While music normally gets its time to shine in awards season through the Grammys, the various achievements made in music in the world of cinema has its own spot of appreciation through the Best Original Song awards from various awards bodies. The Academy Award for Best Original Song especially has stood as a massively varied and prominent award, won by a wide variety of different artists and styles since its inception at the 7th Academy Awards.

This highly celebrated stature has largely continued into the 2020s, with winners ranging from beloved fan favorites to some of the biggest cultural hits of the year. Not every winning song has been a massively memorable hit, but by and large the winners have spoken to the inherent strengths and memorability of cinema in the modern era. It paints a great sign for the sorts of exceptional musical achievements that will be celebrated in the remaining years of the decade.

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“El Mal” from ‘Emilia Perez’ (2024)

Image via Netflix

To say that Emilia Perez was an incredibly divisive Oscar contender would be an understatement, as it arguably had some of the largest disconnects between industry love and mass hatred from moviegoers. It went from the most nominated film of the night to only winning two awards, though it isn’t exactly surprising that “El Mal” won Best Original Song, considering it was a relatively slow year for the category. Sung by Zoe Saldaña and spoken entirely in Spanish, it sees her character complaining about the hypocrisy of many international criminals contributing to the nonprofit organization run by the titular Emilia Perez.

It’s a song that works well enough in the context of the film, with some fun cinematography making it one of the few shining points in an otherwise dismal experience. Still, it isn’t exactly surprising that the song has been entirely forgotten about in the short time since its win, as it really doesn’t hold a candle to the other winners this decade. The song simply doesn’t really have much weight or impact outside of the context of the film, with its win almost feeling out of inevitability and due to a lack of other major options instead of the song’s quality (or lack thereof).

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“Fight for You” from ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ (2021)

Image via Warner Bros.

One of the most classic methods for a film to earn a nomination for Best Original Song is to get a prominent rising artist to write a song that doesn’t actually play during the film itself, but instead plays during the credits and sticks in Academy members’ minds as the film ends. While this trend often results in a lot of nominations, the only time that one of these songs actually received a win was in the 2021 ceremony, where D’Mile & H.E.R‘s “Fight for You” from Judas and the Black Messiah won.

Even if not directly playing during the film itself, the song largely ties into the film’s themes of revolution and fighting for freedom against cultural oppressors. It also helps that H.E.R’s vocals are exceptional on the track, making it the undeniable fan-favorite among the limited song selection that was hindered by the pandemic. While the song may have been similarly forgotten over time, like “El Mal”, the actual song is of a prominent quality and is worth listening to on its own, which cannot be said about any of the songs from Emilia Perez.

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“No Time to Die” from ‘No Time to Die’ (2021)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

The original songs made for the stylish opening credits of James Bond movies have been a frequent place to find success in the Best Original Song category, especially in the Daniel Craig era, where Skyfall and Spectre‘s songs both previously won the award. This is to say that it wasn’t exactly a surprise that “No Time to Die” from the titular final chapter of the Craig era would win the award, but the song itself may just be the best original song of the Craig era.

Billie Eilish‘s vocals perfectly fit the energy of the opening credits, with a sense of finality and sadness to this chapter as it keeps the energy both impactful yet respectfully somber. No Time to Die as a film couldn’t have opened in a better way, making this the first no-brainer exceptional Best Original Song winner of the decade. It ended the Craig era on such an exceptional final note that it leaves massive shoes to fill for whoever ends up doing the song for the eventual reboot under Denis Villeneuve.

3

“Golden” from ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ (2025)

Image via Netflix

If sheer popularity were the only criteria for success on this list, then “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters would be the undeniable #1 slot without question. Its overwhelming global dominance as one of the biggest pop songs of 2025 helped KPop Demon Hunters soar into modern classic status as one of the most celebrated animated films of the decade so far. While many of the songs in the film were massively successful and helped amplify the staying power of the film, Golden stands out among an entire catalog of catchy pop icons.

It’s reached a level of success for an original animated movie song that can only truly be paralleled to that of the Best Original Song winners from classic Disney movies, though this makes sense considering the entire film centers itself around the culture and power of KPop as a genre of music. The legacy and overwhelming success of this song directly complements the success of the film itself, if not even more so. The only thing holding it back is how the two songs above it were more effectively used in some of the most iconic and effective moments in their respective films, while Golden’s greatest strengths are arguably independent of the film itself.

2

“What Was I Made For?” from ‘Barbie’ (2023)

Image via Warner Bros.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell‘s second Oscar victory in a row as the only artists who have won the Best Original Song award multiple times this decade, “What Was I Made For?” stands as the emotional crux of Barbie that amplifies its exceptional emotional climax. This song prominently plays during the final act sequence of Barbie talking with her creator, Ruth Handler, and experiencing the beauty of humanity and motherhood in all of its hardships. It’s a beautiful moment that is made all the better thanks to the exceptional song that elevates it. It exemplifies everything that made the film such a universally beloved masterpiece, all in one hard-hitting song.

