Category: 5. Entertainment

Millie Bobby Brown is officially a mom. The ‘Stranger Things’ star, 21, and her husband Jake Bongiovi, 23, announced on Thursday that they have adopted their first child.

The actress shared the news with her 64 million Instagram followers, posting a message that read: “This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption. We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy. And then there were 3. Love, Millie and Jake Bongiovi.” The post also featured an image of a willow tree.

A private love story

Brown and Bongiovi, the son of musician Jon Bon Jovi, first connected on Instagram in 2021. The pair began dating later that year and became engaged in 2023. They tied the knot in a small ceremony in May 2024 before holding a larger celebration with friends and family at Villa Cetinale in Italy in October. Brown shared photos from the event, captioning them: “Forever and always, your wife.”

Why motherhood was important to her

Earlier this year, Brown revealed on the Smartless podcast that she had long dreamed of starting a family. “My mom actually had her first child at 21, and my dad was 19. And you know, it’s been my thing since before I met Jake,” she said. “Since I was a baby, I told my mom, like, baby dolls. I wanted to be a mom just like the way my mom was to me.”

She added that her grandmother played a major role in her upbringing, and family remained central to her life. “Jake knows how important it is to me and, of course, I want to focus on really establishing myself as an actor and as a producer, but I also find it’s so important to start a family for me personally. It’s a huge thing. Jake was like, we cannot do that until we get married. So that was his thing.”

Brown also said she envisioned having a big household like the one she grew up in. “And my thing was, I really want a family. I really want a big family. I’m one of four. He’s one of four. So, it is definitely in our future, but, for me, I don’t see having your own child, you know, as really any different as in adopting.”

What’s next for Brown

The actress, who rose to global fame at age 12 as Eleven in Netflix’s hit sci-fi series, is preparing to say goodbye to the role in the fifth and final season. The concluding instalment of ‘Stranger Things’ will be released in three parts later this year, with episodes dropping on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Beyond the series, Brown has begun filming a third ‘Enola Holmes’ movie with Henry Cavill, Louis Partridge, Helena Bonham Carter and others. She also appeared earlier this year in the Russo Brothers’ Netflix film ‘The Electric State’ opposite Chris Pratt.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Denise Richard has finally broken her silence amid her painful divorce from estranged husband Aaron Phypers.

The reality star took to her Instagram account on Thursday, August 21, to share an update on herself more than two months after the divorce filing by Aaron.

“I was just checking in to see how your summer’s been going,” she said in the video. “Mine’s been wonderful. It’s actually been s*****, but I’m going to pretend like it’s all good. I’ve actually been posting on Instagram like nothing is going on in my life, and I can’t do that anymore because there’s something obviously going on.”

The Denise Richards & Her Wild Things star said thanks to her followers for being “so kind and so supportive” amid her breakup.

“I see all of your messages, I can’t comment because it’ll be taken out and put in the press, but I just wanted to, in all seriousness, say that this has been a very, very, very difficult time,” she admitted. “It’s so hard to go through a divorce.”

“Many of you have gone through that. This isn’t my first one – this is my second one,” she noted about her previous marriage that ended in 2006. “I never thought I’d get divorced again. This is why I always say never say never.”

“I really just wanted to say thank you so much for all of your supportive, kind, thoughtful, encouraging messages because this has been a very difficult time,” she added.

She concluded that “circumstances around my divorce that are difficult to talk about — which one day I will talk about when the timing is right.” 

Samvrutha Sunil is a much‑revered Malayalam actor. Ever since making her debut in Lal Jose’s Rasikan in 2004, she has gone on to star in several popular Malayalam films, including Chocolate, Manikyakallu, Robin Hood, Diamond Necklace, and Ayalum Njanum Thammil.

Samvrutha left acting after her marriage, but by then the fine performer in her had already left a lasting impression on cinephiles.

Her girl‑next‑door image, natural acting, and calm demeanour seem to have helped her earn a place of her own in the Malayalam film industry. What has cinephiles talking now are Samvrutha’s candid revelations during a recent conversation with The Cue Studio.

For the unversed, “Azhalinte Azhangalil,” a heartbreak song from the film Ayalum Njanum Thammil released in 2012, in which Samvrutha was paired opposite Prithviraj, is one of the most remembered songs in her film career. The music was composed by Ouseppachan. The song still finds a place among listeners’ favourite tracks, even with younger generations.

Speaking to The Cue Studio about the song, Samvrutha said, “Azhalinte Aazhangalil—the song has a lot of heaviness attached to it.” Referring to its emotional resonance, she added, “That song was literally my last assignment before taking a break from acting”—a rather tough decision for any actor, but one she had already made.

