Instead of the usual phalanx of cars and buses, Saturday evening traffic on Wilshire Boulevard was replaced by massive balloons, mobile sculptures, gaggles of gallerists and an endless array of elaborate costumes.
The first-ever Los Angeles Art Parade, a collaboration between the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and famed gallerist Jeffrey Deitch, transformed the stretch of Wilshire known as Museum Row into a human-powered exhibition of the city’s dynamic art scene.
About 146 groups, made up of more than 1,400 participants, marched in the parade, with projects ranging from larger-than-life marionette dolls to squads of children in do-it-yourself costumes to mobile re-creations of LACMA’s most iconic art pieces.
The parade followed an all-day block party thrown by LACMA as part of its Grand Opening Weekend, celebrating the new David Geffen Galleries and the completion of the 20-year-long, $724-million campus construction project. Together, the block party and art parade attracted an estimated 60,000 attendees, who swarmed the galleries, danced to explosive DJ sets, and lined the streets to watch the eclectic procession of artists.
People dance during Flying Lotus’ DJ set at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in Los Angeles.
(Ariana Drehsler/For The Times)
According to LACMA Director and Chief Executive Michael Govan, the event was a long time coming and “just the beginning” of how his team plans to use the campus space, which he previously called the city’s “living room.”
“We’re not gonna close Wilshire every weekend, but it’s an example of what we can do,” Govan said. “It’s really exciting to see the building work.”
Following a crowd-drawing DJ set from electronic low-fi hip-hop artist Flying Lotus, Govan introduced L.A. County District 2 Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. She said the event made her “proud to represent LACMA” and to be a Metro board member, referencing the recently-opened Metro D-line extension, which dropped attendees off a quick stroll from LACMA’s entrance.
“Just seeing you all at this amazing public facility does my heart good,” she said. “This is your local government at work.”
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1.Silhouettes of people watching the parade.2.A man and woman wearing tulle over them walk in the parade. 3.The crowd at the Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science, and Art (LACMA) Block Party.(Ariana Drehsler/For The Times)
As the party raged on LACMA’s campus, hundreds of parade participants hurriedly prepared for their debuts in the corners of nearby streets and parking lots. One group inflated a giant disco ball, while another smeared themselves with body paint next to a line of rehearsing dancers. Elsewhere, a megaphone-wielding leader herded dozens of black cats in the style of artist Gary Baseman into some semblance of order.
Deitch originally staged the first Art Parades in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood between 2005 and 2008. While those took a more art-world-exclusive approach, Deitch said the Los Angeles version was designed with inclusion in mind. The call for parade proposals was open to “emerging and established artists and creatives of all ages and backgrounds,” according to guidelines, as long as the work was appropriate for all ages and didn’t require a motorized element.
“The New York one was much more oriented toward people in the art community. We didn’t put out this kind of open call,” Deitch explained. “This is very different in its openness and its diversity. There are some famous artists and famous choreographers, L.A. legends. But there are also mothers from the San Fernando Valley with their children. I really love that.”
Artist Jordan Rountree’s rolling woodcut-sculpture called the Devil Jack in a Box with Crocodile appeared in Saturday’s Block Party and Art Parade hosted by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s (LACMA).
(Ariana Drehsler/For The Times)
“It’s just a very open platform, so you don’t have to have an M.F.A. to express yourself as an artist,” he added.
The procession was dizzying in its variety and scale. While many projects leaned into beauty and whimsy, others took a more overtly political approach, displaying anti-ICE messages on T-shirts and signs, sporting trans pride flags, or, in the case of performance artist Amy Kaps, wearing an unraveling U.S. constitution.
Some even referenced local causes, such as the “Boo Boo Bandage Brigade for Safe Streets,” which advocated for fixing sidewalks and increasing accessibility downtown. One particularly moving display by the Pali-Altadena Collective featured participants carrying miniature models of buildings and landmarks lost in the 2025 fires.
Chicana artist Nao Bustamante and Track 16 Gallery brought “Brown Disco” to the streets, which featured a giant gold disco ball and figures from decades of L.A. queer nightlife.
The crowd at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Art Parade.
(Ariana Drehsler/For The Times)
“As a brown, queer person, I think that this really brought a light into our community, and now its presence [creates] an intergenerational conversation,” said Track 16 Assistant Director Steve Galindo. “The nightlife scene is how we come out as queer people, so it’s really special to be in the parade.”
“Puppetry has been part of the arts for so many years,” added Daisy Hernandez, the theater’s production manager. “It’s a way that people express themselves, just like every other art form. So that’s what we’re here to do: express ourselves through puppetry.”
“Toy Story 5,” the latest installment to one of Disney Pixar’s longest-running franchises, topped the box office this weekend.
The tech-fueled tale, led by fan favorite characters Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie, earned $160 million for its opening weekend at the domestic box office and a global total of $312 million, according to Rentrak Data. The animated feature now holds the biggest box office opening of the year, further signaling what could be a massive summer for theaters.
“Toy Story 5” features the original cast, including Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear and Joan Cusack as Jessie. The story follows the beloved band of toys as they grapple with the introduction of technology into their home, with a tablet named Lilypad. The production budget for “Toy Story 5” is about $150 million to $200 million, and a crew of about 300 people worked on the film at Pixar’s Emeryville, Calif., headquarters.
“Tech versus toys is a very easy concept for families and parents to grasp. Every family goes through that to some degree,” said Andrew Cripps, head of theatrical distribution for Walt Disney Studios.
With the successes of “Inside Out 2” and “Zootopia 2,” sequels have proved to be dependable releases for Disney and Pixar in recent years. But “Toy Story” has been a steadfast juggernaut for the entertainment giant. This new release marks a new debut weekend record for the 31-year-long franchise, beating the nearly $121-million opening of 2019’s “Toy Story 4.” The original opened with $29 million in 1995, 1999’s “Toy Story 2” hit $57 million, and the third installment from 2010 received $110 million.
“The franchise is just so big,” Cripps added. “It’s in the theme parks. The consumer products keep it alive. It’s been 31 years with five movies, so it’s not like it’s overstayed its welcome. They’re very good at Pixar. They tell a story when they have a story worthwhile telling, and it feels like this one was worthwhile.”
Across the franchise’s lifetime, “Toy Story” has grossed more than $3 billion worldwide. The new movie also landed the second-highest animated opening weekend of all-time, behind only “Incredibles 2,” which earned $182 million.
With this uptick, there’s a chance the box office could climb back to pre-pandemic numbers. The 2026 box office is tracking 1.1% behind the summer of 2019 and 16% ahead of last year, according to Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends at Rentrak data.
“The industry’s on a roll,” Dergarabedian said. “There’s some unpredictable things that have happened so far this year, with the holdover strength of ‘Project Hail Mary,’ ‘Michael’ and ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2.’ Their worldwide grosses are incredibly impressive. It’s a phenomenon.”
“Toy Story 5” is just the first of several theatrical tentpoles hitting the big screen later this summer. Rentrak predicts this could be another $4-billion summer season domestically, following in the steps of the 2023 “Barbenheimer” summer.
REESE Witherspoon has officially passed over the Legally Blonde torch – in the form of a pink dress she wore 25 years ago.
