Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo were candid about their relationship ahead of their shocking 2026 divorce.

News broke in June 2026 that Jelly Roll (real name Jason Bradley DeFord) filed for divorce from Bunnie Xo (real name Alisa Andrea Carter) one month prior. In court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Jelly Roll listed the pair’s date of separation as May 9 and cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason behind their split.

Jelly Roll went on to propose in his filing that he and Bunnie Xo have “an equitable division of the parties’ assets” and apportion “responsibility for payment of the parties’ debts.”

Us confirmed in July 2026 that the exes had quietly finalized their divorce.

Related: Jelly Roll Breaks His Silence After Filing for Divorce From Bunnie Xo

Jelly Roll has broken his silence on his divorce from Bunnie Xo after nearly 10 years of marriage. Speaking on stage, Jelly Roll, 41, publicly addressed his split from Bunnie, 46, at his Saratoga Springs, New York tour leg on Thursday, June 18. “I wasn’t going to talk about this tonight, but while we’re talking […]

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo were married for nearly a decade. While the pair did not share any children of their own, Jelly Roll became a dad when he welcomed daughter Bailee Ann in 2008 with ex-girlfriend Felicia Beckwith. He also welcomed son Noah Buddy in 2016 with ex Melisa Ann Cowell.

Scroll down to see more of Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo’s quotes about their relationship before divorce:

Jelly Roll Admits Affair During Bunnie Xo Relationship Was 1 of His ‘Worst Moments’

In 2025, Jelly Roll recalled a moment of infidelity while in a relationship with Bunnie Xo.

“One of the worst moments of my adulthood was when I had an affair on my wife,” he admitted during an October 2025 episode of the “Human School” podcast. “Because it was the first time that I was like, ‘I really can’t get this right at all. I know I’m in love with this woman.’ It just really, really, really blew me back.”

Jelly Roll explained that he put in “a lot of work to repair” their connection, which led to them being “stronger than we could have ever been.”

He added, “I wish our story would’ve went in the way that it never had an affair. I’m proud of who we are today. I truly am.”

Related: Jelly Roll’s Daughter Breaks Silence Over Dad and Bunnie Xo’s Split

Jelly Roll‘s daughter, Bailee Ann DeFord, has spoken out about her father filing for divorce from Bunnie Xo after nearly 10 years of marriage. Bailee Ann, 18, took to TikTok on Tuesday, June 16, to comment on the news after it made headlines one day prior. “I am disgusted at how invested everyone is in […]

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The next year, Bunnie Xo reflected on the moment during an interview with Us, saying it was “hard” to move on from the “betrayal.”

“I don’t think anybody can just snap out of it. It is a process. You’re literally grieving and you’re heartbroken, but you’re still in love with this person. Even though the affair is a part of the book, it’s not our story,” she explained in January 2026. “It’s literally what catapulted us into who we are today and I think that readers need to definitely consume it, chew on it and think about it. But they also see what we’ve made from that entire situation. It completely changed who we are as humans and how we looked at love.”

She continued, “We didn’t know how to love each other properly. We both were raised in opposite households but weren’t taught how to love correctly. A lot of that gets brushed over, [but] as a child, he wasn’t taught how to love properly and I wasn’t taught how to love or receive love.”

Jelly Roll Gets Candid About Intimacy Changes Since Weight Loss

Jelly Roll reflected on his 200-pound weight loss and how it has affected his intimate relationship with Bunnie Xo.

“I feel like I’m a teenager, dog,” Jelly Roll told Men’s Health in a January profile. “I have the sex drive of a 17-year-old again. I’m f***ing pouncing on my wife. We’re having daytime sex again. It’s f***ing awesome. [Before the weight loss] my testosterone level — and I’m cool to talk about this openly — was of a preteen boy.”

Jelly Roll Talks ‘Secret to Success’ in Bunnie Xo Marriage

In February 2026, Jelly Roll exclusively told Us the relationship secrets between him and Bunnie Xo.

“The secret to success is, one, not taking anything too serious [and] having conversations,” he said at a pre-Grammys gala. “What happens in that bedroom matters a lot. Those private conversations — and that other stuff.”

Jelly Roll Addresses Claims Bunnie Xo Is a ‘Gold Digger’

In a March 2026 interview with Taste of Country Nights, Jelly Rill addressed claims that Bunnie Xo is a “gold digger.”

“I love it when they call her a gold digger. She hates it. It just flames her up,” Jelly Roll said, before explaining why he finds it funny. “But it just tickles me absolutely pink because when I met her. I was homeless living out of a 1996 conversion van, so if anyone was digging for gold it was I, Popeye. I was couch-surfing and made it to the bedroom.”

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Bunnie Xo Claps Back at Jelly Roll Split Rumors

In 2025, Bunnie Xo slammed speculation that she and Jelly Roll were headed toward a split.

“Someone said the other day, ‘They used to always be together, and now you never see them together,’” she said on her “Dumb Blonde” podcast in August 2025. “I’m like, ‘Do you guys not know that for the past six months [that] I’ve been trying to make a baby?’”

Bunnie Xo Talks IVF Journey With Jelly Roll

The duo had been candid about pursuing in vitro fertilization to have a child together. “This journey with IVF, we sat down a couple months ago,” Bunnie Xo said on her “Dumb Blonde” podcast in August 2025. “And I was just like, I feel like I’ve accomplished so much in my life. And the only thing that’s left is to raise a baby and garden. I’m in my baby mama [and] gardening era.”

Writing a book is no easy task; writing a good book even less so. After all, writing is an art, and it can be a difficult thing to master. Heck, some people spend years and years studying it before they ever publish anything, and even then, there’s no guarantee that it will be good. With self-publishing being easier than ever thanks to Amazon, it certainly won’t take long to find a slew of awful books out there.

