POPSUGAR Celebrity

Meet the New Brides on MAFS This Season!

Genevieve Rota — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 19:05:20 +1100

Married at First Sight returns to our televisions on January 29 and we're looking forward to watching another 20 brave Aussies take on the dating experiment. Before the season launches, we're going to introduce you to the 10 brides looking for love.

They range in age from 26 to 44, and they come from all walks of life - but one thing they all have in common is that a lasting relationship has eluded them. Ready to settle down? You bet they are!

We Should All Be More Like Kim Kardashian, Okurr?

Genevieve Rota — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 18:05:03 +1100

This feature is dedicated to our #NoChangeNoFuture initiative. From the Women's March, to Australia voting yes to same sex marriage, and the #MeToo movement, 2017 taught us to look beyond ourselves and come together as a collective of powerful women who are writing our own history. Join us as we cancel setting one-dimensional personal resolutions this January and commit to being the change we want to see. Because without change, there is no future.

I was going to start this piece with the words, "Hear me out," because I've become accustomed to defending myself when I say I admire Kim Kardashian. But you know what? That is some kind of bullsh*t right there. Instead, I'd like to know why people wouldn't like Kim Kardashian.

Is it because she has a famous dad and grew up more priveliged than most? Is it because she - gasp! - filmed a sex tape with her ex-boyfriend? (Which, really, touches on big-time issues around female socialisation that we can't get into right now.) Is it because she's a reality TV trailblazer who's always two steps ahead of the social media game? Is it because she likes taking selfies, even when she's naked? And in that case, do you dislike all your friends who take selfies?

What is it? Because from my perspective, I can only see things to like about Kim Kardashian. I'm not even talking about her successful forays into business, or her style, or her wildly popular TV show, as impressive as they all are. Rather, I'm talking about her personality.

The most accurate word I can think of to describe it is this: dignified. Don't believe me? Here you go:

Kim Kardashian never speaks ill of anyone. Well hey, I'm sure she does with people closest to her (otherwise she's a saint, non?) - but she never does it in public. Take this recent interview for example. As much as she tried, Jennifer Lawrence couldn't get Kim to say a bad word about Blac Chyna, despite the *rather intense* things that have happened between her and Kim's brother Rob. Instead, she took the high road, and thought about the person who matters most - Rob and Blac's baby daughter, Dream - before speaking. She did the same thing when she played "Plead the Fifth" on Watch What Happens Live and cleverly managed to avoid dobbing in her sisters or their ex-stylist. Dignified? You bet.

Kim Kardashian barely drinks and doesn't do drugs. Look, clearly I'm not giving up my Friday wines - but I can admire from afar that Kim doesn't like the effect alcohol has on her and therefore simply doesn't partake. For any of you who've tried to abstain from alcohol for a while, you'll know the kind of peer pressure you get to "just have one drink" every single weekend. That Kim has managed to resist for such a long time, and doesn't make a song and dance about it? Dignified.

Kim Kardashian is unfailingly loyal and never spills the tea on her sisters. She's pushed and prodded on every topic under the sun, particularly ones that involve her well-known sisters - but she never, ever lets them down. Like, literally, I can't think of one time she's let slip on something she wasn't meant to. That kind of loyalty seems pretty dignified to me.

Kim Kardashian isn't afraid to stand up for herself and her family. We've got plenty of examples here but two heavy ones spring to mind. The first is when Chloe Grace Moretz - whom we have a lot of respect for - shamed Kim for taking a nude selfie and Kim fired back. It was an unusually tense exchange for the pair and we don't love how it played out - but it sent a clear message that you can't mess with Kim, or question her choices if you're not prepared to explain yourself. Another example: when Kim said it was "all fair" that her mum Kris Jenner would likely never speak to Caitlyn Jenner again. Dignified? Not heaps. Savage? Yep.

Kim Kardashian has the body confidence we should all strive to have. Doesn't matter what shape or size you are: if you're happy as you are, it should be celebrated! Kim does an amazing job of not apoligising for how she looks, and you bet she's going to document it all on her social media. She's not pushing it on anyone - after all, you can unfollow if it feels necessary - and she doesn't ask that anyone agrees with her. She's feeling her look and she's OK with that. That's a level of self-love and dignity we could all stand to learn from.

That's not all: she's got a big heart, she's considered and she's honest to a fault. She takes care of herself and her body, she's very close to her family, she'll put her husband and kids before all else, she knows when silence is golden and when her voice can lend a hand, and she's a modern-day mogul who's fronted esteemed business magazine, Forbes. In the words of Kim herself, it's "not bad for a girl with no talent."

Such a tremendous honor to be on the cover of @forbes! I never dreamed this would happen and know my Dad would be so proud. #NotBadForAGirlWithNoTalent 😍😜

A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Jul 11, 2016 at 8:16am PDT

She never asked to be a role model, nor does she want to be one, so that's not what this is about. Rather, she's just a good, well-rounded human being who we can all take a few lessons from. So Kim Kardashian, we salute you. Thanks for keeping it real.

"I've Got No Business With It:" I'm a Celeb's Julia Morris on Jogging (and Other Things)

Genevieve Rota — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 17:05:42 +1100

The problem with Julia Morris is that you can never really get enough time with her. You know? She's one of those people. Infectious. Warm. Julia Morris is the kind of woman you want to take home - as in, the thought of leaving her elicits true sadness, and so you'll do just about anything to surgically attach yourself to her for the forseeable future.