Original Elle Woods actress Reese, 50, handed the baton to newcomer Lexi Minetree, who will play the bubblegum princess in a TV series based on the iconic film.
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Reese Witherspoon has officially passed over the Legally Blonde torch – in the form of a pink dress she wore 25 years agoCredit: AlamyNewcomer Lexi Minetree will play the bubblegum princess in a TV series based on the iconic filmCredit: Getty
In Amazon Prime’s prequel, out on July 1, we meet teen Elle in high school before she was a fish-out-of-water at Harvard Law School.
Not only is Lexi, 25, stepping into Reese’s shoes she’s also slipping into her dress, wearing the exact Marc Jacobs frock Reese wore to the film’s premiere in 2001.
She borrowed it for an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel chat show this week.
Reese said Lexi’s audition tape “took her breath away” and paid tribute to the actress this week at a 25th anniversary celebration of the franchise.
Legally Blonde became a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for breaking stereotypes, its iconic pink fashion and making famous phrases like “Bend and snap”.
Lexi and Reese attend the launch as Prime Video celebrates Elle World pop-up event in New YorkCredit: GettyReese said: ‘I think our series’ themes of kindness, authenticity, and believing in yourself will resonate deeply with fans of the original films and new audiences alike’Credit: Alamy
Based on the 2001 novel by Amanda Brown, the story of a ditzy blonde sorority-girl-turned-lawyer, it was a breakout role for Reese, propelling her to global stardom and earning her a Golden Globe nomination.
Moving from infront of the camera to behind it with her Hello Sunshine company, executive producer of the prequel Reese said: “Twenty-five years after the world met Elle Woods for the first time, it’s a dream come true to share the story of how she became the unstoppable force we all fell in love with.
“I think our series’ themes of kindness, authenticity, and believing in yourself will resonate deeply with fans of the original films and new audiences alike.”
Season one of Elle begins in 1995, where the doe-eyed teen is forced to move from glitzy LA to Seattle.
There she encounters tricky friendships, forbidden romance, and questionable fashion choices.
It’s already been greenlit for a second series despite not hitting screens yet.
The former Queen Vic landlord was soon revealed to be in a relationship with George Knight (Colin Salmon), Cindy Beale’s (Michelle Collins) former husband. Over the past three years, Elaine has gotten divorced, opened up her own Bed and Breakfast, and enjoyed a romance with Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).
Away from EastEnders, the 69-year-old actress has starred in a number of other popular shows, and is famed for playing Carole Parkinson in the 1990s show The Brittas Empire.
She also worked with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders many times over the years, from starring in eight episodes of their programme French and Saunders between 1987 and 2003 to portraying the recurring role of Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous from 1992 until 2012.
Harriet has held roles in Alexei Sayle’s Stuff, A Bit of Fry & Laurie, Casualty, Material Girl, Endeavour, Midsomer Murders, The Madame Blanc Mysteries, and The Bill.
Away from the small screen, Harriet has appeared in several films, including Calendar Girls, and has worked extensively on stage, with her acting in productions at the Royal National Theatre and in London’s West End.
Harriet previously opened up about her childhood and her relocation abroad with her family.
Appearing on Loose Women in 2024, Harriet discussed all things EastEnders and revealed that she has a famous sister who is an actress.
Talking about her childhood, where her family’s move to Los Angeles, Harriet said: “My sister and I, who is also an actress, Matilda Thorpe, we were little children at a normal state primary school. Do you remember the food? It was all sort of grey? Memories!
“Suddenly I was in Beverly Hills and we went to school and they had an ice cream machine. They had pizza and chocolate milk!”
Who is Harriet Thorpe’s famous sister?
Harriet’s sister, Matilda Thorpe, has certainly followed in her sibling’s footsteps and also has an impressive acting career.
Matilda is best known for her role as Mandy Mosgrove in Desmond’s from 1989 to 1994, before landing the roles of Mother in How to Be a Little Sod and Mandy in Porkpie.
More recent roles include Claire Glass in Sick Note, Nina in One Life, and Auntie Melody in Back to Black, a biographical film about Amy Winehouse.
However, in a coincidence, Matilda’s early career saw her land a role in EastEnders years before her sister Harriet’s debut. Matilda played Rachel Ford on the BBC One soap back in 1998.
Family life
Harriet and Matilda are the daughters of novelist Gillian Freeman, who penned The Leather Boys, and Edward Thorpe, an actor, novelist and the ballet critic of the Evening Standard.
Harriet welcomed two children, a son and a daughter, with her husband, Howard Baker, whom she reportedly married in 1989.
Her son, Jack Thorpe-Baker, previously acted and starred in The Brittas Empire, Life is Sweet, and Ballet Shoes, which also starred Emma Watson.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer
KATIE Price has slammed “beggy” women after Lee Andrews is sent a saucy snap from a fan asking him to “forget” his wife.
The Sun revealed how the self-proclaimed ‘billionaire businessman’ – who had spent the last month locked up in Dubai’s notorious Al-wir prison –was freed earlier this month.
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Katie Price has slammed “beggy” women after Lee Andrews is sent a saucy snap from a fan asking him to “forget” his wifeCredit: Instagram/KatiepriceThe Sun revealed how the self-proclaimed ‘billionaire businessman’ – who had spent the last month locked up in Dubai’s notorious Al-Awir prison –was freed earlier this monthCredit: wesleeeandrews/Instagram
Katie recently shared another recovery pic of her bruised lips after lip surgeryCredit: Katie Price/Facebook/BackgridKatie explained in her post that she was embarrassed for the woman who sent the messageCredit: SplashYesterday, Katie made a cryptic post about the hardship couples who are meant to be together sometimes faceCredit: mistraesthetics/InstagramKatie’s husband Lee has been advertising a ‘new money-making scheme’ as he sends ‘fans’ birthday wishes on videoCredit: Instagram
Lee had not accepted or replied to the message and Katie slammed the woman in her Instagram stories.
Posting the conversation, she said: “Why are some girls so beggy messaging my husband?
“Have some decorum, says a lot about @***.*****, I’m embarrased for you.”
Author Harlan Coben, known for gripping thrillers that place ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, has provided enough source material for book-to-screen adaptations on Netflix that it merits its own landing page. The latest screen translation of his work begins with a parent’s worst nightmare.
“I Will Find You” follows an imprisoned father wrongfully convicted of brutally murdering his son. When he learns his child may still be alive, it sets off a harrowing, twist-filled search for the truth. User discretion is advised as to whether that makes it the perfect binge for the Father’s Day weekend. “I Will Find You” is also the first series in Coben’s partnership with the streamer to take place in the U.S. — other projects have been set in countries across Europe, including the U.K., France and Spain, in four different languages. Coben and showrunner Robert Hull stopped by Guest Spot to discuss the eight-episode series.
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Also in this week’s Screen Gab, our streaming recommendations include a series of brief historical videos that honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and a Netflix documentary that revisits Michael Jackson’s 2005 child molestation trial.
And if you’re a fan of “House of the Dragon,” which returns Sunday with its third season, check out coverage from Tracy Brown, our resident expert on all matters related to Targaryen family drama. She assembled a guide to refresh your memory on the events of the second season and spoke with Emma D’Arcy ahead of the new season.
