## Alexa Demie Is Not Done With Hollywood

Let's set the record straight: Alexa Demie has no plans to walk away from acting. For anyone puzzled by why that statement even needs to be made about a 35-year-old actress riding the wave of one of television's most talked-about final seasons, the answer lies deep in the more obsessive corners of Euphoria's online fandom.

Since Season 3 began airing, a persistent rumor has been making the rounds suggesting that Demie plans to exit the entertainment industry once the show concludes. The origin of this theory? An anonymous social media user who stripped all context from a 2020 episode of The A24 Podcast and recirculated it as breaking news. In that original conversation with The Curse actor Nathan Fielder, Demie had opened up about a difficult stretch early in her career — a time when she felt the best roles were consistently going to white actresses, and when she questioned whether Hollywood had genuine room for Latina talent. That candid moment of vulnerability was transformed, without her knowledge, into viral speculation about her retirement.

Demie, who deliberately steers clear of her own press coverage, was entirely unaware the rumors had taken on a life of their own. When the topic came up during a recent conversation, her first instinct was characteristically playful. "Should we just ride with it?" she suggested with a mischievous smile.

## Early Frustrations With an Exclusive Industry

But behind the humor lies a genuinely painful chapter. In her early twenties — long before Euphoria made her a household name — Demie found herself sitting in a casting office not far from where she now casually meets for coffee, in Los Angeles' Larchmont neighborhood. She picked up a character breakdown for a lead role that included a lengthy list of acceptable ethnic backgrounds. Hispanic heritage was conspicuously absent from every line.

"I was reading it, and it really hit me — and I kept having that experience," says Demie, who is half white but maintains a deep connection to her Mexican roots. "I was sick of going into those rooms. And this was during that time when you're young and every few months you're just like, 'I'm quitting, I'm quitting.' But knowing me, I never would have quit. I'm more of the energy of like, 'No, I'm going to show you I can do it.'}"

That defiant spirit has defined her trajectory ever since.

## Hollywood's Most Elusive Star

The retirement whispers are, in many ways, a byproduct of Demie's deliberately low public profile — a choice that has made her one of the most intriguing figures in contemporary entertainment. Despite being a breakout presence since Euphoria's debut in 2019, largely due to the fierce, magnetic energy she channels into the role of Maddy Perez, Demie has given very few interviews. Most of her early press appearances were contractually required during the show's first season. By the time she stepped onto the red carpet for the highly anticipated Season 3 premiere, many fans were seeing her in public for the first time in years.

Euphoria creator Sam Levinson describes her mystique as entirely authentic. "There's an air of mystery to her, and you never feel like she's playing a game with it. It's just natural, and she also has a great sense of humor about it," he says. Pop star Rosalía, both a close friend and Season 3 co-star, describes Demie's presence in even more vivid terms: "She has the cleanest, brightest aura in all of Hollywood." So committed is Demie to maintaining that energy that she brought her own personal healer to her THR cover shoot to cleanse the space ahead of filming.

## Roots in the Shadow of the Hollywood Sign

Demie grew up in Atwater Village, a Los Angeles neighborhood close enough to Hollywood to see the famous sign but far enough removed that the industry felt like a distant, almost mythological world. "I saw the sign right there," she says, gesturing northward from their diner booth. "And I knew that was the place where shit went down, and it felt close, but nobody in my family had any idea about it."

She was raised primarily by her mother, a MAC Cosmetics makeup artist who sometimes used her daughter as a demonstration subject during master classes. Demie attended John Marshall High School in Los Feliz, where she participated in drama and dance, but says the realities of a professional acting career were never once discussed. What she did have from an early age was an entrepreneurial hunger. At just 12 years old, she was working the reception desk at her aunt's dental office, managing phone calls with a headset she adored and filing paperwork she absolutely did not.

After high school, a brief exploratory trip to New York City to visit colleges ended with a self-aware conclusion. "I had the best two weeks of my life, but I realized, 'I'm going to party too much in New York, so I need to stay in L.A.'" she recalls with a laugh.

## An Accidental Career That Became a Calling

For several years after high school, Demie cycled through a range of jobs — barista at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, retail at American Apparel, a stint assisting a stylist, and even a period designing sunglasses. Around 2015, a friend invited her to appear in his short film. When it was released, he reported back that people kept asking about "the girl in the movie" and encouraged her to seriously consider acting as a profession.

"He was like, 'There are people in the business who want to meet you,'" she recalls. "Something started spinning and I was like, 'Maybe there's something here.'" She threw herself into learning the craft, reading books on acting theory and spending hours watching vintage YouTube footage of Marlon Brando working with his coach.

Her first manager — whose identity she can barely recall, though the woman recently reached out to congratulate her — arranged for her to study with respected acting coach Lesly Kahn in preparation for her earliest major opportunity: a biopic about drug lord Griselda Blanco, in which Demie was slated to play a younger version of the title character. The project collapsed before it got off the ground.

Small but meaningful roles followed — a part in the indie comedy Brigsby Bear, guest appearances on Ray Donovan and The OA, and a memorable turn in Jonah Hill's 2018 directorial debut Mid 90s. Yet Demie still felt she hadn't quite arrived. "Have I done it now? I don't know. But Euphoria came next and everything felt different," she reflects.

## The Audition That Almost Didn't Happen

Euphoria marked the first project Demie genuinely, desperately wanted. Director Augustine Frizzell, who helmed the pilot, remembered Demie from a previous audition and passed the script along. Demie was immediately captivated — particularly by the carefully curated music selections that Levinson had woven into the text.

In an unexpected twist, she initially auditioned for the role of Rue, the show's troubled protagonist ultimately played by Zendaya. The session with Levinson and Frizzell was polite but gave nothing away. Demie left feeling deflated and linked up with a musician friend. "I was being so dramatic, like, 'This is the end of everything, my life's over,'" she says, laughing at the memory. "He was like, 'Let's let that out on the track.' We started recording, and halfway through I got a call saying, 'They want you back for Maddy.'}"

Levinson says he knew immediately that Demie was the right person for Maddy Perez — the queen bee of fictional East Highland High, longtime best friend to Sydney Sweeney's Cassie, and the volatile on-again, off-again girlfriend of star quarterback Nate, played by Jacob Elordi. The problem was convincing the network.

