Jessica-Jane Applegate has a big reason to celebrate after weeks of uncertainty.

“A little update on our amazing Alara ❤️ Yesterday was a huge milestone for our little warrior,” the retired paralympic simmer, 29, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, July 22, sharing a joy-filled update on her daughter’s health after she was born premature at 23 weeks gestation.

“After nearly two weeks of repeated lung collapses, being treated with antibiotics for suspected NEC, and being diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, Alara was finally able to come off the ventilator and move onto BiPAP,” Applegate continued. “She has now managed over 12 hours on BiPAP, and we couldn’t be prouder. It’s another incredible step forward, and she’s continuing to show everyone just how strong and determined she is.”

Applegate and her longtime partner, Declan Jermy, found out they were expecting their first child together in January.

They later announced the arrival of their bundle of joy on June 26, revealing she weighed 525g — just over one pound — and “was smaller than the palm of our hand.”

At the time, Applegate and her daughter, Alara, were both treated for suspected septicaemia (blood poisoning) and while the athlete has since recovered, the couple’s daughter remained in intensive care. Alara’s original due date wasn’t until September 23, as noted in a fundraiser launched by the couple.

“We know there is still a long journey ahead, with her immunisations this Friday and her first eye screening next Tuesday, but for today we’re celebrating this huge achievement,” Applegate shared alongside photos of her daughter with the hashtag micro preemie. (A micro preemie is a baby born before week 26 of pregnancy or weighing less than 1 pound, 12 ounces.)

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Several donations have been made to support the new parents as Alara’s journey continues.

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Little Mix alum Jesy Nelson brought home her twin daughters, Ocean and Story, after nearly a month in the hospital. The “Bad Thing” singer shared a photo of the twins via Instagram on Saturday, June 14, to commemorate her 34th birthday. She announced, “My babies made it home for my birthday.” The adorable picture shows […]

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“We’re not people who find it easy to ask for help, but the financial strain has become overwhelming,” the fundraiser description reads. “Declan has had to take time away from work so he can support both me and Alara. Unfortunately, paternity leave only goes so far, and statutory pay doesn’t cover the reality of our situation.”

They added, “If you’re able to donate, no matter how small the amount, it would help ease some of the financial pressure and allow us to focus on what matters most being by Alara’s side while she continues to grow stronger every day.”

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt‘s youngest child, Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, has finally followed in her siblings’ footsteps and taken legal steps to drop her father’s last name.

The move was revealed over a week after the teenager turned 18 on July 12, mirroring her sister, Shiloh Jolie, who also filed to drop the actor’s name on her eighteenth birthday.

Close family sources have now shared how Angelina Jolie feels about her children’s decision to distance themselves from Brad Pitt.

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With Vivienne joining the list of Jolie-Pitt children legally cutting ties with Brad Pitt, many have taken to social media to accuse Angelina Jolie of turning the actor’s kids against him since their divorce.

However, sources close to the family shared with Page Six that the actress has moved on from the drama and has stopped “fighting.”

“Angie hasn’t been fighting and isn’t angry. She just wants everyone to heal,” an insider told the news outlet.

The insider added, “If people knew the whole truth, they would have more sympathy for the children and respect them. The fact they aren’t speaking ill or sharing things publicly only shows their decency.”

Brad Pitt’s Daughter’s Reason For Requesting A Name-Change

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Vivienne filed the paperwork for her name change on July 20 in a Los Angeles Superior Court, asking that she now wants to be legally known as Vivienne Marcheline Jolie instead of Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt.

The 18-year-old twin and one of Pitt’s three biological children offered few details regarding her choice to drop her father’s last name, simply categorizing her decision as “personal.”

Vivienne’s name change is the latest twist in a family divide that has seen multiple other Jolie-Pitt kids publicly cut ties with their father.

The former Hollywood power couple shares a total of six children together: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and teenage twins Knox and Vivienne.

Shiloh initiated the legal trend by filing court documents on May 27, 2024, the day she turned 18. More recently, her siblings Maddox and Zahara took similar steps, leaving Pax and Knox as the only children who have not officially altered their last names.

Knox has, however, hinted at a similar shift away from his father’s last name. During his high school graduation ceremony, the teenager reportedly opted to omit Pitt’s surname entirely, listing his name as simply “Knox Jolie” on his official diploma.

As for Pax, he is said to go by just “Pax Jolie” professionally.

