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Sydney Morning Herald
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
How Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster became the new ‘Bennifer'
'We got the two-shot, the shot that everyone kind of was waiting for,' said Parshotam, whose Jackman-Foster images published everywhere from American and British tabloids to the covers of Australian newspapers. 'That January made my year,' he added. 'Not just financially, but more as a scoop.' Indeed, the news that Jackman, 56, and Foster, 50, were official lit up theatre group chats, Reddit gossip threads and social media comments across the globe, not to mention a slew of publications that now track their every move. Five months later, the two still have not said a word publicly about their courtship. But their very existence as a couple seems to have hit enough cultural nodes to vault them to near-Bennifer 2.0 status: Hollywood but also Broadway, blockbusters but also niche streaming faves, Australian celebrities, regular celebrities, co-stars falling in love, dating in your 50s, divorcing in your 50s and - perhaps most important – a hint of possible scandal. The story picked up more steam last month when Furness, 69, confirmed to the Daily Mail that she has now officially filed for divorce from Jackman. She also sent a lengthy and vague-yet-pointed statement, allowing readers to do their own maths. 'My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal. It's a profound wound that cuts deep,' Furness told the publication. 'However I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us. This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage. I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience.' Loading Representatives for Jackman, Foster and Furness did not respond to requests for comment for this story. It's an unusually messy situation for twocharming entertainers who have spent years accumulating goodwill, moving seamlessly from musical theatre to film and TV and back again. Jackman was an Academy Award nominee for Les Misérables (he's got all but the 'O' in EGOT - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards) and is the rare Marvel action hero who can sing and dance. Foster has been nominated for five other Tonys in addition to those two wins and earned a following among young fans for her work in TV. But in the game of fame, critical success can't hold a candle to a juicy real-life love story. Loading 'People are fascinated by Hugh Jackman as an actor, but his love life has always been an even bigger obsession,' said Dax Holt, a former TMZ on-air personality. Holt, who now co-hosts the Hollywood Raw podcast where Parshotam first shared his story of cracking the 'JackFost' case, noted the endless curiosity about Jackman and Furness's marriage: their age gap, the long-running speculation about Jackman's sexuality – and now intrigue about the estrangement timeline. 'Deborra alluding to him being a cheater has poured more gas on the fire,' Holt said. 'I'm not going to lie, it's been an entertaining topic to cover on the podcast.' Part of the excitement is that Jackman and Foster have joined a storied tradition of co-stars who wind up dating. Anika Chapin, a musical theatre dramaturge and writer, recalled seeing an Instagram post shortly after news of the new couple broke. 'I didn't realise this happened in theatre,' one commenter replied. 'I was like, 'Well, of course it happens in theatre',' Chapin said. In film and television, you shoot a romantic scene a handful of times, she noted, while in theatre, you fall in love onstage eight times a week and spend hours together backstage. 'It's so much more of a concentrated experience that it feels like even more of a breeding ground for potential romantic entanglements.' Ben Rimalower, a theatre writer, performer and director, said the rumours about Jackman and Foster were so persistent in Broadway circles – a community drawn to drama both onstage and behind-the-scenes – that the most surprising part about the relationship confirmation was that they were still together. But since Foster in particular is beloved in the theatre world, there seemed to be 'a widespread desire' to let her handle whatever was going on at her own discretion, he said. However, after the news of her marriage ending not long after Jackman's, the chatter increased to a level that couldn't be contained to Midtown Manhattan. 'Even though they are obviously theatre stars, and that's where their careers began, they are both clearly famous at the level where they crossed over,' Rimalower said, adding, 'It's just a really far reach that makes them a lot more interesting to people than the average Broadway couple.' Decades before The Music Man brought them together, Jackman and Foster shared the kind of big-break origin story that theatre kids swoon for. Jackman landed his role as Wolverine in Marvel's 2000 blockbuster X-Men when Dougray Scott, a bigger name at the time, had to drop out due to Mission: Impossible 2 commitments. Foster was hired to understudy Millie Dillmount during Thoroughly Modern Millie 's slow path to Broadway in 2002, but took over the role when the original lead actress fell out with producers days before its out-of-town opening. Jackman emerged as the breakout star of the X-Men ensemble, while Foster won her first Tony. Jackman met Furness five years before X-Men on the Australian TV crime drama Correlli, they wed the following year when he was 27 and she was 40. They later adopted a son and a daughter and were often praised for their public devotion to one another. But as Jackman continued to star in musicals between hit movies, speculation about his sexuality was rampant. In a 60 Minutes Australia interview in 2013, he and Furness expressed irritation about rumours that he was clandestinely gay. 