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The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Inside secret party animal lifestyle of Harry Potter billionaire JK Rowling – as fearless women's champion turns 60
SHE is Britain's most successful living author – worth close to £1billion and the mastermind of the global Harry Potter franchise worth 20 times that amount. As JK Rowling turns 60 today, you could hardly blame friends of the reclusive writer for wondering what on Earth to get the woman who truly has everything. 6 6 6 She did, after all, recently turn down a damehood (for the second time), telling friends: 'I don't want a title.' What is certain, though, is that Ms Rowling — once a penniless single mum whose first Harry Potter novel was rejected by 12 major publishers — has never been one to sit back quietly and enjoy watching her vast fortune accumulate. Today there is much to celebrate for the author, who has even out-sold Shakespeare. Indeed, much like Prof Dumbledore, ageing is something she cherishes — recently blasting her fervent political opponents when she declared: 'I hate to disappoint, but you don't turn me into a quivering heap of anguish by telling me I am, or look, old. 'I've lost too many people too young to feel anything but celebratory about still being around in my sixtieth year and, if you're lucky, you'll feel that way one day, too.' Despite guarding her home life fiercely, sharing it with her second husband Dr Neil Murray and their three children in a turreted 17th- century manor outside her native Edinburgh, those close enough to know her simply as 'Jo' describe her as 'incredibly good company, generous and a live wire when she wants to be', who 'will celebrate 60 in style'. As one source adds: 'She's a secret party animal when she's in the mood — but she's happiest with close friends, away from the spotlight.' Rowling regularly throws lavish but highly secretive parties at her Scottish estate — most recently on New Year's Eve where her Hogmanay bash resembled a major festival, according to locals, who told of fireworks, fairground rides and live music. Reports at the time claimed celebrity guests including U2, The Pretenders and Daniel Craig may have been among the revellers. And she has hosted lavish parties for other birthdays — often with a fancy-dress theme — including her 50th, which invited celeb pals to dress as 'your own private nightmare'. But insiders say her favourite spot to unwind with pals and celebrate is critically lauded West London eatery The River Café, run by colourful American chef Ruth Rogers. There she has been known to host raucous female-only lunches attended by a close-knit circle of feminist activists who have become her most trusted confidantes in recent years. Attendees have revealed that in a respectful nod to friends — many of whom are highly accomplished but leagues away in terms of wealth — she quietly picks up the bill, often including specially selected vintage champagne, without discussion. As one source explains: 'It could be awkward sitting with a billionaire, worrying about keeping up, but Jo really looks after her friends. 'Nobody ever feels inferior. "She takes care of things, picks great wine or champagne — that's her favourite — and when it comes to settling the bill you find she has already sorted it out. 'She's brilliant company, funny — outrageous sometimes — and doesn't shy away from saying, 'Let's stay for another one'. 'Her birthday will be no different — she's looking forward to celebrating with the people she loves.' 'BRUTAL BACKLASH' Rowling also has a superyacht. Well, a billionaire has to have some toys at her disposal. But while the writer is revered in some quarters and hailed as an advocate for women, she has also become one of Britain's most outspoken and, at times, controversial celebrities. Despite rarely giving interviews, her unfiltered approach to social media, particularly when discussing gender rights issues, has made her a hero to many — but a demonised pariah in other quarters, including A-list names who have publicly decried her views. It all started with a tweet in 2020, where she mocked the phrase 'people who menstruate,' and drew a clear distinction between bio- logical women and transgender people who identify as female. The backlash was instant — and brutal. Accusations of transphobia flew. Activists called for boycotts of her books, and the celeb world she had made her own began to take sides. But far from apologise, she published a long and deeply personal essay defending her stance, revealing her own experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse, and insisting she had the right — and duty — to speak up for women. What followed was a full-scale culture war — one in which Rowling, far from backing down, planted her flag and dug in. She was labelled a TERF, vilified online, dropped from events and shouted down by campaigners. 