16

Sabrina Carpenter has once again dropped the internet to its knees, and this time, it only took two photos and a single cryptic caption.

On Wednesday, the 26-year-old pop phenomenon posted a duo of devastatingly gorgeous photos on Instagram to promote her upcoming album Man’s Best Friend. The post, which is already sitting pretty with over 1 million likes, features Carpenter posing in full pop princess mode: soft curls, glowing skin, and the kind of confident smirk that screams I know exactly what I’m doing.

But the gag of it all? Her caption:

“Go put on some clothes!”

Cue chaos.

Fans Go Feral: What Does It Mean?

Within minutes, the comments and quote tweets exploded. Was this a lyric? A diss? A teaser for a new single? Or, God forbid, merch?

“new single is coming soon i feel it,” one user declared with clairvoyant certainty.
“wait.. im sensing it’ll be ‘never getting laid’ and it’s a drag to the haters,” theorized another, “she’s saying ‘go put on some clothes’ because THEY’RE never getting laid.”
“i thought this was new clothing merch at first and i jumped,” one fan admitted.
“what if that’s ‘never getting laid’… HEAR ME OUT!” screamed another, breaking into a full-blown lyrical analysis.

Then came the plot twist:

“She’s gonna start a lingerie line just like I said she should!! WATCH THIS SPACE,” another fan predicted with entrepreneurial hope.

And perhaps the most iconic take of all:

“The other unfortunate people will say that she is sexualizing herself and acting like a ‘housewife’ but they don’t know that the name of the album could be a reference to the film Man’s Best Friend where the dog KILLS men.”

A thinker.

All Hail Man’s Best Friend

The buzz around the post is only intensifying the anticipation for Man’s Best Friend, Carpenter’s upcoming album, dropping August 29.

After teasing individual song titles by having fans post photos of themselves with puppies (because why wouldn’t she), Carpenter has now confirmed the full tracklist. The 11-song set includes:

• “Manchild” (lead single, already a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100)






• “Never Getting Laid”






• “We Almost Broke Up Last Night”






• “When Did You Get Hot?”






• “Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry”

And yes, with titles like that, it’s giving short n’ savage.

Produced in part by Short n’ Sweet collaborators Amy Allen and Jack Antonoff, the project continues Sabrina’s platinum-pink reign over pop. “Manchild,” released in early June, catapulted to the top of the Hot 100, becoming her second career No. 1 and a biting, glitter-dipped takedown of fragile masculinity.

Cover Controversy: Pop Girl, Provocateur, Pet Owner?

The album’s rollout hasn’t been without drama.

The original cover art for Man’s Best Friend, which showed Sabrina on all fours with a suited figure pulling her hair, sent conservative critics into a tailspin. Some called it degrading. Some called it genius. All agreed: it was very, very Sabrina.

In true Carpenter fashion, she clapped back not with an apology, but with another artfully constructed serve: a monochrome alternate cover showing her laying her head on a man’s shoulder, captioned simply:

“Here is a new alternative cover approved by God.”

Cue the standing ovation.

Related

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.‘s decision to cancel $500 million worth of federal contracts for developing mRNA vaccines swiftly drew condemnation, including from a former Trump surgeon general.

“I’ve tried to be objective & non-alarmist in response to current HHS actions – but quite frankly this move is going to cost lives,” said Jerome Adams, who served as U.S. surgeon general during President Donald Trump‘s first term in office. He added, “mRNA technology has uses that go far beyond vaccines… and the vaccine they helped develop in record time is credited with saving millions.”

On Tuesday, Secretary Kennedy announced the start of HHS’s “wind-down of its mRNA vaccine development activities,” which includes canceling nearly two dozen federal contracts with biotech companies and research labs.

“We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted,” Kennedy said in a statement. “The data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate.”

The top Trump health official and longtime vaccine skeptic added, “Let me be absolutely clear: HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them. That’s why we’re moving beyond the limitations of mRNA and investing in better solutions.”

Adams, who, as surgeon general in 2020, was criticized for comparing COVID-19 to the flu during the Trump administration’s initial response to the pandemic, said in response to the vaccine rescissions, “We should be doubling down on what works – not defunding it.” He continued, “We need constructive dialogue vs destructive idealogues. America has always led the world in biomedical innovation. Let’s not let fear or politics derail progress. Let science lead. Lives are depending on it.”

