IShowSpeed has been having a time while streaming during the FIFA World Cup! From meeting supporters to rooting for his favorite player, Cristiano Ronaldo, Speed has truly been in his element while enjoying the games. However, one moment took a different turn during the Argentina vs. Cape Verde game, and FIFA is now stepping in to investigate.

RELATED: Another W! iShowSpeed Celebrates As ‘World Cup’ Earns His First Gold Certification (VIDEO)

More On Alleged Racist Incident Involving IShowSpeed

During Friday’s FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami, IShowSpeed was livestreaming his time at the game. During the stream, Speed appeared to get upset following an interaction with some Argentine fans in the stands. According to CBS News, the 21-year-old creator confronted a fan in an Argentina jersey after hearing comments directed at him. The fan, speaking in Spanish, allegedly told Speed to “go cry to the zoo.”

FIFA Releases A Statement Following IShowSpeed’s World Cup Stream

Following iShowSpeed’s stream, FIFA  has stepped in. They revealed that they have launched an investigation after streamer IShowSpeed was allegedly subjected to a racist remark.

“According to FIFA, they immediately began looking into the situation. In a statement, FIFA condemned racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms.

They added that those actions have no place in football, the FIFA World Cup, or anywhere in society. FIFA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms. These actions have no place in football, at the FIFA World Cup, or anywhere in society.

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FIFA was made aware of an incident involving a supporter and IShowSpeed at Miami Stadium during the Argentina vs. Cabo Verde match on 3 July 2026.They immediately initiated an investigation.

The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect. It brings together people, cultures, and communities from around the world. Anyone who acts in a manner that undermines these values is not welcome in our game.”

Social Media Weighs In

Folks gathered under The Shade Room’s comment section to react to FIFA’s statement. Many showed support for Speed and praised him for keeping his composure during the situation. Others opened up about their own experiences with racism, especially with people from Argentina. Many are now waiting to see how FIFA plans to handle the incident.

Instagram user @carmencolonrealestate wrote, “He is so respectful and patient, I would have been tossed out of that stadium 😂”

Instagram user @leesaunique wrote, “That’s sad & he really ate that and held his composure. Wow I didn’t even it was like this smh it so derogatory it really be hurting our feelings, mind u he’s richer and more famous than any of them in the stands”

While Instagram user @blackgatemade_ren wrote, “They spinning bout speedyyy 😭😭”

Instagram user @danielkd21 wrote. “It’s Argentina, are we really surprised?! lak how yall support them especially given their history”

Instagram user @prettyk1206 added, “Mind you, this happened right here in the USA!!!!!! What is there to “investigate” if it’s right there on camera? BAN the chick for life and that’s that.”

While Instagram user @stefflondon wrote, “When someone is being racist against you its one of the worst feelings in the world. Sending love and light to Speed 🙏🏽 ❤️ “

Instagram user @uniqqlash wrote, “As a Latino we don’t claim Argentina, actually we would love for anyone else to win the World Cup SMH”

Instagram user @kieshacato added, “Would be nice for Messi to address his fans O saying this is unacceptable, or even the Argentinian team. I get they don’t HAVE to but it’d sure be nice to see where they stand with all of that. @leomessi

While Instagram user @tomerialatonya wrote, “they dislike us in every culture lol 1 really be • wanting to know why we so hated on wait… We are the CHOSEN ones gifted and powerful”

RELATED: How Sweet! IShowSpeed Blesses Supporter In St. Lucia After Hearing About His Family’s Financial Struggles (VIDEOS)

Jenifer Lewis is speaking out with a powerful message following the death of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells. The college student was reported missing after a Fourth of July outing with friends on Horn Island in Mississippi. Nolan’s body was found two days later, on July 6, and concerns about his manner of death are in question. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says no foul play is suspected, but a video of an argument among the group is causing suspicion.

