Riz Ahmed has revealed that he had no qualms about working with Amazon on his latest project, “Bait.”

The actor made the comments amid long-standing accusations against the streaming giant regarding the alleged exploitation of workers.

Explaining why he was not concerned about the collaboration, Ahmed offered a philosophical response, saying he is determined to use his “stories” to help drive change from within the industry.

Following the debut of the six-part limited series, “Bait”, Riz Ahmed spoke to GQ for a cover feature exploring his life and career.

Among the key questions raised was whether he had any concerns about working with Amazon on the project, especially in light of ongoing controversies surrounding the company and allegations of worker exploitation.

While the actor said he had no interest in defending the company against such accusations, he noted that every means of making money isn’t ever really clean. He added that, for him as an artist, what matters most is whether he changes the room when he enters it, or the room changes him.

He added: “I’m determined to step inside of things and interrogate them, to use them to tell my stories and to try and change them and not have them change me as far as possible.”

Advertisement

Riz Ahmed Reflects On The Personal Weight Of ‘Bait’

In “Bait,” Ahmed portrays a struggling actor who is thrust into a media frenzy after being spotted leaving an audition for the role of James Bond

On the surface, many might think playing the character was easy for Ahmed, given his accomplishments and formal training at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

However, he said the role involved a deeper internal struggle for him, as the character was required to “embrace himself and his vulnerability” to achieve self-love.

“[For] me to make it, it’s also me having to take off the mask, me having to expose myself in messy vulnerability,” Ahmed told the outlet about the series. “Part of me is like, ‘I want everyone to see this.’ Part of me is like, ‘Does everyone have to see this?’”

Landing ‘Star Wars’ Was A Shock For The Actor

In Hollywood, Ahmed has come a long way since his breakout role in “Nightcrawler.” His résumé has expanded to include appearances in major studio productions such as “Jason Bourne,” “Venom,” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” and he has earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.

However, Ahmed considers his “Star Wars” role the most surprising of them all, especially because he was going through a period of uncertainty in his life when he didn’t see himself landing such projects.

Advertisement

“That had come completely out of the blue—I was in my 30s; that world didn’t seem to hold a lot for someone like me,” Ahmed revealed.

The Actor Explains Why He Is Not Chasing Blockbusters

Rather than focusing on landing even more big-budget roles, Ahmed appears to have developed a stronger interest in more niche and unconventional projects in recent years. His last major blockbuster was “Venom” in 2018, and there currently does not appear to be another big-budget film on his immediate horizon.

According to the actor, he has found greater satisfaction in playing the kinds of roles featured in smaller, more personal productions because of the creative fulfillment they offer, compared to big-budget films that often follow only a “certain workflow.”

“The thing I felt like I needed to tap into more after that was, ‘How can I draw from my own life? How can I make more personal work?’” Ahmed recalled the thought process he had after starring in “Venom.”

Riz Ahmed Reveals The Lesson Behind His Personal Work

Advertisement

Despite his preference for more personal projects, work has continued to receive critical acclaim. In 2022, his short film “The Long Goodbye” won the Academy Awards for Best Live Action Short Film.

A year earlier, “Sound of Metal” earned Ahmed Best Actor nominations at several major award ceremonies, including the Academy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards.

Choosing this path has led to an important lesson for him, one tied to an idea about acting he has carried with him since childhood.

He said, “[I had] this idea of putting on a mask whenever I would prepare for a role. I would never draw from anything in my own life; it would always be research-based. [I realized] taking the mask off is harder than putting it on. That was the real watershed for me.”

Advertisement

Nick Lachey opened up about recently sharing a flight with his ex-wife, Jessica Simpson.

“It was strangely OK,” Lachey said on the Wednesday, May 13, episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, noting that Simpson, 45, was on the plane to Hawaii with her mother, her three children and estranged husband Eric Johnson.

“You know, it’s been 20 years, and so we hadn’t seen each other in those 20 years and then spent six and a half hours on a flight to Hawaii together. When I say ‘spent,’ [I mean] in the same vicinity. Everyone was very cordial, very respectful,” Nick, 52, said, adding that he was on the flight with his current wife, Vanessa Lachey, 45, and their three children.

He said, “It was honestly … it was fine.”

