Liu would have performed alongside Olympic teammates Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito when worlds begin March 24 at O2 Arena in Prague. Bradie Tennell was the first alternate but declined, so Sarah Everhardt will take Liu's place on the U.S. team.

The 20-year-old Liu, who retired after the 2022 Beijing Games only to launch a triumphant comeback two years later, became the first American woman since Kimmie Meissner in 2006 to win the world title last year in Boston. She followed up with the first Olympic gold medal for a U.S. woman since Sarah Hughes in 2002 when she stood atop the podium last month at the Milan Cortina Games.

Liu actually came away with two gold medals from Italy; she joined Glenn in helping the U.S. defend its Olympic team title.

Liu has quickly become a star, not only because of her success but also because her attitude and style. Once burned out by the sport, she returned with a fresh, happy-go-lucky outlook, and that positive vibe served her well amid the pressure of the Winter Games.

And with her distinctive streaked haircut, which is supposed to mimic growth rings on a tree, and prominent frenulum piercing, Liu has eschewed the “ice princess” style of yesteryear for a look that has been embraced by the alt, punk and emo crowd.

It is common for Olympic athletes to skip the following world championships. The season is long enough with the first events taking place in early fall, and many choose to begin their offseason early after the stress of performing at the Winter Games.

Among those who also have withdrawn from worlds are Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, the Olympic pairs champions from Japan; Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii, the pairs team that helped earn team bronze for host Italy; and Loena Hendrickx of Belgium, who has endured a season marked by injuries and finished 14th in the women's event at the Milan Cortina Games.

It will be Clark's first game play in about eight months since a multitude of injuries derailed her WNBA season with the Indiana Fever in July.

“It’ll probably take a me a second to knock a little bit of the rust off. I’ll probably be a little bit nervous, which I usually don’t get nervous but that probably comes from I haven’t really played basketball in a while," Clark said Saturday. “I’m sure after the first minute of running around on the court, I’ll be just fine. But more than anything, just really excited. I know how much work and how much time I put in to make sure my body’s as healthy as it can be and to get back.”

It's been quite a road back for Clark who played in 13 games last season. She had groin injuries and then a bone bruise in her left ankle. She's been in the gym getting ready, working with the Fever medical team and player developmental staff over the last few months.

“I’ve always been a person that’s going to just rely on my work. I feel like it’s certainly made me work harder,” Clark said of the injuries. “But that’s also probably the part that kind of stunk about it, is I felt like I put in so much time and so much energy going into last season, and then obviously, only appeared in about 13 games.”

Clark has fond memories of playing with younger USA Basketball teams. She recalled being in Colorado Springs in her teens and going into a room filled with jerseys of past American greats.

“My eyes were so wide, thought it was the coolest thing in the world of all,” she said. “(To see) the senior national jerseys of great men’s players and women’s players. It's a 15 or 16 year old's dream of doing that one day.”

Clark knows this is just her first step with the national team. There was an uproar when she didn't make the 2024 Paris Olympic team. She eyes playing on the World Cup team next fall and then in Los Angeles on the 2028 Olympic squad.

“There's a lot to get to that point,” she said. “Obviously that’s my goal, the World Cup before that. There's a lot for me to learn.”

It made every moment he experienced in his return as special as any he's had so far in his basketball career.

His homecoming at TD Garden on Friday night, a 120-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks marked his season debut almost 10 months after surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon.

“I had a real sense of gratitude," Tatum said. "Just being back on the floor and playing basketball again. It just kind of brought me back to everything I’ve been through the last 10 months, and the fact that I was able to even be out there today was a really big win for me.”

It also was a reminder — to everyone — that the player who helped bring Boston a 2024 NBA championship and has five All-NBA and eight All-Star selections, will need time before he's fully back to being himself.

Tatum had 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting, 12 rebounds and seven assists in an at times rusty 27 minutes. He played in five- and six-minute spurts in his first game since suffering the injury in during Game 4 of Boston’s Eastern Conference semifinal loss to New York in May.

Tatum, who turned 28 this week, said his return to the court would be a home game. He made good on that promise.

He missed his first six shots, but also made five straight at one point.

