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Seven of Nine: Tension and secrets on set of Star Trek

They may have hired Jeri Ryan for her beauty, but Seven of Nine turned out to be one of the best characters in the entire Star Trek franchise.

Watching her walk around Voyager in her body suits was kind of mesmerizing – but her character was really interesting, too.

But did you know she had a secret enemy on set?

The game behind Jeri Ryan’s success

When Jeri Ryan stepped onto the set of Star Trek: Voyager in 1997, the show was teetering on the edge. The ratings were slipping, the stakes were high, and the producers knew they needed something — or someone — to turn things around. Enter Seven of Nine.

A former Borg drone severed from the Collective, her character was a fusion of cold precision and buried humanity, a puzzle waiting to be solved.

And when she appeared in season four, the effect was immediate. Ratings skyrocketed — by a staggering 60%. The network had gambled on her, banking on her striking presence to pull in viewers. And it worked.

But what they might not have anticipated was just how good she truly was. Not just a mesmerizing figure in a skintight uniform, but an actress of remarkable depth. She didn’t just play Seven; she became her, layer by layer, letting glimpses of vulnerability slip through the steel.

One episode, in particular, stands out—one where Seven, fractured by a cascade of personalities, shifts from one identity to another in rapid succession. It was a performance that should have earned her an award, a showcase of sheer talent that transcended the show’s sci-fi trappings.

They hired her to save Voyager. What they got was something far greater.

Why she turned down the role four times

Jeri Ryan, born Jeri Lynn Zimmermann on February 22, 1968, in Munich, West Germany, moved to Los Angeles after college to pursue acting full-time.

In 1997, she was relatively unknown when the creators of Star Trek: Voyager set their sights on her for the role of Seven of Nine. Surprisingly, Ryan turned down the part not once, but four times.

But, why didn’t she want to join? In a January 2020 interview, Jeri Ryan revealed that when producers first approached her about Star Trek: Voyager, she had never seen the show. Curious, she decided to watch an episode — and quickly regretted it. She described it as “the worst hour of television” she had ever seen.

”They gave me a copy of First Contact, the movie, so I could at least see what a Borg was. They also gave me a copy of the Big Star Trek encyclopaedia, whatever it is, so that I could bone up on my Star Trek knowledge,” Ryan explained.

It was only after relentless persuasion from executive producer Jeri Taylor that she finally agreed to take on the iconic role as Seven of Nine, a Borg drone who was freed from the Borg’s collective consciousness.

The fight the camera didn’t catch

Jeri Ryan would feel it before the cameras even rolled — a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach at the mere thought of sharing a scene with co-star Kate Mulgrew. It wasn’t nerves. It wasn’t stage fright. It was something heavier, an unspoken tension that hung in the air whenever they worked together.

Most of the Voyager cast had noticed it. The friction between them wasn’t just rumor; it was real, and for years, it remained unresolved. Ryan, the newcomer, had been thrust into the spotlight as Seven of Nine, the undeniably striking former Borg drone. Mulgrew, the show’s seasoned lead, had spent years crafting Captain Janeway as a strong, independent figure, resisting every attempt to shoehorn her character into a romance. And now, suddenly, all eyes were on Seven.

For Mulgrew, it wasn’t personal — at least, not at first. She had wanted to shift Star Trek away from overt sexualization, to make it about intellect, leadership, and exploration. But the network had other plans. They had brought in Ryan, a beautiful and undeniably sexualized character, to revive the show’s ratings. And it worked.

The strain between them lingered for years, a quiet storm beneath the surface. Ryan kept her head down, delivering performance after performance, while Mulgrew wrestled with her own frustration.

Jeri Ryan and Kate Mulgrew at the 14th annual official Star Trek convention in Las Vegas / Getty Images

In time, though, something changed. Mulgrew, with the wisdom of hindsight, saw the bigger picture. She later admitted her resentment, acknowledged how difficult she had made things for Ryan, and owned her part in their troubled dynamic.

