Text messages between D4vd and Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old he is accused of murdering, show the teenager had been pregnant and had an abortion a year prior to her death.

The text exchanges between D4vd (whose legal name is David Anthony Burke) and Rivas Hernandez took place in 2024, the year before her body was found in an impounded Tesla registered to the singer in September 2025. According to multiple media reports, the texts were shown on Friday, July 24 during a court hearing for a judge to determine if the singer, 21, should go on trial for her death.

“What [if] the first abortion didn’t work?” read a text from Rivas Hernandez to D4vd in June 2024. (Rivas Hernandez was 13 at the time, while D4vd was 19.)

In earlier text messages sent in January 2024 and heard in court on Friday, D4vd apologized to Rivas Hernandez for “putting her through this.”

Related: D4vd Dismembered 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas With Chainsaw, Prosecutors Claim

Singer D4vd dismembered 14-year-old Celeste Rivas with a chainsaw after stabbing her to death, prosecutors allege. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed a brief on Wednesday, April 29, laying out its case against the 21-year-old singer — real name David Anthony Burke — after he was charged with murder earlier in April. He […]

In response, Rivas Hernandez texted back, “It’s okay. Neither of us are capable of watching and taking care of the baby. it’s for the best, no?”

The text messages also reveal D4vd asked to confirm he is the father. A text read, “Also my mother always told me to ask this question if I was ever in this situation … it is mine right?”

According to testimony from a detective, Rivas Hernandez replied, “Of course it’s yours David.”

Another text sent by D4vd to Rivas Hernandez in June 2024 and heard in court on Friday read, “Let’s let this abortion be the last one til we have the real one…”

Prosecutors are seeking to prove D4vd sexually abused Rivas Hernandez as a minor then killed her when she threatened to reveal the abuse and destroy his career.

D4vd has pleaded not guilty to murder, sexual abuse of a child and mutilation of a body, and his lawyers insist that he is innocent.

The preliminary hearing in D4vd’s murder case began on Tuesday, July 21. Once the hearing concludes, a judge will determine if prosecutors presented enough evidence for the case to move forward to trial.

D4vd was arrested in April, which was seven months after Rivas Hernandez’s dismembered body was found inside the front trunk of a vehicle at a Los Angeles tow yard on September 8, 2025.

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Related: D4vd Arrested for Murder 7 Months After Celeste Rivas Was Found in His Car

Singer D4vd was arrested on Thursday, April 16, in connection to the murder of Celeste Rivas, whose body was found in the trunk of his impounded Tesla. Us Weekly can confirm D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke), 21, is being held without bail. “Detectives from Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery-Homicide Division have arrested David Burke, […]

“Detectives from Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery-Homicide Division have arrested David Burke, a 21-year-old resident of Los Angeles, for the murder of Celeste Rivas. Burke is being held without bail,” the LAPD said in a statement at the time of D4vd’s arrest. “The case will be presented to the District Attorney’s office on Monday for filing consideration.”

Following his arrest, D4vd’s attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter addressed the situation while issuing a statement to TMZ.

“Let us be clear — the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death,” the statement read. “There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed.”

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has reportedly issued a statement, saying attorney Ben Crump and Reverend Al Sharpton are “stoking division” and are to blame for the threats amid the investigation into Nolan Xavier Wells‘ death.

RELATED: Female Friend Whom Nolan Wells Spoke With On Horn Island Is Reportedly Identified, As Sister Details Conversation Allegedly Shared

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves Says Ben Crump & Rev. Al Sharpton Are “Stoking Division” Amid Nolan Xavier Wells Investigation

According to Fox News, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves shared a statement with the platform. In it, he stated that “Ben Crump and Al Sharpton are to blame for the threats.” This, amid the investigation into Wells’ passing.

“They are stoking division for personal gain,” he reportedly added. “It’s sad to see, but not unexpected. This is how they’ve built their careers. Jackson County law enforcement, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, and the State Medical Examiner are conducting a thorough investigation. I’m confident they will follow the facts of the case, wherever that leads them. The state’s top prosecutor is also drawing a hard line.”

