Gal Gadot, Hollywood's reigning action heroine, is set to command the attention of action-film movie audiences with her upcoming movie 'Heart of Stone', opening on Netflix USA Aug. 11.
The Wonder Woman star covers the July 2023 issue of Vogue Hong Kong, styled by Karla Welch in a sculptured femme-fatale black gown and gloves from Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello.
Gadot, who is also a Tiffany & Co ambassador, wears stunning jewels on the second, blue-ground cover and throughout the fashion story lensed by Hollywood fav Greg Swales [IG]. Tiffany and YSL are the main style features. / Makeup by Jo Baker; hair by Jenny Cho
Known for her fierce performances, Gadot's choice to star in, as well as co-produce, this highly-anticipated film has generated significant buzz due to its expert team.
Directed by renowned filmmaker Reed Morano, the mastermind behind acclaimed series like 'The Handmaid's Tale', 'Heart of Stone' promises to deliver a gripping and adrenaline-fueled cinematic experience.
With a script penned by the talented Greg Rucka, known for his work on spy-action comic book series 'Queen & Country', 'Heart of Stone' has all the ingredients necessary for a thrilling and suspenseful ride.
The combination of Gadot's star power, Morano's knack for intense storytelling, and Rucka's expertise in crafting high-stakes narratives creates a potent box office knock-out punch.
Gadot's involvement as a co-producer speaks to her commitment to empowering female talent in the entertainment industry. 'Heart of Stone' demonstrates her determination to bring stories to the forefront that depict powerful women as a strong leading force, not only in front of the camera, but behind it as well.
Empowered by ‘Wonder Woman 3’ Cancellation
It was in December 2022, that Gal Gadot learned that ‘Wonder Woman 3’ had been cancelled by James Gunn and Peter Safran, newly-installed heads of the DC Extended Universe [DCEU]
#RHOA: Sheree Whitfield Says Convo With Kandi Was “Worse” Than What Aired & Shades Her Lack of Accountability
Sheree Whitfield shaded Kandi Burruss on Twitter amid the latest episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta on Sunday night.
As Sheree was seen calling out Kandi for trash-talking her clothing brand, She by Sheree, and failing to support it with a purchase, she accused Kandi of failing to take accountability for her wrongdoings as Kandi clapped back by suggesting she’s hypocritical.
“So Sheree is trying to convince [Kandi] did wrong, by doing what she is accusing Kandi of doing? Putting her down!” a fan wrote on Twitter on June 25.
“Right… this argument is hilarious,” Kandi agreed.
Then, after Kandi was accused by another social media user of failing to take ownership of her actions, Kandi denied poking fun at She by Sheree.
“[Kandi Burruss’] huge character flaw is she never sees anything wrong [with] anything she does, to say she doesn’t understand how she was shading [Sheree Whitfield’s] business is BS but if it were done to her business she would be cursing folks out,” the person alleged.
But according to Kandi, the posts she was referring to during her chat with Sheree on RHOA were in reference to a series of spoofs she recorded of last year’s reunion.
“When I said that I thought my post were funny I was referring to the spoofs that I did,” Kandi clarified. “They were funny [and] they weren’t dogging her business. I’ve pinned [two] of my spoofs to the top of my IG page if you want to see them.”
she’s always supported Kandi’s businesses, even during her time away from the series, as one of her followers raised a question.
“Did we forget ‘biscuits or [bullets]?’ Y’all be killing me,” they wrote.
But in response, Sheree revealed that comment, which gave nod to the shootings at Kandi’s restaurants, was filmed after the scene fans saw on Sunday night.
“That was after the scene boo!” Sheree explained.
In another tweet, which came in response to a fan who enjoyed Sheree and Kandi’s bickering, Sheree said that her tense encounter with Kandi was “worse” than viewers saw.
“Chile that conversation was over an hour. Definitely was more worse than what you all saw,” she revealed.
Sheree also reacted to the tweet claiming Kandi’s “huge character flaw” is that she “never sees anything wrong [with] anything she does.”
