to whatever is happening in the present. The series keeps introducing different versions of the same characters and builds on its central mystery without ever losing control of it. Now, a show with this many timelines, characters, and convoluted stories could have easily fallen apart in the middle, but Dark manages to bring everything together in a finale that truly feels earned. Dark Season 1 is excellent at asking questions, but Seasons 2 and 3 prove that the writers actually know exactly how to answer them all.

2

‘Mr. Robot’ (2015–2019)

Image via USA Network

Mr. Robot is intriguing right from the start thanks to its incredibly compelling protagonist. The series follows socially isolated cybersecurity engineer Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), who secretly hacks people he believes deserve to be exposed. Hacking is Elliot’s way of understanding a world he otherwise feels disconnected from. However, his otherwise boring life takes a turn when the mysterious Mr. Robot (Christian Slater) recruits him into fsociety, a hacker group planning to bring down the enormously powerful E Corp and erase consumer debt.

The group actually succeeds in carrying out its attack, but soon enough, Elliot finds himself caught between E Corp and his own increasingly unreliable mind. Every episode throws a curveball at the audience as they realize they can’t always trust Elliot’s perspective. The show creates a constant sense of uncertainty between what’s real and what isn’t. The consequences keep shifting, and Mr. Robot keeps finding new sides of Elliot to explore, especially after the identity of Mr. Robot is revealed. By the time the series ends, it feels completely different from the hacker thriller it started as, but that gradual progression is what makes the protagonist’s downward spiral so intriguing to follow.

3

‘The Americans’ (2013–2018)

Image via FX

The Americans takes a familiar spy story and immediately makes it feel personal. The series, set during the Cold War, follows Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys), a seemingly ordinary married couple living with their two children outside Washington, D.C. The catch is that Elizabeth and Philip are actually Soviet KGB agents who have spent years pretending to be Americans. Their children have no idea who their parents really are, and neither do their neighbors. Their situation takes a dangerous turn when FBI counterintelligence agent Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich) moves in across the street, a man whose very job is to smoke out spies.

The Americans thrives on the contrast between the couple’s increasingly dangerous missions and their normal suburban life. Of course, balancing their two lives becomes harder as Elizabeth and Philip’s children grow older, their work starts affecting their marriage, and the lines between their identities begin to blur. The Americans is one of the very few spy shows that manages to stay consistently entertaining and emotionally mature throughout its run. The possibility of the Jennings family being exposed never completely disappears, which makes every episode feel urgent, not to mention that the final season leads to one of the greatest endings in modern thriller TV — one that forces the couple to finally face the cost of every lie and sacrifice they have made.

4

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

Image via AMC

Breaking Bad begins with high school chemistry teacher Walter White (Bryan Cranston) finding out that he has cancer. Now, what could have turned into an extremely tragic story takes the exact opposite turn when Walter teams up with former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) and uses his chemistry skills to make meth. At first, Walter insists he is only doing it for money, so he knows that his family will not struggle after he is gone. The fascinating part is watching how quickly that excuse starts falling apart. The series takes its time turning Walter from an ordinary, frustrated man into someone far more dangerous, and that patience is a huge part of why the story works so well.

Every choice feels like it grows naturally from the one before it. Every time Walter gets away with something, he becomes a little bolder and pushes things even further. What really separates Breaking Bad from most thrillers, though, is how little it wastes. A seemingly minor object, conversation, or decision can return much later with enormous consequences, and the tension keeps building because the series remembers almost everything it sets up. By the time the final season arrives, the story gets to cash in on years of carefully planted choices, which is why Breaking Bad feels just as intentional at the finish as it did at the beginning.

5

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

Image via HBO

The Night Of builds its central conflict using a borrowed taxi, a stranger in the back seat, and one impulsive night. The series follows college student Nasir “Naz” Khan (Riz Ahmed), who loses all control of his life when the woman he spent the night with is dead the next morning. To make things worse, Naz has almost no memory of what happened, and the evidence surrounding him doesn’t exactly paint him as innocent. The Night Of could easily have turned that setup into a conventional whodunit. Instead, it becomes something far more uncomfortable. The murder mystery still matters, but the series is just as interested in what happens after someone becomes a suspect.

