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Elle
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
Tati Gabrielle Reflects on 'You', 'The Last of Us', and the Power of Her Voice
Justin French Tuxedo jacket, bib, trousers, McQueen. Earrings, ring, Anita Ko. We meet Tati Gabrielle's characters before a word is ever spoken. In The 100 , her wide, doe-like eyes burn with a cold, unyielding glare. As Nora in You , they soften with intrigue—we (and Joe) meet her in a library, after all. It's almost impossible to believe there was ever a time she didn't recognize her power. 'I was a very socially awkward kid and slow to speak,' she says, 'but I loved to present my emotions and thoughts visually.' She credits her upbringing in the San Francisco Bay Area for instilling her with a 'sense of strong individuality, loyalty, and justice.' Gabrielle eventually cut her teeth in a third grade play, prompting her teacher to tell her mom, 'She's got something—you've got to [nurture] that.' When her mother urged her to continue to pursue theater, she resisted and auditioned for the Oakland School for the Arts as a visual arts student instead. Ironically, she forgot her sketchbook that day, and fate intervened: Theater it was. Her calling was anchored in 10th grade during a school trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, where her theater class performed a play. On the streets of the Festival Fringe, she witnessed how this form of storytelling could captivate an audience. 'Seeing the way that somebody can watch something and it speaks to them in such a way that will make them go about life differently from that moment on,' she says, 'I realized how much that had happened to me growing up, like watching Spy Kids and coming out of the movie saying, 'I can do this.'' Justin French Bubble dress, boots, Marc Jacobs. Earrings, necklace, bracelets, Cartier. The thing about fate is, no matter how hard you try to escape it, a voice will always lead you back to your rightful path. Gabrielle considered a career in criminal profiling, and majored in French at Spelman College, with dreams of becoming a diplomat. It wasn't until she overheard her mother telling people she wanted to pursue criminal justice that something inside her snapped. 'No, I want to be an actor,' she instantly thought. '[Black women] have been forced to grow up in a world where we have to be aware at all times.' Battling depression, she left college on medical leave and returned to the Bay Area feeling lost and uncertain. But her inner voice knew what she needed to hear. Or at least her high school best friend did, when she called her out of the blue and suggested they move to Los Angeles together. 'To me, it was the universe's call,' she says. She dipped her toes into acting with an appearance on a Nickelodeon show, but felt like kid shows didn't reflect her potential. 'It was a good introduction to what a film set is like, but I wanted to challenge myself to tell stories that were impactful on all levels,' Gabrielle says. That meant finding roles that acknowledged her identity as a Black and Korean-American woman. 'In the first couple of years [of acting], nobody knew where to place me. I wasn't Black enough to be Black. I wasn't Asian enough to be Asian,' she remembers. Justin French Tuxedo jacket, bib, trousers, McQueen. Earrings, ring, Anita Ko. Growing up in the diverse Bay Area presented a stark contrast to Hollywood's narrow perspectives. When she was appearing in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina , a scene depicting her character, Prudence, being lynched sparked backlash. 'Black Twitter went off,' she says. Showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa envisioned an innocently color-blind world, but audiences didn't perceive a witch existing in a fictional, supernatural realm—they saw a white woman hanging a Black woman. 'I can never let something like that happen again. I can't let my people down,' she says. From then on, she made it her mission to ensure her roles reflected the realities of women of color. Before accepting her role in You , she met with showrunner Sera Gamble. 'I told Sera that since I'm going to be Joe's new obsession, and all of the women before me have been white, there are certain things that, as a woman of color, are not going to go the same way,' she says. '[Black women] have been forced to grow up in a world where we have to be aware at all times. We think differently. We have to protect ourselves differently. So Marienne cannot be oblivious.' Justin French Tuxedo jacket, bib, trousers, McQueen. Earrings, ring, Anita Ko. When we last saw Marienne, she had outsmarted Joe and left him believing she was dead after an apparent overdose. But by the end of season 5, she returns with a chilling one-liner: 'You should've killed me better, Joe.' The moment was bittersweet for Gabrielle, who was grieving the death of her friend and Sabrina co-star, Chance Perdomo. Still, she found solace in Marienne's resilience. 