## Whitney Leavitt Is Writing Her Own Story Beyond Mormon Wives

Whitney Leavitt stepped into the public eye through reality television, but she has every intention of being remembered for something far greater.

When *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives* debuted on Hulu in September 2024, the entire cast was launched into an unexpected wave of fame almost overnight. For most of the women involved, that spotlight remained firmly within the reality TV universe. Leavitt, however, had other plans — competing on a highly talked-about season of ABC's *Dancing With the Stars* before landing what would become a career-defining opportunity.

### From Dance Floors to Broadway Spotlights

Hot off her impressive run on *Dancing With the Stars*, Leavitt secured the coveted leading role in *Chicago* on Broadway — a milestone that few reality TV personalities ever reach. And that's only part of the story. Later this year, she'll make her feature film debut in a holiday romantic comedy produced by Ninth House Productions, a project she's also co-steering as an executive producer.

All of this while continuing to film for *Mormon Wives* and preparing for yet another unreleased season of the hit series.

In a candid conversation with *The Hollywood Reporter*, Leavitt made it clear that while the Hulu show gave her an invaluable platform, she's now hungry for challenges that stretch well beyond it.

"I wouldn't be where I am without *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*," she acknowledged, "but it feels like it's time to challenge myself in other ways and fulfill these dreams and passions that I've been trying to pursue even before the show."

### A Day in the Life of Broadway's Leading Lady

Leavitt's daily schedule would exhaust most people. Her mornings begin around 6:30 a.m. with her children, followed by the school run, a gym session, vocal lessons, and ongoing filming for *Secret Lives*. By evening, she's at the theater — arriving an hour and a half early to warm up, prepare, and deliver a full performance.

It's a relentless pace, but one she embraces with clear purpose.

### Acting Was Always the Dream

What many fans don't realize is that Leavitt was actively pursuing an acting career long before reality television came calling. After relocating to California, she enrolled in classes at respected institutions including Margie Haber, the Groundlings, and Lesly Kahn — laying the groundwork for a serious performing career.

"People don't know that before all of this happened, I was still auditioning," she revealed. "Then I got this reality TV opportunity and I took it. But even during that time, my passion is film. I love entertaining, I love acting."

As for Broadway, Leavitt admits she never expected to end up there. Though she always had a deep love for musical theater, she doubted her vocal abilities. It was only during her *Dancing With the Stars* run — when the *Chicago* audition opportunity emerged — that she began taking voice lessons seriously and decided to go for it.

### Dancing With the Stars and the Conversation It Sparked

Leavitt's journey on *Dancing With the Stars* wasn't without turbulence. Heading into the competition, she carried insecurities rooted in how she'd been portrayed during *Mormon Wives* Season 1 — a narrative that followed her onto a new platform and made her doubt whether she had a genuine fanbase cheering her on.

She quickly discovered she did.

"The records we're breaking with *Chicago* in ticket sales wouldn't happen without that community rooting for me," she said. "That was a very overwhelming and beautiful moment in my life."

Her outspoken ambition also ignited a broader cultural conversation about women — particularly mothers — who openly pursue their professional aspirations. Leavitt found that conversation meaningful, even as she faced criticism.

"I would be interested to see how it would have been received if a father had taken the same stance," she reflected. "It really got people thinking — it got me thinking."

Many fans believe the release of *Mormon Wives* Season 3 just before her elimination contributed to her exit from the competition. Leavitt doesn't shy away from that possibility, acknowledging that her candor about returning to the show — and her motivations for doing so — may have divided audiences.

### Eyes on Emmy Gold and Future Film

As an executive producer on *Mormon Wives*, Leavitt now holds a professional credential that carries real weight — and one that could, if the show earns another Emmy nomination, see her name on the ballot.

"Just getting that EP title means a lot — not just for me, but for all the women," she said. "That's something we carry with us into future business opportunities and future projects. That's with us forever."

Looking further ahead, Leavitt has her sights set on working with celebrated filmmaker Ryan Murphy, citing his talent, work ethic, and passionate approach to storytelling as qualities she deeply admires.

She also expressed a desire to see a revival of *Sweet Charity* — and would love nothing more than to play the lead role of Charity herself.

### Broadway as a Launchpad, Not a Destination

When asked whether she plans to continue on Broadway after *Chicago* or pivot fully into film, Leavitt sees no contradiction between the two.

"Broadway is still acting — it still fills my cup," she said. "It's like an acting boot camp. And I don't have this expectation to suddenly be in massive Oscar-winning films overnight. That's the goal, but I know it's going to take time. There are actors who've been climbing that ladder for years, and I'm climbing it too."

### The Future of Mormon Wives — An Open Question

As for what lies ahead with *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*, Leavitt draws a thoughtful parallel to a band whose members eventually pursue solo paths.

"Just like One Direction — I would hope they'd all support each other when they broke off and had individual careers, because it felt like the right time," she mused. "I wouldn't be where I am without that platform and the group we built together. But maybe it's time for me to branch out. And I feel, today, that each one of them would support me in that."

Whatever shape her future takes, Whitney Leavitt is making one thing unmistakably clear: this is only the beginning.

Whitney Leavitt talks Broadway, her upcoming film debut, Dancing With the Stars, and why her post-Mormon Wives career is just getting started.

Whitney Leavitt Beyond Mormon Wives: Broadway and Beyond

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Whitney Leavitt Is Writing Her Own Story Beyond Mormon Wives

## Britain's Growing Health Divide: The Rise of Private Healthcare

A prominent patient advocacy group is raising serious concerns about the emergence of a two-tier healthcare system in England, as a growing number of people choose to pay for private medical treatment rather than endure increasingly long NHS waiting times.

Healthwatch England, drawing on both direct patient feedback and recent polling data, has highlighted a significant and troubling shift in how people are accessing medical care — one that appears to be widening the gap between those who can afford private treatment and those who cannot.

## Polling Data Reveals Sharp Rise in Private Healthcare Use

A survey of nearly 2,600 people across England found that 16% had used private healthcare services within the past year — a striking jump from just 9% reported two years earlier. Among those who paid out of pocket for treatment, four in ten pointed directly to long NHS waiting times as their primary motivation.

The data also exposed a clear financial divide. While 35% of individuals earning over £80,000 annually had sought private care in the past year, only 10% of those earning under £20,000 had done the same — underscoring the reality that access to faster treatment remains largely dependent on personal wealth.

## Patients Using Private Diagnostics to Fast-Track NHS Treatment

Beyond paying for full private treatment, a growing number of patients are adopting a hybrid approach: paying privately for diagnostic scans and tests — which can be arranged within as little as 48 hours in the private sector — and then returning to the NHS armed with their results in hopes of accelerating their care pathway.