'If I was, I would be,' Jackman told the reporter. ' … But I do get frustrated for Deb, cause I see Deb go, 'Ah, this is just crazy'.' As Foster went on to success in Broadway shows and basic-cable series – ABC Family's Bunheads and TVLand's Younger – she married her Millie co-star Christian Borle, also now a two-time Tony winner, in 2006. They, too, were an object of sotto voce speculation in theatre circles, which Foster addressed in her 2021 memoir Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life – describing how upset she was by tabloid reports of supposed cheating when in fact she and Borle had quietly separated and started seeing other people. (They divorced in 2009.) 'The gossips tried to sum up our demise as simply and salaciously as they could,' Foster wrote. 'But it wasn't that clear-cut.' Ultimately, this story of an old-school backstage romance – except involving 50-somethings! – just proved irresistible for very online gossips, who have found themselves combing through the pair's now years-old promotional interviews for The Music Man: how much they bonded during pandemic-delayed rehearsals, how naturally their professional chemistry developed. Foster told CBS Mornings in 2022 that she and Jackman made a routine of meeting in her dressing room before every show, sitting on the floor to catch up in what she called 'carpet chat'. 'We're kind of this little pair. And it's the greatest thing that's come out of this whole experience, is that I have a new friend,' Foster said. In other interviews, she described how their families spent time together and that her young daughter, whom she adopted with Griffin, called Jackman 'Uncle Hugh'. Loading One of the first hints of scandal came last autumn, not long after Foster confirmed her divorce. Pop culture creator Tasha Lustig posted a video on Instagram to her 227,000 followers where she claimed that Jackman 'blindsided' Furness by 'running off' with Foster. Amanda de Cadenet, a British media personality and part of Furness's crowd, showed up in the comments: 'You are on point with this one,' she wrote. 'My beloved friend Deb is about to have her glow up any moment fyi!' Tabloids and gossip magazines took note that Furness herself 'liked' Lustig's video from her private Instagram account. In an interview with The Washington Post, Lustig said that she knew that Furness followed her on Instagram, and she wasn't too surprised that Furness engaged with the post. Lustig argued that the media all too often reports on celebrity divorce from the man's point of view, so she seeks to give her audience the counter perspective. Plenty of fans sympathised with Furness. 'People are really fond of Deb,' Lustig said, noting she was Jackman's 'ride or die' for years. After four months without a recorded public sighting, Jackman and Foster resurfaced in new paparazzi photos in mid-May that showed them on the streets of New York – another People exclusive, this time with the headline, 'Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster Show Sweet PDA in Rare New Photos Since Confirming Romance.' They are positively beaming as they hold hands, not looking directly at the cameras, but with the aura of stars who know that everyone is watching their every move.
The Age
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
How Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster became the new ‘Bennifer'
'We got the two-shot, the shot that everyone kind of was waiting for,' said Parshotam, whose Jackman-Foster images published everywhere from American and British tabloids to the covers of Australian newspapers. 'That January made my year,' he added. 'Not just financially, but more as a scoop.' Indeed, the news that Jackman, 56, and Foster, 50, were official lit up theatre group chats, Reddit gossip threads and social media comments across the globe, not to mention a slew of publications that now track their every move. Five months later, the two still have not said a word publicly about their courtship. But their very existence as a couple seems to have hit enough cultural nodes to vault them to near-Bennifer 2.0 status: Hollywood but also Broadway, blockbusters but also niche streaming faves, Australian celebrities, regular celebrities, co-stars falling in love, dating in your 50s, divorcing in your 50s and - perhaps most important – a hint of possible scandal. The story picked up more steam last month when Furness, 69, confirmed to the Daily Mail that she has now officially filed for divorce from Jackman. She also sent a lengthy and vague-yet-pointed statement, allowing readers to do their own maths. 