Cheat Sheet
Top 10 Right Now
1
NYC Subway Arsonist Busted After Lighting Woman on Fire: Sources
FIREBUG
Updated 12.22.24 4:53PM EST 
Published 12.22.24 4:52PM EST 
An F train at the Smith - 9th Street stop.
The man who reportedly lit a woman on fire on an F train was taken into custody, sources said. Gary Hershorn/Getty Images

A man is in police custody for allegedly lighting a sleeping woman on fire in a Brooklyn subway car on Sunday morning, law enforcement sources told the Daily Beast. The horrific scene unfolded around 7:30 a.m. on an F train stopped at the Coney Island-Stillwell Ave. stop in south Brooklyn. The man appeared to ignite the sleeping woman, then calmly walk off the train car, according to video footage obtained by the New York Daily News. The woman, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead on the subway platform. The suspect was nabbed by police in Manhattan, law enforcement sources told the Beast, after a civilian recognized him from images circulated by the NYPD the same day.

Read it at New York Daily News

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2
‘Sonic’ Flies Past ‘Mufasa’ In Box Office Debut
NEED FOR SPEED
Published 12.22.24 5:15PM EST 
Signage on display at the premiere of "Sonic The Hedgehog 3" at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, on December 16, 2024. (Photo by Michael Tran / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Signage on display at the premiere of "Sonic The Hedgehog 3" at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, on December 16, 2024. (Photo by Michael Tran / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images) MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has taken the lead over Mufasa this weekend in box office sales. Ahead of Christmas on Wednesday, Paramount’s $122 million video-game inspired movie had a $62 million opening in North America. The film easily surpassed Disney’s $200 million prequel Mufasa, which had a $35 million start in the U.S. According to Variety, Paramount’s third movie about the famous video game character beat the first of the trilogy, which released in February 2020 at $58 million. It just came below the sequel, which was released in March 2022 with a $72 million start. “We saw a window in the marketplace in December where we thought we could stand out,” Paramount domestic distribution president Chris Aronson said. “Sonic is going to dominate through the holidays.” The movie received an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score with high audience reviews. Mufasa, on the other hand, is trailing far behind. The Disney movie that was a prequel to The Lion King landed $35 million. Variety reported that an above $200 million production had a $100 million promotion budget worldwide, and fell far behind expectations of a $50 million start. The film also had relatively high reviews from audiences, with a 56% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Read it at Variety

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Give the Gift of Barista-Worthy Brews With This Coffee & Espresso Machine—Save Now
BREW-TIFUL
AD BY L'OR BARISTA
Published 12.21.24 12:00AM EST 
A stylish L'OR BARISTA coffee and espresso machine sits on a kitchen countertop, surrounded by various coffee drinks in elegant glassware. The drinks include a cappuccino, iced coffee, and espresso, showcasing different layers of milk and coffee. Two coffee capsules are displayed on a white serving tray in front of the machine, and a small milk jug is placed nearby.
L'OR BARISTA

It’s tough to recreate that café-quality coffee experience at home. Some machines can imitate the feeling, but fall short of matching it—until now. Gift the coffee lover in your life (even if it’s you) the L’OR BARISTA coffee and espresso maker. The BARISTA is on sale now, but there is no time to dilly dally; this deal ends soon.

The BARISTA uses high-pressure brewing to make café-quality coffee and espresso that’s topped with a delicate layer of velvety crema—L’OR’s gold seal of quality. Just pop in one of L’OR’s capsules or one from other well-known brands, and the BARISTA will automatically detect the size and adjust to brew the perfect cup every time. From 1.4 oz to 12 oz, you can brew six different sizes of your favorite hot, cold, or specialty beverages. Plus, the BARISTA has a large 40 oz water tank (less time refilling) and heats up in under 30 seconds.

With all these features, you’re probably expecting a monster of a machine. However, the BARISTA is quite the opposite. It only takes up about as much space as a laptop, saving you priceless real estate on your countertop. It’s also a pleasure to look at, made with European craftsmanship, and available in a variety of colors and finishes. In addition to the holiday savings, any purchase of the L’OR BARISTA system comes with free capsules in a variety of blends, roasts, and flavors to try.

