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Backlash

MAGA, Turning Point USA Backlash

by jummy84 October 12, 2025

written by jummy84

When news hit that Bad Bunny would headline the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime, his fans rejoiced. The choice made sense given that the Puerto Rican superstar is among the most streamed artists on the planet, and the performance is also set to make history: Because Bad Bunny doesn’t sing in English, this will be the first halftime show in Spanish.

Bad Bunny took pride in that fact. “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” he said in a statement on the day of the announcement. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown … this is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”

However, the right had an entirely different reaction. Conservative commentators immediately attacked the decision of Roc Nation, the NFL, and Apple Music and launched into a full meltdown on social media. They latched onto the fact that Bad Bunny would not be singing in English and grumbled about his political and immigration stances. (He has been outspoken about Puerto Rican independence and has called out Trump’s immigration policies, saying in a recent interview that he decided not to tour in the U.S. because of fears that ICE would harass his Latino fanbase.) “The NFL is self-destructing year after year,” MAGA YouTuber Benny Johnson wrote on X.

Their protests got more dramatic as Trump advisors, and even Trump himself, weighed in. Trump called the decision to have Bad Bunny headline “absolutely ridiculous,” while the organization Turning Point USA went as far as setting up a “counterprogram” called “The All-American Halftime Show” as an alternative to the star’s performance. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny has commented little, save for an SNL monologue poking fun at the situation.

Here’s everything that’s happened so far.

Bad Bunny Delivers a Pro-Immigrant Message in Video for “Nuevayol”

Bad Bunny has often been outspoken when it comes to politics in Puerto Rico, but he did use the video for “Nuevayol” to speak up against the immigration policies of the current administration. Toward the end of the video, a voice that sounds a lot like Donald Trump’s bellows out of a Seventies radio and says the following: “I made a mistake. I want to apologize to the immigrants in America. I mean the United States. I know America is the whole continent. I want to say that this country is nothing without the immigrants. This country is nothing without Mexicans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Cubans.”

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Bad Bunny Says He Didn’t Tour in the U.S. Because of ICE

Speaking to i-D, Bad Bunny said he would be skipping the U.S. during his DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS tour over concerns that large gatherings of Latinos in the U.S. could be magnets for the Trump administration’s anti-immigration efforts. “There was the issue of — like, fucking ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about,” he said of the decision.

Bad Bunny Is Announced As 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Performer

After much speculation over who would play the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, Bad Bunny was announced as the headliner. The Puerto Rican star shared the news in an Instagram post during the matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. In a short video, Bad Bunny’s hit song “Callaita” plays as he sits atop a goal post on the shore of a Puerto Rican beach, wearing a pava hat. That same night, he went on X and seemed to reference his past comments about touring in the U.S. “After speaking with my team, I think I’ll do just one show in the United States,” he wrote in Spanish.

Right-Wingers Melt Down Following Announcement

After the announcement, several right-wing figures went on social media to blast the decision. A big source of their displeasure seemed to be that Bad Bunny has no songs in English, making this the first Super Bowl Halftime that’ll be in Spanish. “Massive Trump hater. Anti-ICE activist. No songs in English,” MAGA YouTuber Benny Johnson wrote on X.

Kristi Noem Says ICE Will Be At Bad Bunny’s Halftime Performance

Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski went on Benny Johnson’s “The Benny Show,” where the host asked him if “ICE will have enforcement at the Super Bowl for the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime.”

Lewandowski took the moment to make it about immigration and the administration’s strict policies. “We will find you, we will apprehend you, we will put you in a detention facility, and we will deport you,” he threatened. “So know that is a very real situation under this administration, which is completely contrary to how it used to be.”

Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security, backed Lewandowski at a later appearance on “The Benny Show,” saying ICE will be “all over” the 2026 Super Bowl.

“I have the responsibility for making sure everybody goes to the Super Bowl, has the opportunity to enjoy it and to leave, and that’s what America’s about,” Noem said in the clip. “So yeah, we’ll be all over that place. We’re going to enforce the law.”

Bad Bunny Addresses Backlash During SNL Monologue

Bad Bunny hosted SNL on Oct. 4 and took the opportunity to poke fun at the political reaction he received over his Super Bowl announcement. He joked that “everyone is happy” about his future gig, “even Fox News.” After, the show spliced together several right-wing hosts on the right-wing network combining to say, “Bad Bunny. Is. My favorite. Musician. And he should be the next. President.”

