Author: News US

A who’s who of Hollywood quickly rallied to his side after ABC unceremoniously dumped him from his late night show for vile comments about Charlie Kirk.

But one of Jimmy Kimmel‘s best friends of over a decade has remained mysteriously silent, despite calls for her to weigh in.

Jennifer Aniston, who regularly hangs out with the TV host and even invites him to her Thanksgiving parties, hasn’t uttered a word on his axing.

Now, insiders have revealed she’s being urged to remain quiet – no matter how hard it is for her.

The source said the Friends star is ‘100 percent in his corner’, but her team has warned her speaking out will invoke a huge backlash.

Kimmel was ditched by ABC after suggesting Kirk’s assassin was MAGA and arguing Republicans were trying to weaponize the attack to garner more support.

It provoked outrage on the Right and the chair of the FCC threatened and investigation into the network.

Last week executives pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off air ‘indefinitely’, which saw fury from the Left and celebrities claiming it was due to government interference.

Jennifer Aniston, 56, ‘desperately wants’ to defend Jimmy Kimmel, 57, but her team is ‘concerned it could hurt her career,’ a source told the Daily Mail

The actress and the late-night host have been friends for over a decade

But throughout the bluster, one voice remained silent, with Aniston neither posting anything nor taking to the airwaves to criticize the decision.

A source told the Daily Mail this week: ‘Jen and Jimmy have been very close friends for years.

‘She desperately wants to come out in support of him being pulled off the air over his comments because she’s one hundred percent in his corner.

‘However, her reps are advising her this is one time she should stay out of the conversation.’

They continued: ‘Her representatives are strongly advising her to restrain herself about Kimmel publicly for fear of the backlash.’

Still, it’s a ‘very hard decision’ for the actress to make as she’s ‘not a person who holds back’ and often ‘speaks her mind,’ the source said.

In 2019, Aniston cooked homemade enchiladas for Kimmel during her Friendsgiving celebration as part of an inside joke between the pair

Aniston and Kimmel, 57, have a friendship that spans over a decade.

The pair first crossed paths in 2012, when Kimmel and his wife, Molly McNearney, invited actor Justin Theroux to their home in Los Angeles.

McNearney, who married Kimmel in 2013 and served as head writer on Jimmy Kimmel Live! from 2008 to 2023, explained in an essay for InStyle that Aniston was dating Theroux at the time.

‘At first I was a bit star-struck that Rachel Green was standing near my bananas,’ McNearney recalled. ‘But my nerves faded as soon as she hugged me, pulled a lime off our tree for her vodka rocks, and dissected The Bachelor.’

‘She was immediately warm, like an old friend. She’s magnetic like that. No boundaries, no b*******, and a lot of laughing,’ she wrote.

Three years later, Kimmel would officiate Aniston and Theroux’s wedding in 2015, though they divorced in 2018.

The couple are frequent guests at Aniston’s annual Friendsgiving, which is typically held in November before the Thanksgiving holiday.

In 2019, Aniston hosted a star-studded Friendsgiving that included her Friends co-star Courteney Cox, pal Jason Bateman, and of course Kimmel on the guest list.

Aniston labeled the dish ‘Jimmy’s f**king enchiladas,’ in a post seen on her Instagram

She also poked fun at Kimmel during the festivities by cooking homemade enchiladas for the late night host.

When Aniston appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! prior to the gathering, he complained that they should eat Mexican food on Friendsgiving to save the traditional Thanksgiving food for the actual holiday.

As such, Aniston cooked and labeled the dish ‘Jimmy’s f**king enchiladas’ for the 2019 celebration, sharing a video of his reaction to her Instagram.

The trio have also gone on multiple international excursions together, as Aniston traveled with the married couple to Tahiti in March 2018 to celebrate McNearney’s birthday.

She also attended the writer’s 40th birthday party that same month, where she posed for photos with McNearney, Tobey Maguire’s ex-wife Jen Meyer, and Bateman’s wife Amanda Anka in a photo booth.

Most recently, Aniston shared a ‘summertime photo dump’ on Instagram in September 2023 that featured photos of herself with Kimmel, McNearney, Bateman and Aanka all posing together on a beach.

Aniston shared a video of Kimmel’s reaction to the enchiladas

Despite their close friendship, the insider explained that Aniston has refrained from publicly defending Kimmel after his show was suspended indefinitely because her team is ‘concerned it could hurt her career.’

What’s more, the fourth season of her Apple TV+ series The Morning Show premiered on September 17, as Aniston hit the red carpet last week for the show’s premiere party in New York City.

Leading up to the 2024 presidential election, Aniston made a political statement calling out Vice President JD Vance for his controversial ‘childless cat ladies’ comment.

The actress reposted the infamous clip of Vance’s interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson in 2021, as the Ohio senator claimed the US was run by ‘a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too.’

Aniston, writing to her 44.6 million followers, shared on Instagram: ‘I truly can’t believe that this is coming from a potential VP of the United States.

‘All I can say is… Mr Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day,’ she continued.

In her message, the actress also hinted at her own struggles to conceive a child through in-vitro fertilization and hit out at Vance’s opposition towards the Democrat-led Right to IVF Act.

‘I hope she will not need to turn to IVF as a second option,’ she added, ‘Because you are trying to take that away from her, too.’

Aniston often shares snaps of her group vacations with Jimmy Kimmel and his wife Molly McNearney, along with Jason Bateman and his wife Amanda Anka

The trio posed together on vacation in an Instagram snap shared by Aniston in September 2023

Aniston was pictured spending time with Kimmel, Bateman and their wives

She also spoke out against President Donald Trump in 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic, as she encouraged her followers to vote for President Joe Biden and shared photos of herself dropping off her mail-in ballot.

‘Our current President has decided that racism is a non-issue. He has repeatedly and publicly ignored science… too many people have died,’ she wrote, adding: ‘Vote for equal human rights, for love, and for decency.’

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Aniston for comment.

Kimmel has kept a low-profile since Wednesday, when ABC announced it was suspending his late-night show ‘indefinitely’ following his controversial remarks about the man accused of shooting conservative commentator Kirk.

Kimmel has kept a low-profile since Wednesday, when ABC announced Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended ‘indefinitely’ following his on-air comments about Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin

Kimmel had claimed that Tyler Robinson, 22, was a conservative, despite investigators saying that Robinson held far-left ideologies and was dating his transgender roommate.

While Aniston has yet to speak out following Kimmel’s cancellation, their fellow close friend Jason Bateman was asked about his response to the news during an appearance on NBC’s Today show with Craig Melvin.

‘Well, it’s troubling to say the least,’ the actor said on Thursday. ‘And we all have to really take a moment and figure how we feel about this type of thing.

‘Especially, people doing what you do,’ he added.

‘I’m sure there’s going to be some sort of collective move to respond to this, but I’m not smart enough or powerful enough to be the one to do it.

‘But I imagine there’s plenty of conversations going on to do something, because you just can’t stand by and let stuff like that go on.’

Melvin then probed, ‘Stuff like?’ to which Bateman responded: ‘Well, Jimmy getting his show pulled for freedom of speech.’

A who’s who of Hollywood quickly rallied to his side after ABC unceremoniously dumped him from his late night show for vile comments about Charlie Kirk.

But one of Jimmy Kimmel‘s best friends of over a decade has remained mysteriously silent, despite calls for her to weigh in.

Jennifer Aniston, who regularly hangs out with the TV host and even invites him to her Thanksgiving parties, hasn’t uttered a word on his axing.

Now, insiders have revealed she’s being urged to remain quiet – no matter how hard it is for her.

The source said the Friends star is ‘100 percent in his corner’, but her team has warned her speaking out will invoke a huge backlash.

Kimmel was ditched by ABC after suggesting Kirk’s assassin was MAGA and arguing Republicans were trying to weaponize the attack to garner more support.