Brad Pitt Is ‘Hurt’ That His Kids Don’t Want To Associate With Him Publicly

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Regarding how Pitt feels about his children dropping his name, a source previously told Us Weekly that the actor was disheartened and has been struggling privately with the news.

“He feels most hurt out of everything that happened with Angie that his children don’t want a public association with his last name,” a source said. “It’s been very difficult.”

The source, however, noted that the actor is still optimistic that things could turn around and he would one day be able to reunite with all six of his kids.

“[Brad] still does hope and keeps the door open to eventual reconciliation, hopefully with all of them, but it is their decision,” the insider stated. “He has no power, and he can’t force them.”

The Actor Fears He Is Losing Time To Mend His Relationship With The Kids

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Speaking about reconciliation, a source told the news outlet that Pitt’s real “fear” is that things might become too broken for him to fix, especially as more of the kids become adults.

“His biggest fear is that too much time is going by, and the more time without something happening, the harder it will be to reconcile,” the insider said.

The actor is said to have no contact with the children and even once got called out by his son Pax in a now-deleted Father’s Day post, where he was branded an “awful” person.

“You have made the lives of those closest to me a constant hell. You may tell yourself and the world whatever you want, but the truth will come to light someday,” Pax wrote in 2020, per the Daily Mail. “So, Happy Father’s Day, you f–king awful human being!!!”

Many sources link the ongoing family divide to a 2016 incident. A physical altercation reportedly broke out on the private jet, leading to an official investigation.

According to the news outlet, no charges were ever filed against the actor, but the event created a permanent split inside the family.

Angelina Jolie Was Accused Of Targeting Brad Pitt With A ‘Campaign Of Alienation’

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Insiders close to Pitt recently accused Jolie of being the driving force behind the family rift.

This came after the actor came under fire for not attending his daughter Zahara’s graduation from Spelman College, with sources telling TMZ that Pitt did not even try to reach out for her big day.

In reaction to the claims, a source told the Daily Mail that the children’s cold behavior toward Pitt was due to a targeted “campaign of alienation [by Jolie] which has been successful.”

Describing the deep friction inside the household, the insider noted that “the antagonism is huge” and revealed the emotional toll it has taken on the actor, adding that “he has been alienated from the kids completely. It is devastating to him.”

Taylor Frankie Paul is sharing her best tips for dealing with hate.

“For starters, allow yourself to cry, it’s not a weakness to feel hurt by hate,” Paul, 32, wrote in a text to a friend who asked for advice, as seen in a screenshot shared via her Instagram Story on Tuesday, July 21. “That’s human of you, and hate only comes from below. Their hate says more about THEM than it does you.”

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star continued, “With that being said, hate is a sign of growth. If you don’t have haters, you’re not doing s***. The more support and growth that builds, unfortunately, so does the noise.”

Paul added that she’s “learned over time their hate, opinions, projections, judgments, assumptions are none of my business.”

She concluded, “That’s for them to figure out. It can get heavy at times. You’ve shown me grace through scrutiny, so remember to allow that for yourself too. I got you. He’s got you. Now go cry … it always helps. I’ll be doing the same.”

Taylor’s advice comes amid her ongoing custody battles with exes Tate Paul and Dakota Mortensen. (The reality star shares kids Indy, 8, and Ocean, 6, with Tate and son Ever, 2, with Mortensen, 33.)

After taking a plea deal in a 2023 domestic violence case, Taylor was involved in a separate altercation with Mortensen that was investigated by Utah’s Draper City Police Department in February. Both parties publicly denied each other’s domestic violence allegations. (Amid the investigation, Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette was pulled from ABC’s spring schedule.)

The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office later declined to file criminal charges against Taylor in April.

Mortensen was then awarded temporary custody of Ever, with Taylor restricted to eight-hour weekly supervised visitation. A judge subsequently signed orders of protection for Mortensen and Taylor, requiring them to stay 100 feet apart for a period of three years. (Their custody agreement was changed earlier this month to allow Taylor more unsupervised time with Ever, while Mortensen was given longer weekends.)

