Tag: Hollywood News

  • Who ‘run the world’? Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are fuelling the US economy

    This is definitely an un-cruel Summer

    The US economy can thank Taylor Swift and Beyonce for the extra leg up. According to CNBC, Swift’s critically acclaimed Era’s tour is set to make more than $1 billion, making it the highest grossing tour of all time. While Beyonce’s ‘Renaissance’ tour, according to CBS, could rack up more than $2 billion from concert shows.

    The anticipation of the tours, as well as the two pop icons, has also reportedly boosted local tourism within America, with brands and small business stores churning out creative ways to captivate fans, greatly boosting their income. According to the New York Times, a survey by the Federal Reserve shows hotel revenues have risen in the Philadelphia region, where Swift has booked stadiums for her tour, and Sweden has already said Beyonce’s tour is to thank for to help recover from inflation.

    Moreover, AirBnB reported that the most popular tourist destinations during the Fourth of July weekend was not Greece or Italy, but Ohio city, where Taylor was hosting a concert.

    Small business owners told The New York Times that their earnings tripled in income since the tours began, as Swifties and the Bey Hive flock to athetize their looks ahead of concerts. Shade Hotel in California spoke to the publication about hosting a Taylor Swift-pre party where guests could wear costumes, sip on the ‘Lavender Haze’ cocktail- boosting their earnings.

    Similarly, the bead industry has also witnessed a revival after a lyric from Taylor’s song ‘Midnights’ album went viral. ‘So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and embrace it’, the lyrics said. Fans began showing up to concerts wearing friendship bracelets, and viral videos on social media show fans exchanging bracelets with each other, with the likes of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban joining in.

    Speaking to Seattle Times, a staff member of Maple Leaf’s Beadworld said that since the Era’s tour began, they’ve attracted more clients than they can handle.

    “We were full all day,” Sands said. “Definitely busier than normal.”

    Nail technicians and hair salons can thank the Bey Hive for the tripling their income. Raven Voorhees told The New York Times she spent the entire summer working with clients attending Beyonce’s concerts, requesting colors alligned with the themes of the Renaissance tour.

    “It’s boosting business,” Ms. Voorhees said. “We’re talking about someone who’s paying about $60 max for her service to now $150 because she’s doing a new set, she’s getting the works, all of the nail art and then, even after that, having to come back and having to do it again.”

    It turns out even public transit services can thank Beyonce and Taylor Swift for never going out of style. In Los Angeles buses stayed open late for concert-goers, thanking Swift for the boost.

    “We’re enchanted that Taylor Swift fans have given a big boost to public transit across the United States this year — and we’re looking forward to spending our midnights with many of you very soon,” the city’s metro system punned on its website.

  • Kirsten Dunst says she is proud of iconic upside-down Spider-Man smooch

    Kirsten Dunst says she is proud of iconic upside-down Spider-Man smooch

    Kirsten Dunst, who acted with Tobey Maguire in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, has said that she is proud of the iconic upside-down smooch.

    Speaking to W Magazine, the actor confessed she was made to do her research before performing the scene.

    “Water was getting up his [Tobey Maguire] nose because of the rain, and then he couldn’t breathe in the Spider-Man suit … and it just felt very late at night. I didn’t think about it that way,” she talked about the cold and rain situations on set.

    She continued: “But the way it was presented to me, [director Sam Raimi] gave me this book of famous kisses, so that made me realize how romantic and special Sam wanted this to be,” she explained. “Even though it wasn’t necessarily feeling that way with Tobey hanging upside down. I’m proud to be a part of that.”

    “It looked like a great kiss,” she added, considering the extreme weather conditions the couple was surrounded by.

  • Gunther of ‘Friends’: James Michael Tyler dies at 59, Jennifer, Courtney, Lisa and Matt mourn

    James Michael Tyler, the actor best known for playing the recurring character Gunther on Friends, has died at age 59 of prostate cancer. Tyler was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2018.

    The official “Friends” Twitter account posted a tribute, writing, “Warner Bros. Television mourns the loss of James Michael Tyler, a beloved actor and integral part of our FRIENDS family. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues and fans.”

    His co-star, Jennifer Aniston posted her tribute on Instagram. “Friends would not have been the same without you. Thank you for the laughter you brought to the show and to all of our lives. You will be so missed,” she wrote.

    Courteney Cox aka Monica Geller said, “The size of gratitude you brought into the room and showed every day on set is the size of the gratitude I hold for having known you. Rest In peace James.”

    Lisa Kudrow aka Phoebe wrote, “James Michael Tyler, we will miss you. Thank you for being there for us all. #jamesmichealtyler.”

