Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
After a seven-year break from touring, Katy Perry is strapping on her glitter boots and returning to the global stage with the Lifetimes Tour and trust me, it's going to be worth the wait. Kicking off on April 23, 2025, in Mexico City and wrapping in Madrid on November 11, this 75-date spectacle promises to be Perry’s biggest and most personal tour yet.
Katy Perry returns to the global stage with the much-anticipated Lifetimes Tour
Getty Images
Here’s why you need to be there:
1. A setlist that serves both nostalgia and new bops
70% of the tour will be packed with Perry’s greatest hits; think “Firework,” “Teenage Dream,” “Roar,” and “Dark Horse.” But fans will also get to vibe to her fresh tracks from the new album 143, including the confident anthem “WOMAN’S WORLD” and the dreamy “Lifetimes.” Bonus: There’s a surprise segment where you can vote for deep cuts and B-sides!
A throwback to Perry's electric energy on stage: The Lifetimes Tour promises even more spectacleGetty Images
2. A stage that looks like a sci-fi video game
Imagine a figure-eight stage, two high-energy audience pits, floating platforms, and even a VIP zone called “Club 143” (complete with a bar). Perry calls it a “sci-fi, hopeful video game’’, basically a travelling theme park for pop fans.
From Candyland to neon pyramids: Katy’s iconic stage setups have always pushed the envelopeGetty Images
3. Costumes, glam, and glitter galore
Katy Perry doesn’t just perform right? She performs in style and how! So get ready for a wardrobe that’s equal parts futuristic, whimsical, and iconic. Think candy couture meets intergalactic glam, with costume changes that tell a story of their own.
Katy Perry’s Prismatic World Tour set the bar high—Lifetimes is expected to raise itGetty Images
4. A fan experience like no other
This isn’t just her show, it’s yours too. Perry will be crowdsourcing setlist picks through social media, bringing fan requests to life on stage. From emotional ballads to throwback bangers, every city will get a unique show.
Dramatic entrances and aerial theatrics were a Perry trademark long before LifetimesGetty Images
5. Family-friendly energy with a personal touch
For the first time, Perry’s four-year-old daughter, Daisy, is joining her on tour. With shows starting at 8:30 p.m. and running for a tight 90 minutes, the tour is geared to be high-energy and mindful of families and younger fans.
Katy Perry’s performances have always been a bold mix of theatre, music, and magicGetty Images
6. Rebecca Black is the opening act!
Talk about a full-circle pop moment! Viral icon Rebecca Black will open the shows, setting a fun, nostalgic vibe before Katy hits the stage. Whether you loved “Friday” or secretly still do, this is a brilliant throwback choice.
Katy’s eye for fashion has always lit up the stage from cupcake bras to prism armourGetty Images
7. Every detail is thoughtful including the tickets
Fans in the UK can feel good knowing £1 from every ticket supports the Music Venue Trust, helping grassroots venues thrive. And if you’re going VIP, the Klub 143 package gets you backstage access, exclusive merch, and premium views.
Explosive visuals and glittering pyrotechnics defined Perry’s past toursGetty Images
Final word: You don’t just watch a Katy Perry show, you live it
With its mix of mega-hits, fun visuals, and personal touches, the Lifetimes Tour is a full-blown celebration of everything Katy Perry has built. Whether you’ve been a KatyCat from day one or you’re just in it for the fireworks, this is the tour to catch in 2025.
Don’t miss out grab your ticket and get ready to live your best pop life!
Emma Heming Willis says Bruce Willis’ frontotemporal dementia symptoms first appeared like a “whisper.”
The actor remains physically strong but struggles with language and communication.
Heming Willis has written a new book, The Unexpected Journey, on caregiving.
She is now advocating for more support for families living with dementia.