Related: Taylor Frankie Paul’s Exes Dakota and Tate React to DCFS’ Parenting Concerns

Taylor Frankie Paul’s exes Dakota Mortensen and Tate Paul are breaking their silence after the Division of Child and Family Services raised concerns about her parenting. “Tate Paul and Dakota Mortensen have remained publicly silent throughout these proceedings to avoid having serious private family matters turned into more of a public spectacle than they already […]

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Meanwhile, following Taylor’s brief and voluntary stint in a rehab facility in early July, Tate requested an emergency change to their custody agreement for Indy and Ocean. The motion was denied.

Last week, Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services raised concerns about Taylor’s three children and asked a juvenile court to order protective supervision services because it found that her three children were “abused, neglected or dependent.”

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Taylor’s legal team reacted to the DCFS report in a statement to Us, saying, “It was recently decided that the ongoing custody actions would be best suited for juvenile court, a common step for families engaged in highly contentious, complex custody matters. Taylor is not deterred by this transition; she welcomes the added structure and oversight it provides and looks forward to continuing her progress toward normalizing custody and becoming the healthiest version of herself.”

Attorneys for Mortensen and Tate argued that the DCFS petition was “not a routine transition to juvenile court or an opportunity for personal growth” since it determined that “the children are abused.”

“Despite the myriad false accusations published online and on social media about them by Taylor and others, Tate and Dakota have chosen to not participate in the often misconstrued social media and other online activity surrounding their cases,” they added. “They have remained silent to protect their children, not because they have nothing to say. When the time is right, they will tell their story in their own words in the appropriate forum.”

Jason Kelce was already one of the NFL’s most recognizable players, but his level of fame changed dramatically after his brother, Travis Kelce, began dating Taylor Swift. The retired Philadelphia Eagles star revealed that the high-profile romance introduced him, and the entire Kelce family, to a completely different audience. Instead of primarily being approached by passionate football fans, Jason suddenly found himself attracting attention from Swift’s younger supporters.

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Jason discussed his changing level of fame during the Tuesday, July 21, episode of the “Ross Tucker Football Podcast.” When asked whether the increased attention had developed gradually, the 38-year-old ESPN analyst explained that it initially had, until Travis and Swift became a couple. “It was definitely gradual, and then it just like was a very big flip, obviously, when Taylor and Travis started dating,” Jason told Tucker.

Before the relationship began attracting international attention, Jason was best known for his 13-season career with the Philadelphia Eagles. His success on the field and outspoken personality helped him build a devoted fan base, particularly in Philadelphia.

His “New Heights” podcast with Travis also allowed listeners to become more familiar with the brothers’ relationship and the rest of the Kelce family. Swift’s arrival, however, expanded that interest far beyond the traditional sports audience.

The Kelce Family Attracted A ‘Whole ‘Nother Demographic’

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Travis and Swift, both 36, were first romantically linked in September 2023 when the singer attended a Kansas City Chiefs game. Although that appearance marked the public beginning of their relationship, Swift later revealed that the pair had already been dating privately for months.

Once the romance became public, Jason noticed an immediate change in the people following his career and approaching him in everyday life. The relationship “led to a whole ‘nother demographic of fan base being interested in not just me but our entire family,” Jason explained.

Swift’s fans did not limit their attention to Travis. They also became interested in Jason, the brothers’ parents, Ed and Donna Kelce, Jason’s wife, Kylie, and the couple’s children.

Jason Kelce Jokes About His Dramatically Different Fans

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Jason used his humor to explain the contrast between his original fan base and the people who began recognizing him after Swift entered the family’s life. “I went from very much being dominated by large fat men coming up to me and shaking my hand and thanking me for being an Eagle to little girls,” he said. “It was quite a shift of people that became fans.”

The change reflected the different audiences the brothers brought together. Jason and Travis already had strong followings among football fans, while Swift’s relationship with Travis introduced her massive pop music audience to the Kelce family. That expanded interest followed Jason even after he retired from professional football. He subsequently became an ESPN analyst while continuing to co-host “New Heights” with his brother.

While Jason described the change as a dramatic “flip,” he did not criticize the new fans. Instead, he acknowledged that his brother’s relationship had exposed the entire family to people who may never have followed the Eagles or watched an NFL game.

Jason Praises Travis’ Wedding Singing

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Jason also discussed Travis and Swift’s recent wedding during his podcast appearance with Ross Tucker. The couple married at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday, July 3. Tucker attended the ceremony with his wife, Kara, and recalled hearing both the bride and groom sing during the reception.