HHS says the decision on mRNA vaccines is part of a broader shift in “development priorities,” moving toward focusing on “platforms with stronger safety records and transparent clinical and manufacturing data practices.”

However, Adams pushed back against the suggestion that mRNA vaccines are unsafe.

“600 million mRNA COVID doses have been safely given in U.S. alone. The data is clear: mRNA vaccines have a strong safety record,” he explained. “We shouldn’t ignore concerns, yet risks of COVID far outweigh rare side effects. Calling them ‘inherently dangerous’ ignores science & risks lives.”

“If it were not for mRNA research that existed before the pandemic, COVID vaccines would not have been developed in ‘record time,’” said Adams, who is board-certified in anesthesiology and served as a health commissioner in Indiana. The former Trump official noted that “millions of lives” were saved.

“Cutting half a billion in mRNA funding, as HHS Sec. Kennedy proposes, isn’t just bad policy – it’s dangerous,” he said.

28

A24 has done it again. The indie studio behind Everything Everywhere All At Once and Lady Bird is back in awards-season form with If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, a searing, pitch-black character study directed by cult auteur Mary Bronstein and anchored by an electric, already-celebrated performance from Rose Byrne. The official trailer just dropped, and it’s clear: this is not just another Oscar bid. It’s a full-throttle meltdown, drenched in fury, surrealism, and unexpected star power.

Opening in theaters October 10 after buzzy stops at the Toronto and New York Film Festivals, If I Had Legs I’d Kick Youhas already kicked off its awards campaign with a vengeance, and Byrne is leading the charge.

A Shocking, Hysterical Descent into Madness

The plot? Utter chaos. Byrne stars as Linda, a mother whose world is caving in at every corner. Her child is sick with a mysterious illness. Her husband has vanished. A person close to her is missing. And her therapist, played in a shocking dramatic turn by Conan O’Brien, has become a combative, near-antagonistic force in her unraveling life.

As Linda attempts to claw her way through suburban dysfunction, psychiatric warfare, and maternal desperation, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You spirals into a deeply unhinged, semi-surreal tone laced with Mary Bronstein’s signature discomfort and acidic wit.

Danielle Macdonald co-stars in an ambiguous role rumored to involve a suburban cult, while Christian Slater provides the disembodied voice of Linda’s missing husband. And then there’s A$AP Rocky, whose involvement is still cloaked in mystery. The rapper reportedly appears in just two scenes, but according to early viewers, his presence is “unforgettable.”

Rose Byrne: From Funny Girl to Oscar Frontrunner

Byrne’s transformation from beloved comedy fixture (Bridesmaids, Spy, Physical) to festival-dominating dramatic titan is being hailed as the performance of her career. Her portrayal of Linda earned her the Silver Bear for Best Lead Performance at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival, a win that instantly launched her into the 2026 Oscars conversation.

According to Time Out critic Stephan A. Russell, Byrne delivers “a tour de force,” imbuing Linda with “both a groaning air of despair and the rising hackles of a woman who will not be ridden roughshod over.”

The New Yorker’s Richard Brody praised her “hair-trigger impulsiveness,” while Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson called it “a towering performance, a feat of intelligence and energy.”

Conan O’Brien and A$AP Rocky Get Weird and It Works

In perhaps the film’s boldest casting decision, late-night legend Conan O’Brien sheds his comic persona for the deeply sinister role of Linda’s therapist. Reviewers have compared his performance to Robin Williams in One Hour Photo unexpected, unsettling, and quietly devastating. “Conan O’Brien has no business being this good,” tweeted one critic from IndieWire.

Meanwhile, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You also marks a rare acting return for A$AP Rocky, who hasn’t appeared in a feature since Dope (2015). Described by insiders as “a divine cameo,” his scenes reportedly lean into Bronstein’s surrealist flourishes.

A Mary Bronstein Comeback Worth Screaming Over

Director Mary Bronstein, best known for 2008’s cult indie Yeast, returns with a vengeance and a new kind of cinematic weaponry. Her direction has been described as “relentless” by The New Yorker, pushing her actors to the brink and then some. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You cements her reputation as a provocateur who uses discomfort as a scalpel, not a gimmick.

Bronstein also wrote the script, which critics are calling one of the most original and caustically funny of the year.

Early Reviews and Awards Predictions

The film boasts a 93 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics and audiences praising its fearless tone and explosive performances. While Rose Byrne remains its strongest Oscar contender, insiders suggest the film could also make a run for Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture.

