"Squid Game"'s Park Sung-hoon Says He 'Really Did Not Want to Offend Anyone' by Playing Transgender Character (Exclusive)

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; No Ju-han/Netflix Park Sung-hoon opened up exclusively to PEOPLE about being a cisgender actor playing the transgender character Cho Hyun-ju onSquid Game The South Korean actor said he "really did not want to offend anyone" by taking on the role and shared what he learned from the experience Squid Gameseason 3 drops June 27 on Netflix Park Sung-hoonis reflecting on his time playing a transgender character onSquid Game. The South Korean actor spoke exclusively to PEOPLE during the show's season 3 premiere in New York City on Wednesday, June 18, about the public perception of him playing Cho Hyun-ju in the dystopian survival thriller series, and what he has learned from the role. InSquid Gameseason 2, Hyun-ju is introduced as a former soldier who was discharged after coming out as a trans woman. She is competing to win money to support her gender-affirming surgery and move to Thailand. And Park, 40, tells PEOPLE he "really did not want to offend anyone" as a cisgender actor playing a transgender character. "I knew that there were worries," he admits. "But when season 2 dropped, the LGBTQ+ community gave me lots of love and support, which I am eternally grateful for." Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. No Ju-han/Netflix Park adds that he's "really looking forward" to fans getting to watch the third and final season, but that the moment is "a little bittersweet" because he doesn't want to "say goodbye to"Squid Game. Hyun-ju — player No. 120 — is returning for season 3, with the story picking up after she and a handful of her fellow competitors attempted an ill-fated revolt, started byLee Jung-jae's Seong Gi-hun, against those running the Squid Game competition. And Park tells PEOPLE he has learned "so much" playing Hyun-ju onSquid Game. "While Hyun-ju is a transgender character, that's just one of her qualities — and she has many, many redeeming qualities," he says. "She's selfless, she cares for others, she has leadership, she's brave," Park continues. "So just as a person playing this character, I learned so much from her." Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty The official trailer for the third and final season ofSquid Gamedebuted during Netflix's live Tudum 2025 event in May. The2-minute clipteased what fate awaits Hyun-ju, Gi-hun and the rest of the players as they finish the game they started — all under the watchful eye of The Front Man/Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun). The PEOPLE Appis now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! "The third and final season ofSquid Gamefollows Gi-hun after losing his best friend in the game and being driven to utter despair by The Front Man, who was hiding his true identity to infiltrate the game," reads a logline for the season. It adds, "Gi-hun persists with his goal to put an end to the game, while the Front Man continues onto his next move and the surviving players' choices will lead to graver consequences with each round." Squid Gameseason 3 drops June 27 on Netflix. Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel
in
June 19, 2025

“Squid Game”'s Park Sung-hoon Says He 'Really Did Not Want to Offend Anyone' by Playing Transgender Character (Exclusive)

"Squid Game"'s Park Sung-hoon Says He 'Really Did Not Want to Offend Anyone' by Playing Transgender Character (Exclusi...
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Miley Cyrus Joins Beyoncé for Live Debut of 'II Most Wanted' During 'Cowboy Carter' Tour in ParisNew Foto - Miley Cyrus Joins Beyoncé for Live Debut of 'II Most Wanted' During 'Cowboy Carter' Tour in Paris

