#OscarsSoDiverse?
Oscar is looking to expand his membership. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited 397 potential members, including Billie Eilish, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Ryusuke Hamaguchi. The move comes as other ceremonies, such as the Golden Globes, have come under fire for the lack of diversity within voting bodies. In 2015, the academy was pressured to expand its membership following the #OscarsSoWhite viral trend and has since made an effort to have a more even mix of members. This year, 44 percent of invitees identify as women, 37 percent are from underrepresented ethnic and racial communities, and 50 percent of them are from outside of the United States.
Millie Bobby Brown in 'The Electric State'
Millie Bobby Brown looks to have found a long-term home at Netflix. The Stranger Things star is set to star in the Russo Brothers-directed film The Electric State. The film, based on the illustrated book written by Simon Stalin-Hog, is described as a futuristic sci-fi flick. Shooting is slated to begin in the fall, and eager viewers can expect the film to hit the streaming service by next summer.
Chris Pratt Says No to Religion
If you were wondering, Chris Pratt says is not a very religious man — he has faith, though. In the July/August 2022 cover story for Men's Health, Pratt spoke on an array of topics, including the 2019 rumors that he attended Hillsong Church, which has been linked with anti-LGBTQ sentiments. He has since denied attending the church and said that, "religion has been oppressive as f— for a long time." He also went on to say that he believes everyone should be able to love who they want without judgment.
'Ghostbusters' Sequel Set for 2023
Ghostbusters will be back with another installment of the franchise, set to hit theaters in December 2023. The Jason Reitman-directed Ghostbusters: Afterlife sequel will return to the iconic New York City firehouse featured in the original 1984 film. And just like in Afterlife, the story will follow Carrie Spengler, the granddaughter of original Ghostbuster Egon Spengler.
Spotify Karaoke
Spotify is upping the stakes for your next gathering at home with its new karaoke feature. The sing-along feature has already started rolling out on some accounts and will be available globally over the next few months — and it won't be limited to its premium service. To find out if you have the update, once you've selected a song, scroll to the lyrics section and look for the 'sing' option. If it isn't there, you might need to update the app or wait for your Spotify to give you access.
Chapek's CEO Role Extended
The Walt Disney Company is extending Bob Chapek in the role of CEO for another three years. Chapek has faced pushback from the Disney community since taking over from former company head Bob Iger in 2020. Chapek came under fire earlier this year after the company first stayed silent and then spoke out against Florida's move to restrict teaching or discussion about gender identity and sexual orientation for students in kindergarten through third grade, the state's "Don't Say Gay" law.