Month: March 2023

Billie Eilish has made her acting debut in the new Amazon Prime thriller from Donald Glover, ‘Swarm.’ In addition to Billie, the show stars Chloe Bailey, Paris Jackson, Rory Culkin, and internet star Rickey Thompson.

Eilish had surprised fans last week with a short clip of her in the new series, which finds her sitting across Dominique Fishback’s character Dre, for a tense conversation.  Eilish whispers: “Did you hurt someone?” and when Dre answers “yes,” Billie responds “very good.”   Eilish then shared on Instagram a slide show of photos from behind the scenes of her cameo appearance.

Created by Donald Glover (also known as Childish Gambino) and Janine Nabers, Swarm will focus on an obsessed fan from Houston (Fishback) who goes to extreme lengths to get close to her favorite R&B singer Ni’jah, played by Chloe Bailey.  The story is said to be inspired by the Beyhive and certain fans’ relationship with their idol, Beyoncé.  However, a disclaimer appears at the start of each episode, reading:  “This is not a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is intentional.”

Eilish’s role is inspired by the real-life NXIVM cult.  Co-creator Janine Nabers told the Hollywood Reporter “There is a cult that existed in the world that was very prominent during that time … And that is the kind of true-crime element to that episode. And I think that when people think of the idea of artists or celebrities, there is this idea of thinking about the cult of Taylor Swift, or the cult of The Beatles or whatever. What we were really interested in was just seeing someone who worships at the altar of ‘something’, and [exploring] this idea of what is the cult of the mind.”

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Amanda Bynes has been hospitalized and placed on a psychiatric hold after reportedly roaming around the streets of downtown Los Angeles naked. According to TMZ, Bynes was found not wearing clothes and wandering the streets alone in the early morning on Sunday, March 19. The 36-year-old Bynes herself reportedly waved down a car, telling them that she was coming down from a psychotic episode before calling 911 herself.

Bynes was taken to a nearby police station, where mental health officials determined she needed to be placed on a 5150 psych hold – an involuntary hold that lasts 72 hours but can be extended if needed. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Los Angeles, a patient can be placed on a 5150 psych hold if they are considered to be a danger to themself or others or have a grave disability, such as being unable to provide for their own food or clothing. Sources close to Bynes told TMZ that she will likely receive treatment for several days.

In 2013, Bynes was placed under a conservatorship and remained under the supervision of her parents for nine years until May 2022, when a judge agreed to terminate the conservatorship at Bynes and her parents’ request. Bynes has been retired from acting since 2010, but had been set to reunite with several former All That cast members at ’90s Con’ in Connecticut this past weekend. However, Bynes pulled out of the event at the last-minute due to an “unknown illness.”

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Variety reports that ‘Dancing with the Stars’ alum Julianne Hough will replace Tyra Banks as co-host of ‘DWTS’ for Season 32 of the dance competition series. Hough previously appeared as a professional dancer and as a judge on DWTS, and will serve as co-host Season 32 with Alfonso Ribeiro.  DWTS aired for 30 seasons on ABC and moved to Disney+ for Season 31. The streaming service has yet to announce a premiere date for Season 32.

Hough’s brother, Derek Hough, will also be returning as a judge alongside Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli in the new season.  Said Julianne: “It is such an honor to be rejoining Dancing with the Stars as co-host. The show holds such a special place in my heart from the many years and different roles I have had the privilege of being a part of. The incredible team that brings the ballroom to life every night has been my family for the past 17 years. I am so excited to reunite with Alfonso, Carrie Ann, Bruno, Derek, the unbelievably talented pros, and the amazing cast on the dance floor. The energy is magnetic every time you step foot in to the ballroom and I can’t wait to feel it again — and of course to share it all with the absolute best and most loyal fans — for another exciting season.”

It was reported last week that Banks was exiting DWTS as host after three seasons. with Banks telling TMZ that she is leaving the show to focus on her entrepreneurial projects and her work as a TV producer:  “I feel it’s time for me to really focus on my business and my entrepreneurship, and also producing more TV, behind the scenes. I think it’s time to graduate from the dance floor to the stock market floor.”

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Actor Sam Neill, best known for his work in the Jurassic Park film franchise, posted on social media over the weekend that he has been in remission the past eight months after a battle with cancer. Neill underwent treatment for angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma after first experiencing swollen glands a year ago while promoting Jurassic World Dominion.

The 75-year-old actor said in a video: “My news seems to be all over the news at the moment, and it’s sort of ‘Cancer! Cancer! Cancer!’ Which is slightly tiresome because as you see, I am alive and well and I have been in remission for eight months, which feels really good. I’m alive and kicking and I’m going to work. I’m very happy to be going back to work. We start filming in seven days time. I’m doing a thing called ‘Apples Never Fall’ with Annette Bening, and a really wonderful cast.”

Neill shared that his recent health crisis became public knowledge because he had written about it in his forthcoming book, Did I Ever Tell You This?  Said Neill: “It does mention cancer because that’s the sort of context in which I wrote it . But I didn’t really mean to write a book, I needed something to do while I was undergoing treatment, and I am used to going to work and I suddenly couldn’t go to work. So that’s why I wrote the book, and I have to say there’s been great response to it. People seem to love it, which is great. I was very nervous, obviously as a first time author. Anyway, I think it’s fun. We sub-titled it ‘Movies, Life, Love and Other Catastrophes.’ So it gives you an idea of all the crazy things that have happened to me …I hadn’t looked at the book for quite a while but I found it more entertaining than I expected. And I would look through the glass window at the audio engineer/producer and he seemed to be cracking up a lot so I take that as a good sign. So I hope you enjoy it, and let’s not worry too much about ‘all that’ because I’m fine. Okay!”

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Lance Reddick’s wife Stephanie is thanking fans for their well-wishes and condolences following the death of the late Bosch and John Wick actor. Reddick, 60, died of apparent natural causes on Friday.

Stephanie wrote on her husband’s social media accounts alongside a gallery of photos of the actor: “Lance was taken from us far too soon. Thank you for all your overwhelming love, support and beautiful stories shared on these platforms over the last day. I see your messages and can’t begin to express how grateful I am to have them. And to the thousands of Destiny players who played in special tribute to Lance, thank you. Lance loved you as much as he loved the game. Donations may be made to momcares.org in Baltimore, his hometown.” Reddick voiced the character of Commander Zavala in the 2014 video game “Destiny” and its 2017 sequel “Destiny 2.” Reddick was the game’s longest-running and most-used voice cast member, and Reddick had a strong relationship with the “Destiny” fan community, frequently posting videos of himself playing the game and recording fan-requested dialogue in character.

In addition to starring in all four of the “John Wick” movies, Reddick was known for his roles on “The Wire,” “Fringe,” “Bosch,” “Oz,” “White House Down,” “Godzilla vs. Kong” and “Lost” among many other film and TV projects. Many of Reddick’s former co-stars and other celebrities, including Ben Stiller, Wendell Pierce, Stephen King and James Gunn mourned his death on social media.  Reddick’s ‘John Wick: Chapter Four’ co-star Keanu Reeves and the film’s director of Chad Stahelski paid tribute to Reddick in a joint statement:  “We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick. He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family and friends. We dedicate the film to his loving memory. We will miss him dearly.”

Lance Reddick’s Wife Thanks Fans for ‘Overwhelming Love’ and Support: ‘He Was Taken From Us Far Too Soon’

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