Latest news with #PrettyLittleLiars
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
What happened to Sylvanian Drama on TikTok? The legal fight over controversial viral clips explained
A VIRAL TikTok account that featured toys getting drunk, doing drugs and committing violence is reportedly at the centre of a legal battle. 1 Epoch is suing Sylvanian Drama for infringing its copyright The social media account, which has frequently gone viral for its darkly comedic skits featuring the small toys, mysteriously went quiet this year after it landed in legal hot water with the toys' maker. It is now being reported that Sylvanian Drama, which has 2.5 million followers on TikTok and 1 million on Instagram, is being sued for copyright infringement, trademark infringement and unfair competition. Why is the lawsuit only being reported now? Epoch's lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on April 7, initially went unnoticed but drew attention last week when some outlets reported on the situation. It came after reporters noticed months of silence from the account. READ MORE IN NEWS The lawsuit, first reported by The Irish Independent, added that the site also uses a copyrighted image as Sylvanian Drama's social media profile picture. CCTV captures moment toy-loving boy crawls into claw machine The company claims that Thea Von Engelbrechten has been 'doubling her efforts to exploit Epoch's copyrights and trademarks for her own commercial gain' despite the company's attempts to work the issue out amicably. Sylvanian Families, also known as Calico Critters in the United States and Canada, are felt dolls in the shape of cute, anthropomorphized animals. They were first released in Japan in 1985. Most read in The Sun How did Sylvanian Drama become so popular? The creatures range from bunnies and kittens to squirrels and more, all with wide, black eyes and tiny clothing. The videos on Sylvanian Drama, all of which feature Calico Critters, often rack up millions of views each. Von Engelbrechten began posting Sylvanian Drama videos in 2021, when she was a 19-year-old multimedia student at She told The Tab in a 2023 interview that her videos were meant to parody shows like 'Gossip Girl' and 'Pretty Little Liars.' 'I'm always surprised that I'm not already canceled for the stuff that I do,' she said. 'I don't mean any harm and also … a lot of the issues that I joke about are problems in my own life. 'There's a lot of stuff about weight and dieting and people struggling with that, and that's all just me joking about myself. So I'm not making fun of anyone.' Inspiration for content As reported by the BBC, the court document states that in an interview with influencer marketing company Fohr, Von Engelbrechten said her inspiration for the storylines came from "cringey TV shows and early 2000s comedy". She added: "I'm also really inspired by my cats because they are extremely sassy and self-obsessed and can be so cute, but they also have no morals when it comes to killing other animals. 'I try to embody that with the Sylvanians." Asked why she thought her videos were so popular she told Fohr: "Maybe it's because it's coming from the voice of a 22-year-old who struggles with the same things as [they do]. 'I have a lot of storylines about insecure people, diet culture, toxic men, and sustainability, which I think other girls my age are also thinking a lot about." Do you have a Sylvanian Families toy worth up to £500 in your house? Anyone who grew up in the 80s will remember the cute Sylvanian Families toys - and some could now fetch you a pretty penny on eBay. The furry animals come in neat family sets (mum and dad, son and daughter), all with old-fashioned outfits, jobs and homes. The cute characters were first introduced in the UK back in 1985, after being designed by Japanese firm Epoch. And it seems like the older and rarer your models, the more they might now be worth online. Last year, a collector sold a rare Japanese doll from 2003 for a whopping £500 - almost five times its auction start price of £99. Another vintage Sylvanian teddy bear from the 1980s sold for £456. A date has been set for August 14 for a pre-trial conference. This is when legal teams from both sides will meet to explore settlement options or prepare the case for trial. Von Engelbrechten and Epoch have yet to respond to press requests for comment.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sia, 49, and Too Hot To Handle star, 28, spark romance rumours as they hold hands on date
Australian pop star Sia sparked romance rumours after being snapped holding hands with fellow Aussie Harry Jowsey who is 21 years younger than her after eating out in LA Sia has sparked romance rumours with an unexpected candidate after she was snapped enjoying a dinner date with fellow Australian Harry Jowsey. The singer was seen stepping out in Los Angeles with the Too Hot To Handle star, looking very happy as she walked hand-in-hand with him after dining at the Ca Del Sole Restaurant. Sia, 49, wore a long black maxi dress layered underneath a black coat and slouchy leopard print boots for the outing, as Harry, 28, opted for green chinos and a green coat, with a white t-shirt and white trainers. The unlikely pairing sees an age-gap of over 20 years and comes just days after Sia was also snapped out for a walk with a man she was also seen with in LA back on March 21. Her outing with the bearded man came just two days after she filed for divorce from her second husband Dan Bernad. She filed the paperwork after 26 months of being man and wife. The documents reportedly list the couple's date of separation as Tuesday, March 18 - meaning she filed almost immediately on deciding to call it quits on their relationship. She cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split - with the paperwork also containing another bombshell. The couple are parents to an one-year-old baby boy named Somersault Wonder Bernard who was born on March 27 2024. Sia asked for both legal and physical custody of the infant - but has not opposed visitation rights for Daniel. Sia also chose to check the box which would terminate the court awarding any spousal support to her husband. There is no information available on whether or not the couple signed a prenup before they got married. The pair wed in December 2022 and Daniel was Sia's second husband. She first got married to Erik Anders Lang, but they divorced in 2016 after just over two years of marriage. Sia is already a mom to two teenage boys who she took guardianship of in 2019 when they were both 18 and just about to exit the foster care system. Back in 2020, Sia told GQ that she wanted to remain "single for the rest of my life" after her divorce from golf documentarian Erik. They got married at her home in Palm Springs, California, in August 2014. One of her adopted sons is now the proud father of twins - meaning she is also a grandmother-of-two. Harry meanwhile was confirmed to be in a "super casual" relationship with Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale earlier this year. He was also Previously linked to Jessica Vestal, his co-star in Perfect Match's season two, with the pair splitting shortly after the show ended. He has also dated several other influencers and reality stars including ex-fiancé Francesca Farago and Georgia Hassarati, as well as a brief rumoured romance with Kylie Jenner's BFF Anastasia 'Stassie' Karanikolaou back in 2020.
