Fans hoping to see Douglas Adams’ beloved sci-fi comedy return to the screen will have to keep waiting. After years without any meaningful updates, Hulu’s planned television adaptation of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy has officially been confirmed as dead, bringing an end to a project that once generated plenty of excitement among longtime fans.

The series was first announced in 2019 with Carlton Cuse (Lost, Jack Ryan) and Jason Fuchs (Wonder Woman, It) attached as creators and executive producers. At the time, Hulu envisioned a modern television adaptation of Adams’ iconic science fiction franchise, which began as a BBC radio series before evolving into bestselling novels, television series, video games, and the 2005 feature film starring Martin Freeman.

Unfortunately, the ambitious project never progressed beyond early development. Speaking with ScreenRant, Carlton Cuse confirmed the adaptation is no longer moving forward.

“I’m not working on that any longer.”

Cuse went on to explain why the project struggled to find its footing, describing Adams’ work as “an incredibly difficult story to crack.” According to him, the creative team was never able to find a satisfying way to modernize the material while remaining true to what made it special.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Cuse said he has no regrets about taking on the challenge.

“It was a worthwhile shot to take, because I love that story so much. Even though it didn’t come to fruition, it was really fun to get to think about it a lot, and to reabsorb myself in that story and that world, because it was so brilliant.”

The news will undoubtedly disappoint fans who believed a streaming series was the perfect format for the sprawling adventures of Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Trillian, and Marvin the Paranoid Android. Unlike the 2005 film, a serialized television adaptation could have explored much more of Adams’ bizarre universe and the stories spread across his acclaimed novels.

Released in 2005, the feature film starred Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, Zooey Deschanel, Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey), Alan Rickman as the voice of Marvin, and Stephen Fry as the voice of the Guide. While the movie received mixed reviews upon release, it has since earned a loyal cult following.

For now, however, Hulu’s adaptation has officially reached the end of the road. Although this version is no more, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy remains one of science fiction’s most beloved properties, and given Hollywood’s continued appetite for recognizable franchises, another adaptation someday wouldn’t be the most improbable thing in the universe.

After all, as the Guide famously reminds us: Don’t Panic.

Details of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s wedding have been making the rounds since the couple shut down New York City for their ultra-exclusive nuptials.

Now sources are sharing hints about a possible location for their honeymoon, which could cost them about half a million dollars.

The financial cost will not be a problem for billionaire couple Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, who have reportedly put an iron-clad prenuptial agreement in place for their marriage.

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Following their blockbuster July 3rd wedding ceremony at Madison Square Garden, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are said to be eyeing an “ultra-private” destination for their honeymoon.

Even though fans have been obsessing over details about their nuptials, the newlyweds are not ready to shift grounds just yet and would strive to keep things away from the public, just like they did for their wedding.

“They just don’t want anything getting leaked,” a source told Star Magazine. “They want to be able to enjoy this special time with total privacy.”

Meanwhile, rumors have heavily pointed to a historic castle on the West Coast as their choice destination.

The insider noted that there have been rumors that they’ll begin their vacation at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, the same location where John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned in 1953.

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Could Rent Out The Resort

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The “Bad Blood” singer and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end would spare no expense to maintain their privacy. Apparently, the luxury resort they’re reportedly considering could set them back to the tune of $500,000 for a week, but money isn’t the problem for the billionaire couple, so long as they get what they want.

“There’s the option to rent out the entire property, which she’d likely want to do for privacy, and that can cost upwards of $500K for a week,” the insider continued.

“They’ve got about three weeks until Travis starts training camp, and their good friends are getting married in California next week,” the source added, referencing New York Giants wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and his fiancée, Laura Kurk’s upcoming nuptials. “They’re having to work around that, but they don’t see that as any sort of hindrance.”

The Couple Seemingly Broke The Bank For Their Wedding

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Swift and Kelce tied the knot over the Fourth of July weekend in the most splendid manner. They reportedly hosted about 1,000 guests and paid $3 million to book Madison Square Garden for at least 3 days.

