These Are the 25 Transgender People Lost to Anti-Trans Violence in 2017

Elizabeth King
Nov 20, 2017

November 20, 2017 marks the 19th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day designated for remembering trans people who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence throughout the year. So far in 2017, at least 25 trans people have been victims of fatal violence in the US alone, according to a new report from the Human Rights Campaign. This number marks an alarming high, and there have likely been additional victims never reported.

The new report notes that the majority of fatal violence against trans people is committed against women and people of color: 84 percent of trans people killed this year were people of color, and 80 percent were women.

The increased killing of trans people this year comes at a time when 16 states considered anti-trans bathroom bills, and when many states still do not include gender-motivated crimes among hate crimes. The Trump administration has also been openly hostile to trans people. In October, the Justice Department declared that workplace anti-discrimination laws do not apply to transgender employees, and earlier in the year, president Donald Trump reinstated a recently lifted ban on openly trans people serving in the military. A court has partially blocked the president’s reinstatement of the ban.

To remember and honor those who were lost to fatal anti-trans violence in 2017, here are the 25 trans individuals named in HRC’s report.

mesha caldwell

Mesha Caldwell was 41-years-old when she was killed on January 4 this year. Caldwell, a hair stylist and makeup artist, was shot to death near Canton, Mississippi, the Advocate reported. Evonne Caho, who had once lived with Caldwell, told the Advocate, “She was always happy and she was always smiling and she always had something good to say to everyone.”

sean ryan hake

Sean Ryan Hake was 23 years old when he was fatally shot by police in Sharon, Pennsylvania on January 6, just two days after Caldwell was killed. Police arrived to Hake’s mother’s home after a 911 call to report an assault, Penn Live reported at the time. Police shot Hake multiple times, killing him, and Hake’s family later sued the Sharon Police Department for civil rights violations and excessive use of force, the Sharon Herald reports.

jamie lee wounded arrow

Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and identified as two-spirit and transgender. Wounded Arrow was 28 years old when she was found dead in her apartment on January 6, according to theAdvocate. Wounded Arrow was also a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, worked in customer service, and studied social work and nursing. Twenty-five-year-old Joshua Rayvon LeClaire was charged with Wounded Arrow’s murder in January.

jojo striker

Jojo Striker was found dead from a gunshot wound in her garage at the age of 23 on February 8 in Toledo, Ohio. Striker was initially misgendered in media reports of her death, Mic reported at the time. Shanda Striker, Jojo’s mother, told local news station WTOL that Jojo was loved by her family, and called her death a “hate crime.” A local trans woman and advocate for trans rights, Phaylen Fairchild, told Mic that the community was shaken by Jojo’s killing: “This is the struggle with a lot of transgender women. They’re looking for a place for acceptance and looking for peace of mind.”

jaquarrius holland

18-year-old Jaquarrius Holland was found dead in Monroe, Louisiana on February 19. Like many trans people who are killed, Holland was also misgendered in initial reports of her death, and it was not known by the public at large that she was trans until her family and friends corrected initial reports, according to HRC’s report. According to a local report, Holland and Malcom Derricktavios Harvey had a “verbal altercation,” after which Holland was shot. HRC reports that Harvey is awaiting trial for second-degree murder.

tiara richmond

Tiara Richmond, who also went by the name Keke Collier, was 24 years old when she was fatally shot in Chicago on February 21. Richmond was taken to the hospital after being shot in a car multiple times by a man who was in the car with her, and was initially listed in “stable” condition, but was later pronounced dead, DNAInfo Chicago reported at the time. Twenty-six-year-old Retta Collins, who was friends with Richmond, told the Chicago Tribune that Richmond “loved to dance all the time.” HRC’s report states that Chicago police still do not have any leads for Richmond’s killer.

chyna gibson

Chyna Gibson was a 31-year-old ballroom dancer, and was fatally shot on February 25 in New Orleans. Gibson was in town visiting family and friends and for a scheduled performance during Mardi Gras festivities when she was killed, according to HRC’s report. The 31-year-old performer had been living in Sacrament, and the Sacramento Bee reported at the time that vigils were held for Gibson in Texas, where she also had friends and fans.

ciara mcelveen

A witness to 26-year-old Ciara McElveen’s killing said she was stabbed in New Orleans on February 27, according to the HRC report, only two days after Chyna Gibson was also killed in New Orleans. McElveen was still alive when she was taken to the hospital, but later died due to the injuries. Loved ones held a vigil for McElveen in early March, according to NOLA.com, where she was remembered as “a fun and loving person.” HRC also states that McElveen worked with homeless people in her community.

alphonza watson

Thirty-eight-year-old Alphonza Watson was shot and killed in Baltimore, Maryland on March 22. Local newspaper City Paper reported that witnesses heard cries for help before hearing multiple gunshots fired, then saw two men speed away from the scene where Watson was fatally shot in the stomach. After her death, the Baltimore Transgender Alliance held a vigil for Watson. Peggy Walker, Watson’s mother, told the Baltimore Sun that Watson went by the nickname “Peaches,” adding: “She was a very caring, passionate, fun person to be around, always in a talkative and playful mood.”