It provoked outrage on the Right and the chair of the FCC threatened and investigation into the network.

Last week executives pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off air ‘indefinitely’, which saw fury from the Left and celebrities claiming it was due to government interference.

Jennifer Aniston, 56, ‘desperately wants’ to defend Jimmy Kimmel, 57, but her team is ‘concerned it could hurt her career,’ a source told the Daily Mail

The actress and the late-night host have been friends for over a decade

But throughout the bluster, one voice remained silent, with Aniston neither posting anything nor taking to the airwaves to criticize the decision.

A source told the Daily Mail this week: ‘Jen and Jimmy have been very close friends for years.

‘She desperately wants to come out in support of him being pulled off the air over his comments because she’s one hundred percent in his corner.

‘However, her reps are advising her this is one time she should stay out of the conversation.’

They continued: ‘Her representatives are strongly advising her to restrain herself about Kimmel publicly for fear of the backlash.’

Still, it’s a ‘very hard decision’ for the actress to make as she’s ‘not a person who holds back’ and often ‘speaks her mind,’ the source said.

In 2019, Aniston cooked homemade enchiladas for Kimmel during her Friendsgiving celebration as part of an inside joke between the pair

Aniston and Kimmel, 57, have a friendship that spans over a decade.

The pair first crossed paths in 2012, when Kimmel and his wife, Molly McNearney, invited actor Justin Theroux to their home in Los Angeles.

McNearney, who married Kimmel in 2013 and served as head writer on Jimmy Kimmel Live! from 2008 to 2023, explained in an essay for InStyle that Aniston was dating Theroux at the time.

‘At first I was a bit star-struck that Rachel Green was standing near my bananas,’ McNearney recalled. ‘But my nerves faded as soon as she hugged me, pulled a lime off our tree for her vodka rocks, and dissected The Bachelor.’

‘She was immediately warm, like an old friend. She’s magnetic like that. No boundaries, no b*******, and a lot of laughing,’ she wrote.

Three years later, Kimmel would officiate Aniston and Theroux’s wedding in 2015, though they divorced in 2018.

The couple are frequent guests at Aniston’s annual Friendsgiving, which is typically held in November before the Thanksgiving holiday.

In 2019, Aniston hosted a star-studded Friendsgiving that included her Friends co-star Courteney Cox, pal Jason Bateman, and of course Kimmel on the guest list.

Aniston labeled the dish ‘Jimmy’s f**king enchiladas,’ in a post seen on her Instagram

She also poked fun at Kimmel during the festivities by cooking homemade enchiladas for the late night host.

When Aniston appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! prior to the gathering, he complained that they should eat Mexican food on Friendsgiving to save the traditional Thanksgiving food for the actual holiday.

As such, Aniston cooked and labeled the dish ‘Jimmy’s f**king enchiladas’ for the 2019 celebration, sharing a video of his reaction to her Instagram.

The trio have also gone on multiple international excursions together, as Aniston traveled with the married couple to Tahiti in March 2018 to celebrate McNearney’s birthday.

She also attended the writer’s 40th birthday party that same month, where she posed for photos with McNearney, Tobey Maguire’s ex-wife Jen Meyer, and Bateman’s wife Amanda Anka in a photo booth.

Most recently, Aniston shared a ‘summertime photo dump’ on Instagram in September 2023 that featured photos of herself with Kimmel, McNearney, Bateman and Aanka all posing together on a beach.

Aniston shared a video of Kimmel’s reaction to the enchiladas

Despite their close friendship, the insider explained that Aniston has refrained from publicly defending Kimmel after his show was suspended indefinitely because her team is ‘concerned it could hurt her career.’

What’s more, the fourth season of her Apple TV+ series The Morning Show premiered on September 17, as Aniston hit the red carpet last week for the show’s premiere party in New York City.

Leading up to the 2024 presidential election, Aniston made a political statement calling out Vice President JD Vance for his controversial ‘childless cat ladies’ comment.

The actress reposted the infamous clip of Vance’s interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson in 2021, as the Ohio senator claimed the US was run by ‘a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too.’

Aniston, writing to her 44.6 million followers, shared on Instagram: ‘I truly can’t believe that this is coming from a potential VP of the United States.

‘All I can say is… Mr Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day,’ she continued.

In her message, the actress also hinted at her own struggles to conceive a child through in-vitro fertilization and hit out at Vance’s opposition towards the Democrat-led Right to IVF Act.

‘I hope she will not need to turn to IVF as a second option,’ she added, ‘Because you are trying to take that away from her, too.’

Aniston often shares snaps of her group vacations with Jimmy Kimmel and his wife Molly McNearney, along with Jason Bateman and his wife Amanda Anka

The trio posed together on vacation in an Instagram snap shared by Aniston in September 2023

Aniston was pictured spending time with Kimmel, Bateman and their wives

She also spoke out against President Donald Trump in 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic, as she encouraged her followers to vote for President Joe Biden and shared photos of herself dropping off her mail-in ballot.

‘Our current President has decided that racism is a non-issue. He has repeatedly and publicly ignored science… too many people have died,’ she wrote, adding: ‘Vote for equal human rights, for love, and for decency.’

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Aniston for comment.

Kimmel has kept a low-profile since Wednesday, when ABC announced it was suspending his late-night show ‘indefinitely’ following his controversial remarks about the man accused of shooting conservative commentator Kirk.

Kimmel has kept a low-profile since Wednesday, when ABC announced Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended ‘indefinitely’ following his on-air comments about Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin

Kimmel had claimed that Tyler Robinson, 22, was a conservative, despite investigators saying that Robinson held far-left ideologies and was dating his transgender roommate.

While Aniston has yet to speak out following Kimmel’s cancellation, their fellow close friend Jason Bateman was asked about his response to the news during an appearance on NBC’s Today show with Craig Melvin.

‘Well, it’s troubling to say the least,’ the actor said on Thursday. ‘And we all have to really take a moment and figure how we feel about this type of thing.

‘Especially, people doing what you do,’ he added.

‘I’m sure there’s going to be some sort of collective move to respond to this, but I’m not smart enough or powerful enough to be the one to do it.

‘But I imagine there’s plenty of conversations going on to do something, because you just can’t stand by and let stuff like that go on.’

Melvin then probed, ‘Stuff like?’ to which Bateman responded: ‘Well, Jimmy getting his show pulled for freedom of speech.’

Serena Williams slipped into some silky lingerie in her latest Instagram post.

The tennis star looked happy and slender in the skimpy baby blue lace-trimmed outfit that made the most of her slender legs.

‘Dressed to the nines… and on cloud nine. In satin swimwear of course,’ wrote the mother of two in her Instagram caption.

This comes a month after she shocked her fans when she revealed that she has lost 31lbs with the aid of a weight-loss medication, GLP-1.

Williams shared that she took GLP-1 because she needed the help; she had tried to lose the weight on her own but couldn’t.

‘As an athlete and as someone that has done everything, I just couldn’t get my weight to where I needed to be at a healthy place, and believe me I don’t take shortcuts. I do everything but shortcuts,’ Williams said on Today.

After Olympia was born in 2017, she worked out for hours to shed the weight but her weight refused to go down.

Serena Williams slipped into some silky lingerie in her latest Instagram post. The tennis star looked happy and slender in the skimpy baby blue lace-trimmed outfit that made the most of her slender legs

This comes a month after she shocked her fans when she revealed that she has lost 31lbs with the aid of a weight-loss medication, GLP-1

‘I literally was playing a professional sport, and I could never go back to where I needed to be for my health, for my healthy weight, no matter what I did,’ she said. ‘I would always lose a lot of weight, and then I would stay. No matter what I did, I couldn’t go lower than that one number.’

On Thursday, she kicked off a campaign with Ro, a company that prescribes GLP-1 medications through telehealth; she wants to show that taking the medication is not just an ‘easy way out.’ Her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is an investor in Ro and serves on its board.