“Exactly,” Sheree replied. “This is all I’m saying.”
The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 15 airs Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo.
#NewMusicVideo From Monica “Letters”
R&B legend Monica has just unveiled her new single “Letters” along with the music video to accompany the song. “Letters” releases today via via Monica’s label MonDeenise Music.
The song is expected to appear on her upcoming album “Trenches” which will release later this year. The song was written by Monica along with Tasha Catour, Ciara, Brian Bates, and Alicia Renee Williams. “Letters” was produced by Catour and Dana Johnson.
The visual for the song was directed by Richard Selvi from Swiss Made Entertainment. The compelling clip features Monica with The Game in a confessional new video.
WATCH:
This is Monica’s first single since she released “Friends” featuring Ty Dolla $ign last year. That song will also be featured on the “Trenches” album, which is her first album since “Code Red” in 2015.
#HipHopNews: Nicki Minaj Pushes Back Album Date And Names It 'Pink Friday 2'
Nicki Minaj revealed a delay in her forthcoming LP release and its name. The anticipation builds as the rapper announced the sequel to her debut album with the new project aptly titled Pink Friday 2.
Released in 2010, Minaj’s Pink Friday unleashed chart-topping hits such as “Fly,” “Your Love,” and the unforgettable “Moment 4 Life.” Serving as one of her largest solo singles to date, “Super Bass” also graced the deluxe edition. The new album, which was initially slated for Oct. 20, has now been pushed back to Nov. 17.
Addressing her fans, she stated in her Twitter post, “Dear Barbz, I’ve been trying to find the right time to tell you this for a few days… I’ve shifted the album date just a tad bit.” The musician attributed this adjustment to some exciting undisclosed news, promising to reveal it soon.
She continued, “Trust me, it’ll be WELL WORTH THE WAIT, but since I AM shifting the date just a tad, I’d like to give you guys a tiny SIP of some more album tea so that I don’t have to get cussed out.”
After the “Only” artist reassured fans, she hinted at a tour set for early 2024. The post concluded, “I love you guys so much. I am so grateful for the years of support and love you guys have given me. At times maybe I didn’t even deserve all that you have poured into me. Nonetheless, you will love this album. I will give tour deets closer to that time, but obviously, the tour will start around the first quarter of 2024. I’ll also share the REAL album cover at a later date.”
Nicki Minaj has kept herself busy recently by releasing “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” and announcing her own record label in March. Moreover, her collaborations with Ice Spice for the “Princess Diana” remix and the recently debuted “Barbie World” have kept her on the charts this year.
#BoxOfficeNews: ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ Disappointingly opened With a $60M Domestic Opening
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny dug up an estimated $60 million in its domestic debut, a troubled start for the fifth and final installment in the famed adventure-action series starring Harrison Ford.
The hope now is that the Disney and Lucasfilm tentpole will hold in well, beginning this week as Americans celebrate the July Fourth holiday. The movie, directed by James Mangold, should finish Tuesday with a domestic total of $82 million.
Overseas, the movie launched to $70 million for a lackluster global start of $130 million. The U.K. led with $8.9 million. France — where Dial of Destiny made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival — was No. 2, followed by Japan ($4.7 million), South Korea ($4.1 million) and Germany ($4.1 million). The pic bombed in China, however, with $2.3 million.
For Dial of Destiny, the challenge has always been about attracting new, younger fans in addition to those who grew up on the franchise. The movie, which suffered a series of delays, cost a hefty $295 million to make before marketing.
As it stood, the movie’s opening weekend audience skewed notably older, with 42 percent of tickets going to people 45 and up, including 23 percent 55 and older. That’s a breakdown rarely seen when it comes to a Hollywood summer tentpole. Even before the pandemic, older moviegoers weren’t known for rushing out to see a movie on opening weekend. The pic also skewed notably male (58 percent). On Saturday, families started turning up.