With A24 handling its theatrical release and awards push, many are already calling it the indie darling to beat this season.

Watch the trailer below and see why If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is already being hailed as the most explosive performance of Rose Byrne’s career.

Related

Sean “Diddy” Combs is not taking no for an answer. 

On Tuesday, August 5, the legal team for the 55-year-old disgraced music mogul confirmed they have reached out to President Donald Trump seeking a pardon ahead of his upcoming sentencing, NBC News reported. However, based on the President’s recent comments regarding the matter, it may be a dead-end option. 

The request follows a public response from Trump, who was asked last week whether he’d consider pardoning the rapper. On Friday, August 1, Trump said that while he used to be “friendly” with Diddy, he did not appreciate how “hostile” he became during his 2020 campaign. 

“You know, I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great. And seemed like a nice guy, I didn’t know him well,” Trump said during an interview with Newsmax. “But when I ran for office, he was very hostile.”

Which Trump said in terms of a pardon, “makes it more difficult to do.”

The president was asked if it’s “more likely a ‘no’ for Combs?” to which he responded: “I would say so.”

The push for a pardon also comes after Diddy’s latest request to be released on bail was denied. On July 2, he was convicted on two counts of violating the Mann Act for transporting individuals across state lines to engage in prostitution during his high-profile sex trafficking case in New York. 

Combs was charged with five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty. 

Federal prosecutors alleged that Combs used his influence and status to coerce individuals into participating in elaborate drug-fueled sex performances dubbed “freak offs” through intimidation, including threats of violence.

He was acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. He has also filed a motion to acquit the two counts related to the Mann Act, as his legal team argues they don’t apply. 

Prosecutors have recommended 51 to 63 months behind bars for Combs, while the defense has suggested somewhere between 21 and 27 months, per CBS News. Diddy faces a maximum of 20 years for his two counts. Sentencing is scheduled for October 3.

Currently, he remains in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he’s been since his arrest in September 2024.

1

The adult entertainment world was shaken by the sudden and untimely demise of popular online content creator and adult performer Lina Bina, better known online as Missjohndough. She was reportedly confirmed dead this week by her friend and fellow online sensation Coco Bliss, who offered a series of heartfelt tributes through Instagram Stories.

Although the cause of Lina Bina’s death has not been revealed, the announcement of her passing has caused a blizzard of grief across social media platforms, as fans and creators alike are left mourning, confused, and outraged.

“You Left Us Too Soon”: Coco Bliss Posts Emotional Instagram Tribute

ImCocoBliss, a social media influencer, first reported Lina’s death, and is also one of Lina’s close friends. Coco posted a now-famous Instagram Story featuring a clip of the two partying together at a club, captioned:

“You left us too soon.:@imlinabina” and three angel emojis.

The next Story featured a photo of Missjohndough hugging a stuffed animal with the mournful caption:

“Rest in peace lovely @imlinabina”

No further information was provided about when or under what circumstances Lina died, but the tone of the tribute was little less than lethal in its implications.

Fans Respond With Shock and Sorrow

Fans soon flooded social media to express their shock and dismay. Some praised Lina’s strength, beauty, and prowess in the adult industry, while others grumbled about the tragic truths of how performers fare in the industry.

One commented:

“Those adult celebrities are falling like flies… the guys are devastated ????????”

Another posted:

“I’d like to take a moment to say rest in peace to one of the individuals I had respect for. From the very same city, she was literally one of them ones to pop it hard so pretty, so ambitious & smart and she definitely left her mark @missjohndough. Get your rest, love”

Not all reactions were passive, however. Some used the moment to comment on the lack of emotional support and mental health care for performers:

“How yah gon let @missjohndough die like SMH. RIP. She seemed like a sweetheart ???? YAH NEED TO START CARING ABOUT PEOPLES LIVES ITS NOT A GAME ????”

Some made guesses about Lina’s health toward the end of her life:

“Missjohndough was definitely depressed. Her IG comments were minimal, Twitter inactive and full of silly retweets. RIP this gorgeous young lady. May she have an easy journey into the next world.”

One particularly jarring reply questioned the trend as a whole:

“Adult stars never live long, why?”

The grieving quickly turned to broader discussions of mental illness, industry burnout, and the stunning number of premature adult performer deaths.

