InFrame

Shaquille O'Neal Denies Sending Explicit Fake DMs to Sabrina Carpenter on Podcast

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - APRIL 05: Shaquille O'Neal attends the Shaquille O'Neal Big Pod Event at Home Room San Antonio on April 05, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. Photo Credit: Chris Saucedo

by Chris Tremblay Mar 29

3 MIN READ

Shaquille O'Neal, the Basketball Hall of Famer and former Los Angeles Lakers star, addressed salacious social media rumors on "The Big Podcast" by denying he sent explicit direct messages to pop singer Sabrina Carpenter. The incident unfolded when a fake headline circulated online claiming "Shaq exposed for shooting his shot at Sabrina Carpenter," accompanied by screenshots of purported DMs containing vulgar language.

During the podcast episode, O'Neal showed rapper Jim Jones the viral headline and read aloud the alleged messages to demonstrate their inauthenticity. One fabricated message attributed to O'Neal stated, "Damn, baby I would keep your farts in a cologne bottle and spray it on me every day," followed by lines like "Just jokes. I'm Shaqs. What's your name baby?" and more explicit content referring to himself as "Big Diesel" and using terms like "snow bunny kitty." O'Neal laughed off the content, stating, "First of all ladies, the Diesel got way more game than that, I'm just saying."

O'Neal emphasized that he did not send such messages to Carpenter or anyone else, highlighting a mismatch with his personal style. He blamed artificial intelligence for creating the convincing fakes, noting how AI can generate realistic-looking content that spreads rapidly online. The podcast discussion, hosted by O'Neal himself, served as his on-the-record rebuttal, turning the rumor into a moment of public clarification.

Sabrina Carpenter, known for her hits and rising stardom in pop music, has not issued any public statement regarding the alleged DMs or O'Neal's denial. The 26-year-old singer, who has built a massive following through music and acting, maintains a professional presence amid various celebrity rumors. No response from her team or representatives has been reported in coverage of the event.

This episode highlights the growing challenge of AI-generated deepfakes and misinformation targeting high-profile figures in entertainment and sports. O'Neal, 53, has been candid about his past relationships and marriages in public forums, but he drew a firm line against these unsubstantiated claims. The viral spread underscores how quickly fabricated content can dominate social media, often blurring lines between reality and hoax.

While the story primarily involves heterosexual celebrities, it intersects with broader discussions on online harassment and consent in digital spaces, issues that affect LGBTQ+ individuals disproportionately in celebrity culture. LGBTQ+ media outlets have not yet weighed in specifically on this incident, but patterns of fake explicit content targeting women in entertainment echo concerns raised by organizations like GLAAD about digital abuse. No direct community responses or impacts on LGBTQ+ perspectives have been documented in relation to this event.

The podcast clip from "The Big Podcast" quickly gained traction, with TMZ covering O'Neal's denial in a video segment that replayed his mocking reading of the messages. Jones' reaction and O'Neal's humor diffused the rumor, positioning it as an absurd fabrication rather than a credible scandal. As of March 25, 2026, the story remains contained to entertainment news cycles without legal or further developments reported.

O'Neal's swift response exemplifies how public figures can counter viral falsehoods through direct engagement, potentially setting a precedent amid rising AI misuse. The event, occurring within the last week before March 27, 2026, serves as a reminder of the need for media literacy in an era of sophisticated digital forgeries. Coverage from multiple outlets confirms the core details without contradiction.

Lisa Kudrow Tears Up Recalling 'Friends' Role in Providing Post-9/11 Comfort

Photo Credit: WB

by Chris Tremblay Mar 28

3 MIN READ

Lisa Kudrow, known for portraying Phoebe Buffay across all 10 seasons of the iconic NBC sitcom Friends, recently grew emotional recounting the show's significance to viewers following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In a video interview with Vanity Fair, Kudrow explained that the tragedy, which resulted in 2,977 deaths, highlighted entertainment's vital role. "After 9/11, I understood how important entertainment really is, and how important comedies are, and how important Friends was to people because we do need that escape," she stated.

