Latest news with #WrexhamA.F.C.
NBC News
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Rob McElhenney defends name change in cheeky video
Rob McElhenney isn't making any apologies over his decision to change his name, but he is making a few jokes about it. The 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' star addressed the move amid reports he has filed paperwork to change his name. 'Yes, I'm shortening my name to Rob Mac,' he said in the July 1 clip he posted on X, confirming the news himself. 'Mostly a stage name, but I digress.' He then used his trademark humor to explain just what has gone into his decision. 'The amount of time that I have wasted trying to get people to either say or spell my name correctly is literally days of my life,' he said, as quick clips of others saying his name wrong played in the middle of him speaking, 'Trust me, I added it up. 'More importantly, it means thousands of you have had minutes of your life stolen by me because of my last name.' McElhenney playfully pointed out the false connection the family has to the moniker. 'Still, it's a family name,' he said. 'My grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and I all share it, and I love them and I want to stay connected. There's heritage. Except, it's not even really our f------ name." He then explained how different generations have changed the spelling of it. 'The current one was just given to my ancestor by a government official who decided that this was now the spelling,' he said, while also revealing his great-great-grandmother went by Bridget McIllhenny. McElhenney then dove into how ridiculous the whole matter is. 'Times have changed and most people already call me Rob Mac anyway,' he said. 'My family knows me and loves me regardless of how many syllables I have, and that's the only thing that I really care about. There are so many things going on in the world, and this is a silly one to continue to waste your time with.' McElhenney also said he's OK with whatever name people want to give him, using the actual first names of celebrities as their pictures appeared on the screen. 'Honestly, call me whatever you want: Marion, Jerome, Archibald, Eric, Maurice, Stephanie, Frances, Marvin, Gordon or Sam. But maybe we just keep it simple and try Rob Mac. Let's see how it goes,' he said. In May, McElhenney opened up about how he was mulling over a name change in the wake of his multimedia company, More Better Industries, adding to its global portfolio. 'As our business and our storytelling is expanding into other regions of the world and other languages in which my name is even harder to pronounce, I'm just going by Rob Mac,' he told Variety. The level of difficulty in pronouncing 'McElhenney' is old hat. In 2023, his friend and fellow co-owner of Wrexham A.F.C. soccer club, Ryan Reynolds, released a humorous video about how to say it. 'It's Mackle-Henney, it's Mackle-Henney,' Reynolds sang with a roster of guest stars, including McElhenney's wife, Kaitlin Olson, and Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce.
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Rob McElhenney reflects on Ryan Reynolds' ‘difficult and challenging' time during Justin Baldoni legal battle
Good friendship overcomes all things. 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' alum Rob McElhenney opened up about his tight bond with Ryan Reynolds and how he's supporting his 'Welcome to Wrexham' co-star and Blake Lively in their legal feud with Justin Baldoni. Addressing the controversy to Variety in a joint interview with his wife, actress Kaitlin Olson, McElhenney shared that they are doing their best to support their pals during this 'difficult and challenging' time. In November 2020, McElhenney and Reynolds bought the struggling Wrexham A.F.C., a Welsh professional football team in the United Kingdom. 11 Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney on the cover of Variety. Nino Muñoz for Variety 11 In the issue, Rob McElhenney spoke about his friendship with Ryan Reynolds and the ongoing 'It Ends With Us' legal battle. Nino Muñoz for Variety Within three years, the football enthusiasts have turned the English Football League team into a success story, garnering several promotions and a huge win last month that sent it to the Championship level. Wrexham A.F.C. is now just one step away from the coveted Premier League, a shock to all. However, not only did McElhenney and Reynolds bring the love for the football team back to life, but the boys have also helped revive the local community. The purchase of the team also opened another door for McElhenney and Reynolds, with the pair documenting the process of growing the football empire in their FX documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham.' 11 The pair bought the football club in 2020. AP 11 Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have helped the team to greatness. AP 11 Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds' 'Welcome to Wrexham' docuseries has earned them two Emmys. Action Images via Reuters The series, which premiered in August 2022, is currently airing its fourth Season 4 and has also earned them two Emmys. McElhenney's love for his friend Reynolds runs deep, and he shared that it hasn't changed despite the ongoing high-profile legal battle. 'It's just our way of staying connected and navigating something together,' he told Variety about lending support to the 'Deadpool' actor and Lively. 'And also me giving and showing as much support as I possibly can with all the other stuff that he's got going on, that I know is so difficult and challenging.' 