Latest news with #Natalie
Elle
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
Abby Elliott on the ‘Vanderpump Rules' Character that Inspired Her Feud Scene in ‘The Bear'
Spoilers below. If Carmen Berzatto ultimately decides to leave the restaurant from which FX's hit dramedy The Bear draws its name, fans are certain to riot—but Natalie 'Sugar' Berzatto will have done her job well. As the older sister to Jeremy Allen White's emotionally stunted chef Carmy, Natalie has spent her entire life looking out for her mother and brothers, gamely putting up with their 'bullshit,' as actress Abby Elliott puts it. But at the beginning of the newest season of The Bear, she's a new mother and an operations manager at a struggling restaurant—and, frankly, too exhausted not to be forthright. 'I think because she's exhausted, because she's a new mom, she's able to really express a little more to Carmy what she's feeling,' Elliott says. 'So she's telling Carmy, 'If you're not in love with [the restaurant business] anymore, that's okay.' And that may not have been something that she could have said before.' The scene Elliott is referencing takes place in episode 2, and is one of several moments that underscore season 4's focus on emotional release after the pressure-cooker pace of season 3. 'Catharsis: I feel like that is exactly what this season is,' Elliott says. As an actress, she found it increasingly difficult to separate herself from what Natalie was undergoing on-camera. 'I really, really feel all of her feelings, which is a new thing for me on TV shows. I go through the emotions of Natalie now and feel like I am living in it.' But, of course, Natalie's role isn't simply as The Bear's budget-minded brain or its emotional engine. Elliott's comedic background—she was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2008 to 2012, and has starred in several sitcoms since—goes a long way toward legitimizing the FX series' status as a bona fide comedy. A standout scene arrives during a much-hyped wedding showdown in episode 7, during which actress Brie Larson makes a guest-star appearance as Natalie's frenemy, Francie Fak. Elliott's inflections around phrases like, 'Francie Fucking Fak!' and 'You were drunk as shit!' make an otherwise overwhelming shouting match a treat to watch. 'Tonally, you really have to ground it and sell it,' Elliott says. 'It really is about playing everything super-grounded and real, trying to feel those feelings, to get to a place of, 'I'm fighting with her because I'm genuinely heartbroken by what she did.' And then trusting that it will be edited and directed in a way that feels [both funny and dramatic].' Below, Elliott discusses working with White on strengthening Carmy and Natalie's bond; how Vanderpump Rules inspired her performance with Larson; and what that crucial finale scene means for Natalie's future in The Bear. When we read [the scripts], it makes so much sense to us. And with Jeremy, our relationship has naturally evolved on-camera, and I feel closer to him now off-camera. I genuinely didn't know how [the scene in episode 2] was going to come out in the moment. I didn't know how emotional it would feel, and that's how [show creator] Chris Storer approaches everything: It's all really fresh and not overly rehearsed. And every time I'm [filming a scene] on the phone, there is an actor also on the [other side of the] phone. Jeremy was really on the phone with me, and Carmy's felt so different this time than the times that he's apologized in the past. Now that Carmy and Natalie are in this emotional place together and she says this thing, it almost feels like a seed she's planting. It brings him to a different place. And then we see her come into the restaurant with the baby, and his face lights up. The way it's shot is so light; the directorial choices were so beautiful in that moment. Everything's coming to light, literally and figuratively. Absolutely. I think, now more than ever, she needs support. She's a new mom, and she still has this very complicated relationship with [her mother] Donna. Them coming together and connecting in the labor episode [last season]? That wasn't really this reconciliation. She's still like, 'Fuck this' when her mom calls her. I think she knows she needs support now. And Pete is a huge part of that. He's the antithesis of how she grew up, and you see her being grateful for him. In the wedding episode, she's reassuring him that she wasn't in love with Francie; it's always been Pete. I love those moments with him, and I love the moments in bed where Nat and him are being affectionate. I think they're so important for Nat's character, to see her not just being walked on and giving too much of herself to Carmy and the restaurant. Chris Storer and I have been having conversations about this since season 2, when the concept of Francie first gets introduced. We were like, 'Who is she?' We talked about Stassi [Schroeder] from Vanderpump Rules. And we were like, 'I think she's kind of like Stassi.' Then, I think it was between seasons 2 and 3, I was at the L.A. Natural History Museum, and I saw Stassi. I was like, 'Oh my God.' I was so embarrassed because my kid was having a tantrum and her kid was so well-behaved, and [Storer] was like, 'This is perfect. This is so Natalie and Francie.' Another thing that Chris and I talked about: I was watching a reality show with all these women at this wedding in those Hill House nap dresses. And I was like, 'It'd be so funny if [Francie and Natalie] are going at each other in these Little-Bo-Peep pastel dresses.' So we