Keep on reading (and watching). See you next week.
—Yvonne Villarreal
Turn on
Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times
In the spirit of the old CBS “Bicentennial Minutes” (the spirit of the old CBS for that matter) — which ran in commercial breaks from July 4, 1974, until Dec. 31, 1976, and featured celebrities telling a story from “200 years ago today” — historian and podcaster Heather Cox Richardson has mounted a series of similarly timed semiquincentennial videos, as “250 to 250.” Narrated by an array of scholars, politicians, activists, public servants and others, its overarching theme is that “the story of America has been one of the constant efforts of Americans — from all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities — to make real the belief that we are all created equal and have a right to have a say in our democracy.” (It can’t be said too often.) Segments (there are 25 as of this writing) include the Constitutional Convention, the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, the Erie Canal, the AIDS Memorial Quilt, Man o’ War, Eisenhower’s “D-day: In Case of Failure” statement, Rita Moreno, the Everglades, the Social Security Act, Fannie Lou Hamer, An Wang (the inventor of magnetic core memory), Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” and L.A. Times reporter Rubén Salazar, killed by a sheriff’s rubber bullet during the 1970 National Chicano Moratorium March Against the Vietnam War. — Robert Lloyd
A still from “Michael Jackson: The Verdict” of Mark Geragos, who briefly served as the singer’s defense attorney.
(Netflix)
“Michael Jackson: The Verdict” (Netflix)
Moviegoers embraced “Michael,” propelling Antoine Fuqua’s film about the global superstar to become the highest-grossing music biography in movie history. But reviewers and others have continued to criticize the absence of references to the child molestation allegations that continually shadowed the singer. Netflix’s documentary “Michael Jackson: The Verdict,” however, brought it into focus. Directed by Nick Green, it chronicles the 2005 child molestation trial that threatened to derail Jackson’s career after a young boy accused him of abuse. The three-part series uses archival footage and new interviews with attorneys involved in the case, journalists, fans and members of Jackson’s inner circle to explore the trial, which sparked international attention, and its aftermath. Although the project is unlikely to affect Jackson’s popularity much, some of the revelations uncovered during the investigation are disturbing. — Greg Braxton
Guest spot
A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they’re working on — and what they’re watching
Sam Worthington as David Burroughs, a wrongfully imprisoned father, in “I Will Find You.”
(Christos Kalohoridis/Netflix)
What would you do to save your child? “I Will Find You” follows David Burroughs (Sam Worthington), a father serving a life sentence for the gruesome killing his toddler son. But when his ex-sister-in-law Rachel Mills (Britt Lower), an out-of-work reporter, presents him with evidence that suggests his young son, Matthew, is still alive, it sets in motion a daring prison escape and a high-stakes rescue mission in search of the truth. And that’s just one of the parent-child dynamics that fuel the series to illustrate, as Coben told us, how most parents are “trying to do what we think is best for our child — and that could lead to greatness or it could lead to disaster.” Over a recent video call, Coben and showrunner Robert Hull discussed the chilling premise and the book moment that was most challenging to bring to screen. Beware of spoilers ahead. — Y.V.
Harlan, Netflix wanted to make this before you even finished the book. How did that shape or intensify your normal writing process? Is it hard to turn off the noise of the pressure that carries?
Coben: Actually, no. In terms of writing the novel, I’ve learned that the worst novels are the ones that you write thinking you’re going to make a great TV series or a movie. If you write a novel going, “Ooh, I can’t wait for it [to be adapted],” it’s going to stink — trust me. My caveat to that is, though, I don’t care about making changes. I don’t have fidelity to the novel. Once I knew it was going to be already a TV series, I made sure I cut off any thoughts of that, and just told Robby, “Your job is going to be to worry about how to adapt whatever I do.” The way it started was Robby and I had met, and we wanted to do something together at Netflix. We wanted to maybe do the first one that was going to be filmed [and take place in the U.S.], and weren’t sure which to do. I pitched the idea to Robby as I started writing the book, and Robby’s eyes lit up. We went to Netflix and [executives] were like which book is this? I’m “Well, it’s not a book yet; it’s a third of a book right now. I’ll finish it while Robby’s working on the pilot and the adaptation.
Robby, what pulled you into this story?
Hull: As a father myself, I would easily give my life to save my children. What would be terrifying is to not have that opportunity. And Harlan created this character [in that situation] — he says very early on in the book, “A father’s job is to protect my son, and I didn’t do that.” He’s [David] living in this spiritual prison, regardless. And in this day and age, to have someone come and say, “Hey, there might be a way for you to correct the past, to change the most horrible thing that’s ever happened to you” — I thought that was just an incredible way to start a story.
Britt Lower as Rachel Mills and Sam Worthington as David Burroughs in “I Will Find You.”
(Netflix)
Was there a moment from the book, or a twist, that was most challenging to bring to screen, or one that you were most excited about?
Hull: It’s actually the same moment: When Rachel comes [to the prison] and shows David the photograph very early on. That is a scene that has to establish who Rachel is, establish her back story, her pathos, her connection to David, introduce the mystery, David’s reaction to the mystery. There is so much going on. You have to check off in three pages and in the hands of possibly actors other than Sam and Britt, that could be a real train wreck of a scene. Sam’s reaction when he first sees that photo is just unmistakably incredible, and you don’t have to write it. He tells you in three or four seconds the last five years of what he’s been through, and the possibility that maybe things can be different just by staring at a photo, which is incredible.
Coben: That’s one of my favorite scenes too. Also the ending, making sure that landed and gave the emotional punch that I wanted and I felt when I was writing the book. I think we delivered it less-was-more there. It closes it and it leaves it, so you can interpret it your own way, and you can bring it. We were thinking, it’d be really interesting to ask people a year from now, “Where do you think those characters are?”
Let’s talk about that part of the ending — so spoiler warning starts here. The book goes more deeply into how Rachel and David’s relationship evolves into a romance by the end. The series is more vague — we see them hold hands. Robby, how did you want that moment to play?
Hull: If you want them to be together and you’re hoping they are, then I’ve done my job right. I actually don’t want to answer that question because the relationship is so complex and so dynamic. Early on, we didn’t want the traditional two-hander, where [it’s] “Oh, now they’re going to fall in love, now they’re going to come together.” No, Rachel’s her own character with her own story and pathos, and at the end, what they’ve been through together, if that moment is the promise of something more, great; if it’s the promise of “look what we’ve been through,” that’s OK too. That’s what I was going for, at least.
Do you think there’s more of David’s story to tell? Would you want a Season 2 to explore what happens next?
Coblen: I’m probably the only writer who will say this: No, not really. I don’t do Season 2’s unless I think they’ll be better than Season 1’s. Let me do new stories instead. This is a complete story to me. Now, if somebody says to me, “I’ve come up with an idea that might work, that could be as compelling as being [in prison] for five years for the murder of your child for the same character? I never say never. I’ve learned that in my career. But we’ll see. I don’t think so.
Robby’s like, “but I want a Season 2.”
Hull: The moment he said, “If you can come up with a story better than the one we told …,” I was like, “Oh, guess we’re not doing a Season 2.”
Before I let you go, what have you watched recently that you’re recommending to everyone?