While “No Time to Die” was a great song within the context of a Bond film, “What Was I Made For?” is not just amazing in the context of Barbie, but is also a deeply personal and impactful Billie Eilish song that stands on its own as a highlight of her discography. It’s the type of song that will continue to be celebrated for years to come, both as a fundamental aspect of the film as well as its own standalone song of beauty and pain.

1

“Naatu Naatu” from ‘RRR’ (2022)

Image via Variance Films

A great musical sequence to complement a song can go a long way in terms of its impact and memorability on an audience, although calling the “Naatu Naatu” sequence in RRR simply a “great musical sequence” is massively understating just how legendary it feels at the moment. The song plays when the main characters are out-dancing the various elitist British attendees of a fancy party, using their stylish dance moves and exceptional choreography to a masterful level. It’s the undeniable standout moment of one of the best action movies of the decade and manages to get even the most jaded of moviegoers pumped and jamming along to its high energy.

While this type of wild, high-energy dance number is much more common in blockbuster films from India, it made such a shockwave and impact on global audiences that it helped catapult the film and this song into immediate fan-favorite territory. Even as the rest of the film got snubbed by the Academy, there was no way under any circumstances that people would allow this legendary song to be snubbed, with it being the sole nomination and victory for the film. The song even managed to beat out high-profile competition like Lady Gaga‘s “Hold My Hand” for Top Gun: Maverick and Rihanna‘s “Lift Me Up” for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. “Naatu Naatu” is a song that, no matter what else wins the Best Original Song award this decade, will define the award as the absolute highlight victory of the modern age.

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RRR

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Release Date

March 24, 2022

Runtime

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185 Minutes

Director

S.S. Rajamouli

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Writers

S.S. Rajamouli, Vijayendra Prasad

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The best science fiction television shows have storylines that would be challenging for the average person to dream up. Apple TV’s Severance allows us to visualize a world where memory is manipulated, and a person’s work life is completely separate from their personal life. Prime Video’s The Man in the High Castle, which aired from 2015 to 2019, offers an even more intriguing parallel universe story. In this four-season sci-fi series, an alternate history is depicted where the US didn’t win World War II after all. In fact, the Nazis and the Empire of Japan rule the entire world after their victory. Both of these series transport viewers into another reality in a powerful way, but there’s one more Apple TV sci-fi series that is currently combining the best of both of these shows in a fast-paced, addictive way.

What Is ‘Dark Matter’ About?

Dark Matter, which premiered back in 2024, is based on the fascinating 2016 book of the same name by novelist Blake Crouch. Crouch created this sci-fi series for the screen, with incredible results. After a nine-episode first season, the series will be returning this week for another exciting 10 episodes. The story follows Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), a seemingly normal physics professor with a loving wife, Daniela (Jennifer Connelly), and teenage son, Charlie (Oakes Fegley). But Jason’s mundane existence gets torn apart one night when he’s kidnapped by a mysterious masked man. When Jason wakes up, he finds himself in an alternate world where he never actually married Daniela or had a child, and it turns out he’s actually been kidnapped by a version of himself.

In this world, Jason 2 (we’ll call him) has invented a giant box that allows people to jump between parallel universes. Jason 2 has decided to bring the original Jason to his world, so that he can masquerade as the family man. It seems Jason 2 felt he was missing out on having a family, but he’s solved this problem by transporting himself to this world. Our Jason must go through a daunting quest to find his way back to his world (and to his beloved family), but things get super complicated when he realizes that the journey will not be a simple one.

‘Dark Matter’ Comes Together With a Twisty Premise and Exceptional Cast

Dark Matter is so much more complex than your average sci-fi series. Each episode offers plenty of twists and turns as we root for Jason to find his way back home. But when he discovers that some potential worlds have terrifying backdrops, the show becomes increasingly scary. Aside from the addictive nature of each episode, Dark Matter is a must-watch for many other reasons. The visual effects are both realistic and entirely effective in drawing us even further into each unique parallel universe. Despite its wild premise, the series still manages to stay grounded in a fight of good vs. evil, as Jason must battle to get back home. Jason 2 is a clever, insidious villain, but the thriller also manages to create other obstacles that feel just as threatening to the characters. The stakes are always incredibly high, which makes each episode feel even more thrilling to watch.

Because Dark Matter can sometimes feel a bit complicated in its storytelling, the series had to cast excellent actors to keep the story feeling accessible and compelling. Edgerton is the perfect protagonist because he is both authentic and relatable. No matter what steps Jason has to take to get back home, it’s impossible not to root for him. Connelly is captivating as Jason’s wife, who is the perfect soulmate to our hero. Alice Braga is also fantastic as Jason’s partner, Amanda Lucas, who ends up accompanying him on his journey. Her quiet intensity matches Edgerton’s in a meaningful and effective way, which makes them exceptional scene partners. Jimmi Simpson also deserves a shout-out as Ryan Holder, Jason’s best friend, who provides an interesting throughline in all of the worlds. Each actor has to play multiple versions of their characters that exist in all of these different universes, and each performer somehow manages to successfully portray a genuinely wild range of storylines.