    Matt LeBlanc aka Joey shared his still from the sets of Friends and wrote, “We had a lot of laughs buddy. You will be missed. RIP my friend.”

  • American actor Alec Baldwin accidentally shoots woman on movie set

    American actor Alec Baldwin accidentally shoots woman on movie set

    American actor Alec Baldwin accidentally fired a prop gun on a New Mexico film set, a woman has died and a man has been injured.

    As per details, the woman, Halyna Hutchins, was flown to hospital by helicopter but died of her injuries. The man, director Joel Souza, was receiving emergency care.

    A spokesperson for Baldwin told AP news agency the incident involved the misfiring of a prop gun with blanks.

    Hutchins, 42, was working on the set as director of photography. Souza, 48, was taken from the scene by ambulance, but details of his injuries have not been disclosed.

    Police are still investigating the incident at Bonanza Creek Ranch, a popular filming location, and no charges have been filed.

    In a statement to AFP news agency, a Santa Fe sheriff spokesman said Mr Baldwin had spoken to detectives.

    “He came in voluntarily and he left the building after he finished his interviews,” the spokesman said.

    According to her personal website, Hutchins was from Ukraine and grew up on a Soviet military base in the Arctic Circle. She studied journalism in Kyiv, and film in Los Angeles, and was named a “rising star” by the American Cinematographer magazine in 2019.

    She was the director of photography for the 2020 action film Archenemy, directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer.

    “I’m so sad about losing Halyna. And so infuriated that this could happen on a set,” Mortimer said in a tweet.

  • ‘I am Sorry’: Priyanka Chopra apologises after severe backlash

    ‘I am Sorry’: Priyanka Chopra apologises after severe backlash

    Transnational actor Priyanka Chopra has apologised for her participation in the CBS show The Activist in the wake of controversy and social media backlash. She said she has been “moved” by the criticism.

    The Quantico actor acknowledged that the show “got it wrong”.

    Earlier CBS had announced a change in The Activist’s format. It will be changed from a competition show to a one-time documentary.

    “I’m happy to know that in this new format, their stories will be the highlight, and I’m proud to collaborate with partners who have their ear to the ground and know when it’s time to hit pause and re-evaluate,” Priyanka said.

    The Activist was announced as involving six “inspiring activists” who will team up with three public figures, namely Usher, Priyanka, and Julianne Hough. The announcement was met with shock, ridicule, and in a few cases, outright disbelief. Many accused the makers of “performance activism” and trivialising the very concept of activism by turning it into cheap entertainment.

    Earlier, a joint statement from CBS and co-producer, non-profit Global Citizen read, “The Activist was designed to show a wide audience the passion, long hours, and ingenuity that activists put into changing the world, hopefully inspiring others to do the same. However, it has become apparent the format of the show as announced distracts from the vital work these incredible activists do in their communities every day. The push for global change is not a competition and requires a global effort.”

    Meanwhile, The White Tiger star has series Citadel and movie The Matrix 4 in her kitty.

  • Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer’s dating rumour creates a stir, Ayesha Omar cheers

    Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer’s dating rumour creates a stir, Ayesha Omar cheers

    Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer have sent the internet into a meltdown after rumours of them dating surfaced.

    As per the latest reports, the famous on-screen couple from hit sitcom Friends is dating each other after the show’s reunion episode.

    For the unversed, Aniston and Schwimmer (who play Ross and Rachel on the show) confessed to having a crush on each other.

    This stirred up their past emotions, reportedly, after which Aniston and Schwimmer started spending more time together at her Los Angeles (LA) home.

    The “chemistry they’d always had to bury was still there,” said the report about Ross and Rachel’s connection.

    The report also revealed that the duo had started “texting immediately after filming and just last month” Schwimmer flew all the way from his home in New York to see Aniston in LA.

    As per the details, the rumoured couple has been cooking dinners together, taking long walks, and enjoying quality time.

    On the other hand, Schwimmer has denied claims he is growing closer to his Friends co-star.

    Pakistani diva Ayesha Omar expressed her joy over it and called the news “the cutest thing ever.”

  • Kristen Stewart embodies Princess Diana in the first look of ‘Spencer’

    After Emma Corrin’s brilliant performance in the fourth season of Netflix’s The Crown, Hollywood star Kristen Stewart is all set to step into the role of the ‘People’s Princess’, Diana, in an upcoming film titled Spencer.

    Read more – Season Four of ‘The Crown’ is a Pakistani arranged marriage nightmare

    As per details, Stewart was roped in for the role in June 2020. The film is helmed by Pablo Larraín.