According to TMZ, an industry insider revealed that the couple didn’t get a special deal on the “World’s Most Famous Arena,” despite the fact that she has a history with them and has played over 8 sold-out shows over the course of her career.

The scale of the wedding and everything that went into its planning left experts estimating they splurged anywhere between $35 million and $50 million.

“Most stadiums, they’re union houses, you also have to navigate the union, the workers, and you have to pay them,” celebrity event designer Edward Perotti told People Magazine. “There’s a snowball effect with it that just kind of automatically comes with it that most people don’t think.”

Perotti added that the cost of labor, crafting a gigantic stage as rumors suggest, seeing out the design and floral details, could have easily spiked the cost of the wedding.

“It’s somewhere in the window of $35 million to $50 million,” he said.

Taylor Swift Had An ‘Iron-Clad’ Prenup For Her NFL Beau

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While the money is readily available to enjoy the finest things of life together as husband and wife, Swift’s camp reportedly took steps to protect her $2 billion fortune by drawing up an “iron-clad” prenup.

Reports suggest it was crafted in close consultation with her family and legal team, and is designed to protect her royalties, music rights, and companies.

According to OK! Magazine, her father, Scott Swift, was instrumental in drafting the legal terms.

“Scott is what you hope a father will be. He has dedicated his whole adult life to shielding Taylor, while still stepping back enough for her to grow into herself,” a source said.

Why Travis Kelce Accepted His Wife’s Prenup Terms Without Questions

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Kelce’s camp reportedly didn’t think twice before accepting the prenup deal presented to them by Swift’s team, seemingly proving how much he loves the singer.

“Travis has a very clear sense of what Taylor has created and how many years went into it. He views the prenup as basic common sense on her part, not some kind of loyalty test, and snapped up the deal when it was put in front of him and his lawyers,” a source told the news outlet.

They added, “Right from day one, he made a point of acknowledging Scott’s involvement and judgment. He told people, ‘Scott has spent years safeguarding one of the most powerful brands in entertainment – why would I try to get in the way of that?’”

2026 has already been full of big new Marvel releases, and the franchise hasn’t even made it to the big screen yet for its first movie of the year. This comes in just a few weeks, though, with the premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the fourth MCU Spider-Man movie starring Tom Holland as Peter Parker. The film is expected to lead directly into the events of Avengers: Doomsday, which opens in theaters around the world later this year on December 18. Marvel brought back tenured MCU directors Anthony and Joe Russo to direct Avengers: Doomsday, which will be their first Marvel film since teaming up in 2019 for Avengers: Endgame. The duo have worked on other films in the years since, including one of the biggest Netflix movies of all time, The Gray Man (starring Ryan Gosling).

Through their production banner, AGBO, Anthony and Joe Russo are involved in plenty of films every year, even ones they don’t direct. Just this year, Anthony and Joe Russo have produced popular TV shows such as From and Citadel, which both returned with new seasons, and they even produced the Prime Video swashbuckling epic, The Bluff. Before Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters later this year, the Russo brothers are circling their next project, and the duo have officially been tapped to remake one of the biggest cult classics from the 90s. News broke this afternoon that Anthony and Joe Russo will produce a reimagining of the 1993 Warner Bros movie, Free Willy, which follows a boy who risks everything to save a killer whale who is about to be killed by aquarium owners. Mary-Margaret Kunze and Jade Halley Bartlett are writing the script for the film, but additional details are being kept under wraps at this time.

Are The Russo Brothers Also Directing ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’?

In addition to directing Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel has also enlisted Anthony and Joe Russo to direct the 2027 follow-up, Avengers: Secret Wars. It was previously thought that the Doomsday/Secret Wars job was going to go to Destin Daniel Cretton, but once he signed on to direct Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Marvel decided to go in the direction of the Russo brothers. There’s a lot riding on Avengers: Doomsday this year, as most fans would agree that Marvel has lost some of its goodwill with general audiences. With the film opening alongside Dune: Part Three later this year, Marvel better bring its A-game for Doomsday.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the Russo brothers’ future projects.

