Jane Bright, "Survivor: Nicaragua "fan favorite, dies at 71

Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Jane Bright, who was a cast member ofSurvivor: Nicaraguain 2010, has died in North Carolina, her daughter announced Thursday onFacebook. She was 71. "Today Jane Hammett Bright was found passed away within her home by a good friend and county sheriff," Ashley wrote. Monty Brinton/CBS Entertainment Weeklyhas reached out to reps for the show. Hammett, who was described then as a 56-year-old dog trainer, competed on the show's season 21. She finished in sixth place in a cast of 20. While Bright was still in the reality competition, she made quite the impression with audiences, winning the fan favorite prize voted on by viewers. She also spoke withEWabout whether it would be tough for her to focus on the show, as her husband had just died. She absolutely didn't. "Don always wanted me to do this," Bright said. "He knew I was applying throughout the years. And because he's not here? He is here, and I'm gonna tell you what, we've had pictures taken at my house, and I lost him and one of my show dogs about the same time, and their orbs show up in pictures, so I know they're with me, honey." The competition hadn't quite started, but Bright promised that she would "hang with the workers." She also showed her sense of humor when she laughed as she told a story about the slip she was wearing under her skirt having fallen out once as she showed a dog. After her death,Survivor: Ghost Islandalum Donathan Hurley shared his reaction to learning about it. "Lord, I sure did get my heart broken when I opened up Facebook after work!" hewrote. "One of my favoriteSurvivorfamily members, as I call them all, has passed away. I loved Jane so much!!! This lady was a firecracker! Always ready to have a good time and a good laugh! RIP Jane." Two-timeSurvivorwinner Sandra Diaz-Twine alsopaid tribute, captioning a photo of Bright on show, "Rest in heavenly peace." Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byRicky Wilson
in
May 15, 2025

Jane Bright, “Survivor: Nicaragua ”fan favorite, dies at 71

Jane Bright, "Survivor: Nicaragua "fan favorite, dies at 71 Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Jane Bright, who was a cast member ofSurvi...
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Amber Riley explains why she's not interested in a "Glee" reboot — but would do a Mercedes spinoff in a heartbeat

Adam Rose/FOX Amber Rileyhas been asked about returning to a new version ofGleeso often that she has an answer ready. "I love answering this question," Riley said Thursday when the subject came up on Monét X Change'sMonét Talkspodcast. "No!" Even if her lawyers and agents were able to secure a "sweet deal," such as $40 million for three seasons? Riley's answer appeared to remain unchanged. "I just feel like what we did was so phenomenal, I don't want to risk trying to reinvent the wheel," Riley said. "Now if they redo it, I think that's amazing, because there are so many kids now that are just now discoveringGlee, and so I think that that'd be really dope. But, you know, we lost cast members. I just feel like the chemistry, that formula, was so specific, and it's changed now, so I don't know if it would be as effective." She added, "I'm always prepared for that question." Gleewas a phenomenon with the kind of success that any network would love to repeat. Originally airing over six seasons, from 2009 to 2015, the show was a hit with critics — it won six Emmy Awards — and viewers alike. And the songs the New Directions glee club performed regularly soared to the top of theBillboardcharts. With a large cast that also includedLea Michele,Cory Monteith,Mark Salling,Chris Colfer,Dianna Agron,Naya Rivera,Heather Morris,Kevin McHale,Jenna Ushkowitz,Matthew Morrison, andJane Lynch, the Fox musical comedy followed the adventures of a group of high school misfits singing their way through the awkward years — when they weren't dodging slushies. Ethan Miller/Getty for amfAR TheGleecast has suffered several losses, starting during its original run, when Monteith, who played the jock Finn,died of a drug overdoseon July 13, 2013. Salling (Puck) was determined to havedied by suicidein January 2018, several months after having pleaded guilty to charges associated with possession of child pornography. Rivera, who was known as spicy cheerleader Santana, accidentally drowned in July 2020, after going missing while boating with Josey, her 4-year-old son. Officials said that her son said she made sure tohelp him onto a boatbefore sinking into the water herself. Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free daily newsletterto get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. As much as Riley was against a redo of her hit series, she said she would be all for a new show starring a certain diva. "If Mercedes got a spinoff on her own, I would do that," the actress said. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat 800-273-8255. Find more information about suicidehere. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byRicky Wilson
in
May 15, 2025

