Gary Glitter launches fresh bid for freedom and could be released in weeks

Disgraced musician Gary Glitter could be freed in a matter of weeks

Gary Glitter could be released from prison in a matter of weeks.

The disgraced musician, whose real name is Paul Gadd is currently serving a 16 year prison sentence after sexually abusing three school girls. He was jailed for his sickening crimes in 2015, having carried out the vile attacks between 1975 and 1980. Glitter, 80, had already been jailed for offences related to paedophilia.

He was released from HMP The Verne, a low security prison in February 2023, having served half of his 16 year sentence. However, just weeks after being released, he was taken back to custody, having breached his license conditions after allegedly viewing downloaded images of children.

Last year, he was denied bail when it was claimed he was still a risk to children, who he had a “sexual interest in”. Now, almost two years after being taken back into prison, he is set to face a Parole Board for a full hearing next month. This means that the disgraced entertainer could once again be released from prison, possibly on a license.

A Parole Board previously denied an application to have his hearing in public due to believing they would not be able to contact all of Glitter’s victims. A spokesperson for the board confirmed to the MailOnline that Glitter will face the board next month. In a statement, they said: “We can confirm the parole review of Paul Gadd has been referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice and is following standard processes.

“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.”

They went on to add that members of the board will read through hundreds of pages worth of evidence in the lead up to the hearing, including evidence from witnesses, including probation officers, psychiatrists, psychologists, those who supervised Glitter in prison and victim statements could also be heard.

The spokesperson went on to add that it was standard procedure for the prisoner as well as witnesses to be questioned during the hearing which takes one day or more. “Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority,” they said.

He will give evidence during the hearing via Zoom from his prison, HMP Risley, in Warrington. It’s not yet known whether the appeal will be heard over one or two days but it’s likely to be listed for next month, meaning that Glitter could be freed from prison by March.

The glam rock singer became the first person to be arrested under Operation Yewtree – the police investigation into sexual abuse allegations against Savile and others – in 2012. Glitter was charged with the historical sexual abuse of three schoolgirls between 1975 and 1980.

His youngest victim was under the age of 10 when he crept into her bed and tried to rape her in 1975. Judge Alistair McCreath said at Southwark Crown Court at the time: “It is difficult to overstate the depravity of this dreadful behaviour.” One of his victims is seeking around half-a-million pounds in damages, the High Court has heard. At a hearing last month, the court heard the woman – who cannot be named for legal reasons – has been unable to work for several decades as a result of the abuse.

The Mirror has approached the Parole Board for comment.

Follow Mirror Celebs onTikTok,Snapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,YouTubeandThreads.

A Sundance documentary called ‘The Stringer’ disputes who took AP’s ‘napalm girl’ photo in Vietnam

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — After a half-century of public silence, a freelance photographer from Vietnam has asserted he took one of the most renowned and impactful photos of the 20th century — the image of a naked girl fleeing a napalm attack in South Vietnam that has long been credited to a staff photographer from The Associated Press.

Nguyen Thanh Nghe claimed authorship of the Pulitzer Prize-winning “napalm girl” photograph in the new documentary “The Stringer” and on the sidelines of its premiere Saturday night at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

The AP conducted its own investigation and said it has no reason to conclude that no one other than the long-credited photographer, Nick Ut, made the picture. The news agency said it was “surprised and disappointed” that filmmakers portrayed it as having reviewed the film’s materials and being dismissive. The AP said it saw the film for the first time at Sundance.

Nghe joined the filmmakers for the post-screening Q&A where he said, through a translator, “I took the photo.” The audience cheered enthusiastically. He did not say why he waited so long to make the claim.

The AP said it would review the material but wants to speak to contributors who signed non-disclosure materials for the filmmakers, including Nghe. “We cannot state more clearly that The Associated Press is only interested in the facts and a truthful history of this iconic photo.”

Nguyen says he took the iconic photo of Kim Phuc on June 8, 1972. Nghe said he went to the town of Trang Bang that day as a driver for an NBC news crew and captured the image of Phuc running down the street, crying and naked with arms outstretched. He said he sold his image to the AP for $20, and they gave him a print of the photo that his wife later destroyed.

Representatives for the AP, who saw the film for the first time Saturday at the premiere, are contesting the film’s implication that the company reviewed their findings and dismissed them.

“As recently as December, we reiterated our request to see the filmmakers’ full materials and they did not respond, nor did they include AP’s full response in the film,” Lauren Easton, an AP spokesperson, said Sunday. “We were surprised and disappointed that the film portrayed AP as having reviewed the film’s materials and being dismissive of the allegations, which is completely false.”

The film’s investigation was led by husband-and-wife team of Gary Knight, founder of the VII Foundation, and producer Fiona Turner. Bao Nguyen, a Vietnamese American filmmaker, directed.

“I’m not a journalist by any stretch of the imagination,” Nguyen said. “I had a healthy skepticism, as I think anyone would, going against a 53-year-old truth. … But as a storyteller and a filmmaker, I thought it was my both or my responsibility and my privilege to be able to uplift the story of individuals like Nghe.”

Before having seen the film, the AP conducted its own investigation over six months and concluded it had “no reason to believe anyone other than Ut took the photo.” Now, the AP is calling on the filmmakers to lift the non-disclosure agreements they placed on their subjects to allow the company to investigate more fully.

“AP stands ready to review any and all evidence and new information about this photo,” Easton said.

