Kristy Scott and Desmond Scott agreed to the terms of their divorce more than two months ago, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly.

It appears the former couple signed an “Agreed Final Decree of Divorce” that was reached during mediation and combines a settlement agreement and also includes division of their community and separate properties, per docs filed on March 17.

The former couple were married on August 10, 2014, and the social media star, 31, filed for divorce from her chef husband of 11 years on December 30, 2025, citing grounds of adultery, per the documents. They have two children, Vance, 7, and Westin, 6.

The docs show that Kristy has the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the children within Harris County, Texas, and both will consult one another when making decisions about the children’s education.

The documents outline a parenting plan “optimizing the development of a close and continuing relationship between each [parent].”

Among other shared time provisions with their kids, Desmond has Christmas holidays on even number years and Kristy on odd number years. Desmond will have Thanksgiving with his children on odd numbered years and Kristy during even numbered years. Desmond will have his children on Father’s Day and Kristy will be with their kids on Mother’s Day. They will also allow “reasonable electronic communication” with their children on days when the other parent is not with them.

Docs show there isn’t formal monthly child support and each parent will pay for their children’s expenses.

Ten days after the filing, Desmond, 32, filed an answer to Kristy’s divorce petition with a general denial and requested attorney’s fees, expenses and costs, on March 27.

It appears a motion for trial on merits is scheduled for hearing in July.

Us has reached out to representatives for the Scotts for comment.

After Kristy filed for divorce in 2025, an insider exclusively shared with Us how her close friends were helping her navigate the split after photos showed Kristy walking hand-in-hand with pals Natalie Halcro and Olivia Pierson.

“They’ve been friends for several years, and it was a girls’ night out in the city for dinner and drinks at Catch L.A.,” a source shared at the time. “Kristy is thriving and navigating the divorce with grace. Natalie and Olivia have been a big support system for her and provide her with the much-needed TLC and laughs she needs.”

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Related: Kristy Scott Files to Legally Ditch Desmond’s Last Name Amid Divorce

Kristy Scott no longer wants to go by the last name that made her famous. The TikTok star, 30, has filed to legally ditch her estranged husband Desmond Scott’s last name following the end of their 11-year marriage. In her divorce petition obtained exclusively by Us Weekly, Kristy — who goes by Kristy Sarah on […]

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Desmond, for his part, broke his silence on the split via his Instagram Stories in January after Kristy filed divorce papers.

“Kristy is the mother of my children, and that will always come first. I remain fully committed to being an active, present, and loving parent to our boys, as I have always been,” the chef said at the time, noting that he made “choices” he is not “proud” of and “took responsibility for those actions.”

“I shared this with her directly and personally, and ultimately we decided to divorce,” he continued. “I ask for privacy and compassion as we navigate this difficult chapter in our lives.”

Maine’s Senate hopeful Graham Platner’s candidacy has been embroiled in multiple controversies.

One recurring attack that his opponent, Republican incumbent Susan Collins, and her allies have seized on is that Platner got a tattoo in 2007 that resembles a Totenkopf, a “skull and bones” symbol adopted by Nazi troops during World War II. Platner maintains that he was not aware of the inflammatory meaning of the tattoo at the time he got it and later had it covered up.

Still, debate raged over whether the tattoo was politically disqualifying, with Democratic Representative Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts refusing to endorse Platner’s candidacy.

“I’ve been clear about Graham Platner. I find that tattoo and his commentary about it to be personally disqualifying,” Auchincloss, who is Jewish, told CNN on May 25. “I hope Maine voters agree with me. I think it would be a mistake for the Democratic Party to think that Graham Platner’s brand of the Democratic Party is what wins us durable majorities throughout this country.”

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Meanwhile, Platner has faced more negative headlines for past reddit posts about military service and alleged sexting that his wife, Amy Gertner, privately disclosed to his campaign.

Keep scrolling for more about Platner’s campaign controversies and his background.

Graham Platner Was Involved in a Sexting Scandal

The Wall Street Journal reported in May 2026 that Platner had an account on the messaging app Kik that he allegedly used to exchange sexually explicit text messages with women. Per the outlet, his wife, Amy Gertner, discovered the alleged messages in late Spring 2025 and subsequently reported them to his campaign staffers in August over fears that they could impact his Senate bid.

Purported pictures from the account, which were obtained by the New York Post, showed Platner bare-chested and only wearing a towel to cover the lower-half of his body.

His wife, Gertner, told Us Weekly in a statement, “I confided deeply personal details about my marriage to someone I considered a friend. In the months since, I have had to watch as she spread malicious gossip to anyone who would take her call. I trusted this person with the most private chapter of our lives – the early days of our marriage before any campaign was on our mind – and I am deeply hurt by her betrayal and the invasion of our privacy.”

