Life & Style

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    Pakistan’s Got Talent performance sparks social media backlash

    Pakistan’s Got Talent, the Pakistani adaptation of the internationally recognised Got Talent franchise, has been attracting attention for showcasing performers with a wide variety of skills. The reality competition provides a platform for singers, dancers, musicians, comedians, magicians, acrobats, beatboxers and stunt performers from across the country. The first season features a judging panel consisting of Ali Zafar, Mehwish Hayat, Tabish Hashmi and Usman Bashir. The judges assess contestants on their creativity, stage presence and individual abilities as they compete for recognition on the national platform. A recent episode, however, sparked a heated debate on social media after contestant Yousha Hussain from Karachi delivered a bold belly dance performance. Yousha appeared on stage wearing feminine-style clothing, makeup and jewellery while performing to “Jey Deyo Ijazat Tey,” the OST of the Geo TV drama Shahrukh Ki Saaliyaan. The contestant’s appearance and performance quickly became a major talking point online. Viewers particularly discussed the styling and outfit, which some considered revealing, while others focused on the decision to feature the performance on mainstream television. Following the episode, several social media users criticised the programme’s producers and questioned whether such performances were appropriate for Pakistani television. Some viewers described the performance as an attempt to promote LGBTQ-related themes, while others expressed concerns about cultural and religious values. One social media user accused the programme of promoting an “LGBTQ agenda” and linked the performance to religious beliefs surrounding the punishment of the people of Lut. Another criticised the show for allegedly promoting LGBTQ themes and called the decision a “big shame.” Other comments similarly questioned whether the performance was intended to promote LGBT representation. Some users also criticised the style of belly dancing and the contestant’s clothing, arguing that the performance did not fit their understanding of Pakistani cultural and religious values. The controversy has consequently shifted attention away from the contestant’s dancing ability and towards a broader discussion about entertainment, personal expression, cultural expectations and the type of content presented on national television. While some viewers have strongly objected to the performance, the debate also highlights the increasingly intense reactions Pakistani television programmes can receive when performers challenge conventional expectations surrounding appearance, gender expression and stage performances.

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    Hayden Panettiere’s final words on motherhood and struggles

    Hayden Panettiere, the actress best known for portraying cheerleader Claire Bennet in the hit NBC science-fiction series Heroes, spoke openly about motherhood, postpartum depression and her personal struggles in one of her final interviews. Panettiere died on Sunday, August 16, at the age of 36, according to her father, Skip Panettiere. She was just days away from celebrating her 37th birthday. Her family has not disclosed an official cause of death and has requested privacy as they cope with the loss. Shortly before her death, Panettiere discussed her experiences as a mother in an interview with parenting outlet Momé magazine. During the conversation, she reflected on raising her daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, and the difficult circumstances surrounding the early years of her motherhood. Panettiere shares Kaya, who is now 11, with her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. The actress previously spoke about experiencing a traumatic birth and struggling with postpartum depression after welcoming her daughter. Those challenges had a lasting impact on her life and contributed to a period when she was unable to be with Kaya as much as she wanted. Despite those difficulties, Panettiere said her daughter had always remained a priority. She explained that she hoped Kaya would eventually understand her circumstances and the reasons she could not always be present during her childhood. “I’ve been able to put her first no matter how I’ve felt or what I’ve experienced,” Panettiere said during the interview. She added that one day her daughter would understand her story and why she had not been able to be with her all the time. The Nashville star also described herself as a work in progress and acknowledged that personal healing is an ongoing journey. She said she was taking life one day at a time while continuing to work on herself and do her best. Panettiere also used the interview to encourage other mothers facing emotional difficulties after childbirth. Offering reassurance to women who may be struggling during the early stages of parenthood, she reminded them that they were stronger than they might realise and encouraged them to believe that things would eventually improve. Panettiere leaves behind her daughter, Kaya, as well as her parents, Skip Panettiere and Lesley Vogel. Her final reflections on motherhood have added a deeply personal dimension to the tributes following her unexpected death.