Coben: “Your Friends & Neighbors” [Apple TV] by my pal Jonathan Tropper and my other pal Jon Hamm. I’m proud of the job they’ve done on that show and I’m happy for them.
Hull: “Run Away,” ’Safe,” “Fool Me Once.” [Each are a Coben adaptation for Netflix]. Those are the three I’m digging right now.
NEW YORK — A 51-year-old man fell to his death from an upper deck of Madison Square Garden during a rock concert Saturday night, police said.
Officers responding to a 911 call around 9:51 p.m. found the man unconscious and unresponsive with injuries indicating a fall from an “elevated position,” New York City police said. Police did not say how far the man fell, but said he was in Section 300. They declined to release his name.
The man was with his wife, according to police. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The rock band Goose was performing. In a statement on Facebook, the band said it was “deeply saddened and heartbroken to learn of the tragic event that occurred.”
BBC fans think they’ve spotted a budding relationship on the cards for two fan-favourites.
Is there going to be a romance on the cards for Siobhan?(Image: BBC)
Casualty viewers believe a romance is unfolding.
The latest episode of the BBC show was full of drama as fans saw the continued fallout of Stevie Nash’s (Elinor Lawless) relationship with junior doctor Matty Linlaker (Aron Julius).
While she is yet to find out her fate at the Holby ED, viewers also saw a relationship come to an abrupt end when Cam Mickelthwaite (Barney Walsh) broke it off with Indie Jankowski (Naomi Wakszlak).
However, as one relationship ends, it seems as though another could be on the cards for two Casualty fan-favourites.
During the programme, Siobhan McKenzie (Melanie Hill) tried to get some of the patients waiting to be seen to leave due to the overcrowding.
Showing them that the black water they’d ingested was nothing to worry about, as someone had put activated charcoal into the water tanks, her demonstration worked as people started to leave.
Jan Jenning (Di Botcher) pointed out that people had started to go to Siobhan before she highlighted a black mark she had on her mouth. When Siobhan failed to wipe it away, Jan sprang into action and took it off for her.
She replied: “Oh, it’s like nobody loved you, as my mother would say!”
When Siobhan asked if she’d managed to get the mark away, BBC fans noticed Jan lingering a little too long as she stared at her intensely.
People on social media were quick to comment on the interaction, as many think a romance is on the cards.
One person on X said: “Jan and Siobhan need to get together.” Another commented: “Is anyone else excited for Jan and Shiv.”
While another person shared: “Jan fancies Siobhan.” A fourth tweeted: “Jan’s eyes. Is she seeing Siobhan in a new light?”
On Reddit, someone else wrote: “Jan and Siobhan? I can see the two maybe getting into a relationship or sharing a drunken kiss, especially with the scenes they shared lately.”
Someone agreed, replying: “I’m not sure if they’re gonna do a full relationship, but like you, I think they’re definitely gearing up for some kind of fling. I hope Siobhan does some happier storylines soon poor woman can’t catch a break.”
Sitting in the control room of their home studio known as the Centre of Mental Arts (COMA for short), Long Beach husband-and-wife duo Scott Montoya and Julia Kugel smile as they discuss new music they recorded for their band Soft Palms. Their new album, titled “In Echo,” has been in the works for over five years. The 10-song album, out Friday on Everloving Records, was inspired by their frustration about how they feel the world has devolved since 2020.
“The first record I was like, ‘I want to give the world a hug,’” Kugel says. “And then this one I was like, f— this world.”
For Kugel and Montoya, the album serves as the latest chapter of their creative and personal journey. The pair met in 2012 at a music festival in Dallas (“The most romantic city,” Kugel quips), while playing in the Atlanta-based band the Coathangers and Orange County’s the Growlers, respectively. They bonded over a shared disgust at gladiator shoes, and soon thereafter, were in a relationship.
By 2017, they were married and settled in Long Beach. Despite Kugel’s role in the Coathangers at the time (Montoya left the Growlers in 2016), the couple wanted to form a band. Previously, they recorded a pair of songs that constituted Kugel’s second solo seven-inch single. That experience made them comfortable knowing they could balance their professional and personal lives.
“He’s super easy to work with,” Kugel says of Montoya, who sits beside her, trying to hide a smile. She looks at him and continues, “he’s very talented and very patient.”
“When we were in our other bands, we used to meet up on tour,” Montoya, who also produces and engineers for other artists, says. ”You see the absolute worst of people on tour … so this is nothing.”
To kickstart Soft Palms, Kugel drew from a batch of songs she had previously written that had no home. Being able to record in their own studio allowed the pair to craft songs without feeling any pressure to meet a deadline.
By late 2019, the pair put the finishing touches on their self-titled debut. When the record was released in July 2020, the pandemic was still in full force. The pair were disappointed and upset by the state of the world, and after a few years of stewing, Kugel and Montoya got started on a second album.
Don’t be fooled by its breezy ’60s-analog vintage pop sound. Soft Palms are angry, and that informs the spirit of “In Echo.”
The pair points to “Radio” as the album’s bellwether. First released in 2025, the song rails against how, over the past handful of years, people have fought for the sake of fighting, with no end in sight.
More strikingly, on the biting “Nervous as Hell,” Montoya points to Fox News as “infecting everyone’s parents.”
“I did some digging because I couldn’t believe something that hateful existed,” he says of the network, specifically its landmark $787-million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems. “It turned it from this horrible thing into this s— business that has taken advantage of the elderly and destroyed families.”
That anger continues on the angsty rocker “The Wedding Song.” Kugel points to attending a wedding where a family member married a “total raging maniac,” and how they dealt with the buildup of delicately balancing being cordial yet firm.
“He [the family member] goes, ‘I just want you to show up and shut up!” she says. “I was like, ‘Well, firstly, f— you. Then secondly, this is a song — you just handed me gold.”
Since settling in Long Beach, for the last 10 years Kugel and Montoya took it upon themselves to help foster a positive, artistic community. It’s that mindset that pushed them to found and operate their 501(c)(3) nonprofit called Studios for Schools with the goal of providing recording equipment to underprivileged schools.
Their DIY work ethic in entertainment was also the driving force behind Happy Sundays, a free Long Beach-based music festival. Running for 10 years, the fest created a block party in the city’s Zaferia neighborhood that eventually expanded into a full weekend of shows across stages set up at local businesses to host a diverse lineup of veteran and up-and-coming area bands. Though the event was paused this year so they can focus on the new album and book, the couple plan to bring it back in 2027.
“It was like a statement in that way of like f— these giant prices, VIP experiences and all of that stuff,” Kugel says. “It’s the anti-music festival and a celebration of community.”
Keeping with that spirit, and drawing from the experiences of their two-decade careers, last month the pair released a book titled “How to Be Self-Reliant in the Music Business.” The genesis of this self-published guidebook occurred when the pair realized they were not receiving a portion of a royalty stream they were owed. They knew that if they were in the dark on the issues they thought they knew, others likely were as well.
“We decided to turn it into a book because we realized there’s so much stuff that few artists know about on their own,” Montoya says. “I want people to understand the scope of what they’re actually getting into, and the reality of their situations.”
“It’s a very thorough overview,” Kugel adds.