Season 1 closes with some jaw-dropping twists and an intriguing set-up for future episodes, ensuring that Season 2 will be even more of a wild ride. If you’ve already binged The Man in the High Castle and are eagerly awaiting Season 3 of Severance, Dark Matter is the perfect show to add to your binge-watch list. Just be prepared to get fully sucked into this completely inventive and action-packed series.

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Dark Matter

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Release Date

May 7, 2024

Network

Apple TV+

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Directors

Jakob Verbruggen, Alik Sakharov, Roxann Dawson, Logan George

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Writers

Blake Crouch

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Dolly Parton’s younger sister Stella Parton is mourning the death of the country music icon while sharing new insight into the singer’s mindset during her final days.

“My big sister Dolly got her wings this past Tuesday. If anyone gets to heaven, I’m sure she made it right on time,” Stella, 77, said in a statement shared via Instagram on Thursday, August 27, breaking her silence on the singer’s death. “I know she’s showing out big time, in all her sparkles and shine. That was my sister’s way.”

Us confirmed that Dolly died on Tuesday, August 25, after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer.

“Every Tuesday about this time, before the sun came up and the world was still asleep, she and I, for many years, had our coffee together over the phone,” Stella recalled. “Being little farm girls, we continued to be early risers. As she liked to say, ‘Shoot Tedda, we get more work done before the sun comes up than most folks do all day long!’ We would catch up on gossip, as sisters do, and drink coffee and make plans, as it has always been our way.”

Related: Dolly Parton’s Nephew Addresses Her Death at Age 80 in Emotional Video

Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver paid tribute to his late aunt while confirming her death at the age of 80 in a sentimental video. “I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver began in the clip posted to Parton’s Instagram account on Tuesday, […]

She continued, “My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known. What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that their was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future.”

According to Stella, the 9 to 5 actress was “always thinking of others” during her illustrious and culture-defining career.

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“If you want to honor her legacy, show more kindness, lift others up and give more of your time and resources, as she continued to do to the very end,” Stella added in her Thursday statement. “I want to personally thank all of you for the outpouring of love and respect you are showing my sister. Your love and respect for her is deeply felt by all of us who loved her first, and it helps as we grieve the passing through our lives.”

While Stella noted that her Tuesday morning coffee ritual “will never be the same” in Dolly’s absence, she will always remember the Dollywood founder’s “love, respect and goodness.”

“Dolly loved the world and everyone in it. I would criticize and complain about it and she would laugh and say, ‘Shoot, Tedda, we’ve got more important things to do than worry about their silly asses,’” Stella recalled. “She was right and she proved it every day. She left the world a better place by being in it, so let’s follow her example.”

Netflix has a massive collection of excellent shows across genres, but above all else, the streaming platform’s original series are most notable for being truly addictive. Netflix shows make the perfect binge-watches, from suspenseful drama series like Stranger Things and Dark, to hilarious but gut-wrenching dark comedies like BoJack Horseman and Dead to Me. The best Netflix shows are absolutely captivating, drawing viewers in early on with their unique premises and strong characters.

Netflix has a number of intense original series that will each take viewers on an emotional roller coaster ride, but it also has some of the most fun shows of recent years. The streaming platform boasts reality competition and dating shows that are the perfect escape, as well as light and fun comedies that will have viewers laughing from start to finish. These are the 8 most fun Netflix original series of all time, ranked.

8

‘Running Point’ (2025–Present)

Image via Netflix

Running Point is a hilarious and silly sitcom that follows Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson), a member of the wealthy family that owns a fictional basketball team called the Los Angeles Waves. The team is a family business, and when Isla’s oldest brother, Cam (Justin Theroux), has to step down as the team’s president, he installs her in his place. Isla has never been taken seriously in the family business, so she feels a great deal of pressure to prove herself, particularly because nearly everyone around her believes that she is going to fail.

Running Point is the perfect blend of a workplace sitcom and a family comedy, putting the messy and chaotic Gordon family front and center. At the same time that Isla is adjusting to her new role, she and her siblings learn that they have a secret younger half-brother named Jackie (Fabrizio Guido). Running Point is such a fun and entertaining series, with hilarious dialogue and wonderfully flawed characters.

7

‘Alexa & Katie’ (2018–2020)

Image via Netflix

Alexa & Katie is a coming of age sitcom that follows two best friends named Alexa Mendoza (Paris Berelc) and Katie Cooper (Isabel May). Alexa and Katie have been counting down the days until they could start high school for as long as they could remember, but now, their freshman year is going to be very different from what they had in mind. Alexa has leukemia, and all she wants is to keep her cancer a secret and have as normal of a high school experience as possible. Katie, meanwhile, is worried about Alexa, and she’s having a hard time pretending that everything is okay.