Of course, we all know that already. That's why she's one of Australian TV's most successful identities: she's the hostess with seriously the mostess on I'm a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here! (and boasts a flair for twisting the English language), her stand-up comedy shows sell-out consistently, she's an integral part of the House Husband's line-up and she's heading up Blind Date, coming to Network Ten this year. She's wildly popular in our country's tight little industry, and it's never been easier to see why than when I walk into a small studio at Network Ten's HQ to interview her ahead of the launch of IAC's fourth season.

"Hello, darling!" she calls through the door, walking over to greet me with a kiss. We've met before, a couple of times, but considering she meets a thousands of new people a year (such is the nature of fame, eh?), it's charming that she's greeting me like an old friend. Though I get the distinct vibe that she's like this with everyone, not just someone who's interviewing her for her TV show.

"I didn't know how the year was going to roll out for the network. I got a bit sad, thinking, 'I haven't said goodbye to South Africa yet.'"

Before we take a seat on the couch, she grabs her phone and asks, "Can I show you something?" She pulls up a picture of a red dress and tells me, with levels of energy I can only dream of, that this is the dress she'll wear on launch night for I'm a Celebrity (it's coming on January 28). She loves it. She can't wait to wear it! And so we launch into talk about the show - can she believe we're up to season four already? "Yes ma'am," she says. "Series four, and I am sure we are going to go for years and years - or maybe that's just how I want it in my heart. Early last year, I didn't know how the year was going to roll out for the network. I got a bit sad, thinking, 'I haven't said goodbye to South Africa yet;' I haven't said goodbye to [the show] yet." Network Ten had, at that stage, gone into voluntary adminisatration and the future of the business was in doubt.

"There was no way in million years that I would've thought we weren't going back. I just kept thinking - because I'm so confident about stuff anyway - I'm like of course it's going ahead." Turns out she was right: CBS bought Network Ten and it was basically business as usual for Julia and her colleagues from then onwards.

I ask Julia what she loves so much about working on the show for three months of the year - especially considering it's filmed in South Africa, away from her family - and she doesn't hesitate. "It was one of my favourite shows when I lived in the UK," she explains, "and I could not get enough of it. I love the idea of seeing people in what feels like pedestrian moments, but learning things about their morals and their standards."

"I would never have thought that Shane Warne was going to become one of my all-time favourite people."

When I tell her that's one of my favourite elements of the show - the fact that you get to see celebrities in completely confronting, challenging, unusual situations - she agrees. Prime example: hane Warne crying and shaking in fear as he faced his spider phobia in an episode last year - not exactly a moment in his life that we expected to be privy to.

"He's become one of my all-time favourite people," Julia says. "I would never have thought that Shane Warne was going to become one of all-time favourite people. I'm kind of like, 'All those sporty guys, whatever.' Then watching him care for and protect his fellow camp mates . . . and to really get an understanding of the difference between being scared and having a phobia, it was distressing to watch. He didn't have to hold it but went [on the show] wanting to make his children proud and he did it."

We move away from the show and onto other things - you see, it's a big year for Julia. She's turning 50 in April and you bet she's embracing it. "I thought that 40 was the big turning point," she tells me. "Now I think it's 50. I think 40 is the decade to get used to the fact that you're going to age, 'cause it's the first time you kind of do. You're like, 'Oh my god, look at that in that photo.' It's the first time that sort of thing happens. You've got 10 years to get used to it and now that I am turning 50, I could care less. Like, whatever mate."

"I mean, I'll no sooner go jogging than fly to the moon. It's simply never going to happen."

It's a refreshing headspace for Julia to be in. "I still look after myself, but I can only do what I can do each day," she says. "I can't now spend the second half of my life being upset - no, upset is not the right word . . . but being dissatisfied with the way I look. I've got no time for it now. I think I've been every different size. I've embraced every different size. I've spoken on behalf of every different size over the years. As long as you're healthy, it doesn't matter. I mean, I'll no sooner go jogging than fly to moon. It's simply never going to happen. Jogging and I will never be friends. I've got no business with it."

"The second [a diet] starts, I'm like, 'If I don't get a vanilla slice today, I don't even know what to do with myself.'"

Same goes for diets. "I work out ways to fit in increasing my heart fitness, but I've not been on a diet since my probably late 20s. I think diets are bad news. Oh my god, they make you feel so bad! There's no point. The second it starts, I'm like, 'If I don't get a vanilla slice today, I don't even know what to do with myself.'"

Her solid handle on the things that truly matter in life - like eating the damn vanilla slice - is probably partly responsible for her success, in all areas. She works hard, she loves her family hard and she lives her life how she wants to. "I have always been this busy, just not as in the spotlight," she says when I ask if she's enjoying this hectic run of work. "I think that sometimes in Australia my career looks like it took a dip. But I just wasn't here." Instead, Julia was living and working in London for eight years. "In actual fact, I feel like I have been on an upward trajectory, and even though it was what I was working towards, I didn't necessarily expect that it would happen. Because, there are how many slots on the television? There aren't that many spaces for people, so it's pretty exciting to still be here."

Something else that's not lost on her is how the industry - and society in general - has changed for women. "Now you're allowed to have a voice. Women haven't really been allowed to have a proper voice. I hate to bring it to another 'what women weren't allowed to have' thing but . . . " She trails off. "It's true?" I ask. "Yeah! Like wah, wah, wah, my wife's nagging me at home. What? Is it 1940? I watched a movie the other night, and the dad was saying, 'Oh I've got to babysit the kids tonight.' No, you don't have to 'babysit' the kids tonight. What you have to do is parent!"

