Joseph Baena is giving fans a glimpse into his father-son dynamic with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and it’s all happening in the gym.

The rising bodybuilder recently opened up about training alongside his famous dad, calling him the “best training partner” he could ask for. The duo even made headlines after being spotted working out together ahead of the NPC Natural Colorado State competition, where Baena went on to secure multiple wins.

Despite the legendary name behind him, Baena insists he’s carving out his own lane. The young actor has made it clear that while Schwarzenegger’s guidance is invaluable, his success in bodybuilding is something he is earning on his own terms.

Joseph Baena Calls Arnold Schwarzenegger The ‘Best Training Partner’

Baena may still be relatively new to bodybuilding as a core career, but he is already making waves with his rapid rise.

The 28-year-old fitness model has been putting in the work at the legendary Gold’s Gym, the same iconic spot where his father famously built his physique in the 1970s.

The duo has even been spotted training together, with Schwarzenegger offering hands-on guidance as Baena sharpens his form. Now, Baena is opening up about just how much that support means.

“He’s the best training partner,” he said. “He pushes me. He makes sure that I don’t slack off in the gym. When the carbs are low, and the calories are low, and I start getting tired, he pumps me up.”

The Bodybuilder Started Training With Schwarzenegger At 18

Schwarzenegger welcomed Baena in 1997 with Mildred Baena, who worked as a housekeeper for him and his then-wife, Maria Shriver. The young boy’s paternity remained private for years before it became public in 2011.

Despite the late reveal, Baena has since built a strong relationship with his father. Fitness tends to be at the center of that connection.

In a previous interview with Men’s Health, he recounted how they began training together when he turned 18. However, he admitted he initially chose to figure things out on his own rather than rely on his dad’s expertise.

“Even though I could call him anytime, I was too proud,” he said. “I went straight to the book. I wanted to figure it out myself.”

Joseph Baena Shines In Bodybuilding Competition

All that hard work paid off in March when Baena stepped onto the stage at the NPC Natural Colorado State competition and delivered a standout performance.

The novice took home gold in multiple categories, including Men’s Open Bodybuilding Heavyweight and Men’s Classic Physique divisions for both True Novice and Novice classes.

The strong performance echoes his father’s early dominance, with Schwarzenegger having famously won seven Mr. Olympia titles before becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars.

Baena Advocates For Natural Bodybuilding

Elsewhere in the interview, Baena opened up about his preference for building muscle naturally, making it clear he’s not swayed by pressure to use steroids or performance enhancers.

He explained that he doesn’t see the need for such shortcuts unless someone is aiming for a target like Mr. Olympia, emphasizing that he prefers a more balanced and sustainable approach.

“It’s not like I’m an organic freak,” he said. “But [with] medicine, prescriptions, I like to go towards the natural alternative as much as possible. When it comes to steroids or performance enhancements, I think there’s a lot more steps that you can take before that’s necessary.”

Joseph Baena Isn’t Completely Canceling Steroids

While Baena is committed to natural bodybuilding for now, he admits he’s not entirely closing the door on other potential future options.

The rising athlete explained that, as he’s still early in his career, his focus is on building his physique naturally. However, he maintained that should he decide to compete at the highest levels of the sport, he could see that changing.

“If that’s the case later down the line, that I want to double down and step on stage at the Arnold Classic or the Mr. Olympia, then that might be a necessary route,” he said.

For now, though, Baena says he’s proud of what he’s achieved without enhancements and wants to see just how far he can go on that path.

There’s something about spring that makes getting dressed feel exciting again . . . but also slightly overwhelming when your closet isn’t quite keeping up. The key? Finding a few go-to pieces that can handle everything from busy weekdays to spontaneous weekend plans. With Amazon deals starting at just $13, it’s never been easier to build that kind of wardrobe.

This week’s lineup is full of easy, wear-on-repeat finds that instantly make outfits feel more put-together. Take 50% off breezy boho pants that mix and match with any top in your closet, and save 39% on bestselling flip flops. Consider it your shortcut to looking pulled together all season long — without spending your savings.

9 Best Amazon Fashion Deals to Shop This Week

1. Our Favorite: A packed spring calendar calls for effortless outfits, and this matching set delivers. It’s comfy, polished and perfect for travel or quick outings — was $42, now $28!