L'OR Barista Coffee & Espresso System
Down from $200

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3
‘It Ends With Us’ Author Voices Support for Blake Lively Amid Sex Harassment Lawsuit
‘Never Wilt’
Published 12.22.24 3:35PM EST 
Author/executive producer Colleen Hoover and producer Blake Lively at the world premiere of IT ENDS WITH US at AMC Lincoln Square on August 06, 2024 in New York City.
Author/executive producer Colleen Hoover and producer Blake Lively at the world premiere of IT ENDS WITH US at AMC Lincoln Square on August 06, 2024 in New York City. Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures

It Ends with Us author Colleen Hoover has voiced her support for Blake Lively after she filed a lawsuit against co-star and director Justin Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment. “You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” Hoover wrote on her Instagram Stories Saturday alongside a photo of her and Lively hugging. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt,” she continued while adding a link to The New York Times’ report on Lively’s suit. Baldoni, who directed and starred opposite Lively in the film adaption of Hoover’s novel, has been accused of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against Lively with the help of his public relations team. In a statement to the Associated Press, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman called the allegations “outrageous” and said, “These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.”

Colleen Hoover Instagram Story.
Colleen Hoover Instagram Story, screenshot obtained by The Daily Beast. Screenshot/Collen Hoover/Instagram
Read it at Variety

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4

AOC Shuts Down Pregnancy Rumors After Being Approached by GOP Colleague

NO BABY ON BOARD
Published 12.22.24 12:12PM EST 
UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 19: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., attends a news conference on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ecuadorians residing in the U.S., outside the Capitol on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is clearing up the pregnancy rumors after a Republican member asked her whether she was expecting on the House floor this week. In an Instagram story video, Ocasio-Cortez responded to a user asking if she was pregnant because she was “glowing.” “Everyone keeps asking me if I’m pregnant,” she said. “Actually, a member, a Republican, came to me on the floor this week and asked me if I was pregnant.” She then went on to dispel the rumors, giving a reason to why people may be asking. “I’m not pregnant guys,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “I had a lot of food at Thanksgiving, OK? It happens.” The congresswoman from New York made headlines this week after running to be a top Democrat for the House Oversight Committee, and losing. Reports circulated that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was working against Ocasio-Cortez. Rep. Gerry Connolly, who Pelosi was reportedly making calls for, won by a margin of 131 to 84. Even President-elect Donald Trump sent his sarcastic condolences to her. “Really too bad that AOC lost the Battle for the Leadership Seat in the Democrat Party,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “She should keep trying. Someday, she will be successful!”

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This Clinically-Backed K-Beauty Night Cream Is the Ultimate Winter Skin Antidote
BEAUTY SLEEP
Published 12.20.24 7:03PM EST 
Dr. Rossi DERM MD Night Synthesis Cream
Dr. Rossi Derm MD.

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Every winter, my skin gets chapped, irritated, and downright pissed at me, thanks to the shorter days, colder temperatures, layers of clothes, heaters on full-blast everywhere, and lack of moisture in the air. Usually, I don’t feel the need to reach for a designated ‘night cream’ since the regular moisturizer that I use during the day works just fine, but during the past few weeks, my skin has been screaming for a little extra TLC and hydration. When it comes to any category of skincare, I always look for clinically-proven and medical-grade formulas, if possible, including the most basic creams and moisturizers.

While there are a few Korean beauty (K-beauty to the initiated) products I’ve loved for years, the holy grail snail mucin serum I once used religiously has disappeared from my daily routine, as has my former collection of sheet and lip masks. On my quest for a thirst-quenching night cream with added anti-aging benefits, I discovered the luxury medical-grade skincare line, Dr. Rossi DERM MD. The brand’s formulas borrow wisdom from Korean skincare traditions and each of the formulas is powered by Dr. Rossi’s proprietary Bio-Theriac Complex, combining biomimetic sea anemone peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid in an optimized ratio to combat premature aging caused by skin sensitization. Its bestselling, skin-repairing Night Synthesis Cream sounded like exactly what my skin needed (it also doesn’t hurt that the enviably ageless Martha Stewart is reportedly a fan of the concentrated cream.)

Night Synthesis Cream

Without being overly heavy or greasy—two skincare formula characteristics that are absolute dealbreakers as far as I’m concerned—the night cream is still rich, emollient, and brimming with science-backed ingredients that not only keep their complexion-enhancing properties but also rejuvenate lackluster skin fast. When I say this cream is dense, I’m really not joking—when you turn the jar upside down, the formula stays put like a Dairy Queen Blizzard turned upside down. Despite its density and viscosity, I’ve been wearing it under makeup during the day, and the formula absorbs quickly enough that there’s no oil slick of residue lingering, which is another requirement of mine.