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Release Date

July 16, 1993

Runtime

112 minutes

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Director

Simon Wincer

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  Jason James Richter

  Jesse

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  August Schellenberg

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  Randolph Johnson

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Twenty-five years after launching a rap career that reshaped Southern hip-hop, T.I. says he’s finally ready to step away from the spotlight.

The Grammy winner isn’t leaving because of declining success or a lack of opportunities. Instead, he believes he has already accomplished everything he once dreamed of, allowing him to close one chapter while embracing family life and a different future.

For many artists, retirement announcements come with caveats. T.I., however, sounds remarkably certain that this is the right moment to move on.

Speaking to PEOPLE, the Atlanta rapper explained that his decision isn’t rooted in frustration with the industry. Instead, it comes from a sense of fulfillment after spending more than two decades building one of hip-hop’s most recognizable careers.

“I’ve gotten everything I prayed for from the game,” he said.

That perspective gives extra meaning to his latest album, “Kill the King,” which he describes as his final studio project. Rather than chasing another chart-topping era, the record serves as a closing statement from an artist who helped define the 2000s with hits including “Bring Em Out,” “Whatever You Like,” and collaborations such as Justin Timberlake’s “My Love” and Rihanna’s “Live Your Life.”

His retirement also arrives during a milestone year. This October marks 25 years since the release of “I’m Serious,” the album that introduced listeners to the rapper’s unmistakable delivery and laid the foundation for a career that would eventually earn Grammy Awards, platinum records, and the self-proclaimed title of “King of the South.”

T.I. And Tiny Found Strength Through Difficult Years

Although T.I.’s music career brought enormous success, it also unfolded alongside years of public scrutiny.

His relationship with wife Tiny has weathered legal challenges, intense media attention, and personal setbacks that tested both their marriage and public image. Yet those experiences now appear to be one of the biggest reasons the rapper values where his life stands today.

Reflecting on their relationship, he told PEOPLE, “When somebody’s endured treacherous circumstances with you, been with you during your darkest hours, it just makes the bright moments that much brighter.”

He added, “I think that the grace of God has brought us through, and we’re experiencing brighter moments and brighter days now.”

The couple began dating in 2001 after T.I. had admired Tiny from afar during her years with Xscape. They married in 2010 and blended their families while raising three children together.

Over the years, they also became reality television stars through VH1’s “T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle,” which ran from 2011 to 2017. The series gave viewers an unusually close look at their home life and remains one of the longest-running celebrity family shows of its era.

Family Has Become T.I.’s Biggest Priority

The rapper’s changing priorities extend well beyond music.

Instead of chasing another recording cycle, he says spending time with his wife and their children now brings the greatest satisfaction. Their household has evolved as the children have grown into adulthood, creating a different rhythm from the one that once revolved around nonstop touring and studio sessions.

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T.I. also credits fatherhood with changing the way he approaches life. “I’ve learned not to do as much talking as I do listening,” he said.

His comments reflect years of personal growth following several controversies, including criticism over remarks he made in 2019 about his daughter Deyjah. He later apologized publicly, acknowledging the backlash that followed.

Even with those difficult moments, he remains grateful that his family’s reality series preserved milestones that might otherwise have faded with time.

T.I. Reflects On The Road That Brought Him Here

T.I.’s confidence today contrasts sharply with the life he describes as a teenager.

Growing up in Atlanta, he has spoken openly about becoming involved in criminal activity before music completely changed his future. Looking back, he now wishes he had invested more of that energy elsewhere.

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“I should have been somewhere reading or writing, learning to play the piano,” he recalled before adding that he would tell his younger self to “focus this time and this attention into something that could better serve you later on in life, because you going to need it.”