2. Fabulous Flowy: Ready to give your jeans a break? These breezy boho pants are the effortless swap for spring, and they’re currently 50% off — was $40, now $20!

3. Luxe Staple: This breezy knit top feels straight out of a beach town boutique. The neutral tone, airy texture and easy silhouette make it a go-to with denim shorts or white jeans — was $30, now $15!

4. Spring Sandals: With more than 16,600 five-star ratings, it’s hard to believe these bestselling flip flops are on sale. The comfy yoga mat footbed feels like walking on clouds — was $23, now $14!

Related: As a Shopping Writer — These Flowy Jumpsuits Replaced My Spring Dresses

There’s something about spring that usually has me reaching for dresses on repeat — but this year, I’m switching things up! Instead of my usual rotation, I’ve been leaning into flowy jumpsuits that feel just as pretty and are way more practical. They’re easy, comfortable and somehow make getting dressed simpler. As a shopping writer, […]

5. Designer-Looking: It’s hard to believe these designer-looking sandals aren’t luxury — especially now that they’re on rare sale. A lookalike for a much pricier pair, they instantly upgrade jeans, dresses and more — was $40, now $27!

6. Boutique-Worthy: Get the boutique look for less with this lace-embroidered shirt, now 50% off. It’s flying off the shelves, so snag your size STAT — was $26, now $13!

7. Polished Pants: Soft, breathable and surprisingly polished, these pants strike the perfect balance of practical and chic. The cinched waist adds shape, while the wide-leg fit keeps things relaxed — was $27, now $18!

8. Everyday Bag: If you need a hands-free bag that actually fits your essentials, this is it. The quilted design is lightweight, while the compartments keep everything organized on the go — was $22, now $16!

9. Darling Dress: Need something that works for all your spring events? This flowy wrap dress easily goes from daytime brunch to evening events with just a quick shoe swap — was $50, now $32!

Related: 21 Spring Dresses to Channel Palm Beach Rich Mom Style — From $15

Palm Beach rich mom energy is having a moment, and honestly, it’s the most fun dress code to steal from. Think bold prints, saturated colors and loose silhouettes that look like they cost a small fortune. The dress styles featured here are ones that will make people assume you just flew in from Worth Avenue […]

If you’re looking forward to the Baldur’s Gate TV series that’s currently in development, and have already watched Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, don’t fret, as there is another fantasy title of the same caliber that just became available to stream for free. The series was well-received by audiences and will bring viewers back to a time when sitting down for Saturday morning cartoons was a thing.

Dungeons & Dragons has been an ongoing media franchise since its creation in 1974 by Gary Gygax. The popular tabletop game was featured in numerous shows like Stranger Things, The Big Bang Theory, and Ted, and inspired content creators to livestream their games, with some of the most popular including Critical Role and Dimension 20. Alongside its fan interpretations of the game, Dungeons & Dragons also released its own media, most recently 2022’s Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves. But before that Chris Pine-led feature made it to the big screen, there was another band of adventurers entertaining kids in the 80s, and now it’s available to stream for free.

On the official Dungeons & Dragons YouTube channel, episodes of the Dungeons & Dragons: Animated Series were published, giving 80s and 90s kids another chance to watch the cartoon. This TV series aired on CBS from 1983 to 1985, spanning three seasons and 27 episodes, and followed a group of kids who were transported into a fantasy world and now had to find a way back home while utilizing the abilities of different Dungeons & Dragons classes thanks to their dungeon master. As of writing, the YouTube channel has the first 11 episodes available to stream.

What Else To Watch if You Like ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Animated Series’

As Dungeons & Dragons continues to upload more episodes of the animated series, there are other titles that are just as good and can serve as a buffer before new episodes drop on the channel. The first are The Legends of Vox Machina and The Mighty Nein, two Prime Video animated series based on the Critical Role live streams. The Legend of Vox Machina has already released three seasons, with a fourth scheduled for June 2026. Meanwhile, The Mighty Nein released its first season in November 2025, and Season 2 is confirmed to be on the way.

