Latest news with #REX
Metro
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
26 notable celebrities who have died in 2025 so far
Link is copied Comments While every year has its fair share of good and bad celebrity stories, it also brings us sad news as stars from the world of entertainment and showbiz sadly pass away. 2025 has been no exception to this; we've already bid farewell to some legends from film, TV and music, as well as others who have kept us enthralled and entertained over the years. Let's take a look at some of those who have left us so far this year...(Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock) 2025 got off to a tragic start when it was revealed on January 5 that The Vivienne - the first ever winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019 - had died aged just 32. The performer, real name James Lee Williams, was found at their home near Chester and later confirmed to have died as a result of 'effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest.' As well as Drag Race, The Vivienne became a familiar face on TV in the likes of Blankety Blank and Celebrity Hunted, made history as the first ever drag queen to appear on Dancing On Ice, (finishing in third place), and appeared on the West End stage in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Wizard Of Oz (Picture: Scott Garfitt/REX/Shutterstock) Film director Jeff Baena (the husband of actress Aubrey Plaza) died on January 3, aged 47, with the LA County Medical Examiner's office later confirming he had died by suicide. Baena was famous for directing indie films such as Life After Beth and The Little Hours, while he was also known for projects including Joshy (2016), Horse Girl (2020), Spin Me Round (2022), and for co-writing I Heart Huckabees (2004) (Picture:) Legendary soul singer Sam Moore, best known as half of Sam & Dave, died on January 10 aged 89, following complications from surgery. Moore was best known for some of his major hits in the 60s including Hold On, I'm Comin', Soul Man, and Bring It On Home To Me - while he also forged a successful career as a solo artist. The singer worked with some of the greats, including Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley, Elton John, Phil Collins, Lou Reed, and Mariah Carey, during his life (Picture:) Iconic film director David Lynch - who was behind the likes of Mulholland Drive, Wild At Heart, The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet and the TV series Twin Peaks, died aged 78 on January 15 from cardiac arrest due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. His family confirmed his passing, saying: 'It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch. We would appreciate some privacy at this time. There's a big hole in the world now that he's no longer with us. But, as he would say, 'Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.' It's a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way' (Picture: Ernesto S. Ruscio/Getty Images) Comedian Tony Slattery - a familiar face on British TV in the 90s thanks to such shows as Whose Line Is It Anyway? - died on January 14, aged 65. Slattery, who also starred onstage and in movies including Peter's Friends and The Crying Game, dropped out of the public eye somewhat in the 90s as he struggled with substance abuse, eventually receiving a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (Picture: TV Times via Getty Images) Irish singer Linda Nolan, who rose to fame as a member of family singing group The Nolans, died on January 15, aged 65. While she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2017, sister Maureen confirmed in a heartbreaking statement that this was not the cause of her death. 'I would just like to say, to all the people out there who felt inspired by Linda, the big C didn't actually get her. She contracted double pneumonia over Christmas and New Year and because of her immune system it was one battle too much,' she said (Picture: Getty) Award-winning British actress Dame Joan Plowright died on January 16 aged 95. Dame Joan, who was the third wife and widow of Laurence Olivier, will be remembered for her six-decade career in acting - which included prestigious roles in TV, film and theatre, as well as Golden Globe awards for her performances in TV biopic Stalin and 1991 film Enchanted April. Theatres in London's West End dimmed their lights for two minutes as a tribute following her death (Picture: STEFAN ROUSSEAU/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Actor and reality TV star Paul Danan died aged 46 in January, with an inquest later confirming the cause of his death to be a cocktail of drugs including cocaine and heroin. Danan was best known for his role as Sol Patrick in Hollyoaks as well as appearing on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017. His management said in a statement: 'Paul was a beacon of light to so many. His untimely departure will leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him' (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage) Grammy-award winning singer Roberta Flack, best known for the classic Killing Me Softly, died in February, aged 88. Flack was first catapulted to