Despite its seemingly heavy premise, Alexa & Katie is not a show about Alexa’s cancer. Instead, it is primarily about what comes next once she starts to recover, as she struggles to live her life the way she wants to despite her illness. The reality of this includes Alexa’s arch-nemesis suddenly and suspiciously being weirdly kind to her, Alexa and Katie’s families getting up to schemes from their neighboring houses, and Alexa rebelling in order to get people to stop feeling bad for her. Alexa & Katie is a very fun and cozy series, and it makes for the perfect binge-watch.

6

‘A Man on the Inside’ (2024–Present)

Image via Netflix

A Man on the Inside is a detective comedy that follows Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson), a widower and retired college professor whose life has become increasingly isolated since the death of his wife. After his daughter, Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), expresses concern, Charles answers an ad in the paper by a private investigator named Julie Kovalenko (Lilah Richcreek Estrada). There has been a recent string of robberies at a local retirement community, and Julie needs someone to go undercover as a resident and investigate this mystery.

Charles is eager to take on this new role, but he knows nothing about being undercover, and the result is absolutely hilarious. As Charles tries to fly under the radar and figure out what’s going on, he unexpectedly starts to form real connections with the people he’s investigating. A Man on the Inside is a heartfelt series about starting over and healing, but it is also sharply funny and delightfully over-the-top.

5

‘Bridgerton’ (2020–Present)

Image via Netflix

Based on the series of romance novels of the same name by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton is a Regency-era romance series that follows a wealthy family called the Bridgertons. Each season of the show centers around the romance of a different Bridgerton sibling and their love interest: Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Bassett (Regé-Jean Page) in Season 1, Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) in Season 2, Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) in Season 3, and Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) in Season 4.

The upcoming fifth season of Bridgerton is set to be released in 2027, and it will tell the long-awaited love story of Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza). Bridgerton certainly has its fair share of more intense storylines, but it’s still one of Netflix’s most fun shows. It has swoonworthy romances, funny dialogue, and an excellent modern twist on the Regency aesthetic with its beautiful costumes and iconic classical-style covers of current hit songs.

4

‘Love Is Blind’ (2020–Present)

Now about six years since it first premiered, Love Is Blind is one of Netflix’s most iconic reality shows. The dating series questions whether love really is blind, by giving strangers the opportunity to fall in love before they ever meet for the first time. At the start of each season, the singles get to know each other in a speed-dating-style rotation, where they spend time talking to each other individually in isolated pods.

The couples have to get engaged before they’re allowed to meet, and then they all go on a vacation together. When they get home, they have to see if their normal lives are compatible, as the season builds up to the weddings of the couples who remain. At the end of each season, the couples have to decide at the altar if love really is blind. Love Is Blind is such a fun and messy dating show, with each season full of wildly entertaining and unexpected curveballs.

3

‘Emily in Paris’ (2020–Present)

Emily in Paris follows Emily Cooper (Lily Collins), an American woman who unexpectedly gets the opportunity to fill in for her boss and take a marketing position working in Paris. Emily’s whole life is back in Chicago, and she doesn’t speak any French, but she takes this new change in stride. She instantly makes new friends, starts chronicling her experience of Paris on social media, and works to prove herself at her new job.

Emily in Paris is the perfect mental vacation, with its beautiful sights and entertaining characters. Emily’s life in Paris is a dream, but it is certainly not without its drama. Emily constantly finds herself getting caught in the middle of love triangles and messy conflicts, both within her personal and professional lives. Emily in Paris makes for an excellent binge-watch for viewers looking for something light and fun that will transport them to beautiful places and make them laugh.

2

‘Julie and the Phantoms’ (2020)

Image via Netflix

Julie and the Phantoms follows Julie Molina (Madison Reyes), a teenage girl who’s grieving the death of her mother a year earlier. Julie and her mother both shared a love of music, but since her death, Julie has been unable to sing or play at all. Now at risk of losing her spot in her school’s music program, a dejected Julie goes to clean out her mom’s old studio, when she accidentally awakens three ghosts. Luke (Charlie Gillespie), Reggie (Jeremy Shada), and Alex (Owen Patrick Joyner) were in a band together before their deaths 25 years earlier, and they also have unfinished business with music.

Initially, the ghosts try to help Julie reconnect with music so that she can regain her spot in the music program. In the process, they discover that they can be seen and heard when they play onstage with her. Thus, the four of them start a band, all the while pretending that the ghosts are just holograms. Julie and the Phantoms is a fun, emotional, and heartwarming series with amazing music, lovable characters, and creative ghost lore.

1

‘The Circle’ (2020–2024)

Image via Netflix

Netflix has countless reality shows that are fun, entertaining, and addictive. That said, The Circle stands out as the most enjoyable one to watch. The reality competition series takes a group of contestants and has them all stay in the same apartment building, but in different rooms. Throughout the duration of the competition, they never meet in person. Instead, they all join an online chat where they get to know each other and compete to be the most liked player.

Contestants can choose to play as themselves, or to catfish as someone else. They set up an online profile, talk to other players as whoever they have chosen to be, and compete in different mini-games. The Circle is an incredibly entertaining and silly series. It’s a lot of fun to watch the players try to scheme against one another, and it’s very entertaining to see how the players unknowingly form connections with those catfishing and working against them.

