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Entertainment

‘Rivals’ Season 2 Is Bigger, Better, and Raunchier Than Ever

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Bella Maclean and Alex Hassell in Rivals.

It’s been almost two years since Rivals first quietly dropped on Hulu, and since then, the series’ hype has grown as it has gained more fans, earned more international recognition, and received an extension that bumped it from eight episodes to twelve per season. Based on a series of novels by the late author Jilly Cooper, Rivals follows the glamorous and steamy lives of the inhabitants of the fictional county of Rutshire, nestled in the rolling green hills of the Cotswolds. Bonkbusters might have once been considered lowbrow for their explicit sex scenes and over-the-top drama, but no genre is better suited to a television adaptation.

Rivals Season 1 sets the perfect stage, taking us to the idyllic English countryside and giving us a taste of how the other very rich and very powerful half live. With illicit affairs and soapy drama paired with commentary on socioeconomic gaps and class divide, the series proved it could have it all. But lightning rarely strikes twice, and with more characters and more episodes, can Rivals impress for a second time and prove that its success is more than just chance?

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‘Rivals’ Season 2 Doubles Down on Drama, Affairs, and Intrigue

One thing that’s immediately evident when you start Rivals Season 2 is that the series is simply delivering more on all fronts. There are a handful of new characters, most of them plucked directly from the pages of Polo, the next book in Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles series. There are new sets, bigger hair, and scandal waiting around every corner. However, Rivals hasn’t just expanded in scope; it’s also gone deeper than even the novels have.

The series picks up not long after the end of Season 1, and the rivalry between TV production companies Corinium and Venturer is now trucking along at full steam. After being bludgeoned over the head by Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams), Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) has not only survived his attack but is, unsurprisingly, coming for blood. Tony, who is gloriously wicked and devious in Season 2, removes any remnant of the sheep’s clothing he might have worn in Season 1, becoming the big bad wolf of Rutshire. His aim? Obliterating Venturer from the map and getting his revenge on all the people who have wronged him. First in his sights is the most obvious target: his long-time rival Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell).

Although Season 1 might have ended on a hopeful note, with Rupert finally giving in to his feelings for Taggie (Bella Maclean), with the two sharing a heated kiss in the kitchen, the course of true love not only isn’t running smoothly for them, but it’s a rocky and steep ride down a path of hairpin turns. Merely seconds after their kiss, the somewhat reformed rake is faced with a new conflict. Cameron, covered in Tony’s blood after the attack, needs his help, and Rupert has made a promise to protect her. When he chooses to be noble rather than selfish, Rupert’s love life is thrown into disarray almost immediately.


Bella Maclean and Alex Hassell in Rivals.

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‘Rivals’ Bella Maclean and Alex Hassell Prove You’re Missing the Point of That Age-Gap Relationship

Maclean and Hassell are joined by David Tennant, Claire Rushbrook, and Catriona Chandler as they break down Season 2.

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It’s not just Rupert’s love story that’s taking center stage; Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner) is still in one of the most toxic marriages known to man with Maud (Victoria Smurfit), who is now acting in A Doll’s House in a supporting role after leaving Declan last season to finally reclaim her career. You might consider Declan to be one of the show’s most eloquent and intellectual characters, especially after his stirring speech at the end of Season 1, but in matters of love, he’s a hot mess. If you thought these two were messy in Season 1, Season 2 blows all of that out of the water. The third head of the Venturer hydra is tech magnate Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer), who consummated his will-they-won’t-they romance with novelist Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson) last season. Their relationship is likely the least problematic of the bunch on the surface, but the problem is that both Freddie and Lizzie are married with kids, and as devoted as they are to each other, they’re also devoted to their families.

If that sounds like a lot, let me reassure you: there’s more. Without going into detail, new relationships and pairings pop up left and right in Season 2. Characters who were previously in supporting roles have been given more to work with, like Luca Pasqualino‘s Bas Baddingham and Gary Lamont‘s Charles Fairburn. And, because it is still a bonkbuster, the season has more sex and more full-frontal nudity than ever before, complete with riding crops and excessive skinny-dipping. After watching the first five episodes of Rivals Season 2, it almost feels as if Season 1 was the prequel, setting the stage for the true story to emerge.

‘Rivals’ Cast Performances Are the Stars of Season 2

As delicious as the plots of Season 2 are, it’s the cast that really shines in Rivals. Tennant was spectacular last season, showing how ambitious and cutthroat Tony is, but Season 2 proves that Tony is not only an antagonist, but one who has zero regard for anyone but himself. Tennant has completely leaned into his character’s villainous side, acting as a puppet master of some of the series’ most shocking schemes so far. In some ways, this flattens Tony into a near caricature, but it’s a necessary step for the story to keep chugging along at full steam. On the flip side, if Hassell’s Rupert felt somewhat one-note at his initial introduction, Season 2 has fully fleshed out the character, giving him a tragic turn that plunges Rupert to the lowest of lows and forces him to dig his way out. Hassell is heartbreaking as Rupert, with every expression written clearly on his face as he wrestles with his career and love life while also being haunted by past ghosts.

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Season 2 brings in Hayley Atwell‘s Helen Gordon as Rupert’s ex-wife; Rupert Everett as his former showjumping team manager, Malise Gordon; and the couple’s two kids, Marcus and Tabitha. Atwell is a recast, but she proves in every scene that she’s a perfect choice for Helen, even if her American accent comes and goes at times. Some of Hassell’s most heartbreaking scenes are when the former couple clash, tearing away the charisma of a former Olympian and politician and revealing one of the most flawed characters in the series.

Rupert’s most nuanced moments, however, happen opposite Maclean’s Taggie. There was a big kerfuffle about the age gap between these two characters when they were first paired up, but the fact of the matter is that the obstacles in their relationship are much more serious than that. Cameron is a complicating factor, but Taggie is also Declan’s daughter, and Rupert is slowly gaining a conscience for the first time in his life. For her part, Maclean plays Taggie with maturity beyond her years. While much of her storyline is devoted to Taggie’s relationship with Rupert, Maclean also gets to dive deeper into new facets of her character that give her a chance to shine. From dancing in a bar to shedding her more passive previous persona, Taggie is just one example of giving this ensemble more to work with without making them feel vastly out of character. That her chemistry-laden scenes with Hassell are a combination of devastating and gut-wrenching is simply the icing on the cake.

One of the most delightful surprises of Season 2 is Smurfit’s Maud, who comes into her own now that she’s been freed from the shackles of being a bored and neglected housewife. When Smurfit shines in a play near the mid-point of the season, it doubles as a rare treat and the best character development. While she has new and complicated relationships with those beyond the O’Hara clan, Smurfit’s best scenes still come when she’s across Turner as Declan. The electricity between the two actors means every scene is not only fraught with tension but also longing and uncertainty.

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‘Rivals’ Honors the ’80s, Bonkbusters, and Jilly Cooper

Aidan Turner in Rivals Season 2
Aidan Turner in Rivals Season 2
Image via Hulu

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the world lost a literary giant when Cooper passed away last October. Anyone who has read one of her books knows how clever the queen of bonkbusters is at weaving an addictive narrative. As an executive producer on the series and having worked on the whole of Season 2, Cooper’s fingerprints are all over the show. Those hoping the series will hew closely to the original Rivals novel might be slightly disappointed; some characters have been combined, and some scenes have been streamlined. However, that doesn’t mean Season 2 isn’t loyal to the story Cooper has crafted; in fact, the changes enhance this more modernized adaptation, offering depth the book necessarily couldn’t.

Alongside Season 2’s drama, the lush and vibrant costuming and set design are back on full display. From turquoise and pastel indoor pools to verdant polo fields, Rivals drops you right back into the luxury of the most affluent part of England, and it feels as authentic as the crushed velvet dresses the characters are swathed in. David Bowie and Rick James play as characters scheme and bond, all clad in pinstripe suits and florals. It’s this connection to authenticity that gives the series a unique flavor and flair, which has been missing from the world of grim and gritty television.