stardom in the early 1970s with tunes such as The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. She achieved stardom practically overnight when Clint Eastwood used the ballad as the soundtrack for an explicit scene in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me. Although no cause of death was given, Flack announced in 2022 she was suffering from the degenerative disease ALS and was no longer able to sing (Picture:for BET) Gossip Girl star Michelle Trachtenberg was found dead in her apartment in Manhattan on February 26. The actress, who was 39, was later confirmed to have passed due to complications from diabetes mellitus. Trachtenberg began her acting career as a child, appearing in commercials from the age of three before her film debut in 1996, starring in Harriet the Spy. She went on to play Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl and Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Picture: MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images) Legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman, best known for such films as The French Connection, Bonnie and Clyde and Unforgiven, was found dead aged 95 at his New Mexico home in February, along with his wife Betsy Awakawa, who was 65. It was revealed later that the Oscar-winning star had died from heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer's disease 'as a significant contributory factor'. Awakawa is believed to have died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, several days before her husband's death (Picture: AFP/Getty Images) Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman died on March 21, aged 76. Foreman fought Muhammad Ali in one of boxing's most historic fights, Rumble In The Jungle, and was also the oldest heavyweight world champion in history. Away from boxing, Foreman achieved worldwide fame as the face of the George Foreman Grill, which sold over 100 million units. A statement released by his family on his Instagram account said he died peacefully 'surrounded by loved ones'. No cause of death has been given (Picture: Mark Von Holden/Variety via Getty Images) Former teen idol Richard Chamberlain died in March aged 90, following complications from a stroke. The actor soared to fame in the 1960s playing TV medic Dr Kildare, before going on to star in the likes of Shogun, Centennial and The Thorn Birds. His longtime partner Martin Rabbett said in a statement: 'Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us' (Picture;) Actor Val Kilmer, who rose to fame as Iceman in 80s blockbuster Top Gun, was confirmed to have died on April 2, aged 65. His daughter Mercedes told the New York Times that Kilmer, who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, had died from pneumonia. As well as Top Gun, Kilmer starred in a string of blockbuster movies in the 80s and 90s, including playing Batman in 1995's Batman Forever as well as portraying music legend Jim Morrison in The Doors. He also appeared alongside Robert de Niro and Al Pacino in crime thriller Heat (Picture: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic) Musician Clem Burke, who was one of the core members of new wave band Blondie, died aged 70 in April, following what the band described as 'a private battle with cancer'. Burke, along with Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, was one of the core members of the group throughout their nearly 50-year lifespan. Blondie said in a statement on Instagram: 'His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of' (Picture:for Coachella) RuPaul's Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente died aged 44 in April after suffering a severe infection which led to her right leg being amputated. The Philippine-born star, real name Bianca Castro-Arabejo, came eighth on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2012 and appeared on All Stars season six in 2021, having come out as a trans woman in 2016 (Picture;) Singer Jill Sobule died aged 66 in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota, on May 1. The folk-pop musician was best known for her 1995 song I Kissed A Girl, which rose in prominence after Katy Perry dropped a different song with the same name, and Supermodel from the Clueless soundtrack. Her manager John Porter hailed her as a 'force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture' (Picture: Mark Von Holden/Variety via Getty Images) Actor and comedian George Wendt, best known for his role as Norm in the 80s sitcom Cheers, died on May 20, aged 76. Although a cause of death was not originally given, it was later reported that he died of a cardiac arrest. His Cheers co-star Ted Danson was among those who paid tribute, remembering his wife and family as he said: 'I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children. It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie' (Picture: Rick Kern/WireImage) Stunt performer and actor Ed Gale died in May aged 61, with his niece Kayse Gale confirming the news on Facebook as she paid tribute to her 'fun uncle'. 