The filmmakers had hoped for a domestic launch closer to $65 million, but a B+ CinemaScore and tepid reviews are likely hampering word of mouth. One bright spot is the 88 percent positive audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Dial of Destiny is a sequel to 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which posted an impressive three-day debut of $100 million. Crystal Skull, like the first three Indy films, was directed by Steven Spielberg.
The Indiana Jones movie series once again sees Harrison Ford as the swashbuckling archeologist. The 80-year-old actor stars opposite Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, John Rhys-Davies, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore and Mads Mikkelsen. (Steven Spielberg helmed each of the previous four Indy films.)
Keeping the film series’ ongoing Nazi theme alive, Dial of Destiny’s storyline revolves around an ancient device being chased by Jones and a villain played by Mikkelsen.
Also opening over the pre-July Fourth weekend is DreamWorks Animation and Universal’s Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, which bombed with an estimated $5.2 million. The family pic came in No. 6. Overseas, Teenage Kraken opened to $7.6 million for a global start of $12.8 million.
Among holdovers, Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse swung past the $600 million mark worldwide. The animated superhero pic placed No. 2 domestically with $11.5 million for a domestic total of $339.9 million. Overseas, it hit $267.4 million for a global total of $607.3 million.
Pixar and Disney’s Elemental continued to show legs after a troubled start, placing No. 3 domestically with $11.3 million for a North American total of $88.8 million. Overseas, where it continues to roll out, earned $29.8 million for a foreign tally of $98 million and $186.8 million worldwide.
Sony’s R-rated raunchy comedy No Hard Feelings, starring Jennnifer Lawrence, tumbled 50 percent in its second weekend to $7.5 million for a domestic total of $29.3 million and $49.3 million worldwide.
Paramount’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts rounded out the top five with $7 million domestically as the pic hit $381.3 million worldwide.
WuTang’s Raekwon's Wedding To Longtime Girlfriend Attracts Hip-Hop Heavyweights
Raekwon is officially a married man now. The rapper has finally married his longtime girlfriend Jasmine, with whom he shares two children, in a star-studded wedding attended by hip-hop heavyweights.
The founding member of Wu-Tang Clan tied the knot with his partner on Friday, June 30 in Dallas, Texas. Among the guests were his fellow Clansmen RZA, Ghostface Killah and Inspectah Deck. The nuptials also attracted the likes of Nas, Fat Joe, N.O.R.E. as well as Faith Evans, who was on hand to serenade the groom and the bride. Rae was also seen in a video singing with the "I'll Be Missing You" songstress.
Photos from the wedding have since made their way out online, courtesy of guests at the event. Loud Records' founder Steve Rifkind posted on his Instagram page pictures of him with other guests and wrote, "Congrats @raekwon and Jasmin on your wedding family's pictures."
Fat Joe shared similar pictures and added in the caption, "Congrats to my brother @raekwon and his lovely wife jasmine love y'all."
Nas took to his own page to congratulate the 53-year-old rapper on his special day. "Rae Day! Congratulations to @raekwon & his family. ~From the family," so the "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" hitmaker penned.
Rae has rarely spoken on his personal life, but in his 2021 memoir titled "From Staircase to Stage: The Story of Raekwon", he opened up about his challenging childhood and how it has shaped his views as a father. "Being a dad myself, I never want to abandon my children under any circumstances. I don't care if I'm arguing with my kids' mom or whatever, that's just not going to be me because it's going to always make me reflect back to what I've been through," he vowed.
George Michael's Family Gets Permit To Erect Memorial Statue
George Michael's family has been granted permission to erect a memorial statue. The "Careless Whisper" hitmaker passed away in December 2016 and five years ago, his estate lodged plans for a bronze tribute with the local council in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, where he lived before he died, and they have finally been approved.
George's childhood friend Andros Georgiou met with sculptor Laura Lian at the memorial site over the weekend to discuss the project. A source told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column, "Everyone is thrilled to finally have the go ahead. The work begins soon. Laura was introduced to George's estate by a friend and they loved her previous work, including figures of David Bowie and John Lennon. Everyone is looking forward to one day being able to unveil the statue in Goring, where he had loved his quiet life for 17 years."