Knight and Turner met with AP in London last June about the allegations. According to the AP, filmmakers requested the news organization sign a non-disclosure agreement before they provided their evidence. AP would not. The film suggests that evidence was presented to the AP, which the AP says is not true.

A primary source in the film is Carl Robinson, then an AP photo editor in Saigon, who was overruled in his judgment not to use the picture by Horst Faas, AP’s Saigon chief of photos. Robinson says in the film that Faas instructed him to “make it staff” and credit Ut for the photo. Both Faas and Yuichi “Jackson” Ishizaki, who developed the film, are dead. Robinson, 81, was dismissed by the AP in 1978.

On Saturday, a Sundance Institute moderator asked why he wanted to come forward with the allegations now. “I didn’t want to die before this story came out,” Robinson told the audience after the screening. “I wanted to find (Nghe) and say sorry.”

A variety of witnesses interviewed by AP, including renowned correspondents such as Fox Butterfield and Peter Arnett and the photo’s subject herself, Phuc, say they are certain Ut took the photo.

Robinson was one such person the AP attempted to speak to during their investigation but “were told we could only do so under conditions” that they said would have prevented them from “taking swift action if necessary.”

The film’s investigation took over two years. The journalists enlisted a French forensics team, INDEX, to help determine the likelihood of whether Ut had been in a position to take the photo. The forensics team concluded that it was highly unlikely that Ut could have done it.

Ut’s attorney, James Hornstein, had this to say Sunday after the premiere: “In due course, we will proceed to right this wrong in a courtroom where Nick Ut’s reputation will be vindicated.”

Knight referenced AP’s investigation Saturday, telling the audience that the company’s statement is available online. “They said they’re open always to examining the truth. And I think it was a very reasonable thing to say,” Knight said. “Our story is here and it’s here for you all to see.”

He added: “Things happen in the field in the heat of the moment. … We’re all stronger if we examine ourselves, ask tough questions, and we’re open and honest about what goes on in our profession. Now more than ever, I would argue.”

“The Stringer” does not yet have distribution plans.

___

For more coverage of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/sundance-film-festival

Before you make your next trade, you’ll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street’s top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis.

Our team has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on… and none of the big name stocks were on the list.

They believe these five stocks are the five best companies for investors to buy now…

Billy Ray Cyrus’ son claims his dad is threatening ‘legal action’ after open letter asking him to get help

Country star Billy Ray Cyrus discusses his love of troops and the future of America on ‘Hannity.’

Trace Cyrus is claiming things are getting worse between him and his father, Billy Ray Cyrus, including threats of legal action from the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer.

Following his open letter expressing concern for his father’s health following his performance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Trace posted an update on his father’s alleged reaction.

“Dad my message was beyond loving. I could have been extremely honest about a lot more but I don’t want to put your business out there like that,” he began.

“But for you to threaten me with legal action for wanting you to get help is a disgrace.”

BILLY RAY CYRUS’ SON WRITES OPEN LETTER SHARING CONCERNS FOLLOWING SINGER’S TRUMP INAUGURATION PERFORMANCE

Trace added, “Pappy is looking down at you with such disappointment I can assure you. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

The Metro Station singer concluded, “I will always love you but I no longer respect you as a man. Everyone close to you is terrified to tell you how they really feel. I’m not. Get help.”

In the caption, Trace encouraged fans to “Send my dad some words of encouragement guys!! I have faith the man we all once knew is still in there somewhere. We gotta get him back.”

APP USERS CLICK HERE

WHO ARE MILEY CYRUS’ SIBLINGS? A LOOK INTO THE LIVES OF THE 6 CYRUS CHILDREN

Billy Ray adopted Trace and his older sister Brandi, when he married Tish Cyrus in 1992. The couple went on to welcome Miley Cyrus, Braison Cyrus, and Noah Cyrus before their divorce in 2022. The singer is also father to Christopher Cyrus with his ex-wife Kristin Luckey.

In a comment to People magazine, Braison commented on the ongoing drama between his dad and brother.

“Dad my message was beyond loving. I could have been extremely honest about a lot more but I don’t want to put your business out there like that.”

— Trace Cyrus

“I don’t have any bad feelings toward anyone in my family,” he told the outlet.

The 30-year-old also praised Billy Ray after working on a new album with him.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

On his Instagram stories, per Page Six, he wrote, “I’ve spent this past year getting to know my dad better than I ever have. I’ve heard stories, jokes and songs that I don’t think anyone else has. It’s an opportunity to tell my dad’s story through music and I’m fortunate to be able to take it. Music, stories and family are the most important things to my dad so to bring the two together is a full circle endeavor.”

People also reported that Miley Cyrus is avoiding the family drama.

“Miley used to feel overwhelmed by the family drama. She worked hard to remove herself. She’s not about to get involved again,” a source told the outlet. “She’s in a great place now. She’s thriving and looking out for herself.”

On Thursday, Trace wrote a plea on Instagram to Billy Ray, asking him to let his children back into his life.

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

“Since my earliest memories all I can remember is being obsessed with you and thinking you were the coolest person ever,” he wrote. “I wanted to be just like you. The day you adopted me was the happiest day of my life. Sadly the man that I wanted so desperately to be just like I barely recognize now. It seems this world has beaten you down and it’s become obvious to everyone but you.”

