Britain’s Got Talent has been accused of a ‘fix’ after one if it’s contestant has been revealed as a West End star who appeared in the musical Lion King
20:25, 05 Apr 2026Updated 21:28, 05 Apr 2026
Nic Vani was revealed as a West End star(Image: ITV)
A Britain’s Got Talent star’s West End past has been revealed. But now, Nic Vani has shared his dreams of finally being centre stage in a production, rather than in the background.
During his audition, Nic impressed all four judges with his impressive rendition of Circle of Life, taken from the hit musical, The Lion King.
But one explanation for his outstanding performance is the fact that he starred in the production as a performer. And according to reports, he played the iconic role of Simba.
Nic received a standing ovation from the judges, Stacey Solomon, who is standing in for Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, KSI and Alesha Dixon. And he received four yesses.
Nic, a father of three, described himself as a singer, without mentioning his professional past. And the reason for appearing on the show was that he finally felt ready to take his career to the next level. During his audition, Nic said: “In my current music career, I’ve always been at the back – so now I think that it’s time for me to be on the spotlight.”
However, after his performance, viewers started to do a bit of digging and found out he was a professional singer. A source said of Nic: “Nic loves performing and has been grafting in musical theatre for decades, but he has always been the swing player waiting in the wings and never the headline West End star. BGT has opened doors for all kinds of stage talent and Nic stepping out of the shadows to show his singing to the world could be the moment to change.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson said: “Anyone can apply for Britain’s Got Talent whether they are professional or amateur, irrespective of their experience. All contestants are auditioned on merit and judged on their performance on the day. Some of the acts appearing on the show may have tasted a level of success in their craft, but are not household names. All enter the contest with the hope of elevating their career to the highest level.”
As well as starring in The Lion King, he also landed a role in The Book of Mormon and has toured with former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse. Fans were not happy about the revelation as they believed the show should be about discovering untapped talent. Taking to X, one person wrote: “Nic vani.. the guy who literally played Simba in The Lion King.. why are they letting people like this on #bgt ??”
And his celebrity links were also on full display as Oti took to Instagram and wrote: “I love you so much and I hope this is the start of a beautiful journey for you.”
Although many were unhappy about his inclusion, others celebrated his talent as they felt he should have been given the coveted golden buzzer.
Another viewer said: “This man was phenomenal!!!! And should have had the golden buzzer!!! His performance made the hairs on my neck and spine stand on end!! Amazing!!!!”‘
Another act that was given Stacey’s golden buzzer was a primary school group who performed a unique version of All Things Bright And Beautiful. But within the song they then paused and performed a comedy skit.
Nic may be wanting to follow in the footsteps of BGT legend Susan Boyle, who shot to fame back in 2009 with her rendition of I Dreamed A Dream.
Following her performance, she made it to the final but lost out on winning the competition to dance group Diversity. Susan is now worth an estimated £22 million and has finally moved out of her childhood home.
Susan, who recently celebrated her 65th birthday, showed off her transformation. And fans were so taken aback by her news look, they said that the TV personality was ageing “backwards.”
Sharing a snap of her in a football shirt, showing off her blonde hair she captioned the post saying: “I’m so proud to support the wonderful charity, Street Soccer Scotland. I’ve absolutely loved getting my hands on this beautiful limited edition Street Soccer Scotland x Timorous Beasties football shirt.”
The L.A. man who was filmed punching and kicking the Mercedes-Benz of “Gown and Out in Beverly Hills” stars Patrik Simpson and Pol’ Atteu in Hollywood was arrested this week and booked on felony vandalism.
The reality stars shared the dramatic video of the incident on social media with the caption, “Emergency! We need your help! We were just attacked at an intersection.”
“This man just blocked the intersection of our car at Melrose and Vine and then kicked our door in attacking us. Police were called and the license plate is on the video. If you know who this is, call the police immediately and send me a DM. He is dangerous and the police are looking for him!”
In the video, a man wearing a Cheech & Chong tee that reads “Don’t Panic, It’s Organic” blocked the Melrose Avenue and Vine Street intersection Sunday around 9:20 a.m. and hopped out of his Toyota 4Runner.
Contrary to instructions on the man’s shirt, the married co-stars of the Amazon Prime reality series did begin to panic as the man, who has been identified as Los Angeles resident Kevin Antonio Hernandez, approached their vehicle and punched the driver’s side window and kicked the driver’s side door. “Lock the door!” Simpson is heard saying in the video. “Call the police!”
Hernandez continued to yell at the fashionistas as he returned to his vehicle, but it’s unclear what he was saying because the techno music playing on the radio in Simpson and Atteu’s Benz drowned out any outside noise. Hernandez climbed into the driver’s side of his Toyota and pointed at the couple, yelling one last time, before speeding off.