And then, she did something unexpected — she apologized.

“You did a marvelous job in a very difficult role,” she told Ryan. The past was the past. The tension, the cold looks, the unspoken frustrations—it was over.

Since then, they’ve shared the stage at Star Trek conventions, laughing, reminiscing, and proving that even the deepest rifts can be healed. Looking at pictures from today, it’s quite hard to believe these two didn’t get along on set?

She burned her own catsuit

Seven of Nine’s iconic catsuit may have looked sleek and futuristic on screen, but behind the scenes, it was a nightmare. Seven of Nine’s corset was so tight that Jeri Ryan struggled to breathe while wearing it. Between takes, she often had to lie down just to regain her breath before stepping back in front of the camera.

And the skintight, one-piece design meant Jeri Ryan couldn’t get in or out of it without help from the costume department. Since the suit was a one-piece with no zipper, Jeri Ryan had to be sewn into it every time she wore it, and getting out of it was no easy task

Even something as simple as a bathroom break turned into a time-consuming ordeal, forcing her to “hold it” for long stretches just to avoid delaying filming. A simple bathroom break on set turned into a 20-minute ordeal, which led to her own radio code: “Code Jeri-Twenty.”

Ryan’s frustration with the outfit grew over the years, and by the time Voyager wrapped, she had only one thing left to do — get rid of it for good. With no hesitation, she burned the costume, making sure she would never have to squeeze into it again.

The invisible Wall of Shame

On the set of Star Trek: Voyager, where the magic of sci-fi meets the absurdity of pretending, actors often found themselves engaged in the fine art of “force field acting” — a skill that required throwing oneself against absolutely nothing and making it look convincing.

Take, for example, the infamous moment in The Gift, one of the early episodes featuring Seven of Nine. With all the seriousness of a Starfleet officer facing imminent doom, the actor had to hurl themselves at the brig’s force field — except, of course, there was no force field. No shimmering energy barrier. No resistance. Just the cold, unfeeling air of a soundstage.

”You do a lot of acting to nothing, because there is a lot of special effects, so you’re acting on a green screen or a blue screen, which means you’re acting to nothing and reacting to nothing,” Ryan once explained.

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The result? A spectacularly awkward performance where they flung themselves forward, only to stop mid-motion, arms flailing, face contorted in mock pain — while the crew tried (and sometimes failed) to stifle laughter behind the camera.

”Force field acting” quickly became an inside joke. It wasn’t just about selling the illusion — it was about doing it with a straight face while knowing that, in reality, you looked absolutely ridiculous.

But that’s the magic of sci-fi. One day, you’re battling intergalactic threats. The next, you’re throwing yourself at nothing and hoping the CGI team has your back.

What did Seven of Nine stand for in Voyager?

If you ask Jeri Ryan herself, she has plenty to say about the character she grew to love.

Seven of Nine wasn’t just another addition to the crew—she was a force of change. Before her arrival, Voyager had settled into a comfortable rhythm. The tension between Starfleet and the Maquis had faded, leaving little internal conflict. Everyone got along. Too well, perhaps.

But then came Seven. A former Borg drone, severed from the hive mind and forced to navigate individuality for the first time. She wasn’t just a crewmate; she was a challenge. A disruptor. And that, Ryan believed, was exactly what the show needed.

Looking back, Ryan has reflected on what made her character so important, not just to the series but to the broader Star Trek legacy.

”Humanity, in general, was one of the things Seven allowed them to explore,” she reflected. “She brought conflict to the show — something that was sadly lacking. Once the Maquis made up with Janeway and company, it was just one big happy family.”

But it wasn’t just conflict that made her addition so compelling. Seven of Nine fit into a classic Star Trek archetype: the outsider who forces humanity to examine itself. Much like Spock, Data, or Odo before her, Seven provided a unique lens through which the series could explore deep philosophical questions about identity, morality, and free will.