This is especially the case in the high fantasy genre, a subgenre featuring stories that take place in worlds completely separate from our own. High fantasy is experiencing a significant boom right now, which has been going on since at least the 1980s. A lot of authors have tried their hand at the genre, only to fail miserably. Every so often, though, a writer comes along that totally nails it. Their books might have perfect pacing, perfect characters, perfect prose, perfect emotion; perfect everything. These are the most perfectly written books in high fantasy.

‘The Lies of Locke Lamora’ (2006)

Image via Bantam Spectra

The Lies of Locke Lamora takes place in an unnamed fictional world, specifically in the city of Camorr, which resembles Renaissance Venice. In this weaving labyrinth of streets and canals, there exists a group of con artists calling themselves the Gentleman Bastards. These thieves have only one purpose: to rob the rich blind before they even realize they’ve been had. It’s kind of like Robin Hood, only without all the giving to the poor.

Chapters alternate between the present storyline’s acts of thievery and the history of the city and of the organization itself, which is actually a great way of worldbuilding and establishing lore without overwhelming the reader with info dumps. It keeps the story rolling forward, but also provides some much-needed context at key points. With a crew reminiscent of Ocean’s Eleven and some fantastical heists, this book has garnered a lot of love amongst fantasy readers for its excellent writing.

‘The NeverEnding Story’ (1979)

Image via Thienemann Verlag

The NeverEnding Story was written by German author Michael Ende and was adapted for the big screen just five years later. It’s sort of a frame story, acting as a bit of book-ception. The premise is that a lonely boy in the real world finds an old book, and begins reading it, which happens to be pretty much The NeverEnding Story itself. The book is set in the realm of Fantastica, which is under threat from a dangerous, amalgamous force called “the Nothing.” Fearing destruction, a princess sends a boy warrior named Atreyu to stop it.

It’s a classic feel-good story, though it is not without its more depressing parts. The movie became a staple of ’80s fantasy cinema, even spawning a few sequels. As with pretty much any book-to-film adaptation, though, the original text is going to reign supreme. It feels like a nostalgic childhood fairytale, including dragons, adventure, and magic, which is pretty much everything one could want from a high fantasy story. The writing approach turned out to be the correct choice, because it certainly helped the book stand out amongst others.

‘The Blade Itself’ (2006)

Image via Gollancz

The Blade Itself is the first book in The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. It’s a grimdark fantasy series, so don’t expect it to be all sunshine and daisies. This book is unapologetically bleak, with very few, if any, morally sound characters. The protagonists in question are pretty awful people, with one being a murderous barbarian, one being a fraudulent wizard, another being a hedonistic soldier, and the last being a literal torturer. Their fates become intertwined when conspiracies are unravelled, and villains show up to exact revenge.

This book is basically what would happen if a tabletop RPG party was made up of the worst people you ever knew. Which… if you play games like that with your friends, maybe it’s the case anyway. Joking aside, the writing in this book is brilliant, largely because it feels so realistic. The characters feel like they could be genuine people, because, let’s face it, there are a lot of corrupt and evil people out there. The way the characters are fleshed out is exceptional, and makes for an amazing reading experience.

‘A Wizard of Earthsea’ (1968)

Image via Parnassus Press

A Wizard of Earthsea is the first in the popular Earthsea saga, which became known for a lot of things, namely its impeccable worldbuilding. The story is set on an ocean planet, with the only land being an archipelago of islands. This planet, called Earthsea, is inhabited by both humans and dragons. Most humans have some sort of magical abilities and have developed cultures and realms. It’s not so simple and one-dimensional as having one culture per island either — many of these cultures have expanded and colonized multiple islands, making the world actually feel like a real, complete place.

Ursula K. Le Guin won numerous awards for this book, and for its sequels. Not only does it have a fascinating world that is incredibly easy to get lost in, but it’s also a fantastic, well-thought-out story. Of course, the thing that makes it all better is the writing itself. The prose immaculately flows and really reminds the reader that writing is an art form. There’s just nothing else like these books out there, and they’re still popular today.

‘Assassin’s Apprentice’ (1995)

Image via Del Rey

Assassin’s Apprentice is the first book in Robin Hobb‘s Farseer Trilogy, which eventually expanded into a rather large shared universe consisting of multiple trilogies and one quadrilogy. Believe it or not, the book is about an assassin’s apprentice. More specifically, it is about the king’s illegitimate son being taken at the age of six to train with the assassins in order to protect the throne from his power-hungry uncle.

This book came as a bit of a surprise to fantasy fans, because nobody had ever read anything quite like it before. Like any work, it’s clear where its inspirations come from, but it also did a lot to reinvent classic fantasy tropes so that it felt original. Assassin’s Apprentice is proof that Hobb is a master of the pen and is able to craft stories that capture the imagination and emotions, creating an unparalleled fantasy experience.

‘Gardens of the Moon’ (1999)

Image via Tor Fantasy

Gardens of the Moon is the first book in Steven Erikson‘s Malazan universe, as well as the first in the main sequence known as Malazan: Book of the Fallen. The gist of the story is that there is a terrifying and oppressive regime, called the Malazan Empire, which has conquered much of the known world. At the onset of the series, they intend to expand even further by conquering the continent of Genebackis.

That’s the very short version of things, anyway. The novels get much more complex and nuanced — they’re epic fantasy, after all. Malazan has become something of a favourite in the fantasy fandom, and it’s still seeing releases to this day, so it never goes out of style. While all of the books are pretty awesome and well-written in their own right, the way this one is written is just a little bit more special.

‘A Storm of Swords’ (2000)

Image via Bantam Spectra

A Storm of Swords is the third book in George R. R. Martin‘s A Song of Ice and Fire series, which famously got adapted into the hit HBO original series, Game of Thrones. This book was so large that it actually needed two seasons of the show to adapt the whole thing. Like the rest of the series, the story is about nine royal families feuding over a throne, completely unaware that a primordial evil is silently gathering strength far to the North, preparing to bring an end to humanity.

