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Kevin McKidd joined Grey's Anatomy as a love interest for Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) in Season 5. That was in 2008, and McKidd, 52, stayed far past Cristina's departure from the hospital. The actor revealed why he'll continue to be part of the medical show after his character's last episode.

Kevin McKidd Will Continue Directing 'Grey's Anatomy' Episodes Kevin McKidd

Disney/Anne Marie Fox

Dr. Owen Hunt's story is wrapping up along with Dr. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver). The characters have been intertwined since they served together in the military. They later married and divorced.

"It's been very, very sweet," he told ABC News. "The Grey's Anatomy family literally is my family, and we've all been together for such a long time. So it feels like the right time for me to step away. But it's definitely very sweet because I'm going to miss everyone."

Related: ‘How to Save a Life’: The 20 Best Episodes of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

McKidd has directed 49 episodes, including Season 22's finale. He's not leaving the directing chair any time soon.

"But I'm going to continue to direct on the show," he continued. "So I'm going to be back, but in a kind of different world, more behind the scenes." McKidd said it was "empowering" to direct his last episode as Owen.

The actor claimed it felt like the right time to leave the character. It's unclear if the Head of Trauma will die in the finale or get a softer send-off like Alex Karev (Justin Chambers).

This is another exit from an actor within the first six seasons. James Pickens Jr. and Chandra Wilson from Season 1 are still playing their characters Dr. Webber and Dr. Bailey.

The season finale airs on Thursday, May 7, at 10 p.m. ET.

Related: The 10 Most Heartbreaking ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Deaths, Ranked

In 1972, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show had a surprise hit with the song “The Cover of Rolling Stone.” The novelty hit, which appeared on the New Jersey-based band's second album, Sloppy Seconds, peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard pop charts in March 1973 and became the pop-country rockers' signature song.

”The Cover of Rolling Stone” offered a cheeky look at the “thrill” that a rock band gets when they land on the cover of the music magazine Rolling Stone. The lyrics weren’t written by Dr. Hook band mates Ray Sawyer, George Cummings, Billy Francise, Dennis Locorriere, Jay David, Jance Garfat or Rik Elswit. Instead, the witty lines, such as “wanna see my picture on the cover/ wanna buy five copies for my mother,” were penned by Shel Silverstein, the renowned artist, poet, and author of the children’s classics The Giving Tree, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and more.

Shel Silverstein wrote other songs for the band

Silverstein wrote dozens of songs for artists such as Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings, and Judy Collins, according to American Songwriter. He also wrote the hit “A Boy Named Sue” for Johnny Cash, per his official website. For Dr. Hook, he penned “Sylvia’s Mother,” “Freakin’ at the Freaker’s Ball,” and more.

In an interview with Songfacts, Silverstein’s nephew Mitch Meyers said his uncle was inspired by musicians. "I think that he was already hanging with Dr. Hook when he did it,“ Meyers shared of “The Cover of Rolling Stone.”  “He had been around musicians, and he understood what people wanted. And he understood how every musician's dream was to be a star. To be a big star. To be on the cover of a big magazine, and what magazine epitomized music? And Shel lampooned the whole rock and roll lifestyle.”

“Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show became such prolific interpreters of Shel's material for some reasons which would completely include their sense of humor,” he added.

RELATED: 1974 Country-Pop Classic Became One of the Most Unforgettable Novelty Hits of the ‘70s

Dr. Hook did appear on the cover of ‘Rolling Stone’—sort of

Amid the success of “The Cover of Rolling Stone,” Dr. Hook actually made the cover of Rolling Stone magazine on March 29, 1973. But the band didn’t pose for a traditional cover shoot. Instead, a caricature of Sawyer, Locorriere, and Francis was featured, with the teaser,   “What’s-Their-Names Make the Cover.”

On the 50th anniversary of the cover, Rolling Stone recalled the accompanying feature article was “a delirious funny chronicle of the band’s travels, peppered with profanity-laced song parodies, tales of harmonizing on George Jones songs, encounters with eager young groupies on the concert trail, and the dumping of the mysterious contents of a Holiday Inn envelope just seconds before getting pulled over by a Virginia state trooper on the way to their next gig.”

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Kanye West might be in the midst of an unexpected career resurgence, but the 24-time Grammy winner is still steeped in unprecedented controversy.

As many continue to criticize the pop star for his polarizing personal life and controversial public statements, a new study by JB.com shared with us over email has found that the 48-year-old rapper is currently considered "the most canceled celebrity" in pop culture.

As per the research study's findings, Ye's named was mentioned in a total of 68 million negative media headlines, more than any other celebrity featured on their list. Additionally, the pop star was mentioned a total of 95,000 times on Reddit for his various controversies, further highlighting his divisive reputation among mainstream audiences today.

According to the research study, West's peak cancelation periods fell between late 2022, when the singer made several offensive remarks considered by many to be antisemitic, as well as early 2026. In addition to these public statements, the poll pointed to over 25 lawsuits West has also been embroiled in as a major reason for his cancelation status.

Following in West's wake, the study then pointed to Elon Musk as the "second" most canceled celebrity in mainstream media today.

"Public backlash against Musk reached its highest point in October 2025, stemming from his handling of Twitter (now X) and his political statements," the report claimed. "Despite being one of the world's wealthiest people, Musk also appears in 90K Reddit threads discussing his scandals, making him nearly as controversial as Ye. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has faced 23 personal lawsuits over the years, separate from the legal cases involving his companies."

After Musk, the report then highlighted Amber Heard as the third highest ranked celebrity to face cancelation, mainly due to her high-profile legal trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp. Depp himself was ranked fourth, although the peak period around his cancelation came before his trial with Heard, with public opinion of the Pirates of the Caribbean star largely improving since.

Angela Bassett’s net worth is the result of a lot of blood, sweat and tears poured into her career. The Oscar nominee has played such greats as Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do with It, Coretta Scott King in Betty & Coretta and Betty Shabazz in both Malcolm Xand Panther.

Her box office numbers keep growing thanks to her role as Queen Ramonda in 2018’s Black Panther and 2022's sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

With her commanding presence and killer triceps, it’s no surprise Bassett plays her fair share of strong women. She has been impressing audiences with her talent since the 1980s, so she has to have earned some major paydays in her career, right? Let’s hope so, because she sure as heck deserves them!

Here is everything you need to know about Angela Bassett’s net worth!

Related: Cynthia Erivo Is Building a Wicked Net Worth

How did Angela Bassett become famous?

It may be hard to think of a time before Angela Bassett was gracing our screens. However, she has had to work hard to build her very impressive career. Bassett made her first television appearance in 1985 as a prostitute in a made-for-TV movie, Doubletake. She followed this with her film debut the next year as a news reporter in F/X.

In 1988, the budding actress decided to move to Los Angeles to land more acting jobs. The year after, she made guest appearances on both 227 and A Man Called Hawk. However, it was on the big screen that Bassett would finally be noticed.

Bassett began to earn notoriety for her strong performances in movies like 1991’s Boyz n the Hood and 1992’s Malcolm X. However, it was her portrayal of Tina Turner in the 1993 biopic What’s Love Got to Do with It that would earn Bassett not only acclaim, but worldwide fame—and an Oscar nomination. She also became the first Black woman to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

Even though the movie put her on the map, Bassett still had to fight to win more acting roles. For her performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Bassett earned her second Academy Award nomination, becoming the first actor to receive an Oscar nomination for a role in a Marvel movie.

Lucky for us, Bassett's determination has led to her enduring career and impressive resume. 

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What is Angela Bassett's net worth in 2026?

Angela Bassett has a net worth of $25 million in 2026, according to Celebrity Net Worth. However, this number actually represents a combined net worth with Bassett’s husband, fellow actor Courtney B. Vance. So it appears love does have something to do with this!

How rich is Angela Bassett?

With a combined net worth of $25 million, Angela Bassett and husband Courtney B. Vance are richer than the majority of people—which is to say, pretty rich! Bassett has earned her money from her acting roles, plus working as a director and producer. She appears in both film and TV roles.

Related: Brie Larson's Net Worth Is Quite the 'Marvel'

How much does Angela Bassett make per movie?

It is not known exactly how much Angela Bassett makes per movie. Her salary is dependent on the project and its budget as well as the size of her role.

She was reportedly paid as much as $3.5 million for roles in the early ‘00s, so she most likely earns in the $5 million to $10 million range nowadays for lead roles and in the lower single-digit millions for supporting roles.

How much did Angela Bassett get paid for Black Panther? Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda in "Black Panther" (2018)

Marvel Studios

It is not known exactly how much Angela Bassett was paid for her role as Queen Ramonda in 2018’s Black Panther. Given that lead actor Chadwick Boseman was reportedly paid $2 million for his role and Black Panther was Bassett's first MCU outing, we imagine she was paid in the low million range or a high six figures.

How much did Angela Bassett make for Avengers: Endgame? Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda

Marvel Studios/Disney

It has not been publicly revealed how much Angela Bassett was paid to reprise her role as Queen Ramonda from Black Panther in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.

Given that she could have turned down the role if she wanted to and was most likely paid in the low million range or a high six figures for the first Black Panther movie, we imagine she was paid in the high hundreds of thousands or low millions for Endgame.