Related: Ben Crump Says Nolan Xavier Wells Was A Strong Swimmer While Noting Texts Appear To Have Been Deleted From His Phone (VIDEO)

Jenifer Lewis Shares A Message Following The Death Of Nolan Wells

Jenifer Lewis shared an important message on Instagram on Wednesday, July 8, and it is powerful. The actress appears in a video shared with fans, delivering a passionate monologue that is going viral. The video begins with Lewis shaking her head before speaking.

“Stop killing our children, son of a b*tch,” Lewis began. “We don’t care if you think you’re rich. We love our children and the color of their skin, and we’re getting tired of being called as the next of kin.”

“You twisted monsters are going to fall,” she continued. “Don’t you know your own children will suffer if you keep magnifying this Civil War? The people are becoming more and more empowered. You can hide your face, but not your soul, coward. One again, we love our children and the color of their skin.”

Lewis also included the caption, “My sincere condolences to ALL the families around the world who have lost their children to so much hatred. #NolanXavierWells #StopKillingOurChildren #VoteGov.”

Celebs And Fans React To Jenifer Lewis’ Video Amid Nolan Wells Investigation

Celebrities and fans alike reacted to Lewis and her powerful message.

Comedian Luenell replied, “RIGHT JENNIFER🤬🔥🔥🔥🔥🤨🤨.”

Music producer Pete Rock added, “The realest woman alive ❤️.”

@aminatunoah added, “I was wondering which celebrity was going to speak up about this ongoing issue… Thanks for taking a stand 👑 it all start with us 👏🏾🤲🏾💪🏾🙌🏾.”

@jusdria replied, “✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽 NO JUSTICE NO PEACE.”

Civil Rights’ Attorney Ben Crump Is Representing Nolan Xavier Wells’ Family

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump was retained by Nolan’s family amid the investigation into his death. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says that the student may have drowned. Crump says that Nolan was a strong swimmer, and the family does not accept the sheriff’s theory. His friend group also claimed that he stayed behind while they left the island on a boat. However, a girl who was speaking to Nolan claims he said he was going back to the boat. The family also believes that texts were deleted from Nolan’s phone, and they’ve called for a transparent investigation.

RELATED: Mom Of Teen Who Was On Horn Island With Nolan Xavier Wells Speaks As Ben Crump Alleges 18-Year-Old Was Involved In “Argument”

For nearly a week, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s wedding remained wrapped in secrecy, with guests keeping quiet about what unfolded inside Madison Square Garden.

Now, Travis’ older brother, Jason Kelce, has finally offered fans a glimpse behind the curtain, sharing his verdict on the celebration and revealing one surprising detail about just how festive the night became.

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While attending the American Century Championship golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, Jason Kelce became the first close family member to publicly discuss Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s July 3 wedding.

The retired NFL star didn’t reveal intimate details from the ceremony, but his brief remarks immediately gave eager fans something they had been waiting for since the couple tied the knot.

Asked how the celebration went, Jason kept his review simple. “It was a good time,” he said with a smile per the New York Post.

Later, he echoed that sentiment again, describing the event as “great.”

Those few comments may have been short, but they carried extra weight because almost everyone connected to the wedding has remained unusually quiet following the highly private ceremony.

Jason Kelce’s Beer Confession Stole The Spotlight

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Although Jason avoided revealing any behind-the-scenes moments, one answer quickly became the headline.

When a fan jokingly asked whether he drank more or fewer than 15 beers during the festivities, the former Philadelphia Eagles center admitted his total was “way over.”

The lighthearted confession perfectly matched Jason’s well-known personality. Throughout his NFL career and even after retirement, he built a reputation as one of football’s most relatable stars, often embracing the fun instead of shying away from it.

His latest remark also gave fans an idea of the atmosphere inside one of the year’s most talked-about celebrity weddings.

Rather than describing an overly formal evening, Jason’s comments suggested the celebration was very much fun-filled.

Why Travis Kelce And Taylor Swift Kept Everything So Private

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Part of the fascination surrounding the wedding comes from how carefully Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce protected it.

Guests reportedly signed non-disclosure agreements before attending, while phones were not permitted inside Madison Square Garden, making the ceremony one of the most tightly guarded celebrity events in recent memory.

That level of privacy has meant even small details have generated enormous attention.