While the NHS targets a six-week turnaround for diagnostic tests, the near-instant availability of private alternatives has made this workaround increasingly attractive. Industry estimates suggest more than one million such privately funded diagnostics are now being carried out each year.

Private Healthcare Information Network figures further reveal that close to 950,000 operations and treatments were performed in the UK's independent healthcare sector last year alone.

## One Patient's Journey: Paying £20,000 for Relief

Chloe Leckie, a 51-year-old woman from Buckinghamshire, represents the human face of this growing trend. After years of battling endometriosis and repeatedly seeking NHS help, she found herself offered only physiotherapy and medication despite requesting a hysterectomy.

Fortunately for Leckie, a change in her husband's workplace health insurance policy provided the coverage she needed, allowing her to pursue the £20,000 private procedure. She underwent a hysterectomy last year and continues to pay for private physiotherapy.

"I was in tremendous pain, but just could not get the help I needed from the NHS," she said. "I was lucky really that the policy change meant I could go private — I know not everybody has that opportunity."

Her story highlights both the desperation driving patients toward private care and the uncomfortable truth that such options remain out of reach for many.

## Healthwatch England Calls for Urgent Government Action

Healthwatch England, which reviewed an extensive 390,000 pieces of public feedback gathered over three years, is urging the government to take meaningful steps to cut waiting times. The watchdog is also calling on the NHS to communicate more proactively with patients during the waiting period — offering clearer timelines and practical guidance on managing symptoms while they wait.

Currently, nearly four in ten patients are waiting longer than the NHS target of 18 weeks for hospital treatment — a benchmark that is failing to be met at significant scale.

Beyond physical health treatments, the watchdog noted that private mental health services and weight-loss medications are also seeing increased demand from patients who feel underserved by the NHS.

## Healthcare Leaders Warn of a 'New Normal'

David Hare, chief executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, acknowledged that private GP appointments are also rising, and suggested that using independent healthcare in tandem with NHS services is rapidly becoming the "new normal" for many British families.

"People's health and the health of their family is their number one priority, and so it's not surprising that more people are willing to fund their own treatment," he said.

### GPs Feel the Strain of the Hybrid System

The trend is not without consequences for the NHS itself. Dr Katie Bramall, chair of the British Medical Association's GP committee, noted that family doctors are increasingly having to assess privately obtained test results to determine whether patients qualify for NHS follow-up care — a process that is adding to an already strained workload.

"We believe urgent, nationally-funded action is needed to bring waiting lists down and to ensure all patients can access high-quality care quickly, whether it's in the NHS or privately," Dr Bramall stated.

## Government Pledges Progress but Acknowledges the Challenge

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the issue, pointing to recent improvements including waiting lists falling to their lowest level in nearly three years. The government insists it is committed to dismantling what it called an "unacceptable two-tier healthcare system."

"Our extra investment and modernisation is beginning to turn the tide, but we know there's a long way to go," the spokesperson added.

While incremental progress may be underway, the data and lived experiences of patients like Chloe Leckie suggest that for many in England, the choice between suffering through long waits or paying for faster care remains an uncomfortable and deeply unequal reality.

Healthwatch England warns of a growing two-tier health divide as polling shows private healthcare use in England has nearly doubled in just two years.

UK Two-Tier Health System: NHS Waits Fuel Private Care Rise

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Britain's Health Divide: Why More People Are Abandoning NHS Waits for Private Care

## A Desperate Race to Save Her Fertility

For Iona Hall, the aftermath of life-changing surgery brought not only physical recovery but a devastating revelation — her chances of one day becoming a mother were slipping away faster than she ever imagined. The 30-year-old Bristol native is now on an urgent mission to freeze her eggs before her already critically low reserves disappear entirely.

## Two Major Operations and a Heartbreaking Diagnosis

Throughout 2024, Hall underwent two significant surgical procedures to address severe endometriosis — a complex condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the womb. Surgeons removed a 10cm cyst from her ovary and worked to separate her bowel and uterus, which had become fused together as a result of the disease.

While the operations were necessary to improve her quality of life, they came at a steep cost. Following surgery, Hall's doctors delivered alarming news: her egg reserve had fallen to critically low levels.

### The Numbers Tell a Sobering Story

Hall's Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels — a key clinical marker used to assess a woman's remaining egg supply — plummeted from 11.9 before surgery to just 2.1 afterward. To put that into perspective, the typical AMH reading for a healthy 30-year-old woman sits at approximately 17. The drop was stark, and the implications were deeply personal.

"I was really, really upset," Hall admitted. "Freezing my eggs is my only chance to preserve my fertility and give myself the option of a family in the future. Endometriosis has taken so much from my life, and I don't want it to take this from me too."

## A Four-Month Window — and a £21,000 Price Tag

Medical professionals have advised Hall that she has a narrow window of approximately four months in which egg freezing remains a viable option. She requires funding for three rounds of egg harvesting, with the total cost estimated at £21,000 — a significant financial burden for a self-employed silversmith.

To raise the necessary funds, Hall has launched a public fundraiser, which has already attracted more than £10,000 in contributions. Despite the daunting target, she remains cautiously optimistic.

"It feels frightening," she said, "but the little eggs I do have left are good quality, so it's not over."

## A Decade of Misdiagnosis and Masked Pain

Hall's journey to diagnosis was long, painful, and frustratingly common among endometriosis sufferers. She had been taking the contraceptive pill since her teenage years, a medication that was unknowingly suppressing her symptoms for more than a decade.

It was only after coming off the pill that the true severity of her condition became apparent. Reflecting on her younger years, Hall recalled: "When I was in my teens and early twenties, I just thought I was getting urinary and kidney infections all the time. I just thought I was one of those unlucky girls. The pain just never went."

At her worst, she described waking in the night, vomiting from the intensity of the pain and unable to find relief.

### Years of Misdiagnosis Before the Truth Emerged

At 24, Hall was incorrectly diagnosed with chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) and prescribed six months of antibiotics. By the time doctors identified the real culprit, the endometriosis had already spread extensively throughout her body.

This experience is far from unique. According to the NHS, endometriosis affects roughly one in ten women, and the average patient waits more than eight years from their first GP visit to receive an accurate diagnosis. The condition can impact the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis, causing symptoms such as severe pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, pain during intercourse, and chronic fatigue.

