When you're looking to get lost in a book, sometimes you need your reading material to match your mood. With Marie Claire's series "Buy the Book," we do the heavy lifting for you. We're offering curated, highly specific recommendations for whatever you're looking for—whether you're in your feels or hooked on a subgenre trending on #BookTok.

While summer is a time of unwinding, it’s also a time of sweat. Whether you’re enduring the heat dome hellscape on the East Coast, evaporating your soul in the desert, or simmering in humidity down south, chances are, you’re mighty tired of being hot and tired.

Listen, a little back perspiration is bound to make a gal go mad. Perhaps you’ve experienced the same during the long, unyielding days of summer. Thankfully, there’s an easy fix: Blast the air conditioning, post up poolside or in the shade of your favorite tree, and fling yourself into fiction. Misery likes company, so they say, and fortunately, there are loads of novels featuring heatwaves and irritable characters trying to slog through life as temperatures keep climbing, contributing to pressure-cooker plots.

Whether you’re sticking to the classics, delving into your favorite author’s backlist, or branching out of your comfort zone this summer, these books teem with drama. Remember your SPF, but here are the best heatwave books to sink into all season long—or in any season, for that matter.

August is here; out-of-office emails abound as the world exhales before it goes back to school, work, and routines. Take advantage of the downtime to catch up on reading. This month brings a collection of new novels and nonfiction to help you soak in summer’s last month.

Ahead are stories of limerence, friendship, and frivolity that take you to 20th-century Barcelona, the packed trains of Tokyo, or a desolate island in the Pacific Northwest. Read on for our picks of the best must-read books coming out in August 2026.

The Best Books Coming in August 2026

The Best Fiction You Need to Read in August 2026

The Best Nonfiction You Need to Read in August 2026

Turns out we won’t be leaving Silver Falls any time soon: Netflix has officially renewed the coming-of-age drama My Life with the Walter Boys for a fourth season, with the news coming before the now-streaming third season premiered on August 6, 2026. Based on the Wattpad sensation-turned-novel by Ali Novak, the series follows Jackie Howard (Nikki Rodriguez), who moves in with her mom’s best friend’s family in small-town Colorado after her family is tragically killed in a car crash. As Jackie acclimates to the change of pace from her Manhattan roots, she finds herself in a love triangle with two of the brothers living under the roof.

While the first season of the series is largely lifted from Novak’s novel, the subsequent seasons have evolved the story across many different characters and plot points—and season 4 will be no different. Ahead, we break down everything we know about the forthcoming My Life with the Walter Boys season 4.

Everything We Know About 'My Life with the Walter Boys' Season 4

Is 'My Life with the Walter Boys' renewed for season 4?

In May 2026, a few months ahead of the season 3 premiere, Netflix officially confirmed My Life with the Walter Boys will return for a fourth season, signaling the popularity of the YA series. The Tudum announcement noted that this is the second consecutive year in which My Life with the Walter Boys was renewed before the forthcoming season’s premiere.

When will 'My Life with the Walter Boys' season 4 come out?

The streamer has revealed that new episodes can be expected in 2027. “I know I speak for the writers, the cast, and the crew when I say that it is beyond exciting to be returning to the world of Silver Falls for a fourth season,” showrunner and executive producer Melanie Halsall told Tudum. “We are all incredibly grateful and are thrilled to dive in.”

Seasons 2 and 3 of the hit romance series have been released in the summer, and it seems like season 4 could do the same. In early August—just as the new slate of season 3 episodes hit streaming—Netflix announced that the show had already picked the cameras back up. It shared a sweet photo of the main trio back on set on social media, along with a caption confirming season 4 was in production.

With filming already underway, it definitely seems feasible for season 4 to arrive in summer 2027—though we probably won't have an official release date until sometime next year.

Who in the 'My Life with the Walter Boys' cast will return for season 4?

My Life with the Walter Boys wouldn't be the same without the leads—Nikki Rodriguez (Jackie Howard), Noah LaLonde (Cole Walter), and Ashby Gentry (Alex Walter)—so they'll inevitably return. Netflix confirmed as much, based on the photo it shared of them back on set at the ranch.

Much of the supporting cast will also likely return, including the Walter matriarch and patriarch played by Sarah Rafferty and Marc Blucas, as well as the other Walter siblings (and cousins) portrayed by Corey Fogelmanis (Nathan), Connor Stanhope (Danny), Dean Petriw (Jordan), Lennix James (Benny), Alix West Lefler (Parker), Myles Perez (Lee), and Isaac Arellanes (Isaac). The various significant others and friends amidst the Walter family will also likely return, meaning we’ll see more of Jaylan Evans (Skylar), Alisha Newton (Erin), Ellie O'Brien (Grace), Mya Lowe (Kylie), and Kolton Stewart (Dylan). Jackie’s uncle Richard, played by Alex Quijano, could continue to recur in season 4—and his intern Eliot (Naveen Paddock), whom Jackie kisses in the season 3 finale, seems likely to return after that major cliffhanger.

Eldest son Will and his fiancée Hayley, played onscreen by Johnny Link and Zoë Soul, are question marks, as their plans to move to Atlanta were announced in season 3. Similarly, Erin Karpluk, who appeared in season 3 as Lee and Isaac’s mom Hannah, could reappear in season 4, though it’s unlikely given the conclusion of her arc.

What would 'My Life with the Walter Boys' season 4 be about?

Like previous seasons, season 3 ends on a few cliffhangers: Following Jackie and Cole's mid-season break-up, Jackie sees her childhood friend Eliot in a new light and shares a kiss with him, while Cole's life is in danger after a drag race gone wrong. The series also introduces a new love triangle with best friends Alex and Kiley kissing despite her dating Dylan.

The exact plot of season 4 has not yet been revealed—but with Cole's fate hanging in the balance, his pre-race clarity, and the amount of miscommunication that fueled Jackie and Cole's break-up, we're sure to see those lovebirds find their way back to each other in season 4. Halsall told Tudum, “Our story’s about love and romance and love triangles and all those teenage trials and tribulations around those things, and we’re not going to divert from those—so much, much more of that to come in season 4.”

Halsall also spoke to Deadline about her choice to end season 3 with so many stories up in the air. "We like to subvert expectations and make people desperate for more and make people shout at their screen because they can’t believe it’s over," she explained. "It felt like the right place to leave the characters for now after everything that’s happened in this season."

The showrunner shared that the team always knew season 3 would end how it did—and that they know where the entire series is headed. While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Halsall said, "I definitely have a story in mind...Obviously things adapt and change while you’re writing. But the overall sense of where we’ll end up remains more or less the same." It hasn't been confirmed whether season 4 will be the show's final installment, but it sounds like there will eventually be a satisfying conclusion to its ultimate will-they-won't-they.

For now, continue to check back, as we'll keep this story updated as more information becomes available.

If you ever wanted to know who is on your favorite singer's playlist, or what albums inspired the latest “it girl” the most, tune in for Marie Claire’s resident music franchise Listen Up. In this interview series, we ask musicians about their listening habits and the specific records that informed their taste—and inherently their journey as an artist.

Ravyn Lenae experienced the biggest year of her career in 2025, thanks to her song “Love Me Not” going viral. After nearly a decade being a critical darling and your favorite artist’s favorite artist, the singer-songwriter landed her first Billboard Hot 100 hit, supported Sabrina Carpenter and Reneé Rapp on tour, and hopped on remixes with PinkPantheress.

However, she never expected that more listeners exposed to her kaleidoscopic sound would mean it becoming the topic of a senseless debate about what is or isn’t R&B. “‘Love Me Not’ sparked a lot of interest in my career, but also sparked a lot of conversation in culture and Blackness and how Black women should sit in music and what's expected and accepted,” the 27-year-old tells Marie Claire.

The Chicago native responded the only way she knew how: refusing to limit herself. “I really told myself that whatever I think feels good and is cool, lean into that and try not to fixate on the genre conversation of it all.”

That intuition led Leane to create her third studio album, Blue Island. Bold and metallic, it touches on neo-soul, alt-R&B, bubblegum pop, and rock while telling a story about transition. The recording artist's palette of influences comes across the 14 tracks, but she explains that she also found inspiration in music she doesn't typically listen to—from Brazilian jazz to Bollywood hits.

It’s as if the project exists on its own vibration—like a culmination of Lenae’s confidence in her vision. “I'm constantly daydreaming or dreaming vividly at night and interpreting those dreams,” she says. “I feel like I always live slightly above what's happening on Earth. And maybe that's just the Aquarius in me, but that's just a really fun place to occupy and dissect and fixate on.”

With Blue Island out now, below, Lenae unpacks the wide range of artists who shaped her sound, from ‘00s hitmakers to the rising names on her playlist now.

I'm someone who loves to take multiple sources and artists and sounds and mix them into one pot. I grew up loving women in pop, like Beyoncé. My mom was a huge Destiny's Child fan, so I got that soulful aspect to my music ingrained in me pretty early. My dad listened to a lot of OutKast, so that funky, off-kilter, almost humorous approach to music I loved. He listened to a lot of music that felt that way and incorporated different genres—specifically Speakerboxx/The Love Below. Those were ran up and down whenever I would spend time with him.

Justin Bieber's first album, [My World]. I remember being sat.

Nelly Furtado's Loose. It's, to me, a defining pop album. It has everything I love about music in it: the big universal pop chords, but then you have super hard, off-kilter, out-of-pocket drums. Timbaland breaks every rule possible, and it makes sense. That mash-up, along with her writing style—which seems to be rooted in folk and chanty qualities I really love—[makes it] that album for me.

I remember first hearing "Say It Right." I was in my basement. It was like our playroom, and we would have videos playing on that TV all day. The "Say It Right" video came on, and I was sitting at the screen thinking, “What is this sound?” Ever since then, I've loved Nelly Furtado.

The '80s. There was something so fun happening, and that was the spark of people using keyboards and MIDI. People were getting into the electronic aspect of what music can be, mixed with the analog. I love that mix, and those moments [birthed] some of our favorite anthemic songs ever.

Seeing Lady Gaga perform "Paparazzi" [during the 2009 VMAs]. That shit was so epic to me. It made me really want to incorporate the theatrical aspect in my live performance because there's really no limit.

Rosalía, André 3000, Leikeli47, Gwen Stefani, Rihanna.

Richie Havens sang it: "Wonder Child." It was originally written for Sesame Street. That's one of my favorite songs ever. The way he sings it, and when you think about the fact that it was written for children, it just makes it even more special.

Also, Alicia Keys' "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart." That song is perfectly written.

There's a Sia song called "Breathe Me." If I'm really trying to get it in, that one. Do not listen to that if you have a full day ahead of you.

Robyn. That's the perfect thing to get you in the mood of going out and losing your fucking mind. [Also,] Doja Cat, Leikeli47, the greats.

Mariah Carey. That always works.

If I'm not doing cardio, singing my own songs, then Amaarae.

I usually drive in silence because I need a second to think [or I'll listen to] Stereolab. That's fun, especially in California, when the sun's out and the wind's blowing, I'm driving down PCH. Tame Impala, too.

A song I'm definitely proud of is "Babygirl." That one is written so beautifully and has collaborators like Eric Leva and Tayla Parx, who helped me really map out what that feeling is for me—of being a Black girl in music, finding her path that might be a little offbeat or not the obvious thing, is a really hard topic to tackle. Especially the lyrics "Can never be wrong / Even if you don't go where everybody goes" are really powerful to me.

"Babygirl," honestly. I'm someone who's definitely curious about life and the why’s of life and myself, and I'm always spinning my wheels, trying to get closer to what that answer is. That song really expresses the beauty of wonder and curiosity.

This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

Netflix reality star Harry Jowsey is ready to settle down, and he’s turning to his inner circle for help finding a wife. The newest reality series from the streamer, Let’s Marry Harry, finds the Australian heartthrob dating a group of women at the same time, The Bachelor-style, sending contestants home as the series progresses until Jowsey finds “the one.” Along for the ride as his confidantes are his ex-girlfriend, Perfect Match star Georgia Hassarati, his “honorary brother” Sonny Henty, and his best friend Amanda Kloots.

This isn’t Kloots’s first foray into reality TV, so she's no stranger to being on camera, but there’s a lot you might not know about Jowsey’s best friend. Ahead, we delve into what you need to know about the former dancer and television personality.

Everything to Know About Amanda Kloots

Kloots grew up in Ohio and is a trained dancer.

Hailing from Canton, Ohio, Kloots is the second-youngest of five children. She began her career as part of major Broadway ensembles including Good Vibrations, Young Frankenstein, and Follies. She became a member of the Rockettes in 2004 and performed two seasons with the iconic troupe. On YouTube, she revealed that she auditioned twice before making the cut, fulfilling a childhood dream. Kloots later appeared on season 30 of Dancing With the Stars, placing fourth.

In 2016, she launched AK! Rope, a jump-rope-based fitness method, which she later expanded into AK! Dance and AK! Body. Eventually, she molded AK! Fitness, a digital fitness brand with cardio, dance, and toning exercises.

She was a co-host of the CBS talk show 'The Talk' until it ended in 2024.

In 2020, Kloots began appearing as a guest host on the CBS talk series, aptly titled The Talk. In 2021, she was bumped up to a permanent host, joining Sheryl Underwood, Jerry O'Connell, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, and Natalie Morales to discuss current events and human interest stories. For both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Kloots was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host along with her co-hosts. After 14 years and 15 seasons on-air, CBS ended the series in April 2024.

Her second husband Nick Cordero died from COVID-19 in 2020.

Kloots was married to her first husband, David Larsen, a theatre actor, for six years before meeting her second husband, Broadway star Nick Cordero. They met in 2014 while working on Bullets Over Broadway, a stage musical adaptation of Woody Allen’s 1994 film. Kloots and Cordero got married in 2017 and became parents to a son named Elvis in June 2019, and were together until Cordero’s death after a 95-day illness attributed to COVID-19 during the pandemic in 2020. Kloots went viral for documenting Cordero’s illness online—especially during the early days of the global pandemic when misinformation was prevalent—as well as her grief after his death.

In 2021, she co-authored a memoir titled Live Your Life: My Story of Loving and Losing Nick Cordero with her sister Anna about her experience. On the sixth anniversary of his death on July 5, 2026, Kloots posted a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, remembering him as a “magnificent person.”

Kloots and Jowsey bonded over their grief.

The best friend duo initially met via Dancing With the Stars, though they appeared in different seasons (Kloots in season 30 and Jowsey in season 32), and immediately bonded over their grief. Kloots opened up about losing Cordero, while Jowsey had just lost his father. “Amanda is one of the most incredible, powerful humans I’ve ever met,” Jowsey told US Weekly. “She navigates grief and talks about it with so much grace.”

In the press leading up to the premiere of Let’s Marry Harry, Jowsey has noted that the loss of his father was a motivating factor in his desire to settle down. “My whole dating life for the past 10 years has been in some sort of spotlight...losing my father was obviously the biggest turning point," he told E! News. “The biggest thing I was upset about was I didn't have kids and a wife to meet him. So, that was really difficult, and it made me take everything in life a little more serious.”

Ahead of the Let’s Marry Harry premiere, Kloots announced a new podcast called "Good Grief" that will center on conversations about grief with celebrity and expert guests. Jowsey is one of the announced guests scheduled to appear on the podcast, which officially launched on August 5, 2026, via Dear Media.

She is currently dating former tennis player Justin Gimelstob.

In April 2025, Kloots made her red-carpet debut with new beau Justin Gimelstob at An Unforgettable Evening event, held in support of breast cancer research. The former professional tennis player told PEOPLE, "She's just an incredibly special person. Obviously, she's physically beautiful, but the way she handles everything, she's so classy and has so much grace and is an amazing mother." The pair first met at a Formula 1 race, but didn't go on their first date until a year later when friends intervened.

Kloots has previously mentioned that she's had readings by mediums to communicate with her late husband Cordero, who has assured her that her time is coming. "He has definitely given me his blessing,” Kloots shared in 2024. “And he always says it's coming. That's one of the running themes from readings that I've had, that it's coming: 'I know you're lonely. It's coming.' I don't know. We'll see.”

Gimelstob has a few skeletons in his closet: He received a felony battery charge in April 2019, to which he pleaded no contest. Additionally, he and his ex-wife Cary Sinnott have previously accused one another of domestic violence, setting up a mutual restraining order within their divorce settlement.

In March 2026, Kloots posted a birthday photo dump, thanking Gimelstob for "loving me and spoiling me rotten, treating me like a queen every single day but especially yesterday," noting that it "feels really good to be so full of hope and happiness again."

Netflix's new reality series asks a question that has befuddled dating-show fans: Can Harry Jowsey settle down? After rising to fame on shows like Too Hot to Handle and Perfect Match, the Netflix Reality Universe's biggest breakout star has returned to the streamer for Let's Marry Harry, a Bachelor-like series in which 20 women vie for the chance to wed the self-described "podcast host, entrepreneur, and reformed player."

In the eight-part series, the "Boyfriend Material" host moves into a house full of interested women in search of his bride. With the help of his closest confidants—fitness pro Amanda Kloots, businessman Sonny Henty, and fellow Netflix star (and Harry's ex) Georgia Hassarati—the goal is for Jowsey to leave the show a husband, with a legally binding marriage taking place during the finale. (Of course, any Love Is Blind fan knows that's easier said than done.)

To fill the Let's Marry Harry mansion, the team behind the Alex Cooper-produced series recruited 20 women who are ready to tie the knot. The roster ranges in age from early 20s to early 30s and over-indexes on Geminis, Aries, and Capricorns. (Jowsey is a 29-year-old Gemini, for those wondering.) From aspiring housewives to small-business founders to a single mom (and even a former Bachelor contestant), Jowsey has plenty of options.

With the finale out on August 12, read on to get to know the women of Let's Marry Harry.

Abby

Instagram: @abigaileasterling

Age: 24

Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana

Occupation: Medical esthetician

Astrological Sign: Capricorn

Why Harry? "Abby is charmed by Harry’s big smile and infectious laugh, and hopes to see the more family-oriented side of him."

Amber

Instagram: @ambermozo

Age: 30

Hometown: O'ahu, Hawaii

Occupation: Travel photographer

Astrological Sign: Aries

Background: "Married and divorced at a young age, Amber knows firsthand the importance of giving each other the freedom to grow."

Why Harry? "An adventurous spirit will always catch her attention, which is why meeting Harry feels so exciting to her."

Charlie

Instagram: @hustlelikehare

Age: 29

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Occupation: Digital entrepreneur

Astrological Sign: Gemini

Dating Style: "Charlie has high standards, low tolerance, and lives by the immortal words: 'If he wanted to, he would.'"

Dannelle

Instagram: @dannelle_davidson

Age: 33

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Occupation: Cocktail waitress

Astrological Sign: Scorpio

Why Harry? "Dannelle is ready to choose Harry for his kindness and for how close he is to his family. 'The accent definitely doesn’t hurt!'"

Debralee

Instagram: @debraleetomberlin

Age: 26

Hometown: Kings Mountain, North Carolina

Occupation: Medical device sales

Astrological Sign: Scorpio

Ideal Partner: "She hopes to build a family someday, and is searching for someone who values stability, effort, and emotional awareness."

Elli

Instagram: @e_schryver

Age: 32

Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona

Occupation: "Micro-retired"

Astrological Sign: Gemini

Why Harry? "A fearless leader, she’s not afraid to grab Harry for a chat to flirt or discuss her favorite hobby: sports betting. Her only concern with dating the charismatic bachelor is 'that he is a naughty little chicken.'"

Emily

Instagram: @emily_stonee

Age: 27

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Occupation: Aesthetic nurse injector

Astrological Sign: Capricorn

Why Harry? "She’s aware of Harry’s reputation, but she’s excited to learn more about his desire to become a dad."

Emma

Instagram: @emma.pio

Age: 26

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Occupation: Marketing manager

Astrological Sign: Cancer

Dating Non-negotiable: "She’s not giving up her guy friends to appease her partner. 'You should absolutely be allowed to have friends of the opposite sex.'"

Faith

Instagram: @thefaithlove

Age: 24

Hometown: Elkton, Kentucky

Occupation: Marketing

Astrological Sign: Capricorn

Background: "Faith thrives on being pushed outside her comfort zone, and her career proves it: modeling, late nights in the hospital, and currently, corporate marketing."

Jade

Instagram: @jadeeinnes

Age: 25

Hometown: Thousand Oaks, California

Occupation: Software sales

Astrological Sign: Aries

Looking For: "She wants someone who can keep up with her lifestyle and isn’t shy about it. 'Financial stability, success, and ambition are legitimate standards, not shallow preferences.'"

Juliana

Instagram: @julsssmelchor

Age: 30

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Occupation: Account manager

Astrological Sign: Virgo

Why Harry? "It’s [her] sense of play that draws her to Harry. Juliana likes that he’s 'a silly goose,' someone who doesn't take himself too seriously."

Lauren

Instagram: @laurenhollinger_

Age: 30

Hometown: Dover, Delaware

Occupation: Nurse

Astrological Sign: Aries

Background: She and her sister competed on Joey Graziadei's season of The Bachelor.

Most Controversial Take: "'Men should support women, and women shouldn’t work.'"

Lindsey

Instagram: @linclarkk

Age: 27

Hometown: San Francisco, California

Occupation: Yacht stewardess

Astrological Sign: Taurus

Why Harry?: "It was Harry’s charisma that hooked her. 'Everyone seems to love him right off the bat.'"

Maya

Instagram: @mayaavery23

Age: 25

Hometown: Armonk, New York

Occupation: CEO and founder of a talent management agency

Astrological Sign: Virgo

Why Harry? "Maya wants a genuine partner, and she's paying close attention to whether Harry has actually grown from his past, or 'just gotten better at talking about it.'"

Mya B.

Instagram: @myabenway

Age: 23

Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona

Occupation: Clothing brand owner

Astrological Sign: Gemini

Why Harry? "Warm, approachable, and easy to talk to, Mya believes she’s found a kindred spirit in Harry."

Most Controversial Take: "She’s big on trust and transparency—so much so that she believes couples should know each other’s phone passwords."

Rickiyah

Instagram: @rickiyahm

Age: 26

Hometown: Humboldt, California

Occupation: Health care recruiter

Astrological Sign: Aquarius

Why Harry? "Rickiyah has zero interest in settling and is curious to see how Harry has moved past his reputation as a player. 'I can respect someone who graduated from the streets.'"

Most Controversial Take: "'I shouldn’t be touching any door handles or public surfaces...'If I wash my hands after a date and there’s any dirt on them, I’m never seeing you again.'"

Sam

Instagram: @samkruseee

Age: 24

Hometown: Chico, California

Occupation: Indoor soccer arena owner

Astrological Sign: Virgo

Background: "What started as an impulsive decision to get back at an ex turned into a highly successful OnlyFans account."

Why Harry? "She loves being around people with big personalities, which is what drew her to Harry."

Samantha

Instagram: @samanthaamadsenn

Age: 23

Hometown: Austin, Texas

Occupation: Recruiter

Astrological Sign: Gemini

Why Harry? "Samantha describes herself as 'equal parts confidence, equal parts chaos,' and is drawn to Harry’s exciting lifestyle and sense of fun."

Dating Style: "The man should always like you more than the other way around."

Sammy

Instagram: @sammygotay

Age: 29

Hometown: Upper Saddle River, New Jersey

Occupation: Pilates instructor

Astrological Sign: Taurus

Background: "A devoted mom, she wants a partner who'll step up as protector for her and her son."

Shaine

Instagram: @shainehinson

Age: 24

Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska

Occupation: Medical sales

Astrological Sign: Leo

Why Harry?: "Shaine is drawn to people who don’t take themselves too seriously and knows how to make her laugh, which is why she’s interested in Harry. 'I love a funny guy.'"

The next book on every literary It girl's shelf? Kitten by Stacey Yu. The debut novel from the London-based Chinese-American author publishes August 4 and centers on a young woman named Katie's post-graduation unraveling. But it's not just unemployment malaise and mommy issues contributing to her downward spiral; it's a growing obsession with none other than her older, wealthier boyfriend's cat. Katie forms a peculiar connection with the feline, Silver, while visiting her beau's vacation home and can't help but feel envious of how easy her life seems.

As Katie grows increasingly disoriented, the beguiling, biting novel explores the political, economic, and social implications of who gets to be "helpless." In writing, Yu—who's cultivated a following on #BookTok as @literaryfling—spent a lot of time reflecting on many contemporary young women's embrace of identifying as "just a girl." To coincide with the highly anticipated book's release, the rising author shared an essay with Marie Claire to unpack thoughts on the rise of what she calls the "girlbaby," and how it might just be the nihilistic, equally flawed little sister of the "girlboss."

I was an outspoken feminist in high school, so of course I was gifted a copy of #Girlboss. The author Sophia Amoruso, founder of Nasty Gal, had just invented one of the most popular neologisms in recent feminist and internet history. (Yes, the hashtag was part of the title. It was 2014.) While the title would become a cultural buzzword, the book itself would become irrelevant.

At the time, I couldn’t even bring myself to finish it. I found Amoruso’s shamelessness off-putting compared to my own teenage uncertainty. Still, I kept the book prominent on my shelf, hoping some part of it would rub off on me. I can be forgiven for that, since I had just turned 16. I didn’t know how to be a girlboss, but by God I would try. There were years to go before the term would gain a stink, alongside the shallow corporate feminism and neoliberal logic it represented. First, it would crumble under the attention of anyone with a whiff of class consciousness. Then it would die the ultimate death, becoming a meme.

Girlbosses, of a sort, are still everywhere. Successful, ambitious women have always existed, long before culture coined a word for them. We tend to invent terms to describe the things women do (hot girl walks) and eat (girl dinner) and read (chick lit) and buy (girl math), always through the lens of the girl. These labels infuse normal behaviors with outsized gendered importance while also rendering them completely banal. Women deploy them with an ironic grin, in on our own relentless self-construction. Meanwhile, outside of disparaging women, men don’t really use these terms at all.

Yet there is a sticking power to “girlboss” that the other terms don’t have. Sailing on the culture-shifting tide of Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In, the concept of the girlboss offered a new, fashionable way of being, answering to the anxieties of working under the patriarchy. “Girlboss” had narrative power, offering a compelling arc women could aspire to, considering the systemic inequalities of the time. Per the logic of 2010s mainstream feminism, barriers faced by women, though undeniable, could be overcome with a bit of grit and the right attitude.

