Hayden Panettiere‘s relationship with singer Rihanna goes way back. In a new interview, the “Nashville” alum opened up about working with the mother of three years ago on the direct-to-DVD film “Bring It On: All or Nothing.” Elsewhere in the conversation, Panettiere shared her thoughts on what it feels like to have been a mainstay in the entertainment industry for over two decades, saying, “I’m having a moment!”

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Panettiere, who played Britney Allen in the 2006 third installment of the “Bring It On” franchise, reflected on how much being part of the beloved series meant to her at the time.

“I loved the passion that people had for Bring It On. When fans would come up who loved that movie, they would freak out — have a physical, visceral reaction to me that I had never seen before,” she said.

Panettiere also opened up about what it was like working with Rihanna on the film, which also starred Beyoncé’s younger sister, Solange Knowles.

“It’s so satisfying as a performer, doing anything, anyone giving you that much love, it’s incredible for your soul. And Rihanna! I met Rihanna when she was 17, and I was 16 on that,” Panettiere explained.

For those who may be unfamiliar, Rihanna wasn’t doing roundoff back handsprings in the film “Bring It On.” She was, however, judging the cheer teams during the film’s big finale.

According to Panettiere, she formed a great relationship with the “Hard” singer on the film’s set; so much so that Rihanna reportedly asks her the same question every time they see each other in public.

“I run to her all the time. And the first thing she asks is, ‘Oh, how’s your mom?’” Panettiere shared. “I met a lot of very cool people on that project, plus anything having to do with sports or being athletic, I’m in.”

Hayden Panettiere Reflects On Being Part Of The ‘Bring It On’ Franchise 20 Years Later

“Bring It On: All or Nothing” came six years after the original film starring Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union hit theaters. The movie’s 20th anniversary will be in early August 2026, a fact Panettiere didn’t seem ready to acknowledge.

“Oh God, [is] it really?” she said on the red carpet. “I was just with one of my dear friends, Evan Ross, and we were talking about how long we’d known each other. Remember the Titans came up, and I thought in my head, I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s been 26 years.’ So now you’re telling me Bring It On has been how many years? My head’s in my hands.”

Continuing, Panettiere, who also appeared in famed shows like “Heroes” and “Guiding Light,” joked about how quickly time has flown by since “Bring It On.”

“I’m having a moment. I cannot believe I’ve been around — I still don’t feel like a full-grown adult!” she quipped.

How Hayden Panettiere’s ‘Bring It On’ Character Has Bled Into Her Real Life

While Panettiere’s time as Britney on “Bring It On” was nearly 20 years ago, the actress recently told Gayle King on CBS Mornings that the role has bled into her real life in an unexpected way.

While having an emotional conversation about her daughter, Kaya, with the esteemed media personality, Panettiere said that her child actually refers to her as the spunky fictional cheerleader from the affluent Pacific Vista High School.

“She actually called me and FaceTimed me the other day, and she calls me ‘Britney.’ She goes, ‘Hey Britney,’” Panettiere said. “It took me a second, and I realized she was talking about Bring It On, because her friends are fans of Bring It On.”

Panettiere Bares It All In Her Book, ‘This Is Me: A Reckoning’

Panettiere has been sharing more and more over the last few weeks to promote her new memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.”

Throughout the book, Panettiere is extremely candid about personal challenges, including her relationships with her mother and her daughter.

Also in the book, Panettiere opens up about a frightening experience where an unnamed movie director reportedly exposed his genitals to her, as well as another instance where she was placed in a bed with a famous, naked man.

Panettiere didn’t mention names in her book, and according to a previous report from The Blast, that was intentional.

“I wanted to tell my stories without dragging anyone else in the mud, through the mud,” she said. “As much as I want to call people out, this is still an industry that I have to exist in.”

Panettiere Says She Didn’t Want To Get Sued By Big Name Celebrities

Panettiere expanded on that, stating that the unnamed men she wrote about in her book still have a strong presence in Hollywood and that mentioning them could cause major issues for her.

“They’re people I could run into again. I didn’t want to put myself in that position,” she said, adding that the stories she wrote about “happened a long time ago.”

“… it was to protect me and my company from being sued by some very p-ssed-off famous people,” she explained.

Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet could barely contain their excitement as the New York Knicks punched their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time in nearly three decades. 

The celebrity couple turned Madison Square Garden into their own romantic backdrop Monday night, celebrating the historic victory with courtside kisses, embraces, and animated reactions throughout the intense matchup. 

