Welcome to ICYMI, where we round up the pop culture and entertainment updates you may have overlooked from the last seven days.
Ex-assistant of Diddy accuses him of alleged abuse and sexual assault.
The ongoing federal sex trafficking trial involving Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in the United States has moved forward as a previous assistant took the stand, alleging that she endured mistreatment during her time working for the hip-hop icon.
“Mia,” who is giving evidence using a false identity, was employed by Combs between 2007 and 2019, describing this duration as “poisonous.” She alleged that during her employment, Combs subjected her to sexual assault, pushed her into a swimming pool, poured a bucket of ice over her, and forcefully closed a door on her arm.
Mia claimed that Combs placed his hand up her skirt and forcefully kissed her during his 40th birthday celebration in 2009. She also stated he made her perform oral sex when she was helping him pack for a journey, and later allegedly assaulted her by raping her in a guest room at his house in Los Angeles in 2010 after getting into her bed.
Mia stated, “I was unable to say ‘no’ to him regarding anything,” explaining that she experienced feelings of “terror, confusion, shame, and fear” during the rape committed by Combs.
She mentioned that the attacks were unforeseeable: “They always seemed haphazard and infrequent, occurring at such odd intervals that I believed they wouldn’t happen again.”
Mia remembered Combs as an overbearing supervisor who would frequently criticize her harshly and assign so much work that she barely had time to sleep, often logging long hours for up to five consecutive days without respite. According to Mia, one time Combs even tossed a computer at her because he was unable to establish a Wi-Fi connection.
She
also supported earlier statements made by Combs’ other staff members
She saw Combs manhandle his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, who had previously testified during the trial.
Horror screenplays! Submit your horror screenplays now!
It’s well-known that Aussies excel when it comes to all things spooky. Whether you’re into classics like “Picnic at Hanging Rock” or modern scares such as “Talk To Me,” we’ve got a knack for the eerie, wild, and bone-chilling (can’t explain why!).
But if you ask
Nick Cave
or
Martin Scorsese
The ultimate Australian horror film has to be Ted Kotcheff’s iconic New Wave masterpiece, “Wake in Fear.” When this movie was sent to the Cannes Film Festival in 1971, it followed the terrifying journey of an uptight schoolteacher who becomes prey to the over-the-top locals in the fictitious Outback mining town called Bundanyabba.
Only two films have screened at Cannes twice due to a 2009 remaster, and this particular movie was also granted its own trust in 2008 for preservation purposes.
Currently, the Wake in Fright Trust is collaborating with AACTA and Sanctuary Films to inspire the upcoming cohort of horror screenplay authors.
The Wake in Fright Development Initiative is a nationwide scheme providing $25,000 in financing along with $5,000 for developmental assistance aimed at bringing a thriller or horror screenplay to fruition.
“This program aims to pay tribute to the heritage of Wake in Fright not only by reflecting on the past but also by anticipating the future—supporting the upcoming generation of filmmakers ready to question, provoke, and reshape the possibilities of Australian cinema,” stated Michael Neary, representative for the Wake in Fight Trust.
Applications start on July 1st and conclude on August 12th, with the selected recipient being revealed on October 9th.
Visit the AACTA site for additional details.
The creator of White Lotus has returned to Survivor, however, fans remain unconvinced.
Although The White Lotus was not directly inspired by Survivor, it was clear that Mike White found creative influence from that show.
The director, known for his work on Jack Black’s 2003 film “School of Rock,” was featured in the 2018 season of the reality show “David vs. Goliath.” Although he narrowly missed winning, he secured the runner-up position.
Like how you might picture Jennifer Coolidge as Tanya tackling the challenge, he too competed with a similar flair, emphasizing his ardent fandom: “‘Everyone in my industry desires an Oscar, but they’re missing out. My aim is to conquer Survivor instead,’ he declared.”
Even though Mike White fans are thrilled about his return,
longtime Survivor followers
are unhappy
with the line-up
for the new season.
The forthcoming Survivor 50 season marks the show’s quarter-century anniversary and its 50th installment, celebrating a significant milestone for this pioneering reality television series.
all-star cast touted
To “embody the whole series.”
However, most of the participants mentioned come from more recent seasons—specifically, three individuals were chosen from this year’s Survivor 48—with not a single player originating from seasons 19 through 30.
Viewers are now turning to
The forthcoming Australia versus The World series, showcasing iconic athletes from the Australian, U.S., and international versions of the game known as “GOATS only,” seems impossible to surpass with its lineup.
Lorde releases a fresh single and interrupts her own celebration in Sydney.
The release of Lorde’s highly anticipated debut album after four years has been ongoing, with the New Zealand sensation releasing her latest single titled ‘Man of the Year’ just yesterday.
Australia appears to play a crucial role in the promotion of the new album, which is named Virgin.
The 28-year-old singer-songwriter
tuned into Triple J radio shows
Alongside Abby and Tyrone, where she delved into why this influential pop ballad stands out as the Virgin Records track she’s most proud of.
This composition is incredibly genuine, capturing the experience of my gender expanding and transforming within me. It felt truly astounding yet simultaneously terrifying and emotionally charged.
Although her pronouns have stayed the same, Lorde has previously shared insights into “feeling somewhere in between in terms of gender,” and this journey will likely take center stage in her forthcoming album.
The Grammy-winning musician also grabbed attention in Sydney on Sunday when she made a payment in the city.
surprise visit
for a Lorde-inspired soirée at the trendy nightclub Mary’s Underground.
Shocked fans said
The 28-year-old remained at the event for roughly thirty minutes after quietly joining the dance floor, where she joined in singing popular tracks such as ‘What Was That,’ much to the delight of those present.
Trailers of the Week: Good Fortune
We’ve all fantasized about having Keanu Reeves as our very own heavenly protector, but Aziz Ansari has brought this dream to life through his new movie Good Fortune. In the film, Reeves portrays Gabriel, a “cost-effective guardian angel” who ends up on Earth looking much like a quintessential 1990s comedy featuring Brendan Fraser, where an outsider navigates unfamiliar territory.
