The high-speed world of Formula 1 racing is getting the Hollywood treatment, and actress Simone Ashley is sharing what it was like to be part of the action. Starring alongside Brad Pitt in the upcoming racing drama F1, Ashley described the experience as one of the most intense and thrilling projects she has ever worked on.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for Top Gun: Maverick, F1 was filmed in collaboration with all ten Formula 1 teams, adding an authentic touch to the high-octane film. The cast, including Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, and Javier Bardem, had the unique challenge of shooting scenes while real Grand Prix races were underway.
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Ashley, best known for her role in Bridgerton, admitted that filming in the middle of actual F1 events made the experience even more electrifying. “It felt so alive—like theatre. You hear the crowd, the fireworks, and the roar of the cars. Everything is moving at an incredible pace, and you have to be completely in sync with the team,” she said in an interview with Who What Wear.
One of the biggest challenges was the tight time constraints. Since they were working around actual races, there were moments when the crew had just minutes to capture crucial scenes. “Sometimes we only had one take. You’d look at the call sheet, and it would say we had just eight minutes to get a shot before the race started again,” Ashley revealed.
Filming wrapped up in Abu Dhabi in December after multiple delays, and Ashley expressed gratitude for being part of such a unique project. “It’s Damson and Brad’s movie, but I feel lucky to have been included in something this incredible,” she said.
Simone Ashley on filming Brad Pitt’s F1 movie at real Grand Prix races: ‘It felt so aliveGetty Images
The film follows Pitt’s character, a former racing driver attempting a comeback, facing off against a young, ambitious competitor played by Idris. With F1, Kosinski once again explores the theme of seasoned professionals proving their worth in a new era, much like Top Gun: Maverick did with fighter pilots.
The recently released trailer has already created a buzz, and with its real-life racing integration and high-speed drama, F1 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting releases of the year. The film is set to hit theatres on June 27.
The singer jokingly texted Clairo saying, "Let's f**k her up," sparking an online frenzy
Why Charli XCX jokingly declared war on Peppa Pig after one viral comment
Highlights
What started as a playful celebrity game has turned into one of the internet's most unexpected viral moments, with Charli XCX jokingly threatening to "f**k up" Peppa Pig after the beloved cartoon character appeared to dismiss singer Clairo.
The exchange quickly spread across social media, drawing reactions from fans and fellow musicians, while turning an unlikely clash between a pop star and a fictional children's character into a trending talking point.
Peppa Pig's viral remark sparked the joke
The playful exchange began during Peppa Pig's appearance in Pitchfork's Over/Under game, where the animated character rated a selection of music artists.
While expressing admiration for acts including PinkPantheress and The Beatles, Peppa responded to Clairo by saying, "I don't know her," a line widely recognised as a reference to Mariah Carey's famous response when asked about Jennifer Lopez.
The remark, accompanied by a knowing glance at the camera, quickly gained traction online.
Charli XCX rushed to Clairo's defence
After seeing the clip, Charli XCX privately messaged Clairo, writing, "Let's f**k her up," alongside a screenshot of the viral post.
Clairo later shared the exchange on social media, prompting thousands of reactions from fans, many of whom responded with pig and bacon-themed jokes.
PinkPantheress, whom Peppa had praised in the original video, also joined the conversation, posting a message supporting Clairo.
As the exchange continued, Clairo responded to the growing attention with humour, replying to posts before eventually telling followers, "ok that's enoughhhhh lolllllllllll."
Some fans joked that the viral moment was the perfect opportunity for the singer to announce new music, though Clairo replied that she did not have anything ready to share.
Her most recent album, Charm, was released in 2024, with its accompanying tour concluding in 2025.
Charli XCX keeps her focus on new music
While the online joke continued to gather momentum, Charli XCX did not publicly add to the exchange.
Instead, the singer has been focusing on promoting her upcoming album, Music, Fashion, Film, which is scheduled for release on July 24.
Although fans speculated that one of the track titles could be a playful nod to the viral exchange, there has been no indication that the album references the light-hearted social media moment.