If there’s one material we reach for on repeat during the summer, it’s linen. And as much as we love our linen dresses, pants, shorts, tanks and other chic summer separates, it’s breezy linen sets that have commanded our attention with their pulled-together simplicity. Truly a two-for-one deal, these one-and-done outfits have a vacation wardrobe vibe we can’t get enough of this season.

Though linen has a reputation for being on the pricier side,  we did some digging and found 17 linen-blend and linen two-piece sets that look polished, professional and far more expensive than their under-$60 price tags. We’re talking sets that span every clothing category: vest sets, roomy wide‑leg trousers, tailored shorts and breezy button‑downs that look straight out of a resort capsule wardrobe. Shop our top affordable linen sets picks below and find the summer uniforms you’ll reach for on repeat.

Loose and Breezy Linen Sets

1. Our Favorite: With nearly 20 colors to choose from, this two-piece linen-blend set is suited for quiet-luxury and loud-luxury lovers alike. With a high-rise pant and a slightly cropped tank, it nails that relaxed-but-refined look that’s everywhere right now.

2. Rich-Mom Polish: You’ll look like old money in this short‑sleeve linen shorts set. Easy to tuck in and style with statement accessories, it brings that sophisticated, summer‑in‑the‑Hamptons energy that’s hard to create on a budget.

3. Resort-Approved: We’re fully prepared to build our whole summer‑vacation wardrobe around this linen vest and pants set. With regular, short and tall fits, you’ll land the right proportions for your frame — and a guaranteed mix‑with‑anything look.

4. Belly Friendly: Trying to disguise a muffin top? Linen doesn’t always cooperate, but this linen babydoll set’s puff‑sleeve, empire‑waist top creates a flattering, forgiving shape that lets you feel confident all day long.

5. Ultra Roomy: For a guaranteed laid-back luxe look, this oversized linen set is where it’s at. The breezy duo comes with a peplum-style tank and cropped wide-leg pants that are perfect for humid days and relaxed nights.

Related: 17 Breezy Matching Sets That Pair Perfectly With Sandals — From $20

You know the summer outfit dilemma: it’s too hot for jeans, but throwing together a complete outfit feels like more work than it’s worth. That’s exactly why matching sets are the MVPs of warm-weather dressing. They look instantly put together, feel breezy in the heat and pair effortlessly with sandals, aka the one shoe you’ll […]

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6. Cinched Waist: It’s the design details — i.e., the zip‑up top and the slimming cinched waist — that sold Us on this breezy linen set. Pro tip: reviewers recommend sizing down for the most accurate fit.

7. Peek of Skin: Even those who wouldn’t dip their toes in cropped‑shirt territory won’t be able to resist this linen lounge set. With a minimal peek of skin, the figure-forgiving fit looks chic while still keeping you firmly in your comfort zone.

8. One and Done: Less is truly more with this linen-blend jumpsuit. Though not technically a set, the vacation-ready style has that cool, coordinated vibe that’s insanely easy to style.

9. Accessory Power: We’re already dreaming up all the summer outings worthy of this linen-smocked high‑waist short and roomy tank set. The luxe linen set looks stunning with everything from woven bags and strappy sandals to minimalist accessories that nail that quiet‑luxury vibe.

10. Country-Club Polish: Keep it pared down and polished in this linen button-up shirt and shorts set from Walmart. With options like black and khaki, the neutral tones make it a style you’ll reach for summer after summer.

11. Simple & Chic: For anyone who usually avoids spaghetti straps, this one’s the exception. The linen top and shorts set is a poolside‑to‑relaxed‑dinner pick that brings understated polish everywhere you go.

12. Bra-Friendly Fit: Chic with a flirty, side-slit top, this roomy linen pants set is a summer-ready staple we’ll be packing for our next getaway. The best part: you can rock a strapless bra without it peeking through thanks to the clever cut.

13. Work Ready: Designed with a pleated pant and fitted, button‑up vest, this polished linen set isn’t just something we’d wear on vacation — we’d be bold enough to rock it at the office, too.

14. Easy Everyday: For that fuss-free but still fashionable ensemble, don’t miss this drawstring-waist linen shorts set. With a cozy elastic waist, the wear-anywhere set is just as ready for school drop-offs as it is casual dinners out.

15. Lounge to Luxe: A playful-but-poised colorblock contrast makes this summer set stand out from your monochrome linen two-piece sets. Featured in stand-out hues like hunter green and wine red, it’s elevated without trying too hard.