How much did Angela Bassett get paid for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever? Angela Bassett in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"

Marvel Studios/Disney

Angela Bassett's salary for her role as Queen Ramonda in 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has not been publicly revealed. She was most likely paid in the low million range or a high six figures for the first Black Panther movie, so we imagine she earned in the low millions for the sequel.

The Ryan Coogler-directed film grossed an estimated $859.2 million worldwide against a reported $250 million budget. Bassett also gave one of the finest performances in superhero movie history, becoming the first actor to receive an Oscar nomination for their role in a Marvel film. So we hope she got a nice paycheck for her work!

How much does Angela Bassett make for 9-1-1? Angela Bassett in "9-1-1"

Fox

Angela Bassett made headlines in 2021 when it was reported she would be paid “north of $450,000 an episode” for Season 5 of the Fox series 9-1-1, making her one of the highest-paid actors on television—and quite possibly the highest-paid woman of color ever for a broadcast drama series.

As the show is now in its ninth season, we imagine her salary has likely increased further. For a 14-episode season, Bassett earns upwards of $6.3 million with a salary of over $450,000 per episode.

Related: You’ll Be Shocked These 11 9-1-1 Emergencies Were Real

​​How much does Angela Bassett make per episode of 9-1-1? Angela Bassett in "9-1-1"

FOX

It was reported in 2021 that for the fifth season of 9-1-1, Angela Bassett would be paid over $450,000 per episode. That meant she'd be making over $6.3 million for a 14-episode season before including things like bonuses and royalties from syndication deals.

With the show now in its ninth season, it's safe to say that Bassett is earning well over that now.

How much did Angela Bassett make on American Horror Story? Angela Bassett in "American Horror Story"

FX

Angela Bassett has not revealed her salary for her scene-stealing appearances in Seasons 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 of American Horror Story. There are unconfirmed reports that the recurring actors of the main cast can earn between $75,000 and $150,000 per episode.

If those numbers are accurate, we imagine Bassett was paid on the higher end of that range, given her fame and acclaim at the time of her appearances.

Related: See Scarlett Johansson’s Net Worth Now That She’s the Highest-Grossing Lead Actor Ever

How much did Angela Bassett get paid for Zero Day? Angela Bassett in "Zero Day"

Netflix

It's unknown how much Angela Bassett was paid for her role as President Evelyn Mitchell on Netflix's 2025 political thriller miniseries Zero Day, starring Robert De Niro. The real U.S. president earns a yearly salary of $400,000, paid monthly, plus $50,000 for expenses (non-taxable), a $100,000 travel account and a $19,000 entertainment budget.

Let's hope an amazing actress like Bassett earned more than that for her service as a fictional president!

Interestingly, Bassett reprised her Mission Impossible: Fallout role in 2025's The Final Reckoning, where her character had climbed the ladder from CIA director to U.S. president. That's a solid two terms for the queen!

Related: Better Have Her Money! Rihanna's Net Worth in 2026—and What She's Said About Her Riches

It's common to see trouble in paradise for the titular characters of Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage. After all, theYoung Sheldon spinoff has a young couple navigating a world fraught with many firsts for them, including a rollercoaster of jobs over nearly two seasons. But what happens when work and home life mix?

We get at least a brief answer to that question in an exclusive sneak peek of this week's episode. Georgie (Montana Jordan) comes home to an apologetic Mandy (Emily Osment), who has apparently rebuffed her husband's request to sit down for an interview. But he responds with a major reveal, "Just so you know, Channel Seven thinks I am a story."

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'Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage' Season 2 Episode 19 Sneak Peek (1:14)

"Little Schmoozin’ and a Nose for the News," this week's episode, focuses on a rivalry Mandy develops with a weathergirl from another network. And in this clip we find out that "Kelli with an I" (guest star Jenna Ebersberger) is not above scooping the loved one of her competition in an attempt to get a good story.

"I hate Kelly with an i!" Mandy declares. "How does she know about you? Did you call her?"

"I most certainly did not call her!" he disputes.

"So Ruben called her," Mandy replies, referring to Georgie's partner-in-crime at the auto service store.

"Dang! You do have a nose for the news," he confesses.

Related: Iain Armitage Breaks Silence on Possible ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’ Cameo

Jenna Ebersberger as Kelli in 'Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage'

Troy Harvey/CBS

Obviously, Mandy is apoplectic in hearing this, feeling it's a massive betrayal for her own husband to cozy up to her rival. "How would you feel if I bought tires from Fagenbacher?" she asks hypothetically.

"I feel like you're throwing your money away, 'cause you get a family discount with me," he retorts.

"That is not the point! She's just trying to embarrass me."

Despite how upset she is, Georgie does point out that he gave his wife first right of refusal for his story (whatever that may be). "I came to you first! You said no."

Related: CBS Reveals Its 2026-2027 Fall Schedule, Including a New ‘NCIS’ Series

Mandy decides to put her foot down, outright telling him, "You are not doing that interview."

"You can't stop me!" he responds insolently. Seeing her adamancy getting her nowhere, she then decides to try a classic tactic: Reverse psychology.

"You know what? You're right," she says, suddenly taking on a much quieter and cooler tone. "You do whatever you want. It's your decision." She casually walks to the door and leaves the room, offering nothing but a small look at him on the way out.

"Okay, she may have stopped me," Georgie admits, to nobody in particular.

What's interesting is, as much as this rivalry with Kelli is sending Mandy up a wall, she may see lucrative value in it as well. According to the episode description from CBS, while she's heavily embroiled in the feud, "Mandy tries to use the conflict to help her career." So, as much as she may be feeling betrayed by her own husband doing an interview with the biggest thorn in her side, she also sees an opportunity to help her own career in the process. And, considering the controversies she got in earlier this season that led to her quitting her job at the station, she may be looking for any way to make — and stay in — the news.

Check out an exclusive sneak peek of this week's episode of Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage above. New episodes air Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Related: Is Your Favorite Show Coming Back or Canceled? See Our Fall TV 2026–2027 Guide

It’s been nearly three decades since Luc Besson dropped a neon-orange sci fi film into theaters, and somehow, The Fifth Element still feels like it was shot tomorrow morning.

Watching it in 2026 hits differently. We’re looking at a time capsule. This was Bruce Willis at his best: a smirking tough guy with a persona that defined a decade of action.

Today, the headlines are different. We know about Willis’ diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia. We’ve heard his wife, Emma Heming Willis, speak about the special one-story home where Bruce now receives 24/7 care. Reportedly, the family will donate his brain to research. It's a purposeful move to help others, coming from a guy who spent forty years playing the hero.

🇺🇸 Bruce Willis' family will donate his brain for scientific research — WP Times

"This decision is emotionally difficult, but scientifically necessary for understanding frontotemporal dementia" — says his wife, Emma

*3 years ago, Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal… pic.twitter.com/HdzBOqc7lW

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) November 24, 2025

But back in 1997, Willis was Korben Dallas. The character wasn't a typical space hero. He had a modular apartment the size of a microwave and a boss who fired him via a floating robot. He was tired and wanted to eat his Thai food in peace.

Around Willis, you had Jean-Paul Gaultier designing 900 costumes, including Milla Jovovich’s white bandage-strip outfit that went from the set to fashion history in a second. Then there was Gary Oldman chewing scenery as Zorg with a Southern accent no one can fully explain.

Yet there was Willis, standing in a rubberized orange tank top, making the whole ridiculous thing feel real.

The movie is a laundry list of "almosts" that make it feel like a miracle it even exists.

Prince was actually the first choice for the high-decibel radio host Ruby Rhod. He met with Besson, saw the sketches for a leopard-print outfit with a literal hole in the back, and reportedly called it "too effeminate" before walking out. Chris Tucker stepped in, screamed for two hours straight, and created a legend.

Then there’s the trivia that still feels impossible: Willis and Oldman, the hero and the villain, never share a single second of screen time. Not one frame, even though they chase the same stones in the same buildings. And Jovovich didn’t just babble; she and Besson developed an actual dictionary for "The Divine Language." By the wrap party, they were having full conversations in it.

There’s a scene at the end where Korben is down to his last match. Everything is on the line. The world is freezing over. He’s shaking, but he’s steady.

That’s the Willis we’re keeping.

Willis' health updates from 2026 talk about anosognosia, a condition where the brain can't recognize its own decline. Bruce might not know he’s sick, but he still feels the love. He’s still "present in his body," as his family says.

Happy 29th anniversary to the movie where love is the only weapon that matters. BruWillise knew it then. His family knows it now. The rest of us are lucky we got to watch him play our favorite tough guy.

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If you are looking to add some liveliness to your home, plants are a failproof and easy way to do so. To kickstart your search, you should start looking at some of our favorite garden and greenery-related shopping deals at Amazon. The most recent discount we love is on the Kavlium 2-Tier Plant Stand, which is 39% off now. 

The stand initially cost $36, but has been reduced to $22 in the black two-tier offering. The set of two in the black hue was marked down from $60 to $40, and the gold two-tier colorway is just $27. The stand weighs just 3.8 pounds so it's easy to maneuver, and can hold up to 100 pounds. It's 12.7 inches wide, 12.7 inches long, and 27.1 inches tall, and is described to hold planters up to 10 inches. 

