During the first weekend of Coachella 2025, Charli XCX drew attention beyond the stage when she showed up to an afterparty wearing a sash that said “Miss Should Have Been a Headliner.” The accessory quickly got people talking, with many seeing it as a subtle jab at Green Day, who headlined the Saturday night slot right after her set.
The pop star’s statement quickly caught attention online and fans were divided. Some saw it as a playful flex, others took it as shade aimed at the veteran rock band. Green Day, true to their punk roots, didn’t stay quiet for long. During their Weekend 2 performance, frontman Billie Joe Armstrong acknowledged the moment by donning a green “Brat” cap as a nod to Charli’s latest album of the same name. It was subtle, but unmistakably in on the joke.
But the clearest response came offstage. A photo surfaced of drummer Tré Cool wearing a sash of his own. Handwritten across what looked like toilet paper were the words: “Actual Headliner.” A direct and sarcastic reply to Charli’s afterparty statement.
To her credit, Charli took the clapback in stride. She reshared the photo on Twitter with the caption “Obsessed,” signalling that there was no real animosity and just a bit of festival banter between artists who know how to keep things interesting.
This year’s Coachella saw an eclectic mix of headliners: Lady Gaga kicked things off Friday, Green Day took Saturday, and Post Malone wrapped up Sunday. Other popular acts included Lisa from BLACKPINK, Missy Elliott, Megan Thee Stallion, and Ed Sheeran, who filled in last minute for FKA twigs on Weekend 2.
Charli XCX spotted at a Coachella afterparty wearing a sash that says 'Miss Should Have Been a Headliner'Instagram/charli_xcx
There were some dramatic moments too. Lola Young had to cut her set short after feeling unwell in the desert heat, and Gaga powered through a microphone glitch while suspended mid-air during her opening number.
As for the Charli XCX and Green Day situation, it seems to have ended on a light-hearted note. No diss tracks or angry interviews, just a couple of sashes, some good-natured trolling, and a note that even on the biggest stages, artists still love a bit of fun and mischief.
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.