'Women, we love hard and love really big, and we will falter, but don't let that falter be your end,' she says. For the girl who once spoke so little, finding her voice—one that carries weight, power, and purpose—hasn't come easily. 'Prudence taught me how to be unapologetic, and Marienne taught me grace—that there's always room to find joy, no matter what happens,' she reflects. As for Nora in The Last of Us , she's learning the weight of her choices. 'All of these characters are so blatantly flawed, and [ The Last of Us ] doesn't necessarily try to redeem them. Nora started teaching me that you are your choices. You can have as much intention and heart as you want, but what the world sees are your actions. Your choices define you,' she says. 'And you can't run from the things you've decided on.' Hair by Sami Knight for Rehab; makeup by Alexandra French at Forward Artists; manicure by Johanna Castillo; produced by Anthony Federici at Petty Cash Production; photographed at Malibu Creek Ranch. A version of this article appears in the Summer 2025 issue of ELLE. Related Stories
Irish Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Netflix viewers have just days to watch 'mind-blowing' sci-fi film
The 2019 sci-fi sensation, Alita: Battle Angel, boasting talent from the producers of epic hits like Titanic and The Terminator, teamed up with the mastermind behind childhood favourites Spy Kids and The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, is about to vanish from Netflix. Subs better tune in sharpish – it's on its last legs and set to disappear any day now. Alita: Battle Angel, the action-packed dystopian flick inspired by Yukito Kishiro's cult Japanese manga series, has fans well and truly gripped. Star of the show Rosa Salazar has seen her career soar after nailing the titular role of Alita, though you might recognise her from young adult blockbusters The Divergent Series and The Maze Runner series. One Rotten Tomatoes critic says: "There is so much to appreciate here: excellent acting by Rosa Salazar that made me feel for the protagonist, despite being CGI." Another adds: "Rosa Salazar as Alita does a great job. She gives the character life and makes you care about her, even when the plot feels a bit thin." The plot spins around Alita, a cyborg heroine, who's remnants are stumbled upon by top medic Daisuke Ido three centuries post-apocalyptic carnage. After a cobble-together job in his lab, she reboots sans memories, clueless about her own identity and the changed world she's woken up to, reports the Daily Record. As Alita navigates her new life in Iron City, her compassionate companion Ido tries to shield her from her past. However, when the city's corrupt forces target Alita, she discovers a clue about her past - she possesses powerful fighting abilities that these forces seek to control. One reviewer said: "I've been a huge fan of the anime since I first saw it in the 90s. I think the movie really did it justice. James Cameron did a tremendous job at capturing the spirit of the anime. And the cast was amazing. I am super excited for the continuation this year." Another viewer disagreed with the consensus, says: "I disagree with the consensus that this movie struggles to keep up with its special effects. Brilliant story and cinematography. Sci-fi pinnacle." A third reviewer added: "Reminiscent of A.I. years ago, the fact that one can bond on a higher level with "non-human". Stellar performances by a very capable and respected cast. Loved it." Upon its release, the film grossed an impressive $405 million worldwide, becoming director Rodriguez's highest-grossing film to date. Following its success, the producers announced plans to delve deeper into the world of Iron City, potentially exploring unanswered questions from the first film. However, Alita has also faced criticism, with one viewer commenting: "The worldbuilding was mind-blowing, but the storytelling was a bit of a letdown." Despite some negative feedback, it seems the overall sentiment for the film is overwhelmingly positive, as a sequel titled Alita: Fallen Angel is reportedly in the works. Catch Alita: Battle Angel on Netflix before it leaves the platform.