Naz is pushed through interrogation rooms, court hearings, and eventually Rikers Island, where surviving means leaving the sheltered college student he once was. The only person on his side is his lawyer John Stone (John Turturro), who keeps pulling at loose threads in the case in the desperate hopes of proving Naz innocent. The Night Of doesn’t reveal whether or not Naz committed the crime, and that uncertainty hangs over all eight episodes. Nearly every character in the series has a theory, and the evidence keeps pointing in different directions. However, what makes The Night Of such a complete thriller is that it understands the case itself is only part of the damage. In the end, the viewers realize that watching Naz slowly change into someone he barely recognizes is the real story.

Moving into a new home with my boyfriend meant making a lot of decisions together, but I’ll admit finding the perfect couch was one I took particularly seriously. I wanted something cozy enough for lazy Sundays and movie nights but still chic enough to make our living room feel elevated. After plenty of searching, we finally landed on a creamy bouclé sectional that seemed to check both of our boxes.

We went with the Ashley Luxe Calden Bouclé 5-Piece Modular Sectional with Chaise in Oyster, and after living with it for about a month, I have plenty of thoughts. At $4,299, it’s definitely an investment, so I wanted it to deliver on more than just looks. Thankfully, its oversized design, creamy fabric and plush cushions have given our living room the dreamy, homey feel we both wanted — without sacrificing comfort.

Get the Ashley Luxe Calden Boucle 5-Piece Modular Sectional with Chaise for $4,299 at Ashley Furniture!

Some of my favorite nights have been spent cuddled up with my boyfriend in the corner of the sectional watching football, whether it’s the Iowa vs. Iowa State game or cheering on the Denver Broncos. When I get control of the TV, you can usually find me stretched out for a movie night with a rom-com like 27 Dresses instead. The ultra-thick foam cushions have a plush, sink-in feel while still being supportive, and the feather-fiber-blend toss pillows make it easy to get really comfortable for hours on end.

Related: 17 Early Deals on Rich Mom Fashion Ahead of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days

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This fall, I want my wardrobe to scream “rich mom” even if my shopping budget says otherwise. Think matching knits for coffee runs, tailored trousers for dinner, sleek loafers for everyday and enough chocolate brown and gold accessories to make the whole thing look expensive. So when I started browsing ahead of Amazon’s huge October […]

The real test, though, has been how well it works when our living room is a lot more crowded. We’ve already had friends over for football and game nights and family over to visit, and there’s been plenty of room for everyone to gather without feeling like we’re squeezing onto one couch. I love that our sectional has already become the spot where everyone naturally ends up hanging out — exactly the kind of welcoming feel I wanted for our new home.

Admittedly, choosing Oyster for a couch that gets this much use felt a little risky. The bouclé upholstery is 100% polyester and treated with NuvaLuxe for added water resistance, which gives me some extra peace of mind when drinks, game-day snacks and movie-night treats inevitably make their way onto it. The cushions are also removable and reversible, so after a particularly lounge-heavy weekend, I can flip and fluff them to get everything looking pulled together again.

I also appreciate the modular design more now that we’ve actually lived with it. The sectional consists of five individual pieces with finished sides, giving us the flexibility to rearrange it if we ever want to switch up our living room layout. It’s a feature I probably wouldn’t have considered a must-have before shopping, but for a furniture purchase this substantial, I like knowing it can adapt with our home rather than only working one way.

After a month of football games, game nights, family visits, rom-com marathons and plenty of lazy evenings, I’m still very happy we splurged. I got the dreamy Oyster bouclé sectional I wanted, my boyfriend got the roomy, genuinely comfortable couch he wanted and we both got a gathering place that our friends and family can enjoy, too. I can’t speak to how it’ll look years from now just yet, but so far, it’s made our new living room feel a whole lot more like home.

Get the Ashley Luxe Calden Boucle 5-Piece Modular Sectional with Chaise for $4,299 at Ashley Furniture!

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping

Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

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Related: 17 Chic, Zara-Style Clothes on Sale Ahead of Amazon’s Fall Prime Day

Looking like you walked out of Zara, and spending like you did there are two very different things. We prefer the former, which is why we’re thrilled to find so many expensive-looking fashion finds at a major discount ahead of Amazon’s Big Deal Days event. The shopping event is marking down pieces with the same […]

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27 years ago, the sci-fi action classic The Matrix hit theaters, kickstarting not just a new franchise, but a new subgenre. The movie beautifully showcases the story of Thomas Anderson, aka Neo (Keanu Reeves), and his journey of self-discovery as he transforms from an idle, stagnant office worker and black-market hacker who is “unplugged” from a false simulation, into a freedom fighter for humanity. Over the course of the movie, Neo then evolves from a would-be freedom fighter into a savior who perhaps holds the key to liberating the human race from machine oppressors. Neo’s journey becomes complete in the movie’s final moments.