Publicly confirmed information has remained limited. Adam Sandler officiated the ceremony, Travis asked Jason to serve as his best man, and Swift’s brother, Austin, stood beside his sister as her man of honor instead of the couple choosing traditional bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Jason’s daughters also reportedly took part in the ceremony, serving as flower girls and helping welcome Swift down the aisle.

Because so few guests have spoken publicly, every new comment continues to add another piece to the picture fans have been trying to assemble since the wedding.

Jason Kelce Played A Bigger Role Than Most Guests

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Jason wasn’t simply another celebrity in attendance.

As Travis Kelce’s best man, he stood at the center of one of the biggest moments in his younger brother’s life.

The Kelce brothers have become one of sports’ most recognizable duos over the past several years, thanks not only to their decorated NFL careers but also their popular “New Heights” podcast and the close relationship fans have watched develop long before Travis began dating Swift.

That made Jason’s role at the ceremony especially meaningful.

While the newlyweds have yet to publicly discuss their wedding day, Jason’s comments indicated how much the occasion meant to those closest to the couple without revealing the intimate moments they clearly hoped to keep private.

The Wedding Mystery Continues Despite New Details

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Even with Jason Kelce’s first public remarks, much about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding remains under wraps.

Other guests have praised the celebration, with former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick calling it “unbelievable” and “top notch,” and Michael Strahan describing the event as “amazing.”

For now, though, Jason’s comments have become the clearest window into a ceremony that has largely remained off-limits to the public.

His admission that he drank “way over” 15 beers may have been delivered with a laugh, but it also confirmed that the newlyweds threw exactly the kind of celebration their family and friends won’t soon forget.

Fans hoping to see Douglas Adams’ beloved sci-fi comedy return to the screen will have to keep waiting. After years without any meaningful updates, Hulu’s planned television adaptation of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy has officially been confirmed as dead, bringing an end to a project that once generated plenty of excitement among longtime fans.

The series was first announced in 2019 with Carlton Cuse (Lost, Jack Ryan) and Jason Fuchs (Wonder Woman, It) attached as creators and executive producers. At the time, Hulu envisioned a modern television adaptation of Adams’ iconic science fiction franchise, which began as a BBC radio series before evolving into bestselling novels, television series, video games, and the 2005 feature film starring Martin Freeman.

Unfortunately, the ambitious project never progressed beyond early development. Speaking with ScreenRant, Carlton Cuse confirmed the adaptation is no longer moving forward.

“I’m not working on that any longer.”

Cuse went on to explain why the project struggled to find its footing, describing Adams’ work as “an incredibly difficult story to crack.” According to him, the creative team was never able to find a satisfying way to modernize the material while remaining true to what made it special.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Cuse said he has no regrets about taking on the challenge.

“It was a worthwhile shot to take, because I love that story so much. Even though it didn’t come to fruition, it was really fun to get to think about it a lot, and to reabsorb myself in that story and that world, because it was so brilliant.”

The news will undoubtedly disappoint fans who believed a streaming series was the perfect format for the sprawling adventures of Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Trillian, and Marvin the Paranoid Android. Unlike the 2005 film, a serialized television adaptation could have explored much more of Adams’ bizarre universe and the stories spread across his acclaimed novels.

Released in 2005, the feature film starred Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, Zooey Deschanel, Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey), Alan Rickman as the voice of Marvin, and Stephen Fry as the voice of the Guide. While the movie received mixed reviews upon release, it has since earned a loyal cult following.

For now, however, Hulu’s adaptation has officially reached the end of the road. Although this version is no more, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy remains one of science fiction’s most beloved properties, and given Hollywood’s continued appetite for recognizable franchises, another adaptation someday wouldn’t be the most improbable thing in the universe.

After all, as the Guide famously reminds us: Don’t Panic.

Details of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s wedding have been making the rounds since the couple shut down New York City for their ultra-exclusive nuptials.

Now sources are sharing hints about a possible location for their honeymoon, which could cost them about half a million dollars.

The financial cost will not be a problem for billionaire couple Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, who have reportedly put an iron-clad prenuptial agreement in place for their marriage.