“I’m very excited to be doing the Super Bowl, and I know that people all around the world who love my music are also happy,” he said before continuing in Spanish. “… Especially all the Latinos and Latinas in the whole world, and here in the United States, all the people who have worked to open doors, more than I have achieved, who have achieved everything, demonstrating that our way, our carrying of this country, no one can ever remove nor erase.”

Trump Calls Bad Bunny Performance ‘Ridiculous’

A few days after Bad Bunny’s SNL appearance, Trump went on Newsmax’s Greg Kelly Reports, where he was asked about the Puerto Rican star’s Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Trump took a few shots and emphasized that he doesn’t know Bad Bunny. “I never heard of him. I don’t know who he is,” Trump said. “I don’t know why they’re doing it, it’s crazy, and then they blame it on some promoter that they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Meanwhile, other conservative commentators seemed to be watching Bad Bunny’s every move. When video surfaced of him sitting down during “God Bless America” at a Yankees game, they spiraled again. MAGA figure Tomi Lahren posted on X: “Bad Bunny appears to stay seated during ‘God Bless America’ at Yankee Stadium… Yeah, because he has a clear disdain for America. He’s an -sshole.”

Turning Point USA Announces Halftime Counterprogram

Turning Point USA, the conservative group founded by the late Charlie Kirk, announced that it would put together a counterprogram during Bad Bunny’s performance, calling it “The All-American Halftime Show” to celebrate “faith, family, and freedom.”

On their website, the organization included a contact form to give their followers a chance to request music and artists. They offered a few options, including worship music, country, and “Anything in English.”

October 12, 2025 0 comments

Bollywood

Aneet Padda Faces Backlash Over Hurting Religious Sentiment In Resurfaced Video

by jummy84 October 10, 2025

written by jummy84

Aneet Padda, the rising star who recently captivated audiences with her performance in the blockbuster film “Saiyaara,” has found herself embroiled in controversy. An old video of the actress has resurfaced online, sparking a heated debate and accusations of hurting religious sentiments. The clip, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows Padda singing a well-known Urdu poem, “Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua,” in a lighthearted and song-like manner. This has led to a divided response, with some criticizing her for what they perceive as disrespect, while others have come to her defense, offering a different perspective on the matter.

The video, which appears to have been filmed before her recent surge in fame, captures a candid moment of Padda with a friend. In the clip, she is seen enjoying herself while singing the verses of the poem, which was penned by the famed poet Muhammad Iqbal in 1902. While many viewers found the video to be a harmless and joyful expression, a segment of the online community took offense, accusing the actress of mocking a significant piece of Urdu literature that is often recited in schools and holds cultural importance.

The backlash was swift, with numerous social media users expressing their disappointment and anger. Comments flooded in, with many stating that Padda’s actions were inappropriate and insensitive. One user wrote, “Duniya mein gaane kam padh rahe the kya jo naat pe naach gaa rahe ho?” (“Were there not enough songs in the world that you had to sing and dance to a naat?”). Another comment read, “This is very bad. Shame on her.” The criticism largely stemmed from the belief that the poem is a “naat,” a form of devotional poetry in praise of the Prophet Muhammad, and that treating it in a casual manner was disrespectful to Muslim sentiments.

However, the narrative is not one-sided. A significant number of people have come forward to defend the “Saiyaara” actress, clarifying the nature of the poem and Padda’s intentions.

Many have pointed out that “Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua” is not a religious naat but rather a poem that is widely taught in schools across the subcontinent as a “bache ki dua,” or a child’s prayer. One supporter clarified, “She is not making fun of Muslim naat. What @aneetpadda_ and her friend are making fun of is called bache ki dua by Muhammad Iqbal. It’s a form of poetic dua/prayer. It’s recited in schools mostly.”

Others have echoed this sentiment, emphasising that the poem’s universal themes of hope and aspiration transcend any single religion. “This is just poetry,” commented one user, while another urged for calm, writing, “Don’t Be Misguided Guys No Hate For Her ❤️.” The debate has highlighted a cultural and linguistic nuance, with the distinction between a “naat” and a “dua” being a key point of contention.

