In the original game developed by Naughty Dog, Lev's transgender identity is central to his storyline, particularly in his relationship with Abby, who will be played by Kaitlyn Dever in the HBO series. The casting of Kratter, identified as a cisgender girl, has ignited debate because it diverges from calls within the LGBTQ+ community for transgender roles to be portrayed by transgender actors.

Autostraddle writer Drew Gregory described the choice as "a wild choice" in 2026, noting that creators "had to know what the general reaction to this decision would be" given years of discussion around the adaptation and broader advocacy for authentic casting. Gregory emphasized that Lev's trans identity is "an important and inextricable part of his character’s story and arc," arguing that casting a cisgender actress undermines this. The piece also referenced the game's use of transgender actor Ian Alexander in the role, contrasting it with the show's decision.

LGBTQ+ media outlets echoed these sentiments. Xtra Magazine stated there is "no excuse" for casting a cisgender actor as a trans character like Lev, who features prominently in Abby's storyline. The Gamer criticized the move as potentially diluting Lev's arc, warning it feels like "the first step towards that unfortunate reality" of reduced queer representation. Comic Book Resources reported the casting as "controversial," confirming Lev remains a 13-year-old transgender boy in the show, mirroring the game.

Advocates argue this perpetuates a pattern where transgender actors are rarely cast in transgender roles, limiting opportunities despite frequent exclusion from cisgender parts. Gregory noted that even if no Asian transgender youth auditioned—a scenario deemed unlikely—casting a cisgender girl signals a misunderstanding of transgender experiences, portraying Lev as "a girl who dresses like a boy" rather than a boy assigned female at birth.

The HBO series has a mixed history with casting. Previous choices like queer actors Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced received praise from some fans, while Kaitlyn Dever's Abby faced scrutiny over physical resemblance to the game version. No official statements from HBO, Naughty Dog, or Kratter were available in coverage at the time of reporting, leaving the network silent on the backlash.

Community reactions frame this as a "devastating blow" to authentic storytelling, especially amid broader pushes for inclusion. Transgender people and allies stress that person-first representation matters for visibility and reduces stereotypes. The decision underscores tensions in adapting beloved queer-inclusive media, with implications for how transgender narratives are handled in high-profile productions. While Kratter faces no direct criticism as a young performer, responsibility lies with adult decision-makers.

The 38-year-old Australian makes melodic rock with a slight slacker's vibe that is memorable because of her sharply observant writing — witness songs like the stream-of-consciousness ambulance visit of “Avant Gardener,” the poignant house-hunting trip of “Depreston” and the ode to keeping perspective during an argument in “Before You Gotta Go.”

Work that feels effortless rarely is, of course. Barnett experienced some of that during the three-year process of making her new album, “Creature of Habit.” It's being released Friday.

“I'd come away from a day of writing with one word that I had changed that I was happy with. People in my life who had witnessed it would say, ‘I don’t understand how you can write all day and come up with nothing,'” she said.

“I was like, ‘yeah, me too.’”

Strategies for fighting through mental blocks

Most creative people have to fight through mental blocks sometime, and all have their strategies. The late Tom Petty once told journalist Paul Zollo: “You have to remind yourself that it's a lack of confidence. If you start doubting yourself, you can get in that frame of mind. But you've got to remind yourself, ‘this is what I do, and I’ve done it a lot. And there's no reason I shouldn't be able to do it again.'”

Prior experience helped Barnett. After all, this is a woman who wrote a song called “Crippling Self-Doubt and a General Lack of Confidence.”

“Each time it happens, it can be very catastrophic,” she said. “You think, ‘this is it. This is the last one. I can’t write any more songs.' Very dramatic. I think this time, I recognized those feelings and thought, ‘well, you’ve felt this way before, multiple times now, so maybe, just maybe, if you keep working and showing up and editing and writing, you'll get past it.”

Her new song “Stay in Your Lane” is like a conversation with herself about what was happening. “Rip this thing right out of my head,” she sings, as the background chorus implores: “Please be patient.”

“Great Advice” is a sarcastic take from someone for whom songwriting is almost always a solitary, personal activity. “Appreciate your great advice,” she sings. “And I need your opinion like a needle in the eye.”

The album's cover is a close-up picture of a praying mantis because, well, the little bugger was an inspiration when she spotted one at the Joshua Tree home in California where she was doing much of her writing. She watched him go about his day. The song “Mantis” is her favorite song on the album.

“It felt like this guiding message, and it helped me finish the song,” she said. “A lot of that song feels to be about the process of writing. It wasn't the intention, but when I hear the album I hear a lot of those struggles.”