So many important and legendary events happen in this book, including the Battle of Castle Black and the notorious Red Wedding. Even though it’s a super long book, it really doesn’t feel that long because it’s consistently exciting all the way through. It’s bleak, epic, and really emotional, inspiring anger, anxiety, sadness, triumph, and pretty much every other emotion that a reader should feel from a good story, all thanks to Martin’s impeccable writing style.

‘The Shadow Rising’ (1992)

Image via Tor Fantasy

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The Shadow Rising is the fourth book in the enormous The Wheel of Time saga, which spans 15 novels. The Wheel of Time generally has a reputation for being too “fluffy.” Author Robert Jordan often includes lots of padding, especially around books seven through ten, and it can be challenging for a lot of people. This fourth entry, however, is perfectly paced: each chapter actually feels like it progresses the story rather than serving as an overly long bit of filler.

The overarching narrative is set on Earth, thousands of years in the future, and is about a chosen one known as the Dragon Reborn, who is destined to either destroy the world or save it. This book follows the characters as they traverse the mysterious desert known as the Aiel Waste. It also happens to be the basis for the third and final season of the cancelled TV show. Among fans, it’s widely considered one of the best books because it’s got lots of adventure, excellent worldbuilding, great character moments, and a ton of interesting sequences. Above all, the writing in this one is absolutely top-tier.

‘Oathbringer’ (2017)

Image via Tor Fantasy

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Oathbringer is the third book in Brandon Sanderson‘s The Stormlight Archive saga. The series is part of his shared literary universe known as the Cosmere. Each book or series in the Cosmere takes place on its own planet within the same galaxy, with each planet having a distinct system of magic. Stormlight takes place on the barren world of Roshar, a land constantly bombarded by hurricane-like events known as highstorms. There is little to no plant life, and most indigenous life forms are crustaceous.

The premise of the series is about a war between humans and the native Listeners, a race of crustaceous humanoids, and the resurrection of an old form of magic that hasn’t been seen in over 1,000 years. This monster of a book is 1,200 pages long, yet it doesn’t waste a single word. It’s perfectly paced, contains some amazing and meaningful quotes, lots of large-scale battles, and one of the most thrilling climaxes in the entire genre. Sanderson is a master at his craft, but this book might just be his absolute finest.

‘The Hobbit, or There and Back Again’ (1937)

Image via George Allen & Unwin

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The Hobbit is a book that probably doesn’t need an introduction. Just in case you somehow haven’t heard of it, the story was J. R. R. Tolkien‘s debut novel, and the first set in his enormous legendarium known commonly as Middle-earth. This story is meant for both kids and adults, and serves as only a small part of the truly enormous history that Tolkien wrote about Middle-earth. In it, a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins is swept away from his cozy home in the Shire to embark on a journey across the land to reclaim the dwarven kingdom of Erebor from a slumbering dragon.

The length is perfect, neither too short nor too long. It’s an absolute fantasy classic that serves as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy that Tolkien primarily became known for, which, like The Hobbit, would later receive movie adaptations directed by Peter Jackson. The best part about it is Tolkien’s signature flair, which recounts the story almost as if he were a father telling it to his children. It’s full of classic fantasy tropes, grand adventure, and a warm, cozy atmosphere. It’s also a legendary piece of history and one of the earliest high fantasy novels ever made.

Anna Wintour turned Centre Court into her own front row, proving once again that Wimbledon isn’t just about tennis — it’s one of fashion’s biggest runways, too. Her flowing floral maxi dress immediately stole our attention, serving up the perfect mix of timeless elegance and effortless luxury. Naturally, we couldn’t resist hunting down a budget-friendly version.

During the July 10, 2026, Wimbledon Championships, the former Vogue editor-in-chief arrived in a swirling blue-and-green floral maxi dress, pairing it with her signature sleek bob, oversized sunglasses and a statement necklace. The look was classic Wintour — cool, considered and quietly luxurious. While her dress appears to be a custom S.S.Daley design (a.k.a. the same brand recently sported by Harry Styles on stage), we found a $40 floral maxi that looks just as luxe.

Get the Prettygarden Floral V Neck Maxi Dress for just $40 (Was $50) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, July 16, 2026, but are subject to change.

The Prettygarden Floral V Neck Maxi Dress captures the same polished feel without the designer price tag. It features a flattering V-neckline, long sleeves and a flowy A-line skirt that creates beautiful movement. It also has pockets, comes in sizes S through XXL and is available in several floral prints, including a blue-and-green option that closely mirrors Anna’s Wimbledon color palette.

Related: Jennifer Lopez’s $750 Designer Blouse Has a $32 Lookalike

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Jennifer Lopez has a knack for making romantic, bohemian pieces feel effortlessly chic. Her latest designer pick is no exception, proving that soft ruffles, breezy sleeves and feminine details are just as stylish this summer as ever. The only downside? Her Zimmermann blouse comes with a $750 price tag. While strolling through Paris on July […]

It’s clearly a hit with shoppers, too. The dress has earned more than 1,300 five-star ratings on Amazon, with one reviewer praising its “gorgeous vibrant colors” that “really stand out in person.” Another buyer said the “details and textures” make it “seem high-end,” making it an easy pick for anyone who loves an expensive-looking style on a budget.

We’d finish the look with oversized sunglasses, a statement necklace and simple sandals or neutral heels, just like Anna did. Whether you’re headed to a summer wedding, a garden party, brunch or even a winery weekend, this is the kind of dress that looks polished with very little styling. The long sleeves also make it easy to wear into early fall.

If Wintour’s signature Wimbledon style has you dreaming of a Royal Box-worthy wardrobe, this $40 Amazon find is an easy way to recreate the look for less. It delivers the same elegant floral energy without the luxury price, making it one of our favorite celebrity-inspired finds of the season.

Obsessed with Anna Wintour’s floral maxi? Scroll our favorite lookalikes below!

