“Stranger Things” star David Harbour and singer Lily Allen were first rumored to have separated in December 2024. The reports were then confirmed in February, and she released her fifth album, “West End Girl,” in October, reportedly about their breakup. Now, months later, Harbour is breaking his silence and also discussing his mental health.

Harbour interviewed with Variety in June 2026. During the chat, the topic of his breakup with Allen came up, as did “West End Girl.”

Notably, on the album, one song depicts a partner who is jealous of her success and keeps a separate apartment to have sex with other people. Because of their relationship, many assumed the description to be about the “Stranger Things” alum.

Harbour offered his reaction, saying, “It was weird.” He continued, “I do believe that it is the privilege of every artist to use their experience to create art, and so I respect her for doing that.”

After that, he stated, “I can’t really say that much more because it’s my private life. In spite of the fact that a lot of people don’t allow me a private life — I value it. And I also value the lives of the people that I interact with privately. I just won’t speak about that.”

When told he had the license to debunk any of the claims made on “West End Girl,” Harbour tempered his comments. According to him, “Stories are complex, and that’s why I say I respect her creation of art to channel her experience. It wasn’t my experience.”

It’s also important to note that Allen has stated that she used her “artistic license” for the album and that not all the stories are real experiences.

David Says He Had A Break Down

Harbour has been open about his struggles with mental health. This includes vulnerably discussing being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his 20s. In his Variety interview, the reporter noted that his public image suffered in December after he was accused of erratic behavior in public.

In reflecting on this time in his life, Harbour revealed, “I had a breakdown.” He went on, “I do suffer from some confusing stuff — it’s confusing as hell. I think a lot of people have a friend or a brother or a co-worker that deals with mental health stuff, and they’re probably pretty confused when that person gets depressed or gets manic or has an episode.”

He then discussed the oftentimes harsh ways the public reacts to people with mental health conditions. According to him, “There’s a lot of irresponsible nonsense going on out there.” After that, as an example, he mentioned John Davidson, who shouted a racial slur at the BAFTA Awards.

The actor stated, “That poor guy with Tourette’s and that unfortunate situation — we’re either going to acknowledge that mental illness is a thing or we’re not. We can stone everyone to death if you want!”

Following the Variety interview, social media is reacting to Harbour’s comments both about Allen’s “West End Girl” and his mental health struggles. Overall, most respect his decision to mostly remain silent about his breakup with the singer.

One person wrote, “It’s probably best for both David and Lily that they just not speak about one another. Why do some famous people feel the need to bash their exes and keep the drama going?”

Someone else wrote, “What happened between them is no one’s business.” Regarding his mental health, one social media user said, “Good on him for being open and honest and what he went through.”

However, a different social media user pointed out the disparity between how people in Hollywood with mental health conditions are treated and the difficulties non-famous people face.

They wrote, “Props to Harbour for owning this, but let’s be real, Hollywood romanticizes ‘gifts linked to illness’ while the rest of us lose jobs and relationships over the same chaos. Therapy’s great, but where’s the accountability line?”

The Actor Previosuly Opened Up About Being Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder

Harbour appeared on the WTF Podcast in 2018. During the interview, he detailed what led to his bipolar disorder diagnosis, revealing that it came after a manic episode. He shared, “I was sober for like a year and a half, and I was 25, and I actually did have a manic episode, and I was diagnosed as bipolar.”

The “DTF: St Louis” star continued, “I really had, like, a bit of a break where I thought I was in connection to some sort of god that I wasn’t really in connection to… It was like I had all the answers, suddenly.”

He continued the story, recalling, “Yeah, so I actually was, by my parents, taken into a mental asylum for a little bit.” Harbour then began taking medication, noting, “I’ve been medicated bipolar for a long time, and I’ve had problems going on and off. I’ve had a struggle, going on and off the medications.”

David Is Set For A New Movie

Currently, Harbour has several projects in various stages of production. Recently, in June 2026, Deadline reported that he’s been tapped to star alongside Gabby Hoffman in a new dark comedy, “Little One.” Per IMDb, the production is underway.

He is also set to appear in such films as “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Violent Night 2.”

Rich Paul has provided a close look into his private relationship with Grammy-winning superstar Adele. 

During a brand-new podcast interview, the entertainment industry executive detailed how their connection naturally blossomed behind closed doors.

The couple, who first sparked romance rumors at an NBA game in 2021, later confirmed their engagement in August 2024.