kenne mcfadden

Kenne McFadden was 27 years old when she was found dead in San Antonio, Texas on April 9. Initial reports of her death both misgendered her and called her death a drowning, but police later declared her death a homicide, according to the HRC report. A longtime friend of McFadden’s told the San Antonio Current that McFadden “always kept us smiling and laughing.” The Current reported that McFadden loved to sing and write poetry.

chay reed

Chay Reed was 28 years old when she was fatally shot in the stomach while running across the street in Miami, Florida on April 21. Quinae’ Donnell, a friend of Reed’s told the Miami Herald that she loved to dance. The Herald also reported that friends remembered Reed as funny and always fun to be around.

kenneth bostick

Kenneth Bostick was 59 years old when he was fatally struck in the head with a metallic object in New York City on May 7. According to the Village Voice, Bostick had been homeless for much of the last decade, and was a familiar presence in his neighborhood. Bostick struggled with mental illness, according to the Village Voice, and those who knew him said that he had a sense of humor and could sometimes be playful. A social worker Bostick was close to told the Village Voice, “He used to say to me, ‘Slow down. Don’t work so hard. Act like you’ve had some tequila.'”

sherrell faulkner

Sherrell Faulkner was 46 years old when she was died in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 16, succumbing to injuries from an attack on November 30. Faulkner’s body was found near a dumpster in an LGBTQ-friendly part of Charlotte after an apparent attack, according to LGBTQ Nation. The HRC report states that Faulkner was remembered by loved ones as “hilarious” and “genuine,” and was very religious.

kendra marie adams

Kendra Marie Adams, who also went by Josie Berrios, was found dead on June 13 in Ithaca, New York. Democracy Now! reported that Adams’ body was found with burns on it near a construction site. Adams was a local performer and a founding member of the Ithaca drag theater, House of Merlot, according to the HRC report. Forty-five-year-old Michael A. Davis, who reportedly had a personal relationship with Adams, was charged with her murder and also with arson charges, according to the Ithaca Journal.

ava le’ray barrin

Ava Le’Ray Barrin was only 17 years old when she was fatally shot in Athens, Georgia on June 25. The Atlanta Journal Constitution, which also used Barrin’s given name in reports of her death and initially misgendered her, according to the Daily Beast, reported that Barrin was shot in the chest by 21-year-old Jalen Breon Brown. The HRC report states that Barrin’s friends remembered her as a “social butterfly” and “unapologetically real,” and also loved to make her friends laugh.

ebony morgan

Twenty-eight-year-old Ebony Morgan was shot multiple times in Lynchburg, Virginia on July 2. Morgan was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead. Following Morgan’s killing, the Lynchburg Transgender Alliance posted to Facebook: “This is a sad day for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community of Virginia. And a very sad day for us in Lynchburg,” local news News and Advance reported. Kenneth Allen Kelly, Jr., 22, was arrested for Morgan’s killing, according to local news WBDJ.

teetee dangerfield

TeeTee Dangerfield was 32 years old when she was fatally shot in College Park, Georgia on July 31. Dangerfield’s body was found with multiple gunshot wounds near her car outside of her apartment. According to HRC’s report, Dangerfield was a server and worked in a union shop, and had recently bought a home. She was well-liked by her friends and co-workers, according to HRC.

gwynevere river song

Gwynevere River Song was 26 years old when they were killed in their home in Waxahachie, Texas on August 12. Song used “they” pronouns and identified as bisexual, according to the Advocate, and was shot to death when an argument at her home escalated. HRC’s report states that Song’s mother called them “incredibly smart.” Song graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2015.

kiwi herring

Kiwi Herring was 30 years old when she was shot and killed by police in St. Louis, Missouri on August 22. Herring was married and had three children. Herring was killed by police after allegedly stabbing her neighbor at a barbecue, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. HRC’s report notes that Herring’s family has said that the neighbor Herring was accused of stabbing was transphobic. A vigil held for Herring by local LGBT groups made headlines after a vehicle drove into the crowd and caused minor injuries to some of the mourners. Kiwi’s nephew, Nicholas Herring, told the Post-Dispatch that Kiwi was “kind, caring and hilarious.”

kashmire nazier redd

Twenty-eight-year-old Kashmire Nazier Redd was stabbed and killed by his partner in the apartment they shared on September 5 in Gates, New York. Redd’s partner, 40-year-old Doris Carrasquillo, has been charged with first degree manslaughter in Redd’s death. Redd ran out of the apartment and collapsed on the front lawn before police arrived to the scene, and was pronounced dead later at the hospital, according to the HRC report.

derricka banner

Twenty-six-year-old Derricka Banner was found shot to death in a car on September 12 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Montavious Sanchez Berry, 18, was arrested in connection to Banner’s death, according to HuffPost. Denise Helton, who was Banner’s godmother, would speak to Banner on the phone daily just to say “I love you,” according to HRC’s report.

ally steinfeld

17-year-old Ally Steinfeld was fatally stabbed in early September. Steinfeld was stabbed in many parts of her body, and then her body was burned in Cabool, Missouri, which is in the Ozarks, according to the Kansas City Star. Steinfeld had only recently come out as trans, and was killed by a group of people. Three people were charged with Steinfeld’s murder and one more person was charged with lesser but related crimes relating to Steinfeld’s killing. Steinfeld’s death was not ruled a hate crime. Maria Carma, Steinfeld’s partner said she was “sweet, kind, loving and caring,” according to HRC’s report.