Trace continued, saying he and “the girls have been genuinely worried about you for years but you’ve pushed all of us away.”

Trace also expressed concerns over Billy Ray’s health, writing, “We are all hanging on to memories of the man we once knew & hoping for the day he returns. You’re not healthy Dad & everyone is noticing it. Just like I showed up for you at mamaws funeral when you didn’t expect me to I’m still here right now.”

On Monday, January 20, Billy Ray took the stage to sing hits like “Old Town Road” and “Achy Breaky Heart” in celebration of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, experiencing technical difficulties.

MILEY CYRUS’ MOM SLAMS BILLY RAY CYRUS CLAIMS ‘HANNAH MONTANA’ DESTROYED FAMILY

But fans were also critical of the performance, calling it “possibly the cringiest few minutes in entertainment history.”

Billy Ray later said, “I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors worked or not. I was there because President Donald J. Trump invited me. I had a ball at the Liberty Ball last night, and I’ve learned through all these years when the producer says, ‘You’re on,’ you go entertain the folks even if the equipment goes to hell.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“I was there for the people, and we had a blast,” the statement shared to Instagram read. “That’s called rock n’ roll!!!”

Fox News Digital’s Lauryn Overhultz and Christina Dugan-Ramirez contributed to this report.

‘Uncomfortable truths’: controversial film challenges authorship of famous photo

The Stringer, which premiered at Sundance, alleges that an incorrect credit was given for iconic ‘Napalm Girl’ picture

A controversial new documentary that premiered at the Sundance film festival on Saturday night disputes the authorship of one of the most famous press photographs ever taken, challenging 50-plus years of accepted history.

In The Stringer, directed by Bao Nguyen, a group of journalists and investigators claim that the photograph colloquially known as Napalm Girl – an indelible image of American war in Vietnam that galvanized the anti-war movement in the US – was not taken by Nick Ut, the Associated Press staff photographer long ascribed credit by the news group.

Officially titled The Terror of War, the image, taken on 8 June 1972, depicts a naked nine-year-old girl named Phan Thi Kim Phuc as she and several crying, burned children flee a napalm attack in the south Vietnamese village of Trảng Bàng. The AP and Ut have long maintained that Ut, then 21 years old, took the photo, which earned him a Pulitzer prize, photojournalist fame and a distinguished career until his retirement from the AP in 2017.

But The Stringer presents a different story: that the iconic photograph was actually taken by another photographer on the scene that day: Nguyen Thành Nghe, a Vietnamese driver for NBC who sold his photos to the AP as a freelancer, or “stringer”. The claim originates from Carl Robinson, a former AP photo editor in Saigon, who alleges that Horst Faas, the bureau’s chief of photos at the time, ordered him to change credit for the image and “make it Nick Ut” before sending out a picture that would seen by millions within hours.

In the film, Robinson claims that guilt over the misattribution haunted him for years, and he was compelled at the age of 80 to find the discredited “stringer”. “I didn’t want to die before this story came out,” he said during a Q&A following the film’s premiere in Park City. “I wanted to find him and say sorry.” Robinson first contacted the documentary’s lead investigator and narrator, Gary Knight, with the allegation in 2010. A little over a decade later, Knight, cofounder of VII photo agency, and fellow journalists Fiona Turner, Terri Lichstein, and Lê Vân began investigating the claim, leading them to Nghe, who emigrated to the US and now lives in California. An emotional Nghe then confirms that he took the photo. “I worked hard for it, but that guy got to have it all,” he says in the film.

The Stringer posits that Faas, who is described as complicated, dogmatic and imposing, falsely credited Ut because he was the only AP staff photographer on the ground that day, or because he felt guilt over sending Ut’s older brother, Huynh Thanh My, to his death on combat assignment for the AP in 1965. Knight and other film participants suggest that racism also played role. “I don’t think [the AP] would’ve done that to a western photographer,” Knight says in the film. Faas could get away with alleged misattribution because the Vietnamese – particularly non-employees such as Nghe – were “outsiders in their own country. They knew no one would listen to them.”

The Associated Press, which declined to participate the project, disputed the allegations and maintained Ut’s authorship in a lengthy report released days before The Stringer’s premiere. “For the past six months, aware that a film challenging this historical record was in production, the AP has conducted its own painstaking research, which supports the historical account that Ut was the photographer,” the statement reads. “In the absence of new, convincing evidence to the contrary, the AP has no reason to believe anyone other than Ut took the photo.”

The AP asserts that it spoke to seven people on the road in Trảng Bàng or in its Saigon bureau that day who were either not approached by the documentary team or declined to participate due to a requirement that they first sign a non-disclosure agreement. One witness claimed that the documentary team disputed his story and never contacted him again. In a 23-page report, the AP outlined its own research process, including its archive of negatives, oral histories, a visual timeline that “offer[s] little evidence about the provenance of the photo”, eyewitness accounts and the fact that Robinson – described as a “disgruntled” former employee – did not mention the story in his 2019 memoir.

According to the film-makers, Ut did not respond to multiple requests for comment. James Hornstein, an attorney for Ut, told the LA Times that it’s “outrageous that the VII Foundation has provided a platform to a man who clearly has a vendetta that’s been simmering for more than 50 years”.

Hornstein also provided the Times with a statement from Kim Phuc, who does not remember the napalm attack: “I have refused to participate in this outrageous and false attack on Nick Ut raised by Mr. Robinson over the past years … I would never participate in the Gary Knight film because I know it is false.”

