
How Japanese actress Mei Nagano got caught in wild cheating scandal with TWO of her co-stars
One of Japan 's most popular young stars has been swept up in a cheating scandal with not one but two of her male co-stars, which all of them have denied.
Mei Nagano is currently one of Japan's most sought-after actresses, landing major hits in both film and television as well as racking up lucrative endorsement deals with luxury brands like Prada and SK-II.
At just 25, she's already been nominated for three Japan Academy Film Prizes (Japan's equivalent of the Oscars), and her Netflix series Burn the House Down topped the streaming charts in 2023.
Known for her squeaky clean image, Nagano was caught in a mammoth scandal this week when Japanese tabloid Shukan Bunshun claimed that she has been having an affair with married actor Kei Tanaka - who is 15 years her senior.
Tanaka, who shares two children with his wife Sakura, previously starred with Nagano in the 2021 film And So the Baton Is Passed, in which she played a high school student and he played her stepfather.
The tabloid released a selfie of the pair posing cheek-to-cheek together on Halloween and another image of them holding hands.
They also published photos of Tanaka leaving Nagano's apartment, where he had spent the night after they went out drinking together.
Making things more complicated, Shukan Bunshun also claims that Nagano has been romantically involved with South Korean actor Kim Mu-jun, 26, who has a supporting role in her latest drama series, News Anchor, which is currently filming.
They also claimed that Mu-jun had been staying in Nagano's apartment while he was in Japan to film the series with her.
Both men have denied being involved with the young actress.
When confronted by a reporter from Shukan Bunshun outside of Nagano's house, Tanaka said that he had only spent the night because he'd drank too much, according to Nante Japan.
His agency then put out a statement, refuting allegations of an affair.
'We want to believe that there was no affair. Kei Tanaka has been with our agency since he was 15 years old. He's never been involved in any scandals with women before,' the agency said, according to Channel News Asia.
'This is a situation where excuses are difficult to make. As an agency, we deeply reflect on what has transpired and strongly urge him to exercise restraint and self-awareness.'
Mu-jun's agency followed suit, stating that the actor and Nagano were nothing more than 'close colleagues.'
Nagano's agency offered a similar statement, saying, 'there is no truth to any romantic involvement.'
'However, we have sternly conveyed to Mei Nagano that her actions this time could easily lead to misunderstandings,' they added.
For now, Nagano will continue filming News Anchor, although there is speculation that her screen time may be reduced as a result of the scandal.
There is also the question on whether or not the scandal will affect any of her endorsement deals.
The actress is currently an ambassador Prada and is the face of countless other brands in Japan.
Last month, Prada was forced to terminate their contract with Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun after his secret relationship with late actress Kim Sae-ron was exposed shortly after her suicide.
One of Nagano's major fan accounts has already closed down in the wake of the scandal.
Despite the furor, Nagano has a busy year ahead with several projects in the pipeline.
Her new film Kakukaku Shikajika premieres in May, and then she will star in a big budget historical drama Kakukaku Shikajika due for release in 2026.