Tucker described Travis as a “good singer,” prompting Jason to offer his assessment of his brother’s musical abilities. “Yeah, Trav can sing. Trav has always been able to carry a tune,” Jason said.

Although Travis demonstrated some vocal talent, Jason admitted that his brother faced unusually strong competition at his own wedding. “Obviously, [he] paled in comparison to some of the other people singing that night, but he did okay,” Jason joked, obviously referring to the woman Travis was marrying.

Music played a major role in the star-studded celebration. Paul McCartney and Stevie Nicks were among those who performed during the couple’s big night. Nicks has been a longtime friend and mentor to Swift, while McCartney’s appearance added another rock legend to the wedding festivities.

Jason Kelce Served As His Brother’s Best Man

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Jason did more than evaluate Travis’ performance from the audience. He stood beside his younger brother as best man during the ceremony. His four daughters with Kylie, Wyatt, 6, Elliotte, 5, Bennett, 3, and 15-month-old Finnley, also participated as flower girls.

Jason also joked that singing was not a talent the brothers inherited from their parents. Even so, he acknowledged that Travis had “always been able to carry a tune” before demonstrating those skills at the reception.

Glowing skin doesn’t begin with a trip to the treatment chair. Instead, it starts with consistency, according to Dr. Macrene Alexiades.

The MD, PhD and derm-scientist, whose celebrity clientele includes Chloe Fineman, Sienna Miller, Nicky Hilton, Brooke Shields, and Gwyneth Paltrow, tells ET that the best skincare secrets come from a science-backed approach.

“You need three things: a strong skin barrier, controlled inflammation, and consistent DNA and collagen support,” she explains.

“As a scientist, I’ve spent my career studying the biology behind this, and none of it requires a syringe.”

While good genes can certainly give you a head start, it’s the regimen you stick to that makes the biggest difference.

“Skin is always changing, so your routine has to cover your bases. … I’m consistent rather than dramatic. Smart habits everyday beats one big gesture a month.”

The Harvard University graduate also quick to debunk one of beauty’s biggest myths: that one magic fix is all you need. 

“Skin ages in multiple independent ways at once through laxity, texture, pigmentation, and redness, so no single ingredient is ever the whole answer. … If a product claims transformation by tomorrow, it’’ either too harsh to be sustainable or doing nothing at all. … You need a well-rounded formula.”

That philosophy is exactly what inspired her to launch Macrene Actives.

“I built my line around a complex of active ingredients rather than one trendy ingredient. It visibly improves tone, texture and firmness on its own.”

And before booking your next med-spa appointment, make sure the basics are already in place.

“Patients often want a laser or filler before they’ve even tried topical peptides, barrier repair and daily SPF.”

While Fineman has openly shared her past cometic procedures on Instagram, Alexiades believes what you put on your face is what helps deliver longer-lasting effects.

“I’ve spent much of my career researching energy-based devices, and used correctly, they’re incredible tools,” the author says.

“The issue is when they’re compensating for skin that’s never had proper daily support, which means more frequent, more aggressive treatment. … I treat clients’ skin as biology, and their face as a canvas. Good skincare is the foundation and potentiates those results, so you need the laser less often, not more.”

Her final tip has less to do with what’s in your beauty cabinet and more to do with what happens after lights out.

“Sleep and stress management are underrated because cortisol is not gentle on skin.”

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In our latest Big Brother update from the live feeds, houseguest Haley Thogmartin acted horribly and Dee Valladares butted in where she doesn’t belong. Plus, preliminary vote counts that’ll reveal if Rome Seymour can flip things. Plus, the houseguests are locked inside due to a backyard build.

Big Brother 28: What’s Ahead and What’s Not Shown

Tonight’s curated CBS episode will feature the nomination ceremony throwdown. Then, we’ll get to see the puzzle-based POV comp which Rick Devens won along with the veto meeting which has him taking Lyric Medeiros off the block and renominating Rome.

Of course, the whole house knew that was coming. Cabin fever’s spreading like wildfire and production threw alcohol on it hoping for good content.

Big Brother 28: Nomination Ceremony Throwdown

A quick sneak at what we’ll see on nomination fight night. When Devens called to adjourn the nomination ceremony, Jason de Puy called him a big liar. Then, he applauded and called it Angela Murray’s HOH.

She told Jason, “B**ch please,” then Angela called Jason a messy Big Brother wannabe player. Angela said Jason’s been sobbing and having theatrics all over the house so everyone will feel sorry for him.

