Roommates, time is flying, especially for our favorite celebrity kids! The latest one to gag the internet with her growth and accomplishments is Royalty Brown. And her parents, Chris Brown and Nia Guzman, came together to celebrate her sixth-grade graduation, sharing a sweet family photo online. On stage, Royalty took a moment to speak on how she wants to be a role model to her four younger siblings.

RELATED: Chris Brown & Nia Guzman Link Up For Royalty’s Birthday As Cozy Clip With Jada Wallace Continues To Go Viral (WATCH)

Chris Brown & Nia Guzman Pose In Photo With Royalty As She Honors Her Siblings

On Wednesday (June 3), Chris Brown shared a family shot on Instagram Stories featuring his firstborn, Royalty, and co-parent, Nia Guzman. All three were smiling in the photos. The 12-year-old had her hair flowing in highlighted waves and wore a light pink, strapless, short dress with a matching scarf and heels. Breezy and Nia both pulled up casual in jeans and a black tee and green top, respectively. Chris captioned the photo, “MY BABY GRADUATED,” adding red heart emojis.

Meanwhile, Royalty’s sister, Zillah, posted a video of her on the graduation stage at Sierra Canyon in Los Angeles. The school boasts a past and current student population that includes celebrity children, from the Kardashians to LeBron James kids. When Royalty took the mic, she spoke about how her older sister Zillah —Nia Guzman’s firstborn — was a role model for her and how she wants to be the same for her siblings.

Royalty Celebrates 12th Birthday With Her Parents

When it comes to Royalty Brown, her parents don’t miss an opportunity to come together to celebrate her! About a week before graduating, they all celebrated her 12th birthday at a birthday dinner. Even Ammika Harris’s son, Aeko, whom she shared with Chris Brown was present.

Separately, Nia shared footage of the party, dubbed Roechella and featuring a desert theme. She had face painting, bounce houses, festival food stations, a pool and even a performance stage at the event. She also appeared to be flooded with birthday gifts. It’s unclear if Chris also attended the birthday party.

Chris Brown Recently Celebrated Academic Accomplishments

That said, Royalty isn’t the only Brown celebrating recent academic wins. In late May, Breezy revealed that he had received an honorary doctorate of philosophy in visual and performing arts from Harvest Christian University. Fans went wild over photos he shared at the ceremony.

Then, this week, he seemingly responded to shade about the honorary aspect of his doctorate. He shared a photo of the Masters of Fine Arts in Arts Entrepreneurship he earned from the same university in 2022. His caption said, “I DID ANOTHER THING. MASTERS. I MOVE IN SILENCE, BUT TRY TO GROW IN PUBLIC.” 

RELATED: Dr. Breezy! Chris Brown Pops Out With Honorary Degree & Fans Are Putting Some Respect On His Name (PHOTOS)

Latto has seemingly addressed rumors alleging that 21 Savage is still married to Keyanna Joseph, the mother of his two sons.

RELATED: Did Latto Just Reveal Her Baby’s Gender On Her New ‘Big Mama’ Album? Fans Think So!

Latto Seemingly Addresses Rumors Alleging 21 Savage Is Still Married To Keyanna Joseph

On Thursday, June 4, ‘The Breakfast Club’ released their sitdown interview with Latto via YouTube. About five minutes into the conversation, Loren LoRosa brought up 21 Savage which led Latto to begin blushing. When asked why she became less private about their relationship, she explained that recent “milestones” have prompted them to have to be a little more open.

As the conversation continued, Latto also revealed that their baby girl has “changed” 21 Savage. From there, LoRosa mentioned Latto recently hanging out with the mothers of 21 Savage’s other children. She explained that they came together celebrate one of their children’s 5th grade graduation.

Before the conversation on 21 concluded, Latto seemingly addressed rumors speculating he’s still married.

“What people don’t know, they gon’ make up but… he not in — I don’t even want to say it. It’s like, that’s his story to tell. I’m not 21 Savage… We happy, we do what works for us, and people make up what they don’t know. That’s what I’ll say,” Latto explained.

Swipe below to see clips from throughout the conversation.

Social Media Reacts To Her Speaking On Rumors Of 21 Savage Being Married

Social media users slid into TSR’s comment section with reactions to Latto’s comments on her relationship with 21 Savage and the marriage rumors.

RELATED: Issa Bae Watch?! Social Media Speculates 21 Savage Also Has Latto’s First Name Tattooed (PHOTOS)

More On Latto, 21 Savage & Keyanna Joseph

As The Shade Room previously reported, Latto revealed she was expecting her first child in March. At the time, Keyanna Joseph, the mother of 21 Savage’s sons, and his speculated “wife,” appeared to positively react to the news.

By mid-May, 21 Savage appeared to confirm the arrival of their little one, per The Shade Room.