Per the outlet, his statement arrived amid one from Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch.

“I am proud of the professionalism with which our law enforcement, district attorney, and other local leaders are approaching this tragic case. During an open investigation, it is vital to the cause of justice that everyone respect the integrity of the process. Efforts to intimidate, disrupt, or interfere with the work of our law enforcement and prosecutors and threats to their well-being will be taken seriously, and we will hold those who make them accountable. A bright young life has been lost, and we extend our prayers to his family,” Fitch reportedly asserted.

More On The Alleged Threats

According to the outlet, the “threats” mentioned by the Governor have been detailed by Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. Per Tindell, threats are now being made against Mississippi officials. As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this month, death threats were allegedly sent to the family of Warren Hudson. This, while Christine Wonsley, Nolan Wells’ mom, had taken to social media to share hate mail she also received.

Per Tindell, those involved in sending threats are “committing a criminal act,” which will “be taken very, very seriously.” Additionally, he believes “false information” disseminated about the case has sparked “rage and emotion.”

“I can tell you, the FBI has reached out. They’re working in any capacity. They’ve offered a hand, in this case, to do anything that’s needed from their end. But they’re also taking a serious look at some of these threats that have come across, to public officials, to witnesses to the family, to anybody involved in this case.I can confirm that we have had threats made against DPS employees, and those threats are being actively investigated. Some potential witnesses and their families have also received threats, and those are being investigated as well,” he reportedly added.

What Happens Next In Nolan Xavier Wells’ investigation?

As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this week, Ben Crump publicly shared the preliminary findings. This, of the independent autopsy conducted on Nolan Wells’ body. However, his cause of death and manner of death remained undetermined. This, pending further investigation.

Nonetheless, Crump revealed that Wells apparently sustained red discoloration to the back of his head. Additionally, his throat was reportedly kept for further review by the official who conducted an initial autopsy on his body for the state of Mississippi. Meanwhile, the District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath stated that Wells’ state autopsy will remain sealed until the investigation is presented to a grand jury.

RELATED: Warren Hudson Details What He & Friends Allegedly Did After Leaving Horn Island & Speaks On Pool Party Photo Showing Nolan Wells

Fantasy TV has been having a great run in 2026. The genre just keeps getting bigger, but more importantly, it’s becoming far more creative. Today’s fantasy shows are experimenting with new settings, diverse perspectives, and character-driven stories instead of relying on grand magical battles and action to drive the plot forward.

That’s exactly what has made this year’s lineup so exciting. Each of the shows on this list approaches fantasy from a completely different angle, which proves just how flexible the genre has become. That said, here are the six best fantasy shows of 2026 so far, ranked.

6

‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ (2026–Present)

Image via HBO

The biggest surprise about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is that it doesn’t try to be the next Game of Thrones. Instead of featuring another sprawling war between great houses in George R.R. Martin’s universe, the series tells a far more personal story set nearly a century before the original. The spin-off follows inexperienced hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall, better known as Dunk (Peter Claffey), who unexpectedly takes on a young squire named Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). What Dunk doesn’t realize is that Egg is actually Prince Aegon Targaryen, a royal heir traveling the Seven Kingdoms in secret.

The audience watches this unlikely duo as they journey across Westeros and become entangled in local disputes, knightly tournaments, political rivalries, and conflicts that shape the very future of the realm. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms stands out in how refreshingly intimate it feels. Instead of chasing the scale of Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon, the series focuses on the ordinary people living in Westeros. This smaller scope gives the characters far more room to breathe and for the audience to see what it truly means to be a knight. The fantasy adventure series feels warm while also unfolding with the moral complexity that Martin’s world is known for, and is easily one of the best fantasy series on air right now.

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‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ (2026–Present)

Image via Disney+

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord finally gives one of the franchise’s greatest villains the story he deserves. The animated series takes place after the fall of Mandalore and the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It follows Maul (Sam Witwer) as he attempts to rebuild his shattered criminal syndicate on Janix, a planet that remains largely beyond the Empire’s control. However, his plans change when he crosses paths with young Jedi Padawan Devon Izara (Gideon Adlon), who survived the collapse of the Order. Maul sees Devon as both a weapon and a possible apprentice and pulls her into an increasingly dangerous underworld filled with crime bosses and powerful Imperial forces.

