Aww, Roomies! Lala Baptiste and Jay Cinco have officially stepped into parenthood. The couple confirmed their baby girl’s arrival in the sweetest way by sharing adorable delivery room photos on social media. On top of that, the new parents also revealed their daughter’s name.

RELATED: It’s A What? Lala Baptiste And Jay Cinco Confirm Their Baby’s Gender In Heartwarming Reveal (VIDEO) 

Lala Baptiste & Jay Cinco Introduce Their Baby With Adorable First Photos

Mother’s Day started a little early for Lala Baptiste as she and Jay Cinco have officially welcomed their daughter. On Thursday, May 7, Lala gave fans their first look at their baby girl by dropping sweet delivery room photos on Instagram. Lala and Jay haven’t shared their daughter’s official birth date, but heartwarming flicks already have fans melting online. Lala also revealed their daughter’s name in the caption and shared how excited she feels to step into motherhood. She even gushed over the fact that she and her baby girl are both Tauruses.

“Raine Willow-Dominique Parker 👼🏼🎀 Our little Princess finally arrived…and she’s a Taurus like her mommy✨” Lala wrote.

Social Media Melts Over Lala & Jay Cinco’s Daughter

The minute Lala dropped the photos of their newborn on social media, fans flooded her comment section with pink hearts, congratulations, and nonstop love. Plenty of folks said they just know their baby girl is super precious.

Instagram user @lexxgibsonn wrote, “Stunning momma, beautiful baby, and the perfect name. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! 🩷🩷🩷🩷” 

Instagram user @divinely.nettig wrote, “Aww 🥹😍😍 aww I just know the baby is gorgeous 💕” 

While Instagram user @c.cieraaaaa wrote, “Taurus girls on topppp❤️” 

Then Instagram user @sadittyshonniee wrote, “all that hairrrr 🥹 congratulations babe 🩷🩷🩷🩷🎀” 

Another Instagram user @raqlexx wrote, “The best times ever 😍” 

Instagram user @filipinabarbieeee3 wrote, “💜💜💜💜 welcome welcome little momma.” 

While another Instagram user @neeksbrilliance wrote, “Congrats❤️❤️❤️😍😍slide 6😍😍😍u don’t play about that skincare. Love it!” 

Then another Instagram user @vibeswiimai_ wrote, “She is precioussssss congratulations 🥺🩷” 

Finally, Instagram user @theyyluv._lana wrote, “ayy she a Taurus yess congrats.” 

Jay Cinco Shares Heartfelt Message After Welcoming His Baby Girl

Jay Cinco also shared a heartwarming message as he steps into fatherhood. The social media star also shared delivery room flicks with Lala on Instagram. He promised his baby girl that he’s going to be the best dad ever and said life finally feels complete now that she’s here.

“I promise to be the best Dad Ever no matter the circumstances, You’ll never have to ask for anything in life, I won’t ever leave your side or make you feel abandoned I promise 🥹❤️‍🩹.. I’ve worked so hard to create the life I’ve always wanted for you! I done went through so much trauma in this life and somehow you make it all feel worth it!” Jay Cinco wrote.

Jay also called Raine his little princess and joked that even though she just arrived, she won’t be dating until she’s 42. “I know you will be grown one day but You’ll always be my little princess 👸🏼 🤧 – Dad (btw ima dad now frfr lol & no boyfriend till your 42 we pinky promised ..🤣 )”

RELATED: Congrats! Jay Cinco Proposes To Lala Baptiste At Their Baby Shower Celebration (VIDEOS)

Beyoncé turned heads in a bejeweled Olivier Rousteing-designed dress at the 2026 Met Gala, but that’s not what has the BeyHive raving online.

Many fans are taking to social media to express their surprise over the fact that she gave a rare interview on the red carpet, something several noted she had not done in quite some time.

Meanwhile, fans were also left disappointed after the theory suggesting she would release her “Act III” album on May 4 was shut down by her publicist.

Beyoncé gave a rare red-carpet interview during her first appearance at the Met Gala in nearly a decade. The “Single Ladies” singer wore a glitzy Olivier Rousteing-designed gown and appeared alongside her husband, Jay-Z, and daughter, Blue Ivy.