Amber Riley explains why she's not interested in a “Glee” reboot — but would do a Mercedes spinoff in a heartbeat

Amber Riley explains why she's not interested in a "Glee" reboot — but would do a Mercedes spinoff in a heartbeat Adam Rose/FO...
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Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, DealbreakerNew Foto - Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Dealbreaker

There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solvetoday's puzzlebefore reading further!Dealbreaker Constructor:Emily Biegas Editor:Amanda Rafkin CPR (10A: Lifesaving procedure taught to the beat of "Staying Alive") As I have previously written, the Red Cross recommends doing CPR at a rate of 100 chest compressions per minute. This means that songs with 100-120 beats per minute are useful tools to help you maintain the correct rate if you need to perform CPR. This includes"Stayin' Alive,"the 1977 song by the Bee Gees. DHABI (13A: Abu ___) Abu DHABI is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Walt Disney Company recently announced that its newest theme park will be located in Abu DHABI. Although there have not been a lot of details released about the plans for theDisneyland Abu DHABI resort, there have been indications that it will be a primarily indoor park. DOUBLE STEAL (17A: Baseball strategy involving two runners) This is a fun answer, and likeyesterday's grand SLAM, I was delighted that I knew the answer to this sports-related clue. I tried to find statistics about the success rate of DOUBLE STEAL attempts, but was unsuccessful. My guess is that successful DOUBLE STEALs are fairly uncommon. ENT (20A: Doc who may diagnose a deviated septum) An ENT, which stands for ear, nose, and throat, is a medical specialist also known as an otorhinolaryngologist. (One can understand why ENT is commonly used to refer to this specialty.) The septum is the nasal cartilage that separates the nasal cavity into two nostrils. A deviated septum is a condition in which the top of the cartilage departs from the centerline and leans to the left or right. It's estimated that 70-80% of people have a deviated septum, so this is not an uncommon condition. A deviated septum may cause snoring, sleep apnea, mouth breathing, as well as other symptoms. Only severe cases of a deviated septum require treatment. DEER (24A: Skittish woodland creatures) and DEAR (65A: Homophone of 24-across) I like this DEAR DEER pair. It's true that DEER are generally skittish, but I did chuckle at this clue. We live near a creek and have DEER in our neighborhood. Sometimes they seem to not be skittish enough, as they often refuse to move when I walk or bike by them (or when I find them in my backyard and try to get them to leave...). ILY (29A: Texter's expression of affection) and ETA (31A: Texter's "When will you be here?") and NBD (43A: Texter's "Don't worry about it") I enjoyed seeing this text conversation in the grid. In case you need assistance interpreting these abbreviations: ILY = I love you, ETA = estimated time of arrival, and NBD = no big deal. SETI (33A: Org. seeking life beyond Earth) SETI here stands for "search for extraterrestrial intelligence." TheSETI Instituteis a nonprofit research organization founded in 1984 to search for and understand life beyond Earth. SETI's headquarters are located in Mountain View, California. There are three primary SETI centers: The Carl Sagan