Obviously, this was a lie, and most women don’t buy it anymore. A decade or so later, the same structural issues of labor production and gender inequality have barely budged, and the Overton window has shifted so far that Roe v. Wade is now off the table. Millennial optimism has been overtaken by skepticism and mistrust. Girlbosses aren’t just misguided; they’re cringeworthy. So, what do we believe in? What is the aspirational identity for young women today? Not the girlboss, now proven to be a sham. Now is the time of the girlbaby.

The girlbaby knows that life is hard and mean and senseless, and it isn’t her problem. The girlbaby won’t be tricked into fighting a losing battle. The girlbaby could not care less about a raise. Ever the nihilist, the girlbaby suspects the feminists were wrong all along. Then again, so were the left, and obviously the far-right, too—everyone was wrong about everything. The girlbaby is sometimes confused for the traditional male-devotee type, but she hangs out with all crowds because no one can resist a bit of escape. The girlbaby is as pure and trusting as she is damaged and disdainful, and all these qualities make her immune to judgment. The girlbaby refuses to engage. The girlbaby finds safety in retreat. Where the girlboss was more “boss” than “girl,” the girlbaby is just as much “girl” as “baby,” and she thrills in the closeness of the two words, the way they can so often be interchanged. The girlbaby is “just a girl:” helpless, blameless, and oblivious. More than she wants to be loved, the girlbaby wants to be absolved. She wants to live in this frightening, unpredictable world and owe it nothing.

I do not mean to be disparaging. At least, not completely. Just like the fantasy of the girlboss answered the material anxieties of women in the 2010s, the fantasy of the girlbaby does the same for many young women today, either old enough to be disappointed by unfulfilled promises of upward mobility or just beginning to come of age into an economic and sociopolitical maelstrom. Better to be numb and accepting in such circumstances. Whether it’s the rise of the stay-at-home-girlfriend, quiet quitting, or waves of nostalgia-spurred internet trends, the girlbaby, and her promises of comfort and familiarity, is running quite the successful campaign.

Certainly, part of this conversation is about the sexualized ways women are incentivized to infantilize themselves for the male gaze. And sometimes, women utilize the aesthetics and language of the girl to reclaim them, refusing to cede them to the worst impulses of the patriarchy, such as in the case of the babydoll dress. But when I say girlbaby, I’m not referring to a sexualized façade of helplessness—though it can express itself as such—but rather a way of seeing and making sense of our position within the world.

The girlbaby’s less harmful yet quietly revealing influences can be seen online. Linguistic trends spread mimetically, integrating themselves into our daily vernacular and eventually our habits and self-perception. “Little treat” culture repackages consumerism through the language of the child, validating our need to reward ourselves for completing simple tasks of adulthood. “I’m just a girl” has become the catch-all, self-mollifying response du jour. Even when delivered with an ironic ditziness, the phrase pleasures in its proclamation of helplessness. Ironically, “just a girl” is a reference to No Doubt’s 1995 feminist anthem of the same name, which brazenly mocked the idiocy of a male-dominated society.

Of course, Peter Pan syndrome wasn’t invented by our generation. But I’m interested in the way it’s expressed differently. I’m old enough to remember the now desperately earnest slogan of the 2010s: “Adulting is hard.” Tech companies like Google and Facebook designed their offices, signage, and organizational language explicitly to resemble a college campus and Disneyland, respectively. These iterations of self-infantilization as a way to respond to the pressures of adulthood feel remarkably simple, direct, and boundaried. People seemed to think of themselves as adults first, but with inner children who needed tending to. Now, I can’t help but feel a tendency among young adults to insist on our child selves; we’re surprised to find ourselves fully grown, capable adults in a world we are responsible in part for building. I certainly felt that way in my early to mid-20s, perhaps a consequence of moving back home in my final year of college and graduating into a global pandemic. (Or maybe I just have a nostalgic disposition.)

The girlbaby isn’t just an outfit for social media or a cute deflection to use against the challenges of the outside world. On some level, we internalize this image of ourselves, too. Our lives are no doubt shaped by the circumstances of our times, but most of our woes, dramas, and pain are personal. I have felt the appeal of girlbabying most while facing the unique, daily pressures that come with growing older, building my career, negotiating shifting relationships, and navigating housing. This is another reason I don’t condemn the girlbaby completely. The figure represents the fantasy familiar to all of us of stepping out of real life for a while. My escapist tendencies flare up the most when I’m coming up against personal difficulties, not societal ones. Sometimes, I want nothing more than a break from being myself.

Words such as “girlboss” and culturally omnipresent roles like “it girl” and “cool girl”, as well as trends like “girl dinner” or “hot girl walks,” owe their appeal to our age-old desire, as women, to first make sense of ourselves through the eyes of society, and then to present ourselves as such to society. Self-categorization is a human instinct, to be sure—but it is also a particularly feminine one, a way to legitimize ourselves in a social context where we are constantly scrutinized. Ironically, these labels can then trap us, reinforcing our desire for validation and relying on infantilizing stereotypes.

Still, these categories also give us something to challenge. Corporate preening and meme-ification aside, “girlboss” has left us with something important. By putting a name to the aspirational model of 2010s feminism, we have an archetype we can criticize, allowing us to agree on the evidence of the hollowness of its promise. We have learned not just to distrust the girlboss, but also to build a necessary cynicism over any similar label that offers identity formation as a structural cure. We should learn from the girlboss moment and apply the same lessons to our more modern and cynical role model. She may make us feel safe and innocent, but she also tricks us into throwing up our hands, accepting the worst, and relinquishing what little control we do have in shaping our lives. The girlbaby has her moments, but we can’t trust her, either.

Kitten by Stacey Yu is out now.

From her first strut into the villa, Ariana Madix has made hosting Love Island USA look effortless. But only she knows how much goes into steering the world’s biggest dating show: tracking the Islanders’ ever-changing affections, calling out toxicity in the fandom, and being ready to step into a skin-baring gown at a moment’s notice. After three seasons with the host—who just earned her first Emmy nomination—it’s hard to imagine anyone else gracing the wooden catwalk.

For Madix, the entrance calls back to what's remained her favorite place since childhood: the theater. “We stand in the tunnel, and [a producer] cues me in, just like you would for a play. Also, because the floors are hardwood, it feels like I'm on a stage,” the reality star tells Marie Claire a week following the season 8 finale. After 10 years of giving a very different type of performance on Vanderpump Rules, it’s as if Love Island USA is the perfect bridge between Madix's reality TV résumé and her theater-kid roots. If anyone knows how to balance passion with keeping cool under pressure—not to mention the spotlight or 24/7 camera crew—it's her.

That's in part what led Madix to receive an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program—an honor she's still processing. “It felt very surreal,” she recalls, chatting over Zoom while barefaced in a black sports bra. “It's really going to hit when we start scheduling things closer to the Emmys. Whenever they do billboards for Love Island, I'm always [in Fiji]. If they do something to promote this, I'll probably get very emotional.”

The awards ceremony is the latest milestone of the whirlwind three years Madix has spent showing the breadth of her talent, channeling heartbreak and a period of transition into a career breakthrough. Go back to her previous interviews, and she’s accomplished every one of her dreams: a Broadway debut, a role on a mockumentary comedy, even the Emmy nom. The recognition also marks a full-circle moment for the longtime Love Island fan, who went from name-dropping the show while she was still on Bravo to becoming a mentor to young women taking their first steps into the public eye.

“Fangirls unite,” she says of going from a viewer to the face of the show. “People love to talk down about it, but fangirling is powerful.”

Ahead of the Emmys on September 14, Madix chats with Marie Claire about her behind-the-scenes styling decisions, how grief affected season 8’s production, and the emotional strength she admires from the Islanders.

MC: What does your day-to-day look like as you’re filming a season of Love Island USA?

AM: It's always in flux, which is fun because it keeps me on my toes. I'm always in the gym and trying to keep my head right. I watch all the episodes, and when I'm wondering if I'm behind on something, I'll text producers or the social team to try to stay up to date. Things are happening so fast that I can very easily be behind on what's going on, especially right after a recoupling.

Sometimes when I go to the villa, I don't have a script. I’ll have an earpiece [to feed me lines], and there are times where I'm saying things that I've never heard or read before. I love it when I can get a script so I can put things in my own words, because I do like to be able to go in and be myself. I always think those are the moments that are the best on the show: when I'm able to bring myself to whatever crazy, fun, sexy moment is about to happen.

MC: Walk me through your styling for the show. How do you choose which outfits to wear each night?

AM: What I wear can definitely be dictated by the subject matter or the feel of the night. When we had our big fitting this year, we didn't know yet which ones were going to be for what. I am so lucky that I have both an amazing stylist here in L.A. and an amazing on-set styling team in Fiji. Our on-set styling team also works with the Islanders, so they have an idea of what the Islanders are going to be wearing, as well. For the premiere, we discussed that the Islanders are all going to be in bright colors, so if I wanted to wear a black dress, this would be the time. And of course it's this gorgeous, fun Tom Ford dress.

For a Casa Amor recoupling, I always think the look needs to feel a little bit dangerous. The finale look can be more celebratory. And then outside of that, it's usually, Do I feel good in the look, and am I excited about it? Because it's Love Island, I always want it to feel sexy and fun, and probably not something that I would wear in my day-to-day life.

MC: Is there a look that best combines your Love Island look and your personal, off-camera style?

AM: [In season 7], the pink [gown] with the hood and the gladiator sandal. I think that was the best marriage of what I would wear going out or something that feels like me and a Love Island style.

MC: Do you have any fun stories behind the looks from season 8?

AM: A lot of the looks this year were last-minute choices. The wet-look dress was actually one of my personal dresses that I just happened to bring with me. It had been pouring for days, and we had to figure out shoes I could wear in case I needed to walk in the rain. For the red one, my friend Taylor [Jean Cox] designed it, and I knew that was going to be the Casa recoupling dress. We had a fitting in my house the day before I flew to Fiji, and she was able to make that dress and get it out to set. That was the one I was the most excited to wear all season.

MC: Longtime fans know that season 7 was very different from the typical Love Island season. Were there any lessons you learned that you took into season 8?

AM: Anytime people say, ‘But we always do this,’ [the producers are] going to change it. They're never going to let anybody think they know what's coming next. That's part of what I love about the show because I always love to be surprised. In terms of my hosting, something I took away from season 7 is that the Islanders are always going to do what they want to do, and they're going to feel how they're going to feel. I love them all, and I always hope that they're okay. I feel like I could have reiterated that more.

MC: You often speak out against negative criticism towards the Islanders. With the show's growing popularity, how have you learned to handle the online criticism?

AM: I don't think that hate has any place in our viewership whatsoever. If I'm scrolling and I see someone being hateful, I block them. I don't care who or what they're talking about. I really was excited to hear that they were handling the socials differently this year, with the Islanders turning off certain things on their profiles, because that was something I was hoping that they would have done in season 7 as well.

Fans are not always going to agree with what someone says or does on the show. That's the point: We all date differently, we feel differently, we come from different backgrounds. If you want to talk about how you didn't like the way that someone said or did something, that's completely fine. But to then harass or send Islanders hate? I think it's so wrong. Because no matter what, they're all trying their best in this moment, and that's all that you could ever ask of somebody.

MC: Executive producer James Barker tragically passed away while filming season 8. How did you and the production team process the loss of a colleague while still having to make a successful show?

AM: Honestly, it was really, really sad. I don't know how the people on his team who worked with him day in and day out were able to continue. We had a night where everyone came together and celebrated James, and I'm glad we were able to take a moment on the show for him in one of the episodes as well. James was a friend of mine, someone who I really valued. He was so talented, so kind. The big thing that we connected on was our love of music. We would send each other music nearly every day, especially when we were in Fiji. I would be watching the show, and text him about a song, and he would know exactly what I was talking about. I feel like in so many ways he was the heart and soul of the show.

When I've experienced losses, if I can be distracted by something I'm passionate about, such as this show, it's helpful. I think that a lot of the team were feeling like, Let's do this for James and let's get through the season. I know that [the executive producing team are] all missing him terribly because they worked so closely together. I hope that now that we're all back, everyone's able to take some time for themselves, be with family, and process.

MC: So much has changed for you in the past three years, both professionally and personally. How has hosting Love Island and being in your current relationship changed your views on love and dating?

AM: Something I always take away from the Islanders is their ability to express exactly what they're thinking and feeling to each other in the moment. I admire that as a strength in people because it’s something I’ve definitely struggled with. I blame it on my Virgo moon. I'm a Cancer who feels things very deeply, but until I can process those things and put some logical explanation to it, I don't know how to express it. So I always try to take that away and be able to bring that to my real life. Also, I am a very anxious person, and Daniel [Wai, my boyfriend] really helps my nervous system. He helps me be able to go into a job like this and feel confident and loved.

MC: If you think back to a younger Ariana—hustling in N.Y.C., bartending at Butter, making College Humor videos—what do you think she would be like as a contestant on Love Island?

AM: Besides the crippling insecurity that I would feel being in a bathing suit all day, I think I would have been very messy. I would've been trying to collect boys and girls like infinity stones—so maybe a great Islander and a horrible Islander at the same time.

MC: Speaking of, you’ve said before that you want more queer representation on Love Island. What are your thoughts on people who say it doesn’t fit the show’s format or logistics?

AM: We’ll figure out the logistics. When there's a recoupling, they tell the powers that be. They're not coming up with it in the moment. Making this show is always laying one piece of train track in front of the other as the train is approaching. So we would figure it out. That's just me being optimistic or maybe delulu, but I certainly think that it's possible.

MC: Many of your career goals have come true, from performing on Broadway to earning an Emmy nomination. What do you hope to manifest next?

AM: If I say something out loud, especially in a forum where other people are going to hear about it, I feel as though, Okay, now that I've said it, I have to put work towards it. Putting something out there allows me to really focus and work towards it. What are the loftiest goals possible? EGOT status is probably the biggest. I think my ideal life includes getting to host this fun, fantastical show, being able to go on stage and dance and sing, and to go on TV and creatively express myself and make people laugh. If I could balance all of that with a loving and stable life at home, that to me is the ultimate goal. We're manifesting that now, but we can still put the EGOT out there.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock are set to return as the Owens sisters in the long-awaited sequel, Practical Magic 2, which will hit theaters in September. To promote the movie, Kidman and Bullock, along with their new costars, Joey King and Maisie Williams, paid a surprise visit to a screening on August 1. For the witchy occasion, Kidman chose the ideal black cut-out gown.

Sharing footage of the night on Instagram, Kidman captioned her post, "Our kind of family reunion 🖤 Loved spending a magical night at @cinespia with all of you, our fellow witches."

Taking to the stage, Kidman wore a slinky long black dress, featuring spaghetti straps and subtle cut-outs throughout the gown. The Oscar winner forwent accessories and let her dress do the talking.

This isn't the first time Kidman has worn a slinky black dress to promote Practical Magic 2. In April, Kidman wore a partially sheer black gown to reunite with Bullock at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. She completed the look with a pair of pointed-toe patent black pumps.

With more than a month to go before Practical Magic 2 is released, Kidman will hopefully showcase several more witchy-adjacent gowns to give fans all the inspiration they need for the premiere.

Shop Outfits Inspired by Nicole Kidman

Sports-romance is certainly having a moment—and not just on #BookTok. As romance book-to-series adaptations have started to take over our streaming services, the subgenre has proven particularly popular in the pipeline, with hits like Heated Rivalry to Off Campus.

There's certainly no shortage of romance books worth getting the on-screen treatment—but if you've been hoping for more LGBTQ+ love stories, you can get excited because one of the most popular sapphic soccer romances is headed to Prime Video. In spring 2026, the streamer confirmed that it will soon release a TV series based on Meryl Wilsner’s Cleat Cute. The 2023 book about two female soccer players who have tension on the field and even greater sexual tension on the sidelines marked Wilsner's third queer novel and has since become a TikTok hit and USA TODAY bestseller.

The series, retitled Playing the Field, will center on the Cleat Cute leads Grace and Phoebe, but also expand into an ensemble comedy. Wilsner, who is among the executive producers, has expressed how they're championing whatever is to come. "As a consumer, I can't stop thinking how lucky we are to get multiple versions of queer stories across different media," they wrote in an April 2026 Facebook post. "I'm so excited to see where [they take] my favorite fictional soccer lesbians!"

Read on for everything we know about the Cleat Cute adaptation Playing the Field so far.

What is 'Cleat Cute' about?

Cleat Cute unfolds as a classic rival-to-lovers story about a veteran national soccer team star named Grace and her new teammate, Phoebe, who just took her spot on the field after an injury. It’s all fun and flirtation between the two of them until Grace has recovered enough to get back on the field, where she’ll be competing against her new situationship for a spot on the World Cup roster. Both women will have to decide what's really important to them—and what they're each willing to give up.

According to Deadline, the TV adaptation will use the couple’s tension-filled relationship as the “anchor” to the show, which will showcase the “sexy, messy, and exciting” lives of four different players on the soccer team.

Who is involved behind-the-scenes of Prime Video's 'Cleat Cute' TV adaptation 'Playing the Field?'

When Deadline confirmed an adaptation was in the works in April 2026, the outlet revealed Sarah Tapscott—who previously wrote and produced on hit series like New Girl, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and more—will lead Playing the Field as showrunner, executive producer, and writer.

"When I tell you this could not be in better hands, I mean it," Wilsner gushed of Tapscott via a post on Facebook. "Within five minutes of meeting her over Zoom, I knew she was our showrunner. She's fucking hilarious, to put it mildly."

There are a few thrilling names beyond Tapscott, as well. Bringing the professional athlete expertise are former WNBA player Sue Bird and former USWNT soccer star Megan Rapinoe, who both serve as executive producers. Wilsner also sung praises of them, writing, "I mean come on, Megan and Sue...Everyone working on this project is fantastic."

Additional producers include Wilsner themselves, Jeff Wachtel (Murder in a Small Town, Good Cop/Bad Cop), Jared Berenholz (Murder in a Small Town), Camille Bernier-Green, and Emily Rasenick.

What has Meryl Wilsner said about the 'Cleat Cute' TV adaptation 'Playing the Field?'

Wilsner has made it clear to fans that while they are an executive producer of the show, they're very open to any liberties that Tapscott may take with their work. "Cleat Cute is one of my favorite books I’ve written, but that’s what it is. A book,” they explained in a Facebook post. "Playing the Field is not my baby. As a creator, I love seeing someone else’s take on the characters, and I can’t emphasize enough how great [Tapscott] is."

When will the 'Cleat Cute' TV adaptation 'Playing the Field' be released?

There is no release date for Playing the Field. It might be a while before it hits streaming, too. Wilsner has described the timeline as "vague."

"There are many, many, *many* steps to making a TV show," they wrote to fans in April 2026. "The basics of the show—script, outline, general vibe—are being established. This is a very fun stage, but it’s not the same as being in production."

Considering it's still early days for the series and casting hasn't begun (more on that below!), the finished product might not hit our screens until at least 2028.

Why is the name changed from 'Cleat Cute' to 'Playing the Field?'

The Cleat Cute title has notably been changed to Playing the Field for the TV show (not unlike Prime Video's decision to shift Every Summer After to Every Year After for its Carley Fortune adaptation). Wilsner opened up about the change, explaining that it only allows for the series to grow.

"This is a TV show, not a movie, so the story needs to be expanded instead of whittled down," the author wrote on Facebook. "Cleat Cute was specifically the story of Grace and Phoebe falling in love, and Playing the Field is an ensemble comedy."

And we already know how the show plans to expand beyond the book's horizon. As its logline teases, the on-screen version will focus on several players and their love lives. While it's way too early to say how long Playing the Field will run, it certainly seems ripe for a different focus each season à la Off Campus.

Who has been cast in the 'Cleat Cute' adaptation 'Playing the Field?'

No casting decisions have been made yet (“I don’t know who will play Grace or Phoebe," Wilsner admitted when the adaptation was announced). However, the writer is certainly interested in who her readers would like to see, asking on social media, "Who do y’all have in mind?"

While nothing is confirmed, several names have already popped up on social media, with fans nominating stars like Liv Hewson (Yellowjackets, Santa Clarita Diet) or Ella Purnell (Fallout, Sweetpea) as Phoebe and Charlotte Austin (Petrichor) or Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets) as Grace Henderson.

When you're looking to get lost in a book, sometimes you need your reading material to match your mood. With Marie Claire's series "Buy the Book," we do the heavy lifting for you. We're offering curated, highly specific recommendations for whatever you're looking for—whether you're in your feels or hooked on a subgenre trending on #BookTok.

In this author-curated rendition, Jessica Goldstein—pop culture journalist, humorist, and author of Retro—shares the books that inspired her debut novel.

Author and pop culture enthusiast Jessica Goldstein has always been obsessed with understanding why a piece of media, a celebrity, or a social media trend becomes popular at a particular moment. In recent years, she’s been especially fascinated with the proliferation of nostalgia—be it the endless cycle of rebooted IP or political propaganda.

Cue her debut novel, Retro, in which she examined that phenomenon in a genre-defying adventure story about a struggling actress, Ash, who takes a job at a time-travel agency. While sending clients on imaginative vacations in the past—and getting embroiled in a private investigator’s case in the 1930s—Ash also effectively avoids her personal life in the present.

Goldstein tells Marie Claire that writing the novel gave her a fresh perspective on nostalgia. “I’m into it as a way to stay connected to the things that made us who we are, the people we used to be and love, a time when our sense of self was less cluttered by adult obligations and noise,” she says. “But I’m totally anti-nostalgia as narcotic to distract us from participating fully in the present so we can get the future we deserve.”

To craft the novel—that’s as much a mystery and workplace send-up as it is a sci-fi romp—Goldstein was inspired by the through-a-portal-to-another world stories she grew up with: The Wizard of Oz; Alice in Wonderland; The Phantom Tollbooth. “Writing a novel is kind of like holding a magnet to your heart, and everything you care about just gets drawn in like metal filings to the edge,” she says. But she wasn’t rigid about genre to guide her style, often finding that recent bestsellers or neo-noirs were shaping her along the process.

“It really affirmed my belief in reading as widely and deeply as you can and not being rigid about only using your reading time ‘productively’...You just have to trust that your curiosity is taking you someplace worth going.”

Here, Goldstein shares the books that inspired Retro (available now)—spanning childhood classics to detective novels to nonfiction books about the tech industry.

Cult-loved filmmaker Gregg Araki makes his long-awaited return to theaters this summer with I Want Your Sex, a comedy that tackles one of today’s hottest debates: Is Gen Z having sex? Inevitably, the New Queer Cinema pioneer's first feature in 12 years is like an instruction manual from the chief provocateur himself.

The film stars Cooper Hoffman as Elliot, a lost 20-something who lands a gig as an assistant to renowned artist Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde). When she proposes they enter a sexual relationship in which she dominates him in the bedroom, he gains experiences he didn’t even know he was seeking…and then some as the film warps into a thriller.

Like many of Araki’s other films (Nowhere, The Doom Generation), I Want Your Sex is a campy, erotic romp, but as a departure from his many '90s indies, this is his first feature to employ intimacy coordinators. For it, he tapped Yehuda Duenyas, whom he met on the set of Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and first worked with on American Gigolo.

Duenyas tells Marie Claire over Zoom that the screenplay (co-written by Araki and Karley Sciortino) read like “a firehose of sex scenes one after the other.” He worked to facilitate trust within the cast and crew, so those moments of kink and comedy could best come alive off the page. “[Araki] has a very exacting vision, but how that comes to life, he really relies on the people around him to be the artists that they are to make it all come together under his direction.”

Duenyas worked with Jaclyn Chantel on the project. The two, along with trauma and sexuality educator Jimanekia Eborn, are the founders of CINTIMA, the leading intimacy coordinator training program. Founded in 2023, the L.A.-based organization works with the Screen Actors Guild to develop guidelines, teaches best practices to trainees and filmmakers, aims to create more diversity in the field, and even launched its own film festival, FLICKER. “I started working in this practice in 2007,” Duenyas says. “The word consent was in the dictionary, but it wasn't something that we talked about all the time. It's an amazing cultural shift that we've been through.”

As I Want Your Sex arrives in theaters, Duenyas reflects on collaborating with Araki, filming the pivotal threesome-gone-wrong scene, and what audiences may still not realize about his job.

Marie Claire: Gregg Araki is known for exploring sex in his work. You worked together briefly before I Want Your Sex, but can you remember initial conversations you had with him and how he adjusted to using an intimacy coordinator?

Yehuda Duenyas: He was curious about what it is to work with an intimacy coordinator, and, from my end, deference to what he’s already been able to make so beautifully and the type of stories that he’s been able to tell. He seemed really thankful, like, “This makes it so much less awkward and easier.” We live in a different world than we did when he was making films in the '90s, and he’s really aware of that.

MC: Araki’s been very vocal about how this movie is his love letter to Gen Z and his way of weighing in on the ‘Gen Z isn’t having sex’ discourse. What conversations did you have with him about those themes as you were trying to understand his vision?

YD: He has a really particular take. The world is different than it was when he was coming up, and there is a different relationship to intimacy and sexuality. I personally don't believe that Gen Z doesn't want to have sex. We're still human beings. It's not that they don't want to have sex. I think that culturally we've been divided from one another in certain ways, and I think that social media has a big role in that. I feel more of a loneliness epidemic, where people want to connect with one another and want to know how. If anything, this is an instructional movie. We chatted about that with Greg a lot.

MC: Cooper Hoffman said that there were a few days on set that he described as “Oh, Fuck Days” because of the more bonkers scenes he had to film. How do you put an actor at ease in those scenarios?

YD: We had a bunch of those. Number one, just acknowledging that anyone's consent is revocable at any time—that puts people at ease. Cooper is one of those people who's like, “If there's a waterfall to jump off of…” and there's an acting challenge, he's going to take that challenge. I know that he really approached this with such a sense of openness and very candidly [admitted], “I've never done anything like this before.” So we were both like, “We got you,” and, “You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. If you're not feeling it in the moment, there's a million ways that we can shoot something, so let us know what could make this more comfortable for you.”

We have a lot of tips and tricks to put the heat on the screen and take the heat off of the personal moment, so that's kind of the art of what we do. The field of intimacy coordination has a lot of, What does it look like on screen, but also the interpersonal value of, How do we make this an agreeable thing for everyone to be participating in and make it fun?

