March 11, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Justin Tallis – WPA Pool/Getty Images(LONDON) — Prince William is the first member of the royal family to speak out in person about the fallout from his brother Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.

William on Thursday responded directly to the claims of racism alleged by Harry and Meghan, who told Winfrey that unspecified royal family members had conversations with Harry about their son Archie’s skin color.

“We are very much not a racist family,” William replied Thursday when asked by a Sky News reporter, “Is the royal family a racist family?”

William, who spoke as he walked with Kate and other officials while visiting a school in London, also said he hasn’t spoken with his brother since the interview aired.

“No, I haven’t spoken to him yet, but I will do,” William responded to a shouted question.

Harry described to Winfrey a strained relationship with his once-close brother, saying, “…Time heals all things, hopefully.”

“I love William to bits,” Harry said. “He’s my brother. We’ve been through hell together, and we have a shared experience. But we were on different paths.”

William’s public comments about the interview came two days after William and Harry’s father, Prince Charles, ignored a reporter’s question about Harry and Meghan’s interview.  Just a few hours later, Queen Elizabeth issued a written response on behalf of the royal family. 

“The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” the queen said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.  “The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.”

“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members,” the statement concluded.

March 11, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Coogler and Boseman on the set of “Black Panther” — Marvel Studios(LOS ANGELES) — They say the show must go on, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do, especially for Black Panther 2 director Ryan Coogler. 

While appearing on the Jemele Hill is Unbothered podcast, the 34-year-old opened up about what its been like working on pre-production of the sequel without its leading man, Chadwick Boseman.

“One thing that I’ve learned in my short or long time on this Earth is that it’s very difficult to have perspective on something while you’re going through it,” he said on the episode, which dropped earlier this week. “This is one of the more profound things that I’ve gone through in my life, having to be a part of keeping this project going without this particular person who is like the glue who held it together.”

“I’m trying to find a work-life balance. But I’m not there yet, so this is without a question the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my professional life,” he shared. 

While moving on without the film’s star has been a challenge, Coogler adds that the silver-lining is that he even got to spend time with Boseman. 

“You spend your life hearing about people like him,” he explained. “For this individual, who is an ancestor now, I was there for it. It’s such an incredible privilege that fills you up as much as it knocks you out. So often as Black people, we have to pick up the pieces after loss.”

Black Panther 2 is expected to start shooting in July. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige told Deadline recently, “We’re not going to have a CG Chadwick and we’re not recasting T’Challa.”

“Wakanda is a place to further explore with characters and different subcultures. This was always…the primary focus of the next story.”

Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC Audio.

By Danielle Long and Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 11, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Power couple Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas will usher in one of the biggest award shows of the season by revealing the 93rd Oscars nominations.

The duo announced the good news late Wednesday via video, with Priyanka jokingly spilling the beans as part of a faux TikTok challenge.

“Tell me we’re announcing the Oscar nominations, without telling me we’re announcing the Oscar nominations,” the 38-year-old actress begins slowly, before her husband cuts in to relay she already mixed up the directions.

Said the “Spaceman” singer while fixing up a set of cocktails, “No, you’re supposed to say, ‘Tell me YOU’RE,’ you know?  You sort of told everyone we’re announcing the Oscar nominations.”

As Jonas relays the bad news, Priyanka hilariously flashes a panicked look at the camera and lets off a dismayed, “Oh.”

The video ends with the two, all smiles, as they revel in their big honor.

Priyanka captioned the big announcement by joking whether or not she should list of this year’s nominations solo before attesting, “Just kidding, love you @nickjonas!”

Jonas also shared the adorable video to his Twitter and relayed exactly how “excited” the two are to wake up early for the momentous occasion.

The 93rd Academy Awards commences Monday, March 15, at 5:19 a.m. PT/8:19 a.m. ET live on Oscar.com, Oscars.org and The Academy’s digital social platforms on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

The couple will unveil the nominees across the 23 categories in a two-part live presentation.

By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.