Changes to her life drive themes Barnett noticed after the fact

Despite what she went through, the music does not feel labored. If there's a central theme, it's about navigating changes in your life. That came from personal experience, too. In recent years, Barnett moved to California and shut down the record label that she had been running back in Australia.

The word “change,” in fact, appears in four of the album's 10 songs. The declaration “I'm ready for a change” is spoken defiantly in “One Thing at a Time,” where Barnett stretches out for what feels like a cathartic guitar solo.

“It's one of those things that I didn't really notice until I finished the album and was listening back,” she said. “I realized the word kept popping up. It wasn't an intentional thing that I was writing about, but it was always in the back of my mind. Now that I've finished the album, that seems to be the main direction of all the songs.”

Moving to the United States seems one of those decisions intertwined with the COVID era, a time that was depressing yet gave her a new appreciation for music. “It's like when you get an idea in your head and I was like, now it's in there and if I don't do it, I'll forever be thinking about that time I thought about moving someplace else and I didn't do it,” she said.

Barnett's new home makes it easier to bring her music to the United States, where she's touring extensively with her band in May and August.

And she's happy to have writer's block behind her.

“Where it ended up, I'm happy with it and proud of it,” she said. “I guess I was having trouble making certain decisions or admitting some things to myself. I don't quite understand what it is. There was some kind of barrier that I had to break in my own head.”

Confirming clues that have been popping up, tantalizingly, on posters around the French capital, a person involved in the planning told The Associated Press that Dion will play autumn concerts at the La Defense Arena.

The person spoke on condition anonymity to discuss the closely guarded preparations, and did not give details.

Representatives for Dion in the United States did not immediately respond to questions.

The concerts in the City of Light will come after Dion electrified the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games where she performed Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à L'Amour” (“Hymn to Love”) from the Eiffel Tower — beside a rain-soaked piano.

Mysterious posters recently affixed to lampposts around the city were emblazoned with the titles of some of her iconic songs: “Pour Que Tu M’aimes Encore” (“So That You Love Me Again”), and, in English, “Power of Love.” And the French-Canadian pop star posted a series of photos on Instagram of her in Paris at various times in her life — as a youngster and more recent high-fashion shots.

The La Defense Arena has a capacity of 40,000 spectators and was one of the venues used for the Olympics.

In 2022, Dion was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare disorder that causes muscle rigidity and spasms, affecting her ability to walk and sing. She had been absent from the stage since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of her tour, which was then suspended in the wake of her neurological disorder diagnosis.

In the inaugural episode, the video declares: “Welcome to fruit Love Island, where eight single fruits are about to flirt, fight and trust. Things get messy fast.” The original cast includes female fruits pineapple, strawberry , cherry, and kiwi, paired with male fruits banana , grape , orange , and apple. Episodes depict coupling ceremonies, hideaway visits, and bombshell arrivals like blueberry Bluebella and coconut Coconick, with recent plotlines featuring Orangelo kissing Grapenzo, fueling "Orangelo and Grapenzo drama."

By March 23, 2026, 19 episodes had been posted, released daily without a fixed schedule, keeping audiences hooked on the evolving storylines of recouplings and dumps. One episode, "FRUIT LOVE ISLAND: Episode 6 – Coconick Chaos," used original Love Island audio and teased viewer voting. The content's appeal lies in its peculiar humor: fruits talk, flirt, fight, and form relationships in a style mimicking human reality TV, created entirely with AI for voices, expressions, and scenes.

The trend extends beyond the original account, inspiring copycats and reactions. Creator @trombonechef initiated a related "sad fruit story" in late February 2026 about a strawberry cheating on her strawberry husband with an eggplant, leading to a hybrid baby drama video that exceeded 26 million views. Accounts like Ai Cinema average 15 million views per video shortly after launch, while others brand their content "Fruit Love Island." TikTokers are recreating scenes, such as @therealdrmiami rating printed AI fruits using Love Island audio on March 17, 2026, or Aspon donning a banana costume to act out a cheating skit on March 18, 2026.

Viewer engagement is intense, with comments expressing empathy for the fruits' "tragic love stories" despite their AI absurdity. One creator, Tyreak, noted on March 18, 2026, that his For You Page featured a different fruit family where a lemon son "identifies as a potato," highlighting algorithmic personalization. TikTok's algorithm amplifies the virality, as likes, shares, and reactions push content to wider audiences, with related hashtags used thousands of times.

While no official statements from Love Island producers appear in coverage, the parody's success underscores AI's role in rapid content creation and social media trends. The phenomenon demonstrates how simple, humorous AI concepts can dominate platforms, blending creativity with algorithmic boost. Community responses focus on entertainment value, with no documented LGBTQ+ specific perspectives or impacts in available sources.