Within just a week of using the cream, the dehydration-induced fine lines around my crow’s feet and under my eyes have diminished significantly. My skin appears firmer, brighter, and more luminous upon waking. Plus, the broken capillaries, redness, and skin peeling (also likely due to my retinoid use) have almost vanished despite the arid climate and rampant seasonal cedar allergies. Coming in at just under $200, this luxury night cream is definitely an investment but one that is well worth it if your skin, like mine, is crying out for reprieve from these drier winter months.

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5
Mom Shares Heartbreaking Tribute to 9-Year-old Boy Killed in Christmas Market Attack
TRAGIC
Published 12.22.24 1:59PM EST 
André Gleissner
André Gleissner GoFundMe

The mom of the youngest victim of the attack at the German Christmas market on Friday shared a heartbreaking tribute to the 9-year-old, calling him her “little teddy bear.” “Let my little teddy bear fly around the world again,” André Gleissner’s mother, Désirée Gleissner, wrote on Facebook, according to The Independent. “André didn’t do anything to anybody. He was only with us on earth for nine years. Why you? Just why?” On Friday, a BMW plowed through a market in Magdeburg, Germany, killing four others and injuring more than 200 more. “You will always live on in our hearts … I promise you that,“ the mother continued in her post. A GoFundMe was posted in his honor for his family, which vastly passed its goal of $7,600 (€8,000), having currently raised over $64,000 (€62,000) as of Sunday afternoon. The fundraiser collected over 3,500 donations.

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6
Bezos Rips Report That He’s Marrying Lauren Sanchez in $600 Million Wedding Next Weekend
Prime Match
Updated 12.22.24 10:07AM EST 
Published 12.22.24 7:42AM EST 
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez attend the 2024 Met Gala.
Cindy Ord/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

The rich and famous shouldn’t get their tuxes and gowns dry-cleaned just yet. Jeff Bezos has slammed reports that he will host a $600-million wedding to fiancée Lauren Sanchez next weekend in Aspen, Colorado. “...This whole thing is completely false — none of this is happening," the Amazon founder wrote on X. “The old adage “‘don’t believe everything you read' is even more true today than it ever has been.” The Daily Mail reported Saturday that Bezos, 60, and Sanchez, 55, bought out Aspen sushi joint Matsuhisa for some pre-wedding festivities, and have their nuptials planned for Saturday Dec. 28, adding that Kevin Costner’s 160-acre Dunbar Ranch will be the venue for the actual wedding. The Mail said that one “well-placed source” had touted a $600 million price tag for the party. However, billionaire Bill Ackman was the first to throw cold water on the supposed plans. “This is not credible. Unless you are buying each of your guests a house, you can’t spend this much money,” he wrote on X.

Read it at Daily Mail

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7
Dennis Rodman’s Daughter Calls His Apology for Being an Absentee Dad a ‘Joke’
CALLING BS
Updated 12.22.24 12:20AM EST 
Published 12.22.24 12:19AM EST 
Dennis Rodman and Trinity Rodman.
Trinity Rodman is slamming her dad, Dennis Rodman, after he apologized for being absent from her life. Getty Images

Soccer star Trinity Rodman shot back at her father, NBA legend Dennis Rodman, after he apologized to her for being absent from her life. In a since-deleted Instagram post, the elder Rodman wrote, “Sorry I wasn’t the Dad you wanted me to be but either way I still tried and I still Try and Never will Stop,” adding: “I watch you play All the time.” Now, the Washington Spirit forward is calling BS. “A joke,” she wrote in an Instagram story. “The response alone. And the attention. Wiping my hands with it. I’m done. Thank you.” Rodman had opened up about her estrangement from her father during an appearance on the podcast Call Her Daddy. The basketball star, known for his wild lifestyle, separated from his daughter’s mother when she was still a toddler, according to NBC News. Rodman said on the podcast that her dad surprised her at a game in 2021, but she didn’t hear from him again until recently. “I think after that was when I lost hope in ever getting him back,” she said. “It was just going to be, like, he’s popping in whenever he wants to be in a camera.”