“Go get him!” Simpson is heard yelling as they continue to film, while chasing the Toyota through the streets of Hollywood and calling 911. The reality stars’ exchange with the emergency dispatcher played out in the video, with the dispatcher urging the couple to stop following the car.
According to Simpson and Atteu, Hernandez had a baby in the car during the heated exchange and ran stop signs and ignored traffic lights as he sped away.
“This is it, I’m going to die here,” Atteu told KTLA of his headspace during the ordeal. “I’ve never been faced with that kind of fear in my life on the streets of L.A.”
The Los Angeles Police Department told The Times that Hernandez was arrested Wednesday. He has since been released.
One of the greatest strikers of the past 15 years – Poland’s Robert Lewandowski – is among the big names who will not be playing at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
The 37-year-old Barcelona striker, who has scored 89 goals for his country, was not able to inspire his side as they lost 3-2 in Stockholm against Sweden in Tuesday’s play-off final.
Lewandowski, who won the German Bundesliga title on 10 occasions – twice with Borussia Dortmund and then in eight successive seasons with Bayern Munich, before winning La Liga twice with Barca – may have played in his last major international tournament.
We have taken a look at six players who have missed out on qualifying for this summer’s finals.
A BITTERLY fought five-year dispute between an EastEnders star, his wife and their neighbours over a dog bite on a Lord’s estate has finally ended.
TV actor and film star John Blundell and his wife Mercina were locked in a bitter legal fight with neighbouring lodge owners Alison and Andrew Girdiefski after the row over their tiny pooch Ziggy.
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Mercina and John Blundell are now selling their holiday lodge after the Girdiefski’s made their lives’ hellCredit: B176Alison and Andrew Girdiefski ended up settling out of courtCredit: FacebookZiggy, the Chinese crested dog, that caused a four year feud was placed on the dangerous dogs registerCredit: Instagram/Alison Girdiefski
The Sun can now confirm that Mercina and John have finally seen a closure in their favour, with an out of court payment after bringing a civil court case.
John – who also starred in Quadrophenia and Scum – and his wife are understood to be delighted by the result.
The long-running saga dates back to 2021 at the plush Fritton Lake estate in Norfolk, a 5,000-acre retreat owned by aristocrats Hugh and Lara Crossley, Lord and Lady Somerleyton.
The row all kicked off when Mercina had been visiting her neighbours’ lodge to admire renovation work when she says their small hairless Chinese crested dog, Ziggy, suddenly bit her on the wrist.
The attack, they claimed, left her with a half an in inch wound that later scarred, with the actor’s wife needing hospital treatment.
With the row spiralling out of control – John and Mercina then launched a civil case at Norwich County Court seeking damages.
The Sun has now confirmed the long-running dispute has been settled out of court.
It brings to an end to years of acrimony.
Court officials told The Sun the matter was settled out of court using a Part 36 offer – a formal settlement under the law.
A source close to the couple told us: “While the couple are selling their property at Fritton they are reluctant to talk.
“It has been a very difficult few years for the Blundell’s, who really have done nothing wrong at all.”
Back in 2021, what should have been a tranquil countryside getaway quickly spiralled into a toxic feud involving police, lawyers and estate bosses.
Relations between the couples then soured dramatically.
Lord Somerleyton – pictured with his wife Lara – even tried to mediate between the Blundell’s and Girdiefski’sCredit: ArchantThe 115 lodges at the resort, owned by Lord Somerleyton, sell for up to £350,000 and are set in secluded locations in the 5,000-acre groundsCredit: Fritton LodgeThere is a floating sauna on Fritton Lake as part of the resortCredit: TripAdvisor
The dispute even drew in Norfolk Police, with officers speaking to both sides.
Ziggy was added to a register of dangerous dogs, but no further action was taken due to the time elapsed.
Complaints of harassment were also investigated by Norfolk Police – but no offences were ultimately found.
Mercina also accused the pair of taunting them by singing “who let the dogs out” and filming them nearby.
Frustrated, the Blundells launched civil action – setting them for a court showdown.
The pair even recruited James McNally – known as “The Dog Bite Solicitor” who specialises in getting civil damages on dog attacks.
The Blundells said at the time they had been quoted £1,500 for a plastic surgeon to fix Mercina’s wrist – and were believed to be seeking up to £30k in costs and damages.
And the Girdiefskis had said ahead of the looming case that they found the figures “ridiculous”.
“The sort of money you would expect to be paying somebody who has had their face ripped off by a dog, not this mere 1.2cm cut,” said Alison in July 2025.
Speaking at the time, she added: “From day one, we have accepted responsibility.
“Our Ziggy did bite Mercina and we have never denied this.”
But the dramatic court clash never happened after the Girdiefskis agreed to settle.
