Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor ‘Shucked’ co-composer Brandy Clark says the ultimate goal of the Tony-nominated musical is to provide audiences with pure joy. Mixed in is also a big serving of queer representation. “I always think it’s hard to hate something that you know and love, and it’s a lot easier to hate something that’s just an idea or something you’ve heard about that you should be scared of,” Clark told me during a phone conversation from the Drama Desk Awards in New York City, where she and co-composer Shane McAnally were presented with the award for outstanding music. “So I think if you walk out of ‘Shucked’ with any hate in your heart, I don’t know if I can help you. You’re probably a descendant of Hitler.”
‘Billions’ Actor Malin Akerman Opens Up About Mother’s Struggle With Depression to Help Normalize Conversations Around Mental Health
18.05.2023 - 21:21 / variety.com
Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor Malin Akerman may be starring in a new televisions series. The “Billions” actor exclusively tells me that she recently shot a pilot for a dark comedy that addresses suicide. It was written by her husband Jack Donnelly. For Akerman, who plays a therapist on the show, mental health issues hit close to home because her mother struggled with depression for most of her childhood. The experience inspired Akerman’s work with On Our Sleeves, an organization that helps families talk about mental health. “It was up and down with my mom, as it is with depression,” Akerman says. “Sometimes she went real dark and we didn’t see her for days. She would lock herself in her room. And sometimes she was the best thing since sliced bread. And that was so much fun. She’s such a great person. I feel for her. I feel for anyone who struggles with depression.”
While it wasn’t discussed much when Akerman was growing up — her mom wasn’t diagnosed with depression until her later years — she says the family is now very open about their experiences. “It was hard for both of us,” Akerman says. “We’ve talked about it since and now we have a good relationship.” It took some time for Akerman to realize that mental health struggles are “not a bad thing, but a normal thing.” “It’s something I’ve had to unpack and work on over the years,” she says. “It’s been part of my journey of breaking family patterns — the ones that I don’t want, and keeping the ones that are great.” On Our Sleeves provides resources for adults to get children talking more about mental health issues. Akerman celebrated her birthday last week by posting a message on her Instagram asking her 521,000 followers to make a donation
Wendy Williams' Son Kevin Fears She's Being Taken Advantage of Amid Her Alleged Struggle With Alcoholism
Wendy Williams' son, Kevin Hunter Jr., is speaking out regarding his mother's health and well-being.The 22-year-old college student gave an interview to in the U.S., and shared how he believes Wendy's team is taking advantage of her wealth amid her alleged battle with alcoholism, which he says does not allow her to make sound decisions. According to the article, Kevin was being financially supported by his mother, but lost that support in large part when her financial affairs were taken over by guardian Sabrina Morrissey in May 2022.«People have put other things in front of her actually healing and getting better, and unfortunately, unlike many other alcoholics, she is worth a lot more money,» he says.«I know there are all sorts of things happening that I know in her right mind she would never agree to. As hard as it is seeing her being taken advantage of, I know that if I'm making sure she, as a person, is OK, that is the important thing.»Her son adds, «Because eventually, she's going to realize the craziness that's been going on.»ET has reached out to Wendy's team for comment on her son's recent interview, including her manager, Will Selby, and Sabrina Morrissey. The ended in June 2022 after 13 seasons following a lengthy hiatus from the show's host.
Scream star Melissa Barrera talks about her new movie Carmen with Paul Mescal
Melissa Barrera, at first, was hesitant to sign onto a film like Carmen. "I'm always very careful about coming onto a project that touches upon immigration, because I'm so used to the stereotypes," says the Mexican actor, who first moved to the US to study musical theatre at New York’s Tisch School of the Arts. "I'm so used to the narrative always being violence and struggle.
Fifth Harmony's Dinah Jane Gives Honest Interview, Talks About Music Execs Struggling with Her Image
Here’s what Dinah Jane had to share in her honest and open interview – Just Jared Jr New details about Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann‘s divorce have been revealed – DListed Christina Aguilera looks so hot in these new photos – Egotastic The cast of the new Cruel Intentions series has been announced – Just Jared Jr
Jason Isbell Thought He Was Making a Movie About Music and Ended Up With One About Marriage, Too
A version of this story about “Jason Isbell: Running With Our Eyes Closed” first appeared in the Race Begins issue of TheWrap’s Emmy magazine.The latest installment in the HBO Max Music Box series created by Bill Simmons, “Jason Isbell: Running With Our Eyes Closed” finds director Sam Jones (“Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off,” “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco”) following the writing and recording of singer Jason Isbell’s 2020 album “Reunions.” But the film is about far more than one of the gifted musician and writer’s best albums, delving into his self-destructive days with drugs and alcohol and his marriage to fellow singer Amanda Shires, a charged creative and personal partnership that nearly fell apart while Jones’ cameras were rolling.Sam, why a film about Jason Isbell?Sam Jones: He was on my interview show (“Off Camera With Sam Jones”), and once I chatted with him, I felt like not only did he have an interesting story, but he was good at telling it. So I flew to Nashville and I asked him a couple hours before he went on stage at the Ryman.
Amy Pascal Shares New Details About Fourth 'Spider-Man' Movie with Tom Holland & Zendaya
Amy Pascal is sharing some new details about the upcoming Spider-Man movie.