See, Julia knows what's up. When I'd asked her how she was at the beginning of our chat, she responded, "Well, I woke up alive. You know, you're off to the right start, when you wake up alive. It's just like, 'I can do anything today. I've already done the hardest bit - I woke up.'" Preach it, sister.

The fourth season of I'm a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here! premieres at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 28, on Network Ten.

The Internet Is Anything but Shy About Kim and Kanye's New Baby Name

Perri Konecky — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 16:05:03 +1100

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West shocked the world on Saturday when they announced the name of their newborn baby girl: Chicago West. Baby Chi (pronounced "shy") may only be a few days old, but she already has the internet going crazy over her name. While many fans gushed over the adorable tribute to Kanye's hometown, others joked that her name sounds like a prime-time procedural drama coming to a screen near you. Read on to see some of the good, the bad, and the downright hilarious reactions to Chicago West - or what some are calling a complete missed opportunity for "Wild West."

Who Is Cherry Seaborn? Everything You Need to Know About Ed Sheeran's Fiancée

Terry Carter — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 15:05:04 +1100

A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos) on Jan 20, 2018 at 5:49am PST

On Sunday, Ed Sheeran surprised fans by announcing his engagement to his long-time girlfriend, Cherry Seaborn. The "Shape of You" singer reportedly met Cherry in high school and has been dating her since September 2015. While Ed has opened up about their sweet romance over the years - he even discussed wanting "little fat, chubby babies" - the two have remained low-key for the most part. With their impending nuptials on the way, keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Ed's new fiancée.

She's 25 years old. According to her biography on Duke University website, Cherry was born on May 6, 1992. The UK native moved to the United States to attend the North Carolina-based college due to its notable hockey team.
She met Ed Sheeran in high school. The couple first crossed passed at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham, Suffolk. Cherry was a hockey player at the school, and Ed reportedly had a crush on her.
She quit her job to fall in love. In 2017, Ed revealed that he took a break from music in 2016 to pursue his relationship with Cherry, and she did the same for him. "We were just basically like, let's quit our jobs and have a year of forming a tight bond," he shared, adding, "So we went travelling and spent every day for a year together."

Paul Bettany Is Likely in Line to Become the Next Prince Philip on The Crown

Tori Crowther — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:05:14 +1100

If rumours are to be believed, The Crown might have found its new Prince Philip. Netflix's royal drama has been busy replacing the current cast with actors who are a little bit older to reflect the passage of time on the show, and while Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret's replacements have been found, the lucky man tasked with taking over Matt Smith's role was still a mystery.

Well, we hope you're a fan of Paul Bettany, because the Avengers: Infinity War actor is reportedly in line to replace Smith as Prince Philip for seasons three and four. If this turns out to be true, he will join Olivia Coleman, who is confirmed to take Claire Foy's place as Queen Elizabeth II in the award-winning historical epic. Helena Bonham Carter is reportedly also in talks with producers about joining the show to play Princess Margaret, and a recent Instagram picture from current star Vanessa Kirby seemed to confirm the news.

We'll no doubt miss Foy and Smith on The Crown, but can't wait to see how the new cast follow through on the royal family drama. The Crown's third season will be released sometime in late 2019.

13 Reasons Why: Dylan Minnette Just Spilled the Juiciest Details About Season 2

Terry Carter — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 13:05:12 +1100

Dylan Minnette is singing like a canary. The 13 Reasons Why star caught up with Seventeen magazine ahead of the show's highly anticipated second season, and, boy, did he dish some juicy details for the fans. "It would have been weird to end Hannah's story in season one because we only heard very small titbits of her life told by her," Minnette argued in defense of the decision to go forward with another season. "There's a whole life that Hannah had, and there's more we can learn about her. Overall, learning more about her is more important to the entire narrative."

As far as what fans can expect for his character, Clay, Minnette revealed he'll still be recovering from the aftermath of Hannah's suicide and the tapes she left behind. "I think that the impact of Hannah and the tapes on Clay's life will never ever go away no matter how hard he tries. No matter what, it's going to take him a while to recover. You can see that it's not easy for Clay to let anything go. And that's expected. I don't think anyone expects Clay to just kind of think of Hannah and be like, 'No, it was nothing.'"

Minnette continued, "There's a lot of recovery for these characters. So, I think it's necessary and I was excited about a season two. Now looking back, I'm like, I get it. I get why we did it." The Open House actor also hinted that we shouldn't expect to see many scenes between Hannah (Katherine Langford) and Clay this go around. "I think we learn pretty much almost everything we needed to know about what Clay and Hannah's relationship was [in season one]. I think that's pretty clear."

According to Minnette, what we will see is more interaction between Hannah and new characters we haven't met yet. "I think that's interesting because in season one, whenever there was a flashback, it was either Hannah or Clay's flashback and either Clay or Hannah or both were always in it. Now, maybe there will be a flashback they're not in and you can learn more about something else. I thought that was pretty cool."

Minnette later addressed the possibility of a new romance for Clay. "I can't say too much, but Skye is still around and in the picture and there's a chance that her and Clay could be friends or more," he said. "That's something you'll learn pretty quickly when the season starts. I don't want to spoil that for you, but she's around."