The book includes information beyond what one would find in Donald S. Passman’s longstanding industry bible “All You Need to Know About the Music Business.” With assistance from a lawyer friend and a CPA family member, the pair addresses topics ranging from backstage etiquette to managing social media to dealing with record labels and publishing companies. They hope that it will provide a blueprint for bands old and new to better navigate music’s notoriously choppy waters. Their accessible, snack-size chapters move fluidly as they explain the realities artists face in 2026.
Battling through the disappointment of the first part of the decade allowed Kugel and Montoya to find their creative way. Armed with this infusion of activity across various disciplines, the couple is inspired to continue to shake their way out of the past. Though focused on their impending U.S. and European tour, the duo promise that the next Soft Palms album won’t take as long and are mulling over their next music-industry book project. For now.
“It’s a lot to keep up with all of these projects,” Montoya says. “We work all day, every day. And it’s been cool to see signs that it’s paying off.”
ROXY Horner stripped down to her birthday suit to ring in another year as the family celebrated in style.
The 35-year-old modelmarried her comedian hubbyJack Whitehall in April and was taken to her “favourite stay” in the UK for her birthday.
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Jack Whitehall and Roxy Horner had a luxurious weekend away for her birthdayCredit: GettyThey stayed in the Lion Lodge at a zoo in KentCredit: Instagram
The famous couple and their two-year-old daughter Elsie stayed in the Lion Lodge at the Port Lympne safariresort in Kent.
Roxy shared a reel of photos to her Instagram that included her floating nude in a luxurious Scandinavian bath that overlooked the lion reserve.
The model also shared a photo of Elsie enjoying the bath as lions roamed outside their window.
They also got up close and personal with some giraffes, including getting the opportunity hand feed them.
Roxy took a bath as she watched the lion’s around herCredit: InstagramThe family even had the chance to hand feed giraffesCredit: Instagram
Other photos in Roxy’s post included them enjoying a high tea lunch and cruising in a buggy as they looked at the animals.
Finally, Roxy shared a video of Jack playing with Elsie as he looked in on her sitting in a open vehicle.
“For my birthday we stayed in a Lion lodge at my favourite stay in the uk @portlympnepark… So peaceful. Mine. Cuddles. Majestic creatures. Happy birthday to me. My favourite creatures to interact with,” Roxy captioned the post.
Roxy is no stranger to posing in bath tubs and shared snippets of her honeymoon where her and Jack rode on the Orient Express.
Jack played with their daughter Elsie, twoCredit: InstagramJack and Roxy married in April in the CotswoldsCredit: Getty
She posed in a decadent bath as they travelled from Venice to Paris.
Posting snaps of the train and dining carriage,Roxywrote online: “Having a bath on a train is so romantic.”
Voicemails for Isabelle’s Zoey Deutch is dating a fellow comedy star – here’s what we know about their secretive relationship
Everything we know about Zoey Deutch’s dating history
Zoey Deutch is captivating audiences once more, this time starring opposite Nick Robinson in Netflix’s unmissable romantic comedy Voicemails for Isabelle.
The heartfelt rom-com follows Deutch’s driven young baker Jill, who relocates to San Francisco for an opportunity to work under renowned but tyrannical Chef Bastien (portrayed by Nick Offerman), who transforms her professional life into a waking nightmare.
Meanwhile, her sister Isabelle (Ciara Bravo) has battled cancer throughout most of her existence. Following her sudden death, Jill processes the devastating bereavement by continuously calling her phone number and recording voicemails.
Yet these recordings are actually reaching real estate agent Wes (Robinson) after he acquires a new mobile, and he starts developing feelings for the enigmatic woman on the other end.
With Voicemails for Isabelle poised to become another enormous Netflix success this weekend, here’s what we’ve discovered about Deutch’s romantic life beyond the camera, reports Wales Online.
Who is Zoey Deutch dating?
The 31 year old Deutch is well-versed in romantic comedies, having secured her breakthrough performance alongside Glen Powell in 2018’s Set It Up.
She’s also Hollywood royalty as the daughter of Pretty in Pink director Howard Deutch and Back to the Future actress Lea Thompson.
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Deutch has been romantically involved with actor and comedian Jimmy Tatro, 34, since 2021.
Following his breakthrough performance in Netflix’s mockumentary series American Vandal, viewers may spot him from recent productions Theater Camp, You’re Cordially Invited and Scream 7.
In September 2025, the couple revealed they had been secretly engaged for three months through a joint Instagram post.
Posting a charming photograph from the proposal, which took place during a sunny beach getaway, they captioned it: “three months engaged to the love of my life”.
Their engagement appears to remain intact, as Deutch featured images of them together in a carousel posted to her account in April this year, with the caption “one less lonely girl”.
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Prior to her romance with Tatro, Deutch was in a five-year relationship with actor Avan Jogia, whom she met at the 2012 Kids’ Choice Awards.
Although they parted ways in 2017, the former couple went on to appear alongside each other in The Year of Spectacular Men and Zombieland: Double Tap, indicating they maintained an amicable split.
Following her separation from Jogia, Deutch had a brief romance with Dylan Hayes, also an actor.
Details about their relationship remain scarce, although they were photographed attending several public events as a couple.
Voicemails for Isabelle is available to stream on Netflix.
Juliet Aubrey, who has enjoyed a long and varied acting career, previously recalled her experience working with John Nettles on Midsomer Murders
John Nettles starred as DCI Tom Barnaby in Midsomer Murders (Image: Getty Images)
An actress who previously worked alongside John Nettles on Midsomer Murders has used just one word to sum him up.
Juliet Aubrey appeared with the DCI Tom Barnaby star in a 2006 episode, and has reminisced about her experience on the much-loved ITV crime drama.
The screen and stage performer, perhaps best recognised for portraying Dorothea in the BBC’s 1994 adaptation of Middlemarch, which earned her a Bafta, has since appeared in Snatch, Primeval, All Creatures Great and Small and The White Queen.
However, when questioned about one particular role, she had nothing but praise to share.
“That was fun, that was a really fun role because she was quite an extreme character,” Juliet revealed, discussing Midsomer Murders.
She continued: “She’s a horse-riding nymphomaniac basically! [It was] lots of fun doing that.”
Reflecting on her experience with the ensemble, Juliet remarked: “The cast on Midsomer Murders, they were lovely, they were great… John Nettles was wonderful,” reports the Express.
“It’s nice going in and doing a storyline and then coming out and doing something else, rather than being stuck in a series for a long time.”
Despite her extensive catalogue across numerous television programmes, Juliet maintained she doesn’t pick favourites.
She explained: “There are just so many wonderful parts, and at the time you think they’re a favourite and then the next one comes along and you go, this one.
“I mean, there’s so much variety… to be able to asked to play all these very, very different characters, it’s been wonderful, love it.”
Having taken on a variety of screen roles, Juliet has returned to the stage, and is presently appearing in a production of The Marquise.
“I always used to do loads of theatre, that’s my whole background,” she shared.
Discussing the Noel Coward play in which she’s currently performing, she added: “It’s very fast-paced, lots of laughs, and it’s about love and betrayal and lust and hope and new beginnings, all of that, it’s really good fun.”
