The Upper East Side has not, historically, been a key location for New York Fashion Week runway shows. But as the presentations have become more scattered across Manhattan and Brooklyn over the past decade — the post-Bryant Park tents era — that’s changed in a big way. As an Upper East Sider, I’m …
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From the Fast & Furious franchise to Disney blockbusters, audiences have come to expect a certain brand of entertainment from him: big muscles, witty one-liners, and explosive stunts. But at the Venice Film Festival this September, Johnson surprised the world by stepping into completely new territory with The Smashing Machine.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine tells the gritty and deeply human story of Mark Kerr, a legendary mixed martial arts fighter whose career in the 1990s was marked by triumphs inside the cage and devastating struggles outside of it. Addiction, fame, personal relationships, and the intense physical toll of the sport shaped Kerr’s journey, and now, through Johnson’s performance, his story is reaching a global audience.
What shocked many at Venice was not the fact that Johnson took on the role, but how profoundly he disappeared into it. Gone are the superhero bravado and polished Hollywood perfection. Instead, Johnson delivers a raw, vulnerable, and deeply emotional performance that shows a side of him fans have rarely, if ever, seen before. Critics who attended the festival noted that his work in this film could easily put him in the conversation for major acting awards, something many would not have predicted for an action superstar.
Photo Credit: Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
For Johnson, this role marks a career-defining moment. During press interviews in Venice, he shared how personal the project became for him. He spoke openly about facing his own inner battles over the years and how embodying Kerr’s pain and perseverance was both challenging and transformative. This honesty resonated strongly with audiences, many of whom were moved to see a global superstar open up about struggles often kept behind the curtain of Hollywood glamour.
The film itself is a raw and immersive experience. Safdie, known for his ability to capture tension and realism in projects like Uncut Gems, applies his signature style to the world of MMA. Every punch, every bruise, and every moment of desperation is captured with relentless authenticity. Combined with Johnson’s physical dedication he underwent intense training to match Kerr’s unique fighting style the result is a performance that feels as real as it gets.
The response from Venice has already begun shifting Johnson’s image in Hollywood. He is no longer just the action hero who saves the day, but a versatile actor capable of tackling complex and dramatic roles. This transition could open new doors for him and redefine how audiences see one of the most bankable stars in the industry.
With The Smashing Machine, Dwayne Johnson proves that reinvention is possible, even for someone at the very top. It is not only a milestone in his career but also a powerful reminder that vulnerability can be just as compelling as strength.
Photo Credit: Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Of course, when you’re wearing such a sheer garment, your choice of underthings is as much of a styling statement as a pair of shoes or jewelry. Johnson and her stylist, Kate Young, paired the lace gown with a black satin balconette bra and matching underwear. Where some of her more naked looks can read as bohemian, there was no doubt that the effect she was going for here was pure sex appeal.
To finish off the look, Johnson wore a bombshell-esque updo reminiscent of the Pamela (but accommodating her signature blunt bangs), an uncharacteristic smoky eye, and a nude lip. The effect is very MAC Cosmetics ad circa 2009 (complimentary).
Johnson attended the Kering Foundation Dinner on September 11 in New York City, where she was joined by Salma Hayek (who’s married to Kering CEO François-Henri Pinault), Jessica Chastain, Demi Moore, Kirsten Dunst, and many, many more A-listers. However, across the pond at the London premiere of A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, Johnson’s sister in sheer dressing, Margot Robbie, was adding her own entry for Most-Naked Naked Dress to the overcrowded genre. Would Johnson be brave enough to go full Margot Robbie in a bedazzled thong? Fashion Week ain’t over yet.
Emily Blunt was shocked to discover that Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is so “contemplative”.
Emily has confessed to being surprised by Dwayne Johnson
The 42-year-old actress first worked with the wrestler-turned-actor on 2021’s Jungle Cruise, and the Hollywood duo instantly struck-up a good friendship.
Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival, Emily explained: “We just became very fast friends, like an immediate secret language, which I think you feel with certain people that you work with.”
Emily admits that Dwayne, 53, was totally different to how she imagined him to be.
The actress – who has reunited with Dwayne to star in The Smashing Machine, their new sports-drama movie – explained: “We just talked and shared our souls. And I was just really taken by, I guess, how different he was from what I had imagined.
“He was so gentle and quite interior and sort of contemplative and kind, just easy. Like, so lovely to be around, funny and quick, all these qualities.”
Dwayne also heaped praise on his co-star, describing Emily as one of his “best friends”.
He said: “I also want to give Emily her flowers too. She is one of the greatest actors of our time — of all time. And also one of my best friends.
“In order to go to the place we were going to go, you have to have love, and then you have to have trust. And the love and the trust then allow for vulnerability. We could not have done that without this love and trust and vulnerability that we have.”
Emily shared an on-screen kiss with Dwayne in Jungle Cruise – but the actress previously insisted that John Krasinski, her husband, is “immune” to her steamy love scenes.
The 45-year-old actor has been married to Emily since 2010, and she admits that he’s become numb to her on-screen romances over the years.
Asked how he felt about her on-screen kiss with The Rock in Jungle Cruise, Emily told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: “Honestly, John is so used to me having to make out with other men. He’s immune to it at this point. That was part of the deal when we got married!”
The Rock as an Oscar nominee? It’s time to get used to the idea.
When Dwayne Johnson broke down in uncontrollable sobs during a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice International Film Festival, it became more than an emotional premiere moment for the wrestler-turned-actor. It signaled the potential birth of one of the unlikeliest Oscar contenders in recent memory, as his transformative turn in Benny Safdie’s moving “The Smashing Machine” could reshape how Hollywood views one of its most bankable stars.
Johnson’s plays former amateur wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr in A24’s emotionally devastating drama, representing the kind of career pivot that Academy voters have historically embraced, and one the cinematic world may be excited to watch unfold. With Safdie taking home Silver Lion for directing at Venice, the buzz is growing louder surrounding Johnson’s vulnerable turn as the troubled athlete. Now, bowing at the Toronto Film Festival, the 54-year-old performer stands at the precipice of a career-defining moment, and one he has sought for quite some time.
Comparisons to Mickey Rourke’s Oscar-nominated turn in Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler” (2008) are inevitable and apt. Both films center on fighters grappling with physical deterioration and personal demons. Where Rourke drew from his boxing background, Johnson taps into something rawer and psychologically complex. Working with two-time Oscar winner Kazu Hiro (“Bombshell” and “Darkest Hour”), Johnson undergoes a physical transformation that erases any thought of a WWE star in costume. In fact, he could even position himself as this year’s Brendan Fraser, whose makeup-assisted turn in “The Whale” earned both acting and technical Oscars, likewise for an actor who was thought of as an unlikely awards contender.
Emily Blunt, an Oscar nominee for “Oppenheimer” (2023) delivers an effortless turn as Kerr’s girlfriend Dawn Staples, a woman battling her own addiction while desperately trying to support her partner as he aspires for greatness. Blunt’s presence elevates the film, providing Johnson with the kind of formidable acting partner that often strengthens awards-season narratives. “She’s one of my greatest inspirations,” Johnson tells Variety for an upcoming interview regarding Blunt, with whom he previously co-starred in “Jungle Cruise.”
We often forget about some of Hollywood’s grand traditions of A-list celebrities reinventing themselves as serious dramatic actors. Cher transitioned from hit singer and variety show host to an Oscar winner with “Moonstruck” (1987) after her first nom for “Silkwood” (1983). Stand-up comedian Mo’Nique stunned audiences, and voters, with her undeniable supporting actress run in “Precious” (2008); and Jonah Hill went from the foul-mouthed kid in “Superbad” (2007) to working with the likes of auteurs Bennett Miller and Martin Scorsese, who steered him to two noms for “Moneyball” (2010) and “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013).