"HBO didn't think she was right for the part, because they had imagined a blond cheerleader," Levinson reveals. Recognizing the implicit bias at play, he pulled Demie aside before her callback. Noticing she'd planned to wear something red, he warned her off it. "I knew that the execs would immediately think, 'Oh, she's too Latin.' So I told her, 'Don't wear anything red,' to soften up what I knew would be their initial perception."

## The Room Where She Demanded to Be Seen

The network arranged a side-by-side audition — Demie reading against the blonde actress they were also seriously considering. For Levinson, it was as much a test of HBO's vision as it was of the performers. "There have been a couple of moments in my career where I know an actor is right for something, and I think to myself, 'If we can't get on the same page about this, then we're not making the same show,'" he says.

The final callback was a full showcase in front of producers and network executives. Demie was the only candidate still competing against a single remaining contender. The scene selected for the audition was drawn from the show's fourth episode — a carnival sequence in which Maddy, criticized by her boyfriend Nate for her appearance in front of his skeptical white parents, fires back with scorched-earth fury, calling his mother a profanity and upending the family's prize-winning chili.

"I was like Joan of Arc," Demie says. "At that point it wasn't about getting the show anymore, it was about going into that room and being seen." She delivered every line with locked eye contact directed at every single person in the room. By the time she pulled out of the studio parking lot, her phone rang with the news that the part was hers.

## No Resentment, Only Resolve

Demie never directly confronted anyone at HBO about what had unfolded behind the scenes. The day after her triumphant audition, the network invited her in for a general meeting to express how much they valued her — a gesture she received with quiet amusement.

She holds no personal grudges over the experience. "The system is telling you what it needs to be, and what things need to look like. It's been operating this way for so long, and people are going off of what they were taught. I feel no resentment," she says.

What she does carry forward is the conviction that showing up fully — refusing to shrink, refusing to disappear — is the most powerful statement any actor can make. Retirement, clearly, was never part of the plan.

Alexa Demie opens up about retirement rumors, industry bias against Latina actresses, and the intense Euphoria audition that won her the role of Maddy Perez.

Alexa Demie on Retirement Rumors and Euphoria Audition

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Alexa Demie Speaks Out: Retirement Rumors, Racing Against Typecasting, and Life Beyond Euphoria

## An Emmy on the Shelf, a Phone That Won't Ring

Winning an Emmy is supposed to change everything. For Jeff Hiller, it changed the quality of his murders — but not much else.

The veteran character actor, best known for his deeply human three-season run on HBO's indie gem *Somebody Somewhere*, took home the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor last year in what felt like a long-overdue moment of industry recognition. He followed it with a string of memorable guest appearances on some of television's most talked-about shows. And yet, as of 2026, his phone has gone eerily quiet.

"I haven't worked in 2026 at all, and that's scary," Hiller admits with a laugh that barely masks the frustration. "Like, 'But I have an Emmy — I don't get to work now?'"

## Thirty Years of Ebbs and Flows

Hiller's road to that Emmy podium was anything but a straight line. Nearly two decades ago, he auditioned for the role of Kenneth Parcell — the relentlessly cheerful NBC page on *30 Rock* — a part that was ultimately written for and given to Jack McBrayer. Hiller never seriously expected to land it, but what came next gave him something arguably more valuable than the role itself.

"Tina Fey called me back and said, 'You've got really good timing,'" he recalls. "That kept me going for several years."

Fey eventually cast him as a hotel clerk in the show's third season, and in a move that almost never happens in television, brought him back later as an entirely different character — a flight attendant — without requiring him to audition. For Hiller, that kind of unsolicited offer was almost unheard of.

"That had never happened in my entire career and has only occurred two or three times since," he says. "It made me feel incredibly proud."

A longtime alumnus of the Upright Citizens Brigade, Hiller spent years making the most of small but memorable appearances across shows like *Broad City*, *Ugly Betty*, *Crazy Ex-Girlfriend*, and *American Horror Story*. But it wasn't until *Somebody Somewhere* that he finally secured his first regular television role — and the performance of a lifetime.

## The Role That Redefined Him

*Somebody Somewhere*, HBO's quiet, emotionally rich comedy set in small-town Kansas, gave Hiller the space to do something rare on television: build a fully realized, nuanced character over multiple seasons. His portrayal was so resonant that even before any awards attention arrived, he knew the work mattered.

"After our first season, when no one really had heard of the show, I still thought, 'I don't care — I get to be on that set,'" he says.

When the Emmy win finally came, the industry took notice — at least in ways that were immediately visible. His role on CBS's *Elsbeth*, for instance, was upgraded thanks to his new status.

"I had originally been offered the role of the Not Murderer," he says with a grin. "Then when I won the Emmy, I got the Murderer role." That promotion placed him in remarkable company among the show's Season 3 killers, which included Dianne Wiest, Patti LuPone, J. Smith-Cameron, Julia Fox, and Steve Buscemi.

"I murdered someone with a curling iron," he says cheerfully.

## A Standout Turn on *Pluribus*

Of all his recent guest appearances, none has generated more buzz than his role on Vince Gilligan's acclaimed new series *Pluribus*. Hiller plays Larry, a warmly disarming biker who is part of a Hive Mind collective — and whose scenes opposite Rhea Seehorn rank among the season's most quietly affecting television moments.

In the episode, Seehorn's character Carol summons Larry not only to ask his thoughts on her writing, but also to access the preserved opinions of her deceased wife, who exists within the Hive's shared consciousness. Larry's responses are oddly oblique, which leads Carol to a pivotal realization: the Hive is incapable of lying to her. Hiller brings a tender, carefully calibrated sensitivity to the role that elevates what could have been a purely expository scene.

He landed the part largely because one of Gilligan's staff members was already a *Somebody Somewhere* devotee. "He saw my audition and said, 'Oh, I like this guy!'" Hiller recalls.

Preparation, however, required some creative gap-filling. He was initially given only the vague direction that he should play the scene "like you are her father talking to her about her dead mother" — hardly a precise roadmap for navigating alien Hive mythology. Seehorn, despite an exhausting shooting schedule, generously stepped in to help.