Shop more blue and green floral dresses that we love:

Not your style? Explore more floral dresses here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

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Related: Kate Middleton’s White Midi Dress Has Me Rethinking Bold Prints

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I’ve spent most of the summer reaching for bright florals and colorful prints, but Kate Middleton just made a strong case for going back to basics. Her latest white midi dress feels timeless and elegant, and the look is surprisingly easy to recreate. Now I’m seriously considering swapping my bold summer patterns for crisp white […]

Desiigner was arrested again for domestic violence on Wednesday, July 15. The rapper reportedly chased a woman with a hammer while she was holding a baby. The incident reportedly happened in Conway, South Carolina. The artist, whose real name is Sidney Royel Selby III, was charged with domestic violence, malicious injury to animals, and property damage.

RELATED: Desiigner Discusses Self-Healing After Revealing Why He Exposed Himself On An International Flight (WATCH)

Desiigner Arrested For Chasing A Woman With A Hammer

According to WBTW, officers from the Horry County Police Department responded to a disturbance at a home on Arbor Ridge Circle in Conway. Upon arrival, a woman told the police that she and Desiigner were arguing about him taking televisions off the wall.

The woman said that the ‘Panda’ artist snatched her cell phones and smashed them with a hammer. The incident caused her to grab her child and run outside to call for help. Selby then allegedly grabbed her on the neighbor’s lawn and threw her to the ground while she was holding their baby. Desiigner also reportedly took her purse and threw it over the fence. The woman then got up, ran into the neighbor’s house and locked herself in the bathroom — all while still holding on to her baby.

The Rapper Tried To Get Into Neighbors’ Home

After the woman ran inside, the ‘Timmy Turner’ artist then damaged the neighbors’ vehicles with a screwdriver and a hammer. According to WPDE, the woman is Selby’s girlfriend and the mother of his child. Desiigner also allegedly broke several windows to try to get inside his neighbor’s home. He was arrested and charged with second-degree domestic violence. In addition, the rapper was also charged with malicious injury to animals, personal property, injury value over $2,000 but less than $10,000. It’s not yet clear why Selby was charged with malicious injury to animals.

Desiigner Was Arrested For Domestic Violence In March

Desiigner was also arrested for domestic violence in March. Selby was arrested for domestic violence after he reportedly snatched the woman’s car keys from her pants. Furthermore, the Grammy Award-winning artist threw her down to the ground, which left her with minor scratches and bleeding. He was later arrested, charged with third-degree domestic-violence and booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

RELATED: Desiigner Discusses Self-Healing After Revealing Why He Exposed Himself On An International Flight (WATCH)

Blueface and Nevaeh Akira have the internet buzzing after dropping new flicks from their maternity photoshoot. Fans loved seeing the pair pose up alongsidge Nevaeh’s son, but some folks quickly brought a little shade into the mix by bringing up Jaidyn Alexis.

RELATED: Here We Go! Blueface & Jaidyn Alexis Trade Accusations Amid Heated Online Drama As Fans Weigh In (VIDEOS)

Bliueface & Nevaeh Akira Show Off Their Western-Themed Maternity Flicks

Nevaeh Akira and Blueface have social media talking after dropping new maternity photos. The pair hopped on Instagram and shared flicks of them posing in Western-inspired looks, with Blue, Nevaeh and her son coordinating in white tank tops and denim jeans. Blue sparked reactions after captioning the photos, “Family first.” Nevaeh also shared her own set of pics on Instagram and revealed her delivery date, writing, “Prayed for a family, received one. Our baby is almost here , 39 days left until August 24th 🙏💙”

Fans Show Love To Blue & Nevaeh’s Photoshoot, But Jaidyn Alexis Still Gets Mentioned

Once The Shade Room Teens reposted Blueface and Nevaeh’s photos, the Roomies flooded the comment section with reactions. Plenty of folks said they thought the flicks were actually cute, while others couldn’t help but bring up Jaidyn Alexis and claimed they felt like Blue was trolling and trying to get a reaction out of her.

Instagram user @itssliyaah_ wrote, “He tryna make Jaidyn dem mad 😂” 

Instagram user @megantheestalliondaugther_ wrote, “Blueface play too much 😂” 

While Instagram user @nunu3crazy.tho wrote, “Aweee this is actually some nice photos. Anyone saying they aren’t just h8ing 😂😂😂😂 they accept their reality. Gotta respect it.” 

Then Instagram user @desslifestylee wrote, “He got. 4 families. His own, Rock, Jaidyn, and now this one.” 

Another Instagram user @kaylasrev3nge wrote, “idk guys i think its kinda cuteee 😍” 

Instagram user @creolemami_916 wrote, “Had the nerves to say family first now when Jaidyn and kai do they family pics the internet finna go black for a min 😂😂😂😂😂😂” 

Then another Instagram user @_victoriaaaaaaaaaaa17 wrote, “They look GOODT 🤎🤠🤠” 

Instagram user @savagexbeauty47 wrote, “She all in love and thinks this is genuine .. meanwhile he trying to piss Jaidyn off 😂”

While another Instagram user @misss__bianca wrote, “She is so pretty tho ion care what y’all talking about.” 

Finally, Instagram user @_prettyhirah wrote, “Ohh this why Jaidyn said enjoy ur barn 😂” 

Blueface & Jaidyn Alexis Previously Made Serious Claims About Each Other

Blue’s new photos with Nevaeh Akira’s come after he and Jaidyn Alexis previously went back and forth online with serious allegations. During a livestream, Blue accused Jaidyn of being a bad mother and alleged that she drove drunk with their children in the car. He also claimed that she left the scene afterward. Jaidyn didn’t let the comments slide. She jumped on her own stream and accused Blue of being a jailhouse snitch.

Blue’s comments stem from Jaidyn’s reported car accident in December 2025 involving her and their children. At the time, Jaidyn spoke with The Shade Room and said everyone involved was okay and the accident didn’t result in any major injuries. She also shut down claims that she was under the influence while driving.