The 33-year-old golfer named the USGA, the LPGA, three LPGA officials, and the Hackensack Golf Club—which hosted the qualifier—as defendants in the suit, seeking unspecified damages.

The lawsuit centers on a significant policy shift implemented in 2024. The USGA and LPGA updated their gender policies for events in 2025 and beyond, establishing that players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before undergoing male puberty to be eligible for women's competition.

Davidson, who began hormone treatments in her early 20s in 2015 and underwent gender-affirming surgery in 2021—which satisfied the LPGA's previous eligibility requirements—did not transition before puberty. She competed in a U.S. Open qualifier and LPGA Qualifying School under the prior policy in 2024, though she did not advance in either competition.

In her complaint, Davidson argues that the new policy effectively bans transgender women from competing in USGA women's events or the LPGA because many states prohibit children from accessing puberty blockers or hormone therapy. She also contends that when the USGA denied her entry into the qualifier, the Hackensack Golf Club violated the law by deferring to the USGA's eligibility decisions.

Davidson's competitive history demonstrates her commitment to women's golf. She won twice on a Florida mini-tour two years ago until that circuit announced that players must be assigned female at birth.

In response, the LPGA issued a statement acknowledging the lawsuit, saying it would "let that process play out on the proper forum." The organization emphasized that "The LPGA's gender policy was developed through a thoughtful, expert-informed process and is grounded in protecting the competitive integrity of elite women's golf."

The case represents a significant legal challenge to transgender inclusion in professional sports, raising questions about balancing competitive fairness with access and anti-discrimination protections for transgender athletes.

Roan, an openly queer artist who rose to prominence in 2024 with hits like "Good Luck, Babe!" and has been vocal about fan boundaries and personal privacy, addressed the claims in an Instagram video on March 22, 2026. Lying in bed, she clarified, "I'm just going to tell my half of the story of what happened today with a mother and child who were involved with a security guard who is not my personal security." Roan insisted she did not see the woman and child, no one approached her, and she did not instruct the guard to intervene: "I did not ask the security guard to go up and talk to this mother and child. I did not." She affirmed, "I do not hate fans of my music. I do not hate children. That is crazy," and apologized: "I am sorry to the mother and child... if you felt uncomfortable, that makes me really sad. You did not deserve that."

Catherine Harding, known as Cat Cavelli, responded on Instagram, describing the guard's "aggressive tone" in berating them after Ada simply looked and smiled at Roan. She noted uncertainty about Roan's direct involvement but stressed celebrity responsibility: "You have a responsibility... to make sure the people that work for you and that act on your behalf are acting on your behalf."

The incident quickly escalated online, with Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes announcing on March 21, 2026, that Roan would "never" perform at the city's Todo Mundo no Rio festival while he is in office, comparing her unfavorably to Shakira. Jorginho replied to the mayor's post with heart emojis. Roan, a prominent figure in LGBTQ+ music scenes for her campy, empowering anthems celebrating queer joy and identity, has previously discussed the challenges of fame, including anxiety from intrusive fans and paparazzi. This event highlights tensions between celebrity privacy needs and fan interactions, particularly resonant in LGBTQ+ communities where artists like Roan serve as role models for transgender people, queer youth, and others navigating visibility. Despite the drama, Roan performed at Lollapalooza Brazil hours after the hotel incident. Online discourse continues, with fans debating security protocols amid Roan's boundary-setting advocacy.

Rourke's path began in the independent scene before he became the first openly LGBTQ+ wrestler signed to the WWE ID (Independent Development) program in November 2024. While Rourke joins a roster that includes other out performers, he is the first to hold a singles title while being openly gay, building on the legacy of Fred Rosser, who won the Tag Team Championship in 2015.

Prior to Rourke, WWE's track record on LGBTQ+ inclusion for male performers was limited. While the company has featured queer storylines and celebrated allies, openly gay male singles champions were absent until Rourke's victory. His win represents a shift toward greater authenticity, resonating with a broader movement for visibility that includes trailblazers like Sonya Deville in WWE and Nyla Rose in AEW. Rourke's success underscores how openly LGBTQ+ athletes can thrive when given the spotlight, inspiring a new generation of fans.

Rourke's "The Dime Piece" persona blends high-fashion charisma with queer pride, challenging traditional wrestling stereotypes. Fans have embraced the character, particularly within LGBTQ+ communities, where his promos often weave in affirmations of resilience. Post-match, Rourke shared an emotional video thanking his supporters and dedicating the win to "every kid who ever felt like they didn’t belong in sports."

