This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

With a 24% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes from 45 reviews, Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic, is officially one of the lowest-rated movies of the year.

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Release Date

April 24, 2026

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Runtime

130 minutes

Writers

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John Logan

Producers

Graham King, John Branca, John McClain

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This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

Eminem is celebrating a major personal milestone, marking 18 years of sobriety with a recent post on Instagram. The rapper shared a simple photo highlighting the significance of his long journey toward recovery. The rapper is known for his openness about past struggles, with the achievement reflecting years of commitment that have drawn supportive reactions from his friends and fans.

Eminem Shares A Photo Of His Sobriety Chip

On April 20, Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, shared a simple post on his social media showing off a black and gold sobriety chip with the roman numeral “XVIII,” marking 18 years of his being sober. The saying “To thine own self be true” was inscribed on the border, and the words “unity,” “service,” and “recovery” were written on the sides of a triangle. He added the caption “XVIII,” followed by a 1st place medal emoji.

Many followers congratulated the 53-year-old rapper on the remarkable milestone, with one writing, “My GOAT is 18 years sober, so happy for you unc.” One user added, “F-cking 18 years. That’s called standing the test of time in a nutshell.”

Others also shared photos of their sobriety chips, with one person sharing that Eminem motivated him. “LETS GO KING!!! Inspired me to quit when I saw you in Austin! I’m proud to be 1 YEAR SOBER!!!!”

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The Rapper Had A Near-Fatal Overdose In 2007

Eminem has been open about his substance issues, and once shared that he took between 10 and 20 pills daily. “I was taking Valium, Ambien, and Vicodin. And I was taking a lot… The numbers got so high I don’t even know what I was taking,” he wrote in an essay for Vibe magazine.

The rapper had been going through personal issues leading up to his near-fatal overdose in 2007. He filed for divorce for a second time from Kim Scott the year prior, and his best friend was killed in a bar fight the following week. In December 2007, Eminem collapsed in the bathroom of his home after overdosing on methadone pills. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors said that if he had been brought in two hours later, he wouldn’t have survived.

“I didn’t even want to believe it was a disease. But I realized it when I f-cking almost died and then I still went back to using. I literally almost died,” he shared.

Eminem Detailed His Overdose In A Documentary

In 2025, the documentary “Stans” was released, which focused on the rapper’s career through the eyes of his fans. In it, Eminem shared details of his overdose, saying that he was in a “vicious” cycle of depression and popping pills. “I woke up in the hospital and I didn’t know what happened. I woke up in the hospital with tubes in me and sh-t and I couldn’t get up. I wanted to move,” he said.

One of the biggest reasons he decided to get sober was his daughter, Hailie Jade. Eminem had missed her first guitar recital due to his overdose, and he was wracked with guilt. At that moment, the rapper thought that if he couldn’t be sober for himself, he could at least do it for his daughter. He entered rehab in 2008 and has been sober since.

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Elton John Helped The Rapper In His Sobriety Journey

One of the people Eminem turned to for guidance in his sobriety journey was legendary singer Elton John, who has been sober since 1990. In 2010, John said in an interview, “I’ve been helping Eminem in the last 18 months, and he is doing brilliantly,” as reported by The Guardian.

The rapper said he thought of the singer when he decided to get sober, as John was also in the entertainment business and could relate to his lifestyle. “He understands, like, the pressure and any other reasons that you wanna come up with for doing drugs,” Eminem shared.

Eminem and John first met at the 2001 Grammys when they performed “Stan” together. At that time, the rapper was criticized over lyrics that some perceived as homophobic. However, in later years, John defended the rapper, saying that he never viewed him as homophobic. The two have since developed a close bond that extends beyond their work in entertainment.

Eminem Became A Grandfather For The Second Time

His 18-year sobriety isn’t the only thing Eminem is celebrating. On April 14, the rapper’s adopted daughter, Alaina Marie Scott, gave birth to a daughter named Scottie. The birth marks Eminem’s second time becoming a grandfather in less than two years.

In March 2025, Hailie gave birth to a son named Elliot Marshall McClintok, with the middle name serving as a nod to her father.

