Robert Downey Jr rejects idea of influencers as future stars
Robert Downey Jr. has criticised the idea that social media influencers will become the “stars of the future,” calling the claim “absolute horseshit,” according to Variety. Speaking on the Conversations for our Daughters podcast, the Iron Man star said digital platforms make it easier to gain celebrity without traditional creative work, though he did not see it as entirely negative.
He argued that young people should aim to “make, build, and educate” themselves rather than focus solely on influencer fame, which he described as self-promotional. Downey also compared some influencer behaviour to “Evangelical hucksters of the information age,” while acknowledging the evolving digital landscape.
Despite his criticism, he said many influencers he has met are grounded individuals and noted his own limited engagement with social media. He also reflected on his son briefly exploring influencer-style content. (ANI)
Priyanka Chopra, Orlando Bloom team up for Reset
Priyanka Chopra Jonas will star with Orlando Bloom in the survival thriller Reset, directed by Matt Smukler. The film begins production in August. It follows Chopra Jonas as a woman who wakes in a remote wilderness with no memory of how she got there and must rely on a stranger, played by Bloom, whose intentions are unclear. The story focuses on survival, trust and psychological tension. Smukler said the casting was chosen for the actors’ ability to portray both attraction and mistrust. The film is backed by multiple production houses, including Chopra Jonas’s Purple Pebble Pictures and Bloom’s Amazing Owl.
Chopra Jonas continues her Hollywood run, with recent and upcoming projects including Citadel, The Bluff, and Varanasi. (PTI)
Blake Lively shares couple selfie after lawsuit settlement
Blake Lively shared a relaxed selfie with her husband Ryan Reynolds on Instagram after settling her legal dispute related to the film It Ends with Us. The post, also shared by Reynolds to his large following, came shortly after Lively resolved a lawsuit involving co-actor Justin Baldoni and his company Wayfarer Studios.
Lively had accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during the production of the 2024 film, with additional claims of retaliation. The case was heading to trial in New York on May 18 but was settled just weeks before proceedings.
A joint statement from both parties said they were proud of the film and hoped the agreement would bring closure, stressing the importance of safe workplaces. Lively also recently attended the Met Gala alone, marking a return to public appearances. (IANS)
Dave Chappelle says media misread his transgender jokes
Dave Chappelle has said that media coverage often misrepresents his comedy, particularly his jokes about transgender issues. Speaking on the IMO podcast, he rejected the idea that his work is in conflict with any community, arguing instead that comedy reflects broader cultural negotiations and differing viewpoints.
Chappelle said comedy clubs include diverse voices, including transgender performers, and that comedians openly debate ideas without trying to silence each other. He added that journalists often misunderstand jokes when translating them into written form, stressing that comedy depends on timing, tone and context.
He urged audiences to allow a “margin of error” in comedy, saying artistic work naturally involves interpretation and risk. Chappelle is scheduled to perform at the Hollywood Palladium during Netflix’s comedy festival. (IANS)