Emma Heming Willis has shared a moving update on husband Bruce Willis’ health, describing how his frontotemporal dementia (FTD) first appeared as a “whisper” through subtle changes in his behaviour. Speaking in a new ABC News special, Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey, she revealed that while the Die Hard star remains physically healthy, it is his mind that is deteriorating. Heming Willis also discussed her new book on caregiving and her mission to support other families navigating dementia.
Emma Heming Willis shares emotional insight into Bruce Willis’ battle with frontotemporal dementia Getty Images
What happened to Bruce Willis’ health?
Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023, a rare brain condition that impacts behaviour, personality, and communication. Unlike Alzheimer’s, which often begins with memory loss, FTD frequently shows up through changes in how a person behaves or expresses themselves.
For Willis, best known for his action hero roles in Die Hard and Armageddon, the primary symptom has been the loss of language. “The language is going, and we’ve learned to adapt,” Heming Willis said, explaining that the family now communicates with him in different ways.
She described the condition as “his brain failing him,” even as his physical strength and mobility remain intact.
Bruce Willis continues to show strength despite dementia affecting his language and communicationGetty Images
What were Bruce Willis’ first dementia symptoms?
Heming Willis explained that the earliest signs of FTD were difficult to spot and easy to dismiss. The actor, who was once warm and affectionate, began to withdraw emotionally and drift away from family activities he had always enjoyed.
“It felt a little removed, very cold, not like Bruce,” she recalled. “To go the complete opposite of that was alarming and scary.” These early changes, which she called a “whisper,” later developed into clearer symptoms of dementia.
Doctors confirmed the diagnosis of FTD in 2023, but Heming Willis said she was handed only a pamphlet and told there was no available treatment. She described the experience as feeling like she was “free falling.”
Emma Heming Willis and Bruce Willis arrive for the annual "Room To Grow" Spring benefit in 2017Getty Images
How is Bruce Willis’ family coping?
The Willis family has adjusted their lives around his illness. Emma admitted that, in the beginning, she tried to manage caregiving alone, staying awake at night to ensure his safety and withdrawing from social gatherings to make his life more comfortable.
Over time, she realised the importance of building support and sharing the responsibility. Today, the couple’s daughters, Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, continue to see glimpses of their father’s old self. “Not days, but we get moments,” she told Diane Sawyer. “It’s his laugh, his smirk, that twinkle in his eye. As quickly as those moments appear, they go. But I’m grateful he’s still here.”
His older daughters with Demi Moore, Rumer, 37, Scout, 34, and Tallulah, 31, also remain close and united around him. Rumer recently said the family is “doing great” and cherishing their togetherness.
Bruce Willis’ dementia started as a whisper, Emma Heming reveals in emotional family confessionGetty Images
Why is Emma Heming Willis speaking out?
The diagnosis pushed Heming Willis, a model and entrepreneur who had preferred to avoid the spotlight, into advocacy. She is using her platform to raise awareness about dementia and call for greater support for caregivers, who are often overlooked in healthcare conversations.
Her new book, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, will be released on 9 September. It documents her experience and aims to serve as a guide for others navigating similar challenges. “Born from grief, shaped by love, and guided by purpose, this is the book I needed back when Bruce was first diagnosed,” she said.
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Sophie Turner opens up about Sansa Stark’s controversial wedding night scene in Game of Thrones
Sophie Turner reflects on Game of Thrones’ most controversial rape scene
The actress admits modern TV would include trigger warnings
Turner says the show highlighted patriarchy and women’s struggles
She reunites with Kit Harington in upcoming gothic horror film
Sophie Turner has defended the controversial Game of Thrones rape scene involving her character Sansa Stark, saying the sequence, while triggering, played an important role in highlighting patriarchy and women’s struggles. Speaking in a new interview, the British actress admitted that if the series aired today, it would include trigger warnings, but she believes the depiction sparked conversations about sexual violence that remain crucial.
Sophie Turner opens up about Sansa Stark’s controversial wedding night scene in Game of Thrones Getty Images
What did Sophie Turner say about the Game of Thrones rape scene?