Neo Finally Becomes ‘The One’

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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In The Matrix, Neo learns that his life and reality are false. He and many other humans are harvested by an empire of sentient machines, who farm humans for their life-sustaining energy. Humans are plugged into a digital simulation called “the Matrix,” which keeps their minds active so they can continue generating energy. Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and his squad of freedom fighters, who are part of a larger military working to liberate humanity from the machines, free Neo from imprisonment. Morpheus also believes that Neo is a special, unique human called “The One,” who can rewrite the Matrix as he sees fit and is prophesied to end the war and save humanity.

Despite Neo doubting his divinity, he grows more confident in his abilities to fight back against the machines and their nefarious super-programs, the Agents, led by the cruel and diabolical Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving). At the end of the movie, Neo awakens to his true powers, becoming “The One,” granting him nearly unlimited “superpowers” within the Matrix simulation, essentially a type of computer “God Mode.” Neo’s new abilities allow him to destroy the Agent programs and see the entire code of the simulation.

‘The Matrix’ Ends on an Epic Note

With his newly awakened abilities, the Matrix is now Neo’s playground, where he can make the rules. During the ending, Neo makes a phone call, contacting the machine empire, mirroring Trinity’s (Carrie-Anne Moss) phone call being traced by the machines in the prologue. However, this time, Neo disables the tracer program, proving the machines no longer have the advantage. Neo delivers a warning to the machines that have enslaved humanity. He says, “I’m going to show them a world without you. A world without rules and controls, without borders or boundaries. A world where anything is possible. Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you.”

Next, Neo dons some radical sunglasses in full view of all the other unsuspecting humans, who are also imprisoned in the digital simulation. Then, Neo blasts off into the air, as his powers now grant him the ability to fly. Neo no longer needs to make an impossible super jump since he can now take to the skies at will. The score transitions to the aptly titled song, “Wake Up,” by Rage Against the Machine, leaving the movie on a rousing, exciting burst of energy. Neo’s final line and warning to the machines depict that the character has finally discovered his true identity and knows his true purpose, as he seeks to free the minds of the rest of humanity, much as Morpheus did for him.

Neo’s Awakening Is Also Humanity’s

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

The Matrix’s epic ending offers the perfect plot resolution. The movie utilizes the Matrix, a digitally created simulation, as a metaphor for individuals trapped in the doldrums of everyday life. Directors Lana and Lilly Wachowski craft an empowering story, showing how people can break free from the rut of their lives and awaken to their true selves, much like Neo and his allies. Most humans who broke free from the Matrix already felt like something was off—a truth about the world they couldn’t detect or truly see, but deep down, they knew something was wrong. Morpheus offers individuals the “red pill,” a chance to learn the harsh truth of the world and an opportunity to liberate enslaved humans from imprisonment at the hands of the machine empire.

Neo’s speech at the end presents a microcosm of the entire movie. It represents that humanity yearns to be freed from the shackles, boundaries, and restrictions that machines placed on their lives. Neo, with his newly discovered powers, will similarly empower and free more minds, revealing that the possibilities of reality are only limited by their imagination. The ending also highlights that the machine empire’s philosophy is restricted by their binary coding and rudimentary thinking, while Neo and humanity’s potential are limitless once their minds are liberated. The Matrix and Neo’s journey represent an awakening to your true self, and realizing that an individual’s singular potential is endless when you believe in the power of One. The movie’s final line and moments cement it as one of the greatest sci-fi action flicks of its era, marking a major moment for cinema. The Matrix presented moviegoers with the movie of the future for the future of the medium.

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The Matrix

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Release Date

March 31, 1999

Runtime

136 minutes

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Comedian Carrot Top’s Saturday, September 19, comedy show has reportedly been canceled following an alleged suicide attempt.

The comedian, real name Scott Thompson, will reportedly remain hospitalized on Saturday and as his scheduled performance at the Luxor Casino is canceled, according to TMZ. Us has reached out to reps for both the comedian and venue for comment.