But it was her brief conversation with Vogue that left fans wanting more. In a snippet of the interview, host La La Anthony pointed out that people could “learn some red-carpet tips” from Blue Ivy based on the way she was striking poses and serving looks, to which Beyoncé replied, “Absolutely. She’s ready.”

When asked what she was most looking forward to during the evening, the singer said she simply wanted to experience the event through her daughter’s eyes, relax, and enjoy the moment. She also praised Rousteing for being “loyal” to her over the years, adding that the night was “really just about representing him.”

Fans Said The Interview Felt Like ‘Christmas’

Several fans took to social media to note how much they had missed hearing the pop star’s voice and how surprised they were that she actually stopped to chat on the carpet.

“I can’t take this, I REALLY CANT. I MISSED HER SWEET VOICE,” one fan wrote on X, while another added, “I couldn’t believe it either! I literally gasped and said, ‘she’s gonna speak?!’”

Advertisement

“I was thinking the same. Like, she’s holding a mic and not singing,” someone else joked. Another user wrote, “Nah, hearing her talk and it not being on a crispy tour mic has felt so weird.”

One particularly excited fan summed up the mood by writing, “Gracing us with her essence + an interview… This is early Christmas for me.”

Beyoncé Said Blue Ivy’s Met Gala Debut Felt ‘Surreal’

During her chat with Vogue on the magazine’s livestream, Beyoncé said Blue Ivy’s appearance at the Met Gala felt “surreal” as she gushed over how beautiful her daughter looked.

 “She looks so beautiful. It’s incredible to be able to share with her; I think she looks so incredible,” the singer said, per PEOPLE.

Seeing Blue Ivy make her debut at the fashion event also left her grandmother, Tina Knowles, emotional. Speaking during an appearance on the “3rd Hour of Today” while promoting her best-selling book “Matriarch,” Knowles said the moment felt like “déjà vu” from Beyoncé’s early days in the spotlight.

Advertisement

Bey’s Publicist Shut Down ‘Act III’ Speculation

Fans speculate Beyoncé will release ACT III on May 29, aligning with the 29 theory — a pattern she’s followed with the previous two acts, and the only “29” landing on a Friday this year.

Her mom Tina Knowles seemingly hints at the release, suggesting it could happen anytime… pic.twitter.com/dtWJsABCR1

— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) May 3, 2026

Ahead of the Met Gala, fans flooded social media with theories that Beyoncé was preparing to release her long-awaited “Act III” album on May 4.

Her recent Instagram posts, combined with her role as co-chair of the Met, left many convinced that a major announcement was imminent. However, fans were left disappointed after the speculation was shut down by the musician’s publicist.

Advertisement

A source close to the “Halo” singer reportedly told TODAY that the release was not happening as fans had predicted. Longtime publicist Yvette Noel-Schure also weighed in after a fan account claimed the album would drop during Met Gala week.

“This is unequivocally false!!” Noel-Schure commented on the post.

Tina Knowles Played Coy Over Beyoncé’s Album Plans

Beyoncé first announced her “Renaissance” project in 2022 as part of a planned album trilogy. The record leaned heavily into disco and dance music while paying homage to House Music and the Black pioneers who helped shape the genre.

She followed it up with the country-inspired “Cowboy Carter” in 2024. If the pattern continues, many fans believe the third installment could explore yet another genre, with rock music emerging as one of the most popular theories online.

During her appearance on TODAY, Tina played coy when asked about the release date for the highly anticipated project.

Advertisement

“I could tell you, but I’d have to kill you,” she joked.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard is ready for summer.

The My Time to Stand author, 34, shared a new set of bikini-clad photos while relaxing with boyfriend Ken Urker by the pool on Wednesday, May 6.

“Slow moments, warm sun, and the man who makes life beautiful. @kenurker #gypsyroseblanchard,” she captioned her Instagram post. Blanchard wore a baby blue set with a floral design while Urker was clad in a blue patterned button-up, matching shorts and a baseball cap.

The mom of one, who welcomed daughter Aurora with Urker, 33, in December 2024, showed off her weight loss weeks after revealing that her slimdown “came from life circumstances” in a video caption she posted on March 4.