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‘Rivals’ Season 2 Is Bigger and Better, but Not Flawless

Alex Hassell and Bella Maclean kissing in Rivals Season 1
Alex Hassell and Bella Maclean in Rivals Season 1
Image via Hulu

However, not everything is perfect about Rivals Season 2. The chief problem is the pacing — not in the story itself, but rather its overall release schedule. Season 1 experienced a full drop, making it easy to binge for anyone with a free weekend, but Season 2 adopts methods from fellow competitor streamers that don’t do Rivals any favors. Split into two parts, the first part of Season 2 premieres with a three-episode drop, followed by weekly releases before the season takes a break after Episode 6. Shows like Bridgerton and Stranger Things have employed a similar split-season release schedule, albeit with binge drops. Prime Video shows have seen success with a hybrid model, dropping three episodes first and then airing weekly until the finale. Rivals‘ hybrid-of-a-hybrid schedule has the potential to confuse audiences, especially since the three-episode premiere leaves the story off on a pretty drastic low point that might deter weekly viewers and lead them to simply wait three weeks until the full season is out.

The creative cinematography in Season 1 is also back; one scene sees the complete upending of a character’s life, and the camera slowly spins before literally turning upside-down. Some of the visual language used in these shots is about as subtle as a sledgehammer. There’s one particular scene that appears like a one-shot at a dinner party; the editing of the scene offers asides of other characters, but undercuts the tempo of the take. It doesn’t happen often enough to detract from the series, but it is noticeable enough to feel heavy-handed at times.

However, these are just minor gripes for a show that has really emerged from its chrysalis. If Rivals‘ first season was glam and fun, Season 2 uses that as a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down. The more complex and morally grey storylines refuse to take the easy way out despite the fluffy packaging. You might have found yourself rooting for extramarital affairs in Season 1, but Season 2 is ready to douse you in some cold water and remind you that all actions have consequences. That’s what makes the series work: you get the good and the bad. It’s far more than just a guilty pleasure; Rivals Season 2 surpasses Season 1 on nearly every front, proving that more time and space to breathe is exactly what a show needs to mature into a resounding win.

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Rivals Season 2 premieres May 15 on Hulu.


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Release Date
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October 18, 2024

Network

Disney+

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Directors

Dee Koppang O’Leary, Alexandra Brodski, Elliot Hegarty

Writers
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Clare Naylor, Mimi Hare, Kefi Chadwick, Dare Aiyegbayo, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Laura Wade, Marek Horn, Sophie Goodhart

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Pros & Cons
  • Fantastic performances come from David Tennant, Victoria Smurfit, and Alex Hassell.
  • Storylines have been completely expanded to add more depth to supporting and main characters.
  • The pacing of the release schedule creates inconsistencies in the season’s tempo.
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Entertainment

Morgan Wallen Overturns Piano Amid Technical Difficulties

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Morgan Wallen s Ups and Downs Through the Years- Saturday Night Live Drama N-Word Scandal and More 263

Country music star Morgan Wallen appeared frustrated after experiencing technical difficulties during a recent show.

During the singer’s Friday, May 29, show at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, Morgan, 33, flipped over his on-stage piano mid-performance after it appeared he was unable to hear the instrument, per social media footage shared on both X and Instagram. TMZ and Billboard also reported on the on-stage incident.

Amid the technical difficulties, the singer was forced to perform his hit song “Sand In My Boots” a cappella, moving forward with the show despite the apparent ear piece issues.

Us Weekly has reached out to reps for Wallen for comment but did not hear back at the time of publication.

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Morgan Wallen s Ups and Downs Through the Years- Saturday Night Live Drama N-Word Scandal and More 263


Related: Morgan Wallen’s Ups and Downs Through the Years

Morgan Wallen has become the bad boy of country music after facing a series of scandals throughout his career. The “Whiskey Glasses” singer got his start on season 6 of The Voice in 2014, where he was a member of Adam Levine’s team but got knocked out during the playoffs. Two years after his appearance […]

The “Whiskey Glasses” singer, who got his start in 2014 on season 6 of The Voice, is no stranger to controversy. In May 2020, he was arrested outside Kid Rock’s Nashville bar, Big Honky Tonk, for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. He was later cleared of the charges.

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“I went out downtown last night with a few old friends,” he said via X, then known as Twitter. “We didn’t mean any harm, and we want to say sorry to any bar staff or anyone that was affected.”

He made headlines again when he was caught partying without a face mask — kissing multiple women in the process — at college bars in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, amid the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

His reported partying ultimately cost him a gig on Saturday Night Live.

“I’m in New York City, in a hotel room. I was getting ready for SNL this Saturday, and I got a call from the show letting me know that I will no longer be able to play. And that’s because of COVID protocols, which I understand,” Wallen said at the time. “I’m not positive for COVID, but my actions this past weekend were pretty short-sighted and that have obviously affected my long-term goals and my dreams. I respect the show’s decision because I know that I put them in jeopardy. I take ownership for this.”

Morgan Wallen Gets Sued by Fan for Canceled Mississippi Concert Security Apologizes After False Claims He Was Drunk 303


Related: Morgan Wallen Security Company Refutes Claims He Was Too Drunk to Perform

Morgan Wallen is being sued by a fan after he canceled a concert in Mississippi at the last minute. A class action lawsuit was filed by concertgoer Brandi Burcham on Tuesday, April 25, after Wallen, 29, pulled out of the performance two days prior. Burcham stated in court documents that the venue promised refunds, however, […]

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(Wallen later made his official SNL debut on December 5, 2020.)

Later, in 2021, Wallen sparked controversy again when TMZ published a video of the singer using the N-word in February amid rising racial tensions in the country after the murder of George Floyd.

“I’m embarrassed and sorry,” the singer said in a statement at the time. “There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologize for using the word. I promise to do better.”

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Meryl Streep Is ‘Exactly’ What Martin Short Needs Amid Grief

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Meryl Streep and Martin Short

Martin Short is basking in the support of his rumored partner, Meryl Streep, in the aftermath of the devastating loss of his daughter, Katherine Short.

After connecting on the set of “Only Murders in the Building,” the pair, who have yet to officially confirm their relationship, have remained inseparable.

As Short deals with the gaping hole left behind by his daughter’s demise earlier this year, he has the companionship of Streep to grant him some form of comfort.

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Meryl Streep and Martin Short
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

A source is dishing on how Short and Streep are navigating this difficult time, saying the relationship is offering him the strength he needs.

“It’s like each one of them is exactly what the other person needs at this stage in life. It all feels incredibly effortless between them,” the insider explained to Page Six.

Streep and Short reportedly find it so easy to be together, as there is no drama or complications in their relationship. Things reportedly flow “naturally” between the pair, and their bond is “really rare,” the informant noted.

“Everybody should be so lucky to find somebody who fits into their life the way they do each other’s. They make each other laugh, they support each other, and there’s just a calmness to their relationship,” they added.

Short And Streep Are No Doubt In Love

Meryl Streep and Martin Short at OMITB premiere
MEGA

The Hollywood veterans, who have been together for more than a year, remain largely private. However, their inner circle is well aware of their undeniable chemistry.

Although the pair started as on-screen love interests, they quickly became core emotional support systems for each other as they navigated career and personal life changes.

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For Streep, who is reportedly stepping back from the acting industry, her life has felt “invigorated” by Short’s presence, as he makes her happy. This was more than evident when Streep and Short were spotted enjoying an intimate dinner together at Chateau Marmont earlier this month.