This controversy comes at a time when Aneet Padda’s career is on a steep upward trajectory. Her debut in “Salaam Venky” (2022) was followed by a role in “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” but it was her lead role opposite Ahaan Panday in “Saiyaara” that catapulted her to nationwide fame. The film’s immense success has made her a household name, and this recent incident marks her first significant brush with public scrutiny.

The resurfaced video and the ensuing debate serve as a reminder of the complexities of fame in the digital age, where past actions can be brought to light and subjected to intense public examination. While the controversy has certainly cast a shadow, it has also opened up a dialogue about cultural understanding and the interpretation of art and literature. As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen how this will impact the promising career of one of Bollywood’s newest stars.

October 10, 2025 0 comments

Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh Reignite On-Screen Magic In New Ad

Bollywood

Deepika Padukone Faces Backlash Over Abu Dhabi Tourism Ad Attire, Fans Comes To Rescue

by jummy84 October 9, 2025

written by jummy84

Bollywood star Deepika Padukone found herself embroiled in social media controversy after appearing in a promotional video for Abu Dhabi tourism alongside her husband, Ranveer Singh. The actress drew criticism and was trolled for wearing a hijab and abaya in a segment of the advertisement, which quickly ignited a debate online.

The ad, which unveiled Deepika and Ranveer as brand ambassadors for “Experience Abu Dhabi,” showcased the couple exploring various landmarks in the city. Padukone was seen dressed in traditional Arab attire, including the abaya and a head covering, while visiting a mosque. This sartorial choice sparked a wave of negativity from some users on social media, accusing her of various things.

However, the trolling was immediately met with strong support and a swift defense from her loyal fanbase, who mobilized across various platforms to clap back at the negativity and shield the actress.

Fans Come To Support Deepika- Ranveer

Deepika’s supporters lauded her for displaying respect for another culture and took immense pride in her gesture. Many pointed out the clear context for the attire, stressing that covering one’s head and wearing modest clothing is a requirement for tourists, both male and female, when visiting religious sites like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

“Let me clarify every tourist who visits Sheikh Zayad Masjid both males and females have to wear decent clothes and women to cover their heads. Many Christian celebrities, too, cover their heads. So stop making issue,” one fan explained, dismantling the basis of the criticism.

Another user drew a parallel to cultural expectations within India: “As Indians we need not show insecurity about everything. She is covering her head just like we would expect foreign tourists to wear decent clothes in our temples.” This sentiment was echoed by those who highlighted that the couple has always dressed appropriately when visiting Indian places of worship, such as the Siddhi Vinayak temple. “Mosque is a worship place just like temple so obviously she would wear clothes appropriately??” a comment read, suggesting the backlash was baseless.

Many fans focused on the professional context of the ad, arguing that as actors, Deepika and Ranveer were simply doing their job, which involved portraying cultural experiences relevant to the region they were promoting. One supporter declared, “In the tourism commercial she is wearing what is appropriate for that culture. You should be proud of someone who can go to any country and be respectful.”

The broader consensus among her defenders was that the backlash stemmed from a desire to spread negativity and hate against a successful individual. Some users dismissed the uproar as a “controversy” manufactured by “lame-a** people criticising her because she’s successful,” and declared that “No hate train can ever make me hate you.”

Other fans simply expressed admiration for the star’s look, with one writing, “She’s definitely the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in hijab,” and another sharing, “Their respect for Arab cultures and her wearing the hijab increases my love for her.”

Abu Dhabi Partnership Details

The tourism campaign was officially launched on a Monday, announcing both Deepika and Ranveer as the new faces of “Experience Abu Dhabi.” In a statement about the partnership, Ranveer said, “Abu Dhabi is the ultimate family hotspot… I now get to experience this journey with my wife who joins in as a brand ambassador, Deepika.”

Deepika herself expressed her enthusiasm, adding, “Travel is always more meaningful when it is with the people you love… I cannot wait to travel, explore, and experience everything this beautiful city has to offer.” The couple’s appearance in the ad, including Deepika’s brief wearing of the traditional attire, was part of showcasing the diverse experiences Abu Dhabi provides.