Carrot Top 61, was hospitalized several hours earlier after an alleged suicide attempt. Us also reached out to the local police department for comment regarding the incident.

“Mr. Thompson is recovering in the hospital and is receiving the care and support he needs,” his rep, Jami Schlicher, told TheWrap in a Friday, September 18, statement. “His family and those closest to him are deeply grateful for the concern, prayers and respectfully ask for privacy.”

Related: Comedian Carrot Top, 61, Hospitalized After Canceling Las Vegas Show

Comedian Carrot Top has been hospitalized. “Mr. Thompson is recovering in the hospital and is receiving the care and support he needs,” his rep, Jami Schlicher, told TheWrap in a Friday, September 18, statement, while using the 61-year-old comedy star’s real name, Scott Thompson. “His family and those closest to him are deeply grateful for […]

Additional details regarding Carrot Top’s condition have not been publicly revealed at the time of publication.

Carrot Top, who rose to fame in 1991, has headlined a residency at the Luxor since 2005.

“It came around by accident, believe it or not. I used to do a couple of weeks at a time at the MGM Grand, 17 years ago,” he recalled in a 2022 interview, detailing his journey performing in Sin City. “It was like a mini-residence. I would go there for two weeks, and then I would go on the road and do shows. Then, I would come back and do two weeks and then go back out on the road again.”

When Carrot Top first received an offer to lead his own title show, he was admittedly wary about one aspect.

“I wasn’t ready to be a resident headliner. I was reluctant,” Carrot Top recalled. “I said, ‘Let’s do a year and see how it goes.’ It was horrible for that first year. I was living in the hotel. It was just not a good time. Things weren’t working. Shows were tough and I was losing my mind, and thinking I have to get out of this gig. Then, one day it was really weird, I just started having fun and it started to click.”

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He continued at the time, “I agreed to do another two years, making it a three-year deal, and at that point we really got into a groove. It wouldn’t make any sense for me not to be in Vegas. Then, I agreed to a five-year deal. Then, it became a 10-year deal, and now it’s been 16 years and counting. You’re in one place and people come to you, as opposed to you going to them. I’ve gotten used to the room.”

Carrot Top’s show was recently nominated for Best Comedian, Best Resident Performer/Headliner and Best Production Show at the 2026 Best of Las Vegas Awards.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Miss USA 2026 winner Justus Kelley has opened up about her preparation for the swimwear portion of the pageant after becoming the first married woman and mother to win.

“My pageant prep, it did look different,” Kelley, 31, told Fox News Digital in an interview published on Saturday, September 19. “I’m not going to pretend like I was able to dedicate the same amount of time as what I did in the past. I had to get creative. [My kids’] nap time was my prep time. It was late nights. It was after the bath and bed routine. I did walking classes with my baby on my chest, in his carrier. I did squats in my living room while holding my 2-year-old. I practiced interview questions while feeding my toddler.”

She added, “There were days when I wished I could just take the entire day to dedicate to pageant prep, but that’s not where I am. That’s not the season of life that I’m in. And we made it work, and my family was fully on board with this experience. They know that they’re along for the journey; they’re along for this ride with me.”

Kelley triumphed over 50 women from around the country to win the Miss USA 2026 crown at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami on August 26. In doing so, Kelley became the first representative of the state of Virginia to win Miss USA since Deborah Shelton did so in 1970.

The Arlington, Virginia, native not only made history as the first mother and married woman to take the crown but she was also the first person in her 30s to ever win Miss USA. (Kelley and her husband Tyler have welcomed two foster children into their home.)

In 2023, Miss USA changed a rule that previously prevented women with children from competing in the pageant and removed a previous age cap of 28.

“Knowing that history was made as the first mom, as the first wife, as the first woman in her 30s, my first thought was how amazing it is to get to do this and to represent women from all over the country, from all over the world that resonate with, ‘Hey, we’re still dreaming,’” Kelley told the outlet.

Kelley revealed that giving up social media allowed her crucial time to dedicate to fitness ahead of Miss USA’s iconic swimwear competition.

“I love abductor and adductor exercises, something that I usually do on a machine at the gym,” she added her exercise regimen. “But if I can’t make it to the gym, I’m just lying on the floor, elevating my leg and mirroring what I would’ve done on that machine.”