16. Button-Up Beauty: Instead of the predictable oversized fit, this tailored linen set has a sharp, sophisticated silhouette. Reviewer tip: size up for extra ease throughout the whole outfit.

17. Make It Your Own: Made with a mix of cotton and linen, this linen‑blend shorts set is breezy and sumptuously soft. It’s perfect for those unrelenting summer days ahead, where comfort and polish are both required.

Related: 17 Linen Blend Matching Sets That Feel Like Air Conditioning for Your Body

When summer heat hits, staying cool without looking like you gave up on style can feel impossible. Heavy fabrics trap sweat, and many “breathable” options just don’t cut it. That’s where these ultra-stylish linen-blend sets on Amazon come in. After doing tons of research, I’ve rounded up cute matching options that bring old money sophistication […]

Tina Win is everywhere right now, and honestly? She deserves it.

The rising Romanian-American pop and R&B singer made her Cannes Film Festival debut this year, turned heads at the star-studded amfAR Gala alongside her best friend, actress Tara Reid, walked a Cannes red carpet in a jaw-dropping designer gown, attended one of the hottest premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival, and dropped a brand new single, all in the same stretch. If you haven’t been paying attention to Tina Win yet, now is the time.

Best Friends Do Cannes

On May 21, Win and Reid hit the 32nd amfAR Gala Cannes together at the legendary Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France. The annual event is one of the most coveted invitations during the entire Cannes Film Festival, and this year’s edition raised an incredible $20 million for HIV/AIDS research. Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis hosted the night, with performances from Lizzo and Robbie Williams, and the guest list included Eva Longoria, Heidi Klum, and Rami Malek, among others.

Win arrived dressed in a show-stopping gown by designer Dorota Goldpoint, and by all accounts, she and Reid, who have been close friends for years, had an unforgettable night on the Riviera.

Red Carpet Ready

Win did not stop there. She also walked the Cannes red carpet for a festival premiere wearing a stunning look by acclaimed Vietnamese designer Le Thanh Hoa.

For a first-time Cannes attendee, she looked like she had been doing this for years, which, given her background working backstage at Fashion Week and interning at Allure and Cosmopolitan, maybe shouldn’t be a surprise.

New York, New Single

After the South of France, Win made her way to New York City for the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, attending the premiere of Only What We Carry dressed in a gorgeous piece by Australian luxury label Camilla. The film is one of the buzziest titles at Tribeca’s 25th anniversary edition, starring Simon Pegg, Sofia Boutella, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Quentin Tarantino, and singer Lizzy McAlpine. It was shot in just six days in Normandy with a largely improvised script, and critics have been talking about it nonstop.

And right in the middle of all the festival action, Win dropped her new single “Chaos” on May 29. The track is the latest chapter in a run that includes her debut “Try Anything” and the buzzy follow-up “How To Be Cool,” and it might be her most personal release yet. Win has always been open about the fact that her music comes from real life, describing her songs as a reflection of the chaos she has lived through, from heartbreak and survival to reinvention and freedom. The new single puts all of that front and center.

As the founder of her own independent label, Tina Win Music LLC, she owns every note of it.

One to Watch

Between the fashion, the festivals, and the music, Tina Win is building something.

And from the looks of this stretch, she is just getting started.

Shopping for swimsuits with a larger bust can feel like an endless cycle of straps that dig in, tops that shift and cups that never seem supportive enough. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to find styles that actually work. Plenty of affordable swimsuits now offer lift, smoothing and stay-put support without sacrificing style.

Whether you’re planning a beach vacation, pool day or weekend by the lake, the right swimsuit can make all the difference. Features like adjustable straps, supportive cups and tummy-smoothing fabrics help create a comfortable fit you’ll actually want to wear. Ahead, shop 17 flattering swimsuits that deliver confidence-boosting support for under $40.

17 Large Bust-Friendly Swimsuits Lift, Smooth and Stay Put

1. Our Favorite: The knotted shoulder straps on this striped bikini set adjust to your shape, and the high-waisted bottom skims past the midsection. The blue and white stripes feel classic without trying too hard.

2. Rich-Looking: The gold U-wire on this ribbed bikini set adds shaping under the bust without an actual underwire dig. The ribbed texture and a deep V-neckline keep it looking pricier than $34.