A few days later, Keyanna Joseph appeared to post a photo alongside Latto and Kei, the mother of 21 Savage’s daughter. Then, Kei shared footage of their outing.

More recently, Latto revealed she gave birth to a baby girl and even shared a carousel of content showing her off. Keyanna Joseph, who has remained silent on her status with 21 Savage, appeared to continue showing love to Latto and her little one, also liking these photos.

RELATED: Mother Of 21 Savage’s Two Sons Seemingly Shows Love To Latto After She Shares First Photos Of Her Baby Girl

Joe Bradley knows his history on Below Deck Mediterranean is tumultuous — to say the least — but that didn’t stop him from trying to redeem himself this season despite personal struggles and a falling out with friend Nathan Gallagher.

“I’m in this industry to win. I know what I’m capable of in terms of professional capabilities. At this point, I’m absolutely thriving,” Joe exclusively told Us Weekly ahead of Below Deck Med‘s return on Monday, June 8. “Captain Sandy gave me the call — and regardless of who the bosun was going to be — I didn’t mind.”

Joe’s main focus was making Captain Sandy proud. “I can take it on the chin,” he added. “I need to do a job at the end of the day — and I know I do it well. So I wasn’t scared. I was ready with everything. Every inch of effort and motivation, I was ready to join that boat.”

In a not-so-surprising turn of events, Joe’s once close friend Nathan was once again his bosun. But while their first season together in 2024 sparked a friendship, they ultimately were at odds by the time they reunited one year later.

Related: Below Deck Mediterranean’s Biggest Drama Through the Years

As soon as you step foot on a Below Deck Mediterranean charter yacht, you’re guaranteed one thing: a whole lot of drama. Throughout its Bravo run, crew members like Captain Sandy Yawn, Hannah Ferrier, Malia White and more have been know to butt heads with each other — all with the purpose of delivering a […]

“I’m a very passive person. So if you put me in any situation, at the end of the day, I’m here to do a job — regardless of any relationship on board,” he explained. “I’m going to make sure Captain Sandy is happy with me and happy with my capabilities.”

Joe revealed to Us that he was navigating personal issues before joining Akira One, saying, “My mom got diagnosed [with a health issue] and I went to look after [her], so I didn’t go back into work after season 10. She’s OK now. She had four tumors and it has been a battle. … But the beauty of this life is that this is my only financial income. The yachting industry has not only saved my life, but it’s quite literally [saved] my mom’s life financially. It’s a blessing.”

The deckhand used that positive perspective when choosing to return to Below Deck Med — despite the possible backlash from viewers.

“You will see a level of growth [this season] because I felt it. You will see that I’m comfortable in my own skin on board. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a bit boisterous at times,” he continued. “That’s where Nathan [and I differ]. I can actually be social, but I have a good time as well and do my job well. You will see growth and you will see a level of change because I’m fed up with all these [love] triangles now.”

As Below Deck Med viewers know quite well, Joe was entangled in a love triangle in season 9 with Elena Dubaich and Bri Muller. He later found himself in trouble during season 10 due to his connections with both Kizzi Kitchener and Victoria SanJuan, with the latter leading to Nathan cutting ties with Joe because of how he handled the situation.

“I’ve learned my lesson and I really do hope that you see it on this season. My job is my main priority,” he told Us before addressing the strong offscreen reaction to his presence in the franchise. “I’m going to say my [biggest] regret right now was the situation with Victoria, I could have handled that very differently. I could have handled that in a mature manner.”

He continued: “I was just boisterous. Obviously, we haven’t had any contact yet. But if I could sit down with her today, I would apologize. If she allows me one day to actually get all around and say I’m sorry for what I’ve done, I will do that.”

Joe wasn’t as surprised by the strong reaction from viewers.

Related: Biggest ‘Below Deck‘ Feuds — and Where the Relationships Stand Today

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Viewers have had a front row seat to some of the biggest reality TV feuds since the Below Deck franchise debuted. The show’s spinoff series Below Deck Mediterranean shocked viewers when Hannah Ferrier and Captain Sandy Yawn‘s inability to see eye to eye turned into the most memorable firing to date. Since the captain joined […]

“I understand it’s not a comfortable position — even just being a viewer. Watching myself back, I have learned from the situation. I’m really focused [on] my job right now,” he shared. “I am taming it down [in my romantic life on board] to just being one person. I don’t need to be greedy anymore. I’ve had my and I’m just ready to get the job done.”

In addition to his romantic life, Joe had to face Nathan after they fell out of touch. Joe clarified that he tried to get in contact with Nathan beforehand when seeing that he was about to welcome a baby with their former coworker Gael Cameron. Joe didn’t hear back from Nathan before they reunited in season 11.