Also on Thursday the star dropped three new images to Instagram where she was in a bright yellow swimsuit while in the water.

The beauty struck fun poses as she oozed body confidence and flashed a winning smile while wearing black sunglasses and a scarf around her neck. ‘Melanin mellow-yellow,’ she wrote in her caption as her 18M fans went wild for her new look.

That same day the seven-time Wimbledon champ was seen in all gray with silver pumps as she walked in New York City with a dark cap from Nike that read ‘I’m on Ro.’ Williams teamed up with Ro to partner on their GLP-1 weight loss offering.

Williams shared that she took GLP-1 because she needed the help; she had tried to lose the weight on her own but couldn’t

Here she is seen taking the jab in an ad for Ro

Her weight loss news was hardly shocking.

After all the 43-year-old tennis champion has been dropping hints for several months that she had experienced a major slim down.

Often the California native would post stunning swimsuit photos where she had no fat on her, which is impressive considering she has welcomed two children: Olympia and Adira with husband of eight years, Alexis Ohanian.

The star had abs, strong legs and sculpted arms as she flaunted her new frame.

On July 11 Serena had a six pack as she wore black workout attire in a gym. ‘Working out and working on my angles,’ she wrote in her caption.

Halle Berry, Amy Schumer and Mandy Moore hit the like button.

On July 18 the athlete posed in a periwinkle blue bikini while on a yacht as she appeared ready for her closeup.

Soon after her weight loss reveal, she dropped new images to Instagram where she was in a bright yellow swimsuit while in the water

She had a ripped tummy with a smaller bust and bottom as she posed like a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model.

In February 2024, she share a flattering bikini photo.

The star looked incredibly toned and slender in a little white two-piece swimsuit that consisted of a low-cut top and small briefs with straps over the hips.

The diva had black sunglasses on as she posed on a yacht as she held her second daughter Adira.

Her her hair was worn up with curly tendrils falling down around her face, and her makeup was light with pale pink lipstick.

‘Loving yourself is essential,’ began her caption as she was candid about her feelings concerning her body.

She then went on about how she felt about her morphing figure.

‘I find that I have to remind myself of that self-love through all different stages in my life,’ added the tennis great.

She then talked her figure, which looked in great shape. ‘Right now I love that my body is not picture perfect,’ she said.

‘I love that I smell like milk – that milk sustains @adiraohanian I love getting to know a new version of my body.

‘It is a change, but it’s a change that has been well worth it. So start this week, knowing that you are loved, and that starts with you. Ok, now I’m about to go to the gym. Serena.’

In mid July the athlete posed in a periwinkle blue bikini while on a yacht as she appeared ready for her closeup. Right, seen on July 11 with a six pack in the gym as she took a selfie

GLP-1 agonists are medications that help lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. There are many different types. And they’re just one part of your treatment plan if you have Type 2 diabetes or obesity. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if they’re right for you,’ according to the Cleveland Clinic.

GLP-1 agonists are a class of medications that mainly help manage blood sugar (glucose) levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. Some GLP-1 agonists can also help treat obesity.

GLP-1 agonists are most often injectable medications, meaning you inject a liquid medication with a needle and syringe. You give the shots in the fatty tissue just under your skin (subcutaneous injection). Areas of your body you can give the injections include your belly, outer thighs, upper buttocks and the backs of your arms.

She said on Thursday that she found it hugely ‘frustrating’ when she was unable to get her pre-pregnancy physique back after giving birth to daughter Olympia in 2017 and faced similar struggles when her second daughter Adira was born in August 2023.

She told People magazine: ‘[After Olympia]I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be no matter what I did, no matter how much I trained.

‘It was crazy because I’d never been in a place like that in my life where I worked so hard, ate so healthy and could never get down to where I needed to be at.

‘I had never taken shortcuts in my career and always worked really hard. I know what it takes to be the best. So it was very frustrating to do all the same things and never be able to change that number on the scale or the way my body looked.’

Serena told how she lost a lot of weight in the two weeks after she and husband Alexis Ohanian welcomed their second daughter into the world, but then nothing else.

She recalled: ‘I just thought, gosh, I don’t know if I would ever be able to get back to where I needed to get to.’

Serena then turned to healthcare company Ro, who guided her in choosing a GLP-1 treatment – which includes the likes of Ozempic and Mounjaro – but was hesitant before going ahead.

She said: ‘I did a lot of research on it. I was like, ‘is this a shortcut? What are the benefits? What are not the benefits?’ I really wanted to dive into it before I just did it.’

After stopping breastfeeding when Adira was six months old, Serena was able to start the weekly injections and now she feels better than ever.

She said: ‘They were super supportive and it was easy to get the medication. I lost over 31 pounds using my GLP-1 and I was really excited about that weight loss. I just can do more. I’m more active. My joints don’t hurt as much. I just feel like something as simple as just getting down is a lot easier for me. And I do it a lot faster. I feel like I have a lot of energy and it’s great. I just feel pretty good about it.’

Heather Locklear’s fans were shocked by how great she still looks.

On Sunday the blonde bombshell glowed as she made a rare appearance on the What Do You Want? podcast with her close pal Jillian Barberie and personality Twelve28rx.

A fun snapshot taken on the podcast set was shared to Instagram.

The 63-year-old Melrose Place actress was every inch a bombshell as she wore a white outfit.

‘Hello everyone! We have a brand new podcast page! @wdywpodcast,’ the caption read. ‘Our other one got hacked! Starting fresh! Please follow this page going forward. We have a release date! We will announce the date on next post! Can’t wait!’

Fans went nuts for Locklear’s youthful appearance after a few bumpy years.

‘Heather looks amazing!’ said a follower while another said the siren appeared ‘gorgeous’. ‘You do not age Heather!’ added another follower.

Heather Locklear’s fans were shocked by how great she still looks. Seen in 1985 when fame hit

Locklear, seen aged 22 in 1984, was on a podcast with her friends

Locklear was memorably on TV’s Melrose Place from 1993 until 1999.

She played scheming Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place until the show ended in 1999.

Her costars were Rob Estes, Jack Wagner, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Josie Bissett, Thomas Calabro and Kelly Rutherford, among others.

The blonde also popped back on the new version of the show from 2009 until 2010.

Heather was also known for her marriages – she was wed to Pamela Anderson’s ex, Tommy Lee, as well as Bon Jovi vet Richie Sambora.

This comes after she had a rough patch as she went in and out of rebab in 2018 and 2019; the star appears to be much better these days and more stable.

It was reported in 2021 that Heather ‘couldn’t be happier’ with her fiancé Chris Heisser, with sources saying the couple are ‘in a really good place’ as they take their relationship to the next level.

An insider said: ‘Heather and Chris are in a really good place right now. They couldn’t be happier. They each go out of their way to make the other feel special – she’ll cook for him, he’ll buy her flowers, etc.’

The star and her fiancé are high school sweethearts, and their romance dates back to the 70s, although they fell out of touch and only reunited in 2017.

But they split last year.

Locklear, seen far left, on the set of a podcast with her pal Jillian Barberie, far right, on Sunday

Heather played scheming Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place until the show ended in 1999. (clockwise from top left) Rob Estes, Locklear, Jack Wagner, Jamie Luner, Josie Bissett, Thomas Calabro, Kelly Rutherford, John Haymes Newton

In February Locklear said she thought she was too old to join the cast of Melrose Place when she was offered the role – aged 30.

The actress shot to fame on the 1990s primetime drama and has now reflected on her introduction to the show during an episode of the ‘Still the Place’ podcast, hosted by her former co-stars Daphne Zuniga, 61, Laura Leighton, 55, and 56-year-old Thorne-Smith.

She said: ‘I watched the show because there was so much press on it.

‘And I was going, Oh my God, this show is gonna be great … and I wish I could be on it, but I’m too old.

