Month: March 2023

In her 2021 memoir, The Beauty of Living Twice, actress Sharon Stone revealed how she was tricked into her famous leg-crossing scene from Basic Instinct.

“I just need you to remove your panties,” she was told, “as the white is reflecting the light, so we know you have panties on.” Stone saw the scene for the first time in a “a room full of agents and lawyers, most of whom had nothing to do with the project.” After the screening, Stone walked up to director Paul Verhoeven and slapped him. “I was just an actress, just a woman; what choices could I have?” she wrote. “But I did have choices. So I thought and thought and I chose to allow this scene in the film. Why? Because it was correct for the film and for the character; and because, after all, I did it.”

That scene had an impact on Stone’s career, as well as her personal life.

During an episode of the Table for Two podcast, Stone claimed that she lost custody of her child with ex-husband Phil Bronstein partially due to Basic Instinct. “When the judge asked my child — my tiny little boy, ‘Do you know your mother makes sex movies?’ Like, this kind of abuse by the system, that I was considered what kind of parent I was, because I made that movie,” she said.

“People are walking around with no clothes on at all on regular TV now and you saw maybe like a 16th of a second of possible nudity of me — and I lost custody of my child,” she added. Sharon was left so devastated by the judge’s decision that it had a physical impact on her wellbeing. “I ended up in the Mayo Clinic with extra heartbeats in the upper and lower chambers of my heart,” she revealed. “It broke my heart.”

You can listen to the episode below.

(Via BuzzFeed News)

When it comes to buying a new car, there are some really key things that can make or break your decision. For one, you want to make sure it has lights. That’s important. There should also be at least four but no less than 8 tires, in order to move the vehicle. You also want to be sure that the car is equipped with a steering wheel so that it can be driven, that’s another plus, though it’s not always a given, as some Tesla owners have recently discovered.

According to AP, The US auto safety regulators have begun an investigation into Tesla’s Model Y SUV after reports of the steering wheel falling off, which is typically not something you want to happen in a motorized vehicle. But it did, and it happened to a nice suburban New Jersey family earlier this year, when the wheel to their Tesla came off with no warning, just five days after the car was purchased. That’s not really the type of “breaking in” that is recommended, normally.

The guy is fine, but what’s more important here is that everyone has the same jokes about it, so we can all come together to marvel at the bad year Elon Musk is having. Of course, the immediate situation to come to mind is a particular I Think You Should Leave sketch which features a focus group being asked about their ideal car features.

The skit features Ruben Rabasa, actor and meme muse, simply requesting that a car has a wheel, which seems standard. But, as we all know now, it’s not standard in Elon Musk’s America. Of course, things go off the rails as they normally do in Tim Robinson’s sketches.

The jokes did not disappoint, though, even if it’s just the same one over and over again. It’s funny every time! Because it’s true.

As for the car, Tesla first tried to charge the man to fix the steering wheel problem, but after a social media storm, they exchanged the car for another model. Maybe Elon has “no good car ideas,” and now he has to marry his mother-in-law. It’s just the way it works.

(Via Associated Press)

Lil Yachty’s psychedelic new album, Let’s Start Here, is doing better than anyone could have expected. Fans — including Questlove — gave it rave reviews as it landed at No. 1 on three separate Billboard charts. However, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t risky, and because it was such a departure from his usual output, it’s made the rollout and tour planning more difficult than it would have been otherwise.

Yachty detailed those difficulties in a new cover story in Billboard, explaining why putting together a tour was more complicated than normal. “This is so new for me, and to be quite honest with you, the label [didn’t] know how [the album] would do,” he said. “Also, I haven’t dropped an album in like three years. So we don’t even know how to plan a tour right now because it has been so long and my music is so different.”

The album also had a rough rollout since it leaked over the holidays. He’d turned it in nearly a year before its release but because Quality Control’s Coach K wanted to ensure the availability of physical media, it was held for the vinyl since pressing plant turnaround time is around seven months. However, the album leaked on Christmas under the name Sonic Ranch, which Yachty called “depressing and frustrating.”

He also said further leaks of the art, release date, and tracklist meant “I wasn’t able to do the actual rollout for my album that I wanted to. Nothing was a secret anymore. It was all out. I had a whole plan that I had to cancel.” Fortunately for him, it seems fans have absolutely accepted the album and now, all that’s left to do is finish planning that tour with his all-female backing band.

(WARNING: Spoilers for The Mandalorian episode “The Mines of Mandalore” below.)

The second episode of The Mandalorian Season 3 sees Mando finally fulfill his quest to reach the planet of Mandalore and bathe in its mythical mines, thus redeeming himself in the eyes of The Armorer for committing the sin of removing his helmet. However, his journey does have a few complications. Notably, when he’s captured by a weird droid creature and Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff) has to swoop in and save his butt.

During this rescue, a very interesting thing happens: Mando loses possession of the Darksaber. The legendary weapon is unceremoniously stripped from his belt and tossed on the ground after being captured by the creature. It’s later picked up by Bo-Katan who, unlike Mando, wields the Darksaber with ease and whips serious ass with it. The lady knows what she’s doing, and as Mandalorian fans remember, she was obsessed with retrieving the weapon from Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) in Season 2. That’s what makes her next move all the more puzzling.