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Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Four Weddings and a Funeral secrets from Hugh Grant row to Liz Hurley's dress
It's been over three decades since Four Weddings and a Funeral was released on the big screen, and the Richard Curtis rom-com still holds a special place in the hearts of audiences everywhere For over thirty years, Four Weddings and a Funeral has shown that a film with a lot of heart can go a long way. Despite being one of the most beloved romantic comedies out there, and helping catapult some of its stars to new levels of fame, it was actually a really low-budget project. It cost only £3 million to make - which might sound like a lot, but in Hollywood terms is as cheap as chips - and was shot over just six weeks. But despite being a small movie, Four Weddings is still one of the British public's favourite rom-coms after all these years, and it cemented Hugh Grant as a household name in the UK, along with his girlfriend Liz Hurley. Her stunning and risque Versace dress - the barely-there piece was held together with safety pins - captured serious attention at the Four Weddings premiere, and has become an iconic moment in fashion history. The movie's producer, Duncan Kenworthy, remembered discussing what Liz might wear when going for lunch with her and Hugh the week before the premiere, "Liz said, 'I have absolutely no idea at this point'," he said, adding that "With every piece about Liz came a mention of the film, so it was great publicity. The premiere was an extraordinary event." After the film's release on March 11, 1994, even the movie's theme song - Love is All Around by Wet, Wet, Wet - found major success, and spent 15 weeks at the top of the charts. Pretty much every character in the film has become totally beloved by audiences, from the floppy-haired Charles as lead, to his quirky flatmate Scarlet, and the laugh-a-minute, over-the-top Gareth. Duncan, 73, has said that they were totally consumed by their "little film" during the two years production took and that due to issues finding finance for the film, "We were making it for a long time in our heads before we actually made it in reality". However, even though they were working on a budget, everyone around them really believed that Four Weddings would go the distance. "I remember sitting and watching the Oscars on telly with friends the year before we made Four Weddings and they all said, 'You'll be there next year' and laughed," Duncan explained. "Literally a year later, there I was, at the Oscars, with a Best Picture nomination. It was unthinkable, really. In those days there were only five nominees for best picture at the Oscars. It shows what a big impact the film made – not just with the public but within the film world, too." Despite its popularity, Four Weddings and a Funeral didn't take home Best Picture, but to be fair, they faced some pretty stiff competition that year, with other nominees in 1995 including Pulp Fiction, The Shawshank Redemption, and Forrest Gump - with the latter taking home the statue. Four Weddings did manage to score a host of BAFTAs, however, for its depiction of Hugh Grant as the slightly-hopeless Charles attending a series of landmark occasions in his loved one's lives - and falling in love with American socialite, Carrie - played by Andie MacDowell. Casting the film presented the production team with a few challenges, particularly when it came to the lead role of Charles. Whilst it might seem impossible to imagine anyone else playing him now, Richard Curtis is said to have had more than few doubts about his ability to carry the role. Over 70 people were auditioned for the role, but in the end it came down to Hugh Grant and one other choice. "It sounds odd now but the other actor in the frame was Alan Rickman, who'd really cut through in the Robin Hood movie. Mike, Richard and I simply couldn't agree which of them to cast, so we voted in secret," Duncan explained. "We were an odd number, and it came out 2 to 1 in favour of Hugh Grant. It's a cause of enormous delight to me that it was Richard who nearly ended Hugh's romcom career before it even started." Hugh Grant has also revealed that Richard Curtis definitely was not a fan of him during the auditioning process, saying "[My audition] was in front of Mike Newell, the director, who seemed to quite like me, and Richard Curtis, who seemed to want me dead. He really hated me. Apparently there was a bit of a fight between them.... and Richard didn't want me at all." The actor also revealed that before the movie's release, he thought it would be a total flop, and he said as much to his friend Sam Neil over dinner one night. Later, Hugh said about his initial impression of the rom-com "I was clearly wrong and the film changed my life. It was the beginning of a happy friendship with Richard Curtis, and I've always had the greatest respect for Mike Newell who taught me things I use to this day." Despite the rocky start to Richard's impression of Hugh, the pair went on to make two other iconic rom-coms together, Notting Hill and Love Actually, so the actor obviously convinced him eventually that he had it in him. Finding someone to play Carrie also presented some challenges, Duncan explained, and after an extensive auditioning process in the US, they offered the role to two actresses - both of whom turned it down. Back in the UK, they heard on the grapevine that established actress Andie MacDowell was in town, and quickly arranged a meeting, "We found out Andie MacDowell was staying at The Dorchester, so Mike and I arranged to meet her in the bar. As soon as we met her, Mike knew she was the one," the producer said. And it was Andie who would end up delivering probably the film's most famous - and cheesy - line after Hugh Grant's character declared his undying love for her as the pair stood in the pouring rain. "Is it still raining? I hadn't noticed," Carrie deadpans, a delivery that Duncan thinks in hindsight might have missed the mark. "Of course Carrie knows it's raining! She's drenched, he's drenched. She means it ironically,' he explained. 'If Andie had said it with a smile, no one would have mentioned it!' Four Weddings and a Funeral is packed with laughs - and at the funeral of Gareth more than a few tears - and it's popularity is such that it has even born a TV show. Created by Mindy Kaling, the show over ten episodes followed the framework of the film - but it didn't resonate with the public in the same way the film had. When it comes to the continued love for Four Weddings, and its longstanding legacy, Duncan said: "To think there's still interest in the film, all these years later, is surprising but lovely."