Blanchard stepped on a scale in the clip, revealing that she was 108.2 pounds. “I’m not gatekeeping,” she shared. “After being released two years ago my lifestyle changed a lot — from commissary junk food to home-cooked meals and trying new foods.”

She also denied using weight-loss medications or sticking to a strict workout plan, adding, “I don’t follow a workout routine (though I’d love one), I don’t limit my diet, and I don’t use GLP-1. I wasn’t actively trying to lose weight… my whole life just changed and adjusted to freedom. 💗”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Blanchard has rebuilt her life after being released from prison in 2023 after eight years behind bars for the 2016 murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. Dee Dee is believed to have suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a mental illness where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in another person for attention, sympathy or financial gain.

Related: Gypsy Rose Blanchard Gives Birth on Anniversary of Prison Release Date

Exactly one year after she was released from prison, Gypsy Rose Blanchard became a mother.  Blanchard, 33, and her partner, Ken Urker, welcomed a baby girl named Aurora on Saturday, December 28.  Urker broke the news via Instagram on Wednesday, January 1. “Welcoming 2025 with the greatest gift of all 👼,” Urker shared alongside a […]

“I was desperate to get out of that situation,” Gypsy told People at the time, revealing she regrets how she handled it. “If I had another chance to redo everything, I don’t know if I would go back to when I was a child and tell my aunts and uncles that I’m not sick and mommy makes me sick.”

“It’s a journey,” she added. “I’m still really trying to come to a place of forgiveness for her, for myself and the situation.”

While it often takes a while for some platforms to settle on one, every streaming service has a flagship property. For Netflix, that includes hits like Stranger Things and The Night Agent, while Apple TV leans on standout series such as Ted Lasso and Pluribus. It took Prime Video some time to establish its own flagship property, but a few years agoit finally settled on Reacher, which it considered a project worth investing in. The conspiracy series comes from Lee Child’s novels. Although Tom Cruise was the first to take on the role in live-action, many fans feel Alan Ritchson is a far better physical match for the character. Prime Video has already debuted three full seasons of Reacher, and another is confirmed to be on the way before the end of 2026. The show has also helped elevate Ritchson into one of the biggest action stars in the world, allowing him to star in hits for other platforms like War Machine.

Before Reacher, however, Prime Video captured that same action-conspiracy success with Jack Ryan, the Tom Clancy-inspired action series starring John Krasinski. The show debuted in 2018 and, after some unfortunate delays brought on by COVID-19, concluded its four-season run in 2023. Even so, fans weren’t quite ready to move on from Jack Ryan, which led Prime Video to bring Krasinski back alongside returning cast members like Wendell Pierce (Superman) and Michael Kelly (Lioness) for a follow-up spin-off film. Prime Video has officially announced Jack Ryan: Ghost War, and the platform even previewed a trailer for the project a few weeks ago. The story of Jack Ryan will continue later this month when the film drops exclusively on Prime Video on May 20.

What Is the New ‘Jack Ryan: Ghost War’ Movie About?

In the new Ghost War sequel film, Jack Ryan finds himself back in the world of espionage when a covert mission unravels a deadly conspiracy, forcing him to confront a rogue black-ops unit. Operating in real time with lives on the line and the threat escalating at every turn, Jack reunites with CIA operative Mike November (Michael Kelly) and former boss James Greer (Wendell Pierce). Their combined experience the only edge they have against an enemy who knows them like the back of their hand. Backed by an unlikely new partner, MI6 officer Emma Marlowe (Sienna Miller), Jack and his team navigate a web of betrayal, facing a past they thought was long behind them. Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War is billed as the most dangerous and personal threat Jack Ryan has ever faced during his tenure as a CIA officer.

Check out all four seasons of Jack Ryan on Prime Video and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Ghost War, which launches later this month on May 20.

Advertisement

Release Date

May 20, 2026

Advertisement

Runtime

105 Minutes

Director

Advertisement

Andrew Bernstein

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Nearly 30 years after Kristin Smart disappeared, the search for her body has continued after police issued a new search warrant in connection to her 1996 disappearance.

Smart, 19, vanished from California Polytechnic State University, where she had just finished her freshman year, after she attended an off-campus party on May 25, 1996.

Paul Flores was convicted of her murder 25 years later in October 2022. While Flores, 49, was found guilty and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, the mystery behind Smart’s disappearance still has several unanswered questions, including where her body is.

