Latest news with #Gentleman
Mint
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Bill Clinton & James Patterson's thriller ‘The First Gentleman': A murder, a cheerleader, and a Presidency on the line
Former US President Bill Clinton and thriller writer James Patterson have reunited for a gripping new novel, The First Gentleman, set to hit shelves on June 2, 2025. The book marks the duo's third high-stakes political thriller following their successes The President Is Missing (2018) and The President's Daughter (2021). At the heart of The First Gentleman is an explosive premise: the President of the United States is a woman—and her husband stands trial for murder. President Madeline Wright is facing re-election when the nation is rocked by allegations that her husband, Cole Wright, a former NFL star and now First Gentleman, murdered a cheerleader nearly two decades earlier. As the legal drama unfolds, the stakes go far beyond the courtroom. The accusation threatens to derail Wright's political career and destroy her efforts to pass a crucial economic reform package dubbed the 'Grand Bargain.' Unlike their previous thrillers, Clinton and Patterson shift the spotlight in The First Gentleman to two dogged investigative journalists—Brea Cooke, a lawyer-turned-reporter, and her partner Garrett Wilson. The duo becomes central to the plot as they dig into the long-cold case of Suzanne Bonanno, a Patriots cheerleader who disappeared while allegedly involved with Cole Wright 17 years earlier. What begins as a journalistic investigation spirals into a sprawling political and legal thriller, with the reporters uncovering hidden motives, and deadly secrets that threaten to shake the White House. Packed with courtroom confrontations, political sabotage, and high-stakes decision-making, The First Gentleman combines Patterson's trademark pacing with Clinton's insider knowledge. The novel promises readers an intense ride through the corridors of power, media scrutiny, and a murder mystery that could determine the future of a presidency. Clinton and Patterson's unique collaboration has already yielded millions in book sales and popular acclaim. With The First Gentleman, they explore uncharted territory—America's first female president and the unprecedented scenario of a First Gentleman accused of murder. The book continues the duo's tradition of blending real-world insight with page-turning suspense. The First Gentleman goes on sale June 2, 2025, and is published by Little, Brown and Company.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Local hero, Netflix star
If there is any showbiz star who knows a thing or two about representing Pakistan internationally through his line of work, it is Humayun Saeed. Or, as viewers abroad may call him, Dr Hasnat in Season 5 of Netflix royal drama The Crown. But although his reputation as an A-lister is cemented in his home country, Humayun stressed in an interview on YouTube channel Filme Shilmy that during his time on The Crown, he felt the weight of representing Pakistan before the eyes of the rest of the world. "Representation is so important whenever we have to go outside our country," mused the star, who made his post-Crown comeback last year with a lead role in Gentleman after having been away from screens for nearly two years. "Take The Crown. That character was an important one, and I gave it my all. I took a lot of time with it, and it was at the forefront of my mind that the whole world would be watching this." Despite the pressure of global expectations and the eyes of the world, however, the actor praised the work environment and the professionalism of his colleagues, whom he credited for going the extra mile to ensure his comfort. "There was pressure, but I'm glad that the people who worked with me were very good," noted Humayun. They knew I had come from another country and was working in another language." Humayun went on to hint, however, that professionalism is a two-way street. "I gave it my all, and this is where our respect comes from – the work ethic we have when we go elsewhere," he pointed out. Lauding, in turn, the work ethic of those on set, the actor continued, "I saw that everything was happening on time, everyone was punctual and working quietly, and everyone's priority was to complete the work every day." Stopping just short of commenting on punctuality and efficiency on sets in Pakistan, Humayun went on to concede, "Of course, we have that here as well, but maybe we make some mistakes. But the thing is, they do not make those mistakes." What's in a name? Alongside his Bin Roye co-star, Mahira Khan, Humayun is currently in the throes of promoting his upcoming Eidul Azha romantic comedy Love Guru. In the same interview, Humayun recalled that he had been warned to refrain from being in any sort of offering going by that particular name, at the risk of being tainted by association after a previous film also called Love Guru had flopped. "There used to be a film that wasn't very good called Love Guru, and someone told me I shouldn't take on this particular film – but our film is good!" he insisted with conviction. Brushing aside the importance of the name of a production, Humayun maintained, "People are interested in films. If you make a good movie, and if people like it, then they start to like the name as well!" And of course, the star also has the evidence to back up his beliefs about films and their respective names. "I made a movie called Punjab Nahi Jaungi, and everyone said, 'What kind of name is this? This is not a good name for a film!' But then when that film