Tia Kemp is weighing in after Jazzma Kendrick, the girlfriend of Rick Ross, accused him of physically assaulting her. Kendrick shared a series of social media posts of the allegations, including a photo of her bruised lip. She was his “punching bag,” she alleged. Kemp, meanwhile, had a message for the girls: leave the mansion and keep a job while suggesting that Rick wouldn’t hit anyone.

RELATED: We See You! Tia Kemp Reacts Alongside Internet Users As Victoria Woods Shows Off Her New Smile (VIDEO + PHOTOS)

Jazzma Kendrick Accuses Rick Ross Of Hitting Her

Rick Ross’ girlfriend has told the world that the rapper put his hands on her, leading her to end the relationship. As said, she shared these details in a series of Instagram Stories’ posts on Saturday (Sept. 26). A fan had appeared to reply to her selfie post, writing, “I’m seeing what Rick is seeing your so gorgeous.” Sharing a screenshot of that, she added the text, “He saw a punching bag.” In another post, she shared a close-up photo of her lip and cheek, writing, “The day Rick busted my lip and the day I left.” A third post was a selfie of Jazzma Kendrick pulling up top lip upwards to reveal a deep purple bump and bruise. She added the text:

“I don’t know a lot of things, but I do know that a man put his hands on me, is a man that never loved me and never will.”

Lastly, a fourth post by Jazzma, as screenshotted by The Shade Room, included some advice. “It’s always good until it isn’t. If a man hits you one time, he will do it again. Don’t give him the opportunity. Value your life and leave,” Kendrick wrote.

Tia Kemp Sends A Message To The Girls & Her Ex-Boyfriend

After The Shade Room shared Jazzma Kendrick’s assault allegations, Tia Kemp dropped by the comment section with a few words. Kemp and Rick share a 21-year-old son, Williams Robert III, the rapper’s eldest and previously dated between 2003 and 2007. Tia spoke of knowing when to leave.

“Ladies when that man say go home…lawdddd…That ride home with garbage bags of your clothes n that backseat hurts trust me…it hurts! That’s all. They want to b n the mansion 4ever…..go home baby….and keep a job,” Tia Kemp commented, adding exclamation point, 100% and prayer hand emojis.

Kemp also hopped on live on one of her social profiles and doubled down on her message about leaving when it’s time. She also seemed suggest that Rick Ross wouldn’t hit anyone and that she warned him about messing with “prostitutes.”

“…You can’t stay in the mansion forever, it’s temporary, it’s called fun times. I ain’t feeling sorry for no h*e. I ain’t cause one thing that fat b*tch ain’t finna do is hit nobody. You [inaudible] yourself girl. I don’t believe sh*t, it’s cameras all around that new state of the art house. Will pull up the cameras, they can’t get none of that money now. Ain’t nobody getting none of that motherf**king money n*gga.”

Tia Kemp said that she has a week off and is on her way to check Rick Ross. She also warned Jazzma that she won’t be getting a penny of Ross’ estate, seemingly suggesting her abuse story is false.

“I told your fat a** stop playing with these prostituting, ex-prostitutes, tricking ass…didn’t I Willy? Didn’t I? Girl, if you think you finna get ay of that estate. B*tch we gon settle out with you for some Wingstop wings or something. We ain’t got no money for you girl.”

RELATED: Aww! Fans Take Notes As Rick Ross’ Girlfriend Has Him Cheesin’ And Glowing Up (VIDEO)

Former Scream star Melissa Barrera is opening up about a possible return to the beloved horror movie franchise after she was fired for publicly supporting the Palestinian people amid the war in Gaza.

“Would you, if the Scream folks were to call back, do you think you would ever return to that world?” reporter Kate Schroeder asked the actress, 36, in a podcast interview shared on Friday, September 25.

“Not with the company that currently holds the rights,” Barrera, who starred as Sam Carpenter in 2022’s Scream and 2023’s Scream VI before she was let go ahead of the seventh installment. “I love the franchise. I had an amazing time making those movies but a lot of the hate and the difficulty that I’ve faced in the last years is because the leadership of that company made it a point to label me something that I’m not. And they never apologized, even when I was proven right.’

She continued, “Even with an apology I wouldn’t go back to work with them, so… not that I’m holding my breath. I don’t think they have that ability. But if the franchise were to ever leave those hands and go into hands that I think would honor Wes Craven’s legacy more, I think… yeah.”

Related: Melissa Barrera Calls Being Fired From the ‘Scream’ Franchise ‘Shocking’

When Melissa Barrera was fired from the Scream franchise after making comments about the Israel-Hamas war, her overriding emotion was pure shock. “I’m not the first person that’s happened to, but it was shocking,” Barrera, 33, recalled to Rolling Stone on Wednesday, January 24. “I don’t even know what to say. I think everything that […]

Spyglass Media Group, which produces the Scream films, fired the actress in November 2023, citing her social media posts opposing Israel and the United States’ ongoing war in Gaza after the deadly October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas. To date, more than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli attacks, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry as reported by the Associated Press, including more than 20,000 Palestinian children, per the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry.

“Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech,” the company claimed in a statement released at the time, addressing Barrera’s unceremonious exit.

Barrera’s advocacy has once again made headlines in the wake of the ongoing controversy surrounding singer Ed Sheeran and Seattle rapper Macklemore, who was let go from the former’s Loop Tour after voicing his own support of the Palestinian people in opposition of genocide and human rights violations in every form.

“It made me emotional, you know,” Barrera told the Associated Press in a September 16 interview of Mackelmore’s steadfast advocacy and the subsequent response, which ultimately included the remaining acts in Sheeran’s tour dropping out in solidarity with Macklemore and the Palestinian people.

“I didn’t get that when it happened to me,” she continued at the time. “I didn’t have any of that happen. It was too soon. People were too scared. But it’s good to see that almost three years later, at least things have changed.”

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Related: Melissa Barrera Calls Out ‘Scream’ Cast Who Returned After Her Firing

Melissa Barrera didn’t hold back while addressing how several Scream stars returned to film the most recent installment in the wake of her controversial firing. During an interview with Variety, which was published on Wednesday, May 7, Barrera, 35, was asked whether she thought her former costars were “crossing the picket line” by returning to […]

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Matthew Lillard, Barrera’s former costar and one of the original 1996 Scream stars, also expressed his regret for not supporting Barrera after she was fired.

“When that happened to Melissa, the whole world didn’t pipe up,” Lillard said during a Q&A session held during a 30th anniversary screening of the original film earlier this month. “But she was a year early on what the f***’s going on. But the whole world should have popped up and said, ‘She’s right.’ And they didn’t. And that’s brutal.”

He added at the time, “I went back to do Scream, and I got called out. And I’m like, ‘Oh, f***. That’s brutal.’ I feel bad about that. I feel ashamed about that. Because in that moment I was so excited to go back, I didn’t really think about Melissa and that journey I didn’t say no. I blew that. I’m on the wrong side of history for that. I still like being in the movie [but] it may not have been the best idea.”

Celebrities delivered all the drama for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.

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Stars including Taylor Swift, Chloe Bailey, Lisa Rinna and more proved to be on their A-game with their fabulous ensembles at the awards show, which took place on Sunday, September 27, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. This year, Madonna, led the list with 13 nominations.

Swift, 36, is also up for 11 awards including Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia” and Artist of the Year. With her career total of 30 Moon Persons, Swift only needs one more to become the most awarded artist in the show’s history. She’s also receiving the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, which recognizes groundbreaking artists whose work being the camera as a director has pushed creative boundaries.

Keep scrolling to see the hottest red carpet looks:

Actor Guillermo Diaz has been acting since the ’90s, and early in his career, he said he was often typecast as the opposite of who he actually is. Speaking on the “McBride Rewind” podcast, Diaz, known for his role as Huck in “Scandal,” said things began to change after he had an honest conversation with his management team.

Guillermo Diaz Opens Up About Being ‘Typecast’ Early In His Career

Diaz, who was cast in shows like “Law & Order,” “ER,” and “The Sopranos,” said he was typecast early in his career, which led him to begin searching for other roles.

“I had already done so many, like, thug roles, like on Law & Order and on all these shows — I was super typecast for a long time,” he said while reflecting on his audition for “Weeds.” “It was just another job.”

However, after appearing in more and more productions as the same character, Diaz said he took it upon himself to force a change.

Guillermo Diaz Recalls Receiving ‘Pushback’ For Wanting To Diversify His Portfolio

After speaking with his management team about auditioning for more complex roles that broke the routine, he received “pushback,” as they thought it could negatively impact his career.

“I think they were more comfortable with me playing like bad guys and gun-toting drug dealers than I was playing like gay characters or a drag queen,” he said. “My team and people in my life were more nervous about that.”

Firing back, Diaz questioned why those closest to him would consider him playing a queer character to be a “bad thing” but not when he’s portraying aggressive criminals.

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Guillermo Diaz Used This Film To Publicly Come Out As Gay

Diaz, who is openly gay, snagged roles in different films in 1995, including “Party” and “Stonewall.” Diaz plays the lead role of La Miranda in the latter, which is a fictionalized account of the weeks leading up to the Stonewall riots.

During the promotional tour for the film, Diaz said he used that opportunity to publicly come out as gay, adding that he never wanted to be an actor who avoided questions about his sexuality. “I was honest about being gay from the get-go,” he said. ” So, there was no mystery there.”

And according to Diaz, trusting his gut was the right move, as it showed him “in a different light,” and provided him the chance to take on new work.

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Diaz ‘Fell In Love’ With His Character In Another ABC Production

After he finished his run on “Scandal” in 2018, Diaz returned to ABC to appear in the half-hour comedy “United We Fall.” Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Diaz said the thought of switching gears and jumping back into comedy appealed to him.