Aaron Rourke’s rapid rise from indie promotions to WWE IDreflects the talent scouting reforms under WWE's current leadership. Rourke trained rigorously to adapt his "Dime Piece" style to high-production standards while maintaining his authentic voice, drawing comparisons to trailblazers like  Pat Patterson , WWE's first openly gay executive. While Rourke honors  Patterson ’s legacy, he has specifically cited icons like  Trish Stratus  and  Lita  as the inspirations for his character’s flair. For LGBTQ+ individuals in sports, Rourke's win is a beacon, showing that openly gay men can claim individual championship gold in an industry historically dominated by rigid archetypes. Media advocates have praised the moment as a major step toward more inclusive athletic narratives in professional wrestling.

During an appearance on the Today show, the group cited a need to "protect our peace" and repair past "ruptures," rather than explicitly linking Sutta's omission to her political views. Other original members, including Carmit Bachar, also confirmed they were not contacted about the new "PCD Forever" world tour, which is scheduled to begin in June 2026.

Sutta, who joined the Pussycat Dolls in 2003 and contributed to their two multi-platinum studio albums and over 55 million records sold worldwide, responded to her exclusion from the 2026 reunion by stating she felt like a "political liability." While she expressed heartbreak over being "blindsided" by the new trio lineup, she maintained her support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the MAGA movement, telling The Maverick Approach podcast in March 2026, "I stand by my beliefs." This exclusion marks the latest rift in the group's turbulent history, following their 2010 hiatus and the cancellation of a previous reunion tour in 2022.

The reunion, officially titled the "PCD Forever" world tour, was confirmed as a trio in March 2026 after months of speculation following Nicole Scherzinger’sTony Award-winning run in Sunset Boulevard. While  Scherzinger  has not explicitly addressed Jessica Sutta’s exclusion in terms of politics, she told the  BBC that the current lineup of herself, Kimberly Wyatt, and Ashley Roberts was about "the timing" and finding a "perfect" alignment after 20 years. In a tense appearance on the Today show in March 2026, the group avoided direct questions about Sutta and Carmit Bachar, instead emphasizing their "love and respect" for all past "Dolls" and a desire to "protect our peace" as they move forward.

The exclusion of Jessica Sutta has sparked debate within LGBTQ+ media, with outlets like Attitude noting how her alignment with the MAGA movement and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. contrasts with the Pussycat Dolls' longstanding status as queer icons. While some fans on social media have expressed relief, citing concerns over political values, Sutta has "tripled down" on her beliefs, telling The Maverick Approach podcast that she became a "political liability" due to her health advocacy alongside RFK Jr. Meanwhile, the current trio—Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt, and Ashley Roberts—continues to promote their 2026 "PCD Forever" tour, emphasizing a focus on "protecting their peace" as they move forward without the other original members

Jessica Sutta 's political shift became public in late 2024 when she posted support for Donald Trump following his election victory, captioned with "We won". While Sutta believes her "MAGA" alignment and support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (the current U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services) led to her being seen as a "liability", her bandmates have not confirmed this as the official reason for her exclusion. During a March 2026 appearance on the Today Show, Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt, and Ashley Roberts emphasized a need to "protect our peace" and noted they are in a "repairing" phase following past "ruptures" within the group. While there are no current legal disputes over this specific 2026 reunion, the split remains visible, with original member Carmit Bachar also confirming she was not contacted about the new trio lineup. 

Prosecutors allege the singing superstar, her hip-hop star partner A$AP Rocky, their three young children and many others were at their home in the Beverly Hills area when Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, of Orlando, Florida, opened fire on the property on March 8.

Ortiz is charged with 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and three counts of shooting at an occupied vehicle or dwelling.

At her first appearance in Los Angeles Superior Court on March 11, Ortiz's lawyer entered a plea of not guilty on her behalf, but then withdrew it in favor of postponing the arraignment.

Public records show Ortiz has been a licensed speech pathologist for more than a decade. Now jailed on $1.8 million bail, she could get life in prison if convicted on all charges.

The Public Defender's Office said only that "we will work to ensure that our client receives the full protections guaranteed under the Constitution.”

District Attorney Nathan Hochman said when Ortiz was charged that Rihanna and Rocky were together in an Airstream trailer at the time of the shooting, while her mother, their children and staffers were in the main house.

The three counts of firing at a dwelling were for Rihanna’s house, her trailer, and a neighbor’s house, prosecutors said. The 10 assault counts were for Rihanna and family, two staffers and two people in the neighboring house.

Hochman would not say where any of the bullets landed, discuss a motive or describe any connection between Ortiz and Rihanna, saying all were under investigation.

A nine-time Grammy Award winner, Rihanna has 14 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “We Found Love,” “Work,” “Umbrella” and “Disturbia.” She founded the makeup brand Fenty Beauty in 2017.

She and A$AP Rocky announced the birth of their third child, a girl named Rocki Irish Mayers, in September.