Now we really can't wait for season two!

Ewan McGregor Officially Files For Divorce From His Wife of 22 Years

Terry Carter — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 12:19:35 +1100

Ewan McGregor has filed for divorce from his wife, production designer Eve Mavrakis, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split. The former couple reportedly called it quits in May 2017 after 22 years of marriage. A source close to the family confirmed the news to People in October. The 46-year-old actor is currently dating his Fargo co-star Mary Elizabeth Winstead who split from her husband, Riley Stearns, in May as well.

According to TMZ, Ewan is asking for joint custody of their four daughters, Clara, Jamyan, Esther and Anouk, but Eve has filed a response asking for sole custody of the girls with visitation. Ewan and Eve met on the set of the TV show Kavanagh QC and wed in France in 1995. Most recently, Ewan thanked both Eve and Mary in his acceptance speech at the 2018 Golden Globes.

Where Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Honeymoon? We Have a Few Ideas

Florie Mwanza — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 12:05:18 +1100

The world is as captivated with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's romance as they were with Prince William and Kate Middleton's love story. We've followed every milestone of the twosome's relationship since their first official outing as a couple at the Invictus Games last year, and the pair has only gotten more serious since then. So far we've enjoyed key events like their sweet engagement announcement, their first Christmas with the Queen, and their first outing on official royal business.

Ever since the couple set the date for their upcoming royal nuptials on May 19, though, it seems like the whole world has been wondering the same question: where the newlyweds will be honeymooning once the festivities are done?

Given Prince Harry's love of warm climates, it's only natural that speculation is leading us all to believe they'll choose somewhere hot. The fact they fell in love while on holiday in Botswana means the country has a special place in their hearts, and they've also had an open invitation from the Prime Minister of Antigua to spend their honeymoon on the Caribbean island. If the insider reports are true, there's also a chance we may just see Harry and Megan follow William and Kate's example, with a honeymoon in the Seychelles. According to a source, Us Weekly reports that we won't have to wait too much longer to hear where they plan to jet off after the wedding.

"At the moment nothing has been booked, but expect a decision to be made within a month," the source revealed, adding that certain security measures will be put in place once Harry and Meghan pick a destination. "Once the decision has been made, they will have a security team fly out to do reconnaissance and the info will be confidential. Should anything get out they would feel the trip's compromised and pick a new destination."

The source noted that the royal couple definitely has somewhere "hot and sunny" in mind for their two week getaway. Regardless of where they end up, we have a feeling they won't be flying economy for this trip!

Adele, Jennifer Lawrence and More Stars Took to the Streets For the 2018 Women's Marches

Terry Carter — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 11:14:46 +1100

The 2018 Women's March kicked off this weekend on the anniversary of Donald Trump's first year as president. Not only did women show up with the boldest signs and slogans, but celebrities also lent their voice to the cause. "Today we march #timesup," Amy Schumer wrote on Instagram. Adele, who took to the streets with her BFF Jennifer Lawrence and Cameron Diaz, also shared a heartfelt message about raising her son to be a "good man" to people regardless of their gender. Lupita Nyong'o, Natalie Portman and Drew Barrymore were also in attendance at some of the many marches happening across the country. Keep reading to see how other stars showed their support.

Is Chrissy Teigen Having a Boy or Girl? Her Answer Might Surprise You

Terry Carter — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 11:05:08 +1100

Chrissy Teigen is doing things differently with her second pregnancy. The outspoken wife of John Legend and proud mum of 1-year-old Luna Stephens recently sat down with E! News to discuss her Lip Sync Battle series and shared that while she does know the sex of her baby, she's not going to reveal it anytime soon. "We had them on ice," Chrissy joked. "So we know. We knew when we put it in, but John was like, 'Make sure you don't say it. Let's have one thing for us,' and of course I'm probably going to end up saying it, but I'm just going to do this favour to him for as long as I can."

When it comes to baby names, Chrissy said she will be in charge of choosing a moniker this time around. "John picked Luna, so I decided I get to pick this one. I don't know what to do. Take it to Twitter." The 32-year-old model also admitted that she's worried about sharing name ideas with her friends and family.

"Names are tough. What I learned was, never share your ideas," she explained. "If you have a name idea, somebody is going to be like 'No, I knew a person by that name in high school, and they were gross.' That always happens." Back in December, Chrissy jokingly tweeted that she was going to name the baby Blaze Legend. Guess we'll just have to wait and see when the new bundle of joy arrives.

The Exciting, Inspiring Reason Why All of This Year's SAG Award Presenters Are Women

Brittney Stephens — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 10:10:11 +1100

Image Source: Getty / Emma McIntire

On the heels of a monumental night at the Golden Globes, where women banded together by wearing black and putting sexual harassment and equal pay at the forefront, the Screen Actors Guild Awards is following suit by making some major (and historic) changes to this year's show. In addition to introducing a host for the first time ever (Kristen Bell will be the inaugural emcee), the list of presenters features only women.

The impressive roster - which includes Halle Berry, Patricia Arquette, Olivia Munn, Niecy Nash, Lupita Nyong'o, and Emma Stone - is a calculated move on the part of SAG-AFTRA; Kathy Connell, an executive producer of show, explained the reasoning behind the bold choice to The Hollywood Reporter in December, calling it "a unifying salute to women who have been very brave in speaking up" about sexual misconduct in recent months. SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris expanded on that statement when she spoke to THR ahead of the ceremony and gave even more background on the plan, which she revealed has actually been in the works for more than a year.

