Charli XCX is no stranger to the screen, having lent her voice to animated films like Angry Birds and UglyDolls, and made guest appearances in shows such as Gossip Girl and I’m With the Band: Nasty Cherry. Now, the pop star is stepping further into the acting world with a comical guest role in the upcoming Amazon Prime series Overcompensating.
A teaser for the comedy, set to premiere on May 15, features Charli in a self-aware and exaggerated version of herself. Booked to perform at a college event, she’s less than pleased when the organisers insist she sing her 2014 hit Boom Clap. The track, which gained massive popularity from The Fault in Our Stars soundtrack, is clearly not on her setlist. “Do you think I want to play f—ing ‘Boom Clap’ in a f—ing college?” she snaps at a frazzled stage manager. Her frustration escalates as she demands, “Are you joking?” leaving the poor staffer visibly shaken.
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The show, Overcompensating, is a semi-autobiographical comedy centred around Benny (played by creator Benito Skinner), a closeted former high school football player navigating college life. He forms an unlikely bond with Carmen (Wally Baram), an outsider desperately trying to blend in. The cast also includes Mary Beth Barone (Black Mirror), Adam DiMarco (The White Lotus), Rish Shah (Ms. Marvel), Connie Britton, Kyle MacLachlan, Kaia Gerber, and Owen Thiele.
Beyond her comedic cameo, Charli’s acting career is heating up. She is reportedly in discussions to portray Jadis, the White Witch, in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia adaptation. Additionally, she has roles lined up alongside Jenna Ortega and Natalie Portman in The Gallerist, as well as in Gregg Araki’s thriller I Want Your Sex. Her filmography is set to expand with Daniel Goldhaber’s Faces of Death remake and Julia Jackman’s adaptation of the graphic novel 100 Nights of Hero. Charli is also stepping into production, backing The Moment, a film based on her own concept.
Charli XCX loses it over ‘Boom Clap’ request Getty Images
With her signature wit and unfiltered attitude, Charli XCX’s turn in Overcompensating is sure to be a must-watch moment in the series. Whether or not she ever sings Boom Clap again, one thing is clear—she’s ready to make waves in Hollywood on her own terms.
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.