3. Sculpting Sensation: The built-in sarong wrap on this one-piece swimsuit adds a layer of compression across the middle while looking like a separate skirt. The tummy-control lining does the smoothing work underneath.

4. Flattering Find: Slip into this blue striped one-piece for a pool day, and the contrasting top and solid bottom create a subtle hourglass effect. The cutout adds interest without showing skin you don’t want shown.

5. Designer-Looking: Gold hardware details on this swim dress elevate the whole look past its $40 price tag. The tummy-control lining smooths through the midsection without feeling like shapewear.

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6. High-Waisted Hero: The crossover top on this striped two-piece crisscrosses at the bust for actual lift, and the ruched high-waisted bottom skims rather than clings. The ruching hides what the waistband lines reveal.

7. Coverage Champion: The front-cross design on this V-neck one-piece gives genuine bust support, and the striped top contrasts with a solid bottom for a slimming effect. The tummy control runs through the torso.

8. Ravishing Ruffles: The ruffle halter on this tankini set adds visual volume up top while the high-waisted leopard bottom does the smoothing. The halter straps tie behind the neck for adjustable support.

9. Sporty Support: The supportive top on this color-block bikini has the structure of a sports bra without looking like one. The high-waisted bottoms in contrasting colors stay put through actual swimming.

10. Stay-Put Style: The twist-front detail on this two-tone bikini adds shaping at the bust, and spaghetti straps adjust for the right fit. The high-waisted bottom holds its position when you stand up.

11. Plus Size Perfection: Pack this plus-size bikini for vacation and skip the worry about straps slipping or fabric stretching out. The ribbed texture keeps its shape swim after swim.

12. Seriously Slimming: Slip into this color-block set for a pool party and the contrasting panels do the contouring for you. There’s no suck-it-in required.

13. Poolside Pretty: Wear this V-neck one-piece for a pool day with friends where you want to feel pretty, not just covered. The ruffle adds the prettiness, and the tummy control adds the confidence.

14. Full-Coverage: Bring this floral tankini on a family vacation where you’ll be chasing kids or grandkids around the pool. Nothing shifts, nothing rides up, nothing requires constant adjusting.

15. Support Superstar: The wrap-tie front on this V-neck swimdress adjusts to fit your bust, not a standard cup size. Plus, a side cutout and tummy-control lining round out the support.

16. Poolside Hero: Slip on this V-neck swimsuit for any pool day where you want simple and reliable. No fussing with ties, no adjusting straps, just a suit that works.

17. Confidence Booster: The cross-front V-neck on this high-waisted bikini adds lift and a flattering neckline. The side-tie bottoms adjust to your actual hip measurement instead of a standard size.

Related: Forget Beige! Colorful Pants Are This Summer’s Surprise Trend

For years, summer style has been dominated by breezy beige pants in shades of white, beige and oatmeal. But Summer 2026 is looking a lot more colorful. From bold stripes to tropical prints and cheerful gingham, statement-making pants are quickly becoming the trend fashion lovers can’t stop wearing. Colorful pants do all the heavy lifting […]

Halloween is still more than four months away, but the Land of Ooo is already preparing for the spooky season. The multi-Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher Oni Press has once again partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to unleash Adventure Time‘s first-ever Halloween special, sending Jake and Finn on an eerie new adventure that leans into the darker side of their world. Spanning 48 pages, it’ll haunt comic shops at the end of September, just in time for fans to pick up the issue for the holiday. Collider is thrilled to share a first look before the special goes on sale, showing off four unique covers that reimagine the two iconic adventurers, their friends, and some scary monsters in vastly different styles.

Each of the covers for the Adventure Time: Halloween Special #1 strikes a balance between the whimsy of the beloved Cartoon Network series and the macabre. First up is art by Sesame Street comic artist Sean Dove, who draws Finn and Jake cute and determined as they trudge through a forest where horrors loom overhead, like a giant crimson centipede monster. Go Go Proton!‘s Agustin Morales, meanwhile, embraces the heroics of Adventure Time, showing our champions triumphantly standing over their defeated foes against the mouth of a cave, which calls for exploration. Taking a more folkloric approach, RWBY: Fairy Tales of Remnant artist Violet Tobacco adopts a sort of storybook style, showing the duo dressed for Trick ‘r Treat as they flee from the giant, chicken-footed hut of the Baba Yaga of Slavic legend. Last but not least is a 1:10 variant cover, created by interior artist Adam Seats, who captures just about everything this new adventure contains, from old friends like BMO to classic foes like Magic Man, and lots of treasure.

