ShowBiz

Los Angeles, June 17 (IANS) Actress-singer Jennifer Lopez has shared scary details of her health scare. The actress-singer went blind and suffered temporary paralysis during a terrifying health scare.

The 56-year-old actress-singer has opened up about the moment she realised her body was "shutting down" after she pushed herself too hard and worked "98 days without taking a day off", explaining she suffered a debilitating collapse while she was making her 2002 movie ‘Enough’, reports ‘Female First UK’.

During an appearance on the SmartLess podcast, Jennifer said, "I think I had done like four movies in a row. I had recorded my second album, my JLo album which was really big. I was working, filming every day. All the hours then I would go into the studio at night and then at the weekend I would have junkets or video shoots or whatever”.

“And I remember not clocking that I had worked 98 days in a row without taking a day off. ‘Cos we went back and counted ‘cos we were like: ‘What happened?’", she added.

She further mentioned, “One day I’m sitting on the set of ‘Enough’ and every time I’m walking to the set I’m getting a little, pitter patter in my heart. It’s like rising. Finally it got to the point when I really feel nervous. And I had the little girl (playing her daughter) in ‘Enough’. I had to say, ‘I’m really sorry sweetie, I’m feeling really weird today, a little tired our something’ and she’s like ‘It’s ok you’ll be alright’. But I wasn’t alright”.

She went on, “And I went back to the trailer and I sat down and all of a sudden I just couldn’t see. I couldn’t see clearly, something went over my eyes and I couldn’t move. And one of my girlfriends who was (working as) my assistant. I said to her Arlene I can’t move, I can’t see. She goes: 'Stop it Jennifer you’re scaring me'. I said: 'No I can’t move, you should get somebody get BOB my security guard. I can’t move and I can’t see'. He picked me up and put me in the car and we went to the hospital".

Jennifer went on to reveal she was diagnosed with exhaustion, adding, "I said to the doctor, ‘Am I going crazy?’ And he’s like, ‘No. You’re not crazy. You’ve shut down'”.

During the podcast, Jennifer insisted she's taking much better care of herself these days and she changed her life following the breakdown of her marriage to Ben Affleck when she realised she needed to focus on healing and self-love.

--IANS

aa/

Los Angeles, June 17 (IANS) Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is making his love for classic filmmaking public. The filmmaker’s innate love of film comes through when he speaks, even when he’s sounding off with a dire warning about what is at stake for the film industry.

In the past few years, the film industry has met with several challenges including AI and the forces of business consolidation, reports ‘Variety’.

“We are on the verge of image illiteracy. We are on the verge of cinema illiteracy”, he told the industry crowd gathered Monday night for the BFI America dinner event held in Hollywood to celebrate del Toro’s selection for the prestigious BFI Fellowship kudos.

As per ‘Variety’, the Oscar-winning director, who is known for ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’, ‘Hellboy’, ‘The Shape of Water’ and last year’s ‘Frankenstein’, sounded the alarm about the encroachment of AI in what has heretofore been the thoroughly human-led process of making art.

The human desire to express oneself is as old as the first images crafted on ancient cave walls in antiquity, he stressed. He also nodded to the rising tide of political polarization that threatens creative freedom around the world. “The agreement between man and image is sacred”, he told the starry crowd at Mother Wolf. Art can help bring people together, he said, “but we are in a time when that is in danger”. He called artificial intelligence a form of “natural stupidity”.

“We are told images can be generated by artificial means. The existence of an image is not just to be there. It is to connect us, to make us feel beauty”, he shared.

--IANS

aa/

Los Angeles, June 17 (IANS) Hollywood actor Jeremy Allen White is lauding the U.K. government for capping the age for social media usage.

The media industry is facing a social reckoning. After mounting scrutiny of social media’s impact on young users, the U.K. announced that it would move forward with a ban on children under 16 using apps such as TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, reports ‘Variety’.

The news arrived just days after the first trailer for Aaron Sorkin’s ‘The Social Reckoning’ dropped online.

As per ‘Variety’, the film, like its predecessor, takes aim at Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, this time focusing on allegations that Facebook ignored internal warnings about the platform’s effects on young users and mental health.