A source said of their outing, per The Blast, “What was interesting is that they’ve both been denying they’re in a romantic relationship. But seeing them inside the Chateau, there’s no doubt they are in love.”

How Meryl Streep’s Husband Feels About Martin Short’s Romance

Meryl Streep and Don Gummer at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors Gala Dinner
Ron Sachs – CNP / MEGA

As Streep and Short’s low-key romance gets the stamp of approval from fans and their inner circle, tongues continue to wag about the state of things between the actress and her husband, Don Gummer.

The “Death Becomes Her” star and Gummer, a sculptor, were married for almost four decades before calling it quits in 2017. However, it wasn’t until 2023 that their separation became public news.

Nevertheless, the pair remains legally married amid their split, adding a twist to her ongoing romance with Short.

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According to an insider, Gummer initially struggled to accept the end of his marriage to Streep, especially with their shared connection through their four adult children.

However, given that so much time has passed since things ended, he has no issues with Short in the picture.

“If this relationship with Martin had started immediately after the split, it’s something he probably never would have gotten over. But enough time has passed now that he’s genuinely at peace with it,” the informant revealed, per The Blast.

Martin Short’s Call Before Daughter’s Death Revealed

Katherine Elizabeth Short and Martin Short 2011 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Sunset Tower Hotel
WENN.com Newscom/MEGA

As Short continues to lean on Streep, a new update has surfaced about the tragic circumstances surrounding his daughter’s passing.

In February, Katherine, 42, was confirmed dead by the Short family through a heartbreaking statement after she took her life. The late social worker battled with mental illness.

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As documented by the autopsy report, Short seemingly sensed something was wrong with his daughter after she didn’t respond to calls and texts for more than 24 hours.

As reported by The Blast, the concerned actor reached out to a friend of Katherine’s to visit her residence, where she was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Inside The Dark Parallel Between Short’s Wife And Daughter

Martin Short and Nancy Dolman at kennedy honors brunch 2 021207
Carrie Devorah / WENN Newscom/ MEGA

While opening up about Katherine’s death, Martin looked back at the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Nancy Dolman, drawing parallels.

Dolman, an actress, passed away from ovarian cancer in 2010 at the age of 58, after three decades of marriage.

Reflecting on Dolman’s final moment in an interview, Short recalled her last words as she told him, “Martin, let me go.” 16 years later, the actor shared that he experienced the same sentiment with the demise of his daughter, Katherine, per The Blast,

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8 Forgotten ‘90s Movies That Deserve to Be Rediscovered on Prime Video

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Danielle Harris as Hayley puts lipstick on Katherine Heigl as Alexia in Wish Upon a Star

The era of grunge, fanny packs, and boy bands, the ‘90s, has left its mark on pop and counterculture in many ways. Some of the movies that came out in the 1990s are among the most iconic, and watching them is like getting a concentrated dose of nostalgia. From Oscar-winning kids’ films to off-the-wall military-themed comedies, Prime Video has some buried treasures from this iconic decade.

Whether you want to rewatch cult classics or discover something new, these forgotten ‘90s movies will be an interesting palate cleanser for your normal viewing routine. Watching older films offers a fascinating insight into the subtle and not-so-subtle changes cinema has undergone as time has moved forward. From pacing to special effects, movies have come a long way in the past 30 years. Some of these titles have aged better than others, but they all owe a debt of gratitude to the post-Cold War decade.

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1

‘Wish Upon a Star’ (1996)

Danielle Harris as Hayley puts lipstick on Katherine Heigl as Alexia in Wish Upon a Star
Danielle Harris as Hayley puts lipstick on Katherine Heigl as Alexia in Wish Upon a Star
Image via Leucadia Film Corporation

Instead of a mother-daughter body swap like Freaky Friday, the TV movie Wish Upon a Star featured sibling rivalry at its core. Younger sister Hayley (Danielle Harris) feels inferior to her older sister Alexia (Katherine Heigl), who seems to have it all. When Hayley wishes on a shooting star to trade places with her sister, both Wheaton teens get the shock of their lives when her wish comes true.

Fans of teen movies, makeover movies, and “in their shoes” type tropes will get a kick out of Wish Upon a Star. It is a fun flashback to the fashion of the era, and the sisters’ journey through vengeance and annoyance toward mutual understanding is rewarding. It is also a snapshot of the different personalities that can emerge within family dynamics and how differences can be strengths, not sources of contention.

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2

‘Lionheart’ (1990)

Jean-Claude Van Damme looking solemn in a soldier's fatigues as an officer talks to him in Lionheart
Jean-Claude Van Damme looking solemn in a soldier’s fatigues as an officer talks to him in Lionheart
Image via Universal Pictures

With over 80 acting credits to his name, Jean-Claude Van Damme is a legend in the martial arts movie genre. He was the preeminent star of action films in the ‘90s, and titles like Bloodsport and Kickboxer put him on the map. Shortly after the release of Bloodsport in 1988, Van Damme appeared in a similar movie called Lionheart in 1990.

While both films involved Van Damme’s character participating in fighting rings, Lionheart has a more compelling plot and character motivation. In Lionheart, Van Damme’s character, Lyon Gaultier, is driven to fight not for selfish gain or to prove anything to anyone, but for the love of his family. When Lyon’s brother is severely injured, he must provide for his brother’s wife and young daughter. Lionheart has everything Van Damme fans will enjoy, including terrific fight scenes and quippy one-liners. It also includes some more tender moments, and Van Damme gets to stretch his acting muscles in the more emotional scenes.

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3

‘Under Siege’ (1992)

Steven Seagal wears a military dress uniform and salutes in Under Siege
Steven Seagal wears a military dress uniform and salutes in Under Siege
Image via Warner Bros.

Under Siege is a Steven Seagal aquatic version of Die Hard. The unhinged action movie stars Seagal as the ship’s cook, Casey Ryback. When a group of terrorists takes over the battleship, Casey is the only one who can stop them. Though Seagal delivers a performance comparable to his other films, the highlight of the movie is Tommy Lee Jones as the villain William Strannix.

Jones is off-the-wall in his portrayal of Strannix, and having a movie that focused on his character would have been equally entertaining, if not more. Gary Busey also appears in the film and is committed to his role as the loathsome Commander Krill. Fans of Die Hard, Seagal, and Jones should add Under Siege to their watchlist. It is a thrilling buddy action flick that is par for the course for the ’90s.













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Collider Exclusive · Action Hero Quiz
Which Action Hero Would Be
Your Perfect Partner?

Rambo · James Bond · Indiana Jones · John McClane · Ethan Hunt
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Five legends. Five completely different ways of getting out alive — with style, with muscle, with charm, with luck, or with a plan so intricate it probably shouldn’t work. Ten questions will reveal which action hero was built to have your back.

🎖️Rambo

🍸James Bond

🏺Indiana Jones

🔧John McClane

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🎭Ethan Hunt

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01

You’re dropped into a dangerous situation with no warning. What do you need most from a partner?
The first few seconds tell you everything about who belongs beside you.





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02

You have to get somewhere dangerous, fast. How do you travel?
How you get there is half the mission.





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03

You’re pinned down and outnumbered. What does your ideal partner do?
This is when you find out what someone is really made of.





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04

The mission is paused. You have one evening to decompress. What does your partner suggest?
Who someone is when the pressure drops is who they actually are.





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05

How do you prefer your partner to communicate mid-mission?
Good communication is the difference between partners and a liability.





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06

Your enemy is powerful, well-resourced, and has the upper hand. How should your partner approach them?
The approach to the enemy defines the partnership.





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07

Things go badly wrong and you’re captured. What do you trust your partner to do?
Who someone is when you need them most is the only thing that matters.





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08

What does your ideal partner bring to the table that you couldn’t replace?
A great partner fills the gap you didn’t know you had.