“Honestly, I wish I had the luxury and the power to pick and choose what roles I play. The role in United We Fall just another audition that came my way. And of course, the fact that it was a half-hour sitcom was so different from Scandal, and Chuy from the Huck character. That was definitely something that excited me,” he said.

He went on to say he initially turned down the role because of a misunderstanding, but after being asked to reconsider, he changed his mind. “I’m so glad it came back around and that I took it,” he said.

Why ‘United We Fall’ Was A Big Deal For Diaz

“United We Fall” aired for one season on ABC in 2020 and featured a mixed-race, Latix household.

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It follows a couple with young children and an over-the-top extended family when the husband’s “judgmental mother” moves in with them.

Aside from the show’s premise, Diaz said the diversity and wide range of identities were major reasons he said yes.

“I want to say how proud I am at the diversity of this show and its strong Latino presence. This should be the norm and something that we don’t have to think about anymore,” he said. “I feel that it’s so important for you to see yourself represented on television and in movies, contributing to society and a good and positive way like we do on this show. We’re successful Latinos who are family-oriented. Just seeing this show will help Latino kids feel not only represented and relevant but also that they could be on TV.”

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When it comes to prestige television, nothing comes close to HBO. With a total of 1,500 Primetime Emmy nominations and more than 220 wins, HBO has built its reputation on taking creative risks and putting fresh twists on any genre, be it drama, comedy, or even sci-fi.

While sci-fi is often known for pushing the boundaries of science, these HBO sci-fi shows put humanity first, giving even non-sci-fi watchers a chance to connect with the characters and stories without having to get caught up in all the hard science. From androids raising human children to a bunch of wealthy passengers getting trapped on a space vacation, here are HBO sci-fi shows where every episode is a masterpiece.

‘Peacemaker’ (2022–2025)

Image via HBO Max

Taking place five months after The Suicide Squad, the sci-fi-adjacent superhero series Peacemaker follows Christopher Smith (John Cena) as he recovers from his near-fatal injuries sustained during the mission. Struggling with his identity as an anti-hero and his belief that “the ends justify the means,” Peacemaker is approached by A.R.G.U.S. to join a covert operation that forces him to work alongside a bunch of dysfunctional misfits.

While the superhero premise is obviously front and center, Peacemaker also has an overlooked sci-fi element that’s often overshadowed by its superhero premise. Think mind-controlling Butterflies that invade human bodies and consume their brains from the inside, turning their hosts into obedient vessels. The show also introduces alternate realities, including a parallel universe with a radically different version of Earth and its history. These bizarre concepts make Peacemaker feel much stranger than a typical superhero series, especially when its absurd sci-fi ideas are thrown into the middle of an otherwise grounded team mission.

‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)

Image via HBO

Westworld is set in a futuristic theme park where lifelike robotic Hosts cater to wealthy guests’ every desire, including violence and sex. But when several Hosts begin recovering memories of their brutal pasts, they develop a sense of consciousness and turn against their creators. As Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) and Maeve (Thandiwe Newton) awaken to their reality, a rebellion threatens to expose Delos’ darkest secrets.

While the Hosts are intriguing as they push beyond their cognitive limitations, the park itself is practically its own character in Westworld. Its Western aesthetic isn’t purely for show, as it brings familiar elements like gunslingers, outlaws, saloons, and frontier towns into a futuristic setting, while wealthy human guests treat those stories as their personal playground. The introduction of other parks, including the Japanese-inspired Shōgunworld, expands this idea even further, showing Hosts being forced to perform predetermined identities within carefully constructed worlds. As the Hosts awaken, these artificial worlds become a fascinating reflection of the roles humans force them to play.

‘Watchmen’ (2019)

Image via HBO

With one of America’s most devastating tragedies serving as the launching pad for the show, Watchmen follows Angela Abar (Regina King), a detective who operates under the masked identity of Sister Night in an alternate 2019 where masked vigilantes are outlawed. As Angela investigates a murder tied to the past, she uncovers conspiracies involving certain controversial groups.

Audiences don’t have to read the original Watchmen graphic novel to understand the show, especially since it expands the original story by introducing new characters and ideas. Even more impressive is its ability to tie the fictional world to real U.S. history, giving the show even more weight as the story gets increasingly graphic. The Tulsa Massacre, a real event in which a thriving Black community was attacked and destroyed, becomes central to Angela’s story and the show’s exploration of racism, generational trauma, and how Black history can be erased or forgotten.

‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)

The Leftovers takes place three years after the inexplicable “Sudden Departure,” when 2% of the world’s population mysteriously disappears. The series follows police chief Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux) as he struggles to hold his family and community together amid the aftermath, while cults like the Guilty Remnant emerge and survivors like Nora Durst (Carrie Coon) grapple with unimaginable loss in a world searching for answers.

