Melissa Benoist Breaks Bad in The Waterfront: When Good Girls Go Gloriously Wrong

Melissa Benoist Breaks Bad in The Waterfront: When Good Girls Go Gloriously Wrong

Melissa Benoist traded her superhero cape for family vendetta in Netflix's The Waterfront, shocking even her most devoted fans. After six years flying through the skies as Supergirl, she now dives into the murky depths of addiction and betrayal as Bree Buckley - a character who'd probably punch Kara Danvers in the face. Playing a recovering addict hell-bent on destroying her own brother feels galaxies away from saving the world with a smile. The Waterfront shows what happens when Benoist abandons moral certainty for something far messier: a woman fighting her demons while creating new ones. Nobody expected this transformation, yet Benoist delivers with raw intensity that makes you forget she ever wore primary colors.

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Melissa Benoist Trades Kryptonite for Cocaine: The Waterfront’s Dark Addiction Drama Hits Different

Melissa Benoist grabbed everyone’s attention as she jumped from musical theater to superhero fame, and now she’s diving headfirst into gritty crime drama with Netflix’s The Waterfront. This 36-year-old actress and singer was born on October 4, 1988, and she’s been captivating audiences for over a decade. Her performances have this genuine quality that really shows off her incredible range. The Waterfront cast keeps generating serious buzz on Netflix’s global platform. Playing the troubled Bree Buckley represents another career-defining moment for Benoist, who has this knack for choosing challenging, transformative roles.

Early Life and Background of Melissa Benoist

Houston, Texas welcomed Melissa Marie Benoist into the world, born to Julie Renee and James Logan Benoist, who worked as a physician. When she turned thirteen in 2002, her parents divorced, and her mother primarily raised her in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado. Littleton, Colorado became her home base, where she grew up in an environment that really nurtured her artistic development from an incredibly young age.

Her love for performing arts showed up early. She started dance classes when she was just three years old in 1992, diving into jazz, ballet, and tap. At four years old, her aunt cast her in a church play she was directing in 1993. This first theatrical experience marked the beginning of what would become her lifelong dedication to performance. That early stage exposure became the foundation for her later success across multiple entertainment mediums.

The Benoist family tree includes two sisters: Jessica became a novelist, and Kristina pursued ecological science, plus five half-siblings from her father’s remarriage. Her paternal great-grandfather brought French heritage to the family mix, adding to her diverse European background that also includes German, English, and Scottish ancestry. Growing up in Colorado meant spending lots of her childhood exploring national parks and getting immersed in nature. These experiences later shaped her grounded, authentic approach to developing characters.

Benoist showed serious dedication to her craft as a teenager. She spent three summers performing anonymously at Disneyland with the Academy of Theatre Arts, a musical theatre school in Littleton, Colorado, run by Paul Dwyer and Alann Worley. She got involved in tons of local theatrical productions, including A Month in the Country, Cinderella, A Chorus Line, and Bye Bye Birdie at the Town Hall Arts Center, a professional theatre in the Denver metro area. While her classmates were hitting up high school graduation parties, she chose to perform in Evita with other cast members at the former Country Dinner Playhouse. This choice really showed her early commitment to professional excellence.

The Denver Post recognized Benoist as one of Colorado’s five “Can’t Miss Kids” in 2006. This acknowledgment came before she’d even graduated high school, highlighting her exceptional talent. After graduating from Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado, in 2007, she made the bold move to New York City to pursue musical theatre. She enrolled at Marymount Manhattan College for the BFA musical theatre program initially. During her sophomore year, she switched majors to theatre because she’d fallen in love with 19th-century Russian plays. She graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts in 2011.

 
 
 
 
 
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Benoist’s Acting Career Journey: From Debut to Stardom

Melissa’s career started with small steps that would establish her as a versatile performer across different entertainment platforms. Her professional debut happened in 2008 with the American road drama Tennessee, directed by Aaron Woodley, where she played Laurel. The film got mixed reviews and only earned a 33% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes, but it gave Benoist crucial early camera experience.