"She doesn't get many days off — she's in virtually every scene — so her free time is precious," Hiller says. "But she invited me over and we rehearsed together."

He was also, it turned out, completely unaware of one of the Hive's more unusual characteristics. "I didn't know that they eat bones," he says.

When the show began airing and the cultural conversation exploded around it, Hiller found himself almost surprised by his own participation. "I kept forgetting I was even in it," he laughs. "Then I thought, 'Wait — I'm in episode four. I can't believe I'm part of a zeitgeist moment.'"

## Hollywood's Brutal New Math

Despite the high-profile bookings and Emmy hardware, Hiller is candid about the reality facing working actors in today's industry landscape. A wave of studio mergers, budget contractions, and shifting content strategies has thinned the market considerably — even for those with gold statues on their mantelpiece.

"It's a rough time," he says plainly. "It's not like business is booming. It's disheartening."

He admits that after winning the Emmy, he fully expected a new series deal to materialize quickly. That has not happened. Instead, he continues to navigate the guest-star circuit — a realm he's excelled in for decades and has no shame in claiming as his own.

"I'm a really good guest star," he says with characteristic self-awareness. "I wear what you want me to wear, I sit where you want me to sit, I don't ask questions, and I take direction very well."

He is also currently recurring on *Widow's Bay*, Apple TV+'s horror-comedy that has been gaining traction with both critics and audiences, playing one of the detached staffers in the mayor's office. The role came through his friendship with creator Katie Dippold — another reminder of how much UCB connections have shaped his career.

"I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't started at UCB," he says. "I guess I'd just be unemployed."

## Qualified for the Quiet Moments

For an actor who has spent three decades riding the unpredictable tides of a career in entertainment, the current dry spell is familiar territory — even if the stakes feel higher now.

"I'm uniquely qualified for the slow periods because I've spent 30 years learning how to handle the ebbs and the flows," Hiller says.

And at least the roles, when they do come, have evolved. The hotel clerk has become the curling-iron murderer. The overlooked character actor has become an Emmy winner navigating an industry that still doesn't quite know what to do with him — but can't seem to stop calling him in when the right part comes along.

That, for Jeff Hiller, might just be enough to keep going.

Jeff Hiller won an Emmy and guest-starred on hit shows, yet remains jobless in 2026. He opens up about Hollywood's brutal new reality for working actors.

Emmy Winner Jeff Hiller Can't Find Work in 2026

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Emmy Winner Jeff Hiller Is Everywhere on TV — Yet Can't Find His Next Job

## Creativity as Survival: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe Opens Up About Prison Life

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian charity worker who spent nearly six years detained in an Iranian political prison, has spoken candidly about how sewing became a powerful source of hope and psychological refuge during one of the darkest periods of her life.

Addressing a captivated audience at the prestigious Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, she described how creative expression offered something no prison wall could entirely suppress — a sense of freedom.

"When your freedom is restricted — whether you are in prison, in my case, or stuck in a conflict, you're in hospital, there is illness, there is some sort of injustice — creativity creates a form of quick psychological exit for you," she told the crowd. "It mentally allows you to escape the place you are in."

## From Liberty Fabrics to a Prison Cell

Zaghari-Ratcliffe was first arrested by Iranian authorities in April 2016 and held as a political detainee, effectively used as a diplomatic bargaining chip to exert pressure on the British government. During her years of confinement, she discovered an unexpected passion: needlework and garment-making.

She admitted that before her imprisonment, she had never considered herself a capable seamstress. Her mother had always kept her sewing machine off-limits, something Zaghari-Ratcliffe now jokes about with her family. It was only behind bars that she truly found her footing with fabric and thread.

Before her arrest, she had accumulated a collection of fine textiles from the iconic London department store Liberty, but had always considered them far too precious to cut into. Prison, remarkably, changed her perspective.

"I had a stash I had kept for a special occasion and my mindset changed when I was inside," she explained. "It was the Liberty name — we had a place where we had no liberty."

### Getting Fabric Behind Bars

Securing permission to bring fabrics into the facility was no straightforward task. Textiles were generally prohibited, and Zaghari-Ratcliffe had to obtain special written authorisation to have them sent in. Her husband Richard worked tirelessly to ensure her beloved Liberty fabrics reached her.

Once they arrived, she chose to share them with her fellow inmates. "Everyone wanted to have a piece of liberty that they didn't have," she said. The single, ageing industrial sewing machine available in the prison was placed under her supervision, and she used it to stitch garments for the other women around her.

## Making Dresses for a Daughter She Could Barely Hold

Perhaps the most poignant thread running through Zaghari-Ratcliffe's story is her relationship with her daughter Gabriella, who was just 22 months old when her mother was detained.

From the moment Gabriella was born, Zaghari-Ratcliffe had dreamed of sewing matching mother-daughter dresses. In prison, that dream took on a bittersweet reality.

"I did make matching dresses and I would send them, and she would come to visit me wearing them," she recalled. "But in Iran I couldn't wear them because you have to cover. We could never wear them together."

During Gabriella's weekly visits — before the young girl had to return to the UK to begin school in 2019 — the two also shared creative moments together, making origami and crafting tote bags side by side.

### A Sense of Identity Through Craft

Zaghari-Ratcliffe reflected on how crafting served a deeper purpose for the women around her, helping them maintain a sense of self in an environment designed to strip it away.

"In prison, everything is just basic. But people would still find ways to beautify themselves and hold on to their identity," she said. "People would be creative to make every little thing we would throw away into something to put on themselves."

For her, sewing offered a mental journey — a "sense of travel to the world they might be in one day or the world they used to be in."

## Sewing as a Refuge Even After Release

Even now, years after her release in 2022, the sewing machine remains Zaghari-Ratcliffe's sanctuary during times of acute stress. When news broke of US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February, she woke in the early hours, anxiously called her mother in Tehran to confirm her family was safe, and then turned instinctively to her craft.

"I sat at the sewing machine. It reminded me of the time I was in prison in a way," she said. "There was a lot going on around us, but we had to do something to take us out of that space. I spent five days doing nothing else — the only thing I could do was sew. That was my safe space."

