A MUMMY influencer lifted the lid on how much social media stars actually earn for their content.
On Tiktok, Charli Wooley documents her life with her hubby and young children, and also her incredible shopping hauls and skincare routine.
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TikToker Charli Wooley poke about how much she earns on TikTokCredit: tiktok/@charli0191She went viral in 2024 after sharing a compilation of her husband scaring their sonCredit: tiktok/@charli0191The video got 22.2 million viewsCredit: tiktok/@charli0191
The mum-of-two has 89,000 followers on TikTok with a combined 9.8 million likes across her hundreds of videos.
In late 2024, Charli went viral thanks to her hilarious video showing a compilation of her husband scaring their oldest son.
The video has 2.9 million likes and racked up a whopping 22.2 million views.
She recently made a video speaking to the camera where she explained exactly how much she earned for going viral and explained she had joined TikTok’s Creator Fund, which pays content creators for their views.
To join the program TikTokers must be 18 or older, have a minimum of 10,000 followers, a minimum of 100,000 views within 30 days of the video upload and run an account that follows TikTok Community Guidelines.
“So, I had a video that got 22.2 million views and I earned £3,500 from it,” Charli explained but then went into detail about how the rate of pay is calculated.
She told how TikTok pays a ‘rate per minute (RPM)’, but that rate change depending what time of the month the video is viewed.
“When it gets to near the end of the month in the Creator Fund, the RPM seems to drop. So if you do a video from the first to the 15th, my RPMs are normally about 50p, but when it gets past the 15th, it drops,” Charli said.
“And I think I did this video just after the RPM was lower and I’m pretty sure my RPM was only 20p. So, if my RPM would have been 50p, it would have been so much more but I’m super grateful anyway for what I got.”
Charli continued by saying “I would definitely advise joining” the Creator Fund because “it’s ridiculous that you can get that much money from one video.”
According to the TikTok official website, the Creator Fund “gives TikTok’s best and brightest the opportunity to earn money with their creative talent.”
While it is not a grant or ad revenue program, the Creator Fund provides payment to qualified TikTokers based on a “variety of factors” across their content.
“We want all creators to have the opportunity to earn money doing what they love and turn their passion into a livelihood,” the website continues.
With no limit on the number of qualified TikTokers who can join the fund, payments may increase or decrease at different times throughout one’s run on the platform.
Some factors affecting the funds a qualified TikToker may earn include number of authentic views per video, the amount of engagement, and whether or not the work falls within the Community Guidelines.
Charli said she earned a little more than £3,000 for the TikTokCredit: tiktok/@charli0191
A QUAINT village on the outskirts of Oxford has become a town – nearly 40 years after first applying.
Kidlington, which is one of the largest villages in England and sits close to the Cotswolds, first attempted to change into a town in 1988, although this was voted against at the time.
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Oxford Canal runs through Kidlington village, which will soon become a townCredit: Alamy
According to theBBC, the recent decision behind the status update comes after the government made changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and National Policing Guarantee last year.
As a result of those changes, towns can get extra protections, especially when it comes to both planning and policing.
Now as a town, Kidlington is also looking to build new houses that could see it rise from 13,600 residents to between 30,00 and 40,000.
Baz Daniels, a resident for more than 20 years, said at the time: “Kidlington is apparently being marketed by Chinese tourist agencies as a beautiful English village on the way to Bicester Village shopping centre.
“Many of the visitors live in cities and love to see things like the hanging baskets and little flowers in people’s gardens.”
When it comes to visiting nowadays, the quaint village-now-town boasts a 13th century church with a 220-foot spire and a number of pubs, such as The Black Horse, The Jolly Boatman and The Turnpike.
In one pub, The Black Bull, you can grab two cocktails for a tenner or head to monthly bingo events.
One visitor said: “The Black Bull is the best pub in Kidlington by far.
“Always such a good atmosphere – if you’ve not visited yet I would highly recommend you do.”
The Oxford Canal, which was completed in 1790, also runs through the village.
