22/12/2025

LYFE MONDAY | DEC 22, 2025

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Cardi B is making waves in the Gulf region. – PICS FROM GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

AMERICAN pop star Taylor Swift breaks down in tears in her documentary released last week as she recalls the murder of three girls in a stabbing spree in northern England at a dance class themed around her music. Backstage footage from Eras Tour showed the musician crying before meeting the families of victims of the Southport attack, which sparked Britain’s worst anti-migrant riots in decades. Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar – aged six, seven and nine respectively – were killed by teenager Axel Rudakubana during the July 2024 rampage in which 10 others were wounded, prompting an outpouring of grief from Swift’s fans everywhere. “There was a horrible attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance party,” Swift says in the documentary titled The End of an Era, wiping away tears ahead of her sold-out concert at London’s Wembley Stadium in August. “It’s going to be fine, because when I meet them, I’m not going to do this. I swear to God, I’m not going to do this,” she said, before meeting survivors and families of the victims. After the meeting, Swift is shown crying to her mother backstage, who comforts her. “I just do live in a reality that, from a mental standpoint, feels very unreal most of the time. But it’s my job to kind of be able to handle all these feelings and then perk up immediately to perform,” Swift says in the documentary by Disney+. The London concert was also Swift’s return to the stage after her three Vienna shows were cancelled due to a failed Islamic state-inspired bomb plan. “Being afraid that something is going to happen to your fans is new,” BBC quoted Swift saying at the documentary’s New York premiere. Rudakubana was jailed for life in January for his knife rampage. – AFP Taylor Swift gets emotional in Eras documentary over Southport attack Swift breaks down in tears in her documentary. – PIC FROM INSTAGRAM @TAYLORSWIFT Ford is perhaps best known for his portrayal of replicant hunter Rick Deckard in 1982’s Blade Runner , a role he reprised 35 years later in Blade Runner 2049 , as well as his recurring roles in the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Television audiences have come to know him in recent years from his work alongside Oscar-winner Helen Mirren in the Western drama 1923 as well as the comedy-drama Shrinking . Previous recipients of the award include Robert De Niro, Jane Fonda, Morgan Freeman and Elizabeth Taylor. The 32nd Annual Actor Awards presented by SAG-Aftra will be held on March 1, 2026 and will be streamed live on Netflix. – AFP

Middle Eastern soiree

A MERICAN rapper Cardi B has gone viral via a series of social media videos in Saudi Arabia, where the artiste performed in the early hours of last weekend, veiling the nation in a torrent of praise. Saudi Arabia has been splashing out in recent years amid an ambitious economic reform drive that has included spending vast sums on celebrity appearances as it seeks to rebrand its image and attract non-oil investment. “Everything is brand new, honey. This country looks like it was just opened up yesterday,” the artiste said in an Instagram video posted that has been shared widely. Cardi B was one of the headline performers at Riyadh’s MDLBeast Soundstorm festival, where she welcomed the thousands in attendance with the traditional Muslim greeting “ Salam alaikum ” before later stating that “everything is mashallah” in the plutocratic Gulf realm. The Arabic word, which means “God has willed it”, is a common term of praise in Muslim countries. Known for her explicit language, the rapper adopted a more restrained tone during her set, avoiding her most

o Cardi B, brimming with praise for Saudi Arabia, goes viral in kingdom

The rapper – whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar – was just the latest American to make waves in the Gulf region in recent days. Last week, right-wing media personality Tucker Carlson rebuffed accusations he had taken money from the Gulf state, while announcing that he would be buying property in neighbouring Qatar. Celebrities, athletes and social media influencers have increasingly been drawn to compete, perform and make appearances in the Gulf states where they are criticised for turning a blind eye to rights abuses, despite receive eye-watering sums. Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion and Eminem are among the most high profile names to have performed in Saudi Arabia recently. The Riyadh Comedy Festival sparked controversy in America, as comics who staunchly defended free speech back home were accused of hypocrisy for performing in Saudi Arabia earlier this year. – AFP

HARRISON FORD is to be given a lifetime achievement award from the main union representing Hollywood actors, the organisation announced recently. Ford, whose decades on the big and small screen have included some of the most famous roles in cinema, will be given the SAG Aftra Life Achievement Award as part of the rebranded Actor Awards – formerly the Screen Actors Guild Awards – in March. The prize, which SAG-Aftra gives annually to a performer who embodies the “finest ideals of the acting profession,” is the latest recognition for a man whose characters – from Indiana Jones to Han Solo – are part of the cultural fabric of the 20th and 21st century. graphic expressions. She wore a flowing outfit that covered her from neck to toe, a departure from her usual – often revealing – stage attire. In the run-up to the performance, the artiste posted videos at Riyadh’s luxury malls and donned a hijab , while praising the shopping, ranting against paying American taxes and raving over the levels of opulence in the Saudi capital. “The shopping is great, mashallah!” she added, while gushing over the fame she enjoyed in the kingdom. “I’m somebody over here. I do recommend to come over here for vacation. There’s no alcohol, but some of y’all don’t need to be drinking,” she said. Cardi B’s appearance in Saudi Arabia also comes just months after she was cleared of an assault charge in a US$24 million (RM97.8 million) civil trial in which the star was accused of injuring a woman’s face with her fingernails.

Actors union honours Ford with lifetime acting award

“Ford’s career has been endlessly exciting, always returning to his love of acting. We are honored to celebrate a legend whose impact on our craft is enduring. He is a singular presence in American life. An actor whose iconic characters have shaped world culture,” SAG-Aftra president Sean Astin said. Ford, who worked as a carpenter before hitting the big time as Bob Falfa in George Lucas’s 1973 film American Graffiti said he was deeply honoured to be chosen as the recipient of the prestigious prize. “I’ve spent most of my life on film sets, working alongside incredible actors and crews. I’ve always felt grateful to be part of this community. To be acknowledged by my fellow actors means a great deal to me,” he said.

Celebrating Ford after seven decades.