If one were to recognize Katy O’Brian from The Mandalorian in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, one might assume they used a CG body double.
In the former, she plays a literally and figuratively buttoned-up Imperial officer, while in the latter, she plays Jentarra, a warrior woman freedom fighter from the Quantum Realm. However, those are muscles, not pixels; O’Brian is a martial artist and bodybuilder when she’s not playing in two of Disney’s biggest properties.
She tells ABC Audio she owes the latter role to director Peyton Reed, who called the shots on “The Rescue,” the Mando season 2 finale that famously brought Luke Skywalker back into the fold.
“I think I performed worse in front of him than I ever have in my entire career, and he brought me into this movie for some reason,” she said self-deprecatingly about that Mandalorian finale. “I was like, ‘Why would he hire me again?’ But he did, and I’m really thankful for that.” She added with a laugh, “He’s just like…such a great, great guy. I would work on any project with him.”
As for Jentorra, O’Brian says she’s “so ready” for people to dress up like her Ant-Man character. “…[A] couple of people on set brought up that, you know, like, ‘Oh, my daughter is going to want to cosplay Jentorra, you know…And I’m like, ‘That’s going to be so cute,'” she said. “I know they’re going to be like…you know, adults and stuff like that, which is great. I love it. I love cosplay. I think it’s amazing what people can do, but like little kids — Are you kidding me?! It’s so cute!”
Both Marvel Studios and Star Wars are owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.
(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) — Five people were killed in a twin-engine plane crash in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Wednesday, officials said.
The twin-engine Beech BE20 crashed in a wooded area after taking off from Little Rock’s Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport. It was en route to John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Ohio, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
Five people were on board, according to the FAA, and Little Rock police said there were no survivors.
A Little Rock police spokesperson said, “We had a bad storm front move in at that time. I don’t know if the two are related, but the winds were bad, the rain was bad for a few minutes.”
Pink revealed she once feared she’d be a terrible mom and opened up about how rewarding it’s been to have started a family.
“When I had kids, people said, ‘Your career’s going to be over. How are you going to tour?'” she recalled to People for their latest cover story.
The singer continued, “I did not know I was going to have a family. I didn’t picture that for myself because I was terrified I would be a terrible mother… But, oh my God, being a mom is the most incredible thing I’ve ever done. It’s shocking how responsible I’ve become.”
Pink shares two children with husband Carey Hart: 11-year-old Willow and 6-year-old Jameson. She admits that balancing her work and family is hitting a few bumps now that her kids are getting older.
She revealed that her tour schedule conflicts with one of Willow’s productions and that led to “this really teary conversation about what I do and that it’s hard as a mom, and that’s why not a lot of moms do it.”
“I want to be the best I can be at everything, and it’s never good enough; it’s f***ing impossible,” she added. “But I love being a mom, I love music, and I’m dumb lucky I get to do all of these things. I count my blessings every single day.”
In other Pink news, the singer announced she added seven more dates to her upcoming tour, with new shows added in San Francisco, Tacoma, Kansas City, Montreal, New York City and Orlando. The North American trek is in support of Pink’s newly released album, TRUSTFALL.
(NEW YORK) — A pilot program that involved nearly 3,000 employees testing out a four-day workweek is giving new hope to those seeking to change the way people work.
Over 90% of the employees and 61 companies that took part in the pilot program supported keeping a four-day workweek, according to the program’s findings, which were published this month.
Companies also reported that both revenue and the retention rate of employees increased with the four-day workweek model, while a majority of employees said the model reduced burnout.
Around 15% of employees who took part in the pilot program reported that no amount of money could get them to accept returning to a five-day workweek, according to the findings.
The six-month pilot program, billed as the “world’s largest four-day working week trial to date,” took place in the United Kingdom.
It was organized by an advocacy group, 4 Day Week Global, that worked in collaboration with researchers at Boston College and the University of Cambridge.
Each company was allowed to design their own four-day workweek model, from taking Fridays off to working in more staggered schedules, according to 4 Day Week Global.
The group reported that the “most extensive benefits” of the four-day workweek pilot were seen in the mental and physical health of employees.
Employees reported less stress, less burnout and decreased levels of anxiety, fatigue and insomnia, while also reporting increased satisfaction with their relationships, finances and time management, according to the report.
The findings come on the heels of a Gallup survey released late last year that found 4 out of 10 workers in the United States reported their job had either a somewhat negative or extremely negative impact on their mental health.
Overall, the Gallup survey found almost 1 in 5 workers reported that their mental health was poor or fair, the two lowest ratings on the survey.