From south Kidlington to the canal’s end in Oxford, it runs alongside the River Cherwell making it a scenic walk in the village.
In in the surrounding area, just a nine-minute drive away, you will find Blenheim Palace as well, which is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
The palace is surrounded by 2,000 acres of gardens to explore and inside the palace itself, visitors can explore the State Rooms and a Churchill exhibition.
Of course, the picturesque university city of Oxford is just down the road too, where you can explore historic buildings such as the Bodleian Library or head to the thriving Covered Market.
And the village is just a nine-minute drive from Blenheim PalaceCredit: AlamyThe village features a church with a 220-foot spireCredit: Alamy
The Parish Council had previously tried to get town status in 1988, but residents voted for it to stay a village.
But this time round, Councillor Melanie Moorhouse asserted the decision “doesn’t mean that anyone has to start calling it a town – people can still say they’re going to the village”.
She added: “Our hope is very much that it will not change our community – it will in fact secure our very much community identity.”
Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council added: “Our proposal aims to better tailor services to meet the needs of local residents, and empowering town and parish councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire is an important part of that.”
Despite this, some locals are still not happy about the change.
One person commented on Facebook: “To me as an oldie and lived here all my life it will always be a village.”
Another added: “I will never call it a town!”
In other UK village news, here are five pretty English villages that will make you feel like you’re in The Holiday with cosy pubs and cottages.
ONE of Asia’s biggest airport projects is underway and it will make it so much easier to travel to one of the country’s most famous landmarks.
Travellers will be able to get to the beautiful Taj Mahal so much quicker – in half the time – once building work is completed.
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A new, huge airport is under construction in IndiaCredit: Noida International AirportNoida’s International Airport will have lots of natural light, shops and restaurantsCredit: Noida International Airport
Noida International Airport is being built near Jewar in India and once fully constructed, will be one of Asia’s biggest airports.
The first phase will include the building of one terminal and one runway -which will handle 12million passengers each year.
The long-term masterplan could see it expand to accommodate up to 120million passengers per year with multiple terminals and up to six runways.
This would make it rival Asia’s other biggest and busiest airports including Beijing Daxing and Dubai International Airport.
Inside terminal one will be automated check-in kiosks, contactless boarding systems, spacious lounges and waiting zones.
The design of the airport is to make it easy for passengers to move about which it has done by separating the arrivals, departures and baggage areas.
There will be lots of seating too in zones between check-in, security and boarding.
The waiting areas will be air-conditioned, there will also be Wi-Fi, prayer rooms and child care areas.
As for its aesthetic, the terminal will be light and airy with a white and see-through roof that is wavy to mimic the flow of a river.
There’s a central courtyard where travellers can get some fresh air – it also has plenty of greenery and shaded areas.
Designs show escalators on the outside and inside, along with shops, restaurants and cafes.
The airport will sit in Jewar, which will make it easier for travellers heading to Agra where the Taj Mahal is.
The new airport will be light, airy and could see up to 120million passengersCredit: Noida International AirportThe new airport will be two hours from Agra, the home of the Taj MahalCredit: Getty Images
The mausoleum that sits on the bank of the river Yamuna in Agra sees up to eight million visitors every year.
Until the airport is up and running, travellers have to fly into New Delhi before heading almost four hours south by car.
The location of Noida International Airport will cut that travel time in half – from Jewar it will take just over two hours.
As for when the new airport will open, there is no date yet although local reports suggest it could be as early as next year.
Both IndiGo and Akasa Air have confirmed they will operate at the airport, although these will be for mainly domestic destinations.
When it comes to Brits, international routes are yet to confirmed if they will be to the UK, with destinations mentioned including Zurich and Dubai.
Current UK-India routes are operated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
The original target opening was two years ago in September 2024, however construction is still ongoing.
The airport covers around 5,000 hectares, making it one of the largest airport sites in India once fully built.
King Salman International Airport is set to surpass all other airports in size, including the current biggest airport in the world which is also in the country.