While Chalamet soaked in the emotional sports milestone, Jenner appeared just as invested in the action, cheering loudly beside her boyfriend during the unforgettable evening.

Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet were front and center as the Knicks secured a long-awaited trip to the NBA Finals after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

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The pair erupted with excitement the moment the final result became official, immediately embracing courtside before sharing a passionate kiss in front of the roaring crowd.

The win marked the Knicks’ first appearance in the NBA championship series since 1999, making the atmosphere inside the arena electric. 

Photos obtained by the Daily Mail showed Jenner wrapping her arms around Chalamet as the actor celebrated his beloved team’s major milestone. 

Throughout the game, the beauty mogul kept her focus firmly on the court, at times appearing even more emotionally invested in the nail-biting matchup than the “Dune” star himself.

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Jenner also leaned fully into the basketball spirit for the occasion, rocking a blue Knicks T-shirt while cheering beside her boyfriend. 

The reality star paired the sporty top with blue denim pants, black heels, and a black Chanel bag, blending casual style with courtside glamour.

Jenner Continues Supporting Chalamet’s Basketball Obsession

Kylie Jenner has attended several basketball games with Chalamet in recent weeks, embracing the 30-year-old’s deep love for the Knicks. 

Monday’s outing was simply the latest stop in what has become a recurring courtside routine for the couple.

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Meanwhile, Timothée Chalamet matched the laid-back energy in a vintage-inspired black leather jacket embroidered with New York’s logo. As the game intensified, cameras repeatedly caught the pair laughing, celebrating, and whispering to each other from their premium seats.

Later in the evening, the duo’s excitement reached another level as they animatedly celebrated beside “30 Rock” star Tracy Morgan. 

The courtside reactions quickly circulated online, with fans obsessing over the affectionate moments between the Oscar nominee and the Kylie Cosmetics founder.

The latest outing also comes shortly after Jenner and Chalamet packed on the PDA during another Knicks game earlier this month when New York faced the Philadelphia 76ers. 

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During that appearance, the lovebirds shared multiple kisses while taking brief breaks from watching the action unfold on the court.

Kylie Jenner Faced Met Gala Buzz After Timothée Chalamet Stayed Away

Despite Jenner’s unwavering support at Chalamet’s basketball outings, the “Marty Supreme” actor recently faced criticism online after skipping the Met Gala while Jenner attended alone. 

Rather than joining his girlfriend at fashion’s biggest night, Chalamet chose to stay focused on the NBA playoffs and watch the Knicks instead.

Jenner walked the Met Gala carpet solo in a dramatic flesh-colored Schiaparelli gown featuring a nipple-teasing bodice, while her man spent the evening courtside. 

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On social media, the actor made no mention of the glamorous event and instead posted a photo of his baby blue Adidas Samba sneakers from the basketball game.

The decision divided social media users. Some praised Chalamet’s choice as relatable and authentic, while others believed he should have supported Jenner during one of the fashion industry’s biggest nights. 

The debate only intensified because that was not the first time Chalamet skipped the Met Gala in favor of basketball.

Jenner Went Solo At The Met Gala For A Second Straight Year

This year’s Met Gala marked the second consecutive year Kylie Jenner attended the event without Timothée Chalamet by her side. 

Last year, the Oscar nominee also skipped the high-profile fashion event to watch the Knicks play, fueling ongoing chatter about his priorities whenever basketball season collides with celebrity obligations.

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Still, Jenner has consistently shown support for Chalamet’s interests, particularly his loyalty to the New York franchise. 

Their relationship has continued growing steadily over the years, with the pair now dating for more than three years. 

After keeping much of their romance relatively private in the beginning, Jenner and Chalamet officially stepped into the spotlight together when they made their red carpet debut at the 70th David Di Donatello Awards in May 2025.

Since then, the couple has become increasingly comfortable showing affection publicly, whether at glamorous award ceremonies or intense playoff games.

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Kylie Jenner’s ‘Jealousy’ Nearly Derailed Romance With Timothée Chalamet

Although Jenner and Chalamet appear all lovey-dovey, recent reports suggest that the socialite nearly lost the actor due to jealousy and trust issues that created major tension behind the scenes of their relationship. 

According to The Blast, insiders claimed Jenner initially struggled with Chalamet’s need for independence and became uncomfortable with the amount of time he spent away filming movies and maintaining friendships outside their romance. 

One source alleged the reality TV star “wanted to be around him all the time,” which reportedly made Chalamet feel “claustrophobic.” 

The insider added that Chalamet eventually became direct about needing more personal space, leading to serious friction between the pair during late 2025 while he filmed “Dune: Part Three” overseas and promoted “Marty Supreme.”