A court spokesperson said: “This case was settled out of court by way of accepting a Part 36 offer, therefore there is no final order or settlement details to provide.
“Both sides had solicitors so in the end the court was not involved.”
John said the retreat, meant to be a peaceful escape, had instead become “a living nightmare”.
Both couples are now trying to sell their lodges on the exclusive estate.
The Girdiefski’s and Blundells have been approached for comment.
The Sun have also contacted Lord Somerleyton.
John Blundell starred in Quadrophenia, The Bill and EastendersCredit: IMDBJohn Blundell in The Bill, 1987Credit: ITVJohn Blundell as PC WILLIS in soap EastendersCredit: BBCJohn Blundell playing Banks in film ScumCredit: BBCJohn playing the leader of the rocker gang in cult film Quadrophenia
We spoke exclusively to Detective Hole creator Jo Nesbø and lead star Tobias Santelmann about the Netflix crime drama’s future
Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is adapted from a series of best-selling crime novels(Image: NETFLIX)
Netflix has only just dropped its thrilling new crime drama Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole but some viewers are already keen to know if there will be another series.
The nine-part detective series is adapted from best-selling crime author Nesbø’s The Devil’s Star and takes Netflix viewers on quite the ride.
Detective Hole follows troubled detective Harry Hole (Tobias Santelmann) as he races against the clock to track down a serial killer before they can strike again.
At the same time, Harry is locked in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game with crooked fellow police officer Tom Waaler (Joel Kinnaman).
Will there be a Detective Hole season 2?
In an exclusive interview with Mirror publishers Reach Plc, creator Nesbø, lead actor Santelmann and Beate Lønn star Ellen Helinder addressed the future of the show.
Nesbø said: “No plans yet [for a season two]. Right now, we’re just concentrating on getting this TV series out to the audience and we’ve been working on this for three years now.
“So, just the thought of starting all over again right now is a bit premature and we’re so exhausted right now that we want a vacation.”
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However, Harry Hole star Santelmann said: “I’m ready. You might be exhausted.”
Nesbø jokingly added: “You’re ready? Then I’m ready too for season two.”
The crime author admitted that he hadn’t yet thought about the direction he’d like to take the show in or which Harry Hole novel a possible season two might take.
Meanwhile, actress Helinder, who portrays the brilliant forensics officer Beate, shared her hopes for more seasons of Detective Hole: “Just to keep working with these amazing people and develop the characters even more.
“There’s so much to find in these people, who work within the law enforcement.
“Even more the morality, the ethical dilemmas and how is Harry going to cope with everything? Who is Beate? I would like to explore her backstory.
“I think this ability that she has for facial recognition is so cool, just for her to keep tracking cases and doing her thing.”
Given Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole has only just been released, Netflix will be keeping an eye on the viewing figures before making any renewal decisions.
The Devil’s Star is just one of 13 Harry Holes books that Nesbø has written, so there is plenty of content for the programme-makers and indeed the author, who also served as the screenwriter on the Netflix series, to draw on.
Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is streaming on Netflix now
In less than two months, six UCLA women’s basketball players might be working out with WNBA teams. The draft is April 13, a week after the NCAA national championship game, and the season starts less than a month later.
One of the most consequential pieces of the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement for current college players, including the UCLA super senior class, is expanded rosters.
Not only are two new teams — Portland and Toronto — entering the WNBA this season and adding 24 roster spots, but the new CBA will allow each team to have 12 traditional roster spots and two developmental player spots.
The new developmental players will get housing assistance and can practice and travel with their respective WNBA squads.
UCLA’s Charlisse Leger-Walker, left, and Angela Dugalic, back, swarm California Baptist forward Grace Schmidt during an NCAA tournament game at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Across the country during the NCAA tournament, players and coaches have noted how much the new WNBA CBA changes the future for the next generation of players.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley noted to reporters last week that it’s one of the first times many women’s basketball players will be able to accumulate generational wealth. And they can do so without necessarily having to play in other leagues around the world during the WNBA offseason.
“The WNBA will make you make a choice because you have to be on time in training camp.” Staley said. “It’s worth it now. It’s worth it to actually have your body recover and just play in the WNBA season.”
Last season, just 20 rookies made rosters out of training camp. The fight for those spots might get more competitive for some young players now that the league offers higher salaries and some high-end international players might find it more worthwhile to sign in the WNBA.
Teams are now required to roster 12 players, compared with the option to have 11 instead of 12 under the previous CBA, which allowed franchises to spend more on top players and have less of a cap hit by triming their roster size.
But likely, more players who otherwise wouldn’t have gotten looks or would have been cut during past training camps will now have a realistic shot a developmental player spot.
“I just feel a lot of pride,” said UCLA sixth-year forward Angela Dugalic. “Because of them, I’m able to have a lot of things that they maybe weren’t able to have at the start of their career. And some of them, like, they’re either at the end of their career or they’re even finished right now, they’re still fighting for us.”