On the other hand, investigator Brander Lawson (Wagner Moura) begins closing in on the violence surrounding them, which turns Maul’s return to power into a galactic crime thriller rather than a traditional Jedi adventure. Now, the series never tried to redeem Maul. He may be the protagonist, but he is still manipulative and desperate to reclaim the power Darth Sidious took from him. That’s what makes his dynamic with Devon so unsettling. Aside from all that, the series’ noir-inspired criminal underworld creates a side of Star Wars that feels darker and more morally ambiguous than anything else in the entire franchise.

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‘The Vampire Lestat’ (2022–Present)

Image via AMC

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The Vampire Lestat is a direct continuation — and official rebranding — of AMC’s critically acclaimed Interview with the Vampire. The soft reboot shifts the spotlight away from Louis (Jacob Anderson) and places the infamous Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) at the center of the narrative. The story begins with Lestat being furious over how the events of his life have been portrayed. He decides to tell his own version of the story by reinventing himself as the world’s first vampire rock star as he embarks on a global tour. The series then flashes back through centuries of his life to explore his origins in 18th-century France, his transformation into a vampire, and the relationships that shaped him into one of fantasy’s most fascinating antiheroes.

Meanwhile, familiar faces including Louis, Armand (Assad Zaman), and Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian) obviously remain deeply entangled in Lestat’s life as he deals with ancient enemies and great supernatural forces. This premise completely transforms the perspective of the story. Interview with the Vampire examined immortality through Louis’ guilt and regret, but The Vampire Lestat embraces its protagonist’s theatrics and deeply unreliable narration. The fantasy drama feels gothic, glamorous, and emotionally volatile all at once. Instead of treating vampirism as a curse alone, the series explores themes of obsession and identity and, in doing so, successfully reinvents one of TV’s best TV dramas without taking away what made it special in the first place.

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‘Daemons of the Shadow Realm’ (2026–Present)

Image via Crunchyroll

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Daemons of the Shadow Realm features Hiromu Arakawa’s fantasy worldbuilding at its best after Fullmetal Alchemist. The anime is set in a secluded mountain village frozen in time, and the series follows young hunter Yuru (Kensho Ono), whose life comes crashing down when armed outsiders attack his home. During the assault, Yuru learns that everything he has ever believed about his village, his imprisoned twin sister Asa (Yume Miyamoto), and even his own identity has been a carefully constructed lie. Soon after, he is forced into the modern world alongside the mysterious outsider Dera (Yuichi Nakamura), where he discovers that he and Asa were born with the rare ability to command supernatural beings known as Daemons.

What immediately separates Daemons of the Shadow Realm from most fantasy anime is how effortlessly it blends ancient mythology with modern society. One moment, the story feels like a secluded folklore mystery, and the next it’s introducing helicopters, secret organizations, and supernatural creatures into the same narrative without ever feeling disjointed. This constant collision between old and new keeps the world endlessly unpredictable, while Arakawa’s trademark character-focused writing ensures the emotional stakes remain just as compelling as the action. Daemons of the Shadow Realm builds its mystery piece by piece, and is exactly the kind of ambitious fantasy that has made Hiromu Arakawa one of the genre’s most celebrated storytellers.

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‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 (2022–Present)

Image via HBO

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House of the Dragon Season 3 premiered on April 21, 2026, after a two-year wait and wasted no time delivering the full-scale Targaryen civil war that Seasons 1 and 2 had been building toward. The series, set nearly two centuries before Game of Thrones, chronicles the Dance of the Dragons, a brutal succession conflict that takes place after the death of King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine). The story follows his daughter, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), and her half-brother, King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), as they both claim the Iron Throne. Season 3 picks up immediately after the devastating events of Season 2, with Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), and the rest of Westeros forced to choose sides, while dragon battles, shifting alliances, and betrayals push the Seven Kingdoms toward complete ruin.