Why Seven of Nine wore high heels

Ever wondered why Seven of Nine strutted around Voyager in high heels? Fans have debated the practicality of it for years, but Jeri Ryan has a simple answer: everyone wore heels!

“All the female characters wore boots with heels,” she explained. “And if you’re going to walk around in a body stocking, I want to see you pad around in flats—it’s not happening!”

The heels weren’t necessarily a character choice, but rather a design decision to create a sleek, elongated silhouette.

So while it may not have been the most practical footwear for a former Borg drone, it certainly made for an unforgettable look.

The hidden challenge of playing Seven of Nine

We know that Jeri Ryan’s Star Trek: Voyager costume was one of the toughest parts of her time on set. But there was another challenge — one that isn’t as obvious when watching the series but becomes amusingly clear when looking back at behind-the-scenes photos.

Keeping a straight face.

“The two biggest challenges with Seven were keeping a straight face and working with all those guys who were absolutely nuts,” Ryan once admitted.

Seven of Nine, for all her Borg precision and stoic demeanor, was still human. She had emotions — just like everyone else — but she lacked the ability to express them. More than that, she was terrified to. Every feeling was carefully locked away, hidden beneath a surface of calm detachment.

“There’s a fine line between being unemotional and showing too much,” Ryan explained. “That challenge was really fun to play as an actor.”

And yet, in the middle of all this restraint and subtlety, she was surrounded by a cast full of pranksters. While Seven stood rigid, delivering lines in her signature controlled tone, chaos was often unfolding just out of frame. Keeping a straight face in the middle of it all? Easier said than done.

Despite the difficulty, Ryan has often described Seven as one of the greatest roles of her career. “This character really was a gift as an actor,” she said. “Everything was new to Seven, everything was a discovery.”

For fans, Seven of Nine remains one of Voyager’s most fascinating and beloved characters. And for Ryan, she was both a challenge and a joy—whether she was battling the Borg or just trying not to crack up on set.

So now we’ve gotten a glimpse into Jeri Ryan’s fantastic performance in Star Trek: Voyager! Her portrayal of Seven of Nine brought depth, strength, and a touch of vulnerability to the series, making her one of the most iconic characters in Star Trek history.

The AI Illusion of Seven

So, you clicked on this article because of that picture, didn’t you? No shame in that— we all love a striking image. But here’s the twist: the picture isn’t real.

That’s right! What you’re looking at is the work of AI, a digital illusion crafted by algorithms rather than Hollywood magic. And if you take a closer look, the signs are there—perhaps the uniform looks almost right, but something is… off.

The details don’t quite match the sleek Starfleet designs we know from Voyager. Maybe it’s the fabric, the fit, or the fact that it looks more like Star Trek: Alternate Reality Edition than anything we saw on screen.

It’s almost poetic in a way. Seven of Nine — a character defined by her struggle between human identity and artificial precision — now being reimagined by an AI that’s trying its best to replicate reality. It’s like the Borg meets Photoshop, and honestly? That’s kind of hilarious.

What do you think? Do you have a favorite Seven of Nine moment? Share your thoughts and let’s spark a debate! And if you enjoyed this, feel free to share it with fellow Star Trek fans! 🚀✨

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Keith Urban breaks down when he hears Kelly Clarkson sing her heart out

We knew we were looking at a star when we first saw Kelly Clarkson in her environment. The extraordinarily gifted singer has repeatedly demonstrated that she is not only capable of hitting high notes with her strong voice but also of delivering them with genuine, sincere emotion.

She has the ability to sing songs that most of us would never ever think to try, but when she sings from the heart, something unique happens. The natural-born star’s performance of one of her own songs on the well-known TV talent show American Idol may be the most moving example of it. For Clarkson, who was making a comeback to the American Idol stage, this was a very sentimental event.

However, nobody could have predicted the range of emotions that would be surfacing from within her—Kelly Clarkson was also pregnant at the time of this performance. The judges merely sat in front of her to watch the performance, not to pass judgment.

