Latest news with #J.K.Rowling


Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jade Thirlwall takes aim at JK Rowling in explosive outburst as fans join chant
Jade Thirlwall has made her views on Harry Potter author JK Rowling very clear as she led thousands of festival-goers in an explosive chant at Mighty Hoopla Jade Thirlwall took aim at Harry Potter author JK Rowling in an explosive outburst. The former Little Mix singer who has now ventured out as a solo artist under the name JADE made her presence known as she took to the stage at Mighty Hoopla festival on Saturday. The 32-year-old has always been a vocal ally of the LGBTQ+ community and often uses her platform to praise the community and raise awareness of causes around it. But as she took to the Mighty Hoopla stage on Saturday, Jade took aim at people whom she believes have voiced their opposition to the community. While performing her track F*** You For Now (FUFN), Jade encouraged the sold-out crowd of 30,000 to join in with her chant. Speaking to the fans, Jade said: "I want you to put your middle fingers up in the air and I'm going to name some things and some people and I want you to shout, 'F*** you' back to me." She went on to list people who she claims are homophobic, transphobic and misogynistic. Turning to the crowd she yelled: "J.K. Rowling..." as the fans screamed: "F*** you." Jade's comments were met with a mixed response on social media. One user said: "Nah Jade you're wrong for this." A second ask: "What did J.K. Rowling do?" Meanwhile, another penned: "What's J.K. Rowling done wrong to Jade? What have I missed?" But some leapt to defend Jade, with one writing: "Jade the icon you are." A second supporter of Jade went on to say: "We love Jade!! A true North East girlie." "She is the biggest ally and I love her so much," added another. J.K., whose real name is Joanne Rowling, has strongly denied being transphobic. The author, 59, first made comments about trans people six years ago and has since stood strong in her belief that they pose a threat to women in same sex spaces, such as toilets. Earlier this month, the author posted to her 14.3 million followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, that "nobody sane believes, or has ever believed that humans can change sex, or that binary sex isn't a material fact." Jade's comments come after she joined 400 UK artists and music industry workers signing an open letter pledging solidarity with the trans community. Following the UK Supreme Court's ruling, the trans community and allies have stormed social media to protest the exclusion of trans people from single sex spaces. Titled the 'Open Letter of solidarity to the trans community from the UK Music Industry,' the letter highlights the impact made on the trans, non-binary, and intersex communities following the Supreme Court ruling. Last week, Jade performed her first solo festival slot – and headlined the Future Sounds Stage at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool's Sefton Park. A source at the event said: "Jade was blown away by how many people packed into the tent. She was a member of the biggest girl band from the UK after the Spice Girls and Girls Aloud, but as her first solo show, she told the crowd it was an 'insane crowd' and she couldn't believe it. "She thanked the crowd and herself, but not swearing. She told fans that Angel of My Dreams came after she was struggling".
1736339786-0%2FUntitled-design-(24)1736339786-0.png&w=3840&q=100)

Express Tribune
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Jade Thirlwall leads anti JK Rowling chant during Mighty Hoopla performance
Pop singer Jade Thirlwall sparked headlines during her performance at the Mighty Hoopla music festival in London on May 31, 2025, when she led the audience in a chant perceived as a criticism of author J.K. Rowling. The festival, celebrated for its embrace of LGBTQ+ culture, served as the backdrop for Thirlwall's bold moment on stage. JADE saying fuck you to performative allyship, homophobes, transphobes and jk rowling oh i love her bad — phoebe (@emisonsjade) May 31, 2025 While performing on the Main Stage, Thirlwall began a call-and-response by shouting 'transphobes,' prompting the crowd to respond with, 'F*** you!' She followed up with 'J.K. Rowling,' receiving the same reaction from festivalgoers. Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, where fans praised Thirlwall's show of support for the transgender community. Rowling has faced significant criticism since 2019 over statements she has made regarding gender identity and transgender rights. While the author maintains she is not transphobic, her remarks have been viewed by many as dismissive or harmful toward trans and non-binary individuals. In a 2023 interview for the podcast The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling, she said she doesn't worry about her legacy, focusing instead on the present. Thirlwall has consistently used her platform to support LGBTQ+ causes. In a recent interview with Gayety, she acknowledged the risks involved in speaking out, saying, 'I'm happy to pay the consequences if it means doing the right thing.' She emphasized that remaining silent would feel like a disservice to her fanbase, which includes many LGBTQ+ supporters. Fans online responded positively to her festival appearance, applauding her stance and energy. The moment underscored the broader conversation about artists' responsibilities in speaking out on social and political issues.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ink, ideology, and a billion-dollar empire: The J.K. Rowling story
The magical business of words Live Events Beyond Harry Potter Philanthropy, politics and privacy (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel If outrage were a Horcrux, J.K. Rowling has faced seven. Yet none have managed to destroy the legacy she built with seven books, eight films, and a world that refuses to stop believing. With a wand of iron will and a fortune guarded by dark magic, the architect of Hogwarts is once again a billionaire, proving one thing: her magic doesn't fade under the Forbes' Billionaires List 2025 , the British author has reclaimed her spot with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion. She is one of only five female billionaires who are self-made, and she is the first author to reach a billion-dollar status, according to Forbes , which included her as a billionaire for the first time in their 2004 rich Harry Potter series may be aimed at young readers, but the books deal with serious themes: death, trauma, sacrifice, and the abuse of power. That willingness to explore darkness in fiction mirrors aspects of her public persona. In recent years, Rowling has been in the spotlight not just for her stories but for her outspoken political views, especially on gender and sex-based of Rowling's wealth comes from her strict control of the Harry Potter brand. She owns the intellectual property rights and licenses them through her own company, The Blair Partnership. That control means she gets a cut from every merchandise, adaptation, or theme park ticket sold under the Harry Potter franchise has sold over 600 million books in 85 languages, and the original eight films brought in $7.7 billion at the box office. The Wizarding World now includes theme park attractions at Universal Studios in Orlando, Hollywood, and Japan, and the stage production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which continues to play in major 2023, the Hogwarts Legacy video game grossed over $1.1 billion, making it one of the year's best-selling games. Rowling doesn't directly profit from the game, but she still earns through licensing fees as the creator of the HBO's streaming platform Max is rebooting the Harry Potter series into a decade-long television project. Rowling will serve as an executive producer and retains creative control, ensuring her vision continues to shape the Potter is the foundation of her fortune, Rowling has also found success beyond the wizarding world. Under the pen name Robert Galbraith, she writes the Cormoran Strike crime novels with a loyal readership and a BBC TV also founded Pottermore, a digital hub for Harry Potter fans that has evolved into Wizarding World Digital. The platform offers games, quizzes, eBooks, and immersive content and helps maintain fan engagement and brand her wealth, Rowling is not often seen in celebrity circles. She lives a private life in Scotland and rarely appears in the media. However, she is active in philanthropy. She has donated hundreds of millions to charities, including her foundation, Lumos, which works to end the institutionalisation of children comments, often posted on X, have drawn criticism from trans rights groups, activists, and even the stars of the Harry Potter films like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. Rowling, however, has refused to be silenced. She continues to engage in public debates, asserting her views on women's rights and freedom of speech. While the backlash led to calls for boycotts, it did little to dent her philanthropy is one reason she reportedly fell off Forbes' billionaire list years ago. But with the success of her expanding franchise, she has returned quietly.J.K. Rowling's story is a rare one. Few writers achieve even a fraction of her success. Even fewer manage to retain ownership of their work, guide its expansion, and withstand public scrutiny the way she has.


