Latest news with #socialexperiment
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
First MAFS UK 2025 star revealed as dental practice manager dubbed 'one of the most stunning in show's history' months before new series returns
The first Married At First Sight UK star for the upcoming 2025 series of the E4 show has been revealed as a dental practice manager. Leisha Lightbody, who has been dubbed 'one of the most stunning in the show's history,' is reportedly due to take part in the social experiment later this year. The popular programme sees a selection of single people tie the knot with someone just moments after meeting down the aisle. And the couples are put together by relationship experts Mel Schilling, 53, Paul C Brunson, 46, and Charlene Douglas, 43. Each week they are helped by the trio to see if they are meant to be together, and have the option to leave the experiment if it is not going well. Hopefully Leisha finds someone that she is looking for during the tenth series of the programme. A source told The Sun: 'Leisha is one of the most stunning brides MAFS UK has ever had, and she's sure to catch the eye of all the grooms on the new series - not just her own. 'Leisha is obviously sworn to secrecy about being on the show, which filmed earlier this year, so there are no signs of it on her social media yet. 'The cast are set to be announced next month, with the show airing later in the autumn.' When the publication contacted C4 for comment, a spokesperson told them: 'We do not comment on speculation. The MAFS UK cast will be announced in the coming weeks.' MailOnline has also contacted C4 for comment. Applications for the upcoming series of the show closed back in February. Although nothing has been confirmed, the programme usually airs in September each year and wraps up in the middle of November. Viewers also usually enjoy the instalments from Monday to Thursday on E4. Married At First Sight originally hit our screens in the UK in 2015. There has been nine successful series so far since then and fans will be treated to another one very soon. One of the experts Mel has teased what viewers can expect in the coming months. The Aussie TV star dubbed the cast as 'authentic, relatable and surprising'. She added: 'I have several favourites, I do. It's like choosing a favourite child but I do. 'I do have quite a few favourites this year.' And back in February she shared a stunning snap from the set in a light pink suit. 'Let's go! MAFS UK 2025,' she captioned the post. Last year's season of the UK version of MAFS was a huge hit, with the likes of Luke and Amy, Adam and Polly, Nathan and Lacey, and Ross and Sacha making it to the final vows. Despite some of the relationships looking promising, none of them are together anymore.
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Big Brother's best bits! From the iconic Nasty Nick and late Nikki Grahame to THAT hot tub scene - the show's most memorable moments as it marks its 25th anniversary
It has been 25 years since the first series of Big Brother hit TV screens in 2000, captivating the British public and becoming an instant classic. Deemed TV's 'first social experiment', the concept of contestants being locked in a house together and surveilled 24 hours a day was at that time a baffling one. The show's name was inspired by the famous George Orwell quote 'Big Brother is watching you' from his dystopian novel 1984, with contestants' every move watched via nightly episodes and live streams. Big Brother first launched on Channel 4 at the turn of the millennium hosted by Davina McCall, and immediately became a ratings hit. Despite its popularity, falling ratings and budget cuts saw Big Brother axed by Channel 4 in 2010 - only for Channel 5 to quickly acquire the rights the following year, with its version first presented by former winner Brian Dowling before Emma Willis took over as host in 2013. However it was axed for a second time in 2018, only to be revived yet again in 2023 by ITV fronted by joint hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best. Famous for its controversial and sometimes scandalous moments, Big Brother was responsible for some of the wildest scenes to ever grace British TV screens - including a Pamela Anderson cameo. From Nasty Nick and the late Nikki Graheme's iconic 'Who is she?' rant to THAT hot tub scene between Anthony Hutton and Makosi Musambasi - here are Big Brother's best bits as it turns 25. Nasty Nick - Series One (2000) Viewers were left enthralled with the inaugural season, where the behaviour of housemate Nick Bateman was the most shocking. The city broker won the nickname Nasty Nick after he attempted to cheat in the game and pass notes between contestants to sway nominations. He was confronted by eventual winner Craig Phillips who gathered the house around the kitchen table to discuss Nick's notes. 'How can you be so two faced?' Craig asked him. 