## Hope Amid Uncertainty

Despite the physical and emotional toll of the past year, Hall is approaching the months ahead with determination. Her story shines a light on the broader challenges faced by women with endometriosis — from diagnostic delays to the long-term impact on reproductive health.

For Hall, egg freezing represents more than a medical procedure. It is a lifeline — a way to retain some control over her future in the face of a condition that has already taken so much from her.

If you would like to support Iona Hall's fundraiser or learn more about endometriosis, resources are available through the NHS and leading endometriosis support organisations.

Iona Hall, 30, is urgently raising £21,000 to freeze her eggs after endometriosis surgery critically depleted her fertility reserves. Her story highlights a wid

Woman Has 4 Months to Freeze Eggs After Endometriosis Surger

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Racing Against Time: One Woman's Fight to Preserve Her Fertility After Devastating Endometriosis Surgery

## Claudia Winkleman's New Chat Show Lands to Mixed Critical Reception

Claudia Winkleman's long-awaited foray into the chat show world finally arrived on BBC One last Friday, and critics couldn't quite agree on what to make of it. The Traitors host welcomed a glittering guest lineup — including Jeff Goldblum, Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Saunders, and Tom Allen — to the iconic green sofa for the opening episode of *The Claudia Winkleman Show*.

### Critics Divided From the Start

The reviews ranged from genuinely enthusiastic to decidedly lukewarm. The Sun's Felicity Cross awarded the show a full five stars, acknowledging that while moments felt "awkward", the overall experience was "endearing, and full of fun banter". She praised what she described as a "top notch line-up" of guests who had clearly arrived ready to entertain.

In sharp contrast, the Guardian's Lucy Mangan was far less convinced, handing out just two stars and bluntly labelling the show "a mess". Mangan also took particular issue with the audience participation segments, arguing that inviting members of the public to speak on camera "should have been outlawed generations ago".

### First-Night Nerves on Full Display

The Telegraph's Anita Singh acknowledged that Winkleman arrives at this new chapter in her career riding a significant wave of public affection, with the 54-year-old presenter approaching what Singh called "national treasure status". However, she felt the opening episode "suffered from first-night nerves" and ultimately concluded it was "a bit of a bore", citing moments such as Goldblum naming his favourite pencil and a man from the Midlands describing his hometown as evidence that Friday nights on BBC One had become "cosy but mundane". Singh gave the show three stars.

The Independent's Nick Hilton also settled on three stars, describing it as "a classy, witty affair that has brilliant potential, but might need a few tweaks". Drawing a familiar comparison, Hilton noted that even Graham Norton's now-celebrated chat show wasn't built overnight, suggesting Winkleman's effort would only strengthen with time.

### What the Guests Brought to the Sofa

The episode featured a strong roster of talent with plenty to promote. Jeff Goldblum — known for roles in *Wicked* and *Jurassic Park* — discussed his latest musical project, *Night Blooms*, the newest release from his band The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Jennifer Saunders touched on her upcoming film *The Magic Faraway Tree* and entertained audiences with a candid anecdote about the time she and Dawn French boldly — and somewhat unsuccessfully — attempted to take drugs together. Vanessa Williams spoke about her current role in the West End production of *The Devil Wears Prada*, while comedian Tom Allen discussed his new book, *Common Decency*.

Hilton suggested the lineup felt "a bit underwhelming for a series launch", while The Times' Carol Midgley took a more generous view, describing the guests as "solidly amusing". Midgley also highlighted Winkleman's natural humour, noting that while she isn't a stand-up comedian, she proved she "is funny" — citing a joke about breastfeeding her dog as evidence. "This is a job that is more difficult than it looks," Midgley wrote, concluding that Winkleman "put in a respectable first shift".

### Audience Participation: A Point of Difference

One of the more talked-about elements of the show was its incorporation of pre-selected audience members into the conversation — a format detail that had generated considerable speculation before the broadcast. Viewers heard from a Wolverhampton resident who enthusiastically recommended his local Nando's, as well as a woman whose job involves designing pencils.

Metro's Rebecca Cook gave the show three stars and welcomed this approach, writing that in Winkleman's world "the spectators are just as interesting as the sofa", while conceding that some interactions landed better than others. The Guardian's Mangan remained unmoved by the concept entirely.

### How Does It Compare to Graham Norton?

The show is produced by So Television — the same company behind Graham Norton's long-running BBC chat show — which has made audience comparisons between the two almost inevitable. On social media platform X, opinions were split, with one user calling Winkleman's version "a welcome contrast" to Norton's format, while another felt there was "not that much different... but I love her anyway".

### A Self-Deprecating Start

True to form, Winkleman herself kept expectations grounded throughout the episode, thanking her guests for appearing on "the first and possibly last show". Goldblum, ever the optimist, offered a characteristically colourful reassurance — predicting that one day it would be celebrated as "the longest-running show ever".

Whether that prediction proves accurate remains to be seen. For now, critical opinion is firmly split, and the real verdict will likely emerge over the coming weeks as the show finds its footing.

*The first episode of The Claudia Winkleman Show is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.*

Claudia Winkleman's debut BBC One chat show received a mixed critical reception, with reviewers split over the format, guests, and audience participation segmen

Claudia Winkleman Chat Show Divides Critics on BBC One

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Claudia Winkleman's Debut Chat Show Receives Mixed Reviews from Critics

## Chelsea Prove Their Winners' Mentality Is No Accident

For Chelsea Women, lifting trophies has become second nature — though manager Sonia Bompastor is quick to point out that nothing comes easy, regardless of how effortless it may appear from the outside.

Heading into Sunday's Women's League Cup final at Ashton Gate, Chelsea were facing a different kind of pressure. Their grip on the Women's Super League title had loosened, off-field decisions were sparking controversy, and Bompastor herself was fielding an increasing wave of scrutiny. For many, the question wasn't just about one final — it was about whether the era of Chelsea dominance was beginning to crack.

It wasn't.

## A Timely Statement in Bristol

A confident 2-0 victory over Manchester United served as a definitive answer to every doubter. It was Bompastor's third domestic cup final at the helm of Chelsea, and her third win — two of those triumphs coming against United specifically.

"The emotions are really high. There is a lot of happiness because it's always difficult to play in a final and win," Bompastor said after the match.

"Sometimes, people just think because we are Chelsea, it's just a habit. But it takes a lot for my players to perform and grab a trophy. Every occasion, they just show up. They fought with the right mentality. It was not easy. We played as a team defensively. It was a real team effort."

Chelsea arrived at the final with an impeccable record against United in cup finals, having never lost such a meeting, and having dropped points in only two of their last 12 league encounters with the same opponent.