House of the Dragon is yet another ambitious installment in the Game of Thrones universe, but aside from the spectacle, the show actually explores the devastating cost of power. House of the Dragon Season 3 raises the narrative’s emotional stakes by refusing to paint anyone as merely black or white. The eight-episode season is set to conclude on August 9, 2026, but not before bringing several of the Dance’s defining conflicts to the screen.

1

‘One Piece’ Season 2 (2023–Present)

Image via Netflix

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Netflix’s live-action One Piece faithfully adapts one of the most beloved manga series of all time, a feat that many deemed impossible to achieve. One Piece Season 2, titled Into the Grand Line, premiered on March 10, 2026, and expands the Straw Hat Pirates’ adventure far beyond the East Blue. The series follows Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy), Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu), Nami (Emily Rudd), Usopp (Jacob Romero), and Sanji (Taz Skylar) as they finally set sail for the legendary Grand Line, where the dangers are far greater than anything they’ve faced before. The crew travels through Loguetown, Reverse Mountain, Whisky Peak, Little Garden, and Drum Island and encounters ruthless members of the secret criminal organization Baroque Works, powerful new allies including Princess Vivi (Charithra Chandran), and the fan-favorite reindeer doctor Tony Tony Chopper (Mikaela Hoover).

Every stop brings Luffy one step closer to becoming King of the Pirates while revealing just how unpredictable the world beyond East Blue truly is. Instead of simply trying to recreate the manga panel for panel, the series adapts it with a clear understanding of what made Eiichiro Oda‘s story resonate with millions of readers in the first place. Every island feels like the beginning of a completely new adventure, with its own culture and mythology. The bond between the Straw Hats remains at the heart of it all and grounds the show’s wildest fantasy elements. One Piece Season 2 ends with the conclusion of the Drum Island Arc, and Netflix has officially greenlit and wrapped production on One Piece Season 3, titled The Battle of Alabasta.

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One Piece

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Release Date

August 31, 2023

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Network

Netflix

Showrunner

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Matt Owens, Steven Maeda, Joe Tracz

Directors

Tim Southam, Marc Jobst, Josef Kubota Wladyka

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90 Day Fiancé’s Kenny Niedermeier has revealed his stepdaughter Hannah’s health condition has taken a turn for the worse.

Updating fans via his Instagram Story on Friday, July 24, Kenny, 63, shared that Hannah, 13, is back in hospital after she was previously released.

“Unfortunately Hannah was admitted into the ER earlier today with some worsening of her physical symptoms,” Kenny wrote. “The doctors have been running test[s] and scans and will know more soon. Hannah is in good spirits.”

Kenny thanked well wishers for their support as he shared the latest on her condition.

“We know many of you care about Hannah and her progress and you deserve an update. Thank you all very much,” he concluded.

The post comes after Hannah’s father, Armando Niedermeier-Rubio, 37, shared news of her hospital release on Monday, July 20.

“My heart is so full to let you guys know that Hannah has been released from the hospital,” Armando revealed in a video shared via Instagram.“Which is the best news we could have right now.”

Kenny added in the video that the pair were “over the moon” that they could all go home together after the experience. He described Hannah as being “happy to be leaving the hospital.”

Kenny has been by Hannah’s side throughout her health ordeal after she was rushed to the United States for urgent medical treatment from her home in Mexico. Doctors determined that Hannah had a blood bleed in her brain.

Armando initially had issues getting permission to enter the United States but was eventually reunited with his daughter.

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Related: 90 Day’s Armando Breaks Down in Tears Over Daughter’s Health Battle

90 Day Fiancé’s Armando Niedermeier-Rubio broke down in tears as he discussed his daughter Hannah’s mysterious medical issue. “I don’t want to lose her,” Armando, 37, said while fighting back tears via an Instagram vlog on Thursday, July 16. “Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, guys. Thank you all that supported [us] … […]

Armando revealed via Instagram on July 14, that Hannah’s condition had rapidly deteriorated before she was hospitalized.