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    Fiza Ali criticises Nimra Khan’s ex-husband over divorce comments

    Pakistani actress Fiza Ali has spoken out about the recent divorce involving actress Nimra Khan and her former husband, urging people to maintain respect and dignity even when a marriage comes to an end. Nimra Khan recently entered into her second marriage and shared pictures from the wedding celebrations with her new family on social media. However, the relationship reportedly faced difficulties soon after the marriage, with both sides eventually sharing posts on social media that fueled speculation about problems between them. The situation attracted further attention after Nimra Khan’s husband shared a social media message using the phrase “good riddance,” which many users interpreted as a sign that the couple had separated. He later expressed his best wishes for Nimra and confirmed that the marriage had ended. Fiza Ali has now reacted to his post and criticised the way the end of the relationship was presented publicly. The actress stressed that a man should continue to treat a woman with respect, even after their marriage has ended. According to Fiza, if someone feels relieved after getting divorced, it also raises questions about what was happening in their life before the separation. She suggested that the end of a marriage should not become an opportunity to publicly humiliate or disrespect the former partner. The actress also emphasised that a woman deserves respect even when she is no longer part of a man’s life. She pointed out that people eventually move forward, rebuild their lives and find happiness after difficult experiences. Fiza strongly objected to portraying divorce as a victory. She said that ending a relationship should not be treated as if someone has won a competition or received a trophy. In her view, a marriage may have ended, but that does not mean the dignity or worth of the woman involved has ended with it. Addressing Nimra directly, Fiza encouraged her to remain confident and hold her head high despite the breakdown of her marriage. She stressed that the end of a relationship does not reduce a woman’s value or importance. Her comments have sparked discussion on social media, with many people debating whether former spouses should publicly discuss their relationships after divorce. Fiza’s message, however, focused primarily on the importance of maintaining basic respect and avoiding language that could further hurt someone during an already difficult period. The actress’ remarks highlight a broader conversation about how celebrities and public figures handle personal relationships in the age of social media, where private disputes can quickly become public controversies.

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    Arij Fatyma reveals she is a cancer survivor, open…

      Pakistani-American content creator and former television actor Arij Fatyma has shared a deeply personal update with her followers, revealing that she is a cancer survivor and opening up about the major changes in her life since leaving the entertainment industry. In a recent Instagram post, Arij shared a selfie accompanied by an emotional message in which she introduced herself to new followers and offered a glimpse into her personal and professional journey. She explained that many new people from Pakistan and other parts of the world had recently started following her on social media. Taking the opportunity to reconnect with her audience, she decided to share more details about her background, career and life away from television. Arij revealed that she was born in North Carolina and has Pakistani-Indian and Iranian roots. She spent more than a decade living in Pakistan, where she established herself as a television actor and became familiar to audiences through several popular drama serials. After spending years working in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, Arij eventually moved back to the United States to begin a new chapter of her life and start a family. Speaking about her professional journey after leaving acting, the former actress revealed that she did not completely step away from the professional world. Instead, she transitioned into the corporate sector and worked as a social media director and account executive at a Fortune 500 company. She currently lives in Toledo, Ohio, where she describes her lifestyle as relatively suburban. She said her daily routine revolves around motherhood, her professional responsibilities, content creation and managing various aspects of her personal life. However, one of the most significant revelations in her post was about her health. Arij disclosed that she had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as choriocarcinoma. According to Arij, battling the disease fundamentally changed the way she viewed life. She described the experience as a difficult chapter that gave her a new perspective and made her appreciate life and the time she has been given. She revealed that she now lives with one ovary following her medical journey. Rather than focusing solely on what she lost during the difficult period, Arij said the experience left her with a greater sense of gratitude and appreciation for life. Her candid disclosure has given her followers a more personal understanding of the woman behind her social media content. She is now focusing primarily on lifestyle-related content and regularly shares aspects of her everyday life online. Although she has moved away from television acting, Arij remains remembered by Pakistani drama viewers for her performances in several popular projects. She appeared in dramas including Aap Ke Liye, Meri Beti and Aik Pal, which helped establish her presence in the Pakistani television industry. Her last major acting appearance came in the 2019 drama Hasad, which featured Minal Khan and Noor Hassan. Since then, Arij has taken a different direction, concentrating on her family, professional career and social media presence. Her latest revelation about surviving cancer adds another important chapter to her journey and reflects how her experiences have shaped her outlook on life. By sharing her story openly, Arij has also highlighted the importance of gratitude, resilience and appreciating everyday moments after overcoming difficult circumstances.