11 Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively pose with Wrexham fan. Action Images via Reuters 11 Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney watch the game with Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively. Getty Images 11 Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds on 'Welcome to Wrexham.' The emotional assistance doesn't stop with McElhenney, either. 'We both are just trying to offer our support in any way that we can that doesn't just simply add oxygen to the fire,' McElhenney added, including his 'Always Sunny' co-star-turned-wife into the conversation. Lively has been in a legal war with Baldoni since December 2024, when she sued him and claimed he allegedly sexually harassed her on the set of 'It Ends With Us.' He denied the accusations and dragged Reynolds into the battle by countersuing the couple for $400 million. 11 Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attend the 'It Ends With Us' premiere in New York City. REUTERS Baldoni — who served as the director and Lively's love interest in the film — is suing for alleged civil extortion, defamation, false light invasion of privacy, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, intentional interference with contractual relations, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage and negligent interference with prospective economic advantage, according to the 179-page complaint obtained by The Post. In his countersuit, he also claimed that Reynolds and Taylor Swift allegedly pressured him to change the iconic rooftop scene in the movie, noting a pivotal meeting at Lively and Ryan's NYC penthouse that he alleged both the actor and superstar singer were present for. 11 Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively in 'It Ends With Us.' Christopher Peterson / 11 Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively in 'It Ends With Us.' ©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Baldoni also filed alleged text messages he claimed Lively sent post-meeting, in which she reportedly called her husband and Swift 'my dragons' while also referring to herself as Khaleesi from 'Game of Thrones.' The couple also denied the accusations. The 'Bad Blood' singer, who is the godmother of Lively and Reynolds' children, was recently subpoenaed as a witness by Baldoni's legal team, which has allegedly caused her to pump the brakes on her friendship with the 'Another Simple Favor' actress. 'Their friendship has halted,' a source told People on May 15, adding, 'Taylor wants no part in this drama.' In response to the subpoena, a Swift representative told The Post, 'Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film, she did not even see 'It Ends With Us' until weeks after its public release, and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024 headlining the biggest tour in history.' Baldoni and Lively's trial has been set for March 2026.
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
Blake Lively says this year has brought the 'highest highs and the lowest lows'
Blake Lively is reflecting on the rollercoaster year she's had so far. While speaking with Seth Meyers on "Late Night With Seth Meyers" Thursday night, the actress, who stars in the upcoming film " Another Simple Favor," touched on the lighter moments that she's experienced, including working on the highly anticipated film and moments with her family. She also briefly alluded to her ongoing legal battle with her former " It Ends With Us" co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. "Without going too into it, this year has been full of the highest highs and the lowest lows of my life," she began. She continued, "I see so many women around afraid to speak, especially right now afraid to share their experiences." "And fear is by design," she added. "It's what keeps us silent. But I also acknowledge that many people don't have the opportunity to speak. So I do feel fortunate that I've been able to. And it's the women who have had the ability to use their voice that's kept me strong and helped me in my belief and my fight for the world to be safer for women and girls." Lively's remarks were met with applause before Meyers turned the conversation to her husband Ryan Reynolds and his business partner Rob McElhenney, whose professional soccer team Wrexham A.F.C. recently notched a win over Charlton Athletic F.C., earning Wrexham a promotion to the Sky Bet Championship league. "It's unbelievable," Lively said, remarking on the promotion. Asked whether she enjoyed attending the team's games, she responded, "Oh my gosh, I love it so much. The community is, like, the most ferocious, protective, loving, often-drunk family you've ever had in your life ... My husband compares it -- he's like, 'It's like church, being here,' and I see what he means." Lively's public legal battle with Baldoni first began in December 2024, when the actress filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of the film. Baldoni has denied the allegations. Later that month, the two filed dueling lawsuits against each other, with Lively alleging in her lawsuit that Baldoni and key stakeholders of the film sexually harassed her and attempted, along with Baldoni's production company and his crisis PR company, The Agency Group PR, to orchestrate a smear campaign against her. Baldoni sued Lively, Reynolds, the couple's publicist Leslie Sloane, and Sloane's public relations company, Vision PR, for extortion and defamation, among other things. Read a complete breakdown of the legal saga here. In April, Lively honored female survivors of domestic violence and assault in a speech at the TIME100 Gala. She also specifically honored her mother, Willie Elain McAlpin, who she said is "a survivor of the worst crimes someone can commit against a woman." "I am here, my mom is here, because that woman not only survived, but she told others how," Lively said in her speech.