“Nights and days I dreamed abut this moment," Tatum said. “The anticipation. The crowd. It’s been 42 1/2 weeks since I played an NBA game. Just trying to get caught up on the speed and everything.. I felt like maybe I was a step off or maybe too fast. But the game started to slow down once I started moving around a little bit.”

Tatum missed his first shot the night, misfiring a jumper off the back of the rim on Boston’s second trip down the floor.

He’d make his first contribution to the stat sheet on the Celtics' next possession — an assist on a alley-oop to big man Neemias Queta.

Tatum airballed his second field goal attempt of the game – a 26-footer from the top of the key – before heading to the bench for his first rest.

Late in the first quarter Tatum briefly left the court with trainer Nick Sang. But he returned to the bench in time to re-enter the lineup for the start of the second period.

Even with the uneven start, he continued to look for his teammates, adding another assist and actively screening to initiate the offense.

“He came on the other side of this a better person, and I know better player. That’s all you can ask for,” Celtics coach Mazzulla said.

Fans rose to their feet in anticipation after Tatum got open and had a clean look at a dunk. He got hung up on the rim, though, a mishap he chuckled about a few minutes later as he jogged off the court during a timeout.

His scoreless streak was finally broken with 1:11 left before halftime when he glided in for a putback dunk off Payton Pritchard’s missed 3-pointer. After a Dallas miss, he followed that up by splashing a corner 3-pointer.

Several Mavericks players took moments during breaks in the game to welcome Tatum back. They included Klay Thompson, who gave Tatum a hug prior to the start of the second quarter. Thompson tore his Achilles tendon in 2020 while rehabbing from an ACL tear in 2019.

Mazzulla said Tatum' return has been building for weeks.

“From Day 1 it’s just been a constant conversation," Mazzulla said. "Throughout the process you’ve just trusted this journey. I give him credit. We always knew he was coming back this year.”

Tatum, who had surgery May 13, made his return to the court after 298 days.

The Celtics have 19 games remaining in the regular season, including 11 at TD Garden to try to ramp up Tatum for what they hope will e a deep playoff run. Boston is second in the East.

“I don’t think that any athlete thinks that they’re ever going to bet hurt. At least, I didn’t," Tatum said. “When it happened, it knocked me on my (butt). It just kind of made my rethink a lot of things. I had an idea in the direction my career was going to go., and in one night it changed. ... The things I want to accomplish are still in front me.

"I'm really just kind of happy that I even got this far.”

The Wallis announced Friday that Jean Davidson had been appointed executive director and CEO. Before joining the Kennedy Center in 2023, Davidson had served for eight years as executive director and CEO of the Los Angeles Master Chorale at The Music Center.

“The arts are where a community sees itself, and where it imagines what’s possible next,” Davidson said in a statement. “I’m honored to join the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Arts at this pivotal moment.”

Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell said in a statement to The Associated Press that she was among those who deserved “enormous credit” for their efforts.

“I have enjoyed working with Jean to cultivate new donors and patrons while cleaning up the financial mess at the (center),” he said.

In a statement to The Associated Press, Davidson said: “It has been a great honor to serve the NSO and to work alongside Gianandrea Noseda, Steven Reineke, the extraordinary musicians, and the dedicated staff and board. I’m deeply proud of everything we’ve accomplished together.”

Davidson told the Los Angeles Times that she had found it “more and more difficult” to remain at the Kennedy Center, “given the external forces that are at work that are just so far beyond my control.”

After mostly ignoring the center during his first term, Trump has made it a focal point in his war against “woke” culture.” He ousted the Kennedy Center's previous leadership and replaced it with a hand-picked board of trustees who voted to rename the facility the Trump Kennedy Center, a change scholars and lawmakers say must be initiated by Congress.

Renée Fleming, Philip Glass and Bela Fleck are among numerous artists who have called off performances, and the Washington National Opera ended its decades-long residency. Last month, Trump said he would move to close the center this summer for construction he expects to last two years.

At the Wallis, Davidson succeeds Robert van Leer, who recently left to join the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as performing arts program director.

The announcement follows a series of extensions driven by strong audience demand, building on prior runs that pushed the production past its initial closing dates. Tickets for the new block through July 2026 are available now via the official website, www.masqueradenyc.com.

Directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, Masquerade plants audiences directly into the world of Gaston Leroux's novel as adapted into Lloyd Webber's 1986 musical, with lyrics by Charles Hart and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, and book by Stilgoe and Webber. The production unfolds across multiple floors of the venue, inviting small groups of about 60 guests per performance slot into interactive experiences, from masked balls to the Phantom's lair, complete with a chandelier featuring over 30,000 crystals from Preciosa, the official crystal partner. M.A.C. Cosmetics serves as the official makeup partner.

Unlike the original Broadway production, which closed after a historic run, Masquerade employs six simultaneous audience groups each evening, requiring an expanded cast with multiple actors rotating in lead roles. Current Phantoms include Jeff Kready, Telly Leung, Hugh Panaro, Kyle Scatliffe, Clay Singer, and Nik Walker, with recent additions Quentin Earl Darrington and Ryan Vona. Christine Daaé is portrayed by Haile Ferrier, Erin LeCroy, Francesca Mehrotra, Riley Noland, Kaley Ann Voorhees, and newcomer Addie Morales, among others. New ensemble and supporting roles feature Dan Hoy as Raoul, Liz Pearce as Madame Giry, Cooper Stanton as Buquet, and Milena Comeau in the ensemble.

Producer and co-conceiver Randy Weiner stated, “From lifelong Phans to those discovering Phantom for the first time, audiences have embraced Masquerade, literally stepping into the world of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. With this extension, even more guests will have the chance to experience the Music of the Night like never before.”

To enhance accessibility, Masquerade has partnered with TodayTix for a digital cancellation line offering $178 same-day tickets starting at 9 AM ET daily, available via the app for up to two tickets per user. An in-person Black Tie Standby Line provides $170 tickets subject to availability, requiring formal attire to match the production's theme.

The creative team, led by Paulus alongside Hunter Bird, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, and others including costume designer Emilio Sosa and lighting designer Ben Stanton, draws inspiration from the long-running immersive hit Sleep No More at NYC's McKittrick Hotel. Critics have praised the show, with The New York Times calling it “breathlessly exciting,” and The New York Post noting it as “a sexy, hot ticket.”

Masquerade officially opened on September 29, 2025, filling a void left by the Broadway original's closure and offering theatergoers a fresh, participatory take on the iconic story of obsession and mystery. The production is presented by arrangement with Lloyd Webber Entertainment and maintains social media presence at www.instagram.com/masqueradenyc and www.tiktok.com/@masqueradenyc.

While specific LGBTQ+ community responses to this extension were not detailed in available coverage, the production's emphasis on diverse casting—including performers like Telly Leung, a prominent figure in Broadway's queer theater scene—and its glamorous, masked ballroom sequences resonate with audiences seeking inclusive, fantastical escapism in live performance. The immersive format allows transgender people and other LGBTQ+ individuals to engage fully in the masquerade theme, donning attire that aligns with personal expression.

Glenn specifically advocated for a "Yuri Heated Rivalry," referencing the Japanese media genre centered on romantic relationships between female characters. "I want Yuri Heated Rivalry! Ask me, hire me," she said directly to the camera, addressing creator Jacob Tierney. "I can fall in love with my co-star please!" When asked about a potential guest appearance in season two, Glenn responded affirmatively: "Uh, yeah!"

This pitch aligns with Heated Rivalry's precedent of featuring real athletes, as season one included a surprise appearance by Harrison Browne, the first out transgender man to play professional hockey in North America. Glenn herself holds a historic distinction as the first out queer woman to represent the United States in Olympic singles figure skating. She came out as pansexual in 2019, telling NBC News that the disclosure allowed her to feel "set free" and relieved pressure to conform to others' expectations, enhancing her performance on the ice.

The GLAAD Media Awards interview occurred on March 5, 2026, shortly after Glenn's Olympic participation. Heated Rivalry, created by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid's Game Changers novels, follows the romance between hockey players Shane and Ilya, portrayed by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. Season two, adapting The Long Game—the sixth book in the series—will revisit the couple's relationship a decade later, with filming slated to begin in August 2026 and a potential release in April 2027.