On Wednesday, May 6, deputies with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a house in the 500 block of East Branch Street in connection to Smart’s disappearance. The home belongs to Flores’ mother, Susan Flores, according to USA Today.

Related: 2 Women’s Testimonies Helped Convict Kristin Smart’s Killer Paul Flores

While Kristin Smart was killed in 1996, her murderer, Paul Flores, wasn’t convicted of the crime until nearly three decades later in 2022. On Us Weekly’s Uncovered, investigative journalist Kristin Thorne explained how the testimonies of two women ultimately helped convict him of Smart’s murder. Smart was murdered at the age of 19 on the […]

The sheriff’s office confirmed in a statement that same day that the investigation stemmed from a search warrant that was signed by a Superior Court judge and was related to Smart’s disappearance.

“The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to bringing Kristin home to her family,” the sheriff’s office’s statement read. “No further information is available.”

While the agency did not share any additional information, they did upload photos from the recent search. Officers were photographed talking outside of the home, as well as walking through an outdoor garden on the property and in a garage that stored many household items.

“Your Own Backyard” podcast, which is about Smart’s disappearance, reported that deputies served Flores’ mother on her doorstep at 7:05 a.m.

Back in March 2021, Flores’ father Ruben Flores’ property was searched with ground-penetrating radar in connection to Smart’s disappearance. The search resulted in both Flores men being arrested. Ruben was arrested as an accessory to murder, though he was later acquitted of the charge.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

During the search, authorities found a 6-foot by 4-foot void under Ruben’s deck and took several soil samples from the area. The samples tested positive for the presence of human blood, which led prosecutors to believe that Smart’s body was removed from that location some time prior to the search.

Smart’s disappearance was a topic covered on Us Weekly’s Uncovered. San Luis Obispo Tribune reporter Chloe Jones, who covered Flores’ trial and has spoken with Smart’s parents, told investigative journalist Kristin Thorne that the Smart family still hoped to find her body.

“They still don’t have a body, and all they want to do is have her body, have that closure to lay her to rest,” Jones said. “They’re still in a lot of pain, they’re still hurting. They still feel like, even though the trial’s done, they don’t have that closure that they’d like.”

Only two weeks remain until The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters. This upcoming Star Wars feature (the first in quite a while) starring Pedro Pascal will continue where the Disney+ series it was based on left off, and since The Mandalorian and Grogu‘s theatrical release is fast approaching, it’s no surprise that fans are revisiting the show where it all began.

The Mandalorian is a Disney+ exclusive TV series that started in 2019 and ran for three seasons. The show follows Din Djarin (Pascal), a Mandalorian bounty hunter, who was hired to retrieve a Yoda-like alien infant named Grogu, but decides to protect him from the Imperial remnant forces and their commander, Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito). The show takes place five years after Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, and later seasons introduce familiar characters from previous Star Wars titles, such as Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), and Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson).

Recently, The Mandalorian returned to the streaming charts, sitting at #4 on Disney+’s Top 10 TV Shows in the United States, between Daredevil: Born Again and Secret of the Bees. Additionally, the special preview for The Mandalorian and Grogu continues to dominate the U.S. Disney+ charts, sitting at #1, just above Maul – Shadow Lord. The latest Nielsen data on Star Wars streaming numbers revealed that The Mandalorian attracted both Gen Alpha and Baby Boomers during Q1 2026, proving that the series remains relevant three years after its season finale.

Is ‘The Mandalorian’ Worth Watching?

When The Mandalorian was released on Disney+, it immediately became a viral hit, mainly due to the debut of Grogu, who, at the time, the internet dubbed “Baby Yoda” because his name had not yet been revealed. As of writing, The Mandalorian has a high 90% critics score and a 78% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and an IMDb score of 8.6. Critics and audiences were harsher towards The Mandalorian Season 3, which sits at an 84% critics score, while the first 2 seasons have a 93% rating. Meanwhile, the audience score for Season 3 is 51%, while the first two seasons gained high praise.

Collider’s Dave Trumbore reviewed Season 1 of The Mandalorian and gave it four stars. According to him, he praised Pascal’s performance, despite his face being covered most of the time, and claimed he was the perfect casting choice for the role. He also praised Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni’s writing for the season.

