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  • Stan Lee exploitation alleged in ‘Final Chapter’ documentary

    Stan Lee exploitation alleged in ‘Final Chapter’ documentary

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    A newly announced documentary is alleging to expose the “truly heartbreaking” end to Marvel comic book genius Stan Lee’s life. But first, its filmmakers need financing to release it.

    Film producers are seeking $300,000 from a Kickstarter campaign to finish the project, “Stan Lee: The Final Chapter.”

    Lee, the cultural icon responsible for many of the most popular superheroes in comic books and movies, died in November 2018 at the age of 95. “The Final Chapter” will detail the “scandal” around Lee’s final years using “never-been-seen-footage” to detail “how mistreatment, duplicity and conflict plagued” the fan-beloved creator, according to a release from the uncompleted film.

    The film is alleging it will expose Lee’s closest confidants, “including several who exploited Lee’s declining health and age, while profiting off his name and likeness.”

    The Kickstarter campaign focuses on Jon Bolerjack, a comic book artist, filmmaker and assistant to Lee who became a “fixture of his inner circle” while filming, according to the Kickstarter page. Bolerjack “is ready to share” the story.

    “Jon gained unprecedented access and filmed everything he saw,” the Kickstarter campaign description reads. “What he uncovered was a thriving market where Stan’s signatures and memorabilia were converted into huge piles of cash and rival hucksters double-crossed each other to control Stan’s fortune.”

    Bolerjack “witnessed scandal and misconduct during his time by Lee’s side up until his death, culminating in the struggle for control over Lee’s legacy and fortune (or lack thereof),” the release states, adding that the film “is a story of betrayal, mistreatment and ultimately, redemption.”

    “Before his passing and as seen in the documentary, Lee gave Bolerjack his blessing to use the footage and create a film that could be shared with the world,” the release states.

    The tangled drama around Lee’s life burst into the public in 2018 when a Los Angeles court sided with lawyers representing Lee’s daughter, J.C. Lee, who successfully sought an elder abuse restraining order against a former Lee manager, Keya Morgan. Journalist Abraham Riesman’s 2021 warts-and-all-biography “The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee” detailed the final years of Lee’s life and the lawsuits and failed business ventures that plagued it.

    Stan Lee documentary release date: Is ‘The Final Chapter’ streaming?

    There is no planned release date for “The Final Chapter.”

    Over the last four years, Bolerjack and other film producers have invested “hundreds of thousands of dollars of (their) own money putting together the documentary,” according to a press release for the film. The Kickstarter campaign is needed for production costs and finishing the movie, with nearly $38,000 raised two days into the 30-day window with a $300,000 goal.

    Contributing: Barbara VanDenburgh, Brian Truitt

  • Amanda Seyfried's career from 'Mean Girls' to now: PhotosCelebrities

    Amanda Seyfried's career from 'Mean Girls' to now: PhotosCelebrities

    Amanda Seyfried’s career from ‘Mean Girls’ to now: PhotosCelebrities

  • architecture connecting with the landscape

    architecture connecting with the landscape

    Australian-born, Singapore-based entrepreneur Matt Chapman considered many countries when looking for a place to buy an isolated retreat. “I wanted to find the most magical place possible,” he says. That place was Parihoa, whose minimal outline and slick, dark-stained timber facade is a dramatic contrast to the rolling hills and rugged clifftops of the landscape where it resides.

    It is one of several sleek modern architectural projects designed in conversation with the striking geography of their New Zealand locations: often low-lying, playing on the need for isolation, and constructed in materials that stand apart from, but take on the profile of, their surroundings. The simplest of cribs and baches — the Kiwi terms for holiday homes — have also inspired New Zealand architects to engage with the wild in their designs in interesting ways.

    Parihoa was built for a farming family, taking inspiration from traditional Māori attitudes towards nature, says Andrew Patterson of architecture studio Pattersons, which was behind the project. “In New Zealand, the ethos of the country is: we are the children of the sky father and the earth mother [Ranginui and Papatūānuku]. And that comes with a certain responsibility.”

    “With the weather rolling off the ocean, you can see a storm coming before it hits you,” says Andrew Patterson of Parihoa

    Forty-five minutes from the country’s largest city, Auckland, it is perched on the western coast’s clifftops, looking out to the Tasman Sea. “With the weather rolling off the ocean, you can see a storm coming before it hits you,” says Patterson. High winds and horizontal rain mean “visibility will go down to nothing”. But, adds Chapman, “it gets these heavenly sunsets [ . . . ] It’s like an alien fortress.”