Another show worth watching is Delicious in Dungeon, which is available on Netflix. While it’s not a D&D-based show, it does feature different races and classes, a giant red dragon, and a mad wizard who created a dungeon filled with monsters. This series is based on a manga of the same name, published from 2014 to 2023, and the first season contained 24 episodes. Season 2 has already been confirmed, but a release date has not yet been announced.

Dungeons & Dragons: Animated Series is available to stream on YouTube. Follow Collider for more updates.

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Lena Dunham is revisiting one of the most painful chapters of her life in deeply personal detail. 

In her new memoir, “Famesick,” the writer reflects on her nearly six-year relationship with Jack Antonoff, the emotional fallout after her hysterectomy, and the choices she made as their romance unraveled. 

Dunham’s candid account includes an affair shortly before their breakup, lingering hurt after the split, and the complicated grief that followed as she tried to rebuild her life.

Lena Dunham Says Jack Antonoff Became Her Emotional Anchor

Lena Dunham does not shy away from how deeply she once loved Jack. In “Famesick,” Dunham described the Bleachers frontman as someone who entered her life at exactly the right time. 

The pair were introduced through Jack’s sister, Rachel Antonoff, and quickly started dating after he emailed Dunham asking her to dinner. 

For the actress, the relationship soon became more than romance. It became a source of comfort and validation.

“The best medicine was Jack. Here was this boy — no, at 28, he was a man,” she wrote per Us Weekly. Dunham recalled being drawn to his steadiness and confidence. She also admitted that, over time, she leaned on him in ways she did not fully understand at the time.

“I didn’t realize it then, but as our relationship deepened, I relied on him for more than companionship and affection,” she wrote. His love, she explained, became tied to how she saw herself.

That emotional bond would make the eventual breakup even harder. By the time their relationship started to fracture, Dunham had built so much of her sense of safety around Jack that losing him felt like losing a part of herself.

Dunham Reveals A Relationship Pause Changed Everything

The beginning of the end came after Lena Dunham’s November 2017 hysterectomy. The “Girls” star said the surgery, which followed years of health struggles, placed enormous strain on her relationship with Jack. 

In her memoir, she described the aftermath as the couple’s “worst-ever fight.”

That blowup led to a pause in their relationship while the singer went on tour. It was during that separation that Dunham reconnected with a childhood friend and former boyfriend named Nick.

She explained that they had stayed loosely in touch over the years through occasional emails, but her emotional state after surgery changed how she viewed those boundaries.

“Up until now, I had seen myself as some kind of half wife, and so I had observed wifely code,” Dunham wrote. However, in the middle of heartbreak and uncertainty, she said her mindset shifted.

Dunham eventually went on a date with Nick, and the night quickly became more intimate. “I’ve been through something awful. I don’t want to talk about it, but I need you to f-ck me and I need you to do all of the work,” she recalled telling Nick.

The 39-year-old explained that she and Nick continued sleeping together for the two weeks Jack was away. 

Though their connection briefly continued after her breakup, even leading to what she described as an “engagement,” that relationship later ended after her rehab stay in April 2018.

Lena Dunham Says She Could No Longer Pretend Things Were Fine

Just one week after beginning her affair with Nick, Dunham made the decision to end her relationship with Jack.

She recalled that the breakup happened on a quiet Saturday morning. The musician was in the kitchen, hungry, and the pair ordered breakfast from the diner where they had a charge account.

On the surface, it was an ordinary morning. However, Dunham said she knew she could not keep pretending. As they unpacked egg sandwiches and bacon, Dunham said she felt physically unable to go through the motions.

“But I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t pretend,” the movie star shared.  Eventually, she forced herself to say what had been building for weeks.

“I think we both know … we haven’t been making each other ha-a-appy,” she wrote, explaining that she broke down before she could even finish the sentence.

Even in that painful moment, Dunham was not ready to completely let go. “In some fit of delusion, I asked if we could still go on dates,” she confessed. 

Dunham Reflects On Rumors, Regret, And Lingering Questions

In the book, Lena Dunham also addressed years of rumors about Jack Antonoff’s close friendships with female collaborators.

The “Too Much” actress admitted that, while she often flirted and stayed in touch with Nick during her relationship, she believed she had drawn clear lines.

“I had observed careful boundaries, never taking it far enough that I could be declared out of bounds,” she wrote.