Related: Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey’s Candid Quotes About Their Failed Marriage

Exes Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey are often still asked about their relationship and former reality series, Newlyweds. Simpson and Lachey tied the knot in 2002. After less than four years of marriage, she filed for divorce in December 2005, citing “irreconcilable differences.” “After three years of marriage, and careful thought and consideration, we have […]

Us Weekly reported in April that Nick and Simpson had ended up on the same flight the month prior. “They actually did say hello, and it was a nice, cordial conversation,” a source shared at the time.

Nick and Simpson were married from 2002 to 2006 and starred on the hit MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. They separated in 2005 and finalized their divorce the following year.

Simpson shared her thoughts about her relationship with Nick in her 2020 memoir, Open Book, writing, “Nick loved the fact I was so strong in my faith and that I had this wide-eyed innocent approach to life. When he proposed in 2002, I said yes. We were young and pioneering our way through reality television, always miked and always on. We worked and we were great at it but when it came time to being alone, we weren’t great at it anymore.”

She added: “I was 22, and I had just pledged my life and destiny of this man. And I don’t regret it. Nick was meant to be my husband. No one else was supposed to have my virginity.”

Related: Looking Back at Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey’s Relationship Timeline

Advertisement

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey were once among the hottest couples in Hollywood. The “Irresistible” singer and the 98 Degrees member tied the knot in October 2002 after four years of dating. Though the pair were already known as an “It” couple, they reached a new level of fame with their 2003 MTV reality show, […]

In her memoir, Simpson also opened up about having an emotional affair with her Dukes of Hazzard costar Johnny Knoxville.

“We wrote these flowery love letters back and forth, often at night with Nick passed out in the bed next to me,” she wrote about Knoxville, who was also married at the time. “We talked about music, and I would listen to Johnny Cash songs he suggested just to feel like we were still together. … It’s like Johnny and I were prison pen pals, two people who wanted too much to be with each other but were kept apart — by bars, by our stars, by our respective spouses.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

In December 2024, Nick talked about the emotional impact of his divorce from the singer.

“I, too, was previously married, divorced, so I understand the hurt, the scars that exist from that,” Nick told a contestant on an episode of Netflix’s The Ultimatum season 3.

“Don’t let your past define your future,” Nick advised the contestant, sharing how he found love with Vanessa following his divorce from Simpson.

In a video shared on social media, Justin Laboy posted footage of Coi Leray relaxing on a boat, surrounded by crystal-clear, light-blue water, while celebrating her 29th birthday. Rocking a pink one-piece swimsuit, Coi appeared completely in her element as she vibed to the music playing in the background. At one moment, she was looking at her phone, and pointed toward the beach nearby while Justin followed her gesture with the camera.

Justin also paired the clip with a heartfelt birthday message dedicated to the rapper. He wrote, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY COI…THE ONLY WORD IN MY VOCABULARY FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH IS ‘YES’ RUN THAT SH*T UPPP YOU DESERVE THE WORLD AND PRINCESS TREATMENT FOREVERRR.” The post quickly grabbed attention online, with fans flooding the comments over the couple’s chemistry and Justin’s public display of affection.

Roomies Say Justin Is Setting The Bar TOO High

Folks quickly ran to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section to share their thoughts on Justin Laboy and Coi Leray’s sweet birthday moment. Plenty of users said they absolutely love the couple together and praised Justin for treating Coi like a “princess.” Others joked that they’re now looking for a “Laboy” of their own after seeing his romantic birthday message. And of course, a few commenters made it clear that Justin better not fumble the relationship.

One Instagram user @mermaidvibezz2 said, “I love them together 😍😍😍 HBD Coi💞”

This Instagram user @baby_cee5 added, “yal ain’t gone like this but he love that girl 😍”

And, Instagram user @krashedout_ceo wrote, “This is what happens when both parties are intentional 💯❤️ Im such a lover girl 😒 .. I love this for them“

Meanwhile, Instagram user @coopdajuice joked, “Somebody said dating the quote page is crazy 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂”

While Instagram user @official_1_of_1 commented, “Bro better not be playing with that“

Finally, Instagram user @manilaempress added “I need me a Laboyyyyyyyy.”