‘I was, like, 30. Or almost 30 or something like that. And you guys were all 20, early 20s.’

Melrose Place premiered on Fox in July 1992 and followed the lives of a group of 20-somethings living in a fictional West Hollywood apartment complex.

The original cast included Courtney, with Daphne and Laura joining later in the season.

When ratings stagnated, producer Aaron Spelling, who had previously worked with Heather on ‘Dynasty’ and ‘T.J. Hooker’, cast her in an attempt to boost interest in the series.

Aaron, who had referred to Heather as his ‘lucky penny,’ initially brought her in for a short guest arc.

Locklear, Adrian Zmed and William Shatner in the 1980s series TJ Hooker

Seen in a plunging candy apple green swimsuit in 2024

The Hollywood veteran shares Ava with her second husband, Bon Jovi lead guitarist Richie Sambora, whom she was married to from 1994 to 2007; the trio are pictured in 2005

The actress also recalled receiving a call from her manager about the role, on Melrose, adding: ‘I go, “Of course. Yeah. That’d be fun”.

‘I just said, “I wanna be a businesswoman. I don’t wanna be Sammy Jo from Dynasty. I don’t wanna, like, be a quirky girl”.’

Her Melrose character, advertising executive Amanda Woodward, made her debut in a January 1993 episode.

The show’s ratings improved significantly, and Fox subsequently ordered 10 additional episodes for the first season. Heather was then promoted to a main cast member for season two of the show, and her Amanda character quickly became a central antagonist, cementing the actress as one of the show’s breakout stars.

Despite Amanda’s prominence, Heather told her former castmates on the podcast her favorite Melrose storylines did not involve her own character.

She said: ‘I’m not in them. I love the one with Marcia (Cross) – the friggin’ head thing!’

Heather appeared to be referencing a storyline in season four in which Marcia’s character Kimberly Shaw is revealed to suffer from severe mental illness, including dissociative identity disorder.

Kimberly later dies in season five from an inoperable brain tumor.

Serena Williams slipped into some silky lingerie in her latest Instagram post.

The tennis star looked happy and slender in the skimpy baby blue lace-trimmed outfit that made the most of her slender legs.

‘Dressed to the nines… and on cloud nine. In satin swimwear of course,’ wrote the mother of two in her Instagram caption.

This comes a month after she shocked her fans when she revealed that she has lost 31lbs with the aid of a weight-loss medication, GLP-1.

Williams shared that she took GLP-1 because she needed the help; she had tried to lose the weight on her own but couldn’t.

‘As an athlete and as someone that has done everything, I just couldn’t get my weight to where I needed to be at a healthy place, and believe me I don’t take shortcuts. I do everything but shortcuts,’ Williams said on Today.

After Olympia was born in 2017, she worked out for hours to shed the weight but her weight refused to go down.

Serena Williams slipped into some silky lingerie in her latest Instagram post. The tennis star looked happy and slender in the skimpy baby blue lace-trimmed outfit that made the most of her slender legs

This comes a month after she shocked her fans when she revealed that she has lost 31lbs with the aid of a weight-loss medication, GLP-1

‘I literally was playing a professional sport, and I could never go back to where I needed to be for my health, for my healthy weight, no matter what I did,’ she said. ‘I would always lose a lot of weight, and then I would stay. No matter what I did, I couldn’t go lower than that one number.’

On Thursday, she kicked off a campaign with Ro, a company that prescribes GLP-1 medications through telehealth; she wants to show that taking the medication is not just an ‘easy way out.’ Her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is an investor in Ro and serves on its board.

Also on Thursday the star dropped three new images to Instagram where she was in a bright yellow swimsuit while in the water.

The beauty struck fun poses as she oozed body confidence and flashed a winning smile while wearing black sunglasses and a scarf around her neck. ‘Melanin mellow-yellow,’ she wrote in her caption as her 18M fans went wild for her new look.

That same day the seven-time Wimbledon champ was seen in all gray with silver pumps as she walked in New York City with a dark cap from Nike that read ‘I’m on Ro.’ Williams teamed up with Ro to partner on their GLP-1 weight loss offering.

Williams shared that she took GLP-1 because she needed the help; she had tried to lose the weight on her own but couldn’t

Here she is seen taking the jab in an ad for Ro

Her weight loss news was hardly shocking.

After all the 43-year-old tennis champion has been dropping hints for several months that she had experienced a major slim down.

Often the California native would post stunning swimsuit photos where she had no fat on her, which is impressive considering she has welcomed two children: Olympia and Adira with husband of eight years, Alexis Ohanian.

The star had abs, strong legs and sculpted arms as she flaunted her new frame.

On July 11 Serena had a six pack as she wore black workout attire in a gym. ‘Working out and working on my angles,’ she wrote in her caption.

Halle Berry, Amy Schumer and Mandy Moore hit the like button.

On July 18 the athlete posed in a periwinkle blue bikini while on a yacht as she appeared ready for her closeup.

Soon after her weight loss reveal, she dropped new images to Instagram where she was in a bright yellow swimsuit while in the water

She had a ripped tummy with a smaller bust and bottom as she posed like a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model.

In February 2024, she share a flattering bikini photo.

The star looked incredibly toned and slender in a little white two-piece swimsuit that consisted of a low-cut top and small briefs with straps over the hips.

The diva had black sunglasses on as she posed on a yacht as she held her second daughter Adira.

Her her hair was worn up with curly tendrils falling down around her face, and her makeup was light with pale pink lipstick.

‘Loving yourself is essential,’ began her caption as she was candid about her feelings concerning her body.

She then went on about how she felt about her morphing figure.

‘I find that I have to remind myself of that self-love through all different stages in my life,’ added the tennis great.

She then talked her figure, which looked in great shape. ‘Right now I love that my body is not picture perfect,’ she said.

‘I love that I smell like milk – that milk sustains @adiraohanian I love getting to know a new version of my body.

‘It is a change, but it’s a change that has been well worth it. So start this week, knowing that you are loved, and that starts with you. Ok, now I’m about to go to the gym. Serena.’

In mid July the athlete posed in a periwinkle blue bikini while on a yacht as she appeared ready for her closeup. Right, seen on July 11 with a six pack in the gym as she took a selfie

GLP-1 agonists are medications that help lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. There are many different types. And they’re just one part of your treatment plan if you have Type 2 diabetes or obesity. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if they’re right for you,’ according to the Cleveland Clinic.

GLP-1 agonists are a class of medications that mainly help manage blood sugar (glucose) levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. Some GLP-1 agonists can also help treat obesity.

GLP-1 agonists are most often injectable medications, meaning you inject a liquid medication with a needle and syringe. You give the shots in the fatty tissue just under your skin (subcutaneous injection). Areas of your body you can give the injections include your belly, outer thighs, upper buttocks and the backs of your arms.

She said on Thursday that she found it hugely ‘frustrating’ when she was unable to get her pre-pregnancy physique back after giving birth to daughter Olympia in 2017 and faced similar struggles when her second daughter Adira was born in August 2023.

She told People magazine: ‘[After Olympia]I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be no matter what I did, no matter how much I trained.

‘It was crazy because I’d never been in a place like that in my life where I worked so hard, ate so healthy and could never get down to where I needed to be at.

‘I had never taken shortcuts in my career and always worked really hard. I know what it takes to be the best. So it was very frustrating to do all the same things and never be able to change that number on the scale or the way my body looked.’

Serena told how she lost a lot of weight in the two weeks after she and husband Alexis Ohanian welcomed their second daughter into the world, but then nothing else.

She recalled: ‘I just thought, gosh, I don’t know if I would ever be able to get back to where I needed to get to.’

Serena then turned to healthcare company Ro, who guided her in choosing a GLP-1 treatment – which includes the likes of Ozempic and Mounjaro – but was hesitant before going ahead.

She said: ‘I did a lot of research on it. I was like, ‘is this a shortcut? What are the benefits? What are not the benefits?’ I really wanted to dive into it before I just did it.’