    Similar to the earth ramparts of an old (or fort) in view of the house, Parihoa lies low along the line of the hill and is configured with a central courtyard. The living areas stretch along the glass walls at the front of the house; walls that can be rolled back when weather permits. The four bedrooms join the courtyard at a range of angles to ensure a window or door can be opened regardless of the direction of the wind and sun (the country has particularly high ultraviolet light levels).

    New Zealand is “not bogged down in an idea of architecture from a different time; it’s a country of people that are essentially looking forward”, says architect Lance Herbst. Yet nods to tradition remain a keystone. On Great Barrier Island, the outermost island on the Hauraki Gulf, Awana Beach House was completed by Herbst Architects in 2020 for an Auckland family. Like many of Herbst’s designs — such as the award-winning Dune House on North Island’s east coast, whose undulating curves mimic the sand dunes nearby — the building is wrapped in sliding screens that reference the country’s vernacular timber-framed buildings.

    Silvered wood slats with curve cut into them reveals room behind glass and ocean view through other side
    Herbst Architects’ Dune House, on the east coast of the North Island, has curves that mimic the sand dunes nearby © Simon Wilson

    The screens are made out of untreated cedar, which is constantly battered by sea-spray, creating a silvered effect. “What we’re always trying to do with these beach houses, essentially, is blur the line between the building and the landscape,” says Herbst. 

    Unobtrusive design was also Chapman’s aim when he started a new project in 2018 — a 24-hectare site on Roys Peninsula, which leads into Lake Wānaka in the South Island. He also wanted to emulate Parihoa’s connection to its surroundings. Here, the mountains channel strong winds, snow and cloud (Aotearoa, the country’s Māori name, translates to “Land of the Long White Cloud”). He commissioned Fearon Hay Architects to create Synchronicity, which was completed in 2023. Nestled in the hills, it’s made with a mix of concrete, glass, corrugated iron and aluminium screening. Red cedar adds warmth inside, while the red cedar cladding outside is slowly taking on the dusty grey tones of the region’s schist rock.

    Low grey metal, wood and concrete home with snow-capped mountains in the distance
    Fearon Hay Architects’ Synchronicity keeps a low profile amid the magnificent scenery

    “You don’t see that building from afar. We have not changed the hierarchy of how powerful that peninsula is,” says architect Tim Hay. “It feels like it hasn’t disrupted that equilibrium.”

    Two main bedrooms are at either end of the long single-storey structure, between a series of living areas that can be reconfigured depending on how many are staying. “I like isolation for creativity and being able to really drop in, because a lot of my work has been virtual,” says Chapman. “But, by the same token, you need to get people to come out [to visit]. You need to become a good entertainer.”

    Two bunkrooms (and a ski drying room and other amenities) are separate from this central building — forcing occupants outside, much like at the shepherding and hiking huts in the high country. “That adventurous outdoor lifestyle can get lost by providing creature comforts,” says architect Jeff Fearon, also of Fearon Hay Architects. “Having a client who was willing to explore those sorts of solutions was exciting.”

    Low futon-style bed with picture windows offering extensive views
    Synchronicity’s bedrooms can be reconfigured depending on how many people are staying
    Concrete, slate and wood bathroom
    Its design was inspired by hiking huts in the high country

    Biodiversity requirements for planning approval at Synchronicity meant 25,000 native plants were added to the site. Chapman embraced the challenge. “You have a responsibility when it comes to the health of the land and the relationships with other people who connect with it,” he says. “I’ve found it very humbling.”

    Chapman, who has become a New Zealand citizen, is selling Synchronicity and Parihoa as he slims his portfolio and builds a primary residence nearby in Wānaka. Designed again by Fearon Hay, it will be a partly subterranean house called Telepathy.

    Duncan Ross, chief operating officer of Bayleys Realty which, alongside partners McGrath Estate Agents and Knight Frank, is listing both properties, says the houses are attracting international buyers as well as domestic interest. “There’s a lot more activity from offshore parties. While it’s still very difficult to get access, there’s certainly that desire to have a bolt-hole.

