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Julia Garner recalls nerve-wracking audition in front of Madonna for her biopic: ‘Had to convince her that I can dance'

Julia Garner recalls nerve-wracking audition in front of Madonna for her biopic: ‘Had to convince her that I can dance'

Hindustan Times5 days ago
American actor Julia Garner is shedding light on her involvement in the long-awaited Madonna biopic, a project the pop icon is directing herself. Speaking on the SmartLess podcast with hosts Sean Hayes, Will Arnett, and Jason Bateman, the 31-year-old confirmed she's still set to play the Queen of Pop despite long-standing delays. Julia Garner will play Madonna in her biopic
When Sean brought up the biopic and her casting, the actor who was most recently seen in Fantastic Four: First Steps, replied, 'That's supposed to still happen.'
She went on to share how she came into the role, explaining that she's 'such a fan of Madonna' and 'grew up listening' to her music. 'It just came about. I knew they were doing a project, making a movie about it, and then I went out to audition,' she added.
Julia also recalled how the audition pushed her out of her comfort zone. 'I kind of just wanted to see if I could do it, because I wasn't a trained dancer and I had to learn how to dance and then dance in front of her and convince her that I can dance, basically, and sing. And sing with her,' she said.
To get into the right mindset, she recalled asking herself, 'OK, what would Madonna do? Which is convince you that she deserves, you know, to be in this room, and I owned it. I was kind of like, 'You can take it or leave it, but if you leave it, if I leave, then that's on you.''
Though the original film, which was reported to be scrapped in January 2023, Julia insisted the biopic hasn't been abandoned. 'Anything that's great … takes a long time,' she added.
Madonna, who co-wrote the screenplay with Diablo Cody and Erin Cressida Wilson, teased in July 2024 that she was back to working on the script. Earlier this year, Deadline reported that she had teamed up with producer-director Shawn Levy for a new limited series at Netflix based on her life, currently in early development.
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Bette Howland, the writer who returned from oblivion
Bette Howland, the writer who returned from oblivion