October 9, 2025 0 comments

Celebrity News

Zach Bryan responds to backlash over ICE lyrics in song ‘Bad News’ – National

by jummy84 October 8, 2025

written by jummy84

Country music star Zach Bryan is responding to criticism over his upcoming new song Bad News following claims that it includes lyrics that appear critical of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.

Bryan, 29, shared a snippet of the song on Instagram Friday, which caused many people, including White House officials, to call him out for apparently taking aim at immigration raids.

In the song, Bryan sings: “I hear the cops came, cocky motherf—–s, ain’t they? And ICE is gonna come bust down your door, try to build a house, no bills no more, but I got a telephone, kids are all scared and all alone.”

“The bar stopped bumping, the rock stopped rolling, the middle fingers rising, and it won’t stop showing. Got some bad news. The fading of the red, white and blue,” the song continued.

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Bryan repeated the lyrics in the caption.

In a post on his Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Bryan, who served in the U.S. navy, said he wrote Bad News months ago and claimed the song is about “how much I love the country and everyone in it more than anything.”

“When you hear the rest of the song, you will understand the full context that hits on both sides of the aisle,” he wrote. “Everyone using this now as a weapon is only proving how devastatingly divided we all are. We need to find our way back.

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“I served this country, I love this country and the song itself is about all of us coming out of this divided space. I wasn’t speaking as a politician or some greater-than-thou a–hole, just a 29-year-old man who is just as confused as everyone else.”

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Bryan said to see “how much s— stirred up makes me not only embarrassed but kind of scared.”

“Left wing or right wing we’re all one bird and American. To be clear I’m on neither of those radical sides. To all those disappointed in me on either side of whatever you believe in just know I’m trying my best too and we all say things that are misconstrued sometimes,” he wrote.

“Everyone have a great day and I love each and every one of ya!!!”

In another Story posted to Instagram, Bryan said that the last few months of his life, he’s “been scrutinized by more people than I ever thought possible.”

“I feel like I’ve tried my hardest in so many ways and it’s so hard to see where my bearings even are anymore. Been falling off a cliff while trying to grow wings at the same time,” he wrote.

Bryan said he’s “SO proud” to have served “in a country where we can all speak freely and converse amongst each other without getting doxxed or accosted on the internet or worse; the violence and heartbreak we’ve faced in the last few months.”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized the unreleased song during an appearance on The Benny Johnson Show, saying she hopes the country singer “understands how completely disrespectful that song is, not just to law enforcement but to this country, to every individual that has ever stood up and fought for our freedoms.”

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“He just compromised it all by putting out a product such as that, that attacks individuals who are just trying to make our streets safe. So, Zach, I didn’t listen to your music. I’m happy about that today. Today, that makes me very happy, that I never once gave you a single penny to enrich your lifestyle if you truly believe what that song stands for,” Noem added.

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said that Bryan should “stick to Pink Skies, dude,” making reference to one of his songs released in 2024.

Stick to Pink Skies, dude. https://t.co/o4FptciBFO
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) October 7, 2025

In a statement to Newsweek, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said, “While Zach Bryan wants to Open The Gates to criminal illegal aliens and has Condemned heroic ICE officers, Something in the Orange tells me a majority of Americans disagree with him and support President Trump’s great American Revival. Godspeed, Zach!”

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Homeland Security posted a video of ICE operations, using Bryan’s song All Night Revival in a post on X after he shared the snippet of his song.

The video shows ICE officials entering communities, arresting people and taking them into custody, with the caption, “We’re having an All Night Revival.”

We’re having an All Night Revival pic.twitter.com/o7q8DExPra
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) October 7, 2025

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October 8, 2025 0 comments

Bad Bunny on the 'Saturday Night Live' season 51 premiere

TV & Streaming

Bad Bunny Addresses Super Bowl Backlash During SNL Season 51 Premiere

by jummy84 October 6, 2025

written by jummy84

Bad Bunny is back on Saturday Night Live!

The three-time Grammy winner returned for his second time hosting on Saturday night, where he addressed some of the backlash surrounding him being named the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show headliner.

Bad Bunny poked fun at conservative criticism of him being tapped to perform at the big game, noting that everyone is excited about his performance, “even Fox News!”

“You might not know this, but I’m doing the Super Bowl Halftime Show. And I’m very happy, and I think everybody’s happy about it,” which led the crowd to erupt in applause, before he continued, “Even Fox News!”