Jeremy Allen White, the star of the hit Hulu series ‘The Bear’, spent five seasons portraying the extraordinary anxieties associated with running a kitchen. After the show ends this summer, his next project, ‘The Social Reckoning’, tackles the root of the problem. At the final season’s premiere in lower Manhattan, the star praised the decision as a “great” step forward.

The actor told ‘Variety’, “It’s remarkable how addictive this stuff is. I think there needs to be a correction. It’s never going to go away, but I do think there needs to be boundaries or guidelines at a certain point. And I hope there is some kind of slide back into more of an analog approach in life. Because this is all moving very fast and it’s a little scary”.

Jeremy, a father of two, said his children (ages 7 and 5) don’t have their own phones or iPads, though they occasionally “mess around” with his or their mother’s devices. He earlier he said that when it comes to his kids adopting social media, he wants to “keep them away from it as long as (he) can”.

‘The Bear’ continues to resonate because of its visceral portrayal of anxiety, capturing the feeling with a level of intensity and realism.

--IANS

aa/

Mumbai, June 16 (IANS) Actress Nikki Narula, who is receiving a lot of positive response to her work in the recently released film ‘Main Vapas Aaunga’, has shared that it was the Imtiaz Ali directorial ‘Tamasha’ that made her take the plunge and explore cinema.

Imtiaz Ali, Nikki described the opportunity as nothing short of a dream come true. Her journey began with an audition through Mukesh Chhabra’s casting company where she initially auditioned for the character of Meher without any major expectations.

A few days later, she received a call informing her that she had been selected but not for Meher, but for the role of Crystal.

Talking about the same, “At that moment, the only thing I could think about was that Imtiaz Ali had chosen me. I didn’t even stop to think whether the role was big or small. For me, that moment itself was the biggest achievement”.

The actress revealed that Tamasha had a profound impact on her life long before she entered the industry. The film inspired her to pursue her passion, trust her instincts, and discover her own voice.

She further mentioned, “I often say that I am in this industry because of Tamasha. That film gave me the courage to understand my dreams and listen to my inner voice”.

Sharing her experience of working with Imtiaz, she said, “For many people, it may seem like a small thing. But for me, it was validation that I’m moving in the right direction. I don’t see acting as just a profession, I see it as a practice, a lifelong pursuit”.

‘Main Vapas Aaunga’ is set in Punjab predating the Partition of India, and tells the story of 2 lovers. The film features the architectural ruins of Punjab.

Produced by Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment along with Mohit Choudhary, Shibasish Sarkar of Window Seat Films. The film is currently playing in cinemas.

--IANS

aa/

Mumbai, June 16 (IANS) Late actor Rishi Kapoor once revealed how he struggled to compliment his co-star Sridevi during his appearance on "The Kapil Sharma Show".

Host Kapil Sharma had asked Rishi Kapoor, "Sridevi Ji is from South India. When you met her for the first time, did she speak Hindi well? Or did you have to learn Tamil?

Sharing a particular incident when he faced an awkward moment with Sridevi during a shoot, Rishi Kapoor recalled, "I remember one day, there was a shoot going on. The film's magazine ran out. All the lights were on. It takes two minutes to change the magazine, to take out the old magazine and put a fresh one in the camera. However, there is a lot of discomfort in those two minutes when the actors and actresses are standing, the lights are on, and there is silence everywhere".

As the two were waiting for the shoot to resume, Sridevi told Rishi Kapoor, "Sir, I saw 'Khel Khel Mein' four times. I liked it a lot, sir'.

While Rishi Kapoor thanked his co-star for the compliment, he was unable to think of a compliment for Sridevi.

"Which film of hers did I see? I was thinking", he confessed.

However, he was saved by the bell as a voice came from behind saying, "The shot is ready".

During his glorious tenure as an actor, Rishi Kapoor worked with Sridevi in multiple movies, including "Nagina" (1986), "Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhoota" (1997), "Chandni" (1989), "Banjaran" (1991), and "Gurudev" (1993).

Both Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi are not with us anymore.

Unfortunately, Rishi Kapoor passed away on 30th April 2020 after a two-year-long battle with leukemia. He was 76 at the time.

On the other hand, Sridevi suddenly left for the heavenly abode at the age of 54 in 2018 in Dubai after an accidental drowning.

--IANS

pm/

Mumbai, June 16 (IANS) Actress and politician Smriti Irani reunited with her 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' co-star Karishma Tanna and even dropped a glimpse from the meet on her official social media handle.

