Taylor Swift’s deepfake pics to Barbie’s Oscar snub: Hollywood’s newsmakers of the week |

Hollywood’s most explosive headlines from the past week included the unexpected Oscar snub for Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig, the two leading women of 2023’s biggest blockbuster ‘Barbie‘. Another shocker hitting headlines was the unsettling incident involving Taylor Swift and explicit deepfake images, sparking widespread outrage. From Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid going public to major spoilers leaking from MCU sets, here are the newsmakers of the week.
Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie Oscar Snub
As the annual Oscar nominations stirred up discussions across the entertainment industry, one particular snub generated widespread online outrage. The acclaimed summer blockbuster “Barbie,” lauded for its sharp satire on the challenges faced by women in gaining recognition for their talents, witnessed a surprising omission of its female director and lead from the prestigious shortlist.
Notably, the male actor portraying Ken secured a nomination, prompting social media users to draw parallels between the nominations and the film’s storyline. Bestselling novelist Brad Meltzer expressed his frustration, stating, “Nominating Ken but not Barbie is literally the plot of the movie.”
However, despite earning eight nominations, including Best Picture, both Gerwig and star Margot Robbie were notably absent from the director and leading actress categories.

Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper go public with romance
After months of maintaining a low profile, Hollywood A-lister Bradley Cooper and supermodel Gigi Hadid emerged for a romantic day out in London, captivating the paparazzi with their public display of affection. The couple, previously elusive to shutterbugs, were spotted hand in hand during their leisurely stroll through the city.

Reports from ET affirm that Gigi and Bradley’s relationship is thriving, with sources indicating that the couple is enjoying their time together.

Taylor Swift explicit deepfake photos spark outrage
Friday witnessed a wave of outrage from both Taylor Swift fans and politicians as AI-generated explicit deepfake images of the global pop sensation went viral on X and other platforms. One image, viewed a staggering 47 million times on X before its removal, ignited concerns about the rise of easily accessible tools employing generative artificial intelligence.
While deepfake images of celebrities are not a new phenomenon, the explicit targeting of Taylor Swift, the second most-listened-to artist globally on Spotify, has intensified worries about the potential for an uncontrollable influx of toxic content. The development has mobilized Swift’s vast fanbase, raising new questions about the broader implications of such AI manipulations.

Ryan Reynolds announces wrap on ‘Deadpool 3’
Actor Ryan Reynolds took to social media to announce the completion of filming for Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool 3.” The movie, which faced delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, saw Reynolds expressing gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with his “closest pals.” Directed by Shawn Levy and featuring Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, the film is set for release in US theaters on July 26, 2024.

‘Daredevil: Born Again’ begins with Charlie Cox, Elden Henson and Deborah Ann Wool
Excitement surrounds the upcoming Marvel Studios project, “Daredevil: Born Again,” as set photos and videos circulate online, revealing the return of beloved characters Karen Page and Foggy Nelson. Initially not part of the cast, Elden Henson and Deborah Ann Wool reprising their roles was a result of a creative overhaul, breathing new life into the narrative. Fans eagerly await the return of Daredevil with this fresh chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.