Thousands of people nationwide were already familiar with Kelly Clarkson’s name at the time of this performance. The 36-year-old had demonstrated to the world how powerful her songwriting was and how she could move an entire crowd to tears.

The now-pregnant former American Idol winner took the stage one more to deliver her heartfelt popular ballad, “Piece by Piece.” She sung it from the bottom of her heart, causing tears to fall down the faces of everyone in the crowd. Everyone in the room, including the judges, was paying attention. Above all, her influence was evident on Keith Urban’s cheeks, a juror. He was just unable to contain his tears.

The now-pregnant former American Idol winner took the stage one more time to deliver her heartfelt popular ballad, “Piece by Piece.” She sang it from the bottom of her heart, causing tears to fall down the faces of everyone in the crowd. Everyone in the room, including the judges, was paying attention.

Above all, her influence was evident on Keith Urban’s cheeks, a juror. He was just unable to contain his tears. It is well known that Kelly Clarkson has a unique ability to convey emotion through her voice. She sang her hit song in front of an emotional audience on this particular day, proving it beyond a doubt.

However, because this song is based on Kelly’s own experiences, it resonates deeply with her. Kelly has to pause the song to gather herself just a few minutes in. Additionally, this occurs twice. She manages to muster the strength to finish her act in a stunning manner.

Kelly is truly excellent; her performance was so passionate and lovely! Additionally, Keith is incredibly gorgeous on the inside and out. You have to like him. ❤. Singing from the heart is something I greatly like in performers. To be honest, I sobbed uncontrollably during Kelly Clarkson’s performance. If Kelly’s performance touched you deeply, please share this story on Facebook with your loved ones.

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Meet Yazemeenah Rossi, the 68-year-old hailed as the “world’s most beautiful grandmother”

I am full of admiration for people who prove that age is just a number.

Whether the person climbs mountains, bikes, plays computer games, it warms my heart when I see elderly people challenging the general idea that age plays a role.

This woman has been called “the world’s most beautiful grandmother” for years, which may not surprise you when you see what she looks like. But she is also a perfect example of beauty not being tied to youth.

Yazemeenah Rossi, born on December 21, 1955 in Corsica, France, has been on magazine covers from around the world. You might have even come across her in campaigns, appreciating her presence without necessarily pausing to consider her identity or age.

Over the years, she has also been working as an actress and appeared in several movies such as Timeless Beauty, Relevator and The Grasslands.

At the outset of their modeling careers, aspiring models often find themselves compelled to work without compensation or for nominal fees, all in an effort to construct a substantial portfolio. However, Yazemeenah’s breakthrough came comparatively swiftly, defying the norm in the industry.

The French model and actress did not begin her career in her teens like most models do — she was already over 30 when she started, and she embarked on modeling at an age when models usually retire.

Unveils secret of her beauty

Already then, Yazemeenah was proving that she did not have to be young to be a model — something she would continue to prove over the next 30 years.

”I was a mother of two kids at 20, working from home, making clothes, knitting, interior design for friends and private clients. I knew since teen that I would never work in an office or stay at the same place through all my life, so even at the time when raising my children I was very active and independent,” she said in 2020.

Although she managed to work continuously as a model during all these years, she says that the model industry remains primarily for the young.

“There was a time, some years ago, when I started to think things would gradually begin to change and we’d start to see more older models, but that did not happen. I do believe that men and women have the same concerns about growing old, although men might talk less about it. Nobody likes to see their skin give in to gravity. At the same time, growing old is something beautiful because you become stronger with the passing of time,” Yazemeenah told Vice.

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“Age is definitely a state of mind. If you are connected with your inner child, you can recharge your batteries and keep that energy. You need to have a playful, adventurous, curious spirit,” she says, adding there are no real “magic tricks” to keep you looking youthful.

Many who look at this beautiful lady are convinced that she has gone under the knife. Some say that it’s impossible to look so beautiful and young when you are almost 70 years old.