The Mandalorian and Grogu debuts in theaters on May 22, 2026. In the meantime, you can stream all three seasons of The Mandalorian on Disney+. Follow Collider for more updates.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

2019 – 2023-00-00

Advertisement

Network

Disney+

Directors

Advertisement

Rick Famuyiwa, Bryce Dallas Howard, Dave Filoni, Carl Weathers, Peyton Reed, Deborah Chow, Jon Favreau, Peter Ramsey, Robert Rodriguez, Taika Waititi, Lee Isaac Chung

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The wait for Mortal Kombat II is almost over, as theatergoers will finally find out whether it lives up to expectations in less than twenty-four hours. Serving as the fourth installment in the Mortal Kombat film series, the new movie is widely regarded as an improvement over its 2021 predecessor and brings back several fan-favorites. Among the returning cast members are Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman — this time in a different role — Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano, Joe Taslim, and Hiroyuki Sanada.

As anticipation continues to build, Mortal Kombat II has officially received its Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, with early reactions praising its brutal action sequences and its incorporation of the franchise’s legendary characters. With that said, the fantasy adaptation currently holds a 73% critics’ score on the review aggregator website based on 82 reviews, 60 of which are positive. This marks a major achievement for the iconic franchise, ending a decade-long streak of “rotten” scores for its live-action entries. Notably, the previous three live-action films released in 1995, 1997, and 2021 all scored below 60%.

What Do Critics Have To Say About ‘Mortal Kombat II’?

Directed by Simon McQuoid and written by Jeremy Slater, Mortal Kombat II follows fan-favorite champions — now joined by Johnny Cage himself — pitted against one another in the ultimate no-holds-barred, gory battle against the dark rule of Shao Kahn, which threatens the very existence of Earthrealm and its defenders. Karl Urban stars as Johnny Cage, joining new cast additions Adeline Rudolph and Tati Gabrielle.

With many critics praising Mortal Kombat II, the positive reception bodes well for the franchise’s future, especially with another sequel already in development. In Collider’s review, Aidan Kelly awarded the film a 7/10, noting that although the first half struggles with pacing issues and balancing its large ensemble of characters, the second half evolves into a bloody thrill ride where nearly every minute delivers entertainment.

CBR critic Rachel Leishman also gave the martial arts sequel a 7/10, praising it as wildly entertaining and arguing that it serves as a reminder that movies can simply provide audiences with an escape from reality and bring joy amid all the chaos. Similarly, MovieWeb rated the film 3.5/5, describing Mortal Kombat II as a “savage sequel” that die-hard fans will appreciate for its excessive carnage, faithfulness to the video game lore, and relentless “f-bombs.”

Mortal Kombat II arrives in theaters on May 8, 2026.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

May 8, 2026

Runtime

Advertisement

116 Minutes

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

“Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill may not be able to use the Force to get out of this one! The actor, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the Lucasfilm franchise, has never been shy about his political views. However, he might have taken things a step too far when he shared an AI-generated photo of U.S. President Donald Trump in a grave with the caption, “If Only.”

‘Star Wars’ Actor Mark Hamill Shared An AI Photo Of Donald Trump In A Grave

On Wednesday, “The Life of Chuck” actor shared an AI-generated image on Bluesky depicting current U.S. President Donald Trump in a shallow grave, with daisies growing around his body. The image featured a gravestone that contained the President’s name and the dates 1946-2024. The words “If Only” were written at the bottom.

Hamill captioned the post, “If Only — He should live long enough to witness his inevitable devastating loss in the midterms, be held accountable for his unprecedented corruption, impeached, convicted & humiliated for his countless crimes.”

He added, “Long enough to realize he’ll be disgraced in the history books, forevermore.” He capped off his message with the hashtag “#don_TheCON.”

Advertisement

The White House Slammed Mark Hamill’s AI Image Of Donald Trump

White House Spokesman Davis Ingle responded to the post with a brief statement, calling the actor a “deranged lunatic” and mocking the Obama Presidential Center’s Star Wars Day video on May 4.

“Barack Hussein Obama just appeared in a video with this deranged lunatic three days ago,” he wrote. “Now this same person is calling for President Trump to die. Why won’t Obama and Democrats condemn this disgusting call to violence?”