The 22sqm airport will feature six runways – up from two – parallel to each other and will be built around the existing King Khalid International Airport.
It will approximately be the same size as Manhattan in New York – or twice the size of the city of Bath, in the UK.
And now the airport has moved into its construction phase.
The airport will be designed by Foster + Partners, a UK firm which is behind London‘s famous Gherkin.
Inside, travellers will be able to explore 4.6sqm of shops.
A lot of features in the airport are set to include high tech, such as climate-controlled lighted.
Travellers will have plenty of seating, indoor and outdoor spaces with greenery and vast glass windows, ideal for a bit of plane spotting.
The airport was announced back in 2022 and is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman‘s Saudi Vision 2030 – which is set to make Riyadh into a major hub for transport, trade and tourism.
It will eventually accommodate up to 120million passengers each year, which is then expected to rise to 185million by 2050.
And the number of aircraft takeoffs will rise from 211,000 per year to over one million.
Unlike other McDonald’s sites, this one also has a panoramic elevator as well as a curly slide between the floors.
And guests shouldn’t have to wait long to make their order as there are 23 self-service kiosks.
Otherwise there will be 210 employees, that speak 16 languages between them.
Boris Solbach, senior vice president, chief financial officer, Disneyland Paris said: “Since 1999, Disneyland Paris and McDonald’s have built a relationship grounded in trust and a shared vision of the guest experience.
“The opening of this new restaurant fully supports the transformation of Disney Village through a landmark project that combines innovative architecture, high-quality hospitality, and seamless integration into the site’s universe.”
The environment has also been thought about during the construction process and as a result, the restaurant has a green roof, planters and a 120sqm living wall.
The original Disney Village McDonald’s – which sits just next door – opened in 1999 but has now closed as the new venue has opened.
The restaurant will soon be demolished as well, as part of the wider plan to reimagine Disney Village.
Disney Village is located between the theme parks and Disney Hotels and has a number of shopping and dining experiences.
There are 600 seats in total and even a wall mural of the Disneyland Paris skylineCredit: Disney/McdonaldsThe new restaurant replaces the old restaurant next door, which opened in 1999Credit: Disney/McdonaldsIt even has an outdoor terrace with 200 seatsCredit: Disney/Mcdonalds
The village is currently undergoing a revamp and once complete will have new restaurants, shops, building facades and guest experiences.
The two new Disney shops will be a lifestyle shop with ready-to-wear clothing, jewellery and accessories and then there will also be a Disney home store with collectible items and decorations.
The Lego store has also been improved recently, with more photo opportunities, big builds and play stations.
Back in November, Sports Bar & Lounge reopened with an expanded dining area, redesigned terrace and fresh interiors.
The bar also now has a giant fresco featuring Goofy and another featuring Big Hero 6: The Series on the restaurant’s façade.
Pelé Soccer, a new shop dedicated to the world of football, will open soon as well.
Last year, McDonald’s opened its biggest site in Europe last year in Majorca, Spain.
The restaurant can be found at Level P30, Module A Airside of Palma de Mallorca Airport in the Spanish island and sprawls across 1,000sqm.
There are a number of McDonald’s across the world that also double as tourist spots.
Of the new routes, easyJet will start flights to Nice, France in March 2026 and Malta this summer.
The airline will also start flights to Faro in Portugal between March and October and to Enfidha, Tunisia, flights will begin in time for summer.
Jet2 will start operating flights to Preveza, Greece in May 2026, for the summer season and flights to Palermo, Sicily from May too, with weekly flights until November.
The airline will also launch its first flights to Porto in Portugal in May, running for the summer season until October.
The airport also recently announced that easyJet is launching new routes to Lisbon and Rome Fiumicino.
The two routes will launch this summer with the Newcastle to Rome route starting on March 30 and the Newcastle to Lisbon route starting on June 22.
Both new routes will operate on Mondays and Fridays.