The TLC reality star detailed the moment he noticed his daughter’s face was “droopy — half of her face — and her lips and stuff.”

“Half of her body had no strength. So [I] immediately took her to the doctor,” he shared via the emotional post last week. “When we got to the doctor, they did tell us her levels were normal in the sense of no high blood pressure. Which was strange to the doctor because she said usually with stuff like this, she knew with the symptoms that it was something with the brain, but it was strange given her age and also the fact that she didn’t have high blood pressure, which would be a huge symptom for that.”

The Big Bang Theory‘s newest spinoff, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, doesn’t have any rules, but there is one story it won’t explore — a crossover with Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.

“[There will be] no East Texas in this show,” creator Chuck Lorre exclusively told Us. “No, I don’t think so. Let them exist in their own worlds.”

Lorre noted that he didn’t see how the two shows could interact. “Lots of stuff gets pitched before we decide what to do,” he added. “So you never know.”

Creator Bill Pardy, meanwhile, suggested a way to make it happen, saying, “We do some time travel.”

Related: How Many Spinoff Shows Does ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Have?

The Big Bang Theory premiered nearly two decades ago — and the TV universe has only grown with three spinoffs (and counting)! The sitcom inspired a franchise when The Big Bang Theory aired from 2007 to 2019. It starred Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch as […]

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, which airs Thursdays, follows Stuart Bloom as he is faced with the daunting task of “restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon,” according to the official synopsis.

Stuart “is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke. Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory. As the title implies, things don’t go well.”

Stuart (Kevin Sussman) was originally introduced on The Big Bang Theory, which aired on CBS from 2007 to 2019. The show starred Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch as a group of best friend scientists and their — sometimes polar opposite — significant others.

The Big Bang Theory spawned a prequel series, Young Sheldon, which focused on Parsons’ original character Sheldon’s life as a child prodigy (Iain Armitage).

Viewers then met Sheldon’s brother, Georgie (Montana Jordan), which paved the way for his love story with Mandy (Emily Osment) to inspire another spinoff, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, meanwhile, is led by Sussman, Brian Posehn, John Ross Bowie and Lauren Lapkus.

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“For me, Stuart came back to me pretty quickly,” Sussman told Us. “Because the original Stuart was sadly not too different than me. So it was pretty much the same.”

He continued: “Stuart has never really been a character where I’ve thought, ‘OK, who is this guy?’ It’s always just been about, ‘What are these circumstances now?’ So less about who I am and more about how do I navigate all this craziness that’s happening?”

New episodes of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe air Thursdays on HBO Max.

D4vd is back in the headlines as his preliminary hearing continues in the case involving Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death. A new testimony is shedding light on their alleged relationship. Officials also revealed text messages showing the two discussed pregnancy and abortion before her death.

RELATED: From Stardom To Handcuffs: Everything To Know About D4vd, The Singer Arrested In Connection To Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Death

Alleged Text Messages Reveal New Details About D4vd & Celeste Rivas Hernandez

During D4vd’s hearing on July 24, prosecutors reviewed January 2024 text messages exchanged between him and Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The messages reportedly showed the singer apologizing to Hernandez for “putting her through this” before Hernandez replied, “it’s okay.” Celeste then added, “neither of us are capable of watching and taking care of the baby. It’s for the best no?” D4vd allegedly apologized again before asking whether the pregnancy involved him, to which Celeste replied, “of course its yours.” 

Prosecutors Argue David & Celeste’s History Fueled The Alleged Murder

Furthermore, prosecutors detailed D4vd and Hernandez’s alleged relationship and presented graphic sexual images they said showed the two together. Authorities reportedly found the images on the musician’s iPhone after searching his home in September 2025. Prosecutors allege D4vd had a sexual relationship with Hernandez when she was 13 and he was 18. They argue that their history played a role in her death after she threatened to expose their relationship.

D4vd Maintains His Innocence As Case Moves Forward

Investigators launched their case against D4vd in September 2025 after Los Angeles police found human remains in a Tesla registered to him at a Hollywood tow yard. Officers responded to reports of a foul odor coming from the impounded vehicle and later identified the victim as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been missing since April 2024.