That perspective has become central to his legacy. Beyond music, T.I. has expanded into acting, business ventures, community work, podcasting, and film production, demonstrating a career that has steadily evolved beyond rap alone.

A Final Album Opens The Door To A New Chapter

Although T.I. is retiring from recording, he isn’t disappearing completely.

He plans to spend time on the King Succession Tour alongside his sons Domani and King, both of whom are pursuing careers in music. The tour represents a symbolic passing of the torch while allowing him to remain connected to fans without beginning another recording era.

Looking back on everything he has achieved, the rapper says he has no regrets about the journey.

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“I feel blessed to have had such a long career, to go from the kid that was praying to be a part of something to having such a significant role,” he said.

As for what comes next, T.I. appears content to let his body of work speak for itself.

“it just feels like this is it. I’ll catch y’all on the flip side.”

With his legacy firmly established, T.I. now steps into the next phase of his life with a sense of peace and purpose.

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By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 23 seconds ago

Whenever we get a new movie based on a book, existing fans all have the same question: how accurate will the film be? After all, these literary lovers have spent countless hours envisioning these stories, and it’s hard enough for fans to accept actors who look different than the characters they envisioned. If a director deviates from the source material too much, those fans may even boycott the film. That’s why the Lord of the Rings movies remain the gold standard for literary adaptations: not only is the cast perfect, but every single frame was dripping with Peter Jackson’s love for J.R.R. Tolkien.

However, there are exceptions to every rule. One year before Elijah Wood suited up as Frodo Baggins, we got a raunchy, R-rated horror movie that became the stuff of pop culture legend. To this day, it inspires memes shared by everyone from Gen X to Gen Alpha. The movie is, of course, American Psycho. Did it succeed by being a loving, 1:1 adaptation of the book? Nope: in fact, writer/director Mary Harron changed major aspects of the work, including adding plenty of jet-black humor. The result is the greatest horror comedy since Scream, and a movie that (with my apologies to author Bret Easton Ellis) is much better than the book.

Killing Has Never Been So Cool

The premise of American Psycho is both simple and bloody. We follow the misadventures of Patrick Bateman (played by Christian Bale), who is an investment banker by day and a murderer by night. After he kills a colleague (played by Jared Leto), he ends up on the radar of a nosy detective (played by Willem Dafoe). Over the course of the movie, his mind slowly unravels, to the point that he’s weirding out everyone from his secretary (played by Chloë Sevigny) to his fiancée (played by Reese Witherspoon). Soon, it’s clear that New York City will never be the same, either for Bateman or the victims whose bodies litter his apartment.

If you have a dark enough sense of humor, Bret Easton Ellis can be a funny writer; go check out Rules of Attraction if you don’t believe me. With that being said, his American Psycho novel isn’t very funny, nor is it meant to be. The book actually opens with an epigraph from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Notes From the Underground. “Both the author of these Notes and the Notes themselves are, of course, fictional. Nevertheless, such persons as the composer of these Notes not only exist in our society, but indeed must exist.” The message is clear: there must be Patrick Batemans in real life, making American Psycho a cautionary tale.

A Killer Critic

Ellis was giving us a warning, one that seems downright quaint in a post-Epstein world. Namely, that rich people are committing countless obscene crimes that we don’t know about, using their wealth and fame to shield themselves from any suspicion. While that was a valid and very relevant warning cry when the book was published, the truth is that the text as written would have made for a film that alternates between boring and horrifying. Fortunately, American Psycho the movie embraces demented comedy at every turn, something that adds levity to even the most horrific moments.