Smriti took to her Instagram and posted a happy selfie with the mom-to-be.

She recalled how she still remembers Karishma as the lanky teenager she often found running through the corridors of a television set.

Wishing the 'Sanju' actress on her new journey, Smriti penned a note saying, "The baby is having a baby. And somewhere in my heart, I’m still looking at that lanky teenager racing through the corridors of a television set, unaware of the remarkable woman she would become. (sic)"

"God bless you, Tanna. May your journey into motherhood be filled with grace, laughter, good health, and immeasurable love. The next role of your life awaits—and I know you’ll be brilliant in it. @karishmaktanna", she added.

Earlier today, Karishma also treated the netizens with snippets of her meeting with Smriti.

The 'Scoop' actress dropped a photo with Smriti on her Insta Stories and called the fun reunion a “full circle moment.”

Expressing her joy and gratitude on meeting Smriti again years after "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" Karishma wrote, “Started my journey with her in Kyunki. And some years later, here we are. Full circle moment. Thank you @smritiiraniofficial This was truly special!”.

Back in April, Karishma and her husband Varun Bangera announced that they are expecting their first child with a heartfelt post on social media.

“A little Miracle , Our greatest gift — August 2026,” read the caption.

In May, Karishma uploaded images from her South Indian Tulu-style baby shower with the caption, “Still soaking in the love, blessings, and emotions from our very first South Indian style Godh Bharai together. Witnessing the beautiful Tulu rituals, sacred traditions, mantras, flowers, sarees, and every little custom so closely felt truly magical… almost like living a dream we had only imagined. From the poojas and family blessings to the warmth and love in every ritual, the entire day felt so pure, emotional, and deeply special for both of us and our little baby.”

--IANS

pm/

Los Angeles, June 16 (IANS) The Grammy Awards have added 5 new categories after deliberation with its members. The organising committee updates rules and adds to their categories in response to proposals from the members every year.

The next show, taking place on February 7, 2027, will see 5 new categories, including in the Latin, Asian Pop and R&B genres, and several key updates, including the Best New Artist and Best album categories, reports ‘Variety’.

The latter two moves are the most far-reaching, as they see the maximum number of times an artist may be submitted increased from three to four; and the “threshold of new recordings required on an eligible album is lowered from 75% to 66% to reduce the exclusion of entries that are widely recognized throughout the music industry as new albums”.

As per ‘Variety’, Best new artiste is traditionally the most controversial award, inevitably, as the concept of who considers the artist to be new is always a judgement call, and this year will see multiple artists getting an unexpected fourth shot at being nominated, including Ella Langley, who was reportedly submitted in three past years, but whose Hot 100 No. 1 single “Choosin’ Texas” and the album “Dandelion” have led her star to rise dramatically.

Likewise, as the concept of what constitutes a new album has changed, some that featured, say, four new songs but included remixes or live versions of previously released songs inspired the 75% threshold, but apparently that was determined to be excessively high.

In a related move that extends recognition for songwriters, contributors to winning albums in most genre album categories will now receive Grammy statuettes and Achievement Certificates, which producers and engineers already receive.

Songwriters and Composers of new material on the winning albums in most genre album Categories will now receive Grammy statuettes and Achievement Certificates in parity with the recognition currently afforded to Producers and Engineers in those categories.

--IANS

aa/

Mumbai, June 16 (IANS) It is no secret that actress Pooja Hegde maintains a strict fitness regime in order to maintain that picture-perfect physique for the camera.

From eating mindfully to sweating it out in the gym on a regular basis, the 'Beast’ actress leaves no stone unturned to work on herself, motivating several fitness enthusiasts along the way.

On Tuesday, Pooja uploaded a video providing a glimpse of her latest workout session. The 'Radhe Shyam' actress was seen walking backwards on a treadmill in style while recording herself from her phone.

Pooja chose an orange crop top with complementary shorts as her athleisure.

However, this is not the first time that she has dropped insights from her fitness regime. From time to time, Pooja treats the netizens with such inspiring posts.

Her feed also includes other insights from both her personal and professional life.