6 Most famously, her unflinching views have placed her at odds with the young stars of the Potter films who she helped propel to global superstardom — including Daniel Radcliffe, who released a statement in response to her views — though he later admitted he was 'really sad' about their disagreement. Daniel's fellow Potter star Emma Watson followed — prompting Rowling to admit she would not forgive the pair, who she said had 'used their platform to cheer on the transitioning of minors'. And singer Ed Sheeran raced to shoot down reports he had attended one of the writer's parties, calling the claims 'divisive and damaging' in a bid to distance himself from her views. But she remains steadfast in her activism, demanding that 'safe spaces' for biological women should be closed off to transgender women, and insisting 'no child is born in the 'wrong body',' prompting clashes with campaigners which have even sparked calls for her to be arrested. There is no denying, though, that the backlash appears to have reduced the frequency of her public appearances amid fears she could become the target of more abuse and even violence. As one insider explains: 'Jo is hugely proud of her stance and never backs down — but she doesn't want to put herself in danger either. 'She is careful about where she goes, what events she attends, and how she travels to and from them. 'She knows the possibility of aggression is very real. "She also has a team of lawyers on hand, watching everything. "You do not want to cross an angry Jo.' But the controversies have failed to make a significant dent in her fortune, which has been further supplemented by a detective series under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, plus a Broadway and London stage show spin-off of the wizarding world on which she built her career. Theme park franchises, video games and other merchandise helped make her the first author to reach billionaire status, though she has given away substantial sums — notably many millions to multiple sclerosis causes in memory of her late mother, alongside Women's Aid and children's welfare charities. But most significant is a big-budget reboot of the Harry Potter franchise, which began filming this month with a new cast of young actors, reimagining the books for a television series produced and financed by US TV giant HBO. Scheduled for release in early 2027, it promises to bring the story of Hogwarts to a new generation of fans and will inevitably bring a vast new cash injection to her coffers. Indeed, she couldn't resist a jibe after news of the reported £100million deal sent her critics into a fit of fury — trolling her detractors with a post on X/Twitter, reminding them that the cheques 'still have my name on'. 6 While she is undeniably divisive, JK's literary achievement remains a global juggernaut — and one which even Daniel Radcliffe admits has proven a force for good to millions of children. She changed the world of publishing, and reignited a love of reading for a generation of kids more usually drawn to video games, and turned a boarding school fantasy into a multi-billion-pound universe that defined a generation. Her stories taught children about courage, loss, loyalty and the power of words. She also made being a bookworm something to be proud of, with millions of young fans proudly dressing up as her characters annually for World Book Day. Perhaps that's the perfect birthday gift for the woman who has everything — whatever her detractors may say. Friend to many and A hero to millions By Julie Bindel, activist and friend of JK Rowling FIRST, she brings magic to millions upon millions of children, then she sets up charities to alleviate child poverty and suffering in countries most people in the West do not concern themselves with. Then she sees that women – and some men – are being pilloried, maligned, sacked from their jobs and expelled from college courses for saying that men (including predatory, convicted child rapists) should not be allowed in female-only spaces and facilities. Next, she becomes involved in opposing the men's rights movement known as gender ideology. Never, ever bigoted against transgender people or anyone wishing to live differently from the norm, her eye is only on keeping women and children safe from rape, domestic violence, stalking and harassment. When trans activists and their allies wilfully misconstrue her words, Jo writes an essay, made public on her website, in which she reveals herself to be a survivor of sexual assault and domestic abuse, and explains that this is why she understands the need to condemn these acts and keep women and girls safe. Jo is the best friend imaginable, and her unwavering support and concern for the suffering of others will never be made public. The 'be kind' brigade are shouting into the abyss about one of the kindest human beings I have ever met. When women have been forced to defend legal cases of terrible discrimination against them simply for knowing the difference between a man claiming to be a woman and an actual woman, my friend JK set up a fund to finance them. Unlike the vast majority of heterosexuals, she has gone out of her way to support lesbians. So happy birthday, Jo! Women like you – who make the world a better, safer place for women and girls, and for gays and lesbians – come along once in a lifetime. Thank goodness you did.