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The Circle

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January 1, 2020

Directors

Tom Lowry

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The Circle

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A Florida couple was arrested on Friday, August 7, after four siblings were found living in the cab of a semi-truck in Jacksonville. Keisha Epps and her truck-driver fiancé, Tamra Marshon Stewart, were arrested and accused of allegedly physically abusing the children, withholding medical care, and forcing them to live in the cab for seven years.

RELATED: Say, WHAT?! Florida Police Officer Accused Of Monitoring His Estranged Wife 717 Times With Flock Cameras

Florida Couple Held Four Children Hostage In Semi-Truck Cab For Seven Years

The Florida couple, 51-year-old Keisha Epps and 37-year-old Tamra Marshon Stewart, were arrested in Jacksonville earlier this month. Stewart was reportedly a truck driver with routes between Georgia and Florida, and the duo was arrested after four children were found to be living in his semi-truck cab.

A report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office noted that the four children had lived in the semi-truck cab since December 2019 and shared the same bed, per Action News Jackson. The JSO report also stated that the children were rarely allowed out of the truck.

“The children were ‘rarely allowed out of the cab of the truck, even if they needed to use the restroom…. fed poorly, did not attend school… did not receive medical care,’” Action News Jackson reports of the JSO’s report.

The Children Were Also Physically Abused

In addition to the four children being held captive in the semi-truck cab, the siblings were also physically abused. After one child witnessed Stewart sexually abuse another child and confronted him, both children were beaten.

“[One child] ‘witnessed some sexual abuse by suspect 1 (Tamra Stewart) and confronted him,’ [and Stewart] ‘beat them by punching their heads,’” the police report adds.

A medical exam conducted by the Clay County Child Protection Team in May 2026, after the children were rescued, found that one child had a sexually transmitted disease. She was also permanently scarred after being burned by hot noodles and denied medical care. The child was burned so severely that there was reportedly “a lot of blood,” per The Palm Beach Post.

Child Neglect Charges Filed And Sex Abuse Charges Expected

Stewart was not charged with sex abuse crimes, according to PEOPLE. However, an affidavit reportedly states the DA’s intention to charge him with capital sexual battery. Epps and Stewart were both charged with child neglect. Both received one charge for each child.

It’s not yet clear how the four children were rescued, but a medical exam by the Child Protection Team in Clay County diagnosed one child with an STI, which her sibling said happened in May. Nevertheless, the couple left the STI untreated.

RELATED: Florida Pastor Timothy Chaneyfield Arrested For Alleged Sexual Abuse And Exposing 14-Year-Old Boy To HIV

The investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s sudden death has reportedly expanded to her California home. More than six federal agents searched the late actress’ West Hollywood residence on Tuesday after arriving with a warrant, according to a witness who was inside the building. The development comes as authorities continue investigating Panettiere’s death at age 36, with the Drug Enforcement Administration now reportedly involved in the probe.

5

A source told Us Weekly that the agents entered Panettiere’s West Hollywood building and searched her residence pursuant to a warrant. It remains unclear which federal agency executed the warrant, what investigators were searching for or whether anything was removed from the property. Authorities have also not publicly identified Panettiere as the subject of any criminal investigation.

A search warrant generally permits investigators to examine a specific location for evidence described in the warrant. Its execution does not, by itself, establish that anyone committed a crime. The search represents the latest development in the investigation surrounding Panettiere’s death at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina.

Hayden Panettiere Was Found Unresponsive At An Airbnb

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The “Heroes” actress was found unresponsive on August 16 while staying at the rental property with her on-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. Brian’s brother, Zach Hickerson, was also at the residence when emergency services were called.

Zach later issued a statement to TMZ explaining that he wanted to “clarify my involvement” in what happened. According to Zach, the three had planned to have lunch and go indoor golfing after he attended church. He said he called and texted Panettiere and Brian after the service but did not receive a response.

Believing they were asleep, Zach drove back to the Airbnb. However, he claimed he could not initially enter because he did not have the code for the door. “I knocked loudly which apparently woke Brian up from a nap they were both taking on the pull out couch bed in the living room. When we went in and tried to wake Hayden up for lunch, we realized she was unconscious,” he said.

“I immediately called 911 and Brian gave her Narcan. We then jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived,” he added. “At that point we watched as they tried every measure possible to save her life.”

Brian Hickerson Reportedly Administered Narcan

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Narcan, the brand name for naloxone, is commonly used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Authorities reportedly found Narcan on a mattress inside the Airbnb. However, Panettiere’s official cause of death has not been released, and authorities have not confirmed that she died from an overdose.

According to a police report, an officer responding to the residence encountered Brian and Zach before seeing paramedics perform CPR on Panettiere. “The patient did not seem to have any obvious physical reasons to be unresponsive,” the officer noted.

After lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said a post-mortem examination had been completed and no signs of trauma were found on her body.

Chief Deputy Coroner Shelton England told the Daily Mail that it was still too early to discuss speculation that an overdose caused the actress’ death.