Communication with her family in Iran during those tense weeks was difficult, restricted to brief landline calls from unknown numbers — painfully reminiscent, she noted, of her years in detention. Her sister drew the same comparison.

"It was really sad to think that even though I am free, there are still things that remind her of that time," Zaghari-Ratcliffe said quietly.

## A Full Circle Moment with Liberty London

In a touching postscript to her story, Liberty London reached out to Zaghari-Ratcliffe following her release. The iconic retailer had named fabric collections after both her and her daughter Gabriella — a gesture that brought her journey from a prison cell stocked with smuggled Liberty textiles to a remarkable and deeply symbolic conclusion.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe opened up at Hay Festival about how sewing and creativity helped her survive nearly six years in an Iranian prison.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: Sewing Was My Prison Lifeline

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How Sewing Became Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's Lifeline Behind Iranian Prison Walls

## What Is 'Fricy' — And Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

Food lovers have always been drawn to unexpected flavor combinations. Whether it's the satisfying crunch of salt and pepper chicken, the guilty pleasure of dunking fries into a milkshake, or the classic pairing of peanut butter and jam, there's something deeply satisfying about flavors that shouldn't work together — but absolutely do.

Now, a bold new culinary trend is emerging ahead of summer 2026, and it goes by the name **'fricy'** — a portmanteau of 'fruity' and 'spicy.' Food websites are already championing it as the next big thing, and social media platforms are beginning to catch on.

## What Exactly Is Fricy Food?

At its core, fricy is the art of combining refreshing, sweet fruit with the intense heat of spices like chilli or jalapeño. Food publications are already rolling out recipes that pair rhubarb with chillies, combine pineapple with jalapeño peppers, and even serve steak alongside spicy strawberries.

The result is a flavor experience that delivers both sweetness and heat simultaneously — a combination that feels fresh and exciting, even though it's far from new.

### A Flavor Tradition Rooted in Culture

While 'fricy' may sound like a modern invention, the blending of fruit and spice has been a cornerstone of traditional cooking in countries like **Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand, and Sri Lanka** for centuries. What's new is simply the catchy label and the viral momentum building around it in Western food culture.

## The Science Behind the Trend

There's more to fricy food than just taste — there's actual food science supporting why the combination works so well. Food scientist **Brittany Towers**, speaking to *Business Insider*, explained that the natural sugars found in fruit have the ability to neutralize and soften the heat generated by spicy ingredients like chilli. This makes fricy dishes surprisingly accessible, even for people who typically shy away from anything too hot.

In other words, the sweetness of the fruit acts as a natural buffer, creating a more balanced and enjoyable heat experience.

## Fricy's Rise on Social Media

While the hashtag **#fricy** hasn't gone fully viral just yet, its presence is growing steadily across TikTok and Instagram. One standout example is the **mangonada**, a beloved Mexican drink made with mango, chilli, and other ingredients. This vibrant, flavor-packed beverage has already accumulated more than **47,000 posts on TikTok**, with users eagerly sharing their reactions to the fricy taste.

Spicy fruit bowls are another fricy staple gaining attention online. A popular street food across Vietnam and Mexico, these bowls typically feature fruits like mango and pineapple generously coated in chilli-based spices — simple, colorful, and packed with bold flavor.

## Why Food Trends Explode Online

Food has a uniquely powerful pull on social media. With over **one billion food-related posts on TikTok alone**, the platform has enormous influence over what people choose to eat and explore. Bold, eye-catching content — including clickbait-style headlines like *"You HAVE to try this fricy dish!"* — drives curiosity and engagement, encouraging users to click, watch, and eventually taste.

Visual appeal plays a massive role in this process. Consider **ube**, the vivid purple Filipino yam that became a social media sensation in 2026 after appearing in coffee shop chains. Its striking color made it instantly shareable and irresistible to the curious.

Fricy food carries similar visual power. The mangonada, with its bold palette of yellows, oranges, reds, and deep browns, is practically made for an Instagram feed. And unlike a single trending dish, fricy represents an entire flavor philosophy — meaning whole menus could be built around the concept.

## The Influencer Effect

As with any emerging trend, influencers hold significant power over how quickly fricy food reaches mainstream audiences. A single post from a creator with a large, engaged following could catapult the trend into viral territory overnight. It's also worth noting that brands standing to benefit from increased interest in fruit and spice products may actively invest in influencer partnerships to accelerate that growth.

Once a trend becomes established and familiar, consumer hesitation tends to drop — making it far more likely that everyday people will reach for a fricy snack without a second thought.

## Will the Algorithm Bring Fricy to You?

Whether fricy food appears in your social media feed largely depends on your existing interests. If food content is already part of your online world, there's a strong chance algorithms have already begun serving you fricy-related posts. If your feed leans more toward sports or fashion, the trend may currently exist only within dedicated foodie communities — though as momentum builds, that's unlikely to last.

One thing seems certain: fricy is a trend worth watching. As summer 2026 approaches, don't be surprised if sweet heat starts showing up on menus, in your grocery store, and all over your social media feed.

Discover 'fricy' — the fruity and spicy food trend taking over social media in 2026. Here's what it is, why it works, and where it came from.

Fricy: The Sweet and Spicy Food Trend of Summer 2026

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Fricy: The Sweet and Spicy Food Trend Set to Dominate Summer 2026

## SXSW London Is Back — And It's Bigger on Ideas Than Ever

The second edition of SXSW London is gearing up to deliver a dynamic blend of forward-thinking discussions, meaningful connections, and the kind of boundary-pushing conversations that have long defined the South by Southwest brand. From artificial intelligence to robotics and the increasingly talked-about concept of technofeudalism, this year's event promises to be a hotbed of intellectual exchange for creators, innovators, and industry leaders alike.

## A Unique Fusion of Two Cultural Powerhouses

According to Chief Programming Officer Katy Arnander, what makes SXSW London truly distinctive is its ability to honor the founding spirit of the original Austin festival while infusing it with something unmistakably British. That "London twist" — a blend of the city's renowned creative scene, diverse talent pool, and sharp cultural sensibility — gives this edition a personality all its own.