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Eminem is reportedly working on various projects, and according to his manager, Paul Rosenberg, he is developing new music. However, there has been no confirmation on when a new album will be released.

While the bride may be the star of wedding, there’s no reason you can’t feel just as chic and fabulous in an outfit that suits the dress code. From breezy outdoor wedding guest dresses to chic cocktail styles to elegant black‑tie gowns, there are stunning options for every style and setting this spring wedding season.

If you have a slew of wedding invitations sitting on your desk like Us, you’re probably wondering how to navigate all the different dress codes without buying a whole new wardrobe. Well, you’re in luck because we’ve sourced 18 solid wedding guest dresses that suit every ceremony imaginable, whether the invitation calls for a humid backyard bash or a glamorous black‑tie evening. Shop our top picks below from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Nordstrom, Macy’s and more.

18 Spring Wedding Guest Dresses for Any Dress Code

Garden Parties and Outdoor Weddings 

1. Our Favorite: Light, airy and romantic, this floral maxi dress strikes the balance between comfort and style, making it ideal for long ceremonies and dance-filled receptions. Reviewers rave about the countless compliments they receive on this ultra-flattering frock.

2. Stay Cool: This breezy wrap dress is a great way to brave a humid outdoor wedding, thanks to its lightweight fabric and easy, adjustable fit. Choose from colorful spring-approved options like lake blue, bright pink and army green.

3. Designer Lookalike: Find elegance without the splurge in this puff‑sleeve midi. A stellar lookalike to Hill House Home, this tulle dress is made for garden ceremonies, with airy layers that won’t weigh you down.

4. Seaside to Golden Hour: If beachy, sun‑kissed vibes are on the dress code, you won’t want to miss this sleeveless maxi dress that comes in red, blue and green. The cotton dress stays cool and breathable outdoors, and still looks polished even in peak summer heat.

5. Fits Your Figure: Don’t feel the pressure to go sleeveless if you don’t want to. This breezy smocked eyelet maxi dress does all the flattering, with airy sleeves and a floaty silhouette that’s perfect for warm‑weather celebrations.

6. Something Blue: Beautiful and more elevated than most garden‑party dresses, this bow‑back A‑line dress features a nifty drop waist that highlights and flatters your shape. The cotton piece even adds a flirty touch with a slit that hits above the knee.

Cocktail and Semi-Formal Weddings 

7. Our Favorite: Far from being just a great semi‑formal dress, this Quince washable stretch silk midi is honestly a year‑round investment piece. The silk drapes beautifully in any season, making it just as fitting for spring ceremonies as it is for fall celebrations.

8. Make It Your Own: Versatility is alive and well in this convertible maxi dress that lets you customize your fit from flirty to modest and somewhere in between. Abercrombie & Fitch customers rave about the forgiving fabric, stretchy fit and overall versatility.

9. So in Style: Tie-strap midi dresses are so in right now, and we’re owning the trend in this affordable dress from Lulus. From a chic blue-and-white toile to a more formal black, you’ll find your perfect look in this tiered midi.

10. Bust-Enhancing: This satin flutter-sleeve midi dress keeps selling out, and it’s no surprise why. It shows off your upper half while skimming over the midsection.

11. Figure-Forgiving: Keep it chic, simple and romantic in this side‑smocked midi dress from Nordstrom. Customers call it feminine, flattering and classy, and it’s easy to understand the hype once you see it on.

12. Statement-Maker: We’d be hard pressed to write a list about top wedding guest dresses and not include Adrianna Papell. The elevated designer knocks it out of the park with this boat‑neck beaded dress that pairs intricate floral beadwork with a slimming silhouette.

13. Timeless Elegance: This cap‑sleeve maxi dress from Reformation has a gorgeous vintage look. Whether you choose a timeless solid or a fresh floral print, the piece stands out with its mock neckline, drop waist and pretty pleated skirt.

Black-Tie and Formal Weddings

14. Our Favorite: Fair warning: You might receive more compliments than the bride in this V‑neck cap‑sleeve gown from Eliza J. Stunning. Bright and adorned with a spring floral pattern, it’s the kind of dress that turns heads the moment you walk in.