The experienced actor continued, “So, in the song, in several scenes I was actually crying,” Samvrutha reflected, recalling memories more than a decade old.

Ayalum Njanum Thammil, which also starred Narain, Pratap Pothen, and Kalabhavan Mani alongside Prithviraj and Samvrutha, was an emotional roller coaster of friendship, love, heartbreak, and life’s awakenings—translating into mesmerising cinema on the big screen.

Meanwhile, Samvrutha’s revelation serves as yet another anecdote illustrating the emotionally heavy moments that actors often traverse in their work—a burdensome process, yet one that can bring creative fulfilment.

Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.

Denise Richards is no longer staying silent about the end of her marriage. 

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum opened up on social media about her ongoing divorce from estranged husband Aaron Phypers, admitting she could no longer “post on Instagram like nothing’s going on… because there’s something obviously going on.”

The actress, 54, shared an emotional video on Aug. 21 where she reflected on the painful reality of going through her second divorce. 

“It’s so hard to go through a divorce,” she said. “This isn’t my first one, it’s my second one, and I never thought I’d get divorced again. This is why I always say, ‘Never, say never.’”

While Denise avoided discussing the details of her split, including the temporary restraining order she was granted after accusing Aaron, 52, of physical abuse, which he has denied, she acknowledged the challenges surrounding the breakup. 

“There’s circumstances around my divorce that are difficult to talk about,” she explained, adding, “One day I will talk about it, when the time is right.”

The mom of three, who shares daughters Sami, 21, and Lola, 20, with ex-husband Charlie Sheen and is also mom to 14-year-old Eloise, expressed heartfelt gratitude to fans who have stood by her. 

“I just wanted to say thank you so much,” she shared. “It makes me want to cry seeing your messages, because this is a very difficult time and you guys are all helping me through it.”

Aaron, who married Denise in 2018 in a wedding featured on season nine of RHOBH, filed for divorce on July 7 citing “irreconcilable differences.” 

In court documents, he requested spousal support and claimed he had not earned income since closing his business in 2024. He also estimated Denise’s monthly earnings at over $250,000 from brand deals, appearances, TV projects, and her OnlyFans page.

For now, Denise is choosing to move forward with honesty about her struggles, while making it clear she will share more about her side of the story when she’s ready.

Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are reportedly getting close after welcoming their baby daughter

As per a recent report by People, a source revealed that the former couple, who announced their split back in November, are once again feeling like “good friends”.

However, the pair just want to enjoy their bliss of parenthood as Fox and Kelly welcomed baby daughter Saga back in March, and do not want to “push any labels.”

The insider revealed that the newly minted parents had recently spent quality time together at Costa Rica with their baby daughter, Saga Blade.

And the getaway gave Fox and Kelly space to reconnect.

“Their Costa Rica trip wasn’t about rekindling a romance so much as it was about rebuilding trust. For the first time in a long while, they felt like good friends again. They have a solid understanding now.”

Kelly, whose real name is Colson Baker, previously talked about adjusting life for their baby daughter with Fox.

“Megan’s not closing the door for good on a relationship, but she’s not walking back in completely either,” the tattler continued. “The truth is, no one’s pushing for labels. Megan and Colson are focused on whether this evolving connection can truly last beyond just co-parenting,” the tipster added.

A second insider claimed, “They’ve come a long way since last year. They were both extremely excited when Megan found out that she was pregnant again. It was devastating for her when she felt the need to break things off,” noting the trip was “special” for the rapper and the actress.

“They’d been before as a couple, but never with the baby. It was very special and relaxing,” the bird chirped.

The artist was hospitalized for a possible overdose after charging at officers on Thursday morning

I live in my own world

Hi Guru,

I am a 14-year-old boy, and I am an only child. My mum loves me very much, but she is overly careful about me. I am not allowed to go out and play with boys my age because she says they will spoil me, as they use bad language and get into fights. I study at a very good school in Lahore, and my mother both drops me off and picks me up. My classmates make fun of me because when she sees me, she hugs me. I asked her not to do it a couple of times, but it made her so sad that I stopped. I have no friends at school, as I am not allowed to visit other boys’ houses. Behind my back, I am called ‘mama’s boy’, which makes me very embarrassed. Over time, I have started feeling more content with my own company.

I have created an imaginary world where I have friends, play games, get into playful fights, and live like a normal kid. My teacher told my parents that I am an introvert who does not mix with other children in my class. I think I do want to talk to others, but I cannot speak openly as I feel a bit shy; I feel as though they will make fun of me. I talk to some cousins, but I do not feel comfortable sharing my problems with them. I cannot seem to share my inner thoughts with anyone, and I often feel very lonely. Guru, is it normal to be an introvert, or is something wrong with me? How can I improve myself? Do you have any suggestions? 

