Praises
Ed Sheeran celebrated the U.K. government’s decision to implement new changes to music education following a review of what children are taught at most schools.
In a post on Instagram, the singer-songwriter said the new changes to the National Curriculum address several “key points” raised in an open letter he and his charitable organization, the Ed Sheeran Foundation, sent this summer. “This involves diversifying the music genres taught in schools and removing outdated systems that stop kids from studying music and the arts as part of their school day,” Sheeran wrote today, Nov. 5. “These changes give young people hope and the opportunity to study music.”
A summary of the review from the U.K. government said “revitalizing arts subjects” was one key area of improvement. It also called for scrapping the English baccalaureate program, which introduced a set of eight core academic subjects for students, but didn’t cover the arts or vocational subjects (per The Guardian). This program has long faced criticism from arts advocates, including Sheeran, who called for its removal in his summer letter.
While Sheeran was pleased with the changes, he said, “There’s a lot more to do to support music education, especially our music teachers, but this is a step in the right direction.”
He added, “Without the encouragement I received in school, especially from my music teacher, I wouldn’t be a musician today, and I know so many of my peers feel the same. My music education went beyond learning and playing. It helped me find confidence in myself, and music itself was — and still is — so important for my mental health.”
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Sheeran took up the mantle of music education when he launched his foundation earlier this year. The open letter he sent to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other U.K. officials called for committing £250 million (about $322 million) to “repair decades of dismantling music.” The letter was signed by an array of English music luminaries, including Harry Styles, Elton John, and Central Cee.
Starmer wrote Sheeran, informing him about the changes to the National Curriculum. “The review places creative subjects firmly at the center,” Starmer wrote. “We are revitalizing arts education, strengthening music and drama, and launching a new National Center for Arts and Music Education to support teachers and raise standards. Learning music at school made a huge difference to my life. We will make sure every child has access to those experiences — from arts and culture to nature and civic engagement — so that creativity isn’t a privilege, but a right.”
Deepika Padukone Praises Jemimah Rodrigues For Brave Anxiety Confession – Read What She Said! | Glamsham.com
Actress Deepika Padukone, a long-time advocate for mental health awareness, has applauded Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues for courageously opening up about her struggle with anxiety. Deepika, who has spoken publicly about her own battle with depression, praised Jemimah for her honesty and vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of normalizing conversations about mental well-being in sports and beyond.
Taking to her Instagram Stories, Deepika reshared a video of Jemimah discussing her experience with anxiety ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup, writing, “Thank you @jemimahrodrigues for your vulnerability and for sharing your story.”
In the emotional clip, Jemimah revealed that she faced intense anxiety before and during the tournament. Fighting back tears at a post-match press conference, she said, “I’ll be very vulnerable here because I know someone watching might be going through the same thing.” She described how she would often call her mother in tears before matches, struggling with numbness and self-doubt. Jemimah credited her parents and teammate Arundhati Reddy for being her pillars of support, saying, “Arundhati checked on me every single day. I used to joke that she shouldn’t come near me or I’d start crying again.”
Jemimah also spoke about the disappointment of being dropped from the team earlier in the tournament, which deepened her anxiety. However, she expressed gratitude toward those who stood by her during that difficult period, saying, “Sometimes all you need to do is hang in there, and things fall into place.”
Also Read: Deepika Padukone’s Name is Still in Kalki Credits – The Truth Revealed!
Her resilience paid off spectacularly. On October 30, Jemimah’s unbeaten 127-run knock led India to a record chase of 339 runs at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, defeating the defending champions by five wickets and securing a place in the final against South Africa.
Deepika’s message and Jemimah’s story together underscore the growing importance of mental health advocacy in Indian sports.
‘Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta’ Star Kirk Frost Tells Son Kannon, “I Refuse to Be a Deadbeat Dad,” Praises Wife Rasheeda for Standing by Him
‘Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta’ Star Kirk Frost Tells Son Kannon, “I Refuse to Be a Deadbeat Dad,” Praises Wife Rasheeda for Standing by Him
Kirk Frost shared an emotional message to his son Kannon — the child he fathered outside his marriage to Rasheeda — writing, “I’m sorry… most women want me to be a deadbeat, not pay child support, not be in your life at all, but I don’t know how to do that.” ?
He also thanked Rasheeda for standing by him through what he called a “bad season” in their marriage, saying she’s helped ensure he remains a good father. ????
As Taylor Swift launches her showgirl era, she’s paying tribute to another great musician also known for pushing boundaries in his career.
George Michael‘s estate recently teased Swift’s update of the late artist’s 1987 hit ‘Father Figure’ as “such a special moment,” appearing on the 14x Grammy-winning artist’s upcoming 12th studio album The Life of a Showgirl, which debuts Friday.
“We were delighted when Taylor Swift and her team approached us earlier this year about incorporating an interpolation of George Michael’s classic song ‘Father Figure’ into a brand new song of the same title to be featured on her forthcoming album,” George Michael Entertainment shared in a statement on Facebook.
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“When we heard the track we had no hesitation in agreeing to this association between two great artists and we know George would have felt the same,” the estate continued. “George Michel Entertainment wishes Taylor every success with The Life of a Showgirl and ‘Father Figure’.”
In August, Swift announced The Life of a Showgirl as her next album. Deadline later exclusively reported that AMC had secured an Oct. 3-5 release for the album’s accompanying film of the same name.