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09

Every partnership has a cost. Which of these can you live with?
No one comes without baggage. The question is whether you can carry it together.





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10

It’s the final moment. Everything is on the line. What do you need from your partner right now?
The last question is the most honest one.





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Your Partner Has Been Assigned
Your Perfect Partner Is…

Your answers have pointed to one action hero above all others. This is the person built to have your back — for better or considerably, spectacularly worse.

Rambo

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Your partner doesn’t talk much, doesn’t need to, and will have assessed every threat in your immediate environment before you’ve finished your first sentence. John Rambo is not a man of plans or politics — he is a force of nature shaped by survival, loyalty, and a capacity for endurance that goes beyond anything training can produce. He will not leave you behind. He has never left anyone behind who deserved to come home. What you get with Rambo is the most capable, most quietly ferocious partner imaginable — one who has been through things that would have broken anyone else, and who chose to keep going anyway. You’ll never need to ask if he has your back. You’ll just know.

James Bond

Your partner will arrive perfectly dressed, perfectly briefed, and with a cover story so convincing it’ll take you a moment to remember what’s actually true. James Bond is the most professionally dangerous person in any room he enters — and the most disarmingly charming, which is the point. He operates in a world of layers, where nothing is what it appears and every advantage is used without apology. You’ll never be bored. You’ll occasionally be furious. But when it matters — when the mission is genuinely on the line and the margin for error has collapsed to nothing — Bond is exactly the partner you want. He has survived things that have no business being survivable. He does it with style. That is not nothing.

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Indiana Jones

Your partner will know the history, the language, the cultural context, and exactly why the thing everyone else is ignoring is actually the most important thing in the room. Indiana Jones is brilliant, reckless, and occasionally impossible — but he is also one of the most resourceful, most genuinely knowledgeable partners you could find yourself beside. He approaches every situation with a scholar’s eye and a brawler’s instinct, which is an unusual combination and a remarkably effective one. He hates snakes and gets personally attached to objects of historical significance, both of which will slow you down at least once. It doesn’t matter. What Indy brings is irreplaceable — and the adventures you’ll have together will be the kind people write books about. Assuming you survive them.

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John McClane

Your partner was not supposed to be here. He does not have the right equipment, the right information, or anything approaching the right odds. He has a sarcastic remark and an absolute refusal to accept that the situation is as bad as it looks. John McClane is the greatest accidental hero in the history of action cinema — a man whose superpower is stubbornness, whose contingency plan is improvisation, and whose capacity to absorb punishment and keep moving would be alarming if it weren’t so useful. He will complain the entire time. He will make it significantly more chaotic than it needed to be. And he will absolutely, unconditionally, without question come through when it counts. Yippee-ki-yay.

Ethan Hunt

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Your partner has already run seventeen scenarios by the time you’ve finished reading the briefing, and the plan he’s settled on involves at least two things that should be physically impossible. Ethan Hunt operates at the absolute edge of human capability — technically, physically, and intellectually — and he brings the same relentless precision to protecting his partners that he brings to dismantling organisations that shouldn’t exist. He is not easy to know and he will never fully tell you everything. But he will carry the weight of the mission so completely, so absolutely, that your job is simply to trust him — and the remarkable thing is that trusting him always turns out to be the right call. The mission will be impossible. He will complete it anyway.

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4

‘Major Payne’ (1995)

Damon Wayans as Major Payne scolding a cadet played by Steven Martini in Major Payne
Damon Wayans as Major Payne scolding a cadet played by Steven Martini in Major Payne
Image via ©Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Damon Wayans is Major Payne in this military-themed kids’ comedy that is full of quotable moments. As a Marine, Major Payne is no stranger to the tough and rigorous life of a soldier. While his enthusiasm and vigor are never questioned, his people skills are a little lacking, and they are put to the ultimate test when he is tasked with training a small group of JROTC cadets.

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Wayans is well known for his comedy and unmistakable character performances, and Major Payne is one of his most noteworthy. Mixing a drill sergeant archetype with Wayans’ unique crazy-man performance makes Major Payne an unforgettable character. In one of the most famous scenes, a young cadet tells Payne that there is an imaginary man living in his closet. After the first attempt is unsuccessful at calming the young boy’s fears, Payne walks upstairs, takes out his gun, and fires five rounds into the closet. Turning to him, Payne proclaims, “If he’s still in there, he ain’t happy.” Although some aspects of Major Payne haven’t aged as well as others, it is still a fun family comedy, with Wayans doing what he does best.

5

‘Desert Blue’ (1998)

Christina Ricci staring ahead with black eyeliner in a desert in Desert Blue
Christina Ricci staring ahead with black eyeliner in a desert in Desert Blue
Image via Samuel Goldwyn Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

For anyone who spent their teenage years living in a small town, there is Desert Blue. Written and directed by Morgan J. Freeman (not the actor), it captures the essence of rural living during adolescent years. Desert Blue is a unique film described by Roger Ebert as “not a romance, a drama, or an adventure, but the evocation of a time and place.” Everything in the movie is understated and subdued; it is not meant to shock or overwhelm but to simply be, and inspire what it inspires as the viewer chooses what to take from it.

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Roadside attractions, the world’s largest ice cream cone, carbonated sodas, and the FBI are all a part of what makes Desert Blue its own unique tale. Instead of typical coming-of-age films, Desert Blue is simply a snapshot of life as it is. It is a bittersweet glimpse of disappointed dreams and unwavering hope that things could get better. Desert Blue is full of now well-known stars, including Casey Affleck, Christina Ricci, and Kate Hudson. It is worth a watch and might become a new favorite.

6

‘Empire Records’ (1995)

A group of youngsters talking in Empire Records
A group of youngsters talking in Empire Records
Image via Warner Bros.

Perhaps no movie on this list so perfectly captures the ‘90s in a bottle like Empire Records. When music was the main expression of the era, setting a movie inside a record store was ingenious. Although it wasn’t a financial success, Empire Records is beloved by fans and has grown to become a cult classic over the years.

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Taking place within a single day, the movie focuses on the young employees and manager of an independent record store that faces the unfavorable reality that they might have to join a conglomerate. Full of teenage angst, drama, and eccentricities, Empire Records tackles several issues of the times, like pills, corporate sellouts, and culture clashes. The cast is a kaleidoscope of talent before they hit it big with stars like Renée Zellweger, Liv Tyler, and Brendan Sexton III. Music lovers and ‘90s fans should definitely give Empire Records a spin.

7

‘Heat’ (1995)

Al Pacino wearing a badge and wielding a gun as Vincent in Heat
Al Pacino wearing a badge and wielding a gun as Vincent in Heat
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Although silver screen titans Al Pacino and Robert De Niro had appeared in the same movie before with The Godfather Part II in 1974, they didn’t share any scenes. That changed with 1995’s Heat. In Heat, Pacino and De Niro play two sides of the same coin. One, De Niro, a master thief named Neil McCauley, and the other, Pacino, an LAPD officer named Vincent Hanna. Both figures are excellent at what they do, and both have strong beliefs about how control should be maintained.

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If the dynamic performances given by Pacino and De Niro weren’t enough to make Heat one of the best thriller movies of all time, Val Kilmer also appears in the film, and his character Chris Shiherlis adds a whole new dimension to the tension. Heat has interesting characters, intentional dialogue, and one of the greatest heist moments in film. Watching Pacino and De Niro on screen together is sublime, and now is an ideal time to check out this 1990s crime-themed classic.

8

‘Babe’ (1995)

Babe the piglet standing in a field in Babe
Babe the piglet standing in a field in Babe
Image via Universal Studios

One of the best family movies of the last 100 years, Babe is the endearing tale of a small piglet who is determined to be more than what people expect of him. When the little pig arrives at Farmer Hoggett’s (James Cromwell) farm, he is told by a malicious farm cat that his destiny is only for the dinner table. Babe (Christine Cavanaugh) decides to change his fate and learns how to herd sheep like the resident sheepdogs, Fly (Miriam Margolyes) and Rex (Hugo Weaving). Despite Rex’s vehement protests, Babe is resilient and learns how to work with the sheep in his own way, not as a sheepdog would, but using his “heart of gold.”