Reports also claimed Jenner’s insecurities intensified whenever Chalamet spent long periods away working, though the couple allegedly worked through the issues by improving communication and becoming more private about their relationship.

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The world of video games is chock-full of iconic series, and at the top of the list is the Grand Theft Auto series. Rockstar Games perfected the “open world” game, as each Grand Theft Auto protagonist travels through a different city while committing a range of illegal activities. Players could spend hours and only scratch the surface of what each game brings to the table. As a result, the Grand Theft Auto franchise remains one of the most iconic video game series in pop culture, but there’s a recent series that’s managed to beat it in the “open world” aspect: Marvel’s Spider-Man for PlayStation 4.

Developed by Insomniac Games, Marvel’s Spider-Man follows Peter Parker (Yuri Lowenthal) as he finally manages to take down Wilson Fisk (Travis Willingham), aka the Kingpin of Crime. Fisk’s absence leads to the rise of criminal mastermind Mister Negative (Stephen Oyoung), whose Inner Demons start threatening New York. Spidey also has to battle the supervillain group known as the Sinister Six, led by his former mentor, Otto Octavious (William Salyers). What follows is one of the best Spider-Man stories of all time, as Marvel’s Spider-Man and its two sequels craft an open-world experience unlike any other.

Insomniac’s Take on ‘Spider-Man’ Gives Players The Perfect Web-Slinging Experience

Throughout Marvel’s Spider-Man and its sequels, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, players will get the chance to explore all of New York. They do so through a wide variety of travel methods, including web-slinging, web-slingshotting through the air, and even catching trains throughout the city. This makes you feel like you’re actually Spider-Man, and the experience doesn’t stop there. Insomniac managed to capture the way that Spider-Man moves, whether it’s gracefully swinging through the air or leaping from opponent to opponent and taking them down with a combination of webs and punches. The same goes for Miles Morales, as players can utilize his bio-electric “venom sting” and camoflauge to great effect.

It isn’t just gameplay that makes players feel like Spider-Man, though. Insomniac’s Spider-Man series also captures the dynamics of the comics perfectly, from Peter Parker’s struggle to balance his personal and superhero lives to Miles Morales dealing with his own adolescent woes, including the death of his father in the first game. Spider-Man fans can also expect new takes on iconic characters, as Mary Jane Watson (Laura Bailey) is now a reporter instead of a supermodel, J. Jonah Jameson (Darin de Paul) hosts a podcast but still spews anti-Spider-Man rhetoric, and Norman Osborn (Mark Ralston) is the mayor of New York. Insomniac tapped comic book writers including Christos Gage and Dan Slott to work on the story, and creative director Bryan Intihar said that Insomniac picked Spider-Man because of how relatable he is as a character:

“When you’re writing Spider-Man and there’s something inside your heart, you’re bringing a lot of love to the character. There were a few key lessons. For example, whenever Peter [Parker] wins, Spider-Man loses; whenever Spider-Man wins, Peter loses, right? We wanted to make sure we hit those things when we were creating our version of the story.”

Spider-Man Isn’t The Only Marvel Hero Insomniac Is Tackling

Image via Insomniac Games

While details on a third Spider-Man game remain scarce, Insomniac is set to tackle another Marvel hero this year when it launches Marvel’s Wolverine this September. In the same vein as Marvel’s Spider-Man, the developer is bringing everything that fans love about the clawed Canadian to the video game realm. Not only will Logan be battling iconic X-Men foes including the Sentinels and Omega Red, but it’s as bloody and violent as you’d expect a Wolverine game to be. Insommniac also proves that it has a great eye for casting, as Spartacus alum Liam McIntyre is voicing Wolverine.

Grand Theft Auto may have developed the concept of the open world, but Marvel’s Spider-Man perfected said concept. It’s one of the rare video games, alongside Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham series, that makes players feel like they’ve actually stepped into an iconic superhero’s costume. Whether you’re a dyed in the wool Spider-Man fan or this is your first introduction to the web-slinger, this is a game that’s more than worth your time.

Pedro Pascal‘s recently released film is not doing anywhere near as well as its predecessors at the box office.

“The Mandalorian and Grogu” has turned up with one of the lowest numbers in the Star Wars franchise’s history on the weekend of its opening at the box office. This major flop has raised a big question of how poorly things are going for Disney, and many cannot look the other way.

Fans’ fears about Pedro Pascal’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu” seem to have come to fruition as they sent nerves wracking right from the trailer release in February. Netizens have previously questioned why the film did not get loud publicity.