tried to do that with the wardrobe in episode 7; she's wearing a headband and I'm wearing a headband. Everything's very cute, and then we're going into this dark drunken backstory. It was my favorite thing to shoot. That episode felt so much like My Best Friend's Wedding and The Wedding Singer and all of those kind of '90s/2000s movies that you watch and you're like, 'Oh, I wish I was at that wedding.' There was a scene in My Best Friend's Wedding, which takes place in Chicago, and [Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz] are in the bathroom at Wrigley Field. Cameron's wearing a little headband and she's in pastel, and she goes off on Julia's character. I kept watching that scene before [filming episode 7] to really get me into it. So much goes down at weddings. It's such a perfect backdrop for drama and comedy. And then when Brie stepped in, it made it all the more perfect. We really hit it off. I think we're pretty similar, and she's so funny. I love her. We were simpatico from the start, which was so much fun to play. And even though we do, sort of, find out [the source of Natalie and Francie's feud], it's still a little unclear! When I was in the scene and when I performed it, I just felt heartbreak for Carmy. I felt heartbreak that he couldn't bring himself in to Mikey's funeral, that he was there and he couldn't get himself to go in. But then I think Sugar's overcome with pride for how far he's come. In that moment, she wants him to be okay. That hug is a hug of support: I got you. I'm going to lift you up and get you to where you want to be. If we were to have that opportunity, I'd love to see her continue supporting Carmy—to have this relationship with him that is now in a good place, a loving place on both sides. I think that she's so capable. She has this healthy work-life balance where... Yes, she's ambitious, but she's not going to [drive herself to the brink] over this restaurant. This was never really her dream. She's here for her brother, to support him, and then she fell in love with it and loves the Bear family. She has her home life, which is very satisfying to her, but she also knows how to operate the restaurant. She knows what she's doing. I'd like to see her continue down that path. For entertainment purposes, I would love to see her with Donna. I'd love to see Donna coming over to babysit. And then having something happen. [Laughs.] This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders star stuns fans as hilarious flag spotted in Glastonbury crowd
EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy was left shocked after she spotted her own face on a flag in Glastonbury, and made fans laugh with her response to the creation online EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has left fans in stitches after discovering her own face flying over the crowds at Glastonbury Festival, even though she wasn't there in person. Natalie, 42, who plays Sonia Fowler in the long-running BBC soap, took to Instagram after spotting a festival-goer waving a giant flag with her EastEnders character emblazoned on it. The flag read "What doesn't kill you makes you Sonia", and there was a photo of Sonia Fowler pasted underneath the statement. Natalie shared a snap of the flag with her 531,000 Instagram followers, writing: "I will be watching from my living room all weekend but I'm there on a flag so life made. Whoever you are – thank you." Her post quickly sparked a wave of delighted reactions online. One fan commented: "Brilliant! What a moment for you Nat! We need to find who this is!!!" while another wrote: "Well isn't this the best thing on the internet today!!!!" A third chimed in saying: "I actually LOVE this," and one person even joked: "It should replace the Union Jack!" This was probably a welcomed moment of internet attention for Cassidy, who recently found herself forced to tackle a deeply upsetting online hoax. Last week the EastEnders star found a false claim circulating on Facebook that suggested she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The fake post claimed Cassidy had broken down in tears while revealing a secret cancer battle, and was accompanied by photos lifted from the EastEnders set. Natalie issued a furious statement on Instagram, calling the hoax "disgusting and disgraceful". She told followers: "THIS IS DISGUSTING AND DISGRACEFUL. So many people are going through this and I have had messages asking if I'm ok. It is completely made up and a terrible story. Take this down whoever you are." Fans and fellow celebrities rallied around Natalie, praising her for speaking out against misinformation online. The incident came just months after Cassidy's dramatic exit from EastEnders in April. Her character, Sonia, left Albert Square fashion after discovering that her partner Reiss Colwell was behind a murder she had been arrested for. When her name was cleared Sonia drove off with her sister Bianca and daughters Bex and baby Julia, leaving Walford behind for good. Although she is sadly now gone from the BBC soap, Natalie has been keeping herself busy with new TV projects, which have included hosting a consumer show for Channel 4 and filming a BBC documentary where she trains as a carer. Meanwhile, Glastonbury has been drawing huge crowds this week. Festival bosses were forced to shut down Woodsies tent after a secret set from New Zealand pop star Lorde caused overcrowding chaos. A source told The Mirror: "It's sweltering inside the tent given the amount of people crammed inside. Bosses are urging people to stand up off the floor to make room."