Local councillors had previously warned there would be "resistance" from some of the 3,200 residents in the village. Commenting on the application when it was first made, parish councillor Catherine Hall said, "I'm reluctant to even agree in principle because we risk stirring up a hornets' nest."
George's Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley previously backed calls for a memorial to his late friend. He said on U.K. TV show "Good Morning Britain", "I think there's a very good case for that. There's an appetite...I don't see why there shouldn't be some sort public place for a memorial. He was much loved and there seems to be a desire for it."
The "Freedom" singer's fans flocked to his homes in Goring and Highgate, north London, after his death to pay their respects, but in 2018, George's family issued an appeal for them to remove their tributes so local residents could carry on with normal life.
They wrote on his website, "We've been touched by your many tributes celebrating and remembering Yog, reminding us how very much he is missed and loved. However, we feel we cannot expect our Highgate and Goring neighbours to continue to accept as normality, the memorials so personal to you all, to remain as and where they are any longer although, we do appreciate your recent efforts to minimise their impact... Yog liked his privacy, his homes were true havens for him (-such a Cancerian!) and, ultimately, long term, we know he would not want to disturb or change the quiet neighbourhoods he so loved, for the people in the local area, who honestly , despite reports otherwise have been gracious and very understanding."
Lil Nas X Dodges Sex Toy Hurled at Him Onstage at Swedish Festival
‘WHO THREW THEY P*SSY?’
A fan threw an adult sex toy at Lil Nas X during a set in Sweden over the weekend, making him the latest musician in recent weeks to contend with unidentified flying objects being hurled at them mid-concert. The 24-year-old rapper was performing his song “Down Souf Hoes” at European Lollapalooza in Stockholm, Sweden on Saturday when a replica vagina was flung onto the stage. He sidestepped the object and recovered quickly, joking, “Who threw they pussy onstage?” before continuing with the show, according to cell phone footage of the event.
The bizarre trend seemingly kicked off last month at a Bebe Rexha concert, when the singer suffered a black eye after a fan’s cell phone hit her. Following Rexha’s injury, other artists like Pink, Sexyy Red, and Kelsea Ballerini were similarly subjected to strange projectiles while performing. Less than two weeks ago, singer Ava Max was slapped “so hard” by a fan who’d rushed the stage that the inside of her eye was scratched, she tweeted.
Mourners bury slain teen in France as 45,000 police are deployed and 5th night of unrest is quieter
NANTERRE, France — Hushed and visibly anguished, hundreds of mourners from France’s Islamic community formed a solemn procession from a mosque to a hillside cemetery on Saturday to bury a 17-year-old whose killing by police has triggered days of rioting and looting across the nation.
Underscoring the gravity of the crisis, President Emmanuel Macron scrapped an official trip to Germany after nights of unrest across France.
The government deployed 45,000 police to city streets across the nation to head off a fifth night of violence. Overnight, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin tweeted that the night had been calmer than previous ones, thanks to “the resolute action of security forces.” He put the night’s arrest toll at 427.
Some 2,800 people have been arrested overall since the teen’s death on Tuesday. Darmanin tweeted late Saturday that 200 riot police had been mobilized in the port city of Marseille, where TV showed footage of police using tear gas as night fell.
Near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, hundreds of police with batons and shields stood restlessly along the Champs-Elysées, several in front of the shuttered Cartier boutique. Posts on social media had called for protests on the grand boulevard but the police presence appeared to discourage any large gatherings.
Earlier in the day at a hilltop cemetery in Nanterre, the Paris suburb where the teen identified only as Nahel was killed, hundreds stood along the road to pay tribute as mourners carried his white casket from a mosque to the burial site. Journalists were barred from the ceremony and in some cases even chased away. Some of the men carried folded prayer rugs.