Then in April 2026 D4vd was arrested in Hollywood, California. Authorities charged him with lewd and lascivious acts involving a person under 14 years old, mutilation of a human body, and first-degree murder in Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death. Prosecutors also added special-circumstance allegations, claiming he acted with financial motives, waited to commit the crime, and killed a witness tied to an investigation. Despite the allegations, he pleaded not guilty to Hernandez’s murder in April of this year.

RELATED: Prosecutors In D4vd Case Detail Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Final Hours, Allege Chainsaw Used On Remains (VIDEO)

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 1 minute ago

The iconic deaf actress who starred in Godzilla vs Kong has tragically died. Kaylee Hottle had just gotten her start in Hollywood when her life was cut short due to a car accident. The deaf actress was one of three occupants in the car that crashed in Frederick County, Maryland. Her cause of death was released by the county as blunt force injuries, and she was the only fatality in what is being reported as a high-speed accident. The other passenger refused treatment at the scene while the driver received treatment at a local hospital for non-serious injuries.

A Young Talent Destined For Greatness

Hottle got her start in the movie Godzilla vs Kong in 2021, when she played the beloved deaf character, Jia. Her connection to Kong and sign language gave a unique take on a character’s relationship to otherwise unknowable beings. She reprised her role in Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire. Between the two Godzilla feature films, she was in a single episode of Magnum P.I. Her final credit is still in post-production at the time of her passing.

Her father’s touching tribute to his daughter was in a sign language message that he posted to Facebook, where he called her a kind and loving young woman. Other Hollywood stars, like Millie Bobby Brown. posted on social media condolences at her passing and their love of the young actress.

As Jia in the Godzilla movies, she had memorable scenes, including when she held up a handmade doll of the great ape to calm Kong down. Being deaf herself, the role clearly resonated with Hottle in the ways she interacted with the rest of the cast in the movie. They would not have been able to get those subtle non-verbal cues that a non-deaf person would have been ignorant of.

So soon after losing the iconic Sam Neill due to sudden illness, and now, just two weeks later, losing a beautiful and vibrant young actress to a car accident, the entertainment world is still reeling. The fact that they will both be in the upcoming Godzilla x Kong: Supernova is a bittersweet reminder that age is no boundary to death, as it comes suddenly and unexpectedly.

Godzilla has been around for decades, and even though her role in it was short-lived, Kaylee Hottle has left her mark on fans and other stars. Take a few hours and watch a movie that resonates with you, something that you may have shared with another. Reconnect with that moment in time, because her death, while deeply tragic, only illustrates that we don’t have forever, so enjoy it while it is here.

Remember Kaylee Hottle in Godzilla vs Kong, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, or next year in Godzilla x Kong: Supernova.

Jason Sudeikis is going to be back on the “Ted Lasso” set like he never left.

The actor who almost parted ways with the TV series and almost turned down a massive payment has shared the reason why he chose to return to the show. This comes after his co-star, Hannah Waddingham, called him out for his behavior with impromptu script changes.

Jason Sudeikis previously let fans in on a little secret about what to expect in the coming season. The fourth season of “Ted Lasso,” which premieres next month, has fans filled with anticipation about what will hit the screens.

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Sudeikis revealed that from the get-go, his plan for the series involved shooting for three seasons and then calling it a wrap. This decision was not tied to his pay from “Ted Lasso”; that is why he was prepared to still walk away despite earning $1 million per episode by season 3.

There were provisions to let the actor walk away with “significantly more [pay] if he agreed to continue,” but he reportedly wasn’t eager to just keep going. In his mind, there was no way forward for his character, judging from the season 3 finale.

“That wasn’t a negotiation tactic,”  the actor said of his plans not to return for the fourth season despite the huge paycheck. “The story was told. Ted went home [to Kansas City] to be with his son. I wasn’t going to have Ted uproot their life to justify the money truck. It made no sense to me.”  Sudeikis explained during his interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

The Actor Says ‘Ted Lasso’ ‘Saved’ Him

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The TV personality changed his mind about coming back to the series when he realized how much of an impact the show and his character had on the fans. To Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso” was not just another project.