RELATED: Fans React After Blueface Claims Karlissa Saffold Harvey Traumatized Him & She Defends Herself During Heated Exchange 

In the 22nd episode of the criminally underappreciated animated gem Young Justice, Wonder Woman confronts Batman about taking on Dick Grayson at the young age of 9 to fight crime alongside him. “Robin needed to help bring the man who murdered his family to justice,” Batman says. “So he could turn out like you?” she fires back. Batman simply replies: “So that he wouldn’t.” This simple but powerful exchange is the core of Dick Grayson’s entire characterization and captures, in just a few well-chosen words, why he’s the greatest character in the history of DC.

Dick is the first sidekick in comic book history, introduced way back in Detective Comics #38 as Robin, the Boy Wonder. Arriving in April of 1940, Dick predates major DC icons like Wonder Woman and Joker. Yet, antiquity alone does not a legend make, nor does his status as the first sidekick. In fact, Dick’s best traits would not be cemented until much later in his comic book run, once he moved away from the Robin mantle and adopted the Nightwing persona. Yet, today, it’s undeniable that Dick Grayson is the best DC character, thanks to his incredible characterization and the fact that he embodies the main traits that make a truly great hero.

Who Is Nightwing?

Image via DC Comics

Richard “Dick” Grayson was born into the Flying Graysons, a family of trapeze artists working at Haly’s Circus. During one of their acts, Dick’s parents fall to their deaths after their act is sabotaged by Tony Zucco, a criminal rebuffed by the circus owner, Jack Haly. In the audience is Bruce Wayne, who instantly relates to Dick’s situation and adopts him, revealing his secret identity to him and accepting him as a sidekick. Under the mantle of Robin, the Boy Wonder, Dick brings Tony Zucco to justice, thus providing a sense of closure for his parents’ deaths. Bruce understands how crucial it is for Dick to actually see this through, as it means he can overcome his trauma and move on with his life in a way Bruce himself never could.

Dick remains Batman’s sidekick for years before joining the Teen Titans as their de facto leader. Because comic book lore is a mess (especially DC’s), the ultimate reason for Dick and Batman’s separation varies from continuity to continuity; pre-Crisis, Bruce fires Dick over safety concerns; post-Crisis, it’s because of Dick’s commitment to the Teen Titans. The fact remains, Dick abandons the Robin persona, and after struggling with his persona for a while, he eventually becomes his own hero, adopting the name Nightwing in honor of a legendary Kryptonian warrior (post-Crisis, anyway).

From then on, Nightwing begins a fascinating character journey that leads him from the Teen Titans back to Gotham and eventually to Blüdhaven, which is something like Gotham City’s ugly sister. In most depictions, Blüdhaven is a corrupt and crime-infested hell-hole, meaning Dick has his work cut out for him. Through highs and lows — and more than a few continuity changes — Dick remains one of DC’s most hopeful characters. Sure, he goes through a typical rebellious phase, mullet and everything, and he perennially struggles with confidence issues. Yet, he remains a firm believer in justice, because he has experienced it firsthand. It’s that conviction that separates him from other DC heroes, and which ultimately makes him the GOAT.

Why Is Nightwing the Best Superhero in DC?

It’s often said that Nightwing is Batman’s greatest success. Unlike Bruce, who was branded by the events on Crime Alley, Dick was able to process his grief and move on from it. Unlike Bruce, who is chronically incapable of trusting others, Dick has no intimacy issues and a willingness to let others in. He’s best friends with countless characters and has multiple support systems, both within the Bat-Family and without. In the Titans, Dick has a surrogate family, and he’s still close with those at Haly’s Circus. He’s that one friend who’s cool with everyone.

Indeed, Dick’s greatest strength, besides his resilience, is his kindness. In that respect, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Nightwing is the true heir to Superman’s ethos. They both lead with hope and empathy, always believing that there is good in everything. Their friendship is also one of the most endearing in DC Comics. What once began as a mentor-mentee dynamic has transformed into a bond of peers, friends, and allies. Both Superman and Batman respect Nightwing, to the point where they trusted him to lead a new iteration of the Justice League following the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Yet, a hero can only be compelling if he has actual trials to overcome, and Dick struggles with doubt and confidence issues going back to his days as Robin; after all, living in the Bat’s shadow can’t be easy. Yet, he’s also the only Robin who made it out of the somewhat cursed mantle; Jason fully went to the dark side before redeeming himself, while Tim allowed himself to be absorbed by the mantle, and Damian… well, he’s a little savage. But Dick wrestled with his demons and came out victorious, even if the battle endures. Dick is in one continuous fight against himself and his self-imposed expectations, but he’s learned never to allow it to overcome him. “The mission” is important, but it’s not everything, and that makes him a more effective hero.

Lastly, a hero can’t be truly great unless he kicks ass, and Dick kicks some serious ass. For one, he’s the best acrobat in all of DC. He’s also one of the few characters who can beat Batman, something he has actually done before. He’s the second-best fighter in the Bat-Family, which instantly makes him a top-tier fighter in the entire DC Universe. Lastly, Dick is also a detective, a genius-level tactician, and a forensic specialist, not to mention the most emotionally intelligent person in Gotham.

It’s Time to Make the DC Trinity a Quaternity

Image via DC Comics

For decades, DC has flaunted the Trinity as the certified stars of the universe, the greatest superheroes in the medium and the pillars upon which DC rises. Yet, while Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are certainly worthy of the praise, so is Nightwing. In terms of characterization alone, Dick Grayson is a far more compelling, complex, and inspirational character, and it’s about time he gets to occupy his place at the top of the DC canon. Currently, DC is back to its default state, with the Justice League at the top, and Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman leading it. I can’t help but wonder, though, how long it will take before Nightwing joins them.

His tenure leading the Justice League received universal acclaim because he combined the best qualities of the Trinity and then some. Dick is the best leader in DC Comics because he leads with the right combination of head and heart. Whereas Batman can only use the former, Superman often lets himself be influenced by the latter, and Wonder Woman writers constantly go back and forth between the two, Nightwing perfectly balances both, something that no other superhero can do. With each new issue, he further cements his place as the best leader in DC, not to mention one of the most universally beloved characters in the entire medium and an overwhelmingly positive portrayal of masculinity. What else can you ask for in a hero? Take a bow, Nightwing, because you are the single best character in DC Comics, and it’s not even particularly close.