15. Best Exception: Black‑tie dresses lean toward pricey, so this open‑back gown feels like a rare find. The black dress delivers a refined, floor‑length look that feels far more expensive than it actually is.

16. Plus-Size Pick: No one will believe you when you tell them you got this off‑the‑shoulder plus‑size dress from Amazon. Reviewers appreciate its arm coverage, flattering fit and expensive‑looking design.

17. All-Around Flattering: For a silhouette that flatters every angle of your body, you’ll want this long‑sleeve ruched dress from Wayf. From the back to the bust to the midsection, the strategic ruching smooths and shapes in all the right places.

18. Lasting Impression: High‑low dresses have a way of stealing the spotlight at black‑tie weddings. This sleeveless gown does just that with its slimming bodice and flowy skirt. It’s best paired with standout heels, if you ask Us.

Related: Trending! Amazon‘s Hottest Wedding Guest Dresses Are Surprisingly Luxe

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You just got the wedding invite, the ceremony is in three weeks and your closet is full of ‘maybe’ dresses that don’t quite work. Sound familiar? Finding wedding guest dresses that feel fresh, age-appropriate and actually flattering can turn into a frustrating, expensive spiral through department store racks. Here’s the good news: Amazon has quietly […]

When he’s not on stage as Ziggy Stardust, he’s known as David Bowie from Brixton. At 13, he picked up the saxophone, unaware that both the instrument and London’s jazz scene would help shape his future career. After adopting the Bowie name in 1966, he quickly adopted experimental ideas, though early success was limited. In the 1960s, his surreal influences — ranging from mime to Buddhism — felt unconventional for a newcomer. His breakthrough finally came in 1969 with “Space Oddity,” proving there’s a place for visionaries like him.

By the 1980s, Bowie had become a household name synonymous with innovation. He collaborated with major artists, including Queen and Mick Jagger. Yet, despite his pop star status, Bowie never lost sight of the social issues rampant during his time. Music became his tool to amplify marginalized voices, most notably this particular song — a track from, ironically, his least favorite album.

David Bowie’s “Day-In Day-Out” Speaks About America’s Poverty Crisis

In “Day-In Day-Out”, Bowie proves that pop stars can be political. Serving as the opening track of his seventeenth studio album Never Let Me Down, the song became the record’s most successful single. However, compared to his earlier hits, it only reached number 17 in the United Kingdom and charted within the global top 40, giving it moderate success and leaving it as something of an overlooked gem. Although Bowie was English, the song sharply critiques homelessness and urban poverty in the United States.

Who’s Your Perfect Classic Rock Band?

“Day-In Day-Out” illustrates the harsh cycle experienced by the less fortunate by putting the main character in precarious positions. The song begins with a child born into unsafe conditions (“She was born in a handbag”) and continuing through a life shaped by instability and lack of support (“What she lacks is a backup / Nothing seems to make a dent”). Instead of receiving help, the woman is pushed toward dangerous means of survival, from petty theft (“Stealing for that one good rush”) to prostitution (“She’s hanging on his arms”). The song ultimately acts as a wake-up call, emphasizing that poverty is sustained by a vicious cycle that can only be broken through meaningful support. While not identical, a similar theme appears in “Brenda’s Got a Baby” by Tupac Shakur.

‘Never Let Me Down’ Is David Bowie’s Least Favorite Album

Ironically enough, “Day-In Day-Out” is the opening track on the one album Bowie considered his least favorite: “My nadir was Never Let Me Down. It was such an awful album. I really shouldn’t have even bothered going into the studio to record it. I’m not happy with it.” In a 1987 interview with Q magazine, Bowie elaborated on the technical reasons why the album didn’t sit well with him.

“I thought it was great material that got simmered down to product level. I really should have not done it quite so studio-ly. I think some of it was a waste of really good songs. You should hear the demos from those albums. It’s night and day by comparison with the finished tracks. There’s stuff on the two albums since Let’s Dance that I could really kick myself about. When I listen to those demos it’s, How did it turn out like that?”