DEA Reportedly Joins Investigation Into Actress’ Death

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The DEA has reportedly become involved in the ongoing investigation, although authorities have not disclosed what prompted the agency’s participation. The DEA’s involvement, combined with the search of Panettiere’s California home, suggests investigators are examining circumstances that extend beyond the South Carolina Airbnb. However, no arrests or criminal charges connected to the actress’ death have been announced.

It has also not been confirmed whether the agents who searched Panettiere’s West Hollywood residence were affiliated with the DEA.

Hayden Panettiere’s Representative Condemns Online Speculation

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Panettiere’s representative has also spoken out against the rumors circulating since her death. “Many people who were not close to Hayden are using her death as an opportunity to fuel gossip and speculation about a situation they knew very little about,” the representative told Us Weekly. “It is deeply disrespectful to her memory and to those who knew and loved her and are actively grieving this tremendous loss.”

The statement indicated that Panettiere’s inner circle is cooperating with authorities and believes the public does not yet have a complete understanding of what happened. “There is much more to this story than what is currently being discussed publicly, and those closest to Hayden are actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation to help ensure that the truth comes to light and that justice is properly served,” they said.

The investigation remains active as authorities await findings that could establish Panettiere’s official cause and manner of death.

Rob Reiner’s son Jake Reiner is still processing his new normal after the tragic deaths of the beloved filmmaker and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner.

“It’s been eight months. It feels like eight years at the same time, and it also feels like eight minutes,” Jake, 35, told KABC-TV’s Mark Cota-Robles in an interview shared Thursday, August 27, on Good Morning America. “Every moment that I wake up, I’m reminded of my reality.”

Rob and Michele, who shared children Jake, Nick and Romy, were found dead inside their California home in December 2025. They were 78 and 70, respectively. Nick, 32, was arrested within hours in connection to his parents’ murders. Nick, who has struggled with mental health and addiction issues, pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently awaiting trial from jail.

While speaking with Cota-Robles, Jake acknowledged that his brother’s arrest further impacted his grief.

Related: What Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s Kids Said About Their Murders

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead in their Brentwood, Los Angeles, home on December 14, 2025, after being stabbed to death. Their son Nick Reiner was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting trial. A spokesperson for the family released a […]

“I mean, he’s in jail, so,” Jake said, trailing off. “You know, I physically lost my parents, and then Nick was arrested. Now, it’s me and Romy.”

Jake previously revealed how Romy, 28, initially told him that their parents had died.

“On the afternoon of December 14, I was in Union Station at a celebration of life for one of my best friends, Christian Anderson, who died in October,” Jake wrote in a Substack essay published in April. “It was at that moment I received a call from my sister Romy telling me our father was dead. Minutes later, she called back telling me our mother was also dead.”

He continued, “The 45-minute Lyft ride from downtown to the west side was unendurable. My world, as I knew it, had collapsed. I was in a trance. The only thing I could focus on was that I needed to get to my childhood home. I needed to get to my sister. I needed to figure out what the hell just happened.”

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Related: Jake Reiner Spotted for 1st Time Since Parents’ Murders, Brother’s Arrest

Jake Reiner, the eldest child of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, was spotted out and about for the first time since his parents’ deaths. Jake, 34, was seen shopping in Malibu on Saturday, December 27, with his partner, Maria Gilfillan, per photos published by TMZ on Sunday, December 28. According to the outlet, Jake, […]

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After reuniting with Romy, Jake began to navigate the “devastating” effects of grieving his parents’ loss.

“Nothing can prepare you for what it feels like to lose both parents instantly at the same time. It’s too devastating to comprehend,” Jake wrote at the time. “I still wake up every morning having to convince myself that, ‘No, it’s not a dream. This truly is my living nightmare.’ I can’t even begin to put myself in my parents’ shoes, but one thing I keep coming back to is how frightened they must have been.”

He continued, “They were the last people in the world to deserve what happened to them. They deserved to be loved, they deserved to be respected, and above all they deserved to be appreciated for how much they gave to all three of us and to the world.”

Kai Cenat‘s streams are often filled with spontaneous moments, and his latest side quest was no different. Most recently, the streamer was ready to play Cupid in a Walmart parking lot before things took an unexpected turn. After offering to purchase a couple’s engagement ring, Kai realized the woman had previously slid into his DMs. Social media reacted quickly as the unexpected moment unfolded.

Related: Hol’ Up, Mr. Glow-Up! Fans Are Losing It & Mentioning Gigi Alayah After New Photo Of Kai Cenat’s Body Transformation

Kai Cenat Offers To Buy A Couple An Engagement Ring

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, Kai Cenat took a mini side quest during his stream, heading to Walmart with his AMP groupmate Chris for some snacks.

While leaving the store, Kai and Chris ran into a couple who appeared to be fans of the streamer. After taking a picture with them, Kai asked the man whether he planned to marry his girlfriend. The man explained that he was waiting until he could save enough money for an engagement ring.

When Kai asked how much he needed, the man said the ring would cost about $1,200.