'I know it's true, you know it's true.' The scheme backfired on Nick as he was ejected from the house on Day 35 for breaking the rules around nominations while Craig went on to win the show. It sounds innocent now but the scandal featured on the front page of every single national newspaper except the Financial Times which put it on page three. Fight Night - Series Five (2004) Big Brother pushed boundaries with its novel concept and 24-hour live streaming however viewers thought it went too far during series five. The series featured a host of shocking moments, yet none more so than Fight Night. During series five Emma Greenwood and Michelle Bass re-entered the house after a false eviction landed them in 'The Bedsit', where they watched on as their housemates spoke about them. Upon their return, the house became embroiled in a food fight. As arguments escalated, winner Nadia Almada, from Ribeira Brava, Madeira, Portugal, slapped Jason Cowan. After this Emma and Victor Ebuwa both threw trays at each other before they were separated when she screamed: 'I will f**king kill you'. When the fight kicked off, BB placed guards at the camera runs and while the shocking activities escalated guards were sent into the house via the bedroom, where the were stationed while the stars slept. As a consequence Emma was removed the next day and Victor was made to see a psychologist. All housemates bar four were given warnings by Big Brother. Makosi Hot Tub - Series Six (2005) Winner Anthony Hutton and co-star Makosi Musambasi enjoyed a boozy night in the pool in which they appeared to engage in sexual activity. While Anthony vowed they never had sex, 48 hours after the moment Makosi claimed she was pregnant with his child. After leaving the house Makosi, who was a nurse, insisted that she believed she was pregnant, however crowds chanted 'liar' at her during the final. Makosi came in third place in the sixth series of Big Brother but she encountered visa difficulties after she left the house as she was only allowed to live in the UK as long as she was working for the NHS. She returned to England in 2010 to appear on Ultimate Big Brother before the show moved to Channel 5, being evicted by the public on day 11. In 2012 she was reportedly deported to Nigeria and banned from Britain after attempting to enter the country using a relative's passport. The wine bottle incident - Series Six (2005) Things took an X-rated turn during Big Brother six thanks to eccentric housemate Kinga Karolczak. Kinga entered the house late in the series and caused possibly one of the most shocking moments of the entire show. The half Polish, half Kuwaiti market researcher from London left viewers aghast when she famously used a wine bottle as a tool for masturbation in the communal garden. After getting drunk with housemates Anthony Hutton and Craig Coates, the buxom blonde told the guys that she planned to pleasure herself with the empty wine bottle. In her exit interview with show host Davina McCall, Kinga insisted that the whole debacle was a joke and she was only pretending. Nikki Graeme's 'Who Is She?' - Series Seven (2006) Often regarded as one of the best series in the show's history, Big Brother 7 introduced the public to Nikki Grahame. The Hertfordshire native became known for throwing tantrums over harmless situations such as having to get out of bed or not being able to make a pair of headphones work. In her most memorable moment, Nikki stormed into the diary room and vented her frustration over new housemate Susie Verrico. Nikki shouted at Big Brother: 'I'm feeling very venomous and angry. How dare she vote for me, she doesn't even know me. What have I f***ing done?... She's just marched in in her golden gown and just ousted me out, and it's not fair! 'Who is she? Who is she? Who is she? Where did you find her?' And reality TV history was made. Nikki tragically passed away in 2021 after a battle with anorexia nervosa. Pammy's Cameo - Series 12 (2011) Both housemates and viewers were in awe when they walked into the house in 2011 to discover Pamela Anderson waiting for them. As the 14 new housemates got acquainted with each other and their surroundings, the shutters opened, showing the contestants their garden. But as they made their way to the doors, Baywatch star Pamela was sitting outside looking sensational in a figure-hugging red dress. At first, the housemates were unsure what was going on until the penny dropped and someone shouted: 'Oh my god, it's Pamela Anderson!' She remained in the house and set tasks for the housemates throughout. Pamela made her first move into a Big Brother house in 2008 when she joined the Australian version of the show for a three-day visit. Two years later she was on the Indian version of the show and in 2011, the UK version, with her popping up at the Bulgarian show in 2012 and the German one in 2013. Sofa Foreplay - Series 17 (2016) Housemate Laura Carter, who previously claimed to have bedded Justin Bieber, soared to prominence again in the summer following an on-screen romp with Marco Pierre White Jr. The duo garnered a huge number of Ofcom complaints due to their overtly sexual behaviour, including Marco biting her nipple before they engaged in sex on the programme. Viewers were disgusted when they engaged in foreplay on the sofa, with Laura seen lifting up her top as Marco Jnr sucked her bare breast. The episode then closed with the duo between the sheets, writhing around, and appearing to take things to the next level. Speaking about the rendezvous, Laura said: 'It wasn't full blown sex, but we had sex basically. Straight after it happened he said: "OH MY GOD! What's my family and my fiancée going to say?"