The Herald Scotland
14 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish-Japanese co-production the big winner at 2025 CATS
Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey, an international collaboration between Glasgow-based Vanishing Point and Kanagawa Arts Theatre of Yokohama, Japan (in association with Tramway), was the big winner, picking up four awards. Based on short stories by the acclaimed Japanese writer Haruki Murakamki, Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey won 'Best Design', 'Best Technical' and 'Best Ensemble' awards, with Sandy Grierson, who played the eponymous monkey, receiving an 'Outstanding Performance' award. Sandy Grierson in the Vanishing Point-Kanagawa Arts Theatre co-production of Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey (Image: Mihaela Bodlovic) CATS co-convenor Mark Brown said: 'Scottish theatre has enjoyed a renaissance in the period since the Second World War. 'Internationalism has been a primary driver of that revival and one of the key exponents of that internationalism – over the past 26 years – has been Glasgow-based theatre company Vanishing Point. Their unique form of international theatre as witnessed in Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey sees the integration of multiple languages and cultures in a single show.' Anna Burnside of Corr Blimey! and Across the Arts said: 'Sandy Grierson was an extraordinary monkey, matter of fact and believable while undeniably an animal. 'His physicality was entirely convincing and, working with a skilled puppeteer, his tail added an extra layer of nuance to an already astounding performance. This was something very special.' READ MORE: The supreme award, 'Best Production', went to Hedda Gabler, the second collaboration between Gordon Barr (director), Kathy McKean (writer) and Nicole Cooper (Hedda) for Bard in the Botanics. This award follows the success of their first collaboration, Medea, which won the 'Best Production' award at the 2022 CATS. CATS co-convenor Joyce McMillan said: 'In recent years, Bard in the Botanics have extended their work beyond Shakespeare to embrace other mighty writers and stories; and there is none greater than Henrik Ibsen. 'Last year, they presented his huge and haunting 1891 tragedy in the perfect surroundings of the Kibble Palace, in a thrilling new version by Kathy McKean, and in a production by Gordon Barr with Nicole Cooper as Hedda that fairly took the breath away with its pace and intensity.' Meanwhile, the first 'Outstanding Panto' award was scooped by the Gaiety Theatre, Ayr's Mother Goose. Mother Goose, Ayr Gaiety (Image: Tommy GA-Ken Wan) Thom Dibdin of All Edinburgh Theatre said: "This was a panto packed with local references, that oozed love and laughter, and which eschewed a shoe-horned wedding to bring a message of hope and reconciliation at the finale. 'Above all, however, this was a panto which dared. Dared to bring in big topical political comedy, dared to acknowledge societal concerns, dared to name-check the venue's panto greats over the years and dared to have Deaf characters in the cast and company using the fact of their deafness to up the physicality for everyone to see.' The second 'Oustanding Performance' award went to Kirsty Findlay for the title role in Beautiful: The Carole King Story at Pitlochry Festival, where 'she embodied the legendary singer songwriter with a depth and maturity that was riveting to watch'. The 'Best Director' award was won by Andrew Panton for A History of Paper (Dundee Rep/Traverse Theatre). Nicole Cooper in the title role in Kathy McKean's version of Hedda Gabler, directed by Gordon Barr at 2024 Bard in the Botanics (Image: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan) Douglas Maxwell picked up the 'Best New Play' award for the second year in a row. Following his success with The Sheriff of Kalamaki last year, Maxwell won the 2025 award for So Young (Traverse Theatre, Raw Material and Citizens Theatre). CATS co-convenor Michael Cox said: 'Douglas Maxwell proves again that he is one of Scottish theatre's best playwrights. 'This is underlined by the fact that he's not only won this award back-to-back, but for two very distinctive plays which have only their excellence in common.' Yellow Canary, Tashi Gore's powerful family story of survival during the Nazi Holocaust (produced by Glass Performance), won the 'Best Production For Children and Young People' award, and the Royal Lyceum' s Wild Rose won the 'Best Sound and Music' award. In total, around 140 works created in Scotland in 2024-5 were eligible for the 2025 CATS, of which over 120 were new plays.


