show biz

Brace yourselves, BookTok: Bestselling romantasy author Sarah J. Maas just dropped the titles and covers for the sixth and seventh “A Court of Thorns and Roses” books.

Maas scrubbed her Instagram of all previous posts for the big reveal, and digital billboards in Los Angeles, Denver and New York City also broadcast the book news. In March, Maas announced on Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast that the two new books were on their way, ending a five-year drought since the fifth installment, “A Court of Silver Flames.”

The sixth book, “A Court of Splintered Harmony,” will hit bookshop shelves Oct. 27. According to news media materials, in the sixth installment of the romantasy phenomenon, “what was broken will be remade.” As Koschei the Deathless stirs from millennia-long captivity, powerful allies close in to reclaim the human lands. To counter the growing threat across Fae territories, Prythian’s fractured Night Court must overcome internal rifts and recent betrayals to restore former alliances.

And in the seventh book, “A Court of Forgotten Melody,” which is slated for publication Jan. 12, diplomacy is failing and traditional alliances are falling apart as the threat of Koschei the Deathless reaches a critical point. Desperate for any advantage, the Night Court’s Inner Circle must scatter far and wide to face emerging past enemies and salvage Prythian’s fragile peace.

The first installment of the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series was released in 2015, but the series garnered widespread popularity on BookTok during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. The books follow Feyre Archeron in the faerie lands of Prythian and her steamy love story with the High Lord of the Night Court, Rhysand.

Maas is one of the pioneers of the modern romantasy boom and widely credited with taking “fairy porn” or “faerie smut” into the mainstream. But Maas told Cooper in May that although she loves writing hot sex scenes, she has a bone to pick with people dismissing her work as “smut.”

“I find that there is a tendency for people to roll their eyes at things that bring women joy,” she told Cooper. “Anytime a woman writes something and there’s even a little hint of sex that’s not fade to black or very artistically mentioned, it’s like suddenly it devalues the work, and it doesn’t matter what else is in that book. … I don’t understand because you’re writing a thing that is so accurate to life, and sex is a part of life.”

Times staff writer Katie Simons contributed to this report.

STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse covers herself in glory as she poses for a magazine.

The 45-year-old is on the cover of the new edition of Women’s Health UK.

She tells how she transformed herself after a full body check-up, saying: “My doctor said, ‘Mrs Mabuse, you can’t continue like this.’

“My parents and grandparents have type 2 diabetes and I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant, and my doctor said, ‘The numbers show that you’re at risk.’

“He said, ‘If you want to stay healthy in the long term, we need to make some changes.’”

The full interview is available in the September issue of Women’s Health UK.

THIS MORNING MAKE OVER

This Morning star reveals different look as he watches The Weeknd

TOUGH TIME

Great British Bake Off winner reveals ‘frightening’ health diagnosis

Motsi has previously spoken about her health routine.

While many celebrities have been reaching for the fat jabs to drop the pounds, Motsi has opted for good, old-fashioned nutritious food and exercise.

And it’s not just looking her best on TV that has sparked her motivation to get fit. She has another unusual reason for wanting to get in shape, too.

“The main one is menopause,” she says.

“I hate the fact that every podcast or everything I see online about it is based on fearmongering. I’ve never heard anyone say, ‘Don’t worry, it’s not that bad!’

“I even asked Shirley Ballas. ‘Will it be OK?’ and she shook her head, saying, ‘No, it’s going to be a ride!’

“I am preparing for what may come,” Motsi explains. “I want to be ready. I’ve done an overhaul of my diet. I’m doing weights and building muscle. I’m eating nuts, fruit and salad.

“I’m going to the sauna three times a week, as it helps reduce your cortisol levels. I find ice baths are good for my mental health, too.”

Stephen A. Smith fired back at the National Assn. of Black Journalists on Monday, calling its decision to give him a “Thumbs Down” award, because of his consistent criticism of Black female politicians, a political and “personal hit job.”

In a 44-minute address on his YouTube channel, the outspoken sports commentator said that while he was “far from perfect and … will always try to do better on behalf of my community and for the journalism community and beyond, that does not negate the bulls— that the NABJ did.”

He added, “I’ve received a lot of insults in my day, but that might be the lowest.”

Smith said the award, which was given Saturday at the organization’s gala, had nothing to do with journalism, attributing the dishonor to board members unhappy with his political opinions. “They did not engage in journalism when it came to critiquing me,” he said.

“People are scared,” he added, calling himself a registered independent. “See, I talk too much and I don’t speak glowingly enough about the Democratic party.” He called out NABJ President Errin Haines, who is editor-at-large for the nonprofit news outlet the 19th, saying she and other board members did not reach out.

“What you did to me was beneath the organization,” Smith said.

He said he invited Haines to discuss the award on the air but she declined, saying she would prefer a private conversation off the air.

The NABJ pushed back on Smith‘s account of the conversation. “President Haines welcomed the opportunity to speak with Mr. Smith and proposed that they begin with a private conversation focused on listening, accountability and meaningful dialogue, with the opportunity for public engagement to follow,” it said Monday in a statement. “At no point did President Haines decline a conversation with Mr. Smith or rule out a future public conversation.”

Other recipients of the “Thumbs Down” award included Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission; DuJuan McCoy, Circle City Broadcasting president and chief executive; CBS News and the Washington Post.

The statement continued: “As President Haines emphasized in her remarks Saturday night, the purpose of the Thumbs Down Award is not permanent condemnation or criticism for criticism’s sake. Accountability should create an opportunity for reflection, dialogue and progress. NABJ remains open to meaningful engagement with any of this year’s recipients and will continue fulfilling its responsibility to advocate for Black journalists, fair and accurate coverage of Black communities, and a strong and independent press.”

In its presentation of the award, the NABJ said Smith “has established a recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports and media.”

The statement continued, “Such commentary reinforces harmful narratives, undermines the fair and respectful representation of Black women in public discourse and stands in direct conflict with NABJ’s longstanding commitment to accurate, responsible and inclusive portrayals of Black communities.”

Smith then took to social media vowing he would strike back: “This is the epitome of Christmas arriving early. The NABJ wants to call folks out, fine! You had your turn, now mine is coming. And make no mistake…..,I’m coming,” he wrote.

Smith has been increasingly vocal about his politics as he hints at a possible presidential run. His statements, bombastic delivery and occasional praise for President Trump have come under fire in Black media and with celebrities. He accused Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas last September of using “street verbiage” in her frequent criticisms of Trump. He also has been critical of former First Lady Michelle Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris, tennis star Serena Williams and others.

Smith defended those remarks Monday, saying he felt he was being fair and was supportive of the women. He declared that supporting Black women always has been a priority in his life.

“Everything I am, everything that I have achieved, everything that has lifted me up in my life has been associated with Black women. They have been my strength, my source of inspiration and so much more my entire life,” he said.

He added that he would not have been targeted by the Black media if he made the same sort of comments about conservative figures.

During his speech, he noted how the “Thumbs Down” award marked a reversal of NABJ’s previous embrace of him and his ESPN show “First Take,” when it hosted live broadcasts of the program during its 2024 and 2025 conventions. Smith also implied that instead of being hammered by the NABJ, he should be celebrated because he is about to be inducted into the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame.

The NABJ statement further outlined the history of the “Thumbs Down” award, saying it has been handed out 44 times since it was first presented in 1989. The designation holds “individuals and institutions across the media landscape accountable when their reporting, commentary or practices have conflicted with the organization’s mission and values. Recipients over the years have included Black and non-Black individuals and institutions. NABJ calls balls and strikes based on the conduct and issues before us, not the identity of the recipient.”

Despite his anger, Smith told listeners he had no ill will toward the organization. “Please continue to support the NABJ,” he said.