India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
World's highest-grossing film, made in Rs 10000 crore, earned Rs..., name is..., not Lord of The Rings
In the world of cinema, some stories don't just entertain, they create legacies that not just hold a special place in the heart of cinema lovers but also in the industry as well. From the mystical realms of Avatar to the heroic saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, from the epic battles of The Lord of the Rings to the animated wonders of Nezha, these franchises have given shape to redefined global storytelling. But among them, one stands tall, not just for its vision, but for its monstrous budget of Rs 10,000 crore and record-breaking box office success. With its stunning visuals, gripping storytelling, and unforgettable characters, this franchise earned a special place, not just in the hearts and minds of children but also for all ages who want to watch a cinematic visual treat. Let's know this all-time blockbuster franchise, which is all set to turn into an upcoming television series. An Untouched Legacy Of The Wizard Here we are talking about the Harry Potter franchise that completely changed the course of magic-driven storytelling format, which is based on J.K. Rowling's powerful novels. The story was based on a boy who inherited a huge legacy from his father and mother as a wizard who is unaware of the hurdles and challenges that he'll be facing in the future. The franchise, which was started in 2001, made its conclusion in 2011 with a satisfying ending. By this time Harry Potter franchise stunned everyone with its exhilarating response and gigantic box office reception. The Beginning Of The Magical Saga The saga began in 2001 with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , where audiences were introduced to a young boy discovering his magical heritage and finding loyal friends in Hermione and Ron . The first film grossed an impressive 317 million dollars worldwide. With each installment, the series grew darker, strengthening its bond with fans. The second film, The Chamber of Secrets, took things to a different level as the main antagonist of this franchise, Voldemort , becomes the biggest nightmare for Harry while learning about magic and the world of wizards in Hogwarts . As per box office reports it earned 261.99 million dollars worldwide. After this, in 2004, Prisoner of Azkaban arrived on big screens that became even darker than its first two parts, due to which it earned 249.36 million dollars, which was less than its previous parts. The Shape-Shifter That Became a Game-Changer The Goblet of Fire , known for its dramatic tournament and shocking twist, collected 290.01 million dollars, which revived this franchise once again due to its stunning visual quality and nail-biting sequence between protagonist and the antagonist. During this part the characters matured and so did the themes, drawing audiences closer to its conclusion. By the sixth installment, The Half-Blood Prince , the box office surged to 301.96 million dollars. The final chapter was split into two parts: Deathly Hallows Part 1 which earned 295.98 million dollars, while Part 2, with the same name shattered all the records with a whopping 381.01 million dollars, which combinely estimated Rs 63,910 crore (around 8 billion dollars), making it one of the highest-grossing franchises in cinematic history. The franchise, based on J.K. Rowling's seven novels, was brought to life by four talented directors from Hollywood which including Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell , and David Yates, as each of them added their unique touch to the wizarding world.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Adolescence' Poised To Surpass ‘Stranger Things 4' As Netflix's No. 2 Most Popular English Series; ‘Sirens' Debuts Leading Weekly TV List
Adolescence is about to become Netflix's second most-watched English-language series of all time. The limited series has seen outsize success since its March 13 release, prompting talks of a follow up, and now it is on the brink of surpassing Stranger Things 4 to reach a huge milestone on the streamer. More from Deadline Netflix Behind Jimmy Carr Comedy Podcast; Champion's League Soccer Breaks Records On Amazon; Prime Video 'Stolen' Trailer - Global Briefs 'Harry Potter' TV Series Due To Hit HBO In 2026: Everything We Know About The Cast, Who's Creating It, What J.K. Rowling Says & More 2025 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming Although it fell off the weekly Top 10 in the last few weeks, Adolescence has quietly climbed to 140.2M views in 75 days, and there's still time left in its 91-day premiere window to keep growing. By next week, it will almost certainly have eked past the 140.7M views that Stranger Things 4 nabbed in its first 91 days. It's pretty clear at this point that the modest project will not be overtaking Netflix's No. 1 English-language series, Wednesday, which holds an impressive 252M views in its premiere window. However, this is still a major feat for Adolescence, which had no major star power attached to its jarring story about a 13-year-old boy (played by breakout Owen Cooper) accused of stabbing a female classmate to death after being drawn into the online manosphere. For it to overtake the most recent season of Stranger Things, which by the time it premiered had become one of Netflix's biggest franchises, speaks to the overwhelmingly successful word-of-mouth campaign that has boosted Adolescence to unexpected heights. As for the weekly Top 10 from May 19 to 25, Sirens took the top spot with 16.7M views after premiering just ahead of Memorial Day weekend. That was the most-watched title of the week, followed by American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden, which was bumped to second place this week with 10.7M views after debuting in first the week prior. Newer offerings The Four Seasons and Forever also remained on the list, albeit a bit lower, in sixth and seventh place, respectively, with 3.2M views each. Tyler Perry's She the People came in eighth place with 2.7M views. Non-English TV also performed quite well in this interval with the Danish mystery Secrets We Keep taking first place, growing to 12.7M views in its second week atop that list. On the film side of things, Fear Street: Prom Queen rose to No. 1 with 10.7M views in its first three days. Meanwhile, Nonnas, the heartfelt drama set in an Italian restaurant, held on to the No. 3 spot in English films, with another 8.4M views. Best of Deadline 'Hacks' Season 4 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Everything We Know About 'Hacks' Season 4 So Far 'The Last Of Us': Differences Between HBO Series & Video Game Across Seasons 1 And 2