Fake old man reveals 'Mission: Impossible' premiere ruse, earns Tom Cruise's respect
Fake old man reveals 'Mission: Impossible' premiere ruse, earns Tom Cruise's respect
Show Caption
Hide Caption
'Mission: Impossible 8': Tom Cruise saves day at sea and in skies
Superspy Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) needs to stop a rogue AI from taking over the world in "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning."
There is one extreme way to meet Tom Cruise that even the "Mission: Impossible" star had to admire: in disguise at a gala premiere.
YouTube star Michelle Khare, the risk-taking host of "Challenge Accepted" (5.1 million YouTube subscribers), went old school spy in her quest for a memorable face-to-face meeting with Cruise at the London premiere of "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" on May 15.
Khare, 32, changed into an elaborate old man disguise, complete with a latex mask, in a nearby phone booth before entering the premiere as a guest, as revealed in her TikTok and Instagram videos.
"Tom Cruise is my idol; he is Hollywood's last action star," Khare tells USA TODAY. "I'm known as a YouTube daredevil, so I wanted to make a strong impression and re-create one of Ethan Hunt's most iconic moments. But it all could have ended up pretty embarrassing."
'Mission: Impossible'? We rank every movie (even 'Final Reckoning') from worst to best
Khare went to the respected Immortal Masks for the impressive mask and worked with a movement coach to mimic the slow walk of a 75-year-old man. The YouTuber alerted "like three people" at Paramount Pictures about the plan. But the security team checking invitations, waiting photographers, and hundreds of fans in attendance were in the dark.
"Obviously, my nightmare walking up was to have security ask, 'Can we see your photo ID?' " says Khare, who made it past several layers of security. She was surprised to hear fans calling out for the shuffling senior with a cane to come over for selfies. They thought the man could only be Cruise undercover.
Khare ambled over to a spot in front of photographers and made the big reveal, pulling off the mask as Cruise's Hunt has done in the "M: I" franchise many times before. The YouTube host had Mission-Impossibled the "Mission: Impossible" premiere.
The impressed action star, 62, walked over for a one-on-one conversation that lasted an eternity by Cruise standards: eight minutes.
"Most people might get a photo and move on," says Khare. "But we really talked. I was very nervous about looking crazy meeting Tom Cruise like this, but it was worth the risk."
The meeting ended in classic Cruise fashion.
"He looked me in the eye, shook my hand, and said, 'Be competent, not careful,' " says Khare. "That's such a fun way to end your moment with Tom Cruise. We can all learn from that."
What is 'Challenge Accepted' on YouTube?
Khare spoke about her Cruise stunt during a Los Angeles For Your Consideration Emmy event on May 18. The YouTube show, which Khare produces, directs and hosts, features the former professional cyclist undergoing grueling training regimens for various professions or impossible tasks – from attending military boot camp to a paramedic academy.
The "Challenge Accepted: 90 Day Black Belt" episode, which depicts Khare training for a martial arts black belt, is the show's first Primetime Emmy submission, eligible in the outstanding hosted nonfiction series or special category.
Khare, who is finishing a full-length "Challenge Accepted" YouTube video of the "Mission: Impossible" stunt, has her sights set for an even bigger homage: The classic plane caper from "Rogue Nation."
"I got to tell Tom that I'm planning to re-create his 'Mission: Impossible 5' stunt where he's hanging off the side of a military aircraft as it's taking off," says Khare. "Sometimes you just have to go for it."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Moo Deng is raising brows. See famous pygmy hippo's new look.