Still, with hindsight, Dunham questioned whether Jack had been as careful. She also acknowledged how much online speculation about Jack’s personal life had influenced her view of the relationship.

Elsewhere in the memoir, Dunham wrote about feeling uneasy over Jack spending long stretches in the studio with a “teen pop star,” a detail many have long linked to rumors about his friendship with Lorde. She even recalled walking in on the singer “weeping into Jack’s lap.”

Lena Dunham Carried The Heartbreak Into Rehab And Beyond

Dunham made it clear that the breakup with Jack Antonoff did not end when the relationship did. 

In April 2018, she checked herself into rehab for a Klonopin addiction. During her stay, she befriended a 19-year-old fellow patient who unknowingly reopened an emotional wound.

One day, the teen showed Dunham a song Jack had worked on for Pink. Dunham said she chose not to reveal the personal connection behind the song because it felt unnecessarily cruel.

The heartbreak also spilled into unexpected moments. After the breakup, Dunham found herself seated next to Bruce Springsteen during a night out.

When he praised Jack, Dunham launched into what she later described as “psycho stuff” about her ex. Springsteen, however, responded with compassion and advice she never forgot.

Even years later, Dunham said the hurt still surfaced. In the memoir’s epilogue, she wrote about seeing paparazzi photos of Jack kissing Margaret Qualley, whom Dunham had once befriended. “He’d won the friend that I wanted,” she wrote.

For Dunham, the pain was never just about losing Jack. It was about mourning the life she thought they would build and, slowly learning how to let that dream go.

Madonna is sending fans into a frenzy after teasing what appears to be a major return to music. The Queen of Pop wiped her Instagram feed clean, replacing it with a single blurred headshot and a cryptic bio that reads, “Time goes by so slowly…,” a lyric from her 2005 hit “Hung Up.” The sudden reset has only fueled speculation that new music is on the way, marking Madonna’s first release since 2019’s “Madame X.”

Fans Go Wild Over Madonna’s ‘Confessions 2’ Buzz

Madonna’s upcoming project is already generating major buzz, with reports suggesting her next album could be titled “Confessions on a Dance Floor II.” Variations of the name have reportedly appeared on her official website, alongside a striking promotional image featuring her legs in fishnet tights and metallic silver lace-up boots posed beside a speaker. The visual callbacks have fans convinced she’s returning to her iconic dance-pop roots.

“Madonna’s music is epic,” one fan wrote after the new music rumors began. “Each song is always very different from the other songs.” Another wrote, “Madonna is an icon.”

Teasing Star-Studded Comeback With Major Names

As anticipation builds, fans are also speculating about possible collaborations, including a rumored link-up with Sabrina Carpenter. There has even been chatter online suggesting Madonna could join Carpenter onstage during week two of her Coachella performance, though nothing has been confirmed.

Even more buzz has surrounded reports that Britney Spears may have been approached for the project. According to reports, Madonna reached out to Spears late last year in hopes of working together again, more than two decades after their iconic MTV Video Music Awards moment and their collaboration “Me Against the Music.”

Madonna Teases ‘Confessions Part 2’ In New Message

Madonna herself has already hinted that new music is officially in the works. “My Valentine’s Day gift to all my fans is to let you know I’m putting my heart and soul into my new music and I can’t wait to share it with you!” she wrote in February.

She later teased the project’s direction, adding, “’Confessions Part 2.’ Just nobody tell Usher!”

Opening Up On Spirituality Ahead Of New Music Era

Madonna is also giving fans a deeper look into her personal journey, stepping into a new space with her first-ever podcast interview. The Queen of Pop recently appeared on “On Purpose with Jay Shetty,” where she sat down with Jay Shetty for what has been described as an “open conversation” about her decades-long spiritual path.

During the episode, Madonna reflected on her journey, which began shortly before the birth of her first child, Lourdes Leon, while touching on themes of forgiveness, success, and personal growth. “You need to be spiritual to be successful. Success is having a spiritual life, period. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have one,” she said, referencing the influence spirituality has had on her life since discovering Kabbalah in 1996.

“My soul’s purpose is to reveal light in the world through whatever I do,” she continued. “I want it all, but I want it for the sake of sharing, not to keep it for myself.”