Kudrow recalled driving home from the Friends set in the days after the attacks and encountering fans who recognized her at stoplights. People in neighboring cars would look over, sometimes on the verge of tears, and simply say, "Thank you." "After 9/11, it still gets me a little emotional, I have to say. Someone would look over and just go, 'Thank you,' like, about to cry, and just say, 'Thank you.' And I fully understood what they meant," she shared. This moment led her to grasp the deeper meaning of such shows: "That's when I think I really took it in, you know, what these shows do mean to us. And felt very proud to be contributing to a break for people."

Friends, which aired from 1994 to 2004, provided a much-needed mental respite during a time of national grief. Kudrow described it as offering a "mental health service" to audiences seeking normalcy amid devastation. Interestingly, Kudrow herself turned to another NBC sitcom for personal comfort: Will & Grace. In a 2023 interview with PEOPLE magazine, she revealed that after constantly watching news coverage where "every single thing I saw was someone who knew someone that was in one of the towers," she began binge-watching Will & Grace. "I just needed that break, and I was so grateful that there was something to watch where 9/11 hadn’t happened at all. It was a break that I really needed," she admitted.

Will & Grace, which featured gay leads Will Truman and Jack McFarland alongside straight characters Grace Adler and Karen Walker, broke ground as one of network television's first major sitcoms with prominent LGBTQ+ characters. Airing episodes filmed before 9/11 allowed viewers like Kudrow to immerse in a world untouched by the tragedy, underscoring comedy's therapeutic power. While Friends itself did not center LGBTQ+ storylines—though it included episodes touching on gay characters like Carol, Ross's ex-wife who is a lesbian—the Kudrow interview highlights a broader cultural moment where sitcoms fostered community and escape.

The Vanity Fair interview, published around March 25, 2026, has resonated widely, prompting reflections on Friends' enduring legacy more than two decades after its finale. Kudrow, an Emmy winner also known for Romy and Michele's High School Reunion and her HBO series The Comeback, continues to discuss Friends in recent appearances, including a March 22, 2026, CBS Sunday Morning web exclusive. Her comments affirm how entertainment, including shows with inclusive representations like Will & Grace, supported emotional recovery post-9/11. No specific LGBTQ+ community responses to this recent interview were documented in available sources, though the reference to Will & Grace evokes its historical role in mainstreaming gay visibility during turbulent times.

This anecdote illustrates entertainment's universal appeal in crises, bridging personal stories with collective healing. Kudrow's vulnerability in revisiting these memories underscores the lasting bond between performers and audiences.

Charlie Puth Shows Off His Bag of Musical Tricks on 'Whatever's Clever!'

This image released by Atlantic Records shows "Whatever's Clever" by Charlie Puth. Photo Credit: Atlantic Records via AP

by Elise Ryan Mar 27

2 MIN READ

There have been some changes in Charlie Puth's life recently. He got married. He's a dad. And in the musical shoutout heard 'round the world, Taylor Swift declared that he “should be a bigger artist.”

On “Changes,” the lead single from his fourth album, “Whatever's Clever!,” he ponders those shifts: “There’s been some changes in our life, oh / I can feel the distance,” he sings. “Space and time, has made everything different.” An eight-member choir backs him up in the song's latter half, joining Puth's keys and a steady drum. These layers, while plenty, aren't heavy. Puth keeps the track buoyant.

That light, playful energy is felt across much of the album releasing Friday (“Beat Yourself Up,” “Washed Up”). Puth and his co-producer BloodPop pull from a Mary Poppins bag of musical tricks — a choir! an orchestra! Kenny G! — to create complex tracks with influences that range from yacht rock to jazz and R&B, diverting from Puth's previous pop. Consider the wonky “Until It Happens To You,” which combines the orchestra and choir for a song about embracing the best of times while anticipating the worst, with a bubbly spoken introduction and interlude by Jeff Goldblum.