After her film debut, Benoist strategically built her television portfolio through guest appearances on several prestigious series. She showed up in episodes of Blue Bloods (2010), The Good Wife (2010), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2010), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2010), and Homeland (2011). These early television roles stayed brief, but they let her work with established actors and directors while she honed her craft across different dramatic contexts.

The game-changer in Melissa Benoist’s career happened in 2012 when she joined the cast of Glee, the American musical comedy-drama television series created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan. She portrayed Marley Rose, a talented and shy high school student with a passion for singing, staying with the show until 2014. Critics and audiences widely praised her performance, earning her a dedicated fan base and establishing her as a rising star in the entertainment industry.

During her Glee days, Benoist showcased her exceptional vocal talents. She performed various songs that became fan favorites and contributed significantly to the show’s success. Her portrayal of Marley Rose highlighted her ability to bring depth and authenticity to her characters. This demonstrated the acting skills that would later make her perfect for more complex dramatic roles. The show gave her invaluable experience in the fast-paced world of television production while letting her display her triple-threat capabilities as an actress, singer, and dancer.

Benoist starred as Nicole in the critically acclaimed psychological drama film Whiplash in 2014, directed by Damien Chazelle. The film, starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, received widespread critical acclaim and became a box office success, grossing over $49 million on a $3.3 million budget. Benoist’s performance as Nicole provided a crucial emotional counterpoint to the intense relationship between the main characters. Her character served as “the human center of Whiplash,” with her “winsome guilelessness” providing essential contrast to the “spiraling perversity” of the main characters.

The role that would define Melissa Benoist’s career came in 2015 when she got cast as the lead in the American superhero television series Supergirl. She portrayed Kara Danvers/Supergirl, and the series ran for six successful seasons, airing its final episode in 2021. Her performance as Supergirl earned her three Saturn Awards and two Teen Choice Awards, establishing her as one of television’s most beloved superhero performers. She was the very first of a thousand actors to audition for the title role, demonstrating her immediate connection to the character.

Throughout the Supergirl series, Benoist also appeared in crossover episodes with other CW superhero shows, including The Flash (2016-2019), Arrow (2016-2020), Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2020), and Batwoman (2019). These appearances expanded her presence within the Arrowverse franchise and showcased her ability to maintain character consistency across multiple series and storylines.

The Waterfront | Official Trailer

The Waterfront: Melissa Benoist’s Latest and Most Acclaimed Role

Melissa’s work in The Waterfront represents a dramatic departure from her previous projects. It showcases her range as an actress in Kevin Williamson’s gritty crime drama that premiered on Netflix on June 19, 2025. The Waterfront cast features Benoist as Bree Buckley, the intelligent and hot-tempered daughter of the Buckley family, whose long-standing fishing business in the fictional North Carolina town of Havenport faces mounting financial troubles.

Bree Buckley is a recovering drug addict who formerly oversaw the fishery’s finances but has allowed her demons to threaten her bright future. The character has lost custody of her teenage son Diller to her ex-husband and struggles to maintain both her sobriety and a relationship with her child. Benoist describes Bree as “flawed” and “reactive,” someone who “doesn’t always necessarily think everything through” but is “incredibly loyal” with “so much love to give” and is “so desperate to be loved and to belong.”

In Netflix’s The Waterfront, Bree blames her brother Cane for losing custody of her son and is determined to get revenge. She joins forces with Marcus, a disgraced DEA agent played by Gerardo Celasco, to expose the criminal means Cane employs to keep the Buckleys’ business afloat. This creates a compelling internal conflict as she simultaneously threatens the very thing she desperately wants to be part of. The role required Benoist to explore complex themes of addiction, family loyalty, and redemption while navigating the morally ambiguous world that Williamson expertly crafted.

Benoist herself has expressed how significantly different this role is from her previous work, particularly her iconic portrayal of Supergirl. “I’ve never played a role like this,” Benoist tells Tudum, explaining her gratitude toward creator Kevin Williamson for trusting her with such a complex character. She regularly texted Williamson throughout production, saying “Thank you for trusting me with this,” especially when receiving scripts that revealed more of Bree’s tragic backstory.