While Mando is still unconscious, Bo-Katan returns the Darksaber to him by placing it with his other belongs that were stripped by the creature. She could’ve easily taken the coveted blade, and yet, she handed it right back. Why? Bo-Katan wielded the blade before without winning it through combat, and things did not end well.

In the animated series, Star Wars: Rebels, Sabine Wren gave the Darksaber to Bo-Katan, who accepted it without a fight. As we’ve seen on The Mandalorian, sects like Mando’s clan blame Mandalore’s current state on Bo-Katan for dishonoring tradition. Her time with the Darksaber also didn’t go so great. Somehow, Moff Gideon gained possession of the weapon — a story that will perhaps be explained this season — and when Mando rightfully won the blade by defeating him, Bo-Katan’s crew abandoned her. She’s left alone to sulk in her castle as her plans to restore Mandalore crumbled.

Possessing the Darksaber without winning it in combat ended in ruin for Bo-Katan, and she seems to have on interest in going back down that path. But after seeing the mythosaur in the Mines of Mandalore, she may be coming back around to believing in traditions, which could renew her interest in reclaiming the Darksaber the true Mandalorian way.

New episodes of The Mandalorian stream Wednesday on Disney+.

If you were wondering whether Will Smith sat down and watched Chris Rock’s Selective Outrage (so named for Will’s oddly targeted Oscars slap), live and as it happened with popcorn in hand, then the answer would apparently be “no.” Supposedly, Will hasn’t watched the special (in which Rock unloads on Will, Jada, and their publicly-aired marital drama) at all, but he surely can’t altogether avoid it. We already heard how Jada reportedly feels about the situation, given that her camp revealed that she wasn’t happy (at all) and accused Rock of being obsessed with her for “decades.”

That alleged obsession theory even built itself upon her suspicion that Rock pointedly chose to film the Netflix special in Baltimore because that’s Jada’s hometown. Yet we haven’t really heard much about Will’s emotions regarding the fallout, only that he reportedly tried to privately apologize at some point, and he couldn’t get through to Rock.

Now, a Smith source has spoken to Entertainment Tonight and passes on word that Will wishes that Rock was over it. The source adds that Will feels that he’s worked on himself and tried to make amends to no avail, and further, Will reportedly feels that Netflix made a “disgraceful” move by airing the special. In other words, Will is apparently not feeling so hot about these jokes:

“Will is embarrassed and hurt by what Chris said about him and his family in his Netflix special. He didn’t watch it, but he had people tell him what Chris said … It’s everywhere when you look online and on social media, so Will and Jada have seen comments about it … Will apologized to Chris and would like for Chris to let it go.”

It’s only natural to feel embarrassed about the whole affair, and that word can be used literally here, given that Rock dropped the theory that Will came for him out of frustration over being called “bitch” when Jada not only cuckolded him, but interviewed him on TV about the mess. It’s a complicated situation, and Rock waited nearly a year to publicly air these jokes, something that he’s almost expected to do as a comic. Naturally, that platform will keep the subject alive, and Will’s seeing that before his eyes.

However, we still haven’t heard the answer to this mystery: has Will watched those Madagascar movies (starring Rock and Jada) and experienced that brand of cinematic torture like so many millions who came before him? I can’t stop trying to make that into a thing.

(Via Entertainment Tonight)

A new album from the late Lil Keed is on the way. His estate has officially confirmed plans to release his first posthumous album, Keed Talk To ‘Em 2.

Ahead of the album, Keed has already released the motivational anthem, “Self Employed.” The upcoming album is also set to include collaborations with his YSL labelmates, including Young Thug and Lil Gotit, plus promising features from the likes of Big Sean, Trippie Redd, and Cordae.

Find the album’s cover art and tracklist below.

1. “Go See”
2. “Bags To The Sky” feat. Jetsonmade
3. “Muso Kuso” Feat. NAV
4. “SRT” Feat. Lil Gotit
5. “Hottest” Feat. Big Sean
6. “Feelings Changed”
7. “Get Money” Feat. Trippie Redd
8. “Think About It”
9. “Long Way To Go”
10. “Can’t Fall Victim” Feat. KayCyy
11. “All I Wanna Know” Feat. Young Thug
12. “Lost My Trust” Feat. Cordae
13. “Hitman”
14. “Betty Boop” Feat. Karlae
15. “Off Land” Feat. Lil Jairmy
16. “Big Bag” Feat. Young Thug and Dolly White
17. “Kick Back” Feat. Lil Gotit and StickBaby
18. “Self Employed”
19. “Love Me Again”
20. “Thank You Lord” Feat. Fridayy

Keed Talk To ‘Em 2 is out 3/17 via Young Stoner Life/300 Records. Find more information here.

Some of the artists mentioned here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Lots of artists have been selling parts of their catalogs for some big paydays lately, including Future, Iggy Azalea, and Juice WRLD. They all have various reasons for doing so, but I don’t think too many folks are turning down the opportunity to make more money all at once than most people could ever accumulate — or spend — in a lifetime.