The film enlists several witnesses to bolster Nghe’s account that he took the photo and sold it to Faas for $20 and a print: Nghe’s brother, who claims he brought the film to the AP; Nghe’s daughter Jannie; Robinson, who says he felt he had no choice but to go along with the story and experienced great regret; and several of Robinson’s former photojournalist colleagues. The investigators also consult forensic experts with the French NGO Index for their own compelling visual timeline, presented in full to the audience, which finds it “highly unlikely” that Ut took the photo based on the other images AP credited to him that day, and puts Nghe in the right position for the iconic shot.

At the premiere, director Nguyen, Knight and Nghe – a surprise guest, drawing a long, emotional standing ovation – defended the integrity of their investigation and account. “We owed it to everybody to be as diligent as possible and as thorough as possible with the investigation,” said Knight. “Our story is here. It’s here for you all to see, it’s here for AP to see and everybody else.”

“Thank you so much for coming to see the film. I took the photo,” said Nghe through a translator. “I can’t express how I feel after this, I just want to say thank you.”

Nguyen, the self-described emotional custodian to the investigators’ rigor, dedicated the film to his parents, who grew up near the 17th parallel and fled Vietnam during the war, as well as refugees “who have gone to a different country and made a different life, but had stories in the past that have never been shared”.

Nguyen said the the film invites audiences to consider “uncomfortable truths” – a position echoed by Knight. “When there are questions about our own profession, we need to examine ourselves,” he said. “We’re all stronger if we examine ourselves, ask tough questions and are more open and honest about what goes on in our profession.”

Colombia’s Battle for Peace: Struggles and Unyielding Quest Continue

In the shadows of Latin American history, a relentless storm brews — a cocktail of unresolved past traumas and ongoing strife, leaving deep scars in the lives of many. In Colombia, a land once vibrant with verdant landscapes and rich culture, the drums of conflict beat on, displacing over 40,000 souls and echoing the cries for peace amidst violent clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and FARC’s 33rd Front. In the midst of these turbulent waves, there lies the solemn tale of a nation’s struggle with truth and reconciliation.

The conflict, as local reports narrate, unfolds in the fertile grounds of Catatumbo. Here, the ELN’s launch of aggressive attacks for control over the region’s coca leaf trade shatters the fragile peace pact, leaving the cries of the displaced echoing through empty villages. As the dust settles, local authorities grapple with the magnitude — between 60 to 80 lives lost. Yet, the agony extends beyond numbers, as forensic teams strain to bring names to the faces of grief-stricken families, a task fraught with danger and uncertainty.

But Colombia is not alone in this tapestry of tragedy. Paraguay, too, bears its own shadows, with the echoes of Gen. Alfredo Stroessner’s dictatorship still haunting its streets. For many, the search for justice remains an unyielding quest — as evident in the tireless pursuits of Rogelio Goiburu. “Dad trained us on survival,” Goiburu reflected, a testament to his relentless search for his father amidst the political evasions and societal silence that blanket Paraguay’s troubled history. His endeavors, however, face formidable barriers in a land where historical clarity is scarce, and the legacy of dictatorship overshadows truth.

Despite these harsh realities, slivers of hope emerge. In Colombia, former adversaries stand united in their quest to uncover the remnants of a bloody past. Gustavo Arbeláez, once a member of the FARC, now takes a stand with former foes and victims alike, in an effort to bring closure to the families of the disappeared. “None of us decided, from a young age, to become paramilitary leaders,” Arbeláez admits, a poignant recognition of the human condition and the winding paths it often forges. This coalition, sculpted from a shared yearning for peace, works diligently under the banner of Colombia’s Search Unit for Disappeared Persons, navigating the treacherous terrain of a country still reeling from the aftershocks of conflict.

Yet, the road to reconciliation is long and laden with challenges. The peace accord, though pivotal, reveals its limitations — underfunded and in delay, it nudges the nation towards introspection and reevaluation. For those like María Fénix Torres, who has been searching for her twin brothers for almost two decades, the concept of peace is entwined with personal loss. “Every single day, one wonders what happened to them,” she laments, encapsulating the unspeakable heartache of families longing for answers.

In these stories — woven with threads of anguish and resilience — lie the hopes of societies yearning for healing. As history continues to unravel, it becomes ever clearer: the strength of a nation lies in its ability to reckon with its past and forge a path forward with empathy and understanding. The path is fraught with difficulty, but the persistence of these communities, unyielding in their pursuit of truth, may light the way toward a more harmonious future, reminding us all of the enduring power of unity and remembrance.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Reprises ‘Hamilton’ Role, Gets Interrupted by Trump in ‘SNL’ Cold Open: Watch

Lin-Manuel Miranda made a surprise return as Alexander Hamilton during a cameo on Saturday Night Live.

The NBC sketch comedy show’s cold open on Jan. 25 featured Miranda reprising his iconic Hamilton role in a hilarious spoof of the U.S. founding fathers signing the Declaration of Independence.

The nearly seven-minute sketch began with Miranda, dressed in full Hamilton attire, joining his fellow statesmen as he rapped about America’s future.

“What matters is the nation we build,” the Tony winner rapped. “Because in America, all men are created equal. America, not England. We’re doing the sequel. And we will have leaders, but no one thing. In America we will never have a king.”