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Jimi Hendrix’s Best Anti-War Song Has a 12-Minute Live Version and It’s One of the Greatest Performances Ever

Although the rock guitarist never deployed, he knew exactly what war sounds like.

“Day-In Day-Out” isn’t the only track from Never Let Me Down where Bowie advocates for a cause. His second single, “Time Will Crawl,” takes listeners to Eastern Europe, addressing the Chernobyl disaster, which occurred just a year before the album’s release. Similar to “Day-In Day-Out,” the track achieved only moderate success, peaking at Number seven on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

The Music Video for “Day-In Day-Out” Was Banned by Television Stations

Just like the song, the music video for “Day-In Day-Out” made a strong impression — even at the cost of being banned or restricted by TV stations. The video follows the storyline described in the lyrics, opening with a literal baby in a bag placed on the steps of City Hall. It then cuts to a lone woman roaming the streets of Los Angeles at night as she carries her baby. As the clip plays out, it becomes clear she is not built for life on the streets, where danger lurks around every corner.

The video also contains sensitive material that didn’t sit well with audiences. These include scenes of the woman dressed as a sex worker, being pulled into a car and sexually assaulted, getting arrested while wearing only lingerie, and police raiding her home with a tank — suggesting how even temporary shelter can be unfairly taken away. Despite limited viewing, the video was nominated at the MTV Video Music Awards for Best Male Video, but lost to Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer.”

“Everyone remembers where they were when that happened.” The phenomenon, called a flashbulb memory, occurs when people can recall their surroundings in vivid detail the moment they learn of shocking historic events — the moon landing, the fall of the Berlin Wall, September 11th, and more. I will always remember when I was 13 years old at my neighborhood swimming pool, on June 25th, 2009, learning that Michael Jackson had died.

It’s hard — likely impossible, really — to sum up the musician’s legacy in a film, but Antoine Fuqua’s Michael sees that as a challenge worth taking, attempting to capture the life of one of the most famous people in history within a two-hour runtime. In addition to being skeptical that anyone could pull that off, I’m quickly growing tired of the seemingly endless music biopics, from everything between Bohemian Rhapsody to Deliver Me From Nowhere, but I must admit, I left Michael pleasantly surprised. It’s not a perfect film by any stretch of the imagination, falling victim to clichéd and formulaic parts of the genre at some points while also playing it far too safe with its characters. But ultimately, the film successfully celebrates the legend’s essence while simultaneously serving as a complex, compelling family drama.

What Is ‘Michael’ About?

Image via Lionsgate

Michael depicts the life of Michael Jackson, and a good portion is dedicated to his early years in Gary, Indiana, as his domineering father Joe (Colman Domingo) attempts to mold him and his siblings into the Jackson 5 and reach superstardom at any cost. Contrastly, his loving mother Katherine (Nia Long) watches on conflicted about Joe’s harsh, abusive methods. Despite how difficult it is to witness, Joe’s ambition and training soon pay off, with the family skyrocketing to the top and making the move to a fancy home in Los Angeles when Michael is around 11.

But that immediate influx of fame comes with a massive amount of pressure for Michael. As he gets older, he struggles to find independence and identity, particularly due to the intense control of his father and his determination to keep the Jackson 5 together indefinitely. Michael may be one of the most beloved people in the world, but he’s also one of the loneliest, and that juxtaposition makes for a fascinating conflict. The film depicts iconic milestones fans will be itching to see, showcasing both the highs (like filming the “Thriller” music video) and lows (the infamous Pepsi commercial fire) of Michael’s career throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s at the peak of his popularity.

‘Michael’s Actors Completely Disappear Into Their Roles, But Most of Them Are Overly Sanitized

Image via Lionsgate

Michael wouldn’t work without an actor who could fully embody him. Full stop. It’s the title of the movie, after all. So the fact that they found not one, but two exceptional young performers to do just that with Juliano Valdi and Jaafar Jackson (yes, there is a relation; Jaafar is the late Michael’s nephew) is a major feat in and of itself. They both have the singing and dancing chops to pull it off — something the entire world will no doubt be looking at with critical eyes — but they also capture Michael’s unique presence and emotional journey. Valdi has a combination of boundless charisma and heartbreaking vulnerability that naturally makes you want to root for and protect him in equal measure. Jackson nails the smallest nuances and eccentricities one associates with Michael without ever feeling like a caricature. There is a devastating rawness to his performance, too, as you can see how much Michael is craving authentic connection yet unable to achieve it, ironically isolated despite everyone knowing his name.