Mint

time8 minutes ago

  • Mint

Bette Howland, the writer who returned from oblivion

Ten years ago, Brigid Hughes, the founding editor and publisher of the literary magazine and imprint A Public Space, was rummaging through the $1 carton at the Housing Works' Bookstore in New York, when a title caught her attention. It was an old copy of a book with a cryptic name, W-3, by a writer called Bette Howland. Hughes had not heard of her before, though a blurb by none other than that icon of American literature Saul Bellow spoke highly of the writing. As Hughes flipped through the book, her eyes were arrested by a random passage. 'All I knew was this: I couldn't take it anymore, no longer could bear this burden of concealment. Things seemed bad enough without adding extra weight. I wanted to be rid of it all, all of it. I wanted to abandon all this personal history—its darkness and secrecy, its private grievances, its well-licked sorrows and prides—to thrust it from me like a manhole cover," she read. 'That's what I had wanted all along, that's what I was trying for when I swallowed those pills—what I hoped to obliterate. That was my real need. It had at last expressed itself, become all powerful." It was impossible not to want to read on. So Hughes bought the copy, raced through the book, and began searching for other works by the writer. It was then that she ran into a roadblock. All the bookstores were unhelpful, so was the internet. Although Howland had published two books apart from W-3—which was a memoir of her time at a mental asylum in Chicago in the 1970s—all of them were out of print. There was no information about the writer either, except that she had won the prestigious Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellowships. Enquiries made to both funding bodies yielded nothing of note. For all purposes, Howland seemed to have vanished, presumed dead. Not one to give up, Hughes persisted with her queries until she traced one Jacob Howland, a professor of philosophy, who turned out to be the author's younger son. From him, she learned that Bette was not only alive—though grievously ill with multiple sclerosis and dementia—but also that he also had a key to a safe deposit box in Tusla, Oklahoma, which contained her papers, letters and unpublished manuscripts. And so, before she died at the age of 80 in 2017, Bette Howland had her 'lost" legacy re-discovered and restored to the world as A Public Place. Later, Pan Macmillan, resurrected her books from the 1970s and 1980s—W-3, Blue in Chicago (1978) and Things to Come and Go (1983)—and made them available to readers nearly 50 years later. I discovered W-3 a few weeks ago while staying with a friend and read it over a heady few days. Like Hughes, I was stung by the shock of this incredible find—a ticking timebomb hidden inside the pages of a slim volume with a salmon-pink cover and a black-and-white photograph of the writer smiling out of it. First published in 1974, W-3 looks back to 1968, when Howland swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills while staying at her mentor, friend and lover Saul Bellow's house. Born in 1937 as Bette Sotonoff, she was married to Howard Howland, a neurobiologist, in 1952. They had two sons—Frank, born in 1958, and Jacob, in 1959. But, by the mid-1960s, the relationship had soured. Soon after, Howland was a divorcée, working two jobs—one as a part-time librarian and the other as an editor at Chicago University Press—and bringing up her children as a single mother. Always stressed about finances and unable to focus on her writing, her one true love, she teetered on the edge, until she could no longer hold on. Books on suicide and its aftermath have a long literary lineage. Tove Ditlevsen's The Faces (1968), Ann Quinn's unfinished novel The Unmapped Country (1973), and Penelope Mortimer's Long Distance (1974) are three notable works by women on the same theme published around the time of Howland's breakdown and hospitalisation. This year, Chinese-American writer Yiyun Li, who wrote the introduction to the re-printed edition of W-3, published Things in Nature Merely Grow, where she grappled with the death of her sons James and Vincent, both, allegedly, by suicide. What makes W-3 stand apart is Howland's unique vantage point as a patient under treatment at the mental health ward of a university hospital. Curiously, for a memoir, there is very little excavation of her inner turmoil and suffering. Rather, Howland takes a reporter-like interest in the idiosyncrasies of the people around her. Be it Trudy, sexually flamboyant and uncontained in her expressions, or Zelda, desperately keen to watch a documentary film on mental asylums, or the teenager Jeffrey, who wants to play basketball with donkeys, she taps into each inhabitant's peculiar voice and persona acutely. 'On W-3 you encountered the terrible force of generalization, and it had to be resisted, the self had to be exerted," she writes, explaining the motivation behind her mission. 'Anything to deny this grim, inner, collective state." To contemporary readers, the language and register of W-3 may feel uncomfortable. Howland's prose is shorn of the usual euphemisms of clinical psychiatry. She writes of an era when it was common to label people as 'mad", have such patients 'drugged to the eyes," put on severely restrictive diets or force feed them, and punished for their 'misbehaviours"—not that such practices have been fully obliterated by evolved medical treatments. Howland's experiences were deeply informed by the dynamics of race and gender in 1970s Chicago. Almost all of W-3 is populated by patients in the grip of severe depression, triggered by addiction, poverty and domestic violence. While black men and women pay a more exacting price than their relatively privileged, more educated, white counterparts, no one is immune to the injustices of the system. As Howland puts it, 'We were naked, undefended to the last, to the psychic undercurrents that circulated so freely among us." This shared sense of vulnerability is what gives the community its cohesive identity—it acts like a shield against the 'outer darkness" of the world before which they are all defenceless. Since Howland's fortuitous re-emergence in the public domain, critics and historians have speculated about the reasons behind her disappearance. Jacob, her son, had spoken about her compulsive perfectionism, the need to revise, edit and, most of the time, not publish her work for the eyes of the wider world. It may be hard to understand her behaviour at a time when personal branding, more than talent, has increasingly become the yardstick for literary success for writers. In the aftermath of the #MeToo movement, her relationship with Bellow has been questioned and critiqued (they first met when she was 24 and he was nearing 50), though the older writer's role in supporting her career can't be ignored. Bellow made a strong case for the fellowships that made Howland's writing career possible, published her early work, and sent it out to his network. Most of all, he was one of the key instigators behind the writing of W-3. When Howland was ill and bed-ridden in 1968, Bellow gave her some priceless advice. 'I think you ought to write, in bed, and make use of your happiness. I do it. Many do," he wrote to her. 'One should cook and eat one's misery. Chain it like a dog. Harness it like Niagara Falls to generate light and supply voltage for electric chairs." Half a century later, his words still feel like an antidote to those days when the world feels too much and the only remedy, whether you're a 'writer" or not, is to write your way out of the misery.

Raghav Chadha Hints At Good News On Kapil Sharmas Show, Leaves Wife Parineeti Chopra Stunned
Raghav Chadha Hints At Good News On Kapil Sharmas Show, Leaves Wife Parineeti Chopra Stunned

India.com

time8 minutes ago

  • India.com

Raghav Chadha Hints At Good News On Kapil Sharmas Show, Leaves Wife Parineeti Chopra Stunned

New Delhi: Bollywood actor Parineeti Chopra and her husband, politician Raghav Chadha, recently appeared on The Great Indian Kapil Show, where their presence lit up the episode with laughter, charm, and candid conversations. "Good News Jaldi Denge," Says Raghav Chadha During the lighthearted conversation, in the latest episode, with host Kapil Sharma, Raghav Chadha surprised fans by subtly hinting at the couple's future plans to start a family. When Kapil asked whether the couple is planning to expand their family, Raghav responded with a smile, 'Denge, aapko denge, good news jaldi denge.' (Translation: 'We will give good news very soon.') The camera then captured Parineeti's surprised reaction, prompting more teasing from Kapil, 'Good news aa raha hai kya? Laddoo batne lage kya?' ('Is the good news coming? Are sweets being distributed yet?') To this, Raghav replied with a chuckle, 'Denge, at some point.' ('Will give, at some point.') Also Read | Why Was Parineeti's Husband Raghav Chadha Barefoot On The Great Indian Kapil Show? Find Out Real Reason Parineeti Shares Behind-the-Scenes Moments Following the episode, Parineeti shared photos from the set on her Instagram. The pictures, showing the couple and Kapil laughing heartily, were captioned, 'This episode bringing out the crazy in us! Is the last one your fav too? Tonight at 8pm, on Netflix.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by @parineetichopra Not the First Time This isn't the first time the couple has been at the centre of pregnancy speculation. In 2024, Parineeti was spotted wearing loose-fitting clothes during a public outing, which led to online speculation about a possible pregnancy. Timeline of Their Relationship Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha got engaged on May 13, 2023, at Kapurthala House in New Delhi, in the presence of close family and political figures such as Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann. The couple tied the knot on September 24, 2023, in a grand ceremony at The Leela Palace in Udaipur, following intimate pre-wedding celebrations. FAQs Q1. When did Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha appear on The Great Indian Kapil Show? They appeared in a recent episode aired at 8 pm on Netflix. Q2. Did Raghav Chadha hint at starting a family? Yes, he jokingly hinted at "good news coming soon" during the show. Q3. Is Parineeti Chopra pregnant? While there have been speculations, official confirmation still awaits. Q4. When did Parineeti and Raghav get married? They tied the knot on September 24, 2023, in Udaipur.