After stopping breastfeeding when Adira was six months old, Serena was able to start the weekly injections and now she feels better than ever.

She said: ‘They were super supportive and it was easy to get the medication. I lost over 31 pounds using my GLP-1 and I was really excited about that weight loss. I just can do more. I’m more active. My joints don’t hurt as much. I just feel like something as simple as just getting down is a lot easier for me. And I do it a lot faster. I feel like I have a lot of energy and it’s great. I just feel pretty good about it.’

Heather Locklear’s fans were shocked by how great she still looks.

On Sunday the blonde bombshell glowed as she made a rare appearance on the What Do You Want? podcast with her close pal Jillian Barberie and personality Twelve28rx.

A fun snapshot taken on the podcast set was shared to Instagram.

The 63-year-old Melrose Place actress was every inch a bombshell as she wore a white outfit.

‘Hello everyone! We have a brand new podcast page! @wdywpodcast,’ the caption read. ‘Our other one got hacked! Starting fresh! Please follow this page going forward. We have a release date! We will announce the date on next post! Can’t wait!’

Fans went nuts for Locklear’s youthful appearance after a few bumpy years.

‘Heather looks amazing!’ said a follower while another said the siren appeared ‘gorgeous’. ‘You do not age Heather!’ added another follower.

Heather Locklear’s fans were shocked by how great she still looks. Seen in 1985 when fame hit

Locklear, seen aged 22 in 1984, was on a podcast with her friends

Locklear was memorably on TV’s Melrose Place from 1993 until 1999.

She played scheming Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place until the show ended in 1999.

Her costars were Rob Estes, Jack Wagner, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Josie Bissett, Thomas Calabro and Kelly Rutherford, among others.

The blonde also popped back on the new version of the show from 2009 until 2010.

Heather was also known for her marriages – she was wed to Pamela Anderson’s ex, Tommy Lee, as well as Bon Jovi vet Richie Sambora.

This comes after she had a rough patch as she went in and out of rebab in 2018 and 2019; the star appears to be much better these days and more stable.

It was reported in 2021 that Heather ‘couldn’t be happier’ with her fiancé Chris Heisser, with sources saying the couple are ‘in a really good place’ as they take their relationship to the next level.

An insider said: ‘Heather and Chris are in a really good place right now. They couldn’t be happier. They each go out of their way to make the other feel special – she’ll cook for him, he’ll buy her flowers, etc.’

The star and her fiancé are high school sweethearts, and their romance dates back to the 70s, although they fell out of touch and only reunited in 2017.

But they split last year.

Locklear, seen far left, on the set of a podcast with her pal Jillian Barberie, far right, on Sunday

Heather played scheming Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place until the show ended in 1999. (clockwise from top left) Rob Estes, Locklear, Jack Wagner, Jamie Luner, Josie Bissett, Thomas Calabro, Kelly Rutherford, John Haymes Newton

In February Locklear said she thought she was too old to join the cast of Melrose Place when she was offered the role – aged 30.

The actress shot to fame on the 1990s primetime drama and has now reflected on her introduction to the show during an episode of the ‘Still the Place’ podcast, hosted by her former co-stars Daphne Zuniga, 61, Laura Leighton, 55, and 56-year-old Thorne-Smith.

She said: ‘I watched the show because there was so much press on it.

‘And I was going, Oh my God, this show is gonna be great … and I wish I could be on it, but I’m too old.

‘I was, like, 30. Or almost 30 or something like that. And you guys were all 20, early 20s.’

Melrose Place premiered on Fox in July 1992 and followed the lives of a group of 20-somethings living in a fictional West Hollywood apartment complex.

The original cast included Courtney, with Daphne and Laura joining later in the season.

When ratings stagnated, producer Aaron Spelling, who had previously worked with Heather on ‘Dynasty’ and ‘T.J. Hooker’, cast her in an attempt to boost interest in the series.

Aaron, who had referred to Heather as his ‘lucky penny,’ initially brought her in for a short guest arc.

Locklear, Adrian Zmed and William Shatner in the 1980s series TJ Hooker

Seen in a plunging candy apple green swimsuit in 2024

The Hollywood veteran shares Ava with her second husband, Bon Jovi lead guitarist Richie Sambora, whom she was married to from 1994 to 2007; the trio are pictured in 2005

The actress also recalled receiving a call from her manager about the role, on Melrose, adding: ‘I go, “Of course. Yeah. That’d be fun”.

‘I just said, “I wanna be a businesswoman. I don’t wanna be Sammy Jo from Dynasty. I don’t wanna, like, be a quirky girl”.’

Her Melrose character, advertising executive Amanda Woodward, made her debut in a January 1993 episode.

The show’s ratings improved significantly, and Fox subsequently ordered 10 additional episodes for the first season. Heather was then promoted to a main cast member for season two of the show, and her Amanda character quickly became a central antagonist, cementing the actress as one of the show’s breakout stars.

Despite Amanda’s prominence, Heather told her former castmates on the podcast her favorite Melrose storylines did not involve her own character.

She said: ‘I’m not in them. I love the one with Marcia (Cross) – the friggin’ head thing!’

Heather appeared to be referencing a storyline in season four in which Marcia’s character Kimberly Shaw is revealed to suffer from severe mental illness, including dissociative identity disorder.

Kimberly later dies in season five from an inoperable brain tumor.

The NBA world stood still Thursday afternoon — not for a trade, not for an injury, not even for a LeBron James announcement — but for something far more seismic: Kawhi Leonard, the two-time champion, two-time Finals MVP, and architect of the Raptors’ 2019 miracle run, has been exposed. Not by opponents. Not by injuries. But by his own team.

In a bombshell internal memo accidentally leaked to ESPN and later confirmed by multiple league sources, Los Angeles Clippers executives have privately labeled Leonard “unreliable,” “disengaged in non-game settings,” and “a culture risk” moving forward — language so damning it sent shockwaves from Toronto to L.A. to San Antonio, where legends who once called him teammate now sit in stunned silence.

This isn’t speculation. This is institutional betrayal — documented, cold, and final.

The document — titled “2025 Roster Sustainability & Leadership Audit” — was meant for front office eyes only. But when a junior staffer mistakenly attached it to a mass email blast meant for season ticket holders, the NBA’s best-kept secret became its most explosive headline. Page three, under “Tier 1 Player Risk Assessment,” reads: “Kawhi Leonard (F): Elite production when active (23.8 PPG, 64% TS in ’23-’24).

However, chronic load management undermines roster continuity. Zero participation in voluntary film sessions. Minimal engagement with younger players. Refuses leadership council invites. Medical team reports ‘no structural issues’ — availability driven by personal discretion, not physical limitation.

Recommendation: Re-evaluate long-term commitment post-2025.” The words “personal discretion” were underlined twice. Attached footnotes cited 47 missed regular-season games over the past two years — none due to official injury designation.

Social media detonated within minutes. #ExposedKawhi trended worldwide. Memes flooded TikTok: Leonard photoshopped onto couches mid-game, labeled “Load Management King”; side-by-screens of him declining interviews vs. Jimmy Butler screaming in huddles; even a viral edit set to “C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu-Tang Clan — captioned “Clips Ain’t Nuthin’ Ta F*** Wit.” Fans weren’t just mocking — they were mourning.

“We built a contender around a ghost,” tweeted longtime Clipper fan @LobCity4Life. “He took our hope, our payroll, our prime PG years… and gave us 52 games a season if we’re lucky.”

Analysts scrambled. Stephen A. Smith opened his show yelling: “THIS IS WHY THE CLIPS CAN’T WIN! YOU DON’T BUILD A FRANCHISE ON MAYBE!” Even Charles Barkley, usually Leonard’s defender, sighed: “Man… I always said he was weird. But this? This is sabotage.”