Daily Record
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix fans have just days to watch 'mind-blowing' sci-fi film
The film taken on by the creator of Spy Kids is set to leave Netflix in May with many begging those behind the movie for a sequel This 2019 sci-fi thriller combines some of the industry's best, with the producers of Titanic and The Terminator alongside the creator of childhood hits like Spy Kids and The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. However, Netflix subscribers have just days left to catch it before it disappears from screens. Alita: Battle Angel is a dystopian action film based on the popular Japanese comic series by Yukito Kishiro that has its viewers hooked. Rosa Salazar made her breakthrough playing the lead role as Alita but previously appeared in teen fiction favourites like The Divergent Series and The Maze Runner films. A Rotten Tomatoes review says: "There is so much to appreciate here: excellent acting by Rosa Salazar that made me feel for the protagonist, despite being CGI." While another states: "Rosa Salazar as Alita does a great job. She gives the character life and makes you care about her, even when the plot feels a bit thin." Her character is a cyborg whose remains are discovered by an expert medic, Daisuke Ido, three hundred years after a war that all but destroyed earth. The scientist revives her in his lab and soon learns when she wakes up that she has lost all memory of both herself and the world around her. While Alita learns to navigate her new life in Iron City, her compassionate companion Ido does all he can to shield her from her past. But it is only when the corrupt forces that run the city are out to get Alita that she uncovers a clue about her past – she has powerful fighting abilities that the forces want to control. A review says: "I've been a huge fan of the anime since I first saw it in the 90s. I think the movie really did it justice. James Cameron did a tremendous job at capturing the spirit of the anime. And the cast was amazing. I am super excited for the continuation this year." Another person wrote: "I disagree with the consensus that this movie struggles to keep up with its special effects. Brilliant story and cinematography. Sci-fi pinnacle. "Reminiscent of A.I. years ago, the fact that one can bond on a higher level with "non-human". Stellar performances by a very capable and respected cast. Loved it." At the time of its release, the film grossed an impressive $405 million worldwide and went on to become director Rodriguez's highest-grossing film to date. Since its success, the film's producers have revealed that they will be delving deeper into the world of Iron City and potentially exploring the unanswered questions left in the first film. Alita has also received its fair share of criticism, however, with one person writing: "The worldbuilding was mind-blowing, but the storytelling was a bit of a letdown." Although it seems the praise outweighs the negativity, as Alita: Battle Angel is set to release a sequel, thought to be titled Alita: Fallen Angel. Watch the sci-fi hit while you still can on Netflix before it disappears from the streaming service.
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Meghan Trainor and her husband Daryl Sabara show off their slimmed-down frames in New York after couple both admitted to taking Mounjaro
Meghan Trainor and her husband Daryl Sabara showed off their slimmed-down frames in New York on Monday after recently admitting to taking Mounjaro. The power couple confidently displayed their new looks as they stepped out arm in arm on set of The Beauty. Meghan, 31, and Daryl, 32, who share sons Riley, four, and Barry, 21 months, recently shared they are taking the weight loss drug together. The songstress has lost an impressive amount of weight through the use of Mounjaro, the type 2 diabetes medicine. Spy Kids actor Daryl jumped on the trend shortly after Meghan opened up about her weight loss journey. Speaking on their Workin' On It podcast on April 10, the couple opened up about their Mounjaro use. 'We did 75 Hard after our son Riley was born and, man, did we crush,' Daryl said. 'Then, we heard more and more of our friends — and even our doctors — were on Mounjaro and Ozempic,' Meghan added. Meghan said she decided to take Mounjaro because 'it had less side effects' than other weight-loss drugs. 'I was like, "I don't want any of that,"' and '"I know how to do it on my own,"' Meghan explained. 'I could do that, but when I asked my doctor, I was like, "Tell me everything." I did the research, and I felt safe.' 'So, I did it, too,' Daryl said before Meghan quickly quipped, 'Daryl and I both do everything together.' 'I also gained some [sympathy] pregnancy weight,' said Daryl. 'We've been on this journey for a while and we learned how there are right ways to do it,' he added. Meghan went on to note that she and Daryl are only taking the lowest dose' possible of Mounjaro while also working out more and eating balanced, healthy meals. 