Musically, the outcome is fun, largely because Puth, with his perfect pitch and Berklee College of Music training, has only leaned further into his “Professor Puth” persona, giving listeners the tools to break down those layers themselves through explanatory TikToks and talk show appearances. But Puth and BloodPop play it safe lyrically throughout the album, often relying on generic platitudes. (“You know everybody cries,” Puth sings on “Cry.” “Cry, cry, cry.”)

And yet, painting in broad strokes has worked before for Puth, and there are moments — when he pushes a simple idea a bit further — where it does here, too: “Love in Exile,” featuring and written with Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, is catchy and quotable. “Sideways,” featuring verses and harmonies by Coco Jones, recalls Puth's early collaborative hits like Wiz Khalifa's “See You Again” and “We Don't Talk Anymore” with Selena Gomez, with their affecting but not overly complicated lyrics.

The album ends with “I Used To Be Cringe,” another meditation on transformation. Puth lists the compromises he made to fit into the industry (“I used to lie and say I was taller / And throw words around like ‘baller’”). But the acoustic guitar-set ballad feels incomplete, its introspection never quite too deep.

If the album is seen as a sort of scrapbook assembled ahead of his next chapter, then flipping back to the first page reveals Puth knows growth comes with those dreams being rewritten: “Sometimes the wind blows in different new directions,” he sings on “Changes.” Where that takes him, we'll have to see. For now, Puth is embracing his influences and flexing what he's learned. And that makes for a good time.

___

“Whatever's Clever!” by Charlie Puth

Three stars out of five.

On repeat: “Sideways (Feat. Coco Jones),” “Changes”

Skip it: “Don't Meet Your Heroes,” “I Used to Be Cringe”

For fans of: Yacht rock, layered melodies, unexpected choirs

Olympic Champs Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron Lead Ice Dance at the Figure Skating Worlds

Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron from France perform during the ice dance rhythm dance at the Figure Skating World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, March 27, 2026. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Petr David Josek

by Karel Janicek Mar 27

2 MIN READ

Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France improved their rhythm dance to take a commanding lead in the ice dance at the figure skating world championships on Friday.

The crowd in O2 Arena was applauding the Olympic champions before the start of their unrivaled dance to music by Madonna, and they delighted the spectators from the opening twizzle sequence to a rotational lift at the end.

Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron hugged after seeing their personal-best score of 92.74 points, which was better than the 90.18 they received for their rhythm dance at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.

“It′s our first world championships together so we really wanted to have fun and we really enjoyed the crowd,” Fournier Beaudry said. “They were exchanging energy with us and it just reminds us why we do it, we wouldn′t be there without them. It′s just a very very nice moment for us.”

Olympic bronze medalists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada were a distant second with 86.45 heading to Saturday′s free dance.

Britain′s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson, third at last year's worlds, were third again with 85.09.

U.S. pair Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, fifth at the Olympics, were lying fourth, and teammates Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko were seventh.

At the Olympics, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron narrowly beat U.S. stars Madison Chock and Evan Bates to the gold in a result that sparked a furore over judging.

Chock and Bates decided not to pursue a fourth straight ice dance world championship, joining Olympic teammate Alysa Liu in withdrawing from the worlds, a common decision for skaters who compete at the Winter Games.

Cizeron said the skaters were not under as much pressure in Prague as they were in Milan, which helped their performance.

“What′s really fun of this championships is that, I think I can speak for everyone, we feel it′s more like a show and we're little bit less stressed maybe than at the Olympics," he said. “That extra magic from the crowd allows us to perform to our best.”

The French couple was created this season when Fournier Beaudry, who previously skated for Canada, was left without a partner after Nikolaj Sorensen faced allegations of sexual maltreatment. Fournier Beaudry teamed with multiple world champion Cizeron, who retired after winning the 2022 Olympics with Gabriella Papadakis.

Later Friday at the worlds, the retiring Kaori Sakamoto of Japan goes after her fourth individual title in her farewell free skate.