When fans would reportedly tell him that the series had saved them, Sudeikis’ usual reply was, “It saved me, too,” and he meant it. “It is infectious to play a character who sees the best in people and isn’t mad at the world for all its foibles and bullies and shadows,”  the actor further explained.

Sudeikis admitted that he needed the show as much as his viewers needed him back on the screen. In case you didn’t know, the actor plays a bubbly American football coach on “Ted Lasso” who was hired to manage a British soccer team despite having no experience with the sport.

Jason Sudeikis Revealed A Major Shocker For The Upcoming Season

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After it was officially confirmed that the comedy-drama TV series had been renewed for a fourth season, Sudeikis shared that his character might surprise fans with a new move in the coming season.

“We’re writing season 4 now,” adding, “That’s the official word, yeah. Ted’s coaching a women’s team,” the TV personality disclosed on a podcast a few months ago. Though Sudeikis remained tight-lipped on further details, fans are filled with anticipation to see how this new shift would play out, considering where they left off in season 3.

The Blast shared that fans are filled with questions about whether his character would officially say goodbye to English football and start the season on a new path. The “Horrible Bosses” star did not provide any further clarity to calm the expectations, so it remains unclear if Ted would be leaving AFC Richmond for good.

Hannah Waddingham Called Her Co-Star Out For ‘Last Minute Changes’

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Waddingham plays AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton on the hit Apple TV+ series. Recently, she stated that one of the challenges they have on set is tied to the last-minute changes Sudeikis often makes to the scripts.

She noted that he had the habit of reworking dialogue in the moment, and this often kept the other actors on their toes. With that boy, you’ve got to roll with the punches. He and I have an ongoing love-hate relationship that he changes it last minute,” Waddingham explained.

The Blast reported that despite this hiccup, the members of the cast have a good relationship and speak regularly behind the scenes. During the same conversation, the “Sex Education” alum addressed the pressing question about whether or not there would be a romantic spin on Ted and Rebecca’s relationship.

Waddingham noted that Ted and Rebecca are “undoubtedly soulmates”; however, the show may or may not choose to explore that avenue for the characters.

Jason Sudeikis Was ‘Scared’ By  Overzealous Fans 

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Nearly two years ago, the Emmy-winning actor expressed that he was scared by fans who waited to get autographs from him for hours. According to previous reports, up to 20 people waited outside The Dynasty Typewriter Comedy Club in Los Angeles from around 6:30 p.m when he arrived till 9:30 p.m when he was seen exiting the club.

The Blast shared that Sudeikis was met with fans who flooded him seeking to have their items signed. After signing one or two autographs and seeing the clamoring crowd, the actor started heading to his car, refusing to sign any more autographs.

In footage uploaded about the incident, Sudeikis could be heard saying, “Guys, please, stop, stop, I’m not going to sign anything. I literally have to go!” as they chased him down the street.

“I’m sorry, that was a lot; that scared the sh-t out of me. For real, I’m just a human being. Please, I’m going home – good night,”  the TV star added before getting into his car.

Is Jason Sudeikis’ reason to return to “Ted Lasso” one that others will resonate with?

By Joshua Tyler
| Updated 24 seconds ago

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds beamed in for a fourth season this week, and avoided the jokey premises that hamstrung the previous season, for at least one episode. Instead, in this first episode titled “Valles Marineris,” it took on the hot topic of mass migration by sending the Enterprise back in time to deal with the consequences of an invasive species sucking up resources.

The Enterprise arrives 65 million years in the past to find an extra planet in our solar system. It’s ruled by a race of intelligent insects who use mass migration to invade planets. That extra planet and its inhabitants aren’t the only surprise. The planet Mars is not a dead world in the past. It’s vibrant, alive, and run by technologically advanced Martians.

Meanwhile, Earth is still a place of volcanoes and dinosaurs. At one point, the Enterprise’s genetically enhanced security chief saves the day by punching a velociraptor.