Here’s an example: the Patrick Bateman of the books is downright obsessed with certain celebrities, leading to bizarre moments like him popping wood while staring at Bono during a concert (no, really!). The American Psycho movie condenses this into a simpler hyperfocus on modern music, setting the stage for his execution of Paul Allen. With newspapers to protect the floor and plastic sheeting to protect his suit, Bateman looks like he is channeling his inner Dexter. It all looks very grim, but it’s tough to take anything seriously because our onscreen killer is giving a smarmy, Pitchfork-style review of freaking Huey Lewis right before he starts swinging his axe.

The Mask Comes Off

While the American Psycho movie arguably softens Patrick Bateman in certain ways, it does so in order to fit the deliciously black comedy tone. For example, the killer in the book is extremely homophobic, something that is seemingly absent in the movie. I say “seemingly” because in its place, we have Bateman giving a lofty speech about ending apartheid, feeding the homeless, promoting civil rights, championing women’s rights, and returning to “traditional moral values.” It’s obvious in this scene that he’s completely full of sh*t and just saying what people want to hear. This is part of his mask, allowing him to hide the monster lurking right beneath the surface.

Perhaps the most important change from page to screen was removing Patrick Bateman’s justifications for murder. In the book, we get ostensible explanations for why he is killing people, but these explanations make little sense and are often contradictory. While that is reasonable in an “anyone can justify anything” kind of way, the American Psycho movie wisely dispenses with this to the point that neither the audience nor Bateman himself understands his nihilistic need to kill. Leaving this up to interpretation has entertained fans for decades, all while underscoring the book’s bleak themes. Bateman is a symptom of our world and not the sickness itself, and that’s the scariest thing of all.  

American Psycho is very nearly a perfect horror movie, one that perfectly showcased Christian Bale’s acting chops before he became the Dark Knight. The movie blends heady themes about nihilism, violence, misogyny, and bro culture, delivering unforgettable kills with one bloody hand and unforgettable laughs with the other. If you’d care to revisit this awesome film, you don’t have to spend any money, so there’s no need to feed a cat to your nearest ATM. All you have to do is stream American Psycho for free on Tubi!

Ariana Madix is celebrating a major career milestone after earning her first Emmy nomination. The “Vanderpump Rules” alum has experienced a boost in her career in recent years, transitioning from starring in reality television to hosting her favorite show, “Love Island.” The honor is the latest sign of her successful career pivot, with her hosting work earning recognition from the television industry.

Ariana Madix is currently in Fiji filming the eighth season of “Love Island,” and she was in bed asleep when the nominations for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced on July 8.

The 41-year-old TV personality assumed hosting duties for the dating reality show’s sixth season in 2024, replacing “Modern Family” star Sarah Hyland.

News of Madix’s Emmy nod came via a phone call at 4:30 a.m. Fiji time. She felt anxious when she was awakened by the ringing of the room phone, as it was too early and she assumed the worst. “I ran over to answer the phone, worried that something bad had happened,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.

The call was a welcome surprise, though, as it was Madix’s team on the other end of the line, congratulating her on her very first Emmy nomination. Admittedly, she was still half asleep when she got the news and went back to bed.

The Host Up Against TV Heavyweights

Madix is going up against TV titans for the Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program category. Other nominees are Jeff Probst for “Survivor,” RuPaul Charles for “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Alan Cumming for “The Traitors,” and Kristen Kish for “Top Chef.”

Madix shared she was absolutely “over the moon” when the news sank in, describing the experience as “crazy and amazing.” To see herself get recognized alongside other hosts she considers her idols was a “cool feeling.”

“It’s such an honor to be nominated, especially to be nominated in the category where these are people who are the absolute best at what they do,” Madix gushed.

Ariana Madix Was A Big Fan Of ‘Love Island’ Before She Became Its Host

Madix gained fame as a cast member of the Bravo series “Vanderpump Rules,” appearing on the show for 11 seasons from 2013 to 2024. Over the years, she had repeatedly expressed her love for the dating reality show “Love Island,” which was documented on “Vanderpump Rules.”