Image Source: Getty / Angela Weiss

"We work so hard on creating economic and creative equity," she said. "We're celebrating all of our actors but are really looking to highlight and celebrate the women and the great work they're doing." She went on with more inspiring reasons for the all female presenter list: "It is clear that the time is now for all of us to come together and really move forward and create this cultural shift we're looking for. That's the real truth, and the awards can be a platform [for that] or not. The time is now - you feel the energy behind it and people are ready. I would like to see us create from that energy."

While actresses won't be expected to wear black like they did at the Golden Globes, Carteris noted that SAG-AFTRA has been "actively collaborating with various human rights organisations and initiatives," as well as the Time's Up initiative. "These are our members, and they're looking to create a meaningful future for all of us," she told THR, adding, "I'm interested in true systemic change, and if we're really going to make a shift, we have to deal with it on not just an industry level but an international and global level."

Surprise! Ed Sheeran Is Engaged to His Girlfriend Cherry Seaborn

Terry Carter — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 02:46:57 +1100

A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos) on Jan 20, 2018 at 5:49am PST

Ed Sheeran is getting married! The "Shape of You" singer announced his engagement to his girlfriend, Cherry Seaborn, on Saturday with a sweet photo of the two, writing, "Got myself a fiancé just before new year. We are very happy and in love, and our cats are chuffed as well xx" Ed has been dating Cherry since September 2015. No word yet on when the happy couple will walk down the aisle, but congrats are definitely in order for the two!

Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Road to Baby #3

Allie Merriam — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 20:05:03 +1100

Prince William and Kate Middleton have had a fairy-tale romance since meeting as students over a decade ago, but they've had some challenges along the way. They briefly split in 2007 and moved around the UK as his job changed. Throughout it all, royal fans have been absolutely intrigued by the story of how a sporty girl from the small village of Bucklebury captured the heart of the heir to the British throne. There is something special about Will and Kate's romance, which of course led to a spectacular 2011 wedding, a son named George, a daughter named Charlotte, and now a third baby on the way. Take a look back at Will and Kate's journey together.

American Crime Story: What You Need to Know About Gianni Versace’s Tragic Murder

Ryan Roschke — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 18:05:03 +1100

Image Source: Getty / Michel Arnaud

The next season of American Crime Story is getting closer, and thanks to a last-minute switch, it's focusing on an entirely different subject. What was once a season centered around the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has switched places with what used to be the third installment: The Assassination of Gianni Versace. (The Katrina season is still happening, for the record; it's slated to be the show's third season.) The release of the Versace season was recently released in the US, so while we wait for an Australian release, brush up on the facts of the chilling crime. What happened to Gianni Versace? Here are the facts.

A Brief History of the Killer

The name of Versace's killer was Andrew Cunanan (who will be played by Darren Criss). In the two weeks leading up to the murder, Cunanan had killed four other people. His victims were ex-Navy lieutenant Jeffrey Trail, 28, a friend; Minneapolis architect David Madson, 33, a former lover; Chicago developer Lee Miglin, 72, whose relationship to Cunanan is unknown; and William Reese, 45, a cemetery caretaker in New Jersey. Cunanan stole Reese's pickup truck and used it for the final portion of his journey.

The Murder of Versace

Gianni Versace (set to be played by Édgar Ramírez) touched down in Miami on July 10, 1997, five days before his murder. He immediately went to Casa Casuarina, his Miami Beach retreat, with his partner Antonio D'Amico (who will be portrayed by Ricky Martin). At that point, Cunanan was already in town.

On July 15, 1997, sometime around 8 a.m., Versace left on his own and walked to a local cafe to buy magazines. He walked home, and just as he put the key in his lock, he was shot twice. The first shot was directly into his face, at point-blank range. He was shot again in the neck, just behind the left ear. The call went in to the police at 8:45 a.m. D'Amico recently recalled how he felt in that moment: "I heard the shot. My heart just stopped to beat . . . So I ran out and then I saw Gianni laying down on the stairs in blood."

A photo of the murder scene: the front steps of Versace's Casa Casuarina. Image Source: Getty / Barry Lewis

Police Involvement, Possible Motives, and the Chase

Carlos Noriega, a lieutenant, was one of the first police men on the case. An early theory was that this had been a contract hit, organised by the mafia. The clue was a dead bird found next to the body. However, further evidence suggested that the bird was just an unfortunate collateral victim - it was hit by a bullet fragment.

Lazaro Quintana, a friend of Versace, followed the gunman. Eventually, the police were in on the chase, and they came across the first evidence. They found a pile of clothes, the stolen pick-up from New Jersey, and a bunch of identification. The police had their suspect three hours after the crime: Andrew Cunanan.

The Final Stand and All the Unanswered Questions

The search for Andrew Cunanan lasted nine days. Finally, the police received a tip. On July 24, a shot had been heard on a houseboat, just a few miles from where Versace had been murdered. Police surrounded the houseboat and remained there for four hours. Finally, the SWAT team fired tear gas and went in.

When the police boarded the boat, Cunanan was already dead. He had shot himself in the temple with the same gun he'd used to kill Versace. Cunanan's suicide left the world with more questions than answers. The police could not draw a connection between the two men, nor could they pin down a motive. They weren't even sure Cunanan and Versace had ever previously crossed paths. It remains one of the most puzzling crimes in recent history, even more than 20 years later.