“It is no secret that Graham and I have struggled on our fertility journey. We did the hard work that marriage requires. We went to counseling,” she went on. “We were honest with each other in ways that weren’t easy. And we came through it, not in spite of how much we’ve been through, but because of how much we love each other and the life we’ve built. Our marriage today is stronger than ever before.”

“I know who Graham is. I know the man I married and the husband he has been to me on the best and the worst days of my life. That hasn’t changed, and it won’t.”

Graham Platner Addressed Having an Offensive Tattoo

The oyster farmer is a lifelong resident of Maine, having grown up in the coastal town of Sullivan. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003 and served three combat tours of Iraq throughout his military career.

He told “The Takeout” podcast” in April 2026 that he came out of the military in a “hyper-masculine, hyper-violent place.” Platner confirmed that he and other Marines got a skull-and-bones tattoo — known as a Totenkopf — while on leave in Croatia, not knowing it had Nazi symbolism. (He has since had the offensive tattoo covered over.)

“Once I left and came out [I] interacted in the civilian world with lots of different people with very different experiences than my own,” he explained. “Many of those beliefs and thoughts and even just language changed significantly over time.”

Graham Platner Faced Scrutiny Over His Old Reddit Posts

Many of Platner’s past Reddit posts have generated backlash but none more so than a comment under footage of a U.S. soldier taking fire in Afghanistan in 2012.

“This video never gets old,” he allegedly wrote. “Dumb motherf***** didn’t deserve to live. At least his stupidity and fat ass wheezing are available for all future infantrymen to witness and hold in contempt. Poor marksmanship on the Taliban’s part is the only reason this mouthbreather made it home, he managed to make every possible s*** decision possible when it comes to small unit combat.”

Collins seized on the controversy in a statement, insisting she was “offended” as “the daughter of a World War II veteran who earned two Purple Hearts in the Battle of the Bulge.”

Platner responded to the Reddit controversy by telling Fox News, “I did four tours in the infantry, any attempt to say that I disrespect veterans is slanderous and offensive.”

Graham Platner Has Called for an Investigation into President Donald Trump

Speaking to NBC News in April 2025, Platner vowed to block the Trump administration’s conservative policies should he win Maine’s Senate seat.

“I want to shut the White House down,” Platner said. “I want us to, for the next two years, be dragging every single person in the White House, every single person in all these agencies that have been conducting themselves in illegal and unconstitutional ways. They need to be dragged by subpoena in front of Senate committees over and over and over again.”

He accused the administration of “murder” for “dropp[ing] a bunch of bombs on boats in the Caribbean all last fall” as part of “Operation Southern Spear” against drug traffickers in late 2025.

“We drag people who are involved in putting ICE agents in our streets, murdering American citizens, terrorizing communities,” Platner insisted.

He also accused the Trump administration of “rank corruption” and said the president has “absolutely” committed impeachable offenses.

As for whether he’d support impeachment, Platner told NBC News, “I will say this, though, on that front: If we don’t have the votes in the Senate to convict, I don’t think we should waste our time with it.”

A Republican National Committee spokesperson responded by telling Us Weekly, “It’s no surprise the first thing on his agenda would be to attack our government, obstruct the progress this Administration has made, and weaken our justice system. He is a dangerous, power-hungry individual who would put Mainers directly in harm’s way just to pursue his socialist dreams.”

On April 7, 2026, Representative John Larson, of Connecticut’s first district, introduced 13 articles of impeachment against Trump in the House of Representatives.

While the articles of impeachment are unlikely to pass through the House Judiciary Committee, Larson argued that Trump has “blown past every requirement to be removed from office” by threatening on April 7 that “a whole civilization” in Iran would end unless the Strait of Hormuz was opened. (Trump subsequently agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Iran through the intervention of Pakistan and said in May 2026 that he was negotiating a framework for an end to the war.)

Impeachment calls have come from outside of Washington D.C. as well. Hollywood icons Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep have both publicly demanded legal action against Trump if Democrats win the 2026 midterm elections, while a prominent group of the president’s most previous supporters — including Candace Owens, Alex Jones and Tucker Carlson — have also criticized his conduct of late. (Trump called the trio “stupid people” while firing back via Truth Social on April 9.

Graham Platner Wants to Make Fundamental Changes to the Supreme Court

Platner told NBC News in April 2026 that there is “a compelling case” to pursue impeachment against conservative-leaning Supreme Court judges, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. (Impeachment requires a majority vote in the House and two-thirds support in the Senate.)

“[There] are absolutely reasons for removal,” he argued.

The Maine politician wouldn’t rule out supporting efforts to “pack the court,” or change the number of judges on the Supreme Court to achieve a balance in ideologies.