'My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal. It's a profound wound that cuts deep,' Furness told the publication. 'However I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us. This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage. I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience.' Loading Representatives for Jackman, Foster and Furness did not respond to requests for comment for this story. It's an unusually messy situation for twocharming entertainers who have spent years accumulating goodwill, moving seamlessly from musical theatre to film and TV and back again. Jackman was an Academy Award nominee for Les Misérables (he's got all but the 'O' in EGOT - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards) and is the rare Marvel action hero who can sing and dance. Foster has been nominated for five other Tonys in addition to those two wins and earned a following among young fans for her work in TV. But in the game of fame, critical success can't hold a candle to a juicy real-life love story. Loading 'People are fascinated by Hugh Jackman as an actor, but his love life has always been an even bigger obsession,' said Dax Holt, a former TMZ on-air personality. Holt, who now co-hosts the Hollywood Raw podcast where Parshotam first shared his story of cracking the 'JackFost' case, noted the endless curiosity about Jackman and Furness's marriage: their age gap, the long-running speculation about Jackman's sexuality – and now intrigue about the estrangement timeline. 'Deborra alluding to him being a cheater has poured more gas on the fire,' Holt said. 'I'm not going to lie, it's been an entertaining topic to cover on the podcast.' Part of the excitement is that Jackman and Foster have joined a storied tradition of co-stars who wind up dating. Anika Chapin, a musical theatre dramaturge and writer, recalled seeing an Instagram post shortly after news of the new couple broke. 'I didn't realise this happened in theatre,' one commenter replied. 'I was like, 'Well, of course it happens in theatre',' Chapin said. In film and television, you shoot a romantic scene a handful of times, she noted, while in theatre, you fall in love onstage eight times a week and spend hours together backstage. 'It's so much more of a concentrated experience that it feels like even more of a breeding ground for potential romantic entanglements.' Ben Rimalower, a theatre writer, performer and director, said the rumours about Jackman and Foster were so persistent in Broadway circles – a community drawn to drama both onstage and behind-the-scenes – that the most surprising part about the relationship confirmation was that they were still together. But since Foster in particular is beloved in the theatre world, there seemed to be 'a widespread desire' to let her handle whatever was going on at her own discretion, he said. However, after the news of her marriage ending not long after Jackman's, the chatter increased to a level that couldn't be contained to Midtown Manhattan. 'Even though they are obviously theatre stars, and that's where their careers began, they are both clearly famous at the level where they crossed over,' Rimalower said, adding, 'It's just a really far reach that makes them a lot more interesting to people than the average Broadway couple.' Decades before The Music Man brought them together, Jackman and Foster shared the kind of big-break origin story that theatre kids swoon for. Jackman landed his role as Wolverine in Marvel's 2000 blockbuster X-Men when Dougray Scott, a bigger name at the time, had to drop out due to Mission: Impossible 2 commitments. Foster was hired to understudy Millie Dillmount during Thoroughly Modern Millie 's slow path to Broadway in 2002, but took over the role when the original lead actress fell out with producers days before its out-of-town opening. Jackman emerged as the breakout star of the X-Men ensemble, while Foster won her first Tony. Jackman met Furness five years before X-Men on the Australian TV crime drama Correlli, they wed the following year when he was 27 and she was 40. They later adopted a son and a daughter and were often praised for their public devotion to one another. But as Jackman continued to star in musicals between hit movies, speculation about his sexuality was rampant. In a 60 Minutes Australia interview in 2013, he and Furness expressed irritation about rumours that he was clandestinely gay. 'If I was, I would be,' Jackman told the reporter. ' … But I do get frustrated for Deb, cause I see Deb go, 'Ah, this is just crazy'.' As Foster went on to success in Broadway shows and basic-cable series – ABC Family's Bunheads and TVLand's Younger – she married her Millie co-star Christian Borle, also now a two-time Tony winner, in 2006. They, too, were an object of sotto voce speculation in theatre circles, which Foster addressed in her 2021 memoir Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life – describing how upset she was by tabloid reports of supposed cheating when in fact she and Borle had quietly separated and started seeing other people. (They divorced in 2009.) 