In a very wholesome moment, Kai quickly offered to cover the couple’s engagement ring. 

Kai Spots The Woman Had Previously Slid Into His DMs

The wholesome moment took an unexpected turn when Kai asked the couple for an Instagram account so he could make sure the money went toward the ring.

The woman gave Kai her Instagram handle, but the streamer quickly realized she had previously messaged him.

The old DMs, which appeared to be from 2023, included messages such as “don’t u live in atl,” “what’s the move” and “Kai I live 3 miles from the AMP house.”

Visibly caught off guard and seemingly nervous. Kai noted that the messages didn’t appear flirtatious, while the woman explained she was simply trying to network.

Her significant other brushed off the discovery, saying, “We’ve been locked in almost two years. Whatever is in the past is in the past.”

Social Media Reacts

The moment quickly made its rounds online, with social media users sharing their thoughts on the unexpected DMs.

Instagram user @br52dwaybabyy wrote, “She safe. A year before they got together she just wanted to hang with AMP 😭😂”

Another Instagram user @foreverjefe_ wrote, “She just trynna have fun at the house 😂😂😂😂”

While Instagram user @_meemeee wrote, “That’s technically not sliding 😂😂😂”

Instagram user @nolimitleron wrote, “He got saved from buying a engagement ring is all I see.” 

Another Instagram user @high.offerin wrote, “Y’all don’t wanna see what I was saying in Dukes 😭😭”

While Instagram user @amberamari wrote, “Kai messy AF for that 😭😭”

Instagram user @darkskinn_aunnii wrote, “I would’ve unsent TS so fast”

Another Instagram user @5st4rh03s wrote, “Had that girl scared for her life.”

While Instagram user @therealhoney_mel wrote, “That was 3 years ago, he said they been together for 2… so why is Kai even bringing it up.”

Related: Come Here Baby! Kai Cenat Pops Out With Fresh NEW Look & The Internet Can’t Get Enough (VIDEO)

Tim Curry terrified audiences as Pennywise, stole scenes as the frantic butler in “Clue,” and became a cultural icon in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” However, the actor, who died on August 25 at age 80, was also a trained singer with a legitimate rock career.

Curry released three studio albums through A&M Records, toured with his own band, wrote original songs, and landed on the Billboard charts. His musical ambitions were not a brief attempt to capitalize on the success of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Music had been part of Curry’s life long before Hollywood knew his name.

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Curry received classical vocal training while growing up in England and performed as a boy soprano. He later studied drama and English at the University of Birmingham, graduating in 1968. His first professional job came almost immediately afterward when he joined the original London production of “Hair.”

According to Curry’s official biography, the inexperienced performer lied when producers asked whether he had professional credits and the required Equity membership. By the time they discovered the truth, Curry had impressed them enough that they helped him secure his union card.

He was cast as Woof in the counterculture musical, placing his voice, stage presence, and willingness to take creative risks at the center of his earliest professional work. The production also introduced Curry to Richard O’Brien, who would later create the character that changed both of their careers.

Dr. Frank-N-Furter Was A Stage Role First

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O’Brien invited Curry to audition for a small experimental production called “The Rocky Horror Show” at London’s Royal Court Theatre. Curry originated the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in 1973, initially experimenting with different accents and approaches before settling on the character’s commanding upper-class English voice.

The role required far more than conventional acting. Curry needed to sing rock songs, deliver comedy, project dangerous sexuality, and control the theater from the moment Frank entered. The production became a hit, leading Curry to reprise the role in Los Angeles and on Broadway before starring in the 1975 film adaptation.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” initially failed at the box office but later exploded through midnight screenings, transforming Curry into a cult icon. Songs such as “Sweet Transvestite” and “I’m Going Home” demonstrated that Frank-N-Furter’s power depended as much on Curry’s voice as his appearance.

After being identified so closely with the character, Curry attempted to establish a musical identity outside the corset and makeup.

‘Read My Lips’ Introduced Curry As A Solo Artist

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Curry released his first solo studio album, “Read My Lips,” in April 1978. The record was produced by Bob Ezrin, known for his work with artists including Alice Cooper, and featured Michael Kamen as associate producer. Rather than chase a single radio-friendly sound, Curry used the album to move across rock, reggae, pop, and theatrical balladry.

The track list included his interpretation of the Beatles’ “I Will,” a dramatic performance of “Sloe Gin,” and a version of “Wake Nicodemus” featuring the Pipes and Drums of the 48th Highlanders of Canada. Curry acknowledged at the time that the album’s unusual range was intentional. “It’s very much an introduction and allegro,” he said in a 1978 radio interview preserved on his official website.

His refusal to remove strong language from certain songs reportedly limited their chances of receiving radio play. Curry nevertheless maintained that changing the words would weaken the emotions behind them. The album did not turn him into a mainstream recording star, but it proved that his musical tastes extended far beyond “Rocky Horror.”