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    Hayden Panettiere dead at 36: Suicide or something else?

    The sudden death of US actress Hayden Panettiere at the age of 36 is being investigated by authorities, with suicide reportedly among the possibilities being considered. Panettiere, who became widely known for her roles in the television series Heroes and Nashville, died on Sunday, according to a statement issued by her family through her publicist. Her family has not disclosed a cause of death. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. Hollywood commentator Rob Shuter, citing law enforcement sources, reported that investigators are examining several possible explanations. Suicide is reportedly one of the possibilities being considered as part of the investigation. A senior law enforcement source was quoted as saying that investigators were looking at every possibility. The source also indicated that there were no immediate indications of foul play or suspicious circumstances. Authorities are waiting for the results of an autopsy before reaching any final conclusion about the cause of death. Investigators have stressed that no explanation should be treated as confirmed until the medical examiner completes the examination and issues an official determination. Panettiere’s death has shocked fans and colleagues in the entertainment industry. She had built a successful career in television and film and received nominations for major awards during her career. She was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and a Grammy Award during her time in the entertainment industry. The actress is survived by her daughter, Kaya, whom she shares with former fiancé and Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Panettiere had previously spoken about her daughter and her living arrangements. Kaya currently lives with Klitschko in Ukraine, according to comments Panettiere made earlier this year. The investigation into Panettiere’s death remains ongoing. Authorities have not officially classified her death as suicide, and the final cause will depend on the findings of the medical examiner and autopsy.

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    Princess Eugenie reveals daughter’s name honouring Queen Elizabeth II

    Princess Eugenie has revealed the name of her newborn daughter, paying tribute to members of her family and highlighting her connection to both British and Portuguese heritage. The royal announced the name on Monday, two weeks after welcoming her third child. Sharing a photograph of her newborn daughter on social media, Eugenie said her family had spent the past two weeks enjoying a special and peaceful period together. The princess revealed that her daughter has been named Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank. Eugenie said the name was chosen in honour of three people whom she and her family love and admire, including her great-grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. She said the family continues to hold her great-grandmother close to their hearts. The choice of Elizabeth as one of her daughter’s names is therefore seen as a personal tribute to the late monarch. Eugenie also explained that her daughter’s name reflects connections to English and Portuguese history. She said both places hold special importance for the family and are considered part of their lives. The arrival of the baby marks another major milestone for Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank. The couple already have two sons. Their eldest son, August, was born in February 2021. Their second son, Ernest, was born in June 2023. Eugenie said her two sons have already embraced their new role as older brothers. She described August and Ernest as the “best big brothers” to their newborn sister. The announcement gives the public its first details about the latest addition to Eugenie’s family after the birth was announced earlier this month. The choice of Adelaide Elizabeth Annina brings together several family and historical references. The inclusion of Elizabeth is particularly significant because of Eugenie’s close relationship with her late great-grandmother. Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022 after a reign of more than 70 years. She was a central figure in the lives of several generations of the British royal family. Eugenie has frequently spoken warmly about her family and the importance of maintaining close relationships with relatives. Her latest announcement continues that tradition while introducing a new generation of the family. With the arrival of Adelaide, Eugenie and Brooksbank are now parents to three children. Their eldest two sons are expected to play an important role in their younger sister’s early years. The announcement has also attracted attention because of the unusual combination of names and the historical links highlighted by Eugenie. For the family, however, the occasion remains primarily a personal celebration. Eugenie said the past two weeks had been filled with love and family time as they welcomed their daughter.