'The gossips tried to sum up our demise as simply and salaciously as they could,' Foster wrote. 'But it wasn't that clear-cut.' Ultimately, this story of an old-school backstage romance – except involving 50-somethings! – just proved irresistible for very online gossips, who have found themselves combing through the pair's now years-old promotional interviews for The Music Man: how much they bonded during pandemic-delayed rehearsals, how naturally their professional chemistry developed. Foster told CBS Mornings in 2022 that she and Jackman made a routine of meeting in her dressing room before every show, sitting on the floor to catch up in what she called 'carpet chat'. 'We're kind of this little pair. And it's the greatest thing that's come out of this whole experience, is that I have a new friend,' Foster said. In other interviews, she described how their families spent time together and that her young daughter, whom she adopted with Griffin, called Jackman 'Uncle Hugh'. Loading One of the first hints of scandal came last autumn, not long after Foster confirmed her divorce. Pop culture creator Tasha Lustig posted a video on Instagram to her 227,000 followers where she claimed that Jackman 'blindsided' Furness by 'running off' with Foster. Amanda de Cadenet, a British media personality and part of Furness's crowd, showed up in the comments: 'You are on point with this one,' she wrote. 'My beloved friend Deb is about to have her glow up any moment fyi!' Tabloids and gossip magazines took note that Furness herself 'liked' Lustig's video from her private Instagram account. In an interview with The Washington Post, Lustig said that she knew that Furness followed her on Instagram, and she wasn't too surprised that Furness engaged with the post. Lustig argued that the media all too often reports on celebrity divorce from the man's point of view, so she seeks to give her audience the counter perspective. Plenty of fans sympathised with Furness. 'People are really fond of Deb,' Lustig said, noting she was Jackman's 'ride or die' for years. After four months without a recorded public sighting, Jackman and Foster resurfaced in new paparazzi photos in mid-May that showed them on the streets of New York – another People exclusive, this time with the headline, 'Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster Show Sweet PDA in Rare New Photos Since Confirming Romance.' They are positively beaming as they hold hands, not looking directly at the cameras, but with the aura of stars who know that everyone is watching their every move.
Scottish Sun
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Inside Stormzy's VIP packed premiere as rapper secretly takes acting lessons ahead of big screen debut
The film is about a rapper whose career is fading ACTING UP A STORMZ Inside Stormzy's VIP packed premiere as rapper secretly takes acting lessons ahead of big screen debut Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WE know Stormzy can write a killer song, with 14 Top Ten hits – including four No1s – under his belt. And after he invited me to the premiere of his debut short film Big Man at London's British Film Institute, I'm happy to report he can act, too. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 9 Stormzy with mum Abigail Owuo at the film's premiere Credit: Getty What's more astonishing is that his 20-minute film, directed by Oscar-winner Aneil Karia, was improvised from start to finish. 'Stormzy had acting lessons for months before filming started,' a friend told me before the premiere. 'He doesn't do anything by halves.' Big Man, the first offering from his #Merky Films company, follows the story of Tenzman, a rapper whose career is fading — until a chance meeting with two young boys, Klevis and Tyrell, changes the course of his life. It has already had almost a million YouTube views in less than 24 hours. Arrogant Merky Films has been in the making for a long time, as Stormzy explained: 'We've been working on this for five years. We've done our due diligence. 'I think sometimes it's very arrogant to think that because you've got a profile elsewhere, you can just step into a space with all the bells and whistles. 'We didn't want to do that.' Stormzy is impressive in the leading role, and the tenderness he has towards young actors Jaydon Eastman and Klevis Brahja feels completely organic. Stormzy's US superstar ex breaks silence on dating star for first time since they were spotted snogging at airport 'They absolutely killed it,' Stormzy says, 'I was like a duck out of water. 'They made me feel comfortable and gave me confidence. I was the biggest amateur there.' Stormzy's not doing himself justice. Aneil, who won an Academy Award for Best Action Live Short Film, The Long Goodbye, in 2022, agrees, adding: 'Stormzy can act. When it came to improvisation, it was amazing.' The singer adds: 'I forgot that it was going to be improvised. I was like, 'Damn, there's no script.' which is crazy. 