SNL then cut to a montaged clip of pieced together segments that made out Fox News hosts saying, “Bad Bunny is my favorite musician and he should be the next president.”

“I’m really excited to be doing the Super Bowl, I know that people all around the world who love my music are also happy,” to which he then began speaking in Spanish.

“Especially all of the Latinos and Latinas in the world here in the United States who have worked to open doors,” he said in Spanish. “It’s more than a win for myself, it’s a win for all of us. Our footprints and our contribution in this country, no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it.”

He finished his monologue off by noting in English, “And, if you didn’t understand know what I just said, you have four months to learn!”

Earlier in the monologue, a clip of Jon Hamm (who Bad Bunny called Juan Jamón) dancing to his music at a show was shown. The SNL cameras then panned over to Hamm in attendance at the show.

During the cold open, Colin Jost took the stage where he portrayed U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, where he joked that the military would adhere to the highest standards set by President Donald Trump.

“Our military will now have the same rules as any good frat party,” he said. “No fat chicks. And if you’re a fat dude, god damnit, you better be funny as hell.” James Austin Johnson’s Trump then made his return, where he said he was “just here keeping my eye on SNL, making sure they don’t say anything too mean about me.”

“SNL 51, off to a rough start. 17 new cast members, and they got the ‘Update’ guy doing the cold open. Look at Colin, poor Colin. We knew they wouldn’t let him do the whole open by himself,” he joked.

Johnson’s Trump, too, very briefly touched on the controversy surrounding the Riyadh Comedy Festival, noting he was “surprised Colin’s here, I thought he’d be with his friends at the Riyadh Comedy Festival.”

Johnson’s Trump further poked fun at the brief suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! with a reference to his “attack dog” Brendan Carr, with Mikey Day making an appearance in the cold open as the FCC chair.

After the news of Bad Bunny being named the headlining act was revealed, Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski said ICE will be in attendance at next year’s Super Bowl. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem further corroborated Lewandowski’s claims, assuring ICE agents would be “all over” the big game.

Before he was named the next Super Bowl headliner, Bad Bunny notably did not have any U.S. dates featured on his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour. He told i-D Magazine this was partly due to ICE concerns.

“There were many reasons why I didn’t show up in the U.S., and none of them were out of hate — I’ve performed there many times. All of [the shows] have been successful,” Bad Bunny said. “But there was the issue of — like, fucking ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”

Elsewhere in the season 51 premiere, EJAE, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, who voice characters in Netflix and Sony Animation’s hit movie KPop Demon Hunters, made a surprise appearance during a brunch-themed sketch. Their short cameo saw Bad Bunny’s character raving over the film, to which they then surprised the audience and gave their first-ever live performance of “Golden.”

Season 51 of SNL comes on the heels of a cast exodus this summer. Five cast members separated the show following its landmark 50th season, including Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow and Emil Wakim.

Other than Johnson’s Trump joking about season 51 featuring “17 new cast members” in the cold open, the cast shakeup was not further addressed.

Please Don’t Destroy sketches were also thrown out ahead of season 51, which formerly starred Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy. With the end of the bit, Higgins left SNL, while Marshall now joins as a featured player and Herlihy remains on the show’s staff as a writer. Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska were also added to the cast.

Bad Bunny hosted the season 51 premiere of SNL, while Doja Cat served as the night’s musical guest, in her first appearance on the sketch comedy series.

The full slate of host and musical guests for the rest of the season has not yet been revealed, though Amy Poehler is set to host on Oct. 11 with Role Model as musical guest. Sabrina Carpenter will pull double duty in both roles on Oct. 18.

October 6, 2025 0 comments

Celebrity News

Bad Bunny Addresses Super Bowl 2026 Halftime Backlash on SNL

by jummy84 October 5, 2025

written by jummy84

Bad Bunny isn’t letting his critics get the best of him.

The “Baile Inolvidable” singer spoke out following criticism of his upcoming performance at the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show during the season 51 premiere of Saturday Night Live Oct. 4, where he served as host.

“I’m very happy,” he said during his opening monologue, “and I think everyone is happy about it—even Fox News.”

The sketch comedy series then showed a clip montage featuring news coverage of the 31-year-old’s halftime slot, which was edited to say, “Bad Bunny is my favorite musician and he should be the next president.”