'It is with a heavy heart and a surprisingly light coffin (see what I did there?) that we announce the sudden passing of our uncle, Official: Ed Gale, Actor – retired, Ed Gale has taken his final bow and is now headlining in the afterlife.' Gale, who had dwarfism, was best known for his roles as Chucky in the horror franchise Child's Play and the title character in 1986's Howard the Duck (Picture:) Sly Stone, a pioneer of funk music in the late 60s and early 70s, died on June 9 aged 82, following a prolonged battle with Texas-born musician - real name Sylvester Stewart - scored numerous hits with his band The Family Stone throughout the 60s including chart-toppers Family Affair, Everyday People and Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin). Other hits included I Want to Take You Higher, Hot Fun in the Summertime, and Dance to the Music. He, along with the band, was inducted into the Rock n'Roll Hall Of Fame in 1993 (Picture: ABC TELEVISION) TV personality Kim Woodburn passed away on June 17, aged 83, following a short illness. Kim became a household name in the UK after rising to fame on the Channel 4 show How Clean Is Your House, alongside co-host Aggie McKenzie. She went on to star in I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2009, where she was runner-up, as well as Celebrity Big Brother. Kim was also a regular face on ITV daytime shows such as This Morning and Loose Women (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage) Brian Wilson, the last surviving brother from iconic 60s band the Beach Boys, died on June 11, aged 82, with the cause of his death reported to be respiratory arrest. Originally established as a garage band focused on Wilson's songwriting and managed by their father, Murry Wilson, the Beach Boys had their first national hit in 1963 with the hit song Surfin' USA - releasing an astonishing 15 albums before the end of the decade. The band's other notable hits included Good Vibrations, God Only Knows and California Girls (Picture:) Composer Lalo Schifrin (best known for penning the theme to Mission: Impossible) died aged 93 on June 26. Schifrin's long and incredibly decorated career earned him a hugely impressive six Academy Award nominations and four Grammy wins. In 2019, he was bestowed with an Honorary Oscar, joining a short list of composers to receive the distinction, including Ennio Morricone and Quincy Jones (Picture: Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images) Actor Michael Madsen, star of movies including Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill: Vol 2, died on July 3 aged 67. His manager Ron Smith confirmed that the actor, who was found unresponsive in his Malibu home, suffered a cardiac arrest. Madsen began his acting career in the 1980s and had over 300 screen credits, including the likes of Sin City, Species and James Bond flick Die Another Day. He sprang to fame as terrifying villain Mr Blonde in Reservoir Dogs, which started his long-running collaboration with filmmaker Quentin Tarantino (Picture:) Liverpool forward Diogo Jota tragically died in a car crash in Spain on July 3, aged just 28. The Portuguese-born football star was killed, along with his brother, after his Lamborghini crashed in northwest Spain following a tyre blowout. Jota had been on his way to Santander to catch a ferry after being advised by doctors not to fly due to recent lung surgery. He had married long-term partner Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children, just two weeks before his death (Picture: Maja Hitij - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) Australian actor Julian McMahon, who rose to prominence in Home and Away before finding fame in Hollywood, died on July 2, aged 56, from lung metastasis as a result of head and neck metastatic cancer. Aside from his roles as Dr Doom in the Fantastic Four franchise and Cole in Charmed, McMahon was famous for playing Dr. Christian Troy on the Ryan Murphy series Nip/Tuck. He was also previously married to Dannii Minogue, whom he met on the set of Home And Away in 1991 (Picture: WireImage) • Britt Allcroft (Thomas the Tank Engine creator) - January, aged 81• Wayne Osmond (original member of The Osmonds) - January, aged 73• Peter Yarrow (member of Peter, Paul and Mary) - January, aged 86• Brian Murphy (British sitcom star) - February, aged 92• Lee Joo-Sil (Squid Game star) - February, aged 81• Rick Buckler (drummer in The Jam) - February, aged 69• Angie Stone (R&B singer ) - March, aged 63• Emelie Dequenne (Rosetta actress) - March, aged 43• Wings Hauser (US soap actor) - March, aged 78 • Pamela Bach (pictured) (actress and wife of David Hasselhoff) - March, aged 61 • Clive Revill (original voice of Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars) - March, aged 94• Johnny Tillotson (60s singer) - April, aged 86• Nicky Katt (90s film actor) - April, aged 54• Jean Marsh (British actress known for Upstairs Downstairs - April, aged 90• Sophie Nyweide (former child actress) - April, aged 24• Priscilla Pointer (actress) - April, aged 100• James Foley (director of Glengarry Glen Ross and Fifty Shades Of Grey) - May, aged 71 • Joe Don Baker (actor known for Bond movies and 'tough guy' roles) - May, aged, 89 (Picture: STEFAN ROUSSEAU/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) • Samuel French (Killers Of The