More recently, Ariana Grande scored a supporting actress nomination for “Wicked,” while Adam Sandler, once dismissed as a comedy box office star, is in the awards conversation for Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly.” Johnson’s journey from WWE superstar to potential Academy Award nominee now looks like the next evolution in that narrative.
To put it simply: not only could Johnson get an Oscar nomination, he could also be the future best actor winner as well.
A24’s involvement provides confidence, given its track record with past unconventional best picture winners like “Moonlight” (2016) and “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022). But the indie powerhouse faces a unique challenge this year: balancing “The Smashing Machine” campaign with his his brother Josh Safdie’s upcoming “Marty Supreme,” starring Timothée Chalamet. We’ve seen siblings nominated before. The Redgrave sisters (Lynn and Vanessa) competed for best actress nominations in 1966 for “Georgy Girl” and “Morgan!”
However, no siblings have ever competed against each other in the directing category. Balancing the campaigns for both films without compromising either’s potential is a challenge A24 will need to navigate carefully throughout awards season
“The Smashing Machine”
Cheryl Dunn/Courtesy I Wonder
“The Smashing Machine” appears well-positioned for multiple noms beyond Johnson’s work. Hiro’s transformative makeup seems destined for recognition, particularly given the Academy’s recent appreciation for physical reinvention. The film’s technical craftsmanship — from cinematography (Maceo Bishop) to original score (Nala Sinephro) to Safdie’s direction, screenplay, editing and producing (looking to repeat Sean Baker’s four noms last year for “Anora” — for which he won all four).
Blunt could emerge as a strong supporting actress contender, in a category that hasn’t presented a standout frontrunner yet, and could pair nicely with Johnson’s big run. It also further bolsters the film’s profile across multiple categories.
The film also stars real-life fighters Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten and Oleksandr Usyk, which adds authenticity to the film’s tone.
Johnson’s candidacy represents a signal to Hollywood’s willingness to expand its definition of who belongs in the Oscar conversation. Just as the Academy has embraced streaming platforms and international cinema, Johnson’s recognition would show its openness to performers once confined to the blockbuster space.
Sean Durkin’s “The Iron Claw,” despite Zac Efron’s career-best work, was ignored by the Academy, showing the risks inherent in sports dramas. But “The Smashing Machine’s” acclaimed reception and A24’s savvy campaigning may set it on a different trajectory.
Will the Oscars smell what “The Rock” is cooking? Audiences will get their answer when “The Smashing Machine” hits theaters on Oct. 3.
Dwayne Johnson cries during the 15-minute standing ovation for his new movie ‘THE SMASHING MACHINE’ pic.twitter.com/Z5i42al7Ji
— Cinematic Visuals (@P0eticVisuals) September 2, 2025
The actor attended the screening with his co-star Emily Blunt, director Benny Safdie and Mark Kerr himself. Many have compared the moment with the standing ovation Brendan Fraser received for The Whale, four years ago. Fraser later went on to win an Academy Award for the movie.
In one of his social media posts from Venice, Johnson acknowledged the greatness of the film festival. He noted, “Act like you’ve been there. Trying to stay cool and absorb every second of every moment. #venice.”
The movie is slated to release in the theatres on October 3, 2025. The reactions in Venice confirm that Dwayne Johnson is on his way to give a career-defining performance. Fans on social media have been discussing about his dedication to the project. Interestingly, Johnson also went through a dramatic physical transformation to channel Kerr. He stepped away from his usual action avatar and embraced a leaner frame.
At a press conference, he opened up about working on The Smashing Machine. Dwayne noted that he wanted to explore more of acting after receiving the opportunity to star in the movie. “I looked around a few years ago and I started to think, you know, am I living my dream or am I living other people’s dreams? I’ve been scared to go deep and intense and raw until now, until I had this opportunity,” he added.
ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Red One’s Chris Evans & Dwayne Johnson – Unhinged & Unfiltered
Dwayne Johnson takes on his most dramatic role yet in Benny Safdie’s “The Smashing Machine,” playing UFC champion Mark Kerr. At the film’s Venice Film Festival press conference, the action star revealed that he’s been wanting to expand his repertoire for a while now.
“I have, for a long time, wanted this,” Johnson said, sitting alongside director Safdie and co-star Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr’s girlfriend Dawn. “The three of us have talked for a very long time about, when you’re in Hollywood — as we all know, it had become about box office. And you chase the box office, and the box office can be very loud and it can become very resounding and it can push you into a category and a corner. This is your lane and this is what you do and this is what Hollywood wants you to do.”
Johnson, who is best known for blockbusters like “Jumanji,” ‘Black Adam” and “Fast and Furious,” said he’s loved making those movies and “they were fun and some were really good and did well, and some not so good.” But he wanted something more.
“I just had this burning desire and voice that was saying, ‘What if there is more and what if I can?’ Sometimes it’s hard for us to know what we’re capable of when we’ve been pigeonholed into something,” he said. I”t’s harder to know what you’re capable of, and sometimes it takes people that you know and love, like Emily and Benny, to say that you can. I looked around a few years ago and I started to think, you know, am I living my dream or am I living other people’s dreams? You come to that recognition and I think you can either fall in line or go, I want to live my dreams now and do what I wanna do … I’ve been scared to go deep and intense and raw until now, until I had this opportunity.”
“The Smashing Machine” chronicles Kerr’s triumphs in the ring, as well as his addiction to painkillers and tumultuous relationship with then-wife Dawn Staples (Blunt). Johnson is nearly unrecognizable in the film, undergoing pounds of prosthetics to portray the hulking two-time UFC Heavyweight champ.
“The Smashing Machine” marks the solo feature directorial debut of Benny Safdie, who worked with his older brother, Josh, on indie favorites like “Uncut Gems” and “Good Time.”
Dwayne Johnson, known for his onscreen fare in action tentpoles like Netflix’s Red Notice and Jumanji reboot films, posited he wasn’t getting the opportunity for more “raw and gritty” roles as he was “too scared” to explore more vulnerable themes.
In an interview with Vanity Fair promoting the forthcoming release of A24‘s The Smashing Machine, the professional wrestler-turned-performer noted he was nervous about portraying legendary MMA fighter and two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion Mark Kerr in the Benny Safdie-helmed biopic.
“It was very real. I had not experienced that in a very, very, very long time, where I was really scared and thinking, I don’t know if I can do this. Can I do this?” he said. “I realized that maybe these opportunities weren’t coming my way because I was too scared to explore this stuff.”
Johnson added, “I was so hungry for an opportunity to do something raw and gritty and rip myself open. And all of a sudden, Smashing Machine comes along.”
For the role, the Moana actor explained he had to don over a dozen prosthetics to portray the gentle giant known for his fighting prowess: “I just sat in front of that mirror for three to four hours and watched it all change. There were about 13 or 14 different prosthetics. Subtle, yet I think very impactful,” he said. “By the time I got to set, I was Mark Kerr and I felt it, from how he walked to how he talked and how he looked at life.”
The Smashing Machine, also starring Emily Blunt, will have its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 8, before debuting in theaters Oct. 3.
View the trailer for the movie here.
Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson has seemingly hard-launched his romance with the new lady in his life via a risqué photo she shared on social media.
On Sunday, August 24, Ochocinco took to his Instagram Story to share a photo of himself seemingly on a date with a woman. Furthermore, the photos did not show his or the woman’s face but rather their matching black attire. Then, within that same hour, Ocho returned to his Instagram Story to share a solo shot of his lady.
Peep the photos below.