At one point in the show, she was seen urging her then-boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, to spend more quality time with her by watching “Love Island” together. Sandoval replied, “I don’t have time to watch 50 goddamn episodes of ‘Love Island.’”

In 2023, Madix and Sandoval broke up after nine years together when the former discovered that her partner had been having an affair with her close friend and fellow “Vanderpump Rules” cast member, Raquel Leviss, who now goes by Rachel Leviss. The highly publicized scandal, which became known as “Scandoval,” dominated headlines and remains one of reality TV’s biggest controversies.

The Host’s Personal Turmoil Turned Into Professional Triumph

Madix made her “Love Island” debut in Season 5 as a VIP guest shortly after the demise of her relationship. She said it was a “dream come true” to step into the villa after being a superfan for years.

In 2023, NBCUniversal executives said the fifth season was in pre-production when they saw the episode of “Vanderpump Rules” where Madix expressed her obsession with “Love Island.” The executives said it made sense for Madix to appear as a guest, per Rolling Stone.

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Madix visited the villa to host the “Mr. and Mrs.” game for the islanders, and she also dropped a dig at her former partner, telling the contestants, “Take it from me, it’s important to know who you’re dating or sharing a bed with, and if they’re not the one for you, trust me, it’s better to find out sooner rather than later.”

Ariana Madix Finds Fulfillment As ‘Love Island’ Host

In 2024, Hyland stepped down from her “Love Island” hosting duties due to scheduling conflicts, and the production tapped Madix to take over.

Ahead of the Season 8 premiere, Madix told The Hollywood Reporter that she would love to host the show until she dies. “I truly feel very fulfilled doing this job. I feel creatively fulfilled. It also scratches an itch for me in terms of the performance side… I love connecting with the islanders every season, and so I definitely could see myself doing it for quite some time,” she said.

“Love Island” Season 8 is streaming on Peacock, with the finale set to air on July 12.

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Jaime King is shutting down speculation that her friendship with Taylor Swift has soured after fans noticed her son, Leo Newman, was absent from the singer’s lavish wedding to Travis Kelce. 

The actress’ publicist has now addressed the growing rumors, insisting the decision had nothing to do with their relationship and explaining why Swift’s godson celebrated the newlyweds in a far more personal, age-appropriate way instead of attending the star-studded ceremony.

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Rumors of a rift between Taylor Swift and Jaime King began circulating after reports revealed that all five of Swift’s godchildren were noticeably absent from her star-studded wedding celebration. 

Among them was ten-year-old Leo, whom King famously asked Swift to become godmother to years ago.

As theories about the pair’s friendship spread online, King’s publicist, Jane Owen, stepped in to shut them down in a statement to Page Six, making it clear that Leo’s absence had nothing to do with any tension between the longtime friends.

Instead, Owen said the decision reflected the private nature of the role the Grammy Award winner has always played in the boy’s life.

Swift’s Role As Leo’s Godmother Was Never About Public Appearances

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According to Owen, Jaime King chose Taylor Swift as Leo’s godmother because they share a similar understanding of what the role entails.

“The reason Jaime chose Taylor as Leo Thames’s godmother is because they both believe that being a godmother is a deeply personal and spiritual commitment that has nothing to do with public appearances,” she explained.

The publicist also revealed that Leo celebrated the newlyweds in his own way rather than attending the adult-focused festivities.

“Leo Thames is still too young for a large adult wedding celebration, but he and his mother were able to joyfully celebrate Taylor and Kelce’s marriage in his own very special, age-appropriate way during his summer break,” Owen added.

Jaime King Once Declared Taylor Swift Would Be ‘The Best Godmother’ 

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Even as speculation continues about King’s friendship with Swift, the actress has long spoken glowingly about why she chose the singer as her son’s godmother. 

Speaking to PEOPLE in 2020, she described the decision as deeply personal rather than one based on Swift’s fame. 

“You know it doesn’t matter where you come from or who you are or what you do,” King said, explaining that choosing a godparent “is a very sacred experience.” 