If American Crime Story creator Ryan Murphy follows the same formula he did for The People v. O.J. Simpson, chances are we'll get a lot more backstory. After all, Murphy included a jarring scene where O.J. Simpson contemplated suicide, and that did actually happen. In order to fill in the blanks and complete the story, Murphy also took a bit of artistic license. Does that mean we'll leave the season with a sense of how everything might be connected? It sure seems like it.

If You Already Want a Sequel to Black Panther, Read This

Andrea Reiher — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 17:05:03 +1100

Since 2008, Marvel Studios has been churning out big-budget blockbusters about various superheroes at a breakneck pace. The films range from large ensemble casts like The Avengers to stand-alone single-character films like Iron Man and Thor. The next Marvel superhero to appear on the big screen solo is Black Panther, picking up after the events of Captain America: Civil War. But will there be a sequel?

Let's look at what we know about the film: Chadwick Boseman is set to reprise the title role that he brought to life in Civil War. In the new film, T'Challa (aka Black Panther) returns to his home country of Wakanda (a fictional African country), only to be dragged back into the worldwide power struggle when enemies conspire to bring down his kingdom.

T'Challa, as Black Panther, teams up with CIA agent Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) and members of Wakanda's special forces organization to prevent a world war. The special forces agents are played by Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, and Daniel Kaluuya, while the challenger to T'Challa's rule is played by Michael B. Jordan. T'Challa's mother is played by Angela Bassett and his Obi-Wan Kenobi-type mentor is played by Forest Whitaker. Ryan Coogler (Creed) directs.

When the latest trailer dropped back in October, Rolling Stone writer Tre Johnson praised what looks to be a revolutionary film, writing, "After decades of trying to nail the modern black superhero, we may finally be getting what we've asked for - and getting it right."

If Black Panther is as successful as the hype has led us to believe it will be, it'd be hard to see Marvel passing on a stand-alone sequel. However, fitting it into the overall MCU plan may prove tricky. There are plans laid out into 2020, which include two more Avengers films, the Ant-Man sequel, Captain Marvel, a Spider-Man sequel, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

But that doesn't mean they can't find room for Black Panther 2. If it doesn't launch its own franchise, it would be the first stand-alone MCU movie since 2008's The Incredible Hulk not to have a sequel (Doctor Strange doesn't officially have a sequel yet, but Marvel boss Kevin Feige has hinted that one may be coming in the 2020s). Nothing has been said about a Black Panther sequel, official or otherwise, but unless it absolutely flops at the box office, we would expect to see one eventually.

You Won't Believe the Insane Real Story Behind Molly's Game

Stephanie Haney — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 16:05:13 +1100

Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola

A movie about a 26-year-old woman running a high-stakes poker ring that leaves high-powered men vying for a seat at her table? And it's true? Yes, please.

I, personally, have been dying to see Molly's Game, the real-life story of Molly Bloom's rise to power in the gambling world, since I saw its first previews. The screenplay is based on Bloom's memoir, Molly's Game: From Hollywood's Elite to Wall Street's Billionaire Boys' Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker, and stars Jessica Chastain.

Exactly how did Bloom go from pouring drinks and smiling politely at someone else's poker game at the Viper Room in Hollywood to running her own show in New York City? It was quite the journey. Here's the true story.

Molly's Background

The Loveland, Colorado, native started out life as a skier with Olympic dreams and the talent and family ties to back it up.

"The motivations I had for being successful were somewhat dysfunctional," she said in a recent interview with Fortune.

One of Bloom's brothers is a two-time Olympian who was drafted by the NFL and went on to be named one of the 30 most influential people in technology under the age of 30 by Forbes in 2011. The other is a Harvard Medical School graduate and is now training to be a heart surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital.

"Literally, if you weren't the best in the world in my family, it wasn't impressive," she said. "I was looking for this thing that was going to make me feel fulfilled inside."

But it wouldn't be skiing for her, even after beating scoliosis at the age of 12 with a seven-hour surgery that involved fusing together 11 of her vertebrae with the help of metal rods. She eventually fought her way onto the US Ski Team, only to have an accident (which is featured at the beginning of the film) dash her hopes of ever competing in the Olympic Games.

That unrelenting need to do more is what her led her to call her nightclub manager out on his hypocrisy for trying to cut her pay in half because she was being tipped so well at his poker games and what motivated her to make her own thing happen.

Molly's Rise to Poker Princess

In the trailer, Bloom confronts her Viper Room boss head-on, saying, "You're gonna stop paying me because I'm making too much doing my second job, and if I say, 'No,' I'll lose both jobs because it doesn't seem fair?"

That was not gonna fly with the real Bloom, whose ambitions fuelled her to start a game where she had the final say over Hollywood's elite, prominent professional athletes, CEOs, and, unknown at first to her, the Russian mob.

"I finally had that thing," she told Fortune. "And I think that's what led to the compulsiveness to chasing it so far down the line."

The lines of credit she extended to her players, which included Wall Street financiers and the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, and Ben Affleck, sometimes reached six figures. One regular game Bloom ran in Manhattan had a $250,000 buy-in.

"One night, I saw someone lose $100 million," Bloom said. "I was bankrolling the games, vetting the players, extending the credit. My life was really stressful."

It was stressful, but it was also making her a lot of money.