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Inside the high-tech AI fight against shoplifting epidemic as corner stores set for instant alerts
Now they're looking at AI security measures too SMILE, YOU'RE ON CCTV Inside the high-tech AI fight against shoplifting epidemic as corner stores set for instant alerts A SHOP owner has called on the Scottish Government to fund security systems of the future — to ensure local stores don't become a thing of the past. Crime stats reveal shoplifting exploded in 2024/25 — with a 16 per cent year-on-year rise and a 57 per cent jump since 2015. 4 Natalie and Martin Lightfoot who own the Londis in Bailleston, Glasgow. Credit: Supplied, 4 Corner shops and convenience stores are facing a theft epidemic Credit: Getty 4 Figures show there's been a 57 per cent rise in shoplifting since 2015 Credit: Alamy Meanwhile, figures released earlier this year by the Scottish Retail Consortium show one in six Scots have witnessed verbal or physical abuse of shop staff in the last 12 months. Natalie Lightfoot, 42, has run the Londis Solo Convenience in Baillieston, Glasgow, for 19 years. And she and hubby Martin have recently been forced to fork out on headsets and CCTV. Now they're looking at AI security measures too — after lobbying in the Scottish Parliament for increased protection via government grants for every independent shop. The businesswoman, who scooped £5,000 and a National Winners gong at Allwyn's first ever Local Retail Champions awards, said: 'I wanted to highlight that we can't keep going like this. It has been this way for years and we've endured a lot, but it's getting worse. 'I've been called names, people have threatened my life and I was broken into twice in 20 days when pregnant and ended up losing the baby. 'The thing is that 95 per cent of customers are wonderful. But I feel for people who don't have a bigger network of support around them. That's why I feel lucky to have got this award because otherwise I wouldn't be able to make these decisions that change our lives. 'I know people who have left the business because they can no longer keep going with the rise in crime. 'The Scottish Government has helped out with money before with grants for environmentally friendly refrigeration. 'But a contribution or percentage towards security would be key right now as it's a decision for a lot of people as to whether they want to keep running their stores.' THREE TIPS FOR CURBING LOSSES 1. MEET AND GREET Shoplifters assess how easy it is to steal from a shop by how soon after they enter they are spoken to by staff. It's 'the three-to-five second rule'. Greeting customers as they enter premises can put off shoplifters because it sends out a message you and staff are paying attention. 2. KEEP IT TIDY A clean and tidy outlet with clear visibility tells a thief that everything is shipshape – and that surveillance is also probably first class. Keep things security friendly, with uncluttered, wide aisles where possible, thereby making it extremely difficult for them to steal unnoticed. Ensure the exterior, grounds and building are also well maintained and clean. 3. DON'T BE ALONE Thieves target stores where there is only one worker. More eyes in the store means you're more likely to spot a thief. Natalie received the funding after being nominated for the award by customers for community work, such as organising fundraising events, litter-picking activities and providing home delivery for those in need. She used the money to get better CCTV and bought headsets for staff so they can communicate with each other when they spot shoplifters. AI is the next consideration. The £4,000 technology automatically warns thieves over a tannoy if it detects them stealing. As well as saving money by stopping shoplifters, Natalie thinks it's important that people realise the toll the abuse takes. 4 AI is the next step in the fightback against shoplifting Credit: Getty She said: 'As soon as a customer gets products — usually alcohol — in their hands, it's harder to get it off them. 'Technology allows us to intervene sooner. Shoplifters are ruthless and often it feeds into an addiction. But it's the abuse that comes alongside shoplifting. Recently over a weekend to Tuesday, we had shoplifting every day. 'We had somebody walk in, pick up a ten-pack of beer and try to walk out. Our staff had to physically block the door. 'I'm at the lower end of the shoplifting scale but am losing about £150 a week in retail value. We're at our wits end and money is literally walking out the door. It's about weighing up the cost of security versus what we lose. 'It's a conflict situation which makes staff anxious and they don't feel safe at work so I turnover staff more often. 'But if the security is better they feel safe and it's a better experience for our customers.' Natalie is working with community police officers, has been lobbying with the Scottish Grocers Federation and attended a cross-party group to talk about her experiences in retail crime — and urge more support. When someone steals, owners can email police the details and hope the suspect is caught. But she'd much rather the Holyrood Government stepped up to ensure local shops can afford the deterrents they need to keep staff safe and stores open. She said: 'We wish they would look at it from the perspective that everybody needs this help so they can benefit their area and be a community store in their own right.' Investment Minister Tom Arthur said: 'The Scottish Government is concerned by the significant harm and disruption caused by retail crime, which is why £3million has been made available this year for police to work with the retail sector to help tackle this issue.'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Huge Emmerdale episodes on the way as cast told to prepare for night shoots