Madonna Calls Custody Battle ‘Most Painful’ Moment

Madonna is also opening up about one of the darkest chapters of her life, her highly publicized custody battle with ex-husband Guy Ritchie over their son, Rocco Ritchie.

Speaking candidly, the pop icon didn’t hold back when describing just how deeply the 2015 legal fight impacted her. “I would say, probably one of the most painful moments in my life was when I went through a custody battle with my son,” she said.

While acknowledging the end of her marriage, the “Like A Virgin” singer made it clear that the situation went far beyond a typical split. “Even though my marriage didn’t work out, I mean, a lot of people’s marriages don’t work out. They marry the wrong people. They’re not aligned,” she continued.

But the custody fight pushed her to an emotional breaking point. “Someone trying to take my child away from me was like, they might as well just kill me,” she said. “That’s really how I was thinking.”

Young and the Restless has Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) devastated by recent events. Nikki’s husband tossed her out and Jack’s wife walked out on him. And both of course are hoping that their marriages can be mended. But something that happens this week could change everything for the worse.

Y&R spoilers have Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) and Diane Jenkins Abbott (Susan Walters) hatching a revenge scheme this week that could backfire on them. It’s We’re going to talk about how Victor and Diane’s scheme could push Nikki and Jack into each other’s arms.

Nikki Goes to The Abbott Mansion on Young and the Restless

All right, so this week Nikki goes to the Abbott mansion and Diane answers the door and Nikki wonders if she’s back for good. But no, Diane is just picking up a few things. And she tells Nikki that Jack’s not there. So, Nikki can’t hold his hand. And she tells Diane she just wants to help. She insists that Victor drugged Jack and says otherwise he wouldn’t have touched Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk).

And of course Nikki solely blames Victor for all of this. But Diane doesn’t. And she claps back on Nikki that she’s tired of everybody seeing Jack as the victim. That’s so awful because he is the victim of drugging and sexual assault. Diane not believing him is victim shaming. I don’t care if it’s a man or a woman who had it done to them.

Diane Shuts Nikki Down on Y&R

And then she rants about Nikki and Jack having an unhealthy desire to fix each other’s lives. And Nikki says she feels bad because Victor only targeted Jack because he saved her life when she was spiraling back into alcohol addiction. But Diane’s over it. She slams the door in Nikki’s face. Olive branch denied.

Even though Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) just encouraged Diane to show Jack some grace, she’s not going to do it. And it looks like she is going to do the opposite because later this week, spoilers have Jack leaning on Nikki for support. That’s fine. And if you remember, Nikki told Victoria Newman that she doesn’t think her and Victor’s marriage can bounce back this time, which shocked Victoria.

Victor And Diane Give Jack A Taste Of His Own Medicine

So, here’s where things go from bad to worse. Because Victor thinks that Diane should give Jack a taste of his own medicine and helps her do it. That sounds like a recipe for disaster. First of all, because Victor cannot be trusted. He set Jack up for all this mess.

And since Diane’s on fire about Jack being in bed with Patty, a taste of his own medicine sounds like setting it up so Jack walks in on Diane in bed with another man. Now, you know, whatever it is that Victor and Diane cook up this week, the fact that she’s conspiring with Victor is going to be a huge issue for Jack, rightly so.

Diane Plotting with the Enemy on Young and the Restless

Diane is scheming with the man who put Jack through hell. He ruined their marriage. And don’t forget Victor was planning to take Jabot from them. Because that was why Jack said that they needed to take Jabot offline and it damaged their business, but it was the only way to stop Victor from using the AI on them.

Jack and Diane were completely united in that. And I just don’t understand how she would even talk to Victor at this point because she knows that he wants to destroy Jack. And here she is doing something, some sort of scheming with the mustache.

So, what I’m worried about is that Victor and Diane are going to meet in her room at the GCAC, get under the sheets, and make sure Jack walks in on them pretending to have just had sex. Or, you know, even worse, Victor and Diane might do the deed. It wouldn’t be the first time because they were married before, but I think it’s more of a maybe a setup, something like that if they go this route on Young and Restless.

This Could Backfire On Victor And Diane

So, whatever it is that Victor gets up to with Diane, her working with the man who has kidnapped Jack and given him to a crazy woman more than once is beyond the pale. That seems like a deal breaker to me. And of course, Jack will run to Nikki and tell her, you know, you won’t believe what Victor and Diane were up to, scheming behind our backs, scheming to hurt us both.