Hayden Panettiere spent much of her life in front of a camera, beginning her acting career before she was even a year old, starring in commercials. At the tender age of 4, she landed her big break with a recurring role on the ABC soap opera “One Life to Live,” which led to a role on another soap opera, CBS’ “Guiding Light.” Over the years, she performed in a number of films and TV series, landing notable roles that made her a staple of network television. In addition to her onscreen work, she did voice acting for animated films like “A Bug’s Life” and “Dinosaur,” as well as the video game franchises “Kingdom Hearts” and “Until Dawn.”

The actor, who died Sunday at 36, was a versatile performer whose no-nonsense attitude and vocal range added depth to roles. Here is a guide to some of her notable work.

‘Remember the Titans’

Disney’s 2000 sports drama was based on the real story of Herman Boone, a Black football coach who was installed as head coach at the desegregated T.C. Williams High School in Arlington, Va., and led the team to a perfect season and state championship. In the film, Panettiere plays Sheryl Yoast, the young daughter of coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton), whose job Boone is given by the school district to placate Black community members as racial tensions rise. Panettiere’s Sheryl makes an impression right away, with a fiery speech directed at an official who comes to tell Yoast that Boone will now be head football coach of T.C. Williams. “You can’t just walk in here and take my daddy’s job away,” she cries as she stomps away, but not before kicking said official in the back of the leg. Later, she understands the implications of the decision, even if it comes at the cost of her father’s selection into the high school football hall of fame, preferring to put the team and their teamwork first: “Bunch of old rednecks … Let’s knock ‘em dead at state, coach.” (Watch on Hulu and Disney+.) — Maira Garcia

‘Ice Princess’

In Disney’s 2005 film, Panettiere was a little too good at playing the popular mean girl. She was even better at playing the popular mean girl who lets her icy walls melt away to welcome in the new girl. As talented figure skater Gennifer Harwood, Panettiere faithfully portrayed the evolution of friendships — especially for young women — in highly competitive sports and the tension between young athletes and their well-intended, but overbearing parents. While Panettiere could stand on her own talents, her performance was even more memorable for the dynamic she shared with screen partner Michelle Trachtenberg. The latter played Casey, a student with Ivy League ambitions whose interest in physics brings her to the figure skating world. Trachtenberg died in 2025 at 39. (Watch on Disney+.) — Alexandra Del Rosario

‘Heroes’

Claire Bennet (Hayden Panettiere) with her father Noah (Jack Coleman), also known as H.R.G., in NBC’s “Heroes.”

(Chris Haston / NBC)

This superhero series was a hit from the moment it debuted in 2006. An international cast fueled a show that featured people gifted with superpowers around the world that had a mysteriously ominous connection. At its heart was Panettiere’s Claire Bennet. An unbreakable high school cheerleader, she embraced the role of hero, facing pushback from a shadowy government group, serial killers and a twisted family dynamic. Panettiere became the face of NBC’s freshman ensemble success story, and despite an industry work stoppage and dwindling fan support afterward, the show’s viral campaign — “Save the cheerleader, save the world” — centered her, and her character’s courage, on a bona fide fandom-generating ride that ended way too soon in 2010, after four seasons. (Watch on Netflix and Tubi.) — Jevon Phillips

‘Scream’ franchise

Hayden Panettiere at the premiere of “Scream VI” in New York City in 2023.

(Nina Westervelt / Variety via Getty Images)

The actor joined the hit horror franchise in 2011’s “Scream 4” as Kirby Reed, a Woodsboro High student who is a horror film buff. One of that film’s memorable scenes featured Kirby in a tense trivia telephone showdown with the Ghostface killer, rushing through the titles of several slasher films while attempting to save one of her friends.

Although Kirby was seemingly killed off, she returned as an FBI agent in 2023‘s “Scream VI” when the franchise continued with younger characters and moved its setting to New York. “Scream” fans cheered during an early screening when Panettiere’s character appeared — she and Courtney Cox were one of the few “Scream” veterans to return for the new film.

Panettiere’s hair was longer and her role was expanded in the new “Scream.” Kirby explained that she had survived the Ghostface attack: “I was technically dead for four minutes. When I was revived, I got mad … I wanted the monsters to be afraid of me.”

Kirby also engaged in another trivia back-and-forth with Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown) where they agreed on the best “Nightmare on Elm Street” (“the original”) and that “Psycho 2” was “underrated,” but disagreed on the best “Friday the 13th” sequel. Although she is investigating a new set of Ghostface killings, Kirby later becomes a prime suspect. (Watch all on Paramount+.) — Greg Braxton

‘Nashville’

In ABC’s “Nashville,” Juliette Barnes’ storyline was infused with personal struggles similar to Panettiere’s.

(Katherine Bomboy-Thornton / ABC)

Panettiere was noticeably more mature when she became a co-lead role in ABC’s “Nashville” as Juliette Barnes, a crossover singer with more than a few similarities to Taylor Swift. The music-flavored drama, which premiered in 2012, starred Connie Britton as country star Rayna Jaymes, whose career was on the downturn at the same time Barnes was climbing the charts.

The actor injects her “Nashville” character with a mix of sexiness, snark and edge as Barnes becomes rivals with Jaymes. When the two first meet in a dressing room during the pilot, Jaymes is gracious while Barnes is condescending.

Panettiere said in an interview that she was tense during that scene. particularly since it was the first time the two actors had met. She said she apologized to Britton repeatedly saying, “‘I am so sorry!’ Because it was our first experience together, and I didn’t want to step on toes. Sometimes it gets real, very real, you know?”

While filming the series, Panetierre gave birth to her daughter in 2014. She detailed her struggles with postpartum depression in interviews, saying the condition was “scary and needed to be talked about.” In the series, Barnes also suffered from postpartum depression during the show’s third and fourth seasons. (Watch on Pluto TV and Netflix.) — G.B.

‘Kingdom Hearts’

Square Enix’s beloved video game series was my personal introduction to Panettiere and her acting abilities. In the first two installments, Panettiere voiced the kind island kid turned princess Kairi for the games’ English dub. Before protagonist Sora’s (voiced by a young Haley Joel Osment) world descends into darkness, Panettiere’s Kairi is playful and tender early in “Kingdom Hearts 1.” In the slightly more complicated “Kingdom Hearts 2” Panettiere’s older Kairi is contemplative, defiant and desperate to help all her friends. Kairi’s scenes are often accompanied by the powerful score from composer Yoko Shimomura, amplifying the emotion that has driven the games’ fanbase for more than two decades.

“Don’t ever forget. Wherever you go, I’m always with you,” Panettiere’s Kairi says in a memorable cut scene. — A.D.R.

Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was gunned down near the Las Vegas Strip in a killing that rocked the rap world, the trial of the man prosecutors allege did everything but pull the trigger got underway Monday with new revelations.

Nevada prosecutors allege Duane “Keffe D” Davis, a one-time Compton gang member, orchestrated Shakur’s killing as revenge for an attack on his nephew hours earlier and are using Davis’ own words in interviews and a book he co-authored as evidence.

In opening statements, prosecutors said an ugly gang rivalry on the streets of Compton led to the slaying of Shakur, a famed rapper and actor, who died six days after he was shot.

The Sept. 7, 1996, shooting, they said, was rooted in a war between Southside Crips-Burris Street, led by Davis, and Mob Piru, a gang long associated with Death Row Records. Shakur was closely affiliated with Death Row, and the record company’s boss, Marion “Suge” Knight, was inside his car the night he was attacked.

In court testimony Monday, it was revealed that Shakur was conscious after the shooting en route to the hospital but did not cooperate with authorities.

The first witness, Garry Dale, a Las Vegas Metro police officer, testified that he saw Shakur pulled out of the car with gunshot wounds and rode in the ambulance with him.

When he asked Shakur who shot him, the rapper replied, “‘No, we’ll take care of it,’” Dale said. “I couldn’t get him to talk any further.”

Duane “Keffe D” Davis is accused of murder in the 1996 killing of hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur.

