Hello! Canada March 24, 2025

Canada has been thrust into the spotlight in a most unexpected way this year thanks to our neighbour south of the border. U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to make our nation America’s 51st state have reverberated around the world – and Justin Trudeau isn’t the only one to have fought back. Our own Mike Myers (Austin Powers, Shrek) made headlines by wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the maple leaf flag, along with the slogan “Canada is not for sale,” on a recent episode of SNL.King Charles, meanwhile, is in an unenviable position, caught between the need to foster strong relations with the U.S. and the desire to play a key ambassadorial role as Canada’s head of state. Many believe the King, Prince William and Princess Kate (who wore red and…

‘IT’S A VERY SURREAL, SPECIAL DAY, SO WE HAD TO PICK THE MOST SPECIAL DRESS’Ariana Grande You can always expect surprises on Oscar night – and this year’s show was no exception. The 97th Academy Award ceremony – held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and hosted by Conan O’Brien – was full of unexpected wins, shocking upsets and a glamorous night featuring fabulous fashion. Topping the best-dressed list was Wicked star Ariana Grande, who looked so ethereal, she may as well have descended and emerged from a pink bubble. “I’m floating!” the 31-year-old told Access Hollywood on the red carpet. “I can’t believe I get to wear custom Schiaparelli at the Oscars and sing with my best friend.” She was, of course, referring to her witchy co-star, Cynthia Erivo.…

‘I’M GRATEFUL FOR THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALLOWED ME TO LIVE MY DREAM’Julia A night to remember was made all the sweeter for Julia Roberts as she was celebrated in Paris with a little help from a friend. The Pretty Woman star was positively glowing at the 50th César Awards – France’s answer to the Oscars – where she was presented with a lifetime achievement prize by Clive Owen. “Julia is one of the best, nicest and funniest actresses of our time,” said the British actor, 60 (her co-star in Duplicity and Closer), singing his pal’s praises before she took to the stage amid a standing ovation. “Thank you,” said the mom of three, 57, as she composed herself, admitting she’d written a speech – at daughter Hazel’s urging –…

‘MY DREAM WAS ALWAYS TO BE AN ACTRESS AND TO MAKE MOVIES’ Heading into awards season, Mikey Madison was a relatively unknown actress. But seemingly overnight, the Los Angeles native has earned her spot among the Hollywood elite, taking home a Best Actress Oscar for her role in Anora.“It’s exciting and also overwhelming at the same time,” the 25-year-old says of her unexpected victory. To be fair, Mikey had been honing her craft since she was a teen, appearing in five seasons of TV series Better Things, for instance. And she turned heads in hit films such as Scream V and Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood, garnering the attention of Anora writer and director Sean Baker, who went on to create the titular character of Ani with Mikey in mind.…

With sadness, notables from Hollywood and beyond shared tributes as the news broke that actress Michelle Trachtenberg had died at just 39 years old. Known for her roles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, the New York native was found deceased in her Manhattan apartment on Feb. 26. The cause of death was undetermined. “She was electricity,” posted Blake Lively, 37, Michelle’s Gossip Girl co-star (above right), describing her as “a deeply sensitive and good person… You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed.” Buffy’s Sarah Michelle Gellar (above left), 47, referenced lines from her titular alter ego: “I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live…for you.”…

Our community lost a giant, and I lost a dear friend.” Echoing the sentiments of his peers, Morgan Freeman, 87, honoured the great Gene Hackman at the Academy Awards, introducing the show’s In Memoriam segment with a tribute to his fellow actor – one who, he noted, “won the hearts of film lovers all over the world.” The recognition for Gene, 95, came just four days after he and his wife of 33 years, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered lifeless in their Santa Fe, N.M., home, along with one of their beloved dogs. Investigators concluded that Betsy had likely died nearly two weeks earlier as a result of hantavirus – a respiratory illness spread to humans from rodents – and Gene passed a week after that due to…