The Broadway star’s performance was interrupted by SNL cast member James Austin Johnson, who impersonated Donald Trump. Johnson’s Trump took the spotlight, boasting about becoming the 47th president.

“Never say never,” Johnson’s Trump said as Miranda and the other founding fathers froze in place. “Kidding of course, though many ways I’m not. I’m in my king era.”

He continued, “But just like the founding fathers, I am creating a new country as well. And just like them, we’re doing it very whitely. DEI is over. It’s dead. Workplaces must go back to looking like the TV show The Office: mostly white people but with one funny Black guy who is having a really bad time.”

After making a playful jab at Trump’s 18-year-old son Barron, Johnson’s Trump declared his second inauguration a “tremendous success,” saying, “It was inside due to cold and fear. But we had a lot of surprise guests. Like Melania. That was nice.”

The president then took aim at Miranda, teasing him for being “tricked into coming here and now he’s frozen on stage.”

“Oh, look at Lin,” Johnson’s Trump said, mocking Miranda’s stillness. “Look at how bad he wants to do a rap. He wrote a whole rap and he doesn’t get to do it. Oh, the audience would have eaten that up. But we’re not gonna hear it.”

Getting closer to Miranda’s frozen Hamilton, Johnson’s Trump taunted, “He’s in sniffing distance of an EGOT and he’s got to stand there until I’m done.” Miranda finally broke character, cracking a smile as Trump continued, “Lindy, Lindy, Lindy, Lindy. Laura Linney. Lin-Manuel Miranda Cosgrove. There he is.”

Saturday’s episode also featured Timothée Chalamet, star of the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, pulling double duty as both host and musical guest. You can catch recaps of his monologue here and his musical performances here.

Watch SNL’s “Founding Fathers Cold Open” below. For those without cable, the broadcast streams on Peacock, which you can sign up for at the link here. Having a Peacock account also gives fans access to previous SNL episodes.

Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus: A Timeline of Their Alleged Family Feud

The ever outspoken Miley Cyrus has had a few feuds in her day, including with designer Stefano Gabbana, Selena Gomez, and Demi Lovato (reportedly), possibly with Ed Sheeran for, like two seconds, and very publicly with Nicki Minaj. But sadly, for the last decade or so, Cyrus’s tiffs haven’t been the fun, intracelebrity kind but the personal, family kind.

For a quick rundown, Miley is one of five children shared by country star Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus. The couple were married from 1993 to 2022, though they split up at multiple points during that period. According to People, Billy Ray adopted Tish’s eldest children, Trace and Brandi, before welcoming three biological children, Miley, Braison, and Noah Cyrus. (He also shares a son, Christopher, with ex-girlfriend Kristin Luckey.)

Though there have been inklings of tension among the Cyrus family for years, the cracks really began to show around 2023, when Noah and Braison skipped their mom’s wedding to Dominic Purcell (more on that below). However, Billy Ray is currently at the center of the family divide thanks to an emotional plea from his son, Trace.

Here’s a quick timeline of the drama with the most recent developments at the top.

January 25, 2525: Trace claims Billy Ray threatened him with legal action over the emotional Instagram post he shared earlier in the week.

“Dad my message was beyond loving,” Trace began his follow-up post. “I could have been extremely honest about a lot more but i don’t want to put your business out there like that. But for you to threaten me with legal action for wanting you to get help is a disgrace.”

He continued, “Pappy is looking down at you with such disappointment I can assure you. You should be ashamed of yourself. I will always love you but I no longer respect you as a man. Everyone close to you is terrified to tell you how they really feel. I’m not. Get help.”

January 22, 2025: Cyrus sibling Trace Cyrus posts and emotional open letter to his father Billy Ray on Instagram, saying he can “barely recognize” him anymore. This came a few days after Billy Ray’s shaky performance at Donald Trump’s Inauguration prompted fans online to express concern.

“It seems this world has beaten you down and it’s become obvious to everyone but you. You may be upset with me for posting this but I really could care less at this point. Me and the girls have been genuinely worried about you for years but you’ve pushed all of us away,” Trace writes, going on to mention his sister Noah by name.

Trace’s letter continues, “You’re not healthy Dad & everyone is noticing it. Just like I showed up for you at mamaws funeral when you didn’t expect me to I’m still here right now. As I write this with tears in my eyes I hope you realize this message only comes from a place of love and also fear that the world may lose you far too soon. I love you Dad. We haven’t talked in a while but I’m over a year and half clean from alcohol. Guess what? I feel amazing.. I don’t know what you’re struggling with exactly but I think I have a pretty good idea & I’d love to help you if you would open up and receive the help. You know how to reach me. Till that day comes I will continue to pray for you.”

June 12, 2024: During an appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, Miley Cyrus addresses her relationship with both of her parents, and how each of them played a different role in her upbringing.

Letterman began by asking Miley whether she is truly estranged from her father, or if that’s just “how things are played” in the media.

“I think what is so beautiful is that my parents…they served their children,” Miley said, per People. “My parents served us and sacrificed so much for us. Anything we dreamed of, they made possible.”

As for how her father shaped her career and how she handles fame, she said, “I’m grateful for being able to watch him ahead of me. He’s almost given me this map. And there’s a map of what to do and what not to do, and he’s guided me on both.”

“I also inherited the narcissism from my father,” she said elsewhere in the interview, not one to let a sappy moment pass unchecked.

