Latest news with #HarryPotterandtheHalf-BloodPrince
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Harry Potter star looks unrecognisable after quitting acting for a complete career change
Harry Potter star Louis Cordice looks unrecognisable 15 years after he appeared on the iconic franchise. The British actor portrayed Slytherin student Blaise Zabini in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2009 and The Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2 in 2010 and 2011. Blaise was part of the wizarding schools troublesome trio alongside Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, and Josh Herdman as Gregory Goyle. Louis, who is now is now 35, is a proud family man and shares three children with his stunning wife. He looks worlds away from his old character and now sports a full beard and moustache after ditching acting for a new career in recruitment. Louis is now a senior finance recruitment specialist and has had over eight years of experience in the industry. Harry Potter star Louis Cordice looks unrecognisable 15 years after he appeared on the iconic franchise Blaise was part of the wizarding schools troublesome trio alongside Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, and Josh Herdman as Gregory Goyle Describing his work, he said: 'I specialise in building strong, high-performing finance teams by focusing on the unique needs of both clients and candidates. 'My approach goes beyond simply filling roles—it's about long-term, meaningful relationships and finding the right cultural fit.' However, the child star still attends conventions around the world from Paris to Mexico where he interacts with Harry Potter fans. Speaking about attending conventions, Louis previously said: 'I'm lucky to travel the world and get to go to conventions, compared to what we see now, meet Harry Potter fans that now have children.' He even reunited with Tom and Scarlett Byrne, who played Slytherin student Patsy Parkinson, during one convention at the end of last year. The trio looked thrilled to be reunited as they posed for fun pictures backstage before meeting the fans. Scarlett has since gone on to star in the Vampire Diaries as Heretic vampire Nora Hildegard and also appeared in Skybound and Sorority Murder. During the convention, Louis and Scarlett revealed which scenes were their favourite from the last which actually ended up being cut. The British actor portrayed Slytherin student Blaise Zabini in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2009 and The Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2 in 2010 and 2011 Louis, who is now is now 35, is a proud family man and shares three children with his wife Louis is now a senior finance recruitment specialist and has had over eight years of experience in the industry after turning away from acting However, the child star still attends conventions around the world where he interacts with Harry Potter fans and reunites with co-stars including Tom and Scarlett Byrne Scarlett played Patsy Parkinson (R) in the hit films and Josh Herdman Goyle was played by Louis also reunited with his fellow Slytherin cast member and one third of the villainous trio Gregory Goyle last year in April as they attended 'Potter Day' in Verona, Italy The pair also showed their close bond as they beamed for a photo as Louis joined Josh at his lavish wedding in 2023 Scarlett said: 'In the last film we filmed the dungeon scene and we realised then how big it was going to be but it was cut, I think it was in the extras bit though but that scene only took like two takes.' Louis added: 'I remember Josh [Herdman] and I doing battles as well in the courtyard but they were cut as well.' Louis also revealed how he got into acting and how he secured the role in the Slytherin trio. He said: 'I got into acting originally, I was Dean Thomas' double. 'I was actually picked out of school in year 7 and being a double for two years in two films which was the second and fourth film which got me into acting. 'From there I got an agent and she through me into auditions and three auditions later I got the part for Harry Potter. 'So coming back from being a double to being a main character in the films was pretty incredible to be honest.' Louis also reunited with his fellow Slytherin cast member and one third of the villainous trio Gregory Goyle last year in April as they attended 'Potter Day' in Verona, Italy. Goyle was played by Josh Herdman, who is now a mixed martial artist. The pair also showed their close bond as they beamed for a photo as Louis joined Josh at his lavish wedding in 2023.
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Business Standard
22-04-2025
- Business Standard
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro: Is it a reliable Android tablet for entertainment use?