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Following their blockbuster July 3rd wedding ceremony at Madison Square Garden, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are said to be eyeing an “ultra-private” destination for their honeymoon.

Even though fans have been obsessing over details about their nuptials, the newlyweds are not ready to shift grounds just yet and would strive to keep things away from the public, just like they did for their wedding.

“They just don’t want anything getting leaked,” a source told Star Magazine. “They want to be able to enjoy this special time with total privacy.”

Meanwhile, rumors have heavily pointed to a historic castle on the West Coast as their choice destination.

The insider noted that there have been rumors that they’ll begin their vacation at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, the same location where John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned in 1953.

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Could Rent Out The Resort

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The “Bad Blood” singer and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end would spare no expense to maintain their privacy. Apparently, the luxury resort they’re reportedly considering could set them back to the tune of $500,000 for a week, but money isn’t the problem for the billionaire couple, so long as they get what they want.

“There’s the option to rent out the entire property, which she’d likely want to do for privacy, and that can cost upwards of $500K for a week,” the insider continued.

“They’ve got about three weeks until Travis starts training camp, and their good friends are getting married in California next week,” the source added, referencing New York Giants wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and his fiancée, Laura Kurk’s upcoming nuptials. “They’re having to work around that, but they don’t see that as any sort of hindrance.”

The Couple Seemingly Broke The Bank For Their Wedding

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Swift and Kelce tied the knot over the Fourth of July weekend in the most splendid manner. They reportedly hosted about 1,000 guests and paid $3 million to book Madison Square Garden for at least 3 days.

According to TMZ, an industry insider revealed that the couple didn’t get a special deal on the “World’s Most Famous Arena,” despite the fact that she has a history with them and has played over 8 sold-out shows over the course of her career.

The scale of the wedding and everything that went into its planning left experts estimating they splurged anywhere between $35 million and $50 million.

“Most stadiums, they’re union houses, you also have to navigate the union, the workers, and you have to pay them,” celebrity event designer Edward Perotti told People Magazine. “There’s a snowball effect with it that just kind of automatically comes with it that most people don’t think.”

Perotti added that the cost of labor, crafting a gigantic stage as rumors suggest, seeing out the design and floral details, could have easily spiked the cost of the wedding.

“It’s somewhere in the window of $35 million to $50 million,” he said.

Taylor Swift Had An ‘Iron-Clad’ Prenup For Her NFL Beau

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While the money is readily available to enjoy the finest things of life together as husband and wife, Swift’s camp reportedly took steps to protect her $2 billion fortune by drawing up an “iron-clad” prenup.

Reports suggest it was crafted in close consultation with her family and legal team, and is designed to protect her royalties, music rights, and companies.

According to OK! Magazine, her father, Scott Swift, was instrumental in drafting the legal terms.

“Scott is what you hope a father will be. He has dedicated his whole adult life to shielding Taylor, while still stepping back enough for her to grow into herself,” a source said.

Why Travis Kelce Accepted His Wife’s Prenup Terms Without Questions

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Kelce’s camp reportedly didn’t think twice before accepting the prenup deal presented to them by Swift’s team, seemingly proving how much he loves the singer.

“Travis has a very clear sense of what Taylor has created and how many years went into it. He views the prenup as basic common sense on her part, not some kind of loyalty test, and snapped up the deal when it was put in front of him and his lawyers,” a source told the news outlet.

They added, “Right from day one, he made a point of acknowledging Scott’s involvement and judgment. He told people, ‘Scott has spent years safeguarding one of the most powerful brands in entertainment – why would I try to get in the way of that?’”

2026 has already been full of big new Marvel releases, and the franchise hasn’t even made it to the big screen yet for its first movie of the year. This comes in just a few weeks, though, with the premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the fourth MCU Spider-Man movie starring Tom Holland as Peter Parker. The film is expected to lead directly into the events of Avengers: Doomsday, which opens in theaters around the world later this year on December 18. Marvel brought back tenured MCU directors Anthony and Joe Russo to direct Avengers: Doomsday, which will be their first Marvel film since teaming up in 2019 for Avengers: Endgame. The duo have worked on other films in the years since, including one of the biggest Netflix movies of all time, The Gray Man (starring Ryan Gosling).