That’s the direction I think this is headed in with Victor and Diane. And right now, Victor is so angry. He may also want to make Nikki jealous or just hurt her, knowing that Jack would obviously run and tell Nikki whatever he saw.

Victor Blames Nikki on Young and the Restless

Now, Victor told Nikki recently that she betrayed him and she stabbed him in the back by choosing Jack. So, I could see Victor deciding on the nuclear option and somehow convinces Diane to go along with it. But if Victor and Diane pull a stunt like this, I think they might wind up with a rude awakening because Nikki keeps begging Victor, “Think twice. Admit you’re wrong. Stop what you’re doing.” But he won’t. He won’t do any of it.

Meanwhile, Jack has been begging Diane to forgive him, and she will not show him any grace, which is terrible. And Nikki and Victor are at a standoff. Both are refusing to give in and the fractures in their marriage are widening every day. So, whatever scheme that Diane and Victor get up to this week could push Nikki and Jack over the edge.

Could Nikki And Jack Sleep Together on Y&R?

So, Diane and Victor may make it look like they sleep together, you know, trick Nikki and Jack into thinking they did, or they could hurt them in another way. But the problem is from there, I think Nikki and Jack will turn to each other for comfort after this incident, and they may decide their marriages are too broken to fix. So, while Victor and Diane might pretend to hook up, we could see Nikki and Jack actually making love.

You know, not to get payback on Victor and Diane, but out of an overflow of broken heart emotion. Nikki and Jack may think they have no one else to turn to and it’s just comfort and then it’s just hugging and then it’s a kiss on the cheek and then it’s a romantic kiss and then before you know it Nikki and Jack are, you know, clothes off in the sheets.

Victor & Diane’s Plot Bloes Up in Their Faces on Young and the Restless

So, if this is what Diane and Victor are planning with this taste of his own medicine, I could see it blowing up in their faces and making both of their situations so much worse. From there, it could spiral out of control because Nikki and Jack may overstep. Because they’re tricked or misled or manipulated by their estranged spouses.

And then things may escalate because if Diane and Victor found out that they drove Nikki and Jack into each other’s arms. They may retaliate in the same way and really do the deed. I tend to think initially Victor and Diane wouldn’t fool around, but it might be a cruel prank. Whatever they do, obviously their stunt is designed to hurt Jack, which means it probably will also hurt Nikki.

And if Jack and Nikki wound up together and telling their estranged spouses bye-bye, I mean, they kind of deserve it at this point. And, you know, I’m back to this is I’m not in love with the way this writing is going because Jack is clearly Victor’s target, and walking in and seeing Jack with Patty.

Shocking Couple Swap Coming on Y&R?

Yes, that’s terrible. But even so, Diane has done so much worse. And when Traci said, “You need to show grace,” Diane thought about it and told Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor), you know, she probably needs to, but she just can’t. She could, but she’s choosing not to.

So, we could wind up with a bizarre couple swap because at one point Diane was married to Victor and they were in love and of course Jack was married to Nikki and they were in love and it would be super soapy. So, we’ll just wait to see how it plays out. One thing I know is Kyle would not be very happy.

Barbie Ferreira is setting the record straight on her “Euphoria” departure, and it has nothing to do with drama. The actress, who played Kat Hernandez for the first two seasons of the hit HBO series, revealed she chose to walk away because she didn’t want to feel sidelined. Barbie Ferreira’s admission comes days after the third season of “Euphoria” premiered on Sunday.

Barbie Ferreira Says She Refused To Be A ‘Background Character’

“Some people are like, ‘I would do that.’ I’m like, ‘Good for you,’” she said during an appearance on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast, insisting her exit “wasn’t dramatic.” “You want to be a background character for nine months? That’s, like, totally fine and cool. But I was like, I want to do other stuff.”

Ferreira explained that her departure didn’t happen overnight, but rather came after ongoing discussions about her character’s direction. “It was kind of the opposite of dramatic,” she said, describing it as a “long process” of “having conversations with people and us trying to figure out how to make Kat, like, a fully fleshed out character, and it just wasn’t going anywhere.”