scout schultz

Twenty-one-year-old Scout Schultz was fatally shot by a Georgia Tech Police Department officer on September 16 in Atlanta, Georgia. Schultz, who was a student at Georgia Tech and president of the school’s Pride Alliance, identified as non-binary and intersex and used they pronouns. Officer Tyler Beck fatally shot Schultz while they were apparently suffering from a psychiatric crisis, according to local news WSB-TV. Police initially said Schultz was wielding a knife, which was later identified as a multi-tool, according to CBS News.

stephanie montez

Stephanie Montez was 47 years old when she was shot multiple times and killed near Robstown, Texas on October 21. HRC’s report notes that Montez was initially misgendered by police, who called Montez “a man in a dress.” Montez’s friend of about 30 years, Brittany Ramirez, told the Caller-Times that she “was one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet” and loved to dance.

candace towns

30-year-old Candace Towns was fatally shot and found at the top of a hill near the home where she had been staying in Macon, Georgia, on October 31. Local paper the Telegraph noted that Towns had been shot before in 2009, only a couple of blocks away from where her body was found in October. Malaysia Monroe, a close friend of Towns, told the Telegraph that Towns was a very generous person, saying, “If I needed anything she would give it to me. She would give me the clothes off her back.”

What do you think? Tell us on Twitter @BritandCo.

Mia Challis Just Spilled On That 'Outer Banks' Season 4 Turtle Scene

Outer Banks fans got a treat during 2023's Poguelandia event (which took place on February 18 in Huntington Beach, California). While celebrating the release of Outer Banks season 3, the cast took to the stage to announce that we were also getting Outer Banks season 4! As a native Outer Banks-er myself, this is one teen drama I will never be able to get enough of — so keep the seasons coming Netflix!

I'm already thinking about what hijinks the Pogues will get up to in Outer Banks season 4. Here's everything we know about the new TV show, including the cast, the plot, and the Outer Banks season 4 release date! Once you've scrolled through, catch up on The Craziest Outer Banks Theories.

Keep reading for the latest news & updates on Outer Banks season 4.

Who runs over the turtles in Outer Banks?

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

The one Outer Banks season 4 scene that has fans freaking out is when the Pogues and Kooks wind up at the same access on their beach day — and a game of chicken literally turns deadly. Topper's new girlfriend Ruthie (played by Mia Challis) drives her Jeep directly at the Pogues, and winds up running over a turtle hatch, killing a baby turtle in the process.

“When I read that in the script, I was as shocked as the viewers," she tells Elite Daily. "I read it four times being like, ‘Wait, a baby turtle? No, surely not.'"

Despite her cold shoulder, Mia thinks Ruthie did end up feeling guilty about the situation. "When she finds out the turtles have died, she thinks, 'What have I done?'" she says. "There is slight remorse. But Ruthie's defense mechanism is to pretend like she doesn't care."

"It's such an emotional scene for Madison Bailey, who plays Kiara," she continues. "They gave her a plastic baby turtle to hold. When that was happening, we were looking down at the turtle and thinking it was so sad. But I had to switch that off and try to get into my Ruthie mindset."

But surprisingly, Mia also reveals filming the emotional scene wasn't as devastating as you might expect: "We were laughing the whole time. When I watched it, I felt awful, but on the actual day of filming, it was quite light and fun."

What happens at the end of Outer Banks season 4?

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Spoiler warning!! The Outer Banks season 4 ending shocked the internet by killing off one of our favorite Pogues: JJ. The decision immediately sent fans into a tailspin, and more than one viewer told me they're heartbroken over the loss. Don't worry though. This Rudy Pankow & Madison Bailey interaction just might heal you.

Is there an Outer Banks season 4 trailer?

Netflix

Yes, you can watch the Outer Banks season 4 trailer here! The trailer really proves the show is returning to its roots by bringing the Pogues back to the OBX.

I have all my fingers and toes crossed we finally get some answers to one question I've had since season 1. I'm convinced that during Kiara's Kook year, when she briefly ditched the boys to become friends with Sarah, that Rafe fell for her, and hasn't left her alone since. This is such a small detail but it would provide so much context for the characters! Either way, it looks like Rafe, JJ, and John B will be fighting this season (again).

When is Outer Banks season 4 coming out?

Netflix

Summer vacation is lasting all year long! Outer Banks season 4 will be premiering in two parts: we'll get the first five episodes on October 10, and the second five on November 7.

After Madison Bailey revealed in an Instagramstory that Outer Banks 4 finished filming in June, she confirmed we'd be getting Outer Banks season 4 this fall on August 15 with a hilarious video hyping up John B and Sarah's fictional surf shop (which we'll see in the upcoming season).

What is season 4 of Outer Banks about?

Netflix

Outer Banks season 3 ended with an 18-month time jump — meaning the characters will be a year and a half older at the end of Outer Banks season 4 than in previous installments of the show. This definitely works in the series' favor because the characters will be closer to the cast's ages. Plus, being post-grad gives them more flexibility to go treasure hunting without the repercussions of skipping school...like they did the entirety of season 2.