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“It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. At the end of the day, I can’t say too much, but I know who Nathan is. He’s a horrible little man, so his words don’t affect me,” Joe said. “So going into the season, what I am going to say is I went in with chest high — regardless [of] who was there. … I work my absolute [hardest]. I work my hardest every single day.”

Looking ahead, Joe is hopeful that the work he put into season 11 could lead to another return — maybe this time as a bosun. “I have never been so ready in my life,” he told Us.

Below Deck Med airs on Bravo Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Peacock.

Marciano Brunette made a surprising confession about why he would support The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives‘ Jessi Draper hooking up with other guys — despite their own romance.

“I would say that currently we are dating, but we are not exclusive,” Marciano, 33, said in a clip from the Wednesday, June 3, episode of Hulu’s “Get Real” podcast when asked about his and Jessi’s relationship status. “Hence the point of you asking a girl to be your girlfriend. I have not done that.”

Marciano revealed he wouldn’t take issue if Jessi, 34, found a connection with another guy.

“I told her that’s 100 percent OK [if she went out and hooked up with someone else]. Am I going to be happy about it? No, I am not,” he admitted. “But I am not going to tell her what to do until she’s ready to actually get into another relationship. Then we can have that conversation.”

The Vanderpump Villa star has prioritized “supporting her as a friend first.” He also hinted that he is falling in love with Jessi, who replied in the clip’s comments section, “My little green flag.”

When The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiered in 2024, Jessi was married to Jordan Ngatikaura, with whom she shares kids Jagger, 5, and Jovi, 2. The pair faced various challenges in their relationship — including Jessi’s emotional affair with Marciano.

“We had been dealing with the affair for about six months behind closed doors. No one knew. During those six months, it got worse than it ever had. [Jordan] was blackmailing me. He was threatening to send my texts to Marciano out to the world,” Jessi said on “The Viall Files” podcast in November 2025, claiming the drama was addressed on the show but didn’t make the final edit. “Anytime I did anything he didn’t agree with, he had it on his TikTok drafts and he was like, ‘I’m going to post it.’”

Jessi continued: “It was so toxic. I remember the day I left him, it got to a point where he was recording me and he’s taunting me and I was chasing him around the house. We were just screaming at each other. It was so bad.”

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Related: Mormon Wives’ Jessi and Jordan Ngatikaura‘s Relationship Timeline

Jessi Ngatikaura’s marriage to Jordan Ngatikaura made headlines after she admitted on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives that she had an affair with Marciano Brunette. The couple started dating and got married before the hit Hulu series premiered in September 2024. During the first season, Jessi’s personal life wasn’t in the spotlight, but that all […]

Marciano, meanwhile, weighed in on both Jessi and Jordan’s claims about their issues.

“When you’re told something, obviously, I was very sympathetic to Jessi. But seeing it is way different,” he told Us Weekly in December 2025. “I think just seeing it all in general, I was like, ‘Oh, now I can really understand what you guys were going through.’ It’s a really difficult situation and it was tough to watch. I felt like I obviously played a huge hand and not making it look good for either of them. Hence why I’ve since said I live with regret by doing that.”

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Jessi and Jordan, 28, gave their marriage another chance, but news broke in March that Jordan filed for divorce from Jessi after five years of marriage. (He also filed a restraining order, which was denied.)

As Jessi and Jordan’s split continued to get more contentious, she rekindled her relationship with Marciano. The couple, however, have clarified that they were keeping things casual.

“I’m single, going through a divorce, and dating around, having fun,” Jessi told E! News at the 2026 American Music Awards last month, where she walked the red carpet with Marciano.

In addition to Matlock returning later than usual, the hit CBS series will be going through some surprise shakeups to further the plot.

During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly at the MPTF NextGen Summer Party on Sunday, May 31, Jason Ritter teased what fans can expect from season 3, saying, “I know that it exists. I know that it’s coming.”

Ritter, 46, who plays Julian, noted that he hasn’t “heard very much about it.”

“I think I’ve heard that there will be a time jump, but who knows how long exactly,” he hinted. “I think we’ll be seeing a lot of character shakeups.”

Related: Matlock’s Planned Season 3 Time Jump Explained After Major Schedule Change

Matlock isn’t just getting a schedule change — but a time jump as well. “Season 3 will not pick up directly [after the season 2 finale],” creator Jennie Snyder Urman told Deadline. “It’ll be six months to a year, I would say.” Urman also confirmed this in an interview with TVLine, teasing how Matty (Kathy Bates) […]

As Ritter pointed out, Julian’s trajectory would likely change the most after his arrest, sharing, “Certainly for my character, we ended the last season with me in a little bit of trouble. So we’ll see if I’m able to hold on to my law license or if I have to recreate myself.”

Season 3 would also open the door for new faces.

“I know that the team of writers that we have are always so wonderful and they always come up with the best case scenario,” Ritter told Us. “Every time I think I know where something’s going, they surprise me in the best possible way so I just can’t wait to open the gift of season 3 — along with everybody else.”