Paul revealed he met fiancée Adele “through a friend” in rare new remarks about his romance with the = songstress.

The 45-year-old sports agent said on Tuesday’s episode of Craig Melvin’s “Glass Half Full” podcast that he had known her for some time, having crossed paths in the same professional environments. 

He explained that when you are in these circles, you are simply in these circles, but emphasized that he never tried to get too familiar with anyone. Instead, he noted that his relationship with Adele happened naturally.

“It was really something that happened very organically, really,” he stated. 

Paul admitted that while he had always heard Adele’s radio tracks, he was not deeply familiar with her entire discography before getting to know her.

However, as they continued to bump into each other, their relationship maintained a comfortable, friendly dynamic.

He looked back at how they used to always hang out, laughing and joking, describing the connection as platonic, “until it became not so cordial.”

A Close Look At The Couple’s Romantic History

The organic spark between Adele and Paul paved the way for a highly publicized courtship that has since been closely tracked by fans. Following their initial introduction, the “Easy on Me” singer and her partner officially took their romance public in the summer of 2021. 

Since that time, the high-profile duo has made numerous joint appearances at basketball games, and the vocal powerhouse has openly discussed her relationship in several media interviews, as confirmed by People Magazine.  

By September 2023, marriage rumors had begun to circulate after she referred to Paul as her husband while speaking to a fan during her Las Vegas residency. 

She later hinted at an official engagement when she told a concertgoer that she was already getting married, and was later spotted wearing a massive diamond ring in July 2024.

During her final residency show, she held back tears as she thanked Paul for always supporting her and building her up when she felt “emotionally drained.”

The Pop Icon Flashed A Pear-Shaped Engagement Ring Onstage At Her Las Vegas Residency

Amidst the emotional tributes and milestone moments of her residency, the global superstar made sure to give her audience an even closer look at her future with the sports agent.

Adele officially flaunted her engagement ring to the crowd at Caesar’s Palace during a live performance of her hit song, “I Drink Wine.” 

The Blast reported that she held up her left hand to proudly exhibit the pear-shaped bling, officially confirming her upcoming marriage to Paul.

A viral video captured the exact moment fans erupted into cheers as the 38-year-old artist sang about finding something to cling to in crazy times while simultaneously flashing the ring.

Adele Opted To Step Back From The Public Eye Following Her Major Performance Milestone

While the pop icon enthusiastically flashed her engagement ring onstage, she also made a conscious effort to retreat from the public eye altogether. Since officially wrapping up her extensive Las Vegas residency, the vocalist has rarely been seen or heard from in a professional capacity.

An insider noted that this current break is a deliberate choice to step away from fame, noting that Adele is going the “extra mile” to control what she lets the public see.

According to The Blast, close sources say that the singer has never been happier now that she is maintaining her peace intact.

Adele Is Set To Join The Star-Studded Cast Of A Historical Opera Film

While her recent decision to fully retreat from public life keeps her at ease, the superstar is simultaneously plotting a major creative comeback in an entirely new industry.

Adele is officially preparing to make her highly anticipated debut as a motion picture actor in an upcoming Hollywood production. 

The British native is part of a star-studded cast set to feature in a brand-new adaptation of the Anne Rice novel, “Cry to Heaven.” Acclaimed visionary Tom Ford wrote the screenplay and will also serve as the director and producer for the historical drama through his production company.

While there is no official release date locked in just yet, the upcoming film is reported to hit theaters late fall 2026, per The Blast.

Tyler Mane is turning a frightening health diagnosis into a mission to raise awareness. The actor, best known for portraying Sabretooth in “X-Men” and Michael Myers in Rob Zombie’s “Halloween” films, recently revealed he has been diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer. 

After initially considering keeping the diagnosis private, Mane decided to share his journey publicly, explaining that the disease is often overlooked in men and that early detection could save lives.

Tyler Mane shocked followers on Tuesday when he posted a video on Instagram announcing that he had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was preparing to begin treatment. 

The 59-year-old explained that while the disease is commonly associated with women, men can also be affected.

“I have some bad news. I start chemo today,” Mane said in the clip. He went on to reveal, “One in 750 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and I’m one of them.”

Advertisement

The actor used the moment not only to share his diagnosis but also to highlight how little awareness exists around male breast cancer. 

Mane explained that because the condition is rarely discussed, it is often discovered at later stages, leading to poorer outcomes for patients.