Thanks to some important details at the end of the season finale, we know Kie is working with turtles, JJ bought a charter boat, Pope is going to college, and John B. and Sarah are running a surf shop. But things take a turn for the adventurous when the Pogues are given a new quest to hunt for Blackbeard's treasure. The real Blackbeard loved hiding his treasure on places like Ocracoke Island, which is on the real OBX. I'm super excited for this plotline because it means we'll be back on the Outer Banks for (hopefully) the whole season!

Netflix

"It’s not going to be the usual Blackbeard story," according to co-creator Josh Pate, and (spoiler!!) we actually have our first plot details. According to Wrightsville Beach recreation program supervisor Katie Ryan (via Wilmington StarNews) and the shows filming permits, we know that one scene will involve "two people jumping from the pier," while a second "involves individuals finding a body on the beach."

While Outer Banks season 4 promises to be as adventurous as ever, Chase Stokes promises People the show will also go back to its roots. “There was a real want for a lot of the authenticity and the characters in season 1. So I will say that they do a good job this season of that,” he says.

Netflix


After the death of Sarah and John B.'s fathers, the show's golden couple will have to figure out what their future looks like. “It really will force them to evaluate everything," he says. "Where they are, what their purpose is, what their intentions are, and what was the actual value of it? Was it worth it, in hindsight? If they could go back and change things, would they?"

"[The Pogues have had] a huge, huge shift in lifestyle in a very, very short period of time," Chase continues. “And I think when you go through that level of trauma, for sure, it'll make you start asking those deeper questions.”

Who's in the Outer Banks season 4 cast?

Netflix

We're expecting the main cast to return for Outer Banks season 4, including Chase Stokes as John B., Madelyn Cline as Sarah, Madison Bailey as Kiara, Jonathan Daviss as Pope, Rudy Pankow as JJ, Carlacia Grant as Cleo, Drew Starkey as Rafe, and Austin North as Topper.

Fiona Palomo will star as Sofia alongside J. Anthony Crane as Chandler Groff, Pollyanna McIntosh as Dalia, Brianna Brown as Hollis Robinson, Rigo Sanchez as Lightner, Mia Challis as Ruthie, and Cullen Moss as Shoupe.

Since Charles Esten's Ward ends up (spoiler!) dying at the end of season 3, he probably won't make a return — unless the show ventures into ghost territory. Honestly, I wouldn't even be surprised. But even if he's not on set, he recently reunited with Madelyn Cline and Drew Starkey!

Charles Esten/Instagram

"That thing where you’re playing your 4th Annual WARDJAMMER...and your amazing friends who also happen to be your @obx son and daughter surprise you by showing up and hanging out all night and even coming on stage to sing 'Left Hand Free,'" Charles writes on Instagram. "What an absolute joy to wrap my arms around these two! The bond is real and my heart is grateful."

Where is Outer Banks season 4 filming?

Netflix

Outer Banks season 4 has been seen filming around Charleston, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina, which is where other titles like Dawson's Creek,The Summer I Turned Pretty, andOne Tree Hill have all filmed! Because OBX has never filming in Wilmington before, it makes me think the Pogues will truly go on an adventure we've never seen.

The First Look At Outer Banks Season 4

Netflix/YouTube

After Netflix's Tudum event showed off the Pogues' new style (and confirmed that all of them will be returning, thank goodness), we got a brand new look at some Outer Banks season 4 scenes thanks to Netflix's 2024 preview. It's a brief clip, but we hear just how excited the Pogues are to go after a treasure they've "spent [their] whole lives hearing about" (same, TBH) — and get to see them lounging around on a day off. Treasure hunting is hard work, after all!

This first look gives us an idea of what we can expect from this upcoming installment because while season 1 had the golden overtone of our favorite 2000s dramas, season 2 featured warmer orange tones, and season 3 featured cooler blues and greens, it looks like Outer Banks season 4 is youthful, bright, and colorful. And thanks to this clip, we also know for a fact we'll see Madison Bailey, Rudy Pankow, Jonathan Daviss, Madelyn Cline, Chase Stokes, and Carlacia Grant come back to their iconic roles.

Is Outer Banks season 4 the last season?

Netflix

Netflix hasn't officially announced whether we'll be getting an Outer Banks season 5 or 6 yet, but creators Jonas and Josh Pate have enough story for another two seasons. "We’re going to fill in some gaps in the 18 months," Josh tells TUDUM. "We felt like we needed to migrate them out of school. We think about the first three [seasons] as a trilogy and then we’re starting over on [another sort of] trilogy now. We just needed to clear the decks. We’re going to have new villains, a new treasure hunt, a new life situation."

I'm excited to see what kind of roots the characters put down in Outer Banks season 4 — and how they flourish as the story continues!

What did you think about Outer Banks season 4? Check out our interview with costume designer Emmie Holmes and The Best New TV Shows Coming In 2024 before you rewatch OBX season 4 again ;).

This post has been updated.

entertainmentpop culturetv showouter banksnsfwtv

11 Fun Holiday Sweaters That Give Your Ugly Christmas Sweaters A Run For Their Money

As much as I love an ugly Christmas sweater party, a small part of me still cringes at just how wacky they can be. There's a very fine line between 'ugly Christmas sweater' and 'playful holiday get-up' – but I think these fun holiday sweaters strike the perfect balance of the two. They're all colorful, festive, and so much fun to wear to any and every holiday get-together you've got going this year.