Instead of treating the “Sudden Departure” as a mystery that requires solving, The Leftovers exists as this earthly purgatory, where people try to live through the uncertainty and process their grief. That’s something viewers have in common with these characters, as we watch them process grief in completely different ways, making it both a collective and individual experience simultaneously. While the first season can be overwhelmingly bleak, the following seasons inject more humor, hope, and surrealism, perfectly illustrating the absurdity of living in a reality where nobody knows why 2% of humanity disappeared.

‘Raised by Wolves’ (2020–2022)

Image via HBO Max

Raised by Wolves follows two androids, Mother (Amanda Collin) and Father (Abubakar Salim), tasked with raising human children on Kepler-22b after Earth is devastated by bloody war. As the small colony grows, religious differences threaten to tear the survivors apart, forcing the androids to confront the consequences of raising humanity while attempting to control the beliefs shaping their society.

Unlike your typical emotionless androids, Mother and Father develop their own personalities and attachments. Mother, in particular, begins to question the limits of her programming as she forms a bond with the children. It’s also a show that bravely tackles heavier subjects like religion and how belief can sometimes manifest as overzealousness when things are taken too far. Marcus’ visions of Sol further complicate the conflict, showing how quickly faith can influence people’s actions. In the end, though, Raised by Wolves emphasizes that belief is more complex than we realize.

‘Station Eleven’ (2021–2022)

Image via HBO Max

In the aftermath of a civilization-wiping flu pandemic, Station Eleven follows the effects of the incident, switching between the outbreak’s early days and 20 years later. Among them is Kirsten Raymonde (Mackenzie Davis), who grows from a traumatized child into a resilient woman traveling with the Traveling Symphony, a troupe of performers preserving art in the post-apocalyptic world.

Post-apocalyptic shows tend to be bleak and despondent. That’s not the case for Station Eleven. Basic needs like food and water are crucial, but so is nourishment for the soul. Through the Traveling Symphony, Kirsten and her crew bring life to communities with Shakespeare, music, and a sense of connection that reminds survivors of what makes life worth living. Rather than simply showing people struggling to survive, the series asks what they should live for after everything familiar has disappeared. The Traveling Symphony’s performances become a way for survivors to reconnect with their humanity, proving that art can endure even when civilization does not.

‘Avenue 5’ (2020–2022)

Image via HBO

Space flights are a huge risk, but space tourism is a different kind of danger. Avenue 5 follows the wealthy passengers and inept crew of a luxury interplanetary cruise ship after a maintenance accident sends the vessel 0.21 degrees off course. Instead of the eight-week outer-space trip they signed up for, it becomes a three-year journey home.

Considering the nature of space tourism today, Avenue 5 is the perfect satire of how the wealthy think they’re completely invincible. Just because they can afford a ticket doesn’t make them immune to disaster. And when they inevitably find themselves in trouble, their lack of preparation becomes the perfect source of workplace-ish mishaps. The passengers expect the crew to solve every problem because they’ve paid for a luxury experience, while the crew itself is barely equipped to handle the crisis. This makes the show’s central joke especially effective: money can buy you a ticket to space, but it can’t buy you immunity from disaster.

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Avenue 5

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Release Date

2020 – 2022-00-00

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Network

HBO

Directors

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Natalie Bailey, Armando Iannucci, David Schneider, Annie Griffin, William Stefan Smith

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Reese Witherspoon turned the Nashville Film Festival red carpet into a family affair.

Witherspoon, 50, stepped out with her mother, Betty Reese, and lookalike kids Ava and Deacon Phillippe on Saturday, September 26, for the world premiere of Brother Save Us at the 57th Nashville Film Festival. (Witherspoon is also the mother of son Tennessee, 14, whom she shares with ex Jim Toth.)

The family was attending in celebration of the film, which stars Deacon, 22, as a farmer in a dystopian Midwest. In one image from Saturday, the mother-son duo placed their arms around each other while smiling for the camera.

Witherspoon opted for a strapless white corset top and black pants with black heels for the occasion, while Deacon donned a brown suit with a brown T-shirt. Ava, 27, selected a mini slip dress with diagonal stripes and Betty wore a black suit with a silk scarf around her neck.

Related: Reese Witherspoon Twins With Daughter Ava in ‘Merry’ Holiday Photo

While Reese Witherspoon has an expansive résumé, she touts parenthood as one of her greatest achievements. The Legally Blonde star first became a mother in September 1999, welcoming daughter Ava with then-husband Ryan Phillippe. The duo — who were married between 1999 and 2006 — then welcomed son Deacon in October 2003. Thank You! You […]

“So proud of you @deaconphillippee!!” Witherspoon wrote via her Instagram Story on Saturday, reposting images of the mother-son duo from the event.

Days before the occasion, Deacon opened up about feeling a connection to the project due to his relationship with brother Tennessee.