He continued: “No, we don’t have scripts yet. I think we start shooting maybe in September so the writers are taking a good long time to really make sure that they have season 3 right.”

CBS previously announced its schedule in April with viewers noticing some substantial changes. Ghosts, Matlock and NCIS: Sydney received a shakeup by having their premieres moved to 2027 for midseason. They will join the new show Einstein, which is finally premiering in 2027 as well.

Matlock’s time slot will be given to Elsbeth to allow Cupertino to premiere on the same night. NCIS: Sydney, meanwhile, is moving to midseason as NCIS: Origins — which received a shorter episode order — takes over to pair off with NCIS: New York.

“I asked for it [to be pushed] with the network. We had a talk,” creator Jennie Snyder Urman told TV Insider ahead of the second season finale in April. “I just feel like we had so much stuff to think about because we really landed the plane on this, and we really thought that was important because we didn’t want to keep dragging out the same story, and the characters have to get to someplace real emotionally.”

Urman, 50, confirmed that season 2 would wrap up the Wellbrexa story line, which meant a complete “reset” for the series.

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“When we took this two-hour finale and really paid a lot of things off, what came with that was I’m going to need time after that to really build the architecture so that we have it for the next seasons,” she teased. “I’m excited about it, but I am also grateful because we needed a little bit of time.”

Urman addressed possible disappointment from viewers, adding, “Sad for audiences, but actually really good for me and the writers because I want us to plot this new mystery and make sure it’s airtight.”

She continued: “We had a lot of pieces going in, so we really had to create this new piece of it. I feel lucky that the network’s giving us time to get it right because I don’t want the quality to drop.”

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 23 seconds ago

One of the questions I frequently find myself coming back to is who the scariest villains in all of Star Trek are. The Borg are an obvious possible answer. As robot zombies, their very existence is kind of spooky. Plus, they are relentless and nearly unstoppable, even in the face of advanced Starfleet technology. However, you could make a case that the Dominion are truly the most frightening bad guys because they are designed as an evil mirror image of the Federation. What could a group as powerful as the Feds do without morals? Why, conquer a quarter of the galaxy, of course!

We saw that play out in Deep Space Nine, a show which spent two and a half seasons ramping up the tension before the final two seasons focused on a massive war between Starfleet and the Dominion. This evil organization was first mentioned in the Season 2 episode “Rules of Acquisition,” during which the writers had no idea exactly who or what the Dominion would be. In order to keep fans from endlessly speculating about this new group or guessing how important they would be, producers decided to hide these villains in plain sight. That’s the real reason why they were first mentioned in one of the silliest episodes ever made!

Meet Star Trek’s Creepiest Bad Guys

“Rules of Acquisition” was one of the most divisive kinds of Deep Space Nine stories: a Ferengi episode. These episodes tended to be designed as broad comedies, which rubs some fans the wrong way. Sometimes, these episodes even annoyed writers and producers who thought that Star Trek should stick to telling relatively serious sci-fi stories. At any rate, “Rules of Acquisition” was a story in which the Ferengi Grand Nagus Zek wanted to open business relations in the Gamma Quadrant. Once he learns that means doing business with the Dominion, the alien tries (and fails) to learn everything he can about this mysterious empire.

The Dominion was only created because Deep Space Nine wanted to explore the Gamma Quadrant for the first time, something that became more important because the spinoff Voyager was going to constantly explore the Delta Quadrant. As reported by the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, future DS9 showrunner Ira Steven Behr understood that exploring the Gamma Quadrant would also differentiate his show from previous Trek series. “The existence of the Gamma Quadrant next door to Deep Space Nine would not help the series if it remained just unexplored space,” he said. “They did three years of that on The Original Series, and seven years on The Next Generation. We needed to define that space.”

Hidden In Plain Sight

There was just one problem. The writers knew nothing about the Dominion except for the name when “Rules of Acquisition” was written. If they made a big deal about the Dominion, then fans would begin endlessly speculating, and we all know how that goes: the eventual villain reveal would be disappointing compared to what everyone whipped up in their heads. Therefore, the writers did something very clever: they hid the first mention of the Dominion in a comedic Ferengi episode. After all, it’s hard to clock that this mystery group is going to define the entire series when there’s a will they/won’t they subplot about Quark and his thirsty, crossdressing employee!  