CNA
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Byte The Habit - Time-Fillers: Screentime During Downtime
22:43 Min We turn to our devices to fill pockets of downtime. Behavioural scientist Jean tests if changing digital 'time-fillers' can change our focus, energy and emotions in surprising ways. Byte The Habit About the show: Byte the Habit is a heartwarming social experiment series that tackles the timely and often unspoken questions of our time: What is technology doing to us and our families—and what can we do about it? From dinner tables interrupted by notifications to downtime routines governed by algorithms, screens have seeped into every corner of our domestic lifestyle. Over six episodes, behavioural scientist Dr. Jean Liu, guides three families into a process of tailored experimentation, inviting us to pause, reflect and reimagine the way we live with technology. These aren't stories about going analog. Each episode combines Jean's insights to uncover blind spots in our digital habits, build deeper connections and show how tech can empower rather than subtract from our lives.
CNA
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Byte The Habit - We Are Social Beings
22:27 Min Are your devices bonding your family or distracting you? Jean challenges two families to a playful social experiment to reveal if we are selective about what we pay attention to. Byte The Habit About the show: Byte the Habit is a heartwarming social experiment series that tackles the timely and often unspoken questions of our time: What is technology doing to us and our families—and what can we do about it? From dinner tables interrupted by notifications to downtime routines governed by algorithms, screens have seeped into every corner of our domestic lifestyle. Over six episodes, behavioural scientist Dr. Jean Liu, guides three families into a process of tailored experimentation, inviting us to pause, reflect and reimagine the way we live with technology. These aren't stories about going analog. Each episode combines Jean's insights to uncover blind spots in our digital habits, build deeper connections and show how tech can empower rather than subtract from our lives.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nicole Scherzinger Opens Up About Working With Liam Payne on ‘Building the Band': ‘This Was His Happy Place'
'I love doing things that break all the rules,' says Nicole Scherzinger with a smile during a sit-down interview with Billboard at Netflix's New York City office. 'It doesn't get any more real than having a band put themselves together without any record execs or labels telling them what they have to do, what they have to look like. That doesn't work anymore. That's the old formula.' Scherzinger is talking about Building the Band, a new singing competition that premieres on Netflix Wednesday (July 9) and finds her serving as a mentor and judge. An engrossing, potent cocktail of Love Is Blind and The X Factor, Building the Band tracks young singers from across the globe as they form their own groups without ever having met in real life: Contestants can hear each other's auditions and talk on the phone, but the first time they see each other is during their debut performance as a band. 'It was solely based off of music compatibility and chemistry and connection. Sight unseen,' says Scherzinger, who calls the show a 'social experiment' that worked out 'better than we could have imagined.' More from Billboard 'Building the Band' Pays Tribute to Liam Payne in Premiere Episode, Dedicates Series to His Family Hilltop Hoods Announce 2026 Australian Arena Tour Ahead of New Album Release Royel Otis Announce 2025 Arena Shows Across Australia With Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean playing host, Kelly Rowland and Liam Payne (filming completed prior to his tragic death last October) joined Scherzinger as guest judges, providing direction and feedback to six bands vying for the win. Scherzinger, who one month ago won the best actress in a musical Tony Award for her stunning work in Broadway's Sunset Blvd., is particularly qualified for a show like this. She's judged several singing competitions (The Sing-Off, The X Factor, The Masked Singer) and done the band thing, too – three