## Depleted but Undeterred

This was arguably one of Chelsea's more vulnerable recent incarnations. Injuries had thinned out the squad, and Asia Cup commitments pulled further players away. United, meanwhile, were missing key midfielders Hinata Miyazawa and Ella Toone, but many felt this represented their strongest opportunity yet to finally overcome their fiercest rivals on the biggest stage.

Instead, Chelsea did what Chelsea do — they shut out the outside noise, regrouped, and delivered when it mattered most.

## Bronze Shines as History Is Made

Lucy Bronze was among the standout figures on the day, adding yet another piece of silverware to a staggering personal collection that now stands at 24 club trophies. In a touching moment that coincided with Mother's Day, Bronze helped Bompastor bring her children onto the pitch to share in the celebrations.

The full-back could barely contain her excitement, tapping the tip of the trophy as she received her medal — a small but telling sign of what winning means to this squad, even after all these years.

While Chelsea players gathered in a team huddle with Bompastor at the centre delivering her post-match message, United captain Maya Le Tissier and manager Marc Skinner stood together in the centre circle, visibly frustrated. The contrast said everything.

## A Legacy Built on 18 Trophies

Former England midfielder Fara Williams, commentating for BBC One, offered a sharp perspective on what Chelsea's victory represented.

"There's been a lot of noise and that's because of what Chelsea have done, winning 18 trophies over a period of time," Williams said. "Everybody expects, and is so used to, Chelsea winning. When they have a blip, eyebrows are raised and questions are asked. I really think they proved themselves today."

Since the Women's League Cup was introduced in 2011, only three clubs have ever lifted the trophy: Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City. Chelsea swept every domestic honour in the 2024-25 season under Bompastor, going unbeaten throughout her debut campaign in charge.

## The Last Dance in This Competition

This victory carries additional significance beyond the silverware itself. From next season, clubs participating in the Women's Champions League — a competition Chelsea fully intend to be part of — will no longer be eligible for the Women's League Cup. This was, in all likelihood, Chelsea's final chance to win this particular trophy for the foreseeable future.

That context made the win all the more meaningful.

"I told the players before the game that when you have the opportunity to play a final, it's always a special occasion," Bompastor reflected. "For us to achieve that one more time is great. It's a special day also in my private life with it being Mother's Day and having my kids around me. They are my biggest support so to give them the opportunity to celebrate is nice and it feels great."

Chelsea didn't just defend a title on Sunday — they defended their identity. And for now, that identity remains exactly what it has always been: a winning one.

Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Women's League Cup final, with Sonia Bompastor winning her third domestic cup in a row as Blues silence critics.

Chelsea Win Women's League Cup Final Against Man Utd

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Chelsea Silence the Critics With Another Trophy to Prove They're Still Unstoppable

## 2025 Oscars: Full Winners List and Ceremony Highlights

The Academy Awards are officially underway in Los Angeles, with comedian and television personality Conan O'Brien stepping into the hosting role for this year's prestigious ceremony. The show kicked off at 4 p.m. PT on Sunday, bringing together Hollywood's biggest names to celebrate the finest achievements in cinema.

## Best Picture Nominees

This year's Best Picture category features an impressive lineup of films spanning a wide range of studios and storytelling styles. Below is the complete list of nominated productions and their respective producing teams:

### Bugonia
**Studio:** Focus Features
**Producers:** Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, and Lars Knudsen

### F1
**Studio:** Apple
**Producers:** Chad Oman, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Joseph Kosinski, and Jerry Bruckheimer

### Frankenstein
**Studio:** Netflix
**Producers:** Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale, and Scott Stuber

### Hamnet
**Studio:** Focus Features
**Producers:** Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Steven Spielberg, and Sam Mendes

### Marty Supreme
**Studio:** A24
**Producers:** Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie, Anthony Katagas, and Timothée Chalamet

### One Battle After Another
**Studio:** Warner Bros.
**Producers:** Adam Somner, Sara Murphy, and Paul Thomas Anderson

### The Secret Agent
**Studio:** Neon
**Producer:** Emilie Lesclaux

### Sentimental Value
**Studio:** Neon
**Producers:** Maria Ekerhovd and Andrea Berentsen Ottmar

### Sinners
**Studio:** Warner Bros.
**Producers:** Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Ryan Coogler

### Train Dreams
**Studio:** Netflix
**Producers:** Marissa McMahon, Teddy Schwarzman, Will Janowitz, Ashley Schlaifer, and Michael Heimler

## What to Expect

With a diverse and star-studded field of nominees, this year's Oscars promise to be a memorable evening. From acclaimed auteurs like Paul Thomas Anderson and Guillermo del Toro to rising industry voices, the competition across all categories is exceptionally strong. Stay tuned as winners are announced throughout the live broadcast.

Follow the 2025 Academy Awards live from Los Angeles. Conan O'Brien hosts as Hollywood's best compete for Oscar glory. Full nominees and winners list.

2025 Oscars Winners List: Live Updates & Nominees

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2025 Oscars: Complete Winners List and Live Updates

## Harry and Meghan Slam Royal Author Over Explosive Book Claims

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have hit back hard against royal biographer Tom Bower, labeling his latest work a exercise in "deranged conspiracy and melodrama" after damaging extracts from his upcoming book were published by the Times.

### What Does the New Book Claim?

In the forthcoming biography, Bower alleges that Queen Camilla privately told a close friend that Meghan had "brainwashed" Prince Harry. The author also portrays Meghan as a "divisive agent" within the royal family, suggesting that the Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, viewed her as a direct "threat" to the monarchy's stability.

Bower's book, titled *Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family*, features Harry and Meghan prominently on its cover. This follows his 2022 publication, *Revenge: Meghan, Harry, And the War Between the Windsors*, continuing what appears to be an ongoing focus on the Sussex couple.

### Sussex Spokesperson Issues Sharp Rebuttal

A spokesperson representing Prince Harry and Meghan responded swiftly and forcefully on Saturday, accusing Bower of long having "crossed the line from criticism into fixation."

The statement read: "This is someone who has publicly stated, 'the monarchy in fact depends on actually obliterating the Sussexes from our state of life,' language that speaks for itself."

The spokesperson went further, adding: "He has made a career out of constructing ever more elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met. Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him."

### Tensions With William and Catherine Explored

The book's extracts also delve into the reportedly strained relationship between the Sussexes and the Prince and Princess of Wales. According to Bower, William and Catherine grew increasingly "alarmed" by Meghan's presence, with the author claiming she resented Harry's slim prospects of ever ascending to the throne.