At the same event, Heated Rivalry actor Robbie G.K., who plays Kip, discussed season two prospects, noting it would be "fun" to film a wedding scene between his character and François Arnaud's Scott. "I think it would be a fun scene to film," he added.

Glenn's comments come amid her rising profile in figure skating, where she has been part of a notable rivalry with Alysa Liu, dubbed the "Blade Angels" by Liu in reference to their supportive dynamic with Isabel Levidi. This contrasts traditional toxic rivalries in the sport, positioning Glenn and Liu as mutual motivators. An Outsports piece from February 2026 noted Glenn's short program challenges at the Olympics, drawing parallels to other athletes' pressures.

Glenn's openness as a pansexual athlete underscores broader LGBTQ+ visibility in winter sports, following figures like Browne. Her Heated Rivalry enthusiasm signals potential crossovers between real queer athletes and fictional narratives, amplifying representation for lesbian, bisexual, and other queer women in media. While primary coverage centers on PinkNews' report of the Access Hollywood interview, additional context from Olympic-related sources confirms Glenn's prominence. No conflicting reports emerged across available sources.

Doors open at 5:30 PM, with the show expected to start around 7:00 PM and conclude by 11:00 PM, though timings are subject to change. This 18+ event promises a "night of solidarity for a lifetime of change," uniting music artists and allies to celebrate transgender people as loved, valued, and essential to the cultural fabric.

The lineup features a diverse array of LGBTQ+ artists and allies, including Adam Lambert, Beth Ditto, Bimini, Beverley Knight, Christine and the Queens , Fat Tony, Gottmik, HAAi, Jasmine.4.T, Kae Tempest, MNEK, Olly Alexander, Romy, Sink the Pink, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sugababes, Tom Grennan, Tom Rasmussen, Trans Voices choir, Wolf Alice, and additional names like Rose Gray and SG Lewis recently added. Guest appearances will include prominent figures such as Ian McKellen, Munroe Bergdorf, Nicola Coughlan, Shon Faye, Dani St. James, Grace Campbell, Harriet Rose, Jack Rooke, Jayde Adams, Jo Maugham, Jordan Stephens, Juno Birch, Juno Dawson, Kadiff Kirwan, Layton Williams, Mawaan Rizwan, Russell Tovey, Tia Kofi, Tiara Skye, and Zack Polanski, with more to be announced.

Proceeds will benefit Good Law Project, a legal charity campaigning against hate, and Not a Phase, a trans-led grassroots organization supporting transgender adults in the UK. The concert builds on a recent open letter signed by over 1,000 UK music industry figures, including Dua Lipa, Sam Smith, Florence Welch, Charli XCX, and Wolf Alice, expressing solidarity with the trans community.

Organizers Mighty Hoopla stated: "We have been working behind the scenes to organise something on this scale for a long time, to not only fundraise but also publicly stand with the trans community who are under daily attack. It is time we came together, got organised and unite to fight back against the hate. This is about allyship, empathy and holding up those we love." Olly Alexander emphasized: "I believe that in these times, community action isn’t just important — it’s essential! We need real and lasting change. Through solidarity, creativity and collective fundraising, we can fight back against the politics of fear and exclusion and build a world where everyone can thrive."

Dani St. James, founder and CEO of Not a Phase, described the event as "the result of people pouring their hearts into real, affirmative action; a true example of allyship becoming advocacy," adding that funds will secure work uplifting trans adults across the UK. Jo Maugham of Good Law Project noted: "To be trans is to celebrate the infinite possibility of the human condition — this amazing line-up is testimony to their creative genius. And as the old world tries to force trans people back into tired social constructs, Good Law Project could not be more proud to fight for, and with, the new."

The production team includes Martha Kinn, Michael Smith of Kindred Management, Sam Spencer of Broadwick Live, Jess Kinn of ROAM Artists, and PR from Simon Jones and Chris Ibbs of CAA. Tickets went on sale December 2, 2025, via AXS and Kaboodle. Kate Nash's participation aligns with her scheduled appearance, as listed on her 2026 tour dates including the March 11 event.

This concert highlights growing entertainment industry support for transgender rights, providing a platform for trans voices like Gottmik, Bimini, Tom Rasmussen, and Trans Voices while fostering allyship through high-profile performances.