Bad Bunny went on to say that “people all around the world who love my music” were looking forward to the Feb. 8 performance, adding in Spanish, “Especially all of the Latinos and Latinas in the world here in the United States who have worked to open doors. It’s more than a win for myself, it’s a win for all of us. Our footprints and our contribution in this country, no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it.”

October 5, 2025 0 comments

Celebrity News

Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated ‘actor,’ faces Hollywood, celebrity backlash – National

by jummy84 October 2, 2025

written by jummy84

Hollywood is facing a new kind of star power with “AI actor” Tilly Norwood, who doesn’t exist outside of code — and she’s already negotiating with talent agencies.

Norwood is a character made entirely by artificial intelligence, dubbed Hollywood’s first “AI actor.” She is the product of a company named Xicoia, which bills itself as the world’s first artificial intelligence talent studio.

Since Dutch producer and comedian Eline Van der Velden launched the digital character’s prospective career, Norwood has been the talk of Hollywood.

Earlier this month, Van der Velden, founder of the AI production studio Particle6, promoted Norwood at the Zurich Summit, the industry sidebar of the Zurich Film Festival. She said Norwood was in talks with talent agencies and that she expected to announce a signing soon.

“We were in a lot of boardrooms around February time, and everyone was like, ‘No, this is nothing. It’s not going to happen.’ Then, by May, people were like, ‘We need to do something with you guys,” Van der Velden told Deadline’s Diana Lodderhose.

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“When we first launched Tilly, people were like, ‘What’s that?’ and now we’re going to be announcing which agency is going to be representing her in the next few months.”

But not everyone is excited about Norwood potentially signing with a talent agency.

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In a statement Tuesday, the Screen Actors Guild said that “creativity is, and should remain, human-centered.”

“To be clear, ‘Tilly Norwood’ is not an actor, it’s a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers — without permission or compensation,” the guild said. “It has no life experience to draw from, no emotion and, from what we’ve seen, audiences aren’t interested in watching computer-generated content untethered from the human experience.”

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“Hope all actors repped by the agent that does this , drop their a$$,” In The Heights actor Melissa Barrera wrote on her Instagram Stories. “How gross, read the room.”

“Any talent agency that engages in this should be boycotted by all guilds. Deeply misguided & totally disturbed,” Natasha Lyonne wrote on Instagram.

Emily Blunt spoke about Norwood during an episode of the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, referring to the idea of an AI actor as “terrifying.”

“Does it disappoint me? I don’t know how to quite answer it, other than to say how terrifying this is,” Blunt said.

When Blunt was shown a photo of Norwood, she said, “No, are you serious? That’s an AI? Good Lord, we’re screwed. That is really, really scary. Come on, agencies, don’t do that. Please stop. Please stop taking away our human connection.”

Blunt also suggested that Norwood’s creators want her to be “the next Scarlett Johansson.”

“But we have Scarlett Johansson,” she added.

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Whoopi Goldberg opened up about her thoughts on Norwood during Monday’s episode of The View.

“The problem with this, in my humble opinion, is that you’re up against something that’s been generated with 5,000 other actors. It’s been given all of these — it’s got Bette Davis’s attitude … it’s got my humour,” she began.

“It’s a little bit of an unfair advantage. But you know what? Bring it on,” Goldberg said. “Because you can always tell them from us.”

In response to the backlash, Van der Velden shared a statement on Norwood’s Instagram, writing, “To those who have expressed anger over the creation of our AI character, Tilly Norwood: she is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work – a piece of art.”

“Like many forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the power of creativity,” Van der Velden continued. “I see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool – a new paintbrush. Just as animation, puppetry, or CGI opened fresh possibilities without taking away from live acting, AI offers another way to imagine and build stories.”

Van der Velden, who is also an actor, said that nothing can take away “the craft or joy of human performance.”

“Creating Tilly has been, for me, an act of imagination and craftsmanship, not unlike drawing a character, writing a role or shaping performance. It takes time, skill, and iteration to bring such a character to life,” she wrote. “She represents experimentation, not substitution. Much of my work has always been about holding up a mirror to society through satire, and this is no different.”

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Van der Velden said she believes that AI characters should be judged as part of their own genre and on their own merits rather than compared directly with “human actors.”