    In a first look unveiled on Wednesday, January 27, the Twilight actress embodies Princess Diana in a red blazer and a black hat with a veil. Stewart is also sporting Di’s signature short blonde hair.

    According to Deadline, the film will be “a drama that shapes up to be a hot package for the virtual Cannes Market. The Steven Knight-scripted film covers a critical weekend in the early ‘90s when Diana decided her marriage to Prince Charles wasn’t working, and that she needed to veer from a path that put her in line to one day be queen.”

    “The drama takes place over three days, in one of her final Christmas holidays in the House of Windsor in their Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England.”

    Timothy Spall, Sally Hawkins and Sean Harris are also part of the cast.

    Spencer has begun principal photography. It will be shot in both Germany and the UK. Spencer is scheduled to release in Fall 2021, ahead of Diana’s 25th death anniversary in 2022.

  • Warner Bros, HBO Max shut down reports of ‘Harry Potter’ TV series

    Warner Bros and HBO Max have shut down and rubbished reports which stated that a Harry Potter TV series is in making at HBO Max.

    In a joint statement to NY Post, Warner Bros. and HBO Max said: “There is no Harry Potter series in development at the studio or on the streaming platform.”

    Read more – Hilary Duff confirms ‘Lizzie McGuire’ reboot cancelled

    There have long been talks of a “Potter”-verse series but no information on the subject has been shared by either the cast of the movies or the production house.

    Nonetheless, if the creators of the film franchise were to make something, it would probably be a redo of the Harry Potter books, which came out between 1997 and 2007 considering plenty of material, such as a lot of the Marauder’s backstory, or Hermione’s house-elf crusade, was cut from the movies.

    On the other hand, a TV series could also easily be set in a different era in the rich Harry Potter world, like the spinoff movie franchise Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is set around World War II.

    As far as the return of original cast members such as Daniel Radcliffe or Emma Watson is concerned, only time will tell.

    Meanwhile, it is pertinent to add that author J.K. Rowling recently came under fire for her controversial views on transgender people, which she outlined in a lengthy manifesto. This could perhaps present an issue for the Potter series from making a comeback.

    The Potter books have sold more than 500 million copies worldwide and remain a hit, so they could also be controversy-proof as a pop-culture juggernaut. 

  • Priyanka Chopra reportedly defies lockdown rules in London to visit the salon

    Priyanka Chopra reportedly defies lockdown rules in London to visit the salon

    Priyanka Chopra Jonas has come under fire for defying lockdown and COVID-19 rules in London and visiting a salon. The United Kingdom has been put under total lockdown once again after a new strain of the coronavirus, more lethal than the first, was detected.

    PC, who was shooting for Text For You in London was stranded there due to the lockdown rules. According to reports, she visited a salon in Notting Hill with her mother Madhu Chopra. Spas and salons do not come under basic necessities and after pictures of her visit were widely circulated on social media, they caught the attention of the cops and authorities.

    As per details, the cops reached the salon and confronted the owner. Giving a verbal warning to the owner, they urged them to follow SOPs.

    When then Quantico star was confronted, Priyanka said that she had a valid reason to visit the salon. She had to colour her hair for her upcoming film and the salon was opened only for some private appointments. She was not fined because she was out for work purposes.

    Later, in an official statement, the actor’s spokesperson said Priyanka visited the salon for the purpose of the film and the exemption paperwork allowing her to be at the facility was provided to the police.

    “Following government guidance, Priyanka’s hair was coloured for the purpose of the film she is currently shooting in London. The salon was opened privately for the production and everyone involved had been tested and followed both the DCMS working guidelines and the film production regulations.

    “Film and TV production is permitted to continue in the UK, and locations can continue to accommodate shoots and recces that are carried out in line with government guidelines. The exemption paperwork legally permitting her to be there was provided to the police, and they left satisfied,” the spokesperson added.

    Read more – ‘Remove Priyanka Chopra as goodwill ambassador,’ Mazari writes to UNICEF director

    Meanwhile, the police, in a statement issued said: “Police were alerted at around 17:40hrs on Wednesday, 6 January to reports of a COVID breach taking place within a hairdressers on Lansdowne Mews, Notting Hill.”

    “Officers attended and the owner of the salon was given a verbal reminder of the important need to comply with all regulations regarding Covid-19 and signposted to other sources of advice. No fixed penalty notices were issued.”

    Priyanka has some major Hollywood projects lined up back-to-back. She has The White Tiger up for release on Netflix this month and is currently shooting for a romcom Text For You. She is reportedly also part of Matrix 4 and has officially announced the sequel to We Can Be Heroes.