The real praise, however, Miley saved for her mom. “Honestly, my mom is my hero,” she said of Tish, who was also present on the show.

“Without my dad, I know — I mean, not just literally I wouldn’t be sitting in this chair, I wouldn’t exist — but I would not, who I am as a person, it wouldn’t exist. Because my dad, as a creative and as an artist in the way that his brain works, has always made me feel safer in my own mind because we’re very similar in our ideas,” she continued. “So I think a lot of his perspective on reality and on life, I’ve inherited from him, more so than the way that I was raised — which really, my mom raised me.”

June 11, 2024: Billy Ray Cyrus files for divorce from his wife of seven months, the country singer-songwriter Firerose. In court documents obtained by People, Billy Ray cites irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital conduct as the reasons for the split. He also files to have the marriage annulled on the grounds of fraud.

April 27, 2024: Noah posts pictures of herself and her boyfriend at Coachella on Instagram, captioned with the Lana Del Rey lyric, “Dear lord, when I get to heaven, please let me bring my man.”

One person, @realgrandma1341, comments on the post, “Like that guy u and ur mom both have sexy time with?∏ According to a screenshot captured by People, the singer responded, “Hey real grandma, I’m so sorry but will you pleeeeeass just choke on the fattest c-ck. just for a lil bit. great thanks.”

This just keeps getting messier.

March 3, 2024: A source says to People that “Miley had no idea about the drama with Dominic. No idea at all.” The comment comes amid allegations that Miley’s younger sister Noah had a previous relationship with her mother Tish’s new husband, Prison Break actor Dominic Purcell.

“[Miley] confronted her mom about it,” the source claims. “She thinks it’s a strange situation, but she loves her mom and wants her to be happy.”

March 1, 2024: Noah Cyrus makes her first public appearance since the revelation of her alleged previous fling with her mother’s new husband. The singer was spotted out and about at Paris Fashion Week with her fiancé, fashion designer Pinkus, in tow. The pair looked serene as they sat front row at the Vetements Womenswear presentation despite the ongoing drama reportedly playing out within the Cyrus family.

The same day, a source tells People that Noah “was offended” her mother married actor Dominic Purcell after he and the 24-year-old had previously hooked up.

“Noah and Dominic were seeing each other in a friends with benefits way, off and on,” the source claimed. “They stopped seeing each other and then Tish started something up.”

The source goes on to posit that “Tish knew he had been seeing Noah” but “Tish never gave Noah the chance to talk about all of this before they got married.”

February 29, 2024: Us Weekly speaks to a source who claims “Noah and Tish haven’t spoken since the whole thing happened with Dominic” and that “Tish is spiraling out of control and trying to figure out how to diffuse this.” The source also tells the outlet Noah and Dominic dated for “about 8 to 9 months” but were “having issues.”

February 28, 2024: The Daily Mail enters the chat with an anonymous insider claiming “Noah never dated Dominic and they were not together. She is delusional to think otherwise and is trying to create a narrative that will paint her as a victim.”

The insider also addresses Noah’s absence from Tish and Dominic’s wedding in August. “Noah was not invited to Tish’s wedding, and she would not have come even if she was,” the source says. “Tish wanted a peaceful wedding and did not want Noah to create any sort of scene.”

February 27, 2024: An insider claims to Us Weekly that “Noah was [seeing] Dominic when Tish started pursuing him,” and Tish was reportedly aware of this. “The turmoil between Noah and Tish goes far beyond [what people think],” the source said. “Noah is very distraught over Tish stealing Dominic from her.”

February 14, 2024: A source tells Us Weekly that Noah has “always been close with Billy Ray” and her loyalty to her father has “caused a rift between her and Miley.” A second source seemingly confirms this take on the matter, adding to the outlet: “The family dynamics haven’t been the same since the divorce, and now that Tish and Billy Ray are with other people, there’s even more division among them all.”

February 7, 2024: Tish Cyrus-Purcell’s episode of Call Her Daddy airs, and in it she goes into more detail about the ups and downs of life with Billy Ray, and why they broke up and got back together so many times.

“I think I did stay so long out of fear, literal fear of being alone,” she tells host Alex Cooper, according to Us Weekly. “I met [Billy Ray] when I [was] 24. So I, like, grew up…[and] he was such a huge part of that.”

She also reveals that during the pandemic, the pair spent two years living apart, with the country singer in Tennessee while she stayed in Los Angeles. During this time (August 2020) Cyrus-Purcell lost her mother, triggering “one month of a complete psychological breakdown. It was the worst thing…I could not eat. I could not sleep. I could not stop crying…I don’t have my mom and then I don’t have my husband [who’s] been my husband for 30 years.”

With the help of hindsight, and now being in a better marriage, she sees that there was “disrespect” in her marriage to Billy Ray. “Honestly, on both our parts,” the mom of five says. Thankfully, she says, her current situation is much better, and that “there’s not one second” she feels disrespected by her husband.

February 4, 2024: Miley Cyrus wins her first Grammy! And her second Grammy! Yay! In her acceptance speech for record of the year, she thanks family members, including “my mommy, my sister, my love, my main gays because look how good I look,” and even adds, “I don’t think I forgot anyone. But I might have forgotten underwear. Bye!” So…not her dad.

Miley attended the Grammys with her mom, Tish, and her sister Brandi, so that’s who she seems to be thanking, leaving out all the other sibs in addition to her dad. Yes, the kids chose sides and picked teams.