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and more step out for 'Another Simple Favor' premiere
Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and more stars attended the premiere of the highly anticipated film "Another Simple Favor" over the weekend. Lively posed for photos on the red carpet with her husband, co-star Anna Kendrick, director Paul Feig and more at the star-studded New York City premiere for the film, a sequel to 2018's "A Simple Favor," on Sunday. Lively wore a mint green caged corset with a flowing skirt while Reynolds wore a classic gray suit and tie. The red carpet saw a group of high-profile stars including Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Hugh Jackman and Shawn Levy. "The greatest cast in every way," Lively wrote in a post on her Instagram story. "I know how fortunate I am to know and work with each of these incredible people and artists." Along with Kendrick and Lively, the film stars Bashir Salahuddin, Michele Morrone, Alex Newell, Andrew Rannells, Aparna Nancherla, Kelly McCormack, Henry Golding and more. The movie's official Instagram account also shared a video of Reynolds snapping a photo of Lively and others on the red carpet. Kendrick and Lively reprise their roles as Stephanie and Emily in the new film, which revolves around an Italian wedding. "Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) reunite on the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily's extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman," a synopsis for the film reads. "Along with the glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP for a wedding with more twists and turns than the road from the Marina Grande to the Capri town square." Kendrick joined "Good Morning America" on Monday to discuss the making of the film. "I basically feel like Paul Feig, the director, just paid for the most glamorous, expensive vacation of my life. So, I love that for me," she joked. The New York City premiere was not Lively and Reynold's only stop this weekend: The couple also celebrated the promotion of Reynold's Wrexham A.F.C. soccer team to the EFL Championship, as the team clinched a historic win in Wales on Saturday. The red carpet appearance comes as Lively is embroiled in a legal battle with her former "It Ends With Us" co-star and director Justin Baldoni. For more information on the legal saga, click here.
CNN
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Ryan Reynolds celebrates Wrexham football club's historic promotion
Ryan Reynolds and his Wrexham A.F.C. family are celebrating the accomplishment of a major GOOOAAALLL. When Reynolds and 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' star Rob McElhenney took ownership of then-flailing football club Wrexham A.F.C. in 2021, the goal was always to bring the UK football club to the highest ranking league. On Saturday, they got one step closer to that goal when Wrexham beat Charlton Athletic, securing a promotion from League One to the Championship League next season, meaning the Welsh team needs just one more promotion to play in the elite Premier League. 'I remember the first press conference, we were asked what our goals were… and I think Rob jumped in with, 'The Premiere League,'' Reynolds, who attended the game with his wife Blake Lively, wrote on his Instagram page. 'People laughed. They had every right to. It seemed insane… But we weren't kidding.' This is the third time in a row the team has been promoted into a higher league. 'I feel at home here. It's a place that values community, decency and history,' he added. 'It isn't just a place with a history of ups and downs, it's also a FEELING. And a feeling is sometimes as good or better than a memory.' The 'Deadpool' star posted a series of photos and video, including a photo hugging McElhenney and another one embracing Lively. Lively also celebrated the team's win on her Instagram story on Saturday, acknowledging Wrexham's 'Back to Back to Back' wins and writing she will never forget 'the love and elation in that town today.' 'And to these two men, @robmcelhenney & @vancityreynolds the love and respect that pours out of you each and together exponentially grows and creates more joy, more possibilities, more magic, more history,' she added. McElhenney and Reynolds' docuseries 'Welcome to Wrexham' will debut its fourth season on May 15. The show follows the two actors on their quest to get their team promoted from the lower-level football leagues into more competitive and elite leagues, The series has won eight Emmys since it debuted in 2022.
