InFrame

Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ Bounds to No. 1 As Warner Bros.' ‘The Bride!’ Is on Life Support

This image released by Disney shows Mabel Beaver, voiced by Piper Curda, right, and King George, voiced by Bobby Moynihan in a scene from the animated film "Hoppers." Photo Credit: Disney/Pixar via AP

by Lindsey Bahr Mar 9

4 MIN READ

Disney and Pixar’s environmental adventure “Hoppers” topped the North American box office this weekend with $46 million in domestic ticket sales in its opening weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.

After adding another $42 million from international showings, the film celebrated an $88 million global launch in total, the biggest for an original animated film since “Coco” came out in 2017.

But it wasn’t all good news for big studio fare at the multiplex: Maggie Gyllenhaal’s R-rated reimagining of the Bride of Frankenstein story is flailing. A Warner Bros. release, “The Bride!” starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale, debuted to an estimated $7.3 million from 3,304 domestic locations. It cost around $80 million to produce, not including marketing and promotion expenses.

The two movies were hardly competing with one another for viewers — one being a PG-rated family pic, the other an audacious, R-rated, genre-blending ride. “Hoppers” arrived to a slew of good reviews, while critical responses to “The Bride!” were mixed to negative and its audience scores weren’t much better.

“Hoppers” win was much needed for Disney and Pixar following last year’s “Elio,” which was Pixar's worst opening ever. The studio’s only major successes lately have been sequels and franchises, while “Hoppers” is a win for original fare. It also opened higher than 2023’s “Elemental,” which eventually went on to become a sleeper hit (“Elio” did not).

“Hoppers” had a reported $150 million production budget and opened in 4,000 locations. Directed by Daniel Chong, the movie is about a 19-year-old environmentalist who infiltrates the animal world in the body of a beaver. It features the voices of Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm and Kathy Najimy.

“Hoppers” got a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, 75% “definitely recommend” from PostTrak polling and an A CinemaScore, suggesting it should have a long and profitable run in theaters.

“This is a fantastic original film from the incredible team at Pixar, and it’s wonderful to see audiences coming out with their friends and families to enjoy it together,” said Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, in a statement. He also congratulated the filmmaking team on “a tremendous launch.”

“The Bride!” had a bit of a bumpy path to theaters, with edits being made after reportedly poor test screenings. Its release date was pushed back from September, possibly to give it some space versus Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” which played in theaters last fall before hitting Netflix.

Men made up a slight majority of the audience for “The Bride!” at 53%. The movie currently carries a “rotten” 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and a lackluster C+ CinemaScore. Only 43% of that audience said they would “definitely recommend.”

And it doesn’t seem like international audiences will be much help: It made only $6.3 million outside of the U.S. and Canada, bringing its global debut to $13.6 million.

“Unfortunately, we came in light,” said Jeffrey Goldstein, who oversees domestic distribution for Warner Bros., in a text message. “We have a tailored approach to our slate, investing strategically in talent, IP and original storytelling. It spans genres and budget levels and allows us to back bold, distinctive filmmakers … and sometimes things just don’t work out.”

Warner Bros.' other recent release, “Wuthering Heights,” meanwhile, has surpassed $213 million globally. And next week, the studio, which is staring down new ownership under Paramount, is expected to sweep the Oscars between “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners.”

“We’re coming off an incredible run of nine No. 1 openings in a row, and in an increasingly ‘risk-averse’ business like ours, we believe the business is better served with studios taking bold swings on originals like this one,” Goldstein said. “Even the 1927 Yankees had 44 losses that season.”

Paramount’s “Scream 7” landed in second place in its second weekend with $17.3 million, down a whopping 73% and bringing its domestic total to $93.4 million and its global total to $149.5 million. Sony's “GOAT” came in fourth place with $6.6 million while “Wuthering Heights” rounded out the top five with $3.8 million.

“When there’s this many holdovers in the top 10, it says we haven’t had enough horsepower in the newcomers to really get things moving,” said Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s head of marketplace trends.

But he anticipates that will change when the Ryan Gosling-led sci-fi adventure “Project Hail Mary” hits theaters on March 20.

Top 10 movies by domestic box office

With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:

1. “Hoppers,” $46 million.

2. “Scream 7,” $17.3 million.

3. “The Bride!” $7.3 million.

4. “GOAT,” $6.6 million.

5. “Wuthering Heights,” $3.8 million.

6. “Crime 101,” $2.1 million.

7. “Send Help,” $1.6 million.