Center (named in honor of the astronomer, who is a former trustee of the institute, the Center for Education, and the Center for Public Outreach. IPA (39A: Bell's Two Hearted, e.g.) According to the Bell's Brewery website,Two Hearted IPAis "named after fishing waters in Michigan's Upper Peninsula." If you'd like to learn how Bell's Brewery"Started In a Soup Pot, Now We're Here,"I recommend checking out the history section of their website. DEADPOOL (40A: Marvel character known for breaking the fourth wall) Breaking the fourth wall is a technique where a character talks directly to the audience. The character of DEADPOOL uses this technique quite a bit, addressing the audience with interjections of witty remarks, commentary about what's happening, and highlighting his awareness that he's a fictional character. Here's a fun story I discovered while learning more about DEADPOOL. In 2004, several years before Ryan Reynolds first portrayed DEADPOOL in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the comic bookCable and DEADPOOL #2featured a panel with DEADPOOL describing himself as"Ryan Renolds [sic] crossed with a shar-pei." EZRA (68A: Better Than ___ (rock band)) Better Than EZRA is an alt rock band based in New Orleans. Their 1995 single,"Good,"reached the top ofBillboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart. Better Than EZRA released their ninth studio album,SuperMagick, in 2024. RATED E (7D: Like the video game Animal Crossing) Video games that are RATED E have content suitable for all ages; the E stands for "everyone."Animal Crossing, released in 2001, is the first in a series of games in which players take up residence in a village populated by anthropomorphic animals. I first learned aboutAnimal Crossingfrom theJune 13, 2020 puzzle(during my first week of blogging about theUSA Todaycrossword).Everything I know aboutAnimal CrossingI've learned from crosswords. CABARET (10D: Musical with Sally Bowles and the Emcee) The 1966 musicalCABARET(music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb) was based on a 1951 play,I Am a Camera, by Joe Druten. The play, in turn, was adapted from a semi-autobiographical 1939 novel,Goodbye to Berlin.CABARETis set in 1929-1930 Berlin, as the Nazis are ascending to power. The musical centers on a relationship between an American writer, Clifford Bradshaw, and a CABARET singer, Sally Bowles. Overseeing the musical's action is the "Emcee," the Master of Ceremonies at the seedy Kit Kat Club. A revival ofCABARETis currently playing on Broadway.Since March 31, Eva Noblezada and Orville Peck have been playing the roles of Sally Bowles and the Emcee. DOUBLE STEAL (17A: Baseball strategy involving two runners) DEADPOOL (40A: Marvel character known for breaking the fourth wall) DEFINE NORMAL (59A: "What exactly do you mean by 'typical'?") DEALBREAKER: The word DEAL is broken by each theme answer:DOUBLE STEAL,DEADPOOL, andDEFINE NORMAL. I appreciate that the theme answers represent each possible DEALBREAKER scenario: D/EAL, DEA/L, and DE/AL. The theme answer DEFINE NORMAL made me laugh! I definitely have a "NORMAL is relative" and "NORMAL is just a setting on a dryer" outlook on life. Thank you, Emily, for this engaging puzzle. USA TODAY's Daily Crossword Puzzles Sudoku & Crossword Puzzle Answers This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Crossword Blog & Answers for May 16, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher

byRicky Wilson
in
May 15, 2025

Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Dealbreaker

Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Dealbreaker There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solvetoday...
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Jenna Ortega Channels Sarah Jessica Parker in 'Naked Dress' Inspired by the "Sex and the City Star"'s Look from 1997

Kevin Mazur/WireImage; Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Jenna Ortega stepped out in New York wearing a "naked" dress inspired by a look worn by Sarah Jessica Parker According to a press release from DKNY, Ortega's silky pink minidress was inspired by Parker's "naked" dress — which she wore in the first season of "Sex and the City" and to the VH1VogueFashion Awards She paired the dress with a gray fur coat, a sultry makeup look and silver strappy heels Jenna Ortegais channelingSarah Jessica Parkeronce again with a throwback look. On Tuesday, May 13, theWednesdaystar, 22, arrived to at New York City afterparty for the world premiere ofHurry Up Tomorrow— her brand-new film starringThe Weeknd— rocking a look originally made famous by Parker on bothSex and the Cityand the red carpet. According to a press release from DKNY, Ortega stepped out in a silky pink minidress inspired by the designer's "naked" dress that Parker wore to the 1997 VH1VogueFashion Awards. The dress also famously appeared on Carrie Bradshaw in the first season and sixth episode ofSATC. Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty In an Instagram Stories post shared by stylist Enrique Melendez, Ortega could be seen recreating Parker's pose from a 1997 promotional shot forSex and the City, laying on a bed to put the minidress on full display. "Thanks for giving me mySex in the Cityliiiife and playing along @jennaortega, no matter how annoying I get," Melendez captioned the photos. "And @dkny for the most iconic dress fto out and about in NYC!" In her ownInstagrampost, the actress reflected on the afterparty and shared more photos of her archival dress, which she paired with a gray fur coat, a sultry makeup look and silver strappy heels, channeling Carrie Bradshaw even further. "Luckiest woman alive getting to know, love, and work with these artists whom I respect so much. <33," she captioned the photos. "A lot of love, everywhere @hurryuptomorrowmovie." This isn't the first time Ortega and her stylist have pulled from the archives to channelSex and the City.At theHurry Up Tomorrowworld premiere, also on Tuesday, May 13, she rocked Carrie Bradshaw'ssignature Christian Dior newspaper dress. Ortega, who became an ambassador for Dior in 2023, arrived in the iconic John Galliano dress that debuted at Christian Dior's Fall/Winter 2000 show during Paris Fashion Week. Parker wore the iconic dress in season 3, episode 17, "What Goes Around Comes Around" of the HBO series, which premiered in October 2000. She paired the dress with her trademark gold nameplate necklace. Carie Bradshaw resurrected the dress years later and rewore it in 2010'sSex and the City 2. In the feature film, she styles the iconic dress with Christian Louboutin Bridget Strass peep-toe black booties and a white feather clutch. Michael Loccisano/WireImage Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Hurry Up Tomorrowfeatures The Weeknd — A.K.A. Abel Tesfaye, 35 — in his first leading film role and serves as a feature-length companion to his sixth album of the same name. In the psychological thriller, he plays a musician with insomnia as he is "pulled into an odyssey with a stranger who begins to unravel the very core of his existence," per the synopsis. Ortega, who also executive produced the movie, told PEOPLE at the premiere that working with Tesfaye on the semi-autobiographic piece helped ground her. "Honestly, it was quite a strange time in my life," Ortega shared. "I felt very lost, so it felt very in tune with the production that we were having." "To be able to collaborate on a story that is so meaningful and personal to such an inspiring artist was comforting and reassuring," she explained. "I felt seen, which was incredible and very beneficial." Hurry Up Tomorrowpremieres in theaters on Friday, May 16. Read the original article onPeople

byRicky Wilson
in
May 15, 2025

Jenna Ortega Channels Sarah Jessica Parker in 'Naked Dress' Inspired by the “Sex and the City Star”'s Look from 1997

Jenna Ortega Channels Sarah Jessica Parker in 'Naked Dress' Inspired by the "Sex and the City Star"'s Look from 1997 K...
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Is "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives"' Zac Affleck Related to Ben Affleck? Inside Their Rumored Family Connection