Rather than simply transplanting the American formula onto European soil, the organizers have worked deliberately to craft an experience that feels locally resonant while remaining globally relevant.

## Networking With Purpose

Beyond the headline topics, SXSW London places a strong emphasis on human connection. Attendees can expect robust networking opportunities designed to spark genuine professional relationships rather than transactional exchanges. Whether you're an emerging entrepreneur or a seasoned executive, the event's format encourages organic dialogue across disciplines and industries.

### Mentorship at the Forefront

One of the standout features Arnander highlights is the event's expanded mentoring program. This initiative connects rising talent with experienced professionals, offering attendees access to guidance that can genuinely shape career trajectories. It reflects a broader mission: making SXSW London not just a place to listen, but a place to grow.

## The Big Conversations: AI, Robots, and Technofeudalism

The thematic lineup for this year's event reads like a roadmap of the issues defining our era. Artificial intelligence continues to dominate global discourse, and SXSW London offers a dedicated space to interrogate its implications — ethical, economic, and cultural. Robotics, too, takes a prominent place in the programming, reflecting the accelerating pace of automation across industries.

Perhaps most provocatively, the concept of technofeudalism — the idea that big tech platforms have created new digital hierarchies reminiscent of feudal power structures — is poised to generate some of the event's most compelling debates. It's a topic that bridges technology, politics, and everyday life in ways that few other frameworks can.

## Why SXSW London Matters

Now firmly established as a fixture on the European events calendar, SXSW London represents more than just a festival — it's a cultural moment. By combining the intellectual rigor of its Austin roots with the vibrant, cosmopolitan energy of one of the world's great cities, it has carved out a unique space for the conversations that matter most right now.

SXSW London returns for its second edition with bold talks on AI, robotics, and technofeudalism, plus networking and mentorship opportunities across the city.

SXSW London 2025: AI, Robots and Technofeudalism

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SXSW London Returns: AI, Robotics, and Technofeudalism Take Center Stage

The TV cook offers gardening tips and tells young people to "work hard and follow your dreams".

Share Save Add as preferred on Google Eleri Griffiths BBC Wales Adam Tatton-Reid/Hay Festival Speaking at Hay Festival, Dame Mary Berry spoke all about her first gardening book, My Gardening Life Dame Mary Berry says her love of gardening began in childhood during wartime, when she was often unable to leave the house.

The TV cook and former Great British Bake Off judge, who was born in Bath, has released her first gardening book, My Gardening Life.

Speaking at Hay Festival with comedian and former host of The Great British Bake Off, Mel Giedroyc, Dame Mary recalled picking strawberries with her father and playing in the garden as a child.

She also revealed she "failed every subject at school" and authored the book with the help of a writer.

Dame Mary, 91, recalled how, during wartime, her father grew practical crops such as potatoes, sweet peas and celery to feed the family.

She said she had her own small patch where she grew radishes and lettuce, while learning the importance of patience for gardening.

"When I was little it was wartime - you didn't have theme parks and we couldn't actually go to the park in parts of the war because we weren't allowed out of the garden," she said.

"We enjoyed the garden and since then I've always enjoyed the outdoors.

"To me the garden is a sanctuary. The first thing I do when I get home is open the back door, the dogs follow me out and I check whether my husband has done the watering and if not, I'll do it."

Dame Mary said her first garden as a married woman was at a home on Farmer Street in Notting Hill, west London.

Although they loved the house, she recalled the garden being small and in "total shade".

"I planted all my favourite plants and nothing happened," she said.

Dame Mary later moved with her husband and two sons to the countryside in Penn, Buckinghamshire, where she was finally able to develop her gardening skills.

"We thoroughly enjoyed it and I really started to learn about gardening," she said.

Her home, Watercroft, featured a 3.5-acre garden that was part of the National Garden Scheme for 10 years, allowing visitors to explore it.

After her children left home, the couple downsized to their current property in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire, near their family.

Their garden now includes a greenhouse, a pond, hedges, raised beds and plenty of roses, with some of the design inspired by fellow gardener and author Alan Titchmarsh.

"It's sensible to grow what you eat," Dame Mary said, revealing they currently grow red onions, lettuce and carrots.

Dame Mary described gardening as "all a learning curve" and said careful planning was key, although she acknowledged she has had a gardener helping one day a week for the past 32 years.

Sharing her gardening tips, she advised people to test their soil, study where the sun falls in their garden, understand the best placement for plants and keep a list of flowers and plants they like before researching them properly.

Dame Mary also said her two spaniels had been trained to stay off the lawn and flower beds.

"I love my dogs, but I get very angry if they go on the flower beds."

She added that gardening and cooking "go very well together" and described spending time outdoors as "so good" for mental wellbeing.

Asked about the key to a happy life, she said: "To be kind."

Her advice to young people was to "follow your dreams, work hard and take every opportunity you can", especially during school holidays to gain experience and strengthen a CV.

"I love what I do, so why would I retire?" she added.

The TV cook offers gardening tips and tells young people to "work hard and follow your dreams".

Dame Mary Berry on her love of gardening and why she has no 

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Dame Mary Berry on her love of gardening and why she has no plans to retire

## Gotham TV Awards Set to Celebrate 'Love Story' Ensemble Cast

The cast of Ryan Murphy's highly anticipated limited series *Love Story* is poised to receive a special ensemble tribute at the upcoming Gotham TV Awards, according to exclusive reports.

### A Series Rooted in Tragic Real-Life History

The limited series chronicles the widely followed and deeply compelling relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr., portrayed by Paul Anthony Kelly, and Carolyn Bessette, played by Sarah Pidgeon. The story traces the couple's high-profile romance and marriage, capturing the intense media scrutiny and personal dynamics that defined their lives in the public eye.

The narrative ultimately leads to the heartbreaking conclusion that gripped the nation — the fatal plane crash that claimed the lives of both John and Carolyn, as well as Carolyn's sister Lauren Bessette, portrayed in the series by Sydney Lemmon.