The plan worked, and almost nobody watching the first broadcast of “Rules of Acquisition” understood how important the Dominion was going to be. This gave the writers and producers time to fully flesh out these iconic villains before they made their first onscreen appearance in the Season 2 finale “The Jem’Hadar.” Even then, it was hard to guess how these baddies were going to reshape the show and help transform Deep Space Nine into the best Star Trek series. Fortunately, their earliest mention was hidden in the last place you’d expect to find something important: an episode where Quark nearly gets imprisoned for treating a woman as anything but a naked bang maid.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 52 seconds ago

From the very beginning, Star Trek embraced progressive ideals that risked angering the more conservative audiences of the time. The Original Series, for example, made a Black woman a main character at the height of the Civil Rights era. It also featured a prominent Japanese character when post-World War II racism was still in full swing and added a Russian character at the height of the Cold War. Later, shows like Deep Space Nine took bigger swings by making a Black man the captain, and Voyager did the same thing by putting a woman in charge, nearly 30 years after TOS insisted there could be no female Starfleet captains.

However, there was one final frontier that the Golden Age of Star Trek didn’t dare explore, and that was featuring openly gay characters. There are multiple people responsible for this decision. Historically, franchise creator Gene Roddenberry was opposed to including gay characters because he worried about offending the network and the fandom. After his death, new Trek guru Rick Berman reportedly did his best to quash multiple gay characters and stories. However, that didn’t keep the writers from occasionally sneaking coded moments past the goalie. For example, the Deep Space Nine episode “Rules of Acquistion” features Dax being fully accepting of a Ferengi who loves Quark, even when she thinks that the Ferengi is a man!

Star Trek‘s Sneaky Sexuality

For this weird tale to make sense, we’re gonna have to slingshot around the sun and visit different Star Trek eras. In an interview with PBS, gay franchise icon George Takei said that he spoke to Roddenberry about including any openly homosexual characters. He claims that Roddenberry really wanted to do it but worried he was “walking a tightrope” with viewers, pointing out that Kirk and Uhura’s interracial kiss “was very controversial.” When The Next Generation came out, there were unconfirmed accounts that Roddenberry promised various groups that he would include gay characters, but that never happened.

After Roddenberry died, Rick Berman became the final word on Star Trek. Unfortunately, he allegedly did everything he could to quash gay representation in the franchise. This included reportedly killing a David Gerrold TNG script which featured gay characters and a clear AIDs allegory. Berman also killed the Bashir/Garak relationship on DS9 despite the actors being into it. Later, he even put out a press release to kill rumors that First Contact’s Lieutenant Hawke was gay. Eventually, prolific TNG and DS9 writer Ronald Moore seemingly alluded to Berman, telling Fandom the only reason there were no gay characters in the franchise is that “people in charge don’t want gay characters in Star Trek, period.”

The Latinum That Dare Not Speak Its Name

So, what does all of this have to do with “Rules of Acquisition,” a largely forgotten Deep Space Nine episode? This episode features a female employee of Quark’s, Pel, who has the hots for her boss. However, thanks to synthetic lobes, she presents herself to the galaxy as a male. She’s passing as a dude when she confesses her love for Quark to Dax. The science officer was perfectly fine with Pel expressing his love for a man, a simple action that helped normalize same-sex relationships in the 24th century. It’s not as loud and proud as it could have been, but getting this moment past Rick Berman was a small miracle.

After this, Deep Space Nine got more progressive in terms of gay representation. Dax kisses another woman in “Rejoined,” for example. In “Chimera,” Quark cracks a meta joke about a “Changeling Pride” demonstration. Meanwhile, the DS9 Mirror Universe is filled with queer versions of characters, including Kira, Ezri Dax, Garak, and even Worf, most of whom dress like they’re headed to the local sex dungeon. Is all of this campy and mostly catering to straight dudes who like to see women making out? Sure. But DS9 still had better gay representation than any Star Trek show until Discovery, and it all started with Dax quietly normalizing gay relationships, right under Rick Berman’s nose!  

On the night of June 10, 2016, Danielle Hendrix was standing outside the Plaza Live theater in Orlando, Florida, after seeing Christina Grimmie and the band Before You Exit perform, when she heard a loud bang inside the venue. “There were guys loading and carrying music equipment out,” she tells Us Weekly, “so I figured it must have been a speaker or some equipment falling.”

Moments earlier, Christina, a YouTube sensation who became a fan favorite while competing on season 6 of The Voice, had been glowing onstage, belting James Bay and Drake covers to a room full of devoted fans. Many stayed afterward for the meet-and-greet, hoping for a hug, a selfie or simply a few seconds with the singer they felt they genuinely knew. Then, security guards started screaming. “‘Run, run, there’s a shooter!’” Hendrix recalls them yelling. “At first I thought, That can’t be right. This is a pop concert.”

After discovering it was Christina who’d been shot, Hendrix, other fans and members of Before You Exit gathered in a nearby parking lot “just processing it all, crying and praying.” Not long after, Hendrix says they found out Christina, 22, had died from her injuries. “I remember breaking down sobbing in my car.”

More details of the horrific scene would soon unfold: The beloved singer had been shot once in the head and three times in the torso by an obsessed 27-year-old fan named Kevin Loibl, who, after being tackled to the ground by Christina’s older brother, Marcus, shot himself in the head and died on the scene.