“Men first,” an official told dozens of women waiting to enter the cemetery. But Nahel’s mother, dressed in white, walked inside to applause and headed toward the grave. Many of the men were young and Arab or Black, coming to mourn a boy who could have been them.
Inside the cemetery gate, the casket was lifted above the crowd and carried toward the grave. The men followed, some holding little boys by the hand. As they left, some wiped their eyes. Police were nowhere to be seen.
The unrest was taking a toll on Macron’s diplomatic profile. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s office said Macron phoned Saturday to request a postponement of what would have been the first state visit by a French president to Germany in 23 years. Macron had been scheduled to fly to Germany on Sunday evening for the visit to Berlin and two other German cities.
Macron’s office said he spoke with Steinmeier and, “given the internal security situation, the president (Macron) said he wishes to stay in France over the coming days.”
Nahel was shot during a traffic stop. Video showed two officers at the window of the car, one with his gun pointed at the driver. As the teenager pulled forward, the officer fired once through the windshield. This week, Nahel’s mother told France 5 television that she was angry at the officer who shot her son, but not at the police in general.
“He saw a little Arab-looking kid, he wanted to take his life,” she said.
Nahel’s family has roots in Algeria.
Race was a taboo topic for decades in France, which is officially committed to a doctrine of colorblind universalism. Critics say that doctrine has masked generations of systemic racism.
The officer accused of killing Nahel was given a preliminary charge of voluntary homicide, meaning that investigating magistrates strongly suspect wrongdoing, but need to investigate more before sending a case to trial. Nanterre prosecutor Pascal Prache said his initial investigation led him to conclude that the officer’s use of his weapon wasn’t legally justified.
Hundreds of police and firefighters have been injured in the violence that erupted after the killing. Authorities haven’t released injury tallies for protesters. In French Guiana, an overseas territory, a 54-year-old died after being hit by a stray bullet.
The reaction to the killing was a potent reminder of the persistent poverty, discrimination, unemployment and other lack of opportunity in neighborhoods around France where many residents trace their roots to former French colonies — like where Nahel grew up.
“Nahel’s story is the lighter that ignited the gas. Hopeless young people were waiting for it. We lack housing and jobs, and when we have (jobs), our wages are too low,” said Samba Seck, a 39-year-old transportation worker in the Paris suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois.
Clichy was the birthplace of weeks of riots in 2005 that shook France, prompted by the deaths of two teenagers electrocuted in a power substation while fleeing from police. One of the boys lived in the same housing project as Seck.
Like many Clichy residents, he lamented the violence targeting his town, where the remains of a burned car stood beneath his apartment building, and the town hall entrance was set alight in rioting this week.
“Young people break everything, but we are already poor, we have nothing,” he said, adding that “young people are afraid to die at the hands of police.”
Despite the escalating crisis, Macron held off on declaring a state of emergency, an option used in 2005. But government ratcheted up its law enforcement response, with the mass deployment of police officers, including some who were called back from vacation.
France’s justice minister, Dupond-Moretti, on Saturday warned that young people who share calls for violence on Snapchat or other apps could face legal prosecution. Macron has blamed social media for fueling violence.
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire promised government support for shop owners.
“There is no nation without order, without common rules,” he said.
Darmanin has ordered a nationwide nighttime shutdown of all public buses and trams, which have been among rioters’ targets. He also said he warned social networks not to allow themselves to be used as channels for calls to violence.
The violence comes just over a year before Paris and other French cities are due to host Olympic athletes and millions of visitors for the summer Olympics, whose organizers were closely monitoring the situation as preparations for the competition continue.
Thirteen people who didn’t comply with traffic stops were fatally shot by French police last year. This year, three more people, including Nahel, died under similar circumstances. The deaths have prompted demands for more accountability in France, which also saw racial justice protests after George Floyd’s killing by police in Minnesota
Drug Store Giant Walgreens is closing 450 locations
Walgreens expects to close 150 locations in the United States and 300 locations in the United Kingdom, Walgreens Boots Alliance CFO James Kehoe said in the company’s earnings call this week.