Within this special one-shot is a story penned by Jeremy Melloul of Dungeon Masters Guild fame, centering on Finn and Jake as they take on a special request for the adventurer’s guild. However, they fail to read the fine print and accidentally stumble into their most dangerous situation yet. This dungeon they’re sent to explore is unlike any other, warping them into some of its monstrous residents and pitting them against familiar faces and new enemies alike. Their only hope is to unravel its mysteries before they’re overwhelmed not just by the monsters inside, but also the beast lurking within themselves.

‘Adventure Time’s Latest On-Screen Adventure Is Almost Here

Oni Press has been taking Adventure Time to many new frontiers, from the movie theater to music-based Pride-themed trips down memory lane, well after Pendleton Ward‘s original hit wrapped up in 2018. However, Finn and Jake are also about to tread new ground on-screen too. A new prequel spin-off series titled Adventure Time: Side Quests is set to premiere on Disney+ and Hulu on June 29 and will whisk viewers back to the early days of Finn and Jake’s brotherly bond and fantastical adventures. They’ll venture all across Ooo, fighting evil, partying with cloud people, and meeting up with some old friends along the way, like Princess Bubblegum, Marceline, BMO, and the Ice King. It’s designed as a throwback to earlier seasons to get a new generation of fans invested in the champions’ lighthearted adventures while also giving old fans a chance to jump back in for more completely new whimsical fun under showrunner Nate Cash.

The Adventure Time: Halloween Special #1 goes on sale on September 30, exclusively from Oni Press. Get an exclusive look at the four unique new covers in the gallery above.

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Release Date

2010 – 2018-00-00

Network

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Cartoon Network

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It’s been a while since Criminal Minds ventured into the world of the occult, and the latest episode, Season 4, Episode 4, reminds us exactly why these episodes can be so chilling. They lead to some of the most creative and grisly MOs, making some of the most memorable scenes in the show. Alongside the gruesome case-of-the-week, this episode finally and firmly puts the season’s overarching antagonist on the BAU’s radar, as the cat and mouse chase for the Fan begins, but the case is like nothing the team has dealt with before. The Fan may just seem like another copycat killer, but with his idol alive and imprisoned, Elias Voit (Zach Gilford), the rules of the profile have changed, and the stakes have just gotten higher.

‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Season 4, Episode 4 Delivers a Fanatic Witch Hunt

Episode 4 kicks off with the graphic scene of the unsub swinging a sledgehammer onto a woman’s body while her restrained husband watches in absolute horror and grief. The unsub is screaming at them to confess to heresy as a vial of a crystalline substance hangs on his neck, creating a dismally haunting image. The BAU begins their investigation by conducting an interview with the husband, who was left alive, and finds out a few major things: the unsub waits for the children to leave the house first, the vial around his neck is salt, and he is searching for a specific confession. Prentiss (Paget Brewster) adds up the details, including the occult references, the trial-like aspects, and the violence against women, and her instincts (or as she phrases it, biases) lead her to witch hunts.

However, when the unsub strikes again, this time killing the husband and leaving the wife alive, the team finds out that the husband was having an affair — all the murder victims were. Soon enough, Rossi (Joe Mantegna) draws on his years of experience and digs out a religious manifesto used during medieval times that purported a direct correlation between infidelity and being a witch, a text with a title that roughly translates to “Hammer of Witches.” From this, the familiar sequence of the team delivering a profile ensues: a highly educated man, obsessed with this text, who looks non-threatening and has issues with infidelity. What’s more exciting and nostalgic is when Rossi uses the term “moral enforcer,” taking us back to the days when each unsub fit into different profile categories like “sexual sadist” or “angel of death.”

The final piece of this creepy puzzle slots into place when the team looks into why the unsub waits for the children to leave the house first. They eventually figure out that he is a substitute teacher who forms a connection with the children, finding out about their parents’ affairs and using his knowledge of their schedule to plan the murders. By figuring out this final connection between the victims, the team can stop the most recent attack just in time, saving the couple from the same grisly fate while the unsub is shot down by Green (Ryan-James Hatanaka). It may not be the most complex case of this season so far, but the ritualistic imagery of the unsub’s MO makes it an engaging and chilling watch.