Lonely Boy

Dear Lonely Boy,

First of all, relax! You are a completely normal kid. It is normal to be an introvert. Being introverted simply means you feel more comfortable and energised in your own company or in smaller, quieter groups, rather than large, noisy gatherings. Nothing is ‘wrong’ with you. If kids are calling you a ‘mama’s boy’ to get under your skin, the first thing to realise is that they are trying to get a reaction out of you. If you get angry or hurt and show it, they’ve won. You can deal with them by staying calm. If possible, give them a smile. If they see you’re not upset, they will stop teasing you. However, feeling lonely is a sign that you do want some connection with others, and there are many ways to achieve this without forcing yourself into uncomfortable situations. You can start by finding shared interests with one or two classmates. You can, perhaps, discuss a subject like a book, a sport, or even a TV show. Try to participate in class discussions. Offering snacks to your classmates can be an ice-breaker. This way, you can build connections naturally, without feeling pressured to talk about personal matters. Going out and interacting with boys your age will help you overcome your shyness. Have you thought about asking your mother to allow you to join activities like art classes, taekwondo or sports after school? Private classes in various fields of interest are held for students on weekends and even after school. Your mother would probably be more comfortable with that. It would also help to talk to your mother honestly, explaining that you understand her concerns but need more opportunities to interact with people your age. Over time, small, positive interactions will build your confidence.

Good luck!

I love my teacher 

Dear Guru,

I am a 12-year-old girl. I have a loving family and lots of friends. The only problem is that I am in love with my PT teacher. He is very good-looking and funny, but he is friendly with all the girls in my class. I want him to be friends with me only. I want him to realise I love him, and I am not okay with him talking to other girls. What can I do to make him understand? Please help me.

Upset Girl

Dear Upset Girl,

At your age, it’s natural to admire teachers, but what you’re feeling is a crush, not real love. Your PT teacher’s role is to be friendly and fair to every student, not just you. Instead of trying to make him treat you differently, focus on enjoying your friendships, hobbies, and school activities. With time, these feelings will fade, and you’ll understand that your teacher’s job is to guide all students equally.

Good luck!

Kindly send your problems at: us.mag@thenews.com.pk

Out this week

COMING SOON

Albums

Don’t Click Play by Ava Max: Third album by the American singer; follows her sophomore release Diamonds & Dancefloors (2023); includes the singles ‘Lost Your Faith’, ‘Lovin Myself’, and ‘Wet, Hot American Dream’.

STAR

Dua Lipa

* Born on 22 August 1995 in London, England to Kosovo Albanian parents.

* Is the eldest child; has a sister, Rina, and a brother, Gjin. 

* Started singing at a young age.

* Was musically inspired by her father who was in a Kosovan rock band.

* Signed a modelling contract before switching her focus towards music.

* Released her eponymous debut album in 2017 which includes the songs ‘Be the One’, ‘IDGAF’, and the chart-topping ‘New Rules’.

* Has since released two more albums: Future Nostalgia (2020) and Radical Optimism (2024).

* Has also appeared in the movies Barbie (2023) and Argylle (2024).

* Is engaged to actor Callum Turner.

Movies

* Eden (starring Jude Law, Vanessa Kirby, Daniel Brühl, Sydney Sweeney, Ana de Armas) – survival thriller, based on a true story; a group of outsiders settle on a remote island with harsh climate and deadly wildlife but realize that their greatest threat is each other.

* Eenie Meanie (starring Samara Weaving, Karl Glusman, Steve Zahn, Andy García) – heist thriller; a former getaway driver (Weaving) must return for another heist in order to save her ex-boyfriend.

* Honey Don’t! (starring Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans, Charlie Day) – dark comedy; a small-town private detective (Qualley) investigates a woman’s death tied to a cult.

* Afterburn (starring Dave Bautista, Samuel L. Jackson, Olga Kurylenko, Kristofer Hivju) -sci-fi action, based on the Red 5 Comics series; a decade after a solar flare destroyed the Earth’s technology, an ex-soldier (Bautista) tries to find pre-flare objects for powerful clients.

SPOTLIGHT

The Bad Guys 2

Cast: Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Zazie Beetz, Alex Borstein, Richard Ayoade, Lilly Singh, Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne, and Maria Bakalova 

Director: Pierre Perifel

Tagline: Back in badness.

* Animated adventure; the now-reformed Bad Guys are pulled out of retirement and have to join forces with an all-female criminal squad to perform one last heist.

* Sequel to The Bad Guys (2022).

* Has grossed US$94 million on a $80 million budget.

* Has received positive reviews, with critics finding the film fun but predictable and not as good as the original. 

*  Score composed by Daniel Pemberton.

* Is likely to be followed by a sequel as a third film in the series is being planned.