Bower further alleges that Prince Harry privately harbors fears that his brother, as the future king, holds the power to strip the Sussexes of their royal titles and effectively exile him from Britain.

### Business Deals and the Invictus Games

The extracts also examine Harry and Meghan's commercial ventures following their 2020 departure from royal duties and relocation to the United States, including high-profile deals with Netflix and Spotify.

In a particularly pointed section, Bower references media coverage surrounding the Invictus Games — the sporting tournament Harry founded for wounded military veterans — dismissively referring to the event as "the Meghan Games," suggesting Meghan's presence overshadowed its original purpose.

### A Pattern of Royal Controversy

Bower's latest claims are sure to reignite debate surrounding the Sussex family's fractured relationship with the wider royal institution. With the book yet to be officially released, the fierce response from Harry and Meghan's camp signals that the fallout from its publication is only just beginning.

Harry and Meghan slam royal author Tom Bower over claims in his new book, calling his allegations 'deranged conspiracy' and 'melodrama'. Full details here.

Harry and Meghan Hit Back at Tom Bower's New Royal Book

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Harry and Meghan Fire Back at Royal Author Over 'Deranged' New Book Claims

## A System That Fails Its Most Vulnerable

For women caught within Senegal's criminal justice system, the ordeal extends far beyond any legal sentence handed down by a court. Substandard living conditions, an agonizingly slow judicial process, and deep-rooted cultural stigma combine to create a uniquely punishing experience — one that can permanently sever a woman from her family and community long before a verdict is ever reached.

This reality was brought into sharp focus during International Women's Day events held across Senegal recently, where organizations distributed free reusable menstrual products to female inmates — basic hygiene supplies that the prison system does not consistently provide.

## One Woman's Story

Maïmouna Diouf still remembers the wave of dizziness that came over her the first time she walked through the doors of the Thies detention center in 2021. Convicted of infanticide — a charge she firmly disputes, maintaining that she gave birth to a stillborn child and buried it without informing authorities — Diouf found herself assigned to a cramped room shared with nine other inmates.

The mattresses were worn and filthy, spread across the bare floor. An unidentifiable odor filled the air. "This is my life now? How am I supposed to sleep here?" she recalled thinking in those first overwhelming moments.

Released in 2025, Diouf has since channeled her experience into advocacy, volunteering to support female inmates still navigating the system she endured. Her account sheds light on the circumstances faced by roughly 280 women currently imprisoned in Senegal — a group representing approximately 2% of the country's total prison population of 14,000.

## Justice Delayed: Years Behind Bars Without Trial

The challenges women face in Senegal's prisons are compounded by an overburdened judicial system. A 2024 report from the U.S. State Department noted that court backlogs and judicial absenteeism result in an average two-year gap between when charges are filed and when a trial actually begins. During this prolonged waiting period, an estimated 60% of those charged remain incarcerated. Women are held at the Liberté VI women's prison in Dakar.

Seynabou Dieme, who heads social-education services at Liberté VI, has witnessed the toll this takes firsthand. "It's very difficult for these women, especially those who are innocent, waiting in prison for a trial," she explained. "They sometimes cannot afford a lawyer, and with so few judges available in Senegal, delays stretch even further."

Dieme confirmed that some women have waited as long as six years before their trials begin — an almost incomprehensible period of uncertainty.

In February, the Senegalese government reportedly adopted legislation targeting prison reform and improved conditions. However, NPR was unable to obtain official confirmation or an update on the status of these reforms from relevant government offices.

## The Weight of Cultural Judgment

Beyond inadequate infrastructure and judicial delays, women in Senegal's prisons carry an additional burden: social condemnation that often strips them of the family ties and community connections essential for both survival and eventual reintegration.

"The culture often says that a woman has no right to make a mistake," Dieme observed. "Because the woman must manage the household, the community, raise the children. If she falls, she brings the whole family down with her."

This judgment is intensified by the nature of the offenses for which many women are incarcerated. According to a 2021 report by Prison Insider, an organization that monitors conditions inside Senegalese detention facilities, nearly half of all female prisoners had been convicted of infanticide. A further 23% were imprisoned for abortion — a procedure that remains illegal in Senegal except in life-threatening circumstances.

## Stripped of Support When It Matters Most

Fatou Faye, who serves as a supervisor for the Prison Project at Tostan — a Senegalese human rights organization that both distributed hygiene products on International Women's Day and provides inmates with education in human rights and income-generating skills — notes that the stigma surrounding these specific charges often destroys relationships before a woman has even been sentenced.

Diouf considers herself fortunate. Her family stood by her throughout her imprisonment. Her brother accompanied her on that first harrowing day and, horrified by the condition of the mattresses in her cell, arranged to bring her a clean one. Family members also regularly supplied her with additional food and essential hygiene products that the state failed to provide.

But for many of her fellow inmates, that kind of support was absent. "They were always crying, because it is so difficult to be rejected by your own family," Diouf said of the women she befriended during her time behind bars.

### One Woman's Fight for Anonymity

The stigma persists long after release, as illustrated by the experience of a woman identified here only as AF — her full name withheld because of the ongoing shame associated with her imprisonment.

In 2001, AF was a young mother who found herself pregnant and unable to provide for a second child. She sought a clandestine abortion, but medical complications brought her to a hospital, where healthcare workers reported her to the police. She was subsequently convicted and served four years in prison.

Her mother and sister desperately wanted to support her. But extended family members and community figures — including uncles — pressured them relentlessly to cut ties. "They kept saying I was a bad woman and didn't deserve their support," AF recalled. Fortunately, her mother and sister refused to abandon her, providing food, soap, emotional encouragement, and a promise to welcome her home upon release.

"It was painful to watch them suffer while I could do nothing from inside the prison," she said.

After her release in 2005, AF began working with Tostan's prison education program, helping other incarcerated women prepare for the transition back into society — a transition she knows from painful experience is rarely smooth.

## The Cycle That Follows Release

"There are women who leave prison and their families do not take them back," AF explained. "With nowhere to go and no support, many turn back to crime and end up returning to prison. Families and communities need to adopt a mindset of forgiveness and assistance."

Faye echoes this sentiment with quiet conviction. Her work bringing education and skills training to women inside Senegal's prisons is driven by a belief that society must extend grace to those who have made mistakes.

"They are all human beings," she said. "A person can do something they deeply regret. They deserve the chance at a clean slate."

## A Call for Systemic Change

The experiences of Diouf, AF, and the hundreds of other women navigating Senegal's prison system point to failures that are both structural and cultural. Overcrowded cells with inadequate sanitation, a judiciary ill-equipped to process cases in a timely manner, and a society that withdraws compassion precisely when it is most needed — all of these forces converge to make incarceration an especially isolating and damaging experience for women.