The Star Wars franchise may have to buckle up, as its recent release is not screaming success at the box office. Initially, when The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 and kept Kathleen Kennedy in charge, expectations for the franchise’s future were high.

After the rebooted franchise began making its way to theaters, each successive film saw ticket sales and audience size decline.

Notably, some of the shows saw a success curve like “Rogue One” and “Andor,” and at first “The Mandalorian,” while others, like “The Acolyte,” got canceled after just one season.

“The Mandalorian” initial popularity keyed in motion plans for a feature film. But the show’s second and third seasons lost much of that early momentum. Still, Disney decided to press on by also focusing on the “Baby Yoda” character, Grogu. 

The first box office results from the long Memorial Day weekend are now available, and the numbers mirror the pre-release tracking, which was not particularly positive.

The Memorial Day holiday will help the four-day gross look better, but Fox News reports that the Friday-Sunday opening box office for the show was just $81.9 million. When compared to previous Star Wars films, it reflects poorly on Disney.

The Newly Released Film Analyzed In Numbers Compared To The Franchise’s Biggest Flop

“Solo” is widely regarded as the film that holds the record for being a tremendous disappointment for the franchise. It grossed $84.4 million during its opening three-day weekend in 2018, around Memorial Day. 

The numbers, compared to “The Mandalorian,” do not look terrible at face value, but perspective changes after adjusting for inflation.

$84.4 million in 2018 is roughly $112 million in today’s money. So, “The Mandalorian” made $30 million less in its opening weekend than the biggest flop in franchise history.

Similarly, “Solo’s” Memorial Day weekend gross was $103 million, with “Mandalorian” expected to make $102 million this year. 

Adjusting these values for inflation makes it worse, because $103 million today is worth $139 million. Meaning, $37 million behind over the long weekend.

Looking at the bigger picture, that is ultimately weighing the film’s performance on the international scale, things are not looking up for “The Mandalorian and Grogu.”

“Solo” had an international opening weekend of $65 million and a $84.4 million domestic opening, bringing the total to $149.4 million.

“The Mandalorian and Grogu” has brought in $63 million internationally, for a $145 million first weekend.  When adjusted for inflation, “Solo” made $198 million, which is already a whopping $53 million shortfall. 

‘The Mandalorian And Grogu’ Had Minimal Publicity

This film is the first Star Wars movie to hit theaters since 2019, and the trailer did not do justice to promoting the film online.

Many Star Wars fans had high hopes for the extended trailer during the Super Bowl, but their hopes were squashed yet again with the brief 30-second ad that lit up the screen.

The ad featured the Mandalorian, played by Pascal, and Grogu, also known as Baby Yoda, being pulled along by Tauntauns rather than the typical Budweiser Clydesdales.

Some fans noted that the film’s marketing strategy was weak, and others said the trailer felt like a toy commercial.

“This feels like a new Ford truck commercial more than a Star Wars trailer,”  a fan wrote in the comments, while another added, “You have the opportunity to market the first Star Wars film in six and a half years at the Super Bowl, and all you give us is a Ford ad?!”  

The Blast noted in a previous release that while many Star Wars fans were aware the movie was upcoming, a larger percentage of the general public was most likely unaware. 

Pedro Pascal Is Reportedly Out Of Touch With A Former Co-Star

Actress Gina Carano joined the “The Mandalorian” crew in 2019 as Cara Dune, a New Republic shock trooper, but was fired by Lucasfilm in 2021 for her viral, controversial social media posts. She was criticized for her conservative social media posts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carano also reportedly reshared an Instagram post that seemingly compared the way American conservatives are treated to the way Jews were treated in Nazi Germany.

After Pascal added his gender pronouns to his X (formerly called Twitter) bio, the actress changed hers to “beep/bop/boop,” which some interpreted as a mockery of the transgender community.  

According to The Blast, Carano expressed that even though she was not featured in “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” she hoped that it would do well at the box office.

“Me and Pedro don’t keep in touch,” she said, revealing that she had not been in contact with Pascal since their co-star Carl Weathers passed away in February 2024.

Donald Trump Ignited Controversy For Assuming Pedro Pascal’s Character

The White House shared a post on its X account to mark the annual May 4 celebration. In the Star Wars day post, Trump was depicted as the Mandalorian, but instead of the signature helmet concealing his identity, his face was bare while he held the flag of the United States. 

The White House captioned the post, “In a galaxy that demands strength — America stands ready. This is the way. May 4 be with you.” The image also featured “Grogu,” the Force-sensitive child central to the series, sitting in the Mandalorian’s sling bag.  