Turner, who joined Game of Thrones at the age of 14 and played Sansa until the series ended in 2019, addressed the criticism surrounding her season five wedding night rape scene. The moment, which was not in George RR Martin’s source material, drew widespread outrage in 2015.
“I did feel and still do that Game of Thrones shone a light on things that many people were like, ‘Oh god, you can’t show that kind of thing,’” she said. “I understand it can be triggering, but I did feel we were actually doing a lot of justice to women, and the fight women have had to fight for hundreds of thousands of years. The patriarchy, being treated as objects, and being constantly sexually assaulted.”
She added that almost every woman she knows has experienced some form of harassment, but men around her are often shocked because “we don’t talk about it enough.”
Sophie Turner says the HBO series did justice to women by exposing patriarchy through its darkest storylinesGetty Images
Would Game of Thrones include trigger warnings today?
The actress acknowledged that standards in television have shifted since the series first aired in 2011. “I think if Game of Thrones came out today, we’d definitely put some trigger warnings on there,” she admitted.
Despite the criticism, Turner said she felt proud to be part of a series that didn’t shy away from showing “atrocities that happened to women back then.” For her, the scene was not gratuitous, but a reflection of the harsh realities women faced and still face under patriarchal systems.
Turner admits the controversial episode would come with trigger warnings if it aired todayInstagram/sansastarkwinterfell
How did fans and critics respond at the time?
When the episode first aired, it sparked a heated backlash. Some critics argued that the storyline stripped Sansa of her agency, while others felt it continued the show’s pattern of overusing sexual violence as a plot device.
A writer for The Atlantic criticised the series for “ramping up sexual violence” compared to the books, while Vanity Fair said the scene “undercut all the agency that had been growing in Sansa.” On the other hand, The Guardian defended the choice, calling it a gothic tale of “innocence sacrificed” that was carefully handled.
Even actor Iwan Rheon, who played Ramsay Bolton, described filming the sequence as the “worst day of my career,” telling Metro in 2020 that it was “horrible” for everyone on set.
Turner, now 29, is set to reunite with her Game of Thrones co-star Kit Harington in the upcoming gothic horror The Dreadful, directed by Natasha Kermani. Unlike their brother-sister dynamic on the HBO show, the pair will play lovers in the film. “Sorry guys, it’s really weird for all of us,” Turner joked in a previous interview.
The actress has also spoken about how her time on Game of Thrones shaped her life and career. She auditioned at 12 and wrapped the show at 23, describing the experience as an “education in business decisions, etiquette on set, and how to act.”
While she is not involved in HBO’s prequel House of the Dragon, Turner has said she would only consider returning to Westeros if the “exact same cast and crew” were on board, effectively making it Game of Thrones season nine.
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Balakrishna honoured by World Book of Records UK alongside his Padma Bhushan milestone
Nandamuri Balakrishna becomes first Telugu actor recognised by World Book of Records UK.
Actor’s daughter Brahmani Nara and political leaders, including CM Chandrababu Naidu, celebrated the milestone.
Balakrishna has acted in over 100 films since his 1974 debut Tatamma Kala.
Earlier this year, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to cinema.
Veteran Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna has been honoured by the World Book of Records UK for completing 50 years in cinema, marking a historic first for the Telugu film industry. Fondly called “Balayya” by his fans, the actor’s recognition for this five-decade journey comes alongside his Padma Bhushan win, cementing his legacy as one of Indian cinema’s most enduring stars.
Balakrishna honoured by World Book of Records UK alongside his Padma Bhushan milestone Instagram/balayyababu_official
What is Nandamuri Balakrishna’s World Book of Records recognition?
The World Book of Records UK awarded Balakrishna its Gold Edition certificate for his contribution to Indian cinema. He became the first Telugu actor to receive this global honour, celebrating his milestone of half a century as a leading hero. CEO of the organisation, Santosh Shukla, described Balakrishna as “an inspiration to millions,” calling his journey “a golden benchmark in Indian and global cinema.”