Behind the scenes, the fallout is catastrophic. Sources say Paul George — already on his way out via free agency — texted friends: “Told y’all.” Assistant coaches, many of whom signed on specifically to work with Leonard, are updating resumes.

Sponsorship reps from Nike and New Balance are reportedly “monitoring sentiment” — code for preparing exit strategies. Most devastating? The locker room. Young players like Amir Coffey and Bones Hyland, who idolized Leonard, now feel misled. “He doesn’t talk. Doesn’t mentor. Doesn’t stay late.

Just shows up, drops 30, disappears,” said one player, speaking anonymously. “How you supposed to learn from that?” Even veterans are furious. “We sacrificed roles, took less money, bought into the ‘Clipper Way’ — all for a guy who won’t even attend shootaround?” fumed a source close to the team.

What makes this moment especially brutal is the context. The Clippers didn’t just invest in Leonard — they mortgaged their soul for him. Trading Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, five first-round picks, and two pick swaps for a player who’s played 129 total games in five seasons.

They maxed him out at $176 million. They built a state-of-the-art training facility with cryo-chambers and nap pods tailored to his “recovery needs.”

They hired masseuses, chefs, sleep consultants — all to keep him fresh. And what did they get? Two playoff exits before the Conference Finals. Zero All-NBA First Teams since 2020. And now? A front office admitting — in writing — that his absences aren’t medical. They’re optional. A choice. A lifestyle.

Leonard’s camp responded swiftly — but not with denial. His agent, Brian Elfus, released a statement: “Kawhi’s approach to longevity is well-documented and medically supported. The Clippers agreed to this framework when they signed him.

To characterize his professionalism as ‘disengaged’ is revisionist and disrespectful to his legacy.” Translation: You knew what you were getting. Don’t pretend otherwise. But that defense no longer holds water. Because the memo doesn’t accuse Leonard of being injured — it accuses him of opting out. Of prioritizing comfort over culture.

Of collecting max dollars while refusing the responsibilities that come with franchise leadership. “This isn’t about games missed,” wrote ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “It’s about trust broken. The Clippers bet everything on a myth — and the myth just filed for divorce.”

Where does this leave the Clippers? On the brink. With George gone, Russell Westbrook aging, and James Harden’s future uncertain, L.A. faces a reckoning: Do they double down on Leonard — hoping age 34 brings newfound urgency?

Or do they cut bait, swallow the luxury tax, and rebuild around young assets and draft capital? League insiders say ownership is leaning toward the latter. “You can’t sell tickets to ‘maybe Kawhi plays,’” said one Eastern Conference GM. “Fans want certainty. Culture. Heart. He offers none of that.”

Trade scenarios are already circulating — Miami offering Bam Adebayo and draft compensation; Houston dangling Jabari Smith Jr. and cap space; even Toronto, nostalgic for 2019, rumored to inquire. But who takes on $49 million owed next season for a part-time player with zero locker room presence?

And what of Leonard’s legacy? Once hailed as the quiet assassin who delivered Toronto its only title, he now risks becoming the NBA’s most expensive mirage — a talent so transcendent yet so detached that he poisoned every franchise he touched.

San Antonio fans whisper he forced the Spurs’ hand with icy silences. Toronto admits they “held their breath” every game night. Now L.A.? They’ve documented his indifference in triplicate.

“He’s not MJ,” wrote Pulitzer-winning columnist Sally Jenkins. “He’s not Kobe. He’s not even Duncan. Greatness isn’t just stats — it’s sacrifice. It’s showing up. It’s leading. Kawhi chose comfort over crown. History won’t forget that.”

Leonard himself remains silent — as always. No Instagram rants. No press conferences. No cryptic tweets. Just silence. Which, in this moment, screams louder than any apology ever could. The man who once stared death in the eye during Game 6 against the Warriors now avoids eye contact with teammates.

The man who carried a city on his back now shrugs off accountability like an ill-fitting jersey. The exposure isn’t just organizational — it’s existential. Who is Kawhi Leonard, really? A champion? Or a contractor? A legend? Or a luxury?

The NBA will move on. The Clippers will rebuild. But Kawhi? He’ll remain — a ghost in designer sneakers, haunting locker rooms, draining threes, then vanishing before the lights dim. The league exposed him. But perhaps, in the end, he exposed himself. And that’s the most shocking truth of all.

The WNBA’s offseason, typically a time for reflection and roster reshuffling, erupted into chaos this week with two bombshell stories that have left fans, players, and media members reeling: a reporter’s controversial handling of A’ja Wilson’s MVP moment and the official end of Angel Reese’s tumultuous tenure with the Chicago Sky.

The fallout has been swift and severe, with social media ablaze, stars speaking out, and the league facing uncomfortable questions about media ethics, player empowerment, and the volatile nature of team-building in a rapidly growing sport.

For a league that prides itself on its close-knit community and player-centric values, these developments have exposed fault lines that threaten to overshadow the excitement of the upcoming season.

The firestorm began during what should have been a celebratory press conference for A’ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces’ superstar forward, who was recently named WNBA MVP for the second consecutive year—a historic achievement that cements her status as one of the game’s all-time greats.

As Wilson, visibly emotional, began to reflect on her journey, the sacrifices of her teammates, and the significance of the award, a reporter interjected with a question that stopped the room cold: “A’ja, you’ve been open about the criticism you faced early in your career about your motor and consistency.

How does it feel to now be a two-time MVP despite those doubts?” The query, which many viewed as a deliberate attempt to overshadow Wilson’s moment with outdated negativity, was met with stunned silence before Wilson, ever composed, offered a measured but pointed response.

“I’ve always let my game speak for itself,” she said. “But today is about celebrating this team, this organization, and the hard work that got us here. I’m not here to rehash old narratives.”

Within minutes, video of the exchange went viral, and fans flooded social media with outrage, accusing the reporter of “ruining” Wilson’s MVP moment and displaying a lack of respect for a generational talent.

The hashtag #RespectAja trended globally, with supporters condemning the line of questioning as petty, unprofessional, and rooted in the same double standards that have long plagued Black female athletes.

“This is why athletes hate media,” tweeted WNBA legend Sue Bird. “Instead of celebrating a historic achievement, they want to dig up old dirt. It’s pathetic.” Other players, including Wilson’s Aces teammate Kelsey Plum, rallied to her defense, calling the incident “disrespectful” and “a bad look for our league.”

The reporter, who has not been publicly identified, faced immediate backlash, with critics noting that male athletes like Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid are rarely subjected to similar “redemption” narratives when winning MVP awards.

The controversy laid bare the often-fraught relationship between athletes and the media, particularly in women’s sports, where every misstep is magnified and every achievement is scrutinized through a lens of skepticism.

For Wilson, a player who has carried herself with grace while leading the Aces to back-to-back championships, the incident was a jarring reminder that even in her brightest moments, she can’t escape the shadow of unfair criticism.

“She’s given everything to this league, and this is how they treat her?” asked one fan on Instagram. “It’s disgusting.” The WNBA Players’ Association issued a statement condemning the reporter’s conduct, emphasizing that “athletes deserve to be celebrated without having their accomplishments diminished by reductive or hostile questioning.”

As the league office reviews the incident, many are calling for stricter guidelines to protect players from disrespectful media practices—a conversation that’s long overdue.

While the WNBA grappled with the fallout from Wilson’s press conference, another seismic shift was underway in Chicago, where star forward Angel Reese’s time with the Sky has officially come to an end, marking a stunning fall from grace for a player once hailed as the franchise’s savior.

The team announced late Tuesday that it had agreed to trade Reese to the New York Liberty in exchange for a package including draft picks and role players, ending a rocky one-year marriage that began with championship expectations but ended in dysfunction and disappointment.

Reese, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, arrived in Chicago with sky-high hopes after a legendary college career at LSU, but her rookie season was marred by the team’s on-court struggles, reported locker room tensions, and public disagreements with first-year head coach Teresa Weatherspoon over her role and the team’s direction.

