Latest news with #Scientology
Vogue
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue
What's Going on Aboard Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas's Yacht?
You know how it is: You're with your extremely famous, rich, successful rumored boyfriend on an 'intimate' little yacht vacation in Menorca, just the two of you (and his various Scientologist disciples via Zoom, I assume), when suddenly paparazzi encircle the vessel and find what appears to be incontrovertible proof that the two of you are a capital-T Thing. What do you do? If you're Ana de Armas, you say nothing, letting a 'source' tell the tabloids that you're single and just really 'focused' on your role opposite Tom Cruise in Doug Liman's upcoming thriller film Deeper. And yet…the yacht images persist! Setting aside the sheer hilarity of any luxury-yacht-based trip being called intimate—oh, I'm sure!—I can't stop wondering whether Cruise and de Armas could be, in fact, dating. (Some mentally pore over questions of particle physics or 18th-century British history for work…I, personally, am lucky enough to devote the lion's share of my gray matter to celebrity hookups. Yes, I'm quite blessed!) Is Cruise just an 'incredible mentor' to de Armas, or is she 'losing her patience' at having to hide her relationship with the 63-year-old action star? All this rumination brings me to another key question, one I've had for years: Do women actually find Tom Cruise sexy? For some reason that I can't quite put my finger on (ahem, the aforementioned Scientology), I'm tempted to say no, but some of the things that make Cruise a less-than-traditional leading man—such as his height, which is famously a modest five feet seven—are actually kind of attractive when I consider them outside of the context of his specific personality. Does the man wear lifts? Possibly-slash-probably. And yet short kings like Tom Holland and Jeremy Allen White are pulling their own modest statures off with aplomb. (As a side note, remember when Nicole Kidman said that she was happy to be able to wear heels again after her marriage to Cruise ended?) While I would undoubtedly find Cruise hotter if he embraced having taller girlfriends whom he could literally look up to, there's no arguing that he is exceedingly well-preserved for a man in his 60s, not to mention a father of three children whose ages range from 19 (Suri) to 30 and 32 (Connor and Isabella, respectively). This isn't about what I find attractive, though; it's about what de Armas values in a man. And if we can glean anything from her prior relationships with the likes of Ben Affleck and stepson to the president of Cuba Manuel Anido Cuesta, it's that she clearly likes a man who's left his mark on the culture in some way or other. Who better to fill her ex-boyfriends' shoes, then, than the star of once and future Top Guns?
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
The ‘truth' behind South Park star's controversial exit 17 years after his death
The son of a South Park star who left the show after an episode criticised Scientology has finally 'set the record straight'. After rising to fame as a singer-songwriter in the 1960s, Isaac Hayes was part of the cast of the animated sitcom during its debut in 1997. He voiced the character of Chef, the lunchroom cook at South Park Elementary, the school where lead characters Stan, Kyle, Eric and Kenny attended. However, nine seasons later, in 2006, a statement was issued in his name following the airing of the episode Trapped in the Closet – which took aim at the Church of Scientology, of which he was a member. At the time many were puzzled by the move, however Hayes never clarified any more beyond that initial statement. He died two years later following complications from a stroke he'd suffered in 2006. Nearly 20 years on his son has now made explosive claims, revealing the 'truth about what really happened'. Hayes began his music career in the early 1960s as a session musician for acts recorded by the Memphis-based Stax Records, later going on to co-write a string of hits including You Don't Know Like I Know, Soul Man and Hold On, I'm Comin. He went on to release his debut album, Presenting Isaac Hayes, in 1968. Although it was a commercial flop, he found success with future releases. The American singer and his song-writing partner David Porter were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005, while he was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Throughout his career Hayes won three Grammy Awards. In 2006 Hayes revealed he'd suffered a stroke and died two years later, aged 65, after being found unresponsive in his home near Memphis. Part of the original cast of Trey Parker and Matt Stone's series South Park, Hayes voiced Chef Jerome McElroy for nearly a decade. The character was regularly turned to as a source for advice from the children, with Chef also inspired by a dining hall worker Parker met while attending college. Although the show was known for pushing the boundaries with its storylines, a 2006 episode that poked fun at Scientology reportedly didn't sit well with the actor, whose character did not feature in the episode. The episode followed Stan joining Scientology after recruiters became convinced he was the reincarnation of church founder L. Ron Hubbard. Soon after the episode aired, a statement was released in Hayes' name, in which he requested to be released from his contract with Comedy Central and calling out South Park for satirising religious beliefs. 