In a post-elimination interview, Plane Jane expressed surprise at the vote outcome, noting that only Drita D’Avanzo voted to keep her in the house despite her alliances, including support for Christine Quinn earlier. "I was kind of gagged that only Drita voted to keep me in. I genuinely thought I had more allies and more friends in the house," Plane Jane said, adding that housemates voted strategically rather than loyally. She described feeling blindsided, particularly by Paul Abrahamian, whom she later referenced in interviews as part of a betrayal dynamic.

Plane Jane entered the show without a strict villain strategy, opting to embrace her "beautiful, unhinged self" to fit the format's chaotic demands. Her time in the mansion included notable moments like a pool party splash, but underlying house dynamics led to her targeting. Christine Quinn, another castmate, later reflected on Plane Jane's relationships, noting she felt betrayed watching the episode and seeing how Plane Jane was used as a pawn by others like Paul and Johnny Bananas.

The elimination drew significant backlash from fans, particularly within LGBTQ+ communities who celebrated Plane Jane's representation as a drag queen among reality TV villains from shows like Selling Sunset, Basketball Wives, and Survivor. Gay Times reported "overwhelming backlash" online, with viewers raging over the decision to banish her early despite her compelling gameplay. Plane Jane herself remained positive, stating she was "impactful and compelling as a character" and grateful for the producers' respectful portrayal of her story.

In a separate interview clip, Plane Jane humorously remarked on trust issues, saying, "You can't trust the straits, honey," referring to straight castmates in a lighthearted nod to house alliances, which underscored dynamics between queer and non-queer contestants. Christine Quinn echoed feelings of group outreach to other women, but noted divisions, with some sticking to "broy" groups. Plane Jane's final plea was emotional, touching even New York Pollard, though she believed the house had premeditated her exit.

House of Villains Season 3, hosted by Joel McHale, premiered on February 26 on Peacock, featuring a cast of 13 villains competing for $250,000 and the title Ultimate Villain. Plane Jane's exit marks her as the latest in a top 10 status, with fans tracking eliminations closely via social media, including her Instagram @the_planejane. The event highlights ongoing visibility for transgender and drag performers in mainstream reality competitions, with community support amplifying her brief but memorable run.

The 50th-anniversary ceremony is scheduled for April 12, 2026, at the Royal Albert Hall, with comedian Nick Mohammed as host. Paddington The Musical earned a nomination for Best New Musical, competing against Here We Are , Shucked , and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. It also received nods for Best Director , Outstanding Musical Contribution , and acting categories, including James Hameed and Arti Shah sharing Best Actor in a Musical for portraying Paddington Bear, alongside Tom Edden for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical and Amy Booth-Steel and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

Into the Woods secured a nomination for Best Musical Revival, facing competition from American Psycho, Evita at The London Palladium, and The Producers at Garrick Theatre. Its performers garnered significant recognition, with Jamie Parker nominated for Best Actor in a Musical, Katie Brayben for Best Actress in a Musical, Jo Foster and Oliver Savile sharing Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical, and Kate Fleetwood for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

Other strong contenders include Ivo van Hove's revival of All My Sons at Wyndham's Theatre with six nominations, new plays Stereophonic and Kenrex each with six, and Evita with five. In acting categories, The Producers features Marc Antolin and Andy Nyman competing for Best Actor in a Musical, and Trevor Ashley for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical. Diego Andres Rodriguez earned a Best Actor in a Musical nod for Evita, while Corbin Bleu was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for The Great Gatsby – A New Musical at London Coliseum.

Notable mentions in new plays include Punch and 1536, while Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play features Oh, Mary! and Every Brilliant Thing. For Best Actress, nominees include Cate Blanchett for The Seagull and Marianne Jean-Baptiste for All My Sons. In affiliate theatres, The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs by Iman Qureshi received a Best New Production nomination, recognizing diverse voices in London's theatre scene. Outstanding Musical Contribution nominees feature Will Butler and Justin Craig for Stereophonic, and John Patrick Elliott for Kenrex.

Last year's record holder, Fiddler on the Roof, received 13 nominations, surpassing this year's leaders. The nominations reflect a season blending family-friendly adaptations like Paddington with Sondheim classics, alongside innovative new works, underscoring the West End's artistic range.