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Babe is an exceptional film. Its fantastic blend of puppetry and restricted computer graphics still makes it enjoyable and believable to watch today. It was nominated for an outstanding seven Academy Awards and quite deservedly won for Visual Effects. All of the performances given in Babe are charming and winsome, especially the gentle, quiet, no-nonsense farmer played by Cromwell. To watch Farmer Hoggett stake his entire reputation on his belief in a little pig is touching, and it gave the world of the cinema the famous “That’ll do, pig” quote. Babe is a perfect movie for the young and the young at heart and is, without a doubt, one of the best and most worthy ‘90s movies to be rediscovered on Prime.


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Babe


Release Date
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July 18, 1995

Runtime

89 minutes

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Director

Chris Noonan

Writers
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Dick King-Smith, George Miller, Chris Noonan


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14 Years Later, J.J. Abrams’ Forgotten Thriller Is Still a Stellar 21st-Century Sci-Fi Show

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Ewan Leslie and Emma Booth holding flashlights, investigating something, in The Gloaming

The U.S. is filled with landmarks that have infamous histories; 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, the notorious house from The Amityville Horror; a secret U.S. Air Force military installation in southern Nevada, associated with rumors of clandestine experiments and secrets about alien life, aka Area 51. But maybe none has the infamy of the long-abandoned United States Penitentiary in the San Francisco Bay, known as “The Rock” — or in this case, Alcatraz.

Alcatraz was hell for those imprisoned there, where discipline was severe and, as one former prisoner recounted, “Men go slowly insane under the exquisite torture of restricted and undeviating routine.” Prisoners died within its walls and remain there, with many accounts of ghosts still haunting its rusty cells and catwalks, 60 years after the last prisoner was escorted out on its closing in 1963. But what if the last prisoners of The Rock weren’t escorted out at all, but simply disappeared? And, mysteriously, reappear in the present day? Such is the premise of Fox’s 2012 TV series Alcatraz.

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256 Inmates and 46 Guards From “The Rock” Reappear Years Later in ‘Alcatraz’

“On March 21, 1963, Alcatraz officially closed. All the prisoners were transferred off the island. Only, that’s not what happened. Not at all.” So begins all 13 episodes of Alcatraz, narrated by Jurassic Park alum Sam Neill, who plays FBI agent Emerson Hauser. The J.J. Abrams-produced series is in the vein of shows like The 4400 and Manifest, but unlike those shows, Alcatraz has the draw of its captivating, mystifying namesake. The series begins with 256 inmates and 46 guards disappearing from Alcatraz on March 21, 1963. One of the first to arrive on the scene is young San Francisco police officer Hauser, who discovers they’re missing. To keep the situation undercover, the government states that the prison is being closed for safety reasons, and the inmates have been transferred to prisons across the country.



















































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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz
Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive?
The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars

Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.

💊The Matrix

🔥Mad Max

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🌧️Blade Runner

🏜️Dune

🚀Star Wars

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01

You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do?
The first instinct is often the truest one.





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02

In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely?
What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.





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03

What kind of threat keeps you up at night?
Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.





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04

How do you deal with authority you don’t trust?
Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.





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05

Which environment could you actually endure long-term?
Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.





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06

Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart?
The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.





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07

Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all?
Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.





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08

What would actually make survival worth it?
Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.





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Your Fate Has Been Calculated
You’d Survive In…

Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.

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The Resistance, Zion

The Matrix
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You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.

  • You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
  • You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
  • You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
  • The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.


The Wasteland

Mad Max
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The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.

  • You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
  • You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
  • You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
  • In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.


Los Angeles, 2049

Blade Runner
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You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.

  • You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
  • In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
  • You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
  • In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.


Arrakis

Dune
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Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.

  • Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
  • You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
  • Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
  • In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.


A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Star Wars
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The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

  • You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
  • You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
  • You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
  • In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.

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The disappearance of the prisoners and guards isn’t the only secret the government is keeping quiet about, either. They have also been anticipating their return, with Hauser now the head of a classified government unit set up years before, waiting. So, when the “63s” begin returning to the present day, one by one, not having aged or having any clue about where and when they’ve been over the years (and back to their criminal ways), Hauser’s team is ready. Once captured, the prisoners are brought back to a cellblock, deep in the woods, which is laid out like their former home on Alcatraz Island. Hauser’s team is aided by police detective Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones) — whose grandfather, one of the 63s, murders her partner — and by Dr. Diego Soto (Jorge Garcia), an expert on Alcatraz.

‘Alcatraz’ Is Strengthened by Its All-Star Cast

Alcatraz also doesn’t have the convoluted nature of Manifest or Abrams’ previous Lost, which works in its favor. It’s relatively simple — the prisoners reappear one by one, turning the series into a case-of-the-week procedural — with the mystery behind it the overarching narrative. Alcatraz also succeeds thanks to the strength of its cast. Jones is refreshing as Madsen, whose personal connection to the mystery drags her in, but not so pervasively that she becomes a one-note, brooding stereotype who can’t live life until she finds the truth.

She is, in a word, interesting. Garcia shines as a subject matter expert/comic book store owner, attacking the mystery with an almost gleeful exuberance and the series’s best humorous lines. The inmates, too, are strong, including the likes of Mahershala Ali (whose upcoming Jurassic World Rebirth gives him a one-degree separation from Neill) and Rami Malek.

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Ewan Leslie and Emma Booth holding flashlights, investigating something, in The Gloaming


This Supernatural TV Series Puts ‘Supergirl’s Milly Alcock at the Center of a Mysterious Occult Cold Case

This riveting crime thriller features a young Supergirl in a Tasmanian noir mystery.

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But it’s Sam Neill who is Alcatraz‘s most prominent cast member, and he delivers as only an A-list talent like himself can. His Emerson Hauser is a man on a mission and a man of secrets; a man of great heroism and a man with a dark side behind the prison walls. Neill sells the gravitas of the series’ unbelievable premise, and he’s so good at bringing the enigmatic character to life without even saying a word, betraying his intimate knowledge of what’s happening to the audience alone.

Despite coming out of the gates strong, viewership quickly declined, and Fox pulled the plug after 13 episodes, making the proverbial “Sophie’s Choice” to keep Abrams’ Fringe alive. The series would join a long list of cancelled series whose cliffhanger endings never see a resolution, with Rebecca having been stabbed and presumably dead after flatlining in the hospital. But maybe, just maybe, fiction became fact, and Alcatraz simply disappeared, ready to return to the air as if nothing happened. We’re on to you, Fox.

Alcatraz is available to stream on Tubi in the U.S.

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Alcatraz TV Poster

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Release Date

2012 – 2012-00-00

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Network

FOX

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Showrunner

Elizabeth Sarnoff

Directors
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Elizabeth Sarnoff

Writers

Elizabeth Sarnoff

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Alfre Woodard Exposes Harsh Racial Bias In Hollywood

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Alfre Woodard at American Ballet Theater 2025 Fall Gala-NYC

For decades, Alfre Woodard has built a career defined by powerhouse performances, critical acclaim, and a refusal to let Hollywood define her limits. But according to the Oscar-nominated actress, the road to success came with harsh realities, including one painful comment she heard while trying to break into the industry. In a candid new cover story, Alfre Woodard opened up about the racial bias she faced early in her career, revealing that one Black theater actress tried to warn her away from pursuing film altogether.