The pharmacy chain reported lower earnings on Tuesday compared to the same quarter last year – $118 million, or 14 cents a share, compared to $289 million, or 33 cents a share, a year ago. The company is facing muted consumer spending and a pullback in demand for Covid vaccines.
CEO Rosalind Brewer said the company was increasing its cost-savings efforts to $4.1 billion and “taking immediate actions to optimize profitability for our US healthcare segment.”
People make their way near a Walgreens pharmacy on March 09, 2023 in New York City.
Walgreens profit tumbles, slashes guidance amid significant drop in Covid vaccine demand
Kehoe told analysts the company will have saved $3.3 billion by the end of this year, and is projecting to save “at least” $800 million in 2024. These store closures are part of its cost-cutting effort.
The chain operates almost 9,000 stores in the United States and expects to close the 150 US locations by the end of its next fiscal year, Aug 31, 2024, a spokesperson said.
Kehoe said the company also eliminated more than 500 roles, or around 10% of its corporate and US office support workforce. Technology and its plans to build the “pharmacy of the future” will further drive savings, he said.
“We are optimizing the model through our micro fulfillment centers, tech-enabled centralization of in-store activities and telepharmacy solutions,” Kehoe said.
Walgreens (WBA) did not specify which locations are closing and did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.
D.C. judge rules Proud Boys must pay over $1M to historic Black church for destroying BLM sign
The historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., has been awarded a default judgment of over $1 million after suing the Proud Boys for destroying a Black Lives Matter sign. The church, which is located roughly six blocks from the White House, filed a civil suit against more than a dozen members of the white supremacist group three years ago.
Several of the organization’s members were accused of trespassing onto the church’s property by climbing a fence and then destroying the BLM banner that was zip tied to the property. The callous act reportedly took place in December 2020 amid a clash between former President Donald Trump’s supporters and detractors. The suit demanded thousands of dollars so that the church could increase its security and replace the banner.
Superior Court of the District of Columbia Judge Neal E. Kravitz ruled in the institution’s favor on Friday (June 30) when the defendants, including former leader Enrique Tarrio, failed to appear in court. “For generations, the leaders of Metropolitan AME and the members of its congregation have vocally and publicly supported movements for civil rights and racial justice,” wrote Kravitz in the ruling obtained by CNN. “Church leaders and congregants view supporting the Black Lives Matter movement as a continuation of the church’s mission of advocacy for civil rights and racial justice.”
As part of his decision, Kravitz ruled that $1 million in punitive damages would also need to be paid. The Proud Boys named in the suit are also prohibited from coming within 100 yards of the church. They are also barred from threatening Rev. William H. Lamar IV, the church’s pastor, and making defamatory remarks about him.
“We refuse to live in a nation where that kind of violence has the last word. We will never be silent,” Lamar told The New York Times on Saturday (July 1). Today (July 2), the church celebrated its 185th anniversary.
Vivica A. Fox attributes 'Independence Day: Resurgence' box office fumble to Will Smith's absence
Vivica A. Fox is well aware that Independence Day: Resurgence missed the mark with fans. She also knows exactly why the 2016 film failed to live up to its predecessor, Independence Day, which was released in 1996: the project was missing its big star.
Fox played Jasmine Hiller in both films, the wife of fighter pilot Steven Hiller, who was played by Smith in the first project. In an interview with The A.V. Club, the actress kept it real about the sequel’s failure to score big at the box office. “I really feel we missed out by not bringing Will Smith back,” she admitted in the video published on Friday (June 30). “We had most of the original cast, but I think the one true link that was missing to the success of ‘Independence Day 2’ was that Will Smith wasn’t there.”
The Kill Bill star continued, “I’m going to keep it real — I was at the premiere, and I was like, ‘Mmm, let’s see how the fans are going to feel about this.’ And sure enough, on Twitter, they blew me up.” Resurgence brought in $389 million in ticket sales, whereas the Smith-led film raked up $817 million at the box office, according to Variety. The alien-battle flick also helped catapult Smith to newfound stardom as a movie star. It also set him up to dominate the Fourth of July weekend throughout the 1990s, making him a cinematic force to be reckoned with.