The series, described as inspired by true events, follows the Buckley family as they struggle to protect their secrets, legacy, and criminal empire after a suspicious shipwreck threatens to expose everything they’ve tried to bury. The Waterfront has been compared to shows like Ozark, Bloodline, and Virgin River, with critics noting its blend of family drama and crime thriller elements. The show quickly ascended to the top of Netflix’s U.S. Top 10 TV Series chart upon its release.

Critics have particularly praised Benoist’s performance in The Waterfront. One review noted that “Bree’s recovery from addiction gives the narrative a lot of its thrust” and that the show “has realized the complexities of the disease with more believability and realism than much of the media that have taken a swing at the topic.” The same critic observed that “Benoist is incredibly charismatic and gives the show a heartbeat,” describing Bree as “a vivid mess of regret and resentment.”

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Melissa’s Acting Style and Methodology

Benoist’s acting style draws from her extensive musical theatre background, which has given her a disciplined foundation and versatile skill set that works across different entertainment mediums. Her early training in singing, dancing, and stage performance built a strong work ethic and deep understanding of performance dynamics that has become central to her approach to character development. Her foundation in musical theatre significantly shaped her trajectory as a versatile actress. Early training provided “a disciplined base upon which she built her screen career.” This rigorous background gave her technical skills and “a strong work ethic, an understanding of performance dynamics, and the ability to embody characters through multiple expressive modalities.” These skills proved essential for her later successes in projects requiring both dramatic acting and musical performance. Benoist’s approach to acting emphasizes emotional authenticity and character connection. Her ability to project emotion and connect with audiences, crucial elements of stage performance, translated seamlessly to her screen presence. This allows her to create believable and engaging characters across diverse genres. The demanding schedules and quick changes characteristic of musical theatre contributed to her adaptability and stamina required for television production. In her Broadway debut as Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical in 2018, Benoist demonstrated her commitment to returning to her theatrical roots. “The stage has always felt like home to me,” she said about the experience, “and the fact that I will be joining the amazingly talented Beautiful family for my Broadway debut is wish fulfillment at its finest.” This return to Broadway showcased her continued dedication to live performance and her desire to challenge herself across different platforms. When approaching the role of Bree in The Waterfront, Benoist emphasized the importance of understanding the character’s complex psychology and addiction issues. She worked closely with creator Kevin Williamson to ensure authentic portrayal of a recovering addict struggling with family relationships and personal demons. Her method involves deep character research and emotional preparation, particularly for roles dealing with sensitive subject matter like addiction and domestic violence.

Personal Life and Relationships of Melissa 

Melissa Benoist is currently married to actor Chris Wood, whom she met on the set of the CW superhero drama Supergirl. Wood portrayed Mon-El, Supergirl’s love interest, and their on-screen chemistry translated into a real-life romance. The couple announced their engagement in February 2019 with Benoist sharing the news on Instagram alongside a photo of herself wearing an engagement ring, writing “yes yes yes it will always be yes.” Benoist and Wood tied the knot on September 1, 2019, in a private ceremony in Ojai, California. Six months after their wedding, the couple announced they were expecting their first child together. In September 2020, they welcomed their son, Huxley Robert Wood. Benoist shared the news on Instagram, revealing that she had given birth “a few weeks ago” and describing their “little boy” as “everything.” Before her relationship with Wood, Melissa Benoist was married to Blake Jenner, her co-star from Glee. The couple met while playing love interests on the musical TV series in 2012 and wed in spring 2015 after getting engaged in July 2013. However, their marriage ended when Benoist filed for divorce in December 2016, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in 2017. In 2019, Benoist courageously shared her experiences as a domestic violence survivor in a video, though she did not mention Jenner by name. A year later, Jenner addressed the subject on Instagram, stating that he “take[s] full responsibility and accountability for the hurt that [he] inflicted” while also noting that he had been abused in the relationship as well. This revelation demonstrated Benoist’s strength and advocacy for domestic violence awareness. Wood has been described as a supportive partner who prioritizes family time. In 2021, he shared on social media his approach to work-life balance, stating “I delete the apps from my phone and spend time with my wife and son instead. And that makes me feel terrific.” The couple continues to collaborate professionally, with both set to star in the upcoming NBC drama Duo, which Wood wrote and will co-executive produce. Beyond her immediate family, Benoist maintains close relationships with her extended family, including her two sisters Jessica and Kristina, and her five half-siblings from her father’s remarriage. She has spoken about the importance of family support throughout her career and how her upbringing in Colorado shaped her values and work ethic.