MC: Do you work with the costuming and props department? Especially in a film like this, where BDSM elements and lingerie are so integral to the storytelling, what does that look like?

YD: We work with costumes because we need to put modesty garments and padding in between actors. There is a lot of coordination with sets. Like, Is the bed hard enough, or does it sink down? All these things are going to affect performance.

There are a lot of BDSM props and restraints and a St. Andrew's cross in this film. Anything that could interact with an actor in an intimate scene, we have some conversation around, or at least make sure that everything is in place for it to work well. Choreography is the tip of the iceberg. There are 100,000 other things behind the scenes that we take care of.

MC: From your perspective, how do you find the right balance of being mindful on set but crafting a scene that’s risque and sexy and also has a sense of humor? So many moments straddle that in I Want Your Sex.

YD: Sex is awkward sometimes, and it is funny sometimes. All of those things make these moments so much more human. And that's what was so delightfully exciting about it.

Also, working with a cast that is already so funny—Olivia, Cooper, and Mason [Gooding], hysterical people. Some of the things that you see in that threesome-gone-wrong scene—like Chase [Sui Wonders] wearing the strap-on—were just Chase being fucking funny. We're there to uplift and help support this stuff. Performers bring so much to the dynamic on set. That was what was so beautiful about that production: Greg brought together all of these collaborators who created such a great environment.

MC: Did you have a favorite day on set?

YD: We did all the intimacy in the first five days. It was really right off the bat. We were able to get together the day before and have an in-person check-in. It was really helpful. We created a good vibe together, so that it could become playful.

I loved the pool scenes—Erika Tracy drunk, dressing Elliot up. The threesome scene was incredible. Those playful montages of Erika and Elliot together in the house with Elliot trying these new things were all so fun to do.

MC: You’ve spoken before about how intimacy coordinators help facilitate talent and the filmmaker to take bigger risks. What do you mean by that, and can you think of an instance where you really saw that in action?

YD: It's like if there's a bar fight, and people don't exactly know how to be in a bar fight, you have a fight choreographer or stunt coordinator. There are a lot of safety protocols in place in order to make that safe, so the actors can just go full tilt. A similar thing happens with intimate scenes when the actors know that we're handling the barriers. When all those boundaries are in place, it really allows people to play to the edges of what they can do and forget about all of those functional things.

There was some rough stuff in [I Want Your Sex], so we were able to do simple exercises around, How hard can you press on my arm? We found that both Chase and Olivia could press on Cooper's arm as hard as they could, and it didn't hurt him at all, so they know in these rough scenes they can go hard on him. Once we have that feeling of comfort and trust among everyone, that trust allows the opportunity to really go far in performance.

MC: It sounds like you’re almost there to facilitate trust or even empowerment.

YD: We're not the safety police. We're not here because of some woke fragility. We're really there to empower people to be able to do their best performances around a sensitive topic, which is intimacy. And intimacy is so important to humans, yet culturally, around the world, there's always some friction, tension, strange feelings about intimacy. So, when we can bring a level of boundaries, safety, comfort, consent to the conversation, it really empowers people to go to play to their edges.

MC: You’ve been doing this since 2007, but your field has become more common in the past decade. What changes have you seen, or what feedback have you gotten on sets?

YD: I hear a lot, "I don't know how we did this without you,” or, “Where were you when I was 19?" from some actors. Before, it was dispersed among five different departments. I hear a lot from costumers or [the beauty department] that, in hair and makeup, an actor would say, "I don't want to do this thing that's coming up." So, the hair and makeup person would have to figure out a very polite way to make an excuse for the person or to stand up for them, or costumes would have to do it. There's a better cultural understanding and cultural conversations around this. And in turn, I feel like we've seen much deeper and better portrayals of intimacy.

MC: In that time, you also launched CINTIMA. How has interest in it evolved?

YD: We are really excited about the people whom we have trained who are working in the field. Not everyone off the street wants to be an intimacy coordinator, but the people who do come to it for really specific reasons. We have trainees from psychotherapy practices to somatic practices to people already in the film industry who feel a calling to this, to sex workers and adult film stars. There are a lot of different places that people feel like, "Oh, this field is like the Venn diagram of my life." And it's very meaningful to them.

It's a very rigorous program because it's a rigorous job. There’s a lot to know and a lot to have to hold. There are dream jobs like I Want Your Sex, and there are jobs where it’s a bit more difficult. We handle stories of sexual assault; those aren’t easy days on set. Storytelling is sacred. It's challenging and fun, but it's not always easy, so if we can help alleviate some of those nerves or even just handle the technical stuff, actors and filmmakers can tell the stories they want to tell.

What we're trying to do is expand what intimacy is on screen, how it can expand our definition of humanity, how we can see ourselves as people on this earth in a different light. We're living in a really challenging moment right now. I think our take, here, in our studio is more intimacy is more good for the world.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

If you’re eager to plan a trip to the Mediterranean, you may be inclined to go island hopping in Greece, explore the cliffside towns on the Amalfi Coast, or soak up the sun along the French Riviera. But if you’re looking to travel to something of a hidden gem, I would suggest you make your way to Menorca.

If you want to stamp your passport somewhere that’s as much of a wellness retreat as an arts haven, Menorca is the ultimate Mediterranean destination. The island has a far more tranquil reputation than its more famous siblings—Ibiza, known as a clubbing capital, and Mallorca, which equally balances city life with the outdoors. While there are nature reserves across the entire archipelago (including the smallest of the four islands, Formentera), Menorca is the only isle that’s entirely considered a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. That means the 30-mile-long island is home to protected wildlife, and much of it is rural and meant to be left untouched by development—so you're essentially staying in postcard-perfect paradise.

With its sprawling hills full of vineyards, farms, and hiking trails, as well as its picturesque beaches, Menorca has built a thriving sustainable tourism industry, ranging from farm-to-table dining experiences to botanical spas to outdoor fitness retreats. Its peaceful atmosphere has also inspired artists over the years to call the island home, with visual artists and writers alike finding support through more residency programs and a rising gallery scene in recent years.

So, if you’re like me and hope to get a dose of both serenity and culture while on holiday, read on for everything to know about traveling to Menorca.

Where to Stay in Menorca

For a luxury hotel experience, stay at the Villa Le Blanc. Owned by Gran Meliá—a Spanish hotel group that just celebrated its 70th anniversary and is known for its renowned hospitality in the Mediterranean and worldwide—Villa Le Blanc became the first true luxury property on Menorca when it opened following a 2022 renovation. Located on the southern coast, it faces the Santo Tomás beaches and is the most beautiful hotel I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. It features immaculate white stone architecture and open-air concepts throughout, so Menorcan culture, the sun, and the sea are never out of reach.

Rejuvenating treatments are always available via the property’s Thai Room spa—but this summer, the property boasts an event aligned with the August 12 solar eclipse. It marks the first visible eclipse in Spain since 1905, and as Menorca is the first place in the country to see it, Villa Le Blanc is offering guests the chance to set sail to see it from the sea. Aboard a Menorcan llaüt, or traditional wooden boat, attendees will receive eclipse-viewing glasses and be treated to breakfast to take in the cosmic event. I took a sunset cruise arranged by the hotel during my stay, so I can only imagine what a treat the eclipse event will be.

What to do in Menorca

If you’re going to the Balearic Islands, you must spend time at the sea; these are the kind of beaches that'll have you boasting how blue the water was. Many of Menorca’s beaches, or calas, are surrounded by rocky coves and caves—places that feel so magical, you’ll be wondering whether you might just spot a mermaid. Cala Galdana, Macarella or Macarelleta, and Mitjana or Mitjaneta along the southern coast are among the most scenic and popular to visit. For a more active approach, you can hike along Cami de Cavallas, a trail around Menorca’s circumference, or even explore the natural caves, like Son Saura Cova De Coloms.

When you decide to take a break from the sun and saltwater, you can still get your nature fix by taking part in Menorca’s notable agricultural tourism. You can visit the salt flats at La Concepcion, tour or attend cheese-making workshops at farms like Sa Cooperativa del Camp de Menorca, have a wine tasting at the vineyard Bodegas Binifadet, or even go for a horseback ride among the grapes at Torralbenc. (Torralbenc is also a small luxury hotel in a transformed agricultural estate, so if you’re looking for a more remote, rural stay, a restful visit abounds by checking in there.)

Menorca has also quietly become a buzzy arts haven. This is largely due to Hauser & Wirth (based in Switzerland but with various international outposts) opening a gallery on Illa del Rei in 2021. Accessible by water taxi or shuttle boat, the contemporary and modern arts space is located in an 18th-century naval hospital and always free. This was the highlight of my trip and best described as completely transfixing. Seriously, with its history, lush gardens, and sculpture-decorated walking trail, it feels as if the art is both in communication with and intertwined with nature.

And there’s more art to see on the mainland—from Albarrán Bourdais, located in a renovated mansion, to Galería Cayón, situated in the historic Victoria Cinema. You’ll be stunned by the spaces in the Menorca capital, Mahón, just as much as the contemporary works.

Where to Eat in Menorca

Much of the food and drink served on Menorca is from its own farms and vineyards, so expect to enjoy some of the freshest and most delectable seafood, wine, and cheese. For some of the best, go right to the source at the local markets in the port town and capital Mahón or Citadella, just above Mahón on the hilltop and full of medieval, winding cobblestone streets.

There are, of course, incredible eateries and bars in the cities, as well, so you’re never far from paella, tapas, or shellfish. For a wine bar atmosphere with no shortage of small plates, try Ulisses or Bar San Jorge for an even more local flair; if you’re looking for classic seafood restaurants, S’Amarador and Cafè Balear make great options. The latter has been a fixture of the island since the 1970s, and is famous for catching its menu from its own boat. (If you stay at Villa le Blanc, its main restaurant La Terraza del Balear is in collaboration with Cafè Balear.)

You can also enjoy dinner with the ultimate view at cliffside and beachside establishments like ​​Cap Roig, Cova d'en Xoroi, Restaurante En Caragol, and Mar de Teranga. Alternatively, head inland for a farm-to-table experience that’s unlike any other at Nonna Bazaar, which is located in an old farmhouse and turns meals into parties with lively DJ sets once you wrap up dinner.

Netflix's wholesome Korean reality show Better Late Than Single returned for its second season this month, with a new cast of eternal singles (or "모태솔로" in Korean) dipping their toes into the dating pool for the first time. Over 10 episodes, the 20- and 30-something singles lived together in a retreat on Jeju Island where they got to know each other in the hopes of finding their first relationships. The dating show ended on July 28 with the final couples walking off to continue their romances in the real world, leaving viewers to wonder whether their new faves are still together.

Thankfully, Netflix won't leave fans waiting for too long! The streaming giant has announced a reunion special for Better Late Than Single season 2, which will bring the cast back together for relationship updates and answers to some lingering questions. Below, read on for everything to know about the upcoming reunion, titled Better Late Than Single: After Service.

When does 'Better Late Than Single: After Service' come out?

Netflix has confirmed that the Better Late Than Single reunion special will arrive on the streamer on Saturday, August 1, 2026, just five days after the season 2 finale. The exact timing of the release is unknown, but fans have noticed the special may seemingly arrive a day early in the U.S.

With After Service, Better Late Than Single becomes the third Netflix Korean reality show to get a reunion spinoff, after Single's Inferno Reunion and Physical: Welcome to Mongolia.

Which cast members will return for 'Better Late Than Single: After Service?'

Netflix has yet to confirm which cast members will appear on Better Late Than Single: After Service. All of the season 2 cast members are likely to return to some extent, including Kim Jae-seo, Jeon Seo-yoon, Yoon Jung-yun, Choi Hyun-seo, Lee Han-ju, Ahn Seung-hyun, Kim Soo-hyun, Choi Hyuk-joon, Lee Jin-woo, Han Su-ji, An Jeong-eun, and Kim Tae-hoon. However, there's a chance some stars may only appear for part of the special, if there are scheduling conflicts with their real-life jobs.

As for the show's hosting panel, who provide both commentary for viewers and pre-show dating advice for the cast, comedian Lee Eun-ji and singer Car, the Garden are set to return for the special. (No word yet on whether actors Seo In-guk and Kang Han-na will also make an appearance.)

Finally, the Better Late Than Single: After Service trailer teases something that fans have been teasing for a while. In the clip, the season 2 cast sits down for blind dates with some familiar faces from season 1, including Kang Ji-su, Kim Seung-li, Lee Min-hong, and Yi Do.

Is there a trailer for 'Better Late Than Single: After Service?'

The Better Late Than Single: After Service trailer promises some awkward-yet-charming drama once the season 2 cast gets back together. In addition to updates from the final couples—Hyun-seo and Hyuk-joon and Han-ju and Jin-woo—it seems that there may be an update on the love triangle between Soo-hyun, Seung-hyun, and Tae-hoon.

Other notable clips in the trailer include a light-hearted "Dating IQ game" hosted by Lee Eun-ji and Car, the Garden; a presentation of dating tips given by season 1's Noh Jae-yun; and the aforementioned blind dates between season 1 and season 2 cast members. We'll have to wait and see whether the "second chance at love" the trailer promises will lead to success.

Ever since December 2025, hockey-romance fans have been waiting with bated breath for Hudson Williams to return to their TV screens. While his Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie quickly made his way to Saturday Night Live (and picked up an Emmy nomination!), Williams chose to team back up with Crave, the Canadian streamer behind the Game Changers adaptation, for another steamy drama.

Created by playwright Kat Sandler and based on her play of the same name, Williams' next project, Yaga, is a contemporary mystery-thriller and feminist retelling of the witch Baba Yaga from Slavic folklore. When the young heir to a fishery (Williams) goes missing, a private investigator gets wrapped up in an investigation involving "a labyrinth of enigmatic suspects, secret lives, and ancient magic," per the plot description.

"Yaga began as a play with a cast of three in a 200-seat theater, reimagining the myth of Baba Yaga through a modern lens with a genre mashup of mystery and myth," Sandler teased to Entertainment Weekly. "It has since evolved into television as a collision of folklore, fairy tale, noir thriller, police procedural, horror, and feminist fantasy, while continuing to ask the question: What makes a witch?"

Now that Crave has begun teasing new details ahead of a fall release, read on for everything to know about Yaga, including how to watch the highly-anticipated series in the U.S.

When does 'Yaga' come out?

Crave and AMC+ have confirmed that Yaga is set to arrive on streaming in October 2026. The streamers have yet to confirm an official release date, but it's expected that the eight-part series will release weekly (as the fellow Crave series Heated Rivalry did).

Where can you watch 'Yaga' in the U.S.?

For American fans, Crave has confirmed that Yaga will be available to stream in the U.S. via AMC+ this October. It's currently unknown whether or not the series will release concurrently on Crave in Canada and AMC+ in the U.S.

For viewers new to AMC+, the streaming service offers a seven-day free trial, after which a subscription starts at $8 a month with ads or $11 a month without ads. Viewers can also add AMC+ as a channel on Prime Video for the same rates after a seven-day trial. (People who subscribe to AMC+ also get access to the horror streamer Shudder and the indie-focused Sundance Now.)

Or, if you've been meaning to rewatch Heated Rivalry or check out Jacob Tierney's Letterkenny or Shoresy, Yaga will also be available to stream on Crave. If you don't have a VPN, you can use one like Nord VPN.

Who is in the cast of 'Yaga?'

In addition to Williams, the Crave crime-thriller has an exciting leading cast. Carrie-Anne Moss (of The Matrix, Memento, and Jessica Jones fame) stars alongside the actor as Katherine, a "charismatic university professor with a taste for younger men," per the description. Moss has already teased that her and Williams' characters get physical in the series.

"I got to make out with him, so that’s lovely," Moss said, pointing to Williams, during the show's upfront presentation in June 2026. "He was super respectful. He was so respectful to my personal space. This guy is, like, a serious gentleman."

Rounding out the lead cast are Noah Reid (Schitt's Creek, The Vampire Lestat) as Rapp, the out-of-town P.I. looking into the disappearance, and Clark Backo (Letterkenny, The Changeling) as Carson, an "apprehensive" local detective. According to EW, another notable cast member is Sheila McCarthy (The Miniature Wife) as Olena Yaha, "a cheeky and wise local woman, originally from Ukraine, who has a soft spot for younger men, vodka, and hallucinogenics."

Is there a 'Yaga' trailer?

Crave released the first teaser for Yaga at this year's Comic-Con, previewing the spooky, erotic series. The clip is full of interesting moments, from Williams and Moss' characters getting intimate to witchy scenes involving ritualistic icons and chickens to a shot of Williams' character smiling and holding a chicken while wearing only a midsummer headdress. Thankfully, some narration also gives viewers a primer on the titular myth.

"There's versions of her all over the world. Sometimes she's an ugly old witch who lives in a disappearing hut on chicken feet. Sometimes she's a wise woman, an enchantress, a healer. Sometimes she helps a hero on his quest," Moss' character, Katherine, says. "Sometimes she tests him. Sometimes she kills him. Sometimes she eats him. Sometimes she fucks him. But she always has a name."

When Netflix's Western-romance series Ransom Canyon premiered in April 2025, it cemented itself as the next must-watch for fans of the soapier side of Netflix originals. Based on author Jodi Thomas' book series, the show follows several locals in a West Texas ranching community as they deal with business rivalries, conman plots, and love triangles that make The Summer I Turned Pretty seem tame. And to cement its "Texas, Forever" bona fides, Minka Kelly leads an ensemble cast that has garnered the show the nickname "Handsome Canyon."

Ransom Canyon's second season, which just arrived on Netflix, turns up the heat with several new rivalries and suitors guaranteeing that the titular town is always on its toes. And of course, it ends with some cliffhangers to leave fans wondering what's next. Below, read on as we keep track of any and all updates on the fate of Ransom Canyon season 3.

Is 'Ransom Canyon' renewed for season 3?

Netflix has not revealed whether Ransom Canyon will get a season 3 renewal, but that's not a bad sign. After season 1's April 2025 release, it took two months for season 2 to be confirmed. Odds are the streaming giant will wait to see a few weeks of viewing numbers for season 2 before announcing its renewal decision.

Either way, showrunner April Blair has confirmed that the series' writers are already discussing what could happen in a possible season 3. Speaking to Decider, the showrunner confirmed that the writers' room has already picked back up as of season 2's release.

When will 'Ransom Canyon' season 3 come out?

Depending on how soon a season 3 renewal is announced, Ransom Canyon could cement itself as a yearly show. With season 1 airing in April 2025, followed by season 2 this July, season 3 could arrive on our screens sometime in late summer 2027.

Who in the 'Ransom Canyon' cast will return for season 3?

Minus some major shakeups, Ransom Canyon season 2 solidified the main cast for Netflix's romance hit. Though season 3 is still in the works, the main cast will all likely return, including Minka Kelly (Quinn O'Grady), Josh Duhamel (Staten Kirland), Lizzy Greene (Lauren Brigman), Philip Winchester (Dan Brigman), Garrett Wareing (Lucas Russell), Casey W. Johnson (Kit Russell), Marianly Tejada (Ellie Estevez), Jack Schumacher (Yancy Grey), and Justin Johnson Cortez (Kai Flores).

It's currently unclear whether supporting players like Heidi Grace Engerman (Sidney), Kenneth Miller (Freddie), and Steve Howey (Levi) will return for more episodes.

What will 'Ransom Canyon' season 3 be about?

Season 2 ends by resolving most of the show's big questions. Quinn and Staten finally get together, with the blessing of her previously disapproving mother Claire. Ellie gives birth to a healthy baby girl, but even though Yancey successfully kept his ranch away from Sidney, Ellie breaks up with him to protect their child. And after a season of Lauren being torn between two brothers, she makes amends with her ex Lucas and stops her new beau, Kit, from leaving Ransom. (Yes, that means she's now dating the guy her mom was having an affair with in season 1.) Staten even gets control back of the Double K, and Quinn's music festival saves Ransom. Happy times (mostly) all around.

Now that season 2's out, April Blair has teased a bit of what's in store for season 3. Speaking to Deadline, she said that, unlike the six-month gap between seasons 1 and 2, Ransom Canyon season 3 will start without a time jump, so viewers can "see all the fallout of where we left off in season 2."

It also seems that Staten and Quinn are fully out of their will-they-won't-they era for the foreseeable future. "I think, moving forward, there will be hurdles and challenges, but it’s not about breaking them up," Blair told the outlet. "I wanted, ‘Okay, now they’re together, but what are those challenges moving forward?’ A relationship, finding each other and falling in love, is actually the easy part. It’s making a life with someone and figuring out who they really are deep down, what are the skeletons in their closets, and ‘Can you love someone at their worst?'"

Ransom Canyon viewers will still have other love triangles to watch. In addition to Yancy and Kai's interest in Ellie, Blair also hinted that the Lauren-Lucas-Kit saga isn't over yet (despite the Ashley of it all).

"Lucas is struggling to figure out who he wants to be, and for me, I don’t know if it’s even within the life of the series, but I think Lauren and Lucas are endgame in the way that Staten and Quinn were and are," Blair told Deadline. "They need to have loves and other lives and figure out who they are, and before they can be together, and I would love the show to go on long enough to see that. But even if it doesn’t, that’s, in my mind, where they end up. They’re the Staten and Quinn, and they just have to have a lot of other journeys and figure out who they are."

She added that Lucas may be headed towards "his own bad boy era" in future episodes. "Moving forward, in our idea of season 3—we’re just in the room—it’s a potential Season 3 right now, but the idea is that Lucas is hurt, but he’s trying to put on [a brave face]."

The 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend officially begins on July 24, but even basketball's best athletes need to warm up. So, 36 hours before players Paige Bueckers, A'ja Wilson, and Azzi Fudd go head-to-head, they practiced serving red carpet looks at the welcome event.

While the All-Star Game will take over Chicago's United Center, the best of the WNBA initially rubbed elbows inside McCormick Place on July 23. Not everyone on Team Coop and Team Spoon (led by Bueckers and Caitlin Clark, respectively) RSVP'd "yes," however. Clark and Angel Reese reserved their style slam dunks for future step-and-repeats. (Perhaps their tunnel walks?) But plenty of athletes held down the fashion fort in their stead.

Team Coop captain Bueckers set high style expectations for her teammates: Stylist Jason Bolden (who was behind Nicole Kidman's and Gigi Hadid's 2026 Met Gala gowns) dressed the Dallas Wings guard in a two-piece pants set from Prada. Fudd matched her Wings teammate's effortlessly cool energy in a peekaboo bra, distressed jeans, and Coach's Tabby Bag.

Meanwhile, Wilson started the evening's naked trend in a corset dress from Rahul Mishra, complete with a transparent sheer skirt. Chicago Sky forward DiJonai Carrington won't play during Saturday's All-Star Game, but her semi-sheer catsuit deserves an honorary trophy for "Most Daring Look of the Weekend."

The 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend is just getting started. Ahead, see all the best looks from basketball's Met Gala. Be sure to bookmark this page, because Marie Claire will keep highlighting red carpet and tunnel walk serves until the final free throw.

Angel Reese (Atlanta Dream)

Continuing her Barbie-inspired style, Angel Reese arrived ahead of July 25's game wearing a custom LaPointe Pink Mini Dress, which included a long sheer pink robe trimmed with bright pink feathers.

Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks)

Nneka Ogwumike made an entrance in a Kai Collective matching set, which taps into the celeb-beloved rugby shirt trend. Her outfit consisted of the brand's Rafa Striped Long Sleeve Rugby Shirt and matching Parachute Pants, paired with strappy sandals.

Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream)

Atlanta Dream player Rhyne Howard arrived at July 25's 2026 WNBA All-Star Game wearing ÖFUURË's Denim Pinstripe Rue Button-Up Shirt and matching Wide-Leg Pants.

Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark let her accessories do the talking. The WNBA player paired her sporty red two-piece set with Prada's Bonnie Medium Printed Linen and Leather Handbag and the fashion house's Bow-Detail Leather Pumps.

A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)

A'ja Wilson arrived on the carpet wearing a custom-made outfit from her Nike A'Two collection, which included a deconstructed tracksuit and track jacket with a sculpted bodice.

Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics)

Washington Mystics star Sonia Citron paired wide-leg brown pants with on-trend yellow pumps and a bold green and white pinstripe shirt.

Marina Mabrey (Toronto Tempo)

Toronto Tempo player Marina Mabrey styled a vintage tee with over-the-knee black PVC pointed-toe boots and a mustard yellow jacket. For accessories, Mabrey carried a Louis Vuitton OnTheGo East West Bag.

Angel Reese (Atlanta Dream)

Following the announcement that Mattel is releasing an Angel Reese Barbie, the Atlanta Dream star was spotted carrying a bag worthy of the iconic doll—a neon pink Hermès Birkin 25. Reese styled her Birkin with a pale pink sequin skirt, a pink silk halter top adorned with crystals, and matching strappy sandals.

Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks and Triplets)

As a former Los Angeles Sparks player turned Triplets coach, Lisa Leslie arrived at the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend in a vibrant pink tracksuit, which she paired with the perfect bag. Coach's iconic Tabby Bag has been having a moment in 2026, which means Leslie's choice of accessory is right on time.

A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)

Former Marie Claire cover star A'ja Wilson is not one to turn down a naked dress. Last year, her vintage Mugler dress showed skin on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. This time around, the beaded skirt of her stunning LBD was see-through.

Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings)

Prada teamed up with Bueckers at the All-Star Weekend. She posed for photographers in a sleeveless cool blue button-down, khaki trousers, an ivory suit tie, and the white sneakers trend.

Azzi Fudd (Dallas Wings)

In April 2026, Fudd wore custom Coach as the WNBA's No. 1 draft pick. For the All-Star Weekend, she returned to the brand. The athlete styled the Bella Hadid-beloved Tabby Bag with a leather bralette, a plaid blazer, distressed jeans, and pointy black pumps.

Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty)

Bermuda shorts were the MVP at the start of the WNBA All-Star Weekend. Breanna Stewart picked a leather pair to complement her Public School New York blazer and Christian Louboutin loafers.

DiJonai Carrington (Chicago Sky)

Carrington followed Wilson's lead in a lacy black jumpsuit, which boasted see-through sleeves and form-fitting leggings. Oversized bangles and gold ankle-strap stilettos elevated the lingerie-adjacent look.

Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces)

Jackie Young sported similar Bermuda shorts and loafers on the Orange Carpet, swapping a button-down for a lacy bralette.

Flau'jae Johnson (Seattle Storm)

At the 2026 WNBA Draft, Flau'jae Johnson brought the drama in a black velvet gown and a carpet-sweeping fur stole. Fast forward a few months, and she stole the show again in a polka-dotted yellow look from L.A. label Bent Kahina. She accessorized with a Coach Tabby Bag.

Kahleah Cooper (Phoenix Mercury)

It wouldn't be a WNBA affair without some sneakers on the Orange Carpet. Kahleah Cooper's dressed down her textured suit with low-tops from Rick Owens.

Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream)

Allisha Gray's black barrel-leg pants played with proportions, just like her cropped shoulder-padded jacket, shield sunglasses, and bulky combat boots.

Jonquel Jones (New York Liberty)

The Bermuda shorts series continued once Jonquel Jones arrived. Black leather moto boots, a cropped white button-down, and a waist chain separated her take on the trend from her teammates'.

Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever)

Aliyah Boston's royal blue dress—which featured a high neck, waist cut-outs, and ruching atop her hips—paid tribute to her team colors, without being too on-the-nose.

Gabby Williams (Golden State Valkyries)

Gabby Williams turned heads in a leather bandeau top, a high-low skirt, and leather opera gloves, but her metallic accessories (especially her kisslock clutch and bracelets) went for gold.

Natasha Howard (Minnesota Lynx)

Natasha Howard twisted traditional suit styling on its head in a cropped, stand-collar jacket and matching pinstripe trousers. Even her two-tone loafers felt unconventional, thanks to white leather vamps.

Kiki Iriafen (Washington Mystics)

Kiki Iriafen isn't your average basketball star, so she couldn't attend the All-Star Weekend in an average LBD. Her strapless style boasted velvet paneling, semi-sheer lace sides, and feather trim from knee to hem.

Kelsey Plum (Los Angeles Sparks)

To put her own spin on the Bermuda shorts trend, Kelsey Plum paired a flared navy blue pair with a plunge top sculpted out of suit ties. The burgundy slingbacks added a pop of color.

Fans of Summer House know that Lindsay Hubbard really clocks in. For 10 seasons, she has shared the highs and lows of her relationships, weathered friendship breakups and makeups, and moved storylines along in ways that have benefitted the show as a whole. (And viewers are thankful!)

Through it all, Hubbard has never seemed to lack confidence, and her boldness is now on full display in the spinoff series, In the City, which follows a group of friends in New York navigating marriages, parenthood, and of course, all the drama that comes with being in a friend group on reality TV. But where does that unwavering confidence come from? According to Hubbard, it dates back to her teenage years, when she landed her first job at Winn-Dixie.

"At 14 years old, my dad was like, 'Hey, Linds, do you want a car when you're 16?' I'm like, "Yeah, totally. I totally want a car.' He's like, 'Cool. How are you gonna pay for it?' And I was like, 'Guess I'll go get a job.' And literally the next day, I went to Winn-Dixie, which is a grocery store in the south ... and I started as a grocery bag girl."

From there, Hubbard went on to work at Outback Steakhouse and in bars and clubs before launching her career in public relations. She was running her own PR company when she began filming Summer House in 2016.

"I've always moved through life very confidently, because of that," the 39-year-old says of her work ethic. "And when you have confidence as a human, not even because of looks or intelligence, but because everything that I have is earned, that gives me the power that you can never take away."

Protecting that part of herself has become especially important in light of two recent developments: the Summer House scandal that rocked the Bravo fandom earlier this year and the latest chapter of Hubbard's love life.

As shown on the Summer House reunion, Hubbard was baffled by Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s decision to begin seeing each other behind their castmates’ backs. In her view, they failed to consider the bigger picture and risked the future of the show in the process. Ultimately, neither Batula nor Wilson will return for Season 11.

"I was like, hello, are you guys okay? Like, have you thought about how this this doesn't just impact the four of you? It impacts so many people. Everyone on these couches, two different TV shows, our executives, our editors ... Like, what are you doing? You're sitting here saying like you weighed out all the options, but did you? Because it doesn't seem like you did."

Hubbard explains why this cut so deep for her. "There's one thing that like will fuck me up—it's bigger than heartbreak for me—if you come for my money ... If you threaten the things that I've worked hard for, that's the worst thing that you can ever do to me."

With that in mind, Hubbard is determined not to let a romantic partner jeopardize her career either, especially after realizing she and her daughter’s father (who has never appeared on the show) were not on the same page.

"He's a very private person. I'm a very public person," Hubbard says. "I don't think he fully understood the level of public that I am. It came down to, like, decisions were gonna have to be made, right? I will never put myself in that position again. So, as I'm now dating, I'm very clear that I will always choose my career over the guy, because I don't want to have to choose. Either you get on board with my lifestyle, because I can't put the toothpaste back in the tube."

For more from Hubbard—including the moment she knew she and Batula had "very different" values—check out this week's installment of "Nice Talk." The episode is available everywhere you listen to podcasts.

Lovers of the romance genre have been absolutely spoiled in recent months with a steady stream of film and TV adaptations of beloved novels and book series. From Off Campus to Every Year After to the first onscreen version (so far) of an Emily Henry novel, romance readers and watchers alike have been booked and busy. And it’s not stopping: Still to come this year are adaptations of Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis and Katherine Center’s The Bodyguard. At the same time, this summer has also heralded the arrival of the second season of Netflix’s Ransom Canyon.

The Netflix show is based on a long-running series of cowboy romance novels by prolific author Jodi Thomas. Each dives into the life and love stories of a broad cast of characters throughout a West Texas ranching community. With the next set of eight episodes arriving on the streaming service on July 23, there’s no time like the present to dive into Thomas’ books—and, just in time, we’ve compiled a guide to help you on your journey through the neo-Western saga.

How do the 'Ransom Canyon' books compare to the Netflix series?

The first season of Netflix’s Ransom Canyon hews fairly close to the first book in Thomas’ book series, with its primary focus on Staten and Quinn. However, it also expands the roles of certain characters, such as Lucas and Yancy, who only briefly appear in the first book before having their stories fleshed out in later installments. Similarly, other characters, like Lauren, debuted in the show right away, while their arcs are introduced much later in the novels.

But beyond season 1, expect the show to veer off in a pretty drastically different direction from Thomas’ novels. Showrunner April Blair has said that the series essentially used the first Ransom Canyon book as a jumping-off point and will continue expanding the primary characters' lives and stories, instead of turning its attention to a new couple each season, as Thomas' books do.

“In Jodi’s series, each novel introduces a whole new cast of characters. It’s almost kind of anthology-like, and some characters reappear from time to time, but it really is like a whole new group of people,” Blair told Deadline when season 1 premiered. “That wasn’t really an achievable thing for us in series. We wanted to stick with one cast, so we stuck to the single book as this jumping-off point.”

So—spoilers for the first Ransom Canyon book and season ahead!—while the first novel in Thomas’ series ends with Staten and Quinn deciding to be together and preparing to welcome a baby, the TV show is stretching out their relationship into a will-they, won’t-they. After Quinn heads off to New York at the end of the first season, she returns to Texas in season 2 to figure out where she’s meant to be. She even has a new love interest (Ben Robson’s Oliver), making things even more complicated between her and Staten.

Everything to Know About the Main 'Ransom Canyon' Series

Book 1 — 'Ransom Canyon'

Thomas’ initial entry in the series arrived in 2015 and primarily follows an older Staten who’s haunted by memories and often turns to the artsy, reclusive Quinn O’Grady for comfort. In the Netflix series, this core couple is played by Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly. The book also charts the coming-of-age story of the ambitious Lucas (Garrett Wareing in the show) and the potential start of a new life for petty criminal Yancy (played by Jack Schumacher).

Book 2 — 'Rustler’s Moon'

The main romance in Book 2 centers on Angela Harrell, a woman who ends up in Ransom Canyon while on the run from her past life, and Wilkes Wagner, who has also recently landed back in town to take over his family ranch. The novel also picks back up with Lucas, who’s keeping his high school sweetheart Lauren (portrayed by Lizzy Greene) in a frustrating situationship instead of committing to the full-fledged relationship he’s long promised.

Book 3 — 'Lone Heart Pass'

Lone Heart Pass introduces yet another ranch in Ransom Canyon: The rundown Lone Heart farm, which Jubilee Hamilton inherits. Still reeling from a career crash-out and a breakup to boot, Jubilee soon finds sparks flying with the gruff new foreman she’s hired, Charley Collins. They’re also joined on the farm by Thatcher Jones, who needs a safe place to land while tangled up in a murder investigation.

Book 4 — 'Sunrise Crossing'

Yancy’s back in Book 4, focusing on getting his life together and rebuilding his old house in Crossroads, Texas. There, he crosses paths with an artist, Tori, who’s hiding out from her controlling parents. Intertwined in their love story is that of Parker, Tori’s gallery manager, who hitches a ride with strong, silent cowboy Gabe to come to the artist’s aid.

Book 5 — 'Wild Horse Springs'

Thomas’ fifth book in the main Ransom Canyon series also circles back to some OG characters, as Lauren returns to her hometown and finds herself right back in the orbit of her first love, Lucas. Elsewhere, her dad Dan (played by Philip Winchester in the Netflix series) just might decide it’s time to spice up his steady life with the help of free-spirited singer Brandi.

Book 6 — 'Indigo Lake'

We’re back at the Lone Heart farm, now inherited by Blade Hamilton, who rides into his ancestors’ dusty Texas town on a motorcycle. He finds a star-crossed lover in Dakota, who can’t seem to resist Blade’s charms, despite the longstanding feud between their families. Meanwhile, Lauren is struggling to figure out where she really belongs: pursuing a big-city life or getting back to her comfortable roots in the canyon.

Book 7 — 'Mistletoe Miracles'

The penultimate novel in the main Ransom Canyon series centers on three separate people, each of whom ends up with a Christmas miracle on their hands. There’s Griffin Holloway, who’s decided the best way to save his family’s Maverick Ranch is by marrying a wealthy bride by the end of the year; Jaxon O’Grady, who learns from an unexpected visitor that maybe he actually isn’t as content in his solitude as he thought; and Jamie Johnson, who discovers a mysterious man sleeping on her couch—and claiming to be her husband.

Book 8 — 'Christmas in Winter Valley'

The eighth and final book in Thomas’ core series is another wintry tale and centers on two more of the Holloway men. Cooper, trying to avoid family Christmastime chaos, retreats to the remote Winter Valley, only to be visited by two strangers who each deeply impact his life. Elliott stays put at Maverick Ranch, where he’s juggling farm finances, an overbearing family, and the re-emergence of a past love.

Are there any 'Ransom Canyon' prequel novels?

You could start your Ransom Canyon reading journey by diving into the prequels, which Thomas published in 2015 and 2025—or you could read them later on after you've been introduced to some of the characters, considering these feature more of their and the town's origin story.

The first prequel, Winter’s Camp, is set in the frontier era and explains how the Ransom Canyon community came to be by following a young James Randall Kirkland on his journey west, where he comes across a beautiful Apache woman named Millie and is quickly smitten.

Silverleaf Rapids, Thomas’ latest addition to the series, picks up several generations later and further sets up the stories to come. A young Staten Kirkland leaves college early to take over his family’s Double K Ranch in the wake of his grandfather J.R.’s illness, forcing him to grow up quickly and shoulder quite a bit of responsibility. Meanwhile, two other couples you’ll soon come to know and love—Peggy and Duke, and Charlotte and Wade—are also finding each other in the small Texas town.

Are there any other books in the 'Ransom Canyon' series?

Thompson simply can’t get enough of Ransom Canyon Christmastime tales: In 2017, between Indigo Lake and Mistletoe Miracles, she published A Christmas Affair, a novella telling the very sweet love story of Maria, a hopeless romantic who makes jams and jellies to be sold at the local grocery store, and Wes, the store’s shy owner.

Otherwise, Thompson hasn’t said anything about publishing any other Ransom Canyon books. But while we continue to hold out hope for still more installments, there are plenty more series and standalone romance books from the author to dive into, most of which are also set in Texas and span both contemporary and historical love stories.

Netflix's reality TV series The Ultimatum holds an awkward place in the world of dating shows. While, like its sister show Love Is Blind, the Lachey-led series glorifies marriage as the ideal happy ending, its path towards said marriage is via a diabolical "social experiment" that's only rivaled by Temptation Island.

The Ultimatum season 4, which just wrapped on Netflix, took that dissonance to the next level, as five out of its six couples left the show engaged...before the reunion revealed that a good number went on to meet brutal ends. Add on the whiplash of season 4's finale and reunion dropping on the same day, and you get a sense of why The Ultimatum's rollercoaster can quickly go from thrilling to harrowing.

Below, read on to learn which of The Ultimatum season 4 couples are still together, from the pairs who split up soon after the finale, to the couple that's already married.

Are Alex and Jebin still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 4 reunion?

The first sign that season 4 would be the messiest yet was when Jebin and Alex became the first couple to be kicked out of the "experiment," rather than leaving of their own accord. Arriving on the show, the couple of six years were stuck in limbo due to cultural differences and Jebin's immaturity, which seemed to turn off most of the female cast members. Alex began to click with Killian during the dating stage, but once she admitted to Jebin that she may have been "falling for" Killian, Jebin passed her a secret note where he accused her of making him look dumb and wrote, "There is no way we are getting married." With the whole cast (and the Lacheys) turned against him, Jebin was asked to leave the show at the recoupling dinner, and Alex had to leave with him.

Despite that wild exit, Jebin and Alex revealed at the reunion that they continued to date for another few months before they eventually split, partly due to "Jebin’s expectations around finance and fitness." As for the note, Jebin has no regrets, and Alex says she understood that Jebin's note was fueled by insecurities. That's despite the fact that both of them told Tudum Jebin had written a second, worse note that he planned to share at the dinner. (And Alex eventually read it!) Nowadays, the pair are single and on good terms (which is more than you can say for some of the other couples), and Jebin has apparently moved to Puerto Rico. Sure.

Are Jessica Grace and Edris still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 4 reunion?

Most seasons of The Ultimatum include one couple who doesn't make it to the partner-swapping stage, with one of them (often the man) coming to their senses and making a show of commitment at the recoupling dinner. For season 4, it's Edris who gets down on one knee and proposes to Jessica Grace, his ultimatum-giving girlfriend of two years, in episode 3. Though this was in theory exactly what she wanted, the look on Edris' face as they left the dinner didn't seem to match the joy of the occasion.

After leaving the show early, Jessica Grace and Edris returned for the reunion. As it turns out, they're no longer engaged, nor in contact. Edris admits that he proposed because he had no potential trial partner left after Alex was kicked off the show. After a frosty first night together as an engaged couple, Jessica Grace and Edris did go to couples' counseling—but one of her final straws was him accusing her of only becoming friends with Alex because he was attracted to her. (After his major concern entering the show was that Jessica Grace was "too friendly with other men.") Also, Edris hit on Alex via text while he and Jessica Grace were in the process of breaking up but still physically intimate. (Edris explains this more graphically.)

So yeah, Jessica Grace and Edris are both single, and after he got so crass and she got so heated at the reunion, it seems to be for the best.

Are Hayley and Blake still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 4 reunion?

In a very messy season, Hayley and Blake were half of season 4's most dramatic foursome. They joined the show two years into their relationship, with Blake giving the ultimatum. From the start, they both admitted they were complete opposites, and emotional Hayley felt that logical Blake wasn't showing her love the way she needed (by employing all five love languages). For their first trial marriage, they swapped partners with Ashley and Killian. Those trial marriages were mostly dominated by Killian's chaos (more on that below), but by the time Hayley and Blake reunited, they hadn't made much progress on their own issues.

Ahead of the finale, the pair seemed to go around in circles having the same argument about who's putting in more effort. After one blowout, Hayley admitted that she had been following unhealthy patterns in relationships and had felt some resentment about being emotionally neglected. On the day of the finale, Blake promised to love Hayley the way she wanted, and Hayley was ready to say yes to his proposal. But the happy mood didn't last once cameras stopped rolling.

Even before the finale and reunion dropped, TMZ reported that Blake had been arrested for allegedly assaulting Hayley several months after filming ended. Though Hayley didn't press charges, she hints during the reunion that Blake convinced her to sign an affidavit that he didn't put his hands on her. The pair have very different stories regarding the incident, with both accusing the other of getting physical. (Though Blake mostly talked over Hayley during the reunion, she shared her side of the story on Love Is Blind alum AD Smith's "What's the Reality?" podcast.) Per Tudum, they were able to come to a bit more of a resolution after the reunion ended; they are now both single.

Are Ashley and Killian still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 4 reunion?

Ashley and Killian are the second couple supplying season 4's drama. When the former competitive cheerleaders arrived on the show four years into their relationship, Ashley was ready to get married, but they both agreed that they needed her father's approval. But we learned throughout the season that Killian had been disrespectful towards Ashley before, and he even briefly admitted to cheating on her. (Why didn't this come up again?!)

Though Killian's trial marriage with Hayley was pure mess—and Blake and Hayley warned Ashley about Killian's gross comments in Killian's group chat and his comment that he would've slept with Hayley if she wasn't "modest"—Ashley still claimed that she'd seen some growth in Killian once they reunited. Once he put in the work to win Ashley's dad's blessing, the couple walked away from the finale an engaged couple.

When they walked back onto the reunion stage a year later, Ashley revealed that she ended things with Killian two or three months after filming wrapped. They both recalled dealing with lingering jealousy about their time with Blake and Hayley once they got home. Ashley even claimed that in one incident, a drunk Killian threw her phone and put his hands on her. Though Killian owned up to treating her horribly and apologized, he also argued that she wouldn't take accountability for her part in the split, and that she didn't pour as much into him as she did into her.

In the end, Ashley admitted that her dad "was right," and they weren't meant to be together. They're both now single; Ashley, who moved back to Texas, told The Swooon that she's in her "dating era" (and may have her eyes on Perfect Match).

Are Monica and Luke still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 4 reunion?

Monica and Luke had a pretty smooth journey throughout the season. The childhood-neighbors-turned-lovers arrived on the show with Luke ready to get married, but Monica had financial concerns and was frustrated that Luke considered her perfect and put her on a pedestal. In their trial marriages, they worked on meeting in the middle, with Monica learning to be vulnerable and Luke being more confident about taking charge.

At the reunion, Luke and Monica reveal that they've spent the year since filming traveling, hustling, and redoing their proposal (a private moment with just the two of them on their fifth anniversary). Luke says that after the show, he had more confidence in both their relationship and his career; he's gotten certified and is now applying to become a lineman. The couple is currently planning their wedding in Santa Barbara and seems happier than ever.

Are Casey and David still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 4 reunion?

Casey and David are another one of two success stories of this tumultuous installment. Coming onto the show, they were five years into their relationship, and David was more hesitant about marriage as a whole than about Casey. David and Casey went into trial marriages with Monica and Luke, respectively, and the time away from Casey helped David get vulnerable about his parents' divorce and subsequent rocky relationships. Though Casey and David still had issues to work through once they reunited—including David not paying his student loans—he realized, thanks to a heart-to-heart with Casey's dad, that he wasn't doomed to repeat his parents' history. In the finale, David fully opened his heart to Casey, and the couple shared an emotional proposal.

Fast-forward a year later, and Casey and David are still together and happy. They explained at the reunion that they've grown stronger since David began sharing his worries and fears with Casey, and that they'd learned how to argue productively. David even shared that his mom told him, "You made me believe in love again."

If that isn't enough of a happy ending, Casey and David have also made The Ultimatum history. The pair are getting married on the Amalfi Coast this September, but for the legal stateside nuptials, the pair asked Nick Lachey (who's ordained, because of course he is) to marry them during the reunion! It's not a baby, but it still brings Vanessa to tears, and Nick sings a bit for the first(?) time on Love is Blind and The Ultimatum. What a way to cap off a reunion.

The YA genre tends to dominate lists of buzzy book-to-TV adaptations, but now and then, viewers crave a more mature adult romance. Thankfully, Peacock has already snapped up one of #BookTok's most beloved, complex love stories to bring it to screens.

Since 2022, author Kennedy Ryan has enthralled readers with emotional, breathtaking romances that also explore deeper issues like depression, grief, chronic illness, financial hardship, and caring for an aging parent. Now, several of these love stories may be headed to our TVs; in April 2026, Universal Studio Group announced a "first-look" deal with Ryan in which she can develop not only projects based on her own books, but also new original stories and adaptations from other authors. First up: a series based on her breakout novel Before I Let Go, which is in development at Peacock.

"Kennedy’s stories are deeply resonant and culturally impactful, and we are excited to collaborate on adaptations that honor her vision while connecting with audiences in bold, meaningful ways. Not only is she a celebrated and powerful voice in the literary space, but she leads with thoughtfulness and creativity. We can’t wait to work with her to bring these new and existing stories to life," Jordan Moblo, USG’s executive VP of creative acquisitions and IP management, said in a statement.

Though it's still early days for Ryan's journey from page to screen, we've already begun keeping an eye out for any news on the adaptation of her most-loved novel. Read on for everything we know about the Before I Let Go TV series adaptation so far.

What is 'Before I Let Go' by Kennedy Ryan about?

Before I Let Go, the first book in Kennedy Ryan's Skyland series, is a "scorching emotional second chance romance" about ex-spouses who can't help but be drawn back to each other.

Yasmen and Josiah Wade built a life together that includes two children and a successful restaurant in the Atlanta neighborhood Skyland. But following a pair of unthinkable tragedies, their marriage falls apart. Before I Let Go picks up two years after their divorce, which they spent learning to co-parent and run their business together amid the new normal.

After dealing with so much change, both Yasmen and Josiah are ready to date again. But as the spark between them reemerges—and spurs some spicy stolen moments—they begin to wonder whether they're really ready to let go of forever.

As Ryan has explained, "this is a love story for realists." "[This] may sound funny coming from a romance writer, but the romance I write leans into the realities of life and really makes no attempt to escape them," the writer has said. "These two people, who loved each other so very much, had a lot to work through on their own. I’m not saying they or anyone else has to divorce to do that, but for this story and the decisions this couple made, time apart reformed them into people who could be happy and healthy together."

Who is involved behind-the-scenes of Peacock's 'Before I Let Go' series adaptation?

With development underway, Universal is already building a dream team for Before I Let Go. In addition to serving as executive producer, Ryan is co-writing the series alongside Malcolm D. Lee, the writer and director behind the classic Black rom-com franchise The Best Man. Lee has also directed comedy films like Roll Bounce and Girls Trip, so Lee's a perfect fit for the material.

There will likely be more announcements for additional names joining the series as Ryan and Lee build out the show.

What has Kennedy Ryan said about Peacock's 'Before I Let Go' series adaptation?

On the day the deal was announced, Ryan shared a comprehensive update on the Before I Let Go adaptation and the full scope of the "first look" deal.

"Getting the chance to co-write the Before I Let Go pilot with Malcolm D. Lee is such an honor and an incredible experience," she wrote. "We are working hard to bring you the show you deserve! We’ve been plotting and cooking for a while. This opportunity has given me not only a great collaborator, but a friend! We’ll share more when the time is right."

Who has been cast in the 'Before I Let Go' series adaptation?

With Before I Let Go still in early development, no one has been cast in the series yet. Of course, that hasn't stopped devout readers from throwing their fan casts into the ring. Names that have been thrown out include Trevonte Rhodes, Aldis Hodge, McKinley Freeman, Jay Ellis, Jayme Lawson, Yaya DaCosta, and Teyonah Parris, among others. Start manifesting your dream Yasmen and Josiah now!

Love Island USA may be over (aside from the reunion), but Netflix is extending this summer of reality TV. The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, the streaming giant's controversial dating show, has returned for a fourth season of partner-swapping chaos. From the producers of Love Is Blind, The Ultimatum recruits couples at a crossroads to test whether they're really meant for marriage by splitting them up to see if the grass would be greener with someone else. After two trial marriages—one with a new match and another with their original partner—each couple has to decide whether to get engaged or part ways.

Season 4 of the divisive reality show brings three couples to Sin City to work out issues ranging from broken boundaries to parental pushback to emotional barriers. (This installment also marks the first time a couple has been kicked off the show.) Below, read on for a primer on the stars of The Ultimatum season 4, ahead of the July 22nd finale.

Hayley and Blake

Hayley's Instagram: @hayleydinae

Blake's Instagram: @theblakerobertson

Who Gave the Ultimatum? Blake

26-year-old Capricorn Blake and 23-year-old Sagittarius Hayley fell for each other two years before joining the show, while Hayley was nannying Blake's stepbrothers. Practical Blake is ready to take the logical next step and start his ideal big family, but Hayley still wants Blake to open up more and meet her emotional needs.

Ashley and Killian

Ashley's Instagram: @ashleywilsonxoxo

Killian's Instagram: @thekilliangrondin

Who Gave the Ultimatum? Ashley

26-year-old content creator Ashley and 29-year-old real estate agent Killian first met as teenagers on rival competitive cheer teams and then reunited by chance in Miami. After four years of living together and raising two dogs, Ashley's ready to start building a life with him. However, after a "family altercation" that compelled Ashley's dad to rescind his blessing, the couple has been concerned about having her family's full support.

Casey and David

Casey's Instagram: @caseycdouglass

David's Instagram: @davidatkinson_1

Who Gave the Ultimatum? Casey

Over the five years they've been dating, 33-year-old basketball player David has given 34-year-old entrepreneur Casey three promise rings. In addition to "running out of finger space," Casey is ready for marriage, kids, and the kind of long-term partnership that she grew up seeing with her grandparents. However, David is still worried that even if he fully devotes himself to her, she may wake up one day and leave.

Monica and Luke

Monica's Instagram: @monicapaynee

Luke's Instagram: @lukaswesselhoff

Who Gave the Ultimatum? Luke

33-year-old Luke and 28-year-old Monica may be five years into their relationship, but he's had a crush on her since they were kids living down the street from each other. They reunited when they both went home during the pandemic and have been together ever since. Though lover-boy Luke says they can get through anything together, Monica is an admitted "high maintenance girlie" who wants to have her career and finances in line before she ties the knot.