A Rising Star Gone Too Soon

Lina Bina, also known as Missjohndough, rose to stardom on adult platforms like OnlyFans and Twitter, where she gained an astronomical following lured by her sassiness, humor, and unapologetic sexuality. Renowned for pushing boundaries and taking artistic control of her character, she built a devoted following who appreciated her not only as an artist but as a cultural force in her own right.

“She was not selling material. She was constructing an identity that was strong,” wrote one fan in a Reddit forum. “She was like the hood version of Marilyn Monroe.”

Even while she racked up achievements online, many are now wondering if Lina was secretly grappling in the background of her airbrushed social media existence. Some have hypothesized that the recent limited comments on her Instagram and the decline in activity on all her social media sites are ominous indicators that something is not right.

No Official Statement Yet

So far, there has been no announced cause of death, and there has not yet been a public release from Lina’s family or management. The authorities also remained tight-lipped about the causes of her death.

The silence has only given rise to speculation and worry, with many urging fans not to share speculation until facts are established.

This is still a developing story.

Related

When Beyoncé breathes, she has the potential to break the internet and send her fanbase into a frenzy. So naturally, her latest drop with Levi’s, which arrives amid a major controversy unfolding with a competitor brand, didn’t exactly land quietly. 

On Monday, August 4, the music icon’s fourth and final installment of her collaboration with the brand, “The Denim Cowboy,” arrived with a 90-second visual featuring her dressed in plenty of western glamour exploring western scenes before riding off into the sunset, not on a horse in keeping with her “Cowboy Carter” motifs, but on a motorcycle. 

This detail alone has led many online to speculate about whether or not it signals not just the end of her “Cowboy Carter” era but also the beginning of a highly anticipated, completely rumored, rock era as her third act. 

According to a release, the final installment of the REIIMAGINE campaign in collaboration with Beyoncé’s Act II “Cowboy Carter” album, will include a stunning crystal-adorned denim jacket and matching jeans set that the songstress rocks during the short film and accompanying campaign images.

This final drop arrives as American Eagle continues to spark heated discourse following a recent brand campaign starring Sydney Sweeney, declaring that she has “good jeans.” The slogan “Sydney Sweeney has good jeans,” has been contested for potentially flirting a little too heavily with fascist eugenic ideals, of a white, blonde, blue-eyed woman as having ideal jeans/genes.

Right-wing figures, including President Donald Trump, have jumped to defend the ad while bemoaning the backlash from the “woke mob.” American Eagle has since addressed the controversy by insisting it’s just about jeans, adding that their jeans are for everyone.

As those in support of the campaign defend the brand and Sweeney, they have also begun to come for Beyoncé. Without seeing a shred of irony. 

An incensed Megyn Kelly took to X to complain about the ad writing, “This is the opposite of the Sydney Sweeney ad. Quite clearly, there is nothing natural about Beyonce.”

“Everything — from her image to her fame to her success to her look below — is bought and paid for,” she added. “Screams artificial, fake, enhanced, trying too hard.”

Kelly isn’t wrong in claiming Beyoncé’s ad is the “opposite” of Sweeney’s. First, Beyoncé’s latest campaign is a continuation of one launched in 2024 alongside her “Cowboy Carter” album with the hit track “Levii’s Jeans.” This campaign is Levi’s attempt not to be left out of one of the biggest conversations around Western American culture. 

Going one step further, Beyoncé’s ad and her larger “Cowboy Carter” project are also quite literally celebrating the very opposite of AE’s ad featuring Sweeney: inclusion. American Eagle is propping up outdated European beauty standards while Levi’s is broadening the conversation. 

“The Denim Cowboy” collection launches on Levis.com on August 7. 

13

The WNBA dildo epidemic continues, and this time, it hit a star. Literally.

Indiana Fever forward Sophie Cunningham was unexpectedly struck by a flying dildo during Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks, marking the third dildo-related incident to plague the league this month. The moment, caught on camera and now rapidly circulating across social media, has sparked outrage, ridicule, and even horniness online. But in the most shocking twist yet, Sophie Cunningham herself has responded.

Sophie Cunningham Responds: “This Did NOT Age Well”

Hours after the game, Cunningham took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a cryptic but clearly self-aware tweet:

“this did NOT age well.”

The tweet, which has since gone viral, appears to reference her August 2nd warning, when she tweeted in frustration:

“stop throwing dildos on the court… you’re going to hurt one of us.”

Fast forward four days, and the dildo prophecy fulfilled itself with Sophie as its unintended target.