The latest artist to join this growing trend is Metro Boomin, who reportedly sold part of his recording catalog to Shamrock Capital for $70 million, according to Billboard. There aren’t many details, however, as both sides of the deal declined to comment.

The size of the deal makes sense, though; depending on which portion of his publishing he decided to sell, Metro’s catalog of hits is extensive and deep, with smash hits from 21 Savage, Drake, Future, Kanye West, Migos, and more littering his resume. He’s had nearly enough songs chart on the Hot 100 to actually fill it (99 total). His own albums, like December’s Heroes & Villains, have also been massive successes in their own rights.

According to Billboard, Shamrock was founded in 1978 as Roy E. Disney’s family office; it’s also a pretty heavy investor in IP, buying catalogs from Dr. Dre and Taylor Swift, while looking at branching into film, TV, sports, and video games. It’s one of a handful of such businesses, which also include Opus Music Group and Influence Media Partners.

SZA is currently continuing her massive SOS tour — and is clearly bringing along some surprises in different cities. During the first night of her two performances at NYC’s Madison Square Garden, she was joined by Cardi B for “I Do” and Phoebe Bridgers for “Ghost In The Machine.”

During her March 7 concert in Atlanta, SZA treated fans to an appearance from Summer Walker. The duo performed “No Love,” their 2021 collaboration from Walker’s album, Still Over It.

“Take this opportunity to learn from my mistakes,” Walker shared about the song in an Apple Music interview, via Voir. “You don’t have to guess if something is love. Love is shown through actions. Stop making excuses for people who don’t show up for you. Don’t ignore the red flags. And don’t think you have to stay somewhere ’cause you can’t find better — you can and you will. Don’t settle for less — you don’t deserve it and neither does your family.”

Fans were instantly loving the fact that SZA keeps bringing out her collaborators on tour, especially Walker.

“This song is so good and the fact that they’re both on it makes it even better,” one fan replied.

“I would have simply passed away if I was there,” another added.

Check out the video of SZA and Walker performing “No Love” above. Below, find some additional fan reactions.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Getting jury duty is one of life’s fun little bonus side quests where you have no choice but to face the American judicial system, whether you want to or not. Some people look forward to jury duty, while others just welcome the excuse to be away from their real job for so long. But what if you get your jury duty letter, took time off work, and ended up being a part of a bonkers trial, only to learn that the whole thing was orchestrated by actors and producers? This isn’t a Nathan Fielder fever dream, it’s a new Amazon show, Jury Duty!

Jury Duty is a new mockumentary-style comedy series that takes place in a courtroom…only everyone is a scripted actor except for one particular juror, who thinks the whole thing is real. Plus– the show features the human form of sunshine, James Marsden! The show was filmed while he was working on Westworld (RIP).

By the looks of the trailer, it seems like there will be some interesting characters involved in the alleged trial, while Marsden will just be playing his usual lovely self who is not recognized by the judge. It seems like the said judge is not a fan of the hit romantic comedy 27 Dresses, so he clearly doesn’t have great judgment. Good thing he’s an actor.

The series is produced by The White Lotus’ David Bernad and The Office’s Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, who also penned the series. Here is the official synopsis:

Jury Duty chronicles the inner workings of an American jury trial through the eyes of one particular juror, Ronald Gladden. What Gladden doesn’t know is that the entire case is fake, everyone except him is an actor, including James Marsden, and everything that happens — inside the courtroom and out — is carefully planned.

The series will consist of eight episodes airing on Amazon’s ad-powered streamer Freevee, with the first four episodes premiering on April 7, then two more every Friday until the finale on April 21st. If only the real judicial system worked so quickly. Check out the wild trailer above.

Pop star Harry Styles isn’t on Twitter, but thanks to his recent slip-up on Instagram, he might be taking a hiatus from that social media platform as well. On Sunday (March 5), the “As It Was” singer uploaded a selfie onto his Instagram Story that sent One Direction fans into a frenzy. The image itself wasn’t the point of interest; however, what the recording artist was wearing in the photo was.

During his Love On Tour spot in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday (March 7), the singer seemingly addressed it to the sold-out Mt. Smart Stadium.

The selfie was of Styles sporting a shirt from One Direction’s 2012 Up All Night Tour, and fans began to speculate that the theory of a potential reunion was correct. However, shortly after it was shared with his 48.3 million Instagram followers, the image was quickly taken down, which sparked another round of rumors. Some started to question whether or not Niall Horan’s comment about “constantly speaking with” his former bandmates had any truth to it.

However, Styles brushed off the rumors chalking up the deletion of the image as a simple mistake. As he engaged in a conversation with a fan in the stadium, he said, “I guess some of us have secrets,” adding, “Maybe, like some people, you want to keep something to yourself, and maybe one day you will accidentally post it to your Instagram Story.”

This wouldn’t be the first time the musician embarrassed himself in front of his beloved fans. At least this time, no designer trousers were harmed in the process.