Awards and Recognition: Melissa Benoist’s Career Achievements

Melissa Benoist has received significant recognition for her work across television, film, and theater, with her most notable achievements coming from her portrayal of Supergirl. She won the Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television in 2017, beating out established stars including Caitriona Balfe (Outlander), Kim Dickens (Fear the Walking Dead), Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel), Lena Headey (Game of Thrones), Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Roanoke), and Winona Ryder (Stranger Things). Her Saturn Award success continued with multiple nominations throughout her Supergirl tenure. She was nominated for Saturn Awards for Best Actress in a Television Series in 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2021, winning once in 2017. In 2016, she also won the Saturn Award for Breakthrough Performance, recognizing her emergence as a leading actress in the science fiction and fantasy genre. Melissa Benoist achieved considerable success at the Teen Choice Awards, where she won Choice TV Actress: Action in both 2017 and 2018. These wins reflected her popularity among younger audiences and her impact as a role model through her portrayal of Supergirl. In her 2017 acceptance speech, delivered at the Teen Choice Awards, Benoist said: “Thank you so much, this is my first Teen Choice Award. I’m so glad I get to put on a cape and fight like a girl everyday! And I hope that every girl in this room knows that you are as strong as you think you can be!” The Supergirl series itself also received recognition during Benoist’s tenure, winning the Saturn Award for Best Superhero Adaptation Television Series in both 2017 and at the 45th Annual Saturn Awards. This recognition highlighted Benoist’s individual performance and the overall quality of the production and its impact on the superhero television landscape. In 2021, Benoist received a nomination for the CCA Super Award for Best Actress in a Superhero Series from the Critics Choice Super Awards, further cementing her status as one of the premier performers in the superhero genre. Throughout her career, she has accumulated a total of 4 wins and 9 nominations across various award ceremonies. Beyond individual awards, Benoist’s impact has been recognized through various industry honors and acknowledgments. Her work on Supergirl contributed to broader conversations about female representation in superhero media and helped establish her as a role model for young women aspiring to careers in entertainment.

Melissa’s Impact on Popular Culture and Fashion

Melissa Benoist has become a significant cultural icon, particularly through her portrayal of Supergirl, which positioned her as a symbol of female empowerment and resilience in popular culture. Her performance went beyond typical superhero narratives, becoming a touchstone for female empowerment, especially among younger audiences. The portrayal of a strong, compassionate, and complex female superhero resonated deeply, challenging traditional gender roles in media and fostering conversations about female leadership. Her influence extends beyond her superhero role into broader discussions about representation and diversity in entertainment. Benoist’s career has contributed to broader conversations about representation and empowerment in media, with her work resonating with audiences across demographics. She has used her platform to advocate for social issues, demonstrating a willingness to engage with the cultural impact of her work and cementing her image as a role model. The fashion impact of Melissa Benoist has been notable both on-screen and off-screen. Her Supergirl costume became an iconic representation of modern female superhero aesthetics, influencing costume design across the genre. Off-screen, her red carpet appearances and casual style have been featured in fashion magazines and style blogs, with her approachable yet sophisticated fashion choices resonating with fans. Her Broadway stint in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical further expanded her cultural influence beyond television and film. The role allowed her to connect with theater audiences and demonstrate her versatility as a performer, contributing to her reputation as a multi-talented artist capable of succeeding across different entertainment mediums. Melissa Benoist’s social media presence has also contributed to her cultural impact. With over 4.3 million followers on Instagram and an engagement rate of 3.81%, she maintains significant influence across digital platforms. Her social media activity during the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, where she actively supported Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, demonstrated her willingness to use her platform for political advocacy.