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Janel Parrish, Michael Naizu to star in Bound For Glory
Los Angeles, Jul 20 (PTI) Hollywood actor Janel Parrish, best known for her work in the drama series 'Pretty Little Liars", will feature in a new indie film, titled 'Bound For Glory". According to the entertainment news outlet The Hollywood Reporter, the film also stars Michael Naizu and marks the collaboration for both actors, who have previously worked in 'Christmas Is Canceled". The film was released in 2021. 'Bound For Glory" is directed by Naizu, alongside his brother, John Wilcox. It is inspired by Naizu's background as a Chinese American navigating Hollywood, and follows 'a mixed-race, working-class couple in crisis, interweaving themes of identity, codependency and generational expectation," according to the official synopsis. The production of the film is slated to begin in the fall in Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. Parrish said she is happy to collaborate with her 'Christmas Is Canceled" co-star. 'So happy to be working with Michael Naizu again, this time to tell his beautiful and compelling story," the 36-year-old actor said in a statement. 'It means so much to collaborate with AAPI storytellers and help bring narratives to life that reflect who we are and why representation matters," she added. Naizu said the story is deeply personal for him. 'This is a story I've been trying to tell my whole life. It's deeply personal, rooted in my experience navigating identity and purpose in an industry that is extremely competitive and volatile. To now be making this film with my brother John, my childhood best friend Derik, and Janel Parrish — someone I've admired for years — it feels like everything is coming full circle," he said. 'To have Bound For Glory backed by a trailblazing organization like Gold House is incredibly meaningful. I honestly can't wait to get cameras up and bring this story to life," he added. PTI ATR ATR ATR (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 20, 2025, 14:45 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.
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Janel Parrish, Michael Naizu Join Forces For Romance Drama Bound For Glory
Last Updated: Janel Parrish and Michael Naizu star in Bound For Glory, an indie romance drama about identity and generational expectations in a mixed-race relationship. Actors Janel Parrish and Michael Naizu are set to lead Bound For Glory, an upcoming indie romance drama that explores identity, generational expectations, and emotional conflict within a mixed-race relationship. The film reunites the duo after their 2021 collaboration in Christmas Is Canceled. Directed by Michael Naizu alongside his brother John Wilcox, the film draws heavily from Naizu's real-life experiences as a Chinese American navigating the often unpredictable entertainment industry. According to the official synopsis, the story centres on a working-class, mixed-race couple grappling with crisis, codependency, and the pressure of familial and societal expectations. Production is scheduled to begin this fall across locations in Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. The project also has the support of Gold House, a nonprofit collective that promotes Asian Pacific creatives and leaders in various industries. Speaking about her involvement, Pretty Little Liars star Janel Parrish expressed her excitement about working with Naizu again. 'So happy to be working with Michael Naizu again, this time to tell his beautiful and compelling story," she said. 'It means so much to collaborate with AAPI storytellers and help bring narratives to life that reflect who we are and why representation matters." Naizu, who is not only starring in but also co-directing the film, shared the personal nature of the story. 'This is a story I've been trying to tell my whole life. It's deeply personal, rooted in my experience navigating identity and purpose in an industry that is extremely competitive and volatile," he said. He also noted the emotional value of working with those close to him on this project. 'To now be making this film with my brother John, my childhood best friend Derik, and Janel Parrish — someone I've admired for years — it feels like everything is coming full circle." He concluded, 'To have Bound For Glory backed by a trailblazing organization like Gold House is incredibly meaningful. I honestly can't wait to get cameras up and bring this story to life." First Published: July 20, 2025, 15:48 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.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Janel Parrish, Michael Naizu to star in 'Bound For Glory'
Los Angeles, Hollywood actor Janel Parrish, best known for her work in the drama series "Pretty Little Liars", will feature in a new indie film, titled "Bound For Glory". Janel Parrish, Michael Naizu to star in 'Bound For Glory' According to the entertainment news outlet The Hollywood Reporter, the film also stars Michael Naizu and marks the collaboration for both actors, who have previously worked in "Christmas Is Canceled". The film was released in 2021. "Bound For Glory" is directed by Naizu, alongside his brother, John Wilcox. It is inspired by Naizu's background as a Chinese American navigating Hollywood, and follows 'a mixed-race, working-class couple in crisis, interweaving themes of identity, codependency and generational expectation," according to the official synopsis. The production of the film is slated to begin in the fall in Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. Parrish said she is happy to collaborate with her "Christmas Is Canceled" co-star. "So happy to be working with Michael Naizu again, this time to tell his beautiful and compelling story," the 36-year-old actor said in a statement. "It means so much to collaborate with AI storytellers and help bring narratives to life that reflect who we are and why representation matters," she added. Naizu said the story is deeply personal for him. "This is a story I've been trying to tell my whole life. It's deeply personal, rooted in my experience navigating identity and purpose in an industry that is extremely competitive and volatile. To now be making this film with my brother John, my childhood best friend Derik, and Janel Parrish — someone I've admired for years — it feels like everything is coming full circle," he said. "To have Bound For Glory backed by a trailblazing organization like Gold House is incredibly meaningful. I honestly can't wait to get cameras up and bring this story to life," he added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