Lobsters and Red Carpet Gowns: a New Show Celebrates Schiaparelli's Surrealist Fashion

A visitor takes a picture of a gown worn by Ariana Grande at the 2025 Oscars, during the press preview for Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art exhibition at the V&A museum in London, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

by Sylvia Hui and Hilary Fox Mar 27

2 MIN READ

London's Victoria & Albert Museum is opening a new exhibition celebrating the bold and surrealist designs of Italian fashion house Schiaparelli, from dresses created in collaboration with Salvador Dalí to show-stopping red carpet gowns worn by Ariana Grande.

The exhibition traces a century of art and innovation at the couture house, charting the way founder Elsa Schiaparelli worked with leading artists in Paris in the 1930s to current creative director Daniel Roseberry, who continues to capture global attention by dressing stars like Margot Robbie in sculptural designs.

“'Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art' will celebrate one of the most ingenious and daring designers in fashion history," museum director Tristram Hunt said Wednesday.

Highlights among the 400 objects on show include Dalí’s famous Lobster Telephone, from 1938, displayed along with the “Lobster Dress," a white silk gown embellished with a red lobster that Schiaparelli created with the surrealist artist. The dress was famously worn by Wallis Simpson, the American socialite whom King Edward VIII abdicated to marry.

Another collaboration with Dalí is the “Skeleton dress,” a black dress with 3D quilting resembling the contours of human bones.

“You cannot imagine how shocking this would have been in 1938 when it was first shown. It is a kind of punk look,” Rosalind McKever, one of the show's curators, told The Associated Press.

Also on show is an evening coat with pink silk roses created by Schiaparelli and French artist Jean Cocteau, who died in 1963.

Coco Chanel, one of Schiaparelli's contemporaries, famously described her as “that Italian artist who’s making clothes,” McKever said. “But Schiaparelli would have taken that as a compliment because she was so integrated in this artistic community,” she said. “She even said, ‘For me, dress designing is not a profession, but an art.’”

Schiaparelli opened her first Paris business in 1927, designing practical daywear like trouser suits, an unusual choice for women at the time, as well as more imaginative and whimsical items such as shoes with leopard fur.

She went on to design clothes and costumes for famous fans like Mae West and Marlene Dietrich, who favored the designer's sharply tailored trouser suits.

While the designer retired in the 1950s and died in 1973, current designer Roseberry has taken on the mantle and brought Schiaparelli's creative legacy and haute couture drama to a modern audience.

One of the most eye-catching displays is a red jewel-encrusted dress worn by Grande to last year's Oscars for a medley performance from “Wicked." The sumptuous ball gown features a ruby slipper protruding from the back of the dress in tribute to “The Wizard of Oz.”

There are also sparkling cabinets filled with jewelry, buttons and perfume bottles, each created like a work of art.

The exhibition opens on Saturday and runs until Nov. 8.

Savannah Guthrie to Return to 'Today' on April 6 After Mother's Disappearance

Savannah Guthrie, left, gets a kiss form Hoda Kotb during a visit to the Today show at Rockefeller Plaza on Thursday, March 5, 2026, in New York. Photo Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

by The Associated Press Mar 27

2 MIN READ

After a two-month absence sparked by her 84-year-old mother’s apparent abduction, Savannah Guthrie will return to NBC's “Today” show next month, saying in an interview that aired Friday “joy will be my protest.”

Hoda Kotb said after her emotional interview with her former co-host aired that Guthrie will return April 6. Guthrie said it’s hard to imagine returning to a place of joy and lightness. While she doesn’t know if she can do it or if she will belong anymore, Guthrie said she wants to try.

“I can’t come back and try to be something that I’m not. But I can’t not come back, because it’s my family,” Guthrie said. “I think it’s part of my purpose right now. I want to smile and when I do, it will be real and my joy will be my protest. My joy will be my answer. And being there is joyful and when it’s not, I’ll say so.”

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on Feb. 1. Authorities believe she was kidnapped, abducted or otherwise taken against her will. The FBI released surveillance videos of a masked man who was outside Guthrie’s front door in Tucson on the night she vanished. The Guthrie family has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to the recovery of their mother.