Advocates and social workers on the ground are doing what they can. But lasting change, they argue, will require not only prison reform at the government level, but also a fundamental shift in how Senegalese society views — and responds to — women who have broken the law.

Women in Senegal's prisons endure dirty conditions, years-long pre-trial waits, and social stigma. Learn about the urgent reforms advocates are calling for.

Women in Senegal's Prisons Face Stigma and Neglect

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Behind Bars and Forgotten: The Harsh Reality Facing Women in Senegal's Prison System

## The Woman Whose Blood Is So Rare It Gets Frozen for 30 Years

For most people, donating blood is a generous but relatively straightforward act. For 26-year-old Mina Stoddart-Stones, it is something far more extraordinary. Her blood is so exceptionally rare that it is cryogenically preserved for up to three decades — and she is considered nothing short of royalty by the organisation responsible for the UK's blood supply.

### A Blood Type Found in Almost Nobody

Stoddart-Stones, who lives in Bridgwater, Somerset, has been a regular blood donor for several years. It was only recently, however, that she came to understand just how uniquely valuable her contributions truly are.

Her blood is classified as both U negative and N negative, meaning it lacks the antigens present in the blood of nearly 100% of people across the United Kingdom. Across the entire country, only nine donors share the same blood type — making each donation an irreplaceable medical resource.

"It makes me feel very special and honoured, actually, that I could help someone that is really poorly," Stoddart-Stones said.

### Recognised as a 'VIP' Donor

Stoddart-Stones has been placed on the UK Rare Donor Panel, maintained by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). This exclusive panel represents just 0.01% of the organisation's 800,000 registered donors — approximately 1,200 individuals in total.

Her blood also carries the RO subtype, a rare and critically important classification most commonly found among people of Black African or Caribbean heritage. This subtype is particularly vital for patients with conditions such as sickle cell disease, who may require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.

Joanne Mathews, manager of NHSBT's National Frozen Blood Bank in Liverpool, did not hold back in expressing just how significant donors like Stoddart-Stones are to the medical community.

"We know her name, and we will only let her blood go for patients with that exact type, because it is so rare," Mathews explained. Meeting Stoddart-Stones, she added, was like meeting royalty.

### Preserved for Decades to Save Lives

Unlike standard blood donations, units collected from rare donors are not simply stored in a refrigerator for a few weeks. They are frozen and kept in specialised facilities for up to 30 years, ensuring they remain available whenever a patient with a matching rare blood type requires an emergency transfusion or undergoes surgery.

This meticulous preservation process reflects the extraordinary lengths the NHS goes to in order to protect patients whose medical needs cannot be met by conventional blood supplies.

### A Personal Motivation to Give Back

For Stoddart-Stones, the decision to donate goes beyond altruism — it is deeply personal. As a baby, she experienced serious illness herself, and her father later underwent treatment for cancer. Those experiences left a lasting impression and inspired her to contribute to the health service in whatever way she could.

"That little little bit that I can do, helping them as much as they've helped my family," she said.

In addition to her blood donations, Stoddart-Stones is also registered on the stem cell donor panel, further extending her commitment to supporting patients in critical need.

Her story serves as a powerful reminder that blood donation — while simple in practice — can carry an impact that is truly immeasurable.

Mina Stoddart-Stones has one of the UK's rarest blood types. With only 9 matching donors nationwide, her frozen donations save lives in ways few others can.

Woman With Ultra-Rare Blood Type Feels Honoured to Donate

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The Woman With Ultra-Rare Blood Who Is a 'VIP' to the NHS

## What Leaked Oscar Ballots Tell Us About the 2026 Race

The Academy Awards have never been easy to predict, but this year's race may be the most wide-open in recent history. Thanks to another round of anonymous ballots surfacing from outlets like Variety and Entertainment Weekly, we now have a rare peek behind the curtain — and the picture it reveals is anything but clear-cut.

It's worth remembering that the modern Oscar landscape looks very different from what it once was. Following the seismic #OscarsSoWhite controversy in 2016 — fueled in part by snubs like Michael B. Jordan's overlooked turn in *Creed* — the Academy underwent a sweeping transformation. More women, more people of color, and more international voices were brought into the voting fold, fundamentally changing what kinds of films get recognized. The results have been evident in recent winners like *Parasite*, *Moonlight*, *Anora*, and *The Zone of Interest*. This year's contenders continue that evolution.

---

## Best Actress: The One Sure Thing

If there's a lock in any acting category this season, it's the leading lady of *Hamnet*. Jessie Buckley has swept every major precursor award, and the ballot excerpts confirm that any whispers of a backlash exist almost exclusively in online spaces. One Academy member described her work as "the performance of the year," while another said it operated on "a whole other level." Five of Variety's eight featured voters chose her, as did three of EW's four-person panel. In a race full of uncertainty, this one stands apart.

---

## Best Supporting Actress: A Three-Way Battle Nobody Saw Coming

This category may be the tightest acting race of the entire ceremony. The precursor wins are scattered across three films: Teyana Taylor (*One Battle After Another*) claimed the Golden Globe, Wunmi Mosaku (*Sinners*) took home the BAFTA, and Amy Madigan (*Weapons*) secured both the Critics Choice and SAG awards.

While Taylor and Mosaku both enjoy genuine voter enthusiasm, historical precedent favors nominees from films with broader Academy recognition — the last time a sole nominee from a film won this category was Penélope Cruz for *Vicky Cristina Barcelona*. Still, Madigan has generated surprising momentum. Two of EW's four voters selected her, praising her as "wonderful for a veteran actor." Variety noted she carries "substantial goodwill" among the Los Angeles contingent, with additional voters calling her performance "classic," "showy," and "nutty" in the best possible way. Don't count out the other two frontrunners, but Madigan's night is very much a possibility.

---

## Best Picture: A Genuine Two-Film Showdown

The best picture race has narrowed into a compelling head-to-head between *One Battle After Another* and *Sinners* — two auteur-driven, critically acclaimed films released by the same studio. *One Battle* leads on the precursor circuit, having claimed wins at the Producers Guild, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Critics Choice Awards. But *Sinners* has surged following its SAG Awards performance, prompting many Oscar watchers to reconsider.

On the ballot evidence alone, *Sinners* appears to hold a slight edge. Voters in both the Variety and EW roundups leaned toward it, with one calling it a "masterpiece" and another saying it "made me remember what a theater is for." One anonymous producer revealed they watched it three times in theaters and backed it across nearly every category. Another described the experience as "euphoric," while yet another pledged to vote for it "with all my heart down the line."