"In 2009, my tax returns showed over $4 million," Bloom said. At that time, it wasn't from the game itself, though. It was from the tips from her players. She didn't say exactly how much she made in tips, but she did say, "Sometimes those tips were really big."

Image Source: Getty / Mike Marsland

Molly's Fall From Grace

Once the Russian mob caught wind of her operation and got into the game, things took a turn for the worse. Bloom started getting stiffed on debts - and worse.

"I didn't have the traditional resource to collect on debts and I'm certainly not going to be violent about it," she said. She became addicted to drugs, and in the last seven to eight months of her operation, one of her hosts convinced her to start taking a percentage of the pot, known as a "rake" in the poker world.

"That's where I crossed that little grey line," Bloom told Fortune. Soon after that, her cards really took a turn for the worse. It was around Christmastime in 2010 when a man broke into her home and beat her so savagely that she thought she would be permanently "deformed," Bloom told The Times.

The man punched her in the face repeatedly and shoved a gun in her mouth. He told her she was to blame for the attack, because she thought she could "still call the shots" and had been "such a b*tch to [his] friends." He emptied her safe and then told her that he knew where her mother lived, in "a real pretty house in the Colorado mountains." Before leaving, he warned Bloom not to report the beating to police and said, "We could have a good relationship - just don't disrespect us ever again."

Bloom said she immediately thought back to an encounter she had with two men a few weeks before that, where they offered to protect her in exchange for money, but she turned them down. After hiding out for 10 days waiting for her "mangled" face to heal, Bloom got right back to work.

"I wanted to just continue running games," she said. "That's how sick I was."

The Government Comes Knocking

In March 2011, the FBI busted a game that Bloom had organised. Luckily for her, she wasn't there. Her assets were seized by the government, but she managed to flee to her home state of Colorado without being taken into custody. Investigators asked her to be interviewed about organised crime related to her gambling ring, but partially out of fear of retaliation, Bloom declined.

Two years after the pots had paid out, the feds came knocking on her door at 5 a.m. She got herself a defense attorney named Charlie Jaffey, who helped her keep her word not to name names to authorities and also negotiate a deal for the book upon which the movie is based.

Her memoir wouldn't name names, either, even though the movie accurately shows that she was offered a lot more money up front from her book dealer if she would.

"There are two categories of information that I have: one is crimes, and the other one's gossip," Bloom told The Times. "I don't tell the stuff of a criminal nature because I want to stay safe. I don't tell the gossip because . . . it's not me."

The only names mentioned in the book are those that were already made public due to court depositions, Bloom said. Even with all of the danger involved, in addition to the obvious draw of the money, Bloom said it was ambition and credibility that drove her to take things so far. "I was in way too deep," she said, "trying to hang onto this thing that had established and legitimized me."

Molly's Life Now

In the end, Bloom, now in her late 30s, ended up with one year of probation and a $1,000 fine and was ordered to perform 200 hours of community service for her "minor role" in the Russian-American betting ring that authorities believe helped launder more than $100 million, USA Today reported in May 2014. She was also ordered to repay $125,000 in profits. More than 30 people were charged for their involvement in Molly's game.

At her sentencing, the judge asked if anything in her memoir would conflict with the remorse she showed for her actions or if there was anything that would "trouble" him. Bloom said that would not be the case and that she had "made mistakes" but that the entire experience, including the criminal trial, had "been a great opportunity for growth."

"If I had to do it all over, would I choose the same path? My answer is yes, a thousand times, yes," she wrote, in the epilogue to her memoir. "I had a grand adventure. I was brave and I went big. I was also reckless and selfish. I got lost along the way. I abandoned the things that mattered and traded them for wealth and status. I lusted for power and I hurt people. But I was forced to face myself, to lose everything, to fall on my face in front of the world."

While Bloom has been on the upswing financially since her sentencing and her book came out, she remains more than $2 million in debt, she told The Times, and hopes the film will help her erase that line item from her books for good.

Molly's Game opens in cinemas on Feb. 1.

Sharon Stone, Queen, Just Laughed For 10 Seconds Straight When Asked About Her Harassment Experiences

Ashling Lee — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 15:05:04 +1100

Cannot stop watching @sharonstone's response to being asked whether she's ever faced sexual harassment 🔥💯🔥 pic.twitter.com/MvFR3MIPU5

- Hannah Jane Parkinson (@ladyhaja) January 15, 2018

Bow down to Sharon Stone, who, upon being asked whether she'd personally experienced sexual harassment, delivered the BEST response: she just laughed.

As in, a of-course-I-have sort of laugh that probably would've made the reporter, Lee Cowan, seriously consider the validity of his question. Naturally, he looked positively uneasy.

After cackling for a good 10 seconds straight, she replied: "I've been in this business for 40 years, Lee. Can you imagine the business I stepped into 40 years ago?"

"Looking like I look? From nowhere Pennsylvania? I didn't come here with any protection. I've seen it all."

It was a reaction that was at once frank and incredibly telling, shedding light on the innate issue plaguing Hollywood. Mic. Drop.

5 Notable "Heirs and Spares" in the British Royal Family

Marcia Moody — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 14:05:13 +1100

Not only does the adorable Princess Charlotte have the the most adorable uncle ever in Prince Harry, but on a deeper level, she also has someone who will always understand what it feels like to play backup to an older sibling who will one day be king. The royal family has always been keen to produce a "spare" to the heir so that if - heaven forbid - anything should happen to the elder sibling, the future of the monarchy can continue with the younger.