A Budding Mentorship Evolves Between Rossi and Green in ‘Criminal Minds’

Image via Paramount

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Evolution Season 4, Episode 4, also continues J.J.’s (A.J. Cook) storyline around navigating life without her husband, and this time, she is dealing with her relationship with her firstborn son, Henry (Mekhai Anderson). Alvez (Adam Rodriguez) accidentally tells her that Henry is thinking about going to a local college instead of heading to California as he originally planned. After the case, she and Henry share ice cream and talk about the future, where she admits to being exhausted but promises to always support his dreams. The scene is slightly awkward, and the storyline feels a tad out of place, but there is something comforting about watching J.J.’s domestic life, even if Will (Josh Stewart) isn’t a part of it anymore.

This episode also delivers a relationship we haven’t had since the early seasons of Criminal Minds: mentorship. The previous one was between Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Gideon (Mandy Patinkin) during the very first season, but with Green being a rookie in the show, it provides an opportunity for the usually wry and distant Rossi to mentor someone. The show introduced the idea in the previous episode, but here, their bond is fleshed out into something less awkward and more meaningful. Rossi consistently encourages Green to voice his ideas and theories, even when he is completely off-track, allowing the rookie to “get his reps in” and learn to connect behavioral clues together. With Green’s self-doubt and eager-to-please attitude combined with Rossi’s penchant for teasing and suave, almost arrogant demeanor, it makes for playful and fun teaching scenes.

‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Officially Sets Up the Season 4 Villain

Image via Paramount

Meanwhile, Lewis (Aisha Tyler) is on her separate assignment of psychoanalyzing Voit, but things come to a halt when he shows them the pages he received from the Fan at the end of the previous episode. Lewis speaks to Voit about how he handled the podcast interview, reminding him that his “celebrity has influence,” once again tying the episode to the power of true crime in this day and age. However, Voit also has some interesting insights into the Fan, where he highlights how the meticulously created notes that were made using an authentic typewriter were the beginning of the Fan’s evolution: he hasn’t killed yet, but his homicidal fantasies and obsessiveness are depicted in how he is challenging Voit and the FBI. But things really ramp up when the Fan sends photos of a Jane Doe to the bureau.

They identify the woman as an intern named Laura who lives in Pennsylvania, and upon bringing her in, they find out that the pictures were taken by her ex-boyfriend, Lance (Connor Storrie), who started obsessively stalking her after they broke up. However, upon interrogating Lance, J.J. and Lewis determine that he cannot be the Fan since he was too volatile in his emotions and didn’t have the level of obsessive compulsion the Fan had demonstrated in his notes. Of course, the women don’t let Lance leave without sending Avez in to scare the guy into stopping his stalking activities, which turns into a fun scene of manipulation.

Upon reconvening with Voit, they determine that the pictures and the breadcrumbs to Lance were a Trojan horse. Lance was the kind of person to angrily complain about the BAU for detaining him temporarily, which would give the Fan insights into how the team operated, including their interrogation techniques and profiling process. He is trying to gather as much information as he can before striking, making him a dangerous foe who is incredibly difficult to profile at the moment. Much of this episode is simply about setting up the new “big bad,” so it somewhat plays out like a filler episode, but still incites anticipation for the rest of the season.

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Release Date

September 22, 2005

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Showrunner

Erica Messer

Directors

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Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Rob Bailey, Matthew Gray Gubler, Joe Mantegna, John Gallagher, Douglas Aarniokoski, Guy Norman Bee, Larry Teng, Nelson McCormick, Alec Smight, Charles S. Carroll, Rob Spera, Charles Haid, Diana Valentine, Rob Hardy, Tawnia McKiernan, Bethany Rooney, Karen Gaviola, Sharat Raju, Thomas Gibson, Aisha Tyler, Anna Foerster, Gloria Muzio, John Terlesky

Writers

Bruce Zimmerman, Virgil Williams, Edward Allen Bernero, Janine Sherman Barrois, Chris Mundy, Simon Mirren, Debra J. Fisher, Kimberly A. Harrison, Jay Beattie, Dan Dworkin, Karen Maser, Oanh Ly, Stephanie Sengupta, Aaron Zelman, Kirsten Vangsness, Erica Meredith, Andi Bushell, Holly Harold, Alicia Kirk, Jeff Davis, Randy Huggins, Edward Napier, Jayne A. Archer, Chikodili Agwuna

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Pros & Cons

• The episode sets the Fan up as a dangerous and unpredictable villain, drumming up anticipation.
• The central case is as chilling and fun as the show’s usual content.
• Rossi and Green’s bond is fun and nostalgic to watch.