Flower Moon actor) - May, aged 45• Michael McStay (British actor) - May, aged 92• Georgia O'Connor (gold medal-winning British boxer) - May, aged 25 • Loretta Swit (MASH actress) - May, aged 87• David Hekili Kenui Bell (Lilo and Stitch actor) - June, age not given• Jo Bacon (EastEnders and Love Actually actress) June, aged 72• Anne Burrell (celebrity chef) - June, aged 55• Lynn Hamilton (Waltons actress) - June, aged 95• Rebekah del Rio (singer who appeared in Mulholland Drive) - June, aged 57• Bobby Sherman (60s singer) - June, aged 81• Rick Hurst (Dukes Of Hazzard Star) - June, aged 89• Pik Sen-Lim (Dr Who actress) - June, aged 80• Kenneth Colley (Star Wars actor) - June, aged 87• Eden Blackman (Celebs Go Dating coach) - June, aged 57• Patrick Walden (Babyshambles guitarist) - June, aged 46• Frank Barrie (EastEnders actor) - July, aged 88• Wayne Dobson (TV magician) - July, aged 68 • Connie Francis (60s singer) (pictured) - July, aged 87 • Eileen Fulton (US soap star) - July, aged 91 (Picture: Silver Screen Collection/) Next Gallery
Business Wire
14 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
REX-Osprey SOL + Staking ETF (SSK) Surpasses $100 Million AUM in Just 12 Trading Days
MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--REX-Osprey™ is proud to announce that the REX-Osprey™ SOL + Staking ETF (Ticker: SSK) has officially surpassed $100 million in assets under management — just 12 trading days after its launch on July 2, 2025.* *as of July 18th, 2025 SSK is the first U.S.-listed ETF to combine spot Solana (SOL) exposure with on-chain staking rewards, delivering a seamless way to participate in both SOL price appreciation and network-level income — all through a single ticker. 'Crossing the $100 million mark in just over two weeks underscores the appetite for innovative, blockchain-native solutions,' said Greg King, Founder & CEO of REX. 'With SSK, we're opening the door for mainstream investors to access the power of Solana staking through the familiar ETF wrapper.' SSK's strategy involves holding the majority of its assets in SOL and actively staking those assets on-chain. Investors benefit from: Direct price exposure to spot Solana On-chain staking rewards U.S.-listed, daily-liquid ETF structure No wallets or self-custody needed This milestone highlights the success of REX Shares' mission to bring modern crypto infrastructure into the ETF world — responsibly, transparently, and with investor access at the core. For standardized performance and more information, visit: Investing in SSK is not equivalent to investing directly in Solana. Investing in the Fund involves a high degree of risk. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. An investor should carefully consider the Fund's investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. The Fund's prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the REX Shares. To obtain the Fund's prospectus and summary prospectus, call 1-844-802-4004. The Fund's prospectus and summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing. THE FUND, TRUST, ADVISER, AND SUB-ADVISER ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH SOLANA OR ANY ENTITY PROVIDING VALIDATION OR STAKING SERVICES. The Fund's investment exposure is concentrated in the Solana ecosystem. Risks associated with this exposure may adversely affect the Fund's net asset value ('NAV') per share, trading price, yield, total return, and/or ability to meet its investment objective. The value of the Fund, which focuses on underlying securities in the crypto sector, may be more volatile than a more diversified pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a more diversified pooled investment or the market as a whole. Crypto Asset Risk. The Fund holds SOL tokens, a crypto asset that is native to the Solana blockchain. Crypto assets are subject to extreme volatility, regulatory uncertainty, market manipulation, security risks, and technological changes. The value of the Fund will fluctuate with the price of SOL, which is influenced by a range of factors including adoption of the Solana network, network congestion, smart contract failures, validator misbehavior, and the emergence of competing platforms. Additionally, crypto asset exchanges and counterparties may be less regulated than traditional financial institutions, and are subject to fraud, hacking, and operational disruptions. SOL Risk. The Fund's investments in SOL and SOL futures contracts expose the Fund to the risks associated with an investment in SOL because the price of these derivatives is substantially based on the price of SOL. SOL is a relatively new innovation and is subject to unique and substantial risks. The market for SOL is subject to rapid price swings, changes and uncertainty. Staking Risk. When the Fund stakes the Reference Asset, the Reference Asset is subject to the risks attendant to staking generally. Staking requires that the Fund lock up the staked Reference Asset for the period of time required by the staking protocol, meaning that the Fund cannot sell or transfer the staked Reference Asset, thereby making it illiquid for the period it is being staked. In addition, during the lock-up period, the