Leon McQuaid, director of Aviation Development at Newcastle Airport, said: “Lisbon is a brand-new destination from Newcastle Airport and one we’ve been keen to deliver for the region on the back of strong customer demand and feedback, so it’s fantastic to see flights and package holidays now on sale, alongside easyJet’s new route to Rome.”
“With just two months to go until easyJet opens its new base, this investment is not only delivering exciting new routes but will also bring significant economic benefits to the North East, including creating 130 direct jobs and supporting around 1200 UK jobs in total as well as attracting more visitors to the region.”
The new routes come as the airport expects 120,000 passengers this half-term, which is a 10 per cent increase compared to last year.
New destinations include Porto and Nice, as well as returning destinations such as CopenhagenCredit: Getty
In total, over 750 flights will arrive and depart the airport, with popular destinations including Alicante, Antalya, Dubai and Tenerife.
Ski trips are also expected to be popular, with families heading to Chambery, Grenoble and Geneva.
The new routes are part of a wider £60million investment plan at the airport, which will see facilities updated as well as a larger departure lounge and international arrivals baggage hall.
In the departures lounge, there will be more seating areas, toilets and additional food and drink spots.
The three-storey terminal expansion will also have a new security search area with extra check-in desks and new self-service bag drop counters.
By 2040, the airport hopes to welcome nine million passengers a year.
I HAD been shrunk down to the size of Woody, Jessie and Buzz in Andy’s room – suddenly I wasn’t visiting an experience, I was a part of it.
The new Mundo Pixar Experience – the biggest of it’s kind in the world – has landed in the UK for the very first time at Wembley Park in London, after success in Madrid, Barcelona and Brussels.
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A new Pixar experience has opened in London, marking its first time in the UKCredit: Cyann FieldingInside, fans can explore 14 rooms with iconic Pixar charactersCredit: Mundo PixarThis includes Monsters Inc, Toy Story and UpCredit: Mundo Pixar
Spread across 14 rooms, visitors can step into their favourite Pixar stories and meet the characters of each film.
As a 25-year-old who still loves Pixar films, I felt like I could be a big kid again as I ventured into the Monsters Inc Factory and met Sully and Mike before opening the door to glimpse into the bedrooms to see where the ‘scarers’ go to work.
The experience features all the movies you would expect including Toy Story, Up, Cars and Inside Out.
However, there are still a few classics missing such as The Incredibles and Wall.E.
You can even step inside the diver’s goggles in Finding Nemo.
My only disappointment was to see that Anger in Inside Out was essentially a cardboard cutout and Bing Bong was nowhere to be seen.
All of the sets also have handy picture stickers on the floor too, to show you where the best photo moment is in the room.
There are lots of picture and video opportunities throughout the experience as wellCredit: Cyann FieldingAnd for adults they can have a walk down memory laneCredit: Mundo Pixar
And there is a crew member in each room to lend a hand in snapping the perfect shot.
A little bit of added fun for the kids and parents is to find Pixar’s iconic yellow and blue ball with a red star on it, in every room.
Trust me, it isn’t as easy as it seems…
The experience is open every day except Tuesday until June with sessions starting at 9am and 10am and running through until 7pm.
Each session approximately lasts 45 to 55 minutes, though if you can, I definitely would spend longer really exploring the sets.
And of course, taking lots of pictures and videos.
When you get to the end of the experience there is a large shop – which, be warned, you will want everything from.
More recent films such as Luca and Elemental feature as wellCredit: Cyann FieldingThe experience lasts around 45-55 minutesCredit: Cyann Fielding
Prices aren’t too bad either, with mugs costing £19.95 and t-shirts costing £29.95.
There are some really nice items as well such as the Adventure Book from Up and you can even own your own Pixar ball for £19.95.
Tickets are a little on the more expensive side considering the experience is mostly a picture and video opportunity, starting from around £20 per child and more for an adult.
Having said that though, it was heaps of fun and the more time you spend there, the more your imagination really immerses you in the sets.
Whilst obviously great for kids and families, as an adult I thoroughly enjoyed a walk down memory lane and allowing myself to be a child once again by running around Andy’s room and ‘swimming‘ with Nemo.