Scroll on for our favorite fun holiday sweaters for every party!

Anthropologie

1. The Violette Short-Sleeve Tinsel Sweater by Maeve

With 'tinsel' literally in this sweater's name, you'll be making a shiny statement wherever you wear this piece. It also comes in silver, gold, navy blue, and brown to suit your personal holiday style.

Abercrombie & Fitch

2. The A&F Madeline Crew Sweater

This femme 'fit boasts a bow that's reminiscent of holiday gifts and all things merry. It only helps that this sweater is super soft to the touch!

Urban Outfitters

3. Out From Under Catching Feelings Fairisle Print Cropped Pullover

This sweet holiday sweater has an adorable reindeer design along the front, so it's instantly going to fit in for any holiday party. You can also snag the pair of matching shorts to complete the coziness if you'd rather stay in.

Urban Outfitters

4. BDG Stella Star Graphic Oversized Pullover Sweater

With this sweater, you'll literally be a star. The color palette challenges holiday tradition in the best way, though you could totally make it a better fit for a party with a black mini skirt, tights, and metallic boots.

Anthropologie

5. Maeve Faux-Fur Collar Cropped Cardigan Sweater

Oh, so fancy! This cardi's collar is lined with faux fur to make it feel ultra-luxe. Layer it over your best party dress, and voila!

Nordstrom

6. ASTR the Label Velvet Bow Cardigan

Bring on more bows, please! This tie-up cardigan secures with two oversized velvet bows that speak to the holiday season flawlessly.

Gap Factory

7. Gap Factory Peanuts Relaxed Gap Logo Sweatshirt

Snoopy is truly a holiday icon, especially in his dramatic puffer jacket. Don the famous dog on this cozy sweatshirt – it's so much cuter than an ugly Christmas sweater, plus you'll earn mega compliments (everyone loves Snoop!) wearing it.

Free People

8. Free People Festive Frost Sweater

This fuzzy sweater is downright festive, thanks to the traditional stripes across the top half. We love it because it still leans very 'holiday,' but isn't explicitly so, since the color palette isn't just reds and greens.

Nordstrom

9. Vinyl Icons Martini Embellished Off The Shoulder Graphic Fleece Sweatshirt

Espresso martinis are a hallmark of the holiday season, and you simply can't change our minds on that. Get playful with your holiday sweater selection with this design that evokes a happy hour at any time of day, especially on a holiday break away from school or work!

Free People

10. We The Free Flower Patch Sweater

You'll be able to get a lot of wear out of this sweet red sweater around the holidays! The slouchy fit is ideal for pairing with even more winter layers to stay warm.

American Eagle

11. American Eagle Whoa So Soft Oversized Grinch Holiday Sweater

With Christmas' favorite villain on it, this super-soft sweater will always be in style around the holidays.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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The New 'Babygirl' Trailer Is Out & I Can't Believe I Watched It During Work Hours

Nicole Kidman is, as the kids say, mothering. She's giving fans plenty of movies and TV shows to pick from while we wait for the next seasons of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers — A Family Affair, Expats, The Perfect Couple (and the AMC intro, of course). Her newest movie Babygirl comes from A24, and the steamy drama is mixing work and pleasure. Pour yourself a glass of wine for this one, folks.

Scroll down to learn more about Babygirl — and to watch the HOT new trailer!

What is the plot of Babygirl?

A24

Babygirl Plot

In Babygirl, Nicole Kidman plays Romy, a powerful CEO struggling to hold her perfect persona together. Her marriage to Jacob has never provided with much pleasure, despite the fact he's caring and artistic. But when Romy meets a young intern named Samuel, and feels immediately drawn to him, the two begin a torrid affair.

And filming scenes with Harry Dickinson got so intense, Kidman said she literally had to take breaks. “There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to orgasm any more,'” she told the Sun. “Don’t come near me. I hate doing this. I don’t care if I am never touched again in my life!”

But the fact the movie was made by women empowered Kidman — and gave her a sense of freedom. "Doing this subject matter in the hands of the woman that wrote the script, that's directing it and is a really great actress herself — we became one in a weird way, which I'd never had with a director before," Kidman says in a statement. "When you're working with a woman on this subject matter, you can share everything with each other.”

"I really decided in the beginning, I want to make a sexual film, just as sexual as all these films that I've always admired so much," adds writer-director-producer Halina Reijn, "but now I'm going to do it completely through female eyes. What does that mean and what does that look like?”

When is the Babygirl release date?

A24

Babygirl Release Date

Babygirl made its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, but you can watch the movie in theaters December 25, 2024.

Who's in the Babygirl cast?

A24

Babygirl Cast

The cast of Babygirl includes Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Sophie Wilde, and Antonio Banderas.

What has Nicole Kidman said about making Babygirl?

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Nicole Kidman revealed Babygirl is the most "exposing" film she's done because she's “made some films that are pretty exposing, but not like this.”