In a 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Independence Day writer-producer Dean Devlin claimed that 20th Century Fox initially did not want to cast Smith for the lead role. “They said, ‘You cast a Black guy in this part, you’re going to kill foreign [box office],'” Delvin told the publication. “Our argument was, ‘Well, the movie is about space aliens. It’s going to do fine foreign.’ It was a big war, and [director Roland Emmerich] really stood up for [Smith] — and we ultimately won that war.”
Despite being a fan of the original script for the sequel, Smith ultimately passed on reprising the role of Hiller due to a reported compensation discrepancy. As a result, his character was killed off.
Abigail Breslin Remembers 'Little Miss Sunshine' Costar Alan Arkin: 'He Will Always be Grandpa in my Heart'
Little Miss Sunshine actress Abigail Breslin is saying goodbye to a ray of light in her life.
Breslin, 27, is mourning the loss of her on-screen grandfather, Alan Arkin, who died at the age of 89 on Thursday. The actress starred alongside Arkin in the 2006 comedy-drama Little Miss Sunshine and he has always held a place in her heart.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Breskin remembered Arkin following his death. “Alan Arkin was one of the most kindest, gentlest and hilarious actors I ever worked with," Breslin said. "We may not have been related in real life but he will always be Grandpa in my heart, I send my deepest sympathies this his wife Suzanne and his family.”
The Kominsky Method actor’s death was confirmed to PEOPLE exclusively by his sons Adam, Matthew and Anthony, who offered a joint statement on the family’s behalf. "Our father was a uniquely talented force of nature, both as an artist and a man. A loving husband, father, grand and great grandfather, he was adored and will be deeply missed," they said.
Arkin had only 14 minutes of screen time in the hit film with Breslin, but both received Oscar nominations for their roles. The screenwriter and director won his first and only Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film, proving that he didn’t need long to leave an impression with his acting skills.
Most recently, Arkin costarred in The Kominsky Method for Netflix alongside Michael Douglas, earning Emmy nominations in 2019 and 2020, and Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations in 2020 and 2021. In Little Miss Sunshine, Arkin played Edwin Hoover, the grandfather of the dysfunctional family.
Arkin's memorable turn in the 2012 Ben Affleck-directed political drama Argo earned him his fourth Oscar nomination. He played veteran film producer Lester Siegel, whose sharp sense of humor and biting line delivery won over audiences. "He was an incredible human being and a friend and mentor whom we will always love, miss, and remember," Affleck shared on the Instagram page for his Artists Equity studio.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 26, 1934, Arkin’s family moved to Los Angeles during his childhood. That "is why I don't live there now," Arkin told PEOPLE in 1979 from his home in Chappaqua, New York.
After finishing high school, Arkin attended several different colleges and dropped out of at least three, including Bennington College in Vermont, which lists him as an alumnus of the class of 1955.
"They might have thrown me out," Arkin told PEOPLE of his experience in college in a 1979 story about him and his second wife, actress Barbara Dana. "I don't remember."
Tarriers, where he sang and played guitar. The short-lived group produced the hit top-5 single "The Banana Boat Song" in 1957.
But Arkin, who began taking acting lessons in childhood, quit the band and set about trying to establish himself as an actor. By 1960, Arkin arrived in Chicago and became an early member of the Second City improvisational comedy troupe, according to a history on the organization's website.
"Second City saved my life. It literally saved my life," Arkin said. "I have a feeling it's true for a lot of other people, too."
Follwing his time in Chicago, Arkin made his Broadway debut in 1961 in From the Second City. He followed it up with a Tony-winning performance in 1963's Enter Laughing, propelling him into stardom.
Over the next 50-plus years, Arkin went on to appear in more than 100 movies and films, notably starring in movies like The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1968), which earned him his second Oscar nomination; Catch-22 (1970); Edward Scissorhands (1990) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1992).