She added that the “Cruel Summer” singer was the obvious choice because of her character, declaring, “She’s going to be, like, the best godmother in the whole world. The best.” 

King also praised Swift’s values, work ethic, and generosity, saying, “It wasn’t because it was this person and the name. It was really because of her morals and her values, the way that she treats people and how hard-working she is … her family and how close she is to them.” 

King Had Long Championed Swift And Kelce’s Romance

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Jaime King has never been shy about publicly supporting Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce. 

Long before the wedding, the 47-year-old made it clear she believed the NFL star was the right match for the pop superstar. 

Speaking to Us Weekly following the couple’s engagement, King couldn’t hide her excitement, declaring, “I’m f-cking stoked.” 

The “White Chicks” actress continued, “Like, this is absolutely, this is the person. This is her person. Yeah, I’m so happy.” 

King also reflected on her own engagement to Austin Sosa, saying, “I feel like my engagement is to myself, in the best way,” while adding there were “so many beautiful things happening” in her life. 

What Happened To Jaime King And Taylor Swift’s Once-Close Friendship?

Ben Crump shared details about the death of Nolan Xavier Wells in a new interview with ABC News, and he noted texts appear to have been deleted from the teen’s cell phone. He also noted that the 18-year-old was a strong swimmer.

The college student’s body was found off the coast of Horn Island in Jackson County, Mississippi, on Monday, July 6. He’d been on a Fourth of July outing with friends and was reported missing when they returned home without him. The authorities claim he drowned and don’t suspect foul play, but Crump has reservations about the state of Mississippi conducting a transparent investigation.

RELATED: Family Of Nolan Xavier Wells Retains Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump As Investigation Into His Death Continues (UPDATE)

Ben Crump Says Nolan Was A Strong Swimmer And Reveals Apparent Deleted Texts

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump told journalist Linsey Davis that there were concerning contradictions in the case. Sheriff John Ledbetter from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office claims that he suspects no crime occurred, and the authorities believe Nolan may have drowned.

However, a video captured an argument among the group. Furthermore, Crump says Nolan was a strong swimmer, and the family does not accept the sheriff’s theory.

“You know, his father said he was an elite athlete — that he prided himself on his physical prowess,” said Crump. “He said that his son could swim, and so they’re just not accepting that Nolan drowned accidentally.”

“Uh ,you know, the guys on the boat, they said Nolan stayed, but they took his cell phone,” he said. “That’s not adding up to them. The fact that then when the family gets the cell phone back, Lindsay, they’re saying they are trying to understand why there are deleted messages, and so it’s very concerning to them.”

Crump Says Family Is Conducting A Private Autopsy

Ben Crump said an independent autopsy is being conducted. He added that Nolan’s parents, Elmore Wonsley and Christine Wonsley, won’t let their son’s death be swept under the rug. 

“Obviously, the biggest question is ‘What happened to Nolan Wells?’” Crump said. “I think the reason this case has caught such fire is because they see the pictures, they see the video, and they’re saying, ‘Hold on. You’re trying to tell us just accept this an accident and sweep it under the rug.’ His mother Christine, his father, Elmore, say ‘no.’ They will not allow that to happen.”

“So, the family is concerned about that,” he continued. “So, we’re going to have an independent autopsy. We have investigators talking to witnesses that have no allegiance to the state. And that’s important. Lindsay, when you think about Mississippi and the history of Mississippi, you know, this is the state where Emmett Till was lynched.”

The autopsy results are expected on July 10.

RELATED: Nolan Xavier Wells’ Mother Shares Heartbreaking Message Alongside Family Photos Following His Body Being Found On Horn Island

For years, Paige Niemann became internet-famous for looking almost exactly like Ariana Grande. Now, she is revealing what she claims the pop superstar told her behind closed doors. 