Miley Cyrus became the first official guest performerto take the stage during Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" tour, appearing on Thursday at Paris' Stade de France to give the live debut of their Grammy-winning duet "II Most Wanted." Rumors had been circulating earlier in the day that Cyrus, who was in Paris to perform for Spotify's Billions Club Live, had been spotted soundchecking with Beyoncé, who was gearing up for the first of three performances in France. Cyrus took the stage deep into the set to perform "II Most Wanted" for the first time, in turn becoming the ongoing tour's first guest. More from Variety Miley Cyrus, Billy Idol Films Lead Live Nation's Big Look at Tribeca Festival Taylor Swift's 'Reputation' Reenters Top 5 of Billboard Album Chart After She Buys Rights to Original Albums Miley Cyrus Pressured to Sing at 'Something Beautiful' Premiere by Disgruntled Fans Who 'Thought This Was a Concert': 'We Paid $800' "II Most Wanted" was included on Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter," which released in March 2024. The song was released as the third single from the set, continuing on to win the Grammy for best country duo/group performance. Cyrus previously discussed that she had initially written the song roughly two-and-a-half years before it ended up on "Cowboy Carter." "When Beyoncé reached out to me about music, I thought of it right away because it really encompasses our relationship," she toldW magazine. "I told her, 'We don't have to get country; we are country. We've been country.' I said, 'You know, between you being from Texas and me being from Tennessee, so much of us is going to be in this song.' Getting to write a song, not just sing, for Beyoncé was a dream come true." Beyoncé is just past the halfway mark of her "Cowboy Carter" world tour, having previously touched down in Los Angeles, Chicago, New Jersey and London. After she wraps in Paris on June 22, she's heading back to the United States for shows in her native Houston, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Las Vegas, where she'll conclude the trek on July 26. Miley Cyrus channels Beyoncé as she joins her on stage to perform 'II MOST WANTED' in Paris.pic.twitter.com/xckbhpVJjp — Pop Base (@PopBase)June 19, 2025 Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byLiam Oneel
in
June 19, 2025

Miley Cyrus Joins Beyoncé for Live Debut of ‘II Most Wanted’ During ‘Cowboy Carter’ Tour in Paris

Miley Cyrus Joins Beyoncé for Live Debut of 'II Most Wanted' During 'Cowboy Carter' Tour in Paris Miley Cyrus became the fir...
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Yankees snap six-game losing streak with 7-3 win over AngelsNew Foto - Yankees snap six-game losing streak with 7-3 win over Angels

The New York Yankees snapped a six-game losing streak witha 7-3 victoryover the Los Angeles Angels at home on Thursday. A three-run second inning allowed the Bronx Bombers to establish a 4-2 lead early in the game. The Angels drew closer in the sixth, but New York sealed their victory with a run in the seventh and two more in the eighth. Paul Goldschmidt and Trent Grisham each recorded two runs and two hits, including a home run for each. Aaron Judge, Jasson Domínguez and DJ LeMahieu also scored in the victory. The Yankees six-game losing streak has been snapped!pic.twitter.com/0jyY2PD7Ki — FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX)June 19, 2025 The win came after the reigning AL champions lost three straight to the Boston Red Sox and the previous three games in this series against the Angels. The Yankees will look to continue their new momentum when they face the Baltimore Orioles beginning Friday. For three games during the skid, the Yankees failed to score a single run, losing 2-0 to Boston, 1-0 to Los Angeles and 4-0 again to the Angels. On Wednesday, the Yankees showed signs of life despite losing 3-2 to their visitors from out west. "It's great to win," Yankees managerAaron Boone saidpostgame Thursday. "Really, there's no panic or anything in that room. We understand, we go through it. "It's been an adverse week for us," he added. "A week in which we're pitching very well, doing a lot of things well, we made some mistakes along the way [and] broke out a little bit more these last few days, but definitely good to salvage one and shake hands in the end. Hopefully, we get it going." After Wednesday's game,Judge insistedthat the team was doing everything it could. "That's baseball," he said. "You're going to hit a little rut like this, but you can't give up. "Guys are pitching, they're doing their job," he added. "Sometimes we're faltering on doing our job. But it's tough to say. I think it just comes down to us not executing, us not doing our job. Maybe a little passive in certain situations. But all we can do is show up tomorrow ready to go." The victory moves the Yankees to 43-31, still in first in the AL East.

byLiam Oneel
in
June 19, 2025

Yankees snap six-game losing streak with 7-3 win over Angels

Yankees snap six-game losing streak with 7-3 win over Angels The New York Yankees snapped a six-game losing streak witha 7-3 victoryover the...
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Petra Kvitová, 2-Time Wimbledon Champ, Announces Plans to Retire: 'I Am So Grateful'New Foto - Petra Kvitová, 2-Time Wimbledon Champ, Announces Plans to Retire: 'I Am So Grateful'