Jessica Grace and Edris

Jessica Grace's Instagram: @jg_booker

Edris' Instagram: @escissorsman

Who Gave the Ultimatum? Jessica Grace

Former NBA dancer Jessica Grace, 35, has been ready to marry her boyfriend of two years, 38-year-old actuary Edris, for a while. She's also on a timeline, between wanting to have kids and her dad's declining health. Though Edris is on the same page about children, he told Tudum that he "wasn’t sure Jessica and I shared the same values around boundaries, respect, and emotional safety in a relationship."

Alex and Jebin

Alex's Instagram: @alexandriajohnsen

Jebin's Instagram: @jebinjohn

Who Gave the Ultimatum? Alex

Hairstylist Alex and hedge-fund manager Jebin, both 23, have spent the past six years together after meeting as co-workers at a Chicago grocery store. Alex is ready to move to the next step in their relationship, but Jebin faces unsupportive parents who are wary because Alex isn't of Indian descent. With The Ultimatum also marking his first time living outside of his parents' home, Jebin wonders if building a new life could mean losing his family in the process.

One subway stop away from The Odyssey press tour, the biggest names in sports were having their own style epic in New York. First, athletes like Alysa Liu, Lindsey Vonn, and Eileen Gu attended the 2026 ESPY Awards. A day later, on July 16, fashion's favorite Olympians reunited at the 2026 TIME100 Sports Gala.

Four months after the TIME100 Gala (which welcomed Hailey Bieber in a Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy-coded Calvin Klein dress), the magazine rolled out the red carpet again to honor the inaugural TIME100 Sports list. To celebrate being named the "Most Influential People in Sports," Liu, Vonn, and Gu outdid themselves in designer dresses that showcased their personal styles outside of the sports arena.

Liu showed her daring side in a naked mermaid gown from London Label Nicholas Oakwell; Vonn's keyhole cut-out dress tapped into the tomato-red color trend; and Gu looked practically ethereal in an ivory satin slip with cape-style sleeves. Fellow honorees Jordan Chiles and Mikaela Shiffrin proved they're fashion girls to watch, too.

Keep reading for these (and more!) best red carpet looks at the 2026 TIME100 Sports Gala.

Alysa Liu

After her ESPYs Louis Vuitton look flaunted her new lower back tattoo, Alysa Liu continued with the risqué red carpet attire at the 2026 TIME100 Sports Gala. Her stylist, Katie Qian, teamed up with Nicholas Oakwell on a lacy black gown, featuring sheer corsetry, cap sleeves, and a Mandarin collar. She accessorized her look with custom Pandora jewelry.

Jordan Chiles

Jordan Chiles, an Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast and Dancing with the Stars finalist, brought her fashion A-game in a little black dress from Oscar de la Renta Fall 2026. Olive green vines and 3-D flowers added visual interest to the mini.

Ciara

While representing the NFL's fashion-forward WAGs, Ciara went for a menswear-inspired look in an oversized blazer-turned-mini dress. Wearing the ivory suit without any trousers kept the attention on its rhinestones and lace trim.

Lindsey Vonn

Two weeks after Taylor Swift styled a custom Monse mini at her now-husband's football event, Lindsey Vonn sourced the New York brand for an asymmetrical Resort 2027 dress. She paired the tomato-red style with a teeny-tiny clutch, a gold watch, and matching metallic sandals.

Eileen Gu

Following her shade-shifting dress at the ESPYs, the freestyle skier kept her TIME100 look classic in an ivory high-neck number, complete with floral-stamped satin and an embroidered silver bodice.

Mikaela Shiffrin

Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin showed up in an off-the-shoulder black dress, which sparkled just as much as her gold Winter Olympics medal.

Chloe Kim

Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim was a vision in a white cut-out dress. Before posing with her boyfriend, Los Angeles Rams star Myles Garrett, she accessorized the strapless style with a matching carpet-sweeping shawl.

Jalen and Ali Brunson

New York Knicks royalty was in the house. Jalen and Ali Brunson served major couples style inspiration in matching black looks. The texture on Ali's LBD spiced up an otherwise timeless silhouette.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates

The cute couple moments continued once Olympic figure skaters Madison Chock and Evan Bates arrived. All eyes were on Chock's ruby red gown, specifically its botanical embroidery.

Kristin and Kyle Juszczyk

By the end of the evening, the floral gown trend deserved an honorary TIME100 mention. Following Chiles's and Chock's leads, Kristin Juszczyk brought the drama in a corseted rose-printed piece from Richard Quinn. Getting déjà vu? That's because both Lisa Rinna and Kendall Jenner have worn the same trumpet design.

Spoilers ahead for Love Island USA season 8, which you can stream now on Peacock. The best seasons of Love Island USA have at least one buzzy second-chance romance; in season 8, that honor belongs to 23-year-old Aniya Harvey and 28-year-old Carl Schmidt. After original Islander Aniya's initial coupling with KC Chandler came to a dramatic end, Casa boy Carl swooped in as her prince charming and won the hearts of the audience. Though Trinity Tatum and Bryce Detloff walked away the winners of season 8, Aniya and Carl were the season's undisputed fairytale.

Now that the couple's back home from Fiji and preparing for the season 8 reunion, we're breaking down Aniya and Carl's relationship so far and their plans outside the villa.

What happened between Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt on 'Love Island USA' season 8?

Carl and Aniya's love story began when Carl entered the villa as one of 12(!) men brought in for Casa Amor. Only six of the boys were chosen to stay, but Carl was chosen after he and Aniya bonded over their shared love of volleyball. The pair spent all of Casa getting to know each other, but even though they had some steamy kisses and Aniya gushed over how great he was, she still had feelings for KC. She even cried when she saw a picture of KC kissing newcomer Titi Davis.

When Casa came to an end, Aniya remained loyal to KC, and she was humiliated when KC came back with Titi and seemed unrepentant. Since he wasn't chosen, a single Carl was dumped from the villa, and Aniya quickly regretted her decision. Luckily, Episode 21 ended with a brilliant twist where America voted to bring back one girl and one boy from Casa. Carl made his triumphant return in the next episode's cake-themed challenge, instantly cheering up Aniya.

Though Carl had said during Aftersun that he had some walls up after Aniya's choice, those walls were clearly made of air. They quickly picked up where they left off, with Carl making cute breakfasts for Aniya and the pair sharing more makeout sessions in Say Less. When the male Islanders got the chance to recouple after Movie Night, Carl shared his intentions with the iconic line, "Revenge is sweet, but this girl is a little sweeter."

From there, Carl and Aniya were one of the couples that floated through the final week of season 8. Their karaoke challenge was adorable, they got flirty in bed, and their respective families were (and remain) big fans of their relationship. The volleyball lovers even got one of the most romantic finale dates in the show's history, a Princess and the Frog moment with a custom storybook that made Aniya's princess fantasies come true.

In the finale, Aniya and Carl were revealed to be the runners-up for Love Island USA season 8.

Are Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt from 'Love Island USA' season 8 still together?

A little over two weeks after the Love Island USA finale, Carl and Aniya have confirmed that they are taking things slow. The pair appeared as guests on Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live on July 29, alongside season 8 winners Trinity and Bryce. Of course, Cohen made sure to ask the runners-up whether they've made things official.

"No, so we are not officially boyfriend-girlfriend yet," Carl told Cohen. "I came in late; I came during Casa Amor, so [we] had a couple weeks to get to know each other. I honestly feel after two weeks, the connection had just been really strong, and we just feel really really happy. We just kinda want to keep rolling that as long as we can."

Carl also shared new details about his time on the show, revealing that Aniya was his "number one" even before he went into the villa. He explained that producers let the Casa crew watch early episodes, adding, "They would ask us like who our top picks were, you know, and Aniya was always always number one."

He also admitted that his and Aniya's second Say Less kiss knocked down his cotton-candy-thin walls. "She just gave me so much reassurance and was like, 'We can take this at the pace you want.' She felt apologetic, but was also just like very open to keep exploring our relationship," he said. "People joke that the walls that I put up were made out of wet cotton candy. She brought those walls down and really gave me the comfort to feel how I do."

Immediately after Love Island USA season 8 ended, Aniya and Carl also took their romance to social media. On July 15, Aniya went Instagram official with Carl as part of a heartfelt tribute commemorating the season. "I truly cherish the connection I have with Carl and I’m so happy that he made my fairytale dream a reality. I cannot wait to see how our story continues," she wrote.

Carl posted his own tribute the same day, which was a bit more succinct. He captioned a picture from the couple's storybook date with the statement, "Walls were never really up let’s be honest." (The couple also commented "princess" and "prince" on each other's posts, of course.)

Since returning to the States, the couple has been very active on TikTok, where they've been commenting on each other's old posts and sweet fan edits.

Don't underestimate The Summer of Sports on the fashion front. Whether at Wimbledon, the World Cup, or most recently, the 2026 ESPY Awards, the biggest athletes, WAGs, and VIP sports fans have been bringing their style A-game this season. At the latter, athletes like Simone Biles, Alysa Liu, and more styled red carpet looks as effortlessly as they do Team USA gear.

Following the success of the Winter Olympics and the New York Knicks NBA Finals win, style MVPs in the sports community had a lot to celebrate at Lincoln Center on July 15. Olympic figure skater Liu accepted the "Best Breakthrough Athlete" award in a backless Louis Vuitton dress, which flaunted her new lower back tattoo. Always on board for a high-low look, the hemline on Biles's champagne-gold satin style transformed her mini dress into an elegant ballgown. Meanwhile, Jordyn Woods, the designer behind the "lucky" New York Knicks bag, represented her fellow NBA WAGs in a nearly-naked Oscar de la Renta dress.

Ahead, Marie Claire put together a top-tier team of red carpet looks at the 2026 ESPY Awards.

Simone Biles

At the 2025 ESPYs, Simone Biles set a high bar for herself in a custom Athleta dress by Zac Posen. One year later, she stole the show again, thanks to the champagne-gold gown Eman AlAjlan created just for her.

Alysa Liu

For one of her first red carpet events as a Louis Vuitton ambassador, Alysa Liu dazzled in a plunge-neckline halter dress, which tapped into the chocolate brown color trend. Its open back dove just as deep, spotlighting a rosary-style cross necklace and the 20-year-old's new tattoo.

Eileen Gu

Freestyle skier Eileen Gu stuck the sartorial landing in a one-shoulder gown from Guo Pei's Spring 2026 Couture collection. The design's intricate pleating alternated between metallic green and purple, depending on Gu's step-and-repeat poses.

Jordyn Woods

To shine the spotlight on her Oscar de la Renta dress, Jordyn Woods left the Knicks' good luck charm at home. Its orange ostrich leather might've been too bold for the delicate strapless style made of gold chains.

Lauren Betts

Washington Mystics center Lauren Betts didn't walk the ESPYs red carpet. That said, winning the "Best College Athlete—Women's Sports" award allowed her to show off her bedazzled, cap-sleeve black dress.

Lindsey Vonn

Alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn attended the ESPYs despite still recovering from a broken leg injury. That didn't stop her from serving a look in a single-sleeve sequin gown.

Kate Upton

Before presenting an ESPY award with her husband, Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, Kate Upton posed in a royal blue velvet dress from Schiaparelli Fall 2025.

Ilona Maher

Believe it or not, professional rugby player Ilona Maher sourced T.J. Maxx for her cut-out column gown from Retrofête. The bodice's rhinestones sparkled as much as her bronze Paris Olympics medal.

Ayesha Curry

Steph Curry took home the "Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award," but his wife's spider web-inspired Christian Siriano dress made Ayesha Curry the real prize.

Madison Chock

The Christian Siriano streak continued once figure skater Madison Chock arrived at the ESPYs. Her dress's gravity-defying turquoise tulle would've made a theatrical Winter Olympics costume.

Morgan Riddle

Morgan Riddle, tennis-core's biggest influencer, brought the drama in a corseted Thom Browne dress. The black gown with pink lace detailing marked a surprising (but exciting) departure from her US Open-friendly neutrals.

In Christopher Nolan’s new adaptation of The Odyssey, Lupita Nyong'o plays two roles: Helen of Troy and her sister, Clytemnestra. And given that the characters appear in two of the most famous stories of all time—the Iliad and the Odyssey—Nyong’o’s longtime stylist, Micaela Erlanger, had plenty of source material to draw from when shaping the actor’s appropriately epic press tour.

But, as Erlanger tells editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike on the latest episode of the "Nice Talk" podcast, she didn't want to go too literal or venture too far into method dressing territory when it came to Nyong'o's looks. Instead, the stylist let the characters inspire the outfits in more subtle ways.

"For me, it is really thinking about how I want my client to show up as her most authentic self, while also, at times, thinking about the character and thinking about the dichotomy between, in this case, two roles that she's playing," Erlanger says.

With that in mind, she sometimes drew inspiration from Helen, sometimes from Clytemnestra, and sometimes from both at once.

"Perhaps we're playing with more structured silhouettes in one instance, to more fluid Greek-inspired silhouettes in another instance," she says. "I like a little Easter egg here and there. I have a lot of fun with that."

One look that combined both characters was Nyong’o’s stunning dress for the London world premiere of The Odyssey.

"It was a Christian Cowan chainmail gown that was very sleek, very simple silhouette, but when you turn to the side, the shape of the body, the illusion, the giant armholes, it was such a striking, unexpected silhouette," Erlanger says. "I felt like that struck the perfect balance between the two characters that she plays."

Other nods to the film and Greek mythology included a custom Sally LaPointe suit trimmed with ostrich feathers—a reference to Helen being conceived while Zeus was disguised as a swan. Erlanger also paired a Grecian-inspired sandal with a relaxed outfit by The Frankie Shop for one of Nyong'o's press days.

Nyong'o and her women co-stars from The Odyssey have really kept people talking with their looks for the tour, from Zendaya's gown paired with angel wings to Anne Hathaway's glamorous maternity style. Erlanger says that one particularly fashionable and cohesive group moment wasn't planned.

For a London photocall, Erlanger dressed Nyong'o in a white Chanel skirt and blouse. "You know what was so funny? All the women showed up and they complimented each other for the photocall. They were all in white," Erlanger says. "We couldn't have planned it better. I mean, we didn't plan it. It just happened."

While Erlanger says stylists sometimes consult with one another when their clients will appear together, that wasn’t the case here.

"In this instance, there was no time to do that. But yeah, on other film projects, absolutely. I think it's really helpful. I like to know the color of the carpet. I like to know what the background is going to be, because I want to think about how my client is going to show up in an environment or in a space. You know, what's the time of day?" she says. "All of this sort of informs things. So this was a 10 a.m. photocall in London, and I thought the look was amazing. And they looked great together, which was a bonus."

For more from Erlanger—including working with Meryl Streep on the Devil Wears Prada 2 press tour—check out this week's installment of "Nice Talk." The episode is available everywhere you listen to podcasts.

The 2026 World Cup lasted from June 11 to July 19, which gave celebrities plenty of time to land on the best-dressed list. While fashion-forward soccer stars like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé performed on the sport's biggest stage, looks from Victoria Beckham, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and more match-goers scored goals in the stands.

Much like Wimbledon 2026, fashion girls started stealing the show during the first week of the World Cup games. Shakira's opening ceremony outfit—which featured a custom neon yellow bodysuit by Off-White—set high style expectations. Once Shakira blew the sartorial whistle, Anya Taylor-Joy cheered for Argentina in Adidas; Lola Tung tested the track shorts trend while Brazil and Morocco tied; and Barbara Palvin celebrated Team USA in an all-black maternity look.

Before Team Spain took on Team Argentina in the final match, everyone from Beyoncé and Dua Lipa to Rihanna and Kylie Jenner found their VIP suites. Statement capris and Bermuda shorts (summer's biggest pants trends) helped Beyoncé and Rihanna tie for first place at the wardrobe World Cup. Meanwhile, Jenner's all-black look took a more laid-back approach to the cropped-pant trend. (Her boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, tried the sports jersey trend for both of them.)

And just like that, FIFA presented the championship trophy (and its monogrammed Louis Vuitton trunk) to Team Spain. If you're already experiencing major soccer withdrawal, catch up on all the best celebrity looks at the 2026 World Cup. The shoppable styles below will keep the summer of sports alive long after the closing ceremony.

Beyoncé

Rather than sporting Argentina- or Spain-specific gear, Beyoncé wore a custom LaQuan Smith look for the 2026 World Cup Final. She layered a cream-colored, cropped trench coat over semi-sheer capri pants. Prada sunglasses, ankle-strap stilettos from Amina Muaddi, and a custom top-handle bag by The Daily Edited shone from the stands.

Rihanna

Always on board for a sports jersey moment, Rihanna paired a chocolate brown T-shirt with olive green Bermuda shorts. The Aflalo Bromer bottoms stretched up to her unseasonably chic suede knee-high boots. To comply with MetLife Stadium's purse policy, RiRi fit only her essentials in Ferragamo's Fall 2026 Cara Handbag.

Kylie Jenner

Kylie Jenner left soccer-inspired styling to her boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, who wore an Adidas jersey with matching track pants. The Kylie Cosmetics founder stuck to her summer signatures, including capri pants and the heeled flip-flops trend.

Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa's halter top brought a splash of bridal whites to the World Cup. The newlywed paired the backless style with mid-wash jeans, snakeskin Khaite boots, and the celebrity-beloved Chanel 25 Bag.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Even as Team Spain scored the winning goal, Anya Taylor-Joy pledged allegiance to Argentina in a baby blue ascot, a white satin pencil skirt from Leset, and matching peep-toe pumps.

Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham has been bringing Hermès collector's items to the World Cup since 2006. This time, she styled a brown Hermès Kelly Bag with a white tank top and wide-leg jeans. While similar handbag styles sell secondhand for upwards of $14,000, you can recreate the summer whites look for a very small fraction of the price.

Gabrielle Union

Much like Callum Turner and Lipa, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union matched each other's energy at the World Cup in dark-wash denim. Union's Canadian tuxedo look was especially copy-worthy with wide-leg jean culottes, a coordinating jacket, and Nike's white Pacific Sneakers.

Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter was unmissable at the World Cup—and not just because of her blonde bombshell curls. She skipped a typical soccer jersey in favor of a vintage Nike tennis dress. It might've looked a little too laid-back at Wimbledon 2026, but it was the perfect combination of short and sweet for the Ecuador vs. Germany game.

Victoria Beckham

Beckham rarely wore Team England gear during her husband's World Cup game days. So, why would she now? The creative director's uniform earlier in the World Cup games included a rich-mom satin cowl-neck top, white pants, and oversized aviators.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Taylor-Joy watched Team USA take on Paraguay, but her one-shoulder Adidas top proved her loyalties lie with Team Argentina. For an earlier game in the season, she unexpectedly paired the sporty style with a ladylike poplin skirt and an east-west bag from Magda Butrym.

Lisa

For the Spain vs. Belgium match, Blackpink's Lisa wore head-to-toe Nike while watching the game from the brand suite. To elevate her take on the boxer shorts trend, she accessorized with an asymmetrical semi-sheer skirt and cleated Nike Mirage Sneakers.

Barbara Palvin

Barbara Palvin and her husband, Dylan Sprouse, delivered major couples style inspiration during the World Cup—without wearing anything sporty. All eyes went to Palvin's growing baby bump, framed by a long-sleeve top from Alaïa that she paired with a low-slung skirt and ankle boots. Sprouse matched his wife's "too cool for a soccer jersey" energy in all black, too.

Ciara

Ciara wore Adidas athleisure at the World Cup. She ran across the field in a tomato-red jersey, a pleated tennis skirt, and sneakers from the German brand's Aug. 2025 collaboration with L.A. streetwear label Brain Dead. Note the statement ballet sneakers, featuring embroidered flames on the back.

Teyana Taylor

If you're a part-soccer fan, part-fashion fan, you'll appreciate the shoes Teyana Taylor styled with her Canadian tuxedo. She arrived at one of the first 2026 World Cup games wearing Schiaparelli's sold-out Trompe L'Oeil Sneakers, beloved by footwear collectors for their surrealist gold toes.

Salma Hayek

World Cup's tournament ambassador, Salma Hayek, started the Parade of Nations in a strawberry-red suit set from Gucci. While soccer fans could see her blazer's shoulder pads and floral-printed blouse from the nosebleed seats in the Mexico City Stadium, Hayek's $25,200 diamond brooch by Boucheron required binoculars.

Tyla

For her first opening ceremony performance, Tyla paid homage to her home country in an Ellie Misner custom dress in the colors of South Africa's flag.

The next day, she went full Team USA mode in a custom Louis Vuitton look. Her starry baseball tee matched her velvet balloon pants. Unconventional wedge heels from futuristic footwear brand Spirit Guide 9 added even more visual interest to Tyla's on-stage outfit.

Lola Tung

The Summer I Turned Pretty star doubled up on summer's biggest trends at the 2026 World Cup, styling her track shorts with white sneakers. According to Instagram Stories of her stylist, Britt McCamey, Lola Tung's east-west Longchamp Le Pliage bag made it inside the MetLife Stadium, too.

Spoilers ahead for Love Island USA season 8, which you can stream now on Peacock. 22-year-old Trinity Tatum and 30-year-old Bryce Detloff were an unlikely pair when Love Island USA season 8 began. Though they chose each other on night one, fans didn't know whether the newly unemployed Virginia native and the Hollywood model and DJ would have much in common. Who would've thought that six weeks later, Trinity and Bryce would walk out of the villa together, as boyfriend and girlfriend and $100,000 richer?

As they leave Fiji and readjust to their regular lives, fans are ravenous for any news of the future of America's favorite couple. (First off, how quickly will Bryce get Trinity back to L.A.?) Read on for a breakdown of Brinity's relationship so far—and their plans for the future.

What happened between Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff on 'Love Island USA' season 8?

Model and DJ Bryce and former hardware-store worker Trinity quickly paired up after entering the villa, but their romance was still a bit of a slow burn. After (attempting to) explore with bombshells Kayda Bosse and Gabriel Vasconcelos, Bryce and Trinity settled into a friendship pairing that could potentially build to romance. This lack of drama meant the couple got less screen time than other couples (like Melanie and Sincere), but they shared laughs, gossip sessions, and childhood stories over the weeks—and Brinity built one of the strongest bonds in the villa.

Everything changed with Casa Amor. In an ideal scenario for the relationship test, the three days apart made Bryce and Trinity both realize the depth of their feelings. Trinity briefly explored with Corey Sawyer, Jr., but she soon (unknowingly) joined Bryce in pining for the day they would be reunited. (They even had matching worries that the other had found someone who matched their traditional type.) Finally, when Casa came to an end, Bryce and Trinity reunited and ended their fake-relationship-to-lovers arc.

Once they were back together, Bryce wasted no time asking Trinity to be his girlfriend (which was contrasted with his bestie Zach Georgiou's hesitancy to make it official with Kayda). Brinity spent the rest of the season in relationship bliss, while supporting their fellow Islanders through the chaos of Movie Night. Brinity joined eventual runners-up Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt by bringing the love to Love Island, including an excellent Family Day where Bryce's grandma became a quick fan favorite while demanding that the young couple get sent to the Hideaway.

Trinity and Bryce sailed through to the final four and were treated to another out-of-Villa date during the season finale. During the romantic dinner, they said "I love you" for the first time, with Trinity admitting that she was waiting for him to say it first. Of course, it was no surprise when host Ariana Madix eventually revealed that Brinity had been voted the winners of Love Island USA season 8.

Are Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff from 'Love Island USA' season 8 still together?

Bryce and Trinity wasted no time in sharing their love once they got their phones back. In addition to some cute Instagram posts and comments, the pair had their first post-finale interview on the Today Show on July 15, where they opened up about their romance and what's next for them. Though Trinity hinted that she was headed back home, she added, "Virginia ain’t seeing me for too long."

"Honestly, this is my first time out of Virginia, being in L.A. I definitely want to explore L.A. more and see how I like it," she explained. "I definitely want to be wherever Bryce is. I don’t like being away from him for too long. I get a little separation anxiety."

Bryce echoed that anxiety, sharing that now that they're outside of the Villa, his heart starts racing even when Trinity goes out on errands. "You spend 24 hours with each other every day for almost 50 days, and it's an emotional [show]...One thing that brings us together is that comfort in those moments," he said. "In those challenges [I could] confide in her and feel safe. Bringing that into the real world, I feel like life is the challenge."

In the writers' room for Lucky, showrunner Cassie Pappas kept coming back to Heat. The Apple TV miniseries bears little resemblance to Michael Mann’s 1995 crime drama, but its writers were gripped by the age-old game of cat-and-mouse: two people locked in a chase because they know nothing else.

“We've seen this idea of a person on the run and a dogged law enforcement chasing him,” Pappas tells Marie Claire over Zoom ahead of Lucky’s two-episode premiere. “Our show now has three women doing that. We have a female criminal (Anya Taylor-Joy), a female mob boss (Annette Bening), and a female FBI agent (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor). How does that genre change when women are at the helm?”

Based Marissa Stapley’s novel, the series was first popularized as a Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club selection before landing with Pappas (Silo, Griselda) and co-showrunner Jonathan Tropper (Warrior, See). Taylor-Joy, who was attached to the project from the start, plays a grifter often underestimated for her size, age, and gender. “Nobody thinks that she's the smartest person in the room—when actually, every single time, she is,” Pappas says.

While Tropper was in New York filming another Apple TV title, Your Friends and Neighbors, Pappas ran the set for Lucky, which unfolds as an electrifying desert chase across seven episodes. As action-packed as the series is, it never strays from its emotional core: the relationship between Taylor-Joy’s character and her con-artist father (Timothy Olyphant). With Olyphant’s John in federal prison and Lucky unsure whom she can trust, she grapples with an identity crisis while on the run.

“I won't give anything away, but a big action sequence ends in her realizing, ‘My cons have real consequences,’” Pappas says. “We were always trying to have an emotional depth piece connected. If we're going to crash a car, we want it to also make you feel something deep about the character.”

With the first two episodes of Lucky streaming now, Pappas tells Marie Claire about writing a conscientious con artist, working with a star-studded cast, and crafting a “muscular, propulsive” thriller with Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter of Hello Sunshine.

Marie Claire: Tell me about adapting this novel. There are some big changes from page to screen. What were the thought processes behind some of those choices—or sticking points?