“I just remember feeling surprised that someone could write exactly how I feel about my little brother,” Deacon told Variety earlier this month. “That depth of love in a script is just something you rarely get to see.”

He also got candid about following in the acting footsteps of Witherspoon and his father, Ryan Phillippe, who were married from 1999 to 2007.

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Related: Reese Witherspoon’s Most Relatable Quotes About Kids Ava, Deacon, Tennessee

Reese Witherspoon became a mom at age 23 and has been making candid motherhood confessions ever since. The actress welcomed daughter Ava with her ex-husband, Ryan Phillippe, in 1999, and the little one became a big sister four years later when son Deacon arrived. Following the Cruel Intentions costars’ 2006 split, Witherspoon wed Jim Toth […]

“I acknowledge that I’m extremely lucky, but you know, at the same time, I hold myself to a standard,” Deacon said. “I’m not really looking to prove anything to anyone but myself to try to be the best version I can be, the best person I can be and work as hard as I can. A lot of people are going to assume things … All I can do is do my thing, and show that I want to work extremely, extremely hard.”

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Deacon, who is set to star in the upcoming rom-com Better Than the Movies, went on to reflect on his favorite movie in the genre involving his mother.

“I would say, Sweet Home Alabama,” he said. “It’s very weird to watch your parents act. It’s hard. I remember when I was a kid, I watched one of my dad’s first movies, White Squall, and I was crying because they were bullying him in the movie.”

He continued, “But as you get older, there’s something magical about watching your parents young and at your age. I’m always in awe of their careers and all that they’ve done. That’s why I’m always leaning on them for advice, which is another thing I’m blessed to have.”

Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Lanterns Episode 7.

As Lanterns continues to pick up speed, the penultimate installment of the season is right on the cusp of discovering who killed Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and why. John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) is still on the case, aided by his trusty “Halogram,” with Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) seemingly unbothered by the death of his predecessor. It took seven episodes, but Lanterns finally delivers a glimpse of something most fans wanted from the beginning: two Green Lantern icons cooperating with one another to achieve a shared goal.

‘Lanterns’ Episode 7 Reveals the Truth About Hal Jordan’s Childhood

This penultimate episode begins in 1975 when a young Hal Jordan is being ridiculed by his coach because he wouldn’t give up the ball during a game. Martin, his father, comes in and his son tells him that he fought his whole team for the ball — because, of course, he did. But rather than ridicule his son, Martin commends the boy before getting into a fight with the coach, and before long, father and son are at a nearby airstrip sporting matching bruises. Martin gives his son a key attached to a chain, telling the boy that he will either succeed or fail in life. The key opens his safe, which contains things that will stay only between them.

Back in 2026, John tells the Halogram that Hal — whose body they’re standing over — was killed, and now John needs Hal’s voice to open the hidden safe that he and Kerry (Kelly Macdonald) found. But John is also a little distracted, calling his brother to wire some more money to Rushville so that he can pay off the waitress, Maggie (Hannah Christine Shetler). Things get more complicated for John when he takes the Halogram to the safe, as the ring’s backup of Hal’s consciousness refuses to proceed without speaking to the authorities, meaning Kerry. John refuses, telling him about Kerry and Hal’s relationship, which only leads the Halogram to put his foot down harder.

On the way to the sheriff’s department, John tries to shut the Halogram up by removing the ring from his finger, but the program remains. Halogram is quite impressed by the feat, revealing to John that none of the other Green Lanterns have been able to do that — in case you forgot the whole bird thing from earlier in the series, John can do things on autopilot that other Lanterns at their full power ring strength seemingly cannot. (This occurs eventually in the comics too, but not this early in his Lantern career.) Upon making it to Kerry’s office, a notice on the front door says that everyone is at the “hat ceremony” at the high school — where Kerry’s son Noah (Shea Pritchard) will seemingly pick his college trajectory. While there, the Halogram sees the Green Lantern beacon and the names scribbled on it, wondering why John (and seemingly everyone else) hates Hal so much.

‘Lanterns’ Episode 7 Further Explores Hal Jordan’s Secrets

Image via HBO

At the hat ceremony, John is confronted once more by Maggie, who continues to hold his time in Rushville the night of Hal’s death over him. While he assures her that the money is on the way, he parts with his watch in the meantime. As the ceremony commences, John watches from the sidelines as Noah reveals that he’s not making a decision today — at least not until he wins the big football game. Billy (Jason Ritter) confronts John in the gym, but Kerry gets between them, meeting John in the science lab. Of course, when she gets there, she’s blindsided by the Halogram. When the program asks who killed him, she claims that they don’t know. He then asks what Hal thought about John before his death, and the sheriff replies that for Hal, watching John succeed was like watching his favorite football team — which feels like a complete 180 from what we saw from Hal before.