This has been the case with some incredibly notable monarchs - Henry VIII was actually the "spare" - but in modern times it has thankfully been less necessary, and so the younger sibling nudges further down the line of succession with every niece and nephew born. However the nature of a "spare" can create all sorts of issues; they are a vital cog in the royal machine as they grow up, but as soon as the the elder sibling starts having children of their own, their official role becomes less defined, with (as we have seen in the last five generations of the royal family) very mixed results.

POPSUGAR Book Club: 5 of January's Best New Books to Read

Ashling Lee — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 13:05:04 +1100

Even if your 2018 resolution isn't to Read More, you may still very well surpass your 2017 book count. Why? Because this year, if we may be so bold to (already) say so ourselves, is going to be an exciting one for books. And January will get you started on the right foot.

This month's top picks include original, bold, and charming tales from seasoned novelists and debut writers alike - a Gatsby reimagination, a thriller that's sure to get your heart-racing, a story about how people live when they discover their supposed death date and so much more.

All the Celebrities Who Will Be Bringing Home New Babies in 2018

Brittney Stephens — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 12:05:21 +1100

This year brought a handful of adorable new celebrity babies, but even more little ones are expected to arrive in the new year. Pregnant stars like Kate Middleton will be welcoming their third, while Chrissy Teigen and Behati Prinsloo are adding baby No. 2 to their growing broods - and we can't forget the first-time mums, like Eva Longoria, Khloé Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner. Keep reading to see all the stars who will be bringing home bundles of joy in 2018!

Is Margot Robbie Really Ice Skating in I, Tonya? The Answer Is Complicated

Becky Kirsch — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 11:05:04 +1100

Margot Robbie has some big shoes (or should we say skates?) to fill as Tonya Harding in I, Tonya, because let's face it - regardless of where her morals lie, Harding was an incredible ice skater. Not only did she compete in two Winter Olympics, but she was also the first American woman to complete a triple axel in an international competition. So naturally, Robbie had to do some training on the ice before the cameras started rolling.

When the film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, Robbie was asked about how much preparation she did for it, and she said, "Quite a bit, as much as we could possibly do before production started. I think I did about three or four months of skating, like five times a week for a couple of hours a day. Even if I had 10 years to practice, I could never do a triple axel. I needed help."

So basically, when you see Robbie playing Tonya on the big screen, is she actually skating in some of the scenes? Absolutely. But is she really landing jumps and performing her own spins? Not likely.

2018 Is Shaping Up to be a Great Year For Women in Film

Ashling Lee — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 10:05:09 +1100

As far as popular culture is concerned, we're sitting at a turning point. Harrowing as the Weinstein scandal and #MeToo movement may have been, it's triggered a keen awareness of issues such as representation and identity in the entertainment we consume. Whose voices are getting heard? Who's being seen? Who's showing us what we get to see?

In wake of these developments, and spurred on by #TimesUp, you can bet on one narrative leading the charge in 2018: women. Women taking charge, speaking up and being heard. Women with depth, imperfections and immense contributions to society. Women displaying strength, power and the same (same!) kind of gusto of that of a leading man in carrying a major studio film. Below, 12 releases that are set to do that and so much more.

This Fan Film About Voldemort's Origins Is So Good, It Could Pass For the Real Deal

Ashling Lee — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 09:05:54 +1100

The Harry Potter franchise may have come to an end with the Deathly Hallows, so what's a fan to do? Look ahead, of course. Life before Hogwarts, as we know it, is prime source material to delve deeper into JK Rowling's wizarding world - Fantastic Beasts being a prime example. In the same vein, a recently released fan film chooses one of the series' most powerful characters as its subject: the Dark Lord himself.

Titled Voldemort: Origins of the Heir, the 52-minute film explores the early life of Tom Riddle, and the path that led him to become Lord Voldemort. Director and screenwriter Gianmaria Pezzato combines original storytelling and what we already know from the books about Riddle's backstory to form a narrative that quite frankly, can hold its own in the saga. Don't dismiss this has another home video though - from the aesthetics to the production, this one is legit.

Enjoy the film in its entirety above. Are you watching, JK Rowling / Warner Bros.?

Meghan Confirms That Harry Is a Feminist, and Our Crush Has Officially Gone Into Overdrive

Monica Sisavat — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 08:05:05 +1100

It's official - Prince Harry is a feminist, Meghan Markle revealed today. Jessica Phillips, 23, told Meghan she loved having a feminist in the Royal Family. pic.twitter.com/Ve2jguL5Yi

- Jack Royston (@Jack_Royston) January 18, 2018

Not that we needed another reason to love Prince Harry, but Meghan Markle just confirmed that her fiancé is also a feminist. On Friday, Harry and Meghan travelled to Cardiff, Wales for another royal engagement, and as she was greeting the crowd, a fan named Jessica Phillips told Meghan how happy she was to have a feminist in the royal family. "Oh, thank you," Meghan happily replied. "He's [Harry] a feminist, too."

Meghan has been outspoken about women's rights and feminism for years now. Not only has she worked with organizations like One World Vision to shed light on the issues and challenges the women and girls who live in India face, but she also penned an incredibly powerful essay for Elle in November 2016 about why she takes being a public female figure so seriously. Oh, and let's not forget that she protested against a sexist TV commercial with a segment on Nickelodeon's Nick News at just 11 years old! Watch the moment above now - and is it just us, or is Harry's British accent rubbing off on Meghan?