Mark Hamill Apologized For The Post

Mark Hamill deleted his post of President Trump lying on a grave after getting backlash from the White House.

He made a follow up post trying to backtrack:

Advertisement

“Accurate Edit for Clarity:

‘He should live long enough to… be held accountable for his… crimes.’

Actually,… pic.twitter.com/55BFwZRwEw

— Jacktron (@jacktronprime) May 7, 2026

Advertisement

On Thursday afternoon, Hamill deleted the original photo and shared a new message.

“Accurate Edit for Clarity: ‘He should live long enough to… be held accountable for his…  crimes,’” he wrote alongside another photo of Trump. “Actually, I was wishing him the opposite of dead, but apologize if you found the image inappropriate.”

Mark Hamill Called ‘One Sick Individual’

.@MarkHamill is one sick individual.

These Radical Left lunatics just can’t help themselves.

This kind of rhetoric is exactly what has inspired three assassination attempts in two years against our President. pic.twitter.com/daJqcyssm7

Advertisement

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 7, 2026

The official White House Rapid Response account also took to X, the social media platform also known as Twitter, to slam Mark Hamill’s post.

“@MarkHamill is one sick individual,” the account wrote. “These Radical Left lunatics just can’t help themselves. This kind of rhetoric is exactly what has inspired three assassination attempts in two years against our President.”

Donald Trump Shared His Own Post On Star Wars Day

May 4 is known as Star Wars Day, on a play of the signature phrase “May the Force Be With You,” when it becomes “May The Fourth Be With You.”

Advertisement

This year, the official White House X account posted an image of Trump as Pedro Pascal’s bounty hunter character Din Djarin holding Grogu, more affectionately known as Baby Yoda, ahead of “The Mandalorian & Grogu” movie, which hits theaters later this month.

“In a galaxy that demands strength – America stands ready,” the post‘s caption said. “This is the way. May the 4th be with you.”

Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy. You’re not the Rebellion—you’re the Empire.

May the 4th be with you. pic.twitter.com/G883DhDRR5

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 4, 2025

Advertisement

For Star Wars Day 2025, the White House posted another AI-generated photo of Trump holding a red lightsaber. The color red is usually associated with the Sith, or “evil,” and was widely mocked online.  

“Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy. You’re not the Rebellion — you’re the Empire,” the post’s caption read. “May the 4th be with you.”

Is Mark Hamill Done With ‘Star Wars’?

Luke Skywalker’s character passed away at the end of 2017’s controversial “The Last Jedi,” although some are still hoping for his return. Hamill seems to have moved on from a galaxy far, far away; however, as he told Comicbook in June 2025, Lucasfilm should focus on a new cast of characters.

“But my deal is, I had my time. I’m appreciative of that, but I think they should focus on the future and all the new characters,” he said before pointing out that Luke physically “disappeared” following his death and only left his cloak on the ground.

“I left my robes behind. And there’s no way I’m gonna appear as a naked force ghost,” the actor joked.

Advertisement

Days of Our Lives indicates Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) isn’t happy that her husband, Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson), fathered a baby with his ex-girlfriend, Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins). And this has left Stephanie in a tough spot because it’s not like Alex betrayed her or anything.

You know, he didn’t cheat, nothing like that, and he was just as blindsided as Stephanie. And with his wife venting to a bunch of people about her issues with this baby bombshell, we could see her walk away from Alex. Their marriage might end over this. We have a lot to talk about. let’s do this.

Stephanie Made It Clear She Doesn’t Want Kids on Days of Our Lives

Before Joy showed up with the baby, Stephanie and Alex had that uncomfortable talk where Stephanie made it clear that she’s definitely not going to consider starting a family now. And she told Alex she might never want to have kids, and he was a little annoyed because he thinks Stephanie just doesn’t want kids with him.

Because if you remember she was willing to jump in and play, you know, pseudo stepmom to Chad DiMera‘s (Connor Floyd) kids and Alex thought Stephanie might be willing to have a baby with Chad, but just not with him. And that led to Stephanie being frustrated. You know, she walked out, she confided in Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark), and that of course led to Joy coming to town with baby Kelsey and that changed everything and it could kill their marriage.