With half-term here and the rain not stopping, it is the perfect indoor escape to keep the kids (and big kids) entertained.
NEW travel advice has been issued warning Brits not to travel to a major destination in the Caribbean.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) is advising against all but essential travel to Cuba – the Caribbean’s biggest island – as flights get cancelled.
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The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) is warning against all but essential travel to CubaCredit: Getty
On Gov.uk, the FCDO states: “Cuba is experiencing severe and worsening disruption to essential infrastructure, persistent nationwidepower outages, fuel shortages, and increasing safety risks.
“These conditions significantly affect the ability of visitors to access reliable transport, medical care, communications, and basic services.
“Authorities have introduced fuel rationing, scaled back public services, and made temporary changes to healthcare, education, transport and tourism operations in order to conserve severely limited energy supplies.
“Flight schedules are also being disrupted due to aviation fuel shortages, with some airlines reviewing routes or temporarily cancelling services which risk visitors being unable to leave the country.”
Flight cancellations include to and from Havana, with aviation authorities warning that no fuel will be available for the next month.
The shortage comes after the US sanctioned the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, as Venezuela is key supplier of oil to Cuba.
President Donald Trump later claimed that the “policies, practices and actions of Cuba directly threaten the safety, national security and foreign policy of the United States“.
He added that he would place tariffs as a punishment on any country that directly or indirectly sells or gives oil to Cuba.
And as a result, the country’s supply has run dry.
This has then impacted flights into and out of the country.
From February 10, jet fuel has been unavailable and this is expected to go on until March 11.
The notice was given by the island’s aviation authorities and impacts Havana, Varadero, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, Santa Clara, Cayo Coco and other airports.
For example, Air Canada has been forced to cancel its weekly programme of 32 flights.
Brits often travel via Canada to get to Cuba and if you have an upcoming flight with Air Canada or WestJet, you can get a full refund.
Air Canada has cancelled flights and is offering refundsCredit: Alamy
Anyone currently in Cuba who is due to fly home is having to catch ‘ferry flights’, with Air Canada carrying extra fuel to manage both outward and return flights.
For those travelling from Europe, flights are usually with Air Europa or Iberia from Madrid to Havana.
Alternatively, you can get a flight from Paris to Havana on Air France or from Istanbul on Turkish Airlines or from Moscow on Rossiya.
However, these flights are likely to be forced into making technical stops for more fuel.
If you already have a flight booked to Cuba and the flight will still be taking off, you unfortunately have no right to cancel and won’t get a refund.
The same goes for if you have a holiday booked with a travel firm and they can still provide the holiday that you booked.
However, if it becomes impossible to carry out your trip itinerary – such as certain activities – travellers should be given the option to cancel.
When FCDO advises against travel, your travel insurance will typically not cover you.
It comes after the US announced that it would place tariffs on any country that supplied oil to CubaCredit: Getty
For package holidays, you are generally entitled to a full refund or alternative holiday when the FCDO issues advice against all but essential travel.
The FCDO adds: “If you are currently in Cuba, carefully consider if your presence is essential.
“Take precautions by conserving fuel, water, food and mobile phone charge, and be prepared for significant disruption.
“Check for messaging from your airline or tour operator.”
Oscar nominations landed Thursday morning and you’d really have to be a curmudgeon to complain, what with the year’s two best films, “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners,” hauling in the most nods. One of these movies is going to win best picture (probably “One Battle”), continuing a nice little streak of top-shelf winners. “Oppenheimer” to “Anora” to “One Battle After Another”? That’s the best run since the early ’90s when “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Unforgiven” and “Schindler’s List” prevailed.
Of course, not everyone is celebrating this morning. “Wicked: For Good”? The complete disrespectation! The latest “Avatar” sequel? More ash than fire.
The Oscars cap their nominees at five per category (with the exception of best picture), leading, invariably, to some surprises and omissions — some egregious, some understandable. For alliteration and search engine optimization, we’ll call these “snubs,” though you’d have to be a true narcissist, say somebody who’d threaten to invade a country because he felt scorned over not winning a prize, to really take it personally.