It is because Valdi and Jackson are such strong performers that I wish the script trusted them more by allowing them to play with the less palatable, more complicated parts of his personality. Every human being makes mistakes and has flaws, but Michael only explores the darker, uglier side of one person: Joe. Domingo is unsurprisingly excellent, reminding us once again why he was nominated for an Oscar two years in a row. He can be downright terrifying, and I found myself tensing up and holding my breath every time he came onscreen. He’s hard to read, and the unpredictability and volatility simmering under his surface are palpable and intense.

And yet he is never a one-dimensional villain, either. Domingo imbues him with enough layers and subtleties that, even when Joe is being cruel or manipulative, it’s easy to believe he does truly have his family’s best interests at heart — even if there’s an element of selfishness to it, and even if it’s showcased in a twisted way. The scenes between Joe and Katherine are some of the film’s strongest and most riveting, with a fantastic performance by Long, though she ends up feeling a tad underutilized outside of her major scenes with Domingo. Frankly, there’s enough material for a whole separate film focused solely on their marriage.

‘Michael’ Is a Dazzling Spectacle (Albeit an Incomplete One)

Image via Lionsgate

In addition to Katherine and Joe’s storyline, the film also includes enough footage to make one believe there’s a whole second movie centering on Michael… and that’s because there is. The original film was reportedly around four hours long, and it’s fairly obvious that there were large chunks left on the cutting room floor. The most notable exclusion is that there’s no mention of the singer’s child abuse allegations. (Though there is a scene of him visiting children in the hospital, which is a strange inclusion considering the controversies are overlooked without note.) It’s a notable omission, as there is a clause in one of the accuser’s settlements barring his mention or depiction in Michael that forced the film into expensive reshoots, but it does contribute to the movie’s lack of cohesion.

The film’s ending is less than satisfactory; as magical as it is to see some of Michael’s largest concerts recreated, the direction is uneven, with the interspersed crowd shots taking you out of the performances rather than immersing you in the setting. The fact that the movie ends with several of them back-to-back makes it lose steam quickly, the moment the ending finally feels abrupt and jarring. The choice to conclude the movie with a Marvel-esque “Michael Jackson Will Return” card to tease a sequel comes off like a bit ripped out of a Saturday Night Live sketch, but rest assured, it’s very real. (Both producer Graham King and Lionsgate chairman Adam Fogelson have talked about the hope and strong possibility for a second movie, depending on this one’s performance. If they were smart, they would’ve called this one Jackson, due to its centering on his time in the Jackson 5, and the sequel Michael, since it would focus on his time as a solo artist, but that’s neither here nor there.)

Michael may not rewrite the musical biopic, but it does just enough to set itself apart and inject a bit of new life into the genre by leaning into the family drama at its core. The performances are top-tier across the board, with Valdi and Jackson immediately becoming stars to watch and Domingo and Long proving once again why they’re considered two of the best in the business. The level of craftsmanship — from the hair and makeup to the costumes and production design — is unmatched, helping to compensate for a weaker screenplay and inconsistent direction. It may not be a masterpiece, but I’ll make a trip to the theater when the inevitable sequel comes around. I have no doubt the King of Pop will be the new King of the Box Office, and unlike Jackson’s 1987 album, that’s not a Bad thing at all.

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Release Date

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April 24, 2026

Runtime

130 minutes

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Writers

John Logan

Producers

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Graham King, John Branca, John McClain

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Pros & Cons

• The performances are excellent, with Juliano Valdi and Jaafar Jackson excellently embodying the King of Pop.
• Colman Domingo is a standout as the domineering yet complex patriarch Joe Jackson, and the film smartly leans into the family drama with him at the core.
• The craftsmanship is excellent, from the hair and makeup to costumes and production design.