“Each form of art has its place, and each can be valued for what it uniquely brings. I hope we can welcome AI as part of the wider artistic family: one more way to express ourselves, alongside theatre, film, painting, music, and countless others,” she wrote. “When we celebrate all forms of creativity, we open doors to new voices, new stories, and new ways of connecting with each other.”

Artificial intelligence is often used as a tool in film production, though its implementation is hotly debated. It was a major bargaining point in the lengthy strike by SAG-AFTRA that concluded in late 2023, with some safeguards put in place to protect the use of actors’ likenesses and performances by AI.

— With files from The Associated Press

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October 2, 2025 0 comments

Music

‘The Simpsons’ will be avoiding politics for new season following ‘South Park’ backlash

by jummy84 September 29, 2025

written by jummy84

The Simpsons’ showrunner has said the new season will not tackle contemporary US politics in the way that South Park recently has.

The opening episode of the 37th season of the legendary sitcom premiered on Fox on Sunday night (September 28), with this run set to include the show’s 800th episode.

Matt Selman, who now oversees The Simpsons, spoke to Entertainment Weekly and was asked whether the show would dare to take the kind of provocative approach to the current political landscape that South Park has in recent months.

“When you write a show that doesn’t come out until 10 months after you write it, it kind of takes the pressure off, because who knows what the fuck we’re gonna be looking at in 10 months,” he said. “So like South Park, they make their show in a week, and even they can’t stay up to date on things.”

“More crazy shit goes down faster than even they can do it. And you know, Jimmy Kimmel’s great, and I’m glad he is back on TV,” he added, referring to the late night talk show host, who was briefly suspended this month for his comments relating to the murder of Charlie Kirk, before being recently reinstated.

“Censorship sucks. What can I say? Censorship sucks,” Selman continued. “But it’s not our mission statement to respond to the crisis of the moment. It’s more about a town of good-natured dum-dums dealing with a changing world, yet our characters never really change. The world changes around them.”

South Park is currently in its 27th season and has been mocking Donald Trump consistently in the new episodes. It initially portrayed him as being in a relationship with Satan and having a micro-penis, prompting the White House to attack the show for “not having been relevant for over 20 years”.

The show has since continued the Trump-Satan relationship, with Satan now pregnant with the president’s child and Trump attempting to trap Satan into getting rid of the pregnancy.

They have also attacked the relationship between Trump and the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and its head Brendan Carr, which many perceive to have been the reason for Kimmel’s suspension and for Stephen Colbert’s show being brought to an end.

Despite The Simpsons saying it will not pursue similar storylines, the show’s creator Matt Groening did say this summer that the show will not end until Trump dies. “When you-know-who dies, The Simpsons predicts the there will be dancing in the streets,” he said “Except President [J.D.] Vance will ban dancing”.

The Simpsons famously predicted that Trump would become U.S. President in a 2000 episode, and also later predicted he would get re-elected in a 2015 episode. The show also appears to have forecasted some other major events over the years.

September 29, 2025 0 comments

Bollywood

Saree, Swimsuit And The Patriarchy: The Unfair Backlash Against Sai Pallavi

by jummy84 September 24, 2025

written by jummy84

Actor Sai Pallavi, celebrated for her authentic and de-glam image, has always been an anomaly in an industry obsessed with glamour. She is a refreshing presence, often appearing at events in simple sarees and famously opting for minimal makeup on-screen. Her raw authenticity and graceful demeanor have endeared her to millions, but this very image recently became the source of a bizarre controversy. When she slipped into a swimsuit for a day at the beach with her sister, a section of the internet erupted in outrage. The backlash revealed a deep-seated hypocrisy among a segment of fans who seemingly cannot separate the actor from the rigid, saintly image they have projected onto her.

The incident began harmlessly enough. Sai Pallavi’s sister, Pooja Kannan, shared a few selfies on Instagram from their beach vacation. In the pictures, Sai was in a swimsuit, looking relaxed, smiling, and enjoying the sun with her sister. She was simply a young woman on holiday, creating memories. However, for a vocal group of “fans,” this was an unforgivable act. The grievance was simple yet illogical: their beloved “saree girl” had dared to show skin, betraying the chaste, goddess-like image they had put her on a pedestal for.