The insectoids intentionally crashed a ship into Mars and “fed” on their world. Then the Martian commander hammers the situation home by saying, “That’s why your discussions of cultures, of science, although kind and hopeful, are not relevant.”

When Pike says, “There may be other ways to deal with them,” the Martian commander responds by pointing out that many thought the same on her world. “As they talked, we died,” she says. The Martians were only able to stop the insects by ripping a hole in their own planet, killing all the invading settlers and also two million of their own people. 

On Earth, Enterprise’s crew discovers a crashed insectoid colony ship. Everyone aboard was killed, but our heroes learn the insects were trying to land and feed on Earth, presumably to do the same thing they did to Mars. The Enterprise away team voices sympathy for the dead creatures, with Lieutenant Ortegas voicing, “They may be different from us, but they wanted to survive too.” Meanwhile, Lieutenant Commander Noonien-Singh acknowledges the reality of the situation, “If they were settlers, I’m not sure if I should feel sad or relieved.”

Captain Pike quickly realizes the truth. If this insectoid race is allowed to send “settlers” to Earth, humanity’s future home planet, they’ll suck up all the resources and wipe out our entire future. To save the human race from dangerous mass migration, Pike allows the Martians to blow up the insectoid planet and genocide the race of resource-consuming migrants. 

The parallels to the real world are hard to miss. The episode goes out of its way to portray the insectoids not so much as invading armies but as migrants whose unwanted arrival consumes resources. The Martians deliberately refer to them as feeding on their planet, to hit home the point that the main issue is their resource consumption. The crashed ship on Earth is referred to as a ship of settlers, not soldiers. 

Mars has already been devastated by the process, and Earth is next. Stripped of the science-fiction setting, the episode clearly explores questions of mass migration, resource competition, demographic change, and whether a civilization has the right to prevent an influx it believes threatens its long-term survival. 

“Valles Marineris” was written by Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers. It’s worth noting that Myers wrote some of the best and most thoughtful episodes in the show’s first season and none of the worst episodes of its subsequent seasons. He was also a driving force behind the gone-but-not-forgotten spy series Chuck from the 2010s and the 2016 show The Magicians.

In telling this story, Strange New Worlds did what Star Trek has always done, and what the best science fiction usually does, by engaging with a real-world problem and clearly restating it in a way that lets the audience reason out the best response.

Reasoncraft Is Honest Persuasion

This approach, while persuasive, is not propaganda, which is dishonest persuasion done through manipulation. There’s nothing dishonest in what Strange New Worlds is doing. It’s persuasion through logical thinking. There’s never really been a clear word for this type of up-front screenwashing before, so I’ve come up with one. 

This is Reasoncraft. Reasoncraft is persuasion through openly stated reasons and honest exploration, rather than manipulation.

Even at its lowest point, Star Trek has always stuck with reasoncraft as its form of persuasion. It’s fundamental to the franchise, and it’s part of why shows like Starfleet Academy are so bad.

Reasoncraft Results In Bad Writing For Bad Ideas, And Good Writing For Good Ideas

When a piece of entertainment uses reasoncraft to make good arguments, the result is often good writing. When reasoncraft is used to make bad arguments, the result is bad writing that makes no sense. 

This turned Starfleet Academy into one of the worst shows in television history. It’s also why the previous Strange New Worlds season was so reviled. The stories they told in season 3 were nonsense because the arguments they were making were also nonsense. This season 4 episode of Strange New Worlds, while not perfect, is at least a step up from those season 3 lows. It’s a step up because it takes on hard questions, considers them honestly, and then follows those honest answers to their logical, unflinching conclusion.

Reasoncraft is also why a show like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is so good. Because when that series tackled a complex issue and used reasoncraft, they followed it through to its logical conclusion, even if that conclusion didn’t always fit with their personal ideology. That willingness to follow the story where reason takes it, even if that conflicts with the beliefs of the show’s writers, is something modern Star Trek has often been unwilling to do.

It’s why people with bad ideas resort to propaganda. Dishonesty is the only way to screenwash others into believing something stupid without also creating an entertainment product that plays out like something written on the side of a bathtub with a water crayon.