Aaron Carter’s ex-fiancée, Melanie Martin, has reached a settlement in her wrongful death lawsuit for the pop star.

According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, a motion for a determination of good faith was filed on Tuesday, May 12.. The agreement was made in April between Martin, a mental health clinic and a psychiatrist. The group attempted mediation the month prior but did not reach an agreement at that time.

“This motion is made on the ground that the subject settlement was entered into in good faith and … in that it was the result of arms-length negotiations between the parties based on their respective and independent assessments of the probability of a favorable outcome at trial, weighed against the costs of litigation,” the docs read.

Martin, the clinic and the psychiatrist agreed to settle the lawsuit with a “confidential sum.”

Related: Aaron Carter’s Ex-Fiancee Claims His Mom Is Trying to Steal Inheritance

Aaron Carter’s former fiancée Melanie Martin is claiming that the late singer’s mother, Jane Carter, is trying to steal their 4-year-old son’s inheritance. “Hi guys, I’m just going to say it straight up: Aaron’s mother is trying to gain rights to Prince’s inheritance and his name,” Martin, 33, alleged in a Wednesday, December 3, Facebook post.  […]

The other parties involved — which includes a dentist and two additional pharmacies — have been informed of the settlement.

Us reached out to all parties for comment.

Martin initially filed the lawsuit in October 2023 on behalf of her and Carter’s son, Prince, 4. Carter and Martin got engaged in June 2020 but called things off one week after the birth of their son in November 2021. The pair had an on-and-off relationship up until Carter’s death. Prince is the only beneficiary of Carter’s estate.

After his death, Martin claimed that doctors, dentists, mental health clinics and pharmacies who had prescribed him multiple medications were responsible for his passing.

Carter, who was candid about his struggles with drug abuse, was found dead at his California home in November 2022. He was 34. His death was ruled as accidental drowning after inhaling difluoroethane and taking alprazolam.

Martin’s suit alleged that Carter was prescribed hydrocodone, oxycodone and alprazolam with no justification. The lawsuit argued that the drugs and their quantities, plus Carter’s previous mental health issues, should have served as a warning for the medical professionals.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Related: Aaron Carter’s Mom Jane Fighting His Estate Over Late Pop Star’s Assets

Aaron Carter’s mom was involved in a recent fight with the late pop star’s estate over the value of the assets he left behind, Us Weekly can exclusively report. On January 22, Aileen Federizo, the rep for Carter’s estate, revealed details of the dispute in new court docs. Federizo claimed Carter’s mom, Jane Schneck, did […]

The medical professionals have denied Martin’s allegations and maintained that they provided the standard of care.

Earlier this year, Martin was accused by Carter’s mom, Jane Schneck, of making “illegal” withdrawals from the late singer’s accounts. In February, Schneck claimed Martin withdrew $24,530.57.

Martin denied the allegations in a statement to TMZ, saying, “Jane is uninformed on Aaron’s financials.”

Madonna, Shakira and BTS are set to headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show in July.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association announced the news late Wednesday, May 13, in an Instagram post.

The 2026 World Cup final is set to take place on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

“A FIFA World Cup first, the Halftime Show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a landmark initiative working to raise $100 USD million to expand access to quality education and football for children around the world,” FIFA said in its Instagram post. “Throughout the tournament, USD 1 from every ticket sold to FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches will be donated to the Fund.”

Related: 10 Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows Ever, Ranked: Lady Gaga, Beyonce and More

The Super Bowl halftime show has always been an exciting and coveted spot for musicians. Before Bad Bunny takes center stage at the 2026 Super Bowl this weekend, we must remember our history. From iconic reunions to infamous wardrobe malfunctions, to “Left Shark” and calling Drake a pedophile in front of millions of people in […]

The first World Cup Halftime Show is curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who revealed the headliners in an Instagram video on Wednesday. The video featured Martin joined by characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, including Elmo, Cookie Monster, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.

Shakira is already associated with the 2026 World Cup, as she and Nigerian singer Burna Boy provide the official song for the soccer tournament, “Dai Dai,” which was released last week. Shakira previously sang “Waka Waka,” the official theme song for the 2010 World Cup.

