February 22, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Woody Allen and his wife Soon-Yi Previn have issued a statement regarding HBO’s explosive four-part documentary Allen v. Farrow, which centers on the sexual abuse investigation into the Oscar winning filmmaker. 

HBO’s documentary examines the accusations Allen abused his then-seven-year-old daughter Dylan Farrow, with the network claiming the series was “meticulously pieced together via intimate home movie footage, court documents, police evidence, revelatory videotape and never-before-heard audio tapes.”

In a statement from Allen and his wife Soon-Yi Previn — the former adopted daughter of Allen’s ex Mia Farrow — the pair labeled the documentary “a hatchet job.” 

In the statement released to Variety, the couple claimed directors Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering had “no interest in the truth,” and were “surreptitiously collaborating with the Farrows and their enablers” for the project, which Allen said was “riddled with falsehoods.”

The statement also continued, “As has been known for decades, these allegations are categorically false. Multiple agencies investigated them at the time and found that, whatever Dylan Farrow may have been led to believe, absolutely no abuse had ever taken place. It is sadly unsurprising that the network to air this is HBO – which has a standing production deal and business relationship with Ronan Farrow. While this shoddy hit piece may gain attention, it does not change the facts.”

The project features interviews with Farrow, as well as with her children Dylan and Ronan, family friend Carly Simon, the case’s prosecutor, Frank Maco, and “relatives, investigators, experts and other first-hand eyewitnesses,” according to HBO.

Dylan Farrow, then 32, made the allegations against her adoptive father in 2018. He denied the accusations then as well, saying they had been, “thoroughly investigated by both the Child Sexual Abuse Clinic of the Yale-New Haven Hospital and New York State Child Welfare,” and they, “concluded that no molestation had ever taken place. Instead, they found it likely a vulnerable child had been coached to tell the story by her angry mother during a contentious breakup.”

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

February 22, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Randy Holmes(LOS ANGELES) — Kelly Marie Tran cannot wait to introduce the world to her new movie Raya and the Last Dragon and touched upon just how hard the team worked around the ongoing pandemic to make sure it hit its scheduled premiere date.

Speaking recently on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the 32-year-old actress, who plays the titular character in the upcoming Disney movie, revealed that she had to get crafty when it came to recording her lines.

With studios mostly shuttered because of the COVID-19 pandemic at the time, Tran explained, “I recorded in a makeshift fort at my boyfriend’s apartment.”

The Star Wars alum described that the so-called “fort” was made out of “sound blankets taped to the wall with duct tape.”

She says her makeshift recording studio was “glamorous,” highlighting the struggles she had to work around to make sure her recordings were up to snuff.

“I remember there were days when there was construction happening, my internet was cutting out… There was always something going on,” she sighed.

Host Jimmy Kimmel was happy to welcome Tran into the Disney Princess club and asked her, besides Raya, to name her favorite Disney character.

Without skipping a beat, she replied, “Mulan.”

As for how she feels about becoming a Disney Princess, Tran admitted, “It feels like a weird fever dream,” noting that she went appearing in Star Wars to starring in a feature-length animated film.

Raya and the Last Dragon premieres in theaters and to premier access subscribers on Disney+ on March 5.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

February 22, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Anita Bugge/WireImage(LOS ANGELES) — Anne Hathaway’s career hit new heights after starring alongside Meryl Streep in the 2006 hit movie Devil Wears Prada.  However, the 38-year-old actress revealed that she wasn’t the first or second choice to play Andy Sachs… in fact, she barely made the top ten.

Appearing on the newest episode of RuPaul‘s Drag Race, she was asked by contestant Rosé about what movie roles she had to “fight tooth and nail for” — to which Hathaway grinned, “How much time do you have?”

The Academy Award-winner then unloaded some shocking information on the contestants, first baiting them in with, “I will give you some tea.”

As the contestants leaned in curiously, with one queen anxiously drumming her fingers together, Hathaway spilled, “I was the ninth choice for Devil Wears Prada.”

Of course, the contestants reacted in complete shock, with Rosé balling her fists and shouting “No way!”

However, there was a meaningful message behind Hathaway’s revelation, as the Witches actress encouraged while pumping her fists, “But I got it. Hang in there. Never give up!”

While the actress didn’t mention who else was vying for the role of Andy Sachs, it was previously revealed that the studio originally wanted Rachel McAdams in the starring role — of which she rejected.

While Hathaway didn’t score any nods for the movie, Streep — who played the icy Miranda Priestly — walked home with several awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress.  Streep was also nominated for an Academy Award.

Devil Wears Prada, which also starred Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, went onto become a box office smash, raking in an impressive $327.9 million during its theatrical run — becoming one of the highest grossing films of 2006.

February 22, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC(LONDON) — Kate Winslet opened up about the criticism she endured in her early 20s, following her breakout success after starring in the 1997 movie Titanic.

Winslet, who was 22 when the movie hit theaters, recalled the intense scrutiny and bullying she faced over her weight in a new interview with The Guardian.  

“In my 20s, people would talk about my weight a lot. And I would be called to comment on my physical self,” said the Oscar winner, now 45. “Well, then I got this label of being ballsy and outspoken. No, I was just defending myself.”

She invoked a comment late comedian Joan Rivers made about her shortly after Titanic hit theaters, which was, “If she just lost 5lb, Leo would’ve been able to fit on the raft.”

“It was almost laughable how shocking, how critical, how straight-up cruel tabloid journalists were to me,” said Winslet. “It was critical and horrible and so upsetting to read.”

She explained how the constant bullying affected her her mental health and self worth, confessing, “It damaged my confidence.”

The negative press also made Winslet consider furthering her career, with her adding. “I didn’t want to go to Hollywood because I remember thinking, ‘God, if this is what they’re saying to me in England, then what will happen when I get there?'”

“Also, it tampers with your evolving impression of what’s beautiful,” said Winslet.

“I did feel very on my own. For the simple reason that nothing can really prepare you for… that,” the four-time Golden Globe winner expressed, saying the scrutiny cooled down after she had her first child, Mia, when she was 25.

When looking back, Winslet admitted she is “moved” by how things have changed and “how different it is now” for young actresses.

February 22, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

L-R: Qualley, LaBeouf — Snorlax/MEGA/GC Images(LOS ANGELES) — Singer FKA twigs, who is suing ex boyfriend Shia LaBeouf for abuse, received additional support from his ex girlfriend, Margaret Qualley.

Qualley broke up with the disgraced actor in January shortly after twigs, real name Tahliah Debrett Barnett, went public with her accusations against the Honey Boy actor.

Barnett, in a recent interview with Elle magazine, revealed more about the alleged abuse she suffered while dating LaBeouf and explained why she chose to speak out now.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, Qualley broke her silence on the matter by sharing an image of Elle‘s March cover, which features Barnett front and center.

Although the British actress didn’t speak about her relationship with LaBeouf, she extended support to the singer by captioning with “Thank you.”

Qualley’s mother, Andie MacDowell shared her thoughts in the comment section, writing, “Precious girls. Beloved.”

Qualley, 26, was first romantically linked with LaBeouf in October after the two starred in the extremely steamy “Love Me Like You Hate Me” music video.  

She was photographed kissing LaBeouf in the days after Barnett went public with her accusations in December and, the following month, quietly separated from him.  This is the first time she’s spoken about her previous relationship and regarding the abuse allegations.

Barnett, 33, who levied a series of serious accusations against the Transformers star, said in her recent interview with Elle, “It’s a miracle I came out alive.”

For anyone affected by abuse and needing support, call 1-800-799-7233, or if you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 1-866-331-9474.

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