She continued: “It’s completely different to anything I’ve ever played before. It’s comedy, and it’s really nice to be getting into a really happy place every day, and she’s fantastic.”
A NOUGHTIES pop star looks unrecognisable 23 years after his controversial hit, as he braved the rain at a UK festival.
This US singer, now 54, shot to fame in a quirky Detroit rock band – but can you guess who he is?
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Can you guess who this noughties star is?Credit: TikTok/ @academymusicgroupThe singer’s band shot to fame over 20 years ago – seen here in the 90sCredit: Getty
The band launched into the spotlight in the early noughties, and were known for their controversial song Gay Bar.
The tune was released in June 2003, and lead singer Dick, who’s real name is Tyler Spencer, has now revealed how he came up with the song.
Speaking in the rain at Download Festival, he told the Academy Music Group: “The real story, I was in a rock and roll bar. Okay, and so there’s ambient noise, there are people talking, there are drinks clinking.
Dick Valentine from Electric Six talked about how he came up with their controversial song, Gay BarCredit: TikTok/ @academymusicgroupElectric Six are back on tour – seen here as they look nowCredit: instagram
“In the background, on the jukebox, right, you’re hearing the song that they’re playing in the jukebox, but you can’t quite make out the lyrics.
“The song on the jukebox was Girl You Want by Devo, where the lyrics are, ‘She’s just a girl, just a girl, girl you want.’
“Those are the lyrics, those are the actual lyrics.”
Continuing with his story, Dick said: “But I thought he was saying, ‘She’s just a girl, just a girl in a gay bar.’
Dick and his band had a huge amount of success in the noughtiesCredit: GettyElectric Six continue to perform live and are currently on a UK tourCredit: Getty
“And so I started singing that, and my friend was like, ‘No, no, no, what are you singing?’
“So then I’ve got this lyric now about a girl in a gay bar, right, I’ve got this, and it hasn’t been used, so now this is mine.
“So that was the genesis of it. It was just a misheard lyric in a pub, and it worked out really well for me!”
When Gay Bar was released over twenty years ago, the track certainly caused a stir.
While the song and music video got a lot of airplay the lyrics mentioning the Iraq war, which was ongoing at the time, were edited because they were perceived to have been offensive at the time.
Meanwhile, Electric Six shot to fame with their first single, Danger! High Voltage, which soared to No. 2 in the UK charts.
Along with Dick, the original line-up included Cory Martin on drums, Anthony Selph on lead guitar, Joe Frezza on rhythm guitar, and Steve Nawara on bass.
Over the years the band has experienced various changes in members, but Dick has always remained at the helm.
Electric Six continue to perform, and are currently on tour right now in the UK.
Electric Six Tour Dates 2026
This is where you can catch Electric Six on tour in the UK this year:
June 21: Portsmouth – The Gaiety
June 23: Preston – 53 Degrees
June 24: Wrexham – The Live Rooms
June 28: London – The 100 Club
Nov 23: Cottingham – The Civic Hall
Nov 24: York – The Crescent
Nov 25: Manchester – Club AcademyNov 27: Belfast – The Limelight
VICTORIA Beckham has extended the biggest olive branch to estranged son Brooklyn yet with a touching Father’s Day tribute to David.
The fashion designer, 52, took to social media to share a snap of David, 51, with Brooklyn, 27, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 21, and Harper, 14, in happier times.
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Victoria shared a touching Father’s Day tribute to David which included estranged son BrooklynCredit: UnknownIt comes days after Brooklyn savagely mocked his strained relationship with his dadCredit: Instagram
Brooklyn has made it clear he has no intention of reconciling with his heartbroken parentsCredit: Samir Hussein/WireImageHe now lives in Los Angeles with wife Nicola PelztCredit: Admedia Photo / SplashNews.com
Brooklyn, who now lives in Los Angeles with wife Nicola Peltz, was seen in a clip saying: “You’re probably wondering why I’m watching the FIFAWorld Cup 2026 from home…”
Smirking Brooklyn then laughed: “It’s a long story.”
He went on to throw down his tickets onto the coffee table.
The advert then said: “It’s complicated. More soon.”
Fans want to know if a sixth season of Clarkson’s Farm is in the works after Jeremy Clarkson’s cancer scare
Jeremy Clarkson on Clarkson’s Farm Season 6
Everything you need to know about the latest Clarkson’s Farm update
Jeremy Clarkson has confirmed that Season 6 of Clarkson’s Farm is officially in production at Prime Video.
The announcement comes just days after the former Top Gear star revealed his cancer diagnosis in the fifth season’s penultimate episode.
Speaking on Instagram in front of a Lamborghini tractor, Clarkson said: “I am delighted to tell you that Season 6 of Clarkson’s Farm is currently being filmed.”
Despite being diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer, the presenter has now confirmed he is cancer-free. He urged men to get tested for the disease.
The news has delighted fans who spotted camera crews at Diddly Squat Farm in recent weeks. The upcoming series is expected to be released in summer 2027.
Season 5 proved challenging for the Diddly Squat crew, featuring Jeremy’s emergency heart surgery and the devastating loss of a pregnant cow due to tuberculosis concerns.
However, there were positive moments including the success of an AI-powered tractor and Kaleb Cooper welcoming his third child with fiancée Taya.
Jeremy Clarkson took to Instagram this weekend with an exciting update on his hit Prime Video series
Jeremy Clarkson officially confirms Clarkson’s Farm Season 6
The update comes days after his cancer diagnosis was revealed.
Clarkson’s Farm Season 6 is officially in the works at Prime Video, Jeremy Clarkson has confirmed.
The news comes days after the fifth outing of the former Top Gear star’s hit series concluded with the devastating news that he has been diagnosed with cancer.
Jeremy took to Instagram this weekend with a filmed update in front of a Lamborghini tractor.
“So, bit of a year,” he began. “But, I am delighted to tell you that Season 6 of Clarkson’s Farm is currently being filmed. It’s in production.
“And that’s particularly good news for me because… well, if you know, you know.
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“And, if you don’t know, you need to watch Season 5.”
Despite Jeremy being diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer, which devastated his farming colleagues Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland in the seventh episode of season five, he’s now confirmed to be cancer free.
The presenter took to Instagram just a couple of hours before the Season 6 announcement to assure fans he’s “perfectly fine” and urging men to get tested.
His update also arrives after Jeremy was spotted with camera crews on Diddly Squat Farm, leading to speculation that Season 6 was almost certainly underway.
Fans can now rest assured that the upcoming instalment is officially in the works and is likely to be released in summer 2027.
One of his followers replied: “I love you Jeremy, love the show and the rest of the crew.”
Someone else exclaimed: “Best news of the day!” And another said: “Wonderful news [heart emoji].”
“Absolutely thrilled,” another fan commented. “Thrilled as your show is one of my all time favourites, but even moreso that you’re all clear health wise! Excitedly awaiting season 6.”
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TV lovers can get 30 days’ free access to binge great shows like Clarkson’s Farm by signing up to Amazon Prime. Just remember to cancel at the end and you won’t be charged.
Season 5 was a rocky road for the Diddly Squat crew, which also includes Jeremy’s partner Lisa Hogan and dry stone walling expert Gerald Cooper.