As shared by The Blast, the image was not well received by all; many critics wasted no time voicing their thoughts and criticizing it.

“Do you really have to defile one of my favorite movie franchises with your delusions?”  a comment read. On the other hand, some netizens took the post in humor and made jokes, while others simply wished Trump a happy 4th.

The last few years have shown us that audiences love post-apocalyptic television. Between shows like The Last of Us, Fallout, and nearly every new dystopian-themed series Netflix can fit into its algorithm, the end of the world has become a major form of prestige entertainment. However, while a majority of these series have been dark and nihilistic, or emotionally draining in their storytelling, there is another apocalypse-themed series on Netflix that suggests not everyone who enjoys survival stories wants to watch them only in depressing or hopeless ways.

On the air from 2014 to 2018 on TNT and produced by Michael Bay, The Last Ship never received the same level of praise from major award shows that most other major television programs have received on either cable or streaming, but once again, it remains one of the most entertaining action-drama programs in the last decade, and now that there are five seasons available for binge-watching, it’s the type of series that can easily take up an entire weekend.

‘The Last Ship’ Turns a Global Pandemic Into a Military Thriller

©TNT / courtesy Everett Collection

The premise wastes no time as a devastating virus wipes out more than 80 percent of the global population, while the crew of the USS Nathan James, a Navy destroyer isolated at sea, unknowingly avoids infection. Once they learn what happened, their mission changes overnight. Suddenly, they aren’t just soldiers. They’re carrying one of the last functioning hopes for humanity.

At the center of the series is Commander Tom Chandler, played by Eric Dane with exactly the amount of square-jawed sincerity the role requires. He’s not an antihero, nor is he secretly corrupt, or waiting for a dramatic heel turn; Chandler is a genuinely competent leader trying to hold the line while the world collapses around him.

The series understands that not every apocalypse story needs to deconstruct morality for ten straight hours. Sometimes it’s enough to watch capable people navigate impossible situations while missiles fly overhead. And there are a lot of missiles flying overhead.

The Action in ‘The Last Ship’ Is Bigger Than Most Streaming Shows

Image via TNT

One thing that immediately separates The Last Ship from most modern streaming sci-fi is that it feels massive. The show was filmed aboard real naval vessels, and that authenticity gives the action weight. With helicopter assaults, missile strikes, submarine warfare, and close-quarters combat, the series throws itself into blockbuster territory, surprisingly often for a basic cable drama.

Unlike some Bay productions, the chaos here is usually easy to follow. The naval setting also helps the show stand out from the overcrowded wasteland aesthetic most apocalypse stories default to. Instead of in abandoned malls and on dusty highways, much of the series unfolds at sea, which gives it an entirely different rhythm.

The series also benefits from its structure, as each season introduces a new geopolitical threat, keeping the story from stagnating. One year focuses heavily on the virus itself, the other pivots to global warfare, and later seasons evolve into full-scale military campaigns, involving fractured governments and rising powers vying to seize control in the aftermath of collapse.

‘The Last Ship’ Knows Exactly What Kind of Show It Is

Image via TNT

This is a show where naval officers give inspirational speeches before charging into battle, villains occasionally border on cartoonish, and entire countries rise and fall within a season. The series at times asks viewers to suspend disbelief, especially in later seasons when the action becomes increasingly outrageous. It also fully commits to its high-stakes military-thriller identity rather than apologizing for it, which makes even its messier storylines easier to enjoy.

In addition to the numerous explosions, the show develops an emotional attachment to the crew as it approaches its conclusion. Not every character arc is well written, some of the later antagonists lack enough backstory, and some of the character arcs have had a rapid pace at times. Even with this, the finale still provides closure for the audience, something many series have been unable to accomplish throughout their runs.

The Last Ship also has a refreshing, old-fashioned feel compared with other current shows that have relied on grim, bleak apocalyptic storylines. It has a great deal of tension but does not drag the audience down in an oppressive mood; it’s entertaining, and there are several large-scale action set pieces that would encourage an audience to binge-watch multiple episodes. In short, sometimes the right binge-watching experience just needs to keep running.

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The Last Ship

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Release Date

2014 – 2018-00-00

Network

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TNT

Directors

Paul Holahan, Jack Bender, Peter Weller, Michael Katleman, Bill Roe, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Bobby Roth, Brad Turner, Greg Beeman, Jann Turner, Jonathan Mostow, Kenneth Fink, Mario Van Peebles, Michael Nankin, Olatunde Osunsanmi, Tim Matheson, Nelson McCormick, Reza Tabrizi, Anton Cropper, Mairzee Almas

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Prince Harry is once again facing scrutiny over his life before royal exit, this time from someone within his own extended family circle.