Then, Angela said Jason’s using his sexuality to play on her emotions. Jason stood up and said, “I’m not feeling sexual with you girl.” Angela told him to zip it and calm down. And Jason yelled, calling her “mother of the house.”

Melody was about to die laughing. Jason also called Angela “evil stepmother” and said “scramble these eggs.” Angela talked about him making faces behind her back and her hat fell off. Jason yelled “pick up your hat diva — if you can reach it.” She shrieked “you pick it up.”

Big Brother 28: Angela Cracks

Jason told her she looked crazy. Angela told Jason, “Ya got caught baby.” Then Angela said America knows about him. And that’s why they gave her the BB Time Capsule, to protect her from Jason.

Angela said “America loves me” and told Jason that America’s laughing at him. She called him “messy boy.” In the DR, Barrett Pfeiffer said it’s Humpty Dumpty versus the Green Goblin.

Jason yelled at the cameras, “America hate me, hate this b**ch right here, this messy b**ch.” Most of the houseguests looked shell-shocked. When Angela finished ranting, Devens handed her shell back to Angela and said it’s an “egg-cellent hat.” Devens enjoyed her tirade.

But he held it together, stone-faced. Devens again tried to adjourn the meeting again. And Angela interrupted to tell Jason, “I don’t hate you, I’m just hurt by you.” Jason said he doesn’t hate her either, “this is a game baby.” Angela called out his lies. Jason denied it.

Big Brother 28: Campaign Strategies

Haley entered the chat saying Jason told her he wanted the girls out. He did tell Haley in the backyard that he wants to take out the girls slowly and then take out Rome like a gladiator. But when Haley told the room that, Jason claims he was straight up lying to Haley.

And Jason called her a “chaos demon.” Devens piled on saying Jason told him last night he’d tell white lies to the girls to get them under control if Devens wanted to nominate one of them.

Jason asked if Devens fell for it for two seconds and he looked at the nomination photo of Jason and said no.

Big Brother 28: Current Vote Count

Now, let’s count votes for a moment. Rome wasn’t planning to campaign to Taylor Brown and LaTrice “Lala” Verrett and told Lyric they can vote their gut. Not a great strategy since Lala blames Rome for her, Lyric and Taylor being in a tight spot in the BB28 house.

But Lala also told Lyric to vote like she wants. And Lala said Lyric doesn’t owe Devens anything. Meanwhile, Rome’s more concerned with the men. He invited all the guys, aside from Devens and Jason, to a bro-down in the gym.

Rome’s pitch to the men is he’ll be a bigger target than them if they keep him. And he tells the guys he’ll be a natural shield – everyone will gun for him. Rome says keeping him around buys them at least another week of safety. It’s not a bad argument.

Big Brother 28: Dee Busts Up the Man Meeting

Dee busted into the all-bro-assemblage, dragging Jason and Devens. She told Rome it’s a little unfair they’re boys and aren’t in here. Bizarrely, Devens said, “I wanna show my b*lls.” Not sure what he thought the men were doing in the gym.

Rome said Devens is HOH and Jason’s on the block with him and he needs the other guys’ votes. Dee pushed and said Jason and Devens feel like crap. Rome asked if they are and Jason and Devens looked awkward.

Dee said they’re not going to admit it but it’s a crappy feeling like when you rang the doorbell and didn’t get let in. Rome says fair enough, Dee pushed out past Devens and Jason and said “have fun boys,” then left.

After the guys’ meeting with Rome, we saw Dee basically call Rome out again for not campaigning to the women too. After Dee did that, Rome got the last couple of women that weren’t in the room and he made the same points he did to the guys. He’s a target and shield.

Big Brother 28: Hinky Votes and Houseguest Dynamics

Looks like Rome’s appeal to the guys and girls didn’t do him a lot of good. Lyric warned Rome he’s a big target. If he doesn’t win the BB Blockbuster, I’d say he’s in real trouble. Then, he gave me the ick. He told Lyric he intimidates people because he’s good looking and lifts weights.

For me, Rome’s giving Gen-Z Burt Reynolds knock-off with the 1970s porn-stache. I think he’d be more attractive if he wasn’t sitting around talking about his own attractiveness.