The four-day workweek pilot program’s findings also come as employees in the U.S. have experienced more flexibility than usual during the past three years of the coronavirus pandemic. Many companies now allow their employees to work fully remote or hybrid schedules, while others have already or are in the process of requiring employees to return to the office full-time.
What the findings of the U.K. pilot program on a four-day workweek could mean for workers in the U.S. remains to be seen, according to ABC News chief business, technology and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis.
“The issue is culture, and you really have to change the culture of the overall work week in order to make these changes,” said Jarvis. “A lot of companies are very set in their ways. We saw big changes in the pandemic. There’s a chance they will go that way.”
A report released in November by consulting firm Ernst & Young LLP found that 40% of the U.S.-based companies it surveyed for its annual EY Future Workplace Index are either implementing a four-day workweek or have already begun using one.
The survey also found that 64% of executives surveyed said they believe “flexible working options motivate employees.”
Jarvis said the motivation employees feel could be what begins to shift the tide towards more companies experimenting with a four-day workweek.
“It really does feel like a bonus, and that’s the thing,” she said. “If you decide you’re going to work harder because you feel good, that’s a win for employers, so it is something they’re thinking about.”
For employees who want to ask for more flexibility in their current schedule, Jarvis said the first step is making sure your work stands out.
“You have to be a winner on the team and be a really good contributor to your overall work environment,” Jarvis said. “Talk to your boss about flexibility, see how you can incorporate it into your schedule. But go in after a big win. That’s your best time.”
(WASHINGTON) — Ivanka Trump, the daughter of former President Donald Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner have been subpoenaed by special counsel Jack Smith, ABC News has learned.
The subpoena for the couple is specifically related to the special counsel’s probe of Jan. 6 and the activities leading up to that day by the former president and his allies regarding efforts to overturn the election, sources told ABC News.
A spokesperson for Trump and Kushner did not respond to ABC News.
The news was first reported by The New York Times.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
(LOS ANGELES) — The Southern Baptist Church Executive Committee announced it will oust five churches for having female pastors, including one of the largest churches in the convention, California’s Saddleback Church, according to the church’s news service, Baptist Press.
After Saddleback Church’s founding pastor, Rick Warren, retired last year, the megachurch hired Andy Wood and his wife Stacie Wood to head the church, according to the church’s website.
The convention deemed Saddleback Church as “not in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention,” it said in a Facebook post.
The convention cited Stacie Wood’s role as a teaching pastor of the church as the reason for the ousting, stating that the Baptist Faith and Message says only men can members of the office of the pastor, according to Baptist Press.
“As stated in the Baptist Faith and Message Article VI, the SBC holds to the belief that the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture. These churches have been valued, cooperating churches for many years, and this decision was not made lightly. However, we remain committed to upholding the theological convictions of the SBC and maintaining unity among its cooperating churches,” executive committee chairman Jared Wellman said in a statement to ABC News.
The other churches ousted for having female pastors were New Faith Mission Ministry in Griffin, Georgia; St. Timothy’s Christian Church in Baltimore; Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi; and Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, according to Baptist Press.
A sixth church was also ousted for failing to cooperate with the credentials committee regarding a sexual abuse allegation against its senior pastor, according to Baptist Press.
All six churches will have the opportunity to appeal the decision in June at the SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Fern Creek said it would appeal the decision, according to Baptist Press.
The Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention was formed in 1917. It is made up of 86 representatives chosen from qualified states and regions.
Saddleback Church did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
Lizzo stars in a new episode of Sesame Street. In a preview, Cookie Monster foils her plans of adding the world’s only functional cookie flute to her collection.
The promo sees Elmo giving Lizzo the impressive-looking instrument, which he says is the only one in all of Sesame Street. Lizzo remarks, “I played a lot of instruments, but I’ve never played a cookie before!”
She then performs a few notes, which attracts the attention of Cookie Monster, who asks if he could also play the instrument. Lizzo hands it to him and notes, “I didn’t know you played the flute.”
“Me don’t,” Cookie Monster replies and shoves the flute into his mouth, all while making his signature “om nom nom” sounds as he chews.
“That was the one and only cookie flute,” the singer exclaims. She then finds out the blue monster is fully aware he ate a one-of-a-kind treasure.
“Me know,” he grunts. “How could me not eat it? What an honor!” He then reveals that although the flute may be gone, he can now play his throat like the musical instrument. His playing earns Lizzo’s seal of approval.
“The one and only cookie flute for the one and only, @lizzo! Your furry friends love you!” Sesame Street teased on Twitter.