Emmerdale's Natalie J Robb and Mike Parr teased some massive scenes on the way in the coming months, with cast on the ITV soap told to prepare for 'a lot of night shoots' There's huge scenes guaranteed on Emmerdale in the coming months, with one star teasing multiple night shoots have been advised. As the ITV soap prepares to film the big crossover with Coronation Street, set to air early 2026, cast members are about to find out who is involved and what happens. With filming and planning taking place months in advance, cast members on both soaps are soon to learn which characters will feature in the epic soap twist. Plenty of stars from both soaps are desperate to be involved, all hoping their characters will be present in the milestone episodes. While only one episode will feature the crossover, the impact will be felt for the entire week and then some. As the plans are finalised, cast members will soon prepare to film the big scenes and the storylines surrounding them. Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, Emmerdale's Moira Dingle actress Natalie J Robb shared her hopes to take part. Not only that, but she confirmed that huge episodes were guaranteed, as there were "a lot of night shoots" planned. With night shoots often come dramatic and blockbuster scenes. We do know there will be a massive stunt, so it's likely this is why the night filming has been agreed. Cast members will have to prepare for the big scenes, with Natalie hinting at what's ahead. She told us: "It is really exciting. It is the first time it has ever been done I think the audience will like it. We have to trust the writers. There is gonna be a lot night shoots." Natalie went on: "We don't know any of the stories or what characters are involved just yet, but I'm hoping to be part of it." Ross Barton actor Mike Parr then pointed out that some Emmerdale and Corrie actors have done both soaps. Referencing his co-star Oliver Farnworth who plays villain John Sugden, he joked about whether the Corrie characters would recognise him, or if John was still Oliver's Corrie character Andy. He said: "Is he still that character in that one or did he die? "There's so much room for what could happen and the ways it can go. I am so glad it's happening and everyone wants to be involved, but not everyone can be. It's exciting times but nobody knows anything yet." It comes as the pair also teased "danger" on the way following next week's arrival of new villain Ray. Mike said of actor Joe's casting: "I grew up watching that guy. One of my friends were also up for the part and I wanted to support him, but when I found out Joe had got it I knew he would be good. It's good, it's exciting." Natalie also had her say, before hinting that Moira's brother Mackenzie could be at risk. She told us: "He is good. It's all in the eyes. He's very menacing and very scary. There is going to be a lot of danger, but it's good. It's shaken it up a bit."
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
NASCAR driver Natalie Decker turns heads in stunning black bikini for 28th birthday bash
NASCAR driver Natalie Decker was partying it up with the sunshine and poolside over the weekend as she turned 28. She took to social media to document the festivities and the celebrations for the big day. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Decker, who is as known for her brash behavior outside of the track as on it, flashed some skin in a sizzling ensemble of a black bikini while celebrating a birthday with family, laughs, and love. Natalie Decker enjoyed a relaxed, sun-soaked celebration On Instagram, where the racing star enjoys a huge following, she posted a series of pictures and videos from her special day. Natalie, in the accompanying photo, appeared radiant poolside with her arms wide open. And her fans and followers couldn't believe their eyes as the beauty flaunted her fantastic figure in a plain black bikini that is as flattering as ever. Her caption read, 'Birthday Chronicles!! 28.' While undoubtedly glamorous, there was also a sense of tranquillity and joy to it; it was more than just a day of a photoshoot, and Natalie told of sipping tequila, espresso, and leisurely walks with loved ones. By sharing her daily moments, on the occasion of a birthday, she gave fans a portion of her personal life. Cherished time with family and a shift in priorities Natalie Decker's celebration this year meant so much more. Along with husband Derek Lemke, she gave birth to their first child, a baby boy, in February, Levi. After becoming a mom, Natalie eased out of racing full-time to put more time into family and help support Derek's racing. She has continued to work with their Super Late Model team in Wisconsin since her last competitive NASCAR outing in May. Days prior to that, she had a spa day with her mom, which she also posted about on her page. 'The best way to start my birthday celebration!': One of her stories read. It was a departure from the fast-paced life fans have come to know, and they thanked her for giving them a glimpse of her life in a more intimate, down-to-earth tone. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Also Read: Expanding her presence beyond racing That impact off the track also places Natalie in a different position, even with her step back from the track. She has made her mark on the entertainment and pop culture landscape by recently voicing a cameo character in the hit animated Netflix series, Big Mouth. From high-octane racer to devoted mom and social media personality, the evolution continues for the NASCAR driver. Turning 28 was not only a new age but a new chapter, as her life was now lived loud, proud, with intention, and unabashedly hers.