The K-Beauty secret Gen Z can't get enough of
The K-Beauty secret Gen Z can't get enough of

Time of India

time20 minutes ago

  • Time of India

The K-Beauty secret Gen Z can't get enough of

Stray Kids' Hyunjin and IVEJang won young, as well as famous K-pop singers, are also diligent about skin care Try scrolling without seeing a glowy face or " glass skin " tag-it's nearly impossible. But this isn't just marketing sparkle; studies show it's about global pop icons blending lifestyle with skincare. According to Statista, 58% of global shoppers say K-pop and K-drama shape what they choose from Korea. For young adults, the craze feels personal, and that's no accident. Take Jang Wonyoung, the much-admired idol from IVE. She's famous not just for her stage talent, but for her signature hydration routine -multiple thin layers of essence and cream that build up a fresh, plumped look, all sealed with gentle patting. "Hydration is the core of my routine. I never skip sheet masks-sometimes even twice a day before shoots!" she revealed in an interview collected by Korea Cosmetic Newspaper. This "layering" approach is getting rave reviews from young fans for delivering real, lasting results. But she's not alone: Stray Kids' Hyunjin, another K-pop favorite, openly discusses how he manages sensitivity and breakouts. His go-to: calming, nature-based products like cica toner and green tea cleansers, always sealed by sunscreen. In a recent YouGov survey, 62% of Indian Gen Z say they pick routines that "look authentic and gentle," a trend Hyunjin helped fuel by posting his nighttime routine-proving that even without a glam squad, a K-pop-inspired ritual can be part self-care, part self-expression. It's no wonder Korean skincare is flying off shelves in India, with reports by KOTRA and Social Beat India confirming a sharp jump in K-Beauty's popularity, driven by idol-fueled trends-not just ads. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo What Makes K-Beauty So Addictive? Aloe, Tech, and the Idol Factor Ask anyone in their twenties: why all the K-Beauty hype? It comes down to real benefits, affordable prices, and-according to K-Beauty expert consultant Ms. Cho Hyee Jung-super gentle but innovative formulas. "K-Beauty products are winning over young Indians because their natural ingredients and advanced blends give that moisturized, healthy 'glass skin' look with zero irritation," she explains. Ms. Cho adds that the ritual itself feels like "a healing session," blending wellness with daily style. Numbers back this up. Cosrx India's survey finds 62% of Gen Z (18-26) are chasing "youthful confidence," with 96% buying skincare in the last 6 months. Key sellers stay below ₹1,200-about ₹1,200 for a full set, with deep sale prices even hitting ₹400. Compare that to global brands at ₹2,500 and up, and you see why so many K-beauty products sell out online. And while K-Beauty is famous for natural boosts-think aloe, green tea, hyaluronic acid-what really stands out is personalization. Korean brands now offer AI-powered skin analysis and AR try-ons, plus halal/vegan options. Some even customize formulas for Indian skin and climate, as per Vogue Business' latest report. Social Media, Idol Routines, and the Ultimate Fandom-Beauty Link Move over, influencer plug: K-pop idol recommendations are powering a new level of skincare chatter. In just two years, Social Beat India clocked 6.2 million posts about K-beauty and K-pop, with the 19-24 crowd at the heart. Launchmetrics data shows K-pop stars now drive nearly 60% of global beauty event buzz-sometimes clicking over ₹515 crore in media value, each event. The result? YouGov India reports a 22% spike in real purchases-all from fan trust in how Jang Wonyoung or Hyunjin "really care for their skin." Brands see this, too: K-pop idols have moved up to creative directors, even shaping new product releases based on their routines and feedback. More Than a Trend-Why K-Beauty Fits Your Vibe For millions of young Indians, copying a K-pop skin routine isn't about copying a star; it's about finding personal power, relaxation, and a sense of global connection. KOTRA says over 70.7% of K-content fans (ages 17-30) "genuinely consider Korean skincare when shopping". Ms. Cho notes that K-Beauty's rise isn't a quick trend, but a shift to "wellness, individuality, and a moment of self-care that genuinely feels good. " No matter your budget or your skin challenges, there's a K-pop-inspired routine or product that fits-and a generation finding joy and confidence, one sheet mask at a time. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !

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