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Related: Miss USA Winner Alma Cooper Announces She’s Skipping 2025 Pageant

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Miss USA winner Alma Cooper, who was crowned in 2024, has announced she won’t be attending this year’s pageant. Taking to Instagram on Friday, October 24, the beauty queen, 23, told her followers that she made the “extremely difficult decision” to skip this year’s event. The post was shared just hours before the pageant, where […]

The Miss USA winner went on to say, “For me, leading up to a pageant, knowing there’s a fitness component, I’m going to be in a swimsuit on that stage. I want to feel good. I want to show off all this hard work.”

Per reports, Kelley’s prize package for winning Miss USA includes a $150,000 salary, a one-year lease on a Miami apartment, a Range Rover and a Westgate Vacation Home Club membership. She also received $30,000 to put toward her Miss Universe wardrobe as well as $15,000 for hair and glam.

The next step for Kelley is to represent the U.S. at Miss Universe 2026, which will be held at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on November 24.

Everybody Loves Raymond alum Brad Garrett is sharing his support for friend and fellow comedian Carrot Top after the performer was hospitalized following an alleged suicide attempt.

“Oh my beautiful, talented friend @carrottoplive. We’re ALL thanking our lucky stars that you’re OK,” Garrett, 66, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, September 19, alongside a photo with Carrot Top, 61, and Ray Romano. “Please take this time to remember how appreciated and loved you are by so many.”

He continued, “We’re here for you. We need you OK. YOU need you OK. Whatever it takes, we’re here for you. You’re getting a second chance for a reason. Use it wisely. We need folks like you around. Show yourself grace. We love you.”

Carrot Top (real name Scott Thompson) was hospitalized in Las Vegas on Friday, September 19, after a reported suicide attempt. (TMZ was the first to report the news.)

Related: Comedian Carrot Top, 61, Hospitalized After Canceling Las Vegas Show

Comedian Carrot Top has been hospitalized. “Mr. Thompson is recovering in the hospital and is receiving the care and support he needs,” his rep, Jami Schlicher, told TheWrap in a Friday, September 18, statement, while using the 61-year-old comedy star’s real name, Scott Thompson. “His family and those closest to him are deeply grateful for […]

“Mr. Thompson is recovering in the hospital and is receiving the care and support he needs,” his rep, Jami Schlicher, told the outlet in a statement. “His family and those closest to him are deeply grateful for the concern, prayers and respectfully ask for privacy.”

TMZ also reported that Carrot Top’s comedy shows at the Luxor Casino on Friday and Saturday were both canceled amid the comedy star’s hospitalization. Us reached out to reps for Carrot Top, Luxor Casino and the Las Vegas Police Department for comment but have not heard back at the time of publication.

Carrot Top, who has not publicly addressed his hospitalization, has headlined a residency at Luxor since 2005.

“It came around by accident, believe it or not. I used to do a couple of weeks at a time at the MGM Grand, 17 years ago,” he recalled in a 2022 interview of performing in Vegas. “It was like a mini-residence. I would go there for two weeks, and then I would go on the road and do shows. Then, I would come back and do two weeks and then go back out on the road again.”

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Related: Carrot Top’s Las Vegas Show Reportedly Canceled After Alleged Suicide Attempt

Comedian Carrot Top’s Saturday, September 19, comedy show has reportedly been canceled following an alleged suicide attempt. The comedian, real name Scott Thompson, will reportedly remain hospitalized on Saturday and as his scheduled performance at the Luxor Casino is canceled, according to TMZ. Us has reached out to reps for both the comedian and venue […]

Soon after, Carrot Top was offered his own show.

“I wasn’t ready to be a resident headliner. I was reluctant,” Carrot Top confessed at the time. “I said, ‘Let’s do a year and see how it goes.’ It was horrible for that first year. I was living in the hotel. It was just not a good time. Things weren’t working. Shows were tough and I was losing my mind, and thinking I have to get out of this gig. Then, one day it was really weird, I just started having fun and it started to click.”

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You have successfully subscribed.

He continued, “I agreed to do another two years, making it a three-year deal, and at that point we really got into a groove. It wouldn’t make any sense for me not to be in Vegas. Then, I agreed to a five-year deal. Then, it became a 10-year deal, and now it’s been 16 years and counting. You’re in one place and people come to you, as opposed to you going to them. I’ve gotten used to the room.”