A photo of a 20-year-old Lionel Messi holding Spanish soccer star Lamine Yamal as a baby has resurfaced in the days before the two face each other in one of the biggest matches of their lives.

Barcelona-based photographer Joan Monfort took the famous picture in 2007 as part of a photoshoot for UNICEF. In the photo, Messi, now 39, is holding an infant Yamal, now 19, in his arms as he helps Yamal’s mother give him a bath.

Nearly 20 years later, Messi’s Argentina squad will take on Yamal’s Spain on Sunday, July 19, in the 2026 FIFA World Cup title match in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“I have never been a believer or thought that anything was destined to occur, but I am beginning to have my doubts,” Montfort told the Associated Press on Friday, July 17. “This is beyond all reasonable explanations.”

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He added, “This has exploded all over the world, and the fact that the final is in the U.S. has given it the extra push. And now this has culminated with the final between Messi and Yamal. It is better than any film script.”

The viral photo came about when Yamal’s family won a raffle to pose with a Barcelona player for a 2008 UNICEF calendar, according to the agency. Messi played for Barcelona from 2004 to 2021.

In a full-circle moment, Yamal became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2026 and will use his platform to “advocate for every child’s right to play.”

“Growing up, all I had was a family, a ball, a park and a dream,” Yamal told UNICEF in June. “Playing football gave me structure, a sense of belonging, and hope for the future. I know how important it is for children to have a safe place to play, so that they can simply enjoy being children, discovering the world, imagining and growing.”

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As the viral photo, which became the calendar’s January image, continues to make the rounds, other players in the upcoming match expressed their surprise over the coincidence.

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“The first time I saw it, I thought it was AI and that it wasn’t even real,” Spain’s Mikel Merino said Friday, per the AP. “It’s unbelievable that two of the best players to have played the game — and hopefully Lamine, in the future, will be one of those — share a picture like that. Hopefully we’re going to see a very bright final with those two protagonists at their best, playing and giving all the fans a great spectacle.”

As for Monfort, he is a lifelong Barcelona supporter, but has not decided who he will be rooting for on Sunday.

“My heart is split. I don’t know if I want Messi or Yamal to win,” he said.

There’s a handful of series that come to mind when anime is discussed, and Sailor Moon is near the top of the list. Naoko Takeuchi’s story of teenage girls was unlike anything that had come before; it deftly blended elements of the tokusatsu series Super Sentai with the more standard tropes of shoujo manga, leading to a unique hybrid. It continues to inspire various animated projects, including Pixar’s Turning Red. There’s even a channel on the Pluto TV streaming service that plays Sailor Moon 24/7!

Sailor Moon‘s biggest claim to fame was the fact that it was one of the first anime series, alongside Dragon Ball Z and Pokémon, that U.S. viewers became fans of in the ’90s. But the English dubs of the series would often go out of their way to make things more palatable to American audiences — cutting out references to death, as well as excess violence and sexual subject matter. While sometimes this was necessary (see the infamous episode of Pokémon that only aired once in Japan), censors would often take things to the extreme, creating a transmogrification of the series due to Westernization and conservative norms. Sailor Moon was a strong case for this, as its original English dub was extremely edited to the point where some of the series’ key themes were diluted.

How U.S. Censorship Impacted ‘Sailor Moon’

The original English dub of Sailor Moon was overseen by DIC Entertainment, which oversaw a number of animated series including The Real Ghostbusters as well as Street Sharks and Extreme Dinosaurs (the latter two series being among the few cartoons that took the right lessons from the success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.) Naturally, that came with a flurry of changes. The titular heroine saw her name being changed from Usagi Tsukino to Serena, and the Japanese intro was replaced with an admittedly catchy English theme. The DIC dub also added a segment titled, “Sailor Says” where the Sailor Scouts would impart lessons to viewers. The company took a similar approach with Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, so it only makes sense that it would try the same approach for a series as popular as Sailor Moon.

Some of the U.S. censorship, however, was frankly ridiculous. Chief among that censorship was the removal of death scenes. Instead, the evil Queen Beryl’s minions “were sent to the Negaverse.” This didn’t make any sense, as, for one, the Sailor Scouts’ attacks were fairly destructive. Sailor Mars summons a flaming arrow, and Sailor Jupiter can manifest a dragon composed entirely of lightning, so there isn’t much left in the way of the monsters’ bodies. But most important was the fact that the Negaverse is Beryl’s domain.

Therefore, sending her minions back would only empower them. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the fifth and final season of Sailor Moon never aired in the U.S. due to Minako, aka Sailor Venus, having fantasies about her favorite band, the Three Lights, as men. Takeuchi was never shy about exploring LGBTQ+ themes in the Sailor Moon manga, so it would only make sense that those themes would appear in the anime. But American censors would scramble to tone down those elements to align with more Western binaric thoughts and norms. But that wasn’t the only infamous example of DIC’s attempts to rewrite the show.

‘Sailor Moon’ Characters Were Re-Written To Reduce LGBTQ+ Representation

As Sailor Moon progressed, more Sailor Scouts beyond the core five would be introduced. Two of those scouts were Michiru Kaiou (Sailor Neptune) and Haruka Tenou (Sailor Uranus). The two were as different as night and day: Michiru was a refined violinist while Haruka was a confident, outgoing race car driver. But the biggest revelation came from the fact that the two were lovers, making them the first lesbian couple in Sailor Moon. It wasn’t the first time the series featured a same-sex relationship: the Dark Kingdom generals Zoisite and Kunzite were shown to be in a relationship, with Kunzite mourning Zoisite after Beryl executed him for attempting to kill Tuxedo Mask.