In another part of the interview with Kotb that aired Thursday, Guthrie shared that she and her siblings knew that their mother's disappearance wasn’t a case of a person wandering off, given the pain she was living with and knowing that doors at her home were propped open, blood was found on the front doorstep and a camera had been yanked off. She said they knew something was very wrong and her brother knew immediately that their mother had been kidnapped for ransom.

The longtime “Today” show co-anchor said they don’t know that their mother was taken because of her, but acknowledged that it would make sense and that was “too much to bear.” While she said some of the purported ransom notes were fake, Guthrie said she believed the two that she and her siblings responded to were real.

In the portion of the interview that aired Friday, Savannah Guthrie appealed again for information, saying her family needs answers and someone has the power to help.

“How can someone vanish without a trace?” Guthrie asked in the interview. “How? Someone knows something. Even if that something is someone’s been acting strange for the last seven or eight weeks. Even if it’s just that. Somebody knows. And maybe somebody’s afraid and I understand that, but our hearts are in agony. We can’t breathe. We can’t live. We can’t go on. We can’t be in peace. We can’t go forward. We have to know what happened to her.”

Disney Announces Live-Action 'Stepsisters' Film Centering Cinderella's Stepsisters

Photo Credit: Disney

by Chris Tremblay Mar 29

2 MIN READ

Disney has greenlit a new live-action film set in the world of its classic animated "Cinderella", shifting the spotlight to the story's antagonists: stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella. Tentatively titled "Stepsisters", the project explores the lives of these characters who traditionally tormented Cinderella in the fairy tale. The announcement, first reported by Deadline, positions this as part of Disney's ongoing strategy to expand its live-action remake slate beyond direct adaptations of its animated hits.

Akiva Schaffer, known for his work with The Lonely Island comedy trio, is set to direct the film. Schaffer recently helmed the "The Naked Gun" reboot and previously directed Disney's Emmy-winning hybrid film "Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers". He will rework the original script by Michael Montemayor alongside writing duo Gregor & Mand. This creative team brings a comedic bent to the project, potentially reimagining the stepsisters' dynamic in a fresh, live-action context.

The news arrives amid Disney's aggressive push into live-action spin-offs and sequels from its animated catalog. Just one week prior, the studio revealed plans for a live-action "Lilo & Stitch" sequel slated for theaters in 2028. Developments around "Moana" and "Tangled" live-action projects have also surfaced recently, signaling Disney's intent to create new franchises from established IPs. "Stepsisters" is expected to follow a similar timeline, though no release date has been confirmed.

While primary details stem from Deadline's reporting, coverage has quickly spread across entertainment outlets, confirming the core elements of the announcement. MovieWeb highlighted the unusual premise of centering the "abusive" stepsisters, noting Disney's move to give these peripheral characters their own narrative arc. The DisInsider emphasized Schaffer's involvement as a reassuring factor for fans skeptical of the concept.

No official comments from Disney executives or the creative team were available in initial reports, but the project's alignment with recent announcements underscores a pattern in the studio's strategy. Regarding LGBTQ+ perspectives, searches across major outlets and LGBTQ+ media such as GLAAD, PinkNews, and The Advocate yielded no specific community responses or analyses tied to this announcement as of March 26, 2026. Disney's track record includes inclusive storytelling in recent live-action projects, such as diverse casting in "The Little Mermaid" and "Mufasa: The Lion King", but "Stepsisters" details remain too preliminary for confirmed implications.

The original 1950 animated "Cinderella" film, directed by Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, and Clyde Geronimi, introduced Anastasia and Drizella as comic foils to the protagonist, with their mother Lady Tremaine as the primary villain. A live-action spin-off could delve into their backstories, motivations, or redemption arcs, though plot specifics are undisclosed. Schaffer's comedy expertise suggests a humorous tone, potentially subverting traditional fairy tale tropes.

Industry observers note Disney's live-action remakes have grossed billions globally, with "The Lion King" alone earning over $1.6 billion. This spinoff could tap into that proven formula while testing audience appetite for villain-centric stories. Casting rumors and further production updates are anticipated soon, given the rapid pace of Disney's announcement cycle.