'It was challenging because I'm a rapper, trying to play a rapper, but I'm using my voice. It was like an episode of Black Mirror.' Stormzy, inset, is big on giving back, with his #Merky Foundation pledging millions to help young people in the UK. And this theme runs throughout Big Man, with Stormzy's fictional rapper initially scoffing at the two kids' dream of visiting Brighton — before realising how much that trip means to the young pair, who are enduring the monotony of life between school and care home. Don't get me wrong, this film isn't pushing an agenda. The messaging is an undercurrent that makes you think but it doesn't take away from the fact it is genuinely hilarious and heartwarming. Screams Thanks to the brilliant rising stars Jaydon and Klevis, the improvisation feels so natural and authentic — you can't help laughing out loud. In one scene, Stormzy — who towers over me at 6ft 5in — screams as he's riding a rollercoaster with the lads. But he's not hollering because he's afraid of heights. 'That rollercoaster is too small for me,' Stormzy admits with a laugh. 'My knees are literally banging against the thing. I'm screaming in pain.' Stormzy promises there is more to come. 'We've got a lot of things in development,' he explains. 'I just want people to feel something. To enjoy it in the most pure, sentimental way.' Big Man is available to watch now on YouTube and I promise it's well worth a viewing. Congratulations, Stormzy. You deserve all the credit coming your way. 9 Big Man is the first offering from Stormzy's #Merky Films company Credit: Supplied FUR PLAY, JADE 9 Jade pulls off these furry boots to promote her latest single Credit: supplied WITH temperatures soaring, these furry boots would be the last thing I'd want to be sweating in this weekend. But Jade pulled them off in an arty fashion shoot to promote her latest single Plastic Box, out today, which is all about taking a chance on love. It's among a load of new releases to kick off your weekend, including Haim's I Quit, Sombr's We Never Dated and Alesso's remix of the orchestral Ascension theme, created to kick off the Esports World Cup. Muse have put out their new single Unravelling, which is their first new music since 2022's Will Of The People album, while Benson Boone is a shoo-in for No1 next Friday with his new record American Heart. Elsewhere, Miles Kane has announced his album Sunlight In The Shadows will be out in October and has dropped the first song Love Is Cruel, while Messy singer Lola Young has put out Not Like That Anymore from her upcoming record I'm Only F***ing Myself. DAISY'S ROOTS DOWN 9 Normal People actress Daisy Edgar-Jones with photographer boyfriend Ben Seed Credit: Getty DAISY EDGAR-JONES has got serious with her boyfriend of two years, by splashing out more than £1.5m on a massive house together. The Normal People actress got together with photographer Ben Seed – who previously dated Peaky Blinders actress Anya Taylor-Joy – in 2023, but things are clearly going from strength to strength. I'm told they have bought a huge London property, after months of hopping between each other's places. A source close to the couple, left, said: 'They are practically inseparable, so it seemed like the natural next step to find a place together. 'They are really enjoying planning the decor and some updates for their new place to make it a real home for them both. 'Daisy has said she can see them staying there for a long time and she sees it as a really exciting chapter for their relationship.' Since shooting to fame in Normal People in 2020, Daisy has starred in major movies including Where The Crawdads Sing, Twisters and On Swift Horses. She is currently filming a thriller called A Place In Hell opposite Michelle Williams, about two women at a high profile criminal law firm, also starring Andrew Scott. And then she will lead heist movie Here Comes The Flood, alongside Denzel Washington and Robert Pattinson. Sounds like she's found her own leading man. MILEY'S BEY GIG 9 Miley Cyrus stuns in this sheer dress with only feathers covering her chest in Paris Credit: Splash 9 Miley performed a Spotify Billions Club show for her 100 biggest listeners Credit: Getty MILEY CYRUS got fans in a flap when she wore this sheer dress with only feathers covering her chest in Paris. The Flowers singer was mobbed outside her hotel as she made her way to a concert in the risque gown. She performed a Spotify Billions Club show for her 100 biggest listeners ahead of a planned appearance with Beyonce. Yesterday, she was spotted rehearsing with the superstar at the Stade de France, where she was last night expected to join her for the first of three nights for the Cowboy Carter tour in the French capital. They collaborated on the Cowboy Carter album track II Most Wanted which was one of the best on the album, so I'm hoping they release a live version, too. EM'S TOP OF THE CROPS 9 Linkin Park frontwoman Emily Armstrong at the Rock for People festival Credit: AP ONE fan had a very strange request for Linkin Park frontwoman Emily Armstrong at the American rockers' latest gig – and she gratefully obliged. The band are on a sold- out European tour which includes a show at Wembley Stadium next weekend – and one punter at their gig at the Rock for People festival in the Czech Republic held up a sign saying: 'Emily cut my hair.' Event staff pulled him out of the crowd and he gave Emily clippers for her to shave off his tresses. But he was left with a mullet after Emily told him: 'We gotta leave some at the back for the party, baby!' FANS LOVE MARTIN'S BAD HABIT 9 Musician and actor Martin Kemp had a wardrobe malfunction Credit: Getty MARTIN KEMP once accidentally flashed his bits to the front row at a gig in the States. But the musician and actor, who was performing with Spandau Ballet in 1981, revealed that his wardrobe malfunction luckily went down a storm. Martin said: 'I was basically wearing a dress when we played in New York – a monk's habit. 