Arkin is survived by his wife Suzanne Newlander, whom he married in 1996, and three children: sons Adam Arkin and Matthew Arkin, whom he shared with first wife Jeremy Yaffe, and Anthony Dana Arkin, whom he shared with second wife Dana.
Margot Robbie Celebrates Her Birthday With A Barbie Cake at 'Barbie' Premiere in Korea!
Margot Robbie was celebrating big at the premiere of her new movie, Barbie, in South Korea!
The actress, who was joined by director Greta Gerwig and co-star America Ferrera at the event in Seoul held on Sunday (July 2), also celebrated her 33rd birthday on stage.
Presenters at the event surprised Margot with a hot pink Barbie cake, where she blew out the birthday candles on top of it, and was serenaded with the birthday song.
Out on July 21, Barbie centers on the title character and Ken, who are seemingly having the time of their lives in Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.
If you missed it, check out Margot‘s which other iconic look she recreated for the Barbie press tour.
Keke Wyatt’s Baby Boy Back In The Hospital with Ongoing Health Challenges
*Keke Wyatt took to Instagram last week to share that her infant son had been hospitalized again,
Along with a video of the two spending time in a pool, the singer wrote that her youngest child, Ke’Zyah Jean, had suffered a series of seizures leading to him turning blue.
“So my sugar bears back in the hospital. He’s having crazy seizures and turning blue,” she said. “Is anyone else going through this??? Is this normal for a seizure??? Plz help if you have answers!!! I thank GOD for his nurses. Our new family…”
Little Ke’Zyah has had a number of health problems since Wyatt and her husband, Zackariah Darring, welcomed him into the world last year. In March, he was rushed to the ER and later diagnosed with pneumonia in his left lung. Wyatt said she became concerned and called an ambulance after noticing that Ke’Zyah wasn’t acting like himself and had instances of not waking up.
No further details were shared regarding his latest health issue.
Wyatt and Darring, an ex-boyfriend who came back into her life, tied the knot in 2018. They share two biological children among their eleven kids from the singer’s previous relationships. And KeKe says she might not be done procreating.
“I think I’m gonna do one more,” the singer said during her recent “Uncensored” episode. “I love being a mama. If I wasn’t a mommy, I don’t think I would be who I am today. I started my career with a child and I’m still in my career with 11 kids.”
“I always said when I was a little girl I wanted a lot of children,” she added.
50 Cent’s $32 Million Malpractice Lawsuit Dismissed By District Judge
Recently, 50 Cent has achieved numerous legal triumphs, but the influential figure has now encountered an uncommon legal setback.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Vanessa Bryant ruled that the legal malpractice lawsuit filed by 50 Cent against his former attorneys cannot be reopened. The rapper claims that the attorneys at Reed Smith provided him with an ill-informed legal strategy and previously represented Fif’s one-time rival, Rick Ross.
As a result of this representation, the G-Unit founder encountered a legal setback in the form of a $7 million judgment. However, Judge Bryant dismissed the claim due to Fif’s inability to provide specific details regarding how these “conflicts” directly caused the $7 million judgment against him.
“Without more, the court cannot conclude the conflict of interest impacted counsel’s discovery strategy, or that the conflict caused Jackson to lose at trial,” Bryant said.
In 2015, Ross’s ex-girlfriend Lastonia Leviston, filed a lawsuit against Fif for sharing a sex tape of her without her consent. In the end, Leviston won the legal battle, securing a $7 million judgment against the rapper.
Just three days after receiving the judgment, Fif filed for bankruptcy. Following the Chapter 11 filing, Reed Smith submitted a claim seeking over $600,000 in legal fees. The claim then led to the malpractice lawsuit.
Within his complaint, Fif alleged that the parties were “neglectful, negligent, and unethical.” He also criticized his former legal representatives, citing their “legal standards” and expressing dissatisfaction with their “lack of effective representation.”
Happy 4th of July
Wrong flag
No comments:
Post a Comment