(Steve Marcus / Associated Press)

The incident, according to Clark County Chief Deputy Dist. Atty. Binu Palal, followed a violent confrontation at a Mike Tyson fight earlier that night in Las Vegas. Palal showed video of Shakur’s entourage attacking Davis’ nephew Orlando Anderson. Travon Lane, a Mob Piru member, had spotted Anderson in the MGM Grand hotel lobby. Months earlier, Anderson stole Lane’s Death Row Records chain in the Lakewood mall during an attack.

The rivalry between the groups grew after the Southside Crips became the West Coast security for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ record label, prosecutors said.

“Let’s be clear, Duane Davis did not pull the trigger. But he did plan the shooting in retaliation of the beating of his nephew,” Palal said. “Remarkably, you will learn that from Duane Davis himself.”

Palal noted that Shakur’s shooting was followed by numerous slayings in Compton, including that of an 11-year-old girl.

“In this world, silence means survival,” Palal said. “The one person who has had a hard time being silent is Duane Davis.”

The prosecutor played parts of an interview with a Los Angeles Police Department federal task force in 2008 in which Davis acknowledged his role in the rapper’s fatal shooting. They also cited other interviews as well as his own memoir.

The prosecutor said Davis got the gun from Eric Zip Martin, an East Coast drug dealer associated with Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment.

“He admits putting the gun he obtained that night in the back seat of the vehicle so the shooters could shoot,” the prosecutor said. “You will learn that Duane Davis got the gun. … You will learn that he got into a white Cadillac. You will learn when the opportunity presented itself for retribution, Duane Davis made sure that the shooter was armed and ready to execute their revenge.”

Palal said Davis and his crew set out in search of Knight and Shakur. In multiple accounts, including in his book “Compton Street Legend,” Davis wrote that they spotted the Death Row caravan stopped at a red light, with Shakur waving to female fans while hanging out of the BMW window.

“Tupac, he gave himself away,” Davis said in the recording played in court. “Otherwise, they would’ve got away.”

Davis was arrested in 2023 and indicted for masterminding the killing and providing the gun.

Rapper Tupac Shakur is show at Club Amazon in New York on July 23, 1993.

(Al Pereira / Getty Images)

Michael Sanft, Davis’ defense attorney, told jurors there will be no evidence linking his client to the shooting.

“There are no facts to point to Keffe — not one,” he said. “You’re going to hear about this over and over again.”

Sanft recounted decades of probes and noted that prior investigations did not take his client’s statements seriously because they were not credible. “He treats that book like it’s fact,” Sanft said of a lead detective in the case. The defense attorney, in an unusual move, repeatedly undermined his own client’s credibility.

Sanft portrayed Las Vegas police as incompetent, with lost records, and the LAPD and then Compton police as corrupt.

“What facts do they have to put Keffe D in a car in 1996? When you look at the video in 1996, do you see Keffe D?” he added, referencing the lobby beating.

Sanft said Death Row’s security chief was Reggie Wright Jr., a felon and former Compton police officer whose father led the Compton police gang unit. He said the former officer was not with Knight and ordered his security team not to carry firearms. The defense lawyer cast Davis’ memoir as fiction and said there was no evidence his client was in Las Vegas.

The prosecutor, however, told jurors that Davis, from 1998 to 2023, made several incriminating statements and, in 1998, admitted to the FBI to being in Las Vegas at the time of Shakur’s slaying.

Davis, according to prosecutors, told investigators during a secret meeting he “was mad about Orlando Anderson’s beating” and he was the boss who got the firearm and was in the white Cadillac. When Greg Kading, an LAPD detective who led the task force, left policing and later published a book revealing Davis’ role, it made Davis want to go public, according to the prosecution.

“Greg Kading is profiting off Duane Davis’ life story,” Palal said. By the time the book was released, the others who were allegedly in the car the night of the shooting were dead. Anderson was killed and Smith passed away. In 2019, after a series of interviews, Davis published his own book, which, full of bravado, gave a similar account of Shakur’s killing as that of the federal task force. The prosecutor then played an interview from the time of the book’s release, in which Davis justified his actions.

Rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight appears in court in 2018 in an unrelated case.

(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Ingrid Stokes, one of four women in a car that had been following Shakur the night of the attack testified that she freaked out and screamed, then fled the scene, telling police she “didn’t see anything” because “snitches get stitches.”

A third witness who testified Monday, former Las Vegas Metro Det. Brent Becker, said he interviewed Knight about the beating in the MGM Grand lobby, and Knight said he basically “didn’t know anything.” By 1997, detectives suspected that Davis was in the Cadillac that opened fire on Shakur, he testified.

Davis, now 63, has pleaded not guilty to murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang. In recent weeks, he’s denied being in the Cadillac or Las Vegas that night and, in interviews with Las Vegas TV stations, blamed a former head of Death Row Records security.

“I had nothing to do with nobody’s murder,” he told interviewers.

Prosecutors are expected to call witnesses to support Davis’ claims from over the years. Davis’ lawyers will seek to portray him as a fabricator — his bragging is all fiction. Davis has done the same with Las Vegas reporters.

“I did not write the book; a ghostwriter wrote that book,” Davis said in a recent jailhouse interview. “I was trying to make my family some money.”

Get ready to ride.

Marvel Studios’ “Ghost Rider” reboot has an official release date. The movie, which will star Ryan Gosling as the eponymous fiery, supernatural motorcyclist, will hit theaters July 28, 2028. The project was first announced during Marvel’s Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con in July.

“Ghost Rider” will be directed by “Deadpool & Wolverine’s” Shawn Levy from a script written by Jonathan Tropper. Levy and Gosling are currently working together on “Star Wars: Starfighter,” the upcoming Lucasfilm title starring the “Barbie” actor as Kade Auberon — a mysterious starfighter pilot “from the wrong side of the galaxy.” “Starfighter,” which will debut May 28, 2027, was also written by Tropper.

Marvel’s 2028 slate also includes “X-Men,” which is scheduled to hit theaters May 5, and “Black Panther 3” for Dec. 15.

As confirmed during Disney’s D23 fan event, the “X-Men” cast includes Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Christopher Abbott as Professor Charles Xavier, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Storm and Adam Driver as Nathaniel Milbury, also known as Mr. Sinister. Jake Schreier will direct the movie.

“Black Panther 3,” meanwhile, will introduce David Jonsson as the new King of Wakanda. In addition to filmmaker Ryan Coogler, actors Letitia Wright and Winston Duke are returning for the third “Black Panther” installment.

The three 2028 titles offer a glimpse into the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s future in the aftermath of “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.”

Marvel’s superhero multiverse is set for a massive shakeup in the mega crossover that will see heroes from multiple dimensions — including members of the Fantastic Four, X-Men and Avengers — facing a powerful new threat. “Doomsday” will bow Dec. 18, followed by “Secret Wars” on Dec. 17, 2027.

Motsi Mabuse had a tough time with her health in 2025 but is feeling better and move positive about life and her body

Motsi Mabuse says she has begun a health routine in the run up to Strictly Come Dancing returning. The judge on the hit BBC show, 45, says she does her best to look good for the cameras, without putting too much pressure on herself.

She said: “I’ll eat healthily, I’ll swim – and it’s not about dieting, it’s about giving back to my body. I expect so much from my body. I expect it to perform, to be a mum, to work, to travel, to dance. When I step on to the beach, I’ll be like, ‘Body, now it’s your turn.’”

She added: “I have to remind myself to have love for my body. If I see somebody with a six-pack, I’ll channel my mind: ‘You’re healthy, you’re doing the best you can for your body.’”

Motsi also opened up about the impact of perimenopause after she started experiencing symptoms last year. She says it has impacted her body and mind in the last 12 months, and she struggled to cope with the changes.

She told Women’s Health UK: “I’d go: ‘Which Motsi am I meeting today? Is it the one who’s going to make me cry? Is it the one who’s happy? Is it the one who doesn’t want to see anyone?’.