Mike Tindall, whose daughter Lena counts Harry as her godfather, recently made remarks about knowing the duke “when he was fun,” in comments many interpreted as a subtle jab at the royal exile.

The former England rugby star also appeared to mock Harry’s uncle, former Prince Andrew, while making several other cheeky quips about the royal family.

Harry was seemingly trolled over his old royal life during a recent discussion at the Hay Festival.

While speaking with fellow podcasters James Haskell and Alex Payne at a live event, Tindall appeared to poke fun at the Duke of Sussex and his life before he stepped away from royal duties.

Tindall has close ties to the royal family through his 2011 marriage to Zara Tindall, the daughter of Princess Anne. He also shares a more personal connection with Harry, who is the godfather to his daughter, Lena.

The comment came after the former England rugby union player joked that Haskell had not embarrassed himself at the event.

“A lot of other people managed that way better than you,” Tindall said. “[Like] Harry, when he was fun!”

Mike Tindall’s Harsh Name For Harry Resurfaces

Before Harry stepped away from royal duties, he was widely seen as sharing a close bond with Tindall, with both men taking part in the 2014 edition of the Invictus Games.

However, since Harry’s departure from royal life, that once-friendly relationship is said to have cooled significantly.

Reports have also swirled in the past that Tindall has used more unflattering language when speaking about the Duke of Sussex in public settings.

One alleged instance came during Harry’s return to the U.K. for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, where he attended the service at St. Paul’s Cathedral but skipped the Party at the Palace.

During the event, Tindall reportedly spoke to a guest he was sitting with and allegedly described Prince Harry’s behavior as that of a “bastard.”

Tindall Reportedly Filled Prince Harry’s ‘Fun Uncle’ Role

Tindall was previously said to have filled Harry’s old “fun uncle” role after the Duke of Sussex left the UK.

Following Harry’s departure, his relationship with his brother Prince William’s children is said to have cooled, particularly his bond with Prince George.

Last year, an expert suggested that Tindall had since stepped into that space within the family, even describing him as outperforming Harry in the informal “fun uncle” role.

“George’s original ‘fun uncle’ and adult playmate did that infamous bolt to the U.S., leaving a huge Harry-shaped gap in the young boy’s life that Mike has more than filled,” body language expert Judi James said.

She added, “Mike is the fun uncle everyone needs, but in the case of Prince George, whose destiny is all about duty and responsible behavior, Mike’s presence in his life is completely invaluable.”

Mike Tindall Joked About Dating Into The Royal Family

Appearing on “I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!” in 2022, the former rugby player reflected on how he met his future wife during a conversation with campmate Owen Warner, per Hello Magazine.

“Did you feel a bit of pressure? If I was chatting to a girl and then found out she was royalty I’d be nervous,” Warner asked.

The question led Tindall to joke that things were easier for him, as he had already been friends with several members of the royal family.

“No, because we were friends first, and then William and Harry were massive England fans at the time, so we’d met them numerous times. Met more of the family than you’d normally have met of the woman you start dating,” Tindall revealed.

Mike Tindall Said Marrying Zara Wasn’t ‘Fine And Dandy’

Tindall also reflected on his marriage to Zara, noting that contrary to what some might assume, it did not automatically come with financial comfort or an easy lifestyle.

“Everyone thinks that just by marrying Zara, that means it’s all fine and dandy… But that doesn’t stop the fact that you need a job. And it’s not that easy, you know… You get quite institutionalized into rugby, it’s a way of life, and you leave the game, and that’s not there,” Tindall said.

“I don’t think you can ever sort of describe when you’re so used to being around that many people, and understanding, because of it being ingrained in you, where you fit in to then not being that person,” he added.

Ludacris’ daughters are big fans of his classic hits but they only get to listen to the clean versions at home.

“There’s all types of parental advisory,” Ludacris, 48, exclusively revealed to Us Weekly on the 2026 American Music Awards red carpet on Monday, May 25. “You gotta listen to the clean versions of even my songs, clean versions.”

The rapper (real name Christopher Brian Bridges) — whose hits include “Move Bitch” and “Pimpin’ All Over the World” — is a father of four daughters. (His eldest daughter Karma Christine, 25, was born during his relationship with ex Christine White. He also shares Cai Bella Bridges, 12, with ex Tamika Fuller as well as Cadence Gaëlle, 10, and Chance Oyali, 5, with his wife, Eudoxie Bridges.)