'We were like, "We have to make sure we don't lose muscle that we worked so hard gaining all those years,"' Meghan explained. 'We stay in the gym, we work out, we eat right, and we just noticed that we were less hungry.' 'You have to put in the work as well' the Mother singer explained, saying that she and her husband made sure to maintain healthy lifestyle habits in addition to taking the weight-loss drug. 'We've been on this journey for a while and we learned how there are right ways to do it and there are improper ways to do it,' Daryl added. The couple discovered a useful way to control their portion size — they eat off small plates. 'I learned all these little tricks that changed my life,' Meghan shared. 'I literally bought smaller plates 'cause I'm like, "No, you can't put too much rice on there." She continued: 'I'm obsessed now with the science of when I work out and build muscle, you have to eat protein or else it's not going to do anything." The All About That Bass hitmaker said she has 'no shame' about using the drug to lose weight. Over the years, she has read countless comments dissecting her body, including in March after she was honored at the Billboard Women in Music event. 'Everyone just wants to talk about my body and we're not here about my body. I'm here about my music,' she said. 'I'm reading these comments and I go, "Oh my God, these are all bad." There was not one nice comment. Like, the meanest things I've ever been told. I look up and I just started sobbing.' Meghan said her two of her close friends consoled her and told her she's beautiful, reminding her that people on social media aren't important. 'I just felt like a 13-year-old girl being bullied out loud in front of my whole class again,' she continued. 'Later I was so frustrated. Everyone's calling me "Ozempi Ozempi" so I'm just going to explain my journey with my health in an Instagram post and I'm never going to talk to them about it ever again on my social media.' 'Everyone, leave me alone or stop talking about my body,' she said. 'I'm really proud of myself for learning,' Meghan shared. 'It was really hard to do and I'm going to keep getting better and keep getting stronger, achieve things I never thought I could achieve and no one can stop me — not even mean comments.'
Fox News
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Alexa PenaVega marks one year since stillborn daughter's death with heartbreaking photo
Alexa PenaVega paid tribute to her stillborn daughter, Indy, with a somber photo shared one year after her death. The "Spy Kids" star cradled her baby in her arms in an image captured from the hospital shortly after Indy was "born at rest" last year. "This was the most painful moment I have ever experienced," PenaVega wrote online. "I remember it feeling so hard to breathe. Such a deep aching pain… How was this real?" "It didn't feel real. Every emotion flooded in at once," she added. "And yet, despite devastating loss, we felt so held… so covered… a super natural peace. It was all out of our control. We had to give it all over to God. "The burden was too heavy for us to carry so He took the weight off of us and draped us in His peace." "This was the most painful moment I have ever experienced. I remember it feeling so hard to breathe. Such a deep aching pain… How was this real?" PenaVega admitted that despite mourning Indy's death, she still celebrated how her daughter was able to give "life" in so many other ways. "Over this last year we have watched LIFE come out of her life. We watched people heal because of Indy," she wrote. "We watched grief lifted because of Indy. We watched relationships be restored… God gave her life SO MUCH FRUIT … so much meaning and purpose. "Our sweet girl is celebrating with Jesus today. And While we still mourn and wish we had her in our arms… we know she is waiting for us in a place that is beyond anything we can imagine. Jeremiah 29:11." Alexa and husband Carlos have three children together: sons Ocean and Kingston, and daughter Rio. WATCH: ALEXA AND CARLOS PENAVEGA'S FAITH HELPED THEM THROUGH FAMILY TRAGEDY On April 15, the couple announced that Alexa had a stillbirth in a statement shared on both of their Instagram accounts. "There are never the right words to say when it comes to loss. After a beautiful and peaceful delivery our daughter 'Indy' was born at rest," they wrote. "It has been a painful journey. But in the pain we have found peace. God continues to comfort and hold us in his arms." Religion played a huge factor in helping the couple cope with her loss. "I don't know how people do it without God because we can't explain it other than it was like supernatural peace that didn't make sense," Alexa told Fox News Digital in June. "It doesn't make sense. It's beyond understanding. Because after it all happened, obviously we were devastated. It was heartbreaking. And yet we felt like God was just telling us, 'Hey, I am so sorry you had to go through this, but I am here for you, and I'm going to make a way for you.'"