Carrot Top’s show was recently nominated for Best Comedian, Best Resident Performer/Headliner and Best Production Show at the Best of Las Vegas Awards.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Shortly after Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour concert for his unapologetic support of Palestine, ticket prices for the singer’s upcoming Philadelphia show have dropped by at least 50 percent.

According to recent TickPick data, the get-in ticket price for Sheeran’s Saturday, September 19, show at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia has plummeted, going for as low as $42 at the time of publication. The tickets were listed at around $100 early Tuesday, September 15, signifying a significant decrease.

Simultaneously, more tickets to his Saturday show — his first since Macklemore, 43, was booted from the tour and the remaining opening acts stepped away in solidarity — are now available. Per the same TickPick repording, the show saw a 54 percent increase in the number of tickets made available from Tuesday morning to the morning of Friday, September 18.

The show’s start time was also changed in the midst of the controversy. Given that Sheeran’s show now has no openers, the concert will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m. ET, per Ticketmaster, three hours after it was initially scheduled to begin.

Related: Ed Sheeran and Macklemore’s ‘Loop Tour’ Drama Explained: What to Know

Ed Sheeran‘s Loop Tour has become the center of a major music-industry controversy after Macklemore was dropped from the lineup following a pro-Palestine chant during his opening set. Fallout from the situation has since sparked chatter from the likes of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Pink and a string of other artists. Scroll down […]

Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s Loop Tour for comments he made during his opening act at Met Life Stadium, in which the Seattle rapper voiced his unapologetic support for the Palestinian people amid Israel’s war in Gaza in response to the deadly October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks. Israel and the United States’ military campaign has resulted in the estimated deaths of over 70,000 Palestinian civilians, including more than 20,000 children, per the Palestinian Health Ministry and the United Nations.

“After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting,” Sheeran, 35, claimed via Instagram on Tuesday, breaking his silence on the controversy. “I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said. I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge.”

Sheeran continued, “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine. Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.”

In the wake of Macklemore’s unceremonious dismissal, the remaining opening acts for Sheeran’s tour dropped out in solidarity with the rapper and the Palestinian people.

“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Billie Eilish’s brother, Finneas, wrote on social media at the time, announcing his departure from the tour. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”

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Related: Ed Sheeran’s PA Concert Undergoes Major Change Amid Macklemore Controversy

Ed Sheeran’s Saturday, September 19,  Loop Tour concert in Philadelphia will feature a major change as the singer continues to face backlash. The show will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m. ET, per Ticketmaster, three hours after it was initially scheduled to begin. The concert was previously scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. to account for […]

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Aaron Rowe, an Irish singer who opened for Sheeran in Australia earlier this year and who was scheduled to perform for the final 10 North America Show, announced his own withdrawal from the tour shortly after.

“I don’t take the decision lightly,” he wrote on Instagram. “Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this. But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children. I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal.”

When I think of Mary-Kate Olsen, two things come to mind: the unforgettable, straight-to-video movies she starred in as a child (alongside twin, Ashley Olsen, of course) and her enviable outfits — big bags included. So when the actress-turned-designer recently stepped out in New York City carrying a large, croc-embossed tote, the millennial in me wasn’t surprised. I was, however, very upset, immediately assuming the chic, oversized purse was way out of my price range and likely cost thousands at Olsen’s brand The Row.

While I’m too responsible to empty my bank account on one single accessory, I’ve been thinking about Olsen’s bag for days and found a worthy lookalike on Amazon. The KingTo Luxury Crocodile Embossed Tote Handbag Set is pretty similar: dark brown and structured with a trendy croc-like texture — the kind of extra that elevates your entire outfit and makes you look rich.

Get the KingTo Luxury Crocodile Embossed Tote Handbag Set for $31 (was $36) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Unlike Olsen’s bag, this PU leather alternative gets you even more bang for your buck because it comes as a set. For under $40, you’ll get the spacious top-handle bag, which includes a crossbody strap and plenty of storage slots, plus a card pouch and a clutch you can keep inside or wear separately. Talk about a fashion deal!

The same luxe-looking tote set is also available in other colors, so if you’re bored with brown, you can snag it in black, red, khaki and more. Reviewers swear it’s everything you imagine and more, with many rating the find 5 stars.

One person summed it up well, saying the bag was “beautiful, expensive-looking but yet affordable,” while another highlighted the “good quality.”