DIC’s censorship could be felt the heaviest here in the U.S. version of Sailor Moon, with Zoisite being referred to as a woman (even having a female voice actress in Kristen Bishop), while Neptune and Uranus were referred to as cousins. This caused a sharp debate among Sailor Moon fans that exists to this day. Some fans prefer the dub because it was their introduction to Sailor Moon, while others have balked at the egregious changes that scrubbed out a great deal of LGBTQ+ representation at a time when most fans could have used it. For a time, the DIC dub was the only way for Sailor Moon fans to engage with the show — but that all changed in 2014.

Image via Toei Animation

Sailor Moon would race back into prominence with the debut of Sailor Moon Crystal, a new series from Toei Animation that hewed far closer to the original series than the first anime did. To that extent, many of the series’ original themes have been restored, including Zoisite’s gender as well as Neptune and Uranus’ romantic relationships. The original series was also redubbed with all-new voice actors, which also kept the original themes intact. Both series would fall under the purview of VIZ Media, which obtained the license for Sailor Moon in 2014.

Once again, this opened up a debate between Sailor Moon fans, as some prefer the new dub while others express their love of the DIC dub with its warts and all. No matter what side of the debate one falls on, it is clear that the VIZ version of the series hews far closer to Takeuchi’s original vision and keeps in all the themes that made the series worth a watch. With Sailor Moon Cosmos having debuted in June 2023, the legacy of Sailor Moon proves to endure no matter what umbrella it’s under, or what censorship issues it’s faced in the past.

Sailor Moon is available to stream on Hulu and Pluto TV in the U.S.

Nara Smith has fans cheering after sharing a heartfelt update on her daughter Whimsy Lou’s cancer journey. Nara hopped on social media to speak directly to everyone who’s been sending prayers and rooting for Whimsy to keep pushing through and beat cancer.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Nara Smith Reveals Her Two-Year Old’s Daughter Cancer Diagnosis (VIDEO) 

Nara Smith Gives Fans A Hopeful Update On Her 2-Year-Old Daughter

On Friday, July 17, Nara Smith hopped on Instagram to thank fans for all the love, kind messages, and prayers they’ve continued to send after she previously revealed that her daughter, Whimsy Lou, had been diagnosed with cancer. This time, though, Nara shared some hopeful news, revealing that Whimsy is now in remission. Nara explained that she and her husband, Lucky Blue Smith, spent months debating whether to share Whimsy’s journey, but they ultimately decided to open up because so many families are walking a similar path. She also said her daughter’s diagnosis opened her eyes to just how expensive medical can be and inspired her to start supporting charities and organizations that help families in need.

From there, Nara added that she and Lucky have been taking Whimsy’s journey one day at a time while learning how to navigate their new normal together. “I don’t know whether life will ever feel normal again, but we’re trying to navigate this next chapter the best that we can.” Smith continued, “I’m sending all of my love to families that are actively still going through this fight. 

Fans Continue To Send Nara Prayers Following Whimsy’s Remission Update

After The Shade Room shared Nara’s update, the Roomies flooded the comment section with love, prayers, and heart emojis, with many celebrating Whimsy’s remission and continuing to send well wishes to the family.

Instagram user @dessi_babyy wrote, “I pray for a strong recovery for babygirl ❤️🙏🏽” 

Instagram user @labella.boricua wrote, “I pray her baby beats cancer! This is so heartbreaking.” 

While Instagram user @pawsaroundforsyth wrote, “Life just isn’t fair. Why does a baby have to go through this…😞” 

Then Instagram user @lovelya_ray wrote, “Babies being sick is the worse.. I don’t care if it’s a cold.. I hate it.😔” 

Another Instagram user @stormkk__ wrote, “God is sooo good!! Yess good news!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️” 

Instagram user @ibdatpisces wrote, “Awee god pls continue giving this baby and her mom the strength 🥺” 

Finally, Instagram user @misslionesss_ wrote, “Stay Strong Mom & Baby 🙏🏽💕” 

Nara Previously Shared Heartfelt Words For Her Little Warrior Girl

As The Shade Room previously reported, Nara Smith opened up about Whimsy’s cancer diagnosis earlier this month. Shortly after sharing the life update, Nara posted photos of Whimsy’s bald head alongside sweet family moments and told her followers that opening up about her daughter’s health journey wasn’t easy. However, she said the outpouring love, kind messages, and prayers gave their family exactly what they needed during that moment.

“Sharing something this vulnerable wasn’t an easy decision but seeing every message, prayer, story of a similar experience and kindness has made it a little easier,” adding, “To every family or parent walking through something heavy right now, we’re thinking of you too.”

RELATED: Nara Smith Gives Emotional Update On Her Daughter’s Health After Revealing Cancer Diagnosis (PHOTOS) 

Big Brother fans, if you listen here regularly, you already know that Rick Devens won Week 2 Head of Household. And after the comp ended around 1 AM Eastern, we saw the key around his neck and Wild West costumes. And today, Devens made his nominations.

But before they had the nomination ceremony, the houseguests got the results of the BB Time Capsule. I’ll tell you who freaked the heck out when Angela Murray was revealed as the first time capsule winner.

So, real quick, last night, after Devens won HOH, Rome Seymour was immediately jockeying for safety for him, Lyric Medeiros and Jason de Puy and said they’d keep Devens safe next week if one of them won. LaTrice “Lala” Verrett wants Haley Thogmartin on the block but Devens said he promised her safety in the Wild West HOH comp.

Devens also made clear that Mallory Aurichio, Yash Patel and Taylor Brown won’t go up because they were all just on the block. That’ll narrow things down a lot when I tell you about the new ginormous alliance that formed last night in the BB28 house.

Big Brother 28: Tool Shed Alliance and Rome’s Doorbell Disaster

At about 4 AM, there was a whole bunch of conspiring houseguests up in the HOH room – it wound up with all the Crossovers up there along with the Red Corner three. That’s 8 people in this new umbrella alliance.