• Most of the episode is filler and, subsequently, can feel a little random.

A recent wave of online allegations involving media personality Francesca Amiker and Big Tigger has sparked conversation across social platforms. And it prompts Amiker to publicly address claims about her personal life and professional relationships. Now, her statement is now sparking a range of reactions online.

RELATED: Source Speaks After Big Tigger’s Wife Alicia Brown Accuses Him Of Abuse & Cheating On Her With Francesca Amiker (EXCLUSIVE DETAILS)

Amiker Addresses Claims Involving Big Tigger Situation

Media personality Francesca Amiker responds after Alicia Brown, Big Tigger’s wife, alleges online that Amiker had an alleged affair with the radio host and new V-103 co-host. Furthermore, Amiker, who recently joined ‘The Big Tigger Morning Show’ on Atlanta’s V-103, addressed the situation directly in a statement shared to her Instagram.

In her post, Amiker wrote: “The allegations being circulated about me are completely false and do not reflect who I am or how I conduct myself. I have never had an affair or cheated with a married man. I stand by my character, my integrity, and the truth.” Moreover, the statement comes after Brown reportedly shared emotional posts online referencing issues in her marriage and naming Amiker in connection with the claims. Brown has also alleged instances of physical ab*se involving Big Tigger.

Comment Section Erupts After Host Speaks Out

Folks quickly flooded Francesca Amiker’s Instagram comment section after her statement began circulating online, with many weighing in on the situation. Some users urged her to take legal action and sue over the allegations, while others questioned why Big Tigger had not publicly addressed the claims. At the same time, supporters who said they knew Amiker pushed back on the rumors and said they didn’t believe the situation reflected who she is.

One Instagram user @carakneer claimed, “Love you.❤️ I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this, got you always“

This Instagram user @_1sterling commented, “Your co host should speak up ‼️”

And, Instagram user @iamkimford said, “I’m so sorry you got dragged into this! It’s ridiculous and nowhere in your character.“

Meanwhile, Instagram user @queen.pinklady.v added, “[Big Tigger] needs to say something too 😒”

While Instagram user @poohpaisley shared, “I hope you sue for DEFAMATION“

Lastly, Instagram user @zl1kid42 wrote, “I know you telling the truth ❤️❤️❤️we got your back“

Source Speaks Out After Amiker Drawn Into Allegations With Big Tigger

A recent wave of online posts involving Alicia Brown and Francesca Amiker appears to have escalated after Brown shared a video on social media showing herself emotional with visible facial injuries, along with a caption referencing her husband and including Amiker’s name. In the post, Brown also alleged issues in her marriage and included Amiker’s name, sparking widespread online conversation and drawing Amiker into the discussion despite no confirmed direct public connection between the parties.

Following the circulation of the video and accompanying claims, a source close to Amiker said she was taken aback by how quickly her name became tied to the situation and stressed her long-standing career and public standing in the industry. “Francesca has never been a part of a toxic situation and doesn’t plan to begin now. As a respected Journalist in this industry, she knows exactly how exciting it is to read salacious rumors and headlines,” the source claimed. “Her involvement in any of this couldn’t be farther from the truth. She never thought leaving E! News in Los Angeles and accepting a job at her new radio station would lead to this.”

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From lost civilizations to haunting conspiracy theories, some of our world’s greatest mysteries have often teased the limits of human understanding. But as these puzzles challenge our perceptions to stir our deepest fears, they also invite us to ask more questions. Unraveling that puzzle through nuanced storytelling is The Listeners, a provocative series that centers around a woman who begins to hear low-humming sounds that no one else can. The four-part series, set to air on Starz this week, starring Rebecca Hall, is based on the bestselling and award-winning novel of the same name by Jordan Tannahill. Following its highly anticipated Toronto International Film Festival premiere in 2024, the show will no doubt become one of the year’s most thought-provoking and unsettling series yet.

As an atmospheric exploration of human connection and isolation, The Listeners embraces the ethereal tension of The Leftovers and the psychological depth of Sharp Objects to examine the human experience through silence. With the book set up as a memoir and inspired by the strange, low-frequency reverberations in Windsor, Ontario, the BBC-produced series finds a refreshing nuance in its television adaptation. Produced by Element Pictures, the studio behind Normal People and Poor Things, and directed by Janicza Bravo (Poker Face and Zola), the series manages a sharp, important commentary on how loneliness compels us to seek meaning in the unknown — or in this case, the inexplicable. Through its main character Claire, played arrestingly by Hall, The Listeners offers a strong tableau of isolation and how the search for connection can distort even the simplest of perceptions.