### A Star-Studded Cast Earns Recognition

The ensemble tribute from the Gotham TV Awards reflects the critical attention the series has drawn, particularly for its emotionally nuanced performances. Ryan Murphy, known for his work on ambitious and story-driven television projects, brings his signature storytelling approach to this deeply personal chapter of American history.

The Gotham TV Awards honor outstanding achievements in independent and boundary-pushing television, making this recognition a meaningful milestone for the *Love Story* cast and creative team alike.

Ryan Murphy's Love Story cast is set to receive a special ensemble tribute at the Gotham TV Awards for their portrayal of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.

Gotham TV Awards to Honor Love Story Cast With Ensemble Trib

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Gotham TV Awards to Honor 'Love Story' Cast With Special Ensemble Recognition

## Spider-Noir Brings a Dark Twist to the Spider-Man Universe

When most people picture the world's most iconic web-slinger, they imagine a vivid red and blue suit swinging through a sun-drenched city skyline. Spider-Noir throws all of that out the window — and replaces it with shadows, mystery, and a 1930s New York underworld dripping in noir atmosphere.

The new live-action Prime Video series is based on the Marvel comic *Spider-Man Noir* and follows Ben Reilly, a battle-worn private investigator navigating a city full of secrets and moral ambiguity. The role is brought to life by none other than Nicolas Cage, lending the character a gritty, weathered credibility.

## A Unique Viewing Choice: Colour or Black and White?

One of the most talked-about features of Spider-Noir is its dual viewing format. Unlike virtually any other streaming series available today, viewers can choose to watch the show either in full colour or classic black and white — a deliberate creative decision designed to honour the film noir tradition that dominated Hollywood throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

That golden era of cinema was defined by its moody lighting, deep shadows, and morally complex storytelling. Spider-Noir appears to channel that spirit directly.

Karen Rodriguez, who portrays Janet, Ben Reilly's devoted secretary, believes the black-and-white format does far more than simply look stylish. She argues it actively strengthens the narrative.

### "Who's in the Shadows, Who's in the Light?"

"We're playing with good and bad, heroes and villains," Rodriguez explained. "This kind of world feels dark, and anybody could walk in at any point. There's mystery to it, there's danger to it."

For Rodriguez, the visual contrast between light and darkness becomes a storytelling tool in itself — one that colour alone cannot replicate with the same impact.

## Cast Reactions: An "Unreal" Creative Experience

Lamorne Morris, who plays journalist Robbie Robertson in the series, described the process of filming for black and white as nothing short of "unreal." While he noted that performances themselves don't dramatically shift based on the chosen format, the production process does carry its own unique quirks.

"There are moments when you're doing a scene and they might stop because your pocket square looks a lot better in black and white," Morris revealed — highlighting just how differently a set must be approached when optimising for monochrome visuals.

## Critical Reception: Praise and Pushback

Reviews for the series have been largely favourable. *Empire* magazine called it "an utterly insane stew that somehow makes perfect sense," while *Screen Rant* suggested the black-and-white option effectively reinforces the show's noir aesthetic.

However, not everyone is convinced. *The Hollywood Reporter* took a more critical stance, describing the dual-format approach as "at the very least, irritating," arguing that optimising a production for both colour and black and white ultimately means it hasn't been truly optimised for either.

The debate raises a genuine question: in an era of hyper-stimulating, colour-saturated content, will audiences actually embrace a black-and-white option — or will it be left largely ignored?

## A Gateway to Classic Cinema for Younger Viewers

Nicolas Cage himself has spoken openly about one of the key ambitions behind the format choice. He hopes that embedding black-and-white viewing into a beloved comic book franchise could serve as a bridge, introducing younger audiences to a style of filmmaking they might otherwise never explore.

"When you have one arm stretched into this world of the comic book franchise that is so loved, and you put that in black and white, hopefully the younger folks can really find a love for the old films and go back and take a deep dive themselves," Cage has said.

Film student Alice Garland, 22, from Fife, Scotland, agrees. A self-described fan of noir aesthetics, she acknowledges that black-and-white productions can sometimes come across as "pretentious and tacky" — but believes Spider-Noir sidesteps that trap entirely.

"It gives a more fatalism vibe," she told BBC Newsbeat, adding that the series is "being so open about being such an homage to film noir." For Garland, the dual-format option represents a genuinely exciting way to draw new audiences into classic cinematic traditions.

## More Than a Visual Experiment — A Mature Storytelling Shift

Beyond the visual debate, some cast members point to something deeper running through the show's DNA. Li Jun Li, who plays singer Cat Hardy, believes the writing itself represents an entirely fresh approach to superhero storytelling.

"It's sort of like Spider-Man for adults in a sense," she explained. "We are seeing a side of the story where they're not all just villains. They are nuanced characters with much more complex backstories and anti-heroes that we are seeing for the first time."

In that sense, Spider-Noir may be doing something more ambitious than simply repackaging a familiar franchise in retro clothing. It appears to be making a genuine case for moral complexity, atmospheric depth, and mature storytelling within a genre often associated with straightforward heroics.

Whether audiences ultimately reach for the colour or black-and-white setting, one thing seems clear: Spider-Noir is not content to play it safe.

Spider-Noir on Prime Video lets viewers watch in colour or black and white. Does Nicolas Cage's noir superhero series deliver? Here's what critics and cast say.

Spider-Noir Review: Nicolas Cage's Bold Black-and-White Seri

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Spider-Noir: The Bold Black-and-White Gamble That's Dividing Audiences

## A Documentary Portrait of One of Cinema's Greatest Directors

Barnaby Thompson's newly released documentary, *Maverick: The Epic Adventures of David Lean*, offers an in-depth look at the life and legacy of one of filmmaking's most towering figures. Best known for directing the sweeping epic *Lawrence of Arabia*, David Lean left an indelible mark on the art of cinema — though his personal life told a far more complicated story.

## A Career Built on Spectacle and Vision

Few directors in Hollywood history have commanded the screen quite like David Lean. His ability to transform vast landscapes into emotionally charged canvases set him apart from his contemporaries. Films like *Lawrence of Arabia*, *Doctor Zhivago*, and *The Bridge on the River Kwai* remain benchmarks of large-scale storytelling, blending breathtaking visual grandeur with deeply human narratives.