Behind the Scenes: Melissa Benoist on The Waterfront Set

Working on The Waterfront represented a significant creative challenge for Melissa Benoist. She had to dive deep into the complex psychology of a character unlike any she had previously portrayed. Creator Kevin Williamson’s trust in her ability to handle the demanding role of Bree Buckley became a driving force throughout production. Benoist frequently expressed her gratitude to Williamson, regularly texting him “Thank you for trusting me with this” as she received new scripts that revealed more of Bree’s tragic backstory. The filming experience allowed Benoist to collaborate with an ensemble cast that includes Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, Jake Weary, and Topher Grace. The production took place primarily in coastal locations that captured the authentic waterfront atmosphere essential to the series’ setting. The show’s high production values, with episode directors Marcos Siega and Liz Friedlander bringing their experience from successful shows like Dexter and The Lincoln Lawyer, created a professional environment that supported Benoist’s complex performance. Melissa Benoist approached the role of Bree with careful research into addiction and recovery, working to ensure her portrayal was both authentic and respectful. The character’s struggle with substance abuse and its impact on family relationships required sensitive handling. Benoist collaborated closely with the writing team to develop a nuanced performance that avoided stereotypes or oversimplification. The chemistry between Melissa Benoist and her co-stars, particularly Jake Weary as her brother Cane, became crucial to the series’ family dynamics. Their portrayal of siblings with a complicated, resentment-filled relationship required both actors to find the balance between love and anger that defines their characters’ interactions. Critics have noted that their performances together create much of the show’s emotional tension. Behind the camera, Benoist also served as an executive producer on the series through her production company, Three Things Productions, which has an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television. This role allowed her greater creative input into the character development and overall direction of the series. Her experience as both performer and producer on The Waterfront represents an evolution in her career toward greater creative control and influence over her projects.

Melissa’s Upcoming Projects and Future Plans

Melissa Benoist is set to reunite with her husband Chris Wood in the upcoming NBC drama series Duo, which represents an exciting new chapter in her career. The project, which has received a script commitment from NBC, is set against the backdrop of the music industry and will showcase both actors’ musical abilities. In the series, Benoist portrays a captivating artist searching for her next opportunity who encounters Wood’s reserved blue-collar character, with their meeting sparking “a collaboration that transforms both of their lives.” Duo is particularly significant as Wood wrote it himself, with Rina Mimoun serving as showrunner. The project comes from Warner Bros. Television, where Benoist’s Three Things Productions has an overall deal, allowing her to serve as executive producer while Wood takes on the role of co-executive producer. The series promises to explore how a rapidly ascending musical career impacts the central couple and the lives of those closest to them. The upcoming project represents Melissa Benoist’s continued evolution as both an actress and producer, building on her recent collaboration with Mimoun on The Girls on the Bus for Max. This previous collaboration helped establish the working relationship that led to Duo, demonstrating how Benoist is strategically building creative partnerships for future projects. Beyond Duo, Melissa Benoist continues to explore opportunities that challenge her as an actress while allowing her to maintain creative control through her production company. Her focus appears to be on projects that offer substantial character development opportunities and the chance to work with established creative talents. The success of The Waterfront on Netflix has likely opened additional doors for complex dramatic roles that showcase her range beyond the superhero genre. Melissa Benoist’s future plans also include potential voice work, as she recently lent her voice to Masters of the Universe: Revolution alongside Wood, demonstrating her willingness to explore different facets of entertainment. This diversification across multiple platforms and mediums reflects her strategic approach to building a sustainable, varied career in entertainment.