October 11, 2023: Noah Cyrus comments on an interview in which Miley characterizes her as “an emo kid,” writing, “The disrespect in this video.” As many point out, it’s unclear whether Noah is referring to Miley, podcast host Joe Rogan, or both; additionally, the clip is actually from 2020, so Noah’s feelings may have more to do with a current feud than Miley’s specific word choices.

October 10, 2023: Billy Ray marries an Australian musician known as Firerose. None of the kids seems to be there.

August 2023: Following news of her dad’s engagement, fans realize that former Hannah Montana costars Miley and Billy Ray have unfollowed each other on Instagram. That same month, Miley tears up while discussing her father in an emotional TikTok video.

“My dad grew up the opposite of me. I think that’s where me and my dad’s relationship to fame and success is wildly different,” she said of her father. “Him feeling loved by a big audience impacted him emotionally more than it ever could me. When he feels special or important, it’s like healing a childhood wound. And I’ve always been made to feel like a star.

“It makes me emotional,” she adds, beginning to tear up. “And so, I think that’s the difference.”

August 19, 2023: Tish marries her boyfriend, actor Dominic Purcell, in Malibu. Per Tish, the two met when she slid into his Instagram DMs. Miley is a bridesmaid, and Brandi and Trace are in attendance. Noah and Braison are very publicly at Wal-Mart.

April 11, 2022: Tish and Billy Ray announce their divorce. They actually get this divorce.

May 2020: Noah Cyrus, Miley’s younger sister, writes about feeling second best in a song and opens up about growing up in the Hannah Montana star’s shadow. She mostly blames internet hate for the “unbearable” experience of growing up in her family, but it does seem like the genesis of a rift between the sisters.

1993-2013: Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus wed after two years of dating in 1993; 17 years later, in 2010, Billy Ray files for divorce but drops it after a few months. In 2013, Tish files for divorce, but after couples therapy, the pair get back together, per People.

Mel Gibson’s ‘Flight Risk’ is No. 1 at box office, ‘The Brutalist’ expands

NEW YORK (AP) — Critics lambasted it and audiences didn’t grade it much better. But despite the turbulence, Mel Gibson’s “Flight Risk” managed to open No. 1 at the box office with a modest $12 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

On a quiet weekend, even for the typically frigid movie-going month of January, the top spot went to the Lionsgate thriller starring Mark Wahlberg as a pilot flying an Air Marshal (Michelle Dockery) and fugitive (Topher Grace) across Alaska. But it wasn’t a particularly triumphant result for Gibson’s directorial follow-up to 2016’s “Hacksaw Ridge.” Reviews (21% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and audience scores (a “C” CinemaScore) were terrible.

President Donald Trump recently named Gibson a “special ambassador” to Hollywood, along with Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Going into the weekend, Hollywood’s attention was more focused on the Sundance Film Festival and on Thursday’s Oscar nominations, which were twice postponed by the wildfires in the Los Angeles region.

The weekend was also a small test as to whether the once more common Oscar “bump” that can sometimes follow nominations still exists. Most contenders have by now completed the bulk of their theatrical runs and are more likely to see an uptick on VOD or streaming.

But the weekend’s most daring gambit was A24 pushing Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist” a three-and-a-half-hour epic nominated for 10 Academy Awards, into wide release. Though some executives initially greeted “The Brutalist,” which is running with an intermission, as “un-distributable,” Corbet has said, A24 acquired the film out of the Venice Film Festival and it’s managed solid business, collecting $6 million in limited release.

In wide release, it earned $2.9 million — a far from blockbuster sum but the best weekend yet for “The Brutalist.”

The audience was downright miniscule for another best-picture nominee: RaMell Ross’ “Nickel Boys.” Innovatively shot almost entirely in first-person POV, the Amazon MGM Studios release gathered just $340,171 in 540 locations after expanding by 300 theaters.

Coming off one of the lowest Martin Luther King Jr. weekends in years, no new releases made a major impact.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Steven Soderbergh’s “Presence,” a well-reviewed horror film shot from the perspective of a ghost inside a suburban home, debuted with $3.4 million in 1,750 locations. The film, released by Neon and acquired out of last year’s Sundance, was made for just $2 million.

The top spots otherwise went to holdovers. The Walt Disney Co.’s “Mufasa: The Lion King,” in its sixth weekend of release, scored $8.7 million to hold second place. After starting slow, the Barry Jenkins-directed film has amassed $626.7 million globally.

“One of Them Days,” the Keke Palmer and SZA led comedy from Sony Pictures, held well in its second weekend, dropping just 32% with $8 million in ticket sales. In recent years, few comedies have found success on the big screen, but “One of Them Days” has proven an exception.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. “Flight Risk,” $12 million.

2. “Mufasa: The Lion King,” $8.7 million.

3. “One of Them Days,” $8 million.

4. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” $5.5 million.

5. “Moana 2,” $4.3 million.

6. “Presence,” $3.4 million.

7. “Wolf Man,” $3.4 million.

8. “A Complete Unknown,” $3.1 million.

9. “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,” $3 million.

10. “The Brutalist,” $2.9 million.

Trump Steals SNL Spotlight: Declares “Never Say Never” in Comedic Showdown!