That said, a number of voters expressed interest in "spreading the wealth," which could prevent either film from dominating the night entirely.

### Other Best Picture Contenders Worth Noting

Not every voter fell into the two-film battle. A passionate few championed other titles: one called *Sentimental Value* "exquisite, nearly perfect"; another praised *Marty Supreme* as "the most fun rollercoaster ride experience"; a *Hamnet* devotee said it "punched me in the gut"; and a *Bugonia* supporter admitted they "haven't stopped thinking about it." Even *Train Dreams* found a true believer. The race is wider than the headlines suggest.

---

## Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson vs. Ryan Coogler

The directing race mirrors the best picture dynamics almost exactly. Paul Thomas Anderson (*One Battle After Another*) has strong support among voters who feel his time is long overdue. "It's Paul's time," declared one voter. Another praised him as unlike any other filmmaker working today, while a third predicted his latest would be remembered "15 to 20 years from now."

Ryan Coogler (*Sinners*) is his primary competition, and the race between them appears genuinely close. It's also worth noting that while splitting best picture and best director between two different films was once common practice, the last six consecutive years have seen one film sweep both awards. Whoever takes director may be telegraphing the night's biggest prize.

Not everyone is sold on *One Battle*, however — one voter went so far as to call it "the most problematic movie for the Black community since maybe *Green Book*" — but Anderson's overall support remains robust.

---

## Best Actor: Three Men, One Trophy

For much of the awards season, Timothée Chalamet appeared to be the frontrunner. His electric performance in the surprise box office hit *Marty Supreme* earned him the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award, and his aggressive campaigning kept him firmly in the conversation. However, that relentless visibility gradually began to generate fatigue among some voters — though notably, his much-discussed ballet and opera comments came after voting had already closed.

The race now feels genuinely three-way. Michael B. Jordan (*Sinners*) is currently considered the frontrunner by many analysts, but Wagner Moura (*The Secret Agent*) has emerged as a compelling dark horse. Two EW voters selected Moura, calling his performance essential to the film, while another highlighted that the increasingly diverse Academy electorate may be especially drawn to a foreign-language lead role. Leonardo DiCaprio (*One Battle After Another*) still has scattered support but appears to have drifted toward the outside.

Jordan may have the edge, but don't be surprised if Moura pulls off the upset.

---

## The New Viewing Requirement: Compliance or Controversy?

In a historic first, Academy members are now required to watch every nominated film in a category before casting their vote, with compliance tracked through the Academy's digital screening platform. The intent is admirable — ensuring a level playing field for all contenders — but the implementation has generated significant behind-the-scenes grumbling.

One voter admitted they "just didn't have time" and skipped voting in several categories altogether, including best supporting actress. Another called the rule "noble" before laughing and adding, "when the movies are 13 hours long, everybody's lying this year." A third said flatly, "I know my colleagues don't watch all of the movies." Most strikingly, one Oscar-nominated director chose not to vote at all, describing the awards as "irrelevant" and the films as too weak to merit the time investment.

It's a candid reminder that even the most well-intentioned reforms face resistance — and that the gap between official Academy policy and actual voter behavior may be wider than the institution would like to admit.

Leaked anonymous Oscar ballots reveal a tight 2026 race between Sinners and One Battle After Another. See what Academy voters are really saying about each categ

Anonymous Oscar Ballots 2026: Sinners vs One Battle

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Sinners vs. One Battle After Another: What Anonymous Oscar Ballots Reveal About This Year's Unpredictable Race

## Romania's Eurovision Song Ignites Controversy Over Sexual Strangulation Concerns

Romania's entry for this year's Eurovision Song Contest has come under intense scrutiny after campaigners, legal experts, and fans accused it of glorifying sexual strangulation — a physically dangerous practice linked to serious brain injury and death.

The song, titled *Choke Me*, is performed by Alexandra Căpitănescu, a former champion of the Romanian edition of *The Voice*. Throughout the track's three-minute runtime, the phrase "choke me" is repeated no fewer than 30 times, alongside other vivid lines such as "It's hard to breathe in," "I want you to choke me," and "make my lungs explode."

### Experts Sound the Alarm

Professor Clare McGlynn, a law scholar at Durham University and author of *Exposed: The Rise of Extreme Porn and How We Fight Back*, has been among the most vocal critics of the track. She described the song's repeated sexualised messaging as reflecting "an alarming disregard for young women's health and wellbeing."

"The selection of this song by Romania and Eurovision, along with its active promotion by those organisations, represents a reckless normalisation of a genuinely dangerous act," McGlynn stated. "It is playing fast and loose with young women's lives. Emerging medical evidence increasingly shows that frequent sexual strangulation is causing lasting brain damage in young women."

A Norway-based Eurovision commentator and trained psychologist, known online as ESC Norway, echoed those concerns. She argued the song was deliberately leveraging a disturbing trend that has been normalised through pornography culture. "They know exactly what they're doing," she said. "They're capitalising on a topic that's become popular and normalised through porn — and that is genuinely terrifying."

### The Medical Evidence

The backlash against *Choke Me* is grounded in a growing body of medical research. Studies indicate that more than half of people under the age of 35 have experienced strangulation, yet nearly a third incorrectly believe there are safe methods of doing so.

Scientific research has documented measurable brain changes in women who have been repeatedly choked during sexual activity, including biological markers associated with brain damage and disruptions in brain hemisphere connectivity — patterns linked to depression and anxiety. Additionally, close to half of those who experienced strangulation reported feelings of anxiety during or after the act, with even a brief episode carrying the potential for lifelong health consequences.

### Calls for Disqualification and Lyric Changes

Online backlash has grown rapidly, with a significant number of Eurovision fans demanding either the song's disqualification from the contest or a formal revision of its lyrics. The situation draws parallels to previous Eurovision controversies — most notably, a complaint filed by the BBC to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) last year, which resulted in Malta's entry being ruled against due to lyrics containing a word that sounded like a profanity. In prior years, the EBU has also required contestants to remove words such as "shit" and "pussy" from their submissions.

Sources indicate the BBC has not filed a formal complaint regarding Romania's current entry. The song's official video remains accessible on the EBU's website. Both the BBC and EBU were approached for comment.

### The Artist's Defence

Căpitănescu has pushed back against the criticism, insisting the song's provocative imagery is metaphorical rather than literal. She explained that the concept behind the lyrics reflects the overwhelming sensation of being consumed by powerful emotions and suffocated by self-doubt — not a glorification of physical harm.