8. “I Can Only Imagine 2,” $1.5 million.

9. “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,” $1.5 million.

10. “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castlee,” $1.3 million.

At Hermès, Nadège Vanhée Turns Paris Twilight Into a State of Mind

A model wears a creation as part of the Hermes Fall/Winter 2026-2027 Women's collection presented in Paris, Saturday, March 7, 2026. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard

by Thomas Adamson Mar 8

2 MIN READ

Guests at the Hermès fashion show in Paris on Saturday didn’t just see the fall collection. They smelled it first.

The Garde Républicaine — the grand barracks of Paris’ mounted police — had been transformed into a forest floor, carpeted in thick, damp moss that filled the air with the heady scent of humus.

In a Paris Fashion Week that still has Chanel and Louis Vuitton to come, Hermès made a case that luxury at its most persuasive doesn’t shout.

It simply changes the air in the room.

Models emerged from luminous circular openings in the walls, like figures stepping through a full moon, and walked a raised, winding catwalk above the vegetation.

It was theatrical, but never gimmicky.

The set did exactly what creative director Nadège Vanhée wanted: it knocked you off balance.

Vanhée, who has led Hermès womenswear since 2014, titled the fall-winter collection “Entre chien et loup” — the French expression for dusk, that uneasy moment when you can’t tell a dog from a wolf.

Her show notes invoked Hecate, the torch-wielding goddess of darkness, though the clothes were less mythological than muscular — precise, body-conscious, built to move.

Leather dominated. Fluid overcoats with enormous Tuscan sheepskin collars.

Zip-front mini dresses in inky blue that opened to reveal contrasting shirts beneath.

An orange ostrich-leather jumpsuit, belted at the waist, that merged biker attitude with Hermès refinement.

The house’s equestrian DNA surfaced in jodhpurs and flat-heeled riding boots, though the glossy lambskin cycling shorts paired with aviator jackets pushed the codes into harder, more urban territory.

The palette avoided the obvious.

Night, Vanhée seemed to argue, is not simply black.

Her colors shifted from sulfur yellow to oxblood red, forest green to iridescent burgundy — surfaces that caught and changed in the light like something alive.

Zips were everywhere, slicing diagonally across jackets or running the full-length of dresses — functional but also decorative, a way of suggesting that every garment could be opened up, reconfigured, made new.

Double-breasted blazers and cigarette trousers gave the collection a sharp tailored spine, while quilted silks printed with cloud-strewn skies offered a rare moment of softness.

The collection landed with quiet force.

Para Alpine Skiers Voronchikhina and Bugaev Give Russia Its First Paralympic Medals in 12 Years

Aleksei Bugaev, of Russia, waves from the podium after winning the bronze medal in the alpine skiing men's downhill standing competition at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti

by Tales Azzoni Mar 7

3 MIN READ

Para alpine skiers Varvara Voronchikhina and Aleksei Bugaev won Russia's first Paralympic medals since 2014 on Saturday by taking bronze in their respective races — the women's and men's downhill standing competition.

Russian athletes are back competing under their own flag in the Winter Paralympics at Milan Cortina — after years of having to do so as neutral athletes because of the country’s doping violations and military conflicts.

Voronchikhina raced in the discipline for visually impaired athletes and Bugaev in the discipline for athletes with impairment in one arm.

“For us, it’s a really long time when we (were) without (the) flag, and I’m really glad and all my country and all my teammates, we (are) glad also,” said Voronchikhina, who is expected to be competing for the gold in other races at Milan Cortina.

Russia’s national anthem could be played for gold medalists for the first time on the stage of a major global sporting event since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ukraine's anthem did play Saturday as the nation won six medals on the first day, including three gold.

Russian athletes were initially banned because of a state-sponsored doping program, and the sanctions had continued after the invasion.

“I’m happy, I suppose. First medal for me, for Russia, since 2014 from Sochi,” Bugaev said. “I won the medal for my country, for Russia. I’m happy to represent my country.”

Two other Russian athletes competed on Saturday in Para snowboarding: Filipp Shebbo and Dmitrii Fadeev.

“It was perfect," Shebbo said. “A good moment for Russia, for the athletes. Hopefully this will continue. We had been waiting for this for a long time.”

The Russian flag made its official return during the nations’ parade in Friday's opening ceremony in Verona, marking the first time it was flown at the Paralympics since the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, and signaling a possible full-fledged return to the Olympic circles ahead of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

The Russian national anthem for a gold medal win has not been heard at any Olympics or Paralympics since the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Games.