    “They’re stylised to fit within the landscape but equally to stand out,” says Ross, and they create a “feeling of safety and security inside this rugged environment. When you see them, you really understand it.”

    Most foreigners must go through the Overseas Investment Act to purchase property; Wānaka and neighbouring Queenstown, in the South Island, are growth regions for international ownership. In the North Island are new developments at Te Arai and Tara Iti, golf resorts by the sea.

    Pattersons recently completed Lenticular House, situated among the dunes of Te Arai, for a young Australian couple. Looking out to the Little Barrier Island reserve, with a lenticular cloud almost always hovering over it, the aim was to create a home without visual clutter so focus would be on the view.

    View from outside into glass-panelled bedroom
    Pattersons’ Lenticular House in Te Arai © Simon Devitt
    Bathroom sinks with picture window behind
    Lenticular House is pared back to better focus on the views outside © Simon Devitt

    The house has two symmetrical wings and, like Synchronicity, has matching bedrooms (and offices) at either end and a living area in between. It is designed so different sides can be opened, whatever the weather. The front floor-to-ceiling wall of glass slides open almost silently at the press of a button. “This house anticipates an age where people aren’t tied to an office,” Patterson says. It is clad in solid zinc, which doesn’t rust in a coastal environment but forms a silvery patina that resembles the pine forest behind it. 

    Thomas Seear-Budd of architecture studio Seear-Budd Ross considers the country’s nature-adjacent projects to be putting “New Zealand architecture and New Zealand modernism on the map”. Seear-Budd Ross is completing Central Otago House, which has sliding floor-to-ceiling windows, a protected courtyard and a tonal exterior (this time with cast in-situ concrete), and is surrounded by nature. The five-bedroom home, with a piano room and an area for tea ceremonies, is for a family based in the US and Taiwan. “We’re enthusiastic about pushing New Zealand architecture forward, and that, even though it’s contextual, has an international element,” says co-founder James Ross.

    Low white concrete home with wide cantilevered verandas, long outdoor pool and hills behind
    A rendering of a Seear-Budd Ross project near Queenstown, South Island © Paul Lau

    Between them, these architecture studios are embarking on projects in other remote areas — taking the “New Zealand modern” aesthetic to Australia, Asia, the Middle East, the US, the UK and near the Arctic Circle. 

    “There’s an overriding desire, if you’re out in nature, to be as one or respectful or in harmony,” says Patterson. “You don’t have to design in a particular style, referencing what’s gone before. You can go straight to the source, which is the environment.”

    Find out about our latest stories first — follow @ft_houseandhome on Instagram

  • ‘Traitors’ winner Gabby Windey still has not received prize money

    ‘Traitors’ winner Gabby Windey still has not received prize money

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    “The Bachelor” alum Gabby Windey may be a “Traitors” champion, but she has yet to claim her prize.

    In a Tuesday appearance on “Watch What Happens Live,” the ex-“Bachelorette” star told host Andy Cohen that she still had not been paid for her run on the reality television competition.

    “Still haven’t seen a dime,” she said, telling Cohen that while winning was a highlight of the experience, “not receiving my money” put a damper on it.

    “I’m still waiting on the money!” she exclaimed as the audience laughed. Windey appeared on the show alongside fellow winner Dylan Efron (brother to Zac Efron), who did not comment on whether he had received his earnings yet.

    “The Traitors,” which airs on Peacock, sees reality TV royalty at an ancient castle in Scotland for a prolonged murder-mystery search.

    USA TODAY has reached out to the show for comment.

    Over the course of a season, the Faithfuls attempt to uncover the Traitors while the Traitors aim to eliminate the Faithfuls by night. The Faithful contestants left once all the Traitors are banished split the prize money.

    Windey and Efron won alongside “Real Housewives of New Jersey” alum Dolores Catania and British aristocrat Lord Ivar Mountbatten and agreed during the final episode, released last week, to split their earnings evenly. Even though the win was new to viewers, the show has been wrapped for nearly a year. The group’s total prize bucket amounted to $204,300, which rings in at $40,860 per person.

    The show has elevated Windey’s already rising star. A contestant-turned-lead on “The Bachelorette,” she charmed viewers with her loopy voice and sharp wit. While the final rose she handed out did not turn into a lasting engagement, Windey has since parlayed that fame into a successful podcast and a loyal internet fandom.