Through their production banner, AGBO, Anthony and Joe Russo are involved in plenty of films every year, even ones they don’t direct. Just this year, Anthony and Joe Russo have produced popular TV shows such as From and Citadel, which both returned with new seasons, and they even produced the Prime Video swashbuckling epic, The Bluff. Before Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters later this year, the Russo brothers are circling their next project, and the duo have officially been tapped to remake one of the biggest cult classics from the 90s. News broke this afternoon that Anthony and Joe Russo will produce a reimagining of the 1993 Warner Bros movie, Free Willy, which follows a boy who risks everything to save a killer whale who is about to be killed by aquarium owners. Mary-Margaret Kunze and Jade Halley Bartlett are writing the script for the film, but additional details are being kept under wraps at this time.

Are The Russo Brothers Also Directing ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’?

In addition to directing Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel has also enlisted Anthony and Joe Russo to direct the 2027 follow-up, Avengers: Secret Wars. It was previously thought that the Doomsday/Secret Wars job was going to go to Destin Daniel Cretton, but once he signed on to direct Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Marvel decided to go in the direction of the Russo brothers. There’s a lot riding on Avengers: Doomsday this year, as most fans would agree that Marvel has lost some of its goodwill with general audiences. With the film opening alongside Dune: Part Three later this year, Marvel better bring its A-game for Doomsday.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the Russo brothers’ future projects.

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Release Date

July 16, 1993

Runtime

112 minutes

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Director

Simon Wincer

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  Jason James Richter

  Jesse

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  August Schellenberg

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  Randolph Johnson

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Twenty-five years after launching a rap career that reshaped Southern hip-hop, T.I. says he’s finally ready to step away from the spotlight.

The Grammy winner isn’t leaving because of declining success or a lack of opportunities. Instead, he believes he has already accomplished everything he once dreamed of, allowing him to close one chapter while embracing family life and a different future.

For many artists, retirement announcements come with caveats. T.I., however, sounds remarkably certain that this is the right moment to move on.

Speaking to PEOPLE, the Atlanta rapper explained that his decision isn’t rooted in frustration with the industry. Instead, it comes from a sense of fulfillment after spending more than two decades building one of hip-hop’s most recognizable careers.

“I’ve gotten everything I prayed for from the game,” he said.

That perspective gives extra meaning to his latest album, “Kill the King,” which he describes as his final studio project. Rather than chasing another chart-topping era, the record serves as a closing statement from an artist who helped define the 2000s with hits including “Bring Em Out,” “Whatever You Like,” and collaborations such as Justin Timberlake’s “My Love” and Rihanna’s “Live Your Life.”

His retirement also arrives during a milestone year. This October marks 25 years since the release of “I’m Serious,” the album that introduced listeners to the rapper’s unmistakable delivery and laid the foundation for a career that would eventually earn Grammy Awards, platinum records, and the self-proclaimed title of “King of the South.”

T.I. And Tiny Found Strength Through Difficult Years

Although T.I.’s music career brought enormous success, it also unfolded alongside years of public scrutiny.

His relationship with wife Tiny has weathered legal challenges, intense media attention, and personal setbacks that tested both their marriage and public image. Yet those experiences now appear to be one of the biggest reasons the rapper values where his life stands today.

Reflecting on their relationship, he told PEOPLE, “When somebody’s endured treacherous circumstances with you, been with you during your darkest hours, it just makes the bright moments that much brighter.”

He added, “I think that the grace of God has brought us through, and we’re experiencing brighter moments and brighter days now.”

The couple began dating in 2001 after T.I. had admired Tiny from afar during her years with Xscape. They married in 2010 and blended their families while raising three children together.

Over the years, they also became reality television stars through VH1’s “T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle,” which ran from 2011 to 2017. The series gave viewers an unusually close look at their home life and remains one of the longest-running celebrity family shows of its era.