“Because it’s rarely talked about, it’s usually found at later stages and has worse outcomes. I want to change that,” he said. 

Determined to stay positive, Mane encouraged followers to join him through the process, adding, “Come along for my journey to kick this thing in the *ss.”

Advertisement

Mane Says Doctors Initially Dismissed His Concerns

While discussing his diagnosis, Tyler Mane revealed that he almost kept the news private because he felt embarrassed by it. 

In the caption accompanying his announcement, he admitted, “I’ll be honest, my first reaction was to keep it secret. I mean it’s kind of embarrassing.”

However, learning more about how often male breast cancer goes undetected changed his perspective. Mane also shared that his diagnosis may have been delayed if not for the persistence of his wife, Renae Geerlings. 

According to the star, doctors repeatedly dismissed his concerns about a lump. “In fact, my doctors all dismissed it and it was only because my wife pushed me to get the lump removed that I got in early,” he revealed.

That experience ultimately motivated him to speak publicly and encourage others to take symptoms seriously. 

Advertisement

He urged followers to help spread awareness, stressing that early detection can make a major difference in treatment outcomes.

Tyler Mane Begins Chemotherapy And Shares Early Health Update

At the end of his initial announcement video, Mane included a brief clip from the hospital as he began chemotherapy treatment. 

Despite the difficult circumstances, he maintained a fighting spirit, declaring, “F**k cancer!”

The Hollywood star later returned to Instagram with another update following his second chemotherapy treatment. 

In a video shared on June 9, he thanked supporters for the overwhelming response to his announcement and reiterated his determination to beat the disease.

Advertisement

“Day 2 chemo update!” he wrote in the caption. Mane continued, “First of all. Thank you so much for all the love everyone. I greatly appreciate it. I got this. I’m gonna kick cancer‘s -ss. Thank you for coming along for the journey.”

Mane also returned to the message that inspired him to go public in the first place, emphasizing the importance of awareness and early detection. 

He wrote, “We need to spread the awareness. Cancer sucks but if you catch it quick enough, you can win this battle.”

Mane Receives An Outpouring Of Support From Fans

Following his announcement, Tyler Mane was flooded with supportive messages from fans who rallied behind him and offered encouragement in his recovery.

Many supporters referenced the tough characters he has portrayed throughout his career, joking that cancer had picked the wrong opponent. One fan wrote, “You got this Tyler!!! Remember you’re Michael Meyers and Michael always comes back!”

Advertisement

Another added, “You’re gonna beat cancer like you beat machete in the Halloween movie. I’m rootin for ya.” 

Fans also pointed to his role as Sabretooth in “X-Men,” with one supporter writing, “You’ve got this! Can’t keep Sabertooth down!”

Others combined both iconic roles into their messages of support. “God be with you. Also you will dominate this thing. You played both Sabertooth and Michael Myers. Both have amazing healing factors. Cancer isn’t taking you down,” one comment read.

Additional followers echoed similar sentiments, telling the actor, “If you can beat Wolverine, you can beat cancer .. you got this buddy,” and “If anyone can kick cancer’s a**, it’s you!”

Advertisement

Tyler Mane Built A Career Through Wrestling, Superheroes, And Horror

Long before his cancer diagnosis, Mane built a unique career spanning both professional wrestling and Hollywood. 

The Canadian performer wrestled under the name Big Sky in World Championship Wrestling during the late 1980s and early 1990s before transitioning into acting.

His breakthrough role came when he portrayed Sabretooth opposite Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in “X-Men.” 

More than two decades later, he returned to the character in 2024’s “Deadpool & Wolverine,” reconnecting with a role that helped define his career.

Beyond the superhero world, Mane became a horror icon when he played Michael Myers in Rob Zombie’s 2007 remake of “Halloween” and its 2009 sequel. Standing 6-foot-8, he remains the tallest actor ever to portray the legendary slasher villain.

Advertisement

The actor also appeared in films including “Joe Dirt” and “The Scorpion King,” building a diverse résumé that earned him loyal fans across multiple genres.

By Steven Nelson
| Published 1 minute ago

If you’ve ever wondered where the “disaster film” genre really took flight, look no further than Airport. Streaming now on Netflix, this ’70s classic offers a blend of over-the-top drama, impressive-for-its-time special effects, and a cast more packed than your last overbooked flight. Get ready to buckle up and enjoy some in-flight entertainment that doesn’t involve tiny screens or questionable headphones!