As Disney continues to mine its vault for content, "Stepsisters" represents an innovative pivot, potentially broadening the "Cinderella" universe for modern audiences. Cross-referenced reports affirm the project's legitimacy, with no conflicting details emerging.

Jessi Draper Accuses Ex-Husband Jordan Ngatikaura of Using Escorts and Attending Sex Parties on Call Her Daddy Podcast

Photo Credit: Call Her Daddy

by Chris Tremblay Mar 28

2 MIN READ

Jessi Draper, known for her role on the Hulu reality series Mormon Wives, made explosive allegations against her estranged husband Jordan Ngatikaura during a March 25, 2026, episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast hosted by Alex Cooper. The interview, recorded on March 20, 2026, marked Draper's first public discussion of their divorce, which Ngatikaura filed recently.

Draper recounted learning about the divorce filing through TMZ while in Los Angeles, expressing shock that Ngatikaura acted unilaterally. "So I actually found out that he filed through TMZ... We had made an agreement to do it together and he blindsided me and filed because he wanted the headline first," she said. She emphasized their prior agreement to inform their children together first, including Ngatikaura's 13-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, before any public announcement.

Among her most serious claims, Draper alleged that Ngatikaura used escorts while in Texas for summer sales work, prior to filming Mormon Wives. She stated that a woman from an escort service contacted her with proof, including screenshots linked to Ngatikaura's phone number: "She sent me so much proof… And she sent the screenshots and it's his phone number. She wouldn't have known his phone number."

Draper further accused Ngatikaura of funding sex parties and orgies, possibly with her money, based on rumors confirmed through her sister and other reports. "I have to believe they are orgies, like sex parties. I dunno what other kind parties you would pay for," she remarked, noting she had not confronted him directly. These revelations come amid the couple's high-profile split, which has drawn attention within the MomTok online community of influencer mothers.

The Mormon Wives cast, including Draper and Ngatikaura, gained prominence through their portrayal of life within and navigating away from strict religious expectations, often touching on themes of personal autonomy and relationships. While the allegations do not directly involve LGBTQ+ identities, they highlight broader discussions on marital infidelity and non-monogamous activities in public-facing relationships, which can intersect with conversations in LGBTQ+ communities about consensual non-monogamy and relationship transparency. No specific LGBTQ+ community responses to this event were documented in available coverage at the time of reporting.

Draper also addressed ongoing MomTok dynamics, responding to recent headlines involving Taylor and Dakota, and shared her vision for the group's future. The 80-minute episode has since amassed significant views, fueling online discussions about reality TV stars' personal lives. Ngatikaura has not publicly responded to the claims as of March 26, 2026.

This story underscores the intense scrutiny faced by reality television personalities, particularly those from conservative backgrounds transitioning to more open narratives. Draper's appearance on Call Her Daddy, a podcast known for candid discussions on relationships and sexuality, amplifies these personal disclosures to a wide audience.

Jamie Lee Curtis to Star as Jessica Fletcher in 'Murder, She Wrote' Film, Set for Christmas 2027 Release

Photo Credit: Universal

by Chris Tremblay Mar 27

2 MIN READ

Universal Pictures has scheduled the release of its 'Murder, She Wrote' film adaptation for December 22, 2027, positioning it as a prime holiday movie event.

Jamie Lee Curtis, the 67-year-old Oscar winner for 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' and star of the 'Halloween' franchise, will portray Jessica Fletcher, the sharp-witted mystery novelist and amateur detective originally played by the late Angela Lansbury.

The original 'Murder, She Wrote' series aired for 12 seasons on CBS from 1984 to 1996, following Fletcher's adventures solving crimes in the fictional town of Cabot Cove, Maine, and spawned several TV movies.

Jason Moore, whose directing credits include the 'Pitch Perfect' musical comedies and 'Shotgun Wedding,' is attached to direct the feature.

Curtis confirmed her involvement in the project during a summer 2025 interview with Entertainment Tonight, though details on the plot or additional cast remain undisclosed across reports.