Family Has Become T.I.’s Biggest Priority

The rapper’s changing priorities extend well beyond music.

Instead of chasing another recording cycle, he says spending time with his wife and their children now brings the greatest satisfaction. Their household has evolved as the children have grown into adulthood, creating a different rhythm from the one that once revolved around nonstop touring and studio sessions.

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T.I. also credits fatherhood with changing the way he approaches life. “I’ve learned not to do as much talking as I do listening,” he said.

His comments reflect years of personal growth following several controversies, including criticism over remarks he made in 2019 about his daughter Deyjah. He later apologized publicly, acknowledging the backlash that followed.

Even with those difficult moments, he remains grateful that his family’s reality series preserved milestones that might otherwise have faded with time.

T.I. Reflects On The Road That Brought Him Here

T.I.’s confidence today contrasts sharply with the life he describes as a teenager.

Growing up in Atlanta, he has spoken openly about becoming involved in criminal activity before music completely changed his future. Looking back, he now wishes he had invested more of that energy elsewhere.

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“I should have been somewhere reading or writing, learning to play the piano,” he recalled before adding that he would tell his younger self to “focus this time and this attention into something that could better serve you later on in life, because you going to need it.”

That perspective has become central to his legacy. Beyond music, T.I. has expanded into acting, business ventures, community work, podcasting, and film production, demonstrating a career that has steadily evolved beyond rap alone.

A Final Album Opens The Door To A New Chapter

Although T.I. is retiring from recording, he isn’t disappearing completely.

He plans to spend time on the King Succession Tour alongside his sons Domani and King, both of whom are pursuing careers in music. The tour represents a symbolic passing of the torch while allowing him to remain connected to fans without beginning another recording era.

Looking back on everything he has achieved, the rapper says he has no regrets about the journey.

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“I feel blessed to have had such a long career, to go from the kid that was praying to be a part of something to having such a significant role,” he said.

As for what comes next, T.I. appears content to let his body of work speak for itself.

“it just feels like this is it. I’ll catch y’all on the flip side.”

With his legacy firmly established, T.I. now steps into the next phase of his life with a sense of peace and purpose.

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Social media users are goin’ IN after Stacey Dash switched up her look.

RELATED: Okay! LisaRaye Participated In “Backup Dancer Challenge” Alongside Valarie Pettiford & She’s Got Social Media Talkin’ (VIDEO)

Stacey Dash Switches Up Her Look

On Wednesday, July 8, Stacey Dash took to Instagram to share a quick reel with her more than 416,000 followers. Furthermore, the clip showed her with her hair braided back and donning a denim halter top and jeans. Additionally, she held a lollipop as she stepped away from the camera, dancing to LL Cool J’s ‘Around The Way Girl.’

“Around the Bronx girl 💯…🥷🏽💋,” she captioned the video.

Social Media Users Are Goin’ IN

Social media users reacted to the footage of Stacey Dash and her switched-up look in TSR’s comment section.

Stacey Dash Had The Timeline Gagged Last Summer

As The Shade Room previously reported, Stacey Dash made headlines in August 2025. At the time, she shared a video vibing to October London’s ‘Touch On Me.’

At the time, the video left one social media user in TSR’s comment section, writing, “She gotta battle Britney Spears for the crown”

RELATED: Stacey Dash Has Social Media Gagged With Her Dance Moves In Head-Turning Video (WATCH)

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 23 seconds ago

Whenever we get a new movie based on a book, existing fans all have the same question: how accurate will the film be? After all, these literary lovers have spent countless hours envisioning these stories, and it’s hard enough for fans to accept actors who look different than the characters they envisioned. If a director deviates from the source material too much, those fans may even boycott the film. That’s why the Lord of the Rings movies remain the gold standard for literary adaptations: not only is the cast perfect, but every single frame was dripping with Peter Jackson’s love for J.R.R. Tolkien.