Kneepkens or Leger-Walker (though she was recovering from an ACL injury) would have been WNBA draft-eligible after last season. Their rookie salaries would have been around $70,000, depending on where they were selected. This year, the rookie minimum will be $270,000, and top picks, which Betts and Rice are projected to be, will make as much as $500,000.
“Just like the growth we’re even experiencing now in college, we have so many people before us to thank that. [They] fought for better exposure and TV rights … fought for Title IX and resources to be allocated appropriately,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “I think it’s similar right now in terms of the CBA. We need to really thank the people in that room that fought hard.”
UCLA guard Kiki Rice dribbles up the floor under pressure from California Baptist guard Filipa Barros Saturday at Pauley Pavilion.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
UCLA players are understandably locked in on the NCAA tournament, but they haven’t ignored an important moment.
“I think it’s awesome for women’s basketball and the progress going forward,” Leger-Walker said. “I love that we have players who are willing to advocate and really stand on what they believe in. We’re making steps forward.”
Where they all fit on individual teams or in respective mock drafts will all be more clear after free agency begins in the week ahead of the draft. Around 80% of the league are free agents, so there are going to be plenty of new-look teams.
UCLA players will soon get a chance to join those roster makeovers under working conditions past players never enjoyed.
“I’m just grateful for all the women who fought for what they’ve earned,” Kneepkens said. “That’s just super cool for anyone that’s a WNBA fan and anyone that’s part of it. They made this happen.”
Kelly Cates, Joe Hart and Danny Murphy discuss why Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is “the favourite” to be in the starting XI for England in this summer’s World Cup.
People have been panning Tottenham boss Igor Tudor but they will look upon him in a different light if his side win this game.
Maybe he just needs to identify the opposition’s threat a little bit better than he does opposing managers – that clip of him mistaking someone else for Arne Slot at Anfield last week did make me chuckle.
Nottingham Forest‘s issue is that they don’t score enough goals, and that lack of attacking threat might just cost them here.
I know I keep mentioning it, but Forest manager Vitor Pereira has still not won a Premier League game all season, after 12 attempts with Wolves and Forest.
I don’t think he will win this week, either, although this is going to be an extremely tight game.
Spurs’ first aim will be to avoid any calamities like their red card against Crystal Palace in their previous home league game.
They have a few injuries, but they still have a fair bit of quality in their team.
Tottenham also have a bit of positivity and momentum after Wednesday’s home win over Atletico Madrid, even though it wasn’t enough to turn around their Champions League tie. Now they need to build on that.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-0
Amari’s prediction: If we play like we did against Liverpool and we get some players back from injury too, then we can do this. Forest have got some good players but we just need to get a result, it doesn’t matter how. 3-2
Amari on why he supports Spurs, and his favourite players: It’s down to my dad – every single person on my dad’s side is a Spurs fan. When I was kid, my heroes were Gareth Bale and then Dele Alli – when he first came to us, he was incredible.
Amari on whether Spurs will stay up or not? It’s been such a frustrating time because I don’t know what’s been going wrong. We can say it’s because of injuries but every team has those. We have been missing lots of players, but we still have a good squad.
I’ve been stressed about it before, but I am not stressed about it right now. If we are still in this situation with three games left then it is different, we might be going down. Now? I do believe we can get out of this.
Genesis’ prediction: I am going to give you a strange one here – I think Forest will surprise people. 1-3
The Yorkshire Vet stars Julian Norton and Lucy Pittaway tackled an unusual case
Julian and Lucy urgently operated on a dog that faced “life-threatening” problems(Image: Channel 5)
The Yorkshire Vet stars Julian Norton and Lucy Pittaway urgently operated on a dog that faced “life-threatening” problems as they admitted it’s something they had never seen before.
The Channel 5 hit show made a comeback to our TV screens on Tuesday evening (March 17), as the vets at Wetherby prepared for a momentous procedure on a three-year-old spaniel named Ghost, who had a mysterious bump on his body.
Julian explained: “His owners are worried that they’ve seen something swollen and big in his abdomen and of literally seeing it sticking out. So the bulge under his skin there, we think it’s a tumour on the spleen.”
While checking Ghost’s lump, he pointed out how it was bigger than anticipated as he said: “Generally the more aggressive cancers we see in older dogs, so that makes it rather unusual, but we’ll see, hopefully with something that we can easily remedy.”
Resident expert scanner Nat was forced to step in and examine Ghost as they struggled to identify the problem as she admitted: “It generally doesn’t look recognizable as anything else.”
Julian was worried as he said: “It could be on the liver. Now, if it is, a cancerous growth on the liver, then that makes it altogether more complicated.