Reese’s tenure with the Sky was a rollercoaster from the start. Despite flashes of brilliance, including a 25-point, 15-rebound masterpiece in a win over the Aces, she struggled with consistency and was often the focal point of criticism as the team limped to a second-to-last-place finish.

Off the court, she remained a cultural icon, using her platform to advocate for gender equity and NIL rights, but her outspokenness sometimes clashed with the organization’s desire to manage its image.

By midseason, rumors of Reese’s frustration with the team’s losing culture and Weatherspoon’s coaching style began to surface, and she was briefly benched for “attitude issues” following a heated sideline exchange.

The situation reached a breaking point when Reese liked a tweet suggesting she “deserved better” than Chicago, all but confirming her desire to move on.

The trade to the Liberty, a perennial contender led by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, represents a fresh start for Reese and a chance to compete for a championship immediately.

In return, the Sky receive a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, and veteran forward Kayla Thornton, providing assets for a franchise facing a full-scale rebuild.

For Reese, the move is a homecoming of sorts—she’s a New York native—and instantly makes the Liberty even more formidable. “I’m excited for this new chapter,” Reese said in a statement. “I want to thank the Sky organization for the opportunity, but I’m ready to help bring a championship to New York.”

Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello praised Reese’s “toughness, rebounding, and ability to rise in big moments,” adding that her skill set complements Stewart and Ionescu perfectly.

For the Sky, the trade closes the book on a disastrous season and forces a long-overdue reckoning with the front office’s failures. General manager Jeff Greenberg, who took over in 2023, now faces the daunting task of rebuilding a roster that has lost its star player and its head coach (Weatherspoon was fired last month) in rapid succession.

The team holds the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, but with no clear franchise cornerstone on the roster, the path back to contention appears long and uncertain.

Fans, still reeling from the Wilson controversy, expressed mixed emotions about Reese’s departure: some lamented the loss of her star power, while others argued that a fresh start was best for both sides. “We gave up on a generational talent because we couldn’t get our act together,” one fan tweeted. “This franchise is a joke.”

As the WNBA offseason descends into chaos, these twin controversies—one involving media malpractice and the other a franchise-altering trade—highlight the growing pains of a league that’s never been more popular or more scrutinized.

The anger over the reporter’s treatment of A’ja Wilson reflects a fanbase that’s fiercely protective of its stars and tired of outdated narratives, while Angel Reese’s exit from Chicago underscores the intense pressure on young athletes to perform amid dysfunction.

In a league where every move is dissected and every voice matters, these moments are more than just headlines; they’re inflection points that will shape the future of the WNBA. For now, the basketball world watches, waits, and wonders: what’s next?

The NBA world stood still Thursday afternoon — not for a trade, not for an injury, not even for a LeBron James announcement — but for something far more seismic: Kawhi Leonard, the two-time champion, two-time Finals MVP, and architect of the Raptors’ 2019 miracle run, has been exposed. Not by opponents. Not by injuries. But by his own team.

In a bombshell internal memo accidentally leaked to ESPN and later confirmed by multiple league sources, Los Angeles Clippers executives have privately labeled Leonard “unreliable,” “disengaged in non-game settings,” and “a culture risk” moving forward — language so damning it sent shockwaves from Toronto to L.A. to San Antonio, where legends who once called him teammate now sit in stunned silence.

This isn’t speculation. This is institutional betrayal — documented, cold, and final.

The document — titled “2025 Roster Sustainability & Leadership Audit” — was meant for front office eyes only. But when a junior staffer mistakenly attached it to a mass email blast meant for season ticket holders, the NBA’s best-kept secret became its most explosive headline. Page three, under “Tier 1 Player Risk Assessment,” reads: “Kawhi Leonard (F): Elite production when active (23.8 PPG, 64% TS in ’23-’24).

However, chronic load management undermines roster continuity. Zero participation in voluntary film sessions. Minimal engagement with younger players. Refuses leadership council invites. Medical team reports ‘no structural issues’ — availability driven by personal discretion, not physical limitation.

Recommendation: Re-evaluate long-term commitment post-2025.” The words “personal discretion” were underlined twice. Attached footnotes cited 47 missed regular-season games over the past two years — none due to official injury designation.

Social media detonated within minutes. #ExposedKawhi trended worldwide. Memes flooded TikTok: Leonard photoshopped onto couches mid-game, labeled “Load Management King”; side-by-screens of him declining interviews vs. Jimmy Butler screaming in huddles; even a viral edit set to “C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu-Tang Clan — captioned “Clips Ain’t Nuthin’ Ta F*** Wit.” Fans weren’t just mocking — they were mourning.

“We built a contender around a ghost,” tweeted longtime Clipper fan @LobCity4Life. “He took our hope, our payroll, our prime PG years… and gave us 52 games a season if we’re lucky.”

Analysts scrambled. Stephen A. Smith opened his show yelling: “THIS IS WHY THE CLIPS CAN’T WIN! YOU DON’T BUILD A FRANCHISE ON MAYBE!” Even Charles Barkley, usually Leonard’s defender, sighed: “Man… I always said he was weird. But this? This is sabotage.”

Behind the scenes, the fallout is catastrophic. Sources say Paul George — already on his way out via free agency — texted friends: “Told y’all.” Assistant coaches, many of whom signed on specifically to work with Leonard, are updating resumes.

Sponsorship reps from Nike and New Balance are reportedly “monitoring sentiment” — code for preparing exit strategies. Most devastating? The locker room. Young players like Amir Coffey and Bones Hyland, who idolized Leonard, now feel misled. “He doesn’t talk. Doesn’t mentor. Doesn’t stay late.

Just shows up, drops 30, disappears,” said one player, speaking anonymously. “How you supposed to learn from that?” Even veterans are furious. “We sacrificed roles, took less money, bought into the ‘Clipper Way’ — all for a guy who won’t even attend shootaround?” fumed a source close to the team.

What makes this moment especially brutal is the context. The Clippers didn’t just invest in Leonard — they mortgaged their soul for him. Trading Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, five first-round picks, and two pick swaps for a player who’s played 129 total games in five seasons.

They maxed him out at $176 million. They built a state-of-the-art training facility with cryo-chambers and nap pods tailored to his “recovery needs.”

They hired masseuses, chefs, sleep consultants — all to keep him fresh. And what did they get? Two playoff exits before the Conference Finals. Zero All-NBA First Teams since 2020. And now? A front office admitting — in writing — that his absences aren’t medical. They’re optional. A choice. A lifestyle.

Leonard’s camp responded swiftly — but not with denial. His agent, Brian Elfus, released a statement: “Kawhi’s approach to longevity is well-documented and medically supported. The Clippers agreed to this framework when they signed him.

To characterize his professionalism as ‘disengaged’ is revisionist and disrespectful to his legacy.” Translation: You knew what you were getting. Don’t pretend otherwise. But that defense no longer holds water. Because the memo doesn’t accuse Leonard of being injured — it accuses him of opting out. Of prioritizing comfort over culture.

Of collecting max dollars while refusing the responsibilities that come with franchise leadership. “This isn’t about games missed,” wrote ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “It’s about trust broken. The Clippers bet everything on a myth — and the myth just filed for divorce.”

Where does this leave the Clippers? On the brink. With George gone, Russell Westbrook aging, and James Harden’s future uncertain, L.A. faces a reckoning: Do they double down on Leonard — hoping age 34 brings newfound urgency?

Or do they cut bait, swallow the luxury tax, and rebuild around young assets and draft capital? League insiders say ownership is leaning toward the latter. “You can’t sell tickets to ‘maybe Kawhi plays,’” said one Eastern Conference GM. “Fans want certainty. Culture. Heart. He offers none of that.”