'What I didn't realise when I put my foot up on the monitor was that everybody in the front row was getting a complete eyeful. 'Because The Underground was essentially a gay club, they were loving it.' His comments come as the band announce a new box set, Everything Is Now – Vol 1: 1978-1982, which includes rare live footage of the gig in question. I can only presume his bits will be blurred out. RUGBY JAMES TO TACKLE MUSIC BIZ 9 James Haskell has applied to trademark Rogue Unit Records Credit: YouTube/James Haskell JAMES HASKELL is keen to take his DJing hobby to the next level, as he is trademarking a music company. The former rugby player, who was married to Chloe Madeley, has applied to trademark Rogue Unit Records. A source said: 'James has been DJing for over a decade and is keen to really get involved with the music industry. Hopefully Rogue Unit Records will allow him to both release his own music and help others get into the scene.' Over the years, James has played at some of the biggest and most glamorous clubs in the world including Cafe Mambo in Ibiza and Soho Garden in Dubai. The music biz isn't an easy one to crack though, so best of luck to him. FRESH from his Soccer Aid triumph, Big Zuu has found his way into the kitchen. The rapper has teamed up with weekly meal service Gousto to launch The Bare – a limited-edition recipe range inspired by TV drama The Bear. Orders from the range helps support The Trussell Trust, which is the food bank charity helping families across the UK who would otherwise go without the bare essentials this summer. Big Zuu said: 'It's about more than just flavours; it's about making some noise for people going without the basics. I've always believed good food should be for everyone.' WILL SMITH has hinted he has no regrets over slapping Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars in 2022. He recorded a freestyle rap for Charlie Sloth's Fire In The Booth feature on Apple, and he brings up the clash in a verse. Will raps: 'If you're talking crazy out your face up on the stage and disrespect me on the stage, expect me on the stage.' Ouch.
The Irish Sun
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Inside Stormzy's VIP packed premiere as rapper secretly takes acting lessons ahead of big screen debut
WE know Stormzy can write a killer song, with 14 Top Ten hits – including four No1s – under his belt. And after he invited me to the premiere of his debut short film Big Man at London's British Film Institute, I'm happy to report he can act, too. 9 Stormzy with mum Abigail Owuo at the film's premiere Credit: Getty What's more astonishing is that his 20-minute film, directed by Oscar-winner Aneil Karia, was improvised from start to finish. 'Stormzy had acting lessons for months before filming started,' a friend told me before the premiere. 'He doesn't do anything by halves.' Big Man, the first offering from his #Merky Films company, follows the story of Tenzman, a rapper whose career is fading — until a chance meeting with two young boys, Klevis and Tyrell, changes the course of his life. READ MORE ON STORMZY It has already had almost a million YouTube views in less than 24 hours. Arrogant Merky Films has been in the making for a long time, as Stormzy explained: 'We've been working on this for five years. We've done our due diligence. 'I think sometimes it's very arrogant to think that because you've got a profile elsewhere, you can just step into a space with all the bells and whistles. 'We didn't want to do that.' Most read in Bizarre Stormzy is impressive in the leading role, and the tenderness he has towards young actors Jaydon Eastman and Klevis Brahja feels completely organic. Stormzy's US superstar ex breaks silence on dating star for first time since they were spotted snogging at airport 'They absolutely killed it,' Stormzy says, 'I was like a duck out of water. 'They made me feel comfortable and gave me confidence. I was the biggest amateur there.' Stormzy's not doing himself justice. Aneil, who won an Academy Award for Best Action Live Short Film, The Long Goodbye, in 2022, agrees, adding: 'Stormzy can act. When it came to improvisation, it was amazing.' The singer adds: 'I forgot that it was going to be improvised. I was like, 'Damn, there's no script.' which is crazy. 