Alfre Woodard at American Ballet Theater 2025 Fall Gala-NYC
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

After graduating from Boston University in 1974 with an acting degree, Woodard told AARP The Magazine that she headed west to Los Angeles, determined to make it as a film actress. But the reception she encountered in Hollywood was far from welcoming. “‘Oh, honey,” she says a Black theater actress warned her. “There’s no such thing as a Black film actress.”

Rather than discouraging her, however, the comment only strengthened Woodard’s resolve. “In my mind, I just went, Well, that’s not my reality,” she recalled.

Woodard Says Hollywood Tried To Box Her In

Alfre Woodard at Netflix's 'The Boroughs' Premiere
CraSH/imageSPACE / MEGA

The Emmy-winning actress revealed that rejection became a painful reality during those early years as she struggled to even land auditions. “I wouldn’t get an audition for nine or 10 months at a time,” Woodard admitted.

Even when roles became available, she said her representatives often dismissed opportunities before she ever had a chance. “When she’d hear about a role, ‘my agents would say, “Oh, Alfre, that’s not for you. It says attractive young Black woman,” she recalled.

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At times, Woodard said she was also told she didn’t look like “the right kind of Black,” underscoring the narrow standards Black actresses often faced in Hollywood. Still, she refused to let those barriers define her future.

Instead, the actress focused on preparing herself for the opportunities she believed would eventually come. She explained that she stayed grounded in the belief that “when somebody wanted to invite me into a space with them, that was the kind of person I should be with.”

Faith also became an anchor during difficult moments. Woodard, who has practiced Christian Science since college, leaned into spirituality while navigating an industry that repeatedly shut doors in her face.

Tulsa Roots Helped Shape Alfre Woodard’s Confidence

Alfre Woodard at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple Of Hope Annual Gala
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Long before Hollywood questioned whether she belonged, Woodard said her family in Tulsa, Oklahoma, made sure she knew exactly who she was. Raised by father Marion “MH” Woodard and mother Constance, the actress grew up in a household where confidence and resilience were expected.

“From the time I can remember, my father would say, ‘Nobody, no man in this world, I don’t care who it is, is better than you are,’” Woodard said. “What I got from my family is a strong sense of self, a sense of value.”

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Those lessons proved especially powerful growing up during segregation. Tulsa high schools were not desegregated until 1973, but Woodard said she never doubted her voice mattered.

How Tulsa Taught Alfre Woodard Resilience

Alfre Woodard at Netflix The Boroughs Premiere in Los Angeles
River / MEGA

She also learned early about injustice and perseverance. At just 5 years old, Woodard said her father required the family to watch the nightly news, exposing her to the Civil Rights Movement at a young age. By age 10, she was helping her parents register voters.

Woodard also recalled a pivotal classroom moment in middle school when teachers secretly educated students about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, an event largely omitted from formal curriculum at the time.

“They told the story of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre,” she recalled, saying the experience helped shape her understanding of survival and strength. “From the passed-along stories of those Black Tulsans who survived the violence and endured. I learned what resilience looked like.”

Alfre Woodard Refused To Let Hollywood Decide Her Future

Alfre Woodard at 36th National Equal Justice Awards Dinner
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Despite the setbacks, Woodard’s persistence paid off. After a breakout stage performance in “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf,” acclaimed filmmaker Robert Altman cast her in her first film role in “Remember My Name” in 1978 and later again in “HealtH.”

Her breakout film role in “Cross Creek” earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1983, launching a decades-long career that would eventually include four Emmy wins, a Golden Globe, and more than 100 screen credits.

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But even now, Woodard says success was never about trophies. “I’m a child of Southern Blackness, a grandchild and a great-grandchild,” she said. “You push and you work because you’re part of the continuum! The trophy is not the thing.”

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Bonnie Blue Reveals Plans for Her ‘Disgusting’ Next Stunt

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Bonnie Blue Reveals Due Date for Alleged Baby, Teases Sex Reveal

Adult content creator Bonnie Blue is revealing the detail of her next stunt, which she admits is “disgusting.”

“My fans will be involved in my baby shower, which is happening in June,” Blue, 27, exclusively tells Us Weekly. “To celebrate a wholesome pregnancy, my baby shower will be so special it’ll turn into a golden shower.”

(For the uninitiated, a “golden shower” is a slang term used to describe one person urinating on another person or persons for sexual pleasure or gratification.)

Blue continued, “My fans can cover me in their urine and have sex with me. Traditional baby shower games will be played throughout the day, piñatas and my holes will be getting smashed. My pregnancy has been a community effort and it’ll continue throughout my pregnancy. I don’t want to tear, so I plan on being stretched regularly.”

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Bonnie Blue Reveals Due Date for Alleged Baby, Teases Sex Reveal


Related: Bonnie Blue Reveals Due Date for Alleged Baby, Teases Sex Reveal

Former OnlyFans creator Bonnie Blue is giving fans details on her alleged pregnancy. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Blue, 27, said she will be a mom before 2026 ends, revealing her due date is in November and that she has already found out the sex of her baby. “I’ll have a gender reveal […]

In addition to allegedly allowing her fans to pee on her during her baby shower, Blue says she still plans on “auctioning off the baby’s name” to the highest bidder.

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Blue (real name Tia Billinger) claimed in February that she was pregnant after having unprotected sex with 400 men as part of her “breeding mission.”

@bonnie_btsx

Ngl even for me, my next event is abit out there! #bonnieblue #bonnieblueevent #grwm #makeup #skincare

♬ original sound – bonnie_btsx

“I’ll have a gender reveal later on in the year with my fans,” Blue exclusively teased to Us on May 20. She further alleged that she will be a mom before the end of 2026, claiming to Us that her due date is sometime in November.

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The adult content creator previously admitted to her numerous TikTok followers that the upcoming stunt is considered “pretty disgusting,” even by her standards.

“Get ready with me. And I realized, I’m not setting women back, I’m just setting myself back,” she said in a May 12 video. “And if I’m saying it’s disgusting then… It’s taking something very wholesome, like a pregnancy, and mixing it with something which is very much out there, even for the industry I’m in.”

OnlyFans Star Bonnie Blue Addresses Pregnancy Rumors


Related: OnlyFans Star Bonnie Blue Addresses Pregnancy Rumors

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Courtesy of Bonnie Blue/Instagram OnlyFans creator Bonnie Blue clarified online speculation that she is expecting a baby. “I am not pregnant,” Blue, 25, said in a Thursday, February 20, YouTube video. “I’d say, about a week ago, [there were] rumors about me being pregnant and quite a lot of the media approached me and said, […]

Blue added that she’s been sick throughout her alleged pregnancy, at times needing to “double up” on her anti-nausea medication to get through the day. Still, she continued, her alleged morning sickness “doesn’t mean” she’s “not going to have fun” at her baby shower-turned-sex-stunt event.

“What’s going to be funny about the event, if you were looking up close — like, I’ve just got this particular image in my mind — up close it’s like, that’s quite cute, quite wholesome,” she explained. “Then you’ll pan out and be, like, what the actual f***.”

One year prior to her alleged pregnancy, Blue — who split from estranged husband Oliver “Ollie” Davidson in 2023 — exclusively told Us that she had struggled with fertility.

“I tried to get pregnant for years with my ex-partner and really, really struggled and I’d have to go down the IVF route,” she said at the time. “So I wish I could say I might get pregnant, however, I’m not in that position where I can fall pregnant naturally.”

To learn more about the serious potential risks and harms of “competitive sex” and other explicit OnlyFans content — read what doctors, mental health professionals and other experts told Us Weekly here.

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Brad Pitt ‘Hurt’ by Son Maddox’s Legal Name Change

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Dexter Fletcher at the

Brad Pitt is reportedly distraught about the latest development involving his eldest son, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, who has now taken legal steps to drop the actor’s name.