Jeremy Had Perfect Timing on DOOL

I mean, it was really the worst time for Jeremy to lure Joy to Salem. And of course, he knew it because Stephanie and Alex had been having a rough time since her kidnapping. You know, Stephanie got mad when Alex was being a bit controlling in the aftermath of that, but she’s been getting therapy. She and Alex were finally getting back to a good place.

Stephanie and Alex did that skydiving date, and Stephanie said she hadn’t felt that live-in-the-moment feeling for quite some time. And it was right after she and Alex got back and Stephanie left to run an errand that Joy showed up. And Alex thought Stephanie left her keys, but then he opened the door. Bam, there’s Joy with cute little baby Kelsey in her little stroller.

Alex Smitten with His Daughter on Days

And of course, we’ve been expecting Joy back with the baby for a while because, you know, we all knew she lied to Alex and Stephanie about the pregnancy test. Although Alex was initially shocked when Joy introduced baby Kelsey to him, once Alex held his daughter, he was smitten, over the moon, excited.

And even though he didn’t think Joy was lying, it was smart that Alex got a DNA test that did in fact prove the baby’s paternity. Yes, Kelsey is Alex’s daughter. Meanwhile, Stephanie is horrified because now her life has taken another unexpected and chaotic turn and it’s other people doing things to affect her life. These aren’t choices she made. These are things being done to her, you know.

Days of our Lives: Stephanie Trying to Figure it all Out

So, she’s gone and she’s looking for comfort and advice from her mom, Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans.) She’s also talked to Dr. Marlena Evans (Diedre Hall). You know, Stephanie just feels ill equipped to be a stepmother right now, which is fair. She’s still dealing with PTSD from the kidnapping. That’s why she wanted the gun.

And so her dad, Steve, got Stephanie a pistol and ammo and a gun safe. Took her and Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) to the gun range, taught her how to shoot. Unfortunately for Stephanie, the thing causing problems in her life at this point aren’t things that a gun will help with.

Alex And Justin Bond Over Being Dads

You know, this week, Alex and his dad, Justin Kiriakis (Wally Kurth), are bonding over being dads. And Alex’s father is thrilled to have this grandbaby in his life. And I’m sure he’s going to fill Justin in on the drama that the baby reveal caused in his marriage to Stephanie.

So, we could see Justin offering Alex some good advice about how to deal with her reluctance to help raise Kelsey, much less embrace his daughter. If you remember, Justin’s late wife, Adrienne, was not Alex’s biological mom. That was Anjelica Deveraux. And while it took some time, eventually Adrienne grew to love Alex and she saw him as her son just as much as her other sons, one bio and two adopted that she had on Days of our Lives.

Days of our Lives: Stephanie Does Not Want to Be a Mom

But I have a feeling that Stephanie isn’t looking to get advice from Justin or anybody else about raising another woman’s child. She just kind of doesn’t want to do it. Stephanie knows she’s not ready to be a mom now. Maybe not ever, and Kelsey and Joy being in the mix is already causing strife for Stephanie and Alex this week. Not only does he talk with Justin about his daughter Kelsey, but Stephanie has a heart-to-heart with her bestie Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu).

So, Stephanie’s frustrated. I think for the most part that this is just a blind side. Because if Joy had told the truth when she first did that pregnancy test back last year, you know, Stephanie would have had all this time to adjust. But Joy lied to their faces, then left town fully intent to have this baby. She had 9 months of pregnancy and 6 months since the birth to come clean. But Joy didn’t tell Alex until Jeremy prodded her. He was hoping, of course, it would split Stephanie and Alex. And it may.

Alex Left Out That He Wanted Joy To Move To Salem

Even though Stephanie rejected Jeremy, you know, that’s not all there is to it. Alex told Stephanie that Joy and Kelsey are going to stay in Salem so Alex can be near his daughter, but he kind of left out that he told Joy he wanted her to move to Salem. That’s kind of an important distinction, but I think he didn’t want to poke the bear too much.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Alex looked for an apartment for Joy that’s nearby his place with Stephanie. It’d be terrible if it was in the same building. Convenient, but terrible. Also, I’m sure Alex is going to want to have Kelsey over to his and Stephanie’s place a whole bunch. And I think that could make her even more uncomfortable.