A Multi-Layered Disaster Flick With A Stacked Cast

Airport gives us a 24-hour peek into the chaotic world of a fictional Chicago airport (which, let’s be honest, sometimes doesn’t feel all that fictional when you’re waiting at an actual airport). Directed by George Seaton, the film is based on Arthur Hailey’s 1968 novel of the same name.

The story revolves around Mel Bakersfeld (played by Burt Lancaster), the weary, duty-driven airport manager. On one snowy night, he’s juggling runway closures, irate passengers, a wife who’s had it with his job, and oh, did I mention a bomb on an airborne plane? Yep, Mel’s got his hands full.

Our lead man Lancaster is ably supported by Dean Martin, who slips into the shoes of playboy pilot, Vernon Demerest. Vernon’s got his own share of problems, mainly an unplanned pregnancy with a flight attendant (the iconic Jacqueline Bisset).

However, the real tension in Airport boils down to a distraught bomber on board the flight. He’s schemed up a plan to blow up the plane, hoping his wife will get the insurance money (talk about going to extremes, right?). Enter Joe Patroni (George Kennedy), a sassy and tough chief mechanic, tasked with getting a stuck plane off the snowy runway and playing an unexpected hero in the climax.

As for our supporting cast, it’s an ensemble to write home about. We’ve got Jean Seberg as Tanya Livingston, Mel’s sidekick and chief customer relations agent. There’s also the Oscar-nominated Helen Hayes playing the cunning little old stowaway, Ada Quonsett. She’s an absolute scene-stealer, weaving in and out of the story, scoring free flights with her wits.

Through gripping narratives, the film, in a rather dramatic manner, showcases the underbelly of 1970s air travel. From technical dilemmas, personal dramas, to the palpable tension of an impending disaster, the movie paints a turbulent (pun intended!) picture of the aviation world. All in all, Airport is a joyride filled with drama, suspense, romance, and a bit of old-school airport glamour. They sure don’t make ’em like this anymore!

Airport Cleaned Up At The Box Office

The ’70s began with a bang for Universal Pictures, as Airport soared high on the box office charts. The movie grossed a whopping $128 million, making it one of the top grossers of 1970. That’s a lot of tickets and probably a ton of popcorn. Considering the film had a budget of around $10 million, Universal must’ve been throwing some pretty swanky office parties that year.

“Brace for impact!”—is probably what the producers thought when the reviews started pouring in, because, let’s face it, critics can be a tricky bunch. The film garnered mixed reviews, but even the harshest critics couldn’t deny its entertainment value.

While some found it a touch melodramatic (it is a disaster flick, after all), others appreciated the film’s meticulous production design and multi-layered narrative. The highlight? Helen Hayes snagged an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the sprightly stowaway, Ada Quonsett. I mean, come on, a cheeky old lady outsmarting airport security? Who wouldn’t give her an award?

Airport also earned nine other Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. It may not have been the darling of every critic, but the Academy sure showed it some love. The film’s success also spawned a slew of sequels and arguably gave birth to the “disaster film” genre of the ’70s. So, while Airport had its fair share of turbulence with critics, its legacy is undeniably grounded in cinema history.

Alright, let’s land this plane! Airport might be packed with dramatic moments, campy scenes, and iconic performances, but it’s these exact qualities that make it a must-watch. Whether you’re in for the nostalgia trip or just curious about the roots of the disaster genre, hopping aboard this cinematic flight on Netflix is a journey worth taking. Airport is streaming now. 

Soulja Boy is heating up the timeline following Kai Cenat’s Streamer University 2 announcement. As applications are officially open, Soulja has made it clear that he wants a spot in the class. As he awaits a response, the rapper has been going off online, reigniting his beef with another fellow rapper and streamer. Now, the silence seemingly has Soulja considering a different route. The rapper is teasing the idea of creating his own content university. 

RELATED: Soulja Boy Sparks Reactions After Calling Out Kai Cenat’s “Hate Wall” & Tells Him To Get Back To Streaming (VIDEOS)

Soulja Boy Threatens To Beef With Kai Cenat If He Doesn’t Get Into ‘Streamer University 2’

On Tuesday, Soulja Boy took to X after Kai Cenat revealed that applications for Streamer University 2 were officially open. The rapper tweeted, “If you don’t let me in Streamer University @KaiCenat we beefin. I let u slide the first time.” However, Soulja didn’t stop there. He later hopped on a livestream with more words for Kai and even brought DDG into the conversation. During the stream, Soulja said:

“If I don’t make it into Streamer University this year, I’m on yo a** for the whole year, Kai Cenat. Imma feel like you linking up with my opps. Imma feel like you don’t like me n****, and if you don’t like me, I don’t like your b**** a** either. So what you wanna do?”