Kavlium 2-Tier Plant Stand, $22 (was $36) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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The stand is made of a powder-coated metal that's rust-resistant and lightweight, so you can place it in your garden, on your patio, or indoors with no issues. The design features three legs at the bottom for structural integrity that offers sturdiness and balance no matter if your plant is small or large. Each tier has a whimsical design that makes it perfect for "modern," contemporary, and farmhouse-style homes. 

You can also use the stand for things other than plants if you need extra storage (like toiletries) or if you just want to highlight other decor items. Over 300 Amazon customers have already purchased this stand within the past month, with reviewers describing the affordable stand as "very sturdy," "well-made," "beautiful," "fantastic," and "functional." You will have to assemble the stand upon delivery, but several shoppers noted that it's incredibly easy to put together. 

Related: Amazon's 'Heavenly' $33 All-Season Comforter Feels Like 'Sleeping on a Cloud,' and It Comes in 19 Colors

"I've looked at several local stores and they can't beat the price," another customer wrote. "Also, the fact that it's taller than ones you can find in the store, which is what I needed for a fern." One shopper even used it to support a bird bath, so the utility options are truly endless. If you own a few plants, we'd consider purchasing the set so that your decor matches. 

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• Cushionaire Carmen Platform Sandals, $50 (was $65) at Amazon
• Shewin Crochet Cardigan, $17 (was $25) at Amazon
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Taking care of your plants includes where you place them. Add this stylish plant stand to your cart while it's just $22 at Amazon! 

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

Survivor 50 is here! Every week, Parade's Mike Bloom will bring you interviews with the castaway most recently voted off the island.

It was surprising to see Emily Flippen come back for Survivor 50, considering how much she swore up and down she would never return. What's even more surprising is her reasoning, feeling that, despite her star-making turn on Season 45, she left with the wrong lesson of making herself "softer." That said, she was eager not to immediately default into the blunt, outspoken character that nearly got her eliminated first from her season. And so, the person Mike White once described as a "cougar in the shape of a Ren Faire girl" was ready to go medieval on the competition.

Despite yet again winding up on the "disaster tribe," going to Tribal Council every episode in the premerge, Emily found herself in an incredibly comfortable position. She was surprised to find people wanting to align with her out of the gate this time around, particularly Christian Hubicki. And, adamant about not playing too passively, she came out of the gate big game hunting, constantly pitching Ozzy Lusth's name. Emily's up-and-down relationship with the five-time player, however, is quite emblematic of her more memorable, chaotic and overall "messy" moments. As she would be given key pieces of information, such as Christian telling her Aubry Bracco had an idol, or finding out Angelina Keeley would have left before the swap, she would seem to immediately reveal the information, blowing up the secret in the process. Indeed, Emily's mouth seemed to be runnier than her digestive tract after a massive chocolate milkshake.

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Despite all that, Emily yet again survived taking frequent trips to Tribal Council in the premerge. But the similarities to Survivor 45 stop there. At the Final Eleven, Emily was caught flat-footed for the first time in her reality TV career, as she and Rick Devens were left out of Christian's blindside. It seemed like her targeting Ozzy yet again put her on the outs — this time for good. But yet another twist in the Survivor 50 portfolio added a possible asset for the financial analyst.

Put in a temporary tribe of five, and with Rick having an idol courtesy of his wild MrBeast coin flip, it seemed Emily was dead to rights. But, wanting to go out swinging, she spent the afternoon pitching that she could get Rick to play his idol on her, attempting to make a big move. In actuality, she was the one planning the big move, as she was hoping that they would pile their votes onto Rick, he would play his idol, and the two outsiders would swoop in and take out Cirie Fields. The good news is Emily got the 2-2-1 split she wanted. The bad news is she was undone by Cirie using her secret Extra Vote, forcing a tie. At the end of it all, Emily went out the exact same day as her first time out. But this time, she got taken out showing the lesson she wanted to put on display this time around, trying each and every thing to stop that torch from getting snuffed — and nearly succeeding in the process.

Now out of the game, Emily talks with Parade about her up-and-down relationship with Ozzy, why she chose to be so loose-lipped with so many secrets, and whether this time she is truly done playing.

Related: Read our Survivor 50 pre-game interview with Emily Flippen

Let's start on the all-too-familiar Day 21. You spent the entire day putting together this double bluff to get enough votes onto Rick so you could take out Cirie. As the votes were coming in, did you think your plan worked? And what was your reaction when Jeff said, "One vote left"?
You nailed it. So coming into that Tribal Council, I thought there's a pretty good chance of going home. This plan, it's a Hail Mary shot. But it's one that I think is worth taking, because if it works, I mean, gosh, that's a game-winning move, potentially so. But I thought the confidence interval there was pretty low about it succeeding.

But the moment the votes start coming in, I look over at Rick. I think you can see it on my face. I smile because I'm like, "What the heck is going on here? Did we actually just pull this off?" So we had about a split second where I genuinely thought to myself, "Oh my gosh, I'm not going home. We just got rid of Cirie using Cirie's own maneuvering. She basically invented the split vote." And the moment Jeff said, "One more vote," I was like, "Oh yeah, no. Cirie's not an idiot." I didn't know where the extra vote came from, but I figured it was my name on the parchment.

Cirie said she was going to play the Extra Vote if she was picking up any weird vibes. In retrospect, do you think there's anything you could have done to not get her to play it?
I don't know. That's a really good question. Obviously I didn't know the Extra Vote existed. So if I had, I think that would have changed my calculus. At one point, somebody asked me, "Don't you think the Shot in the Dark is better odds?" And I was like, "I mean, probably from a purely statistical perspective. But that doesn't sound very fun. That's sort of lame way to go out." So maybe that would have changed my calculus there if I had known about the Extra Vote. But I don't really know.

At the time, I felt fairly confident. Whether or not this is true, I still don't know. But I felt confident that I had sold Tiffany and Jonathan on the plan. Cirie is always hard to read. She's very smart, and I thought to myself, "Cirie wouldn't leave herself exposed like this." But she was still willing to go along with the plan. She was weirdly willing to. And I still think it's interesting to look at how they could have just voted me off. She didn't have to play the Extra Vote. They could have just said, "No, put the votes on to Emily." And ultimately, she didn't. So I don't know if she actually got sold on the idea. But I did my best, and I can say that wholeheartedly.

Let's rewind to the beginning of the game. You were adamant going in to not play a passive game, and we see that out of the gate when you start throwing Ozzy's name out, someone you will both work with and against this season. Talk to me about that up-and-down-dynamic. Especially considering he was voted out the same episode!
It was a really fun boat ride back, by the way, sitting there! [Laughs.] Actually my relationship with Ozzy was maybe my favorite thing that came out of Season 50, because it was so unexpected. It was very on-and-off. He was desperately trying to get rid of me, and I just basically followed him from Tribal Council to Tribal Council. I felt so bad for the guy, and I'm bummed that — I shouldn't say we didn't have the opportunity. We did have the opportunity. I'm bummed that we didn't work more closely together later into the game.

I remember the vote where Christian was voted off, where I tried to make a move against Ozzy. I remember thinking to myself [that] it wasn't the person I wanted gone. Obviously, I had a closer relationship with him than a lot of other people on the beach. But I thought it's what my alliance, the Cila Four, Christian, Rick, me and Cirie, I thought it's what they wanted. I genuinely thought it was Cirie's idea. Actually, that's kind of how it was told to me. I thought she was scared of Ozzy. I thought she was done with her alliance with him, wanted to flush the idol, whatever it may be. And I remember thinking to myself, "I don't really want to do this right now, but I have to do it for the good of my alliance." So it's a little ironic, of course, that it didn't work out. But I did my best to apologize to Ozzy. And gosh, I loved playing with him. I think he is. He's a thoughtful person. He's really humble. He's much more open-minded than I think I gave him credit for coming into Season 50.

What led to you working with him so quickly after targeting him?
I caught Ozzy stashing the idol back on the old Cila tribe. And I tried to sit down and have a conversation with him about it, which, by the way, why would he talk to me at all? You're basically coming for each other initially. So I understand. But he was basically like, "No, no, no, you didn't see anything. Nothing happened." And I was like, "Okay, well, obviously I saw."

But, as we spent more time going to Tribal Councils together, that does build trust. And at some point, he confided in me about the fact that he had the idol, and it made me feel like we could move forward together. And honestly, I think there's just some element of trauma bonding in Survivor. I mean, for better or worse, I'm a very transparent player, and so I think he was getting to know me the more Tribal Councils we went to. And I think he was realizing, "Okay, Emily's a bit out there. But when she talks to me, you know, she genuinely means what she says." But maybe he thought he could work with me.

Well, let's talk about speaking your mind, because there did seem to be quite a few instances of you sharing some information that was disclosed to you. Talk to me about your reaction to Christian telling you about Aubry's idol, and what motivated you to then proceed to reveal that as soon as you arrive on your new beach?
Man, I was really hoping, with how later I was voted out after this, this wouldn't come up during exit press. I am so embarrassed. I think what you saw, what everybody saw on TV, was pretty accurate to how everything happened. There was nothing that wasn't shown there. The question that I get asked most often is, how much time was there between you spilling the beans to everybody else in the tribe, versus going back to Christian and apologizing? And I want to say, five or 10 minutes. It was virtually immediately I had realized I messed up.