Cassie Pappas: Reese and Lauren from Hello Sunshine got the rights to the book [and were] extremely involved every step of the way. They were always on set. They give very detailed notes on scripts. They are the most hands-on producers that I've ever worked with. This was more muscular and more action-packed than some of the shows they had done in the past, and they were super eager to go there—and they were responsible for attaching Anya. Every single word we wrote with her in mind.

But the thing that we gravitated towards the most in the book was this dysfunctional father-daughter relationship. Tropper, having written something like This Is Where I Leave You, I know he does dysfunctional families very well, and if I were to tell you any of my family stories, you'd be like, “Oh, you're primed and ready to write that.” But what made the stakes higher is that theme of, How am I like my parents? What baggage have I inherited? What am I genetically predisposed to?

Her dad's a con artist. He's a criminal, and he's raised her exactly like him, to be an extension of him. She was born into a life of crime that she didn't choose, but she's really fucking good at it because he raised her in his likeness. As she's trying to get out of this life and come of age, there's this self-awareness theme. She's physically running from those external forces, but internally, I liked the conflict of, What if the thing I'm running from is in my blood? What if I can't outrun it? Can I be the author of my own life?

MC: How involved were you in the casting process?

CP: We had Anya, and then we knew the next person we needed to cast was Priscilla. Annette Bening was always our number one, but I don't know that any of us really thought we were going to be lucky enough to get her. When we sent her the script, she leaned in and wanted to hear more. When it became real, it almost feels like any other actor is like, “Yeah, I'd love to be on board.” The Tim piece came because Jonathan Tropper had worked with him before, and I know that Lauren had a relationship with him—but my understanding was that he had heard about the part and was very, very interested in it as well.

MC: The first thing that gripped me from episode 1 was the action. It's brutal; it's very engaging. How did you go about mapping and executing that, and what role did Anya play in the process?

CP: I think the reason [Hello Sunshine] went to Tropper first is because he had a more action-heavy background. The word that kept being used a lot was “muscular.” In television, everybody wants something bingeable, they want something propulsive, so those are the words that kept being thrown around.

The pilot is a full sprint with a huge action set piece at the end, which then allowed us in episode 2 to go, “Let's take a downbeat, let's have her hide, let's have her lick her wounds, let's have her figure out her next move.” You can really do character in that episode. It was about managing both, and we never wanted to do action for action's sake. We wanted it to always have emotional depth or truth to it.

MC: In the first episodes, she's much more mysterious as a character. I would love to know more about writing Lucky in those early stages—what you choose to reveal, to obscure, and what you want the audience to think.

CP: One of the things that I really connected to was this idea of deep down underneath all the masks, she has no idea who she is—and I think that terrifies her. I think she spent her whole life reading the room. If she's talking to a mark, she's going to reflect back to the mark what they want to hear, what they think, and then she's going to con them. It's not until after she leaves the room that the person will realize, "Oh my gosh, I was just taken.” As long as she's living in that space of wearing a mask, she's been confident.

But as she comes of age and as she physically runs, I think there's something about the physical distance that gives her space to go, “Well, who the hell am I really? If I'm not doing this to people, I actually don't know who I am.”

MC: There's so much betrayal in this show. At some point, I thought I should stop being surprised by it.

CP: We did a lot of research in the early days of the writers' room about the art of the con. I'd never worked on a show that dealt with a con artist, so that was the piece of the show that I felt the most insecure about. I was like, “I can do the father-daughter thing, I'm all good on the character stuff, but I really want to dig deep on this world of con artists.” There was this book that we read called The Confidence Game, and that was really insightful. Con artists are apparently in a constant cycle of trust and betrayal. They gain your trust, they get what they want, then they betray you, and something in this book said that there might be a connection to that in your past as a child. You might be working out childhood trauma of experiences of trust and then betrayal, and not realizing it.

MC: As you said, Lucky was born and raised into this lifestyle and doesn't want to be part of it—but how do you feel that she fits into it? How do you view her moral framing within this?

CP: It lives in that space of nature versus nurture. Part of me is like, she's her father's daughter, so she's inherently born to be good at this stuff, but she might not want to use those skills. And then the choices that she makes throughout this seven-episode arc show her moral compass, her desire to be free, her desire to stop running. There's something beautiful about admitting that you don't know who you are, but that you are excited to figure that out, that you want to learn.

There are a lot of labels that women take on that really define who you are, or who you think you are. You're a mother, you're a daughter, you're a wife, you're a sister, you're a sibling—and if you remove each one of those labels and you untether yourself from them, well then who are you really? If you don't know the answer to that question, which I don't think Lucky does, then you get into that self-identity thing like, Who am I, and/or, Do I kind of maybe just want to be nobody? Do I just want to be free of all the masks and all the labels? I think she's fantasizing about “How can I get there, and what would that life look like?”

MC: Do you have a favorite scene or sequence?

CP: Episode 2 is one of my favorites when Lucky is hiding out in that ranch house in the desert, and the FBI agent is in the house. There's such simplicity to it. It's the opposite of an action sequence, and it is so tense, so edge-of-your-seat, and the acting from Aunjanue and Anya is so exquisite. What's interesting is once Aunjanue is in the house, there's not a lot of dialogue; it's just her crawling from one room to the other. It read well on the page, but then when we shot it, it got so much better.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte have become regulars at Wimbledon, and this year, they joined their parents to watch Jannik Sinner defeat Alexander Zverev in the men’s finals on July 12. Following the exciting match, Prince William and Princess Kate brought their kids to meet the players, and their post-game conversation with Jannik Sinner reveals one of their favorite hobbies.

In a video shared on X, Sinner chats with the Wales family after his win, with Princess Kate sharing that it was “really inspiring for the children” to watch “tennis at that level.” Sinner then asked Prince George if he plays tennis “every day,” with the 12-year-old responding, “Uh, not every day, but weekends.”

“You as well?” the Wimbledon champion asked Princess Charlotte, who responded with an enthusiastic “Yeah!” Prince William then turned and said something to his children, which made both George and Charlotte burst out laughing.

This isn’t the first time Prince George and Princess Charlotte have spoken about their love of tennis. Last year, the Wales children met British men's doubles champions Lloyd Glaspool and Julian Cash, who asked the kids if they played the sport.

After George and Charlotte said “yes,” Cash asked if they were “good” at tennis, prompting Prince George to look at Princess Kate and shrug, saying, “I'm all right.”

He’s likely more than “all right” at tennis, as William and Kate’s children take regular lessons at a private London club, and George has been playing the sport since he was just five. The family also has their own tennis court at both their new home, Forest Lodge, and their Norfolk country house, Anmer Hall—perfect for practicing their future Wimbledon serves.

Netflix's Little House on the Prairie revives Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic novels—and the hit 1970s drama—for a new generation. Created by Rebecca Sonnenshine, the new adaptation follows the Ingalls family as they set out to start a new life on the American frontier during the 1860s and 1870s. By the end of the delightful eight-episode season, released on July 19, Laura, her Pa Charles, her Ma Caroline, and her older sister Mary settle in Independence, Kansas, and make new friends—until a shocking revelation prompts the family to seek out a new home.

Thankfully for eager fans, the team behind Netflix's reimagining is already working on new episodes. Below, read on for what we know about Little House on the Prairie season 2 so far, including which book will inform the basis of the next installment.

Has 'Little House on the Prairie' been renewed for season 2?

Yes! Netflix confirmed Little House on the Prairie season 2 in early March, four months before the series' debut.

"We are delighted to renew this beautiful reimagining of Little House on the Prairie for a second season ahead of its Netflix debut." Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of US and Canada scripted series, said at the time. "The exceptional work by Rebecca Sonnenshine and the entire cast and crew on season 1 has established a rich foundation of storytelling for years to come. With its hopeful spirit and emotional authenticity, we’re confident that Little House will deliver even more of what fans truly love.

When will 'Little House on the Prairie' season 2 come out?

Though Netflix hasn't revealed when Little House on the Prairie season 2 will arrive, the show's journey to the next installment is already underway. According to Radio Times, season 2 began filming in early June in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and is expected to continue through mid-October.

This filming schedule matches the production for season 1, which began in June 2025 and wrapped in October. That means there's a very good chance the series could return at the same time next year, in summer 2027.

Who in the cast will return for 'Little House on the Prairie' season 2?

Netflix has yet to confirm the season 2 cast, but Little House on the Prairie wouldn't be the same without the Ingalls family and their closest friend. That said, we're expecting Alice Halsey (Laura Ingalls), Luke Bracey (Charles Ingalls), Crosby Fitzgerald (Caroline Ingalls), Skywalker Hughes (Mary Ingalls), and Warren Christie (John Edwards) to return to lead season 2.

Unfortunately, since the Ingalls have left Independence, Kansas, behind, it's unlikely that the rest of season 1's cast will return. However, there's always the chance of cameos.

Who are the new cast members in 'Little House on the Prairie' season 2?

Get ready to meet some more beloved characters from Laura Ingalls Wilder's books. Deadline has confirmed three new actresses set to join Netflix's reimagining. The Runarounds star Willa Dunn has signed on to play Nellie Oleson, Laura Ingalls's childhood bully and the fan-favorite villain from the original 1970s TV adaptation. (Fans of the earlier show may have spotted the original Nellie actress, Alison Arngrim, had a cameo in the Netflix series.)

Per the outlet, Netflix's take on Nellie may be a more layered look at the character. Her description reads, "On the surface, Nellie (Dunn) is a world-class spoiled princess and a playground bully. Smart and supremely confident, sharp-tongued but easily wounded. Lives and breathes to make Laura Ingalls (Halsey) miserable. But beneath her mean-girl persona is tenderness and a yearning for true friendship—even if she doesn’t know exactly how to get it."

Meanwhile, Charlotte Sullivan has signed on to play Margaret Oleson, Nellie's mother. "Beautiful, high-energy, charming, unfiltered, fun and funny, with a quick wit and gallows humor, Margaret adores her daughter fiercely and completely, but also fears losing her love," her description reads.

And rounding out the new cast, Rachelle Lefevre is set to play Eva Beadle, the beloved town schoolteacher who instantly wins over Laura and Mary. The character is described as "open-minded, passionate, forthright and brave...well-educated, well-read, adventurous, generous of spirit, a world-traveler."

Which Laura Ingalls Wilder book will 'Little House on the Prairie' season 2 adapt?

Spoilers for Netflix's Little House on the Prairie season 1 finale ahead. By the end of season 1, the Ingalls family (plus new baby Carrie and an honorary Ingalls, John Edwards) has set off for a new adventure. Though they spent the season settling in Independence, Kansas, the family's forced to leave when the government orders them to pay for the land they'd been promised for free. At Mr. Edwards' suggestion, the group heads to a little town called Walnut Grove.

Walnut Grove—a real-life Minnesota town that boasts the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and the annual Wilder Pageant—is best known as the primary setting of the 1970s series. However, the Ingalls only spent one installment of the source book series in the town: the fourth entry, On the Banks of Plum Creek. We'll have to wait and see how long Netflix's adaptation will stay in Walnut Grove, but season 2's guaranteed to at least cover part of the novel.

The official description for On the Banks of Plum Creek reads: "The adventures of Laura Ingalls and her family continue as they leave their little house on the prairie and travel in their covered wagon to Minnesota. They settle into a house made of sod on the banks of beautiful Plum Creek. Soon Pa builds them a sturdier house, with real glass windows and a hinged door. Laura and Mary go to school, help with the chores around the house, and fish in the creek. Pa’s fiddle lulls them all to sleep at the end of the day. But then disaster strikes—on top of a terrible blizzard, a grasshopper infestation devours their wheat crop. Now the family must work harder than ever to overcome these challenges."

What will 'Little House on the Prairie' season 2 be about?

Though most of the plot details for season 2 are under wraps, creator Rebecca Sonnenshine has spoken out about the influences she wants to balance throughout her reimagining of Little House on the Prairie. Speaking with The Wrap, the Vampire Diaries and The Boys alum explained that she’s interested in depicting the books’ version of the Ingalls, who were more nomadic than shown in the '70s TV series.

“A part of my pitch was that we were going to follow the ebbs and flows of the books, and they are fairly nomadic for quite some time,” she told the outlet. “I missed that from the original show, which was an amazing show and everyone loved it, and it was very special. But it didn’t have the opportunity just because of the realities of television, and it didn’t have the opportunity to do this. And we do now.”

While that means leaving behind season 1’s supporting characters, Sonnenshine added that she’s “always going to look for a way to bring those characters back” if the story allows. “I hope that it runs for a long time so that we get the opportunity to organically do it...We’re trying to be faithful to historical truth and still look for ways to keep our characters alive, however we can.”

As for the future of the series, the showrunner also added that she would “love to do all the books and then look beyond [at Wilder’s] fascinating life.” She added, “When I think about Laura Ingalls Wilder, it’s kind of amazing that someone lived through times that started in covered wagons and no electricity, and lasted all the way into airplanes and the atomic bomb.”

Spoilers ahead for Love Island USA season 8, which you can stream now on Peacock. 25-year-old Sincere Rhea and 24-year-old Melanie Moreno were immediately drawn to each other when Love Island USA season 8 began, but their courtship has been full of ups and downs. Sincere’s actions have been put on blast by the girls in the villa, their families (including Sincere’s stepfather during Family Day), and a plethora of brands looking to capitalize on the social chatter. But despite it all, the couple made it to the finale, where they placed third.

As they leave the villa and adjust back to their regular lives, it's fair to wonder whether the dramatic couple plans to continue seeing one another. Read on for a breakdown of Sincere and Melanie's relationship—and whether they might still be together.

What happened between Sincere Rhea and Melanie Moreno on 'Love Island USA' season 8?

Former college athlete Sincere and bikini store manager Melanie were together from day one in the villa, but their time on Love Island USA was plagued with controversy. While both were fully allowed to explore the field (and they did, as Melanie chatted with Gabriel Vasconcelos, Corbin Mims, and KC Chandler, and Sincere with Sol Dean), it wasn’t until Sincere started lying to Melanie about his interactions with Sol (including kissing her outside of a challenge) that he became the de facto villain of the season. Still, Melanie kept giving him more chances, and before he left for Casa Amor, they were finally on somewhat solid ground.

If Casa Amor was a test, Sincere squeaked by with a passing grade. He happily connected with SCAD student Amora Robinson—also kissing her outside of challenges—but walked back into the villa solo, where Melanie was waiting for him. Their reunion was sweet but was quickly tested again during Movie Night, where Sincere’s two-timing was laid bare for everyone to see. Melanie cried and accused him of making her look like an idiot, and even the guys couldn’t justify Sincere’s actions.

To make matters worse, when their relatives arrived on Family Day, neither party was optimistic about their relationship. Sincere’s stepfather, Benjamin, expressed disappointment in Sincere’s actions, while Melanie’s mom and sister begged her to take off the rose-colored glasses. Melanie’s mom even asked her, “Why are you going to give him a second chance when there are so many others waiting for their first?” Sincere and Melanie were the only Love Island USA couple who had a negative Family Day experience and didn’t take a joyful group photo, which fans noticed was conspicuously absent from the Love Island USA Instagram carousel. Still, after some thought and discussion, Melanie decided to stay with Sincere and give him yet another chance.

Sincere and Melanie make it to the final four, and in the finale they are treated to their “first date.” They were whisked off to a floating island where Sincere gave Melanie a massage (after she won at rock-paper-scissors), and they made homemade pizza together. They seem to really enjoy each other’s company, but the test has always been whether Sincere can commit to Melanie without being tempted by his wandering eye. At the end of the date, they talk about having their second date in Philadelphia after leaving the villa.

By the end of the episode, Sincere and Melanie came in third in the Love Island USA finale, losing out on the $100K cash prize.

Are Sincere Rhea and Melanie Moreno from 'Love Island USA' season 8 still together?

Making it to the finale means they only just got their phones back and are likely overwhelmed by the amount of social chatter (and marketing copy) their relationship prompted—both good and bad. So far, neither Melanie nor Sincere has made any public comments about their relationship on social media or in any interviews. Melanie's only post so far has been a resharing of winner Trinity Tatum's Instagram Story calling out fan reactions towards Zach Georgiou. Sincere, meanwhile, has since only reposted a Reel of the moment he and Melanie were announced in third place on the official Love Island USA page.

For now, it seems like they’re committed to seeing if their relationship can work in the real world. And if we don’t hear anything prior, we can at least look forward to getting an update at the season 8 reunion on August 31.

Spoilers ahead for Love Island USA season 8, which you can watch now on Peacock. Even though 22-year-old Haitian-American Kayda Bosse entered the Love Island USA season 8 villa as a bombshell, she soon integrated into the cast and paired long-term with original villa member 26-year-old Greek-Brit Zach Georgiou. Their relationship weathered the storm of jealousy, snide comments, and heartbreaking moments—though they made it to the finale, where they placed fourth in the competition.

Given their tumultuous time in Fiji and their current journey transitioning back into their real lives, below we're breaking down Kayda and Zach's relationship—and whether they might still be together.

What happened between Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou on 'Love Island USA' season 8?

Server/model Kayda made waves as the first female bombshell to enter the villa in season 8, and she chose content creator Zach and model/DJ Bryce Dettloff as her first two love interests. Things quickly developed with her and Zach, and they mostly remained loyal to each other through the season, even though they didn’t label the relationship. They were the first couple sent to The Hideaway, but Zach’s jealousy and vindictive behavior (which you can read more about in our mid-season recap) constantly pushed Kayda’s (and the audience’s) limits.

During Casa Amor, Zach connected with USC film student Alannah Keyser, who had previously made out with his brother Charlie, a former Love Island contestant. (Weird!) He kissed her outside of a challenge, and a photo of the moment sent Kayda into a spiral during the forced separation. Alannah was soon removed from the series after a video of her using a racial slur resurfaced online, forcing Zach to go back to the villa alone. Thankfully for him, Kayda decided not to couple with her Casa connection, Chay Nehra, and she and Zach were reunited. But during Movie Night, Kayda discovered that Zach intentionally withheld information about Alannah’s departure and his subsequent solo arrival at the villa, and she rightfully calls it shady.

None of this is enough to break them up, and the couple soon decides to close their relationship off and make it “exclusive,” though they’re not yet boyfriend and girlfriend. Trinity calls it a “situationship,” which upsets Kayda, and she defends their slower pace. When their families arrive in Fiji for Family Day, both sides express support for their relationship: Kayda’s mom and sister notice that he makes her happy, and Zach’s siblings encourage him to tell her the depth of his feelings.

Kayda and Zach make it to the final four couples, and in the finale, they take a boat ride to a cozy waterfront dinner. While it’s billed as a romantic getaway, fans online noticed that their production budget was likely much smaller than that of other couples who received more elaborate dates, calling out Kayda and Zach's dinner as "prison sandwiches by a swamp." The pair came in fourth place during the finale, decided by America’s vote.

Are Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou from 'Love Island USA' season 8 still together?

Given the real-time nature of Love Island USA’s filming schedule, Kayda and Zach are just now reintegrating into their lives and haven’t publicly commented on their relationship status. However, season 8 winner Trinity Tatum posted to her Instagram Story, calling out fans' "hate and ignorant comments" towards Zach. Kayda reposted the story, but hasn't made any further comments.

Bombshell Jen Terry has also weighed in on their dynamic. In an appearance on SiriusXM's "Smith Sisters Live," after the finale, she admitted that she doesn't understand "the Zach hate" and reaffirmed his connection with Kayda. "Zach is obsessed with Kayda. I’m not kidding. He is obsessed with her," she said. "Always touching her, always hanging out, laughing together. They’re like little kids together, honestly. That’s why I’m confused. I’m lost. I’m like, ‘What are the fans seeing that I was literally there and not seeing?’ Because they do seem to really like each other."

The couple came in fourth in voting, and while they didn’t necessarily label their relationship by the end of the season, Zach did admit that he was getting closer to saying “those three words” to Kayda (though nothing was said about officially becoming boyfriend and girlfriend). He also promised that he’d follow her anywhere in the world to see their connection through—he currently lives between the U.K. and Australia, while she is based in New Hampshire. So, only time will tell about how well they manage long-distance.

Hopefully we’ll get an update as they acclimate to using their phones again, but if nothing else, we’ll look forward to a check-in on August 31 when the season 8 reunion airs.

Like the rest of the United States, I’m a very dedicated three-week-long fan of Erling Haaland (even if I’m rooting for England to bring it home). After Norway lost to England over the weekend, it seemed like I’d have to go to a Manchester City match to get my Haaland fix, but on Monday, July 13, the Norwegian royal family gave the world an extra dose of Viking fun when they welcomed the country’s World Cup team to Oslo’s royal palace.

More than 90,000 fans gathered outside the palace to greet the team, who had never made the quarterfinals of the World Cup until this summer. Inside, Haaland and his fellow players enjoyed a private drinks reception with King Harald, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.

It wasn’t the brother/sister duo’s first time meeting Norway’s World Cup team—Ingrid Alexandra shared a locker room hug with a shirtless Haaland after the team’s July 5 win against Brazil. Their father, Crown Prince Haakon, also met with the players and gave an inspirational speech after their loss to England on July 11.

"When you get home, the King would like to invite you to the palace," Crown Prince Haakon said, adding, "But as I told you, you have every right to feel disappointed. Even so, the rest of us are immensely grateful, incredibly proud of you, and believe you've given this country something truly invaluable."

Haakon's wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, did not join the rest of her family as she's on medical leave recovering from a lung transplant.

While the atmosphere inside the palace was decidedly royal, Crown Prince Haakon and his children let their hair down and joined in the celebrations with the fans outside. The future king even beat a drum during the team's famous Viking row as Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus rowed along.

See you at the 2028 Euros, Norway?

Love Island USA season 8 has officially wrapped, concluding six weeks’ worth of chats, challenges, and not-so-covert communal bedroom hookups. It felt like everyone was glued to their screens this season; after all, it shattered viewership numbers, increasing 68 percent from season 7. The reality TV hit even reached new heights beyond the villa and Peacock: Host Ariana Madix even earned the show’s first Emmy nomination for reality television host.

But if you need to fill the Love Island USA-shaped hole in your heart—and to wean yourself off the steady IV drip that an episode a day provides—we’ve curated a list of reality TV-inspired books.

Over the last decade, reality TV novels have essentially become their own subgenre, with a slew of books inspired by dating shows like The Bachelor and Love Island, slice-of-life Bravo staples like The Real Housewives, and competition series all hitting shelves and building on the phenomenon. Below, find the fiction reads you need to add to your TBR list, especially if you need to unplug a bit but always have an appetite for ample drama. Pick up a prescient 1980s Stephen King thriller, a mystery send-up of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, and more. We promise they’re just as binge-able.

After six dramatic, divisive, discourse-filled weeks, Love Island USA season 8 came to an end with the loved-up July 12 finale. Or rather, it came to a pause. Moments after host (and Emmy nominee) Ariana Madix announced this year's winners, she revealed that season 8's Islanders will return for a reunion special that surely everyone will be talking about.

Last year, the reality TV phenomenon held its first reunion co-hosted by both Madix and Andy Cohen, who's known for drilling Bravolebrities and The Traitors alums on their respective reunions. When they gather the season 8 stars, you can bet they'll lead discussions about their time in the villa, any lingering issues, and their relationship statuses after a month out in the real world.

Below, we've gathered everything we know about the Love Island USA season 8 reunion so far. (You can watch all episodes of Love Island USA by subscribing to Peacock.)

Everything We Know About the 'Love Island USA' Season 8 Reunion

When does the 'Love Island USA' season 8 reunion air?

Love Island USA's season 8 reunion will be released on Peacock on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The special has become typical programming for the series ever since its 2024 breakout season. (Love Island USA season 4 marked its first-ever reunion, but it skipped season 5 before resuming with the following.)

Per Andy Cohen and Peacock, the reunion filmed all day on Monday, August 10, in L.A. After kicking off with an arrival red carpet on August 9, this year's taping will be the first to take place in front of a studio audience in LIUSA history.

According to Peacock, season 8 continued Love Island USA's upward trajectory. New viewers made up 30 percent of the reality hit's audience over its first five weeks, and the show has brought over 4 billion video views across the streamer's social channels.

Who will host the 'Love Island USA' season 8 reunion?

Andy Cohen is set to join Ariana Madix to host the Love Island USA season 8 reunion. This will be the second year featuring the co-hosts after they led the emotional season 7 reunion.

As reported by Deadline, "Madix and Cohen will reunite with the season’s winners, fan-favorite couples, and the bombshells to talk about their experience in the Fiji villa."

Which cast members will attend the 'Love Island USA' season 8 reunion?

Thanks to the reunion's red-carpet kickoff, fans now have confirmation of which season 8 Islanders will appear in this month's special. Each of the season's final seven couples will be in attendance, including winners Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff, Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt, Melanie Moreno and Sincere Rhea, Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou, KC Chandler and Tierra Davis, Kenzie Annis and Dylan Wrona, and Parmida Keshani and Corbin Mims.

Other standouts on the carpet included former Islanders Jen Terry, Sol Dean, Beatriz Hatz, Caleb McDaniel, Gabriel Vasconcelos, and Sean Reifel; Casa Girls Amora Robinson, Jaiden Bacciocco, and Sydney Eugene; and Casa Boys Chay Nehra, Ronnie Gunter, Corey Sawyer Jr., and Gal Tshnieder. Even four of the men who weren't selected for Casa—Chandlar Wilson, Tino Ellis, Keyon Harry, and Trae Taylor—walked the carpet.

One particular Islander seems to have been left off the guest list. Casa Amor addition Alannah Keyser left season 8 after just three days on the show, due to a resurfaced recording in which she used a racist slur. These exits have unfortunately become a common occurrence on the show; last year, both Cierra Ortega and Yulissa Escobar were pulled due to past use of slurs, and Vasana Montgomery was removed from season 8's original lineup before it premiered.

Will there be a 'Love Island USA' season 9?

Short answer: Duh. Love Island USA season 9 has yet to be officially confirmed, but there's little chance that Peacock won't renew America's biggest dating show. The streamer didn't even announce season 8 until mid-March earlier this year, so impatient fans will have to trust that casting and prep are happening behind the scenes. (The official application for season 9 is already live.)

In early June, The Sun U.S. reported that Peacock executives were focused on tightening the casting process after Vasana Montgomery's exit from the show. A source highlighted the difficulty of vetting today "given all the different technologies and social medias that have been in and out over the years." (Both Vasana's and Alannah Keyser's scandals stemmed from resurfaced Snapchat videos.)