After leaving Kerry, the Halogram tells John that he believes she killed Hal. John thinks the backup is being paranoid, but the AI insists on going to the vault now without the sheriff, wasting no more time. So, that’s exactly what they do. Once it’s open, they find only a backpack and a grocery bag — curious for a man who was once a Green Lantern. Inside the backpack is a gun, and inside the bag is a portal, not unlike the ones the Guardians used when recruiting John. The Halogram opens the door, which leads to another planet. After finding a safe location to place the portal (somewhere away from the storage unit), the Halogram and John go through it.

A giant structure hangs overhead, almost like a floating city of some kind, which is something John’s never seen before — but since the only way to figure out why Hal had this portal in the first place is to further explore this strange new world, that’s exactly what this unlikely pair does. In very Great Gatsby-like fashion, John eyes a green light far off in the distance, and as he nears it, he discovers an alien skull — and not just one. Halogram reveals that the world has been long abandoned and is now a graveyard. John recalls that when Antaan (Paul Ben-Victor) abducted him, he showed him the Manhunter’s destruction of this world.

Image via HBO

Walking to the edge of an enormous lake of some kind, John and Halogram hop in a boat and row toward the light. After a heart-to-heart about why John met with Hal the night he died, the would-be Green Lantern banishes the AI backup for the time being. But it isn’t long before he begins to hallucinate, seeing intense images of his father and countless apples bobbing in the water. John even sees his younger self, who reminds him that he never wanted to be a Lantern in the first place. On the brink of insanity, he eventually falls into the water and nearly drowns before the Halogram pulls him out. So, what’s the deal? Well, John believes that the gas the Manhunters used to eradicate everyone on this world is still in the air and the rain, messing with his mind.

After John recovers, the Halogram tells him that Hal’s father killed himself. While traditional interpretations of Hal’s mythos reveal that Martin Jordan died in a test-flight accident, that’s not what happened here in the DC Universe. So, when young Hal opened his father’s safe, it was full of cash, old photos, and a suicide note. He discovered that this pain persisted between generations, from his grandfather to his father to now him. “I’m not fearless because I’m brave,” Halogram tells John. “I’m fearless because I’m broken.” Although the pair wonder if Hal actually killed himself, that question will have to be answered in the next episode.

As the two arrive at the structure, a man holds a knife to Halogram’s throat. Of course, since he’s essentially a power ring construct, he disappears and fakes out the attacker, giving John just enough of an edge to overcome the mysterious alien infiltrator. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen), who presumes that he has finally met John Stewart. With only one episode left, there are still plenty of questions left to be answered. How did Hal actually die? How did Sinestro escape? Why can John do things other Lanterns can’t? Is Noah actually a Manhunter? Does Kerry, once again, know more than she’s saying? Could Hal come back from the dead? Hopefully, Lanterns will be able to stick the landing and tie up every loose end neatly.

The finale of Lanterns premieres next Sunday on HBo and HBO Max.

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Release Date

August 16, 2026

Network

HBO

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Directors

Alik Sakharov, James Hawes, Stephen Williams, Geeta Patel

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Writers

Damon Lindelof, Chris Mundy, Tom King, Vanessa Baden Kelly, Justin Britt-Gibson, Breannah Gibson

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Pros & Cons

• Halogram is inarguably the better version of Hal, so it’s great to get him for an entire episode.
• John being forced to come to terms with the entire trajectory of his life is much more interesting now than earlier in the series.
• The show finally embraces the alien aspect of Green Lantern lore.

• It feels like there’s still a lot of ground to cover before the season is over.
• Kerry is obviously hiding something again and it feels like the show has played this exact card before.

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Editor’s note: The below interview contains spoilers for Lanterns Episode 7.

HBO’s Lanterns only has one more week left to go, and with its 2016 storyline officially wrapped up, the DCU series has jumped ahead by a decade, making quiet strides toward resolving a mystery that’s been hanging over the show from the beginning: who killed Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler)?

Despite being summoned back to Rushville by Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald), what John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) knows — and what the show ultimately reveals — is that Hal and John’s last conversation took place hours before Hal turned up dead on those bleachers. Before that, Hal had actually been trying to make amends for what happened in Rushville 10 years prior, even though the townspeople, including Kerry’s now-ex Billy Macon (Jason Ritter), still carry a lot of resentment towards the Green Lantern and everything that went down. While the show continues to creep closer to confirming the identity of Hal’s murderer, it does shine a spotlight on the fact that Rushville has been forever changed by the events of 2016.

Ahead of the Lanterns premiere, Collider had the opportunity to speak with several members of the cast and creative team, including Macdonald and Ritter. Over the course of the interview, which you can watch above or read below, the co-stars discuss playing several versions of Kerry and Billy over different points in time, Kerry’s emotional Episode 7 reunion scene with the Halogram, why Billy unwisely decides to pick a fight with John Stewart, and more.

COLLIDER: Kelly, the show is primarily set around two distinct timelines, but for Kerry, we do get a glimpse of what life was like for her before Rushville. I was wondering how learning about her history in Gotham and what she’s been through prior to ending up in Rushville helped you develop a stronger understanding of her character.