Fortunately, Hollywood is free of ego, leaving us just to rationally contemplate the academy’s choices and examine the snubs and surprises of the nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, which will be presented on March 15.
Cynthia Erivo, left, and Ariana Grande in “Wicked: For Good.”
SNUB: “Wicked: For Good” (picture) The first “Wicked” earned 10 nominations last year, going on to win two Oscars. Surely, the sequel would be popular too. But the box office was down (more than $200 million globally), the reviews were mostly meh, and academy members took note. Duplicating the first movie’s Oscar haul was going to be a challenge, as some voters would naturally resist rewarding something they had just honored a year ago. And the material posed its own challenges, as the musical’s second act isn’t as fun or focused. But to go from 10 nominations to being completely shut out? What a difference a year makes.
SURPRISE: “F1” (picture) There’s a demographic in the motion picture academy affectionately known as “steak-eaters,” men in the autumn of their years who appreciate a good Dad Movie centered on old(ish) guys who most definitely know best. With membership broadening, this demo has lost a bit of its influence over the years. But the dudes can take a victory lap today, celebrating the nomination of Joseph Kosinski’s swaggering, vroom-vroom sports movie.
SNUB: “Avatar: Fire and Ash” (picture) The third “Avatar” movie has grossed $1.3 billion worldwide, which is impressive, though still about $1 billion behind 2022’s “Avatar: The Way of Water.” That movie, like the first one, was nominated for best picture. But “Fire and Ash” couldn’t even manage a nod from the Producers Guild, a group that operates from a bigger-the-better mentality. There’s a feeling of fatigue about the franchise, with even creator James Cameron giving the distinct impression that he’s ready to move on. Here’s another signal that it’s time.
SNUB: “It Was Just an Accident” (picture) The warning signs were there. Jafar Panahi’s searing (and often funny) social critique of authoritarianism did not fare well on the Oscar or BAFTA early lists. But with the current political climate and the alarming events transpiring in Panahi’s native Iran, it still felt like it’d make the best picture cut. Its absence feels like a big miss or, less charitably, a dereliction of duty.
Stellan Skarsgård, left, and Elle Fanning in a scene from director Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value.”
(Kasper Tuxen/Neon)
SURPRISE: Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value” (director) Trier seemed to be slipping down the ranks of contenders, but voters no doubt appreciated his film’s salty view of Hollywood as well as the way “Sentimental Value” subtly shifted between past and present, hope and hurt. Trier also earned an original screenplay nomination, repeating the success he enjoyed with his last movie, “The Worst Person in the World,” also starring Renate Reinsve.
SNUB: Guillermo del Toro, “Frankenstein” (director) Scorsese stumped for him, as did David Fincher, George Lucas and Jason Reitman. “It’s a remarkable work,” Scorsese said during a Q&A with Del Toro. “It stays with you. I dreamed of it.” The affable, movie-loving Del Toro has won many fans inside and outside the industry over the years, along with Oscars for directing and producing the 2017 best picture winner “The Shape of Water” and for “Pinocchio,” the enchanting 2022 movie that snagged animated feature. “Frankenstein” isn’t his best work, but Del Toro did snag a Directors Guild nod. And “Frankenstein” itself earned 9 Oscar nominations. The directors branch, though, went with Trier.
SNUB: Jafar Panahi, “It Was Just an Accident” (director) Panahi has had quite the year: He won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in May and was sentenced in December to one year in prison for “propaganda activities” related to his work. Both speak to the effectiveness of “It Was Just an Accident,” a withering critique of the cruelty and corruption of an authoritarian regime. Panahi did receive his first Oscar nomination, an original screenplay nod.
