The Dramatic Saga Behind Making ‘Children of Blood and Bone’

Plus: The WNBA Star Who Became a MAGA Fixation

View in browser | Update preferences August 13, 2026 The aughts YA boom was in full flower in 2017, when Harvard grad Tomi Adeyemi sold her first book: a fantasy novel that would eventually be titled Children of Blood and Bone, inspired by West Africa. Before the book was even published, she’d also sold the film rights. It was a dream scenario for any debut writer—until this year, when Adeyemi began publicly and vehemently distancing herself from the Blood and Bone adaptation, calling it “the worst thing I have ever had to live through.” What happened? “The answer may trace back to a controversial casting and tension on set,” Rebecca Ford writes in her thorough investigation of the project’s behind-the-scenes drama. But don’t stop at this TL;DR—you’ll want to read the whole thing. If that’s not intense enough for you, how about a play about Israel? Hannah Seligson talked to Tony winner Jonathan Spector about his new theater sensation Birthright, which might be the first work of fiction to capture the great rupture in the American Jewish community that’s happened since October 7, 2023. And for good measure, Kase Wickman also has a rundown of how WNBA player Sophie Cunningham became a MAGA darling. (Hint: It involves discourse about trans athletes.) I’m going to lie down for a bit. More tomorrow! HILLARY BUSIS, FEATURES EDITOR Magic and Mayhem BY REBECCA FORD Tomi Adeyemi’s film deal was an author’s dream. So how did the adaptation of her best-selling novel turn into what she calls “the worst thing I have ever had to live through”?... Read more Why this ad? Get more as a subscriber Exclusive offer with Vanity Fair: Subscribe to get 1-month free START YOUR FREE TRIAL Culture Watch THEATER Birthright Might Be the Perfect Catharsis for Jewish American Families at Odds Over Israel and Gaza BY HANNAH SELIGSON Playwright Jonathan Spector explains the inspiration for his sold-out drama about a group of Jewish friends who met on a free trip to Israel—a show that’s hitting a nerve, particularly for liberal Jews... Read more SPORTS How the WNBA’s Sophie Cunningham Became a MAGA Fixation BY KASE WICKMAN The basketball star has made a name for herself with her unapologetically physical play and trash talk on the court. Now she’s doing the same for conservative messaging... Read more Why this ad? From the Archive The Gangster and the Goddess BY PATRICIA BOSWORTH The sensational 1958 stabbing of Lana Turner’s gangster lover, Johnny Stompanato, by her teenage daughter, Cheryl Crane, turned a harsh spotlight on the much-married star’s trail of dangerous liaisons. There are still questions about what exactly happened that April night in Turner’s sumptuous pink bed... Read more In Case You Missed It Ahead of Prince George’s Arrival, There’s a New Rule at Eton College Just like when his father and uncle attended Eton College, a new privacy measure will be taken at the school.   MORE FROM VANITY FAIR HOLLYWOOD ARTS & CULTURE POLITICS STYLE ROYALS This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2026. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.