For millions of fans who had spent years watching Christina sing from her bedroom into a laptop webcam, the loss felt personal. Tributes poured in from fellow artists, friends and fans around the world. “Behati and I are absolutely devastated and heartbroken,” Christina’s former Voice coach, Adam Levine, wrote in a statement on behalf of himself and his wife, Behati Prinsloo. “Christina was a natural, a gifted talent that comes along so rarely. She was taken from us too soon.” Selena Gomez posted a photo with her friend and former backup singer on Instagram alongside the caption: “My heart is absolutely broken.”

Christina’s friend and collaborator Tyler Ward remembers getting a text from Charlie Puth, who was also just breaking out after finding success on YouTube, following her death. “This was before Charlie Puth was Charlie Puth, and he was like, ‘I don’t even know how this stuff happens.’ He couldn’t even wrap his mind around it,” Ward tells Us. “How does that happen when you’re so genuine, so authentic to your fan base? You look them in the eyes, you’re in the weeds with them. And then this happens. [Her death] still doesn’t feel real. I don’t know if I’ll ever process the shock of that.”

This June marks the 10th anniversary of Christina’s death, and while Marcus and her dad, Albert (her mom, Tina, died in 2018 of breast cancer), will never forget the searing pain of losing her, they want to celebrate her life, talent and irrepressible spirit more than anything else. “We want Christina to be remembered for the person and artist she was, not just the tragedy,” says Albert, who founded the Christina Grimmie Foundation in 2016, which aims to help victims of gun violence. Between June 5 and 7, the foundation is hosting its first-ever Grimmie Fest, a three-day event featuring a fan meet-up and a benefit concert in Christina’s honor, headlined by a band Marcus manages, The Living Tombstone. “We’re honoring her legacy and all the people she’s brought together,” Marcus tells Us, “and celebrating the impact she still has.”

Ahead of Her Time

Christina was 15 when she started sharing music on YouTube from her Sonic the Hedgehog-adorned bedroom in New Jersey. Fans were instantly drawn to her immense musical talents — her cover of Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” went viral in 2009; a 2013 cover of David Guetta and Sia’s “Titanium” racked up 33 million views — as well as her fun, down-to-earth personality. She was refreshingly open about her faith and love of video games, especially Zelda (her YouTube handle was zeldaxlove64), and followers adored her unique, edgy fashion choices and her signature poof hairstyle (3.6 million people tuned in for a hair tutorial in 2011). In the time of the “wild, wild web, as we call it, she was very unique for that time,” notes Marcus. “She catered to the nerd gamer thing when it wasn’t as popular. She was very Christian but accepting of all this new-age stuff coming up … part of why she got [to where she did] was her personality. She touched people.”

“It was surreal,” Christina’s best friend since fourth grade, Lauren Longo, tells Us of her instant popularity. She recalls being amazed by her perfect pitch and natural musicianship. “I would 100 percent use the word prodigy. As a child, I could tell she was abnormally talented.” Ward says she was “an originator of an influencer. I had fans, but with her, it was like magic,” Ward adds, likening Christina to Taylor Swift. “Taylor does a really great job of having that human, ‘I’m eye-to-eye with you, I’m not above you’ [vibe]. Christina wanted to interact with her fan base; part of her purpose was that connection piece.”

As her popularity grew, she remained grounded. “My roommates loved video games, so she’d invite them over to hang out with her mom, and they’d make cookies, ” Ward says. “She cared about success, but it didn’t affect her.” Longo says the rising star never forgot where she came from. “It was so far from Christina to ever say, like, ‘Oh, you’re my little New Jersey friend.’ Her hometown friends weren’t second-class citizens.”

Longo also says Christina always had her priorities straight. “She had the words ‘All Is Vanity’ tattooed on her forearm, which is from her favorite book of the Bible. It was a reminder that fame and money and proximity to stars is all vanity. She was averse to anything that could be perceived as vain or bragging or self-centered.” Marcus says his little sister was “super goofy” and “great at impressions,” adding, “I don’t want people to forget how funny she was. Everyone loved her, and it was because she was a genuine, kind soul. There was no ego with her.”

Christina had a special relationship with her fans. Marcus recalls how one of them — who’s since become a close friend of the Grimmie family — gave him and his dad a big stack of emails and social media messages they’d printed from supporters around the world. “[They talk about] how Christina changed their lives,” says Marcus. (A couple who met at one of Albert and Marcus’ events got married and played Christina’s songs at their wedding.) “She was constantly bringing people together.” Her fans started a yearly fundraiser tied to Christina’s birthday. “We’ve raised over $50,000 in the last four years,” says Marcus. “I’m grateful she has such a great community, which doesn’t hang on to the tragedy,” Marcus adds. “They are celebrating her life and her impact, and it’s contagious.”