SURPRISE: Kate Hudson, “Song Sung Blue” (lead actress) Hudson’s winning turn in this sincere heart-warmer about a husband-wife Neil Diamond tribute act gave the actor her first nomination since her spectacular arrival a quarter-century ago in “Almost Famous.” “Song Sung Blue” had its own lane in this race, appealing to voters starved for the kind of sincere adult drama that studios once routinely made. And Hudson had a number of famous friends — Demi Moore, Reba McEntire and, of course, her mom, Goldie Hawn — hosting screenings and singing her praises. Maybe even singing some Neil Diamond songs. Who can resist? Not voters.
Chase Infiniti in “One Battle After Another.”
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
SNUB: Chase Infiniti, “One Battle After Another” (lead actress) Infiniti’s placement in the lead category, clearing the decks in supporting for co-star Teyana Taylor, raised a few eyebrows. She’s only in the movie for about half an hour, and though her character drives the action and ends the movie in spectacular fashion, that wasn’t enough in a category flush with weightier work.
SNUB: Amanda Seyfried, “The Testament of Ann Lee” (lead actress) For true believers in Seyfried’s frenzied work in Mona Fastvold’s story of devotion and delusion, it’s hard to shake this one off.
SNUB: Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked: For Good” (lead actress) Here’s the rub: The second half of “Wicked” no longer centers Erivo’s Elphaba. When she’s on the screen — and not wearing that sex cardigan — she’s still great, masterfully conveying Elphaba’s vulnerability and sadness. But in a competitive lead actress category, Erivo simply didn’t have the screen time to convince voters to give her an encore nomination.
SURPRISE: Delroy Lindo, “Sinners” (supporting actor) Lindo finally earned his first Oscar nomination, riding the wave of “Sinners’” record haul. His portrayal of the world-weary Mississippi bluesman Delta Slim was central to the movie’s exploration of life in the Jim Crow South and included a powerful monologue that told the story of the lynching of a fellow musician. The movie wouldn’t have been as special without it.
Paul Mescal in “Hamnet.”
(Agata Grzybowska / Focus Features)
SNUB: Paul Mescal, “Hamnet” (supporting actor) He played Shakespeare, but voters weren’t in love. How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless audience.
SNUB: Ariana Grande, “Wicked: For Good” (supporting actress) Grande functioned as a co-lead in the first “Wicked,” winning a supporting actress nomination last year, and took center stage in the sequel. But her Oscar fortunes waned as “Wicked: For Good” couldn’t replicate the spell the original cast on audiences. It’s possible too that, good as she is at light comedy, some voters didn’t buy Glinda’s transformation after spending nearly the entire movie betraying Elphaba at every turn. With friends like her, who needs enemies?
SURPRISE: Elle Fanning, “Sentimental Value” (supporting actress) SAG-AFTRA voters ignored the cast of “Sentimental Value” for the Actor Awards, but the ensemble came back in a big way with the academy. Fanning, playing an A-list American actress navigating the strained family dynamics of the auteur who hired her for his comeback, joined Reinsve, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Stellan Skarsgård among the nominees.
SNUB: Odessa A’zion, “Marty Supreme” (supporting actress) A’zion’s chances at a nomination seemed to rise along with the success of “Marty Supreme.” She picked up an Actor Award nomination earlier this month for playing Rachel, the film’s chaos-creating schemer. Oh well. Maybe we’ll see her at the Emmys later this year for her tumultuous turn as a Gen Z influencer in “I Love LA.”
SNUB: “No Other Choice” (international feature) Oscar voters have been resistant to Park Chan-wook in the past, ignoring the likes of “Decision to Leave” and “The Handmaiden.” But “No Other Choice,” a humane — and darkly comic — look at ugly things people can do when desperate felt like a potential breakthrough. Park will have to wait … again.
SANTA CLARA — Drake Maye did not wait long to earn a spot on the NFL’s grandest stage.
In only his second season, the New England Patriots’ quarterback led his team to the Super Bowl.
Now Maye, 23, will try to join four other second-year quarterbacks who won Super Bowl titles.
“I’m not too great at my history,” Maye said when asked if he knew the other second-year winners. “I know there’s been some young ones.”