Metro
14 hours ago
- Metro
Mel B and Eddie Murphy's child Angel, 18, is now living as a trans man
The child of Spice Girl Melanie 'Mel B' Brown and Hollywood legend Eddie Murphy has changed his pronouns on social media and is living as a trans man. Angel Brown, 18, is the only child from Mel, 50, and Eddie's brief yet high profile 2006 relationship. Born in 2007 – after they had split up – Angel was the subject of a public paternity dispute between the Spice Girl and the Norbit actor. Including Angel, the Nutty Professor star, 64, has 10 children with five different women. They are Eric, Bria, Christian, Myles, Shayne, Zola Ivy, Bella Zahara, Izzy Oona, and Max. Meanwhile Mel shares Phoenix Brown with ex-husband Jimmy Gulzar, and Madison Brown Belafonte with her other ex-Stephen Belafonte. Following the resolution of their paternity dispute, Mel and Eddie agreed upon a support settlement in 2009 – and Eddie now shares a warm relationship with both Mel and Angel. Weeks after his 18th birthday, Angel has updated his pronouns on Instagram – to support from both his famous mum and dad. Visible on the autobiographical section of his Instagram profile, Angel's pronoun now reads 'him' next to his name and profile picture. Of the milestone, a source told MailOnline: 'It's a decision Angel made and Mel has been understanding, likewise Eddie. 'There was no big event to mark it. Angel just wanted it to be known what pronouns are now suitable.' Last month, former Scary Spice Mel posted a loving message in celebration of Angel's 18th birthday to her own Instagram, sharing a selection of pics throughout his life. 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY ANGEL !!!' the America's Got Talent judge captioned the post. 'I cannot believe youre [sic] 18 You are so special and so bright and so talented!! I couldnt be prouder of watching you grow and become the person you are but youll forever be my babyyyy 'I hop [sic] you keep chasing yor [sic] dreams and be kind to everyone around you like you always have been my Angel 'Love you always ❤️❤️❤️' she signed off. Weeks later, she celebrated her own 50th, and was pictured with Angel and fiancé Rory McPhee at her side. Earlier this year, Mel spoke out about how co-parenting with her famous ex had 'flourished' in recent months. Reflecting on how her PTSD and experiences with coercive control impacted her co-parenting relationship with Eddie, Mel told US Weekly: 'I think being in the kind of [situation] that I was in, it was hard for me to step out and have that relationship flourish. I managed to do it bit by bit.' With Mel now settled down in Leeds with hairdresser Rory, 36, Angel now divides his time between England and his dad's Beverly Hills home. 'Angel is coming over [to Murphy's house]. They spend time together. They go on holiday together. He has [10] kids and he's a proper father,' Mel said. Mel went on to speak about Angel's interest in 'art and Japanese culture' noting to the publication that he keeps 'very much to himself'. More Trending She added: 'He went to Japan last year with his girlfriend and just embraced the whole Japanese vibe,' the TV personality says. '[Angel] speaks fluent Japanese and he knows exactly what he wants to do and where he wants to go.' In her 2018 memoir Brutally Honest, Mel described the Shrek star as 'the love of my life,' writing: 'He's a genuinely decent man.' He may have initially questioned Angel as his own offspring, but Eddie has very much come around since – posing for a Christmas card in 2018 with all 10 of his children, with Angel front and centre. Metro has contacted representatives for Mel B and Eddie Murphy for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Mel B's huge 50th birthday celebrations incomplete without two Spice Girls MORE: Major Spice Girls tour 'given green light by Victoria' – but there's an annoying twist MORE: Netflix's Spice Girls TV show 'recruits Bafta-winning comedy writer'