Thompson's documentary does justice to this remarkable filmography, charting Lean's evolution from a promising film editor in British cinema to a globally celebrated auteur whose work continues to inspire generations of moviegoers and filmmakers alike.

### Celebrated by Hollywood's Finest

The documentary's credibility is significantly bolstered by contributions from some of the most respected names in modern cinema. Luminaries including Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, Alfonso Cuarón, and Denis Villeneuve all weigh in on Lean's profound influence over their own careers and creative philosophies. Their testimonials underscore just how deeply Lean's techniques and storytelling instincts have shaped contemporary filmmaking.

For Spielberg, Villeneuve, and others who have themselves helmed large-scale productions, Lean's mastery of scope and emotion clearly served as a guiding light — a template for how to balance spectacle with substance.

## The Man Behind the Camera

Yet for all his professional brilliance, Lean's personal life was far less polished than his films. Thompson does not shy away from exploring the more turbulent chapters of Lean's biography, painting a portrait of a man who was, in many respects, far more at ease directing sweeping epics than navigating the complexities of personal relationships.

This duality — the visionary artist versus the flawed human being — gives the documentary its emotional depth. Lean married six times throughout his life, and his romantic entanglements were frequently as dramatic as anything depicted on his silver screen. Thompson handles these revelations with sensitivity, ensuring that Lean's personal struggles are presented as integral to understanding the full picture of who he was.

## Why This Documentary Matters Now

In an era dominated by franchise filmmaking and digital spectacle, revisiting the work and legacy of David Lean feels both timely and necessary. His commitment to practical, location-based filmmaking — often undertaken in some of the world's most remote and challenging environments — stands in sharp contrast to today's green-screen-dominated productions.

*Maverick: The Epic Adventures of David Lean* serves as a compelling reminder of what cinema can achieve when vision, patience, and sheer determination are brought together. Thompson has crafted a documentary that honors Lean's extraordinary contributions to film while honestly acknowledging the personal cost that accompanied his relentless pursuit of perfection.

### Final Thoughts

For cinephiles, film historians, and casual moviegoers curious about the golden age of epic filmmaking, this documentary is essential viewing. Barnaby Thompson has delivered a balanced, richly detailed portrait of a true maverick — a man whose films changed the language of cinema forever, even if he never quite managed to master the language of his own heart.

Barnaby Thompson's documentary on director David Lean explores his epic films and turbulent life, praised by Coppola, Spielberg, Cuarón, and Villeneuve.

Maverick: David Lean Documentary Review & Legacy

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Maverick: The Epic Adventures of David Lean — A Cinematic Giant Reviewed

## Bad Bunny Steps Into the World of Toy Story

Multi-talented Puerto Rican entertainer Bad Bunny is adding yet another credit to his rapidly expanding résumé — this time as a voice actor in Disney's highly anticipated **Toy Story 5**. The reggaeton and Latin trap icon will lend his voice to a distinctive character called Pizza With Sunglasses, a toy described by Disney as "effortlessly cool and mysterious."

According to the studio, the character belongs to "a small but mighty community of forgotten toys" who reside in an abandoned backyard shed — a fitting role for an artist known for his magnetic, boundary-pushing persona.

## New Cast Members Join a Beloved Franchise

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is not the only fresh face joining the iconic animated series. Scottish actor **Alan Cumming** — best known internationally as the host of the American version of *The Traitors* — will also appear in the film, voicing a sinister reimagining of Bullseye, the beloved horse companion of cowboy Woody.

Both new additions will share the screen — or rather, the recording booth — with franchise veterans **Tom Hanks**, **Tim Allen**, and **Joan Cusack**, who are all returning to reprise their iconic roles.

### What to Expect From Toy Story 5

The fifth chapter in the beloved Toy Story saga is set to hit theaters on **June 19**. The latest trailer, released this week, teases an adventure centered on fan favorites Buzz Lightyear and a noticeably aging, balding Woody. This time around, the toys must band together to protect their owner Bonnie from an unexpected digital threat — her AI-powered smart tablet called Lilypad, voiced by actress **Greta Lee**.

The original Toy Story debuted in 1995, introducing audiences to a imaginative universe where toys secretly spring to life the moment humans leave the room. Thirty years on, the franchise continues to captivate new and longtime fans alike.

## A Banner Year for Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny's Toy Story cameo is just the latest milestone in what has already been a landmark year for the 32-year-old star. Widely regarded as the King of Latin Trap, he made history earlier this year by headlining the **2026 Super Bowl halftime show**, becoming a defining cultural moment for Latin music on the global stage.

His critically acclaimed album *Debí Tirar Más Fotos* (*I Should've Taken More Photos*) earned him the **Grammy Award for Album of the Year** — the first primarily Spanish-language record ever to claim the honor. The achievement also propelled him to the top of **Spotify's global most-streamed artist** rankings.

## Bad Bunny's Growing Hollywood Presence

Beyond music, Bad Bunny has steadily carved out a credible acting career in Hollywood. His recent film appearances include:

- **Caught Stealing** — where he played cold-blooded criminal Colorado alongside Austin Butler, Regina King, and Zoë Kravitz
- **Happy Gilmore 2** — appearing as Oscar, the eccentric golf caddie to Adam Sandler's iconic character
- **Bullet Train (2022)** — featuring as the character Wolf in director David Leitch's action-comedy starring Brad Pitt

### His First Leading Role: Porto Rico

Looking ahead, Bad Bunny is set to take on his **first major lead acting role** in the upcoming film *Porto Rico*, co-starring Hollywood heavyweights **Javier Bardem** and **Edward Norton**. The project is described as a heartfelt tribute to his Puerto Rican roots and draws partial inspiration from the life of **José Maldonado Román**, a revolutionary figure from the late 19th and early 20th centuries known as White Eagle.

As if his schedule weren't full enough, reports also suggest that Bad Bunny is weighing a potential return to **WWE professional wrestling**, a world he has previously dipped into with considerable fanfare.

With a Grammy history-maker, a Super Bowl performance, a Disney cameo, and a lead film role all in play, Bad Bunny's crossover dominance shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.