As he continued to sound off, Soulja warned Kai that linking up with DDG again could become an issue. DDG attended Streamer University last year, where he served as a professor and even took home the MVP title. DDG and Soulja Boy have also had some public beefs on net. Soulja went on to call DDG his “enemy,” repeatedly referring to the fellow streamer as “Doo Doo Garbage.” He also claimed Kai previously reached out to him through a DM, but suggested he would not let the situation slide if he doesn’t receive an acceptance into this year’s class.

Soulja Unveils ‘Rappers University’ After Calling Out Kai Cenat

While Kai Cenat and DDG haven’t responded to Soulja Boy’s latest comments, the rapper appears to have changed course and come up with a plan of his own. After spending the day applying pressure online over Streamer University 2, Soulja revealed that he is now launching what he calls ‘Rapper University.’

In a post shared to social media, he wrote, “Never mind we doing Rapper University hit my DM if u wanna come it’s about to be a movie. Comment Rapper University if u wanna be apart of history!”

This isn’t the first time Kai Cenat has run into a similar situation. Last year, rumors circulated that Natalie Nunn was planning her own version of Streamer University through her ‘Baddies University’ concept. At the time, Kai revealed that he had taken legal steps to trademark the name ‘Streamer University.’ He also shared that his team was working to protect similar concepts. 

Social Media Reacts 

Folks quickly gathered under The Shade Room Teens to react to Soulja Boy’s latest post. Some were laughing and said they really wanted to see Soulja Boy at Streamer University. Others didn’t agree with how he went about calling out Kai Cenat online. Many felt he should focus on creating his own idea instead.

Instagram user @brasi.bfrlola wrote, “Him & Blueface for sure need to be on there and funny mike. Those would be my 3 top pics and Rakai. Almost forgot nephew.”

Instagram user @yanasamiaa added. “😂😂😂😂 so entitled to everything”

While Instagram user @mxco.1 wrote. “U finna be First rapper to get rejected 😂”

Instagram user @xgoat_456x wrote, “He was just dissing Kai couple months ago.Stay on that side 😭”

Instagram user @the_rickslyn_myers added, “Asking for a favor and cussing him out at the same time is insane 😂”

While Instagram user @ayokaine_ wrote. “I’m honestly not mad at this, it can definitely be a hit If it’s done right.”

Instagram user @jay.lanai wrote, “Always biting somebody else swag”

Instagram user @keepupwdadon_ifucan added, “Kai gon get that shut down just like he did w Natalie”

While Instagram user  @vonn2wavy wrote, “First rapper to be sued by a streamer 🤣🤣”

RELATED: DDG Claps Back At Soulja Boy While Speaking Out After Halle Bailey Was Granted Temporary Custody Of Halo (WATCH)

By Jessica Goudreault
| Published 48 seconds ago

It’s time to brush up on your sleuthing and detective skills, because the greatest black comedy of all time, Clue, is available to stream for free on YouTube. The classic film from 1985 is based on the board game of the same name, an entertaining whodunit that will keep you guessing until the very end, when three alternate endings reveal who the killers are.

The Ultimate Mystery Comedy

In Clue, six guests with dark secrets are invited to a New England mansion for a mysterious purpose. They are welcomed by Wadsworth, the butler, and Yvette, the maid, who give each guest a pseudonym to try and conceal their identities: Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green, Professor Plum, and Miss Scarlet. Mr. Boddy, a man who has been blackmailing each of the other guests, arrives at the house as the seventh guest.

The evening really kicks off when Mr. Boddy is found dead, and no one knows who did it. Each guest, armed with a specific weapon (rope, dagger, wrench, pistol, candlestick, and lead pipe), must try and survive. The bodies and lies begin piling up, leading the guests and viewer to try and figure out who the killer is before it’s too late.

A Bona Fide Cult Classic

When Clue first hit theaters back in 1985 it was not very successful, failing to even earn back the $15 million spent on its production. The film offers three alternate endings, and audiences across the country would see different outcomes and killers. While the concept is interesting and unique, it must have made it hard for friends to chat about the movie and compare notes, which is part of the fun of seeing a movie in theaters.