“You wake up every day discovering a new side of yourself. That’s menopause…I noticed a complete shift in my energy levels and I started having pain in my knees.

“I had moments when I thought, ‘I’m not feeling [okay] in my body, I’m not comfortable with myself’…I love dancing with my husband, I love moving – and I couldn’t do that any more. It was making me unhappy.”

Struggling Motsi had a health assessment, which showed a range of issues, including high cortisol and inflammation. She said: “We did a full-body check-up and my doctor said, ‘Mrs Mabuse, you can’t continue like this.’

“My parents and grandparents have type 2 diabetes and I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant, and my doctor said, ‘The numbers show that you’re at risk.’ He said, ‘If you want to stay healthy in the long term, we need to make some changes.’” She also urged other women to get checked out to push to get better healthcare and not feel guilty about doing so.

Motsi added: “I have a deep sense of empathy and pain for women because they’re never going to get it right. Women are shamed all their lives and I’m not here to shame anyone.

“I have very close friends who need the help of GLP-1 and I’m not going to make them feel guilty…For me, this journey was never about becoming smaller. It was about becoming stronger. That’s my message to women: live your life. Do what you need to do to get healthy. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.”

* The full interview is available in the September issue of Women’s Health UK.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

LEE Andrews’ jail is allegedly facing an outbreak of a very itchy disease, which is said to be ‘spreading like wildfire’ amongst inmates.

The husband of Katie Price – who The Sun recently exposed as a conman in an explosive dossier – has been locked up in Dubai’s Al-Awir prison since last month, and is thought to remain behind bars.

As if things couldn’t be worse for the self-proclaimed ‘millionaire businessman’, it’s now been said that a disease is making its way around the notorious prison.

This was claimed in a new joint podcast between Lee’s ex, Alana Percival, and a social media account which goes by ‘The Chaos Corner’.

The woman behind Chaos Corner said during the episode: “Do you know what’s happening in jail?

“They call it, the inmates in there call it ‘The Itchies’, so, they call it The Itchies and it’s spreading like wildfire in the prison and loads of people have got it.”

Read more on Katie and Lee

PRICE FIXING

Why Katie Price & former manager Claire Powell have ended their 17-year feud

LEE’S LIFE

Lee Andrews is ‘still in jail and hated by fed-up inmates over constant lies’

As Alana then asked what the disease actually was, her co-host replied that it started off as a rash between the fingers before going ‘scaly’ and spreading.

She then said it was ‘1000% scabies’, going on to joke that Lee would be leaving prison with the skin condition.

Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by microscopic mites that lay eggs on the upper level of skin.

The prison Lee is serving time in is the notorious Al Awir prison in Dubai, which is described as the UAE’s ‘Alcatraz’ and previously said to be ‘lice ridden’.

Lee’s ex, Alana, who was on the podcast, was his most recent partner before Katie – with Lee proposing to her just four months before marrying the former glamour model.

His current stint in jail is Lee’s second time behind bars this year, with Katie remaining in the UK and yet to speak out on the situation.

She flew straight back into his arms following his last release from prison, but has remained more silent this second time around.

Katie is, however, still wearing her wedding ring after placing it back on this week despite being spotted without it just days before.

MADISYN Shipman has shown off her stunning curves in a very tiny bikini.

The former Nickelodeon child star, now 23, lounged outside in a $655 Burberry bikini while boasting about doing “absolutely nothing.”

“Currently unavailable… I’m busy doing absolutely nothing,” she captioned her hot photos.

She also showed off her new short haircut, encouraging her fans, “Girl, cut the bob!”

After her spending her childhood starring on Nickelodeon kids’ show Game Shakers, Madisyn released her own music and later ditched Hollywood entirely.

Now, she works as a nutritionist, according to her Instagram bio.

She also now is a content creator for Playboy, posting sexy photos with the mens’ magazine.

“Over the years I’ve really evolved into a space that’s more about personal growth, wellness, and being authentic online,” she recently told Naluda magazine.

“I’m a certified nutrition and wellness coach, and I’m passionate about helping people feel good from the inside out, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

“Right now, I’m focusing on my music career that blends real-life experiences with empowerment while also posting content that’s honest, a little unfiltered, and hopefully makes people feel less alone.”

EastEnders’ Sean Slater is back on the BBC soap with actor Rob Kazinsky soon reprising the role for fresh drama and ‘heartfelt chaos’ while the reason for his comeback is under wraps

Sean Slater is returning EastEnders, the BBC soap has confirmed.

Actor Rob Kazinsky will reprise his role, with it expected to be a full-time appearance. The show has not revealed how long he is back, with no suggestion it will be a small stint like his previous returns.

Instead, the soap has teased a mystery storyline will trigger his comeback, with actor Rob pictured on set. His character Sean was last seen in 2022 briefly, having made an earlier return a year earlier in 2021.

Prior to this, Sean’s first comeback after years away from Walford came in 2019, 10 years after he left the Square for good in 2009. The popular character will rejoin the Slaters later this year, with his reasons for heading back to the show set to become clear closer to his arrival.

Actor Rob has teased “heartfelt chaos” when he heads back, while the soap also promised more drama from the character. A statement read: “Sean returns later this year, and if his previous stints are anything to go by, it’s only a matter of time before Sean will find himself embroiled in drama.”

On returning to EastEnders, actor Rob said he is happy to be back and exploring who Sean is all these years later. He said: “I left EastEnders in 2008 as a 23-year-old boy and was lucky to spend the next 19 years of my life working around the world.

“Always championing EastEnders and stating the fact that one day I wanted to walk in Sean’s Shoes again. But this time as a man to see who Sean the man might also be.

“I wanted to do it for Sean, I wanted to do it for the fans that have supported me in every role since I left the Square but, mostly, I wanted to do it for me. I’m home, and I can’t wait to bring a new level of heartfelt chaos to Albert Square in the way only Sean Slater can.”

Executive Producer of EastEnders Ben Wadey also teased what cans can expect from Sean being back onscreen. Ben shared: “I’m delighted to welcome Rob Kazinsky back to EastEnders as he reprises the role of Sean Slater later this year.

“Sean Slater was a big part of the Slater family and as viewers will already know, where Sean goes, drama is not far behind.” More will be revealed soon about when Sean will come back and why he’s returning to Walford.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance has asked a judge to force California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and his coalition of 11 other states to prepare to set aside as much as $1.9 billion as the Warner Bros. Discovery merger challenge heads into overtime.

In Monday’s court filing, Paramount requested the plaintiff states, including New York, Colorado, Oregon and Nevada, as well as the Writers Guild of America, post a bond that would cover the “ticking fees” Paramount promised to pay Warner shareholders should the deal stretch beyond its anticipated September close.

Ellison was confident his proposed Warner takeover would sail through its regulatory clearances. President Trump’s Justice Department approved the merger in June, as have dozens of other countries.

The states would not be required to pay the full $1.9 billion upfront. Instead, they would have to come up with a portion of that amount by Sept. 30. Should the Democrat state attorneys general and WGA lose their lawsuits, they would ultimately have to pay the full amount.

Monday’s court filing highlights Ellison’s frustrations and the financial pressures that deal delays will bring the media company. The filing also continues Paramount’s full-court political pressure campaign to get Bonta and the other states to abandon their antitrust lawsuit.

Paramount did not expect such a spirited challenge from Bonta and the 11 other Democratic state attorneys general who banded together with the WGA to try to block the $111-billion merger of two historic Hollywood studios.

Paramount’s 23-page filing, signed by former high profiile federal prosecutor Danielle Sassoon, was intended to rattle the states.

Paramount is trying to create divisions among the plaintiff states by prompting them to question their resolve in fighting a protracted and potentially expensive legal battle, according to a person familiar with Paramount’s strategy who was not authorized to speak publicly.

Because WGA has separately sued to unravel the deal, Paramount has asked the judge to have the union post a bond to cover some of the costs, too.