became a hit, everyone would say that it was because it had a catchy name!" In other words: any title is only as good as the film itself. "When a film is good, the name is also a hit," concluded Humayun firmly. Delving deeper into the film itself and giving insight into his performance, the star discussed the art of delivering his lines when the viewers are in on a secret, but the characters are in the dark. "The shades of this character – sometimes I don't always understand how to talk like him, because I myself don't talk like that," he admitted. "But I would go to [director Nadeem Baig] and he would guide me and advise me about the timing. So I would copy Nadeem! The thing is, this film doesn't have that much comedy. I needed to add a few nuances so that the characters can't tell that he is lying, but the audience can." Mahira's personal touch Sitting alongside Humayun, fellow A-lister and Love Guru leading lady Mahira, known for picking up non-conformist roles, had her own thoughts on what makes her character tick and how she brought shades of herself to the part. "The first time you read a script, you read it as you," began Mahira. "And then you pick on things in the script. And the director says, 'This is not you, this is a character!'" Admitting that it isn't always practical to view a character through one's own lens, Mahira added "Sometimes it's not needed, sometimes it's not the character, and you have to surrender to it." When it comes to Love Guru itself, however, Mahira is adamant that this her onscreen persona is one that audiences can get behind and fall in love with – and yes, this time, she was able to convince director Nadeem to view the role through her own lens to add richness and subtlety to her character. "In this film, she is a girl of today," explained Mahira. "She is a true blue feminist and someone who is always on the right side of the spectrum. I would go to Nadeem and say, 'She wouldn't say this about another girl!' And he would agree and say, 'You're right, let's change it.' So yes, I do bring this to the table." Looking back on her former roles, Mahira mused that she is now in a place where she does not feel she owes it to herself to take on characters carrying an important message, as opposed to the relatively "easy-breezy" lighter character she has taken on board in Love Guru. "When I was younger, I was so hell bent on just doing that," she recalled. "I remember I had a few choices and I went for Verna, because I felt the subject was so important and I needed to be a part of it. At that time, even though I was offered roles that were easy breezy, I thought, 'No, I have to do this first.'" Now, however, Mahira feels unshackled from her own expectations. "I've had a kind of switch," she affirmed. "If I don't do it now, then when will I do it? But I don't look at it that way. if you know what I mean. I don't think, 'Oh this is easy breezy, and this is heavy'. Now it's just about what attracts me and what is offered to me." Will viewers find Mahira's easy-breezy character as palatable as the woman bringing her to life? There is not long to go before we find out.
Pink Villa
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
PSY's That That ft BTS' SUGA hits 600 million views after 3 years, thanks fans with behind-the-scenes footage
PSY and BTS Suga's collab That That officially smashed past 600 million views on YouTube on May 31, 2025, at around 2 AM KST. The music video for the 2022 hit, produced by Suga and featuring him as an artist, hit this massive milestone just over three years after its release. To celebrate, PSY shared a behind-the-scenes clip with fun boomerangs of him and Suga in an epic fight scene. Sharing the short video, PSY captioned 'That That 600 Million' along with a purple heart. The video originally dropped on April 29, 2022, meaning it took just a bit over three years, one month, and one day to reach this huge number. PSY's Milestone With That That Track Ft. BTS' SUGA This milestone marks PSY's fifth music video to cross 600 million views, joining the ranks of iconic hits like 'Gangnam Style,' 'Gentleman,' 'Oppa Is Just My Style,' and 'Daddy.' For Suga, it's his first solo music video to reach this level, highlighting his growing influence beyond BTS. The song's infectious blend of catchy beats and fun visuals clearly continues to captivate fans worldwide. What's That That Track about? Set against a Wild West backdrop, That That is PSY's loud and playful celebration of post-pandemic life. It kicks off with PSY embracing the energy of crowded streets and the joy of being back outside, blending dance-pop beats with cowboy swagger. Suga makes a slick entrance mid-track, trading verses with PSY and delivering lines like: 'To everyone I've longed and longed for / Everybody get ready, set, go / What doesn't kill you makes you stronger / Haters gonna hate, players gonna play.' It's catchy, chaotic in the best way, and packed with the kind of attitude only PSY and Suga can pull off. Fans Are Here for It — And Loud About It The comment sections lit up as fans celebrated the 600 million milestone with pure hype. From 'Congrats PSY and Suga, 'That That' is LEGENDARY!!' to '600M views?! Yasss, legends,' the love was loud, proud, and deserved. Where's SUGA Now? Here's a Quick Update BTS' Suga began his mandatory military service on September 22, 2023. Due to a past shoulder injury, he is fulfilling his duty as a public service worker rather than an active-duty soldier. His service is scheduled to conclude on June 21, 2025, marking his official return and potential comeback shortly after.