'Mayans M.C.' Star Edward James Olmos Opens Up About His Struggles With Throat Cancer: 'The Experience Changed Me'
Edward James Olmos is opening up about his battle with throat cancer.
Why film stars are getting older - and what it tells us about Hollywood’s new struggle
Variety during the Cannes film festival. The argument goes that, while there are plenty of veteran stars still busily creaking out commercially tempting film fodder, there are precious few equivalently bankable talents from the newer generation waiting in the wings.
Celine Dion Cancels World Tour Due To Ongoing Struggle With Rare Neurological Condition
Celine Dion has canceled all planned dates on her Courage world tour through 2024 as she continues to struggle with the rare neurological disorder she disclosed last year.
Niall Horan Shares About The Camaraderie He Has With His One Direction Members
Niall Horan opened up about what his relationships are like with his former One Direction bandmates.
Zachary Quinto Talks ‘Emotional and Physical Tension’ With Jacob Elordi in ‘He Went That Way’ and Producing New LGBTQ Docuseries ‘Historical Homos’
Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor “Euphoria” actor Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto star in “He Went That Way,” a film based on the wacky true story of a celebrity animal trainer (Quinto) and his TV chimp Spanky, who spent three days with a serial killer (Elordi) in 1964. While some press reports have described the film as a queer project, Quinto tells me we won’t be seeing him and Elordi steam up the screen: “I wouldn’t say it’s an overtly queer story, but I will say that there are undertones of both emotional and physical tension between these two characters.” The actors became close during filming. “We talked a lot about his desire to do theater,” Quinto recalls. “I was like, ‘Go do a play in London. Go do a play in New York. That’s where you really cut your teeth.’ I’m sure we’ll see him onstage at some point.”
‘Rings of Power’ Star Ismael Cruz Córdova Says Amazon Hired an On-Set Therapist to Deal With Racist Backlash
Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” star Ismael Cruz Córdova is opening up about the cast and crew’s mental health while shooting the Amazon Prime Video series. During an appearance on this week’s “Just for Variety” podcast, the actor tells me that an on-set therapist was on hand to offer help after the show received racist backlash against its inclusive and diverse casting. “You need support when this happens because the voices are so loud and they’re coming at you from so many places,” Córdova says. Córdova, who was shooting Season 2 in the U.K. when we spoke, says the therapist’s presence alone was beneficial. “I loved seeing her there, even if we didn’t speak,” he said. “I knew there was someone there seeing me completely. It wasn’t just as an actor.”
Quiver Boards North American Rights To Holiday Film ‘Christmas Actually’ Starring Malin Akerman, Ryan Hansen & Amy Smart; Highland Selling At Cannes Market
EXCLUSIVE: Quiver Distribution has boarded recently wrapped holiday film Christmas Actually, starring Malin Akerman (Billions), Ryan Hansen (Party Down) and Amy Smart (Stargirl).
In The Shadow Of The Strike, Linear Networks Struggle With Scripted & Stars At Upfronts, Turn To News & Sports
“This is not exactly the show we expected to do today,” said Warner Bros Discovery ad boss Jon Steinlauf in opening his company’s second Upfronts presentation as a merged company.
Chrishell Stause Opens Up About ‘Untraditional’ Las Vegas Nuptials With G Flip, Reveals Whether ‘Selling Sunset’ Viewers Will See Wedding Footage
Doing things their way. News of Chrishell Stause and G Flip‘s wedding has made headlines — but the reality star is still not looking to share all the details.
Sterling K. Brown and Laura Benanti to Star in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ Reading, With Eye Toward Broadway Run (EXCLUSIVE)
Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor Sterling K. Brown could be on his way to Broadway. The three-time Emmy winner will star in a reading of a new stage production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” on May 18 in New York City, sources exclusively tell me. Brown will play Randle P. McMurphy, a character famously portrayed by Jack Nicholson in the 1975 movie adaptation of Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel. Sources also tell me that Tony winner Laura Benanti will play Nurse Ratched. The team behind the reading have their hopes set on a Broadway run. The reading is directed by Young Vic artistic director Kwame Kwei-Armah. Scott Delman produces. Delman is also on board as a producer of the “Thelma & Louise” musical, which has been workshopped with Amanda Seyfried and Evan Rachel Wood starring.
Megan Fox Opens Up About Lifelong Struggle With Body Dysmorphia
Megan Fox joined Martha Stewart, Kim Petras, and Brooks Nader as Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit issue cover stars this year—and made a very honest confession during her interview with the outlet. Despite being publicly viewed as a sex symbol throughout her career, the 37-year-old actress said she has privately struggled with her body image since childhood. 'I have body dysmorphia,' she started in a video interview.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Reveals Battle With Depression After Divorce From First Wife
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson talks health all the time — but this time he’s opening up about his mental health. On The Pivot Podcast last week, the 51
Simon Pegg Reveals He Hid His Struggle With Alcohol While Filming 'Mission: Impossible' With Tom Cruise
Simon Pegg is opening up about his struggles with alcohol.
Dwayne Johnson opens up about battle with depression: 'I didn't know what it was'
Dwayne Johnson is revealing his struggles with depression. Johnson shared on "The Pivot" podcast that he's had "three bouts of depression" over the years. "The first time depression hit me I was at the University of Miami.