times, in fact, as she points out to me: she led the Pussycat Dolls to massive success (four top 10s on the Billboard Hot 100); sang in the TV show-formed band Eden's Crush, who won Popstars USA in 2001 and notched one Hot 100 top 10 hit; and spent time in the rock band Days of the New (that one I was admittedly not aware of until she quizzed me). Beyond her own solo and group successes, Scherzinger also changed pop music history: She was the driving force behind putting Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson together as a group on The X Factor UK in 2010. In short: She knows a thing or two about raw talent and what will connect with a wider audience. Beyond resumes and vocal abilities, there's an ineffable quality she looks for in groups. '[You need] that natural chemistry. It just has to work organically because that's the only thing that's gonna move you, that's the only thing that's gonna make you care – give you the electric volts, I call them,' she says. 'There's too much stuff out there today – it's gotta be something amazing that knocks you out the park.' Fifteen years ago, Scherzinger felt those electric volts when One Direction formed. Despite the gut-wrenching loss of Payne, there's a palpable love and gratitude in her voice as she reflects on watching Payne pay it forward on Building the Band. 'I thought it was so beautiful to see the journey, to see Liam come full circle. Especially my relationship with him, having helped form the band One Direction and then see him have such wildly, phenomenal global success with One Direction and with his solo career … [to see him] mentor these bands, it was really beautiful,' Scherzinger shares. 'I saw the joy it brought to Liam. I felt that this was his happy place. Like myself, AJ and Kelly, we've lived this. We've learned it. To be able to bestow any inspiration and knowledge and wisdom and experience on any of these contestants and these bands, it brought us all joy. Particularly Liam. I felt this really inspired him and this was his happy place. This was his happy place because Liam was such a beautiful heart, and he loved to give back. He loved to help.' In his role on Building the Band, Payne is comfortable, friendly and naturally funny. 'He's with us in spirit,' Scherzinger says. 'I know how proud he was of this show and I know the joy that he got from doing this show. I feel like we are honoring him with this show, and that is such a beautiful thing. I'm so excited for people to see him in his highest light, giving back.' Building the Band is also a bit of a full circle moment for Scherzinger, who spent time in a reality show-based band before graduating to massive success with the Pussycat Dolls, one of the most commercially successful girl groups of all time. Looking back on 20 years since the band's debut album, PCD, Scherzinger offers some advice she might give to a younger version of herself: 'Be your authentic self and lead with your heart – and be sure you carry your balls with you.' Advising budding artists on Building the Band also made Scherzinger think about how the industry has changed for women and girl groups. 'When I was thinking of the Pussycat Dolls — and I'm so proud of the Pussycat Dolls — I'm thinking about, 'What would the Pussycat Dolls look like today?' The Pussycat Dolls would look like Lizzo; like Demi Lovato; like Billie Eilish. It's unconventional. It's not what you would think. For me, that's so important. Ten years ago, 20 years ago, being sexy was about being sexy for someone else. Now being sexy is about feeling sexy in your own skin, feeling strong about owning, embracing and loving and accepting yourself. It's called evolution. It's called times are a'changin'. It's about inclusivity. It's about accepting yourself and not trying to conform and be put in a box.' That inclusivity and artist-first focus fueled Scherzinger's approach to mentoring singers on this show. 'I want to see the best in people. How can I bring out the best in you, as a human and as an artist? Find the strengths and focus on the strengths. How can we encourage, how can we empower? And that's what we should do for anyone,' she concludes. 'Not only in Building the Band, but in life.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