'There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins. As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices,' it read, but did not directly mention Scientology. Responding to the statement, Stone said the actor had never previously expressed concerns about similar storylines. 'He has no problem –and he's cashed plenty of checks– with our show making fun of Christians, Muslims, Mormons, or Jews,' he said. Soon after reports started emerging that Hayes had not requested to leave the show and had instead been pushed to do so by fellow members of his church. Over the years claims have been made that Hayes did not have a say in his South Park exit and was instead influenced by others. Last year his son, Isaac Hayes III, said the stroke left the musician and actor 'in no position to resign under his own knowledge'. He also spoke about his belief that members of the Church of Scientology had stepped in and taken it upon themselves to remove Hayes from the show after the controversial episode. His comments came after Stone told The Hollywood Reporter in 2016: 'We knew in our hearts there was something way more going on. Isaac's a really sweet guy. We're still like, 'Isaac, you've got to come out of it'. But he's just brainwashed.' For over 14 years, people have speculated about why my father @isaachayes left South Park. I'm here to set the record dad did not quit South Park. Scientology the episode 'Trapped in the Closet' aired in 2005, my father suffered a stroke just a few… — Isaac Hayes III (@IsaacHayes3) July 18, 2025 This week he went on to release a lengthy statement about how he wanted to now 'set the record straight'. 'For over 14 years, people have speculated about why my father @isaachayes left South Park. I'm here to set the record straight. My dad did not quit South Park. Scientology did,' he began the post, which was shared on X. 'After the episode Trapped in the Closet aired in 2005, my father suffered a stroke just a few months later that left him unable to speak or make decisions on his own. He was not in any condition to resign from anything. The truth is, someone else within his Scientology circle made that decision and quit the show for him. 'He loved being the voice of Chef. He loved the character. He loved connecting with fans. He would joke with people who recognized his voice, and he truly enjoyed being part of the show. 'The narrative that he quit because he was offended by the satire is not true. That was a cover story created by others. My father never got to speak for himself because his health robbed him of that chance.' He went on: 'So now I am speaking for him. He did not leave South Park willingly. He was forced out by illness and by people who did not have his best interest at heart. More Trending This is for anyone who loved Chef. This is for anyone who admired my father's work. This is the truth about what really happened.' Although the Church of Scientology has never publicly responded to the claims, Hayes told Cracked this week: 'I haven't had any connection with anybody from Scientology since before my father passed away.' Metro has contacted the Church of Scientology for comment. View More » South Park season 27 will stream on Comedy Central on July 23 . Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Netflix quietly adds 8 episodes of 'outrageous' thriller – and fans are devouring it MORE: TV soap legend Eileen Fulton died aged 91 MORE: TNA Slammiversary sees WWE icon, 48, return to calls for 'one more match'
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda claims fans ‘lashed out' at new singer Emily Armstrong because she's a woman
Linkin Park isn't 'Numb' to the backlash against new singer Emily Armstrong. In a new interview with The Guardian, Mike Shinoda explained why he thinks part of the the band's fanbase was outraged over Armstrong, 39, joining the group seven years after lead singer Chester Bennington's death. 'There were people who lashed out at Emily, and it was really because she wasn't a guy,' Shinoda, 48, stated. 10 Emily Armstrong and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park perform at the opening ceremony of the UEFA Champions League Final 2025. Getty Images The guitarist claimed that critics were 'used to Linkin Park being six guys' with 'the voice of a guy leading this song' and haven't adapted to the band's new iteration. 'They were just so uncomfortable with what it was that they chose a ton of things to complain about,' Shinoda explained. 'They're pointing in 10 different directions saying: 'This is why I'm mad, this is why the band sucks.'' 10 Linkin Park in the press room at the 48th Grammy Awards in 2006. Getty Images 10 Colin Brittain, Dave 'Phoenix' Farrell, Emily Armstrong, Mike Shinoda, Joe Hahn of Linkin Park at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards. Billboard via Getty Images Armstrong — also the lead singer of the rock band Dead Sara — joined Linkin Park last year as the group reunited for the ongoing From Zero World Tour. The singer received backlash in part due to her connection to Scientology and her support of actor and Scientologist Danny Masterson before he was convicted of rape in 2023. 10 Emily Armstrong performs at the Sonic Temple Art and Music Festival in May 2025. Amy Harris/Invision/AP 'Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance, and went to one early hearing as an observer,' she wrote in a social media statement in Sept. 2024. 10 Mike Shinoda and Emily Armstrong perform at Barclays Center in NYC in Sept. 2024. Getty Images 'Soon after, I realized I shouldn't have,' Armstrong added. 'I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him. I have never spoken with him since. Unimaginable details emerged, and he was later found guilty.' 