There were some boos heard at the Arena di Verona when the Russian athletes entered the stage during the parade.

Voronchikhina said the Russians have been treated well by everyone so far in Italy.

“It’s really good,” she said. “And in the village all good and good atmosphere and good conditions.”

Voronchikhina did not want to talk about possibly competing against Ukrainian athletes.

Russia arrived at Milan Cortina with six athletes. The International Paralympic Committee gave wildcard entries to Russian athletes, a decision that upset Ukraine and a few other nations that boycotted the opening ceremony on Friday.

Ukraine's early success

Ukraine won its six medals all in Para biathlon.

“Glory to Ukraine. I’m really happy and I would like to dedicate my victory to all the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian army because nowadays in Ukraine it’s difficult times," said Oleksandra Kononova, who won gold in women’s sprint standing. “We have a war and Ukraine is fighting. We are also trying to represent Ukraine as much as we can. I’m really happy that today I have a gold medal so we will have the anthem of Ukraine here.”

Liudmyla Liashenko was a bronze medalist in the women's sprint standing.

“We are honored to represent Ukraine here and we are very thankful to our army protecting Ukraine right now," she said. "We also honor all the athletes and warriors who have died in this war.”

Olympic Champion Alysa Liu Withdraws From World Figure Skating Championships

Alysa Liu of the United States, center, reacts with other athletes after performing in the figure skating exhibition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ashley Landis

by Dave Skretta Mar 7

2 MIN READ

Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu has withdrawn from the world championships later this month, an unsurprising move for the defending champ after she won the first Winter Games gold medal by an American woman in more than two decades.

Caitlin Clark Set for US National Team Debut After 8-Month Injury Layoff

Caitlin Clark (17) brings the ball upcourt during a training camp for the U.S women's national basketball team, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Durham, N.C. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File

by Doug Feinberg Mar 7

2 MIN READ

Caitlin Clark is excited to make her U.S. national team debut next week when the Americans play in the FIBA World Cup qualifier in Puerto Rico.

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.”

Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Filled With 'Gratitude' in His Return to Court Following Achilles Surgery

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum blows a kiss to fans after making a 3-pointer against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Boston.Photo Credit: AP Photo/Charles Krupa

by Kyle Hightower Mar 7

3 MIN READ

There were times when Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum wasn't sure if he'd make it back to the game that was abruptly taken away from him last season.

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.”

Kennedy Center Exodus Continues As National Symphony Director Jean Davidson Heads to the Wallis

A woman walks outside The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For The Performing Arts on Feb. 2, 2026, in Washington. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File

by Hillel Italie Mar 7

2 MIN READ

The executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra, a mainstay at the Kennedy Center, is leaving to head the Los Angeles-based Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. It's the latest departure from the Kennedy Center since President Donald Trump began asserting control over the storied performing arts venue in Washington.

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.

Masquerade Immersive Phantom Revival Secures Fifth Extension Off-Broadway Through September 2026

Photo Credit: Oscar Ouk For Masquerade

by Chris Tremblay Mar 8

3 MIN READ

New York, NY – Masquerade, the immersive Off-Broadway reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, has extended its limited run for a fifth time, with performances now scheduled through September 6, 2026, at its purpose-built venue at 218 West 57th Street, formerly Lee's Art Shop.

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.

Queer Figure Skater Amber Glenn Pitches Herself for 'Heated Rivalry' Spin-Off at GLAAD Awards

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 05: Amber Glenn attends the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer

by Chris Tremblay Mar 8

2 MIN READ

Amber Glenn, a trailblazing pansexual figure skater, voiced strong support for expanded queer representation in the popular hockey drama Heated Rivalry during an interview at the 2026 GLAAD Media Awards. The 26-year-old American athlete, fresh from competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics, told Access Hollywood she watched the series while at the Games and is eager to participate in its second season or a sapphic spin-off.

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.

Kate Nash Joins Star-Studded Lineup for Trans Mission Solidarity Concert at OVO Arena Wembley

Photo Credit: Trans Mission

by Chris Tremblay Mar 8

3 MIN READ

London-based singer-songwriter Kate Nash has been confirmed to perform at Trans Mission, an all-star concert dedicated to standing in solidarity with transgender people. The event, organized by Mighty Hoopla co-founders Glyn Fussell and Jamie Tagg alongside Olly Alexander, is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at OVO Arena Wembley in London.

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.