In addition to Jeremy’s cancer diagnosis, the latest instalment kicked off with Jeremy’s emergency heart surgery in late 2024 and saw one of his toughest farming experiences yet as his pregnant cow was slaughtered due to “inconclusive” tuberculosis tests.
However, there were plenty of uplifting moments too as the AI-powered AgBot tractor proved a success and Kaleb welcomed his third child with fiancée Taya.
Clarkson’s Farm is available to stream on Prime Video.
IT’S been five years since Britney Spears was released from her conservatorship following the Free Britney campaign, but insiders say the pop superstar is more lost than ever.
Pals fear Britney is more lost than ever five years after being released from her conservatorshipCredit: InstagramThe pop superstar has no plans to return to performingCredit: Mychal Watts
It’s a far cry from the 16-year-old who took over the world in 1998 with her debut single Baby One More Time, which catapulted her to instant worldwide fame.
An insider said: “Some people close to Britney can’t help wondering whether she’s actually happier now than she was then.
“The sad reality is that she seems incredibly isolated. She spends most of her time at home and her world has become smaller and smaller over the years.
She was recently arrested for DUI during which she bizarrely offered to make officers a home-made lasagneCredit: California Highway PatrolBritney split from husband Sam Asghari in 2023Credit: Getty Images for GLAADShe has a famously strained relationship with her sons Sean and JaydenCredit: InstagramThose close to Britney feel like she’s desperately trying to find her place in the worldCredit: Instagram
“Those around her would love to see her thriving, but instead they worry she’s become increasingly detached from everyone else.”
In 2023, Britney split from her third husband Sam Asghari – less than a year after tying the knot – and we’re told the break-up had a huge impact on the mum-of-two.
She shares Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19, with ex-husband Kevin Federline and has struggled with a strained relationship with her sons for years.
Our source said: “The divorce hit her hard and she hasn’t appeared to find the stability or companionship she craves and desperately needs.
“Her relationship with her sons has also been a source of sadness over the years, and those closest to her know how much that weighs on her.
“People are worried rather than reassured, especially when they see her on social media. The videos and posts leave people concerned and scratching their heads, it looks like we’re seeing someone who is still struggling.”
Despite being one of the best-selling music artists of all time, Britney left fans gutted in 2022 when she insisted she’ll “probably never perform again”.
She said on social media at the time: “I’m pretty traumatized for life and yes I’m p****d as f**k and no I probably won’t perform again just because I’m stubborn and I will make my point.”
And it’s the lack of ambition for performing – something she once thrived on – that has pals seriously concerned and wondering what she’ll do with her life if she doesn’t return to the stage.
“The overwhelming feeling among those who care about her is sadness,” our insider said. “Nobody is questioning her right to live life on her own terms, but there are fears that she’s still searching for happiness and hasn’t found the peace that everyone hoped freedom would bring.
“They look at Britney and see a woman who appears deeply lonely, increasingly disconnected and still trying to find her place in the world all these years later.”
BAYWATCH reboot star Brooks Nader wears a bejewelled bikini ahead of the show’s upcoming launch.
The 29-year-old American model-turned-actress sported the jewelled two-piece ahead of a Sports Illustrated show in Miami, Florida.
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New Baywatch star Brooks Nader wore a bejewelled bikini at a Sports Illustrated show in MiamiCredit: GettyBrooks will play lead lifeguard Selene in the new Baywatch seriesCredit: Getty
She won fame by winning the publication’s swimsuit model search in 2019.
Since then she has been cast in the new Baywatch as Selene, captain of the lifeguards patrolling Zuma Beach in California’s exclusive Malibu.
The remake of the Nineties favourite – which starred David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson – is set to hit screens next January.
Brooks said putting on the show’s famous red swimsuit brought her to tears.
Brooks said putting on the show’s famous red swimsuit brought her to tearsCredit: GettyThe remake of the Nineties favourite is set to hit screens next JanuaryCredit:
And she said: “We’re going to pay homage to Pam and all of Baywatch to the best of our ability.”
In addition to her modelling career and stint on DWTS, Brooks stars on the new reality TV series, Love Thy Nader, which premiered on Hulu earlier this year.
The show follows Brooks and her sisters, Mary Holland, Grace Ann, and Sarah Jane, as they navigate building careers in the Big Apple.
In Australian writer-director Adrian Chiarella’s knotty roller coaster of a feature debut “Leviticus,” about a demon tormenting a pair of queer teenage boys, the fear is more insidious than the external threat of a violent bigot or shunning parent.
In an abandoned mill in their blighted industrial town, quiet new kid Naim (Joe Bird) and brash hunk Ryan (Stacy Clausen) allow a friendly, mischievous connection to turn into something more. But when Naim later secretly observes his new crush fiercely locking lips with another classmate, Hunter (Jeremy Blewitt), son of a leader in the tight-knit church that Naim’s single mom (Mia Wasikowska) just joined, hurt gets the better of Naim’s instincts and he secretly informs on the pair.
The church’s punishment, however, delivered in front of the congregants, is an eerie ritual performed by a gaunt, severe visitor (Nicholas Hope). Called a “deliverance healer,” his fire-and-brimstone method — making incarnate the title’s Biblical book, regularly used to justify anti-LGBTQ viewpoints — leave Ryan and Hunter writhing in agony. Afterward, Naim, sensing he might have unwittingly set into motion something awful, notices bizarre behavior in the stricken-looking Ryan. When they try to furtively rekindle their passion, it becomes violently clear they are not alone. Or even, it seems, themselves.
The feeling that nowhere is safe is a durable horror concept, the backbone behind such classics as “Nightmare on Elm Street” and “It Follows.” In “Leviticus,” which is expertly paced by editor Nick Fenton, it comes with a flair for open-space unease and unexpected claustrophobia that puts director Chiarella in a long line of savvy Australian mood-setters like Peter Weir and Fred Schepisi. These filmmakers knew how to fold tactile dread into a worthy narrative, rather than treat genre as if it were a kit with instructions.
But most urgently and bleakly, Chiarella is giving religious-based conversion therapy its devilish due as a warping of the soul designed to sow distrust in one’s own desires. He’s careful, however, not to tell a tale that would speak to homophobes. As distressing as their circumstance is, Naim and Ryan are unmistakably positioned as heroic lovers, not victims-to-be. Chiarella takes time between bouts of danger to show affection and intimacy that, in defiance of teen-slasher formula, isn’t immediately penalized with sadism. But their fraught relationship will decidedly keep you nervous, so score one for multilayered storytelling.
Points, too, for the solid casting, from the leads’ tricky pivoting from openness to caginess, to the criminally underseen Wasikowska, who navigates maternal complexities of worry and compassion that confound easy pigeonholing. If anything, the movie could have used more of her, although it’s better overall that “Leviticus” prioritizes Naim and Ryan as queer protagonists caught in a chilling loop of escape and reunion. We already know what’s out there, ready to do harm. This movie’s nail-biting, sorrowful power comes from what internalized destruction looks like.
‘Leviticus’
Rated: R, for bloody violent content, language, some sexual content and teen drug use
The blush of first love inside the glow of new friendship is where “Girls Like Girls” works its easygoing charms, but also an affecting sadness. You’d never mistake multihyphenate pop star Hayley Kiyoko’s directorial debut for a groundbreaking queer romance, but sometimes the best summer vibes require only a breezy intoxicant, something made of all the funny feelings, a few of the deeper ones and a lot of heart.