10 Emily Armstrong and Mike Shinoda at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Getty Images for iHeartRadio Armstrong told The Guardian that she wasn't prepared for the negative public reaction to her joining Linkin Park. 'Not this. No, not this. I was a little bit naive about it, to be honest,' Armstrong said, adding that she used to avoid social media 'for mental-health purposes.' 10 Emily Armstrong performing during the Linkin Park concert in London on June 28. Michal Augustini/Shutterstock 'If there was something really, really pressing, I think our PR would talk to us about it,' she shared. 'But I'm old enough to know the difference between real life and the internet.' Amidst Linkin Park's tour, Shinoda said there are some songs that he'd 'feel weird playing' including 'One More Light' from the band's final album with Bennington. 10 Mike Shinoda performs at the I-Days Festival in Italy on June 24. Corbis via Getty Images 10 Linkin Park arrives at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in 2006. Getty Images Shinoda noted the song was originally written 'for a woman at the label that we worked with who passed away. Then after Chester passed, the world decided that it was about him. And so that's just too sad to play.' Bennington tragically died in 2017 by suicide. He was 41. 10 Chester Bennington performs during the Projekt Revolution Tour in 2008. FilmMagic His 29-year-old son, Jaime Bennington, slammed Linkin Park for adding Armstrong to its lineup last year. Jaime claimed Shinoda had 'quietly erased my father's life and legacy in real time … during international suicide prevention month.' He also brought up Armstrong's Scientology connection and said the band 'failed to address the concerns of their diverse fan base.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The eerie truth about 'Scientology city' where Julian McMahon died: It looks like a resort - but I felt watched from the day I arrived. Then, Kirstie Alley sent me a chilling message...
Earlier this week, I wrote a story querying why the actor Julian McMahon had died in the city of Clearwater, Florida - far from his well-documented life in Los Angeles. Clearwater is, after all, famous for one thing: being the global headquarters of the Church of Scientology.
Sky News AU
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Shock detail in Julian McMahon's death certificate adds mystery to actor's final months amid Scientology link bombshell
An stunning detail in Julian McMahon's death certificate has fueled further speculation about the actor's mysterious final months of his life, after a Scientology link emerged following his death at the age of 56. The Australian-American Nip/Tuck did not have a funeral, reported on Thursday after obtaining the star's death certificate. McMahon's body was instead quietly cremated in Clearwater, Florida, where he died as an inpatient at the Morton Plant Hospital on July 2. His death certificate stated Florida's family-owned Eternal Cremation Services handled the actor's body. A spokesperson for Eternal Cremation Services told "there was not" a funeral held anywhere for McMahon and could not confirm whether his wife, Kelly, attended his cremation at Palm State Crematory. It's been revealed he died from lung metastasis linked to head and neck cancer, according to the Pinellas County cremation approval report obtained by with no autopsy report understood to come. The development follows the location of McMahon's death, Clearwater, raising questions from social media users about why the actor was in the city, where the Church of Scientology is widely known to dominate. Adding mystery to his presence in the city where the church is headquartered, McMahon's address on his death certificate is listed as a residence on Ventura Boulevard, Encino, California. However, this is a building reportedly home to a showbiz accountancy firm and two other businesses, not residences. And there do not appear to be any property records linking McMahon and Kelly to the Clearwater area. The celebrity couple previously lived in a home in Hollywood Hills before selling it for $2.18 million USD ($3.3 million AUD). It's understood Scientology members own a large portion of real estate in Clearwater, home to A-listers who follow the controversial religion, including, most famously, actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta. One commentator recently took to X to question, 'Why was Julian McMahon in Clearwater when he died? Like, that's Scientology city.' "The only celebrities that do are usually Scientologists. Surprised, that's for certain!" another person said. Other people quelled the link as the debate continued on Reddit, where one person said McMahon just simply "loved the beach". "I don't see him being involved with Scientology," another person said. McMahon's career took off with his role as Cole Turner in the hit supernatural television series Charmed from 2000 to 2003. After Charmed, he gained wider recognition from 2003 to 2010 as plastic surgeon Dr Christian Troy in the medical drama Nip/Tuck. On the big screen, McMahon is best known for playing Marvel villain Dr. Doom in Fantastic Four (2005) and its 2007 sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer. His other film credits include Premonition, RED, Paranoia, You're Not You, Swinging Safari, and, most recently, Australian film The Surfer opposite Nicolas Cage. The only son of former Prime Minister Sir William McMahon is survived by his wife Kelly, an author, and his daughter, Madison (Maddy) McMahon, 25, whom he shared with his ex-wife, model and actress Brooke Burns.