In its motion, Paramount cited the Clayton Antitrust Act, which is the foundation for Bonta’s lawsuit. The law carries a provision to require plaintiffs to post a bond to cover the potential financial harms of halting a transaction.

The bond gives a defendant, in this case Paramount, a way to recover lost funds should they ultimately prevail in court.

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín will be asked to rule on the request during a Wednesday court hearing.

“We have satisfied all closing conditions under our merger agreement, having received regulatory clearances from 68 jurisdictions,” Paramount said in a statement. “These two lawsuits are the only barrier to closing this transaction.”

Paramount is incurring considerable legal fees and deal-related costs.

The company cited a potential eight-month merger delay because Martínez-Olguín scheduled the trial for March 2. If the case goes to trial, it might not be decided until next May.

At issue are the “ticking fees” that Paramount in February agreed pay to Warner investors should the merger be delayed . Paramount agreed to pay $.25 a share for every quarter until the acquisition finalizes.

The fees add up to $7 million a day, or $650 million per quarter.

Paramount is facing a June 4 deadline to close the deal. That’s when Warner Bros. Discovery can demand a $7-billion break-up fee.

Paramount wants to get the deal done as soon as possible, and with the approval of Mexican regulators last week, only Bonta and the states’ lawsuit stands in their way.

Paramount also is cognizant of shifting winds in Washington should Democrats regain control of Congress in November, which could bring fresh scrutiny to the merger .

Ticking fees weren’t the only costs of the extended timeline.

“There will be no integration and no ramped-up investment in content, production, and creative talent by the combined company,” Paramount said . “Employees of both Paramount and WBD are also harmed by the uncertainties caused by the delay.”

Last week, the Directors Guild of America and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees — which represent a combined 200,000 union members — waded into the clash over the merger, which continues to carve deep divisions throughout the industry.

“We remain confident that plaintiffs’ case is without merit and will defend our pro-competitive transaction in court,” Paramount said. “We look forward to closing this transaction and delivering its benefits to consumers and entertainment industry workers in California, the United States and around the world.”

The Let’s Marry Harry star has addressed speculation about his marriage to Amber Mozo

Fans aren’t buying his explanation.

Netflix’s latest reality TV sensation follows 20 women competing for Harry Jowsey’s heart. You may recognise the famed bachelor from other hit programmes like Perfect Match and Too Hot to Handle, and this new series tracks his hunt for a wife.

After weeks of living with his “fiancées,” Harry finally narrowed it down to Dannelle Davidson and Amber Mozo. He ultimately tied the knot with Amber in the season finale, admitting that he loves her “confidence and how she thinks about the world“.

Despite exchanging vows in a sweet ceremony, viewers were quick to point out that the couple didn’t legally get married. This has only fuelled rumours that they split up before the show aired.

Australian star Harry has now set the record straight, revealing that their wedding involved real marriage certificates but they haven’t been submitted yet.

He told Entertainment Tonight: “When we filmed the show, there were certificates, but they weren’t submitted, because it would have ruined the show. They’re out there. I just don’t know where they are, when they’re getting submitted.”

Reality TV fans have been known to dig up marriage certificates for their favourite shows, including Love Is Blind, which sometimes spoils the outcome of the series.

While Harry claims the certificates have been kept private to prevent spoiler leaks, viewers are convinced this is further proof he is no longer with Amber.

Commenting under Entertainment Tonight’s interview clip, one fan said: “They not together anymore that’s why.”

Someone else shared the same opinion, adding: “They broke up! See y’all for season two same time next year.”

Yet another fan chimed in with: “You’d think they’d both share pics and videos together on their timeline now that we know who he chose and…nothing.”

Amber and Harry didn’t post loved-up snaps on their social media pages after their marriage was confirmed, which has naturally left fans suspicious.

But other viewers believe the reality stars are just trying to ramp up anticipation for the upcoming reunion episode.

“I just LOVE how all these ppl know the outcome already and how they THINK they know Harry personally. y’all c’mon they gotta make it suspenseful and keep u interested,” commented one.

Harry and Amber’s current relationship status will be revealed in Netflix’s forthcoming reunion special, streaming on Wednesday, August 26.

Let’s Marry Harry is streaming on Netflix.

The Motion Picture Assn. has struck its first agreement with an artificial intelligence company, saying Monday that ByteDance has strengthened copyright guardrails into its AI video and image tools that drew legal threats from every major Hollywood studio in February.

ByteDance, a Chinese company, is the former majority owner of TikTok’s U.S. operations.

The MPA, the trade association that lobbies for major studios such as Disney, Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment, said it has had constructive engagement with ByteDance over the last several months to rein in Seedance, a text-to-video generation tool, and Seedream, which produces images using text commands.

“Today’s agreement illustrates our belief that copyright is a cornerstone of the film and television industry – and reinforces our commitment to protect creative content,” said MPA Chairman and Chief Executive Charles Rivkin.

MPA declined to share the specific guardrails in the agreement.

The agreement comes as some studios have expressed concerns about AI models training on their copyrighted material without permission or compensation. In February, MPA issued a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance, alleging Seedance 2.0 was trained on copyrighted material and generating unauthorized videos featuring characters such as “SpongeBob SquarePants” and visuals replicating a scene from sci-fi series “Stranger Things” without studios’ permission. It was the first time the MPA had filed a cease-and-desist letter to a major AI firm.

“ByteDance is engaged in pervasive and widespread infringement of our members’ valuable intellectual property that it must stop immediately,” MPA’s global general counsel Karyn Temple wrote in a Feb. 20 letter to ByteDance’s global general counsel John Rogovin.

ByteDance in response said it was taking steps to strengthen its safeguards to prevent unauthorized use of IP or likeness.

Since then, ByteDance has released Seedream 5.0 Pro and Seedance 2.5, which reflect “ByteDance’s continued advances in IP protections,” the tech company and MPA said in a news release.

“ByteDance respects the intellectual property rights that underpin creative industries around the world, and we believe responsible innovation in AI goes hand in hand with meaningful protections for rightsholders,” ByteDance’s Rogovin said in the statement.

Seedance has emerged as a leader in AI tools among some indie filmmakers, who say it is more cost-effective than other options. AI tech companies are eager to find ways to partner with studios to make their tools better, but are also facing competition from rivals to gain more customers as quickly as possible. That has caused some companies to quickly launch their AI products without first putting in more mechanisms to prevent images from appearing without copyright holders’ permission.

A YOUNG rock bassist in Australia has revealed he only months to live after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Jordan Brunoli, 29, is the bass guitarist for Brisbane-based band Bugs and last year was told he had colorectal cancer.

The rocker gave a devastating update that after trying all kinds of medical interventions he was told in June that his prognosis was terminal, with him having between three to four months to live.

“I have spent over a year now trying different chemotherapy drugs, backed by an amazing oncologist and treatment team,” Jordan wrote on the band’s Instagram. 

“Unfortunately I have a mutation that causes rapid growth of tumours, and none of the treatments have been able to stop the cancer from spreading. I am now entering the final chapter of my life after being told in June I had a prognosis of 3-4 months.”

Jordan vowed to live his life to the fullest and thanked his bandmates, Connor Brooker and Brock Weston and the wider Bugs team for rallying around him to record their latest album, Head Noise.

SAVING LIVES

Bowel cancer tests up 50% as NHS chiefs praise Dame Deborah James’ campaign

WES STREETING

New improved NHS bowel cancer test is quick & simple – but impact is HUGE

“I’m forever grateful for the support from Con, Brock and our OG Bugs team who have banded together to indulge my wish, to release our album and play some shows before I go,” he wrote.

“Head Noise means so much to me. I can’t wait for you to hear the whole album.

“We’ve worked on it for the last 2 years, through the good and the bad. We kept recording when I was recovering from surgery, sick from chemo, even when I had neuropathy so bad I couldn’t feel the guitar I was playing.”

He added: “My focus has always been on enjoying the music and sharing it with others.