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘What we go through as actors in the industry, our parents also go through it': Jacqueline Fernandez on how parents' support important for child's career
Jacqueline Fernandez recently represented India at the Red Sea Film Festival at Cannes. During her time at the French Riviera, The Hollywood Reporter caught up with her for a quick interview, where the Gentleman actor recalled the time when her family supported her during her Hollywood debut. During the shooting of Kill 'Em All 2, her entire family flew down to Italy while she was shooting. 'I just couldn't believe. I was doing lines with him (Jean-Claude Van Damme), working with him. He was my icon. I think my entire family. We had this laser disc. My dad was hellbent that if we have to watch Jean Claude, we have to watch him on a laser disc. And cut to, I am on a set with him in Italy. We helped each other with lines. My parents came down and they were like, 'We love our daughter. She made us proud.' Life came full circle. At moments like this you feel it was all worth it–the struggle, the challenges, everything,' she told the publication. Sharing her two cents about the struggle actors face in the industry, Fernandez added: ''What we go through as actors in the industry, our parents also go through it. Everything, it's out there. It takes so much for parents to still support you through everything. My mother was always proud of me and she would always want me to keep striving and dreaming. ' Rima Bhandekar, Psychologist Mpower Aditya Birla Education Trust, told indian that supportive parenting is about asking your child what they want to be, without adding 'you should' right after. Supportive parenting is one of the predictors of a child confidently choosing their own career, even if it is far from parental legacy and societal expectations. 'Such parents provide the space needed to choose what feels right for the child, such as resources, encouragement, and emotional stability while giving them the choice to choose their own path without judgement of tradition, societal status, prestige, and money,' she explained. By doing so, Bhandekar said that children know their self-worth isn't connected tightly to fulfilling someone else's dream; but their own passion, they're better prepared to handle setbacks on their own. They are more likely to stand firm in their choices due to nurturing space provided by parents who value who they are, not just what they achieve. According to Banerjee, supportive parenting is about being there for your children without controlling every decision. It involves encouraging independence, and respecting their right to choose. She shared 3 valuable tips to help children flourish: Let kids try different activities—like sports, arts, coding, or volunteering. These varied experiences help them understand what sparks their interest. Children learn best when they're allowed to explore without feeling forced into a choice. Share your own career stories and lessons without telling them what to do. Your advice as a conversation starter can help them to get a direction. For example, say, 'I did this when I faced a tough decision,' instead of 'You must do this.' It keeps the door open for them to choose their path. Create a safe space where your kids can share fears and ambitions. Check in regularly and listen actively. When children feel heard, they're more likely to share doubts and seek advice. Trust and understanding strengthen their ability to make confident choices.