But yes, I was taken aback. I remember thinking to myself, "Why am I getting this information now?" And it was pure impulsivity. It was pure panic. And when I got to the new tribe, again, if I'm being generous to myself, I would say that I'm a verbal processor. I need to talk about things to really understand them. And it just so happened that the people who came up to talk to me were that group of people. And I had to just word vomit, I guess, everything that I knew.

And the moment I did it, I'm looking around, and I'm thinking to myself, "Wait, are these really my people? Are these the people that are going to want to work with me, the people who hate it when I lay around camp and don't help?" So I was having the reflection that I thought I just made a terrible, terrible mistake. And I had two options at that point. I could own up to the mistake and try to move forward with the person that I felt closer to, or I could try to move forward with this new alliance. And in my mind, the only option was really just to own up, say, "I've done something bad. You're going to find out about it. I didn't mean to betray you, but I betrayed you. And if you're willing to work with me, I'm willing to work with you still too." And just try to be honest. But I really, obviously, I wish it hadn't happened. I was screaming at the TV. I'm like, "Just shut up, Emily! For once in your life, please."

We saw a couple of other instances, like you telling Angelina she would have been voted out pre-swap, and you revealing that Dee had told you about Rizo's idol. It got to the point where a couple of times, people said you were "messy." Is that an accurateassessment?
Yes and no. I think I've always been a messy player. I think I've always been a little chaotic. If anything, I think the edit on 45 saved me from a lot of that. So I have this element. I know that about myself. But I did not realize how bad it was until I'm watching the show back. Christian said it best when he said, "Emily has 'Foot in Mouth Syndrome.' That's a very real condition for her." I didn't realize how bad that affliction was until I was watching this show back.

I don't feel bad about having that conversation with Angelina. I think that was actually probably in my best interest, fairly transparent, productive. The thing that haunts me the most, weirdly enough, it's not my betrayals with Christian in sharing that information. It's what happened with Dee, because I did not know that I did that. I genuinely did not realize that I was the root of that being spilling around the idol. I thought Rizo's idol was common knowledge. I genuinely forget where it came from. But I remember thinking to myself, "I should have never said Dee's name." Obviously, I wanted to work with Dee.

And she is such a kind person. Over the course of the past year, since filming has been done up to that episode airing, she never mentioned it to me. She never said, "Emily, what the heck?! Why did you do me like that? I thought we were chill. You just threw me under the bus." She forgave, moved on. And as a result, I never realized, I think, how responsible I was for what happened to her. And I that guilt around that, I hate it. If you make a mistake and it ruins your own game, that's one thing you live with that, like, "Okay, I did something stupid and I lost Survivor. Oh no." But when you make a mistake, and it ruins the people around you's game, the people that you care about, and you're trying to work with, you have to live with that. And it's much harder, in my opinion, to live with the consequences that my loud mouthedness had on other people, versus myself.

Let's talk about one of your fellow "loudmouths" here in Rick Devens. I'll admit I was nervous when you said you were mad when he pulled out the fake idol at Tribal Council. But the two of you seemed thick as thieves up until you left the game. Talk to me about your relationship.
It was crazy. The relationship with Rick was maybe the weirdest thing to come out of Season 50 for me. Because based off the pregame, when I was looking at him at Ponderosa, I thought to myself, "I don't think I'm gonna like this guy very much." And it's so funny because, Day 1, you hit the beach and we're chatting, and we just got along like a house on fire.

And I wanted to have fun! That was one of the things that I wanted to do coming into Season 50. I don't know if it necessarily showed that much, but with Rick, everything was fun. He was always willing to laugh. He was always open-minded, he was never judgmental. It was like the guy was just a blast to be around. So yeah, as much as I got irritated by shenanigans, I basically live in a state of permanent irritation, so maybe [it 's] not a surprise. I couldn't imagine going back to camp without him. The thought about going back to camp without Rick was like having dinner and not having dessert. It's like the thing that you look forward to is no longer there. He was just so much fun. I'm so happy that you see that on the edit too, how much fun he had.

If last episode didn't have that split Tribal Council twist, who do you think would have gone home?
That's a really good question. Weirdly enough, I haven't given that question a ton of thought. The obvious answer is, okay, well, people would vote for Rick. Rick would play his idol. For whatever reason, Rick was basically like public enemy number one, and people were just hyper-focused on getting him out. And you could derive logically, "Okay, well, Emily's next then." So you still have a very real scenario where, I think if we take the easy path out, I just get voted off, regardless of if there's a split or not.

But I do think the fact that so many people suddenly started to turn on the idols, like with Ozzy. It's entirely possible that another plan would have come into motion, and maybe somebody else gets voted off. It's what's crazy about Season 50 is that these alliances were shifting constantly, day by day. The targets were shifting. The alliances were shifting. It was unlike anything I experienced on 45. So it's virtually impossible for me to say, if that group of nine had gone to Tribal Council together, what would have been the outcome. It's like the MrBeast outcome all over again. It would probably have just been a scramble, and you just don't want to be the person left holding the bag.

If you had survived this vote, were you planning to go to the end with anyone in particular?
I was genuinely, at this point in the show, so concerned that I had positioned myself to be a no-vote finalist. I was more worried about getting dragged to the end. And you could almost argue, in a sense, that it was a relief getting voted off, because I got a little vacation out of it. [Laughs.] I got spared to be their very real, realistic potential reality. I remember thinking to myself, "What does that three look like?" I would lose to Devens, I would lose to Cirie, I would lose to any number of people.

I think in my mind, my best opportunity was maybe somebody like Rizo. Watching it back, it's obvious he had a lot more alliances and stuff going on than I thought at the time. But at the time, I was unaware of a lot of that. And there was still this perspective amongst older school players at Rizo didn't do a lot to help out around camp, that sort of thing. So I remember thinking to myself, "Is it possibly he doesn't have the respect of the jury?" If that's the case, maybe I could sit next to Rizo. Maybe I could sit next to somebody like Joe, who people were having a hard time playing around. But I mean, of course, there's so much game left to play. At that point in the show, did not realistically see a feasible path to the end of myself, where I would be getting votes to win. I was very concerned about how I positioned myself.

Last time we did an exit interview, you said that you were never going to play again. And we know how that went! But I'm curious, considering you were able to showcase being more aggressive in your gameplay this time around, which I think you accomplished to a certain extent, are you interested in coming back for time number three on Survivor?
That's such a generous way to describe that, "accomplished to a certain extent." [Laughs.] I know I said this on 45, I'll repeat it again for 50. I think I want to spare the general audience of having to experience me just spilling the beans to everybody again. So I am good.

I am so thankful, and I'm so happy that I had this opportunity for 50. I mean, I don't want to take it for granted playing alongside the people had the chance to play alongside, having so much fun in the process. It's a lifetime, core memory for me. And I'm so happy that I tried. Even if it was a total chaotic, absolute mess, disaster for me, I'm still happy I tried. But I don't think anybody wants to see me out there again, if I'm frank with you. And even if I was out there, I don't think anybody would want to play with me. I am a curse. I am a leech. I'm like a cockroach. I'm done. I am done. My reality TV career is over. Me, my cat, my job. We're just gonna go back to regular life.

Related: Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick Reveals She Nearly Flipped the MrBeast Coin on 'Survivor 50' (Exclusive)

Shonda Rhimes' net worth is worthy of her reign as the queen of TV, but she didn't always see herself as a future showrunner.

"I don’t think there was a time I ever thought of myself as anything but a writer," she told Deadline in 2016. "I thought I was going to be the next Toni Morrison. She already had that job so you can’t get that job."

Since being Toni Morrison was off the table, she became Shonda Rhimes instead. Turning to screenwriting, she found her niche and created some of the most beloved characters and long-running series in modern television history—including Grey's Anatomy, Scandal and Bridgerton—and her genius extends to her business acumen, landing her some of the most lucrative deals in an era when streamers and networks cut budgets left and right.

Find out how Rhimes came into her own and how much money she came into once she did.

Related: 6 Reasons Why Netflix’s Pulse Is the Next Grey’s Anatomy

How did Shonda Rhimes become famous?

Rhimes volunteered at a hospital in high school, which gave her a taste for the inner workings of medical facilities that she'd come to cover in Grey's Anatomy later. She majored in English and film studies at Dartmouth University, where she directed and acted in the Black Underground Theater Association.

After graduating, Rhimes briefly lived in San Francisco, where she worked as a copywriter, before moving to Los Angeles to study screenwriting and eventually earn her master's degree from the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

She worked day jobs after graduating to make ends meet, including as a research director on the Peabody Award-winning 1995 documentary Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream. Three years later, she directed the short film Blossom and Wells starring Jeffrey Wright and Jada Pinkett Smith, and a year later, her feature Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, starring Halle Berry, hit the small screen on HBO.

In 2001, Rhimes wrote the Britney Spearsstar vehicle Crossroads, followed by The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, starring Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrewsand Chris Pine.

After Rhimes wrote a 2003 ABC pilot about female war correspondents that didn't get picked up, the network took a chance on her medical drama, a little show called Grey's Anatomy, in 2005. She'd go on to write and produce hits like Grey's spinoff Private Practice, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Station 19, Bridgerton, Inventing Anna and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story—to name a few.

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What is Shonda Rhimes' net worth in 2026?

Shonda Rhimes' net worth in 2026 is estimated at $240 million, thanks to her long and lucrative career behind the scenes in television.

How much money does Shonda Rhimes make from Grey's Anatomy?

According to Forbes, in the early seasons of Grey's Anatomy, Rhimes made $30,000 per episode for writing and producing the series. By 2021, that ballooned to a whopping $250,000 per episode.

She told the magazine, however, that she had to fight for her pay despite bringing in an estimated $2 billion in revenue to ABC since her tenure on Grey's began.

"It's really startling to realize how much money your work is earning for a place and then to discover how much they think you're worth versus that," she said.

Related: From ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ to ‘Killing Eve,’ Take a Look Inside Sandra Oh’s Net Worth

How much was Shonda Rhimes paid per episode?

In early seasons of Grey's Anatomy, Rhimes made $30,000 per episode as a writer and producer. In later seasons, her salary grew to $250,000 per episode of the series.

How much was Shonda Rhimes' Netflix deal?

In 2017, Rhimes finalized a reported $100 million deal with Netflix. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the massive success of Bridgerton netted Rhimes a significant pay increase to $150 million in 2021, plus bonuses that could bring her into the $300 million to $400 million range.

Related: How Rich Is Patrick Dempsey? Inside the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star’s Net Worth

How much does Shonda Rhimes make a year?

According to Forbes, Rhimes' deal with ABC was for $10 million annually, plus 10% of profits generated from her series' syndication on other channels and streamers like Netflix. Add that to her reported whopping $150 million Netflix deal and the bonuses reported to be within it, and you can see how her business savvy, combined with her creative genius, made her a very wealthy woman.

Looking specifically at 2021, Forbes estimated that Rhimes would earn close to $40 million from her Netflix deal that year (in part thanks to her Bridgerton bonuses); $8 million in producing fees for Grey's Anatomy and Station 19; $17 million for her share of the profits from Grey's, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder; and several million for her Shondaland projects (podcasts, web content, etc.). That would put her take-home in 2021 at about $70 million before taxes.

Forbes also reports that since her television career began, Rhimes has banked more than $350 million, pretax. And that was as of 2021. A lot of checks have come in since then!

Is Shonda Rhimes in a relationship?

No. As of April 2026, Shonda Rhimes is not currently in a relationship.

Related: Ellen Pompeo's Net Worth in 2026 and the Massive 'Grey's Anatomy' Salary She Gave Up

She’s here! White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt just welcomed baby number two, and her newborn daughter is absolutely adorable. 

Just a few short weeks ago, mentalist Oz Pearlman announced (with Leavitt’s permission) the baby’s name. He revealed that during the White House Correspondents' Dinner, he used his psychic abilities to accurately guess…Vivian. As it turns out, he was mostly right. In a new Instagram post, Leavitt introduces the world to her baby, Viviana. And of course, that’s pretty close to Vivian.

When Did Karoline Leavitt Have Her Baby?

Leavitt shared a sweet snapshot of herself and her new baby (on Instagram) along with the caption, “On May 1st, Viviana aka “Vivi” joined our family, and our hearts instantly exploded with love. She is perfect and healthy, and her big brother is joyfully adjusting to life with his new baby sister.” 

View this post on Instagram

She went on to add, “We are enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble. Thank you to everyone who reached out with prayers during my pregnancy. I truly felt them throughout the entire experience.” 

While Leavitt announced her maternity leave on April 24, she briefly returned to work after the third assassination attempt on President Donald Trump’s life, at the WHCD. But just as quickly as she returned to the public eye, the pregnant mom-to-be disappeared again. On May 1, Leavitt posted a series of maternity photos on Instagram, leaving everyone to wonder whether she was still indeed pregnant. And now we know the answer. Per her new post, that was actually Vivi’s birthday!

The new mom’s nearest and dearest took to Instagram, gushing over baby Viviana. Friend and wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller, conservative podcaster Katie Miller, sent her well wishes, commenting on Leavitt’s post, “She’s perfect” and adding, “Did you tell @ozthementalist he was correct?” The praise for baby Vivi kept coming, with National Review reporter Caroline Downey commenting, “So precious, congrats Karoline!” 

The Press Secretary didn’t just show off her new baby; she also shared a glimpse into little Vivi’s nursery. Decked out in pretty pastel pink, her baby’s space has a chic classic style. Even though only part of the room is in view, the pic does spotlight a traditional white armchair swathed in a pink plaid throw, a white crib with a floral blanket, frilly rose-colored curtains, and shelves filled with baby gear.

Who Is Karoline Leavitt's Husband?

Vivi is Leavitt’s second child, making the family a party of four! She shares a son, Niko (born in July of 2024), with her husband, Nicholas Riccio. 

Production around the upcoming Superman sequel remains predictably high, with many fans poring over every detail about the new superhero movie as the announcements make their way to the public spotlight.

For example, many viewers recently learned that fan-favorite Scream alumni Matthew Lillard has officially been cast in the Superman sequel, as reported by Deadline. As of yet, it's not clear what Lillard's role in the film is set to be.

With the recent inclusion of Lillard, Superman's sequel (titlted Man of Tomorrow) is shaping to have an utterly star-studded cast. Starring alongside Lillard will be David Corenswet, who is set to return to the role of DC's Man of Steel, along with Nicholas Hoult, who will reprise his role as Superman's arch enemy, Lex Luthor.

In addition to these three, Man of Tomorrow will feature Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathon Fillion as Guy Gardner and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.

Lars Eidinger, meanwhile, will make his on-screen debut as one of Superman's most dangerous foes, Brainiac, who will act as an adversary to both Corenswet's hero and Hoult's Lex Luthor.

Right now, the film is scheduled for release on July 9, 2027, roughly two years after the original movie debuted in theaters.

The first entry in the rebooted DC Universe, Superman was released to incredibly enthusiastic reviews, with many praising the movie for its humor, storyline, colorful presentation and the performances of Corenswet, Hoult and Brosnahan.

Raking in an estimated $618.7 million at the box office, the movie also became one of the better performing movies of 2025.

In between the release of Superman and Man of Tomorrow, viewers will be able to see. the addition of two new movies in the DCU in the form of Supergirl, set for release on June 26, and Clayface, set for release on October 23.

Lukas Nelson is a phenomenal talent.

The son of the irreplaceable legend Willie Nelson was obviously born into a family of musical greatness. His father is arguable the greatest country star of his generation, having redefined what the genre could be and pioneering the Outlaw Country movement. Lukas Nelson could very easily coast along with such an iconic parent, but that's the last thing you'll catch him doing.

A Song For You

Nelson recently performed "A Song For You" at Cain's Ballroom in Oklahoma, to massive support from fans.

@lukasnelsonmusic

Played “A Song For You” by the great Leon Russell in his home state of Oklahoma last night at CainsBallroom. Such a great night, thanks for being part of it!

♬ original sound - Lukas Nelson

The song was originally written and performed by Leon Russell, an American legend in his own right. The song comes off his debut and has been covered by many iconic musicians, including Willie Nelson. His version of the song appears on his fantastic 1973 album "Shotgun Willie."

Fans were absolutely stunned by the incredible vocal performance from Nelson, taking to the comments to rave about what they saw.

"Take your bow Lukas, that was amazing!"

"Your voice takes me somewhere I don’t want to come back from.👌"

"Man, you tore that stage up!!! very, very good!"

Lukas Nelson at the Outlaw Festival

A few years back, I got to attend one of the shows as a part of the yearly Outlaw FestivalTour. The year I went, Bob Dylanwas one of the headlining members of the show along with Robert Plantand Allison Krause. Willie Nelson and the family are the one staple act every year, and they go around the country celebrating the summer with some other iconic musicians in tow. I was there to see Dylan -- anyone who takes a look at my profile can see I have a bit of an obsession with, but was also very excited for Willie.

When I arrived at the venue, we found out that Willie wasn't going to be performing that night due to health concerns, and that his son Lukas would be performing instead. My initial disappointment was shattered once Lukas Nelson took the stage and blew us all away.

He was excellent. Doing a set of some originals and a lot of his dad's material, he stole the show for me. I was a fan immediately, and his continued success has been really great to see.

Lukas Nelson should absolutely be on your radar. He just keeps getting better, and he's an incredible performer. Do yourself a favor and see him live -- this clip is just the tip of the iceberg!

Related: Country Icon's Son Delights Fans with Amazing Story Behind 'Song That Got Him Into Music'

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The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has entered its fourth month without answers—but with plenty more questions, including ones about how the case has been handled in Pima County, Arizona.

Recent comments from FBI Director Kash Patel regarding the Pima County Sheriff’s Department raised questions about interagency coordination in the ongoing investigation.

"The first 48 hours in anyone’s disappearance are the most critical," Patel said on the May 5 episode of Hang Out With Sean Hannity. "And here’s how these cases work: It is a state matter. It’s a state and local law enforcement matter. What we, the FBI, do is say, ‘Hey, we’re here to help. What do you need? What can we do?'”

"And for four days, we were kept out of the investigation. And when we were finally let in, Sean, look what we did. We went in and got the Ring doorbell," he continued.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department then issued a statement that countered Patel's comments.

"The FBI was promptly notified by both our department and the Guthrie family. While the FBI Director was not on scene, coordination with the Bureau began without delay," the statement read, in part.

Now, in a new interview with NewsNation, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed speculation about whether the FBI could take over the case, stressing that the effort remains a coordinated investigation rather than a transfer of control between agencies.

"The FBI has worked closely since the day that this happened with the local law enforcement, and there’s been reports of friction," Blanche told the station. "I’ve seen those reports. We are here to help, and the FBI, President Trump authorized and directed us to do everything that we can to help that investigation. This is, at its heart, a local investigation because of the nature of this type of potential crime, but the FBI remains exacting where we’ve been, which is we’re ready, willing, and able to help as much as we can. We don’t like interagency squabbles. Nobody likes that. That doesn’t help the investigation. But we are in a complete cooperative mode with the local law enforcement."

Blanche was also asked if he felt that the FBI should take over the investigation at this point.

"Well, I don’t think or not think that," he replied. "I think that any investigation like this should be done by a coordinated approach, right? There’s tools that the local law enforcement has that the FBI doesn’t have. So, in any investigation like this, it’s not somebody taking over or taking a back seat. It’s working together to solve the crime."

Guthrie has been missing since Feb. 1. Authorities believe that she was abducted from her home in the Catalina Foothills of Arizona.

READ NEXT: ‘Porch Guy’ May Have Been Killed by ‘the Boss,’ Criminal Profiler Says of Nancy Guthrie Suspect

Write what you know. That’s the general advice given to those who want to write novels, but it’s not the only thing to do. Authors know that research is also an essential part, and that was certainly the case for Caro Claire Burke, whose recent release, Yesteryear, quickly hit charts and became a talking point for many book clubs around the world.

It turns out that Burke’s research was expensive. She didn’t just followed TikTokers and delve into the tradwife space to understand how these women experience life. She also needed to understand the social media influencer side of the tradwife movement, and that’s where the money was spent.

Caro Claire Burke Got Involved in a Pyramid Scheme

For her research into the novel, Burke initially started out by talking to homesteaders and stay-at-home moms and wives. This was research that she had started for her nonfiction work, as she works in the media and wanted to write some essays about this way of life. As she was doing this, she realized that there was a story to tell.

As she figured out what that was, she opted to take part in what she is clear is a pyramid scheme. While chatting with Seth Meyers on Late Night, she explained that she attended some Influencer Bootcamps, which are set up to “help” tradwives and other social media influencers figure out a path to success. However, she makes it clear that they are expensive to attend, and that she was at the bottom of the pyramid.

If the novel didn’t sell, then she was going to be in the hole significantly. In the end, the multiple bootcamps she attended were worth it, and she was even able to include one of them in Yesteryear to show how everything is now on Zoom.

Yesteryear itself is part social commentary, part horror, and part comedy. The twist at the end will make your jaw drop, and it's certainly worth the read just for that.

‘Yesteryear’ Has Already Been Picked Up as a Movie

For those who would love to see the story told on the big screen, there’s some exciting news. Anne Hathaway secured the rights to Burke’s buzzy debut novel, and she will also star as Natalie, the tradwife social media influencer who finds herself somehow trapped in the past.

It turns out that the movie rights were secured two years ago, when Burke was selling the book itself. It’s no wonder it became the GMA pick of April 2026!

The French crop haircut is having a major resurgence—and unlike most trending hairstyles, this one actually translates in real life. You’ve probably seen it without realizing it: short, clean sides, a textured top and a soft fringe that falls forward just enough to frame the face. It reads polished without feeling overdone, like someone put in effort but didn’t obsess over it.

Part of the appeal is how wearable it is. It’s not as sharp or rigid as some classic men’s cuts, but it’s also not overly styled or high-maintenance. It sits right in that middle ground: clean enough to look intentional, relaxed enough to feel modern. And compared to trendier styles that require daily styling or frequent upkeep, this one is surprisingly low effort.

Still, like any haircut, it’s not one-size-fits-all. The way it looks depends heavily on face shape, hair type, and how it’s cut—and that’s where things can go wrong. A slightly too-blunt fringe or not enough texture, and suddenly it feels dated instead of current.

To break it down properly, I asked celebrity hairstylists and barbers what actually makes a French crop work, and how to tell if it’s the right move.

Related: 9 Best Crew Cut Styles for Your Man To Transform His Look, Stylist Reveals

Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images

What Is a French Crop Haircut?

Mia Santiago, a celebrity groomer who has styled Ed Sheeran, Colin Farrell, Jamie Oliver and Hugh Jackman, describes it simply: “Think clean, short sides with a textured top and a fringe that actually does something. It’s low-effort, high-impact.”

At its core, the French crop is a short men’s haircut with faded or tapered sides, a slightly longer top, and a fringe that’s styled forward. But what makes it stand out is the texture—it’s not meant to look overly neat or perfectly styled.

Celebrity hairstylist Dean Banowetz who has worked with Kelly Clarkson and Simon Cowell (he's also known as the "Hollywood Hair Guy" and is an eight-time Emmy nominee) adds that the top should have movement: “The top is textured and moves forward,” he says. That forward motion is what gives the cut its signature shape.

Related: These 5 ’70s Haircuts Will Quietly Become Summer’s Most Sought-After Styles

Frazer Harrison/FilmMagic

What Face Shape and Hair Type Works Best for a French Crop?

The French crop is surprisingly versatile, but it still works better on certain face shapes and hair types. “It’s best on oval, square or slightly round faces,” says Banowetz, noting that the proportions of the cut balance those shapes well.

Santiago agrees, adding that it’s especially flattering if you have a slightly receding hairline because the fringe softens the front.

In terms of texture, straight to wavy hair is the easiest to work with. “Super curly can do it too—just more controlled chaos,” Santiago tells Parade. The key is making sure there’s enough texture so it doesn’t sit flat.

Michael Dueñas, celebrity hairstylist who has worked with Hilary Duff and Lizzy Caplan and who is a co-founder of AROVE, also points out that triangular face shapes can work well with this cut, as long as the top has enough volume to balance things out.

Related: Celebrity Stylist Says This Hair Styling Habit ‘Instantly’ Makes Women Look Older

What Is the Difference Between a French Crop and a Caesar Cut?

This is where people get confused—and where the details really matter. “A Caesar is more uniform and all one length on top, whereas a French crop has more texture and contrast,” says Banowetz. 

According to Santiago, “A Caesar cut is blunt, uniform and very ‘Roman emperor.’ A French crop is messier, textured and cooler. Caesar follows rules, while the French crop breaks them.”

Ultimately, the biggest difference is the fringe. A Caesar is short and straight across, while a French crop is softer, more textured and intentionally less perfect.

Related: 11 Best Hair Thickening Products for Fullness and Lift, Tested by Trichologists

How Do You Ask a Barber for a French Crop Haircut?

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

This is one of those cuts where wording alone can only get you so far. “Tell your barber that you want a low or mid fade, keep the top about one to two inches, lots of texture and a soft fringe—not blunt,” Santiago says. “Bonus: show a picture. Words can fail, visuals don’t.”

Dueñas recommends being specific about direction: ask for hair that “pushes forward,” with a textured fringe that hits around the eyebrow area and a slight fade on the sides and back.

Banowetz echoes that clarity helps: tell your barber how short you want the fringe, since that detail can completely change the look.

Related: The One Hair Style Celebs Over 50 Are Asking For

Does the French Crop Work for Thin or Receding Hair?

This is actually one of the biggest reasons the cut has become so popular. “It’s basically a built-in cover-up,” Santiago says. “Fringe in the front equals an instant density illusion.”

Banowetz agrees, explaining that the forward texture helps disguise thinning and make hair look fuller overall. He also suggests using thickening powders if needed to enhance that effect.

Dueñas adds one caveat: if thinning is concentrated at the crown, the cut may be less effective unless you use additional products to create coverage.

Related: 9 Stunning Long Shag Haircuts To Inspire You, According to a Celebrity Stylist

How Do You Style a French Crop Haircut at Home?

The good news: this is not a high-maintenance style. “Towel-dry, then add a small amount of matte paste or clay and push the hair forward with your fingers,” Banowetz says. “Keep it natural, not perfect.”

Santiago recommends a similarly minimal approach: “Tiny bit of matte paste or cream, rough it up with your fingers, push forward and you’re done. If it looks too perfect, you went too far.”

For a more polished version, Dueñas suggests starting on damp hair with a lightweight oil, then layering a styling cream on top before rough-drying. If you want a drier, more textured finish, a powder can help break things up.

How Often Should You Trim a French Crop?

This is where upkeep comes in. “Every three to four weeks if you like it sharp,” Santiago says. “This cut ages fast—don’t ghost your barber.”

Banowetz gives a similar timeline, noting that some people prefer trims every two weeks depending on how quickly their hair grows. Dueñas is slightly more flexible, suggesting that up to two months can work if you’re okay with a softer, more grown-out look—but the fringe will lose its shape faster than the rest.

Up Next:

Related: I’m a Stylist and This Is the One Haircut Men Should ‘Never’ Get After 40

Sources:

• Mia Santiago, celebrity groomer
• Dean Banowetz ("Hollywood Hair Guy"), celebrity hairstylist and eight-time Emmy nominee
• Michael Dueñas, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of AROVE

Kris Jenner quietly shut down feud rumors between her and Meghan Markle after a photo-deleting controversy last year.

The Kardashians star, 70, took to her Instagram story to thank the Duchess of Sussex, 44, for the “beautiful” basket of goods for Mother’s Day from Markle’s As Ever brand.

“These candles smell so delicious!!!” Kardashian added in the caption for the casual photo on May 6. 

Kris Jenner/Instagram

Kardashian’s relationship with the royal couple came under scrutiny after Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, attended the reality star’s 70th birthday party in November 2025. The James Bond-themed event was hosted at Jeff Bezosand Lauren Sánchez-Bezos' Beverly Hills mansion and included an A-list guest list. Markle and Harry, 41, arrived hand-in-hand in coordinating all-black ensembles with Harry wearing a red poppy pin, an internationally recognized symbol of remembrance, honoring military members who died in war. 

After the party, Kim Kardashian and Kris shared social media photos with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but the images were later deleted from both accounts. The “photogate” drama led to people speculating if a fallout had happened between the Kardashian-Jenner family and the Sussexes.

A source close to Meghan and Harry told People at the time that they didn't agree to have photos shared of them from inside the party, claiming the pictures were ultimately removed because they checked "no" on a photo consent form. However, a separate source close to the event denied the claim to People, telling the outlet, "There were no consent forms."

Kim, 45, later clarified the situation on Khloé Kardashian’s “Khloe in Wonder Land” podcast. 

"It was really innocent, which is so crazy," Kim recalled. "Mom and Meghan have been friends for some years now, and they have a really sweet relationship.”

The Skims founder claimed they were all told it was “totally cool to post” the photos of the Sussexes, but the former senior royals later backtracked to honor a November 11 holiday in the U.K.

"After it was posted, I think they realized it was Remembrance Day, and they didn’t want to be seen at a party, even though it’s already up, you know, and then taken down. And then I think they realized, like, 'Oh, this was so silly,’” Kim continued, adding that it “sucks” the way it was interpreted by fans.

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 21: Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner attends the "All's Fair" Disney+ Premiere at Maison de La Chimie on October 21, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

The Kardashians are no strangers to online scrutiny, and Kim noted that she wanted to turn the scandal into a business opportunity to lighten the situation.

"You got to laugh at, like, the situation sometimes and just, like, lighten it up and be if everyone’s taking it the wrong way, like, lean in. I was like, ‘We should do a full Skims campaign.’ Take the photo — even just us, like, I’ll shoot you at mom, you know, post it and then delete it, like, 30 minutes later. And then I say, ‘Oh, sorry, I didn’t have permission to post those photos for the campaign,’” Kim continued. "If we just made it light and made it funny, you know, I think it would have been, like, received differently, but I hated how that was received for everyone.”

Black Panther star Angela Bassett and her husband, Courtney B. Vance, are both successful actors who have been married for almost 30 years, making them a rarity in Hollywood.

“Staying together so long, whether in the industry or not, I think the important thing is that you gotta marry the right person,” Bassett told People in 2020. “Make sure you're both looking in the same direction, basically.”

Here’s a few key things to know about Bassett and Vance’s love story.

Related: Angela Bassett’s Rarely-Seen Twins Step Into the Spotlight for Stunning Public Appearance

Who is Angela Bassett's husband? 

Angela Bassett, 67, has been married to fellow actor and producer Courtney B. Vance, 66, since 1997—so almost three decades!

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What is Courtney B. Vance famous for?

Vance has been working on Broadway and on screen for years, so there’s a number of different roles that you might recognize him from. He was a series regular on the NBC dramaLaw & Order: Criminal Intent, the third series in the sprawling L&O franchise, playing Assistant District Attorney Ron Carver. He played this major role throughout the first five seasons, departing the cast in 2006.

More recently, he played a prominent role in the 2016 FX drama The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, starring as Simpson’s showboat attorney Johnnie Cochran.

Vance has also starred in a number of movies, including The Hunt for Red October, Hamburger Hill and Isle of Dogs. Plus, he works regularly on stage, and earned a Tony nomination for his very first role in the original Broadway production of August Wilson’s acclaimed play Fences.

How did Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance meet? 

The couple first met during the 1980s, when they were both graduate students at the Yale School of Drama. But they weren’t college sweethearts—Vance was already attached at the time. “He had a beautiful, beautiful girlfriend at the time, who was also in drama school with us,” Bassett told People, reflecting on their college days.

It wasn’t until 14 years later that their paths crossed again in Los Angeles. By then, both had found success in their separate acting careers. Vance had already won a Tony Award, while Bassett had been nominated for an Oscar for her performance in the 1993Tina Turner biopic What’s Love Got To Do With It?

“I was single, he was single,” Bassett explained of their reunion, “and I had such an appreciation for him over those years—of his consistency, how he treated other people, of what a supporter he is, what a connector of people and ideas he is, how passionate he is.”

But things weren’t looking too promising after the couple’s first date. "Dare I say it wasn't memorable," Basset admitted during an interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show. “He just seemed like a really, really nice guy, which translated to kind of boring. That was it. Wasn't gonna give him a second thought.” 

Thankfully, she ultimately did give him a second thought, and the couple’s second date was where sparks started to fly. “We had a great time," Vance said. "It was a great date. And I said, 'I like her.' Something was happening."

When did Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance get married? 

After dating for around three years, the couple got married in October of 1997. Their wedding date fell just a few weeks before Bassett was due to begin shooting a leading role in the 1998 movie How Stella Got Her Groove Back—and the way Vance stepped up to support her confirmed that she’d chosen the right man. 

"It was like, 'I'm trying to do this, and I'm also trying to be Stella. Okay, it's a lot going on here, and I need you to step in and help me out with this,’” Bassett told People. "He was like, 'What?' That's all you have to do, is tell him to step in, and he shows up for you. Not just for me, but for any of his friends, whoever he loves, or whatever mentee may reach out to him. He steps up and steps in for you."

Related: Angela Bassett, 67, Is a Glowing Goddess on the Red Carpet

Have Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance acted together? 

The couple have very rarely acted together. They briefly co-starred on stage together in a 2005 production of His Girl Friday, which played for a month at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. And in the final season of E.R., where Bassett starred as chief of emergency medicine Dr. Catherine Bancroft, Vance had a recurring role as her husband.

But Bassett and Vance still work closely together off-screen. They co-run a production company, Bassett Vance Productions, and in 2009, they published a book together.

Titled Friends: A Love Story, the book details how the couple “navigate the fickle tides of fame, while keeping their relationship fresh and true” and have “carved a meaningful life together in spite of humble beginnings, family tragedy and the ups and downs of stardom with love, faith and determination.”

What show did Angela Bassett's husband act in? 

Vance’s most famous role for modern TV audiences came in 2016’s The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. He played Johnnie Cochran, the notorious attorney who was essential in the defense and acquittal of Simpson.

During closing arguments, Cochran famously argued that Simpson could not have committed the murders because a glove found at the crime scene appeared not to fit his hand, declaring, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” Vance went on to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his performance as Cochran. 

Vance also made a memorable appearance in the 2016 HBO series Lovecraft Country, for which he won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor. He was a series regular on Law & Order: Criminal Intent for five seasons.

Recent projects include Ryan Murphy's FX show Grotesquerie and the role of Zeus in the Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Related: New Ryan Murphy Series Love Story Examines John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette's Romance

Do Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance have kids?

Bassett and Vance welcomed twins Bronwyn Golden and Slater Josiah on Jan. 27, 2006. 

How did Angela Bassett have her kids?

The couple had their two children via surrogate, having undergone several years of fertility treatments in an effort to get pregnant. 

“I was devastated when it didn't happen [again and again]," Bassett said during an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. “I had to remain hopeful and resilient and, 'Okay, let's do it again.’” She went on to explain that they hadn’t initially considered surrogacy as an option, but after a friend introduced them to the idea, “the more we learned about it, the more we began to think that perhaps this was an answer for us.”

Vance revealed that he wasn’t entirely surprised to discover that he and Bassett were going to have twins, because he’d had a premonition along those lines years earlier. “I had a dream about seven years ago that we were going to have twins,” he shared. “I didn’t know how it was going to happen.”

Bassett also spoke about the experience of being present for their twins’ birth, “just standing there together, holding each other with the realization that this is the moment that we've been working toward, praying for.”

More recently, Bassett discussed the challenges of being a working mother, admitting to People that she has often struggled with guilt about long hours on set spent away from her children. “I hope that what will come out of that is that they see a mama, a woman, a Black woman achieving her dreams, having success,” she reflected. “They’ll see that hard work pays off. And they’ll be about that life for themselves.”

Related: Angela Bassett Reveals Which Former Role She'd Love to Reprise and Where Her Character Would Be Now (Exclusive)

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Any time is a good time for a little sparkle. Even if your day consists of working and running errands, beautiful earrings can really elevate your look and help you feel more pulled together. In a pair of Amy and Annette Swarovski Hoops, you'll always feel just dressed up enough.

Even with their upscale look, these earrings won't set you back. In fact, they are an absolute steal at Walmart right now! While they retail for $90, they're currently reduced to just $18 in your choice of gold or silver. The hoops shine with dazzling Swarovski crystals that catch the light without feeling too flashy. They're perfect for treating yourself so some affordable sparkle, and if you act fast, you could even have them delivered in time to gift for Mother's Day.

Amy and Annette Swarovski Hoops, $18 (were $90) at Walmart Shop at Walmart

At just a little over 1.5 inches, these hoops strike just the right balance for everyday wear. They make a statement with their subtle sparkle and add a special detail to your lobes, but aren't heavy or cumbersome. In fact, several shoppers noted that they're so lightweight that they can barely feel them.

Whether you're headed to work or to an evening gathering, you can be confident they will stay put thanks to the secure clasp. Both finishes absolutely glow, whether you opt for the warm 14-karat gold plating or the cool 14 karat white gold option. They're made without nickel or lead, so they are safe even for those with more sensitive skin.

Of course, nothing says "timeless" like an effortless hoop silhouette. The Swarovski crystals only add to their appeal, so you can feel a little more elegant even if you're headed out in jeans and a sweater. They're just as good if you're dressed in your favorite little black dress, too.

Related: Walmart's Adorable Smocked Dresses Are a Summer Wardrobe Essential

"These earrings are absolutely beautiful and expensive looking," one shopper wrote. "Wore them and got a ton of compliments! They sparkle like diamonds." Another person commented on their "light weight," adding that they're "perfect for everyday" and a "go-to for work."

At this price, the Amy and Annette Swarovski Hoops also make an incredibly thoughtful gift! You can treat yourself and pick up a pair for the mother figure in your life at the same time. Pick them up while they're marked down at Walmart — they may not last long at this price!

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

We've been grappling with COVID-19 for years. Our knowledge, treatment and protective measures have evolved significantly since those dark days of early 2020. But doctors are still learning more about the virus.

"Early on in the pandemic, we were learning about the acute disease and immediate survival," explainsDr. Uma Darji, MD, a family medicine doctor. "Now, we are learning more about long COVID, which is turning out to be a very complex and ever-evolving condition. Research takes time, and the symptoms of long COVID vary so much from person to person that we are still working to understand all aspects of it."

Research can take time. So, you may have heard of long COVID in the news—sometimes, people with it are referred to as "long haulers." But unless you or a loved one has experienced it, you may not know precisely what it means. The short answer?

"Long COVID refers to chronic symptoms that can persist, recur or newly appear," says Dr. Suraj Saggar, DO, the chief of infectious disease at Holy Name Medical Center. "We have seen a wide variety of symptoms with COVID-19 infection, both with mild and or severe cases of COVID."

Dr. Darji shares that long COVID has some frequently-reported symptoms, including persistent fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, joint pain and headaches. There's another one doctors are noticing, too, that often flies under the radar and may surprise you. But if you have long COVID and this symptom, know you're not alone.

Here's the #1 unexpected symptom doctors are seeing in long COVID patients, and what you can do about it.

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The #1 Unexpected Side Effect Doctors Are Now Noticing in Long COVID Patients

Oleg Breslavtsev/Getty Images

"Sleep disruption is a common long COVID symptom," Dr. Darji says. She explains that the COVID virus can affect the brain and nervous system, disrupting sleep regulation.

Dr. Saggar notes that sleep disruption is common among patients with long COVID, affecting 40% to 60% of people.

"People can experience insomnia, which is difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep/waking up throughout the night or getting restful sleep, generally a poor-quality sleep," he says. "As a result, people may experience daytime fatigue and poor concentration."

He compares sleep disruptions with long COVID to having sleep apnea, though you may not wake up gasping for breath.

"This fragmented sleep prevents the body from reaching deep, restorative REM sleep, which is essential for recovery and overall health," Dr. Saggar tells Parade.

Related: There’s an ‘Allergy-Like’ COVID Symptom Spreading This Season

Why Long COVID Can Cause Sleep Disruptions

TL;DR: We don't know for sure why long COVID affects your sleep.

"The underlying reason for sleep problems in long COVID is not fully understood, but inflammation likely plays a central role by affecting the nervous system," Dr. Saggar says. "Some researchers believe this may involve autonomic dysfunction, where involuntary processes like sleep regulation, heart rate and blood pressure are disrupted."

One recently researched theory is that long COVID affects the hypothalamus, a link between your nervous and endocrine systems.

"Long COVID triggers a drop in energy production, which trips an almond-sized circuit breaker in the brain called the hypothalamus," explains Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, a board-certified integrative physician and author of You Can Heal From Long COVID. "This circuit breaker controls sleep, so people have trouble both falling and staying asleep. They also have trouble going into the deep stages of sleep that are restorative and needed to eliminate pain."

Related: Doctors Say Older Adults Are Mistaking These Symptoms for Normal Aging—but It Could Be Long COVID

Risks of Poor Sleep With Long COVID

If you have long COVID, you're already at risk for persistent fatigue and brain fog—and sleep disruptions won't help, Dr. Teitelbaum says.

Poor quality sleep is also linked to other health issues. "For a long time, sleep was treated as an afterthought, but we now understand that it’s just as important as diet and exercise," Dr. Saggar says. "And it’s not only the duration...but also the quality of sleep and the ability to stay asleep long enough to reach deep, restorative REM sleep stages."

He says poor sleep can contribute to:

• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Lower cognitive function

"This highlights how critical both sleep duration and sleep quality are for overall health," Dr. Saggar notes.

Related: Doctors Are Seeing a Bizarre New COVID Symptom Right Now

How To Get Better Sleep With Long COVID

We get it. If you or a loved one has sleep disruptions from long COVID, the last thing you want to ruminate about is heart disease. But doctors have good news to share: It's possible to get better sleep, even with long COVID.

"There are several ways to improve sleep through good sleep hygiene," Dr. Saggar says. "You need to get your body ready for sleep. It's not that you just go, go, go, and then you fall asleep. It's a process to get your body to go from wired to shut down."

Here are three steps to better sleep with long COVID.

1. Establish a consistent sleep routine. Dr. Darji advises people to go to bed and wake up at the same time daily—weekends included—to regulate their circadian rhythms. "Many have disrupted internal clocks, and consistency can help retrain the brain and body for better sleep," she says.
2. Avoid getting overstimulated. Dr. Darji says these sources include caffeine in the afternoon and screens within an hour of bedtime. Instead, finish your cup of Joe in the morning, and unplug at least 60 minutes before bedtime to improve sleep quality.
3. Get evaluated for underlying conditions. Dr. Saggar advises people to get assessed for sleep apnea, especially if they snore, have larger neck circumferences or are overweight. "That said, sleep apnea can occur even in people without these risk factors, so evaluation by a sleep specialist can be valuable," he notes.

Long COVID is an under-understood, misunderstood and, frankly, sometimes controversial condition—but it exists. So does support.

"There are a lot of multi-disciplinary long COVID clinics opening, and as we learn more, more targeted treatments are coming around," Dr. Darji says. "This helps as patients can access coordinated care from their primary care doctor and specialists."

She suggests working with a specialist or a primary care doctor you trust who understands that you're dealing with life-altering symptoms.

Up Next:

Related: Doctors Say This Common Habit During COVID Recovery Could Be Making You Sicker

Sources:

• Dr. Uma Darji, MD, a family medicine doctor
• Sleep Disturbances as a Consequence of Long COVID-19: Insights from Actigraphy and Clinimetric Examinations—An Uncontrolled Prospective Observational Pilot Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine.
• Dr. Suraj Saggar, DO, the chief of infectious disease at Holy Name Medical Center
• Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, a board-certified integrative physician and author of You Can Heal From Long COVID (2025)
• Possible Involvement of Hypothalamic Dysfunction in Long COVID Patients Characterized by Delayed Response to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Nearly three years after her controversial dismissal from the Scream franchise, series star Melissa Barrera isn't holding back in her honest assessment of the franchise's most recent installment.

In a recent interview with Variety, the 35-year-old In the Heights actress was asked for her thoughts on Scream 7, the latest sequel in the hit Scream franchise. As fans might remember, the movie's production was rife with issues almost from the get-go, most obviously Barrera's firing from the franchise following her public remarks on Israel's war against Palestine.

While Barrera maintains some understandably ill feelings towards the studio behind Scream, she nevertheless maintains fond memories of her initial time in the franchise, including her career-making performances in 2022's Scream and its sequel, Scream VI.

"The reality is that Scream is always going to be a big part of me because it was two years of my life, it gave me a lot, and I’m grateful specifically to [directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett] who gave me that shot," the actress explained. "That hasn’t been soured for me. They don’t have that power."

Despite this, Barrera did admit she had lost some respect for the actors who participated in Scream 7, likening it to "crossing the picket line" and aligning themselves with the studio.

"They have to live with that," the actress pointedly said. "The only way they were able to make that movie after what happened was to nostalgia-bait as much as possible."

As much as she admires the original Screammovies she starred in, Barrera also said she doesn't completely understand how voicing support for a cause she truly believes in could ultimately get her punished in such a harsh way.

"For me, I was like, 'Wait — I’m trying to call out something that is severely, severely wrong and evil, and I get punished for it. I get everything taken from me. What is the lesson I’m supposed to learn?'"

"I was even questioning God: 'What are You trying to teach me? Because I don’t understand why the ones that are trying to do the right thing are getting punished, and the people that are like la-la-la-la-la continue to rise. I don’t understand this game. What is this?!'" Barrera continued. "It was a rude awakening."