“It left me raggedm" Kidman says. "At some point I was like, I don’t want to be touched. I don’t want to do this anymore, but at the same time I was compelled to do it...This is something you do and hide in your home videos. It is not a thing that normally is going to be seen by the world.”

“I felt very exposed as an actor, as a woman, as a human being,” she continues. “I had to go in and go out like, I need to put my protection back on. What have I just done? Where did I go? What did I do?”

What does babygirl energy mean?

A24

"Babygirl" is a term of endearment that's usually applied to a man (you've probably heard it describe Pedro Pascal or Paul Mescal). When someone is giving babygirl energy, they're kind, cute, and disarming. And considering Babygirl plays with power dynamics, we could be guessing who the "babygirl" in question is up until the very end.

Watch The 'Babygirl' Trailer Here!

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

There were SO many moments that made our jaws drop here:

  • The thumb in the mouth
  • The pink skirt moment
  • NICOLE CRAWLING ON ALL FOURS?!
Yeah, this is one you won't wanna watch with your parents, friends. 🥵

Are you looking forward to seeing Nicole Kidman onscreen again? We might have to wait until December to see Babygirl, but there are plenty of incredible Fall Movies coming our way.

This post has been updated.

nicole kidmanpop cultureentertainmentnsfwmovie

20 Hilarious Christmas Party Games That Will Make Your Family Reunion EPIC

Christmas party games are a fun way to connect, relieve some holiday stress, and bring some holiday cheer, way better than zoning out in front of the TV or navigating tricky political conversations. Whether you're hosting a holiday party or hosting the big day (or eve), here are some ROFL Christmas games for adults and kids to experience real holiday joy, perhaps create some new traditions, and take the best IG shots of the season.

Here are 20 exciting Christmas party games you can play with the whole family!

Shutterstock

Christmas Charades

Play charades with a holiday twist! Write down Christmas-themed clues (e.g., decorating a tree, Rudolph, Mariah Carey, building a snowman...) and have teams act them out. Keep it simple for kids, especially ones learning to read, or add some pop culture references (Buddy the Elf, anyone?) for adults-only parties.

Shutterstock

Name That Carol!

Play short snippets of Christmas songs and have guests guess the title. To up the challenge, use instrumental versions or hum the tune. For kids, you can turn this into musical chairs with holiday music!

Shutterstock

Christmas Trivia

Create trivia questions about Christmas movies, traditions, and songs. Bonus points for the most obscure facts! Here's a few to start:

  • Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree? (Answer: Germany)
  • In the song Twelve Days of Christmas, what is given on the 7th day? (Answer: Swans a-swimming)
  • Which country celebrates “Feliz Navidad”? (Answer: Spain or Latin American countries)

Shutterstock

Guess the Holiday Scent

Use candles, essential oils, or holiday-themed spices like cinnamon, peppermint, or pine. Blindfold guests and have them guess the scent. Throw in some unexpected surprises like egg nog, maple syrup or Scotch tape.

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Snowball NBA

If you're lucky enough to have a White Christmas, set up buckets outside labeled with different point values. Guests toss real snowballs, or “snowballs” like white cotton balls or small foam balls if you're playing indoors, into the buckets for points.

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The Awkward Gift Wrap Race

Find awkwardly shaped items around the house, like a basketball or stuffed animal, and provide rolls of wrapping paper. The fastest (and neatest) gift wrapper wins!

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Ornament Relay

Hand out spoons or chopsticks and teams have to race to get ornaments from one side of the room to another.

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Candy Cane Hunt

Similar to an Easter egg hunt, hide candy canes around the house or yard and let guests hunt for them. Wrap a few with dollar bills to up the ante .;)

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Holiday "Who Am I?"

Stick Christmas-themed names or characters (e.g., the Grinch, Jude Law, Holiday Armadillo, Charlie Brown) on players' foreheads. Guests ask yes/no questions to guess who they are. It's a great ice breaker for new friends!

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Gingerbread Decoration Contest

Anything with a ticking clock adds a certain element of hilarity to it. Give your teams gingerbread houses with icing and decorations. Let the creativity flow, and award prizes for categories like “most festive” or “funniest" or "worst construction."

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Here are more Christmas games to play this season:

Jingle Bell Toss: Set up your college-era Solo cups into a bowling pin formation at opposite ends of the table. Each players tries to get large jingle bellsinto the opposite side’s cups. The first player to get a bell in each cup wins.

Human Hungry Hungry Hippo: Pair up, stand in a circle, and hand out plastic candy canes. Toss shatterproof Christmas balls in the middle of the circle. One person stands, holding the feet of the other person on the floor. The person on the floor tries to collect more balls with the candy cane than the other teams for a human version of Hungry Hungry Hippo!

Christmas Pictionary: Like charades, but on paper. Use pop culture references like "Hallmark Holiday Movie" or holiday-themed phrases like "Silent Night" for teammates to guess.

Left-Right Christmas Story Game: Make up a holiday story that includes the words "left" and "right" often. Guests pass a wrapped gift or object left or right as the words are mentioned, and whoever holds it at the end keeps the gift!

Christmas Bingo: Downloadbingo cards with holiday symbols or themes. Mark them off as they’re called out. First to yell “Bingo!” wins.

Reindeer Ring Toss: Use inflatable reindeer antler hats (or make your own) and toss rings to see who can "decorate" the reindeer.

