Author: Daniella Wilson

Josh Hutcherson explains why he felt ‘angry’ about Hunger Games fame

Josh Hutcherson explains why he felt ‘angry’ about Hunger Games fame

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Josh Hutcherson has revealed he initially felt “resentful” towards the intense fame he experienced after starring in The Hunger Games franchise. The American actor, 33, who shot to global prominence alongside Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth in the 2012 science fiction dystopian film, has now reflected on the sudden shift in his life. Speaking to his former co-star Elizabeth Banks for Variety’s Actors on Actors, Hutcherson admitted: “For a long time, I was resentful toward it, because I didn’t want that kind of attention.” He continued: “So I was chip-on-my-shoulder angry about it. With years of perspective, I have grown to appreciate it so much.” When asked about the upcoming sixth film in the series, set to star Joseph Zada and Mckenna Grace, he praised the source novel as “amazing”. He added: “It’s cool to see it continue with a different …

Shakira’s most striking bikini moments to date

Shakira’s most striking bikini moments to date

Published by Daniella Wilson

Ever since Shakira released her hit song “Hips Don’t Lie”, she has become synonymous with her sculpted physique, often showcasing it in signature micro bras that have become a staple of her style. The singer often enjoys tropical getaways, using the opportunity to showcase her stylish swimwear collection while soaking up the sun. Who could forget the lilac two-piece bikini adorned with beaded fringe detailing across the hips and beneath the bust? And Shakira doesn’t just wear the looks – she designs them too. © InstagramShakira designed her own bikini “This is a new bathing suit I designed and my friend Bego made for me,” she wrote in the caption. “I always need to create my own for the summer!” Shakira’s flawless physique is courtesy of her dedicated workout routine led by her personal trainer Anna Kaiser. The singer’s fitness regime blends strength training with cardio to build endurance. “I want to make sure that she is improving her endurance so that she can go into a two-hour show and also has the strength and …

Emmerdale and Coronation Street sustainability boss on soaps’ green initiatves

Emmerdale and Coronation Street sustainability boss on soaps’ green initiatves

Published by Daniella Wilson

Soap operas have always been a forum to tackle society’s most important topics, not only with the hard-hitting storylines they portray but also in what happens behind the scenes. With sustainability playing an increasingly key part in TV and film production, one of the industry’s most enduring and resilient genres is leading the way when it comes to pioneering greener ways of working. If you can do it on a soap without derailing the moving train that has to produce hundreds of episodes a year, you can do it anywhere. As Head of Production Sustainability for ITV Studios, Phil Holdgate is responsible for the carbon footprint of Coronation Street and Emmerdale, Britain’s longest and second longest-running soaps respectively, neither of which would’ve have lasted so long without a bit of future proofing. Sustainability is in soaps’ DNA. “Soaps are a bit of an outlier in the industry because they are ongoing,” begins Holdgate, speaking exclusively to Radio Times. “That allows you to try things on a short-, medium- and long-term basis which is almost impossible …

Keke Palmer and UCLA Create New Artist-in-Residence Collaboration

Keke Palmer and UCLA Create New Artist-in-Residence Collaboration

Published by Daniella Wilson

Starting this fall, UCLA students will have the opportunity to learn a thing or two from Professor Palmer. Actress and entrepreneur Keke Palmer is teaming with the university’s School of Theater Film and Television on a new 5-year artist-in-residence collaboration — one that will see the I Love Boosters star leading quarterly workshops on campus. Significant to the partnership is Palmer’s digital media platform, KeyTV. The enterprise, which she launched in 2022, has already produced 29 original projects from an exclusively BIPOC pool of creators.  “UCLA TFT is a place where artists learn to be in practice, to experience trial and error, to take projects off the page,” said Palmer. “That is also the mission of KeyTV. We know that education is key to democratizing opportunities and I am eager to both learn from and support UCLA TFT students. It is no small feat to pursue higher education, especially at a prestigious institution. I look forward to listening, encouraging and offering them more than one chance to succeed.” The initiative, “From Blocking to Broadcast,” aims …

Pete Hegseth, Cornball in Chief

Pete Hegseth, Cornball in Chief

Published by Daniella Wilson

The defense of the United States is a serious business. Every day, men and women, civilian and military, attend to the smallest details—the caloric content of a soldier’s meal, the fabric in a uniform—while others advise senior leaders on the use of violence to achieve the ends of national policy. Some, stationed underground, underwater, or on bomber airfields, stand ready to fulfill orders with apocalyptic consequences. These people are professionals and carry themselves with the quiet pride that comes from serving their nation. And then there’s Pete Hegseth, the self-declared secretary of war. Hegseth approaches his job as if it’s a vacation rather than public service. He shows up on military bases looking as exuberant as a bored househusband who just got a kitchen pass from his wife for a weekend of paintball with the boys. He sports a pocket handkerchief that looks like an American flag. He carries himself with an effortful swagger that is meant to convey machismo but instead just looks awkward. He talks with practiced drama, like he’s constantly trying out …