Maja Hitij/Getty Two-time Wimbledon Championship winner Petra Kvitová announced that after 19 years of playing, she will retire at the close of the 2025 season The Czech tennis player, 35, made her announcement on Instagram Thursday, June 19 Kvitová said she intends to finish her "active playing career" at the U.S. Open in August Former world No. 2Petra Kvitováis retiring. The professional Czech tennis player, 35, announced on Instagram Thursday, June 18, that she is retiring from the game after 19 years. "Growing up in my hometown of Fulnek and hitting the first tennis balls with my father on the local courts, I never imagined becoming a professional tennis player, being able to travel the world, and playing in the most beautiful stadiums around the world," the two-time Wimbledon champion captioned an Instagram post of her holding the Venus Rosewater Dish in 2014. "And sure enough…somehow all of that became a reality, and so much more," Kvitová continued. Throughout her nearly two-decade professional tennis career, Kvitová has won two Wimbledon Championships, in 2011 and 2014, and six Billie Jean King Cup trophies, which is the world's largest annual international women's tennis team competition. Achieving this feat ranked Kvitová as No. 2 in the world. "I have accomplished more than I could have ever imagined and I am so grateful to everything that tennis has given me all these years," Kvitová continued in the social media post. The lessons Kvitová has learned reach far beyond the court or even the gym, she wrote. "I would never be whom I am today without this beautiful sport, and everything it has given me both on and off the court." With that, Kvitová announced that at the end of the 2025 tennis season she will no longer play professionally. "I am excited and very much looking forward to soak in the beauty of playing The Championships, Wimbledon one more time, a place that holds the most cherished memories in my career for me,"  Kvitová wrote of her last season. Kvitová plans to end her career on a high note by playing at the U.S. Open in New York, beginning August 24 - September 7. "While no such decision is ever easy to make, for me this is a happy moment! I will leave the sport with the biggest smile on my face - the same smile you've seen from me on and off court throughout my whole career," Kvitová wrote. Kvitová thanked her friends, family and coaches who have supported her throughout her tennis career. "Tennis has given me everything I have today, and I will continue to be forever grateful to this beautiful sport that I love," Kvitová concluded. Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel
in
June 19, 2025

Petra Kvitová, 2-Time Wimbledon Champ, Announces Plans to Retire: ‘I Am So Grateful’

Petra Kvitová, 2-Time Wimbledon Champ, Announces Plans to Retire: 'I Am So Grateful' Maja Hitij/Getty Two-time Wimbledon Championshi...
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Bobby Flay pays tribute to Food Network's Anne Burrell: 'Unforgettable'New Foto - Bobby Flay pays tribute to Food Network's Anne Burrell: 'Unforgettable'

Bobby Flayis breaking his silence on the death of friendAnne Burrell. The legendary chef and Food Network personality paid a heartfelt tribute to his colleague Burrell, 55, whodied June 17. The "Worst Cooks in America" host's sudden death hasshocked her fans, colleagues and celebrity admirersalike. "'Worst Cooks in America'was the funnest show on TV. All of your co-hosts (me included) were just alongside for the Anne Burrell ride,' Flay wrote in hisInstagram storyover a picture of Burrell with two large Maine Coon cats. "The greatest gift I got from AB was turning me on to a world of Maine Coon Cats (including Nacho)... a gift that I'll have forever." Flay closed out the post with the hashtag "#unforgettable." Burrell, known for her buoyant personality on numerous Food Network appearances, including as host of "Worst Cooks," died on June 17 at her home in New York, the Food Network confirmed. A cause of death was not revealed in the press release and has not been announced by authorities. "A beautiful soul"Anne Burrell remembered by Gigi Hadid, Food Network colleagues "Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent — teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring," a Food Network spokesperson said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with Anne's family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss." The New York-bred chef made her Food Network debut in 2005 on the cutthroat competition series "Iron Chef America," serving as a sous chef for Iron ChefMario Batali. She also hosted the show "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" from 2008-12. She has been the face of "Worst Cooks" since 2010. In addition to the post from Flay,tributes have pouredin since the news of Burrell's death broke. Tyler Florence, who co-starred with Burrell on "Worst Cooks,"said he was"heartbroken," recalling her "razor wit and sincere kindness" and noting that she "lit up the room." Fellow Food Network starCarla Hallsaid on Instagramthat she "absolutely loved" working with Burrell, describing her as a "fierce" chef and instructor and remembering her "unforgettable big smile." Hall added, "Anne, you brought so much heart and heat to every kitchen. You. Will. Be. Missed." Contributing: Brendan Morrow, Edward Segarra This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Anne Burrell's death: Bobby Flay pays sweet tribute