However, there are exceptions to every rule. One year before Elijah Wood suited up as Frodo Baggins, we got a raunchy, R-rated horror movie that became the stuff of pop culture legend. To this day, it inspires memes shared by everyone from Gen X to Gen Alpha. The movie is, of course, American Psycho. Did it succeed by being a loving, 1:1 adaptation of the book? Nope: in fact, writer/director Mary Harron changed major aspects of the work, including adding plenty of jet-black humor. The result is the greatest horror comedy since Scream, and a movie that (with my apologies to author Bret Easton Ellis) is much better than the book.

Killing Has Never Been So Cool

The premise of American Psycho is both simple and bloody. We follow the misadventures of Patrick Bateman (played by Christian Bale), who is an investment banker by day and a murderer by night. After he kills a colleague (played by Jared Leto), he ends up on the radar of a nosy detective (played by Willem Dafoe). Over the course of the movie, his mind slowly unravels, to the point that he’s weirding out everyone from his secretary (played by Chloë Sevigny) to his fiancée (played by Reese Witherspoon). Soon, it’s clear that New York City will never be the same, either for Bateman or the victims whose bodies litter his apartment.

If you have a dark enough sense of humor, Bret Easton Ellis can be a funny writer; go check out Rules of Attraction if you don’t believe me. With that being said, his American Psycho novel isn’t very funny, nor is it meant to be. The book actually opens with an epigraph from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Notes From the Underground. “Both the author of these Notes and the Notes themselves are, of course, fictional. Nevertheless, such persons as the composer of these Notes not only exist in our society, but indeed must exist.” The message is clear: there must be Patrick Batemans in real life, making American Psycho a cautionary tale.

A Killer Critic

Ellis was giving us a warning, one that seems downright quaint in a post-Epstein world. Namely, that rich people are committing countless obscene crimes that we don’t know about, using their wealth and fame to shield themselves from any suspicion. While that was a valid and very relevant warning cry when the book was published, the truth is that the text as written would have made for a film that alternates between boring and horrifying. Fortunately, American Psycho the movie embraces demented comedy at every turn, something that adds levity to even the most horrific moments.

Here’s an example: the Patrick Bateman of the books is downright obsessed with certain celebrities, leading to bizarre moments like him popping wood while staring at Bono during a concert (no, really!). The American Psycho movie condenses this into a simpler hyperfocus on modern music, setting the stage for his execution of Paul Allen. With newspapers to protect the floor and plastic sheeting to protect his suit, Bateman looks like he is channeling his inner Dexter. It all looks very grim, but it’s tough to take anything seriously because our onscreen killer is giving a smarmy, Pitchfork-style review of freaking Huey Lewis right before he starts swinging his axe.

The Mask Comes Off

While the American Psycho movie arguably softens Patrick Bateman in certain ways, it does so in order to fit the deliciously black comedy tone. For example, the killer in the book is extremely homophobic, something that is seemingly absent in the movie. I say “seemingly” because in its place, we have Bateman giving a lofty speech about ending apartheid, feeding the homeless, promoting civil rights, championing women’s rights, and returning to “traditional moral values.” It’s obvious in this scene that he’s completely full of sh*t and just saying what people want to hear. This is part of his mask, allowing him to hide the monster lurking right beneath the surface.

Perhaps the most important change from page to screen was removing Patrick Bateman’s justifications for murder. In the book, we get ostensible explanations for why he is killing people, but these explanations make little sense and are often contradictory. While that is reasonable in an “anyone can justify anything” kind of way, the American Psycho movie wisely dispenses with this to the point that neither the audience nor Bateman himself understands his nihilistic need to kill. Leaving this up to interpretation has entertained fans for decades, all while underscoring the book’s bleak themes. Bateman is a symptom of our world and not the sickness itself, and that’s the scariest thing of all.  

American Psycho is very nearly a perfect horror movie, one that perfectly showcased Christian Bale’s acting chops before he became the Dark Knight. The movie blends heady themes about nihilism, violence, misogyny, and bro culture, delivering unforgettable kills with one bloody hand and unforgettable laughs with the other. If you’d care to revisit this awesome film, you don’t have to spend any money, so there’s no need to feed a cat to your nearest ATM. All you have to do is stream American Psycho for free on Tubi!