"The network is actively looking into ways to better vet contestants that give a more thorough scan of their social media profiles," the insider added. "They are looking into AI options that will help dissect a potential contestant’s entire digital footprint and ensure that these slip-ups do not happen in the future. Precautionary measures are underway and there will be a change, an improvement, to the vetting process next season."

Will there be a 'Beyond the Villa' season 3?

Peacock has also confirmed that the season 8 Islanders will return to our screens beyond the upcoming reunion. On the night of season 8's finale, the streamer revealed that Beyond the Villa, the spinoff that follows previous Islanders' lives outside of the show, has been renewed for a third season.

According to Deadline, "the cast for the series will be confirmed later this year, with season 3 set to premiere in 2027."

A few months ago, I was packing for a flight and heading out the next day to shoot a World Cup commercial when I got a call from my agent: “They’re pulling you from the spot.”

The brand had recently implemented AI software that flagged potential talent for “risk.” Mine was that I spoke in support of trans rights. Anti-inclusion politicians have made the conversation around trans athletes in sports so muddied and full of false fearmongering that brands lacking moral clarity are running from mere association.

The truth is, trans people have been competing in sports for decades, and will continue to participate as this smoke screen from bad faith legislators and anti-LGBT groups cloak the real damage being done. As with so many other manufactured issues we fall for, women and girls will suffer the most.

While bills being brought across the country tape a "protect women and girls" banner over their sexist laws, women across the country are being stripped of reproductive rights and being left to bleed out in hospital parking lots.

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling affirmed the wave of draconian state controls on who can play girls' sports when it decided athletic eligibility can be based on a person’s biological sex. These laws are some of the most intense political assaults on LGBTQ+ people in recent years, and they are turning back the clock on our rights, including revived threats against marriage equality.

How do you enforce who is “girl enough” to play sports? In my home state of Washington, the most extreme proposal of its kind is before voters on the November ballot. Measure I-638 would require all girls—but not boys—to be medically sex certified before they can play sports.

In a country rife with sexual assault, young girls would have to undergo invasive inspections of their genitals, or pay for a DNA or hormone test, as part of their school sports physicals. Doctors say genital inspections are not only medically unnecessary to play sports, they can traumatize and physically harm young girls.

In their witch hunt for a few trans kids in the entire state who play school sports, I-638’s backers will drive thousands of girls out of sports because their parents cannot afford the necessary testing or refuse to submit their daughters to genital inspections.

That’s a feature, not a bug, of these laws. Preventing girls from playing sports is the whole point. Spaces that leave girls and women feeling empowered are the spaces they want to constrict—and then eliminate.

These policies make all girls and women less safe. They create new ways to question and control women and girls, and that affects all of us.

Imagine you’re 13 years old and worrying: Am I the "wrong" kind of girl to play sports? Am I too tall, too boyish, or so fast that politicians will question whether I am girl enough to play on a team with my friends?

I was that girl at 13. I didn't fit the stereotypes of how some people think a girl should look, act, and compete. If today’s state laws policing girls who play sports had been in place then, I might have never joined a soccer team and never went on to win two FIFA World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal—all because I wasn’t the right kind of girl in the eyes of some politicians.

Even if I had not become a professional athlete, my life would have been dramatically different without the joys, friendships, and life lessons that came with playing sports. Every girl deserves to have that experience, and no girl deserves to be discriminated against. That’s why all girls, including trans girls, should be able to play with their classmates in the sports they love.

Girls of color are the first to be targeted and questioned about their bodies. We can all name Black and Brown athletes who’ve been harassed for how they look or how well they perform in their sport. Girls with short hair or low voices, girls who are taller or stronger, girls who don’t fit someone else’s expectation of femininity, will face further harassment and new demands to prove their eligibility by pulling down their pants.

Attacks on trans girls are feints to throw us off balance and distract from the real issues impacting all Americans, like the costs of groceries and gas, healthcare, and housing. If we really cared about safety and fairness in sports, we’d be breaking down barriers facing girls at every level, protecting them from sexual violence and harassment, and paying professional women athletes on the same scale as their male counterparts.

But they don’t want us to focus on the real issues in women and girls’ sports. It’s no surprise that the man who is bankrolling Washington’s I-638 is a mega-millionaire and major Trump donor. He has no background in women’s sports, yet he claims to be speaking on behalf of women and girls in need of his protection. We don’t need to be “protected” by people like him, and we can speak for ourselves.

Standing up for our trans siblings and welcoming them on the field sends a powerful message to these politicians that we reject their hate and division—and to keep their hands off of our bodies.

Spoilers for Love Island USA season 8 ahead. The road to KC Chandler and Tierra “Titi” Davis' relationship on Love Island USA season 8 was bumpy, to say the least. After meeting in Casa Amor and being immediately drawn to each other, the pair faced KC’s ex, Aniya Harvey, feeling hurt, the OG Islanders going to bat for her, and public perception of how KC handled the situation. But after he and Aniya finally hashed things out, KC and Titi’s relationship blossomed, and they even made things official with a romantic gesture.

The pair didn't make it to the finale, however. But since they were booted from the villa on Day 30, fans have been curious whether they're making it work without the 24/7 cameras. Read on for a breakdown of KC and Tierra's relationship—and whether they might still be together.

What happened between KC Chandler and Tierra "Titi" Davis on 'Love Island USA' season 8?

The Casa Amor episodes of Love Island always promise to shake up the villa's status quo, and season 8 wasn’t any different. 23-year-old nursing assistant KC entered Casa Amor coupled with 23-year-old non-profit marketing director Aniya, but had been vocal about his desire to explore other connections if the opportunity arose. Aniya wasn’t happy about this, so she was especially disappointed when her hopes of remaining coupled with KC were dashed when he returned to the villa hand-in-hand with Titi.

KC entered Casa Amor fresh off an argument with Aniya about his interest in bombshell Sol—so when the opportunity to woo a group of fresh faces presented itself, he didn’t waste any time. He immediately found chemistry with 25-year-old L.A.-based model Titi and decided to couple with her, bringing her back to the villa. Titi initially clashed with the other girls, who were all Team Aniya, but as her and KC’s relationship blossomed (and Aniya and her Casa Amor connection, Carl Schmidt, were reunited), friendships formed between Titi and the other girls.

Late in the season, KC planned a romantic moment to officially ask Titi to be his girlfriend, which she gleefully accepted, noting it was her first official relationship. During family day, both families expressed support for their relationship and commented on how happy they seemed to be together. Then, on the July 10th episode, KC and Tierra were dumped from the villa after they were one of the two couples who received the lowest number of votes from America.

Are KC Chandler and Tierra "Titi" Davis from 'Love Island USA' season 8 still together?

In the final After Sun, KC and Titi appeared on the talk show couch to dish about their time in the villa. Holding hands as they spoke, the couple was very much still together and spoke about their excitement about taking their relationship into the real world. At one point, Titi said, "I definitely know this is not the end of our story...this is only the beginning."

Since then, the two have been relatively quiet about the next steps they're taking and have yet to make any public appearances together. However, while weighing in online about the alleged drama in the villa, Titi also thanked fans for showing love to her and KC. On a July 12th Instagram Story, she wrote, "Thank you to everyone who’s supported me and KC. I appreciate y’all who shown me love. I appreciate y’all more than you know."

So, it's safe to assume that they’re committed to testing their connection beyond Fiji!

For the past six weeks, Love Island USA has been a litmus test of the American public’s views on lustfulness and compatibility. This is a defining factor of dating shows, but the Peacock series’ record-breaking growth since season 6 has made its discourse inescapable. With season 8, however, a new bombshell is changing the course of the country’s biggest reality show: The manosphere has taken over Love Island USA, and it’s ruining the experience for longtime watchers who tune in to see, well, love.

LIUSA is the latest escapist reality hit that the mainstreaming of radical conservatism has altered in recent years. In both seasons 7 and 8, the younger cast members—who spent their late teens living through the COVID-19 pandemic—have reflected the talking points of the manosphere, the network of internet communities centered on toxic masculinity, gender essentialism, and opposition to feminism. Men who spent their formative years online at a time when social media algorithms amplified this content have adopted its views: that women should be “soft” and subservient to men, that men are entitled to their romantic interests’ bodies, and that women who challenge men should be humbled. Hegemonic masculinity and misogyny have since become systemic bugs in American dating culture—and now defining features among some of the men in season 8’s core cast, to the point where viewers wondered whether they even like their partners.

Most of season 8’s men have spent their time in the villa exhibiting manipulative dating behaviors, putting minimal effort into cultivating relationships, bonding over belittling and disrespecting the female Islanders, and resenting the women for harming their egos. Since the first episodes, KC Chandler and Corbin Mims have been dubbed red-pill poster boys for disparaging women who wouldn’t get intimate with them. Zach Georgiou, who has been coupled up with Kayda Bosse since episode 2, has become notorious for his criticisms of the female cast, his dismissive attitude towards Kayda, and his constant backtracking after showing emotional attachment (i.e., telling her he was “joking” when he said “I love you” in bed). Also, while Sincere Rhea has been shown compassion and understanding by his costars for exploring connections behind Melanie Moreno’s back, Kenzie Annis hasn’t received nearly as much goodwill.

It doesn’t help that the men have arguably been positioned with challenges and recouplings in their favor. Corbin received the unilateral choice to couple up with someone ahead of the girls’ choice recoupling in episode 5; he also chose whether to save Melanie or Beatriz Hatz in episode 9. (In the same dumping in season 7, all of the safe Islanders voted for whom to save.)

What was subtle red-pill influence became overt in season 8’s cruelest moment, when the Heart Rate challenge was revealed to be the start of Casa Amor. With this year's Casa twist being that the women were subjected to watching a livestream of the men meeting the new Bombshells—with the Casa men’s arrival delayed to the following day—some viewers argued the shameless behavior they witnessed was the push the girls needed to explore. Really, though, it served as a microcosm of the season: The men got to have their cake and eat it too, while the women were emotionally tortured for the sake of their growth.

The manosphere isn’t just influencing Love Island USA from within the villa; it’s also infecting the fandom through a new subset of viewers: the KC Defenders. KC was an early fan favorite this year for his meme-worthy reactions and admiration of dark-skinned women, and he spent the first three weeks of the show—a long-term relationship in the villa—coupled up with Aniya Harvey. But once bombshell Sol Dean entered the villa, discerning fans (and Aniya herself) began to see hints that he was sticking with her as a safe choice rather than pursuing Sol and facing possible rejection. KC eventually left Aniya for Tierra “Titi” Davis, a Casa girl who unabashedly pursued him and wasn’t a “grandma” in bed, as he’d called Aniya. The game plan of playing it safe with someone you’re lukewarm towards until someone comes along who you’re really interested in isn’t new. But KC’s blatant disrespect toward Aniya for not fitting into Titi’s “down for her man” mold inspired both extreme hate from some fans and extreme love from others.

While some of KC Defenders point to his natural chemistry with Titi, their “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde” arc, and a celebration of Black Love, the vocal majority of KC love stems from a hatred of Aniya. The tall former volleyball player and daughter of a former NBA star, Aniya has faced unnecessary hate throughout season 8, from criticizing her naturally textured wigs, calling her too insecure based on her (eventually validated) concerns about KC, to accusing Carl Schmidt of faking his interest in her because she’s a fan-favorite among female viewers. Even though KC himself owned up to disrespecting and resenting Aniya during their apology in episode 26, his defenders will swear up and down that his comments weren’t disrespectful in context, while also calling Aniya hypocritical for speaking badly about him in response to his actions.

What's more? Fan interaction has expanded beyond the show's voting process, Reddit, X, and Threads to perhaps the fastest-rising red-pilled spaces online: prediction markets. Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket primarily appeal to fans of male-dominated subcultures, such as sports betting and crypto, and directly tie in to the get-rich-quick schemes popular in the manosphere. They’re also easily manipulated, with reports of users getting rich off insider information and rigging real-life situations to match their bets. As legalized gambling and prediction markets have surged in the past two years, competitive reality television has become a popular target. This year, Kalshi and Polymarket launched new Love Island markets, even promoting them through social media ads and collaborations, in hopes of attracting more women to their male-dominated user bases. While the viewership numbers of the rumored influx of straight men who watch LIUSA haven't been disclosed, fans have noticed an increase of online sports fans (who call themselves “KC FC,” as in football club) putting money on KC and Titi making it to the finale, sharing voting campaign threads, and lamenting Kalshi screenshots predicting that KC and Titi won’t make the final four couples. It’s no coincidence that the men who are crossing over from these spaces into Love Island USA are rallying behind a man whose arc has centered on misogyny. Nor is it a surprise that this is turning off female viewers.

The easiest way to dominate the attention economy is through outrage, and reality TV has this down to a science. Producers know how to contrive divisive storylines so their shows will ride the waves of online discourse to pop culture ubiquity. Though shows like Love Island USA and Love Is Blind have seemingly used this strategy to become too big to fail, we also know that outrage isn’t sustainable. Core fans are alienated, potential cast members get cautious, and viewers eventually succumb to either fatigue or boredom. This installment of Love Island has spurred a new kind of bleakness, beyond the typical angst and heartbreak of dating, to a fatalistic musing on whether this season’s men even really like the women. When the love disappears from Love Island and only misogyny remains, who will keep watching once the twists aren’t hitting and money can’t be made?

Wearing the same 2026 World Cup jerseys makes it difficult for soccer players to let their personalities shine—the highest-ranked talents rarely take off their team uniforms for the duration of the tournament. So, it's that much more exciting when they go all out with their pre-World Cup wardrobe. With no airport outfit dress codes, the athletes have free rein to pair loungewear with rare designer bags.

Days before the World Cup began on June 11, photographers spotted Norway's Erling Haaland and France's Kylian Mbappé carrying coveted purses. On June 2, Haaland, who has a collection of Hermès bags, deboarded his team's private plane in navy Team Norway gear and a limited-edition "Endless Road" Birkin. With a (pre-owned) $45,500 price tag, the highly sought-after design makes it the most extravagant duffle bag to hold a soccer ball.

Haaland's loyalty lies with Hermès, but Mbappé is devoted to Dior. Being a brand ambassador gives him an all-access pass to Jonathan Anderson's accessories. His newest addition was a Dior-branded monogram clutch.

After endorsements from Harry Styles, Jacob Elordi, and A$AP Rocky, it's no surprise the man-bag trend intercepted summer's most exciting sports circuit. Ahead, see which designer bags joined Mbappé, Haaland, and more during the 2026 World Cup. If these stars are anything like David Beckham, their carryalls will continue scoring style points long after the final on July 19.

Erling Haaland's Hermès HAC Birkin 40 "Endless Road"

Erling Haaland is just as skilled on the soccer field as he is in a Hermès store. The 25-year-old, by our count, owns at least seven Hermès bags, most of them from the circa-1892 Haut à Courroies line.

One of his rarest brand possessions—the HAC "Endless Road" Birkin 40, which features mountains and a winding road—doubled as his World Cup carry-on. While the colorful, pop art-influenced motif, inspired by Californian landscapes, is the most standout detail of the Birkin, its dimensions (19.75 inches wide and 17 inches tall) are equally impressive.

Kylian Mbappé's Dior Bag

Kylian Mbappé didn't need to spend five figures to secure his spot on the World Cup's best-dressed list. The Dior's A5 Triangle Pouch retails for $1,350. Plus, the monogram print added visual interest to the French legend's white linen button-down and cargo shorts.

Virgil van Dijk's Chanel Maxi Shopping Bag

Fashion girls aren't the only ones in love with Matthieu Blazy's new Chanel bags. After the Maxi Flap joined Kendall Jenner, Kaia Gerber, and Hailey Bieber's closets, Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands brought the Large Shopping Tote to the World Cup. The Spring 2026 style featured the same interlocked Cs as the Maxi Flap, except on a smaller top flap.

Jude Bellingham's Louis Vuitton Keepall

Pre-World Cup photos showed no shortage of Louis Vuitton suitcases. Instead, England's Jude Bellingham chose a monogrammed Keepall Bandoulière 45, a 2010s travel go-to of Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid. Bellingham's version of the popular duffle bag boasted the brand's signature chocolate brown leather monogram with a striking black trim.

Michael Olise's Hermès Birkin 40

Michael Olise's Hermès Birkin stood a few inches taller than typical HAC 40s, which suggests it could be from the Taurillon Clemence line. The bag's height also makes it trickier to track down. Sotheby's just sold a similar style for $28,000.

Pedro Neto's Hermès Birkin HAC 40

Pedro Neto styled a black T-shirt and a navy suit with a Hermès Criss HAC Birkin 40. The style is eye-catching for the way the untreated Fauve Barenia leather top of the tote (a Birkin signature) gives way to a beige canvas body. Fun fact: David Beckham styled the same Birkin bag earlier this year.

Manu Koné's Goyard Bag

Dior, Bottega Veneta, and Hermès were all present and accounted for during Team France's flight. But the trophy for "Smallest World Cup Bag" went to Manu Koné of France. He followed Mbappé's lead with a compact clutch, albeit from Goyard. The orange accessory is technically for toiletries, but Koné made a strong case for its airport bag potential.

Maxence Lacroix's Bottega Veneta Bag

Maxence Lacroix may be French, but he has a soft spot for Italian label Bottega Veneta. He arrived at the Le Bourget Airport near Paris with the black Andiamo Messenger Bag, complete with the brand's signature woven Intrecciato leather and silver hardware. Lacroix carried the style by its top-handle straps, while an elongated crossbody band floated freely.

Nearly a century after Laura Ingalls Wilder published the first book in her Little House on the Prairie series, the novels are still massively adored and still reaching new audiences—thanks, most recently, to Netflix’s TV series adaptation, which debuted on July 9. There’s just something so timeless about the books, which were previously made into a still-beloved NBC show in the ’70s and ’80s, an early-aughts ABC miniseries and a 2008 stage musical, among several other adaptations.

For those who haven't perused a Little House novel since third grade but are diving headfirst into the new Netflix show, the series chronicles the semi-fictionalized lives of the Ingalls family in the Midwest U.S. throughout the late 1800s, starring a young Laura alongside her parents and siblings. Wilder published most of the series in the 1930s and ’40s, with a final book arriving posthumously in 1971.

If you’re planning to revisit the novels—or introduce them to a new generation—after bingeing the Netflix adaptation, look no further for a comprehensive guide to the entire Little House series. And a reminder as you dive in through 2026 eyes that while Wilder’s work has long been widely lauded and critically acclaimed, it’s very much a product of its time: You’ll want to be aware that it heavily perpetuates the American frontier myth and therefore includes problematic portrayals of Indigenous people (an aspect of the series that Netflix has sought to correct).

Book 1 — 'Little House in the Big Woods'

The first book in Ingalls Wilder’s best-selling series starts in 1871, with 4-year-old Laura living in a log cabin in Wisconsin with her parents and two sisters. It introduces readers to life on the homestead through about a year’s worth of chores and celebrations, detailing wintertime maple syrup harvesting, the birth of a calf, and everyday tasks around the house and farm, with many days capped off with Pa playing the fiddle for his daughters.

Book 2 — 'Farmer Boy'

Wilder detoured from her own history in Book 2 to focus on her husband’s upbringing instead. In Farmer Boy, a young Almanzo Wilder grows up in upstate New York in the 1860s, joining his siblings in the seemingly unending work of running a farm—only occasionally interrupted by exciting visits from a tin peddler or a traveling fair.

Book 3 — 'Little House on the Prairie'

We return to the Ingalls family in the series’ third book, just in time for their big move from Wisconsin to the prairies of Kansas in the mid-1870s. For several months, they get to work building a new house and starting a farm on territory belonging to the Osage Nation, grappling along the way with malaria and ongoing conflicts with Indigenous groups—only to eventually accept that they’ve illegally settled on the land and must move along.

Book 4 — 'On the Banks of Plum Creek'

The Ingalls family piles back into their covered wagon and heads north, ultimately stopping to make a new home in Minnesota. There, Laura and her sisters attend a real school for the first time and must remain resilient as they face challenges to their way of life, including fires, blizzards, crop-destroying grasshopper swarms, and, worst of all, a mean girl at school named Nellie.

Book 5 — 'By the Shores of Silver Lake'

Ready to leave behind the many troubles they encountered in Minnesota—and following a bout of scarlet fever that left Laura’s older sister Mary blind—the growing Ingalls crew heads west, into what was then the unsettled Dakota Territory. There, Pa takes a job on a railroad and claims a permanent homestead in the area. In the meantime, Laura and her sisters enjoy a respite from many of the most difficult parts of frontier life: swapping their covered wagon for train travel, cozying up in a comfortable home for the winter, and raking in earnings from catering to the many pioneers passing through their town.

Book 6 — 'The Long Winter'

Alas, those happy early days in South Dakota weren’t to last. As suggested by the title, The Long Winter details the particularly devastating winter of 1880 and 1881, when Laura was 13. A shocking seven months of continuous blizzards leave many in the Ingalls’ town snowed into their homes and stop supply trains from delivering needed food and fuel. However, a bright spot for Laura: Here, she first crosses paths with her future husband, as Almanzo and a friend risk their lives to deliver wheat to her town.

Book 7 — 'Little Town on the Prairie'

Things are on the upswing for Laura after making it through that horrible winter—despite the onslaught of classic teenage angst and the arrival of her old nemesis Nellie in town. She’s fielding invitations to socials, parties, and literary society meetings, plus a request from Almanzo to start walking her home from church every week(!). She also begins working toward earning her teaching certificate and makes a point of contributing everything she can to Mary’s tuition at a college for the blind in Iowa.

Book 8 — 'These Happy Golden Years'

Originally the final book in Wilder’s Little House series, this eighth novel encompasses Laura’s late teens, as she takes a job at a nearby school and truly comes into her own as a self-sufficient young adult. There’s also, of course, her continued courtship with Almanzo, which culminates at the end of the book with his proposal and their sweet, simple wedding.

Book 9 — 'The First Four Years'

More than a decade after Wilder’s 1957 death, her daughter Rose’s designated heir, Roger MacBride, discovered a first draft of The First Four Years among Rose’s belongings and published it as-is. It wraps up Laura’s coming-of-age story by documenting the first years of her marriage to Almanzo, as they begin making their own way as a young pioneer family, with all the trials and tribulations that entails, from illnesses to fires to tragic deaths.

Did Laura Ingalls Wilder write anything else?

Indeed, she did, though all of the nonfiction variety. Amid the many collections of newspaper columns, letters, poems, and other writings published since Wilder’s death, several stand out. The first, in 1962, was On the Way Home, detailing her, Almanzo, and Rose’s move from South Dakota to Missouri in 1894. It was followed in 1974 by West From Home, comprising a series of letters Wilder wrote to her husband during a 1915 visit to Rose in San Francisco.

Those books were combined into A Little House Traveler in 2006, along with The Road Back, a previously unpublished diary that Wilder kept while returning to South Dakota with Almanzo in the 1930s to visit her family and gather information for her Little House series.

Are there any other books in the 'Little House' universe?

So many. Several authors have taken on the task of expanding the Little House-iverse, including the aforementioned MacBride, heir and “political disciple” to Wilder’s daughter Rose. He published eight books in the 1990s about her life, known as “The Rose Years.”

There are also “The Martha Years,” a four-book series about Laura’s great-grandmother by Melissa Wiley; “The Charlotte Years,” another tetralogy from Wiley, this one describing the life of Laura’s grandmother; and “The Caroline Years,” seven novels about Laura’s mother, with the first four written by Maria D. Wilkes and the final three by Celia Wilkins.

Wilkes also published two dozen chapter books simplifying several of the longer novels’ stories about Caroline, Laura, and Rose. And even younger readers can get in on the Little House fun with the countless picture books, board books, and other pre-reader versions of the stories that have hit shelves over the years.

Elsewhere, in an attempt to fill in some blanks between On the Banks of Plum Creek and By the Shores of Silver Lake, prolific children’s author Cynthia Rylant published Old Town in the Green Groves in 2002, based on some of Wilder’s notes and historical records. Meanwhile, between 2007 and 2012, Heather Williams and Elizabeth Cody Kimmel filled in a few more gaps, releasing a trio of books telling the stories of Nellie, Mary, and Almanzo.

Less canonical is the Days of Laura Ingalls Wilder series, which comprises eight books written by Thomas L. Tedrow in 1992. Though they feature Laura, Almanzo, and Rose in their Missouri home, the books aren’t explicitly based on Wilder’s actual life or writings, but instead imagine how she might have responded to many of the most pressing issues of the early 1900s.

When you're looking to get lost in a book, sometimes you need your reading material to match your mood. With Marie Claire's series "Buy the Book," we do the heavy lifting for you. We're offering curated, highly specific recommendations for whatever you're looking for—whether you're in your feels or hooked on a subgenre trending on #BookTok.

In this author-curated rendition, Rosebud Baker—comedian, former Saturday Night Live writer, and Fully Baked author—shares her favorite books about women behaving badly.

No topic is ever off the table for comedian Rosebud Baker—she’s been known for telling jokes about everything from her sister’s death to her own struggle with alcoholism. So when the stand-up decided to unpack her trauma by writing a memoir, she embraced the mess even more so.

In June, the former Saturday Night Live writer published her debut book, Fully Baked, which delves into subjects like her dysfunctional childhood and journey with IVF. But it goes beyond the constraints of a tight 10 by examining transformations and how she found career success and became the mother she is because of the hardships she’s lived through.

Baker tells Marie Claire that while she was writing, stories about women wrestling with “obsession, desire, rage, and making spectacularly bad decisions” were both a source of solace and inspiration. “I found myself returning to stories about women who blow up their lives, survive their mistakes, and sometimes learn absolutely nothing,” she says.

“I’ve always been drawn to female characters who refuse to be likable,” the author says, adding that they informed her own ability to be vulnerable. Here, Baker shares her favorite books about women behaving badly, from recent bestsellers to feminist favorites and literary classics. “The women in these books are obsessive, selfish, reckless, grieving, horny, destructive, and completely unreasonable. They’re also some of the most honest characters I’ve ever encountered.”

Fully Baked is available now, and catch Baker on tour this summer.