byLiam Oneel
in
June 19, 2025

Bobby Flay pays tribute to Food Network's Anne Burrell: 'Unforgettable'

Bobby Flay pays tribute to Food Network's Anne Burrell: 'Unforgettable' Bobby Flayis breaking his silence on the death of friend...
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Gigi Hadid shares rare photos of daughter in spring Instagram postNew Foto - Gigi Hadid shares rare photos of daughter in spring Instagram post

Ahead ofsummer solsticeon June 20,Gigi Hadidis reflecting on her springtime highlights withdaughter Khai. "Thru spring," the supermodel, 30, captioned a series ofInstagram photoson Wednesday, June 18. The photos, which hide the four-year-old toddler's face, featured memories from Central Park in New York, a touching shot of the pair holding hands at home and a photo of Khai's hand-drawn "breakfast menu." Khai is also following in her mother's fashionista footsteps with her own stylish ensembles. In one photo, she pairs white and light pink pants with hot pink boots, in another, she adorns a pink, cherry-printed coat with bold leggings, always keeping her hair in two long braids. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) Hadid previously opened up about her love of motherhood in an Instagram post in May 2023. "I ❤️ MOM LIFE ! Respect and love to all the mamas out there (and) hope (you) had the best day being celebrated yesterday," Hadidwrote the day after Mother's Day. "What a gift (and) roller coaster it is to raise a (little) human🌞 Mine is the greatest joy and love of my life! ❤️‍🔥" Hadid shares her daughter withsinger-songwriter and One Direction alum Zayn Malik. Hadid also made waves on Instagram in May 2025 when she rang in her 30s withBradley Cooper. On May 3, the modelshared a series of photoson Instagram from her 30th birthday celebrations, one of which showed her sharing a kiss with the Oscar-nominated "Maestro" and "A Star Is Born" actor. In the snapshot, Hadid and Cooper, 50, embrace in front of a birthday cake, making their relationship Instagram official. "I feel so lucky to be 30!" Hadid, whose birthday was April 23, wrote in the Instagram caption. "I feel so lucky for every high and low − for all the lessons and gifts both have brought me. To get to feel it all! I'm so lucky to be a mom, friend, partner, sister, daughter, colleague to some of the most unbelievable humans!!" Contributing: Edward Segarra, Brendan Morrow This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Gigi Hadid shares rare photos of daughter Khai

byLiam Oneel
in
June 19, 2025

Gigi Hadid shares rare photos of daughter in spring Instagram post

Gigi Hadid shares rare photos of daughter in spring Instagram post Ahead ofsummer solsticeon June 20,Gigi Hadidis reflecting on her springti...
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Dodgers block ICE agents from entering stadium in Los Angeles, team saysNew Foto - Dodgers block ICE agents from entering stadium in Los Angeles, team says