Years later, Clue has become a cult classic that fans can’t get enough of. While some people can’t stand the wacky performances from the eccentric characters, others absolutely love it. Part of what makes the film so great is its ensemble cast that includes Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, and Colleen Camp.

Tim Curry plays Wadsworth, the outlandish butler who is responsible for inviting all the guests to the mansion, and he has a personal vendetta against Mr. Boddy. Eileen Brennan puts on a hilarious and entertaining performance as Mrs. Peacock, the chatty wife of a senator who is accused of bribery. Madeline Kahn portrays Mrs. White (a widow to five different men) who gives a famous “flames” speech that she improvised on set.

The script for Clue was co-written by John Landis and Jonathan Lynn, with the latter going on to direct the movie. Originally, John Landis wrote a fourth alternate ending, but felt that it was not good and that three alternate endings would suffice.

Clue’s Lasting Legacy And Impact

To achieve the 1950s aesthetic of the film, the production used authentic furnishings from the 18th and 19th century and even used the estate of the late President Theodore Roosevelt. Nearly all of the filming took place at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood, except for the ballroom scene and shots of the driveway gate which were filmed at a mansion in South Pasadena, California.

Clue has gone on to create quite a legacy, and has been referenced in TV shows like Psych, Family Guy, CSI: NY, and Vagrant Queen. Fans are so fascinated by the film that Who Done It: The Clue Documentary was released in 2022.

There have been talks of a Clue remake since 2011, though the details of the development have changed quite a bit over the past 15 years. The director of the remake has changed hands several times, from Gore Verbinski to Jason Bateman to, most recently, James Bobin.

Supposedly, Ryan Reynolds is on board to star in the remake while Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (who wrote Deadpool, Deadpool 2, and Life) were set to write the script. However, in 2022, Oren Uziel, who is best known for writing Escape Room: Tournament of Champions, took over the script. As of 2024, Hasbro Entertainment sought new rights arrangements, but there’s been no new updates on the project since.

Whether it’s your first time or your hundredth time seeing it, you can watch Clue for free on YouTube or Pluto TV. All of the alternate endings play in succession at the end, so you can enjoy all three.

Sydney Sweeney is making one thing clear: just because her “Euphoria” character turned to OnlyFans does not mean she would make the same choice herself. The actress recently opened up about Cassie Howard’s controversial season three storyline, which saw the fan-favorite character launch an OF account, sparking intense debate among viewers and backlash online. Some fans even criticized the plotline as a “humiliation ritual,” accusing the HBO series of taking Cassie in an unnecessarily sexualized direction.

Speaking with Vanity Fair, Sweeney explained that while she’s fully committed to Cassie’s storyline, she does not personally agree with many of the character’s decisions.

Discussing conversations with “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson, Sweeney revealed the filmmaker shared the scripts with her ahead of filming and made sure to discuss the direction of Cassie’s arc. “He sent me all the scripts, and it already had all of Cassie’s scenes in it, the OnlyFans scenes, and he called me afterward, and he was talking about it, and we were talking through it all,” Sweeney explained.

Levinson also reportedly checked in to see how she felt about the storyline before moving forward. “He asked me how I felt about it, and I told him, ‘Look, I’m playing a character,’” Sweeney said. “Do I agree with all of Cassie’s decisions? Would I personally make these choices? No, of course not.”

Still, the actress made clear she views the role through the lens of performance. “But I’m an actor and that’s my job and this is Cassie’s life and to be able to do her justice and play her how she’s to be played is to bring Sam’s vision to life and to play Cassie in the most vulnerable and insane way possible,” she added.

Why Sweeney Thinks Cassie Turned To OF

While some viewers questioned the dramatic turn in Cassie’s story, Sweeney said the character’s emotional journey made sense to her. “From the very beginning, you can see that Cassie has this need to be loved,” the actress explained. “She has a need to be validated by other people. She doesn’t know how to love herself unless someone else loves her.”

Sweeney added that she understood how Levinson ultimately brought Cassie to her season three breaking point. “I think she was more excited by the idea of all these people loving her and knowing who she is and feeling like her world isn’t small,” she said.

Sam Levinson Says Sydney Sweeney Pushed Back On Less Nudity

Sweeney’s comments come just days after Levinson addressed backlash surrounding Cassie’s highly sexualized storyline.