Ludacris’ kids frequently pop up in his TikTok videos and Karma has already expressed interest in following in her father’s footsteps in the music industry.

Asked whether he’d support any of his daughters getting into music, Ludacris told Us, “Absolutely. I want them to pursue whatever dreams that they have.”

“They love, matter of fact, one of them loves KATSEYE, so she’s mad that she’s not here [at the AMAs] right now,” he joked.

Ludacris has carved out an incredible career as a hip-hop icon as well as achieving an acting legacy in the Fast and Furious franchise. He opened up to Us on the American Music Awards red carpet about balancing his career ambitions with his responsibilities as a dad.

“If I perform somewhere, it’s like if I’m there for two or three days, I’ve got to go home,” he explained. “So I make sure I have that 50/50 balance, really more like 80/20 balance. I’ve got to be with the family 80 percent and I work 20 percent. That’s why I worked so hard all this time to afford myself the time with my family.”

Ludacris served as a presenter during Monday’s American Music Awards, where he joined GloRilla to give the Song of the Summer Award to BTS for “Swim.” Before the show, he looked back on his near 30-year career while chatting with Us.

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“[The longevity] does amaze me, but at the same time, I’m just so thankful because the fans truly dictate whether or not your music is going to stand the test of time or not, so it’s legacy. It’s legacy and it’s love,” he said.

Quizzed on whether fans still reference his iconic 2001 track “Area Codes,” Ludacris joked, “No, I’m married now, so no more area codes. But that was a great piece of history and a great piece of time, and when I perform it, people light up, because music should be like a time capsule and take you back to a certain time in life.”

The 2026 American Music Awards aired on CBS from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Hitman developer IO Interactive had a truly daunting task ahead of them with 007 First Light. The first major James Bond video game in 14 years — since Eurocom and Activision’s disastrous and unintentionally hilarious 007 Legends — needed to live up to the legacy of the most enduring film character of all time, while delivering him into modern, triple-A gaming and our modern world at large. Bond’s imprint on gaming dates back as far as the early ’80s, though Rare and Nintendo’s first-person shooter GoldenEye 64 was undeniably the breakthrough, still a cultural giant nearly three decades later.

Launching on PlayStation 5, XBox, Steam and Epic Games Store on May 27 with a Nintendo Switch 2 release to follow this summer, First Light delivers on considerable expectations that have built well over half a decade since it was announced. Irish actor Patrick Gibson (The Tudors, Dexter: Original Sin) stars as the iconic hero in the first Bond game ever to not be tied directly to the motion pictures. It’s an origin story with heart, plunging a sympathetic Bond into globe-trotting vistas and spectacular set pieces worthy of the franchise. Minor quibbles about the pacing of the second act aside, First Light is a triumph that hopefully marks the beginning of an altogether new Bond franchise. This is one of the best James Bond games ever made, and fans can rest assured the mantle is in good hands.

What Is ‘007 First Light’ About?

Building on the first 13 minutes of First Light that have been made available online, the game opens on a young Bond serving as an air crewman in the British Royal Navy. An ambush leads a mission in Iceland horribly wrong, giving the young soldier an opportunity to display the boldness and authority-defying courage that have endeared him to audiences for decades. Bond’s heroics in Iceland gain the attention of British Intelligence, most notably that of MI6 and M (Priyanga Burford), who recruits the rookie to join the newly reinstated 00 program, alongside several other hotheaded young personalities who are all overseen by strict, world-weary senior officer John Greenway (Lennie James).

The inciting incident of the sprawling, roughly 20-hour campaign sees MI6 contacted by a fallen former 00 agent, leading M and the new 00 recruits into a massive conspiracy and cover-up concerning the world’s most powerful and mysterious artificial intelligence. We’re avoiding major spoilers here, but as should be expected, Bond’s mission leads him to various exotic locations to track leads, often shadowed in the field by a beautiful, enigmatic operative who’s initially introduced to us as Ms. Roth (Noémie Nakai).

‘007 First Light’ Successfully Reinvents James Bond While Honoring the Past

There are certain, multitudinous expectations of any new entry into Bond canon, expectations that have gradually developed over 70 years of the character, over 60 of them on film. It wouldn’t have been nearly enough for IO to deliver a good action and stealth game. James Bond is an attitude, the ultimate male spy fantasy, defined as much by state-of-the-art production values as a relentless wit that’s been present ever since Sean Connery brought a necessary absurdist humor to Ian Fleming‘s creation to the screen. This quality was notably absent in the lesser of the Daniel Craig films, which at times fell victim to routine action movie tropes while losing the signature Bond identity.