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday blocked federal immigration agents from entering their stadium as dozens of ICE protesters gathered outside the venue, the team said. The baseball organizationsaid on social mediathat federal agents working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrived at the stadium Thursday and "requested permission to access the parking lots." "They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization," the Dodgers said, adding that their evening game against the San Diego Padres will go on at the stadium as scheduled. ICE responded to the Dodgerson social media: "False. We were never there." Demonstrators outside the stadium's gates were seen holding signs and chanting "ICE out of L.A." and "ICE go home" as several dark SUVs stood on the opposite side of the road. Some federal agents appeared to be wearing Homeland Security uniforms. "This had nothing to do with the Dodgers," Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told NBC News in an email. According to McLaughlin, Customs and Border Protection vehicles "were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement." The federal agents who showed up were turned away from entering the stadium gates, two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News. It was not immediately clear whether or how their presence was connected to immigration operations reported around the city Thursday, the sources said. A spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom said the agents' presence at Dodger Stadium was intended to contribute to unease over the immigration raids. "This is another example of the federal administration doing everything in their power to strike fear and hurt hard-working families," the governor's deputy director of communications, Diana Crofts-Pelayo, said. Eunisses Hernandez, a Los Angeles City Council member,told NBC Newsshe got calls early in the morning that "federal agents were staging here at the entrance of Dodgers Stadium. We got pictures of dozens of vehicles and dozens of agents." She said residents asked her to come "check things out because this is Dodgers property right here and what's happening is outrageous." Los Angeles police were called, Hernandez said. They arrived in tactical gear around 11:30 a.m. and started moving protesters out of the way. "People are out here because they don't want to see their families torn apart. They don't want to see more workers taken from their jobs," Hernandez said at the site of the protest. Sources said the Dodgers have cooperated with law enforcement in the past, letting them use parking lots around the stadium for staging purposes. "Businesses and corporations have the power to say, 'Not on my property,' so we're waiting to see that movement happen here,"Hernandez told NBC Los Angeles. As anti-ICE demonstrations raged across Los Angeles this month, many residents have called on the Dodgers to support immigrant communities. The criticism comes as Dodgers ownerMark Walter bought another renowned Los Angeles sports team, the Lakers. The Dodgers, the defending World Series champions,reportedly have plansto announce a sweeping initiative to assist immigrant communities affected by recent ICE raids. For Thursday's Juneteenth holiday, the team plans a celebration of Black Heritage Night as it faces an opportunity to sweep the Padres in four games, with play scheduled for 7:10 p.m. One of L.A.'s star players, Kike Hernández,released a statement this weekto show his support. "I am saddened and infuriated by what's happening in our country and our city," the statement reads. "I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused, and ripped apart. All people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and human rights." Jacob Soboroff and AndrewBlankstein reportedfrom Los Angeles and Nicole Acevedo from New York.

byLiam Oneel
in
June 19, 2025

Dodgers block ICE agents from entering stadium in Los Angeles, team says

Dodgers block ICE agents from entering stadium in Los Angeles, team says LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday blocked federal i...
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Nationals stop 11-game skid as Wood hits second 2-run homer in 11th for 4-3 win over RockiesNew Foto - Nationals stop 11-game skid as Wood hits second 2-run homer in 11th for 4-3 win over Rockies

WASHINGTON (AP) — James Wood hit a pair of two-run homers, including a game-winning shot in the 11th inning, and the Washington Nationals snapped their 11-game losing streak Thursday with a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies. With one out and automatic runner Riley Adams on third, Wood drove a 1-0 pitch from Seth Halvorsen (1-2) to center field for his 20th home run — giving the Nationals only their third win in 17 games this month. It was the fourth multihomer game for the second-year outfielder. He did it twice last September and finished with nine homers as a rookie. CJ Abrams singled leading off the fourth against Rockies rookie starter Chase Dollander, and Wood homered to center for a 2-0 lead. Colorado tied it 2-all in the fifth against starter Trevor Williams. Orlando Arcia singled with one out and was awarded third base after second baseman Luis García Jr. caught a liner for the second out but bounced a throw off Arcia and out of play trying to catch him off first base. Jordan Beck doubled in a run and Mickey Moniak added an RBI single. Ryan McMahon singled and went to third on a double by Brenton Doyle to chase Williams with one out in the sixth. Cole Henry got the final two outs of the inning to keep the score tied. Williams allowed two runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. Ryan Loutos (1-0) gave up a go-ahead single to Michael Toglia in the 11th before retiring the next three batters for his first career win. Dollander permitted two runs and six hits in six innings. Key moment Henry came in with one out and runners on second and third in the sixth and struck out both Sam Hilliard and Arcia swinging to keep it tied. Key stat Eight of Colorado's 17 wins have come this month. Up next The Nationals hadn't announced a starter for Friday's series opener in Los Angeles against the Dodgers and LHP Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 3.25 ERA). LHP Austin Gomber will make his second start of the season for Colorado in Friday's opener against the visiting Diamondbacks. Gomber gave up two hits in five shutout innings at Atlanta his first time out. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byLiam Oneel
in
June 19, 2025