“With the benefit of modern imaging, we can get a really good idea in most cases what we’re dealing with, but this seems to be a little bit of a strange one.”
With scans inconclusive, Julian and the team are puzzled by Ghost’s mysterious lump. They made the decision to operate on the spaniel.
However It was clear they had a huge challenge on their hands as Lucy admitted: “It’s weird because it’s just so prominent there. I’ve literally never seen anything like it. It’s like not moving at all.”
Following a strenuous operation, Julian expressed his relief as he confirmed that it was not an abdominal mass and could in fact be an infection. They decided to prescribe Ghost with some antibiotics to help tackle the swelling.
Julian and Lucy were left pleased as they discovered that just one month after operating on Ghost, his lump was completely gone.
Speaking to Lucy, Julian said: “I’m glad we didn’t do anything more dramatic at the time but yeah, totally mended. Job is a good one. Another life saved, Lucy.”
Lucy added: “At least he is much happier now.” Ghost is definitely in good spirits as he was later seen enjoying a walk with his owner Ryan.
You can catch up on The Yorkshire Vet on Channel 5
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WARNING: Contains spoilers about the Handcuffed final.
22:00, 17 Mar 2026Updated 22:11, 17 Mar 2026
Handcuffed stars Rob and Charlie have spoken about their sweet relationship(Image: 72 Films)
The sheer number of people who pulled out proves just how hard Channel 4’s Handcuffed: Last Pair Standing was: challenging 18 Brits to remain handcuffed to a total stranger. And not just any total stranger – one a team of producers have judged will create the most explosive TV possible.
Tonight, viewers saw Staffordshire porn star Rob, 32, and West Sussex homemaker Charlie, 44, make it all the way to the end, winning the show and a suitcase bulging with £100,000. Now, after the pre-recorded series, they explain whether they stayed in touch and just what they plan to do with the winnings.
The reality is quite sweet – with the pair very much in each other’s lives. Speaking about the moment they were uncuffed, Rob said: “It felt great! I just wanted to shout “FREEDOM” at the top of my lungs. It was a nice moment, but also a little sad moment knowing that my partner has now got to go.”
Charlie added: “It was a huge relief. We actually had to wait quite a long time! It wasn’t like we were instantly un-handcuffed. It was a crazy experience but a huge relief. It took a while to get used to doing things on my own, but that’s maybe because I was very overtired.”
But fans of the couple will be pleased to hear that they have stayed in touch in a major way. Charlie explained: “I’ve learned so much from Rob. He’s such a gentle giant and a kind person. It’s lovely now that we don’t have to keep our friendship secret.
“We can meet up and we’ve been texting a lot. He’s been chatting to my husband Simon! I’ve been chatting to his mum! He and his family are coming over to our house this Friday night to celebrate. I learned so much from walking beside him.
“It was a once in a lifetime experience. Rob was really keen that I didn’t put everyone else’s needs first and I’ve tried to implement that since. We talked about a lot of things! Rob is a very deep person and he’s a very good listener.”
Rob said: “One of the first things I’m going to do is a huge Costco run of food and drink and go out with Tilly to feed the homeless. I was very inspired watching what she did on the programme – I’d like to do a few acts of kindness. I’m also going travelling round South East Asia and investing in a new business. And then I’ll put the rest in savings for a rainy day.”
He added: “I learned a lot. I learned that money doesn’t always buy happiness. It’s important to spend a lot of time with your friends and family, and that I was putting work before everything. I was working too hard and not having an equal balance. And Charlie taught me how to make sourdough!”
Speaking about what they learnt about themselves during the programme, Rob said: “I learned that I need to take a little bit of a step back and prioritise different things in my life. And I want to get a bit more into baking and cooking.”
Charlie said: “That I can slow down, and be a bit more patient. And that I can take some time to rest and recharge, so then I can be my best for myself and others.”
Tonight viewers saw host Jonathan Ross taking the final pairings to Loch Lomond in Scotland to take part in a Mr & Mrs quiz to see who knew each other best. The final three – Charlie and Rob, Tilly and Anthony and Morag and Angie – all then competed in a handcuffed race from Scotland, to Wales and on to London.
Viewers saw Charlie and Rob scramble onto a bus where Jonathan was waiting with the key to unlock them – and a case full of the cash.
THE OSCARS is back for another year, and will see the crème de la crème of Hollywood clamouring to snatch one of those famous golden statues.
But despite the prestigious nature of the Academy Awards, they don’t always guarantee an A-list life forever in Tinseltown – as these past winners have found out…
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Mo’Nique
Mo’Nique was riding high in her career when she scooped the Best Supporting Actress gong for PreciousCredit: AlamyHowever, shortly after winning the gong, the actress says she was ‘blacklisted’ from HollywoodCredit: Getty
Let’s kick off our look at forgotten Oscar winners with Mo’Nique, who claimed she was “blacklisted” after her win at the Academy Awards.