Fund is subject to the market price volatility of the Reference Asset, and it may miss opportunities to sell the staked Reference Asset during opportune times. During the unstaking period, the Fund may miss out on earning opportunities because, in some cases, the staked Reference Asset may not earn rewards during the unstaking period or may only earn rewards during part of the unstaking period. Staked Reference Assets are also subject to security breaches, network downtime or attacks, smart contract vulnerabilities, and validator or custodian failure or compromise, which can result in a complete loss of the staked Reference Asset or a loss of any rewards. Concentration Risk. The Fund's assets will be concentrated in the sector or sectors or industry or group of industries that are assigned to the Reference Asset, which will subject the Fund to the risk that economic, political or other conditions that have a negative effect on those sectors and/or industries may negatively impact the Fund to a greater extent than if the Fund's assets were invested in a wider variety of sectors or industries. Liquidity Risk. The Fund may not be able to sell its crypto assets at the time or price it desires. Crypto asset markets may be less liquid than traditional securities markets and may be subject to significant price fluctuations. New Fund Risk. The Fund is a newly organized investment company with no operating history. Investors have limited performance history to assess how the Fund will perform. Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is non-diversified, which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. This may increase the volatility of the Fund's NAV and may lead to greater losses during periods of market declines. Indirect Investment Risk. Neither the Reference Asset nor the Ethereum Network nor the Solana Network are affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or any affiliates thereof and are not involved with this offering in any way, and have no obligation to consider the Fund in taking any actions that might affect the value of the Fund. None of the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser, or any affiliate are responsible for the performance of the Reference Asset and make no representation as to the performance of the Reference Asset. Investing in the Fund is not equivalent to investing in the Reference Asset. The Fund's performance is not intended to, nor will it, track the performance of the Reference Asset. Regulatory Risk. The Fund's investments in crypto assets may be subject to varying laws and regulations across jurisdictions, including tax laws and regulations. These laws and regulations may change without warning, and enforcement actions may be taken, which could have an adverse effect on the Fund and its operations. Custody Risk. The Reference Asset and other assets held by the Fund that operate on distributed ledger/blockchain technology can only be transferred by the person holding both the public and private keys to the digital wallet in which the asset is held. The Fund's custodians that custody the Fund's digital assets are on control of the private keys for each of the Fund's digital wallets. In the event such custodian loses sole control of the private keys (e.g., through a data breach or hack), the Fund's digital assets held by such custodian could be lost. Digital Assets Risk. The performance of the Reference Asset, and consequently the Fund's performance, is subject to the risks of the digital assets industry. The trading prices of many digital assets, including the Reference Asset, have experienced extreme volatility in recent periods and may continue to do so. Extreme volatility in the future, including further declines in the trading prices of the Reference Asset, could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Shares (defined below) and the Shares could lose all or substantially all of their value. The value of the Shares is subject to a number of factors relating to the fundamental investment characteristics of the Reference Asset as a digital asset, including the fact that digital assets are bearer instruments and loss, theft, destruction, or compromise of the associated private keys could result in permanent loss of the asset, and the capabilities and development of blockchain technologies. Digital assets represent a new and rapidly evolving industry, and the value of the Shares depends on the acceptance of the Reference Asset. Changes in the governance of a digital asset network may not receive sufficient support from users and miners, which may negatively affect that digital asset network's ability to grow and respond to challenges. Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments, such as futures contracts, that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. Foreign Securities Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities, they may be subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. Counterparty Risk. The Fund may rely on staking infrastructure providers, custodians, and crypto exchanges to hold or interact with its SOL. These third parties may become insolvent, fail to safeguard assets, or be subject to regulatory action, leading to potential losses. Smart Contract Risk. Certain staking activities or custodial processes may rely on smart contracts. These self-executing code structures are susceptible to bugs, hacking, or unintended behavior. Exploits in smart contracts could cause loss of assets or incorrect reward distribution. Market Risk. The value of the Fund's investments may decline due to market movements, economic conditions, or other factors affecting the overall crypto asset market or Solana ecosystem. Distributor: Foreside Fund Services, LLC, member FINRA, not affiliated with REX Shares, Osprey Funds, or the Fund's investment adviser.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Actress Victoria Smurfit says her late mother appeared in mirror on wedding day
Actress Victoria Smurfit has opened up about seeing the face of her late mother in the mirror on her wedding day. Victoria married Steve Jacobs in the Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath, UK in 2023, almost two years before Victoria's mother, Caroline, passed away in January 2022. But while the Dubliner was busy getting her hair and make-up done on the morning of her wedding day, one of her bridesmaids noticed her mother's face in the mirror. Holding back tears, Victoria told how she still speaks to her mother every day, and recalled her mother appearing in the mirror on her wedding day. Speaking on the podcast, These Three Things, she recalled the story to host Deborah Thomas, saying: "My mum wore this necklace almost every day of her life and when she went on, she was wearing it. And I was lucky enough to be with her when she passed and she was in my arms when she went. Victoria Smurfit arriving on the red carpet at the Mansion House for the IFTA Film & Drama Awards (Image: Michael Chester) "And so I don't wear it very often. I wore it when I got married about 18 months ago, and it's a weird story…. So when I decided for my wedding day, I would wear this, and she had diamond studs, and I thought, well, 'I'll wear mum's earrings and her necklace, so she's with me'. "She was with me anyway. But I was having my hair done, so I was in a mirror, and I'm jibber-jabbering to my bridesmaids behind me, all my best mates, and one of them, Joanne Mitchell Brunt, she goes, 'Oh my God, look. Look in the mirror.' "And I'd literally just clipped my necklace on and put the earrings in, and I looked up and in the mirror was not my face, it was my mum's face. "She took a snap, and I've got the picture. I didn't want to share it, because it's just too… and it was so bonkers. And it was bonkers not just because she saw it first, because she knew my mum very well… but for a few seconds, my face in the mirror was my mum's." Victoria Smurfit She said her mother and father championed her in her career as an actress. "She did champion me. She was very keen that myself and my brother found out what we wanted to do. "She was very clear, as was my dad, that you go into the acting business, and it's the business of rejection that you have to be prepared for that. "She was very proud." Victoria also opened up about how she was almost cast as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider before Angelina Jolie took the part. But she said producers kept Victoria "waiting in the wings" and dyed her hair dark in case Jolie didn't take on the role. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (Image: REX/Shutterstock) "I remember auditioning for Tomb Raider way back in the day, 1,001 years ago, and they wanted Angelina Jolie, obviously, who got the part. "But they had myself and another actress in the wings, where they dyed my hair dark and my eyebrows dark, and they had me all ready, and, you know, as backup, just in case, because I was quite kind of strong and fit and kick ass at the time, and but obviously Angelina took it." Victoria also praised renowned Irish director Ros Hubbard for "changing the direction" of her life. "She changed my life in an instant by asking me to audition for a film called The Run of the Country with Albert Finney. "And they were looking for an Irish girl. I was in drama school playing everything except Irish and everything except girls. It was my first ever casting. She was so kind, so fun. "She changed my life forever and she was just so supportive. She was just brilliant. So she changed my life 1,000 per cent and if I ever win a big prize, she's the first person I'm thanking," she added. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Netflix movie hits 164 million views as top films of 2025 so far are revealed