Christmas Cookie Taste Test: Bake or buy a variety of holiday cookies. Blindfold guests and see who can identify the most flavors correctly.

Christmas Movie Emoji Quiz: Create a string of emojis that represent Christmas movies and have guests guess the titles.

Snowman Building Contest: If there’s snow, go outdoors for a snowman-building competition! If indoors, use toilet paper to “wrap” someone as a snowman.

Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Make a list of Christmas-related items like a red ornament, mistletoe, or a stocking and have guests search for them in teams.

Christmas Karaoke: Set up a karaoke machine or app and sing along to holiday classics. Bonus points for best singer or most dramatic performance!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more fun holiday inspo!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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'Wicked' Sing-Alongs Are Coming To Theaters! Here's When You Can Finally Belt 'Defying Gravity.'

Following in the footsteps of movie musicals like Mean Girls, Wicked might just be the 2024 movie we're most excited for. The fantastical design, beautiful songs, and enemies-turned-besties relationship between Elphaba and Glinda come together like magic. The show first opened on Broadway in 2003 with Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. Stephen Schwartz, lyricist and composer, has teased the film since 2017, and every little bit of new news gets us more excited to finally travel to Oz on the big screen. Keep reading for everything we know about the gravity-defying fall movie!

Here's the latest news on 2024's brand new Wicked movie.

  • Wicked is coming to theaters this November.
  • The movie's based on the musical of the same name, which premiered in 2003.
  • The Wicked cast includes Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Marissa Bode.

Is there a Wicked movie singalong?

Universal Pictures

Good news for singers and theatre kids alike: Wicked singalongs are coming to theaters! While the movie premieres on November 22, interactive screenings are coming to around 1,000 movie theaters in North America starting December 25. Stay tuned for location details! Until then, please do us all a favor and hum under your breath during "Defying Gravity."

What has the Wicked cast said about each other?

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The Wicked cast truly became a family onset. Ethan Slater exclusively told Brit + Co that Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo welcomed everyone into the film "with open arms," while Michelle Yeoh added working together was "magical." Meanwhile, our leading ladies went viral for crying over how much they mean to each other.

And Jonathan Bailey just spilled some more behind the scenes secrets in his Vanity Fair cover story. In addition to calling Ari and Cynthia "the girls" (which is a nickname I love!! I feel like it emphasizes how close they are by highlighting the fact there's only two people he could be talking about), he opened up about the support he received making the transition from Fellow Travelers and Bridgerton to Wicked.

"I’d flown back from Canada and then I was filming Bridgerton," he says. "I met the girls then, and they were well and truly underway. I remember going to the dressing rooms, and theirs were pink and green and were just spilling into the hallway. And mine was just an interrogation room with nothing. But I did spend the whole day with [choreographer] Chris Scott and went from Chris Scott to see [musical writer] Stephen Schwartz, and it was just, for me, boot camp days. You just lean on the amazing choreographers and obviously [director] Jon M. Chu’s vision."

What is the Wicked movie release date?

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Wicked: Part I hits theaters on November 22, 2024. It was originally scheduled for a Christmas release (and then Thanksgiving) but the sooner, the better IMO!

And good news for any Amazon Prime subscribers: you can see the movie early! Amazon's new “Oz on Amazon” campaign means members can screen Wicked in theaters November 18, four whole days before the rest of the world sees it. Get tickets here while they're still available!

Will there be a Wicked movie soundtrack?

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Yes, we're getting a Wicked movie soundtrack! Full of beloved Broadway numbers like "Popular," "I'm Not That Girl," and "The Wizard and I," this is an album for a whole new generations of Ozians.

“The other week I was visiting my family in Boca and I was up late one night with my headphones on because the mixes had just come in for the soundtrack,” Ariana Grande told Allure in September. “I was sitting in my childhood bedroom with the poster across from my bed signed by the original Broadway cast and listening to our mixes of the soundtrack. It was really emotional. I just burst into tears.”

Watch The Wicked Trailer!

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If you didn't already believe that Wicked was going to be the musical movie event of the century, this trailer will convince you. The dancing! The costumes! The literal magic! I am going to be weeping the entire time (and I need to start working on my Halloween costume STAT!)

Check Out The New Wicked Poster

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The newest Wicked poster shows off Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba like we've never seen! As a Glinda girl myself, I love to see all the details on Ariana's costume, plus all the texture and intricacies on Cynthia's. The poster is totally giving "The Creation of Adam" painting with Glinda and Elphaba just out of reach of one another — and it also reminds of "Defying Gravity" since Elphaba is in the air!

Who else is in the Wicked movie cast?

Sophy Holland/Universal Pictures/Vanity Fair

We got a first (leaked) look at Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero the week of May 13. We already know that he can sing so we're extra excited to see him in action alongside Ariana and Cynthia!

In this Vanity Fair first look, we see the three actors are joined by a powerhouse cast including Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard and Everything Everywhere All At Once star (and Academy Award winner!!) Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible. The cast also features Broadway actor Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, SNL star Bowen Yang as Pfannee, and The Greatest Showman actress Keala Settle as Miss Coddle.