How did fans and family react to Balakrishna’s honour?
The announcement sparked celebrations across social media, with the actor’s daughter, Brahmani Nara, posting a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. She wrote:
“50 years as a leading hero, a feat now in the World Book of Records! You are a true force of nature, an icon on screen, and a compassionate leader off it. So proud of this global recognition for your incredible journey. Our pride, our hero!”
Fans flooded platforms with the hashtag #50YearsOfNBK, sharing clips from his most iconic roles spanning action, family dramas, and historical epics.
What did Chandrababu Naidu say about Balakrishna’s milestone?
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is also Balakrishna’s brother-in-law, described the actor’s journey as “a golden chapter in Indian film history.” In a post on X, Naidu wrote:
“#50YearsOfNBK Admired by people across generations and celebrated for his dedication and passion for cinema, Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna Garu’s journey as a lead hero for 50 years stands as a golden chapter in Indian film history. The recognition by the World Book of Records UK is a testament to his extraordinary journey.”
— (@)
Which films define Balakrishna’s 50-year career?
Balakrishna made his debut in 1974 with Tatamma Kala as a child artist before becoming a household name with hits like Annadammula Anubandham (1975), Sahasame Jeevitham (1984), Kathanayakudu (1984), and Nippulanti Manishi (1974). Over the years, he has acted in more than 100 films, including blockbusters such as Daaku Maharaaj and Veera Simha Reddy. Known for his larger-than-life screen presence, Balakrishna’s films have often combined action with strong emotional narratives.
Fans celebrate #50YearsOfNBK as Balakrishna creates Telugu cinema historyInstagram/balakrishna_nandamuri_
What’s next for Nandamuri Balakrishna?
Even after five decades, Balakrishna shows no signs of slowing down. He is currently working on Akhanda 2: Thaandavam, the sequel to his 2021 hit Akhanda, directed by Boyapati Srinu. He has also signed another untitled project with director Gopichand Malineni.
His continued success in both cinema and politics, as a member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, has made him one of the most influential figures in South India.
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Lamine Yamal poses with Nicki Nicole in a heart-filled setting shared on Instagram
Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal confirms romance with Argentine singer Nicki Nicole
The couple shared a romantic photo on Instagram with heart-themed décor
Yamal’s love life had drawn controversy after nightclub rumours and a birthday party scandal
Fans now turn focus to his football career as new season begins
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has confirmed his relationship with Argentine singer Nicki Nicole, settling weeks of speculation around his personal life. The 17-year-old, who made headlines this summer for his off-pitch controversies, posted a romantic picture with the Latin music star, using a heart emoji to signal the nature of their bond. The move shifts attention from gossip about his dating life to a more settled chapter as Barcelona’s season gets underway.
Lamine Yamal poses with Nicki Nicole in a heart-filled setting shared on Instagram X/@MrGafan
Who is Lamine Yamal’s girlfriend Nicki Nicole?
Nicki Nicole is a well-known Argentine singer from Rosario who broke through in Spain with singles such as Wapo Traketero, Mamichula and Mala Vida. She is a regular name in the Latin urban music scene and has built a strong following internationally. Previously, she was in relationships with fellow artists Peso Pluma and Trueno.
Her connection with Yamal had been rumoured for months after she was spotted at his 18th birthday party and later seen wearing a Barcelona shirt with his name on it. Spanish journalist Javi de Hoyos had earlier claimed the two were seen kissing in a nightclub, though no evidence was provided at the time. Yamal’s Instagram post now confirms the relationship to his 37.6 million followers.
Nicki Nicole is an Argentine singer from Rosario Instagram/nicki.nicole
What happened at Lamine Yamal’s birthday party?