Moo Deng is raising brows. See famous pygmy hippo's new look. Moo Deng, just shy of her 1st birthday, lives at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. Show Caption Hide Caption Moo Deng debuts fancy, temporary eyebrows The famous pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, was munching on a tray of vegetables in her enclosure, when the keeper put pieces of leaves on her head. The world's favorite pygmy hippopotamus is stunning in a new, all-natural look. Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo who first stole hearts last summer, is going viral once again for videos and photos showing her sporting two green leaves as eyebrows, captured by zoo attendees on May 31. Watch the video above. Moo Deng is known for making a mess of her food dishes, stomping around and flinging platters full of veggies all over herself. But her new look was done on purpose. Moo Deng's zoo keeper at Khao Kheow Open Zoo told Newsflare that he placed the pieces of leaves on the hippo for a bit of fun, removing them later. Khao Kheow Open Zoo did not immediately respond for comment about the "eyebrows" when contacted by USA TODAY on June 5. More Moo Deng: Who's that baby hippo on your timeline? Meet the wet, chubby 'lifestyle icon' captivating the internet Animals: Why do we love Moo Deng, Pesto and other baby zoo animals? Psychologists explain Who is Moo Deng? Just shy of her first birthday (July 10), Moo Deng lives at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Bang Phra, Thailand. She gained popularity last summer for countless videos of her yelling at zoo keepers, resting in water buckets and enjoying baths in the sun. In Thai, Moo Deng's name means "bouncing pig." Born to Jona, 25, and Tony, 24, she has two siblings: Pork Stew and Sweet Pork. Moo Deng is also the granddaughter of Thailand's oldest hippo, Malee, who is 59 years old. What are pygmy hippos? Thought of as the smaller cousin, pygmy hippos are about half the size of common hippos, weighing less than one-fourth of a full-sized common hippo, according to the Pygmy Hippo Foundation. Pygmies are native to West Africa and their average life expectancy is 27 years. In 2016, pygmy hippos were deemed an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A 1993 survey conducted by IUCN found that only about 2,000-3,000 pygmies remained worldwide. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bryson DeChambeau preps for U.S. Open with LIV D.C. event, practice on White House lawn
GAINESVILLE, Va. — As much as Bryson DeChambeau loves to practice and compete, the U.S. Open champion also appreciates the limited LIV Golf schedule that gives him time to pursue other interests. DeChambeau arrived at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club for LIV Golf Virginia after a characteristically busy few days that included a round of golf with President Donald Trump and some short-game practice on the South Lawn of the White House. Advertisement Now the big-hitting YouTube star turns his attention to the 54-hole LIV event that starts Friday at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. He said the thick rough and fast greens at RTJ would help prepare him for Oakmont, where he will try next week to win his third U.S. Open after triumphs last year at Pinehurst No. 2 and in 2020 at Winged Foot. 'I think LIV afforded me the opportunity to spend more time thinking, strategizing, getting my body healthy, ready for majors in a pretty unique way,' DeChambeau said Wednesday. 'For me, it was a great thing. I thought there was an opportunity to do other things in life, and look, do I want to win every single tournament I show up to? 100%.' The RTJ event is the eighth of 14 tournaments this year for the globetrotting, Saudi-funded LIV Golf League. Although PGA Tour players have more freedom to set their own schedules, they typically play more often. For top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, the U.S. Open will be the fourth of five events in a seven-week stretch. DeChambeau hasn't competed since last month's PGA Championship, won by Scheffler . While DeChambeau was enjoying a friendly round with Trump and posting a YouTube short in which he hit golf balls from the top of a mountain and the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, Scheffler was finishing off his third win of the past month at the Memorial. Advertisement 'I've been doing some fun side quests, yes, there's no doubt,' DeChambeau said. When he does compete, nobody practices harder than DeChambeau. He hit 1,029 range balls — more than anyone else in the field — at the Masters, where he finished in a tie for fifth . The 31-year-old DeChambeau said he developed his practice habits as a teenager, when other junior golfers in California were beating him even though they didn't appear to try as hard. 'It stemmed from me not being as good as others and then realizing I can only be as good as how hard I work,' DeChambeau said. 'So I just became obsessed with hitting crazy amounts of golf balls.' Advertisement Known for trying to optimize his swing and his equipment to produce a consistent ball flight — a long, high draw — DeChambeau also spends time practicing the unusual shots he needs to finish off tournaments. 'As much as I am a robot, and try to swing it as straight as possible and just stable as possible, I still do have to hit cuts and draws and hit weird shots every once in a while,' he said. 'Giving myself those opportunities in the bunker, in the bush, whatever, has only aided in my golf career.'