Ward says he can’t imagine where Christina would be these days because her fans were so loyal. “I didn’t realize how much of an impact you could have, basically, direct to consumer,” he says of her online success. Her fans cheered her on as she went from YouTube star to opening up for Gomez’s 2011 and 2013 tours to impressing the nation during her run on The Voice. “I remember seeing her in a dress for the first time on [the show],” Ward recalls, noting the incredible growth from her original grainy videos. “I was like, Wait! There was such a transition there, but you can see it in real time. It was almost like you were part of it, as if you grew up with her. Authenticity has almost become an overused word, but she captured it without even trying, which was a really special superpower.”

Tragic Turn

The same unprecedented closeness that helped Christina build one of the internet’s earliest fiercely loyal fan communities also exposed the darker side of parasocial obsession. Loibl was infatuated with her. Arthur Barnes, who worked with him at Best Buy when Christina was killed, says his coworkers were aware of the gunman’s fixation and that he would have Christina’s YouTube videos playing while working on customers’ computers. They also noted his recent physical transformation. Another employee, Cory Dennington, told police his coworker wanted to be more attractive for Christina, and that he had an “unrealistic” obsession with her that wasn’t “normal or healthy.” Dennington also revealed that the gunman came from an abusive household and had hinted at suicide the last time they spoke. “He got hair plugs and his teeth whitened, but nobody knew why until they put it together,” says Barnes.

In May and early June, Loibl bought two handguns, then traveled more than 100 miles from St. Petersburg, Florida, for her show at Plaza Live. Christina had opened her arms for a hug with him when he pulled his gun out. Hendrix blames security for letting him in. “Security was incredibly lacking,” she says. “What do you mean I was forced to toss a granola bar at the door while this guy somehow entered the venue with weapons and ammo?”

Marcus was hailed as a hero for tackling the gunman as people fled, but he says he has mixed feelings about that label. “I never agreed with it. I understand objectively what’s being said, but for me it’s like, ‘Well, I didn’t save her,’ so it’s hard to feel that way.” (“Nobody knows what would have transpired if Marcus hadn’t done what he did,” says Albert.) He says the real heroic work came after, via the community that’s been built through the Christina Grimmie Foundation. Seeing people unite for a common cause has helped him heal. “It was just me and two dead bodies in an empty room until the police came. I just felt so alone. To see people come together … I don’t feel so alone.”

Giving Back

Christina’s loved ones decided to develop the Christina Grimmie Foundation amid a flood of support from friends and fans, including Levine, who covered the cost of her funeral. Marcus felt inspired to help victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting (on June 12, two days after Christina’s murder, a 29-year-old gunman opened fire at the LGBTQ+ spot and killed 49 people and injured 58 others; in the aftermath, scammers created fraudulent fundraisers). “After Marcus read about the victims’ not receiving money, we stepped right into it,” says Albert. Adds Marcus: “The amount of love and compassion [we received] was really integral to our healing. We can help people so long as gun violence is an issue, and as long as we’re breathing, that’s what we want to be doing.”

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There’s still grief. “The grief itself is like this black marble in a jar, and the grief is going to be the same, but the jar is going to expand,” says Albert. “So my capacity to carry that grief has grown.” He says he misses Christina’s “excitement for life” and sense of humor. “I used to be able to make her laugh, even when she was mad or grumpy. I used to call her ‘Grumpina,’ and then she [would be] like, ‘Dad, I want to be grumpy right now.’ She was funny.” Marcus says there’s not a day that goes by that he doesn’t think of his little sister. “She always made people feel heard, and that’s something I try to do.”

What was once a day of mourning has become an opportunity to honor Christina. (A bill to make June 10 Christina Grimmie Day in New Jersey will be voted on by local senators.) “Instead of dreading the 10th, we’re adding this additional layer of hope,” says Marcus. “It’s exciting to celebrate the person she was.” Longo says it’s an opportunity to introduce Christina to new fans. “It’s opening doors for other people to be interested in her story, and that’s so wonderful.” Says Albert: “We want people to know this is more than just a tragedy. Christina was a pioneer of YouTube. She reached the world from her bedroom, where people wanted to be like her, and they cut their hair like her and tried to sing and play the keyboard like her. That’s an amazing thing for a father to watch happen.” Her legacy, adds Longo, “is her talent and the way she treated people.”

Ten years after hearing the gunshots that took Christina’s life, Hendrix wants the singer to be remembered for her voice and her radiance (she has the word “radiate” tattooed on her arm in Christina’s honor). “It might be kind of cringey to admit, but honestly, to this day, I still think of her whenever I see rays of sun filtering through clouds. She had a heart of gold,” says Hendrix. “And she’ll never be forgotten on our watch.”