‘The Life of A Showgirl’
Mert Alas, Marcus Piggott & TAS Rights Management
Michael died at age 53 on Christmas morning in 2016 of natural causes, suffering from an enlarged heart and fatty liver disease.
Phil has had his own mental health struggles this year, as he has been dealing with depression and attempted to take his own life in February, while viewers have seen his bond with Nigel help him hugely on his journey of recovery.
Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com at the NTAs, Wadey was asked what’s in store for the duo in the future, to which he responded: “I mean, there’s so much for us to explore there.
“It’s a beautiful friendship, and Steve and Paul play it so brilliantly. And I think the audience and myself as a fan just invest in watching those two.”
He added: “And it’s a tragic story of watching your friend slowly, you know, disappear from you. And I think a lot of our audience relate to that. And when you have amazing performances and amazing scripts, the audience just really engage in the kind of story that we’re telling.”
Steve McFadden added: “Me and Paul love each other to bits as well, because we’re very good mates. We’re very fond of each other. That helps.”
Meanwhile, McFadden said depicting Phil’s mental health storyline had been an “honour”.
He said: “In all honesty, I just get the script and I just do the best I can with it, whatever story I get given. But this particular story obviously touches a lot of people. Those people that haven’t got a voice, those people that people don’t listen to, and to be given such an important storyline was an honour for me.”
He added: “I’m very happy that it landed as well as it did, because it obviously touched people and had a massive effect, which I’m chuffed to bits about.”
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EXCLUSIVE: Kritika Kamra CONFESSES To Being A Victim Of Self-Doubt; Praises Gyraah Gyraah Co-Star Raghav Juyal’s Confidence, Self-Belief
Kritika Kamra and Raghav Juyal were the lead actors in the 2024 series Gyaarah Gyaarah. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, the actress revealed how Juyal’s risk-taking attitude in life has only given him success. She confessed that the actor is very clear about what he wants in life. Scroll down to read below and watch the interview.
Kritika Kamra Praises Raghav Juyal’s Confidence & Self-Belief
Speaking of which quality of Raghav Juyal inspires her, Kritika Kamra opened up on her Gyaraah Gyaraah co-star. She said, “Raghav has an inherent confidence, which is amazing. It’s infectious, almost, confidence hai bahut. Confidence hai aur belief hai. Self-belief bahut solid hai. He is very clear about where he wants to be. Usmein koi usko self-doubt nahi hai—jiski main bahut shikaar hoon. Haan, hota hai self-doubt? Haan, mujhe kaafi hota hai.”
She continued, “But I think he is more sure-footed. Unko na pata hai. Aur isiliye jab aapko pata hota hai—he knows ki kahan jaana hai life mein—toh aap uske liye training better karte ho. Aap distract nahi hote us cheez se. That’s why he can take itne risky decisions, jo woh le lete hain, jinse unhe bahut fayda hua hai. Woh isiliye ho paata hai, because he is very clear about where he wants to be, where he sees himself.”
About Gyaarah Gyaarah
The series Gyaarah Gyaarah was a fantasy thriller based on the Korean drama Signal. It involves a time-travel element where their characters collaborate to solve crimes. Juyal plays police officer Yug Arya, while Kamra plays his senior officer, Vamika Rawat.
Kritika Kamra was last seen in Saare Jahan Se Accha: The Silent Guardians and is filming Matka King. Raghav is gearing up for the release of Aryan Khan’s directorial debut Ba***ds Of Bollywood.
Watch The Full Interview
For more news and updates from the entertainment world, stay tuned to Bollywood Bubble.
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Kritika Kamra REACTS To ‘Anupamaa’ Rupali Ganguly’s Ask For National Awards For TV Actors; Says, “Bade Aur Chote Parde Actors Ka Distinction…”

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.
Robert Townsend wanted to blindly hire Beyoncé to star as Carmen Brown in the MTV film, Carmen: A Hip Hopera, and watched Queen Bey “blossom” right before his eyes.
In conversation with Lena Waithe for Legacy Talk, Townsend reflected on the singer’s audition for her acting debut in the 2001 film.
“I didn’t know Beyoncé […] I knew of her and I was like, ‘Wow, she has a striking look.’ You know, she’s a beautiful, young girl, but I could see that she had something special. ‘Cause [with] my director eyes, I go, ‘Something’s going on with her. She’s got something,’” he remembered. Townsend felt Bey was perfect for the role, but the studio demanded that she audition for it.
With this being her first audition ever, Townsend could tell that Bey was “really nervous” and used her team to strengthen her performance.
“I have an arsenal when it comes to getting performance or making somebody comfortable,” he explained before detailing he told her bodyguard and the label executive who accompanied Bey to be part of the scene as well.
Ironically, Townsend admitted, “They started to sweat and really get nervous and then she was watching them get nervous and she got stronger. I said, ‘Oh, there it is.’” Bey was so excited and asked to repeat the scene a few more times and even requested to do the “death scene.” (For those who haven’t seen Carmen: A Hip Hopera, yes, her character dies.)
CARMEN: A HIP HOPERA
Carol Kaelson / ©MTV / courtesy Everett Collection
Townsend was clearly impressed and later praised Beyoncé, her tenacity, and star power.
“Watching her blossom into the superstar that she has become, I saw it in that room because there’s certain actors/actresses’ first audition, they wouldn’t go all the way there. She went all the way there,” he said proudly.
The full conversation can be viewed here; check out the Bey snippet above.