Jason thinks his best argument to get votes is that he’ll go after Devens. Jason’s also considering making a scene with Devens to make the HOH look bad. Drew Campbell and Barrett talked about throwing a couple of rogue votes on Rome to stay over Jason.

And Drew and Barrett talked about pinning the hinky votes on Kamuela “Kamu” Kirk and Chuk Anyanwu. I love hinky votes! Jason thinks he has 5 votes to stay but he only has votes to stay over Melody Morris at least as of now.

Things could shift again by eviction. Haley and Dee promised their votes to Melody (but that’s only if she’s up against Rome, but Melody doesn’t know that). Rome’s only safe if he wins Blockbuster. Melody may only be safe if she or Jason win Blockbuster.

Big Brother 28: Haley Doesn’t Hold Back

While enjoying their booze, they did some primal scream therapy because being locked out of the backyard was eating at the houseguests. Taylor spent some time socializing and discussing if it’s better to be a werewolf or a vampire. (The correct answer is vampire!)

Also, Haley was saying some stuff about Taylor and Lala’s hair complaining about it getting everywhere. Haley said it was disgusting. She said the hair was long and blond and “crinkly” and blamed it on Taylor and Lala despite there being other blondes in the house.

Another weird Haley stunt today was hiding behind the couch in the HOH room, buried behind pillows to listen to Angela and Dee talk to Lala and Taylor. Angela and Dee knew she’s there, but Dee warned her they’re screwed if the others realize she’s hiding  eavesdropping.

Don’t forget, there’s 90 minutes of Big Brother on tonight 8 p.m. EST, 7 p.m. Central. And if you’re a Big Brother fan who doesn’t watch Survivor and want to see Dee and Devens playing, CBS is airing a Survivor 50 episode afterwards.

Jennifer Aniston‘s latest television project has hit an unexpected roadblock before cameras could even begin rolling.

The actress had been tapped to star in the highly anticipated adaptation of Jennette McCurdy‘s bestselling memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” Still, the project has now taken an unforeseen turn following a major behind-the-scenes shake-up.

As Jennifer Aniston steps away from the series, questions are mounting about what caused the sudden change and what it means for one of Hollywood’s most talked-about upcoming adaptations.

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Jennifer Aniston is no longer attached to the television adaptation of Jennette McCurdy’s bestselling memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” The actress had been set to executive produce the series and play a fictionalized version of McCurdy’s mother, but has reportedly stepped away due to scheduling conflicts.

Since the project was announced in 2025, there have been a number of obstacles to be overcome. The series was reportedly shelved due to creative differences with McCurdy, which forced director Jason Reitman out of the picture, leading producers to frantically look for a new director, as scripts were still being developed.

Although Aniston has moved on to other projects for now, the adaptation has not been canceled. Work on the series is still ongoing behind the scenes, with scripts continuing to be written as producers work toward bringing McCurdy’s memoir to the screen, per TMZ.

A Memoir That Became A Television Event

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Jennette McCurdy’s bestselling memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died,“ was announced as a 10-episode Apple TV+ dramedy in 2025, with the former Nickelodeon star serving as writer, showrunner, and executive producer.

The series was set to tell a fictionalized version of her deeply personal story, focusing on the complicated relationship between a young actress and her controlling, narcissistic mother.

The Blast previously reported that Jennifer Aniston had been cast to play the fictional version of McCurdy’s mother while also joining the project as an executive producer.

At the time, the casting generated widespread excitement, with many praising the decision to have one of Hollywood’s biggest stars lead the adaptation of the bestselling memoir.

The news was another step for McCurdy, who already had a best-selling book about her life as a child star, and the audience had already been exposed to the ups and downs of her emotional life through her memoirs.

Jennifer Aniston’s Role Was Built Around A Painful Story

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Aniston’s planned role was never meant to portray a real-life person exactly as written in the memoir. Instead, she was cast as a fictional version of the controlling mother whose relationship with her daughter sits at the center of the series, allowing the adaptation to explore difficult themes while taking a more dramatized approach.

The plot unfolds as a young actress struggles to maintain her early star status and a highly complex family life, inspired by McCurdy’s early life in the entertainment industry.

The series is fictional, but it’s a fictionalization of the emotional themes that sparked readers’ interest worldwide with the memoir. Although the adaptation is still in development, the project continues to attract attention because of its powerful subject matter and the success of the memoir that inspired it.