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
'The Life of Chuck' review: Soulful Stephen King movie is 2025's best so far
'The Life of Chuck' review: Soulful Stephen King movie is 2025's best so far Show Caption Hide Caption 'The Life of Chuck': Tom Hiddleston headlines Stephen King movie Based on a Stephen King novella, "The Life of Chuck" chronicles the life of accountant Charles Krantz (Tom Hiddleston) in three acts told in reverse. 'The Life of Chuck' doesn't have any demonic clowns, killer pets or telekinetic kids. It's also, in its own way, the most amazing story Stephen King ever told, a brilliant novella that begins at the end of the world and winds up in a haunted attic. Fortunately, 'Chuck' (★★★★ out of four; rated R; in select theaters June 6, nationwide June 13) is made by a filmmaker who gets King like none other. Writer/director Mike Flanagan ('Doctor Sleep,' 'Gerald's Game') captures the uplifting and bittersweet qualities of King's prose and brings his own gift for character depth to the story of Charles Krantz, played by four talented thespians (including Tom Hiddleston). Flanagan, also to his credit, goes all in on the legendary author's unconventional storytelling, a lifetime that unfurls in three acts and in reverse. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox The first centers not on Chuck but schoolteacher Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor). He's making his way through pointless parent-teacher conferences even as the end times have arrived – the Internet's down, the world's falling apart, etc. – and people are dealing in whatever ways they can. Some walk around like zombies waiting for the sky to fall (literally or figuratively), and people go to jobs though there's nothing for them to do. What really weirds Marty out, though, is the strange billboards emblazoned '39 great years! Thanks Chuck!' and the image of Chuck at his desk with a cup of coffee. Marty reaches out to his nurse ex-wife Felicia (Karen Gillan), who's also at a loss about what the deal is with this Chuck guy, and they reconnect as everything grows dark around them. We finally meet the mysterious Chuck in the rousing second act, with a sequence straight out of 'La La Land.' Our man is an accountant skipping out on a day of work who winds up in a busy square and, inexplicably, begins to dance to the beat of a drumming busker. Chuck enlists the help of a young woman named Janice (Annalise Basso) and they enjoy a crowd cheering to the exhilaration of their samba- and swing-fueled moves. But the Capraesque third act is where the movie finally reveals itself, as Cody Flanagan, Benjamin Pajak and Jacob Tremblay play Chuck in various stages as a kid navigating joy, tragedy and a child-like understanding of a bigger picture. This part of the story also employs some smooth moves – including Michael Jackson's moonwalk – as well as some deeper thoughts courtesy of Chuck's lovably crusty grandpa Albie, played by Mark Hamill. Sure, he's forever Luke Skywalker, but Albie is just as much a role he was born to play. Narrated in folksy style by Nick Offerman, the movie features a deep bench of supporting actors, many from the regular troupe Flanagan has employed for movies and Netflix horror shows such as 'Midnight Mass.' Kate Siegel has a pivotal role as Chuck's English teacher, while Matthew Lillard and Carl Lumbly shine in small but poignant parts amid an impending apocalypse. All the Chucks are spot on as well: Hiddleston is a magnetic Everyman, even in limited screen time as the lead of the movie, and young Pajak notches a star-making turn opposite Hamill. What is 'The Life of Chuck' about? Every member of the cast contributes in a small way to the collective beauty of the soulful film's themes, its exploration of humanity and grand existential questions. Who do you want by your side when it all ends? What happens if you choose practicality over creativity? Do you make the most of every moment of your life? It's a thought-provoking, big-hearted effort where you can see Chuck as one ordinary guy or a reflection of the multitudes contained within us all. Flanagan juggles a variety of moods and emotions throughout, so even if they seem disparate alone, they all make sense in context. There's impending doom, buoyant revelry, intimate drama, coming-of-age wonder and, yes, even some unnerving terror. (We are dealing with the author of "It" and "The Shining," so it can't all be puppies and rainbows.) If you want to go for the really scary stuff, there are plenty of other King movies for that. 'Chuck' instead is something truly special, a moving fantasy of a life well lived and no dance step left untaken. How to watch 'The Life of Chuck' Based on the Stephen King novella, "The Life of Chuck" is in select theaters June 6 and nationwide June 13. The film is rated R by the Motion Picture Association "for language."