Now look at the math. With 16 in the house, 1 HOH and 2 final nominees not voting, that’s 13 voting which means 7 votes to evict. Devens can’t vote but the other 7 in their alliance can. So, if they stay locked in, they’re in control of the game for the foreseeable future.

This super-alliance has a name by the way – Tool Shed. So many joke lines come to mind. Drew Campbell came up with the Tool Shed name saying they were all tools, him being the biggest. They’re referring to Rome’s little group on the other side of the house as the Roman Empire.

Downstairs in the kitchen late last night, Jason, Rome and Lyric realized how many people had assembled upstairs in HOH. Rome decided to go up there and interrupt the meeting. Lyric told him not to do it. But Rome went up there anyway. And then it got awkward.

Big Brother 28: Rome Throws the Comp?

So, while Lyric and Jason stayed in the kitchen, Rome went up and rang the doorbell once. No answer. Twice, got ignored. The alliance was giggling and shushing each other pretending they’re not all in there? Not ready to give up, Rome pulled up a chair. He sat glaring at the door for a few minutes then stormed back downstairs to talk to Jason and Lyric about it. The Tool Shed, minus Devens, came streaming downstairs and Rome grouched at all of them for being up there and not answering the door. They played like they didn’t hear it.

Devens later told Rome he felt bad they didn’t answer the doorbell but I don’t think he really did because Devens was dancing upstairs watching Rome get angry on the HOH video screen.

Someone on the X hashtag made me laugh – shout out to Jessica Frey who said, “I guess Rome doesn’t like being submissive to the HOH.”

And apparently, Rome threw the HOH comp. I bet he’s regretting that now. Seems it was Haley who initially suggested the plan but then Devens was on board. He plans to nominate Lyric, Melody Morris and Jason, but is telling some people that Melody’s his target. But she’s not.

Big Brother 28: Rome Backdoor Plan and Angela’s Time Capsule Win

Devens’ plan is a Rome backdoor. Of course, with BB Blockbuster, it’s not a true blindside backdoor. But Devens wants to renominate Rome instead of directly nominating him. Because Devens doesn’t want Rome to have 2 chances to get off the block – POV and BB Blockbuster.

Melody and Mallory are starting to panic, realizing there’s a larger group they’re not part of. And that side of the house somehow thinks Haley’s running everything. No doubt because they all hate her. Lyric realized she might be a pawn with Rome the target.

Not sure how concerned she is though because Lyric got that “I love you” out of Rome. She said the other day it’d be a week before he said it and Lyric got it sooner than that. Then again, Rome was openly lusting on her underboob, so that might be what motivated him.

There was some other fun stuff on the feeds including Taylor Brown calling Haley a fake-ass Rachel Reilly. The hate for Haley’s so strong in this BB28 house. Jason and Rome were safe last week and now their first week of not being safe, and they’re freaking out.

And, in advance of the nomination ceremony, Angela let Devens know she’s ready in case Jason makes a big stink after he’s nominated. In fact, Angela’s planning to confront Jason if he pops off on Devens. Remember her low-budget movie rant in BB26?

Angela’s planning a sequel to tell the whole house that Jason was fake crying to manipulate her. So, Angela’s planning to say Jason’s a bad actor like in an after-school special, not even good enough for an indie film. Devens seems to be all-in on this, ready to bring the chaos.

Big Brother: Eggceptional Punishment

Meanwhile, Jason was camtalking, appealing to America to give him or Rome the Time Capsule and calls the big alliance all bullies. Jason was also crying a lot because he realized he’s going on the block. But after the reveal of the Time Capsule winner, there were more tears.

Guess who America chose for the first Time Capsule? None other than Angela. She was notified and left to play the challenge then came back in wearing a punishment costume because she lost. Angela’s stuck in Vince Panaro’s Egg Detective costume from BB27, which is a really funny one.

And then, she told Dee Valladares and Barrett Pfeiffer that she thinks America gave her the Time Capsule because they saw how dirty that Jason was doing her. Angela’s stuck in the costume for several days. Meanwhile, you could hear on the live feeds, Jason absolutely sobbing.

On the 4 screen split, you could see Angela and Dee and Barrett on the left two screens and this quivering figure in the bathroom on the other two screens, just absolutely bawling. Jason’s so traumatized by Angela being chosen over him that he cannot cope.

I do not think playing Big Brother is good for Jason’s mental health. When he had a gym floor meltdown, Rome kind of low-key called him out. Jason said he thought America would be rooting for them to win but is upset that America seems to be rooting for the vets.

Rome said of course they are – they’re the favorites – that’s why they’re on Big Brother. I know Jason’s not wanting to hear truths like that. But Rome also basically promised to make Angela cry because he’s upset that Lyric and Jason were crying.

Big Brother:

And before I confirm nominations for you, one more thing – Angela’s paranoia about Drew may come back to bite her. Sounds like he knows Angela’s been doubting him. And today, when Rome asked Drew who was running the big HOH meeting, Drew said “mostly the egg” – AKA Angela. Melody said she never liked that person. Drew said Devens co-signed the plan and Dee’s just there. So, if anyone spreads Drew talking behind the Tool Shed’s back, he’s going to be screwed. I mean bad.

And by the way, Have Nots for the week are Lyric, Rome, Kamuela “Kamu” Kirk, Jason and Barrett.

The feeds went down at about noon EST and came back up with some big hurt feelings in the house. Then

The feeds were rolling when Devens said this concludes the nomination ceremony. Screaming, crying insanity. Can’t wait to see this Wednesday night.

Jason was having an absolute fit and Angela was going off. She exposed Jason as she planned to do. For faking tears with her and for trying to pit her and Lala against each other. Jason was going nuts – Lala and Angela were crying in each other’s arms.

Melody ran out crying with Lyric trailing after her. Lala ran out crying like someone ran over her puppy. Jason called himself a messy bitch then screamed at the live feed cameras that America can hate him.

But for the record – official nominations – Lyric, Jason and Melody. I’ll have an update for you tomorrow with more of the fallout from this epic nomination ceremony.