First Light delivers on this; it’s a mostly buoyant, outlandish sci-fi thriller with constant, genuinely hilarious quips and innuendos delivered by a great voice cast. The game isn’t nearly as macabre as the darkest of the Bond films, but the requisite danger and high stakes are very much intact here. At the center of everything, and most importantly of all, Bond himself is close to being perfectly realized. There are liberties to be taken with him at his young age and lack of experience in the field, but the writers and Gibson deliver a recognizable iteration of the character who sets out with a refreshing naïveté and remains highly sympathetic. He’s suave at parties, while developing an edge as a ruthlessly efficient killer in the shadows. There’s some irony in hearing Bond warn another character about the emptiness of vengeance as he continuously mows down countless baddies, but it’s pretty easy to overlook this in the context of a game, and it echoes a similarly curious plot thread in 1981’s For Your Eyes Only.

The story achieves some genuine pathos, most notably in the prickly relationship between Bond and mentor Greenway. It’s an archetypal relationship you’ve seen countless times, even since Luke Skywalker first met Ben Kenobi in the original Star Wars film, but it’s funny, well-acted and even touching here. All previous James Bond video games have been tied directly to the film franchise itself due to a now-nil Eon stipulation that Bond’s likeness always be that of the current actor on film. First Light has its own personality and emotion, enough to make it feel like a worthy 26th film — that is, until the 26th film is finally released.

This Is the Most Sophisticated, Immersive James Bond Experience Ever

IO proves to be an inspired if unexpected fit for the franchise, with the lethal sophistication and morbid wit of Hitman very much on display here, punctuated with countless Easter eggs aimed squarely at Bond fans. The Danish developer produced First Light in part at their Brighton studio, and it must be said that there is something unique about the Brits and their production values. This is something that never waned in the Bond or Harry Potter franchises, even in the lesser films. First Light is as cinematic as the biggest of the Bond films, with impressively open levels and futuristic set design that evokes the great Ken Adam.

The gameplay itself is polished and varied. James Bond in gaming is best-known for FPS experiences (though many fans will rightfully point out third-person Everything or Nothing as one of the series’ high points), but First Light immerses Bond in a recognizably modern over-the-shoulder setup as the game balances stealth and spycraft along with satisfying, explosive gunplay, an arsenal of gadgets from Q Branch, and driving levels that even pleased this non-fan of driving levels. Some online had raised concerns about a “Licence to Kill” mechanic throughout the game when it was revealed through gameplay previews, but it’s in no way intrusive. Discernment about when to use lethal force is a big part of Bond’s job, and it’s long been a part of the Bond games — it’s a mechanic that works into the campaign’s progress.

The hand-to-hand combat is fluid, akin to the Batman: Arkham franchise in one-vs.-many battles. Gunplay is smooth, relying on cover and obtaining enemy weapons in both tight corridors and open spaces. The battles typically punctuate moments of exploration, where Bond must uncover clues to a plot in a public space while using his wits and charm in dialogue sequences that help uncover new information. These all build up into action set pieces that are just as spectacular as the best of the best in Bond movies.

007 First Light is a story-driven first-person experience that doesn’t seek to recreate the split-screen multiplayer phenomenon of GoldenEye, but replay value appears substantial, with dozens of in-game challenges, side quests, and tantalizing cosmetic upgrades that show the developers clearly are having a field day with the license.

The narrative and gameplay of the second act could be tighter, but everything leads to a finale that plays out like pure wish fulfillment. Comparisons to GoldenEye and earlier bona fide classic Bond games are likely to be made over the following weeks, but IO has wisely made a game that aims squarely to be its own enterprise. The game concludes on a well-earned, giddy high that’s likely to leave fans anxious for a follow-up as soon as the end credits and the thunderous Monty Norman theme roll.

007 First Light launches on PlayStation 5, XBox, Steam and Epic Games Store May 27. A Nintendo Switch 2 release is slated for this summer.

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Released

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May 27, 2026

ESRB

Teen / Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence, In-Game Purchases

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Franchise

James Bond

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Pros & Cons

• 007: First Light is one of the best James Bond video games of all time, delivering an expansive experience unlike any other
• Patrick Gibson is a terrific Bond, and the character is heroic and endearing
• Noémie Nakai is a badass, enigmatic Bond Girl worthy of the legacy
• The finale is tremendously Bondian excitement

• The second act drags with the pace slowing down too much