“Playing, recording and touring around Australia with Bugs has been the opportunity of a lifetime. I just wanna say, if there were a few final shows coming up, you can bet your ass I’ll be playing them.”

Jordan concluded: “Thank you everyone, and watch me enjoy the f**k out of the rest of my life.”

The bassist revealed his cancer diagnosis last year and explained it was at stage 4 because it had spread to his liver and lymph nodes.

Jordan had surgery to remove part of his bowel and got a permanent stoma before beginning chemotherapy.

Bugs launched a fundraiser at the time to help pay his medical bills and to cover his living costs while he couldn’t work.

The musician used his platform to raise awareness about bowel cancer and its rise amongst people under 50.

I’m confident that I’ll make my way through The Times’ best breakfast burrito list and devour another couple dozen worthy candidates before I’ll ever have the chance to ride on that chronically delayed LAX people mover.

“Ninety-nine percent done”? Sounds like the answer my kids would give me the night before a big homework assignment was due.

Maybe our next breakfast burrito list can be “Best breakfast burritos near John Wayne Airport.” Or Hollywood Burbank. Or Long Beach. The possibilities are endless. No doubt we have got time until that “one percent” gets checked off.

I’m Glenn Whipp, columnist for the Los Angeles Times, host of the Envelope newsletter, and the guy pondering a “DTF Los Angeles” where the characters inch along the LAX horseshoe, kindling all manner of sinister thoughts.

Cover story: ‘DTF St. Louis’

(Erik Carter / For The Times)

Are TV viewers a little more judgmental when it comes to complicated women?

Linda Cardellini would always know where someone was on their “DTF St. Louis” viewing journey based on their vibe when they approached her.

“If they were halfway through the show, they usually weren’t warming up to Carol and you could feel that energy,” Cardellini says, talking with me for a recent Envelope cover story on the limited series. “But if they were through with the show, that energy changed. Sometimes you could tell they felt bad that they didn’t like her in the first place.”

Carol, as you know if you’ve watched “DTF,” the season’s best limited series, is an overworked suburban mother forced to umpire Little League games because her job at Purina doesn’t pay enough to cover the bills. She’s married to gentle giant Floyd (David Harbour), an ASL interpreter and a sensitive stepfather to her son. But it’s a sexless marriage, so she turns to local weatherman Clark (Jason Bateman), who possesses a vitality long absent in her husband.

“DTF St. Louis” is ostensibly a murder mystery. Floyd dies in the first episode. Writer-director Steven Conrad employs a fair bit of misdirection, pointing our suspicions first to Clark and then to Carol. Since money is tight and Floyd had an insurance policy, Carol is a logical enough person of interest. We learn that she has a criminal record. And she was cheating.

“When I was reading the episodes, I thought, ‘Oh, OK. It’s going to be Carol, even though there’s so many clues telling you that it’s not her,” Cardellini says. “But we’re conditioned to think that. Like, ‘She had to be after the money,’ even though she never accepts any gifts as she’s struggling financially. Everyone just believed the worst in her.”

Granted, Carol could be a little brusque with service workers, and her passive-aggressive approach to police questioning (“Can you speak up?”) was a master class in control and manipulation that I plan to use if I’m ever interrogated for some crime I’m sure I did not do. (Unless it’s somehow related to picking someone up at LAX. Then all bets are off.)

Reviews for “DTF” too often would note how it’s a poignant look at male loneliness in the suburbs when, in fact, Carol is the most isolated character on the show.

“Carol is immensely lonely, but she’s so burdened by the heavy demand of keeping this household afloat that she doesn’t have the luxury to notice that she doesn’t have a friend,” says Conrad. “The job of bailing water is hers alone.”

In that respect, Carol brings to mind Skyler White on “Breaking Bad” and Carmela Soprano from “The Sopranos,” forlorn women dealing with the man-child they married and getting flak from viewers for being a killjoy.

By the end of “DTF,” we find we should have been on Carol’s side all along.

“It’s a beautiful magic trick,” says co-star Bateman.

Just the latest feat of illusion from the talented Cardellini, one that could result in her first Emmy win next month.

BBC’s hit thriller Vigil will soon be back on screens with a new trailer available to whet fans’ appetites

TV fans won’t have long to wait for the return of Suranne Jones’ acclaimed BBC thriller.

A third series of Vigil is set to arrive over the bank holiday weekend, with the six-part drama premiering on BBC iPlayer and BBC One from Sunday, August 30.

The latest trailer offers a glimpse at the dangerous new case DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre must solve.

Played by Jones and Rose Leslie, the two detectives are once again at the centre of an investigation which takes them far from home. This time, they travel to a remote Arctic research station after a member of a secret British special forces operation is discovered dead from a gunshot wound.

What initially appears to be a murder investigation soon develops into a potentially explosive international situation. With nations increasingly competing for influence over the Arctic and its resources as the polar climate changes, Amy and Kirsten must work quickly to uncover the truth before tensions escalate.

Their investigation will not only put them up against a potentially dangerous killer but could also have serious consequences for their own careers and relationship. As events begin to spiral, the pair are forced to reconsider who they can rely on.

Alongside Jones and Leslie, Dominic Mafham will return as Sir Ian Downing, while Gary Lewis is back as DSU Robertson, who remains closely involved with Amy and Kirsten’s work.

The third series also brings a number of new faces to the drama. Jeppe Beck Laursen plays Henrick Becken, the Chief of Police in Svalbard, while Naomi Yang takes on the role of Shen Jia, a microbiologist.

Tornike Gogrichiani appears as Russian Colonel Fyodor, with Steven Miller and Benjamin Wainwright playing Special Boat Service operators Mark Cunningham and Oli Pickford.

Danusia Samal joins the cast as Jasmine Kelly, who works alongside Sir Ian Downing, while Eric Godon plays Mayor Korotayev and Amy Manson stars as geologist Lorna McCallister alongside a brilliant cast.

The latest instalment of Vigil consists of six 60-minute episodes and has been produced by World Productions in partnership with ITV Studios for the BBC. The production company is known for dramas including Line of Duty, Until I Kill You and Showtrial.

Filming for the new series took place in Svalbard and Scotland, helping to create the remote and unforgiving setting at the heart of the story.

The new trailer promises another tense chapter for Amy and Kirsten, with a murder in the Arctic setting the detectives on a dangerous path involving international rivalry, hidden agendas and a race to discover who can be trusted.

With their investigation carrying consequences that extend well beyond the murder itself, the third series looks set to deliver another high-stakes mystery when Vigil returns to screens.

Two episodes of Vigil will be available weekly on BBC iPlayer from Sunday 30th August, with the series airing Sunday and Monday nights at 9pm on BBC One from this date.

It’s no secret that Hollywood has dealt with a significant production downturn since the end of the streaming content boom three years ago. But the programs that have stuck to the Southland have reaped the benefits. And that goes for a slew of major-category Emmy nominees such as “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” which has filmed on stages all over L.A. County since its inception.

“First and foremost, it’s the people. I love the local people, but the people that come to Hollywood with a dream, with a drive, and their dreams sometimes get all twisted and turned, but they still have that ambition,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race” executive producer Tom Campbell says. “That’s why I love working with L.A. crews, and I love L.A. We’ve got 19 seasons in the can right now, and we’re about to start our 20th in not too long. To be with people that get to go home to their pets, or wives, or husbands, or children, makes for a different vibe on set. That’s kind of an incredible [bonus]. It’s a quality-of-life thing.”

Other iterations of the franchise have filmed all over the globe, from Colombia to Portugal to the Philippines, but Campbell doesn’t see how a hub in South America would allow guest judges such as Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Teyana Taylor or Cardi B to appear in person. He notes, “The celebrities don’t make or break the show, but the stars have to align that they have a day off when we’re shooting. And I think that kind of access and availability could only happen in L.A. I don’t think we’d get Cardi B for a day if she had to leave L.A.”