Maddox recently filed documents requesting to go only by his mother Angelina Jolie‘s last name, a move reminiscent of one made by his younger sister, Shiloh Jolie, when she turned 18.

Despite the worsening estrangement from all six of his children, insiders claim Brad Pitt remains hopeful for reconciliation.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Dexter Fletcher at the
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According to a new report, Maddox’s decision to officially drop Pitt’s name has completely shattered the actor, as he wished things were different between him and his six children, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Jolie.

“He feels most hurt out of everything that happened with Angie that his children don’t want a public association with his last name,” a source told Us Weekly. “It’s been very difficult.”

Before Jolie met Pitt, she had already adopted Maddox while in Cambodia, a country she had grown fond of due to her time filming the hit movie “Tomb Raider.”

Pitt later legally became Maddox’s father in 2006, a year after starting a relationship with Jolie. The duo went on to have five more kids, Pax, 22, Zahara, 21, Shiloh, 20, and twins, Knox and Vivienne, 17.

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and their kids
MEGA

Now, according to legal documents, Maddox, 24, is requesting for a name change as he wants to be known as “Maddox Chivan Jolie,” instead of the usual “Jolie-Pitt.”

According to an insider who spoke to the publication, the Oscar winner is optimistic about reuniting with his children, despite the ongoing estrangement.

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“[Brad] still does hope and keeps the door open to eventual reconciliation, hopefully with all of them, but it is their decision. He has no power, and he can’t force them,” the insider said.

They further noted that Pitt’s “biggest fear is to be permanently disconnected from the kids because he does want to find a way to make things right.”

“His biggest fear is that too much time is going by, and the more time without something happening, the harder it will be to reconcile,” the insider added.

The Actor’s Circle Claims He Was ‘Alienated’ From His Kids By Their Mother, Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie and kids, Pax, Zahara and Maddox at the
MEGA

Shortly before Maddox’s bold move, sources close to Pitt accused Jolie of being the mastermind behind his estrangement from the children.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, an insider claimed that there was a “campaign of alienation [by Jolie] which has been successful.”

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“The antagonism is huge,” the source noted. “He has been alienated from the kids completely. It is devastating to him.”

While Pitt’s four adult kids have the right to cut ties with him and can choose not to see him, the actor has court-mandated visits with the twins, Knox and Vivienne, as they are still considered minors.

However, according to the news outlet, Pitt still hardly ever gets to see them, with his busy work schedule recently adding to the challenges.

Brad Pitt Skipped Zahara’s Graduation And Never Reached Out

Brad Pitt at F1 The Movie World Premiere
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

A recent major family event revealed how bad things had gotten between Pitt and his kids.

The actor was nowhere to be seen at his daughter, Zahara’s graduation from Spelman College, with a source telling TMZ that Pitt never “reached out” or tried to see if he could attend the ceremony.

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They further claimed that “nothing prevented him from showing up for her. Or ever visiting her.”

It is worth noting that Zahara made a public move to distance herself from Pitt when she first entered college, opting to use only Jolie’s last name. However, unlike Shiloh and Maddox, she has yet to make this official.

Jolie and all three of her sons, Maddox, Pax, and Knox, were the siblings at the graduation to support Zahara.

Insider Claims Angelina Jolie Made It Difficult For The Actor To Reach Out

Angelina Jolie at Maleficent: Mistress of Evil - World Premiere
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Amid the criticism over Pitt’s absence from Zahara’s graduation, a source blasted Jolie, accusing her of creating a situation that made it impossible for the actor to participate in his children’s milestones.

“You can’t have it both ways – to promote a complete estrangement and then criticize someone for not going to an event when you’ve made sure that they would not be welcome,” the source told the Daily Mail. “That’s not a situation which he created.”

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They then described Jolie as “evil” and “manipulative” for allegedly driving a wedge between Pitt and the six children.

Besides Zahara’s graduation, Pitt has notably been absent from other major milestones, like his son Knox’s win at a Muay Thai competition on his 17th birthday in 2025.

Shiloh Jolie Dropped Brad Pitt’s Name Once She Turned 18

Brad Pitt seen arriving at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Jay Hirano/MEGA

Maddox is only the second sibling to legally cut ties with Pitt, as the actor’s biological daughter, Shiloh, was the first to kick things off on her 18th birthday.

At the time, a source said Shiloh’s decision was tied to her parents’ custody battle during their bitter divorce, after she and her siblings were prevented from testifying despite Jolie’s request that they be allowed to testify.

“The name change goes back to the custody battle, and Shiloh’s belief that her rights as a victim were violated,” an insider told the Daily Mail. “Shiloh believed she had the right, as a victim of crime, to testify — and was prevented from doing so.”

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Shiloh’s lawyer also hinted at this reason, telling People Magazine that the teenager “made an independent and significant decision following painful events.”

The move was said to have deeply “hurt” Pitt, but a source insisted that “he will be there for Shiloh and any of his kids whenever they need, no questions asked.”

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Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino Considering Political Career

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Mike Sorrentino Opening His Own Addiction and Mental Health Treatment Centers

Another reality TV star is considering a career in politics.

“I’d like to save lives for the next three to five years, with Archangel centers,” Jersey Shore’s Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino told local New Jersey news outlet News 12 on Thursday, May 28, while attending the VUE Magazine spring edition party in state’s Wall Township.

“I’d like to have an Archangels center in every 50 states [sic], and after that, you know, I will introduce everybody to Governor Situation,” the reality TV star added, seemingly announcing his plans to run for office sometime in the future.

When asked if he would enter the political arena as a Republican or a Democrat, Sorrentino, 43, played coy.

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Mike Sorrentino Opening His Own Addiction and Mental Health Treatment Centers


Related: Mike Sorrentino Opening His Own Addiction Treatment Centers

Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino has announced the launch of his own recovery and treatment centers, The Archangel Centers. “If you had told me 10 years ago that the U.S. government would send me to prison, strip me of my passport and voting rights, and hit me with millions in penalties, I would’ve thought it was […]

“I can’t announce it yet, but, uh, I think the, uh, residents of New Jersey would like no property tax,” he responded.

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Sorrentino, who has struggled with addiction issues in the past, announced the launch of his own recovery and treatment centers in September 2024.

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Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino
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“If you had told me 10 years ago that the U.S. government would send me to prison, strip me of my passport and voting rights, and hit me with millions in penalties, I would have thought it was game over,” the reality TV star wrote via Instagram at the time. “But here I am — living proof that the comeback is always greater than the setback.”

(Sorrentino spent eight months in federal prison for tax evasion after failing to pay $8.9 million in taxes. He was released in 2019.)

He continued, “Against all odds, I turned my life around. Today, I’m happily married with three amazing kids, a published author, nine years sober, and about to launch my own treatment centers: @thearchangelcenters. What once seemed impossible is now my reality.”

Sorrentino, who married wife Lauren Sorrentino in November 2018, previously opened up to Us Weekly about his substance abuse struggles.

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“I had an obsessive personality and everything I did was zero or a hundred,” he told Us in November 2023. “Once you get into that life of excess, whether it’s drugs, women, money, success, a lot of people don’t make it out.”

If Sorrentino should enter into politics, he will join a growing list of reality TV stars who have decided to run for office, including current President Donald Trump, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and The Hills alum Spencer Pratt, who is currently running for mayor of Los Angeles.

Jersey Shore Star Mike The Situation Sorrentino s Ups and Downs- TV Stardom Fatherhood and More -354


Related: Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino’s Ups and Downs: ‘Jersey Shore’ and More

Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino was one of the biggest troublemakers in the Jersey Shore house during the show’s early days, but he’s since become a voice of wisdom for the roommates. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to […]

“Not a reality star,” Lisa Rinna said of Pratt’s mayoral campaign, before evoking Trump and his presidency. “I love him [Pratt], but we’ve already done that. We’re not going to do that again. You got me, because listen, I’m a reality person. I wouldn’t want me as mayor, really. I mean, let’s just face it, I love him [Pratt]. I think he’s amazing. I just think we did that.”