Lenovo launched the Idea Tab Pro in India. I shared a detailed review of the device earlier – click here to read the full review. What I found while testing the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro was that the audio department is quite well sorted. The display and the JBL-tuned quad speakers with Dolby Atmos technology left a strong impression, which is why I decided to focus more on the multimedia viewing experience this time. Let us find out if the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro can be our ideal movie companion. Display To begin with, the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro features a 12.7-inch 3K LCD display of a 144Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 400 nits. While it is an LCD display – which might initially seem underwhelming – it proved to be surprisingly impressive. Watching movies and web series on this tablet did not disappoint in delivering punchy and vibrant colours. Bright shades like red, yellow, and green appeared vivid, albeit slightly sharp, but overall, the display did justice to these colours. As for darker shades, it exceeded expectations. Certain series or films adopt darker themes, using multiple shades of black to convey mood or atmosphere. A notable example would be Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which uses darkness to highlight light. When I rewatched the film on this tablet, the portrayal of black shades was particularly effective. What I assumed would be the tablet's weak point – the LCD panel – turned out to be one of its strengths. The large display almost made me feel as though I was watching on my MacBook, which has a 13.3-inch screen. Overall, I was quite satisfied with the display. Now, let us move to the department that complements the display in enhancing the multimedia experience – audio. Audio Any smartphone user would know that while one speaker delivers decent sound, two can greatly improve clarity and volume. Now, imagine having four speakers, all from JBL and tuned by Dolby Atmos. Sounds impressive, right? That is what the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro offers. The audio output during my first use was astounding. Despite being extremely loud, the tablet did not compromise on sound quality or clarity. I could hear every word clearly, even at full volume. In terms of bass, the tablet fell slightly short. However, when considering the overall sound experience and clarity, the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro, with its JBL speakers, performed admirably. Handling and comfort The tablet, however, has one notable downside – its greatest strength is also its biggest drawback. Due to its large display, handling the tablet can be cumbersome. Anyone expecting to manage it with one hand will be surprised. Earlier, I compared the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro to a laptop with a 13-inch screen. How comfortable would it be to hold a 13-inch screen for extended periods? Using the tablet in hand to watch a video is manageable, but binge-watching an entire series requires setting it down. Despite its rounded corners, the 620g weight and extra-large display left me with no option but to place it on a surface to watch comfortably. Verdict Starting at Rs 27,999, the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is one of the best display companions for entertainment use. The large display, excellent sound, vibrant visuals, and smooth performance make it a strong contender. For those seeking a tablet with a bigger screen than a smartphone for watching films or web series, this is one of the best options in its price range. Yes, the size may be an issue for some, but a trade-off is often necessary – sacrificing a little comfort for a richer multimedia experience, especially in the midrange segment.
USA Today
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
J.K. Rowling can't leave the LGBTQ+ community alone and it's getting weird
J.K. Rowling can't leave the LGBTQ+ community alone and it's getting weird | Opinion I grew up on 'Harry Potter' and the world J.K. Rowling built. It's sad to see her transphobia in action. Show Caption Hide Caption JK Rowling responds to 'Harry Potter' stars' support of trans people Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have opposed the "Harry Potter" author's anti-trans rhetoric in recent years. unbranded - Entertainment It's no secret that 'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling has spent the past few years spewing transphobic hate any chance she gets. Now, her hatred of other members of the LGBTQ+ community is making headlines. She just can't stop. April 6 was International Asexuality Day, celebrating members of the LGBTQ+ community who do not experience sexual attraction. Rowling had a problem with that, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to go on a bigoted rant about people whose lives she refuses to understand: 'Happy International Fake Oppression Day to everyone who wants complete strangers to know they don't fancy a shag.' She continued her barrage of hate in the replies, adding: 'Sure, people are still killed for being gay in a lot of countries, but straight people who don't fancy a quickie are being literally ignored to death.' She was also confused about how people can identify as gay and be asexual. Sure, she could do a little research and quickly discover that sexual attraction is different than romantic attraction, but why would she do that when it's even easier to continue dunking on vulnerable groups? Why learn anything when you can just punch down for social media clout? J.K. Rowling is transphobic every chance she gets Lest we forget that she also hates transgender people, Rowling also got into it with 'Last Week Tonight' host John Oliver when the comedian aired an episode about the panic over trans women competing in sports. The author claimed Oliver was a sellout, alleged that standing up for transgender people 'was the cost of doing business' and told him to 'read the f------ room.' Opinion: I can't stop thinking about the interview Elon Musk's trans daughter gave If we're reading the room, surely Rowling knows that her views alienate people and add to the intense hate trans people face daily. Instead of trying to understand trans people, she'd rather hide behind her hateful comments. Surely, she could be doing something better with her time: writing, volunteering or getting a hobby. Instead, she has decided that she's willing to die on her hill of transphobia, tarnishing her reputation and hurting her fans in the process. 'Harry Potter' was part of my childhood. Rowling's politics ruined it. Like millions of people around the world, I grew up reading the Potter series. My mother took my younger sister and me to the midnight release of the 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' book in 2005. I held on to my ticket stub from the 2011 midnight premiere of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' for years. Like many of the people who read those books, I was heartbroken when Rowling began using her platform to disparage the transgender community. It's ironic that a woman who created a series about witchcraft and fantastical things is unable to comprehend things as simple as people not experiencing sexual attraction or identifying with genders that don't match the sex they were assigned at birth. According to The Sunday Times Rich List 2024, Rowling is worth £945 million – the equivalent of more than $1.23 billion. She has so much money that she could live a life of seclusion for the rest of her days, or at least enough money that she doesn't need to be bothered by what is happening politically. Instead, she is using her massive platform and hordes of wealth to put down vulnerable communities. In the process, she has soiled her reputation and harmed people who were once fans of hers. Imagine being so hateful that you relish in it. I wish Rowling and other billionaires would use their money and time to advocate for the betterment of society instead of villainizing people who have done nothing wrong. But maybe I'm more imaginative than she is. Follow USA TODAY columnist Sara Pequeño on X, formerly Twitter: @sara__pequeno
The Guardian
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
A hit wheel and a pottery flop: what happened to UK millennium projects?