Chloe Johnson Published July 18, 2025 3:51pm Link is copied Comments It isn't just the weather that's heating up - Netflix has released its report on what exactly we've loved in 2025 so far. Yep, it has actually been half of the year already. It turns out we're no longer seeking comfort in our film habits. While there are a few happy watches, genres like horror, thriller and action are proving hugely popular. If you're looking for a film to switch on, read on to find out which 10 films you should be giving a whirl this weekend… (Picture:) Is Despicable Me 4 a horror? Some parents might say yes. At number 10 on our list with just under 70 million views is the fourth film in the iconic, minion-mania-inspiring franchise. If you haven't kept up: Gru now has a new baby (Gru Jnr.) who is intent on tormenting him, while a criminal mastermind intent on revenge is released from prison. There are, of course, plenty of yellow creatures - don't say we didn't warn you (Picture: Illumination Universal Pictures/REX/Shutterstock) For those that want something a bit grittier to sink your teeth into, Ad Vitam - Latin meaning: 'for life' - might be the one to watch this weekend. This film is a French thriller following Franck Lazareff who, after escaping a murder attempt, must find his wife Leo, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious group of armed men (Picture: Christophe Brachet/Netflix) This Mexican action film with over 71 million views follows a team of officers battling a dangerous cartel. Bonus: it has a short run-time at only 85 minutes, so if you're always the one falling asleep at long, meandering movies, this might be for you (Picture: Counterattack - Netflix) If you absolutely can't wait to see our favourite Eggo-loving Eleven in Stranger Things 5 out in November, look no further. Millie Bobby Brown teams up with Chris Pratt in this dystopian action film to star as Michelle, who is embarking on a perilous adventure navigating a crumbling society in search of her missing brother. There's also robots (Picture: Paul Abell/Netflix) Take a breather from the thrillers and action with the sixth film on our list, coming in with a whopping 74 million views. Who doesn't love our favourite fluffy best friends? In this sequel, Max meets a sheepdog named Rooster on a farm and tries to help him overcome his fears. Cute! (Picture: Universal Studios) Tom Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Justin Cornwell and Quelin Sepulveda are just a few of the stars we see in Havoc, a film about a drug deal gone wrong and a bruised detective who must uncover corruption and fight his way through the criminal underworld to rescue a politician's estranged son. Sound enticing? 87 million people thought so (Picture: Netflix) Netflix's new bilingual action thriller follows a former special forces soldier who has PTSD and is trying to find her missing son, with conspiracies unravelling underfoot. However, despite almost 88 million views, on Rotten Tomatoes it has a 49% rating - so maybe the charm is in its hit or miss quality (Picture: Sasha Ostrov) Would you rather watch a rom-com? Sofia Carson stars in The Life List as a young woman tasked by her mother to complete her teenage bucket list who finds herself (and love) in the process. This film, with just shy of 100 million views, is about grief, love and heartbreak - so prepare the tissues... (Picture: Nicole Rivelli/Netflix ©2025) Have you ever had a really, really bad day? Well, maybe this film will make it feel a little less awful. Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P. Henson) is a single mother who has a truly dreadful day as she ends up embroiled in a shocking turn of events. We can't spoil it - but there's a reason this film is classified as a psychological crime drama, and why it has 103 million views... (Picture: Chip Bergmann/Perry Well Films 2) Told you action movies are hot right now. Finally, we have Back in Action, with a star studded cast; think Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Glenn Close, Andrew Scott… can you see why it's been viewed 165 million times since its release in mid January? This film follows elite spies Matt (Jamie Foxx) and Emily (Cameron Diaz) fifteen years after they vanished from the CIA to start a family. The pair are forced to jump back into the world of espionage when their cover is blown (Picture: AP)
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Michael Flatley for President? The Lord of the Dance isn't ruling it out
Lord Of The Dance star Michael Flatley has revealed that he isn't ruling out a potential Presidential bid. Speaking on RTÉ's Brendan O'Connor Show yesterday, Mr Flatley said he took questions about his intentions to run, 'very seriously'. Lord Of The Dance star Michael Flatley has revealed that he isn't ruling out a potential Presidential bid. Pic: REX/Shutterstock He said: 'It's certainly not something that I've made any decision on, but it does get frustrating when you see the hard-working Irish taxpayer working as hard out and having no say in things. 'If I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people and maybe, more importantly, if I thought I could be a voice of the Irish people. 'Right now, I don't think they have a voice, not a true proper deep voice that you know that speaks their language, 'Flatley said. Pic: David Rose/REX/Shutterstock 'Right now, I don't think they have a voice, not a true proper deep voice that you know that speaks their language.' He said he is 'very blessed' to meet the 'average person', adding: 'I meet them all and I hear their concerns. And I'd be lying if I said they're happy right now, and somebody has to speak for the Irish people.' He said he had been 'approached by some very weighted individuals, people in the know,' about a bid.