“[I’m] definitely open to doing more, including adding seats on the court,” Platner said.

Graham Platner Paused His Campaign to Pursue IVF with His Wife

Platner announced in January 2026 that he was putting his campaign on pause in order to accompany his wife, Amy Gertner, for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments in Norway. (Platner tied the knot with Gertner, a school teacher and paid campaign adviser, in 2024.)

“The expense of this [treatment] in the United States is astronomical, $25,000 for a first attempt,” he explained in a campaign video.

Platner and Gertner clarified that they were seeking treatment in Norway because one round of IVF treatment only costs $5,500 there.

“Graham has great sperm,” Gertner quipped in the video. “The infertility was something that was part of my body.”

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The Senate candidate noted that his and Gertner’s experience with IVF costs have inspired him to “build power in order to go get things that working people in this country need, like a universal health care system that provides fertility support.”

Graham Platner Sees Himself as the Heir to Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders

Vermont Bernie Sanders, a progressive stalwart in the Senate, officially endorsed Platner’s Maine campaign in August 2025 and has appeared with him at rallies.

“When you listen to how we talk about organizing, when you certainly look at our theory of politics around wealth inequality, our theory of politics around how the system has been structured to benefit the ultra wealthy at the expense of working people — I very much feel like I do fall in the legacy of Senator Sanders,” Platner told NBC News. “I very much want to see this politics continue into the future. That’s why I’m doing this.”

King Charles reportedly picked up a special gift for his granddaughter, Princess Charlotte, during his recent visit to Northern Ireland and remarked that she would “love” it.

The sweet grandfatherly gesture has caught the attention of royal fans, with some using the moment to take a swipe at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ongoing royal rift.

The king reportedly has plans to reserve the Duchess of Edinburgh title for Charlotte, a title currently held by Prince Edward’s wife, Sophie.

In the course of his recent three-day visit to Northern Ireland, Charles showed that behind the crown and formal royal duties, he remains a doting grandfather looking to score a few “brownie points” with his eldest granddaughter.

During one of his engagements on the tour, the king met several up-and-coming young business owners who had been supported by his charity, The King’s Trust.

Among the entrepreneurs Charles met was Rachel Rose, the owner of Empower Flower Workshops, a colorful independent jewelry and accessory business.

Rose presented His Majesty with one of her handmade beaded bag charms, prompting him to beam as he seemingly thought of his granddaughter.

“Thank you, she will love that,” Charles replied warmly, per Hello!

“I wanted to give back after experiencing some dark times myself,” Rose said. “I’m trying to encourage people to come off their phones and use their hands to create some magic.”

Charles’ Gift For Charlotte Sparks Sussex Jabs

Charles’ sweet gesture for Charlotte has caught the attention of royal watchers online, with some using the moment to contrast the king’s bond with the Wales children against his fractured relationship with Harry and Meghan.

The self-exiled couple now live in Montecito with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Writing on X, one commenter suggested the moment may not go down well in California, while also referencing Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle: “More plates will be broken in Montecito. I bet Grandpa Markle, who is now back in California, would love meeting his grandkids, Lilly and Archie, and no doubt be bringing them gifts when he visits.”

Another user kept the reaction brief, writing, “Meltdown in CA,” with a third adding, “Do I hear screaming from the States?”

King Charles Reportedly Eyes Future Title For Charlotte

Charles shares a close bond with Charlotte, and the two have several things in common.

For instance, the pair have bonded over friendship bracelets, with the 11-year-old seen wearing them at Wimbledon. Meanwhile, the 77-year-old monarch recently wore a bright pink one at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

On official matters, His Majesty is reportedly looking to reserve the Duchess of Edinburgh title for Charlotte. The honor is currently held by Edward’s wife, Sophie.

Edward and Sophie’s Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh titles will revert to the Crown upon the former’s death, as they are not hereditary. This means their son will not automatically inherit the dukedom.

As the first daughter of a future king and the sister of a future monarch, Charlotte could also one day be eligible for the Princess Royal title, which her grandaunt, Princess Anne, currently holds for life.

UK Radio Station Apologizes For False Charles Report

Meanwhile, a British radio station has apologized after mistakenly broadcasting an announcement that Charles had died.

As The Blast reported at the time, the mistaken broadcast left the audience stunned, with solemn announcements airing before Radio Caroline suddenly went silent.

The dramatic mix-up sparked concern online, as confused listeners tried to understand whether the announcement was genuine.

The station said the false report went out after a computer error at its main studio in Essex accidentally triggered its “Death of a Monarch” protocol, a procedure that UK broadcasters keep in place in case a reigning monarch dies.

Radio Caroline later restored programming and issued an on-air apology. The incident happened while Charles and Queen Camilla were still in Northern Ireland.