For “Drag Race” production designer Jen Chu, the ability to acquire raw materials in a short period of time is game-changing. She bluntly observes, “Sometimes you just need the assurance that you can go down the street and get that unusual prop or get that super-specific acrylic Plexi or anything that we could possibly need. It is somewhere in the city.”

Michelle Visage, left, RuPaul, Jamal Sims and Carson Kressley in “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

(Jordin Althaus / World of Wonder)

Chu’s 15-person team also has an encyclopedic knowledge about where to get what they need and whom to ask at a moment’s notice. “It’s very, very common for somebody to be like, ‘Can you make a giant six-foot-tall pill bottle by tomorrow?’” she adds. “I think in those situations, we’re definitely calling on our resources and our friends and colleagues that we’ve known for so long. So, it could be anything from calling your laminate dealer that you’ve had in your phone for 20 years, or it’s literally like calling another dresser because you know that they have a life-size teapot in their backyard for some weird reason. It’s not uncommon for somebody to be like, ‘I know a guy that has a giant pickle or a huge frying pan’ or something like that.”

Veteran “Abbott Elementary” producer Patrick Schumacker is about to shoot a new Netflix series in L.A. and says it’s where to find the “most skilled, most experienced and best of the best” in all aspects of production. A lot of the onscreen talent happen to be pretty darn funny too.

“Honestly, so many hysterical actors are based out of here, and it makes it so much easier with regard to guest cast in a comedy,” Schumacker admits. “Casting becomes infinitely easier versus trying to get people to fly in from L.A. to a production elsewhere.”

Quinta Brunson’s landmark series is set in Philadelphia, but Schumacker credits location manager David Lyons for finding “outstanding places” that double for the city. He recalls, “We had a whole mall arc when the school had to relocate, and that was based on Franklin Mills, which is a real mall in Philadelphia that has the giant Ben Franklin head in it. The other part of the two-pronged attack is Michael Whetstone, Suzan Wexler and our entire art department, who have transformed the back lot at Warner Brothers into West Philly. They keep building out more and more of it every year.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph, right, in “Abbott Elementary.”

(Gilles Mingasson / Disney)

It’s also incredibly difficult to fake another city for Los Angeles. Can you imagine the L.A. romance “Nobody Wants This” trying to duplicate Silver Lake, Los Feliz or Koreatown in Atlanta?

“A real location helps the dialogue sound better. It looks better. It helps the actors know they’re in a real place. It helps the audience feel like they’re watching a real scene,” series creator and executive producer Erin Foster says. “When you think about ‘Sex and the City’ in its heyday, you would recognize the places that they’re at. You would recognize that they are actually authentic, real places that are cool. And it mattered. It made you take the characters seriously.”

Executive producer Jenni Konner adds, “And it sometimes informs story. We shot at Max & Helen’s, a notoriously difficult-to-get-into restaurant, and we had a story point where they weren’t able to get in because they didn’t realize how competitive it was. That was really fun to be able to highlight that truth of L.A.”

And not to take shots at Hollywood’s East Coast rival, but after the Netflix show recently shot scenes in New York for its upcoming third season, executive producer Bruce Eric Kaplan observed that the Big Apple presents drawbacks L.A. doesn’t. “It feels like the Los Angeles crew is a lot more concerned about our safety,” says the onetime “Girls” producer, lightheartedly. “I don’t remember ever having this many safety conversations, but you could shoot in the middle of anything in New York, and no one’s telling you to be safe.”

“Might be a sign of the times,” Foster wonders.

“Erin, I think you’re right,” Konner replies. “At first, I was like, ‘Oh, but it’s 10 or 15 years later, so safety rules have changed.’ But the truth is we shot in New York, and it did feel scary again. We were in the middle of the street in SoHo …”

Foster adds, laughing, “And they were just like, ‘We’ll just figure it out.’”

She also explained which products people can get better deals on at supermarkets

An ITV consumer expert has highlighted six things everyone should buy in Poundland – including one food staple which is 44 per cent less. Grace Forell, who regularly appears on ITV’s This Morning, explained how people should not do their weekly shop in the high street discount store – but take advantage of some bargains.

She said the best value categories tend to be big brand toiletries and cleaning products. If you’re loyal to brands like Nivea, Head & Shoulders, Colgate, Flash, Astonish, Elbow Grease and added ‘you’ll often find Poundland is the best place to buy. ‘

However, she added: “It’s less impressive when it comes to snacks and store cupboard items, as you’ll often get a better deal at the supermarket on multi-buys. “

Six Poundland staples:

• She said Flash cleaning spray is £2 in Poundland – and between £2.44 – £3.35 elsewhere – a potential saving of 40%
• Astonish Sprays – white vinegar and mould and mildew stain remover are cheap there – average saving of around 30%
• Big brand toiletries are good value – Grace highlighted a Nivea day cream for £2 – with it being £5,50 to £6 elsewhere – saving 65%.
• Colgate toothpaste is normally cheaper at Poundland. Grace highlighted Max White Sparkle Diamonds toothpased currently “£2 – elsewhere it’s £2.33 – £3.75 – a saving of up to 47%.
• Sure deodorant and Head and Shoulders shampoo usually a bargain
• Heiz Baked Beans – single tin £1 – normally £.138 – £1.80 e;sewhere -a potential saving of 44%/ She added: “A single tin of Hienz beans for £1 is hard to come by and it’s one of Poundland’s standout bargains – but if you’re buying multipack, supermarkets are often better value.”

She explained: “Remember, Poundland is less a place to do a full weekly show and more of a specialist bargain stop. It’s particularly good for branded toiletries with high supermarket mark-ups, cult cleaning products and specialist stain removers, a handful of pantry staples, and emergency top-ups that would cost more in a convenience store.”

Her golden rules:

• Always check the unit price. A lower shelf price doesn’t mean better value if the pack is smaller (you sometimes see this at Poundland).
• Don’t assume everything is cheaper. Chocolate, crisps and soft drinks are often better bought on supermarket loyalty offers.

• Be wary of multipacks. Poundland sometimes wins on individual items, but supermarkets usually come out ahead on family-sized packs.
• Stock up on genuine bargains. If you find a branded product you use regularly and it’s substantially cheaper, buying a spare makes sense.
• You can pick up single tins of Heinz baked beans for £1 though – which is consistently the best price (per unit) around.
• One thing is for sure: while it isn’t the place to do a full weekly shop, it offers much better value than most convenience stores.

For more articles, read Grace Forell on Substack for free here.

Many households could be overpaying for their TV Licence without realising it

Many people may be able to get their TV Licence for less than they think, with some eligible households saving up to £90 a year.

TV Licensing says discounts are available to certain groups. For example, if you’re aged 74 or over and you, or a partner living at the same address, receive Pension Credit, you may be entitled to a free licence.

People in a care home or sheltered accommodation may also qualify for a reduced fee of £7.50, while those who only watch on a black-and-white TV pay £60.50. Meanwhile, anyone who is blind (severely sight impaired) can apply for a 50% discount, cutting the cost to £90.

50% TV Licence discount

A TV Licence costs £180 per year, following a price rise on April 1, 2026. However, TV Licensing rules state you could get it for £90.

It explains: “If you are blind (severely sight impaired) and can provide the appropriate evidence, you are eligible to apply for a 50% concession.”

“Your licence will also cover anyone who lives with you”, it confirms. However, it adds that “if you are partially sighted (sight impaired), you are not eligible.”

Do I qualify for a 50% blind concession TV Licence?