I mean, to me, it feels like they’re laying the groundwork for Alex and Stephanie to split. Another issue for them related to the baby is I don’t think Alex is going to let Stephanie keep that gun in the house because Alex isn’t going to want his daughter around a firearm. Plus, Stephanie is breaking all her dad Steve’s gun safety rules. She’s not keeping it in the safe. And she’s not keeping the ammo separate. She’s just got it in a drawer loaded. If Alex takes it on himself to get rid of Stephanie’s gun for safety reasons, I think that would push her to explode.

Joy Wants To Use Her Daughter To Steal Alex on Days

Plus, we know that Joy wants to get with Alex. She is really hoping that it’ll happen. And I think Joy is willing to use her daughter to try and steal Alex from Stephanie. That’s another complication. And if Stephanie feels like she’s losing control of her life again, like with the kidnapping and Alex overstepping, that’s just more problems piling up.

Especially if he insists that that gun has got to go. You know, Stephanie might take a step back from her marriage because the firearm is like a security blanket at this point. So, I could see her wanting a little break from the stress and just everything, and she could go stay with Steve and Kayla for a while just to give them a breather.

Days of our Lives: Stephanie May Shoot Owen Kent

Hopefully Stephanie does what she needs to protect her mental health. I’m kind of worried that she might grab that gun and shoot Owen Kent (Wes Ramsey) at his trial if we get to see that happen on screen. They have mentioned that his trial is upcoming and Stephanie was imagining shooting him when she was aiming at the targets at the gun range.

So, I’m not sure at this point if Alex and Stephanie’s marriage can survive all of these external pressures. It may fall apart permanently. It may fall apart in the short run and then they find a way to get back together. So, we’ll have to wait and see if he winds up with Joy and then Stephanie moves on. We’ll see.

By TeeJay Small
| Published 27 seconds ago

With all the money Paramount Skydance has been shelling out lately, you’d expect them to have a crop of massive investments right around the bend that will replenish the savings of their top executives and shareholders. Unfortunately, it looks like the billionaires running the show at the major movie studio aren’t up on their accounting, as CEO David Ellison tells Variety he expects “significantly lower theatrical revenue” for the remainder of 2026. Even though Paramount has dozens of blockbuster films slated for theatrical release, the corporation’s accountants are expecting to see a sharp loss, due to an overall decline in ticket sales.

So Much Merging, So Little Actual Cash

While it’s true that the entire movie theater industry is struggling to remain afloat in the streaming age, it’s shocking that Paramount would be in this position. For starters, the conglomerate owns multiple streaming services, meaning they can effectively control the competition for theatrical releases. They already have Paramount+ for original shows such as Tulsa King, Dutton Ranch, and Strange New Worlds, as well as Pluto TV, where they can soak up ad revenue on older classic films. Paramount even owns BET+, which must be pulling in tens of dollars per month worldwide, at least.

Now, as Paramount prepares to execute their merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, they’ll be taking over the entire DCU, HBO, the Harry Potter franchise, the Food Network, HGTV, the Discovery Channel, and more. Does David Ellison seriously not have the business capability to make money off any of these ventures? If not, then why is he buying them for a price tag that’s the length of an international phone number?

Phase One: Acquire, Phase 2: ???, Phase 3: Profit

Specifically, Ellison told Variety that Paramount and Warner Bros. “are actually making 30 films to date,” and that that figure is “accelerating” as the merger solidifies. Despite this impressive output, Ellison has assured shareholders that they can anticipate “significantly lower theatrical revenue year-over-year … as we build into our 2027+ slates.” Paramount and Warner will tout over 200 million combined streaming subscribers, along with a suite of some of the most recognizable IPs in human history, and they’re scrambling to figure out how to turn a profit.

Perhaps these comments represent an overall decline in the entertainment industry at large. Of course, it seems more likely that the wrong people have been put in charge. A brief doomscroll on any social media outlet will alert you to thousands of fans with great ideas, and untold sums of aspiring writers, actors, and filmmakers. These people can’t get jobs in Hollywood because out-of-touch billionaires are busy putting their dumb sons in everything, and locking anyone without direct connections out of the industry. If a few multi-billion dollar corporations need to hemorrhage money in order for bigwig execs to understand that, it may be a necessary evil.