Cunningham Adds on Instagram: “No Way That Thing Actually Hit Me”

In a follow-up selfie posted to her Instagram story from the Fever locker room, Cunningham addressed the incident with a dose of stunned disbelief.

“no way that thing actually hit me. I knew I shouldn’t have tweeted that.”

She appeared to be unharmed and leaned into humor, but fans and fellow players aren’t laughing.

Social Media Reacts to Cunningham’s Tweet

While some users praised Sophie’s chill and funny demeanor, others took the opportunity to express concern or crack jokes of their own:

• “LMAO! I love her!”






• “She’s funny!”






• “🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 did you get hurt Sophie lol”






• “Hope you’re ok”






• “Sophie Cunningham is my GOAT”

But the wider conversation surrounding this dildo throwing epidemic has taken a darker turn, especially among players, fans, and league officials who are fed up with it.

A Disturbing Pattern: Three Dildos, Three Cities, One Month

This incident is just the latest in an increasingly disturbing string of fan misconduct plaguing the WNBA.

July 30 – Atlanta Dream Game, College Park, GA:

A dildo was thrown onto the court in the fourth quarter of a game between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State. The object narrowly missed players and was quickly confiscated. The individual responsible was arrested, according to league officials.

August 1 – Chicago Sky Game, Chicago, IL:

Another sex toy was hurled under the hoop following a whistle during Golden State’s 73-66 win over the Chicago Sky. This time, an official simply kicked it aside before it was removed. It’s still unclear if an arrest was made.

August 4 – Indiana Fever vs. LA Sparks, Los Angeles, CA:

Cunningham became the first WNBA player to be physically struck by one of the objects mid-play. Her viral reaction has now added fuel to an already chaotic firestorm.

“This Is Sexual Harassment”: Social Media Weighs In

Cunningham’s chill response didn’t stop many on social media from calling out the obvious: This isn’t funny, it’s dangerous, degrading, and borderline criminal.

Reactions on X included:

• “This is sexual harassment.”






• “The green dildos are the new CZW airhorn.”






• “Maybe I’m the friend who’s too woke, usually I’m not, but maybe… don’t???? throw??? dildos???? at?????????? anyone??????????????????”






• “This wasn’t funny the first time someone did it, it’s even less funny now. Let the girls play.”






• “This shit is gross man. Don’t get me wrong, the WNBA is an unwatchable bore. But this is fucked up.”






• “Never wished to be a green dildo so badly in my life.”






• “This is getting out of hand.”






• “I’m telling you this makes the WNBA must watch TV”

The League Responds: Arrests, Bans, and Security Warnings

The WNBA has issued a sharp rebuke in response to the dildo chaos, emphasizing fan safety and ramping up consequences for offenders. In an official statement, the league declared:

“The safety and wellbeing of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league. Objects of any kind thrown onto the court or in the seating area can pose a safety risk for players, game officials, and fans. In line with WNBA Arena Security Standards, any fan who intentionally throws an object onto the court will be immediately ejected and face a minimum one year ban in addition to being subject to arrest and prosecution by local authorities.”

Security at WNBA Arenas Under Scrutiny

Despite existing no bag policies and bag checks at many WNBA arenas, players are questioning how these sex toys continue to get in and land on the floor. Sky center Elizabeth Williams blasted the behavior:

“It’s super disrespectful. I don’t really get the point of it. It’s really immature. Whoever is doing it needs to grow up.”

New York Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison echoed her concern, calling out security directly on X:

“ARENA SECURITY?! Hello?? Please do better. It’s not funny. Never was funny. Throwing ANYTHING on the court is so dangerous.”

A League at a Crossroads

The WNBA is in the midst of a cultural tipping point. Record breaking attendance, historic TV viewership, and high profile players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and A’ja Wilson have thrust the league into a new era of relevance. But the dildo throwing fiasco risks making a mockery of that momentum.

While fans debate whether this is performance art, chaos for chaos’ sake, or a bizarre form of protest, one thing is certain. It’s forcing players to endure unsafe, humiliating conditions on the court. And as Sophie Cunningham’s prophecy turned nightmare proves, no player is safe.

The question now isn’t whether the league will respond. It’s whether fans will grow up before someone gets seriously hurt.

---

If you attend a WNBA game and throw a dildo on the court, you will be banned for at least a year and potentially arrested. No jokes. No passes. Grow up.

Related