According to the influencer, Grande privately reached out with an unexpected message, not to criticize her viral impersonations, but to encourage her to stop hiding behind someone else’s image and embrace who she really is. 

Rather than focusing on the attention Niemann had been receiving online, Ariana Grande’s alleged message centered on self-confidence.

According to Niemann, the singer wrote per The Mirror, “I am flattered and I am sure you’re very sweet. But I just wanted you to know, I looked back a little ways on your page and I think someone should tell you if they haven’t today that you’re very beautiful as YOURSELF.”

Grande reportedly continued by telling the influencer she didn’t need to transform her appearance to be appreciated, adding she was beautiful “without all the make up and trying to make your face look more similar to someone else’s and whatnot.”

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The message concluded with another encouraging reminder that read, “I had to say it because it is the truth. Always do what makes you happy of course but if I didn’t say that to you, I’d regret it. You’re beautiful as you are. Take care.”

Niemann Is Now Trying To Move Beyond Her Grande Persona

Paige Niemann revealed the alleged conversation on “Turning the Paige,” a reality TV series documenting her efforts to redefine herself after years of being known primarily as Ariana Grande’s lookalike.

She first went viral on TikTok at just 12 years old by recreating the actress’s signature hairstyles, makeup, outfits, and mannerisms. 

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As her following exploded, so did criticism from online users, with many speculating she had undergone cosmetic procedures to strengthen the resemblance.

Now 22, Niemann says she is trying to establish an identity separate from the comparisons that made her famous. 

Ariana Grande Once Slammed TikTok Impersonators 

Long before Paige Niemann revealed the alleged private message she received from Grande, the “God Is A Woman” singer had already made it clear she was uncomfortable with the wave of TikTok impersonators recreating her look and her “Victorious” character, Cat Valentine. 

In 2020, Grande shared filmmaker Jordan Firstman’s satirical video criticizing internet memes that strip artistic work of its original meaning, saying it perfectly captured how she felt. 

Referring to creators who copied her signature ponytail, oversized sweatshirts, winged eyeliner, and Cat Valentine voice, Grande wrote on Instagram Stories, “Omg can this please also double as your impression of the pony tail tik tok girls who think doing the Cat Valentine voice and that wearing winged eyeliner and a sweatshirt is doing a good impersonation of me … cause this really how it feels.” 

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Doctor Urges Caution As Grande’s Appearance Fuels Harmful Online Speculation

The intense scrutiny surrounding Ariana Grande’s image extends well beyond the rise of her impersonators, with fans now debating the singer’s own appearance in ways experts say can be damaging.

Recent social media discussions have accused Grande of engaging in “body checking” after photos and videos of the Grammy winner circulated online, prompting concern among some fans about her noticeably slimmer physique. 

Speaking to Bored Panda, Dr. Monica Li explained that body checking is “when an individual repeatedly and intentionally measures, scrutinizes, or monitors their body size, shape, or weight,” adding that it is “often linked to eating disorders or body dysmorphia.” 

However, he stressed that it is impossible to determine someone’s intentions from photos or videos alone. 

Dr. Gizem Seymenoglu also cautioned against making assumptions about Grande, noting that public speculation can be damaging and emphasizing that “appearance should be only one part of someone’s identity, rather than the thing they’re valued for most.” 

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Ariana Grande Says The Version Of Herself Fans Called Healthy Was Actually Her ‘Unhealthiest’

As speculation about Grande’s appearance continues to resurface, the singer has previously urged fans not to judge a person’s health based solely on how they look. 

In a candid TikTok video shared in 2023, she revealed that the version of her body many people compared her current appearance to was actually when she was struggling the most. 

“Personally for me, the body that you’ve been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body,” she said. 

Grande explained that she was “on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them and eating poorly and at the lowest point of my life” during that period, despite many believing she looked healthier then. 

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She also reminded fans that “there are many different kinds of beautiful” and urged people to be “gentler and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies,” emphasizing that they never truly know what someone else may be going through.