Bad Bunny voices a forgotten pizza toy in Toy Story 5. Learn about his role, co-stars, and his incredible rise as a global music and film superstar.

Bad Bunny Joins Toy Story 5 as Pizza With Sunglasses

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Bad Bunny Voices a Pizza-Wearing Toy in Toy Story 5

## Saxophone Colossus Sonny Rollins Passes Away at 95

The world of jazz has lost one of its most towering figures. Sonny Rollins, the legendary saxophonist celebrated as the "saxophone colossus," passed away on Monday afternoon at his residence in Woodstock, New York. He was 95 years old.

His publicist confirmed the news in an official statement, describing Rollins as "one of the most honored and influential figures in American music." The cause of death was not disclosed.

### A Career That Defined an Era

Rollins was born Walter Theodore Rollins in New York City in 1930 and earned his nickname "Sonny" from his grandmother. His musical journey began at an early age — his mother gifted him his first alto saxophone when he was just seven years old.

"I got the saxophone and I went into the bedroom and I started playing — that was it," Rollins once recalled in an interview with Jazz Times. "I was in seventh heaven... I could have been there forever."

Mentored by the brilliant pianist Thelonious Monk, Rollins quickly emerged as an extraordinary talent. His career took flight in the late 1940s, and he went on to collaborate with some of the most celebrated names in jazz history, including Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Art Blakey, and Bud Powell.

Over the course of his prolific career, Rollins released more than 60 albums as a bandleader and earned two Grammy Awards before respiratory illness compelled him to retire from performing in 2014.

### Iconic Albums and Timeless Moments

In 1956, Rollins released *Saxophone Colossus*, his sixth studio album and one of the most celebrated recordings in jazz history — the title of which would become his enduring nickname.

During the early 1960s, as his profile continued to rise, Rollins developed a habit of practicing for extended hours on New York's Williamsburg Bridge, seeking solitude and creative space away from the public eye. That unconventional ritual directly inspired his acclaimed 1962 album *The Bridge*, and has since prompted widespread calls for the landmark to be renamed in his honor.

### Resilience in the Face of Tragedy

Rollins demonstrated profound resilience following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Living just six blocks from the World Trade Center at the time, he and his wife escaped to upstate New York — with Rollins carrying little more than his saxophone.

Reflecting on the experience, he later told The Guardian: "I lost many prized possessions in 9/11 and learned a lesson — possessions are not where it's at."

### A Master of Improvisation

Rollins was widely considered one of the finest improvisers the jazz world has ever produced. Known for his extended, spontaneous solos, he once told PBS that he would take the stage with a completely open mind, trusting the music to guide him.

"Improvising on it, that I leave completely to the forces," he explained. "Sometimes I'm surprised by what comes out."

### Recognition and Legacy

In 2010, President Barack Obama honored Rollins with the National Medal of the Arts. Obama remarked that the jazz legend had inspired him to "take risks that I might not otherwise have taken" — a testament to the far-reaching influence Rollins had beyond the world of music.

Accompanying the announcement of his passing was a quote Rollins gave in 2009, which speaks to his deeply spiritual worldview: "I think when the creative person ends, he continues in the next existence. I'm a person who believes this life isn't the be-all and end-all of everything. A spiritual person doesn't feel like that."

Sonny Rollins leaves behind a legacy that will resonate through jazz halls, music schools, and the hearts of listeners for generations to come.

Sonny Rollins, the iconic jazz saxophonist known as the Saxophone Colossus, has died at 95. Explore his extraordinary life and lasting musical legacy.

Jazz Legend Sonny Rollins Dies at Age 95

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Saxophone Colossus Sonny Rollins Passes Away at 95

## Ellie Bamber on the Daunting Task of Becoming Kate Moss

Playing a living legend is never easy — but for young British actress Ellie Bamber, taking on the role of supermodel Kate Moss in the upcoming film *Moss & Freud* brought with it a unique blend of terror and unexpected empowerment.

Bamber spoke candidly about the emotional journey of embodying one of the most recognizable figures in fashion history, admitting that the sheer magnitude of Moss's cultural status made this role unlike anything she had faced before.

### A Role Like No Other

"With Kate being as iconic as she is, this was going to be a totally different challenge," Bamber shared, reflecting on what set this project apart from her previous work. The pressure of portraying someone so widely known — and so deeply embedded in popular culture — was not lost on the actress.

Unlike roles based on historical figures or fictional characters, stepping into the life of Kate Moss meant navigating the expectations of millions of fans and admirers around the world who feel a personal connection to the supermodel.

## Kate Moss as Executive Producer

What made the experience even more extraordinary was Moss's direct involvement in the production. The iconic model serves as an executive producer on the film, meaning Bamber had to perform under the watchful eye of the very woman she was portraying.

This unusual dynamic could have been paralyzing — yet Bamber describes it as ultimately transformative. Rather than feeling constrained by Moss's presence, the actress found a sense of confidence and creative freedom through their working relationship.

### Collaboration Over Intimidation

Having Moss involved from behind the scenes gave the project an authenticity that few biographical films can claim. The collaboration between actress and subject allowed Bamber to access a deeper, more nuanced understanding of who Moss truly is beyond the public persona.

For Bamber, the experience shifted from one of anxiety into something far more meaningful — a genuine artistic partnership that pushed her performance to new heights.

## The Story Behind the Film

*Moss & Freud* explores the real-life relationship between Kate Moss and the late British painter Lucian Freud, one of the most celebrated and provocative artists of the twentieth century. Their connection — spanning art, intimacy, and personal transformation — forms the emotional core of the film.

The story offers audiences a rare glimpse into a little-known chapter of Moss's life, shedding light on the human being behind the supermodel image that has defined fashion for decades.

### Why This Story Matters

Beyond the glamour and cultural cache of its central figures, *Moss & Freud* promises to be a deeply personal portrait of vulnerability, creativity, and connection. For Bamber, bringing that story to life with honesty and sensitivity was both the greatest challenge and the greatest reward of her career so far.

Ellie Bamber opens up about the fear and empowerment of portraying Kate Moss in Moss & Freud, with Moss herself serving as executive producer.

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