“I haven’t had any cosmetic surgery so far. The idea of going under the knife when I am perfectly healthy doesn’t make much sense to me.”

Over the years, the beautiful and timeless Yasmina Rossi has been praised for accepting and embracing her appearance just the way it was.

“I take oil and use it on my skin. I put rapeseed oil on my hair. I scrub my skin once a week with olive oil and fine sugar, and I eat an avocado a day and organic meat and fish,” she told The Potion Tree.

In December 2023, Yazemeenah will turn 68.

But she isn’t going to be slowing down as she told The Daily Mail, “I will model until the end of my life,” and added “But it’s not about modeling, it’s about witnessing, witnessing beauty, energy makes us alive…”

Older women should be proud of their bodies because each stage of life brings its own unique beauty and significance!

In essence, being proud of your body is a declaration of self-worth, a stand against ageism, and an affirmation of the beauty that comes with the passage of time. It is a celebration of the journey they’ve undertaken and the strength they possess, inspiring others to embrace their own bodies with love and appreciation.

This woman is really a source of inspiration. Press the share button so your friends can also see that age is just a number!

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Grandma’s final photo of granddaughter minutes before she’s killed

Stock photo of autumn woodland. Credit / Shutterstock

A woman has shared a picture depicting the final moments of her granddaughter’s life shortly before the three-year-old’s tragic passing.

According to devastating reports, Scarlett Jensen was killed in a hit-and-run on October 7, 2022. Along with her 2-year-old brother, Henry, she was being minded by her grandmother as her mother, Samantha Jensen, and father were out of town for a wedding.

Yet when the three of them were out walking in the family’s private driveway in Oldtown, Idaho, something unthinkable happened. A Chevy Tahoe came racing down the road, running over Scarlett, her grandmother, and her brother.

“My mother was waving her hands, screaming for him to stop and she tried to grab my children to move them out of the way but he was going too fast,” Samantha Jensen recalled.

“Scarlett was killed almost instantly and my mom and Henry were critically injured.”

The suspect driving the Chevy fled the scene on foot before ultimately being apprehended several miles away. He is now serving a ten year prison sentence.

“Henry was life-flighted to the children’s hospital where they found a fractured spine, six broken ribs, a broken jaw, a broken collarbone, a liver laceration and several other injuries,” Samantha told PEOPLE.

“My mom had several broken bones but was able to be released from the hospital.”

She added: “Henry spent a week in the PICU before he was stable enough to come home, and he had a full body brace on for 10 weeks.”

In the weeks that followed, the family was enveloped in grief, but there was one small moment of reprieve when Samantha found a seemingly innocuous photo her mother had taken of Scarlett shortly before her death.

“My mom lost her phone when they were hit and it took us a while to find it, so when we finally did I was going through pictures and found that one,” Jensen says. “I looked at the timestamp and realized it was only five minutes before her declared time of death, so it must have been taken seconds before the person hit them.”

According to PEOPLE, the image in question was taken when Scarlett’s grandmother had taken her two grandchildren out to get ice cream.

“When they arrived home to our back driveway, Scarlett wanted to get out of the stroller to pick flowers,” Samantha explained. “That’s when my mom took the last picture I have of her alive.”

The heartbroken mother explained that her days now differ. Some are naturally tougher than others, but the family is doing its best to tackle their enormous grief.

“Some days, it feels like I am drowning, and some days I am able to tread water,” she told PEOPLE. “My whole family is putting in a lot of work in therapy and trying to heal as much as possible. My faith in the Lord has saved my life and helped me tremendously in my healing journey.”

At first the devastated mother found it difficult to look at the final picture of her little girl. 2 years on from her passing, though, Samantha came to realize that the image is a token of a beautiful life.

“I am so incredibly thankful to have that photo,” she told PEOPLE. “It captures the peaceful feeling of her last moments, the beauty she was surrounded by when she took her last breaths. I will forever picture her happy and carefree, picking flowers with her best friend and Meemaw.”

Rest in peace, Scarlett.