KELLY MACDONALD: I don’t have too much information aside from the fact that she’s from Gotham. There are people that want to kill her, and she makes… not a deal with the devil, but she signs her life over basically to Rushville and to being there and protecting it, and it ends up being her family. So, yeah, I think it is quite important.

It was really nice to actually film a slightly younger Kerry, and sort of see her, like, she’s a bit gothy. They gave me little bangs, and I got makeup. It was really fancy.

Jason, I feel like I’m not the only person that’s going to be thinking of Matlock when Billy first walks in. Your first official scene in Lanterns, that really funny courtroom scene, and the interaction that you and Kyle [Chandler] are having feels like a bit of a parallel. This is admittedly a less serious question, but which of those characters would you pick to represent you in a legal matter: Billy or Julian?

JASON RITTER: [Laughs] I would definitely pick Julian. Not anything against Billy, but I think Billy is kind of big-fish-in-a-little-pond syndrome, and so he knows the judges, he comes in, he makes deals. He’s not necessarily an expert of the law. So, yeah, I definitely would choose Julian — but maybe Julian with a mustache.

‘Lanterns’ Halogram Reunion Reminded Kelly Macdonald of Filming ‘Boardwalk Empire’

“It’s tricky because Hal Jordan’s still Hal Jordan…”

Image via HBO

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Fair enough. Kelly, we’ve obviously just been talking about Kerry’s past, but I really do love that we get to see the evolution of the character in both timelines, both in 2016 and then later in 2026. There’s been some estrangement, as well, between Hal and John, and how the ripple effects of that kind of still linger. How did you want to balance the external toughness that [Kerry] has to have as the sheriff of this town with some of the moments when we really see more vulnerability rise to the surface, especially while, in 2026, we see her grappling with the loss of Hal, too?

MACDONALD: I think from the get-go, when you meet Kerry, and certainly when Kerry meets Hal, they recognize in each other that there’s a lot of bravado masking something very vulnerable inside. The scripts, I think, are just lovely. The character arc, it’s so nice to have time. With a film, you’ve got such a short amount of time to get everything done, and it’s just so nice to spend time with the person and see them evolve, and that was the case here.

There’s a scene I’m thinking about [in Episode 7] specifically, as well, from you, where she finds herself confronted with that saved version of Hal from the ring, and it feels like you watch all of the emotions just going over your face in real time. I’m curious about how you prepared to film that scene, because it feels like we see a lot of emotion from her with very little dialogue.

MACDONALD: Thank you.

RITTER: I love that scene.

MACDONALD: I haven’t seen it, but I was there! I remember. It was funny because it makes me think about how I did an episode in Boardwalk Empire where my character’s having an affair with somebody, and then Nucky kills this character. They were keeping the actor in this box that my character’s meant to find. Like, I didn’t see him until I was on camera, so they would get the reaction of me seeing this actor all covered in blood and all deadified.

It’s tricky because Hal Jordan’s still Hal Jordan, but it’s working with somebody so professional and brilliant at their job as Kyle Chandler. He walked on, and just one look in his eyes, and he was not the person that’s got a history with Kerry, and so it just made it really easy. It was easy and emotional. The scripts allowed for all sorts of things to be going on in Kerry’s mind, because she’s feeling everything at once.

‘Lanterns’ Jason Ritter Reveals How the Last 10 Years Have Changed Billy Macon

“2026 is a very different time for Billy…”

Image via HBO

To continue along the story of the time jump, Jason, I feel like you can see the lingering effects that the incident in 2016 has had on the town. Specifically, there’s that moment between you and Aaron [Pierre], and it feels like a very different Billy Macon that we’re seeing versus the one that we met back in 2016. The huge action and obviously the devastation that takes place, too, in Rushville, what sort of impact does that have on the character, especially in terms of the resentment that we now see towards the Green Lanterns?

RITTER: There’s been a lot of death in the town. And even though they’ve gotten divorced, it’s always tough when your ex-partner starts dating a superhero, so I’ve heard. So I think definitely, like a lot of happy-go-lucky people, your life and your outlook is one thing when things are pretty much going your way, and I think sometimes those people have further to fall when they encounter disappointment or trauma or devastation in their life.

Billy has a lot of anger and feelings of powerlessness. 2026 is a very different time for Billy, and also a time of maybe some misplaced confidence in terms of his ability to start fights and finish them. [Laughs]

Also, your characters are linked, obviously not just because of the past relationship, but there’s a child in the mix, too. I was wondering how the two of you wanted to approach continuing that partnership, because obviously they’re no longer married by the time we pick up with them 10 years later, but it seems like they are still trying to co-parent this young man [Noah], who clearly has a bright future ahead of him — even though, when we see him, he hasn’t quite made that decision yet of where he’s heading to college.