‘Fearless’ Gave Tim Curry His Biggest Music Success

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Curry followed his debut with “Fearless” in June 1979. Unlike the cover-heavy “Read My Lips,” the second album consisted largely of original material written by Curry with producers Michael Kamen and Dick Wagner. The record leaned more directly into rock and pop while preserving the theatrical delivery that distinguished Curry from conventional singers.

“Fearless” became the most commercially successful of his three studio albums, reaching No. 53 on the Billboard 200. Another track, “Paradise Garage,” drew its title from the influential New York nightclub and received both seven-inch and extended 12-inch releases in certain markets.

Its best-known single, “I Do the Rock,” placed Curry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 91 in November 1979. The song name-checked celebrities, political figures, and cultural trends over a driving rock arrangement. Curry delivered the rapid succession of references with the same amused authority he later brought to his most memorable movie villains.

The album featured accomplished musicians including saxophonist David Sanborn, bassist Bob Babbitt, and guitarist Bob Kulick.

Curry Took His Music On Tour

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Curry did not confine his recording career to the studio. He toured North America and parts of Europe with his band between 1978 and 1980, proving that his albums were intended as a serious extension of his career. Recordings preserved on Curry’s official site document concerts at San Francisco’s Old Waldorf nightclub and New York City’s Bottom Line. His set lists combined original songs, album tracks, covers, and material associated with “Rocky Horror.”

The live performances allowed Curry to embrace the role of a frontman without pretending to be Frank-N-Furter. Although his dramatic expressions and physical presence remained unmistakable, the concerts introduced a different version of the performer.

He was not an actor attempting karaoke between movie projects. Curry had assembled experienced musicians, worked with major producers, and built a set capable of carrying a full tour.

‘Simplicity’ Became His Final Studio Album

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Curry released “Simplicity,” his third studio album, in 1981. The record combined original compositions with covers, including new versions of the Zombies’ “She’s Not There,” Martha and the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street,” and Squeeze’s “Take Me, I’m Yours.” Although it did not achieve the American success of “Fearless,” “Simplicity” reportedly reached No. 45 on the Canadian album chart.

Curry did not release another full-length studio album after “Simplicity,” but his recording career was later collected on “The Best of Tim Curry.” Previously unreleased sessions also surfaced years afterward, revealing that he had recorded additional music as early as 1976.

His solo catalog remained relatively small, but the three albums captured a period when Curry was balancing rock concerts, theater, television, and an expanding film career.

Kylie Jenner is clearing the air after viral speculation that she is expecting another baby.

“I think that I’m so used to people creating their own narrative that I actually have to just laugh about it and I really don’t care,” Jenner, 29, said on the Wednesday, August 26, episode of the “Better Half” podcast. “I just assume people will figure it out eventually, which is what they always do. Like, people think I’m pregnant right now. At least I saw some things.”

Jenner, who shares two children with ex Travis Scott, further explained why she doesn’t feel compelled to publicly dispel every rumor about herself.

“I’m not going to address everything ‘cause it’s, like, I’m going to be in a bikini somewhere or I’m going to be out and the rumors will be squashed,” she stated. “I, kind of, just don’t feel the need to say anything ever.”

Related: Kylie Jenner Shares Rare Insight Into Timothee Chalamet Romance

Kylie Jenner is sharing rare insight into her romance with boyfriend Timothée Chalamet — and teasing the possibility of having more children. “In the last years of my 20s, I want to focus on just me, my businesses, my work, traveling with my kids, enjoying my kids, and then …” Jenner, 28, said in a […]

The Kardashians star added, “I can’t, like, talk [or] comment on everything. So, I just laugh about it and join in on the party.”

While Jenner has not shared whether she plans to expand her family further, the makeup mogul has been in a relationship with Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet since 2023. Jenner and Chalamet, 30, keep their relationship relatively private — with the expectation of rare public outings at the likes of award show red carpets and New York Knicks games. (Chalamet is a longtime superfan of the NBA team, often inviting his girlfriend to join him courtside for game dates.)

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“I never was into it unless it was, like, someone was married or dating someone and then I would watch it,” Jenner said of her basketball history. “It wasn’t until I went to my first Knicks game that I fell in love, like, there’s something about the energy in the stadium and [in Madison Square Garden] and being there. It was so much fun, and then I followed them for those two seasons. For them to win, I mean, I’m the luckiest Knicks fan ‘cause I feel like I am a new Knicks fan … and I got to see them win!”

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Kylie Jenner showed off her toned tummy while modeling jeans. Jenner, 26, subtly slammed rumors that she’s expecting her first baby with boyfriend Timothée Chalamet while posing in a number of low-waisted jeans on Thursday, April 25. In the clip, which she shared via her Instagram Story, Jenner rocked a pair of Classic Low-Rise pants […]

While joining Chalamet courtside at Knicks games, Jenner has dressed to impress in spirited orange-and-blue designer outfits.

“I have a whole section in my archive closet of just orange and blue things,” Jenner teased of her game day wardrobe. “I have all the old Chanel, like, all every orange and blue thing that they’ve done. I have custom things. … I just keep making things, and I’ll just save it in my closet.”