When she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2010 for her performance in Precious it was her acceptance speech that got people talking, which began: “First, I would like to thank the Academy for showing that it can be about the performance and not the politics.”
Mo’Nique was referring to a fallout which started long before the Oscars.
It came when she refused to travel the world to promote the film – against the advisement of director Lee Daniels and producers Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey – despite the movie having “Oscar buzz”.
Following this fallout, Mo’Nique declined to thank filmmaker Lee during her acceptance speech, leading to a HUGE Hollywood feud – during which the actress alleged that he had “blackballed” her from the industry.
And shortly after winning the coveted statue she practically vanished from Tinseltown.
The star has since reflected on being a victim of so-called “Oscarscurse” – where stars suffer bad luck in their career after winning an Academy Award.
Speaking to CNN in 2020, Mo’Nique said: “I believe winning that Oscar award, just as Hattie McDaniel, she said, ‘I felt like I was cursed instead of winning something that should be congratulated’.
“That award was something that I did not ask for, but because I didn’t respond the way people thought that I should have responded, as Lee Daniels said, I was blackballed.”
Mercedes Ruehl
Mercedes Ruehl won the Academy Award for The Fisher King in 1992Credit: AlamyThe actress returned to the stage after the movie roles failed to pour in after her Oscar winCredit: Getty
At the 1992 Oscars, Mercedes Ruehl was having the time of her life after scooping the Best Supporting Actress gong.
Despite her movie The Fisher King being led by Hollywood heavyweights Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges, Mercedes was the one who took home that coveted gold statue.
But even though she won such a huge award, the movie roles failed to pour in after her night of glory and the actress “vanished” from Hollywood.
Reflecting on the “curse” of winning such a top prize, she told the HuffPost: “It’s hard to get a job after that.
“People think you want more money.”
Instead, Mercedes returned to the stage and went on to win a Tony award the same year as her Oscar – she has remained a fixture of Broadway ever since.
Harold Russell
Harold Russell (centre) won the Best Supporting Actor gong for The Best Years of Our LivesCredit: AlamyHarold was the first non-professional actor to win an OscarCredit: Getty
Harold Russell’s Oscars tale is very different to the others.
The late star lost both his hands in World War II and had them replaced by hooks.
Harold had never acted before when he played the role of Homer Parrish in The Best Years of Our Lives in 1946.
He was cast after the director of the film saw him in Diary of a Sergeant, an Army film about rehabilitating war veterans.
Despite his lack of acting experience, Harold proved to be a huge hit in The Best of Our Lives, and he won not one, but TWO Oscars for his role.
At the 1947 Academy Awards he was awarded the Best Supporting Actor and a special Honorary Academy Award for bringing hope and courage to fellow veterans.
Harold was also the first non-professional actor to ever win an Oscar.
But despite all this glory, he took a step back from acting and didn’t appear in another film until 1980.
Instead, he decided to get a business degree and devoted his life to charity.
Speaking about why he didn’t continue his Hollywood career, he told the Los Angeles Times in 1996: “Wyler (the director) told me I should go back to college because there wasn’t much call for a guy with no hands in the motion picture industry.
“I figured he was right. [In the handful of roles I’ve taken since then,] I always play a disabled veteran.
“And this is what Wyler said, ‘After a while they’re going to run out of ideas’—and he was absolutely right. How many times can you play the same role?”
Harold died in 2002 at the age of 88.
Roberto Benigni
Italian actor Roberto Benigni scooped the Best Actor gong and Best Foreign Film at the 71st Academy Awards in 1999Credit: AlamyThe actor is seen here at the Venice Film Festival in 2021Credit: Getty
Next up we have Italian actor Roberto Benigni, whose double Oscar win in 1999 caused quite a reaction.
The star won two gongs for the foreign film La Vita è Bella (Life is Beautiful), taking home the statues for Best Actor and Best International Feature Film – as he directed the movie too.
The film was the first non-English speaking picture to win the Best Actor award.
But Roberto, who was up against Tom Hanks, Ian McKellen, Nick Nolte and Ed Norton for the award, faced a huge backlash for his “over the top” reaction to winning the coveted gong.
He was seen climbing over audience seats to accept the award, which was slammed as being “chaotic”.
Roberto was also criticised for his “disingenuous” acceptance speech, where he appeared to make light of winning such a huge award.
“This is a terrible mistake. I used up all my English!” he joked, upon being handed the award.
Despite his big win, the actor retreated back to his native-Italy to make films instead of in Hollywood.
Speaking about life as a two-time Oscar winner, Roberto once told The Guardian: “The most important thing is to continue to be yourself.