As the former National Centre for Popular Music goes on the at-risk register, we look at what happened to some other millennium projects. Now known as the London Eye, when it opened to the public in 2000 it was the world's largest ferris wheel. It was praised for its design and engineering and has won more than 85 awards for national and international tourism. The Eye remains one of the country's most popular tourist attractions, visited by millions of people each year. The National Wildflower Centre opened in the borough of Knowsley in 2000. The building closed in 2017 and the National Wildflower Centre is now based at the Eden Project in Cornwall. It featured a 520ft-long 'inhabited wall' and an elevated walkway offering views of Court Hey Park. The £1.35m building was widely praised, scooping an RIBA award in 2001 and a Civic Trust award a year later. The building closed abruptly when the charity that ran the wildflower centre went into liquidation. After the building was repeatedly targeted for arson and vandalism, in 2023 Knowsley council said it intended to 'remove' it due to safety and cost concerns. The Dome opened on 31 December 1999, the eve of the millennium, and housed the Millennium Experience exhibition, which ran for a year. Its visitor numbers fell short of expectations and the project was the source of much derision. Various plans were floated for the future of the building, including a football stadium and a business park, but it reopened in 2007 as the O2 and is home to the O2 Arena, a 20,000-capacity venue. Archaeolink opened in 1997 with the aim of bringing in visitors to explore north-east Scotland's ancient archaeological heritage. The energy-efficient visitor centre, made from grass and glass, was set within Neolithic-style conical mounds and incisions and blended seamlessly into the landscape. Low visitors numbers led to the closure of the attraction in April 2011 after funding was withdrawn. After lying abandoned for more than a decade, the park was sold to local developers in 2024. This pedestrian footbridge opened in 2000, linking St Paul's Cathedral on the north bank of the Thames with Shakespeare's Globe and Tate Modern on the South Bank. It became known as the 'wobbly bridge' after pedestrians noticed it shaking on its opening day. It was closed for almost two years while fixes were made, reopening to the public in February 2002. The bridge featured in the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It is estimated that 4 million people walk across the structure each year. This museum exploring the history of the area's pottery industry closed in 2011 due to low visitor numbers, as pottery manufacturing also dwindled. The museum was housed in the old town hall in Burslem, which is now home to a sixth-form college. The museum's modern extension was demolished as it was deemed too uneconomical to repair.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Harry Potter' Actress Joins Onlyfans to ‘Get Out of Debt' During Hollywood Dry Spell: ‘Ripping Up the Good Little Actress Rule Book'
Jessie Cave – most known for playing Lavender Brown in the 'Harry Potter' films – is starting an OnlyFans account centered around her hair. In an Instagram post, Cave explained to her boyfriend that her upcoming OnlyFans account would contain 'the best quality hair sounds' and 'very sensual stuff.' She also hammered home that the account would not be sexual but 'it is a fetish, I think. I hope.' The 'Harry Potter' alum further broke down her reasoning for starting an OnlyFans account now on her personal Substack. Much of it has to do a Hollywood dry spell and the potential money from the account would help fix up her home. 'One year. I'll try for one year,' Cave wrote. 'My aim? To get the house safe, cover the arsenic/lead wallpaper, build a new roof etc. My aim? To get out of debt. My aim? To empower myself? To prove to those in the past who have misjudged me that I'm not so sweet? To put time into something I never invested in before: self-love.' She added, 'Were my years of Harry Potter conventions in fact research? [It feels] like I'm doing something naughty, something a little f–ked up. I like that. Ripping up the good little actress rule book.' Cave is most known for her role as Lavender Brown in 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1' and 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.' Her more recent credits include 'Buffering,' 'The Baby,' and an episode of 'Industry.' She also recently launched a podcast called 'Before We Break Up Again' and the most recent episode reconfirmed she joined OnlyFans and that the account would not be sexual. 'I am launching an OnlyFans, it's not a sexual one,' Cave said. 'It's a fetish. Fetish doesn't necessarily mean sexual.' Cave is far from the only celebrity to turn to OnlyFans. Most notably, 'The Sopranos' star Drea de Matteo created an account that helped her save her family home. 'OnlyFans saved my life, 100 percent,' she told 'I can't believe I'm saying that, but it really did save us. Anybody that wants to condemn me and put me down, go for it. I just hope you never find yourself in the position I was in to take care of two little kids. It saved my home of many years that was very important to us.' The post 'Harry Potter' Actress Joins Onlyfans to 'Get Out of Debt' During Hollywood Dry Spell: 'Ripping Up the Good Little Actress Rule Book' appeared first on TheWrap.