Nearly a century after the source novel's debut, Netflix's Little House on the Prairie offers a new take on an essential piece of American pop culture. Based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's autobiographical book series, the new show follows a young family in 1860s and 1870s America, as they settle in the burgeoning frontier town of Independence, Kansas. Created by Rebecca Sonnenshine, the new series introduces a new generation to the pioneer family, while also expanding the story to include Black homesteaders and members of the Indigenous Osage tribe.

To bring the Ingalls family and co. into the 21st century, Netflix recruited a cast of rising actors. Read on to meet the actors bringing Little House on the Prairie back to life.

Alice Halsey as Laura Ingalls

Laura, who is eight at the start of the Netflix series, is a bright, fearless, observant child who enjoys playing in the outdoors much more than ladylike hobbies. Though her questioning nature can rub some adults the wrong way, she mostly makes friends everywhere she goes (including her loyal dog, Jack).

11-year-old actress Alice Halsey made her television debut as the intelligent daughter of Elizabeth Zott (played by Brie Larson) in Apple TV's adaptation of Lessons in Chemistry. Since then, the child actress has starred as Rachel Black in the soap opera Days of Our Lives and voiced twin sisters in the Disney Junior cartoon Kindergarten: The Musical.

Luke Bracey as Charles Ingalls

Pa Ingalls, Laura's handsome father, is many things: a farmer, a poet, an optimist, a romantic, and a devoted family man. He's also determined to lead his family to a better future, despite the danger.

Luke Bracey, 37, is an Australian actor and Home and Away alum who made his big-screen debut starring alongside Selena Gomez and Leighton Meester in 2011's Monte Carlo. He has since appeared in movies like 2015's Point Break, 2016's Hacksaw Ridge, 2020's Holidate, and 2022's Elvis, as well as the Hulu series Little Fires Everywhere. (Though he doesn't speak publicly about his romantic life, Bracey has been linked to both Gomez and Eiza Gonzalez.)

Luke Bracey's Instagram: @lukebracey

Crosby Fitzgerald as Caroline Ingalls

While Pa is an idealist, Caroline, or Ma, is the patient, practical backbone of the family. Her playful side comes out with Charles, but often she has to be the strict parent. A former teacher who quit to raise her children, she's also determined that her girls will receive an education.

Crosby Fitzgerald, 36, is a Georgia-born actress and comedian who got her start in TV with guest spots on comedy shows like Awkwafina is Nora from Queens and Abbott Elementary. Before her first lead role in Little House, she had recurring roles as Sylvia in Apple TV's Palm Royale and Madison in The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox.

Crosby Fitzgerald's Instagram: @crosberryfitz

Skywalker Hughes as Mary Ingalls

Laura's older sister Mary is her opposite in every way: studious, ladylike, obedient, and a responsible rule-follower who doesn't love the outdoors. Though they often butt heads, the sisters are each other's best friends and always have each other's backs.

14-year-old actress Skywalker Hughes grew up in Toronto and made her acting debut playing daughter Sheridan Pickett in the Paramount+ crime drama Joe Pickett. Since then, she has also appeared in the Nickelodeon show Blues Clues & You! and the 2026 sci-fi film In the Blink of an Eye.

Warren Christie as John Edwards

John Edwards, a mysterious settler and Civil War veteran hailing from Tennessee, befriends the Ingalls family when they settle near Independence. Per Tudum, he's in a dark place when he meets them; his friendship with family eventually inspires him to heal.

British-Canadian actor Warren Christie, 50, plays the fan-favorite character in the Netflix series. The prolific TV actor has appeared in shows including The L Word, October Road, Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, Chicago Fire, The Resident, and Batwoman. He has also recently starred in multiple Hallmark holiday movies. (Christie and his wife, actress Sonya Salomaa, have been married since 2007.)

Warren Christie's Instagram: @thewarrenchristie

Jocko Sims as Dr. George Tann

Dr. George Tann, a kindhearted doctor who lives in Independence, is based on the real-life man who treated the Ingalls family's malaria around 1870. Though the character appeared in only one chapter of Ingalls Wilder's books, the Netflix series fleshed out Dr. Tann by researching the physician's history.

Jocko Sims, 45, is a Houston native best known for his main and recurring roles in series such as Crash, Masters of Sex, The Last Ship, How to Die Alone, and Grosse Pointe Garden Society. He has also played doctors on medical dramas like The Resident and New Amsterdam.

Jocko Sims's Instagram: @jockosims

Barrett Doss as Emily Henderson

Emily Henderson runs her family's general store on her own and is great at dealing with people. A lot happens with Emily in season 1; in addition to befriending Caroline, she takes an orphan named Caleb (Kowen Cadorath) and begins a romance with Dr. Tann.

Barrett Doss, 37, was born in Minneapolis and began her career acting off-Broadway before making her TV debut in an episode of 30 Rock. She has divided her career between Broadway and television, with appearances on shows like Person of Interest, Girls, and Iron Fist. She also played Vic Hughes across several seasons of Station 19 and Grey's Anatomy.

Barrett Doss's Instagram: @dontgo_jasonwaterfalls

Meegwun Fairbrother as William Mitchell

William Mitchell is a successful, mixed-blood Osage farmer who has the largest homestead in the county. Per Tudum, he, his wife, White Sun (Alyssa Wapanatâhk), and their daughter, Good Eagle (Wren Zhawenim Gotts), are meant to mirror the Ingalls, with their undying love despite disagreements.

Meegwun Fairbrother is an actor of Ojibwe and Scottish heritage who was among the first Indigenous students to graduate from York University's acting conservatory. The film, TV, and stage actor is best known for his roles in shows like SYFY's Helix, CBC's Mohawk Girls and Burden of Truth, and Paramount+'s Skymed. Most recently, he appeared in the final season of Outlander and played Avatar Kuruk in Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Meegwun Fairbrother's Instagram: @meegwun_fairbrother

The 2026 Wimbledon tournament began on June 29. While on the court, all eyes were on style-forward tennis stars like Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, and Naomi Osaka, there was also plenty of fashion inspiration in the stands. The best celebrity looks embraced tennis whites, pastels, and prints.

On day one of the London-based championship, reality star Maura Higgins came out swinging in Zendaya-inspired, tennis ball-pierced pumps. Higgins set a high bar for the tournament's white dress code. Soon after, Simone Ashley, Monica Barbaro, Michaela Coel, and Lily James were in a tiebreak for the "Best All-White Wardrobe" trophy.

Meanwhile, pastels (a signature among Wimbledon spectators) worn by Elle Fanning and Pippa Middleton stood out in a sea of beige looks. The fashion wasn't without surprises. While I expected gingham to reclaim its tennis-core crown, the polka-dot trend swooped in instead. James, for one, took the lead in an under-$500 dotted dress from Dôen.

Wimbledon 2026 maintained the tournament's reputation for mixing elegant dress silhouettes with summery shades. Shirtdresses and neutral separates reigned supreme, while wallet-friendly finds made Wimbledon style more accessible than ever. Italy's Jannik Sinner won the men's singles title, but Ralph Lauren deserved a trophy from Princess Kate Middleton, too. The American brand dressed everyone from Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Kidman to Sarah Pidgeon and Cynthia Erivo.

Ahead, discover the best celebrity looks from Wimbledon 2026—as well as ways to channel their elevated summer style. The tournament may be over, but tennis-core will live on all summer long.

Catherine, Princess of Wales

Princess Kate appeared in two of her favorite designers on the last day of Wimbledon: a green cape dress from Emilia Wickstead and the $450 Nano Montreal Bag from DeMellier. While the royal wore Emilia Wickstead dresses to matches in 2019 and 2021, DeMellier is a new addition to her Wimbledon wardrobe.

Daisy Edgar-Jones

Wearing a black-and-white dress from Chanel's Cruise 2027 runway show secured Daisy Edgar-Jones her latest style point. The pop of butter yellow from the striped skirt matched the interlocked Cs on the actor's square-toe shoes, also from the three-month-old collection.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez's gravity-defying hat made her unmissable in the Wimbledon stands. She paired the Ralph Lauren accessory with a vintage wrap dress from the New York-based designer's Spring 2009 line, a raffia top-handle bag, Purple Label pumps, and David Webb diamonds.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo rarely missed a Wimbledon match last week, but she saved her best style serve for last. The Wicked star elevated the capri pants trend with a striped suit set, a navy blue newsboy cap, and platform derby shoes.

Nicole Kidman

It seems Nicole Kidman channeled her Wimbledon look from last year. The Oscar winner once again arrived in an ivory suit set from Ralph Lauren, this time worn over a ballet pink button-down and matching tie.

Lily Collins

Earlier this summer, Lily Collins tested the capri pants trend at the 2026 French Open. Seems like she adored the cropped silhouette so much that it joined her at Wimbledon, too. This time, she styled it with a matching bandeau top, the heeled flip-flops trend, and a cobalt blue button-down.

Sarah Pidgeon

For her Wimbledon debut, Sarah Pidgeon ditched '90s-era minimalism for menswear-inspired pinstripes. Ralph Lauren outfitted the Love Story star in an untucked button-down, a cropped gray waistcoat, and wide-leg ivory trousers.

Michelle Dockery

Downton Abbey actress Michelle Dockery doubled up on ME+EM designs at Wimbledon. Her camel-colored blazer brightened her black capri pants. To recreate her exact look, her set is still available for purchase.

Elle Fanning

Chanel, Dior, and Hermès played doubles with Elle Fanning. For the tournament, the Oscar nominee selected a contrasting shirtdress from Dior. A black Hermès Kelly Bag and cap-toe pumps from Chanel offset her pastel-maxxing moment.

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra usually attends Wimbledon with her husband, Nick Jonas. This time around, she used FaceTime to give Jonas a sneak peek at the match and her ivory shirtdress. She complemented the look with a matching headscarf, a major trend this summer.

Cynthia Erivo

Another game, set, match look from Cynthia Erivo. Soon after Pierpaolo Piccioli's final bow after the Balenciaga Haute Couture show, the actor-singer was back in London and at Wimbledon. Erivo chose an off-the-shoulder shirtdress in a Glinda-approved peony pink, a matching cap, and Givenchy's Voyou Bucket Bag.

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley is proof a little white dress will never steer you wrong, especially at Wimbledon. She arrived with her husband, James Righton, but her ruffled, long-sleeve midi dress and strappy stilettos stole the show.

Maura Higgins

Maura Higgins opted for traditional tennis whites in a little white Chanel dress and tennis ball-punctured, slingback pumps from Californian label Flor de Maria. The Love Island star took a page out of Zendaya's style book; for her tennis-focused film, Challengers, the actress wore custom Loewe pointed-toe white stiletto pumps that were similarly pierced with neon tennis balls.

Catherine, Princess of Wales

Princess Kate didn't wait for the last day of matches to return to Centre Court. The Wimbledon regular attended a game on July 2 in a linen-looking, royal blue suit set.

Ellie Goulding

Wimbledon isn't Wimbledon without polka dots in the stands. Ellie Goulding brought the trending print back where it belongs, thanks to a capelet dress from Chloé. The singer's strappy, black-and-brown sandals (also from Chloé) gave her look the boho treatment.

Sienna Miller

Matching sets are a guaranteed style serve at Wimbledon—a fact Sienna Miller has known since 2004. This year, she joined Ralph Lauren's suite in a beige vest, a matching blazer, and the widest of wide-leg trousers.

Simone Ashley

Simone Ashley was also in Ralph Lauren's suite. The brand outfitted the Bridgerton star in full Wimbledon whites: lightweight jacket, Bermuda shorts, Oxford shoes, and crossbody bag.

Emma Corrin

Emma Corrin had a week of scene-stealing looks. First, they sampled the tomato-red color trend at Wimbledon, with a bright Ralph Lauren polo shirt that popped against a navy button-down and ivory trousers. Less than 48 hours later, Corrin appeared in a dramatic pastel feather-trimmed jacket at the Schiaparelli Couture show. They really can do it all.

Monica Barbaro

Celebrity closets aren't complete without at least one white tank top—it's summer's leading hero item after all. Monica Barbaro's cotton-blend bottoms and Ralph Lauren shoulder bag proved the sleeveless staple is so easy to elevate.

Michaela Coel

Michaela Coel's look should be the maximalist blueprint for tennis whites. Loewe's May 2026 collaboration with Paula's Ibiza turned an at-first-glance plain camisole and skirt set into a winning serve. Vibrant pom-poms in varying sizes decorated the top's spaghetti straps and the mini skirt's hemline.

Pippa Middleton

Two years ago, Taylor Swift sold out an under-$250 gingham dress from Reformation at the US Open. Fast forward to Wimbledon 2026, and Pippa Middleton's Naira Dress from Reformation could face the same fate. Luckily for fans, the rose-printed dress is still widely available. While you're at it, treat yourself to Middleton's Lock & Co. Hatters sunhat, too.

Lily James

L.A. label Dôen has been on a roll this summer, joining the wardrobe rotations of Bella Hadid, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Daisy Edgar-Jones. It was only a matter of time before its refined daytime dresses stole the Wimbledon spotlight.

Lily James wore the Emerence Dress, featuring a high ruffled neckline and black polka dots on an ivory silk base, at Wimbledon. To finish the look, the Downton Abbey actor carried Prada's east-west Galleria Bag.

Bhavitha Mandava

Matthieu Blazy's leading Chanel muse, model Bhavitha Mandava, represented the French fashion house at one of the biggest tennis tournaments. She chose a burgundy Mini Flap Bag to match the flowers atop her lace-trimmed camisole and midi skirt.

Jessica Knoll doesn't mind if readers find her characters unlikable, but sometimes she is a little surprised when they do. Knoll made a big splash with her first novel, the 2015 mystery Luckiest Girl Alive. It made the New York Times Best Seller list, and was adapted into a 2022 film starring Mila Kunis. Knoll wrote the screenplay herself.

And while the author can understand why people might not love Ani, the main character from her debut, she's not really seeking out to write divisive women.

"It's not even a question of 'Do I like it?'" Knoll responds when asked if she likes writing unlikable women on the new episode of Marie Claire's "Nice Talk" podcast. "These are just the women I like. And then when people bring it back to me and they're like, 'I didn't like her,' I'm like, 'Really? I kind of like her. She's kind of funny.'"

Writing the character of Ani came from a personal place for Knoll, because "so much of my own personal anger and rage was channeled into her."

"I was so fucking angry at the time I wrote that book," she goes on. "I can understand people being like, 'She is just, like, a little snot.' I'm like, 'I'll give you that.'"

After Luckiest Girl Alive, Knoll published 2018's The Favorite Sister and 2023's Bright Young Women. Her latest novel, Helpless, just hit shelves on July 7.

"With this new book, I think [main character] Faye is a little Ani-like." But, she adds, "I think there's much more maturity and awareness around her. And so hearing even from some early readers, they're like, 'This character might not be for everyone,' and I'm like, 'Why not?' Like, she seems great!"

When it came to adapting Luckiest Girl Alive, Knoll says that she wasn't nervous about Ani having to be changed too much or made more palatable.

"Anyone that was like, I like this enough to attach myself to it as a producer, director, studio, they were already like, Oh, I'm vibing with this," Knoll says. "There weren't as many instances of where they were like, 'You need to make her more likable.' If anything, what people liked about it was she was unlikable."

For more from Knoll—including what she sometimes finds "terrifying" about her own ambition—check out this week's installment of "Nice Talk." The episode is available everywhere you listen to podcasts.

Everyone keeps saying women’s sports are having a moment. But it’s more than that. On and off the court, women’s sports are changing culture, conversations, and even our personal style. For Marie Claire’s Women in Sports series, we talk to the athletes, executives, and industry vets who are at the top of their game.

In Exit Interview, Marie Claire has a candid conversation with someone who’s left their job. We learn all about their experience—both the good and the bad—plus why they decided to leave and what life looks like on the other side.

Haley Carter left the Orlando Pride last year after building the club from a perennial underdog into National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) champions. Before that, Carter served as a Marine Corps officer, deployed to Iraq, played professionally in the NWSL, coached the Afghan Women’s National Team, and helped evacuate over a hundred people from Kabul when the city fell in 2021. She’s now president of soccer operations for the Washington Spirit, where she’s working to do something no women’s professional soccer team has done: break even.

For our series Exit Interview, Carter talks about building a championship system, the values she refuses to compromise on, and why she thinks the women’s game has moved well past “having a moment.”

You’ve been a Marine, a lawyer, an MBA, a player, a coach, and now a club president. How does all of that fit together?

I think when some people lay out my resumé, oftentimes they will sort of treat soccer as this surprise at the end. But I think they have it a bit backwards. Soccer has been a constant in my life and the rest is just what I bring to it. With my career, it’s really the same job in different settings and a different uniform. For 20 years, I’ve been building teams that perform under pressure. The Marine Corps taught me how to plan under uncertainty, how to build leaders. My experience in law taught me how to do deals and how to structure contracts and how risk actually works. My business experience and my MBA taught me the economics of sports. And then playing and coaching taught me what it looks and feels like from inside the locker room.

You built the Orlando Pride into champions. What did that take?

Building a system. I think external opinions and viewpoints of what happens behind the scenes can tend to isolate things. They’ll think, “Oh, well, you built a strong roster, or you had a clear identity in how you wanted to play, or you created a performance environment where players could succeed.” The reality is it wasn’t just one thing. It’s about creating a system that has a clear identity, has disciplined recruitment, and has a roster that’s constructed to a plan instead of just this wishlist. The emphasis in Orlando was: Can we get the culture right? Can we get the performance environment right? Could we start to develop this codified game model, plan, and roster construction strategy that allowed us to be successful not just in one season but in multiple seasons?

In 2021, you helped evacuate over a hundred people from Kabul, including members of the Afghan women’s team you’d coached. What did you learn from that experience?

Feeling accountable for empowering these women, and the work that we did to empower them and give them opportunities, is the very work that’s then going to threaten their lives—that is tough to struggle with. But I would say that coordinating the evacuation of those players and staff—and I will never offer it as a career highlight because I think it belongs to them and not to me—but it is the clearest answer for why I believe this work matters. We can’t forget that sport is what gave those women a team and a flag and opportunity, but it’s also what made them targets. Perspective is a hell of a drug, and being able to offer that to the people that I work with, to the athletes that I work with day in and day out, to remind them of what a privilege it is for us to get to wake up and do this every day, is truly incredible.

You’d just built a championship team in Orlando. What pulled you to Washington?

Michele Kang [Washington Spirit owner] is a force. The opportunity to work for Michele and her organization and her commitment to investing in women and women’s professional sports—not as this philanthropic effort or moral high ground to stand on, but treating it as the business it is—is exciting to me. Kynisca, our parent organization, is the first multi-team global organization built specifically around female athletes instead of just borrowing things from the men’s game. One of our big goals is to be the first National Women’s Soccer League team to break even and to run a sustainable business. I love that, because I appreciate that we’re talking about financial discipline and precision and transfer economics and these really advanced concepts in the women’s game. We’ve been asking for years to be treated as professionals, and a lot of things come with that. It’s just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

What’s the hardest part of being a woman in sports leadership right now

I’ve spent a lot of my career being the only woman in the room, whether it was in the Marine Corps, whether it was in corporate America, or here in sports. That experience shapes how I build teams now. I know what it costs when a room isn’t built for you. I know how much talent gets missed when it stays that way. So my job is to not be an exception—to make sure I’m not the last one. The biggest challenge that I see is other individuals not necessarily thinking that way. I get asked frequently, often by men: “We posted this position but no women applied for it. Where are all the women at?” Well, they’re everywhere. You have to go look for them, you have to do the work. I think the biggest challenge for me is convincing the stakeholders that are making hiring decisions to do the work to find qualified women, because they are plentiful—and then to make the investment in them once they give them the opportunity, so that we’re ensuring that we’re developing people as much as giving them opportunities.

Who do you lean on?

I have a village. I have a village of women in the game. I’ve got Lesle Gallimore, she’s the general manager in Seattle for the Reign. Amanda Vandervort, she’s the president of Gainbridge Super League. Lisa Cole, she’s an assistant coach with the U.S. Women’s National Team, longtime coach, has coached internationally in developing member associations as well and brings a lot to the table in terms of international experience and commitment to values and being very serious about that. Missy Price, who works at US Club Soccer. And Yolanda Thomas is an assistant coach in Orlando. It sounds like a large circle, but it really isn’t—it’s quite tight.

What does that village do for you?

Jobs come and go, especially in women’s sports and especially at the highest level. I can get fired any time, and most of my friends have been fired at one point or another. We’ve found that it doesn’t matter what job we’re in—there will be times when we’re opponents, there will be times when we’re in adversarial positions, there will be times when we’re for interests that aren’t necessarily aligned. But our friendships remain, and I think that’s really important, and I think it’s something that’s underrated and we don’t talk enough about when we talk about successful women. There’s very few women in the world that can relate and understand what you’re going through in this industry. Having that maturity and the perspective to be able to call and know who to lean on and when to lean on them and who to embrace when you need to bring them in and help them out, I think is really important.

What are you proudest of?

Being committed to my values and leaning into those two values of service and reliability—and, even when it’s hard, sticking to that. I have a 14-year-old son and I know how much he values women athletes and women in business and women in the law, and it’s come from the work and the opportunities that I’ve had and my dedication to my values. Those values dictate how I lead and how I make decisions, even when things get hard, like when we were navigating the sexual assault and sexual harassment claims with the Afghan Football Federation with FIFA and being adversarial with the world’s governing body. Standing for the things that are right and doing it in uncomfortable ways and vocally, and sometimes being a bit outspoken and being a bit of a pariah and somewhat polarizing figure—I think I’m most proud of that. It’s been hard to get into certain rooms because of that, but the benefit of sticking to my principles and sticking to my values has come through tenfold in other ways.

Any advice you’d give your younger self—or any woman coming up behind you?

Say yes to everything that comes your way because that is what is going to open doors and opportunities, and feel really good about that. But when you get to your 40s, no is a full sentence. And feel really good about that too. Be excellent at your craft, not just present in the conversation, and be unapologetic about being excellent in your craft. Know your numbers, know your contracts, know your operations—be the person who can actually run the damn thing, and then bring people with you. I’ve had doors open for me because of other women, and I take the job of opening them for the next person just as seriously as anything else that I do. The goal should never be to be the woman who made it, but to leave a path that is wider than when you found it. And for me, that’s the part I care about the most.

Everyone keeps saying women’s sports are having a moment. But it’s more than that. On and off the court, women’s sports are changing culture, conversations, and even our personal style. For Marie Claire’s Women in Sports series, we talk to the athletes, executives, and industry vets who are at the top of their game.

Tuning into Wimbledon this July or the US Open in September, nail-biting rallies and contested match points won't be the only things competing for your attention. Between the diamond earrings flashing during post-match interviews and the namesake bracelets visible in every close-up serve, tennis players' jewelry stacks have become almost as iconic as their backhand swings.

This has always been the game for athletes who take style seriously. (Try thinking of another activity with an entire jewelry category named after it—you can’t.) According to Sunita Kumar Nair, author of Ace: The Times and Style of Tennis, it's almost engineered to be a testing ground for high impact, high-shine pieces. "It is one of the rare sports where there's no contact," she says, "As soon as that happens, there's an immediate appeal for a fashion moment."

In this arena, pros put in hours of work to assemble a jewelry stack that's both personal and hardworking (sweat-resistant, lightweight, and most of all, secure). “I had to test out a few different styles before finding the perfect combination of length and weight—chipping a couple of teeth in the process,” says U.S. pro Hailey Baptiste.

For those of us who aren't competing for a major title, athletes' on-court jewelry is the blueprint for an elite summer stack. Whether they're modeling a traditional tennis bracelet or an advanced necklace trio, players like Emma Navarro say the right pieces "make you feel like you can do everything you want to do." Ahead, get acquainted with the four Grand Slam jewelry essentials worth styling on and off the court.

The All-Timer Tennis Bracelet

1970s tennis stars including Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals were among the first to wear diamond bracelets on the court. But it wasn't until Chris Evert lost hers in the middle of a 1978 U.S. Open match that the term "tennis bracelet" was born.

In the nearly 50 years since, legends of the sport and professional spectators alike have built their wrist stacks around a thin strand of diamonds (or several). Today's tennis pros tend to take one of two styling routes: letting those delicate pavé diamonds shine on their own or stacking them alongside chain-link bracelets in coordinating metals. Baptiste even personalized hers with multicolor stones to commemorate a win against the world No. 1 in Madrid last year. "It felt like the perfect way to celebrate a milestone while staying true to my style," she says. If you're ready to commemorate a win of your own, try an option personalized by your birthstone or a trio of letter charms.

The Statement Earring Stack

If you think a diamond stud is too small to get noticed on the big screens at Arthur Ashe Stadium, think again. "People see your ears more than you think they do, I guess, because I always get compliments on my ear stack," Navarro says. "That's probably what I like accessorizing the most."

Whether players have ten piercings like Navarro or wear a single pair of hoops like Coco Gauff, they tend to start their earring stacks with an unmissable solitaire diamond stud or huggie hoop. From there, players with multiple piercings often opt for smaller, lightweight hoops hoops or cluster studs that combine different shapes. The strategy is equal parts fashion and function with universal appeal. It scales up the gradient of an earring stack without wearing you down, whether you're running around the court or just running errands.

The Center Court Necklace

Some players leave the necklines of their Nike or New Balance tank tops bare. Then there are players like current world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who recently arrived at the French Open wearing a custom Material Good collar featuring more than 200 carats of diamonds and garnets. Whether layered in multiples or styled as a single strand, adorned with precious gems or sculpted from hard metals, these tennis necklaces serve the same purpose: bringing players' personalities onto the court.

On or off the court, U.S. player Amanda Anisimova says the appeal of her Tiffany Hardware necklaces is the same: "I like items that are versatile, that I can wear on the court, in the media room, to dinner," she says. For an everyday stack that glistens like hers, try matching a gold or silver pendant to the metallic base of a classic tennis necklace.

The Game-Winning Watch

When the final points are called and tournament trophies are hauled to center court, match winners often slip one extra piece onto their wrists: a five- or even six-figure timepiece. On the one hand, last-minute investment watch styling is an opportunity for sponsors—Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and TAG Heuer among them—to get their picture-perfect shout-out without the threat of a rogue backhand shattering the watch face. On the other, these additions to a wrist stack are reminders of tennis' rarified roots and profile boosts for the players themselves. "Putting the watch on afterward sends this message of high, high luxury," Kumar Nair says.