We might have gotten a first glimpse at the movie during CinemaCon 2023, but this year's convention finally revealed the one cast member we've been waiting for: Dr. Dillamond, who will be played by Peter Dinklage.

"The wicked movie now has an academy award winner, grammy winner, tony winner and an oliver award winner," says @sheeshgwws on X. "i mean the talent is stacked."

Who auditioned for the Wicked movie?

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Before we got the official Wicked cast list, it turns out that a lot of our favorite stars went out for the film! When the movie was in its earliest stages of pre-production, back in 2014, Lea Michele and Harry Styles were reportedly the frontrunners for Elphaba and Fiyero (via The Guardian).

And once Jon M. Chu was attached to direct and the film really took off, a lot of stars we know and love made it into the audition room. Reneé Rapp told Watch What Happens Live that she auditioned for Glinda, while Dove Cameron confirmed she also auditioned for the role, via The Wrap. Amanda Seyfried was also in the running for the Good Witch, and revealed she auditioned (via Cosmopolitan) when she was playing Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout.

But the most surprising bit of news to me is that Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas went out for the same role! Nick confirmed to Variety that both brothers auditioned for Fiyero.

Considering in the mid-2010s One Direction was at the top of their game, Mamma Mia star Amanda Seyfried proved her singing chops again in Les Misérables, and we all had major crushes on the Jonas Brothers (still do, TBH), this cast would have overwhelmed every Tumblr musical theater girlie in the very best way.

Who is Jonathan Bailey playing in Wicked?

Sophy Holland/Universal Pictures/Vanity Fair

Jonathan Bailey from Bridgerton is starring as playboy-turned-lover boy Fiyero. When he first meets Glinda and Elphaba, he's taken with Glinda's charm and popularity, but he quickly realizes there's much more to Elphaba than meets the eye. In this Vanity Fair first look, we see that just like Anthony Bridgerton, Fiyero has an affinity for vests, billowy shirts, and horses. I'm not mad about it.

Why was Ariana Grande at the Oscars 2024?

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Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo presented the award for "Best Score" and "Best Original Song" at the Oscars 2024! The duo showed up ahead of the Wicked movie (which hits theaters this fall), wearing their best Oz-approved fashion. Ariana Grande wore a voluminous bubblegum pink gown from Giambattista Valli Haute Couture that was reminiscent of Glinda the Good Witch, while Cynthia Erivo channeled Elphaba in a leather green Louis Vuitton dress.

While the aesthetic and fabric of both dresses were very different (similar to their Wicked characters!) both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo looked stunning and otherworldly thanks to the artistic silhouettes. I am simply in love with Ariana's off-the-shoulder bubble cape, and Cynthia's ruffled sleeves. I can't wait to see the rest of their press looks!

What is the Wicked movie about?

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Wicked is an origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good from The Wizard of Oz. As young women, Elphaba and Glinda uncover the wizard's plot to suppress all of the animals in Oz and keep his power. When Elphaba tries to expose him, he frames her for the act. Wicked will be directed by Jon M. Chu, who also directed 2021's In The Heights. We loved his work on that blockbuster musical, so we can't wait to see what Chu brings to the big screen with Wicked this time!

Who will play Elphaba in the wicked movie?

Cynthia Erivo/Instagram

Elphaba will be played by Broadway star Cynthia Erivo. She starred in a revival of The Color Purplefrom 2015 to 2017, winning a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance. She also took to the screen in films like Harriet, Pinocchio, and Bad Times at the El Royale. Cynthia Erivo first teased her Wicked look in an Instagram post, and we can't wait to see more!

Who is playing Glinda?

Ariana Grande/Instagram

Popstar and actress Ariana Grande will play Glinda in the films. We're very excited about this, especially after she sang "The Wizard And I" at the 2018 Wicked 15th Anniversary Special. Ariana may be a global pop sensation, but she has strong roots in musical theatre, starring as Charlotte in 13 the Musical in 2008. She's also been asking the Wicked team about a movie for over ten years!

“Since I was 20, I was like, ‘Hey, I don't know when this is happening, but when it's happening, may I please at least just audition?’" Ariana Grande tells Amazon Music's Zach Sang. "That's all I wanted, was an audition. I've never wanted anything more.”

Ariana prepped for the audition with “voice lessons every day, acting lessons every day” for six whole months. “I trained every single day to prove to [Wicked producers] that I could handle taking on this other person," she says.

Why is the Wicked movie two parts?

Universal Pictures

Wicked will be split into two parts, just like the Broadway show. That way, the stakes will feel higher, and we'll have more time with the characters! The two-part release follows in the footsteps of blockbusters like The Hunger Games and Dune. Wicked: Part I will premiere in November 2024, and the second part will follow the next year.

Why is Wicked coming out in 2024?

Universal Pictures

The Wicked movie was originally supposed to premiere in 2021 but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film got pushed. Thankfully, the strikes during the summer of 2023 didn't delay the movie at all!

Watch The Brand New Preview For "Wicked" Here!

Universal Pictures

Hopefully the wait for the 22 will only feel like One Short Day...until then, catch us watching this preview on repeat!

Keep checking back here for more Wicked movie updates and let us know what you're most excited about on Twitter! Until we get to see the movie in theaters, check out the top Spring Movies and Summer Movies to watch in the meantime!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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