When it became clear there wasn’t a clear path forward, she made the decision to move on. “I don’t need to be on the biggest TV show on Earth if I’m not, like, acting, you know?” she said. “So I would rather do an indie movie where I’m acting, I’m flexing my muscles, I’m being creatively … asked to do things rather than kind of sitting around to be a background character.”

Ferreira Previously Addressed Exit In Emotional Statement

Back in August 2022, Ferreira confirmed her departure in an emotional message shared to Instagram. “After four years of getting to embody the most special and enigmatic character, Kat, I’m having to say a very teary-eyed goodbye,” she wrote at the time. “[I] hope many of you could see yourself in her, like [I] did, and that she brought you joy to see her journey into the character she is today.”

“[I] put all my care and love into her and [I] hope you guys could feel it,” she added.

Since then, she has consistently denied speculation that a behind-the-scenes feud with the show’s creator, Sam Levinson, played a role in her unexpected departure.

Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Euphoria’ Return Sparks Backlash Over ‘Humiliating’ Storyline

Meanwhile, Sydney Sweeney’s return to “Euphoria” is already stirring controversy among fans. Viewers were quick to criticize the direction of her character, Cassie Howard, with many claiming the show was “humiliating” the actress following its long-awaited return after nearly five years.

In the premiere, Cassie is shown preparing to marry Nate Jacobs, played by Jacob Elordi. However, her opening scene raised eyebrows, featuring her in a revealing dog costume while filming provocative content for social media. The moment only intensified as Sweeney’s character barked like a dog and drank water on all fours, leaving some viewers uncomfortable with the portrayal.

As the storyline unfolds, Cassie, who is struggling financially, also suggests starting an OnlyFans account, adding another layer to a narrative that some fans feel continues a pattern of degrading arcs for the character.

Sam Levinson Celebrates ‘Euphoria’ Stars’ Success

Series creator Sam Levinson says it’s a thrill to see many cast members thriving. “The thing is when you’re casting, every person that walks in, you’re hoping this is the person, this is going to be the character,” he told The Associated Press at the season premiere. “And sometimes when they do, they walk in, they have the talent, they’ve got the passion, the enthusiasm for it, and they inspire you.

He added, “To see them working with such incredible filmmakers like (Christopher) Nolan and (Guillermo) del Toro … it’s just exciting.”

‘Euphoria’ Became A Launchpad For Hollywood’s Rising Stars

Since premiering in 2019, “Euphoria” has played a major role in shaping the careers of some of Hollywood’s biggest young stars. The gritty teen drama helped launch and solidify names like Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Zendaya, while also bringing wider recognition to actors including Hunter Schafer, Alexa Demie, and Maude Apatow.

The series has also featured more established talent, such as Colman Domingo, who has earned two Best Actor Oscar nominations in recent years, and the late Eric Dane. Tragically, another one of the show’s breakout stars, Angus Cloud, passed away in 2023.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 57 seconds ago

Everyone remembers that iconic scene from the first Star Wars movie in which Leia, via hologram, implores an old family friend for assistance: “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope!” Ironically enough, the executives in charge of the world’s most popular sci-fi franchise are now saying that to its most popular television stars. “Help me, The Mandalorian & Grogu, you’re my only hope!” 

Ever since The Rise of Skywalker disappointed fans and critics alike in 2019, there hasn’t been a new Star Wars movie in theaters. Making matters worse, the various TV shows on Disney+ have been a decidedly mixed bag, resulting in lukewarm audience reception. One major exception is The Mandalorian, so Disney is trying to play it safe by thrusting the show’s popular protagonists onto the big screen. Simply put, The Mandalorian & Grogu is the House of Mouse’s attempt to make the franchise seem exciting and relevant again. There’s just one problem: it’s on track to have the lowest weekend opening for a live-action Star Wars film in box office history.

A Bad Feeling About This

Why do I “have a bad feeling” about The Mandalorian & Grogu’s bad performance? It’s not the keen mystical insight of the Force or even the intuition of a street-savvy smuggler. The highly reliable site Box Office Theory is currently projecting that this next Star Wars film will make $71 million in its opening weekend. At first glance, that may seem like a decent chunk of change. But that is far below the opening weekend for Solo: A Star Wars Story, which earned $84.4 million when it premiered, ultimately becoming the lowest-earning live-action movie in franchise history.