That also describes Kiyoko’s shepherding of her hit 2015 track “Girls Like Girls,” a hooky LGBTQ+ anthem that went from viral music video (which she co-directed) to bestselling YA novel and finally this feature adaptation, written with Chloe Okuno and Stefanie Scott (the original video’s star). “Girls Like Girls” may be conventionally imagined, but there’s an admirable focus on unadorned warmth in Kiyoko’s storytelling: She likes her girls and cares enough to want us to like them, too.
We’re dropped in picturesque rural Oregon, where we find bike-riding new kid in town Coley (appealing newcomer Maya da Costa), who happens upon an energetic crowd of peers at a local diner, then gets asked to join them for a lake excursion (“We don’t bite”) by confident and friendly Sonya (Myra Molloy). When Coley, a shy, watchful sort, gets thrown in the water by obnoxious Trenton (Levon Hawke), she tries to leave, but not before Sonya softens the blow by insisting on a “proper hang” and the exchange of AOL usernames. (Because, oh, yeah, it’s 2006, giving us a refreshingly nostalgic break from the tyranny of smartphones.)
Anyway, SonyeahXOXO and RollieColey87 take quickly to their obvious spark, initially sublimating that deeper attraction through scenes of laughter, teasing, the rush from shoplifted alcohol, bed-sharing and lots of deep gazing. But they also lean into a connection marked by honesty and vulnerability, particularly Coley’s grief over losing her mom and not feeling connected to her widowed dad (Zach Braff). With Sonja Tyspin’s cinematography imbuing an innocent, sensual curiosity, Kiyoko sweetly conveys the awkward thrill of fledgling emotions. One scene in particular, in which Coley explores Sonya’s room, touching everything, hums with the strange excitement of being a specially invited new confidante.
But the day after the pair’s unspoken attraction becomes physical — a scene deftly stretched to “Kiss already!” limits — a confusing tension enters the chat, triggering a tailspin of self-doubt in Coley. A lesser film might have pivoted toward assuring us of a happy makeup, but “Girls Like Girls,” which stays centered in Coley’s POV, understands that at the crux of her pain is an untended self-acceptance that must be addressed first. Da Costa realizes that journey with unforced naturalism, as if the camera just happened to be there to capture it. (Molloy betrays a more studied star wattage, but she’s nevertheless a solid other half.)
Mostly, “Girls Like Girls” wins us over with a singular type of first-film assuredness: a familiar story presented as the most personal reveal ever. If you can’t remember what it was like to try to tiptoe while swooning, your heart barely able to stay in your chest, you were never a teenager.
‘Girls Like Girls’
Rated: R, for teen alcohol and drug use, and some language
The Icelandic Nordic noir thriller follows police officer Aníta as she investigates dark secrets
19:00, 20 Jun 2026Updated 19:02, 20 Jun 2026
The chilling programme received good reviews from critics(Image: U)
Black Sands is returning for a second series on U.
The Icelandic crime thriller, which devotees of ITV’s Broadchurch ought to appreciate, resumes 14 months following the startling events of the opening season, with the small coastal town of Glerársandar still grappling with the revelation that a serial killer had been concealed in plain sight amongst its inhabitants.
Central to the new series is police officer Aníta, who is adapting to life as a new mother while wrestling with a powerful urge to return to work.
Her world is thrown into turmoil when a woman perishes in what seems to be a suspicious car crash. Driven to unearth the truth, Aníta becomes embroiled in the investigation alongside her friend and colleague Fríða, who is heading up the official police inquiry.
As the case progresses, sinister secrets from the town’s past start to surface. The investigation traces back to a former foster home with connections to Aníta’s own family, revealing decades of concealed trauma and lingering questions, reports Wales Online.
What at first appears to be a tragic accident quickly evolves into a considerably more intricate mystery, with startling revelations and devastating ramifications for those caught up in it.
Throughout the eight-part series, viewers can anticipate twists as long-buried truths emerge, relationships are put to the test, and suspicion descends upon numerous residents. As the pressure intensifies, Aníta grapples with both the investigation and her own personal demons, paving the way for a dramatic finale.
Season two of Black Sands arrives on U on 20 June, with all episodes available to stream from launch day.
Fans who have already delved into the crime thriller have offered mixed verdicts on the programme, though it has garnered acclaim from critics.
Reviewer Kelly Luchtman commented: Black Sands is a very satisfying series with fantastic acting, especially by Steinunn Ólína Thorsteinsdóttir, who has mastered the dangerous charm of Elín’s character.
“We can feel the oppressive sadness of the town, and empathize with Aníta, even if it’s her own bad decisions that are the impetus for her return. People have criticised the running time of the series and the agonising slowness of solving the crime. I agree it could have been 6 episodes instead of 8, but I still binged it.”
Black Sands series two is available to watch on U.
The now-influencer appeared on BBC’s Song Marry Avoid when she was just 19-years-old
17:38, 18 Jun 2026Updated 19:56, 20 Jun 2026
The now influencer was forced to turn down a number of TV opportunities because of her anxiety(Image: BBC)
A woman who appeared on a popular BBC show says she had no choice but to turn down some major opportunities.
Sophie Bow received a dramatic ‘makeunder’ on BBC’s Snog Marry Avoid, which featured the sassy robotic style guru POD (Personal Overhaul Device).
Rather than being given a makeover, those who appeared on the show were given a ‘makeunder’ as they were persuaded less is more.
The show was a huge hit with fans in the late 00s with singer Jenny Frost followed by comedian and Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Taylor as the host. The BBC Three show aired from 2008 until its sixth and final series in December 2013.
Sophie was just 19 when she first appeared on our TV screens, when she encountered POD as a teenager who loved lots of fake tan, heavy makeup and eye-catching outfits covered in sequins and glitter.
At the time, viewers fell in love with the teen and show bosses were keen to get her back on our TV screens for other projects.
Now 33, she has become a popular social media content creator but revealed that she was forced to turn down a number of TV opportunities because of her anxiety.
Looking back on her journey since appearing on Snog Marry Avoid, she took to TikTok and gave fans an update on her life today.
She started off by saying: “I would say appearing on telly back in the day definitely helped my career.
“Back then it was a very popular show but it disappeared off the face of the earth and no one knows why or where it went but it would be so good if they brought it back.”
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She revealed: “After being on that show, I did actually get casted for the first ever Love Island but I was in a relationship. I’ve always been in a relationship so I never went on the show. “
However her relationship wasn’t the only thing holding her back as she explained: “But there have been so many opportunities that I actually did miss out on – throughout my life because I do have anxiety – I suffer badly with anxiety.
“I don’t really know what triggered it but I do get quite back anxiety. Even to this day I get asked on brand trips or anything outside my comfort zone, if I’m not going with somebody I can’t.”
The influencer added: “I really need to push myself to do more. I have a little boy and he is the best thing ever so I did take a little break from social media for a little while but then I did go back into social media.
“I did lose quite a lot of following from having the break then I started a TikTok account and here I am.”
