Month: June 2021

Billie Eilish is apologizing for her behavior after video resurfaced that appears to show her mouthing an anti-Asian remark.  An edited compilation of several videos that was posted on TikTok last week appears to show the singer mouthing an Asian racial slur used in Tyler the Creator’s 2011 song “Fish” and imitating various accents.

Eilish responded to the backlash via her Instagram story, writing: “I love you guys, and many of you have been asking me to address this. And this is something that I WANT to address because I’m being labeled something that I am not. There’s a video edit going around of me when I was 13 or 14 where I mouthed a word from a song that at the time I didn’t know was a derogatory term used against members of the Asian community. I am appalled and embarrassed and want to barf that I ever mouthed along to that word. This song was the only time I’d ever heard that word as it was never used around me by anyone in my family. Regardless of my ignorance and age at the time, nothing excuses the fact is that it was hurtful. And for that I am sorry.”

Entertainment Weekly confirmed Tuesday that 20-year-old Rachel Zegler will star as Snow White in a new live-action Disney film, an upcoming adaptation of the 1937 animated Disney film.  Production is expected to begin in 2022.

Marc Webb will direct the remake, which is described ‘as a new take on the classic film.’  The original Snow White follows a princess who flees her villainous stepmother, the Queen. The new live-action film features original songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman).  Webb said: “Rachel’s extraordinary vocal abilities are just the beginning of her gifts. Her strength, intelligence and optimism will become an integral part of rediscovering the joy in this classic Disney fairytale.”

Zegler is also set to play Maria in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming remake of ‘West Side Story’ which is set to open in theaters Dec. 10. In addition, Zegler will appear in the DC film Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

Editorial credit: monticello / Shutterstock.com
 

22-year-old television personality and conservationist Bindi Irwin announced that she is stepping away from social media to focus on her family and mental health. Irwin shared the news on Instagram, alongside a photo of herself holding Grace Warrior, her 3-month-old daughter with her husband, Chandler Powell.

Said Bindi: “Hi guys, just a note to say thank you for your support. I’m taking a break from social media and most of my work in the public eye for a month to be with my beautiful daughter and my wonderful family. I feel tremendously grateful to share our life and conservation work with you but I need some time to focus on the happiness that is my family (both human and animal).”

Irwin also addressed the importance of taking care of one’s mental health, saying, “Recently, I’ve had many people reaching out to share their own stories of working hard to protect their mental health. Thank you for sharing and speaking your truth. To my friends who are dealing with depression, anxiety and other battles every day – I see you. These issues are very real and deserve to be discussed and addressed. Surround yourself with the light of people who genuinely care about you and will support you during the good times and the hard times. Remember there are helplines available. Mental health deserves more understanding and support instead of being dismissed or patronised. You are absolutely worthy of love and kindness.”

Bindi is the daughter of the late Steve Irwin, who starred with his family on The Crocodile Hunter.  Steve Irwin died at age 44 in September 2006 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb. Bindi Irwin’s daughter’s middle name of Warrior is a tribute to Steve Irwin’s legacy as a “Wildlife Warrior.”

The action-comedy film Jolt starring Kate Beckinsale is coming to Amazon Prime Video, and will begin streaming on June 23rd.  Jolt is written by Scott Wascha and directed by Tanya Wexler, and along with Beckinsale the film co-stars Bobby Cannavale, Laverne Cox, Stanley Tucci and Jai Courtney.

The new movie follows Lindy (Beckinsale), a woman who experiences sporadic murderous impulses that can only be stopped when she shocks herself with a special device. The character seeks revenge after her first love is murdered. Beckinsale told Entertainment Weekly:  “My character, Lindy, is someone who since childhood has had an impulse control problem whereby she has a very difficult time not acting out and behaving badly when under pressure. As part of her therapy, she goes on a date and really gets on with the guy, and then he’s murdered. She’s understandably upset and pissed off and tries to figure out what’s happened and gets into a lot of scraps!”

The action-comedy ‘The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,’ starring Salma Hayek, Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson, was the No. 1 movie in North America, earning $11.7 million receipts this weekend. The film is a sequel to 2017’s “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” and is one of the few movies released exclusively in theaters since the beginning of the pandemic.

Coming in at No. 2 is A Quiet Place Part II with $9.4 million, followed by Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway at No. 3 with $6.1 million, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It at No. 4 with $5.2 million and Cruella at No. 5 with $5.1 million.