'It was challenging because I'm a rapper, trying to play a rapper, but I'm using my voice. It was like an episode of Black Mirror.' Stormzy, inset, is big on giving back, with his #Merky Foundation pledging millions to help young people in the UK. And this theme runs throughout Big Man, with Stormzy's fictional rapper initially scoffing at the two kids' dream of visiting Brighton — before realising how much that trip means to the young pair, who are enduring the monotony of life between school and care home. Don't get me wrong, this film isn't pushing an agenda. The messaging is an undercurrent that makes you think but it doesn't take away from the fact it is genuinely hilarious and heartwarming. Screams Thanks to the brilliant rising stars Jaydon and Klevis, the improvisation feels so natural and authentic — you can't help laughing out loud. In one scene, Stormzy — who towers over me at 6ft 5in — screams as he's riding a rollercoaster with the lads. But he's not hollering because he's afraid of heights. 'That rollercoaster is too small for me,' Stormzy admits with a laugh. 'My knees are literally banging against the thing. I'm screaming in pain.' Stormzy promises there is more to come. 'We've got a lot of things in development,' he explains. 'I just want people to feel something. To enjoy it in the most pure, sentimental way.' Big Man is available to watch now on YouTube and I promise it's well worth a viewing. Congratulations, Stormzy. You deserve all the credit coming your way. 9 Big Man is the first offering from Stormzy's #Merky Films company Credit: Supplied FUR PLAY, JADE 9 Jade pulls off these furry boots to promote her latest single Credit: supplied WITH temperatures soaring, these furry boots would be the last thing I'd want to be sweating in this weekend. But Jade pulled them off in an arty fashion shoot to promote her latest single Plastic Box, out today, which is all about taking a chance on love. It's among a load of new releases to kick off your weekend, including Haim's I Quit, Sombr's We Never Dated and Alesso's remix of the orchestral Ascension theme, created to kick off the Esports World Cup. Muse have put out their new single Unravelling, which is their first new music since 2022's Will Of The People album, while Benson Boone is a shoo-in for No1 next Friday with his new record American Heart. Elsewhere, Miles Kane has announced his album Sunlight In The Shadows will be out in October and has dropped the first song Love Is Cruel, while Messy singer Lola Young has put out Not Like That Anymore from her upcoming record I'm Only F***ing Myself. DAISY'S ROOTS DOWN 9 Normal People actress Daisy Edgar-Jones with photographer boyfriend Ben Seed Credit: Getty DAISY EDGAR-JONES has got serious with her boyfriend of two years, by splashing out more than £1.5m on a massive house together. The Normal People actress got together with photographer Ben Seed – who previously dated Peaky Blinders actress Anya Taylor-Joy – in 2023, but things are clearly going from strength to strength. I'm told they have bought a huge London property, after months of hopping between each other's places. A source close to the couple, left, said: 'They are practically inseparable, so it seemed like the natural next step to find a place together. 'They are really enjoying planning the decor and some updates for their new place to make it a real home for them both. 'Daisy has said she can see them staying there for a long time and she sees it as a really exciting chapter for their relationship.' Since shooting to fame in Normal People in 2020, Daisy has starred in major movies including Where The Crawdads Sing, Twisters and On Swift Horses. She is currently filming a thriller called A Place In Hell opposite And then she will lead heist movie Here Comes The Flood, alongside Denzel Washington and Sounds like she's found her own leading man. MILEY'S BEY GIG 9 Miley Cyrus stuns in this sheer dress with only feathers covering her chest in Paris Credit: Splash 9 Miley performed a Spotify Billions Club show for her 100 biggest listeners Credit: Getty MILEY CYRUS got fans in a flap when she wore this sheer dress with only feathers covering her chest in Paris. The Flowers singer was mobbed outside her hotel as she made her way to a concert in the risque gown. She performed a Spotify Billions Club show for her 100 biggest listeners ahead of a planned appearance with Beyonce. Yesterday, she was spotted rehearsing with the superstar at the Stade de France, where she was last night expected to join her for the first of three nights for the Cowboy Carter tour in the French capital. They collaborated on the Cowboy Carter album track II Most Wanted which was one of the best on the album, so I'm hoping they release a live version, too. EM'S TOP OF THE CROPS 9 Linkin Park frontwoman Emily Armstrong at the Rock for People festival Credit: AP ONE fan had a very strange request for Linkin Park frontwoman Emily Armstrong at the American rockers' latest gig – and she gratefully obliged. The band are on a sold- out European tour which includes a show at Wembley Stadium next weekend – and one punter at their gig at the Rock for People festival in the Event staff pulled him out of the crowd and he gave Emily clippers for her to shave off his tresses. But he was left with a mullet after Emily told him: 'We gotta leave some at the back for the party, baby!' FANS LOVE MARTIN'S BAD HABIT 9 Musician and actor Martin Kemp had a wardrobe malfunction Credit: Getty MARTIN KEMP once accidentally flashed his bits to the front row at a gig in the States. But the musician and actor, who was performing with Spandau Ballet in 1981, revealed that his wardrobe malfunction luckily went down a storm. Martin said: 'I was basically wearing a dress when we played in New York – a monk's habit. 