While a halftime show is first for the soccer tournament, Madonna and Shakira have both previously headlined the Super Bowl halftime show. Madonna performed during the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show in 2012. Shakira coheadlined the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in 2020 with Jennifer Lopez.

Lopez later criticized the NFL’s decision to have two coheadliners for the 2020 event.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Related: Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min and More Hot MLS Players to Root for This Season

Major League Soccer is officially back, and the league’s hottest players are ready to score. As soccer fans head to stadiums across the country on Saturday, February 21, to celebrate opening day of the 2026 MLS season, several athletes are sure to grab the attention of attendees with their talents. “If you’re an average sports […]

Advertisement

“We have six f***ing minutes. We have 30 seconds of a song, and if we take a minute, that’s it, we’ve got five left. But there’s got to be certain songs that we sing, though. We have to have our singing moments. It’s not going to be a dance f***ing revue,” Lopez said in her 2022 documentary Halftime. “We have to sing our message. … This is the worst idea in the world to have two people do the Super Bowl. It was the worst idea in the world.”

“Typically, you have one headliner at a Super Bowl. That headliner constructs a show, and, should they choose to have other guests, that’s their choice,” Lopez’s longtime manager, Benny Medina, said in the doc. “It was an insult to say you needed two Latinas to do the job that one artist historically has done.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday, June 11.

Lala Kent is feeling “nostalgic” about the drama over Summer House costars Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s new relationship.

“I love it,” Lala, 35, beamed during a Wednesday, May 13, appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. “Who would have thought we’d get to relive [‘Scandoval’]? Like, we get to do it twice.”

She likened the social media furore over Amanda and West’s budding romance to the “Scandoval” drama that erupted on Vanderpump Rules in 2023 when Tom Sandoval’s shocking affair with Rachel ‘Raquel’ Leviss was publicly disclosed. (Tom was in a relationship with Ariana Madix at the time but they subsequently split. Earlier this month, Tom and Ariana finally sold their L.A. home three years after breaking up.)

“We’re so lucky,” Lala joked. “I had Lindsay [Hubbard] on the podcast today and obviously she couldn’t reveal everything [about the upcoming reunion]. But she was like, ‘Just wait!’”

Related: Winter House’s Jordan Emanuel Sounds Off on Amanda and West’s Romance

Even Bravo’s biggest reality stars are shocked by the drama surrounding the cast of Summer House. The internet lit up when Amanda Batula confirmed her romance with BFF and costar Ciara Miller’s ex-boyfriend West Wilson. “Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a […]

Amanda and West, 34 and 31 respectively, stunned the Bravoverse on March 31 when they revealed they were pursuing a “connection” after repeatedly denying they were dating in the past. (The revelation came mere months after Amanda and estranged husband Kyle Cooke announced their separation in January.)

“We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity,” Amanda and West said in a joint statement in March. “It was never our intention to purposely hide anything. Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.”

They went on, “We’ve shown up for each other as friends over the years, through all the highs and lows, and what’s developed recently was the last thing either of us expected,” they continued. “Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.”

“As our feelings evolved, we wanted to take time to understand exactly what we were feeling. We also recognize that this has had an impact beyond just us and never wanted our actions to cause any hurt or be perceived as careless.,” their statement concluded. “We truly appreciate the understanding and respect as we navigate this.”

In the weeks since the bombshell announcement, questions have emerged over the exact timeline of Amanda and West getting together — as well as bombshell allegations from West’s ex-girlfriend Ciara Miller that he may have also slept with married Real Housewives of New Jersey star Jenn Fessler. (Jenn has repeatedly denied ever hooking up with West and seemingly has threatened legal action against Ciara. The RHONJ alum has been married to her husband, Jeffrey Fessler, since 1999 and they share two children, son Zachary and daughter Rachel.)

Meanwhile, Lala also touched on where she stands with some of her former Vanderpump Rules costars three years after the “Scandoval” drama. She told host Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live on Wednesday that she hasn’t spoken to former close friends James Kennedy and Ariana in a few years.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Related: What’s Next for ‘Summer House’ and Its Cast After ‘Torturous’ Reunion

Advertisement

It was the audio leak heard around the world: On April 23, shortly after the cast of Summer House filmed their highly anticipated reunion special in New York City, unauthorized recordings from the set went viral. In the clips, emotions ran high as castmates appeared to press Amanda Batula and West Wilson on their shocking […]

“I haven’t spoken to anybody since that reunion,” she revealed. “Yeah, that’s true.”