Reaction against Sai Pallavi, but Exposes the reality

This type of reaction exposes a deeply problematic mentality. Why must an actor, whose job is to entertain and tell stories, become the keeper of someone else’s idea of purity? Does Sai Pallavi in a swimsuit somehow “pollute” the divine trust that people have placed in her as an icon? And more importantly, what did these critics expect her to wear at the beach? A starched saree with safety pins and a gajra? The absurdity of the outrage highlights the hypocrisy and the ingrained patriarchal expectations that women in the public eye face every day.

The Unspoken Rules of Patriarchy and the Role of an Actor

The objection to Sai Pallavi’s choice of swimwear is nothing more than the same tired patriarchy dressed up in the garb of fandom. This mindset is rooted in the belief that a woman’s character can be measured by the length of her hemline. It is a world where a bikini is synonymous with “bold” or “bad,” while modest clothing equates to being a “good girl.” This rigid, one-size-fits-all-costume mentality suggests that a woman who wears a saree on one day cannot possibly be the same woman in a slit gown the next. This logic is not just flawed; it is a direct assault on a woman’s right to express her individuality through her clothing choices.

The controversy may be further fueled by her upcoming role. Sai Pallavi is set to play the role of Goddess Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part film Ramayana. For some fans, the thought of an actor playing a divine character and then living her life as a regular human being off-screen is difficult to process. They struggle to reconcile their goddess-like imagination of her with her human reality. But here is a simple truth that is often forgotten: she is not Sita. She is an actor, a woman, and a human being. She can play a goddess on-screen and still wear a swimsuit on her holiday. Her talent and character on-screen do not dictate her life choices off-screen.

Sai herself has spoken about these unfair double standards. In an old interview with Galatta, she said, “We can’t judge someone’s character by what they wear. If you go and ask my parents, they’ll say I shout at times and lose my cool. What I wear doesn’t necessarily reflect my personality.” She recalled a past experience of feeling objectified when people commented on her wearing a slit dress for a Tango performance. “People started pausing the video and commenting on my slit dress. In my mind, it felt like I was being objectified and made me very uncomfortable,” she revealed.

Reducing a woman to her clothes and judging her for daring to be herself is the oldest trick in the patriarchal playbook. Sai Pallavi is not betraying her image; it is her critics who are betraying her humanity by expecting her to live as their fantasy rather than her reality. She is a multi-dimensional person who can embody a goddess on-screen and still be herself off-screen. If that simple fact bothers people, it only reveals how fragile and limited their own ideas of culture, morality, and womanhood are.

September 24, 2025 0 comments

Celebrity News

Sherri Shepherd Pushes For Chris Brown To Appear On Her Talk Show Despite Possible Backlash, Says It ‘Comes With The Territory’

by jummy84 September 23, 2025

written by jummy84

Screenshot

Sherri Shepherd Pushes For Chris Brown To Appear On Her Talk Show Despite Possible Backlash, Says It ‘Comes With The Territory’

Despite how you may feel about it, #SherriShepherd wants to sit down with Chris Brown!

“I would love to have #ChrisBrown on, but it’ll be a lot of backlash,” she admitted to Vulture, acknowledging the criticism that still follows the singer over his history of legal troubles, several allegations of v!olence, and his 2009 a$$ault on then-girlfriend #Rihanna. Still, Sherri insisted she isn’t deterred by potential pushback, adding, “Sometimes it comes with the territory.”

Sherri explained that her goal isn’t to grill guests but to give them space to share their perspective. “I don’t have a journalism degree,” she said, pointing out that she took a similar approach earlier this year when she interviewed #JonathanMajors amid his own controversy. “So it would be completely off-brand for me to be going, ‘What about this and what about that?’ I wanted to hear his side of the story.”

Sherri believes CB deserves the same grace she extended to Jonathan, even if inviting him on could divide viewers.

Do you agree?

September 23, 2025 0 comments

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Reaction against Sai Pallavi, but Exposes the reality

​The Unspoken Rules of Patriarchy and the Role of an Actor

Sherri Shepherd Pushes For Chris Brown To Appear On Her Talk Show Despite Possible Backlash, Says It ‘Comes With The Territory’

The Unspoken Rules of Patriarchy and the Role of an Actor