That same hour, the woman pictured in the photo Ochocinco shared took to her Instagram to share a carousel. Furthermore, the post featured the solo shot of herself alongside another picture of her and Ocho’s shoes. Additionally, the carousel also featured a risqué photo of the pair. In the photo, the woman stood in front of Ocho, blowing him and the camera a kissy face, and he grabbed her crotch area.
Social media users immediately slid into the woman’s comment section with a plethora of reactions to her carousel. To note, at this time, the woman’s account does not appear to feature her name.
Instagram user @dj__ceejay_ wrote, “Ocho 💪🏾. Welp I can unfollow her now lol”
While Instagram user @germg228 added, “Way better look for Ocho”
Instagram user @gregkr3w wrote, “Hold up!!!!! I’m confused asf!!!! 😅”
While Instagram user @santinasmith_ added, “My favorite couple 😍”
Instagram user @legacyofkaii wrote, “🙌🙌🙌 My guy Chad don’t miss”
While Instagram user @iamhoneydya added, “Ocho got itttt”
Instagram user @changwang wrote, “😍😍😍😍😍😍 i love”
While Instagram user @sweettee75_ added, “He has a type”
Instagram user @plotiuslotus wrote, “He made it to the profile post okay unccccc🔥”
While Instagram user @simplee_teee added, “Love this for Chad 🖤”
As The Shade Room previously reported, in October 2024, Chad “Ochocino” Johnson made headlines when Sharelle Rosado, his then-fiancée and mother of one of his daughters, revealed they were no longer together.
Subsequently, Ochocino went public with his apparent disapproval of Rosado’s public announcement, per The Shade Room.
Then, in January, Rosado revealed the reason for her and Ocho’s split, alleging she found out he was entertaining other women, per The Shade Room.
Later that month, Rosado shared that despite their breakup, she and Ocho still have a great relationship, per The Shade Room.
To note, by March, Ocho appeared to be dipping his toe back into the dating waters. According to Where Is The Buzz, at the time, he and his new lady took to social media to share that they were both in New Orleans, Louisiana. Furthermore, Onsite! reported that the pair were spotted together out and about.
What Do You Think Roomies?
Dakota Johnson has mastered the art of replacing heels with loafers.
There was a time when heels were the only acceptable option for looking elegant, but loafers have quickly become a very effective substitute. In addition to their aesthetic contribution, they’re seen as a classic alternative for those days when you need something comfortable, yet still able to complete any outfit. Johnson is an expert, as loafers are one of her signature shoes and never fail to make her look incredible.
It’s a well-known fact that to master an art, you must learn from the best, and the Materialists star definitely falls into that category when it comes to these trendy shoes. Therefore, she’s a great reference for wearing loafers with jeans, baggy pants, and even dresses.
Loafers with a white blouse and dress pants
Dakota Johnson’s style can be described as elegant and effortless, so it’s no coincidence that loafers are one of her favorite shoes. Often designed by Gucci—for which she is an ambassador—she doesn’t hesitate to pair them with white blouses and dress pants. The first option, suitable for a day at the office, was completed with a blue blazer, while the more formal look comes courtesy of her visit to Cannes, where the most sophisticated element was the blouse with a bow and three-quarter sleeves.
Loafers with a midi dress
Dresses are one of those garments often associated with high-heeled shoes, as they’re a timeless pairing. However, the producer’s vision is equally appealing. With a floral midi dress and flat white loafers, she demonstrated why she’s one of the leading figures when it comes to easy-to-replicate off-duty outfits.
Loafers with straight jeans
And speaking of Dakota Johnson’s style, we must mention her looks with straight-leg jeans, as they are often the star of her outings. Whether with denim shirts, oversized shirts, or T-shirts , she manages to create a casual and comfortable look, without losing distinction. For an extra touch of glamour, Johnson finishes with sunglasses and a brown suede bag , for a retro touch that reminds us of the ’70s, an aesthetic she is known to master perfectly.
Loafers with baggy pants