King Charles Laughs Off Seagull Surprise

Charles also endured an awkward moment during his visit to Northern Ireland, when a seagull dropped on his suit jacket.

The king was meeting members of the public on the second day of his three-day visit when the bird struck from above. Some people standing nearby, including members of the press, were also splattered.

Charles appeared to take it well and made light of the situation shortly afterward. According to a source who reportedly saw what happened, the king said, “It’s well it didn’t land on my head!”

One fan later joked that the moment showed how nature can humble anyone, writing, “I have always enjoyed watching seagulls swoop. Mother nature has a way of reminding high rollers that trousers go on one leg at a time, no matter what.”

Star of the hit 1995 thriller Copycat William McNamara is opening up about his decision to leave Hollywood behind — and just how he lost all of his movie money.

“I had an ongoing drug problem, and that really gets in the way,” McNamara, 61, told the Los Angeles Inquisitor in an interview published on Wednesday, May 27, before adding that he is now “21 years sober … no drugs, no alcohol.”

After deciding to leave the blinding lights of Los Angeles in the rearview, McNamara told the outlet he set his sights on animal activism, joining the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The actor traveled to Japan, where he was “arrested documenting the annual dolphin slaughter,” per the outlet.

Footage obtained during the incident was later used in the 2009 Academy Award-winning documentary The Cove. He later worked with Alison Eastwood on what would later become National Geographic’s Animal Intervention — but his activism came at what the publication described as “a cost.”

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“You don’t get paid,” he told the outlet. “You end up going through your savings.”

Back in the U.S. and struggling to survive alongside his pit bull Boo, McNamara said he couldn’t find an apartment willing to rent to a dog owner. Forced to live in his car, his dog was later diagnosed with cancer and required chemotherapy treatment totaling $1,200 a week.

After spending everything he had to keep his dog alive, the actor told the outlet he eventually contemplated suicide.

“I stayed alive for her,” he says of his four-legged friend Boo. “That was my reason for being.”

McNamara’s rise to fame, drug-fueled fall from grace, activism and eventual financial troubles became fuel for his 10-year-long project and new TV show The Trouble With Billy. The 10-episode series stars McNamara alongside Randall Batinkoff, Billy Baldwin, Angus Macfadyen, Alison Eastwood, Claudia Charriez, Costas Mandylor, Ele Keats, Lindsey Pelas, Marilu Henner, Robert Wagner, and the late actors Corey Parker, Sally Kirkland and Tom Sizemore.

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“It’s based on a true story… unfortunately,” McNamara said of the series. “It was very cathartic taking some of the worst episodes in my life, some of my biggest mistakes, and distilling them into playable scenes. People can’t believe it really happened, but as we say in the show, unfortunately, most of it did.”

According to the outlet, 20 percent of all proceeds from the series will go to animal rescue efforts “connected to Alison Eastwood, with plans to expand support to other organizations, including LGBTQ organizations.”

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Short And Streep Are No Doubt In Love

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Martin Short’s Call Before Daughter’s Death Revealed

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

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

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

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

Inside The Dark Parallel Between Short’s Wife And Daughter

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

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

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

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

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

1

‘Wish Upon a Star’ (1996)

Image via Leucadia Film Corporation

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

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

2

‘Lionheart’ (1990)

Image via Universal Pictures

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

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

3

‘Under Siege’ (1992)

Image via Warner Bros.

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

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

4

‘Major Payne’ (1995)

Image via ©Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

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

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

5

‘Desert Blue’ (1998)

Image via Samuel Goldwyn Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

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

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

6

‘Empire Records’ (1995)

Image via Warner Bros.

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

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

7

‘Heat’ (1995)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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

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

8

‘Babe’ (1995)

Image via Universal Studios

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

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

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Babe

Release Date

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July 18, 1995

Runtime

89 minutes

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Director

Chris Noonan

Writers

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Dick King-Smith, George Miller, Chris Noonan

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

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

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

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

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

‘Alcatraz’ Is Strengthened by Its All-Star Cast

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

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

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

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

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

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Release Date

2012 – 2012-00-00

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Network

FOX

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Showrunner

Elizabeth Sarnoff

Directors

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Elizabeth Sarnoff

Writers

Elizabeth Sarnoff

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

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

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

Woodard Says Hollywood Tried To Box Her In

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

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

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

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

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

Tulsa Roots Helped Shape Alfre Woodard’s Confidence

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

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

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

How Tulsa Taught Alfre Woodard Resilience

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

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

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

Alfre Woodard Refused To Let Hollywood Decide Her Future

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

@bonnie_btsx

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

♬ original sound – bonnie_btsx

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

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

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

Related: OnlyFans Star Bonnie Blue Addresses Pregnancy Rumors

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

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

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

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

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

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