Korea Herald
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Once on stage, now behind scenes: Kim Su-bin blends idol insight with songwriting craft
With over 400 songs to his name, Kim says understanding each idol's voice and story is key to great K-pop When Kim Su-bin debuted in 2013 as a member of the K-pop boy band Say Yes, he was 27 — an unusually late age in an industry built on youth. 'Most idols debut in their teens or early 20s and I was considered too old,' Kim said during an interview with The Korea Herald on May 8. 'So I signed a five-year contract instead of the usual seven.' Now 38, Kim has transitioned from idol to full-time songwriter and producer. He has written more than 400 songs across K-pop, J-pop and C-pop — credits that include Super Junior's 'Super,' Exo-CBX's 'Gentleman' and Twice's recent track 'Dive.' But long before he took the stage, he was producing behind the scenes. 'I was already writing songs in 2008,' Kim said. 'Back then, collaboration between songwriters wasn't common in Korea. Usually it was just one or two people. I did both producing and toplining on my own and recorded demos in my own voice.' One of those demos landed on the desk of Kim Chang-rak, then-CEO of Music Factory, who offered Kim the opportunity to debut in a band. 'I thought it was an interesting proposal,' he said. 'So I started training and after about two years, I debuted with Say Yes.' His time as an idol, Kim says, taught him far more than how to perform — it reshaped the way he writes music today. 'I learned how singers manage their vocal positioning, how they sing while dancing, how diction varies depending on mouth shape,' he said. 'Before I became a singer, I had trouble writing songs for others. I didn't know how to accommodate those differences. But now I understand which melodies are right for which voice, and what makes a song easier to perform. That insight helps determine whether something becomes a title track or not.' Understanding idols as individuals is just as important as understanding their voices, which Kim says is something most producers overlook. 'A lot of songwriters don't even know the members' names,' he said. 'But I was an idol, so I studied other groups a lot. If another idol did something cool on stage or had a unique singing style, I'd keep that in mind. The skills I picked up back then help me today, especially when directing vocals. I know what makes the artist more comfortable and how to bring out their best.' Kim has also watched the way K-pop songwriting has changed, especially as the industry has gone global. 'In the early 2010s, Korean producers usually worked solo,' he said. 'Maybe we'd hire a guide vocalist, but collaboration wasn't part of the culture. Around the mid-2010s, that started to change. More global collaborations happened — entertainment companies, publishers, song camps, sessions. It became a system.' These days, song creation is a structured, collaborative process. There's the producer, who creates the instrumental base; the topliner, who writes the vocal melody; and the lyricist, who provides the lyrics. Sometimes the lyricist is the topliner, sometimes not. 'Mixing is like cooking, (it's) combining ingredients to make a delicious dish,' Kim explained. 'Mastering is like inflating that dish so it's louder and more impactful. Damping gives the track more punch and clarity.' While some songs are created in one-on-one settings, K-pop's competitive ecosystem often means producers distribute tracks to multiple collaborators globally. 'Sometimes the company or publisher sends a track to top musicians in several countries. Sometimes it's sent to close topliners directly,' Kim said. 'On average, about five people work on one track, usually more topliners than producers, and most of the time, topliners also write the lyrics.' Because idol groups often have multiple members, variety in vocal tone is key, which is why working with different topliners can elevate a song. 'We work from a shared reference point. It could be a musical color, a universe building concept, a lyrical theme, even the fandom's name,' he said. 'The lead producer ensures everyone stays in the same lane. Usually, whoever has the most experience takes that role.' So, what's trending in K-pop right now? Kim points to a return of early-2000s sounds. 'People are getting tired of overly digitalized music,' he said. 'There are a lot of new groups embracing 2000s-style production. The girl group Kiss of Life is a good example.' One song that stood out to him was the group member Natty's solo song 'Sugarcoat,' released in 2023. 'I was shocked when I heard it,' he said. 'It's the kind of music I grew up listening to. The trend has come full circle. I think what's popular now is expressing old-school sound in a Gen Z way.' Today, Aiming Music, the label Kim founded seven years ago, works with 17 songwriters, including many from outside Korea. And he's recently noticed something new: more American producers are showing interest in K-pop. 'Ten years ago, most international songwriters we worked with were from Sweden,' Kim said. 'These days, it changes daily. There's still a lot of activity from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and New Zealand. Even Germany and the UK. But since last year, there's been a clear uptick in interest from the US.' The reason? More K-pop groups are touring the US, and the economics still make sense. 'It used to be hard to connect with American songwriters,' he said. 'But now that more idols tour the US, there's more interest. And in Korea, physical albums are still printed, so writers can earn from CD printing, unlike the US or Europe, where streaming dominates and physical sales are rare. That might be another reason.' In this series, The Korea Herald sits down with some of the key behind-the-scenes creatives in K-pop — the producers and songwriters shaping the sound of a global phenomenon — to hear their stories, trace their career paths and explore their insights into the industry's evolving trends. -- Ed.