RITTER: Yes. In this period of time, I feel like there was so much divorce. There was not a lot of divorce, and then there was a lot of divorce in the ‘80s and ‘90s and things, and not a lot of understanding how it affected children, and then a lot of those kids grew up. I think there’s been a new sort of trend in divorces where generally people are trying to protect their kids, and say, “This is the most important element. We have our things between us, but let’s at least both try to be there for this kid as much as possible.” So I think they’ve been able to be humble enough to put their own differences to the side.

MACDONALD: And focus on him.

RITTER: And focus on the kid. Although I’m sure Billy’s asked if Noah’s hung out with Hal Jordan and all that kind of stuff. “What’s he like? Is he really funny?” Anyway, so there’s some of that stuff. Nothing too devastating.

New episodes of Lanterns premiere Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.

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Lanterns

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Release Date

August 16, 2026

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HBO

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Stockbridge Mayor Jayden Williams was reportedly removed from office following an investigation into his messages with an 18-year-old high school student and his spending on the city credit card.

Williams was the youngest mayor of Stockbridge. Now, he’s sitting down with The Shade Room’s Justin Carter on ‘TSR Investigates‘ to discuss the allegations, the private messages, and why he believes the investigation against him was politically motivated.

22-Year-Old Impeached Mayor Jayden Williams Speaks After Texts

According to Carter, the 18-year-old high school student that former Mayor Jayden Williams was communicating with was named RJ. Per Carter, the investigation into Williams revealed that their correspondence began in November 2025. At the time, RJ congratulated the mayor on winning the race and inquired about being his mentee.

Per Carter, the pair exchanged phone numbers, and “things quickly got flirty.” Specifically, the former allegedly asked RJ if he was gay or bi. In response, the teen explained that he’s bisexual, but added that he’s been “leaning towards men a lot recently.” As their interaction went on, the flirting continued, and the pair allegedly exchanged pictures and videos.

More On The Texts & City Card Scandals Exposed

According to Williams, he didn’t think anything of his interaction with the high schooler. But in December, he appeared to realize the interaction may be inappropriate, and they mutually ended things via text. Per Williams, their interaction “never went beyond text messages.”

But scroll above to watch as Jayden Williams opens up about their relationship. Additionally, he speaks about an occasion when they were together in person, and the teen allegedly tried to kiss him. Furthermore, Carter also questions Williams about his relationships with his mentees and if any were ever sexual. In addition, Williams opens up about why he believes his removal from office was politically motivated rather than sparked by his alleged illicit spending on the city’s credit card. Lastly, he also shares whether he intends to take legal action in response to his impeachment.

RELATED: Georgia Mom Says Sons Jailed After Neighbor Allegedly Fired Shots At Their Home | TSR Investigates

Cleopatra knew a thing or two about pampering, and milk + honey founder Alissa Bayer took note.

The spa founder, who has been opening locations across the U.S. since 2006, looked to the Egyptian queen when shaping the wellness destination’s concept and its expansive menu.

“I was inspired by the legends of Cleopatra bathing in milk and honey, ingredients long associated with beauty, from the lactic acid in milk to the humectant qualities of honey,” she tells ET.

The royal treatment carries through to every visit, too. The spaces offer everything from massages and facials to hair, nails, and medSPA services, making it easy to squeeze in a little self-care or settle in for a full spa day.

“It’s less about creating a one-stop shop and more about seeing an opportunity to create the kind of elevated, deeply caring experience I could not find anywhere else,” Bayer says.

“Our approach is rooted in helping people feel more grounded, confident, and connected to themselves. … Caring for your skin or getting your hair done may appear physical, but the way it makes you feel can reach much further,” she adds.

For a head-to-toe experience fit for a queen, the order matters.

“Begin with a manicure or pedicure because there is nothing quite like a hand or foot massage. From there, have a massage with body gua sha, followed by a lymphatic sculpting facial. I always recommend having the massage before the facial, so you are not lying face down afterward with freshly treated skin. Finish with a blowout so you leave feeling cared for from head to toe, and completely ready to reenter the world.”

The crowning touch? A body wrap for an extra dose of indulgence.

“There is something almost cocoon-like about having the body exfoliated, treated, and wrapped in warmth, especially when it is combined with massage. It engages all of the senses and allows you to surrender in a way that is difficult to describe until you experience it.”

But Bayer’s reigning philosophy isn’t about turning back the clock. Instead, she’s embracing an approach that celebrates every chapter.

“I am loving the shift from anti-aging to pro-aging. For me, that has meant embracing my gray hair rather than feeling like I need to cover it. I still want to care for myself and feel good, but I am less interested in trying to erase every sign of age. There is something beautiful about allowing yourself to evolve and feeling confident in the person you are becoming,” she explains.

“I think we will see much more beauty and wellness care designed around specific stages of a woman’s life. … I see treatments becoming more thoughtful and personalized around changes in the skin, hair, hormones, sleep, and nervous system. … There is beauty in every season of life, and our treatments should support that rather than erase it.”

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