Social Media Presence and Fan Following

Melissa Benoist maintains a significant social media presence with over 4.3 million followers on Instagram, where she achieves an impressive engagement rate of 3.81%. Her Instagram account (@melissabenoist) consistently receives an average of 163,900 likes per post and approximately 1,300 comments, demonstrating strong audience engagement and authentic fan connection. Her content primarily relates to entertainment, movies, television shows, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her projects. Her social media strategy balances professional updates about her career with personal moments from her life with husband Chris Wood and their son Huxley. This approach has helped her maintain authenticity while building a personal brand that resonates with fans across different demographics. Her follower-to-following ratio of 4,667.24 indicates her status as a major influencer in the entertainment space. Melissa Benoist’s political engagement on social media, particularly during the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, demonstrated her willingness to use her platform for advocacy. Her active support for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, while attracting some criticism from certain quarters, reportedly led to significant growth in her follower count. Her final election-related post congratulating the winners read: “Wowee WOW. Congratulations @joebiden and @kamalaharris !!!!! so much joy and so much work to be done.” The actress also maintains a presence on Twitter (@MelissaBenoist), though she appears to be more active on Instagram. Her social media content strategy focuses on connecting with fans while promoting her professional projects, including The Waterfront and previous work. Her approach demonstrates understanding of how to use social media for both career advancement and personal expression. Melissa Benoist’s social media influence extends beyond mere follower counts, with estimated monthly earnings from Instagram ranging from $15,400 to $21,000, and projected yearly earnings between $184,300 and $252,400 from social media activities alone. These figures reflect her significant commercial value as a digital influencer in addition to her acting career.

Frequently Asked Questions About Melissa Benoist

Who is Melissa Benoist? 

Melissa Marie Benoist is a 36-year-old American actress and singer best known for her starring role as Supergirl in the CW television series and her current role as Bree Buckley in Netflix’s The Waterfront. Born on October 4, 1988, in Houston, Texas, she rose to prominence through her work on Glee before becoming a household name as the Girl of Steel.

What is Melissa Benoist’s net worth? 

Various sources estimate Melissa Benoist’s net worth between $4 million and $7 million as of 2025. Her wealth primarily comes from her acting career, including her six-season run on Supergirl, film appearances, Broadway work, and production deals. Recent estimates suggest she earns over $500,000 annually from her various entertainment projects.

Is Melissa Benoist married? 

Yes, Melissa Benoist is married to actor Chris Wood, whom she met on the set of Supergirl. They married on September 1, 2019, and have one child together, a son named Huxley Robert Wood, born in September 2020. She was previously married to Blake Jenner from 2015 to 2017.

What is Melissa Benoist’s role in The Waterfront? 

In The Waterfront, Melissa Benoist plays Bree Buckley, a recovering drug addict and the intelligent but hot-tempered daughter of the Buckley family. Her character formerly oversaw the family fishery’s finances but lost custody of her teenage son due to her past struggles with addiction. The role represents a significant departure from her previous work, showcasing her dramatic range.

What awards has Melissa Benoist won? 

Melissa Benoist has won multiple awards, including a Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television in 2017 for Supergirl and Teen Choice Awards for Choice TV Actress: Action in 2017 and 2018. She has received a total of 4 wins and 9 nominations throughout her career, primarily for her superhero work.

What are Melissa Benoist’s upcoming projects? 

Melissa Benoist is set to star alongside her husband Chris Wood in the NBC drama Duo, a music industry-set series that Wood wrote and will co-executive produce. The show explores the relationship between two musicians whose collaboration transforms their lives. She continues to develop projects through her production company, Three Things Productions.

SOURCES:

Melissa Benoist – Wikipedia, Melissa Benoist – IMDb, Melissa Benoist – Biography (IMDb), Melissa Benoist – Awards (IMDb), Melissa Benoist – Wikiwand, Melissa Benoist on Supergirl, Her Career and Life After the Cape – The Hollywood Reporter, Melissa Benoist on Supergirl, Her Next Act, and Why She’s Ready to Move On – Vanity Fair, Melissa Benoist – Britannica, Melissa Benoist on Supergirl, Glee, and Finding Her Voice – Elle, Melissa Benoist Talks The Waterfront and Her Career Evolution – Deadline, Melissa Benoist on The Waterfront: New Netflix Role and Career Shift – TV Insider, The Waterfront Cast: Meet Melissa Benoist and the Stars of Netflix’s New Drama – Tudum, Melissa Benoist on The Waterfront, Supergirl, and Breaking the Mold – Glamour, Melissa Benoist Is Ready to Get Messy in The Waterfront – Harper’s Bazaar, Melissa Benoist files for divorce from Blake Jenner – Business Standard, Melissa Benoist Interview: From Glee & Supergirl to The Girls on the Bus – Collider
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