Engadget
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
The first Star Trek: Starfleet Academy trailer is filled with Easter eggs
We've known Star Trek: Starfleet Academy was coming for a while now , but we finally have some real footage. Paramount just dropped a trailer , in addition to an official announcement that the show will premiere in "early 2026." For the uninitiated, the show is set at the titular Starfleet Academy in future San Francisco and follows a group of cadets and their instructors. The trailer introduces us to all of the major characters, more or less, all while chancellor Holly Hunter does her best space Dumbledore and delivers a rousing speech. Eagle-eyed fans, however, will notice an abundance of Easter eggs in this footage. Starfleet Academy is where nearly every major Star Trek character in franchise history went to school, and they've all left their footprints here. There are shoutouts to James Kirk, Wesley Crusher, Tom Paris and, most interestingly, a class that examines the ultimate fate of Deep Space Nine head honcho Benjamin Sisko. The trailer also re-introduces two fan-favorite characters from previous installments. Robert Picardo returns as the holographic doctor from Star Trek: Voyager and the one-and-only Tig Notaro returns as snark-mouthed engineer Jett Reno from Star Trek: Discovery . Holograms don't age, but people do, so I wonder what kind of sci-fi gobbleygook they'll come up with as to why Picardo now looks older. Speaking of the passage of time, there's the Discovery -sized elephant in the room. Starfleet Academy is set in the 32nd century, after the crew of the Discovery accidentally ended up there at the end of season two. This is 800 years after the 90s shows like The Next Generation and 900 years after the original series. So this means any and all connections between planets and species are likely to be radically different, as eight centuries is a really, really long time. Just think about how different the year 1225 was from today. The show premieres in six or seven months on Paramount+ . Star Trek: Starfleet Academy stars the aforementioned Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks and Paul Giamatti as the half-Klingon antagonist.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Sweet lovers race to Poundland for new Haribo packets scanning for just £1
FANS of treats are rushing to Poundland to buy new Haribo packets that are on sale for just £1. Sweet-toothed shoppers are scrambling to taste the unusual flavour at the discount retailer. 1 New Haribo Fruit Rotella Credit: Facebook The news about Haribo Fruit Rotella's launch at Poundland was shared on the Facebook page Food Finds UK - and got a lot of attention. Posting the picture of the new treat, one fan wrote: "Haribo Fruit Rotella!! Spotted in Poundland for £1.00!" The announcement sent fans wild, and fans are now rushing to grab their own packs. It comes just days after more new flavours of Haribo sweets hit the shelves in Lidl - and shoppers are loving them. At only £1.39, the packs feature flavours inspired by the wizarding world of harry Potter - including Butterbeer, green apple from the Forbidden Forest and Dumbledore's favourite lemon drops. The themed sweets come shaped like characters, creatures and symbols from the movie series. Meanwhile, Haribo fans are buzzing after Home Bargains slashed the price of its iconic share bags to just 29p. Home Bargains posted on Facebook: 'This is not a drill – Haribo share bag only 29p.' Most read in Money Some of the bags spotted include fan-favourites like Giant Strawberries and Supermix – both popular choices among sweet-toothed Brits. Some shoppers are even turning to social media to show off their haul, with one uploading a photo of their trolley packed full of sweets, captioned: 'Don't judge me.' The sweet offer follows more good news for Haribo lovers. The brand recently launched a brand new Berry Clouds flavour, made up of triple-layer foam gummi sweets in fun, cloud-like shapes and flavours like blueberry, wildberry and strawberry. Meanwhile, Haribo has also just opened its first stand-alone store in Scotland. The shop, located in Glasgow's Silverburn Shopping Centre, is the brand's 12th in the UK and offers more than 30 sweet varieties from both HARIBO and MAOAM. Visitors can build their own mix from a giant Pick Your Mix station, buy exclusive global flavours, and even snap selfies with fun photo ops inside the colourful shop. Rebecca Fox, Head of Retail at Haribo UK, said: 'We're so excited to be opening our first HARIBO retail store in Scotland.' With bargain share bags, new flavours, themed sweets, and a shiny new shop, it's a good time to be a Haribo fan. WHAT RARE SWEETS CAN YOU FIND AT HARIBO BLUEWATER? HARIBO Favoritos and Watermelon from Spain HARIBO Dragibus and Tagada from France HARIBO Schnecken from Germany
News18
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Watch: Dumbledore And Voldemort's Epic Dance Has Harry Potter (And Us) In Utter Shock