“Perfect, perfect, perfect!” a thrilled shopper wrote. “I love this 3-piece women’s bag set. It is gorgeous, the perfect size, color, versatile, and the best buy for your money. It is the perfect size, shape, and durable.”

As a mom and an overpacker, I’m always looking for bags that fit the essentials and then some, and this KingTo designer-inspired pick checks all my boxes. It’s also much fancier than a flimsy canvas tote, with a croc-like look that gives off wealthy vibes while channeling Olsen, a style icon since her Full House days. Did I mention it’s only $31? Run!

Get the KingTo Luxury Crocodile Embossed Tote Handbag Set for $31 (was $36) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more croc-embossed handbags here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping

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As a shopping editor, I spend a good portion of my day browsing fashion must-haves. I’ve tried hard to train myself not to buy every cute item I see, but this faux leather tote is looking pretty tempting — especially since the designer-like pick is priced at just $39. Between busy workdays and outings with my toddler, […]

As someone who tries to work out on a daily basis, I am always on the hunt for a versatile sports bra. It’s not always easy to find one that works for both exercising and daily wear, and my requirements include comfort, functionality and a cute enough look that I don’t mind wearing it out.

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Get The Gym People Longline Sports Bra for $20 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change. 

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Workout clothes have officially become everyday clothes, and Hillary Duff just gave Us another reason to embrace the crossover. The actress stepped out in the Free People Go To Striped Sports Bra, a sporty $48 top that’s cute enough for the gym, running errands or even when your workout plans never quite materialize. Suddenly, our […]

The fabric is super soft, but it’s also moisture-wicking and dries fast, so it holds up well against sweaty skin. The bra feels light, airy and breathable, and the U-shaped back offers smooth lines for layering. I also appreciate the longer cut since I don’t love wearing anything too cropped – I feel comfortable wearing this on its own.

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Whether you need a new sports bra for your Pilates princess era, or you’re just looking for a sporty, versatile tank top, this longline bra is one to try. And at just $20, you really can’t go wrong — grab this one now.

Get The Gym People Longline Sports Bra for $20 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change. 

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

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping

Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Fall Sale –>

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J Balvín is publicly giving his ex Valentina Ferrer her flowers following their shocking breakup after a decade together.

“Today I celebrate your life, Vale,” Balvín, 41, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, September 19, in a post translated from Spanish to English. “I celebrate the woman you are — your light, your strength, the way you love, your wisdom and that heart of yours that makes life more beautiful for those fortunate enough to know you.”

The “Mi Gente” artist (real name José Álvaro Osorio Balvín) went on to praise Ferrer as the mother of their 5-year-old son, Río, and alongside a carousel of throwback images of Ferrer, 32.

“Thank you for giving me the greatest gift in life: Río. Watching you be his mom is one of the things I admire most about you,” he continued in his social media tribute. “There are people who deserve all the flowers — not just for what they do, but for who they are. And today, all the flowers are for you.”

Balvín added, “May God watch over you, bless you, and return to you, multiplied, all the love and light you give. Happy birthday, Vale. 🤍🌹.”

Balvín and Ferrer were together for 10 years before recently calling it quits.

“After sharing so many years and important moments together, José and I have decided to take separate paths,” Ferrer wrote via her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, September 16. “[Our split] has been a decision made from love, respect and the desire to do what is best for our family. Our priority will continue to be always accompanying Río with all our love.”

She concluded, “We are going through this process calmly and deeply appreciate the understanding and respect toward this very personal moment for us.”

Neither Ferrer nor Balvín have further addressed their breakup at the time of publication. Us reached out to the pair’s respective reps for comment at the time.

Balvín first met Ferrer on the set of his “Sigo Extrañándote” music video in 2017 shortly before the pair began dating.

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“There isn’t [one key]. Each couple develops a different kind of complicity and way of approaching the relationship,” Ferrer told Brazil’s G Show earlier this month when asked about the secret to the now-exes’ relationship. “It’s more about respecting each other, knowing how to communicate, and a lot of companionship.”

At the time, Ferrer revealed how they balanced their careers with raising their son.

“Río is 5 years old and already has his own routine with school, activities and playtime. We’re always adjusting our daily lives so we can enjoy time with Río,” Ferrer added on the broadcast. “He doesn’t yet understand the scope of our careers, but that will come with time.”