Despite her explanation, critics argue that intent does little to reduce the real-world impact of repeatedly broadcasting such language to a massive, predominantly young audience.

Professor McGlynn added: "Many young women do not want to engage in strangulation or choking, but its normalisation makes them feel pressured to comply — despite their instincts telling them otherwise. Promoting it in this way makes it even harder for young women to resist. And failing to resist puts their health and lives at genuine risk. Why do we seem to care so little about the wellbeing of young women?"

## Eurovision Also Under Fire Over Israel Controversy

The debate over Romania's entry is unfolding against a broader backdrop of controversy surrounding this year's Eurovision. The competition is facing a partial boycott from activists and broadcasters over the continued participation of Israel, which stands accused of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel's entry drew additional scrutiny after the Israeli government was found to have run paid social media advertisements urging people to vote for its own act — a move critics labelled outright propaganda. The entry ultimately finished in second place, a result that prompted widespread suspicion.

Several European public broadcasters — including those from Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Iceland, and Finland — formally requested an audit of the voting system following the result. Allegations emerged that Israeli voters had used European credit cards to cast dozens or even hundreds of votes, artificially inflating the tally. Many observers pointed to the stark contrast between the Israeli entry receiving the maximum 12 points from the UK public vote while being awarded zero points by the professional jury panel.

Romania's Eurovision entry 'Choke Me' faces backlash from experts and fans who say it dangerously glorifies sexual strangulation among young women.

Romania's Eurovision 'Choke Me' Song Sparks Safety Debate

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Romania's Eurovision Entry 'Choke Me' Sparks Fierce Debate Over Sexual Strangulation Glorification

## Twisted Yoga: A Disturbing Deep Dive Into Exploitation and Deception

Imagine accepting an invitation to an exclusive yoga retreat, only to arrive at a rundown building in Romania where bizarre rituals unfold before your eyes. Or picture being summoned to meet a so-called spiritual guru in Paris, only to have a stranger wrap your SIM card in tin foil and drive you to a nondescript flat on the outskirts of the city — where you are expected to engage in prolonged sexual acts with an elderly man you must mentally "transfigure" into someone tolerable.

For most people, a scenario like that would read as a surreal nightmare. For a number of real women, however, it was lived reality. Apple TV+'s new three-part documentary series **Twisted Yoga** chronicles these experiences with unflinching honesty, balancing jaw-dropping revelations with a thoughtful sensitivity toward the women at its center.

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## How It All Began: A Yoga Studio With a Hidden Agenda

The documentary opens by introducing us to Ashleigh, an upbeat Australian woman with an affinity for alternative spirituality — think astrology, numerology, and a genuine openness to the unexplained. After relocating to London in her twenties, she reconnects with a friend who points her toward a local yoga studio specializing in **tantric yoga**.

For many, tantra is a practice unfairly reduced to punchlines — most infamously associated with a certain rock star's oversharing in the 1990s. But as Twisted Yoga makes clear, tantra carries a deeper philosophical tradition rooted in the pursuit of expanded consciousness and spiritual knowledge. It was precisely this sense of mysticism and self-transcendence that drew Ashleigh and many others in.

What began as a wellness journey soon took a deeply troubling turn.

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## The Guru Behind the Curtain

Ashleigh's path eventually led her into the world of **Gregorian Bivolaru**, a Romanian man revered within her yoga community simply as "the guru." When an invitation to meet him arrived through the studio's front desk, Ashleigh traveled abroad — agreeing, as instructed, to keep her destination secret from friends and family.

She refused to participate in the expected sexual encounter with the septuagenarian. The response she received was chilling: she was told that "demons" were manipulating her and blocking her access to "divine power." It was at this moment that Ashleigh recognized the uncomfortable truth — tantra had never been offered to her as a path to self-improvement. It had been a calculated mechanism of exploitation from the very start.

---

## Testimonies of Manipulation and Coercion

Ashleigh's experience, while alarming, was not the most extreme documented in the series. Several other women — many of whom were connected to different but loosely affiliated yoga studios — describe having gone through with the so-called **"sexual initiation"** with Bivolaru.

One woman recounts being transported to Prague afterward, where she was coerced into performing unpaid shifts on a camgirl website. She was told she was performing a spiritual service — helping her online clients connect with a higher sexual energy and, in effect, saving their souls.

Director Deacon handles these accounts with remarkable care. None of the women are portrayed as naive or foolish. On the contrary, they come across as perceptive, articulate individuals who were ensnared by an expertly constructed trap. The series draws attention to how yoga's cultural association with wellness, mindfulness, and moral integrity made it the perfect cover for manipulation.

### The Psychology of Spiritual Control

A recurring theme throughout Twisted Yoga is how spiritual language was weaponized to suppress doubt. Followers were conditioned to view any instinct for self-preservation as a weakness — a failure of faith that would cost them their "salvation," as one interviewee named Miranda from Oxford explains. Questioning the group's practices wasn't just discouraged; it was framed as spiritually dangerous. This is a hallmark of cult psychology, and the documentary illustrates it with sobering clarity.

---

## Who Is Gregorian Bivolaru?

As the series progresses, it reveals that Bivolaru is far from an obscure figure. In Romania, he is a well-known and deeply controversial name. During the 2000s, he faced a string of serious criminal charges, including **sexual corruption, trafficking of minors, engaging in sexual relations with minors, and attempted illegal border crossings** — though he repeatedly failed to appear in court.

He was later located in Sweden, where authorities granted him asylum after he claimed his yoga practice had made him a target of religious persecution — a claim not entirely without context, given that yoga had genuinely been banned in Romania for a period. Nevertheless, in 2013, he was convicted **in absentia** of having sexual relations with a minor.

Then, in 2023, the walls finally began to close in. French authorities — operating under some of Europe's most robust anti-cult legislation — **arrested Bivolaru on new charges including rape, kidnapping, and human trafficking**. He remains in custody in France and has denied all allegations against him.

---

## A Documentary That Demands to Be Watched

Twisted Yoga is not easy viewing, but it is essential viewing. It is a meticulously detailed account of how spiritual communities can be corrupted and weaponized against the very people seeking healing and growth. More importantly, it gives voice to women whose experiences might otherwise have been dismissed or disbelieved.

With its blend of extraordinary detail and genuine compassion for its subjects, this docuseries stands as both a gripping exposé and a sobering reminder of how manipulation thrives in spaces built on trust.

Apple TV+'s Twisted Yoga is a gripping three-part documentary exposing how women were manipulated and exploited through a tantric yoga cult led by Gregorian Biv

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