Does that mean The Mandalorian & Grogu is definitely going to bomb as Solo did? Not necessarily: as Yoda reminds us, the future is always in motion. Part of what made Solo: A Star Wars Story such a box office failure is that, after its notorious change of directors and subsequent reshoots, it had a massive budget of $365.7 million. The movie went on to earn $393 million, but after you factor in the cost of marketing, it became the first Star Wars movie to actually lose the studio money. 

Everything Falls Apart

The Mandalorian & Grogu reportedly has a slimmer budget of $166 million. That means it will be much easier for this film to make a profit than it was for Solo: A Star Wars Story, and Disney may very well consider any level of profit (no matter how modest) a success for this theatrical spinoff of their most popular Disney+ show. However, it’s worth noting that Solo suffered at the box office because it premiered five months after The Last Jedi, a movie that deeply disappointed fans. Following on the heels of more disappointments like The Rise of Skywalker and The Acolyte, this next movie may have a much harder time winning audiences over.

As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I hope The Mandalorian & Grogu is successful and, through good word of mouth, can restore this bruised and battered brand to its former glory. But these low box office projects hint that bringing Pedro Pascal’s popular bounty hunter to the big screen may not be “the way” when it comes to winning fans back over. Solo actually lost Disney money, and The Rise of Skywalker was the least profitable in the franchise. If The Mandalorian & Grogu is similarly disappointing, then Disney’s failure will be complete: they will have turned the most popular sci-fi IP in the world into one that regularly bombs at the box office.

A mom in Florida has been accused of exposing her baby to methamphetamine by preparing baby formula with water she used to clean needles.

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement via Facebook that Jalyn Brownworth was charged with child neglect with no bodily harm after police said her baby showed signs of exposure to methamphetamine.

Brownworth, 32, was arrested on April 9 after medical staffers at a local hospital contacted police to report that they believed her baby had potentially been exposed to drugs. Medical staff called the Department of Children and Families, which launched an investigation into the matter.

Police said that Brownworth brought her baby to the hospital after she grew concerned over behavioral changes. After medical staff examined the baby, they grew to suspect that the baby had been exposed to an illicit substance.

Related: Mother Who Drowned 7-Month-Old Baby in Bathtub Deemed ‘Not Well’ in Court

A woman in Florida who was arrested after being accused of drowning her own 7-month-old daughter in a bathtub has been deemed “not well” during the first court hearing in her case, which took place on Thursday, January 15. Tierra Scott-Franklin has been officially charged with premeditated murder. A judge would not grant her bond […]

The baby ultimately tested positive for methamphetamine, according to police. Amid the investigation, authorities learned that Brownworth fed her baby formula that she made with water that had been contaminated after she previously used it to clean hypodermic needles that were used to inject methamphetamine.

Police said that the baby is in stable condition and recovering. However, it’s not currently clear whose custody the baby is in following Brownworth’s arrest.

Brownworth has also been ordered to not make contact with the baby when she is eventually released from jail.

She is currently in custody at the Alachua County Jail on $20,000 bond, according to WCJB.

The investigation into the case remains ongoing.

Brownworth’s next court date has not been made publicly available. It is not currently clear if she has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following her arrest.

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Related: Newborn Drowned After Mom Allegedly ‘Dropped’ Her In Portable Toilet

A New Mexico woman gave birth inside of a portable toilet and “dropped” her newborn daughter inside the toilet’s holding tank, where the infant drowned, according to police. Now, Sonia Cristal Jimenez, 38, is facing one count of intentional child abuse resulting in death, which is a first-degree felony, the Las Cruces Police Department said […]

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding updates in the case.

Babies who are exposed to methamphetamine while in the womb and after birth face the possibility of severe health risks, which include low birth weight, premature birth, neonatal withdrawal and long-term neurobehavioral issues, according to the National Institute of Health.

Methamphetamine use during pregnancy has been linked to a higher chance for pre-term delivery, poor growth and low birth weight. The National Institute of Health reported that some studies have suggested that methamphetamine use in pregnancy can increase the chance for the baby to have high blood pressure, placental abruption and fetal or infant death.