What Is ‘The Listeners’ About?

The Listeners stars Hall as Claire, an English teacher who is the only person hearing a low-humming sound. Much like the show’s pace, which aligns with a slow-burning drama, the sound she hears starts gradually. It’s present, but it’s not exactly taking up too much space in Claire’s life. However, things take an abrupt turn, and the seemingly innocuous noise begins to upset the balance she has created for herself and her family. Claire, who is also a doting mother to Ashley (Mia Tharia) and a loving wife to Paul (Prasanna Puwanarajah), begins to find the noise ruining a lot of her daily rhythms. At times, she feels she might have imagined it. But the noise and its high frequency begin to manifest in the form of nose bleeds, leaving Claire with a lot more questions. As she investigates with doctors and conducts tests, they suggest she might have tinnitus or a hypersensitivity to white noise — an issue seen in patients with anxiety and stress.

Here, the mystery begins, unraveling Claire’s layers to offer more about her through a naturally quiet disposition and interaction with others. With her frustrations starting to show, no one can help — that is until one of her students, a 17-year-old boy named Kyle (Ollie West) reveals he can too hear the sound. Taking solace in their shared isolation, the two strike up an unlikely (and dangerous) friendship and investigate the sound together. With the noise becoming more apparent, the two become increasingly separated from their family, friends, and colleagues and join a group of neighbors who also allegedly hear the sound led by Jo (Gayle Rankin) and Omar (Amr Waked), a couple that delivers strong cult vibes. The pair believes it’s important to lean into “The Hum” and treat it like a gift. Naturally, as Claire and Kyle’s friendship grows, so does doubt from the outside, causing perception to become reality.

Rebecca Hall Is at the Top of Her Game in ‘The Listeners’

Image via BBC

The Listeners isn’t just a slow-burn drama with a quiet, eerie temperament. As Tannahill is at the forefront of the adaptation’s layered screenplay, the series captures Claire’s growing obsession with the sound in a dynamic, captivating style. With a psychological toll woven delicately into every scene and interaction, it’s a testament to Hall’s natural magnetism as a performer that draws you into every moment. Whatever Claire is feeling or thinking in those lonely scenes alongside the hum, we are right there with her. Able to convey a deep, conflicted demeanor and apprehension, Hall shows us what it feels like through her eyes, the furrow of her brow, or even a slight frown that speaks deeply to her modest, quiet desperation for answers.

Hall is masterful and profoundly focused on a performance that adds to the story’s haunting tale of isolation, longing, and faith. As an actress known for moving seamlessly between roles that demand intensity and vulnerability, like The Prestige or The Night House, Hall is at the top of her game in The Listeners. With an emotional profundity unseen in previous performances, she immerses herself into a world that deftly manages the complexities of loneliness and confusion with masterful fortitude. In those moments when it’s just her versus the hum, how she commands the scene to rely on subtlety speaks to the strength of her craft. When Claire sees doctors with her husband Paul, the tattered sophistication of her anxieties bubble to the surface to create inner tension between the couple, and bring out another side of the performer. While only two episodes were made available to the press, Hall’s undeniable screen presence through Claire’s quiet intensity lingers with you long after.

‘The Listeners’ Leans Into Obsessions Through Sharp Subtlety

Image via BBC

As the novel and its adaptation capture so much of Claire’s growing obsessions with sounds that ultimately isolate her, the series leans into such compulsion through quiet subtleties. It’s this kind of implicitness that is not only central to the story but its understanding of loneliness through Claire. Through the gnawing mania that afflicts her, we can recognize how these hauntings are a bit of a gateway for her, especially in how she spends time with Kyle. Sure, she’s driving away the people who love her the most and making some bad choices about it, but she’s also opening her eyes to new challenges that speak to a reshaping of her identity.

This obsession with the faintest of noises sends the loudest message about Claire’s state of mind, hinting at something deeper that haunts her and distorts her current role. She loves her family, her friends, and her job, but her obsession with “the hum” implies a deeper, more destructive gap in her connection to herself that highlights her emotional and mental welfare. In many ways, Claire’s actions are intentional, and her fixation speaks to a deeper need for building meaningful relationships and connections. It’s easy to empathize with her because she is relatable, but her increasing paranoia detaches her from reality, leading to intense interactions and often destructive behavior that unveils some deeper truths.