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    Selena Gomez rejects ‘baseless’ Wondermind fraud claims

    Selena Gomez has rejected allegations of fraud linked to Wondermind, the mental fitness company she co-founded with her mother, Mandy Teefey, and former business partner Daniella Pierson. The singer and actress responded after two companies, Wondermind SRS 44 LLC and Bespoke Wondermind LLC, filed a lawsuit against her and Teefey. The plaintiffs accused the company’s leadership of making false claims about Wondermind’s operations, management and available resources. Gomez and her legal adviser, Mathew S. Rosengart, strongly denied any wrongdoing. They described the allegations as baseless and said there was no factual or legal basis for claims that Gomez had participated in fraud. Her legal team said they intend to challenge the allegations in court and have filed a motion seeking dismissal of the claims against her. The lawsuit reportedly alleges that investors were led to believe Gomez would play an active role in Wondermind as its head of marketing. The plaintiffs also claimed that Gomez was bound by a contract to perform certain responsibilities but failed to fulfil them. According to the allegations, potential investors were told that Wondermind had a valuation of about $95 million and was seeking a $5 million investment. The plaintiffs also claimed that the company had discussed potential partnerships with major financial institutions, including J.P. Morgan and Fidelity. The lawsuit further alleges that Wondermind had promised to provide mental health and wellness services to employees and develop a new digital application as part of its business plans. Gomez launched Wondermind with Teefey and Pierson in 2021. The company later expanded its digital content and mental fitness platform in 2022. Gomez has now made it clear that she intends to defend herself against the allegations. Teefey has not publicly commented on the lawsuit so far.

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    Kylie Jenner enjoys dreamy birthday trip with Timothée

    Kylie Jenner has given fans a glimpse of her belated birthday celebration with actor Timothée Chalamet during a romantic getaway in Hawaii. The reality star, who recently turned 29, shared a series of pictures from the trip on Instagram. She had already celebrated her birthday with family and friends, but the Hawaii escape appeared to be a more private celebration with her boyfriend. One of the photos showed a coconut decorated with a birthday message for Kylie. She also shared a picture of herself wearing a colourful floral lei made with plumeria, roses and other flowers. Another post featured the picturesque Hawaiian beach. Kylie described the getaway as her “most magical” birthday trip, giving followers a glimpse of the tropical setting without revealing too many personal details. Chalamet did not appear directly in any of the pictures shared by Kylie. However, celebrity gossip reports claimed that the couple was spotted together in Hawaii. Kylie and Chalamet have been romantically linked since 2023. The pair have generally kept their relationship away from the spotlight while occasionally making public appearances together. Before travelling to Hawaii, Kylie celebrated her 29th birthday at a Princess Kitty-themed party attended by friends and family.

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    Hrithik Roshan and Saba Azad spark breakup rumours again