Kurt Warner of the Rams, Tom Brady of the Patriots, Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks won titles in their second seasons.
Maye correctly identified the player he called “Big Ben.” Apprised that Brady, who won six of his seven Super Bowl titles with the Patriots, also was part of the group, Maye quipped, “Brady, he wasn’t a bad one either.”
On Sunday, Maye will lead the Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
It’s a “full-circle” moment, said Maye, who attended Super Bowl Bowl L at Levi’s Stadium with his father in 2016.
The Patriots are seeking their first title since the 2018 season, when they defeated the Rams in Super Bowl LII in Atlanta.
“The thing that makes it so special for me, at such a young age, is to cherish such a moment,” Maye said.
Maye has been nursing a right shoulder injury but he said he would be “just fine” for Sunday when the Patriots go against the Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense.
Maye is in the Super Bowl after making a huge leap from his rookie season.
The Patriots selected the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Maye out of North Carolina with the third pick in the 2024 draft. Under first-year coach Jerod Mayo, Maye passed for 15 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions, and rushed for 421 yards and two touchdowns for a team that finished 4-13.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye speaks during a news conference on Monday.
(Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)
Patriots owner Robert Kraft fired Mayo after the season and replaced him with Mike Vrabel, a former Patriots linebacker who won three Super Bowls with the team as a player and coached the Tennessee Titans to three playoff appearances in six seasons from 2018 to 2023.
Vrabel brought back Josh McDaniels, the offensive coordinator for three Patriots Super Bowl championship teams, and Maye flourished.
“Give a lot of credit to the people around me,” Maye said. “Coaches, players, new teammates, another year with people I did play with, and just finding confidence in myself.”
Maye completed a league-high and franchise-record 72% of his passes, 31 for touchdowns, with eight interceptions. He also rushed for 450 yards and four touchdowns while leading the Patriots to a 14-3 record and the AFC East title.
Maye is a finalist for NFL most valuable player and for offensive player of the year.
“It all starts with talent,” Vrabel said of Maye, adding, “He plays the position athletically, and that allows him to be accurate with the football, whether that’s in the pocket or extending plays. He … continues to build and develop as a leader, so his success and his performance is a large part of why we’re here.”
Receiver Kayshon Boutte concurred.
“It’s pretty much as simple as that,” he said.
The 2020 season that Cam Newton played for the Patriots provided “useful” material for designing an offense that took advantage of Maye’s mobility, McDaniels said. Maye’s ability to learn quickly and not repeat mistakes has helped him thrive.
“We’ve added a lot this year,” McDaniels said, “and I still think we’re just scratching the surface of where this is going.”
Receiver Stefon Diggs is Maye’s favorite target. The 11th-year pro caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns.
“To be that young and be that mature and be able to play at a high level is something I always wanted as a young player,” Diggs said. “He’s cool with all his teammates. … If you play football, you know. He has that quarterback mindset, that quarterback energy.
“Yeah, he’s cool.”
Tight end Hunter Henry said Maye embodies consistency as a person and a player.
“He’s got a routine, he works really hard, he wants to be great,” said Henry, a 10th-year pro. “He’s never really satisfied. He just wants to continue to improve.”
Maye helped lead the Patriots to playoff victories over the Chargers and the Houston Texans before defeating the Denver Broncos, 10-7, in the AFC championship game.
Containing Maye in the pocket will be a challenge, Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV said.
“Man, he can flat out run,” Jones said. “Can’t sleep on his speed. … When he gets out of the pocket, he’s running, running, running, and he just throws one.”
Patriots defensive lineman Milton Williams played last season for the Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles. Maye and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, he said, are similarly selfless.
“They never take any credit for anything they did even though they’re both special players,” Williams said. “It’s all about the team with those guys, and guys respect that and guys go out there and play hard for ‘em knowing they’re capable of taking games over and winning games in big moments.”
Maye appears ready for the moment. He is not thinking about age or experience going into the biggest game of his life.
“It’s winning the game,” he said, “and enjoying the time with my teammates.”