• Many of the characters are overly sanitized, with the film afraid to lean into their flaws.
• The ending loses steam quickly, and the movie feels incomplete due to odd directorial choices, a weak screenplay, and obvious hopes for a sequel.

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Jennifer Lopez isn’t looking for anything serious from her alleged “rebound” relationship with her Netflix co-star, Brett Goldstein. The “Let’s Get Loud” singer made headlines in April 2025 after a source shared that she and Goldstein were getting friendly on the set of their movie, “Office Romance,” which was filmed just three months after the superstar finalized her divorce from Ben Affleck. Today, more details are coming to light.

Jennifer Lopez Is Reportedly Ready To Move On From ‘Rebound’ Relationship With Her Netflix Co-Star

A source who spoke to In Touch told the outlet that, despite hitting it off with Goldstein last summer, Lopez is not looking for anything serious at the moment. “She had fun with him, there’s no denying that, and she still thinks he’s a genuinely lovely guy, but it was never going to turn into anything serious for her,” the insider said, adding that the singer allegedly always saw him “as a rebound.”

The insider claimed that Lopez enjoyed her time with the actor while filming; however, he doesn’t meet all of her needs. “She is someone who has a very clear vision for her life, she knows what it takes for a man to hold her interest long term and she doesn’t want to set anyone up for failure,” they added.

Goldstein Reportedly Doesn’t Fit In With The Jennifer Lopez Brand

Lopez, who appeared in “In Living Color” before becoming a bona fide superstar, is reportedly looking out for herself and Goldstein with her decision.

“This isn’t just about what she wants on a personal level,” the source said. “She has brand J.Lo to think of and after being dumped so publicly by a huge A-list movie star like Ben, her next boyfriend needs to match him on every level, from star quality to bank balance.”

The news of Lopez’s alleged stance on her reported fling with Goldstein comes months after she wrapped the Netflix film “Office Romance.” At the time, a source told In Touch that the pair had been flourishing under the bright lights, citing their “obvious chemistry.”

“They’re both professional and ready to deliver their lines when the cameras are rolling, but in between, it’s a flirt fest,” the insider added. “Brett fawns all over Jennifer, and she’s absolutely loving the attention. He is so adoring, which is exactly what she needs right now.”

Goldstein Reportedly Helped Jennifer Lopez Get Her Sexy Back

Lopez’s involvement in “Office Romance” came just three months after she finalized her divorce from Ben Affleck. Their relationship was messy, divorcing two years after saying “I Do” in front of their family and friends in August 2022.

Lopez’s sudden split from the “Hypnotic” star reportedly left her bummed and impacted her confidence. Her alleged budding romance with Goldstein, though, helped her get through it.

“She’s much happier now. Everyone has noticed the change. There’s a new carefree energy about her,” the source said.

Affleck Got Candid About Living Life With Lopez Despite Hating The Spotlight

In March 2025, Affleck opened up about his highly publicized relationship with Lopez, admitting there was some tension due to their differing views on being public figures.

“My temperament is to be a little bit more reserved and private than hers,” he told GQ. “As happens in relationships, you don’t always have the same attitude towards these things.”

While Affleck preferred to stay away from the spotlight, he said he knew that wouldn’t be possible while married to Lopez.

“You don’t marry a ship captain and then say, ‘Well, I don’t like going out in the water.’ You’ve got to own what you knew going into any relationship,” he said.

Did Lopez And Affleck End Things On Bad Terms?

Despite their divorce being headline-making news, Affleck said that his split from Lopez wasn’t due to any major controversy. “There’s a tendency to look at breakups and want to identify root causes or something,” he said before clearing the air on their breakup.

“There’s no scandal, no soap opera, no intrigue. The truth is, when you talk to somebody, ‘Hey, what happened?’ Well, there is no, ‘This is what happened.’ It’s just a story about people trying to figure out their lives and relationships in ways that we all sort of normally do,” he said.