    Rumours surrounding Hrithik Roshan and Saba Azad’s relationship have resurfaced after a purported screenshot from the exclusive dating app Raya went viral on social media. The screenshot allegedly showed a profile featuring Hrithik’s photograph, age and Instagram handle. The bio reportedly described the person as an “Actor/Producer/Entrepreneur” based in Mumbai. Its sudden appearance online sparked widespread discussion, with social media users questioning whether Hrithik and Saba had ended their relationship. However, there has been no independent confirmation that the profile actually belongs to Hrithik Roshan or that the account is genuine and currently active. As a result, the dating-app screenshot remains unverified, despite generating considerable attention online. Amid the speculation, Hrithik and Saba were reportedly spotted together at PVR in Juhu, Mumbai. Their public appearance appeared to contradict the breakup rumours circulating online. The two were seen leaving the cinema together and reportedly walked hand-in-hand, giving the impression that they were still comfortable and close. The couple also appeared to have coordinated their outfits for the outing, with both wearing black T-shirts. Hrithik completed his casual look with a cap as they made their way out of the theatre. Hrithik and Saba have been romantically linked since 2021. Although they initially kept their relationship relatively private, the pair eventually began making joint public appearances. They officially drew wider attention as a couple after attending filmmaker Karan Johar’s 50th birthday celebration together. Since then, Hrithik and Saba have frequently been seen together at social gatherings, events and casual outings. Their relationship has continued to attract significant public interest, particularly because of Hrithik’s status as one of Bollywood’s most prominent actors. Before his relationship with Saba, Hrithik was married to Sussanne Khan. The couple tied the knot in 2000 and later welcomed two sons. Hrithik and Sussanne separated and eventually divorced in 2014, but they have maintained a cordial relationship and continued to co-parent their children. Saba has also developed a friendly connection with Sussanne and has been seen spending time with her and members of her family. Hrithik, meanwhile, shares a cordial relationship with Sussanne’s partner, actor Arslan Goni. Their modern family dynamic has often attracted positive attention from fans. The latest dating-app speculation has therefore remained unconfirmed, while Hrithik and Saba’s recent appearance together has seemingly eased concerns among their followers. Although neither has publicly addressed the latest rumours, their outing at Juhu PVR suggests that the speculation about a possible breakup may not reflect the current state of their relationship. For now, the alleged Raya profile remains unverified, and there is no confirmed indication that Hrithik and Saba have ended their relationship. Fans are likely to continue watching their public appearances for further clues, but any conclusions about their personal lives remain speculative until either of them chooses to comment publicly.

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    Deepika and Ranveer prepare to welcome second child

    Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are reportedly preparing to welcome their second child, with the couple keeping a relatively low profile as they enter another important chapter of their family life. While both actors have remained focused on their professional commitments, their recent appearance at the airport offered fans a rare glimpse of the family together. Deepika was recently spotted travelling to Bengaluru with her daughter, Dua. According to videos circulating online, Ranveer also accompanied his wife and daughter to the airport. The actor appeared to remain inside the car for most of the time and seemed keen to avoid attention from photographers. However, he was eventually seen in the footage as the family made their way through the airport. Deepika attracted attention with her relaxed travel look. She wore an oversized shirt with baggy denim jeans, keeping her outfit comfortable and casual. Her visible baby bump and pregnancy glow quickly became a talking point among fans, who were excited to catch a glimpse of the actress during her pregnancy. Ranveer, meanwhile, kept his appearance simple in a white T-shirt and glasses. The couple’s growing family is also believed to have influenced Ranveer’s upcoming work schedule. The actor is currently associated with the highly anticipated project Pralay, directed by Jai Mehta. The production was initially expected to include a lengthy shooting schedule in Australia. However, parts of the schedule are now reportedly being shifted to Mumbai. The change is said to be connected to both personal and production-related considerations. With Deepika expecting their second child, Ranveer is reportedly keen to remain close to his family during this significant period. At the same time, the production has reportedly encountered difficulties in obtaining permissions for certain Australian filming locations. Moving portions of the shoot to Mumbai could therefore make the production process more manageable while allowing Ranveer to stay closer to home. Since welcoming their daughter Dua, Deepika and Ranveer have generally kept their family life away from excessive public attention. Their latest airport appearance was therefore welcomed by fans, who were quick to share clips and discuss the couple’s preparations for the arrival of their second baby. On the professional front, Deepika is set to appear in King, while Ranveer continues his work on Pralay. The actor is reportedly trying to maintain a balance between his demanding career and his responsibilities as a husband and father. With the arrival of their second child approaching, family is expected to remain an important priority for both stars in the coming months.