Jen Affleck/Instagram; Jon Kopaloff/Getty The Secret Lives of Mormon Wivesstar Jennifer Affleck previously said her husband Zac is related to Ben Affleck Soon after season 1 of the show, a source denied the family connection to PEOPLE The couple addressed the drama in season 2 of the reality show, which premiered on May 15 Zac Affleck is best known for his role in the reality seriesThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,but that may not be his only claim to fame. Following rumors that Zac is actorBen Affleck's first cousin once removed, many have questioned how valid their family ties might be — a subject that his wife, influencer Jennifer Affleck, addressed while talking to PEOPLE in May 2025. "Ibrought it up onceand press ran with it, and I feel like that's all I've ever talked about since then," she said. "But at this point, I'm like, 'Hey, if I meet Ben Affleck and J.Lo on the way, then great.' " Zac, a medical student, married Jen in 2019, and the couple share two children with one on the way. Now, their family life is on full display in the Hulu reality show, which follows eight Mormon moms who found fame on TikTok amid a sex scandal. (Zac and Jennifer have denied participating in the infamous"soft swinging" lifestylewith their fellow castmates.) The second season ofThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wivesstarted streaming on Hulu on May 15, and the couple addressed the rumors of their relationship to Ben in the first few episodes. From his childhood in Utah to his rumored connection to Ben Affleck, here is everything to know about Zac Affleck. Jen Affleck/Instagram ; Astrid Stawiarz/Getty The familial connection between Zac and Ben came under scrutiny in September 2024 when online genealogy sleuths claimed that the Utah Afflecks and the Boston Afflecks have "no relationship." "So Zac Affleck is her husband. [His father] is David Affleck. Zac's grandfather is Gordon Affleck. Zac's great-grandparents — which would [establish] second cousins — his name is Alan Burt Affleck," a source explained to PEOPLE. "Then Ben's dad is Tim Affleck. His grandfather is Myron Junior. His great-grandparent is Myron Senior. No, Alan Burt and Myron Senior aren't brothers or anything." Reps for Jennifer and Zac and Hulu declined to comment on the matter. WhenThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wivesreturned for a second season in May 2025, Zac admitted in a confessional that he has "no idea" if he's actually related to Ben and that it all began as "a running joke" in his family. "It's never been something serious," he said. "And so, when Jen started telling people that, I did tell her, 'I don't think you should say that anymore. I think that's probably gonna backfire.' " Jennifer first mentioned Zac's familial ties to theGone Girlstar onTikTokin September 2022 — shortly after Ben andJennifer Lopezgot married in Vegas and she took the actor's last name. "When you thought you were going to be the next JLO. But instead ... she stole your name & you're busting it down to Ms. Rachel," the TikToker wrote alongside a video of her dancing to "Wheels on the Bus." While talking to PEOPLE in September 2024, Jennifer revealed that she and Zac have "never met" the actor. "Zac's dad has [met them], when [Ben] was very little," she added. "I'm hoping to meet him one day, too!" Related:Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's Relationship Timeline Jen Affleck/Instagram Zac was born in Utah, and his parents, Dave and Kristel Leishman Affleck, raised him in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). After graduating from Olympus High School in May 2015, he participated in the church's missionary program in theDominican Republic. Zac eventuallygraduated from Brigham Young Universityin July 2024 and was accepted into medical school. Jen Affleck/Instagram The Utah-born reality star married Jennifer, who calls the Bay Area home, on June 28, 2019, in Newport Beach, Calif. The ceremony was held at the local LDS temple, while the reception took place on a large yacht. "I knew Zac was the one when I realized I couldn't imagine life without him & his amazing qualities," Jennifer wrote onInstagramahead of their wedding. "I'm grateful to have someone who loves me unconditionally, puts me first, & makes me want to be a better fiancé, friend, daughter and person. Can't forget he makes me the happiest girl alive." The couple began dating in 2018 after meeting on a Mormon dating app called Mutual. Zac later proposed at Top of the Rock in New York City in January 2019. Jen Affleck/Instagram Zac and Jennifer share two children: daughter Nora, who was born in November 2021, and son Lucas Lowell, who arrived in July 2023. "We were so young when we first became parents, with lots to learn, but Zac has always been there every step of the way. He's never wavered in giving Nora and Luca everything they need," the mom of two wrote onInstagramin honor of Father's Day 2024. Now, the couple are expecting their third child. Disney/Fred Hayes Hulu's reality seriesThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wivesfollows a group of Mormon mom influencers who "get caught in the middle of a swinging sex scandal." Jennifer stars in the show alongside seven other women, includingTaylor Frankie Paul, who made headlines in 2022 when she announced her divorce and opened up about her and her husband's "soft swinging" lifestyle. Zac, along with several other husbands, participated in filming the show — and fans often see drama between the partners. "It feels like we got 10 years of marriage counseling in this one season of filming," Jennifer told PEOPLE. Read the original article onPeople

byRicky Wilson
in
May 15, 2025

Is “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”’ Zac Affleck Related to Ben Affleck? Inside Their Rumored Family Connection

Is "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives"' Zac Affleck Related to Ben Affleck? Inside Their Rumored Family Connection Jen Affleck/...
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