Yamal’s 18th birthday in July became a subject of controversy after claims that the private event allegedly involved paid models selected by physical traits and the hiring of dwarves as entertainment. The themed party, reportedly inspired by Mafia aesthetics, hosted around 200 people, including family, friends and teammates.
While no official response was given to these allegations, photos circulated online prompted criticism from Spanish outlets. The latest announcement of his relationship appears to move the spotlight away from those reports, marking a more stable turn in his personal narrative.
— (@)
How did Yamal confirm his relationship?
The footballer shared a photograph of himself and Nicki Nicole sitting closely in front of a decorated cake surrounded by flowers and balloons in red, pink and white. The post carried no caption apart from a heart emoji, but the setting and the intimacy of the picture left little doubt about the nature of their relationship.
This came just after Nicole’s 25th birthday, suggesting Yamal’s post was timed as a public gesture. The singer had also been seen in attendance during Barcelona’s Joan Gamper Trophy match against Como, sitting with his family while wearing his shirt.
— (@)
Why does this matter for Yamal’s career?
Lamine Yamal has been under intense scrutiny as one of Barcelona’s brightest prospects, already hailed as a future Ballon d’Or contender. His summer off-field controversies had risked overshadowing his rise on the pitch. By openly confirming his relationship with Nicki Nicole, he appears to be closing a chapter of speculation and redirecting attention to his football career.
With Barcelona relying on him as a key attacking option this season, fans and analysts will watch closely to see how he balances his sporting responsibilities with the added spotlight on his personal life.
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Priyanka Chopra congratulates cousin Parineeti Chopra on her pregnancy
Parineeti Chopra announced her first pregnancy with husband Raghav Chadha
Priyanka Chopra congratulated her cousin publicly, silencing feud rumours
Speculations about a rift began after Priyanka missed Parineeti’s wedding
Family posts suggest the Chopra sisters have put past rumours to rest
Parineeti Chopra’s pregnancy announcement has not only delighted fans but also ended speculation of a rift with cousin Priyanka Chopra. The actress revealed the news with a heartfelt post on Instagram, and Priyanka was among the first to respond, sending love and congratulations. The exchange came after months of rumours suggesting tensions between the Chopra sisters, fuelled by Priyanka missing Parineeti’s wedding in 2023.
Priyanka Chopra congratulates cousin Parineeti Chopra on her pregnancy Instagram/parineetichopra
What did Priyanka Chopra say on Parineeti Chopra’s pregnancy?
Shortly after Parineeti shared the news that she is expecting her first child with politician husband Raghav Chadha, Priyanka Chopra dropped a warm congratulatory message in the comments. She wrote “Congratulations” followed by a red heart emoji. Priyanka also re-shared Parineeti’s post on her Instagram story, which Parineeti acknowledged with love and protection emojis. While neither directly addressed the feud rumours, their public interaction was taken as a silent confirmation that things are well between the two sisters.
Family and friends send love after Parineeti Chopra reveals she is expecting Instagram Screengrab/parineetichopra
Why was there speculation of a feud between the Chopra sisters?
Talk of a fallout began in 2023 when Priyanka missed Parineeti’s wedding celebrations in Udaipur, despite having attended her engagement earlier that year. Priyanka’s mother Madhu Chopra clarified at the time that work commitments kept her daughter away, but fans noticed reduced social media interactions and fewer public appearances together.
Tensions were speculated again during Priyanka’s brother Siddharth Chopra’s wedding festivities, where Parineeti was absent from several pre-wedding events. Later, Parineeti posted a cryptic note about valuing people who “choose you back,” fuelling further whispers of a cold war.
How did fans react to Parineeti Chopra’s pregnancy news?
Parineeti’s announcement was met with a flood of congratulatory messages from colleagues, friends, and fans. Many applauded the couple’s sweet reveal and expressed joy at seeing the family united again. The posts from Priyanka and Parineeti, shared with mutual warmth, reassured fans that the Chopra cousins continue to share a strong bond despite past speculation.