During an appearance on The New York Times’ “Popcast,” Levinson revealed he initially considered toning down the nudity in season three and finding ways to shoot around some of Cassie’s more revealing scenes. “Well, it’s funny. When I first wrote it, I thought, ‘Well, maybe we shoot all of this and we don’t have any nudity,’” Levinson recalled. “Maybe there’s ways to shoot around certain things?”

But according to the writer and director, Sweeney was not interested in softening the reality of portraying an OnlyFans creator. “She looked at me, and she was like, ‘Are you kidding? It’s like, I’m playing an OnlyFans model. You’re telling me you’re going to, like, skirt around it?’”

Levinson admitted Sweeney changed his perspective. “And I was like, ‘Yeah, OK, it’s a fair point,’” he said, adding, “So there’s always a discussion of what works best for the character.”

He later praised Sweeney as a “totally fearless actor” who is “wonderfully professional” and always “show[ed] up game every day.”

Sweeney Clapped Back At Critics Of Her Raunchy Scenes

Ahead of the “Euphoria” finale, Sweeney also appeared to respond directly to criticism over the show’s increasingly explicit scenes. The actress shared behind-the-scenes photos from filming, including images from Cassie’s provocative performances, and seemed to shut down critics questioning the storyline.

In one Instagram Stories post, Sweeney shared a snap from a pole-dancing scene and wrote a simple message aimed at critics: “It’s called… acting.”

Experts Warn Sydney Sweeney Could Risk Being Typecast

Despite praise for her performance, some industry experts have warned that Sweeney could face long-term challenges if sexualized roles begin dominating public perception of her career. Speaking to Fox News, crisis and reputation management expert Dave Quast suggested the actress may need to carefully balance future projects.

“’Euphoria’ clearly helped establish Sydney Sweeney as a fearless performer, physically and emotionally, and that’s part of why she broke through,” Quast said. However, he warned that repeated attention on her most provocative scenes could begin overshadowing her work.

“The risk is that when the public conversation focuses more on the sexualized aspects of the role than on the performance, the same work that made her seem daring can start to narrow the brand,” he explained. “Sexuality on screen is not inherently unserious. The problem is when it becomes the dominant shorthand for the actor.”

Like mother, like daughter! Khloé Kardashian’s new XO Blue perfume has already earned the approval of daughter True Thompson.

Ahead of the launch party in Malibu, California on June 16, The Kardashians star shared that Thompson, 8, is already taking after her in one unexpected way.

“She doesn’t wear fragrance on a daily basis, but she has the Squishmallows fragrance, which is so cute and age-appropriate, and then she has all of mine on her counter, and sometimes she sprays herself, and sometimes she doesn’t, but they’re into scents, these kids,” she explained during a virtual press day.

When Kardashian’s daughter does decide to borrow one of the reality television star’s favorites, she has her own way of doing things.

“I do let her use it, but it’s everything in moderation and she’s so great. She sprays her clothes and not herself, which I’m like, ‘Okay, elevated.’ I love when kids are smarter and more creative than we are. So, she doesn’t spray her body, which I’m fine with.”

It’s a far cry from Kardashian’s own spritzing habits growing up.

“When I was younger, it was Bath and Body Works. … I mean, we doused ourselves in the most potent of stuff.”

These days, though, Kardashian is chasing vacation vibes with her signature scent. 

“XO Blue is very tropical, in my opinion. I think when you put it on, you immediately get this woody coconut. I feel very transported onto a beach with a piña colada. … It’s still something that you can wear, but I just love where it transports me to.”

And for the Khloé In Wonder Land podcast host, the appeal goes beyond an island getaway.

“I just want you to feel the sexiest at your core, and that doesn’t have to be this aesthetic thing.”

“For me, that’s all energetically. I just want you to feel just super sexy and feminine and that you can manhandle anyone and do whatever you want to do, and you’re just that girl. … You want to be in a summer dress or a tank top. It’s so silly that that’s how I feel when I’m wearing it, but I feel like the less clothes, the better.”

The Khloud founder is just as passionate about what goes into her body as what goes on it.

“I love peptides. I don’t know if that’s a secret. I feel like everyone takes a peptide. … I take injections, which I love, and they just make you feel good and you look good. … I’m also a big vitamin girl and just staying active. There’s not one thing that’s gonna make anything all better.”

RELATED CONTENT: