Life & Style

Hollywood star Brad Pitt has spoken publicly for the first time about several of his children choosing to remove “Pitt” from their surnames, saying he understands their decision as the family continues to deal with the fallout of his long-running split from ex-wife Angelina Jolie. His remarks came after weeks of renewed attention surrounding the legal name changes of several of the couple’s children. The issue resurfaced after Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, 18, filed a petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court to legally change her name to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie, citing “personal” reasons. She joins siblings Shiloh, Zahara and Maddox, who have either legally dropped or publicly stopped using the Pitt surname in recent years. According to reports, Pitt addressed the matter during a recent press interaction, acknowledging his children’s choice and expressing support despite the emotional toll it has taken on him. “I understand,” Pitt said when asked about the surname changes. He added, “And if they don’t want it, neither do I.” The Oscar-winning actor continued, “I want them to know that I stand with them as they bravely turn the page on the hell I put them through.” The remarks marked the first time Pitt has publicly commented on the issue since multiple children moved to distance themselves from his surname. Sources present at the event said the actor appeared emotional while discussing the situation. Pitt reportedly admitted it was painful to realise that some of his children no longer wished to be associated with his name. Reflecting on their decision, he said, “So when they decide that being associated with me is just an unacceptable way to live the rest of their lives.” Despite his disappointment, Pitt stressed that he respected their choice. “That’s what being a dad’s all about,” he said, adding that he offered his “100%” support to Shiloh, Zahara, Maddox and Vivienne as they move forward with their decisions. Pitt and Jolie finalised their divorce in December 2024, ending years of legal proceedings that began after Jolie filed for divorce in 2016. Since then, reports have consistently described a strained relationship between Pitt and several of the couple’s six children. The family rift has often been linked to an alleged altercation aboard a private plane in 2016, after which Jolie initiated divorce proceedings. While the actor had largely remained silent on the matter, reports suggested he had intentionally kept his distance from the public discussion to avoid escalating tensions within the family. On the same day his comments emerged, Pitt was photographed spending time with his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon, in Carmel Highlands, California. The couple, who have reportedly been together since November 2022, appeared relaxed during the outing despite continued public interest in Pitt’s relationship with his children. The surname changes continue to attract widespread attention, reflecting the ongoing estrangement within one of Hollywood’s most closely watched families. Pitt’s latest remarks suggest he is choosing acceptance over confrontation as his children make deeply personal decisions about their identities.

An unreleased demo recorded by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin during his early attempts to write a James Bond theme song is set to go under the hammer, offering fans a rare glimpse into one of the band’s long-running ambitions. The recording, believed to be around 27 years old, has never been officially released or publicly heard. According to auction details published by Wax Poetics, the cassette features Martin performing an acoustic version of The World Is Not Enough, a song reportedly written with the hope of becoming the theme for the 1999 James Bond film of the same name starring Pierce Brosnan. However, the demo was never submitted to the filmmakers and remained in private archives for more than two decades. The recording is being described as an unreleased, unheard cassette, making it a significant collector’s item for both Coldplay fans and James Bond memorabilia enthusiasts. As of publication, bidding for the rare demo had reached $1,000, with expectations that interest could increase before the auction closes. Martin has previously spoken about Coldplay’s repeated attempts to secure a Bond theme song. During an interview with NME in 2021, the singer revealed that the band had spent years trying to write music suitable for the iconic film franchise. “We kept trying to write one for 20 years, but never submitted them,” Martin said. Reflecting on those efforts, he added with characteristic humour, “We have Bond themes for about five movies, but they’re not very good, to be honest.” Martin also joked that Coldplay’s musical style may never have been the right fit for the world-famous spy. Speaking about James Bond’s personality, he said, “I don’t know if we’re spiritually on the same trip as James… He’d be like, ‘That’s not what I’m into at all, fellas. I like guns and sh*t.’” The Bond demo forms part of a much larger collection of early Coldplay recordings assembled by British producer Chris Allison, who worked with the band during their formative years on the The Blue Room EP before they achieved global fame. The archive includes several rare recordings, such as original DAT mixes, alternate versions of early tracks and a previously unheard version of We Never Change, providing a fascinating look at Coldplay’s musical development before the release of their debut album. Collectors believe the auction could attract strong interest because it combines two globally recognised names—Coldplay and the James Bond franchise. Unreleased recordings connected to either have historically generated considerable attention among music enthusiasts. Although Coldplay never recorded an official Bond theme, Martin’s comments over the years have shown that contributing to the franchise remained a long-standing dream for the band. The newly surfaced cassette offers fans a chance to hear one of those early attempts and provides a unique piece of Coldplay history that has remained hidden for nearly three decades. 

Fans of Sadie Sink may have finally received an answer about her mysterious role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, after musician Steve Lacy appeared to accidentally reveal a major detail during the film’s red-carpet premiere. The moment quickly went viral online, with Marvel fans speculating that Sink could be portraying Jean Grey, one of the most iconic characters from the X-Men universe. Marvel Studios has kept Sink’s role under wraps since her casting was announced, fuelling months of fan theories. The actress, best known for her performances in Stranger Things and The Whale, has not publicly commented on her character, while the studio has also remained silent. However, during Monday’s premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Steve Lacy, who contributed the song oh yeah? to the film’s soundtrack, appeared to let the secret slip while speaking to reporters on the red carpet. When asked which character he was most excited for audiences to see, Lacy replied, “You know, what? Jean.” He then added, “I like Jean. She’s the villain but there’s a reason to her madness.” (Geo News) The interviewer appeared surprised by the answer and immediately asked whether Lacy had just spoiled Sadie Sink’s role in the film. Rather than clarifying his remarks, the musician simply responded, “I like her. I like her character. I don’t know why.” Although Lacy never directly mentioned Sink’s name, many fans interpreted his reference to Jean as confirmation that the actress is playing Jean Grey, the powerful mutant from Marvel’s X-Men comics. The possibility has been widely discussed online since Sink joined the cast earlier this year. The apparent revelation quickly spread across social media platform X, where users reacted with humour and disbelief. Many joked that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige would not be pleased with the accidental disclosure. One fan wrote, “The cameraman witnessing Feige beating the shit out of Steve Lacy in the back.” Another commented, “Bro was asked to answer without spoiling anything and failed in under 5 seconds.” A third user argued that the surprise had already become difficult to keep secret, writing, “It’s a spoiler, but at the same time it’s not because who doesn’t know the Jean Grey in the movie. They did a terrible job keeping the secret under wraps.” Another fan joked, “Kevin Feige will be coming for him.” Neither Marvel Studios nor Sony Pictures has commented on Lacy’s remarks, and Sink has also remained silent regarding the speculation. Until the filmmakers officially confirm the casting, fans will have to wait to see whether the musician genuinely revealed one of the movie’s biggest secrets or whether his comments were misunderstood. Spider-Man: Brand New Day, starring Tom Holland and Zendaya, is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on 31 July 2026. With excitement already running high ahead of its release, Lacy’s comments have only intensified speculation about how the Marvel Cinematic Universe may introduce the X-Men through Sadie Sink’s mysterious character.

Hollywood actress Zendaya has revealed the one quality she most admires about her husband, Tom Holland, saying she wishes she could learn from his ability to stand up for himself and set clear personal boundaries. The actress made the comments during the promotional tour for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, where the couple reflected on their relationship and working together. Speaking during the interview, the Dune star explained that Holland’s greatest strength has nothing to do with his acting career or public image. Instead, she said she is impressed by the way he consistently prioritises respect and kindness while also knowing when to draw the line. Beginning her answer, Zendaya said, “Something I am always impressed with Tom about, which I feel like I want to inherit more of, but he’s very…” Before she could finish, Holland jokingly interrupted, saying, “Awesome? Legendary? Talented?” His playful response prompted laughter before Zendaya explained what she really meant. She continued, “You’re a big stickler for respect and kindness. Not to say that I’m not doing that, but you just make sure that is in the front.” Zendaya went on to explain that Holland is much better than she is at setting firm boundaries whenever someone crosses the line. “And then if that line is crossed, I think sometimes he’s better at drawing boundaries and making things clear. And I’m a little bit more like, okay, guys, it’s all right, everything’s all right.” Praising her husband further, the actress added, “You’re good at being like, no, no, this is, we’re not doing this. You’re good at setting the boundaries when they need to be set. Really clearly, really strong.” Zendaya also highlighted Holland’s protective nature, saying it is one of the qualities she values most in him. “So I like that you have, you know what you feel is right for yourself, and you do it, and for others you’re very protective in that way,” she said. Clearly touched by his wife’s heartfelt praise, Holland responded simply, “Thank you. I appreciate that.” According to the report, Zendaya believes Holland has a natural ability to remain calm while confidently standing his ground whenever necessary. She said his willingness to protect both himself and the people he cares about is something she deeply admires. One example of that protective instinct took place on 24 October 2024 in New York City, when the couple was leaving an event at the Nine Orchard Hotel. As photographers and fans crowded around Zendaya, she became separated from Holland in the middle of the large group. Witnesses recalled that Holland quickly made his way through the crowd and asked people to give his wife space. During the incident, he was heard saying, “No, no, no, give her some room,” before taking Zendaya’s hand and guiding her safely away from the crowd. The interview has been warmly received by fans, who praised the couple’s openness and mutual respect. Many also applauded Zendaya for highlighting Holland’s character rather than his fame, describing their conversation as another example of the supportive relationship the two stars have continued to display both on and off screen.

BTS member Jungkook has addressed fans directly after a series of privacy violations left him visibly frustrated, drawing a clear line between genuine fan support and behaviour that crosses into rudeness and disrespect. During a live session on Weverse, Jungkook spoke candidly about an incident that had clearly bothered him. He described going into a bakery to simply buy bread when a fan shoved a camera directly into his face without warning or permission. “Taking pictures together isn’t a problem, but I went in to get some bread and there was someone who shoved a camera in my face. That’s not good manners,” he said, adding plainly that this kind of behaviour was “kind of rude.” It was not an angry outburst. It was a measured and direct appeal from someone who has consistently tried to maintain a warm relationship with his fanbase while also asking to be treated like a human being rather than a subject for content creation. This is not the first time Jungkook has raised these concerns. He has previously spoken about fans showing up near his home, sending unsolicited deliveries and tracking his private movements and whereabouts. Each time, he has responded with patience and directness, asking people to reconsider whether what they were doing was genuinely supportive or simply intrusive. The latest comments come at a significant moment for BTS as a group. The band is currently preparing for its highly anticipated group comeback, with all members having completed or in the process of completing their mandatory military service in South Korea. Fans have been eagerly watching every update, which may partly explain the heightened intensity of interest in the members’ private lives during this period. But for Jungkook, that context does not change the basic principle he was articulating. The response from the BTS ARMY was largely supportive. Many fans took to social media to echo his message, encouraging other supporters to engage with the group’s work in ways that did not involve crossing personal boundaries. The conversations that followed touched on a broader tension that exists within large, dedicated fanbases, where the line between admiration and intrusion can blur, sometimes without the fan even realising it. Jungkook’s willingness to address the issue directly, on his own terms, in a live conversation with fans rather than through a formal statement, reflects a specific kind of relationship he has always tried to maintain. He speaks to his audience honestly and without pretence, which is precisely why the message landed the way it did. Respecting a public figure’s private moments is not a complicated ask. When someone is simply trying to buy bread, the most supportive thing a fan can do is let them.

Ariana Grande has taken legal action against those responsible for years of music leaks, filing a lawsuit against two unidentified individuals she alleges hacked into the private digital accounts of photographers and producers within her inner circle and walked away with hundreds of unreleased songs, behind-the-scenes photographs, and private video and audio recordings from her creative process. The complaint, filed on Monday, July 27, paints a picture of sustained and deliberate theft that stretches back years. According to the filing, the stolen material was never intended for public consumption and was subsequently sold on the dark web, turning the private moments of Grande’s creative life into a commodity traded without her knowledge or consent. The scale of what was taken is considerable. “In 2023 alone, 45 unreleased songs belonging to Ms. Grande were hacked, stolen, and leaked by Defendants,” the complaint alleged. “Since her music debut in 2011, hundreds of similar leaks have taken place.” The cumulative picture that emerges is of an artist who has spent over a decade watching work she had not chosen to release being stripped from her and shared with the world on someone else’s timeline. Grande is also asking the court to assist in identifying the individuals behind the alleged cyberattacks, suggesting that the full extent of who is responsible remains under investigation. A source close to the singer framed the lawsuit in terms that extended beyond her own situation. “The lawsuit is intended to serve as a deterrent against future acts of this nature, not only targeting Ariana, but also the many artists who have faced similar invasions of their privacy and theft of their creative work,” the source told People magazine. “Artists deserve the right to control how and when their art is shared with the world. The unlawful theft and distribution of creative work undermines that right and should not be tolerated.” The lawsuit carries a particular irony given what Grande herself said publicly years before it became reality. While promoting Eternal Sunshine on the Zach Sang Show, she had reacted to the viral leak of Fantasize with a warning that now sounds entirely prophetic. “We were, before I left for Wicked, a few studio sessions that I did which are all over TikTok, thank you so much, I’ll see you in jail. Literally,” she had said. She described the leaked material as having been written for a separate television project and was unambiguous about her feelings toward those responsible. “These pirates, crooks, illegal!” she said. For Grande, the filing of this lawsuit is a statement that the theft of an artist’s creative work is not a victimless act. It is an invasion, and she intends to hold those responsible accountable for it.

Arooj Aurangzeb is a name that carries real weight in Pakistan’s student activism circles. In 2019, she went viral after a video of her reciting a powerful poem during the student solidarity march spread rapidly across social media. She was protesting alongside thousands of other students who were demanding the restoration of student unions and proper political representation for young people within the country’s institutions. The videos from that movement were electric, emotional and widely shared, including hers. Seven years later, she is back in the public conversation, but this time it is not because of a protest. It is because of a contradiction she says she can no longer stay quiet about. When Indian students began protesting over the NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar, demanding justice and systemic reform in the country’s examination system, Pakistani social media users responded with visible enthusiasm. Support poured in from across the border, with many Pakistanis praising the Indian Gen Z for their courage, awareness and refusal to be silent. Arooj Aurangzeb watched that wave of support and felt something shift inside her. She took to social media to point out what she saw as a glaring and painful inconsistency. While Pakistanis were celebrating the Indian protesters and calling their movement inspiring, many of those same people had ridiculed, trolled and dismissed her and her fellow students when they took to the streets in 2019 for exactly the same kind of systemic change. She did not hold back. She highlighted the irony directly, asking how the same people who mocked Pakistani students fighting for their rights could turn around and feel so moved by Indian Gen Z doing the same thing. Her post was not framed as anti-India. It was framed as a question about selective empathy and the way Pakistanis sometimes extend more admiration to voices from abroad than to those speaking up at home. The internet did not respond with silence. Reactions were divided and sharp. Some users sided with her immediately. “We never stand by our own heroes,” one person wrote, capturing the frustration that Arooj was articulating. Others pushed back, with one commenter arguing that the dynamics of Indian and Pakistani Gen Z are completely different and that direct comparisons were unfair. Another raised a pointed question of their own, asking why so many Pakistani revolutionaries eventually leave the country on foreign visas, a remark that suggested the critique went both ways. Arooj Aurangzeb’s voice in 2019 was a reminder that young Pakistanis were willing to stand up and demand something better. Her voice in 2026 is a reminder that those same young people are still watching, still paying attention, and still asking why the recognition they deserved then continues to be denied while admiration flows so freely elsewhere.