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8
Oakland A’s Legend Rickey Henderson Dies at 65
R.I.P.
Published 12.21.24 6:13PM EST 
Rickey Henderson at a baseball game in April 2024.
MediaNews Group/East Bay Times v/MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Baseball fans are mourning the loss of legendary Oakland A’s player Rickey Henderson after his passing on Friday. TMZ reports that the famed left fielder, also known as “Man of Steal,” died from pneumonia at 65 in the Oakland area. The Hall of Fame member was known for having stolen 1,406 bases, the most of any player, throughout his 24-season career spanning 1979 to 2003. The tabloid shares that he made 3,055 hits and scored 297 home runs during his time on the field. In addition to playing for Oakland, Henderson also lent his talents to other major league teams like the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Boston Red Sox, to name a few. He also holds the record for most runs scored with a total of 2,295. Following the announcement of his passing, “RIP Legend” trended on X, with many users taking to the platform to pay their respects to the sports star.

Read it at TMZ

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Nutribullet’s New Portable Blender Streamlined My Morning Smoothie Routine
SMOOTHIES ON THE GO
Published 12.19.24 12:27PM EST 
Nutribullet Flip Portable Blender
Nutribullet.

Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved smoothies, but they were something I only enjoyed once in a while. So, five years ago, I asked for a Nutribullet blender for the holidays, and I’ve probably averaged 350 smoothies a year ever since. They’ve become part of my morning routine, and starting my day with fruit, veggies, and protein feels fantastic. What I don’t love is the clean-up. Plus, when I travel, I have to give up my smoothie fix (which is why I’m at 350 smoothies a year and not 365). Enter the Nutribullet Flip, an insulated portable blender. The size is just right for making my morning smoothie—wherever I am.

Nutribullet Flip Insulated Portable Blender
Buy At Amazon$100

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The portable blender is incredible for mornings when I’m in a time crunch and just need to get out the door. Plus, I can easily pack it on road trips. Best of all, I just put a little soap and water in it and press the blend button to clean it. Viola! Charging the Flip is easy, as it uses a USB-C port, and the insulated, stainless steel tumbler can keep smoothies cold for 24 hours, making it easy to blend and go (or go and blend later). I didn’t really think my smoothie habit could get much more efficient, but the simplicity of this mini blender has saved me some serious time during my morning routine. Now, I can have smoothies 365 days out of the year.

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9
Ralph Fiennes Admits Feeling ‘Lost’ Filming ‘Maid in Manhattan’ With J.Lo
‘LITTLE BIT AT SEA’
Updated 12.21.24 5:54PM EST 
Published 12.21.24 5:03PM EST 
Ralph Fiennes on the red carpet in New York City in December 2024.
Dominik Bindl/Dominik Bindl/Getty

Two-time Oscar-nominee Ralph Fiennes is getting candid about feelings of uncertainty working on the 2002 Jennifer Lopez-led rom-com Maid in Manhattan. Fiennes made the admission during a recent interview with People in which he looked back on some of his most iconic roles. In the fluffy film, Lopez stars as a single mother and maid who has a romance with Republican senator Christopher Marshall, played by Fiennes. “It was rom-com writing. It was light,” Fiennes told People. “[But] I think I felt a little bit at sea sometimes. [I wondered] ‘Now, who is this Republican senator?’ My antennae for things American — I think — got better since. But then I think I was kind sometimes a little bit lost.” This isn’t the first time the Schindler’s List actor has talked about his time making the film. During a 2022 Watch What Happens Live appearance, Fiennes told Andy Cohen that during production, tabloids attempted to romantically link him with Lopez when she was in fact dating Ben Affleck the first time around.

Read it at People

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10
Party City CEO’s ‘Winding Down’ Announcement Shocks Employees
PARTY’S OVER
Published 12.21.24 10:14AM EST 
Party City logo and store, on April 3, 2024, in Sherwood Park, Strathcona County, Alberta, Canada.
Party City is closing all of its stores across the U.S. immediately, the CEO announced in a Friday meeting. NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Party City announced that it would be closing all of its stores in a shock announcement CEO Barry Litwin delivered to employees Friday. “That is without question the most difficult message that I’ve ever had to deliver,” said Litwin during a video call with employees, reported CNN. Lit said operations for its roughly 800 stores across the U.S. would be “winding down” immediately. Staff were told they would not receive severance pay and their benefits would end as the company completely dissolves. Litwin was named CEO of the New Jersey-based retail brand four months ago with hopes of turning operations around. But Litwin told employees their “very best efforts have not been enough to overcome” Party City’s crushing $800 million debt. The company declared bankruptcy in January 2023 with $1.7 billion in debt. “It’s really important for you to know that we’ve done everything possible that we could to try to avoid this outcome,” Litwin said. “Unfortunately, it’s necessary to commence a wind down process immediately.”

Read it at CNN

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