Healing Meant Walking Away From The Past

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McCurdy has never been afraid to speak about the unfortunate circumstances of her childhood that have affected her life long before she left her acting career.

The former Nickelodeon star admitted that her childhood was fraught with anxiety, eating disorders, and a lack of identity that haunted her into her adulthood thanks to her mother’s strictness.

Speaking with PEOPLE, McCurdy shared that her mother controlled nearly every aspect of her life, from pushing her into acting at a young age to managing her appearance and introducing unhealthy habits that later developed into eating disorders.

She said years of therapy, along with the distance created after her mother’s death, finally gave her the freedom to begin healing.

Now, this former actress has crafted a new chapter that is far removed from Hollywood, and does it on her own terms, via writing and storytelling. Her memoirs and the TV show based on them recount not just her suffering, but how she overcame it.

Jennifer Aniston Faces Questions As County Review Continues

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The questions regarding the voter registrations with a West Hollywood business address have yet to be answered. County officials are still examining the records, but say they have no reason to doubt that California state law mandates voters register by where they live — not where they receive their mail.

Officials have explained that election authorities generally process registrations based on the information provided by voters rather than independently verifying every address.

The review remains ongoing, and no wrongdoing has been alleged against Jennifer Aniston or the other celebrities whose names appeared in the records.

The Blast reported that county spokesperson Michael Sanchez confirmed the registrations remain under review as officials continue examining the records.

As the county works to determine whether the registrations complied with state election rules, the controversy has sparked broader conversations about balancing celebrity privacy with legal voting requirements.

When it comes to science fiction, there are two main pillars of the genre: soft sci-fi and hard sci-fi. Hard sci-fi is when scientific accuracy is used to create a plausible situation that hinges on actual chemistry, physics, robotics, whatever. Generally, these stories focus on a single scientific premise and run with it. Soft sci-fi, on the other hand, is full of “techno-babble” and more otherworldly adventures that are in some respects more akin to fantasy. It’s with this distinction in mind that we’ve put this list together.

Of all the soft sci-fi shows out there (and there are more than not), few are so well constructed that you’d be hard-pressed to find a bad episode — yet, it’s those few that we’re highlighting today. Even if not every over-arching plotline hits the mark, each of these shows brilliantly constructs each episode so that some might use the (admittedly overused) word “masterpiece” to describe them. For some soft sci-fi shows that won’t let you down, look no further than these genre triumphs.

‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2004–2009)

Image via SYFY

Often considered one of the greatest sci-fi shows ever made, Battlestar Galactica is one of those must-watch programs if you’re a sci-fi fan. As humanity is nearly wiped out by a race of machines known as Cylons, they take to the stars in search of a mythical homeworld called “Earth,” fighting to survive. With a fabulous ensemble that includes Edwards James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, and Katee Sackhoff, the four-season Syfy hit kept us on our toes from that first miniseries through the epic series finale.

Battlestar Galactica truly fits the designation of a “space opera.” While there are plenty of action-packed space battles and man vs machine combat, the narrative is wrapped up in political chess moves, spiritual undertones, and doppelgänger conspiracies. Every episode unravels something new about either the Cylons or the human survivors, making us question all we thought we knew from the beginning. There’s nothing quite like watching it for the first time.

‘The Prisoner’ (1967–1968)

Image via ITV

The popular British series The Prisoner may seem like an offbeat pick here for those unfamiliar with the program, but the Patrick McGoohan-created series was considered quite the triumph in its day. Following a former British operative (called only “Number Six”) who is abducted and placed in a small coastal town from which he is unable to escape. As the name suggests, this is the television version of your favorite prison break movies, just with a mixture of sci-fi and spy fiction added in for good measure.

For 17 episodes, the titular prisoner struggled to find his way out of his collectivist fate. The result is an extended series that deals in riveting psychological drama mixed with a heavy dose of Orwellian themes. There has never been a show quite like The Prisoner since, although there was a poor attempt of a remake back in the early 2000s that attempted to bring the tale into the 21st century. However, if you want soft sci-fi that’s a bit more exquisite, look no further than the original.

‘Stargate Atlantis’ (2004–2009)

Image via SYFY

While Stargate SG-1 kicked off the franchise on television, Stargate Atlantis truly elevated the Stargate franchise with improved visual effects and compelling new characters who stole the show. As the Atlantis Expedition makes their home in the mythical city, abandoned in the neighboring Pegasus Galaxy, the crew quickly discover new threats like the vampiric Wraith and the self-replicating Asurans. Every episode of this five-season series was a gem.