Nationals stop 11-game skid as Wood hits second 2-run homer in 11th for 4-3 win over Rockies

Nationals stop 11-game skid as Wood hits second 2-run homer in 11th for 4-3 win over Rockies WASHINGTON (AP) — James Wood hit a pair of two-...
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"Squid Game" Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk Teases 'Possibility' of a Spinoff Ahead of Final Season

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; No Ju-han/Netflix Squid Gamecreator Hwang Dong-hyuk told PEOPLE there's a "possibility" for a spinoff of the hit Netflix series While he said there are no additional details at the moment for "when and how" it happens, he said "there is a chance" Squid Gamereturns for its third and final season on June 27 TheSquid Gameuniverse could be expanding. Hwang Dong-hyuk— the South Korean creator and writer-director of the hit Netflix series — spoke to PEOPLE exclusively at the season 3 premiere on Wednesday, June 18, at The Plaza Hotel in New York City, where he teased that there's "possibility" of a spinoff. "I cannot just tell right now when and how it's going to happen," he said. "But there is a chance." No Ju-han/Netflix Season 3 is set to pick up right where the previous season left off, with Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) — a.k.a. Player 456 — licking his wounds after he and some of his fellow contestants attempted an ill-fated rebellion against those running the Squid Game competition. The story left offwith the players' revolt failing, Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun) revealing himself as The Front Man and the murder of Park Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan) right in front of Gi-hun. "The third and final season ofSquid Gamefollows Gi-hun after losing his best friend in the game and being driven to utter despair by The Front Man, who was hiding his true identity to infiltrate the game," the official season 3 synopsis reads. The synopsis continues, "Gi-hun persists with his goal to put an end to the game, while the Front Man continues onto his next move and the surviving players' choices will lead to graver consequences with each round." No Ju-han/Netflix "Why didn't you kill me? Why did you keep me alive? Why did you let me live?" Gi-hun screams in theclipas he's restrained. We also see the surviving players forced to finish out the Squid Game — including a twisted and deadly round of jump rope — that they were participating in before the rebellion. The trailer ends with Gi-hun being escorted to the control room to come face to face with The Front Man once again. "Player 456, do you still have faith in people?" The Front Man asks Gi-hun as it comes to a close. Squid Gameseason 3 streams June 27 on Netflix. Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel
in
June 19, 2025

“Squid Game” Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk Teases 'Possibility' of a Spinoff Ahead of Final Season

"Squid Game" Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk Teases 'Possibility' of a Spinoff Ahead of Final Season Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; No Ju-...
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Fuerza Regida's Hollywood Bowl Concert Debut 'Must Go On' as ICE Raids Continue in L.A.: 'We Don't Want to Disappoint' and 'We're Here to Help'New Foto - Fuerza Regida's Hollywood Bowl Concert Debut 'Must Go On' as ICE Raids Continue in L.A.: 'We Don't Want to Disappoint' and 'We're Here to Help'

