American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish stirred up a frenzy among her 114 million Instagram followers by adding them all to her close friends list. This move, reportedly made on Thursday, was met with widespread excitement and speculation among fans.
Shortly after the addition, followers received notifications about a cryptic Instagram story posted by Eilish. The story featured a hand raised against a dark blue background, leaving fans intrigued about its meaning. Adding to the mystery, Eilish changed her profile picture to match the same dark blue hue.
The unexpected inclusion in Eilish's close friends list prompted an array of humorous reactions from fans on social media. Many joked about the feeling of personal connection and privilege, with one fan likening it to "winning an Oscar." Another fan shared a funny video expressing her excitement at being added to Eilish's inner circle.
Speculation ran rampant among netizens, with many interpreting Eilish's actions as a hint towards the release of her highly anticipated third studio album. Eilish herself had hinted at progress on the album, revealing on Instagram in February that it was "mastered."
This latest social media move comes on the heels of Eilish's recent successes in the music industry. She clinched her second Oscar and two Grammy Awards for her track What Was I Made For featured in last year's summer blockbuster Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
As fans eagerly await further developments, Eilish continues to keep them on their toes with her enigmatic online presence and cryptic teasers. Whether this latest move signifies a forthcoming album release or simply adds to the allure of Eilish's social media persona remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: her devoted fanbase will be watching closely for any hints or announcements.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.