As Netflix established itself as the destination for high-quality series, many bold, risky sci-fi shows pushed the envelope, going where few other shows would. One such series was The OA. Created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, The OA was a sensational, high-concept masterpiece that invited viewers to embark on an extraordinary journey. A supernatural mystery drama, the series followed a young woman who forces both the viewers and characters to consider her credibility based on her claim that she’s the “Original Angel.” The OA was a time-bending, multidimensional thriller that knew that making big, daring decisions would help it stand out. Fortunately, it worked in its favor. Ten years later, The OA remains a mindbending masterpiece that no one has dared to try to replicate.

A general synopsis of The OA might baffle you to the point that you may scroll by the series when searching for something to watch. But the truth is, The OA was far too complex to be put into a box. The drama follows Prairie Johnson (Marling), a woman who resurfaces after seven years. Once blind, she has her sight restored and now calls herself the OA. She recruits five strangers, known as the Crestwood Five — Steve Winchell (Patrick Gibson), Alphonso “French” Sosa (Brandon Perea), Buck Vu (Ian Alexander), Jesse Mills (Brendan Meyer), and Betty Broderick-Allen, better known as BBA (Phyllis Smith) — to help her save captured people held by Hap, also known as Dr. Percy (Jason Isaacs) by traveling between dimensions using near-death experiences and five specific “movements.” It’s a wild concept that sounds like it’s far too bizarre to work, but it did.

The OA first took on the appearance of a science-fiction story and then a mystery thriller, all the while maintaining its question of asking who Prairie is. Dimension 1 included the initial kidnapping, where Dr. Hap experiments on Prairie and four other NDEs, and also included the movements preventing a school shooting. In Dimension 2, Prairie jumps into a new dimension where she inhabits a version of herself named Nina Azarov, who helps PI Karim Washington (Kingsley Ben-Adir) search for a missing girl. Yet still, the Crestwood Five and the Haptives — Homer Roberts (Emory Cohen), Scott Brown (Will Brill), Rachel DeGrosso (Sharon Van Etten), and Renata Duarte (Paz Vega) — remain a necessary piece of the evolving puzzle. Though they may not overlap on screen, the parallels and the connections to Prairie become crucial clues to the many conspiracies created along the way. No other show could undergo such drastic narrative shifts and still remain true to itself like The OA.

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Netflix’s 2-Part Sci-Fi Series Remains One of the Best on Any Streaming Platform 8 Years Later

No sci-fi show dared to go where this Netflix series went.

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With a fervent intensity and a surreal concept, The OA tasked viewers with deciding whether Prairie was a prophet or experiencing a mental health crisis. The story’s ambiguity allowed daring plot moments to carry the series. Using the meta-narrative of Prairie telling her tale to the Crestwood Five, the audience becomes part of the gang that is hearing the story in real time. The OA thrived through its audacious, uncompromising, and deeply emotional storytelling that forced viewers to suspend their disbelief and lean into believing the extraordinary. By consistently surprising viewers through its unconventional narrative constraints, The OA started as a highly original passion project and evolved into a cult classic.

Where ‘The OA’ Might Have Headed Next If It Got More Seasons

For some critics, Marling was too close to the material, leading to some questionable and confusing narrative decisions, which included included the visceral and polarizing Season 1 finale. With co-creator Batmanglij, the series remained true to their vision without compromise. The OA was distinctly unique even as a sci-fi series. The technology was never flashy and straying from a modern technological perspective gave the story a more intimate, timeless feel. The series leaned into the metaphors of resistance, sacrifice, and human connection through shared trauma to carry over into whatever dimension Prairie brought us to.

Without spoiling anything major, by the end of Season 2, a third dimension is discovered— a dimension that creats another massive shift that even breaks the fourth wall. Unfortunately, fans were left with a cliffhanger ending. The OA never found its closure. Originally intended to be a five-season story arc, The OA only had two seasons to capture audiences’ attention. And although it did just that, the business of show became the reason why The OA was cancelled. Even a niche following wasn’t enough to save the series. Everything The OA did was unlike anything that came before or after it. Through two impactful series, The OA encouraged more risks in sci-fi and pushed the viewer to expect the unexpected.