Lizzo also shared a cute video of her giving Elmo some balsamic vinegar, a play on the popular meme where the red monster struggles to pronounce the word. “Guess what isn’t a big word for @elmo anymore…..?!” she wrote.
Lizzo’s long-awaited appearance calls back to her adorable Twitter exchange with Cookie Monster back in 2019, when he parodied her song “Truth Hurts” by tweeting, “Me just took a DNA test turns out me 100% cookies…”
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea is hosting a new podcast.
According to Rolling Stone, the upcoming series is titled This Little Light and will premiere March 30. Over its 15-episode run, Flea will be talking with guests including Patti Smith, producer Rick Rubin, actor and musician Cynthia Erivo and bass virtuoso Thundercat about how music factored into their early lives.
“I wanted to do This Little Light to benefit my music school, the Silverlake Conservatory of Music,” Flea says. “The idea behind it being music education, falling in love with music and embarking on a musical journey for your life. Everybody’s path is so different, and it’s fascinating to learn how every musician came to music and developed their study of it over time.”
In addition to hearing Flea on the podcast platform of your choice, you can also see him live on RHCP’s upcoming U.S. tour, launching in April. The group will be supporting their two 2022 albums, Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen.
It looks like Lady A is busy working on new music.
Both Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott shared a photo of themselves on their socials, pictured with bandmate Dave Haywood, singer/songwriter Foy Vance and writer/producer Jon Green.
“Getting some new stuff brewing,” Charles captioned his post, though it’s unclear whether the trio is writing or recording.
Whatever the case, Hillary says it went well: “Creating with this crew today was…” she says, ending her sentence with the sparkles emoji.
Lady A’s last full-length album was 2021’s What a Song Can Do. They put out the new track, “Summer State of Mind,” last June.
After a trip overseas for the C2C festival next month, they’ll kick off their Request Line Tour April 14 at the Ryman in Nashville.
(WASHINGTON) — Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday toured the Ohio town near where a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying toxic chemicals derailed Feb. 3.
Sporting one of his trademark red “Make America Great Again” hats, the GOP presidential candidate delivered remarks at the East Palestine Fire House, telling residents “loud and clear you are not forgotten” while slamming current President Joe Biden’s response to the incident.
“Over the past few weeks the community has shown the tough and resilient heart of America- This is really America right here,” Trump said, while flanked by East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, GOP Ohio Rep. Bill Johnson and GOP Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, members of the firehouse and local officials. “Unfortunately, as you know, your goodness and perseverance were met with indifference and betrayal in some cases.”
“They were doing nothing for you,” Trump said, while claiming that the federal response was beefed up only in response to the announcement of his campaign trip, a claim the White House says is false.
“What this community needs now are not excuse … but answers and results,” Trump said, while also praising local responders.
Trump had earlier toured Little Beaver Creek — an Ohio river tributary near the site of the derailment three weeks ago — where he also met with supporters who had gathered on the edge of the muddy lot. Trump also said his team had coordinated the delivery of thousands of bottles of water and cleaning supplies for the community— including “Trump water.”
The trip comes amid an intense political showdown between the former president and the current one and his administration, which critics claim failed to quickly address the gravity of the health and environmental concerns resulting from the incident.
The White House has responded that the Environmental Protections Agency and Department of Transportation employees had been on the ground since “day one.”
“Congressional Republicans and former Trump Administration officials owe East Palestine an apology for selling them out to rail industry lobbyists when they dismantled Obama-Biden rail safety protections as well as EPA powers to rapidly contain spills,” said White House spokesperson Andrew Bates.
Trump’s visit comes as news that Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Thursday will meet in East Palestine with community members affected by the train derailment on the same day the National Transportation Safety Board is set to release its preliminary investigative report on the incident.
“As the secretary said, he would go when it is appropriate and wouldn’t detract from the emergency response efforts,” an administration official said. “The Secretary is going now that the EPA has said it is moving out of the emergency response phase and transitioning to the long-term remediation phase.
Buttigieg has faced intense criticism from political opponents who said his first response to the crash — 10 days after it occurred — along with the lack of any in-person visit — was insulting to the majority Trump-voting county.
A DOT spokesperson had told ABC News of the secretary’s conversations with Ohio GOP Gov. Mike DeWine and Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro about his plans to visit the location once preliminary local investigations were underway.
“His visit coincides with the NTSB issuing its initial findings on the investigation into the cause of the derailment and will allow the Secretary to hear from USDOT investigators who were on the ground within hours of the derailment to support the NTSB’s investigation.”
–ABC News’ Olivia Rubin, Amanda Maile Ben Gittleson and Cheyenne Haslett contributed to this report.