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While many have denounced Pratt’s campaign citing his reality TV background and lack of experience, others have thrown their weight behind the TV personality.

“I’m actually excited,” Audrina Patridge exclusively told Us on May 1 of her former castmate’s political ambitions. “He impressed me. I listened to some of his interviews, and at first when I heard, I was like, ‘Wait, is he really doing it? Is it a joke? Is it real?’ But he is, and he is very intelligent, and I think that he would make a lot of change to L.A. and he would follow through with what he said.”

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Whitney Leavitt Teases Reality Show After ‘SLOMW’ Exit

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Whitney Leavitt

Will Whitney Leavitt star in her own reality show after leaving “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives“? That’s what it looks like. The Hulu TV personality recently shared a post on her Instagram stories featuring her with her husband, Conner Leavitt, and appeared to confirm that her new production company was preparing a show focused solely on her and her family in New York City.

@whitneyleavitt

Leavitt Media House Productions has been busy 👀🤫🎥🎬

♬ Fendi 2 – khimmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Whitney posted a TikTok of her and her husband, Conner, dancing to a viral sound. Over top of the clip, the “SLOMW” reality star wrote, “Y’all keep asking for a Levitt reality show… careful what you wish for.” She also added several emojis—a smirking face, a pair of lurking eyeballs, and a video camera. Whitney captioned the clip: “Levitt Media House Productions has been busy,” followed by the same emojis as above.

According to a previous report from The Blast, Whitney announced that she was starting a production company. Right after that announcement, the mother of three said that the company was already “working on something big!!!!!”

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Whitney Leavitt Announced Her Exit From ‘The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives’ In An Epic Way

Whitney Leavitt
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Whitney rose to fame as part of the group MomTok and garnered even more attention as an original cast member of “SLOMW.” After five seasons, though, Whitney said it was time to say goodbye to the part of her life.

During her final performance as Roxie Hart in the Broadway musical “Chicago,” Whitney announced her exit. “Oh, what is that?” her character, Hart, said in the viral clip. “Whitney Leavitt announces she’s leaving ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.’”

Her exit didn’t come as much of a surprise, considering the fact that she teased her departure in March 2026. “Well, I’m figuring it out in real time,” she said at the time, according to The Blast. “We’re figuring it out together, but it feels like that’s the trajectory of where it’s going.”

Whitney Leavitt Isn’t Sad About Leaving ‘The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives’ In Her Rearview Mirror

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While she’s turning the page on an important part of her story, Whitney said she feels confident about her decision to say goodbye.

“It’s been about four years of my life,” she said. “Every time I left, it wasn’t with gratitude. But this time it is. It just feels like a chapter that’s closing in my life. My cup is full, and it just feels like it’s time. So I’m excited.”

She opened up about her departure from the popular series with an Instagram post, saying, “We have been through so much together, even more than what you’ve seen. We’ve had really big highs, really big lows and no matter what happens with our relationships like that is something that will always be a part of our life, will always be a part of my life and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Speaking with Kelly Clarkson on her show, Leavitt shared a similar message, telling the singer-songwriter that she feels “content.”

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“I feel like this is a chapter that’s closing in my life and honestly, I believe that’s how it was always meant to be. I’m so grateful for ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.’ It’s got me where I am today. It’s given me the opportunities that you all have seen but I’m ready. I’m ready for the next chapter and I cannot wait to share with you guys what’s next,” she explained.

The Solo Whitney Reality Show Is Getting Mixed Reviews

Whitney Leavitt
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Some of Whitney and Conner’s fans have reacted to the news of a possible Leavitt family reality show with glee.

One user posted, “Honestly, this potential New York series seems way more fun. ‘SLOMW’ really dropped the ball when they stopped filming she had so much going on since moving there that people wanted to see.”

Another said, “Yayy, I love this couple! From someone who doesn’t have social media, thanks for posting OP!”

“I will be seated,” said another. “I want to know more about her relationship with Mormonism now.”

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However, some of the Redditors shared differing opinions.

Some Aren’t Here For The Levitts Getting Their Own Show

Whitney Leavitt posing on the red carpet.
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“I’m not saying this in a hating way, genuinely curious if they would have enough content for a show that would be interesting of just her since the slomw is based on like 6 peoples lives and how they interact aka much more content, interesting dynamics, and drama which is largely why people watch,” someone posted.

“A reality show if just them two = boringgggg. A reality show where she is on there with other cast members. Like a slomv nyc spinoff.. sure why not. She can’t hold a show though. She is performative and too animated which screams fake for cameras. If she can’t be vulnerable and REAL, then it won’t go anywhere after 1 season,” said another.

Looks like viewers will just have to wait and see.

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Gwyneth Paltrow Proved Airport Outfits Can Be Comfy and Chic

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Everyone’s traveling lately, including Gwyneth Paltrow. But she’s not strolling through TSA in an oversized sweatsuit. Paltrow wore the chicest button-up shirt that looked just as comfy, but 10 times more stylish. Her timeless style channels rich mom energy from cabins away, and we found it for only $27!

Paltrow popped on Instagram mid-flight wearing a GWYN shirt (of course), defined by its clean lines, breezy fabric and fit that felt borrowed from a husband who sails. Her wardrobe hovers between Hamptons garden party and first-class lounge, so this striped boyfriend shirt style fits right in. We’re copying Paltrow’s vibe (without access to either)!

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Get the Gleeivy Oversized Striped Button-up Shirt for $27 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

This Gleeivy Oversized Striped Button-up Shirt features stripes that channel nautical-meets-menswear energy and make it read much more expensive than it is. Add in smocked elastic cuffs, dramatic lantern sleeves and a stand collar for an elevated finish, and it’s perfectly East Coast-coded.

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Related: I Have a Rectangular Body Shape — These Dresses Make Me Look Hourglass

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An athletic body type is great for workouts, but for me, that’s where it ends. Dress shopping means trying to balance my shoulders, cinch my waist and emphasize my natural curves, all without squeezing. I searched high and low to find 17 chic dress styles that flatter rectangular shapes like mine. The secret? Well, there […]

And although Paltrow wore hers on a plane, this crisp shirt style is versatile enough for everything beyond your travel itinerary. Pair it with wide-leg jeans for brunch, then rock it with a skirt and blazer for busy meeting days. It’ll become the most-worn thing in your closet, especially since it garners so much attention.

“So many compliments,” one happy shopper wrote. “It’s the perfect mix of polished and relaxed. The blousy fit gives it a flattering drape without feeling boxy or oversized, and it’s incredibly comfortable for all-day wear . . . It’s become one of those go-to pieces in my wardrobe that always looks put-together with minimal effort.”

Another five-star fan shared, “It’s comfortable, breathable and summery while still feeling polished. This top could be worn with jeans or could be dressed up as well.”

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Paltrow’s shirt style proves that you don’t have to sacrifice your bank account to look like a first-class passenger. From market runs and last-minute dinners to school pickups and boardroom meetings, this sleek, timeless look has you covered for all of the above.

Get the Gleeivy Oversized Striped Button-up Shirt for $27 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop other summer tops on Amazon and don’t forget to check out Amazon’s Daily Deals here!

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Kate Middleton


Related: Kate Middleton Retired Basic Flats for a Chic Slingback Ballet Shoe

Kate Middleton is rarely spotted in anything other than heels, but she swapped pumps for something even classier than regular ballet flats. Middleton’s two-toned slingback flats give timeless a trendy edge, so it’s no wonder the style is taking over the internet. The Princess of Wales visited Italy wearing a simple yet elegant ensemble that […]

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