Last Updated: In a viral video, Dumbledore and Voldemort were seen showing off their killer moves to a latest Bollywood dance number. No Harry Potter fan could have ever imagined in their wildest dreams seeing Albus Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort together in a friendly setting, let alone them dancing together, that too, to a Bollywood song. Well, that happened. The two iconic characters from the Harry Potter universe were seen dancing to Housefull 5's song Laal Pari. What was even more funny was Harry Potter's reaction to them dancing. In a video shared by an Instagram user, the two wizarding rivals exchanged their magic wands and robes with dancing shoes. Together, Dumbledore and Voldemort gave it their all, starting from hip shakes to full-on attitude. Their killer dance to Laal Pari took the internet by storm. Still, what caught everyone's attention was Harry Potter's reaction, who stood at the back, shocked by their performance. His confused and stunned reaction further added to the comedy quotient of the video. Like all of us, he also might be wondering, 'What's really happening?" Internet Reacts To Dumbledore and Voldemort's Dance The clip, which has garnered over 5 lakh views since it was posted, has left the internet rolling on the floor laughing. A majority of people loved the new take on the equation between the arch-rivals, Dumbledore and Voldemort, and others couldn't help but react to Harry Potter's stunned expressions. One user said, 'I KNEW THESE TWO WERE SECRETLY BESTIES." Another added, 'How do people honestly come up with these funny scenarios? That dance in itself was GOAT, but Harry from the back!" A fan referenced the Harry Potter storyline, saying, 'Guess what's more cursed: the dance or the boy behind?" 'Voldemort and Dumbledore before Harry was born," another fan wrote. Someone commented on the post, saying, 'This version is Directed by Suraj Barjatya. Lead writer: Champaklal Gada.' New Harry Potter Show Harry Potter, written by J.K. Rowling, is soon making a comeback onto our screens, this time, in a TV show format. The brand-new show is expected to premiere on HBO Max sometime in 2027. Just a few days ago, the makers revealed that the first season of the show is already in production, 24 years after the release of the first movie in the original film series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. HBO has confirmed the cast of the series, featuring Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. First Published: July 23, 2025, 17:13 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Malaysian Reserve
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malaysian Reserve
Harry Potter 'Back to Hogwarts' 2025 Celebrations Revealed
Global events, 20th anniversary screenings, and digital surprises await… LONDON, July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Wizards, witches and Muggles – wands at the ready! The countdown to Back to Hogwarts has begun, and this year's festivities are set to be more magical than ever! Every 1st September, Harry Potter fans mark the iconic return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Now, nearly almost a quarter of a century since the first film enchanted audiences, this beloved tradition has grown into an annual global celebration of all things Harry Potter. 20 Years of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Celebrate two decades of Triwizard Tournament thrills with special Back to Hogwarts screenings of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in cinemas worldwide. In the United States, fans can relive the epic adventure on the big screen for a limited time through the Back to Hogwarts official ticketing partner – – and have a chance to get their hands on magical Harry Potter giveaways as part of the celebrations. Theatres in Canada, EMEA and International Territories will all be joining in the fun – check local listings and for details. Magic Meets Snapchat Introducing four brand new 3D Harry Potter Bitmoji Lenses with Friends! From mid-Aug in honour of Back to Hogwarts, Snap users globally will be able to see their Snapchat Bitmoji (decked out in the latest Back to Hogwarts themed fashion drop, naturally) take a trip into the wizarding world! Watch as your Bitmoji interacts with your friends' Bitmojis in four different iconic Harry Potter scenes – Hogwarts Letters at the Dursleys', Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, Putting names into the Goblet of Fire, and the Wizard Chess scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Global Fan Festivities Back to Hogwarts celebrations are happening everywhere and this year's revelries are sure to make memories worthy of Dumbledore's Pensieve! Look out for celebratory Back to Hogwarts themed moments at Harry Potter destinations around the world – including park lands at Universal Destinations & Experiences, Warner Bros. Studio Tours, and various Harry Potter travelling experience locations globally. So, whether you're in London, Paris, Tokyo or joining in online, there's something spellbinding for everyone… United Kingdom Fans can attend a free screening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at London's iconic Cineworld Leicester Square on 31st Aug. Before the film, ticket holders will enjoy a live Q&A with James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley), hosted by TV and radio presenter, Yinka Bokinni, plus enjoy fun in the foyer with photo ops – including The Great Hall from Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – the Making of Harry Potter. Fans are encouraged to attend in their finest wizarding attire for the chance to win prizes from The LEGO Group and The Noble Collection. All attendees will also receive a Wizarding World, Micro Magical Moments Year 4 Collectible Figure Set from Spinmaster. Tickets are free, strictly limited and essential for entry, keep an eye on for news on when these will be released. Wizarding Wednesdays returns between 13th Aug and 23rd Sept with prizes galore, keep an eye out on the Harry Potter social channels to find out more info. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – the Making of Harry Potter will host 300 lucky guests at a celebratory 11am countdown moment at the Studio Tour, held on the platform next to the iconic Hogwarts Express live on 1st Sept. Tickets are exclusively available by entering a competition to win, visit @wbtourlondon for more details on how to enter before the competition closes on 11th Aug. Visitors to the London Platform 9 ¾ shop can pose with a special photo opportunity frame and pick up exclusive Back to Hogwarts merchandise instore, available from 28th July. House of MinaLima also invites fans to join a special meet and greet event on the 31st of Aug where they can get their hands on a limited-edition giveaway Back to Hogwarts 2025 button badge (while supplies last). Visit for more info. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child London will be giving out special badges to all audience members at performances between 3rd and 7th Sept. Fans are reminded that there will be no event, countdown or train announcement at King's Cross Station on 1st Sept. – and are strongly advised not to travel in order to avoid disappointment. North America & Canada Visitors heading to Harry Potter StoreNew York and Harry Potter Store Chicago can pick up exclusive, time-limited Back to Hogwarts merch in store from 28th July. Starting today, fans eager to attend the popular Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience will be able to sign up for early waitlist confirmation as the experience is confirmed to take place in Chicago later this year – check out for more info. Fans in Salt Lake City, Utah can take advantage of a special ticket offer available on 1st Sept at Harry Potter: The Exhibition. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway will be celebrating '19 Years Later' with $19 tickets for select performances this autumn. This special priced ticket will be available for one day only on 1st Sept, online at or at the Lyric Theatre Box Office. France Paris, 30th Aug: The stunning Sainte-Geneviève Library will transform into a magical 'school exam' inspired free ticketed event with interactive quizzes, a special Harry Potter themed dictation session read by Solange Boulanger (the French language actor who dubbed Dolores Umbridge in the film series). The LEGO Group and Haribo displays, and more surprises will be announced during the summer. For fans unable to make it on the day, the fun will be hosted online from 30th Aug until 7th Sept. Details are soon to be released on how fans can join online, via the French HP and Warner FR social channels. Germany Hamburg, 29 Aug, 30th Aug & 1 Sept: Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier will play host to a spectacular three-day Back to Hogwarts event, offering fans of all ages specially themed interactive activities and magical give-aways from partners including Thalia, The LEGO Group, Haribo and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Nationwide, mid Aug until mid Sept: Stop by Thalia this summer, where 10 stores across Germany will be celebrating Back to Hogwarts. Visitors can enjoy fun photo opportunities, themed activities, prize-draws and special Harry Potter displays before shopping an exclusive themed range and discovering magical 'back to school' promotions. More details here 29th Aug & 5th Sept: Wizards and witches also have the opportunity to attend one of four special Back to Hogwarts themed sleepover events held at Thalia stores in Dusseldorf, Hannover, Leipzig and Hamburg. Lucky attendees can look forward to magical activities and take home an exclusive goody bag. Check out for details on how to apply for free tickets. Hamburg, 31st Aug: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will host a special Back to Hogwarts Show to celebrate the start of a new school year. Full details here: Italy Milan, 1st Sept: Fans can register to join a spectacular free Back to Hogwarts event, held at Teatro Nazionale. The beautiful space will be entirely themed and transformed into a magical venue for the celebrations. Look forward to an 11'o'clock countdown, interactive games, quizzes, special performances, plus surprise guests! To learn more and register, visit Spain Madrid, 31st Aug & 1st Sept: Fans are invited to a special two-day event at a stunning yet-to-be-revealed location. Get ready for plenty of magical fun, including Back to Hogwarts and Harry Potter themed photo opportunities, an interactive 11 o'clock countdown, and much more. Further details will be announced soon. Japan Tokyo, 29th Aug – 31st Aug: Baseball fans attending Saitama Seibu Lions games can look forward to a special Back to Hogwarts collaboration with Harry Potter x Lions. Fans can get their hands on bespoke products and visitors on the 29th will also be able to watch as a cast member from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child makes the ceremonial pitch! China Shanghai: 7th Aug – 10th Aug: In honour of Back to Hogwarts season, fans will be able to enjoy both Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert. Hangzhou: 30th Aug – 1st Sept: Look forward to a special Back to Hogwarts celebration in Hangzhou's West Lake District. Expect celebratory photo opportunities, a first glimpse at brand new products and a host of magical fun. Find out more by visiting the official Harry Potter Chinese social channel. Singapore Visitors to Harry Potter: Visions of Magic with a valid ticket, arriving dressed in their favourite house attire have the chance to win complimentary gifts with other surprises on site. Australia Fans in Melbourne, Australia can take advantage of a special ticket offer available on 1st Sept at Harry Potter: The Exhibition. Online Don't miss the Back to Hogwarts Showcase at 10:40 BST / 05:40 ET, which will be available on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Expect news, updates and announcements for the year ahead. There are more Back to Hogwarts activities and events yet to be announced, visit to stay up to date, get Sorted into your Hogwarts house, and join the Harry Potter Fan Club. 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