TV Licensing explains that a blind concession Licence costs £90 for colour and £30.25 for a black and white Licence. It asks that it be provided with a copy of ONE of these documents to confirm that you’re certified as blind (severely sight-impaired):

• CVI (Certificate of Visual Impairment) to confirm that you’re certified as blind (severely sight impaired)
• BD8 Certificate to confirm that you’re certified as blind (severely sight impaired)
• A certificate or document issued by a Local Authority that shows you are registered as blind (severely sight impaired)
• A copy of a certificate from an Ophthalmologist (eye surgeon), stating that you are blind (severely sight impaired).
• Tax coding notice from HMRC showing you receive Blind person’s allowance
• A copy of your National Registration Card signed by an Ophthalmologist stating that your are blind (severely sight impaired)
• DHSS documentation or certificate stating that your are blind (severely sight impaired) for Isle of Man residents only
• Health and Social Services documentation or letter from Optometrist for residents of Northern Ireland only

I live with someone who is blind, can I still get the discount?

Yes. The TV Licence experts note that if you or someone you live with is blind (severely sight impaired), regardless of their age, you can apply for a blind concession.

If you already have a TV Licence but it isn’t in the blind person’s name, you’ll need to transfer it to them. This can be done by submitting a first-time blind application and entering the TV Licence number currently linked to your address.

I am partially sighted (sight-impaired). Can I get the discount?

No. TV Licence rules state: “People who are partially sighted (sight impaired) do not qualify for a 50% blind concession.”

How to apply for a blind concession

If you already have a blind licence, you can sign in here to renew it. If you are applying for the first time, you can fill out the official form here.

High Potential’s lead actress has spoken out about the toughest time of her career

The star of High Potential, Kaitlin Olson, has said she was filming two shows at the time when she ‘collapsed’.

The actress has spoken out about the most difficult time she endured while filming, recalling the scary moment on set.

For those still unaware, High Potential is a crime drama remake that sees Olson take on the role of single mother, Morgan. Not only is she juggling her hectic home life, but she has an exceptional mind.

With an unconventional knack for solving crimes, it leads her to an unusual and unstoppable partnership with a by-the-book seasoned detective. Now she is working full time with the LAPD to help them on their toughest cases.

It is based on the original Belgian French production HPI. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the third season of High Potential, which is expected to debut in early 2027.

In the meantime, Olson has not been too far away from our screens, appearing in the new season of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, reprising the character of Dee Reynolds, whom she has played since it first aired back in 2006.

She also returned in her guest role for the last instalment of Hacks. Sadly, between filming this and High Potential last year, Olson’s father become seriously ill.

Vanity Fair reports that Don Olson went into hospital for surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm that was discovered. Unfortunately, there were complications from the surgery and he suffered an inflammatory response in his lungs, causing them to fill with fluid.

He was sent to intensive care for further treatment. Olson told the publication that she learned of his condition while filming High Potential.

She admitted she did something she has never done before and left the set. She said: “I literally just got in the car and drove home, called them on the way, and was kind of shut down for a little bit.”

Olson ended up flying back and forth between Oregon and Los Angeles to be alongside her family, while also trying to film two shows back to back.

More bad news followed her first day back on set for Hacks. She revealed: “Honestly, at this point, it’s a blur. I collapsed in the line producer’s arms. I said, ‘I have to go.’ And he said, ‘Go.’”

Her dad had contracted pneumonia and slipped into a coma. Doctors said that they did not expect him to make a full recovery although he regained consciousness.

It was clearly a traumatic time for the star. Looking back she said: “I’d have to stop and take phone calls and wipe away tears and come back and then try and be funny. And it felt so weird. I felt guilty, because I was legitimately having fun. That was confusing.”

Her father was cared for at home from December last year until his death in May. However, before he died, he did see his daughter’s final bow in Hacks, and now the episode will forever remain ‘very special’ as a result.

High Potential is streaming on Disney+

Former University of Cambridge professor Jason Arday was found dead at his home in South London last wee

Jason Arday’s friend has reflected on his heartbreaking death at the age of 41.

The former University of Cambridge professor was pronounced dead following emergency services being called to an address in London on Friday evening (August 14) after reports that a man was ‘unresponsive’ in the property.

The week prior, he had resigned from his position at the university following allegations of plagiarism, which he denied. On Monday (August 17) morning, Jason’s friend and professor Kehinde Andrews spoke to Good Morning Britain’s Richard Madeley and Ranvir Singh about Jason’s death and their devastating final exchange.

Richard informed ITV viewers that in the wake of his death, there have been calls for a public enquiry into the press, which has been signed by many figures, including Professor Kehinde Andrews.

Speaking to Richard and Ranvir, he explained that the last time he had seen Jason was on the previous Monday, highlighting that when he had seen him, he’d lost weight.

He added: “He was just completely overwhelmed, I think. One of the last texts he said to me was that he just couldn’t see a way out; he couldn’t see a way forward.”

While an official cause of death is yet to be announced, the ITV star noted that people are already making assumptions about how he died.

The guest then reflected on how media and social media coverage had put “so much pressure” on the academic, adding: “Losing his job at Cambridge, having to resign, putting financial pressure on his family. This is somebody who has two children, with one child going into university.

“Imagine all that pressure on you, and you feel stuck and can’t go ahead.”

In a statement issued by his publisher, Simon & Schuster UK, Jason’s family said they are “in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son”.

The statement said: “Jason was subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse for more than three years since he accepted the role of professor at Cambridge University by those who would leave no stone unturned in their quest to undermine him.

“The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone. We are in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son.”

Good Morning Britain is available to watch weekdays on ITV from 6am

Actor Hayden Panettiere, the child actor who rose to stardom in television and also spoke with raw frankness about her struggles with fame and mental health, died Sunday, according to her family. She was 36.

Panettiere’s father, Skip, announced the actor’s death in a statement shared with The Times on Sunday.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” his statement said.

No other details were released.

She starred on “Nashville” (2012-18) and, before that, “Heroes” (2006-10). Her early work included roles in the 1990s on the soaps “One Life to Live” and “Guiding Light.” She was a model and a singer, having released several singles.

Panettiere also starred in the “Scream” horror movie franchise as well as in hits “I Love You, Beth Cooper” and “Remember the Titans.”

She first gained major attention with “Heroes,” where she played a cheerleader with superpowers. On “Nashville,” she played a troubled country music star, doing her own singing and performing on tour.

Panettiere has been candid about her struggles while living so much of her life in the public eye.

Panettiere gave birth to her daughter, with boxing champ Wladimir Klitschko, in 2014 and battled postpartum depression. She gave up custody of the child in 2018, a decision she called “heartbreaking.”

In May, the actor published a memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” in which she opened up about her alcoholism and depression after the birth of her daughter.

In interviews about the book, she reflected on the scrutiny and cruelty she faced as a young actor.

“It blows my mind that people could be so cruel,” she told the New York Times. “Looking back as an adult and a mother of a daughter, it’s hard to believe that grown adults were OK with ripping you apart at such a tender age. At any age, really.

“I just can’t believe I made it through alive,” she added.

Panettiere started in movies at the age of 9 when she voiced Princess Dot in the 1998 Pixar movie “A Bug’s Life.” Two years later, she made a splash in the role of a young football-obsessed fan and daughter of assistant coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton) in the biographical drama “Remember the Titans.” The actor told “ET” in 2023, “If I had a wish to go back to any time in my life, it would be going back to ‘Remember the Titans.’ … There were so many stars made from this movie.”

Panettiere was passionate about animals and began advocating for whale conservation in her teens. She came out as bisexual earlier this year, telling Us Magazine that she was sad to have waited until age 36 to do so.

She spoke up about her experience with domestic abuse after a public altercation in Los Angeles in 2022 involving a then-boyfriend. Brian Hickerson was on probation at the time following multiple domestic violence charges that dated back to 2018.

In 2025, her brother, Jansen Panettiere, died suddenly of complications from a heart problem. He had struggled with substance abuse and she got him into treatment, she told Us Magazine.

At the height of her fame on “Heroes,” she was regularly followed by the paparazzi and was the focus of much tabloid attention. Looking back on that time recently, she told a podcaster: “It was just sheer terror.”

In the statement on Sunday, Panettiere’s father said the family asked for privacy “as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.