Strictly Come Dancing confirms Dani Dyer and Lacey Turner as first celebs for 2026 series

Strictly Come Dancing confirms Dani Dyer and Lacey Turner as first celebs for 2026 series

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Strictly Come Dancing has announced the first two stars who’ll be waltzing their way into the 2026 competition: EastEnders actor Lacey Turner and former Love Island star Dani Dyer. The BBC show surprised fans with the first cast announcement on Wednesday (10 June), confirming that Turner – best known for her role as Stacey Slater in EastEnders – would be competing on this year’s series. The news was confirmed on Strictly’s social channels earlier than usual – with the cast typically being revealed later in the summer. Further announcements are due to take place throughout the summer ahead of the show’s launch in September. Turner said in a statement: “I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing! “I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe …

Angela Scanlon on why bare nails are her quiet rebellion

Angela Scanlon on why bare nails are her quiet rebellion

Published by Daniella Wilson

Never before have our hands – and fingertips – been pulled into such high definition focus. Between constant scrolling curated posting, our digits are under more scrutiny than ever. Nail salons are edging coffee shops out of the social spotlight and booking a manicure now feels as routine as ordering our morning double-venti macchiato. But has this accessibility ushered in a new era of aesthetic pressure? Television presenter, broadcaster and writer Angela Scanlon talks about opting out of these ‘invisible expectations’ and the power of reclaiming her time. Angela makes a strong case for bare nails “I’ve been thinking a lot about nails lately, which feels like a deeply unserious way to be spending my one wild and precious life. And yet, here we are. For years, my nails were always done. Gel, shellac, BIAB; whatever acronym the beauty industrial complex was pushing that month, I was signed up without question. Not because I particularly loved them, or because they felt like self-expression or creativity or even pleasure. I didn’t sit in the salon chair …

The View Interviews JD Vance on Tuesday June 16 Amid FCC Fight

The View Interviews JD Vance on Tuesday June 16 Amid FCC Fight

Published by Daniella Wilson

In a surprise booking, ABC‘s The View has landed an interview with Vice President JD Vance, the highest-profile sitting Republican to appear on the panel show in years. Vance will appear on the show next Tuesday, June 16, in a live appearance with co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin and Ana Navarro to promote his book Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith. The appearance comes as The View is at the center of a battle between ABC and the Trump administration, with the Federal Communications Commission seeking to review the network’s broadcast licenses, citing an investigation related to Disney’s DEI policies. ABC submitted its licenses “under protest,” arguong that the move was meant to chill speech. Of course, the FCC is also investigating the network over an appearance from Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico, citing new rules around equal time for political candidates. The network called that investigation “unprecedented.” The View argues that it is a bona fide news program, discussing the news of the day and hosting …

Doctor Who’s Tom Baker reunites with K9 star for Sherlock Holmes story

Doctor Who’s Tom Baker reunites with K9 star for Sherlock Holmes story

Published by Daniella Wilson

Doctor Who legend Tom Baker has reunited with his former co-star John Leeson for a brand new Sherlock Holmes adventure. Baker, who played the Fourth Doctor in the BBC sci-fi series, has returned to the role of Sir Sherlock Holmes for Sir Sherlock: The Sickle and the Sea, a new original audio adventure from AUK Studios. The project sees Baker starring opposite Leeson – best known to Doctor Who fans as the voice of the Doctor’s robotic companion K9 – as Doctor Watson, with the pair joined once again by Katy Ashworth as Emily Lestrade. A behind-the-scenes photo from the production show Baker and Leeson back together for the new mystery, which follows on from Sir Sherlock: The Red Letter Day, released earlier this month. Tom Baker and John Leeson record a Sherlock Holmes audio drama. AUK Studios Written by Kenton Hall, The Sickle and the Sea finds Sir Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Watson and Sergeant Emily Lestrade returning from a clandestine visit to the new Soviet Union on behalf of His Majesty’s Government. However, the trio …

Using cannabis to sleep? A neurologist explains the hidden risks

Using cannabis to sleep? A neurologist explains the hidden risks

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore For millions of people, cannabis has become the unofficial prescription for lost sleep. But what feels like a solution may be quietly making the problem worse. Consider these two cases: She is 15 and has been lying in bed for the past hour. It is past midnight, and her brain will not quiet down. Her school bus comes at 6:20 a.m. She is getting anxious, knowing that she needs to wake up in six hours. She did all the right things: turned off her phone at 10 p.m., tried melatonin. So tonight she tries something a friend recommended: a cannabis gummy. Within 20 minutes, she’s asleep. He is 34, a veteran who did two tours and has struggled with sleep since coming home. It takes him two hours to fall asleep, and when he does, he is jolted awake by relentless …