For the first time in history, two Spanish-language albumstoppedthe albums chart in the United States last month. Not unusually,Bad Bunnyclaimed the No. 1 spot. But making an impressive showing at No. 2 was "111Xpantia," the ninth album by Fuerza Regida — a five-member regional Mexican band with deep roots in San Bernardino, Calif. With a population of nearly 70% Latinos, San Bernardino is where Fuerza Regida earned its wings, performing at parties and events starting in 2017 until they became local and then national celebrities. With a fierce loyalty to his homebase, frontman Jesús Ortiz Paz, 28, recently opened headquarters in the city for his indie label Street Mob Records, which develops and signs songwriters, producers and artists. In a new partnership with Warner Music Latina, the artist incubator is home to risingmúsica mexicanaacts from Clave Especial to Calle 24. More from Variety Bad Bunny and Fuerza Regida Make Chart History as Spanish-Language Albums Claim Top Spots Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera Release Joint 'Mala Mía' EP Fuerza Regida Plots Arena Run With U.S. 'Pero No Te Enamores' Tour (EXCLUSIVE) To celebrate these successes, the band took an intentional break from touring this year and announced just two concerts at iconic venues — Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Bowl — in New York and Los Angeles, respectively. But at the height of themúsica mexicanamovement (the genre experiencednotable growth in revenuein the U.S. starting 2023), and with Fuerza Regida at the forefront, the Trump administration continues to crack down on deporting undocumented immigrants across cities with largely Latino populations. Some have expressed concern that Fuerza Regida's Hollywood Bowl show on June 21 in Los Angeles could be a potential target, with consideration that their fanbase is largely Mexican. "It's a fucked up situation but we're here to help," Paz tellsVariety. "We don't want to disappoint nobody, and I know a lot of people bought their tickets and are looking forward to being with a community. That's why we're still going forward with [the Hollywood Bowl concert] — the show must go on." In recent weeks, the band responded to the growing number ofaggressive ICE arrests in workplacesacross Los Angeles and New York City by donating to organizations like the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, which covers legal fees for impacted individuals. The money is coming from exclusive limited-edition sales of hats and a merchandise collaboration with comedian and internet personality Druski. In addition to immigration enforcement, the Trump administration has also revoked work visas for such regional acts as Los Alegres del Barranco, and stadium acts Julión Álvarez and Grupo Firme. Christopher Landau,the Deputy Secretary of State, accused Los Alegres of "glorifying a drug kingpin" during a concert in Mexico. Paz says his band is not involved nor do they promote this kind of violence with their music, however, their lyrics have made references to cartels in the past. "Music is like a movie," Paz says. "Just like any other genre, corridos have a deep history and there's different kinds of them — they're not all bad. Am I going to continue singing them? Yes, of course. It's a part of us. Everything we do in our music is for the people. Generally, I do what I want, but what I want is to listen to my people." For the "111XPantía" shows, the group will perform the 12-song album in its entirety, in addition to some of their biggest hits. Paz admits the size of the shows, and the decision to do them back-to-back, was a risk ("New York is typically a tough market for Mexican acts," he notes) that grew riskier following the changes in political climate, "but we're really happy about the shows, and all we feel is pride." Their 12-song set includes dips in other genres, incorporating new elements like the banjo on "Peliculiando," and samples that range from Ellie Goulding's "Don't Say a Word" on "Tu Sancho," to John Williams' "Love Waltz" from Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" on the aptly-titled "Godfather." "We've been doing this for so many years now, and so our studio sessions move a lot faster," he says. "I like to go by the 80/20 rule — 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. My team works with me, I put in 20% in a lot of different places and they easily bring the 80% and that allows me the [flexibility] to do and try a lot." On the ethos of Street Mob Records, Paz hopes to share what he's learned from "being in a lot of bad situations, and a lot of good situations" to his signees. "We're working hard to make this the best and biggest team we can," he says. "I want everyone who wants to learn about music and this lifestyle to have the best opportunity with us. It's all about building the structures out, and just trusting in the vision. We're doing superstar things." Fuerza Regida will make their debuts in New York's Madison Square Garden on June 20, and L.A's Hollywood Bowl on June 21. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byLiam Oneel
in
June 19, 2025

Fuerza Regida’s Hollywood Bowl Concert Debut ‘Must Go On’ as ICE Raids Continue in L.A.: ‘We Don’t Want to Disappoint’ and ‘We’re Here to Help’

Fuerza Regida's Hollywood Bowl Concert Debut 'Must Go On' as ICE Raids Continue in L.A.: 'We Don't Want to Disappoint...
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