Bravo, who is known for boundary-pushing work in Zola and Poker Face, levels up her signature style of alienation in The Listeners. Challenging conventional storytelling through gritty realism and vibrant visuals that align with an arthouse sensibility, the director’s work here exemplifies her unique voice. Like her earlier work in Lemon, Bravo infuses her characters with a lush theatrical sense that also highlights strong, gripping emotional complexities. It’s this kind of intimacy and character-driven core that feeds so much of Hall’s performance.

Emerging as a masterful exploration of isolation and obsessions, The Listeners creates a rich tapestry of existential tension through Hall’s knack for embodying a strong, emotional spirit. Thanks to the familiar writing of Tannahill’s novel with sharp nuance, the BBC production captures the subtleties of human connection and detachment that distort our understanding of reality. Accompanied by a spirited supporting cast, Hall delivers an exceptional performance — a career-best among a plethora. With the series intertwining the psychological depths of loneliness with the eerie presence of the inexplicable “hum,” the four-part series works to provoke strong reflections on shades of isolation, perception, and the fragility of our connections. It’s illuminating and interesting in the best ways, and with more to unravel as Claire discovers the origins of the hum, The Listeners solidifies its place as one of the year’s most thought-provoking dramas.

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Genre

Drama

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Language

English

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Debut Date

September 7, 2024

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Pros & Cons

• The Listeners is a deeply layered, introspective series with strong direction from Janicza Bravo.
• Rebecca Hall is a true standout, conveying quiet desperation and subtle intensity.
• As a compelling mystery, Jordan Tannahill preserves his novel?s subtle nuances and psychological tension while offering a fresh perspective in its television format.

• The series is rather slow, but the build-up to the hum and its presence is tackled almost immediately.

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Taylor Sheridan‘s television world is vast, it’s enormous, and at this point, you’d imagine there are all sorts of crossover possibilities. A cavalcade of colorful characters exists all across Sheridan’s America, and their shows and stories feel like they could be happening all down the same dusty road. That’s especially true now that Dutton Ranch has kicked off, moving Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler from Montana to Texas as they attempt to start over with their stolen child, Carter, after the end of Yellowstone.

That’s already put the three of them in the same state as Landman, which opens up all kinds of interesting possibilities that have almost certainly been noted by executives at Paramount scribbling on a whiteboard. After all, if Beth is now building a life in Texas, it’s not completely wild to wonder whether she might eventually bump into Tommy and Angela Norris somewhere along the way, right?

Unfortunately for anyone hoping to see Tommy and Beth walk into the same room and immediately make it everyone else’s problem, two Landman stars aren’t exactly betting the ranch on it. Collider’s Aidan Kelley attended the Newport Beach TV Festival recently and spoke with Landman stars Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter, who both addressed the possibility of Sheridan’s oil drama crossing over with the Yellowstone universe. Thornton, who plays Tommy Norris, was asked directly whether a Yellowstone crossover will ever happen, and his answer was pretty blunt: “I don’t know. I have no idea. You know, I doubt it. I’ll put it that way.”

Ali Larter Also Doesn’t Think ‘Landman’ Is Crossing Over With ‘Yellowstone’

Larter, who plays Angela, Tommy’s firecracker of an ex-wife, had a similar response when asked about the dream crossover pairing fans are already imagining: Angela Norris meeting Beth Dutton. On paper, it would make sense. Two of the most volatile characters ever written by Sheridan going head-to-head and lighting the screen on fire — if not literally everything else, too — seems like an opportunity too good to pass up. But Larter doesn’t see it happening either. “No, I do not think so,” Larter said. “Sorry to disappoint the fans, but I don’t think that will be happening in our world.”

The Landman cast also includes Demi Moore (The Substance) as Cami Miller, Andy Garcia (Ocean’s Eleven) as Galino, Jacob Lofland (Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials) as Cooper Norris, Michelle Randolph (1923) as Ainsley Norris, Paulina Chávez (The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia) as Ariana Medina, Kayla Wallace (When Calls the Heart) as Rebecca Falcone, Mark Collie (Nashville) as Sheriff Walt Joeberg, and James Jordan (Yellowstone) as Dale Bradley.

Landman streams on Paramount+. Stay tuned at Collider for more.

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Release Date

November 17, 2024

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Network

Paramount

Franchise(s)

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Yellowstone

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