In a captivating fusion of historical drama and modern-day satire, “Saturday Night Live” opened its latest episode with a scene that transported viewers back to the birth of American democracy — the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Yet, this ceremonial start was soon transformed into a comedic battlefield where past ideals clashed with contemporary political figures.

The revival of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s iconic portrayal of Alexander Hamilton was a nod to the Broadway sensation that has captured audiences worldwide. Miranda, seamlessly slipping back into the revolutionary character, declared with fervor, “I say our lives matter not if we lose them in the cause of liberty. What matters is the nation we build.” His rhythmic declaration, “In America, we will never have a king,” set the stage for a clever disruption.

Enter James Austin Johnson as President Donald Trump — in a parody both familiar and fresh — who quipped, “Never say never! Kidding, of course, but in many ways I’m not.” The juxtaposition of Hamilton’s fight for freedom and Trump’s contemporary king-like persona highlighted the comedic tension inherent in the sketch.

As the narrative unfolded, the SNL stage became a platform for satirical observations on recent political decisions. Trump’s character humorously commented on his inauguration, referring to it as a “tremendous success” despite the subdued indoor setting. Melania Trump’s attire served as an unlikely point of comparison — her inauguration hat likened to Kung Lao’s in “Mortal Kombat,” adding an amusing cultural twist.

The sketch delved into the more controversial realms of Trump’s policies, with references to his stance on gender identities. Johnson, as Trump, stated, “From now on there will be two genders. One to work and one to cook. We’re done with LGBT.” This bold satire did not shy away from pointing out the implications of such declarations, utilizing humor to critique the societal effects of political decrees.

Meanwhile, another layer of comedy was woven through the presence of Elon Musk — and Johnson’s Trump took a jab, remarking, “To quote some of his children…I do not want him in my life.” This quip underscored the surreal nature of Musk’s influence and presence in political events.

As the skit wound down, the meta-commentary reached a new height with Trump addressing Miranda directly, poking fun at his restrained desire to perform. “Look at Lin,” he said, “Look how bad he wants to do a rap. He wrote a whole rap and he doesn’t get to do it.”

All the while, Miranda’s effort to maintain composure amidst the comedic chaos spoke to the duality of humor and history — a fitting representation of SNL’s enduring ability to entertain while provoking thought.

The episode, hosted by Timothée Chalamet, also explored the actor’s own reflections on the unpredictable nature of success in show business, adding a personal touch to the evening’s themes. Chalamet’s musical interludes, featuring Bob Dylan’s songs, further exemplified SNL’s blending of humor, culture, and music, sustaining its legacy of creative unpredictability.

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘SNL’ Cameo as Alexander Hamilton Interrupted by James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump

‘SNL’ Host Martin Short Welcomed to Five-Timers Club by Tom Hanks, Emma Stone, Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey and More 1 month ago

Tonight’s “Saturday Night Live” cold open had a very special surprise in store for viewers as Lin-Manuel Miranda popped up onscreen behind the “SNL” cast who were dressed in 1700s attire in a scene of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Miranda, dressed in his same costuming from the Broadway smash-hit “Hamilton,” stood up from a corner to rapturous applause, and said, “I say our lives not matter not if we lose it in the cause of liberty. What matters is the nation we built! Because in America all men are created equal!”

“In America,” spit Miranda, “We will never have a king!”

James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump appeared onstage with hands open and a smirk on his face and said, “Never say never! I’m in my king era,” said Johnson.

“Just like my founding fathers, I am creating a new country as well. And just like them, we’re doing it very white-ly. Workplaces must go back to looking like the TV show ‘The Office.’ Mostly white people but with one funny Black guy who’s having a really bad time. We’re bringing back Stanley culture.”

With the 1700s scene frozen behind an animated Johnson as Trump, he said, “Look at Lin. He got tricked into coming here now he’s frozen standing here. Now I’m back at the White House. Everything’s back the way it was.” Johnson as Trump reflected on his son Barron, calling him “my new favorite son,” and commenting on his height and how he smacks his head on everything. He remarked on the inauguration, calling it “a tremendous success.” And said it was inside, “due to cold and fear.”

“We got a lot of surprise guests, like Melania!” says Johnson. That was nice.” He noted the presence of billionaire buddies “Zuck, Bezos, and of course, Elon. We love Elon, but to quote some of his own children, ‘I do not want him in my life.’”

“The say he did the Nazi salute. Not true!” said Johnson. “He simply was creating a new greeting that was a cross between ‘hi’ and ‘hello.’” Johnson as Trump went on to share his views about wanting two genders, “one to work, and one to cook. We’re going back to common sense in regard to gender. No more makeup on men, unless you need it to be president,” he said.

“SNL” also poked fun of Trump’s newly appointed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. “We’re filling my cabinet with some of the best people. They’re all very good except for most of them. How great is Pete Hegseth? He said he’s going to stop drinking if he got the job, and that’s all I needed to hear!”

“Look at Lin. Look how bad he wants to do a rap. The audience would’ve eaten that right up. But we’re not gonna hear it,” said Johnson, pointing at a frozen Miranda. Johnson riffed a little more on the price of eggs, saying, “Who would’ve thought it would’ve been easier to get a cease-fire in Gaza than lower the price of eggs?”

“I want to thank Lin for his generous one-million-dollar donation to my campaign. I know that was him.”

“No, it was not!” shouted Miranda, who then stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Johnson, and the pair shouted those famous words, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”

Timothée Chalamet is tonight’s host and musical guest.