“The day after the Oscars, you have to get on with your life. To be honest and true to yourself. I could have made a small film and kept all the money from Life is Beautiful. Instead, I spent more money than I had on Pinocchio, a very risky film.”
The actor is referring to his 2002 movie Pinocchio, which was only released in Italy and received mixed reviews from critics, with one calling it “the worst movie ever made”.
Marcia Gay Harden
Marcia Gay Harden won the Best Supporting Actress award for Pollack in 2000Credit: AlamyThe actress later called her win ‘disastrous on a professional level’Credit: Getty
Marcia Gay Harden beat the odds to scoop the Best Supporting Actress award for Pollack in 2000.
Critics were also shocked that Marcia won the Oscar as she hadn’t been nominated for any other major award in the run-up to the ceremony.
Despite the actress’s huge win, her movie career stalled and she headed back to the small screen.
Reflecting on being a victim of the “Oscar curse”, Marcia once told the LA Times: “It’s disastrous on a professional level.
“Suddenly the parts you’re offered and the money become smaller. There’s no logic to it.”
Mira Sorvino
In 1996, Mira Sorvino was the toast of the OscarsCredit: AlamyHowever, these days she is best known for Romy and Michele’s High School ReunionCredit: Getty
Mira Sorvino
Fans of the quirky movie Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion may be surprised to know that the film’s co-leading actress, Mira Sorvino, actually won an Oscar before starring in the cult classic movie.
A few years before, the actress won a huge amount of praise when she played a prostitute in Woody Allen’s Mighty Aphrodite.
She wowed so much, she scooped the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1996 for the role.
Despite going on to star in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion the following year, the movie roles after that failed to pour in and she has switched her focus to TV.
Marisa Tomei
Film fans may be surprised to know that Marisa Tomei won an OscarCredit: Corbis Historical – GettyThe actress faced some backlash over her Oscar win, with a rumour going around that she was ‘given it by mistake’Credit: Getty
It may come as a surprise to film fans to find out that the actress won an Oscar in 1993 – but that is nothing compared to what happened on the actual night.
Shockwaves went through the prestigious ceremony when the relatively-unknown actress at the time scooped the gong for Best Supporting Actress, beating veteran stars like Joan Plowright and Vanessa Redgrave.
But it didn’t stop there, as poor Marisa, who won the award for her role in My Cousin Vinny, faced rumours that she had been given the Oscar “by mistake”.
Vicious gossip began to circulate that suggested that presenter Jack Palance had misread the envelope and mistakenly given the Oscar to Marisa instead of “its rightful owner”, Vanessa.
However, the Academy addressed the conspiracy theory and denied that she had been given it by “mistake.”
Speaking about the cruel rumour, Marisa once said: “That was really hurtful at first.”
Despite the fall out from her Oscar three decades ago, she has been nominated for two more since.
These days Marisa is best known for playing Spider-Man‘s mum in the famous franchise.
Adapted from the identically titled novel, A Woman of Substance follows housemaid Emma Harte as she challenges societal conventions to establish a worldwide business empire.
Spanning dual timelines, the eight-episode series chronicles Emma’s (portrayed by Jessica Reynolds) ascent from her formative hardships through to the present day, where she (Brenda Blethyn) confronts fresh, unforeseen challenges.
Where was A Woman of Substance filmed?
Captured during spring 2025, sequences depicting young Emma in the early 1900s were shot throughout Yorkshire, with the Grade I-listed Georgian residence Broughton Hall serving as Fairley Hall.
Broughton Hall previously featured as a filming venue in Channel 4’s original 1984 adaptation of A Woman of Substance.
Broughton Hall is the 16th Century manor house situated at the centre of the 3,000 acre Broughton Sanctuary estate.
Whilst the property remains unchanged, it’s now encompassed by the sanctuary, housing the Avalon Wellbeing Centre and offering holiday accommodation available for guest bookings.
Production teams were additionally observed at Ilkley Moor, Barnsley Town Hall and at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens in Doncaster.
Speaking about the use of Brodsworth Hall in the series, a representative from English Heritage said: “Last year we were pleased to welcome a production company, filming scenes for an adaption of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s A Woman of Substance.
“Filming took place within our Servants’ Wing, Laburnam Arch and Target House/Range and we are extremely excited and proud to see Brodsworth on the small screen!”.
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Reynolds, who portrays the younger version of Emma Harte, shared her experiences of filming in Yorkshire with Country and Town House.
She said: ‘I know the crew worry about wind and rain, but I just love being able to have nature around me and working off the elements.
“I feel much less self-conscious, and freer.
“Some of the locations were just breathtaking and those are the images that stick in my mind today when I think back to filming; Yorkshire is just stunning.
“Those are some of Emma’s happiest moments too, when she’s so connected to the land – it’s a beautiful thing.”
Meanwhile, the contemporary scenes featuring Vera legend Blethyn, which are supposed to be set in New York, were actually filmed in Liverpool.
This isn’t the first time Liverpool has served as a stand-in for New York in film production, with major films including Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and 2022’s The Batman also shot in the UK city.
A Woman of Substance premieres on Wednesday, March 11, at 9pm on Channel 4.
THE woman charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting up Rihanna’s home called the pop superstar a “witch” and claimed she was going to “die” in a disturbing video before the attack.
Shooting suspect Ivanna Ortiz branded the pop star a witch in a disturbing YouTube videoCredit: YouTube / Ivanna OrtizRihanna attends the 2025 CFDA Awards at American Museum of Natural History on November 3, 2025Credit: GettyIvanna Ortiz (pictured) allegedly traveled from her home in Florida to Rihanna’s mansion in LACredit: Facebook / Ivanna OrtizRihanna was reportedly at home when Ivanna shot at her front gate while driving byCredit: AP
Police claim the suspect fired multiple shots using an AR-15-style rifle – with several bullets striking Rihanna’s front gate and an RV parked on the driveway – after she drove to the star’s $14million Los Angeles home on Sunday.
Mom-of-three Rihanna was reportedly at home at the time of the disturbing incident but was not injured.
It is unclear whether anyone else, including her partner, A$AP Rocky, or their young children were in the property at the time.
Ortiz, from Orlando, Florida, remains in custody, and bail has been set at around $10.2million, officials confirmed to The U.S. Sun.
In the months leading up to the crime, Ortiz blasted the star in videos on her YouTube channel,c where she shares daily clips with the title, Praying Woman’s Journal.
“Rihanna, when you die, God is taking me to my future,” she tells viewers in one bone-chilling video from two months ago.
“You want to kill me? Shut the f*** up. Okay, shut the f*** up. Yeah, she’s a witch. She’s a witch. I’m a watchman. She’s a witch. Get that stupid girl out of here, okay,” she continues to ramble incoherently.
Other posts shared on Ortiz’s Facebook mention celebrities, including Rihanna, as she seemingly threatens the pop star.
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On February 23, she wrote, “@badgalriri — Are you there? Cause I was waiting for your AIDS 5-head self to say something to me directly instead of sneaking around like you’re talking to me where I’m not at.”
She also shared a photograph of rapper Drake, with the caption, “When Drake found out Rihanna has AIDS #champagnepapi.”
There is no suggestion that her posts are true.
She referenced Rihanna as far back as December, even claiming she was “with @badgalriri” a month later, along with other stars tagged in her disturbing posts.
Ortiz also seemed angry at many female celebrities on her page, branding Kim Kardashian a “stupid b****,” adding, “Your turn hiding b****, stop begging for a look.”
Pictures show her in full glam with different hair styles, and in one, she appears next to several awards, writing, “Posing with my pageant trophies. Miss Teen Illinois Latina Princess 2006.”
She lists herself as living in Florida and is featured in earlier posts with a young girl, thought to be her daughter.
The U.S. Sun obtained filings from December 2025 that show a Florida appeals court upheld a ruling stripping Ortiz of all time-sharing rights with her child in her legal fight with ex, Jed Nikko Valdez Sangalang.
Ortiz had appealed a temporary order issued by a judge in Orange County that revoked her time-sharing entirely and barred her from having any contact with their child.
She filed for divorce in 2015, and the case docket shows it is still ongoing years later.
She was also previously charged after an alleged violent attack on her ex-partner in front of their young child, according to records.
Details about the exact outcome of that case remain limited, but Ortiz has a history of legal issues in Florida, including allegedly violating pretrial release conditions.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Sangalang for comment.
Meanwhile, Rihanna has yet to comment on the shooting incident.
A dispatch call from the Los Angeles West Division was reviewed by The U.S. Sun, and features an operator asking officers to attend to an address on Heather Road after reports of gunfire.
The call crackled over the radio, with the dispatcher relaying that the shots had come from across the street and that no one at the scene had a clear view of the suspect.
Witnesses said the gunfire came from a white Tesla, which was seen speeding away down Coldwater Canyon after “ten shots” were fired at the property’s gate.
For more than 10 minutes, officers scrambled for information as they tried to determine the Tesla’s exact model and license plate while investigators worked to pull nearby surveillance footage.
Authorities later said the suspect, described as having braided hair and wearing a cream blouse, was tracked by helicopter to a shopping center parking lot in Sherman Oaks and arrested around 30 minutes after the initial call.
When officers stopped the car, they allegedly found an assault rifle and seven shell casings inside the vehicle.
Ivanna Ortiz pictured in a Facebook postCredit: Facebook / Ivanna OrtizIvanna Lisette Ortiz is seen in a previous booking photo for an unrelated crimeCredit: Orange County, Sheriff’s Dept (Florida)