The announcement comes amid a wave of reboots and adaptations in Hollywood, with the film set to compete during the 2027 holiday season against Sony's animated feature 'Buds' on the same date and other tentpoles like 'Avengers: Secret Wars' and 'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum' earlier in December.

While the project has generated buzz for blending Curtis's action-horror pedigree with the cozy mystery genre of the original series, no specific LGBTQ+ perspectives or community responses have been documented in initial coverage from major outlets.

Angela Lansbury, who earned multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her role as Fletcher, passed away in 2022, leaving fans nostalgic for the character's return.

Curtis, a vocal ally to LGBTQ+ causes through her public support for transgender rights and participation in pride events, brings her established advocacy to the role, though no on-the-record statements tie her involvement directly to community impacts at this stage.

The cozy mystery format of 'Murder, She Wrote' has long appealed to diverse audiences, including LGBTQ+ viewers who appreciate its clever plotting and strong female lead, but reboot details do not yet specify inclusive casting or story elements.

Industry observers note the project's potential to draw multigenerational crowds, given Curtis's broad appeal and the series' enduring popularity in syndication.

As development continues, further announcements on scriptwriters, co-stars, and production timeline are anticipated, with Universal positioning the film as a festive whodunit.

Elton John Reunites with 'Rocketman' Star Taron Egerton for Surprise 79th Birthday Lunch

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 16: Sir Elton John and Taron Egerton attend the photocall for "Rocketman" during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019 in Cannes, France. Photo Credit: Gareth Cattermole

by Chris Tremblay Mar 27

2 MIN READ

Sir Elton John, the iconic British musician, celebrated his 79th birthday on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, with a surprise lunch alongside Taron Egerton, the actor who starred as him in the 2019 biopic Rocketman.

The reunion took place in London, where John described the gathering as a "brilliant birthday surprise" in a social media post shared on Instagram. John, who turned 79, posted a photo of the two smiling together at the lunch table, captioning it to express his joy at seeing his "Rocketman" once again.

Egerton, known for his Oscar-nominated performance as the openly gay singer-songwriter in Rocketman, responded warmly to the post, underscoring their close relationship forged during the film's production. The biopic, directed by Dexter Fletcher, offered an unflinching portrayal of John's life, including his struggles with addiction, his coming out as a gay man in 1976, and his marriage to David Furnish in 2005 after civil partnership in 2005. This authentic depiction earned praise from LGBTQ+ advocates for humanizing the experiences of gay men in the public eye.

John, a longstanding ally and icon for transgender people and the broader LGBTQ+ community, has used his platform to support initiatives like the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised billions for HIV prevention and treatment globally. The surprise lunch, arranged discreetly for the birthday, reflects the personal bonds that extend beyond the screen, with John noting in his post how meaningful it was to reunite with Egerton amid his ongoing farewell tour and recent biographical projects.

Within LGBTQ+ circles, the event sparked positive reactions on social media, with fans celebrating the duo's friendship as a symbol of acceptance and artistic collaboration. Rocketman's success, grossing over $195 million worldwide, helped normalize queer narratives in mainstream cinema, contributing to greater visibility for gay and bisexual men. Egerton, who is straight but immersed himself in John's story, has spoken in interviews about the role's impact on his understanding of LGBTQ+ histories.

The birthday milestone comes as John, married to film producer David Furnish since 2014, continues to influence music and philanthropy. Their shared photo, showing relaxed camaraderie over lunch, went viral quickly, amassing thousands of likes and comments from fans worldwide. Community responses highlighted the reunion's heartwarming nature, with many noting how such moments affirm the lasting alliances formed through storytelling about LGBTQ+ lives.

This event, occurring just one day prior to reports on March 26, underscores John's enduring cultural presence at 79, blending personal celebration with his legacy as a gay trailblazer in music. No further details on the lunch's menu or additional attendees were disclosed, maintaining the intimate tone of the surprise. The story, confirmed across entertainment outlets, celebrates a friendship rooted in one of cinema's most pivotal queer biopics.