Of course, Lala is still in touch with former Vanderpump Rules costars Brittany Cartwright, Tom Schwartz and Kristen Doute because they all appear on Bravo’s VPR spinoff The Valley.

Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen airs on Bravo Sundays through Thursdays.

Erin Moriarty feels Spike Lee was wrong to defend the exclusion of Michael Jackson’s sexual abuse accusations from the King of Pop’s recent biopic.

She argued that the allegations do matter and should have at least been hinted at, especially given how the entertainment industry is often known for ignoring, and sometimes even enabling, sexual abuse and grooming.

Just like Moriarty, several other critics have shared negative reviews of the movie, with some focusing on how it “whitewashes” Michael.

As attention continues to grow around the recently released Michael biopic, Moriarty has addressed what she believes is a misguided view of the film expressed by the late pop star’s friend, Spike Lee.

Advertisement

Recently, Lee defended the producers’ decision to leave out the sexual abuse allegations that followed Michael in the years before his death.

However, in Moriarty’s view, that should not have been the case. She made her opinion clear in a strongly worded statement shared on her Instagram Story.

“I think there’s nuance here worth acknowledging,” the actress wrote, quoting a repost of Lee’s remarks. “Allegations of this severity do matter.”

Erin Moriarty Explains Why Michael Allegations Matter

To Moriarty, having the allegations at least hinted at in the biopic would have brought attention to what she believes is a major problem in the industry today.

“They are not irrelevant context; particularly within an industry that has historically minimized or enabled sexual abuse and grooming,” the actress continued.

Advertisement

Moriarty also had issues with how the film has seemingly garnered such a strong reception from viewers despite Michael’s checkered twilight years.

The actor added, “The quality of the film may not be in question. But I think it’s fair to question the broader celebration of it, and what message that may send to survivors.”

Spike Lee Says ‘Michael’ Criticism Ignores The Timeline

Meanwhile, Lee’s defense of the biopic was centered on the movie’s timeline, which is not set around the period when the accusations against Michael emerged.

“The movie ends in ‘88 & the stuff you’re talking about, accusations happened [later]. So, you’re critiquing the film on something you wanted, but it doesn’t work in the timeline of the film,” he said in an interview with CNN’s Laura Coates.

At the time, Lee also acknowledged the massive turnout in cinemas for the biopic, something Moriarty had declared she had issues with.

Advertisement

“People showed up. Worldwide, people showed their love,” Lee told his host.

Critics Also Accused ‘Michael’ Of Whitewashing The Late Star

While Lee’s view of the biopic was positive, several critics shared negative opinions about the project, according to the BBC.

One review called it “frustratingly shallow” and noted that the film also fails to address how Michael “was an abuse victim, brutalized by his father and robbed of his childhood.”

Advertisement

A similar sentiment was shared by a journalist who described the film as a “ghoulish, soulless cash grab.”

“All Michael does is recreate, in mechanical style, the most famous visuals of Jackson’s career,” they added. “It’s certainly easier that way. Why bother to depict a human being when you can simply turn them into a product?”

Adding to the criticism, another reporter called the project a “whitewash” of the late pop star and emphasized that its avoidance of the sexual allegations was a “borderline-fatal problem.”

They added that the accusations should have at least been acknowledged or foreshadowed in the movie, which would have made it more credible as a biopic of Michael.

Advertisement

Colman Domingo Defended ‘Michael’ Amid Backlash

Amid the backlash, Colman Domingo, who starred in the project as Michael’s father, defended the producers’ decision and also expressed hope that the allegations may one day be addressed in a sequel.

“The film takes place from the 60’s to 1988. It does not go into the first allegations … there’s a possibility of it being a Part 2 that may deal with some other things that happened afterward,” Domingo said during an interview on NBC’s “Today.”

He then emphasized that the project’s narrative focuses primarily on Michael’s rise to stardom and should be reviewed only through that lens.

“This is about the making of Michael, how he was raised, and then how he was trying to find his voice as an artist and be a solo artist,” Domingo added.

Advertisement