    Earlier this month, she announced her wedding to comedian Robby Hoffman. The pair tied the knot secretly in Las Vegas last year, amid an evacuation prompted by dangerous Los Angeles wildfires.

  • Elon Musk slammed by Ayo Edebiri for fake news that led to threats

    Elon Musk slammed by Ayo Edebiri for fake news that led to threats

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    Is Ayo Edebiri a fan of Elon Musk? No, chef.

    The “Bear” star called out the Tesla CEO in an Instagram story on Tuesday for spreading a false rumor about her, which she said caused her to receive death threats.

    USA TODAY has reached out to Edebiri and Musk.

    Edebiri, 29, shared a screenshot of an X post by Musk, who in February 2024 shared a post claiming the actress was being considered to replace Johnny Depp in a new “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie. There have been no credible reports of this, but Musk took issue with the fake casting news on X, writing in reply to the quoted post, “Disney sucks.”

    On her Instagram story, the “Bottoms” actress recalled the backlash she subsequently received.

    “Just remembering when I got some of the most insane death threats and racial slurs of my life (idk if it’s the #1 moment, but for sure top 3) for a fake reboot of a movie I had never even heard of because of this man,” she wrote, adding that not only is Musk a “fascist” but “he’s an idiot.”

    Edebiri also shared a screenshot of a recent rant about Musk by Bill Burr. On NPR’s “Fresh Air,” the comedian mocked the billionaire as a “guy with dyed hair plugs and a laminated face” who “makes a bad car and has an obsolete social media platform.” He also asked why liberals are “so afraid of this guy who can’t fight his way out of a wet paper bag.”

    “Bill Burr. Every time!” Edebiri wrote on top of a screenshot of Burr’s remarks, adding a bullseye emoji.

    In a subsequent Instagram story, Edebiri shared a private message from a friend who said she would actually be great in a “Pirates” film, and the actress quipped that she now likes the idea. “Wait no DEI, but I’ve changed my mind maybe we could make some money idk lmk,” she said, jokingly addressing Disney.

    But the comedian appeared unhappy when her comments about Musk began receiving media attention. “Stop making my IG stories news” because “I’m just tryna have a silly goofy time,” she wrote.

    Edebiri is hardly the first star to take personal issue with Musk, who has been working closely with President Donald Trump as a senior adviser.

    In November, “Saturday Night Live” star Chloe Fineman alleged that Musk made her “burst into tears” behind the scenes when he hosted the show in 2021. She said she decided to share the story after Musk began complaining about “SNL” on X.

    “I stayed up all night writing a sketch, I was so excited, I came in, I asked if you had any questions, and you stared at me like you were firing me from Tesla and were like, ‘It’s not funny,’” Fineman said, speaking to Musk in a video.

    Musk defended his alleged behavior on X by saying he was concerned that his “SNL” episode would not be funny.

  • When do new episodes come out? See schedule, time

    When do new episodes come out? See schedule, time

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    Take a virtual tour of the “world’s greatest supercontinent” in a new docuseries narrated by Tom Hanks.

    Produced by renowned wildlife producer Mike Gunton, “The Americas” is a new tentpole series that “showcases the wonders, secrets and fragilities of the world’s greatest supercontinent,” a news release by NBC says. The series has been produced by Gunton for BBC Studios Natural History Unit in association with Universal Studio Group division Universal Television Alternative Studio.

    “For the first time, the Americas stars in its own incomparable series, using cutting-edge technology to uncover never-before-seen behavior, and highlight the extraordinary, untold wildlife stories that will deeply connect with millions around the world,” NBC says.

    The docuseries aimed at highlighting “the wonders, secrets and fragilities of the world’s greatest supercontinent” has been filmed over a span of five years across 180 expeditions. Each hour-long episode features a different location, such as Patagonia, the Gulf Coast, wild west and the Andes among others across the entire continent of America, including north and south America.

    Here’s what to know about “The Americas” including how to watch new episodes.

    Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY’s movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox

    When do new ‘The Americas’ episodes come out? How to watch

    New episodes of “The Americas” air every Sunday on NBC at 8 p.m. ET / PT on NBC. The episodes are available to stream the next day on Peacock.

    The series premiered on Feb. 23 with two back-to-back episodes.

    ‘The Americas’: Stream on Peacock

    ‘The Americas’ episode schedule

    Here’s a look at the upcoming episode schedule for “The Americas.”

    • “The Gulf Coast”: March 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT
    • “The Andes”: March 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT
    • “The Caribbean”: March 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT
    • “The West Coast”: April 6 at 8 p.m. ET/PT
    • “Patagonia”: April 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

    Previous episodes and their air dates are:

    • “The Atlantic Coast”: February 23
    • “Mexico”: February 23
    • “The Wild West”: March 2
    • “The Amazon”: March 2
    • “The Frozen North”: March 9

    ‘The Americas’ narrator

    The series is narrated by Tom Hanks while the music has been composed by Hans Zimmer.  

    The making of ‘The Americas’

    A week after the series concludes on Monday, April 21, a special episode “showcasing a behind-the-scenes look at ‘The Americas’” will stream exclusively on Peacock and will feature Hanks and the crew “revealing perils and breakthroughs behind the lens of this milestone nature series.”

    NBC says the special will explore “the dedication, fieldcraft, humor, heart, and innovation that came together to create one of the most ambitious wildlife series ever produced.”

    Watch the ‘The Americas’ trailer

    We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

    Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

  • What we know about ‘Sunrise on the Reaping,’ new ‘Hunger Games’ book

    What we know about ‘Sunrise on the Reaping,’ new ‘Hunger Games’ book


    Brush up on your “Hunger Games” knowledge ahead of “Sunrise on the Reaping” with this deep dive on Haymitch.

    There’s nostalgia in the air this spring as readers gear up to revisit the “Hunger Games” universe. 

    With Suzanne Collins’ new “Sunrise on the Reaping,” longtime fans and new readers alike will get a taste of Panem’s past through the eyes of Haymitch Abernathy, Katniss and Peeta’s curmudgeonly mentor who won the Games 24 years before the pair stepped into the arena. 

    If “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay” gave more color and backstory to Haymitch, “Sunrise on the Reaping” is sure to be a cornucopia. The prequel will introduce his family and girlfriend and the events that led up to his victory, notorious for angering the Capitol elite. 

    When does the next ‘Hunger Games’ book come out?

    “Sunrise on the Reaping” comes out March 18 in print, digital and audio. “Yellowstone” actor Jefferson White will narrate the audiobook.

    What is ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ about?

    Set 24 years before the events of the first book, “Sunrise on the Reaping” begins on the morning of the 50th Hunger Games – the second Quarter Quell. The reaping is Panem’s traditional process of randomly selecting tributes from each District to participate in the fatal Games.

    The Quarter Quell is a special Games that occurs every 25 years. In Katniss and Peeta’s Quarter Quell in “Catching Fire” – the 75th – the amended rules forced only former victors to reenter the Games. In Haymitch’s Quarter Quell, the Gamemakers allowed twice the amount of tributes from each district. 

    In an excerpt from Chapter 1, Haymitch wakes up on reaping day, also his 16th birthday. Despite the looming terror of the afternoon, he focuses on spending the day “wasting time and being with (his) girl, Lenore Dove.” 

    “No point in worrying, I tell myself, there’s nothing you can do about it,” Haymitch narrates in the excerpt. “Like two Hunger Games in one. No way to control the outcome of the reaping or what follows it. So don’t feed the nightmares. Don’t let yourself panic. Don’t give the Capitol that. They’ve taken enough already.”

    We also meet his 10-year-old brother, Sid, and his 35-year-old mother. His father died in a coal mine fire, reminiscent of Katniss’ dad, who also died in a mining accident. Haymitch lives in the Seam, the poorest neighborhood of District 12.

    When he’s chosen, Haymitch is sent to the Capitol alongside “a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck up girl in town.”

    Fans can expect larger discussions of propaganda and the power of the ruling class in “Sunrise,” Collins said, according to Scholastic: “With Sunrise on the Reaping, I was inspired by David Hume’s idea of implicit submission and, in his words, ‘the easiness with which the many are governed by the few.’ The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question ‘Real or not real?’ seems more pressing to me every day.”

    The cover, which features a dueling songbird and snake above the spikes of a sun, represents a meaningful symbol to Haymitch in the novel, according to Scholastic VP, Publisher and Editorial Director David Levithan. The image explores “how conflicting forces can be connected by their common nature, the songbird and the snake springing from the same source,” Levithan explained in a press release.

    What we know about Haymitch from other ‘Hunger Games’ books

    In “Catching Fire,” Katniss rewatches old footage from the 50th Games. We know from the original trilogy that Haymitch was one of four tributes from District 12 sent to the 50th Hunger Games, including his eventual ally Maysilee Donner. Maysilee was the original owner of the mockingjay pin and a friend of Katniss’ mother. Her niece and the mayor’s daughter, Madge Undersee, gave Katniss the mockingjay pin in book one. 

    Haymitch won his game by using the arena’s force field to his advantage, which he discovers when he throws a rock off a ledge and it bounces back up to him. When it comes down to the final two tributes, Haymitch stands close to the forcefield and waits for his opponent to throw her axe. When he ducks, the axe bounces back against the field and kills her.

    Haymitch’s clever move angered the Gamemakers, who never intended for the forcefield to be used as a weapon. In “Mockingjay,” Haymitch tells Katniss that President Snow had his mother, younger brother and girlfriend killed in retribution.

    When is the new ‘Hunger Games’ movie coming out?

    Lionsgate is adapting “Sunrise on the Reaping” into a feature film, which will hit theaters on November 20, 2026. Casting has yet to be announced, and it’s unclear whether Woody Harrelson, who played Haymitch in the original movies, will return as the older version of the character.

    The latest “Hunger Games” movie was last year’s box office hit “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” starring Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth. The film franchise has raked in over $3 billion worldwide in collective ticket sales.

    How many ‘Hunger Games’ books are there?

    This will be the fifth book in the “Hunger Games” series, which first published 17 years ago from Scholastic. There are five “Hunger Games” movies out – one for each of the already-published books and two parts for “Mockingjay.” The sixth movie will be the “Sunrise on the Reaping” adaptation. 

    Here are all of the books in order:

    1. “The Hunger Games” (2008)
    2. “Catching Fire” (2009)
    3. “Mockingjay” (2010)
    4. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” (2020)
    5. “Sunrise on the Reaping” (2025)

    Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY’s Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you’re reading at [email protected]

  • Willie Geist steps in to host talk show

    Willie Geist steps in to host talk show

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    Kelly Clarkson is stepping away from her hosting duties for now.

    The “Since U Been Gone” singer has been gone from her “The Kelly Clarkson Show” for a week and guest hosts are stepping in to help host the talk show, now in its sixth season. Last week, action star and actor Simu Liu helped take the helm of the show while the “Catch My Breath” hitmaker was out.

    “Kelly isn’t able to make it today. We’re sending her our very best,” he said to the studio audience of the March 3 show. “I did not know that I was doing this until about five minutes ago when I arrived to promote my new movie ‘Last Breath,’” adding, “I’m here now, and look, I’m not one to back down from a challenge.”

    USA TODAY has reached out to Clarkson’s rep and the show for comment.

    Clarkson has not publicly addressed her absence.

    She returned for the March 5 show, but has been out since then, according to content from her Instagram page. On Wednesday, “Sunday Today” anchor Willie Geist stepped in to help host the show during Clarkson’s absence.

    Roy Wood Jr., Wanda Sykes, Josh Groban hosted Kelly Clarkson show during absence

    A star-studded lineup of guest hosts has stepped up to help Clarkson. “The Daily Show” alum and comedian Roy Wood Jr. took the reins for Clarkson on March 6.

    “Kelly’s out for the day. I’m back. You’re in good hands. I was here about a week ago, I think they brought me back because of my resemblance to Kelly. You need to squint to see it, though,” Wood joked.

    Comedian Wanda Sykes and singer Josh Groban co-hosted the March 7 episode, and Brooke Shields performed and hosted on Monday and Tuesday. Geist helped on Wednesday, while Molly Sims will host Thursday and Friday.

    In 2019, amid the premiere of her talk show, Clarkson opened up to USA TODAY about her approach to hosting “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

    “This is what’s weird about me. Ignorance is bliss. I’m just doing my thing. I love talking to people. I love singing. I love the audience being kind of a co-host with me. My band’s here,” she told USA TODAY. “So, I’m just kind of doing me. It might work and it might not.”

    Contributing: Bill Keveney, Melissa Rugierri; USA TODAY

  • Paul Danan cause of death released: ‘Hollyoaks’ star was 46

    Paul Danan cause of death released: ‘Hollyoaks’ star was 46

    A cause of death for British soap opera star Paul Danan has been determined.

    The actor died in January from the combined toxicity of heroin, methadone, codeine, pregabalin, cocaine and zopiclone, as well as benzodiazepine use, an officer with the Avon Coroner in England confirmed to USA TODAY on Wednesday. He was 46.

    Danan starred as Sol Patrick on the British soap opera “Hollyoaks” and appeared on reality shows like “Celebrity Big Brother” and “Celebrity Love Island.”

    Representatives for Danan at Independent Creative Management announced his death in a statement on Instagram in January, per Variety and People.

    “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Paul Danan at just 46 years old,” the statement said. “Known for his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness, Paul was a beacon of light to so many. His untimely departure will leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him. During this difficult time, we kindly request respect and privacy for Paul’s family, friends, and colleagues. No further comments will be made at this time.”

    Danan was scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 16, one day after his death, for a plea hearing after he was charged with possession of cocaine and cannabis, and he was accused of driving under the influence of drugs in October, according to the BBC.

    He previously opened up about a serious health scare last year.

    In an interview with The Sun published in June, Danan said it’s “a miracle I’m here” after he was rushed to the hospital with respiratory failure that doctors attributed to his addiction to vaping.

    “I’m upstairs puffing away on my vape then suddenly I lost my breath and collapsed,” he told the British tabloid. “My family called for an ambulance and started giving me CPR, then police arrived and took over before paramedics took me to hospital. I was on a machine in ICU and ended up with pneumonia. My family were warned I might not make it through the night. I’m so lucky.”

    Danan added that a doctor told him that “if I ever smoke in any form again I risk being linked to an oxygen tank later on in life. She said that’s it now.” He said he had been sober for more than three years after previously struggling with substance abuse.

    If your or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorders, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. The service is free, confidential and available in English and Spanish. 

  • Netflix announces Season 2 of Tyler Perry’s ‘Beauty in Black’

    Netflix announces Season 2 of Tyler Perry’s ‘Beauty in Black’


    The announcement comes after creator Tyler Perry dropped a hint to fans on social media.

    It looks like Season 2 was inked in the Bellaire family’s will! Netflix confirmed on Wednesday that Tyler Perry’s “Beauty in Black” has been renewed.

    Although there’s no official air date, a spokesperson said the show will be rolled out in two parts, similar to the first season. Following the explosive finale, fans have been calling for more episodes on social media.

    Netflix’s announcement comes after Perry − the show’s director, writer, and producer − dropped a hint to viewers and thanked them for tuning in.

    “YALL AINT READY FOR SEASON 2 of #BeautyInBlack !!” he wrote in a recent Instagram post. “Thanks for making season one HUGE!”

    According to the streaming platform, the first installment of Season 1, released in October, was a mainstay in the Top 10 for four weeks, ultimately shooting up to the number one spot in 28 countries. Part Two also brought in viewership after it dropped earlier this month.

    In ‘Beauty in Black,’ Kimmie ‘taps into her true power’

    Tyler Perry’s “Beauty in Black” follows exotic dancer Kimmie (Taylor Polidore Williams), a victim of abuse and an underground human trafficking operation. Her life deeply intersects with a wealthy, powerful family running a successful hair care business in Chicago.

    Throughout the drama series, the shiny surface of the Bellaire empire begins to crack, revealing their ruthless ways. Members of the family, along with those around them, will do anything, including murder, to keep their power and influence.

    When Kimmie’s sister Sylvie (Bailey Tippen) is kidnapped, she is out for blood, showing that the underdog should never be underestimated.

    “Kimmie doesn’t initially find the strength to fight for herself alone, because her love and purpose exist outside of her,” Williams previously told Tudum. “It’s only when the people she loves are affected that she taps into her true power.”

    Take a look at a teaser for ‘Beauty in Black’ Season 2

    Along with the announcement, Netflix released a teaser for Season 2. It features Kimmie and Mallory (Crystle Stewart), the glamorous, vicious, slick-mouthed boss who married into the Bellarie family. She helps keep the beauty brand running when scathing allegations about their products are revealed to the public.

    “Every struggle. Every lie. Every heartache. Every betrayal. Every step falls to this,” the stars say in the video.

    Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].