Stargate Atlantis may have ended a bit prematurely, but these 100 episodes truly deliver with every new and exciting adventure. Whether it’s a multipart episode or a self-contained standalone tale, John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) and his team have what it takes to not only protect Earth from afar, but to aid those in Pegasus as well. The franchise as a whole is one of sci-fi’s best, but SGA in particular stands out as a true television masterwork.

‘Timeless’ (2016–2018)

Image via NBC

Time travel shows can be tricky, because any era of history — American or otherwise — that one revisits will be marked by our present-day view of the past. Timeless is in some respects the best of both worlds, because the show both acknowledges how far our world has come in the last few hundred years while still in awe of exploring some of the U.S.’s most iconic moments. With every episode of Timeless, the show upped the ante by sending the Lifeboat crew into the most dire of circumstances.

Even if some episodes are better than others (and not every plotline or character arc was always well received), Timeless always delivered high-quality time-warping material. With killer twists and marvelous production value, this sci-fi series is one of the best in the business. With only two seasons under its belt, and a two-hour Christmas-themed finale, Timeless is a hidden-gem sci-fi series that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

‘Firefly’ (2002–2003)

Image via FOX

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Perhaps if Firefly had gone on beyond its 14 episodes, it wouldn’t make it on this list. However, as the space Western stands now, the Serenity crew have more than proven that every episode has its merits. Indeed, the plucky Joss Whedon series is well-known for its standalone episodes, full of heist jobs and protection gigs that have come to be fondly remembered as classics.

With a strong cast that includes Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, and Gina Torres, Firefly is full of great characters, quippy dialogue, and fascinating worldbuilding that’s unlike most other spaceship-based shows out there. With a follow-up feature film to cap it all off, the short-lived series lives in the limbo of “what might have been” and “what is.” Still, it’s one of the most rewatchable sci-fi shows out there.

‘The Twilight Zone’ (1959–1964)

Admittedly, The Twilight Zone wasn’t just science fiction. The hit Rod Serling classic delved into horror, fantasy, drama, and even the Western in its initial five seasons on CBS, though it was most commonly associated with the sci-fi genre — and for good reason. Some of the best sci-fi episodes of the show, such as “To Serve Man,” “The Invaders,” and “Time At Last,” all scratch that soft sci-fi itch.

Compared to all the revivals and reboots the series would spawn, the original Twilight Zone remains on top as an arguably perfect time capsule of sci-fi entertainment. Whether you prefer the episodes with the most disturbing endings or those not actually written by Serling himself, you can’t go wrong when traveling to another dimension. As far as “soft sci-fi” is concerned, The Twilight Zone is among the most intelligent takes on the genre.

‘Fringe’ (2008–2013)

Image via FOX

Easily the “hardest” soft sci-fi series on this list, Fringe dealt with real pseudo-scientific concepts week in and week out. Initially interested in solving “The Pattern,” the Fringe Division team were put up against everything from shapeshifters and time-travelers to alternate timelines and parallel universes, making it all sound somewhat plausible whenever Walter Bishop (John Noble) would sputter some scientific know-how to explain away whatever they encountered next.

One of our favorite underrated sci-fi shows, Fringe is an addictive five-season binge that only gets better with each rewatch. While some plotlines are difficult to swallow (we see you, Fauxlivia), each episode is so masterfully constructed that we’re willing to endure whatever hardships our heroes are put through. Even the final season, which takes place largely in a post-apocalyptic society run by the time-manipulating Observers, pulls no punches in what it puts its characters (and the viewer) through.

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Fringe

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Release Date

2008 – 2013-00-00

Network

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FOX

Showrunner

Jeff Pinkner

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Directors

Brad Anderson, Fred Toye, Jeannot Szwarc, Charles Beeson, Akiva Goldsman, David Straiton, Dennis Smith, Jeffrey G. Hunt, Paul A. Edwards, Paul Holahan, Thomas Yatsko, J.H. Wyman, Jon Cassar, Miguel Sapochnik, P.J. Pesce, Adam Davidson, Anthony Hemingway, Bill Eagles, Bobby Roth, Bryan Spicer, Christopher Misiano, Chuck Russell, David Moxness, David Solomon

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