On the work front, Pooja last graced the screen with David Dhawan romantic comedy "Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai". With Varun Dhawan, Pooja and Mrunal Thakur as the leads, the drama enjoys an ensemble cast with Mouni Roy, Chunky Panday, Maniesh Paul, Jimmy Shergill, Rakesh Bedi, and Ali Asgar in supporting roles, along with others.

For the unaware, the project marks the fourth collaboration between Varun and his father, David Dhawan. Prior to this, these two had come together for "Main Tera Hero" (2014), "Judwaa 2" (2017), and "Coolie No. 1" (2020).

Backed by Ramesh Taurani under the banner of TIPS, "Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai" released in the cinema halls on 5th June this year.

This is expected to be David Dhawan's final directorial film.

Reacting to this, filmmaker Karan Johar had even penned an emotional post saying, "Yesterday when I went to Davidji’s celebration and he told me this was going to be his last film… I had a bittersweet reaction in my heart… here’s a filmmaker who is responsible for creating an entire genre of films… A DAVID DHAWAN film spells entertainment! (sic)"

--IANS

pm/

Los Angeles, June 16 (IANS) Hollywood star Tom Holland has seemingly confirmed his union with actress Zendaya, as he said that their family members “were all there” on their wedding day.

Speculation over whether or not the A-list actors and “Spider-Man” co-stars officially tied the knot has been rampant since January when Law Roach, Zendaya’s stylist, said on the Golden Globes red carpet that their wedding “already happened” and “it’s very true”, reports ‘Variety’.

Roach’s revelation sent social media into a tailspin and resulted in viral AI-generated photos of Zendaya in a wedding dress and more fake images depicting the alleged nuptials.

As per ‘Variety’, Zendaya did not confirm her marriage to Holland during her press tour earlier this year for ‘The Drama’, but she did discuss the AI photos.

“I was just out and about in real life and people were like, ‘Oh my God, your wedding photos are gorgeous’. And I was like, ‘Babe, they’re AI. They’re not real”, Zendaya told Jimmy Kimmel in March, adding that “many people” in her personal life were also fooled by the AI photos and got mad they didn’t receive an invite.

Tom Holland said he saw the humor in all the frenzy around the AI-generated wedding photos. When asked if he had to send out messages to family members about the photos, he told ‘Esquire’ magazine, “No, because they were all there. I tell him that I did not realize that the wedding had happened already. ‘That’s all you’ll get on that’, he says. It’s the firmest Holland has been so far in our conversation, and so we move on”.

The actor said nothing else about his wedding to Zendaya, but he did heap praise on his partner. The two have made four ‘Spider-Man’ movies together, including this July’s ‘Brand New Day’, and they also both have roles in ‘The Odyssey’ helmed by Christopher Nolan.

--IANS

aa/

Mumbai, June 16 (IANS) Actor Vedang Raina recalled the time he told his parents that acting is what makes him feel the most alive after an audition.

He added that his recent release, "Main Vaapas Aaunga", has assured him that his gut feeling was indeed correct.

On Tuesday, Vedang shared the incident with his Instagram family via a social media post that read, "I came home one day after an audition (I was 19) and told my parents that acting is what makes me feel the most alive. I didn’t expect to say that and I was as surprised as they were. It’s now been 2 and a half years since I came into this industry that’s given me everything and my gut feeling was right. (sic)"

Stating how "Main Vaapas Aaunga" impacted him as an artist, he went on to write, "Maybe it’s too early to say but Main Vaapas Aaunga is a film that’s changed everything for me. What I’ve learned, how I’ve grown as an artist and more importantly as a human being is not something I can quantify with an Instagram caption."

Expressing his gratitude to director Imtiaz Ali and co-stars Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari, and Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang further penned, "@imtiazaliofficial thank you for taking me on this journey and letting me be your Keenu. Thanks for letting me collaborate with artists I’ve always looked up to and gotten to learn so much from @naseeruddin49 @diljitdosanjh @arrahman @irshadkamilofficial @sharvari . This film is special and relevant and so pure and I’m grateful to have been a part of it".

Determined to work on his craft, the 'Jigra' actor concluded the post with, "I’m as passionate as ever and I’m driven to keep working and perfecting. I love what I do. I feel alive. Thank you for showering us with so much love."

At the end, Vedang even shared the famous lines by Robert Frost from his poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

"Miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep," the post ended.

--IANS

pm/