Latest news with #Vulture
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ben Kweller Opens Up About Son's Death for the First Time 2 Years After Teen Died in 'Fluke' Car Accident
While speaking with Vulture about his upcoming album, Ben Kweller opened up about his son Dorian's death two years ago The singer-songwriter shared with the outlet the details of the "fluke" car accident that killed the 16-year-old Kweller is also a father to son Judah, whom he shares with his wife Liz Smith KwellerBen Kweller is opening up for the first time about his son's death. During an interview with Vulture, the singer-songwriter, 43, talked about the "fluke" car accident that took his son Dorian's life in February 2023. For the first time, the musician shared the details of the incident and the emotions he went through following the loss of his 16-year-old son. Kweller explained that Dorian was driving home from a friend's house when he swerved off the shoulder of the road to avoid a truck. A branch then broke through his car windshield, hitting Dorian in the head and killing him. 'The car was fine,' Kweller told the outlet, recalling Dorian's car accident. 'It's like, 'What the f---, man?' It's fluke s---. It's just a f------ branch.' "The hole was this big," he said, making a hole with his fist roughly the size of a tangerine. 'When I'm talking to other parents about it, I almost want to tell them, 'Don't worry,' you know? 'I was able to take it off the table. It's not going to happen to you.' That's weird. Is that weird?' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Before the accident, there was a period in Kweller's life when he didn't have a connection to music. He told the outlet that during that time, when there was also a traumatic carbon-monoxide poisoning incident that almost ended his entire family's lives, he only did "the bare minimum to pay my mortgage and support my family." "It's really weird,' he said. 'Dorian dying should have been the moment that disconnected me the most. It shattered me, but it's also somehow the thing that's helping me with all the other stuff.' On Friday, May 30, Kweller released Cover the Mirrors, his first album since losing his son. After the incident, he threw himself into one of his earliest passions. While the 12-track project features more upbeat tempos, the "Oh Dorian" singer considers it "very dark," despite the joy that returning to music has brought him. 'I don't know if that just comes back to my natural personality,' he said. 'But is there an expectation that I make a certain kind of album after a tragedy like this?' Along with Dorian, Kweller is also dad to son Judah, 12, with wife Lizzy. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! The musician announced in 2023 that his son Dorian died on Monday night. Though he did not give details as to the circumstances surrounding Dorian's death at the time, his record label The Noise Company said the teen died "in a tragic event." "There's no way that I can be typing this but I am…. Our son, Dorian Zev Kweller, was killed last night. He was only 16 and he was a true legend," Kweller wrote on Instagram. "Kindest, gentle soul, a friend to all. If you knew him, you know. We'll never get over him as long as we're here on earth." Kweller — who has toured with stars like Ed Sheeran and Death Cab for Cutie — said Dorian was an aspiring musician under the stage name Zev, and that he was scheduled to play his first show at SXSW in Austin in March. He encouraged his followers to keep his son's "spirit alive with your memories and the music he made," and linked to Dorian's Instagram page. "Dorian Zev wrote and recorded songs every day. A true poet from the day he started speaking," he wrote. "Only a few of his recordings were released but he was on a path and excited about his journey. He had so many plans!!! His first gig was in two weeks, at SXSW." The "Starz" singer said that the final text messages he exchanged with his son were about merch that Dorian wanted to create, and wrote that his "baby boy was at the starting line with so much life ahead of him." "I have no idea why things like this happen. We're in complete shock and don't know what the future holds," he wrote. "Lizzy, Judah, and I have no idea how to deal with this disaster. Thank you for your prayers and support and we apologize if we are slow to respond to messages. 💔." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ben Kweller Opens Up About Son's Death for the First Time 2 Years After Teen Died in 'Fluke' Car Accident
While speaking with Vulture about his upcoming album, Ben Kweller opened up about his son Dorian's death two years ago The singer-songwriter shared with the outlet the details of the "fluke" car accident that killed the 16-year-old Kweller is also a father to son Judah, whom he shares with his wife Liz Smith KwellerBen Kweller is opening up for the first time about his son's death. During an interview with Vulture, the singer-songwriter, 43, talked about the "fluke" car accident that took his son Dorian's life in February 2023. For the first time, the musician shared the details of the incident and the emotions he went through following the loss of his 16-year-old son. Kweller explained that Dorian was driving home from a friend's house when he swerved off the shoulder of the road to avoid a truck. A branch then broke through his car windshield, hitting Dorian in the head and killing him. 'The car was fine,' Kweller told the outlet, recalling Dorian's car accident. 'It's like, 'What the f---, man?' It's fluke s---. It's just a f------ branch.' "The hole was this big," he said, making a hole with his fist roughly the size of a tangerine. 'When I'm talking to other parents about it, I almost want to tell them, 'Don't worry,' you know? 'I was able to take it off the table. It's not going to happen to you.' That's weird. Is that weird?' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Before the accident, there was a period in Kweller's life when he didn't have a connection to music. He told the outlet that during that time, when there was also a traumatic carbon-monoxide poisoning incident that almost ended his entire family's lives, he only did "the bare minimum to pay my mortgage and support my family." "It's really weird,' he said. 'Dorian dying should have been the moment that disconnected me the most. It shattered me, but it's also somehow the thing that's helping me with all the other stuff.' On Friday, May 30, Kweller released Cover the Mirrors, his first album since losing his son. After the incident, he threw himself into one of his earliest passions. While the 12-track project features more upbeat tempos, the "Oh Dorian" singer considers it "very dark," despite the joy that returning to music has brought him. 'I don't know if that just comes back to my natural personality,' he said. 'But is there an expectation that I make a certain kind of album after a tragedy like this?' Along with Dorian, Kweller is also dad to son Judah, 12, with wife Lizzy. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! The musician announced in 2023 that his son Dorian died on Monday night. Though he did not give details as to the circumstances surrounding Dorian's death at the time, his record label The Noise Company said the teen died "in a tragic event." "There's no way that I can be typing this but I am…. Our son, Dorian Zev Kweller, was killed last night. He was only 16 and he was a true legend," Kweller wrote on Instagram. "Kindest, gentle soul, a friend to all. If you knew him, you know. We'll never get over him as long as we're here on earth." Kweller — who has toured with stars like Ed Sheeran and Death Cab for Cutie — said Dorian was an aspiring musician under the stage name Zev, and that he was scheduled to play his first show at SXSW in Austin in March. He encouraged his followers to keep his son's "spirit alive with your memories and the music he made," and linked to Dorian's Instagram page. "Dorian Zev wrote and recorded songs every day. A true poet from the day he started speaking," he wrote. "Only a few of his recordings were released but he was on a path and excited about his journey. He had so many plans!!! His first gig was in two weeks, at SXSW." The "Starz" singer said that the final text messages he exchanged with his son were about merch that Dorian wanted to create, and wrote that his "baby boy was at the starting line with so much life ahead of him." "I have no idea why things like this happen. We're in complete shock and don't know what the future holds," he wrote. "Lizzy, Judah, and I have no idea how to deal with this disaster. Thank you for your prayers and support and we apologize if we are slow to respond to messages. 💔." Read the original article on People
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Sooraj Pancholi Reveals Actors Pay Rs 30 Lakh To Feature On Top Podcasts
Last Updated: Sooraj Pancholi reveals that top podcasters in India charge up to ₹30 lakh for celebrity appearances. He shares his own experience with being offered a paid guest spot. When the world came to a standstill in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entertainment industry found itself in uncharted territory. Film shoots halted, television shows struggled to adapt, and even global talk show giants like The Tonight Show shifted into host's homes via webcams. As the virus dominated the news cycle, celebrities—cut off from film sets, premieres, and paparazzi—had to find new ways to stay visible. That's when podcasts stepped into the spotlight. Safe, accessible, and direct, they quickly became the preferred medium for stars looking to engage audiences without red carpets or studio lights. And by the time the world reopened, podcasts weren't just a backup plan—they were a permanent part of the media landscape. In fact, they had become so influential that, as actor Sooraj Pancholi recently revealed, getting featured on a top podcast could cost you a cool ₹30 lakh. Speaking to Hindi Rush, he said, 'I have heard that there are a few actors who charge about ₹30 lakh to do a podcast. Is this true? I have come here for free, at least give me ₹30,000." When the hosts laughed it off, Sooraj added that podcasters are now the ones setting the terms—and charging celebrities to appear. He wasn't being sarcastic. Sooraj acknowledged that the tables have turned. 'These guys have great viewership," he said, 'and they've worked really hard to build their platforms. It makes sense—they're offering reach that even traditional media struggles to deliver." And he's not the only one observing this shift. Comedian Kareem Rahma, host of the hit digital series Subway Takes, recently turned down actress Amy Schumer's request to be on his show. 'She wasn't the right fit," he said bluntly. Since launching in 2023, Subway Takes has featured guests like Cate Blanchett, Charli XCX, and even U.S. Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz. With over 420k subscribers, Rahma's YouTube channel is now one of the most-watched pop culture formats on the internet. The rise of podcasts as celebrity gatekeepers isn't accidental. According to Forbes, more than 540 million people listen to podcasts globally—a number that's only growing. What started as a niche format has now become a powerful cultural force. In fact, Vulture once claimed that Donald Trump's effective outreach through podcasters like Joe Rogan contributed significantly to his digital dominance—while traditional political players struggled to catch up. The ripple effect has reached India too. Several Indian celebrities have launched their own podcasts to take control of their narratives. Neha Dhupia, Kalki Koechlin, Navya Naveli Nanda, and Rhea Chakraborty are among those using the format not just for interviews, but for storytelling, vulnerability, and brand building. For Rhea, Chapter 2 marked a redemptive comeback, where she candidly opened up about life after Sushant Singh Rajput's death and the media trial that followed. Meanwhile, social media creator Apoorva Mukhija, aka Rebel Kid, launched her own podcast after the viral fallout with comedian Samay Raina. In just three weeks, her show has amassed over 2.2 million views, proving just how quickly podcasts can gain traction. First Published:
