For decades, stunt performers have risked life and limb behind the scenes, pulling off mind-blowing action sequences without the spotlight or recognition. That’s about to change for the better. The Oscars are finally catching up with what action lovers have known all along: stunt design is an art, and it deserves a spotlight of its own.
In a big move, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a new Oscar category: Achievement in Stunt Design. This award will be introduced at the 100th Oscars in 2028, celebrating films released in 2027. To mark the moment, the Academy released a special poster featuring three standout films: RRR Mission: Impossible, and Everything Everywhere All At Once, and it’s a clear nod to the talent and effort behind their unforgettable action scenes.
Among the most thrilled by this development is RRR director SS Rajamouli, who took to social media to share his excitement. He called it a “100-year wait” finally over and gave credit to industry veterans David Leitch and Chris O’Hara, who championed the cause on behalf of the stunt community.
Rajamouli’s pride is understandable. RRR isn’t just another action film for us — in fact, it’s a cultural phenomenon that redefined Indian cinema’s global footprint. Its jaw-dropping sequences, led by stars Ram Charan and Jr. NTR, pushed the boundaries of what’s possible on screen. The film had already made history by winning India’s first Oscar for Best Original Song with Naatu Naatu. Now, its inclusion in the Academy’s announcement poster cements its place as a torchbearer for action excellence.
The stunt design category is a long-overdue nod to professionals who’ve remained in the shadows. Till now, only two stunt legends, Yakima Canutt and Hal Needham, received honorary Oscars, and even those came decades apart. This new competitive category finally gives stunt work a seat at the table.
The Academy says eligibility rules and voting criteria will be revealed in 2027. For now, the message is clear: action choreography is no longer just a technical gimmick but cinematic storytelling at its most visceral.
Rajamouli, meanwhile, is already deep into his next epic, a big-budget adventure starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra. But for now, he and every stunt professional can celebrate a milestone that was far too long in the making.
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.