Trade scenarios are already circulating — Miami offering Bam Adebayo and draft compensation; Houston dangling Jabari Smith Jr. and cap space; even Toronto, nostalgic for 2019, rumored to inquire. But who takes on $49 million owed next season for a part-time player with zero locker room presence?

And what of Leonard’s legacy? Once hailed as the quiet assassin who delivered Toronto its only title, he now risks becoming the NBA’s most expensive mirage — a talent so transcendent yet so detached that he poisoned every franchise he touched.

San Antonio fans whisper he forced the Spurs’ hand with icy silences. Toronto admits they “held their breath” every game night. Now L.A.? They’ve documented his indifference in triplicate.

“He’s not MJ,” wrote Pulitzer-winning columnist Sally Jenkins. “He’s not Kobe. He’s not even Duncan. Greatness isn’t just stats — it’s sacrifice. It’s showing up. It’s leading. Kawhi chose comfort over crown. History won’t forget that.”

Leonard himself remains silent — as always. No Instagram rants. No press conferences. No cryptic tweets. Just silence. Which, in this moment, screams louder than any apology ever could. The man who once stared death in the eye during Game 6 against the Warriors now avoids eye contact with teammates.

The man who carried a city on his back now shrugs off accountability like an ill-fitting jersey. The exposure isn’t just organizational — it’s existential. Who is Kawhi Leonard, really? A champion? Or a contractor? A legend? Or a luxury?

The NBA will move on. The Clippers will rebuild. But Kawhi? He’ll remain — a ghost in designer sneakers, haunting locker rooms, draining threes, then vanishing before the lights dim. The league exposed him. But perhaps, in the end, he exposed himself. And that’s the most shocking truth of all.

The WNBA’s offseason, typically a time for reflection and roster reshuffling, erupted into chaos this week with two bombshell stories that have left fans, players, and media members reeling: a reporter’s controversial handling of A’ja Wilson’s MVP moment and the official end of Angel Reese’s tumultuous tenure with the Chicago Sky.

The fallout has been swift and severe, with social media ablaze, stars speaking out, and the league facing uncomfortable questions about media ethics, player empowerment, and the volatile nature of team-building in a rapidly growing sport.

For a league that prides itself on its close-knit community and player-centric values, these developments have exposed fault lines that threaten to overshadow the excitement of the upcoming season.

The firestorm began during what should have been a celebratory press conference for A’ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces’ superstar forward, who was recently named WNBA MVP for the second consecutive year—a historic achievement that cements her status as one of the game’s all-time greats.

As Wilson, visibly emotional, began to reflect on her journey, the sacrifices of her teammates, and the significance of the award, a reporter interjected with a question that stopped the room cold: “A’ja, you’ve been open about the criticism you faced early in your career about your motor and consistency.

How does it feel to now be a two-time MVP despite those doubts?” The query, which many viewed as a deliberate attempt to overshadow Wilson’s moment with outdated negativity, was met with stunned silence before Wilson, ever composed, offered a measured but pointed response.

“I’ve always let my game speak for itself,” she said. “But today is about celebrating this team, this organization, and the hard work that got us here. I’m not here to rehash old narratives.”

Within minutes, video of the exchange went viral, and fans flooded social media with outrage, accusing the reporter of “ruining” Wilson’s MVP moment and displaying a lack of respect for a generational talent.

The hashtag #RespectAja trended globally, with supporters condemning the line of questioning as petty, unprofessional, and rooted in the same double standards that have long plagued Black female athletes.

“This is why athletes hate media,” tweeted WNBA legend Sue Bird. “Instead of celebrating a historic achievement, they want to dig up old dirt. It’s pathetic.” Other players, including Wilson’s Aces teammate Kelsey Plum, rallied to her defense, calling the incident “disrespectful” and “a bad look for our league.”

The reporter, who has not been publicly identified, faced immediate backlash, with critics noting that male athletes like Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid are rarely subjected to similar “redemption” narratives when winning MVP awards.

The controversy laid bare the often-fraught relationship between athletes and the media, particularly in women’s sports, where every misstep is magnified and every achievement is scrutinized through a lens of skepticism.

For Wilson, a player who has carried herself with grace while leading the Aces to back-to-back championships, the incident was a jarring reminder that even in her brightest moments, she can’t escape the shadow of unfair criticism.

“She’s given everything to this league, and this is how they treat her?” asked one fan on Instagram. “It’s disgusting.” The WNBA Players’ Association issued a statement condemning the reporter’s conduct, emphasizing that “athletes deserve to be celebrated without having their accomplishments diminished by reductive or hostile questioning.”

As the league office reviews the incident, many are calling for stricter guidelines to protect players from disrespectful media practices—a conversation that’s long overdue.

While the WNBA grappled with the fallout from Wilson’s press conference, another seismic shift was underway in Chicago, where star forward Angel Reese’s time with the Sky has officially come to an end, marking a stunning fall from grace for a player once hailed as the franchise’s savior.

The team announced late Tuesday that it had agreed to trade Reese to the New York Liberty in exchange for a package including draft picks and role players, ending a rocky one-year marriage that began with championship expectations but ended in dysfunction and disappointment.

Reese, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, arrived in Chicago with sky-high hopes after a legendary college career at LSU, but her rookie season was marred by the team’s on-court struggles, reported locker room tensions, and public disagreements with first-year head coach Teresa Weatherspoon over her role and the team’s direction.

Reese’s tenure with the Sky was a rollercoaster from the start. Despite flashes of brilliance, including a 25-point, 15-rebound masterpiece in a win over the Aces, she struggled with consistency and was often the focal point of criticism as the team limped to a second-to-last-place finish.

Off the court, she remained a cultural icon, using her platform to advocate for gender equity and NIL rights, but her outspokenness sometimes clashed with the organization’s desire to manage its image.

By midseason, rumors of Reese’s frustration with the team’s losing culture and Weatherspoon’s coaching style began to surface, and she was briefly benched for “attitude issues” following a heated sideline exchange.

The situation reached a breaking point when Reese liked a tweet suggesting she “deserved better” than Chicago, all but confirming her desire to move on.

The trade to the Liberty, a perennial contender led by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, represents a fresh start for Reese and a chance to compete for a championship immediately.

In return, the Sky receive a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, and veteran forward Kayla Thornton, providing assets for a franchise facing a full-scale rebuild.

For Reese, the move is a homecoming of sorts—she’s a New York native—and instantly makes the Liberty even more formidable. “I’m excited for this new chapter,” Reese said in a statement. “I want to thank the Sky organization for the opportunity, but I’m ready to help bring a championship to New York.”

Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello praised Reese’s “toughness, rebounding, and ability to rise in big moments,” adding that her skill set complements Stewart and Ionescu perfectly.

For the Sky, the trade closes the book on a disastrous season and forces a long-overdue reckoning with the front office’s failures. General manager Jeff Greenberg, who took over in 2023, now faces the daunting task of rebuilding a roster that has lost its star player and its head coach (Weatherspoon was fired last month) in rapid succession.

The team holds the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, but with no clear franchise cornerstone on the roster, the path back to contention appears long and uncertain.

Fans, still reeling from the Wilson controversy, expressed mixed emotions about Reese’s departure: some lamented the loss of her star power, while others argued that a fresh start was best for both sides. “We gave up on a generational talent because we couldn’t get our act together,” one fan tweeted. “This franchise is a joke.”

As the WNBA offseason descends into chaos, these twin controversies—one involving media malpractice and the other a franchise-altering trade—highlight the growing pains of a league that’s never been more popular or more scrutinized.

The anger over the reporter’s treatment of A’ja Wilson reflects a fanbase that’s fiercely protective of its stars and tired of outdated narratives, while Angel Reese’s exit from Chicago underscores the intense pressure on young athletes to perform amid dysfunction.

In a league where every move is dissected and every voice matters, these moments are more than just headlines; they’re inflection points that will shape the future of the WNBA. For now, the basketball world watches, waits, and wonders: what’s next?