For most of my youth, I had awful skin. I’m talking stubborn cystic acne that only medication could clear up. However, I ended up reaping endless skincare knowledge from those painful years. One of the first things I learned was to only invest in products that absorb into your skin (aka serums, exfoliants, creams — basically anything but face wash). Now, I get compliments on my skin, and I’m finally able to share one of my secrets: PCA Skin Triple Exfoliation Peel Pads.

I’ve tried so many drugstore exfoliating pads and toners, but none compare to PCA Skin peel pads. I was lucky enough to test the newly released product, and I’m happily surprised by the deep chemical exfoliation — so much so, I skipped my most recent facial appointment!

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While the peel pads are safe for daily use, you must work up to it. Since I have sensitive skin, I use the peel pads three times per week for now. My skin feels a little tingly after swiping one pad on my chin, nose and T-zone (a sign the exfoliating ingredients are doing the hard work!). But it’s the undeniable, fresh-faced glow that makes these pads stand out.

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Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann are still embroiled in their years-long divorce saga. More recently, custody of their four minor children has become a contentious topic, with both parties launching allegations at one another. Now, the former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star is accusing Biermann of child abuse and not properly shielding their kids from his sex with random women.

TMZ obtained court documents filed by Zolciak that accuse her estranged husband of being inappropriate with their children. First, she stated that the EX NFL star threw one of their sons over a couch. Specifically, she alleges that this occurred during a passionate argument while at his home.

That’s not all, as she claims Biermann has been sexually active with multiple women recently. The issue is that he’s having sex with them in areas of the home where the children can fully hear them, according to the “RHOA” alum’s court filing. One of the women is said to have vacationed with the kids and Biermann.

Additionally, Zolciak says the kids “have reported on multiple occasions not seeing [Kroy] for hours on end, but hearing him engage in sexual acts with his girlfriend of the moment.”

Regarding abuse, she is also accusing Biermann of throwing a pan at one of the kids’ heads.

Kim Slams Court-Appointed Guardian

Per TMZ, Zolciak claims that the court-appointed guardian was made aware of the incident with Biermann allegedly abusing their son. However, the person is said to have dismissed the claim, stating that the boy was large for his age. Still, Zolciak says his size does not matter as he’s still a legal minor.

Regarding the rest of the kids, the “RHOA” alum stated in court documents that they’ve made it clear which parent they would like to live with, but to no avail from the guardian. She also claimed the person referred to the children as dishonest.

In explaining why there haven’t been changes to the custody agreement following the supposed abuse, she said, “No professionals have sounded an alarm because the abuse did not ‘leave marks.’” According to her, she’s “constantly contacted” by the kids when they are in their dad’s custody.

The reality star also included text messages in her court filing. Notably, it features a text said to be from one of Biermann’s alleged romantic encounters, accusing him of abuse. The text, sent to Zolciak’s boyfriend Kyle Mowitz, said, “I believe Kim. He is abusive. And his abuse is unlike any I’ve ever witnessed.”

‘RHOA’ Fans Are Divided By Kim’s Latest Court Filing

Following Zolciak’s latest legal filing against Biermann, social media is reacting with many unsure of which side to take. While some are taking her side, others claim she’s not being fully honest with her accusations against her estranged husband.

One person said on X, “She’s making it sound like they were in the room. Did she expect him to leave his kids at home and take his jump off to a hotel room? Do they even have money for that?”

Someone else wrote, “This divorce has lasted longer than their actual marriage at this point.” A different “RHOA” fan questioned the text message, saying, “Why would his girlfriend reach out to her [married] boyfriend? Why would she even have his number? The best way to test all of Kim’s allegations is to just ask the parties outright; the kids are old enough to testify at this point.”

Another social media user chimed in, writing, “It feels like every day I learn something about Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann that I wish I didn’t know.”

Overall, everyone wants what’s best for the children.

The ‘RHOA’ Alum Lost Primary Custody Of The Kids In May

Biermann accused Zolciak of neglecting their children and of being out of the country for several weeks at a time. Then, according to TMZ, in early May 2026, a judge ruled on Biermann’s emergency motion, stripping the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum of primary physical custody of the kids.

Per the ruling, Zolciak shares joint physical custody with the former NFL player. She also has limited parenting time with the four kids every other week. This arrangement gives Biermann the final say over educational, non-emergency medical, and religious decisions.

Kim Is On A New Show

According to Variety, Prime Video has greenlit a new series, “Reality Retreat.” The show features well-known reality stars as they attend “a high-stakes wellness retreat designed to challenge their identities, relationships, and personal growth.”

In addition to Zolciak, it features the likes of Kenya Moore, Margaret Josephs, Julie Chrisley, and more. “Reality Retreat” is set to premiere sometime in 2027. Zolciak will also appear on Bravo’s upcoming “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th,” premiering August 9.