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
John Mulaney actually fought three teens on TV — and lost
Comedian John Mulaney followed through on his absurd promise to fight three teenage boys during the finale of his variety-style talk show Everybody's Live With John Mulaney, as originally reported by Bethy Squires for Vulture. Known for blending sketch comedy and satire, the show's outlandish premise culminated in a staged brawl that delighted fans and viewers alike. After weeks of buildup and mock promotional hype, the fight took place on-air around 8:04 p.m. PST. Mulaney, suited up and ready, squared off against three teen boys in coordinated attacks. The teens used clever tactics — one repeatedly attempted to trip him — and eventually overpowered the comedian. As Mulaney tapped out, the crowd cheered and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony performed 'Tha Crossroads,' marking the teens' hilarious victory. Celebrity guests including Joe Mande, Adam Sandler, Sean Penn, Richard Kind, and Saymo looked on from the sidelines as the chaos unfolded. One of the show's writers even brought a babysitter to witness the spectacle. Despite being a father of two, Mulaney didn't hold back — but the combined energy of the teenagers proved too much. The surreal ending to Everybody's Live, which has blended offbeat stunts with musical numbers and sketch humor, was both comedic and bizarre. While there's no official word yet on the show's renewal, fans are already calling the finale one of the wildest moments in late-night comedy this year. If this truly was the series finale, it's a memorable sendoff — a ridiculous, joyful punchline to Mulaney's unconventional talk show experiment.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Sooraj Pancholi says actors pay Rs 30 lakh to appear in podcasts with top guys: ‘I too received the offer'
Back in 2020, when COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, it closed down filmmaking globally. All the major morning and late night shows struggled with productions, some moving them into their homes like Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show. The news channels were all about the developments of the new virus across the world, but stars and personalities were still hungry for attention. It was around this time when podcasts and YouTube shows emerged as safer alternatives for stars to reach out to their audience and stay in news. By the time the pandemic subsided, these podcasts had become foundational. It became so sensational that landing a spot on top podcasts or YouTube shows became a competitive thing for the stars and their PR teams. Now, these podcasts hold so much power that they reportedly charge actors to feature them on their podcasts, with some even rejecting them saying, 'they are not the right fit.' In a recent conversation with Hindi Rush, actor Sooraj Pancholi said the top podcasters charge Rs 30 lakh to feature people on their podcast. He said, 'I have heard that there are a few actors who charge about Rs 30 lakhto do a podcast. Is this true? I am just wanting to know because I have come here for free. Pay me at least Rs 30,000.' When the podcasters revealed that now the tables have turned, Sooraj quickly added, 'Yes, I have heard that too that the podcasters who have good viewership charge Rs 30 lakh to get you on their podcast.' He admitted that he too had received a similar offer from the top guys. He added, 'But it makes sense as they give you viewership. They have put immense hard work to grow their page so I think why not? Because we cannot deny the fact that they have great viewership.' ALSO READ | Mohan Babu was howling when he got to know about co-star Soundarya's death, shares Vishnu Manchu: 'Our family went through a lot of pain and trauma' Previously, Comedian Kareem Rahma, the host of digital interview series Subway Takes recently shared that he declined to feature I Feel Pretty star Amy Schumer on his show when her team reached out to him. He said, 'I will probably get in trouble for this, but Amy Schumer. Let's just say she wasn't the right fit.' Since posting the first episode in 2023, Subway Takes has featured personalities like CHarli XCX, Cate Blanchett, and Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz, among others. SubwayTakes with Kareem Rahma has over 420k subscribers on YouTube. According to Vulture, it became gospel that Donald Trump won his second presidency in part because he successfully courted Joe Rogan and a slew of other new-media hosts while Kamala Harris didn't. According to Forbes, there are over 540 million listeners globally, making brand leverage podcasts as a core component of their marketing strategies. Now, several celebrities have also taken up this opportunity to build their own podcasts. In India, actors including Kalki Koechlin, Neha Dhupia, Rhea Chakraborty, and Amitabh Bachchan's granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda have their own podcasts. For Rhea Chakraborty, her podcast Chapter 2 became her grand comeback into the showbizz after actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death, where she spoke extensively about her struggles and time in jail. Even Rebel Kid Apoorva Mukhija turned to a podcast after her Samay Raina controversy. The three weeks old podcast today boasts over 2.2 million views.