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Release Date

2016 – 2019-00-00

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Network

Netflix

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Directors

Andrew Haigh

Writers

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Dominic Orlando, Henry Bean, Damien Ober, Ruby Rae Spiegel

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Streaming has really taken over in recent years, and many fans love seeing their favorite celebs link up for content. However, these viral link-ups can either go really well or quickly turn into a mess. As for Ryan Garcia, the professional boxer has officially stepped into the streaming world and recently linked up with rapper Trippie Redd. However, things seemed to take a turn shortly after their link-up.

RELATED: Coi Leray Reveals Co-Parenting Status With Trippie Redd & Her Regrets About Going Public With His Infidelity

Ryan Garcia Shares How He Felt After Streaming With Trippie Redd

Ryan Garcia recently linked up with Trippie Redd on stream, where the two listened to music, talked boxing, and more. One clip that’s been going viral shows Ryan recalling that Trippie Redd was a Christian, with Trippie confirming that he does believe in God.

Another moment that caught attention was when Trippie wore an alien mask. Ryan laughed and responded, “What the hell is going on here?” Shortly after, Ryan asked his crew if they were ready to go, told Trippie he was the best, and the two agreed to link up again soon in Miami.

However, once Ryan got in the car, he began talking to his chat and a team member, where they discussed how awkward the link-up felt. Ryan expressed that he could still feel the “dark energy” on him and said he was taken aback by the “666” tattoo on Trippie Redd’s eyelids. The team member also pointed out that it felt like Trippie got uncomfortable when Ryan brought up God.

Ryan responded, “You definitely got to try to still plant the seed right?” He continued, “We’re not gonna judge him.. at all. Put that the light of Jesus shining on them. And sometimes it does make people uncomfortable, and I didn’t wanna make them uncomfortable, and that’s why I didn’t push the issue a lot. But I hope that I planted some type of seed in them, and, you know, I hope them the best.” He added, “yeah, I just try to, you know, use my discernment as best as I can … What do you want? You j want me to side with the world or with God? Like, come on now.”

Trippie Redd Takes To X To Clap Back At Ryan Garcia

Once Trippie Redd and Ryan Garcia’s clips started to make rounds around the net, Trippie took to X to respond. He tweeted, “Talkn bout dark energy, what makes u bright coke ????” He continued to call the professional boxer out with allegations, claiming he was off drugs the first time he met him. In more tweets, Trippie wrote:

“Awwww Ryan couldn’t say n***er in front the all black don be he a coked out washed fighter tryna be a streamer now.” 

Adding, “N**** mad l ain’t wanna box with his sorry a im Trippie Redd ni****go play wit gorlock or sumn this ain’t it sumn this ain’t that”  Following Trippie Redd’s tweet, Ryan ended up tweeting “Demons are angry.”

Social Media Weighs In 

Folks across social media reacted to Trippie Redd and Ryan Garcia’s back-and-forth. While some shared their thoughts on Trippie’s aesthetic, others weighed in on Ryan’s ongoing controversies.

Instagram user @fluffy_webb wrote, “Omg Trippie wanna be all dark and mysterious but when someone says he puts off dark energy its a problem”

Instagram user @beautifulmorethanwords added, “He completely misunderstood trippy it was two faced of him to say tht when he walked away w his brother that mean Ryan was to busy judging what’s was on the outside trippy is shy reserved at first”

While Instagram user @lil_draco47 wrote, “Trip nun but cool people idk what Ryan on”

Instagram user @russomemez wrote, “Ryan ain’t been right since the tank match”

Instagram user @ladyethermusic added, “He says the n word. So did 69 & Zimmerman. Take up for yall selves. Etrrrthing isn’t about money” 

While Instagram user @jhenedareaper wrote, “Why my girl gorlock caught a stray y’all weird”

Instagram user @tris.tancs wrote, “I mean it is weird to hate on someone after u just did a stream with him. Say it to Trippie face tf”

Instagram user @issabadliljawn._ added, “He make all this dark ass music he lives in a all black house. He looks how he look, and he wants us to believe him.”

While Instagram user @maybachmoriarty wrote, “When did all this go this go left? I just seen O them yesterday dapping it up. Then today they got beef? lol damn son”

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