'What I didn't realise when I put my foot up on the monitor was that everybody in the front row was getting a complete eyeful. 'Because The Underground was essentially a gay club, they were loving it.' His comments come as the band announce a new box set, Everything Is Now – Vol 1: 1978-1982, which includes rare live footage of the gig in question. I can only presume his bits will be blurred out. RUGBY JAMES TO TACKLE MUSIC BIZ 9 James Haskell has applied to trademark Rogue Unit Records Credit: YouTube/James Haskell JAMES HASKELL is keen to take his DJing hobby to the next level, as he is trademarking a music company. The former rugby player, who was married to Chloe Madeley, has applied to trademark Rogue Unit Records. A source said: 'James has been DJing for over a decade and is keen to really get involved with the music industry. Hopefully Rogue Unit Records will allow him to both release his own music and help others get into the scene.' Over the years, James has played at some of the biggest and most glamorous clubs in the world including Cafe Mambo in Ibiza and Soho Garden in Dubai. The music biz isn't an easy one to crack though, so best of luck to him. FRESH from his Soccer Aid triumph, Big Zuu has found his way into the kitchen. The rapper has teamed up with weekly meal service Gousto to launch The Bare – a limited-edition recipe range inspired by TV drama The Bear. Orders from the range helps support The Trussell Trust, which is the food bank charity helping families across the UK who would otherwise go without the bare essentials this summer. Big Zuu said: 'It's about more than just flavours; it's about making some noise for people going without the basics. I've always believed good food should be for everyone.' WILL SMITH has hinted he has no regrets over slapping Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars in 2022. He recorded a freestyle rap for Charlie Sloth's Fire In The Booth feature on Apple, and he brings up the clash in a verse. Will raps: 'If you're talking crazy out your face up on the stage and disrespect me on the stage, expect me on the stage.' Ouch.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Brad Pitt kept going after Damson Idris spit on his face while filming a rage scene in F1: ‘I thought I was going to lose my job'
With promising first reviews, Brad Pit-starrer F1 seems set for an enormous opening weekend. Damson Idris, who plays the rookie driver Joshua Pierce, recently talked to Stephen Colbert about how it was filming with Pitt. Idris shared his memory of seeing Pitt as a kid while he was working in a theatre in London and how, while filming a scene with Pitt, he did something so horrific, he thought he was going to be kicked off the movie. On The Late Show, Colbert asked Idris about his journey into acting and the experience of working with Pitt, who plays the role of the veteran driver Sonny Hayes. Idris appreciated Pitt as an actor and a human being, and to prove to the fans how much of a 'giving' actor Pitt truly is, he shared a hilarious story from the sets of F1. He said, 'It's so funny working with Brad. He is an incredibly beautiful human being and such a giving actor. We had this scene where we were supposed to be having a disagreement, and I had to scream in his face. Suddenly, while screaming, I accidentally spat on his face, and he just kept going.' Idris added that he was sure that this was the point where he lost his job, as he saw the spit land on Pitt's face and saw it dribble down the face of the Academy Award winner. ALSO READ | F1 first reactions: Brad Pitt's film hailed as high-octane crowd-pleaser; comparisons drawn to Top Gun Maverick Brad Pitt was also complimented by his F1 co-star Javier Bardem, who appreciated how he managed to produce and act while driving real F1 cars at 180 mph. He told Jimmy Fallon that 'he was in that F1 car for real, driving it at 180 mph (289 km/h) around all the racing tracks. He had to deal with so many things, and he always made sure that he was taking care of everyone else and was giving all the actors their time to shine and would take a backseat.' F1 is about a fictional Formula One team, APXGP, who are trying to win their first race. Headed by their team principal Ruben Cervantes, the team looks to touring championship driver Sonny Hayes, who used to race in Formula One alongside Cervantes. The veteran is brought in to inject some much-needed confidence into the team, and Cervantes also hopes that Sonny can be a good role model on the track to their rookie driver, Pierce. The two must squash their differences, learn from one another and pull the team from the pit of despair and defeat. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, who also helmed Top Gun: Maverick, the cast of the film features Brad Pitt, Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, Simone Ashley, Lewis Hamilton and Tobias Menzies.
